GH: Fireworks At Kiki’s Funeral
■ Kiki is laid to rest this week in an emotional service. But, says Co-head Writer Shelly Altman, “Unlike Nathan’s funeral, Kiki’s will not be without some fireworks.”
At first, grieving mother Ava doesn’t plan to attend the memorial, which has been arranged by Julian, Franco and Scott. “She is awash with guilt, denial and anguish,” explains Altman. “Her last exchanges with Kiki were so angry and bitter, and her daughter died with the two of them in a really bad place.” But after fulfilling the tragic task of breaking the news of Kiki’s death to Avery, Ava summons the strength to go, with Julian and Ryan by her side.
According to Altman, Ryan’s sudden omnipresence in Ava’s sphere has not gone unnoticed by her brother. “Julian is surprised and not altogether welcoming of the attention. Not that he doesn’t believe that Kevin Collins is a fine, upstanding guy, [but] he certainly has taken over this role of caring guy in Ava’s life awfully quickly — and the man is, in fact, still married to Laura!”
At the funeral, Ava’s mood plummets further when Griffin shows up uninvited. “In her heart, she knows he’s not guilty [of killing Kiki],” Altman notes. “But she wants someone to blame. She wants him to be guilty because that would strangely vindicate her for her actions in trying to get Kiki away from him. She doesn’t want him there because he was the one who took her daughter’s attention, not her, and he is very symbolic of the very awful way things were left between them.”
The PCPD, meanwhile, is on high alert in their quest for the killer, not realizing that he is right under their noses in the form of Ryan. “Jordan is prominently in attendance, keeping her eye out for an any unusual person who might show up.” But it is Ava who is triggered by the arrival of one guest in particular: Carly. “When I alluded to fireworks earlier, that’s the fuse that will be lit,” Altman says. “She understands that Carly and Sonny loved her daughter, but she also wonders if their motives in coming here aren’t solely to mourn Kiki, but also to point out to her and to remind her of her own guilt in the loss of their son.”
When Ava comes at her, “It is shocking” for Carly, according to Altman. “But this is our Carly, and if attacked, she is going to defend herself.”
I'ts is shocking."