Luke and Laura are the super couple that all other super couples on daytime (and sometimes nighttime) soap operas are compared to. The two of them saved the world more than once, acting like a pair of lovesick superheroes straight out of any Marvel or DC comic book. Because of them, an entire television genre was reimagined to be more than love triangles and plots within plots hatched by sinister villains out to get the girl they desired.
Oh, and did I mention Luke raped Laura on a disco dance floor in 1979?
So How Did a Rapist Become a Hero?
Retcon.
For those unfamiliar with the term, “retcon” is short for “retroactive continuity,” or “erasing what was already shown by simply ignoring it or a part of it.” In this case, what was clearly a rape scene – see it on YouTube if you’d like though while it is not graphic, I’d still say #triggerwarning – was eventually referred to as a “seduction,” cause as we all know, that’s how that works.
Why erase the crime? Simple: fans actually liked the two of them together (kind of explains 50 Shades, eh?), and to keep those fans happy, the show decided to stop what might have been a worthy storyline.
See, in the beginning, Laura was shown going to rape counseling. Oh, to keep it as it was would’ve been AMAZING. An honest portrayal of what life is like post-sexual assault? How wonderful it would’ve been. But, because audiences resonated with the pair, the vicious act was renamed and the two battled the forces of evil (who were not Luke, go fig) and eventually got married.
Aww. How sour.
What’s worse, as said by Anthony Geary, the dude who portrayed the scumbag-turned-superman, is that “From that point on, we played [Luke’s] regret and his total devastation.
“That’s a story nobody wants to tell—that the rapist’s life is as devastated as the person he rapes. His great love and regret and guilt are what caught the audience so off guard.”
Really? Excuse me, I meant, fucking really!?
So, General Hospital, Laura, after being turned upside down and inside out and every piece of her torn to shreds because a drunk fuck decided no is only a suggestion suffered no more, no less than the drunk fuck who violated her?
Eat a bag of dicks. No, seriously. You suck so hard.
Now, this seduction was canon (that means official storyline) until 1998 when Lucky, their son who they had after consensual sex, ‘cause a rapist feels bad afterwards and will only lie with you in good, socially acceptable ways, discovers his parents’ sordid history and poof what was rape then seduction was again rape.
And, of course, Luke felt oh-so-bad over what he’d done and his life had been ruined but his love for Laura had changed him and blah, blah, fucking blech. And about that, I, again, give the floor to Geary.
“Alan Pultz, who had directed the rape originally, used his original notes and directed me that day to recall all of that. I was able to finally put out what I think is Luke’s definitive statement: that it was rape, it was ugly, he’d probably never recover. I was grateful that the directors and the writers were interested in what Luke’s experience was and didn’t try to spin it for audience control.”
Okay, so maybe it might be interesting to understand the rapist’s experience. I mean, understanding what a disgusting creature feels might help stop it. But to make the audience, who seem to have deep-seated issues based on that 1979 push for love between rapist and victim, feel pity for the bastard is a step way too damn far.
Yes, the step is too damn far.
General Hospital Took It Too Far
While a writer is free to do whatever they damn well please with their story, for fuck’s sake, keep it honest. How many survivors, after going to counseling, decide to marry the person who victimized them? Is this really the ideal way for a genre heavily geared toward women to treat rape so casually? And then, years later, switch it up again and try to make feels for the rapist?
Who the hell writes this crap? We all know soap operas are not known for their stellar storytelling, but anyone with half a damn brain would know maybe this ain’t such a good idea, boss. Maybe we should ignore the “rape me, Luke” cries from our disturbed audience and create a story that shows a victim can become a survivor.
Laura is not a survivor. Ever since that night on the dance floor, when Luke decided what he wanted was more important than what she wanted, she has been a victim. There are enough fools in this world trying to suppress those who’ve been sexually violated; can’t we see hope in our televisions? Is that too much to ask, too?
It is. When ratings are involved.
