Monthly Archives: June 2022

June 15, 2022 – Austin Meets Someone In the Woods, Kyle Says Crystal Plays the Victim Card, Old Charm & Everybody Dance

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Chase sits in front of the TV, shirtless, eating a bowl of kids’ cereal. His phone rings, and Brook asks where he is. They were supposed to meet at the pool. He says, he’s watching the game… Shot put violation. Dammit! She asks what he’s eating, and he says, cereal. She says, so he’s watching the game and eating cereal when he could be hanging out at the pool with her? He says, yep… No, he means he’ll be there soon. She says, when? and he says, soon. He looks at the TV, and says, come on!

Sonny asks what Nina is doing, and she says she was just headed home. He asks if she can reconsider that and stay with him. Please? She says she really shouldn’t, but he says he’ll make it worth her while. He takes her hand, and they go to a table.

Dante comes back to his table, and Sam says, so, Sonny and Nina? He says he’s going to make like they’re not here, and she calls him a chicken. He says, totally, but he’s here with her and doesn’t want family drama ruining his night. She says, good. That gives him more time to fill her in on what kind of trouble he and Cody got in back in the day.

Cody watches as Zelda goes into a hotel room. Spinelli comes out with a room service tray, and Cody ducks back. Spinelli takes a bite of something, dashes back in the room, and puts the do not disturb sign on the door handle. Cody comes out, and says, this is getting interesting.

As he’s going into The Savoy, Curtis gets a text from Selina: Making some last minute arrangements for tonight. TJ joins him, and Curtis asks what he’s doing here. TJ says he went by Curtis’s house to see Marshall, and found out Curtis was coming in early, so he thought he’d stop by. Curtis says he knows he owes TJ a conversation… but TJ says, Marshall explained everything. He came here to see about Curtis.

The kids sit around the campfire, and Finn asks Gregory, what’s the verdict? Did he overstep asking Gregory to speak to Cam? Gregory says, not at all. He thinks Cameron appreciated it. Finn says, the kid has some weight on his shoulders right now, but Gregory says he thinks Cameron is strong enough to carry it. If he isn’t, he has Finn to help. Finn says he doesn’t think Cameron wants his help, but Gregory says, give him time. His bet is, Cameron will come around.

Wyatt hands Aiden the guitar, and Cameron says, Aiden is holding it wrong. Does he want Cameron to show him? Aiden says he wants to learn himself. Back off.

Trina and Josslyn go into The Highsider, which looks like a biker bar, but a really, really nice biker bar. Trina says they should have stopped and gotten a fake tattoo before they got here, and Josslyn says, not really her vibe. Trina says, never mind the aesthetics. They need to blend in so they can get some answers. Josslyn says, this place is pretty close to Spring Ridge, which is where Esme interns, and very convenient to pick up an untraceable phone. Trina says, so what now? She doubts there’s a counter that sells black market cell phones, or a guy that says, hi, can I help you? Josslyn says, Trina is hilarious when she’s out of place. They just need to stay calm, and the main goal, they just need to strike up a conversation with the clientele. A guy comes over and asks if they’re lost or something.

Maxie says, if these sticks are more to Austin’s satisfaction, have at them. She, for one, is more invested in the chocolate. He says he loves chocolate, but she should know, he’s a marshmallow man, and a gooey marshmallow is what defines a s’more. They hear something in the woods, and Maxie says, what was that?

Chase gets to the pool, and Brook says, finally. His pina colada is melting. He says, sorry; it was a great game. The lead changed nine times in the last two minutes, and the 3.5 favorite lost on a buzzer beater. She says, nice, and he says, nice? She says, it’s heartbreaking for the 3 point favorite. Is Chase going to swim tonight? It’s perfect weather. He says he’s just going to sip on this pina colada. He picks up his drink, and says he’s really glad she asked him to hang out tonight. He knows she’s been focused on taking down Linc, but they need a break, a night to just chill. Brook says, uh-huh, and looks at the doorway where Linc is talking to Selina. Chase says he guesses that was just too much to ask for.

Curtis says he appreciates TJ giving him and Marshall space to talk to Aunt Stella. He’s sure TJ has his own questions, but it really meant a lot. TJ says, Curtis needed answers. Now that he has them, how is he feeling? Curtis says he’s not going to lie; confused. It’s a lot to process. TJ says, for him as well. Even though he’s a medical professional, he felt a pit in his stomach when he saw Marshall’s medication. And when he said that his diagnosis was schizophrenia, he had an immediate visceral reaction. Curtis says, that’s understandable. Medical strides have come a long way, but it is a complicated diagnosis. He wonders how Marshall felt, hearing that 40 years ago, and TJ says, he must have been terrified. Not only from the stigma, but what could happen to him. Curtis says, which is why he chose to leave and stayed gone for so long, and TJ says, at least Curtis knows it wasn’t out of neglect. It was out of love for him and TJ’s father. Marshall wanted to protect them, even from himself, if it came to that.

Nina says, cheers, but Sonny says, it’s bad luck to toast with water. Nina is out of luck in the drinking buddy department tonight. She says she’s heard about that, but what if the water is as sparkly as his eyes? He laughs, and she says, besides, she’s had all the bad luck a person is allotted in one lifetime… and she’s to blame for most of it. He says he doesn’t want to tempt fate, but he thinks her luck is going to turn around. She says, do tell, and he says, because the hearing is over. No more secrets and betrayal; no more waiting for the other shoe to drop. The divorce is over, and he thinks it’s time they stopped denying there’s something between them. Is there?

Maxie says, Austin heard that, right? and he says he did. It’s probably nothing; nature’s noisy. She says he’s right. She needs to stop watching slasher movies before she goes to sleep. He says, that can’t help; does it help? They hear twigs break, and Maxie says, that was definitely something. He says, it’s probably just a fox, but she says, that doesn’t make her feel any better, and he says, stay here for a second while he checks it out. She grabs his arm and says, he’s not leaving her. He says, okay, let’s go to the camp, and she takes his arm. He says, skunk? Maybe it’s a skunk. She says, it’s definitely time to go, and they turn around. They’re startled to find Gregory with Violet there, and Violet says, boo!

Cameron tells Aiden, relax. He was just trying to help. Aiden says, he just wants to figure this out on his own, and Cameron says, okay. Jake says, relax. Cam crushes on the guitar. He’ll have Aiden playing in no time. Aiden says, Cam won’t always be around; he’s in college. And Jake will be in college soon too. And if mom doesn’t come back… He just needs to learn stuff by himself. Okay? Jake says, he doesn’t need to get upset. Cam was just trying to help. Finn gets Wyatt’s attention, and Wyatt steps away with him. Wyatt says, do you need me, Dr. Finn? and Finn says he needs a favor; two actually. Wyatt says, of course (🍷). How can he be of assistance? Finn asks Wyatt to call him Finn. He appreciates Wyatt acknowledging the whole doctor thing, but all his friends call him Finn, and he’d like to think of Wyatt as one of them. Wyatt says he’d like to think so too, and Finn says, so no more doctor. Wyatt says, no more doctor. What’s the other favor? Finn says, Aiden is going through a pretty tough time right now. He was wondering if Wyatt could include him in whatever he’s doing. It’s probably not enough time for him to learn guitar before the singalong tonight, but if Wyatt could include him in some other way, Finn would like him to participate. Wyatt says he thinks he knows of a way. Leave it to me, Doc… Finn.

Trina tells the bar guy, they’re not lost; they’re just from out of town. Josslyn says, they heard about this place, and thought they’d come check it out. Trina says, it’s a definite vibe, and the guy says, they’re a little older than the usual clientele. Josslyn says, sometimes they like to hang around people who are different than their friends, but he says, that’s not what he meant. They got ID? Josslyn says, yes, and they fish ID’s out of their bags. He looks at them, and says, okay, Jane and Kara. He hates to break it to them, but these are totally bogus.

Wyatt asks if Aiden can help him with something, and Aiden says, sure. Wyatt says he’s thinking of switching the song for the campfire singalong. Can he play some possibilities, and Aiden can help him pick the best one? Aiden says, sure.

Cameron tells Finn, it seems that Wyatt found a way to make Aiden feel better, and Finn says, good. He’s glad everything worked out. Cameron says, it’s almost as if someone knew, to make Aiden feel better, he needed to be in control of the situation, especially with everything in his life spinning out of control. Finn says he guesses the important thing is, Aiden is coming to terms with his emotions, right? It doesn’t matter how it happens. Cameron says, actually, it does.

Trina says her license isn’t bogus, and neither is Kara’s. They would never do something like that. The guy says, really? If they’re both 23, tell him about dimpled chads. Trina says, they’re really cute guys, and Josslyn says, boy band. He says, not even close. Beat it. He hands back the IDs, and says, next time, invest in better fakes. Trina says, that’s actually why they came. They heard there’s somebody who can get things like that; phony IDs, unregistered phones. Josslyn says, they can pay in cash, and he looks at the bartender and says, that’s the guy they’re looking for, but make it quick. He leaves, and Josslyn says, Trina sure got over her jitters quickly. Trina says she wasn’t about to let their last hope go down the drain. They say desperation gives you strength.

Zelda tells Spinelli, she’s done dealing with that parachuting charlatan. That was not part of their agreement, but don’t worry. Cody listens outside the door, and she says she handled Dr. Westbourne. No lawsuit; no chance of exposing what’s really going on here.

Sam says, so summer camp? and Dante says, he was twelve. His buddy Tommy Fazio had just gotten busted for shoplifting, and his mother was convinced he was going to be next. Sam says, and off he went, and he says he wasn’t thrilled about nature, but then it dawned on him that he’d be away from his mother, and the 200 other relatives who lived near them, and whose sole purpose in life was to guide him and supervise him. She says, she’s assuming nature was the downside, and he says, nature to him was the church parking lot, and playing stickball. He wasn’t opposed to nature, but it wasn’t his first choice. Sam says, on the upside, no supervision, and he says, limited supervision. There were counselors, but at least he was related to any of them. She says, and then he met Cody, and he says, yeah. Most of the kids there were like him, city kids. Cody was a country kid. He was different; he was comfortable out there. He saw Cody, and thought he should take some pointers from that kid. She says, Cody seems to want to remind him of the trouble they got in back in the day, and Dante says, he does. They had some good times.

TJ says he’s surprised Curtis came to work tonight. Isn’t the owner entitled to take a night off now and then? He tells TJ, sure, when Selina arrives, and he says, but he has something going on tonight.

Chase says, something tells him tonight wasn’t just about hanging out. Did Brook know Linc would be here? She says, so? She saw Linc checking in, in the lobby earlier. Don’t jump to conclusions. She knew Linc was up to something, and she was right. Chase tells her not to jump to conclusions, and she asks if he saw Linc talking to Selina Wu. Fishy, right? He says, Selina Wu has never been convicted of anything. In the eyes of the law, Linc isn’t committing a crime by associating with her. Brook says, don’t give her the whole eyes of the law thing. Isn’t his detective’s intuition tingling? He says, his detective’s intuition tells him that she’s trying to make up excuses to go after Linc. She says she doesn’t need an excuse; he’s holding her songs hostage. He tells her, he said he’d help her get her songs back, but she has to let him take the lead. They have to do it the right way. She says, he just doesn’t get it. Music to most people is something they listen to when they’re bored, but to her, it’s home… grounding… purpose… it’s her life. Ever since her mom took her to Tower Records on West 4th Street and Broadway to get a Jets cassette. He says he doesn’t know that band, and she says they’ll go over his deprived childhood another time. Ever since she knew she could sing, it was the only thing she wanted to do. Now she can’t sing, but thanks to him, she can participate in that part of her life through her song writing. It’s the only thing she has left in that area of her life… Oh hell. Linc’s coming over here. Linc strolls over, and asks how his favorite personal ATM is doing this fine… She asks why he’s back, and he says he’s just relaxing in Port Charles, in between taking meetings about her catalog. It’s amazing how much more valuable those songs are without her attached to them. Chase gets up, and tells Linc, it’s time to take a walk. Linc puts up his hands, and says, he’s just living life; enjoying the night. Brook knows he’d never do anything to upset her. He only wanted her to know how profitable her songs are; profitable for him anyway. He intends to continue tapping that. He leaves, and Chase puts on his shirt. Brook says, just let him be. He’s just trying to press her buttons. Chase says he’s just going to have a little conversation with him, and goes over to the bar. He asks when Linc is going to get it through his thick skull, leave Brook alone. Brook goes through Linc’s jacket pockets, and Linc tells Chase that he’s just making conversation, but Chase says, Linc is harassing her. The lewd innuendos, the rubbing it in her face that he cheated her out of her songs. Who the hell does he think he is talking to her like that? Brook takes out a card from The Savoy, and Chase says, he doesn’t care if Linc is on some big power trip – Brook turns the card over and sees, 11 pm, Password: Vesper – or he just gets off on being cruel, but Linc doesn’t talk like that to her again – ever.  

Selina says, Curtis’s business continues to thrive. Who’s his friend? Curtis says, this is his nephew, Dr. Ashford, and Selina says, a pleasure to meet him. TJ says, her as well, and Curtis asks TJ to order them a round; N’neka knows what he likes. He needs to talk to Miss Wu. He says, he got her text; is there a problem? She says, thankfully, no. Curtis went off the grid to deal with a family matter. Curtis says he’s sure his staff and her nephew handled things quite nicely while he was away, but she says, nonetheless, she was compelled to confirm the details with him for tonight’s game. There is a very influential player who will be joining them for the first time.

Dante tells Sam, one of the activities at camp was horseback riding. The closest he’d been to a horse was when they’d go to the city as kids, and see them pulling carriages in Central Park, or cops mounted on patrol. So there he is, twelve years old, staring up at this giant beast, its nostrils flaring, and he’s thinking, I don’t want to get on that beast. So Cody sees this, and comes over, and Dante is thinking, great. This guy is going to give him a hard time because he’s scared, but Cody didn’t. He was super chill, and taught him how to stand, how to approach the horse, how to be respectful toward the horse. Dante was comfortable with the horse, the horse was comfortable with him, and Cody said, horses can sense human emotion; it’s their gift. At that point, Dante figured he was a good guy, and they’ve had each other’s backs ever since. Sam says, the guy’s got layers. She thinks that’s why Dante’s been able to tolerate some of the more questionable ones. Dante says, he may be screw up for sure, but he’s got a heart of gold.

Spinelli comes out of the hotel room, and Cody clears his throat. Spinelli asks if he can help Cody, but Cody says, he thinks they can help each other. He knows what’s really going on with Spinelli and Zelda. So let’s talk about what it will take to keep it quiet.

Sonny says, Nina got quiet all of a sudden. Did he say something uncomfortable? She says she doesn’t feel uncomfortable, but she’s maybe giving pause. As much as she loves sitting across the table from him, she can’t help noticing his own son hasn’t even acknowledged their existence since they sat down. Sonny looks over, and nods to Dante. He tells Nina, that’s just Dante. He’s just enjoying himself like Sonny is. Don’t worry about Dante; he’s been very non-judgmental. She says, even after the hearing? He can’t be okay with what Sonny said, or that he’s with her. Sonny takes her hand and asks if she wants to go someplace else that’s more their speed. She puts her other hand on his.

Violet says, they don’t have to be scared. Did they really think it was a bear? Maxie says, maybe she overreacted, but in all fairness, she didn’t expect to see people that far away from the campsite. Gregory says he’s sorry if they started them. He’s found he can’t resist the charm of a certain granddaughter. When she asked to come along to gather sticks for… Violet says, s’mores. Can they make them now? Austin says, there we go. A girl after his own heart. He loves a good s’more. He can eat ten s’mores. Can Violet do that? Violet nods, and he says, let’s see. They’ll wash the sticks, get them dry, and he promises he won’t munch any marshmallows in the meantime. Violet giggles.

The bartender asks what he can get Josslyn and Trina, and Josslyn says, IDs and an unregistered phone. Trina says, they heard he’s someone who can hook them up, and he says, heard it from who? They look at the bar guy, and the bartender says he might know a guy. They both want IDs? Josslyn says, actually, they want the phone first, and it should have working email, internet, and a camera. Does he have phones that could handle all of that? He says, well, sure. It’ll set them back about a grand. Is that a problem? Josslyn says, no, and puts her bag on the bar, but Trina says, wait. They’ve been burned before. They don’t want to get scammed again. Their friend said she got her phone here, and she wants to make sure he’s the right guy. She shows him a picture of Esme on her phone, and asks if he remembers selling a phone to her.

Sonny and Nina walk into Charlie’s, and she says, he’s absolutely right. This is more their scene. He tells her to grab a table, and he’ll get the drinks, but she says, how about if he grabs a table. This round is on her. She goes to the bar, and he smiles.  

Chase says, why doesn’t Linc be decent for once in his life, and relinquish control of Brook’s songs; or at least split the profits with her? Linc asks if Chase is her manager all of a sudden. Is he looking for a payday? She’s already rich; she’s not hurting for cash with that family of hers. Linc walks over to Brook and says, a man can’t get a drink in peace. She has to sic her pit bull on him? Chase tells Linc, watch his tone, and the entire conversation was his idea. Linc says, next time he gets the urge, don’t, and Chase says, keep clear of Brook and they won’t have to worry about that. Linc picks up his jacket, and says, don’t worry. He has better places to be. He leaves, and Brook says, she bets he does. Chase says, what? and she asks what Chase said to him? Chase says, just that he can’t talk to her like that again. He’s sorry he lost his cool. She says, don’t apologize. It was incredibly reactive and old school, and really… and it was the perfect diversion. Linc’s up to no good, and now she knows what.

Curtis tells Selina, everything’s ready. He’s honored their deal, even during his family emergency. She says, his family matter must have been most distressing. Are things better now? He asks if she really cares, and she says she knows he may not think of her as a friend, and that’s fair. But she can provide an ear if he needs to vent, as an ally. Their businesses are dependent on one another

Gregory shows Violet how to put marshmallows on the stick, and Cameron tells Finn, his dad is a really cool guy. Finn says, he is, and Cameron says, he helped explain this whole Title IX situation. Cameron assumes Finn asked Gregory to talk to him, and Finn says he hopes it was okay. Cameron says, it was; it really helped. He thanks Finn, and Finn says, he’s welcome. Finn just wants… Cameron says, Finn just wants what’s best for him and his brothers, because Finn cares about their mom and them. Finn says he does. They’ve been pretty great, the way they welcomed Violet. Cameron says, it’s not hard. Violet’s Violet. He’s sorry for jumping on Finn about his mom. He knows Finn only wanted to help. The truth is, he’s really scared, and seeing Aiden, he understands Aiden is scared too. Jake probably as well. Finn says he’ll let Cameron in on a secret. He’s a little scared himself, but he promises Cameron, they’ll get through this together. Cameron holds out his hand, and says, together, and they shake

The bartender says, he sold Esme a phone a while back. Kinda had an attitude on this one. Josslyn says, that sounds like Ezzie. Does he remember when she came in, around last January? He nods, and a tall bald guy comes between Trina and Josslyn, and says, hello. He knows them. Josslyn says, he doesn’t, but he says, he recognizes them both; they were all over the news a couple weeks ago. Josslyn says, he must be mistaken, but he says he never forgets pretty faces. He remembers everything about their story, and Trina’s father, the cop.

Nina says she knows it’s not the Tan-O, but with her and Sonny there, it’s close enough. That pocket universe where all the reasons why they shouldn’t be near each other disappear. That’s a fantasy, because they can’t go back to the way it was. He says, they can’t, but what they can do – now that it’s in the open – they can take the universe out of their pockets, and suddenly, they have free space. She says, free space to do what? and he says, to think about us and what happens next. He kisses her.

Dante asks if Sam wants to get out of here, and she says she would love nothing more. They get up, and Dante says, let’s go, but Cody appears, and says, they’re not going anywhere, are they? The party’s just getting started.  

Chase says, Brook went through his coat pockets? and she says, focus Whatever’s happening is happening at The Savoy. He says, for starters, they don’t even know if there’s anything illegal going on, and she says, he had a password. Chase never saw that movie where all the guests were wearing masks and costumes, hiding their identities, so they could indulge themselves in debauchery and drugs? He says, at The Savoy? and she says, they know slimeball Linc’s involved. Chase says, they don’t want to rush into anything without a better understanding of what they’re dealing with. Because that would be reckless and counterproductive. She says, God forbid, and he asks what happened to them enjoying each other’s company on a fine summer’s evening? She says, he wins. Shouldn’t the winner get the next round? She leans back in the chaise, and when he goes to bar, she slips out.

Curtis passes Linc in the back, and does a double-take. TJ is at the bar, and Curtis says, he’s sorry. There’s a lot he wants to unpack with TJ about Marshall, but he can’t right now. TJ says he understands. He’ll just chill, and maybe they can talk later. Curtis says, Molly is home, right? Why not fill her in. He’s sure she wants to know everything, and the two of them can talk about it. TJ asks if Curtis is trying to get rid of him.

Trina says, her father isn’t a cop, and tall bald guy says, right. Former cop. The bartender says, what the hell is this, some kind of sting? Josslyn says, no. This man is making it up. Tall bald guy says, Josslyn’s the PCU campus porn queen, and puts his arm around her. She says, get off of me, you creep, and pushes him. He says, touchy, and Trina says, let her go. Bar guy tells him to leave Josslyn alone, and tall bald guy says, mind his own business. He punches bar guy, and a huge fight breaks out. Josslyn and Trina cringe.  

Everyone sits around the campfire, and Violet says, Wyatt is going to play a song. He said Aiden picked out a good one. Cameron sings with Wyatt.

Curtis says he knows the situation with Marshall is on TJ’s mind, but if TJ sticks around, that’s all he’ll be thinking about too. Does that make sense? TJ says, it does. It’s been a long day for him too, anyway. How about if he stops by Curtis’s place first thing in the morning? Curtis doesn’t know about first thing, but that sounds fine. He thanks TJ for understanding, and they bro shake.

Selina finds Linc, and says, this way please, Mr. Brown. Curtis watches as Linc goes with her.

Some of the others sing along, and Wyatt and Curtis finish their song. Everyone applauds, and Maxie looks around for Austin, but he’s gone. She says, Austin?

In the woods, Austin says, all right. You made your point, but understand something. The next time you want to talk to me, you find me when I’m alone. You leave Maxie alone. Leave her friends out of it; leave her family out of it. Got it?… Now what do you want?  

Nina asks Sonny if this is part of having the space to figure things out, and he says he guesses. She says she thinks she can get used to this, and they kiss again. She asks where this newfound wisdom came from, and he says he’s made peace with the idea that his life moving forward will look more like what they had in Nixon Falls, as opposed to his past here in Port Charles. There’s no going backwards, and Carly made it crystal clear that they’re done. She says she’s sorry. Is he saying that kiss just happened because he got in a fight with his ex-wife?

Dante says, Cody left. He hightailed it out of here. They thought he was long gone. Cody says, his bus doesn’t leave for a few hours. They can stick around for a little bit, right? For old time’s sake? Dante says he doesn’t think so. He’s taking this one – Sam nuzzles his shoulder – and getting out of here. It was good seeing him. Cody says, it was good seeing Dante too, and they bro hug. Dante says, hit him up if Cody’s ever in town again. Sam says, it was good to meet him, and Cody says, her too.

Spinelli comes back to the hotel room, and Zelda asks, what took him so long? She was getting worried. He says he had to make an unexpected trip to an ATM. They’ve got a problem. Mr. Bell is going to be an issue.

Cody goes to the bar, and tells N’neka that he’s looking for a Bradley Cooper. She says, he’s in the back room, down the corridor, to the left. He says he appreciates it, and heads for the back. In the hallway, he takes out a wad of cash.  

On the phone, Chase tells Brook, okay. This is the second voicemail. He’s looked all over for her. She can’t be in the ladies room for this long. Where the hell is she?

At the entrance of The Savoy, Brook’s phone rings, but she ignores the call. She looks at herself in her camera, primps a little, and says, that’ll do in a rush. She wishes Chase was here. He doesn’t know what he’s missing. She goes inside.

The bar fight continues. A patron gets thrown across the room, a waitress cracks a chair over someone’s head, and there are head butts. We hear sirens, and Trina says, he’s getting away. The cops pull up, and Josslyn says, they need to get out now. Bar guy says, the cops, and Josslyn says, the cops.

Chase tells Brook that she’s in a far worse position than when she started; Brad tells Selina, there’s a problem with the game; Josslyn says, bust her, and let Trina go; and Drew tells Carly, he was hoping the rules could be bent for him a little.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Punta de Mita Mexico. The women get ready for their day, several of them using glam squads. In Erika’s interview, she says, she doesn’t mind downsizing except for the glam, but surprisingly, I agree with Crystal, who says, why spend the money? She just throws on some lip gloss. They meet for an amazing breakfast spread outside. Dorit says she didn’t sleep, and in her interview, she says she had a lot of anxiety going into this trip. She wasn’t sure she could do it. She’s been struggling, and toyed with the idea of going back home. It took a lot of conversations with PK to get her to a place where she can go through the trip and feel safe. In Erika’s interview, she says she spent many a morning waking up feeling hopeless. We flash back to her saying she’s taking Lexapro, and she says she’s trying to stay in the moment, not the past. She tells the others that she was called a bully in court, and in her interview, she asks if she’s supposed to take it and not fight for herself. No one is going to do it for her, and if that makes her a bully, so be it. Sutton says she wants to take the LSAT (Law School Admission Test), and Erika says she can help tutor. It doesn’t seem like she’s being sarcastic, so I can’t figure this one out. LisaR tells a story about talking to a medium around the time of Lois’s death and how she told them to look for birds. They noticed that the paintings in Lois’s hospice room had birds in them; then LisaR found a ceramic baby bird in her bag. Neither of these things seems earth shattering to me, but if they have meaning for LisaR, that’s what’s important. In LisaR’s interview, she says, everyone has an idea of what grief is like until they go through it themselves. She’s trying be open and honest about it. They toast to Lois as a bird flies by.

There’s a surfing instructor on the beach, and LisaR, Erika, and Crystal go for a lesson, while the others go shopping. As usual, Diana is taking her time, and in her interview, she says, traveling is the biggest privilege. For 18 years she couldn’t travel, and being near water is a luxury. The instructor tells the neophyte surfers that it’s like yoga. In Erika’s interview, she says she can couch surf, and I laugh. In LisaR’s interview, she says, there’s risk taker in her; it’s like a drug. She doesn’t know where she gets it from, since neither of her parents were that way, but she doesn’t want to break her neck. She has lipstick to sell. They all stink at surfing, and no one stays up on the surfboard. The other women go into town, and on the way, Kyle says, she and the family come here often; they have offices here. We see clips of her and Mauricio having a  good time. The group goes to a bar/boutique, and Garcelle tells them about buying the beach house. In Garcelle’s interview, she says she’s envisioning it for weekends or when family is in town. She sees it as communal, although she’s saying that now… In Dorit’s interview, she says she had reservations, but now she’s in her element. There’s nothing like retail therapy. In Sutton’s interview, she says she always likes the most expensive thing in the store; it’s a gift. I identify, but don’t have her budget. LisaR tells the Crystal and Erika that they’ll say they surfed. Diana arrives, and Erika says, the others pussed out and went shopping. Kyle buys the same kind of lingerie you could get at Victoria’s Secret, and I wonder, why that? Dorit says there were strong feelings with Crystal last night, and Sutton says, they’re starting their friendship from the beginning, but she has a problem with Crystal twisting words. Kyle says she thinks it’s bigger than that. Meanwhile, Erika tells Crystal that she has to have the hard conversation. What’s going on?

