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What General Hospital Fans Need to Know Before Watching Nicholas Alexander Chavez in Monsters on Netflix
If you’re still holding out hope that Nicholas Alexander Chavez might one day return to General Hospital, we’ve got bad news: Now that the rest of the world has seen him tackling the role of murderous sibling Lyle Menendez in the Netflix series Monsters, the odds of him coming back to Port Charles are somewhere between slim and none.
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To say that he gives a stunning performance is an understatement along the lines of “water is wet.” But will General Hospital fans enjoy the based-on-a-true-story project? That depends.
Given that Monsters: The Lyle and Eric Menendez Story is based on one of the most infamous double-murder cases in American history, you likely know the basics of the story. But even those old enough to have followed the resulting court case — which was broadcast on Court-TV, and where videos covering the entirety of the original trial can be found — will likely be shocked by details revealed in this dramatazation. (The first episode features a dinner scene which is almost sure to elicit gasps even as it sets the tragedies to follow in motion.)
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This is not viewing for the faint of heart or easily offended. This being a Netflix offering, profanity abounds, as does partial nudity and, least surprising of all given the topic, graphic violence. Later episodes include scenes involving child abuse which are at times downright difficult to watch.
Through it all, however, Chavez shines, as does co-star Cooper Koch as Lyle’s brother, Erik. Together, the young actors present matching and yet wildly different portrayals of brothers pushed to the edge. Whereas Chavez’ Lyle is the very definition of a toxically hyper personality, Koch’s Erik keeps his post-shooting anxiety so tightly buttoned up you fear he might literally jump out of his skin if startled. Both are almost certain to walk away with Emmy nominations.
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Will soap fans enjoy the limited series? Those looking for material with adult themes (or at the very least a willingness to avert their eyes during more disturbing sequences) will no doubt love this true-crime adaptation. And fans of Chavez will no doubt find themselves saying to anyone who’ll listen, “We told you this guy was a star!”
Join us in looking back at the life and times of Spencer Cassadine in the photo-packed gallery below.
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Image: ABC Photo Archives via Getty Images
1/25
<p>A member of the Russian aristocratic/terrorist/supervillain Cassadine family, Nikolas was born back in the ’80s (give or take a few SORASed years) when Mikkos’ diabolical son Stavros kidnapped Laura, held her captive in Greece and raped her. Sigh. <em>General Hospital</em> had so many consent problems in its early years… In any case, missing from this photo: camera-shy Cassadine, Stavros!</p>
Image: ABC/Courtesy of the Everett Collection
2/25
<p>One of the Cassadine’s rare good eggs (sometimes), Uncle Stefan raised Nikolas. Stavros had supposedly died during Laura’s escape in the ’80s, so she left her little boy with his uncle and never mentioned him again. Good parenting? No. But it made things a lot more fun when Nikolas popped up out of nowhere in 1996 to give sister Lulu a bone marrow transplant! </p>
Image: ABC/Courtesy of the Everett Collection
3/25
<p>Poor Nikolas (originally played by Tyler Christopher) was a pariah from day one. He took the heat for the Cassadine clan, for grandma Lesley’s death (both, actually, until she was found alive), the Spencer family’s misdeeds — all of it! Even Laura told him he had no place in her life when he first showed up! (More of that great parenting there.)</p>
Image: Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
4/25
<p>Eventually, though, everyone warmed up to Nikolas (next played by Stephen Martines) and he was welcomed into the teen scene with Lucky (then Jacob Young), Emily (originally Amber Tamblyn), Liz and Juan. They did super cool things like go to the mall, sit on big white boxes, fall victim to mob violence and give in to blackmail. You know, teen stuff. </p>
Image: Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
5/25
<p>Nikolas’ first love was also his first friend, Emily Quartermaine. But she married <em>her </em>first love, Zander, when she thought she was dying from breast cancer. Then she went into remission and celebrated horizontally with Nikolas. And when Zander found out Emily had cheated, he went off the deep end, kidnapped her and was killed by police. Whoops… </p>
Image: ABC/Courtesy of the Everett Collection
6/25
<p>Nikolas (back to Tyler Christopher) reluctantly married his first wife, socialite Lydia Karenin, at Stefan’s urging. He’d arranged for her dying grandfather to give them $20 million for the marriage, though they eventually realized the clause also included popping out a kid. Let’s just say the marriage ended with <em>nobody </em>happy. </p>
Image: John Paschal/JPI
7/25
<p>Though Nikolas did finally marry Emily, it soured faster than a Warhead (the candy, not the scary missile thing) and he cheated on his wife with Sonny’s long-lost sister, Courtney Matthews. She soon gave birth to Spencer, only to die of encephilitus during that whole Port Charles plague thing. And just like that, Nikolas was left without <em>anyone</em> to love! </p>
Image: ABC/Courtesy of the Everett Collection
8/25
<p>Luckily, Nik didn’t remain alone for long, thanks to nanny Colleen McHenry! She was super helpful, not just in helping take care of Spencer, but also spying for her secret boss, Helena Cassadine! Well, she was helpful until she grew obsessed with Nikolas, drugged him and kidnapped Spencer. This is why you always ask for references, people. </p>
