What I Watched Today
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Anna’s doorbell rings. It’s Robert. He says Cassandra has been gone three days (!), and they still don’t know who’s behind her kidnapping or where they took her. She wouldn’t be giving them so much trouble if the good doctor hadn’t revived her. Finn comes stairs looking for his other sock, and tells Robert, good morning.
Sonny tells Carly that Kristina has no more headache or ringing in her ears. Carly says that’s good news, but Sonny can’t get it out of his head. He can’t believe Mike blew up Charlie’s to cover up what he did. Carly is surprised Julian chose to keep quiet, but Sonny thinks sooner or later he’ll want to collect.
Ava asks Julian, what the hell happened? He tells her a gas leak led to an explosion. Just another day at the office. She asks what the yellow tape is all about, when Chase comes upstairs. He says forensics is done, and the evidence has been gathered from the crime scene. Ava says she thought it was a gas leak.
Elizabeth tells Cameron that he’s going to be late. He tells her to chill; the first class is gym. She asks if he still doesn’t get a grade for that, and he asks if he’s grounded for life or gets time off for good behavior. Franco says if he shows some good behavior. Cameron asks if Franco just said that, and Elizabeth makes him apologize. She asks why he doesn’t invite Oscar over; they can do homework together. Cameron asks why she suddenly wants him to be besties with Oscar?
On the way to school, Oscar asks Drew what’s up with raiding the fridge at midnight. Drew says Monica is between cooks, so everyone is enjoying the kitchen in the meantime. He hopes Oscar stays over more often. Oscar never thought he’d say this, but he needs space from his mom. Whenever he leaves the house, she acts like she’ll never see him again. It was just one blackout, and he keeps telling her not worry. Drew says that’s what parents do. He’s worried too. Right now, he’s worried that Oscar thinks it’s not cool that Drew is walking to school with him, but he’s too nice to say it. Oscar says he’s glad they’re doing it. They might not be able to for much longer, since there’s no future to look forward to.
Finn tells Robert they were up all night, exhausting every possibility. Robert says Cassandra wouldn’t have vanished if Finn hadn’t woken her up. Anna says it was their best chance to find out who the people were, and if Finn hadn’t treated her, they would have shot him. Robert says he knew the risks, but Anna says Robert didn’t tell him. The doorbell rings. It’s Robin. She asks if it’s a bad time.
Robin tells them that the kids are growing up too fast. Anna asks what brings her to town. She says she was coming back from a medical conference in Vienna, and thought she’d check in after Anna and Finn’s latest adventure. She asks how Finn is. He says he’s still getting used to the kidnapping thing, but he’s getting the hang of it. She tells him to stick around. He thinks he will.
Drew asks Oscar why there’s no future, and Oscar says an asteroid is heading for earth. Some scientists are predicting it will crash early next year. Drew says, is that all? Oscar says the chances are one in 75,000. The odds could be better, but it’s close enough to get a good view; it would make a good news story. He’s thinking a father and son field trip to Tanzania and Mount Kilimanjaro to see it. Drew says, cool. Oscar has to get to PE; they’re doing cross country. Drew says it will be great training for Kilimanjaro. Oscar asks if they’re doing it, and Drew says, yes. Oscar says, awesome, and hugs Drew.
Elizabeth tells Cameron that he and Oscar don’t need be besties, but when Oscar was in the hospital, Cameron seemed concerned. He says he was, for Josslyn. Elizabeth suggest he invite them both, but he says so he can be a third wheel? No thanks. He’d rather do his time in solitary. He leaves, and she asks Franco if she’s going overboard. He says, maybe a little. She says things change fast. One minute, everything is fine, and the next, the person you love with all your heart is gone. Franco says, he just went to gym class. She’ll have to make due with him. They kiss, and the doorbell rings. Franco asks what kind of monster shows up at this hour? It’s Kim. She sees Franco, and Elizabeth says, it’s cool. They tell each other everything.
