Why Rick Hearst's Ric is the messy anti-villain General Hospital needs

General Hospital has had multiple returns this year meant to shake things up, and they certainly have. Steve Burton's Jason upended everyone's lives when he turned up alive in March. Jonathan Jackson's Lucky made his triumphant return that ended up being not-so-triumphant when his liver couldn't be used to save Lulu. As for Rick Hearst's Ric, he's got his hands in almost every pot, stirring things up while making a mess wherever he goes — and we couldn't be happier.

General Hospital strikes gold with Rick Hearst's return

Not quite a hero, not quite a villain, but ever-so-interesting and never, ever dull aptly describes Ric Lansing, Sonny Corinthos' (Maurice Benard) younger half-brother — who Sonny would send to the pine barrens if he could if they weren't related.

Hearst had not been seen on GH for nearly a decade when the show announced he'd be back this summer. The last time Ric had a storyline, he was his typical self, marrying Nina (then played by Michelle Stafford) for her money while having an affair with her mother, Madeline (Donna Mills). Ric and Madeline even tried gaslighting Nina into believing she was losing her mind.

Since stepping foot in Port Charles in August, he has managed to get Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) thrown in jail, crazy Heather Webber (Alley Mills) released from prison, drive Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) bonkers, and break Kristina (Kate Mansi) on the witness stand. Not bad for about three months' worth of work.

While it's obvious Ric has matured with his shock of sexy silver hair, he's still the same scoundrel he has always been, with Hearst looking like he's relishing every moment of bringing his longtime alter-ego to life.

Chemistry, chemistry everywhere

One thing Hearst has always done is exude chemistry with anyone Ric is paired with. Ric and Elizabeth are as charming as ever, but Elizabeth friend-zoned her ex-husband within days. They might have chemistry, but they also have a fraught history.

When Ric and Liz were together in 2015, he was so jealous of her friendship with Jake Doe (who eventually turned out to be Drew), that he hired Hayden Barnes (Rebecca Budig) to pose as Jake Doe's non-existent wife. When Liz learned the truth, she promptly dumped him and he moved on to Nina (Cynthia Watros).

Ric and Alexis can still trade quick barbs and drive each other absolutely insane. Watching Hearst and Grahn at War of the Roses-type ex-spouses makes us wonder how they were ever married, to begin with. They even managed to produce a fairly sane daughter in Molly (Kristen Vaganos).

Then there's Ava. Nina brought her ex in to help her best friend out of a legal jam, and now all we want is for Ava and Ric to hit the sheets. Hearst and Maura West have insane chemistry to spare and it's clear that Ava has it bad for her baby daddy's little brother.

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When Ava's trial is over, and she inevitably doesn't end up in Pentonville, Ric and Ava can take Port Charles by storm, causing trouble for everyone and leaving a volcanic mess behind them everywhere they go. Or at least fans can dream...

Catch all-new episodes of General Hospital weekdays on ABC and Hulu.

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