It’s July but wow — last week felt like a sweeps week (even if that’s not really a thing anymore).

The reveal that Hope is now working at Logan on The Bold and the Beautiful brought explosive fireworks ahead of the Fourth. The culmination of the Cullum/Sidwell storyline on General Hospital delivered action and adventure worthy of a feature film. And Patty stabbing Jack on The Young and the Restless after discovering that Diane had escaped from Dr. Markham’s clutches was nothing short of intense.

What stood out to me about these storylines is that they were driven by character and grounded emotion, not fantastical plotting. It reinforces what I wrote last week: People don’t watch soaps for stories they can’t relate to — they watch for strong, satisfying drama that makes their time and investment worthwhile. I know I do, and last week delivered that in spades. That’s also why this genre has endured as long as it has, and why audiences tune in year-round, for those special moments that remind us why we started watching in the first place.

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Andrew Hawkes wrapped up his run as General Hospital’s Ross Cullum on the Thursday, July 2 episode, when the shady WSB agent met his end after taking a fatal bullet from Josslyn. In an exit interview with Soap Opera Digest, Andrew revealed that what was originally intended to be a three-episode arc ultimately stretched to 40 episodes. Still, he knew Cullum’s fate was likely sealed given the character’s increasingly dastardly deeds.

When I spoke with Andrew in January, ahead of his debut, he was enthusiastic about joining GH and eager to work alongside the show’s cast, even though he wasn’t sure how long Cullum would be sticking around Port Charles.

“Chris McKenna [Brennan] is my boy,” he told me. “We’re adversarial in the show but he’s such a good guy. I got to work with Kelly [Thiebaud, Britt] and Carlo [Rota, Sidwell], who is so fantastic and fun to work with. Chris said to me, ‘They're really bouncing you all around.’ And I said, ‘I'm getting to work with all these amazing people and these characters that have been established for so long.’ Where it will go, I have no idea, but I think it’s a great character, and I love the storyline. I’ve just started watching General Hospital and I’m like, ‘Oh, I can see how you definitely would just right away get hooked.”

While Cullum’s story has come to an end, Andrew isn’t closing the door on a return. He told SOD that if the opportunity somehow arose, he’d gladly head back to Port Charles.

“I’d say yes in a heartbeat,” he said.

Bryce Durfee logs more time as GH’s Vaughn on Monday, July 6.

Judi Evans appears again as Days’s Bonnie on Wednesday, July 8.

Kimberlin Brown’s Sheila makes her presence known on B&B beginning Wednesday, July 8.

Theodora Greece returns as B&B’s Alison on Thursday, July 9.

Eileen Davidson is back as Y&R’s Ashley on Friday, July 10.

Newsletter-exclusive highlights from my recent interviews

Lauren Koslow is currently pulling double duty as Days of our Lives’s Kate and The Young and the Restless’s Jill and told me that wardrobe plays a key role in keeping the two characters distinct.

“The wardrobe for Jill very different from Kate,” she pointed out. “I’m very used to Kate’s wardrobe, which was different from Lindsay Wells [who she played on Y&R from 1984-86] and Margo Lynley [who she played on The Bold and the Beautiful from 1987-92]. It was very helpful, because the costume designer [at Y&R] pulled three things, which was the correct choice, of course. With Richard Bloore [Days’s costume designer], I go in and it’s a room full of clothing. But I know how Kate looks and how I want her to look, with Richard’s agreement. Even with my character on Bold and Beautiful, there was input. But this is a whole different thing, and it makes sense for the character. So, bottom line, it was good because it helped me to understand her character more and get into her character.”

She added that the change also informed her performance. “Normally I go to work, and I put on Kate’s armor, but now I had Jill’s on, and it did give me another clue to her,” Lauren explained. “It felt different walking on stage to block. Jill’s hair and makeup is different, so I think I look different from Kate and it’s good.”

Susan Walters (Diane, The Young and the Restless) made her career debut on Loving in 1983, playing Lorna Forbes until 1986. The role proved to be rewarding in more ways than one. Not only did it launch her career, but it also introduced her to her future husband, Linden Ashby (Curtis Alden; Cameron Kirsten, Y&R). As a result, soaps have never been far from her mind.

