What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Sonny comes by the cottage, and asks Willow if he can come in. She says, of course (🍷), and tells him, Michael is up at the main house. There’s a little party for Leo to celebrate his adoption. Sonny says, it’s official? That’s great. He thinks it’s best Michael isn’t here, since he wanted to talk to her in private. She says, about? and he says he needs to ask her a favor.

Chase says he’s sorry he’s late, and Brook says, he should be, taking the flowers. She says, he missed the party, and he says he figured; there was a situation. She says she bets there was. Leo was really bummed. He says he tried to call, but his phone was smashed and he doesn’t have her number memorized. She says he should work on that, and he says he will. She asks if his phone being smashed has anything to do with the situation he mentioned. He says he was knocked out cold, and she runs over to him, asking if he’s okay. How badly was he hurt? He says he’s okay; he’s got a hard head. She says, doesn’t she know it, and they almost kiss, when Michael comes in, and asks if Brook has a minute. He needs to talk to her about ELQ.

Finn says, it can’t be a coincidence. Chase gets knocked out, and the footage that would show them what happened is mysteriously corrupted? Jordan says, she’d like to get her tech people on it. With Elizabeth’s permission, they can start by accessing the network remotely. If they hit a dead end, they can come and retrieve the hardware. Elizabeth says, whatever Jordan thinks is best. Finn says, this pretty much rules out the possibility of an accident; it has to be the intruder. Quietly, Elizabeth says, unless it’s Franco’s ghost. Hey, I just thought. Might it be Elizabeth?

Curtis says, since Marshall missed the ferry, he’ll have to wait for the next one. It will give them an opportunity to talk. Curtis sits down with the file in his hand, and Marshall asks, what’s that? Curtis says, Marshall’s sealed arrest record. He doesn’t get Marshall. He made it seem like his arrest was some horrible, life-changing incident that justified him leaving his family, but now he knows that wasn’t it at all.

In her office, Alexis flashes back to Harmony asking her to kill the story, and saying, it’s the least Alexis can do after all Harmony’s done for her. Diane comes to the door and asks if it’s a good time, and Alexis says she was just having an editorial debate with herself. Diane says, those are the best; on what? Alexis says, on whether not to run Smoltz’s feature on Nina Reeves. Diane asks why she’d even think of doing that.

At Alexis’s house, Harmony takes Neil’s file on her out of Brendon’s bag, and puts the papers in the fireplace, saying, she’ll burn them, and that will be the end of it. She can’t find matches and goes to look for them. Carly knocks at the door, and calls to Alexis. There’s no answer, and she almost leaves, but she says she knows that’s Harmony’s car in the driveway. Harmony comes back with matches, when Carly walks in. She says she’s sorry to interrupt, and Harmony says, just give her a second. She’s getting rid of some personal papers; tax documents, stuff like that. She lights up the paperwork.

Brook asks if the issue with ELQ has to be ironed out right this second, and Michael says, he’ll keep it brief. Chase can stay if he wants. He and Drew have been brainstorming, and think it’s a good idea to merge ELQ with Aurora, thereby diluting Valentin’s shares. She says she can see the benefit in that; good thinking. He says he’s worried that Ned is less than enthusiastic, and she says, now they’re getting to the real problem. He says he thinks Ned believes his position is being threatened, and wants her to know everything is above board. She says, so she’ll talk her dad off the ledge in case he goes into ski mode? and he says, it would be nice to avoid the family disfunction if they can. She says she’ll keep an eye on him, and Michael thanks her. He tells Chase it’s good to see him and leaves. Brook says, if only someone had had this conversation with her before she decided to fake a pregnancy, but Chase says he thinks the pregnancy did a lot of good.

On the phone, Jordan says, keep her posted, and tells Elizabeth and Finn that the team were able to access the equipment remotely. Finn says, that’s good news, and Jordan says, they’re running diagnostics. If all goes well, they’ll get some answers soon. Elizabeth thanks her, and Finn asks how concerned they should be, since the intrusions are escalating and getting more threatening, and she says, that’s often the case with stalkers and there is a need to be concerned. Has Elizabeth thought of anything else since the last time she was questioned? Someone close to her who’s no longer in her life; someone who had access to her home? Elizabeth says, no, certainly not with access to the house. She’s had the locks changed, and Finn said when he and Cameron got back, the alarm was armed. Jordan says, the ability to circumvent the alarm took meticulous planning, similar to when Franco’s studio was destroyed. The studio itself was deserted, the floor was empty, and no one was injured. Finn says, it seems deliberate, and Jordan says, if she had to guess, she’d say the perpetrator doesn’t want to harm anyone, which is consistent with the other intrusions. It’s unsettling, but none of them were violent. Finn says, until now, and Jordan wonders, what is it about Chase? Why attack him? Finn says, he thinks the only explanation is, Chase was here to protect Elizabeth, and the intruder wanted him out of the way.

