What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

I don’t know how it happened. I had extra time. I missed the pre-credit scenes, but here they are. Anna and Finn were headed to the Polar Bear Charity Drive, but Violet wanted to stay home and play with her new dollhouse. Finn told Anna that Jackie had insisted he wasn’t Chase’s father. Jason and Brando met at Rice Plaza, and told him the search was still on for Sonny. He wondered if Cyrus had said anything about Sonny, since he wanted to meet. The participants gathered at the pier for the Polar Bear Charity Drive, and stripped down to their bathing suits. Chase and Willow were among them. Cyrus saw Laura at the MetroCourt, and asked if she’d gotten the poinsettia he’d sent to her. She said she’d been visiting Lulu in Manhattan, and it would have to be redelivered. He felt hurt at her tone with him, and said they were family. Carly went downstairs, and Sonny was home. She ran to him and hugged him. And then…

Laura tells Cyrus, don’t presume. They’re related by blood, but they’re not family. She’ll never forgive him for what he did to her daughter. He says he never meant for any harm to come to Lulu, and she says he’s responsible for the bombing that left Lulu in long-term care. He tells her, Julian planted the bomb, and she says, Julian is guilty, but so is he. She knows who he is. He says he’s her brother. Jackie arrives to meet Laura, and Cyrus says, Jackie Templeton, the prize winning journalist. What an honor. Jackie says, thanks, and tells Laura that they have a lot of catching up to do, steering Laura away.

Anna tells Finn that she feels for Chase. He’s worked hard trying to bring the family together. She says, Chase thinks the world of Finn, and Finn asks, what’s wrong with him? Anna laughs, and says, Jackie and Gregory too, but Chase must wonder why Finn and his father are estranged. Finn says, telling Chase would devastate him, and Gregory. Some truths are better left unsaid. Anna says, people tend to equate the truth with good, but it’s not always. Sometimes the loving choice is to remain silent. If that’s considered a secret, or a lie of omission, so be it. Finn and Chase are really becoming brothers, and she knows that means the world to Chase. He says, speaking of which, they’d better get going, or they’ll miss the festivities.

Chase tells Willow that he’s there representing the PCPD. They get ready to line up, and Chase puts his coat around her. She says, much better. She was starting to feel like a popsicle. He asks if Michael is coming, but she says, no. Wiley has the sniffles, so Michael is home with him. Plus, there’s the situation with his dad. She was going to stay home, but Michael insisted she come. That’s why she was late. He says, sounds like Michael, and Willow asks if he’s heard anything about Sonny. He says, not since he crashed their Christmas celebration. He feels terrible about it, and he’s sure they hate him even more. She says, nobody hates him, and he says, not even for being a monumental jerk and breaking her heart? He hated it; he was so in love with her. She says she felt the same way. Gregory shows up, and says, they’re still dry; he didn’t miss the spectacle. Chase hopes it will be mercifully brief, and Gregory says, Willow is going to brave the frigid water too? Chase introduces them, and Gregory says he’s been hoping to meet Chase’s girlfriend for some time now.   

Brando says, he didn’t know Cyrus asked to meet with Jason, and Jason says, he called this morning. He wanted to meet at pier 55, out in the open, and meet alone. Brando says that explains why Cyrus didn’t tell him. Jason asks if Walker has been around, and Brando says, he and Cyrus met last night. Jason asks if Brando knows what they talked about, but Brando says he has no idea. He’s never in the room when they talk. He tells Jason, he’ll ask about Walker, but Jason says, don’t. Whatever happens, Brando needs to be surprised. Brando asks what Jason thinks is going to happen, and Jason says, not what Cyrus is expecting. Brando says he should get going, and leaves. Dante approaches Jason, and says he was just talking to Michael, and heard Sonny was missing. Jason says Sonny was on the footbridge when it collapsed. He saw Sonny go into the river, and jumped in after him, but couldn’t find him. The authorities are searching, and so is their crew, but there’s been no sign. Dante says, when Carly was talking about Sonny not being home on Christmas Eve, she said it didn’t feel right. Now he knows why.  

Carly tells Sonny, Jason said he’d fallen into the Hackensack River, but she knew he’d come back. Does Jason know? Sonny shakes his head, and she says they have to tell him. He’ll be so relieved. She tells Sonny that he missed so much. On Christmas, there was so much love. The only thing that would have made it perfect is him. Now he’s there. She picks up the phone, but when she turns around, he’s gone. She sits up, and sees the empty spot next to her in bed. She lies back down, and says, it was just a dream. Yeah, they didn’t fool me this time.

