SORAS

Soap Opera Rapid Aging Syndrome is a term used to describe accelerating the age, putting it in chronological conflict with the timeline of a series or the real-world progression of time. The process is usually done to allow for more rapid character development, and to allow the writers to develop new storylines for the character.

It's generally used to refer to cases where a character's rapid aging happens off-screen without any explanation, rather than to storylines in science fiction and fantasy series where a character is shown as being rapidly aged due to technology, magic or non-human biology.

History[]

The term was coined by Soap Opera Weekly founding editor in chief Mimi Torchin in the early 1990s.

The phenomenon has led to a newer term, de-SORAS, which refers to the opposite effect—when characters remain the same age for an unusually long period of time, or even get younger.

Examples of Aging on General Hospital[]

A.J. Quartermaine, who was born on December 16, 1979, was SORAS-ed in 1990 (when he should have been 11) to be 17, putting his new birth year in 1973. Then revised again in 1993 to 1969. His original birth date would put him at 46.
Jason Morgan, who was born on September 14, 1981, was SORAS-ed in 1991 (when he should have been 10) to be at least in his late teens with his new birth year in 1974. Then revised again in 1995 to 1973. He has been rapidly aged and reverted over the years. His original birth date would put him at 44.
Maxie Jones, who was born on October 31, 1990, was SORAS-ed in 2002 (when she should have been 12) to be 16, putting her new birth year in 1986. Her original birth date would put her at 35.
Dillon Quartermaine, who was born on May 27, 1992, was SORAS-ed in 2003 (when he should have been 11) to be 16 putting his new birth year in 1987. His original birth date would put him at 33.
Lulu Spencer, who was born on August 8, 1994, was SORAS-ed in 2005 (when she should have been 11) to be 17 putting her new birth year in 1988. Her original birth date would put her at 31.
Georgie Jones, who was born on March 4, 1995, was SORAS-ed in 2002 (when she should have been 7) to be 13, putting her new birth year in 1989. Then revised again in 2014 to 1990. Her original birth date would put her at 30.
Brook Lynn Quartermaine, was born on October 24, 1996, was SORAS-ed in 2004 (when she should have been 8) to be 18, putting her new birth year in 1986. Her original birth would put her at 29.
Michael Corinthos, who was born on December 29, 1997, was SORAS-ed in 2005 (when he should have been 8) to be 10, putting his new birth year in 1995. Then revised again in 2009 to 1991 (His character was placed in a coma and recast with an older actor when he re-awakened in April 2009 as a 17 year-old). Then revised again in 2012 to 1989; and again in 2014 to 1992. His original birth would put him at 28.
Kristina Corinthos-Davis, who was originally born on November 19, 2002, was SORAS-ed in 2009 (when she should have been 7) to be 16, putting her new birth year in 1992. Then revised again in 2012 to 1990. It was reverted in 2014 to 1993. Her original birth would put her at 23.
Morgan Corinthos, who was born on October 24, 2003, was SORAS-ed in 2009 (when he should have been 6) to be 12, putting his new birth year in 1996. Then revised again in 2013 to 1993. It was reverted in 2014 to 1994. His original birth would put him at 22.
Molly Lansing-Davis, who was born on November 10, 2005, was SORAS-ed in 2009 (when she should be 4) to be 11, putting her new birth year in 1998. Then revises again in 2012 to 1997 first, then 1996 2012 . It was reverted again in 2015 to 1997. Her original birth would put her at 20.
Emma Scorpio-Drake, who was born on November 3, 2008, was SORAS-ed in 2011 (when she should have been 3) to be 5, putting her birth year in 2006. Then revised again in 2014 to October 28,2005 then October 28,2002 august 18,2022. Her original birth would put her at 17.
Josslyn Jacks, who was born on November 2, 2009, was SORAS-ed in 2012 (when she should have been 3) to be 6, putting her birth year in 2006. Then revised again in 2014 to 2005; and again in 2015 to 2004; and again in 2017, to 2002 then 2003 early January 2018 then back to 2002 august 2018. Her original birth would put her at 16.