Marshall asks if Curtis got a court order to access his record, but Curtis says he used other methods. Marshall says, so he broke law. Why would he do that? He has everything to lose. He has a successful club, a new home, a wonderful woman with a terrific daughter. His life is ideal. He has everything Marshall would want his son to have. Why risk that to get his hands on a file he has no right to see? Curtis says, because Marshall left him no choice.

Diane says she certainly doesn’t want to tell Alexis how to run her newspaper, and Alexis says, not to mention Diane has a vested interest in the story being published. Diane says, very true. Michael and Willow are her clients, and Smoltz’s story goes a long way to bolstering their argument for not allowing Nina visitation. That said, it’s a good story. Alexis says she knows it is, and Diane says, all the loopholes in the legal system that allow someone like Nina with an endless history of bad behavior to even file a petition in the first place. Alexis says she knows. She read Smoltz’s notes and saw the rough draft. It’s an exceptional feature. Diane says, then why even consider killing it? and Alexis says, because Harmony begged her to.

Harmony tells Carly, identity theft is an epidemic these days, and since she doesn’t have a paper shredder… Carly says, doing it the old fashioned way, huh? and Harmony says, exactly. Carly says, that’s smart; you can never be too careful. Harmony asks how she can help Carly, and Carly says, Harmony can tell her what’s really going on between her and Nina Reeves.

Willow tells Sonny, if this is has anything to do with Nina or her petition for visitation… but he says, no, it doesn’t. It’s about Michael. He knows they’ve had their differences; it’s not the first time they’ve been estranged. She says, Michael told her. He blamed Sonny after AJ’s death, and got temporary custody of Avery. Sonny says, it was brutal, but in time, they reconciled. Carly built a bridge. Now, here they go again. Michael is angry and lashing out, and Carly isn’t going to build a bridge; she’s encouraging the distance. That leaves Willow. He wants to know if she’ll talk to Michael. Let Michael know that Sonny loves him. Michael walks in.

Marshall says, Curtis had another choice, namely respecting his privacy, and leaving it alone. Curtis says, how? and Marshall says, by focusing on the future instead of digging in the damn past. Curtis says, he thought Marshall was in the Witness Protection Program. He thought Marshall had enemies that put a target on his back; one that could make Portia and/or Trina, and/or TJ, collateral damage. But it was all a big lie, wasn’t it? His ass wasn’t in no Witness Protection Program. Marshall tells Curtis, he never said he was. Curtis came up with that theory on his own. Curtis says, Marshall let him believe it. Why not tell him what really happened? Because the truth doesn’t justify him ghosting his family.

Sonny says, hello, son, and Michael asks what he’s doing here. Sonny says he doesn’t like them being at odds, and Michael says, that’s a polite way of putting it. Sonny says, Michael is angry and he gets it, but he thinks they should move forward now. Michael says, so Sonny was just chatting with Willow while he was waiting for Michael to come home? but Sonny says, he wanted to talk with Willow directly. He thought she could help them work things out. He knows it’s not fair to put her in that position, and Michael says, since when did Sonny care about what’s fair? Sonny tells Michael, he never said he was perfect. He’s just trying to do the best he can as a father. Michael says, then don’t make his case to Willow; make it to him.

Harmony tells Carly, she doesn’t understand. She and Nina are connected through Wiley. Carly says, she knows, but she has the feeling there’s something more to it. When Harmony asked her for a job at the MetroCourt, she said she owed Nina. Harmony says she misspoke, but Carly says, something is obviously bothering her. Harmony says, no offense, but she hardly knows Carly, and Carly says she knows when someone is really wasted like Harmony was last night, and she got really jumpy every time Nina’s name was mentioned. Is Nina blackmailing her? Harmony says, no, and asks why Carly would think that. Carly asks if it’s from back when Harmony worked with Phyllis, but Harmony says she didn’t work with Phyllis. Carly says, they worked in the same building. Phyllis took care of Nina when she was in a coma. Did Harmony have contact with Nina too?

Diane wonders why Harmony would care, and the lightbulb comes on. She says, Harmony is afraid that Smoltz digging in her background will reveal the truth that Willow isn’t her daughter. Alexis says, not her biological daughter, and Diane says, and not her adopted daughter, legally speaking. Alexis says, Harmony is afraid she’s going to lose Willow, and Diane says, of course (🍷) she’s adamant that the story shouldn’t run. Alexis says, she told Harmony that she was overreacting, but she just dug in her heels, and said if Alexis was her friend she’d kill the story after everything Harmony has done for her. Diane says she hopes Alexis didn’t agree, and Alexis says she didn’t answer. However, she did tell Harmony they need to reevaluate their living situation. Diane says, reevaluate nothing. Kick her keister to the curb.