Dante goes back with Jason to see Carly. He says he hopes she doesn’t mind. He ran into Jason at Rice Plaza, and Jason told him about Sonny. She says, it’s been a tough couple of days, and asks if he wants coffee. Dante says, sure, and she pours him a cup. He asks how she’s holding up, and she says, as best she can. She asks Jason if there’s any news, but he says, nothing yet. Dante says, okay, so they wait, and keep looking. Carly insists Sonny is out there, and trying to get home, and Dante says, it’s all they can do; hope. That’s how it is with Lulu. It doesn’t matter what the doctors say, he’s convinced she’s coming back. He tells them, the news media has gotten ahold of the story about Julian’s death, and the Hackensack River bridge collapse. Do they want to tell him how Sonny ties in?  

Jackie tells Laura that she and Lulu hit it off instantly. She could see Laura in Lulu – before she was a responsible mayor. Robert filled her in on the tragedy at The Floating Rib, and who they suspect is behind it. She’s so sorry Lulu was injured. Laura says, it’s been tough, and Jackie asks how Luke is dealing with it. Laura says, grieving from afar, and Jackie says, sounds like Luke, but Lulu has Laura close. It’s amazing the strength they can conjure up as mothers for their children. Laura asks if Jackie has kids, and Jackie says, this intrepid reporter managed to have a family and a husband. She was still chasing stories, and was away more than she should have been. Laura says, that’s always debatable, but it sounds like Jackie had a supportive husband. Jackie says, he was, and even with her erratic schedule, her son turned out to be a good and generous man. She just wishes he’d chosen a safer occupation. He’s a detective there in Port Charles: Chase Harrison. Laura laughs.   

Chase tells Gregory, he and Willow aren’t back together, and Gregory says, his apologies. He assumed when he saw them that they’d patched things up. He guesses it’s true what they say about assuming. Willow says, it’s okay, and Gregory says, it’s a shame. After all Chase’s mother and he heard about Willow – all glowing, of course (🍷) – they were looking forward to meeting her. They broke up out of nowhere, so he was sure it was temporary. Anna and Finn join them, and Chase says he’s surprised they came. Finn says he wouldn’t miss the opportunity to see Chase jump in the freezing water, freezing his… An announcement says it’s time to take their places, and Anna takes their coats. Finn tells Anna, it’s the kind of thing he would have done at Chase’s age. The announcer says, on your mark… get set… go! Chase takes Willow’s hand, and they jump in. Everyone applauds.

Brando sits next to Cyrus at the MetroCourt bar, and Cyrus says he’s impressed. Brando hasn’t skipped a beat. He’s as efficient as always. Brando says, he grieves in his own way, and Cyrus tells him, so he said. What about his other loss? Brando says, what loss? and Cyrus says, his cousin Sonny.

Chase and Willow come back out, and Willow says, it’s freezing. She’s not sure she would have jumped in if he hadn’t taken her hand. She tells him that she left her towel in the car, and Chase says he has two. He wraps one around her, and Anna brings their coats to them. Finn suggests they dry off, put their clothes on, and have some food and something to drink. Willow says she should be getting home, and Gregory tells her not to let his faux pas keep her. Join them. Anna says she’ll move Willow’s car, and Willow gives her the keys. Gregory walks with her, and she tells him that it’s nice to see him getting closer to Finn. He says, thanks to the most adorable granddaughter ever, and she says, she’s got one of those too. He says, getting to reconnect with Finn, and getting to know Violet is the best thing that’s happened to him in a long time. In spite of him and Jackie splitting up, he’s still a fan of love and marriage. That’s why he tried to push Chase and Willow back together. He heard the way Chase talks about Willow, and he’s clearly in love. What happened with those two? Anna says, it’s a long story, and not hers to tell. Like most heartbreaking stories, it began with a lie. He doubts Chase would lie. He raised both of his sons to be truthful. She says, there are times when the truth hurts more than a lie.

Laura says, Chase is Jackie’s son? She knows him well. He’s one of the PCPD’s finest. Chase and her son-in-law were partners; her former son-in-law, Dante. Jackie says, Lulu told her that he was sent on special assignment. What happened? Laura says, it was a very confusing time. She thinks Lulu dealt with the guilt by pouring herself into bringing down Cyrus. Lulu reclaimed herself, and built a life with Dustin, when Dante came back. Jackie says, isn’t that the way it is? and Laura says, when things got worse there, she thinks Lulu threw herself into her work as a much needed distraction, and doubled down on the Cyrus story, so she didn’t have to choose between them. Jackie says she’s used work as a distraction from tough personal problems, and Laura says, haven’t they all? Laura wonders, since Jackie is in Port Charles, what she needs distraction from. Jackie says she’s focused on finishing what Lulu started, and Laura says, in that case, she should probably know that the man she’s trying to expose is Lulu’s uncle. Jackie says, whoa. How did she miss that? Cyrus is Luke’s brother? Laura says, not Luke’s. Hers. 

Brando asks what Cyrus is saying. What happened to Sonny? Cyrus says, he got word from his people in Jersey that Julian wasn’t alone when he went in the water. The authorities have been searching without success. Brando’s family hasn’t told him? It happened before Christmas. Brando says he’s not surprised. They all turned their backs on him when he started working for Cyrus. Cyrus says, too bad for them. They could use Brando as an ally now that Sonny is missing. Brando asks what makes Cyrus think they could use his help. Is Cyrus planning a move on them?