When I sat down with Susan at the Beyond the Gates set in January, she told me she was thrilled that a new show had been added to the daytime lineup. “When I was in my ’30s, I thought, ‘Maybe I’ll do a soap again,’” she recalled to me. “There were fewer shows, but there were there these powerhouses that were still on, but Loving wasn’t there and Ryan’s Hope wasn't there. But now there’s so few, so to have a new show come on, it’s interesting because I bet all the shows are wishing them well and hoping they do really well because it’s great for the genre. We want it to get bigger not smaller.”

Susan also shared that she and Linden remain in touch with several of their former castmates. “I saw Bryan Cranston [Doug Donovan] not too long ago at Peter Bergman’s [Jack, Y&R] house, so that was really fun,” she said. “It was crazy that that was my first job and he was one of the first people I ever worked with in my first days of acting. Noelle Beck [Trisha Alden] and I keep in touch with each other through social media. Grant Show was on Ryan’s Hope [as Rick Hyde], so that doesn’t really count. Grant and I went on the infamous bad date back in 1984 or ’83 and he and Linden were really good friends. Grant lived next door to us when we first came to L.A. and then I worked with Grant on Point Pleasant after I left Young and the Restless the first time.”

Beyond the Gates: The show was in repeats last week.

The Bold and the Beautiful: Wow, was the fallout of Hope’s reveal as Logan’s new creative director worth the wait! Brooke became completely unhinged — as expected — and her confrontation with Katie, which nearly came to blows, was wild, especially when Brooke smashed the TV screen. While Brooke has every reason to be angry with Katie, I think her real frustration is with Hope. She made that clear, but Katie has become the convenient target for all of her venting. Along those same lines, I understood Donna’s dilemma. Eric’s defeated demeanor said everything about how he felt after learning she hadn’t told him about the shake-up at Logan, but Donna was in an awkward position, too…. As for Electra and Will, I can see where she would be upset with him, but her argument that her jewelry line was put on hold because of Logan’s isn’t really Will’s fault. Will shouldn’t be sharing company secrets, regardless of their romantic relationship. In my opinion, she’s being somewhat unreasonable.

Days of our Lives: We really haven’t seen too much of Abe’s struggle with the fact that his current marriage was upended by the return of his presumed-dead wife, so I appreciated the scene in which he removed his wedding ring from Paulina to be with Lexie. It was a small moment, but a meaningful one…. Bringing Holly into the arsenic tainted-water-on-Smith-Island story is a good way to expand the fallout. I also appreciated that Tate told Holly Nicole had landed in Chicago. Even if we don’t see Nicole on screen, we need to know she was there — Nicole would never stay in France if Holly has been hospitalized again…. And finally, a concussed Leo seeing Xander and Kristen right after their tryst was an amusing touch.

General Hospital: WHOA! The culmination of the Cullum and Sidwell story was outstanding! The shootout was exciting, John Oliver, a.k.a. Z, landing on the helicopter upped the ante, Cullum’s death packed a punch, Carly finding Josslyn was emotional, and Josslyn negotiating to free Valentin and Jason was a terrific payoff. It was all brilliantly executed…. Anna figuring out the Nathan/Cassius connection was another highlight, as was the surprise return of Wes Ramsey as Peter August… Welcome back, Nurse Amy! … It’s always great to see John J. York as Mac…. I also thought it was fun to see Justine caught up in the danger with Sonny and Sidwell because in real life, her portrayer, Nazneen Contractor, is married to Sidwell’s portrayer, Carlo Rota…. It’s good that Joe is being established as a sharp detective right from the start, both in Sidwell’s arrest and uncovering the truth behind Britt’s false Huntington’s diagnosis.

Young and Restless: What a week! Susan Walters did a bang-up job as Diane fought to free herself from Dr. Markham. But OMG! I did not see Patty stabbing Jack coming. That was one of the most jaw-dropping Friday cliffhangers in a long time! … Everything Newman-related in the wake of Nikki’s surgery was amazing — the high stakes, the acting, Victor’s vulnerability — it all worked…. Bravo to Lauren Koslow, who hit the ground running as Jill’s fill-in. Her scenes with Jason Thompson’s Billy felt emotional and authentic, despite the fact they’d never worked together before, and her easy rapport with Billy Flynn’s Cane was evident from their previous work together as Days’s Kate and Chad…. I’m so glad Traci referenced Colleen’s death in connection with Patty, just as Phyllis and Daniel brought up that Patty’s attempt to kill Summer. Those are the kinds of events that shouldn’t simply be forgotten.