Chase looks at a photo of Bailey, and says he misses her, and Brook says, she does too. He says, actually, he misses all of it, and she says, he misses pretending to be Bailey’s father to protect her from a complete psychopath? He says, maybe not that part. It was fun co-parenting with her. Their little morning routine in the kitchen. She warmed up the formula, and he made the first pot of coffee. She says, thank God for that coffee, and he says, then they’d kick their feet up when Bailey went down. They had a nice little groove going. She says, they did, and he says, minus the time she was mad at him and refused to talk to him. She says, because she overheard him dragging her to Dante, and he says he still feels really bad about that, but she says she knows he was just throwing Dante off. He says he hates that he hurt her, and she says, the things he said hurt a lot… because some of them are true.

Jordan says she got the report and the cameras were jammed. Elizabeth asks, how? and Jordan says, there are devices on the market used to corrupt images on surveillance cameras. Finn says, and that’s what happened in this case, and Jordan says she’s sorry, but someone did this to Elizabeth deliberately.

Curtis says he has to admit Marshall’s tales of Witness Protection and gangsters make him disappearing almost understandable, even defensible. Maybe that’s why he lies so much; so he’ll feel better. Marshall says Curtis doesn’t know what he’s talking about. He wasn’t in Marshall’s shoes. He wasn’t facing what Marshall was facing. Curtis says, Marshall was arrested at a protest that got out of control. He wasn’t tried; he wasn’t sentenced. Instead, he was remanded to a mental institution for evaluation and treatment. Marshall asks if Curtis is happy now, and Curtis asks, what does he think?

Brook tells Chase, it’s no secret she’s told her fair share of lies. She totally gets it if he doesn’t trust her. He says he does. She’s maybe not 100% truthful all the time, but he trusts her to do the right thing. She’s someone he can count on. Someone who gets him, like he gets her. She says, he gets her? and he says he’d like to think so. She asks what she’s hoping for in this exact moment, and they’re about to kiss, when Leo comes in, and asks why Chase missed his party.

Sonny apologizes, and says, he should have gone straight to Michael, and shouldn’t have put Willow in the middle. On the side, Willow asks if Michael wants to talk to his father alone, and Michael says, no, but it’s her call. He hates involving her in this, but since she’s already involved… She says she’ll stay, and Michael tells Sonny that he’s listening. Sonny says he hopes Michael hears what he’s saying, even if he doesn’t understand or agree. Michael is his son, and there’s too much love between them to throw it away.

Diane tells Alexis, she’s sorry. That was a little blunt, even for her. Alexis says, that’s all right. She’s already decided Harmony needs to move out; too many warning signs to ignore. Still, Harmony was a friend to her when she needed someone to be, and she feels obligated to help. Harmony is desperate to stop this feature. Diane says, so Alexis complies as a parting gift? and Alexis says, why not? She helps out Harmony, pays off Smoltz, and the two of them go their separate ways. Diane says she understands the impulse, and Alexis is absolutely right. She has a vested interest in this story; it will help her a lot. She’d like Alexis to consider one other thing. What happened the last time she went against her instincts, and she did something wrong to support someone? Alexis says, she lied for Neil and ruined everything.

Harmony tells Carly, she was a caregiver for someone else in the building, and part of that included walking her dog. She struck up a superficial acquaintance with Madeline Reeves. Carly says, Nina’s mother, and Harmony says, Nina was in a coma, but that’s the extent of what she knew. It wasn’t until Nina contacted her about helping with Wiley that she made the connection. Carly says, so Harmony doesn’t feel that she owes Nina? and Harmony says, no. She does feel for Nina, being deprived of her child. When a woman wants to be a mother, she reaches the point where she’ll do anything. Carly says, last night, Harmony said she wished Willow was hers. How is Willow not hers? Harmony says, they were estranged for years and it’s entirely her fault, and Carly says, but they repaired that relationship. Harmony says, they’re working on it, but sometimes she still feels that separation, like Willow’s not fully hers. Where are her manners? She hasn’t even offered Carly a drink or some water. She’s going to run up and grab her phone, and she’ll be back to take Carly’s order. She goes upstairs, and Carly looks at the fireplace. She looks in the folder, and pulls out a paper that got missed. It’s some of Neil’s notes indicating Harmony is not Willow’s mother.

Michael says, it’s classic that Sonny says it like that; that he’s not fully responsible for trashing their relationship. That Michael is somehow to blame. Sonny says, it’s all on him? and Michael says, it is. Sonny says, they’re a lot alike in many ways, but Michael says, no, they’re not. Sonny says, they both struggle with anger. Sonny’s is hot, and Michael’s is ice cold, but in the end, it’s the same result. They lash out and regret what they say. Michael says, no, but Sonny is right about one thing. He’s furious at the way Sonny treated his mom. She literally risked her life to hold Sonny’s business together, and to pay her back, Sonny dropped her for Nina. Sonny says, that’s not what happened, but Michael says, that’s exactly what happened. Sonny says, his business with Michael’s mom is their business. He tried to work it out with her over and over, but she didn’t want to. She filed for the divorce. Michael asks Willow if she hears this. His mom filed for the divorce after she caught Sonny in bed with Nina. What the hell did Sonny expect her to do?   

