What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)

 

General Hospital

I missed the beginning because of Sessions getting the boot. Whatever happened to them just running a headline at the bottom of the screen?

Nina gives Maxie a pair of shoes, and wishes her a happy belated birthday. She figured shoes were a safe bet. She apologizes for not being with her the night before; she didn’t want Maxie to be alone on her first birthday without Nathan. Maxie says she wasn’t alone, and Nina asks, who was with her?

Peter and Lulu go to Charlie’s. Lulu can’t believe the election was tampered with. Peter says things are happening fast, and there’s so much to cover. He might push her final chapter of the Ryan Chamberlain story. She says, fine with her. She isn’t so sure it should be published at all now. It might have inspired someone to murder that nurse.

Kay asks not-Doc how his patient is, and he says, resting. She says he’s so heavily sedated, she wonders how he could be resting. He’s in a black hole. Not-Doc tells her it’s necessary until extra security measures are put in place.

Carly tells Jason that she takes it back. She doesn’t want him going near Ferncliff. It’s her issue, she’ll do it on her own. He tells her, too late. Curtis comes in saying he’s from the Coil Protective Services, and he’s been retained to look for irregularities in a state-run facility.

Spencer tells Laura that his father made mistakes. People do wrong things for the right reasons. The way she talked about prosecuting whoever upset the election seemed scary. Did she mean it? She tells him, to corrupt an election is to destroy the fabric of democracy, even on a small scale. She can’t allow it to stand. Spencer says now she has time to campaign and win, but she says she’d rather have lost than see something like this happen in her home town. He says he didn’t realize, and he’s sorry. She says he doesn’t have to be. In a strange way, it’s a perfect ending to an unbelievably late day. She has something to tell him, and she’s afraid it might make him feel sadder, but he has the right to know. He asks if it’s about Doc. He already knows.

Not-Doc tells Kay they’re under Intense scrutiny, as they should be. it’s even more important now to keep people from getting into certain rooms, like Mr. Wilson’s. Kay says no one will get into his room without her permission, and not-Doc says, excellent.

Carly is concerned Curtis will be recognized. He says he only dealt with Mary Pat. He can’t help thinking she’s somehow connected to the mystery patient. Perhaps she knew something. Carly says that might be why they’re taking extra measures to keep him under wraps

Britt is astonished that Michael is the baby’s father, and asks, how?… what?… why? She congratulates him for rendering her speechless. Brad says he’s many things, but proud isn’t one of them. She says he really is a wreck. She’s never known him to feel shame, and he says he never took a newborn from its father. Britt begs to differ, but he says he didn’t steal the embryo for his own gain, and didn’t understand how deplorable it was. How did she live with herself? Britt asks who the mother is. Brad says he hasn’t told anyone, not even his father-in-law, who he was forced to turn to for help. He came through. Britt says, so will she. Tell her everything.

Michael says it’s not like Bobbie to be indecisive; what did she see that got her rattled? Bobbie says she thought about not mentioning it to him, but here he is. It concerns him, but it might be upsetting. He asks if it has to do with Wiley, and she says, no; Jonah. He says Brad is always a nervous wreck when he sees Wiley. He thinks Brad is afraid he’ll freak out when he sees the baby, but he’s not going to fall apart. Whatever it is, she can tell him. She gives him an envelope.

Inside the envelope, there’s a silver baby spoon. Michael says it was for Jonah. Bobbie knows Michael was kind enough to give Lucas and Brad clothing and supplies originally meant for Jonah, but thinks he didn’t mean to give something so personal to them. Why did he want to divest himself of all the memories?

Brad says she took their baby, and gave him hers. Britt says, wow. Nelle really told Michael their baby was dead? Brad says she hates him and his family that much. Britt says Nelle beats her. At least she loved Ben like any mother, but Nelle just handed her baby over. Brad says whenever he sees Michael smile at Wiley, he gets physically sick. Suddenly, Michael is everywhere he turns. He barely saw Michael before. Britt says Brad did make a pass at him, but Brad says he was misguided. Ever since he stole Michael’s baby, he runs into him all the time. Britt says he’s the baby’s caring father, and needs to get it together. Brad says Sonny is the baby’s grandfather. He’ll be six feet under in the pine barrens by sundown if Sonny finds out. He asks if this isn’t the part where she tells him that he’s exaggerating, but Britt says she knows what Sonny is capable of, but he won’t find out. Brad wonders how she can say that. She tried to keep a baby that wasn’t hers, and now Rocco is living with his parents while, up until now, she spent her days in prison. How can she think this won’t blow up and destroy his life?