Now imagine, for a moment, that Laura had continued healing herself. Maybe she would’ve seen Luke thrown in jail. She’d have seen that as a small victory as she struggled to be intimate with Scotty, the boy she was seeing and waiting for the night she was attacked. She would’ve struggled to regain herself while facing down those who blamed her for what happened. It would have been Emmy-worthy to see Genie Francis bring to life an all-too-real struggle – to reclaim her dignity.
She could have inspired countless victims to seek the help they needed. She could have shown that life continued, and could even improve, after such a violation. She could have been like Rosie the fucking Riveter for women suffering in their own personal hells.
Newp. Nada. Nevermind. Just make a few tweaks to the dialog and have ‘em make nice, love and babies. Yeah, that’s healthy. FAST FORWARD TWENTY YEARS. “Oh, my, gosh, dad, you raped mom!?” “Yes, son, I did. Now sit down and I’ll earn an acting award for the monolog I’m about to give.”
Yes, Luke, you are such a brave man. It is so difficult to come to terms with your rape – of your own damn wife – and you should be revered, er, um I mean, reviled.
What is it With Fiction and Reforming Rapists?
And, what’s more, if they can, should they then marry their victim? What is this, Biblical times? Did he pay her father fifty shekels and a couple of farm animals?
Crap. The Spencers are the closest thing to a Biblical marriage in the history of television. Not even the Duggars can make that claim and we know how Bible-loving they are.
It’s sad, really, that what began as a powerful story – Geary and Francis even met with a therapist before filming – of hope and recovery became just another way to get two characters together. It’s also sick. And disturbing. And a big ol’ slap in the face to people who have suffered through the trauma of rape. General Hospital didn’t care how horrible the very idea of this couple was when they bowed to fan pressure.
They just wanted more money. And by their actions, they raped Laura again.
What do YOU think? Please share your thoughts below.
Pictures courtesy of Unsplash and Pixabay.
For Rachel’s poetry and memoirs, go to Amazon
Charli Mills says
June 22, 2015 at 12:26 pmI think about how caught up I once was in the Luke and Laura story. I used to clean motel rooms with my friend before we’d ride our horses that summer. Yes, I was in the audience, a 12-year old girl coping silently with sexual abuse in my family of origin. Did I see it as normalcy? A mirror to what I lived? I don’t know. Like many memories, I grew up and forgot about Luke and Laura. I eventually sought the counseling I wish Laura could have received to dump Luke where I dumped my grandfather. Yet, I was singled out as the villain in my family for doing so, just the way “fans” would have booed and hissed at Laura. This apt reflection of a television serial and audience response shows how difficult it is for victims to become survivors and thrivers. Thanks (as always) for advocating a strong voice that can be such a balm to read!
Rachel Thompson says
June 24, 2015 at 9:58 pmThanks for commenting, Charli and for your honesty. I do think they would have handled it differently now, and am curious is they could revisit it somehow, given how rape culture has changed so much. I’m sorry for what you went through. Family is usually very good at wanting to keep incest private — the shame and pressure placed on the victim is horrific and it’s totally misplaced! Makes me so angry for you.
Sending you strong vibes for the person you’ve become and the steps you’ve taken. Thank you for your kind words.
Will Van Stone Jr says
June 26, 2015 at 2:32 pmHi Charli,
I’m glad you were able to get help and break away from your abuser. And I think you’re right; they would have booed Laura if the writers hadn’t changed the storyline to suite the fans’ wishes but maybe that would’ve been a positive thing; at least fans bitching could’ve led to some kind of discussion about the treatment of victims and survivors instead of GH glossing over an important issue for the sake of ratings.
I do have to disagree with Rachel, though; as Game of Thrones prove with Cersie and Jamie (a future article, to be sure), rape still isn’t treated in the manner it should be: as a crime fit for punishment.
