What I Watched Today
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
The diamond dude asks Anna why she wants to know about the stone, and she tells him that it’s an unofficial inquiry. He can’t help her, and says he could get arrested just for touching it. The diamond is stolen property.
Elizabeth calls Franco, and leaves a message saying she’s going to meet him at the studio.
Franco tells Ava that he has a proposal. She proposes this, and closes the door in his face.
Valerie chats with Kristina at Perks while she’s waiting for her blind date.
Curtis wants to know why Stella insisted that he wear a sportscoat for coffee. He asks what she’s up to, and she says she just wants him to meet a new friend. She could tell they’d hit it off. And there she is now – Valerie.
At the MetroCourt, Josslyn tells Carly she can ground her until school starts, and rope her into mother/daughter lunches, but she can’t make her enjoy it. Carly wants her to know how serious it is. Josslyn says if it hadn’t been for her and Oscar wandering around, Sonny would have died. Carly asks what if something would have happened. Josslyn wonders why Carly won’t believe they’ll never do something like that again. Carly says she does believe it, because Josslyn is never seeing Oscar again. Wow. That’s a little harsh.
Alexis visits Sonny, and tells him that the Garvemeister almost caused the loss of Kristina’s father. Even if he leaves the business, no matter how hard they try, there will always be someone in the shadows to wreak havoc in their lives.
Sam wants to talk to Carly, but Jason wants her to wait. He leaves to find out about getting her discharged, and Andre pops in. He says he heard they were sending her home, and wonders if she needs to talk about what she did while she was sick before she leaves.
Sonny asks Alexis if she wants to talk about the trial. She doesn’t, but says it was stressful, and she’s not sure she did the right thing. If Julian had told her about Olivia-J, Sam wouldn’t have gotten sick. She says it will be hard for Sam, but Sonny says they’ll get through it. She says it’s exhausting wondering if your daughter is all right. Kristina comes in, and assumes that they’re talking about her (because everything is always about her), and that Alexis told Sonny about Parker.
Stella realizes that Curtis and Valerie know each other. Curtis says it didn’t end well, and Stella tells them to think of it as an opportunity to work out their differences. Valerie doesn’t think so. Curtis used her to gain access to a file, and it almost cost her career; then he dated her boss. Stella says that her favorite former in-law strikes again. Curtis says Jordan had nothing to do with it, and it was all his fault.
Ava tells Franco that she’s had her fill of offers from deranged men. He asks how many she knows. She says that she has no interest in some harebrained scheme. Franco says that technically, it’s her daughter’s scheme. He tells her about getting his dark paintings back, and that he wants to get rid of them. She says it sounds good on paper, but she’s never setting foot in the gallery again.
Elizabeth tells Jason about Franco moving in. She says it’s her life and her decision. After what they went through with Jake, she was hoping he’d accept it. It’s one thing they all have in common – their love for Jake. Jason makes noises about what Franco did to Sam a million years ago, and Elizabeth says he wasn’t well when he did those unforgivable things. I guess Jason doesn’t see any parallels here.
Andre says he knows about Sam’s hallucinations, and that it can be distressing, so he’s offering his services. Sam says at this point it doesn’t matter. He says hallucinations are like dreams; sometimes they’re random like pink elephants, but sometimes they have a subconscious element. She asks if he thinks she wanted this to happen.
Curtis explains to Stella about how he took pictures of a file that Valerie had, and almost got her in major trouble. Valerie says it all worked out, and Curtis says he’ll take Stella home. When Valerie is out of earshot, Stella asks how he could use her like that. He says that his investigation was going nowhere, and that he thought he could get away with it, but he was wrong. And it’s not the first time.