Chase asks Julian how long he’s owned the pub. Julian says, a year, and Chase asks why he bought it. Ava asks what that has to with anything. Julian says he’d just gotten out of prison, and sold his previous business to his daughter and son-in-law. He wanted a fresh start. Chase asks, why Charlie’s? it’s not exactly new. Julian says he walked in, and it spoke to him. Chase asks if the place was in good shape or did he have to renovate? Ava says it seems like an unusually real estate related third degree. Why? Chase says they found human remains in the basement.
Sonny tells Carly that Julian will probably gouge him with a huge repair bill. Carly says his silence is worth it. Sonny can’t believe his dad decoyed him and slipped away. He insisted Sonny stay with Jason, said he was going with the nurse, then slipped away from the hospital. Mike comes in, telling them that they don’t have to stop talking when he shows up. Carly says they stopped talking because he looks terrible. Sonny asks how he’s feeling, and he says apparently the way he looks. He knows what they’re thinking. Carly says, that they’re worried about him and love him? He says that he tried to make things better, but only made them worse.
Finn says he’s going to spend some time with Roxie, and leaves. Robert asks if Robin wants to go to the airport together, but she’s not headed back right away. She has unfinished business. He asks if he should he be there for it, but Robin says they’ll be okay. He tells her go easy on mom. When he’s gone, Anna asks if Robin wants to talk about the unfinished business now.
Elizabeth tells Franco that they have to talk about patient. Franco says he has art therapy patients to tend to, so he’s going to the hospital. He asks Kim if, as a doctor, she can suggests a how to parent manual. She wishes, and says if he finds a good one, can she borrow it? He tells her that she could write it. When he leaves, Kim asks if Elizabeth told him. Elizabeth says, no. They agreed not to keep secrets, but if he asks a direct question, she’ll have to tell him the truth. H hopefully don’t ask more people know better chance he’ll find out
Cameron sees Oscar. They’re both ditching gym, and Cameron tells Oscar that the coach is only interested in varsity, He won’t notice they’re gone, Oscar asks if Cameron wants to explain what went down between him and Josslyn while he was in the hospital. Cameron says it’s totally on him. He shouldn’t have kissed her. Oscar says, what?!
Julian asks if a body was found, and Chase says a skeleton. He asks if Julian knew about it, and Julian says, of course not. Chase says he had to ask, given Julian’s criminal record. Julian says he just gave plans to city for renovation. Why would he bring in jackhammers if he knew a body was in the basement? Chase asks him to call if he remembers anything. Julian wonders how long the basement will be off-limits, and Chase says he’ll let Julian know.
Carly says Mike gave them a scare yesterday, but everyone is okay. Mike says, Kristina almost got blown up. Sonny says, she’s doing fine. Mike says, he’s getting worse, isn’t he? The things he wants remember, he forgets, and the things he wants to forget… Sonny tells Mike that he knows it’s hard; it’s hard for him too, but Mike can’t wander off on his own. Mike says he didn’t wander off; he snuck off. The reason he went with the nurse is that he knew he could give him the slip. Sonny is going to make sure it never happens again. Mike says he just wanted to help Sonny and help fix what happened in the field. Where was It? Sonny says it doesn’t matter. Mike says maybe it’s better he doesn’t remember where it was, and only remembers what he took and what he did with it. He was trying to help and he screwed up again. Sonny says it will be fine. He’s paying for the damages, and Charlie’s will be good as new. Mike says if he’d blown himself to smithereens, they’d all be better off. Sonny tells him, don’t say that, and Mike says, even if they both know it’s true.
Anna tells Robin that she knows she dropped a bomb on everything Robin believed. She can’t imagine how difficult it was. Robin says, it was a shock, especially finding out her brother was Faison’s son. Anna says, no one is happy about that, least of all Peter. But despite all that, Robin is there. She just wants to know if Robin forgives her.
Kim tells Elizabeth that she told Drew. She’ll never forget the look in his eyes, when he found out he was going to lose the son he only just met.
At the hospital, Drew leaves a message for Kim, saying he was hoping to run into her. Franco approaches, and tells Drew that Kim is at the house talking to Elizabeth. Drew asks if he knows what about. Franco says they’re consulting about patient, but if true that’s true, why wouldn’t they do it there? He’s kept secrets, so if Elizabeth wants to not tell him something, it’s okay. Drew thinks it’s eating him up, but Franco says that’s what he looks like when he’s coping. He asks if he can he pick Drew’s brain about something – Oscar.
