Tracy’s devotion toward her former stepdaughter, Lulu, finally hit a boiling point for General Hospital’s Brook Lynn, leading to a raw and emotional conversation between grandmother and granddaughter – one that featured standout performances by daytime legend Jane Elliot (l.) and next-generation shining star Amanda Setton.
Truth, Be Told
At first, Elliot played Tracy as oblivious to the raw nerve she was pushing on Brook Lynn as Tracy rattled off all the hardships Lulu is facing as she tries to rebuild her life in Port Charles post-coma. In response, Setton leaned into the impending blow-up, making it clear that Brook Lynn could not bear to hear her Granny defend her nemesis for one moment longer. “I don’t care if Lulu has anything!” a bewildered Brook Lynn shouted, eyes squeezed closed. The truth she had been concealing for so long came tumbling out: “I care that she knows I got pregnant when I was in high school. And I gave the baby up for adoption. I care that your precious Lulu has been holding that fact over my head and threatening to blow my life up!”
This stunned Tracy into silence. Elliot perfectly played the next beat as an uncharacteristically choked-up Tracy asked for clarification. “Did you – did you say you had a baby?” she repeated, gasping as Brook Lynn reaffirmed her deepest, darkest secret. A pained expression washed over Setton’s face.
Brook Lynn was braced for Tracy to fly off the handle (especially after learning that Lois had known about the pregnancy). But instead, as Brook Lynn apologized for lying to her, Elliot portrayed Tracy not as a caustic matriarch but as a sympathetic grandmother as the character reassured Brook Lynn that she hadn’t owe anyone an explanation. Setton sat up straighter, giving Brook Lynn a steely resolve to admit she’d only been able to cope with her grief over giving her child up for adoption by burying all thoughts of her son – that is, until Lulu stumbled upon the information. Elliot allowed a hint of haughtiness to creep back into Tracy’s voice as she defended Lulu, implying it was Martin’s fault for leaving such sensitive paperwork lying around. Not having it, Brook Lynn snapped, anger flashing in Setton’s eyes. “You can’t keep making excuses for her!” she barked. “Not to me.”
With that, Tracy backed down. Elliot’s face softened as Tracy listened intently, while Setton recounted Brook Lynn’s difficult decision to give up her child. Throughout the conversation, Setton flawlessly transitioned between a range of emotions – hope, sadness, remorse, regret – while Elliot masterfully presented a gentler Tracy – one who is still strong, still poised, but who is also capable of great tenderness, especially when it comes to her family. When Brook Lynn copped to being afraid that Tracy would take Lulu’s side, Tracy had to choke back a sob before regaining her composure enough to tell her granddaughter, “I’m heartbroken that you were afraid to tell me. And I don’t ever, ever want you to doubt how much I love you.”
Brook Lynn and Tracy’s relationship has always been as heavy on snark as it has on sentiment. Here, in perhaps the most vulnerable scenes the two characters have ever shared, Elliot and Setton brought out the fierce and unwavering love that is at the core of their bond, resulting in a powerfully affecting performance.
