What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Undisclosed location. We see the outside of a house, and Agent Silva asks the guard outside how it’s going. The guard says, same as always, and Silva says, it might seem boring, but that’s how they like it. Inside a woman’s voice asks, what are you doing? and a man says, what do you think I’m doing? I’m trying to keep you safe. The woman says he’s going to get them both killed, and there’s a bunch of yelling and noise. Silva and the guard run in with their guns drawn, and Laura and Martin are sitting on the couch, playing video games. Laura says, sorry; they’ll try to keep it down. She gets a little excited. Martin says, protecting people is harder than it looks.

Nina asks Peter what he intends to do, and he says, him? He doesn’t have to lift a finger. She sealed her own fate back in beautiful Nixon Falls, when she fell in love with another woman’s husband. And not just any woman, the feisty Carly Corinthos. Frankly, he’s surprised to see Nina still in town. He would have thought Carly would have run her out on a rail by now, after tarring and feathering her first, of course (🍷). (Peter clearly doesn’t live in this century.) Or doesn’t she know. Carly comes around the corner, and Nina sees her, standing behind Peter. Peter says, perhaps he should clue Carly in, and Carly says, clue her in on what?

Sonny sees Britt, and she says she’s so sorry about Jason. He says, she knows how life is. That’s why he needs her to be straight with him. How long before Brando and Sasha can bring their baby home?

Chase tells Brook that he handed Bailey over to the nanny, and she thanks him… for everything. Drew says, so much has changed around here. When he was trying to catch up, Monica explained Brook and Chase had a child together, and until recently, Valentin thought Bailey was his daughter. Brook says, long story, and Drew says he’s sure it is. And Chase was with Willow, and now Willow is with Michael? Brook says, that’s true, and Chase says, also long story. Willow walks in and says, Drew?

At Windymere, Nikolas says he thought Ava left, but she says she can’t find her car keys, and he tells her to take his. He doesn’t want her to be late. She says, the Porsche. Well, thank you, Mr. Cassadine. He says, you’re welcome, Mrs. Cassadine. Drive safe. He gives her a kiss, and she goes to get her coat. The doorbell rings, and Nikolas opens the door to Victor, who just walks in, saying, good afternoon. Nikolas tells him, come on in, and Victor says, it’s been quite a while since he’s been there. Ava comes back in, saying, she found her keys… and stops short.

Willow says, Drew is alive, and Drew says he’s been hearing that a lot. He knows it’s shocking, but it’s good to see her. Michael comes in on the phone, saying, he’ll be there in time for the finance meeting. Drew says, Michael, and Michael walks over to him. He says, it can’t be, but Drew says, it is. Here I am, more or less. They hug.

Laura says she guesses Silva didn’t tell the new guy about their gaming marathons and their enthusiasm, and Martin says, they were kind of in the zone. Silva says he’s well-aware, but vicious sounds or sounds of distress must be taken seriously. Laura apologizes, and Martin says, their bad. Silva thanks them, and says, gin rummy, Crazy 8s, Speed, all fun card games. Laura says she screams at those too, and Martin says, she’s very competitive. Silva leaves, and Martin says, don’t forget, he’s keeping them safe. Laura says she wishes he didn’t have to, but Martin says, he does. It’s a waiting game. Although from what he’s been able to gather, the FBI is winding things down. Maybe they’re eliminating, or have eliminated, the threat against them. She asks if he means Cyrus. How is that possible? They both know Cyrus will never stop seeking revenge against those who’ve crossed him, and they top that list.

Victor says, with everything that was going on at Natasha’s… Alexis’s house, he and Ava didn’t have a chance to get properly acquainted. He hopes they can remedy that. He holds out his hand, and she takes it, saying, no time like the present. He says, she’s quite lovely. His nephew is a lucky man. Nikolas says, not only is his wife beautiful, she’s smart, classy, and most of all, she’s patient with him when he falls short of her expectations. She asks to what they owe the pleasure of this visit, and he says he has some business to discuss with Nikolas. She says, pertaining to what, Mr. Cassadine? and he tells her not to be so formal. Call him Uncle Victor, or at least Victor. They are family after all. And Ava has especially endeared herself to him. From what he understands, he has her to thank for his freedom.

Michael asks where Drew has been all these years; how’d he get back? Drew says he’s going to explain all of that, but there’s something he needs to talk to Michael about first. Brook suggests they give Drew and Michael some privacy, and Willow tells them, catch up. It was good to see Drew. The three of them leave, and Drew says, Monica didn’t tell him. Are Michael and Willow married? Michael says, they were, but not at the moment… It’s kind of complicated. It’s a long story. Drew says he’s been hearing that a lot. He’s been saying it a lot too. Michael says he and Willow are together. They actually have a son together; his name is Wiley. Drew congratulates him, and says he really looks forward to catching up. Michael says he can’t wait, and asks, what’s on Drew’s mind? Drew says he has some bad news. It’s about Jason. He was trapped in a tunnel on Cassadine Island, and there was a cave-in. It’s unlikely he survived.

In the foyer, Willow says, Michael is going to be heartbroken. And this all happened while they were gone? Maybe she should go back in and be with him. Chase says, before she goes, there’s something she should know. Nanny Bonnie comes out with Bailey, and says she gave Bailey a quick bath. Now she’s all ready for daddy. She hands the baby to Chase, and Willow says, daddy?

Britt tells Sonny, it’s too early to make a definitive diagnosis, but rest assured, she and the staff are doing all the can to ensure that the baby and his parents are well taken care of. Sonny says he appreciates that, and asks if he can say something. She seems different; more approachable and compassionate than she did before. She says, less bitchy? and they laugh. She tells him, when you work smack dab in the middle of the circle of life, sometimes things rub off on you. And she had help tapping into it. He says he sees why she was so special to Jason, and she says, so special, he chose another woman over her.

Nina says, Peter is a killer and a liar. Nothing he says is worth hearing. Peter suggests they let Carly be the judge of that, but the guard comes out and says they need to go. Carly says she needs a word with the prisoner. She’ll make it brief. The guard leaves, and Peter says, just long enough for a moment of silence for the dearly departed Jason Morgan. Carly slaps him across the face, and says, sometimes it takes more than a word, but he says, her anger is misplaced. What about Nina’s betrayal? Nina says, she and Carly already hashed that out, and Peter says, all of it? Carly says, say what you mean, you bastard, and Peter says, careful, Nina. What happens in Nixon Falls doesn’t always stay in Nixon Falls. Peter is wheeled away, and Nina says, it must have felt really good to slap Peter, but hasn’t he caused enough destruction? Is he worth Carly getting into trouble? Carly says Nina can drop the concerned act. What was Peter talking about? What else did she pull in Nixon Falls?

Britt apologizes, saying, it was uncalled for, and Sonny says, she’s talking about Carly, right? She says, forget it, but he says he just needs her to understand something. When he came back, it was hard for him to accept Jason and Carly together, but they had a certain relationship. Everybody knew. It’s hard for him to understand, but what he does know is Jason married Carly to protect the family, and he’ll always be grateful for that. They didn’t leave him much of a choice. Britt thanks him for saying that. Truthfully, she thinks it’s easier for her to be bitter than it is to accept the fact she may never see Jason again. He says, maybe it’s best that they know he cared about them, and even loved them in his way. She says, look at him. She did not expect Sonny to be in the consolation business, and he says, two people have said he must have gone through some kind of change.

Willow says, wrong guy; Mr. Cassadine is the father. Bonnie says, but… and Brook tells her that they’ll call her if they need her. Willow asks, what just happened? Why didn’t they correct her? Brook says, they didn’t correct her because… She looks at Chase, and he says, because she’s right. Valentin isn’t Bailey’s father; he is. Willow says, since when? and Chase says, since always. Willow says, he never said a word, and he says he just found out. Brook says he’s trying to protect her. What Chase isn’t saying is that she always knew; she just kept it from him. Willow asks why Brook would do something like that, and Brook says she needed to get her ELQ shares back from Valentin. Willow says, she didn’t know the two of them… and Chase says, just once, when Brook was crashing at his place. Willow says, so they’re not together? and Chase says, nooo. Brook says, she’s standing right there. She and Chase are just friends, co-parents. Willow says, like she and Michael once were.

Ava says Nikolas doesn’t remember. She’s sure she mentioned it. Nikolas doesn’t think she did, and Victor says, had it not been for Scotty’s unexpected and brilliant strategy, he might not have been able to cut such a deal with the WSB. Nikolas says he definitely would have remembered that, and Ava says, she meant to tell him, and it’s not a big deal. Scotty came into the gallery in a state about Liesl, and she inadvertently mentioned that the WSB was holding someone who might have a lead on her whereabouts. Victor says he’s very grateful she did. Because of her he’s once again breathing free air, and Liesl is reunited with her daughter. Nikolas says they have important business to discuss, and Ava says, his business is her business. Victor says, Nikolas is right; they’re going to be discussing a sensitive matter. Ava says, perhaps along the way, he heard of the Jerome family. There’s nothing he could say that would shock her. Tell him, Nikolas. Nikolas says, whatever Victor has to say, he can say in front of Ava. He trusts his wife with his life. Victor says, that’s very admirable. Let’s hope that trust isn’t unfounded. What he’s about to disclose, any inadvertent lapse in discretion could be the undoing of them all.

