OPINION

General Hospital: Medicalizing Spinelli

Written by Spin's Vixenella
Published July 10, 2008
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The little information established about Spinelli’s history does not imply a normal, loving childhood. His history suggests prolonged social isolation, yet Spin has such positive energy and so much love in his heart. What little is known of Spin's social isolation could easily have made him bitter and mean, but instead, Spin is one of the kindest, most gentle people in town.

Whatever Spinelli’s "diagnosis" or label, he has come to terms with it. Recently Spin explained to Maxie that he had feelings like everyone else, and he “functioned quite capably.” In one of Spinelli’s most plain-spoken and touching moments, he softly confessed to Maxie, “I am not a freak.” Whether there is a medical diagnosis or condition applicable to Spin, does it matter or change anything? Without knowing for certain, Spinelli may have already lived through a lifetime of pain; maybe he has been hurt enough by a diagnosis or misdiagnosis.

General Hospital has a unique opportunity to tell an amazing back-story with the character of Spinelli. Immediately following the mere suggestion that Spinelli might have a medical condition, an avalanche of speculation and discourse began on whether Spin’s quirkiness might be medically explained. Viewers are interested in the enigma that is Spinelli, and Bradford Anderson’s stunning interpretation of this intricate, yet naive character has kept the mystery simmering just below the surface for nearly two years. Please GH, give us just a little taste of what makes Spinelli tick. You have the perfect combination of elements involved - a story begging to be told; viewers eager to see it; and Bradford Anderson, an actor who knocks the ball out of the park every turn at bat. General Hospital, it is time to “bring it.”

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Cyber-Ninja Defender of General Hospital’s Damien Spinelli (aka The Jackal), hapless hacker and lovable geek portrayed by the talented Bradford Anderson. By day, Spin’s Vixenella is a semi-retired Adjunct Professor in the Political Science Department of Lander University and a thirty plus year fan of GH.
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General Hospital: Medicalizing Spinelli
Published: July 10, 2008
Type: Opinion
Section: Video
Filed Under: Video: Soaps, Video: Television
Writer: Spin's Vixenella
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Comments

#1 — July 11, 2008 @ 00:53AM — Penny [URL]

Bring it ..

#2 — July 13, 2008 @ 08:51AM — Connie Phillips [URL]

I completely agree with your assessment of the character and, of course, the actor. I'm not sure I want GH to travel down that road of 'diagnosing Spinelli' though.

I love him the way he is! Just because he's differnt, does that mean he has to be labeled? I may feel differently if I thought the writers/TPTB would take us on a journey where viewers would learn about whatever form of autism they would decide he has and follow Spin on his coming to terms.

Instead, I fear they would begin to explore it, only to have the story dropped to make room for another gunshot/explosion story that puts current mob fractions on the brink of the dreaded mob war. Remember when they gave Epiphany a heart attack to launch a women's heart health story. We were going to follow her through her recovery... that ended up being about 3 scenes in her hospital room and one luncheon.

For a 'medical' based drama, they often fall short in that department and rarely do the topics they broach justice.

While I'd love to see more Spinelli laden scenes, I really hope they don't give him a diagnosis.

Oh yeah, bring on all that backstory you're talking about. They've been promising us he's going to end up with family connections in PC almost since the day Anderson went from reoccurring to cast member. Just make it a story worthy of this actor's talent.

#3 — July 24, 2008 @ 17:18PM — christine

Interesting article... And I agree, Connie, Spinelli is a good guy!

#4 — August 17, 2008 @ 01:50AM — Bonnie Sayers [URL]

Iincluded a link to this post in an article I wrote today.

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