General Hospital recap for Wednesday, November 20, 2024: Sam's cause of death is revealed

Lucky and Elizabeth returned to Bobbie's after Sam's funeral. As they stood outside, they discussed Lucky's future. Elizabeth told Lucky he needed to figure out what came next soon, but he wasn't there yet. "You don't have to tip-toe around Aiden or me, but you do have to make a decision and stick with it," Elizabeth noted.

Lucky confessed that he felt at home in Africa as doing aid work came naturally to him. Elizabeth said she somewhat understood, but she also needed him to be honest and direct with Aiden. Suddenly, Elizabeth spotted Lucas sitting alone through the window. She left Lucky's side to check on Lucas.

Lucky followed her inside. They sat down with Lucas, and Elizabeth told him how beautiful Sam's service was. Lucas explained that he didn't attend the funeral because he felt he could be the reason she died. Lucky and Elizabeth assured Lucas that Danny was just hurting because he had lost his mother, and Lucas was the easiest person to blame.

Lucas understood but admitted he had been blaming himself. Elizabeth knew there were questions about Sam's death but just wanted to wait for the autopsy report before jumping to conclusions and pointing blame. Just then, Portia called Lucas and told her that she had the results of Sam's autopsy. Lucas headed to the hospital to hear what Portia had to say.

Once alone, Lucky and Elizabeth discussed Sam's unusual death. Liz thought Sam seemed fine right after the surgery. Brennan soon appeared just as Portia texted Elizabeth to get over to the hospital fast. After Liz left, Brennan and Lucky discussed Brennan's job offer in Africa. Brennan continued to tempt Lucky before Lucas called and told him he might want to check on Elizabeth.

At the hospital, Portia informed Lucas that Sam's death was not caused by a surgical error. Portia handed the file to Lucas so he could see what caused Sam's heart attack. When Liz got to the hospital, she ran into Lucas at the elevators. He told her that he didn't cause Sam's heart attack. Portia then found them and asked to speak to Elizabeth alone.

In her office, Portia informed Elizabeth that Sam's death was caused by an overdose of a drug called Digitalis, a heart medication. Portia wanted to go over all of Elizabeth's notes as Liz insisted that Sam wasn't prescribed the drug and her team never gave it to her. Elizabeth wondered if she was to blame for Sam's death.

At her new law office, Alexis rifled through files with Molly looking on. She was searching for Sam's will despite it not being formally read yet. "I need to see what Sam's wishes are so that I can see them through," Alexis said. Molly did her best to get Alexis to sit down, but she was determined to find the will.

"I know one of Sam's wishes without having to look at her will. She'd be so happy that you and Kristina have come together," Alexis said. Molly then mentioned Ava's trial, which Alexis had completely forgotten about. Molly admitted she was nervous about the trial but just wanted justice for Irene.

Alexis was furious to learn that Ric had added Molly as a defense witness for Ava. "That is so egregious. That woman is responsible for your baby's death," Alexis cried. Molly informed Alexis that Ric didn't believe Ava was to blame and that Kristina's fall was nothing more than a tragic accident. Alexis still felt that Ric calling Molly to testify was cruel.

Molly then told Alexis the rest of Ric's mission. "Dad thinks he is helping me. He thinks if he can get me to see that Ava was not at fault and this was just a horrible accident, I can let go of this resentment and move forward," Molly explained.

Finally, Alexis found the will and saw that Sam named Drew as Scout and Danny's legal guardian. "Sam wanted to ensure that her children stay together," Alexis explained. However, Sam had not updated her will for several years. When she had this one drawn up, Jason was still presumed dead. She wasn't even living with Dante at the time.

Molly wondered if Sam never changed her will on purpose after Jason returned. "Sam and Jason have been at odds over Jason's role in Danny's life, but especially since Jason's been back. Sam had real concerns over whether Jason could keep Danny safe. Maybe Sam's will is exactly how she intended it," Molly pointed out.

Alexis and Molly noted that Jason and Danny have formed a solid bond since Jason returned in March. They worried about how Danny would react to Sam's will. They weren't sure if Jason would want custody of Danny, but Alexis knew he wouldn't want Drew to have his son. Alexis was determined that Sam's kids would stay together, and she was willing to go to court to make it happen.