Ava tells Franco that Kiki means well. He says that Kiki thinks it would be a great idea for Ava to have a project. She says her inventory is gone; literally up in flames like her dignity and face. She asks why she would go back to the gallery, and be reminded about what she lost. He says all he sees in his art is proof of the damage he’s done and can’t atone for. He wanted to destroy it, but Kiki reminded him there’s a lot of money to be made. Ava says plus the added bonus of a good deed. Franco tells her that is work is still in demand, and it could be used for a lot of good things, like helping Elizabeth’s boys. He says he’ll up her commission, and she says not about the money. He says there must be some extravagance her heart desires. She looks at Valentin’s card on the table. Didn’t she rip that up???
Diamond dude tells Anna that the diamond wasn’t part of the Berlin necklace. There’s a code embedded in stones like that, and they’re all on record, but this isn’t one of them. She asks if he can identify it, and he tells her it’s from a high-profile jewelry heist.
Carly says that Josslyn hasn’t been honest, and Josslyn says like Carly was a saint at her age. She accuses Carly of trying to control her life. She says she has to go to the bathroom, unless Carly thinks she needs a chaperone.
Sonny tells Kristina that they were talking about Sam, but since she brought it up, what’s going on? Kristina explains that Parker is teaching at PCU. She says she’s an adult, and can take care of herself, and Alexis admits to having words with Parker. Sonny says they were probably nicer than the words he’d have with her. Kristina says she talked with Parker after Alexis left. Alexis wonders why she’d want to get involved, since she’s just getting her life back. Kristina says it’s her decision, and to stop obsessing about her love life, especially when they’re still dealing with the aftermath of Alexis’s. Alexis says good luck dealing with her recovery, it’s all good, and she walks out.
Andre tells Sam that hallucinations might be meaningless, or manufactured by the mind from something in the subconscious. Sam says they were mostly about Jason. She never felt need to protect him, and Andre asks if that’s no longer the case. She says it’s as if ever since he came back, it’s been different.
Jason tells Elizabeth that he gets it. She asks if he’s going to hold a grudge forever. Jordan comes along, and he says they’ll finish the conversation later. Jordan wants Jason to answer some questions about the evidence that disappeared the day he was at the station.
Ava tells Franco that the only thing she wants costs too much; the price is too high. He says she has a talent for speaking specifically, yet vaguely. She says it’s a gift, and he tells her that she has a lot of gifts. She says that the gallery is closed, and she’s let the staff go. Franco says even she admitted that scarcity drives up the price, and she asks why he wants to do this. He says that someone he loves, loves her, and he has a hard time saying no. He asks if she can say no to Kiki, and leaves.
Alexis sees Carly, and says it looks like they’re having the same day. Carly asks if Alexis’s daughter stormed out on her, and Alexis says she stormed out on her daughter. Carly says that she and Josslyn used to be close, and now they’re miles apart. Alexis tells her that she’s the mother of teenager, and Carly says it happened overnight. Alexis says she should take a step back, and Carly asks what if Josslyn gets hurt? Alexis says they have to learn lessons that lead to being better people. Carly asks how it’s working for her, like Dr. Phil.
Sonny tells Kristina that Parker took advantage of her, and it upset them. Kristina says that Sonny doesn’t talk to her the same way that Alexis does. It didn’t work out, but she discovered herself. How can she hate the person who helped her realize who she is? Sonny understands, but says when you’re a parent and you see child in pain, you want to stop it and don’t want it to happen again. Kristina says what about learning to fall and get back up? Sonny of all people should know about that.
Sam tells Andre that Jason is different, and maybe she is too. She used to think he was indestructible, and never worried he could die, but now she does. The more he invests in their life, the worse she gets. Andre thinks she should talk to someone. Not necessarily him, but someone she trusts enough to confide in. She says he’s right. She has to talk to someone.
Jason tells Jordan that he was at the station to ask about Julian’s trial, but found out he wasn’t needed. Jordan says there’s a gun missing, and asks if he would he know anything about it. He says there are cameras all over the place. She asks why he would want to protect who shot Sonny. She thinks he and Sonny want to go after shooter themselves, but he says that he left that life a long time ago. Jordan hopes that’s true, but says that she’s watching him and will get to the bottom of it. Sam has been listening from around the corner.
