Monthly Archives: June 2020

June 29, 2020 – When Sonny Shot His Son, Randoms On the Yacht, Loving Reunited, Awards Times Two, Brock Steps Up, Not On Broadway & Good

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

The tribe has spoken. Today’s GH Flashback is from January 29th, 2010. This week, we’ll be seeing The Best of Sonny’s Children.

It was the day of baby Josslyn’s christening, and Lady Jane came for the occasion. Michael (one I’ve never seen) was concerned that even though he’d been christened, he wasn’t going to heaven, but Carly assured him that he’d been protecting baby Josslyn when he’d hit Claudia, killing her. Lulu was chosen as godmother, and begged Lucky (the Jonathan Jackson version) to come, because she had a bad feeling. Dante told fellow detective Ronnie that he wasn’t going after Sonny until after the ceremony. Ronnie didn’t think it was a good idea, but Dante said it was non-negotiable. Ronnie told Dante, the minute they were out of the service, the cops would be moving in, unless Dante warned Sonny. Jason told Sonny that everything was in place, and Sonny said Dominic (which he thought was Dante’s name) was smug, and had infiltrated Sonny’s organization, working his way to a position of trust, but it wasn’t a problem, since Dominic was as good as dead. That’s when Olivia walked in.

Lucky told Lulu, large gatherings in Port Charles rarely ended well, and the christening had the potential for disaster of astronomical proportions. Lulu wondered what he wasn’t telling her, but begged him to come and be her back-up. Dante told Ronnie that he wasn’t going to blow the arrest, but Ronnie thought Dante was stalling until a mole could warn Sonny. Dante didn’t blame Ronnie for doubting him, but said he’d changed over the course of the investigation, and was driven to bring Sonny down. He was motivated to make Sonny pay for Lieutenant Poletti, but was concerned about Sonny’s kids getting hurt. He told Ronnie that they were good kids, and Carly was a good person, and Ronnie accused him of only being concerned about the people on the periphery.

Olivia hadn’t heard Sonny and Jason’s conversation, and said she was there to remind Sonny that no one deserved being shot in the house of God. She said Jax had stepped up and made Jason godfather (irony!), and Jason said there wouldn’t be any problems. Lady Jane brought a maple tree to plant for Josslyn, hoping that one day she’d have a swing hanging from it. She said Jax seemed sad, and Jax said he was concerned that everything would come crashing down. She asked what he’d done now, reminding him that he’d promised not to keep secrets from Carly. Jax said Carly was the one taking action in having Sonny removed from their lives. Lady Jane asked for specifics, and Jax said she had helped in infiltrating Sonny’s organization, and Jax had used his connections when the investigation hit a snag. A warrant had been issued for Sonny’s arrest. Lady Jane hoped that Sonny wasn’t going to be arrested during the service, and said Carly might never forgive him. He said he was aware of that, but wanted to be honest. Lady Jane feared his animosity had blinded him, but he said his eyes had been opened.

Sonny told Olivia that her boyfriend was in the middle of the organization, but she told Sonny that she was safer with Johnny than with him. He wondered how safe Johnny was, and Olivia asked if that was threat, but Sonny said it wasn’t. Carly joined them, and asked if Olivia was there for the same reason she was; to ask Sonny to play nice. Olivia thought Carly might be the push he needed, and left. Carly told Sonny that she was glad he was coming to the christening, and she was proud they were still friends. She wanted to use the christening to bring Josslyn’s family together, both extended family and blood relatives. She wanted Josslyn to be surrounded by love, and told Sonny not to do anything to screw it up. Sonny said he’d hit a turning point, and this was the day he was going to dump the garbage by the side of the road. Dante told Lulu that if she was having second thoughts, it was okay, but she said she just wanted the day to be over. Elizabeth went to Luke, saying she owed him an apology. She’d promised not to see Nikolas anymore, and it was a lie. Luke accepted her apology, and she was surprised, but he said there was no percentage in raking her over the coals; she’d done a good enough job herself. She wasn’t his favorite person, and had dealt a lethal blow to his son (i.e. Lucky), but people made mistakes sometimes. You could get drawn in to a circumstance without thinking of the consequences; it was human. He told her, a mistake didn’t negate the good she’d done for Lucky and the love she’d given him. Lulu walked in, and asked what he was doing talking to trash.

Lucky went to the chapel, and said it took a tragedy for him to talk to God, but assumed God knew his heart better than he did. He knew he was supposed to accept things he couldn’t change, but wondered how justice fit in to that, and what he’d done to deserve this. He said it was hard to believe in God’s love, and wondered if there was a plan he wasn’t seeing or a lesson he was supposed to learn. He asked to be able to see more than just black. Jason walked in, and told Lucky that it was important to Carly that he be there. Lucky assumed Jason knew he and Elizabeth had split up and why. Jason said he was sorry, and Lucky said he wished he could assure Jason that Jake would be okay, but he had no idea what was going to happen next. Jax told a tiny Josslyn that he didn’t take keeping her safe lightly, and did what was necessary. He knew he wasn’t going to be popular, and hoped Josslyn’s mother understood. Carly joined him, and said Josslyn was a miracle, thanked him for making all her dreams come true, and said she loved him. Dante went to see Olivia, who said she remembered his christening. He told her that she’d kept her promise to protect him, and he loved her. Sonny called Dante, saying he needed to talk to him, and Olivia told Dante that Sonny had seemed tense; there was something in his eyes like he was sitting on something he wasn’t going to share with her.

Jason thought Lucky would do what was best for Jake, and Lucky said it was bad, and going to get uglier before it got better. It wasn’t fair to Jake for Lucky to dishonor his promise. Elizabeth thanked Luke for his compassion, saying it was more than she deserved. Lulu said she got that right, and Elizabeth left. Luke told Lulu that Elizabeth hadn’t been a solo act, and wondered where her righteous indignation was against Nikolas. Lulu said she was mad at him too, but it was still Elizabeth’s fault. Luke told her it didn’t do any good. It was a bad situation, but it was for Lucky and Elizabeth to figure out. For them to throw in their hostility and judgment wasn’t going to help. He said, judgment is like a boomerang, and sooner or later, it comes back and smacks you in the face. Sonny met with Dante, who wondered why there were no guards. Sonny said Jason was paranoid, and he wanted Dominic/Dante to take an assignment. A shipment was coming in, and he needed Dante to make sure he didn’t get ripped off. The shipment would be in by nightfall. Dante said, by nightfall he (Dante) would be dead. He suggested Sonny was sending him on a bogus security detail on a remote road, but Sonny said he would never do that – unless he’d found out Dominic/Dante had betrayed him. At the church, Olivia wondered where Sonny and Dante were. Dante told Sonny that he was getting whiplash; one minute Sonny wanted him to inherit everything, and the next, Sonny thought Dante had betrayed him somehow. Sonny asked how Dominic/Dante was betraying him exactly, and Dante said he’d wanted to give everyone one last good day, but Sonny had taken it too far and made a dangerous miscalculation. Sonny said that could be rectified, and Dante said he was arresting Sonny for the murder of Claudia Zaccara Corinthos.

Jax didn’t want to hold things up any longer, and the christening commenced. As the priest began the ceremony, Dante read Sonny his rights, but Sonny said they weren’t going to make it to a court of law, and drew a gun. Dante said Sonny would be adding cop killer to his list of crimes. When Dante’s body was found, Sonny would be as dead as him. Sonny said nobody was going to find Dante. He’d trusted and liked Dominic/Dante, and in some ways still did. He was smart and had guts. He’d gained acceptance from Sonny’s family, and Sonny had seriously considered making Dominic/Dante his successor. Dante said he appreciated the irony, and Sonny said it was too bad all of Dante’s effort was wasted. He asked if Dante had any last words, and Dante wanted Sonny to remember what this was about. Sonny had gunned down Lieutenant Poletti from the old neighborhood like he was a worthless bad guy, but they didn’t make them any better. Any kids in the neighborhood who were lacking, Poletti tried make up for it, and he was one of those kids. Poletti taught him to grow up to be a good man, even though he had no role model. Sonny had Poletti killed, while Sonny went on with his worthless pathetic life. Sonny was chauffeured around wearing fancy suits, while a man Dante had respected paid for it. He didn’t respect Sonny; he despised him. While Josslyn was being baptized, Sonny told Dante that he didn’t remember Poletti, but if he’d killed Poletti, he deserved it. Dante told Sonny to pray that his kids never saw him the way Dante was seeing him now; a cold-eyed bastard who would kill anyone to get whatever the hell he wanted. Sonny said, goodbye, detective, and shot Dante, as the priest told everyone, go in peace; the Lord be with you. He added, there was no more of a sacred bond than that of a parent and child. Olivia arrived at Sonny’s, and ran to Dante. She told Sonny that he’d just shot his own son, and Sonny looked pretty surprised.

Below Deck Mediterranean

At 8 pm, they aired one of those repeat episodes with never before seen scenes. Don’t let those fool you. You need a microscope to find what you haven’t seen before.

Three hours until charter. It starts to storm. Bugs comes up the boardwalk, and Malia runs to meet her. Bugs says she’s bringing the thunder. In her interview, she says she’s been working on a busy private charter yacht as chief stew. Malia introduces her to Rob and Alex. In Malia’s interview, she says they need someone to get the job done, and keep a smile on their face, and that’s Bugs. She loves everything about Bugs. Hannah tells Kiko, the pressure is on them. Malia says she has a package for Captain Sandy, and brings Bugs to the bridge. The captain says they need Bugs’s expertise and support. In Bugs’s interview, she says it’s not something she saw herself doing, and Captain Sandy is the only person she’d do this for. She tells the captain that she brought the storm. The captain thinks it was a shock to Hannah, but that Bugsy will pleasantly surprised.

Bugs gives Hannah a hug, and Hannah says, it’s mayhem. Bugs says she’s coming to help, and introduces herself to the rest of the crew. In Hannah’s interview, she says she’s feeling apprehensive about Bugs. The last time they worked together, Bugs basically went out of her way to throw Hannah under the bus. We flash back to that, and Hannah says she doesn’t trust Bugs, and they won’t be friends, but they will work together. Hannah tells Bugs that she’s excited to see her back. They need a strong second. In her interview, Bugs says she’s going in with an open mind. She loves yachting and loves her job, and hopes she and Hannah can work it out this time, and balance out each other’s strengths. Malia gives the deckhands some instructions, and Pete says his stomach is killing him. Hannah takes Bugs around the boat.

At the preference sheet meeting, the captain says primary Justin is a financial consultant, and he’s bringing his best friends. They have a history of partying in Vegas, and are excited to bring the party to Majorca. Because the owner doesn’t allow dogs on the boat (for shame!), they need to find a dog sitter, and Justin may want to go on shore to visit. Weather permitting, they want a beach panic, and to do water sports. They’ve requested a five or six course tasting menu dinner. It’s pouring, and Pete says, this was not forecasted. Malia tells Alex, it’s hard deck crew to figure out. Rob is awesome, but Pete hates her. Bugs introduces herself to Pete, and says she’s Pete… No, wait. He’s Pete. The provisions come in, and Bugs tells Malia that Pete started following her on Instagram. She says Pete claims he’s a captain, and Malia says, of a tender. Welcome to her life. In her interview, Jessica is afraid Bugs is going to change the dynamic, but she thinks Hannah doesn’t like her, so it might be good. Rob thinks Bugs is cute, and Hannah is glad Bugs is on décor, since she hates doing it. In Bugs’s interview, she says her team entered tablescape competitions, and came in first. We see pictures of that, and Bugs says she gets it from her mom. She grew up around décor, because her mom owns a B&B. It’s all about thinking outside the box. She makes magic with some shells, and the table looks gorgeous. Rob and Jess sneak a kiss. Hanna tells Jess that Bugs is on service this charter.

The guests arrive with the cutest Husky puppy ever. The captain tells them, unfortunately, the weather is going to keep them on the dock, but the crew will show them an amazing time inside. Hannah does the tour, and then makes a call arranging for a dog nanny, explaining Justin will want to visit. In his interview, Kiko says he has a tattoo of a Husky. The nanny shows up, and Justin says goodbye to pup Scout. In Hannah’s interview, she says being stuck at the dock makes her job harder. The spotlight is on her and the interior. She tells Alex, the rain really screws things up. Bugs brings the guests a cheese plate, along with various other snacks. Justin asks Hannah if she can get them a table at Tito’s tonight, and Hannah calls for a VIP table. The guests do Belvedere shots, and guest Leon asks for oysters. Hannah says they couldn’t get fresh ones for today, but Kiko has caviar. Malia asks the deckhands if they have any cards for poker. Rob says there’s a whole poker set-up, and Malia asks if Alex knows how to play. In Alex’s interview, he says he played poker every night in college, and paid his tuition from the winnings. The gaming table is set up, and in his interview, Alex says he thinks Bugs is attractive. He’s an eyes and teeth person. If you have good teeth and bright eyes, he’s already in love. Lunch is served. Kiko tastes his own food, and gives himself props. Their surf and turf makes me sad about the quinoa and leftover vegetables dinner I had, so I eat a multi-grain cracker.

Pete text flirts with Lara. In Rob’s interview, he says he’s in an open relationship and getting to know Jess. The guests say lunch was great, and they’re ready for poker. Justin looks in on his pup through a webcam, and Captain Sandy high-fives Kiko. Malia plays bartender for the poker game. The captain tells Kiko not to avoid talking to the guests, and in his interview, he says English isn’t his first language, and he gets nervous. Just let him cook. Leon says he wants oysters, and Hannah explains they’re coming in fresh tomorrow. She suggests if they want something right away, to put it on the preference sheet. Leon says he did put it on the sheet. In Hannah’s interview, she says she’s used to demanding guests, but there’s a difference between being demanding and being an outright a-hole. Leon says he guesses they didn’t read it correctly, but he knows it’s a lot for them. This dude seems like a reject from Welcome Back, Kotter. Hannah goes to the galley, and looks at the sheet. She takes it to show it to Leon, saying the only time oysters are listed is for dinner. Leon says, whatever; I was wrong. When Hannah is out of his earshot, she calls him an effing d-bag. Captain Sandy asks when Kiko is going to talk to Justin, and Kiko says he’s on his way. He meets Justin in the dining room, and says he wants to make sure they’re happy. Justin says he’s easy-going (apparently Leon, not so much), and Kiko goes over the menus. Justin says Kiko is already off to a good start. The guests get in the hot tub, while Bugs looks for tablescape stuff. Malia tells Rob that she appreciates him helping out. He asks if there’s anything she needs specifically, and she says he’s been helpful and respectful. He’s doing a good job, and holding the standard. She appreciates it.

Jess says Bugs’s table is amazing. Leon whines, these MF’ers start late. In Hannah’s interview, she says she’s concerned about Kiko’s timing, especially when the guests are already a pain in her backside. Lightening flashes, and it begins to pour. Justin asks if the others want to go to Vegas next week, but one of the women says she has a birthday party in Japan. Well, excuse me. Justin says, Kiko is killing it. The guests head for shore, and Hannah reminds them to call when they’re coming back. When they’re gone, Hannah radios the crew that the guests have departed. Malia says, copy that, and I laugh at the way she says it, since it sounds more like, thank God. Jessica and Rob hug. In her interview, Jess says, what’s not to like? He has intellect, abs, and a pretty face. She’s in trouble. Bugs wonders if Pete is the crew mess creep. Malia tells Pete, tomorrow is going to be a long effing day, and to make sure he’s on deck at seven. The guests party at Tito’s, while the boat is cleaned up. They leave the club around 3 am, and Leon calls, telling Hannah, they’re effed up. Alex says, oh my God. This is what we’re doing tonight?

The guests come back, bringing some people they met with them, one of them saying, they’re not in Sag Harbor anymore. In Hannah’s interview, she says they’ve brought randoms back to the boat. Some of them get in the hot tub, and there’s lots of drinking, mostly shots and rosé. At 4 am, they’re still going strong, and a giant magnum of Perrier Jouet is brought out. Hannah just wants to go to bed. Alex opens a load of Coronas. Justin finally suggests they call it a night, and Hannah calls for a taxi for the guests’ guests, who leave somewhere around 5 am. As she cleans up with Alex, Hannah says she effing hates her job. She doesn’t get to bed until after 6:30.

Port Adriano. Kiko says his body hurts, and Captain Sandy wants off the dock. She shows Malia that the wind is below 10 knots. In her interview, the captain says, at 15 knots, it’s impossible to get off the dock. They need to take the window when there’s a chance. In terrific timing, one of the guests gets off the boat to walk around. Malia radios that she sees one guest on the dock. Captain Sandy asks if Malia’s eyes are on her, but Malia says, she’s past the entrance. The wind picks up. In Jessica’s interview, she says, oopsy. The captain says, it’s back at 15 knots, and now the guest is back. Captain Sandy realizes Pete has released the wrong groundline, so they can’t just take off. She asks who told him to do that? and he says, Malia did. Malia hears, and says, negative. She told him to release the secondary groundline. The one he released should be the last one to go. He says he’ll put back her really important groundline, and Malia says, of course it’s not his fault. The captain sees the wind is at 20 knots, and says they can’t leave. She radios a crew that it’s a no go. Malia tells Pete that his sarcasm didn’t escape her when he said he dropped her really important groundline. He claims he didn’t say that, but she says everyone on the stern deck heard him. In her interview, Malia says, it not only looks bad for Pete, but it looks bad for her. She’s done.

Pete says he wasn’t being sarcastic; he was communicating that he was putting an important line back on. In Pete’s interview, he says working with Malia is a constant ego check. He goes over what he’s done, but he’s doing the right thing. He tells Alex that Malia is wrong, but you can’t tell her anything. In Malia’s interview, she says, when you’re stuck on the dock, it’s all smoke and mirrors. You need to distract the guests. Captain Sandy says she wants all the toys out, and Malia suggests they bring the guests to a nearby beach cove, along with some tables and chairs. The captain tells Kiko to make food for a beach picnic, and in his interview, he says, good. Then he can concentrate on the six-course dinner; it’s a lot of work. Rob asks Pete about covering the cushions. Pete says he doesn’t know, and he’s not asking. He doesn’t want to get his head bit off. Justin says, poor Hannah, and tells Bugs that they’re bringing the three girls and the guy who were there last night to the beach picnic. Bugs radios that there are going to be extra people, and Captain Sandy tells Kiko, team work makes the dream work. She loves sayings like that. Justin says he misses his son, meaning his dog. Malia tells Hannah that she has to get the dog back to the boat, so they can bring him along. The food is packed, and in her interview, Hannah says, it’s nice to have a good second stew, and she has to admit, she needs Bugs. Malia goes over to the beach with Pete and Rob in the tender, and shows them the cove. Rob and Malia begin to set up, and Malia says she’s done with Pete’s ego. He has the balls to talk smack about her when she’s not standing there, but not to her face. He knows what he’s doing, and just being an a-hole. She doesn’t give a f*** about his ego anymore. The giant umbrella she’s been opening suddenly gets taken by the wind, and takes her along with it. It crashes against a rock wall, which bends the spokes.

