Monthly Archives: April 2020

April 15, 2020 – Sonny Calls Nikolas a Coward, Beverly Hills Goes To Fashion Week & Surviving

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

I missed the beginning, so here are the highlights. Sonny tells Jason, someone else needs to be warned about Cyrus, and Jason jets. Nikolas and Ava stop by Sonny’s place, via the kitchen entrance, and Charlotte has brought a sack containing her pet snake, Nagini, to Violet’s party. She tells him that they’re going to have so much fun, and hides the sack in the alcove under the stairs.

Lulu suggests Charlotte help by giving the kids some pointers. Charlotte looks at the sack, and goes with Lulu.

Sonny says the newlyweds, and Nikolas says, good to see him. Sonny asks why it took Nikolas so long to climb out from under his rock to say hello, and  Ava says they’re here to pick up Avery for Violet’s party; they’re not looking for a fight. Sonny says bodyguard Cy is taking them; he’s the best, and discreet. They won’t even know he’s there. Nikolas says he can protect his wife and her daughter, but Sonny says Nikolas is going to stay. They have a lot of catching up to do.

When they’re alone, Nikolas tells Sonny, he has an apology to make before Sonny says anything. Several apologies. He’s sorry about leaving Spencer, and sorry for getting Carly involved. Asking her to keep him a secret from Sonny was a bad call. Sonny says Nikolas has made a lot of them, but Nikolas says it was the only way to keep Spencer safe. Sonny says, it wasn’t the only way. Nikolas says he did what was best for his family, Sonny says, he didn’t. He doesn’t care about Nikolas, but he does care about Nikolas’s mother and his son, and the choices Nikolas made that affected them. He knows all he needs to know about Nikolas. Nikolas asks, what’s that? and Sonny says, there’s only one kind of man who would betray his children like Nikolas did, and he has no use for him. We flash back to Nikolas telling Spencer that he needed to be strategic, and Spencer saying he needed his father.

Maxie tells Peter, when she spoke to Lulu, she said Valentin wasn’t worth fighting over, and Lulu agreed. Anna approaches them, and says, Georgie is about to ride the pony. She wants them to watch her. Maxie wonders if she should film it in regular or slo-mo. Anna goes inside, and sees Robert with a wrapped gift that looks like a really long stick. She says, absolutely not. Not in her house. Not now; not ever. Robert says, it’s practically a tradition. Violet comes in with Finn, and asks where Robert went. Robert says he went to pick up something special. Finn asks Anna if he should be worried, and Anna tells him that he should be afraid. Violet asks Anna to help unwrap it. Elizabeth tells Finn, it’s a good party, and he says it’s just something he threw together. She says, Violet is having a wonderful birthday, and he says she doesn’t think he went overboard? She says, not at all, and he says it’s the first birthday party he’s throwing for her, and he needs to prove he can deliver. Elizabeth says, and he did, but he doesn’t need prove anything. The one thing Violet already knows is that he’s a good dad. The gift is unwrapped, and it’s a didgeridoo. Robert plays it, and says, it’s a classic happy birthday.

Franco sees Ava and Avery, and Ava asks if Avery remembers her friend Franco. Franco says he remembers her, and asks if she’d like some popcorn. Ava says, popcorn is gross, and Avery doesn’t like it. Avery says she loves popcorn, and Franco suggests she get her own box. He can be her guide through the party; there’s a juggler and petting zoo.

Catching Olivia on her way in from screaming at Rocco, Robert tells her, he’s sorry, but Dante’s condition hasn’t improved. We flash back to Olivia telling Dante, for so long, it was just the two of them. She knew she could never give him everything he deserves. Dante says she did great, and she says she did her best. Every decision she made was to keep him safe, but she realized, as he grew, her job was going to get harder, because he’s not a man who will ever be content to be safe. He’s a hero in every sense of the word. Olivia tells Robert, it’s been over a year; there must be an improvement. He says he’s sorry to bring her bad news, but she says, unlike the doctors at the WSB, she’s not giving up. As long as Dante is alive, there’s still hope.

Dante asks if Sonny talks to Spencer, and Sonny says they’re very close. Spencer wants to know why he’s been abandoned by his father. I stare at the bowl of moss. Sonny says, Spencer checks in every night with a text or voicemail, but when Spencer calls, he picks up and they talk. Nikolas asks, what about? He’s sure Spencer tells Sonny what a terrible father he is. Sonny says he doesn’t mention Nikolas much; he doesn’t have to. It’s in everything he says, and not in a good way. Spencer tells him about school, what he does, his discoveries in France. He doesn’t say he’s lonely; he doesn’t have to. Nikolas is sorry his son is in pain, but Spencer is a child. In time, he’ll understand the choices Nikolas made were to protect him. Sonny says, Nikolas did it for himself, and Spencer doesn’t understand why Nikolas chose to abandon him. We flash back to Spencer telling Nikolas that he could have come home any time; Spencer never had to leave home, but Nikolas cared more about hating Valentin than loving him. Ava tells Spencer, Nikolas always loved him, but Spencer says he hated Valentin for killing Nikolas. Now he hates Nikolas for not staying dead. Nikolas tells Sonny, of all people, he thought Sonny would understand the lengths he went to in order to protect his family. Sonny says, only cowards do what Nikolas did, and he isn’t a coward. Nikolas would be smart to remember that.

Nikolas says, if Sonny is calling him a coward, he’s conveniently forgotten that Valentin tried to kill him. He had to protect Spencer, and find a way to take back what was his. Sonny says, it’s like one snake taking the head off another. Stay away from the people he loves, including his wife. Nikolas says he regrets dragging Carly into it, and Sonny says, and Spencer. We flash back to Ava asking Spencer not to shut Nikolas out. She knows how profoundly Spencer was affected by losing Nikolas, and how deeply Nikolas loves him. It’s time they both stopped hurting, and put anger aside. Let his father love him again. Spencer tells Nikolas, he could have come back with nothing. Instead, he let Spencer believe he was dead. Spencer has lived every day for the past three years alone, because of Nikolas. He built Nikolas up as a noble prince in his memory, but he’s as heartless as Valentin. The Cassadine legacy is more important than he is. Stay the hell away from him.

Willow and Chase come bearing a unicorn piñata, and Willow explains how a piñata works by pulling strings on it. Chase asks, what happened to beating the thing until it breaks? Finn asks if he has no compassion for paper mache, and Willow says, some kids don’t like hitting things that look like something that’s alive. Rocco runs in, and says Peter Pan is there. Willow goes back out with him, and Chase follows. Finn puts the piñata aside.

Finn tells Chase, he’s glad Willow could make it. Chase thinks she’s having a good time; she loves being around kids. Finn says, it makes sense, since she’s a teacher. He asks if Chase is all right, and Chase says, he’s fine, but Willow’s not. The whole custody battle is getting to her. Wiley isn’t her son, but they bonded fully and deeply. She can’t just switch it off. Michael is fighting for full custody, but if he loses, and Nelle gets Wiley, he’s not sure Willow can take it.

Charlotte comes back in, as Anna heads out the front door. Jason is on the porch, and she says she’s sorry she couldn’t meet at the MetroCourt, but she has this party going on. He says he just wanted to give her a heads up, and she says, if it’s about Peter, she can’t. He says, it’s about Cyrus, and she says she saw he was released. He says, Cyrus is trying to get leverage on key members of law enforcement. He doesn’t know if she’s a target, but Sonny wanted her to be aware. She tells him to thank Sonny, and he asks if the WSB has ever gone after Cyrus? She says she can’t share that information, and he says if she feels something is wrong, it can’t hurt to have back up. Sam comes out with Danny, and Danny says, dad?

Willow asks if Chase knows what the nicest thing about the party is, and he says, the bounce house? The petting zoo? She says seeing his grumpy brother doting on Violet. Does he know any other circumstance that would get Dr. Finn on a pony ride? It’s amazing how kids change your life. Chase flashes back to Sasha telling him, the only reason Michael isn’t asking Willow to marry him, is out of respect for Chase and Willow’s relationship. Chase says Willow would never leave him. She’d feel terrible, and it’s not the kind of person she is. But how could she be happy for the rest of her life, if Nelle got custody of Wiley, and she knew she could have stopped it, and didn’t? Chase tells Willow, he could use a walk. How about her? She takes his hand, and they leave.

Anna asks Jason to excuse her; she has to get back. Danny asks if Jason is there for the party, but he says he had to talk to Anna, and he can’t stay.

Ava sees Charlotte, and asks how she is. Charlotte says she’d like to go home. Ava says she’s sure Charlotte’s mother would be happy to take her, but Charlotte says she’s referring to her real home. Ava is sorry it’s difficult, but says, Charlotte knows Windymere belongs to her and Nikolas. Charlotte says, it’s not about her. Butterscotch misses his stall. Ava asks if Butterscotch is her pony, and she says, Butterscotch is a horse; there’s a big difference. A pony is fourteen hands, and Butterscotch is fifteen hands. Ava says she’s more than welcome to visit any time, but she doesn’t think Butterscotch would enjoy the launch. Charlotte doesn’t think so either. Lulu comes in, and tells Ava, she hopes Charlotte wasn’t rude. Ava says, Charlotte is just upset about her horse not being at Windymere. Lulu says, it’s definitely been an adjustment, and Ava tells her, blame Valentin for giving Charlotte false expectations. Lulu starts to respond, and Ava tells says, she knows what Lulu wants to say. They kind of want the same thing. Lulu asks what Ava thinks that is, and Ava says, for them to be better acquainted as sisters-in-law. Lulu says that’s not what she was going to say, and Ava says, come on. At least play along. It gives them something else to do other than bask in the glow of childhood mirth. Lulu says, it’s no secret she hates Valentin, and Ava says, wait until he pushes her from a parapet. Lulu says, the last thing she wants is her daughter caught in the middle of their feud. Ava says, no problem, and Lulu says, so she’ll help steer Charlotte clear of that? Ava says, she really means, no problem. Nikolas versus Valentin is over; they won. Lulu says, okay, great, and thanks her.

Peter sees Lulu, and Lulu says, look at them, talking socially. Peter asks if she’s warning him not to talk shop, and she says there’s nothing she’d love more, but kids, sugar, animals; it’s not the right frame of mind. He suggests they talk about Maxie instead. Her new job at Deception means a lot to her. Lulu says, it means a lot to her too. If working near, and having her paycheck covered by Valentin is a mistake, it’s Maxie’s to make. Peter says his eyes are open, and he’s watching. She tells him, be ready to catch Maxie when Valentin knocks her down.

Nikolas says Spencer is his son, but Sonny says, according to Spencer, he’s an orphan. Nikolas wasn’t there, so Sonny had to be. Nikolas says he’s sorry, but he cleared the road for Spencer to be the man he’ll never be. Sonny says, spare him the false humility. Nikolas is proud he climbed out of the sea, into bed with Ava, and back to Windymere. Congratulations. Nikolas can do what he wants, but if it touches Spencer – Sonny gets closer to him – he will intervene. Understand him? Nikolas says, yeah, and Sonny says, good. Then they’re done. Nikolas leaves.

Jason tells Danny, there’s something important they need to talk about. He wants Danny to keep being a great big brother. Look out for Scout and his mom, because Jason can’t be around for a while. Danny asks, why not?

Charlotte opens the sack, and asks Nagini if he’s okay in there, and promises he’ll be out soon. Ava and Franco come in, and Charlotte skootches into the alcove. Ava says she left it out there, but Franco says they don’t need to do this now. Ava picks up her purse, and says she’ll check her calendar. How’s tomorrow for their next sitting? He wants to get back to the party; he kind of likes the piñata. She laughs, and says, look at them. At a birthday party, at Anna’s house no less. He says, they’ve come a long way, and she says, yet she’s nowhere near satisfied. He says Nikolas has a bottomless bank account, and she’s a princess. She says, her tiara is tarnished, and he says he’s happy for her. It’s her vision of a dream come true. She says, not yet, but it will be. She puts her purse back, and they go back outside. Charlotte peeks out, and looks at the piñata.

Finn goes inside, and sits on the couch. Anna sees him, and says, just when she thought everything was going well. He says he has a kit in his medical bag, but she says, the party is going famously. She wondered what’s troubling him. He asks if he looks troubled, and she says he does. He says he was thinking maybe he should write Violet a letter, but she says, just tell Violet what he wants to tell her. He says he would be writing from a person who should be there, and Anna realizes he means Hayden. He says, on one hand, it would be a way to tell Violet that her mom is thinking of her, but on the other, it may imply Hayden is coming back. Anna says they don’t know what the case is, and asks if Violet has questioned him recently. He says, it’s been a while, and she says, from what she sees, Violet is a wise little person (aw!), sorting through what she thinks might have happened. When she’s ready, she’ll ask. He hopes he knows what to say when she does. We flash back, going down Hayden Memory Lane. Finn sitting with her at the MetroCourt, and telling her that he had a breakthrough in his research; Finn asking her to leave a toothbrush at his place, and kissing her; Griff telling them, the test results say she’s pregnant; Finn telling her that he wants to be family with her and the baby, and proposing; Finn finding out she’s Rachel Berlin, and asking why she didn’t tell him that she was in trouble. He loves her, and she got him through addiction. Why didn’t she let him help her through this? We move to Elizabeth telling Finn that Hayden is gone; Hayden writing the letter, telling Finn that the baby didn’t survive; Finn seeing her again, when she returned to Port Charles; Curtis asking if Finn thinks the child is alive; Hayden bringing Violet to the hospital, and telling Finn that she’s his daughter; Finn confronting Hayden, and saying he wants to be a part of Violet’s life; Finn telling Hayden that he’s her daddy, and explaining that he and her mommy were so in love, they made a baby; Finn introducing Violet to Anna, and thanking her for accepting Violet. We see Finn reading Hayden’s letter, telling him that she’s leaving Violet with him, and not to come after her, but to make sure Violet knows her mother loves her. We move to Finn and Violet pulling on the Thanksgiving wishbone, and Finn telling Violet that she’s his wish.

Anna tells Finn, of course (🍷) he’ll know. It’s a beautiful party. Just enjoy it, and let everything else go for now. Charlotte comes out with the piñata, and Finn asks where she’s going with it. She says she’s keeping it safe, and asks if it’s time yet. He says, almost, and Anna says she’ll gather the children. He takes the piñata from Charlotte, and she says, be careful. He doesn’t want any candy to fall out.

Um… wouldn’t it feel different? Like a different weight, and moving around?

Tomorrow, Chase says it’s Willow’s decision, Maxie asks Robert if Peter hasn’t suffered enough, and Charlotte tells Danny, there’s going to be a good surprise.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

I wasn’t going to even watch this season, after these horrible women drove my beloved Lisa from the show (and Giggy with her), but my curiosity over Denise’s friendship with Brandi coming back to bite her in the ass – both figuratively and possibly literally – was piqued. So I decided to do a minicap on this one.

I was eating dinner as I watched this, and even before the opening credits I wanted to stab a couple of them with my fork. I could feel my hand tightening around it. I have to say though, new girl – actress, mom of twin eleven-year-old boys, and friend of Denise – Garcelle Beauvais might just give them a run for their money. I have the feeling she’s not going to take their bullsh*t. After moving to NYC from Haiti at age seven, she said she could handle anything, even those damn Housewives. Useless trivia: she learned to speak English from watching Sesame Street.

The women went to New York Fashion Week (hey, you, get out of my city) for Kyle’s first show as a designer. Needless to say, our jeans and T-shirt girl, Denise, was less than enthusiastic. Speaking of Kyle, at the last reunion, she was lauded as queen, since LVP wisely left, and it showed in her narcissism attitude. After checking into their swank NYC hotel, they took a side trip to New Jersey (get out! get out!), and went to Shakers, a strip club where Erika used to work, although they were really more go-go girls than strippers, and the dancing was a real snooze. Erika wasn’t sure if the group was going to be accepting or judgmental. I guess she’s never seen this show before, because they’re usual response is to pretend to be the former, while being the latter for real. At lunch, we found out that Charlie Sheen was once again being a d-bag, taking Denise to court because he no longer wanted to pay child support. Erika immediately called Tom, who volunteered to go with her, but Denise didn’t want to deal with it. In her interview, she said she knew Charlie best, and would deal with her own family in her own way.

Kyle met with friend Domenico Dolce (from the Dolce side of Dolce & Gabbana), who has more money than God, and LisaR met with friend Sutton Stracke, also as loaded as the Lord, but apparently with no taste in clothing. Wanting to show LisaR the latest Dolce & Gabbana bra, she wore a sheer pink blouse over it, along with rainbow sequined shorts. Possibly something I would have worn to RHPS in the days when I went to the midnight movie, but anywhere else? <shakes head vehemently> While the cat was away, Mauricio had an agency party in L.A. When Kyle tried to call, he didn’t pick up, and she said he was probably drunk or stoned. It’s probably the only way he can deal with an association to any of these people.

Sutton joined the group for dinner, and while I wasn’t impressed with her day outfit, in a simple black dress, she outshone Kyle wearing a baggy sequined jumpsuit, and Erika, who looked like she was wearing a man’s black shirt, her dress barely covering her cheeks. Really it didn’t, since they were peeking out like she was wearing booty shorts. She informed Sutton that it was from Rhianna’s Fenty line, and in her interview, Sutton said that if God had collaborated with Tom Ford on the dress, it would still have been just as meaningless to her. A breath of fresh honesty. Dorit also carried the Jacquemus mini bag, which I find both adorable, and horrifying, since I can’t believe someone would pay almost 500 bucks for it, when there are people who can’t afford to eat.

Kyle was definitely clueless when it came to a runway show, not even recognizing her own samples, and Dorit stepped in to help her out. In her words, saving Kyle’s fashion show from Kyle. There was no one to save us from the clothes though, some of which were okay, but mostly reminded me of something a matronly woman would wear on a cruise. Sorry Kyle. All of the women were in the show, but no one can ever rival Ramona on the runway with her robotic look. Dorit complained that she got rewarded with clown shoes after bailing Kyle out. Teddi, who we found out was pregnant, had running commentary in her head, reminding herself not to walk in the way Kyle had imitated last season. Kyle also shouted directions from the wings, which didn’t seem very professional. Paris and Nicky Hilton also stopped by for a photo op, which Kyle hoped would boost the brand.

At the end of the show, Kyle said, everyone was so happy that day, it’s hard to imagine how terrible everything would become. Then the text said, Denise stopped filming in December, and a headline about a passionate affair between Denise and Brandi was shown. We saw Denise sit down, and a producer asked if she’s ready to talk.

FYI, after the fire and an extended period of living in hotels, Denise and Aaron are still not settled, but they are still having sex every day.

Best quote of the night, Garcelle in saying, it’s always time for a shot.

🦘 Calling It a Night While It’s Still Night…

Yesterday, it was late to bed, early to rise, and I’d like to even that out just a little. So leaving you with this oddly appropriate scene from Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, which features a didgeridoo. It’s possibly my favorite scene from the film. I love the mesh of cultures. Stay safe. You know the drill.

April 14, 2020 – Nelle Threatens Valentin, We Gather Here Today Once Again, Evidence Comes Together & Delayed

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Violet tells Anna that her daddy got a bouncy castle for the party. Anna says it’s a beautiful day for it, and Finn says he also ordered nice weather. Robert comes in, and says, there’s a delivery that needs a signature. Finn asks if it’s a piñata, but Robert says, it’s a pony, and it sneezed on him. Anna says, a pony? and Finn says, for riding.

Maxie closes her laptop, and Peter gives her a cup of coffee. He says he’s heading to Anna’s to help set up for Violet’s birthday party. Maxie says, Finn went all out, and Peter says, it’s the first party Finn has been able to celebrate with his daughter. Plus, her mom won’t be there. Maxie says, a distraction. She’ll meet him there after. He says, after what? and she says, the eruption of Mount Lulu.

Willow reads to a child in the hospital, and he falls asleep. She says he must be tired; they were just getting to the good part. A woman looks through the window, and Willow tells him, sleep well. She comes out, and his mother thanks her for reading to him. It’s always the highlight of his day. Willow says, hers too. They didn’t finish, so she’d be happy to come back tomorrow. His mother says they’re moving him to hospice tomorrow. It’s time. Willow hugs her.

On the phone with Diane, Michael says, next week? What are the chances he gets what he wants?… Is there a way to increase the numbers?… Besides that. He says he’ll think it over. Sasha brings him coffee, and asks if he can fill her in the other side of the conversation. He says the hearing date was moved up to next week, and his chances of full custody are slightly better than 50%. She says, unless he marries Willow, and he says, then it goes up. I have to say it. Wouldn’t the court find it odd and suspicious if he suddenly married someone he doesn’t have that kind of relationship with? I’m not so sure that would go in his favor.

Anna tells Robert, maybe Finn went a little overboard. Violet and Finn come back in, and Violet says the pony’s name is Fletcher. Robert asks if he sneezed on her too. She says, no, and asks if they can keep him. Anna says, can they? and Finn says she’s not helping. She says she’s just getting in the mood with some excitement, and Finn suggests Roxie might get jealous. Violet says, Roxie has to put on her party hat, but Finn isn’t sure if Roxie likes hats. They go upstairs, and Robert asks why Anna asked him there early. She says she thought he’d want extra time with Fletcher. She heard Obrecht was extradited, and she was hoping the whole thing was over now. Let Peter move on in peace.

Maxie tells Peter, she has to tell Lulu that she’s working for Deception, and Valentin is bankrolling it. Peter says, there’s nothing wrong with her working there, and she says they know that, but Lulu, not so much. Valentin is still Charlotte’s father, and Charlotte loves and needs her dad. Lulu is so blinded with rage, she can’t see that. Peter says, it’s crazy. Valentin is more reasonable with gritting his teeth and co-existing. Maxie says, he’d do anything for Charlotte, even play nice, and Peter asks if she’s thought of just saying that to Lulu. She asks if he’s insane.

In the hallway at the MetroCourt, Nelle asks if Valentin’s got a minute. He thinks it’s best they’re not seen together, and she says, the Quartermaines have no idea he’s moving in on their family money. He suggests they keep their voices down, and she says, it’s because of her generosity, and he asks what she wants. She says he’s acting like they’re not in the same position. He’s fighting for his daughter, and she’s fighting for her son.

Chase tells Willow that he saw her outside with the boy’s mother. Is she okay? She says, she’s fine, but Steven is terminal. His mother told her that they’re moving him to hospice. He says, he’s so sorry, and she says, it’s a mom thing. Steven’s mother is wired to comfort and take care of him. All the time she has with her son, every moment is precious. She was wondering what she would do if Wiley’s life was on the line and she didn’t have a say. She doesn’t think she could stand it.

Sasha tells Michael, it seems straightforward to her. He has to marry Willow. He says before they go further with the conversation, she needs to know he loves her, and whatever decision he makes moving forward doesn’t take away from that. It’s a strategy. She says she knows. He loves Wiley, and Willow does too. Sasha couldn’t love him if he was willing to jeopardize Wiley’s life to hang on to her. She couldn’t look at herself in the mirror either. It has nothing to do with how they feel, and everything to do with Wiley. He’s all that matters. He says she has no idea how much that means to him that she understands. She says he’d do anything for Wiley; so would she. And so would Willow. He says, if Chase wasn’t in the picture, he’d promise he and Sasha would be together one day, and ask Willow to marry him, but Chase is in the picture, so it can’t happen. Sasha says, there’s got to be a way.

Willow tells Chase, she’s being ridiculous. Why would she have a say? Michael is Wiley’s dad, and he makes the decisions. He can handle anything, assuming Nelle doesn’t get in the way. Chase says, that’s assuming a lot. Since Willow is there, why not see Wiley? She asks if he doesn’t think she’s obsessive and hovering, but he thinks she’s incredible. He knows Wiley would love to see her; he always does. She says he’s amazing. She loves him so much. He says he loves her too, and she asks if he wants to come. He says he’s got work to do, and to give Wiley a fist bump for him. When she’s gone, Chase gets on the phone.

Michael tells Sasha, Willow’s not available. She’s in love with Chase, and he’s in love with her. They’re amazing, and have been incredibly supportive, but they have a life together. He can’t ask them to put it on hold because of his custody fight. Nelle isn’t going anywhere, and it’s not like they could be married for two months and get a quiet annulment. Sasha says, Nelle would be all over that, and he says, she’d drag him back to court. It wouldn’t have to be forever, but it would be a while. Sasha has been amazing, being down with that. She has no idea how grateful he is, but that’s them, not Willow and Chase. She says she understands, but thinks he has to give Willow the choice. He can’t make the decision for her. Sasha’s phone dings, and she sees a text from chase. I need to see you. The MetroCourt restaurant. Don’t tell Michael. She tells Michael, it’s a minor crisis, but Lucy is freaking out. He tells her, go, and she says she’ll be back as soon as she can.

Valentin tells Nelle, he thinks they’re done, but she says, they’re just getting started. She says, they don’t have to be enemies. She can be a friend; more than that. She could be surprisingly good for him. He says he passes, and she says she may be forced to make trouble for him then.

On the phone with Charlotte, Lulu says she has to meet Maxie before she picks Charlotte up, but watch her phone. She’ll text Charlotte before she leaves. Charlotte has to get dressed for Violet’s party… She’s going. It’s not up for debate… Who’s going to be there? Georgie, Aiden, Avery… Yes, and Avery’s mother. She’d appreciate it if Charlotte would be polite. Enjoy her ride, and watch her phone.

Maxie tells Peter, when Nina and Valentin imploded, she was relieved not to be involved in their family disfunction, gritting her teeth and placating Nina. Lulu was sitting in judgement, but it all went away when Nina kicked Valentin to the curb. Yay. But now she’s working for him. He’s a silent partner, but their paths are bound to cross. She thinks Lulu makes things more difficult than they need be. What’s weird is, no one is more obsessed with their father than Lulu. She hero worships him. When Lulu was a kid, she was willing to travel the world, or jump off a cliff for him, but there were plenty of people who disapproved of him. Peter says, so he’s not that different from Valentin, and she says, you’d think Lulu would realize that Valentin’s daughter feels the same way as Lulu does about her own dad. She thanks him for letting her get it all out. She doesn’t want to vent to Lulu. There will be a huge, pointless fight that’s no good for anyone. She says she’ll see him later, and he tells her, good luck. She says she’s going to need it.

Anna tells Robert, she and Finn almost broke up over his mistrust of Peter. Then hard evidence surfaced that it was Obrecht, and Finn was reassured. He’s happy; let them be happy. He asks if she thinks he wants her unhappy, and she says she thinks he’s like a dog with a bone when it comes to Peter. Let Violet have her birthday, and let Finn be content. Don’t go digging around to fire things up again. It was Obrecht. She believes it, the WSB believes it, and soon, the Hague will believe it. Let the whole thing be over. He says he’s not saying another word. He’ll be the vison of politeness, but mutual co-existence is the best he can manage. Finn asks if he’s interrupting, and Robert says they were just remembering a party where they got Robin a pony, and she loved it. Somehow it got in the house. She says Robert left the door open. He says, it messed on the rug, but Robin loved it. Anna says, like Violet will. Finn asks if the clown arrived, and Robert says, he got there fifteen minutes ago.

Anna answers the door to Peter, and says she’s glad he could make it. He asks if Violet is excited, and she says, that’s an understatement. Violet runs in, and asks them to come outside and watch her ride the pony. Peter too. Robert says he has to double-check the balloons; could Peter help him? Anna asks if they’re sure they can play nice. When the rest go outside, Peter says Robert called him Peter. Is that a sign?

Maxie meets Lulu at the MetroCourt, and Lulu says she’s in a hurry. She has to pick Charlotte up, and get her home and dressed before Violet’s party. Maxie asks if Charlotte is still into riding, and Lulu says she had to put her foot down; Charlotte was spending so much time with Butterscotch. Valentin got the horse for her. Maxie says, funny Lulu should mention Valentin. As it turns out, she’s going to be working with him.

Valentin tells Nelle, he’s been thinking about the documents he forged to help her escape with Michael’s son. She says, her son, and he says, if the results of her machinations come to light, he’ll side with the father who’s trying to protect his son. She suggests he not piss her off, and he tells her not to jeopardize the child, or he’ll be forced to choose sides, and he doesn’t like her much to begin with.

Willow tells Michael, she hit the jackpot. She got to kiss Wiley as he was drifting off to sleep. He asks if Wiley did the cute ear tug thing, and she says, who needs a pacifier when you’ve got cute lobes? Sorry. He says, for what? She says she feels like she snuck in and stole the moment from him. He says he spends tons of time with Wiley; it’s all good. Since she agreed to testify, he thinks he should tell her, the hearing date was moved up to next week. She says, wow. What did Diane say? He says she thinks his chances would be better if he was married to her.

Robert tells Peter, that he would have loved to have found proof that Peter was a murderer and his father’s son, but frankly, it’s not there. He was wrong, and he’s admitting it. Peter appreciates that, and Robert says, everything points to Obrecht. It’s her modus operandi. She held Robert’s daughter captive; she held him captive. It had be her. He wasn’t convinced before because he didn’t want it to be true, but now he knows it is. Obrecht is on her way to the Hague, and he’s on board with that. Peter isn’t sure what to say, and Robert says, they’ll never be best buds, but he feels a mutual co-existence is manageable. Peter says it sounds good to him. Anna comes in, and asks if everything is all right. Robert says, peachy. He’s going out to see Violet in action. He leaves, and Peter says Robert claims to accept he’s innocent. Should he believe him?

Lulu says, sorry; what? and Maxie says she quit her job at Crimson, and landed at Deception with Sasha and Lucy. She’s excited. It’s more money, and even better, she’s on an equal footing with Lucy, and they’ll make executive decisions together. Lulu says, first, congratulations, but what does it have to do with Valentin? Maxie says, he’s a silent partner; it’s an angel investor thing. Lulu says, how? In what universe would Valentin team up with Lucy? Maxie says, this universe. She’s not sure how it went down, but Lucy said without Valentin, Deception would have been a non-starter. Lulu says Maxie can’t get involved with Valentin. He’ll do something terrible; double-cross her or worse. No one is less trustworthy. Where did the money come from? It was probably stolen. Maxie needs to walk away while she still can. Maxie says she’s not asking permission. She’s letting Lulu know, as a courtesy, what’s happening with her.

Valentin wants Nelle to get it straight. He forged the documents because it was beneficial to him to get her ELQ shares. Don’t think it didn’t bother him that Nelle wanted to escape with Michael’s son. She says, her son, and he says he could have given them her location, but it wasn’t necessary. Now he has the shares and the documents. Stay out of his way, and don’t make trouble, or he’ll end her dog and pony show. She says, so he’s going the enemy route, and he says, there’s no other option. She says, there could have been. He’s going to regret it. He tells her, don’t bet on it. Have a nice day.

Chase tells Sasha, so the best chance for Michael to keep Wiley would be to marry Willow, and she says, that’s where they’re at. He asks how she feels about it, and she says, not awesome. She loves Michael. She thinks there’s a chance he could be the one, under other circumstances. But under these circumstances, Michael has a kid with a psycho mother. Chase says, and she wants Michael to get Wiley away from his psycho mother, more than she wants him for herself. She says she does.

Michael hopes he didn’t put Willow on the spot, but she says, no. She asked, and Diane is insanely smart. If she thinks marrying her is the tipping point… He says he’s looking at it like a strategy, which is hard, since they’re human beings with feelings. It’s a little easier for him, since Sasha is on board, and supports whatever he feels is best for Wiley. Willow asks if he thinks marrying her would be best, and he says, Nelle has as much right as he does to Wiley. He can’t walk into court, and just say what a horrible person she is. It would be her legal right to do the same to him. It can’t be about proving how bad Nelle is, but what’s best for Wiley. If they’re talking strategy, and not feelings, she’s what’s best for Wiley.

Anna tells Peter, Robert will always be skeptical; that’s a fact. Peter did nothing wrong, and he’s not going to. That’s also a fact. Peter says, much to Robert’s chagrin, and she says, maybe. For all his faults, Robert is an honorable man. He’d never make anything up. She hopes, maybe in a couple of years, it will get easier. They might even like each other. He tells her, don’t hold her breath, and she says Robert is sucking it up because she asked him to. All the tension was making Finn worry, and contributed to their separation. He asks if she and Finn are good again, and she says, very good. Peter and Robert should be able to have a relationship that has nothing to do with her. They can loathe each other if they want, but they’re family, and that’s not how family acts. At least not this one. Peter says, family… and she says, he’s part of it.

Maxie tells Lulu, business is business. Is she going to Valentin’s for dinner? No. Will they be friends and bond? Lulu says, she certainly hopes not, and Maxie says, no, but Deception needed his involvement. He made Lucy an offer, and  she took the deal, and Maxie can’t argue with that. Lucy did her a huge favor by hiring her. Lulu says she thought Lucy said she wanted Maxie, and Maxie says, she did; then she didn’t. Long story. The point is, she’s there now, and so is Valentin. That’s just the way it is. Lulu says she doesn’t like it, but Maxie says, she’s not asking Lulu to like it, and doesn’t expect her to, but be real. Valentin is smart. Cassadine Industries was run into the ground when he took over. He’s the only reason the company is in the black. Lulu says, yay, and Maxie says, Valentin is a smart businessman. If he does for Deception what he did for his own company, than jackpot. Lulu says, if Maxie is honest, Valentin is the man who made Claudette disappear. Disappear disappear. Maxie says, that’s unconfirmed, and Lulu says Valentin shot her brother. Maxie says, he survived, and Lulu says, Valentin kidnapped Charlotte. Maxie says, it’s not kidnapping when you have custody, and Lulu says, he threw Ava off of a balcony. Maxie says, no one saw it, and Ava was drunk as a skunk. They can fight about it, but Lulu needs to ask herself, is it worth it to her? Because it’s definitely not worth it to Maxie. Valentin sees Lulu and Maxie talking.

Sasha tells Chase, she moved in with Michael to ward off Nelle. She loves being close to him, but it was more a necessity. Before this happened, marriage and kids weren’t even on her radar. Chase and Willow though… Chase remembers telling Willow that he has an agenda. He wants to spend more time with her as a couple, and see where things go. Is that something she wants? She says, very much, and he tells her, it’s the sort of conversation two people have when they love each other, and he loves her. She says she loves him too. He tells Sasha, Willow is the love of his life.

Michael tells Willow, it’s not just how she looks on paper; it’s how she is in person. Nelle is great at faking it, at being honest and altruistic, but Willow is all that and more. It’s like saccharine versus sugar. One tastes fine until you have the real thing. She’s the real thing, and so is her love for Wiley. He can’t say he wouldn’t love the chance to show that to the judge.

Anna says, popcorn before the party? and Finn says, Violet had to test it to make sure it’s okay. Anna says, quality control; she gets it. Violet wants her to come see the face painting and the photo booth, and drags her outside. Robert says, Violet is on cloud nine, and the party hasn’t even started. Finn did good. Finn thanks him, and tells him, come on. Finn asks if Peter is coming, but Peter says he has to make a quick call. Finn asks if Robert is going to get his face painted, and Robert says he could be persuaded. Finn says, princess or unicorn? They leave, and Peter makes a call. He says, it’s him. Robert may still be a problem. He wants to move for the distraction.

Lulu tells Maxie, she hates this, but gets it. She promises that Valentin’s involvement is for the same reason he bought Charlotte a horse. He wants to make himself look good to Maxie, the way the horse makes him look good to Charlotte. He’s always trying to show her up. My, she is self-focused. Maxie says, so much of it is in Lulu’s head, and Lulu says Valentin gave Charlotte unlimited access to his credit card. Maxie says, wow, and Lulu says, no wow. Charlotte could go to a jewelry store, and get a $10K necklace, and not bat an eye. Maxie tells her not to give Valentin more power by letting him come between them. She’s not resigning from her job. Lulu says, fine. Obviously, she doesn’t want to give Valentin more power or fight with Maxie. For the record, she’s happy for Maxie; she deserves it and she’s going to crush it. She loves Maxie. Maxie says she loves Lulu too, and Lulu says she has to pick up Charlotte. Maxie says, perfect timing; she has to get Georgie and James. They leave as Valentin watches.

Chase tells Sasha, you know something crazy? He was thinking about forever with Willow, only a month and a half in. When he’s with her, he’s home. Sasha says it’s not like they had it easy, and he says, no, but through all the struggle and hardship, watching Willow navigate it, made him love her more. Sasha says they have a right to be happy. As messed up and complicated as the custody situation is, it’s not his problem to solve.

