What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Peter lies at the bottom of the stairs, blood pooling around his head. A hospital employee runs down the stairs, and checks the pulse in his neck.

Two hours earlier. Maxie tells the baby, they did it. She’s so beautiful, even more than Maxie could have imagined. She’s sorry Louise’s entrance into the world was so bumpy. She checks Austin’s pulse, and says, come on. He has to be okay. Little Lu is okay because of him. She wishes she never had to let Louise go, but she has to do what she needs to do, to protect Louise. Her dad is not a good guy, and she can’t let him hurt Louise like he’s hurt so many others.

At the hospital, Finn tells Anna that Chase needs another dose of the antidote, and Anna moves quickly to the elevator. Michael and Willow have been watching, and Elizabeth comes out, saying she needs Finn. Finn starts to leave, and Willow says, stop. She’s been watching him and Anna exchange looks and coded phrases. Chase thinks Finn isn’t being honest about his condition. What is he keeping from Chase? Finn says he can’t get into it now, and she asks if it’s more serious than he’s been telling them.

Brando asks the doctor how his mom is, and she says, Gladys is out of surgery. She’s going to pull through. He asks how soon he can see her.

At The Savoy, Curtis flashes back to Portia kissing him, Laura walks in, and asks if it’s too late. He says, for her, never, and she says, flattery will get him everywhere, and everything. She shows him his liquor license in a frame, and says she thought it deserved a special delivery. He can officially open his doors now. He thanks her, but seems distant, and she says she was expecting more enthusiasm. He says, it’s a big deal, and she says, absolutely. Why isn’t he celebrating?

Portia gets home, and finds her door unlocked. She goes inside and looks around. She sees a trail of bloodspots on the floor, and turns around to see Cyrus, bloody and disheveled, with his ponytail undone. He says, welcome home, Dr. Robinson, and she tries to leave, but he blocks the door, showing her that he has a gun. She asks what he’s doing there, bleeding all over her home, and he says he wound up on the wrong end of a bullet. Naturally, he thought of the best doctor in his employ. I will say this again. If you ever come home to find your door unlocked, and you know you locked it, don’t go in.

Brook finds Maxie, and asks why Maxie didn’t tell her that she was giving birth in the woods. Good thing she wore flats. She sees Austin, and asks, who’s that? Maxie says his name is Austin, and he’s a doctor, and Brook asks why he’s out cold. Maxie tells her to brace herself. She has a lot to tell Brook.    

In his office on the phone, Peter says he’s tired of getting voicemail. They’re supposed to be at the cabin. Call him back. Anna comes in, and he asks her if he can help with something. She asks if he’s going somewhere.

Elizabeth tells Finn that she needs his help with a notation in Chase’s chart, and Michael asks if Finn knows something he’s not telling them. Willow says, this has been going on for weeks. If he knows something, tell them, so they can be prepared. Finn says, he knows it’s difficult to hear, but Chase’s condition is more serious than he thought, and he’s no closer to finding a cure. Chase is getting worse.   

The doctor tells Brando that his mother still has recovery to deal with, and he asks if he can see her now. The doctor advises against a lot of talking, but he can sit with her. Jordan walks away, and Brando thanks the doctor. Sasha tells Brando to go see his mom. She’ll be there.  

Jordan calls the station, and says she has an update she wants them to pass along to Dante. Gladys is out of surgery, and it looks good… Jason Morgan is in custody? She’s still finishing up there. Any eyes on Cyrus?… Dammit! Keep looking for him.

Curtis tells Laura that she has no idea how many phone calls it took him to get the license. Timing seems to be a thing with him. She asks if something is going on. He can talk to her. He knows they’re friends, right? He says, they sure are. That’s what happens when you save each other’s lives more than once. He’s wondering where to put the license, and places it behind the bar on a shelf. She says, it’s visible, but not obvious, unlike his attempt to change the subject. He says she doesn’t want to hear the sordid details of his love life, but she says she absolutely does; come on. He says he was wondering, how soon after a marriage ends, is too soon to move on?

Portia says Cyrus doesn’t need the gun. She’s a doctor, and took a vow to heal people, no matter who those people are. She can stop the bleeding and get him stable until the ambulance comes. He tells her to put the phone on the table. It has to be handled there. She says he’s mistaken her home for an OR. He needs to go to the hospital. He says, context, doctor. He can’t go to a hospital. Can she imagine why that might be? She says, they’re finally on to him. He wants her to patch him up while he plans his escape from Port Charles? He says he’s relying on her expertise, and she says, really? He terrorized her family for years, he trafficked in drugs, and caused the deaths of countless people. Maybe the world would be better off without him. He says, what about her oath? and she says, keeping him from doing more harm might be keeping her oath. He tells her that she’s being foolish. Trina walks in, and he says, that changes the calculous now, doesn’t it?

Curtis tells Laura, all the drama he and Jordan went through to get together, and by the time they signed the papers, the marriage was already over. Laura says he went through the five stages of grief before there was a death, and he says he didn’t take the end of his marriage lightly. She says she supposes he didn’t, and he asks if she had the same feeling when she got together with Doc. She tells him, her divorce was long over with, but she was still gun shy. She and Doc were friends first. He says, it was the same for him and Portia, and she says, Portia is a lovely person. He says they knew each other back in the day, and reconnected about a year ago. The whole time he was going through problems with Jordan, she was there for him… as a friend. She gave him space when he needed it, and showed up when he didn’t want to sit alone. It meant a lot. She says, if he wants her advice, go slow and see where it goes. He says, excellent advice, except he thinks he killed it tonight.

Portia tells Trina, just stay calm, and Cyrus asks if she heard her mother. Stay calm, and everything will be okay, as long as they listen to reason. Portia says he came to her for help. Let Trina go, and she’ll help. He tells her, don’t be naïve. She’s going to treat him, and Trina will help. The alternative would be unfortunate. Portia tells Trina to get her bag, and Cyrus says, do that, and come right back. Trina says, but… and Portia says, just do it. Cyrus says, before Trina goes, put her phone down. She does, and he says, good girl. Now get her mother’s medical bag. Play it smart, and they’ll all walk away alive.

Sasha thanks Jordan for letting Brando see his mother first. She knows Jordan must want to question Gladys, and Jordan says she has no idea. She’s going to respect the doctor’s advice, but it’s a difficult balance, since time is usually of the essence.