Erika says, Sutton called Crystal a liar, and we flash back to that. She says, Sutton will never stop coming for Crystal, but I think it looks like it’s the other way around. Crystal says she doesn’t want conflict, but Erika says, Sutton invited it. She called you a liar last night, baby. If you don’t open your mouth, you allow others to fill in the story for you. Erika is spot-on there, but clearly she’s trying to stir up a fight between Crystal and Sutton. Crystal says she’s doing her best, and Erika says, if she doesn’t stand up and fight for her side, she’ll be run over. Crystal starts crying, and Erika tells her, it’s going to be all right. In Diana’s interview, she says, Erika is straight to the point, and doesn’t mince words. She responds well to that. Crystal needs to grow bigger balls. Erika says, Crystal can’t take being called a liar on the chin. At the boutique, Sutton says she thinks Crystal is a good person, and Kyle asks if Sutton just doesn’t want a problem with her. Sutton says she’s not scared of anyone, and Kyle tells her, when Erika says something, she’s being reactive, but Crystal is more manipulative, which makes her scarier. Sutton says she wants to help Crystal be better. Friends don’t go behind your back and tell lies. Garcelle says she heard Crystal had done that to other friends, and in Sutton’s interview, she says she heard from a friend who was also Crystal’s friend, that it’s a behavior pattern. Kyle says, Crystal wants to be liked and have approval. She wants to look good, so she makes Sutton look bad,. In her interview, Kyle says she heard about this, but she has no intention of talking about it. She wants to give Crystal the benefit of the doubt, but it’s not matching up. On the beach, Erika tells Crystal, it’s not okay, and in LisaR’s interview, she says, she heard about Crystal falling out with 14 friends; she knows some of them. Being dropped by 14 friends is a lot. She doesn’t even have 14 friends. Erika says, calling her a liar is the worst thing you can do, and we flash back to several times Erika has put her finger in someone’s face for just that. Hmm… Who’s the common denominator? She says she’s torn up a few people about it. Kyle wonders what Crystal has to gain by throwing Sutton under the bus, even though she just explained that herself two seconds ago. Dorit says, Crystal was defending herself to Garcelle, and we flash back to Crystal saying, a lot more was said that was dark. Kyle suggests Crystal wants to be liked and look like a victim at the same time. Crystal and Erika go to the tiki bar, and Crystal broods. Erika says, it will be fine; just tell your truth. In Crystal’s interview, she says she thinks Erika is biased because of her history with Sutton for sure, but she also thinks Erika’s advice comes from a good place. Erika wants to protect her. Sutton is relentless, and Erika doesn’t want to see her walked over. Kyle asks if Sutton wants Crystal to admit she created this whole thing, but Sutton says, that’s on Crystal.

Kyle squeals about giant bugs or lizards or something in her room. In her interview, she says, note to self: shut the door when you leave. Next it will be an iguana. LisaR visits Erika’s room, and tells her that today was a nice distraction. When she came back, she had a good cry. Erika says, it’s therapeutic, and Kyle calls. Erika says, they were smarter to go shopping; they had their asses kicked. Kyle asks how Crystal is, and LisaR says, she cried the whole time. Kyle asks what was said, and Erika says she doesn’t remember, but Crystal cried to her through three margaritas. Kyle asks if they want to help her iron, but has no takers. I wonder, who irons anymore? And let me just point out that Crystal was having a fine time until Erika prodded the tears out of her.

The women get super dressed up, and go to a gorgeous outside table. Both Crystal and Diana are wearing bird earrings in honor of Lois, and LisaR says she’s been seeing birds all day, like this would be unusual here. LisaR asks if Diana wants to tell the story about her Room 23 book, and Diana says she thinks they already did. We see a clip of them discussing a book Diana put together, and the women encourage Diana to talk about it, but she obviously doesn’t want to. In Diana’s interview, she says, she doesn’t want to discuss it. It took a lot of money and time to achieve the book she wanted, and it backfired; rumors started. We see an article from Jezebel where it says, Diana’s subjects are all clients and call girls. From what we see of the book, it looks like artsy/nakey pictures. A producer says, so Diana isn’t a sex trafficker or high-class madam? and Diana says, it’s so ridiculous. She can’t believe it caught on. It’s very dangerous. Fake rumors can destroy your life. It was a painful time. Some people come out to do a ceremony for a cleaning of energy. First, they have to drink a shot of black tea, and in Crystal’s interview, she says she’ll do anything. She’ll pour it over her head or bathe in it. She needs the energy cleansed. A woman goes around burning (I assume) sage, and in LisaR’s interview, she says she doubts this will make them have a good dinner, but she’s willing to try. In Erika’s interview, she says, all the sage in Sageville won’t cleanse this. A guy blows a conch shell, everyone is startled, and Kyle and Dorit scream. Kyle asks what the women did after surfing, and Erika says, they talked about last night. Garcelle asks for specifics, and Erika says, Sutton called Crystal a liar. She would have to ask who gave Sutton that information. In Sutton’s interview, she says she could say she had a conversation with Jesus, and Erika still wouldn’t like it.  

Erika says, Sutton told them she’d talked other people in Crystal’s group of friends. Who’s in the group, what did they say, and how does it fit in here? Sutton says, when you have a reputation for doing this… In Crystal’s interview, she says, Sutton has no idea what happened with her friends. Sutton has never met them, so she doesn’t want to breathe life into it. Sutton says, other people heard it, and LisaR says she has. Erika says if she’s not willing to tell them, why bring it up? Crystal said she feels like an easy target, and nothing she says will be good enough. In Kyle’s interview, she says she’s not buying it. She just doesn’t like Sutton; be honest. In Sutton’s interview, she says, they could have been talking about a lot of things. Why not talk about where Erika is with her legal stuff? Garcelle says, when Crystal stays quiet, it feels like they’re ganging up on her, and Crystal says, she knows her choice of words can be confusing; that’s on her, but she’s trying. Sutton says, Crystal keeps attacking her character, and Crystal says, Sutton attacked hers. Sutton says, she apologizes for bringing up hearsay, and Crystal says, rumors. Sutton says, that was unfair, and she takes it back, but she’s not taking back saying that Crystal has done this repeatedly to her, and she needs to stop that. Crystal says, Sutton needs to understand how she feels, and Sutton tries to interject, but Erika says, let her finish. Garcelle asks why Erika is all in this. Let them figure it out. In Garcelle’s interview, she says she thinks Erika is tired of talking about herself, so she’s making up for lost time, getting in the mix with everyone else. Crystal says, moving forward in her and Sutton’s friendship is important to her, and Sutton says she needs to hear Crystal say it, that she’s not going to do that to her again, so she can trust Crystal. She genuinely likes Crystal and wants to be her friend, Crystal says, Sutton also said she hated her, and Sutton says she hates what Crystal did. Everyone agrees that’s not how Sutton put it, and in Diana’s interview, she says, Sutton just contradicted herself again. She’s realizing there’s more to Sutton than she thought. And not in a good way. Sutton says she’s a good person, and Diana says she didn’t say Sutton wasn’t. Sutton says, let her finish, but Diana says she’s trying to find a solution. This frustrates Sutton more, and she tells Diana that she’s going to keep saying it until Diana hears her. In her interview, Diana says, Sutton’s reaction is shocking and embarrassing. To turn on someone who’s trying to help isn’t normal behavior. Kyle says, Diana is just trying to diffuse the situation, and Diana says, Sutton told her at their first lunch that she didn’t respond well to yelling, and wasn’t violent, yet Sutton just screamed at her. Sutton says she needs a break, and Kyle asks if she needs someone to come with her. She and Sutton leave, and go to the bathroom, Kyle tells Sutton, it’s not that big a deal, and to take a breath.

In Sutton’s interview, she says she’s trying to be calm. She doesn’t want to look crazy. At the table, Dorit says, Sutton’s aggression was misdirected; Diana felt genuine and kind. Diana gets all weepy, but says she’s good. In her interview, she says, this is the most vulnerable she’s been in many years. Being hormonal post-pregnancy makes you more vulnerable and softer. She likes to appear like she’s got it together even when she doesn’t. Kyle tells Sutton to hold her head high. She lost it for a second, but she got it together. Garcelle says, everyone is too much. She can’t eat her artichoke. Sutton comes back, and says she’s sorry. She asks if she and Diana are good, and Erika says, Diana started crying. Sutton says she lost her cool, and she’s sorry. Diana says, it’s all good, and Diana, Crystal, and Dorit go to the bathroom to fix Diana’s makeup. Kyle says, Crystal put herself in this position, and Garcelle says, Crystal takes it, literally caves in with her body language, and that makes it feel like Sutton is coming for her. Kyle says, that’s the victim card. She thinks it’s intentional. In her interview, Kyle says, Crystal wants sympathy. She doesn’t feel comfortable, and she guesses Crystal thinks this is the best way get their attention. But guess what? It’s not. Erika asks if they really believe Crystal is manipulative. She doesn’t think Crystal has ever been challenged by a friend group, and Kyle says, maybe the 14 friends challenged her. In Kyle’s interview, Crystal must have done a little something wrong to piss off 14 friends. Garcelle doesn’t think Crystal is to be trusted, and Kyle says, she’s intentionally murky. Erika warns them that she’s coming back, and not to say what they don’t want heard. Kyle says, they need to move on, and Garcelle tells Sutton not to say her and Crystal’s friendship is great. Sutton says, they’ll grow from where they are, and Erika says, they’ll get past what this is. Crystal has to stick up for herself. Dorit says, Crystal felt genuine, and Sutton says she’s willing to start over to build a friendship. She wants to. LisaR says, lovely, and Kyle throws a piece of bread at her.

Next time, Diana says, Sutton could have gotten head-butted when she came for her; Garcelle says, Denise is coming to her party, but LisaR won’t be there; LisaR says she reached out to Denise; and Erika gets what Sutton calls mud pie messy drunk on a boat trip.

🍹 Southern Charm is beginning their new season soon, so FYI, there are lots of old episodes, watching with the cast, and where are they nows on Bravo right now.

🐣 Tweet Dreams…

Meet me tomorrow for soap and whatever else I can come up with. Until then stay safe, stay never losing your sense of humor, and stay knowing if you don’t open your mouth, you allow others to fill in the story for you.

June 15, 2022 – Carly Says Sonny Is a Stranger, Pioneer Wyatt, Lunch Leads, In Memory, Battling Blondes, Dead Release, New Squid, All About Tony & Kiki

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Finn, the kids, and Gregory get to the camping site, and Finn says, the hike was a little longer than anticipated, steeper. Gregory says, they all did great, and Violet says she wants to tell Rachel about the guinea pig they saw (in the woods?), and Finn tells her not to forget about the gopher; and they bite! She runs off, and Aiden joins them. Gregory says, if it isn’t Aiden, PC Pioneer, and Finn asks if he’s on a break. Aiden says, until dinner, and Jake says, look at him in his uniform. Aiden says, Jake used to wear one too, and Cameron says, but who wore it better? Jake says, him, definitely, but Aiden says, no way. Cameron walks past Finn, who asks where he’s going, and Cameron says, he just needs a break from all this pretending. He’s grabbing his phone; it should be fully charged by now. Finn tells Gregory, nothing like getting away from it all.

At The Savoy, Britt joins Nina, who says, there she is. She took the liberty of ordering Britt’s usual, but Britt says she’s sticking to water tonight. Nina says she thought Britt subscribed to the hair of the dog for a hangover, and Britt says, that’s before she became a GIF. Nina says, don’t worry, it’ll blow over, and Britt says, so she’s seen it? Nina says, has anyone not seen it? and Britt says, that’s great. Thank you. Nina suggests they switch topics, and Britt says, please. She hasn’t talked to Nina since their girls night out; what’s new? Nina says, what’s new… Well, here’s something. She almost left Port Charles.

Carly brings Sonny to her office and thanks him for meeting her. He says, she told him it was about the kids, and she says, it is. This is a difficult situation for them. In some ways, it’s easier for Donna and Avery because they’re too young to fully understand what’s going on, and they just want to know their family still loves them. They’re doing everything they can to reassure them of that. Josslyn’s been terrific; she’s spending lots of time with them, but she’s got a lot going on. He says he loves Josslyn; she’s like a daughter to him, despite what Michael said. She asks what Michael said, and he tells her, he said that after the divorce, and everything that happened with Nina, he basically threw away his relationship with his kids. Can she believe that? She says she can believe it, and she agrees. He says, she didn’t call him here to fight, did she? and she says she didn’t. She just wants to talk about what they still have in common, mainly their kids, and she wanted to talk about Michael and what this rift is doing to him. Sonny says he doesn’t like it either, but Michael’s made it clear he doesn’t want Sonny anywhere near his life. No matter what Sonny says or does, nothing is going to change that.

At the pool, Zelda asks Cody if there’s a problem, and he says he’s sure it’s just an accounting error, but his paycheck was off by $500. She says, there was no mistake, and he knows it, and he says, it wastes both of their time to argue over such a small amount. She says she agrees, and he says, just pay him what he’s owed, and that’ll be it. She says, she’s fulfilled Society Set-Ups’ part of the contract, and he asks if that contract included a drunk woman wandering into his landing zone. Someone could have been hurt. She says, but they weren’t, and he says, an act of gross negligence is bad for business. What’s $500 to protect her image? She asks if he’s threatening her, and he says, she’s a smart woman; you tell me. Sam and Dante walk in, and Dante asks, what’s going on?

As Trina and Josslyn are going into Kelly’s, Josslyn’s phone rings. She says, finally. Where have you been? Cameron says, sorry. His phone was dead; he had to wait for it to charge. PCU decided against Trina? He can’t believe it. She says, her neither, but it’s going to be okay. They have a plan.

In the woods, Austin sees Wyatt piling some wood, and Wyatt asks, how was the kayak? Austin says, great. Sorry he missed it. Kim’s sick and they’re down a counselor, so that leaves Wyatt. Wyatt says, not for long. It looks like reinforcements have arrived. Austin says, good. He wonders who they sent, when Maxie says, Maxie Jones, reporting for duty.

Zelda tells Dante, this man is trying to extort her, and Cody says, if extort means getting what he’s owed. He takes out an envelope, and says, the deal was for $2000. He holds the check out to Sam, and asks, what’s that say? She says, $1500, and Zelda says, two thousand, minus the charges to his room. Cody says, the hotel room was part of the deal, but Zelda says, not including incidentals. He says, he misunderstood, and Zelda says, and it cost him. Sam says, he charged $500 worth of stuff to his room? and Cody says, yes, but he didn’t know… Dante says, okay. If they get this guy out of Zelda’s hair, can they consider the matter closed? Zelda says she supposes so, and Dante says, let’s go. He, Sam, and Cody leave.

Cameron says, what plan? and Josslyn says, they’re at Kelly’s. She thought he was working today. He says he decided to go on that trip; he’s in Pautuck. She says, for real? He’s out of town? He says he thought he should be here, and she says she gets it. She’s sure Jake and Aiden are super psyched he’s there. Maybe this trip is what everyone needs. He says, that’s what Jake keeps saying, and she says, he doesn’t agree? He says he just hates pretending like everything’s fine when his mom is in Shadybrook.

Wyatt drops off Maxie’s luggage, and she thanks him for the assist. He says, no problem, and she tells Austin, he seems surprised. He says he is, and she says, and maybe a tad befuddled? He says he’s always befuddled. It’s nice to see her. What is she doing here? She says, Georgie is a Junior PC Pioneer, and as such, she’s on the Parents in a Pinch list. He says, it needs a better name, and she says, parents volunteer to help out when they’re understaffed, even if their child isn’t participating. So while Georgie is at a sleepover at her friend Lena’s house, here she is. He says, in beautiful Pautuck. She said she wasn’t ready to come back here quite yet, and she says she’s not, but let’s be real. When will she ever be? She thought there would be plenty of people and enough distractions, she’d be able to hack it. She’s also communing with nature. He says, sure she is, and points to her suitcases, asking, what’s she going to do with all of that? She asks if he’s never heard of glamping, and he says he’s heard of it, but that’s not what this is. She says, speak for yourself. Mac says, camping is good for the soul, but she believes an air mattress is key. So where can they set up her tent?

Josslyn says she’s not upset, and Trina asks who she’s talking to right now. Josslyn says, she’s actually glad Cam is spending time with his brothers, and Trina says, but? Josslyn says, but this is just another example that she and Cam are out of sync. But they don’t need Cam. They have all the help they need. Spinelli walks in, and waves.

Finn asks if Cameron came back yet, but Jake says, he’s still on the phone. Violet says, with his girlfriend? and Finn says he’s pretty sure she’s not dating until she’s 30. Violet tells Gregory, grandpa, talk some sense into him, but Gregory says he’s not touching this. Jake thanks Finn, and Finn says, for what? Jake says, coming here was a good idea, especially since Aiden won’t be around them most of the time. Aiden says, take that back, and Jake says, make me. He runs, and Aiden takes off after him. Cameron comes back, and Finn asks if everything is okay. Cameron says, coming here was a huge mistake.

Britt says, sorry about the hearing. She knows how much Nina wanted to be in Wiley’s life. Nina says she even begged Willow and Michael to reconsider, and Britt asks how that went. Nina says, about as poorly as you’d think, and Britt says she gets the impulse to get out of town. She’s just glad Nina didn’t act on it. She has family here. Nina thanks her, and Britt says she means it. If Nina were to jump ship, it would just be her, Maxie, and her mother. Nina rounds out their little motley crew. Nina says she would miss Britt too. Obviously, she wasn’t thinking clearly. Britt says, but she was on her way to the airport, and Nina says, her bags were packed and everything. Britt asks what convinced her to stay.

Carly tells Sonny, Michael is a grown man and makes his own decisions, but that doesn’t stop her from worrying about him. He asks if Michael is in danger, and she says, you tell me. If Sonny’s rivals know they’re on the outs, they could assume Michael is no longer under his protection. Sonny says, that would be wrong. He’s not going to let anybody hurt his son. She says, okay, sure, and he asks what that means. She says, he doesn’t think it hurt Michael when he testified against him? He says he didn’t testify against Michael, but she says, he testified for Nina; it’s the same thing. How does he not see that? She doesn’t get him. She gets that he and Michael are fighting, but Sonny has been Michael’s father since Michael was two years old. Sonny raised him. Sonny says he loves Michael, and Carly says, then how he could sit there when Michael was being attacked?

Sam, Dante, and Cody go to The Savoy, and Cody says, the woman owns a company, for God’s sake. What does she care about 500 bucks? Dante suggests Cody relax, and they’ll get a drink, but Cody says, no thanks. Dante says, he’s buying, and Cody says, in that case, he’ll have a bourbon. Dante says, that’s what he thought, and Sam goes to the bar while he and Cody grab a table.

Britt says, now she gets why Nina is here and not on a plane to Tahiti. Nina says she was actually headed to Europe, but she’s not here just because of Sonny. She has family here. Not just their motley crew… Britt says, Wiley, and Nina says, Sonny helped her remember that she can’t abandon that little boy. Even though she can’t spend time with him, she has to stay here to prove to Michael and Willow that she deserves a place in that little man’s life. Britt says she hopes it works out for Nina, and Nina says she doesn’t sound very optimistic. Britt says she just thinks if she has unrealistic expectations, Nina is going to set herself up. Nina says, for what? and Britt says, at best, to get hurt, at worst, to do something that reinforces Michael and Willow’s decision to keep Wiley away from her. Nina says, thank you for the encouragement, and Britt says she wants Nina to have Wiley in her life, but realistically, Nina was the one who chose to go to court, she lost, and now she has to give Michael and Willow time and distance to come around. On the bright side, she still has James. Nina says, yeah, she can watch James grow up. She knows she’s suffered a great loss, but she’s also realized she still has a lot left. Britt says, including Sonny? and Nina says, she doesn’t think she has Sonny. Britt asks what she calls it, but Nina says she doesn’t know. They just have something between them. Britt says, ya think? and sees Cody looking at her.

Cody says, great, and Dante says, what now? Cody says, that Britt woman is here. She acts like he ruined her life when it’s obvious her life is already a disaster. Dante says, she’s not lacking in the complication department, but they were talking about Cody. Cody says, can they not? and Dante asks, what’s going on with him? Why is he hard up for cash? Is he in trouble?

Finn says, he and Cameron talked about this. Jake and Aiden needed a break, and it seems like they’re having fun. Cameron says, it’s not that. Yes, it’s hard being away from his mom right now, but the reason he wishes he was home is that the school made their decision in Trina’s Title IX case. They ruled against her. Finn asks what that means, and Cameron says he doesn’t know, but it is not good. Finn asks if he wants to talk about it, but Cameron says, not unless Finn can tell him what’s about to happen with his friend.

Josslyn says, they still think the phone is their best bet, and Spinelli says, to prove Esme was the one who recorded her and Cam. Trina says, Scotty asked him to examine it right, as an expert for the defense? and Spinelli says, he did, and the PCPD examined it as well. Josslyn says, the PCPD’s got nothing on The Jackal, and Trina says, The Jackal? He says, one of his many pseudonyms, and Josslyn asks if he thinks he can work his magic, and find something the police missed. He says, as honored as he is by their faith in him, he’s looked at it from every angle, and there’s nothing to connect the phone to the evil doer, or anyone else for that matter. It only exists to Trina as its possessor. Trina asks if he can’t find out where the phone was purchased, and Josslyn says, or when. Trina says, maybe someone remembers Esme from the store, and Josslyn says, she’s hard to forget. He says, alas, the phone has very little data on it. It was only used twice; once on the night in question, and once to send the email blast. Neither of which offer much information. Trina says, what about the serial number? That’s unique to the phone, right? He says, it is, but according to the serial number, this phone doesn’t even exist.

While helping her with the tent, Austin asks if Maxie did a lot of camping as a kid. She says, not a lot a lot, but enough. One time, Mac, her, and Georgie… He says, her sister Georgie? The original Georgie?  Maxie says, yeah, she was an original, and he says, the OGG. She says, anyway, the trip was a disaster. It rained the entire time, and their tent had seen better days. Water was leaking in on the sides, and Georgie of course (🍷) insisted she sleep in the middle. He says, that’s love, and she says, or Georgie would rather get soaked than listen to her complain. She thinks Georgie was right. Austin says, he thinks you have to work at NASA to figure out these instructions, and Maxie puts up the tent in two seconds, saying, voila. Stick with her, and he’ll be fine. He says he’s starting to see that.

Carly says, Scotty said Michael was violent against women in open court, and Sonny just sat there, and Sonny says, they were in court. Did she want him to get up, grab Scotty, and throw him against the wall? She says, it’s what happened after. There was a recess, and he didn’t even check on Michael; he went to Nina. She watched him touch Nina’s face. He says, come on, but she says, his son weathered a vicious attack, and he consoled the woman who initiated it. She doesn’t know him anymore. The man she loved, that she fought for, that she married five times would have never done that. He’s gone. The man who came back from Nixon Falls is a stranger.

Trina tells Spinelli that she’s confused. So there’s no phone? He says, the phone exists physically, as she well knows. It’s just, according to the serial number, it never made it to the store. Josslyn says, so it was stolen, and he says, or lost in transit, but she says, let’s go with stolen. Trina says, they should have known Esme was too smart to leave a paper trail, and Spinelli says he’s sorry he couldn’t offer more help. Trina says she appreciates him trying, and Josslyn says, this is insane. They were there that night. There needs to be something they’re forgetting. Something Esme did that can now be seen as suspicious. Trina says she’s not giving up on the phone angle yet, and asks Spinelli, where would you go to buy a hot phone? He says, The Highsider, and Josslyn asks, what’s that? He says, it’s a bar… somewhere that two underage amateur sleuths should not be. So feel free to share their theories with Scotty, but please do nothing else. Understood?

Gregory says, Cameron is doing a great job, covering for the kids’ sake, but something is obviously up, and Finn says, he got some bad news about a friend. He asked if Cameron wanted to talk, but he wasn’t interested. Gregory says, Cameron strikes him as an open, personable guy; not the sullen teen type. Finn says, he’s not. If Elizabeth was here, he’d talk to her. Gregory says, Elizabeth’s not here, and Finn says, of that, he’s acutely aware. Gregory says, he means, Finn is the only option; try again. If at first you don’t succeed… Finn says he might have a better idea.

Cody tells Dante, there’s no trouble. It’s just how he lives his life; gig to gig, paycheck to paycheck. Sometimes, there’s a fair amount of  time between each one. Dante asks why he doesn’t just get a steady job, and Cody says, the demand for a full-time skydiver isn’t as robust as one might think. He’s gotta go where the money is. Dante says, if Cody needs 500 bucks, he’ll loan him 500 bucks. Cody says, Dante can buy him a drink, and let him sleep on his couch. Dante can even bail him out of jail in a pinch. But Dante’s not going to pay his way. He doesn’t want to owe Dante like that. Never did; never will.

Maxie asks what gear Austin brought, and he says, he brought this, indicating his bag, and a bedroll. She says, he doesn’t even have a tent? but he says, the forecast was for clear weather, and he likes to sleep under the stars. She says, okay. What does he have in there anyway? Please tell her that he brought toothpaste. He says, all of the essential items, and he brought a change of clothes, and this. He hands her a small book, and she says, it’s a guidebook for the state park. She thought he knew every inch of these woods. He says, he does; it’s his dad’s. It has all his notes and his comments on every trail and every campsite. He knew every inch of this place. Maxie says, amazing, handing it back to him, and he says, when he’s here, it’s like his dad is with him. She says, it’s great he has a special reminder of Jimmy Lee, and he says, his father loved this place, and tried to teach him the same appreciation. She says, like father, like son, and he says, pretty much. She says she’s glad she’s here, and he says, to pitch in, in a pinch, for the win. She laughs, and he holds out his hand. She takes it, and he says he’s glad she’s here.

Carly says, that gesture of support Sonny showed Nina stripped away any illusion. He had a family that adored him, and he threw it away. He says, she gave up on them, but she says she didn’t. She walked away after she found him in bed with Nina. He says, he begged her for weeks, and she pushed him away; she said she wanted to move out. But let’s be honest, she was punishing him. The night she didn’t show up, he was a wreck. He slept with Nina – absolutely wrong – and he’s so, so sorry he hurt her, but she wanted a divorce. She wanted them to end, and she gave up on them. She says she never gave up. She asked for time and he wouldn’t give it to her. He was lying to her for months. He says, and she doesn’t know anything about lying?

Maxie paws through her stuff, and says, this is a disaster. Wyatt asks if he can be of assistance, and hands a small bag to her. She says, he’s an angel. Where did he find it? He says, near her car. He was only following PC Pioneer guidelines. When breaking camp, always recheck the area. She asks if that always includes parked cars, and he says, they moved her gear. He thought it was a little like breaking camp, and he should check to be safe. She says she’s glad he did. This is her toiletry bag; it has her toothbrush. He says, it’s important to maintain dental hygiene while camping, and she says, it says so on page 15 of the PC Pioneer’s Handbook. He says, she memorized the handbook? and she says, not yet, but she and her daughter Georgie are working on it. He says, it takes a while, but it’s worth it. She says, that lesson is true for most worthwhile things in life. If he’s learned that already, he’s way ahead of the game.