Peter doesn’t think Lulu’s article could have spurred the murder. There are any number of stories or podcasts that could have influenced the killer. She can’t blame herself. He needs her on the crime beat, and off of the election. She thought there might be a conflict since Laura was a candidate, but he says it goes deeper than that.

Nina knows Laura wasn’t with Maxie, since she was an eyewitness to the head incident. Maxie says Nina makes her sound a loser who has no friends, but Nina says she doesn’t think that. She wonders if Spinelli and Ellie flew in with Georgie, so she could spend Halloween with her little brother. She asks if James looked cute in his costume. Maxie shows her pictures, and Nina asks if that’s Peter in the baseball player costume. Maxie says it is, and Nina says, she spent her birthday with Peter?

Curtis tells Carly that he’s going to distract the staff, while Sam and Jason check the patient’s cell. Carly says Jason is on a watch list. She doesn’t want him going to prison to satisfy her curiosity.

Kay asks not-Doc if Mr. Wilson needs to be so heavily sedated with the new security measures in place. Not-Doc says when he’s conscious, he begins to howl. The sedation gives his troubled mind peace, until medicine advances to a point where they can help. She says it’s obvious he cares about his patients. Even a lost cause like Mr. Wilson.

Spencer says he overheard Laura talking to Lulu. Laura asks what she’s told him about eavesdropping, but he says his lack of etiquette is beside the point. Doc abandoned her. How could he sink so low? He gave Doc a piece of his mind. Laura says Doc is confused, but Spencer tells her not to make excuses for him. He hurt her; the best of all women. She should confront him and tell him she doesn’t need him. She can stand alone. She’s Spencer’s rock, and if she throws herself into the campaign, she can be the rock for all of Port Charles as well.

Britt tells Brad that she loved Ben, and wanted the life with Nikolas that she couldn’t have with Patrick. She had a glimpse before it fell apart. They were the happiest days of her life; Nikolas, Spencer, her, and Ben. Brad says, now it’s gone, and she’s an ex con at the mercy of Anna. He’ll probably end up like her – or worse. She says he needs to man-up. Her mistake was letting her guilt get to her. She wrote a confession to make herself feel better. No one else was supposed to see it, but someone found it. Has he written anything? He says it’s the first time he’s told anyone. She’s the only person who knows it’s Nelle’s baby. Britt says she’s in prison, and getting sympathy points for being a grieving mother. The only thing he isn’t safe from is his own conscience.

Michael tells Bobbie it’s hard to look at. He imagined feeding his kid, the kid banging it on the high chair, throwing it, and seeing how many times he’s pick it up. Bobbie says he did mean to give it to them, and now she stepped in it by giving it back. He says he was blindly throwing things in a box, and didn’t know he gave it away. Now that time has passed, he’s happy to have it again. He thanks her, and she says he can talk to her about anything, whenever he wants, in his own time. He says he’s learning to deal with the loss, and actually getting help. There’s a group for parents like him. That’s why he’s there; to see when the next meeting is. Bobbie hugs him, saying she’s proud of him. He says he’s slowly starting not think about Jonah all the time, and starting to feel like he could be happy again someday. Bobbie says he will be. A lot of people care about him and ask about him. One nurse in particular. He took her to dinner once.

Not-Doc sees Laura and Spencer at the hospital. Spencer tells not-Doc that his grandmother wants a word with him. He’s going to the tenth floor, where the superior vending machines are. Not-Doc tells Laura there’s nothing left to say. She says she knows why he wanted to separate so quickly. There’s a third person in their marriage, and she thinks she knows who it is.

Curtis tells Carly that’s why he’s providing cover, but Carly says Ferncliff has their own set of rules. She doesn’t trust anyone there, even with the changes. Curtis says she was in a bad situation, and it’s his job to find out the truth. Sam says they’re going to find answers and put it to rest. Carly thanks them and tells Jason, please be careful. He says, always.