Brando sits next to an unconscious Gladys, and says he didn’t want her caught up in this. He’s so sorry. They’ve been at odds for so long, it took something like this for him to see how unimportant it all is. What a waste of time. He loves her. She squeezes his hand, and opens her eyes.

Elizabeth tells Finn, sorry; it can’t wait. Finn tells Willow, sorry, and leaves with Elizabeth. Michael asks if Willow is okay, and she says, not at all, and hugs him.

Elizabeth says she hopes Finn isn’t mad at her for running interference. He says she did him a favor. He was seconds away from telling Willow and Michael everything. She says, it’s okay; he had a moment. He’s tired. He’s barely been sleeping and eating, and he’s scared about someone he loves. He says he can’t find a damn cure, but Elizabeth says, he’ll beat this. There’s no way they’re going to let Peter win. Not again.

Peter tells Anna that he’s cleaning out his safe because this is no longer his office. He sold the magazine to a private investor. The transaction happened quickly, but he turned a profit. She says, congratulations. It will be a loss to journalism. He says, how much of a loss? The only point of having it was to present himself as an upstanding member of society. She says he was given chances, but what did that do for him? She has to be accountable for her choices, and he should be accountable for his. He says she keeps telling him that. If she can prove he’s guilty, she can arrest him. Oh, wait. She has no evidence. Even if she had, there’s nothing she could do. She still needs something from him. Is he right? Isn’t that why she’s really there?

Maxie says, the ambulance is on its way, and Brook tells Austin, hang in there; help is on the way. Now let her get this straight. Maxie lured her psycho nurse into the woods where she fell into a mine shaft? It’s absolutely genius. She looks at Louise, and says, she’s so beautiful. She’s gorgeous, and a little trooper. And Maxie, what she’s been through. Maxie says she doesn’t know what came over her to give her the strength she needed. She tells Brook to take Louise, but Brook says the nurse can’t hurt her now. Maxie says, but Peter can. Now is the perfect time to go through with their plan. Brook says, wait, but Maxie says, it was Brook’s idea. Brook convinced Maxie that she could keep the baby safe from Peter. Was it a scam? Brook says, no, and Maxie says, Peter hired Chloe to drug her, kidnap her, and force labor. That’s not a rational person. He’s not going to change or stop. Brook told Maxie that she’d keep the baby safe from Peter with her and Valentin. Please, Brook has to take her.

Brook says, give her minute, and Austin stirs. Maxie says they don’t have a minute; the ambulance is almost there. Take her. Brook asks if Maxie doesn’t want to say goodbye, but Maxie says, if she does, she won’t want to let go. Brook says, if she doesn’t, she won’t forgive herself. Maxie tells Louise, it’s okay, Lu. Go with Auntie Brook Lynn now. She’ll take good care of you until I come back to you. She has a family that loves her very much, and is waiting for her to come home. Until then, Maxie will stay close by, watching over her, and making sure she’s okay. She’ll be thinking about Louise all the time. Just remember, I love you very much. She hands Brook the baby, and Brook says she’ll make sure Louise is loved. Brook starts to walk away, and turns back. She says, for what it’s worth (🍷), Maxie is the bravest person she knows. She leaves, and Maxie sinks to the ground, crying.  

Anna tells Peter, Chase needs another dose, and he says, fine. It’s not a problem for him to hold up his end of the bargain, since she held up hers. She suggests they go grab it, and she’ll take him to the hospital, but he says, nice try. That’s not how it works. She can go back to the hospital alone, and he’ll meet her there with the vial. She says, fine, and he says he’ll be seeing her. She says she really did try to love him. She tried to believe there was good in him, but she doesn’t think he believes there’s good in himself. He was playing a part, and everyone saw it before she did. Eventually, she saw him too; the real him, not who she wanted to see. He asks if she’s done, and she says, actually, she’s not. He was given so many choices in his life. There were forks in the road where he could choose light or dark along the way, but he kept choosing the dark. Everyone is going to see who he is now. Everyone. She says, now she’s done, and leaves.  

Finn tells Elizabeth that he has no way to isolate the toxin, but she says, as long as Chase is breathing, Finn has a chance to find a cure; find a solution. It’s what he does. He’s a gifted researcher, and has saved lives. He’s going to save Chase. He says she has a lot of faith, and she says, Peter took Finn’s relationship with Anna from him, and took her husband. He doesn’t get to take anything else.

Brando tells Gladys that she’s in the hospital; she’s safe. Cyrus can’t hurt her. She says she got shot in the warehouse. She thought she was going to die. He says she thought wrong, and she says he saved her, but he says, only after she put her neck on the line for him in the first place. She says she didn’t have much choice. Whatever happened between them, she going to do everything she can to do right by him, and the baby on the way. She smiles.

Jordan gives Sasha a can of ginger ale, and says she imagines it’s more challenging with Cyrus. Sasha says she knows he’s still out there. It should be a happy time, but Cyrus corrupted it, like everything he touches. She hates the way he leers at her. Brando says she pokes the bear too much, but she wants to let Cyrus know he’s not in control of her, and she’s not afraid of him, even if she is. Jordan says she has experience in how Cyrus treats women; his misogyny. He wants to conquer strong, powerful women, and bribes or flatters them. Sasha says she just wants to survive him, and hopes he leaves her alone now.

Curtis says he doesn’t want to hold Laura up with his personal problems, but she says, not at all. She likes that he trusts her enough to confide in her. He says maybe he shouldn’t be. For the record, nothing happened while he was married to Jordan. he wouldn’t let his mind go there. She says she believes him, but now that he’s single, his mind can go wherever it wants. He thinks his mind didn’t get the message. He knows his marriage is over, but it still felt like betrayal.

Cyrus asks what the situation is, and Portia says she has to remove the bullet. It’s a difficult procedure, and very delicate. If she makes the wrong move, she could paralyze his arm. He says then he’d better not flinch, and she better not make the wrong move. She says he’ll need a sedative to relax him, but he says he doesn’t think so.

Gladys says, after what Brando did, she knows he loves her, and knows he’d do anything to protect his kid. He’s going to make a great dad. He kisses her hand, and says she should rest. Jordan knocks at the door, and Gladys tells her, come in. Jordan walks in with Sasha, and says she was told Gladys was conscious and talking. Brando says his mother needs to rest. She’s not up to questions now. Gladys says she wants to talk; she has to. Jordan says she does have some questions for Gladys, and Gladys says she’ll answer all of them, but she needs to get something off her chest first. Something that will put a stop to all this.

