Steve Burton announced in February that he was taking a hiatus from General Hospital, raising one big question: How would Jason Morgan exit Port Charles? In recent weeks, Jason made plans to head out of town with Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) while her Huntington’s medication was reproduced, a scheme designed to get her out from under Sidwell (Carlo Rota) and Cullum’s (Andrew Hawkes) thumbs. But a shocking last-minute twist turned those plans upside down. Here’s exactly how Jason wound up leaving.
Paying the Price
Earlier this week, Jason physically assaulted Dante (Dominic Zamprogna), who was trying to enforce an arrest warrant from the WSB, so he could escape and meet Britt down at the piers. There, he found Cullum about to shoot an unconscious Britt. Jason intervened, and as the men struggled, Cullum’s gun went flying. Just as Cullum was about to attack Jason with a retractable club, a shot rang out, and Jason was stunned to see that it was Rocco (Finn Carr) who had pulled the trigger. After Nathan agreed to take Rocco home, Jason tampered with the crime scene and fired the gun into the water himself to create evidence he’d pulled the trigger. Dante arrived and took Jason into custody as Cullum was rushed to the hospital.
Today, in the interrogation room at the PCPD, Dante tried to impress upon Jason the seriousness of the situation, reminding him that shooting a WSB director in the back was a much more serious crime than the ones he’d been brought in for over the years. “You need to make your next decision carefully,” cautioned Nathan (Ryan Paevey). “It could decide whether or not you spend the rest of your life in prison.”
Frustrated that Jason wouldn’t answer his questions, Dante exited the interrogation room and ran into Justine (Nazneen Contractor), who was stunned to learn of the evening’s events. Now alone with Jason, Nathan assured him that he’d taken care of Rocco and brought him home. Dante then sent Nathan to get a statement from Britt as Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) arrived at the police station to speak to her client. The attorney told Jason that his son, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) was fine, but they’d found Marco (Adrian Anchondo) stabbed and near death in her office. She praised his son for being good in a crisis and explained that he’d asked her to help him. “Thank you,” Jason said. “But the best way to help me is to look after Danny.” Alexis noted that the teen had said the same thing about him.
Justine was already preparing her case to prosecute Jason when Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna) arrived with two WSB agents to take the prisoner into their custody. As one of the agents cuffed Jason’s hands and feet, Jack revealed that this order came from the top, and he couldn’t tell him where he was being taken. He did add that Cullum survived surgery and was in stable but critical condition. “Could go either way,” Jack declared grimly of Cullum’s prognosis. “You’d better hope for your sake he pulls through.”
Jack offered to call Carly, but Jason didn’t want her or Danny to see him in cuffs. Warned that this might be the last chance he has to say good-bye to either of them, Jason insisted, “It’s better this way.” Alexis protested the WSB taking her client away, and Justine insisted that he be held in the jurisdiction where the crime took place. The WSB agent explained that the attempted murder of a WSB director in the line of duty could be considered an international incident, so their authority superseded the local government. As Jason was taken away, Alexis promised him she would fight this, but he was more concerned that she take care of Danny as his legal guardian.
Saying Good-Bye
Outside, Jason was about to be placed in the transport van when Britt rushed up, calling out his name. Dante explained that he was being extradited, but no one would say to where. The WSB agent insisted they had to go, but Nathan angrily demanded his sister be given a minute. “It’s okay,” Jason assured her quietly. Britt shook her head, crying, and stammered, “I love you, Jason.” Stoically, he replied, “I love you, too.”
Back at the station, Alexis continued to complain about what she termed an egregious violation of Jason’s rights and insisted on keeping her promise to Danny to help his father. “You are not getting it,” Jack intoned. “It’s too late. Your grandson’s never gonna see his father again.”
As Jason took his seat inside the vehicle, Britt cried to Nathan that they had to do something. Just then, Danny arrived and raced to his father’s side. Dante held him back, informing that the WSB was taking Jason into custody. Danny protested that they couldn’t do that and called out for his dad. “Remember what I said,” Jason told his son. Danny managed a smile and responded shakily, “I remember. I love you too, Dad.”