Sam brings the drinks to Cody and Dante, and asks if she interrupted something. Cody says, Dante kindly offered to help him out, but he let Dante know he’ll get the money on his own. She says she doesn’t mean to pry, but is everything okay? Is Cody in trouble? Cody says, obviously, Sam and Dante are made for each other. For the last time, there’s no trouble. He has plans. Dante says, what kind of plans? and Cody says, for the future. He’s not going to live like this for the rest of his life. He’s saving up for his dream. Sam says, which is?

Britt’s phone dings a few times, but she ignores it. Nina asks if she wants to answer that, but Britt says, no. It’s just Brad. He’s checking on her. He thinks she’s clinically depressed. Nina asks if Britt shouldn’t reassure him, but Britt says she wants to make him sweat a little. He’s the one who took the video of her at the MetroCourt pool. Nina says, Brad is the reason she’s a meme? and Britt says, a GIF. Nina says, yeah, let’s make him suffer, and they clink glasses.

Dante says, a working ranch of his own, that’s cool, and Cody says he’ll raise cattle, break horses; livin’ the dream. That’s why he’s trying to save every penny he can. Dante says, which is why he’s going to take a 4 hour bus ride to Watkin’s Glen instead of renting a car? Cody says, bingo, and Sam says, buying a ranch is quite a goal. Cody says he’ll make it happen, and she says she thought he couldn’t stay in the same place for too long, but he says, just needs to be the right place.

Gregory says he heard Cameron was worried about his friend, and Cameron asks if Finn told him. Gregory says, no specifics, and Cameron says, it’s not really a secret. One of his best friends is involved in a PCU Title IX investigation. They found her guilty. Gregory says, they found her responsible, and Cameron says, to be honest, the whole process is confusing. Gregory says, as a college professor, he’s pretty familiar with the Title IX guidelines. He can answer questions if Cameron wants. Cameron says, that would be great, and thanks him.

Spinelli says he has to depart; duty calls. Trina thanks him for meeting them, and Josslyn says, he’s the best. He says, now he’s also nervous that he’s said too much, and Trina says, they’ll tell Scotty their theory. He says, and not take matters into their own hands? and Josslyn says, they won’t do anything stupid. He says, Josslyn… She says, they won’t, and he says he’s trusting them to use their common sense here. Josslyn says she’s her mother’s daughter, and he says, that’s precisely what he’s worried about. He leaves, and Trina puts The Highsider in her phone. She says, 483 Water Street, and Josslyn asks what they’re waiting for.

Sonny tells Carly, let’s not forget when he came home, his wife was married to his best friend. She says, they thought he was dead, and he says, that’s one way to mourn. She says, it’s not like she and Jason fell into each other’s arms the next day. It took a year for those feelings to develop, and why is that? He says, let’s not bring Nina into this, but she says, that’s impossible when all roads lead to her every single time. She and Jason would have never gone there if they thought there was a chance he was still alive. He says he would have never been with Nina if he hadn’t lost his memory, and she says, why is that? His refusal to hold Nina accountable is astounding. He says, what Nina did was wrong. He hates the pain she caused Carly and the kids, but he was furious with her. Carly says, for maybe five minutes, and he says, the feelings he had for Nina in Nixon Falls happened when he didn’t know who he was. He came home and still had those feelings. He didn’t want to have those feelings, but he couldn’t shake them. The lie Nina told was wrong, but the connection they had was real. She says, and he chose that connection over his family, but he says he didn’t; she and Michael did when they shut him out. Michael’s trying to tear him down. Michael wants him forgotten; those were his words, and she’s cheerleading for him. She says, Michael’s a grown man. So if he wants to cut Sonny out of his life, that’s his decision. Just like it was her decision as an adult to file for divorce, but Donna’s a little girl. And as her mother, it’s on Carly to look out for her. He says, she’s not keeping Donna from him, is she?

Cody sees Britt at the bar, and says, last chance. She says, for what? and he says, to buy him a drink. She says, tempting… She’ll pass. Does this mean he’s leaving town? He says, tonight, and she says, it’s still a no. He says, she doesn’t give an inch. It makes it that much more unbelievable she’s letting Society Set-Ups off the hook. He thought she’d stand up for herself. He guesses he was wrong. She says, that was one weak attempt at reverse psychology, but he says he thought it was pretty good. She says, she grew up surrounded by master manipulators, and he says, sounds interesting. Her drink comes, and she says, it wasn’t. Good luck. She starts to leave, and he says he just hates to see someone leave the game with money on the table. She says, something he would obviously never do, and he says he’s not that dumb. She tells him that if he has a problem with Society Set-Ups, handle it himself, and walks away.

Wyatt says hi to Finn, who asks, what’s going on? Wyatt says he’s a junior counselor for the PC Pioneers now, and Finn says, moving up in the world. How’s school? Wyatt says, it’s great. He’s decided he wants to study music. Finn says, he plays the cello, right? and Wyatt says, sometimes, but he’s really into the guitar. He’s leading the singalong at the campfire tonight. Finn should come. Finn says, singing, huh?

Gregory tells Cameron that he knows it’s a lot of information, but Cameron says he thinks he understands it a bit better now. He thanks Gregory, but Gregory says, thank Finn. He’s the one who suggested they talk.  

Finn says, singing, huh? and Wyatt says, it’s going to be great. He walks off, and Finn looks at Cameron.

Nina suggests she and Britt go to the PC Grill for dinner, but Britt asks for a raincheck. All she wants is her sweet, sweet bed right now. She feels like she could sleep for a week. Nina says, maybe Brad’s not totally off base. Britt sounds a little down. Britt says she just needs to recover from last night… and this morning.

Cody tells Sam and Dante that he should get going. It was good to see Dante. Congratulations on the job, and the girl. Cody is really happy for him. Dante says, thanks, but he thought Cody’s bus didn’t leave for an hour. Cody says he has one loose end he needs to tie up before he leaves town, and tells Sam that it was good to meet her. She says, him too, and he and Dante shake hands. Dante says, see him around, and Cody leaves. Sam says, Dante has a really interesting friend there, and he says, she has no idea.

Austin says he thought Maxie was coming over to the Pioneer’s campground, and she says she was looking for something. He says, among her many bags? and she says, her many useful bags, with her many, many necessary items. Anyway, she found what she was looking for, and she’s ready for what’s next. Violet, Aiden, and Jake come by, and Violet says, goody! She’s not the only girl. She runs to Maxie, who says, I’ve got your back, sister. Violet says, boys are okay, but some things they just don’t understand, and Maxie says, totally. Violet is so wise. Austin suggests Aiden and Jake help Wyatt get firewood, and Aiden says, they’re on it. Violet says, let’s get this party started, and they follow.

Carly says she would never keep Donna from Sonny. For Donna’s sake, not his. He says, this is how she sees him now, and she says, yeah. He says he guesses they’ve just got nothing else to say, and she says, Donna is their only connection. He’ll live his life, and she’ll live hers. He says, all right, and leaves.

Zelda gets up, leaving the pool area, and Cody follows.

Britt asks if Dante’s little friend is gone, and he says, Cody is on his way out of town. Britt says, hallelujah. How did Mr. Law and Order end up being friends with a second-rate con artist anyway? She leaves, and Sam says she was actually wondering same thing.

Zelda knocks on a hotel room door as Cody watches from around the corner. The door opens, and he ducks back, but Zelda goes inside. Spinelli wheels a room service tray out, takes a bite of something, and dashes back in.

Carly’s phone rings, and Josslyn says she wanted to let Carly know that she and Trina are going out dancing with some friends tonight. Carly says, oh fun. She’ll be there… She’s just kidding, but it does sound like fun. (That sounds like something my father would do to me.) Josslyn says she hopes so. She might be out late, and didn’t want Carly to worry. Carly says she loves her considerate daughter. Have fun and no drinking. Josslyn says she promises. Love you. Carly says, love you, and Josslyn asks Trina, ready? Trina says, let’s do this, and they go into the bar.  

Sonny comes into The Savoy, and Britt tells Nina, goodnight. He says he took a chance that Nina might be here, and she says, he was looking for her? He asks what she’s doing tonight, and she says she was just headed home. He asks if there’s any way she’ll reconsider, and stay with him tonight.

Wyatt shows Violet a rock, and says, check this out; isn’t it cool? She asks where he found it, and he says, by the lake. She wonders if there’s more like it, and he says, they can check in the morning. Finn asks Gregory, what’s the verdict? Did he overstep, asking Gregory to talk to Cam? Gregory says, not at all. He thinks Cameron appreciated the gesture. Finn says, the kid’s got a weight on his shoulder, but Gregory says he thinks Cameron is strong enough to handle it. If he isn’t, he has Finn to help him. Finn says he doesn’t think Cam wants his help, but Gregory says, give him time. He bets Cam comes around.

Maxie runs up to Austin, and says she found sticks for roasting marshmallows. She shows him, and he laughs, saying, he doesn’t think her sticks are s’more sufficient. She asks if he’s saying her sticks are deficient, and he says he’s heard size doesn’t matter, but they do need to be sturdy enough – that’s right, he’s saying it – to stick them in the marshmallow. She says, okay. She didn’t know she’d taken up with the s’mores police. He says, stick with him, and she’ll be fine, and she says she’s starting to see that. They laugh, and we see that someone is watching.  

Tomorrow, Selena tells Curtis, their businesses are dependent on one another; Cody says he thinks he and Spinelli can help each other; Trina asks if the bartender remembers Esme; and Sonny asks, what if he makes it worth someone’s while?

🏕 Coming Up In the World…

I honestly didn’t recognize him. Five minutes from now, he’ll be in college.

🍽 Ladies Who Lunch…

The yearly tradition continues.

👨🏽‍🎓 Fitting Tribute…

It was good of them to think of doing this during what must be an overwhelmingly tragic time.

👩🏼‍🏫 Not Having It…

Dorinda does a Vicki takedown.

And Vicki says, back atcha. I don’t think she knows as many words as Dorinda does though.

⚰️ Releasing the Dead…

When Walking Dead will be coming to a close. Although there will be 47 spinoffs coming. The franchise is never going to lie down either.

https://www.gamesradar.com/the-walking-dead-season-11-release-schedule-amc-disney-plus/

🐙 Playing Games…

The latest on Season 2 of Squid Game. I can’t wait!

https://comicbook.com/anime/news/squid-game-season-2/

🎭 Tony, Tony, Tony…

Everything you need to know about the Tony Awards. First, and most important always, the fashions.

https://people.com/theater/2022-tony-awards-red-carpet-arrivals-photos/

The best moments.

https://people.com/theater/2022-tony-awards-best-moments/

And oh yeah, the winners.

https://people.com/theater/tony-awards-2022-complete-winners-list/

🚪 Checkin’ the Gate…

Click in tomorrow for some soap and what’s going on in Beverly Hills. Until then, stay safe, stay ready to stand up for what you believe, and stay knowing most worthwhile things in life take a while, but it’s worth it.

June 13, 2022 – Felicia Confronts Ryan, Wedding On Deck & Boring

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

At the pool, Drew says, business is so much better conducted outdoors, and Michael says, that’s why deals are closed on the golf course. He’s sorry the talk with Ned didn’t go well, and Drew says, the have many more holes to play, and that’s officially the end of the golf metaphor. He hands Michael his tablet, and says he thinks once they show this to Ned, Ned is going to have a change of heart. Michael asks if this is right. There’s been a 52% increase. That would mean the company is… Drew says, skyrocketing is the term he believes Michael is looking for, and Michael says, that’s incredible. Carly walks in, and Michael says he wonders who’s buying all these shares. Carly says, you’re welcome.

At the MetroCourt bar on the phone with Dex, Sonny says, something’s come up; it’s personal… Yeah. He’ll get back to Dex with the instructions.

Jordan walks over to Martin and Valentin’s table, and apologizes for the interruption. Valentin asks how he can be of service to her and the good people of Port Charles today, but she says, actually she’s here to see Martin. His office told her where to find him. Martin says, they told him that she was on her way, and Valentin thanks him for the heads up. Martin says, they’re not doing anything criminal until 4 o’clock; he thought it would be a nice surprise. He asks Jordan how he can help, and she says she got a call from the Bureau. It’s about his brother.

Spencer says, surprisingly, Ava isn’t asking for much, and Laura says, define not much. He says, in exchange for a weekly allowance from his trust fund, he just has to remain at Windymere. Laura says, Ava wants him to stay? and he thanks her, saying, his confidence can always use a boost. She says she’s just trying to keep up. The last she heard, he and Esme staying at Windymere was causing friction. So what changed?

Ava tells Nikolas, all she wants is for them to be open and honest with each other going forward, and he says he totally agrees. That’s why he found the perfect way to thank her for giving their marriage a second chance. He wants a divorce. She asks, what happened to working things out? and he says, doesn’t she see? This marriage of theirs, there’s no saving it. It’s dead.

Esme tells Ryan, she’s playing the long game, waiting for the right time for Ava to learn about Nikolas’s infidelity. He says, he sees, and she says she knew he’d understand, taking his hands. He says he does, and grips her hands tightly. She says, that hurts, and he says, it’s meant to. Because words can’t possibly express his disappointment.

Felicia goes up to the guard outside Ryan’s room, and says she hopes he can help her. Her name is Felicia. He says he knows who she is. Before he retired from the force, he worked under her husband. He’s a good man. She says she couldn’t agree more, and he asks what he can do for her.

Esme tries to pull away, but Ryan won’t let her. She tells him to listen to her. His plan is good, but hers is better. Felicia walks in, and asks just who Ryan thinks he’s fooling.

Carly says, she told them she would, even though Michael wasn’t sold on her investing in Aurora, and Michael says he specifically asked her not to. She says, she thinks the big picture here is really important. The stock… He says, is soaring. Is that because of her? She says, Aurora is trading on the open market. Anyone can buy in, and she just made sure the right person did. Drew says, it’s not like they could have stopped her, and she says, Aurora’s shares are a hot commodity. Michael asks how many unique investors they acquired today, and Drew looks at his tablet. He says, not as many as would they would have liked. It looks like Carly did buy the most significant percentage of shares. Michael asks her, how many shares did she buy?

Martin asks what Cyrus has done now, and Jordan says, there’s strong evidence that Cyrus couldn’t have been responsible for the attack on Martin and the mayor when they were in protective custody. Martin says, Laura confronted him about it. She said, he insisted it wasn’t him. She said he appeared genuine. Jordan says, it appears that, for once in his life, Cyrus was telling the truth, and Valentin asks, who was responsible for the attack? but Jordan says, it appears the Bureau’s investigation hasn’t determined yet who targeted them. Martin says, so it appears there could still be a threat. Does his sister know? She says she spoke with the mayor before she reached out to his office, and he thanks her for the update. She tells him to give her a call if he has any information or concerns, and leaves. Martin tells Valentin, full half the glass. Maybe his brother found religion after all. Valentin says, Martin doesn’t have to laugh this off on his account. He can admit he’s worried.

Jordan goes over to Sonny, and tells him that she just wanted to say a quick hello. He says, now she has, and she tells him, okay, take care then. She starts to leave, but he says, wait. She has something of his, and he wants it back.

Spencer says he doesn’t blame Laura for having whiplash. Suddenly Ava’s determined to fix her toxic marriage, and work things out as a family – God knows what that means – when not too long ago she was willing to bribe him with his trust fund to move out and take Esme with him. Laura says, Ava was going to bribe him to move out? and he says, it was the exact same deal, but in a different direction; five figures a week, take Esme, and go. His father was furious. She says, not to mention hurt. He makes a skeptical noise, and she asks him to put down his animosity for a minute, and pick up a little thing called empathy. He says he was going to work out things with his father anyway. So if Ava was going to give him money for an inevitability, why shouldn’t he take it? She says, his relationship with money has always been problematic. He says he realizes that, and she says, does he now? He says, she’ll be happy and proud to know his priorities have changed, and she says, really? So what’s most important in his life now?

Ava says, he just told her that their marriage is dead? and Nikolas takes it she has questions. She says, yeah, she does; starting with, what the hell is going on? How can he say he wants to fix their marriage, then seconds later say that it’s dead? He says, because their marriage, the one they’ve been struggling with, has been in the death throes for a while. Now that they’re ready to move forward, they have to let it go. She says, if he’s leaving her, just say so, but he tells her, of course (🍷) he’s not leaving her; he’s doing exactly the opposite – by ending this marriage. She says, he wants a divorce, and he says, they can clean the slate; remarry. For real this time… for keeps.

Felicia says, Ryan may think he looks all harmless, sitting there in his chair, but his eyes give him away. Esme says, Dr. Chamberlain is here to receive medical attention, not visitors. Felicia says, and she is? and Esme says, Esme Prince. And she is? Felicia says, Esme isn’t a nurse, but Esme says she works at Spring Ridge. She’s here to attend to a patient. Felicia says, inmate, and Esme asks if Dr. Chamberlain wants this visitor her. He blinks once, and she asks if he’s sure. He blinks again, and Felicia says, one blink for yes, two for no; is that right? Esme says, it is, and Felicia says, and for more complex communication, they use a board with letters. Esme says, yes, and Felicia says, got it. It looks like they’re been chatting away, one letter at a time. She tells Ryan, he may be locked in, but as long as he has the ability to express himself and share his poisonous thoughts with another human being, he’s just as dangerous as he ever was.

Martin tells Valentin, what? Me worry? (A nod to Mad Magazine?) Why should he be worried? It’s not his first go-around as a marked man. Valentin tells him, just say the word, and he’ll get Martin round the clock security, and Martin says, Valentin would do that for him? Valentin says, for him? No, but Martin handles his affairs, and he can’t risk that information falling into the wrong hands. Martin laughs, and says, Valentin is a sensitive son of a bitch, isn’t he? As much as he appreciates the offer, he has to say no. He’s not really worried about himself; he just doesn’t want anything to happen to Laura. Valentin says, Martin and Laura have gotten pretty close, haven’t they? and Martin says, more than close; they’re family. He’d do anything to protect her.

Laura asks Spencer to tell her about his new priorities, and he says, he doesn’t like Ava still, and he’s not sure he ever will, but he can recognize she’s important to the people who matter to him. And if his father loves her, that is something he can learn to live with. She says, good. Really, really good, and it’s about time. He says he thought she’d think so, and she says she does. She’s glad he’s finally realized he doesn’t have veto power in his father’s marriage, but she’s still bothered by something. She doesn’t understand this arrangement he has with Ava. He says she just wants him to live there; making up with his father is his choice. She says, so reconciliation is free of charge, and he says, if it’s costing anybody, it’s him. She says, of course (🍷) it is. But does he really think he can reconcile with his father with Esme around?

Esme says she doesn’t know who Felicia thinks she is, but if she doesn’t leave, Esme is going to have to tell the guards she’s harassing Ryan. Felicia asks who Esme thinks let her in. Besides, Ryan told Esme that he wants her here. We go way back; don’t we? He blinks, and Felicia says, one for yes. So how much time has Esme spent with Ryan? Esme says, enough, and Felicia says, Esme may think she’s helping him, doing a service, but he’s a homicidal psychopath. Esme says she’s familiar with what Dr. Chamberlain has been accused of, and Felicia asks why Esme keeps calling him doctor. He lost his license to practice before Esme was born, and for good reason. Esme tells her, if you say so, and Felicia says she knows so. He maimed, and manipulated, and tortured, and tormented. Esme should be careful. He’s very good at getting what he wants from people. Esme says she’ll take that under advisement, Miss… She’s sorry, she didn’t catch Felicia’s name. Felicia says, Mrs. Felicia Scorpio, and Esme asks how she knows Ryan. Felicia asks if Ryan wants to tell her, or should she?

Michael says he didn’t want Carly taking this big of a risk, but she says, it’s her risk to take. Michael says he respects that, but how much is liquid? and she says she met with her financial advisor, and took a calculated risk. Drew says, which is not really an answer, but she says, it’s all the answer they’re going to get. Aurora needed a jump start, and she needed to speculate, and look; it’s already paid off, for all of them. Michael says, so far, and Carly says she thinks it’s time to give credit where credit is due.

Sonny says, he has a ship sitting in the harbor, and every minute it sits there, he loses profit and goodwill, and Jordan asks, what’s the cargo? He says, coffee, and it has a shelf life, and she tells him, take it up with the harbormaster. He says, he thought because she was so gracious to come over and say hi, he’d take it up with her. The harbor patrol still works with the PCPD, right? She says, they do, but dock bureaucracy is hardly in their purview. She’s sure they’re just dotting their i’s. He says he’s just asking, what’s the hold up? but she says she honestly doesn’t know. She’s afraid she can’t help him. He says, of course (🍷) she can’t. He doesn’t know what’s worse; people who watch you burn or people who light the match. She says, this isn’t about the harbor patrol or the PCPD. What’s really eating him? He says, forget about it. He’ll let his lawyers handle it. She says she heard about the hearing, and he says, it’s front page news. She says, when he testified, he knew he’d be letting someone down. It can’t be easy for him. He says, tell his son that, and she says, he wants to talk about sons? Let’s talk about hers. He says, her doctor son? and she says, when he first arrived in Port Charles, did it occur to Sonny, or anyone, that medicine would be his path? He says, TJ was an angry kid, and she says, angry, troubled, rebellious, especially toward his mother. He says, now look at him. She’s got to be proud. She says she is, but it’s a long road. There were moments she wasn’t sure they’d ever get through, but they did, and she’s sure Sonny will too. He says, he appreciates the thought, but it’s different. TJ wasn’t hell bent on destroying her.

Drew says, this calls for a toast, bringing over three glasses of champagne, and Carly tells Michael, come on. Michael says he’s not happy about this, but he appreciates it, if that makes sense. Carly says, Michael and Drew are doing something huge, and she’s just honored to be a part of it. Michael says he guesses there’s only one thing left to say; to Carly. Carly says, yes! and Drew says, to Carly, ELQ, and Aurora, may they long reign together. Carly says, and here’s to getting rid of Valentin Cassadine, and they clink glasses.

Valentin tells Martin, he can appreciate the desire to protect one’s family, and the willingness to go to any lengths to do it. Martin asks if everything is all right, and Valentin says, it will be, once the voting goes his way. Martin says, about that. What’s the probability Ned is going to come down on his side? Shouldn’t they be formulating some kind of a Plan B? Valentin says, there is no Plan B. Ned goes against his family, and comes over to Valentin’s side, or it’s game over. And Valentin’s not worried, because Ned will.

Laura says, given how Ava feels about Esme… Spencer says, hates; she hates Esme. Laura says, that makes her think his and Esme’s presence won’t make anything easier, and Spencer says, for whom? She says, anybody, and he says, much to their mutual shock he and Ava are willing to compromise. As for Esme, he’s going to make sure she doesn’t stand in the way of progress. She says, he sounds very determined, and he says he is, for several of the right reasons. She says, just don’t let money blind him from the lessons he learned without it, and he says he won’t. She says, if that’s the case, maybe he won’t give up his job, and he says, his job here? She asks how many jobs he has, and he says, Cameron can tell her that he doesn’t have the patience for serving. Cameron covers his shifts all the time, cleans up his messes, and he would be certainly no great loss to this institution. She says, she’ll take his word for it, and he says, speaking of Cam, how’s his mother doing? She says she thinks that’s something he should ask Cameron himself, and he says he’d love to. He’s just not sure what to say. She says, he could start with, how are you? Then move on to, how are his brothers? Then ask how his mother is doing. And he could keep, I’m your friend and you can say anything to me in his back pocket in case he needs it. He says, she makes it sound easy, and she says, he’ll never know until he tries. She’d like to see him work things out with all of his friends; Trina too. He says he and Trina don’t have a friendship, and never will. Not as long as he’s with Esme.

Ava says, Nikolas wants a divorce so they can stay together? and he says, exactly. She says, that seems like a lot of extra steps just to end up in the same place, but he says, he wants them to be on equal footing; not just emotionally, but financially. She says, they already tore up the post-nup. As far as romantic gestures go, it was quite unforgettable actually. He says, divorcing without preconditions entitles her to half of his assets, excluding what’s entitled to Spencer of course (🍷). Does any part of this appeal to her? She says, there was a time it would have, and he says, not anymore? She says, they’ve just come through one of the biggest challenges of their marriage, and they’re still working their way back to each other. They haven’t even slept together yet. He asks if that’s what this is about. That’s not a problem. They consummated their marriage; they can consummate the end. She says, it’s not about sex really. It’s about something much deeper. What happens if they sever this union, and they’re not strong enough to withstand the next challenge? If they untie this knot, there’s no guarantee they’ll tie a new one.

Laura says, Spencer and Trina aren’t friends right now. Can he blame Trina? He chose Esme. He says he didn’t want to choose, but Esme kept forced the issue. She can be territorial. Laura says, she’s insecure; she’s all alone in the world. He asks if that’s what Esme told her, and Laura says, Esme told her that she never knew her biological parents, and that her adoptive parents were distant and cold. Maybe that’s part of what drew them together; they both grew up without a mother. Spencer says, maybe Esme would have made different choices if her mother had been in her life… that’s rich. She says, he can have empathy for Esme and not allow her to control his life, and he says, that’s exactly right. The key to Esme is her past.

Felicia tells Esme that Ryan harassed and stalked her for years. Before his infatuation with Ava, she was his obsession. And that’s the short version. Esme asks Ryan if that’s true, and Ryan flutters his eyes. Esme sits in front of Ryan, and Felicia asks, what’s he saying? Esme says, let’s find out, and gets the board. Ryan blinks, and Esme points out U-B-O-M. She says, he says, Felicia is… the bomb? and Felicia laughs, saying, it’s Ryan’s version of a joke. Once upon a time Ryan crashed her wedding with an explosive device. She asks if Esme is his new obsession, and tells Esme, remember, he was obsessed with Ava Jerome, so he put a knife in her daughter. That’s what he does to women. He also left his brother to rot in an asylum for months. If he’s willing to do that to his own blood, what will he do to her? Esme says, she’ll bear that in mind, and Felicia says she’s not sure why she came here in the first place. She takes Esme’s place in the chair, and says, maybe it was to see if he’s still a threat, but mostly it was to show him that many of his intended victims are still standing. She gets up, and tells Esme, whatever you do, don’t let him get in your head. Because once you’ve served his intended purposes, he will turn on you, discard you, and probably kill you. It’s not like hasn’t done it many times before. Felicia leaves, and Esme looks at Ryan, who stares straight ahead.

Laura says, Spencer has a good heart, just like his father, and Spencer says he appreciates her faith. He knows they’ve both let her down, yet here she still is. She asks where else she’d be, and he says, city hall maybe, for one. The mayor of Port Charles shouldn’t have to expend so much energy keeping her grandson out of trouble. She says, the people she loves are the best part of her life. She’s where she should be. He says, if he got his heart from his father, his father got it from her. He hugs her, and says he loves her very much. She says she loves him too, and he says he promises to protect the people who have stood by him. And he will become the man she’s always told him that he could be. She says she knows he will, but now, he has to get back to work, and she leaves.

