Did General Hospital Just Cut the Best Nurses’ Ball Moment of All Time?

The Nurse’s Ball began in 1994, helmed by Port Charles’ own Lucy Coe (Lynn Herring). In true General Hospital tradition, it was part of a storyline that bravely tackled the HIV/AIDs crisis of the period. Despite the ever-growing number of cases, few TV shows took on the subject, but the ABC soap had no problem making the crisis an integral part of its storytelling. It typically takes place throughout a few episodes, and it is meant to not only raise money for HIV/AIDs research funding within the show’s fictional universe, but also discuss the topic in an age before TV shows and movies were readily discussing the pandemic. Even during this year’s run, Lucy acknowledges how the subject of HIV/AIDs research may not seem as much of a pressing issue as it was 31 years ago, but urges both the characters and viewers to continue the important battle against the disease.

As far as the structure of the Nurses Ball episodes goes, they are typically filled with glitz and glamour, as it is one of Port Charles’ biggest annual events. There’s a red carpet portion, which this year featured a lot of drama, and is followed by the hospital’s employees and citizens of the town putting on lavish performances. It’s always a fun series of episodes, as the show’s characters typically step out of their comfort zone for their segments, and Tracy’s was set to be one of the greatest of all time, until an unexpected drama reared its head.

Fans Were Robbed of Tracy’s Performance

While all General Hospital characters are constantly surrounded by drama, there are few who seek it out quite as frequently as Tracy. Her prickly personality and brash desires have made her not only one of General Hospital’s most beloved characters but one of the greatest soap opera characters of all time. That being said, Tracy does have a lighter side, albeit one often reserved for her family and closest friends. Often manifesting in a tough love way, we’ve rarely gotten to see Tracy cut loose, but her performance at the Nurse’s Ball was meant to remedy that.

Teaming up with Anna DeVane (Finola Hughes), Lucy, and Felicia Scorpio (Kristina Wagner), the show has been Tracy’s big number for a few weeks now, even going as far as to show us her striking a pose in rehearsal for her big moment, before cutting away. It’s safe to say that many viewers were excited for her big moment, but, while walking the red carpet, series villain, Drew (Cameron Mathison), further proved why he’s earned his untrustworthy status.

Despite the fact that he and Tracy have been working together recently, Tracy’s son-in-law, Chase (Josh Swickard), shows up to arrest her for the apparent drugging of Drew. Drew and Willow (Katilyn MacMullen) is a topic we recently covered on Collider, and it’s always been frustrating, but to see Drew drag Tracy into it for no particularly good reason is plain infuriating. It totally voided the events of Tracy’s talents and made unnecessary drama for a character who never needs help finding an individual to bud heads with. Adding insult to injury is the fact that we got to see how great the production would have been.

Tracy Was Replaced by a Surprising Character

We may not have gotten to see Tracy herself perform, but that doesn’t mean we missed out on the act as a whole. In a rush to replace her, Lucy and the rest of the remaining trio replaced Tracy with Damian Spinelli (Bradford Anderson). Spinelli gave a high-energy and funny performance of “These Boots Were Made for Walkin.’” Obviously, we’re not complaining about Anderson’s performance, as he was fantastic! However, it does serve as a reminder of what we missed because of Tracy’s surprise arrest.

The highly choreographed and even somewhat sensual spin on the song would have been epic had the talented Jane Elliot been given the chance to do the part as Tracy. After all, Tracy has played just about every role in Port Charles, from love interest to legendary threat, and, now, nuanced matriarch. Allowing her to have her full-fledged musical moment really would have been an incredible way to celebrate the beloved Nurses’ Ball. That being said, we’re certainly eager to see what drama lies ahead now that Drew has double-crossed Port Charles’ most dramatic resident.

Tracy Quartermaine has long been a legendary name for soap opera fans, almost as legendary as the Nurses’ Ball itself. Her infamous temper, demand for perfection, and flair for the dramatics ensured her longevity, and it would have been an incredible juxtaposition, had Drew not facilitated her arrest. Not only has the show been teasing her big moment for a few weeks now, but Spinelli’s understudying for Tracy also made it clear just what we missed out on. Of course, Spinelli was wonderful, and we really can’t wait for the ensuing drama that will arise between Tracy and Drew, but it’s hard not to miss what could have been.