Hannah says they’ll do two tender runs with the guests. Malia sets the table, and Rob tells her that he likes Jess. She says, awesome, and they set up a canopy. The new people get to the boat, along with Scout who’s wearing a life vest, and everyone heads to the beach. One of the guests decides to do some golfing, and Hannah explains they can’t, since people are swimming there. In Hannah’s interview, she says she hates when randoms find their way back again. The food comes, and Justin gives Scout a lick of champagne, but of course you’re too smart to give your dog alcohol, right? The beach rep calls Sandy, and tells her that there can be no tarps or glass on the beach, and she relays the message to Hannah, saying, everything has to come down. Hannah tells the guests that they have to take the tent down and remove all the glass, including the bottles containing their alcohol. In her interview, she says she has legit 30 bottles there, and the tent is the only shade. She’s up sh*t creek with no paddle. They fill some plastic bottles with alcohol, but Justin doesn’t want to stay with no tent. Hannah suggests the guests have a swim while they pack up, and sets up a small pup tent. She tells Rob, it’s a clusterf***, and she wants to cry. Malia takes a picture of Scout and Justin on a water toy. In her interview, Hannah says, Kiko is screwed. She radios Kiko that the guests have invited other guests to dinner, and she thinks there are going to be twelve altogether. He says, six times twelve is seventy-two. In Kiko’s interview, he says, how is he going to do that? It’s crazy. He’s screwed again. He starts getting ready to make dinner.

Next time, Bugs gets in the hot tub, the hardest day of Kiko’s life, Hannah questions Rob about his open relationship, and Jessica breaks a finger.

🎁 A Wrap After the Wrap…

If Loving You Is Wrong will be having a reunion on June 30th (that’s TODAY) at 8 pm. But will Oh So Right tie up any loose ends?

https://tvline.com/2020/06/25/if-loving-you-is-wrong-reunion-special-series-finale-ending-explained/

https://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=260843

🏆 And the Award Goes To…

Winners of the BET Awards.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/2020-bet-awards-nominations-full-list-1300820

And a review of the show.

https://www.tvguide.com/news/bet-awards-2020-review/?ftag=NLS-04-10aaa2i

🥇 And More Awards Go To…

Winners of the Daytime Emmy Awards. Again I ask, where is Max Gail?

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/daytime-emmy-awards-2020-winners-full-list-1300771

💏 Supporting Scheana…

It looks like she might have picked a winner this time.

https://pagesix.com/2020/06/28/scheana-shays-boyfriend-pens-supportive-message-after-her-miscarriage/

🎭 There Are No Small Parts…

And right now, there are no parts at all until next year.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2020/06/29/broadway-suspends-performances-through-2020-amid-coronavirus/3278716001/

⏳ Is It Friday Yet…?

Technically, it’s a long weekend coming up, but for some of us, it’s been a long weekend since March. Hopefully, you’re able to branch out by now, but don’t be a Karen out there. Stay safe, stay considerate of others, and stay hopeful that by the time this is over, we’ll have a better world.

June 27, 2020 – A Rewedding For JaSam, Here’s Johnny, Double the Franco, Soap Starts, Sad News, Brittany’s Mom, TV Wedding, Gus Hosts, Looking Back, Musical Stream, Six Hardy Quotes & Educated

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Survey says, today’s GH Flashback is from September 22nd, 2011.

Dante (who practically looked like an infant) proposed to old Lulu. At first, I didn’t realize it was Lulu, and for a moment, wondered who else Dante proposed to. James Franco playing Franco (which is endlessly amusing to me) spied on Maxie and Spinelli in the park, as they planned Sam and Jason’s wedding. Maxie said everything could be fixed with a few clicks on the Jackal’s computer board. Jason showed up at Sam’s while she was trying on her dress, and said he’d broken the rule by seeing her in it. She said there were so many rules, she didn’t think she could go through with it. At the hospital, Robin told Patrick they had a mandatory engagement tomorrow – Sam and Jason’s wedding – but Patrick said they weren’t going.

Sam said it wasn’t that she didn’t want to marry Jason, but he’d just gotten out of the hospital. She wanted to dance right then and there with him, even though he hated dancing, but there was a knock at the door. Dante told Lulu that he was a work in progress (ugh), but he was still a good investment, and he wanted them to invest in each other and share a future. Being with her made him feel like being a better man. Lulu said he’d gone from it being over to shut up and marry me without a break, and she needed to breathe and think. Johnny (Zacchara) asked his father Anthony (Bruce Weitz) what he had on Tracy, but Anthony said, a gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell. After Anthony left, Johnny got on the phone with henchman Cole, and said he had a job for him.

Robin told Patrick that they’d gotten married partly because of Jason, and she was still Jason’s friend. Patrick didn’t want her risking her life being around Sonny, but she said she’d go alone. A courier picked up Sam’s dress because Maxie didn’t trust her with it, and Sam told Jason, the wedding was out of control. Jason suggested she just say no to Maxie, but Sam didn’t want to hurt Maxie’s feelings. She told him, besides Maxie, everyone had their own ideas for the wedding, including Spinelli, her mom, and her sisters. She didn’t even know what kind of flowers or reception they were going to have, but guaranteed it would be over-the-top. She said she didn’t need flowers, a ceremony, or the complications that came with it. Jason told her to forget what everybody else wanted, and focus on what they wanted. All that mattered was that they loved each other. Sam said she had a rock Molly had given her to keep her grounded, and a love nut; what else did she need? Jason took her hand, and said, come on.

Jason and Sam got on his bike, and ended up at a closed Chinese restaurant. The owner Mr. Li and his grandson Robert let them in anyway, and they confessed they were running from their wedding. Lulu went to see a too skinny Maxie at Crimson for advice, while Dante went to see Lucky (the Jonathan Jackson version). He told Lucky about proposing to Lulu, and how she was hesitant. Lucky asked if Dante was sure he wanted be part of this family. Sam explained to Robert that her head was spinning; she didn’t even know if she wanted roses or lilies. Robert’s grandmother Mrs. Yi (who only spoke Chinese, so Robert had to translate) said lilies should be her flower, since they represented unity in spirit and 100 years of love.  She and her husband were halfway there, having been married 50 years. Sam said their problem wasn’t commitment, but the ceremony, and Jason said if it was up to him, he’d marry Sam right there. Robert said they could do that, since he was ordained. Jason pulled out the marriage license that he just happened to have with him. Mrs. Yi said fate had brought them there, and Sam agreed.

Dante pumped Lucky for insight into Lulu, but Lucky said the Spencers were an unpredictable bunch. He told Dante not to play it safe and run from his feelings. They should love the people they were given in life while they had the chance. Anthony went to the hospital where Lisa was in a coma. (Lisa had injected herself with drain cleaner during a struggle with Patrick in June 2011.) Anthony told the doctor that he had power of attorney, and gave the hospital a lot of money. He hoped his generosity counted for something. He gave the doctor a check, and even though the doctor said the protocol was still in the early stages, and thought Anthony should get a second opinion, Anthony said he trusted the doctor, and to shoot her up. Patrick told Robin that she should respect his feelings toward Sonny, the same way he respected hers for Jason. Robin suggested they go to the wedding and get a hotel room for the night, making it a second honeymoon. Patrick said she was playing dirty, but agreed, and told her that they couldn’t let anyone come between them. Johnny got together with Cole, and told Cole to offload a boat containing drugs at the harbor. He was going to put them in Sonny’s coffee warehouse, and then give an anonymous tip to the cops. Cole worried that Sonny would figure out it was Johnny, but Johnny said there would be no proof; just make sure the drugs were unloaded. When Sonny was toasting the happy couple, Johnny would be taking him down.

At the restaurant, Robert took Sam and Jason to the back terrace, where it was romantic and lit by Chinese lanterns. Mrs. Li said something to Sam, and Robert said, loosely translated, it was that Sam’s shoes rocked. (Maxie had meant to send Sam a pair of blue shoes, but a pair of leopard boots had come instead, which Sam insisted on wearing.) Robert said Jason stood under the symbol of the dragon, and Sam stood under the symbol of the phoenix, and the union of the dragon and phoenix symbolized the union of the bride and groom. The dragon stood for strength; he scared away evil spirits, protected the innocent, and blessed the house with safety. The phoenix was the goddess of winged creatures, and brought luck, success, and prosperity, turning bad luck to good. Together, they were the ultimate sides of yin and yang, male and female, strength and beauty. Alone, they brought happiness, but together brought double happiness. Jason had his grandmother’s ring that she had worn for over 50 years. His grandfather had given it to him to give to Sam. Sam had a ring that had belonged to Jason’s father, who wanted him to have it. His parents had a love that lasted a lifetime, and so would theirs. They exchanged rings, and said their vows. Mrs. Li gave them glasses of red wine, and they drank it, doing that twisty thing with their arms. Robert said red was the color of happiness, and tonight, they were joined in happiness. Drinking the wine and honey would make life sweet and rich. From that moment forward, they were one world; earth, water, air, and fire together for all eternity. He pronounced them husband and wife. I’m not big with the romance stuff, but this was actually kind of cool.

Spinelli managed to find some wedding music for Maxie. Dante told Lucky that the moment he met Lulu, he was hooked; there was no one else like her. Lucky suggested he be patient, and let her get used to the idea. Johnny told Cole that his father knew nothing about what was going on, and while Sonny was distracted, it was perfect time to make a move. Unbeknownst to Johnny, Anthony was listening in. Sam gave Mrs. Li her leopard boots, which Mrs. Li said were too cool to refuse, and wondered what they were going to tell Maxie.

Johnny said everything was going down tomorrow night. Jason told Sam they would tell Maxie tomorrow night, and they kissed. Franco set up some Tinker Toys on the statues at the church, and said, see you tomorrow. Okay, they were really cameras, but they looked like Tinker Toys.

💣 Johnny Got His Gun…

I barely remember him, so here’s a refresh.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/johnny-zacchara

🎨 He Was a Busy Guy…

All about Franco, going back to when he was James Franco.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/abc/franco-general-hospital-roger-howarth-155402

🧼 Someday My Soaps Will Come…

According to Soap Opera Digest, Young & Restless will resume taping on July 6th, and Bold & Beautiful has already begun production. No word on GH yet.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2020/06/16/bold-and-beautiful-resumes-taping-after-coronavirus-shutdown/3198891001/

😥 She Can’t Catch a Break…

Poor Scheana. 2020 hasn’t treated a lot of people well.

https://pagesix.com/2020/06/26/vanderpump-rules-star-scheana-shay-reveals-she-suffered-a-miscarriage/

🏥 I Just Know It’s Jax’s Fault…

Because he’s the worst human being on earth, and all of the world’s ills lead to him.

https://pagesix.com/2020/06/19/vanderpump-rules-star-brittany-cartwrights-mom-out-of-icu/

💒 Andy Officiates…

Because we’re starved for entertainment.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1164644/andy-cohen-to-officiate-a-wedding-on-watch-what-happens-live-for-pride-month

📺 Better Call Gus…

Along with some fun TV programming, AMC is releasing a new digital docuseries.

https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-news/giancarlo-esposito-to-host-new-breaking-bad-better-call-saul-inspired-docuseries-1020063/

https://www.amc.com/shows/better-call-saul/talk/2020/06/new-better-call-saul-and-breaking-bad-programming-is-coming-including-new-doc-series-hosted-by-giancarlo-esposito

🧛‍♂️ He’s Ba-a-ack…

You can’t keep a good vampire down.

https://www.bbcamerica.com/shows/nos4a2/video-extras/nos4a2-sneak-peek-season-2-episode-2

🎧 Early Aughts Interviews…

A trip down Memory Lane with entertainers from the early 00’s.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1164673/2000s-rewind-watch-early-e-interviews-with-britney-spears-destiny-s-child-more-up-and-comers

🎸 Just Sayin’…

Isn’t it funny how The Dixie Chicks are suddenly switching their name to The Chicks to disassociate themselves from racism, but it’s five seconds before they release their first album in a zillion years? Must just be a coincidence.

💖 I Heart Tyler…

But you knew that.

https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/atlanta/womens-charity-that-hands-out-love-bags-homeless-has-new-van-thanks-tyler-perry/LDMV45QBTFE5NAB3LZJDOOYQB4/

🎶 You Can’t Stop the Beat…

Some live streams coming up. The 13th Annual Roots Picnic Virtual Experience (today – June 27th) looks good.

https://floodmagazine.com/78894/live-from-the-living-room-6-22-6-28-2/

🦜 Quotes of the Week

That’s the trouble with your whole MTV, microwave dinner generation. You want it all now. You think you deserve it just because you want it? It doesn’t work like that. You have to earn it, you have to take it, you have to make it yours. but before you do that, Guy, you need to decide what it is you really want. – Buddy (Kevin Spacey), Swimming with Sharks

Life is painful and messed up. It gets complicated at the worst of times, and sometimes you have no idea where to go or what to do. Lots of times people just let themselves get lost, dropping into a wide open, huge abyss. But that’s why we have to keep trying. We have to push through all that hurts us, work past all our memories that are haunting us. Sometimes the things that hurt us are the things that make us strongest. A life without experience, in my opinion, is no life at all. And that’s why I tell everyone that, even when it hurts, never stop yourself from living. – Alysha Speer

The most fundamental aggression to ourselves, the most fundamental harm we can do to ourselves, is to remain ignorant by not having the courage and the respect to look at ourselves honestly and gently.Pema Chödrön

Walk with the dreamers, the believers, the courageous, the cheerful, the planners, the doers, the successful people with their heads in the clouds and their feet on the ground. Let their spirit ignite a fire within you to leave this world better than when you found it. – Wilferd Peterson

Take wrong turns. Talk to strangers. Open unmarked doors. And if you see a group of people in a field, go find out what they are doing. Do things without always knowing how they’ll turn out. You’re curious and smart and bored, and all you see is the choice between working hard and slacking off. There are so many adventures that you miss because you’re waiting to think of a plan. To find them, look for tiny interesting choices. And remember that you are always making up the future as you go!Randall Munroe

The four hardest tasks on earth are neither physical nor intellectual feats, but spiritual ones: To return love for hate; to include the excluded; to forgive without apology, and to be able to say, I was wrong.Author Unknown

📰 Searching and Researching…

Sometimes when you’re writing about something, it turns into something else. Like what happened with that journalist in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. In working on a piece about what’s going on in the entertainment world, i.e. apologies and cancelations, I’ve learned a great deal. Not about myself – I have that one pretty much down – but about other perspectives. Woken long ago, my horizons are broadening. Coming soon, but for today, stay safe, stay engaged, and stay open to changing direction.

June 25, 2020 – Proposal Flashback, Brenda Explained, NYC Sees Themselves, Jesse Moves On, Pride Style, About That Privilege & Today Is

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

I’ll take July 21st, 2011 for a GH Flashback, Alex!

Maxie accidentally dropped the ring Jason was going to propose to Sam with from a balcony. Sam told Alexis that Jason had planned a romantic dinner for them tonight, and it seemed different. Alexis said it sounded like a proposal. Sam told Alexis that she was going to say yes, but wondered how Alexis felt. Jax went to Carly’s place (the most recent Carly, but in between marriages to Sonny) to say goodbye to Josslyn, since he was going out of town. Brenda went to Sonny’s to tell him that she was also leaving. Carly was there, and said Brenda had promised to stand by Sonny, and she needed to make good on her promise. She’d sworn she was the only woman who loved Sonny, and Carly told her, prove it. Sonny said Brenda had come back to say goodbye, and Carly gave them some privacy. Brenda said it was unrealistic to think she and her son would be safe with Sonny, and Sonny said there was no life without risk.

Alexis said Sam liked to live life on the edge, and Sam said that Jason completed her emotionally. Maxie wondered if dropping the ring was an omen, but Jason thought it was an accident, and said he didn’t need a ring to propose. Maxie insisted he did. Jax apologized to toddler Josslyn for things not working out with her mom, but said they’d always have their memories. He asked Michael and teen Morgan to take care of Josslyn. Brenda said she didn’t know who Sonny was, and Sonny said his hands had always been dirty; he was just in a position to give the orders now. He said love didn’t last, and walked when it was in pain. It scared him how much he wanted power, but it was something he could hold on to. He told her that maybe he was too selfish, but he didn’t think he could give himself over completely to love. On their wedding day, he’d let himself believe it would be forever. Brenda said he let her believe it too, and he said she wanted him fight for her and love her too much to let her go. She said she wanted him to be the man she’d carried in her heart her whole life, but he said he’d played a part so he could have her, and he was sorry. Brenda said she was getting out in time to protect her son.

When Brenda left, Sonny told Carly, the bottom line was that he lead too dangerous a life for Brenda and her kid. He wasn’t man she’d thought he was, and she’d loved the way she wanted him to be. Carly thought that was hypocritical, but Sonny said he couldn’t fault her. Carly said Sonny deserved to be happy. Brenda told Robin that she was going to Rome to figure out what was best for her son Alex. Robin assumed Sonny was coming, but Brenda said Sonny and Carly had a dysfunctional insane relationship, and Sonny would always put Carly first. Brenda had her son now, and wanted him to be safe. Robin said Sonny always tried to justify everything he did, and she understood that Brenda couldn’t do that anymore. She promised to visit when she was in Paris, and bring Emma. Brenda gave Robin an envelope to give to Sonny when she felt it was the right time. Whatever that meant.

Jason waited on a candlelit rooftop, with a set table and champagne, ready for a romantic dinner. When Sam arrived, she said it was beautiful, and he said Maxie had helped him. Sam thought Maxie must have also picked out his shirt, since it was blue, and he admitted she had. He said he appreciated and loved Sam, but she deserved more than romance. Sam said romance had nothing to do with real love. Sonny told Carly that he loved Brenda with all his heart, and didn’t know what he was going to do without her. Becoming a mother had changed her, and he was proud of the woman she’d become. Carly told Sonny that she hated Brenda for hurting him. Sonny said he’d hurt Carly too. He loved Brenda, but didn’t regret helping Carly get Josslyn back.

Jason told Sam that he couldn’t see the connection between jewelry and the heart, and didn’t get things like parties, but understood that people needed symbols in their lives, or they’d take things for granted. Sam said their relationship was so easy and comfortable, Jason didn’t need to say words or ask how she felt. She was afraid to say that she loved him out loud, because he might disappear. Her dad had told her, keep her expectations low, and she wouldn’t be disappointed, but Jason asked, why hold back form something you want? He’d wanted to tell Jake that he loved him (I guess Jake was assumed dead at this point, when he was really on Cassadine Island with Helena), and tell Jake that he’d be a father in a way Jake could understand, but he didn’t get the chance. He’d learned from what he’d lost, and was never going to take time or love for granted again. He said he loved her so much, he’d be honored to spend the rest of his life with her, and asked her to marry him.

Jax went to see Brenda because he didn’t want to leave without saying goodbye. He needed to clear his head, thinking it was the only way he could be a good father to Josslyn. Brenda said she was leaving too; Jax had been right. Jax agreed she was making a good choice, and asked if he could play white knight one more time. Carly told Michael and Morgan about getting custody of Josslyn. Michael said Jax told them that he was leaving, but Carly said she hadn’t wanted that. Sam told Jason that she loved him too, and he’d changed everything for her. He asked if that was yes, and she said she didn’t know who she was without him. When they broke up, she fell apart, but it was different now. She didn’t need to be married, and he didn’t have to ask to make her happy. She was happy already knowing she mattered. He was what she wanted for the rest of her life, and she didn’t care about a ceremony, ring, or a dress; she just wanted him. He said she had him, but he’d still like get married.