Nina asks Maxie what happened between her and Peter, and Maxie says, nothing. He discovered it was her birthday, and brought a cake. They watched The Brady Bunch, and he left. Where was Nina last night? Nina says she wanted Sasha to meet Charlotte. Maxie says she didn’t go Windemere, did she? Nina says Valentin wanted Sasha to come for dinner, the storm started, and she got stuck on Spoon Island. Maxie asks if they all had a sleepover, while Valentin was brooding in his turret. Nina says she was alone with him the whole night, and intended to sleep in the guest room, but she fell asleep on the sofa – completely alone. Not that it’s any of Maxie’s business. They don’t need to argue about this. What they need to do stay away from toxic men. Maxie says, what if they don’t want to?

Peter tells Lulu that The Invader is endorsing Laura; no whiff of nepotism. It’s better if Lulu stays on crime. She mentions Britt’s early release, but Peter says the authorities want it kept quiet. He also knows she’s his biological half-sister; some family he has. He can’t believe what Britt did to Lulu. It must have been unbelievably painful. Lulu says it was like a slow motion nightmare. When Nikolas forgave her, Lulu was furious. Her biggest regret is that she can’t get the time with him back.

Britt asks Brad if Lucas suspects, but he says Lucas is too into being a dad to notice anything is wrong. She tells him that he has to pull it together for the sake of his family. She asks what about Michael. Brad says he’s amazing with Wiley. He’s not letting grief interfere with his and Lucas’s happiness – at his own expense. Britt says the baby came out of nowhere when Brad needed it. Everything happens for a reason. The baby was meant to be his. He says she just said how dangerous Sonny is. He could get hurt or go to prison. Britt says Sonny shot Dante, Michael took a bullet, and Morgan got blown up. Morgan wasn’t his fault, but violence constantly surrounds his family. Wiley will be infinitely safer with him and Lucas. Brad says Sonny will always be a target. Britt tells him, when guilt tiptoes in, remember his obligation to keep Wily safe and out of harm’s way. That’s reason enough to stop. Let himself be the father that he always wanted to be.

Michael asks if Bobbie is talking about Francesca. They ran into Nelle on their first date, and she didn’t want to be pulled into a complicated situation. Bobbie says Nelle is locked up; it’s not complicated anymore. Carly joins them, and asks what they’re talking about. Michael says, nothing, and asks how she is after seeing the head. Carly says it was shocking, but she’s fine. Bobbie says she’s rallying. Carly says she has to make peace with Ferncliff in her own way, and knows how she’s doing it.

Curtis sneaks around Ferncliff, and slips into a room where there’s a medicine cart. Kay finds him, and asks who he is. He tells her Dale Coil from Coil Protective Services. He was sent by the state. She asks how he got in, and he says that explains why he’s here. He showed the security guards a fake ID. Two of them were playing on their phones, and the other was asleep. He took photos. An orderly left this cart unattended where anyone could grab it. He picks up one of the medications, and says when taken improperly, it can cause brain death. She says he has her attention.

Sam and Jason sneak to where Carly’s room was. Sam says, it must have been a living hell. Jason says it really affected Carly. That’s why she’s fixated on her neighbor. She’s afraid he’s innocent and trapped like she was.

Britt tells Brad the best part is that Wiley will have a better life with them than being Sonny’s grandson. She says to enjoy Wiley and Lucas. Love them, and don’t think about blowing it like she did. He hugs her, and says he loves her. She loves him too.

Spencer looks up penalties for minors who do election tampering. Brad sees him, and asks if he’s Spencer Cassadine. Spencer asks, who wants to know?

Brad comes back to the examining room, telling Britt that he has a surprise. Someone wants to see her. She says, besides him? Impossible. Spencer says, it’s possible, and runs to her.

Michael says he knows Carly is working with Laura. Carly says, specifically, on Ferncliff. That’s why she’s there. She wants to talk to Doc. She asks Michael what he’s doing tonight, telling him there’s a live band at The Roadhouse. One night out would do him good. Michael says he’ll think about it, and leaves. Bobbie says he’s not going to call Francesca, but it has nothing to do with her, and everything to do with Nelle.

Kay says Curtis’s information seems to be in order. He says he was hired by the state to identify and repair breeches. She says she’s sure he won’t mind if she checks his credentials. He tells her that the website for his firm shows the dozens of organizations they’ve worked with. She can read the testimonials. She tells him that they’ve already started securing the dangerous patients using modern measures. He asks if she wouldn’t mind pulling the information up on her tablet and showing him.