Laura asks if Martin isn’t surprised Cyrus hasn’t been able to find them after all these months. He must be getting pretty angry by now. He doesn’t like to be denied. Martin says, that’s an understatement. And only because he can’t have the one thing he craves more than anything in the world; a place to belong, to bond with people. He guesses they both do, despite all appearances to the contrary. Cyrus was glad to find out Laura was their sister; he was too. She says she did try. She tried even when Cyrus was holding her hostage. She didn’t want him to get killed. She wanted him to give himself up, so he could walk away from it unharmed. He says he admires her compassion; Cyrus didn’t deserve it. Just for the record, despite what they’ve had to endure while hiding together, he’s grateful for he got the chance to know her.

Michael says, there’s no chance? and Drew says, they can only go by what the authorities in Greece told them. The excavators detected no sign of life in that tunnel. Jason’s odds of survival in the cave-in were slim, and then to be able to find oxygen under all that rubble… Michael says, but they didn’t find a body, right? He knows it sounds bleak, but if anyone can defy the odds, it’s Jason. Drew says he’s not ruling anything out until they get the final word, but he’s mentally preparing himself. Michael says he’s sorry. Drew probably had to tell the story a dozen times, and it must be hell living it over and over. Drew says he’s there to tell it because of Jason. He hates being the bearer of bad news. He knows the strong bond Jason and Michael had. It’s kind of odd, but at the end, he and Jason started to bond and work together, and he found himself admiring Jason even more. Michael says he has to call his dad. He finally got past the impulse to call his father, and now he can because Sonny’s back, but this is a call he wouldn’t want to make in a million years. A check-in call to make sure his family is okay because Jason’s not coming home. How can Jason not be here anymore?

Laura thanks Martin for listening to her worrying and fretting; he really has helped her out a lot. He says he’s not sure he did all that much, but he’s happy to be her sounding board. As a matter-of-fact, it’s a privilege. She says, that’s what brothers and sisters are supposed to do, and he says, that’s what he’s been told. When they get out of this, they’ll be able to spend time together out in the open. How about, if they don’t make it back for the holidays, they plan themselves a big old family dinner? She says, a big old family dinner can’t come soon enough for her, and Agent Silva comes in. She thanks him for taking good care of them, and Silva says, aside from the games, they’re very compliant. It’s a relatively easy detail. He gives her today’s papers, and she asks if there’s anything she should know. He says, he did get word  on something that might interest her as mayor. Does the name Victor Cassadine sound familiar?

Victor says, Nikolas asked him over to discuss how he helped with Nikolas’s Hayden Barnes problem, and Ava says, her shooting? Victor says, no. He had nothing to do with that. He stepped in later when it seemed Hayden was particularly vulnerable to Valentin’s bribes and threats. Nikolas says, Hayden was on the verge of blowing his plans to get back the Cassadine fortune, and Victor says he was happy to oblige. Nikolas says, but how exactly? No one has seen or heard from Hayden; not even her sister or her own daughter. And recently, her mother was murdered. Victor says, Nikolas was in trouble. Hayden needed to be dealt with, along with others close to her who could implicate Nikolas. Even his cousin Samantha came perilously close to uncovering the truth. Nikolas says he didn’t ask for any of that, and Victor says Nikolas is family. He doesn’t have to. Ava asks if Victor is saying he commissioned crimes in the name of her husband, unsolicited? but Victor tells her, he’s saying he protected Nikolas. And her, and Windymere. Nikolas asks what he’s done to Hayden, and Victor says, a word of advice. Don’t ask questions you don’t want the answers to.

Sonny says, Britt’s job must be easier without Cyrus lurking around, and she says, it’s nice not to worry about men hiding in her office, trying to kill her. They laugh, and Sonny says he heard Jason saved her when he escaped, when she’d been trying to nail Cyrus. He also heard she saved Jason the night he got shot. Sonny appreciates that. Britt says she wishes she could have saved Jason on Cassadine Island, and Sonny says, so does he. She didn’t get the chance, but he knows she would have done everything she could. He asks where she’s headed, and she guesses her office. He says he’ll walk with her. You never know if there’s another boogie man hiding.

Carly and Nina come out of the elevator, and Nina says, this is what Peter does. He agitates. He tries to sow discord. Anything to detract from his own crimes. Carly asks what Peter would have to gain by lying about Nina, and Nina says she doesn’t know what’s inside Peter’s head, and she doesn’t want to, but if she had to guess, she’d think it was simple revenge. She foiled his plan to find his daughter, she tried to get her aunt to kill him, and she survived when he tried to kill her in the fire. He hates her. Carly says what she doesn’t understand is why Nina would call Obrecht instead of the cops when she saw Peter, and Nina says, because he threated James. Peter said if he couldn’t find his own daughter, James would be an adequate substitute. He always loved the idea of raising her brother’s son. Carly says, that’s terrible, but that’s not all, is it? Nina says, he blackmailed her. He used threats and pain to buy her silence. Carly asks what Peter has on Nina, and Sonny and Britt see them.