Carly told Michael and Morgan, as long as she had her kids, she could handle anything. Jax brought Brenda along on his private plane, where Brenda tried to get Alec excited about going to Rome and visiting Paris with Robin. Jax told him that the Eiffel Tower was the tallest building in the world, which surprised me, since it hasn’t been since 1930. Sonny called someone, and asked if they got the information. He asked if he’d gotten it clear, that Brenda and Alec had left with Jax on Jax’s plane. He told them to get his plane ready; he was leaving. Sam told Jason that she’d marry him, and they kissed. He said he had a great ring, but it got lost – Maxie… it was a long story – and he’d had to find a substitute. Sam said she didn’t care what it was, but he told her not to say that until she saw it. He placed a nut (as in nut and bolt) on her finger, saying it was just until he got a real one. She could pick out whatever she wanted. She said she had everything she wanted, and they kissed some more.

🏥 In Case You Didn’t Know Her…

Read all about Brenda.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/brenda-barrett

The Real Housewives of New York City (kind of)

This was also kind of good. Or at least again not quite as boring as RHOBH has been. Tonight, LuAnn and Ramona were the commentators for their own show. Although we saw this episode five minutes ago, it was a good choice. It was the one where Leah got smashed out of her mind, trashed Ramona’s Hamptons yard, and had a screaming match with Sonja, who was also drunk off her ass. Still not quite what I’m looking for, but it was an improvement.

Ramona and LuAnn, wearing her Mazel sweatshirt (I have one of those), did commentary on an episode from the Hamptons. Ramona told us to get our drinks ready, and we’d rock and roll. As soon as the episode started, she thought she’d be needing tequila. LuAnn indulged in a bowl of popcorn while watching. The show began with LuAnn having left for the night, rather than staying in Ramona’s lower level basement. When in her interview, LuAnn said she wasn’t a spoiled brat, Ramona disagreed, but admitted to being one too. During Sonja’s trophy wife meltdown, LuAnn reiterated, never call Sonja a trophy wife. Ramona couldn’t figure out why being a trophy wife was so bad. Watching Ramona watching Ramona, I wondered if she’d ever get a clue as to what an a-hole she is, but then realized that was impossible. We all act like a-holes now and then, but real a-holes are a-holes because they don’t know they’re a-holes. LuAnn and Ramona watched themselves play tennis, which LuAnn said wasn’t really a tennis match. Ramona was busy flirting, and she was getting revenge. Ramona commented on how gorgeous her own house was, and said Dorinda talked smack about everyone. LuAnn said Ramona was always mean to the help, and Ramona wondered who made Dorinda the Queen of England when Dorinda told her to tone it down a notch. LuAnn said she’d wanted a drink because it was boring, and she was wearing thin despite her promise to herself.

Just a side comment. I do think there’s a difference between someone who’s a true alcoholic and a problematic drinker, and believe the latter is more the issue with a lot of these Housewives. Either way, some of them shouldn’t drink. Everyone has a bad night now and then, but if it becomes the usual M.O., please don’t. I think in LuAnn’s case, it was a situational thing – she was self-medicating because of the HUGE mistake she made marrying Tom – but time will tell. Dorinda on the other hand, needs to put that glass down. Sonja ditto. Dorinda is a mean drunk and nobody needs that, and Sonja inevitably gets weepy about the past. It’s like a switch gets flipped. I’m the guy who wants to put on show tunes, but if you get weepy, aggressive, or both, give it a rest.

We saw the hot dog groomer give LuAnn a massage, and LuAnn relived the moment. During Tinsley’s interview, when she said Leah wouldn’t go off the deep end if she drank among friends, LuAnn said, famous last words. She said she thought Tinsley had a hollow leg, and everyone was acting more like frat guys, the way they were getting wasted. When that poor guy Jeff showed up, and Sonja and Tinsley were rolling around on the floor (at which point he said he had to go), Ramona said she remembered none of this. I have the feeling she has a special kind of tunnel-vision that only sees men, herself, and anything that’s a reflection of herself. When Dorinda insisted she loved John, Ramona said she’d predicted it, since they were no longer together; and said Tinsley and Leah looked like little mermaids when they got nakey in the pool. We found out that LuAnn had borrowed the denim jumpsuit she was wearing from Dorinda because she’d left her clothes at home when she escaped the lower level basement. She did look really good in it. When Ramona questioned Dorinda about John asking for women’s numbers, LuAnn said at the time, she thought Ramona knew something they didn’t. Ramona was shocked when she watched Leah using the tiki torches like javelins, and said it was fine to be naked, but don’t throw lit torches around. She admitted she’d learned to like John for Dorinda’s sake.

Ramona said when she ditched the women for a party, she’d decided to leave LuAnn to take care of these crazy girls, while LuAnn wondered, who does that? and said Ramona was the winner of the worst hostess award. Apparently, Ramona’s plan backfired, since LuAnn slipped out not long afterward, but Ramona claimed it was the best party ever and the rest of them missed it because they were too drunk. She said she likes to have fun, getting drunk isn’t fun, and they should have gone to bed. LuAnn wondered why everyone was screaming, and said it was a screaming match rather than a fun party. We revisited Leah shrieking, 1985 is over! and LuAnn said she was glad she left. Now she sees why Leah stopped drinking.

We again saw the aftermath of broken glasses, tossed tiki torches, and a vibrator in the chicken. For the second time, I didn’t want to know. LuAnn said, that was some party, and decidedly uncool. Ramona said she’d never do that to her hostess. When Leah told Ramona that her memory was cloudy, LuAnn said it looked like Leah didn’t remember a thing. You snooze, you lose, and that’s what happens when you leave your own party. While watching Dorinda shrug it off, Ramona screeched at the screen that Dorinda was pissing her off more than Leah. At least Leah cleaned up. Ramona once again tried to justify tearing up the bedroom in Dorinda’s house, saying what she’d done wasn’t as bad, and you couldn’t compare it to what had been done at her house. Okay. Ripping things down from the walls, including fixtures, isn’t as bad as leaving a kitchen full of dirty dishes and a messy backyard. Got it. Ramona also got pretty animated when she saw Tinsley had gone to bed with a plate of spaghetti, saying, food in bed was a no-no. Although miraculously, the plate stayed perfectly level, and not a sauce-coated strand escaped it. She wondered where the women had gotten the energy to make such a mess. LuAnn said it was one of the funniest episodes she’d seen. They both said they’d had fun, and Ramona told us to stay safe.

NYWivesLeah (2)

👨🏻‍🔬 The Evolution Of Jesse…

Or what happened after Breaking Bad.

https://www.tvguide.com/news/features/vince-gilligan-interview-el-camino-a-breaking-bad-movie/?ftag=NLS-04-10aaa2i

🌈 Fly Your Rainbow…

Great street style Pride photos.

https://www.manrepeller.com/2018/06/pride-2018-street-style-photos.html?mc_cid=37ad5fa53f&mc_eid=3e76ab4a64

👩🏾‍🏫 Putting It Simply…

While this site usually has vapid articles about relationships, this was a surprisingly good explanation of what white privilege really is and how to be an ally.

https://www.yourtango.com/2020334605/signs-white-privilege-phrases-stop-saying-immediately

⌚️ Tomorrow Is Now Today…

And it’s Friday, whether you’re thanking God or not. See you soon for flashbacks, quotes, tea, and hopefully something useful. Until then, stay safe, stay empathetic, and stay in tune with yourself.

Warning: Might contain words you consider bad.

June 24, 2020 – Stalker Flashback, NYC Watches BH, Tops In TV, Important Awards, Finishing Thrones, More Tours, a Collab, a First, Doing Something & the Best

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Click, click, click… and the Wheel of GH Flashbacks lands on October 12th, 2005. Or as I’ve come to call it, unknown territory.

Maxie thought that Jesse (who?) was over-invested in a case. Old Brook asked Diego (who?) why he had a roofie in his pocket, and accused him of being the stalker lurking in Port Charles. He said there was a guy on campus who was a walking pharmacy, and if the dealer wasn’t the stalker, he’d been supplying the stalker. If the police could nail the dealer, he might give up who the stalker is. Diego claimed he was going to give the roofie to the police, to see if they could tie it to the stalker. Brook wondered how he’d known about the dealer in the first place, but he assured her that he just wanted to get to the bottom of things because she’d been the victim of a crime. He invited her back to his dorm to check out his cameras. When old-Mike-not-MaxGail brought them some sodas, Diego slipped the roofie into Brook’s drink. Emily told Nikolas that she wanted to throw Lucky and Elizabeth a fairytale wedding; they deserved more than a tiny ceremony in Audrey’s living room. Nikolas said Lucky had asked him to be best man, and Emily thought Elizabeth would probably ask her to be maid of honor. Which is not too awkward since Nikolas and Emily are the middle of getting divorced. Nikolas was concerned that Lucky and Elizabeth might try to use the wedding to get him and Emily back together, since Lucky had told him not to bring Courtney.

Sam and Jason were relaxing on an island somewhere. Sam found a super soaker, and Jason threw her in the ocean when she went after him with it. Manny Ruiz (not to be confused with Father Ruiz, his non-evil twin) said trouble in paradise was a go, as he burned a photo of Jason and Sam. Sam said she was happy, and it was the most relaxed she’d ever seen Jason, so we knew trouble was right around the corner. At the hospital, Jax and Courtney talked about a program they wanted to develop for unwed mothers in the name of the baby they’d lost. Emily told Nikolas that she didn’t think it was fair to leave Courtney out, and Nikolas asked if she’d be okay with Courtney showing up, adding he didn’t think Courtney would do anything to upset the wedding. While Sam went out to do who-knows-what, Manny showed up with some thugs. He wanted to kill Jason, but since Jason had saved the padre’s life, family honor dictated he couldn’t – unless Jason tried to kill him. Jason wasn’t about to do that, and ended up being tied to a chair.

Maxie asked Jesse if his over-investment had to do with his brother, but he said, no; his sister. A pregnant Alexis assured Jax that although she’d misplaced his divorce papers temporarily, they’d been mailed out. Nikolas showed up, saying he received Jax’s divorce papers instead of his own, and wondered if Alexis had done it on purpose, so he’d reconsider. Alex said she didn’t care what went on, as long as it was mutually agreed upon, and she was an overworked attorney with a pain in the ass husband. She told both Jax and Nikolas to take the opportunity to appreciate the ones they loved. She said she was busy, tired, and hormonal, and told them to get out. Emily told Courtney that she’d heard Courtney tell Sonny that she was pregnant. Even though Emily and Nikolas were getting a divorce, she was still in shock. Courtney said Jax might be the father, and she wasn’t saying anything until she knew for sure, adding that it was none of Emily’s business anyway. Emily threatened to tell Nikolas, and Courtney said Emily had eavesdropped on a private conversation, and now Emily was blackmailing her. Emily said Nikolas deserved to know the truth, and Courtney told her that she had no idea what it was like to lose a baby. The new baby was a miracle, she’d decide what was best, and tell the father when she was ready. Emily said Nikolas was still her husband on paper, and she’d tell him whatever she wanted. She’d lost him by keeping secrets, and she wasn’t keeping anything from him again. Although why that mattered if she’d lost him already, I don’t know. She said if Courtney had half a brain, she wouldn’t keep anything from him either. Courtney said she was getting a paternity test in a few weeks, and Emily said maybe she’d give Courtney that long. I don’t really know Emily’s character very well, but everyone always acts like she was a saint. I’m not getting that from this episode.

Manny had his thugs beat up Jason, and suggested Jason not dishonor Sonny again, and shoot him. Jason refused, and got beat up some more, Manny saying, no wasn’t a word he settled for. Mac told Jesse that he blew the case, and the last thing he needed was a loose cannon on the force. Jesse asked if Alcazar owned the PCPD, and Mac said Jesse was off the case. The next time, he’d be out of a job. Diego took a woozy Brook to a walk-in freezer in the Quartermaine’s basement. He pulled out a diary that had belonged to his cousin Sage (dim memory of that one), and told Brook how much pain she’d caused Sage, saying he’d brought her back to the scene of the crime.

Jesse told Maxie about how his sister had gotten involved with a gang member who beat her. She’d make excuses about her trips to the ER, and laugh it off. She begged Jesse to stay out of it, but he didn’t listen, joined a rival gang, and started a war. He’d planned to take the gang member out, and set his sister free, but instead their brother ended up dead. Jesse then became a cop to set things right, but told Maxie, sometimes bad guys still get away with murder. Brook realized Diego was the stalker, and he’d taken pictures of her and harassed her with menacing calls. He said it was nothing compared to what she did to his cousin. All Sage wanted was to be part of the crowd, and even her boyfriend Dillon had used her before dumping her. Brook stood by while Maxie stuck Sage in the freezer, and Sage had been murdered, so he brought her there, where she’d left his cousin to die.

Jax brought the papers back to Alexis, who noticed they weren’t notarized, and Jax asked if she could misplace them for a while longer. Courtney saw Emily with Nikolas in Kelly’s, and he told her it might not be a good time. In France, a woman showed up at a hospital who had an R on her bracelet, but we didn’t see her face. One of the doctors asked if she wanted to join him for lunch, but she said she was waiting for a call. When she was in her room, she put a candle in a cupcake, and lit it. A call came in, and she thanked her Uncle Ric for sending the cupcake, promising she’d make a wish. When she blew out the candle, we saw that it was Robin. Sam came back, and saw Manny and his thugs surrounding Jason, but they didn’t know she was there.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills?

LuAnn and Sonja (The Real Housewives of New York City) watched a throwback episode of RHOBH, where the women went to NYC to celebrate Dorit being on the cover of Bella magazine for Fashion Week. Giggy! This was somewhat better than Garcelle and Dorit watching for a couple of reasons. A friend and I had just been discussing how the commentary shows were falling flat, and agreed that besides the commentary being sparse and not very engaging, the POV wasn’t balanced. Both Pillow Talk and the defunct People’s Couch are huge favorites of mine, but both are focused more on the people talking about the show than the show itself. We’ve already seen the show, and don’t need to see so much of it again. We’re there to hear what these viewers have to say. From our mouths to Bravo’s ear, tonight was a definite improvement. Either the New Yorkers had more to say, or more was edited in. One stumbling block is that the observers can’t be together because of pandemic restrictions still being in place, but regardless, IMO there was still a little too much focus on the episode.

Sonja babbled incessantly, realizing halfway through that she was being extra loud because she was wearing an earpiece, and consistently checked herself out. We also got the scoop that she and Teddi sat next to each other at Josh Flagg’s (Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles) wedding. On RHOBH, Dorit had alluded to Kyle that LVP was jealous of their friendship, so she spilled the beans to LVP herself in Union Square Park, which LuAnn mistook for Central Park, and tried to make about herself. I wondered why LVP and Dorit had such cheap umbrellas, which I hadn’t noticed the first time around. Sonja thought Dorit should be put with Ramona, so they could dig a hole together. If that ever happened, I have no doubt they’d make it all the way to China. LuAnn and Sonja both praised Erika for the way she took a meeting with Simon & Schuster, and when LisaR talked about how the delivery guy was robbed before daughter Delilah got a delivery for her new place, LuAnn made a point of saying that didn’t always happen in NYC. As Sonja watched the women get their hair and makeup done, she started messing with her own hair. She wondered who hadn’t been on the cover of Bella, and said they’d asked her. She mentioned this twice; once saying she didn’t have time, and then saying she thought it was overrated and declined. When the BH women greeted designer Marc Bouwer, Sonja let us know he was one of her best friends. They went back a long way; they were the old bitches.

Both Sonja and LuAnn seemed a little lost, not knowing the background of any ongoing issues, and since I didn’t remember some of it, I was lost too. Kyle had been upset about Erika slipping away from Teddi’s beach house for the night, and LuAnn said at least she didn’t have to sleep in the basement. She also interjected that Teddi had a voice like a cabaret singer, just to get the word cabaret in there somewhere. There were probably another twenty-three references that were edited out. What was most amusing was how LuAnn and Sonja were acting like this nonsensical arguing was foreign territory to them. A lot of the episode revolved around Kyle having heard Dorit say that LVP was needy, and perhaps jealous of Kyle’s other relationships. Since Dorit knew someone else would end up telling LVP, she told LVP herself. LuAnn wondered why Kyle was more upset about the whole thing than LVP, and proclaimed that people had said worse about her. She figured there were only two options of how the night would end; getting sick or crying. Crying it was. Sonya said she’d been happy to share the limelight with Beverly Hills, but the women were emotional vampires, and she was going to have to light a candle and do some yoga to recover. LuAnn thought Kyle was more of a pot stirrer than Dorit, and when Sonja had to get up, she said she was walking like Ramona after a night in Palm Beach. I’m not sure what that meant, and don’t think I want to know.

📺 Perfect For a Pandemic…

There are a lot of good shows on the list, ideal for binge watching.

https://www.businessinsider.com/50-best-tv-show-seasons-all-time-critics-2016-9

🏆 And the Award Goes To…

And don’t call me Shirley… I mean, Karen…

https://www.tvguide.com/news/why-this-years-bet-awards-will-be-the-most-important-and-surprising-ever/

✍🏼 He’s Not Getting Any Younger…

Write faster, George.

https://www.denofgeek.com/books/the-winds-of-winter-george-r-r-martin-book-is-finished-by-2021/

https://news.avclub.com/george-r-r-martin-hopes-the-winds-of-winter-and-the-c-1844142139

🥃 Cheers…

See how liquor is made from your couch.

https://www.liquor.com/virtual-distillery-tours-5069138

🎶 What They’re Doing…

These literal buddies came together to make a joyful noise.

https://floodmagazine.com/78919/new-snoop-dogg-willie-nelson-song/

👑 What She’s Doing…

Vanessa Williams, then and now. I’ve always admired her for not only bucking the system, but for not letting anything get in her way.

https://extratv.com/2020/06/23/vanessa-williams-reflects-on-being-first-black-miss-america-plus-how-shes-taking-action-against-racism/

👣 What You Can Do…

Everybody knows how to do something. Or you can learn.

https://www.upworthy.com/10-practical-and-meaningful-ways-you-can-take-part-in-this-historic-moment

🎤 Bringing It On Home…

Here we are again, in the middle of a work week, if you’re working. If you’re not, just look at where the X’s on your calendar are. Except for Sunday night TV – which, between 90 Day Fiancé and sMothered, is like a John Waters movie – things are slowing down a bit, but there’s always something to fill in the gap until the party starts again. So for now, stay safe (Billy Eilish agrees!), stay enthusiastic, and stay using whatever privilege you have for the greater good.

June 23, 2020 – A Loss Revisited, Character Review, Upcoming Emmys, Soap Dads, Black Tie Brokers, Oscar News, Padma’s New Gig & Stars

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

I shot an arrow into the air, and where it landed was on a GH Flashback from November 10th, 2004.