Kim says
June 23, 2015 at 4:49 pmFascinating in a bad way. I watch a ton of really old movies on YouTube, etc and I’ve noticed how sexual assault and even rape among family members is treated so differently from how it is now. Even in the movie, Something About Amelia, the rape by Amelia’s father is treated with family counseling and hatred towards Amelia. Things have changed for the most part, except in the case you mentioned that just recently happened. Great article.
Will Van Stone Jr says
June 26, 2015 at 2:34 pmI must disagree; as the Duggar clan have so expertly shown, the victims of crimes are still blamed as if they have some kind of control over their abuser. I believe we are far from seeing a change in attitudes and it’ll take more people like Athena, Rachel and Bobbi to make that happen – though they do an amazing job of leading the way.
Kim says
June 26, 2015 at 11:39 pmI meant that the professionals were the ones who could have cared less. I wasn’t talking about family members but how society as a whole acted. Years ago it seemed that sometimes rape was treated like, “Oh, she was a loose girl and that’s to be expected.” I didn’t mean that it’s still not that way in some instances even today.
Barbara says
October 31, 2016 at 4:11 pmGeneral Hospital continues this tradition with Liz and Franco. They are whitewashing this couple. Ad a survivor of incest I find the ability of the female writers to put this on distributing. I agree with you that not much has changed in the way rape is viewed. I let the network know that I disagreed with this story line and why. I have had counseling and learn to deal with my situation but I wish that male dominance was not promoted so much on tv or that there is anything romantic about a rapist and victim falling in love.
MVRLPW says
January 3, 2017 at 9:02 pmAbsolutely agree and enlightened.
Luke and Loreli on Gilmore Girls led me to look up stuff about that old Luke and Laura on GH. I never knew or cared much if they ever married but knew people glued to the stupid show and never was it clearer to me than after reading this article. Thanks!!. Perhaps the writers of GG tried fixing that awful switch by having Loreli and Luke not end up marrying…just a possibility.
gs says
March 2, 2017 at 8:26 pmSo I suppose The Godfather’s a shitty movie because the protagonists have actual blood on their hands? Michael Corleone ordered the hit on his own brother, even. I agree that the handling of the rape issue was problematic, but the fact is you can have flawed protagonists because the human condition is flawed. It doesn’t mean condoning the behavior. It’s also asking a lot to expect first-class writing on soap operas.
Tessa says
September 20, 2017 at 4:15 pmAmen.
Audra says
April 21, 2017 at 7:20 amI just happened upon your story. I found it very well written and a joy to read. I personally think they left the rape alone cause they couldn’t drag it out or put it on a vhs and make money like the wedding did. They knew how to market and what sells to the audience which was primarily love sick housewives. Also if u ask someone today what they remember about Luke and Laura it would be the wedding and not the rape cause A their moms prob played/still have the wedding on that vhs and B noone likes to remember bad just good . Yes my mom still has/plays that vhs to this day. Also I’m a rape survivor not a victim. It was in the 80s I was a child then of 6 and all he got was a slap on the wrist of a few months till he turned 18 and now no registration and so now he can work with children.I was forced to grow up with him and see him very often still to this day .I am only mentioning this cause times were sooo diff back then compared to now. Now we know about stockholms syndrome and pts and all the other fancy words for survivors. Sorry so long I will close this rant now lol
Rachel Thompson says
May 1, 2017 at 3:52 amthank you for sharing your story, Audra. I’m so sorry for what you experienced. What a tremendous burden to have to deal with. I’m a survivor also, and the abuse happened in the 70s. You’re so right — things have changed quite a bit, awareness-wise, but not so much in other ways (e.g., victim-blaming). Still a long way to go.
Jezzy says
February 3, 2018 at 3:18 amHave you ever heard of the term love-ganging? I only heard of it recently and what it is is giving some an emotional appeal to a victim or respondent after acts i.e. for the purpose of control and manipulation.