Nina says she’s not proud of this, but Peter knew she was hiding Sonny from all of them. He threatened to reveal Sonny was alive if she didn’t comply. Carly says, is that it? and Sonny comes over, asking, what’s going on? Carly says she just ran into Peter, and that sick son of a bitch was gloating… Sonny says, Peter is in GH? and Nina says, he’s in custody. Carly says, no thanks to Nina. She was so hellbent on getting revenge on Carly, she let Peter go free to commit crime after crime. Sonny says, it’s okay, but Carly says, it’s not okay. Nina just admitted she let Peter blackmail her because he knew Sonny was alive, and he’s worried about the scene she might make? Nina says, excuse her, and tries to leave, but Carly stops her and asks if Nina realizes what she’s done. If she’d turned in Peter, instead of covering her own ass, Peter would have been locked up ages ago. He wouldn’t have been in Greece. He wouldn’t have been on Cassadine Island, and Jason would still be alive. Nina walks away, and Carly says, Sonny can’t defend her. The damage Nina has done is unbelievable. Sonny says he’s not defending Nina. Carly has every right to be angry. He thinks Jason’s death has pushed her over the edge.

Chase says, Sasha had a difficult labor, which resulted in emergency surgery. The baby is in the NICU. Brook says, that’s where Michael’s parents are, when Michael and Drew come out. Michael says he has to get going, and Drew tells him, do what he needs to; he’s not going anywhere. Michael and Willow leave, and Brook says, home for the holidays isn’t exactly how Drew pictured it, huh? He says, after the last few years, it’s more than enough to feel safe, and know others are safe from him. Maxie told him that him being back gave her hope that her daughter will be restored to her. He doesn’t know how Maxie does it, but he’s happy she’s still got hope.

Laura says, Victor Cassadine is alive? And working with Peter August? Do they know for how long? Silva says, no, but it seems to have been for some time. There is one other thing. Cassadine cut a deal with the WSB for his freedom. Laura asks if he’s been released; where is he? Silva says, Port Charles, and she thanks him for the information. He leaves, and Martin says, whoever this Victor Cassadine is, he’s assuming two things. One, Laura’s not happy he’s back, and two, he’s related to Valentin? Laura says, she’s not, and he’s Valentin’s uncle by marriage. He says, judging from her reaction, he assumes Victor represents some of the less reputable characters in the family, and she says, he has no idea. He told her he had all those stories about Cyrus; Victor’s havoc is too long for her to list. He says, last he checked, they’ve got nothing but time, but she says, they don’t. She needs to pack up and get out of there now.

A woman with cleaning supplies comes to the safe house, and Silva asks, where’s Nancy? She says, Nancy is sick. He can call the property management company. He tells her to leave her stuff there, and when she leaves, he makes a call.

Victor hopes Nikolas’s curiosity has been sated, but Nikolas says, not really. Victor suggests they not discuss it again. He finds it distasteful to dredge up the past. No need to thank him; however, he might need to avail himself of a favor or two at some point. Ava says, the Cassadines never cease to amaze her, but Victor is in a class all his own. Victor agrees, and Nikolas says he hopes Victor’s definition of the past doesn’t include recent past. Victor never shared that he was working with Peter. Victor says he has many associates, and Ava asks if his other associates are madmen as well. Victor says, he’s come to realize his arrangement with Peter was ill-advised, and Nikolas asks, what was that arrangement? Perhaps Victor finds his questions rude, but the compound in Crete was his originally, and he put it at Victor’s disposal. He feels he has a right to know what happened there. Victor says he gave Peter access to his resources in exchange for something only Peter could give him in return. Ava asks what Peter could give Victor to persuade him for form such an unholy alliance.

Carly says, of course (🍷) she’s angry about Jason; isn’t Sonny? Jason was her best friend, and was Sonny’s best friend too. Sonny says, he’s angry too. Jason deserved better, but he’s trying to channel his energy into making sure who’s responsible is going to pay. She says, he thinks her reaction to Jason’s death is inappropriate? It’s no less of a reaction than when Sonny died. Sonny says, right, her husband. He’s not saying her grieving is wrong, and she says, please make her understand what he is saying. His phone dings, and Carly says she’s going to get something for Sasha. She storms off, and he sees a text from Nina, saying, very important we talk; in the chapel. He gets in the elevator.

Britt sees Carly flying down the hall, and tells her, slow down.