Sam was hooked up to machines in the hospital while Jason kept watch. Literal toddler Kristina was in the same position, awaiting surgery, while Alexis kept watch. Ric showed up with a restraining order to keep Sonny from seeing Kristina. Luke was still in the opening credits, but walked away in the group shot, but I don’t know if that was some kind of statement – about the show, Tony Geary, or both – or actually prophetic.

At first, I thought Nikolas had a twin, but it turned out to be lookalike Connor, who I remember zero about. Old Mike was working at Kelly’s. Courtney told Lois (I remember her!) that Sonny was really Kristina’s father, and Mike said Carly knew, but had kept it to herself. Sam was unconscious, and had lost a baby girl, and Elizabeth looked like she was twelve. Sonny tore up the restraining order, and told Ric that he’d wreck anyone who came between him and his daughter. He’d already lost one daughter, and wasn’t losing Kristina. Little Michael said he knew Sonny was sad about losing the baby, and Sonny reassured Michael that he and Morgan were safe. Michael asked if he was mad at God, but Sonny said he didn’t blame anybody, and told Michael, no matter how hard times get, family has to love each other. Michael asked how they could help, and Sonny said, be kind to each other. He told Michael, a way to respect losing someone precious was letting go, no matter how hard it was. He said, eventually they’d have to get on with their lives, but not today.

Alexis told Ric he was all kinds of wrong, and to focus on Kristina. Elizabeth told Jason that Sam’s feelings would be complicated, and not to let her deal with having planned for the baby’s homecoming alone. Jason said they already had a nursery set up, and Elizabeth said they’d prepared together, so they should mourn together. She said Sam was going to look for someone to blame, and hold herself responsible. Emily nursed Connor’s wound, and told him being a doctor was a dream of hers. He said he gave himself reasons for walking out of the military, but wondered if he really was just a deserter and his reasons were baloney. Courtney told Jason, when they’d lost their baby, he held her together and she wanted to help him now. Lois told Alcazar that Kristina was Sonny’s daughter, and Carly knew, but hadn’t told Sonny. She didn’t think Sonny was going to forgive Carly, and they’d be getting divorced, but Alcazar didn’t think Sonny was in a position to criticize. Kim was still old Carly, and Sonny told her that he was grateful Sam’s baby was going to give Kristina the stem cell infusion she needed. Carly said they were family, and she’d always want to help and support him, whether they’re married or not. Courtney told Jason that Elizabeth was right. He needed to help Sam, and they had to give themselves time to grieve. Potential parenthood had changed him, and Sam loved him. She said if he needed anything, she was there, and Jason said he’d be okay.

Lois told Alcazar that Sonny would go to the ends of the earth to protect his family, but she didn’t think he’d take Carly back. She’d broken a cardinal rule, and lied about family. She wondered if Alcazar would go back to Carly. Carly’s dad John, aka Corbin Bernsen, brought Carly and little Michael to a house, and tried to entice Michael with a skateboarding ramp in the backyard. Michael wasn’t having it, and said he’d wait in the car. Carly said she knew John wanted her to move away from Sonny. Jason told Sonny that Dr. Webber said Sam should have come out of it by now, but Sonny thought maybe it was a blessing in disguise. Jason said he wanted to be the one to tell Sam the baby was gone.

John told Carly that he bought the house for her. She said she wanted to take care of herself, but took the keys anyway, and John left. Sonny told Jason that he thought he’d had an understanding with Sam. She trusted him, even though he’d disappointed her. Jason said Sam always respected Sonny’s choice to stay with his family, and wasn’t angry about it.

Connor had a bad dream, and Courtney told him that he was safe. He said he was dreaming about his buddy Casey, who’d died because of him. He’d watched Casey die. Michael told Carly that he wanted to go home, and live with dad. Carly explained if she and Sonny couldn’t work it out, they would need to move out, and she thought this was a nice place. That was, until Alcazar called to her from the porch. Kristina made it through her surgery, and Sam woke up. Jason told her about the baby, as we watched (but couldn’t hear) through the window. Sam screamed, no! as Jason tried to comfort her.

🤷🏽‍♀️ If You’re As Clueless As I Am…

I don’t know if I wasn’t watching during these time periods, or I just wasn’t paying attention, but a lot of the characters are a mystery to me. So meet, or refresh your memory about, Connor and Courtney.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/connor-bishop?utm_source=postup&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=17351

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/abc/general-hospital-courtney-matthews-alicia-leigh-willis-168882?utm_source=postup&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=17351

📺 PandEmmyic…

So far, this is what this year’s Daytime Emmys look like. They’ll be televised on June 26th, 2020.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/daytime-emmys/2020-details-of-show?utm_source=postup&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=17351

🧼 Soap Is For Dads Too…

How some of the soap stars celebrated Father’s Day.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/gallery/abc/celebrated-fathers-day-2020?utm_source=postup&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=17351

💰 On Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles, we got another tour of the mountainside mansion known as the Razor House, that the Joshes described as not just architecture, but a piece of art. Some of the amenities included a smart home system – or as JoshF called it, an expensive light switch – an open floor plan, floor to ceiling glass (all of the windows had shields that could be brought down to cover them), a glass elevator, a subterranean garage, a rooftop terrace, and an infinity pool and hot tub. Going for a mere $25 million. They met with architect Wallace Cunningham, and we found out the house was the inspiration for Tony Stark’s house in Ironman.

James and David took on a listing for a house from 1914 that the owner had totally revamped, having to contend with the Historical Preservation Society, and being restricted as to what overlays could be used. The owner wanted $3 million because of the sweat and cash he’d sunk into it, but that brought the cost to $1250 a square foot, when most of the neighborhood was going for $800. It was one of those houses that doesn’t look like much from the outside, but is fabulous inside. David and James talked owner Joey into a price reduction, telling him that potential buyers didn’t care about the hoops he’d had to jump through to renovate. Joey was stubborn, but agreed to $2.495 million.

Tracy was ready for a new chapter in her life, and decided to sell her own house. Her divorce had been finalized, and they were sharing custody, so she’d only have her daughters 50% of the time. She explained she’d fallen in love with the house while showing it, and had thought it would be her forever home. They’d paid $13 million, but she wanted $24, and was tweaking it to perfection before putting it on the market. Thinking she’d be too emotionally attached, she told her team they would be taking the listing. In wanting to keep her family life private, she informed them that the kids were not going to be on the show. She did want them to be part of the process of looking for a new place though.

In their dual interview, JoshA asked JoshF what superhero he’d be, and JoshF said, Barbie. I’m not sure if Barbie applies, but he also said his superpower would be Ken. The Joshes got ready to hold a black tie broker’s open. In the meantime, David and James were offered $2.1 million, and talked Joey into countering with $2.3. It always amazes me when they dicker over $100-200K, when they’re ultimately talking millions. The buyer’s broker pointed out there was no garage, and gave a best and final offer of $2.25. A deal was made, and the guys made a commission of $56,250. While that could be a yearly salary for a normal human, they do put in a lot of work.

JoshA said they were pulling out all the stops for the brokers open, where both he and JoshF hosted. He said JoshF was an acquired taste, and just when you think he’s normal, something gets blurted out, and you’re like, what planet are you from? The Joshes chest bumped over their success. In his interview, JoshF enlightened us that few brokers showed trophy listings, so they had to bus them in like cattle, renting two party buses. When one broker told JoshF the house was amazing, he said, thank you; I built it, and I had to laugh, since that sounded like something I would say. David cornered Tracy at the open house, asking JoshA to give them a moment, and accused her of talking smack about him when they’d both been up for a listing. Tracy said she’d merely pointed out that she’d made an effort to show up to talk to the seller personally, rather than sending one of her team as he had. JoshA wondered what was going on, but James pleaded ignorance. In JoshA’s interview, he said, you can’t mess with Tracy; she’s a bad-ass bitch. He was sure David was going to tuck his tail and run back to England. Tracy told David, if he’d really wanted it, he should have gone himself. He said she’d also inferred that he wasn’t interested in properties that were less than $10 million, and she said it wasn’t smack; she’d just told the truth. The Joshes and James joined them, everyone talking at once, until JoshA put an end to it, by saying they talked sh*t about each other all the time; just never put it in writing. The Joshes high-fived each other.

Next time, a rockin’ house party in a house that used to belong Howard Hughes.

🎭 In Case It’s Still Important…

I haven’t watched the Oscars since… I don’t remember, but no judgement on those who still enjoy them. You’ll have to wait until next year though.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1161409/oscars-postponed-to-april-2021-amid-coronavirus-pandemic

And hopefully, next time we’ll be seeing #OscarsSoDiverse.

https://www.instyle.com/celebrity/oscars-2021-date-diversity

🥗 Padma Does the HULU…

The hardest working woman in the cooking business.

https://www.eater.com/2020/6/22/21299094/padma-lakshmi-interview-taste-the-nation-hulu-interview

📑 Handing It In Early…

TV looks very not promising this week, but I’ll gather some tea leaves, opinions, information, and fun stuff, and see what sticks. But for now, stay safe, stay receptive, and stay reaching for the stars.

June 22, 2020 – Baby JaSam, Don’t Call Me Sweetie, Bad Deckhand, Snow Legend, Goodbye Snooki, Shelter In Pics, Past GoT & Bright Future

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Today, when the GH Flashback wheel was spun, it settled at December 3rd, 2003.

Sam and Jason had both been arrested, and were put in the interrogation room. This episode is so old, they introduced themselves (no doubt, this is Jason and Sam week). They discovered they were both there for aiding and abetting Sonny, and Jason suggested the police wanted to get Sam’s testimony against him. On the pier, Faith told Zander that Sonny’s empire was going to be dust soon, and the territory would be hers, while Courtney listened in. Scotty gave a press conference, saying Sonny’s conviction for attempted murder and kidnapping would be a slam dunk. Sonny was in the hospital, and Scotty expected a speedy conviction. Behind the scenes, Scotty was worried if they didn’t get Sam’s testimony, Sonny would walk. At this point in time, Kim was Carly, and went to visit Sonny, who was in custody in the hospital. Elizabeth and Ric were at a cabin for five minutes, when a cop showed up saying Ric was wanted back to help with Sonny’s conviction. Sam told Jason she wouldn’t be manipulated, and He said he appreciated her standing up, and would foot the bill. Jax came to see Sam, and Emily (who was with Nikolas) showed up to bail out Jason. Sonny told Kim Carly that he’d done what they said. He’d tried to kill Alcazar, and when that didn’t work, took him hostage. She said there were extenuating circumstances. Sonny had been provoked, she was going to get him out of this, and they’d work things out. Scotty said he couldn’t wait to get Carly on the witness stand, so the jury could hear about how Sonny shot his own wife in the head. I don’t know what that was about.

Jason told Nikolas to have a meeting with Faith in public, and tell her that he wanted to make peace. He wanted Nikolas to listen hard, since Faith loved to hear herself talk, and he might pick something up. Jax told Sam that Jason wasn’t a nice man, and just wanted to buy her silence about being taken hostage by Sonny. Georgie went to the Quartermaine mansion to see Dillon, but Tracy walked in, and told Georgie to stay away from her son. Tracy thought military school was a good solution, but Dillon was sick of her holding that over his head. Dillon told Tracy, if he needed to leave to be with Georgie so be it. Sonny told Scotty he had nothing to say without his attorney. Scotty said Sonny was finished in Port Charles, but Sonny said he’d plead entrapment. It was obvious Scotty and Alcazar set him up.

Elizabeth told Emily that she wanted to tell Ric about being pregnant with Zander’s baby, but she was afraid of losing him. Courtney showed up to post Jason’s bail, but Brian (who I do not remember at all) told her she was too late, and he thought she should cut ties with Jason. She told him not to put himself in the middle of her marriage. Jax told Sam that she was being manipulated, and Scotty wanted Ric to rattle Sonny’s cage and get a confession. Sonny told Jason that what he’d done was a lesson on what not to do. Don’t lose your temper, don’t pick up a gun when you’re hurting, don’t act in the moment, and most important, think with your head not your heart. All he heard was Carly didn’t love him, and he took the wrong action. Jason blamed himself, but Sonny told him a man had to be responsible for his own actions. As long as Sam didn’t incriminate him, everything would good. Jason told him Scotty was punishing Sam, but to sit back and let him do his job. Alcazar told Carly that Sonny should pay for what he did, but Carly said Alcazar had kidnapped and stalked her and he hadn’t paid. Unless he admitted to setting Sonny up, he was never going to see her again.

Nikolas met Faith at Kelly’s. Zander was tagging along with Faith, and Elizabeth told him that he was in with the wrong crowd. She said they had a connection, but he told her they’d had some fun together, and not to try saving him from himself. Nikolas offered Faith some of his ships, and she told him to wait for her call, spilling no beans whatsoever. Jason went to see Courtney who told him she loved him. She wanted to go somewhere their differences didn’t matter. Alcazar said, if he did what Carly wanted, would she leave Sonny for him? She said he was nuts, and he said he’d do what she wanted. He’d drop the charges, and if he was called as a hostile witness, he’d admit to entrapment. He loved her that much. Ric paid Sonny a visit, but Sonny said he wouldn’t answer questions without his attorney present. Ric said Sonny would probably walk, but Sam would be prosecuted and probably convicted. The only way for Sonny to prove she did nothing wrong, was to admit to kidnapping.

Jax told Sam that Sonny acted like mobster with heart of gold, and people would sacrifice for him. He didn’t want her to be one of them. Scotty asked if Sam was going to file kidnapping charges, so they could all go home. Ric asked Sonny what the real story was, but Sonny said Sam was innocent and he wasn’t. Carly burst in, asking what he was doing, and Ric said he just confessed to kidnapping. Courtney told Jason, there was going to be no end to the fear and violence, and she didn’t want him to die in her arms, or have some horrible accident happen. Jason said you couldn’t count on anything except how you feel.  He’d love her forever (apparently not), but couldn’t leave. She let him know Faith was landing a shipment at the pier that would finance her takeover. There was Courtney and Jason music like there’s Sam and Jason music today, Courtney said there was nothing left to say, and Jason left.

Jason told Nikolas that he knew what Faith was planning, but would need his help. Ric bragged to Elizabeth that he got Sonny to confess, and the best part was revenge complete. It still didn’t take away the pain or make things right. Elizabeth said he was becoming the man she knew he could be, and it was a lesson in not giving up hope. Jax told Sam that Sonny wouldn’t give a damn about her helping him, but Sam said let Scotty try to convict her for something she didn’t do. Scotty popped in, and said she was free to go; Sonny confessed. Sonny told Carly that he had to pay for what did, and Carly wondered if Sonny was trying to punish her, but Sonny said he’d always love her. Courtney took her ring off, and there was a knock at the door. She hoped it was Jason, but it was Zander. Nikolas showed up as Faith was about to make her deal on the pier, and said he’d changed mind. The pier belonged to Sonny, and she was surrounded by Sonny’s men. Jason lurked in the shadows.

There was some stuff with Georgie, Dillon, and some girl I didn’t remember, so who cares?

Below Deck Mediterranean

Last week, when trying to make a comrade of Captain Sandy didn’t work, Lara realized she’d actually have to work, and left the Wellington in the lurch. Captain Sandy got pissed about Pete continuing to call Malia sweetie, and called a meeting of the deckhands.

The captain tells Malia, because she’s kind, they don’t know a definitive line. The deckhands come to the bridge, and Captain Sandy says she forgives everything for charter one, but charter two is another story. She knows it’s hard for them with a woman in seniority, but they have protocol. Malia is their boss, not their friend. No calling her sweetie, sweetheart, or dear. They wouldn’t call a guy any of those things. She wants them to be professional, and she’s not their friend either. Don’t call her sweetie; she’s their captain. Malia seconds all that, and the captain tells them to enjoy the rest of their day. Pete says they really like respect, don’t they? and in Rob’s interview, he says the meeting was mostly about Pete. He’s so narrow-minded. Calling Malia sweetie isn’t right. Malia joins the deckhands, and Pete says he’s trying to figure out who called the captain sweetie. Malia says he knows who was calling her sweetie, right? and Pete acts ignorant. She says he does it every day, and he excuses it by saying he’s an old country boy from Virginia, and that’s how he was raised. Wouldn’t that be darlin’ then? Malia says women don’t love it, especially when they’re your boss. Kiko asks Rob what the meeting was about, and Rob says the women are tired of being disrespected. He’s staying quiet, and letting Malia deal with Pete. When Malia leaves, Pete tells Alex that he thinks everyone should just do their job, and stop talking about everybody.

Hannah books a tour of the cathedral in Parma, and goes over the picnic with Malia. She tells Malia, if the weather turns to sh*t, they’ll get everyone back in the van. Hannah tells Jessica to set up, and she’ll come later. In Hannah’s interview, she says she was blinded during charter one because Jessica wasn’t spitting venom at her. Now she’s realizing Jessica’s not very good.

The guests go on the tour, and Malia tells the deckhands that they’ll have to hustle to get things set up. In Kiko’s interview, he says it’s his first picnic on a boat. No one ever asked for one on private charters, and in Brazil, they don’t do picnics; they just go to the bar. The guests go the cathedral, and in Malia’s interview, she says she’s hoping the weather holds up. A picnic is so much work, and she hopes it’s not all for nothing. The deckhands set up the table and chairs, and Hannah arrives with the food. Malia tells Pete to fix the table the way he had it the first time, and he says, there are too many chiefs. Malia tells Alex that Pete takes everything personally. The table falls, and takes the glasses along with it, and they shatter on the ground. Everyone helps clean up, and Pete puts the garbage bag behind a bush; a move that I’m sure is going to come back to haunt him later. Pete gets in the van and goes back to the boat, while the others stay.

Hannah sets up the food, and Malia wrangles the guests, leading them to the picnic. Quiche is served, and one of the children suggests Hannah take the green stuff out of it; he likes the one with meats. Alex tells Malia that Pete is a little odd, and she says, it’s alarming. The wind picks up, and the guests head back to the boat. The crew packs up everything, and Malia find the bag. Glass pokes through, cutting her leg, and she says, effing Pete. What did I say? In her interview, she says, it’s Deck 101. When it’s broken glass, you double stuff it, but it was just thrown in the bag.

Back on the boat, Rob tells Malia that she misunderstood, but she says, a lot of the meeting wasn’t directed at him. He says it triggered him about the pack mentality, and she says, it’s a process. She thinks he’s respectful, and he says he appreciates that. Roy III, who looks to be about four, sings Pretty Woman, and it’s very sweet. In Rob’s interview, he says he’s seeing someone, but it’s an open relationship. He’s been flirting with Jessica, but in the back of his mind is, don’t screw the crew; don’t sh*t where you live. A producer asks how far in the back of his mind it is, and Rob laughs. Pete tells Malia that they’re covering the deck furniture, but she tells him to wait. He relays the message to Alex, calling Malia his supreme commander. In Alex’s interview, he says Pete was his first friend on the boat, but he doesn’t like talking sh*t about people. Captain Sandy calls somewhere for a second stew, and asks if they can have someone there for the next charter. In Hannah’s interview, she says, having kids on board is mother training. She loves kids, and there are amazing moments, but they’re really dirty, and it’s sticky everywhere. Please wash your child.

