Rating the Replacement: Kristen Vaganos as Molly Lansing on General Hospital
General Hospital‘s Kristen Vaganos is quickly closing in on a year of playing ADA Molly Lansing, daughter to Alexis Davis, and Ric Lansing, domestic partner to TJ Ashford. The actress joined the soap as the third quickfire recast after Hayley Pullos’s controversial arrest, which resulted in her departure. But Vaganos was clearly up to the task. After easing into the role, she proved she was the right actress to take on the monster surrogacy storyline that pit sister versus sister.
Kristen Vaganos as ADA Molly Lansing-Davis
The sibling relationship between Molly (Kristen Vaganos) and Kristina (Kate Mansi) has also undergone changes that don’t only involve the quick-change recasts with both characters. The show chose to create a more distinct and aggressive rivalry between the half-sisters. Molly was the perfect daughter Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) never had to worry about. While Kristina was always a hot mess, she was now a screw-up of the highest order who was utterly selfish and wanted all the attention for herself.
Fortunately, with Vaganos’s presence, the show tamed that narrative for a bit. And we got to know this version of Molly. Unlike the previous recasts, we accepted her fairly quickly. She established a good rapport with Nancy Lee Grahn’s Alexis, Kelly Monaco’s Sam, and Kate Mansi’s Kristina.
And while sparks weren’t necessarily evident between Molly and TJ, that’s not really what this couple was ever about. Vaganos and Tajh Bellow played their dynamic as two overachievers with similar goals, values, and feelings who loved each other. They felt comfortable together.
READ MORE: See what Tajh Bellow said about Molly and TJ.
Impressive Performances
While this “rating the replacement” assessment is a long time coming, we’re glad we waited to see the duration of the sibling surrogacy story. Vaganos has continually impressed us with her performances, especially since Kristina lost the baby on that fateful and tragic night.
The actress especially excelled in that epic graveside sibling battle between Molly and Kristina. Plus, she’s getting to play opposite even more heavy hitters on the show, including Maurice Benard, Maura West, and Rick Hearst.
She’s providing good drama along with the grief and anger of losing another chance at motherhood. She’s also navigating the very complicated emotions that erupt when you find out your sister would have taken your dream had the baby lived.
And while she and TJ make a good couple, we’d love to see the messier side of Molly. One not so buttoned up and on her best behavior. Can she create a mad, passionate chemistry with someone other than her domestic partner? That would be our one note. We know Vaganos can stretch her dramatic and emotional acting muscles. What happens if Molly suddenly has a one-night stand that develops into something more? Her relationship with TJ is currently hurting and struggling. Stranger things could happen.
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