after jackson left the series in april 1999, the character was kept off-screen for almost a year before young took over the role upon lucky’s return in february 2000. young commented on his new character: "i like lucky's mystique. he's just very cool, relaxed. he never oversteps his boundaries. i’m planning to give my own perspective to this." the series explained the character's absence and staged death as a kidnapping by cesar faison (hove) and helena cassadine (towers). it is soon apparent upon his return that lucky has been brainwashed; guza explained the change in character that would be seen in lucky's reunion with his parents: "the kid doesn't at all react the way we expected. this time he's been away he's obviously changed a great deal, into a different person emotionally. his whole relationship to his parents is confusing. it's a different lucky, in many ways." the mind control continues after lucky is released; helena makes him act erratically and violently, hurting his father and forgetting his memories of love for elizabeth. the ordeal leaves an impression on lucky after it is over; the writers used the opportunity to develop an edge to the character. the series promoted lucky as a "rebel" in its teen-focused summer advertising campaign in 2000. young filmed commercials where he stated in character: "rules? i don't play that game." young explained the change in character to entertainment journalist candace havens in 2000: