(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
Below Deck Sailing Yacht
The boat horn blows, and the race starts between the Parseval III and La Cattiva. Glenn radios the interior to tell them, there’s stuff flying around. He explains some sailing stuff to the guests, and in Glenn’s interview, he says, most people don’t really understand what they’re doing. Getting them involved adds to the experience. For most of the race, La Cattiva is way ahead, but Glenn slowly catches up. He asks Colin how far ahead the other boat is, and Colin says, three meters. Glenn says, it’s going to be close, and tells the guests to blow on the sails. Apparently, it works, as the Parseval takes the lead, and Barnaby says, they’re officially the champions. Everyone cheers, including the good sports on La Cattiva, and Glenn says, it was a photo finish. In his interview, Glenn tells us, their mission is to deliver an epic sailing experience. The race was the cherry on top. You wanted adventure, you got it. The guests don’t want to go home (hint: they rarely do), but start packing. Daisy tries to explain to Ashley that if she wants to be second stew, or chief stew one day, having sex with the crew isn’t a good idea, but it’s like talking to a kumquat. In Daisy’s interview, she says, Gary ruined everything, and she’s stuck picking up the pieces, but Ashley insists she’s good. Gary says he needs to prep Ashley for what she’s going to witness, so she doesn’t have another meltdown. Colin says, Gary needs to talk to her, or there’s going to be a sh*tshow. They flash back to the cyclone that is Ashley, and the boat docks. Interesting how Ashley didn’t want to date anyone in her age group, considering them too immature, when she’s the most immature of the group, including Gary. If she keeps it up, when she’s 30, she can transfer to Summer House. I’d actually like to see her go head-to-head with Lindsay,
Glenn radios the crew to see off the guests. The primary, whose name I don’t catch or remember, says, the crew made the trip memorable. The food was the main thing, and the service was impeccable. She gives Glenn the almighty tip envelope, Glenn honks the horn as the guests go down the dock, and everyone waves. The deck crew puts covers on the outside furniture, and Daisy tells the stews, they’ll just work until the meeting. Glenn calls them to the saloon, and Daisy says she wants to call it a night. Glenn says, it was an epic charter; the guests enjoyed themselves. He welcomes Scarlett, who thanks everyone. He says, Marcos blew him away with the 10-course meal, and Marcos says, after a while, he started blurring. He had to keep telling himself to keep it together. The tip is $16,400 or $1820 each. Gary asks if Ashley wants to talk, and she says she doesn’t trust him. He says, her attitude has changed toward him, but Ashley insists that’s not true. He asks how she feels about them, because he doesn’t think there’s an us. She says she knows he likes to flirt with everybody, but it comes down to respect. He asks how she can talk to him about respect, and we flash back to her being all about Tom before he got the boot. In Ashley’s interview, she wonders what she’s supposed to say. If she calls him on his sh*t, he’ll get defensive, and spin it back. He’s never going to take responsibility for anything. (Pot, meet kettle.) She tells him that she could have done without this conversation; she’s over it. She leaves, and pops into Kelsie’s cabin. She tells Kelsie that she’s over it; she has respect for herself. She sarcastically says, Scarlett must be special, and she’s not getting wound up in Gary’s bullsh*t. It’s hilarious to her. Scarlett hears her, and in Scarlett’s interview, she says, she is special. Grow up, and speak to her directly if there’s a problem. Kelsie says she hasn’t touched Gary, and Ashley says she wishes she hadn’t. Gary tells Colin about his non-conversation with Ashley, and Scarlett asks Ashley if they’re okay. Ashley says, Gary is the one with the issue, and the crew gets ready to go out.
On the way to the restaurant, Kelsie wants to play F***, Marry, Kill, and asks Scarlett who she would. Scarlett says, she’d f*** Gary, and marry Colin, but she doesn’t want to kill anyone. Daisy says, she’d f*** Gary, marry Marcos, and kill Colin. Gary sits across from Scarlett at the restaurant, with Ashley way at the other end of the table. Scarlett says, earlier kind of sucked; it was weird. Gary says he didn’t mean for that to happen, but she says, it’s all good. Barnaby says he has no idea what’s happening. From his perspective, Gary is falling in love, and Scarlett is into him too, but what about mean old Ashley. He loves it. Marcos says he’s doing what’s impossible do on a sailing yacht, and Colin says, they don’t want to see him have another meltdown. Don’t let his ego and pride get in the way of asking for help. Gary says, cheers to everyone, and they clink glasses. Gary asks Scarlett if they can talk later, and I notice the man bun on top of Gary’s head. Seriously, what do all these girls see in this dude? I’ve said it before, the only two men who should be allowed to wear them are Sensei Guillermo Gomez and Roger Howarth, because they are the coolest of the cool. But Gary? Just no. Daisy asks if Scarlett kissed Gary, and she nods. Ashley cranes her neck, wondering what happened, and Daisy tells Scarlett not to bitch to her when it bites her in the ass. She’s known Gary a long time. She talks about him through love, but also through emotional trauma. Scarlett says, it’s fun and entertaining, not serious, and Ashley says she doesn’t give a flying, even though no one asked or cares. Daisy tells Scarlett to cut the bullsh*t, but Scarlett says, she can hang out and have fun. Daisy says she’s not telling Scarlett what to do, but is she okay? Scarlett says she’s annoyed.
Daisy leaves to have a smoke, and Gary asks to have a chat with Scarlett. In Scarlett’s interview, she says, Daisy is her boss, and she respects that, but she doesn’t know if what Daisy is telling her is for Ashley’s sake or Daisy’s. Daisy can’t control her love life. Daisy intercepts Ashley, and Gary goes back to the table, where Ashley suggests Scarlett focus on her job. Daisy tells Scarlett that she was joking; she apologizes. Scarlett starts crying, and Daisy says she didn’t want to upset Scarlett. At the table, Gary says, Daisy attacked Scarlett, and that sucked. What a word master. Colin wonders how Gary can cause so much drama, and Daisy tells Scarlett that she wants her girls to love and care about each other. Scarlett says, maybe Ashley could be more honest, and Daisy says, between the two of them, Ashley is full of sh*t. Scarlett says she appreciates the talk, but she needs a moment. She wanders off, and Barnaby comes along. Daisy says she feels awful, but he tells her not to blame herself. Blame Gary. Daisy said what was real, and people should thank her for it. They clink glasses, and in her interview, Daisy says she feels bad. She was trying to help Scarlett not make a bad decision. She’s done. Barnaby says, let’s go get drunk.
The crew goes back to the boat, where as usual, the sensible Glenn is sleeping. Scarlett says, it’s been rough, but she Daisy are good. The crew drinks and dances around, and some of them get in the hot tub. Daisy tells Kelsie, she doesn’t know if she’s feeling drunk or angry, and Kelsie says, Daisy was telling Scarlett to read between the lines, and Scarlett responded by saying she wasn’t doing anything wrong. She’s going to gravitate to whoever is showing her the most attention. Gary and Scarlett are the only ones left in the hot tub, and they make out. Daisy says, it’s always going be a sh*tshow, and Kelsie says, at least no one got hurt. Daisy says, for the moment. Gary tells Scarlett that he wants to f*** her, but she says, she’s good, thank you. In her interview, she says, Gary is charming (is he?), but that doesn’t mean she’s going to sleep with him tonight. She respects herself. Watch her avoid this situation; she’s out. Everyone goes to bed.
In the morning, everyone is a little hungover, and Daisy says, her aim is to get the cabins done. Glenn points to the map, and tells Gary, the wind is 30 knots and it’s in their path. He thinks they’ll have to stay at anchor. In Glenn’s interview, he says, it’s not fun sitting on the dock, but they need to stay protected. He tells the crew, a storm is coming, so they’re leaving asap. Daisy tells Colin, she’s out of it, and Colin says, she’s jealous; she and Gary can’t make out with the new girl here. Daisy says, does Colin really think if she came on to Gary, he’d say no? and Colin says, yeah. They laugh. After they dock, Glenn calls Daisy, Gary, and Marcos to the mess for the preference sheet meeting. He says, it’s charter 8, and the primary is Lane, who owns a start-up. His fiancé Amanda will be with him, as well as some friends, and they’re all Canadian. Lane just proposed, so they want to celebrate their engagement. Marcos reads that Lane likes seafood and molecular gastronomy, and no one knows what that is, including me. Marcos says, it’s cool, and in his interview, he says, it’s science with food. Products like gelatin and salt are used to intensify flavor, then the food is made into a different shape. It’s a big challenge. I still don’t know what he means, so I investigate (see below), and then kinda, sorta do. Daisy reads that the they want a white party with a seafood focused dinner to celebrate the engagement, and Gary reads their request for a yacht crew relay. Glenn says, the weather is going to be bumpy, so they might be staying at the dock. Marcos immediately begins to make charts, and in his interview, he says, he was 28 when he learned molecular gastronomy from a couple of two Michelin star chefs. It has to be precise, and the pressure is on him 100%.
Marcos orders supplies, and Barnaby says, it’s simply too windy for a charter. I add an English accent in my head. The provisions come in, and in Ashley’s interview, she says she could be a total bitch to Scarlett, but she’s taking the high road to prove at least she’s not a bitch. Does she not comprehend this is a real job for which she gets paid? Glenn gives the crew a twenty minute warning, and goes over logistics with Gary. The deckhands do last minute shammying. Gary goes to the dock to pick up the guests in the tender, and primary Lane says, the boat is a little smaller than they thought. BA-DUM-CHH! Gary takes them to the yacht, where they’re welcomed with champagne. Daisy gives the tour, while Gary, Kelsie, and Colin go to shore to pick up the luggage. Glenn tells the guests he’s also Canadian, and Lane says, he must be expecting the most polite boat ever. They rib each other about being Canadian, and Glenn tells them that the weather is bad, and it’s just getting started. They won’t be able to go out. In Glenn’s interview, he says, they have to be creative, and keep the guests occupied. Canadians are notoriously chill and easy-going though. Not that he’s biased. Marcos tells Gary that he’s always nervous until he gets past the first meal, and the guests remark how it’s weird that it’s too windy to sail. Glenn suggests the deckhands set up the rope swing.
The guests are seated for lunch, and have nicknamed Ashley Smashley. She tells them, she did fall on her face when she was sh*tfaced, and Daisy calls her over when she goes back in. Ashley asks if she’s in trouble again, and Daisy says, they want the guests to walk away feeling like they made a friend, but they also have to provide five-star service. They have to be professional. And she needs to trust that Ashley is going to be professional. Gary and Colin set up the rope swing, and the guests play Tarzan. Daisy tells Scarlett that she’s doing dinner service, and Marcos makes tons of seafood for the white party. He gets a message that his friend Juan Carlo’s mother died, and in his interview, he says, Juan Carlos is like a brother. He goes up on deck to make a call to someone in the family, but has a hard time getting service. In his interview, Marcos cries, and says, the last thing he wants to do is cook.
Next time, the crew has a relay race dressed as pirates, Daisy forgets to tell Marcos that Glenn is having dinner with the guests, and the boat begins to drag anchor.
🧪 All About That Chemistry…
After reading this, I think I grasp it somewhat. I’m guessing edible paper must be similar to the rice paper on some Chinese candies. That reminds me. I think I have some around here…
Tomorrow, join me for the flipside of today; just soap, with a sprinkling of tea. Until then, stay safe, stay selective about who you let influence you, and stay not letting your ego and pride get in the way of asking for help.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
Fear the Walking Dead
Alicia is being carried on a stretcher. She’s in and out, and alternately sees zombies and the people carrying her. Alicia is parked on the beach, as everyone gets the rafts ready. Alicia says hi to a bird, and Jacob says, she’s waking up. He calls for June, and June tells him to get saline and epinephrine, and tells Alicia that she’s low on fluids. Alicia asks why the rafts are being prepped, and June says, she doesn’t remember? The tower is burning. When the walkers from the canyon burn, it’s going to be released into the air. Alicia asks where they’re going, but June says, they don’t know. Alicia wonders where Morgan ended up, but June says, he hasn’t landed yet. Alicia struggles to get up, but June tells her she can’t; the fever will kill her. Alicia asks, where the hell is Victor? but June says, he didn’t want to come. Alicia asks if they know where is he, but June says, as far as they know, he’s still in the tower. Alicia looks at the column smoke rising in the distance, and gets up, telling them to put everyone in the rafts, but June says, Alicia needs rest. Alicia looks around, and notices a girl in a mask. She says, someone heard the message, and calls, over here. The girl goes in the other direction, and Alicia says, come back, and follows. She tells the girl not to run away, and the girl says, she’s not running. She has to find her friend. Alicia says she wants to help, and the girl says, then help her find her friend in there, and gestures toward the tower. He knows how to get to Padre. She runs into the smoke, and the smoke gets heavier. Alicia walks into it after her.
A zombie struggles, caught under a shopping cart, and Alicia stabs it in the head. Luci radios, asking where Alicia is, and Alicia walks up to an armored truck. She tells Luci that she found the girl she told Luci about; she might know where Padre is, and they need a place to go. Luci asks why Alicia left on her own, and Alicia says she can’t put them in danger. Don’t come looking for her. She walks on, and has a flash of seeing zombies. The girl says, over here, and walks into the smoke. Alicia asks what she knows about Padre; is it real? The girl turns out to be a zombie, and Alicia slashes its head into a pile of mess. She looks at her artificial arm, and it morphs into a melting skeletal arm. She looks at her reflection in something, and sees a zombie. She opens her eyes, and she’s inside the truck. She sits up, and the girl says, it’s okay. Alicia passed out on a body; the girl heard her scream. Alicia asks how the girl got her in here, and the girl says she dragged Alicia. They almost didn’t make it. Alicia asks her name, and says, she’s Alicia. The girl says she knows; she heard Alicia’s message. That’s why she was at the beach. Alicia says the girl can take her mask off, but the girl says she doesn’t take it off. Alicia says, the girl helped her in the woods; why didn’t she stay? The girl says she was looking for her friend. She asks why Alicia is sick; is it her arm? Did one of them bite her? Alicia can tell her. She’s not scared of bites. Alicia says, it doesn’t matter; there’s nothing she can do about it. Alicia looks through the stuff in the truck, and asks if the girl’s friend can really help them find Padre. The girl says, yes, but they have to find him first. He’s all she’s got left; he’s like family. She asks what Alicia is looking for, and Alicia says, anything to bring down her fever. The girl asks if fevers don’t come from infections, and Alicia asks how she knows that. The girl says, her mother says she’s too smart for her own good, and Alicia says, her mom said the same thing about her. A huge lightbulb comes on over my head, and I know who the girl is. Alicia says, this infection is different. She’s been fighting it a long time. The girl asks if Alicia found Madison, and Alicia looks at a tape labeled Amina. She asks how far away the girl’s friend is, and how she’s going to contact them, and the girl says, the same way Alicia contacted her when she heard the message. Alicia says, that’s not going to work. The tower is on fire, and the irradiated dead are headed there. Alicia barely made it here. They’ve got to get to the rafts before the dead get to the flames. The girl says she’s not getting in a raft, and aims a gun at Alicia. Alicia takes it out of her hand, and says, it’s not loaded. Has she looked for bullets lately? There’s none. The girl asks why Alicia followed her, and Alicia says, to help save her friend, but also to do something that will outlast her. The girl asks if Alicia thinks she’s going to die, and Alicia says, look at her; she might not make it to the beach. This thing is going to beat her, and she won’t be able to help her friends. The girl says, Alicia is wrong. She can beat it and help her friends. Alicia insists that’s not true, but the girl says she was bit too, and she’s still here. She shows Alicia scars on her arm, and says she needs to get to the tower and make contact with her friend. He saved her, and he’ll save Alicia too, then get them to Padre.
Speculative Spoiler: I could be very wrong, but I wonder if Alicia is talking to herself. They’ve already been borrowing heavily from Z Nation. Why not again?
They walk, and Alicia asks when the girl got bit, and how. It must have been a while ago. The girl can trust her. She’s here, isn’t she? A zombie comes toward them, and the girl says she’ll deal with it, but Alicia says, she won’t even reach its head. The girl hands Alicia a bullet on a cord, and Alicia asks where she got it. The girl says she found it near the truck. Shoot him. Alicia has a zombie flash, and stabs it in the neck. She falls to the ground with it, and it grabs ahold of her. The girl whacks it with a hammer, and asks if Alicia is okay. She almost got herself killed. Alicia says, the walker is mulch, and the girl isn’t hurt. There’s nothing to be upset about. They start walking again, and the girl asks why Alicia didn’t use the bullet. Alicia says, it would have drawn more dead, and the girl asks why Alicia has a bullet if she’s not going to use it. Alicia says, so she doesn’t turn, and the girl asks if Alicia has dreams about turning; she had them too. Alicia asks if she still has them, but the girl says, no. It was only when the fever was really bad. Her friend will help Alicia. She’s not going to end up like one of them. Use the bullet next time.
They walk closer, as the tower burns. Alicia says, they need to go to the rafts, but the girl says, maybe other people got Alicia’s message. Alicia can go if she wants, but she’s staying. Alicia says, this is impossible, and the girl says, what about the other people who heard Alicia’s message? Is she going to let them walk into that? Alicia says, when they see it, they’ll turn around, but the girl says, they won’t know to go to the beach. They could end up someplace worse. They need to go. Alicia says she can’t push much further, but the girl says she’s not leaving. She walks toward the tower, but Alicia stops her. Alicia says, if they go in there, they’ll both die, but the girl says, they’ll die if they stay out here. Alicia asks what she means, and the girl says, Alicia knows what she means. Alicia faints, and the girl fights off some straggling zombies. She tells Alicia to stay with her, and gets on the radio, asking if there’s anyone there.
Alicia is on a rolling cart, and Sarah says, she’s waking up. They stop, and Luci says, they weren’t going to leave without her. Dwight takes off the straps holding her to the cart, and Alicia asks how they found her. He says, they heard her SOS. A new guy says, hello, and Sarah tells Alicia, his name is Josiah; he’s friendly. Alicia asks, where is she? and Dwight says, who? Alicia says, the girl who helped her. She can help them get to Padre. Luci says, they don’t even know if that place is real, and Alicia says, the girl helped her kill the walkers. Dwight says, it sure looks like Alicia killed them, and Alicia sees her arm weapon (weapon arem?) has blood all over it.
Alicia says, the girl saved her twice; it’s blood from before. She wipes it off, and June says, Alicia is still burning up. Alicia wonders where the girl is; she was there. Josiah says, Alicia was alone when she went back to the tower, and Luci asks why she did that. Alicia says, to send a message; the girl wanted to find her friend, and she promised to help. She has to go back there. Sarah says, Alicia is going on the raft, by force if she wants to play it that way. Alicia says she’d be doing the same thing if she were in their position, but she’s not leaving. Luci asks why it’s so important, and Alicia says, the friend is going to tell her how to save them. June says, the raft is their best shot, and Alicia says, the girl was bit, but she’s alive, and her friend helped. She’s been dreaming of turning into one of them for months. She doesn’t want to die, and she doesn’t want to turn. The girl’s friend can help her live. June asks if Alicia is sure she’s not just saying that because she wants it, and Alicia says, she knows how it sounds, but she’s real. Daniel says, when people doubted him, it didn’t feel good, and Sarah says, but he didn’t have all his faculties. He says, maybe he still doesn’t, but Alicia helped him think more clearly. He can’t let he go on her own; he’s coming. Luci says she owes Daniel one, so she’s in, and June says, she’ll clear the tunnel faster with help. Dwight says, Sherry will kill him if he lets Alicia go by herself, and Sarah says, she doesn’t want be the only a-hole who says no. She tells Dwight, let’s get us some crispy critters.
Alicia keeps trying to radio the girl, when she finally answers. Alicia asks where she is, and the girl asks if Alicia thinks she can get to the roof, but Alicia says, it’s too dangerous to do on her own. She’s coming, and her friends are clearing the tunnel. The girl says she’s on the stairs, but the radio goes dead. Alicia takes out the bullet, and Luci tells her, if she talks to the girl, ask if they can get in there. Alicia says, she talked to her, and she’s going in. June says, not alone, and Sarah says, they’re not leaving. Josiah says, they opened it pretty good, but he can’t be sure it will stay stable. Alicia says, they need to get to the raft. If she learns where Padre is, she’ll radio them. Sherry needs Dwight, Sarah just found her brother, and Daniel’s got to be there for Charlie. She tells Luci that they’ll need someone to show them the way, but Luci says, they have Alicia. Alicia says she has to do this on her own, and Luci nods, saying, she’ll see Alicia and the girl at the shore. Alicia goes inside, and the door closes behind her.
Zombies toddle around the tower as it burns. Alicia goes upstairs wearing a mask, but then takes it off. She thinks about being a zombie, and radios the girl, asking, where are you? Are you in the stairwell? The girl says she’s on the roof and needs Alicia’s help, but Alicia says she’s not sure she can make it. The girl says, she has to; it’s the only way. Alicia stops, pants, and says to herself. you can do it. She sees a bird flying up through the stairwell.
She opens the roof door, and the girl says, over here. Alicia says, you’re alive, and the girl says, so are you. Alicia says she doesn’t want to die; she’s not ready. She suggests they find the girl’s friend, and gets the radio, but she sees it’s been burned by the fire. She yells, no! and the girl says, what? She tells the girl, it’s broken, but the girl says, it’s okay. Alicia says, they need to get in touch with her friend, and the girl says, they still can. Her friend isn’t out there; he’s in the tower. That’s why she wanted to come. Alicia says, her friend (and I say in my head, Victor), what’s his name? The girl says, Victor Strand, and I pat myself on the back for figuring everything out so early on. The girl says she’s sorry she didn’t tell Alicia sooner, and Alicia flashes back to Victor saying, those people were never part of his vision… She’s never going to forgive him, even if he saves everyone, because the damage has been done… He’s trying to save her life… Alicia says, no; it doesn’t make sense. She remembers Victor saying he knows she thinks he’s a monster, but he’s the same man he’s always been. She can’t stop what’s coming. Alicia says, right. She shouldn’t have come. The girl says, Victor needs her to help him, and Alicia asks why she should. The girl says, Victor is her family. He can save them; save us. Alicia knocks the girl down, and holds the pointy end of her arm to the girl’s throat. She asks if anything the girl told her is true, and the girl says, Victor can help her if she helps him. Alicia says, no, and the girl asks if she’d rather die than save him. Alicia says she would, and the girl asks, why? Alicia says, Victor took everything from her, and the girl says, don’t let him take her life too. If Alicia leaves him, she’ll die. Alicia keels over, and asks the girl why she cares what happens to Victor, but the girl says, it’s not about Victor. It’s about Alicia.
Alicia hears the door clank, and tells the girl, wait. Where is she going? No one’s there. She goes back inside, and sees the bird. She wonders why the girl would come in here, and keeps walking. She comes to Victor’s quarters, where the lights are flickering. Victor says, who’s there? Is there a visitor? Alicia says, Victor? and we see Victor, lying in bed with an empty booze bottle next to him. He asks if his mind is playing tricks on him, but Alicia says, it’s not a trick, and flops into a chair. She says she’s here, and he says, she’s got to get out. She says she can’t, not now. She’s not going to make it. He says he’s sorry. he wanted to give her everything. She says, he didn’t give her anything. He took everything. He asks if it’s because of what he did to Will, but she says, Will is just another person she outlived. So many people had to die so she could live. He says, this is about her mother? but she says, it’s about so much more. It’s about making what her mother gave them, mean something. What she didn’t get was to make a place that would last beyond herself. He says he’s so sorry for everything, and she puts the bullet in the gun. He tells her, don’t do that. If she turns, he deserves anything she does to him. She says, it’s not for you – she flashes on the zombie side – it’s for me. She puts the gun to her head, and says she’s sorry. She remembers Will and Charlie, and says again, she’s sorry. She remembers Luci, Daniel, Morgan, and Madison. She sees the bird on the windowsill, and tells it to go. Please leave, goddammit. She thinks about Madison telling the story of Amina, and how Alicia had decided that bird was going to live. Alicia walks over to the bird, and we hear Madison say, the bird lived because her kids didn’t give up on her. Alicia holds out her funky glove-covered hand, and the bird hops on. She says, maybe this is the last thing she was meant to do. She tries, unsuccessfully, to smash the glass, and the girl helps, smashing through the window. Alicia holds her hand out the opening, and the bird flies away. She thanks the girl, and asks why she came back. The girl takes her mask off, and says, because she can’t leave Alicia. Alicia says, no… I… I don’t understand. The girl says, she does, and Alicia says, you’re… me. (Another pat for me.) Alicia hears Madison say that Alicia gave them a chance when there aren’t a lot left in the world, and asks why the girl brought her hear. The girl aka Little Alicia, says, Alicia knows why. It’s on that tape. Alicia looks at the Amina tape, and the girl says she was wrong. Her mom didn’t die to build something like this. She died so that part of Alicia didn’t give up on the people who would live. She shows Alicia the scars on her arm, and says she wasn’t lying when she told Alicia hat she survived the bite. So will she. She’s the only one who can make sure this isn’t the end for her. Alicia says, she can’t; she’s going to die. The girl says, not if she makes sure people remember this part of her, and Alicia asks, how? The girl says, Alicia knows how. She has to save Victor.
On the beach, June tells everyone, don’t leave anything behind. They don’t know how long they’ll be out there. They get the rafts ready, and June says, they can’t miss the tide. Alicia will catch up. They can’t be there when the walkers catch fire. Try to stay clustered in case they get separated. Luci says, they’re shoving off, when Alicia radios that she needs help. Luci asks where she is, and Alicia says, the MRAP. She can’t make it much father. Luci asks if she found the girl, and Alicia says she did; she found someone else too. Victor says, they’ll never take him, but Alicia says, they will if she asks. He coughs and groans a little, and asks, why save him after everything he done. He laughs, and says he asked her mother the same question. She asks what her mother said, and he tells her, she said she did it because she knew who he was. Alicia asks if he thinks she really did, but he says, not like Alicia. So he’s asking again, why save him? She says, it’s not about him; it’s about her. So he can do what she doesn’t when she’s gone; find a place where everyone is safe. He asks if she thinks he can, and she says, she’s not sure, but she think he’ll try. He tells her, stay with me, but she fades out.
June feels Alicia’s forehead, and says, she’s waking up. She tells Alicia, don’t move. She’s got to get fluids. They’ll make the raft as comfortable as they can. Grace says, the readings have spiked. They’ve got to go. Alicia asks Grace to tell Morgan something for her, but Grace says, Alicia can tell him herself, and hands her the radio, saying, Morgan wanted to talk with her too. Morgan asks, is that her? and Alicia says she’s sorry she didn’t do what she said she would. He says he got Mo in the raft, and that’s all that matters. He wanted to tell her that she might be right. He’s heard chatter on the radio. There might be a Padre. He thinks Padre is real, and thinks they might actually have someplace to go to. How about that? How is she feeling? She says she needs to tell him something. No matter what happens to her, he won’t be doing it alone. He says, no, because she’ll be all right, right? He hears only static, and asks if she’s there. Mo cries.
Grace tells Alicia, if he didn’t hear, she’ll make sure he knows. Charlie comes over to Alicia, and Alicia says she’s sorry she couldn’t stop it from happening to her. Charlie says she’s sorry she wasn’t there for Alicia, and Alicia tells Daniel, look after her. Charlie says she knows it’s going to be okay. She got to do something she never thought she would. They finally got to see the beach. Alicia says, they did, and Daniel says, it’s time. Alicia tells Daniel, it’s going to be oaky, and Daniel says, he wasn’t there for Ofelia at the end, but he can be there for Charlie. He will see Alicia again. Sherry says, they’ve got to go, and she thanks Alicia for taking them in. Luci says she’ll be in the raft with Alicia, but Alicia says she has to do this alone. Victor says, no she won’t. He gets in, and says, they’ll rough it out together. Alicia says, stop, and gets out of the raft. She doesn’t know how fast she’ll turn. He says he’s willing to take that risk, but she says she’s not. It’s up to him – she chokes up a little – to make sure everything they’ve been through means something. People may have heard her message, and are headed to the tower. He cries, and says, she did make it mean something. She saved all of them. She saved him. She did what he asked back in Lawson. She pushes his raft into the water, and says, she didn’t just save him so he could live to do what she couldn’t. She did it because she loves him too. He smiles, and she laughs.
The rafts go down the river. Victor waves, and Alicia waves back. Alicia falls to her knees, then all the way down.
Alicia opens her eyes and sees the bird. She looks good, like fully made up good. She sits up, and sees everyone is gone. She drinks some water, and feels her forehead. She takes a reading, and the girl appears. Alicia asks what she’s doing here, and the girl shows Alicia her arm. The scars are gone, and Alicia asks what it means. The girl says she thinks it means Alicia saved her. How does Alicia feel? Alicia says, she feels… like she hasn’t felt in a while. Like herself. They smile at each other, and Alicia picks up her mask and the gun. The girl asks where she’s going, and Alicia says, to find people who heard her message. She’s going to spend whatever time she has left making sure they have someplace safe to go. They smile again, and a zombie comes down the beach. Alicia walks toward it, shoots it, and continues to walk in the direction of the tower, as she puts her mask on.
Next time – the finale – weird people who wear hoods grab Morgan, accuse him of stealing their children, and try to bury him alive. Madison returns.
If you have tomorrow off, enjoy, or if tomorrow is just another day off, enjoy that too. There’s no soap tomorrow (GH is a rerun), but I’ll be on Deck. Until then, stay safe, stay striving for honesty in all relationships, and stay knowing, if the walker is mulch and no one was hurt, there’s nothing to be upset about.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Scotty asks Michael, cat got your tongue? and Judge Foster tells him to just repeat the question. Scotty asks, what happened between Michael and Claudia Zacchara? (see below if you don’t know/remember) and Michael says, Claudia abducted his mother. Scotty says, Michael didn’t like Claudia much, did he? So what was it like to kill her?
Trina says, Rory’s career is just getting started. She’s not going to let him risk that for her. He says, okay, if she insists on making it all about him, and she says, that being said, she appreciates that he offered. He says, there’s no risk in him checking out a few paintings while he’s here, is there? They look at a painting as Spencer walks in, and Rory says he never paid much attention to art before. He thought of The Chuck as a good spot to eat his lunch, but then he stated looking – really looking… They realize Spencer is behind them, and Spencer says, is this not a good time?
Nikolas asks when Victor got back, and Victor says, his favorite nephew. He’s missed Nikolas. Nikolas says he wishes he could say the same. Whatever the two of them are discussing, it’s going to have to wait. He needs to speak to his wife alone. Victor asks if that’s a good idea. He’s sensing tension between husband and wife here. He’s thinking they might need a referee; that, or a field medic. He thinks he should stick around.
Terry tells Chet not to keep her in suspense. What’s the big news? He says he just got a big job offer. She says, amazing. She didn’t even know he was looking. He says, he didn’t either, and she says she doesn’t understand. He says he didn’t apply for the job. Someone recommended him to a headhunter. She says, sounds like he has an angel somewhere looking out for him, and he says, no kidding. Amy approaches the door, and he asks if Terry ever got a dream job she didn’t apply for.
Diane objects, saying, her client is not on trial, and Judge Foster asks what Scotty’s purpose is with this line of questioning. Scotty says, Michael and Willow contend that his client isn’t fit to have a relationship with her sole grandchild. Let’s see what their fitness is. The judge says she’ll allow, but tread lightly. He says he’d like to submit the autopsy report of Claudia Zacchara. It says that she’s five foot, five inches tall, several inches shorter than Michael, and she was clutching a newborn baby. He hands the judge the report, and Michael says, she was in a basket. Claudia put his newborn sister in a basket. Scotty says, so instead of asking for help or trying to talk her out of it, or any number of things, Michael decided to pick up an ax handle and cave in her head. How did that make him feel? Michael says, when he saw his sister was back in his mother’s arms, he felt relief. Scotty says, some people just get a massage.
Spencer says he’ll get out of their way, and start restituting, but Trina says, he can’t. Spencer says he’s sorry, but a judge disagrees with her; it’s part of his punishment. She says she meant he can’t work at the gallery today. Ava told her to close up early. He asks if Ava will tell that to the court, or will she? Spencer’s phone rings, and Rory says he’s going to bounce. Trina tells him that he doesn’t have to go, and Spencer wonders which crazy is calling him. Rory says he’s going to catch some rays, and thanks Trina for giving him some art to appreciate. He leaves, and Trina looks at Spencer. He says, what? He said he’d get out of her way.
Esme gets Spencer’s voicemail, and says she was just wondering how his talk with Cameron went. If Spencer is still with him, tell him that she’s thinking good thoughts. He didn’t say how long he’d be working at the gallery; hopefully, not too much longer. She’s just finishing packing up, and tooling around Windymere by herself. Come home soon. She hangs up, and says, before she gets into trouble.
Victor says, there’s no shame in admitting Ava and Nikolas are going through a bit of a rough patch right now. All couples go through them. The important thing is, the two of them are better than their low moments. Nikolas tells Victor, he’s been saying something similar for a while now, and Ava says, is that so? Because all she’s heard from him are weak excuses and non-apologies. He asks why he would apologize for doing everything in his damn power to fix things with his son? and she asks if doing everything in his damn power to fix things with Spencer includes being indifferent to her feelings. He says he’s crystal clear about her feelings, and she says, he heard her, didn’t he? Victor asks what all this is about, and Nikolas says, it’s simple. Just as he was getting close to Spencer, Ava managed to drive him away.
Amy listens outside, as Terry says, clearly, the recruiter saw Chet’s resume and thought he was a great fit. So tell her about the job. He asks if she has the time; he knows she’s working. She says she doesn’t think the boss will mind, and he says, it’s in mental health; director of mental outreach at the VA hospital. She says, director? That’s a big deal. He says, it’s one hell of an upgrade from managing a gym, and she says, it’s cause for celebration. Why don’t they hit the MetroCourt after she gets off work. Is he free tonight? He says he can make that happen, but before they make any plans, they should probably have a talk first about the job. She says she’ll be happy to tell him everything she knows about hospital politics, because trust her, there always is some. She actually knows an administrator at the VA. She can call and get the lowdown. He says, that’s the thing. The VA job isn’t in Port Charles; it’s in Chicago. Amy walks in, and says, no. Yes, there is a job, but Chet’s not going to take it.
Ava says she did not drive Spencer away; far from it. She just offered Spencer financial incentive to move out of Windymere and take his sociopathic girlfriend with him. Victor says, Esme, and Nikolas says, who Victor helped him rescue from Sonny Corinthos. Ava says, if only the two of them had left Esme where she was, and Nikolas says, at Sonny’s non-existent mercy? She says, Nikolas and Spencer are the only people in the entire world who believe Esme is some kind of victim. Spencer is young, and infatuated, and stupid. What’s his excuse? Nikolas says, compassion, but she says, no, it’s arrogance. Nikolas wanted to be the one to thwart Sonny, so he invited Esme into their home without even consulting her. He says, while Spencer and Esme were at Windymere, he was starting to build good will with Spencer, and she says, he certainly wasn’t building any with her. He says, so as punishment, she manipulates Spencer, and gives him access to his trust fund, provided he and Esme move out of Windymere. Ava says she didn’t give Spencer access to his trust fund. She tells Victor, she’s giving Spencer an allowance, and he will learn very quickly that his life of ease is directly tied to his ability to satisfy her wishes. Victor says, it sounds like she’s doing obedience training, and she says, then Spencer will earn his first treat when he breaks camp, and takes the minx with him. Victor says, congratulations. He just wishes she’d been a bit more patient. She says, patient? She didn’t chuck Esme off a parapet, so she thinks she’s shown plenty of patience. She tells Nikolas, she also secured the breathing room it will take to save their marriage. He’s welcome. Nikolas says, she thinks she did them a favor by orchestrating his son’s departure? She says, all she did was give Spencer a chance to show Nikolas who he really is. And if he chose to leave the house, he has.
Bringing in some boxes, Spencer says, Trina doesn’t need to stick around to supervise him sending out these mailers, or doesn’t she trust him? Does she really think he’d take off with a Monet? She says, they don’t have any Monets, and he says, whatever. Did she show him the new DeCarlo? She says, who? Rory? Why does he care? He says, because it’s the best thing Ava has. He’d love drawing something like that one day. She says, so chiaroscuro is his thing, and he says he doesn’t know if it’s his thing, but he likes the light and the dark together. If you don’t have the shadows, how do you appreciate the light? He wonders how much it’s worth, and she says, more than he makes at Kelly’s. He says, for her information, his income just got a major boost, and she says, Cam already gave him a raise? He shakes his head, and says, Ava opened the spigots, so to speak. She’s going to let him draw from his trust fund again. Trina says, that doesn’t sound like something Ava would do. Wait. What did he have to do in exchange? And don’t tell her it’s nothing. He says, in order to access his trust fund, he and Esme have to move out of Windymere, and she says she thought he was trying to fix things with his dad. He says he is, and she says, and he still let Ava buy him off, but he tells her, by leaving, he’s helping his father too.
Diane objects, saying, counsel is badgering the witness, and Judge Foster says, sustained. She tells Scotty to perform his stand-up somewhere else, and Scotty asks Michael if anyone was present at the time of Claudia’s death. Michael says, his mother, and Scotty says, surely his mother told the police that he was protecting his sister and her, and Michael says, it’s a matter of public record, and his mother’s name is Carly. He made a full confession and went to prison. Scotty asks how long Michael’s sentence was, and Michael says, five years. Scotty asks how much time Michael served, and Michael says, several months. Scotty says, wow, that’s faster than he gets his dry cleaning back. Diane says, while they’re all enjoying the comedy stylings of opposing counsel, her client paid his debt to society. Scotty asks, what about the debt he owes to his baby sister Avery? Why doesn’t Michael tell the court how snatching a kid from their loving family is his M.O.?
Rory goes the pool, which we haven’t seen in a while, and tells the desk clerk that he has a day pass. He asks if there’s a discount for members of the PCPD, and the guy says, he just needs to see ID. Rory shows him, and he asks if Rory wants a lounge for one; they’re going fast. Rory says, make it two. Someone is joining him.
Spencer stuffs envelopes, and Trina asks how it helps his dad if he leaves Windymere. He says, he has issues with Ava, and Ava has issues with him. She and his dad will have a better shot at fixing their marriage if he and Esme aren’t constantly in the way. Is it so hard to believe he’d do something for someone else? She asks if his dad is aware he’s not leaving just because of the money, and he says, they haven’t discussed it. She says, in other words, no, and he says, it’s a normal thing at their age to be on their own. She and Joss live in the dorms; it’s time for him to move on. He’ll work out things with his dad on the back end. She says, what if his dad holds it against Ava? and he says, then that’s on them. Right now, this is the best he can do. She says she doesn’t believe that, and he asks why she even cares. She has bigger things to worry about, and she says, right. What is she doing here… She starts to leave, but he says, wait. What is going on? Talk to him. Please. She says she has a life. That’s all he needs to know. So stuff those mailers and lock up when he’s done. She leaves, and he swipes the boxes onto the floor.
Esme writes to Maggie that her worry is misplaced. Everything in Port Charles is going swimmingly. Okay, maybe that’s an exaggeration. I don’t have everything I want just yet, but I’m well on my way.
Victor tells Ava, he concedes that Spencer has quite a bit of maturing to do, but he thinks the closer Spencer is to his family, the faster he’ll do that maturing. He thinks they can all agree Spencer’s stubborn streak and obvious attachment to Esme present difficulties, but this family’s weathered worse than that. He refuses to let a little infighting derail a perfectly good marriage. It’s time they came to a compromise. Ava says she doesn’t compromise on trust, and Nikolas says, they appreciate Victor’s interest in bringing them all together, but Esme and Spencer are just on the surface of their issues, and their issues aren’t Victor’s. Victor says, he’ll take that no-so-subtle hint as his cue to leave. He suggests they meet again soon for a proper reunion, with the whole family. He leaves, telling Nikolas, don’t muck this up, nephew. Nikolas says, Ava didn’t need to come between him and Spencer to hurt him; the distance between them did that. She says, it’s not exactly doing her any favors either, and he says, the question is, what are they going to do about it?
Terry says, Amy’s not making any sense, and Chet says, ten minutes ago, she was all fired up about him taking this job. Now she’s not? Terry says she’s guessing Amy loves her big brother and wants him to stay close, but Amy says, Terry is wrong. Of course (🍷) she loves Chet and wants him to stay, just not stay around everyone. Chet says, she’s losing him again, and Amy says, the headhunter who got his resume didn’t get it from one of his buddies. She got it from Amy. Chet says he’s flattered she has so much faith in him, and Amy says, of course (🍷) she does. She knows he can do anything he makes his mind up to, but sending in the resume wasn’t just about helping him. She did it for herself too. When she found out he was dating her boss, she put him up for the job, hoping to keep the two of them apart.
Scotty asks if Michael took his baby sister Avery away from her father, and Michael says he was granted custody. At the time, Avery’s mother was believed to be dead, and her father couldn’t provide a stable home. Scotty says, so Michael swooped in with his money and his lawyers, and stole Avery, but Michael says he didn’t steal her. He thought she was at risk, so he took the steps to protect her like he’s doing with his son right now. Scotty says, maybe Michael’s son needs to be protected from him, and Diane objects, but Michael says, the only person Wiley needs to be protected from is Nina. She’s caused nothing but misery to his family, including Wiley. She’s incapable of acting in Wiley’s best interests because she’s so invested in pitying herself.Nina claims the world has made victims of her and her daughter, but the truth is, Nina and Nelle are nobody’s victims except their own. Scotty says, that’s not the truth. They’re victims of Michael.
Diane says, opposing counsel is again badgering the witness, and the judge tells Scotty, if he has a question, ask it, otherwise, wrap it up. Scotty says, when Nelle found out she was pregnant, is it possible she tried to protect Wiley from him? Is it possible she was afraid he might do to her what he did to Claudia? That he might use Wiley to hurt her, the same way he’s using Wiley to hurt Nina? Diane says, objection, pure conjecture, and Judge Foster says, sustained. She tells Scotty to drop this now, but Scotty asks the judge to look at the anger on Michael’s face. Does she thinks it’s the look Claudia saw right before he bashed her head in?
Chet says, Amy manipulated this whole job offer because she doesn’t like who he’s dating? but Amy says, it’s not that she didn’t like who he’s dating. She didn’t like that the person he was dating was also her boss. Sometimes, she and Terry clash; the truth is, they clash a lot. When she found out they were dating, the only thing she could think was, great. Now she’ll never be able to escape her boss. At work, holidays, and vacations, and family reunions, and double dates, and karaoke night. It’ll never end. And what if she doesn’t suck up to Terry? Will Chet tell her to buzz off? All she could think about was herself, until ten minutes ago. He asks, what happened then? and she says, he started telling her how much he was missing in his life, and how much genuine potential Terry had to offer him.
Ava tells Nikolas, his move. She’s done her part. He says, by luring his son away from him? She says she’s providing them the time and space they need to patch up their marriage, without the interference of two people who didn’t want them together in the first place. He says he believes Spencer was beginning to accept them, and she says, then why was he so eager to go? Spencer obviously has bigger priorities than reconciling with Nikolas. And let’s be honest. They have bigger problems than Esme and Spencer, and where they’ll be living. He says, as she proved by sticking it to him, and going after Spencer on her own. If she only would have come to him to him first… She says, like he came to her before he invited Esme into their home? He says she keeps wanting to make this a choice; her or his son, his marriage or his family. Ava gets teary, saying, and here she thought she was his family too. If anyone has a choice to make, maybe it’s her choice. She can stick around and watch him dither over Esme, or walk away.
Esme hears a door open, and puts her letter writing stuff away. Spencer comes in, and she asks if he got her voicemail. How’s Cameron? He asks how she thinks he is? His mother is having a nervous breakdown. She says, that’s something that should make him sad, but he’s angry. Did he get into it with Ava when he was doing his indentured servitude? He says, not Ava, and she says, oh, of course (🍷). Trina.
Trina arrives at the pool, looking very cute in a sundress, and tells the clerk that her family has a membership under Dr. Portia Robinson. Does he think she can get a lounge? He says, sorry. They’re all taken, but feel free to have a seat at the bar. She says she should have come earlier. Thanks anyway. He leaves, and she says, she wonders if… Rory gets out of the pool, and Trina lowers her sunglasses to watch him towel off. He smiles at her, and she smiles back.
Diane says, just a couple of questions for Michael. Does he know the significance of March 19th, 2021, and September 23rd, 2021? He says, not off the top of his head, and she says, March 19th is when Nina left Port Charles for Nixon Falls, and found his father who had lost his memory. The second date is when Nina returned to Port Charles after her deceit had been uncovered. That’s six months. During those six months, how many times did Nina Reeves ask to see Wiley? He says, twice, and she says, wow, great grandmother. Scotty objects, saying, that’s not a question; that’s commentary. (He might have added that they made it difficult for her to see Wiley in the first place.) Diane says, next question. How did the visits go? Were there any issues? Michael says, the timing of the second visit. It happened the day after his father returned. Nina showed up and asked to visit with Wiley. She asks if Nina told him that she where his father had been for the past six months, but he says, no. In retrospect, they realized she was just trying to get in one last visit before the truth of what she’d done came out. She asks if there were any other visits that prompted concern on his part, and he says, earlier, when she first met Wiley. She told Wiley that Willow wasn’t his real mother, that Nelle was, and he was far too young to understand that kind of information. It immediately had a negative impact. She asks if he’s opposing Nina’s petition for visitation to punish her, but he says, no. She asks if it’s some kind of payback or spite for the harm she’s caused Michael and his family, and he says, no. She asks, then why is he opposing Nina having contact with Wiley? and he says, Nina has been consistently untruthful with him and Willow. She has a history of emotional instability, and seems far more invested in redeeming Nelle than in Wiley’s well-being.
Rory says, she made it, and Trina says she did. He says he was worried. Things seemed kind of tense between her and Spencer when he left. Since she’s busy looking at his bangin’ bod, she doesn’t hear him, and says, what? He asks if things are okay with Spencer, and she says, things are the same with Spencer. They don’t communicate very well. He asks if that’s all. He hopes she doesn’t mind him saying this, but she seems a little off. She says, it’s her first time back at a pool; she’s not used to so much sun. He suggests they have a seat, but she says, they’re all taken; she got here too late. He says, but he didn’t. He snagged her one, and don’t get out her wallet; he already got her a day pass. She says, that’s sweet, but in the future, her family already has a membership, and he says, good to know. She asks how he knew she was coming here; she didn’t even know she was coming here. Why did he get her a lounge? He says, he dropped a hint that he was going to be catching some rays, and this is the closest pool to the gallery. What can he say? He’s an optimist.
Spencer says, he doesn’t want to talk about Trina, and Esme says, that’s a first. He says, what was that? and she says, Trina isn’t her favorite subject either, but whatever Trina did is obviously bothering him. She hates to see him like this. He asks, how is this not talking about Trina? Besides, Trina has nothing to do with her. She says, got it; noted. But she has to wonder what Trina has to do with him. They’re no longer close, right? He no longer cares about her, right? Trina threw vile accusations out there about his girlfriend, so she has to wonder why every encounter triggers something. He says he doesn’t know, but it does. So just drop it, and he will too. She tells him, easier said than done, and he says, let’s go for one last ride. It will surely help; it’s a gorgeous day. She says she’s not looking for a distraction; she’s looking for answers. He says, fine. Come, don’t come; he doesn’t care. She says, they’re not finished with this conversation, and he says, they’re not having a conversation. She’s ripping into him. Esme says, she’s trying to figure out why he keeps going back to this girl who keeps looking down on him, when the person right in front of him is winning to do anything for him. He says he’s going for a ride. They can talk after. She says, walk out that door, and she may not be here when he gets back.
Nikolas says, Ava is already sleeping in another bedroom. What is she threatening? Separation? Divorce? She says she’s not doing this anymore. She’s not going to be second in his life; she deserves better. He asks if she honestly thinks another man is going to give that to her. They both know they’re difficult people and a very acquired taste. She asks if he’s saying she should just put up with his disregard and thoughtless treatment, and he says, it was never perfect between them, but it was good, and it worked. She says, it doesn’t now; not for her, not anymore. He says, she loves him and he loves her, and she says, it’s true, but what are words without deeds? She’ll give him time to think about that, but not too much. He asks if she thinks it’s all on him; that she doesn’t have any part to play or amends to make? That he’s just going to come crawling back to her. She says she does. Because she’s the best thing that’s ever happened to him. He’ll see it. She just hopes it’s not too late.
Diane says she’d like to enter two exhibits into evidence. The first is the criminal record of Michael Corinthos. The second is the criminal record of Nelle Benson-Jerome. Nelle’s record is considerably bigger, and Diane tells the judge to interpret it as she will. No further questions. Judge Foster gives them a thirty minute recess, and asks to meet the attorneys in her chambers. Michael and Willow hug, and Nina says she hopes Scotty isn’t in too much trouble. He says, trouble? By the time this is over, he’ll be lucky if he can practice in a food court. Everyone disperses, and Nina looks at Sonny.
Rory says, this is nice, and Trina says, very. She asks if he knows her friend Joss, and he says, Joss is unforgettable. She says, Joss’s mom co-owns the MetroCourt, so she and Joss came here pretty regularly last summer. He says, it’s his first time here. He’d heard about it, but up to today, he was more of a lake guy. A waiter brings them drinks, and Rory tells Trina, non-alcoholic of course (🍷). He took the liberty of ordering for them both. She says, he thought of everything, and he says he thinks he could get used to this lifestyle. They clink glasses, and he tells her, don’t worry about the cost; PCPD officers get a discount. She thanks him, not just for the drink, but everything. He asks, what’s everything? He got her a drink and a lounge chair. She says, taking her mind of the Title IX report and Spencer, and he says, he must be doing a poor job if she’s still it bringing up. She says, good point. Let her try again. Thank you for the lounge chair, and the drink, and mostly the company. He says, that, he will drink to, and they clink glasses. They steal looks at each other when the other isn’t looking.
Spencer asks if Esme is threatening him, and she says, of course (🍷) he would see it that way. No, she’s not threatening him. She’s standing up for herself. He doesn’t get to just walk out and ignore her because she’s asking hard questions. He says, the way he sees it, she didn’t get her way, and resorted to an ultimatum. That’s never going work for him. She says, being taken for granted doesn’t work for her. He acts like she’s disposable, and she’ll always stand by him, no matter how poorly he treats her. He should know better than to think everyone’s still going to stick around. He says he just can’t talk to her when she’s like this. He’ll be back after he takes a ride. They can try to talk again after she calms down. She says, wait, but he closes the door behind him.
A martini is slid in front of Ava, and she says, she didn’t order… He’s back. Victor says, he never left. He was concerned things might not go so well with her and Nikolas. She says, his instincts were spot-on. Nikolas left. He says he saw, but he does think Nikolas will be back. She shrugs, and says she thought so too, but she’s been wrong before. Maybe this time she’s overplayed her hand. We see Nikolas go into Windymere and pour a drink, and Ava says, maybe Nikolas just doesn’t see her for who she is. By the way, their marriage may truly be at an end. Esme watches from the doorway as Nikolas downs his drink.
Amy says she’s so sorry. She wishes she had minded her own business and left well enough alone. She tells Chet, please forgive her, or don’t. Just please don’t take that job. She leaves and Terry shakes her head, and says, his sister takes go big or go home to new heights. He says, she was always dramatic. He just doesn’t see how he can take that job now. Terry says she doesn’t see how he can’t.
Nina tells Sonny, Michael turned The Invader against her. He dredged up all her past mistakes, and her mental illness. She wanted to take the high road, but there was no road to take. She did what she had to, and hopes he understands, even if he can’t forgive her. Carly watches from the hallway, and Sonny touches Nina’s face. Carly moves on, and after a moment, Sonny leaves.
In the hallway, Michael says, Nina got what she wanted. Scotty made Nelle look like a victim, hiding Wiley from him. Sonny comes out, looks at Michael, then keeps going. Carly tells Michael, it doesn’t matter. Scotty was just trying to take the attention away from Nina. Michael says, it’s still out there, and one day he’ll have to answer for it to Wiley.
Nina calls Obrecht, and says, they have a short recess. Willow walks in, and Nina says, she probably has time for a quick cup of coffee. She tries to pass Willow, who grabs her arm and says, she’s not going anywhere.
On Monday, Esme tells Nikolas that her relationship with Spencer is over; Michael says, one day he’ll have to face the bad parts of his life with Wiley; and Willow tells Nina, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
⚖️ Scotty’s Question…
All about Claudia Zacchara. I don’t remember this, but I might not have been watching at the time. There were a few times I was pissed off and took a break.
I’ve always admired Angela Lansbury. Her genius career is to be envied. She started off as a big screen ingenue, was a Broadway baby, and even became an old lady detective on the small screen. And at 96, she’s still going strong. I saw her in Sweeney Todd and she was magical. I doff my cap.
Animals are such agreeable friends — they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms. – George Eliot
To bear defeat with dignity, to accept criticism with poise, to receive honors with humility — these are marks of maturity and graciousness. – William Arthur Ward
It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength. – Maya Angelou
Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you. – Friedrich Nietzsche
If God sends us on stony paths, He provides strong shoes. – Corrie ten Boom
A hero is someone who understands the responsibility that comes with his freedom. – Bob Dylan
By hero, we tend to mean a heightened man who, more than other men, possesses qualities of courage, loyalty, resourcefulness, charisma, above all, selflessness. He is an example of right behavior; the sort of man who risks his life to protect his society’s values, sacrificing his personal needs for those of the community. – Paul Zweig
🦅 Honoring Those Who Served…
As you sail off for Memorial Day weekend, enjoy yourself, but keep in mind the point of the whole thing. That said, see you at the usual Deadtime, because they don’t care about the long weekend. Until then, stay safe, stay appreciating those who serve, be it our country or behind the fast food counter, and stay not compromising when it comes to trust.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Sonny is sworn in, and Scotty thanks him. He says they’re here to find out if Nina should have visitation with her grandson Wiley, a grandson Sonny shares. So why don’t they cut to the chase. He asks Sonny to tell them about his relationship with Nina in Nixon Falls.
At the hospital on the phone, Amy tells someone to call her back asap. She needs to know everything’s working out like they discussed. She sees Terry, and flashes back to Nurse Julie telling her that she saw Terry with Chet at the MetroCourt Garden, and they seemed to be having a great time.
Josslyn sees Cameron locking his bike outside Kelly’s. She says she was hoping to catch him before his shift. She has excellent news. She’s figured out a way to stop Esme and prove Trina’s innocence. He says, that’s good, but seems distracted, and she asks, what’s going on? He says, it’s his mom. She’s… He can’t finish, and Josslyn hugs him.
Nikolas tells Britt that he hasn’t been able to get ahold of Elizabeth, and just wants to know what’s going on. Britt says, call her back. Laura can share if she wants, but Britt can’t. HIPPA. He says he know about HIPPA, and she says, then he knows she can’t give out patient information, no matter how close he is to said patient. He says she knows him, and she says, that’s not helping his case. He says, she knows he’s been a generous donor to this hospital, and she says, wow. Prince Moneybags. He’s even more entitled than that son of his.
Spencer walks into one of the many rooms at Windymere, and Esme says, there he is. She was hoping they could have a picnic this afternoon; her, him, and riding horseback. He says, very romantic, and she says, maybe they’ll even invite his father to tag along. He says, lessromantic, and she says, if he has to go back to the gallery for his restitution this afternoon, they can just come back early. He says he’d love to, but they have to spend the rest of the afternoon packing.
Trina is working at the gallery, when Rory comes in and says, beautiful. She says he should know better than to sneak up on a woman who’s by herself… again, and he says he’s just too stealthy. It’s his curse. She asks why she’s seeing him here. Isn’t he supposed to be keeping an eye on things; covertly monitoring her safety? He says he’s not on duty today, and she asks what brings him by. He says he got some news, and wanted to see if she was okay.
The MetroCourt bartender says, successful business lunch? and Ava says, yes, indeed. She just arranged for a very important exhibit to be shown in her gallery. He asks if a martini would be in order, and she hesitates, but then says, she absolutely could. Pretty it up. She thinks she’s earned the afternoon off. Victor says, a woman after his own heart, and joins Ava at the bar. He says, no welcome home for her favorite in-law?
Nikolas asks Britt where this is coming from. She and Nikolas have always been thick as thieves. She tells him, what can she say? Times change; people change. He says, meaning? and she says, meaning his son came here, asking for a favor, just like he is. When he didn’t get what he wanted, he retaliated by saying some incredibly unkind things to her. Great job he’s doing, raising that one. He says he’s made a lot of mistakes with Spencer, and she says, this might be a wild guess, but the whole pretending to be dead thing might have messed him up a little. Does either one of them have any excuse for their entitled behavior? He can shove that big, fat donation… Terry interrupts, asking if there’s a problem.
Victor says, let him get this round, if Ava will allow it, and she says, yes, of course (🍷), Uncle Victor. She had no idea he was back in town. He says, his business overseas has been concluded, and she says, he missed a lot while he was gone. He says she must catch him up, and she says, for starters, they found Luke Spencer’s killer. She imagines that’s quite a weight off his shoulders.
Trina thanks Rory for checking in, and says, she’s far from okay, but she’s managing. He counts that as a win, and she says she keeps trying to tell herself that this Title IX report is just that; a report. It’s not a ruling in a court of law. He says, all this Title IX stuff is new to him (me too), and she says, he never had his university investigate him for misconduct? (Is this a common thing?) He says, no, but that’s probably because he didn’t go, and she says, foot meet mouth, but he says, it was his choice. After he saw how much debt he’d be taking on, he realized there were other, better ways to achieve the life he wanted. He started taking classes, trying to figure out how to get from where he was to where he wanted to be, find a passion, but nothing really spoke to him. Until one day, he saw the PCPD doing an outreach program, and that did speak to him. He realized he could make a difference; maybe right some wrongs. She asks how that’s working out for him so far, and he says, he’s still pretty new, but the first wrong he’s righting is what’s been happening to her.
Esme says she can’t believe Ava finally convinced Spencer’s father to kick them out, but Spencer says, no one is kicking them out. In fact, Ava agreed to give him an allowance from his trust fund. She asks, what’s the catch? and he says, no catch. He gets ten thousand a week, although they do have to move out. This place has just been so stifling, hasn’t it? Almost as much as Ava’s stranglehold on his purse strings, but now they’re both going to be free from his father and Ava, which is exactly what they’ve always wanted, right?
Chet comes into the hospital, and Amy says, he’s early. She hugs him, and says she just needs a few minutes. He tells her to take as much time as she needs, and she asks if he’s okay. He seems preoccupied. He says, something kind of crazy just happened. A recruiter from the veteran’s hospital called this morning. They’re looking for someone to manage their mental health outreach. She says she remembers that one. He showed her the job listing a couple weeks ago, right? He says he was pretty sure he wasn’t qualified for that position, and she tells him, quit doubting himself. He was a medic and a volunteer; she’s sure he’d be perfect. She’s proud of him for applying. He says, that’s the thing. He didn’t apply. Someone submitted his info to the recruiter.
Sonny says, two years ago, he was on a bridge and it collapsed. He suffered head trauma. He lost his memory. He was carried downriver to a small town named Nixon Falls. He was there a few months. Nina found him, and she knew he was missing and presumed dead. She didn’t tell anyone he was alive. Scotty says, so his son Michael and his girlfriend Willow, the parents of Wiley, both believe Nina is responsible for keeping him from his family, and Sonny says, Nina was responsible, but she wasn’t the only one. Scotty says, who else? and Sonny says he was.
Amy says, somebody applied for Chet? How would that even work? He says, the hospital goes through a recruiter, who reached out to him. He just doesn’t know how the recruiter got his info. She says, it could have been someone he served with, or someone he helped; a lot of people love him. He says he wouldn’t go that far, but he’s close with the guys he served with. She says, maybe it’s one of them, but he says he doesn’t think they’d do this without telling him. She says, they may never know, but let’s focus on the now. Did he get the job or not? He says he did, and she squeals, throwing her arms around him. She says, that’s wonderful. When does he start? He says, a few days from now, and she says, that’s fast. He says, and it’s in Chicago, and she says she forgot about that part. She’d hate for him to leave Port Charles. He says, him too, and she says, but they talked all the time when he was overseas, and Chicago is like a two-hour flight; that’s nothing. He says he guesses, and she asks, what’s the matter? This is good news, right? He says, it’s supposed to be, but he’s sort of seeing someone here. She says, this is the first time she’s hearing about it. Who’s the lucky lady?
Britt says she’s glad Terry’s here. This magnanimous doner won’t listen to her. Maybe a tag team will get through to him. Terry asks what she can do for him, and he says he’s just trying to get information on Elizabeth. Terry says, he knows they can’t release information on a patient without their consent, and he says he understands that. Terry says, but as a friend of the patient, without revealing any confidential information, she can tell him that Elizabeth herself will be able to catch him up soon. He thanks her, saying, he can live with that. He tells Britt, see how easy that was? and she says, Terry is Elizabeth’s friend; she’s not. He asks if she’s anybody’s friend, and she tells him, don’t come back unless he’s injured or dying. She pumps his hand, and says, hope to see you soon. He leaves, and Terry says, clearly, that wasn’t entirely about Nikolas. What is going on with her?
Esme says, of course (🍷) it’s what she wants, and Spencer says, let’s get packing. She says, moving out of Windymere is going to be complicated. They haven’t shared a room since before he went to prison. If they get their own place, does that mean he’s ready to share a bed with her again? He says, he was thinking about getting a two-bedroom at least. 10K a week isn’t Quartermaine money, but it will keep them in style. She says, sounds perfect.
Josslyn says, so all of the craziness at Cameron’s house was his mom? and he says, yeah. Not consciously, but the medication was making her sleepwalk. She asks if anybody knows why. She gets that it’s the medication, but why was she doing the specific things she was doing? He says he doesn’t know, and he’s terrified him mom won’t get better until they find out.
Scotty says, Sonny is claiming he’s responsible. Can he enlighten the court as to what he means? Diane says, if opposing counsel continues to chew the scenery, she’ll order him a side of hollandaise, and I’m confused, since that means he’s being overly dramatic, and he’s not. Judge Foster says, in the interest of everyone’s time, just let his client answer the question, and Scotty tells Sonny, be his guest. Sonny says, he was living in Nixon Falls for months before Nina found him. He didn’t know who he was, and before long, he stopped trying to find out. By time Nina arrived, he’d decided he didn’t want to know who he used to be.
Victor asks Ava, what’s all this about finding the culprit? He thought Luke’s death was just a tragic accident. She says, he really has been away from the news, hasn’t he? and he says, don’t keep him in suspense. Who wrote the final chapter in the legend of Luke Spencer? She says, Jennifer Smith, the infamous Frank Smith’s daughter. She was obsessed with Luke, or so Ava understands; she only knew the Smiths by reputation. He asks what their reputation was, and she says, that they were sloppy. He says, unlike her. Ava is always the picture of neatness itself.
Spencer tells Esme, this is going to be great for them; the start of a whole new chapter. Nikolas walks in, and says, new chapter of what? and Spencer says, there’s something he needs to tell Nikolas. Nikolas says he wants to hear it, but he needs to tell Spencer something first. Nikolas protests, but Esme says, of course (🍷). What is it? Nikolas says, Cameron’s mother is in the hospital, and Spencer asks, why? Nikolas says, Spencer’s grandmother is with her, and neither one of them has returned his calls, so he doesn’t have any details, but it seems pretty serious. Spencer says he has to go. He needs to check on Cameron before he goes to the gallery. Esme says she probably shouldn’t go with him. She’s sure her presence will only make it worse. Spencer jets.
Trina says, nothing would make her happier than for the wrongs to be righted, so she appreciates Rory. He says he knows it’s a while until the trial… and Trina says, part of her is glad it’s later this summer, but she can’t tell him what it’s like knowing you didn’t do what you’re accused of doing, and knowing it might not matter. She needs to wrap things up, then find a distraction to keep her from obsessing. He suggests he distract her. He took her up on seeing The Chuck; how about if he takes her somewhere? She asks, where was he thinking? and he says he was thinking the Natural History Museum. The planetarium has a new show. Maybe they can catch it this afternoon. She says she loves the planetarium – what nerd doesn’t? – but she doesn’t think she’s in a planetarium mood. He says, okay. Maybe they can hang out by the pool. She says, she can’t, and he asks if she doesn’t like the pool, but she says, it’s not about the pool. It’s about not wanting mess up his life too.
In Terry’s office, Britt says, Spencer basically called her sad and lonely, and Terry says, in so many words? Britt says, no. It was the tone. She’s known this kid since he was slurping Go-Gurts, and practically overnight, he’s this grown man giving her the tone. Terry knows the tone. Terry says she knows symphonies and orchestras of that tone, and Britt says, she knows she shouldn’t let it get to her, but he was such a special kid. Smart, precocious, and yes, spoiled and entitled, and so, so extra. But he was going to grow up and be this… not this, but instead… Terry says, he’s one of them, and Britt says, exactly, and even worse, he’s not wrong. She does want to find a partner. When the best relationship you’ve ever had is when you were on the run with an alleged hitman, who marries someone else, then dies in a cave-in after saving you… Terry says she doesn’t think they make any candy hearts for that, and Britt says, moving on. There is an in-person Society Setups singles event after work, and she was dreading going alone. She doesn’t suppose Terry would care to join her. Terry says she’s open to being Britt’s wingwoman, but as for looking, she’s kind of seeing someone. Britt says, talk about burying the lead. Who’s the guy?
Amy says, Chet is dating Terry Randolph, her boss who hates her. He says, she doesn’t hate Amy, and Amy says, has it in for her? Chet says, she doesn’t have it in for Amy, but Amy says, it kinda feels that way. He says he would have told her sooner, but it’s new. He honestly didn’t think there would be anything to tell. She says, now there is? and he says, it’s only been a few dates, and this job is going to take him away from her just as they’re starting to get to know each other. She says, but it’s his dream job. Like he said, it’s only been a few dates. That’s no reason to give up on his future. He says he guesses, but those few dates were nice, and she says, they were? He says, Amy of all people knows the bad place he was in. She was the one dragging him out of it. She says, because that’s what a great sister does, and he says, it is. She’s also been pushing him to get back in the romance scene. She says, she may have nudged, and he says, he’s self-conscious, and it’s not okay. He gave up on it for a long time, but when he met Terry, they clicked. It’s like he woke up.
Scotty asks if Sonny told Nina about his decision not to pursue his identity, and Sonny says, he did. Scotty asks if Nina ever told him that she knew who he was, and Sonny says, no. What Nina did was unforgiveable, and she’ll have to pay for those choices the rest of her life, but what she committed was against him, and they’ve made peace with that. Scotty asks if he’s forgiven Nina, and Sonny says he has. Scotty asks if he thinks she should be barred from Wiley’s life, and Sonny says, that’s for Michael and Willow to decide, but Scotty says he’s asking Sonny; he’s on the stand. Does he thinks Nina should be a part of Wiley’s life? Sonny says, yes. He absolutely thinks Wiley should be a part of Nina’s life. Steam comes out of Carly’s ears.
Scotty says, no further questions, and Carly tells Michael that she’s sorry. Michael says he’s not surprised, and Diane says, don’t worry; she’ll handle this. She says, Sonny said, and she understands, that he was reticent to learn about the life he left in Port Charles, but he was wearing a wedding ring. Did he not suppose he was married or had been married? Did he have any evidence that he had children or a family that loves him? He says, no, and she says, would it have changed the calculus that he wanted to return to his former life; that he wanted to discover it? He says, it may have, and she says, but Nina kept the fact from him that he had children, did she not? He says, she did, and Diane says, Nina never mentioned he had grandchildren? He says, no, and she says, never mentioned they share a grandchild? Scotty objects, saying, asked and answered, but Judge Foster says, overruled. Diane says, Nina not only harmed him, but she harmed his entire family, and Scotty objects; counsel is testifying. The judge says, sustained, and Diane says she’ll rephrase. She asks if it made Sonny angry that she kept Sonny’s other grandchild, Rocco, from him, and he says, yes it did. She says, did it make him angry that Nina kept him from his children – Michael, Dante, Kristina, Donna, and Avery? He says, yes, but they got past it, and she says, he got past it. Did he ever inquire if his family got past it? Speaking of family, speaking of children, let’s talk about how his daughter Avery was brought into this world.
Victor says he hopes he hasn’t missed Ava and Nikolas’s vow renewal ceremony, and she says, no, he didn’t. As a matter-of-fact, she and Nikolas may as well be through.
Esme says she’s sorry, excuse her, and Nikolas asks if she’s okay. She says, it’s just been difficult. Joss and Cameron are blaming her for something she didn’t do, but they’re also Spencer’s oldest friends. Spence is so loyal. That’s why she loves him; that’s one of the many reasons. He says, Spencer’s being a good friend right now, but not a good boyfriend. She says she doesn’t want to make Spencer choose between her and his friends, but Nikolas says, Spencer will choose eventually, and he’ll choose her. She says, he really thinks so? and he says, Cassadine men are stubborn sometimes, but eventually we wise up. She thanks him, touching his arm, and says, he gives great advice. She’s going to miss their talks when she and Spence move out. He says, move out?
Spencer sees Josslyn and Cameron outside Kelly’s, and Josslyn barely acknowledges him, walking away. He says he heard something was up with Cameron’s mom. Is everything okay? Cameron says, she’s going to be away for a little bit, and Spencer says, and? He doesn’t need to know the details, but he wants Cameron to know he’s here for him if he needs anything, even if it’s just keeping an eye on Aiden and Jake while Cameron’s at work. Cameron thanks Spencer, and says he appreciates that. Spencer says he has to head back to the gallery, and leaves. Josslyn looks at Cameron, and he says, what? She says she finds it weird that Spencer can be a good friend to him and not to Trina. Which reminds her of what she wanted to talk to him about. She’s figured out a way to stop Esme once and for all.
Chet tells Amy, that’s why he kept going overseas. So he didn’t have to think about meeting someone just to be rejected. Now that he found somebody, he feels like he can stop running around and just be home. She says, Terry really makes him that happy? and he says, yeah, but it has only been a few dates, and this is his dream job. He guesses he has to find her and tell her what’s what. He asks for a raincheck on lunch, and Amy says, of course (🍷). Do what he needs to do. He leaves, and her phone rings. She says, Chet’s taking the job, and thanks them for looking at the resumé she sent.
Terry tells Britt, she’s not ready to go public with him yet. There are some personnel issues that have to be ironed out first. Britt says, please tell her that he doesn’t work for them, and Terry says, no. It is a loaded situation though. Britt asks if he makes Terry happy, and Terry says she thinks he does. Britt says, then she’s happy for Terry. She’ll be glad to hear all the details tomorrow. Terry says she has to get back to work too, and Britt says, before she leaves, it’s no secret she’s not Elizabeth’s number one fan, but she knows Elizabeth is important to Terry. If Terry and/or Elizabeth need anything, she’s here for them. Terry says she appreciates that, and Britt leaves.
Diane says, Sonny co-parents with Avery’s mother Ava Jerome, and he says, yes; she knows it. She says, the court might not. She asks Sonny about the circumstances of Avery’s birth. Was she born in a hospital? Scotty says, Avery’s birth is a matter of public record, and Diane says, again for the ease of the court, let’s remind her how it happened, and how Nina Reeves was involved. The judge says, let’s hear it, and Diane asks again if Avery was born in a hospital. Sonny says, no, and Diane asks him to describe the circumstances of her birth. Scotty says, he doesn’t have to answer that, and Diane says, absolutely not. If counsel will stipulate that Nina Reeves abducted Ava Jerome when she was nine months pregnant, induced labor, and kidnapped the infant. Scotty says, there were extenuating circumstances, and Judge Foster asks if he’s disputing facts. He says, no, and she tells Diane to proceed. Diane asks Sonny to tell them what happened after Avery was born, and he says, Nina took Avery to Canada. She says, by took, does he mean kidnapped? and he says, yeah. She asks if Nina was alone, and he says, no. Diane asks who Nina’s accomplice was. Was her accomplice Franco Baldwin, son of Scott(y) Baldwin, and a suspected serial killer? He says, yeah, and she asks if he’s forgiven all that too. He says, Nina was unwell at the time, and she says, yes or no will suffice. Let us be perfectly clear. Not only was he romantically involved with the woman who kept him from his family, but he’s now continuing to defend the woman who abducted his daughter. He says, Nina had a breakdown. How many has he had? Diane says, no further questions, and Sonny asks if he can state one thing for the record. Judge Foster says, if it will move things along, and he says he believes Nina is healed and grown. She’s going to have to pay for the mistakes she’s made for the rest of her life, just like he’ll have to pay for the mistakes he’s made for the rest of his life. Diane says, but he’s not the only victim here. In fact, one could argue he’s less of a victim of Nina’s actions than his entire family. Than the people who love him, who grieved for him. Scotty says, objection, and the judge says, sustained. Diane says, she has one more question. Sonny has stated he thinks Nina should be in Wiley’s life, but with the facts of this case apparent, why should they trust his judgement about this woman? Scotty says, the questioning is out of line, and Diane says, Sonny suffered from head trauma. Perhaps there are ramifications from the injury that affect Sonny’s moral and ethical judgement. Sonny says, enough, and Diane says she’s done. Judge Foster tells Sonny that he can step down, and he gets off the stand
Trina says, Rory shouldn’t be hanging out with her. Fraternizing with a suspect while they await trial, seems like a big no-no. He says he went through the rule book with a fine-toothed comb. It is against policy to associate with a felon. She hasn’t been convicted of anything, and he’s not her arresting officer. There’s no conflict. She says, except there is. Her dad was a cop, and even though there’s no rule, they both know this kind of stuff is frowned upon. He says, so what? He’s tough enough to handle a few frowns.
Ava says, when it comes to Esme, Spencer has blinders on, and Victor says, he makes no judgement as to Esme’s guilt or innocence. She says, Esme is guilty, and Victor says, be that as it may, his point is that his nephew, fool that he is, is shamefully ignoring something means a great deal to his wife. She says, the worst part is, Nikolas was never a fool. Foolish at times perhaps; who isn’t? Maybe not Victor. Victor says, trust him. He’s had his foolish moments. She says, that’s all Nikolas seems to have these days, and worse, it exposed something festering between them; a lack of trust. Victor says, he’s afraid Cassadine men tend toward pigheadedness. Fortunately, they’re wise enough to choose partners who put up with them until they set them on the right path. She says, it’s not her life’s mission to put up with any man. She deserves better, and won’t settle for less. He says, nor should she, and they drink.
Nikolas says, Esme and Spencer are moving out? Since when? Esme says, since Ava agreed to release Spencer’s trust fund to him, provided they find their own place. She’s sorry. Did Ava not say anything to Nikolas? He says he has to go, and on his way out the door, she says she hopes she didn’t cause any trouble.
Cameron says, Josslyn knows how to stop Esme? but she says, they don’t have to talk about this right now, with everything that’s happening with his mom. He says, there’s nothing he can do about his mom. Tell him the plan. She says, every time they come close to catching Esme, somebody is there to protect her, whether it’s Nikolas or Victor, or of course (🍷) Spencer. So this is how they get the evidence to exonerate Trina; they get rid of all of Esme’s shields. He asks, how do they do that? and she says, by breaking up Esme and Spencer, but Cameron says, they can’t do that.
Trina says, there could be consequences to Rory’s career, and he just started. She’s not letting him take that risk, but she appreciates it; it means a lot. He says, there’s no harm in him checking out a few paintings while he’s here, is there? They gaze at a painting, when Spencer walks in.
Cameron says, they can’t break up Spencer and Esme, and Josslyn says, why not? Cameron flashes back to Spencer explaining that he’s trying to get Esme to lower her guard, and lead him to something that will exonerate Trina. Cameron tells Josslyn, it would just backfire on them in all kinds of ways, but she says he hasn’t even heard the plan. Esme is bad news, and she’s turned Spencer into a tool… He says, let’s not talk about Esme for one day. Please, just one day. She says, sure, and he says he has to go to work, and goes inside Kelly’s.
Pleased with herself, Esme says, it won’t be long now.
Victor says, Ava is a remarkable woman, and Ava says she knows. She thanks him for noticing, and he says, if his nephew can’t recognize and appreciate Ava’s brilliance, he’s more of a fool than Victor thought. Ava says she’ll definitely drink to that, and they both see Nikolas has walked in.
Britt says, she thought Amy had lunch plans with her brother, and Amy says, now he has other plans. He has to talk about something with the woman he’s seeing. Britt guesses it all comes down to that; finding that special someone to help you through the day.
Chet goes to Terrys office, and she says, this is a pleasant surprise. She takes it he told Amy that she’s the person he’s seeing, and he says he did, but that’s not why he stopped by. There’s something he needs to tell her.
Judge Foster asks Scotty to call his next witness, but please spare the theatrics. Again, I don’t get it. Diane is being more theatrical than Scotty. Scotty calls Michael to the stand, and Michael asks what Diane thinks Scotty is up to. She says she doesn’t know yet, but whatever it is, she’s prepared for it, so just answer honestly. Willow tells him, good luck, and he’s sworn in. Scotty says, since this hearing is about morals and character and ethics, can Michael tell the court what happened between him and Claudia Zacara. Everyone gives each other soap looks.
Tomorrow, Esme tells Spencer that she may not be here when he gets back; Victor tells Ava and Nikolas they have to compromise; Diane asks why Michael is opposing Nina’s petition; and Nina tells Sonny that she did what she had to.
🥀 Goodbye Goodfella…
A broker friend of mine once showed him a house, and said he was the nicest guy ever. She’d forgotten his name, and said, that actor with the eyes who plays the gangster. I knew exactly who she meant.
Wrapping it up early, but see you tomorrow for soap, tea, great quotes, and an even better musical selection. Until then, stay safe, stay not settling for less than, and stay not being a fool, even if you’re foolish at times.
There wasn’t any news either. Until the actual news was on. So the whole thing was for naught.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
Crystal is putting appetizers together for the women, and I love her tea towel that says, I’m not bossy, I just have better ideas. Garcelle just had a shoot for The Real where she interviewed Kathy, and we see a clip. They toast to nothing in particular. Sutton is absent, since she has a business meeting, and Kyle talks about her new store opening. Dorit goes to the bathroom, which is a signal for Kyle to talk about her, and play the voicemail she got from Dorit, saying she’s having a bad morning and has chest pains. Kyle says, it’s a classic panic attack. Dorit comes back, and she probably doesn’t notice it, but the silence is a little deafening. Garcelle asks how she is, and Dorit says she’s experiencing it in waves; physical and emotional trauma. She took a Xanax, but it didn’t help. In Dorit’s interview, she says she doesn’t know how to manage a panic attack. She doesn’t want it to affect her for the rest of her life; she won’t let it. But she has to do a lot of work to get there. Kyle says, Dorit can call her any time, and BY THE WAY, she had a conversation with Sutton. She doesn’t want to spark any issues (ha-ha-ha! Kyle is so funny), but Sutton said she was having a bad day too, and she’s sorry she didn’t have a gun put to her head. She thought it was insensitive. Dorit agrees it’s a tad insensitive, and Garcelle says she’s not comfortable talking behind Sutton’s back. In Garcelle’s interview, she says, Sutton should be there to defend and/or explain herself. No one ever gives her the benefit of the doubt. Dorit says she doesn’t want to bring it up tonight. She’s dealing with bigger issues.
Kyle gets ready to drive to La Quinta, and when she opens the back of the car to put a garment bag in, she realizes she never cleaned it out from the last trip. Then Kyle’s dogs Bambi and River decide to jump in, even though she’s saying, no, no, no. I die laughing because pets are always the great leveler. They could give a flying how much money you have; they’ll poop on your carpet anyway. On the way, Kyle phones business partner Shahida, and in her interview, she says, when they opened the Beverly Hills store, retail was doing amazing. We flash back to that, and she says, they opened two more stores, then the retail world crashed. She and Shahida wanted to have one brick-and-mortar store, and decided to open in a less expensive area.
Garcelle gets an art delivery of humongous amethyst butterfly cathedral wings, and in her interview, she says, after what happened to Dorit, she all the crystals and cameras. The sculpture could fall on a burglar and kill them. Erika is picking out clothes with the help of her assistant or stylist or whatever he is. In her interview, she says, she used to resell clothing to buy new stuff, but she can’t because of the bankruptcy. Wearing an outfit twice is not worst thing. The one percent of First World problems. When she gets to the house, Kyle talks to Mauricio on the phone, and tells him that she came by herself since Dorit had a tough night. We see a clip of PK calling Kyle, and saying that Dorit had a bad night, and she’s going to be late. Kyle says, after they were burglarized, it was at least six months before she felt safe. We flash back to Kyle talking about the burglary at the Reunion, and she says she was walking around with keys, locking everything like a crazy person. When she got in bed, she’d picture people coming in, even though she never saw them. She wonders how Dorit is going to get through this. It changes you.
Don’t laugh. During the commercial, I get up and check to make sure the front door is locked. I was burglarized when I lived in my first NYC apartment. It never really leaves you. Thank God I was at work, although I had no window gates, and might as well have invited them in. My door was open when I got home, but I saw my TV was there, so at first I thought someone had mistaken me for someone else, and tossed my apartment looking for a hidden… something. The thief would have been in for a big surprise if they’d taken the TV, since it had no sound. I had a radio that got TV channels and would synchronize it. What can I say? I was broke AF. Anyway, it wasn’t until a neighbor suggested they might have taken jewelry did I even know anything was missing. I had nothing to speak of except costume jewelry (mostly, there were a couple things I cried over), however, the feelings are still the same as if they’d taken a Birkin or two.
In Erika’s interview, she says she hasn’t had good luck in La Quinta, and we flash back to her breaking down during the last trip. She asks, can it get any worse? Maybe. The women meet at Erika’s, and LisaR suggests a roadie of vodka and soda. In LisaR’s interview, she says she loves a good roadie, and in Crystal’s interview, she says, a roadie puts her in a party mood. In Diana’s interview, she says she doesn’t know what a roadie is, but she’ll take one. Don’t feel bad, Di, I never heard of it either. In the car, Crystal talks about going to the outlets in Palm Springs, but Diana says she’s never been to one. In her interview, Diana says, she doesn’t go out shopping. Designers send clothes to the house, and she keeps what she likes and sends back the rest. Nothing humble about it; she owns it. Crystal says, she’ll wait three years until something is on sale. I hear you, sister. Kyle says, her Manolos from several seasons ago are so out, they’re in. (Spencer wouldn’t think so, but unless you watch General Hospital, you won’t get that joke.) They women bring their luggage to their rooms, and there’s zero drama, unlike when Ramona (RHONY) is involved. Diane, Sutton, and Crystal are staying at the La Quinta Resort, and in her interview, Diane says, when she travels, she sends a team ahead of her to check out the safety, the view, the bedding and sheets, and general coziness, so it feels like home. I dunno. When I sleep somewhere else, I don’t want it to feel like home. I thought that’s the whole point of vacation. We see a clip of Dorit going to Kyle’s store, and Dorit tells Garcelle that it felt good to want to style again; she’d been feeling uninspired. In Garcelle’s interview, she says, for Dorit, getting dressed is presenting herself. It’s what she loves. We flash back to some of Dorit’s various moments. Garcelle says, to see her not that interested is a little sad. Sutton and Crystal room together, and Crystal says she likes the path their friendship is taking, but they have to maintain transparency and honesty. Kyle told her that something Sutton said when they were talking about the burglary freaked her out. In Sutton’s interview, she says, when she was a teenager, her mother woke up to a man standing in front of Sutton’s bedroom door. Her mother screamed to her father to get the gun, and it’s not something you want to wake up to. She doesn’t want to think about it. Between the home invasion, and the thought of a gun pointed at Dorit, it strikes a nerve. Her father put a gun in his mouth, and pulled the trigger. She’s shaken… She can’t… (Told you.) She sarcastically tells Crystal that she can’t wait for tonight, but Crystal says, it’ll be fine.
Teddi comes to the store opening – ugh – but I’m guessing they must have to pay her if she’s actually on camera, because we never quite see her face. In Kyle’s interview, she says, normally, and opening takes a long time to prepare, but she’s always last minute, and scrambling to get it together. Everything has to be perfect. In Diana’s interview, she says, this is her first store opening, like this is a regular thing to do, and we flash back to her saying she doesn’t shop; she’s allergic to stores. She finds the clothing very pretty, something she would wear, even at her own house. I have no clue what she means by that last part. Wouldn’t any clothes you wear be worn in your own house? WTH? Kyle takes the mic, and says, she’s proud to have a store in the desert, her second home, and appreciates their support. Spread the word. She blesses the space with good energy, success, and happiness, and tries to cuts a ribbon adorned with tropical cutouts, but it takes her several tries since it won’t cut. Sutton asks how Dorit is, and Dorit says, she’s having panic attacks. Sutton apologizes, and says she’d never want to be insincere. Dorit says, Kyle told her Sutton said she was sorry she didn’t have a gun held to her head, and Sutton says, it was a terrible thing to say. She gets upset about guns and break-ins, and was triggered from her childhood. When she’s upset, she says weird things, then gets uncomfortable, and says uncomfortable things. Dorit says she appreciates the apology, and in Sutton’s interview, she says she can still hear the man who broke in; she can’t imagine what Dorit hears. She’s going to hear it for the rest of her life. Everybody buys stuff, and Diane says she’s picking up the tab for Crystal’s. Erika suddenly mentions a Cartier ring that Diana must buy, since she can’t afford it. Crystal mentioned earlier that she didn’t have her Amex with her, but Erika wouldn’t have known that, and I’m wondering if she thinks Diana would give her the ring. Kyle is less stressed, and more excited, and says, the more creative she is, the happier she is, and the more at peace.
Back at the house, caterer Gus has prepared an amazing spread. Diana tells Kyle that her birthday is August 23rd and she’s a Leo, but Kyle says, that’s Virgo. Diana insists she’s a Leo, and says she’s had many charts done. In Kyle’s interview, she says, Diana can be whatever she wants to be. Diana shows them a video of Baby Eliyanah walking, and in her interview, Kyle says she’s excited for Farrah to have a baby, but in her mind, Kyle is 25, so it’s strange. LisaR sits down to eat, and pup Bambi takes her steak right off her plate. In Kyle’s interview, she says, clearly, her dog training didn’t work out. Garcelle says, they can talk about Sutton while she’s here. They can clear the air. She hands the conversation over to Kyle, but Kyle says she already talked to Sutton, and Sutton says she apologized to Dorit. She’s as genuine as she can be. Kyle says she knows, but by the way she says it, I’m not sure if she’s being shady. Dorit says, Sutton’s apology felt genuine, and Sutton says she shouldn’t have put herself first. Kyle says, there’s no way you can’t be empathetic in this situation, and you can always reach out, but Sutton says, boundaries are powerful. When her father shot himself, she didn’t want people around. In Sutton’s interview, she says, when her father died, there were an influx of people coming over, and she felt she had to be the hostess. She also had a nine month old. She knows Dorit would want to put out a platter. Diana says she doesn’t know Sutton well, but she feels Sutton is clumsy with her words and behavior, and it comes off as weird and wrong. She says things that hurt people. In Diana’s interview, she says, she’s forgiving, but doesn’t forget. We flash back to Sutton and LisaR discussing the charity event, and Diana says she doesn’t think Sutton knows how her words affect the other person. She’s working on herself, and she apologized. Sutton says, she was empathetic, but Kyle insists she wasn’t, and Crystal says, the hypocrisy is annoying. In Crystal’s interview, she says, it’s inappropriate to tell someone their feelings are wrong. It’s gaslighting, and it’s distressing. She says, she and Sutton had their stuff, and we flash back to the whole violation thing. She tells the women that they went on a strong campaign in saying she was wrong. We flash back to several of them saying violation is a strong word, and in her interview, Crystal says she wasn’t given understanding. She was told she was wrong. She says, now they’re going against Sutton, and in Kyle’s interview, she says, Crystal is always dramatic, and always has something to complain about. Kyle says, Crystal can’t compare the situations; this situation needs more defending than Crystal’s did. Dorit’s life was threatened. Garcelle asks why Kyle didn’t say something to Sutton, and Kyle says she did. Sutton says, the biggest lesson she learned was respecting how someone feels is important, and Erika asks if Sutton respects how she treated her. Everything she said wasn’t true. In Sutton’s interview, she says, Erika is acting like she was exonerated, and has everyone believing it. She tells Erika, all she did was ask questions, and Erika says, Sutton called her a liar. Sutton asks if Erika feels good about how she treated her, and Erika says, Sutton is the common denominator in all their issues. LisaR says, they’re getting away from the issue. Dorit was held at gunpoint, and saved herself and her children. Her feelings are valid. In LisaR’s interview, she says, why aren’t they just supporting Dorit and being there for her? Dorit asks, what’s upsetting Crystal right now? and Crystal says, there’s only so much she can express how she feels. If someone doesn’t accept it, you have to let it go. Kyle says, it’s not the same. You can react to different situations differently. Garcelle tells her, she can’t say that; feelings are involved in both situations. Crystal says her feelings are irrelevant to these idiots women, and Dorit asks if she’s out of her f***ing mind. Garcelle says, they’re not validating how she’s feeling, and Dorit says she’s trying to understand how she’s feeling. Crystal says she doesn’t want do this anymore; she’s leaving. It’s not a safe space for her. In Dorit’s interview, she says, it’s a poor choice of words considering what just happened to her. No one is more empathetic, sympathetic, whatever than I am to Dorit’s situation/feelings, but I think changing word definitions is a bit much. Crystal says, the women never validate anyone’s feelings unless they understand them. She doesn’t need validation, but this isn’t an okay place for her to be. Diana says she’s Crystal’s bodyguard, so she has to go, and Sutton says, they’re her ride. Dorit says, they care about Crystal’s feelings, and Garcelle says, then let her have them. While everyone is distracted, Bambi steals more food. Bambi is the best part of this episode. Kyle says she wants everything to be happy with Crystal, but Erika says, she doesn’t feel validated. Then she adds, the truth was told tonight, like she’s some kind of oracle. In the car, Sutton says she had to really listen to how Crystal felt, and Crystal says, she also had an eating disorder. She’s not looking for validation, but a gang of people saying you can’t feel the way you do is intense. Diana says, you shouldn’t feel alone with friends. At the house, Garcelle says, they have to let everyone feel how they want to feel, whether they like it or not. Erika says, let’s not judge in the moment, and LisaR calls her the voice of reason.
Next time, Garcelle feels Sutton was set up; Dorit tells PK that she needs to hold it together for the kids; Dorit has a therapy session; and Garcelle tells Sutton to watch her back with her new friend.
The problem is, Teresa wouldn’t understand a word Caroline was saying, and would just out-shout her anyway. She’d be better off taking Teresa on in a boxing ring.
Tomorrow stop by for soap, tea, and a melodious moment. Until then, stay safe, stay not being afraid to change your mind, and stay never telling someone their feelings are wrong. It’s gaslighting and it’s distressing.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Chase tells Brook that he needs more context. He’s going to help her take back her life how? She says, Linc not only owns the rights to her songs, he’s turning them into trash; just imitations of what they were meant to be. He says, the hell with Linc. Write some new songs; better songs. She says, because it’s just that easy, and he says, she makes it look that way. She says she doesn’t want to start over from scratch. She wants her old songs. She poured her heart and soul into them, and she’s not giving up until she gets them back.
Outside the courtroom, Carly gets a text saying the DNA test results are ready, and she can pick them up at her earliest convenience. Inside, Nina tells Sonny that she’s grateful he’s here. He tells her that he said he’d be here, and she says she knows he did. It’s just the looks he’s getting from Michael and Willow, maybe it’s best he goes. If he takes her side today, he’s burning the last bridge that connects him with this son. He says, there’s too much at stake; he ain’t leaving. Carly comes in, and says, he’s right about the stakes. Everything else can wait.
At the park, Violet asks Gregory when they can see Aunt Elizabeth, and he says, when her daddy tells them it’s okay. In the meantime – he takes out a frisbee – have at it. He unpacks some food, and picks up a copy of The Invader. He looks at the cover, where there’s an article about the hearing, and Violet tells him to put that down and come play with her. Seriously, what is she going to do with a frisbee by herself? He says, her wish is his command, and she says, Uncle Chase taught her; he’s really good. He asks who she thinks taught Uncle Chase, and takes the frisbee, telling her, watch and learn. He tosses it, and says, oh. Did he hit someone? Alexis brings back the frisbee, and says, good thing she isn’t a lawyer anymore, or she might be tempted to sue him.
Laura sees Cameron at the hospital, and hugs him, saying, she’s sorry she couldn’t be here sooner. How’s his mother? He says he doesn’t know. She’s in there with Finn and Doc. At least she’s not talking about ghosts anymore. Laura says, that’s a good thing, but he says, is the real thing any better? All the weird stuff that was happening, how scared they all were; that was just mom stalking herself the whole time?
Finn says, there’s nothing to be afraid of anymore, but Elizabeth says, there’s her. He says, that’s not true, and she says, yes it is, and he knows it. She started a fire that could have burned down a whole building, a whole block, and landed Chase in the hospital. Who’s next? Her boys? Violet? She’s a threat to everyone she cares about. So she has to go away, and stay away.
Marshall wakes up in a panic, and Curtis says, it’s him; it’s your son. Marshall says he must have been dreaming, and tries to get up, but Curtis says he’s going to get the doctor. Marshall tells him to wait, and asks how long he’s been out. Curtis says, ever since he got jumped, ever since he was in that alley, and Marshall says, Curtis means since he came out of nowhere, and beat those guys’ butts. Curtis says, TJ’s the real hero.If he weren’t there, it could have been a whole lot worse. Marshall says, they’re both his heroes. He pats Curtis’s hand, and says, his son and his grandson. To think he could have lost them both. Curtis says he’s not going anywhere, and neither is Marshall.
Carly goes to Michael and Willow, and Michael thanks her for coming. She says, where else would she be? and Nina walks over. She says, it’s not too late. Can they just try to settle this between them? Willow says, after Nina threw Harmony in her face, and Carly says, that’s nice. Diane tells them, don’t engage, and Scotty leads Nina away, saying, don’t fraternize with the enemy. This is war. Diane says, she told Michael and Willow, if they want to win, there’s only one way to play this thing. Are they in? Scotty says, so Nina is in, no matter where it leads? Michael takes Willow’s hand, and says, they’re in. Nina tells Scotty, all or nothing.
Finn says, Elizabeth needs more time with the people who care about her, not less, and she asks, what if she hurts them? He says, she won’t, but she says, he doesn’t know that. What if she can’t stop herself next time, and she does more than rip up one of Violet’s drawings? She burned down Franco’s art studio. Who’s to say she won’t do that to her own house? Laura and Cameron come in, and Laura hugs her. She says she knows Elizabeth is scared, but trust her, it will be okay, if she just faces whatever it is inside and deals with it. Can they agree on that? Doc says he’d listen to Laura if he were Elizabeth, and Elizabeth says she always does. She just doesn’t know how to do this. Laura says, that’s why she has all of them to help her, and Elizabeth says, what if the resources at GH don’t cut it? Laura says, then they’ll find a place that will; a place where she feels safe and can get the care she needs. Elizabeth asks if Finn heard that. He’s going to have to let her go. It’s the only way she’ll find her way back.
Brook tells Chase, she doesn’t know what’s worse, the watered down lyrics or the generic techno beat, which any twelve year old can produce on an app, and probably did. He asks what she’s going to do. Sue Linc to get her songs back? He knows an attorney who specializes in intellectual property, who helped Gregory get one of his academic papers back. She says, unfortunately, that’s not an option. She spoke to Diane a few years back, and the contract is airtight. He says, that was a few years ago, but she says she double-checked this morning. She can’t sue Linc. They need a Plan B. He says, and that’s where he comes in?
Curtis says he’s done a lot of soul searching. It would have been easy to blame Marshall, like he did the first time Marshall walked out, but when he looked in the mirror, he didn’t see a scared little boy anymore, holding his mother’s hand; he saw a grown man, who was so bound and determined to get answers, that he essentially drove Marshall away. Marshall says, it wasn’t Curtis’s fault. He wasn’t able to, or couldn’t be honest with Curtis, or himself. So he ran away – again. Curtis says he has questions, and Marshall says he’s sure Curtis does. Curtis says, but whether or not he gets answers, he just wants Marshall to come home, to his family. No strings, no conditions, just a chance to start fresh for all of us. He really hopes Marshall wants that too.
Gregory tells Alexis that he’s sorry. He was trying to make Violet’s frisbee boomerang. It didn’t quite work out as planned. She says, he might want to work on that, and he says he will. He suggests Violet show off her bubble blowing skills, and Violet runs off. He tells Alexis, why don’t they start over? What brings her to the park today? She says she was just finishing up a Tai Chi class down at the duckpond, and he says he’s always wanted to try Tai Chi; the movements look so beautiful, therapeutic. She says she needs all the therapy she can get. She doesn’t know if Finn told him, but it’s been quite a year. He says, his son’s not a talker; she might have noticed. She says, he would enjoy the Tai Chi; the silence is deafening. Gregory picks up the paper, and asks if this is her way of expressing her opinions these days. She says, he’s a reader, and he says, he is. He can’t quite say he’s a fan.
Scotty says, nice work, getting Sonny here today, but Nina says she didn’t do anything. Scotty says, what’s she talking about? If he gets Sonny up on that stand, he’s not going to be in her corner? She tells him not to put Sonny in that position, and he says, come on. She told him to do what he needed to do, let him do it. The bailiff says, all rise, and Nina looks at Sonny, who shakes his head. The bailiff says, the honorable Judge Foster presiding, and Michael takes Willow’s hand. Nina looks at Sonny again, and he gives her a nod. Carly sees them and doesn’t like it, and looks at the text again. The judge tells Scotty to present his petitioner’s request, and he says, his client, the mother of Nelle Benson, is seeking visitation with her grandson Wiley Corinthos, as permitted by state law. He’s presenting a precedent in the Abercromby versus Higgins case. Diane interjects, saying, as the court is aware, there are numerous other precedents to deny visitation, and her clients are going to explain why that’s the case. Judge Foster says, they’ll get their turn. She’s read the petition, but she’d like to hear Scotty’s client’s request in her own words. She calls Nina to the stand, and she’s sworn in.
Alexis says, she guesses she just assumed that as a professor of history and journalism, Gregory might approve of the changes she made at TheInvader. Unless of course (🍷) it’s her inexperience that’s giving him pause. He says, experience doesn’t equal talent, and she says, agreed. He says, look at Dickens and Hemmingway; they both started out as journalists in their teens, and she says, something to aspire to. He suggests she might aim smaller, maybe local coverage, specifically her feature on Nina Reeves. She says she finds that interesting. She was very proud of that story; it was very truthful and unbiased. He says, wasit? and she asks if he preferred The Invader the way it was before; tabloid fodder opting for the sensational? He says, at least as a reader, you knew where you stood. It seems like she wants her journalism both ways.
Cameron says, Laura wants to send his mom away? but Laura says, no, that’s not what she wants, but if it’s what Elizabeth needs to get better, they’ll do it. Elizabeth thanks her for being realistic, and tells Cameron that she’s a danger right now, to herself and everyone around her. It’s just not safe for them to be together right now. He says, she would never hurt them, but she says, they don’t know that for sure. She knows it’s awful and scary, and makes her feels so out of control, but it’s the truth. She just loves him so much. He says he loves her too, and she says she refuses to let whatever’s doing this to her harm him or his brothers; it’s just not an option. She tells Finn that she needs him to have her back on this, and he says he does. Always. He just can’t see the benefit of locking her away from the people who care about her. Laura tells him, she knows how hard this is, but right now, they have to do what’s best for Elizabeth.
Marshall asks if Curtis knows what he’s setting himself up for, and Curtis says he does. Marshall says, he ran away not once, but twice. Who’s to say the next time he feels the walls closing in on him, he won’t lace up his sneakers yet again? Curtis says, because there won’t be any walls, at least not between them. There’s nothing Marshall can say that will scare him off or turn him against Marshall. He’s Curtis’s father, Marshall Ashford, flesh and blood. Nothing is going to come between them unless they let it. TJ comes in and says, granddad, you’re awake, and Marshall says, it’s going to take more than a couple of muggers to get the better of the Ashfords. Curtis says, damn straight, and Stella walks in. Marshall says, oh Lord, and she says, Marshall better be thanking Him too. Curtis hugs her, and asks what she’s doing here. She says, taking care of her family, since it’s obvious they need her. Curtis asks, how? and she says, Portia told her, and she was on the first flight out. Does Marshall know how lucky he is that it wasn’t worse? Marshall says, no luck was needed. He had his son and his grandson by his side. He takes Curtis and TJ’s hands.
Scotty asks Nina to tell the court why they’re here today, and Nina says, they’re here in court because Wiley’s her grandson and she loves him. It’s really that simple. He asks how well she knew Nelle Benson, and Nina says, not really well. Nelle worked with her in different capacities. Nelle was a troubled soul. She made countless mistakes and damaged a lot of lives, but no life was as damaged as Nina’s daughter’s. He asks when Nina found out Nelle was her daughter, and she says she didn’t know Nelle was her daughter until after Nelle died, and that’s when she realized Wiley was her grandson, all that she had left of Nelle in this world. He asks if she got to see him, and she says, she did. He asks how that was, and she says, it was great. Love at first sight, at least for her. He asks how Wiley felt about her visits, and she says, Wiley made it really easy; he has such a warm, inviting spirit. They built block houses, colored together, read together. Every moment she got to spend with that little boy was a precious gift. Scotty asks, what happened? Why did Wiley’s parents cut her off? She says, because they decided she was a bad influence for Wiley. She’s not perfect, far from it, but she is a good grandmother and she loves Wiley, and he loves her. It’s that simple. Wiley is her family, and no matter how much they want to, they can’t change that.
Finn suggests they all get on board with this plan. Where would Elizabeth even go? Doc says, Shadybrook. It’s perfect. It’s excellent, it’s close, it’s comfortable. Cameron says, they’re not going to lock her up in a padded cell or something? but Doc says, it’s not that kind of place, and Cameron asks, what kind of place is it? Doc says, Elizabeth can expect a week or two of intensive conversation and exploration, then hopefully she can transition to outpatient care. Laura asks how that sounds, and Elizabeth says, she’s more concerned with what Finn thinks. She wants to do this with his support. He asks if she really thinks this is what’s best, and she says she does. He says, okay, let’s give it a shot. He’ll take her there, and come visit as often as he can. She says, he can’t. She has to do this on her own.
Brook says, she was thinking, since Chase has two weeks on his suspension, he could shadow Linc; catch him doing something shady they could use to get her music back. What does he think? He tells her that she’s crazy.
Stella says, three strangers to three amigos. When did this happen? Curtis says, he’s just trying to convince Marshall to come back to Port Charles with them. TJ says, is that even a question? and Curtis says, apparently. Stella says, she didn’t fly all this way to let Marshall go back to a loner life, and Marshall says, some people like to be alone, but she says, he’s not one of them. He’s a fool if he doesn’t grab this chance with both hands. The doctor asks if it’s okay for him to take a look at the patient. He won’t take long. They leave, and outside, Stella asks if Marshall ever explained why he left… this time, and Curtis says he didn’t want to push Marshall. He takes the prescription bottle out of his pocket, and says, but TJ may have answers based on what he found in Marshall’s hotel room. TJ says, these aren’t for his blood pressure; they’re anti-psychotic medication. Curtis says, but Stella knew that already, didn’t she?
Alexis says, if by both sides Gregory means telling the truth and turning a profit, guilty as charged. She’s not a professor, who sits in an ivory tower. She’s the editor-in-chief of a paper, so she has to tell stories about real people with real problems. He says, so she thinks he doesn’t know anything about real life? but she tells him, that’s not what she said. He just used Dickens and Hemmingway as an example, and this is the 21st century. She’s competing with 24 hour news cycles. She’s competing with social media. She’s competing with instant – and she means instant – information. He says, and he admires he for that, but she says, she’s not getting that impression. He says, isn’t there a danger in mixing titillation with the truth? It seems to him that you end up accomplishing neither. She says, if he bothered to read the latest article, which he clearly did not, he’d see she bent over backward to be objective and not take cheap shots like his ex, Jackie. He says, they’re talking about Alexis’s journalistic integrity, not Jackie’s, when Violet comes over, and says she doesn’t think Gregory is playing nice
Scotty asks if Nina is Wiley’s only grandparent, and she says, no. He asks if she can tell them who else is, and Diane says, relevance? Scotty says, he’ll tell her the relevance. His client is being denied access to her grandson. It seems like there’s a standard for her, and another for everybody else. Judge Foster says she’ll allow it, and Nina says, Wiley has two other grandparents who are here in the courthouse, Carly Corinthos and Sonny Corinthos. Scotty says, so Sonny Corinthos can see his grandson any time he wants, but she’s been deemed a bad influence. Diane objects, and Scotty says, withdrawn. Is that it as far as grandparents go? Nina says, Wiley had another grandmother, Harmony Miller, but she recently passed away, and Scotty says, Harmony Miller who killed Neil Byrne and his brother, and attempted to kill two other people? Nina says, that’s correct, and he says, so Harmony was able to see Wiley, and Nina’s not. Wow. They’re done. Diane says, if it please the court, she has a few questions for the petitioner. Carly smirks, and Sonny looks grim.
Diane says, Nina testified that she didn’t know Nelle was her daughter until after her death. Did anyone else know Nelle was her daughter before she did? Nina says, yes. Carly Corinthos and Jasper Jax. Diane asks if they knew Nelle was her daughter before her death, and Nina says, Carly claimed she didn’t know, but she has her doubts. Diane says, that’s probably upsetting, and Nina says, to find out she had a daughter only after she died? Yeah, it was upsetting. Diane says she imagines Nina regretted all the time she didn’t spend with her daughter, and Nina says, of course (🍷) she did. If she had known… Diane says, what? and Nina says, things would have been different. She could have raised Nelle, and given her the love she deserved to have, and Nelle wouldn’t have turned out the way she did. None of this would have been set in motion. Diane says, correct her if she’s wrong, but wasn’t Nina in a coma from prior to her daughter’s birth until she was in her 20s? and Nina says, yes. Diane says, so this regret is all just a delusional twisted fantasy? and Scotty objects. He says he doesn’t hear a question in there, and Diane says, how’s this for a question? Isn’t this petition of Nina’s an act of revenge? Scotty objects, and says, leading the witness. Diane says, she’ll rephrase. Isn’t this petition of Nina’s yet another act of revenge? She doesn’t have Wiley’s best interests at heart at all, does she?
Laura suggests they give Finn and Elizabeth some privacy, and Doc says he’ll call Shadybrook. He, Laura, and Cameron leave, and Finn says he’s not second guessing her decision. She asks if he’s sure, and he says, if he is, it’s because he’s part of this too. His presence in her life has played a part in bringing forth this… She says, crisis? and he says, they’ll go with that. She says, doesn’t he see? That’s why he can’t be a part of this. He was so convinced there was someone out there trying to split them up, and she was equally convinced it was Franco’s ghost. They were both really wrong. Is it her? Is there something buried deep down that feels threatened by her feelings for him? As scary as this is, as much as she wants him to hold her hand through all of this, they can’t. She has to do this on her own.
Brook says she thought Chase was on her side, and he says he is, but she says, obviously not. He asks if she has any idea how many laws she’s asking him to break. One, they have no warrant; two, she’s talking about blackmail here. And four… She says, he was on three, and he says, and three, yes, he’s on suspension, but he’s still a cop. Not for long if he goes along with this highly unethical plan of hers. She says, she’s unethical? and he says, in this moment. She’s asking him to coerce a suspect into committing a crime; it’s called entrapment. She says, she doesn’t care what it’s called. She can’t sit back and do nothing. He says he gets that, but she says, he doesn’t. These songs are her babies, and she will not let someone take them away from her. He says, babies? and she says, yes. She created them and nurtured them. She cried when they failed and celebrated when they were genius. That’s how much they mean to her. He says, that explains it. She’s not just mourning her songs; she’s mourning Bailey.
Curtis tells Stella, there’s a story here; a story that started about 40 years ago. TJ says, and if he still has a prescription for these kind of drugs, the story continues to this day. Stella says, she knows they want answers, and they deserve them. And yes, there’s a story, but like she said, it’s not hers to tell. The doctor wheels Marshall out, and says, it looks like a concussion, but he wants to run a few more scans before approving Marshall’s discharge. TJ says, if he’s afraid Marshall will be alone… Curtis says, don’t worry; he won’t be.
Gregory tells Violet, you know how sometimes you go to the playground, and get on one end of the seesaw? Alexis says, and someone gets on the other end of the seesaw? and Gregory says, then they lift you up and don’t let you down. Violet says she doesn’t like that, and Gregory says, you get upset, then they get upset. Alexis says, and then you’re arguing about a silly seesaw. Violet asks if they were being silly, and they say that they were. Gregory tells Alexis that he apologizes for his criticism, and she asks if he retracts it. He says, no, and she says, no retraction necessary. She has an idea. Why doesn’t he put his money where his mouth is? Why doesn’t he state his opinion in print, on the record? Unless he’s all talk.
Scotty says, this is character assassination at its worst, and the judge tells Diane to get where she’s going. Fast, or drop the line of questioning altogether. Diane says, Nina’s character is the sole reason they’re here. But of course (🍷). Is Nina familiar with the series of articles in The Invader? Nina says, yes, she skimmed it, and Diane says, so she knows, in addition to the other details of her rich and full life, it speaks about the time she spent in a little town called Nixon Falls. Is that portion of the story a lie? Nina says, like she said, she skimmed it. Diane says, is it a lie to say, while Nina was in Nixon Falls she ran into Wiley’s grandfather, Sonny Corinthos, when everyone else presumed him dead? Nina says, that’s true, and Diane says, and did Nina keep the knowledge from Mr. Corinthos that he was presumed dead, and at the same time keep the knowledge that he was alive from his wife and family, including precious Wiley, knowing the pain and suffering it caused? Scotty says, badgering the witness, and Judge Foster says, sustained. Nina says, at that moment, she wasn’t thinking about the pain and suffering, and Diane says, of course (🍷) not. Nina was thinking about revenge; getting back at Carly Corinthos because she possibly kept Nelle’s existence a secret from her? And isn’t it that same revenge that’s driving her today?
Finn says, Elizabeth is right, and she says she loves it when he says that. He says, he’s not crazy about the idea of letting go, and she says, her neither. He says, but in this case, he has to. He doesn’t want to impede her recovery. Would it be okay if he said he’s really going to miss her? She says, she’s going to miss him, but he heard Doc. It might only be afew weeks. He says, she’ll be back in no time, and she says, good as new. He says he liked the old version, and she says, then good as old. He says, even better, when Doc comes back with Laura and Cameron. He says, she’s all set, and Laura says, she and Doc will drive Elizabeth over. Cameron says, just get better. He’ll make sure Jake and Aiden stay in line while she’s away. Elizabeth says she knows he will. She’s never been more proud of him than she is right now. He says he’s proud of her too, and Laura says, they all are.
Gregory asks if Alexis is inviting him to submit something for publication, and she says, The Invader welcomes all kinds of opinions. Unless he’s afraid to hear from the readers. Violet says, grandpa’s not afraid of anything, and Gregory’s phone dings. Violet asks if that’s daddy. Are they going to see Aunt Elizabeth? Gregory says, let’s do it, and starts to pack up. Alexis tells him to give her best to Finn and Elizabeth. She hands him the newspaper, but he says, no thanks. Have a good one. She says, him too, and he and Violet leave.
The doctor tells Marshall that he’s going to set up the tests, and leaves. Marshall sees the prescription bottle in TJ’s hand, and says, he’s been less than honest about a lot of things. Stella says, it’s time; time to let go of the past. Curtis says, that can wait, and TJ says, what matters is getting Marshall better. Marshall says he appreciates that, but Stella is spot-on. Curtis deserved an explanation a long time ago. He wasn’t able to get it right with Tommy, but he can get it right with Curtis.
Nina says, what happened in Nixon Falls was more complicated than Diane is making it, but Diane says, not really. Nina either lied or she didn’t; which is it? Nina says she lied. Who hasn’t lied in here? That doesn’t make her a bad grandmother. She loves Wiley. How can she prove to Wiley how much she loves him if she’s shut out of his life? How can she prove it, not just by her words, but by her actions? Diane says, with all due respect, she had her chance, and threw it in the garbage. No further questions. The judge tells Nina to step down, and Michael says he thinks Diane did it. Diane says, let’s hope, and he tells Willow, that’s the end of that. Judge Foster asks if there’s anyone else prepared to speak for or against the petition, and Sonny tells Scotty to get him on the stand. Nina says, no, he doesn’t have to, but he says, yes, he does.
At GH, Finn tells Violet that Elizabeth is going to a place where she can get the care she needs. She’ll be home soon. Violet says she hopes Elizabeth Feels better, and Finn says he hopes so too. Elizabeth comes out, and Violet hugs her. She tells Elizabeth that she can take the frisbee, but Elizabeth tells her to hang onto it. They’ll play when she gets back. She asks for a hug for the road, and tells Violet that she loves her. She tells Cameron, don’t think he’s getting out of another one, and he says he wouldn’t want to. They hug, and she says she loves him. He says he loves her too, and Finn says, he’s not saying goodbye. Violet says, see you later, and Finn says, he’ll see Elizabeth later. Elizabeth says, not if she sees him first, and he hugs her. She says, tell the boys she loves them, and she’ll be home as soon as she can. Elizabeth gets in the elevator with Doc and Laura, and Finn holds her hand until the elevator doors start to close.
The doctor asks if Marshall is ready for the scans, and Stella tells him, be careful. He has precious cargo. The doctor says, as soon as they’re clear, Marshall can go home, and Marshall says, that’s exactly where he’s going – home with his family.
Brook says, this has nothing to do with Bailey, and Chase says, no? She says, no. It’s about her taking her life back, and everything she’s worked for. Is he going to help her or not? He says he’s sorry; he can’t. She says she’ll do it herself, and gets up.
Judge Foster says, if Scotty and his client have no more witnesses to call… Nina looks at Sonny, then nods to Scotty. Scotty says, they have one more witness to call. He calls Sonny Corinthos to the stand. Sonny gets up, and is sworn in. Everyone sits stone-faced.
Tomorrow, Josslyn tells Cameron, she finally figured out a way to stop Esme; Victor tells Ava, welcome home; and Diane asks why they should trust Sonny’s judgement.
🥀 Soap’s Loss…
I only watched Guiding Light for a hot minute, but I remember her from the soap magazines.
While the spring continues, generating pollen for all, join me tomorrow for soap and what’s happening with those who hold the diamonds. Until then, stay safe, stay letting your conscience be your guide, and stay keeping in mind, experience doesn’t equal talent.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Sonny meets Dante in an outside eating area, and Dante says he took the liberty of offering Sonny a coffee. Sonny says, you can’t go wrong with a cup of Corinthos coffee, but Dante says, he didn’t order Corinthos coffee. (Why not?) He wonders if Sonny is going to the hearing, and Sonny says he is. Dante says, good, and Sonny says, he sounds surprised. Dante says he didn’t think Sonny would go. Michael won’t admit it, but Dante is sure Michael appreciates Sonny’s support. Sonny says he’s glad to hear it, but he’s going to be testifying on Nina’s behalf, not Michael’s.
In the Nook on the phone, Brook says, there has to be a way out of this. Just think of some sneaky lawyer move and call her back. Drew comes in, and says, bad news? She wonders why contracts can’t be written in English. Do lawyers take classes in making things confusing as possible? (Yes. So you’ll hire them to decipher it.) Drew asks if he can help, when Michael and Willow come in. Brook says, the petition hearing is today, and Michael says, yeah. This hearing is their best chance to keep Nina away from Wiley.
Nina walks into the empty courtroom, followed by Maxie. Maxie says she can’t tell what Nina is thinking. Is she nervous? Determined? All of the above? Nina says, it sounds like Maxie is the nervous one, and Maxie says she hates this is a court battle. She was hoping for a compromise. Nina says, they’re beyond compromising. That feature in The Invader proves Michael and Willow aren’t pulling any punches. She has a few punches herself.
Brad and Britt head into yoga class, and Brad asks if they can have lattes instead; it’s a little early for yoga. Britt says, it’s never too early for yoga. He was totally on board when she asked him. He says, that was last night. He didn’t get to sleep until early this morning. She says, hot date? but he says, no; running an errand for his aunt. She says, what kind of errand? and he says, delivering paperwork. He’s not a drug mule. She tells him, she didn’t say he was, and he says, she didn’t have to. She looked it.
Carly finishes a private yoga class, and tells the instructor that she took the class because she thought it would make her feel better. She’s going to court today, and really wanted to feel centered so she doesn’t do something she regrets. Carly thanks the instructor, when Britt and Brad walk in.
At NY Methodist, TJ brings Curtis coffee, and asks if there’s any news. Curtis says, the doctor is examining Marshall, and says there’s no change from last night. He suggests TJ join Molly at the hotel, and get some rest. He’ll call if he hears anything. TJ says, and if he told Curtis the same thing? and Curtis says, never mind. They sit, and Curtis says, he knows HIPPA prevents the doctor from telling him anything about Marshall’s condition, but TJ is a doctor. Couldn’t he tell TJ something, from doctor to doctor? TJ says he’s not Marshall’s doctor. All he can do is tell Curtis what he observed when he and Marshall were mugged. That knife cut very close to a major artery in Marshall’s arm, and the blood loss was major. Curtis says, when the doctor asked about Marshall’s medication last night, it let him know how very little he knows about his dad. They’d gotten close, but Marshall still hasn’t let him into his life. TJ says, he did use Marshall’s hotel keycard last night. They had to go through his personal effects to look for his blood pressure medication. Curtis says, and? and TJ says he found something he wasn’t expecting.
Chase comes out of the hospital elevator, and tells Finn, his text was cryptic, as usual. How’s Elizabeth?Why is she even here? Finn says, the situation is complicated. Terry’s in there with her right now. He thinks he knows who’s been harassing Elizabeth.
Elizabeth is getting dressed, and Terry says, not all her tests are in yet. Getting back into bed wouldn’t be the worst idea in the world. Elizabeth says she’s fine; call her with her scan results. Terry’s tablet beeps, and she says, Elizabeth’s bloodwork was normal, but Elizabeth says, there’s nothing normal about having no memory of leaving Laura’s place and going to her own, and cutting up the drawing Violet gave her. Is she losing her mind?
Finn says, she was tearing up a photo that Violet had drawn for her (um… I think he means picture), and Chase says he’s heard some pretty extreme stories of sleepwalkers. He guesses that would explain the fire in Franco’s art studio. Finn says, the portrait on the mantel, the wedding ring in the locker… Chase says, Finn told him someone slashed her wedding dress. That someone was Elizabeth? Doc joins them, saying, he couldn’t help overhear. Maybe he can shed some light on Elizabeth’s behavior. Finn says, by all means, and Doc says, people have been known to carry on entire conversations, take a walk, even drive a car (yikes!) while technically asleep. He’s going to speak to Elizabeth now to see if they can find some underlying cause. Finn says, tell her he’s here, and he’ll be waiting if she needs him, and Doc says, of course (🍷). He goes in, and Chase asks how long Elizabeth has to stay. Finn says he only brought her in for tests to make sure there isn’t a physical reason for her behavior. She’s free to go any time. Chase says, physical reason? Does Finn mean like a brain tumor? Finn nods, and says, it’s a possibility. He’s hoping it’s just the sleep medication she’s been taking. Terry comes out, and says, Elizabeth wants to see him. Finn goes into her room, and asks why she’s not in bed. She says she’s going to tell him what she told Doc and Terry; she’s fine. Her bloodwork is normal, and Doc thinks it might be her sleeping pills that might be responsible for her sleepwalking… and everything else that’s gone along with it. Fin says, that’s good news, right? and Elizabeth says, yes, and she’s praying it stays the same, but she won’t feel better until she knows for sure. Finn says, at least they know she and the boys aren’t in any danger, and she says she hopes not. He says he knows not. If she’s the one behind all this, she’d never seriously hurt someone. She says, tell that to Chase.
Maxie says, so Nina is determined; good. Nina thanks Maxie for her support, and Maxie says, she’s family, but is she sure going for the jugular is the best move? She’s known Michael a long time, and he’s a decent guy. (Has she met him lately?) Nina says, until he isn’t, and Maxie tells her, she’s just saying Nina can’t escalate her way to a compromise. Nina says she’s been trying to compromise, but Michael and Willow don’t respect her rights as Wiley’s grandmother. She’s not going to walk away from that little boy, and Sonny doesn’t think she should walk away either.
Dante says, Sonny is going to testify against his own son? and Sonny says he’s not testifying against Michael; he’s supporting Nina’s right to be in Wiley’s life. Dante says, that’s great, but Michael’s not going to see it that way, and Sonny says, Michael doesn’t want any part of him; Dante knows that. So why shouldn’t he stand up for a woman who just wants to see her grandson? Dante asks if he doesn’t see the problem in that, and Sonny asks if Dante thinks Michael is being reasonable. Does he honestly think Nina would hurt Wiley? She loves that boy. Dante says, maybe, but you could say she already hurt Wiley by letting them believe Sonny was dead. Michael has every right to protect his son from her lies. Sonny says, Nina has already apologized a thousand times over. Michael is angry because his mother divorced Sonny, and he blames Sonny, so he’s going to retaliate by punishing Nina. Dante says, like father, like son.
Drew says, if they want, he can watch Wiley while they’re in court, and Willow says, Wiley would love a visit from his Uncle Drew. He’s playing with the nanny, and Josslyn is taking him to the park later. Brook tells them, good luck. Not that they need it. Nina should just save herself the job, and quit now. Willow says, Nina loves drama. She’s cast herself as the victim, and can’t wait to play it out in front of the judge. Michael says, she’s determined to drag this out to the bitter end, and Brook says, some people just prey on the innocent. Ned walks in, and asks, what’s this? Another family meeting he wasn’t invited to? Drew says, the hearing for Nina’s petition to spend time with Wiley is today, and Michael says they should go. Ned says he’s sorry. Nina has done enough harm to Michael’s family. He hopes they win. Michael thanks him, and he and Willow leave. Brook tells Ned, that was nice. We Q’s have to stick together. Ned says, we certainly do, and looks at Drew.
Britt asks the instructor if they’re early, and she says, a little bit; Veronica is teaching the next class. She tells Carly, good luck, and leaves. Brad asks if Carly has a second, and Carly asks what he wants. He says, obviously, the hearing for Nina’s petition to see Wiley is today, and Carly says she’s not discussing her grandson with him. Britt suggests they do some stretching before class, and he says he knows he has no right to love Wiley, but he does. He’ll always regret hurting Wiley and Lucas. Carly says, that’s great. Keep regretting. She starts to leave, but Brad says, Michael respects her opinion. Maybe she could suggest he work things out with Nina without involving the court. She asks why she’d do that, and he says, for Wiley. He doesn’t deserve more trauma in his life. She says, the turmoil began with him. Now get out of her way. He says, not yet, and Britt says, at least hear him out. Carly tells her to stay out of it, and brushes past Brad. Brad says, what happened with Michael and AJ could happen all over again with Wiley.
Curtis sees the doctor, and asks if his father’s okay. Did he regain consciousness? The doctor says, Mr. Ashford’s condition is stable, but he’s weak from the heavy blood loss, and TJ asks what the MRI and CAT scan showed. The doctor says, unfortunately, Mr. Ashford hasn’t designated either one of them as his medical. All he can tell them is, his results were encouraging. Curtis asks why he’s still unconscious, and the doctor says, head injuries are tricky. Sometimes the body shuts down to give the brain time to heal. TJ asks what the possibilities are on lingering aftereffects, and the doctor says, it depends on the patient. Curtis asks what they mean by aftereffects, and TJ says, memory loss, reduced cognition, partial paralysis, but Marshall’s tough; he can wake up and be fine. Curtis asks if he can see Marshall, and the doctor says the nurse is in with him now, and will let him know when he can go in. He has to go, but assures them Marshall is getting the best care possible. He leaves, and TJ tells Curtis, sorry. He just gave Curtis the worst case scenario. There’s no reason Marshall should have any of those aftereffects. Curtis says he can’t worry about that now. TJ has to tell him what he discovered in Marshall’s hotel room. TJ hands Curtis a prescription bottle, and says, his medication. It’s not what they thought. Curtis says, it’s not for his heart? and TJ says, it’s an anti-psychotic.
Drew asks if Ned really thinks they’re meeting behind his back, but Ned says he was joking. Drew says, he’s still opposed to the Aurora/ELQ merger, and Ned says, yes. Because he believes he’s the right choice to lead ELQ after they get rid of Valentin. Drew says he’s trying to be as tactful as possible, but Ned has no media experience, and Ned says, so they throw him a bone, and make him COO? Drew says, if he doesn’t like the position, that’s fine. Make him a counter offer, anything other than CEO. Ned says, Drew and Michael are in no position to offer him anything. He’s stepped up whenever ELQ needed him. He has a longer history with the company then Drew or Michael. Drew says, Ned is right. He did miss a few board meetings while he was being held prisoner by Peter August, and Ned says, he certainly didn’t race back to the company when he was freed. Brook says, enough. What is it with this family? Does everything need to be a death cage match?
Curtis says, Marshall is on an anti-psychotic? So when he collapsed back in January, it wasn’t because of his heart? TJ says, it could have been. Some anti-psychotics cause heart issues. After the attack, Marshall might have switched to a different prescription. Curtis asks why someone would be on medications like this, and TJ says, there are many reasons. There’s no way to know Marshall’s actual diagnosis. Curtis says, unless he wakes up and tells them himself.
Elizabeth zips up her overnight bag, when Chase and Finn come in. Finn says, going somewhere? and she says she doesn’t do well lying down. She tells Chase that she’s so sorry she gave him a concussion, but Chase says he can’t be mad when she wasn’t aware of what she was doing. She says, he’s a much better person than she is. She can’t imagine wanting to hurt him. Terry joins them, and says, Elizabeth’s test results are in.
Sonny tells Dante that he was ready to stand up for Michael, even though he thinks Nina has every right to see her grandson. He went over there, and Michael rejected him and everything he stands for. Is he supposed to sit back and take it? Dante asks if Sonny hears himself; Sonny is proving his point. Sonny asks what Dante’s point is, and Dante says, Michael is too much like him, lashing out at Nina… Sonny says, so Dante agrees Michael is being unreasonable? and Dante says he thinks they both need to grow up before they lose each other forever.
Maxie says, Bobbie threw a drink in Nina’s face? Did she throw one back? Nina says, no, but she wanted to slap her. Sonny stopped her, but that’s a good thing. She doesn’t want to give Michael and Willow any more ammunition against her. Maxie says, so Sonny looked after her, and Nina says, yeah; he’s on her side. Maxie asks if Nina is thinking there’s a chance for her and Sonny, and Nina flashes back to The Savoy, and Sonny saying she’s not trouble. Michael and Willow approach the door, and Nina says, she thinks so, even though his entire family hates her. She feels horrible about how bad it’s gotten, but she’s not going to apologize for caring for Sonny. He cares about her too. He even offered to testify on her behalf. Michael dashes in, and asks if he heard right. His father is going to be a character witness for her?
Elizabeth says, Terry is certain her MRI is normal? and Terry says she’d never lie to Elizabeth. Elizabeth says, so there’s no medical reason for her sleepwalking? and Terry says, not according to the tests they’ve run so far. Finn asks, what about the sleeping pills? and Terry asks how long she’s been taking them. Elizabeth says, she doesn’t know. She got them after Franco was killed, and her schedule got crazy. She would take them in the morning after working a night shift. Terry says, the pills could affect Elizabeth’s behavior. She’s going to order more tests. She leaves, and Elizabeth asks Doc if her actions could just be the result of medication. He says, or is there a deeper problem beneath the surface?
Carly asks what Brad is talking about, and he says, she and Sonny kept AJ from Michael for years. When AJ came back to Port Charles, Michael was an adult, and wanted a relationship with his father. Britt tells him not to go there, and Carly says she can’t explain to him how many ways he has this wrong. Brad says he was in prison. Does she know why? She says, because he tried to pass off Michael’s son as his own, and he says, because the truth always comes out. And when Wiley finds out Nina is also his grandmother, he’s going to want a relationship with her, and feel that he was cheated and robbed of that growing up. Carly says, or, when Wiley’s and adult and able to comprehend all the damage Nina did to various members of his family, he’s going to be grateful he didn’t have her hovering over him, demanding he love her like the narcissist that she is. Brad says, okay, have a good day, and goes into the classroom. Carly tells Britt that she needs to get better friends. He’s an idiot. Britt says, he can be, but right now, he kind of has a point.
Dante says, testifying for Nina is crossing the line, and Sonny says, Dante is the one who told him that Michael is not only cutting him out of his life, but that Michael’s actively working on taking him down. What is he supposed to say? Go ahead. Thank you. Dante says, no. He’s just telling Sonny to back off a little bit. Let Michael cool off a little. Michael sees his job as protecting Wiley and Willow, and like it or not, Nina has a history of questionable behavior. Willow just found out Harmony killed Neil and Brendon Byrne to prevent the secret that she wasn’t Willow’s biological mother from coming out. Michael is reacting to everything; everything is a threat to him right now. Sonny says he’s not a threat; he’s Michael’s father. Dante says, then act like it. Wait until Nina’s petition is resolved, and things die down. Sonny says, what if he doesn’t? and Dante says, then he runs the risk of losing Michael forever.
Nina says, after the way Michael’s been treating Sonny, Sonny’s decided he’s done supporting him, and Michael says, he sees. Maxie asks if it has to be like this. They’re all adults here. Can they all act like it? Willow says, the only one not acting like an adult is Nelle’s mother. She has no place in Wiley’s life. Nina says, despite what they think of her daughter, Wiley is her family, and Maxie says, and they all know how important that is, right? There’s no limit to the number of people who can love a child. She feels, the more the merrier. Michael says, if Felicia hadn’t killed Peter, was he going to be part of Bailey’s life?
Brook says, isn’t the main thing to get Valentin out as CEO? Who cares who replaces him? Drew tells Ned, she’s right. They just need to focus on getting rid of Valentin. Ned says he needs to get changed for work, and leaves. Drew says he loves Brook’s passion, and she says, they should be fighting together, not against each other. He says he couldn’t agree more, but he gets the feeling there’s more to this than just ELQ. Is it that contract? Maybe they can figure it out together. She says, her producer’s back in town, and he says, that’s not a good thing? She says, that is correct. When Drew was gone, he followed her back to Port Charles. You look up the word sleazy in the dictionary, you’ll see a picture of Linc’s face. He started this whole mess in a way. She was so desperate to get rid of him, Valentin bought her contract in exchange for her ELQ shares. Drew says, that’s how he became CEO, and she says, and Lucy cast the tie-breaking vote. He says he’s guessing that’s the contract in question, and she says, yes. The most reckless, short-sighted thing she’s ever done is sign that contract. And now Linc claims to own all her intellectual property that she made while under contract with him. He says, all her songs? and she says, Linc even has demos, so it’s not like she could claim she wrote them when she wasn’t under contract with him. She doesn’t see a way out of this. But wait. If Valentin bought the contract, wouldn’t he own the songs? I don’t get this.
Curtis tells TJ, the court sent Marshall to a psychiatric facility when he was arrested at that protest. When he confronted Marshall about the truth, he refused to talk about his diagnosis. Can someone take these meds for decades, and still consider themselves cured? TJ says, with the right medication, many people with mental illness can manage their symptoms and live quality lives, but Curtis says, he just doesn’t understand how Marshall could abandon his family and let him and Tommy think he was dead, with mom’s approval. TJ says, it can take time to settle on the right medication. Maybe Marshall was volatile, not to mention the stigma; it wasn’t understood back then like it is today. The nurse comes out, and says, Curtis can see his father now. Curtis goes in, and says, Marshall Ashford. The more I get to know you, the more questions I have.
Drew asks if Brook spoke to a lawyer, and she says, yeah. He’s looking for a loophole. Drew says, she told him that Linc is super sleazy? and she says, he’s most wanted on the metoo list. He says, sue him for sexual harassment; it will void the contract. She says she sort of punched him a couple of times. He pushes her buttons. She was really hoping she’d never have to deal with this guy again. He says, easier said than done if he owns her songs, and she says she guesses she’ll just have to live with this. He says, she can move on, write more music; music that won’t fall under the contract, and she says she’s already done that. And she does have a really great job at Deception, which she’s pretty good at, if she does say so herself. So what if Linc owns some of her past? Drew says, he shouldn’t own any part of her, past, present, or future. Her phone beeps, and she says, speak of the devil. Linc sent her an email.
Carly says, the next time Britt finds herself agreeing with Brad, don’t. Britt says, Nina is her cousin. She wants Nina to be able to see Wiley. That said, she understands Nina’s caused Carly’s family a lot of pain. She also understands that simply saying, oh gosh, I feel bad about that, let’s move on, changes nothing. Nina’s not going to give up. In her mind, Wiley is all she has. Carly says, it’s not Wiley’s job to fill the void in Nina’s life. Britt says, that’s true, but what happens when Wiley gets older, and Nina goes to him with her tale of woe? I wanted to see you, but your mother and father wouldn’t let me. Carly says, Wiley is smart. He’s not going to fall for Nina’s hysteria. Britt says, really? A rebellious teenager. Does she think he’s going to be okay with the truth? Carly says, sometimes you have to make hard decisions to protect your kids, and Britt says, so that’s it? There’s no option B? There’s nothing else that can fix this situation? Carly flashes back to Drew saying, if Michael goes too far with Nina, and Nina is Willow’s mother, it will change things for Willow, whether she wants it to or not. What if the DNA test proves it? What is she going to do? Britt says, there has to be some way for Michael, Willow, and Nina to see things differently.
Maxie asks if Michael is really comparing Nina to Peter, and he says, only from a legal perspective. If Peter had lived, he’d have legal standing as Bailey’s father, just like Nina has legal standing as Wiley’s grandmother, because of a biological relationship and DNA. That doesn’t always make a family.Willow is Wiley’s mother, period. Nina says, like Harmony was Willow’s mother. Maxie says, Nina… and Nina walks to the petitioner’s table. Maxie’s phone rings, and she excuses herself. Willow stomps over to Nina, and says, she believed her entire life that Harmony was her mother. Knowing the truth now doesn’t change her childhood memories. Nina says, what about the people her mother stole her from? What about her biological parents? Willow laughs.
Sonny tells Dante, of course (🍷) he doesn’t want to lose Michael and Wiley, but Michael has already made it clear that’s already happened. Dante says, Sonny told him that he hadn’t seen Michael this angry since he got custody of Avery, and Sonny was convinced he was going to lose Michael then, but he didn’t. Underneath all that anger, Michael loves Sonny just as much as Sonny loves him. Think about that before he gets on the stand on Nina’s behalf.
Chase asks Terry if she thinks they’ll figure it out, and she says, as a doctor she can’t comment, but as Elizabeth’s friend, she sure hopes so.
Doc says, there could be an emotional source to her sleepwalking; something in her subconscious that wants to get out. She says, it already got out. It set fire to Franco’s art studio. It attacked Chase. She could have stabbed Cameron with those scissors. Finn says, there’s no way she’d harm her children, but she says she doesn’t know what to believe anymore.
Willow says, Nina assumes she was stolen, but what if she was given away? What if her biological parents didn’t want her, or couldn’t keep her? She has no idea what happened, and neither does Nina. She just wanted to wound Willow because Willow wasn’t saying what she wanted to hear. Michael says, when Nina doesn’t get her way, she goes straight for the jugular. What a wonderful role model she’ll make for Wiley. Nina says, they push and push until she reacts. Then they stand back and act all superior. She has news for them. That gutter they pushed her into, they belong right there with her. Michael says, they pushed her into letting their family believe their father was dead? Tell him, how are they responsible for that? Nina wonders how many times he’s going to say that. She apologizes; she regrets her decision, but is this about Wiley, or hurting her? Willow says, it’s about protecting their son, and Maxie says, sorry to interrupt. It was the school nurse. She has to pick up James at pre-K. He’s okay, but he has a fever. She pulls Nina away, and says, if Nina wants to see her grandson again, stay away from Willow and Michael. She’s making it worse.
Brook tells Drew, Linc sold one of her songs. She thought he was lying about shopping them around. He says, that’s good, right? People will still be able to hear her music. She says, he sent a link to the demo. She plays it on her phone, and it’s an electropop number. She says, this isn’t her song; it’s a crime, and he says, it didn’t sound like something she’d write. She says, lyrics are her soul and he murdered them, and he says, as a songwriter, she has to get used to artists putting their spin on her words and music. She says, that’s fine. That’s what singers do. They put their own interpretation on it, while understanding the intention of the lyrics, not turning it into trash. He says, it sounds like she’s got to fight this guy, and she says, damn straight she does. She gets on the phone, and asks what someone is up to. She needs their help
Curtis holds the prescription bottle, and says, this is why Marshall thought it was better for his sons to believe he was dead? Did he really think they cared about that? He can tell Marshall right now, he would have rather grown up with his father than without him. Even if he was struggling, he shouldn’t have let his pride drive him away from his family. That’s not fair because he doesn’t know what Marshall was going through when he made the decision to leave. He knows Marshall wanted protect him and Tommy. When Marshall kept quiet, then turned up in his life after all those years, it’s like Marshall wanted Curtis to distrust him, to think the worst of him. All he had to do was tell the truth. Did he give Marshall a reason to have so little faith in him? Was he quick to anger? Was he unwilling to hear Marshall out? Marshall didn’t want to talk, and maybe he didn’t listen, but it can’t end there. Marshall has to wake up. He just has to.
Brad comes out, and asks, where’s Carly? Britt says, relax. She’s done torturing him… for the day. Where did he get the courage to confront her? He says he guesses he learned a thing or two from his Aunt Selena. Britt says she can’t tell if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. His aunt has been keeping him busy. Aside from the late hours, how’s the job going? He says, surprisingly… okay. He kind of likes the work, and his aunt’s a fair boss. Britt says, and demanding, but he says, nothing he can’t handle. So if he hasn’t thanked her for encouraging him to take the job, thanks. Everything turned out pretty well in the end.
Ned sees Drew alone in the Nook, and asks, where’s Brook? Drew says, she tore out of here on a mission, and Ned says, and the mission is? Drew says, something Ned probably should hear from her, and Ned says, he’ll speak with her later. Drew says, what about them? Should they speak now or later? Ned says, how about not at all, if he’s not the next CEO. Drew says, he, Ned, and Michael have to figure something out to make Ned happy, but Ned says, Drew already knows the answer to that. He has to get to the office, since he’s the only Quartermaine who actually works at ELQ.
In the new outside space, Brook taps on the table, then looks up, and says, thanks for coming. Chase sits, and asks, what’s going on? He says, has Linc been harassing her again? and she says, not in person. He asks what that means, and she says, she’s taking her life back, and he’s going to help her.
Elizabeth says she never wants to close her eyes again, and Doc says, she has to sleep sometime. She says, and when she does, what happens? Is he going to tie her to the bed? Sedate her? Finn asks Doc, now that Elizabeth is aware, is there a chance that will deter it? Doc says he can’t make any promises, and until they know the root cause, there’s always a chance it will happen again. Elizabeth says, that’s what she thinks. That’s why she’s made the decision to protect her family.
Curtis says he doesn’t care what issues Marshall has. He wants Marshall back in his life. Please. Give him a chance to make it up. He can only do that if Marshall comes back to them. Just open his eyes. Please. Marshall opens his eyes, and panics, but Curtis says, he’s here. It’s him. It’s your son.
Nina tells Michael, for God’s sake, she’s not going to hurt Willow, and Michael says, just leave them alone. Nina says, not until they hear her out. She went too far earlier. She’s sorry Willow lost her mom. Even though she had her faults, she was still Willow’s mom and it’s still painful. Willow says, save your breath. They judge won’t be fooled by Nina’s fake remorse. Nina says, let her ask them this. Are they so perfect they’ve never made a mistake? Michael says, she lied and misled them repeatedly; that’s not a mistake, it’s a pattern of behavior. One they want to protect Wiley from. Nina says, regardless of how it affects the rest of their family? and Sonny walks in.
Outside the courtroom door, Carly gets a text. It says, the DNA test results are in. She can pick them up at her earliest convenience.
Tomorrow, Curtis says he’s not going anywhere, and neither is Marshall; Elizabeth says Finn has to let her go; Diane tells Michael and Willow, if they want to win, there’s only one way to play it.
Below Deck Sailing Yacht
Ugh. Ashley.
Port Mahon. Daisy tells Ashley that she wants to work as a team, and to get the hierarchy thing out of her head. Both stews will be the same, and she wants Ashley to concentrate on the teamwork. In Daisy’s interview, she says, after what she went through last time, Ashely might be unhappy she’s not second, but it’s not about experience; it’s about character. Ashley’s not there yet. Gary tells Kelsie that she’s going to be on days, and Ashley instructs Scarlett on the fine art of cleaning mirrors with vinegar. In Barnaby’s interview, he says he’s annoyed about being on nights. It’s boring. They should have an exciting guy on in the day to make the guests happy and the tip bigger, and the perfectionist on nights. Daisy tells Marcos about putting both stews on the same level, and he thinks that’s better. Gary lurks around the stews, and tells Ashley to stop being childish. They should all kiss and make up; that’s what friends do. He thinks Scarlett makes everything better, and in Scarlett’s interview, she says, Gary is fun, but she senses tension with Ashely and doesn’t want drama. It’s so annoying. Ashley tells Scarlett, fair warning. Gary is a f***ing loser. Because, what else is she going to say? The provisions come in.
Barnaby is worried that he’s going to be bored on nights, but Kelsie tells him, you stay pretty busy. They do windows, and in Kelsie’s interview, she wonders if it’s wrong to think she works harder than Barnaby. He works just enough to get the job done, while she does the job with a cherry on top. She can’t relate. Daisy tells Scarlett that she’s on 8 to midnight. Tonight, Scarlett will do dinner, and Ashley will turndowns, and tomorrow, they’ll switch. Ashley tells Kelsie that Scarlett is very green. It’s an hour to the guests’ arrival, and Gary does a walkaround. Daisy checks the rooms, and Ashley says she’s going to ignore Gary for the rest of the season. Gary hunts down Scarlett in the laundry, and says, just the person he’s looking for. He kisses her neck, and hugs her. In her interview, Scarlett says, he’s definitely flirting with her, so she’s going to flirt back. In Gary’s interview, he says, she shouldn’t be a stew. She should be a supermodel. He’s sweating. They kiss a little, although not passionately, and I wish Ashley would walk in.
Glenn calls the crew to the cockpit, and in Scarlett’s interview, she says she thinks Gary is exciting. Wow. I just don’t see it. Maybe he’s different in person. Gary is now sporting what passes as a mustache, and Daisy says, he literally couldn’t look any creepier, but Gary says he thought the looked cute. The guests arrive, and Glenn says, it’s nice to see familiar faces, as well as new faces. In Glenn’s interview, he says, the last time they had an all-female charter, it was challenging. We flash back to the Erica Rose charter, and the bunch of mean girls that they were, and Glenn hopes that this time, they have better manners. Daisy gives the tour, and Glenn is ready to drop the lines. Gary gives the all clear, and they pull out. Marcos sends up fancy snacks, and one of the guests remarks that they grew up on Lunchables and mac and cheese. Primary Keely tells Daisy that Marcos can make what he wants, and in Marcos’s interview, he says, the primary is gluten-free, two guests don’t want shellfish, and two are dairy-free. His options are getting smaller to make the menu, and it’s not going to be easy. Gary wants to find out who irritates Daisy the most, but Scarlett says she’s not playing. The guests ask for the rope swing to be set up, and Daisy tells Scarlett that it’s wigs and sequins tonight. Gary tests the swing, and Barnaby helps the guests use it. Guest Jennifer has a false start, which is pretty funny, then guest Jennifer does a belly flop, which is funny-not-funny.
Barnaby tells Glenn that he’s done a lot of sailing, but this is his first 28 meter. He asks if Glenn has done much racing, and Glenn says the boat has done well in regattas. Daisy tells the stews to change into their blacks for dinner at 8:30, and Glenn says, they have to be finished at 9 since he’s eating with them. The stews decorate in disco style for the sequins and wigs dinner, and don wigs. In Scarlett’s interview, she says she’s never done a dinner, and wants all the firsts over with. Daisy explains the table settings to her, and the guests are seated. Glenn has no wig, and one of the guests sticks a tinsel thing on his head, which he’s a good sport about. Marcos says he’s making duck, since it’s the only thing not on the preference sheets. There are different dishes for different guests, and Marcos tells the servers to keep it straight, but they have a hard time. One of the guests says they’re scared to eat duck, which sounds really stupid. Scarlett tells Ashley that she set the wrong food in front of a guest, and Ashley says, it’s not like she dumped it all over them. Although I’m sure she’ll tell Daisy that Scarlett made some grievous error. Another guest says they feel terrible eating a duck, which I can understand, but I wonder how they feel about eating a chicken. Glenn is like, oops, my wig fell off. Oh no. A guest asks, what if there’s no wind? and Glenn says, a real sailor can make wind. He tells them that they need more than they had, and to wish for wind tonight. The gluten-free chocolate dessert looks amazing, even though it doesn’t sound like it would be. In the crew mess, Gary tells Scarlett that he has a crush on her, and she says, maybe it’s mutual. Gary says he thinks they click. In Colin’s interview, he says, Scarlett is the new girl on the block, and Gary is making his best moves and pulling out all the stops. He can’t figure out how Gary’s brain works. In the cabin he shares with Marcos and Colin, Gary gets in his bunk. There’s a knock at the door, and both Colin and Marcos insist it must be Scarlett. Gary gets down, and realizes it’s Colin knocking on the wall. Ha-ha!
The 10 course dinner is coming up, and Marcos realizes he’ll need 80 plates, but he’s not worried. Scarlett hugs Gary good morning, as Daisy and Marcos watch. The guests get up, and Ashley instructs Scarlett on the fine art of folding towels. Glenn asks the guests what they’d like to do after breakfast. There’s no wind, but they can go in the tender where there’s blue, blue water and play around. The guests pronounce the idea cool, and Gary and Kelsie gather goggles and snorkels. In Marcos’s interview, he says, guests like 10 courses because they want to see how many quality cuisines they can have in one night. He wants the same experience for the guests with restrictions. It’s not easy, but not impossible. Gary wants to bring Scarlett along on the tender, and tells Daisy that he needs a stew to serve drinks. No surprise, suggesting Scarlett. In Daisy’s interview, she says she has him so figured out. It will be him and Scarlett chatting and flirting for an hour. This sh*t is so predictable. She tells him, that’s not going to happen. She asks if he really needs a stew; she’d rather not send someone. Gary insists, it looks more professional, but he can do it himself. She says, he gets what she’s saying, and in her interview, she says, there’s one reason to be here; it’s work. Gary says he’s not arguing with her, but it would be more professional. He tells the deckhands, he can’t win with that chick. He’s over working with her. Daisy says she doesn’t think he needs a stew, but she’s going to go herself to prove a point. Before the guests are ready to board the tender, Gary tells Daisy that she doesn’t care about the guests, and she loves to start fights. She asks if he’s serious. She’s here for the guests. He’s an a-hole. In her interview, Daisy says don’t accuse her of not caring about the guests, and putting the guests first. She asks him if he’s an insane a-hole.
Daisy tells Gary not to lecture her; is he insane? He tells her, calm down, and she says, it’s not funny. In Daisy’s interview, she says, she’s not upset that he wants a stew; it’s the accusatory tone and how he’s inferring she’s not professional, and doesn’t care about the guests. Ashley and Scarlett clean the cabins, and the guests swim in the blue, blue water. Gary tells them to catch a fish for lunch. Barnaby cleans the waterline on the outside of the boat, and Ashley complains to Marcos that she has to expend extra energy telling Scarlett what to do and how to do things. Daisy keeps asking if anyone wants a drink or wants their drink topped off, but there are few takers. In her interview, she says, WTF is she doing here? It’s f***ing ridiculous. The guests come back, and get ready for dinner. Glenn tells Gary that he knows the captain of the neighboring boat, and he’s wondering about doing a race, a friendly competition. Gary says, if the wind picks up, he thinks the guests will like it. In Glenn’s interview, he says, they haven’t been able to sail match, so a race will make it special. He’s done a lot of races on the Parseval, and it does pretty well on the race course. Why not have a little fun? Scarlett tells Ashley that Gary has been coming on strong, and asks if it bothers her. Ashley says, Gary isn’t worth it. If she’s upset, it’s not because she likes him. Scarlett says she doesn’t want to step on any toes, and in Ashley’s interview, she says, what does Scarlett want her to say? Hook up with a guy who will treat her like sh*t? Marcos tells Colin that everyone has to help with dinner, and in Marcos’s interview, he says, a 10 course dinner isn’t easy to do by yourself. Plating is tricky, and logistically, it’s a nightmare. Gary and Scarlett go to the upper deck to look at the sunset, and Daisy says she asked Scarlett to check on laundry. She’s sick of it. The guests sit for dinner, and in the crew mess, Glenn says, holy moly, that’s a lot of plates. Daisy gripes to Scarlett about Gary, saying the unprofessional comment banged on her. All Gary does is cause trouble. Don’t f*** a stew, then try for her roommate, and she’s unprofessional. In Scarlett’s interview, she wonders where this came from. Daisy says, if he’s not interested, why sleep with her? The guests sit for dinner, and every dish looks fabulous, and I’m sure tastes fabulous. The guests say, it’s the best dinner ever, and are unanimously wondering what’s under Marcos’s apron. Marcos says, he’s so exhausted, and in his interview, he says, the guests are imagining him with an apron and no shirt. He’s here to fulfill any chef fantasy they have. Thank God he knows how to please a picky woman.
Guest Belinda suggests they invite Marcos to the hot tub later, when the last dessert (there were two) comes out. The guests tell Marcos that everything was wonderful, and in Marcos’s interview, he says, ten f***ing courses on a sailing yacht. It’s time to lay on the couch. Gary tells Daisy that he’s sorry for picking a fight. He was being petty, and she has good reason to be pissed off. She says he’s freaking her out, and he picks her up in a hug. In Scarlett’s interview, she says, there’s a vibe thing between Gary and her boss; it’s a weird dynamic. Gary asks if he and Daisy are friends again. He’s sorry for being a d*ck. She tells him, it’s okay.
Glenn sees the wind is going to come up, and makes a call to Andy on La Cattiva. He explains they haven’t been able to do any sailing, and asks if Andy wants to do a fun race. Glenn tells the guests he’s organized a race with the boat behind them. They won’t be just sailing, but racing. The guests decide to skip breakfast, and Daisy tells Marcos, they’re not doing the meal. After he’s made a bunch of food. Send. It. Here. Immediately. Glenn shows Colin and Gary the race route, and Gary wakes Barnaby to tell him about the race, in case he wants to be part of it. Barnaby gets up, and in his interview, he says he’s not a seasoned yachtie, but he’s raced a billion race boats. Let’s get this thing cranked over. Glenn tells Andy, when the horn sounds, start racing. Glenn blows the horn, the sails are unfurled, and Colin says, there’s no such thing as a friendly race.
To be continued…
🌅 Joy In the Morning…
Thanks be to God, I’m back on my regular computer, but I’m beat from fighting the good tech fight. Stop by tomorrow for soap and most likely tea, since only RHOM is on. I can’t recap them all, although I do watch it peripherally. My favorite takeaway point so far is that there are mechanical sharks instead of mechanical bulls in Florida. Makes sense. So until next we meet, stay safe, stay resilient, and stay remembering, the truth always comes out.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
Fear the Walking Dead
Victor listens to perfume commercial music as he shaves. I don’t know the name of it, but you’d know it if you heard it. He’s told Alicia is here for him, and he says, divine providence. He walks out past people farming, out onto the roof, and Wes asks, what happened? Victor says, today is the day they’re going to wipe the slate clean, and Wes says, she didn’t come alone, handing Victor the binoculars. Victor looks, and says, the gang’s all here. He picks up the phone, and asks Alicia to what he owes the pleasure. She says she thinks he knows, and he says she brought company. He asks, where’s Morgan? Is he going to make a grand entrance? She says, he’s somewhere safe with the baby where Victor won’t find him. Victor calls Morgan a coward, and says it’s auspicious of her showing up. He was going to call her. She asks, what for? and he says, to talk. She says, so talk, and he tells her, not like this. Come inside and have a drink. She asks if he’s waving the white flag, and he says, they’ll talk inside; just them. She looks at her group, and says, one drink. She hangs up, and Wes asks what Victor is doing. Victor says, he’s got it covered, and hands back the binoculars. He asks if there’s something Wes wants to say, and Wes says, Victor drove Alicia away for a reason. If he lets her in, he could lose everything he’s built. Victor assures Wes that he won’t, and asks Wes to be a gem, and get a bottle of the Luna Fonteluza he has in cold storage. And when the sun goes down, be ready.
Daniel tells a guard to get off him, and Victor tells Daniel to excuse them; they take security seriously. One of the guards says, Daniel pushed through, and almost broke a ranger’s neck. Victor tells Alicia, Daniel wasn’t invited. His agreement was only with her. Daniel says he wants to see Ofelia, and Victor looks puzzled. Alicia says, he’s not well, and Victor tells his men to take Daniel to the basement. Alicia tells Daniel that it will be okay. If Victor hurts him… Victor says, that’s what the roof is for. He’s just putting Daniel in time out. Alicia says, Luci lied and told Daniel that Ofelia was here, and Wes says, Alicia can pretend to be outraged, but at the end of the day, they’re all just like Victor. Alicia says, Wes wouldn’t be alive weren’t for Daniel, and Victor says, he saved Wes as well. Wes wonders which one he owes his life to. He pours two drinks, and Victor says, here we are. Wes says, Alicia shouldn’t be here. She and her friends left him to die in the bunker. He leaves, and Victor suggests he give Alicia the grand tour, but she says she’s good right here. He hands her a drink, and says, to new beginnings, but she says she thinks they have different ideas of what that means. He says, they’ll see about that, and notices she’s wearing the St. Christopher medal. He says he sees she still has it, and she says, she took it off Will’s body when she buried after Victor killed him. Victor says, it still means something to her, and she asks if he remembers what he said, that they needed to forget who they were, for her, for all of them. Was it worth it? Victor says, absolutely. He didn’t forget who he was; he embraced it. He knows what she thinks of him, but their story isn’t over, and she tells him, one way or another, he won’t be running this place after today. He says, it’s not about today; it’s about tomorrow. Everything he’s done was to lead them here. She says, so she and her army gets pissed off, sh*t on, and left to die? They’re ready to kick his ass. Victor picks up the phone, and says, do it, and she says, do what? He says she has her army; he has his. He tells the guard to cut the phone on the platform. He doesn’t want them giving anyone a warning. He tells Alicia that there’s a crater of walkers soaking up some nasty stuff. He’s told his rangers to lead them here. A generator starts up, and he tells her it’s to power the beacon to draw the dead, and kill her army. She starts to walk out, but Victor’s men stop her. She asks if he thinks this is the way to win her over, and he says, she’ll come around. He originally used the light to keep her out. Now it’s to keep her in.
On the roof, a ranger flips a switch, and the beacon comes on.
Alicia yells for her people to get out of here, but Victor says, they can’t hear her. She tells him, turn off the light, and he says he’s sorry it came to this. She says, he’s going to kill them, and he says, they’re not part of his vision. Once they build this place into what it can be, she’ll understand. He tells his rangers to take her downstairs, and take Daniel to the roof; an example has to be made. Wes says he’s sorry he doubted Victor, and Alicia removes her glove, revealing her crazy arm. She kicks the rangers’ asses, and grabs Victor’s gun, holding it on him. She tells him, turn off the light, and Victor says, if she does this, she’ll wipe out everything he’s built. Victor asks if she thinks Wes is going to listen to her, and she says, if he won’t turn off the light, she will, and he says, he has 50 rangers who will do as he says to protect the tower. Alicia presses the elevator button, and forces Victor into the car. As they go up, Victor says she’s making a mistake; delaying the inevitable. She says, he’s not calling shots, when the power goes out. He says, emergency protocol, and she threatens to kill him, but he says, she can’t stop what’s coming. She asks if he’d rather die than give the place up, but he says, she won’t kill him. He’s doing this for her. She says, he’s doing what Teddy did; locking her up while he destroys the things she cares about. She’ll tell him what she told Teddy – she’s not making the world the way he wants it to be. Wes calls from outside, and Alicia tries jumping up to open the trap door. Victor kicks the gun out of her hand, and draws his sword. He says he knows how she feels, but they have a long future ahead. Wes yells for them to open the door, and Alicia asks if she looks like she has a lot of time left. He says, they have antibiotics, and have a fully stocked infirmary, but she says, it’s not going to work. She’s tried everything, and it’s getting worse. He says, they’ll find a way to stop it; June will figure it out. Alicia says, no she won’t. No one survives what she’s going through. She’s not afraid to die, but it can’t end like this. Not for them. Wes bangs on the door, and Alicia says, please turn off the light, and she’ll call off the army. He has her word. He looks at the medal and says, that’s not good enough. Stay here in the tower with him. She says she’s running out of time, and he says, give him what she has left. He wants to show her that she’s wrong about him. Do they have a deal? Wes continues to bang on the door, and Alicia holds out her hand. He helps her up, and opens the door, telling his men, stand down. It’s okay. They made an agreement. He agreed to turn off the light in exchange for a cease fire. Wes says, she’s playing him, but Victor disagrees. Wes says, they’re surrounded. If the light is turned off, they’re done. Victor insists they’re not. Alicia’s agreed to live in the tower with him. Wes asks if he’s lost his mind. Does he think she’s going to accept that after what he’s done? Based on what? Victor says, his instincts. They’re what made this place, and he’s not going to stop listening to them now. Wes draws his gun, and says, Alicia is Victor’s blind spot. If Victor isn’t going to protect this place, he will. Victor says, Wes is outnumbered, and Wes tells the two rangers with him, Victor’s instincts are the same ones that lost them the baby and the safety of the moat; that told him to bring Alicia in here. They can’t trust Victor’s instincts anymore. The rangers aim their guns at Victor, and Victor says, wow. He never should have let Wes in. The lights go off, and Victor and Alicia jet. Wes yells, get him, and Victor shoots at him. He and Alicia run into a stairwell, and Alicia says, she needs to warn them. He says, they won’t make it to the roof on their own, but they might have one ally left.
Wes radios the head ranger and tells him that Victor isn’t in charge anymore. The ranger asks, what the hell is going on? and Wes says, they can’t take any chances. Take Victor out. A handcuffed Daniel comes up behind the ranger, throws his arms around the ranger’s head, and pulls the handcuffs against his throat. He asks if the ranger knows why this is happening to him. It’s never too late to learn new things. When you handcuff someone, you put their hands in the back not the front. The ranger slumps to the ground, and Daniel takes off the handcuffs. He hears someone coming, and Alicia and Victor come in. Daniel raises his gun, but Alicia tells him, stop. Victor is here to help. She knows how it sounds, but if he doesn’t turn off the beacon, their people will die. Daniel suggests Victor call off his dogs, but Alicia says, they need his help. Daniel says, not until he sees Ofelia. Where is she? Alicia asks if he remembers Mexico, and Victor says he searched for her so he could reunite. She got sick, and they didn’t get there in time. Daniel has brief flashes of what happened, and says, Ofelia was sick, yes, but Victor never reunited them. He never found her. He kept lying. Ofelia is alive and in the tower, and Victor knows where she is. Where is she? Does he want to end up like his friend? Victor says, she’s on the top floor, and Daniel says, the penthouse; smart choice. Is Victor lying to him? Victor says, she’s there. They just need his help to get to her. Daniel looks at Alicia, lowers his gun, and says, okay.
Daniel shoots a ranger in the stairwell, and tells Victor and Alicia, they probably heard that upstairs. He’s going to the next level. Victor says, they’ll hang back, and Daniel walks up. Alicia asks what Victor is playing, and he says, June, Grace, and Wen. After the Great Baby Handoff what happened with the baby, he locked them top floor. She asks what he thinks is going to happen when Daniel realizes Ofelia’s not there, but he says, it won’t matter. They need to free them, and get them on their side; he’ll have to relent. He’s finishing what Luci started, if that’s what he needs to do to keep the place standing, He knows she thinks he’s a monster, but he’s the same man he’s always been. He just stopped apologizing for it. Alicia asks if really he believes that, and he says, he does. She says, then so will she. He says, that’s why he’s willing to turn off the beacon. She’ll see everything he’s done is worth it. They hear a shot, and a ranger’s body falls past them. Daniel tells them, come on, but all of a sudden, Alicia feels dizzy, and says, she can’t… Victor catches her as she passes out, and he says, they need to get her to the infirmary. Daniel says, they have a deal, but Victor says, they need to help Alicia first.
Victor rifles through the medications in the infirmary, and Daniel says, the rangers have found them; they have no time for this. They need to move. Victor picks something out, and says, epinephrine. June had it on hand when he was poisoned. Daniel says, they need to get out fast, and picks up a clipboard. He asks what it is, and Victor says, it’s a record of everyone in tower. Daniel looks through it, and says, Ofelia’s name isn’t on here; why? Victor says, she’s not on the top floor. He only told Daniel that because it was the only way Daniel would help him. Now he can help Daniel. If he wants his daughter, there she is. He takes Daniel to the next room, where Charlie is in bed asleep. Daniel says, that’s not his daughter. Where is she? Victor says, Ofelia died in Mexico. Luci lied for the same reason he did; so Daniel had something to fight for. Daniel says, Victor is trying to fool him, but Victor says, he’s trying to save Daniel. He’s trying to save Alicia, who’s the closest thing to a daughter he has. Charlie is the closest thing to daughter Daniel has. Ofelia is gone, but it’s not as if he has nothing left. Charlie means something to him. She’s sick, and doesn’t have much time left. Daniel says, she’s not his daughter, and cracks Victor in the head with his gun, knocking him down. He says, he’s finished with Victor, and Alicia says, no. Victor says, maybe Daniel can do for Charlie what he couldn’t do for Ofelia; he can be there for her. Charlies wakes up, and says, Daniel? Daniel tells her, don’t look. He doesn’t want this to be what she remembers of him. Victor says, don’t do it, and Alicia says, he’s right. Be the man he wanted Ofelia to see. He flashes back to Ofelia, and a tear runs down his cheek. He lowers the gun.
Alicia wakes up, and Victor tells her, easy now; she got adrenaline. How’s she feeling? She thanks him, and he says he should be thanking her. Daniel would have killed him if she hadn’t appealed to his better angels. She asks, what happened to Charlie? and he says, radiation exposure. She says, that doesn’t mean… and he says, it was worse than what’s happened to the others. She was exposed to alpha particles, the same as the walkers headed here. Grace said she has a couple weeks left. Alicia asks if nothing can be done, and he says he’s afraid not. All the more reason to preserve what they have. All the more reason for her to spend what time she has left in here, not there out. He tells her, come on, and helps her up. She tells Daniel that he has to go, but Daniel says, he can’t leave Charlie. Not now; not like this. She needs him still. Charlie says, it’s okay. He can go. Daniel says, can they still get to the roof? This is where he wants to be, with her, and she says she’s so sorry she’s not Ofelia, but he says, don’t be. She helped him remember why he wanted to find her before she died. Being with her is helping him think more clearly.
Victor explains they’ve stashed weapons everywhere. After Arno’s attack, he wanted to be prepared just in case anyone was planning an encore. She asks if he meant it, and he says, what? She tells him, what he said to Daniel, about her being the closest thing to a daughter he has. He says, they want the same things, and he needed Daniel to believe that. She says, he did. He made Daniel see it. It wasn’t just her who talked Daniel down. He says, they used to save people all the time, and she asks if he means Wes. He says, it’s been a while, but despite everything, they still make a pretty good team. She says she guesses they’ll find out. They’re outnumbered. They’re going see them coming. Victor says, not necessarily, and takes out cans of tear gas. He throws them in the stairwell, and he and Alicia put on masks. She says, they’re flying blind, and he not as blind as them. Stay here. She asks if he thinks it’s going to work, and he says, it’s not the first time he’s walking into the unknown. He leaves, and we hear shouting and gunfire. Alicia waits, then calls to him. He says, it’s clear, and tells her to head to the sixth floor.
Wes says, tear gas? It reminds him of the day he and Victor first met. So much has changed since then, with him, Victor, and Alicia. He knows Victor wants to believe the best in her; he did too, but we are who we are. Victor’s come so far. To finish what he started, he has to protect what he built. It’s honest; it’s real. It doesn’t try to be something that’s not possible. Don’t throw away all of it for her. Victor says, he’s not, and jets. He calls to Alicia on the stairs, and she says she thinks the adrenaline is starting to wear off. He says he’s got her. She says she didn’t think he’d come back, and he says, of course he would. The last time they were in a wall of fog, she didn’t leave him. She knew he was trying to find her. Wes shows up, and says he can’t let Victor do this, and shoots at them.
