What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Hayden tells Elizabeth that she’s making the place cheerier for her nephews. Elizabeth says she knows Hayden is more comfortable behind a desk, but Hayden says her comfort level has expanded in the last couple of years. Aiden and Cameron come in. Cameron tells Aiden that their Aunt Hayden is staying, and Aiden asks, where’s Franco?

Curtis asks Finn if he’s got a minute. Finn says he just got done, and Curtis says he needs to get in touch with Finn’s fiancé. Finn says Anna is still out of town. Does Curtis want him to relay a message, and Curtis says he has to find out if Anna has been in touch with Andre.

Ava goes to the MetroCourt, and finds her phone on the bar. She says, while she’s there… and orders a vodka martini, filthy, with three olives. Doc startles her. She says, it’s nothing personal. She’s got to get used to the same face. He doesn’t want to bring up unpleasant memories, but he’s been thinking about her. She says she doesn’t have to be psychic to know that Laura told him that she’s seeing one. She tells Doc that Chelsea is effective, and Doc asks if she’s helping Ava contact her daughter. Ava says, yeah, but she doesn’t need Chelsea’s help. Kiki contacted her directly.

At Charlie’s, Lucas tells Julian it’s not too late to change his mind. Julian knows he and Lucas are in a better place, but he’ll be close enough to call, and far enough away not to screw anything up. Willow joins them, and asks if he’s thinking of selling, and Julian says, it’s a done deal. Lucas tells Willow, Julian is moving to Manhattan, and leaving his own family here. Julian says he has every intention of staying in Wiley’s life. Just like Willow.

Maxie tells Lulu that she knows you’re supposed to sip the wine and spit it out, but she thinks it’s a waste of wine. Lulu swirls her wine around, and Maxie asks, what’s the matter? Too oxidized? Lulu says, of all the ride share drivers in the world, Maxie had to call that one. Dustin offers them two new glasses, saying, a buttery chardonnay that pairs well with salmon. Maxie says, it’s a shame Peter couldn’t join them, and make it a foursome.

Shiloh says when Peter came to Port Charles, he forgot everything; his name, his background, Jason. He kept that poor bastard prisoner for five years. Peter says they’re back to Shiloh’s lack of proof. Shiloh says he’s an eyewitness. He heard what he heard, and saw what he saw. Peter says it’s Shiloh’s word against his, but Shiloh says with Peter’s track record, who’s going to believe him? Especially that cute number he brought to the Nurses Ball, Maxie. Peter says he publishes a newspaper. He has nothing to do with the legal system. Shiloh is going to be put away for the rest of his life. Shiloh says he has faith, but Peter says, it’s not that simple. Shiloh says he’ll find a way, unless he wants everyone to know he helped kidnap Drew and Jason, and was Helena’s project manager.

Cameron tells Elizabeth, Aiden was asking about Franco. He told Aiden that she’d explain. Hayden says she’ll go upstairs, but Elizabeth tells her, please stay. It’s a family discussion. She wanted to have this discussion with Jake there, but he wanted to go to camp, so she’ll have to explain later. Aiden says, explain what? and Elizabeth says, Franco can’t be there right now, but their Aunt Hayden will be there while Franco is getting better. Aiden asks, what’s wrong? Is he sick? She says, he has something kind of like amnesia. Does Aiden know what that is? Aiden says, you forget everything and don’t know who you are. Did Franco forget them?

Ava tells Doc, she was sleeping, and Kiki appeared at the foot of her bed. She was wearing the same dress she was wearing when she was killed. Doc asks if Kiki spoke to her, and Ava says, no words. She just stared, really stared into Ava’s soul, and she woke up. He asks what Chelsea said, and Ava says Chelsea told her that she doesn’t do dreams. But a certain Dr. Freud made a career out of dream analysis. Maybe it’s Doc’s department. What does he think her daughter is trying to tell her?

Peter asks who they’ll believe; Shiloh the cult leader, or Peter who turned his life around, and was accepted by the good people of Port Charles? Shiloh says let him tell Peter about the good people of Port Charles. They love you when you’re on top, but they’ll cut your throat if you fall from grace. And Peter is headed for a fall. They’ll turn on him, and once Shiloh plants the seed of doubt, Robert will look into everything Peter has said. He’ll just sit back and watch as Peter’s blameless existence unravels. Peter tells Shiloh, he never said he was blameless. Outside the room, Nelle listens in. Shiloh says Peter’s nearest and dearest will know he delivered Drew, and drugged Jason, and put him in the gulag. Peter asks how he knows Shiloh will keep silent, and Shiloh asks what choice does he have?

Elizabeth tells Aiden that she knows it’s difficult, but they have to be patient. Franco is confused. Hayden offers Aiden another pillow, and says she’s new at this warm fuzzy stuff. It will be okay. Cameron says they’ve got this. Elizabeth says if Aiden has questions, ask away. Aiden says Franco was going to help him make a cake; they got all the ingredients. Cameron says he’ll help, and Hayden says she’s not good at that, so she wants to see a master at work. They can keep a piece in the freezer for Franco for later. Aiden asks who will make them feel safe? and Elizabeth says they’ll all have to pitch in. Hayden says, that’s what families are for, right? Elizabeth says, right.

Doc tells Ava that he’s glad Chelsea didn’t say the dream was a message from the other side. Ava says, Chelsea is transparent, non-judgmental, and honest. She doesn’t question Chelsea’s honesty or ethics, but she thinks Ava was just dreaming. Doc says he’s read dreams are nothing more than a message from your unconscious about a repressed desire or an unfulfilled wish. Something you don’t allow yourself to think when you’re awake, but can in the freedom of sleep. It’s not about what Kiki is trying to tell her. It’s about what Ava is trying to tell herself.

Dustin brings over more wine, and Maxie thanks him, saying he’s gone above and beyond by sticking around. He says one good thing about the job is that he gets to choose his own hours. He asks what Lulu thinks, and she says she can’t taste the herbs or the hint of lime, but it’s good. Maxie thanks him for waiting. He gets five stars and a ten. Lulu agrees.

Peter tells Shiloh that he knows about change and redemption. Shiloh tells Peter, make sure he gets his share of redemption, and he’ll return the favor. Set him free, and he’ll do the same for Peter. Peter leaves, and makes a call to Maxie in the hallway. She asks if Peter wants to join them. He says he can’t, but wants her to meet him at the MetroCourt in twenty minutes. He’ll explain when he sees her. She tells Lulu that she’s got to go. Dustin can keep her company. Don’t do anything foolish.

At the prison, an alarm sounds. Nelle is mopping the hall, and a guard tells her, it’s a lockdown; she knows the drill. He puts her in with Shiloh, and cuffs them to their chairs. He says he’ll be right back, and Nelle tells Shiloh, it looks like it’s just the two of them.

Aiden asks if they can get take-out; he wants dumplings. The doorbell rings, and he says, maybe it’s Franco, but Cameron doesn’t think so. It’s Curtis. Hayden says she has some errands to run, and Elizabeth thanks her. They hug, and Hayden leaves. Curtis apologizes for just dropping by. Elizabeth asks Cameron to help Aiden with something upstairs. When they’re gone, Elizabeth asks Curtis, what’s going on? He says he’s passing on a message from Drew about Franco.

Ava says maybe Doc is right. What she’s trying to tell herself is that she didn’t deserve anybody as good, as beautiful, and as perfect. Doc says, if we all got what we deserved… Ava says Chelsea told her that she drinks too much, and Scotty just wants to drink with her. He used to be Franco’s shrink. Does he really think Franco believes he’s Drew? He says he can’t comment on a patient. Franco walks in, and Ava calls to him. He says, no, ma’am. That’s not his name. He says Doc is the doctor who treated him in the hospital, and Doc asks if he’d like to join them. Franco declines. No more people who think they know him.

Kim goes to Charlie’s, and Willow says Julian just told them the news. She’s brave, making a new start in the Big Apple. Lucas says he’ll miss them both, and Julian says they’ll expect a visit as soon as they’ve found a place. He tells Kim that he’s already found a buyer for Charlie’s. Olivia wants another restaurant, so it will stay in the family. Kim guesses there’s nothing keeping them now. They can go tonight.

