Give it up for PORT CHARLES Head Writer Lynn Marie Latham and her crack crew for a fantastic February (and March). The show really gathered steam with the downfall of Rex, the poisoning of Lucy and the vindication of Scotty. But the most pleasant surprise has been the unraveling of Matt's true identity.

The story literally kicked off with a blast when Matt was nearly killed by a bomb. Matt, a participant in the Federal Witness Protection Program, had testified against the Philadelphia mob. Following this revelation came a chase with Matt and nurse Grace fleeing for their lives. Then came the kicker: The gangster trying to rub out Matt was his own brother!

Top-flight performances augmented this taut tale. Mitch Longley proved he's multi-talented by playing love, hate and every emotion in between. Getting Lisa Lord (Grace) out from behind that nurses' station was a wonderful idea, allowing her spunk to come to the fore. Rounding out the group, the always applause-worthy Debbi Morgan as Ellen. Thank goodness the crisis jump-started the stagnating Matt/Ellen relationship. (That was some kiss.)

Hey, wouldn't it be great if all the interns had pasts as interesting as Matt's?

From Soap Opera Digest, March 31, 1998
Photo by Cathy Blaivas/ABC-TV