Carly says, it sounds like an interrogation, but Dante says he’s not there as a cop. He’s Sonny’s son. Jason says they wanted to bring Julian back. They needed him to tie Cyrus to the bombing at The Floating Rib. Dante says, Cyrus is responsible for the bomb that put Lulu into a coma? He gets up, and says he’s going to kill Cyrus, but Jason says, he can’t. Dante asks what he’s talking about. Cyrus’s men shot Julian. What happens if they have Sonny? Jason says, they couldn’t, unless they pulled him out of the river. Cyrus’s guys were nowhere around when the bridge collapsed. Dante says, that means Sonny is legit missing. Is his business vulnerable? What’s being done to protect his family?

Jackie says, Cyrus is Laura’s brother? and Laura says she just found out a little while ago. She’s not thrilled. Now, every time she turns around, she bumps into him, like he’s desperate to get her attention. Jackie says, maybe he wants the family connection, and Laura says, that’s probably true. He has a complicated relationship with his mother. Jackie wonders if there could be something they could use to expose him – Sister Mayor, Brother Gangster. Laura says, absolutely not, and Jackie asks, why not? Cyrus is constantly putting himself in Laura’s orbit; that’s control. He wants her off-base, and aware of where he is all the time. She should turn the tables. Take control, and publicize the relationship before he does, so she can control the narrative. Laura isn’t sure, and Jackie asks, what would Lulu want? She’d want Laura to use whatever she had to take Cyrus down. He’s her brother in name only. Laura says they share a father she had no relationship with, and Jackie says, back to Cyrus’s mother. Is she his Achille’s heel? Laura says, he’s very vulnerable around her, and Jackie says, maybe she can use something there. Laura says she thinks Jackie gave her an idea, and Jackie says, care to share? Laura says, she’s still working on it. She’ll let Jackie know when it crystallizes. Jackie says she needs to go, and Laura says, care to share? Jackie says, personal business. They’ve got this. Whatever Laura does and whatever Jackie writes, Laura will be the hero of the story. Lulu will wake up and be proud of her mother.

Finn, Anna, Chase, and Willow walk through Rice Plaza. Finn says he’s glad Willow decided to join them. He and Anna had been discussing the merits of telling the truth. if she wants to hear more though, she’ll have to wait until he gets some coffee. He and Anna go to the cart, and Willow asks what Finn meant. Chase says Finn probably wants to fess up to his role in what he did, and Willow says, Finn knew? Chase says, it’s not Finn’s fault, and she says, just tell her. They walk to a more private spot, and Chase says, after he set her up, he was in bad shape. It wasn’t easy giving her up; he could barely function. Finn squeezed out the truth, and was all over him to tell her. Anna tells Finn that she had a private conversation with Gregory, and he told her how he’d raised his sons to always tell the truth. He says, that’s who his dad is, and it’s why he stayed away so long. He couldn’t bear to see the look on his father’s face. Gregory joins them, and asks if they’re talking about him. What are they saying? Willow goes up to Finn and thanks him. He says she’s welcome. For what? She says, trying to get his brother to do the right thing. 

Jason says he’ll do what it takes to protect Sonny’s family; Dante knows that. Dante says he does, but maybe they could use his help. Carly thanks him, but says, there’s no need. They have a lock on it. Dante asks if there’s a plan, and Jason says, everything is being handled. Dante says, fine. They’ll do it his way. They know how to get ahold of him if they need to. He leaves, and Carly asks Jason, when he said everything was handled, did that include Cyrus?  

Cyrus asks if Brando expect him to spell out his plans to him. It’s not going to happen. Brando’s commitment to him is questionable in this moment. Brando says, based on what? and Cyrus says, it seems Brando has always been a trusted member of the extended Corinthos family. Sonny trusted him with Dev’s secret. Brando asks where Cyrus is going with this, and Cyrus says he knows all about Brando’s so-called son.

Gregory asks what Willow means. Did Chase do something wrong? Chase says, yeah, and Gregory says he didn’t mean to pry, but Chase says Gregory should hear it from him. He taught them right from wrong, and to take responsibility. The fact is, he lied to Willow. Willow says, for all the right reasons, but Chase says, it was still wrong. Finn tried his best to get Chase to see that and fix it. Finn urged him over and over to tell the truth, but he held back. By the time he did, too much had happened. Finn tells Willow, when he told her that he had something to say, he wanted to tell her that Chase agonized over the lie, but he stuck to it because it was what was best for Wiley. He was hoping Chase would see his noble, but completely idiotic, gesture in a new light. Willow says, that’s’ an accurate description, and Gregory says, now that it’s out in the open, he hopes the two of them… Chase thinks the rest of the conversation should be between him and Willow. Willow thanks them for the lukewarm hot chocolate, and Gregory tells her to come visit him… them. Willow says she should go, and tells Gregory that it was great meeting him. She leaves with Chase, and Gregory says, good job. They make a nice couple, as do Anna and Finn. Anna says she’s chilly. She thinks it’s time to go back to Violet and the dollhouse. Finn thinks his work there is done, but Gregory says, actually, it isn’t. He asks if Finn would mind sticking around. There’s something he needs to tell him. Anna says she can get a car, but Finn gives her his keys.  