Finn waits for the elevator, and Hayden comes out. She says she has some Crimson related questions for Nina, but Finn says, she’s still in isolation with Sasha. Hayden was hoping Sasha’s condition had improved; it’s awful. She can only imagine how Nina is feeling. Finn says, can she? and she asks if he means how can someone as cold and heartless know how Nina feels.

Nelle tells Shiloh, this is what passes for speed dating, but you can’t move on. Shiloh says, you have to laugh. It’s a survival skill. Nelle says she’s nothing if not a survivor, and he says, him too. She says, he’s Shiloh. She recognizes him from the book jacket of Every Day is a New Dawn. He says what he does is a service, but she says, not to everyone. Lorraine is her cellmate, and told her about him and the baby he’s trying to steal.

Maxie meets Peter at the MetroCourt, and asks, what’s going on? He says there’s something she needs to know. He just left Pentonville. He was visiting Shiloh.

Curtis says, Franco is determined to return the money to Afghanistan. Elizabeth says, he’s wearing an ankle monitor, but Curtis asks if she thinks it would stop him. She says, of course (🍷) not. Curtis doesn’t either. He says, neither does Drew, but Drew came up with a workaround. Franco stays while Drew goes to Afghanistan. Elizabeth says, Drew is making the trip in Franco’s place? He says, he’s making it for both of them. Drew might not remember, but he still wants to see justice done. Elizabeth thanks him. He says there’s more he hasn’t told Drew. He has a location on Andre.

Finn tells Hayden, he didn’t mean it like that. She says he did, but he says she’s not cold and heartless. He heard her when he was on the phone with Elizabeth. She showed up, and said she’d be there for her sister and her nephews. He’s proud of her. She says she didn’t do it for him, and he says he knows that. She says before he leaves, would he stop in and tell Nina that she’s thinking about her. He says whatever is going on in her life, he’s glad she came home. After he’s gone, she says she hopes he means that.

Peter says, dammit. He forgot something he has to do. Maxie asks if he wants to tell her about seeing Shiloh.

Doc knows Franco is having a rough time. He helped the original Franco recover his memories. This is completely different, but he’s a good listener. Just ask Ava. He leaves, and Franco guesses that makes her Ava. Here’s where she says they have a long, fascinating history. She says, actually, they do. He says, now she’s going to tell him that she wishes that guy would come back. She says, some do want him back, but more hope the transformation is permanent. He says, an honest woman, and she says, to a fault. He sits, and says, how about if she gives him the real story about this Franco.

Dustin brings Lulu a spicy red from Argentina, but she says, no thanks. He asks if it’s the vintage or the company, but she says she has no complaints about either. He says the last time they spoke, she was still working on the burglar story. What happened? She says she wasn’t getting anywhere, so her editor assigned another reporter, and she’s been relegated to wine tastings. He says the talent of Lulu Spencer is wasted on it, but she says she’s changing her byline and driver’s license. He says she told him that her divorce was in the works, and she says, it’s now a done deal. He says he’s sorry. Actually, no. He’s not.

Shiloh tells Nelle that Harmony, or whatever name she’s using, is a discontented creature, looking for enlightenment in all the wrong places. Nelle says, between his sheets? Lorraine told her that Shiloh was her lover and guru, and then went after her daughter. He says her daughter had a baby that she gave up in an illegal adoption. Willow gave the baby up without his consent. The child belongs to him, and he’s going to claim his son. She says he’s being tried for everything from fraud to sexual assault to murder. What makes him think he’ll beat the charges? He says he has faith in human nature. It’s never let him down yet.

Peter doesn’t know how to start, and Maxie asks why he visited Shiloh. He says he thought Shiloh just wanted some publicity. Some men are a prisoner forever to their past, no matter how much they want to be someone better. Maxie assumes Peter empathizes, and wants to help, but Peter is nothing like him. He’s accepted his past, and put it behind him. She only cares about the man he is now; the man she loves. Yeah, she said that. She loves him, and that’s all that matters.

On the phone, Curtis says, Andre is in Ethiopia, volunteering as an intern for a mental health initiative. He’ll send an email with the details. Good luck. Elizabeth asks what Drew said, and Curtis says, he’s diverting to Ali Baba (not really, but he said it really fast, and it kind of sounded like that). He’ll find Andre, and put him on the first flight to Port Charles.

