What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Marshall thanks Curtis for coming back to his motel room. He says he didn’t feel much like having this conversation in the hospital. He offers Curtis something to drink, but Curtis asks if they’re going to do this or not. Marshall says, please. This isn’t easy for him. Curtis says, you know what isn’t easy? Growing up without a father, and thinking he’s dead. And then finding out he didn’t die. Marshall simply walked out on his family, leaving them on their own. So why doesn’t Marshall stop procrastinating and tell him the truth? Where has he been all this time?

Sonny hums as he cooks, and Carly walks in. He asks if she’s hungry.

Nina puts an ice pack on her cheek, and flashes back to Carly slapping her. There’s a knock at the door, but she says she’s not here. She gets up, saying, this better be important, and opens the door to Willow.

Austin and Britt go to The Savoy. Austin asks how this works, and she says, it was his idea. He says, it was, but just because it was his idea doesn’t make it a good idea. He has no idea what he’s doing. Britt says, first, they arm themselves with a drink, and they establish a formal operating base at the end of the room, with a nearby base camp at a table for tactical intrigue. He says she’s funny. She makes it sound like a battle. She tells him, dating is a war.

Maxie and Felicia walk into Charlie’s, and Maxie says, what’ll it be? Felicia isn’t sure tikis fit the occasion, and Maxie agrees. No colorful drinks with equally colorful umbrellas, or pineapple wedges, or anything frou-frou. Felicia says, if there was ever a time for straight-up whiskey, it’s drinking to the memory of Luke Spencer.

Laura asks how Victor got in her house, and he says, Spencer and his charming girlfriend invited him in. They’re in the kitchen right now making tea. He does apologize if he surprised her, and she asks why he’d apologize. They both know he planned it.

Austin brings the drinks to the table, and asks Brook why they’re pink. She says, because drinking beer makes him look like a knuckle dragger, and a martini is too threatening. He asks what pink says about him, and she says, a Cosmo says, you’re comfortable with your sexuality, and you can have fun, but not too much fun. He asks how they mingle, and she says, he’s never done this? How did he meet women in Pawtuck? He says, square-dances, and she just looks at him. He says, it’s true, and church bazaars. He made a decision that he was more comfortable around gentle woodland creatures than he was around humankind. But that’s over now. He’s in. He’s a volunteer, and he’s her wingman, so wherever she goes, he’s ready to follow. She tells him to take the lead, but he says, ladies first. He insists. She says, they’re two accomplished bold-faced names, comfortable in a high pressure environment. They can navigate a night out in a club on their own… Right? He says, absolutely.

Maxie says she spoke with Anna; she’s keeping an eye on Robert. Felicia says, poor Robert. He must be devastated. Maxie says she heard him singing Waltzing Matilda in the background. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? Felicia says, it depends. Was he singing on key? Maxie says, really? and Felicia says, at least he’s feeling no pain. First Holly, then Sean, now Luke. So much loss. Maxie asks what she can do, and Felicia says she’s doing it just by being there with her. Maxie says she knows Luke and Felicia were close at one point, and Felicia says, Luke wasn’t always easy to get along with, but he was there for her when it counted. Maxie says she can’t help but think about Lulu. She’s going to wake up one day, and ask about her dad. What are they going to tell her? Felicia says, Laura will have the right words.

Victor says, still just as feisty as ever, and Laura says he’s still just as brazen, and smarmy. She heard he cut himself an immunity deal by throwing his partner, Peter August, under the bus. He says, the WSB’s priority was always Peter. He was just happy to do his part for the greater good. Laura is sure that deal served no one better than Victor. The WSB snared one snake by releasing another one. He applauds her way with words, and says he’s sure that helped her get elected as mayor. She asks what he wants, and he says, aside from the pleasure of her company? All in due time. He’s not going anywhere.

Marshall says he gets it; Curtis is angry. He has every right to be, but Marshall is getting real tired of Curtis coming at him with this attitude. Curtis says he’s getting tired of Marshall dodging the truth. He didn’t want to talk at the hospital, and he didn’t want to talk on the ride over. Now they’re at the private place Marshall wanted, and Marshall is talking about his attitude. Marshall may be his biological father, but Marshall doesn’t know him at all if he thinks Curtis is putting up with this. Marshall says, that’s not what he’s saying, and Curtis asks, then what is he saying? And don’t say he’s not telling Curtis what he’s been up to all this time. Curtis doesn’t know why he bothered. He’s thinking Marshall will tell him something different than he has all those other nights, when he coughed up these vague excuses instead of the truth. And don’t even tell him that he’s better off not knowing. Marshall says he’s sorry. He thought he could do this. Curtis asks if all of a sudden, it’s safe to speak, but Marshall says, it will never be safe, man. Never.