Oscar says, Cameron kissed Josslyn? Cameron thought that’s what he wanted to talk about. Oscar asks what happened, and Cameron says Josslyn wanted to surprise him, and he was helping her decorate the bench. When Oscar didn’t show up – Oscar interrupts, saying he was in the hospital. Cameron says Josslyn didn’t know that and blamed herself for pushing him away. She thought she’d pushed too far. Oscar says Cameron didn’t do anything stop it, and Cameron asks why he should. He knows her better than Oscar. Oscar says he knows her better than anyone. Cameron says he and Josslyn will still be friends long after she forgets who Oscar is. Oscar shoves Cameron.
Mike says Kristina got hurt because of him, but Sonny says she made her own choice. She went back in to pick up the wrench Mike left. Mike says, like he said, it’s his fault. Sonny tells him that Kristina took a chance on her own life because she loves him. Carly says, like they all do. Mike asks what about his life is worth saving? He’d gladly give up his own life for Kristina, or any of them. Carly says he proved he would do anything for his family; now it’s their turn. Let them help him. Mike says he’d like to see the brochures for the places that take care of people like him. That stomping sound is Mike jumping on my heart.
Robin tells Anna she gave it a lot of thought, and realized there’s nothing to forgive. Anna made the right choice for herself at the time, and she has no right to judge. Anna says she’s had a lot of time to think too, and keeps coming back to the same question. Should she have told Robin sooner? Robin says she’s lost sleep too. Patrick knows when she’s not there. She spent so much time way because of Faison, maybe it’s better she didn’t know; it might have been too much to handle when she was younger. She can see there was no real right time to tall her – until the truth came out. It was her secret to keep. Anna wishes felt as sure as Robin seems to be.
Finn sees Chase at the hospital. Chase tells him remains were found in a local business, and he’s waiting for test results. Finn says, good work. Chase says it freaked him out. He might need to borrow Roxie. Finn says he has to take it up with her. He’s a poor substitute, but Chase can tell him more over coffee. Chase is surprised, and Finn says when he was being held captive, Chase came to the rescue. Chase says he was just doing his job. He knows he’s been pushing Finn, but has come to accept that what he wants might be more than Finn is willing to give. Finn doesn’t owe him. Finn asks if he can’t just have a cup of coffee with his damn brother. Chase says, damn half-brother.
Kim tells Elizabeth that Drew is Oscar’s hero. Elizabeth says, the feeling is mutual. He won’t give up without a fight. Kim says she’s already scheduled a meeting with Terry to discuss options. Elizabeth asks about the prognosis, and Kim says if she can only give Oscar a little more time; just a few months. She starts to cry, and Elizabeth hugs her.
Cameron can’t believe Oscar pushed him. Oscar says his dad is a Navy SEAL, and showed him some things. He asks if Cameron is scared. Cameron says, hell no, and Oscar punches him in the eye. Cameron leaps on him.
Franco tells Drew that he’s good with Jake; Cameron, not so much. Everything he does is wrong. He knows Cameron is a teenager, and will grow out of it, but Drew is obviously there for Oscar. Drew tells him to shut up for a minute.
Robin wonders what it was like when Anna first realized Peter was her son. Anna says he was so full of pain and anger, blaming her for abandoning him. Robin says, but she found him after all this time; that was something. Anna says he’s still in town, and Robin says he can’t hate her that much. Anna says he’s not there for her. He’s there for Maxie and her little boy. It’s an uphill battle. Robin isn’t so sure. Maxie has a forgiving spirit. She knows what it’s like to make mistakes, and makes allowances. Anna hopes she’s right. It would mean a lot to Peter. Robin thinks there’s hope for Peter and Maxie, and Peter and Anna.
Drew apologizes to Franco; he’s been stressed lately. Franco says for most of his life, when someone apologized, he felt great joy. Now he feels concern, and it’s new for him. Maybe they can explore that. No pressure, but if Drew wants to talk… He asks Drew to tell him about Cameron. Drew says Cameron needs him. He doesn’t realize it, but he does. He was with Elizabeth when the kids were younger, an it was easier for him. He doesn’t think he’d know what do with Oscar if he hadn’t taken Parenting 101 from Elizabeth. She’s the best, and deserves the best. He tells Franco not to forget that, and leaves. Franco looks puzzled.