Michael says he’s sorry for putting it on Willow; it’s not fair. If not for Chase, he’d marry her in a heartbeat. Willow thinks Chase loves her enough, that for Wiley’s sake, he would understand, but it’s not about Chase; it’s about her. Does that make her selfish? He says, not at all, and she says, if this is the only way, she’ll do it. Michael says, it’s not the only way. If it was, he’d throw himself on her mercy, offer her a million dollars, whatever it took; but he’s got the best lawyer in the state, and more assets at his disposal than Nelle. He can beat her. Willow asks if he promises that he’s not looking at her feelings instead of Wiley’s. He says he promises.

Chase asks where Michael’s head is at, and Sasha says, they talked about it, and she thinks he’s willing to marry Willow. He’s a good strategist, and knows how to put his feelings aside to get the outcome he wants. Willow isn’t like that. She’s not calculating like Michael, and she doesn’t mean that in a negative way. Chase says, Michael’s sole focus is on his son as it should be, and Sasha says, Willow can’t compartmentalize like that; she can only follow her heart. Chase says, so Michael would want to marry Willow? and Sasha says, she thinks the only reason he wouldn’t is out of respect for Chase and Willow. He knows how much they love each other. Chase says, he doesn’t know how Willow could be happy for the rest of her life if Nelle got custody of Wiley, and she knew she could have stopped it, but didn’t.

Tomorrow, Olivia says she hasn’t given up, Lulu tells Ava that she doesn’t want her daughter in the middle of this feud, and Sonny says somebody else needs a heads up.

Vanderpump Rules

Stassi looks for ranch dressing, and Tom says he’s never gotten into ranch on pizza. This has never been more relevant to be, when I got fried mushrooms over the weekend from the local pizza place, and it came with ranch. I was like, WTF? Where’s the marinara sauce? In Katie’s interview, she says their wedding in the woods was everything, but now they have all their friends there for a fun weekend. When life hands you lemons, get married in Vegas. Both Tom and Stassi want to officiate, and they decide to do it together. Stassi asks if Tom is pissed, but he says no. In her interview, she says, it’s simple algebra. Her love for Katie and Schwartz outweighs her distain for Tom. Schwartz says, it’s going to be a fun, gimmicky Vegas wedding. He wants to give Katie another ring, and Stassi says she can’t even get one.

Scheana, Charli, and Danica go out for drinks. Danica says she woke up with red velvet cake all over her, and Charli says she did too. Scheana says, the only people allowed to touch her face are her makeup artist and Botox tech. She can’t go to the wedding, since she’s having surgery. She’s been hormonal, emotional, and sick. In her interview, she says tomorrow is her egg retrieval. It’s an emotional process. We flash back to her whining to Lala about doing it alone. Danica says she saw Scheana talking to Dayna, and wonders what’s up. Scheana says, it was a misunderstanding. The only thing that bothered her was that Dayna thought she liked Brett, but went out on a date with him, and told her afterward. She’d talked to Max, and he was cool about the Brett and Dayna thing, telling her it was just a casual lunch. Charli asks if Brett and Max aren’t best buddies.

At TomTom, Max shows Brett how to make some cocktails. In Brett’s interview, he says he’s not cut out to be a server, but he’s a great bartender, since he’s good at talking to people. Max says, Dayna loves espresso, and Brett can make it for her. Brett says he and Dayna made out at the party, but they didn’t plan it. He asks if it’s cool with Max, since he likes hanging out with Dayna. Max says, whatever, which usually means it’s not so cool. He says, if there’s a connection there, he can’t take that away. Brett says, if Max said he was overstepping, it would be a done deal.

Charli wonders if Brett is going around the restaurant, dating everyone. In her interview, she says she’s learned two things since moving to L.A. Everyone bangs everyone else, and they don’t care, and for men, a vagina has no face. She asks, who’s next? Lisa?

While shoe shopping, Lisa tells Ken about Brett saying he’d rather make out with her, and we flash back to that. Puffy! She asks if Ken is jealous, but he says, is she joking? He’s not going to be jealous of a whippersnapper. She says, for that, he’s buying her shoes, and she asks for the most expensive pair. The clerk shows her a pair of Vuittons, but she already has them in black, and tells him, keep going. She tells Ken that Tom and Katie are coming with them on the plane. They went through a lot to get them married, and when she found out it was null and void, she wants to see them do the paperwork this time. Now they’ve invited a bunch of others. In her interview, In her interview, she says, if she has to yank Schwartz down the aisle, they’re getting it done. She tells Ken Nick Alain is coming to Vegas, and they’re going over the plans for the Vanderpump Suite. In Lisa’s interview, she says the Vanderpump Cocktail Garden is a roaring success, so Caesar’s asked her to create a Vanderpump Suite. She’s loving the shoes, and tells Ken to get her out of there asap.

On the private plane, Tom says, this is legit, and Schwartz says, it’s too much. He asks if Lisa and Ken do this all the time, and Lisa wants to reiterate they’re to just have fun and seal the deal. He dropped the ball the last time, and Katie says Schwartz is just barely out of the doghouse. Lisa says at her house, the doghouse is a good place to be. Puffy! In Schwartz’s interview, he says, Puffy’s got it made.

In Vegas, Lisa and Ken check into the suite they’ve stayed in before, which will be the one they’re redesigning. The key has Lisa’s picture on it. The others arrive, and Lala is wearing a sheer duster. I love those.

At SUR, Dayna polishes the glasses, and Scheana says, it’s like déjà vu. Dayna asks if she’s working, but Scheana says she has her egg retrieval surgery tomorrow, and wants to get her pay in case she’s out for a few days. Dayna says they talked about the Brett situation, but Scheana went to Max and riled him up. He was fine before he talked to Scheana. Scheana says Brett thought it was just a casual lunch, but she’s sorry for commiserating with Max instead of having an adult conversation with Dayna. She owed that to her. Dayna says all she wants is for them to be real about what they’re thinking and feeling. She accepts Scheana’s apology, and wants to move on. In Dayna’s interview, she says Scheana is a goddam space cadet, but she appreciates the apology. She asks if Scheana is okay now, and Scheana says, 100%. She had a crush on Brett in the beginning, but they’re better as friends. She asks if Dayna is going hang out with Brett again, and Dayna says they’re having dinner with James and Raquel tomorrow. She tells Scheana, good luck with her egg retrieval.

Randall says, legally, this is a real wedding, and Lala says she’s excited. He asks if she thinks it’s going to trigger Stassi, and says Lala and Stassi have a lot in common. Lala says she’s tired of being a girlfriend; the girlfriend of a 47 year old man. In her interview, she says, when a man is in the 40 something range, he’s too old be a boyfriend. Leo DiCaprio should be a husband. She tells Randall, he’s too old to be a boyfriend.

Stassi and Tom work on the ceremony. Stassi says, they’re gathered here today, and Tom says, once again. Stassi suggests Tom and Ariana could get married there. In Ariana’s interview, she says, in this summer of weddings, it’s been nice to not constantly have to talk about if they’re getting married. She thanks Stassi for bringing it back up. Tom says Ariana still has to be convinced.

Brittany wants to get married again, and Jax says, absolutely not. In her interview, Brittany says, marrying Jax was special because it made them family. She wants that for Schwartz and Katie. Without that paper, they could easily part ways. Brittany questions Jax wearing a white jacket, but he says, it’s a bizarre situation. He doesn’t think there are any rules.

Schwartz loves his fringed jacket, and tells Katie, you know what else he loves? She says, her? and he pulls a bra out of his suitcase, saying, this bra. She says, it’s not hers. In his interview, Schwartz says he has no idea how it got in his suitcase. He tells Katie, she took the suitcase last time, but Katie says, WTF? This is not hers. She takes the bra, and ponders it.

Beau has a beer, and calls Stassi’s father Mark. He drinks more beer, and tells Mark that they’re in Vegas. In Beau’s interview, he says he definitely knows Mark speaks his mind. We flash back to them meeting, and Stassi saying she’s afraid Mark is going to scare Beau off. Mark says, it’s a father’s job to scare boyfriends off. Beau says, he’s intimidating. He tells Mark that he’s asking permission to propose to Stassi, and Mark says he was apprehensive when they first started going out. You don’t always know if it’s a perfect fit. He tells Beau, of course he can propose. He thinks they balance each other out, and make a great couple. He’s pleased. Beau says it means a lot, and he’ll make a good son-in-law when it happens. Mark says he can’t promise Stassi will make a good wife. Beau says, burn. He’s going to let her know Mark said that. He thanks Mark, and drinks some more.

Nick arrives, and Lisa says they’re going to meet with general manager Sean. Their ambition is to make the suite look more Vanderpumpian. She says Sean is the most handsome man she’s ever seen. He joins them, and he’s handsome, but I don’t know if he’s the most handsome. She shows him some photos, and says Nick is going to create a chandelier; his forte is lighting. In Lisa’s interview, she says it’s going to be top-of-the-line. Dignitaries, royalty, and movie stars will be staying there, but most important, she and Ken will stay there. Sean tells them that the restaurant surpassed expectation. Pretty soon, they’ll have 4000 Vanderpump rooms.

Charli asks Raquel how she and James are doing, and Raquel says, well. James is doing well on the path of sobriety, and it turns her on. In her interview, she says she doesn’t want to say the sex is better, because it wasn’t bad, but it’s not sloppy drunk sex, and wondering if it’s going to work or not. Raquel asks Charli if things are cool with Brett, and Charli says, as a friend. She thought she’d have a guy friend who didn’t want to bang her, but Raquel says, if you have guy friend, he’s 100% going to want to bang you. It doesn’t work any other way.

In Vegas, everyone goes to Lisa’s restaurant. Katie says, it’s Schwartz’s last night of freedom. Their waitress could be Scheana’s double, and Jax says he thought it was Scheana. In Stassi’s interview, she says, it’s definitely a Black Mirror episode. She feels like the waitress is going to jump on the bar, and sing Sweet As Silver. It is an uncanny resemblance.

Kristen visits Scheana, and asks how the surgery went. Scheana says she doesn’t know. The first time, she had nine good eggs, but even if there’s only one, she’s never doing this again. In her interview, Scheana says they do the retrieval in under five minutes, but she has to wait to find out if any of them are viable. She tells Kristen that Katie texted, saying she wished Scheana was there, and Kristen says she doesn’t want to accidentally hit any of their stories. In Kristen’s interview, she says, it’s effing devastating. It was ride or die with her two best friends, but now they keep going through huge life moments without each other. She tells Scheana that her feelings are hurt, but she can’t take the fighting. Happy wedding. Good Lord, find some new friends already.

Schwartz tells Jax about the bra. In his interview, he says he’s definitely innocent. He has a clear conscience and nothing to hide. Lisa tells Katie that she put some of her underwear in Schwartz’s suitcase. He didn’t file the paperwork, and everyone always says he’s never held accountable for anything. Now he’ll be held accountable for something he didn’t do (a scathingly brilliant idea). In Katie’s interview, she says she wants to see Schwartz sweat and be uncomfortable. She’s going to see how long she can keep it going. Lisa tells the Scheana clone to keep away from Max. She laughs, and Lisa says, she even laughs like Scheana. Max says, she’s like a mini Scheana, and Lisa asks about Dayna. He says she and Brett made out, and Lisa asks if Brett is stepping on any toes. Max says, he’s frustrated, but it is what it is. In Max’s interview, he says he supported Brett and Dayna’s friendship, but told Brett that he had feelings for Dayna. Tom suddenly announces they’re going ziplining, and tries to get Lisa to go. She says she’s already had a couple of drinks.

We see Lisa being hooked up to the zipline. She says she hasn’t done this since her honeymoon. Everyone ziplines, and it looks like a lot of fun. Lisa says she survived.

Katie tells Schwartz the bra isn’t hers, and she doesn’t know if she can marry him now. He flops face down on the bed and moans. She says she’s just screwing with him. He says they have to figure out whose bra it is, and she asks whose bra he wishes it was. He says, Lisa’s, and she laughs. She says, Lisa put it in his suitcase yesterday. In Katie’s interview, she says Lisa is Schwartz’s hall pass. Go for it, and good luck. He tells her that he smelled it, and doesn’t want to give it back. In his interview, he says Katie had him for a second. It was the best prank. He tells Katie he wants to keep it, but not in a weird way. She says, there is no other way.

Danica visits Dayna, who’s going through some new clothes she bought online. In Dayna’s interview, she says, it’s hard to be a sexy girl in L.A. on a budget. She goes for cheap, slutty clothes, so it’s a win-win. Danica asks, what’s going on with Brett? and Dayna says they kissed during the cake fight. She doesn’t know what’s going on, but he makes her vagina tingle. The other issue is Max. Danica thinks he’s immature, but doesn’t think Brett is the person for Dayna either. She deserves better. In Danica’s interview, she says Dayna is a Leo and Brett is a Pisces, and they don’t mix. She slathers on some lip gloss, and says she’s dated two Pisces. She’s a Leo, and that’s why she has restraining orders against her. It’s not her fault; they were too sensitive. Dayna says she appreciates Danica’s concern, and Danica says she knows Dayna has good sense and judgment, and she wants her to use it.

Tom goes to Schwartz’s suite, dressed like a poor man’s Elvis. Schwartz asks for a quarter shot. He says, Lisa’s bra smells like opulence; diamonds, rosé, and tangerines. In his interview, Tom says, the theme is bizarro character Vegas. Schwartz is cowboy glam, marrying his glam rocker bride. Ariana is an enthusiastic middle-aged tourist, Lala is a glitter babe, Stassi is a nun, and he’s the king of extra. It’s the perfect Vegas wedding.

Lisa tells Stassi that the nun outfit suits her. Ariana comes in wearing her tourist garb, and Lisa says everyone who works for her is batsh*t crazy. Katie walks down the aisle, and Tom tells everyone, be seated. They’re gathered here once again. He shows that they have the proper documents, and everyone applauds. Stassi says, it’s a twice in a lifetime event, and feels it’s all Schwartz’s fault. Stassi says, now Schwartz gets his dream wedding of all of them getting sh*tfaced in Vegas. In Jax’s interview, he says there’s nothing more on brand for Schwartz and Katie, but his and Brittany’s wedding was better. Schwartz and Katie vow to be each other’s ride or die all their lives, and in the afterlife. They’re pronounced husband and wife, and Tom says, let’s sign this sh*t right now. Katie throws the bouquet, and Stassi catches it.

Dayna and Brett go on their double-date with Raquel and James. Brett asks, what’s going on? He saw James talking to Lala. James says, Lala has had a lot of patience with him. We flash back to them hugging it out, and James says he feels like they’re coming to a real place. Raquel says Lala has been where James is, making the decision not to drink, and has been encouraging. In his interview, James says he’s been sober for two weeks, and has had no fights with anyone. It’s been an amazing two weeks. Brett reminds Dayna that he licked her face at the party, and Dayna says Danica has been messing in her business since Max, and Brett says, she overdramatizes every situation. In Brett’s interview, he says Danica has been poisoning his garden, and he only wants non-GMO things growing in there. He mentions flirting with Lisa, and James says Lisa has been like his mom, and he’s never flirted with her. In his interview, Brett says, working at SUR, he’s seen beautiful women, but there’s nothing like when Lisa walks through the room. If she wasn’t married, he’d definitely slide into her DMs. Hard. I’ll bet she’d slide him right out. Hard. In Dayna’s interview, she says, Lisa is hot.

Back in Vegas, after the ceremony, everyone applauds when Schwartz and Katie come in. Jax says he’s going to keep his speech short. He’s happy they got married a second time, and speaks for Brittany as well when he says, welcome to married life. He thanks Schwartz for effing up, so they could go to Vegas. Lisa says Schwartz owes her big time. We find out Scheana’s twin’s name is Karrah, and Max says he slipped her his number. Stassi says he’s hooking up with Scheana’s doppelganger? They toast with shots, and Beau tells Lisa that he’s proposing soon to Stassi. He’s got the rings, and she has no idea. It’s epic. In his interview, Beau says most people are nervous about the girl’s father, but he has her group of friends to make him nervous, and he has to ask Lisa. He tells Lisa that he’s going to propose in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Lisa is happy, and knows Stassi loves him. She says she knew Ken was the one because she didn’t want to spend life without him. Puffy! She knows Beau feels that way about Stassi, and promises to keep it a secret. Stassi gazes at Beau.

The next morning, Beau tells Stassi, it’s hard be a normal human. She orders a Bloody Mary from room service, using a British accent, and Beau adds an English muffin. She tells Beau that she caught the bouquet, and don’t forget it. They pack.

Lisa tells Ken, there are some liquor distributor bills that need to be sorted out, and gets Max on a video call. She asks if he paid them, and he says he did. He tells her that the other guys left the place a mess, and she tells him not to leave the room looking like a brewery; it will reflect badly on her. She asks to see the room, and says, it looks terrible; clean it up. She tells him to show her the bed again, and sees a hand peeking out. She asks, what’s with that? and he says he brought a friend home. It’s Karrah, and Max says, she’s very tired. Karrah says, she’s not tired from him; she promises. Lisa says, he’s got to be effing kidding. In her interview, she says why is she not surprised? Max didn’t waste any time getting in trouble. She tells Karrah, get out of bed and clean the room. Max says they’ll talk later, and she says, don’t worry; they will. In Max’s interview, he says he hates Vegas. Lisa tells Ken, Max is already banging the staff, as if he hasn’t banged enough people already.

Katie asks Schwartz where the paper is, and he knows he has it, but can’t find it. In her interview, she says she married an imbecile, but it’s okay. He insists there’s no chance he lost it, and she says, it’s literally the whole reason they’re there, and he couldn’t hold on to it for an hour. She’s going to tell Lisa. In his interview, Schwartz says he didn’t lose what matters most… Lisa’s bra. Katie hopes it turns up, but Schwartz says, they’re still legally married. She asks if he’s sure about that.

Next time, Dayna flirts with Brett, James and Lala record some new music, and Beau wants to remain friends with Kristen, which makes Stassi mad.

If Loving You Is Wrong

Lushion sees Ian and Alex having sex through the window, and blocks Brad’s view, telling him she’s not there. Brad says he didn’t knock, but Lushion says he remembered Ian left. Brad asks if his car isn’t there, and Lushion says, he had somebody pick him up; let’s go. Brad says Alex left the kids home with a babysitter who has to go to school tomorrow. Lushion doesn’t know what came over her, and Brad thinks she’s lost her mind. He says he’ll be at the house, and if Alex calls, let him know. He tells Lushion, Marcie thinks something happened to Alex, and Lushion says, it’s a legit question. Brad thinks nothing happened, and Alex is just mad about the divorce papers. She knew the babysitter would call him. Lushion says, these things are difficult. Wait at the house until Alex gets home. He can call, and see if Alex picks up; the kids shouldn’t be home alone. Brad says, Marcie is there. He’s sorry he got Lushion out of bed, but Lushion says, no problem.

At home, Natalie wants to know what’s going on, and Lushion says she reminds him of Miss Ross. She asks, who’s that? and he says, she was an amazing woman. He thinks she liked her scotch, and she’d sit on the porch, saying, see you don’t come on the grass. Leave the cats alone. Natalie wonders what he’s talking about, and he asks why she’s always in somebody’s business. Why does she have to know everything? She says, it’s the middle of the night, there’s a knock at their door, and she’s not supposed to ask questions? He tells her, it was Brad, and she asks what Brad wanted. She knows this is Lushion’s way of trying to ignore her. She knows him, and he does this when there’s something she should know, and he doesn’t want her to. Like with the money in his account. What’s the situation with Brad? Or does she have to ask him herself? Lushion says, he was looking for Alex, and Natalie says, she’s not home? He says, if she was home, Brad wouldn’t be looking for her. She asks if he thinks something happened, but he says, no. She asks how he knows, and suggests calling Alex, but he says, it’s not necessary. She thinks they should ask Ian, but he says, it’s none of their business. She says, something could have happened, but he says Alex isn’t missing. She’s at Ian’s house. Natalie asks why she’d be there this late, and he says, they’re having sex. Natalie says, just tell her, without the condescending bullsh*t. He says he and Brad walked over to Ian’s, and he saw them through the window having sex. Natalie says, with each other? and I wonder who else she thought they’d be having sex with. She asks if Brad saw, but he says, no. She starts to leave, but he says, no; she’s not going over there. It’s none of their business. She wants to tell Alex to take her ass home, and he says he thought about that, or talking to Ian, but it’s not their business. He’s going to sleep. She says, okay, but Alex has lost her damn mind.

Eddie has a large Black cellmate, and Eddie says, keep looking at him. His cellmate says, don’t worry, he is. Eddie calls for the guard, and dude says, they come and go every fifteen minutes. Eddie says, oh, he can count to fifteen. He talks stupid, and Eddie is tired of hearing his mouth. Black people talk stupid. Dude comes up on him, and Eddie asks why he’s waiting, all gangster. Dude says, he’ll be patient, and Eddie says he’s going to sleep, and gets in the top bunk. Dude grabs him off of the bunk, and Eddie says he’s not scared of him. Dude punches him, and Eddie laughs. Dude calls Eddie a crazy MF’er, and Eddie says, it’s what he lives for. Dude keeps punching him, and a guard comes by. He asks what the hell dude is doing, and yanks him out of the cell. Kelly asks if dude hit Eddie for her. She hopes he beats Eddie’s ass. Eddie says, he’s alive and well, and she says, it’s a shame. He says, it’s the same thing she was saying about Travis, and she tells him, go to hell. He says he’s going to sleep. If she shut the hell up, it would be great. She starts to sing Amazing Grace, and Eddie says, He ain’t coming to save her. She says, when anything happens with God, it stirs the devil. Something bad is going to happen to him. He thanks her for the revelation, and she says it’s going to be the person he least expects. He calls her Harriet, and tells her to fire up the Underground Railroad, and get her ass to sleep. She says, mark her words, and he says, goodnight. She says she feels sorry for him, and he says her ass is going to burn in the electric chair.

Marcie looks on the laptop, and tells Brad, she can’t believe all these guys. He says don’t remind him. She says they need to chat. She thinks they both need to be tested. With Alex doing all that, how could he know? She’s never had anything. Brad says, neither has he, but she thinks they should be on the safe side. Brad agrees, and she says he should take Alex back to court. She’s getting half of his income, and she’s not even taking care of the kids. She’s taking advantage of him. He says this is making him angry, and she says, he’s about be more angry. He says, don’t tell him anything else, and she gets up. She says, the baby is crying. She’ll get him. They can’t let him cry. She goes upstairs.

Marcie holds the baby, and says she’s sorry he was born into this. He doesn’t deserve this. Here he is though. No matter what anyone says to him, remember he’s special. Brad comes in, and she hands him the baby, saying, sorry. She wipes her tears away, and says, he’s so innocent and helpless. Alex is like a factory, and has a good man in her life, but she’s whoring around. Brad tells her, try to calm down, and she says she hopes the bitch is trapped in a ditch, and dead. She’s ruined every life she touches, and her marriage. Brad says, she was unhappy, and he can’t blame her for everything. What they can do is try to get through this, and move on. She says she thought they had it figured out, but… She leans on him, and he puts his arm around her. She says, he’s a beautiful baby, and Brad agrees he is.

At the bar, Nurse Pat (I finally found out her name) tells Rick, the sun is coming up. Take her home, but don’t think he’s sleeping with her. He’s not coming near her. He says he’s not ready to go, and she says, they’re closing. She’s going to call an Uber, and he says, she’s just leaving him? She says, he’s too drunk to drive, and he says they live on the same street, but she says she’s not walking. He says, it’s three blocks, and she says she’s been on her feet all day. He says they were dancing, and she says that was more on her feet. He wants one for the road, but she says he doesn’t need anything else. He says he needs her, and she says he needs a flea bath. He says, now he’s a dog too? and she says, a ho is more like it. He asks if she’s not giving him any information, and she takes an envelope out of her purse. She hands it to him, saying it’s a typed letter; it’s all she knows. He opens it, and looks at it. He says, she signed it, and thanks her. He says she had this all the time? and she says she doesn’t like Kelly, but she feels sorry for her. It’s a sworn affidavit. He says, damn, and she made him do all this? She says she wanted to see how long he would go on. He thanks her again, and she asks if he’s ready to take her home. He says, no, but he’ll walk her to the Uber. She says he was just trying to sleep with her to get information, and he says he was going to take one for the team. She says he’s an ass, and he says, she’s sexy, and they leave.

Steven stops by Kelly’s cell, and she thanks him for calling Lushion. He asks how she’s holding up, and she says, okay, except for the ass next door. He says, sorry about that, and Eddie says, come on. He’s had his fun, putting that dude in there. He’s done with this game, and still pays Esperanza’s mortgage. He’ll stop by when he wants. He says, open the damn cell door, but Steven says, not yet. He still has to process the paperwork. Eddie tells him, do what he needs to, and get him out. Steven says, get comfortable, but Eddie says he’s not playing. When he gets out, it’s going to beat Steven’s ass. Kelly and I laugh, and Eddie calls her the wicked witch. Steven says, it looks like Eddie will be there a while.

Esperanza sees Steven at the copy machine. He says, it’s a great day, and she says she loves how incredibly optimistic he is. She’s thought about what he told her, and she’s going to see someone. She’s not using the insurance, since she doesn’t want anyone to think she’s crazy. He says, asking for help isn’t crazy, but do it her way. She says she’s also going to subpoena Eddie. She’s serving him now. Steven says, it’s about time. Stand her ground; he has her back. She says he’s really patient, and thanks him.

Larry is sleeping next to his partner in leather. His wife says, good morning. He knows the rules. He says he does, and apologizes. He tells leather guy to wake up and go home. He should have been gone. She says Larry knows their agreement, and he asks how her weekend was. She says, good, and he asks who she was with. She says, Allison, and he says, she’s fun. His wife says, she’s become too needy. They have to get her off the list; she’s more trouble than she’s worth. He tells her, if she says so. She asks if leather guy can get dressed slower, and Larry says, boss lady is here; go in the other room. He leaves, and she tells Larry, Allison told her something interesting. Something happened with the church, and he should talk to Ian. Something suspicious is going on, and he should look into it. He says he’ll check it out at the office. He says leather guy was pretty good, but not as good as her. Does she want to have some fun before he leaves? She says, it would be breaking another rule, and he says, her loss. She asks if leather guy needs to be paid, and Larry says, leather guy paid him. She says, maybe they should keep him around.

Rick is sleeping on the couch, and Pat tells him, get his ass up. Why is he at her place? Did they…? He says, yeah, and she says, damn. She looks around for a condom, and says if she doesn’t find a wrapper, she’ll shoot his ass. He says they didn’t use one, and tells her, he’s joking. They didn’t have sex. She tells him, quiet. She’s communicating with her vagina. He asks what it said, and she says, okay. Her vagina said they didn’t do anything. He’d better not tell anybody. Get his sh*t and go.

Natalie tells Lushion, he needs to pick the kids up; she has to go into work. He says he thinks it’s time she quit to be a stay-at-home mom. She says she’s been working all her life, and he says, maybe it’s time for her to stop. She says then she’d have to depend on him for everything. He asks if she doesn’t trust him, and she says, it’s not that. She doesn’t want to be waiting for him to bring home a check; it doesn’t feel right. He says, it needs to start feeling right. He thinks he wants another baby. She says they have three kids, plus another kid, Justice. Is he serious? He says he is, and she says she’ll think about it. He says, so that’s a no? but she says she didn’t say that. She needs to think about it. She promises she will, and says she loves him.

Rick is waiting outside for Lushion, who says he really needs to call first. Rick says he has to bring him this, and gives him the affidavit. He says, it’s from Pat, the nurse in the jail infirmary. Lushion looks at it, and says, good. She gave him up. With what Kelly has, it’s all going to come together. They’ve got him now, and have to make sure the DA gets him.

Eddie tells the guard to bring his rookie bald ass over there. Kelly hopes he rots in there. He says, screw her, and she calls him stupid. He says she killed a man in cold blood, and they have it on camera. He says she’s a fake-ass Christian, and she says he’s not getting under her skin. He says she’s a dumb bitch, and Steven appears, and says, leave her alone. Eddie says, let him out, but Steven says he’s been charged with driving under the influence. Wait until Eddie sees what he blew. Eddie laughs, and Steven says, not that. His blood alcohol level. And there were drugs in his system. Eddie says, Steven thinks he gives a damn? Steven says he doesn’t think the DEA is going to be happy to find out. Eddie says Steven set him up, and Steven says he set himself up. Eddie is sure this is Steven and Lushion’s grand plan; it’s gang up on Eddie day. Steven says, it’s going to be gang raped when Eddie goes to prison day, and Eddie says he’s got it all figured out. Steven tells Eddie, think what he wants, and Kelly asks if Lushion is in yet. Steven says Lushion is on his way, and Kelly asks him to have Lushion come and see her right away. Steven says he will, and leaves.

Larry sees Randal digging in the trash, and laughs. Randal asks if Larry thinks it’s funny, and Larry says, not at all. Randal says, that bastard knocked him off a ladder, and destroyed his house. Larry says, sorry. Is he okay? Randal says, he wants them, and Larry asks if he has proof. Randal says he knows in his gut, and Larry says he can’t take Randal’s gut to court. Randal says he has a hard drive, but his camera is busted. Larry says he can take it to a friend who can pull what’s on it. Randal thanks him, and Larry asks where the cameras are. Randal says, hidden, and Larry says he didn’t see them. Randal says, that’s the point, and Larry says, touché. He wonders if Randal has what they did to Eddie on video; he wouldn’t be opposed to seeing it again, but Randal says he doesn’t have cameras in the house. Larry says, a hard drive can even show things Randal thinks he erased, and Randal says, maybe he shouldn’t give it to Larry. Larry asks what he’s hiding, and Randal says, nothing. Larry says, he can’t sue without evidence, and Randal tells him, go to hell. He’ll give some kid the hard drive. Larry says Randal needs all the control, and starts to walk away. Randal says, when he gets the evidence, he wants Larry to sue them, and Larry says, Randal’s wish is his command.

Eddie sings Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen, and I nearly die laughing. Esperanza goes to Kelly’s cell, and asks how she is. Kelly says, girl, and Esperanza says she knows. Kelly asks if Esperanza has seen her son, and Esperanza says she hasn’t. Kelly asks if she can go see him, and Esperanza says she will. Kelly asks if Esperanza knows who’s next door, and Esperanza says that’s why she’s there; to serve him. Kelly says, it’s going be fun, but Esperanza says, no; it’s not, but she’s finally ready. Kelly says, when she gets out, she’s going to fight like hell to take control of her life. It’s going to be a new day. Travis did this to a lot of other women, and she’s getting out. She got weak, and wondered what the hell was wrong with her, feeling sorry for herself. She didn’t do anything wrong. Travis came after her, and taunted her. All she did was defend herself. Esperanza suggests she stop talking about it in there. There’s about to be hell. She moves on to Eddie’s cell, and he says speak of the trouble he’s seen, here’s the bitch at his cell door. How did she know he was there? She says, the whole station knows. She didn’t come to talk. He asks why she’s there, and she hands him the subpoena. She says she sent a registered copy to his boss, and filed it at the courthouse. Eddie says she and Steven did this; they set him up. She says, how? and he says they got him a DUI. She says, really? Did they make him drink or do drugs? He did this sh*t all by himself. It’s done. He says, it isn’t done, and she says, this conversation is done. He says, no; she’s done. He’s going to kill this bitch. He doesn’t care how many cameras are filming him. If she takes his little girl, the only thing he loves, he’s going to kill her. She says she thinks his performance is on tape, but he says he doesn’t care. Her blood is going to be on the street. She walks away, and she and Kelly grab hands as she walks past. Eddie says Kelly’s ass is going to the electric chair, and she says, after him. He says he’s got a DUI; she’s a murderer, and they’re going to fry her ass. He tries to reach into her cell, but can’t. He says he’s only there for three days; her ass is going to be in the electric chair. He tosses the subpoena out of the cell, and yells for someone to open the damn door.

Esperanza says, Steven was listening. He says maybe he overheard. She asks if he heard Eddie say he’s going to kill her, but he tells her not to worry. She asks how long they can keep him, and he says, not long enough, but it’s okay. She’ll be fine. They can go out later, and have some fun on the range. He’ll turn her into a sharpshooter.

Ian wakes up on the kitchen island next to Alex. He tells her to wake up. She sits up, and says, what the hell? Where is she? He says, in his house, and she looks around. She asks, what the hell is going on? and he says she overslept. She asks how she got there, and what is she doing there? He says, she doesn’t remember? She came over last night. She says, no; what’s going on? She didn’t want that. Ian says, she came over, and she was drinking a lot. She says, did he just… He says, hold on, and she says he drugged and raped her. He says, no; he didn’t.

Next time, Alex tells Brad she never wanted this, Larry says they have to talk to the DA about Travis, Ian asks what Alex last remembers, Eddie grabs the Bible from Kelly, and Ian tells Randal to watch himself.

💸 A Reprieve…

At least this year, I don’t have that stomach clutch that comes just before April 15th. Even though there are a whole group of new clutches to replace it. Stay safe, and be cool, honey bunny.

April 13, 2020 – Maxie Visits Obrecht, Parker Is a Big Baby & Small

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Nina looks at the necklace. Jax comes in bearing flowers, and she asks what the occasion is. He says, nothing; he just wanted to see her smile. It’s going to cost her though. She asks what his price is, and he says dinner with him at the MetroCourt. She says she’s swamped. She’s behind, but wonders if she can have a raincheck. He says, Nelle didn’t come back? and she says, no. He says she could fire Nelle, and Nina says, she may have quit. He says, even better. They have more reason to celebrate. They kiss, and he asks what she says about dinner, but she tells him that she hasn’t made up her mind.

Laura sits next to Valentin at the MetroCourt bar. He says he was expecting her daughter, but Laura says, she’s not coming. He’s going to have to deal with her.

Brook meets Dustin at Kelly’s, and says she’s glad he decided to change his mind about writing a song with her. He says the opportunity was too good, and she says they’re too good of a team. Is he ready to capture the magic like old times? Lulu joins them, and says Brook’s collaboration with Dusty will not be like old times.

Anna thanks Peter and Maxie for coming. She’s in charge of the teabags, but Finn has taken on most of the work. Maxie says Violet is going to be over the moon, and asks where she is. Anna says, she’s resting, and Maxie says she’ll need it. James’s party was half the size, and she and Obrecht spent three hours putting together the goodie bags. Maxie looks sad, and the NJ governor interrupts. They list another station to watch GH on, and I move like lightning with the remote. I miss a couple of seconds.

At the jail, Robert tells Obrecht that he has a demanding job, and isn’t at her beck and call. She says she didn’t commit the crimes she’s accused of, and she’s moldering in a cell despite her innocence. He says she’s getting out tomorrow. She asks if Maxie is now aware that it was Peter, but he says she’s on her way to the Hague to stand trial.

Maxie wonders what to say to James, and Anna asks, when was the last time she saw Obrecht? Maxie says she hasn’t seen Obrecht since she was arrested. She doesn’t know what to say. Do they remember how Obrecht told them she’d changed? We flash back to Obrecht telling Peter that there was a time she would have used his past to her advantage, but she’s not that person anymore. Peter tells Maxie, Obrecht claimed to be a new woman, and Maxie says, she was a liar. Peter says she fooled all of them, but Maxie says she’s the one who gave Obrecht so many chances. Peter says, with Obrecht out of their lives, they can move on, but Anna thinks Maxie should see Obrecht. Maxie asks what good that would do, and Anna says it would give Maxie closure. She can’t keep all the anger caught up inside of her. She has to let Obrecht know how she feels, and say her piece. Maxie thinks Anna is right. Maybe Obrecht will finally admit the terrible things she’s done. She tells Peter, she’s trusting him to cover for her with the goodie bag assembly.

Obrecht asks how Robert could allow this to happen. She didn’t kidnap Jason and Drew and hold them in her clinic. Does he thinks she’s an imbecile? Drew is a Navy SEAL, and Jason might as well be. They could have destroyed her clinic. And the memory transfer is junk science. She’d never involve herself in such a thing. He says it does his heart good to know she has scruples, and she says she didn’t try to kill Andre or her good friend Franco. He says, Peter might have framed her, but she’s far from innocent. She says, so he’s going to let this injustice stand because of her past? He says she was Faison’s henchwoman for years, and she says, she suffered accordingly. Nathan was murdered. She asks him, please don’t take her from Britt, Maxie, and James, but he says, it’s not up him. She can’t believe he’d allow Maxie to believe Peter is a good man, but he says to prove it, he needs evidence. She says he’s Robert Scorpio, former superhero of the WSB, and well-respected DA of Port Charles. All he has to do is proclaim his belief in her, and the WSB will listen. He says, she might be right, but he’s not doing it.