Franco tells Ava, alrighty then. Go ahead. She’s a person who hates Franco. She says, sorry, no. She appreciated Franco. He was her friend, and a wonderfully talented artist. She’s shown his work. Franco asks if he was her partner, but she says, more like kindred spirits. Plenty of people hate her too. He says, like who? She says he’s looking at numero uno. He says, she really is an honest woman. What did she do? She says betrayed someone she loved; someone who once loved her. He says, it’s never too late to make amends. She says, he’s been given a second chance. There’s nothing that can undo what she’s done, but he has a chance to reinvent himself. Lucky bastard. Don’t blow it.

Dustin tells Lulu, condolences, and she says, they’re appreciated – briefly. He knows divorce is painful, but it’s worse being in limbo. At the softball game, he could see that she was worried and distracted, but then she picked up a mitt and had fun. She should do that more often. He bets her kids need to. She says, Charlotte and Rocco; they have names – and faces. He asks if he can see them, and she takes her phone out. He says, they look like great kids. Happy, and still young enough to be excited to go back to school. She says, excited as they can be that the summer vacation is over. He says, him too, and she says, that’s right. He’s a teacher. He says, wine tasting is just his summer gig. She says, no more ride share, but he says he put his number in her phone, if she wants to play catch. Rocco’s dad probably takes him… Sorry. She says, it’s fine, and he says he’s there if she needs to talk. She thinks she needs to call it a night, and he says he’s driving. I’m wondering how she’s going to write anything about the wine tasting, since she wrote nothing down. Her phone was even in her purse.

Julian tells Kim, they have no place to live yet. She says they can get a hotel room, and stay there until they find an apartment. They can check out the neighborhoods, and don’t have to take the first apartment that comes along. I’m wild with jealousy. There, I said it. He asks, what about her patients? but she says there are just a few, and she can transfer them to another doctor. He asks if she saw Franco, and she says she did. He knows it’s weird and upsetting, but he’s Franco, not Drew. She says she knows that, and he says, then what’s the rush? What’s she afraid of?

Lucas shows Willow pictures of Wiley. He tells her that Wiley only knows one word, dada. He’s convinced Wiley is talking about him, and Brad is sure it’s him, but Wiley also calls plush pig and oatmeal dada. Willow says, he’ll figure it out, and he says, someday, Wiley will know who his mother is.

Nelle says, something tells her Shiloh is counting on more than faith. How is he paying for this? His assets have been frozen or are embargoed. He says, once upon time he gave a boy named Oscar a place to stay. Oscar was grateful, and his kindness was rewarded. Oscar turned out to be a Quartermaine. Sadly, Oscar died young, but left Shiloh shares in ELQ. Enough to buy a small firm. The guard comes in, and says, lockdown is over. Nelle tells Shiloh, to be continued.

Maxie asks if Peter heard what she said. He says he did, and he loves her too. She tells him, he said it like it’s sad, but he says, it’s wonderful; it’s everything. She says, but he’s not ready to believe someone could love the son of Faison, even if he’s Anna’s son too? He says she makes him believe anything is possible. She says, it is, as long as they love each other. He says he does love her, and kisses her. She says, better. What was he going to tell her about his visit to Shiloh? He says Shiloh wanted to pitch a tell-all to The Invader. She says she has to admit, as big a creep as he is, she bets Shiloh has an interesting story to tell.

Elizabeth tells Curtis that Andre knows more anyone, even Cabot, about memory transfer. He can figure out a way to reverse it. Curtis says, that’s the hope, and Elizabeth says she knows there are no guarantees. With Andre’s help, Franco will find his way home.

At Charlie’s, on the phone, Hayden says she’s right on time. Mommy loves hearing her voice. What did she do today?

Finn talks to Anna, and says he misses her too. Tell him about her day.

Lucas says he sent Willow a picture of Wiley. Willow feels blessed to be part of Wiley’s life in any way. Lucas says, when Wiley is old enough to understand, they’ll tell him about her. They’ll figure it out. She says, the only important thing right now, is that Shiloh is no longer a threat. Wiley is safe with the parents who love him.