Portia says Cyrus came into her home for her to treat his wound, so let her treat it. He says the second he’s out, she’ll call the police, but she says if she doesn’t administer a sedative, he’s likely to pass out from the pain. He says trust him; he’s no stranger to pain. She tells him have it his way, and asks Trina to grab a wooden spoon from the kitchen. He asks if someone is baking, and she says she’s been doing triage her whole life. If he knows pain, that’s fine with her, but he’ll need something to bite on.

Curtis tells Laura, talk about an awkward way to handle it. Portia couldn’t get out fast enough. He’s attracted to her, but when she kissed him, he froze. She took it as disinterest, and now she’s upset, and he’s conflicted and confused, and talking like a teenage boy instead of handling it like a grown-ass man. She says she’s sure if he talks to Portia, she’ll understand, but he says, first he has to explain how he’s feeling to himself. She says, it’s not uncommon. In her own case, she doesn’t know how objective she can be about measuring when is too soon to move on. She thinks your heart tells you. If this year taught them anything, it’s that their lives count. Time with their loved ones can be unbearably short. Why delay happiness, especially when it’s right in front of you?   

Michael says Willow looks upset, and she says she shouldn’t have lashed out at Finn. He’s working as hard as he can. Michael says he wouldn’t call that lashing; he calls it being assertive. She says, who is she to demand answers from Finn? She feels that, not physically, but emotionally and spiritually, she’s not being honest. Michael says she’s just trying to help, but she says, is she helping?  

Anna gets back to the hospital, and Finn asks if she found Peter. She says Peter told her that he was bringing the dose to the hospital, but he says she doesn’t sound confident.

On the phone, Peter says, voicemail again? He really wants to know where the hell Chloe and Maxie are.

Austin asks, what happened? and Maxie says he was attacked, but he’ll be okay. She used his phone to call for help. An ambulance will be there. He says, got it. Um… So, Miss Maxie, where is the baby?

Willow asks if Michael remembers when they were talking in the foyer. She looked up, and saw Chase there before he passed out. In that moment, she was stricken with wondering how much Chase heard. She felt so guilty and ashamed. Michael tells her not to feel ashamed to help Chase by giving him hope, and she asks if giving him hope is what she’s doing. Lying, sneaking around, hiding their love; it’s tarnished them. It’s eating her up inside. What should be joyful, now feels wrong. Michael says it doesn’t to him, and Willow says, it’s not wrong… but it’s not right.

Jordan says Robert and Diane finalized the immunity deal, and Gladys asks if Jordan has it on her. Jordan says, no, but it’s on her desk, ready to be signed. Gladys says she’s not up to going to Jordan’s office, so there’s no time like the present. Brando says Gladys should talk to her lawyer, and Sasha says, Gladys might want to make sure it’s the deal she wants. Jordan says she can call Diane if it will give Gladys more confidence, but anything she says that will lead to Cyrus’s arrest is greatly appreciated. Gladys says, the most important thing is setting things right. She’s ready now. Jordan starts to record, saying it’s Gladys’s statement from her hospital bed, and the witnesses are Brando and Sasha. She asks what Gladys wishes to say, and Gladys says her name is Gladys Corbin. The reason Cyrus grabbed and kidnapped her, and tied her up in a warehouse, was to prevent her from telling the police the truth. Jordan says, that truth is? and Gladys says, Jason Morgan is not who she saw dispose of the gun that shot Franco. She never saw Jason dump the gun. She only said it because Cyrus made her lie, and that’s the God’s honest truth.

Portia marvels that Cyrus still doesn’t need to bite the spoon, and Trina says he’s taking a chance. Her mother could cut an artery on purpose. She could kill him, and make it look like an accident. Cyrus says he knows Portia is a dedicated doctor. She took her sacred oath seriously. That’s why he trusts her, but he can’t trust Trina. That’s why he’s holding the gun.  

Curtis tells Laura that he has a question. How would she feel if she kissed a man, and he backed away? She says she thinks she’d do what Portia did, and he says he can’t believe he messed things up. She says he just has to be honest with himself. Is he interested in perusing Portia more, or does he feel like he’s not ready? He says he thinks he’s ready, but he probably blew things. He has a history of pulling out of relationships with Portia. It’s complicated, and was a long time ago. He’s amazed they reconnected, but after today, he’ll be lucky if she puts him in the friendzone. She asks how long ago the kiss happened, and he asks if time is a factor when you crash and burn. She suggests he call Portia. She put herself on the line for him; he should do the same for her.

Cyrus says Trina is a lot like her father, and Portia tells him, stay still. He grits his teeth as she takes the bullet out. She asks Trina for more gauze. She has to clean the wound before she stitches him up. She asks him to wiggle his fingers, and he does. He says, the war between her family and his goes back a long time. There’s one silver lining; he’ll have the chance to kill Taggert again. He passes out, and Portia and Trina look each other.

Maxie is brought into the hospital in a wheelchair. Elizabeth asks, what happened? and the paramedics say, blah-blah-blah, a whole bunch of medical stuff. Maxie says she’s okay, and tells Elizabeth to help Austin; he saved her life. Elizabeth asks what’s going on with Austin, and a paramedic says, head trauma, possible concussion, and more medical stuff. Elizabeth asks if Austin can hear her. They’re going to take good care of him. She tells the paramedic to get him to radiology, and he’s wheeled out. A nurse tells Maxie that Dr. Navarro will be there soon; someone will take her to a cubicle. Peter comes in and sees Maxie. She glares at him.   

Anna tells Finn about Peter cleaning out his safe, and selling The Invader. If anything happens to chase, there will be no corner in hell where he can hide.  

Peter asks what Maxie is doing at the hospital. She’s supposed to be at the spa with Chloe. Is it the baby? Talk to him. What happened with the baby? Maxie says, she’s gone. The baby is gone.    

Brook drives with Louise, and tells the baby, the first thing she needs to know is life is complicated. She’s sorry about Louise’s uncomfortable start, but thinks it will make her an amazing, think outside the box person. She promises to take good care of Louise, and keep her safe and happy, and make sure her psycho father gets nowhere near her. Don’t worry. Everything is under control. Louise cries, and Brook says she doesn’t believe herself either.