Drew asks how Michael really feels, and Michael says, about what his mother did? Angry she did it, but pleased it’s working. Drew says, there’s something else going on, and Michael says, she invested so much; the pressure’s really on them to succeed, more now than ever. Drew says, but they’re in a better position to make that happen, and Michael says, better, not certain. Drew says, okay. Does Michael want him to present the new information to Ned? Michael says, his mom brought up some good points. Right now, they need all hands on deck, not just Ned. Lucy walks by, and Drew says, well then, let’s go shore up some prospects. They go over to Lucy, and Drew says, this setting suits her. Michael asks if she’d like a drink, and she says she’d love one. She’ll have what Drew’s having. Michael says, as you wish, and Drew sits on the chaise next to her. He asks, how’s life post IPO? and she tells him, she’d like to say it’s all yachting and buying vineyards, but this precious moment is the first break she’s had in weeks. Drew says, no rest for the wicked, huh? and she says she’s certainly that. He says, and savvy, and resourceful. Michael says, with an impeccable sense of business, handing her a drink, and she thanks him. She says, look at you two. Clearly there’s a pitch here, so let her hear it.

Jordan says, aside from loving their kids, parents have two jobs. the first one is to raise decent, functional adults. The second is to never give up. He says, what if they give up on you? and she says, if he’s as tenacious about reconciling with Michael as he is about reclaiming that coffee shipment, they’ll reconcile soon. Carly joins them, and says hello to Jordan. She says she’s sorry to keep Sonny waiting; she appreciates him coming by. Jordan starts to leave, and Carly says, before she goes, are there any developments in Trina’s case? Jordan says she wishes she had better news, and Sonny asks if she means Trina could go to prison. Carly says, they all know Esme set her up, but Jordan says she can only testify to the evidence, not her personal convictions. She tells Sonny, don’t give up. Those roadblocks don’t last forever. She leaves, and Carly asks what that was about, but Sonny says, nothing. Just something going on at the docks. She called; he’s here. Are they going to have it out? She says, they’re not having it out in here.

Michael says, the winds are changing at ELQ, and they want to know if they can rely on Lucy’s support. Lucy says, that’s right. There’s a shareholders meeting real soon. Drew says, the last time she voted with Valentin, and they’d love to shift her allegiance to them. Lucy asks if Valentin has done a bad job, and Michael says, Valentin is an effective businessman, but he’s not a Quartermaine. Drew says, it’s a family business, and they believe it’s better for the bottom line if a family member runs it. She says, suppose she decides to back them in this return to nepotism – she’s not judging, by the way. What’s in it for her? Drew asks if she can keep a secret, and she says she’s the soul of discretion. Drew says, ELQ and Aurora are merging, and Michael says, that could mean even more growth potential for Deception. Drew says, with Aurora sharing a significant part of the market share, it will only expand, and Michael says, her loyalty could mean nearly non-existent advertising rates, and a significantly higher budget for marketing. Drew says, not to mention a wider global reach, and she says, they drive a very hard bargain. Michael says, so can they count on her vote?

Martin says, if the Quartermaines beat Valentin at this game, he had a good run. It’s not like he lost to an unworthy adversary. Valentin says, he’s not giving up ELQ, and Martin says he’s not suggesting that. He’s just saying, there’s more to life. It’s not like Valentin needs the company. If the vote goes sideways, Valentin can spend more time with Charlotte. Take up surfing. Focus on that beautiful but dangerous super spy lady friend of his. Valentin asks when Martin became so defeatist, but Martin says, make no mistake, he has as little intention of losing as Valentin does. Valentin asks if Martin is sure about that, and Martin says, he’s just pointing out it’s not the end of the world if this thing goes south. In fact, if it does, they can too. He hears Playa del Carmen is lovely at this time of year. Valentin tells Martin, listen close. When Nikolas and Ava took Windymere from him, he was at his lowest. And no matter how trivial ELQ seems to Martin, it was Valentin’s salvation. Martin says, message received and noted; failure is not an option. Valentin says, no, it is not. Not now. Not ever.

Ava tells Nikolas, marriage isn’t like an Etch-a-Sketch that you can shake and start over. Their history will still be their history. Their mistakes will be their mistakes. Their triumphs and failures will have led them to the same place. He asks if she can’t trust him when he says, starting a new chapter is the best way to move forward, and Laura knocks at the door. She says she hopes she’s not interrupting. Spencer told her she could find them here. Nikolas says, perfect timing. He and Ava have good news… he hopes. Laura says she hopes it’s that they’ve decided to work things out – it’s good to see Ava at home – and that they’ve made a commitment to making their decisions together from now on. Nikolas says he knows he has. Ava?

Esme says, Ryan mentioned Felicia, but it seems he left out a lot of details. He says, that’s because licentious, duplicitous women like Felicia, aren’t worth mentioning. Felicia is one of his great disappointments. Don’t end up on that list herself. She says she did what he asked, but he says, not all of it. She hasn’t told Ava that she slept with Nikolas, and why not? And don’t tell him it has something to do with the younger Cassadine. Esme says, if she’d exposed Nikolas’s infidelity right away, she would have exposed her agenda. Once they find out what she’s up to, it’s game over. They’ll form a united front, she’ll be kicked out, and Ava and Nikolas will be stronger than ever, and they don’t want that, do they? He says, no, they don’t, and she says, she knows this is the last thing he wants to hear, but Ava and Nikolas are genuinely devoted to one another. One betrayal may not be enough to split them up, which is why they need to compound this; make their split truly and utterly irrevocable. He says, she may have a point, but he’s getting anxious to move on to the next phase of his plan. He needs to spread his wings. She says, and he will; it’s just a matter of time. He says, he hopes she knows what she’s doing, and she says, trust me, daddy. What I have planned will blow that family apart once and for all.

Lucy says, Drew and Michael have given her tiny, measly one percent a lot to mull over, and Drew says, they’d appreciate a commitment as soon as she could give one. Michael says, Valentin can’t beat their offer, and she says she’ll be in touch. Ta, boys! She leaves, and Michael asks if Drew thinks she’ll bite. Drew says, he thinks she’s tempted. Thanks to Carly, their stock’s on the rise. They win over Lucy, show Ned the numbers… Michael says, and they’re sitting pretty.

Martin thanks Valentin for lunch, but Valentin says, he’ll be earning it. He wants Martin working around the clock to make sure he stays CEO. Martin says, if that’s the reason for this repast, he should have ordered himself the thousand dollar caviar burger with gold leaf. Valentin asks if Martin knows what gold leaf tastes like. It doesn’t. He’s better off with the frittata. Martin tells him, so says the last of the big spenders? In that case, he thinks he’ll get himself a doggy bag, eat the burger alone, and bill Valentin anyway. Valentin doesn’t have to finesse him into doing his job. Valentin says, there is one more things they need to discuss, and Martin says, his lovely Lucy and her pivotal one percent. He told Valentin that she’d already promised it to him. Valentin says, yes, she has, but it’s the prerogative of a woman to change her mind like the weather, and he’s afraid a mind like Lucy’s will be a perfect storm. Martin says he promises Valentin, he’ll do everything he can to persuade her, and Valentin says, you do that. And once he gets Lucy’s and Ned’s help to keep him in as CEO, those who think they can control him are in for one hell of a reckoning.

Felicia tells the reception nurse that she’d been waiting for Maxie and Bailey, but stepped away, and the nurse says, they’re still upstairs. They should be done soon. Felicia turns around to see Ryan being wheeled out. He stares daggers at her before he’s wheeled into the elevator.  

Esme walks into Kelly’s, and asks Spencer, how’d quitting go? He kisses, her and says, it’s his last shift. Cam wasn’t happy, but family comes first. She says, meaning his deal with Ava? but he says, her; she’s his family. She says, it’s nice to hear him say that again, and he says, he’s sorry it’s taken him so long. She says she hopes he knows that he’s her family too, and he says, of course (🍷) he does. What’s more important than family? So no more aprons. He wants to spend every single free minute he has by his baby girl’s side. They hug.

Ava says, her and Laura’s conversation helped clarify her thoughts. Laura was absolutely right, as usual. She and Nikolas have both made mistakes, but they’re ready to put that behind them, and move forward together. She takes Nikolas’s hand, and says, they’re beginning a new chapter. Laura says, that’s music to her ears, and Nikolas says, together, they’ll forge a future, where no problem is insurmountable, and where love will truly conquer all. But first, they have to get divorced. Laura’s smile turns into a whaat? look.  

In her office, Carly thanks Sonny for meeting with her, and he says, she told him it was about the kids. She says, it’s a very difficult time for them. In many ways, it’s easier for Avery and Donna, because they’re younger and don’t fully understand what’s going on. They just want to know their family still loves them. They’re all trying to reassure them of that. Josslyn has been terrific. She’s spending tons of time with them, even though she’s got a lot going on. Sonny says, he loves Josslyn. She’s like a daughter to him, despite what Michael said. Carly asks what Michael said, and Sonny tells her, after the divorce, and what went on with Nina, that he basically threw away his relationship with his kids. Can she believe that? She says, yeah, she can, and she agrees.

Tomorrow, Josslyn says she and Trina have a plan; Maxie tells Austin if he sticks with her, he’ll be fine; Nina tells Britt, they’re going to make them suffer; and Carly says she doesn’t know Sonny anymore.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht

Fornells, Menorca. The crew sits at a table on deck, drinking, and Gary says, it’s the last charter. Can they can believe it’s the end? It was the  funniest preference sheet meeting he’s ever been at. There’s a chick who doesn’t eat anything. They clink glasses, and Scarlett says, they should make the most of their time together. Gary asks if she wants to hang out tonight, and she says she does – with everybody. Colin asks Marcos about the gluten free guest, and Marcos says, it’s a heavy one; no pasta or rice. In Colin’s interview, he says he doesn’t think he’s seen Marcos like this before. He needs to be here for Marcos. He wants to see Marcos finish strong. He tells Marcos that he’ll help, but Marcos has got to learn to delegate. He wants Marcos to leave on a high note.

Scarlett and Gary sit on deck, but when Gary gets kissy, she suggests they go socialize. In Marcos’s interview, he says, it’s hard to have fun with the crew when he has a different problem. One of the guests has celiac disease, so he has to be careful. He doesn’t want to mess up the last charter. He starts making some bread, and Gary asks him to come have a drink. Marcos says he’ll be there in a second, and Gary tells Marcos that Scarlett pulled away when he tried to kiss her. In Gary’s interview, he says he doesn’t want Daisy to be angry. Maybe he should let Scarlett be. Marcos joins the crew, and they have shots. Gary has to run to the toilet, only to discover there’s no toilet paper. Lucky for him, Glenn is in the cabin, and Glenn suggests Gary use his tip from the last charter, but hands him a box of tissues. The guys take hurricane shots with the girls slapping them. I have to say, this is one of the stupidest things I’ve ever seen catch on with a group of people, and I’ve seen some stupid stuff. Daisy slaps Gary, and he spits his shot at her, then hugs her. In his interview, he says, that’s for being all up in his business. Kelsie goes to bed, but the others get in their bathing suits and in the hot tub. Daisy asks Gary for a dare, and next thing we know, Ashley is doing the worm. Scarlett has a shot out of Marcos’s navel, and more crew members do the worm. In Daisy’s interview, she says she knows it’s a school night, and they shouldn’t go crazy. They’re being naughty, but that’s tomorrow’s problem. Marcos and Ashley go swimming, and the crew goes to bed. Marcos says he’s never had this kind of fun, and he, Colin, and Gary roughhouse and laugh. In Marcos’s interview, he says he’s going to regret this in the morning.

In the morning, Daisy says, all she can smell is tequila, and wonders if it’s in her hair. Marcos and Colin are still asleep, and Ashley says she feels fuzzy, but they were having fun. That’s all that matters. Barnaby asks how Ashley is doing, and she says, living. The deckhands do chores, and Gary says, it was a silly idea getting so drunk, like they don’t all know this. Marcos still not up, and Glenn finally knocks at the cabin when it’s three hours to charter. In Glenn’s interview, he says, he’s not their dad. If they’re hungover, it’s self-inflicted, and he doesn’t give a sh*t. He asks if Marcos had fun, and Marcos says, more than he should have. Glenn says, it’s just 52 hours until the season is done. Scarlett can’t find her radio, and provisions come in. Daisy says, f*** no. She doesn’t know if she can do this. Marcos is finally up and out, and says he’s dying. He wonders why everything is so heavy. Gary is glad to finally leave the bay they’ve been sitting in, and Glenn says he thinks they’ll be able to do some sailing. Thinking about the wedding is giving him a rash, and Colin asks if he’s ever done one before. Glenn says, almost; on the first charter. They had a massive bust-up. We flash back to (I guess) the first season, when two of the guests were supposed to get married, but had a fight instead. Glenn says, they probably broke up after the charter. Daisy and Gary tell their respective departments, looking good, and Scarlett doesn’t know how they did it. Glenn tells the crew to get dressed, since the guests are being picked up shortly. Scarlett bumps into Daisy, who drops a glass, and says, f*** my life. In Marcos’s interview, he says he’s confident in himself, but dealing with a strict diet is intense. He’s drawing a blank. No garlic, onions, or parsley. It’s going to be bland food.

The guests arrive, and Glenn welcomes them, saying, they have a great trip planned. He’s heard there are going to be some interesting events. Co-primary bride-to-be Allegra says, he’s officiating, and Glenn acts surprised. He tells them that they’re going to sail to a nice bay where they can drop anchor. Daisy does the tour, and Colin checks in on Marcos, who says he’s making the cake tonight. Glenn tells Colin to fire it up, so they can get going. They pull anchor, and Allegra tells Scarlett that she doesn’t want her wedding dress to be an origami swan, and Ashley intercepts, saying, she’ll bring it to hang downstairs. In Ashley’s interview, she says, all she’s wanted is to prove to Daisy that she’s good at her job, and good with the guests. She wants to finish the season strong. Glenn thinks they can get in a good sail. The sails unfurl, and things fall and slide. Daisy says she has the worst hangover she’s ever had, and Marco says, he was hoping to work on the cake in between meals. In Marcos’s interview, he says, because one of the guests has celiac disease, he can’t have cross contamination, so everyone is eating gluten-free. Daisy serves lunch, and Marcos comes up to explain the dishes. The sails come down, and they dock in the bay. The guests ask Ashley about the rope swing, and guest Virgil is the first to jump off of it. Ashley cracks her head going up the stairs, and I laugh evilly.  Co-primary groom-to-be Gabe won’t let go of the rope, and nearly collides with the boat. He swings back on deck, and says he’s not good with heights. Glenn says, it’s the first time he’s seen that, and in his interview, he just laughs.

Glenn suggests the guests do some exploring, and Scarlett packs a bag for them. They get in the tender, and Gary takes them to see the caves. It’s absolutely gorgeous, and Gary takes pictures. Guest Matt proclaims the caves awesome, and they head back, Gary telling them to keep their feet and hands inside the ride. Glenn thinks a beach near a lighthouse will be good for the wedding, and the stews plan the decorations for tonight’s astrology dinner. Daisy suggests they wear glitter makeup and put up fairy lights. In his interview, Marcos says, he just has a dinner, two breakfasts, the wedding reception dinner, and a cake, and he’s out. In the crew mess, Daisy asks if Gary thinks he’ll get married, and he says, he wants kids, but unless she’s a yachtie, it would be difficult. He doesn’t want to be single his whole life. Colin says, sometimes, they’re right under your nose, and Gary says, Daisy! Scarlett tells Ashley that she’s over it with Gary, and dinner is served. The guests talk astrology, and guest Laura says, the food is because of her restrictions, so sorry, but the others thinks the food is fantastic. Virgil says, the crispy zucchini is dope. Daisy asks Colin to play music for the wedding, and he says he’d better practice. The guests ask Daisy to take photos of them after dinner, then turn in early, Allegra saying, she and Gabe have to write their vows. Marcos works on the cake, and in his interview, he says, somehow have to make a gluten free cake moist. He’s going to treat it like a woman; with a lot of love and passion, a little massage here and there.

Daisy says, it’s their last full day, and Gary grabs her, kissing her and saying, good morning. Colin asks how Marcos is doing, and Marcos says, good, but the cake took so long. In Marcos’s interview, he says, the cake is his biggest pressure. He’s going to decorate it between meals. It’s pretty much like a race, and it’s stressful. Allegra says she still needs to do her vows, but Gabe says he took a crack at it. She asks if she can see, but he tells her, no, as we all would. Daisy asks Scarlett to help serve breakfast, the featured dish being lobster benedict and regular benedict (my favorite!). Some of the guests go swimming, and guest Malee asks if Allegra is going to toss her bouquet. Allegra asks if there’s anyone particular she should toss it too, and Malee says, Daisy. Allegra says, she’ll have to be casual. In his interview, Marcos says, his mom is a baker, and it’s important that a wedding cake be separate from a regular cake. It can’t be sloppy, and has to be elegant. He needs to make his mom proud, so she doesn’t give him sh*t later. Gabe tells Glenn that they’re going to keep it short and sweet, and Daisy tells the stews to make the beach as nice as possible. In Daisy’s interview, she says she hopes Ashley shows growth, and that she delegates, organizes, and acts professional. Weddings are stressful, and if Ashely can do this, she can do anything. Gabe asks if Glenn is nervous, and Glenn says, a little. The tender is loaded up with decorations, and Gary tells the crew to set up as large an area as possible to keep people from coming too close.

The beach is crowded with people, and Colin says, kids are swimming. In Ashley’s interview, she says she doesn’t want to mess up these people’s wedding. Gary says, this is his worst day. He hates this. he reckons people will clear out by 6:30, which doesn’t give them much time. He radios Daisy, who tells him to be ready at 10 to 7. Marcos decorates the cake, and thinks they should get married on the boat. In Ashley’s interview, she says, the boys have no clue what they’re doing with the decorations. They have to step it up. This is her make it or break it moment. She tells them, it’s going to be awkward with people in the background. Malee helps Allegra get dressed, and she and the female guests have a shot. In his interview, Marcos says, he also has to do the reception dinner. Normally, he’d have a group of chefs helping him build the menu, but it’s just him. Glenn goes to the beach, followed by the guests minus Allegra, Glenn asks if this makes Colin want to get married, but Colin says, hold your horses. Gary goes back for bride, and tells her, everyone is waiting. She asks if Gabe is there, and Gary says, he doesn’t have running shoes on. At the beach, he helps her with her train, and Colin lifts her onto shore.  

Colin plays guitar, and the bride walks down the aisle, or beach as it were. Glenn says, they’ve come here to celebrate the coming together of two lives, and the occasion of them making a total commitment to one another. Gabe says he didn’t believe in love at first sight, but was struck when he met Allegra. He vows to always be by her side, no matter what. Allegra says, Gabe is the smartest person she knows. He’s the most thoughtful, and the kindest, and makes her feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. It’s always been him, and will always be him. She loves him. Glenn says, may they be poor in misfortune, and rich in blessings. May they live out the meaning of this moment all the days of their lives. He pronounces them husband and wife, and they kiss. There’s cheering and crying, and a Just Married sign on the tender. Allegra tosses the bouquet, and Daisy catches it. Gary runs into the water, saying he’s not going to marry her, and she says, he’s such a d*ck.  

Next time, Daisy wants everything to be perfect; Ashley is in full panic mode; and Colin asks if Gary caused trouble last night.

💸 Cash Me Outside…

Join me tomorrow for soap and a side of tea. Until then, stay safe, stay not taking things or people for granted, and stay never giving up. Roadblocks don’t last forever.

June 10, 2022 – Spencer Almost Spills To Ava, New Guy, NeNe Says No, Juicy Hit, Some Dish, Diamond Whine, No Return, Guilty, Winners, Lucky Number Quotes & Come On Baby

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

As the car is packed for a camping trip, Violet asks Cameron if he’s sure they have enough marshmallows and chocolate. He says, they have enough for an entire month; it’s only a weekend trip. Laura comes by, and says she loves seeing everyone pitching in together. Violet says, they’re going camping, and Laura says, what a wonderful idea. Elizabeth is going to be happy to hear they’re going on a trip as a blended family. Cameron says he’s late for work, and leaves. Finn thinks he should talk to Cameron, but Laura says, no; she’s got that.

Portia reads from her tablet to Epiphany, when you are visualizing vectors. Do you do it in A) one-dimension, B) two dimensions, or C) three dimensions? Epiphany says, vectors… visualizing vectors… Is it A? Portia says, no, it’s B. Two dimensions, babe. Epiphany says, who is she kidding? She’s never going to pass the MCATs and get into med school, and fulfill her dream of becoming a doctor. Portia says she remembers she said the same thing when she was going through them, and Epiphany says, but Portia was still young when she became a doctor, and she had more time and energy. Portia doesn’t know what to tell her there. They haven’t invented time machines just yet. (If only.) Epiphany says, at the very least, does she have any study tips? and Portia says, someone did help her once. They said, don’t think about it as a test. Think about the questions as if you’re dealing with an actual patient; someone that came to you for answers. Epiphany asks if that did the trick, and Portia says, it did. It reminded her of why she wanted to be a doctor in the first place, and it wasn’t to do good on some test. It was to help people. Curtis walks in with Marshall, and says, then it looks like they came to the right place. Marshall smiles and nods at Epiphany, and she smiles back.

Laura asks if Cameron isn’t going with everyone else on the camping trip, but he says he has his hands full here with his job, his second job at the MetroCourt pool, not to mention dealing with things with Joss. She says she doesn’t want to pry, but it’s summer, after his freshman year in college. Doesn’t he think he deserves to have a little fun? He says, roughing it in Pautuck State Park isn’t his idea of a good time. She says, not fond of sleeping in a tent? Or is it maybe the fact that his mom won’t be there?

Trina looks at her phone, and says, confidential message from the office of the Dean of Students. Josslyn says, they don’t know for sure if this is bad news, and Trina says, yeah, but once she opens this email, her life won’t be the same.

Spencer says, Ava is way off base. He’s back with Esme. She asks if he’s trying to deny his feelings for Trina, and he says he doesn’t owe her any explanations. She says, he knows how much Trina means to her, so she wants the truth. What kind of game is he playing?

Nikolas grabs Esme’s arm, and says she can’t be serious. Ava can never know that he… that we… She says, made love? (bleh) and he tells her to keep her voice down. She tells him, she’s only saying, if the guilt of it is too much to bear, and he needs to unburden himself to Ava, he won’t be alone. She’ll be right by his side.

Mac comes into the hospital and sees Felicia. He says he takes it that Maxie and Bailey Lou are still upstairs with the pediatrician, and she says, yes, they are. And when they’re finished, she was hoping he’d join them for a family dinner. He says, sounds fine to him. He can’t get enough of that little angel. She says, everything is new through a little one’s eyes, then looks behind Mac, and says, no. Ryan is wheeled out of the elevator by several guards and Rory.

Laura hugs Cameron, and says she’s sorry. She knows he misses his mom; they all do. And she knows he also feels pressure to earn money and be the man of the family, but doesn’t he admire what Finn is doing; trying to keep things as normal as possible for Jake and Aiden? For Violet too, for that matter. He says, they can’t pitch a tent in the woods and pretend everything is normal when mom’s suffering, but she says, his mother chose to get help, and she’s working on getting better. He says, but they don’t know how long it’s going to take. He doesn’t know what to say anymore when Jake and Aiden ask why they can’t see their mom. Things will not get better until mom gets home.

Curtis says, he brought his father in to have his bandage changed, and maybe have another scan, and Epiphany says she heard about the mugging; she’s so sorry. Marshall says, his son came to the rescue. He throws some punches in the air, and says, thanks to Curtis, they came through all right. Epiphany says she’s not surprised Curtis came through for him, but she’s sorry he didn’t get there before Marshall got injured. Marshall says, he may be the worse for wear, but she should see the clarinet. Epiphany laughs, and says she’ll show Marshall to his room, and let the doctor know he’s here. Portia thanks her, and Epiphany says, no, thank you, for the tutorial. She leaves with Marshall, and Portia says, when she left Curtis at the house, he and his father had a lot to unpack. Curtis says, a whole suitcase full, and she says, if he doesn’t feel comfortable talking to her about it, they can talk another time. He says he doesn’t want to talk about it, but he has to. Because what he learned might affect her too.

Josslyn says she and Trina can do this, and they open the email. Josslyn says, oh no, and hugs Trina.

Spencer tells Ava, yes, he cares about Trina, but his loyalty is to Esme. Why is that so difficult for her to understand? She asks why he’d care about Trina if he thinks she’s the one who hurt his friends, while claiming Esme’s behind that revenge porn? Doesn’t that make him angry? He says he doesn’t have to explain himself to her, and she says, she’s the one in control of his trust fund. It’s her decision to give him an allowance, but what she gives, she can take away. So out with it. What is he up to?

Nikolas says, he and Esme have both been given second chances; her with Spencer, him with Ava. The last thing they want to do is throw those chances away, right? She says, if he can forget what happened between them, so can she. Nikolas flashes back to… It’s like a bad penny; it just keeps showing up. He says, Ava took the first step toward reconciliation, and he needs to find a way to reciprocate, and she asks if they’re talking diamonds or rubies. He says, none of the above.

Felicia tells Mac, she knows Ryan can’t hurt her because of his condition, but still… He says, wait here, and goes over to Rory, asking what Ryan is doing here. Rory hands Mac some paperwork, and says, the desk sergeant gave him this assignment, to provide back-up for the Spring Ridge guards during transport. The patient is going to undergo a series of tests at GH. Is there a problem? Mac says, unfortunately, no, handing the papers back to Rory. Everything seems to be in order. Mac goes over to Ryan, and bends down to his level. He says he knows Ryan can’t talk, or even move a muscle, but Ryan can hear him, so listen up. He knows it’s legally the correct thing to do to offer Ryan medical treatment, but if it were up to Mac, he’d have taken Ryan down a long time ago. All Ryan’s victims, all the people he killed, he never gave them a chance to survive. So even though he can imagine Ryan hates his life as a vegetable, trapped in a body that can’t do anything, it’s still way better than he deserves. Ryan lets out a yell, and leaps out of his chair, pushing Mac onto the floor, and getting on top of him. He says, Mac never was very bright, and Felicia screams. Ryan tears at Mac’s throat like a zombie, and looks up and says, Felicia, so nice to see you. Felicia whimpers, but it was all somebody’s daydream – I’m guessing Ryan’s. Mac tells Rory to escort the prisoner to the exam room, and make sure the room is secure before he hands Ryan over to the guards. Rory says, yes, sir, let’s go, and Ryan is wheeled away. Mac goes over to Felicia, and she says she’s okay. Evil like that, pure evil, can’t win out. He says he wishes it were that easy. Does she have a silver bullet? She says, something better, a baby.

Ryan is left in the exam room alone (really?), and makes a fist with his hand.   

Gregory asks Finn how things went at Shadybrook, and Finn says, Violet told him. Gregory says, nothing gets past her, and Finn says, Elizabeth is getting the help that she needs. Gregory asks why he senses there’s more to the story, and Finn says, Elizabeth made it clear his presence there was making it worse for her. She kind of asked him to leave. He goes over to Violet at the car, and asks if she’s ready for this.

