Sonny Corinthos meets Luke Spencer in Heaven
Fan February was a special stand-alone episode of General Hospital which aired on February 26, 2003. Both All My Children and One Life to Live also dedicated a special episode during the month to honor their fans.
The plot involves Sonny Corinthos being shot and dying, subsequently arriving at Heaven's pearly gates, where he is greeted by Luke Spencer. Luke advises Sonny that he must assist him in a series of tests to review his past choices and understand their consequences.
Storyline[]
One morning, while at the docks, Sonny disregards Jason Morgan's advice to remain concealed. Gunmen suddenly strike, and Sonny is hit. As Jason seeks help, Sonny meets Luke at the Pearly Gates, who informs Sonny that Scott Baldwin got in a "lucky shot," resulting in his presence there. For the time being, Luke is filling in for St. Peter. Luke informs Sonny he has an opportunity to go back to life to rectify his wrongs. Sonny's initial challenge involves Alexis Davis, who confesses Kristina Davis is his child but pleads with Sonny to stay away for her protection. Sonny's insistence on custody leads to a failed test.
Jason becomes Sonny
Next, Sonny finds himself wearing Jason's leather jacket and realizes that Jason has become the Mob leader, comically adopting all of Sonny's mannerisms and suggesting that Sonny become his enforcer. Sonny's rejection of Jason's merciless strategy against a mob rival signifies another failure. Finally, Skye Chandler-Quartermaine lures Sonny into a plot against Jasper Jacks and the Quartermaines, but Sonny, wary of her intentions, fails once more by dismissing her.
In the following test, Jason discloses that Mike Corbin, after divorcing Sonny's mother Adela, married Florence Campbell, making Gia Campbell Mike's daughter and Sonny's sister, and Marcus Taggert, Sonny's step-brother. Determined to face Taggert, Sonny is advised by Luke to deal with Taggert as kin, just as Luke accepted a Cassadine as his own. On the docks, Sonny confronts Taggert but refrains from violence, choosing a new tactic. Taggert's knowledge of their shared father provokes Sonny to threaten him, but Luke steps in, reminding Sonny that his true challenge was to forgive Taggert, a test Sonny fails once again.
(Live with the Quartermaines) Reality TV
At the next trial, the Quartermaines gather at their estate amidst a media frenzy following A.J. Quartermaine's victory in Michael Corinthos' custody battle. Edward Quartermaine unveils the family drama as a hit reality TV show titled "Live With The Quartermaines." Carly Spencer enters with Michael, surrounded by bodyguards. Seeing Sonny, Michael runs to him. A.J. challenges Sonny, pressing him to reveal to Michael that he is his biological father and has always loved him. He also demands that Sonny confess to taking Michael from his real father, A.J. Conversely, Sonny assures Michael that he never took him from anyone and that staying with A.J. isn't obligatory. Luke reappears, condemning Sonny's failure in the test, labeling him a hypocrite for wanting to raise Kristina while denying A.J. time with Michael, highlighting Sonny's hypocrisy, pride, vanity, and wrath.
Luke escorts Sonny back to his penthouse, where Carly and his son await. However, when Carly passes the baby to Sonny, he hastily sets the child down and flees. Departing, Sonny finds himself back at Luke's desk, where Luke proclaims Sonny's ascension to heaven with his wife and child. Puzzled, Sonny inquires if Carly and the baby are deceased, but Luke clarifies that heaven is a mindset, promising Sonny joy with his family. Sonny confesses his doubts about being meant for happiness, but Luke presents a choice: return to earth or remain in heaven, cautioning that there are no certainties with either decision. Sonny returns to earth just before he is shot, with no memory of what happened. He follows Jason's advice to leave the open area and go home, while Luke looks down from heaven and smiles.