Jordan says, if Gladys didn’t see Jason dispose of the gun, how did she know where to tell the police to look? Gladys says, because she did see someone throw the gun down the garbage shoot; the real killer. Jordan asks if she recognized them, and Gladys says, yes. It was Peter August.

Laura says she’s got to get going, and Curtis thanks her for stopping by and bringing the certificate – and advice. She says, any time. Has he decided what to do about it? He doesn’t say anything, and she says she’ll leave him to it.

Portia motions for Trina to get her phone, and Trina says Portia has a call coming in. Portia says, Curtis? as Cyrus opens his eyes. Curtis says he apologizes for what happened, but Portia says, just listen to her… The call is cut off, and Curtis wonders what happened.  

Tomorrow, Anna says if Peter vanishes, the antidote will go with him; Chase says he wants his badge; Curtis tells Laura that he thinks Portia is in trouble; and Cyrus tells Portia, it’s time to say farewell to Port Charles.

The Haves and The Have Nots

At the end of last season, Justin had shown up with a gun at the restaurant where Jeffrey and Madison were having dinner. He sat at the table, and asked if they smelled anything. Then suddenly burst into flames.

Everyone is screaming, and Madison pushes Jeffrey away. He yells for someone to put Justin out, and asks if Jeffrey is okay. He calls for an ambulance, telling them there’s someone who’s badly burned. Jeffrey moves toward Justin, but Madison says, don’t touch him. Jeffrey asks why the hell Justin would do that, and asks if Madison can help Justin. Madison turns Justin over, and Jeffrey asks if Justin is alive, but Madison doesn’t know. It’s too hot; he needs gloves. He asks if they have something in the kitchen, and one of the staff gives him rubber gloves. Seriously? They don’t have oven mitts? I don’t think rubber is a good choice to deal with something that’s been on fire. Just a thought. Madison checks for a pulse, and tells Jeffrey that he needs to get an ETA on the ambulance. Jeffrey asks if Justin is going to make it, and Madison says he doesn’t know. Jeffrey asks if Justin has a heartbeat, but Madison says he can’t get one. Jeffrey doesn’t understand why Justin would do that. Again, seriously? Isn’t he a psychologist? Madison tries to do chest compression, and says he needs Jeffrey to go, but Jeffrey says he’s staying there.

The EMTs arrive, and Madison continues to do compression, but a paramedic tells him to stop. Jeffrey asks if Justin is dead, and she says she’s sorry. Jeffrey says, dammit, and Madison says he’s sorry. Jeffrey says Madison tried. He can’t believe Justin did that, and Madison tells Jeffrey not to do this. Jeffrey says, what? and Madison says, Jeffrey is blaming himself. Jeffrey says Justin had so many issues. Maybe he could have… Madison says there was nothing Jeffrey could have done, and Jeffrey says he could have stayed away. Then his mother would have had no reason… Madison says Justin was already unstable. How would Jeffrey know his mother would do that? Jeffrey says, because she ruins everyone he gets involved with. Madison tells Jeffrey to look at him. There was nothing he could do, okay? Jeffrey says he knows, but he feels bad for Madison. Madison asks, why? and Jeffrey says he can’t see Madison anymore. His mother will destroy him. Madison says, stop this, and Jeffrey asks what choice he has. Madison says he can fight. He knows Jeffrey likes him. Jeffrey says he does, and she’ll come after him. Madison says he doesn’t care. Don’t worry. Jeffrey tells him, he says that now, but look at what she did to Justin. Madison says they need to find out what this is. Please don’t worry about him. Jeffrey says he needs to call Justin’s mother, and Madison says he can call from the house. The coroner hasn’t come, and there’s nothing they can do. They leave.

At Madison’s apartment, Jeffrey says Justin’s mother isn’t answering the phone. Madison asks if Jeffrey knows her, and Jeffrey says, no, but he has her number. He tries again, and says, damn. He should go home. Madison doesn’t think Jeffrey should be alone right now, but Jeffrey says his dad is there. He wonders why Justin’s mother isn’t answering, and Madison tells him, relax. He knows this is a lot. Jeffrey says Justin’s mother didn’t even visit when Justin was in the hospital. He wonders why people hate gay people so much; they’re just people. Madison says, the world is changing every day, but Jeffrey says, there are still too many hate crimes. He wants to go home, and Madison asks, why? Jeffrey says she’s going to come after Madison, and Madison says, stop it. Jeffrey says he needs to be alone, but Madison doesn’t like it. Colby walks in on the phone, saying, it will be so much fun. They know his rates. Text him the address, and he’ll be there. He sees Madison and Jeffrey, and wonders what he just walked in on. Madison says, nothing, and hugs Jeffrey, who cries silently. Colby asks, what is that smell? and Madison says, stop. Jeffrey walks into the other room, and Colby says, it smells like nasty barbecue. He wanted to tell Madison about his day. He was with a john who tried to stiff him, so he went all Marine on him. Madison says, he killed himself, and Colby asks, who? Madison says, Justin. He set himself on fire. Colby asks, what happened? and Madison says, they were at the table, and Justin came up with a gun, but not to shoot them. Then, he set himself on fire. He tried to grab Jeffrey, but Jeffrey is fine. Colby says, Justin done lost his mind, and asks if Madison is okay. He has a date, but he can cancel. Madison says he’s fine, and Colby says Jeffrey is lucky he has Madison. Madison says Jeffrey keeps pushing him away. Jeffrey is scared that his mother is going to come after him. Colby says, what for? and Madison says, for dating him. Colby says, oh. He does know the witch. Madison says, Jeffrey is so sweet, and Colby agrees. God bless his heart. Colby suggests Madison to try talking to Jeffrey, but Madison says Jeffrey won’t let him in. Colby says, that’s never stopped Madison before, and Madison tells him to go on his date. Colby says, too much? and Madison says Colby is always too much. Colby says, love you, bitch, and Madison says, love you too, bitch. Be careful. Colby says, when is he not? and Madison says, oh God, just go. On his way out the door, Colby says, bye, Jeffrey. Sorry the bitch burned herself… extra crispy. Madison says, Colby! and Colby jets.

