Did GH and Y&R execs adjust storylines for Tristan Rogers because they were aware of his condition?

GH honors Tristan Rogers

The death of soap vet Tristan Rogers shocked fans of The Young and the Restless and General Hospital. He and his characters were beloved on both soaps. In hindsight, it appears that execs from both daytime dramas may have known how dire his condition was and made adjustments to storylines to honor him. This is only speculation, but it may explain some things.

On General Hospital, Robert Scorpio was in a romance with Diane Miller (Carolyn Hennessy) and had seemed to place Holly Sutton (Emma Samms) in the rearview mirror. Fans were enjoying the DA and the lawyer together when the situation shifted abruptly.

Out of nowhere, Diane told Robert he did not love her the way he loved Holly and gave the duo her blessing, which perplexed GH fans. Robert, who had recently learned that Sasha Gilmore ( Sophia Mattson) was his adult daughter, abruptly exited Port Charles with Holly at the beginning of this year.

Robert's strange behavior

Scorpio left his family and job as the DA behind, which viewers said was out of character for him. Robert had always been someone who took his job seriously. He also knew that Holly would continue to get into trouble and had seemed to desire to get way from the drama.

Still, the Casablanca-themed exit seemed appropriate for Holly and Robert. This was so sudden that viewers wondered why the haste. It was understood that Samms could only tape limited scenes due to the effects of long-Covid, but everyone wondered why Robert had to leave with her rather than remain in Port Charles with Diane.

It was noticed that Rogers had lost weight, and many viewers suspected he was ill. Even so, he performed like the expert he has always been. Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) who shared the final scenes with Rogers said he could tell he was struggling but he came through.

The family confirmed the soap vet was ill when they announced he had cancer and asked for privacy. It was later reported that the actor had lung cancer even though he was not a smoker.

When Robert appeared unannounced in the scene where Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) took Sasha and her baby Daisy to live with him, some fans said they felt it was the beloved actor's last scene and it was.

Fans were grateful that Tristan was able to portray Scorpio for one last time, even though he did not make it back to Port Charles. Shortly after this, he passed away. Now for The Young and the Restless.

The Young and the Restless honors Colin Atkinson

Over in Genoa City, Colin Atkinson, who was a con artist had been away for years. When Billy Flynn took over the role of Cane Ashby he began talking about his father. He announced that Colin had passed away but before he died the two made amends. He added that his dad had turned from his wicked ways and that Jill Abbott (Jess Walton) had visited him and forgiven him.

I wondered why there was a need to change the narrative about Colin and have him reunite with Jill and Cane. Perhaps this was done to honor Rogers, who was ill while he was still living.

Flynn debuted on The Young and the Restless on June 20 which means his scene were taped in May. Rogers's last appearance on General Hospital was on July 18 which indicates he probably taped the episode in June and he died on August 15.

There is no hard evidence, that any of this i s true. Still, both soaps did a great job honoring the late veteran actor. The timing suggests all of this may have been connected.