Chase tells Willow, he’s sorry his family put her on the spot, but she says she kind of asked for it, thanking Finn in front of his dad. He says he has no right to ask, but they just jumped into Antarctica and survived. Maybe they can survive what he did. Is there any way he can take her to dinner? He wants to say again how sorry he is, but he also wants to just talk.

Carly asks Jason if meeting Cyrus is a good idea, and he says, it’s the best way to keep the peace. She says, with Sonny gone, he’s in charge. He should send a representative. He can’t risk a double-cross. He says he needs to go, and she gets louder, saying, he can’t. Cyrus already tried to kill him twice. She knows Jason thinks he’s one step ahead, but Cyrus is smart. Cyrus may be one step ahead. Jason says he has to go, and she says, promise he’ll come home. He promises.   

Laura tells Dante, she wants him to know that she’s monitoring Sonny’s disappearance. He’s a very dear friend, and she’s praying for his safe return. She needs him to make her a promise. She knows right now, Sonny’s family is open to provocation, and he needs to steer clear. Tread lightly. Right now, focus on Rocco; Rocco needs him. He says, Carly and Jason said the same thing. She says she’s going to take an action of her own regarding Cyrus. They will get justice. He’ll see.

Brando tells Cyrus, he knew that. Sonny asked him to step up, and he did. Cyrus says, for Sonny, but Brando says, for the kid. Dev’s life was in danger, and Sonny sweetened the pot with the garage. How did Cyrus find out about it? Cyrus says Brando’s mother is unhappy about how the family treats her, and Brando says, she’s not the only one, but it’s done. Dev is dead. He liked the kid, but didn’t like how he died. Cyrus says that’s not his problem. He admires what Brando did, but Dev wasn’t a legal citizen, so he doubts Homeland Security would feel the same way. He wants to shield Brando from the consequences of harboring an illegal immigrant. It’s a Federal crime, and he’d be looking at five years, along with the attendant charges, like fraud and creating a false ID. There’s no way Sonny kept it a secret from those closest to him. Jason and Carly know, and probably Carly’s daughters. Brando says he made his choice, and knows where his loyalties lie. Cyrus says, good. If he gets so much as a whiff of betrayal, not just Brando will go down, but the entire Corinthos clan. Brando asks why he hasn’t used it already, and Cyrus says, who says he hasn’t? Right now, it’s his insurance policy. If he gets hit by a bus, or mysteriously drops dead, his lawyer will notify the Feds immediately of all the violations around Dev. Did he make himself understood?

Willow tells Chase, she’s not sure. So much has happened. When she thinks back to last year at this time, it seems like ages ago. He says he didn’t mean to put her on the spot or pressure her, but he misses her so much. Jumping into the ice cold water with her is the most fun he’s had in months. Drinking lukewarm chocolate and talking feels so good, he wants that. He wants to keep talking to her. She says, just talk? and he says, yeah, just talk. She says, okay. When? He says the sooner, the better. He’ll text her. She says, okay, and wishes him a happy New Year. She leaves, and he smiles.

Gregory thanks Finn for being there for his brother. If Finn ever had any doubts about being a good father to Violet, let them go. He’s as paternal with Chase as Gregory was. Telling truth was always a lesson he tried to instill in both of them. It’s a pleasure to see he succeeded.

Anna opens the door to Jackie.

Carly asks if Laura is there about Sonny, and she says she is. She doesn’t have any news. She came by to check on them, and tell Carly how sorry she is. She and Sonny have a really special connection. Carly says she knows, and it goes both ways. She invites Laura in, and asks if she wants anything. Laura declines, and says she just wanted to say she knows where Carly is. She knows how hard it is to wait. Carly says, Sonny is coming home; he’ll find a way. Laura says she believes that. She knows Sonny would want them to keep the faith, and while they’re waiting, fight back.

Dante waits for the elevator, and gets in. Someone watches him.  

Laura tells Carly, now that Sonny is gone, they need protection, but Carly says, Jason is on it. Laura says she doesn’t have any details, but she’s come up something of her own. Something Cyrus won’t see coming. Carly asks what she means, and she says, Cyrus has a weakness. Something that makes him vulnerable. Something they can use against him.

Cyrus waits at the pier. Jason arrives, and Cyrus says he was afraid Jason wasn’t going to make it. Jason says, he’s there, and Cyrus says, direct and to the point, per his reputation. Very well. Let’s get down to business.

