General Hospital Recap Jan 5: Alexis has a better day in court, Charlotte visits Valentin

In the General Hospital recap for Monday, January 5, 2026, Ezra Boyle blows up Michael’s defense, Britt’s celebration at being a doctor again doesn’t last long, Carly sees an opportunity to help Valentin, and Jacinda takes the money but doesn’t run.

General Hospital Recap

Danny spotted Charlotte in the barn, and she admitted to him that she was sneaking off to see her dad. She’d planned to ride over on Hades, but Danny told her that was a bad idea. Danny drove off with Charlotte on the back of his motorcycle. 

Michael arrived at court and saw Josslyn. They noted that Willow looked nervous. At the defense table, Alexis listened as Drew fretted, but told him that she was going to do everything she could to convince the jury that the shooter was Michael.

The session started, and Alexis questioned Dante about suspecting Michael. He testified that he took Jacinda and Michael’s word for it that they were together the night of the shooting.

Alexis pointed out that he took Michael’s word but not Willow’s and wondered if that was because Michael was his brother. Turner objected, citing that it was Willow on trial,  but she was overruled.

Alexis asked if Dante tried to intervene on his brother’s behalf when he was charged with manslaughter, and Dante had to admit that he did. Turner cross-examined and got a better explanation than Alexis allowed.

Alexis called Ezra to the stand next. She asked him to confirm he was at the Raven Hotel with a woman, noting that he had checked in and out during the time that Drew was shot. 

Ezra had to admit he had hired Jacinda as a paid escort that night and that they were alone. When Turner cross-examined, she got Ezra to confirm that he had no proof he was with Jacinda.

Kristina asked Jacinda to meet her at Bobbie’s and told her that she couldn’t testify and needed to leave town ASAP. She handed her a bag of cash to build a new life and told her to leave before it was too late.

Kristina shared that she’s seen something she shouldn’t have. Jacinda reluctantly agreed to take the bag but asked Kristina to tell Michael why she left. After Kristina walked away, Jacinda looked at the bracelet that Michael had given her.

Inside, Brennan told Carly that he was starting to think Valentin wasn’t in Port Charles. Carly wondered who would harbor him. 

Emma came in, distraught, and told Brennan that she needed to get in touch with her grandmother. She said she hasn’t spoken to her live and only heard a voice message from a blocked number.

Brennan asked Emma to send him the voicemail so he could see if he could extract any metadata from it. After Emma left, Carly wondered if the person Valentin reached out to for assistance was Anna.

At the hospital, Curtis was dismayed that Britt was Portia’s doctor when she came for her appointment. Alone with Portia, he asked if she could get a paternity test.

Portia understood the stress but asked for a little more time, as it was what was best for her and the baby. Portia shared her concerns with Elizabeth after her appointment. 

Portia told Elizabeth that she wanted Isaiah to be the father, but now, given Curtis’ reaction and the situation with Trina, she hoped that Curtis was the father.

In the hall, Curtis told Britt he wanted to schedule a paternity test as soon as possible, but Isaiah overheard and said that wasn’t going to happen. 

Britt made it clear to Curtis and Isaiah that Portia was her patient, not either of them. She left them on the elevator.

Curtis told Isaiah he knew now why he had been in his face about Portia. Isaiah clapped back that Portia wouldn’t have come to him if he’d treated her better.

Curtis said all he wanted was confirmation the baby was his. He didn’t care what Isaiah and Portia did, but his child wouldn’t have a part of it.

At home, Laura told Kevin about Sidwell’s implied threats to Charlotte and Ace. She implored him to keep Ace safe by accepting the job offer and taking him to Ireland. 

Kevin said he’d call the school immediately and let them know the three of them were coming, but Laura said she was staying in Port Charles.

Kevin told Laura that she could do everything Sidwell wanted, but he could still take his fabricated evidence to the police. Laura didn’t want to leave Sonny holding the bag or risk Sidwell taking his rage out on Lulu and the others.

Kevin said Laura wouldn’t abandon her family, but he wouldn’t abandon her either. He said he was staying. 

Laura thought that knowing they were safe could allow her time to think of how to get out of the mess with Jenz. Laura asked Kevin to help her protect Ace and said they had to do it.

Kevin reluctantly agreed to do what Laura asked. Laura said she loved him for putting her and Ace first, and that she would never forget it.

Valentin was shocked when Charlotte came into the attic. He was upset that she took such a huge risk, but was happy to see her and said how much he missed her. “But you can never do this again,” Valentin said.

Valentin explained that he couldn’t afford to get caught and needed some time to put the pieces together so things would be okay. He told Charlotte to have faith and wait for the red ribbon.

Valentin gave Charlotte a quick chat, but then told her she had to go and made her promise not to come back. He told her he loved her and kissed her goodbye.

When Danny and Charlotte got back to the barn, she told him that Valentin was worried about Sidwell. Danny shared how Sidwell tried to kill his dad in Africa. Charlotte vowed to help Valentin.

When Carly came home, she went to the attic and found Valentin packing his bag. He told her it was time for him to leave.

Jacinda went to the courthouse and found Michael in the hallway. She told him to get the kids and leave town with her. “Why?” Michael asked.

Jacinda said if either of them took the stand that day, it wouldn’t end well. “I know, the jury just heard testimony that we weren’t together the night Drew was shot,” Michael told her. 

Before they could say any more, a bailiff came out. He told Jacinda she was called to testify and had to come immediately.

Brennan saw Britt come into Bobbie’s and called her over. He said that now that she had gotten her license back, she had to fulfill her end of the bargain. Britt noted how dangerous it would be to get evidence from Sidwell’s lab, but he said to figure it out.

On the stand, Jacinda was asked to tell the story about the night Drew did body shots off of her and when she met Michael. She said that she was with Michael the night of the shooting, but Alexis asked if she was with him during the time of the shooting.