When Sonny Corinthos learned that former fiance Brenda Barrett, had been killed, a part of him died as well. She was the love of his life-that's why he had forfeited her to Jax-and now she was dead. But recently, Port Charles own godfather has bounced back in a big way. He had to. When he came home, he found the stage set for battle royale with his mafioso rival Moreno. Plus, protege Jason's ex-lover Carly has made a mess of his realationship with Robin, the waif Sonny loves like she was family. And most tantalizingly the hose of Quartermaine is looking so shaky, all the Mob kingpin figures it will take to bring it down is a dirty glare.
So, this week Sonny makes known to the Q crew his intention to take control of his ELQ stock. Unsure wether Sonny really wants to go legitimate or is looking for a front for under-the- table dealing with Moreno, the Q's are appalled by the of being "in bed" with the mobster again. That only delights Sonny more. "He's power-hungry and insecure; anything he can do to get power is what makes him happy" says his protrayer Maurice Benard, explains. "That's why he's always screwing with the Quartermaines-they're the most fun!"
And while Sonny may profess his intent to go legit, Benard says that blowhard Edward hadn't ought to hol his breath-that'll never happen. "It's just not who Sonny is. He likes the excitement, and going legitimate would be boring for him. Besides, Sonny knows that if he just stays in the dumps in Puerto Rico, he's eventually going to drown."
Plus, with an advesary like Moreno on the prowl, the the temptation to rumble with an old nemisis again could prove tough for Sonny to resist. "Moreno's a jerk and he's always been a real thorn in my side." says Benard "but I've got the upper hand."

After taking on the Q's Sonny oves to his next opponent Carly! Already furious about the way she came between Jason and Robin, Sonny has no patience left for her manipulation. But as Carly points out this week, Sonny's going to have to be nice to her because now she's the woman in Jason's life! "Sonny can read people well so he knows what Carly is all about. She's a manipulative broad who's trying to hold a baby over Jason's head." Benard offers. "She's just using him and Sonny doesn't like anybody to be dishonest that way."
Not one to put up with being told what to do, Sonny informs Carly that he sees her for what she is; a gold digger who's planning to trade on her kid to get fur coats, penthouses and anything else she wants! Unfazed Carly pulls out her trump card ; her belief that she has something even more valuable than material possesions -Jason's trust! Convinced that Jason gave up Robin for her and not just for Michael, Carly flabbergasts Sonny by throwing her power in his face.

Deciding to nip this problem in the bud, Sonny goes to Jason for a talk, pointing out that with the secret of Michael's paternity now out of the bag, Carly's more of a lose cannon than ever. Sonny tries to warn Jason that he's not the only one aware that she's a weak link; the Quatermaines certainly are primed to pounceon their youngest heir, and they know that Carly can be bought.
However, Jason is not about to lose his cool, and insists that Sonny stick to his game plan when it comes to Michael. Still fearful for his friend, Sonny beseeches Jason not to trust Carly and is suprised when Jason admits that he doesn't! "Sonny's in a unique posistion because while he's trying to be on Jason's side, he also feels protective of Robin." Benard hints. "Sonny loves Robin like a sister,so he's like, 'Don't mess with her man! She doesn't deserve that!"

Meanwhile, Robin knows Jason will never forgive her for betraying his confidence to AJ, about Michael's paternity. So, resigned to her fate, she bids a heartbreaking goodbye to everyone she cares about in Port Charles.
But Robin's exit may have ramifications that reach far further than Jason's heart. As Sonny and his right-hand man soon will find out, they have lost not only their moral barometer, but her connection to the PCPD as well. With Mac's niece out of the picture, the police commissioner may not be so willing to turn a blind eye to Jason and Sonny's dealings anymore. And Sonny may find it awfully tough to win a Mob war with cops breathing down his neck, determined to take a bite out of crime.

Although, now that Sonny Corinthos has been back in PC for a little while, he seems to be getting back to being his old self, his protrayer, Maurice Benard, has been changed for. "I'm more relaxed as an actor than I've ever been" he professes. "I've always been a little nervous, but now the nerves are gone!"
The two-time Daytime Emmy Award nominee atributes much of his new attitude to his current manager Jaime M Gold. "Jaime gave me the confidence I needed to get over my auditioning and that really helped." Benard admits, adding that he also has had a life changing epiphaqny. "I'm not putting so much importance on being the greatest actor in the universe-amymore-it was ridiculous"

Howevever, that's to say that Benard has lost the acting bug-not in the least! Since officially leaving GH in Semptember of 1997, the lifetime member of the Actor's Studio workshop has won parts in three independent films, but he says they weren't enough. "I need to act-it's almost like a release for me. I've got alot of stuff that I just need to get out."
Some say that Benard's decision to return to GH came to soon-that he didn't give his go at big screen success a fighting chance. But his manager disagrees, nothing that unlike Benard's previous contract, his new one will allow him to do films and GH at the same time. "Now Maurice will be able to get fulfilled has an actor because he isn't limited to one role," says Gold. "And it's going to be easier to acfcept other work; he has a deal now that works for him in that way."
Ironically, just as Benard's return to GH became a sure thing. the movie roles started rolling in. First up a small role in So We Married Margo, an indie comedy do out this fall. "I play a movie studio exectutive," he says "It's fun."
And an January 15, Benard began work on another film, a short produced by Oscar-winner Albert S Ruddy(of The Godfather fame). "Maurice plays a troubled priest who doesn't realize he's in trouble." Gold remarks. "It's sort of an acting showcase for him because he's in almost evey scene!"

Since GH is willing to work around the shooting schedule, Benard is confident that he won't burn himself out pursuing multiple projects as did his former co-star Vanessa Marcil(ex-Brenda). "I'll miss Brenda and Sonny because there was a kind of energy there that you could feel in every scene and of course, I'll miss Vanessa too."he confides. "But I'm so grateful just to act, right now you could put me with a pig and it wouldn't matter." Still, the idea of jumping onto supercoupledom again right away doesn't appeal to Benard. "I'm not to anxious for that to happen soon, but I would like a love intrest."
While Benard currently is playing Carly's worst nightmare, the idea of becoming love/hate realationship has some appeal. "I'd be into working with Sarah Brown(Carly)." he affirms. "She's a damn good actress."

The oppurtunity to develop Sonny's other realationships is one that Benard would relish as well-especially the renewed rivalry with Jax. "Sonny absolutley holds Jax responsible for Brenda's death," he suggests. "In his mind he left Brenda to save her, and she get together with Bozo and now she's dead. Hello?"
And, so with Brenda out of the picture, the truce between her two loves is defenitly off! Benard is looking forward to the storyline, saying. "As an actor, any kind of conflict is fun to play."
And for Benard, fun is what life is all about right now. "I'd reallly missed being with everybody." he enthuses. "And of course,[I missed]playing Sonny, which to me is an incredible role. I think he's a good person, but he needs alot of help "
And we know just the guy to give it to him!