Tomorrow, Jackie tells Anna that it’s time to get it out in the open, Olivia wonders since when is Tracy her biggest fan, Cyrus says it’s time for Jason to change his perspective, and Jason says, come after him again and he’s dead.

The Haves and The Have Nots

Tanner beats the crap out of Justin, who yells, stop it. Tanner finally sits down, and tells Justin to get his ass over there. Now. Justin sits with him, and he says Justin lied. Tell him the truth. Justin says he is, but Tanner says Justin is lying through his teeth. Take a good look. He slams the folder Veronica gave him down on the table, and asks, is it true? Justin says, it’s not. Tanner says Justin knows how much he hates him. Justin said it was all Jeffrey. Justin says, it was, and Tanner asks, then what is this in the files? Justin says, it’s not a real report, and Tanner says he gets it. Justin likes wasting his time. Justin is going let him ask these guys, when he knows the truth. Justin says, they’re all addicts and liars, who are going to tell Tanner it’s true, and Tanner says, so that’s what he’s counting on; no one believing them. But then Justin ran into the Harrington kid. Justin says, that’s not how it went. Who gave Tanner the file? Jeffrey’s mother? She’s a liar. He can’t trust her. Tanner gets up, and Justin asks where he’s going. Tanner says, is Justin sure he wants him to ask these guys? and Justin says, they’re going to lie. Tanner says, everyone at the station is going to lie? and Justin says, yeah. Tanner walks out, and Justin says he’s telling the truth.

At the hotel bar, Mitch asks why Landon is nervous. Landon insists he’s not, and they clink glasses. Landon says, it’s a rule they have to make eye contact, so they do it again. Mitch says, there’s nothing like good whiskey, and Landon says, so… What is this about? Mitch says Landon asked him for a drink. It’s just them talking. Landon is the one who said he was hot. Landon says he doesn’t want to be gay bashed, but Mitch says, he’s not that kind of dude. Landon says, it doesn’t feel right, and Mitch says Landon asked him, and they’re in a nice hotel bar. What’s the problem? Landon says, tell him what it is, and Mitch says he wants to know… about him and her. Landon says, okay. He can’t tell Mitch. He’d love to, but he can’t. Mitch asks, does she love him? Just tell him that. Landon says, they love each other, and Mitch says, Landon wants them to be together? Landon says, yes, and Mitch asks, why? Landon says he loves the thought of them, and Mitch says, okay. Landon says, okay what? Is he missing something? Mitch says, yeah, about 57 bucks. Landon is picking up the tab. Mitch gets up, thanking Landon for the drink. Landon says, that’s it? and Mitch says, that’s it, my friend. Landon thanks Mitch for the company, and asks if he’s sure he doesn’t want to stay. Mitch says, no, and Landon says, a guy can try. Mitch says, he can try with another guy. He says, Landon is a good guy, and he likes Landon; they’re going to be friends. They shake hands, and Landon says, Mitch has such big, thick, beautiful, masculine hands. Mitch says, thanks. Now let it go. Landon releases Mitch’s hand, and says, see him around. Landon says Mitch doesn’t have his number, but Mitch says he can get it. Mitch leaves, and Landon says he was this close to screwing a Malone. From outside, Mitch says, no, he wasn’t. This was really a cute scene, but the other people at the bar looked really strange. The barely dealt with their drinks, and just stared straight ahead.

The guard lets Celine into Wyatt’s room to clean up, and he asks what hell she’s doing there. She says, working, and he says, damn. She went from bad to worse. She tells him, shut up, and he says, you shut up, like he’s ten, and I laugh. She tells him that he should be ashamed of himself, and he says she should be cleaning up his piss. She says he shot his father, and he tells her that she should be happy. She asks why would she be happy about that? and he says, for starters, she wouldn’t have to worry about Jim. Is she still screwing his father? She tells him again to shut up, and he says, that can’t be. His father has moved on to prettier, younger women, with better asses. She says she’ll slap the hell out of him, and he asks if she wants to lose this job too. She says he’s just like his father, but Wyatt says he’s nothing like Jim. Celine says he’s selfish, and never grateful for anything. His brother is a better man than he’ll ever be. He says he doesn’t have a brother, and she says he has two. He says, oh, the half breeds, and she says they’re twice as good as he is. He asks if she’s going to clean his piss now. It needs to be emptied. She says, it’s so sad. He’s had everything handed to him, and he did this. He says, and she does this, indicating her cleaning supplies. Now that they’re even, get the hell out. She says, gladly, and he says, hopefully, they’ll send someone else to clean up after him. She says she’ll make sure of that, and leaves.

The guard stares at Wyatt, who asks what the hell he’s looking at. The guard says Wyatt seems to be feeling better. Wyatt asks if he’s a doctor. How the hell does he know? The guard says, Wyatt is feeling better. That means, he’s going back to jail. Wyatt says he’s going to rehab, and the guard asks, who told him that? Wyatt says he knows it, and the guard says, okay. He laughs, and Wyatt asks what he’s laughing at. The guard says Wyatt is going back to jail any day now, and leaves, closing the door behind him.