Curtis says he gets the stigma attached to mental illness. He knows it was bad for Marshall, especially back in the day. He imagines it’s very hurtful for Marshall, but there’s nothing in this file about a diagnosis. So if Marshall was sick or the judge sent him to a mental institution to avoid… Marshall says, he’s not talking about this, and Curtis says, there’s no judgment here. He’s trying to understand; can Marshall help him with that? No matter how difficult or torturous his ordeal was – and he’s sure it was plenty of both – Marshall had a wife and two sons, and he thought the best option was to walk away from them?

Finn says, if Elizabeth doesn’t want to stay with him, fine. It can be Laura’s, the Quartermaines, the MetroCourt, but it can’t be here. Not after what happened to Chase. She says she knows he’s right, and he says, here comes the dreaded but. She says, but her instinct is to stay put. He says, no, and she says, this is her home. She doesn’t want to leave. He says, at the risk of getting hurt or, God forbid, worse? She says she can’t explain it. She just has this feeling. He says, what feeling? when Aiden walks in. Elizabeth asks what he’s doing here, and he says he found out about Chase getting hit on the head. It has to be Franco. It has to be.

Leo tells Chase, this was his special day. He’s a Quartermaine now. Chase was supposed to be there, but he wasn’t. Brook says, Chase had to help some people in trouble, and Leo asks if those people are friends. Chase says, yes, and Leo asks if they’re more friends to Chase than he is. Does Chase like them better, and that’s why he didn’t come?

Alexis says, it’s always a mistake for her not to follow her instincts, and Diane says, amen. Alexis says, while killing this feature isn’t rising to the level of perjury, it does compromise her ethics. Diane says, The Invader is thriving, and so is Alexis. She’s active and engaged. She’s a powerful voice for progress and fairness in the community. She’s fighting the good fight, just like she did when she was an attorney. Don’t sabotage her second act. Don’t sabotage herself. Alexis says, that’s quite a closing argument, counselor, and Diane says, she’s Diane Miller, and she’s Alexis’s best friend. Alexis says, Smoltz’s feature has to run. Now what is she going to do about Harmony?

Carly looks in fireplace, since Harmony’s phone must be on the roof. She picks part of a paper out of the fireplace, and sees it’s Neil’s stationery. Harmony comes in with a syringe behind her back, and asks what Carly is doing. Carly says, Harmony’s not burning tax documents; these are notes from a therapy session with Neil Byrne. She reads, Harmony suffers from intense guilt about the child. Harmony holds out her hand, and says, those are private; give them to her. Carly reads, Harmony rationalizes keeping the child. Harmony says, it’s all lies. Neil Byrne was a drug addict. Give them to her. Carly says, no. This is what Harmony meant about Willow not being hers. She’s burning papers that prove Willow’s not her biological daughter. Harmony raises the syringe, and they struggle. Carly pushes Harmony away, saying, get off of her, and the syringe slides across the floor. Harmony gets Carly down on the couch, and they tumble off, fighting to get to the syringe.

Diane says, Harmony provided support when Alexis needed it, but that doesn’t mean Alexis is indebted to her for life. There’s a lot she doesn’t know about Harmony. Clearly, she’s a very troubled woman, and that’s sad, but it’s not Alexis’s job to fix her. Alexis says she knows that, but troubled or not, Alexis won’t like herself very much if she doesn’t try to help Harmony. She doesn’t even have a place to live. Diane says, how’s this? Alexis pays for first month, last month, and security deposit on a decent apartment, and until the lease is signed put up Harmony at the MetroCourt. That’s fair. Alexis says, more than fair. She thanks Diane for helping her talk through this. Now she’s going to go home and have this conversation with her soon-to-be ex-roommate. Diane says she can come for moral support. She’ll just stand in the back look and look pretty, but Alexis says she needs to handle this herself. However – Diane says, uh-oh – can she talk to Lucy, and ask her to do a search? Maybe she can find Harmony a decent place to live. Diane supposes as a favor to Alexis, Lucy will take the commission, and Alexis says, she’d better. Diane says, very well. She’ll deal with Lucy. Alexis says, Diane is her good friend, Diane says, she’s Alexis’s best friend. Don’t forget it.

Sonny says he thinks if Michael’s mom had given him more time, they could have resolved something. Right now, Michael is acting like a child. He’s an adult. He doesn’t have to take sides. Michael says, it’s clear Sonny cheated, and Sonny says, before Michael judges him, not many years ago, he walked in on Carly in bed with Jax. So what does that mean? Michael says, Sonny can tell himself whatever he needs to justify it. No one’s going to believe him, except maybe Nina. What’s funny is, before all this happened, if someone had asked him to sum Sonny up in a few words, he would have said, honorable and loyal. He used to be. Sonny says he still is, and Michael asks, where’s the loyalty in putting Nina first? Where’s his honor in abandoning his family? Sonny says, he’s here. He’s not running; he’s not hiding. He’s trying to make things right. All he’s asking Michael is, as his son, to meet him halfway. Michael says, there he goes again, refusing to take responsibility. Sonny says, he is, and Michael says he doesn’t want to hear anymore. Sonny says, of course (🍷), and Michael says he doesn’t want to see Sonny anymore. From this point on, Michael wants nothing to do with him. He’s done.