Alicia and Victor barricade themselves in a room, and Victor asks how much ammo she has. She says, not enough, and Wes and the rangers start shooting through the door. Wes says, come out or they’re coming in, and Victor tells Alicia that he’s sorry. He wanted them to have a clean slate. He wanted them to rebuild together. He thought they had more time to know each other and to heal. Wes says, it’s their last chance. The door starts to open, and Victor says, he should have told her a long time ago that he loves her. She’s the closest thing to family he has left. That’s what this was; that’s always what this was about. He just wanted prove something to her. He hoped this place would show her the man he is. Everything he’s done; everything it’s cost him. That it was worth it, because if didn’t, it was for nothing. Wes and some rangers come in, and Wes says, hands up. Alicia tells him, don’t do this. Those people out there don’t deserve to die. Wes says, neither do the ones in here. He was thinking of the day he and Victor met. He’d told Victor, people are people. He’d said he thought Victor was the exception to the rule, but no one is. He thought Victor understood, and that’s why he kept Alicia far away. Victor says, if they help these people, the place won’t be weaker; it will be stronger. Wes says, it won’t. He found this in Alicia’s bag. He shows Victor a transmitter, and Victor says, out of all the things she could have brought, why that? Alicia says, she brought it from the bunker to broadcast a message. There are people out there who need help. They thought they’d find it with Padre, but there is no Padre. At least not out there. She thought she could use the transmitter… Victor says, so she could build Padre here. She says, she told him that she’s not afraid to die, but this place will live long after she’s gone. Wes says, she’s lying, like Luci lied to Daniel. She wants to get on the roof, and she’s just telling him what he needs to hear to get what she wants. If she sends a message, it will draw more people, and they won’t stand a chance. If Victor doesn’t protect this place, he will. He tells Alicia, sorry, and aims his gun at her. She says, it’s fine, and closes her eyes. Shots are fired, but it’s Daniel shooting the rangers with Wes. Wes shoots Daniel, and Alicia picks up a gun, and aims it at Wes. She asks if Daniel is okay, and Daniel says he’s fine. He needs to warn the others. Victor tells him where to find Grace, June, and Wen, and says, free them. Wes says, do it, and he’ll kill Alicia. He can’t let her do it. She says, she saved life. He believed in them once before, and she’s asking for the same thing again. Before Wes can make a decision, Victor runs through Wes with his sword. Buh-bye, Wes. Alicia asks why he did that, and he says, for the same reason he built the tower; so she wouldn’t have to. Wes wasn’t going to stand down, and they’re running out of time. Let’s go and turn that light off.
A zombie toddles around outside, and Dwight stabs it in the head. He says, Alicia should have been out by now, and Luci says, they can’t wait. Sarah says, as long as that beacon is spinning, the skinbags will be on them like flies on a turd. They see people coming, and it’s June, pushing Wen in his wheelchair, with Grace alongside her. Sarah asks if Wen is all right, and he says he’s better now. Dwight asks, what the hell is going on? but Daniel says, he doesn’t have time to explain. They all need to get inside. Grace asks where Morgan is, but Dwight says, they don’t know yet. Daniel says, they need to hurry. Alicia and Victor are turning the light off. Luci is surprised they’re on the same side, and Daniel says, there are dead in a crater, and the light is drawing them. Dwight asks, how far? but Daniel says he’s not sure. He urges them inside, and June says she has to patch Daniel’s gunshot wound, but he says he has to see Charlie first. Victor tried to convince him that Charlie was Ofelia, continuing what Luci started. He asks why Luci did that, and Luci says, she thought it was the only way. Some rangers start shooting at them, and they run inside. We see zombies coming toward the tower, and Wen says, they’re trying box us out. They shoot back at the ranger.
Victor shoots the snipers on the roof, and Alicia asks why they’re still shooting. He says, the rangers guarding the tunnel must have circled round, and she says, they’re sitting ducks. She tells Victor to turn the beacon off; she’ll give as much cover as she can. He goes over to the light, and she asks what he’s doing. Why is he waiting? He says, she’s never going to forgive him, and she asks what he’s talking about. He says, even if turns the beacon off, even if he helps her save everyone, the damage has already been done. She says, they don’t have time for this, and walks toward the light, but he pushes her down, and a wire snaps, hitting the tower where the beacon is. He says, it’s never going to be enough. He’ll never make her love him. She says, he ruined it by what he did to Wes, and he says he had no choice. She says, he’s always had a choice, and he always makes the wrong one. He says, he was saving her life, but she says, he was trying to save his own life. And he didn’t care who he killed to do it. He says, that’s not true, and she says, the person he used to be person, the person he said he wanted to forget, was never him. She goes after him, but gets the pokey thing on the end of her arm stuck in something, and another cable snaps, hitting the beacon. Sparks fly, and the light goes out. Alicia says, they’re here.
Alicia and Victor look down. A zombie grabs some random person, and the others run inside. Alicia climbs up, and fiddles with the fuse box. Victor asks what she’s doing, and she sets up the transmitter. Victor says, it’s too late; there’s no way out of here, but Alicia says, there’s one. Speaking into the mic, she says, this is Alicia Clark. If you’re listening to this, you’re not alone. The place you’ve been looking for, the place you heard about, Padre, it’s here; it’s at the tower. She gives the coordinates, and says, We’re going to build the new home you’ve been looking for. We can help, but first we’re going to need help from you. A fire starts, and Victor says, it’s going to spread through the whole building. Alicia faints and falls, the roof ablaze.
Next time, a road trip, still looking for Padre, and the tower burns.
⚰️ Dead Stuff…
My regular computer is wonky, so no bells and whistles, just news.
Short but sweet, join me for soap and what’s on Deck tomorrow. Hopefully, I’ll be back at my normal device. Until then, stay safe, stay being the person your dog thinks you are, and stay remembering, it’s never too late to learn new things.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
At The Savoy, Bobbie stares daggers at Nina, and Sonny tells her, don’t worry about them. Nina asks what they’re doing here, and he asks what she means. Carly tells Bobbie to stop glaring; don’t give them the satisfaction. Bobbie says, Sonny is parading around with Nina. Where’s his sense of shame? He’s actually holding her hand. Carly says, if it doesn’t affect Donna, she doesn’t care, and Bobbie says, Carly might be over it, but she’s not. She thinks it’s high time she gave them a piece of her mind. She gets up.
At Kelly’s, Finn gives Violet a placemat and crayons, telling her that she can draw whatever she likes. He puts headphones on her head, and she says she likes the song. She gets busy drawing, and Finn tells Gregory that he thinks she’s sufficiently distracted. He doesn’t want to scare her. Gregory says, with talk of ghosts, because Elizabeth thinks Franco is… haunting her? but Finn says, no. He thinks Violet is onto something because the only person present at every incident was Elizabeth. Gregory says, because someone is harassing her, but Finn says, what if that someone is Elizabeth herself?
Elizabeth picks up Violet’s drawing of the family, and tears Finn and Violet off of it.
Taggert thanks Portia for the invitation, and I’m confused. Wasn’t she at The Savoy with Epiphany and Stella? He says he could certainly use the company, and she says, so he read Trina’s Title IX report too. He says, hell yeah, and she asks if he thinks it’s going to have any impact on Trina’s criminal trial. He says, there wouldn’t be a criminal trial in the first place if it wasn’t for their esteemed Commissioner.
TJ says, the muggers already have their wallets and their phones; isn’t it enough? Marshall says, just take it, handing over the clarinet case, but TJ struggles with guy two as he takes it. Marshall pushes guy one back, and drops the knife.
Michael and Wiley play with toy cars, and Michael says he hopes Wiley gets this out of his system before he’s 16. Wiley says, 16 is old, and Michael says, thanks, buddy. He asks how Willow is feeling, and she says, Epiphany warned her nursing school would be hard, but she’s exhausted. He says he’s glad she didn’t stick it out for Leo’s birthday party. She was missed, but there were plenty of people there to celebrate. She asks if Leo had a good time, and Michael says, he did. She says, she tried taking a nap, but she couldn’t fall asleep, and Wiley says he could read her a bedtime story that always makes him fall asleep. She suggests she and daddy read him a story, since it’s past his bedtime, and Michael thinks they should spend a little extra time with him tonight. Willow says, how about two bedtime stories, and afterward, they’ll snuggle. Wiley wants a bedtime snack too, and Michael says, he drives a hard bargain. Willow says, deal, and Wiley says, yay!
Carly asks Bobbie to please sit down. She just said, she doesn’t want to give them the satisfaction. Bobbie says she’s Carly’s mother, and has the right to be indignant on her behalf. Carly says she understands that, and loves Bobbie for it, but can they keep the indignation between them? Please. Bobbie says, okay, fine, and sits back down. But Carly better buckle up because Bobbie has something to say to her, and she’s not going to like it.
Sonny says, he and Nina are just two people trying to wipe out their troubles for a while. There’s nothing wrong with that. Nina says, it seems like Bobbie definitely disagrees, and now that The Invader has reminded everyone in the world of her many transgressions, she’s sure there are plenty of people who have opinions about seeing them together. He says, people can think what they want. They don’t know them or what they’ve been through. She says she doesn’t care about people, she cares about him, but she can’t ignore the fact she caused him a lot of trouble, and it’s time she did something about that. He says, like what?
Gregory says, Finn thinks Elizabeth is stalking herself? That’s absurd. Finn says, this person keeps getting to Elizabeth without leaving a trace. At her home, at the hospital, at her room at the MetroCourt. Gregory says, there has to be another explanation, and Finn says, of course (🍷) she has access to her home, to her room at the MetroCourt, and Franco’s art studio, which would explain how someone got in and out without getting caught. The only big hole in the theory is that she wasn’t at home when the portrait was placed on the mantel. If he remembers correctly, no one saw Elizabeth sleeping at GH that night. Is it possible she went home and placed the painting there herself? Gregory says, there’s an even bigger hole in Finn’s theory. He’s told Gregory many times what a loving, devoted mom Elizabeth is to her three sons. Why would she torment herself, let alone her three boys?
Elizabeth sits on the couch in the dark, cutting up the part of the picture she tore off with a pair of scissors. Cameron comes in and turns on the lights. He says, mom? but she doesn’t acknowledge him.
Taggert says, Jordan, and she says, it’s good to see him… she thinks. He asks, what happened? The Jordan he knew was committed to justice being served. Jordan and Portia say hi, and Jordan tells Taggert, she can assure him that her commitment to justice is as strong as ever. He says, really? Then why is his daughter still facing a trial when it’s obvious she’s been framed? Jordan says, he knows she can’t comment on ongoing investigations, and he says he’s aware of the evidence she has against Trina. He worked at the PCPD a long time, and still has connections. What he doesn’t understand is why she’s sitting on her hands, letting Trina take the fall, instead of going out and finding the real criminal.
Guy one picks up his knife and slashes Marshall, who falls to the ground. The clarinet goes flying, and TJ runs to Marshall. Guy one throws TJ against the wall, and it’s two against one, but Curtis shows up. He kicks the muggers’ asses, as TJ tends to Marshall. Guy two (I think) runs off, and Curtis knocks the other one down. He says, at least they got one of them, and TJ asks if Marshall can hear him. He tells Curtis, call 9-1-1.
Portia tells Taggert to give his former partner some credit. She knows who Trina is, just like they do. Jordan says she’s still keeping an eye on Trina’s case, even though it’s now in the DA’s hands. Taggert thanks her for whatever she may or may not be doing, and she says, he may or may not be welcome. Portia asks if Jordan heard about the Title IX report that PCU released today, and Jordan says she hasn’t seen it yet, but assumes a copy went straight to the DA’s office. Portia says, Trina read it and she’s interpreting it as bad news. She’s concerned if she’s found responsible, she’s going to be expelled. She asks if Jordan thinks that would make it more likely Trina would be found guilty in the criminal trial.
Carly asks what she’s not going to like, and Bobbie says, Carly is putting on a great front, but there’s no point in torturing herself. Let’s leave. Carly says, no. She didn’t do anything wrong; she’s not going anywhere. Would Bobbie have let Lucy Coe run her out of every club? Bobbie says, she’s not suggesting Carly leave in every instance, but tonight, she doesn’t need the extra stress. She has nothing to prove. Carly says, Bobbie is right, but she’s still not going anywhere.
Nina says, the way she sees it, Sonny has been suffering the consequences of her bad choices. He almost died saving her from a fire that Peter set. Then when he got his memory back, he came back from a family, and moved on from her. His wife married her best friend, his marriage ended, and now he has a feud with his son because of her. Her being here with him is not a good idea. So for once, she’s going to make it easy on him, think about him, and go. He says, wait a minute. She can go if she wants to, but don’t do it on his account. Because for him, her being around is no trouble.
Finn says, Gregory is right; Elizabeth is a wonderful mother. Gregory says, then why would she create a situation where it wasn’t safe to live with her kids? and Finn says, she had trouble sleeping; the doctor even gave her a prescription. Gregory says, so? and Finn says, people react differently. Sleep aids have made people do lots of things; sleepwalking for one. Maybe that’s why she doesn’t remember any of these incidents. He has to go talk to her. He asks if Gregory will look after Violet for a minute, and Gregory says, of course (🍷), but he wants Finn to be careful. If Finn’s theory is right, and Elizabeth is responsible, either consciously or unconsciously, she attacked Chase. Who knows what else she might be capable of? Finn takes Violet’s headphones off, and says he’s sorry, but he has to go do something. She says he hasn’t had dessert yet, and he asks her to bring him something to go. He’ll see her at home later. She asks if he’s going to see Aunt Elizabeth, and he says he is. She tells him to let Elizabeth know she’s making her another drawing, and he says he will. He says he loves her, kisses the top of her head, and leaves.
Elizabeth continues to concentrate on cutting the picture, and Cameron says, mom? It’s him; he’s home. She doesn’t even acknowledge him, and he sits on the couch. He says, she’s starting to freak him out a little bit. Is she okay? What is she doing? She freezes, with the scissors midair.
Jordan says, there’s a good chance the judge won’t even allow the Title IX to be entered into evidence, and Portia says, that’s good news. Taggert says, it’s not guaranteed, and Jordan says, no, but he has to have faith. He says, that’s in short supply these days, and walks off. Portia says, Jordan will have to forgive Taggert. He’s hurting right now, but he knows she supports Trina, and he’s grateful; as is Portia. She asks if Jordan wants to join her and have a drink, if she’s not on the clock, and Jordan says she’s definitely off duty. She just came to blow off some steam. Portia says, by herself? and Jordan says she knows Curtis is out of town. She just doesn’t want any unsavory characters thinking they can take advantage. Portia asks if Jordan is saying Curtis’s business is being threatened.
Molly arrives, seeing the police cars, and ambulance. She says, oh my God, TJ, and runs to him. She asks, what happened? When they didn’t show up at the club, she went looking for them and saw the lights. TJ says, they were headed to an alley. Marshall said it was a back way to get into the club, when all of a sudden, they were stopped by some muggers who had knives. They gave them their phones and their wallets, but they got greedy; they wanted Marshall’s clarinet case. Curtis says, all of this because Marshall didn’t want to let go of his clarinet case? and TJ says, no, Marshall did, but he knew how important the clarinet was to him. So when he saw Marshall handing over the case, he reached for it, and they started struggling. Marshall is taken away on a stretcher, and Curtis says, it’s okay. TJ was brave. They’re taking Marshall to New York Methodist. Let’s go. They go, leaving Molly in the alley by herself. Where TJ and Marshall just got mugged.
Finn goes to Elizabeth’s house, and asks Cameron, what’s going on? Cameron says he doesn’t know. He came home a while ago, and Elizabeth was just cutting that paper. She won’t say anything, and he doesn’t know what to do. Finn picks up part of the picture, and sees his head has been cut out of it. He sits on the couch, and tells Elizabeth, it’s him. Can she hear him? She just stares into space, her hand holding the scissors still frozen, and Cameron says, what’s wrong with her? Why won’t she say anything? Finn tells her, it’s okay. Can she give him the scissors? There’s no response, and he cups his hand around the scissors. Elizabeth comes to, and he tells her, it’s okay. He promises no one is going to hurt her. He takes the scissors, and she says, Finn?What’s happening? She looks around, and says, she’s home? How did she get here?
Michael says, Wiley fell asleep early, and Willow wonders why. Could it be because someone kept him up an hour past his bedtime playing trucks? Michael says he knows it’s best to get him on a regular routine, but they were having so much fun, he felt bad calling it a night. She says, what if that all changes tomorrow? She’s really stressed about the hearing. What reasonable grandmother wouldn’t want contact with their grandchild? And Nina is really good at convincing people she’s reasonable. He says, worrying themselves into the ground isn’t going to do any good. Diane has repeatedly told him they have a strong case. Willow says, it’s not a slam dunk. What if they’re both wrong, and Nina wins?
In the back of the club, Taggert sees Sonny, who asks if he’s enjoying his night. Taggert says, not even a little, and Sonny says he knows what’s going on with Trina. Taggert says, Trina had nothing to do with what happened with Sonny’s stepdaughter, and Sonny says he knows that. Josslyn spends a lot of time with Trina, and he knows Trina is a great person. She’d never do what she’s being accused of. Taggert nods moves on.
Carly is looking at her phone, and Bobbie says, if she wants to have a conversation with Carly, should she start sending texts? Carly says, sorry. She’s just really distracted right now. Bobbie asks if it’s about the test results from GH, and Sonny’s supersonic ears pick that up. Bobbie says, she thought Carly was going to forget about that until tomorrow, and Sonny says, test results at GH; Is Carly sick? What’s going on? Bobbie says she thinks they could use a minute. She’ll be back. She leaves, and Sonny sits down. He asks if this has anything to do with when Carly was attacked by Harmony, and she says she appreciates his concern, but her life has nothing to do with him anymore. He says, she’s Donna’s mother, and she says, and if it affected Donna, she’d tell him. He says she can’t brush this off that easy. He knows when she’s hiding something.
Bobbie goes to the bar, and asks if Nina is enjoying her evening. Nina says, considering the visitation hearing is tomorrow, it’s probably best they didn’t speak tonight. Bobbie says, if Nina listens to what she has to say, there won’t be a hearing tomorrow.
Willow asks Michael, what if they’re forced to let Nina see Wiley? She’s so needy. She wants Wiley to love her. She wants him to console her over the loss of Nelle. It’s not really about Wiley at all. She’s afraid of the lesson he might take from that; that his needs don’t matter. As Wiley grows up, he’s going to have to handle challenges, and deal with people who are out for themselves, but she wants him to know that family is always a place he can feel loved and protected. Michael says, he will. They’ll block Nina’s petition, he promises. She says, when she found out about Harmony’s lies, it made her stop and reassess what family means. He and Wiley matter more to her than anything. She’ll always fight for them. He says, and he’ll be by her side. No matter what Nina throws at them tomorrow, or in the future, they’ll hit her back twice as hard. She asks if it’s messed up that hearing him say that makes her love him more, and he says, not at all. Hearing how protective she is, and how she wants to keep their family safe, makes him love her even more. She says, it seems they’re a perfect match, and he says, 1000%, and they kiss.
Jordan tells Portia, she doesn’t think Curtis is in any trouble. She’s just being overly cautious. Portia says she knows Jordan still cares about Curtis, and Jordan says, it’s not like that, but Portia says, she didn’t mean it in that way. She means Jordan is always going to be family to Curtis, and she respects that. She’s glad Jordan has his back. Jordan asks if Portia has heard from him, and Portia says, he texted her when he got to Brooklyn, but she hasn’t heard anything from him since. Jordan says she hasn’t had any updates from TJ either. She wonders if they found Marshall yet, and Portia hopes when they do, they’re able to heal the wounds between Curtis and his dad.
At the hospital, TJ says, this is on him. He doesn’t know what he was thinking, grabbing for that case. Molly says, he was being mugged. He acted on instinct because he knows how important that clarinet is to Marshall. Curtis says, TJ was incredibly brave. He knows it’s Marshall’s most prized possession. He did right by Marshall. A doctor comes out, and Curtis asks if his father is okay. The doctor says, he lost a lot of blood, but he’s stable. They’re going to take him for a CT and an MRI to rule out any traumatic brain injury. Before they do, is there anything about Marshall’s medicant history they should know? Any medications? Any allergies? Curtis says, he takes blood pressure medication, but he’s not sure which kind or the dosage. Marshall just recently came back to their family. They don’t know much about his medical history. The doctor goes back, and TJ says, there’s still so much they don’t know about Marshall. Curtis says, they still have a chance, but TJ says, what if he doesn’t make it? Curtis says he knows TJ is a doctor, and his first impulse is to go to the worst case scenario, but don’t let himself go there. They came all this way to find Marshall. They’re not going to give up now.
Gregory tells Violet not to worry; everything will be okay. He won’t worry either. She shows him her latest drawing – everyone seated at a long table – and he says, it’s beautiful. She says, it’s him, her, Aunt Elizabeth, daddy, and Uncle Chase at a tea party. Maybe Aunt Elizabeth will feel better if they throw her a tea party. It always makes her feel better. Gregory says, sometimes grown-up problems are more complicated, and she says, she wishes she never has grown-up problems. He says, if he could keep her this age he would, and she wonders if she can ask him something. He says, anything, and she asks if he’s going to finish his brownie. He gives it to her.
Finn asks, what’s the last thing Elizabeth remembers? and she says she was lying down Laura’s. Did Laura and Doc bring her here? He says he called Laura’s because he wanted to talk to her; he wanted to apologize. Laura told him that she’d snuck out. He came looking here first. She says she doesn’t remember any of that. Did Cameron pick her up and drive her here? Cameron says, no. He’s been crashing at Ian’s dorm, and came back to get his laptop. He found her sitting here, and tried talking to her, but she ignored him like she was in a trance. She asks what she was doing, and he says, she was just sitting there, cutting up that picture. She says, that’s the picture Violet gave her Why would she destroy it? Why doesn’t she remember any of this? Finn asks if she wants to go back to Laura and Doc’s and talk about it in the morning. Elizabeth says she doesn’t know why came or what she was doing. If Finn knows what’s going on, he has to tell her. Cameron says he agrees with his mom. If Finn has any idea what’s happening, they need to hear it. Finn says he thinks maybe the person they’ve been looking for, the one who’s intruding on her life, is her. Cameron asks if Finn is saying his mom has been harassing their family. That’s just not possible; she wouldn’t do that. Finn says he’s sorry. He knows it’s upsetting, but they have to understand Elizabeth wasn’t conscious of what she was doing. It was a form of sleepwalking. It explains how someone kept getting in and out without leaving any evidence. Cameron’s mom was present for almost every intrusion. Elizabeth gets up, and says, no, that’s impossible. There’s no way she’d forget doing all of those things. Finn says, just tonight she lost track of time. She doesn’t remember leaving Laura’s; she doesn’t remember coming here. She doesn’t remember cutting up Violet’s drawing. When he and Cam found her, she woudn’t respond to either one of them. Doesn’t Cameron agree? Cameron says, yes. He kept trying to talk to her, and she ignored him, like he wasn’t there. Finn says, if they hadn’t found her, if she’d come out of it on her own, what would she have thought happened? She says she doesn’t know. If what he’s saying is true, she’s the one who stashed the ring. She’s the one who slashed her dress she wore when she married Franco. She put the portrait he did of her up here? How would she even get it? Did she set fire to Franco’s studio? Is she the one who hit Chase over the head? What’s happening to her? Finn says, it’s okay. He holds her, and says, it’s going be okay. She looks pretty freaked.
TJ says, he’d update his mom, but he doesn’t want to worry her until they have definitive answers. Curtis asks if TJ and Marshall got to talk much before the mugging, and TJ says, Marshall was reluctant to come back to Port Charles. He also said he did Curtis and his dad a favor when he left all those years ago. Curtis says, he’s not the only one, and TJ says, he agrees? Curtis says, not him; his mom. Molly asks how he knows this, and Curtis says, Stella told him that she knew all along Marshall was alive. According to Aunt Stella, it was Marshall’s idea to disappear after he got arrested. And the strange thing is, his mom agreed with it. TJ says, that doesn’t make any sense. Why? Curtis says, Aunt Stella said that had to come from Marshall. Believe him. He had all those questions and more. Now they just have to hope Marshall tells them what he’s been hiding. An orderly comes out, and asks if they’re Marshall’s family, and Curtis asks, is his father okay?
Taggert says he’s going to take off, and Portia says, they’re going to help Trina through this, no matter what comes her way. They hug, and Jordan tells Taggert, Trina is a fantastic young woman. She doesn’t want to see Trina hurt. Are they good? Taggert says, they go way back, and Jordan certainly proved to be true to his family. Whatever she’s doing, he trusts her. He leaves, and Jordan says she knows Trina is in a difficult situation, but she sure has an amazing support system around her. Joss and Cam stood by her, and of course (🍷) there’s Portia, Curtis, and Taggert. Portia says, Taggert has always been such a devoted father, and Jordan remembers Portia saying she needs to tell Trina the truth about her father, when she and Portia were trapped in the basement. Portia asks if there’s something on Jordan’s mind, and Jordan says, Portia, and the things she said the day they were almost killed.
Carly says, whatever she’s doing, whatever tests she’s had run, Sonny has lost the right to know about it. Sonny says, just because they’re divorced, doesn’t mean they weren’t partners for years, so if she’s sick or hurt, he wants to know about it. Not just because of the kids, but because he cares about her. He sent her a voicemail after Harmony attacked her; did she get it? She says she did. She’s sorry she didn’t respond. He says he knows things are different, but he’ll always be here for her. She says she’s not sick or hurt, and he says, then what’s these GH test results, and why are they so important?
Bobbie tells Nina, call off the petition before it blows up in her face, but Nina says she’s not discussing this with Bobbie. They’re going before a judge tomorrow. Nina starts to leave, and Bobbie says, wait a minute. Does she really think those articles will be the end of it? Michael will keep coming for her. Nina says, let him. He can’t say anything worse than he has already. Bobbie asks if Nina knows that she was the first one to see through Nelle. She had Nelle pegged as a gold digging psycho the first time her daughter let Nelle through the door. Now she sees where Nelle got it. Nina is more polished, but she’s just as entitled and just as greedy, helping herself to things that don’t belong to her; like other people’s husbands and other people’s children. Nina says, Bobbie is no Mother Teresa herself. She knows all about Bobbie’s messy sordid past, all the way back to when she manipulated Laura and Scotty, because she wanted Scotty for herself. And let’s not forget all the people Bobbie lied to, and this little nugget, all the husbands she cheated on. Bobbie says she hasn’t wrecked any homes lately, unlike Nina, who helped herself to Sonny. Not that Nina cares what it did to Carly, but what about Donna and Avery? She doesn’t care about two little girls who love their family? She’d rather go around wringing her hands over Nelle, and make excuses for Nelle’s laundry list of crimes. Nina says, she was robbed of a chance to help her daughter, to help Nelle, but Bobbie got a second chance with her daughter, didn’t she? So Carly turned out to be every bit as twisted as her prostitute mother. Didn’t Bobbie think she knew about that part of her sordid past? Fortunately, Scotty likes to talk. Bobbie says, if she was younger, she’d toss a pitcher of margaritas all over Nina, and Nina says, but now she’s older… and wiser. Bobbie says, young at heart… only a bit wiser, and throws her drink in Nina’s face. Is Bobbie really this stupid? I hate when they make the characters seem like idiots. But of course (🍷 goes for me too), Nina will be stupid and do nothing.
Michael and Willow get busy and there’s a song part. I take a power nap.
Jordan tells Portia, memory is a funny thing, isn’t it? She hadn’t thought about their near death experience in ages. Then all of a sudden, she’s hearing Portia’s voice talking about telling Trina the truth about her father. Portia says, personally she likes to keep close encounters with death locked deep in her psyche, but thanks for the reminder. Jordan says she’ll keep her mouth shut next time. Did Portia ever tell Trina what she thought Trina should know about Taggert? Portia says, she was deprived of oxygen, as was Jordan. Clearly she wasn’t thinking straight. Of course (🍷) in any conversation she’d have with Trina about her father, he’d be included. Jordan tells her, just don’t keep it inside forever. They only have to look at Marshall to see how secrets in families can fester. Portia says she thinks Curtis still has time to make things right with his father, and Jordan says, if they give themselves that chance. Portia says, Curtis will. He always does what’s right by his family.
The orderly says, they’re bringing Marshall back from his tests, and gives Curtis his effects (i.e. his stuff). Curtis asks if it’s possible to see him, and she says, he can only have one visitor at a time. TJ tells Curtis to go, and he follows the orderly. TJ looks in the bag, and says, Marshall’s clarinet. It must still be in the alley; he has to go back and get it. Molly says, no, he doesn’t. She takes pieces of the clarinet out of her bag, and says, she scooped these up, even though some pieces are damaged a little bit. TJ says, now they just need Marshall to wake up.