Sam looks through the door window, but can’t see anyone. Jason tells her that Carly said the room looked empty. She tried to go in, but the head nurse stopped her. Sam says, maybe the room wasn’t so empty after all. He sees the new lock, and asks Sam if she thinks she can get inside.

Not-Doc tells Laura that he’s not having an affair; there’s no third person. Laura thinks there is. It’s not a woman. It’s his brother. She thinks the renewed publicity is getting to him, and he needs help. She wants him to find another professional to talk to. It’s clear he’s not able heal on his own. He says he’ll be the judge of that, and she asks what happened to him. Has he cut himself off from everyone? He says he told her that he needed time alone. She says he also said he’s moving out, and she’d like him to get that done as quickly as possible. Carly sees them, and is glad they’re both there. Not-Doc asks what he can do for her. She says she’s decided what to do about her neighbor at Ferncliff.

Spencer asks why Britt is at the hospital. She says she’s fine. It’s just a routine check-up after her release. He says seeing her makes the day more bearable. She says it’s his father’s birthday. She wishes it had turned out differently. If it hadn’t gone so wrong, his father would still be alive. Spencer says sometimes he dreams about all of them being back at Windermere. She says, so does she. If only. Spencer says, if only.

Maxie tells Nina that she likes Peter as a friend; Nina loves Valentin. They seem to be having a problem keeping away from the people they should be staying away from. Nina says leave it to her. She can kill two birds with one stone. Maxie asks, how? and Nina says, watch and learn. She calls Peter, saying she has a proposition for him. How would he like to be her plus one to Curtis and Jordan’s wedding?

Not-Doc tells Carly he thought they discussed her going to Ferncliff. He strongly advises her to put the patient and her experience behind her. She says, in her own way, she’s getting closure. It’s part of her healing, and as her doctor, he’s 100% behind her, right?

Curtis thanks Kay for her cooperation. She says if Albany sent him, her job is to do everything to help him. He says he’s already noticed a few lapses… no, loopholes in their security system. He’s going to identify the areas that need to be addressed. She gets message, and has to check on some of her staff. She leaves, and Curtis gets out his phone.

Sam gets the door unlocked. She and Jason go into the patient’s room. They look shocked.

Tomorrow, Elizabeth questions Cameron, Oscar tells Kim there’s nothing she can do about the lawsuit, and Sonny visits Jeanette.

Below Deck

Ashton doesn’t even enjoy fishing, and wonders why he’s the one going on the trip. He stumbles out of bed, and curses his life. The guests get ready. Chandler says they’ll find a good shelf. In his interview, Chandler says anyone can be a fisherman, as long as they know how to set up lines. It’s not that hard. From my observation, Chandler talks a good game, but everything is hard for him. Adrian makes breakfast, and the tender is stocked with Bailey’s. The breakfast of champions.

Caroline whines about her foot. Josiah says he sliced his foot open and could barely walk, but still worked. She has to work through the pain.

Ross radios Captain Lee, telling him the fishing expedition left. The captain says a fishing boat is out there, and he has no idea where, who’s with it, or what they’re doing. A pound of flesh will be extracted.

On the fishing boat, Chandler barrels through the water, and a guest thinks he should go slower. Ashton says it’s an absurd situation. Primary Chris suggests using live bait, since the fish don’t like Chips Ahoy. More selfies are taken. Waiting in the other boat, Ross calls the captain again, connecting him to Chandler. Chandler says it was uneventful, but everyone had fun. Captain Lee is annoyed that he wasn’t briefed, and Chandler says he’d assumed someone told him. The captain tells him to get back; they’re departing as soon as possible. Chandler should have known better. Breakfast is served.

Rhylee asks if they caught anything, but it doesn’t look that way. Chandler says they’re all set to roll, but the captain isn’t seeing anyone on the bow. Chandler gets the anchor up. Kate talks about swimming with stingrays to Adrian. Chandler asks Kate to meet with him, and she tells him to go to the wheelhouse. They discuss the set up for lunch. Chandler thought they could do the stingray thing while the interior is setting up.

Chandler bitches about having to set up in knee high water. Ross says if he was bosun, there would have been someone on the boat when they all went fishing. He doesn’t think Chandler thinks things through. They drop anchor by a beautiful green mountain. Kate flirts with Adrian. In her interview, she says it’s probably inappropriate, but she likes it. Chandler criticizes Rhylee for nothing. She tells Ashton that Chandler is too intense, and she’s tired of him speaking to her like he does.