Diamond dude tells Anna that the stone is part of a set from a high profile smash and grab. She asks who carried it out?
Elizabeth is in the studio. Franco walks in, and she asks what happened, showing him one of the paintings he messed up. He tells her that he destroyed the painting because it’s ugly – the actions and impulses behind it were ugly. He’s separate from them now because he’s someone else. It’s still on him. but he was sick. How can he move beyond his past if he can’t acknowledge it? He wants to grow and evolve, not just for himself, but for her, the boys, and their future. Elizabeth says do it, and Franco tells her that he’s scared of losing her if he stops pretending the man he used to be didn’t exist. She tells him that the past is the past, and the future is theirs. They kiss, and I assume they get busy, but instead of a song part, we look at a painting.
Jordan sees Curtis at the hospital, and asks if Stella is okay. He says that he’s working on a case with Finn. She asks if he’s undercover somewhere fancy, and he says that Stella set him up on blind date. Jordan says it’s good that he’s getting out there, but he says it didn’t go very well. Among other things, it’s who she set him up with.
Kristina asks Valerie if she was stood up. Valerie says it was worse; the date was Curtis. Kristina hesitates to give any advice, since she just laid into her mom for giving it to her.
Alexis tells Carly that she knows every time she intervenes, Kristina will say she’s interfering. Carly asks what the answer is, and she says to let them make their own mistakes, within reason. If you tell anyone not to do something, they’ll want to.
Jason finds Sam’s room empty.
That’s because she went to Sonny’s place. She tells him that they need to talk.
Alexis tells Carly that things will get better when they’re older… she thinks. Josslyn comes back and Alexis tells them to enjoy lunch. Carly and Josslyn apologize to each other for being unkind. Carly says she realizes she can’t keep Josslyn a kid forever. She won’t stop her from seeing Oscar, but she’s still in restriction until school starts. If she wants to date Oscar, she has permission. Josslyn says they’re just friends for right now. Carly says she has errand to run. Josslyn thanks her and they hug.
Curtis tells Jordan about Valerie revealing to Stella how he broke her trust. He says Stella was disappointed, but he thinks he convinced her not to set him up again. Jordan says that she just set him up with the wrong person, and Curtis says she did. It wasn’t Jordan.
Valerie tells Kristina that her mom is just being parent. Kristina says more like a control freak. Valerie says she didn’t have prefect relationship with her mom, but that didn’t mean that they didn’t love each other. She’d give anything to see her mother again, even if it was for one more argument. She tells Kristina that time is precious, and not to waste a chance to make it right.
Jason asks if Andre has seen Sam, and he tells Jason she was discharged. Jason says she was supposed to wait for him. Andre tells him that there was someone she wanted to talk to.
Sonny tells Sam that Jason had told him she was being discharged, but he thought she’d be with him. Sam says that she appreciates everything he’s done, but she can’t lie anymore. Carly deserves truth. In one of those perfect soap moments, Carly walks in and says she couldn’t agree more. Sonny wants to explain. Carly says they should never promise each other they won’t keep secrets, because the promise is always broken. She asks wth is going on?
Alexis comes by Perks, and Valerie steps away to make a call. Alexis says she didn’t like how she and Kristina left things. They might not see eye to eye, but she’ll make an effort to respect Kristina’s choices. The important thing is that she loves Kristina. Kristina says that she loves Alexis too, and they hug. Valerie sees them, and smiles.
Curtis tells Jordan that he shouldn’t have said that; they agreed to end things. She says it’s the right thing. It’s who he wants to be for Stella, and that man does the right thing. Curtis hates the right thing. Jordan says it sucks, but don’t blame Stella. He should find someone who makes him happy. She goes down in the elevator, and he says she should too.
Ava transfers some funds into the gallery account.
Franco asks Elizabeth what brought that on. She says him. He doesn’t see what she does. He tells her that means a lot to him. She wonders what happened to him in New York. He gets a call, and takes it in the other room. She looks around and pulls out a painting.
