“High-Stakes Escapade: General Hospital Recap on January 16th – Nikolas and Baby Ace on the Run!”

General Hospital (GH) recap and spoilers for Tuesday, January 16 note that it was an explosive day in the land of Port Charles. The show opens with Dex Heller (Evan Hofer) in Cyrus Renault’s (Jeff Kober) hospital room. He’s got a needle in his hand and is ready to inject it into Cyrus’s IV.

The scene shifts to show Nina Reeves in a hospital hallway talking to someone about how she likes to make negotiations “short and sweet”. The camera then pans to Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) rushing off the elevator asking where Cyrus’s room is.

Sonny makes it to the room window before Dex injects Cyrus’s IV, mouthing the words, “stop”.

Dex sees the orders and stops, but not before Cyrus grabs his hand, asking him what he is doing. Sonny enters the room and tells Dex to leave, and that he wants a few words with Cyrus.

After Dex exits, Cyrus tells Sonny that he’s got some good news, he’s decided to face the consequences of his past actions and drop all charges against the mob boss.

If for whatever reason the charges stick and he goes to trial, Cyrus will reverse his testimony and make it seem as if he goaded Sonny into beating him up.

Sonny questions him about why he’s doing so and then realizes that someone has convinced him to change his mind. Cyrus confirms this but will not reveal who he has struck a deal with to drop charges.

As Dex is leaving Cyrus’s room, he runs into Nina. She asks him what Sonny is doing with Cyrus, but he can’t divulge that information.

Nina regrets her actions that have turned this situation into what it is and makes it clear to Dex that she’d do “anything” for the man she loves, during the conversation. Dex tells her that from here on out, Sonny will have to inform Nina about what he’s up to because he can’t.

Later, Dex has changed out of his fake orderly outfit, as Sonny fills him in on the dropped charges and the deal Cyrus made with “someone” to do so. As Sonny is trying to figure out who made an agreement with his nemesis, Nina catches Dex’s eye in the hospital waiting area. He notes he may know, as he gazes Nina’s way.

Sonny confronts Nina, who is on the phone with someone trying to “confirm” arrangements. He calls her out on making a deal with Cyrus and she tells Sonny that she feels like this situation is her fault and she has to clean up the mess.

After all, it’s learning about her SEC secret that caused Sonny’s anger, which resulted in Cyrus’s beatdown at the hands of the mob boss. Sonny makes it clear to Nina at that point that he wants her out of his business and life.

Nina pays Cyrus one more visit, and fans get an insight into their deal. It looks like she’s purchased a time slot at the local station, and Cyrus notes that he can “start to spread the good word”. Looks like Cyrus is likely starting his own television ministry or something of that sort.

Meanwhile, Dex and Sonny head out of the hospital. During their elevator ride, Sonny commends Dex for following his orders. Now he knows without a shadow of a doubt that Dex is trustworthy.

Dex then questions Sonny on how he plans to “handle” Cyrus. Sonny makes it clear that he’ll make Cyrus so miserable, that he’ll wish Dex had been successful in taking his life today.

Over at the other side of the hospital, Josslyn Jacks (Courtney Fulk) rushes in to find Willow Corinthos (Katelyn MacMullen) behind the desk. She asks about Adam Wright (Josh Benard), and Willow notes he’s currently still receiving care in the ER.

The scene flashes to Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst), Dr. Hamilton Finn (Michae Easton), and another nurse fighting to save Adam’s life, as he lies on an ER bed.

The nurse reminds Finn that he needs a chief of staff sign-off before he proceeds with any treatments; however, Finn tells her this is life and death and they cannot wait that long. The nurse hesitates, but Liz advises her to proceed.

Willow calls Carly to come to the hospital and explains what Joss is going through. Carly arrives and becomes a support system, as Josslyn reels over Adam’s situation. She feels as if it’s her fault, and Carly tries to reassure her otherwise.

The good news is that Liz comes out and tells Josslyn that the doctors were able to save Adam and he’ll likely make a full recovery. Finn notes that he’s going to call Adam’s parents, but Joss tries to stop him from doing so.

After all, Adam wanted to kill himself because of the pressure his parents were always placing on him. Due to legal reasons, the hospital admin staff are required to call them as next of kin.

Carly feels that this situation might awaken Adam’s parents to how they have been treating their son and change their behaviors. However, Josslyn isn’t so sure. Regardless, when Willow gives her the green light, she enters Adam’s hospital room and tells him she won’t leave his side until he wakes up.

Over with Spencer Cassadine (Nicholas Chavez), Ace Cassadine (Jay and Joey Clay), and their dad Nikolas Cassadine (Adam Huss), the discussion around the three of them leaving town is still unraveling. Spencer tells his dad that neither he nor Ace can leave Port Charles, they have roots here.

Nikolas insists on at the very least taking Ace, as his life depends on it. Spencer counters back that Esme is a good mom; however, Nik concedes that Esme will always be Esme, and she’s a threat to Ace’s safety.

He believes she went to Wyndemere for a reason; because she wants to regain her memories of her evil past, if she hasn’t already. Spencer flashes back to talking to Esme at the police station when she brought up his privileged upbringing and called him “Spence”, the way she used to.

He shares with his dad how he has a feeling Esme might have her memories back. Nik doesn’t trust Esme at all, and questions Spencer on whether they should bet Ace’s life on it.

After a phone call when Spencer learns that Esme has gotten a six-month probation sentence instead of time in prison, both realize that the clock is ticking, and Spencer agrees to allow Nikolas to skip town with Ace.

The diaper bag is quickly packed up and after a heartfelt speech to Ace about how he’ll always love him and be there for him, Spence bids adieu to Dad and his little brother, for now.

Over at the courthouse, Trina Robinson (Tabyana Ali) and Esme have a minor confrontation. While Trina does wish Esme could pay for her past wrongdoings, breaking into Wyndemere does not justify prison, so she agrees with the judge’s sentencing.

She’s also ready to move forward from their rivalry, and she tells Esme that she is going to Paris for one semester and that Spencer is coming with her. Esme has a little freak out about Spencer “leaving” Ace and her.

Back at the hospital, Finn thanks Liz for backing him up with the nurse while in the ER. Saving Adam’s life reminded him of why he loves being a doctor so much, and how much he would miss it if he lost his career.

Liz then informs him of a meeting they have with an esteemed doctor, one who could offer them the best chances at meeting his malpractice suit, tomorrow.

Switching scenes across the hospital hall, Joss is by Adam’s side when Trina walks in. She’s caught off guard by seeing Adam in the hospital bed, and Josslyn is worried about what she should say to him when he wakes up.

The closing scene of the show offers a somber Spencer in his living room, reflecting upon what just happened. He sees one of Ace’s toys and rushes to the door, and when he opens it, Esme’s sour face is staring right back at him.

General Hospital spoilers note that Esme will likely be in a panic once she figures out what has happened, so what will Spencer tell her when she demands to see Ace?