Cameron asks how Oscar’s hand is. Oscar says it hurts; how’s Cameron’s eye? He wonders if Cameron should go to the nurse. Cameron says she’ll just ask questions. If anyone asks, he tried to hurdle the bench, and face planted. Oscar is surprised Cameron is covering for him, but Cameron says it’s for himself. He doesn’t want anyone to know he was punched by Oscar Nero.
Chase says it’s a damn fine half-cup of coffee. Finn says the less you drink, the better it is. They can work up to a full cup Robert comes in, and says he’d like to talk to the doctor. It’s federal agent business. Finn would like his brother to stick around. It was Chase’s work that figured out where he and Anna were. Chase tells Robert that he’s the official liaison between the PCPD and the WSB. Robert asks Finn what he was going to say before Robin showed up. Finn says the medications Cassandra was given is hard to find, and some are illegal. He’ll give Robert a list. Chase says, trace the drugs, trace Cassandra. Nicely done.
Ava tells Julian, bodies don’t appear in the earth like truffles. Someone plants them. He’s up to something, and this is just another piece of the puzzle he intends to profit from. Julian says his days of taking advantage of other’s misfortune are over. She’s impressed he’s keeping a straight face. He says whoever the bones belong to, he hopes they get a proper burial and mystery gets buried with them.
Mike says some of the places look not bad, and Sonny says he doesn’t have to go there. Brick made it easier for him to stay there. Mike says he’ll think about it. Sonny tells him, no rush, and Carly says they just want him to be happy. Mike says he’ll be happy if he does right by his family.
Kim tells Elizabeth, if all goes well, she’ll be delivering triplets. Elizabeth tells Kim to call her if she needs her, and Kim thanks her for being a good friend. Drew sees Elizabeth, and asks what’s wrong.
Oscar tells Cameron they should head back. Cameron says if they’re stragglers at the end, the coach won’t recruit them. What said about Josslyn, he was just getting in Oscar’s face. Oscar is it for her; the only it. Oscar says he knows.
Elizabeth tells Drew that she’s so sorry about Oscar. Kim told her. He figured that, and he’s glad Kim has her to turn to. They’re both torn up. He’s glad that person is her, and she says she’s here for him too. She hugs him, and Franco sees.
Anna tells Robin that she can’t stay in a hotel. Robin says, good, because she didn’t make a reservation. They hug, and Anna asks how long she’s staying. Robin says, long enough to figure out what to do about her brother.
Robert looks forward to seeing Finn’s list. It’s just possible the two of them aren’t as useless as they present themselves. Finn says, hilarious; he’s welcome. Chase says Robert is like an angry Australian. Finn says he and Chase share more than DNA. Chase says that guy really does not like them.
On the phone, Sonny says let him through. Carly says, trouble? Nothing he can’t handle. Carly suggests she and Mike check out the brochures over a cup of tea. He says one place has a swimming pool and a pool table. All pool all the time. Carly says she’ll visit all the time.
Sonny opens the door, and it’s Julian. Sonny says it’s too soon to be billing him for damages. Why is he there? Julian says he knows why Sonny pushed so hard to buy Charlie’s. He didn’t want the pub. He wanted what was buried beneath it.
Tomorrow, Maxie asks where she fits in, Julian tells Sonny the body was found, and Peter asks Lulu if she wants the Ryan Chamberlain story.
The Real Housewives of Dallas
Kameron has photos taken. Cord asks if she was badgering them with questions. She freaks because he used the word badger.
Brandy is back from Beaver Creek and back to reality. When Bryan is out of town, juggling three kids is a lot. She was on an emotional high when they got Bruin, and now she’s exhausted. The girls are a little jealous of the baby, and there’s only so much of her to go around. The girls suggest renaming the baby Booka. She feels like if she got help, it would be like she failed. Doing it all is taking its toll. The girls eat chips and candy for dinner.