Chase says he loves hanging out with Leo, and wishes he’d been here to celebrate with him, but his other friends needed him. He can’t be in two places at once. Leo says, no one can, except in comic books. Chase says, but Brook was here, and Brook says, it’s like Leo told her, that whale pods sometimes babysit each other. Leo says, when one pod is away, another pod helps them out, and Chase says, that’s a perfect comparison to him and Brook. Brook says, except for the whale part. Chase asks if the party was fun, and Leo says, it was, until they wanted him to do something he didn’t want to. Brook says, Olivia wanted Leo to recite a poem he’s learning for his theater group performance, and Chase says, that’s cool. Brook says, except he doesn’t want to do it, which is fine. Chase says, too many people? and Leo nods. Chase says,  it can scary in front of a lot of people. That’s how he felt when he performed at the Nurses Ball. He’ll tell Leo a little secret. If he pretends he’s performing for one person, it will feel like he’s in his living room performing for a friend. Leo says, like him and Chase listening to Brook’s songs, and Brook says, they listened to her demo? Leo says, when Chase lived here. Since then, Chase sings them too. Brook says, he does, does he? and Chase asks if she remembers sharing her playlist with him. She may have accidently included some of her demos. She says she has to comb that playlist, and he says he thought she wanted him to have them. He loved singing for Leo. Does Leo think he could say his poem for him?

Finn says he hopes Aiden doesn’t mind, but he was talking Chase, and Chase said Aiden thinks Franco is behind the stuff that’s happening. Aiden says, ghosts move things. Franco’s ghost must have moved whatever hit Chase. He’s been trying to reach them. Finn asks, why? and Aiden says, because he’s mad that they’ve become so close with Finn. Finn says, Franco loved Aiden, his brothers, and his mom. Would he really want to scare them? Aiden says, why not ask him and find out?

Marshall says, he did what he thought was best for his family, and Curtis says, they’re going in circles. How was it best leaving them to grieve? How was it best him growing up without a dad? Marshall asks how Curtis can be certain they would have been better off had he stayed. Isn’t it possible the exact opposite would have happened? That he gave them a gift by vanishing from their lives? The real mistake was coming back.

Brook tells Leo, try it now, just for Chase. Leo tells Chase where to sit, and tells Brook to stand where he can’t see her. She says, copy that, and Chase sits, saying, it’s just them. He’s just a friend in the living room. Leo recites a poem about our earth.   

Elizabeth says she knows Aiden wants to help, but she agrees with Finn. Franco loved them. He would never want to frighten them this way. Finn says, before they blame the ghost of Franco, maybe they should make sure it’s not someone alive and well who’s doing this, for whatever reason. Aiden says he guesses it makes sense, and Elizabeth tells him to grab some clothes. He’ll be staying with Grandma Laura a while longer. He goes upstairs, and Elizabeth thanks Finn for handling it so well, but he says, what’s there to handle? and holds her. He says, they’ll figure this out eventually. It has nothing to do with ghosts. She flashes back to finding the slashed dress, the portrait, and DON’T FORGET ME.

Curtis says, when Marshall first got there, he wanted Marshall gone. Now Marshall’s the one who regrets contact, but Curtis is grateful he did. He’s not okay with any of this; the lies, the cover-ups, the questions that still need answers. But he’d rather have his father with him, no matter how difficult, than believe he’s dead. So can they use this as a turning point, an opportunity to start fresh. No more secrets. What happened in the mental institution? Did he receive treatment? What was the diagnosis? Marshall suggests Curtis consult the precious file he’s holding; the one he broke the law to get, and violated Marshall’s privacy to read. If the answers aren’t there, then he’s out of luck, because Curtis isn’t getting them from him. He takes his bag, and walks off.

Sonny says, Michael needs to be sure about this. Some words can’t be taken back. Michael says he doesn’t want to take them back. Sonny tore this family apart, and he doesn’t want to smooth it out or gloss it over. He even thought of changing his name back to Michael Quartermaine, but then thought why should he change his name because of Sonny? Why not redeem it and turn it into something good, so when people hear the name they think of him and Wiley. Sonny’s lies, disloyalty, violence, and crimes will be forgotten. It will be like he never existed. Sonny says he loves Michael. Michael is his son, and he’ll always love him. Michael tells him, so he keeps saying, and Sonny says, but he’s not going to forget this. If Michael wants him to forgive, he’ll have to beg. Michael says, don’t hold his breath, and Sonny says he won’t. Sonny leaves without looking back, and Michael hugs Willow. Outside, Sonny says, goodbye, son.