Nina asks if Wiley is okay, and Willow says, he’s fine. Nina puts the ice pack back on her face, and Willow says she’s not sure Nina is. Nina says she’ll be fine, and Willow asks if she can come in. It’s important. Nina says, isn’t it always? She’s got five minutes. Six if she leaves Carly’s name out of it. Willow says she’s come to apologize. She’s sorry she couldn’t honor her promise not to tell anyone about Nina and Sonny. And she’s sorry for accusing Nina of setting her up at the hearing. Nina says, so Willow believes she wanted to stay out of Carly and Sonny’s marriage, even if she was found guilty of fraud and identity theft? Willow says she does, and Nina supposes Willow feels better having said all that. Willow says, a little, and Nina supposes that makes one of them.

Carly says, Sonny is cooking, and he says, there wasn’t any food at the penthouse, and he missed this. He asks her to do him a favor and taste the sauce, but she says she’s not hungry. He says he’s not going to make her a plate; he just wants her to see if it needs anything. She tastes it, and says, it could use some more sugar. He says, he thought he was being too conservative with the sweet stuff. How about some mozzarella or parmesan? She says, she’s really tired, so… He says, there’s also some bread warming up in the oven. Guess where it’s from? Eckerd’s. She kind of smiles, and he says he can cut some mozzarella and melt it… Or does she want some wine? He’ll do whatever she wants. She doesn’t say anything, and he says, okay, they can just forget the bread and cheese. Can they just sit down and talk? Or are they too far gone for even that?

Laura says she can’t imagine there’s much here to interest Victor, and he says, his family is there. She says, he and his brothers put Port Charles through hell, and he says he hasn’t forgotten. He’s lived with that mistake every day of his life since. She says, not everyone was so lucky, and he says, it was a terrible waste, and an ugly stain on the Cassadine legacy. He hopes someday the Cassadines will be remembered for better deeds. She says, like how to fake one’s death to avoid justice? He says, his work required anonymity and a free hand, and she laughs. She says, dare she ask what kind of work he was up to? and he says, it’s simple really. His work for atonement.

Curtis says, Marshall keeps telling him it’s not safe for him to know the truth, and Marshall says, Curtis has to understand how dangerous it could be for him if he knew everything about Marshall. Curtis says he’s not the same little boy Marshall left behind thirty years ago; he’s learned to take care of himself. Marshall says, no, and Curtis says, don’t come near him or his family again. Curtis starts to leave, and Marshall says, wait. He got into trouble. He got into trouble and left his family, before his trouble became theirs.

Nina says Willow doesn’t owe her an apology. She put Willow in an impossible situation when she made Willow promise not to tell anyone about her relationship with Sonny in Nixon Falls. It was her responsibility to deal with the consequences. She shouldn’t have put that responsibility on Willow. And then when Willow had the responsibility to tell the truth, she shouldn’t have asked Willow to perjure herself. It could have jeopardized Willow’s position with Wiley, and Wiley already lost one mother. She’d never be able to forgive herself if Wiley lost another. Willow asks if Nina is actually apologizing to her, and Nina says, yeah. Willow can save hers. Willow says, thanks. She has the feeling she’ll need to be well-stocked in apologies if Michael finds out she came to see Nina.

Carly plays with a piece of bread, and Sonny says, maybe this was just a mistake. She says she guesses neither one of them is hungry, and he says, he was cooking because he wanted to distract himself. She says, from us? and he says, yeah. From them, and… Did she talk to her mom? She says, no. Her mom left her a voicemail, but she hasn’t listened to it yet. Why? He says, Laura came by. It’s Luke… He died. It was an accident. He doesn’t have anything specific… She jumps up and says she has to call her mom. He says he talked to Lucas, and he said Bobbie went to bed early. He gave her something to help her sleep, so maybe Carly doesn’t want to disturb her. Maybe she should go upstairs and see Avery and Donna, and he’ll just clean up… She says she can’t. She can’t do this. She can’t act like their life isn’t falling apart.

Laura says, so Victor is in Port Charles seeking redemption. Good luck with that. He says she’s a force to be reckoned with in Port Charles. Her word carries enormous weight. She says she’ll never advocate for him, and he says, never is a strong word. He knew just one conversation wouldn’t be good enough to convince her of his good intentions, so he’s prepared to wait. For the moment, he’ll focus on smaller things. Spencer and Esme come in with the tea.