Willow and Michael go into the hospital and Willow says she’ll wait there. Maybe she’ll go say a little prayer for Sasha and her baby. He asks if she’s okay, and she says she’s fine. It’s okay; go.

Brook says, they’ll all feel so much better once Louise is back in Maxie’s arms where she belongs, and Drew says he can’t imagine pain that Maxie’s had to endure. He missed Scout so much. He thought about Scout every day, but at least he knew she was safe. Brook says she can’t wait for that monster to be locked up forever. His hold over Maxie will be finished. Drew says he understands that more than she knows. He and Maxie were talking, and they were both put in impossible positions, having to do unimaginable things for survival. Brook says, Maxie told him what she did? but he says, she didn’t have to. He won’t feel that Peter’s hold is broken on him until Peter is dead. Brook says, that works too, and Chase says, whoa. Excuse me, I’m a cop. Brook says, not for the next six months. Peter tried to poison him to death. She tells Drew, Chase was given a toxin that nearly paralyzed him. He was in a wheelchair for months and had to completely relearn to walk. Drew says, look at him now, being able to pace back and forth with his beautiful baby girl. Would it be okay if he held her? Chase says, sure, and gives the baby to Drew. Drew says he remembers when Scout was this little. It’s so true what they say; they grow up so fast. He tells them, cherish every moment they can with their little girl.

Sonny meets Nina in the chapel, and says, texting him is not a good idea, and she says she knows, but she contacted him because she wants to warn him about Peter. She saw Peter, and he said he was going to tell Carly that their relationship in Nixon Falls was deeper than friendship. She’s assuming Carly still doesn’t know, and she tried to cover, but Peter is like a loose cannon. He says, the timing of this is horrible. Carly is upset about everything that’s going on, but Nina is not responsible for Jason’s death. Nina says she knows that, and she knows Peter is responsible for his own actions, but Carly’s rage at her is not completely misplaced. Her bad choices had a ripple effect that just keeps growing, and if she has to say she’s sorry for the rest of her life, she will. He says she doesn’t have to apologize to him. Willow approaches the chapel, and hears them. Sonny says, right now, the timing is not good, so nobody needs to know.

Britt says, Carly is entitled to grieve however she needs to without judgement. But there’s a young couple down the hall, grappling with unimaginable fear and uncertainty. She doesn’t want Carly to be banned from the hospital when Sasha needs her support. Carly says, she was on her way to ask about a body pillow for Sasha when she ran into that monster. Britt says, body pillows definitely help out post-op C-section patients.

Martin says, no you don’t, madam mayor. She can’t go bolting out of there. Laura says, Victor Cassadine is now a short drive from Nikolas and Spencer, and he says, she thinks they’re in danger? There’s an FBI agent right outside the door. They’ll talk to Silva, and get them protected. She says, she doesn’t think Victor would physically harm them, but he’s a masterful manipulator. He’s a bully has that uncanny ability to sniff people’s weaknesses and use it against them. He excels at blackmail, and he’s always got an agenda and an objective. He’s completely amoral, and will use absolutely anyone. To make matters worse, he’s not lacking connections either, because he used to run the WSB. Martin says, he sounds formidable, and Laura says, in his own way, he’s every bit as dangerous as Cyrus. Martin can stay there. He doesn’t have to put himself at risk. He says he doesn’t intend to put himself at risk, and he’s not going to allow his sister to either.

Victor says, as much as he admires a tenacious woman, he can’t indulge Ava. His former business with Peter is strictly off limits. Nikolas says, he’s tenacious too; the question is still on the table. Victor says he must be going. He hopes trifling business with Peter isn’t going to become a sticking point between them. Nikolas says, what if it does? and Victor says, they’re family. They’re going to be needing each other in the weeks and months to come. Nikolas was always a smart man; smart and useful to his uncle. He doesn’t want to remind Nikolas that any repercussions that visit him will likewise land on Nikolas’s doorstep. He looks around, and says, the place is quite wonderful. He leaves, and Ava says, what now? Nikolas says, they’ll have to send Uncle Victor packing. On a one-way trip anywhere but here.

Drew gives Bailey to Brook, and says, he could do this all night. He has done it all night. It kills him that Maxie is missing out on moments like this. He won’t let Maxie’s daughter become Peter’s final victim. He won’t rest until he finds Louise.

Ava hands Nikolas a drink, and says, this is quite the reversal. He assured her that they could trust his uncle; that he’d never betray his family. Nikolas says, that was before he found out what Victor had done on his behalf, and she says, don’t forget that last little threat before he left. He says, there was nothing little about it. His uncle has selective memory. He doesn’t owe Victor; Victor owes him. He kept silent about Victor’s existence for years. He provided Victor a home in Crete. He didn’t incriminate Victor when Anna was breathing down his neck. As far as he’s concerned, his debt has been paid, and Victor shouldn’t expect anything from him. Ava says, he can, and he does. Nikolas heard him. As much as Nikolas wants to distance them from Victor, the smart thing to do is bide their time and wait. No standoffs or showdowns. If there’s even a hint they want to sever ties, when Victor goes down, he’ll drag them to hell with him.