Alexis walks into her house, and says, she and Harmony need to talk. She sees signs of a struggle, and asks if Harmony is there. She makes a call. Harmony is driving, when her phone rings. Alexis leaves a message, saying, please call her. She’s extremely worried. She sees a scrap of paper in the fireplace, reads it, and puts it in her pocket. Diane calls, and says she’s just checking to see if Alexis got home all right. Alexis says, her house is torn apart. Harmony’s car is here, but there’s no sign of her. Alexis thinks she’s having some kind of breakdown. She flashes back to Harmony talking about going to Something-or-Other Point, and how it looks peaceful, but looks can be deceiving. Alexis says, she knows where Harmony is.

Harmony sits in the car, a knocked out Carly in back. We see the car is at the edge of the same cliff where Harmony pushed Brendon to his death.  

Tomorrow, Elizabeth tells Finn, she can’t do this; Willow asks Michael if he’s prepared to cut his father out of his life; Sonny tells Dante, you don’t judge unless you’ve walked in somebody’s shoes; and Harmony says she can’t stop now.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht

Gabriela feels defeated. The interpersonal part of job isn’t working, and she doesn’t know how make it work. Glenn tells the crew that a water taxi will take them to the restaurant, but they’ll be coming back by taxi. They get ready to go out, and Daisy tells Ashley that she promised Gabriela a clean slate, and that has to come from Ashley as well. Gabriela promised to work on stuff, so Ashley has to promise as well. Ashley says she’s willing to try, but it’s not going to happen overnight. I can’t stand Ashley. She’s one of those women who doesn’t like other women, and only befriends one if it benefits her. Captain Sam comes in the water taxi, and takes them to shore. Ashley says Gary and Daisy should just do it already, and Daisy says, it’s easier to flirt with Gary than fight with him, so she’s staying on the flirting train. Then she gets what she wants. They go to the restaurant, and order drinks and food. Daisy is excited about the $20K tip. The crew disperses for smokes and bathroom breaks, and Colin and Gabriela are left at the table. Gabriela tells Colin that half of the problem is being in her own head, and half is pissing people off. Colin says, happy Gabby is f***ing amazing and hilarious, and Gabriela says, but sometimes there’s hyper-sensitive Gabby. In Colin’s interview, he says, it’s difficult. It only takes a few people not getting along, and the whole crew feels it. It’s not a good vibe. As challenging as it is, he feels for her. The others get back, and Kelsie toasts to Gabriela, new beginnings, and fresh starts. She wonders if Glenn is in the hot tub by himself, having a good time, but we see he’s watching a documentary on eel reproduction. The crew heads back to the boat.  

Kelsie goes to bed, and Gary tells Ashley that he wants a massage. Colin tells Gabriela, Ashley is desperate for Gary; she’s out of control. Gabriela says, it’s a game for her. Ashley told her that. She’s over it. She feels she’s been out of control. It’s weird it’s Gary. Ashley straddles Gary in the hot tub, and in Colin’s interview, he says, it’s like Gary has a magic wand that casts a spell on girls. He might accidentally hook up with every girl on the boat without trying. He thinks Gary is going to regret this in the morning, 100%. Gary and Ashley go to a guest cabin. Behind closed doors, we hear a lot of questionable things, ending with Gary laughing and saying he’s being a bad boy. He tells Ashley they’re not having sex, but she insists they are. Gary leaves, promising he’s coming back, but he goes to his cabin. He tells Marcos and Colin that he doesn’t know how to deal. He was getting a massage, turned around, and she was naked. In Gary’s interview, he says, his intention was to get a back massage, but other things might have happened. Since Ashley’s in her bunk eating a candy bar, I’m not so sure about that.

Kelsie is looking for her water bottle, when she keels over. Daisy tells her to stay down, but Kelsie says she’s fine, and wants to get in bed. In Kelsie’s interview, she says, when you’re dehydrated and lacking sleep, alcohol bites you in the ass. She’s never drinking again. Ha-ha! Famous last words. In the morning, Gary asks Ashley, what happened? since he doesn’t even remember getting back to the boat. In Gary’s interview, a producer asks if they had sex, but Gary says he was getting a massage and fell asleep. Glenn asks if the guys had fun, and says, Gary looks like he did. Ashley tells Gary that he didn’t fall asleep, but she thinks they agreed to stop. The crew leaves for the villa, and Glenn tells them, have fun.