LeeAnne and Rich go out to dinner. He wants more details about the trip. She says, when they left, D’Andra and Brandi were at opposite ends of the spectrum, and now they’re best friends. Rich asks, based on what? and LeeAnne says, tequila. Rich thinks that works.
LeeAnne says Rick told her he wanted to set a date to set a date for the wedding. He says, let the ambush begin. She says it made her feel like he didn’t want to set the date, and therefore, doesn’t want to get married. He says it was a joke, but she wants an adult conversation. She doesn’t know why she’s afraid to make him set a date, and he adultly says she can’t make him do anything. She says they don’t talk about it. Does he think they’re not discussing it because they don’t want to do it? They went from a magical moment to a desert. She wants to know if he wants to be married. He says he didn’t ask just to ask. She’s afraid to push, because he might say he doesn’t want it. Rich says it’s a communication issue, and admits to avoiding her because he doesn’t want to piss her off. He says they have a lot going on, but LeeAnne thinks that’s an excuse. In her interview, LeeAnne says her abandonment and avoidance issues stem from her mother, who told her if her mother doesn’t want her, no one else will. She says, if someone doesn’t want you at three-years-old, in your cutest phase, who would want a fifty-year-old bitch? Rich says he loves her and wants to take care of her. She says she’s scared. Her grandparents were together through thick and thin; they never left each other’s side. She wants that commitment from him. In her interview, LeeAnne says it makes her uncomfortable that Rich was divorced more than once. She wants someone who understands commitment. Rich asks if has to ask again, and she thinks he needs to re-encourage her. He asks if she’ll marry him, and she asks if she can move forward with plans. For some bizarre reason, Rich says the date will be set organically by them starting plans. Um… what about invitations? He kisses her, and says he has a little romance in him.
Kameron tells her kids that she has get her stuff together for a global pet expo, explaining it’s a trade show for animal products. She asks if they can help put things together. In her interview, she says most of the exhibitors will be billion-dollar companies. This is her best shot at getting a distributor. She’ll be mortified if she can’t pull it off. The kids think the display rack is a jungle gym. Kameron says she wants to get the kids involved, instead of them always being with the nanny. The kids tell her the product is dumb. In her interview, Kameron says marrying into Cord’s family has it’s perks, like vacation spots and a private plane. The women in the family are involved in the community, and she took on that role, but wants a career now. She thinks it will be a struggle for the family to adapt to it. She tells the kids they’re the most important thing, and don’t ever think Sparkle Dog is.
LeeAnne visits D’Andra. She tells D’Andra she’s exhausted from the trip. In her interview, LeeAnne says these bitches don’t sleep. They stay up drinking all night, get four hours sleep, then start drinking again. She doesn’t know who can live like that, but she can’t. D’Andra says starting over is a big pill to swallow. Her new company will be the first time she has the opportunity to start something from the ground up, and make it successful on her own. LeeAnne tells her about the conversation with Rich. She says she needed reassurance, and it felt like they got engaged again last night. He asked her again. D’Andra asks what the date is. In her interview, D’Andra has heard of renewing vows, but this sounds like he’s buying time. How does LeeAnne know he’s not just saying what she wants to hear? LeeAnne says she knows him, and D’Andra says that’s not a real answer. They argue over what D’Andra’s age is, and talk about going to the rodeo.
LeeAnne doesn’t get it. D’Andra didn’t want to be around Brandi. LeeAnne slept, and when she woke up, they were sh*tfaced shopping. She says she knows what Brandi is capable of; she’s been Brandi’s victim, and had her heart shredded. D’Andra tells LeeAnne that her grandma always said the proof is in the pudding. LeeAnne doesn’t want D’Andra to think she has ulterior motives. She’s concerned Brandi will use the foundation she has with D’Andra to get to her, and she doesn’t want to get hurt. In her interview, D’Andra says if Brandi and LeeAnne made up, why does she care. D’Andra says she’s a big girl. She and Brandi had a great time and made a breakthrough. In her interview, LeeAnne says she can sweep things under the rug and still be cautious. D’Andra saw Brandi stab her in the back. We flash back to the brunch where Brandi went off on LeeAnne. LeeAnne says she’s forgiven Brandi, but she’s not forgetting. D’Andra hears her, and says she’ll proceed with caution.
it’s D’Andra’s birthday. She greets her guests with tequila shots. In her interview, she explains that the rodeo is part of Texas culture. If a Texas girl’s family has a ranch or farm, you know the rodeo. Kameron tells us her dad was a professional polo player, but she’s never been in an environment where people are screaming on bucking bulls. Brandi is thrilled that mom Jana steps in so she can have a life.