Doreen says
December 30, 2017 at 10:41 amI was a senior in HS when I watched this- talk about confusion!! She was a teenager he was in his 30s- that alone freaked me out! I was watching a rape that was later a seduction? Luke and Laura’s wedding made tv history- it could’ve been so much more- what a waste
Maureen says
March 5, 2018 at 4:18 pmI remember watching this. I was 25 years old. I remember being shocked, but not that shocked. Then amazed that they became a couple. But not that amazed. I remember thinking that the writers were just hoping the viewing audience would just about that little detail. I thought I maybe I missed something in the rape scene. Now 40 years later, I watched it again. Incredible.
Veronica says
August 28, 2018 at 3:56 pmI didn’t watch the Luke and Laura wedding when it aired, but I did hear about it. I heard about how romantic it was and they showed it as such in the previews. I’ve never been a “General Hospital” fan, but like many other people in the early 80s, I thought it was romantic–because that’s how the producers portrayed it. Now, as a 48-year-old who knows the truth about what happened–and who understands how horrible rape is–I can no longer view that union as romantic. I can’t believe that the producers even thought it was acceptable to have Laura marry a rapist. There’s nothing romantic about that.
Louisa says
November 17, 2018 at 11:23 pmSeveral errors in the timeline of the original story, which I am old enough to have been an adult and a regular viewer in 1979: Laura was married to Scott, not dating him. Laura was a teenager with a sketchy past, trying to be a good wife to Scott, who was a little controlling. Laura worked at the Campus Disco, which Luke managed. Over time, Luke became attracted to Laura, and she also was attracted to Luke. But because Laura was a married woman, she felt conflicted, guilty and ashamed about her attraction to Luke, and she resisted him. Then, the incident at the disco. It was a horrific scene that was played initially as a sexual assault by a drunk and despondent Luke. Afterward was different undercurrent – Laura refused to name Luke as the rapist, still conflicted about her attraction to him. It was a very complex story that moved slowly, with the two of them skirting the issue and then confronting each other, and culminating in Laura and Luke running off together eluding Luke’s mob bosses, Scott, and the law.
zhaan says
December 16, 2018 at 9:34 amI NEVER believed that it was rape in the first place. Was she frightened -yes. Did she scream or fight – no. And I know that doesn’t mean that it wasn’t rape. But she, Laura went ahead and ran away with Luke -ALONE. She followed him everywhere he went, he did not ask her to run away with him initially. You are right, …anything for ratings… they rewrite canon all the time. It’s all fake.
Locutus says
July 28, 2019 at 1:39 pmThis explains all of the “Draco rapes Hermione and she later falls in love with him” fanfics that are out there. For the longest time I would be confused with the comments of these fics of people saying over and over again “how they hope Hermione gets with Draco”. I actually went and scoured the internet to see if maybe I am out of tune with what is really going on and this is really something that is actually quite common. I have come to the conclusion that this is a manifestation of the undertone in this society of people not wanting to be responsible for their actions.
Jessica says
January 7, 2020 at 6:01 pmI don’t know why family members and childhood friends are so blinded by other peoples actions and feel as if victims be punished for something that was out of their control. To me is seems like this is why we sometimes , grapple with identity after going through something tramatic. People already have their minds made up. Which is disturbing because people can be hallow . Just remember that you survived and it’s just how society likes to put on blinders about such issues.
Brian Arbenz says
December 27, 2020 at 12:53 amI’m not a soap opera watcher, but when I heard that the most popular soap opera couple in history had this in their storyline, I could not believe a program would show a sexual assault evolving into a marriage! Too much of the corporate-owned media paper over this, deterred by the huge profits the show earned from the characters Luke and Laura. I appreciate Rachel Thompson’s honest look at this matter. People of both genders are socialized with a “blame the victim” mentality and a Hollywood lie (going back to Gone With The Wind) that non-consensual penetration is somehow just part of the passion of a relationship. That’s why millions can’t recognize rape as rape. Mr. Geary needs to fully repudiate and condemn the show’s whole portrayal of this sexual assault as normal, not try to talk around it to protect his stature.