Caroline limps around. The water is incredible, and so clear. Sharks and stingrays swim around. Chandler says he’s never set up with sharks around, and pitches the tent. A German Shepherd bounds through the water, and I wonder why no one is concerned. Kate tells the guests about the stingray/lunch plan. In her interview, she says it’s hard to tell if they’re happy or not. She thinks they don’t know if they’re happy or not. Rhylee directs the guests, and the tender is loaded. Caroline bitches about Kate, who sends her to wash dishes. Chris pronounces the water turquoise turquoise. Ross says reef sharks are like kittens. I’m so jealous. I would love to swim with sharks and stingrays. Rhylee thinks for safety’s sake, the guests shouldn’t touch the sharks. Rhylee says she’s always wanted to swim with the sharks, but she’s deathly afraid. She does it anyway, and says it’s one of the better days she’s had. Kate tells Josiah about Caroline. In Kate’s interview, she says Caroline keeps finding ways not to work, but she finds ways Caroline can work. I see your injured foot, and raise you a stool.

The captain radios for a hand with something, but gets no response. It pisses him off that no one is answering the radio. They should know better. He tells Kate to get lunch ready. Adrian makes sushi. The captain is waiting when Chandler gets back, saying he took a long time. Chandler says they went as fast as they could. The guests head out, and Kate tells Caroline to check the guest rooms while they’re gone. Kate says this is crazy, but the scenery is beautiful scenery. Caroline curses as she tidies the guest rooms.

The lunch set up is so cool – it’s right in the water. No surprise, lots of selfies are taken. Kate says she’s been doing this for so long, it’s rare to do something she hasn’t done already. A halfway under water lunch is exciting.

The hot tub is overflowing. Once again, there’s no one around, so Captain Lee has to deal with it himself. A storm comes up, and he takes in the cushions. He radios Ross, Chandler, and Ashton. He’s pissed that on a boat this size, there isn’t one swinging d*ck on board. It starts raining. Kate asks Chandler to get the tender. He remembers there’s no deck crew on board the yacht. In her interview, Kate says it’s like he’s trying to suck at his job. He tells Kate he needs to get back to the yacht before the sky opens up. He tells Ross to shuttle the guests back.

The guests return to the yacht. Captain Lee asks Caroline to see if the guests need anything. A few are in the jacuzzi, and order various drinks. In her interview, Caroline says, coconut water with one blueberry> She takes the orders, and asks Adrian for the fruit. He tells her to look in the walk-in freezer downstairs. She’s sighs audibly.

Rhylee cleans up. Caroline doesn’t know how to make any of the drinks, and radios Kate. She gets flustered explaining, and Kate says she’ll be right up. In Kate’s interview, she says she just served underwater lunch in shark infested waters, and Caroline is freaking out. Chandler knows he screwed up, and expects a thorough lashing. Never leave a boat with no deck crew.

Ashton farts, and Ross thinks someone called him. They die laughing. I’m not one for juvenile humor (with the exception of Animal House being one of my favorite movies), but that was pretty funny. Chris says he touched a shark and some stingrays. His girlfriend wonders how they’ll go back to reality. Kate tells Caroline to go back to folding. The crew gets into their blacks. Captain Lee calls Chandler to the wheelhouse, and tells him to have a seat. That can’t be good. He tells Chandler that he hates babysitting, and he’s doing it right now. Chandler is missing obvious things, and left the boat without telling him. They have an experienced fisherman on board, who should have gone on the fishing trip. He’s had to fill the jacuzzi five times. Enlighten him. Like the irresponsible baby he is, Chandler says Ashton was responsible for the hot tub. The captain isn’t appreciating Chandler palming off the responsibility, but Chandler wonders how he’s supposed to check everything. Some things go by the wayside. Captain Lee thinks if he’s missing stuff, it means he’s not checking everything. In his interview, Captain Lee doesn’t know if Chandler gets out of bed, and says he’s going to be a total f**kup today. Chandler admits it’s definitely all on him; it’s all his job. In Chandler’s interview, he says he’s there to make the captain’s life easier, not harder, but at the same time, the crew needs to be looking out. There’s not enough of him to go around. He leaves, and Captain Lee calls him an effing a-hole.