Jax says he gets that Nina is helping Nelle build a case for custody, but if she didn’t quit, let her go. Let her be a misery in someone else’s life. Nina says, Nelle is fighting for her child, and Jax says, the child she gave away to hurt Michael. She’s a sociopath out for revenge. She asks if he doesn’t think Nelle could love her child, and he says, no.

Laura says she knows Valentin texted Lulu, and demanded she show up there. Valentin says he didn’t demand it. He just wants to discuss Charlotte in person; it’s obviously too much to ask, so Lulu sent Laura. Laura says Lulu didn’t send her. She doesn’t know Laura is there. Laura saw the message, and deleted it. Valentin asks, why? and she says she doesn’t want him talking to her daughter and upsetting her. He says, what upsets Lulu is that he has the same claim to their daughter as she does, and it was upheld by the family court. Lulu’s latest filing is a waste of time and effort. Charlotte is in the middle, and he doesn’t see why she should suffer just because he and Lulu don’t get along. Laura says, that’s putting it mildly. If they were put in a room together, it would be WWIII. He says that’s not his fault; it’s Lulu. He doesn’t think he’s given her any reason to mistrust him. She says, recently, he tried to kill Ava by throwing her from a parapet. He says, she’s taking the word of a drunken, foolish woman who’s now in a loveless marriage with her son, in order to gain his fortune. She says he has an answer for everything. What’s his answer about lying to Nina? He can’t tell her with a straight face that he didn’t con Sasha into being her daughter. He says, Nina isn’t pressing charges against Sasha, and she says, that doesn’t make him innocent. Both Nina and Ava are going to testify in Lulu’s custody suit. Does he think their testimonies are going to work in his favor? He says, mistakes were made by both of them, and Laura knows Lulu made her own.

Brook asks if Lulu doesn’t trust Dustin, but Lulu says, it’s Brook she doesn’t trust. Brook asks if she’s stalking Dustin now, and Lulu says, not that it’s any of Brook’s business, but she was picking up pastries for Charlotte and Rocco. Brook asks how Rocco is. It’s been a year since Dante has been gone. He must be having a tough time. Lulu says, Rocco’s fine, and tells Dustin she’ll call tomorrow about dinner. Dustin tells Lulu, if she needs to talk, she can call him, and Brook wonders if Dustin can talk to Rocco; he must miss his dad. Lulu says, and that’s her fault since she drove him off. Brook says, if Lulu jumped down Dante’s throat like she does with her, it’s no wonder Dante left. Lulu says, that’s it; you and me, outside.

Dustin tells Lulu and Brook to take a breath and get in their corners. Brook says, Lulu is always the victim, and Lulu says Brook is right. She’s way too sensitive about the slut that seduced her boyfriend. Brook says, Dante was faithful – God knows why – and Lulu got what she wanted; she married him. Brook was nowhere around when they divorced. It was because Dante had PTSD, and Lulu couldn’t be bothered. Lulu raises her hand to hit Brooke, but Dante grabs her, and says, stop.

Valentin tells Laura, he wants Lulu to drop the suit, and abide by their custody agreement. He wants to have a civil conversation about their daughter. Laura asks where this newfound spirit of cooperation came from. He might be Charlotte’s father, but he’s also Helena’s son.

Nina tells Jax, Nelle doesn’t lack emotion, and he says, she’s right. Nelle has the emotion to pursue revenge, jealousy, and manipulation. Nina says, when you grow up without love, you focus on self-preservation; you break the rules, lie and cheat, not because you’re necessarily bad, but there’s an emptiness inside you can’t fill. He asks why he gets the feeling they’re not talking about Nelle anymore. Nina remembers Valentin apologizing to her, and saying when she gets into her grey area, he hopes Jax doesn’t judge or reject her. She says maybe she’s more like Nelle than he wants to admit.

Peter tells Anna, his life has changed so much. She says, he’s changed. She really admires how hard he’s worked to reject his father’s legacy. Seeing him with Maxie and James is all she’s ever wanted. He says his life is better than he could imagine. It makes him nervous. She says, that makes sense. Going from a double-agent to where she is now wasn’t easy. She’s worked for everything good in her life, and he’s doing the same. He says he has, and will do everything in his power to keep what he has.

Obrecht says Robert is as bad as Peter, and he says, Peter did a wonderful job in framing her. She says Peter was part of the memory transfer, and kept Jason in prison for five years. He was afraid Franco could remember something incriminating, and sent an assassin after him. She was thousands of miles away. Peter is scrambling to cover his tracks, and Anna is helping him. No one dares contradict her. Robert says Peter thinks he’s going to get away with it, and will let his guard down. She says, and if Robert pursues an investigation, Peter will hide the evidence even more. He says, exactly, and she says, and if he keeps silent, Peter will work his way deeper into Maxie and Britt’s hearts. He asks if they’ve visited her since her arrest, and she says, Britt did once. Maxie has remained silent; not even a phone call. He says, too bad, and she says he can’t allow her to be taken to the Hague. She must speak to Maxie, and convince her of the truth. Maxie walks in, and says, what truth is that? Obrecht says she did not do the terrible things she’s accused of, and Maxie says she didn’t come to listen to Obrecht’s excuses. She came to say goodbye.

Peter thanks Anna, and she asks, what for? He says for welcoming him into her life, and claiming him as her son. She says he doesn’t have to thank her, and he says, it’s hard to get used to the idea that the word family is a good thing, and not an excuse to manipulate and control him. He laughs, and says, he has sisters. Anna says, that’s manipulation and control. Did he think he’d be working so hard? He says he wouldn’t change anything. He loves getting to know Violet, and Britt, and Robin. She asks if he enjoys having Britt back, and he says he’s sorry she had to leave so soon. She got a better offer in Boston. Anna is sure Peter is going to miss her, and Peter says he gets the impression Anna isn’t a big fan. Is she happy to see Britt go?

Robert says, the WSB is coming to escort Obrecht to the Hague, and Obrecht says, Maxie must believe her. She was framed. Maxie says, this wasn’t a good idea; she can’t do this. She’s sorry. Obrecht asks how James is, and Maxie says James is wondering where she is. She can’t believe she let Obrecht into her son’s life. How stupid she was to believe Obrecht had changed. Obrecht says, she has; she swears. If Maxie would only listen. Please, tell Britt. Maxie says, Obrecht doesn’t know? Britt already left Port Charles. She got a job in Boston. Obrecht says Britt left without telling her, and Maxie says Obrecht doesn’t have to lose her entire family. Obrecht says, tell her what she must do, and Maxie says, plead guilty.

Dustin tells Lulu and Brook, remember the MetroCourt, and the damage they caused? He tells Brook, remember how embarrassed she was when it was posted on social media? And Lulu apologized; he thought she meant it. Lulu says she’s sorry she dragged him in, and she’s sorry she snapped at Brook. Brook says she’s sorry about mentioning Dante, and Lulu says she’s forgiven. She’ll see Dustin tomorrow. She’s looking forward to it. He says he is too, and she leaves. He asks Brook if is this is the new normal with her and Lulu, and Brook says, ask Lulu; she started it. Dustin says Brook did. She provokes Lulu every chance she gets. Brook says she’s not one of his students. They’re writing together because they’re a great team. Lulu told him that she’s the bad girl and picking on her. Why must Lulu be a perpetual victim? He asks why Brook has to be a bully.

Valentin tells Laura, at the end of the day, that’s what matters? Helena was his mother? She says, Helena was evil, not crazy, and he says, he takes the lack of inherited insanity as a plus. He’s no longer competing with Nikolas for the estate. Nikolas is alive and well, and the money is his. Lulu still hates him, and Charlotte is stuck in the middle. Laura hates him. Laura says, yep, and he says, but she’s willing to do what’s right for Charlotte because she loves her. Laura says she’s starting to think Lulu is right. It might be best for Charlotte to be done with him for good.

Jax says Nina is nothing like Nelle, and she says, let her tell him the story of a young girl, who was sad and lonely, and manipulated by a controlling parent. Jax says, Nelle never truly grieved the child she lost. She wasn’t in a coma and robbed of years of her life. Nina says she lied about being paralyzed. Desperation makes you do terrible things. Him saying Nelle doesn’t deserve to be a mother because of her past, is saying the same about her. Jax says Nina doesn’t even compare to Nelle, but she says he doesn’t know. He wasn’t there when she induced Ava’s labor, and kidnapped Avery. She’s more like Nelle than he thinks. He should consider that before they get any more serious, if they get any more serious.

Anna tells Peter, she definitely has issues with Britt, but feels there’s been an improvement. Britt saw Obrecht for who she really is. She says he seems to have enjoyed getting to know his sister better; are they staying in touch? He says, definitely. They’ve had some interesting chats about dear old dad. She says, productive she hopes, and he says Britt helped him get things in his head straight about Faison. Anna says Peter can talk to her about it if he wants, and he thanks her, but after everything that monster put her through, he’s not going to ask her to relive it. It’s enough she’s accepted him, despite his being Faison’s son. She says, he’s so much more than his father. He proves that every day, and she couldn’t be prouder.

Maxie tells Obrecht, just admit it, and she can tell James that Obrecht took responsibility. She looks at Robert, and says, she bets Obrecht will get a lighter sentence, right? He says he doesn’t know; the Hague has a reputation of being tough. Maxie says, but if what if Obrecht has remorse? She doesn’t want Obrecht to suffer. She knows Nathan wouldn’t want that. Obrecht swears on Nathan’s memory, she’s innocent. She’s done terrible things, but she stopped. Faison no longer has power over her. James holds all the power over her now, and she’d never hurt him. She wouldn’t do anything that would take her away from him. She starts to cry, and says, please don’t deny her place in the family.

Brook is sure Dustin has heard Lulu’s version of what happened between her and Dante. Would he like the truth? He says he’d like her perspective, and she says, her folks cut her off. She owed money, and Carly offered her some to get Dante away from Lulu. They’d gotten Michael sent to prison. It’s complicated, but Michael accidentally killed his stepmother when she tried to kidnap Josslyn. Carly and Sonny covered it up, and Dante and Lulu took it upon themselves to take Michael to court. Dante was a police officer, so he had an excuse, but Lulu got on her pillar of self-righteousness, and Michael was sent to prison as a teenager. Of course (🍷) Carly was pissed off, and she wanted them to suffer. She hired Brook to seduce Dante. It didn’t work, but Brook thinks what Lulu is really pissed at is remembering how much Michael suffered because of her. Dustin says, maybe Lulu could let it go if Brook apologized, but Brook says, been there, done that, got nowhere. He says he meant a real apology; not a sorry not sorry. Brook says she is real, not fake. Name one time she was fake. He says, the time she broke up with him.

Jax asks if Nina thinks he’s just playing. He understands they’re both adults, and protecting themselves. Nina says she wants to be honest about who she is, and what she’s done. He says her mistake were caused by mental illness. She got help, and turned her life around. She asks if he doesn’t think Nelle can, but he says, it’s too late. She asks if he doesn’t think Nelle is capable redemption, but he says she only intends to use Wiley against Carly and Michael. Nina would never use a child that way. Nina says, it’s the lowest thing anyone can do. He asks, what caused this crisis of confidence? and she says sometimes she thinks he sees what he wants to, and not who she really is.

Laura says, it’s her job as a mother to protect Lulu, and Valentin says, it’s his job as a father to love and protect Charlotte. Laura believes he loves Charlotte, but doesn’t believe he’s good for her. He says, Charlotte loves him, and Laura knows she’s been acting out. The trial is coming up, and Charlotte is afraid she’s going to be taken away from him. Laura says, Charlotte is a little girl. She doesn’t understand why her life has been turned upside down, and it’s because of him. He says, it’s because him Charlotte exists. He made it possible for Charlotte to come into the world, and ever since then, there’s been nothing more important to him than her happiness. He knows she needs mother, and he’s willing to co-exist. Lulu is the one with the problem. He’s asking, in the spirit of all things good, if Laura will broker a truce, or at least think about it.

Jax tells Nina, he sees a strong, vibrant, beautiful, intelligent woman, who goes after what she believes in. A woman who sees the good in people, even if they’re bad. Nina says, be careful of putting her on a pedestal; she has a habit of falling off. He takes her hand, and says she has love for a little girl whose world was turned upside down. There’s nothing more important than the love and respect of a child. Nina says she’s tired of crying, and he says, then stop. He suggests dinner and dancing. She hesitates, but says he is a good dancer. He says she is too, and puts some music on his phone. She says, here? and he says, may I have this dance?

Valentin tells Laura he knows she’ll decide what’s best for Charlotte. Lulu appears, and tells Valentin, leave her mother alone. He says Laura came to see him, and Lulu asks, why? Laura says, there was something they needed to discuss. Lulu says she came in for a drink; now she wants a double. Laura asks Valentin for some privacy, and he tells her, think about their conversation. He leaves, and Lulu asks what he was talking about. Laura says, her first. Why does she need a drink? Lulu says she’s just having a rough day, but Laura says she can do better than that. Lulu says she wanted to make a special breakfast for Rocco. He wanted French toast, but he’s getting pastries from Kelly’s. Laura says, it’s not a bad second choice, but Lulu says, that’s not the point. She wants to make her son French toast. Dante put in the secret ingredient that he said made it super-duper special, and never shared his secret. She can never make it the way Dante did. Laura takes Lulu’s hand, and says she’s sorry. Lulu says she knows Rocco is missing his father, but he’s not talking with her. Has he been talking to Laura? Laura says she told him that his father isn’t feeling well, so he went to a special place to get better. Lulu wonders if Dante will ever get better, and Laura hugs her.

Brook asks if Dustin wants to go there, and he says it’s an example of how she acts like nothing touches her. She asks if she was supposed to be heartbroken to lose him, and he says she should have wanted be with him in the first place. He gets that she doesn’t want to be perceived as being a victim, but how’s that working out? He tells her to play nice. She starts a fight if her back is against the wall, but if the wall wasn’t so high, she woudn’t have to fight so hard.

Maxie wishes she could believe Obrecht; she wants to believe her. Obrecht tells her, trust her heart, but Maxie says Obrecht is too damaged. Maybe Nathan came into her life too late, and losing him crushed her. She doesn’t know, but she has to protect James. Obrecht says, protect James from Peter. He’s just like his father; he’s treacherous. Maxie tells her, says the women who tried to burn him alive. Unbelievable. Obrecht begs her, but Maxie says, no. It’s time she said goodbye. She leaves, and Obrecht sinks to floor, sobbing.

Peter asks how many guests Anna is having. He thinks he’s already made hundreds of bags. She says she thinks she invited thirty. He says, wow, and she says, thirty children. There are going to be adults too. She pauses a moment, and says, Robert is going to be coming.

Jax and Nina dance, and start to kiss.

Lulu tells Laura, it’s hard to believe Dante has been gone a year. Laura says Lulu has done an amazing job rebuilding her life with the kids. Lulu says, she’s trying. She knows Rocco misses Dante. He’s stopped asking for him, and isn’t talking about him much anymore. She knows Rocco needs his dad. Laura hugs her again. Valentin watches, and catches Laura’s eye. He makes a really odd face that I can’t even decipher.

Brook tells Dustin, she knows she comes off over-the-top. People tell her that she’s a lot like her granny. He asks if that’s a bad thing, and she tells him, her granny says what’s on her mind, and doesn’t listen to what people say about her. She guesses she is a lot like her. He says she’s a songwriter, and doesn’t always have to put up a wall. Creativity comes from honesty; let them know the real her. She says, they will, through her songs. Dustin asks if her dad gave her the money to get out of her contract, and she says, in a way. Is he ready to write songs, or what? He says, he’s ready when she is, and they take out their notebooks.

Anna tells Peter, she’ll make sure Robert is as civil as possible, but he says he can handle Robert. Although he wishes there was something more than animosity toward him to keep Robert busy. There’s a knock at the door, and Anna opens it to Maxie, who runs to Peter. He asks what Obrecht said to her, and she asks how she’s going to tell James that he’s losing his oma. Anna says, tell James he has a whole family who loves him, starting with her and Peter.

Robert tells Obrecht that he’ll keep an eye on Peter, and look after James and Maxie. He promises. Obrecht says she’ll hold him to that. At least until she returns to look after them herself. He asks if she thinks she’ll beat the charges, and she says, no prison can keep her from justice. Peter will suffer for his crimes, and she’ll get her family back.

Next time, Chase tells Sasha that Willow is the love of his life, Lulu tells Maxie not to get involved with Valentin, Anna tells Robert to let the whole thing be over, and Peter tells someone that Robert is still a problem.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht

Gaios, Paxos. Adam tells Jenna, stop laughing; it’s not funny. In his interview, he says he finds it repulsive that Jenna and Georgia are talking about having dated the same guy. He has drama, and he hates drama. In Jenna’s interview, she says she’s no stranger to anger issues. Her dad had a temper. She felt bad for him, since she’d caused him a lot of pain. Anger feels normal. Jenna tells Georgia that she didn’t necessarily have sex with Georgia’s ex, and Georgia says, Adam is making it a thing. In Georgia’s interview, she says her boss wants her to lie, and she doesn’t have a professional responsibility here, but she feels backed in a corner. I’ll just grab a shovel, and let me dig you out. Georgia tells Adam that she and Jenna were just joking. It’s not like her ex banged Jenna. Adam says he doesn’t like hearing they dated the same person. It’s gross. We flash back to when he and Wes both wanted to date Malia on Below Deck OG, and in his interview, he says he can’t have that again. Food is for sharing, not his significant other. Georgia says, sorry. She was being tactless. I say, get out the pacifier and sippy cup.

Jenna tells primary Chuck that dinner will be at 8:30. Parker struggles with his knowledge of the sails, and in Captain Glenn’s interview, he says, at the beginning of the season, Parker wasn’t green on boats, but he was with super yachts. He hasn’t learned any more, and that’s not good. Anchor is dropped, and the guests dress for dinner. There are little fairy lights in the table centerpiece, making it look magical. The food comes out, and Chuck says, it’s been an absolute blast. He thinks it will strengthen their friendships. Jenna tells Adam that she was just joking around. He says he can’t describe how it makes him feel. He wants to throw up. It’s not relevant. I’m confused. If it’s not relevant, why is he reacting so strongly? In Jenna’s interview, she says Adam can spiral out of control. She knows she’s entering into territory that’s not positive, but she still wants to. Adam says he can’t swallow things that easy, and I swallow a bunch of jokes. Jenna thinks maybe she’s not ready to change her pattern.

Dessert is vegan pistachio gelato, and it looks incredible. Adam pouts, the guests go to bed, and Madison cleans up. Adam complains to Parker that the sh*t streaks in the toilet are pissing him off. He mumbles that Parker needs to go. Breakfast is served, and Adam apologizes to Jenna, hugging her. She says, it means a lot. In Adam’s interview, he says it was in the heat of the moment, and it’s inherent to be jealous. He’s developed feelings for Jenna, and wants to let it be water under the bridge. Jenna tells guest Johnny that they’ll be doing water sports and a beach barbecue today. Paget and Parker go to check out the beach. It’s a gorgeous cove, and Paget tells Parker to rake the rocks, and make the guest area flat. Parker gets all stupid and annoyed that he has to work, and in Paget’s interview, he says it’s a prime example of what they’re struggling with. We flash back to Parker’s many moments of infantile behavior. Parker asks if he should make it flat now, or wait to see where Jenna is going to put the table. Paget tells him, either way, it needs to be done, and Parker says, okay, he’ll do a workout for nothing. In his interview, Paget says, Parker is like a five-year-old kid. He’s happy, but then he gets annoying. Jenna arrives, and asks what Parker is doing. He tells her, ask Paget, and Paget tells her, he said to rake the rocks. Parker whines that the rocks are a foot deep, and Jenna suggests they take a breather. In Jenna’s interview, she says, this demonstrates what is happening with Parker. Parker kicks the rocks around like the baby he is.

Jenna tells Parker, it’s not polite to talk like that on charter, but he says he doesn’t have to take their sh*t. Paget says he’s confrontational, hyper, and doesn’t take direction well. Parker says Jenna talked about his mother still breastfeeding him. In Parker’s interview, he says he’s been a good sport about taking her jokes, and that’s what he’s mad about. He’s mad about her being disrespectful, and needs to check herself. He suggests they could have a meeting with Captain Glenn if she wants, and Jenna wonders what’s wrong with him. Guest Barbora says she’s afraid of fish. This has no relevance to the plot, but they threw it in there, and it is kind of funny. It’s not like sharks are circling the boat. Georgia tells Madison about how she and Jenna were joking, and Adam didn’t take it well. She’s trying her best to be diplomatic, but she’s starting to think the cons are outweighing the pros. In Madison’s interview, she says there’s so much drama going on, she might look like a six week old banana after this. I’m not sure what that means. She says she’s not trying get fired, so she’s going to swallow her pride. Parker says, when they go back, he’s not saying a word, and Adam says, that’s wise. In Adam’s interview, he says, Parker is an okay guy, but he gets frustrated. Madison sends the guests off in the tender, and at the beach, Adam welcomes them to their private island.

Paget tells Captain Glenn that when they were on the beach, Parker was talking rudely to him and Jenna. He’s trying hard to keep it from going in the wrong direction, and getting in a fight. Parker walks by as Paget is talking to the captain, and in his interview, Paget says, on a small boat, there’s no space to hide. He doesn’t know what to do about Parker’s meltdowns if he can’t go to Captain Glenn without Parker walking though. Parker and Madison blow up balloons with the Playboy logo on them for the white party. On the beach, Maisa wants to take naked photos on the rocks, and Adam tells Parker, it’s time to go. Maisa covers her lady parts with two small shells and a starfish. In Jenna’s interview, she says she’s taking notes. She might like to balance seashells on her nipples some time.

The guests get in the tender to return, and Janna radios for Madison to have a vodka pineapple ready for Chuck when they get back. She does, and tells Jenna, the cabins are done, she pulled out what she could for the white party, and blew up balloons. In her interview, Jenna says, Madison knows how important this charter is for her, and it looks like she’s stepping up her game. Jenna asks Captain Glenn if it’s okay for them to take a quick swim when they pick up the beach supplies. Madison will still be there to see to the guests. In the captain’s interview, he says he has no problem with it, as long as the guests are attended to. One stew can handle a couple of drinks. Jenna tells Georgia to grab her bathing suit, and in Georgia’s interview, she says she might be okay with the corruption. She, Jenna, and Ciara go over to the beach, and load the boat before they get in the water. Paget is surprised that Jenna didn’t want to take the guys, but Parker says, it’s fine with him. The girls swim, Madison tends bar, and Parker spies. He tells Paget that the girls are swimming, and Paget says, yeah; they were going for a quick swim. In Parker’s interview, he wonders how Jenna could enjoy a luxury swim, when she knowingly left a team member on board. That’s effed up. This guy is a real baby drama queen.

Madison says she appreciates Parker having her back, but she wouldn’t expect Jenna to bring her along. She feels left out, but she’s been through worse. She’s not going to let it affect her. Parker whines to Paget that Madison is there working her ass off. The guests take more glamour shots on the boat. When Jenna and the others get back, Paget complains to Ciara that she went swimming, and she tells him, eff off. In her interview, she says she doesn’t feel guilty. Captain Glenn said it was okay, and she didn’t do anything wrong. Jenna tells the captain that Parker was talking inappropriately to her and Paget. In Captain Glenn’s interview, he says, the guests should never see an issue with the crew, and Parker’s been getting into conflicts in front of them. Jenna says Parker was throwing rocks, and when she asked him what he was doing, she told him, ask Paget. Just answer the question. Parker lurks, trying to listen to what she’s saying. He asks the captain if everything is good, and Captain Glenn says they’ll talk in a bit. He wants to get going first. Paget tells Ciara, going swimming was totally unprofessional, and she says she’s tired of his bitching. He says she doesn’t make it any easier with her responses. A couple of the guests go past, and I don’t think it’s possible for them not to have heard. Captain Glenn tells Parker to pick up the anchor. He does, and says, anchor’s away, but Byron corrects him, saying, anchor’s home.

Jenna asks the captain, since there’s no wind, and it’s going to be a calm night, the guests could potentially eat on the outside deck. The captain thinks it’s a great idea, and Paget tells Parker to set up the table. Parker grumbles, and Paget tells Captain Glenn, he doesn’t like Parker’s attitude in front of the guests. The captain says he’ll have a word with Parker after the charter. In Parker’s interview, he says, when he’s told what do, he does it with 100% effort. His superiors should take him for what he’s worth. He believes in them, but they don’t believe in him. He gripes about Jenna making jokes, and Byron suggests Parker rein back his energy. He says he’s trying, but Byron doesn’t think so. Paget tell Parker to do what he’s told, and Parker asks if Paget thinks what Jenna said is funny. Paget says he doesn’t know what she said, and Parker tells him that Jenna suggested he’s still breastfed by his mother. Paget says, it’s a little funny, and Parker says, eff you then. Paget says, pardon? Parker can’t speak to him like that. In Paget’s interview, he says he’s livid. It’s unprofessional, during a busy charter. He has no time for tantrums. Parker says he’s sorry, but he didn’t appreciate that. Paget tells Captain Glenn, Parker was shoveling rocks like a crazy man. He’s tried to be sensitive to Parker’s nature, but he’s struggling, and it’s bringing the team down. The captain understands, and says they’re not continuing to make that point clear. I could see Parker’s offense at Jenna’s joking if he hadn’t gone along with it. He even got in on her Instagram post by pretending to nurse and saying, mama. He needs to pick a lane here.

The white party begins, and Instagram videos are taken. The women do look beautiful in white, which is not my color. Or rather, I can’t be trusted wearing it. I’ve closed a white dress in a car door on the first wear, and had meat leak through a grocery bag onto white jeans. I gave up after that. Jenna says Madison seems on an even keel. In Madison’s interview, she says, a compliment, and gives herself applause. Chuck says, it’s been a fabulous trip, and Johnny asks if he’s going to propose after they eat. Not too much pressure. Captain Glenn tells Parker, it wasn’t a good day, but it’s not just today. It’s not going well. Parker apologizes for losing his temper, and the captain wonders if the only way to fix the problem is to take Parker out of the equation. Parker says he’d like to stay and turn things around. Captain Glenn asks what he could have done differently, and Parker says, keep his mouth shut and do his job. The captain says he has to start now if he wants to stay beyond tomorrow. It’s completely up to him. Parker calls Kaiti, and says he was a sassy Sally, and a grouchy pants; he’s been rude to people. He has a hard time with the connection, and keeps asking, can she hear him now? He wanders around for a while, trying to talk to her, and then starts getting pissed off after losing the connection several times.

Dinner is served, and Parker glares at Paget. He tells Georgia that he was a Grinch, and she says they all go through it. Kaiti texts Parker, sweet dreams, swamp monster. I wonder if she’s as much of a baby as he is, or does she want to be mommy to a big child? Jenna checks the cabins. Chuck asks, what’s the plan for the rest of the evening? and Maisa says, to get drunker. Jenna tells Madison, good job; everything looks awesome, and they high-five. Chuck dances around in a captain’s hat, and Maisa pops a balloon on a lit candle. In the crew mess, Adam says, someone just blew a t*tty. Everyone goes to bed, and Madison cleans up. At 4 am, Parker is supposed to relieve Ciara on anchor watch, but he’s still sleeping. Ciara texts, asking where he is. He texts back, sorry. I overslept. He toddles upstairs, and tells Ciara that he feels bad. Ciara goes to her cabin, and tells Paget, Parker was twenty minutes late. He didn’t tell her why, but just said he’s sorry. While I hate defending Parker, he did text that he overslept.

Last day of charter. Anchor is secured. Paget says he heard Parker was late, and after their talk, it doesn’t look that great. Parker says he’s sorry, and Paget asks if that’s a sincere apology. Parker says, it is. Breakfast is served, and Captain Glenn tells Paget, Parker is quiet. Paget says, he’s probably licking his wounds. He was twenty minutes late to anchor watch, and it’s an issue. The captain says they’ll see what else happens today. Barbora takes more pictures of herself. Jenna says, it seems quiet, and Paget says, Parker overslept and was late again. The captain is assessing the situation. In Adam’s interview, he says, sorry. Pull up your britches, and do your job.

Parker takes the tender out to help dock, but doesn’t know starboard from portside. Paget asks what he’s doing, and Parker gets pissy, jerking the wheel around. In Captain Glenn’s interview, he says they just talked about Parker keeping his attitude in check, and he’s losing in front of the guests. It’s not what you say, but how you say it. If it disrupts the guests’ experience, that’s where he draws the line. In Paget’s interview, he says, Parker should know what he’s doing by now.

They dock, and the guests say goodbye. Captain Glenn says it was a pleasure having them, and Chuck says the pleasure was theirs. Jenna says, come back any time, and Chuck tells him, be careful what you wish for. Maisa says, the meals were breathtaking, and Chuck says, with such good service, it’s not hard to pay them what they deserve. Captain Glenn takes the tip envelope, and acts like it’s so heavy he can barely hold it. Everyone waves goodbye. While turning over the cabins, Georgia tells Madison that Jenna has been intense, and been a d*ck to both of them, but she feels bad for her. She’s been in relationships that are all about the other person, and she fell by the wayside. She thinks Jenna is still in the honeymoon stage, and is neglecting her work, and she feels bad. Captain Glenn calls the crew to the saloon for their charter debriefing.

The captain says, they made it through charter number six, and they were nice people. The food was amazing, and the service was top notch, but maybe they’re having problems behind the scenes. There was an attitude problem with the beach picnic that he thought was dealt with, but he needs to go over the hierarchy again. Paget and Jenna are gods in their departments, and have his full support. He tells them, the tip was good; $18,000 or $2000 each. Champagne is popped, and the captain asks Parker for a chat. In Parker’s interview, he says he’s doing the best he can. If they don’t think he’s up to his full potential, it’s on them. I think I get it now. His mother has told him that he’s wonderful, and can do no wrong, and continues to do so.

The captain sits down with Parker. He says he didn’t think he’d have to call another meeting, but it was obvious Parker lost patience at the beach. Parker says he didn’t lose patience until they started telling him that he was losing it. Captain Glenn asks, what happened with anchor watch? and Parker says it was the first time he was late. The captain says, it was after their meeting, when Parker was on thin ice already. He can see how bad that looks. He was agitated in the tender, and the guests were there. They could see him turning the wheel irrationally. Parker asks what he’s supposed to do, and Captain Glenn says, stay calm. Don’t get short. Parker says he was doing what Paget was telling him to, and the captain tells him not to defend his actions. He asked Parker not to show emotion in front of the guests; he doesn’t want to know why. Parker says his comfort matters as well, and the captain says, when he’s on warning, it’s not the thing to do. Captain Glenn calls in Paget. Georgia thinks Parker is finished, and Madison asks what she thinks is going on. Georgia thinks Parker drives them insane, but giving up on him isn’t the thing to do.

Paget joins the captain and Parker, and Parker asks how he can move forward by getting fired. Captain Glenn says he wants to give Parker a chance if he thinks he can work it out, but he has to control his emotions. Parker says he doesn’t want to be there if they don’t want him. The captain says he thinks Parker can do it, and Paget says, he does too. Parker interrupts, and Paget says Parker is so emotionally charged, he can’t see through what they’re trying to say, and it comes out on deck. Georgia asks Ciara what the essence of the problem is, and Ciara says, it’s about Parker not getting the point. In Adam’s cabin, Jenna tells him that he might not want to be there in twenty minutes, but he says he wants to see how it plays out. Parker tells the captain that Adam is hard to live with. He’s not a great roommate, and worries about skid marks in the toilet bowl. Paget says that’s a conversation Parker has to have with Adam. Captain Glenn says Parker is clearly agitated; take it down a notch. He has an attitude problem, and is on very thin ice. He might have no choice but to finish with Parker. Parker says Glenn is stressing him out, and Glenn shrugs.

Next time, Adam asks if Madison can go a day without drama; Jenna says Madison is jealous, but picked the wrong person to play with; and the female guests think Adam is adorable, but the primary’s husband isn’t happy about it. That should be interesting.

🙌🏽 Can We All Agree…?

When this is over, can we never say uncertain, difficult, corona (unless it’s beer), new normal, pandemic, isolation, quarantine, social distancing, and we’re all in this together again? Stay safe, stay put, and see you for Temptation Tuesday.

April 10, 2020 – GH Today, Double the Apology, LA Soon, Wives Next Week, Lu Tells All, Bethenny Responds, Randy’s Advice, DIY TP, Why, Your Personal Hogwarts, Tyler’s Gift, Prep Now, an Unlucky Number Of Quotes & Super

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

🩺 Just for the record, today’s General Hospital was the episode where Nelle left Michael to die in a burning car, and gave birth in the woods. All alone. Except for Obrecht.

Shahs of Sunset

Would they please change the opening song? Or at least move on to a different verse. It’s been eight seasons now of the same six lines.

GG and Destiney want to exude good fortune, so they go to a clinic to get fillers. Destiney doesn’t like needles, and in her interview, GG says she wants to get back in the swing of things, and forget she lost the pregnancy. With the physical pain of a needle, you feel the pain, and afterwards, it’s like a release. She realizes she sounds crazy. She tells Destiney that she wants to back to her life, and Destiney wants everyone to be on good terms with positive vibes. GG says, it’s wishful thinking. A couple of people are getting along with MJ, but personally, GG doesn’t want to be around her. In GG’s interview, she says MJ used to be there for her. We flash back to them being friends, and GG says MJ was a person who she felt secure to be around, but she doesn’t feel that way anymore. Owner Nayera says Destiney looks nervous, and tells her, don’t get scared. GG tells Nayera, she wants Botox, but not a whole lot. Nayera puts numbing cream on GG’s face. In her interview, GG says she’s been doing fillers since she was twenty-seven. It makes her feel amazing and fresh. Destiney can’t watch. GG tells Nayera that she wants a little everywhere, and Destiney compares it to basting a turkey. She tells GG that she’s crazy. Nayera puts numbing cream on Destiney’s lips, and GG holds Destiney’s hand while taking pictures with her other hand. GG says she hasn’t laughed this hard in so long. She’s going to have to wear diapers next time. After what she’s been through, it’s exactly what she needed.

Reza and Mike go to an arcade, and it looks like a blast. They play games for a while, then get drinks and something to eat. Reza tells the girl at the counter that he’s going to order an obscene amount of food. She introduces him to Guillermo del Pouro, their robotic bartender. The food comes, and it is an obscene amount, but it’s all fair food, like corn dogs and curly fries, and I wish I was there. Mike says he doesn’t like corn dogs, and Reza and I say, what? Mike asks when Reza became a white guy, and Reza says, when he married Adam. Their marriage is hanging on by a shred. Mike says, it all happened after the stupid accusations, and Reza says, that’s not lost on him. In Mike’s interview, he says he’s trying to get them to admit what they’ve done wrong. They both effed up. If MJ will take responsibility, maybe they can meet in the middle, and get it done. Mike tells Reza, if he’d taken the moral high ground, everyone would have been on his side. Reza says, sometimes bitches get caught up in their feelings. Mike says, Reza was upset and hurt, and retaliated. He had misdirected anger against Ali. In Reza’s interview, he says he needs to apologize. A real Persian man stands up in his truth, apologizes, moves forward, and doesn’t make the same mistake over again. Mike tells him, fix this, please.

In the car, MJ tells assistant Sienna that Tommy wants Baby Shams to learn Spanish rather than Farsi, but anyone can learn Spanish. Farsi is hard. Tommy says, no one cares about Farsi, and MJ says, gracias. MJ tells them, Reza texted that he hasn’t been in a good place since the rumors about Adam being unfaithful. He wasn’t ready to meet up when she texted, but he is now, if she’s willing. In MJ’s interview, she says, Reza has proven he’s despicable as a friend. He verbally assaulted her, assaulted and slandered her and her husband online, called the cops on her husband, and lawyered up. He’s on a tear. Who takes a friend to court over a broken bowl? She slept on it, and decided in order for them to heal as a group, she’s going to meet him. Tommy says Reza knew she almost died. He made it seem like she was sitting around like a puppet master. If he thinks she’s capable of that, he’s not her friend. That’s the reason people stopped hanging out with OJ. They couldn’t believe he was capable of murder. In her interview, MJ says she’s going to meet with Reza  because she wants to see if he has a decent bone in his body. Tommy tells her, Reza needs to grovel.