Austin and Britt make faces and gestures at each other from across the room, and Britt finally approaches a guy. She says, come here often? She sits with another guy, and says, one time, at band camp, she was playing the tuba… He starts looking around, and she says she’s joking. She tells a third guy, Greece? She’s not a fan. She meets Austin at the bar, and asks if he’s striking out too. He says he’s not even in the game anymore. She looks like she’s having fun. She gives him a look.

Maxie and Felicia toast to Luke. I’m going to Charlie’s from now on, since that’s one generous whiskey pour. They each take a sip, and Maxie says, wow. Felicia coughs, and says, that’s a drink. Maxie asks, how much drinking to Luke is appropriate? and Felicia says she thinks one each is plenty. Besides, there’s something she’s been meaning to talk to Maxie about, and they have to be sober for it. Maxie says, how sober? and Felicia says, relatively sober. Maxie asks if it’s the same subject Felicia wanted to talk to her about before they were interrupted with the news about Luke. Felicia says, it is. She’s concerned about Maxie. Maxie says she knows, but she’s fine. Felicia says, no one knows Maxie better than she does, and she’s concerned Maxie’s not well.

Curtis says, explain trouble, and Marshall says, Curtis’s mother and him were young, and had Curtis and Tommy to take care of. At least he was in a band, and doing well. Curtis says, well enough to provide for a family? but Marshall says, not quite. He was getting more gigs in classier nightclubs; the brass ring was in sight. Curtis says, until… and Marshall says, he had this habit of getting involved with… things that should have been none of his concern. Matters that took his focus from his music and family. Curtis says, criminal matters? and Marshall says, he tried to mind his own business, but got hung up in it. Before he realized how far things had gone, it was too late. He wasn’t in control anymore. Curtis asks, who was? and Marshall says, another player, bigger than him. He didn’t stand a chance. The only way to keep family clear of all he almost brought to their doorstep, was to leave and never look back, and take steps to make sure no one came looking for him. He guesses it worked, because no one ever did.

Sonny says, they’re not falling apart, and Carly tells him, if he says so. He says, they’re not in the best place right now, but they’re going to beat this thing. She asks if he’s going to beat his feelings for Nina, and he says he’s going to outlast them. It doesn’t matter, because they don’t compare to his feelings for her; Carly is who he wants. She says, but not the one he turned to. He left something out when they were talking about Nina earlier. About how Nina found him drunk at Charlie’s Pub, and helped him get to the penthouse, then kept him company. He asks if that’s what Nina told her, and she says, Nina also said if he came to her now, she wouldn’t turn him away.

Nina says she’s going home, and suggests Willow do the same thing. Willow says, just one more thing. The friction between Nina and Michael is bad for Wiley. It’s just the situation she wanted to avoid, but if they work together, they may be able to prevent the situation from escalating any further. Nina asks how Willow proposes they do that, and Willow says she’ll work on lowering the temperature with Michael, if Nina gives up her legal claim on Wiley.

Maxie asks why Felicia thinks she’s not doing well. Is it the way she’s parenting James and Georgie, or doing her job at Deception? Felicia says, no. Her grandbabies are wonderful, and she heard through the grapevine that Maxie does good work at Deception. Congratulations. She’s doing well. Maybe too well. Maxie says, she’s doing so well she’s not doing well? Felicia says, Peter is out of his coma, and Louise is still missing. Maxie says she gets it. Felicia thinks she should be falling apart. Felicia asks, why hasn’t she? and Maxie says she almost did; she got a grip. She doesn’t have the luxury of having a breakdown right now. Her kids need her to be strong. Felicia asks what Maxie needs, and Maxie says, besides Louise? Nothing she doesn’t already have. Felicia says, which is? and Maxie says, the best support system in the world. Felicia, Mac, Anna, Robert, Liesl, Britt and Nina. Maxie flashes back to being with Austin at Jason and Carly’s wedding, and says, and other people too. Felicia says, like who?

Britt tells Austin that he’s fired. Congratulations. He’s the worst wingman ever. He says, fair enough. He thinks maybe this was a bad idea to do this at all. They’ll figure out a different way to get her matchmaking mother off her back. She says, his mother doesn’t buy him dating services for the holidays? and he says, not yet, but just because she hasn’t thought of it yet. Britt asks what he does when she asks him how he’s going to meet a nice girl. He says, he tells her that he already has, and Britt says, so he lies.

Curtis says, Marshall faked his own death. Was he in witness protection? Marshall says he took another name, and kept a low profile. He played a few gigs here and there, but always bounced around. He never stayed in another place long enough to make friends, a home, or a family. Until now. He knows it’s a lot to take in, and bets Curtis has a bunch of questions, but Curtis says, just one. That player Marshall mentioned; was it the mob?