MONDAY, JULY 6

Beyond the Gates: Eva receives a stunning gift from Leslie; Kat and Tomas leave each other equally stunned; and Vanessa’s news puts Joey on edge.

The Bold and the Beautiful: Electra comes to a heartbreaking decision, and Liam makes a shocking discovery.

Days of our Lives: Leo tries to calm Gwen; Brady and Kristen clash over Rachel; a mysterious clue could save Holly; and Johnny confronts EJ.

General Hospital: Carly clashes with Z; Josslyn gets a surprise; Britt pleads with Dante; Nina is gutted; and Lulu is stunned.

The Young and the Restless: Phyllis helps Matt Clark start a new chapter; Audra stirs up trouble for Sienna; and things go from bad to worse for Diane and Jack.

TUESDAY, JULY 7

Beyond the Gates: Dani, Nicole and Vernon await the results of Anita’s lumpectomy; Eva and Izaiah have a surprise visitor; and Deanna catches up with an old friend.

The Bold and the Beautiful: Ridge delivers an ultimatum to Electra, and as tensions continue to rise, Finn does his best to support Steffy.

Days of our Lives: Chanel and Theo bond over betrayal; Stephanie vows to stand by Alex; Lexie lashes out at EJ; and Cat undergoes hypnosis with Marlena.

General Hospital: Carly is on the warpath; Danny makes a revelation; Michael has second thoughts; Tracy and Willow face off; and Gio and Emma savor some time alone.

The Young and the Restless: Victor makes an unexpected decision about Nikki’s medical care; Patty gets the upper hand against Diane; and Jack’s life hangs in the balance.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 8

Beyond the Gates: Kat’s impulse rubs Tomas the wrong way; Jacob and Naomi make up for lost time; Ted and Shanice make room for romance; and Grayson receives an unexpected offer.

The Bold and the Beautiful: Ridge attempts to sway Electra’s opinion about Will, and Sheila makes her true intentions unmistakably clear.

Days of our Lives: Bonnie advises Alex; Philip apologizes to Stephanie; Gabi and Theo share some heated words; and Gwen opens up to Tate.

General Hospital: Sonny cautions Carly; Trina runs into Portia; Ric takes on a new client; Molly faces a difficult choice; and Lucas vents to Elizabeth.

The Young and the Restless: Michael pleads his case to Christine; Billy questions Jill’s intentions; and Patty forces Jack to keep a secret.

THURSDAY, JULY 9

Beyond the Gates: Naomi’s admission leaves Dani and Jacob reeling; Anita and Vernon learn a major life update from one of the grandchildren; and Samantha’s news has Smitty and Martin worried for Tyrell.

The Bold and the Beautiful: Finn is caught off guard by an unexpected visitor, and Sheila and Deacon’s marriage officially comes to an end.

Days of our Lives: Paulina loses her cool with Abe; Sarah accuses Holly of taking drugs; Rafe threatens to pull the plug on Cat’s investigation; and EJ celebrates success.

General Hospital: Liz is suspicious; Willow suffers a setback; Jordan makes a confession; Brook Lynn gets called out; and Curtis ponders his legal strategy.

The Young and the Restless: Lily sees a new side to Cane; Jill pushes Billy to resolve their issues; and Kyle takes matters into his own hands to protect his Jack and Diane.

FRIDAY, JULY 10

Beyond the Gates: Madison’s deposition goes from bad to worse; Dani discusses a sensitive matter with Ashley; Leslie and Darlene come to a new understanding; and June’s gift brings her to tears.

The Bold and the Beautiful: Ridge takes matters into his own hands with Bill; Finn is once again caught in the middle; and Taylor begins to question whether Sheila has truly changed.

Days of our Lives: Steve reassures Stephanie she isn’t alone; Johnny and Paulina comfort Chanel; and Leo tries to gain sympathy from Javi.

General Hospital: Old lovers reunite; Lulu demands answers; Ava questions Ethan; Chase is aghast; and Britt gets big news.

The Young and the Restless: Victor makes a surprising announcement; Ashley returns home to visit Jack; and Nikki struggles with her new condition.

Check out these recent articles I’ve written for tvinsider.com and swooon.com