Nema meets with Annette and Vincenza, organizers of the Boots & Brew Country Music Festival. In his interview, Nema explains that they’re a multi-million dollar client, and his company creates branded content. We flash back to him helping GG with her cannabis business. He says they’re going to take an already cool thing, and make it ten times cooler on social media. Annette and Vincenza show him around the grounds. In Nema’s interview, he says he invited everyone. His invitations to Reza and MJ are personally selfish. He had to invite both of them, or the one who wasn’t invited would be mad, and he learned his lesson at Sara’s party that the element of surprise can go the wrong way. He’s hoping the collective beef will outweigh their individual beef.

In Destiney’s interview, she says she’s been seeing Sam for two months, It’s his birthday, and he’s coming to L.A. She likes nothing better than putting a smile on the face of someone she cares about. Their relationship is super casual, but that doesn’t mean she can’t be bougie and make him feel good. She goes to a swank hotel, where she’s gotten a suite. Sam arrives bearing roses. In her interview, Destiney says Sam’s sister definitely doesn’t want her talking to her brother. If Sara knew about it, she’d be flipping out. Clearly, she doesn’t give a sh*t.

Tommy calls MJ as she drives, and she tells him that she’s on her way to meet Reza. He asks, what’s the plan? and she says, to bring some sense into this sh*t. He says, she’s known Reza for thirty years, and she should handle it however she thinks she should. Reza is waiting when she gets to the restaurant. He gives her a shopping bag, and says, it’s a gift for the baby. He starts to cry, and says he originally got a baby bracelet, but flushed it down the toilet. He puts on his sunglasses to hide his tears. In MJ’s interview, she says the reason she’s skeptical is, she’s been down this road before. We flash back to Reza telling her that nothing can get between their bond, then fighting with her at the reunion, and then them hugging it out. He tells her he wanted to get a bottle of whiskey, but got something light to drink. MJ laughs, and says she didn’t know he was going to make her laugh right away. He says, it’s better than being angry, and asks how she is. She says she’s looking at her best friend of thirty years. He says he couldn’t respond after her text message. When he had to meet Ali, he thought they’d just be talking naked Jenga, but Ali brought a stack of papers. He was devastated, and asked Ali why he was doing this. He told Reza that MJ told him to do it. MJ says, that’s completely bullsh*t. She had Destiney telling her that Ali claimed she had set it up. Reza says, from that day, his life at home was a living hell. You can’t talk about things in someone’s marriage, and not think it won’t have a ripple effect. It made him a miserable human being. He didn’t have his best friend, and his husband was cheating. He was in the darkest place in his life without her. He can’t compare it with her being in the hospital, but he didn’t set out to hurt her on purpose. He was told his husband cheated, then Ali said Adam was sexually harassing other people, and that MJ had told him to bring Reza the information. He was going crazy. She asks why he didn’t call her, and he says, why didn’t she call him? She says she wishes she had. Reza blows his nose in a napkin, and MJ says he never gave her respect and love when it counted. He could have picked up the phone. It’s very effed up. Destiney lied, Ali lied, and she’s the person who fell on the sword giving birth, and lost her friend of thirty years. He popped off on her at the party, and put her personal information on Instagram. Tommy vandalized his landscaping, and here they are. He says Tommy called and said he’d kill Reza when he was on his way to Reza’s house. He and Adam were petrified in their own house. He freaked TF out. Then MJ was saying she wished everyone has a husband like Tommy, and she was glad he did that. MJ says, if she’s honest, she was holding onto things that happened at the pool party. Reza says he did the most vile thing, and he’ll try to make it up to her for the rest of his life. He wishes he could turn the clock back. He’s forgiven Tommy, and he’s not going to pursue any charges or do anything to hurt him. MJ appreciates it, and apologizes for anything  and everything Reza has been through. She’s sorry they’re not closer, and could be there for each other. Reza suggests taking it one step at a time. He wants to go slow, and see where it goes. He doesn’t expect anything; just a little crack so they can text occasionally, and see what happens. MJ says she looks forward to Reza meeting Shams, but Shams needs her right now. Reza says he understands, and asks if he can have a hug. Please. They hug, and she says he kind of smells weird, which is unusual. I’m guessing it’s nervous sweat, which can really stink. She tells him, if he wants to text, don’t hesitate. In Reza’s interview, he says he misses her, and it’s very sad.

Destiney and Sam go to a private room in the hotel restaurant, and order drinks. In Destiney’s interview, she says she’s trying to make his day special. They’re enjoying their time together, and not thinking about the future, but of course she is. They kiss, and Destiney orders steak for both of them. Sam suddenly starts acting really weird, and talking gibberish. In her interview, Destiney says, something is not right. This is not the Sam she’s been talking to. She doesn’t know if he’s on something. Sam adds burping to his craziness. In Destiney’s interview, she says, this isn’t good. She’s all about manners, and she’s over this sh*t. Frankly, I don’t know what to make of it either.

Nema arrives at the festival. In his interview, he says, it’s a Rolex-free day. He gives his drone operator Cody instructions. In Nema’s interview, he says he’s a pretty amazing producer. Part of his job is to work with the talent, and sometimes the talent is eccentric. He might be the best one to produce the group’s reconciliation. Methinks Nema is a tad narcissistic, although not necessarily in a bad way.

Shervin and Reza meet at Mike’s place. Mike says Shervin looks like a gay cowboy.

Sara goes to GG’s condo, and GG says her stomach is bloated. She’s going to need to stay in a wheelchair 80% of the time. In her interview, she says it’s been less than a week since her surgery. She tells Sara, she’s dying to get dressed like a cowgirl and yeehaw.

Destiney joins the others at Mike’s, and Mike wonders why she didn’t bring Sam. In Destiney’s interview, she says, Sam was like an abstract painting. She was super intrigued, and wanted to keep looking at it. She wanted to understand it, but then things changed. We see a clip of later in the evening of Sam’s birthday. He keeps burping, and being weird, and she quietly walks out with her suitcase. She says, they’re no longer talking. GG arrives, carrying a stick pony. Everyone gets into the limo.

Nema meets MJ at the festival, riding a scooter. She tells him that he looks stupid. He supposes there will be no panty dropping.

In the limo, Reza asks when GG saw MJ last, but she doesn’t remember. She says she’s not looking forward to it. She doesn’t think MJ is a good person. Frankly, I think MJ is a confused person, who had Vida for a mother, and misses her dad terribly.

Nema tells MJ the scooter is for GG. She had some medical sh*t go down, and needed emergency surgery. He didn’t think she was going to be able to come. In MJ’s interview, she says, once Shalom came into the picture, she and GG drifted apart. We flash back to MJ and Reza setting GG up by inviting Shalom’s ex to an event. MJ says, that doesn’t mean she doesn’t care when something serious happens. She asks Nema when GG had surgery, and he says a week and a half ago. She says she saw Reza, and he was crying the whole time. She just tried to appear calm, and listened to what he had to say.

Reza says he still forgives MJ, even though he knows she was involved. The limo parks, and they all get out. Nema scooters over to them, and MJ says, hey. Nema says he’ll show them the VIP area. GG complains that there’s no cup holder, and wants to roll up like gangsters. They do the slo-mo crew walk, and go to a tent that has tables and booze. They take a group photo, and Nema says he wouldn’t have thought this would happen two weeks ago. And I’m sure he’s mentally patting himself on the back. He says, Persian has gone country, and they wander around. They stop to eat, and GG says it’s the best mac and cheese she’s ever had. Nema admits to loving country music, and Reza asks if they can turn the volume down.

Suddenly, Mike gets up, and says he wants to ask a question. He asks if MJ knew about naked Jenga. We should have had a drinking game with that phrase. We’d have stayed drunk for weeks. In Mike’s interview, he says, in the past, his honesty has been questioned, and they need to come together and get the story straight. Someone needs to tell the truth. MJ says she wanted to tell Reza about the situation as soon as sh*t went down. Mike asks if she knew about the texts, or are the other two liars? She says she knew Ali wanted to bring up an issue with Reza, but he wasn’t clear on what the issue was. Mike says, the problem is, she’s lying. Ali has diarrhea of the mouth; there’s no way he didn’t give the details. He says he loves MJ, and wants her to speak the truth.

In Mike’s interview, he says, it can all be fixed if the truth is told. Reza says, when he sat with MJ, she wanted him to believe her hands were squeaky clean. He just wants to get to a better place. MJ thanks him, and says she appreciates everything about yesterday, but her hands aren’t clean. She knew about the Jenga texts, and knew Ali had an issue about it, but she doesn’t know what happened. Ali made it bigger than it was. She apologizes that they had to go through any of it. She’s sorry that when she found out, she didn’t think it was important enough tell them that she knew. Reza thanks her for taking accountability. In MJ’s interview, she says her intentions were to fix it. She has no problem apologizing, and wants to get to a better place. She thanks Reza, and asks if they can be friends again. He says, absolutely. He’d like to get to a place where they can move forward. They have a lot of chapters, and MJ says they’ll have a lot more. In GG’s interview, she says MJ has been Reza’s BFF for thirty years, and she feels for him. She wants to open his eyes, but he needs to go through it to understand it for himself; there’s no making up with MJ. Mike says he’s proud of MJ for mending the disconnect in the friendship.

They do some line dancing, and GG says she needs to lie down flat somewhere. She goes to the limo, and the others get ice cream. Shervin follows GG, and she tells him to get an ambulance; she’s having a piercing pain. A producer asks if she wants a medic. In her interview, GG says she has a high threshold for pain, so it must be a lot. She tells the medic that she had surgery recently, and he says she has three incisions that could be open. The others run back to the limo, and Shervin tells them what’s going on. Reza thinks GG should go to the hospital, and not risk it. GG says she’d rather go closer to where she lives. She thinks it’s because she hadn’t eaten, and then ate to much mac and cheese. She’s lactose intolerant. MJ tells her to stay lying in the same position. In GG’s interview, she says she guesses MJ woke up on the right side of the bed. She’s being compassionate and caring, and wants to be the big sister. But GG knows tomorrow, MJ might not wake up on that same side. The group heads back.

Mike shakes his head, saying, too much mac and cheese? What? MJ calls to see how GG is doing, and Mike says, she’s sitting up and blowing kisses toward the phone. GG gives him the finger, and he says, now she’s making a heart sign. She tells him it’s for him, not MJ. MJ says they sound like drunken clowns, and Mike says, they are drunken clowns. GG says, it hurts to laugh.

Next time, MJ surprises Destiney by inviting Ali to their meeting; Reza says Adam doesn’t have respect for their marriage; Nema tells his mother, because his childhood was traumatic, it’s strengthened his resolve not to have children.

💰 Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles will begin their new season on May 5th.

💋 The new season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills begins April 15th.

👩🏻‍💻 Zooming Along…

The Countess dishes the quarantine dirt.

https://extratv.com/2020/04/02/luann-de-lesseps-recalls-dying-of-laughter-with-rhony-cast-on-zoom-plus-she-talks-new-season/

👏🏻 Bethenny Claps Back…

On giving her the middle finger.

https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/bethenny-frankel-said-rhony-premiere-gave-her-the-middle-finger.html/

And giving back.

https://extratv.com/2020/04/07/bethenny-frankel-reacts-to-rhony-premiere-plus-how-shes-giving-back-with-bstrong/

🎹 It’s No Short People…

A PSA from Randy Newman.

https://pagesix.com/2020/04/08/randy-newman-writes-coronavirus-musical-psa-stay-away/

🧻 For the Bored Or Overly Ambitious…

Or if you’re really desperate.

https://theoutdoorwear.com/an-easy-guide-to-making-toilet-paper-at-home/

🚽 Because We’re All Wondering…

A possible explanation on the shortage.

http://www.eatingwell.com/article/7764104/toilet-paper-shortage/

🔮 Get Your Harry Potter On…

Even Hogwarts has free online classes.

https://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/a32098959/hogwarts-free-online-classes/

🎁 My Man Tyler…

One more reason to watch Temptation Tuesday.

http://www.eatingwell.com/syndication/tyler-perry-pays-groceries-for-elderly-amid-coronavirus/

🗽 And a Side of Ramona…

Instead of watching the GH rerun, Bravo had a marathon of an old favorite, NYC Prep. I loved this series, and was very disappointed when they didn’t have a second season. For the most part, it was awful rich kids, who I figured would turn into equally awful adults. For whatever reason, this article also plopped a Ramona (Real Housewives of New York) video interview in the middle of it, so it’s double the fun.

https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/pictures/nyc-prep-cast-where-are-they-now/

🗯 Quotes of the Week

The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you. – B. B. King

My morning fiber cookie has better taste than Sophie. – Han (Matthew Moy), 2 Broke Girls

To love someone is to strive to accept that person exactly the way he or she is, right here and now. – Fred Rogers

She’s at track number none. – Robert Springs, Pillow Talk: 90 Day Fiancé, referring to a cast member meeting a probable catfish

Do what is right, not what is easy nor what is popular. – Roy T. Bennett

Just because things hadn’t gone the way I had planned didn’t necessarily mean they had gone wrong.Ann Patchett

For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.Ralph Waldo Emerson

Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. – Oscar Wilde

Folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be.Abraham Lincoln

Do one thing every day that scares you. – Eleanor Roosevelt

If I ever hear it again after quarantine, I’ll just burst in tears and curl up on the floor. – Daisy Tainton of Queens, whose neighbor keeps playing the same Ed Sheeran song, over and over, from The City

Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself. – George Bernard Shaw

Guests of guests don’t bring guests.Jessie Leavitt, NYC Prep

🏋️‍♀️ Yes, It’s Still Called a Weekend…

And you made it to another one. Since no Dead are walking, see you on Deck on Monday. Stay safe, and wishing you a blessed Easter and Passover.

April 9, 2020 – The Other Half Of the Necklace, a Sleepover In the Hamptons, Trolls Inspire Chefs & Rainbow

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Sasha finds Willow at the hospital, and hugs her. Willow says, don’t tell Chase she was crying, but Sasha says, he probably figured it out; he’s a sharp guy. Willow says she knows she’s too close to this, and has to get emotional perspective. Sasha says she’s learned something about stress while developing spa products for Deception. The body doesn’t differentiate between physical, mental, and emotional stress. It doesn’t know the difference, and emotional stress is often the toughest to deal with. Willow says, okay. So she’s a wreck. Sasha says, the next part is just her theory, but she thinks Willow’s body can’t tell the difference between her love for Wiley when Willow thought he was her son, and now.

Chase tells Michael, he realizes Wiley is a priority, and Michael says, Willow is too. She’s more than a friend, and important in Wiley’s life. He can see what this is doing to her, and if it helps, she doesn’t have to testify in the custody hearing. Chase says, that will just make it worse. Willow needs to feel like she’s doing something positive for Wiley. If her getting on the stand will tip the scale, even a little bit, she’ll be thrilled. She’d do anything for that little boy. We flash back to Willow in court against Shiloh when he thought Wiley was his son. She says she had a baby, but Shiloh will never find him. He’s evil and vile. Diane tells her, stop talking, but she continues to go off on Shiloh. She says the only thing Shiloh cares about is himself. He’ll never, ever find her child. The judge tells Diane to handle her client, and Diane tells Willow to sit down. The judge says Willow admitted to having a baby, and has to turn the records over to the court. Willow says she won’t, and he cites her for being in contempt. Chase cuffs her, and reads her rights.

Nina tells Jax, after the disaster that was Sasha, she accepted the fact that she miscarried, and moved on. But she’s still holding on to that stupid necklace. Jax says he’s seen her holding it, and she says her mother gave it to her. Her mother hated her, and tried to kill her twice, once by accident, and once on purpose, because she wanted to get her hands on Nina’s money. She left the necklace in a box of things she’d bequeathed to Nina, along with a cryptic note. Two halves come together to mend a broken heart. Nina couldn’t help thinking maybe the baby survived.

Nelle says Carly should have known her, and welcomed her as a sister. Carly says, they’re not… related. Nelle says she can’t even say the word – sisters. That’s how much she hates it, and wishes it wasn’t true. They have the same father, and that makes them sisters. Carly says Frank wasn’t her father. He was a loser her adoptive mother married, and he ghosted them before she had a chance to know him. They only met once. She tracked him down in a crap apartment in Miami, trying to get a fraction of the child support he owed her mother. Nelle says he wasn’t Carly’s father until she wanted money, and Carly says she didn’t get one dime. She didn’t know Nelle was Josslyn’s kidney donor, or that Frank even had a daughter. Nelle says, she knew. Carly saw her.

Miami, 1995. Young Carly goes to an apartment. Frank opens the door (James Patrick Stuart, Valentin), and asks if he can help her. She says, Frank Benson? and he says, who’s asking? She says, Caroline Benson, and he says, Virginia’s little girl? How did she find him? She says, Ken Richardson knew someone who knew someone who knew his address. He says she’s lucky. They’re leaving soon. He has a business opportunity that’s a pretty sweet deal. She wonders if he’s even going to ask about her mom, and he says, how’s her mother? Still the same? Carly says she’s doing well, and he asks if they’re still in the same house, but Carly says they moved when she was in first grade for a neighborhood with better schools. He says she’s all grown up, and asks what she wants from him. She says he owes her mother fourteen years of unpaid child support. She’s there to collect. He says she must have her wires crossed. Virginia was the one who wanted to adopt her. Carly says, he didn’t want her, so he shouldn’t have pay? He says, if she wants to put it like that. A little girl comes out, and asks who she is.

Jason tells Josslyn, he doesn’t think Nelle can do or say anything that outweighs the facts. She asks if he thinks Michael will win, and he says, the facts are on Michael’s side. She says it’s cool how he sees things so clearly, and he says, not always. She says, more than the others do. She wishes he’d been there when Nelle first got to Port Charles. He would have seen right through her. We flash back to Nelle seeing Josslyn in the MetroCourt. She says it’s been a while, and Josslyn says, things have been tense between Nelle and her family. Nelle agrees, but they’re cool, right? Besides, they’re kind of family now. Josslyn is going to be the baby’s aunt. Is she ready for that? We move to Nelle asking if Josslyn is okay with her marrying Michael. Josslyn says she thought Nelle and Michael belonged together. It’s just that right now… Nelle says, Josslyn is thinking about her mom. She’s been thinking about Carly too. Sonny says he bets she has, and Nelle says she’s hoping Carly gets better, comes home, and accepts the baby, and her along with it. Josslyn hopes she’s right, and Nelle says she has one favor to ask. Will Josslyn be her maid of honor? Josslyn hesitates, but says, yes, of course (🍷). We move to Josslyn giving Nelle a beautiful hair clip on the day of the wedding. Josslyn says it belonged to her grandmother. She gave it to Josslyn’s mom, and her mom gave it to her. She’s loaning it to Nelle. It can be her old, borrowed, and blue, but she needs it back. Nelle says, of course (🍷). Josslyn says she thought Nelle should have something that tied everything together, other than Michael and the baby. Nelle suggests they take a photo to send to Josslyn’s mom, so she can see something that will tie her to the wedding, even if she can’t be there. In the present, Jason tells Josslyn, if Nelle never came, there would be no Wiley. Josslyn says, maybe not. Wiley is worth everything.

Nelle tells Carly, she came to see them just before they moved to Tampa. Her father was excited; he’d missed Carly. Her father asked Carly to stay and spend time with the family. Carly says, that didn’t happen, but Nelle says, she heard the whole thing. Carly says, oh my God. She was there. The little blond girl was her. Nelle says, Frank wanted them to be sisters, and asked her to stay. Why didn’t she? Everything would have been different. Carly could have taken care of her, but Carly was too selfish. She didn’t care that they traveled around and moved all the time, chasing deals that never closed. They were always poor, but Carly just wanted to come to Port Charles and have a fabulous life, and that’s what she did. She left Nelle. In 1995, Frank tells Nelle to go to the kitchen and have some cereal; he’s busy. Nelle says they don’t have any, and he says, then have a cookie. Carly says she guesses Frank wanted Nelle, but has no money for her. He says, not a dime, and she says, okay. Then tell her about her birth parents.

Nina tells Jax that Valentin visited her mother in prison before she died. Her mother told him that Nina had carried the baby to term; a little girl who was given up for adoption. Jax wonders if Valentin was lying to set the groundwork for Sasha. Nina doesn’t think he did, but her mother could have been lying out of spite. She was very jealous of Nina, and the money she’d inherited. Maybe it was one last dig at her. He says she doesn’t sound convinced, and Nina says, no. She just has a feeling she can’t shake. An instinct that she has a daughter out there somewhere.

Nelle tells Carly, everything that happened was because Carly couldn’t be bothered to take care of her. What Frank said was the truth. Carly says, it’s not true. Frank never asked her to stay. He sent Nelle into the other room, and said he didn’t have any money and never wanted to adopt her. He didn’t consider Carly a daughter. He knew her mother was Barbara Jean Spencer, and knew she’d moved to Port Charles. Later, he found out Carly had moved there and had money. That’s when he began calling her his daughter. Nelle says, he kept Carly’s baby rattle, but Carly says he was probably going to pawn it, but forgot. He gave Nelle a story, twisting things so he’d look good. He sold Nelle’s kidney. He was a weak selfish man who exploited Nelle, but she doesn’t have to be like him. She can go in a different direction. Carly did. After she had Michael, she realized she could be better. Not perfect, but she could give Michael what he needed, and put him first. When she did, her life was better. Nelle can do that; put Wiley first. Nelle says, by handing him over to Michael, and Carly says, let Michael have full custody, and she’ll have visitation rights. She can build a relationship with Wiley, while Wiley stays in a home that he knows, and where he’s happy. Nelle says, happier than he’d be with her, because she can never be good enough. Carly says Nelle has a chance prove she’s good enough, and give up what she wants, so Wiley can have what he needs. Nelle says Carly wants her to give up the suit too. If Carly thinks she’s going to let get Monica and Bobbie get away with malpractice, think again. She’s going to leave the hospital bankrupt, and it’s Carly’s fault. All of it is Carly’s fault. Nelle never did anything Carly didn’t do. We flash back to Nelle telling Carly that she has an idea everyone is going to love. Whether the baby is a boy or girl, she’s going to name it Morgan. We move on to Nelle planting a scarf like Morgan’s in Carly’s office, saying, let the haunting begin, and Carly finding it, making the connection. We move to Nelle leaving Carly the note that says, find me where you left me tonight, and spraying Morgan’s cologne in the graveyard. Carly arrives there, and says she knows that smell, and calls out to Morgan. We see Nelle and Carly struggle over the baby blanket, and Nelle falling down the stairs. We move to Nelle telling Carly that Michael proposed, and saying she can call Carly mom.

Carly says Nelle sounds like Frank, and Nelle says, see you in court, sister. She leaves, and we go back to young Carly. Carly tells Frank, her mom said he handled the adoption. Who were they? He says, who knows? and she says, he does. She knows the adoption agency rejected them, but he told Virginia he could still find her a baby. He had connections; who was it? He tells her not to ask questions she doesn’t want the answer to, and she says, they can’t be worse than him. Tell her. He says he doesn’t know who her father is, and doubts her mother would know, given her profession. She was a hooker, and Carly’s father was one of her many johns. Her madam said they could adopt her for a fee. It was more than he was willing to spend, but Virginia had to have a baby. Carly asks for a name, and Frank says, what does it matter? He tells her it was Ruby Anderson’s house. Her mother was Ruby’s niece, Barbara Jean Spencer. Carly asks if he knows what happened to her, but he doesn’t. He says, given her choice of profession, he hopes Carly isn’t looking for a warm and fuzzy reunion. She tells him, go to hell, and he says don’t blame him if she doesn’t like the answers to her questions. Give his regards to Virginia. Maybe he’ll look her up. Carly says, try it, and she’ll kill him.

Michael tells Chase, Nelle is a nightmare, but she did do good. Chase says, Wiley? and Michael says, all of it. Willow loved Wiley for a year and a half when she thought he was her child, but when she found out he wasn’t hers, her love wasn’t wasted. She’s part of Wiley’s life, and that wouldn’t have happened without Nelle. We flash back to Willow sitting with Wiley in Kelly’s, and telling him that she wants to be his mother, but that’s what she wants. She knows he wants to be with the family he has; Brad and Lucas. She’d never take him away from the daddies he loves. She prays they have their own relationship, and someday when he’s old enough, and comes to her with questions, he’ll understand why she chose to leave him, because she wants his happiness more than her own. She is his mommy, and loves him with all her heart. We move to Willow asking Chase if they’re at the point where she has to check in with him to say yes to being her own son’s guardian. He asks if there’s not an app for that. He’s not surprised; she deserves to be his guardian. She obviously loves him.

Sasha says, Willow went to jail rather than admit Shiloh was Wiley’s father. Willow says, he wasn’t, but Sasha says, that’s not the point. Her instinct as a mom was to protect at any cost, and that didn’t change when she found out Wiley wasn’t her biological child. Willow says he’s at risk from a vile, selfish woman who wants to use him as a weapon. Of course (🍷) she wants to protect him. But it’s not enough to be protective. She has to do something. We flash back to Willow telling Chase that Wiley isn’t her child by birth, but she’s part of his life. He’s not Michael’s child, but Michael loves him anyway, and she doesn’t love him any less. Chase says she didn’t feel that way before; it was the exact opposite. She says she misses him so much, and Chase says, before she makes a decision, take a breath. He knows Michael is thinking about what’s best for Wiley, but he’s thinking about what’s best for her. At the hospital in the present, Sasha says Willow is the closest thing Wiley has to a mother; Nelle doesn’t count. Willow says, Wiley needs her, and she’s got to stand up for him.

Nina tells Jax, it’s not irrefutable, but it’s a custom piece, so there’s no way to trace it. He says he knows a good security firm who could retrace her mother’s movement after Nina went into the coma. She says, Valentin already did that, and Jax says just because Valentin failed, doesn’t mean he will. She appreciates it, but she’s not sure she wants to set herself up for disappointment. It’s a deep dark rabbit hole she’s already been down, and she’s not sure she wants to risk it again. Josslyn comes in, and Jax asks what she’s doing on the loose. She says she was going stir crazy at Sonny’s. One of the bodyguards drove her over. If he’s busy… Nina says, no. Josslyn’s father is distracting her from what she needs to do. Josslyn would be doing her a favor to get him out. Jax asks if he can take Josslyn to lunch, but she says she has volleyball practice. He can drive her though; the bodyguard can follow them. He says he’ll see Nina later. As they leave, he says, maybe Josslyn should drive. She says, in that case, let’s take the Porsche.

Carly goes to see Jason, who says, she just missed Josslyn. Carly asks what she was doing there, and Jason says Josslyn wanted him to promise Nelle won’t get Wiley. She asks what Jason told her, and he says he told her it was too soon for promises. They have to see how it plays out. Carly wishes he’d said tomorrow Nelle was going to magically disappear, and then made that happen.

Jason asks if Carly thinks Michael could live with that. We flash back to Carly telling Sonny that Michael will never retaliate against Nelle; not in any real way that makes a difference. That’s why they have to make the decision for him. They have to remove that psycho bitch from their lives, once and for all. We move to Carly telling Michael to let Diane crush Nelle; no backing off. No convincing himself to compromise for Wiley’s sake. Michael says, there is no compromising with Nelle. He has to win sole custody, for Wiley’s sake. In the present, Carly tells Jason that Michael is a better person than she is, and he says he thinks they’re both good people.

Jacksonville, 1996. Carly is ready to leave, when Virginia comes in. She says, good; Carly is still there. Carly says she wanted to say goodbye, and Virginia asks if she’s supposed to thank Carly; she’s still leaving. Carly says wish her good luck, and Virginia says, luck is a lie. Carly says she’d rather take the lie than be stuck there. Virginia says, thanks. She doesn’t want to fight. She loves Carly. Carly says she knows, and loves Virginia too. Virginia hopes Carly finds what she’s looking for – which isn’t money. Carly says, maybe not, but it wouldn’t hurt. Virginia says what Carly is looking for is love, and to be valued and accepted. She hopes Carly finds that, and hopes she finds someone who believes in her. Carly says she believes in herself, and Virginia says she believes in Carly, but Carly doesn’t want to hear that from her. She wants to figure it out on her own, and she will. They hug, and Carly picks up her bags. She says, here goes nothing, and leaves. In 2020, Carly tells Jason, she went to see Nelle at Crimson. It’s okay, but they had it out. Nelle unloaded her grudges, and said what she blames Carly for. At one point, Carly tried to explain how she turned her life around. How she’d been a liar, but managed to change into a halfway decent person. Jason says, more than halfway. Carly says, she told Nelle it was because of Michael, but it was also because of Jason.

Carly tells Jason, the night she showed up on his doorstep, she had nowhere else to go. he let her in, and it changed everything. She’d never had that. She should feel sorry for Nelle, and she almost does, but she’s mostly grateful to have Jason. We flash back to Carly hugging Jason, and says she can’t believe he’s there. He’s alive. She missed him so much. There’s so much she wants to tell him, and say to him. He tells her, take a deep breath, and count to ten. We move on to Carly visiting Jason in the hospital, and telling him about being pregnant with Donna. She says he has to do whatever she wants for the next seven months. He says, if that’s what she needs, they’ll figure it out. Tell him about the baby. She says she’s scared, nervous, and surprised. She never thought she’d be having another baby, but now that she knows, she’s excited. He says he’s excited for her. We move to Jason telling Carly that he would have done anything to get her out of that place; even team up with Franco. He’s sorry she got taken to Ferncliff. She says she knew he’d get her out, and he says he should have that night, but he let himself be talked into waiting. Carly says, she let herself be talked into pleading insanity. They both messed up. From now on, they trust their own instincts, especially when it comes to each other. Deal? He says, deal. She says she knew he’d come to get her, and he did. In the present, Jason says, the night Carly showed up was the best thing that ever happened to him. They hug.

Nina looks at the necklace for the 47,506th time. She flashes back to giving the other half to Sasha at Windymere. Sasha says she can’t, and Nina says, of course (🍷) she can. Obrecht says, it’s a significant gift, but Sasha says, it’s too much. Nina says there’s no such thing when it comes to Sasha. It’s not the original, but she had it made, and it fits her piece. She puts the necklace on Sasha, and says, it’s a perfect fit, just like them. We move on to Nina’s wedding, and Nina telling Sasha, all she needs to do is tell everyone she’s Nina’s daughter. Sasha says she’s sorry, but she’s not. Nina says Sasha lied to her with every beat of her heart. She doesn’t have a heart; she’s nothing. Nina pulls the necklace off of her.

Nelle goes through her trinket box, flipping through letters that were returned, and looking at Carly’s baby rattle. We see the other half of the necklace still in the box, and then a split-screen with Nina looking at it.

On Monday, Nina says, maybe she’s more like Nelle than she wants to admit; Laura meets with Valentin; and Lulu says she’s come to say goodbye to someone in jail. In Port Charles, this could be anyone.

👍🏽 This is amazingly clever. Not only are they stretching out the episodes with these flashbacks, anyone who’s home and just beginning to watch, or watching after a long time of not seeing the show, is filled in. And those of us who’ve kept up are still getting a new backstory. To top it off, we’ve gotten a possible reveal as to who Nina’s daughter is, or another layer in that mystery. I’m beyond impressed. Good job, GH!

The Real Housewives of New York City

As Sonja and Tinsley walk to a rooftop for lunch, Sonja says, guys keep trying to pick them up; ignore them. They sit down with their food, and Tinsley says Sonja was jumping on the Dorinda bandwagon. She’s acting like she doesn’t know Tinsley, and she’s not open and honest. Sonja tells her, she said Dorinda didn’t know Tinsley, and Tinsley says, Dorinda is calling her a liar. She’s saying Tinsley was still with Scott when she wasn’t. Sonja says Tinsley went on a trip with him, and Tinsley says, when they were broken up, there was no arrangement for her to get money from him. In Sonja’s interview, she says she’s heard that Tinsley and Scott have been together since they broke up. Tinsley is the only woman she knows who’s gotten clothes and bling after a break-up. Leah joins them, and Sonja says they were talking about Dorinda claiming Tinsley isn’t being truthful. Tinsley tells her, she can only say it so many times. Dorinda turned on her when she’s always been a friend. In Leah’s interview, she says, maybe Tinsley confides in her and Sonja because they don’t call her a hooker. If Dorinda treated her that way, she wouldn’t tell the bitch what she had for lunch. Tinsley says Dorinda was implying she’s not being truthful, but she’s allowed to go back and forth in a relationship. It’s her effing life. In Tinsley’s interview, she says she didn’t know she had to share every detail of her relationship with Dorinda. Leah tells them, Ramona called her, and wants her to come to the Hamptons. Sonja asks if Leah has any tattoos, and Leah says she has several, but she’s having the tramp stamp of her name removed. It was her first tattoo. Sonja asks if she had her name put there, so when she’s having sex, the guy can remember her name. In Sonja’s interview, she says she thinks tattoos are a negative thing. You’re defecating you’re body. She realizes what defecating means, and settles on defaming. And actually, I think what she really meant to say is defacing. Read a book once in a while, Sonja. She tells Leah that she never has sex with men who have tattoo. In her interview, Leah says she’s sure Sonja wouldn’t kick a young, hot guy out of bed for having an anchor tattoo.

Dorinda’s housekeeper Len helps her pack. Dorinda says, it’s a weird time for the Hamptons, since it’s hot/cold. In Dorinda’s interview, she says, it’s good to hear that Ramona is going to be the lady of the manor, and overseeing the group. She hopes her bedroom is way upstairs, and Tinsley’s is way downstairs. I liked Dorinda in the beginning, but with each season, she works my last nerve harder.

In the Hamptons, LuAnn meets Ramona at a restaurant. While LuAnn waits at the table, Ramona stops by the bar to give a dude her phone number. In Ramona’s interview, she says she’s a born flirt. The day she doesn’t flirt, she’ll be dead. She tells LuAnn that she has a storyboard. She’d like to have a commitment, but not be married. LuAnn thinks she sounds like a serial killer. In LuAnn’s interview, she says she can’t imagine what’s on Ramona’s board. D*ck pics? LuAnn thinks the slumber party will be fun, and Ramona says she wants to bond. She has a room for LuAnn that has a separate bathroom. LuAnn says she doesn’t want to be favored. Like I believe that. In Ramona’s interview, she says she doesn’t want a repeat of the fish room, and we flash back to LuAnn’s tantrum. She tells LuAnn she made sure to give her a nice room where it’s quiet, so if Tinsley and Sonja are going crazy, she doesn’t have to hear it. She also invited Leah, and wants Dorinda to get to know her. LuAnn says she likes Leah. The first thing Leah told her is that she’d been arrested. Ramona asks, for what? and LuAnn says, assaulting a police officer; she was nineteen. Ramona says she’s sure that broke the ice and took down the barriers. In her interview, Ramona says, how many of them have gotten arrested? Of course they bonded. She’s hoping they can all come together as a group.

At Tinsley’s hotel apartment, she feeds Strawberry and Shortcake. She tells them, they were vegan at the shelter, but aren’t now. In her interview, she says she went to China to help with rescues, and had to come home with them. They speak Chinese, and she has to learn it to communicate with them. She uses a translator app to tell them, good girl. I understand this, since I once walked a dog who only understood Russian, and I had to learn several phrases.

Sonja picks up Dorinda, who’s bringing flowers and vibrators, but only three of the latter. I guess some of them will have to share? LuAnn tells housekeeper Alice that she’s headed to Ramona’s for the night. Alice asks, why? and LuAnn says, that’s a good question. Ramona prepares some food, and gives Coco a carrot. In her interview, she says Coco is all she’s got, and the dog is going deaf. This is probably a blessing for Coco. Or maybe she’s just faking Ramona out. Leah picks up Tinsley, who has some kind of throat issue, and can barely talk. Leah says Dorinda said some wild-ass sh*t about Tinsley at the party. In Leah’s interview, she says she survived an all-girls Catholic school on the Upper East Side. But this is on their turf, so she’s going to be on high alert. Tinsley croaks out that she’ll have to write things like, yeah, bitch.