Kim tells Julian that she’s always been like this. Once she makes a decision, she wants to get on with it. Julian says they don’t have to rush. She says, no but hopes he fast-tracks the closing. The sooner they start their life together, the better. She kisses him

Franco finishes his beer, and thanks Ava for the interesting conversation. She says, it’s on her, but he insists. She thanks him, and he asks if she knows Kim. She says she does, and he says, does she have Kim’s number?

Lulu sees Maxie at the MetroCourt, and says, next time she’s thinking of texting a ride share driver, don’t. Maxie asks if Lulu didn’t have a good time, and Lulu says, that’s beside the point. Maxie says the only point she wanted to make is having Lulu feel better about the divorce. Lulu wouldn’t say she feels better, but she’s starting to accept it. Maxie is glad Lulu is coming to terms with it. That means Maxie can share her wonderful news. Peter had a legit reason to call. It wasn’t just to leave Lulu with Dustin. She told Peter that she loved him, and he loves her too. Lulu gets super excited, and hugs Maxie. She says, fantastic. She’s happy for Maxie, and asks where he is. Maxie says, he got called away. Lulu wants to make sure he knows how lucky he is… and possibly he can pull some strings to get her a more interesting story than what’s going on in Port Charles life. Maxie says, Shiloh wanted sell his side of the story to The Invader, but Peter turned him down. He thinks Shiloh just wants press. And it’s dangerous to be involved with a creep like that.

Peter goes back to the prison, which must have 24/7 visiting hours. Shiloh says, that was quick. Peter says, if word ever gets out… Shiloh says he knows, and Peter says, yes. He’ll help.

Tomorrow, Ava asks Kiki what to do, Sam tells Jason that Drew is on his way to get Andre, and Sasha tells Michael it’s the punishment she deserves.

🗽 On this week’s Million Dollar Listing: New York, Luis said there was more to the story about him becoming a father, but didn’t tell us what it was. He let Ronita know about the baby, but wasn’t ready to practice diaper changing on hers. He was stepping all over Ronita during a showing, and afterward, she let him know she understood it wasn’t intentional, but it wasn’t cool either. She said if he was going to take over, she might as well not be there. She appreciated him giving her a start, but said her position had evolved. She kept his name alive while he was gone, and without her, he would have had to start over. He realized he’d been looking at her like she was still his assistant. During the next showing, Luis let Ronita shine, and introduced her has his business partner. A client also saw a post Luis made about his depression while he was in Paris, and wanting to end it all. At first, he thought this might reflect negatively on him, but it turned out one of the seller’s closest friends had committed suicide, and she gave him kudos. He told us he’s so glad he’s there.

A developer enticed Ryan with three luxury apartments in NoHo – one with 23 foot ceilings – each about 4500 square feet. There was a beautiful old firehouse across the street, which I suppose could be a drawback, but (no surprise) Ryan turned it into a selling point by saying, what better protection do you need? I was amused because when I first moved to Manhattan, I lived across the street from a firehouse. You get used to it. By the time I went home for vacation, I couldn’t sleep there because it was too quiet. Ryan was nearly beside himself with joy until he found out about the developer’s caveat. To get the listings, he would also have to take on a 233 unit luxury rental building in Harlem that was still under construction. Rentals alone aren’t a broker’s favorite thing, and actually to be avoided at all costs unless you’re just starting out. He said he’d have to think about it.

Steve asked girlfriend Luiza to move in with him, from London to NYC. She said yes very quickly, which surprised me. BTW, not only does she look like a model, she speaks five languages and is a master chess player. Steve was renting an apartment from a friend in exchange for having floated the friend. When Steve said he was moving, the friend gave him the listing. In turn, Steve gave his agent Jess the listing. She’d been one of his closest friends since high school, and she’d been feeling nervous due to a bad market and no steady paycheck. Steve gave a mini lesson in sales, and we learned to make a personal connection when selling. Other takeaway points were don’t just give the potential buyer the basic facts; don’t be afraid to be vulnerable; don’t be too serious; envision the space; and read the customer. There really wasn’t any Fredrik, but next week he’s going to Miami, and Ryan breaks down

🍷 In Honor Of the Spicy Red…

Tea tomorrow, Argentina tonight. The real version. From Patti Lupone. Enough said.