Sam McCall has arguably been one of the most interesting characters in General Hospital. She changed from a disturbed wayward child into a fan-favorite regular character on the show. Kelly Monaco played this actress, creating her character through dark twists, complicated relationships, and personal changes that amazed viewers.
She enters the series as a con artist with a mysterious past—having a survival and ambitious spirit within herself rather than morals. Fans have seen Sam cross lines, hurt people, and make choices that some still remember as "mean," which is the reason for the complex nature of her personality.
While Sam McCall is now viewed as a fierce protector and loving mother, her personality was quite significantly more ruthless and narcissistic than it is today. Long-time viewers of the show often remember her early days when she was noted for manipulation and deception to get what she wanted.
A post made on General Hospital Fans - Official said:
"She was Mean."
However, many fans opposed and spoke about her transformation throughout the years and came forward with positive comments. They spoke very kindly of her character and hinted that she has changed drastically over the years.
Was Sam McCall always this compassionate on General Hospital?
Early on in her storyline, Sam McCall was hardly the warm, empathetic character that viewers would eventually grow so fond of. At first, Sam was willing to do as much or nearly as much as anyone else as long as it accomplished her long-term goals, no matter what it meant concerning compromising actual friendships or betraying those around her.
Her willingness to use people to her advantage most of the time made her fight with most present in Port Charles. How a choice that ranged from conning to taking questionable moral steps best defined the result of her tough upbringing and mistrust of others.
Yet, over the years, Sam's experiences shaped her into an even more open-hearted and compassionate person. Living, true love, motherhood—all began to teach Sam to put herself behind others. She gained moral strength and often helped the people she loved, and this slowly built up into a more fragile and loving aspect as the storyline progressed.
What sparked Sam McCall's transformation?
Major life events characterized Sam's transformation. Perhaps the most important event was the revelation of her birth family and her mother, Alexis Davis. Learning about her heritage and finally having a family of her own became a turn of events for her where she had finally opened up emotionally and began trusting people again.
Alexis, along with her sisters, created a support system where Sam grows beyond her past into someone who values loyalty and love. Besides that, her relationships, especially with Jason Morgan, contributed much to her change.
The influence and stability imparted by Jason enabled her to feel secure and realize that she no longer had to count on manipulation to survive. These connections finally mellowed her character, enabling her to be a person who valued honesty and family bonds.
Interested viewers can catch the episodes of General Hospital on ABC every weekday.