by Kimberly H. Smith

Created on: August 07, 2008

The most memorable soap opera moments are the ones that make you scream at the television, cry yourself sick, or text your best friend to say "OMG! Did u c that?" The following are not in any particular order.

1. Young & The Restless: Plastic surgeon carves the word KILLER in David Kimble's forehead.

David, on the run from the police, threatens a plastic surgeon at gun point to give him a make over. He expects to be made over in the likeness of David Hasselhoff (former Y&R star-wink, wink!) Boy was he surprised when he removed the bandages later. I was hysterical! It was very haunting and rocked me to my core. The actor, Michael Corbett, can often be seen reporting entertainment segments on Extra these days.

2. All My Children: Jessie and Angie reuniting at the train station after 20 years.

Angie believed Jessie was dead. She saw him die in a hospital bed! She later married a man who looked just like him (same actor!) on another soap, Loving (later The City), but he wasn't her true love Jessie. Alicia Keys' song, "Like You'll Never See Me Again" made it all the more romantic. I had stopped watching AMC a few years ago but tuned back in just to see this moment and the aftermath.

3. General Hospital: Stone dies of Aids in Robin's arms

I didn't even watch GH back then but this story was everywhere. My mother and I watched it and cried uncontrollably. Blinded by complications from the disease, Stone gained his sight in his final moments and told Robin that he could see her. The empathy I felt for these characters that I was not familiar with was a true testament to their terrific performances.

4. Young & The Restless: Cassie dies

This memorable moment occurred three years ago and it still moves story today on Young & The Restless. It was shocking when the news broke in the soap magazines. The actress portraying Cassie, Camryn Grimes, was 15 years old at the time and had won a Daytime Emmy five years earlier! It was a heartbreaking moment when her father, Nick, sang a lullaby to her and she flat lined.

5. As The World Turns: Hal dies

Benjamin Hendrickson, who portrayed Hal Munson on ATWT, committed suicide in 2006. I was stunned. I had watched him hold his own with several leading actors and actresses for many years. A few months passed before the death of his character was explained on screen. I can only imagine the pain his co-stars went through while filming those scenes. They had lost a colleague and a friend just as his fans had.

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