In his office at the Iron Bone, Vinnie calls someone. He says he’s worried about this. He didn’t think he’d do that… Okay. He’ll get Sandy to look into it. It will give that kid something to do. He’ll call them back. Moose comes in, and says, the Cryer kid, he made it. He’s in the hospital. Vinnie says, he’s one lucky son of a bitch, and Moose says, tell him about it. The cop Vinnie shot made it too. Vinnie says, argh. Is he talking? Can he talk? Moose says, not that he knows of, and Vinnie says, all right. He’ll take both of them. Moose says he doesn’t know about that, and Vinnie says, why not? Moose says Vinnie is boss now. Mama Rose never got her hands dirty. Vinnie says, first of all, he’s not Mama Rose, and second, she did when she was his age. Moose says he’s right. Is everything good? Vinnie says he’s got to look into some things first, and tells Moose to give him a few minutes, then send Sandy in.

Hanna’s phone rings, and it’s a collect call from an inmate at county. Hanna says she’s glad Kathryn called, and Kathryn says it’s good to hear her voice. Hanna says, hers too, and Kathryn asks, what’s going on? Hanna says Jim was there last night, in her room. She’s going to have to move. Kathryn says, take the money, but Hanna says she’s not going to. Kathryn says she’ll talk to him, and Hanna says she told Jim, do it again, and she’ll blow his brains out. Kathryn says, good for her, and Hanna says Kathryn’s accountant was there. He wanted her to sign over $500K to Jim. Kathryn says, did she? and Hanna says, hell no. She wouldn’t have done unless Kathryn said to. Kathryn tells Hanna, she’s not saying it, and Hanna says, good. She should have seen Jim’s face when he found out she was executor of the will. Kathryn says she would have paid the same money, and Hanna says, it was priceless. Kathryn tells Hanna not to let Jim intimidate her. If he comes back to the house, just put him out. Hanna says she can’t do that; it’s his house. Kathryn says, it’s her house, so do it. She’ll get an attorney on it. Hanna says Kathryn will make things worse. Jim’s already mad as hell. Let her try the peaceful way. If that doesn’t work, she’ll let Kathryn know. Hanna has another thing, and Kathryn asks, what is it? Hanna says, Veronica, and Kathryn says, that witch. Hanna says, her account is in default, and Kathryn asks if Hanna is talking about the rehab mortgage. Hanna says she is, and Kathryn says, Veronica needs to have it brought up to date. Hanna asks what Kathryn wants her to do, and says, please let her handle it. This is gonna be fun. Kathryn asks if she’s sure, and Hanna says, yeah. She’s got it. Wait. Kathryn called her. Kathryn says she wants to know how Wyatt is doing, what’s going on with her case, and how long she has to be in there. She met a girl who reminds her so much of Amanda, it’s frightening. Her heart goes out to this girl. Hanna says she’s sorry, and the recording says, one minute. Kathryn says she needs to get off. She’d appreciate it if Hanna could take care of all that. She’ll call Hanna tomorrow. Hanna hangs up, and says, Miss Veronica.

Jeffrey and Colby have dinner at the apartment. Jeffrey’s phone is ringing, and Colby says Justin has called Jeffrey 67 times – and left messages. Jeffrey needs to let Colby meet him. Jeffrey asks if Colby has some sort of hero thing. Does he feel like he always needs to be the hero? Colby says if he met Justin, he could get him to leave Jeffrey alone, but Jeffrey says he wouldn’t count on it. Colby asks if Jeffrey’s got a golden stick, and Jeffrey says, it’s not that. Justin has never called this much. Colby asks if Jeffrey is sure he doesn’t want to call Justin back, but Jeffrey says, no, he doesn’t. His phone rings, and Colby says, damn. He’s calling again. Jeffrey says, it’s getting worse. Colby asks if it’s always been this bad, and Jeffrey says it has, but something is wrong. Colby says, answer it, and Jeffrey asks what Justin said when he called. Colby tells him, something about his mother, and Jeffrey says, damn. What is she up to now? Colby says, there’s only one way to find out, but Jeffrey says he’s not answering. Colby says, then turn the phone off, and Jeffrey says he can’t. It could be his dad, or Madison might call. Colby says, his boo, and Jeffrey says, stop it. He takes a sip of coffee, and asks how Colby can burn coffee. Colby says he likes it strong, but Jeffrey says, this is burnt. Colby says, it’s the way he likes it, and Jeffrey asks if it’s Cuban coffee. Colby says, it’s called wake-a-bitch-up-now. Jeffrey didn’t even cook up in there, and he’s complaining. That could get a bitch cut. Jeffrey says, as in butter knife? and Colby says Jeffrey’s skin like butter. Jeffrey shakes his head.