Laura says, when she saw Cameron’s mother, she had only one concern; her boys, not herself. Cameron asks if that isn’t the problem. Shouldn’t her entire focus be on herself and getting better? She says, when he gets older and has kids, he’ll see that you never stop worrying about them or putting their needs first, but he’s right. She should be focusing on herself right now, but she won’t be about to do that if she knows Cameron is putting his life on hold. It will only add to her anxiety. He says, so him going on this stupid camping trip will actually make her feel better? and Laura asks if it’s really stupid to spend time with his brothers right now. Go for a walk in the woods. Maybe they’ll run into a family of deer. Anything to distract their minds from what’s going on with their mother. He says he guesses, and she says, he likes Finn, right? and he says, sure he does. She says, everybody says Hamilton Finn is a genius who can cure incurable diseases, and they’re right, but he’s also a human being. He could use Cameron’s help right now. She knows Cameron’s mother was counting on him to help right now. If ever there was a time for a family to come together, it’s now.

Portia asks how Marshall’s story affects her, and Curtis says, because it affects him. He doesn’t think he’s betraying any confidence in saying this. Marshall is well aware there have been way too many secrets, so he’s okay with him telling her everything. She says, she’s here to listen, so take all the time he needs. He says, after she left them at the house, Marshall opened up. It was like somebody opened the window, and let the sun shine in after a lifetime of being lost in the dark. He just let it all out; all those years he was away from them, thinking he was protecting them. When in reality, all the while, he was suffering. If TJ hadn’t found those pills… She says, the pills she found Curtis holding? and he nods. He says, after Marshall was mugged, the doctors in New York asked is he was on any medication. Curtis knew he was on heart medication, but didn’t know what kind or what dose. He and TJ had the keycard to Marshalls hotel room, so TJ went to look for the pills. They were just trying to help the doctors with any information they could. She asks if he’s saying Marshall’s heart condition is worse than he initially let on, but he says, no. He’s saying there was no medication for a heart issue. TJ found antipsychotic medication. All these years, Marshall has been taking medication for schizophrenia.

Trina reads, this is to inform you that you have been found in violation of regulations enumerated in Title IX. You’ll be contacted by the Dean’s office to schedule a meeting, at which time sanctions against you will be stipulated and possible expulsion will be addressed. Josslyn says, they still get to meet with the Dean. So there’s a chance they’ll impose sanctions while allowing Trina to stay enrolled in PCU. Trina says, thanks for trying to stay positive, but she doesn’t need a pep talk. Actually, in a way this decision did her a favor. Josslyn says, how? when Rory comes to the doorway and listens. Trina says, it’s like climbing a high diving board. It’s scarier to climb back down than just take a deep breath and jump. Josslyn says, okay, but what is Trina jumping into? Trina says, the way she sees it, if anyone’s going to clear her name and prove she’s not guilty, it’s her. Josslyn says, just know that Trina’s got her family, and her, and hopefully Cameron. Rory comes in, and says he hopes there’s room for one more supporter.

Esme says, she and Nikolas are in this together, so tell her. What does he have in mind for Ava? He says, Ava made a huge gesture by returning home to him. She even accepted Esme, and reinstated Spencer’s trust; those are huge concessions. He has to come up with a fitting response. She says she can’t wait to hear how the story ends, and hugs him. She says, this is for good luck, even though he doesn’t need it.

Spencer says he’s not up to anything, and Ava says, for once in his young irresponsible life, he’s got to be honest. Whose side is he on? Trina’s or Esme’s? Nikolas walks in with the ice, and says, what did he miss?

Gregory shows Violet how to tie a square knot, and says, now it’s her turn. It’s okay if she doesn’t get it right the first time. He sits with Finn on the back of the car, and Finn says, his advice never changes, does it? The whole it’s okay if you don’t get right on the first try thing. Gregory always let him and Chase figure things out on their own. Gregory says, if memory serves, Finn and Chase rarely took his advice, and Finn says, very true, but he’s starting to. Instead of hovering over Elizabeth, he’s taking the boys and Violet on this camping trip. Gregory says, that’s very healthy, very mature, but if he knows his son, and he thinks he does, Finn is already planning some other way to help Elizabeth, whether she wants it or not.

Cameron tells Laura, that’s not fair, her bringing up his mom’s expectations of him, when he’s been disappointing her for a long time. Laura tells him not to do this to himself. He made a mistake, just like everybody else. His mother is really proud of him, and beating himself up right now is not productive. He’s just going to get bogged down in all of that, and then he can’t be present to help anyone else. What sense does that make? The best thing he can do for his mother is go on the camping trip, and spend time with his younger brothers. So what does he say?

Marshall says, Epiphany doesn’t have to stick around until the doctor shows up, and she asks if it ever occurred to him that she might have another reason for sticking around. The last time she saw him, it was, hello, goodbye, and have a nice life. He says, he thought it was best, and she says, best for who? He encouraged her to go for her dream of becoming a doctor. Then when she takes him up on it, he’s out of here. Not so much as a postcard from the road. He asks if she’s telling him that she’s going for it, and she nods. He says, is she grabbing that brass ring? and she says, with both hands. They laugh, and she says, he may have run away from his family, but she’s not running away from her future. He says, he may have run away, but if she’s not going to hide from her future, he can’t run away from his past. He’s back to face it, and he’s back to stay.

Portia asks if Marshall happened to mention when he was first diagnosed, and Curtis says, it’s been at least 40 years ago. He’s been saying there was more to Marshall’s story, and he was right. That explains everything. Marshall walked away from his family because he was protecting them; there was never any unknown enemy. He was protecting them from himself. As long as he and Tommy believed he was dead, he was sparing them from the pain, grief, and stigma of that disease. She says, 40 years ago, a lot less was known about that condition, and he says, can she imagine the courage it took to walk away from his family; to face that illness alone? Or the courage, even more so, to come back and tell the truth? She says, it is very brave. Did he happen to mention if he had any recent episodes? Curtis says, the medication keeps it under control. He believes Marshall’s biggest fear isn’t what he’s about to do, but what he’s already done by passing on his DNA. He’s read this disease can be passed along genetically. Is that true?

Trina asks if Rory always listens in on conversations, and waits for the right time to make an entrance, and he tells her, people say there’s never a cop around when you need one. Now she can tell them they’re wrong. Josslyn says, she can’t get ahold of Cam, but she’s glad Rory is here. PCU may have made a decision about the Title IX findings, but there’s still time before a judge rules on Trina’s case. Rory says, he’s on the clock right now, but once he’s off duty, they can come up with a strategy to exonerate Trina. Trina says she’s touched by their support, but if there are any clues to find, she needs to find them. She can’t involve a member of the PCPD, and she can’t involve Joss and Cam. She needs to do this one on her own.

Spencer says, Cameron is expecting him at Kelly’s, and Nikolas says he admires Spencer’s dedication. Even though he can draw from his trust fund, he still feels an obligation to his friend. Ava says, that’s our Spencer, loyal to a fault. Spencer leaves, and Ava says, Nikolas’s timing is not great. She was so close to finding out what Spencer’s up to with Esme. He asks what makes her think Spencer is up to something, and she says, he’s a Cassadine, isn’t he? They’re all going to be under the same roof. She’s going to do everything she can to get along with Nikolas’s son. Unlike his father, Spencer’s choice of companionship leaves a lot to be desired. She gets closer to Nikolas, and frowns. He says, what’s wrong? and she says she knows that fragrance. It’s Esme’s.

Mac says, he and Felicia have been dancing around this topic for months, but never seem to go there. So let’s go there. They sit, and he asks if she’s saying that she… that we… Is she pregnant? She says, God no. Is that what he thought? What she meant was, they have Bailey Lou, a new life of hope and promise. Ryan has nothing, no one, except his twisted self. He says, then she’s not upset they never had a baby of their own? and she says, absolutely not. He helped her raise two beautiful daughters, and that’s good enough for her. They kiss, and Esme comes out of the elevator. She tells the guard at Ryan’s room that she’s here to visit him, but he says, no visitors. Another guard says, wait a minute. She’s the intern from Spring Ridge. Esme says, Dr. Gould asked her to sit with the patient in case he needs to communicate. The guard lets her in, and closes the door. She says, hello, daddy. She’s about to make all of his dreams come true.

Finn says, it’s difficult for him to fight the impulse to solve a problem, and Gregory says, and in Elizabeth’s case? Finn says he’s been thinking about reaching out to her parents, and Gregory just looks at him. Finn says, that’s it? Gregory has no opinion? That’s not like him. Gregory wonders if Finn is genuinely asking for his opinion, or has he already made up his mind?

Spencer runs into Kelly’s, and tells Cameron, he has great news. He sees Laura, and says he didn’t know she’d be here. She says, don’t let that stop him. He’s got great news; let’s hear it.

Portia tells Curtis, yes, there’s a genetic component to schizophrenia, but his father’s condition isn’t necessary something he’d inherit. He says, that’s a relief, and he thinks Marshall will be relieved as well. She says, there are so many factors that could have gone into this diagnosis, and medicine’s come a long way in 40 years. Whoever treated his father back then was just learning about what they were dealing with, but still… He asks what she’s saying, and she tells him, if he wants to be absolutely sure, he could go in for genetic counseling and testing.

Rory says he admires Trina’s courage and independence, but she’s going to need more than that to prove her innocence. Let them help her. She says, she appreciates that, but she can’t involve anyone else. Josslyn says, it’s a little late for that. She’s in this too, not only as a victim of revenge porn, but as Trina’s friend. This is happening to both of them in different ways, and they need to work together. Screw it. Let’s just go straight for Esme. They’ll make her tell the truth. Trina says, and when Esme accuses them of assault? Josslyn says, fine. Trina can stay here. She’ll take her chances. Trina says, no, she will not. Neither of them are committing a crime, not even to save her from a crime she didn’t commit. Rory says, she knows all the right words, but fair or not, the burden of proof is still on her. Trina says, that’s why she needs to find a way, her own way, to prove that Esme set her up.

Nikolas tells Ava, it’s no shock Esme’s perfume lingers here. She just stopped him outside. She asks what Miss Muffet wanted this time, and he says, now that Esme and Spencer are back together, she hopes he and Ava will forget the past, and be closer than they ever were before. She says, and Nikolas believes her? He says he believes she wants to be with Spencer, and Ava laughs, saying, or Spencer’s trust fund. He says, maybe both, but Esme realizes if things are going to work out with her and Spencer, their happiness – his and Ava’s – is essential. She says, happy wife, happy life, is that it? He says, she took the words right out of his mouth, and they kiss.

Esme says, Ryan’s plan is working to perfection. The fuse has been lit, and it’s only a matter of time before it blows up Ava and Nikolas’s marriage. She gets the alphabet board, and sits down. Ryan asks what she did, and she tells him, let’s just say she made Nikolas an offer he couldn’t refuse. He says, pray tell. What did she offer Nikolas? and she says, me.

Finn says he hasn’t exactly made up his mind, and he’s asking for Gregory’s opinion. Gregory tells him to look at his daughter. See what she’s doing? Finn says, she’s tying the knots Gregory taught her, and Gregory says, then she’s untying them. He didn’t teach her that. She figured that out on her own. Finn says, it serves him right for having a teacher as a father

Spencer asks if he and Cameron can have a moment alone, and Cameron says, anything Spencer can say to him, he can say to their grandma. Starting with why he was late to work again. Spencer says, Cameron told him that he had to choose, and Cameron says, and did he? Spencer says, it’s all taken care of, and Cameron says, good, because he’s going camping. Is Spencer going to be able to take care of everything else here? He hands Spencer his apron, but Spencer says, there’s been a change of plans. If he’s going to take care of everything, he doesn’t have time to buss tables. He hands the apron back, and says, consider this his notice.

Curtis tells Portia, if there’s any chance he could inherit his father’s condition, he wants to know all there is to know about genetic counseling. She says she can put him in touch with a specialist. The more Curtis knows about his father’s condition, the better prepared he’ll be to help his father. He says, if there’s one thing he found out the hard way, it’s that there’s a fine line between helping and interfering. Before he commits to anything, he’ll wait for the okay from Marshall. Portia says, of course (🍷); she understands. He says, unless it means that much to her, but she says she wants him to do what’s best for him. He takes her hands, and says she’s amazing. She’s always thinking of other people and not herself. So if it means that much to her, say the word, and he’ll speak to a specialist.

Rory says, before Trina says anything else, this is where he gets off. She says, because he’s a cop? and he says, the less he knows, the more freedom she has to do what she needs to do. All he can say is, good luck… to Esme. Josslyn asks what he’s talking about, and he says, if she and Trina coming for her, Esme needs to look out. He leaves, and Josslyn says she likes that guy.

Ava says, she and Nikolas can’t sweep their problems under the rug. They went off the rails because they didn’t trust each other enough to be completely honest. He says he admits it was wrong of him to invite Spencer and Esme to live here without consulting her first, and she says she admits, although she and Spencer have reached a kind of détente, Esme is a different story. He says, forget about Esme. Speaking of happy wives, he has something he wants to give her.

Felicia says, just her and Mac are more than enough. And this year, their Christmas newsletter will be embarrassingly filled with all of their blessings. And they can add Bailey Lou this year. He says, sounds good to him, when his phone dings. She asks if it’s about Ryan, and he says, no. They need him at the station, but it shouldn’t take long. Can he meet her at the restaurant? She says she’s a cop’s wife; she’s used to waiting. He tells her not to worry about Ryan. The only place he’s going is back to Spring Ridge. She walks him to the exit doors, then turns around and looks at Ryan’s room, three guards standing outside.

Ryan says, Esme had sex with her boyfriend’s father? and I say, thanks for reminding me. She says, the plan was to break Nikolas and Ava up, right? He says, if there weren’t guards outside the door, and he wasn’t handcuffed to this chair, he would hug her. So tell him everything. How did Ava react when Esme told her? Esme hesitates, and he says, she did tell Ava that mewling idiot she married cheated, didn’t she?

Portia says, Curtis has gone his whole life without knowing about his father’s illness, so there’s no rush to see a genetic specialist. Curtis and his father have been doing so good lately. Why doesn’t Curtis wait and talk to Marshall; see what he thinks about it. He thanks her for understanding, and says, as soon as he gets the all clear, he’s taking Marshall home. Home. Sounds good, doesn’t it? She says, it sounds real good, and he kisses her, saying, home, one more time before he goes out the door. Portia leans on the table a moment, then picks up her phone. She says, this is Dr. Portia Robinson, and she’d like to set up a consultation with one of their counselors… She has a few questions that require a genetic specialist.

Josslyn says she can’t believe they’re back to square one with Esme, but Trina says, not necessarily. Josslyn says, she has a new idea? and Trina says, yeah. They have to forget about breaking up Esme and Spencer. They need to break down Esme’s story to prove she’s the guilty one. And Trina knows exactly how to do that.

Epiphany says she doesn’t know where Marshall’s doctor could be, and starts to leave, but he says, they have some unfinished business too. She says she thought he said his clarinet was damaged, and he says, instruments can be repaired easier than people can. Besides, they never got around to that second date. She says, is he asking her out? and he says, is she saying yes? mimicking her with his hand on his hip. They laugh.

Gregory says he knows how much Finn wants to help Elizabeth, but he thinks the best thing Finn can do for her is take care of her boys, and trust Elizabeth to know what’s best for her. Violet runs over, and says, she did it, showing Gregory her knot. He tells her, good job, and they high-five.

Laura says, Spencer is quitting his job? and Spencer says, Ava restored his trust fund allowance. He thinks he should be able to get by on ten thousand. Cameron says, ten thousand a year? but Spencer says, no, a week. Violet pops her head in, and tells Cameron, it’s time to go. They have a trip to get to. Cameron tells Spencer that he’s on the schedule tonight. Cameron has no one else to cover for him. Finish his shift. Cameron hands back the apron, and says he’s got to go. Spencer says, one last shift won’t hurt, and Cameron says, bussing tables is a lot easier than living at Windymere with Ava, Esme, and Spencer’s dad. He hopes Spencer knows what he’s doing. He thanks Laura, and hugs her. She tells him that he made the right choice, and to have fun. Cameron leaves, and Laura looks at Spencer. He tells her, say something, and she says, she was wondering, if Ava is giving him an allowance, what is he giving her in return?

Ava tells Nikolas, she doesn’t need presents. All she wants is for them to be open and honest going forward. He says he totally agrees. That’s why he thinks he found the perfect way to thank her for giving him a second chance. He wants a divorce.

Esme tells Ryan, she’s playing long game; finding just the right time for Ava to learn about Nikolas’s infidelity. He says he sees, and she says she knew he’d understand, and takes his hands. He say, indeed he does, and she tries to pull away, but he holds on. She says, that hurts, and he says, it’s meant to. Because words can’t possibly express his disappointment.

Felicia walks toward Ryan’s room.

On Monday, Ava asks Nikolas, what happened to working things out; Spencer says, the key is in Esme’s past; Carly thinks they should give credit where credit is due; and Sonny says, Jordan has something of his, and he wants it back.

🪂 Dropping In…

Parachute guy shares his feelings.

✋🏾 Not Having It…

Nobody wanna steal nobody else’s problems, okay? Enough said.

🍇 Just What She Wanted To Hear…

It was bad enough he hit on her. Now the world knows about it.

🎙 Watching What Happens…

Andy throws some stuff out there.

💎 Tsk, Tsk…

This girl is way immature, and doesn’t realize she can’t assign any definition she wants to a word. And regarding gaslighting, I do not think it means what Crystal thinks it means.

⛵️ Ciao To the Chef…

While I’m sure Glenn is sorry to see Marcos go, it’s understandable. Isn’t it time for Chef Ben to show up somewhere?

⚖️ Chrisley Will Know Prison…

Hid income from what? What do these people do for a living??? I still don’t know.

🍿 And the Popcorn Goes To…

This is actually a kind of fun awards show.

https://www.mtv.com/news/3187264/movie-tv-awards-winners-2022/

🥠 Quotes of the Week

I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination. – Jimmy Dean

I love my cats more than I love most people. Probably more than is healthy. – Amy Lee

The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all. – John F. Kennedy

Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people. – Eleanor Roosevelt

Wherever there is fear, there is control.Shana Schutte

The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing. – John Powell

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. – Martin Luther King Jr.

🦁 Easing On Down the Road…

There’s nothing Dead this Sunday, but I’ll be here on Monday (well, really Tuesday, but really, really early) for soap and the final Deck charter. Until then, stay safe, stay putting some Variety Spice in your life, and stay remembering, it’s okay if you don’t get it right the first time.

June 9, 2022 – Ava Changes the Terms With Spencer, Kirsten’s Response, Hoping To Come Back, Daytime Emmy Talk, New Monsters On the Block & Rebel

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Sam finds Carly at the MetroCourt bar, and Carly says, good. Sam got her message. Sam asks, what’s up? Carly says, it’s been a while since they talked about Sam’s investigation into Esme. Trina’s trial is coming up, so… Sam says, it’s even more important that they nail Esme for taking the video of Joss and Cam, and putting it online. Carly says, so, what’s Sam got?

Nikolas flashes back to… Can we please retire this flashback? I’m going to need therapy sessions. Ava comes in, and says, fond or fraught? His thoughts. Whatever they are, he’s totally absorbed. Want to share?

Esme comes into Windymere, and Spencer says, she disappeared on him again. She says she promises not to make it a habit. She was just mailing a letter. I wonder for a moment how one does that on Spoon Island. He says, she hasn’t changed her mind and decided to move out, but she says, why would she do that when things are so much better between them? They kiss, and he says he thought she might have regrets about last night, agreeing to live with his father and Ava. She says, no regrets. His father’s just been wonderful. He says, like father, like son, and she says, something like that.

Josslyn goes to the gallery, and asks Trina, busy day? Trina is bringing in a painting, and says, no busier than usual. They have a client picking this up. Josslyn asks if she can talk, and Trina says, sure. What’s up? Josslyn says, they’re leaving Port Charles.

Britt says, Cody agrees she should sue for what he did? She never thought he would admit guilt. She’s recording this for posterity. He says, she doesn’t want to sue him; he’s not the one she has the problem with. She says, he made the parachute landing, and dragged her in the pool; she was drenched. Hemmed in by the parachute, she could have easily drowned. She’s pretty sure her problem is with him. He says, while you can drown in a few feet of water, most of the victims tend to be either unconscious or alone, and she was neither. She says, maybe they should let a jury decide, and he says, she’s going about this all wrong. She doesn’t want to sue him, and doesn’t want to claim some near drowning that didn’t occur. What she wants to do is go by the classic tail of corporations trying to take advantage of the little guy – or gal. Tell him, is she the type of woman to stand for that?

Sasha comes out to the kitchen, and takes what looks like an OTC pill bottle out of her purse. She starts to open it, when Gladys flies out. Gladys says, no! and knocks it out of Sasha’s hand, scattering pills everywhere. Brando walks in, and asks, what’s going on?

Nikolas says he has a lot on his mind since yesterday, and Ava says she does too. She can’t believe how close they came to ending their marriage. She’s just relieved they came to their senses before they jumped off that cliff. He says, she left early this morning; is everything okay? She says she just had some work at the gallery. Did she wake him? He says, it’s just nice having her in his bed again, and she says, sleeping in the same bed feels like an important step. Even if they are taking things slow, they have some things to work out. He says, they will, and she says she knows. She loves him too much not to. He says he loves her too, and they’re about to kiss, when Spencer and Esme walk in. Esme says, love is all around. Isn’t that wonderful?

Josslyn tells Trina, she’s always wanted to study abroad, and she figured, why wait? They’ve been through so much freshman year. Going away just feels right. Trina says, sure does, and Josslyn says, they can go to Europe next spring. Trina says, that sounds great, but… Josslyn says, volleyball season will be over, note submissions are due early next semester. Florence and Barcelona are her top two picks right now. They’re both great, but there’s other options they can explore. Trina says, stop, and Josslyn says, why? She thought Trina would be into this idea. Trina says she would love to go to Florence or Barcelona, but by next spring, she could be expelled from PCU or in prison. Probably both.

Sam tells Carly, she may have a lead from someone close to Esme, when Spinelli walks in, wearing a sport jacket and dress pants. He says, greetings and salutations, lovely ladies. How are you two delightful women doing on this glorious day? Carly says, more new clothes, huh? and Spinelli asks if they meet with her approval. Carly says, they’re nice, and he says, that’s the most gracious compliment she could muster? Nice? Carly says she was used to his old look, and he asks if Sam told her about the occurrence at the Society Set-Ups event yesterday. She says, her staff filled her in; a skydiver crashed the party. Sam says, and straight into Britt Westbourne, and Spinelli says, who was completely unharmed, by the way, but it was pretty wild. Sam says, what was even more wild was, the skydiver happens to be an old friend of Dante’s. They went to summer camp together. His name is Cody, but Dante whisked him away from Britt, and the three of them had dinner at Charlie’s. Spinelli says, they did? He’s pretty sure he saw Dante put handcuffs on him, and take him to the PCPD. Sam says, it never actually got that far. Dante acted like he was arresting Cody for Britt’s benefit. Spinelli says, thank goodness. He just means, it wasn’t the man’s fault that he fell into Britt. He didn’t do it on purpose. Spinelli’s phone rings, and he says he’s got to take this. He steps away, and Carly asks if it’s just her, or is something off with Spinelli? Sam says, it’s not just her. She noticed it at the fundraiser. Something is definitely off with Spinelli, and it’s not just the wardrobe.

Britt says she’s listening, and Cody says, his stunt should have never gone that far, and you know whose fault it is? She says, his? but he says he’s a mere cog in the corporate wheel. She says, the corporation being… and he says, the MetroCourt, of course (🍷). They were supposed to protect his landing zone. Instead, they let her, and anyone else, just walk right through. Britt asks if the MetroCourt hired him for the skydiving stunt, but he says, no. That would be Society Set-Ups. They actually rented this whole place, they engineered the stunt, and poor lonely shlubs like herself… She says, excuse me? Who calls anyone a shlub? He says, they orchestrated this dangerous marketing ploy in front of a party of vulnerable losers. The MetroCourt is responsible for the safety of all of its guests. The corporations have the money. You need to take back your power, lady. Sue their socks off.

Sasha says, it’s aspirin for her headache, and Gladys says, aspirin? Brando picks up the bottle and shows her, and she says, right, aspirin. He asks why she slapped it out of Sasha’s hand, and Gladys says, the baby shoes were delivered… Sasha backordered them… and Brook took them… She’s going to donate them to charity. Brando hugs Sasha, saying, he’s so sorry, but she says she’s fine. It was just an accident. It’s no big deal; she’ll get a broom. He says, it is a big deal, and asks Gladys what she thought Sasha was taking.

Sam says, they’ll talk about Spinelli in a minute, but she was just about to give Carly an update on Esme. They sit down, and Carly says, she has a lead? and Sam says, it’s a longshot, but Esme had a nanny who helped raise her after her adoptive parents died. Apparently, they were pretty close. Carly says, sounds promising, but Sam says she hasn’t been able to locate the nanny yet. Carly asks if she has a name, and Sam says, Maggie Fitzgerald. She’s working on tracking her down, but all she has is that Maggie was somewhere in London, and she doesn’t have an address yet. Carly asks how Sam found out about Maggie, and Sam says she has a source who’s very familiar with Esme’s upbringing. The source said Esme and Maggie had lost touch, but this person told her there’s more to the story. Carly asks if Sam thinks Maggie can give them some dirt on the real Esme, and Sam says she’s hoping so, but she has to track Maggie down first. Carly asks if Sam can’t ask her source. Who is it anyway?

Spencer says, sorry for intruding. He and Esme should have knocked first. Nikolas says, this is Spencer’s home, and he’s glad Spencer decided to stay, even if he was bribed into doing so. He looks at Ava, and she takes his arm. She says, the important thing is, they’re all here together, and Esme says she totally agrees. Nikolas asks if they have any big plans today, and Spencer says, he was thinking of car shopping. Since he’s gained access to his trust fund, he wants to get something new and Italian for his girl, but first, he and Esme have some errands to run. Esme says, they really must get going. Nice seeing them. Ava says, not so fast. No one is going anywhere until they hash things out.

Josslyn says she truly believes Trina is going to be found not guilty, especially since she and Cameron are going to testify on her behalf. She’s not trying to make light of the trial – she knows it’s going to be rough – but this will give Trina something positive to look forward to. Trina says, even if Josslyn is right, there’s still a Title IX investigation. Josslyn has a copy of the report, and knows how bad it makes her look. Josslyn says, she knows; she flipped out when she read it. Her mom made her sit with Diane. Josslyn knew the whole thing was total bull, and wanted to correct it. Trina asks what Diane said, and Josslyn tells her, Diane said it was a finding of facts. She can’t challenge anything if she wasn’t misquoted in her interview, and she’s afraid she wasn’t. But Diane also said, just because something looks bad, doesn’t mean we know what the determination is going to be. Trina says, she’s been so afraid of getting expelled, she’s only been reading the worst in the report. Josslyn says, Diane also told her that it’s no guarantee Trina will get expelled. PCU could decide to offer her a sanction, suspend her for a semester. Trina says, maybe. She told Rory that she just needs to not think about it; find a distraction. Josslyn says, Trina told Rory? Why?

Britt asks what Cody would do if he was her, but he says, no, he’s not going there. She says, humor her. She’s giving him permission. He says, hypothetically speaking, first, he’d hire a good lawyer, then he’d find a killer witness. She says, there were a lot of people at the party, and the whole thing was recorded, but he says, he was thinking of someone more directly connected to Society Set-Ups. Someone with insider knowledge; someone who could really hold up when their feet were put to the fire. She says, someone like him? and he laughs.