Only Cary and Stephanie are absent. In her interview, Brandi thinks Stephanie is missing out, but it’s not boushy enough for Cary. Kameron pronounces bull like bowl, and no one knows what she’s talking about. LeeAnne wants to see Brandi country western dancing. Brandi says she did that last week, and we flash back to her and D’Andra dancing around in the store. Kameron says Brandi is a bad influence on D’Andra. D’Andra says she has a silly side. Brandi loves when D’Andra is herself and doesn’t care.
The first thing is a bull parade. Kameron thinks they’re adorable, and they’re not even on leashes. At the bar, Brandi brings out a beer bong, and drinks one down. Kameron doesn’t like beer, but in college did a champagne bong. LeeAnne thinks public beer bonging is a no, but does it anyway. Brandi doesn’t know if it’s cute or depressing, but thinks it’s sad to feel left out at fifty… one. D’Andra says LeeAnne might as well hang up her hat if she thinks she can keep up. LeeAnne says like waterboarding, and makes a huge burp. She hates beer.
Next is the mechanical bull. Brandi goes first to show them how it’s done. It’s not her first rodeo. LeeAnne vaults on via the back end. In her interview, she says, if you can’t break a man’s ribcage with your thighs, don’t have sex or ride a bull. Alrighty then. Kameron is afraid to get hurt. In her interview, she says she doesn’t want to be a party pooper, so she’s getting on – Rodeo Barbie. She’s wearing a dress (!), and LeeAnne helps her up. D’Andra says she looks great, which of course is the most important thing. The bull is so slow, I could ride it, but Kameron is frightened. She manages to get through it, and in her interview, says being on a wild moving animal makes her feel at one with the rodeo. I guess no one has the heart to tell her it’s not real.
The ladies go to Bill Bob’s Panhandle Arena where the real bull riders are. it’s amazing to watch, but I think it’s mean to the animals. D’Andra thinks step up from watching Kameron.
Cary stops by her house renovation. Builder Susan tells her they’re getting the mechanical inspections done, then doing insulation. In her interview, Cary says there was no Michelin star restaurant at the rodeo, so it’s not her. It wasn’t boushy enough. So, Brandi was right. Susan maps out Cary’s ginormous closet. In her interview, Cary says it’s modeled after the Fendi store. It’s costing a gazillion dollars, but it will be fantastic. Mark says he’ll probably end up with the hall closet. They discuss the Molteni stove Mark is getting. Oooh, it is nice. In her interview, Cary says it’s going to be her sister wife, and she’ll have to vie for Mark’s attention. Her parents are back in three months, and they have to get out. She says the positive thing about staying there is that she realized she wants to fix the strained relationship with her father. It will never be perfect, but it’s something she wants.
Brandi says, Kameron is redefining slow ride. In her interview, Kameron says the members of her family hold each other to a high standard. LeeAnne explains to Brandi, when have a family name, you’re watched closer, and can’t let your hair down. In her interview, Brandi says LeeAnne has the perception that she’s high in Dallas society, but has a police report. D’Andra asks Kameron how she feels about the pressure, and Kameron says you’re more under a microscope, but she surrounds herself with people who are like her. In her interview, Kameron says she’s conservative anyway, and fits right in. D’Andra feels like she’s not being true to herself. In her interview, D’Andra is sick of being judged on what’s acceptable by Dallas society. She wants to do what makes her happy in the next phase of her life. Brandi thinks if they can’t accept her for who she is, screw that. At the end of the day, D’Andra needs to be happy. D’Andra says it’s her year to figure things out. Her dad told her be the fun person she is. When he passed away, she felt the freedom to be that. In her interview, D’Andra aspires to be freewheeling like Brandi. Brandi says she understands and they should celebrate that. Brandi loves D’Andra when she’s herself. It’s sad that she feels the need to apologize for it. In her interview, LeeAnne says she’s not spreading her ass cheeks and dropping out a quarter into a K-cup.