Jeffrey is sitting on the couch, when Madison comes in with coffee and a takeout bag. He asks how Jeffrey slept, and Jeffrey asks if he needs to ask. Madison says, he gets it, and Jeffrey thanks him. Madison says, for…? and Jeffrey says, understanding. He needs to go home. Madison tells him to stop acting like he’s a burden. The more Jeffrey pushes him away… Jeffrey says he hears Madison, and Madison says, he’ll take Jeffrey home; no problem. Jeffrey says he needs to get to his dad, and Madison suggests he take the time to eat first.

David comes down the stairs, and Pearl and the guard stand in the foyer. Pearl says she’s meeting Jeffrey Harrington there. He called, and said he had something important to tell her that he couldn’t say on the phone. David asks who she is, and she says, Pearl Lewis, Justin’s mother. David says he sees. He’ll call and see where Jeffrey is. He calls Jeffrey, and tells him that Pearl is there. Where is he? Jeffrey says he’s a few minutes away, and David tells Pearl that Jeffrey is just around the corner. He asks if she’d like to sit, but she says she’d like to know what’s going on. Who is Jeffrey to him? David says Jeffrey is his son, and she asks if he knows what Jeffrey did to her son. He says he begs her pardon, and she says, he did something terrible. The only reason she’s there is to give him a piece of her mind. Jeffrey lured her son into unnatural ways. Her son was happily married to his wife when he met Jeffrey. Then Jeffrey did the devilish things they do to God fearing people. David says, so it’s this kind of conversation. Is she aware that her son was sexually harassing his son? When they met, Justin had arrested Jeffrey, and fondled him in the back of his police car. Pearl says, that’s not true, and he tells her, believe what she wants; it’s the truth. She says she won’t have her son spoken about like that, and he says she can leave. She says she will, and wonders, what kind of family is this? She’s going to leave before she’s involved in a drive-by. Jeffrey and Madison walk in, and Pearl tells Jeffrey, they’re both delusional. She can’t wait to talk to her son. Jeffrey thinks that because marriage between two men is legal, she’ll say yes when he asks for her son’s hand in marriage. Justin told her about how Jeffrey stalked him, and did what he did. Jeffrey says he was calling her… but she says she doesn’t want to hear it. Madison says, he’s dead, and Pearl asks what he’s talking about. Madison says he’s sorry. He’s dead. Pearl says, that’s not true, and calls Justin’s number. She gets voicemail, and says, call your mother. Madison says, they took him to the St. Claude morgue. She can find him there. She runs out, and Jeffrey tells David, it’s true. David asks, what happened? and Jeffrey says, Justin committed suicide. He came to the restaurant and set himself on fire. David says, he was crazy, and Jeffrey says, he was in pain; he was going through a struggle. And there was what mom did to him. David tells Jeffrey that he can’t say he feels sorry, and Jeffrey thanks Madison for letting him stay over. He’ll see Madison later. He goes upstairs, and David tells Madison to go up. Madison says he thinks Jeffrey wants time alone, but David says he knows his son. He needs to talk. Madison says, Jeffrey will just tell him to leave, but David says, he won’t, but don’t talk too much. Madison talks too much. Just listen. Madison says, okay, and David tells him, lock the door… just in case. Madison says, that won’t be happening, and David says, don’t let him hear anything if it does. I laugh, remembering when David walked in on them, and the look on his face.

Mitch pulls up to the Cryer’s house, when Hanna is coming out. She asks what he’s doing there, and he says he has business with Mr. Cryer. She says, about? and he says, it’s personal stuff. She says, about his family? but he says he doesn’t know what she means. If his family’s been there, he needs to know that. She says, what if something happens to her kids because he told them that his family would protect them, but they didn’t? He’d better not be there when she comes back. She doesn’t want to talk to him no more. She leaves, and he goes to the door, shaking his head and saying, son of a bitch. He knocks, and Jim comes out, his arm in a sling. Mitch asks how Jim is doing, and Jim says, not great today. And Mitch? Mitch says, he’s okay, and Jim says, good to hear. What does he want? Mitch says he wants to talk, and asks if they can go inside, but Jim says, no. Out there is fine. What’s on Mitch’s mind? Mitch asks if Jim talked to his family? Is Jim playing games with him? Jim says, no, and Mitch asks again if Jim’s been talking to his family. Jim asks if that’s a question or an accusation. Is Mitch telling or asking him something? He can’t tell. Mitch says, semantics, but Jim says, not really. There’s a difference, and he’d like to know which one it is. Mitch asks if Jim has been down to the bar, and did he talk to Vinnie? Jim says, maybe he has; maybe he hasn’t. Mitch says, it’s not a good idea. His family doesn’t like being questioned. Jim says, as far as he knows, they don’t like being lied to, and Mitch asks if this is how they’re going to do this; playing chicken with an 18 wheeler. Jim says, from where he’s standing, He’s not sure who’s who in this scenario. Mitch says Jim thinks this is a joke, but Jim says he’s not laughing. He’s serious. Eight million dollars serious. He doesn’t joke about eight million dollars. Mitch asks how Jim’s son is, and Jim says, alive. Mitch says, this time, and Jim asks if that was a threat. Mitch asks how Jim’s arm is, and tells him not to talk to his family again. Jim asks if that’s it. He thinks Mitch is sweating. Anything in his life making him nervous? Mitch says, not that he knows of. Jim? Jim says, not a damn thing, and Mitch repeats, don’t talk to his family again. Jim tells Mitch, he didn’t say he did or he didn’t. If he had, he has the feeling they would have told Mitch. They also don’t like people who steal money, especially family members. Mitch says Jim thinks he’s in the circle with that information. That’s cute. Jim asks if they’re done, and Mitch says, he’s got nothing else. He’d shake Jim’s hand, but it’s already broken. Jim says Mitch is funny. Take care, and say hi to his Uncle Vinnie. Mitch says, will do, and leaves. Jim says, pr*ck, and sits on the porch as Mitch drives away. He calls David.

David asks Jim, what’s going on? and Jim says, Mitch came to see him. David says, Malone? What did he want? Jim says he thinks Mitch is running scared. He thinks Mitch was bluffing him. David says, if Jim is telling him that Mitch lied, he might not want to press the issue. Jim says he knows that, and David says Jim knows how the Malones are about family. Jim asks how he finds out, and David says, give it time. Jim says he doesn’t have time. That bitch has his money, and the other bitch has control over the other money. He hates feeling helpless. David says, give it time; let it play out. Jim asks what David has in mind, and David says he’s a patient player. Jim says, he’s a player who needs results. He has to do something. David tells him, try and get some rest; he needs to heal. Jim says he can’t sleep there, and David says Jim can stay with him if he needs to. Jim says, thanks, but no, and David says, Jim’s house created bad memories. Hang in there. He’s confident things will end up in their favor. Jim says David is up to something, and David says, always.