In Dorinda’s interview, she says she didn’t give Leah a fair chance. Since she’s Tinsley’s friend, it’s harder not to be judgmental. There’s guilt by association. Sonja tells Ramona that Leah has tattoos everywhere. She has her name on her backside. Ramona says, this girl is gangster. Dorinda and Sonja get to Ramona’s place first, and Dorinda gifts Ramona with a frozé (frozen rosé) maker. In Ramona’s interview, she says, Dorinda gives good presents. Last year, she brought mermaid outfits; this year, a frozé machine. Dorinda says she’s excited about having a glass or nine of pinot. LuAnn arrives, and Coco pees on the hydrangeas. I’m not sure if that’s a statement.

Tinsley and Leah join the women. In Dorinda’s interview, she says, when it comes to Tinsley, it’s see no evil, hear no evil, but she can’t say speak no evil. Ramona tells Leah that she’s a guest, and has free access to everything if she’s at Ramona’s house, so make herself at home. Ramona shows LuAnn to her room, which is basically the entire finished basement. Ramona calls it the lower level, and in her interview, LuAnn says, that’s like putting her in the attic and calling it the penthouse. She’s always lowest on the totem pole when comes to rooms on vacations. The lack of consideration is mind blowing. Good Lord, it’s not that bad, and she has her own bathroom and a TV. She asks Ramona, what happened to the nicest room in the house? and Ramona tells her that she said LuAnn would have privacy. LuAnn wonders how to adjust the air conditioning, since she’s freezing, but Ramona says she can’t. She suggests a blanket, but LuAnn says she doesn’t want to sleep with air conditioning, and Ramona promises to figure it out. Ramona says she’s not surprised LuAnn and Leah bonded, since neither one of them drink, and they were both arrested. Lu Ann tries to work the TV remote in her basement private room.

On the phone, Dorinda deals with a contractor for Bluestone Manor. In her interview, she says the heating, electrical, and duct systems had to be ripped out. She’s overwhelmed, and still has to live her normal life. It seems like it never ends. Sonja asks Dorinda what’s going on, and Dorinda says she’s overwhelmed, and has to get her sh*t together. Sonja says Dorinda has a lot on her plate with the Berkshires house being flooded, and Dorinda says every day it’s another $15K. She doesn’t want to cry, but she’s doing everything, and none of it well. She wishes someone could step in and make it all better. Me too, Dorinda. me too. She says there’s nothing carefree about her anymore, and she’s not nice to anybody. Her mother said she’s wound too tight, and it’s not healthy. In her interview, Dorinda says she feels like she did after Richard died. She doesn’t know who to turn to. Sonja says, it doesn’t make John and less of a man, and Dorinda says, he’s just different. In her Dorinda’s interview, she says, John wants to be as helpful as he can, but he never had responsibilities like this. The only person she can discuss things with is herself. Sonja says Dorinda has too many balls in the air. How can she catch them all? In Sonja’s interview, she says, when Dorinda blows up, she can really rip you a new one, and she’s admitting it. LuAnn sits with them, and Dorinda says she’s having a cry. LuAnn asks, what’s the matter? and Sonja says Dorinda is spread too thin.

Leah gives Ramona a candle from Joe Malone, and Ramona loves it. She questions the sheer bucket hat Leah is wearing, as do I, although she’s surprisingly diplomatic, saying she doesn’t know if she could pull it off. She tells Leah that she was a buyer for Macy’s, and started her own company at thirty, after being on her own at sixteen. Leah says her parents threw her out at seventeen, but she deserved it. They told her to go figure herself out. She became rebellious when they moved from NYC to Connecticut when she was thirteen. She says, in hindsight, she learned perseverance, and how to deal with adversity. They join the others outside.

In Ramona’s interview, she says Leah is okay, but that hat, not so much. Leah doesn’t mind anyone criticizing her hat, as long as they don’t criticize her character. Ramona tells the women that they’re leaving for dinner at seven. She wonders how she can agree with a woman who has tattoo. In Leah’s interview, she says, it’s not like she has a penis tattooed across her forehead, or a gun tattooed on her neck. I’m kind of surprised that a bunch of New York City women are this weird about it myself. In Ramona’s interview, she says she doesn’t know what a tramp stamp is, but it doesn’t sound nice. Dorinda says if she forgets Leah’s name, she can just tell her to turn around. In her interview, Leah wonders if Dorinda ever leaves her 1% Upper East Side bubble. Dorinda says she needs a nap. When she leaves, Leah asks how Dorinda knew her name was on her back, and Sonja says she told her. Leah says she’s not having the comments. Get over it; everybody has tattoos nowadays. Sonja goes upstairs, and Ramona whines that no one is helping to clean up, so Leah and Tinsley do it, as Ramona sits with her bottle of vodka.

Leah calls her daughter, who’s had a bad first day of school. She says it’s not the same, and she hates everyone in her class. Leah tells her that she’ll have to make the best of it.  In her interview, Leah says she understands not fitting in. In school, she was the weird girl who lived downtown. That’s what she is again. She tells her daughter, it’s just the first day. See how it goes. Tinsley asks Sonja why she told Dorinda about Leah’s tramp stamp, and Sonja says she thought it was shocking and funny. Tinsley says, Dorinda is being mean, but Sonja says, Dorinda has a lot on her plate. She’s angry, and taking it out on people. Tinsley says Sonja can’t make excuses for her, but Sonja says, Dorinda is going through a rough time. Leah joins them, and says the only person making her uncomfortable is Dorinda. Sonja says, Dorinda is in a bad place, but Leah says she is too. She misses her kid, who had a bad day at school, and she’s dealing with sh*t too. In Sonja’s interview, she says she wants to be there for Dorinda. She’s in a tough place, and Sonja wants to protect her. Tinsley tells Leah to be careful talking about how she feels to Sonja, since she’ll run with it to Dorinda.

Ramona tells everyone to hurry up. Sonja relays Leah’s comments to Dorinda, and when they gather to leave, Dorinda tells Leah that she thought she was being funny. Leah says it’s her delivery, and she senses a lot of hostility. Dorinda informs her that none of them have a tattoo. In Dorinda’s interview, she says that her mother told her that people with tattoos were potential kidnappers, and she believed it. Um… my father got a tattoo in the Navy. What is wrong with these people? LuAnn joins them, and says she missed whatever was going on, and Sonja fills her in. In Tinsley’s interview, she says, good try, Sonja, but you’re not helping. Leah says she and Dorinda haven’t even talked, and Dorinda is making generalizations. Dorinda says she doesn’t know Leah, and Leah says she gets the feeling Dorinda doesn’t want to, but hopes she’s wrong. They get in the limo.

The women go to a restaurant in Sag Harbor. Sonja thinks Ramona should move to LA, since she can’t stop socializing. This is New York; act like a New Yorker. Leah orders a mocktail, and in LuAnn’s interview, she says it’s nice to have a wingman who’s confident to order a mocktail. It can be tough to be around the ladies while they’re drinking. Tinsley hopes a martini heals her voice. LuAnn makes a toast, saying this year was her roughest ever. It was like a volcano erupted, and the ashes came out. She was so busy taking care herself, she didn’t realize the ashes fell on them too. She didn’t know what to do, or how to react, and didn’t realize how much it weighed on them. It’s tough going through recovery, healing, and renewal, and she wants to make amends. She tells them how much she loves them, and says it hasn’t been easy. She thanks them, and in Sonja’s interview, she says, it’s the new and improved LuAnn. Something had to be said, since it was the elephant in the room. She’s glad LuAnn had respect enough for them to do it. They share an octopus dish, and I think about how I used to like octopus until I saw a diver playing with one, and it’s now off my things-to-eat list.

Ramona’s friend Lori calls her from inside the restaurant, and Ramona suggests she come over. Dorinda asks if Ramona is with them or elsewhere tonight. They were supposed to have dinner together, and she thinks Ramona is being rude, and should be present. LuAnn points out that Ramona’s chair is facing out, so she can look around. Ramona says it’s not like she’s an alcoholic; she just likes to be social. In her interview, she says how can she socialize too much? She’s a single woman, with no man. She needs to be social. Sonia reminds Ramona that she’d said she wanted younger friends. Dorinda says Sonja was stirring the pot this afternoon, and Sonja says Leah misunderstood her, and she wants to get to know Leah. Leah says next time, she’ll speak to Dorinda directly. In her interview, Leah says she’s not that offended. It’s not the worst thing anyone’s ever said to her, but she’s got her eye on Dorinda now. She tells them to enjoy her tramp stamp while they can, since it’s going to be gone soon, and Dorinda says, Sonja is the one who started talking about it. Sonja says that’s because she knows what it’s like to be a tramp. In Dorinda’s interview, she admits to making an unfair judgment about Leah. She holds her own, which Dorinda likes, tramp stamp and all. Ramona says she’s going to do a lap, and scope the room. In LuAnn’s interview, she thinks the whole town must have Ramona’s digits by now. Ramona is in costume; boobs out, going to war. Sonja says Ramona needs to lay up the shot, and LuAnn says, God help those men in there.

Next time, Dorinda says, only 24 hours and they got Leah to drink; Sonja says she was never a trophy wife; and LuAnn leaves Ramona’s.

👨🏽‍🍳 On Top Chef, Kelly Clarkson was introduced as guest judge. Everyone was thrilled, and she said she always gets worried about what the reaction will be when she’s a surprise. She gave the chefs a sneak peek at The Trolls World Tour, telling them the plot involves six Trolls heading musical genres, who all want to take over. The theme is inclusivity, and that everyone should be heard. She’s the voice of the head of the country Trolls. A table was set up with ingredients grouped by color, representing the six musical Troll worlds. For the Quickfire challenge, the chefs were to take an ingredient from each color, and make one cohesive dish. The winner would not only get immunity, but would also go to the red carpet premiere of the movie.

Gregory said he’d slayed the Quickfire challenges his last time around, but hadn’t gotten his momentum. Brian didn’t know what to do with the cotton candy he chose, and was eating it. When he tried to make ice cream, it exploded out of the machine. When the judges did their tasting, Padma asked if he meant for he ice cream to be curd-like, and he said that’s exactly what he was going for. No wonder his last name is Malarkey. Apparently, Gregory got his momentum, since he won for his shrimp dish. He said he was going to be taking Nini, since she’d let him use her can opener.

For the elimination challenge, the chefs would be shopping at the Santa Monica farmer’s market, where there are over 75 organic farmers selling produce. They would be split into two teams of six, and make a six-course progressive menu, each being responsible for one course, including dessert. They were being given $1200 and 45 minutes to shop, but wouldn’t know what they’d have to work with until they got to the market. Their entire menu also had to be vegetarian, and they’d be serving 40 diners at Jeremy Fox’s restaurant Birdie Gs. They were reminded that Jeremy literally wrote the book on vegetables.

A basket of trolls, courtesy of Kelly, waited for them at the house. Melissa thought it would be a challenge to be flexible, and that communication and being able to pivot were key. The market was very impressive, and while the chefs didn’t seem to have a hard time deciding what to make, there were a few monkey wrenches along the way, like Jennifer burning her cashew butter, and Lisa discovering her Brussels sprouts were inconsistently cooked.

Padma said the blue team was clearly the winner with progression, and Tom thought everything was solid all the way through. The plating was beautiful, and the menu well-executed. Melissa was the winner within the winners, and said in her interview that she was there to show she was a force to be reckoned with. The red team didn’t fare so well, the judges finding the first two courses being too raw. Brian’s mozzarella and tomato dish was something they’d felt had been seen before, and he and Leeann played the blame game over Lee Anne’s dish, as Brian had helped plate it. Lisa’s Brussels sprouts weren’t well-received either, but she tried to justify them by saying her cooking was more rustic. Tom said she could still be true to herself, yet be thoughtful and complex. He said it all depended on how far they were willing to push themselves, and they didn’t want to walk out second guessing what they’d done. In the end, Lisa packed her knives and went to Last Chance Kitchen. She said it sucked, since she had made the finale in her season, and it was something she hadn’t heard before. This was a whole other level of chefs, and hadn’t been easy.

Next time, the chefs’ loved ones join them, and they’re going to be responsible for creating their own product, which their guests will test. It also looks like an ambulance has to be called for Lee Anne’s mom.

🌈 Connecting…

Hope all is well, and you’re being productive. Or at least catching up on your TV watching. Stay safe, and see you on Sunset tomorrow.

April 8, 2020 – Nelle Wants a Magic Makeover, Figuring It Out, Early SUR Drama, Calling the Kettle Fake, Amigas Move On, Alone At Last & Be Happy

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Josslyn shows up at Jason’s place, and he asks how she got there. She says Tony drove her. She told him if he didn’t, she’d get a Ride Share. Jason says it’s not fair putting the guards in that position, but Josslyn says, it’s important. Nelle is suing GH, Monica, and Bobbie for malpractice. He needs to stop her.

Nina asks if Nelle wasn’t over the line just now with Willow. Nelle asks if Nina is going to fire her for being direct, but Nina tells her, she didn’t say that. She knows firsthand what it’s like to know a child as your own, and lose that child. Nelle says what Sasha did to Nina was terrible. Now Willow is teaming up with the Corinthoses and Quartermaines to take Wiley from her. Why should she try to be civil? Nina gets it. Willow told her about the procedure Wiley is going to need in a few months. She understands Nelle’s concerns; Wiley is small for such a big procedure, but it’s truly about the best interest of the child. Prove the naysayers wrong. Nelle asks, how? and Nina says, show everyone that she’s a good mother, and allow Wiley to have the procedure. We flash back to Nelle and Carly on the hospital roof, and Carly saying Nelle is on the verge of overplaying her hand. What if things go wrong, and she’s left empty-handed? It’s her chance to win people over to her side; her turnaround moment. Take it. Nelle doesn’t sign, and Carly locks her on the roof.

Willow joins Sasha and Michael in Sonny’s kitchen. She says they’ll never guess where she bumped into Nelle. At Crimson; she’s working there. Michael says his mom told him, and Willow asks if it doesn’t bother him that Nelle is going to look like a presentable, responsible parent with job. Nelle’s plan is to force him to share custody, and that’s what she’s doing. We flash back to Sasha saying Michael should marry Willow, and that Willow has always acted as Wiley’s mother. Why stop now?

Nina says if Nelle complies with her consent to allow Wiley to undergo the procedure, it’s sure to open up Michael to sharing custody. Everyone wins. Nelle says, it’s not enough. She wants what’s best for Wiley, but Carly isn’t going to get him. Nina says it’s her chance to prove to everyone she’s a good mother, including Wiley. Carly walks in, and says, sorry to interrupt, but she’d like a word with Nelle. Nina says, it’s not a good time, and Nelle says Carly can’t barge into her workplace like that. Carly says, it’s important. It directly affects her grandson’s health. Nina tells Carly to suit herself, and leaves. Nelle says, how dare Carly disrupt things at her workplace? She’s going to tell the court about it. Carly says she thinks Nelle will be interested in what she has to say. She’s about to give Nelle everything she’s wanted.

Chase goes to Sonny’s, and asks if it’s a strategy session on Wiley’s custody. Michael says, it’s more like a meeting of interested parties, and Sasha says they’re not making much progress. Chase says he has more bad news. Nelle is suing the hospital for malpractice, and Willow says they know. He asks if they know he’s also being deposed as a witness.

Jax sees Nina in Crimson’s reception area, and asks if she’s filling in for Nelle during her break. She guesses he could say that. Carly appropriated her office to harass Nelle. He says, Nelle deserves what she gets, but Nina says, it’s not helping. Jax says, them having to deal with Nelle is entirely his fault. We flash back to Jax admitting he’s the one who bought Josslyn’s kidney.

Carly says, Nelle wins. Nelle beat her. Carly is so used to being on top, she forget what it’s like to be outside looking in, but Nelle never lost her edge or let her down guard. She underestimated Nelle, and for that she’s truly sorry. Nelle says, that’s it? She’s sorry? After all the ways Carly hurt her, a stupid apology is going to fix it? Carly says, tell her how to fix it. How does she make amends? Tell her, and she’ll do it. Nelle tells Carly to start admitting she’s just like her.

In a memory, Eden McCoy (Josslyn) is young Carly, and Cynthia Watros (Nina with brown hair) is her mother, Virginia. Carly walks into thier apartment in Jacksonville, Florida. Virginia asks how the interview was. Carly says she was offered the job, and Virginia says she’s happy for her. It’s a nice place, and when she gets experience, she can transfer to the PT department at Jacksonville Memorial. Carly says she turned them down. She said thanks, but no thanks. She’s not staying in Jacksonville. It’s not the life she wants.

Josslyn tells Jason, Nelle tried to kill Michael, and should be in prison. She gave Wiley to Brad, and hid him from Michael, and now she wants to be his mom. Jason says, the legal system… and Josslyn says, that’s why she’s here. Jason doesn’t care about the law. He has to be the one to fix this. He asks what she wants him to do. We flash back to Nelle and Josslyn on the pier. Nelle says her baby is dead, and Josslyn believes Carly’s lies. Apparently, she’s one of Carly’s minions. Josslyn says she’s calling the police, and Nelle says, Josslyn would do that to her after what they’ve been to each other? They’re sisters. Josslyn says, Avery is her sister, and Kristina is her sister, but Nelle is a lying piece of trash who tried to sabotage her family. Nelle says she tried to open Josslyn’s eyes to Carly, but Josslyn is just like her. Josslyn says, damn right. You messed with the wrong family, bitch. Nelle says Josslyn might not be alive if it wasn’t for her. Josslyn owes her. Josslyn says, all she owes Nelle is a call to the cops. Nelle throws Josslyn’s phone, and they tussle. Nelle says, after all she’s done, Josslyn is going to regret this. Josslyn clocks Nelle. In the present, Jason tells Josslyn, he promises Nelle won’t get Wiley. He gives her his word.

Chase says he was present when Nelle learned Wiley had the procedure, and found out the consent form was missing. That makes him a material witness. Michael is sorry Chase got dragged into it, and Willow can’t believe Nelle’s vindictiveness. Michael says it’s not about Wiley or Nelle, but about his mother and Nelle trying to hurt her. We flash back to Carly saying she trusted Nelle, and every time she sang Nelle’s praises, Nelle was tightening the screws on Sonny. Drugging him, planting her bra in his bed. She can’t believe how completely wrong she got Nelle. She fell for Nelle’s angel act. She’s either one hell of a blackmailer or crazy. Back at Sonny’s, Chase tells Michael, the problem is, once again the law is on Nelle’s side.

Nelle tells Carly, let’s hear it. If she’s trash and a gold-digging psycho, so is Carly. Carly came to Port Charles to take down her mother, and got knocked up, using Michael as a bargaining chip. Michael gave Carly leverage, and was Carly’s golden ticket. Wiley is hers. Carly says, if it’s money Nelle wants, she’ll pay it, but Nelle says Carly isn’t hearing her. She wants the magic makeover Carly got. She wants everything she’s done flipped on it’s head. Carly seduced Bobbie’s husband, and it became Tony’s fault. She doesn’t want to face any consequences. She wants to be the heroine. We flash back to the first time Nelle showed up at Sonny’s house. Michael answers the door, and she says she’s there to see Carly. He says his mom is busy with a family party, and introduces himself. Michael tells Carly that Nelle is there to interview for the nanny position, but Nelle says she’s not. She saw the article in Crimson about Josslyn’s kidney transplant, and thinks she’s the donor. Carly thanks her, and says she appreciates what Nelle has been through, but before they proceed, she needs to find out if Nelle is really the donor. Is she willing to prove it? They can run some tests, and Carly will cover the expenses. Nelle says Carly thinks she’s lying. We move on to Carly saying she has the perfect job for Nelle, as her personal assistant. She’ll be working at the hotel, and learn a lot about the business, and she’ll also run personal errands for Carly. Nelle says she appreciates Carly trying to help, and Carly says, it’s not a made up job; she knows that’s what Nelle is thinking. Nelle says she has no experience, but Carly says, the job requires no formal training or education. She’ll be learning everything on the job. Then we see Nelle thanking Carly for the advance, and saying she’ll be ready to start soon. She knows she keeps saying it, but thank you. Carly says, Nelle knows she keeps saying it, but right back at her. They hug. At the Crimson office, Carly says, if that’s what Nelle wants, she’s going about it all wrong.

Virginia says, Carly is leaving Jacksonville? Where is she going? Carly says she doesn’t know yet, and Virginia says, it’s just a fantasy. Carly says, it’s very much real. She’s been thinking about this for a long time, and halfway through the interview, she knew. Virginia asks if he did something inappropriate, but Carly says, she said everyone there was family, and had been there ten to fifteen years. She can’t be someone who never moves, has the same job forever, and marries a good provider. Or worse, a loser who leaves. Virginia says, Carly doesn’t want to be her. Carly says, they’re different people who want different things. She wants to live in a big house, and wear designer clothes, and have more money than she can spend. She wants to travel. There are amazing people out there, doing amazing things, and she wants to be one of them. Virginia says she’s living a pipe dream.

Josslyn tells Jason that she doesn’t care if it makes her a bad person. She can live with it, as long as Nelle doesn’t have a chance to get Wiley. Jason promises her that Nelle won’t, but it’s too soon. She says if he waits until after the custody hearing, it will look suspicious. He asks if she thinks Nelle’s attorney is better than Diane, but she says, no. He asks if she thinks Michael isn’t as good as Nelle, and she says she doesn’t, but face it, Nelle gets away with everything. We flash back to Carly introducing Nelle to Josslyn at the hospital, and telling Josslyn that Nelle is her kidney donor. Josslyn says Nelle gave her the best gift, and they hug. We move to Nelle seeing Josslyn outside Kelly’s, and Josslyn telling her about Oscar. Josslyn says he asked her to go out, and Nelle asks what Josslyn told him, but Josslyn says she didn’t get a chance. When Nelle showed up, Oscar left. Nelle asks what Josslyn’s answer is, but Josslyn doesn’t know. Nelle asks if she doesn’t know the answer, or does, and doesn’t want to hurt him.

Chase says if Nelle’s signature was forged like she says, and Monica and Bobbie covered it up, Nelle has a cause of action. Willow says, there’s been no real harm done to Wiley; she’s just targeting Michael’s grandmothers, hoping Michael will back off, and hand Wiley over, so she’ll leave them alone. Michael says, Nelle is trying to maximize the damage, and pay back his grandmothers for rejecting her. We flash back to Bobbie catching Nelle stealing at the MetroCourt; Monica saying Nelle and Michael should get along in the best interest of the child; and Monica telling Nelle that no one has to prove a damn thing. They’ve proven it by being there, and she has colleagues who will back up her diagnosis of Wiley. Michael says, Bobbie couldn’t stand Nelle. At first, Monica was like him, and believed Nelle, but when she turned, she turned hard. Willow says, who cares why Nelle does what she does? They have to figure out how to keep Wiley safe from her.

Jax tells Nina, all Carly knew about Frank was that he’d walked out on her and her adoptive mother early on. Then one day, she got a letter; a long tale about Frank needing money. Carly threw it away, but another one came. Carly marked return to sender on it, but the letters kept coming. One came while they were waiting for Josslyn to get a kidney, and he opened it. It was a letter from a man desperate to do anything for money. He reached out to Frank, and offered him a million dollars. A few days later, Josslyn had a kidney. We flash back to Carly saying she knows Jax isn’t capable of paying a man to harvest his child’s organs, and Jax explaining what he did. He was desperate, but didn’t know Frank would take a kidney from his own daughter. Carly says, now it makes sense why Jax wanted her to drop the search. He knew where the kidney came from, and put it together when Nelle showed up. She’d assumed he talked to the parents, but she didn’t know Frank was Nelle’s father. Why didn’t he tell her that he paid Frank? He says he didn’t know Frank would use his own daughter, and Sonny says, Jax thought Frank was going to use a nameless, faceless person? Jax says he doesn’t regret what he did, and Carly says, Sonny would do the same thing for his child. Sonny says, he doesn’t have a problem with that. What he has a problem with, is what came after. We move to Jax explaining to Josslyn that did something illegal. He reached out to Nelle’s father, and offered him money to find a donor. It’s his fault Nelle came to town and wants revenge. If he’d been honest, it wouldn’t have happened. Josslyn says, it’s because of him she’s alive, and hugs him. Next, we see Michael asking how Jax pulled it off, and Jax saying, Nelle refused to say anything that would indict him.

Carly says if Nelle wants people to care, she has to give them a reason. Show who she really is, even if she’s afraid she’ll never be good enough. Nelle asks if Carly is a motivational speaker, and Carly says she’s the voice of experience. She wanted her mother to love her, and told herself that when Bobbie saw her, she would recognize her. But that didn’t happen. Bobbie treated her like the stranger she was. Bobbie didn’t mean to reject her, but that’s how she felt. She decided to take everything from Bobbie, and live Bobbie’s life better than Bobbie. Sound familiar? It’s what Nelle is trying to do to her. We flash back to Carly telling Sonny, no good deed goes unpunished. Sonny says, Nelle was working all of them. He asks Nelle, what was her goal? Michael says he’d like to know himself, and Nelle says they could start by asking her real last name. It’s Benson. It’s Carly’s last name too, but they have more in common than a last name. Carly is Frank’s daughter. In the present, Carly says, it was almost the same reason Bobbie was supposed to recognize her. Nelle asks, why didn’t she?

Virginia says, Frank left before Carly was four years old, but he was always making shortcuts and deals, waiting for a big payoff. She never minded because she had a good job, and Carly, but then Frank couldn’t deal with failure, and ran away. Carly asks if Virginia is saying she’ll fail, but Virginia tells her, she’s saying Carly is making the wrong choices. Going to Paris and Reno won’t make her happy. Carly says she’ll let Virginia know when she sees them. Virginia says, before she goes off to make her life better, she needs to figure out what is better. Carly says, maybe Frank is rich now. Virginia doubts it, and Carly says, even if he’s just ordinary, he owes her a lifetime of back child support. Virginia says, assuming he has it, which is highly unlikely, she’ll have to find him first. Carly says she knows Frank’s friend, Mr. Richardson, but Virginia says he won’t be able to tell her anything. Carly says, it can’t hurt to ask.

Willow says she’s sorry; that was uncalled for. Sasha says Willow is just saying what they’re all thinking. Michael says if he had a magic wand, or there was on specific action he knew would work, he’d take it in a heartbeat, but that’s not how it works. Willow can’t believe how little Nelle cares for her own son. We flash back to Jason telling Michael that they have to make a plan, and Michael saying he can do what Nelle can’t; play by the rules. He can afford the best lawyers, and Nelle was just arrested for assault and violated her parole. But in the meantime, she can request supervised visits. Jason says they can’t plan on things going right, and have to figure out what to do if they go wrong. All they know, is Nelle gave Wiley to Brad, and if she gets a sympathetic jury and walks, what does he think will happen? In Sonny’s kitchen, Willow says she’s not doing any good there, and she has to get back to the hospital. She jets, and Chase says he’ll go with her, but Sasha says, let her. Sometimes it’s easier to talk to a girl. Chase asks Michael if he’s worried about Willow. He sure as hell is.

Jason tells Josslyn, Nelle’s power lies in her getting people to believe what she wants them to. She got Michael to believe she loved him, and Josslyn to believe she was a friend. She got Brad to believe he could steal Wiley to make Lucas happy. Nelle didn’t make Brad take the baby; it was his choice. He had the power to step up and do the right thing. Nelle wasn’t in charge of him, and she’s not in charge of the custody hearing. She’ll try to get the judge to believe her story, but odds are, they won’t. The facts are on Michael’s side. We flash back to Josslyn telling Michael, Wiley is lucky to have him as a dad, but it’s unfair how much time Wiley was separated from him. Michael tells her they can’t be angry or sad about what happened, and Josslyn asks if he thinks they survived the shooting to lead them to this. Michael says he doesn’t know, but he realized you have to take life in both hands, and not let go.

Jax tells Nina, he had no idea Frank was going to use his own daughter. He didn’t want to know anything. He just wanted his daughter to live, and committed a morally reprehensible act that he should have paid for. Instead, Carly and Michael did, and Nelle didn’t. It seems like Wiley will pay now. We flash back to Carly seeing Jax after Sonny had him detained. Jax says he cut a deal, and has to leave the country never to return. At Crimson, he tells Nina that he’s questioned himself a million times, mostly in the middle of the night when he can’t sleep, or when he’s watching Josslyn live her life; his beautiful, healthy daughter. All he knows is, he hates what he did, but he can’t regret the outcome. Nina says, he compromised himself to save his daughter. No doubt she’d do the same thing if she had a daughter to save.

Nelle says, Carly should have known her, and welcomed her sister. Carly says, they’re not… related. Nelle says Carly can’t even say the word. Sisters. No matter how much Carly wishes it wasn’t true, they have the same father – Frank. Carly says, Frank isn’t her father. He married her adoptive mother, and ghosted them before she even knew him. She only met him once. She tracked him down in Miami, trying to get a fraction of the child support he owed her. Nelle says Frank wasn’t Carly’s father until she needed money. Carly says she didn’t get a dime, and didn’t know Nelle was Josslyn’s kidney donor. She didn’t even remember Frank had a daughter. Nelle says, that’s a lie. Carly knew. She was there.

Tomorrow, Willow says, it’s not enough, and she has to do something; Jason says, without Nelle, there’s no Wiley; and Nelle says Frank had asked Carly to stay with them.

🐎 Digging Deeper…

Figuring out the riddle that is Westworld

https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/westworld-season-3-14-clues-you-may-have-missed-in/2900-3445/?ftag=NLS-04-10aaa1d

🍸 Digging For Dirt…

This is old news, but something I hadn’t heard about, and this page has a lot of fun VPR discussion.

https://www.reddit.com/r/vanderpumprules/comments/eljx61/new_cast_member_arrested_at_vpr_premiere_party/

Apparently, they don’t know how to use Google though.

https://pagesix.com/2020/01/08/new-vanderpump-rules-cast-member-causes-ruckus-at-premiere-after-party/

💃🏾 You Twirl, Girl…

I haven’t really been keeping up on this show, but I always enjoy a Kenya story. I know it’s been years, but I still can’t get over that Portia thought the Underground Railroad was an actual railroad.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/porsha-williams-reacts-kenya-moore-fake-comments?cid=soc_tw_Bravo_Dish

🍊 The Thirst Thickens…

That didn’t take long. Fortunately Unfortunately, they can’t move ahead with anything further than an idea right now.

https://hollywoodlife.com/2020/04/04/tamra-judge-new-show-vicki-gunvalson-returning-rhoc/

🐼 Panda Love…

Because people finally stopped staring at them every time they tried to do it.

https://www.mic.com/p/after-10-years-without-sex-two-giant-pandas-finally-got-it-on-in-empty-zoo-in-hong-kong-22767457

🛣 Staying the Course…

Every time I hear a politician say that, I hear Dana Carvey imitating George Bush. Well, if nothing else, now would be the perfect time to make that Pinterest fail lamb cake I’ve been dreaming about. Stay safe, socially distant, and try not to think of pink elephants. (Caught you already.)

April 7, 2020 – Cyrus Frees TJ, Jeff Rocks, Dayna Has a Birthday, Eddie Goes To Jail With No Pants & a Nightmare

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

I missed the beginning, but to make not very long story shorter, Cyrus has checked into the MetroCourt, and sees Carly in the restaurant. And Martin is now Nelle’s attorney in the custody case.

Nina tells Willow, the necklace is something her mom left her. Willow says, a family heirloom? Nina is fortunate. Her mother never believed in keepsake heirlooms. They always traveled light. Nina says, it’s not exactly an heirloom; more like something not fully complete. Willow asks, where’s the other half? and Nina says her mother strongly implied it’s in the hands of her biological daughter. When she found out Valentin and Sasha were scamming her, she began to doubt her daughter ever existed. Willow says she’s so sorry, and Nina says she shouldn’t have vented to Willow. She doesn’t know why she did. Willow certainly didn’t come to her for that, so what can she help Willow with? Willow says, with Nelle. They need to make sure Nelle doesn’t get Wiley.

Diane tells Sonny, Michael, and Sasha that Nelle is suing GH for medical malpractice and gross incompetence. Monica and Bobbie are also named in the suit. Sasha asks how Nelle can sue; the surgery improved Wiley’s quality of life. Diane says, Nelle claims she never signed the consent form, but Sonny says, she’s lying; it was signed. Diane says, Nelle claims it was a forgery. Because the form is apparently lost, they have no way to prove or disprove that. She doesn’t want to know the details, but it’s very convenient. Michael asks why members of his family are named, and Diane says, Monica is Chief-of-Staff, and Bobbie was the highest ranking nurse on duty that day.  She’s choosing to go after both of Wiley’s grandmothers to force Michael to compromise. Michael says he won’t be intimidated. Nelle is both a physical and mental threat to Wiley, and shouldn’t get any custody, period.

Chase sees Sam at the hospital. She says she’s there picking up a vaccination form for her daughter. He can tell her parole officer that’s why she was there, and she hasn’t seen, nor does she have plans to associate with Jason. Chase says that’s not why he’s there. TJ was just admitted. Sam flashes back to Jason telling her there’s no line Cyrus won’t cross, and that he has TJ. Sam tells Chase, great. Is TJ back to work? Chase says, he’s there as a patient. He was dropped off in front of the hospital, beaten and unconscious. Curtis and Jordan are with him now, but she might want to inform her sister. She thanks him, and says, sorry for the attitude. Curtis asks Chase, what happened? and Chase says TJ was dropped off in a van; they’re finding out what they can about it. Portia joins them, and says she’s ordered a CT scan and an MRI. TJ might have a possible concussion, but has no broken bones. Her best guess is that he was chloroformed. They’re waiting for him to wake up; it should be soon.

Curtis joins Jordan in TJ’s room. He tells her that TJ probably has a concussion, but no broken bones. She says, thank God. That monster. She’s going to kill him. Curtis tells TJ, come on. They need him to open his eyes. Jordan says, they’re there with him, and TJ’s eyes open. He asks, what happened? Why is Jordan crying? Curtis says he knows how emotional his mother gets, and Jordan says they’re happy to see him. She kisses his hand.

Carly tells Jason, she was about to call security, but Jason says, there’s no need. She says she was just explaining to Cyrus that the hotel can’t accommodate him. All the rooms are booked – indefinitely. She gets a text from Sonny, saying it’s not an emergency, but she’s needed at home, and she says she has to take this. Jason says he’ll make sure Cyrus understands hotel policy, and Carly says she’ll make sure the staff brings Cyrus’s baggage to the lobby. She leaves, and Cyrus says, Jason Morgan. This meeting is long overdue.

Cyrus tells Jason, his employees said Jason is responsible for destroying his property; the warehouse at 457 Water Street. Jason flashes back to blowing up the warehouse, and Cyrus says, his work is impressively thorough. He envies Sonny having such a competent and trustworthy associate. Jason says he heard the warehouse was a total loss, along with the merchandise. Accidents can happen, again and again. Eventually, Cyrus’s suppliers are going to realize he’s the problem. Cyrus asks if that’s what Jason is counting on. That he loses so much money his associates feel compelled to remove him? He’s bound to be disappointed.

Sam knocks on Molly’s door. Molly finally opens it, saying she was just getting in the shower. Sam says she’s been calling, but Molly didn’t pick up. Molly says she’s sorry. She forgot to charge her phone. Sam tells her, get dressed. TJ was just admitted to the hospital. He didn’t break up with her. They think he may have been kidnapped.

TJ tries to sit up, but Curtis tells him, take it easy. Portia says, try not to move around too much. He asks how he got there, and Chase says they were hoping he’d help them figure that out. He’s been missing for days. Curtis says they thought he needed time to himself after Molly turned down his proposal. TJ says, that’s not what happened, and Jordan says she got texts from him, saying he needed time alone. He says he never sent any texts, and Chase asks if he remembers where he went the night he left Molly. TJ says, he remembers he needed to blow off steam… Portia says, if he’s not up to answering, they can come back, and Curtis says, it’s his call. TJ says, he’s okay. He was going to work to get his mind off of things. He was almost back at the hospital, when he heard someone running up on him. Before he could turn around, they jumped him. They laid him on the ground, and the next thing he knew, he was in a basement tied up to a chair. Chase asks if he can ID the kidnappers.