Celine’s supervisor approaches her at the hospital. He says, we need to see you, and she asks, who’s we? He says, him and his boss, and she says, for what? He tells her, don’t make it hard; just come with him. She asks where they’re going, and he says he told her. She asks if she’s getting fired. She needs to know. He says they’d like to talk to her, but she says she’s not talking until her lawyer gets there. The supervisor says, she has lawyer? and she says she does; Veronica Harrington. And she’d like to speak to her before they meet. He says, okay; do that. He’ll tell the director now. He leaves, and she calls Veronica.

Celine tells Veronica that she’s at work, and her boss wants to talk to her. Veronica says, talk to him, and Celine says she thinks he’s going to fire her. Veronica says, stop being dramatic, but Celine says Veronica has to help her. Veronica says, okay, and Celine asks what to do. Veronica says, calm the hell down. She’ll come down there. This is where she says thank you. Celine tells her, thank you, and Veronica says, give her 45 minutes. Don’t talk to anyone until she gets there. And thank you again. Celine says, thank you, and Veronica says, and again… and again. She says, so much damn drama and tacos, and Celine says she assumes she wasn’t supposed to hear that, but Veronica says, yes, she was. Celine hangs up.

Jim is sitting in his living room, when David comes by. He asks how it went with the Malones, and David says those people won’t tell him a thing. He tried. Jim thanks him, and says he saw Hanna. David says she opened the door for him? but Jim says, no. He has a key. David says he went to Hanna’s house, uninvited, alone, and let himself in, without permission. Jim says, it’s not Hanna’s house. To clarify, it’s his house. David says, fine, and Jim says, he so wants to go to that woman’s funeral. David says he can’t do anything now, and Jim says he knows; the Malones are watching. David says, if he does, they’ll come after Jim for everything he has. Jim says he gets it. Why doesn’t David talk to her for him? David laughs, and Jim says she likes him. David says she hates him as much as she hates Jim, but Jim says she likes him. He can see it in her eyes. She wants David to flirt. David asks if Jim is that naïve, and Jim tells him to bat his pretty brown eyes, and ask a few questions. David says he’s not doing that, and Jim asks, why? David doesn’t want Hanna to be his whore? David says he doesn’t want Jim to play his pimp. David asks how Jim’s shoulder is, and Jim says he has no idea; he’s taking every last painkiller. How’s David’s back? David his ex is the biggest pain in his life. Jim says he’ll handle Veronica for David. The least David can do is sleep with Hanna. David says Jim went from batting his eyes to sleeping with her, and Jim says, it’s the natural progression. David says he must think Hanna is stupid, and Jim says, if he wasn’t straight, he’d sleep with David himself. He needs David to do this one simple thing. David leaves, and Jim takes out his phone.

Jeffrey’s phone rings, and Colby says, he’s calling again. Is he crazy or something? Jeffrey says, he’s never called this much, and Colby says, maybe something is wrong. Jeffrey says, something is always wrong, but Colby suggests Jeffrey answer it. Jeffrey says, no, and Colby asks if Jeffrey wants him to answer it. Jeffrey says, no, and answers the phone. Justin tells Jeffrey not to be mean, and Jeffrey asks what he wants. Justin says he wants to see Jeffrey, but Jeffrey says, that’s not happening. Justin says he really needs a friend, and Jeffrey says Justin doesn’t know how to be a friend. He says Jeffrey can teach him, but Jeffrey says he can’t. He has to go. Justin says, he’s trying to kill me, and Jeffrey asks what his mom did now. Justin says, it’s not his mom this time, but she did this. Jeffrey asks what Justin is saying, and Justin tells Jeffrey that he just wanted to say goodbye. He doesn’t think he’s going to make it. He thinks he’s going to end his life. Jeffrey says Justin needs some help, and Justin says Jeffrey can help him. Jeffrey says he’s not coming over there. Why would he do that after what Justin did to him? Justin says he loves Jeffrey so much, and Colby says, let him talk. Jeffrey says he has to go, and Justin asks, who was it? Colby says, let him talk to that bitch, and Justin says, fine. Jeffrey has moved on. He’s going to do it, and just wanted to let Jeffrey know he’s going to kill himself. Jeffrey will see. Jeffrey tells him, goodbye. Colby says, that sh*t was stressful, and Jeffrey says, Justin told him that he was going to kill himself. Colby says he heard that much, and Jeffrey tells him, Justin says that all the time. Colby says, that is sad. Can he have a turn. Jeffrey says, what? and Colby says he wants to see what all the fuss is about. Maddy is a whore, and Jeffrey’s got him going crazy. Or at least he was a whore, and now he’s wanting to commit. This guy on the phone is going crazy. He wants to see what Jeffrey is working with. Jeffrey tells him, stop it, and Colby says, Maddy wouldn’t mind them hooking up. Jeffrey says, first of all, it’s not happening. Second, Madison would mind. Colby says he’s just kidding. Maddy really cares about Jeffrey. He should take Maddy to his favorite restaurant and show him how much he cares. Jeffrey says he will, and Colby’s phone rings. Colby says, duty calls, and Jeffrey says, what kind of duty? Colby says he’s in demand. Tell Maddy not to wait up for him.  