Diamond dude says it’s up to the authorities to figure it out, and Anna says he’s right about that, and thanks him. When he’s gone, she scrutinizes the diamond. Andre walks in, and she puts it behind her back. He says she seems distracted, and she tells him that she’s thinking about her next case.
Carly asks if Sam is okay. Sam says that this is difficult to say. Jason walks in, and Sam says that she can’t do this anymore; she needs to be honest. She’s sorry, and Carly asks sorry for what? She tells Carly that she’s the one who shot Sonny.
Barring any eclipses, tomorrow, Ned is in the market for Alexis’s legal services, the prosecutor has a surprise witness at Julian’s trial, and Sam isn’t staying silent anymore.
The Haves and the Have Nots
Veronica and Kathryn watch as the Cryer mansion burns. Jim and David come running up, and they’re like, WTH? Jim asks what Kathryn is doing, and she says watching the house burn. He asks why she did it, and she says that she was hoping he’d be in it. Veronica tells Jim that she told Kathryn to do it, and asks him to explain about Jennifer’s body. Jim wonders how they’re going to explain this, and Kathryn says, very carefully. Veronica tells Jim that if they have the body, they have DNA. Jim says he had it taken care of, and had the house cleaned. Veronica says he took care of it all right; that’s why the body showed up in front of the news station.
David and Veronica banter. David tells Veronica to save it for the divorce hearing. She likes him getting all bold, and says it’s hot. Not as hot as Benny, but he might be on to something. Kathryn walks away, and Jim says they have to figure out what her story is going to be. David calls the fire department as the house continues to blaze.
The cops are combing the hotel for Candace. Landon asks Charles if everything is okay, and Charles says they have to talk. He asks if Landon likes his job. He’s not happy that Landon called the police, when he made it clear that he was to help Candace. Charles wants her. Landon asks why, and Charles is like, what? Landon rephrases it, and asks why she’s special. Charles says women aren’t his thing, so why does he care? Landon says that Charles is going to be president, and he’s dealing with a street level criminal. Charles says he and Candace aren’t that different. Landon thinks they are, and Charles says that would be a fatal mistake. He says he’s telling Landon one more time to help her, and that’s all. Landon apologizes and jets. Charles tells him to send in Vincent.
Charles asks Vincent what’s going on, and he says they’re looking for the young lady. He told the police that floor was covered, and if she returns, he’ll let them know. He asks if Charles wants to see her when she gets back, and he says he does.
Candace goes to the fleabag motel, where there’s still crime scene tape all over. She starts to cry. I don’t think we’ve ever seen her cry, and it’s quite heart wrenching. She asks where God is.
George wants to see Wyatt and find out if he knows anything about Jennifer’s murder. Justin asks to come along with Detective Hines, and Hines says he can follow.
In the hotel lobby, Jeffrey tells Landon to stay away from him. Landon asks if he knew Justin was going to be in his room, and when Jeffrey says no, Landon asks why. Jeffrey says he’s been showing up places. Landon says it sounds like stalking, but Jeffrey says Justin is merely crazy about him. Landon says or just crazy; the guy has problems. He identifies as straight, but Jeffrey is the object of his affections? Jeffrey says that his mom made sure he won’t be back, and on cure, Veronica joins them. She tells Jeffery she’s sick of him and “these girls.” She tells him that he’s coming home. She asks Landon if he has to check his lipstick, and he says he’s sure it’s better than her foundation. She tells him in his dreams. Landon leaves, and she reminds Jeffrey that she goes before the judge tomorrow to keep Quincy’s body out of evidence. He still refuses to come. He says Melissa tried to kill herself, and Veronica says she needs him to make sure she doesn’t bleed on her good sheets. Jeffrey says that Melissa is depressed, and Veronica says she’s just looking for attention. She’s carrying Veronica’s grandchild, and she wants Jeffrey to pick her up and take her back to the house. Candace walks by, and he says she must have found out her son died. Veronica says sorry, but apparently, her son wants the same thing. She tells him she’ll see him at home, and to stay away from the boys.