Molly asks, who would kidnap TJ? but Sam says she doesn’t know. She ran into Chase at the hospital, and he said TJ was badly beaten and dropped off there unconscious. His mother and Curtis are with him, and she told Chase she’d notify her. She tells Molly, get dressed. She has to wait outside, since she’s double parked. Hurry up. She leaves, and Brando comes out of the bedroom. He asks, who was that? I can’t say I blame Molly. Brando is a good looking dude.

Carly calls Sonny, and says she got his text. What’s going on? He says, nothing good unfortunately. Nelle is suing GH for performing surgery on Wiley without consent. Even better, Monica and Bobbie are named in the suit to get to Michael. Carly says, that’s crazy. The surgery helped Wiley’s quality of life. Nelle should be grateful, but she’s using it as ground to sue? Sonny asks if it surprises her, and Michael says Nelle cares more about hurting him than about Wiley’s health. Diane says, what matters more is that she says the document was forged. Sasha says Michael is doing what’s in the best interest of the child, while Nelle isn’t. What could be more clear? Carly asks how they stop the suit, and Diane says she might not be able to stop it, but she might be able to render it ineffectual.

Brando asks Molly, what happened? and she says she’s sorry. It’s so complicated, and not at all his fault. He says, tell him, and she says her boyfriend was brought in to the hospital. He says, she has a boyfriend? and she says she didn’t tell him because she thought he’d dumped her, but he was kidnapped. (Welcome to Port Charles, Brando!) His mom is the Police Commissioner, and she guesses he was targeted. She should have known he wasn’t ghosting her. Now he’s at the hospital, where he was dumped off, beaten and unconscious. She has to be with him. She struggles to put her boots on, and says, dammit! He tells her, take a breath, and she says he’s been great, and nothing is his fault. What happened was a complete mistake. He says he sees, and she says, it never happened. Got it? She’s sorry, but she’s got to go. She asks him to show himself out, and jets.

Willow tells Nina, Wiley was born with a heart defect. The hope was that it would improve over time, but it didn’t. He had a procedure that definitely helped, but he’s going to need another one in a few months. For some unfathomable reason, Nelle refuses to consent. If Nelle gets even joint custody, it will put Wiley’s life at risk. Nina says she’s sorry, and Willow says she knows how much Charlotte means to Nina. If Charlotte’s mother refused a procedure that would save her life, she knows Nina would do anything to make sure Charlotte was okay. Nina says, Crimson can’t do a piece on Nelle; she’s not a public figure. Willow says, there has to be some way, and Nina says she’s not the only one concerned about Nelle. We have some things in the works. Willow says, we? Like what? Nelle comes in with coffee, and Willow asks what she’s doing there. Nelle says she was about to ask the same thing, but Willow says she beat Nelle to it. Nelle says she works there. She’s Nina’s new assistant.

Jason tells Cyrus, by now, his luggage should be at the curb, waiting. Cyrus wonders if he’ll be allowed to reach the street, or is he going to meet with an unfortunate accident on the way down? Jason says he shouldn’t have come there, and shouldn’t come back. Cyrus asks him to kindly relay a message to Sonny. He’s not going anywhere. Jason says, it’s time for Cyrus to go, and Cyrus smiles.

Carly has joined the others at Sonny’s, and Diane says, if Michael is granted sole custody, the lawsuit will look frivolous and vindictive. Sonny’s phone rings, and he says, everyone knows Diane is brilliant. Do whatever she can to make sure Nelle gets nowhere near his grandson. Diane says, if only it was that simple, and Carly asks what she’s going to do. Diane says she’s going to petition the court to move the date of the custody hearing, using Wiley’s health as a concern, and who makes the final decisions about his medical care. Michael asks if she thinks they’re prepared, and he says, short of him marrying the perfect woman with a spotless past – she tells Sasha, sorry – he looks as good as any single man can as a father. The closer they are to Nelle attempting to skip town, the better they look. Michael tells her to pull the trigger, and Diane says she’s on her way. She leaves, and Sasha says, it’s so unfair; Nelle making Michael choose between Wiley and his grandparents. Michael says it will only make them want to protect Wiley more. Carly can’t believe Nelle dragged in Bobbie and Monica in a vendetta against her. That’s how it started. What better way to hurt the people she loves, but they’re adults; Wiley is just a little boy. He has no idea he’s being used as a weapon. Enough. It started with her, and she’s going to be the one to finish it. She walks out, and Michael says, that didn’t sound good.

TJ says he was left alone for the most part, until he was dropped there. Molly appears, and says, oh my God, rushing to TJ’s bedside. She says she’s been so scared. She had no idea what happened to him. They hug, and Curtis suggests they be given some privacy. The others leave, and Molly says she’s been going out of her mind. Tell her what happened.

Sam tells Jordan that she knows Jordan was protecting TJ, and knows why. Jordan asks how much she told Molly, but Sam says, only what Chase told her; that TJ was beaten and dropped off at the hospital. Jordan says, please don’t tell her anything more. If she and TJ know everything, it will put them in more danger.

Brando goes to the garage, which he apparently didn’t bother to lock. He looks at Molly’s estimate, and flashes back to meeting her, and her saying she thought her wrecked car was the perfectly rotten end to a perfectly rotten day, but she thinks this may been a turning point. Brando looks bummed, and flashes back to Molly asking him to just give her his word that he’ll give her a fair price. He says he gives her his word, and she kisses him. He looks even more bummed.

Molly kisses TJ’s hand, and says, when he cut her off, and wouldn’t pick up her calls or return her texts, she thought he never wanted to see her again. She thought they were done because she turned down his proposal. He says he’s so sorry, and she asks why he’s apologizing. She’s the one who lost faith, and jumped to the worst possible conclusion. She should have known he wouldn’t give up on them. He says, if the positions were reversed, he probably would have thought the same thing; if she’d taken off into the night pissed off. His mom was getting texts, supposedly from him. Of course (🍷) she thought he was icing her out. But he’s okay now. They’re okay. There’s nothing they can’t take back. (D’oh!)

Molly says, right. Nothing happened that they can’t take back. He says he knows she felt that he was pressing the subject of marriage, and she says they don’t need to pick up that conversation right now; he’s hurt. He says, it looks worse than it is. He has some bruises, he’s dehydrated, and has a bad headache from the chloroform, but his mouth still works. The whole time he was tied up, he kept thinking what he’d say to her if he had a chance, and here they are. This is their chance. He tells her, bear with him, and she says she’s listening. He says he thought too soon that marriage was something they both wanted, and she said the opposite; they didn’t need it, and were better off without it. They surprised each other, and they both dug in. That part is no surprise since they’re both stubborn. She says she was ridiculous, and he says she was honest about what she wanted. He was too disappointed to accept it, but when he was walking back, he thought of a real compromise he didn’t consider. She asks what he means, and he says, domestic partnership.

Sonny goes to the garage, and asks Brando, how’s business? Brando says, so far, so good. He got another customer yesterday. Sonny asks, what kind? and Brando says, some woman who messed up the undercarriage of her hybrid. He doesn’t think it has anything to do with Sonny’s business, but Sonny says he’s got to be careful. The threat to his family is at high level. Brando asks, what happened? and Sonny says, the man behind the shootings, Cyrus Renault, was let out of prison last night. Brando asks if Sonny’s family is still a target, and Sonny says, that remains to be seen, but Brando is part of the family now, and is in Port Charles because of Sonny’s request. Sonny tells Brando, watch his back, and leaves.

Chase tells Jordan that he needs to finish the interview with TJ; the next 24 hours are crucial. She says she’ll take the reins on this one, but he says, with all due respect, he doesn’t think that’s a good idea. Jordan flashes back to Cyrus telling her she did a great job, and Jordan saying, she did what he wanted for one reason only; to get her son back. If TJ isn’t released unharmed, Cyrus will be too dead to enjoy it.

Curtis leaves a message at the prison for Shawn. Tell him his son TJ has been admitted to the hospital. He’s expected to make a full recovery. Portia hears, and says she’s sorry. She certainly didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but it sounded like he was leaving a message for… He says, TJ’s father. She says she thought Thomas was his father, and Curtis says, his biological father. Jordan was married to Thomas, and when he went overseas… Portia says, she had an affair. That explains a lot. He says, about what? and she says the way he ended things when he found out she was married.

Portia says, when Curtis found out she was married, he broke it off, and had a strong reaction. Curtis says, maybe too strong. He knows life is complicated, and things happen, but for him, he’s not messing around with no married woman. She says she thought he’d been cheated on, but it was his brother. He says, well-intentioned people made some bad choices back in the day, him included. But at the end of it all, there was TJ; a smart, principled, likeable, handsome young man. There’s nothing to regret about him.

Chase tells Jordan, she’s the victim’s mother. An experienced attorney will have a field day, given her connection. She knows she shouldn’t be directly involved with this. She says he’s right; okay. He says he’s going to talk to GH security, and see if they pulled the surveillance footage. Don’t worry. They’ll find out exactly how it went down. When he’s gone, Jordan tells Sam, that’s what she’s afraid of.

Sonny asks Jason, what happened with Cyrus? and Jason says, Cyrus checked into the MetroCourt. He was in the restaurant, and made a point of talking to Carly. When Jason got there, she was throwing Cyrus out, but she kept her cool. She told him the hotel was full, and Jason stayed to make sure Cyrus left. Sonny says, anything else? and Jason says, Cyrus is gone from the hotel, but he’s not leaving Port Charles. He said to give Sonny a message. He’s not going anywhere.

TJ asks what Molly thinks. They’ll have most of the rights that benefit married couples, and there will be a record with an official stamp of their relationship, without sacrificing her belief in something dated and traditional. Another huge plus is, they can throw a big party. He knows he’s days late, but what does she say? Does she want to spend the rest of her life with him? She says, of course (🍷) she wants to spend the rest of her life with him; absolutely. Domestic partnership is genius. He tells her, don’t cry, but she says, they’re happy tears. She’s thrilled that he’s back, and safe. He says he can’t wait to get out and go home with her. They can put all this behind them, and focus on the future. Sound good? She says, perfect.

Nelle tells Willow, Nina hired her as an assistant. She just started. Willow asks why Nina would do that. Nina flashes back to telling Carly about why she’s going to give Nelle a job, and that she’s in a perfect position to turn the tables. She tells Willow that she needed an assistant, and Willow says, she chose Nelle? Nelle says she’s right there. Nina was nice enough to give her a position that will look good with the court; she now has gainful employment. It might be the start of a beautiful career. Willow asks if Nina has any idea what she’s doing to Wiley. Nelle says she doesn’t know why Willow thinks it’s her business. She’s not Wiley’s mother, and means absolutely nothing to Wiley. Willow storms out.

Tomorrow, Nelle tells someone to admit they’re just like her, Willow says they have to figure out how to keep Wiley safe, and Jason asks Josslyn what she wants him to do.

😈 Just Sayin’…

Jeff Kober is awesome as Cyrus. I’ve always loved Faison. He’s a bad guy, but he worked from a place of emotion. Cyrus has no emotions, so I’m loving hating him.

Vanderpump Rules

The guys hang out at the skate park. Jax thinks it’s an aggressive place. In his interview, Brett says he wanted to stay under the radar, but Schwartz is making them stick out like a sore thumb. In Schwartz’s interview, he says it’s safe to say he’s getting too old for this sh*t. Jax says, it’s all ex-pros and people trying to be pro. He asks if Schwartz squashed things with Katie, and Schwartz says, it’s a little tense at home. He was caught off guard, and was tired and drunk. He disagreed with her reaction, but shouldn’t have said it out loud. Jax says it’s inevitable that the girls react that way, and Schwartz says, it was a good moment turned sour.

Danica, Brett, Raquel, James, Ariana, and Lala go to an ax throwing place. The instructor says, house rules. They throw together, and don’t do anything stupid. Raquel is the only one who gets it in the center, or even gets it to stick to the target. In her interview, she says she had no clue she would ax-ceed everyone. She’s a bad-ax bitch. Dayna asks Brett if he’s coming to her birthday party, and he says, definitely. He thinks they should hang out outside of work. They only see each other at parties. In Dayna’s interview, she says Brett is totally good to talk to. They built a friendship at work, so it’s not forced. A producer asks what she likes about Brett, and she says, his abs. Brett suggests lunch, and Dayna is afraid Scheana will be weird about it. He says, she’s not allowed to be weird about it.

Lisa goes to SUR, and meets Guillermo. He asks how she is, and she says, okay now. In her interview, she says she was in London for her mother’s funeral. Our parents are instrumental in how we deal with things, and she has to pull herself together because it’s who they made her. She tells Guillermo that she heard something happened on Saturday. He says, the managers only have to serve two tables, so they can take care of their other duties. Danica got a food order wrong, and a table was overcharged. The customers had to leave, so SUR had to call them later to tell them they were overcharged by $200. Lisa asks son Max to send Danica over. Danica joins them, and Lisa says she heard Danica screwed up a table. They had to phone the people and apologize, and it’s not the kind of business they run. What went wrong? Danica says, it was an honest mistake. She’d had a stressed day. Lisa says, it’s a job. Danica apologizes, saying she shouldn’t bring her problems to work, but Lisa says she’s done it before. We flash back to when Danica was suspended for hitting Brett. Lisa tells her that she had an attitude problem at TomTom, and was rude to Richardson, who’s worked there for many years. Danica insists she doesn’t have an attitude, and in Lisa’s interview, she says, Danica wants to have a career in the restaurant business, but she’s a little rough around the edges. In Danica’s interview, she says she doesn’t have an effing attitude.

Schwartz tells Katie, he was over-zealous at the skate park, and ices his knee. He asks how she’s feeling, and Katie says, better. He says it’s nothing they haven’t sailed before, but Katie says, not for a long time. He says he thinks she overreacted, and she says, it’s the times they live in. He tells her not to be a social justice warrior. He’s still dumbfounded and confused. It was a harmless prank, and when the dust settled, she was still sulking. She says, because he was rude to her, and he says he thought she was self-indulgent and immature. They spent a lot of time and money on the prank. She says, then it was a waste, but he says, it wasn’t for her. In Katie’s interview, she says she just wants an apology. He’s entitled to his opinion, even if it’s wrong. Schwartz says he felt she was super wrong, but he doesn’t like being confrontational or mean spirited. He’s sorry that he talked to her that way; he was in d*ck mode, and knew he’d feel bad later. The next morning, he had a shame hangover. In his interview, Schwartz says he was definitely wrong, and doesn’t know why he got so mad. He tells her that he apologized to Beau. Katie says, Stassi is pressing Beau to propose, but he’s planning it. We see a clip of Beau asking for Katie’s help with the plan. She tells Schwartz that he pulled off an elaborate proposal, and Schwartz says, in hindsight, he should have had cops arrest him. She tells him, stop.

Stassi, Katie, and Kristen meet for lunch at Villa Blanca. In Stassi’s interview, she says they’re having a Witches of WeHo party, and have to make a plan. As they were working on the wine, she realized she preferred being a dictator, and not part of a democracy. Kristen says they can make any location pretty. She doesn’t think it will be hard with all the contacts they have. Lisa stops by with friend Elena. Puffy! They ask how Lisa is, and she says, it was unexpected and difficult. It’s easier not to talk about it, but thanks them for acknowledging it. She asks Katie about going back to Vegas. In Stassi’s interview, she says Lisa didn’t necessarily spill the tea about Katie and Schwartz’s getting married a second time in Vegas.

Dayna meets Brett at a restaurant, and they order drinks. She tells him that she invited Max to her party, since she wants to stay friends. He says it’s nice of her. He’s only known her two months, but can see she has a great head on her shoulders. It’s not easy to come by. She says he seems to look for depth in people, but still loves a YouTuber Instagram model. He says that’s not his type, and thinks she’s capable of understanding him. He’s had one relationship that didn’t work. He always put himself second. In Brett’s interview, he says he was literally in the backseat, like a child who isn’t allowed to sit up front. Dayna says she’s been there, but when her mom died, she knew she had to put herself first. She and her mom loved hard, so it’s been hard for her. In Dayna’s interview, she says, every day without her mom is hard, and it’s amplified on her birthday, since they had the same one. She’s going to try to celebrate, but even acknowledging it at all is hard. Brett says he’s sorry.

Stassi gets a message that Lisa wants to talk to her, and in Stassi’s interview, she wonders when she’ll be able to summon people. That is gold. Lisa asks, what happened? and Stassi says once Brittany and Jax were married, she thought, why wouldn’t Beau propose the next day? Lisa says they’ll get him to propose, and Stassi says she’s a control freak with everything else in her life. She wears the Spanx and the pants. Lisa says she’s told Stassi, never admit to wearing Spanx. She heard there was dissention in the camp, and asks if she put her foot in it, saying something about Vegas. If Kristen knows, she’ll be seriously pissed. Stassi says, who cares?

At Castaway Studios, West Hollywood, Beau and his boss look over resumés. Schwartz and Katie come in, and Schwartz says he’s auditioning for the role of a-hole boyfriend and friend. Katie says, a-hole husband, and he says he forgot. Beau says he wanted to be far away, so Stassi won’t know he’s meeting with them. In Beau’s interview, he says he’s been planning this for six months. Stassi has no clue. He asked Katie and Schwartz to help, since they’re the only people who can keep a secret. He says his mom and dad are giving him the rings, and shows them a photo on his laptop. In Schwartz’s interview, he says he’s bedazzled. The rings are beautiful, and he’s admiring the fact that Beau doesn’t have to pay for them. Beau says Stassi loves graveyards, and after Stassi’s grandmother passed away, she wanted to look for a mausoleum for herself. He wants to hide the ring box there. He’s thinking two weeks. In his interview, Beau says he wants to marry Stassi because she’s the most important person in his life. They laugh together. She’s funny and charming, and he doesn’t want to be around anyone else more than her. He thinks they’re going to have an amazing future, and beautiful kids. He tells Katie and Schwartz not to say anything, and Schwartz says, don’t tell Jax. Katie says, or Kristen

Kristen’s calls Scheana, who’s working at SUR. She says she’s on her way to get some champagne for Dayna’s birthday. She doesn’t want to show up empty handed. She tells Scheana about Lisa saying something about Vegas at Villa Rosa. Stassi and Katie knew what she was talking about, and she clearly isn’t invited to what’s basically Schwartz and Katie’s second wedding. Max also told her that he’s going. She introduced Katie and Schwarz, and they’ve been best friends for over a decade. She was a bridesmaid the first time. Scheana says she’s not invited either. In Kristen’s interview, she says, it’s super hurtful. Katie is being a bitch. Kristen thinks Katie has tunnel vision, and they all just revolve around Katie’s problems. Katie was telling her how sad it was, and she needs a break, while they’re doing monumental things she’s not invited to. It feels final.

Brittany comes into work at SUR. Peter asks how she feels about being back, and she says, excited. He asks if she remembers the table numbers. In her interview, she says, now that they’re married, she doesn’t want to be in a position where Jax feels that she’s not contributing financially. We flash back to Jax bitching about taking care of her. She says,  they split the cost of the wedding 50/50, and each put the same amount of down payment on the house. If it means going back to SUR and waiting tables, so be it. She tells Peter, she’s getting right back in it.

In Scheana’s interview, she says she’s getting her body ready for the next round in freezing her eggs. She’s on a new medication, and wants to throw up. Dayna wants to talk to her, and says when they were at the ax throwing thing, Brett asked her out to lunch. When they went out, she felt a connection. She’s not saying anything will happen, but wants to be open with Scheana. In Dayna’s interview, she says it wasn’t that long ago that Scheana was a sh*thead to her because she was dating Max. She wants to be transparent, so Scheana doesn’t try to ruin her life. Scheana says she and Brett are just friends, and Dayna says Brett told her she’d said maybe in the future it would be something else. She doesn’t want to step on Scheana’s toes. In Scheana’s interview, she says, Dayna is basically going out with Brett to throw an F-U in Max’s face. It shows what kind of person she is. Whatever delusion you need to get you through the day, Scheana. She tells Dayna, she’s good.

Dayna and Lala visit with Ariana. They sit by the pool, and Ariana says it’s her favorite day ever. She asks how Dayna is doing, and Dayna says she had a weird moment with Scheana. Brett asked her to lunch, so she told Scheana, who said they’re all friends and it’s great. Ariana says, Scheana does feel some type of way. In Ariana’s interview, she says, sometimes it’s hard for Scheana to let her guard down. If she cares and the guy doesn’t feel the same way, she doesn’t want to care. Lala asks how Dayna feels about Brett, and Dayna says, he’s a perfect specimen of a man (really?). She had blinders on when she was seeing Max, and might be interested. She’s looking forward to hanging out with him. Ariana asks if she invited Max to her birthday party, and Dayna says she did, but Ariana says Max doesn’t know if he’s invited.

At TomTom, Brett tells Tom that he went to lunch with Dayna. Tom says she’s hanging out with Lala and Ariana at their house today.

In Dayna’s interview, she says there’s an open invite to her birthday party. Everyone’s invited. She tells Lala and Ariana that she didn’t text Max specifically, but he’s invited. Ariana thinks she should tell him, and Dayna says she needs to tell everyone what time to come anyway. She texts Max, and says he texted her back, all good. Lala says, someone’s bitter.   

Stassi and Beau go out to eat at not-SUR. Stassi says she can only raise one arm at a time, and Beau says he doesn’t get impractical dresses. He’s going be the funniest parent, and she isn’t. She says, Katie was talking to Schwartz about being an a-hole. He says, the whole night was effed up; even they were fighting. We see a clip of them arguing, and Stassi says it’s not Beau’s problem to make them not feel bad. He sent them a text saying they were going to be late because they were fighting about being married, and she doesn’t like being vulnerable like that. He apologizes, and says he’s not trying to hurt her. He’s doing everything in his time because it is his time. In his interview, he says, seeing Stassi this way breaks his heart. He wants to tell her, but it will ruin the magnificence of the surprise. He tells her that he doesn’t want to talk about it right now, and she says she’s not hungry. He tells her, please be hungry. He wanted it to be a great date night. She says she’s not mad, but excuses herself for a moment. In Stassi’s interview, she says, it’s incredibly frustrating. She knows it will work out, and doesn’t want to be that person who gives an ultimatum. She’ll have to stick with it and suffer.

Dayna’s sister Brittni accompanies her to TomTom for the party. In Danica’s interview, she says she and Dayna have had their ups and downs, but she likes Dayna. Dayna gives her sh*t for having to use a breathalyzer, and she gives Dayna sh*t for her horrible taste in men. It’s the perfect friendship. Somehow, I don’t think so. In James’s interview, he says it’s hard being in the booth. Everyone else is drinking. Dayna introduces her sister to everyone. Lisa drops by, surprising everybody, and in her interview, she says she doesn’t normally go to her staff’s birthday parties, but she likes Dayna. Dayna is a sweet girl, and she thinks birthdays are a big deal, so she wants to be supportive. She tells Brittni that she’s glad she’s there for her sister. Schwartz asks Ariana if she wants to be a bridesmaid or groomsman. Kristen sits with Katie, saying she wants to get the conversation out of the way. Katie and Stassi were talking about Vegas, and she had no idea what they were talking about. She starts crying, and says she didn’t know she was on the no fly list. Katie says she just invited family, but Kristen says Katie invited everyone but her. Katie says she’s not angry, but thinks they need a break from each other. Kristen says Katie looked her in the eye, and said they weren’t sisters, friends, or best friends. Katie says they haven’t been for years. She says she’ll always love Kristen, and Kristen says she wishes she could see that. In Kristen’s interview, she wishes Katie would spare her the bullsh*t breakup chat. She tells Katie, if she loved her, she wouldn’t walk away from her. At the bar, Lala says she’s going to get white girl wasted on Diet Coke.

Dayna asks if she can talk to Scheana. She doesn’t want to deal with any bullsh*t from her, and asks what she said to Max. Scheana says, Max felt weird that Dayna is going out with one of his friends. Dayna says she asked Scheana if it was cool because she thought Scheana liked him. Scheana says Dayna said it was just a casual lunch, and Dayna says it was, and Max doesn’t get a vote. In her interview, Dayna says she can date Max’s dad if she wants. And his dad is hot too. Scheana says she doesn’t want to talk about it. Scheana seriously needs many years of therapy.

Lala asks Scheana what she and Dayna were fighting about, and Scheana insists that she doesn’t have feelings for Brett. Possibly maybe in the future. Lala says she’s noticed that Scheana always has a new hot guy she’s saying is her best friend. She tells Lala that she likes have a single guy best friend. We flash back to Scheana telling James that Adam is her best friend, and saying she’s friends with Max and Brett. Lala wants Scheana to be honest about her feelings. She wants to make everything seem perfect. Scheana says she’s over Brett, but wipes some tears away. She says, it’s her life. She’s doing this single, on her own, at 34, and divorced. She’s optimistic that the right guy will come along, and want kids with her. She’s doing this for a baby, and feels overwhelmed. In Scheana’s interview, she says she’s frustrated. She sees everyone around her having what she wants to have again. She didn’t think she’d be where she is at 34.

Lisa asks why Brett looks worried, and tells him, enjoy the ride. He says the only one he’s had lately is with her in the car on Pride. It’s the best one so far. In Lisa’s interview, she says she has underwear older than Brett, and she’s probably wearing it. He asks where Ken is, and she says, waiting outside. After 35 minutes, she’ll have to put out later. In Brett’s interview, he says he’s respectful. He likes Ken and would never try anything, but the feeling he gets in his stomach when he sees Lisa is awesome. Jax watches Charli have a nip slip. Stassi tells Beau that Kristen found out about Vegas. She gets it’s not her wedding, and she’s never going to be engaged, but she’s embarrassed about last night. He says he’s ready, but not ready. She says, when she hears he’s not ready… He says they’re going to die old together. He loves her so effing much.

Charli and Danica bring out the cake, with Dayna’s picture on it (ew!). Everyone sings Happy Birthday, and Dayna blows out the candles. In her interview, Dayna says she left her entire life in Seattle, and thought her first birthday there would be spent eating a bowl of mac and cheese, and hotdogs. To have all these people celebrating her, and making her feel special is amazing. She lifts up the cake, and takes a bite, and Tom pushes the plate into her face. Cake is smushed into various people’s faces, and Dayna asks if Charli wants a bite. Charli takes off, but Dayna gets her, and Charli says her skin care regimen can’t afford this. Whatever that means. Dayna smears cake on Brett’s face, and they kiss. Scheana sees, and says, if anyone hits her with cake, she’s going to lose her effing sh*t. She jets, and Dayna kisses Brett again.

Next time Brett says he licked Dayna’s face on her birthday, Danica says Dayna deserves better than Brett, Beau calls Stassi’s father, and Kristen says she can’t take fighting with her two best friends.

If Loving You Is Wrong

Randal grabs Marci, and takes her phone. She tells him to give it back, and he says she destroyed his house. She asks what he’s talking about, and tells him, get out. He asks, was it Brad? and she calls him crazy. She tells him to give her the phone, and he says, so she can call Brad? She kicks him in the nuts, and he crawls to the kitchen counter, pulling himself up. He says, you bitch, and she says, you da bitch. He laughs, and sees the ring. He asks, what the hell is this? She says her engagement ring. Brad asked her to marry him. Now that they’re both divorced, that’s what she’s going to do. He calls her a bitch again, and she says she heard he and Larry did it. She heard he’s into bondage and swinging. Good to know. He says, Alex wasn’t the only one, and Marcie says, she was the only one who fooled him. Karma’s a bitch. Get out now. She opens the door, and tells him to give her the damn phone. He says he’ll leave, so he can think and plot all the ways ruin her life. Marcie says, they’re divorced, and he says she has no idea how many mind games he can play. She says he has no idea how many ways her fiancé can kick his ass. He throws her phone on the floor, and stomps on it. She hits him with a golf club, and keeps hitting him, as he crawls away in the hallway. I nearly die laughing.

Randal gets in his car. He says, I got you bitch, and calls Larry, leaving a message for Larry to call him back. He says, screw it, and calls again, saying he’s coming to Larry’s house. He drives away.

Brad gets to Alex’s house, and the babysitter says she’s sorry. He tells her, don’t worry, and she says she didn’t know what else do. He says he’s glad she called, and she says she had a hard time finding the number, since Alex didn’t leave it. She has to get going, and he asks if she called Alex. She says, a few times; she last saw Alex down the street at the neighbors. He pays her, and says, get home safe. She tells him that the kids and baby are asleep, and he goes upstairs. She lets herself out.

Eddie goes into Esperanza’s bedroom, where she and Steven are sleeping. He strips down, and gets in the bed next to her. He says, hey, baby, and she says, what the hell…? Steven jumps up, grabbing his gun. Esperanza asks what Eddie is doing there, and he says he misses her and he’s high. She says, just get up, and Steven tells her, get him out of here. She says he’s sleeping, and Steven says, fine. He’ll drag Eddie’s ass out. She says, obviously Eddie has problems, and Steven says Eddie doesn’t belong in her house. She asks what Steven wants her to do right now, and tells him, calm down, be a decent person, and let him sleep it off. Steven says he’ll take Eddie’s ass out, so he can sleep it off outside, and she tells him, stop. He asks what the hell is wrong with her, and she says she’s spent way too much time trying to help Eddie. Steven says, she’d better give it up; Eddie isn’t going to change. She says they still have kids, and he suggests she file the papers and get custody. Does she want her daughter to see this? She says, of course not, and he says, then do something. She says if Steven drags Eddie out, her daughter will see him sleeping in the car. Steven says, he’ll drive Eddie somewhere. She asks, where? but Steven doesn’t know. He’s trying so hard to wrap his head around this. Eddie is sick, but her protecting him is more sick. She says she’s learning how to let go, and he says, this is nuts. She says he’s right, and he tells her, stop saying that. She knows she has to do something, and he asks her to let him take Eddie somewhere. She says, okay; where? and he says she’s asking the wrong questions. He grabs Eddie, and Eddie says he’s drunk; let him sleep it off. Steven says, don’t worry. Eddie will get sleep where he’s going. Eddie stands up, wrapping a blanket around himself. He says he’s going to be sick, and Steven says they’re taking Eddie’s truck.

While he’s in the middle of an S&M scenario, Larry’s phone rings. It’s Marcie, who tells him, Randal showed up at the house. She’s thinking of getting a restraining order. He says, okay, and hearing various sounds, she asks what he’s doing. He says, it’s late, and she asks if he’s moaning. He says, that hurts, and she says, is he doing his S&M sh*t? This is terrible. Larry says, she called him (he has a point); what does she think is going on? She says, eww! and he says, it’s pretty good. She asks if he could stop for a second; she’s having an issue. He says he’ll take care of it first thing in the morning. She asks, what the hell is that noise? and he says, an air compressor. She says, goodnight; they’ll deal with it another time. After she hangs up, she says, weirdos everywhere.

Since Larry can’t catch a break, there’s a knock at the door and the bell rings. He yells, come in, and Randal stomps in, saying he wants to get her. Dammit, Larry. Larry says, it’s the weekend. He’s enjoying his personal time. Randal sees the other guy, completely in leather, including a mask, and asks, who this is? Larry asks the guy, what’s his name again? and Randal says, forget it. Larry tells the nameless guy to go get something to drink, and the guy and his assless chaps walk to the kitchen. Randal thinks Larry needs to wash down the ottoman. Larry asks if Randal wants a drink, but Randal says he doesn’t want a damn drink. He wants to hurt Marcie. Larry says Randal interrupted his personal time, and he doesn’t know what the problem is. Randal asks if he knows Marcie is getting married to Brad. Larry laughs, and Randal says he wants them served. Larry asks him to define wanting to be served, and Randal says he’s serious. Larry says Randal is seriously blowing his night, and tries to get Randal interested. Randal tells him, stop it. He doesn’t know why he came there. Larry says Randal knows where to come to have a good time. He approaches Randal, but Randal pushes him away, saying he’s not into this sh*t. He’s coming to Larry’s office in the morning. Have the papers ready for him to sue Marcie. (I’m wondering what he thinks he can sue her for, but okay). Randal says he doesn’t know what this sh*t is all about, but it’s sick. Larry says, but it’s so much fun.

Marcie goes to Alex’s house, and says, she’s not back yet? What the hell? He doesn’t think something happened to her, does he? He says, she was upset, and probably went out on her own. She’s not answering the phone; it just keeps ringing. He asks why Marcie is there; did she think something was going on? She says, no, it’s not that. The door to the apartment is broken. He asks how that happened, and she says, Randal came over. He says, that SOB needs to leave her alone. She says beat the hell out of him with a golf club, but the door is broken, so she came there. He says he’ll fix it when he goes back. He asks if she wants to stay there, and she asks if he’s sure. He says, it is his house, and she says, what if Alex doesn’t come back tonight? The kids will see her in the morning. He says it’s not like Alex. He’s sure she’ll be back. Marcie says Brad thinks he knows her; he thinks he needs more proof. He says he’s been trying to get to her contacts on the laptop, but it’s password protected. She tells him to try Peppa. It’s the name Alex used when she called Randal. He says, nice; it worked. He sees Alex’s profile on Hook Ups, with her name as Jennifer Peppa. He says, she didn’t waste any time, and Marcie tells him, look at the dates; she’s been dating a while. Brad says, unbelievable. All this time, she’s been cheating on him. Marcie tells him not to get upset, but he says he’s just shocked. She says, you never know someone, do you? He reads she can only meet in the afternoon at the Maxine hotel, and says, there are tons of them. Marcie says, wow.

Ian tells Alex to get dressed; he’ll walk her home. She says, no. He tells her that she’s going to regret it in the morning, and she says she wants to do it again. He says he doesn’t think he has it left in him, and she says she’s going to have a little more to drink. He says she’s mixing liquor, but she says, you only live once. She’s tired of living what everyone else wants her to do. She’s doing what she wants now. He says she has to take care of her kids; she’s a mother. She says she found out too late she’s not into that. He says, she’s pretty good, but she asks, how would he know what she’s like with her kids? He says, what about Lushion and Natalie? and she says he doesn’t understand. She’s so sick of all of it. She hates the clothes and the neighborhood. She wants to live in a loft with no bedroom and no curtains, and walk around naked all day. Look at her. She’s had three kids, and this is still what she looks like. Her own body doesn’t want her to have this life. Ian says, tomorrow, she’s going to regret this, but she says, no talking about tomorrow. This is why she wouldn’t drink with Brad. She’d get depressed, and he’d say, oh darling, it’s okay, with that stupid accent. Ian laughs, and Alex says, sex with Brad and his mushroom penis was a chore. Nothing like with him. He asks, what about Randal? and she says, that loser? He says, and the others? And she says, whatever. Ian is number three on her list. He says she has a list? and she says, her fun time. He asks, how many? and she says, don’t worry about it. She drinks some more, and he says, he’s number three? She says, number three on her top ten list. He says, thanks, I guess. She says, one guy… she never felt that way with anybody, but she never called him again. She’s not calling Ian again either. Sorry, but she just wanted it to be one time. He says he figured, but she had a baby by one of them. She tells him, don’t talk about the baby. She’s frustrated. He says, she’s drunk, and she says, both. She doesn’t want talk about that. He says he’ll make her something to eat, but she says, that’s for the morning. Come on. She kisses him, and they get busy again.

Steven brings Eddie to the jail, and parks him on a bench. An officer asks if he should get some clothes, but Steven says, don’t get a damn thing. Go push some papers. He’s booking Eddie’s ass. The officer leaves, and Eddie asks where he is. Steven says he’s somewhere where he can get some sleep. Steven fingerprints him, and Eddie asks if he’s being arrested. Steven says, yes, sir, and Eddie tells him, get out of here with that, but Steven says, don’t resist him. Eddie asks where his clothes are, and calls Steven a weirdo. Steven asks if Eddie remembers where he just was, but he says, no. Steven asks what his name is, and he says, Eddie. Steven says, Eddie what? and he says, Eddie Eddie. Eddie says he’s about to whoop Steven’s ass. He asks if Steven is filming him with his phone, and Steven says he is. Eddie says he’s getting out, and Steven cuffs him to the bench. He finds the officer, and asks what he’s got. The officer says, drunk and disorderly; the guy was angry in a bar. Steven tells him to put Eddie in with him. The officer says, it’s his funeral, and Steven uncuffs Eddie. Eddie asks what he’s doing, and Steven says, taking his ass to his home for the night. Eddie says, actually, Steven is really bossy, and Steven drags him to the cell next to Kelly. She says, what the…? and Steven drops Eddie into a bunk. Kelly asks if Steven can get Lushion on the phone. He says Lushion will be there in the morning, but she says, it can’t wait. She needs to talk to him now. He says, it’s late, and Lushion is going to be pissed, but she says, he’ll be fine. Trust her. He says, okay, and makes the call.