Kate tells Caroline she’ll do the late shift. Chandler calls the deck crew to the beach club. He tells the deckhands that he just had his ass chewed out by the captain. It falls on him, and he’s going to be double-checking everything. If it seems like he’s micromanaging, he is. In her interview, Rhylee says Chandler takes advantage of his position, and it backfired. Don’t blame her for his screw up.

Kate decorates the table in a tea party rave theme, with tea set pieces and glow sticks. Adrian says breakfast is the start of the day, at lunch, you’re getting into it, and dinner is an epiphany. He puts a lot of love in his food. Rhylee is irritated to the point of talking to the captain. She wouldn’t be as irritated if Chandler wasn’t a pr*ck. She asks Ashton if he doesn’t think Ross should be bosun. Every mistake today was on Chandler.

Dinner is served. The guests are so happy they take more selfies. Chris and his girlfriend go to the crow’s nest, and another couple sits in the hot tub. Caroline tells Kate that she’s 90% sure there’s a couple having sex in the crow’s nest. Caroline, Adrian, and Kate watch on the monitor, and laugh.

I don’t know what kind of pancakes Adrian is making, but I want some. And I don’t even like pancakes. Only the harvest grain and nut pancakes from iHop. Kate tells Caroline to fold. In her interview, Kate says Josiah is like a show dog. He performs well, he’s groomed, has a shiny coat, and a great gate. Caroline is like a chihuahua they found in the street. It’s hungry, and when you close the door loudly, it sh*ts itself. The crew gets in their whites. Chris takes yet more selfies, blocking the captain’s view while docking. The guests depart. Josiah hopes they don’t find any more extra-large surprises. Chris says it was a great experience. On the way down to the dock, he tells his girlfriend that she’d better charge her phone. He’s probably afraid of missing a selfie. His girlfriend is afraid she caught a disease from the mosquitoes or whatever.

Tip time! Captain Lee says it was an interesting charter. He has a lot of people with talent, but there’s a slight breakdown in utilizing that talent, and the communication from one department to another. Chandler thinks it was a sh*t show, but from this point on, it’s going to be different. The tip is $15K, or $1230 each. The captain says, nicely done. They have a short turn around, but they but can go out tonight. Caroline says her foot is popping, and gets weepy. Kate calls Lee to make another doctor’s appointment.

Chandler tells the deckhands, the faster they’re done, the sooner they can get beers, because he’s a genius. Chandler knows he’s going to piss off Rhylee, and tells her that she didn’t put her tools away. She says she did, and he needs to ask whoever’s on the morning crew. In his interview, Chandler says his department isn’t operating the way it should, and he doesn’t want it to reflect badly on him. Chandler keeps repeating that Rhylee didn’t put her tools away, and she’s like, wtf?

After she sees the doctor, Caroline tells Kate that he didn’t know what it was, and told her to stay off her feet for two months. Kate says it’s frustrating, but it doesn’t make any difference. She’s already doing Caroline’s work, but she’s not carrying the weight all season. I had a foot injury once, due to a miscalculation in an aerobics class, and the doctor said to stay off my feet for two months. No way I could do that and work. I had to just suck it up.

Caroline wonders why Rhylee is pissed. She guesses it’s Chandler, and asks if it’s worse or the same. Rhylee says he’s a pompous pr*ick. Kate tells Caroline to stay horizontal. She wants Caroline better. The crew gets ready to go out, and leaves for shore, sans Caroline. Kate loves the entire crew, even Rhylee. They get to the restaurant, and order drinks. Rhylee tells Ross, at this point, she’s going to pop. In his interview, Ross says she’s not going anywhere. She’s part of the team, and they need to sort it out. Rhylee’s goal isn’t to piss anyone off, but if she gets drunk and does something, so be it. Drinking and dancing happen. Kate says it’s like Dirty Dancing Tahitian night. Every girl is Jennifer Grey, and Ashton is Patrick Swayze.

Everyone goes back to the boat pretty drunk, and some of them drink some more. Ashton drinks something out of a pitcher, and makes a face. Rhylee instructs her clothes to stay on the hangers. Ashton is looking for a hookup, but Rhylee says it’s not happening. She doesn’t mind having fun with him, but she’s not doing that when they’re drunk. Caroline wants to get back in her room, but Ashton tells her to go and rest, pushing her back toward the guest cabin. Kate thinks he’s disrespectful.