Kiko feels like he’s getting better, and can’t wait to finish the charter perfect. I can’t watch while he kills some shellfish thing that’s probably a kind of lobster. Hannah tells Jessica that she’s been on break for an hour and ten minutes, and she’s late. In Jessica’s interview, she says she’s working two people’s jobs. Hannah says she gives Jessica breaks before she gives one to herself. Jessica complains that she had to change during that time too, and Hannah says she can’t have a break at all today, and she’s trying her best to give Jessica one, so please respect what time she’s supposed to come back. Jessica mutters she misses Lara.

Sandy asks the guests how their afternoon was, and tells them, if the weather is good, they’ll drop anchor. Pete plays with one of the kids, and in his interview, he says, when his son was born, he got meningitis and couldn’t hold him for quite a while because it’s so contagious. He’s not a guy who seems like a father, but when he’s with his son he’s a different Pete. Jessica can’t find her dress that has epaulets on it, and Hannah wonders how it went missing. Jessica sets the table for dinner, and Captain Sandy tells the deckhands that they’ll leave the dock at 8 am if the weather is okay. The guests are slow coming to dinner, and in his interview, Kiko says for once his timing is perfect, and the guests are making him wait. The guests are seated, and in Captain Sandy’s interview, she says, the first day, Kiko’s Brazilian cuisine was amazing, but he’s the chef on a super yacht, and needs to be good at all cuisine. He reminds her of Adam when he started. He was eager, but he hadn’t worked on a super yacht, and had a learning curve. Roy Jr. and company are impressed. One of the guests asks Ulf how he went from writing songs in the garage to being in a number one band (to refresh your memory, Ulf was in Ace of Base). Ulf talks about waves, and integral patterns, and some kind of esoteric nonsense. In Hannah’s interview, she says, his ego is pretty inflated for level of stardom he reached. Pete senses Hannah’s frustration, and asks if she’s understaffed. She says she can’t do the whole season like this. The guests retire, and everything is cleaned up. Pete hopes the new stew is fun, although what his definition of that is, I’m not sure.

The captain says the water was rough last night, but they can leave the dock. She tells Jessica that she doesn’t want the laundry to look like it is. When Lara left, it was organized. She points things out, saying, that can’t happen, and this can’t happen. She doesn’t want a slob in there. It’s a super yacht, and this pisses her off. In Jessica’s interview, she says she’s been avoiding laundry her whole career, under the guise of being eco-friendly. Her mom calls her lazy, but she thinks she’s smart. Captain Sandy wants to drop anchor, but she’s concerned about the swell. In her interview, she says it’s the last day of charter, and she wanted the guests to play on the toys. Since there’s no wind, anchor is dropped. Kiko makes breakfast, and the toys are put in the water. The captain radios the crew to make sure there are life jackets on the kids when they’re outside. Roy Jr. and wife Asa get on a jet ski. Pete asks if Malia is ready for kids, and she says, hell no. In her interview, she says she loves kids, but she’s not there. When she spends time with Tom, they like traveling; kids aren’t her thing now. The wind picks up, the waves begin to crash, and Captain Sandy tells Malia to start putting everything back. Malia clears the guests off the floating platform, and the toys are taken back out of the water. Hanna tells Jessica that she’s going to check Jessica’s cabin for the dress, so she can tell the captain that she looked everywhere. She finds it on the top bunk in a pile of clothes. In Jessica’s interview, she says her nickname as a kid was Messy Jessie. Pieces of that still live in her. She tells Hannah, mystery solved, and anchor is hauled.

Captain Sandy gets ready to dock, and Pete says the boat is rocking like crazy. Ulf can’t believe they’re going to get in that little space. It often amazes me how they get in there. It’s as bad as parallel parking in NYC. In Malia’s interview, she says the wind is blowing where they don’t want it to be. It makes it hard to maneuver when the wind pushing against everything they’re trying to do. She tells the deckhands, great job, and Alex says it was brutal. In the captain’s interview, she says, docking in swells is dangerous, but Malia is did an amazing job calling it. She’s a great leader already.

It’s time for the guests’ departure, and Captain Sandy tells Hanna that she’ll have a second stew for charter two. Roy Jr. tells them it was a wonderful vacation. The food and service were great, and the kids loved them. Asa says the kids played with all of them, and she was surprised. Roy Jr. says he hopes the tip reflects how much they loved it, and hands the captain an envelope.

Rob helps Jessica with stripping beds, and Captain Sandy calls the crew to the main salon for the tip meeting. She says, well done, and tells Hannah that she knows it hasn’t been easy. It was a challenge in a lot of ways. The weather was against them, and they had their first picnic, but the crew stepped in and killed it. Since they were down a crew member, they’ll each get more money. The tip is $21,000 (excellent!) or a little over 1700 euros ($1916) per person. She tells the, before the toast, she has news. She’s been working hard at getting a strong second stew, and it’s someone Hannah and Malia have worked with before – Bugsy. We flash back to Bugsy telling Hannah that she’s a lousy chief stew. Captain Sandy says Bugs is a chief stew, but she’s stepping in as second for them. She’s amazing. Hannah’s face isn’t saying she’s amazing though. The captain says they’ll toast to that. Alex asks Hannah, what’s with the face? and the captain tells her, it’s a good thing. They toast, and after a sip, Hannah jets, saying, f***. Malia tells the others that she’s good friends with Bugs, but Bugs and Hannah aren’t the best of friends. In Malia’s interview, she says she and Bugs got closer after their last charter together was over. She got to know Bugs’s family, and she’s excited. Captain Sandy tells Hannah that she should be excited; Bugs does great table settings, and Hannah won’t have to worry. Thankfully, Bugs was available. The captain tells the crew, there’s food in the crew mess, Jessica mumbles that she’s just invisible, and Captain Sandy wonders why nothing is easy. Hannah lies on the dock. The boat is cleaned, and the deck crew high-fives each other. Everyone gets ready to go out.

In Malia’s interview, she says, Rob has different layers. Jessica is probably deep in places… somewhere in her heart. She starts laughing. In the taxi, Hannah tells Malia that Jessica has a crush on Rob, and Malia tells Jessica, go for it. They go to a restaurant, and Jessica says tequila makes her act like an idiot. Rob tells her that he has a lot to give and say, but no one understands, and Jessica asks for a hug. In her interview, she says it’s nice to have a guy that wants to get in her mind, and not just stare at her boobs. Malia says, the guys are on the prowl. In Kiko’s interview, he says, Pete is trying to get with every girl; he’s a horny guy. In Alex’s interview, he says, they’re trying to find themselves a mamacita. All he knows how to say in Spanish is, I love you very much, mom. Malia tells Hannah things won’t change between them with Bugs coming, but Hannah thinks they will. They head back, and in the taxi, Hannah says, there was a lot going on tonight. She, Alex, and Malia wonder who will make the first move with Jessica and Rob. Alex says Jessica won’t. In his interview, he says he’s worked with her before, and never seen her hook up with a crew member. He also thinks Rob won’t cross the line, but time will tell. When they get back to the boat, everyone races to the bathrooms. Jessica asks to snuggle with Rob. Kiko peeks in, and sees them kissing. He says he guesses he lost his cabin. He and Pete giggle like elementary school children, and Kiko makes gestures outside of the cabin. Alex offers to tuck Kiko into Jessica’s bunk. Rob tells Jessica that he wants her to sleep with him, but not that way.

In the morning, Malia calls the deck crew. In his interview, Rob says he didn’t expect that happen. He’s never hooked up with someone on a vessel before, and he’s not sure what to do. Alex tells her that Kiko slept in Jessica’s room because Jessica was sleeping in Rob’s room. Malia asks if Rob doesn’t have a girlfriend, and Alex pretends he doesn’t know. Malia goes over what needs to be done with the deckhands, Kiko stabs a steak, and Hannah looks at a video on being an effective leader. In Malia’s interview, she says she can’t tell Hannah how she’s feeling about Bugs coming. She’s kidding. Things are going to change. The wind picks up again, and Rob tells Malia that he had a cuddle with Jessica. Malia says, everybody needs a cuddle. In Jessica’s interview, she says she’s trying not to have to too much expectation. She’s excited and nervous. She tells Hannah that she hopes it doesn’t get awkward, and Hannah says, it will when Bugs gets there. It starts to rain, and Captain Sandy says, they’re not leaving the dock. Jessica asks Hannah if there were issues with Bugs, or was she just annoying? Hannah says Bugs was pretty bad with her, but as long as she knows what she’s doing, Hannah doesn’t care.

Bugsy arrives, and Malia runs to meet her. Bugs says she’s bringing the thunder.

Next time, a group of pita guests, Hannah is apprehensive about Bugs, Sandy says the wrong groundline was released and it looks like it’s Pete’s fault, Hannah says there’s a difference between guests being demanding and being outright a-holes, there are twelve guests for dinner, and Kiko says he’s screwed. I like Kiko. He’s low key, and keeps smiling no matter what.

🛥 No Surprise On Deck…

While I do think some Bravolebrities were more ignorant than racist, I’m not sorry to see this guy go. It’s pretty obvious he’s sexist, so it’s not a shock that he would be posting something ignorant, racist, and sexist.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2020/06/17/peter-hunziker-bravo-fires-below-deck-mediterranean-star/3210747001/

🥊 He’s a Legend…

And I like him better than all of the Housewives put together.

https://pagesix.com/2020/06/18/meet-leah-mcsweeneys-boxing-trainer-martin-snow/

🏖 Down the Shore No More…

These people are just messy. Beloved reality show? I didn’t even know it was still on the air.

https://people.com/tv/jersey-shore-finale-snooki-quits-show-after-angelina-wedding/

https://people.com/tv/jersey-shore-angelina-threatens-expose-mean-texts-after-snooki-quits/

⚔️ My Kind Of Collab…

It beats a Twins remake.

https://www.popsugar.com/entertainment/peter-dinklage-jason-momoa-reunite-good-bad-undead-movie-47492528

📸 Something Productive…

This photographer took her time in quarantine taking pictures of others in quarantine. The photo with the senior Pug is the best. It will do your heart good.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/shelter-in-place-family-portraits-photography_l_5ec6c0a2c5b660e1e43a20ee?ncid=newsltushpmglifestyle

🏇 The Race Goes On…

Whether you’ve lost track or not, another week has begun. New TV episodes are still up in the air, while some things have returned to sort of normal, and others are developing into a new normal. So stay safe, stay evolving, and stay looking toward the future. Even if the furthest you can look is tomorrow.

June 19, 2020 – When Morgan Blew Up, Juneteenthaganza, Dad’s Mailbox, Double the Seven Quotes & Dance

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Today, GH closed its eyes, and stuck a pin in October 12th, 2016. Morgan had gotten blown up getting out of Julian’s car (that he’d stolen). Drew still thought he was Jason, and was working for Sonny. Tracy was on the scene, and told Monica that she’d been barred from the board meeting, and they wanted to sell the hospital to investors who would put up luxury condos.

A huge fishing hook had been found in the boathouse door, and Kiki thought it was Morgan because he’d seen her with Dillon, but Olivia thought it was Julian, who she assumed was mad because he’d seen Olivia with Ned. Ava told Kiki about Morgan, and Kiki thought she was making it up. Bobbie tried to help Carly, who said Morgan had been expelled from PCU, and she had to help him get through it. When Carly saw Sonny’s coat, covered in mud, Bobbie told her that Sonny had gone in the water after the accident, looking for Morgan. No pun intended, it all came flooding back to Carly.

In the middle of the station, Michael asked Sonny how a bomb got into Julian’s car, and Dante suggested they take it somewhere private. An officer gave Morgan’s phone to Dante, saying it had been recovered at the crash site. Michael wondered if Sonny had sent a message to whoever was trying to take over the business, and wanted to hear Sonny wasn’t the reason Morgan was dead.

Dante told Carly the car had exploded, and when she asked who’d want to hurt Morgan, he said it wasn’t Morgan’s car. He told Carly that the bartender had taken Morgan’s keys from him, and Carly asked if he’d been manic. Dante said TJ had tried to give Morgan a ride, but Morgan punched TJ, and saw a car with the keys in it. He had no idea it was Julian’s car. TJ told Jason, who went after Morgan, and saw the whole thing. Carly wondered why the car exploded, and Dante told her there had been a bomb in it, but it hadn’t been meant for Morgan. It had been meant for Julian. She asked if Sonny had anything to do with the bomb, but Dante didn’t want to answer, which told Carly everything she needed to know. Dante said he knew she was grieving, but he couldn’t say anything that would implicate his father. He gave Carly Morgan’s phone.

Ava told Kiki that Morgan had been drinking, but she didn’t know how he’d gotten into Julian’s car. Kiki was convinced Morgan had seen her and Dillon, but Ava told her that mental illness was hard to understand sometimes. Michael got seriously pissed at Sonny, saying Sonny had put it in motion by giving the order. He told Sonny that Sabrina had said vengeance would cost him the rest of his life, and asked Sonny if was worth it. Lulu, Laura, and Olivia were having lunch at the MetroCourt. Dante called Lulu, asking her to meet him, and she left thinking they were going to have quality time. Kiki told Dillon about Morgan.

Ned told Olivia that he thought Julian was behind the fishhook, but either way, Julian knew they were a couple. Olivia wondered why Ned wanted to keep their relationship a secret. Carly charged the phone, and saw Morgan’s screensaver picture of him and Kiki. Kiki told Dillon, Morgan must have snapped when he saw them together. Dillon said they hadn’t done anything, and not to put Morgan’s mental issues on herself. Drew/Jason visited the Quartermaines’ to tell them about Morgan. Tracy said, this is what happens when the city turns a blind eye to violence. It was the result of Sonny’s never ending pursuit of revenge. Drew/Jason tried to defend Sonny, but Tracy said he’d lost the right to an opinion when he turned his back on the family. Monica wasn’t having it, and said, enough.

Lulu went to the station, and saw Dante freaking out in the interrogation room. He told her that he might have to arrest his father for killing Morgan. Carly listened to the messages on Morgan’s phone. She heard her own voice telling Morgan, it was only a setback, and they figured he needed time alone. He could rise above it, and learn from his mistakes and move on. Sonny walked in while she was listening, and she said it was the voicemail she’d left for Morgan. He’d never gotten it because he got in a car, and a bomb blew him up.

Olivia told Ned that she thought Julian was just an excuse. If they tell people, it becomes real, and if it’s real, she can screw it up. Ned said screwing up was a two-way street, and he’d been known to do it himself. Then they publicly kissed. Ava told Bobbie that she was sorry for Bobbie’s loss, and Bobbie asked if Ava ever loved Morgan. He didn’t know any better. Ava said she loved Morgan very much. He was the only one who was good to her, and now everyone who was, was gone.

Lulu told Dante maybe it had nothing to do with Sonny, but Dante said it wasn’t the first time one of Sonny’s kids got caught in the crossfire. Morgan was the first Corinthos Dante met when he came to town, and he had his whole life ahead of him. Monica declared it a senseless tragedy, and Michael said they needed to be a family now, even Tracy. Tracy apologized for being harsh, but Michael said she was just being a Quartermaine. Michael told Drew/Jason that he blamed himself; he should have noticed Morgan was struggling. Drew/Jason said it wasn’t on Michael, but Michael said Morgan was manic because they weren’t paying attention. It contributed to Morgan spiraling, but whoever gave the order is the one who killed Morgan. Drew/Jason said Michael’s father might not have anything to do with it, but Michael asked if he really believed that.

Carly said Sonny couldn’t help himself. He had to finish Julian. She showed Sonny a picture of Morgan as a child, and smashed it, saying, now Morgan was dead, and Sonny killed him.  Sonny wept alone.

🎇 Emancipation Celebration…

JuneteenthFlag

While Juneteenth was technically Friday, there’s no reason not to celebrate all weekend, so I’m giving over tonight’s blog to the topic of a holiday of the past coming into today.

The reason:

https://hellogiggles.com/news/what-is-juneteenth-june-19th/

https://parade.com/1050322/jessicasager/what-is-juneteenth/

https://www.youthtothepeople.com/blogs/to-the-people/juneteenth-in-2020-a-toast-to-the-afro-future-a-celebration-dripped-in-blood

https://www.essence.com/feature/juneteenth-protests-2020-freedom/

The beginnings:

https://yesterdaysamerica.com/exploring-the-beginning-of-juneteenth/

The ways:

https://hellogiggles.com/lifestyle/how-to-celebrate-juneteenth/

https://hellogiggles.com/reviews-coverage/juneteenth-movies-shows-books/

https://www.essence.com/entertainment/heres-what-you-can-watch-hear-and-celebrate-on-juneteenth/

Some thoughts:

https://extratv.com/2020/06/19/stars-reflect-on-juneteenth-and-black-lives-matter-welcome-to-the-great-awakening/

📬 A Little Something For the Dads…

Sweetest. Story. Ever.

https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/whats-the-story-with-the-dad-mailbox-in-hinesburg/Content?oid=30564364

📠 Quotes of the Week

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.Henry David Thoreau

Don’t be afraid to cry. It will free your mind of sorrowful thoughts. – Hopi tribe saying

Those who have one foot in the canoe, and one foot in the boat, are going to fall into the river.Tuscarora tribe saying

When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice. – Cherokee tribe saying

Tell me and I’ll forget. Show me, and I may not remember. Involve me, and I’ll understand. – Tribe Unknown

The greatest obstacle to living is expectancy, which hangs upon tomorrow and loses today… The whole future lies in uncertainty: live immediately.Seneca, on the Shortness of Life

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

Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful.Annette Funicello, 1942-2013

The reality is that you will grieve forever. You will not “get over” the loss of a loved one; you will learn to live with it. You will heal and you will rebuild yourself around the loss you have suffered. You will be whole again, but you will never be the same. Nor should you be the same, nor would you want to.Elizabeth Kubler-Ross and John Kessler

Learn to be quiet enough to hear the genuine within yourself so that you can hear it in others.Marian Wright Edelman

Struggle is a never ending process. Freedom is never really won, you earn it and win it in every generation.Al Edwards

You have people walking around with all the knowledge of humanity on their phone, but they have no idea how to integrate it. We don’t train people in thinking or reasoning. – David Epstein

When we connect with others with their humanity, without the filters of race, nationality, gender, religion and so many other artificially constructed divisions, most of the world’s problems will be resolved. After all, we are all the same humans who have evolved through millions of years of evolution on this earth. All I am doing through my activism is showing the world that how we all share the same humanity regardless of our skin color, nationality or religion. Division only creates more division and inclusion is the only way we can move forward as a civilization. – Yeonmi Park, North Korean defector and human rights activist

If there is no struggle, there is no progress. – Frederick Douglas

📍 So Here We Are…

Things are starting to open up, people are venturing out, toilet paper is back in the store. Maybe at this point, you’re starting to question your very existence, or maybe you’re like, yippee, I can go get a beer not-to-go again. Whatever your position, stay safe, stay respectful, and stay letting whatever flag you like fly.