Brando says, Gladys didn’t want Sasha to take those pills; why not? Sasha says, Gladys thought she was back on drugs, the habit forming kind. His mother believes she relapsed. He asks why Gladys thinks Sasha is using pills, and Sasha says, because Gladys knows she’s been having a hard time; with Liam, then the accident with Harmony Miller, plus all the pressure from the IPO launch of Deception. Gladys overreacted. Gladys says, some of Sasha’s behavior triggered memories of when Brando was struggling with addiction. How he’d do anything for a fix. When she saw Sasha with the pill bottle, she got the wrong idea. Sasha says, and it is the wrong idea. She told Gladys before, there’s nothing to worry about, and Brando says, she had this conversation before with his mother? Is that why Gladys moved in with them? Is Sasha using again?

Cody says, if Britt’s lawyer subpoenaed him, he’d have to tell the truth. They’d probably want to know about Zelda Tolesco. Britt asks, what’s a Zelda Tolesco? and he says, she’s the matchmaker who runs Society Set-Ups. This company clearly cares more about lining their own pockets than getting her a date. Who knows how many other washed up women that Zelda’s preyed on besides Britt? She asks, what’s his point? and he says, his point is, if her lawyer subpoenaed him, he’d have to tell the judge about his meeting with Zelda; the one in which his concerns about the skydiving stunt were left unheeded. She says, and he would be eager to do that, but he says, not eager – he doesn’t want bad blood with any employer – but he’d never lie under oath. She says, of course (🍷) not, and he says, get herself a killer witness, and she’ll get a big settlement. She says, and would this star witness want a percentage of her settlement in exchange for betraying said employer?  He says, who knows what motivates people? and she says she knows what motivates him. She gets up, and shoves him off his chaise and into the pool.  

Sasha says, she told Gladys that she wasn’t using drugs anymore, and Gladys admits she moved in because she was afraid Sasha would relapse. Sasha says she wanted to prove to Gladys that her fears were unfounded, and Brando asks, why didn’t she come to him? She says she didn’t want to worry him, and Gladys says, neither did she. He says he understands Sasha, but Gladys has had no problems worrying him in the past. Sasha tells him, don’t blame Gladys. Gladys confronted Sasha with her suspicions, and she admitted she was having a hard time. Gladys was doing her a huge favor by not telling him. Brando says, if Gladys was wrong about Sasha, why did she still move in with them… Because my mother wasn’t wrong. He tells Sasha, they’ll talk to Doc and find out what their options are. He can refer them to a good rehab facility, or something here maybe; an outpatient program or a group. Sasha says, no, but he says, she needs all the support from them she can get. She says she doesn’t need this kind of support, and Gladys tells him, listen to his wife. He says, Gladys is the one who wanted to slap a pill bottle out of Sasha’s hands. They kept it from him; what is he supposed to think? Gladys says, after all the lies he’s told her, he owes her this one.

Sam says, Carly knows she can’t reveal her source. Esme is dangerous; she’s crossed lines. Carly says she gets it. Sam can’t risk Esme finding out and retaliating, but if it was something she needed to know… Sam says she’d tell Carly. Sam looks over at Spinelli talking with a guy at another table, and Carly says, Sam is worried about him. Sam says, he’s not acting like himself, and all of a sudden, he’s dressing like… that, and that is not cheap. Carly asks if she thinks it’s because Ellie left him, but Sam doesn’t know. They really haven’t spent time together. Maybe he’s lonely, or maybe he’s missing his friends, but Spinelli’s always has his own unique style, which she loved. This is different, it’s flashy; like he’s trying to be someone he’s not. Carly asks if Sam talked to him about it, and Sam says, of course (🍷) she did. He promised her he’s not doing anything dangerous They look over at Spinelli, who’s talking animatedly, and Carly says, that looks pretty volatile to her.

Trina says she and Rory hung out yesterday, and Josslyn says, details please. Trina says, the only detail that matters is when he took her home – Josslyn says, Rory took her home? – her dad was there, and totally humiliated her and Rory, telling Rory that he’s breaking an unwritten rule in copdom by spending time with her while she’s waiting for her trial to start. Josslyn asks what Rory said, and Trina tells her, Rory was great, but all the distractions in the world won’t change that she has a criminal trial and a Title IX investigation hanging over her head. She can’t visualize the future the way Josslyn does. She can’t think about classes, studying abroad, or even this job and her friends. Not when things could be different by the end of the summer. Josslyn says, no matter what happens, she’ll always be here for Trina, and it sounds like Rory will too. Trina says, if she’s in Pentenville, the PCPD could order him to stay away from her. While she appreciates Josslyn’s loyalty and support, she noticed Josslyn left out Cam. Josslyn says, she’s not sure if they can count on Cam anymore.

Ava says, the four of them will be cohabitating for the foreseeable future. She doesn’t think there’s a need to pretend there won’t be difficulties. She and Nikolas will be working on their marriage, and in the spirit of reconciliation, they should all truly make an effort to get along. Esme says, absolutely. They should all be closer, and she for one, is willing to do what it takes to make that happen. Spencer tells Ava, whatever you say, and Ava thanks him. She says, she and Spencer have an arrangement; she gives him an allowance from his trust fund, and he agrees to live here and work things out with his father, but she wants to be clear about something. The allowance depends on how they both behave. Esme says she’s confused. She thought Ava’s deal was with Spence, but Ava says, as long as Esme is living in their home, the deal includes her. Spencer says, it’s just like Ava to change the terms of their agreement on a whim, and Ava says, they’ve both done horrible things to her and people she cares about. She’s just giving them a friendly warning. If either of them reverts to past behavior, the deal is off. Esme says, Ava thinks she’s responsible for something she didn’t do. What happens the next time Ava’s precious little Trina lies about her? Is she sending Esme and Spence out to the streets? Nikolas says, that’s not going to happen, and Ava tells Esme not to mention Trina’s name in her presence, but Esme says she’s not Ava’s puppet. Don’t dare try to control her. Ava says, and if she does?  

Spinelli and the guy stand up, and Carly asks if they should step in. Sam says, let’s go. The guy stomps off, and Carly and Sam go to Spinelli’s table. He asks, to what does he owe the pleasure? and Carly says, nice try. She almost called security. Sam asks, who was that guy? and he says, no one of concern. Carly says, they saw what was going on, and it was very concerning. Sam says, he’s clearly in trouble, so she wants him to stop lying to her, and tell her what’s going on.

Trina asks if something happened between Josslyn and Cam, but Josslyn says, it’s nothing compared to what Trina is going through. Trina says, forget comparison; there’s obviously tension between Josslyn and Cam. They’re her friends; she cares. So tell her all of it. Josslyn says she thinks there’s something Cam’s not telling her. He says there isn’t, but she swears there’s something gong on. Trina says, any ideas? and Josslyn says, it’s about Spencer and Esme. Cam’s attitude makes no sense. He claims he knows Esme’s guilty, but there’s never any follow-through. Trina says, Cam gave Spencer a second chance. Maybe he just feels stuck in the middle. Josslyn says, it’s more than that. Cam’s not telling her something, and that’s bad enough. What if he knows something that could affect Trina’s trial and he’s holding back? Trina asks why Josslyn thinks Cam knows something, and Josslyn says, because she told him they should break up Spencer and Esme, and he snapped at her, and said, they can’t. Trina asks if he said why, but Josslyn tells her, none of it made any sense. He was doing backflips to change the subject, and later he texted her, saying he was going to set Spencer straight about Esme, and she hasn’t heard from him since. They don’t need him. They can break Spencer and Esme up themselves. Trina says, Josslyn is wrong. They can’t do that.

Ava says, go on, tell her to go to hell. Then Esme can watch as Spencer’s allowance dries up, and he goes back to waiting tables at Kelly’s, maybe with Esme taking orders beside him. Esme asks why Ava gets to decide what constitutes good and bad behavior, and Ava says, because she controls the money. Nikolas says he thought they were moving past this animosity. Ava and Spencer came to an understanding; they don’t have to push the envelope. He’s sure they can trust Esme to do the right thing, and Ava says, if they could, she doesn’t think Esme would be so resistant. Spencer says, he agreed to Ava’s terms. She’s the one who changed the rules at the last minute to spite Esme. But he loves his father and doesn’t want to hurt him, so he’ll agree to the eleventh hour change. That’s fine. Nikolas thanks him, and Esme says, all she wants is what’s best for Spence and Mr. Cassadine. If they’ll excuse her… She slams out, and Ava says, she needs a martini, maybe a double. Nikolas says he’ll get ice, and goes out. In the foyer, Esme says she was hoping he’d come find her.

As Cody hoists himself out of the pool, Britt says, who’s washed up now? He asks, what was that for? and she says, he really thinks she’s some lovelorn loser, in the market to buy what he’s selling? He says he was just trying to help, and she says, he means help himself? She’s on to him, and it’s going to take more than his pathetic pitch to get one over on her. A woman comes in, and says, Britt Westbourne? She’s Zelda Telesco. She’s been looking for Britt. Britt says, Society Set-Ups Zelda Telesco? and Zelda says, the one and only. She’s been looking for Cody too. What’s going on with him and Britt? Britt says, he’s just practicing his moves in preparation for his next party, and Cody asks if Zelda has his check. She says, after she speaks to Britt, and he says he has to dry off anyway. He leaves, and Zelda says, let her buy Britt a drink, and they can discuss yesterday’s unfortunate incident. Britt says, Zelda means her total humiliation? and Zelda says, she’s here to make that all go away.

Brando asks when he’s lied to Gladys, and she says, after he came back from Iraq and started using. Anyone with eyes could see he was spiraling out of control, but he insisted he was fine, and said she was melodramatic for thinking he was taking drugs. He lied to her face every single day. He says he’s sorry, and she says, when she saw the same signs in Sasha, and realized she was struggling, it scared her. She didn’t want to fail Sasha the way she failed him. She thought she was also helping him, because what’s best for Sasha is best for him. Brando asks if he and Sasha can have a minute, and Gladys leaves. Brando tells Sasha, he made a vow, for better or for worse, and he plans on sticking to that vow, no matter how dark it gets. She says she knows. It’s one of the reasons she married him. He tells her, so please be honest with him. Is there any truth to his mother’s concerns?

Spinelli assures Sam, there’s nothing to worry about, but she says, too late. She’s worried. Carly says, if he crossed the wrong person, call Drew. She knows he’d be willing to help. That Navy SEAL background can be very persuasive. He says, that’s nice, but it’s fine; everything is under control. Sam asks how long they’ve known each other. She knows when something is wrong, and something is definitely wrong. She thinks they should sit here and talk about it for as long as it takes, and Carly says she thinks that’s a good idea. Spinelli says he’s seeing a therapist. After his breakup with Ellie, he’s been lonely, and wanted to seek some professional help. Carly says, so he meets his therapist at the MetroCourt? but Spinelli says, that wasn’t his therapist. They have a billing issue, and his therapist sent a collection agent after him. He didn’t handle it as well as he could, but it’s settled now and all is good. Time is a-wasting; he must be off. He tells them, have a super day, and jets. Carly asks if Sam is buying that, and Sam says, not even a little.

Josslyn says, breaking up Spencer and Esme is their best shot at isolating Esme, and proving she framed Trina. Without Spencer there to protect her, she’s going to lose Nikolas, and Victor, and Spoon Island… Trina says, she’ll leave town, because she’ll have no reason to stay in Port Charles. Esme knows she set Trina up. She knows they’re on to her. She’s also smart enough to know that without the Cassadines, she has nothing to fall back on. Josslyn asks if Trina thinks Esme would really just disappear, and Trina says, she’ll slip through the cracks; hide someplace where no one can find her. Which is why Spencer and Esme need to stay together. Josslyn says, Esme set them both up. She put Josslyn’s private moments on blast, and framed Trina for it. They’re supposed to just let her get away with that?

Nikolas says, Esme has had a day to process what happened between them. How is she feeling? She says, honestly? She’s still a bit overwhelmed. She’s sorry she let her emotions get the better of her in there. Nikolas says, Ava took her by surprise. Ava has a way of doing that to people. Esme wonders if their relationships will ever normalize. Everything is so complicated. Nikolas says, things are working between him and Ava just like they’re working between her and Spencer. What happened between them, they were both hurting and looking for comfort (eww!). It doesn’t mean any more than that, right? She says, absolutely. She loves Spence, and he loves Ava. She meant it when she said they never have to know. She cares about Nikolas, and doesn’t want what happened to complicate his life. He says, or hers. He’s going out this afternoon. Does she need him to pick anything up for her from the pharmacy? She says, she has it all taken care of. She promises him, she wants everything to work out.

Spencer says, since Ava felt free to renegotiate their deal, he has some changes of his own. She tells him, don’t push it, and he says, release him from his restitution at the gallery now. She asks, why? and he says, it’s bad enough he’s going to be living here with her, and forced to act civil, and the same extends to Esme? He’s repaid his debt to her. She says, he hasn’t begun to pay for the terror he put her through, and he says, she wants Esme to behave, doesn’t she? Working at the gallery with Trina is just going to provoke her more. She says, after everything Esme has done, the last thing she cares about are Esme’s feelings, and he says, then care about Trina’s. Does Ava think she wants him around while she’s with… that guy? Ava says, what guy?

Zelda says, on behalf of Society Set-Ups, she’s mortified at what happened to Britt at their event, and Britt says, with all due respect, Zelda isn’t half as mortified as she is. Being knocked into the pool by Zelda’s skydiver? She won’t live that down. Zelda says, Cody is a little rough around the edges; she shouldn’t have hired him in the first place. Britt says, whatever. She will no longer be attending any of these Society Set-Ups events ever again. Zelda says, Britt is frustrated that her service hasn’t been successful for her. How about if she makes it up to Britt by giving her the next six-months for free, and making Britt her top priority? That kind of reminds me of how, when you complain about a product, and say you’re never buying it again, they send you a coupon for it. Zelda says she promises Britt won’t have to waste any more time being alone. Cody comes over, and says, the check? Zelda takes it out of her bag, and gives it to him. She tells Britt that she’ll be in touch, and leaves. Cody looks at the check, and says, son of bitch.

Sasha tells Brando, Gladys isn’t wrong about how much she’s been struggling. With Deception going public right after losing Liam, the accident with Harmony… Brando says, of course (🍷) it tested her sobriety, but she didn’t have to hide it from him. She says she wasn’t using; there was no need. She told him, Gladys overreacted. He asks if she’s sure, and she takes his hand and says, she doesn’t need that kind of help anymore. Not when she has this wonderful new life, and the most amazing husband in the world. He says, including a shockingly caring mother-in-law? and she says, Gladys has her moments. Believe her. She doesn’t claim to be happy all of the time, but her life is good. Her days are more full of good than bad. And right now, he’s her drug of choice. He says he’s still worried about her, and he needs to do something about it.

Nikolas says he came out to get ice. He needs to do that before Ava wonders what happened to him. Esme says she can tell keeping their secret is taking a toll on him. If he changes his mind, and decides he needs to tell Ava what happened between them, she’ll support him. He won’t be alone.

Spencer tells Ava, the cop who’s been hanging around the gallery. Officer Cabrera? He’s the one Spencer is referring to. Ava says, the one who’s keeping Trina from being harassed, after Spencer’s girlfriend made a sex tape of Joss and Cam, framed Trina for it, and then posted it on the it for everybody to see? He says, his interest in Trina is more than professional, and Ava says, and this creates such a problem for Spencer that he can’t do his restitution at the gallery? So this attempt to work things out with Esme, his heart isn’t really in it. He says, she doesn’t know what she’s talking about. He loves Esme. She says, he did maybe at one point, but now she thinks he’s far more invested in his feelings for Trina. And they’re only growing.

Trina asks if Josslyn doesn’t think it’s killing her that Esme believes she’s winning. Esme’s not getting away with what she did to her, to them, but they’re playing the long game here. Josslyn says, but she’s been going crazy trying to get the proof, and Trina says, they just have to keep thinking. Something out of the box they haven’t thought of before. Both of their phones ding, and Trina says, it’s PCU. The Title IX determination has been made.

Brando says, they should postpone their reception; it’s one more stress that Sasha doesn’t need right now. Sasha says, life is stressful. Celebrating their marriage with friends and family can only make her happy. He asks if she’s not just saying that, but she says she wants to show him off. Besides, she loves him. He says he loves her too. Okay. The reception goes on as planned. They hug, and Gladys comes back. Sasha mouths thank you behind Brando’s back.

Britt asks if Cody got shorted, and he says, the deal was his fee, plus hotel accommodations and amenities. Zelda shorted him the $500 for amenities. Know anything else about how this company screws people over? She says, he spent $500 in amenities? and he says, skydiving is very hard on the body. He needed a massage, and you can’t have a massage without wine. She says, right. He probably shouldn’t be drinking alcohol. Massages are dehydrating, and tap water is free. He says she’s enjoying this, and she says, he has no idea how much. He says, they’re not all rolling in money, and she says, he could sue. Good luck finding a killer witness as desperate as he is. She drains her drink and leaves.

Carly says, something’s not right with that so-called bill collector, and Sam says, Spinelli seeing a therapist does make sense. He was saying he was lonely. Carly says, but he’s getting money from somewhere. What billing issues could he possibly have? Sam says, maybe it’s a misunderstanding, and Carly says, big enough for the therapist to send a bill collector to the MetroCourt? Therapists don’t do that; they call. Sam says she knows something’s not right, but what? Carly says she doesn’t know. They need to take Spinelli out, and have him open up to them. They can take him out hatchet throwing. Sam says, it sounds like a plan. It’s not like Spinelli to keep things from her. Carly says, but this is Spinelli they’re talking about. He can’t be in any real trouble.

In an alleyway, Zelda says, it’s handled. Britt Westbourne won’t be a problem. Spinelli hands her a wad of cash, and says, good. It’s important no one knows what he’s up to.

Tomorrow, Laura tells Cameron, if there was ever a time, it’s now; Gregory thinks there’s more to the story; Ava asks what kind of game Spencer is playing; and Ryan screams at Mac.

🚫 Canceling Haters…

Seriously, WTF is wrong with people?

⌚️ She’s Waiting…

I was sorry they didn’t do more with the romance with Parker.

🏆 All About That Daytime…

The nominees.

The hosts.

https://www.tvinsider.com/1047295/daytime-emmys-2022-hosts-kevin-frazier-nischelle-turner/

You, too, can vote!

🧟‍♂️ Random Fun…

The latest about the new Munsters movie.

🌜 Racing With the Moon…

Soon begins a break for those in the workforce, and everyone else can just keep breaking. However you roll, spend some breaktime tomorrow perusing a little soap, tea, quotable quotes, and a treat for your ears. Until then, stay safe, stay making your word your bond, and stay not trying to be someone you’re not.

June 8, 2022 – Dex Pays a Visit To Michael, Beverly Hills Inflicts Themselves on Mexico, a Thought & Raining

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Selena brings Sonny an envelope, and says, it’s from their most recent gains. He says, any one of her guys could have brought it. Why the special delivery? She says she needed to speak to him, and asks if he’s aware the harbormaster was fired. He says he heard, and she says, he was her point person when her shipments came in. Sonny assured her easy passage for her merchandise. Without Vince, will that change?

Dante sees Brando at the gym and asks if he’s coming or going. Brando says, going; he just finished a workout. Dante asks if Sonny is around, and Brando says, Dante just missed him. He asks if Dante knows Sonny’s new guy, Dex, but Dante says he hasn’t really spoken to Dex. Why? Brando says he saw Dex earlier with Sonny. He couldn’t hear everything, but they were talking about Michael. It didn’t sound like good news. Dante says, Sonny would never hurt Michael, if that’s what Brando is worried about, but Brando says he’s not; it’s Dex. There’s just something about him. He’s seen guys like Dex in the service, real eager to please the commander, or boss, sometimes taking matters into their own hands. They’re trying to deal with a problem to score points. Dante asks if Brando thinks Dex sees Michael as a problem that needs to be solved to try and impress Sonny, and Brando says he does.

On the phone with Drew, Michael says, things got pretty tense, which is about average for this family. Dex walks in, covering the gun in his waistband, and Michael says he was hoping Drew could come up with something better… They’ll talk. He sees Dex, and asks if he can help him. Dex says he hopes so, and Michael asks what he’s doing here. Dex says, showing initiative.

At the pool – which I’m sure we’ll see a lot of now – Brad approaches Brook, and says he didn’t get a chance to say hi at the Society Set-Ups mixer. She tells him to cut to the chase. He’s clearly working up to something; just say it. He says, she’s big on social media, right? and she says she has a presence. He says he was wondering if she happened to see the GIF from the other night, and she says, Britt slogging her way drunk and drenched out of the pool? She laughs and says she saw it; everyone saw it. He says he’s just curious. What was the giveaway that Britt was overserved? She says, you mean wasted? Britt was drinking like a fish at the mixer. He should know; he kept refilling her drinks. He says he was trying to be a friend, and she says, friends don’t let friends make public rants about how love is futile. If anything, that parachute guy saved her some embarrassment from saying something more embarrassing. Now the only embarrassment she has to live with is the existence of that GIF. Any idea who posted it? He says he only sent it to one person, and she says, that was him? How could he do that to his supposed best friend? He says, Britt is absolutely his best friend. And yes, in retrospect, it was absolutely a bad idea to send that footage off to an influencer, but it’s just one GIF in a whole world of GIFs. Cody walks in, looking at said GIF on his phone, laughing.

On the phone, Britt says, it’s character assassination. That video was taken without her knowledge or consent… Yes, she knows it was a public place, but still, she wants that GIF deleted off the face of the earth… It’s a threat to her livelihood. She’s Chief of Staff at General Hospital. She can’t have her image smeared this way… Yes, she meant to say Co-Chief. Do they want to get fired? Since they’re so particular about details, find a legal way to get fix this before they both lose their jobs.

Gladys lies on the couch eating cookies, when Sasha comes past. Gladys asks if she’s going somewhere, and Sasha says, the kitchen to grab a glass of water. Does Gladys need one? Gladys says she’s good, and asks if Sasha would like a cookie; they’re delicious. Sasha says she knows. That’s why she bought them. They’re for the Deception support staff to thank them for their hard work. She was bringing them to work tomorrow. Gladys says, whoops. She guesses she’s support staff too, although she’s really suited for more, but there’s more cookies in the bakery box. Sasha says she’ll just save them for Brando and get more. Gladys says she’ll go with Sasha, but Sasha says she won’t. Gladys has to stop this; she’s driving Sasha crazy.

Britt leaves a message for Obrecht, and says she’s sorry she missed her again. She’s going to keep calling until Obrecht talks to her. They both said things they shouldn’t have. She doesn’t want to leave things this way. She’s not playing the degenerative disorder card, but Obrecht said it, life is short. Call her. She leaves her hotel room.

Sonny says, the new harbormaster won’t be an issue, and Selena asks what the basis is for his assurance. He says, the basis is he’s going to handle the situation. Understand? It’s his territory. Has she forgotten who controls what goes on here? Him. She says she meant no disrespect. She’s become aware that Sonny has a competitor for his coffee business. Now the unexpected firing of his associate. Since they’ve agreed to keep each other informed of possible challenges to their territories, she thinks it’s only prudent to ask – is someone new making a move?

Michael says, Sonny sent Dex? but Dex says, Mr. Corinthos doesn’t know he’s here, but he made sure no one saw him on his way to the stable. Michael says, make sure no one sees him on his way out, and turns his back, but Dex says, that was rude. Michael says, apparently not rude enough for Dex to get the message. This is private property, and Dex shouldn’t be here. Dex says he isn’t done. He came here for a reason. Dante walks in with Brando, and says, what reason would that be?

Brad tells Brook, parachute guy is back. She looks at Cody, and Brad says, by all means gawk. He can’t say he blames her. He looks hot in actual clothes too. Brook says she can’t disagree, and she has very high standards. He’s coming. Cody asks how it’s going, and Brad says, amazing. Cody asks if they mind if he joins them; he forgot to book a chaise. Brad says, yes… I mean, no… I mean we don’t mind. Please, join us. Cody says he appreciates it, and introduces himself. He shakes hands with Brad, who has a hard time letting go, until Brook gets up and steps between them, introducing herself. She says, he made quite the entrance the other night, when her phone dings. She says, it’s work; she has to go. She says, nice to meet Cody, and leaves. Cody says, if Brad has to go, Brad doesn’t have to stick around for him. Brad says he has nowhere else to be, and sits back down. Cody sits, and Brad says, Brook was right. That parachute landing was a real attention grabber. Cody says, it didn’t exactly go as planned, but Brad says, people were still buzzing about it. Cody says, about him, or the hot mess that fell in the pool? Britt walks up, and says she didn’t fall; he slammed into her. Cody says, we meet again.

Sasha says she agreed with Gladys living with her, but she didn’t agree to Gladys acting as her babysitter, or warden, or whatever she’s doing. Gladys asks, what is she doing? and Sasha says, Gladys is following her around everywhere, like she’s afraid to let Sasha out of her sight. Gladys says she’s just concerned about her favorite daughter-in-law, and Sasha says, that sounds cute and charming, but they both know what’s going on here, don’t they? Gladys says, maybe she’s hovering a bit too much, but she saw that paparazzo try to tempt Sasha with drugs, and doesn’t want Sasha to fall back into addiction. Sasha says she didn’t take the bait, and Gladys says she’s glad, but since Sasha won’t tell Brando about the pills, she has to stay close so she can recognize the signs if Sasha slips. Sasha says, she won’t slip, and Gladys tells her, says you. Who is Sasha fooling here, Gladys or herself? She’s done this dance before. They say, once an addict, always an addict. They have to stay vigilant. Sasha says she has to stay vigilant; her. Gladys can’t do it for her. Gladys can’t protect her from her addiction. If Gladys wants to know the truth, she can get drugs anytime. In their business, people are around everywhere, using or selling. She’d be surprised. Gladys says, not if she has anything to say about it, and Sasha says, that’s exactly her point. If she wanted to use, she could. She doesn’t care how much Gladys tries to helicopter her or run interference, she would find a way, and it wouldn’t be difficult. She went through a rehab program, remember? After her heart attack from tat cocaine laced with dextroamphetamine Cyrus gave her. That was a real wake-up call. She knows that in order to stay clean, she has to want to stay clean. And she does. Gladys asks if it isn’t good to have back-up, and Sasha takes Gladys’s hands, saying, she appreciates Gladys’s concern. She knows it’s coming from a place of love, but Gladys has to believe her; she’s completely fine. There’s a knock at the door, and Sasha finds a box outside. She asks if Gladys ordered something, but Gladys says, no, and Sasha sees it was forwarded from her old apartment. Gladys puts the remaining cookies in the kitchen, and Sasha opens the box. She takes out a tiny pair of work boots, and Gladys asks, what is it?

