Monday was a big day in Port Charles. Long-running soap opera General Hospital bid farewell to Luke Spencer, who has been played by actor Anthony Geary for 37 years.
Geary's character was one half of the partnership at the center of one the most-watched soap opera moment in history. Some 30 million viewers tuned in for Luke and Lara's nuptials back in 1981.
Luke Spencer's exit, announced back in May, was a highly anticipated event for the series -- but as far as fans are concerned, it seems to have fallen short of expectations.
#FarewellTony zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz #gh— gail (@gailog) July 27, 2015
Hey #GH- this is total s&*t. Tony Geary and fans deserved better. #FarewellTony— Christa Dean (@christad2803) July 27, 2015
#FarewellTony Sry i was not impressed with his ending today.After 37 yrs he deserved so much more!!!!!— nancy sanders (@nancybabez50) July 27, 2015
For those who didn't watch, here's a paraphrased summary:
Luke: Bye, Sonny. Gotta deal with demons.
Sonny: K. Bye. The past was a hoot.
Luke: Tell my daughter TTYL.
Lulu (daughter): Tell me yourself.
Luke, turns to daughter: Bye. Sorry for being a bad dad.
Lulu: It's cool. No hard feelings. Byeee.
*Luke: Goodbye, Port Charles. Good luck to you.
(* = actual line)
Former fans who tuned in to see the momentous departure would have been lost, as the episode focused on newer characters.
I would've used cast members viewers who didn't watch for yrs would know like Monica, Liz, Nik, etc. Not all the newbies #GH #FarewellTony— GH Golden (@GH_Golden) July 27, 2015
Others were bummed at the lack of actual closure between Luke and Laura.
Laura's farewell scene with Luke is with Dante instead. #GH #FarewellTony— GH Golden (@GH_Golden) July 27, 2015
I'm glad Laura is having a heart to heart with DANTE during Luke's finale. #FarewellTony #GH— May Brian (@mabri1741) July 27, 2015
To be fair, Luke did leave Lara a letter, addressed to "angel," which was a sweet touch. But she didn't open it ... yet.
Whatever the letter contains, it's clear some sweet words could have helped please the disappointed fans. As could one of the show's traditional montage sequences:
And sorry, if you advertise "be there for Luke's farewell," I'm gonna want FLASHBACKS galore! A montage! Heck, a whole hour of Luke! #GH— Soaps In Depth ABC (@soapsindepthabc) July 27, 2015
No Luke montage? #FarewellTony #GH @GeneralHospital— Leah Nash (@leahnashsays) July 27, 2015
The reviews weren't all bad, though. A few viewers were moved by the Lulu moment, and the general understated feeling of the whole episode.
@EmmeRylan The final scenes between Lulu and her father were so special.Be proud girl! #FarewellTony #GH— LanteQuotz (@LanteQuotz) July 27, 2015
Very beautiful and touching farewell for Luke. The adventures with Tracy and the Casadines will not be the same. Take care #FarewellTony— Vera Gen (@Strugachik) July 27, 2015
Okay, whose idea was the final #Casablanca- esque shot? It almost made up for #NotEnoughTony #GeneralHospital #FarewellTony— Kara McLeod (@thecostumeczar) July 27, 2015