Thursday, August 22, promises to be a day filled with emotional turmoil and unexpected alliances on

General Hospital. As we’ve been speculating about Rick Lansing’s return, it finally happens this

Thursday. Molly, still mourning the loss of her baby, is finding it difficult to cope. The pain is worsened

by her belief that Kristina’s carelessness may have contributed to her daughter’s death. Although Kristina is also heartbroken by the tragedy, her dishonesty and attempts to shift the blame onto Ava have only deepened Molly’s grief. As if the tension between them wasn’t already unbearable, the decision Molly and TJ made to name the baby without Kristina’s input has driven an even bigger wedge between the Davis sisters. Rick’s return might offer Molly the support she needs to regain her footing, but the big question is whether father and daughter can lean on each other to navigate this tough time.

Meanwhile, over at the art gallery, Sonny makes a bold move by approaching Ava with a tempting proposition. He suggests a truce and asks her to stay off the witness stand in Jagger’s case. Ava, who has been uncertain about Joss’s plan, is intrigued. She recognizes that Joss’s intense hatred for Sonny could derail everything. However, Ava is not one to accept defeat easily, so she agrees to Sonny’s terms—on the condition that she remains involved in Avery’s life. This deal could spell disaster for Joss, as the person he relied on the most might be the one who betrays him in the end.

Trina finds herself in the middle of this mess as she stands up for Ava against Joss’s sharp criticism. Trina believes that Ava will ultimately make the right choice, rather than continue to play Joss’s pawn. Joss, however, is convinced that Ava’s deep-seated resentment towards Sonny will drive her to side with Joss. Despite their conflicting views, Trina and Joss manage to sit down and have a calm, honest conversation. They recognize that their friendship is too important to let this disagreement drive a permanent wedge between them.

Back in Kristina’s world, she’s furious after discovering that TJ and Molly have excluded her from their plans for parenthood. The betrayal cuts deep, but with some guidance and comfort from Alexis, Kristina might find a way to manage her anger and move forward.

Finally, Maxie’s frustrations at Deception continue to grow as she struggles with Natalia’s domineering approach to her new role. The previews hint at an intense showdown in the office, as Natalia’s aggressive attitude has not shown any signs of improvement. It’s clear that the battle for control at Deception is far from over.