Image: Doug Piburn/JPI
9/25
<p>Eventually, Nikolas and Emily (now Natalia Livingston) found their way back to each other. Nikolas was going to propose at his Black and White ball, but then the Text Message Killer found his way to Emily. She didn’t make it out of the encounter alive, but you’ve gotta admit, she does look ravishing in black and white!</p>
Image: Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
10/25
<p>Nikolas had a hard time shaking visions of Emily, first because of a brain tumor, then because her long-lost twin Rebecca Shaw came to town with a secret plan with <em>Lucky’s </em>long-lost son Ethan Lovett to fleece the Cassadines and Quartermaines of their money. We’re pretty sure this scene was Rebecca imitating the fans’ groaning over <em>General Hospital</em>‘s tortured way to bring Livingston back. </p>
Image: Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
11/25
<p>Nikolas and Liz held off as long as they could, but in the end, they just couldn’t resist the temptation to squeeze an invisible ball together! Wait, what? No. We meant have an affair behind Lucky’s back. And when he found out, Lucky couldn’t resist the urge to end his and Elizabeth’s engagement. They weren’t the only ones who could play ball. </p>
Image: Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
12/25
<p>Liz, Nikolas and Lucky (Jonathan Jackson) weren’t quite done with each other, though, and after playing ball, they decided to try a game of “Daddy Roulette.” Was Lucky or Nikolas the father of baby Aiden? And the winner was (drumroll please)… Lucky! We’re assuming this is where he handed Liz his winning ticket. </p>
Image: Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
13/25
<p>This isn’t really referencing anything in particular, but does it need to? Grandma Helena was a pain in Nikolas’ side from the moment she fake killed his <em>other </em>grandmother Lesley to keep Laura from claiming her son, to all the times she’s kidnapped, tried to kidnap or wanted to kidnap members of his family. </p>
Image: © Howard Wise/jpistudios.com
14/25
<p>Nikolas <em>almost </em>made an honest woman out of Britt back before she was mostly reformed. But finding out that her son “Ben” was actually born of an embryo stolen from his sister Lulu and hubby Dante was a Brittch too far for him. </p>
Image: Sean Smith/JPI
15/25
<p>Next up came Hayden! Or Rachel. She had a fake identity and he tried to have her killed, but once amnesia set in, it was love. Until it wasn’t. This all tied into when Drew was actually Jason but thought he was “Jake Doe” so if you’re lost, don’t worry, so are we. Oh and Spencer (then Nicolas Bechtel) was doing a Phantom of the Opera schtick after a fire. Just roll with it. </p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
16/25
<p>Remember when Valentin had a porn ‘stache and was the most feared Cassadine ever? Boy, how times have changed. But before they did, he forced Nikolas to sign over the family fortune, shot him and pushed him off a balcony in Greece. The funny thing? Nik had just survived a fall out of a Wyndemere window not long before. That boy needs to stay on the ground floor.</p>
Image: ABC via Getty Images
17/25
<p>Nikolas’ (then Marcus Coloma) marriage to Ava when he finally returned to the land of the living started as one of convenience. He just wanted the Cassadine fortune and heritage back and she was his key. But it turns out they were both just the right amount of horrible to fall for each other for real! Ain’t love grand? </p>
Image: ABC via Getty Images
18/25
<p>When great-uncle Victor Cassadine showed up in town, we learned that he was the one who saved Nikolas and helped him fake his death after Valentin’s rampage. He then promptly made himself at home as he began his plan for world domination or saving or whatever his excuse was for trying to kill half of humanity… </p>
Image: ABC screenshot
19/25
<p>It took a little while for Spencer (now Nicholas Alexander Chavez) to warm up to the fact that his dad abandoned him for a few years to pretend to be dead, but eventually he got there and all was perfect! Kind of. Until Nikolas slept with Esme. </p>
Image: ABC screenshot
20/25
<p>What’s worse than sleeping with your son’s ex? Sleeping with her, getting her pregnant and holding her hostage until she gives birth even <em>after </em>she gets amnesia. Granted, pre-amnesia Esme was about as bad as it gets, but still… Come on, Nik. </p>
Image: ABC screenshot
21/25
<p>No, this isn’t Nikolas (now Adam Huss) taking a nap. Well, it kind of is, but not on purpose. This is after Ava finally got tired of Nik’s shenanigans, bonked him over the head and killed him. Except, it turns, news of his death turned out to be greatly exaggerated…</p>
Image: ABC screenshot
22/25
<p>Before Ava could dump the body, it disappeared right out from under her. Lo and behold, it turns out Nikolas was being kept alive by Austin’s brother, Mason! Why? We don’t know. Where? We don’t know. In what shape? We don’t know. But he’s alive!</p>
Image: ABC screenshot
23/25
<p>And just like that, Nikolas was up, awake, going for runs and staying with Austin! We had a lot of questions, chief among them being: When was he heading back home?! Nikolas told Austin he’d get back to him on that… after he got back from Europe!</p>
Image: ABC screenshot
24/25
<p>Eventually, Nikolas revealed to Ava that he was among the living. And while relieved that she hadn’t actually killed her husband, she insisted their love was deader than the proverbial doornail. Knowing that in Port Charles “dead” doesn’t always mean “dead-dead,” we couldnt’ help holding out hope. </p>
Image: ABC screenshot
25/25
