It’s been a long time coming, but on the June 19 episode of General Hospital, Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and Jenz Sidwell (Carlo Rota) had an intense conversation in the Wyndemere den about Sonny’s piers that ultimately led to a shocking revelation… for viewers, at least, as Sonny remains in the dark!
Business As Usual
“When you offered to come to Spoon Island, I thought, ‘This must be important. It’s a long way to come for a social visit,” mused Sidwell. Cutting right to the chase, Sonny shared that he’d been thinking about Sidwell’s offer to buy his waterfront property. Sidwell offered to go over his proposal once again, but Sonny stated he was there for a straightforward talk, “man to man.” Keeping his cool, the dimpled don demanded the truth from the Port Charles newcomer, asking Sidwell point-blank why he was really interested in the piers.
“I appreciate your directness, and I will respond in kind: I want your piers because I want to end your influence in this city,” Sidwell stated simply, leaving the mobster momentarily stunned. “So, you think you can just push me to the side?” Sonny questioned. With an air of arrogance, Sidwell shared that he hoped Sonny would step down — “like a gentleman” — as he casually walked over to the bar. “Why would I do that?” Sonny asked, incredulously.
Then, Sidwell explained that Sonny’s shadow “looms so very large” over the city, with his name tied to organized crime in the public’s mind. Plus, Sidwell added, there is a constant cycle of violence as people test Sonny’s hold in the city. “That’s not an answer,” insisted Sonny, still cool but growing slightly more agitated.
Dipping his head in a mock show of humility, Jenz explained, “I’m planning to expand my business here. My business does not include monthly mob shootouts.” When Sonny wondered what his business did include, Sidwell noted that as an importer, the piers are crucial to his operations. With control of the piers, he’d bring jobs and commerce to Port Charles, which would be a good thing for the city, for Deception… and ultimately Sonny himself as a Deception investor. But Sonny pointed out that there was another party also interested in the piers — the City of Port Charles itself. “If you buy my piers, and Measure C passes, the city’s going to take them away from you,” Sonny noted. Sidwell, however, wasn’t worried. “Well, fortunately, I’m a gambling man. What’s life without a little risk?”
Jenz then shared with Sonny how he envisioned the changeover playing out: Once Sonny sold him the piers, he and Jordan would make sure that the sale was front-page news. And once Measure C becomes just about the waterfront real estate — and not a referendum on Sonny’s reputation — it will be old news that no one in Port Charles will care about any longer. As their game of one-upmanship continued, Sonny declared that Sidwell had left him with no choice. Cutting the other man off, Sidwell shared that he was actually giving Sonny the opportunity to walk away richer — and as a clean man. “There’s a chance to unburden yourself. To be free of an enterprise that, though it has long enriched you, has become an albatross around your neck,” Sidwell stated, a hint of condescension in his voice.
Sonny’s hackles were raised when Sidwell next mentioned how neither of them was getting any younger. “What does that have to do with anything?” Sonny barked, unsure of what the other man was implying. Mentioning how tragic it was that Sonny had already lost one son, Sidwell mused that he could imagine that Sonny would want to spend the rest of his days with his family, safe and secure. With a menacing expression, Sonny stepped closer and growled in a whisper, “Are you threatening my family?”
Family Matters
What started as a calm tête-à-tête between the men then grew markedly more intense. “I thought you were smarter than this, Sidwell. No one threatens my family and lives,” Sonny declared before heading for the door. He turned back around when Sidwell insisted that Sonny misunderstood him; he’d simply meant that once Sonny no longer owned the piers, everyone around him would be safe from those people trying to take things from him. When Sonny accused him of being one of those people, Sidwell countered that if either of them wanted violence, things between them would have been over long ago. “You mean like my son that almost died… a long time ago?” Sonny seethed.
Assuring Sonny that he had nothing to do with the firebomb that nearly burned Michael alive, Sidwell acknowledged, “A man’s children are sacred. And that kind of violence must be met in kind. I certainly wouldn’t want anything like that happening to my Marco.” In turn, Sonny vowed, “And I would do anything — and I mean anything — to keep my family safe.” Believing that they were finally on the same page, Sidwell nodded before asking Sonny, “So do we have a deal?”
Not at all, Sonny replied. “Why would we have a deal? Port Charles is my home. My roots are here. My children are here. This city and I, we’ve been good to each other, and I will protect it from anyone — and that includes you, Sidwell.” With a shake of his head and the condescension back in his tone, Sidwell delivered a veiled threat to Sonny. “You’d be so very wise to reconsider,” he warned. Growing angrier, Sonny saw no reason why he should be the one to reconsider and rejected Sidwell’s offer. “Take your money and stay out of my way,” he said, delivering a warning of his own. After a brief stare down between the two men, Sonny broke away and exited the den.
Law & (Dis)Order
Meanwhile, at the Throwing Club, Lucas and Marco’s date-night conversation turned to Michael. When Lucas expressed how happy he was that the judge had awarded his nephew full custody, Marco wondered if Willow would be given visitation rights. “It’s just highly unusual that a judge wouldn’t entertain visitation for a mother,” the attorney noted, and a rather troubled look fell over Lucas’s face as he pondered Marco’s words.
Back in the Wyndemere den, Sidwell had a clandestine meeting with Judge Heran, who shared an update that she’d granted Michael Corinthos full custody, “just like you wanted.” Thanking the judge for a job well done, Sidwell informed her that the rest of her money had been wired to her account!
Were you surprised that Sidwell paid the judge to rule in Michael’s favor on GH? Do you think that Sidwell will back off on his quest to take control of Sonny’s piers? Let us know in the comments below!