At the cemetery, Jason and Danny placed flowers by Sam's grave, as well as by the grave of the baby Sam lost all those years ago. "Mom's with her little girl now," Danny said. Danny asked Jason if he thought his mother was at peace. Jason assured his son that she was.

Danny wondered if Jason believed in heaven. "I want to. If there is one, I'd like to think she's there with her daughter," Jason said. Danny pointed out that family was the most important thing to Sam. Jason noticed that Danny seemed to be hiding something and told him he was there to listen. "I think I hurt someone Mom loved very much today," Danny admitted.

Danny explained how he blew up at Lucas when he saw him at the church. "I don't think I hurt him. I know I hurt him. I'm the reason he wasn't at the funeral today," Danny said in tears. Jason comforted Danny and told him he had just lost his mom, so an outburst was understandable.

Danny wondered if Lucas might have done something wrong during Sam's surgery. "Maybe he did everything right. Either way, Lucas loved your mom. He didn't want any of this. I know that you want a reason, but one of the hardest things to accept is there may not be one," Jason said.

Jason told Danny that he often struggled with managing his emotions. Danny knew all about how his dad beat up Drew the night before. Jason explained that he became angry and lost control, but he didn't go into detail. He just asked Danny to never speak of the fight again. Danny pointed out that Drew and Jason weren't the only ones to get hurt as a result of the fight.

"Scout saw her dad's face. She knew something happened. He told her some story about how he walked into a door," Danny said. Jason assured Danny that what happened with Drew wouldn't happen again.

Dante entered the penthouse he shared with Sam to see Kristina going through Sam's things. She offered to leave Dante alone, but he asked her to stay. They went through the box of things Kristina bought for Sam's recovery. "I was really looking forward to taking time off and waiting on her hand and foot," Dante said sadly. He and Sam had planned to get Christmas presents and prepare for the holidays while she recovered.

Dante reflected on his life with Sam. He lamented that it took him so long to work up the courage to propose, and they had one day to look forward to their lives together before Sam died. Overwhelming guilt rushed over Dante as he asked if Sam's death was his fault.

Kristina assured Dante that nobody forced Sam to donate her liver. It was her own choice. Dante wondered if her choice was based on wanting to make Dante happy by giving Lulu another chance at life. Kristina insisted that Sam knew the risk and the choice she was making. She credited Sam's goodness and generosity for her decision to help Lulu live.

"Danny and Scout lost a mom because Sam wanted to protect me and Rocco," Dante said. Kristina noted it was unfair, but Sam's death was not Dante's fault.

At Turning Wood, a suddenly awake Lulu rubbed her eyes. She tried to sit up but felt a quick pain on her side where she'd just had a liver transplant. When she lifted her hospital gown she noticed her bandage and lifted it to reveal a fresh scar. Lulu tried to press the call button for a nurse but was too weak.

Outside her room, a doctor told Cyrus how much Lulu's vitals had improved since being transferred to Turning Wood. Lulu could hear them talking but was confused. She recognized Cyrus and remembered an encounter with him at GH before the explosion that caused her coma. During the encounter, Cyrus threatened Lulu and told her he could make her life quite difficult.

Lulu's eyes were closed again when Cyrus sat down beside her with a bible. "Don't worry, Lulu. I'm going to take care of you just as I promised," Cyrus said. The doctor soon dropped by and asked to talk with Cyrus in the hall. Lulu listened in as the doctor told Cyrus that he was going to tell the family that her improvement had exceeded expectations.

Cyrus stopped the doctor and told him he wanted to give his sister the news himself. "I don't want to give my sister false hope that Lulu will come out of her coma and regain consciousness," Cyrus said as Lulu eavesdropped while still feigning a coma.

After Lulu was alone again, she opened her eyes and tried getting out of bed. Her pain was apparent as she put both feet on the floor and took her first steps in four years. Unfortunately, she quickly fell. Lulu managed to get herself off the floor and back on the bed. She massaged her legs, hoping they'd work again with a second try.

Next on General Hospital

Trina wants to be in control.

Chase promises to support Dante.

Jason goes over legal papers.