Timeline & Recap
I’ve made some substantial story changes, mostly because Patrick & Robin and the hospital were part of Night Shift, and there are stories that just don’t fit in with what I’m doing here. Plus, I pretty much hate everything about how the show handled the counterfeit drug storyline back then as well as some other aspects of the post-Michael shooting. What I’ve done is given you some breakdowns as to how I would have written the three months at lead up to the story’s opening in late September.
July 2008
In late July, Dr. Ford dies after a car crash in the ER. Patrick is appointed chief of staff in his wake, and discovers the hospital has a host of problems that go deeper than the typical complaints. The nursing shortage is dire, and untrained nurses are constantly floating to departments where they have little experience. Equipment is not being replaced or maintained effectively.
Logan is murdered early in the month, embroiling Johnny, Nadine, Maxie, Lulu, and Claudia in the cover-up. Johnny and Lulu go on the run, but her mental health is fragile and she struggles.
Jason and Elizabeth continue to be apart after the tragedy of Michael’s shooting, but Jason begins the very slow process of downsizing the scale of the business, hoping to transition out of the international smuggling trade that Sonny delved into while Jason was gone in 2000-02. The worst of the violence has stemmed from these routes, and Jason hopes that it will make it safe enough for him to have a life — and if Elizabeth is still waiting, a family with her.
Just as Jason begins this transition, Andrei Karpov arrives with a proposition. He will take over Jason’s routes and Jason can leave the business. But Jason refuses this overture — he wants Port Charles out of this area entirely. He won’t run Karpov’s shipments either. Karpov tries to enlist Sonny to force Jason into the deal, but Sonny refuses, though he cautions Jason to be careful.
August 2008
Karpov seems to be taking his no in stride, and Jason moves on to worrying about other things, like Johnny and Lulu who are still on the run after Logan’s death. Anthony Zacchara is unpredictable when he can’t control his son, and Jason doesn’t want anything to screw up his long-term plans. Sonny and Kate continue to plan their wedding. Jason is still pushing Elizabeth away, though he’s still working on the transition, and there’s some light at the end of the tunnel. Patrick is grappling with the hospital’s issues. Near the end of the month, Johnny and Lulu turn themselves in, and Johnny prepares to go on trial for Logan’s murder. Spinelli is beaten up by Karpov’s men and nearly dies in the hospital.
September 2008
Johnny goes on trial for Logan’s murder, and Nadine is held in contempt when she protests Scott’s treatment of her and the handling of the case, endearing herself slightly to the Zacchara family, and bringing Johnny into her orbit. Lulu breaks down on the stand and confesses — and Johnny is released. Lulu is sent to Shadybrooke as the DA’s office contemplates charges, but she gets a day pass to attend Kate’s wedding with Johnny, a decision her brothers wholeheartedly disapprove of.
Elizabeth doubles down on her efforts to get Jason to at least re-engage their relationship in private, and he’s starting to show signs of relenting, particularly as he’s managed to slow down the international shipments a great deal. But he still struggles knowing that he isn’t getting out entirely — and isn’t sure why Elizabeth would even want to stay. After a steamy interlude at the penthouse was interrupted by Carly, Jason finally relents. He loves Elizabeth and wants to take her to Italy
Karpov, after the attempt on Sonny, is a thorn in their side, but Jason doesn’t see a reason to worry. Yet. Sonny and Kate’s wedding problems take a hit when Sonny and Carly’s adultery is revealed. Jax leaves Carly, while Sonny is available to convince Kate to overlook it.