The phone wakes Lushion up, and he asks if Steven knows what time it is. Steven says, sorry. He’s at the station. Lushion asks why he’s there this late, and Steven says he’s logging trash. Kelly needs to talk to him. He gives Kelly the phone, and Kelly tells Lushion, someone came to see her. Sister Margaret. She brought Kelly a bible, and inside were pictures of women, dates, and settlements, all from Travis’s church. Lushion says, really? and she says she has it right there. He says, good. Hold on until the morning. She says, this will get her off, right? He says he doesn’t know. He tells her a guy named Tyrel was at her house; does she know him? He said he was Justice’s father, and was looking for a key. She asks if he’s still there, and Lushion says he told Tyrel to leave, but he’s coming back. She tells Lushion that he can let Tyrel in. He says, it doesn’t sound like she wants him there, but she says, no; he can stay. She thanks him, and asks how Justice is. He says, good, and she says, make sure Tyrel doesn’t see Justice until she’s out of there. He says he’ll see her tomorrow, and she thanks him. She gives Steven back his phone, thanking him too. He tells her to get some sleep.

Steven leaves, and Kelly says, thank you, God. Eddie says, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Hallelujah. She tells him not to talk to her. He says she’s the one locked up, and she says, guess what? He is too. He looks around, and says, damn. What the hell is going on? Where are his pants? She doesn’t know and doesn’t care. He asks who locked him up? and she says he really needs some help. She hopes his ass rots in there. He calls her a raisin in the sun, and she says he’s a racist. He says he’s proud of it, and yells for the guard to open the door. She says he can scream all he wants, but they don’t care. He says he’s an officer of the law, and she laughs, saying, an officer who breaks the law. He asks how much blood was on the floor when she murdered that man, and she tells him, go to hell. He says he ain’t playing, and yells for someone to open the door.

Esperanza thanks Steven for coming back. She’s sorry about earlier. He says he thinks she should talk to someone about her and Eddie. It’s wrong to love someone who treats her like that. she says she’s not in love with him, and Steven says, then show Eddie some tough love. She says she’s trying, but he says Eddie threatens her and she doesn’t do anything about it. The reason Eddie does what he does is because there are no consequences for his actions, so give him some. She says that’s why she involved a lawyer, and he says, that’s great, but if she doesn’t serve him, what’s the point? She says, he’s right, and he says he’s going home. She says, please don’t, and he says Eddie’s not getting out. He’s in a cell, locked up for the night. She says Steven is upset, but he says he’s not; he’s just tired. She needs to know she deserves better. She says she knows, and he tells her, stop saying she knows and feel it in her heart. He’ll see her tomorrow. He kisses her forehead, and they say goodnight.

At the club, the woman whose name I don’t know, tells Rick not to be cheap. He gets her another drink, and she says don’t tell anyone what she’s going to say. He says he promises, but she says he looks like a rat with little beady eyes. She thinks his hair is fake, and asks to touch it. He lets her, and she says, baby making hair. He asks if she’s going to tell him or not, and she says the sons of the pastor are crazy as hell. Rick needs to get a lawyer, and subpoena their law firm and accountant. Then he’ll see. She says, it’s her song, and he asks if she wants to dance. She says, let’s go, and they hit the dance floor.

Now Lushion can’t catch a break. There’s a knock at the door, and Natalie wakes him up. He says he’s got it, and opens the door to Brad. He asks, what’s going on? and Brad says he’s looking for Alex. Lushion says she’s not there. She left right after he did. Brad asks if Lushion knows where she went. The babysitter called him, and he had to relieve her. He tried to call Alex, and so did the babysitter. Lushion says, she left at the same time as Ian, but he doesn’t think she’s there. Ian just moved in across the street. Brad says he’ll check there, and Lushion asks if Brad wants him to come along, but Brad says he’s fine. Lushion says he might as well go for a stroll.

Lushion and Brad walk to Ian’s house, and see him having sex with Alex through the window.

Next time, Eddie wonders what he’s doing in jail, Esperanza tells Kelly to stop talking about Travis, Lushion tells Rick that they have to make sure the DA gets the information, and Eddie threatens to kill Esperanza.

👀 For Those Sleepless Nights...

Be they on purpose or not. And stay safe wherever you are, awake or not.

April 6, 2020 – Cyrus Gets Released, Free Day For the Deck, Isolated Live, Summer Mess, 90 Day Opportunity, the Queens Are Coming & Still Here

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Sam and Jason kiss. He asks if this is why she wanted meet. She says it is, and he says they shouldn’t be doing this. Carly offered them a safe house, but meeting there is a double risk. Sam says she was careful; no one knows she’s there. He says, that they know of. If she’s caught meeting with a felon on a property owned by Sonny, it’s going to be a problem. She says, but she won’t be caught.

At the MetroCourt, Nina asks if Jax is sure he doesn’t want to ice his back; he took quite a fall. He says only his pride was hurt, and she bets he even falls with panache. He says, one person enjoyed it – Charlotte. She has great manners, but she couldn’t quite hide her smirk. Nina says, that’s what troubles her.

Ava thinks she and Nikolas should make more of an effort with his family, but he says his family doesn’t need to endure more of their sham marriage than they have already, especially his mother. She says she likes Laura a lot, and unless their terms have changed, his family needs to understand they’re a package deal. Unless one of them cheats, and she’s not going to. What about him? He says, certainly not, dearest. They walk into the hospital, and over to Laura. Ava says Laura’s office said she’d be there, and Laura asks if something happened. Have they spoken to Spencer? Ava says, sadly, no. They were nearby, and thought they could take her out for drinks, or dinner if she hasn’t eaten. Laura says she’s in the middle of something there. Doc wonders why he was paged, and Robert comes in, saying he has the latest on Cyrus, and it’s all bad.

The Pentenville warden says Jordan could have kept quiet, and Cyrus would have stayed behind bars. They know how dangerous he is, and what a blow it is to release him. But she discovered false evidence, and respected the rule of law. Maybe others could learn from her. Cyrus walks in, and says, what is this? A late night visit from the Commissioner? What does she have to tell him that’s so important?

Josslyn lets Cameron in the back door of Sonny’s kitchen. He says he’s glad she’s home. Although she’s under house arrest, so why wouldn’t she be? He’s glad guard recognized him, and let him in. He begins to babble, and she asks, what’s going on? He says, Trina is hurting, and he doesn’t know how to help.

Trina relentlessly bangs Jordan’s door, and Curtis opens it. He asks why she’s there alone, and Trina says, where is she? Jordan’s not at the station. He says, she’s on police business, and Trina says she called. They said she was gone for the day. He says, not all police business is conducted at the station. She says she’ll wait for as long as it takes for Jordan to take back the lies about her father.

Carly says she thought Sonny wanted to decompress after what happened with Mike, but it was about the phone call. Who was it, and what the hell is going on? Sonny answers another call, and says, it’s going down tonight. Take the appropriate measures, and call Jason and Tony. Sonny tells Carly, Diane called. Cyrus goes free tonight.

Nikolas asks if he jsut heard Robert say that Cyrus is going free; the man who’s responsible for his mother being shot. Ava says, obviously, it’s not a good day for drinks, and Robert says he should have been quiet. Sorry. Laura says, when she was briefed, she knew it would be in a few hours. How did it happen so quickly? Robert says, it’s what he suspected when the Justice Department contacted him. Doc says, remarkable. A heads up would have been nice. Laura asks if there isn’t a way they can slow down Cyrus’s release.

Nikolas asks Ava, how they can let a drug trafficker go free? Ava says, Trina told her everything, and Jordan had expected it. Trina feels horrible. Nikolas hopes Laura doesn’t get involved any further, and she says he sounds like a concerned son. He sounds like he might have a caring heart after all.

Nina tells Jax, Charlotte was a big reason why she was conflicted about leaving Valentin. She was afraid of how the breakup was going to affect her. Charlotte is strong-willed, but underneath, she’s hurting and alone. Jax says, like his aching back, and Nina says, she knew it, but he says, it was just a tweak. She says, Charlotte might see Jax as part of the problem. Charlotte can’t blame Valentin for them breaking up, but maybe she blames Jax on some level. She’s worried that Charlotte feels alone and sad, with no one to confide in. Jax says, Josslyn went through the same thing, believing Carly was involved with the wrong man, and acted out. Nina says, he just referred to himself as the wrong man, and he says he did, but nothing was farther from the truth.

Carly asks how Cyrus is getting out tonight, and Sonny says, Jordan, Taggert, and two other agents worked together in the DEA. They conspired to frame Cyrus, and somehow Cyrus found out. That’s why he killed Taggert, and the two other agents. She asks if he threatened to expose Jordan, and he says, Cyrus kidnapped TJ. Jordan has to release him to save her own son. He and Jason came up with an idea. Jordan told the Department of Justice that she’d discovered the frame-up, and said the other three were in on it. Carly asks if Laura is in on it, but he says, no; just them, and that’s the way he wants it to stay. Jordan made the right choice, and he’d have done the same. She says, say it works out, and Cyrus goes free. What the hell will they do?

Cyrus says, it’s better than he could have dreamed. He walks out a free man tonight? The warden says, paperwork has to be processed, but essentially, yes. He called the DOJ, and confirmed the procedure. He tells Cyrus to take a seat, and Cyrus says, it’s amazing how polite everyone becomes when they realize you’re about to go free. The warden leaves, and Cyrus tells Jordan, good job. It’s great to have friends in high places. She says she wants her son, but Cyrus says he’s not out yet. She says she did what he wanted. She tarnished her partner’s good name, and he got his precious freedom. But if her son isn’t released unharmed, he’s going to be too dead to enjoy it.

Curtis asks if Trina wants something to drink while she waits, but she says she’s good. He sets a water in front of her, just in case. He says he knows she been through one major incident after another. She lost her father, and now this. She says, these lies? Jordan said she was her father’s friend. How can a friend lie? He says, they’re not lies. Sometimes good people do bad things for a good reason. She says she’s tired of hearing that. Her mom and Ava said the same thing, but she knows it can’t be true. He was proud of his badge, and would never break the law. Curtis says, her father was human. He and the team were driven and dedicated. They were the good guys, and knew Cyrus was guilty as sin, but no matter how hard they worked, Cyrus was too smart to incriminate himself. They couldn’t pin him down, so as a last resort, since they knew Cyrus was already guilty, they framed him, even though it was wrong. She says, not her dad, and he’s not there, so he can’t defend his reputation, but she can. She’s going to find a way to prove his innocence. She heads for the door, and Curtis says, it’s the last thing her father would want.

Jason tells Sam that Diane and Tony confirmed it. Cyrus is going to be released tonight. He knows it sounds crazy. They knew it was going to happen, but not this fast. Everyone is freaking out, and now they have to deal with Cyrus. There are a lot of decisions he needs to make, and wants her to go home and stay there. Sam asks when they can meet again, and he says they can’t. No more secret meetings. They can’t do it anymore.

Carly says, Cyrus came close to killing Sonny with the ambush, and will probably make a run for him again. Sonny says, maybe, but he and Jason are going over options. The way he sees it, Cyrus is far away from his base of operations. He doesn’t know Port Charles, and it gives Sonny the advantage. She says, maybe, but wouldn’t Cyrus stay safer on the west coast?

Robert says, the simple truth is, the legal system is on Cyrus’s side. Laura says, no parole; no one is going to keep tabs on him? Robert says he can come and go as he pleases, and Laura says, there’s nothing to keep him there. Maybe he’ll go back to Seattle. Doc tells her, don’t count on it. After their interview, he doesn’t see that as happening.

Nikolas tells Ava that he dated Taggert’s sister. He was a dedicated cop. If he compromised his ethics, it’s a good indicator of the danger that’s about to be free. Ava says they should talk to Laura, and get her to understand their concerns, but Nikolas says, no. Their marriage is simply an act, and a transparent one at that. No doubt his mother isn’t interested in what they have to say, so just don’t. She tells him, suit himself. She’ll see him at home.

Josslyn says, Cyrus gets to go free? and Cameron says, and Trina’s dad looks like a bad cop.  He couldn’t bear the look on Trina’s face when Jordan told her. There was nothing he could do or say. Josslyn says she could have been there if she hadn’t been confined to the property. Trina needs her, and she has to find her. Cameron says Josslyn can’t leave.

Curtis asks if Trina knows he used to be with the DEA. She says, so? and he says he’s aware of the toll it takes, day in and day out. All they see is anger, pain, dysfunction, and violence out of control. Their job is to help protect the innocent, and minimize the damage. Trina says, like her dad did, and he says, but sometimes it gets to be too much. One case will be so long and so unfair, you have to act for justice, even if it means going outside law, or maybe following the law, and turning your back. It becomes impossible to live with yourself; so much so, it eventually numbs your own conscience. She asks if that’s what he did, and he says, the point is, her father kept his law enforcement life from her. There was a reason Taggert didn’t want it to touch her. He knows Taggert wouldn’t want her dragged into a pointless quest to vindicate his name. He’d want her to live her best life, and make him proud. She says he’s the Commissioner’s husband. Of course (🍷) he’d want her to back off, but the official story is wrong, and she’s going to prove it.

Jason says, working around Sam’s parole is one thing, but Cyrus is going to be released. Cyrus is ruthless, and targets families. Jason can’t be anywhere near her or the kids. Sam gets it. Cyrus will use them to get to Jason, but she’ll do everything to keep the kids safe. They have to find a way to meet. He says they can’t. Cyrus can’t get to Sonny without getting to Jason first. He’s going to be a target. and he blew up Cyrus’s warehouse. He can’t risk her getting caught up in it. Sam says, it’s not just his choice to make. If Sam was a man, I’d say she’s thinking with the wrong head. When did she take an idiot pill?

Sonny tells Carly, Cyrus got revenge against the agents who framed him, and three of them are dead. She says, and Jordan released him. Why would he stick around when his base of operations would be more secure? He says, it’s not about security. Pride is a major factor. Cyrus works with powerful syndicates. He came to town to take over Port Charles, guns blazing. He can’t back down now; they’ll think he’s weak. And when you’re weak, you get eliminated. She says, so he’ll stick around, and keep coming at Sonny, but Sonny says, he’s too smart for that. Cyrus is going to lay low after his release; he can’t take any chances. Carly says, then they’ll stay on lockdown? He says, if it escalates, he’ll move the entire family, but he believes he can keep them safe. She says, she believes him, but Jax might have other ideas.

Ava goes to the MetroCourt, and says she stopped by to see Nina at her office. It seems the more time Nina spends with Jax, the less time she spends there. Jax says they enjoy their time together, unlike Ava and Nikolas. She says, get real. Neglecting his wife is the least of Nikolas’s failings.

Trina shows up at Sonny’s, and Cameron says they were getting worried. Josslyn was about to go looking for her. Josslyn says Cameron told her about Trina’s dad. She’s sorry. Trina says she doesn’t want their sympathy; she wants their help.

Sam says Jason never had to lose her; she had to lose him for five years. He came back, so how is she supposed to give him up again? She doesn’t want to waste time. Nothing matters more than being together. He says her life matters more, and the kids. All Cyrus needs is to be right once. What if there’s another ambush? She has to think. She says she doesn’t want to leave the kids motherless, but she doesn’t want another separation. She can’t take it. He says he doesn’t like it either, and sits next to her. He says, it was different when it was just the two of them. They could take whatever risks they wanted to, and always found their way back to each other somehow. Now, their actions have consequences. They have to give Danny and Scout the security they need. They can’t be together.

Robert tells Laura, he has a call into Judge Crawly to delay Cyrus’s release, but it’s pending further review. The warden says he was just on the phone with the federal district court. The paperwork has already been processed, and as soon as it’s signed, Cyrus is a free man. Cyrus walks in, and says it’s a pleasant surprise to see Laura. Is she there to escort him back to Port Charles?

Doc asks what’s on Nikolas’s mind, and Nikolas says he hopes the same thing that’s on Doc’s mind – Cyrus. Doc says, it’s a tragic situation, and Nikolas says, from the looks of it, his mother isn’t happy. She’ll probably press Cyrus. Doc says he shares Nikolas’s concern, and Nikolas tells him to do what he can to get her to back down. Doc says, she’s too stubborn. He can only ask her to be careful. Nikolas says, that’s not enough, and Doc says it will have to be. He loves his wife, and he’s supportive. It’s called mutual respect. Nikolas should try it sometime.

Ava asks Jax what makes him think he can judge her marriage. How many times has he been married? Jax says, enough to know blackmail when he sees it. Ava says he ought to be thanking Nikolas. If he hadn’t returned, Nina and Valentin’s relationship wouldn’t have blown apart, and Jax wouldn’t be sitting there, picking up the pieces. On behalf of her husband, he’s welcome. She leaves, and Jax says, who cares what she says? He’s enjoying every minute with her. Nina asks, how many times has he been married? and he says he thought they were talking surfing. She says, they were; in Fiji. He says there are isolated beaches there with nice, fun waves. Carly approaches their table, and says she and Jax need to talk about Josslyn.

Josslyn says, Trina is going to sue Jordan? Trina says Jordan slandered her dad. She’s going to prove Jordan is lying, and restore his name and honor. Josslyn doesn’t know, and Trina says she’s always told her that Diane is the best lawyer in the state. Josslyn says Diane won’t take a case she doesn’t think she can win, and it sounds like Jordan has proof that Cyrus was framed. Josslyn asks if Josslyn thinks her father is a dirty cop, after he gave his life to save them.

Jordan arrives home, and tells Curtis that she’s sorry she’s late. She stopped to get a good bottle of wine. Cyrus was released today, and he’s so pleased with himself. The owner recommended the vintage, and said it was worth the money. She starts to open the bottle, and he stops her. He asks, why not wait until TJ is released before they celebrate? She says they don’t have that luxury. If it’s their last night together, she wants to make it count.

Jason tells Sam that he’s sorry. She asks why he keeps apologizing; he has nothing to be sorry for. Is he sorry they met each other? She’s not. Is he sorry they made Danny? She’s not. Is he sorry he came back? She’s not. She wouldn’t change a thing. Jason says he wouldn’t either, and she says he couldn’t predict the future; neither could she. She remembers when they met each other at the station, and wouldn’t change anything. She wouldn’t miss out on a single second of loving him. He says, and he could never give up on loving her, or missing out on Danny and Scout. They’re his family. They’re everything, and he has to do everything he can to protect them. Cyrus is being released, and they can’t take risks anymore. Tell him she understands. She says, okay. They’ll stay apart. Don’t call, don’t come around, and don’t contact. Jason says he’s going to miss her, and they hug. She says she’ll miss him too, and they have a (IMO) skimpy goodbye kiss at the door. He says he loves her, and she says she loves him too. He leaves, and she closes the door and leans on it.

Curtis asks Jordan to tell him she didn’t do something reckless, like throw herself under the bus. She says, no, but if TJ isn’t released, she’s going to kill Cyrus. She knows it’s reckless, but it won’t be for nothing, and afterwards, she’ll turn herself in.

Carly tells Jax that they said they’d deal with the situation together as parents. He asks what the situation is, and she says, Cyrus is getting out of prison. Sonny has security measures in place, but she understands if Jax wants to take Josslyn and leave the country. He asks if that’s what she wants him to do, but she says, not at all. She’d miss Josslyn like crazy, but it’s his call. He appreciates her bringing him in, and she knows how he feels about Sonny, but he knows Sonny loves his family, including Josslyn. If Carly feels she’s safe there, he trusts her judgement, but she has to let him know if the danger escalates.

Ava tells Nina, she’s too good to be anybody’s second place. She may find Jax enchanting, but she shouldn’t get too invested. Nina says Ava is too cynical, and Ava says Nina is too smart not to realize that any woman in Jax’s life is always going to be second to Carly. Nina asks why Ava is there. She got what she wanted; she’s mistress of Windymere. Why isn’t she home with her doting husband?

Josslyn says, what if Trina files the lawsuit, and all they do is prove her father did it? Cyrus is as bad as it gets. What if her father knew that the only way to keep him off the street was to frame him? She’s not touching it. Sometimes the right thing is breaking the rules. Her father had the right thing in his heart. She doesn’t have to defend him if he broke the law for the greater good. It still makes him a hero in Josslyn’s book. She takes Trina’s hand, and says, trust her. Because this is something she knows. Trina’s father doesn’t have to be perfect for her to love him. He’s still her dad. Trina starts to cry, and says she misses him so much. Josslyn holds Trina.

Curtis tells Jordan, premeditated murder is different from self-defense. Like she might not know that. He says, it’s not in her; she can’t do that. She says he doesn’t know what she’s capable of. If the universe is going to make her choose what’s right, it’s not murder; it’s justice. He tells her not to throw her life over for scum, and she says she hopes it doesn’t come to that. If it’s their last night, just love her.

Sonny tells Jason, he doesn’t think Cyrus is going back to Seattle, and Jason agrees, saying, he’s committed for sure. Sonny says they have two options; take Cyrus out immediately, or wait and stay complacent while they figure out his weaknesses. Jason says, eliminate him, and Sonny says, it will give them a chance to send a message, but he wants to be clear. It’s not worth losing Jason over. Jason says he’ll only take a shot if he has a good vantage point, and can get away clean. If he can, he’ll take Cyrus’s ass out tonight.

The warden says the paperwork should be ready, and asks if Robert wants to look it over. Robert says he does, and asks if Laura will be all right. She says she’ll be just fine. They leave, and Laura tells Cyrus, she has a very selfish wish. She wants him to be somebody else’s problem, and return to Seattle. Do his business there. Cyrus says, if he doesn’t? and she says, if he should choose to stay, as mayor, he can rest assured when he’s killed she’ll do the utmost to find out who’s responsible and bring them to justice. He laughs.

Cyrus appreciates Laura’s commitment to justice in his behalf, in the unfortunate event it’s necessary. She asks if he won’t save her the work and his life, and just leave. He says it would look like he’s running, and he’d lose the respect of his business associates – and hers too. She says he doesn’t have her respect, and never will. He says, they’ll see. Robert and the warden come back, and Robert says Cyrus is a free man once he signs. Cyrus asks if he can borrow a pen. Robert and Laura don’t volunteer, so the warden gives him one.

Nikolas stands in the elevator alone, as Doc walks past. He messes with his wedding ring.

Ava messes with her wedding ring, and drinks a martini. Nina sees Jax put his hand on top of Carly’s.

There’s a song part. Josslyn holds Trina as she cries. Cameron hugs them both.

Jordan and Curtis get busy.

Sam throws everything around the room, and smashes stuff. Isn’t this Sonny’s house? She screams, and pounds on the door.

Jason loads his automatic weapon, and puts it in a case. He nods to Sonny on his way out the door.

Cyrus signs the paperwork, and shakes hands with the warden. He holds out his hand to Robert, but that’s a no. Ditto for Laura. He leaves, and Robert closes the door. Laura and Robert look at each other.

Tomorrow, Carly says it started with her, and she’s going to finish it; Willow wonders about Nina’s heart necklace: Jordan says she’s going to kill Cyrus; and Cyrus tells Jason, their meeting is long overdue.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht

Captain Glenn tells Jenna, obviously there’s an issue, and asks if they’re looking to replace Madison. Jenna says she thinks Madison has the skills necessary to be a good second stew, but her moods are up and down. She gets emotional and defensive. The captain thinks Madison is looking for a scapegoat. They have a job to do, and need someone to do it. In his interview, he says, if someone doesn’t do their job, it’s letting the team down, and they need someone to do it. Jenna says Madison is complaining that she’s tired when she’s staying up with Parker, and not doing her job. In Jenna’s interview, she says Georgia isn’t doing her job managing Georgia. She wants to complain rather than doing her job. Captain Glenn asks to see Madison, and Jenna tells her that she and the captain have been having a chat and want her to join them. Jenna says he’s noticed a decline in Madison’s mood and behavior, and gathers it’s coming from lack of sleep. Madison says she had a long charter with the last one, and then a long day. Anyone would be exhausted, but she hasn’t been sitting on her ass. We flash back to the beach, when Madison and Ciara were supposed to set up for the guests’ picnic, but sat around for five hours instead. The captain says there’s obviously a problem with her performance, and she needs to go to bed and sleep. Fatigue can cause accidents. Madison says Jenna is supposed to be supportive, but speaks bitchy to her, even though it might not be her intention. Jenna says, it’s hard to have a heart to heart if Madison thinks she’s bitchy. She’s direct because she has no time to sugar coat things. Captain Glenn says it’s Jenna’s department, and asks if Madison is open to the idea that there might be changes she has to make. In his interview, he says it’s his personal belief, if you want to be a good leader, you need to start off being a good follower. You have to respect the hierarchy. Madison has to find a way to get along and be effective. He tells Madison, if she’s not open to that, she’ll be off the boat. In Madison’s interview, she says, fire her. See if you can find a better second stew who will put up with this sh*t. You won’t. Well, we could be talking about literally every second stew on the other two Below Deck shows, so I think that’s definitely possible.

Paget flirts with Georgia. Zzzz… Everyone stops by for pizza in the crew mess. Madison gathers empty beer bottles, and Parker tells her, take a load off and chill. She says she needs a minute. He asks if she wants to talk, and they leave. In the captain’s interview, he says, it’s a small boat, and there aren’t many places for a conversation in confidence. He hopes Madison can get past her frustration, reflect, and come back strong.

Madison tells Parker, she feels dumb, but Parker doesn’t understand what’s going on. She says, the way Jenna speaks to her, and Parker says, tell Jenna that she’s being a bitch, and back the f*** off. He really doesn’t understand what a boss is, does he? He tells Madison not to take Jenna’s bullsh*t, and defend herself. In Madison’s interview, she says, Parker is like chicken soup; warm, comfy, and supportive when she’s feeling bad. Parker says he’s dealing with Jenna telling him that he’s still being breastfed by his mom, and Madison laughs.

Back on the boat, Georgia tells Madison that they’re going to have fun when they go out. Madison is happy for a day off. She’s done with boat drama. She asks if they can go to the bar nearby. Paget says the deckhands are done, and asks how the girls are doing. Parker texts with Kaiti. He feels like he’s getting cabin fever, and the drama cloud is weighing down on him. Georgia says Madison and Parker wear their hearts on their sleeves. Madison says she can’t help the way she feels. Parker tells Georgia and Ciara, Kaiti is still his love, and he can’t help who he doesn’t want to hook up with. In his interview, he wonders why he has to worry about hurting Madison’s feelings, when she hasn’t told him that she has a crush on him. Georgia tells him not to wait until a bomb blows up before he diffuses it. Don’t wait for it to go off, then say he knew about it. He asks if he should send a text. Ciara and Georgia laugh, and Georgia says, men are ridiculous.

The crew’s day off. In Glenn’s interview, he says he’s happy they have a day off. He’s been noticing a lot of tension. It’s good for them to enjoy a day of leisure, and see life from the other side. He tells them, it’s time to take it easy. Ciara asks, where’s her effing shrimp cocktail? Ha-ha! Adam says it’s the first moment he and Jenna can be a normal couple. They goof around on deck. Georgia and Madison drink wine, and Madison says, it’s the most perfect day ever. And Paget is the whitest dude ever, taking off his shirt and showing us all his severe T-shirt tan. Ciara jokingly offers him more sunscreen.

Georgia plays guitar and sings, and Paget says she’s effing good. In Georgia’s interview, she says, the situation is hard. Paget is flirting with her, and the more time you spend with someone, the more you like them. She’d never do this on purpose. Ciara asks Paget to put tanning oil on her, but he’s not receptive to that. She says, Madison will do it. In her interview, Ciara says, Paget flirts with everyone. That’s the problem. Just not her. She says, it’s okay. She doesn’t need him; she’s got Madison. He says she can do her, and he’ll do him, and Georgia says she’ll do him. Everyone starts bouncing around, and in Jenna’s interview, she says she loves dancing. Apparently, dancing does not love her back, and Byron wonders if it’s a bad dancing competition. Captain Glenn asks if they’re enjoying their day off. Despite his protestations, Parker takes an Instagram video with Jenna, pretending to breastfeed and calling her mama. Pick a lane. Jenna can’t wait to get in the water. In Parker’s interview, he says he misses his parents, but he’s trying to make them proud.

Glenn drops anchor, and tells the crew that the water taxi is there. They go to shore, and head for the Akron Beach Club, not in Ohio. In Madison’s interview, she says she feels like a rock star. They do shots, and goof around in the pool. Ciara smokes a cigar. In her interview, she says she wants to do something different to surprise people. In Byron’s interview, he says he’s got a lot of responsibilities being a dad and an engineer. They live for a day off. Parker texts Kaiti, and asks if he can call. She says he can, and he tells her that he misses her. He saw a dive shop, but doesn’t want to go without her. He asks, if he buys a plane ticket, will she come there? In his interview, he says Kaiti coming to Corfu, and that makes him the happiest person in the world. A producer asks if those are happy tears, and he says, he always has happy tears. I’m starting to think he’s also imbalanced. Adam and Jenna make out in the pool. In Georgia’s interview, she says, Madison is a loaded gun at the moment. Leave your feelings at home; she’s having a good time. Parker tells Ciara about his ex flying there, and she says, then she isn’t really his ex. In Adam’s interview, he says, it’s scary having feelings, and it’s difficult to accept it’s currently happening. There’s no doubt Jenna is breaking down his walls. In Jenna’s interview, she says it’s the first time she’s had a total connection with someone, and it scares her. She thinks she’s learned who’s going to take care of Jenna, and it’s Jenna, but she still has to let someone in, and she’s rejected that for a long time. She thinks there’s a bit of hope.

The crew showers and gets dressed for dinner. Parker says, once they all have a drink, he has a few words to say. Byron takes a selfie with the group. Parker tells the waiter that he’ll be giving a speech, and asks that no one interrupt. Adam says, it better be a good speech. After everyone orders, Parker gets up, and tells everyone that he was talking to Jenna on the bow, telling her about his parents, and it reminded him of a letter his mom wrote him. He thinks every word is applicable to all of them. It’s basically a letter of various quotes, like, whatever you are, be a good one, from Abraham Lincoln. In Adam’s interview, he says, it’s incredibly endearing, but every wall is a door explains everything about Parker. Parker says, cheers to his effing mom, and Jenna asks if they can talk about this breastfeeding thing. Byron says Ciara and Paget are a fun couple. Ciara is great on deck, and she’s sleeping with the first mate. He asks how Adam’s sex life is, and Adam says, it’s sticky but he’d like it to get stickier. It’s hard to find privacy. Byron asks if they’d like to sleep in the master cabin, and Ciara says, as long as the two of them don’t blow up, and take it out on the rest of them, they’re fine with it. Byron says, before he was married, he hooked up with a lot of stewardesses. There are loads of places; he’ll give them a list. Byron gives them his blessing to use the master cabin, and they leave for the boat. In Adam’s interview, he says, butterflies are happening and sparks are flying. It’s a great feeling, and he wants it to keep going. She has his heart, and he’s ready. When they get to the boat, Jenna asks if he wants to head to the master, and he says, show him the way. In Jenna’s interview, she says, there’s been so much build-up, she’s nervous, but excited. A champagne cork is popped, and I’m guessing something else is too.

In Georgia’s interview, she says she has feelings for Paget. She’s feeding them with tequila, because it’s not okay. There are moments she wants to take the inappropriate option. Ciara sits on Georgia’s lap, and tells her they’ll finish later. Byron dances with Madison, and Ciara kisses Paget. He tells her that Georgia is jealous, and she asks if Georgia wants to join them. She tells Georgia that they’ll see her later. In Georgia’s interview, she thinks she’s agreeing to a threesome. Sorry, mom. She’s got a bucket list.

Everyone goes back, intending to continue the party. Byron says they need to get the loose chicks on board as soon as they can. When they get on the boat, Byron tells everybody to be quiet, and not wake the captain. They wake him up anyway, handing him a flask, and he’s an amazingly good sport about it. In his interview, Captain Glenn says, a hurricane just blew in; a drunk hurricane. Ciara tells Paget that she’s tired of drinking, and suggests they go to bed. Byron and Parker get in the hot tub, and Byron says if Parker wants to have a successful career, he has to adapt. Parker says he wants to build his own charter business, but he hears Byron. Byron says he doesn’t think Parker does. Madison gets in the hot tub, and tries joining in the conversation. Byron tells Parker that he’s been doing this for sixteen years. Georgia walks through the crew mess, and says, come on, bitches. She looks into Paget and Ciara’s cabin, but they’re asleep. In her interview, she says she thinks it would have been nice. A girl can dream. In the hot tub, Byron says, you can always earn money, but you can’t get back time. Madison tells them, have fun, and leaves.

Adam makes coffee for Jenna, and says, it was the nicest ever. In her interview, Jenna says, it was phenomenal, and she thinks they both feel the same way. In Byron’s interview, he says, waking up, he’s ruined. Adam notes that Byron is still wearing his hat, and thinks it’s a good sign. Ciara says, people behaved themselves for the most part, but Georgia isn’t sure she behaved. In Georgia’s interview, she says she has whiplash. Last night was weird, and she’s still trying to process it, when suddenly they’re all back to business.

Adam plays guitar, and Jenna says, just when she thought he couldn’t get hotter. Then she plays and sings. Dammit. Does everyone play guitar except me? Adam says she has an amazing voice. She’s pretty good, but I wouldn’t go that far. Captain Glenn docks, and  tells the crew, they’re all getting straight back into it. He tells Paget, Jenna, and Adam, there will be a preference sheet meeting in the crew mess.

The new primaries are Maisa and Chuck. Maisa is an international model from Brazil, and a scout for Playboy Slovakia. Their friends will be joining them to celebrate Maisa’s birthday. Adam checks out the food preferences, and thinks he can find a happy balance. Jenna says they want the water toys, sun bathing, and a picturesque location for a photo shoot. Paget adds they want a beach barbecue. The cabins are readied, and provisions come in. Captain Glenn calls for them to change into their polos. Jenna tells Madison and Georgia, she wants them to bump it up, and put on their happy faces. She tells Madison that she knows her direction isn’t always flowery, but she’s not trying to be mean. In Jenna’s interview, she’s hoping Madison learns what to do to improve herself, and put it into action. She tells Madison that Georgia internalizes what she’s told, and figures it out. In Madison’s interview, she says she won’t be broken. She’s staying on the boat.

The guests arrive, and Glenn gives them a formal welcome. Jenna gives them a tour of their home for the next few days. In Paget’s interview, he says if you’re a junior crew member, you either follow what your superior says or you’re not a good worker, and you look stupid. Jenna tells Chuck, the wind isn’t strong, but they’re going to try to sail. Jenna reminds Madison not to leave half-rolls of toilet paper in the cabins. Georgia looks through Jenna’s pictures on Instagram, and sees a picture of Jenna with her ex; they went to Universal Studios together. In her interview, Georgia says she’s had two relationships, so the chances were quite slim that she and Jenna went out with the same guy. She tells Madison, who says, life is so effing weird. Georgia hopes Jenna hasn’t shagged her ex, and I wonder, if they’re an ex, who cares? The guests take pictures, and anchor is dropped. Parker tells Madison that he wants to meet; just the two of them. The guests use a rope to jump into the water a la Tarzan.

Georgia tells Jenna about how they dated the same guy, and says, he was the best d*ck ever. Jenna suggests they take a picture together, and send it to him. Parker knocks on Madison’s door, and they step into his room to talk. He says there’s definitely something he wants to get clear. He loves her as a friend, but he’s in no place to be in a relationship with anybody. So is he flying Kaiti to Corfu to tell her that? In Madison’s interview, she says, this is embarrassing. Is he effing kidding her? He says she has to know that, and be his friend. She says, cool. In Georgia’s interview, she says her relationship with her ex was significant, but she treats people like shit, and he let her, so the relationship ended. I have no clue what that means. She thinks it’s bizarre that Jenna dated him. In the crew mess, Georgia says Jenna had a chance with someone cool and good. Adam says, he’s cool and awesome. Don’t f*** it up. In Georgia’s interview, she says, put the guns away. Byron comes by, and asks if they’re having a moment, and Adam says they’re talking about other people’s moments.

