The world of daytime television was left reeling on December 14 following the heartbreaking news that Anthony Geary, the legendary actor who breathed life into the complex and iconic character of Luke Spencer, had passed away. For nearly forty years, Geary was the face of General Hospital, a tour de force performer who transformed a street-smart kid from the wrong side of the tracks into one half of the most famous couple in soap opera history. In the wake of his loss, fans and colleagues alike have been sharing memories and tributes, but ABC has just announced the ultimate honor. On January 1, the network will dedicate its airtime to Geary’s legacy by broadcasting a special encore of his final episode as a series regular, a poignant hour of television that originally aired on July 27, 2015.

This specific episode was not chosen at random; it represents the culmination of one of the most intense, psychological, and revealing storylines in the show’s history. It was the moment that Luke Spencer, after decades of running from his past, finally stopped to face the man in the mirror. To understand the weight of this tribute, one must look back at the incredible journey Anthony Geary took with this character. He first joined the show in 1978, discovered by the visionary executive producer Gloria Monty, who saw a spark in him that would eventually ignite the entire genre. While he left in 1983 and returned briefly in 1984, it was his return in 1991—first as lookalike cousin Bill Eckert and then reclaiming the mantle of Luke in 1993—that cemented his status as a daytime titan.

The encore presentation slated for New Year’s Day revisits the dramatic conclusion of a storyline that began a year prior, in 2014. Viewers will remember the confusion and fear that gripped Port Charles when Luke began acting in ways that were terrifyingly out of character. This wasn’t the lovable rogue fans adored; this was a cold, calculating figure who turned on his friends and family. The change was so drastic that the audience, and the characters themselves, dubbed this persona “Fluke,” with widespread speculation that an impostor had taken over Luke’s life. Many theories pointed to Bill Eckert, the cousin Geary had played in the early 90s, as the culprit behind the chaos.

The mystery of “Fluke” deepened with every episode, creating a sense of unease that showcased Geary’s incredible range as an actor. He played the villain with chilling precision, culminating in a shocking event where a device detonated aboard The Haunted Star. When forensic evidence revealed that the fingerprints of the suspect matched Luke Spencer perfectly, the horrifying truth began to dawn on everyone. It wasn’t an impostor; it was Luke himself. However, he was a man whose mind had fractured under the weight of a lifetime of suppressed trauma. Following a violent outburst in a courtroom, Luke was committed to Shadybrook, but the story was far from over.

The episode that will air on January 1 captures the emotional resolution of this harrowing journey. It revisits the moment Luke escaped the facility, driven by a desperate need to find answers. He sought out his estranged sister, Patricia, believing she held the key to the darkness that had overtaken him. In a tense and high-stakes sequence, Luke held his own family—his wife Tracy, his sister Bobbie, and his daughter Lulu—hostage, a frantic attempt to force the truth into the light. It was Tracy Quartermaine, the woman who loved him in spite of his flaws, who finally managed to break through the wall he had built around his psyche.

When Luke fled the confrontation, he retreated to the one place he had avoided for decades: his childhood home. It was within those decaying walls that the floodgates of memory finally opened. The narrative revealed a tragedy that had occurred in 1963, a secret so painful that Luke had buried it deep within his subconscious. He recalled the fatal incident involving his mother, Lena, and the violent confrontation with his abusive father, Tim Spencer. In a moment of self-defense that ended in tragedy, Luke had taken his father’s life to save himself and his mother. The guilt and trauma of that night had caused his personality to splinter, giving birth to “Fluke,” a manifestation of his darkest impulses and unresolved pain.

Following this breakthrough, the encore episode showcases the path to redemption. Viewers will see Luke reunited with his soulmate, Laura, for one last high-stakes adventure. Together, they embarked on a mission to rescue their children—Lucky and Ethan—and the young Jake, a child Luke had believed for years he had tragically lost in a hit-and-run accident. The villain of the hour was none other than the formidable Helena Cassadine, the matriarch who had plagued the Spencer family for generations. Watching Geary and Genie Francis share the screen during this rescue mission serves as a powerful reminder of the chemistry that once captivated 30 million viewers.

However, the true emotional core of the tribute lies in what happens after the dust settles. The episode features the heartbreaking dissolution of Luke’s marriage to Tracy. In a moment of quiet devastation, Tracy annulled their union, realizing that Luke needed to heal on his own. Brokenhearted but clearer-eyed than he had been in years, Luke returned to the docks of Port Charles. It was there, looking out at the water that had always been his escape, that he said his final goodbyes. He made the difficult choice to leave the town, his family, and his past behind, stepping into the fog to face his future in solitude. It was a melancholy yet fitting end for a character who was always a lone wolf at heart.

While Anthony Geary made one brief final appearance in 2017 to facilitate the exit of Jane Elliot’s Tracy, this 2015 episode stands as his true swan song. The narrative of Luke Spencer was eventually closed permanently in 2022, when Tracy brought news to Port Charles that Luke had lost his life in a mysterious cable car accident in Austria—a tragedy heavily implied to be the work of Victor Cassadine. Yet, for fans, Luke remains immortal, living on through the incredible performances of the man who played him.

ABC’s decision to air this specific episode offers a space for communal grieving and celebration. It allows the audience to witness the full spectrum of Geary’s talent, from the menacing depths of his psychological break to the tender, tear-filled moments of his departure. He was an actor who could convey volumes with a single look, a performer who understood that the line between hero and villain is often blurred by pain. As we ring in the new year, this tribute serves as a perfect opportunity to raise a glass to Anthony Geary, a man who didn’t just play a character; he created a legend that will never be forgotten.