Sonny says, it doesn’t matter what Nina said. He’s not going to her. He’s here with Carly, and he wants to stay with his wife. She tells him, that’s not what Nina said, and he says he doesn’t care what Nina said. Carly tells him, Nina said there was more to Nixon Falls than she knew. That things between the two of them got so real, they almost slept together. He says, nothing ever happened, and she says, it didn’t, but it almost did. And not because there was a memory of her in the back of his mind, calling out to him and telling him to stop. It didn’t happen because Nina stopped it.

Nina says, there it is. Willow isn’t here to apologize; she’s here to do Michael’s dirty work. Willow says, no one knows she’s here. This is on her, and what’s best for Wiley. Nina says, and what’s best for Wiley is for her to stop being his grandmother? That little boy loves her, and Willow can’t even imagine how much she loves him. Willow says, she knows, and she’s not saying Nina should be forcibly separated from him. Nina says, she thinks something’s wrong with her hearing, because Wiley is her blood relative, and she thought she heard Willow suggesting she shouldn’t claim a legal relationship with him. Willow says, not now, but if Nina renounces her claim, Michael will see it as a gesture of good will, and eventually he’ll see it’s in all their best interests for Nina to have a relationship with Wiley. Nina says, grandparents have legal rights to visitation in New York, and Willow is suggesting she surrender those rights. Willow says, yes, but Nina won’t lose her connection to Wiley. Nina asks, says who? and Willow replies, says her. I says that I wouldn’t trust Michael as far as I could throw him, and Willow must be either forgetful or out of her mind.

Spencer says he didn’t expect Laura home so soon, and she says, she’s just full of surprises today. So is Spencer, inviting his Uncle Victor into the house. Esme asks if there’s a reason Spence shouldn’t have. He’s always telling her that Laura thinks family is everything. Victor says, so it is, but the last thing he wants to do is upset Laura. He just wanted to want drop by and see Spencer before he left for Spring Ridge. Spencer thanks him for the reminder, and Victor says, buck up, boy. He owes a debt, and a Cassadine never welches on a debt. Spencer says, he’s right; they don’t. Esme asks if Laura or Victor want some tea, but Victor says he thinks he’s overstayed his welcome. Spencer says they barely got a chance to talk, and Victor says, some other time. Laura says, stay, and Victor asks if she’s sure. She says, absolutely. Spencer’s gone to all the trouble of making him tea, and even brought out cookies. Victor says, if she insists; he doesn’t want to impose. Spencer says, he’s not imposing, and Laura agrees, but Victor says, the fact is, Spencer’s grandmother has had a very taxing day, given the tragic loss to her family.

Britt asks if Austin is seeing someone. Why didn’t he tell her? He says, he sees her… if she’s standing right in front of him, and if they’re in the same room. Britt says, he likes her; she likes him? and Austin says they’re not standing in front of a row of lockers in a middle school hallway. He’s not having this conversation. She says, so instead, he acts single and available, and he says, he is single. She says, but he’s not available, and he says, she is not available. Britt says, she’s married? but he says, no. It’s very complex, and he doesn’t think it’s appropriate for him to be having this conversation with her because she’s his boss. She says, they’ve been out trying to hook up. Now he’s concerned about propriety? Does she know this person? Does she work at the hospital? He says, he’s not playing twenty questions with her. Can they stop? She asks, why he doesn’t want her to know who holds the key to his heart? He says, if she ever decides she doesn’t want to be Co-Chief of one of the best hospitals in the state, she could have a career as a romance novelist. She says, he’s deflecting, and she’s not going to stop until he tells her. He says he likes Maxie, and Britt squeals with joy.

Maxie brings two umbrella drinks to the table, and tells Felicia, she’s sure Luke won’t mind if they celebrate in their own way. Felicia says, he was an iconoclast, but now that Maxie has procrastinated long enough, answer her question. Who else has Maxie come to rely on? Maxie asks why Felicia needs to know this, and Felicia says, so she can put him, or her, in her phone tree, and send out message alerts about Maxie. Maxie almost chokes on her drink, and says, Felicia doesn’t really do that, does she? Felicia says, yes. She calls Mac, Mac calls Robert, Robert calls Anna, Anna calls Nina, and Nina calls Liesl. Maxie says, it’s good to have that firewall between Anna and Liesl, but a phone tree about her? Doesn’t Felicia thinks that’s a little extra? Felicia says, every single one of those people is prepared to drop everything, and run to help her. They are Team Maxie. So Maxie can see why it’s important not to leave anyone off. The more people on her side, the better. Maxie says, since she knows Felicia won’t leave her alone until she tells her, it’s Dr. Gatlin-Holt. Austin.

Laura, Victor, Spencer, and Esme have tea, and Laura says, if Victor would like to express his condolences, he should reach out to Luke’s partner Tracy. He says, he intends to do so, but Luke was important to her as well. He was her husband once, father to Lulu and Lucky. Laura says, that marriage ended a long time ago, and Victor says, as short lived as his relationship with Luke was, Luke remained large part of his life. She says she doesn’t live in the past; clearly, he does. He says, that’s why he aims to make amends, and she says, he aims high. Tell them. How does he plan to make it right?

Nina says, Willow is proposing that she sever the only legal link she has to her grandson. On the scant hope that Michael – whose only wish is that she drop dead in the most horrible way possible – will eventually deign to let her be near Wiley, which he’ll do out of the goodness of his heart. What fantasy world does Willow live in? Willow tells her, she’s not saying it will happen overnight, but Michael can be reasoned with. He’ll always do what’s best for their son. Nina says she’d like that notarized, and Willow says, Michael let Nina see Wiley before, despite Carly’s wishes, and he will again. As long as he sees she’s not a threat to his family. Nina says, all right. If Willow can say, without a shadow of a doubt, that Michael will go along with what she says, and not use her generosity against her or cut her throat, maybe she’ll consider backing down.

Sonny says, he and Carly have so much to work out without litigating things that never happened. She says, let’s start with his refusal to say what happened between him and Nina in Nixon Falls couldn’t happen again. He hesitates, and she laughs. He says, this is exactly what he wanted to avoid. She says she put the fear of God in Nina, so if he’s concerned about that, go see her. Carly doesn’t think Nina would mind if he checked on her. As a matter-of-fact, she thinks he would like it.  

Curtis says, it sounds like Marshall got involved with a criminal organization, with a player is so powerful, he left his family to believe he was dead. Is he wrong? Just tell him. Marshall says, there’s no need. He’s sorry it took so long for him to tell Curtis, but now he’s got the gist of it. Curtis says he needs specifics, and Marshall asks if he hasn’t heard enough. Curtis says, it’s just a start. He can’t do much unless Marshall tells him about the organization. The participants, who prosecuted the case. Who was Marshall’s handler? Marshall asks why Curtis needs to know all that, and Curtis says, Marshall came to Port Charles. He gave up his cover; he’s a man on the run. Marshall says he wouldn’t have come back if he didn’t feel it was far enough in the past. Curtis tells him, he said himself it wasn’t safe still, and Marshall says, these are things that can come back on you. You think you’re done, but if you’re not careful, the develop a second wind. Curtis says, one call, and he can stop all that. He has contacts; he knows people. Marshall says, so does he, but Curtis says, that’s the law. This is the opposite. He knows some people who can cover all of this, but first he needs to know who Marshall crossed. All he needs is a name.

Laura says, Victor talks about atonement and redemption, and making amends. Tell them. How is he going to make good? He says, be being here, and rebuilding his family. She says, a family he hasn’t seen in decades; they thought he was dead. He says, it’s never too late to start afresh, and she says, in Port Charles? He says, his family is here. How else will he get to know them better? Or protect them?  

Britt says she knew Austin was friends with Maxie, but never suspected he was into her. He says he cares about Maxie a great deal. Can they please just leave it at that? She says, he does know that Maxie’s no longer in love with Peter, and he says, it’s not that. Maxie has a lot on her mind. There’s no room for him in her life. Britt tells him, who’s to say that won’t change one day? And if nothing else, he has really great taste. He says, thanks. Great taste; terrible timing.

Felicia says, Austin, huh? and Maxie says he literally saved her life the night he delivered Louise in the woods. And he’s been great ever since, except when he’s fighting with Brook. Felicia says, his number? but Maxie says, no. They’re just friends, and the phone tree seems to be just family. Felicia says, friends are just as important as family, sometimes even more so.

Esme asks Spencer if it’s just her, or does his grandmother have a problem with his great uncle? Spencer says, problem? Try blood feud or vendetta. Laura sees Victor to the door, and he says he appreciates her suffering his presence. He’s sure he was an unwelcome sight, and hopes soon to change that. In the meantime, he’s sure they can find common ground with Spencer. She says, can they? and he says he sees she wants what’s best for him, as does he. She says she thinks what they want for Spencer differs, and he says he hopes to prove her wrong. As for Luke, a tragic loss; he’s truly sorry. She says, now she knows he’s lying. Goodnight. He says, good – she slams the door – bye.  

Marshall thanks Curtis for his offer of help, but he’s said all he intends to say. Curtis says, even though he has the power to save Marshall from having to look over his shoulder ever again. Marshall says he truly appreciates. It’s more than he ever dreamed of getting from Curtis. Curtis says, he misunderstands. Marshall telling the story doesn’t change the history between them. The past is a lie. The present is nothing to envy, and there won’t be a future if Marshall doesn’t keep talking. This isn’t about helping Marshall. It’s about keeping Aunt Stella and TJ safe from whoever’s chasing Marshall, no matter how far he thinks they are behind him. Marshall says, in that case, he guesses there’s nothing left to talk about. He opens the door, and Curtis walks out, but Marshall calls to him and he stops. Marshall tells him, stop asking questions. Just leave it be. It’s the only way to keep Stella and TJ safe. Curtis stomps down the hall.

Willow tells Nina that she can’t guarantee Michael will do as she hopes. She can promise she’ll try, and she’ll never stop until Michael grants Nina access to Wiley again. Nina says, not good enough, and Willow says, Sonny’s family is in so much pain, losing him for nine months. The pain won’t end unless someone takes the first step toward healing. Nina says, and the first stepper should be her. She gets it. She screwed up, and she’ll spend the rest of her life making up for that, but she will not do it at the expense of her relationship with her grandson. Willow says, it would not be permanent, and Nina says, at least Sonny knows she’s not evil incarnate, and she’ll be damned if she’ll let anyone convince Wiley that she is.

Sonny says, he told Carly; he’s not going anywhere. She says she can’t do this. She needs him to be gone by tomorrow. He says, this is his home, and she says, she asked him for some time. She asked him for some space and time alone so she can figure this out. He says, she can’t figure it out alone; they have to do this together. She says, what if they don’t figure it out? If he’s here in the morning, don’t bother leaving; she’ll go. She storms off, and he asks where she’s going to go

Tomorrow, Brook asks Austin to let bygones be bygones, Ned asks why Tracy is being so mysterious, and Sonny asks if Carly wants to call it quits.

Vanderpump Rules

Raquel told James that they needed to get a covid test before the weekend, and in her interview, she said they were taking every necessary precaution. There was a lot of money on the line, and they had family coming in, including Grandma Buttons. Raquel didn’t want to take any chances with her getting sick. She told James there was going to be a wine tasting, and a Paint and Sip. James said he never paid for so much alcohol in his life, and he’s not drinking any. He told Raquel that he was glad their moms were getting along, and in his interview, he said his mom got drunk on Thanksgiving at Raquel’s family’s house. It ruined the first impression, but now his mother was sober and he was sober, and it allowed their families to hit the restart button. Raquel said she wasn’t as worried about their family situation as she was about James and Brock. James asked who was Brock to give him advice; he’s big and clueless. Raquel thought Brock was coming from a good place, but his delivery was off. She said they’d have to expect the worst, and hope for the best. It wasn’t a great place to be in.

In Brock’s interview, he said, the Homebody shoot would be the first visual impression of the company. He couldn’t afford what he wanted on a start-up budget, and needed to get value for today. It would lead to him putting himself in a better position to pay off his debts. Scheana told Ariana that Raquel wasn’t responding to her texts, but Ariana said Raquel was texting her back. In Scheana’s interview, she said she wondered if Raquel was upset about what happened with James and Brock. She’d never gotten upset with Raquel when James caused a problem. The group got hair and makeup done, while Brock talked to the cameramen and director about his vision. Lala told Katie that it didn’t seem like a start-up photoshoot, and wondered where Brock got the money. In her interview, Lala said, this was the same guy who couldn’t keep up with his child support. The photoshoot was insane, when it was something that could be done on an iPhone. His priorities were f***ed up. She told Katie about Brock expecting her and Randall to pay for his and Scheana’s engagement/wedding, and Katie said she’d be upset in that position. Brock told Sandoval how good he looked in the women’s tank and leggings, and in Sandoval’s interview, he said he’d done women’s clothing – we flashed back to him in drag – but he’d never modeled women’s sportswear. Brock told everyone that James had texted he didn’t feel well, but Schwartz was also sick, so maybe he was telling the truth. In Brock’s interview, he said, who knows? Hopefully, James wasn’t using Schwartz as an excuse. Ariana said she thought James had been rude, and Scheana said, 100%. She thought James felt he and Brock weren’t as close as they’d been, and in her interview, she said James needed to get his anger under control. He couldn’t blame it on the alcohol anymore. Brock told everyone they were going to have fun and get some sick shots. They all jumped around, and did sporty poses. Afterward, Brock thanked them, and they took a group photo. In his interview, Brock said, it was perfect. It was a great turnout and event, and he got some good content. His ending balloon drop was a bit of a fail though, as it took several tries. The balloons finally fell, and they got a few more shots.

Katie talked to Schwartz about pitching the sandwich shop to Randall. They were going to ask him for a couple hundred thousand. In Katie’s interview, she said Randall had been begging the Toms to take his money. It would be embarrassing if he said, no thank you. Scheana and Brock signed their pre-nup, Scheana saying in her interview that they needed all their ducks in a row. With her first marriage, there had been an addiction problem, and he hadn’t wanted a divorce. She suggested they split their bank account, and he agreed. It was a big lesson. No matter how much you loved each other, there was always a risk you could lose everything, and she didn’t want to take that risk again. She told Brock that she still wanted to be surprised when he proposed, and Brock told her that she was going to be f***ing surprised.

Katie got to SUR first for the meeting with Randall, and called to see where Ariana was. Ariana was signing loan documents for a home refinance, and in Katie’s interview, she said, they were asking for hundreds of thousands. You’ve got to show up on time. If they don’t show they value the investors time, how will the investor believe they’ll value their money? Randall talked to Lisa first, saying she’d been in the restaurant business a while, and he wondered if he was going in the right direction. In her interview, Lisa said she wasn’t giving Randall advice. There was no upside for her. If it went right, he wouldn’t thank her, but if it went bad, he’d blame her. Katie explained to Randall why Ariana was late, and Randall set a timer for 30 minutes, saying he couldn’t waste time when he had plenty to do at the office.

Katie started telling Randall that they wanted to get a baker in-house, when Ariana finally showed up, saying, she parked the most illegally she ever had. Randall suggested she try to be punctual in the future. His partners weren’t as patient as he was. In Ariana’s interview, she said she was being held hostage by a notary, but her mortgage would be $3000 a month cheaper, so, worth it. I wondered what it is they’re paying if they can reduce it that much. They told Randall about the shop being unapologetically feminine, and the name Something About Her. He liked it, and asked about the budget. Ariana said they were still working it out, but figured they’d need $100-200,000. He asked what they were offering for the investment, and Katie said they definitely knew one thing they wanted to offer him – the Randall Emmett Production sandwich. He said he was in, and would tell his partners he was getting a sandwich, but they’d still want the numbers. Lisa came by with Puffy (!), and said, numbers were everything; they didn’t do it for love. She moved on quickly, and Randall said, Katie and Ariana weren’t involved with the Toms’ restaurants either, and he’d been kicked out of good restaurants, so they’d both rise from the ashes. Show him anything tangible, and he’d show it to his partners. In Ariana’s interview, she said, now it was wait and see, which was the worst. They’d lure investors in with their sandwich ideas. If Randall didn’t work out, they’d move on to the Vanderpumpernickel. Katie said they were a dynamite duo and couldn’t fail.

Brock and Scheana went back to wherever they were staying, but Brock made Scheana wait outside, then came back with a blindfold. He brought her in blindfolded, and led her to a room filled with rose petals and white and gold balloons, along with Marry Me signs. He said he had her mom’s help. He didn’t want to do anything without her anymore. She was the best mom, and the best girlfriend, and he wanted to make her the best wife. Erika watched from the sidelines with Summer as Brock presented the ring. He put it on her, they kissed, she said he did good, and Erika brought Summer out. In Scheana’s interview, the producer asked how she could not know, and she said she had a feeling it would be soonish. Brock told her that the only time they’d have is when they go away to James and Raquel’s engagement weekend, but Scheana said, she didn’t think she should even wear her ring. He said they’d sneak away to a secret place, with just her mom, Ariana, and Sandoval, who was ordained, and they’d be secretly married. They couldn’t breathe a word of it, and she was the weakest link. In her interview, she said there was no point in waiting. Why not do it this weekend? They agreed no one could know, and Scheana reasoned that they weren’t taking anything away from James and Raquel if they didn’t know.

Everyone got ready for the weekend, Scheana packing a wedding dress or three. In the car, Sandoval told Ariana that he brought his license, but he was having second thoughts. In his interview, he said Scheana was his oldest friend in L.A., and James was a good friend. The last thing he wanted was to be the catalyst for James going to the dark side. He was between a Brock and a hard place.