Kate tells Caroline that she can stay in the guest cabin for two days, and then decide if she wants to stay or go home. It’s her home base for a few days. In her interview, Caroline understands rank, but she’s a human being, and doesn’t deserve being talked down to. She cries. In Kate’s interview, she says Caroline should know after two days whether she’s getting better or not. She’s seriously injured, and needs to rest. She needs to heal and get better, or go home.

Next time, a four-day charter with children, Kate needs to know if Caroline can work, Rhylee tells Ashton to calm down, the captain wants someone’s ass for dinner, and changes will be made and not all the crew will be happy.

Star

Star insisted Jackson was not her man, and said they only make music together. Simone pointed out they made music and a baby. Derek told Alex forget about the tape, and do what she came there for. At Karma, a reporter asked if she was using the tape to further her solo career. Noah was asked if he thought quantity was better than quality. He hoped to do both. Simone told Mateo that he didn’t know how to promote the Rhythm and Bells festival without Carlotta. He said that’s why he brought in new headliner Lil Dini.

There was a panel discussion of the festival artists. Lil Dini took over, and Star told him to go back to the dark corner of exploitation he crawled out of. He made fun of Alex, and Star had enough. She went after him, and was held back, but she threw a drink at him before storming off stage. Her signature move. Miss Bruce told Take 3 it would be a breach of contract if they dropped out, and they couldn’t do that to Carlotta. They felt because the festival was about non-violence, music, and community, Mateo should dump Dini. Star wanted something fresh, and thought a duet with Noah was it. Jackson thought it was time she got rid of the bag she’s been living out of her whole life, but that was a no.

Xander told Cassie there was an informant at the club. Cassie said she was clean, except for his dirt. He said they had a rat problem, and if she interfered with his business, he’d be forced to shut down the club.

Noah told Miss Bruce that he was seeing someone, but wasn’t supposed to this early in his sobriety. He didn’t think he could handle another loss. Miss Bruce told him not to speak it into existence. Noah said Miss Bruce sounded like his pops, and Miss Bruce said, GMTA. Cotton told Miss Bruce to speak the truth; look what secrets did to her family. She missed her mom.

The sportswear company dropped Alex because of the tape, so she decided to do a show about her life behind the music, and put herself out there, even if she hated it. Noah made s secret plan to meet someone. Nina told Simone they were cutting Black Ivy. She told Simone she was going to suggest casting Jackson in the lead, since he was a hot commodity. He’d make the investors keep the project alive. Simone wasn’t keen on a love making scene with her sister’s baby daddy, but said she’d do it.

Cassie was pissed at Maurice, thinking he was talking to the cops. He said she was trippin’, but she said she couldn’t trust him. He said he was in charge of saving the festival, and he was closer to building his music empire. She reminded him it was their empire. Alex refused to be another ratchet Black girl on reality TV. Star suggested she use the internet. Lean into it, like Star did with her baby daddy drama. Simone told Star about Jackson being in the movie. Alex said, awkward, but Star said she couldn’t care less.

Maurice didn’t want any bad press, and suggested Take 3 squash the beef with Dini. Dini apologized, saying he wasn’t trying to ruin the festival, and shouldn’t have come in all hot. Star asked if that’s all he had, and to take his apology to his mother, who deserved it. Maurice told Dini if he wanted to be a part of the festival, he had to get back on track. Dini said he’d put out a statement.

Cassie visited Cotton, and told her, sometimes when God wants us to relax, he slows us down. Cotton asked what happened to Cassie finding her father’s killer. There was a tense moment when Cotton picked up a knife while she was washing the dishes, and Cassie started to fish in her purse for her gun, but Cotton’s son came in, breaking the mood.

Star and Jackson worked on a new track. Jackson had an audition for Black Ivy. Noah said since he was supposed to do the role, he knew what they were looking for, and could help, but Jackson blew him off. Star told Noah to work his magic, since the track needed work. Derek walked in, shirtless in a towel, while Alex was filming. He was not happy, and didn’t want to be involved with the show.

Jackson and Simone were awkward during his test. She said she knew where his mouth had been. Mateo told Nina that he couldn’t pitch it as is. Nina said it just needed some work. First, he gambled their money, now, he’s too afraid to fight for her passion project. Simone rehearsed by herself. Nina found her, and said working hard would make her a star. Simone told Nina that she couldn’t get past kissing Star’s baby daddy. Nina said that the movie spoke to her personally. The woman steps out of her comfort zone to find herself. Simone said she wanted something all hers, and Nina told her, fight for it. She said Simone should imagine Jackson was someone she cares about, like her husband. Yeah. It’s called acting.