Britt says she saw Cody being led away in handcuffs. Why is he not in jail? He says he didn’t do anything wrong, and she says, he was arrested. He says, she was hammered. Maybe that’s why her memory is so spotty. How’s her head feel? Did she get enough water before she went to bed last night? The waiter brings Cody’s order, and Cody says, they can bill it to his room. Oh, he forgot; he already checked out. He wonders if the front desk still has his credit card info, but Brad says he’s got this. He tells the waiter to add it to his order, and put it on Selena Wu’s tab. Britt asks what he’s doing, and Brad says, just being friendly. Cody says he appreciates it, and Britt asks if she can talk to Brad a minute. They walk over to the bar, and Britt asks why Brad hates her. First he makes her an internet laughingstock, now he’s aiding and abetting the enemy? And since when is he comfortable living large off auntie dearest? Brad says, that’s a lot to unpack. First, he doesn’t hate her; he adores her. And he’s sorry. He was a little tipsy when he sent that footage of her climbing out of the pool to a friend. Secondly, Cody didn’t mean to knock her into the pool. She says, Cody? It’s Cody now? Brad says, that’s his name, and Cody approached him. Britt says, he did? She didn’t see that coming. He says he wishes, but sadly, it’s nothing like that. Brook was with him, and then she took off. Britt says, and he stayed to buy Cody lunch and a drink on auntie’s tab. He says, nothing wrong with showing some hospitality, and as he mentioned, Cody didn’t knock her into the pool on purpose. She says, right. She was just in his way. Brad says, she was standing awfully close to the edge when he landed, and she says, Brad means when he literally dropped out of the sky in an unsafe manner? He says, unsafe, but spectacular. By the way, congratulations; her memory is coming back. She says, if only she could forget, and looks at Cody, who’s already looking at her.

Gladys asks Sasha if this is supposed to be a joke. What kind of sicko would send those? Sasha says she bought them when she was still pregnant. She thought Brando would get a kick out of them, but they were backordered. She completely forgot about them. Gladys says she’ll make sure they’re returned, and Sasha says she knew they’d be too big for a newborn, but – she cries a little – but she figured Liam would grow into them eventually. There’s a knock at the door, and Gladys says, it better not be more deliveries, but it’s Brook. Gladys tells her, come in, and Brook says Gladys seems strangely happy to see her. She sees Sasha holding one of the boots, and asks, what’s going on? Sasha says, they were for Liam.

Dex says, Detective Falconari and Michael’s cousin; it’s a family reunion. Dante asks if Michael invited this guy onto the property, but Michael says, he doesn’t know who he is or why he’s here. Brando says, allow him to introduce Dex, Sonny’s new hire. Michael says he sees. He thinks Dex took a wrong turn, and Dex says, must have. Michael tells him, have a nice day, and Dex says he’s going. Brando follows him out, and asks if Dex is headed back to work. Dex asks, yeah, why? and Brando says he thinks he’ll follow, and tell Sonny about Dex’s bad sense of direction.

Dante asks if Michael is okay, and Michael says he’s fine. Dante asks what Dex wanted. Was he here about Sonny’s problems with his coffee business? Michael tells Dante, he said he was fine. Dante can drop the whole big brother thing, and mind his business.

Sonny tells Selena not to concern herself. He’s taking care of the situation. He thinks he knows the source. She says, which is? and he says, he’s handling it. She says she’s sure he is, but if there’s anything she can do… He says, Miss Wu, all due respect, like I said before, it doesn’t concern you. Leave it alone.

Britt tells Brad not to think he skated past what he did to her by recording that humiliating video. Cody orders another drink, and tells the waiter to put it on the same tab, and give himself a nice tip. Britt says, she’s still furious, but Brad says, he just wanted to record what she said for posterity. She says she didn’t believe that excuse the first time either, but he says, she seemed a little persuaded. She says, it was just an act for her mother’s sake. If she smells fear, Britt is done for. He says, it sounds like her mother is just worried about her, and she says, since when is he on her mother’s side? He says, it’s not about sides… She says, what? and he says, he gets that she’s upset that he sent that video. He was trying to be relevant or something, but it was wrong, and not okay. And even though he was a little lubricated himself, he should have been looking out for her, like he’s trying to do right now, but she makes it impossible sometimes. She asks what he’s talking about, and he says, something’s going on with her and he’s worried. She’s been acting weird for a while now. At first he thought it was about Jason, and he’s sure that’s part of it, but there’s something else. They’re besties, right? Talk to him. Tell him what’s going on with her… for real.

Gladys tells Brook, Sasha forgot she ordered them, and they were delivered here. Brook says, it must have been a real shock, appearing out of the blue like that, but Sasha says she’s fine. Brook says she doesn’t see how that can be true, and Sasha says, it has to be. She’s okay. Really. What brings Brook by? Brook says, just some Deception business; they can talk about it tomorrow. Sasha says she’d love to talk business. What’s up? Brook says, Lucy heard from the people at the Home and Heart Shopping Channel. They want to give Deception a one-hour slot. Sasha says, that’s amazing. What do they have to do? Brook says, they don’t have to do anything but get Sasha ready. She’ll chat up the talk show host, talk up the products, maybe do a little demonstration. Gladys says, this is great. They’re going to have to increase their inventory. She loves the Home and Heart. She’s seen stuff sell out in 20 minutes, and then the host has to vamp for the rest of the hour. Awkward. Brook sees Sasha look panicked, and says, that won’t happen. Gladys wonders if she has more faith in their products than  Brook, but Brook says she has no doubt their cosmetics will sell. She just has to remind Maxie and Lucy to bulk up their inventory before they go on the air. They’ll make sure they don’t sell out. Sasha’s hands start to shake, and she says she’ll be right back. Gladys asks where she’s going, and Sasha says, the bathroom. Please offer Brook some lemonade and cookies. She leaves, and Brook asks how Sasha is really doing. In the hallway, Sasha leans on the wall.

Dante tells Michael, mind his own business? They came because Brando had a bad vibe about that Dex kid, and it turns out he was right. Dex came here to intimidate Michael or rough him up. They wanted to make sure she was okay. Michael says, Dante doesn’t need to get involved, but Dante says, it’s too late; he is involved. Dex is one of Sonny’s guys apparently, and Sonny’s business has had some setbacks lately; Corinthos Coffee has lost some lucrative contracts. The harbormaster was abruptly fired, and the new one is being obstructive. Does Michael know anything about that? Michael says, every business has it’s ups and downs, even Sonny’s. Dante says, that’s what he thought. Why can’t Michael see that going after Sonny makes everyone’s lives worse? Is it all worth it just to try to humiliate their father?

Sonny comes out of his office at Pozzulo’s, sees Brando with Dex, and asks, what’s going on? Brando says, he and Dante found Dex with Michael. Michael’s okay; they got there in time. Dex asks what Brando is talking about. They were just having a conversation; he wasn’t going to clip the guy. Even if they hadn’t rolled up, Michael would have been okay… eventually. Sonny says, Listen. Dex even touches one of his kids, and he’ll kill Dex himself.

Britt says, Brad is right; she’s been going through some things. He asks if she wouldn’t feel better talking with someone like him. She’s making it hard on herself just keeping it all in. She says she can’t say anything if he doesn’t stop talking, and he says, talk then. She says she was about to, and now she has to compose her thoughts again. Sometimes he’s on her last nerve. Brad says, he’s coming, and Brad says, who? What? Cody asks if she’s done yelling at this guy, putting his arm around Brad’s shoulders. If this is how she talks to her friends… She says, how she talks to her friends is none of his business, and something he’ll never experience. Now why doesn’t he leave before she changes her mind, and sues him for bodily harm? He looks her up and down, and says, her body doesn’t look harmed to him, and she asks if he ever stops. He says, unlike you, Dr. Westbourne, I prefer to be nice to people; smile and not bark. She asks how he knows her name, and he says, it’s all over his feed, and shows her his phone.  

Gladys tells Brook, stupid supply chain. Sasha turned pale as a ghost when she saw these. It didn’t feel good to her either. Brook says she’s so sorry. She’ll take them when she leaves, and donate them. Gladys thanks her, and says, the sooner they’re out of here, the better. Brook says, she and Chase gathered all of Bailey’s belongings when she moved home with Maxie; her clothes, her toys, the 552 baby accessories you didn’t even know existed until you were caring for a child. But they still forgot some things in the nursery at the Quartermaine mansion; some onesies she outgrew, a stuffed animal. A few weeks after Brook moved home, she went into the nursery to get a toy for Wiley, and she stopped in her tracks. She started going through the drawers and the closets, and that’s when she found the stuffed animal. She just sat in the rocking chair and bawled. And that’s with her knowing Bailey is alive and well and living with her real mom. She can’t imagine what it’s like for Sasha to be reminded of Liam. Gladys says, maybe she should check on Sasha, but Brook says, she hasn’t been gone long. Gladys says, she’d still feel better if she looked in on her, and Brook says, she understands Sasha is upset, but is there another reason Gladys is concerned about Sasha? Gladys says, Sasha’s her family. There’s no such thing as being too concerned. Brook says, but she seems overly worried. Is there a  reason for that?

Michael says he doesn’t want trouble with Dante, but every time they talk, it’s clear Dante is siding with Sonny. Dante says, he’s not siding with anybody; he’s just trying to keep the peace. Michael keeps escalating things. Sonny’s not working against him. Michael says, Sonny’s siding with Nina; he testified for her. Apparently, it’s not her fault that she didn’t tell Sonny he had a family waiting for him, and then Sonny tells the judge that Nina should be able to see Wiley. It wasn’t a surprise, but it still felt like a betrayal. Dante says he can’t defend Sonny on that one. He doesn’t agree with what he did in court. Michael says, and Sonny’s testimony was just a start. Then Scotty started questioning him about Claudia Zaccara’s death. According to him, Michael bludgeoned a helpless woman, and Nelle was justified in hiding Wiley from him. Dante says, who cares what Scotty says? He’s full of crap. Michael says, he was acting on Nina’s orders, and there was Sonny in the courtroom, sitting on her side. So don’t talk to him about peace. He doesn’t want peace. Sonny didn’t just betray Michael and his family; he betrayed himself, his code that he instilled in Michael his whole life. Family first, right? Sonny doesn’t care about his family; he proved that. Dante says, maybe Michael can tell him how messing up Sonny’s business balances the scales, but Michael says he’s not doing anything illegal. Dante says, Michael got the harbormaster fired, and Michael says, they all know he was on the take. Dante can’t tell him that as a law enforcement officer, he’s unhappy that guy is out of commission, but Dante says, he couldn’t care less. He cares about Michael. This isn’t like him. Michael says, because it’s on him to forgive and make allowances, while Sonny gets what he wants, takes what he wants, and everyone around him has to pay the price. No more. He wants Wiley to grow up the son of a successful businessman, not the grandson of a mobster. Dante says, he wants Wiley to grow up the son of a successful businessman obsessed with revenge? Does that make Michael better than Sonny? If Michael wants to cut Sonny out of his life, do it, but he’s never going to be done with Sonny if his entire life revolves around revenge.

Sonny tells Dex, my family, everyone in it, and that includes Michael, is off limits. Does he make himself understood? Dex says, absolutely understood, boss, and Sonny tells Dex to wait while he walks Brando out. Sonny says he’s grateful for what Brando did, but why did he go after Dex in the first place? Brando says, when he was at the gym, he heard part of Sonny and Dex’s conversation. He wasn’t trying to eavesdrop; he couldn’t help it. Sonny says, go on, and Brando says, there was something about Dex’s attitude that rubbed him the wrong way. It was instinct, you know? Sonny says he appreciates everything Brando does for his family, and Brando says, anytime. Sonny tells him, go to that beautiful wife of his, and Brando leaves. Sonny says he gave Dex a job; what was it? Dex says, to find out if any other vendors have canceled orders with Sonny’s business, and Sonny asks where he heard Michael in that order. Dex says, nowhere, sir, but… and Sonny says, no buts. When he gives Dex an order, Dex needs to obey it. Do what he wants; nothing less, nothing more. Dex says, that doesn’t work for him.

Britt says, delete it, reaching for Cody’s phone, but he dances away, asking, why would he do that? She says, the video was taken out of context. It doesn’t show him knocking her into the water. He says she should be thanking him for his skills. If he had plowed into her at full speed, who knows? She asks why he’s even standing here. He should be locked up for creating a public nuisance, and flying a parachute without a license. Cody says he doesn’t know if that’s an offense, and she says, as far as she can tell, he’s just a drifter who literally blew into town, who she can’t wait to blow back out. The only reason she hasn’t sued him is that she doesn’t want him hanging around for the court date. He says, she’s welcome to try; he doesn’t really have anything worth taking. He was paid to parachute into that pool, which he did. He can’t be held responsible because she was standing too close to the edge. Furthermore, he has evidence she wasn’t injured as a result. He knows she walked out of that pool of her own considerable glory. He flashes his phone, and she says, if he brings that up again, the phone is going to end up at the bottom of the pool. Selena walks up and says hello to Britt. She says, and he is…? Cody tells her, Cody Bell; he’s blowing through. Selena says, she and Brad have a meeting, and Brad says, that’s why he’s here. She says, shall we? and they leave, Brad telling Britt, play nice. Britt says, Cody can leave now, and he says he will once he gets what he’s owed. She says she doesn’t owe him anything, and he says, not everything is about her. He’s waiting for someone. She tells him, wait somewhere else.  

Brook asks Gladys if there’s something she doesn’t know about. Is that why Gladys is staying here? Gladys asks if Brook thinks it’s strange they’d want her here, and Brook says, come on. Sasha isn’t just her friend; she’s a pivotal part of Deception. She wants to know so she can help. Sasha comes back, and says she’ll be okay. She just needed to splash water on her face. Home and Heart is a huge opportunity for Deception. She’s excited for them, but has to admit she’s a little nervous, being on camera, having all the focus on her. That’s why she wants to prepare. It’s the best way she knows to conquer her jitters. Brook says she totally understands. They’ll prep her, coach her, they’ll beat those jitters into submission. Sasha says, let’s get to it, and they all sit. Sasha says, they should discuss which products to present, and the order to present them to maximize sales. Brook says she’ll take notes to forward to Lucy. She thinks they should start with a bang to get the audience’s attention. She was thinking lips. Sasha tells Gladys that she’s not on the clock, so she doesn’t have to stick around for this, but Gladys says she’s not going anywhere. This is fun. Just pretend she’s not here.

Selena says she’s impressed with Brad’s work so far. He’s accomplished every one of the tasks she’s given him. Last night at the poker game, Judge Abbott told her that he was quite charming. Selena smiles for the first time ever, and he says he’s actually enjoying it so far. She says, he sounds surprised, and he tells her that he had his heart set on working at GH. He was thrown when she intervened, but he had no idea what the job would entail. She says she’s aware he was hesitant to get involved with one of her enterprises, however, she has a talent for matching people with the task they’re best suited for, and so far, he’s impressed her. He says, that’s great to hear, because he thinks he’s ready for more. He wants to make a real contribution to the family business.

Sonny asks what Dex said, and Dex tells him, with all respect, he doesn’t think Sonny wants a robot. He wants someone who can think for himself; who can anticipate problems and deal with them so he doesn’t have to. Sonny says, Dex thinks that’s him? Sonny barely knows him. Dex hasn’t earned his trust. Dex says, yes, sir. He’s sorry for going to see his son. He knows he went too far, but he was trying to impress Sonny. He knows he can do more for Sonny, and wanted to prove it. He didn’t think it through. He blew it and he’s really sorry. He just wanted a chance to show his initiative. Sonny says, he appreciates Dex’s enthusiasm, but he’s not there yet, and the way he’s going to get there is to listen to what Sonny says, and obey his orders. Dex asks if that means he didn’t screw it all up. Is Sonny giving him another chance?

Britt looks at her phone, and says, ten emails from the Board… Now eleven. She sighs.

Selena says, Brad has no experience with her organization. He needs to study and learn the business; then complete the necessary training. He says he’s up for the challenge, and she tells him, so you say. Why should she invest in him now? He says, because they’re family? and she says she’s been let down by family before. He says, who? and she says, it’s time to go. He can prove his dedication right now. She leaves, and he follows her out.

On the phone, Britt leaves a message for Terry, saying, she wouldn’t blame Terry if she was avoiding her calls. She’s probably not coming in today, for obvious reasons. If Terry is fielding calls from the Board, she’s so sorry. She’ll talk to Terry later. Cody sits on the chair next to hers, and says, careful; her face is going to freeze that way. She says, this whole pool debacle is ruining her life and her reputation. How is anyone going to take her seriously now? She swears she should sue. He says, she absolutely should.

Sasha comes out to the kitchen, and takes what looks like an OTC pill bottle out of her bag. She opens it, and Gladys comes flying out. She says, no! and knocks them it from Sasha’s hand, scattering pills everywhere, when Brando walks in.

There’s a knock at Sonny’s office door, and Frank says, it’s Dante. Sonny asks if Dante is here about Michael. He knows all about what happened. Dante says he figured Brando would have told him. Who is this Dex guy? What is he doing? Sonny says he had a conversation with Dex, and put him on notice. He can tell Dante right now, Dex isn’t going to do anything without checking with him first. He’s going to follow Sonny’s orders, believe him.

On the phone, Michael says he’ll circle back with Drew when he gets back to the office. He’s running a quick errand. Dex shows up, and Michael says, twice in one day. Is everything okay? Dex says, sure thing, boss. Sonny slapped his hand, and he promised to be good from now on. Michael says, Dex coming to the Quartermaine estate was out of line. His family is off limits. Dex says, he’s heard that one before, and Michael asks if he looks like he’s joking. Dex says, it’s just ironic considering Michael hired him to take down his father.

Tomorrow, Sasha insists she’s not using drugs; Spinelli asks if his outfit meets with Sam’s approval; Esme says, love is all around; and Cody tells Britt to take back her power.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Garcelle brings her sister Chantal to a beach house she bought, and is planning on tearing down. In Garcelle’s interview, she says, she didn’t grow up knowing anyone who had more than one home; some didn’t even have one. Buying a beach house is a big deal. Her vision is to build something that’s 2700 square feet, modern, with different decks. She wants a place where her kids can go, have fun, and create memories. So when she’s gone, they can say, cool. Mom did this. She tells Chantal that she’s thrilled to be able to work and do this, and Chantal says, it’s the work ethic that was instilled in them; hard work pays. Their mom said, work hard and study hard, and it will work out. Garcelle says she’s proud of herself, and Chantal says she’s proud of Garcelle too. In her interview, Garcelle says, she has four sisters and two brothers, and she’s the baby. Chantal lives in Miami, and visits the most. They don’t see each other often, but they talk on the phone. Chantal is the type of person who laughs at her own jokes, and sometimes Garcelle wonders if Chantal needs her one the phone, but they have a good time when they see each other. They go to the beach, and in Garcelle’s interview, she says she loves the beach. It reminds her of growing up in Haiti, bringing her favorite fruit, kenap, and hanging out. She would see the homes, and think, one day… and one day is here. She tells Chantal that it’s her happy place, but where’s her man? Chantal says, he’s in the water, and they laugh.

Dorit meets Erika for lunch, and tells her about the therapy session. She feels it’s good and helpful, and Erika says, it’s painful too. Dorit says, it’s draining, and in her interview, she says she’s doing EMTR therapy, and we flash back to her session. She says, the more she does it, the more she’ll find the tools to manage her anxiety, which is the ultimate goal. Erika says, because Dorit got into therapy right away, she’s on her way to recovery, and Dorit asks if Erika got an update on Lois. Erika says, it’s bad, and we flash back to LisaR telling Dorit that Lois is in hospice, and has a do not resuscitate order. Dorit tells Erika that she feels broken hearted, so she can only imagine how LisaR feels. In Dorit’s interview, she says, PK told her to take the girls out of town, and Diana said she’d fire up the jet. She tells Erika about the plan to go to Mexica, and says, they’re taking a PJ courtesy of Diana. Erika says she’s excited.

In a different restaurant, Kyle meets Crystal for lunch. Crystal says she texted Kathy, who said, planning Paris’s wedding is a nightmare. In Kyle’s interview, she says, all eyes are going to be on them, so everything has to be perfect. There’s a lot of pressure on Kathy and Paris. They talk about Crystal getting triggered, and Crystal says she’s not used to conflict. It was a hard topic, and she held it in; she didn’t want to talk about it. Kyle says, Crystal brought up something from a year ago, and we flash back to Kyle saying she doesn’t remember Sutton saying anything horrific. She says, in Crystal trying to defend herself to Garcelle, she threw Sutton under the bus. And in not saying what it was, she left it open for people to interpret it was worse than it was. Crystal says she’s not going to repeat it, and Kyle tells her, she shouldn’t have said it then. In her interview, Kyle says, Sutton made the I-don’t-see-color comment – we flash back to that – Crystal corrected her, and she apologized. Kyle is confused. She asks Crystal what was so dark, but Crystal tells her, it’s not her place to say the details. Kyle says she thinks Crystal is gaslighting the situation, but Crystal says she’s just being careful. Kyle asks if she isn’t being dramatic, and Crystal asks Kyle to give her the benefit of the doubt. Kyle says, Crystal needs to start being direct, and not passive/aggressive, and Crystal promises to do everything possible to be more open and direct. I’m actually surprised that, not only is Kyle having Sutton’s back, she hit the nail on the head as to what Crystal’s issue is.

Diana visits Kyle, whose dogs try steal the food while she’s answering the door. Kyle says she’s tired from wedding, but it was beautiful, and Paris was funny and sweet. In Kyle’s interview, she says, last night was the beginning of Paris’s three-day wedding. It was a small event with around 200 people. We see a clip, and Kyle says, it was a special moment she’ll never forget. She tells Diana that she couldn’t sleep. She also got the exciting news that Farrah is engaged; she turned her ring around at the wedding. She asks Diana how the baby is, and Diana says, too brave. In her interview, Kyle says she can’t imagine having a toddler at this point, but maybe in one year she’ll be nana, grandma, or granny. It’s weird to think about. Diane says, it’s cute that Eli trying to walk, but it’s a lot of work. She wants more babies, but after Eli was born, she got pregnant again. She was five months along with a boy, and everything was going well, but then she went to an appointment and found out the baby had died. In Diana’s interview, she says, they had figured out the baby had been dead for a couple of weeks, which can be dangerous for the mother because of infection. She tells Kyle, to have a miscarriage past twelve weeks is rare, and she almost bled to death. In her interview, she says, it felt like a nightmare she couldn’t wake up from. She went from being on top of the world to nothingness. Kyle asks if she can try again, and Diana says, they told her, it’s fine now, but they have no idea what happened. In her interview, Diana says, she’d like to give it one more try, so it doesn’t end on that note. But God laughs while we make plans, so they’ll just see how it goes. She tells Kyle that it’s the first time she’ll be away from the baby when they go to Mexico.

Garcelle meets Sutton for dinner, and says, last night was strange. Sutton says, she and Crystal talked it out over the summer, and Garcelle asks what it was Sutton said. Sutton says, she told Crystal a story about looking out… We flash back to Sutton telling Crystal that she was looking at the pool, and saw her white child, with children who were Black, Chinese, and a red-headed Irish Catholic. She thought, this is what it should be. Crystal says she doesn’t disagree with Sutton, but she doesn’t believe it’s enough anymore. Sutton has to do more. Garcelle wonders what Crystal found dark, and Sutton tells her, that’s exactly what she said. In Garcelle’s interview, she wonders if she’s missing something. Sutton views it as light, and Crystal as so dark. Is there a missing piece to this puzzle? Sutton says she wants to move on, and Garcelle says, they will when everyone knows what Sutton said. That can’t be the only thing. Sutton says, it’s all she can think of, and Garcelle tells her to watch her back. Crystal alluded to something dark, and that’s not a friend. Sutton says, it’s very scary.

November 15, 2021. In LisaR’s interview, she says, her mom passed away in hospice. She was 93½, and you know it’s coming, but you want to keep your loved one alive. Lois had stipulated no feeding tube, no resuscitation, nothing. We see pictures of Lois throughout her life, and LisaR says, the hardest decision in that moment was making the decision not to keep her alive. It was really hard. She cries, and we flash back to Lois on the show over the years. I am definitely no fan of LisaR’s, but I feel for her. The loss of a parent, or someone close, is a feeling of grief that’s universal. LisaR says, the world loved Lois, and to be able to share her was a great gift. She was such a good human being. She was such a light, and LisaR feels lucky to come from that. Kyle calls Erika, and Erika says, she didn’t feel comfortable asking when LisaR was coming back, but she understands if LisaR doesn’t want to go on a girls trip just after losing her mom. Kyle says she hopes LisaR comes; they can toast to Lois. Erika says, many times, and Kyle says, when you’re going through something like this, you want a distraction.

They meet at the airport, and Kyle hugs LisaR, saying, she’s happy LisaR decided to come. In LisaR’s interview, she says, they were there over a week, and took care of the stuff you have to take care of when someone passes away. She knew she had to go on the trip; her mom would be mad if she didn’t. She talked to the girls and Harry, and they said, Lois would want her to go. In Dorit’s interview, she says she knows it will be nice for LisaR to be around people who will make her laugh and support her. She hopes it’s a good experience and trip for her. They get on the PJ, and Kyle says, first class all the way.

On the plane, Dorit says she thinks they should go to the hotel and freshen up, then have a nice dinner at the restaurant in the resort. The arrive at Punta de Mita, and take two limos to the hotel. Kyle says, Sutton, Erika, and Crystal are in the other car, and wonders if there’s awkwardness. Garcelle is also in the other car, and there’s heavy silence until she says she bets Dorit is speaking Spanish to the driver. Sutton says, they always respond in English, and sure enough, we see she’s right. Garcelle says, Diana always flies in her people ahead of her, and we see Diana’s team fixing her suite. In Diana’s interview, she says she travels so much, she sends people ahead to set up the place the way she wants it, and to make sure wherever she’s going is in good condition. She knows her team is taking care of it, and wherever she goes will be amazing. Diana’s stylist Lia asks if they can make the closet taller. The women arrive and the hotel manager says, they’re nestled in paradise. They’re met with a drink made from raicilla (similar to tequila) and ferment of coconut. Dorit pronounces it yummy, and I think, it would have to be to get me to drink it. It sounds disgusting. Diana gets to the presidential suite, and she and Lia check out the view. Diana says she can’t wait to get in the water.

They go to dinner, and LisaR says, it hasn’t hit her yet, but Kyle says, it’s only been two days. LisaR says, you think differently when it’s your mom, and Kyle says, no matter how old you are, you want your mom. LisaR says, it wasn’t how she wanted to see her, and Kyle says, she lived an incredible, vibrant life. LisaR says, she had all her faculties, and could hear and see, and Kyle says, she was surrounded by her entire family. LisaR says, Lois loved being famous. She would ask how many likes a post got. Diana says, she was so cute, and they toast to Lois. Dorit apologizes for being late, saying, she has a room on the ground floor. There were people outside, and it was very triggering. In Dorit’s interview, she says, she was put in a beautiful suite, but she already had anxiety over going on the trip. Feeling safe is an obstacle she’s trying to overcome.

