Port Charles, General Hospital: The Impossible Architecture Of Drama

If General Hospital (GH) fans tried finding Port Charles on a map, they would see that it might be the most impossible place on the planet. Theoretically, it’s just a small harbor city. But practically, it’s a nightmare of a structure. Of course, the ABC soap writers probably deliberately made it that way for loads of drama and very convenient escapes.

Let’s Discuss The Blueprints

Firstly, the number of secret tunnels hidden underground seems like a real nightmare for a civil engineer. In fact, it seems as if each and every basement in houses like Wyndemere, or the Quartermaine mansion connect to a different subway.

Want to take a prisoner out of the hospital without anyone noticing? Tunnel. Want to hide a Cassadine from the police? Tunnel. Besides that, what about Spoon Island? The lonely island with the gothic Wyndemere mansion seems to be the main place for bad decisions.

The Improbable Spoon Island

As GH fans know, it’s an isolated island, only a few minutes by boat from the mainland. Basically, it exists to keep certain people screaming without the Port Charles Police Department hearing them. Of course, General Hospital fans know that Wyndemere is a ghostly, cold place and it’s perfect for a kidnapping or a wedding: or both!

Talking about Wyndemere, there’s still a big question on how the Cassadine heir has been faring. Nicholas Chavez (Spencer Cassadine) left the series to look for a Hollywood career, and his character was last seen going down the Seine River in an icy plunge.

Fan Theories

The thing about the “architecture of chaos” is that the tunnels don’t merely extend to the mainland. According to GH fan theories, those Wyndemere tunnels lead to secret rooms beneath the water.

Naturally, some ABC soap fans wonder about the possibility that Spencer’s hiding in the walls? Surely, it won’t be the first time a Cassadine escaped death through a secret passage.

If he’s really alive, then possibly, he’s sitting tight in a sub-basement with a whole year’s supply of caviar. Perhaps, speculation goes, he might wait for the perfect moment to surprise someone by jumping out a trapdoor.

The Corporate Bunkers?

Next, there’s the ELQ International headquarters. Most corporate offices are all about cubicles and a bad brew of coffee. However, the execs have strong security. Not in Port Charles, though. Under the guidance of Ned Quartermaine (Wally Kurth), one would expect that ELQ would have maximum security. Hmmm…

But, instead, the building is practically an eavesdropping machine. Those thin walls probably heard more secrets than a priest’s confessional. It’s all about fortune and favor, of course, but loads of family battles take place as well.

The Metro Court: The Town Square

The co-owners of the Metro Court are Carly Spencer (Laura Wright) and Olivia Quartermaine (Lisa LoCicero). In fact, it could possibly be the most bizarre hub in existence. While it’s a hotel with a restaurant and a pool, bizarrely, it seems as if the people of Port Charles have few other dining choices.

Then, if you look at the layout, the penthouse is basically a sniper’s dream. As for the elevators? Well, they have an unfortunate habit of breaking down right at the critical moment when two exes have to be trapped together.

The Docks of Doom

Last but not least, consider the docks on the waterfront. Since Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) practically owns those docks, they seem like the most dangerous real estate in New York. In fact, there’s never enough lighting.

Plus, way too many crates conveniently lie stacked around for bad people to hide behind. GH fans know that it’s the place where every major shipment of “coffee” comes in and where every gunfight breaks out.

Overall, for the purposes of the fictional ABC soap, the city isn’t supposed to function well. The transportation seems terrible, and the security, non-existent. However, the architecture of chaos is just the thing that makes Port Charles feel like a real home.

Without those secret doors and poorly lit piers, life would be way too quiet. And who wants to tune in and watch that?

What are your thoughts? Shout out in the comments below, and remember to come back here often for all your General Hospital news and updates.