Conley is waiting for Charles in the living room. Charles is surprised Conley is still there, and Conley says he hopes Charles doesn’t mind. He looks frazzled. Another top security briefing? Charles says, yeah, and Conley says, scary stuff, huh? but Charles says, it’s interesting. Conley says, that’s the most important answer to lead the American people. They need to talk. He noticed Charles met with the EPA director. Is Charles thinking of keeping him on? Charles says, no, and Conley says, good. Who is Charles thinking of replacing him with? Charles says he’s not sure, and Conley says, Devoir? Charles says, no, and Conley asks, why not? Charles says, it’s been a long day, and he didn’t expect to see Conley. Conley says he’s sorry. He’ll talk to Charles later. Get some rest. Conley leaves, and Landon comes in. He asks if Charles is okay, and Charles says he’s fine. Landon says Conley has been there a lot, and Charles says Conley knows him well. Landon asks if Charles knows Conley well, and Charles asks if Landon has something to say. Landon says, he’s just… and Charles tells him, say it. Landon says Conley has suggested a lot of cabinet members. He feels like Conley has an agenda. Charles says, Conley is a politician; remember that first. He thanks Landon for his concern, and Landon says Conley is always asking about Candace. Charles says, Conley wants what’s best for him, and Landon asks if Conley thinks she’s it. Charles says Conley knows how he feels. If Landon has something to say, just say it. Landon says he doesn’t trust Conley. He thinks Conley is trying to gain information to use as leverage. Charles says, based on what? and Landon says, his gut. Charles says, when his gut becomes intel, let him know. Landon says he’s going upstairs for another conference call. January will be there before they know it.  

A nurse comes in to see Wyatt, and he tells her that she’s a beautiful woman. She asks what he wants, and he says, her. She says, what does he really want? and he says he needs to go to the bathroom. She says he has a bottle and bedpan, but he says, the bathroom is right there. She says, he is a prisoner, and he says he’ll let her watch. She says, sorry. She hates to miss that one. He says she can leave him cuffed, but she says she doesn’t trust him. He tells her, look at his face; she can trust him. She says, if he doesn’t need anything… She gives him his weewee jar, and he grabs her arm. He says he’s got to go to the bathroom, and she tells him, let go. He asks when was the last time a man touched her this way, and she asks when the last time someone punched him in the nuts. He lets go, and says, she likes it rough, but she says she likes it away from him. He says he needs pain pills; his wrists hurt. She says he’s fine. He barely cut himself. He says he wanted to die, and she says, he should have cut deeper. He says, one pill, but she says, it’s not going to happen. He says, get out, bitch, and she says that’s the exact behavior she was waiting for. She starts to go, and he says, come back. She says, bye, and leaves. He looks in the bottle, and yells, come empty this. Hey, bitch!

Hanna gets a collect call from Kathryn, and asks how she is. Kathryn says she’s okay; how’s Hanna? Hanna says, she’s well. She met with Kathryn’s people. Kathryn asks, what happened? and Hanna says, they had a lot of questions about stocks and selling options. Kathryn says, don’t worry. They’re supposed to be helping Hanna. Hanna says she’s been doing research, and trying to understand it, but Kathryn says, all she has to do is bring the information to her. Don’t try to figure it out; it can be complicated. Hanna says she still wants to keep trying, and Kathryn says, okay. Hanna asks if she needs anything, and Kathryn says, to get the hell out of here. Hanna says she can understand that, and Kathryn asks if Hanna can see how Wyatt is doing for her. Hanna says, sure, and Kathryn says she knows he’ll paint her as a snake. Hanna says, what else is new? and Kathryn says she needs another favor. Jim asked about a loft she has, but someone is staying there. She’d like Hanna to stop at the loft, let him know that she’s fine, and she’ll be out soon. If he needs anything, he should ask Hanna. Hanna asks who it is, and Kathryn says, someone special. Ask him to come and see her. She can’t get through to his cell from there. Hanna says she’ll do that, then come back and finish up. Kathryn asks if Hanna has talked to Marty, but Hanna says, not since their meeting. Kathryn says, tell him to get his ass down there, so she knows what’s going on with her bail. She appreciates Hanna so much, and Hanna says, as much as she appreciates Kathryn. She wants to go see Jim before she sees Kathryn’s mystery man. Kathryn laughs and thanks her, saying, the key to the loft is on her keyring. Hanna tells her to keep her head up.

Hanna starts to go to the kitchen, when Veronica walks in. She says, Hanna still works there? and Hanna asks what Veronica is doing there. Veronica says she wants to see Jim, but Hanna says, he’s not there. Veronica asks where he is, and Hanna shrugs, saying, Veronica will have to ask him. Veronica suggests Hanna drop the attitude, and Hanna says she will when Veronica is gone. Veronica says she’ll wait, but Hanna says, no she won’t. She’s leaving, and needs to lock up the house. Veronica says she’ll wait, and tells Hanna to go find something to do. She’s never liked this house. It used to be a plantation house. Hanna says Veronica needs to go, and Veronica says, the things they did to people of Hanna’s kind. Hanna says, Veronica is just as Black as she is, but Veronica says she’s smarter. Hanna tells her to get her ass out of there, and Veronica says Hanna just proved her point. Hanna says, again, she’s leaving, and Veronica needs to do the same. Veronica heads for the stairs.