Candace waits at the elevator. Jeffrey asks if she’s okay, but she doesn’t say anything. She gets into the elevator, and the doors close.
There’s a knock at Wyatt’s door. It’s George, followed by Hines and Justin. Wyatt introduces Anna, and Justin asks if she’s his girlfriend. She says no, and Wyatt asks if Justin has to be there. George asks about his relationship with Jennifer, and he tells George about the deal they had. He asks if it’s still going to be honored, and if Jeffrey is still included, and George says yes. He tells Wyatt that he’s not here to talk about that; he’s here to talk about Jennifer’s murder. Wyatt says he knew she was dead, but didn’t know she’d been murdered. George tells him about the note saying that she was murdered by a Cryer. He asks how her relationship was with his parents. He says they hated her, but he didn’t know why. After she got his inheritance released, they got really pissed off. George asks how much it was, and Wyatt says $12 million. George asks how much Wyatt’s parents are worth, and Kathryn is worth $120 million, but Jim is worth nothing without her. He asks if they’re going to jail, and George says they’re building a case. Wyatt says they’re not good people, and George wants to hear about it. Wyatt wants Justin to leave first. Justin asks why, and he says he doesn’t like the way Justin treats his friends. Justin acts like he doesn’t know what Wyatt means, but George tells him to step outside. George asks Wyatt what he can tell him about his parents.
Candace goes to Charles’s room, shrugging Vincent off. She asks Charles for her phones, and he tells Vincent to get them. She calls Benny, and gets voicemail. She asks him to call her. Charles asks if she’s okay, and that he’s sorry. She asks what happened, and if he did this. He says of course not. All he knows is that Quincy Jr. was caught in a crossfire, but he’ll find out the details. She goes into her room, and closes the door. Is that a Birkin on the couch? She calls Erica, and says she needs her, telling her to come to the room. Erica says she’ll be right there, but of course calls War. She tells him where Candace is. She says she’ll try to keep her there, and to hurry. Boy, are they in for a surprise.
Candace calls Hanna. She asks if it’s true, and Hanna says it is. She asks what happened. Hanna tells her that War busted in looking for her. Mitch and Benny got into it, and War started shooting. Candace finishes for her, saying, and he shot her son. She asks where Quincy Jr. was, and Hanna says in the bathroom; she ran in there with him. Candace asks why Hanna didn’t protect him; he wouldn’t have gotten shot. Hanna says she was on top of him, and Candace asks why she didn’t get shot. Hanna doesn’t know. Candace calls her a liar, and says she’s the one who should be dead.
Next, Candace calls Mitch. He asks if she’s okay, and she asks if he would be. He says he’s sorry. She says she can’t believe it. She asks if they’re sure it was him, meaning War, and he says they all saw him. He shot the place up. He asks what she wants to do. She wants him dead. Mitch says okay. She asks what the plan is. He says just get him to his grandmother’s restaurant. She says she will.
Mitch calls the restaurant and says he’s coming – and he’s bringing War. The bartender laughs, and says finally Mitch is coming into the family. He says they’ll be ready – all of them – and he’ll let Mama Rose know.
There’s a knock at Candace’s door. It’s Erica. Candace tells her to sit. She eyeballs Erica for a while, and asks if Erica is with her. She asks why Erica’s dress smelled like War. She says that Erica doesn’t deal with that level of thug, so how did she pick up that fragrance? Erica says she’s scared to death of War. Candace asks again if she’s with her. She says War killed her son. Erica is shocked, and says she’s sorry. Candace says that War shot him. Erica asks why, and Candace says it’s okay. Erica says it’s not okay; it’s so wrong. Candace calls War. He says he’s looking for her, and she says she knows. He says that she lied to him, and she says she knows. War says she knows she’s got to die, right? He asks where she is and she gives him the room number, but says he knows it, while she looks pointedly at Erica. War tells her not to move, but she says she is. She says he shot her son. He tells her that it was an accident, and she says okay. He says he’s on his way. She says no, and hangs up. She’s been staring at Erica throughout the conversation, and Erica asks why she called him. Candace asks for Erica’s phone. Erica tries to skate, but Candace isn’t having it, and she hands it over. It rings. It says unknown caller. Candace hands the phone back and tells her to answer it – on speaker phone. She waits for about a thousand rings, and it’s David. Oh man, that was a moment for real.