Curtis sits by Marshall’s bed. He sighs.
Violet asks if Gregory will keep her drawing safe, and he says he’ll guard it with his life. She says, if it will make him feel better, he can hold her hand. They walk out hand-in-hand.
Elizabeth asks why she’s doing these horrible things. What’s wrong with her? Finn says he doesn’t know, but he promises they’re going to find out.
Willow says, Michael’s really not worried about the visitation hearing tomorrow, and he says, of course (🍷) he is, but they have each other. They’ll find a way to make everything okay. She says she loves him, and he says, and he loves her.
Nina says, Bobbie going to pay for this, tomorrow when she gets legal visitation rights to Wiley. Carly runs up, grabbing Bobbie away, and Sonny says, back off; that’s enough. Sonny gets a napkin from the bar, and gives it to Nina, who wipes her face. He asks, what happened? and Nina tells him, let’s just say it was a painful reminder of how important it is she’s granted legal visitation rights to Wiley.
Carly asks if Bobbie is okay, and Bobbie says, she knows she should have been the bigger person, but she couldn’t stop herself. Carly says, way to go, mom, and Bobbie says she’s surprised Carly isn’t mad. Carly says, she loved it. That is the least of what Nina deserves. Bobbie says, give her hell tomorrow at the hearing, and Carly says she intends to
On Monday, TJ tells Curtis that he found something he wasn’t expecting; Finn tells Chase, he thinks he knows who’s been harassing Elizabeth; Elizabeth asks if she’s losing her mind; and Dante tells Sonny, think about it before he gets on the stand on behalf of Nina.
🎉 Something To Celebrate…
God bless ‘em. Forty years is a long time to be at any job.
What can be added to the happiness of a man who is in health, out of debt, and has a clear conscience? – Adam Smith
I’ll join this conversation on the proviso that we stop bitching about people, talking about wigs, dresses, bust sizes, penises, drugs, night clubs, and bloody Abba! – Bernadette (Terrence Stamp), Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others. – Winston Churchill
Gardens, scholars say, are the first sign of commitment to a community. When people plant corn they are saying, let’s stay here. And by their connection to the land, they are connected to one another. – Anne Raver
Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world. – Albert Einstein
According to police, the “defecation was significant enough that 8 wigs were destroyed as a result.” – NY Post article about Public Enemy #2, who made poopie in a beauty supply store
Our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children’s future. And we are all mortal. – John F. Kennedy
Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity. – Henry Van Dyke Jr.
Tequila. – Pope Francis, in talking about what he needs to ease his knee pain.
🏃🏽♀️ Born To Run…
See you when it’s time to Fear the Dead. Until then, stay safe, stay respecting others’ opinions, but thinking for yourself, and stay being the bigger person, even if you think you can’t stop yourself. Because IRL, that’s not how any of this works.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Carly checks at reception to see if the DNA results came back yet, but it’s a no. She wonders how long it takes, when Bobbie comes along and asks what test results she’s waiting for.
Nina comes into The Savoy, and N’neka says, if she’s looking for the boss, he’s not here tonight. Nina takes a seat at the bar, and says, Curtis told her that he was going to look for his father. However, given the challenging day she has tomorrow, Nina was thinking about one of their signature martinis. N’neka says, she’s got it, and Nina says, if she could throw in a little forgetfulness on the side, that would be great. A guy walks past, and says he knows her; the mafia homewrecker. Does that make her the new mob boss lady? She tells him, keep talking. She can have the bouncer here in five seconds. Sonny comes up behind him, and says, hey buddy. You got a problem with the lady? You got a problem with the lady, you got a problem with me.
Epiphany and Portia are in the conference room, and Stella asks, is it okay if a former colleague comes by to say hello? Epiphany tells her, come on in, and Stella says, it’s good to see her. Epiphany says, likewise, and she’s glad to see Stella isn’t suffering any ill effects from her recent panic attack. Stella asks Portia if she should be going to church twice a week to thank God, and Portia says she doesn’t think it’s necessary unless Stella has a thing for the preacher. Epiphany laughs, and Portia says, as far as her panic attack, Stella seems to be back to her old self again. Stella says she’s glad to hear that. She’s sure Curtis told Portia what was going on. Portia says, he told her everything, and Stella says, really? Everything?
TJ says, granddad. How’d Marshall find them here? Marshall says, old man Purdy at the music shop. He told Marshall that he could find them here. Molly says, it’s so good to see him. She and TJ traveled all this way just to find him. Marshall says he sees, and TJ asks if Marshall is sorry they’re here. Did they come all this way for nothing?
At Kelly’s, Gregory tells Violet that she takes after her dad. When he was young, he always had his nose in some book. She says, he’s funny. Everyone knows you can’t drive with your nose. Gregory laughs, and says, she’s so much smarter than he is; the wisdom of youth. She asks, what’s youth? and he says, it’s everything she is, and everything old guys like him would like to be.
Laura lets Finn into the apartment, and he says he promises he won’t stay long. He’s meeting his dad and Violet, but wanted to make sure Elizabeth was okay. Laura says, she’s still up in her room, hopefully sleeping, and he asks if she’s said any more about… Laura says, ghosts?No, not at all. Finn says, good, and Doc walks in. He says he’d assume Elizabeth isn’t any less convinced that Franco’s spirit spoke to her, and Laura says, through that phony medium Chelsea Lamb? Doc says he shares Laura’s doubts, but to Elizabeth, Chelsea is the key to contacting Franco. Finn says he understands grief. He thinks he understands it better than most, but he’s having a hard time understanding why Elizabeth wants to believe Franco’s ghost is trying to communicate with her. Elizabeth is on the stairs, and says, maybe because she trusts the dead more than she trusts the living right now.
Carly says she’s fine, and Bobbie asks why she’s having tests run. Carly says, just as a precaution. If there was something wrong she’d tell Bobbie. She’s not going anywhere. Bobbie says, good, because after she read that article on Nina’s petition for visitation in The Invader, Wiley is going to need Carly more than ever. Carly says she read the first part of the feature this morning, and Bobbie says she thinks it’s a good thing for people to know who Nina really is and what she’s capable of. Carly says, and if it helps Michael and Willow tomorrow, and kills Nina’s attempt at visitation with Wiley, even better. Bobbie couldn’t agree more, and says, anything that keeps Nina away from Wiley is a good thing, but as Carly’s mother, she can’t help but warn her, be careful what you wish for.
Sonny tells the guy that the lady is with him. Does he have something to say to her? They guy stammers, no, Mr. Corinthos… yes. He tells Nina that he’s sorry, and jets.
Portia says she knows Stella was close to her late sister, and Irene kept nothing from her. Stella says, then she understands that she couldn’t violate Irene’s trust, even after they lost her. Portia says, Curtis understands why Stella did what she did. Why not let him worry about healing those old family wounds? Isn’t that right, Nurse Johnson? Epiphany tells her, whatever you say, and Portia says, it won’t be long before Epiphany is the one asking all the questions, and they start calling her Dr. Johnson. Stella says, Epiphany is studying to be a doctor? She had no idea. Epiphany says, she missed her chance once to be a doctor, and thought she’d give it another shot. Stella says, good for her. What good is living if we can’t dream, and dream big? Epiphany says, Stella reminds her of someone she used to know.
Marshall says it’s good to see TJ and Molly, but he has to ask, how did they know where to look? Molly says, TJ may be a doctor, but he clearly inherited his mother’s detective skills. TJ says he found a receipt from a few months ago in Marshall’s clarinet case, and figured that was as good a lead as any. So he called the shop, and spoke with Mr. Purdy, who agreed to speak with him if he bought Purdy dinner. Marshall knows the rest. Marshall says, they’re a regular Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. Does Curtis know they’re here? TJ says, absolutely. They’ve had enough secrets, doesn’t he think? Molly suggests she call Curtis right now, but Marshall says, don’t do that. TJ says, whatever went down with Uncle Curtis, once they get back home, they can clear the air and talk it all out. Marshall says he’s sorry, but that’s not going to happen.
Finn says they care about Elizabeth. That’s why she sent Jake and Aiden to live here in the first place, because she trusts Laura and Doc. She asks why they’re all down here whispering, and Laura says, because they thought she was asleep and didn’t want to wake her. Elizabeth says, or it could be, if she really believes she was speaking to Franco through Chelsea, she could be losing her mind? Finn says, no one is whispering, and no one thinks she’s crazy, and Elizabeth says, so if she’s not crazy to think Chelsea could communicate with the dead, then she’s what? A credulous fool? Somehow, that’s even worse. Laura says, no one thinks Elizabeth is a fool for wanting to believe someone she loved and lost isn’t gone forever. But he isn’t really. He lives on in Elizabeth’s heart and in the heart of her sons, and in the memories of the house she shared with him. Doc says, memories make us human, and it’s only natural to want to believe in something beyond this material world. Finn says, you have to be careful of people who want you to trust the dead more than you trust the living. Elizabeth has friends; she can trust them. She has family; she can trust them. She has him, and she can trust him. There’s a noise, and they all turn to look.
Nina says, that boy must be halfway to Buffalo by now, and Sonny says, if he has any sense. Nina thanks him, but says, he doesn’t need to defend her honor; she can take care of herself. She has the battle scars to prove it. He says he knows; he’s seen them. N’neka brings one signature martini and one scotch, but Sonny says he’d like a club soda on the rocks. Nina says she’s impressed that he’s sticking to his resolve, and he’s says he’s impressed with her, coming in here with her head held high after that hatchet job in The Invader. She says, let’s not talk about that, and let’s not talk about the hearing tomorrow either. They’re realities in her life, but they don’t have to focus in on them. He asks what she wants to talk about, and she says she’s sure they can think of something.
Carly tells Bobbie that she’s listening. Why does she need to be careful what she wishes for? How can The Invader article be anything but good for Wiley? Boy, Carly can sure be stupid at times. She says, if it helps insure Nina has no part in Wiley’s life, it’s a win-win, but Bobbie says she can’t help worry that the article could have unintended consequences. Carly says, like what? and Bobbie says, Sonny can’t resist a damsel in distress. What if the article brings out the knight in shining armor in Sonny, and draws him and Nina back together again? Carly says, what if it does? and Bobbie says, come on. Don’t pretend she can’t see where this is heading. If Nina keeps finding ways to end up in Sonny’s arms, there’s no chance of Carly and Sonny getting back together. Carly says, that ship has sailed for good, but Bobbie says, this is her mother she’s talking to. That ship hasn’t even left the dock.
Sonny tells Nina that Avery danced with her dance class, and he knows he’s biased, but they were the biggest hit of the festival. Nina says, no, no bias. He said Leo recited a poem. Were all the Quartermaines there? He says, yeah, Michael and Willow were there, and she says, she knows how painful the situation with Michael is. They don’t have to talk about it. He says he wants to get it off his chest. Things were tense with Michael, but Dante was there to be the peacekeeper. She says, good for Dante. So things are okay between him and Michael? He says, after the article about her, and everything he’s learned since, he doesn’t think it’s going be okay with Michael for a long time.
Stella says she’d love to hear more about Epiphany’s plans for a future in medicine, but doesn’t want to keep her from her duties. Epiphany says, actually, she’s off the clock, and Portia says, so is she. What are they doing sitting here in this conference room? They should be out, painting the town red. Stella asks if Curtis knows Portia is stepping out on him, and Epiphany says, good for her. She needs to keep that man on his toes. Portia says, in no way is she saying they go out looking for trouble, but what’s wrong with three beautiful, smart women going out and enjoying a night on the town? Epiphany says, Portia had her at beautiful. She needs a night off from studying for these MCATs, and she can be out of these scrubs in a minute. Stella asks where they’re going, and Portia says, Curtis’s club. They’re going to drink for free tonight. They clink coffee cups.
TJ says he doesn’t understand what’s stopping Marshall from coming home with them. It’s not like there’s something keeping him here. Or is there? Molly says she thinks they could use some one-on-one time. She’s going to head to the jazz club they saw around the corner. She’ll see them both there later. Marshall gets up, and she steps aside with him. She says she doesn’t think he understands how important he is to TJ. They were supposed to go to Miami and just lie on a beach together, and TJ gave that up just to find him. Marshall nods and smiles, and Molly leaves. Marshall tells TJ, don’t ever give that one up, and TJ says, he never will, but that goes for Marshall too. TJ thinks if Marshall is honest with himself, he doesn’t want TJ to go either. Marshall says he appreciates the kind words, but too much damage has been done. So many misunderstandings, so many regrets, so many hard feelings. Everywhere he goes, he leaves a path of destruction in his wake. Apparently, he’s confused himself with Peter. He says, everybody is better off without him. and he’s better off alone. TJ says he doesn’t know how Marshall can feel that way. He’s never stuck around long enough to find out.
Violet holds out a drawing, and tells Gregory, look what she made. He takes it, and says, that’s beautiful, and she tells him, he’s holding it upside down. He says he knew that; he was just teasing. He turns it, and says, that’s even better. She looks sad, and he asks, what’s wrong? She says, it goes with the one she made for Aunt Elizabeth. It was a picture of her family; daddy, Aunt Elizabeth, Jake, Aiden, Cameron, and her. He says, and this one? and she says, that’s him and Uncle Chase. He says, of course (🍷). He can see it now. So now Elizabeth will have all of them together. She says, he’s learning.
At Laura’s, they find a vase has fallen to the floor, and smashed. Elizabeth says, see? It’s Franco’s spirit, because the three of them don’t believe he’s real. Laura says, there could also be a simple explanation. The vase could have just fallen off the shelf. Elizabeth says, it didn’t just fall; they don’t live in earthquake country. It was pushed. Doc says, it was pushed by the books. Probably because he didn’t lean them on the shelf the right way. It was an accident just waiting to happen. Laura says, there is an explanation, but Elizabeth says, no. She’s going to call Chelsea to prove Franco is reaching out to her.
Carly asks when Bobbie became Sonny’s biggest fan, but Bobbie says her opinion of Carly’s ex hasn’t changed. To be clear, she’s not urging them to get back together, but she’s a realist. She doesn’t think it would be easy for anyone to kiss a lifetime of memories goodbye, good or bad. Carly says, Sonny did. He was a different man when he came back from Nixon Falls. She tried hard to save their marriage and hold on to what they had, but when Sonny slept with Nina, it just confirmed what she knew; there was nothing left to save. It hurt, but it would hurt a lot more if she turned a blind eye to Sonny’s fascination with Nina, and tying herself up in knots to stay with Sonny, when he doesn’t value her or their family. That’s why she filed for divorce. That’s why she didn’t fight for assets. Fighting with Sonny keeps her tied to him, and she just wants to be free. Bobbie says, and if Nina helps herself to Sonny, it won’t bother Carly? Carly says, Sonny is a grown man. He can do as he chooses. Wiley is a different story. Nina is a bottomless pit of need. She needs to believe Nelle is redeemable. If she’s allowed access to Wiley’s life, she’s going to fill his little head with distortions and outright lies. She’s glad Michael and Willow are fighting her petition; she’d be worried if they weren’t. Bobbie says, and there’s no part of her that wants to get back at Nina? and Carly tells her, she’d love to say she’s over it, but she’ll never be over what Nina did. Never.
Sonny tells Nina, Dante warned him about something. It’s not so much what he said, but what he didn’t say. She says, about Michael? and he says, Dante told him it’s not just a difference of opinion; not just another family dust-up. He said, Michael isn’t just trying to cut Sonny out of his life; he’s trying to take Sonny down. Nina says, no; that’s horrible. She’s so sorry. He says, he’ll always love Michael, but he has other family to take care of, a business that he’s proud of, people counting on him. He’s not going to let Michael tear down what he’s spent a lifetime building up. Does she think he’s wrong? Stella, Portia, and Epiphany have come in, and Epiphany says, Sonny Corinthos. Now you know this is the place to be when he’s here.
TJ tells Marshall that he’s sorry. He didn’t say that as an insult; he said it because it’s the truth. Leaving his clarinet as a way to say goodbye. TJ doesn’t want something to remember Marshall by; he wants Marshall. He won’t let Marshall walk out on him like Marshall did on his dad and uncle 40 years ago. Marshall asks if TJ ever stopped to think he did them a favor, but TJ says, letting two little boys believe their father is dead? He wouldn’t call that a favor. He gets that as little boys there wasn’t much they could do, but when they got older, they could have helped clear his name. Maybe address the reasons Marshall got remanded in the first place. Marshall says, Curtis told him about that? and TJ says, all Curtis told him was that Marshall was at a protest when things went wrong. He got arrested and ended up in a mental institution instead of prison. But as a doctor and his grandson, he’s not going to invade Marshall’s privacy. He’s not going to second guess the past. TJ is Marshall’s family, and Marshall is his, and always will be. Don’t walk out on his family again.
Finn asks Elizabeth to please wait and hear him out. She says she’s listening, but she doesn’t know what he’s going to say that he hasn’t already said. He says, he’s obviously not doing a good job, since he hasn’t made it clear; he’s always on her side. She says, if that’s true, just be with her the next time Chelsea comes to her house to contact Franco’s spirit. He says he doesn’t think Chelsea is contacting anyone’s spirit. He knows there have been some strange occurrences happening, and it’s frustrating not being able to figure out who’s responsible, but he doesn’t think they have to jump to the supernatural for an explanation either. Laura says she believes everything Finn is saying, and encourages Elizabeth to listen to him. Doc says, he thinks this might be a good chance for them to talk through things privately, but Elizabeth says, no. If anyone is going to leave, it’s Finn. If he can’t see what’s really going on, she doesn’t want him here. He says he is seeing what’s happening here; is she? He thinks someone is trying to keep them apart; separate her from him, separate her from the boys, separate her from Violet. They’re trying to break down the foundation of the life they’re trying to build together, and she’s playing into their hands. She says she doesn’t want to hear any more from him, and he says, she doesn’t have to, and leaves.
Carly tells Bobbie, Nina is always her own worst enemy. It’s all spelled out in The Invader who the real Nina Reeves is, the damage she’s caused, all the crimes she’s committed. Not one word was untrue; that feature was thoroughly vetted. Reading it should change a lot of people’s minds about her. Bobbie says, including the judge presiding at the visitation hearing, and Carly says, that’s right. And if justice is served, Nina will get the same visitation rights Nelle had; none. Bobbie says, they can only hope, but Nina is Wiley’s biological grandmother. That might be a deciding factor for some judge. So has Carly decided what she’s going to do if Nina pulls another rabbit out of her hat, and the judge rules in her favor?
Sonny hugs Stella, and greets Epiphany and Portia. Stella says, it’s always nice to see him, and he says, they know Nina. Nina says, she’s sure they read The Invader. All she has to say is, don’t believe everything you see in the paper. Epiphany says, okay, and tells them, you twohave a good evening. The women go to their table, and Sonny says, that’s the thing he loves about Nina; she doesn’t back down; she doesn’t apologize. She says, it seems they have that in common. Before, he was going to ask what she thought about pushing back against Michael. He says, she didn’t give him an answer, and she says, here’s an answer; you’re not wrong.
Stella asks, how’s Trina? and Portia says, she’s putting on a brave face, but she’s worried about the trial; they all are. And on top of that, PCU filed a Title IX report. She read it, and it’s not good. Stella says she’s so sorry, and Epiphany says she is too. Trina is a fine young woman. Anyone who knows her, knows she’s innocent. Portia thanks her, and N’neka brings drinks. Stella says, they haven’t ordered yet, and N’neka says, courtesy of Mr. Corinthos. In a regal voice, Epiphany says, please tell him that we said thanks. N’neka goes back to the bar, and Epiphany asks Portia where Trina is tonight. Portia says, she’s with Josslyn. With Curtis out of town, she’d just be stuck home wondering about Trina, and thinking about the injustice her daughter is going through, but they came out to enjoy themselves, right? So let’s make a toast. Let’s toast to Epiphany nailing her MCATs. Epiphany says, we clink, and they do. Stella asks, what gave Epiphany the courage to pursue her dream? and Epiphany says she had a little push from a friend, or didn’t he tell Stella? Stella says, who? and Epiphany says, her brother-in-law Marshall. Stella says, whaat?
Marshall tells TJ, if Tommy were here, he’d be awfully proud of his son. Almost as proud as he is. TJ says, he appreciates the sentiment, but there’s such a thing as too much pride, and it’s safe to assume Marshall is too proud to admit he needs them as much as they need him. Marshall tells TJ to get his girl; he shouldn’t keep her waiting. TJ says, Molly is expecting both of them, so Marshall isn’t getting out of it. So let’s head on over to the club. Who knows? Maybe the spirit will move Marshall, he’ll sit in on a session, and show them how good he used to be. Marshall says, what does TJ mean, used to be? and TJ says, talk is cheap. Marshall says, okay. He knows when he’s on the losing end of an argument. Let’s do this.
On the phone, Elizabeth says, Chelsea, pick up… Stupid voicemail. Laura says, it’s getting kind of late. Elizabeth has been through a lot today. She suggests they go to bed, and Doc says, good idea. After a good night’s sleep, the world will look different in the morning. Elizabeth asks if he means she’ll be different; no longer delusional. Doc says, no one said she was delusional, but there is such a thing as the power of suggestion. Elizabeth says, maybe he’s right. Maybe in the morning, everything will look different. Elizabeth goes upstairs, and Laura says she wishes she could find the right words to help. Doc looks at the broken vase, and says, that’s a good metaphor for the evening. They go to find the broom and dustpan.
Violet says, her daddy is late again, and Gregory says, he’s a doctor; sometimes emergencies come up. Finn comes in, and Violet hugs him. He says she doesn’t know how badly he needed that hug. Gregory says, they were about to give up on him, and Finn says he stopped by Laura and Doc’s. Gregory asks, how’s Elizabeth? and Violet wants to show Finn her picture. He tells her that it’s beautiful; that’s her granddad, and that’s her Uncle Chase. Violet tells Gregory, see? He got it right away. A waitress walks by, and Violet calls her Miss Waitress, and gives her order for a hot fudge sundae. Gregory says, that bad? and Finn says he’s losing her.
Carly tells Bobbie that she hopes for the best, but if the judge rules in Nina’s favor, she needs to protect Wiley. Bobbie says, which means? but Carly says, she doesn’t want to talk about the hearing tomorrow. She’ll deal with it then. Bobbie asks, what about her tests? but Carly says, they’re not urgent. They can wait until tomorrow.
Sonny says, Nina’s understanding and belief mean more to him that she knows. He felt like it was Sonny Corinthos against the world. She puts her hand on his, and says, her money’s on him. She knows he loves Michael, and won’t resort to anything drastic. He says, respect is very important to him, and Michael crossed that line, with him and Nina. He was going attend tomorrow’s hearing, and be there to support Michael and Willow. She asks if he’s changed his mind, and he says, Michael’s made it clear he doesn’t want his support, so he’s free… to support her.
Epiphany tells Stella, she and Marshall had a little something going on, or so she thought, until he said goodbye. Has Stella heard from him? Stella looks at Portia, who says, she can tell Epiphany, and she says, Curtis went to look for Marshall. Portia says, Jordan told her that TJ’s gone searching too. She hopes they can find Marshall and convince him to come back home. Stella says, if only it were that easy. Marshall made a big mistake 40 years ago, but he has something most people don’t get; a second chance to make it right.
Marshall tells TJ, follow him. This alley leads to the stage door. TJ asks if he can get in that way too, and Marshall says, the guy at the door knows him from back in the day. Always lets him in; no cover, no minimum. TJ says Marshall is always working an angle, and Marshall tells him to mind his elders. Two guys appear, and one says, you took the words right out of my mouth, old man. It’s never a good sign when it starts like that. Marshall says, they don’t want any trouble, and the other guy tells them, wallets and cell phones on the ground. Marshall tells TJ, they’re just going to do what they say. They throw their wallets and cell phones down, and Marshall says, it’s all good. Guy two says, what’s in the case? and Marshall says, it’s nothing but an old clarinet. Guy two says they’ll find some nerd to buy it. They’ll take that too. TJ says, the hell they will.
Doc says, of course (🍷) the roses had to fall while Elizabeth was here. He cleans up the mess, and Laura says she doesn’t know which is harder to believe. That Elizabeth believes this is Franco’s ghost, or that someone is willing to exploit her grief to drive her away from Finn. Doc says he thinks Elizabeth isn’t the only one who needs a good night’s sleep, and she says she’s sure he’s right. She asks him to lock up, and says, she’s going to check on Elizabeth one more time.
Finn puts headphones on Violet, and tells Gregory, for lack of a better word, the medium conducted a séance that only reinforced Elizabeth’s belief that Franco’s ghost is reaching out from beyond the grave. Gregory says, but Finn is convinced that it’s someone very much alive, trying to come between the two of them. Finn says, whoever is doing this knows Elizabeth well; maybe better than she knows herself. Gregory says, as Finn knows, he spent his life in a classroom. Teaching the history of the world is one big arc from superstition to science. Culture goes from fear of the unknown to the courage to ask the tough questions, no matter where they may lead. Finn says, that’s what led him to become a doctor. But what good is it if he doesn’t know how to free Elizabeth from the hold this person has over her?
Doc sees the door open, and closes it. Laura comes down, and says, Elizabeth isn’t in her room; she’s gone. I smelled that coming when Elizabeth decided to go to bed.
Nina says she’s been adamant about Sonny not choosing between her and Michael, but he says, she’s not making him do anything. The last time he was on the witness stand, Scotty forced him to say he had feelings for Nina. Nina says, and it cost Sonny his marriage. This could cost him his son. Sonny says he’s just being clear. He’s not discounting anything she did. Remember what he said to her in that graveyard? She says she’ll never forget, and he says, he was the one who was supposed to have suffered because of her actions. Why can’t he take charge, and tell his story with his words? Carly comes in with Bobbie, and they all lock eyes.
Stella says she admires Epiphany’s attitude, and hopefully Marshall wises up and decides to come home. Portia says, who knows? Maybe they’ll get a fresh start. Epiphany laughs, and says she knows they mean well, but she’s not waiting for Prince Charming. Her life is full enough as it is. And if Marshall wants to find out if there’s room for someone else, he knows where to find her. Stella says, if Marshall Ashford doesn’t know what he’s missing, he’s a damn fool, and she and Epiphany clink glasses.
Marshall tells TJ, it’s just an old clarinet. They’re going to give them what they want. TJ says, it’s not just an old clarinet. It’s Marshall’s passion, his livelihood. It’s what’s kept him going all these years, when he would have given up. Guy two says he’s touched. Hand it over. Guy one takes out a switchblade, and guy two says, don’t make them ask again.
Laura tells Doc, she checked every room and Elizabeth is nowhere to be found. He says, the security guard has been at the front entrance all night; she didn’t go through there. He supposes she could have taken the elevator to the basement and gone out the service entrance, and Laura says, this is nothing like her. And where would she be going at this hour of the night? Did Doc forget he found the door open?
Elizabeth slips into her house. She looks at the picture of her family that Violet drew.
Finn asks Gregory how he convinces Elizabeth that she’s not being haunted by Franco’s ghost. Nothing he says gets through to her. In her defense, there’s no evidence, no forced entry, no fingerprints. Every time something strange happened, no one was there. Violet’s headphones are off, and she says, that’s not true, daddy. Aunt Elizabeth was there. What did I say weeks ago? Out of the mouths of babes.
Elizabeth picks up drawing, and tears Finn and Violet off of it.
Tomorrow, Portia asks Jordan if Curtis’s business is being threatened: Finn thinks Violet is on to something; Willow asks Michael, what if Nina wins; and TJ says, call 9-1-1.
The worst thing is that the fire started because someone threw a cigarette butt out the window. WTF is wrong with people? Buy an ashtray for God’s sake. I hope they get nailed.
Come on by tomorrow to get the GH skinny, hot tea, a mix of quotes, and an eclectic tune. Until then, stay safe, stay walking in your truth, and stay dreaming big. What good is living without it?
What I Watched - TV With Theresa 