Colin thinks the villa will be epic. The views are pretty fantastic, and it’s equipped with everything, including cute floaties in the pool. In Gabriela’s interview, she says, this is exactly what she needs; to let her hair down and not get in her head. She’s at such a low, it couldn’t come at a better time. They jump around in the pool, and play chicken, Gabriela on Marco’s shoulders, and Ashely on Colin’s. Ashley now insists she gave Gary a BJ, and he’s surprised it was working. In Ashley’s interview, she says she doesn’t understand how Gary has no recollection, since every other male is obsessed with her. Bleh. In Marcos’s interview, he says he’s known people like Gabriela in the past. he remembers his ex-girlfriend used to make him snap. It’s useless to react, and better to avoid it. Marcos says, Gabriela’s been picking on him all day, and Colin says, she’s being obnoxious. Daisy asks Gary, what happened last night? and he says, Ashley says they did it, but he doesn’t think so. He was white girl wasted. Ashley tells Gabriela that she was giving Gary a back massage, and somehow, his pants came off. Gabriela drinks straight from a bottle of who-knows-what, while Gary naps on a lounge chair. Marcos dunks Gabriela, who doesn’t think it’s funny. She asks if he remembers the time he wasn’t being a d*ck, and Colin says, boys will be boys. Gabriela says, she’s never getting married. If this is what a man is, she’s good without one. Marcos whines to Daisy that Gabriela has been picking on him all day. Gabriela says she was just joking around. If he thinks she’s picking on him, that’s his problem, but he has ten people on his side. In his interview, he says he has no patience for this kind of behavior. He’s done. I don’t know if I’m missing something or what, but I’m not so sure what the big deal is. Except maybe these people shouldn’t drink so much. Gabriela seems more depressed than anything else.

Marcos tells Gabriela that she’s going to embarrass herself, and in Gabriela’s interview, she says, no one gets her. She’s a real-ass bitch, and her feelings are genuinely hurt right now. She goes inside, and Daisy follows, asking if she’s okay. Gabriela goes into one of the bedrooms for a nap, while Colin pours water on a sleeping Gary, which is the highlight of the season so far for me. Back at the pool, Daisy says she just wants a cigarette, a drink, and peace and quiet. Marcos asks Colin if he was too rude, but Colin says he was fine. Marcos tells Daisy that he doesn’t want people talking to him like that, and she says, it’s not about him. Gabriela is dealing with some stuff. He says, she still has to be respectful. He lived in a dark space for many years. Whatever that means. In Daisy’s interview, she says she’s on a huge learning curve. People aren’t happy, and it’s frustrating with all of them. On the phone with his mom, Glenn tells her that he’s having bouts of insomnia, and has dreams about flying donkeys.

The crew takes selfies, and gets ready to go to dinner. Gabriela tells Marcos that she doesn’t want to fight, and he holds out his hand. She asks if it’s a one-way thing, and they hug it out. In Marcos’s interview, he says, if it’s the only way to keep the peace, he’ll do it. They sit for dinner, and plates of food come out, including one of my favorites, paella. Gary is about to serve everyone, but Gabriela serves herself, then says, now he may. She says, she’s happy they’ve all come to her home, and Daisy says she wishes this was her home. Gabriela shushes her, and in Gabriela’s interview, she says, she came off her nap refreshed, but you piss one person off, and five people are mad. The fight was hours ago. See? Like right here. Unless they cut something, I wouldn’t even call that a fight, and no one seemed pissed off just now. It almost seems like she has a perception problem. Gary asks Daisy to Riverdance and she does some Irish stepdancing, while the crew provides some vocal back-up. Gabriela tells them, thanks for coming, but she’d like them to all leave now, and Daisy says, on that note, time to vamonos. In the taxi, Colin says, that was slightly uncomfortable for a moment. Gary says Daisy has to talk to her, and she says she doesn’t know what to do.

They get back to the boat, and Daisy tells Kelsie that she doesn’t know what to do. Colin sits with Ashley, when Gabriela approaches. She asks if she’s interrupting, but Ashley says she’s not. Gabriela asks Colin to get her and Ashley a beer, but Ashley says she’s okay, and Gabriela decides to go to bed. Gabriela’s other problem is Ashley. She doesn’t seem to realize this one is out to sabotage her, but she has to at least be picking up on it subconsciously.

In their cabin, Gabriela tells Ashley that she almost made it the whole day without getting into it with anyone. She doesn’t think Marcos likes her, but she doesn’t need him to. Why is she confiding in this backstabbing bitch? The next morning, everyone does what they need to do with the boat. Daisy is dreading talking to Gabriela, but Colin says, it will just get worse. In Daisy’s interview, she says, the crew is being massively affected, and she needs to have a talk with Gabriela, but it’s complicated. She needs to handle it delicately. She tells Colin, when Gabriela is in a good mood, she’s great to be around. Gabriela stupidly tells Ashley, one little thing with Marcos undoes all the progress she’s made, but Ashley cuts the conversation short, saying, she doesn’t want to be making beds until 1 o’clock. Glenn asks Daisy if the crew had fun, and she says there were a few crew problems. She thinks it’s affecting everyone. Glenn says, if she needs him, he’ll get involved, but she says, she’ll take care of it. She’s just making him aware. Colin and Gary work on the sliding doors, fixing the broken belt. Glenn calls Daisy, Gary, and Marcos for the preference sheet meeting.

