General Hospital Recap, February 16: Maxie's world is turned upside down by Nathan's resurrection

Here is your General Hospital recap for Monday, February 16, 2026 featuring Maxie's reaction to Nathan being alive.

What happened on General Hospital

General Hospital's Damian Spinelli | Image: ABC

Chase and Brook Lynn met up for a night out at The Brown Dog for Valentine's Day. She informed him that Maxie woke up, but she wanted to focus on their relationship for the night. Chase worried that The Brown Dog wasn't romantic enough a venue for the holiday, but she wasn't. As long as they were together, she was happy.

Carly and Jason grabbed a drink at The Brown Dog, and she was confused as to why Sonny asked Ric to handle Michael's custody situation. Jason was sure that Sonny hadn't forgotten who Ric really was. Still, Carly was convinced that Michael wouldn't have signed the custody agreement if Sonny and Ric hadn't pressured him. Jason was impressed by the newfound restraint.

Jason got a text from Spinelli, who requested to see him right away. Spinelli raced to the bar and told Jason and Carly that Maxie was awake. Carly had to head out to check on things at the Metro Court, leaving Jason and Spinelli alone to talk.

Spinelli was elated that his beloved Maxie was awake, but Nathan was a massive hurdle in the way of his happiness. He was concerned that the type of love Maxie had for him, one rooted in friendship, wouldn't override her connection with Nathan. Jason got a text from Britt, which left Spinelli alone for Liesl to confront. She informed him that his "services" were no longer needed as Nathan and Maxie would soon reunite.

General Hospital's Michael Corinthos | Image: ABC

Ric took Elizabeth axe-throwing, which definitely wasn't her first choice for a romantic night out. Ric offered to take Elizabeth somewhere else for the holiday, but she was offended by the implication that she couldn't have fun.

Michael and Jacinda went axe-throwing as well, and he apologized for the date not being as elegant as she may have expected. Jacinda joked that Michael should pretend that the target was Drew's house, which should make it easy for him to achieve. Sadly, Michael wasn't as talented with the weapon as Jacinda.

General Hospital's Ava, Sidwell, and Lucy | Image: ABC

Sidwell was delighted to spend Valentine's Day in the company of both Ava Jerome and Lucy Coe. Lucy thought it was a sweet sentiment, but Ava wasn't concerned about the holiday. Instead of a romantic evening, Ava warned Lucy she'd be trapped listening to art.

Ava suggested that she and Sidwell take their conversation elsewhere, but he wanted to include Lucy. He hoped to achieve a trio of friendship. Lucy said she was nobody to judge and thought they should all be allowed to reinvent themselves.

General Hospital's Alexis, Kristina, and Molly | Image: ABC

Alexis was surprised that Molly wanted to spend the holiday with her and Kristina rather than with Cody. Molly downplayed her accomplishments, but she decided not to publish her new book. Kristina submitted the manuscript behind Molly's back, and despite the potential success, she wasn't interested.

Kristina urged Molly to tell Alexis why she was reluctant to publish it. Everything rode on the idea of not hurting Cody's feelings. Molly didn't want to cause further damage to her relationship by moving forward with the book.

General Hospital's Britt asked Liesl to give Nathan space | Image: ABC

At General Hospital, Britt refused to believe that Faison was alive, but before they could discuss it in depth, Liesl charged into the room. She asked if Nathan was sitting down, which Britt snarkily pointed out that he wasn't, and she told him, "Maxie is awake!"

Liesl hadn't spoken to Maxie herself, but she heard the news from James. Nathan needed a minute to process everything, as this was a significant development. Britt was worried that Maxie couldn't handle the shock of Nathan's return. He didn't want to rush into things before he knew it was safe.

Nathan appreciated Liesl telling him about Maxie, but he needed some space. Nathan left General Hospital to take a walk and process the information he just heard. After he left, Britt encouraged Liesl to keep her hopes in check, since Maxie had moved on with Spinelli.

General Hospital's Maxie couldn't believe Felicia's big news | Image: ABC

Felicia told Maxie that Nathan was alive and had been residing in Port Charles for the last six months. Stunned didn't even begin to cover the puzzled look on Maxie's face. Maxie said that it didn't make any sense. Felicia assured her that it was indeed true.

Maxie was there when he was killed, so she couldn't fathom it to be true. However, Anna proved that it was. There was no body in Nathan's grave, so whatever they believed to happen when he was "killed," clearly wasn't the case. Felicia promised Maxie that there were no doubts. Nathan was alive.

Maxie didn't think it was a coincidence that two of Faison's children rose from the dead at the same time. Felicia didn't know if Britt was being honest during her time away from Port Charles. Nathan was a different story. Felicia believed that he was telling the truth about not remembering.

Felicia explained that Nathan and James had developed a great bond. Maxie's mind was completely blown. Maxie had difficulty wrapping her mind around the entire situation since she physically watched Nathan die.

General Hospital's Lucas agreed to stay with Marco | Image: ABC

Marco asked Lucas how much he overheard, and it was enough for Lucas to become convinced that he wasn't the man he thought he was. Marco confessed that he was speaking about Sonny, and Lucas asked for information about the project Britt was working on.

Lucas was furious that Marco seemed to be hiding a litany of secrets from her. Marco claimed that his relationship with Sidwell was complicated. However, Lucas was adamant that the conversation he overheard sounded a lot like a threat to kill Britt if she didn't fall in line.

Lucas begged Marco to come clean and admit that he wanted to kill Britt. Marco denied responsibility and pinned it solely on his father. Lucas thought that Marco was just as guilty, and he felt like a fool for believing in Marco. Lucas jeopardized his relationship with Carly, and it was for nothing. Everything he believed about his boyfriend was a complete fabrication.

Marco grabbed Lucas to prevent him from leaving, but Lucas ordered him to keep his hands off. Lucas realized he had been tricked into moving to Wyndemere so Marco could have easy access to Britt. Marco told Lucas that his feelings for Sonny led him to become involved in Sidwell's nefarious deeds.

Lucas asked for a reason to buy into Marco's story. Marco reminded him that he knew better than anyone what it was like to lose his mother. Ultimately, Lucas agreed to wait for Marco to ride out the end of Britt's project and his exit from Sidwell's criminal organization.

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