June 18, 2020 – A Best Of Flashback, Top Chef Crowned, Fan Fave, Juneteenth Ideas, Is She Or Not, Thirsty, Watching Stars, Coming Up, a Mansion, Gordon’s Back, Say It Three Times & Dad

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

And the GH Flashback roulette wheel says… October 15th, 2015. I heard on an ad that this week is the best of Sonny and Carly, which brings cohesion to the randomness. Sonny surprised Carly with a wedding in the hospital chapel, that Maxie jumped through hoops to put together in record time. Josslyn and Kristina looked like babies, Sabrina attended with Michael, and Josslyn played the Wedding March on the flute. I assumed it was actually her playing, and was impressed, since the flute is very difficult to master.

Paul showed up at the gallery, while trying to set up Anna via text using the name Sloane. Paul told Ava to be prepared for the dismantling of the Corinthos organization. His plan was about to come to fruition. He told Ava that Carrrlos’s fate and Anna’s were going to dovetail (who uses that word, except in reference to carpentry?). Ava asked if it was a coincidence, but Paul said it was careful planning. He wanted Ava to launder some money via art collectors he was going to send, but Ava wasn’t keen on the idea. Paul asked if she wanted to go to prison for Connie’s murder, since he had her confession on tape. Ava said she was afraid of losing Avery, and Paul relented, saying he wasn’t heartless, and Ava would be of no use to him if her mind was elsewhere. He told her to deal with the custody case first.

Old Jordan wanted to talk to Anna about Carrrlos’s disappearance, since Anna was the last one to see him. Jordan said her leads had gone cold, and Mayor Lomax was breathing down her neck.

While talking to Dillon at the pier, Maxie saw a body in the water, and Dillon called the police. Jordan determined it was Carrrlos, which wasn’t hard since he’d had his wallet on him. When Paul showed up, she said Carrrlos had been shot at close range. That explained why he avoided detection for so long – he was dead. Yep. That will do it. Paul suggested Sonny had gotten his revenge.

Sonny and Carly said their vows. Sonny told Carly that she saved his life every day, and he was blessed that she chose him. Carly said she’d had a taste of life without him, and promised that neither one of them was going anywhere without the other. Dante’s phone rang during the vows, and he stepped aside to take it. Bobbie suggested Sonny make a change, so no one else would get hurt. Dante told them that Carrrlos had been pulled from the harbor, and he was dead. Sabrina freaked, and Dante went to the station. Morgan told Sonny and Carly that Carrrlos had gotten what he deserved, and Sonny said he didn’t ask for retaliation. Morgan said they were looking at him like they thought he did it, and told them they could think what they wanted to; it was his wedding gift to them, and enjoy it while it lasted. When he left, Sonny told Carly that he thought Morgan wished he had shot Carrrlos, but he would have heard about it if Morgan had done it. He explained that Ava had let the Five Families (not a restaurant) that Carrrlos had shot Sonny and acted alone. The only one who could dispute it was Carrrlos, and he wasn’t talking. Carly said that was convenient for Ava, and Sonny said she was up to her lying neck in it. Sabrina told Michael that she’d known Carrrlos most of his life, and Carrrlos had done awful things, but didn’t deserve to get shot.

Anna went to the gallery, and told Ava that she knew it wasn’t Carrrlos who shot Sonny, since he was on the run for killing Duke. Why would he escape Port Charles, then come back to shoot Sonny? She said Ava claiming that’s what happened implied she had something to hide, and asked who Ava was covering for. Paul called Anna, and told her to meet him at Pier 54.

Nathan assumed that Valerie was pregnant after Maxie found a positive pregnancy test in the trash, and Valerie gave him the business about jumping to conclusions. Valerie saw Maxie in the interrogation room after she gave her statement, and Maxie told her it was like a scene from a scary movie, and kept playing in her head. She told Valerie that she knew Valerie and Dillon were having sex, and Valerie said Dillon was a great guy, but that was a no, and had never happened.  Maxie asked whose baby Valerie was worried about carrying. Valerie said she didn’t know what Maxie was  talking about, and didn’t think Maxie did either. Maxie said Valerie had thrown a positive pregnancy test in the trash, and Valerie said Maxie had assumed because she was near the trash can, it must be hers. She suggested the next time Maxie decided to go snooping, get her facts straight. In the meantime, Dante told Dillon to stay the hell away from his wife.

Sonny joked that he and Carly were going to Iowa for their honeymoon, and Lulu told Bobbie that she and Dante were in discussion about expanding their family.

Ava told Paul that Sonny knew she’d lied about Carrrlos, and was asking inconvenient questions, but Paul said he had everything under control.

Carly cuddled with Sonny in his hospital room, and Sonny said it wasn’t the way he’d pictured their honeymoon, but it did feel like Des Moines. She thought it was more like Cedar Rapids.

Top Chef – Finale

The chefs were challenged with cooking the meal of their lives. The final three were Bryan, who the crown had eluded for more than a decade; Melissa, who had more wins than anyone; and Stephanie, the private chef underdog, who had proven she had skills to be feared. The prize was a feature in Food and Wine magazine, an appearance at the Food and Wine festival in Aspen, and $250K. Not bad. I love that magazine, and that’s a nice chunk of change. Bryan said he’d slap them in the face with heart and soul, and we flashed back to the Italian chefs saying there was no soul in his food. Padma tasked them with making the best progressive four-course meal of their lives – no twists. They would be serving it to the best chefs from all over world. Kevin, Lee Anne, and Brian full of Malarkey came out to give their support as sous chefs. Gregory would have been there instead of Brian, but he was still battling back issues. The chefs drew knives for picking order, and Stephanie was first, choosing Brian full of Malarkey, for his enthusiasm and skills. Stephanie also admitted that during Restaurant Wars she fell in love with him. Not literally. Brian chose Kevin, who said, let’s get the band back together, which left Melissa with Lee Anne. Melissa said they’d never worked together, but Lee Ann knew Asian flavors, and was a beast in the kitchen. She thought they’d do well. Padma told them they’d be shopping in the food hub of Florence, and would have five hours to prep and cook back at the Renaissance Tuscany. They were to make the meal as cohesive as possible, and Tom said the judges expected nothing but the best.

Melissa said her mission was to marry Asian flavor with what she’d learned in Italy, bringing Italy to her heritage, so it would portray her adventure. While this isn’t Project Runway, I have to mention that Lee Anne was wearing the coolest fried-egg-and-bacon crocheted scarf. If I was crafty that way, I’d be making one starting tonight. Bryan said he and Stephanie were yin and yang; their minds were one. In the evening, the judges turned the tables, and Tom, Padma, and Gail did the cooking. The chefs were met outside by Tom, who was doing some rustic farmhouse cooking on the grill, which gave Melissa an idea for her main course. They all sat down to eat together, and Padma wished them luck, telling them to cook their hearts out. After dinner, Stephanie called best friend Kristen, who was also the Season 10 winner. Stephanie said she thought her chances of winning were one in three. Melissa called her mom, and Bryan called his brother Michael.

After three hours in the kitchen, the judges were served the first two courses. You knew it was good by the way they were shoveling it in, especially one guy who reminded me of the drive-in guy Joe Bob Briggs and was wearing a shirt with steer on it. Later, I found out he was an Italian butcher named Dario. Gail said Bryan was a great technician, but this time showed soul and love in his food as well. Drive-in Bob Dario said, mama mia! and the main course came out. Melissa made grilled squab; Bryan went with blackened monkfish; and Stephanie made a veal dish. Padma said the food was universally wonderful, and food editor Nilou Motamed said she didn’t like squab, but was now a convert. At this point, I was pretty sure Melissa was going to win. Then, OMG THE DESSERTS CAME OUT. They were all to die for, and I’m not sure which one I wanted more; Bryan’s dark chocolate and ice cream thing, to which Dario responded, mmm… cardamom; Stephanie’s sticky toffee pudding (I don’t know what the hell that is, but give me two servings); or Melissa’s tea-infused tiramisu with a crunchy topping. When the dinner was done, the chefs applauded themselves, and then the judges applauded them when they were called back out. During the final discussion, Dario teared up over how Melissa respected the Italian traditions with her dessert. He said, a butcher who cries, how embarrassing, prompting one of the other guest judges to come over and give him a hug.

When the chefs were brought out to meet with the usual judges, plus Nilou, for the final time, Tom said he thought they all cooked the best meal of their lives, and Padma said she saw the story of their lives on the plates. She relayed that Hunter Lewis from Food and Wine found Bryan’s beets beguiling. Say that three times real fast. Tom said Bryan had erased the impression that he couldn’t cook with soul and heart. Gail said that Melissa had joined the Asian and Italian cultures, and told her about Dario getting emo over her tiramisu. Melissa said they were all artists who loved hearing that their journeys were understood. Stephanie joked that she was going for fan favorite. She had done damage to people who loved her by being sad, and this showed them that she was okay. Tom said, sometimes the voyage is more important than the destination, because you find out what you’re made of. You have to go deeper, and what comes out is who you are. They all made that journey, but there could only be one Top Chef. Arriving for the announcement were Melissa’s mom, Bryan’s brother, and Stephanie’s husband.

With that, Padma told Melissa, she was Top Chef. In Melissa’s interview, she said it had been a wild adventure, but this time she’d done it for herself, and wasn’t trying to earn her father’s approval. She wanted to prove to herself that she could achieve a goal that she’d set. In Stephanie’s interview, she said she accomplished what she’d wanted to do. She hadn’t felt good about the mental space she was in since her brother died. This would give everyone something else to talk about for a while. In Bryan’s interview, he said he’d learned a lot about himself. There were sixteen Top Chefs, but he was the only one who’d done what he did. He’d been runner-up three times, but was never doing this again. Melissa said, once you believe in yourself, nothing can stop you. She knew it sounded cliché, but the world was her oyster. She could do anything now.

👓 On Watch What Happens Live (@home in the Hamptons – @must be nice), Padma and Tom were guests, and Melissa made an appearance. Padma announced Melissa was also the fan favorite, netting her another $10K. Melissa donated that win to Black Visions Collective, the Trevor Project, and Asian Americans for Equality. And for that, Andy gave the night’s mazel.

🥧 Baking For the Teenth…

An idea to celebrate Juneteenth.

https://thechalkboardmag.com/juneteenth-bake-sale

📺 Watchlist…

Some Juneteenth suggestions for your viewing pleasure.

https://www.tvguide.com/news/shows-and-movies-to-watch-for-juneteenth/?ftag=NLS-04-10aaa2i

📚 For the Bookworm In You…

A Juneteenth reading list.

https://www.essence.com/entertainment/juneteenth-books/#546891

🍑 Pour the Nene Tea…

A Twitter user suggested her ego has become bigger than her entertainment value. I think they might be right.

https://www.essence.com/entertainment/nene-leakes-fired-real-housewives-atlanta/

https://people.com/tv/nene-leakes-denies-shes-not-returning-to-rhoa/

🥃 Give That Lady a Drink…

Like not every single one of them is thirsty. It’s not like they’re on the show to educate people about… anything.

https://hollywoodlife.com/2020/06/17/kelly-dodd-slams-tamra-judge-thirsty-firing-comments-rhoc-feud/

🛸 Where No Man Has Gone…

But you can go for free.

https://www.tvguide.com/news/star-trek-movies-streaming-free-imdb-tv/?ftag=NLS-04-10aaa2i

📑 Head Start…

A list of what’s coming to the small screen, and not.

https://www.tvguide.com/news/features/abc-2020-2021-fall-tv-lineup/?ftag=NLS-04-10aaa2i

👠 Sometimes She’s All Of Us…

While probably none of us will ever have her closet, or will even be able to afford one of her shoes, Sutton sometimes reminds me of how the audience feels. Kind of horrified.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1162587/rhobh-s-sutton-stracke-lists-bel-air-mansion-for-almost-9-million-tour-inside-the-estate?source=email&medium=daily

🛶 Unchart This…

You can catch Gordon in Uncharted on the National Geographic (NatGeo) channel on Sundays at 10 pm. It’s also free on YouTube.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1162499/watch-jason-kennedy-go-crawfishing-with-gordon-ramsay-try-not-to-laugh

📽 Who Can Take a Sunrise…

Candyman returns in a spiritual sequel. Tony Todd and Vanessa Williams will be making return appearances, and Jordan Peele wrote the screenplay, so that’s enough for me.

https://www.essence.com/entertainment/candyman-nia-dacosta-new-teaser/

🤸‍♀️ Is It Friday Again Yet…?

Father’s Day is coming up this weekend, and here’s hoping you have/had a good relationship with yours. My dad was the best. He had a wonderful sense of humor, was ahead of his time, and the fairest person I’ve ever known. Stay safe, stay celebratory, and stay in touch with your family, be they blood relatives or chosen.

June 17, 2020 – Charges Announced, Would-Be Flashback, Reliving S7, New Listing, NYC Update, the Girls Now, Tyler Talks, a Director’s Influence, Bye-Bye Wacha, Posha Reborn & Fight

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

Today’s GH Flashback would have been from September 14th, 2015 (see below), but was preempted early on to inform us about charges being brought against the officers in the killing of Rayshard Brooks.

What happened:

https://heavy.com/news/2020/06/watch-garrett-rolfe-kicking-rayshard-brooks/

The charges:

https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/17/us/rayshard-brooks-atlanta-shooting-wednesday/index.html

📜  Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

General Hospital

What happened on September 14th, 2015 was… Sonny and Carly were about to get married (again), when one of Sonny’s enemies kidnapped TJ, who at the time was working for Sonny, and lured Sonny into an ambush. Jake Doe saved the day, but Sonny ended up with a bullet lodged near his spine, and Patrick was waiting for him to improve before doing surgery. Everything pointed to Julian having set Sonny up, and even though he was in county, Morgan vowed to kill him.

Elizabeth came close to telling Jake Doe that he was really Jason, even though he eventually ended up being Drew. She was interrupted by son Jake having a bad dream, but did tell Jake/Jason/Drew that she’d done something terrible to Sam. Ric had conspired with Madeline to get Nina’s money, and tricked old Nina into marrying him. She and Franco tricked Ric back, threatening to expose him, and made him sign annulment papers, giving up the rights to Nina’s money. Nina also ditched Madeline, which probably wasn’t hard, since she was in prison.

Sonny was unconscious, hooked up to machines, and a pre-PTSD Dante paid him a visit. Dante wondered if Sonny’s lifestyle was worth it, and suggested he try living and being a dad. The machines went kooky, and Dante ran out, interrupting an argument between Morgan and Michael in the hallway. Michael ran to get Carly, who was in the chapel, reminiscing about her life with Sonny, and reading Sonny’s wedding vows.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Seeing that tonight’s episode was going to be Dorit and Garcelle commentating on the Season 7 finale (Season 7 was also Dorit’s first season), I was immediately disappointed, but willing to give them another chance. We revisited Lisa’s Diamonds and Rosé party, where Dorit wore liquid gold on her head. Or as LisaR said, it looked like a big golden goose took a big golden sh*t on her head. Erika showed up with pink hair, and Garcelle wondered (as did LVP in the episode) if the carpet matched the drapes. PK showed up with Jagger in Dorit’s square, although why anyone would allow a child to watch this show is beyond me. Garcelle said, swans, ponies, no underwear, and champagne; that’s a perfect party. I wasn’t sure if she should get out more, or just reassess the parties she’s going to. I’d forgotten Eden Sassoon was on Season 7, so I refreshed my memory with this:

https://people.com/tv/real-housewives-beverly-hills-eden-sassoon-not-returning/

As Eden, got more wound up during the party, I was like, oh yeah… Kim Richards was also still on the fringes of the show, and seemed to be okay with everyone except LisaR.

Garcelle noted that PK loves being in the mix, and yes he does. He should be granted honorary Wife status, along with Peter from RHOA. There was some bad blood between Dorit and LisaR because of Dorit inferring to Eden that LisaR had a substance problem. Dorit and Eden had been discussing LisaR, when Dorit wondered if LisaR’s personality issues were induced. This led Eden to tell LisaR that Dorit had questioned whether she had a Xanax problem. LisaR got all in Dorit’s face, but my advice to her is, don’t make jokes about all the pills you carry around with you. There. Problem solved. PK told Erika that she was inherently cold, to which she coldly told him, she was not. Eileen Davidson was still on the show, and defended Erika. From her square, Dorit wondered why she subjected herself to this. Um… the publicity? Garcelle felt like she was on the playground, or middle school, which is what I say every week

This was before Puppygate, but the group was still feeling the aftereffects of Pantygate. In case you weren’t there for Pantygate, Erika went to a group dinner sans underwear, and PK caught a glimpse. Dorit said something to Erika, who couldn’t see what the big deal was. I might not either, unless it makes someone uncomfortable, which it obviously did. I’ve said it before. I’m no prude by any stretch of the imagination. I’m pretty broad-minded, but I still don’t say the f-word in front of my in-laws or in front of children. This is one of the things I don’t like about Erika. I’m all for expressing yourself and being who you are, but it’s common courtesy not to deliberately make people uncomfortable, and she just does not care. And if she finds out, she’ll do it on purpose. Talk about middle school. Okay, rant over. As a joke, sort of, Dorit had gotten Erika a pair of underwear. Erika was all kinds of offended for ages about this, which I found very hard to believe. From her square, Dorit said, in looking for a silver lining, she and LisaR had come a long way. Back at the party, LisaR told Eden that when she’d talked to LVP – I have no clue about what, and assume it’s the induced personality issue, but it really doesn’t matter – she shut herself off to Eden. Eden had it with LisaR, calling her a bitch, and saying she was sick of LisaR walking all over her and using her as a scapegoat. I barely remember the deal with those two, but I’ve grown to dislike LisaR with a passion, so I wouldn’t be surprised if that was true. It’s a shame too, because I’d always liked her, but by her second season, I could tell she’d say and do just about anything for attention and camera time. But she owns it.

After Eden’s outburst, LisaR said she didn’t give two f***s what people thought about her, and when she said she wished Eden well, Garcelle commented that those words are the death knell. Dorit said it felt like a lifetime ago, but it was just four years. Garcelle said it was more fun than she thought it would be, and I’m sure had 100% more fun than I did. While the Eden thing was interesting, it’s hard jumping into an old season without prefacing it with some backstory. On top of it, Dorit and Garcelle either aren’t being compelling enough, or it’s being edited badly, because the commentary is boring as hell. Bravo can do better than this.

🌴 Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles began its new season this week. Joshes Altman and Flagg are back, along with Tracy Tutor, James Harris, and David Parnes. While my preference is for the New York branch of the franchise, I still love seeing the West Coast houses, which are always massive. The premiere episode focused on mountainside properties, and while I’m not so sure I could live in a place where vertigo is king, they were breathtaking. The Joshes joined forces again to co-list, even though they vowed never again the last time. My favorite house was the one Tracy looked at, with the most amazing vertical landscaping, but the house the Joshes checked out was also fabulous. As Josh Altman put it, hidden doors, the fake books, and underground lairs; I’m trying not to geek out right now. There was a lot of cracking up (dare I say joshing around?) during their dual interviews, leading me to believe what I’ve thought before. Much of the feuding between the brokers is for the camera.