Laura tells Martin, she can’t just sit there and play video games when Victor Cassadine is roaming the street of Port Charles. She has to protect her family and friends, but also the citizens of Port Charles. he says, she wants to protect the people she loves; so does he. And other than mama, that means her. You might as well sit and deal, little sister, because we’re not leaving. It’s too dangerous. They’re in protective custody for a reason, and until they get the FBI say-so, they have targets painted on their backs. And somewhere out there is a hired gun just waiting to take a shot.

In a car outside, the fake cleaning lady (you knew she was fake, right?) talks on the phone, as she puts on a pair of gloves. She says, no problem. They bought that sick Nancy story. What’s her next move?

Carly thanks Britt for reminding her of what’s most important. She needs to stay present for Sasha. She needs to be clearheaded to make sure anyone responsible for Jason’s death pays. Britt says, she’ll check on that pillow, and leaves, passing Michael on his way to Carly. Carly hugs him, and says, he heard about Jason? He says he did, and she says she and his dad wanted to tell him to his face, not have him hear about it. He says he’s so sorry. How are they doing? She says, they’re devastated, and he says, Drew told him what happened, and from the sound of it, there’s still hope. No body was found, but dad came back, right? She says, right, and hugs him again.

Sonny tells Nina, he’s going to pay Peter a visit, and make sure he keeps his mouth shut. Whatever happened between them in Nixon Falls – we see Willow outside the door – has to come from him, and it will. Nina says she gets it. Despite all the pain that it caused – and she knows they’re going on with their lives – she needs him to know that the love they shared was the purest thing she’s ever known in her life. She’s so sorry, but she can never regret that. Willow is like, oh wow.

Tomorrow, Esme tells Trina that she’s not letting Spencer go, Peter says he knew someone (no doubt, Maxie) wouldn’t be able to stay away, Maxie tells Anna that an exception can be made, and Nina says she can’t regret it.

Below Deck

Christophe Harbor, St. Kitts. Fraser can’t believe he made out with Jake, and has no recollection of what happened. He’s worried it will affect their friendship. Things get weird when people hook up. We flash back to his make-out session with Jake, and he says, effing stupid. He feels awkward, but Jessica says he was very cute. He walks past the deck team, and Jake says he loves Fraser, and had the best time making out. Fraser says he’s sorry, but Jake says he’s proud of himself for being sexually free. Fraser says Jake is a good chap. In Jake’s interview, he says he’s kissed many guys. As long as he’s having fun. That’s what life’s about, isn’t it? Fraser thinks, right now, life is okay.

Heather tells Fraser that she’d like to put Jessica on service, and him on laundry. She wants to see if Jessica can show some excitement. In Heather’s interview, she says, morale is the backbone of a successful crew. She can usually pull someone out of a funk, and has never had to fire a stew. She hopes this will be Jessica’s light at the end of the tunnel. It’s time to kick some ass. In the laundry room, Jessica sings, making this laundry my bitch. And no, it’s not a real song. Not that I know of anyway.

Captain Lee calls Heather, Eddie, and Rachel for a preference sheet meeting. Michael is the primary, a Colorado based distributor for Anheuser-Busch. He’s celebrating being one-year cancer-free, and they want a celebratory dinner with the captain, as well as having a boobie party. In Eddie’s interview, he says, cancer is a son of a bitch. His mom was diagnosed, and the realization he could lose her was tough. She now has a clean bill of health; she’s a tough bitch. The guests also want a Greek dinner, family style; drinks always in hand; and water toys available all the time. The captain says, they’re a meat and potatoes family. He thinks he’s going to do something different. They’re going to leave the dock at 10 am, and get the jet skis in the water. He wants to have everything set up, so the first time the guests see the boat, they’ll see the slide and everything out. In his interview, he says he doesn’t know why he didn’t think of it sooner. They’ve been wasting the first three hours of the guests’ charters. Their holiday should start when they get on board. Eddie is not a fan of leaving at 10.

Wes asks how Rayna got into yachting, and she says she saw a yacht in Alaska. He says there aren’t a lot of Black people in yachting, and she says, that’s because of racists; dumb assess who talk sh*t behind the scenes. The islands are one thing, but it’s a different ballgame in the states. Wes says coming from St. Thomas, he doesn’t have that feeling; he loves the Caribbean. Rayna says, being Black in America isn’t easy; she’d been beat up by white men, and maced by cops. She tells Wes a story about her and a friend getting beat up by three white guys in an elevator, and in her interview, she says, literally for no reason. It was the scariest thing in her life, and the experience affected her to the point where she doesn’t want kids. She tells Wes that she’s been traumatized, and in Wes’s interview, he says he’s experienced racism, although his father is white. But he hadn’t gone through what Rayna did. He doesn’t know what that’s like.