Brandi gives D’Andra the necklace she wanted in Beaver Creek. Wow. That was very thoughtful. And expensive. LeeAnne says Kameron is good at basketball, and suggests they go for a game. In her interview, Kameron thinks Brandi is investing in the friendship, and trying to buy D’Andra. Kameron and LeeAnne play basketball, but it’s not like a regular game. More like something you’d see in an arcade. LeeAnne says she told D’Andra that she could get hurt. Kameron doesn’t trust Brandi with D’Andra. Brandi can be classless. We flash back to Brandi’s dog poop hat, and also Sexual Chocolate. Kameron says if D’Andra continues to hang out with Brandi, what next?
D’Andra tells Brandi that she didn’t expect to like her so much. D’Andra says she understood that LeeAnne was protecting her, but she has to make her own decisions. She tears up, and Brandi says she appreciates what D’Andra is saying. In her interview, Brandi is annoyed that LeeAnne is encouraging other people not be friends with her. It’s a slap in the face. D’Andra says she has to figure out her own path. She needs to do what feels right. She and Brandi hug.
We move on to the World’s Largest Honky Tonk. D’Andra thanks everyone for the great birthday, and they do shots. Leanne rides D’Andra like she rode the mechanical bull, then does some weird dance moves, many of which involve full contact with the floor. Brandi says LeeAnne talks about acting a certain way in society, but she’s giving a lap dance, and mopping the floor with her hair. LeeAnne says D’Andra is her bitch. Brandi thinks she’s jealous.
Back from Italy, Stephanie visits Brandi. In her interview, Stephanie says they haven’t seen each other in ten days. It’s like forever, and she wants the scoop. It should be entertaining. She tells Brandi and Jana about the trip, and we see pictures. She says Travis bought himself a Ferrari for his 50th birthday, but he’s not even forty-nine. Brandi tells her about LeeAnne’s lap dance. Stephanie asks if D’Andra was bruised. Brandi says she had good time, but there were some intense moments. D’Andra said she needed to start making decisions for herself, and LeeAnne is trying to influence D’Andra into not being friends with her. In her interview, Stephanie says she sees LeeAnne as wanting to change, but she’s her own worst enemy. She can’t judge LeeAnne by other people’s experiences. Brandi doesn’t think she can be friends with LeeAnne.
Next time, Brandi prepares for the social worker’s visit, LeeAnne and Rich start planning the wedding, and the ladies do some demolition.
MasterChef
Cesar, Bowen, Samantha, and Gerron (my man!) were left. The first challenge was for the cooks to conquer a colossal protein; what America was built on, still devours, and chef’s worship. If you guessed beef, as I did, you were right. They were told to make a MasterChef worthy masterpiece of a kabob in thirty minutes. The judges agreed it would come down to the tiny details. Bowen changed the dish, garnishing it with peppers underneath, which Joe wasn’t pleased with, especially since the peppers were raw. Samantha omitted the peppers entirely, going for a Mediterranean flair. Joe said it tasted okay, but her minimalist strategy didn’t work. Gerron used jerk seasoning and was told he did a good job. Ashley was praised for her generous seasoning. Casar used red wine vinegar, and although Gordon said it was perfectly cooked, it didn’t need that kick. Gerron was the first to be safe, and the other three (all Gordon’s people) had the challenge of making meatballs – or as Joe said, soft pillows of deliciously seasoned beef – in marinara sauce. Since Bowen cannot possibly listen, instead of putting the breadcrumbs in the meatball mixture, which Joe explained gives it lightness, he breaded them like cutlets. He insisted it was a Chinese thing, but Joe suggested he follow the rules at this point. Samantha put the frying pan in the oven for some reason, causing the middle of her meatballs to be raw. Since they contained pork as well as beef, Gordon bravely ate around it. He told her they had to sit in the sauce to be evenly cooked. The flavor of Ashley’s meatballs was divine, but Aaron wanted more sauce. Still, it was enough to keep her safe.