🗽 New York Tease…

Tomorrow, Bravo has scrapped The Real Housewives of New York altogether to run a marathon of Top Chef, capping it with their finale. So in the meantime, here’s a mid-season teaser.

https://ew.com/tv/real-housewives-new-york-city-mid-season-12-teaser/

🐇 Not Next Door Anymore…

I actually watched this show. I think I was more fascinated with the house and clothes than anything else. They made Hef look like a benevolent, hapless father with a harem from who he required little but their company. But then I read Holly Madison’s book, Down the Rabbit Hole: Curious Adventures and Cautionary Tales of a Former Playboy Bunny. Um… ew.

https://www.eonline.com/photos/31016/the-girls-next-door-then-and-now?source=email&medium=daily

💔 Tyler’s Heart…

The hardest working man in Hollywood preaches it.

https://people.com/movies/tyler-perry-speaks-from-the-heart-about-racial-injustice-and-the-world-he-wants-for-his-son/

🎥 Influencers…

I’m proud to say The Rocky Horror Picture Show made this list. Hey, it might be my only fifteen minutes.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/lgbtq-first-queer-directors-movies_n_5ec826b6c5b6d29cf2d21d2e

🐶 Learning From Dorit’s Mistakes…

It looked like Andy talked to most of the world before deciding to rehome his dog. While he doesn’t give particulars, it sounds like it was the best decision. And I’m sure a hard one.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1159419/andy-cohen-gives-an-update-on-beloved-dog-wacha-following-rehoming

👊🏽 She’s Come a Long Way Baby…

From thinking the Underground Railroad was a real train to leading the call. My headband is off to Porsha. (I don’t wear hats.)

https://www.eonline.com/news/1159377/porsha-williams-calls-on-white-allies-to-quot-be-specific-for-real-change-quot-in-wwhl-sneak-peek

🏜 Before Sunrise…

In the past few months, we’ve certainly been given a lot to think about and the time to think it. We’re sliding into the world opening back up, and with it, hopefully, our hearts and minds. So stay safe, stay centered, and stay doing the right thing.

June 16, 2020 – Post Wedding Trauma, VanderEnd, a Final Finale, Goodbye Loving, Sandy Correct, Tyler Does Good & Farewell

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Since GH is apparently using a Flashback dartboard, today’s episode was from September 24th, 2013. Morgan and Kiki (who had switched over from being Starr) had just gotten married. Starr Kiki really loved Michael, but Morgan had lied, telling her that she and Michael were cousins, when Kiki’s father was really Silas, but she didn’t know it. Sonny, who was off his meds, spilled the beans at the reception, even though Morgan had begged him to keep the secret. Sonny claimed he was doing it for Connie, who’d wanted him to tell the truth, and who he hadn’t protected. He told everyone that Morgan had tricked Kiki into marriage, and they all went in different directions.

Morgan told Ava that his family was a bunch of hypocrites, especially his father, and his father was dead to him. Ava told him that family stays together, and not to write Sonny off, but Morgan said he’d never forgive Sonny, who had never once backed him. Sonny had, however, stepped up to double-cross him, costing him his wife, who was off with Michael doing who-knows-what. Ava said she knew what it was like to be refused by the person you love, and told Morgan about how the man she loved went off with someone else. Morgan said Ava got him, and had always been on his side, prompting them to get busy.

What Kiki and Michael were doing was talking at the MetroCourt bar. Michael wanted Kiki to give him a chance, and they kissed.

In the meantime, Maxie had been a surrogate for Lulu and Dante, who named the baby Connie, but it wasn’t really their baby; it was Maxie’s baby with Spinelli. Maxie whacked Spinelli over the head, thinking he was a prowler, when he was picking up his gym bag from the apartment. Ellie had told Spinelli the truth, but Maxie thought she’d been given a second chance to make things right, since she’d lost the first baby she’d carried for Dante and Lulu. She figured Spinelli and Ellie would have their own family, and told Spinelli choosing Lulu was the least bad of two terrible options. She said there was no turning back, and she’d be sorry for the rest of her life. Spinelli said he hated what Maxie had done, but didn’t hate her.

Carly had gotten Sonny the hell out of the reception, and told him that his behavior was the result of him not taking his pills. The last time he’d done that, he’d been dangerous to everyone around him, even the people who love him. Sonny said he’d thrown the pills away, because he wanted to feel the pain; he owed that to Connie. Carly asked if he thought Connie would want him to hurt and want him to hurt others. Luckily, the pills were safely balanced on the top of the wastebasket, where no garbage had actually touched them. Carly gave them to Sonny, telling him that his kids needed their dad.

Silas (who would later become Finn) was dating Sam, and brought dinner to her while she was at the hospital with Danny.

Carly told Sonny that taking the pills was the right thing to do. He said he missed Connie so much, but Carly said, then he shouldn’t hurt himself and his family in Connie’s name. This convinced him to take his lithium.

Michael told Kiki, they didn’t have to figure it out tonight, that tonight was for them, and Morgan and Ava got busier.

Vanderpump Rules – The Endless Reunion – Part Three (@home)

I never noticed before that in the opening group pic, it’s a still shot except for Lisa’s hair blowing. I knew she was magical.

We wait for Tom, who had to pee. Ariana asks why Tom didn’t go during the break, and announces that she pooped. Thanks for sharing.

Andy say,s Stassi’s push to be engaged almost sent Beau to an early grave. We flash back to all that, including Stassi catching Katie’s bouquet. Stassi says she’s embarrassed. (FYI, I’m totally refraining from any and all jokes, and working on something about the whole Bravo brouhaha.) Stassi does a mini PSA, saying, if you know you’re asking your SO to marry you, don’t torture them, just tell them. Andy says Beau went to great lengths to make Stassi think he wasn’t proposing, and we flash back to him avoiding the subject, and telling her not to rush him. Beau says the dinner where she thought he was going to propose was the worst night all year. Stassi says Beau put on a mic pad that looked like the shape of a ring box. It convinced her they were getting engaged, and she lost her sh*t. Schwartz asks, what’s sexier, a penis bulge or a ring bulge? Andy brings up Carter texting them not to forget that Kristen introduced them, and asks if Kristen agrees. She says she doesn’t, and if Carter had wanted to say that, he should have waited. Stassi says Kristen defended him in every interview, but Kristen says she doesn’t respect what did, and Lala tells her, leave it there.

Andy says, Lisa has dealt with unruly bartenders and defiant waitresses, but this season, she had to manage the managers. We flash back to Danica getting suspended for putting her hands on the other Brett. Andy asks what makes Max a good manager, and Lisa says he puts in a lot of hours, he’s a great bartender and can step in when he’s needed, and the staff loves him. He fits in perfectly. She wishes he wouldn’t bang her staff though. She thinks Danica needs to grow up and soften up. She sees things in black and white, and gets it wrong sometimes. Raquel says Danica is the best manager. She gets the job done. Lisa says Danica has been rude on many occasions, and she has a personal issue with her. That Danica claimed she was having an affair with Brett, pisses her off. In all the years she’s been in the business, she’s never put a finger on anyone. Danica asks when she said that, and we see a clip of the after-show where she says she can’t see a mother/son dynamic with Brett and Lisa. They’re both hot, so you know they fantasize about each other. Lisa says she has children and a husband. Kristen says Danica is lucky she has a job. She should be thankful, grateful, and bow down. Danica says she’s sorry; it came out the wrong way. Lisa thanks her, and says she’s been married 37 years, and has two children. She doesn’t need to hear stuff like that. Andy asks Max if banning someone for talking sh*t is the manager’s job, referring to him wanting to ban Danica from TomTom. Max says he thinks he handled it incorrectly, and he already apologized. Lisa says Danica felt backstabbed, since she thought they were friends. Danica says whenever she introduced Max to her friends, he’d screw them, and she has to work with him. Max says she’s the one who hooked them up. Kristen thinks there’s a problem because Danica wants to sleep with Max, but Danica says, no way. Andy leaves it there and takes a break.

Brittany’s dog barks, and she gets criticized, which is ridiculous. She says, since there’s a pandemic, she couldn’t get a sitter. I say, bring the dog into the discussion. He’ll give just as coherent a contribution as the cast. Andy asks James what he thought about Scheana and Brett’s video, and he says he thought it was racy. Andy asks if that’s why Brett felt uncomfortable and violated. Brett admits he was being dramatic in saying he felt violated, but he was uncomfortable. Scheana says he should have explained that to her at the time, instead of being a p*ssy. Saying she’d give him a BJ was a joke. Lisa says Scheana did like him when they first met, and thought there was a possibility. Scheana says they clicked right away, and we flash back to her telling Lisa that she admits there’s a crush, but she doesn’t want to date him, then gets all teary. Scheana says she’s flirty by nature. Andy says Charli was completely over him before the first date. What turned her off so quickly? Charli says there was a lot going on prior to the date, and she felt awkward about Scheana. We flash back to Brett saying he can’t have friends that are girls. Andy asks how Scheana and Brett are now, and Scheana says, they’d been fine up until the last few episodes aired. Then Brett said he was going to be so far up her ass apologizing at the reunion, but she’s still waiting. Brett says he felt bad about some things, and Kristen suggests he just apologize for being an a-hole. Brett says he’s sorry he misled Scheana, but he tried to make it clear that he didn’t want anything. Scheana says she didn’t want anything either, and Ariana says, how about apologizing for saying one thing to his friend’s face, and something else behind their back? Brett says he doesn’t think he did that.

Andy says Ariana was forthcoming about her battle with depression, and asks how she’s doing. Ariana says she’s been seeing a therapist for the last few months, and she’s been working hard on herself. She’d be lying if she said it was all positive all the time, but she thinks she’s doing okay. Andy says Lisa had shared with Ariana that she’d also felt that way, and Lisa says she was more prepared for her mother passing away, but her brother’s death was a shock. That it was a suicide made it worse, and that’s why she understood, and didn’t think it should be minimized. Ariana says she’s grateful to Lisa, and thanks her. Lisa says Ariana can call her, any time of the day or night.

Andy says, Brittany and Jax had a fairytale wedding, but once they got home, Jax had left all traces of his Prince Charming persona in Versailles (pronouncing it Ver-sales). We see clips of Jax taking out his sh*t on Brittany, and anyone else in his path. We flash back to Ariana’s interview, where she says, unfortunately, Brittany is married to the problem, and we flash back to Stassi telling Jax, it looks like he’s losing his mind. We see one of Lisa’s interviews, where she says, it’s not just Jax now; that’s the difference. Andy says Jax seems to spiral at the end of every summer. Jax says it’s his downfall, and he’s still working on himself. Ariana says she doesn’t want to spend 45 minutes on the same sh*t. Every reunion, Jax says he’s a work in progress. I hate when people like Jax use that phrase as an excuse for bad behavior. We flash back to Jax saying the same things at every reunion. Jax says he’ll be working on himself for the rest of his life. Tom says, like his tweeting lies. Everyone talks at once, so you can’t understand anyone, and there’s a lot of bleeping on top of it. Jax says he knows they’re perfect and awesome, and he applauds. Ariana says she’s a garbage person. That’s why she’s here. Lisa tells her, calm down, and Jax says it’s not about her.

Andy reminds us, if we lost track, it’s Tuesday. He moves on to the beach clean-up, and Jax’s rage texts. Jax says it was nothing against Max. He just didn’t want to drive for hours to pick up one piece of paper, when there are three parks near him that are full of trash. Which might be a valid argument if he’d been at those parks picking up said trash. Stassi is like, come on. He just didn’t want to do it, and Kristen says, so it had nothing to do with the environment. He didn’t want to go. Jax says he apologized five hours later, and we flash back to more rage texting hours later. Schwartz says, it was personal and pointed, and Jax says he’s good at apologizing. I’m not so sure that’s something to be bragging about. Andy doesn’t think Jax is that great at it, since you can apologize a million times and not mean it. Jax asks if Andy hasn’t ever done that, and Andy says, not really. He asks Brittany if it’s daunting to have to apologize for Jax all the time, and Jax says, no one is perfect. Andy recalls that Jax said that at every one of eight reunions. Ariana makes fun of Jax, which is unbecoming, even if Jax is a total d-bag. Jax says he thought he was doing better, and still has bad days. Stassi says he instills fear in his friends. They have to be scared of pissing him off, and of hurting Brittany’s feelings. They need to be able to be honest, and can’t be in a situation they’re scared to have an opinion of. Jax told them about how depressed he was, and that he couldn’t control himself, so now they want to talk about it. Jax says, it’s fine coming from certain people. Andy asks for Ariana’s reaction to Jax admitting he had a mental problem, and Brittany says, he obviously does. Ariana says her best advice is to find a therapist he connects with, and work through his sh*t. He can’t let it fall by the wayside. It has to be a priority. Andy says, Rand recommended a therapist, and Lala says, he didn’t just recommend one. He paid for a session, and Jax didn’t show up. Tom says, Jax doesn’t want to get better or change, and he doesn’t want to hear that Jax is a work in progress. I totally get this. I know people who cry about needing help, but won’t take it because they’d rather keep using their illness to be a manipulative a-hole. They’re the worst. Brittany says the group obviously doesn’t love them, and Lala says she’d die for them. Brittany won’t look at anyone, and Ariana says she’s fully convinced nothing she said came from an ill place. Brittany says she’s turning her head because she’s trying not to cry. Tom says, after the end of the season, day after day, Brittany always takes up for Jax. Brittany says, everyone does stuff, and Ariana says it’s happening every week. Katie asks Schwartz, what’s happening? and I’m wondering too. Brittany says of course she wants Jax to be better, and Jax says he’s working on it all the time, but it seems like they’re just yelling at him. Schwartz says, it’s a productive thing. Jax alluded to having issues several times, and they’re being corrective. They want him to be proactive, and not do the same thing every time and expect a different result. Ariana says they love Brittany so much, and Tom says he’s wracked his brain for years, trying to help. Ariana says, and Jax acts like they don’t give a f***, and they’re full of it. There’s lots of bleeping, and I wonder what the hell is with Schwartz’s hair, and if he meant for it to look like that. Schwartz tells Jax, please effing do something.

Andy asks where everyone is going, but they’re just stretching their legs. Jax says Andy is always against him, but everyone tells Jax that Andy is on his side. Jax says he feels like Andy goes at him the hardest. He has thick skin, but it’s being worn away as the years go by. Andy says he actually likes Jax a lot, and Jax says he has a weird way of showing it. Andy says it’s his job to call them out. Jax insists he’s the best he’s been, except for three episodes spread apart. We see clips of Jax that would embarrass a normal person. Andy says Jax doesn’t watch the show, and he should if he wants to respond to sh*t. Jax says if he slips up, it’s all they talk about, and Andy says, watch the show; that’s what he’s working off of. Jax says, it’s the worst reunion ever.

Andy says Scheana’s surprise birthday present of a psychic reading for Dayna didn’t go well, and Scheana had first said she didn’t bring the psychic. We flash back to Scheana having the psychic wait outside. He asks, what really happened? and Scheana says she was going to text the psychic after talking to Dayna, and let her know if it was still happening. The experience for her was incredible, and she assumed it would be the same for Dayna. Andy asks why Dayna was bothered, and Dayna starts to cry. She says she knows Scheana meant it in a good way, but she felt put on spot. It’s been seven years since her mom passed away, and it’s still hard. She doesn’t know if she’ll ever be ready. It’s frustrating for her. She wanted to do it, but had to back out. She was scared of a response either way. She says, people think she’s a bitch, but it’s been her only option most of her life. Lisa asks, why? and Dayna says her dad’s not in her life. After her mom died, it was just her and her sister, and she was only twenty-two. She’s never felt at home for one minute since her mother stopped breathing, and she’s been looking for that. I totally get this, since I always say, I want to go home, but there’s no home to go to anymore. Kristen says she wishes they could hug Dayna. If it was a normal reunion, they would be in a giant circle. Jax says he lost both of his parents; he doesn’t speak to his mom. Unless someone has gone through that, they can’t understand the pain. Andy asks if Jax has considered the time he’s losing in not speaking to his mom, and Jax says, it’s been tough with the virus going on. Ariana knows they hate each other, but tells him to try and give his mom a call. Dayna says, people are quick to judge, and say life is short, but every situation is different. She tried hard to have her dad in her life, but it didn’t work, and she has to live with that.

Andy wants to switch topics to the girls. He asks how Ariana felt, finding out it was Lala who had been talking smack about her house, and not Stassi. We flash back to Scheana relaying the wrong shade to Kristen, and Stassi says she knows Scheana is a sh*t stirrer, but how could she be so messy? Ariana can say Stassi is Regina George or a snob, because that’s definitely true, but what she said came so easy, like she was waiting to get it out. She doesn’t know how many years it will take Ariana to understand that she likes her. Ariana says she felt like they’d worked hard on the friendship, and she lost it. She didn’t even know what she’d said until she watched the show. Lala asks on what planet Stassi would say she’s a grown-ass woman. It didn’t sound like her. Ariana says she’s pivoting everything she said about Stassi to Lala.

We see everyone texting in a group chat, and paying no attention whatsoever. Andy says, bromances over romances are easier said than done, and we see clips from the messy triangle that is Max, Dayna, and Brett. Andy says if Max decided he didn’t want to be with Dayna, why did he think he had a say in who she was with. Max says he didn’t. He and Brett were inseparable – he was the Sandoval to Brett’s Schwartz. Brett says Dayna knew he was skeptical to begin with since he was considering Max. Andy thinks Brett and Max should date, and Lisa says, cheers to that. Schwartz says it’s obvious Max’s feelings were hurt, and Stassi asks, why? Dayna went to him first, and he turned her down. Brett says he realized they were moving too fast. Dayna says they were hanging out a few times a week, and sleeping together (these people are so weird, I don’t know if she means having sex or just sleeping), then Brett said they were moving too fast, and she was over it. She has no more room in her life for one more person who’s not sure or not invested in a relationship. She’s learned about herself. She’s beautiful and she deserves it. Andy says he’s leaving it there.

Andy asks Danica what about the Scheana clone bothered her at the party? Danica says Scheana 2.0 was inserting herself in a conversation where she wasn’t welcome. She told her to bounce, and she didn’t want to. We flash back to their altercation, and Stassi says she wasn’t mad about it. Lisa says Danica is in hospitality, and has to check herself. She can’t have a loose cannon representing the business. Danica says she was completely wrong, and Lisa says she can’t afford someone on the floor who’s so explosive. They’re going to have to talk. Danica says Max’s plan worked out; congratulations. Andy asks how intense it was for James to see Rand, and asks how the relationship has been. James says, amazing, and we flash back to his apology and their bro hug. James says he’s come a long way, and he’s glad Rand pushed Lala back into his life. He’s a stand-up guy, and James hopes their friendship grows. Lala says, it’s been amazing to see James’s growth, and Rand is the most incredible human she’s ever met. She thanks James for his kind words.

Andy says before they have their final thoughts, he wonders if Kristen misses her friendships. Kristen says she doesn’t miss the sh*t, but she misses the friendships. She wishes she could have shared her relationship with new boyfriend Alex, her house, and the monumental moments she’s had. Andy asks, what about Jax and Tom? and Jax says he’s happy with the current status of how things are going. Andy says, the current status is on hold. Lisa says, all of their current status is on hold, and she hopes what the world has been going through in the past few months has given them perspective, and caused them to be reflective. She wants them to come back with the same cohesion they went into this with. Brittany thinks if they could have hung out, they could get through it, but she hasn’t seen any effort; it’s only been hearsay. Lisa says when they get back, she expects they’ll have made a concentrated effort to put it together. Andy says, that’s a good transition.

