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Daytime soaps are full of beautiful heroines but few have the unique
spirit
and energy of GH's Felicia Scorpio-Jones, played by talented actress
Kristina Wagner. Since 1984, Wagner has crafted a one-of-a-kind character
who marches to the beat of her own drummer and attacks life with the kind
of ferocity you normally see from football players three times her size.
When GH viewers first met Felicia in 1984, she was a real-life (blonde!)
Aztec princess barely out of her teens who already possessed a strong
sense
of self and an appealing in-your-face vitality. She was an only child who
had lost both of her parents at a young age and was raised by her maternal
grandmother. Felicia arrived in Port Charles to find a family ring that
hopefully would help her preserve her family heritage and save her
grandmother's hacienda in Texas.
Like many other things in Felicia's world, things did not exactly go as
planned. But along the way she met the great early love of her life:
sarcastic and sexy rock star Andrew "Frisco" Jones. In many ways,
Felicia's
relationship with Frisco was a major turning point in her life, but at no
time did Felicia ever allow the relationship to define her or swallow her
spirit.
Frisco and Felicia's relationship was loving, soulful, tender and
passionate but also volatile, complicated and in some ways tragic. It
seems
ironic that what Felicia first introduced into Frisco's life--the joys and
adrenaline rush of adventure--would ultimately bring about the end of
their
relationship. But in true Felicia style, compromise was not an option when
Frisco wanted a life in the WSB. Felicia felt she had to choose what was
best for her children, even if it met losing the man she loved with every
fiber of her being.
But unlike many soap heroines who seem to shrivel up and die after losing
their big love, Felicia refused to allow the end of her marriage to Frisco
to kill her spirit. As a character and woman, Felicia really came into her
own after Frisco was removed from the equation. Viewers watched Felicia
the
independent single mother working hard to support her family and even find
love again.
Friend turned lover Mac Scorpio became an important part of Felicia's
life,
but the shadow of Frisco always loomed large over that relationship. The
two ultimately learned sometimes no matter how much you want a love
relationship to work, ignoring major issues or trying to force your heart
to feel something that is not there will ultimately end in pain.
Felicia also shared a steamy romance with Dr. Tom Hardy, but their passion
in the bedroom was not enough to hold the relationship together. One of
the
most unexpected and special loves in Felicia's life happened when she
struck up a friendship with unpredictable Luke Spencer that later turned
to
romance. Unfortunately, baggage from their past and bad timing (with help
from some untalented writers who have no idea how to tell an honest story)
ultimately ended that union.
Through it all, Felicia has always managed to keep her positive,
never-say-die attitude about herself and those she holds dear. When
everyone else in town deserted her ex brother-in-law Tony Jones, Felicia
stood by his side. When Robin lost her mother Anna, Felicia stepped in and
became Robin's big sister/surrogate mom.
Over the years, Felicia has battled everything from serial killers and
stalkers to Frisco's surprise return from the dead and the almost death of
her eldest daughter Maxie. But these battles are what makes Felicia
stronger, more interesting and maybe most importantly, more human.
Without Felicia, GH always seems less lively and definitely more dull.
Felicia is one of those rare people who are equally comfortable having
male
and female friends. Who else could have an all-male baby shower or a
friendship that requires her to dress like a nun and go undercover in a
French convent?
Few actresses that have Wagner's special combination of beauty, heart and
a
wonderful flair for comedy. As a viewer, you have no trouble seeing
Felicia
as the fun, stylish, PTA mom that everyone at school loves or as the nosey
detective finding trouble in the most unexpected places.
But make no mistake, Felicia is far from perfect. She has a major stubborn
streak and thirst for adventure that sometimes rules her head, but she
always examines her actions and takes responsibility for what she did
wrong.
For all those reasons and more, Felicia remains one of the most compelling
female characters on daytime and a fan favorite. There are many reasons
why
GH is no longer must see TV, but having Felicia around gives you hope
better times are ahead. As long as she is alive and kicking in Port
Charles, viewers know to expect the unexpected.
And THAT is a true measure of the magic and appeal of Felicia
Scorpio-Jones.
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