Hanna asks where Veronica is going, and Veronica says what she has to do is important. All Hanna has to do is get cleaning products. She sees Hanna is wearing her hair natural; it fits with the plantation. She starts to go up the stairs, and tells Hanna to go do some maiding. Hanna says Veronica is not going up there, and Veronica says, watch me. Hanna says Veronica’s not going, but Veronica says, it looks like she is. Hanna asks if Veronica thinks she won’t drag her ass down, and Veronica wishes she would. Then she could sue Hanna. All she’d get would be a mop and a bucket though. Hanna says, apparently, Veronica already has a broom. Bring her ass down there. Veronica says, she hears Miss Hanna and she’s so skerd (like Madea would say it – ha-ha!). She asks if that isn’t how Hanna says it. Hanna follows Veronica upstairs, and Veronica heads for Kathryn’s bedroom. She starts to go through the dresser  drawers, saying, tacky pink. Hanna asks what the hell Veronica thinks she’s doing, and Veronica says she’s looking for something. Hanna says, get her hands off that damn woman’s dresser, and Veronica says Hanna sure is protective. It ain’t her sh*t. Hanna says she’ll call the police, and Veronica tells her, go maid something. Hanna calls the police, saying, there’s a trespasser. Veronica says Hanna is so dramatic, and keeps looking through the drawers. She asks if Hanna just called the po-po on a Black woman. That’s just the way help should act. Hannah says she’ll drag Veronica’s ass out of there, and Veronica says she’d like to see that. Hanna calls again, and says, they have someone in the neighborhood? Great. She thanks them, and snatches some underwear out of Veronica’s hand. Veronica tells her to move, and Hanna says, move her. Veronica tries putting her hand into a drawer, and Hanna slams it shut on her. The hair/wig pulling starts.

I would swear I see goodbye in all their eyes, but I might just be projecting.

Next time, Veronica tells Jim that she’s always two steps ahead of him, Jim wonders what the hell is wrong with these women, David tells Jim that Veronica could get evidence that will bury them, and Candace says Charles isn’t going to control her.

The Real Housewives of New York City

When we left Leah was interrogating Heather about her podcast. In Ramona’s interview, she said, the best way to handle Leah is to change the subject. She’s the host, so she sets the tone. She and Leah then got lovey-dovey, and Eboni marveled at how the women can be going to the death, then five minutes later, kiss and make up. Ramona said talking about sex made her uncomfortable, and Leah said she was sex positive. LuAnn decided it was time for her to go to bed, and in her interview, told us that nothing good happens after a certain hour for her, especially with the drinking. Sometimes it was better to call it a night, and not hang around too long. Ramona said she was never taught to talk about sex, and listed all the subjects Leah liked to bring up. Leah said Ramona sounded pretty comfortable just then, and Ramona asked her to edit herself a little. In Leah’s interview, she said if Ramona was honest about being on the prowl all the time, they’d find out she was getting laid more than the rest of them combined. Eboni called Ramona out for saying she could take a big d*ck, but Ramona insisted she never said that, and left the room. Eboni followed her, and in Ramona’s interview, she said, now she was getting it from Eboni? She was dumbfounded. Ramona took a bottle of wine, and went upstairs, wondering, what happened to class and elegance?

In the morning, Ramona and Sonja dished about the night before. Ramona said she thought the party went well, and Sonja asked, what about the penises? Eboni and Leah walked around outside, and Leah said she wanted to respect Ramona’s comfort zone, but thought it was hypocritical. We saw photos of Ramona and Leah, scantily clad and posing in a sexual way. In Leah’s interview, she said she really wanted to tell Ramona that she was proud of her for taking a big d*ck. Leah told Eboni that Ramona said, just stop talking about sex, but twenty minutes in, Ramona was in a thong, and dancing around like a stripper. Ramona told Sonja that she couldn’t believe Leah started trouble with Heather about her podcast. She wonders if Heather will stop talking about them, but Sonja thinks Heather wants the scoop. In her interview, Leah said her mom told her that her grandmother was no longer communicating; she was slipping away. She was realizing in real time that she wasn’t getting another conversation with her grandmother.

Ramona asked Heather if she was having a nice time, and Heather said, it was really nice, aside from being attacked. She thought she’d proved her point; it’s just the way she looks at it. Ramona thought it would behoove Heather not to talk about them, but Heather said the way she talked about her experience was her business. Ramona said she didn’t want to be in the press, and didn’t want Heather talking about her, even if it was nice. In Heather’s interview, she said she thought that was more hot air and ridiculousness. She wanted to move on and have fun, which was what she was there for.

LuAnn went home to prepare for the women coming over to do nude sketching. Garth and LuAnn’s niece Nicole, who’d procured the model, were waiting for her; Garth busy slaving over a hot stove. In LuAnn’s interview, she said, lamb curry prepared by Garth, and a male nude model. What was better than food and nude? She thought it was going to be hysterical. At Ramona’s, Eboni and Leah were getting their hair and make-up done, and Ramona thought it was ridiculous that they couldn’t do it themselves. In Leah’s interview, she said she wanted to look cute, even if she wasn’t feeling cute. Ramona said their lateness was rude, and Eboni said, as a Black woman, she had a different hair situation than Ramona. Ramona suggested getting started earlier, and Eboni said they’d had technical issues. In Eboni’s interview, she said, 1865, the Emancipation Proclamation. She’s free. Don’t tell her what to do with her time.

Nude model Kurt arrived, and LuAnn explained he was a friend of her niece’s, and a professional poser. In LuAnn’s interview, she said he had to be mentally prepared up here – as she pointed to her head – so they didn’t have to worry about what was going on down there. I couldn’t really imagine it as a sexy situation, but who knows? Different strokes and all that. LuAnn had the usual amazing spread of appetizers, and in her interview, she said that Sonja was jealous of the other people in her orbit, especially Garth. She hoped the curry would win Sonja over. LuAnn told Heather that Garth was a good soul. He didn’t play games, and she could count on him. In her interview, LuAnn said Garth was there when she needed him. He didn’t drink, and that was good for her to be around. Garth got out while the getting was good, and in Ramona’s interview, she said Eboni seemed to get her. She wondered why Leah couldn’t. LuAnn’s friend Alfredo also showed up with his guitar. Leah told Sonja that LuAnn had thought Sonja would like him, but Sonja said LuAnn didn’t know what she liked. She liked bankers. In her interview, LuAnn said that Sonja could flirt, and get off her ass about Garth. In Ramona’s interview, she said Sonja liked LuAnn’s type of guy.  