Megan kept calling Noah, who finally picked up. He accused her of pushing off the relationship because it might interfere with her career. Dini posted an apology on Gravity’s media page. He started by saying it was from his heart, then said, psyche! and acted like an idiot. Star wanted the video down, but Mateo thought it would drive traffic. He said they were singing tonight, or it would be a breach of contract.

We found out Maurice and Megan had a baby when she came to his office. She said she couldn’t go there, and he told her it wasn’t her fault. Megan said she found their daughter dead in her crib, and he wasn’t there. He said he couldn’t bring her back, but wanted Megan to have the life she deserved. They kissed, and Noah walked in. Maurice ended up punching him. Megan found Noah, and told him it was the anniversary of their daughter’s death. Maurice was comforting her, and it got out of control. She said she thought she could block out the pain by being with Maurice. Noah was cool, and told her that he was just getting sober. This was too deep for him. She said she could refer him to someone else for attorney services.

At the club, Take 3 called out Dini, saying his read name was Steven Cardini, and he was basically an upper middle-class dude. The girls started the crowd chanting, girls up, pimp down. Miss Bruce had gotten the information, telling them, it pays to have play with the sound man. Bobby called Miss Bruce, who said he was hearing from husband material. Cotton followed him out. Alex looked at the pictures from the club, and saw Derek with his arm around another girl.

Cotton at Cassie’s place with a gun. When Cassie came home, Cotton told her that she didn’t deserve to be in the family anymore. Cassie reached behind her, feeling for her gun, but it was the one Cotton was holding. Cotton told Cassie that she grew up without a dad. She got one, and he accepted her like no man ever will. Cassie took him from her. Cassie told her to do it; she deserved it. But killing her wouldn’t make Cotton feel better. It would change her the way it changed Cassie. She hates herself for doing this to her family. She told Cotton the cycle keeps going, and it’s going to break the family apart. The only one strong enough to bring them back together was her. Cotton couldn’t do it, and they hugged it out.

Noah went to Megan’s. He told her that he went to the liquor store. He was going to drink, but went to her house instead. She couldn’t be the cause of him relapsing. He said he was in good place with her, and he wasn’t letting it go. He handed her the bottle.

The next make-out scene was a lot better. Simone thought of Nina. Later, Nina asked to see Simone, who thought it was bad news, but Nina told her the investors were in. Nina apologized, saying she didn’t mean to betray Simone. Simone said she didn’t think about her husband. She thought about Nina. She said she didn’t know what that meant and she loves her husband, and jetted before Nina could say anything.

When Derek came home, Alex was waiting with the picture. She asked if it was payback for Noah, and he told her, chill. He said he was taking a walk outside, so she could take a minute. She told him not to walk out, but he did, and she hyperventilated.

Jackson accused Star of writing the new track about Noah. She said she was wrong for putting him off, and made their relationship Instagram official. Noah was their first like.

Outside, Derek got in a car with the girl from the club. We found out he’s a criminal informant, and she told him she needed dirt on the club. Then they could find out who raped his grandma. She told Derek that she’d be in touch.

Next time, Take 3’s goodbye album, Alex says they’re dysfunctional, and a raid at the club.

✂ Even minus Queen Latifah, tonight’s episode had some marvelous hair. Cassie had a shoulder length shag, worn both full-bodied and straightened. The Bridget Bardot look really works for Star, blonde with dark roots, worn loosely down or in an updo. Tonight, she wore it in loose teddy bear ears with side bangs hanging loose – a better version of Miley Cyrus’s look a few years back. The real winner was Derek, whose hair was au natural when he came out of the shower, in spiral curls. We’ve never seen him without a tight ponytail or a man bun. He should wear it that way more often.

🃏 Here’s the Deal…

I was able to catch The Real Housewives of Dallas at 10 pm, but still have to edit, so I’ll be posting that tomorrow. The Real Housewives of New Jersey began a new season tonight, and although I did have it on in the background at 11:30, until Dallas is over, I can’t do both. Damn you, need for sleep and real life! In a nutshell, Teresa is training for a body-building competition, Frank was disbarred, and because she’s going into the dating pool, Marge Sr. got vaginal rejuvenation, a topic I will never, ever be able to get away from.

🐮 So Until I Get to Dallas…