The new primary is Dr. Kim Nichols, who’s a cosmetic dermatologist. She wants to yacht crew to address her as Dr. Nichols, and Gary says, she’s not on a high horse. Well, guess what, KIM? I won’t be typing all that. She’ll be joined by her not-doctor husband Chris, and some friends. They want delicious drinks, and to watch the action of the crew sailing. Marcos reads that they want a variety of cuisine based on their preferences, and says he’ll figure it out. In her cabin, Gabriela calls friend Cookie, and says she’s not doing well. She’s not vibing, and feels like an outsider. It’s uncomfortable because she has to work and live with them. Yesterday, they all got wasted, and the day was going fine until she and chef got in an argument, and she got mean. She’s 33, and feels like a child. She’s embarrassed, and feels weak. Cookie says, part of the reason she’s having problems is that she’s holding things in. That’s when the passive/aggressive comes through. It’s not about them; it’s about her. She cries, and says she’s not happy. She’s sure they’re worried, wondering when she’s going to snap, and no one wants her to get to that point. Cookie says, it’s a vicious cycle, and she needs to release that.

Everyone is eating in the crew mess, and Gabriela comes in, asking to talk to Glenn. They go to one of the lounges, and she tells Glenn that she thinks she’s not in an environment inducive to her mental well-being. She loves her job and what she does – he says she’s good at what she does – but she has work to do on her interpersonal relationships while working and living on a boat. She doesn’t want to disappoint him or let him down, but she doesn’t want the crew to feel uncomfortable or affect them negatively. She feels the healthiest thing is for her to leave. She doesn’t want to quit before pick-up, but it’s the best thing for her to do. Glenn says, normally, he’d be disappointed, but under these circumstances, she’s making the right decision. He supports her doing what’s right for her. They’ll get her home, and he agrees with her decision to get herself in the right place. In Glenn’s interview, he says he doesn’t know what’s going on, but after 22 years in the business, he knows it’s important to take care of yourself. He tells her, they’ll figure out how to move forward on their end. It’s important that she take care of herself. She has a lot of potential, and he’d love to work with her in the future. She says, that means a lot, and I love Glenn right now. He thanks her for her hard work, and in his interview, he says, he’s sad to see her go, but people know when they’re at their limit, and you’ve got to respect that. They hug, and in Gabriela’s interview, she says she hates quitting. She doesn’t want to be a quitter, but her work performance is suffering, and it’s going to get worse if she stays. Glenn tells the crew that Gabriela is going to leave. He doesn’t want them to find out by seeing her walk through with her bag. Daisy says she’s sad to see Gabriela is going, and feels guilty because she couldn’t make the situation work. Glenn says he’s working on getting a replacement. The most important thing is for them to do the best job they can for the guests.

Kelsie asks Gabriela if she’s okay, and Gabriela says, no. She has issues she needs to work on. Kelsie says, if Gabriela thinks it’s the best decision, she supports her. She’ll miss Gabriela a lot. Gabriela says she’ll miss Kelsie too. In Kelsie’s interview, she says, despite Gabriela’s crazy antics, they bonded and got along. She’s hopeful Gabriela will become the better person she wants to be. Marcos tells Daisy, it’s not her fault. Ashley says, all she knows is, she’ll get the bottom bunk. In Marcos’s interview, he says, Gabriela is making the right decision for herself. He wants her to become better, and the Parseval III is not the place to fix her problems.

Gabriela tells everyone goodbye, and thanks them for being as supportive as they could be. She’s going through stuff, and needs to take care of herself. There are hugs all around, and in Gabriela’s interview, she says, whatever strength she has left is getting her off this boat and saying goodbye. Even though she knows taking care of herself is the right thing to do, part of her feels like she blew it. She tells them they’re rock stars, and leaves. Glenn says, it’s a lonely walk, but only she can do it. Wow. He’s a philosopher too.

This season, a marriage where Daisy catches the bouquet; a very demanding guest; a lead deckhand arrives; new stew Scarlett is introduced, and Gary says, here’s trouble; Ashley insists she and Gary had sex; Glenn races another boat; a guest does a belly flop; a chain wraps around the anchor chain, and they drag; Glenn says, it’s the worst thing you can do.

🚶🏽‍♂️ Speaking Of the Worst Thing…

I understand. He’s been playing Sonny for a million years, and wants to concentrate on something else, but I will seriously miss him when he goes.

General Hospital’s Maurice Benard Drops a Bombshell About His Future as Sonny: ‘I Hate to Say That, But… ’

⚰️ About Last Night…

They balanced out the love story by killing one of the characters? That’s not balance, it’s typical, depressing Walking Dead. Bring back Z Nation.

https://ew.com/tv/fear-the-walking-dead-charlie-alexa-nisensen-mourning-cloak/

🌞 Leave Your Worries On the Doorstep…

Stop in tomorrow to check out the usual soap and the end of the invasion of Nashville by New Jersey. Until then, stay safe, stay understanding the limitations of others, and stay focused on the future instead of digging in the damn past.