Back at the Iron Bone, Vinnie looks like he has a headache. Sandy comes to the office, and asks, what’s going on? Vinnie asks if Mitch is out there, but Sandy says, no. Does Vinnie want him to call?  Vinnie says, no, and Sandy asks, what’s happening? Vinnie asks what he knows about Mitch and the Black kid. Why is Mitch so loyal? Sandy asks what Vinnie is thinking, but Vinnie says he’s not sure. He has a few things he’s got to figure out before he decides what to do next. Sandy asks again, what’s happening? and Vinnie says, remember he’s the boss. Sandy doesn’t need to know everything. Did he handle his business with that girl? Sandy says he’s got it under control, and Vinnie says, yeah, yeah. Sandy makes fun of him, and Vinnie asks if he needs to remind Sandy that he’s running things now. He needs to watch his tone. Sandy says, sorry, and asks if there’s anything he can do. Maybe he could ask around about Mitch. He and Benny are really close. Vinnie asks if he’s trying to say something. Mitch isn’t like that. Sandy knows. Mitch and Benny have known each other since they were kids. Maybe he can get someone to tell him what’s going on; help Vinnie out. Vinnie says he needs to find out if Mitch is putting the family name out there, but Sandy says, Mitch wouldn’t do that. Vinnie says, he knows, but he needs to ask around, and don’t tell Mitch that he’s asking. Sandy gets up, and Vinnie says, it’s Sandy’s way back in. He’s giving Sandy something he can actually do. Please don’t screw it up. Sandy says he’s got it. When he’s gone, Vinnie says, Mitch, Mitch, Mitch.

David knocks on Hanna’s door, and Hanna asks what he wants. She doesn’t have anything to say to him. She decides to let him in, and says, what is it? He says he’s never been in there before; it’s very nice. She asks what he wants, and he says, it’s about Jim’s financial situation. She says she’s listening, and he says Jim really does need some money. She says, that’s not her problem. He reminds her of a painting in the house that’s worth over $6 million dollars, and says, $500K is nothing with the kind of money Kathryn has put under her control. She says if he thinks she’s going to help Jim, he’s wasting her time. He says he knows, and she says, then why is he there? He says he told Jim that he’d try. She says, he did. Now the door.

He tells her, there’s something more he’d like to say. She’d asked him if he thought his mother would be proud of him. To be honest, it his mother knew all he’s done, she wouldn’t be. She tells him that she’s glad he said that, and he says she reminds him of his mother, in all the good ways. He admires her strength of character. She’s been given control of a lot of money, and he doesn’t believe she’d do anything dishonest. Just between them, he thinks Kathryn was right in asking her to be executor rather than Jim. But Jim does really need money to get through this, and make peace. Hanna asks why she’d do that for him. The man calls him, and David runs. David says, Jim saved his life more than once. He supposes he’s trying to be the kind of friend he’d like to have. Hanna says David does Jim’s dirty work, and David says, some. He always believed it was for the greater good. She tells him, get the hell out. She thanks him for his honesty. Now the door. He tells her that she’s a beautiful woman with a good soul. She asks who he is. Which David is he? He asks what she means, and she says, there are many Davids. Is it the David who hides Jim’s secrets, or the David who lied to her face about her son? Or is it the David who’s Jim’s lap dog, or the David… He says, it’s the David she’s attracted to. He knows he’s attracted to her. He’s been attracted to her for some time. She’s really a beautiful woman. Hanna says, he thinks so? and he says he knows so. She says, okay, and he asks if he read it wrong. She says he’s an attractive man, and has a great body. He says, from the time he first saw her, he wanted to get to know her more intimately. He knows it might be inappropriate… She tells him, it’s okay, and he asks, does she mind if he gets more comfortable, and tell her all he’s been thinking about her? She says, please, have a seat, and they sit on the couch. He asks where he begins, and she tells him to begin wherever he’d like. I have the feeling Hanna is playing him like a fiddle.

Vinnie walks into Wyatt’s room, and Wyatt says, get the hell out. Vinnie tells him, relax. He just wants to talk. Wyatt asks, where’s the  guard? and Vinnie says the guards all work for them. Wyatt says, wait, and Vinnie says, he doesn’t wait.

Next time, Jim says Hanna cast a spell on David , Veronica asks if this is the game Kathryn wants to play, Vinnie says the problem is, Jim doesn’t know him; and Jim offers Hanna $25 million if she gives him power of attorney.

🐑 Soon To Be Counting Sheep…

Crossing one long day off my pandemical calendar, and trying to look at it as a step closer to whatever will pass for normalcy in the new year. Tomorrow, it’s double the Wives, and some spilled tea, but for now, stay safe, stay confident for the future, and stay a step ahead of Cyrus.