Eddie tells the deckhands, the plan is, it’s balls to the walls day. Heather meets with Fraser and Jessica, and says she’s excited about the next charter. She thought they’d do a switch up, and thinks it will be a great chance for Jessica. In Jessica’s interview, she says she’s a loner, and not overly thrilled. Heather tells her to make sure the guests are checked on every 10 minutes. Jessica shows Fraser what’s going on in the laundry room, and provisions come in. Fraser finds some hidden breadfruit in the laundry, which apparently smells disgusting. Jake has to help with leaving the dock, and in his interview, he says he’s never had to call distances before, and he’s used to meters. Jessica says she can tell Fraser doesn’t like doing the laundry, but he says, it’s good to change things up. Jessica texts her mom that she wants to cry because she doesn’t like most of the people there. Fraser says, the laundry room is gross, and Heather tells Jessica that it might be crazy at first, but it’s all about the ride.

The dreaded slide is pumped up, and in Eddie’s interview, he says, they’re running out of time, and this is his nightmare. The slide gives them an extra hard time, and Eddie gets in the water to straighten it out. Captain Lee sees the water taxi bringing the guests, and tells the crew to get on the aft deck. In his interview, Eddie says, he trusts Captain Lee, and knows there’s a method to his madness; however, they’re cutting it close, and it’s just chaos. Eddie helps the guests off the taxi, and sends them upstairs where the rest of the crew greets them. Primary Michael’s daughter Nicole says Jake is cute. Glasses of champagne are passed out, and Heather gives the tour. She tells them about the crazy winds they’ve been having, but they say they’re used to blowing snow, so they’ll be good. Everyone changes, and Rachel makes lunch. The guests immediately get in the water, and Jessica can’t find the wine in the refrigerator right in front of her. In Fraser’s interview, he says he stripped the laundry room. A tiny part of him wants Jessica to fail, so he can go back to service. He needs to smile, wave, and stay out of it. He needs to stop talking to himself.

Rachel makes burgers, hot dogs, and fries. Wes complains that the slide consumes so much time. They’ve been busting their ass. Jake begs to differ, and says they need to give maximum effort at warp speed. They need to go faster. Wes says, Jake is responsible for time management, and Jake says he doesn’t want to nag. Heather says, booby party, here we come, and guest Jennipher (also Michael’s girlfriend) gives the crew shirts that say, I’m here for the boobs. Jessica tells Rayna that Fraser was upset, and threw a hissy fit about the state of the laundry room. She doesn’t have the patience for that. She’s going to ignore him until he acts like a human being. She doesn’t know if she has much more to go.

Jessica disappears, and guest Justin goes behind the bar to make his own drink. Heather wonders why he’s making his own drink, and he says he’s the bartender. In Heather’s interview, she says, it’s embarrassing. She’s a patient person, but she’s at her wit’s end. She tells Jessica that she doesn’t want guests making their own drinks. She has to make her territory known, or it won’t be her territory at all. In Jessica’s interview, she says, Heather is sucking all her energy out now. She’s not the super stew Heather wants her to be, and she’s reaching her breaking point. Heather radios Fraser, and asks for help with service. Jessica cleans cabins, and Heather tells Fraser about Justin making his own drink. Rayna asks where Captain Lee’s pink shirt is, and he asks if that’s a real question. They high-five.

Eddie tells the deckhands, tomorrow, things have to be perfect; quick, smooth, and efficient, no mistakes. The captain thanks the guests for the dinner invite, and Nicole tells him that they’re celebrating her dad being free from cancer. Jennipher says he had chemo, and didn’t miss a day of work or a day of his life. Michael says, you have to keep on. You can’t stop doing what you’re doing. Jennipher says, cheers to her one boob wonder. In Rachel’s interview, she says, tonight’s theme is titties a la carte. The guests have simple preferences, so she’s taking everything they love, and bumping it up, topped off with a motorboat titty cake. This is basically two coconut cakes side-by-side, with a cherry on each. Nicole says Michael loves his dog more than his daughters, and Michael says, the dog doesn’t talk back. Heather gives Jessica instructions about the cabins, and Jessica tells Wes that she’ll probably be back on laundry by the morning. She’s good at being a party of one. Heather checks the cabins, and the cake comes out. Everyone sings, happy titty day, and in Captain Lee’s interview, he says he’s never seen a dessert so discomboobulated, which my autocorrect keeps wanting to correct. He laughs at his own joke.