Dinner is prepared. Madison tells Georgia about Parker saying he loves her as a friend. In her interview, Madison says, with guys, she’s always the bro. Jenna tells Byron about her and Georgia dating the same guy. She says their relationship was short lived, and Byron says, a half hour? She says, a couple of months. I like Byron; he seems normal, and he’s pretty funny. Glenn brings up the sails, and Chuck says, it’s one helluva a big sail. He tells Maisa, this is a blast. Jenna jokes that Georgia’s standards are low, and Georgia says they have the same standards. Adam says he takes offense it that. It makes him sick to his stomach. Georgia laughs, and he tells her to stop laughing. It’s not funny; it’s disgusting. He walks out.

While I really like Byron, and am gaining respect for Captain Glenn, I’m really not sure what’s up with the rest of them. They seem like a bunch of immature twits, and I’m still not feeling it for this show. I’m honestly not sure why Adam is behaving so unreasonably, but maybe he’s self-sabotaging.

Next time, Adam says, food is for sharing, but not his significant others; a photoshoot happens; Byron doesn’t like Parker’s attitude in front of the guests; and Captain Glenn wants to have a chat with Parker.

👩🏻‍💻 News Flash…

Tonight’s guests on Watch What Happens Live (home edition) were Melissa Etherege and Kristen Johnson. Melissa said she’s smoking less weed during isolation because normally, life is more mundane. If Melissa Etherege’s life is mundane, what does that make mine? Kristen Johnston has been in her PJs for two weeks straight, and clutched her dog like he was a life preserver. What is she going to be like when and if this goes into a month?

🏖 Better Never Than Late…

While Summer House is mostly background noise while I’m waiting for the next show – spoiler alert: they’re still awful people – I did note that Shep, Craig, and Austen from Southern Charm dropped by for a visit last week. They fit right in, since the housemates were having a fraternity toga party, which fit right in with their sophomoric personalities. Unfortunately, they were no John Belushis.

💍 Looking Forward To It…

Seizing opportunity in a crisis, 90 Day Fiancé has added a new show to the franchise.

https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/90-day-fiance-tlc-spinoff-self-quarantined-coronavirus-1203552384/

https://www.thewrap.com/90-day-fiance-self-quarantined-hometogether-promo-exclusive-video/

👠 You Can’t Keep a Good Drag Queen Down…

https://www.thewrap.com/dragnificent-tlc-premiere-date/

https://nextseasontv.com/dragnificent-season-1-release-date-on-tlc-when-does-it-start/

👍🏼 You’re Still Here…

You’ve passed the two week mark. Stay safe out there. Or in there. Whatever.

April 5, 2020 – Beta Leads the Horde Forward, Fear Coming, Jill Says Thanks, Binging, Rudyard’s If & the Shadows

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

The Walking Dead

Yumiko asks who the stranger is, and what she wants. The woman says, they’re the ones making a racket. She thought they needed help. She hasn’t seen real people in over a year, and now she meets a bunch of meanies. Ezekiel says they weren’t sure if she was going to attack, and she says, if she wanted to attack, she’d be pointing the gun at them. She demonstrates, and says, pointing it the other way means hello. Even though they can agree she wasn’t attacking, now she’s not so sure. Maybe it’s up to them. Are they going to hurt her? Yumiko says if she keeps pointing the gun at them, she’ll find out. Ezekiel says they have no intention of hurting her. They were just admiring her displays. Are they hers? She asks if they like them. She out them up as decorations. They were a pain in the ass to put together, but they make the place more alive. Now that she’s met actual live people… They are real, right? Yumiko asks if she’s joking, and the woman says she’s never hallucinated before, but there’s a first time for everything. She asks them, what’s the capital of Pennsylvania? Eugene says, Harrisburg, and she says she knew that. Maybe they are a hallucination. Maybe she’s been on own too long. It’s been over a year, and totally sucks. She should be nicer. Talking to real people is making her freak out, so she’s going to shut up. She covers mouth, and Ezekiel asks her name. She says she never liked Juanita, so call her Princess. He asks, why? and she says, queen makes her sound old and pretentious. Ezekiel says it’s a pleasure to meet her, and introduces his friends Eugene and Yumiko. Princess says she can show them around. There’s plenty of space. They can chill out and put their feet up. She asks if they need food. She’s also got a neat place to swim. Eugene says they appreciate the hospitality, but they can’t stay. They’re on an important mission. Princess asks, what’s the story? and Yumiko says, it’s their business. Princess says she can show them the best way through the city, but Yumiko says they don’t know her. Princess says, of course they do; she just introduced herself. A few zombies approach from behind the three, and Princess says, watch how helpful she can be. She wipes them out with her automatic weapon, and the horses jet. She says, damn. Sorry about that.

Ezekiel says, it’s not a total loss. They can find the horses tomorrow. Eugene hates to be the naysayer (even though I don’t notice, later, Chris Hardwick points this out to be a horse pun), but they should just travel by foot. An additional day spent searching will put them outside the window of the meeting time. Yumiko says, too many people are counting on them; they have to start off now. Ezekiel says Princess offered to help. Why not take her up on it? Yumiko says, absolutely not, and Ezekiel asks, what can it hurt? She says, plenty. Princess is selfish and crazy, and they can’t trust her. Ezekiel says he’s not suggesting they follow Princess blindly, but if they know she has transportation… Yumiko says, if she did, she wouldn’t be there alone; it’s a trap. Eugene agrees Princess is a few bananas short of a bunch, but at present, they have limited options. There’s a slim possibility that it will be worth the invitation, so his apologies, but his vote is with the king.

Ezekiel calls Princess over, and she thanks him. She says she feels bad about what happened. She can make it up to them. She has access to transportation; a garage full. She can take them there. Yumiko says if they’re going to follow her, she has to hand over her weapon. Princess says she wants to spend time with living people, but she’s not so sure she wants it to be them. She’s outnumbered. She doesn’t have a death wish, but she’s been living there alone for so long… Fine. They can have it. She gives her gun to Eugene, and says she knows where she can find more. Ezekiel says, she knows of a garage? and she says, all those in the market for a new set of wheels, follow her. Yumiko tells Ezekiel that Princess is selfish and crazy.

The horde follows Beta, who is asking Alpha’s spirit (I guess) where he should go. He stops at an abandoned Alexandria.

What’s left of the Alexandrians, Hilltoppers, Oceanside, and the Kingdom have gathered together at an abandoned hospital tower. They quietly get ready for whatever is coming. Gabriel tells Dianne, it’s her turn to watch. Luke is concerned that everyone is counting on him, but one of the women says he’ll come through. He says, she thinks so? He needs somebody to run an errand, and Carol says, she’ll go.

In the woods, Daryl is on the radio. He says they’re making a plan; there will never be another one like it. It reminds him of the old gang. He asks if Michonne can hear him, but only gets static.

Beta stands on the windmill balcony, observing the horde. A Whisperer says, there’s no sign of them. They left quickly. Another says they’ll search elsewhere, but Beta asks, where? Alden peeks out from a window above. He signs to Aaron, who writes something on his mechanical arm. They both watch Beta, and Alden peeks a little too far out. Beta turns, but the window is empty. Aaron and Alden sign to each other. Beta says they’re going to walk. Aaron mouths, come with me, and he and Alden look out the opposite window.

Lydia pets a cat, and Judith says, sorry about her mom. Lydia says she doesn’t have to be. Judith asks if Lydia misses her, but Lydia says, no. Not everyone gets to have a mom like Judith’s. Judith walks away looking sad. Negan watches, and sighs.

Carol and Kelly meet a guy watching the horses in the woods. He asks if everything is okay, and Carol says they’re running an errand for Luke, and getting some exercise.

Elsewhere in the woods, Judith stabs a zombie in the head. Daryl sees her, and asks what she’s doing. She says she’s fine, and he asks who she’s with. She says, no one, and he tells her, come on; he’ll take her back. She says she wants to stay, but he says, no; let’s go. She says she hates it there, and he asks what she wants to do. She says she wants to do what he does, in case something happens. He says he walks the perimeter, looking to see what’s wrong. If anything does happen, she’s to go somewhere safe, where there’s a radio. There’s no room for mistakes. She says she knows, and he tells her to do what he says, and stay next to him. She promises.

Beta tells a Whisperer, they expect them; the path isn’t clear. The Whisperer says they believe in his wisdom, and follow the Alpha… the Beta. She apologizes, and he takes out a huge knife, but then stops. He says, wait, and listens. He says, show me. Show me the path. He moves forward, and the horde follows. Tons of them. From a hilltop, Aaron and Alden radio Gabriel that the horde is heading toward them, as expected. Gabriel says one of them should stay, and if anything changes, send word.

Princess leads the group, and Eugene asks, how much longer? Princess says they’re almost there, and Yumiko says, it’s a waste of time. Princess says, it will be worth it. Stick close and watch their step. She goes through a gap in a metal fence, and counts in Spanish as she walks. Eugene tells Yumiko, he’s starting to wonder if she’s right, and Yumiko says she is, but she wants to figure out what Princess is up to first. Eugene asks Princess if this is her navigational technique method, or is she meandering about? They come across a dead horse, and Princess says she thinks it’s one of theirs. Yumiko says, walkers? but Princess says, probably stepped on a mine. Eugene asks what she means, and she says, the things you step on that go boom. Ezekiel asks if this is a mine field, and she says, yeah, but a small one. Yumiko asks why she kept that information from them, and Princess says she didn’t want to worry them. She walks there all the time; it’s no big deal. Ezekiel asks if she can get them out, but she says she kind of lost count. Yumiko says if Princess doesn’t get them out safely, she’ll kill Princess herself. Princess says, that’s fair. She drinks down the water in her canteen, and throws it, hitting a mine that explodes. Princess guesses no one has an extra canteen.

Carol tries to hotwire a car, and tells Kelly, she almost had it. Kelly takes over, and is successful. Carly thanks her for coming; she didn’t have to. Kelly says, it’s okay, but Carol says, no; it’s not. If she could go back… Kelly says Connie isn’t dead. Because she’s so tough, she can survive anything. Maybe a part of her won’t accept Connie is gone, and understands why Carol did it. When Kelly started losing her hearing, her sister told her it was her superpower. Now look. Everyone learning sign because of her. She asks if Carol thinks the way she is, is a weakness. She’s heard stories about her from the old days; they all have them. Carol would just go off, and do the thing only she can do. It’s her superpower. She can’t give up everything about herself because bad things happen. Carol has to believe that. Carol smiles.

Lydia pets Dog, and Negan says he doesn’t think she ate anything today. He holds out a bowl of food, but she says she’s good. He says he can’t tell. Is it one of those things, the craziness of moving to an abandoned tower, or is she avoiding him? She says she’s avoiding him, and he says, sh*t. That’s honest. She asks if he wants her to lie to make him feel better. He says, no, and she tells him to give someone else the rat. He says, it’s possum, which is basically a big rat, but he just wanted to say that he liked her mom. She did horrible sh*t, and there’s no excusing any of it, but he liked a lot about her. He wishes he didn’t have to do what he did. If there’s something she wants to say, she should say it. Lydia says, mostly, she wishes Alpha had died too, and leaves.

Princess thinks, then counts. Yumiko says this is exactly the kind of thing she was afraid of happening. Ezekiel says, he’s been afraid of many things, but this one is new. Eugene says, FYI, they’re running out of time on all fronts. A zombie comes out of the woods, and explodes. Eugene says they don’t want to be stuck there when the zombies start popping off, and Ezekiel says, maybe there’s something he can do. Princess says she kind of lost count. She didn’t mean to; she’s sorry. She says, eenie, meenie, no miney, mo, and walks. She stops, and says she’s still here. It should be good from there. They follow her.

Daryl leads Judith through the woods. He tells her, just spot things that don’t belong or don’t feel right. Take a look, and tell him what she sees. She looks around, and he says, living or dead? She says, walker, and he says, stay behind him. Several zombies come by, as they hide behind a tree. Daryl shoots one with an arrow, and it runs. Daryl stabs the others, and he and Judith take off after the other one.

Princess and company come to a street sign that says Fleetwood Drive. Eugene says they passed it earlier, but Princess says, there’s five of them; Street, Drive, Boulevard… – which I understand, having lived in Queens – but Eugene says he most certainly remembers it was Drive. Yumiko says Princess led them around when they could have walked straight there. Maybe she missed a turn? Princess says she was having fun, taking them by the scenic route, and Yumiko says, fun? Going through a mine field? Princess says it was bad, she knows. She’s been there a billion times, and never thought it was a problem – until it was. She wanted to show them the garage, and hoped they’d think it was amazing, and maybe they’d stay and be friends, but she screwed it up. When she was first there by herself, she figured someone would show up. She waited days and months, but it stayed empty. It really didn’t feel much different than before. Maybe it’s her, and she deserves it. All day she heard a voice in her head, saying it’s her. She knows she should have told them the truth, but she didn’t want the voice to be right, so she’s sorry. Eugene says, he has an all too familiar sense of how she feels. He puts a hand on her shoulder (his hand; I realized I have to be specific with this show), and says she made a poor decision to lie to them, because the alternative meant being left alone. No one wants that. Just to clarify, she does have access to wheels, correct?

Daryl sees the shot Whisperer, lying on the ground, and takes aim. The Whisperer takes off her mask, and takes out a knife, although I’m not sure why, since she’s at a total disadvantage. Daryl says, roll over now, and she says she can’t die like this. It ain’t natural. He tells her, drop the knife. She thinks about it for a millisecond, and does as he asks. He asks where her people are at, and she says, a few miles east; headed to the ocean. Daryl asks if they’re with the horde. Is she a scout? She says she was. She went out on own. He asks, why? and she says she had no choice. She loves them, but he’s… She’s not going to stay there. Daryl says, he’s what? and she says, he lost it after what they did to her. Daryl asks if she knows where they are, and she says she doesn’t know, but they’re going to keep coming for them. They’ve taken too much. Please. She wants to walk. He asks again if she knows where they are, and she say she doesn’t. She shoots her, finishing her off. Judith says he didn’t have to do that, and he says she had no information for them. She was going to die, so it’s better to be quick. Judith asks if they’re leaving her, and he says, come on. She says, maybe she has a family, and he says, they’re only a few miles away. They can spot them at the top of the tower. He urges her along, and she looks back as they’re walking. At first, I agreed that he didn’t have to kill her, but if she was going to die anyway, it was the better thing to do. They don’t need one more zombie hanging around.

Beta walks, and says, be my strength. He looks up, then sees a cat run across the road. A zombie gets up close and personal with him, and he laughs. Alden and Aaron walk parallel to the horde, without being seen. Alden says they always thought with Alpha dead, it would be easier, and Aaron says, they have to be sure they don’t lose again. Whatever it takes. He sees the horde is changing direction, and takes out the out the radio. He radios Gabriel, saying, it’s no good. They’ve got to leave now. He and Alden start to run, but they’re surrounded by Whisperers. One puts a gun in Aaron’s face.

Lydia comes back to Negan, and says he doesn’t get to tell her what to do. He says, she’s right. If she thinks hitting him will make her feel better… She says she feels fine, but he says she has to mourn; to say goodbye. Otherwise, it will eat her up inside. Trust him. Alpha was still her mom, and you only get one, so she should hit him. Just try it; let it out. Otherwise, she’ll drift further away from these people, and he knows she doesn’t want to. She asks how he knows what she wants. He’s a selfish a-hole. He killed Alpha so they’ll think he’s a hero, but nothing he does will make him that here. He cares about himself, and now he’s trying to get her to do this. Telling her how he liked her mother. She hated her, and wanted her dead. Screw him, telling her she can’t do that. He says, it’s okay, and she says, it’s not okay. She starts hitting him, and he stands there and takes it. Finally, she collapses, crying, into his arms, and he holds her. Wow. I absolutely love him at this moment.

A garage door opens. Ezekiel, Eugene, Yumiko, and Princess look into the garage, which contains bicycles. Yumiko says, they’re wheels, and Ezekiel says it wasn’t the ride he was picturing. Eugene says, fifteen miles per hour is a significant increase past walking speed. Ezekiel says, to be fair, Princess wasn’t lying. She came through with a garage. He laughs, and Yumiko approaches Princess. Princess says she’s not a bad person. They have every reason not to trust her. It’s hard to take a chance on people in this world, and when they lie… Yumiko knows; it sucks. Princess says she blew it; she knows. She’s sorry. She wishes she’d done better. Her people skills are rusty. Yumiko says, they’ll have to work on that. She came over to see if Princess wants to join them. Princess says, for real? and Yumiko says, as long as she doesn’t lie again. Princess hugs her, and says, yes, and Yumiko says Princess knows the area. Ezekiel laughs some more, and Princess says, if they’ve got time, she has food, clothes, a cool spear, and candy. Can she have her gun back?

Daryl asks Judith, what is it? Judith says she can’t believe Daryl left her in a ditch. What if he was lost, and no one could find him? He asks, where this is coming from? and she says she just wants them to be back together; at home again. Daryl says he radioed Judith’s mom, so she knows not to go home, and to let her know Judith is safe, and where to find them. Judith asks if he talked to Michonne, and he says, no, but he’s going to keep trying. Judith says she talked to her mom after the fire. Maybe she won’t come home. Daryl asks what Michonne said, and Judith tells him, she went to help people she met who needed her. She didn’t want to tell him. He asks, why is that? and she says she knew he’d be mad, but he says he won’t. He promises he can’t, and he can’t lie to her. He doesn’t know what’s going to happen; no one can. What he does know is that there are a whole bunch of people who would do anything for her, and when she’s older, she’ll do anything for them. She’s got a whole lot of family. Nothing can take the place of someone you love being gone, but it doesn’t mean everything that follows will break your heart. She hugs him, and wipes her tears away. He says they’ve got to go. The radio crackles, and Daryl says, Gabriel? Gabriel speaks, but there’s so much static, Daryl can’t understand what Gabriel is saying. Daryl says, he’s breaking up, and Gabriel says, come back… surrounded…

Beta continues to walk. He stops, and says, we walk. The Whisperers say, we walk, in unison. They stand in front of the hospital.

Next time, Daryl says they won’t all make it through, but it’s the only way; Eugene thinks he missed his rendezvous; Kelly puts on a Whisperer mask; Ezekiel says, they must try; Gabriel tells the kids, together, you’re a mighty weapon; and Maggie gets the news in a letter from Carol.

⚰️ Fear the Walking Dead will return this summer.

🩺 Good For Jill…

We should all support medical workers, and those on the new frontlines any way we can, even if it’s just a thank you for their service.

https://pagesix.com/2020/04/04/jill-zarin-supports-medical-workers-with-noshes-for-nurses-program/

👀 Well There’s That…

We finally have the time to binge watch all those shows we’ve been meaning to.

https://pagesix.com/2020/04/04/sean-mcvay-is-finally-watching-game-of-thrones-while-under-quarantine/

📖 Now For Something Completely Different…

Not Monty Python, but different for my blog. While the majority of people are being good about the world being in crisis mode, some aren’t handling it very well. It goes from those speculating that every cough must be the virus, or laying blame anywhere they can. (Hint: Now is not the time.) I can assure you, crystal balls do not really tell the future. No one expected this, everyone is flying by the seat of their pants, and surprisingly, most are doing the best they can. Today, this poem came to mind, so I thought I’d pass it along. If you follow the advice, you’ll not only be a man (or woman), but you’ll end up being a decent human being overall.

💆🏽 If by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too;

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,

Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,

And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

 

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;

If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:

 

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings

And never breathe a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone,

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’

 

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,

And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!

 

🦇 And Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Bite…

Or anything else. I had the pleasure of watching the first few episodes of What We Do In the Shadows this weekend on FX. I hadn’t seen it before, and thought it was a lot of fun. So stay safe out there, be it from human illness or something more otherworldly.

April 3, 2020 – GG Explains It All, Reversal Of Karma, a Break-Up, Teresa’s Loss, Free ‘N’ Fun, Ten Quotes For Quarantine & I Wanna

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

Shahs of Sunset

Destiney meets sister Cat for breakfast. In Destiney’s interview, she says Cat is everything to her. She’s strong, independent; a mother, sister, and father-like figure. They’re so close, and even did People’s Couch together. I loved that show! Destiney says she’s trying to get everything out of her head, and Cat thinks things should be brought down a notch. In her interview, Destiney says she doesn’t get the accusations that she planned the bullsh*t between Reza and Ali. She tells Cat, she isn’t getting respect from the people around her, and Cat says, then Destiney doesn’t need them walking with her on her journey. She asks how Destiney’s dating life is going, and Destiney says she went to Vegas, and was catching a vibe with Sara’s brother. They ended up making out. Um… I think it was more than that. She says she’s been dealing with Sara’s drama, and feels bullied. Cat asks if she cares about Sam, and Destiney says part of her is vibing with him, but it’s complicated. It’s driving her crazy. In her interview, she says no one is going to tell her who she can or can’t date. Cat says they have to live life like it’s their last day. She and Destiney high-five.

GG and Sara meet to visit a Reiki master. GG sees a dead bee, and tells Sara, an animal shaman told her that her spirit animal was a bee, and she wonders if it’s a sign. Reiki master Romeo says he’s going to go through her chakras to determine the trauma to her body and soul. In GG’s interview, she says she believes in different forms of healing energy, and hopes this will give her an answer as to why this happened (referring to her miscarriage). She tells Sara that the remaining embryo and placenta is stuck right now. They gave her injections of something to make it dissolve and go away, but that hasn’t happened. Sara says, it’s a lot. In her interview, GG says she’s been pregnant a few times. She’s put her body through so many things. Is this her karma for taking advantage of her body? She believes in walking energy, and that some people have the skill to gather and move energy, and locate where the body needs healing, giving their energy to you. Romeo has both of them close their eyes, and invite his energy in. Afterwards, GG lies down, and Romeo’s hands hover over her. He says her chakras are open. GG asks if she should pursue the things in her mind, or do they need to take a backseat? Romeo says he’s going to ask spirit real quick, and concentrates. He tells her, basically, there’s a lot of positivity in the next three months. In her interview, she says it will take three months for her to heal from the medications she’s been given. He says a shift is going to happen in that time, and GG says, it makes sense.

Reza calls Nema from the car, and Nema tells him, the more he talks to MJ, the more it makes sense that there’s no crazy ulterior motive. He suggests Reza sit and talk. Reza says Nema and Mike have drunk the Kool-Aid, and are being messy. In Mike’s interview, he says MJ was a pawn, and he wants to be done with this foolishness. Reza says, if they want to be friends with MJ, why don’t they crawl up her ass? Nema says, he just wants them to talk, but Reza doesn’t want to. He has a legal case against MJ’s husband, who vandalized his house. He doesn’t want to put himself in harm’s way with her criminally violent husband. In Reza’s interview, he says Nema is only worried about how it’s going to affect himself. He wants to be in the mix, and is just making it worse. He tells Nema, stay out of his business. He doesn’t need help. He hangs up while Nema is still talking.

Nema meets Shervin at a martial arts studio. In Nema’s interview, he says he studies Jiu-Jitsu. Persians don’t have a combat sport, and the only belt Shervin has is Gucci. Their defense system is lawyers and an American Express card. They go through some exercises, and then do a few rounds of what looks similar to wrestling, where Shervin gets the upper hand. In his interview, Nema says Shervin is able to disable and disarm him with his disgusting body hair and sweaty palms, bringing on Nema’s gag reflex. Shervin asks if Nema is really going with the gag reflex defense, and Nema tells him that he’s really gross. They sit down, and Nema says he likes this because it checks his ego. He spoke to Reza, and Reza made it a screaming match. In Nema’s interview, he says when Reza claims Nema is meddling from a place of self-interest, that says his marriage is falling apart, and he’s blaming everyone and anyone around. He tells Shervin, for Reza to risk their friendship shows a disassociation with himself. No matter how tough Reza pretends to be, he thinks Reza is hurt.

Mike brings flowers to his mom Sue. He, Sue, and dad Shawn sit down in front of the traditional tons of food for any and every occasion. Mike asks what they think of Paulina, and after a long pause, Sue says, she looks like a good girl. Mike says it’s the first time he’s dating a Persian girl, and the first time he’s dating a Jewish girl. Why don’t they look happy? In Mike’s interview, he says his parents don’t feel he’s capable of a long term relationship. We flash back to Mike’s failed marriage with Jessica. Sue tells him to take his time. When he hurts, all of them hurt, and they want to make sure he doesn’t do it again. She asks how the progress is with the project. Maybe Mike should sell the permits and plan, and get out; the land is worth a million. Mike says, why make two million when he can make five or six? In his interview, Mike says his mom feels that he’s in over his head with the project. Sue says, it’s going to be two years of hard work. Maybe he’s better off getting out. Shawn tells him to make someone an offer they can’t refuse.

MJ and Tommy go to see a therapist. In MJ’s interview, she says Tommy is normally funny and lighthearted, but now he’s heartbroken, thinking about how he almost lost her. We flash back to Tommy weeping over MJ’s near death experience. She says, they’ve come there to heal. There’s no reason for this bullsh*t in their lives. Dr. K’harja says she’ll start with Tommy, and asks why he’s there. He says he’s had a tough go of it since MJ had the baby. They couldn’t remove the placenta, and it was terrifying. MJ says she knows it has something to do with Tommy’s mother dying. He says he became an angry kid, and got in a lot of trouble. K’harja says the aftermath has the potential to dredge up old stuff again. She brings MJ into the conversation, and in her interview, MJ hopes Tommy will be back to his old self in short order. She wants solutions, and wants to know what they need to be for each other. K’harja asks what MJ’s experience is, and MJ says, having a baby is stressful, but this is another level. K’harja says it’s critical that Tommy get support for his PTSD. MJ says as soon as she woke up, she started making jokes. Culturally, they’re supposed to be strong and move on. In her interview, she says she and Tommy couldn’t be more different. If they don’t have the tools to heal each other, it could poison their marriage past the point of no return. K’harja says, sadness turns to anger if it sits too long. In trying to communicate and support each other, Tommy needs to say he just wants her to listen or he needs a minute. In MJ’s interview, she says she loves Tommy with all her heart, and he deserves to feel that, even if she’s not saying it in the moment.

Reza takes Adam along to buy a car for his mom. Adam says, what if she doesn’t love it? but Reza says he bought her the last car, and she loved it. In his interview, he says his dad left his mom broken, and she did everything she could to give her children the best life. She made so many sacrifices, a car is literally the least he could do for her. He used to car shop with Mike. We flash back to Mike and Reza at a dealership, and Reza telling Mike to act like he doesn’t have money. With the bullsh*t in Arizona, and Mike going to Vida’s retirement party, he’s blocked Mike and Shervin on his on phone, Twitter, and Instagram. Nothing good can come from them trying to fix things.

Mike goes to the development project, and in his interview, he says, it’s hard. He’d love to have his best friend there to help, like when they were building his house. Unfortunately, Reza is mad that Mike’s not siding with him enough, and he doesn’t hate MJ enough on Reza’s Richter scale of hatred.

Reza sees a car coming in on a truck. The kind of truck I hate to be near on the highway, because I’m always afraid one is going to come loose and fall off. He asks how much it is, and the dealer says, $40K. Reza says he wants that one.

Mike meets with real estate broker Jordan. In his interview, Mike says his mom is strongly urging him to sell, but he doesn’t like playing it safe. Jordan tells him the property is worth $2-2.5 million, and in Mike’s interview, he says it’s not worth enough to sell, but now he has to get his mom off his back, and develop it. He thinks it will be worth $10-15 million when he’s done. There are a lot of naysayers and doubters, like Reza, but the reality is, he’s doing it. Jordan asks if he knows what he’s getting into, and Mike says he’s going to fake it until he makes it.

GG is in the ER. She asks Fatima if everything went okay, and Fatima says, everything is good. In GG’s interview, she says she was in a lot of pain on her way home. She went to the hospital, and they did surgery, taking both of her fallopian tubes. She can never get pregnant the natural way. She asks if she’ll be okay, and Fatima says she will. GG is glad it’s over. In her interview, she says she’s been pregnant too many times by accident. To never be able to get pregnant again is karma, and what she deserves for the life she’s led for so many years. She asks if she peed on herself during surgery, and Fatima laughs.

In the car, Shervin tells Mike, the weather is weird, and everyone is bipolar. GG texted him, asking how much she needed to pay him to keep her name out of his mouth. Mike says, GG had complications with a pregnancy, and explains GG had an ectopic pregnancy, and they had to remove her fallopian tubes, but she’s going to try again. He doesn’t understand how she can, and in his interview, Mike describes IVF as a sperm and an egg being put in the vagina, since he apparently doesn’t know exactly where babies are formed, and that you don’t necessarily need fallopian tubes. Shervin tells him, the uterus doesn’t go backward.

GG smokes some weed. The doorbell rings, and it’s Nema. GG says she’s in a lot of pain, so Nema answers the door when Destiney arrives. She tells GG that she knows eventually GG will be okay, and she’ll allow herself to heal, and be in the moment. In GG’s interview, she says, it’s the new her. She’s not angry with world for everything that happens to her anymore. Destiney is wearing a sexy nurse outfit, and GG says she must have died and gone to heaven. Destiney says she’s Nurse Rose, and has brought goodies. She gives GG a fancy domino mask, a feather boa, and prunes, just in case. GG says she went all out.

Mike tells Shervin, everyone was on the text, and Shervin wonders if Reza will show. In Shervin’s interview, he says they went to Vida’s party, and because they chose to be supportive of her retirement, Reza threw a tantrum, took his toys, and left the sandbox. He doesn’t want to play now. Reza talks to other people who have said and done as much, and says they’re friends. He tells Mike, he doesn’t like that Reza made them choose a side, and doesn’t give a f*** what happened. If you don’t stop something like that in its tracks, it continues, catches speed, and there’s no stopping it. In Mike’s interview, he says, Reza has known them both for years, and has hurt him in many ways, but he’s learned to forgive. Shervin says, all the weight of the tension is falling on them, and Mike says they need to learn to forgive each other.

Tommy takes out a new seat, and MJ tells him to clean up the mess, since Polina is coming over. In Tommy’s interview, he says Polina was a friend from many years back, and she’s a sharp-tongued hard-nosed lawyer, who takes no bullsh*t. He tells MJ, that he’s shocked there’s no spread of food to give Polina, since it’s the Persian way. MJ wonders if she can give Polina a diaper, but quickly makes a chartcuterie board. In her interview, she says Tommy has two cases to deal with; one civil, and one criminal. Because Reza called the cops, he’s been charged with vandalism, which is criminal. Reza also filed a restraining order, which is a civil case. The fact that Tommy has to retain an attorney is ridiculous. She says she didn’t sue when Reza damaged her sofa while he was painting her condo. Because that’s so much the same thing.

The Shahs, minus MJ, gather at GG’s place. I wonder where the damn food is. In GG’s interview, she says she wants her friends to know what happened. She hopes they wake up and realize the issue with MJ is minute, compared to bigger issues, like what she went through. She explains that she was pregnant, and it was an ectopic pregnancy. Only 1% of IVF patients have that happen. Everyone is in shock, and she says she got injections to make it dissolve, and her pain was really bad. It can kill a person, so they went in and removed both of her fallopian tubes. Now she can never get pregnant naturally. It is what it is. Everyone gets teary, and she says, it happened so fast, before she was able to… She starts to cry, and says, before she could appreciate being pregnant, she lost part of her reproductive system. That’s what made her realize a lot of this needs to stop between them. She believes it’s karma. Shervin is closest to her, and when she was going in to surgery, she expected to see him. He says he’s sorry, and wishes he’d been there. She says, everybody is going through sh*t, and she wants someone to do something at this point.

Nema says Reza’s comments about him sharing the dynamic affected him massively, and Mike says Reza blocked him because he didn’t chose a side. Reza says there was no compassion and insight to how he was feeling, and Mike was looking at it from the opposite angel. Mike says, you’re either with MJ or Reza, and Nema says he’s invested in them both, and wanted to see two friends come together. If he overstepped, he apologizes. Reza says, it made things ten times worse, and made him angrier. He had to take a moment. The intentions are pure, but he can’t talk right now. He could get in a better place with MJ if he wasn’t hearing the noise. He was in a dark place, and none of them knew what he was going through. Mike says Reza is making it sound like no one has sympathy. MJ was crying, and saying she effed up, and Ali better tun if Mike sees him, but Mike didn’t do anything to Reza. Reza says he needed a hug, and to be understood, but was left in pain, while Mike kept harping on MJ being his friend for thirty years. GG tells them that they can’t talk over each other. They’re individuals who all need to be heard. Mike says he’s supported Reza throughout their entire friendship, and Reza has done the same.

In Mike’s interview, he says there have been so many times he was having trouble, and Reza told him what he needed to hear. We flash back to Reza telling Mike that he sucks at being a husband, and Mike says, now he’s done the same because of what he learned from Reza, and he’s the bad guy. Reza says he was talking emotionally, and trying to explain how isolated he felt. Mike says Reza insisted he was either with him or MJ. GG says they deal with things the same way every time; deal with it differently. Reza says he was never mad at them. He gets irrational when he feels like he’s under attack and hurt. He was very alone and isolated. He’s an accountable person, and said disgusting vial things because he was hurt. He could have done it differently, but he was stupid, and wants to apologize. He put everyone in the position that they had to choose between two people they care about, and he didn’t mean to.

Tommy asks Polina, what if Reza decides to drop the charges? and she says the restraining order is in Reza’s hands. MJ says, Reza needs to come to his senses, and Polina says, if he does, it will be thrown out, but the criminal charges are up to the judge. It could be either a misdemeanor or a felony, if it’s over $400 in damage. In MJ’s interview, she can’t believe over $400 is a felony. Polina says, it’s not as light an offense as they thought. Tommy says, it’s all bullsh*t, and asks what the worst case is. Polina says he could spend time in county jail. In her interview, MJ says, all this mess could have been avoided if Reza hadn’t called the cops over broken pottery. Oh, okay. I guess it couldn’t have been avoided if Tommy hadn’t broken the pottery in the first place. Tommy says he has to take responsibility, and in MJ’s interview, she says it’s a nine inch nail in their friendship and family. It’s over.

Mike says, dirty sh*t happened, and they all stepped outside of their norm. Shervin, Mike, and Reza have a three-way hug. In Reza’s interview, he says he feels better now. Clearly, he needs to apologize to MJ. Maybe they can form a new relationship and friendship from ground zero. Reza tells them, after the hug, he never needs to wear cologne again.

Next time, Destiney and GG get injectables, Reza and MJ meet, and GG needs an ambulance.

💫 Karma Reversed…

I’m pleased to say, things did work out for GG.

https://people.com/parents/shahs-of-sunset-golnesa-gharachedaghi-having-a-boy-named-elijah/

💃 Amigas No More…

I guess it was hard to keep it going after two of them were fired.

https://betches.com/the-tres-amigas-of-rhoc-are-officially-over/

😥 The Hits Keep Coming…

Sadly, Teresa’s father passed away. It’s unclear from what, but he’s been unwell for some time, and had pneumonia not that long ago.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1137356/real-housewives-of-new-jersey-s-teresa-giudice-mourns-the-death-of-her-dad-giacinto-gorga

🙆🏻 Free Things To Do While Self-Isolating…

Movies and TV shows.

https://www.popsugar.com/entertainment/hbo-free-streaming-to-stay-at-home-47366120

Zoo tours.

https://www.popsugar.com/pets/virtual-zoo-tours-47362760

And who doesn’t want to hear LeVar Burton read to them?

https://comicbook.com/startrek/2020/04/01/star-trek-levar-burton-reads-live-twitter-coronavirus-quarantine/

📣 Quotes of the Week

Don’t believe every stupid thing you think. – Dr. Daniel Amen

In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on. – Robert Frost

If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.Mark Twain

Stay away from negative people. They have a problem for every solution. – Albert Einstein

Integrity is doing what is right and truthful, and doing as you say you would do. Roy T. Bennett

The queen doesn’t rage text. – Andy Cohen after James Kennedy blamed his nasty texts on being British.

Keep a light, hopeful heart. But expect the worst. – Joyce Carol Oates

The future is uncertain, but that can be a good thing. – Jennifer Niven

The past is made out of facts. I guess the future is just hope. – Isaac Marion

Let’s f*** sh*t up is my legal middle name. – Juggernaut (voiced by Ryan Reynolds), Deadpool 2

🤷🏻‍♀️ What’s a Weekend…?

There are never any days off for me, but I’m sure it’s weird for a lot of people when Saturday is just like Monday. Remember, this too shall pass. Everything in life is temporary, even life itself. Well, maybe not if you’re one of The Walking Dead. See you then, and in the meantime, stay safe out there.