Nicole said Kurt would be doing one-minute poses. Kurt came out with a fringed towel around his waist, and said he was very talented, but couldn’t take it off by himself. Sonja volunteered, and at the count of 3-2-1, she ran away with the towel. Kurt said she must have done that before. In Eboni’s interview, she said she could see why this was his job. There was a lot of giggling, and Leah said he had a nice in betweenie weenie. Ramona left to sit on the porch, saying, she could only paint so many penises. Leah said she was running out of steam, and joined her. LuAnn gave the last pose call, and in Sonja’s interview, she said the other girls were nailing it, but she was trying to keep her eye off the pickle. LuAnn introduced Alfredo, saying, he played guitar. Alfredo walked around while playing, and Ramona said his music was touching her. In her interview, Leah said she didn’t think he was Sonja’s type, but he had a d*ck, so maybe Ramona could help herself. In Sonja’s interview, she said she’d never been so hands off with a naked man in front of her. She just gripped the pencil tighter. Kurt looked at their work, and he seemed like a lovely person, as well as a good sport. Leah told Ramona that she was stressing, and in her interview, she said, physically, she felt terrible. The mind, body, and spirit were all connected, and she was having a hard time. She told Eboni that she couldn’t enjoy herself, and Ramona said Leah’s grandmother was the only one who loved her unconditionally. Her grandmother gets her more than her mom and Rob. Leah started crying, and Ramona said she was just trying to relate, and she was making it worse. In Eboni’s interview, she said she knew Ramona meant well, but stop it. In Leah’s interview, she said she thought silence was the best thing. Eboni told Leah not to feel she had to carry this sh*t. She needed to take care of herself. Leah said she was going to miss her grandmother so much, and Eboni said Leah was scared that when her grandmother was gone, there would be nobody to tell her that she’s good enough. Eboni hugged her, and Leah cried some more. Eboni said when Leah’s grandmother passed, she wouldn’t be losing her. Her grandmother would also be there for her.  

Victoria takes pictures of Kurt for her classic realism class. Eboni told Leah that her friends would step in to tell her that she’s good enough. Everyone sat down to eat Garth’s lamb curry, and Sonja said she’d been giving Leah space. Leah said she appreciated it, and LuAnn thanked her daughter Victoria, who had shown up to help, and Garth for making the food. In Sonja’s interview, she said she didn’t know how long LuAnn and Garth’s relationship would last, but she could see what LuAnn was raving about. It’s the curry.

LuAnn said she’d seen Ramona run out last night, with Eboni chasing her, and Eboni said she was apologizing for using language Ramona doesn’t like. LuAnn said she was brought up conservatively, the same as Ramona, and in Leah’s interview, she said, Ramona and Christian values shouldn’t be used in the same sentence. Thou shalt not lie. LuAnn thought there had to be a cut-off point, or it got to be a bit much. Leah it was hard for her to know about the hypocrisy. Ramona was dancing around in a thong, and flashing her boobs. Make up her mind. We saw a clip of Ramona doing just that. Leah walked away from the table, and Sonja said Leah had just been crying; leave her alone. Ramona talked about Leah going to dinner with Ramona, her daughter, and her daughter’s friends, and they wondered, who speaks like that? We saw a clip of the dinner, and Leah talking about big d*cks and such. Eboni said that she wouldn’t use words Ramona didn’t like, but she shouldn’t subscribe to the fact that someone using those words wasn’t classy. Ramona claimed she’d never said that, and LuAnn said it had to do with education. Eboni said she was the most educated one in the group, and LuAnn asked if a degree made her educated. Leah came back, and told Ramona not to bring up her daughter again. In Sonja’s interview, she said, of course Leah was acting out to get a rise out of Ramona. Here came the high point where Leah pointed at each one, and said, you’re a ho, and you’re a ho. And I sang, everywhere a ho-ho. Leah ended with saying they were the biggest ho’s ever, and left. Like left in a car. Ramona said Leah was always defensive and aggressive, and Sonja said Leah should be herself. Ramona shouldn’t bring her around people she didn’t want her around. Heather said what should be a lesson in listening to each other wasn’t happening, and LuAnn mumbled about being an uneducated person. Eboni told her, no one said that LuAnn was uneducated. She said she was the most educated, which was a fact. In LuAnn’s interview, she said, to her, being educated was being well-traveled and speaking many languages. I think there might be more to it than that, but okay. She said Eboni was making them feel like idiots, and Eboni said LuAnn considered people who didn’t adhere to LuAnn’s social norms to be uneducated. LuAnn said she’d been originally talk about Catholicism, and Eboni jumped on her. Miss Educated was the smarted in the room. Eboni told her, no one said that, and in her interview, she said she’d been practicing law since she was 23. People could say a lot of sh*t about her, but she has an education. In Heather’s interview, she said this wasn’t about Leah; it was all about egos. LuAnn said Eboni wasn’t going to call her uneducated in her own house, and Eboni said she could leave LuAnn’s house. Ramona said Eboni was too loud, and Eboni said Ramona’s white fragility was killing her. Ramona said they’d been talking about words she didn’t like to hear, and LuAnn wondered why Eboni was so angry. Eboni said, so now she was an angry Black woman. She didn’t like LuAnn equating education to what people say. At this point, Ramona said she needed some tequila. LuAnn said Eboni was just an angry woman. In her interview, Eboni said, Leah stormed off, and they didn’t see her ass no more, but no one called her angry. She had a visceral response to something deeply personal and painful, and she was called angry. Don’t tell her it’s not about race. In Sonja’s interview, she said Eboni didn’t seem angry. She seemed to use her words.

Inside the house, Ramona asked if Victoria used words like that, and Victoria said she did not. Eboni said if LuAnn didn’t want her there, she would leave out of respect. The Countess said she thought Eboni should go. She should calm down and thinks about what she’d said. I can’t make the call as to it being a race issue, but I’d be pretty pissed at being talked to like I’m five. Eboni said LuAnn wasn’t policing her feelings. She shamed a woman for being sexually free, and her for using her education. Eboni walked out, and it said, to be continued…  

Next time, Eboni tells Leah that she was called an angry Black woman; LuAnn apologizes, but wants one in return; a fishing trip; and Leah calls Heather a Karen. The moment we’ve been waiting for

👩🏾‍🏫 For Your Viewing Education…

I saw the first part of this tonight, and it was excellent.

‘The Legacy Of Black Wall Street’: OWN Sets Doc On History Of Tulsa Economic Hub From Trailblazer Studios

🎬 That’s a Wrap…

It’s late/early, and I’m spent. Until we meet at the corner of Port Charles and Beverly Hills, stay safe, stay as well-adjusted as possible, and stay not policing other people’s feelings.