The vineyard/villa was pretty impressive, or how Schwartz put it, classy stuff; like a postcard. He said James had come a long way, and we flashed back to James being beyond obnoxious. In Charli’s interview, she said if she wasn’t the life of the party, this party would be done by nine. Katie told Schwartz about the meeting with Randall, and said they’d have an answer this weekend. She told him that Lisa was disappointed that Schwartz & Sandy’s was stuck where they were. Schwartz said that Lisa had 30 years’ experience. In his interview, he said they were just starting out, and learning as they went. They’d get there; it was just painstakingly slow. The rooms are rustic and gorgeous, and in Ariana’s interview, she said she felt like she was in a magical castle, where she could look out upon her wine kingdom. She asked if Sandoval had seen or talked to James since he’d lost it, and Sandoval said James had been giving him attitude. Ariana said it rubbed her the wrong way how he got in it with Brock, then came over to Raquel, and grabbed her wrist because he wanted to go. She’d called Raquel on FaceTime, and James was rude to her. We saw a clip of her asking Raquel to talk privately, and saying the wrist grabbing sh*t didn’t fly with her. Suddenly, James stuck his face in the frame, and said when Ariana was done venting about him, she could think about her own life. Sandoval said, you could just take so much. It had gotten to the point where it couldn’t be justified by a bad mood or a funk, but was a personality trait. Ariana said she didn’t know if James was going to be a Groomzilla, but so far, he was.  

Sommelier Joann took the group on a tour and wine tasting. Brock and Scheana arrived just after it started, and in Scheana’s interview, she said she and Lala had gotten hotel rooms, since they had the babies. They knew it was a good hotel, because Lisa was staying there too. We saw a clip of Scheana and Lala with their babies, and Lisa holding Puffy (!). James and Raquel were the last to get there, and Raquel was thrilled with their room, which had its own terrace. In James’s interview, he said, it was ironic that he was having his engagement party at a winery, but holy sh*t. Joann asked who was the lucky person who would have wine funneled into their mouth directly from the barrel, and Charli said, this bitch. In her interview, she said she came there to drink. These bitches would never be able to keep up. She was really annoying this whole episode, basically bragging about how much she could drink, and making fun of those who, according to her, couldn’t keep up. I have nothing against a party, but why is this a badge of honor suddenly? James and Raquel joined the group as the Paint and Sip started. In Schwartz’s interview, he said he enjoyed them; it was his third one. He wondered if they had a beer and macrame class. They painted a tree, and Ariana won, with Lala being the runner-up. In their respective interviews, Lala said she thought she should be first in everything, and Ariana said she thought she sucked at painting, but liked winning, so she’d take it.

Sandoval told Brock that he was nervous, and if it got found out in any way, shape, or form, he was going to freak out. In Sandoval’s interview, he said, he told Brock that he’d help out, so he was going to do it, for better or worse. And it felt like would get much worse.

Everyone sat down to dinner, and the manager congratulated James and Raquel. James thanked everyone for coming, and said he was feeling the love and energy. Their families would be joining them tomorrow. It was a huge thing, and he wouldn’t want to spend it with any other group. Ariana asked how James was feeling, since he’d been firing off at people. She brought up his intruding on her conversation with Raquel, but he said it was a small apartment; how could he not hear it? He apologized for the digs, and also apologized to Brock, but not for long. Brock said he’d had zero aggression toward James, and James got defensive, saying Brock accused him of saying something he hadn’t. He also didn’t need a daddy lesson. Brock said he didn’t want to walk on eggshells around James, and James said he’d felt distant; the friendship wasn’t where it had been. They ended up fist bumping, and Ariana toasted to the best weekend ever. Charli said, these bitches are weak, when they decided it was time to leave the table.

Tom grabbed his officiant license from the car, but told Brock if got a bad vibe, it wasn’t happening. Scheana joined them, and said James could be a d*ck, but she’d never do that to him. She also didn’t want to take anything away from Raquel. In Scheana’s interview, she said she was glad Sandoval put that doubt in her head, since she’d already had it. At the same time, James and Raquel had already had a weekend, and she could take some time for herself. Sandoval said they’d move forward optimistically.

Next time, the finale, Lisa doesn’t understand the delay with Schwarz & Sandy’s, and Lala tells James about Scheana and Brock’s wedding plans. <sigh> Every time I like her, and think she’s matured, then she makes me not like her, and acts like she’s in high school.  

👩🏽‍🚀 To Infinity and Beyond…

I had extra time, so I’ve been running late all day. It’s some sort of sub-Murphy’s Law. Drop by tomorrow for soap and a little OC. Until then, stay safe, stay doing the best you can with what you’ve got, and stay not planning a secret wedding during your friend’s engagement weekend. There’s always a weak link.