He thanks everyone for accepting the technology needed for the reunion into their homes. He welcomes Ken, Rand, and Scheana’s new squeeze Brock to the reunion. Lisa says it’s the first time she’s seen Ken in a shirt in two months. Everyone waves. Andy asks Ken how it is being trapped at Villa Rosa with Lisa for two months, and Ken says, it’s fantastic. He’s getting three amazing meals a day. Lisa says he’s missing going to work. Andy says Rand was reluctant to be on the show, and Lala didn’t even use his name in the beginning, calling him her man. He asks how the experience was, and Rand says he was petrified, but at the end of the day, this is Lala’s family, and it was time to jump in and support her. Everyone made it easy. Andy asks what Brock has learned about Scheana, and Brock says, Scheana is a good person. He digs her more all the time. He thinks they all really love each other; it’s somewhere in there. Lisa says she’s grateful for all of them. James’s sobriety is extraordinary. She wants to see them on the other side. Bless them.

Andy says what sounds like, to the Banana Republic, and everyone takes a drink of their cocktail or mocktail. Andy says he can’t wait to see them in person, and tells everyone, stay healthy.

If Loving You Is Wrong

It doesn’t say finale in the guide, which rubs me the wrong way, since it’s the final finale. I hope they wrap some things up, and we’re not just left hanging all over the place.

Marcie can’t stop whacking Randal in the head with the fireplace poker. If he’s not dead, he’s a host from Westworld. She bashes him a couple more times for good measure. She pulls a bookcase down, then hits him again, saying she hates him. She kicks him, and says, get up. If he wants to fight, then fight. Did he think it was going to be easy? It dawns on her that Randal is not getting up. Covered in blood, she grabs her bag, and jets.

Bennett comes home, but he doesn’t go home. Instead, he goes to Randal’s house. He sees Randal lying there, and says, no, goddammit. He kicks Randal, and says someone beat him to it.

Marcie goes to Brad’s house, where Alex is still passed out on the couch. Brad asks her what happened? and she says, Randal. He asks if they argued, and she says he attacked her while she was walking to the car. She was going to her car, and he grabbed her, and they fought. Brad asks if she’s okay, and says he warned Randal. He’s going to kill him. He tells Marcie, he’s going over there, but she says she killed him. He’s dead. Alrighty then.

Rick walks into Randal’s house, and draws his gun. He says, police; don’t move, and tells Bennett to put his hands on his head and get down on his knees. Bennett does, and Rick tells him to put his hands behind his back. Bennett says he didn’t do anything. He didn’t do this. He found Randal. Rick says he doesn’t want to hear it. Rick takes him to the squad car. Um… Rick, there’s no blood on him. I think there would be some. Rick calls for an ambulance, and CSI. Bennett repeats that he didn’t do it. He walked in, and Randal was dead. Rick tells him, be quiet, and goes back in the house. He radios that Randal has been beaten to a pulp. He has no pulse, and there’s brain matter. He needs the coroner.

Brad tells Marcie, calm down. We hear sirens, and she says, the police are here. He says, maybe Randal called the police, and she asks if he thinks Randal is okay. He says, why else would they be there? and tells her that he’ll go and check. He asks her again, what happened? and she says she told him. She grabbed a fireplace poker, and stabbed Randal over and over. Brad says he’ll go see; stay there. She tells him, just go, and he leaves.

Brad approaches Rick, who tells him, stay back. Brad asks, what happened? and Rick points to the coroner’s van, and says, that happened. Brad asks if someone is dead, and Rick says, yeah. Brad asks if he’s sure, and Rick says, there’s no way not to be. Brad asks, who is it? and Rick says, Randal. Brad asks, what happened? but RIck says he can’t tell Brad. From the car, Bennett says, he didn’t do it, Brad says, he did it? and I gasp. I can’t believe Brad is going to let this be pinned on Bennett. Rick tells Brad, go back in his house, and Bennett says he’s telling Rick, he didn’t do it. Rick goes back to the car, and asks what Bennett’s name is. Bennett says, Rick knows his name, and he didn’t do it. He drove up, and a bloody woman in a blue dress was leaving. Rick asks what kind of car she was driving, and Bennett says take him to the station and he’ll tell Rick. He needs to get back to his wife. Kelly runs out, with Tyrell behind her, and Brad makes a return appearance. Kelly asks Rick, what happened? and Rick says, Randal; he’s dead. Someone killed him. Kelly asks, who? and Rick says he doesn’t know, but he has a man in the car. Kelly sees Bennett, and says, no way. What did Randal do to him? Brad says, whatever he did, Bennett got him back. Tyrell says, this neighborhood is crazy, and Kelly says, he’s right about that.

Lushion, Steven, and Natalie are at Esperanza’s house, along with a couple of uniformed officers. Lushion tells Esperanza, the FBI is all over it, and she says they better find her. Steven says, it’s all right, but she says, it’s not all right. Where the hell is Eddie? Lushion says he doesn’t know, and she says, it’s all Eddie’s fault. Natalie tells her, calm down, but Esperanza says she’s not calming down. If she doesn’t have her daughter back unharmed, she’s going to… Natalie pulls her back, and Steven and Lushion step aside to talk. Steven asks if Lushion heard the radio, and Lushion says, a homicide. Steven says, on his street, and Lushion says, that’s Randal’s address. Steven asks if Randal is dead, and Lushion says, that’s what he’s hearing. Steven says, no way it’s connected, but Lushion doesn’t know. Esperanza asks why they’re whispering, and Steven says, it’s nothing. She asks if it has to do with Mica, and he says, no. She wants to talk to the FBI, and tells Natalie, if something happens to Mica, she’s dead.

Rick tells an officer that Bennett says he didn’t do it, but he walked in and Bennet had a fireplace poker in his hand. Book him Danno. Kelly asks if Randal is really dead, and Rick says, yeah. She says, wow, and Rick says they really wanted him dead. There was a lot of overkill. He’s got to take Bennett in, but it’s good to see her out. He suggests they go out to celebrate, and she says, a guy just died. Rick says she didn’t like him anyway, but she says, he’s still a human being. Rick asks who the buff guy is who’s standing there, and she says, Justice’s father. Rick says she didn’t tell him. He thought they had… forget it. Kelly thanks him for everything he did, and he says he’s glad she’s out. Rick leaves, and Tyrell asks Kelly, who was that? She says, a police officer, and he says he can see that. She asks if he’s jealous, and tells him, go on in the house. Tyrell says, the way Rick was looking at her, and touching her shoulder; he obviously likes her. She tells him, go in the house, and he asks, how many men she has now. She says, a man just died, and he wants to talk about this? Show some respect. He asks if Randal was a friend of hers too. He’s a little concerned. She says, no; she hated Randal. He asks why she isn’t happy. Why is she acting all broken up? She says she can’t. She’s going to babysit. The same thing he’s supposed to be doing with their son. She tells him, go in the house.

Larry’s wife cries over him at the hospital. Ian comes in, and she leans on his shoulder. Ian asks how Larry is, and she says, he’s sedated. Ian asks what the doctors are saying, and she says, they have to remove his legs, and he has severe hematoma. Ian says he’s so sorry, and she says she wants them dead. He says he’s sure that’s been taken care of, and she says, Casey will do it; he’ll wipe them all out – and his daughter. She wants them to drain the swamp, and tells Ian to create a hashtag that its going. Larry calls to her, and tells Ian, you don’t want to mess with his wife. He asks if Ian is with them, and Ian says he is. Larry says, no more messing around, and Ian says, none. He’s sorry. Larry says, don’t be. Eddie’s not going to make it through the night. Ian asks where the kid is, and Larry says, get him out. Larry’s wife says, Ian played him; he played them. Get out. Larry calls Ian a traitor; after everything Larry did for him. He tells his wife, if he doesn’t make it, burn Ian. She says he’s going to make it, and Larry says, make sure it gets all the way done. He can’t feel his legs, and he’s going to get them.

On the phone, Lushion asks what Ian’s got, but Ian says he tried to get Larry to tell him where the kid is, but now he won’t let Ian near him. Lushion is going to have to find her. Send someone down to get the phone. Lushion says he’s doing it now, and Ian says, hurry up; he’s in bad shape. Lushion tells Steven to go get Larry’s phone. Steven says Esperanza needs him, but Lushion insists. Steven tells Esperanza, it’s a small lead; that’s all he can say. He’ll be back. Lushion tells her that they’re checking all the possibilities, and Esperanza says, they’re lucky it’s not happening to them. They can keep calm and collected. Lushion says, it’s all right, and tells Steven to go.

Brad – who I hate at this moment – runs downstairs with new clothes for Marcie. Marcie says they’re not hers, but Brad says they have to clean her up. She says she did it; she killed him. She really killed him. They’re going to come for her. Brad says, as far as they’re concerned, she did nothing. They already have a suspect. She says, no. She can’t let him take the rap for something she did. Brad says, it’s done. She did nothing. She looks at him, and he says she has to wash her hands and clean under her nails. Marcie keeps repeating, she killed him, and Brad says they have to clean her up. They can’t see her like this. She did nothing. She wonders what if they come over, and he says, it will be okay. She’s going to be fine. He asks if she’s okay, and she says, no. He tells her that Randal got what he deserved, and she says he made her so mad. Brad says, the bastard deserved it, and she says, he did, but Bennett doesn’t. Brad holds her, and says, everything is okay. She says she can’t let someone go down for a crime she committed, and Brad says she doesn’t know him, like this makes it okay. She asks who it is, and he says, the neighbor from across the street. She says, he’s a nice guy; she has to tell them. Brad says, she’ll tell them nothing. Let him do this. They’re going to swap her clothes for Alex’s. Alex won’t know, and they’ll ride off into the sunset with the kids. Marcie says, he’s that angry with Alex? A lawyer brought her there; this isn’t going to work. Brad says, she’s out of it. They’ll say they went to bed, got up, and found out she did it. Marcie says, he’s a lawyer, and Brad says, then he can get Alex off. He tells her to grab her makeup, and give him the dress. Make sure she covers the bruise on her face. Brad takes off Alex’s shoes.

Steven and Rick go to Larry’s hospital room. Steven tells Larry’s wife that he’s there for Larry’s phone, but she says he doesn’t have one. Larry opens his eyes, and Rick asks where his belongings are.  The nurse said they’re in there. Larry says they can’t take his phone, but Steven says they can and will. Larry says they need a warrant, and Steven says he has it right there. Does Larry want to read it? Give him the phone. Steven tells Rick to find it, and Rick starts searching. Larry’s wife tells them, get out, and Steven asks if she wants to be hit with a thorough investigation. Rick finds Larry’s phone in the locker, and Steven asks what the passcode is. Larry says he can’t remember, and Steven grabs Larry’s hand, putting it on the phone. Steven says, got it, and Larry says he’ll sue their asses. They leave, and in the hallway, Rick suggests Steven hurry before it locks again. Steven asks if Rick doesn’t have something to do. Rick says he was just trying to help. He’s out, and hopes Steven finds what he’s looking for.

Natalie gives Esperanza some water, and Esperanza says she needs to move around. She wonders where the FBI is, and Lushion says, they’re on it. She asks why they haven’t called, and Natalie says, they will. Esperanza says she shouldn’t have hit Mica. They never tell you the person you love most in life, you’ll hate with a passion. Eddie poisoned Mica; his flesh and blood. Who does that to a child? Natalie says, Eddie, and Esperanza asks why he had to bring Mica into their problems. She tells Natalie, Eddie hit her too, today, and Natalie asks if that was the first time. Esperanza says, it was, and Natalie asks if she’s sure. Esperanza says, the only thing that matters right now is her daughter. She admits Eddie pushed her and got in her face, and Natalie says, that’s abuse. Esperanza says she knows. Why does Natalie think she left him? Their daughter is the only thing on earth she has. If Mica doesn’t come back, she swears she’ll kill him. Natalie says Mica will be back.

Eddie waits for Ian in the parking garage, and tases him for like, 30 seconds. He tells Ian, he has nothing to lose. Where is his daughter? Ian says he doesn’t know, and Eddie tases him again, asking, where is she? Ian had better think quick. Eddie tases Ian again, and Ian screams. Eddie asks where his daughter is. Larry wouldn’t tell him, so Ian had better think of answers real quick, damn him. Ian tries to get up, but Eddie gets some duct tape (he probably keeps a handy roll in his pocket), and tapes the taser to Ian’s back, so that it just keeps going. He asks if Ian likes it, and tells Ian to think about his daughter. Ian just lies there, and Eddie says he should have talked.

Unless the whole town and everyone in it blows up, there’s no way this story is ending neatly. They’ve only got twenty more minutes.

Eddie walks into Larry’s room, and Larry’s wife tells him, get out. He punches her in the face, and she drops to the floor. He asks if Larry thinks he’s done with him. He grabs Larry by the collar of his hospital gown, and says, tell him. Larry says he doesn’t know, and Eddie grabs a pillow. Larry insists he doesn’t know, and Eddie puts the pillow over Larry’s face, and pushes down. He says he can’t hear Larry. He lifts the pillow, and Larry gives him an address, saying she’s in a container or something; it’s hard to understand him. Eddie asks if she can breathe, and puts the pillow back on Larry’s face. He lifts it again, and Larry cries out. He says he doesn’t know, and Eddie resumes smothering him, and pressing harder. Eddie says, Larry can’t breathe. I’m not sure, but I think Larry is dead. Yep; he’s flatlining. Remind me not to go to this hospital. Ever. Their security is worse than at GH.

A security guard finds Ian, and asks if he’s all right. He removes the taser, and calls for a stretcher. He tells Ian, hang in with him. He sees Eddie coming, and says they need help. Eddie grabs his taser, and the guard says, someone did this to Ian. Eddie says he doesn’t give a sh*t. This wore his battery down. He kicks Ian, and walks off. The guard is like, WTF?

Rick knocks on Brad’s door, and asks for Marcie. I hate Brad and Marcie. Rick says he needs the body ID’d, and Brad asks if it has to happen right now. Rick says, sorry, and Brad says he’ll go with her, and Rick asks if he doesn’t have kids. Brad asks if Randal isn’t next door, but Rick says he’s at the morgue. Rick also has a couple of questions. Marcie asks, about what? and he says, an eyewitness saw a female leaving the house; bloody, and wearing a blue dress. He sees Alex, and asks, who’s that? Brad says, his ex-wife. He invites Rick in, and Rick asks if Brad minds if he asks Alex a few questions. This is probably because Alex is now wearing Marcie’s blue dress, with blood stains on it. Mind you, the dress looks like it has uniform splatters on it, and the rest of Alex is totally pristine. Which is actually hard to believe after the night she had. Brad says Alex is out of it, and Rick asks, for how long? Brad says, she came home drunk, and she’s been doing drugs. She blacks out, and does things she doesn’t remember. Rick rouses Alex, and she swats at him, saying, don’t touch her. Where is she? Rick asks, where was she today? and she says she doesn’t know. How did she get here? Rick tells her, come with him, and she asks, why? She says she doesn’t know what’s going on, and asks what happened to her? He says she doesn’t know? and helps her up. He steers her to the door, and she asks why they’re leaving. She calls to Brad, who doesn’t even react, and Rick tells Brad and Marcie to meet him at the station. He takes Alex out.

After they leave, Marcie freaks, but Brad says, be cool.

Esperanza paces, which has been her natural state lately. She hears over the radio, 187 on a female (187 is dead, for those who aren’t familiar with the lingo), and Lushion tells the officers to go outside. Esperanza asks if it was Mica, and Lushion says they don’t know. She says she wants to hear, but he says he’ll ask outside. She tells him to hurry, and as the officers leave, Eddie walks in, and I gasp. I’ve done that a lot during this episode. Esperanza pushes everyone back. Eddie is crying, and she says, son of a bitch. Did he see her? He nods, and cries some more, and she asks, what happened? He says, that son of a bitch; he did it. She says, that’s right. Eddie never does anything wrong. Eddie says, Larry did this, but she says, no. Eddie did this. He says he didn’t come there for this craziness, and she says, he’s crazy. And he’s going to take responsibility for what he did. She’s going to make him do it. He says it’s her fault. She made their daughter crazy. Esperanza calmly takes a gun out of a drawer in the coffee table, and shoots the sh*t out of Eddie. He slumps against the front door. I’m like, whoa. At least that’s done. Lushion tells Esperanza, put the gun down. Eddie looks at her one more time, and breathes his last. Esperanza cries.

🙋🏽‍♀️ A Note Of Farewell…

This sucks in the most humongous way. I love Tyler Perry, and I loved this show. Some of the plots may have seemed silly, but it’s soap in its truest form. The bad guys were the worst, and the good guys had blinding halos (I’m especially talking to you, Lushion), except for Brad, who’s halo got decidedly tarnished at the end. I’m not sure what happened to him, but I wasn’t thrilled with how he nearly pinned Randal’s killing on Bennett, and then pinned it on Alex. Although we won’t speak of how neither of them had a speck of blood on them.

I’ll never forget the moment I fell in love with ILYIW. Alex had just had the baby – who never even got a name, poor thing – and all the women were looking into the nursery. The baby was obviously Black, and Natalie said, so who’s going to tell Brad? In perfect soap timing, Brad had come in, and said, tell me what? For those who love soap, we’ve seen variations on that scene play out a million times. It gave the show the official soap stamp of approval.

While often called nighttime drama, I like to call a soap a soap, and Tyler evoked the vibe of the nighttime soap’s heyday, the 80s days of Dynasty and Dallas. I don’t know if it’s the type of film he uses, the way it’s written and directed, or a combination of things, but I was hooked on The Haves and the Have Nots right away, as well as If Loving You Is Wrong when it followed. I’m not even sure why I started watching them, although I probably saw an ad while watching OWN. It’s been time well spent. Only half-joking. The writing is awesome, and many scenes make me feel like I’m watching a play, they’re so tight. And I get the feeling the actors are allowed a little freedom. The casts are top-notch too.

Why this show isn’t making a return appearance, I have no idea, but my feelings tonight are conflicted. While I was thrilled to see both Randal and Eddie get what was coming to them – and by exactly the right people – too much was left unsaid. Like WTF Brad? How is Alex being arrested going to play out? Will Ian make it? Now what happens to Esperanza? It wasn’t like Eddie was being aggressive. And who will Kelly end up with? Tyrell, Rick, someone completely different, or will she take a breather and enjoy being single? What about Tanya? Did Brad and Marcie ride off into the sunset? Who the blip is Casey? Way too many unanswered questions. They should have at least given this a two-hour finale.

I’m going to miss this show… sniff

 Heard in passing. Yesterday in Below Deck Mediterranean‘s recap, I wasn’t sure if it was Captain Sandy’s father or brother who was a cop and hunter, but when I had a rerun on in the background, I heard her say it was her stepdad. Okay. I was close.

🥇 Tyler Steps Up…

The hardest working man in show business puts his money where his mouth is.

https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/tyler-perry-pay-funeral-rayshard-brooks/S6RCNBUM3NARFGQ4IMC2FT33DE/

🛌 And So To Bed…

It’s been a long TV night, so stay safe, stay flexible, and stay making a difference.