The guests go to bed, and the crew cleans up. Heather tells Rachel that she’s going to lose her sh*t tomorrow. Rachel says, nobody wants to carry anyone’s load, and in Heather’s interview, she says, she’s not leaving the season in a happy place with Fraser if he has to pick up after Jessica. Heather tells Jessica that all eyes are on her. Training day is over. Not having time isn’t an excuse anymore. The load is too much, and she’s coming to the point of her last straw. Jessica says everyone is telling her that she’s doing a great job, and now this all of a sudden? Heather says, it was positive reinforcement; Jessica seems bummed with everything. Jessica suggests it’s her resting face; she’s not bummed. Heather says, Fraser made the laundry room look like that in two hours. The pressure is there, and she wants the standard risen. In her interview, Heather says, she feels terrible, but they’re not here to sing kumbaya. There’s no room for error, and it’s shape up or ship out now. Eddie asks Jessica if she’s okay, and she pouts. In Jessica’s interview, she says, at this point, she’s questioning whether she wants to be there. She’s there to make money; she’s not planning on being their maid for life. Is it worth it? She doesn’t know. She tells Rayna that she was scolded for not pulling her weight, and Rayna says, they can suck her non-existent d*ck. Jessica says, that’s how she feels. She’s ready to go. Heather is so effing fake. She’s not being nice anymore. Rayna says she loves Jessica.

Day two of charter. Fraser is on service, and Rachel makes breakfast. Jessica manages to get her ass out of bed, and gets a hug from Jake in the crew mess. In Jessica’s interview, she says, after a night’s sleep, she decided she doesn’t like being a quitter. Heather isn’t pushing her out. She wants to finish it, and finish right. Captain Lee does a double-take when he sees the laundry room, and says, wow. On the bridge, Captain Lee says Eddie acts like he’s his age, and Eddie says, sometimes he feels like the captain’s age, except he still has his mind. This morning, Rachel makes what we all know is one of my favorite things in the world, eggs benedict. The yacht heads for Pinneys Beach in St. Kitts, and the captain instructs Eddie on anchor drop. Breakfast concludes, and anchor is dropped. The slide gives the deckhands extra problems, and Wes goes out on a jet ski to try and fix it, but makes it worse. in his interview, Eddie says, Wes isn’t listening, there are five people talking at once, Captain Lee is trying to help, but there are too many chefs in the kitchen. And it’s in front of the guests. It’s embarrassing. Captain Lee says, it’s like the Moe, Larry, and Curly show on steroids. In his interview, the captain says, Eddie is going to explode like Mount Vesuvius. He’s a first officer; act like it. This is pissing him off now.

The captain says they look like idiots, and tells the deckhands to try and keep their voices down. They got this. He tells Eddie to go help with the foot of the slide, and Eddie does, very aggressively. The captain calls him to the bridge, and in Wes’s interview, he says, he f***ed up. We see him sucking part of the slide into the jet ski. He says he’s got more to learn about yachting. He likes the slow pace of sailing; this isn’t his cup of tea. Rayna says her patience is little, and she can only go so far. Captain Lee tells Eddie, take a breath and let it go. Eddie says, everything is going wrong, but the captain says, he has to rise above it, and get the job done. Do the best he can with what he’s got to work with. Eddie says he wants to rip someone’s head off, but Captain Lee says, that’s his job. In the captain’s interview, he says he understands the added pressure, but they can’t overreact with guests there. That’s why Eddie has three stripes. He tells Eddie to bust out the big boy pants. In his interview, Eddie says, the captain told them to bust their asses, and now he’s telling him to calm down. It’s embarrassing and infuriating. The guests get in the water.

Rayna asks Fraser, what happened last night? Jessica said she wanted to go home. He says, she hasn’t been pulling her weight. Captain Lee tells Fraser that the laundry room looks outstanding; it’s refreshing to see. Fraser says, that means a lot, and tells Heather about it. Jake gives Rayna a lecture on putting her coffee mug away, and she tells him to get his complaining ass away from her. He says, what? and she tells him that she said okay. He asks why he’s the only one she gives sh*t to, and she says, everyone else is an adult; he’s a child. In Heather’s interview, she says, they’ve got to be kidding. Why are they arguing with each other? This is yachting. We have guests on board. WTF?

Next time, Jessica thinks she’s reaching her breaking point, Heather says this is some weird sh*t, Captain Lee wants Eddie to get control of his deck team, and the captain tells Eddie that he wants to see pro-active or people are going to lose their jobs.

💡 Leaving a Light On For You…

Stop by tomorrow for soap and Rules. Until then, stay safe, stay moving forward, and stay knowing your choices can have a ripple effect, so take a breath before you make them.