In the next round, the remaining contestants had to cook a MasterChef classic – filet mignon. Three of them – well done, medium and rare. To keep their MasterChef dream alive, the cooks had to nail all three temperatures. Cesar said it was trying to get three darts make a bullseye. Gerron was glad he wasn’t in their shoes. Bowen is a pilot? I guess I don’t always pay attention to the text. It’s enough to remember their names. Samantha won the save, and Bowen was out. Gordon told him that the MasterChef door might have closed, but he’d love to have Bowen in his brigade anywhere. Bowen said it was the best moment of his life, and he hasn’t lost his dream of opening a restaurant. He didn’t feel so well at this moment, but learned a lot, and felt it was a big step toward his future.
Next, the remaining four divided up, with Cesar pairing with Ashley, and Gerron with Samantha. They were going to be cooking for the mentors of their mentors. Aaron introduced the pioneer of California cuisine, Jonathan Waxman; Joe introduced his Emmy winning mother, Lidia Bastianich; and Gordon’s mentor was master of French cuisine, Daniel Boulud. The challenge was to make three identical plates of whatever dish they liked in sixty minutes. Cesar and Ashley decided on pork chops, and Gerron and Samantha made lamb with a rhubarb glaze. Lidia’s advice was to taste everything, which sounds obvious, but I can’t count the times on Kitchen Nightmares when Gordon asks, did you taste it? and they say, no. Cesar and Ashley’s pork chops were deemed complex, intriguing, and not overly done. They said they were going for a culmination of their talents and journey, while representing their culture in a beautiful and respectful way. Samantha had been so jazzed, she ran into the counter, and we learned to use white, not brown, sugar to give more depth of flavor. Lidia said both dishes were great, and there was a professional level on both sides.
It was Cesar and Ashley for the win, and for the next challenge, the cooks had to replicate a three-course dinner. Joe presented one of his favorite appetizers, spring risotto. He said it was so hard to nail, it’s rarely seen in restaurants. Aaron offered pan-seared salmon, with he said involved many techniques and flavors. Last was a signature dish of Gordon’s, sticky toffee pudding. I’m not so sure I would like it, but it was fun to hear Gordon say it repeatedly. The requirements were for it to be flavorful, but not too sweet, and if it was dry, game over. The cooks had ninety minutes
Samantha was a wreck, and most worried about the pudding. She forgot the gelatin and had to start over. Wine was the ingredient for something, and had I been her, I would have been drinking it. I also have to note, that although Gerron is a teacher, he used the non-word mines. Samantha’s pudding was as much of a mess as she was. The caramel sunk into it, and she burned the butter. Gerron wisely told us that, it’s not the mistakes you make, but how you bounce back from them. The mentors were proud, and in the end, Gerron had the best appetizer, and Samantha the best salmon. The dessert was the tie-breaker, and I breathed a sigh of relief that Gerron was safe. Twenty-year-old Samantha said she was going to enroll in culinary school, and Gordon offered to pay for her tuition. The MasterChef door might have closed, but she said she was opening a door to her future in the industry, and she was excited.
Next time, the 2-hour finale with a live audience. The face-off for a quarter of a million dollars, and the title of MasterChef.
💥 I happened to notice an ad in the digital guide reminding me that American Horror Story: Apocalypse began tonight. Miracles still happen, since it doesn’t look like it will interfere with anything else I watch. I didn’t even bother with the last season, since if I want to look at political rhetoric, I can go to Facebook. Or pretty much anywhere. I’ve enjoyed past seasons though. Lady Gaga can do no wrong, the dinner with the serial killer guests was superb, and I adored AHS: Freak Show. It’s fun to see what new roles the regulars assume, and this season, I was pleased to see both Billy Eichner and Joan Collins in the cast. So far, it’s exciting, and I’m in.
🗽 The Real Housewives of NYC showed an episode called Passport Edition tonight. I didn’t see it, but would assume it’s a rehash of their trips.
🌀 Hoping All Stays Well…
Most of the Southern Charm cast left town, but Patricia stayed.
🌈 Nostalgically Moving Toward the Weekend…
What I Watched - TV With Theresa 