David says he can’t make it back tonight. He and Erica go blah-blah-blah, and Erica says she’s on the other line with a friend who’s having trust issues. She says she’s a good friend, and is going to screw up the only good thing in her life because of trust. Erica says that she’ll call him. They hang up, and Erica tells Candace that she’s her girl, she always has been, and not to doubt that. Candace just keeps staring at her stone-faced, and she starts begging. Candace says don’t touch her. She tells Erica to come with her. They’re going to dinner.
Candace brings Erica to Malone’s Restaurant. Erica goes to the bathroom. Mitch greets Candace. He says their table is almost ready. He quietly tells her that when it goes down, stay low. His guys are good, and don’t worry. She says that she’s not, and Mitch says that he’s looking out for her. He asks if War is on the way, and Candace says Erica is probably calling him now. Mitch is surprised about Erica, and tells Candace again that he’s looking out for her and to stay low. Candace tells him to just kill that a-hole. Mitch leads her to the table. Mitch is just super-hot and has a super-hot personality.
Benny sits in the interrogation room. An officer comes in, and he asks if he can go or not. The officer says he’s free to go, and gives Benny his phone. Fastest. Exit. Ever. In the parking lot, Benny calls Hanna. She asks what they said, and he still doesn’t know what happened. He asks her to pick him up, and she says she’ll be right there.
Charles is at some press conference where a guy is making a big fuss over him, saying what a wonderful senator he is, and how amazing he is at so young an age. The guy says he’s good for the state of Georgia, and he’s good for the entire United States. He introduces Charles as the next President of the United States. Everybody cheers.
At the restaurant, Erica peruses the menu, while Candaces stares daggers at her. War walks in. Candace gives him a half-smile, and he sits next to Erica.
Charles asks for moment of silence for Quincy Jr. Hanna is watching on the TV, and he says he knows members of the family personally.
War’s guys start to gather in the restaurant, standing in front of the door. Candace flashes back to him abusing her, raping her, and killing her son, even though she wasn’t there for that one. A massive shootout happens, with people diving for cover or pulling out guns. Apparently, Mitch’s guys are most of the restaurant patrons. And they are good.
Charles has his moment of silence.
Mitch gets up off of Candace. Everything is busted up, and quite – WAR IS DEAD. Now I forgot what I was going to say. Erica is still alive, although probably not for long. She’d ducked underneath a table.
Charles thanks everyone, and says the family would appreciate it. Hanna is like WTH???
Next time, Veronica makes Melissa clean up the mess she left (she is just the worst – I love it), Mama Rose asks if Erica should live, and Jim insists that Kathryn still loves him.
🎓 If you get a chance, check out Oprah’s Master Class with Tyler Perry. He talks about his beyond rough childhood, how he was compelled to write, and how his faith continues to see him through. He seems like a rare really good guy, and gives a lot of wise life advice. I’m not a huge fan of Oprah‘s, but I love me some Tyler Perry, and he did not disappoint. It was a very fast hour.
🎭 Never Say No
Alexis and Carly commiserating about teenage angst reminded me of this song from The Fantasticks. I once studied with Word Baker, the director of the original play, and thought this version was the closest to what he’d do. Unfortunately, YouTube had neither the original nor the entire song from the film with Joel Grey, which is well worth checking out. The song itself begins around the first minute. There’s a bit of dialogue first. Oh yeah, I’m sure my father would be very proud that all the money paid for my classes was well spent, now that I do karaoke. 🎤