LisaR asks if she missed anything while she was gone, and Sutton says she had her store event. Out of phony politeness, LisaR asks how it went, and Sutton says, it was successful, and thanks everyone for coming. LisaR says, the pictures looked fun. She’s glad it went well. There’s serious radio silence at the table, and LisaR says, they’re awfully quiet. Sutton says she’s been busy, and missed a lot too. There was a conversation without her at Crystal’s party. Kyle says she filled Sutton in because it felt strange to have the conversation without Sutton. We flash back to Garcelle filling Sutton in, and Sutton says she doesn’t want to be misconstrued. Crystal said they’d had a dark conversation, and Crystal knows her character and her family. They come from a place of love, and in her house, they express love to everyone. She wanted to make that clear, and doesn’t want any untruths to be spoken that might be damaging. We flash back to Crystal telling the women, a lot more was said that was very dark. Crystal says, it made her uncomfortable, but they talked through it. Sutton says, it was last year, and she wants to be able to trust the friendship they’re developing. Crystal says, the tone was heavy and uncomfortable, and Dorit says, Crystal told them what was said was a lot worse, and it was dark. Crystal says, words are like Rorschach tests, and Garcelle says, what’s that? Someone says, a blot test, and Crystal says, she knows these are big words. Really? I have no words. Garcelle says, they understand big words, and in her interview, she says she has some big words for Crystal, but she doesn’t want to use them. It might make her feel uncomfortable. Diana says, Crystal is the youngest, but Dorit says, 38 isn’t a baby, and Diana says, when she was in her 30s, she was naïve. Sutton says, she was coming from a place of love, and Crystal tried to assassinate her character. That makes her nervous about their friendship. Erika says, she’s in awe of what she’s hearing. It’s kind of what she was saying last year. Sutton says, she wasn’t trying to assassinate Erika’s character, and Garcelle agrees, this is different. You can’t compare the situations. In her interview, Garcelle says, Erika was being judged by the whole world. Sutton was just asking questions, wondering if they’d be in trouble because they knew too much. We flash back to Sutton saying she talked to an attorney, and Garcelle says, Crystal deliberately tried to assassinate Sutton’s character; that’s the difference.

Kyle asks if Crystal isn’t making things up, but Crystal insists she’s not. Sutton said things that were hurtful. When are they going to stop denying her experience? Kyle says, Crystal told them, the things that were said so horrible, she couldn’t talk about it. That’s what she means by Crystal gaslighting. In Crystal’s interview, she says, if LisaR or Erika said dark, no one would care, but because she did, it’s horrific; it’s too much, too intense. They see her as someone who’s easy to attack, judge, and poke at. I seriously doubt either one of them would have used that word, but okay. Garcelle says, they’re talking like Sutton’s not here, and Sutton says she knows what she said. Erika asks what she thinks Crystal is accusing her of, and Sutton says she doesn’t want any insinuation about her personal character. Erika wonders if Sutton wants Crystal to say she doesn’t think Sutton is racist, and Dorit says, it’s not about the content of the conversation, but the insinuation. Erika says, the insinuation that she’s a racist, and LisaR says, this is where it gets dangerous. Crystal is dangling a dangerous carrot. Erika says, people will fill in the blanks with something worse, and Sutton says, here we go again. She’s f***ing pissed.

Sutton tells them, she said nothing wrong and nothing bad; that’s the truth. Crystal says she didn’t bring it up, but Sutton says, she did. She has a pattern with this with friends. She makes up lies behind their backs, and she needs to stop it. Sutton is telling her this because she likes Crystal. Erika wonders how the friends figure in, and in Sutton’s interview, she says, Beverly Hills is a small town. People who were no longer friends of Crystal’s warned Sutton that Crystal likes to make sure she’s best friends with the most powerful girl in the group. And she’ll do anything to get there. In LisaR’s interview, she says, she heard what Sutton is talking about, but chose not to use it. Kyle says she’s not trying to go back, and Crystal says, then go forward. Kyle says she was the only other person there, and has no choice but to say this is what she witnessed. In Crystal’s interview, she says, Kyle is choosing to focus on what serves her, not what’s important and might be hurtful to Crystal or people of color. In other words, she’s not focusing on Crystal. Kyle says, Crystal made it sound worse than it was, and in her interview, she says, it is possible she missed something that triggered Crystal? She’ll give Crystal that, but then say what it was. Erika tells them, someone tell her what was said, and Sutton says, it was about how she’s raised her family to have multicultural friends; everyone is welcome. In Kyle’s interview, she says, now she gets it. Crystal is confused. The conversation didn’t take place at the same time as the one in Tahoe about not seeing color; it was the next day. We flash back to the flash back, and Kyle says, she did hear the story, just not when Crystal said. She didn’t think it was dark then, and doesn’t think it’s dark now. Garcelle says, Sutton didn’t say anything horrible. It didn’t seem dark to her; not as dark as Crystal made it out to be. Crystal asks if Garcelle doesn’t find it problematic? and Garcelle says, no, thereby debunking Crystal’s theory about people of color. She says, Crystal alluded to something that could hurt Sutton’s reputation, and Sutton says, the shame of it is, she likes Crystal as much as she hates her. Crystal says she’s sorry, and Sutton says, thanks a lot.

Next time, surfing – or not; Erika tells Crystal that Sutton called her a liar; Sutton needs to take a break; and Garcelle says, Erika is bugging the sh*t out of her. I love Garcelle.

💡 I have an idea. Why don’t they accept the fact that Crystal likes to over-dramatize things, and translate it in their heads? Like when a guy has the man flu and says he’s dying. You know this means he’s just feeling like crap. Seriously, it would solve the biggest problem on this show besides Erika’s insecurities. Probably everybody has one friend with whom they have to translate what they’re saying into normal words. I love how she said words were like a Rorschach blot. Nope. A chair is a chair, not a cloud.

💃🏽 Dancing Like No One’s Watching…

Join me tomorrow for soap, soap news, and random cups of tea. Until then, stay safe, stay childlike, but not childish, and stay not letting your life revolve around revenge, or you’ll never be rid of the target.

June 7, 2022 – Britt Gets an Intervention, Best Guests Ever On Deck, Temping, Great Loss, Possibility, Caroline’s Place & Real

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Britt lies in bed and groans, when Brad says, wakey-wakey. Hair of the dog? He holds up a bloody Mary. Water? She says, aspirin, and Obrecht asks if her poor little head hurts. Just wait. She’ll bring the real pain.

Sonny punches the heavy bag, when Temp Brando walks in, apologizing for being late. Sonny says he’s just early. Is Brando okay? Brando says, his mother just needed help moving the furniture, and Sonny says, it’s a helluva thing, Brando and Sasha putting up with Gladys. Brando says, that’s one way to look at it, and Sonny says he could take Gladys off Brando’s hands and put her up in her own place, but Brando says, there’s no need. Sasha seems to be happy about it. Sonny says, really? and Brando asks if he can believe that. Sonny says, no, and Brando says, whatever makes Sasha happy makes him happy. Besides, Sonny’s got enough family on his plate already.

Ned is grooming the new horse, when Michael comes into the stables, and says, impressive. Ned says, he is, and Michael asks if Leo likes him. Ned says, Leo is doing backflips, and Michael says, Leo is really blossoming; the therapy sessions are doing wonders. Ned and Olivia have really come through for him. Ned says, they’re his parents. Would he expect less? Michael says, no, not at all. Ned always stands up for his family, which is how he knows, come next week at the shareholders meeting, ELQ will finally be back under family control.

Carly tells Drew to let her be his friend. Let her help him save ELQ from Valentin. He wonders if this is the first time the words save ELQ have been uttered by anyone but a Quartermaine, and she says she was a full-fledged Quartermaine at one time; twice if you count Jason. Now she’s just an honorary member. He chokes on his drink, and she says, what? He says he’s seeing a vision of Monica tossing salt over her shoulder.

Marshall tells Curtis, the police dropped him off at a psychiatric ward. There, they put him under a 72 hour hold for observation, and that’s when they were able to diagnose him. Curtis says, with what? and Marshall says, schizophrenia. Curtis asks if this is the secret Stella has been keeping from him all these years, but she says, Curtis didn’t travel all the way to New York and back for answers from her. She knows it’s hard, but they’re just getting started, and now is not the time to turn away. Talk to his father. Curtis says, schizophrenia. When he heard about Marshall’s arrest and learned they put him in an institution, Curtis thought it was because of the war; PTSD, depression, mania, something like that. Not this. Marshall says, hearing it the first time was a surprise for him too, and Curtis asks if there were any signs when Marshall was younger. Did anybody see any signs before the arrest? Marshall hesitates, and Stella says, they’ve been playing out this moment a long time; at least until he decided to look for his son. He knew it might come to this, and now it has. The moment has arrived. Time to meet it. Marshall says, okay, but don’t say he didn’t warn them.

Britt ducks under the comforter, and tells Obrecht to go away. Obrecht says, nein, and they struggle with the blanket. Britt says she’s trying to sleep, but Obrecht says, it’s nearly noon. Brad says, actually, it’s closer to ten o… Britt smacks at him, and he says, okay. Britt sits back down on the bed, and Obrecht says, here’s the deal. From them, Britt is going to receive a long overdue course direction. She’s lost her way. Brad says, no one hates this more than him, except maybe her, but welcome to your intervention. Ta-da!

Carly tells Drew, she and Monica are doing great… for them, and he says, the detente with Monica is reason enough not to involve herself. She asks if he’s really rejecting her offer, and he says, it’s a generous offer, but even her own son turned it down. She says, Michael works for Aurora; Drew is the owner. He’s really opposed to her buying in? He says he’s opposed at her putting herself at great risk on his behalf, and she says, Aurora trades on the open market, right? So she really doesn’t need his permission to buy in. She can help him whether he likes it or not.

Sonny says, Brando knows he’s always here to help, because Brando is family, and Brando says, indeed he does. Sonny says, accept his help, and Brando says, still no good with Michael? Sonny punches the bag, and says, not likely at this point. Brando says, Sasha told him things went Michael’s way at the hearing, so he thought it might have paved the way for a truce. Sonny says, not after he gave his testimony. He just wanted to get at the truth, and said some things people didn’t want to hear, but no decision is going to help him and Michael at this point. Brando says he’s sorry to hear that. Is there anything he can do to help? Maybe talk to Michael? Sonny thanks him for the offer, but he doesn’t want anything to alienate Brando and Michael, and Brando says, let him know if anything changes. Sonny says, just so Brando knows, things are going to get worse between him and Michael. Dex walks in, and says, boss, we’ve got problems.

Britt opens the door, and says, both of you, vamoose, but Obrecht says, this behavior is unacceptable. Britt says she’s not the one who barged into her hotel room. How did they even get in? Brad says, they told the desk that Britt was going to go full world tour Guns N’ Roses, and Obrecht says, and there might be alcohol poisoning. Brad says, and it would bring EMTs and cause bad publicity for the hotel. Britt says, and that load of bull made a five-star hotelier violate their guest’s privacy? But Brad says, no. She said something like blah-blah-blah, privacy policy, yada, yada; he’s paraphrasing. Britt says, how? and Brad says, he created a distraction, and Obrecht adds, while she swiped a housekeeper’s keycard. Britt says, wow. They can’t make it to 10:30 without a crime spree? and Brad says, the hotel might not be concerned about Britt’s reputation, but Britt should be, especially once that GH rumor mill gets going. She’s going to leave poor Terry defending her while the hospital board tries to take her head. Britt says, there should be a law against this much melodrama this early in the morning, and Obrecht says, this is hardly melodrama; this is tragedy. Her reputation and livelihood will be in peril once word spreads of her bravura performance. Britt says, what performance? It’s not her fault she got dunked by an exhibitionist himbo, literally dropping out of the sky. Brad says, and objectively speaking, quite hot, and Obrecht says, yes. By all accounts Cody is a specimen worthy of study, but they’re referring to Britt’s swan dive tantrum that preceded it. Britt asks, since when did speaking her truth turn into a tantrum? and Obrecht says, since it involves public displays of disorderly conduct. Britt says, she was simply calling out the romantic industrial complex, but Brad says, it was sloppy. Britt says she’s sure, like most things she says, it fell on deaf hears, and no one will notice anything. Obrecht picks up Britt’s phone, and says, it’s all over her social media feeds. Of the world of humiliations Britt has brought upon this family, this might be the most devastating. You have become – she shows Britt he phone – a meme. Britt sees a clip of herself struggling to get out of the pool, and asks who recorded her? then looks at Brad.

Marshall says, the judge sent him back to see some doctors, and the doctors told him again what was wrong with him. It took him a while to come around to it. Even now he wakes up some days wondering if it’s all just a bad dream. Stella says, but that notion doesn’t last, and he says, no. He gets up, and feels his aches and pains, and knows that’s real. He looks around and sees the same room he went to sleep in the night before, and sees his clothes where he left them, and he knows that’s real. He goes outside and smells the air, good or bad, it don’t matter; the air is the air. Good or bad weather, he steps out into the world. He closes his eyes and embraces the noise around him. And he knows ain’t nobody after him. He’s safe in his body and safe in the world, and he knows that’s real. He steps forward into his day, every day, and he walks walk toward his music, and he knows that’s real. He’s had no break with reality. He stays on his meds, and his meds keep him level. Curtis asks if he doesn’t feel anything, and Marshall says, sure, there’s side effects from the drugs, but it beats the alternative, don’t it?

Carly says, now that it’s been decided, she’ll get a bottle of champagne to celebrate, and Drew asks if she’s trying to ditch him to call her broker before Michael intervenes. Isn’t the fact that she’s trying to end run him reason enough to let this go? She says, let her help him, and he says he didn’t ask for her help. She says, but he’s getting it anyway, and he says he doesn’t need it. She says, everybody needs help, especially those who won’t ask for it. Or doesn’t it matter if they get ELQ back?

Michael says, he comes bearing gifts, and hands Ned a velvet pouch, saying, it’s to go over the stable door. He has a forger on stand-by to make something for them as soon as Ned, Olivia, and Leo decide on a name. Ned takes out a horseshoe, and Michael says, maybe the Lucky Leo Ranch? Ned says he’ll submit Michael’s suggestion to the decision makers. In the meantime, let’s not pretend he came here to look at the horse. Michael says he wanted to talk things out; he hates being at odds with Ned. Ned says, nor I you, and Michael says, Ned is the one who insisted Valentin needs to go. Ned says, he’s done an admirable job, but he’s not a Quartermaine, and Michael says, exactly. Ned says, he is; him, Michael, and Drew, all Quartermaines. Michael says, they’ve got to keep it in the family, and Ned says, they just disagree as to how. Michael says he wouldn’t go that far. They all want a lean mean ELQ, even more nimble and profitable than it is now. Ned asks how they make that happen, and Michael says, he and Drew have been negotiating against themselves. They made Ned an offer, but he hasn’t budged. Ned says he hasn’t found much in their offer worth budging on. He’s given a lifetime to ELQ, and in return they’ve offered what? Busywork and an empty title; they can do better. Michael says, tell him how, but Ned says, he knows how, but Michael says, he and Drew agree, CEO is off the table, so put something else on it. Ned must have been working on a counter, so come on, let’s hear it.

Sonny asks Brando to excuse him and Dex for a second, and they step away. Sonny asks, what’s the problem? and Dex says, last night’s coffee shipment has been held up at the docks. Sonny asks if he talked to the harbor master. Vince will clear this up… Dex says, he got fired yesterday. There’s a new guy in charge now, and he wasn’t receptive to Dex’s suggestion to speed up inspection. Sonny says, the product can sit on the docks for a while. It’s coffee – it’s not going to get impounded – but the staff change concerns him. Dex says he’ll look into it, and Sonny says, Dex told him problems. What’s the other problem? Dex says, someone is trying to cut in on Sonny’s market share. They’ve got competition.

Drew tells Carly, of course (🍷) he wants ELQ back in Quartermaine hands; it’s his daughter’s legacy. She says, it’s his legacy, and he says, maybe to a lesser degree, sure. She asks if he doesn’t feel like a Quartermaine yet, and he says, at best a Quartermaine come lately. She asks if he’s blind. Doesn’t he see the way Monica looks up to him, or the way Michael and Brook look up to him? Or how Ned is threatened by him? She’s been around many Quartermaines, and she can say from up close and personal observation, he fits right in. He says, coming from her, he’s not sure that’s a compliment, but she says, not a Quartermaine like Edward, who was very nice down deep. He’s the other Quartermaine. He’s Lila, and there’s no better compliment than that.

Sonny says, what competition? and Dex says, the managers at the Grill and every city franchise of Haven Bistro canceled their contracts. They’re declining delivery of Corinthos Coffee. They’re buying from someone else instead. He knows he’s new, and this is probably a drop in the bucket… Sonny asks what it feels like to him, and Dex says, a sign of things to come. Does Sonny think it’s Wu? Sonny says, he and Wu have an arrangement. His connections on the docks are important to her, and Vince was his guy. Dex asks if Sonny thinks they’re connected, and Sonny says he does, and he thinks he knows who’s behind both.

Britt hits Brad with a pillow, and says, he taped her. He says he didn’t tape her; the recording is digital. Obrecht takes the pillow from Britt, and says, stop. This cavalcade of indignity has gone on long enough. Britt says, dammit, Brad, why? and he says he did it for her. So she can look back on it one day and see how far she’d come. She’ll be reclining in her, as yet unmet, husband’s arms, and watching herself at her lowest. Obrecht says, they can only hope this is her lowest, and Brad says, and he and Britt will laugh and laugh. Obrecht says, or she can sit watching this with a few dozen cats looking on with distain, on a loop, over and over and over. Brad says, it’s part of historical record, and Britt asks if historical record shows she’s the wronged party; that she was divebombed by a beefcake? Brad says, nobody’s saying she knew that hunk of a man was going to Chicken Little right on top of her, but some might say this was a prayer answered. She’d just got done with saying something about love falling out of the sky. Britt asks if he thinks this is what she meant, and he says, she could do worse. Obrecht says, they’re getting way off topic. They’re concerned Britt hasn’t been herself. Brad says, she hasn’t been herself in a long time now, her mean, but in a fun way, self. She’s been mopey and aimless. Britt says, so if she’s not stealing embryos or tormenting nurses, she’s adrift? Brad asks if she really feels like she’s running at 100%, and she says she had one bad day. Obrecht says, she had a string of bad days, and Britt says, they’re her days and she doesn’t have many of them left. So if they’re bad or not, they’re nobody’s business but hers. Brad says, she’s a thoroughbred, and she asks if he just compared her to a horse. He says, horses are beautiful and noble creatures, with long narrow faces and killer cheekbones, and Britt says, why aren’t you recording this, James Wong  Howe, for historical records? He says, first of all, he thanks her for referencing a cinematic genius of Cantonese descent, and she says she thought he’d like it, but she still hates him. He says, second, his point is, she’s strong and resilient. One of the bravest people there is, so why is she bellyaching about the days she has left? She knows she’s going to outlive them all. Britt looks at Obrecht.

Curtis asks if the meds could have had something to do with Marshall’s episode a few months back, and Marshall says, sometimes they yank his blood pressure around, but he doctors are always tinkering with the dosage and the cocktail. Curtis says, and they work 100% of the time, and Marshall wonders if Curtis is asking him if he hears voices or hallucinates. Curtis says, no. He just wants to know what to look for. If it was serious enough to drive him away the first time, it could drive him away again, and Curtis doesn’t want to lose Marshall a second time. They could have helped him. Family helps people that they love through illnesses like this. Marshall says, Curtis and Tommy were babies, and his mama had enough on her hands, and Curtis asks if it was her choice. Marshall says, no, it was his, and Irene’s. He’s not saying she agreed, more like acquiesced. Curtis says, him and Tommy believing he was dead, and Marshall says, he was afraid of the man he might become had he stayed. Curtis wore a badge for how many years? Curtis says, enough, and Marshall says, in all those years, Curtis never crossed paths with one of those lost people? Curtis says, he means homeless? Of course (🍷). Marshall says, not just unhoused, unmoored. Ambling down the street, words all garbled, carrying on to themselves, responding to something no one else can hear. And alone… always alone. When he was diagnosed with schizophrenia, that was his immediate fear, that he would end up being one of the lost. Curtis says, if Marshall had been at home, he’d have been with loved ones, who could have kept him moored, but Marshall says, he couldn’t take that chance. His delusions were of the paranoid type; he thought the government was after him. Curtis says, but Marshall told him that he’d never had a relapse, and Marshall says, he got lucky. At the time, there was no way to predict that. Curtis says, but there were hospitals. They still could have helped him. Marshall says he needed protect his wife and kids while he was still capable of making that choice. What if it all went wrong? What if the medicine didn’t work? What if the medicine stopped working? Maybe Curtis can’t imagine the hurt and shame Marshall could have brought down on him, but Marshall has, and it’s haunted him every day of his life. He was in danger of becoming someone else. Not the man Curtis’s mama married, not the man he knew. Not the father he wanted to be, or even have them be around. So he took the deal, and he took their meds, and he took off. He starts to cry, and says he’s sorry he hurt Curtis and Tommy, but at the time, he didn’t know what else to do.

Drew tells Carly, he wishes he’d met Lila, but he knows enough about her to take it as a compliment. She says, score one for her, and he says he doesn’t know if he’ll ever be completely comfortable in that house, but he doesn’t remember the last time he felt like a stranger. Carly tells him, that’s what Jason said, but he didn’t use those words, and he asks what Jason would say about her trying to buy into Aurora. She says, he would tell her to stay out of it, and he asks if she would if Jason told her too, but she says, no. She ignored Jason’s advice all the time, and he never held it against her. She’s sure at some point they were in a crisis of her making, and he said, I told you so, but she can’t remember. Drew says, she’s holding him to the same standard, but she says she’s not, because he schooled her on that. Jason is Jason, and Drew is Drew. Although there are definitely some similarities, Drew is his own person. He advised her to stay out of it, and she considered his advice; she’s just not going to take it. She thinks she’s going to make a lot of money on this merger, but he says, she is not doing this to make money. She’s doing it to back him and Michael. She says, right, because Michael’s her son, and it’s the least she can do to settle up with him. He asks what debt she thinks she’s repaying?

Sonny thanks Dex for the update, and Dex asks if he should look into it; figure out who’s making moves. Sonny says, check with the other clients, and see if any of them are thinking of making a switch, when Dex’s phone rings. Sonny tells him, take it, and Dex steps away. Sonny takes a swing at a hanging bag, and Brando asks if he still wants to spar. Sonny says, he thinks somebody has already taken a swing at him, and Brando asks if he has any idea who. Sonny says, yep; his own son.

Ned says, co-president, and Michael says he’s not sure about the co. He and Drew are already looking at that for a shared CEO position. Ned says he’s not referring to himself. He means the three of them. They share power and divide responsibilities. They each oversee a division according to their ability. The big decisions come down to a vote among the three of them. It’s equitable and it’s transparent, and it’s a sign of good faith that in the future they can move forward as a unit. What does Michael say?

Obrecht asks Brad to please leave them, and when he’s gone, she tells Britt, look at this place. It’s not fit for schwein. Britt says, everything is exactly how she wants it, and Obrecht says she finds that hard to believe, handing Britt a bra. Britt says, why? Because she prefers to store her bra on the lampshade? Or she’s not ashamed to single, and she doesn’t care if she dies alone? Obrecht says, pardon her intrusion. If Britt doesn’t appreciate her help… but Britt says, stop. She’s sorry she jumped down Obrecht’s throat. Obrecht says, don’t apologize. If anyone should apologize… Britt says, let her finish. She does appreciate Obrecht’s help and knows Obrecht means well, even if good intentions are a relatively new concept for her. She gave Society Set-Ups her best shot, and it didn’t pan out, and that’s okay, but she tried. Now she’s going to take a break from putting herself out there. Obrecht leads Britt to the bed, and they sit. She says, this isn’t about Britt meeting someone; it never was. If Britt doesn’t wish to share her life with another person, Obrecht will respect that. Perhaps her happiness with Scotty has made her a hopeless romantic. Britt says, Obrecht’s version of one, and Obrecht says she wants the people she cares about to be as happy as she is. Since her work scope is rather small, she can devote more time than the usual meddler. Britt says, maybe meddle with Nina? and Obrecht says, and her recovering amnesiac mafiosi? She’s getting nowhere near that schlimazel. As for Britt, she only wants Britt find the happiness she’s recently discovered. What she has with Scotty… Britt says, please, no details, and Obrecht tells her, she’ll just say, a gruff, sturdy, ethically flexible man who worships her is a nice change of pace. Britt says she’s happy for Obrecht, and Obrecht thanks her. She apologizes for attempting to foist her idea of contentment onto Britt, but she doesn’t apologize for butting in when she sees her only living child flailing. And make no mistake about it; she is.

Marshall asks if that was enough detail for Curtis, and Curtis says, for now. Marshall says, good. He’s going to take some rest. He gets up, and Curtis says, one more question. Marshall says he’s tired, but Stella says, just one, and Curtis says he’ll make it an easy one. About Marshall’s drug regimen. It’s been honed and refined over the years, right? Marshall says, It has, and Curtis says, and in all those years, Marshall never had an episode or a relapse? Marshall says, he told Curtis, he’s been lucky. Why? Curtis asks, how come Marshall didn’t come back years ago? Why now?

Drew asks what Carly could possibly think she owes him, and Carly flashes back to the courtroom, and telling Drew that Nina isn’t Willow’s mother. She tells him that she messed up his whole Victor Cassadine plan, but he says, that was an honest mistake. She says, and he’s been there for her since her marriage crashed and burned, but he says, that’s what friends do for each other. Nobody owes anybody anything. She says, he could have turned his back on her at any time, and let’s be honest. Before he went to Afghanistan, they’d grown apart. He says, that’s not how he thinks of it, and she asks, how can he not? He says, they hit a little bit of a rough spot when Jason came back. He didn’t know how or where they belonged in each other’s lives, but they navigated through that. He never once doubted them. He knew they would find their way back to each other; to the friendship they used to have. Or if they didn’t, they’d create a new one. And look at them now. They did it.

Sonny tells Brando, there’s a new angle, targeting his legitimate enterprises. Someone is throwing their weight around, interfering with his supply chain, messing with his clients. He’ll give Michael some credit. He’s smart, and he knows how to strategize. Brando asks if Michael has ever come after Sonny’s businesses before, and Sonny says, no, but Michael thinks he abandoned his family. Michael only sees what he wants to see, which is ironic, since when Michael got together with Willow, she was married to Chase. He only make allowances for himself, not for his own dad. Sonny leaves, and Dex looks at Brando. Brando says, problem? and Dex says, nothing he can’t solve. As Dex puts his phone away, Brando notices a gun in his waistband.

Marshall says, Curtis is the reason for why now. He kept his eyes on Curtis from afar. He witnessed Curtis’s struggles and his triumphs. Some made him proud, others broke his heart, but he never dared interfere. Not until Curtis gave him a sign. Curtis says, what sign? and Marshall says, The Savoy, his club. When Curtis opened a place for music, it was like God Itself was telling him that Curtis was ready. Or maybe that he was ready. He’s sorry he was late, but he’s here now. Stella says, and he’s staying, and Marshall says, he’s staying. Curtis and Marshall hug, and Marshall tells Stella, come here, girl. The three of them hug.

Britt says, she’s not flailing, but Obrecht says, Britt just doesn’t see it, and she’s certainly not living up to her potential. Look at herself; she’s letting life pass her by. One could make a convincing case that Britt is wallowing. Britt says, because none of the candidates put up by Society Set-Ups interested her? She’s raised her standards. She sighs, and says, she wants a man that will not only save her life, but who she can trust with her darkest secrets. Someone who can look her in the face and not flinch when she tells them that she has Huntington’s Disease, and she’ll inevitably die a horrible, debilitating death. Does Obrecht know any guys like that? Because the only one she’s met is buried under seven tons of rock on Cassadine Island. Obrecht says, Britt has had almost a year to make peace with Jason’s death and her diagnosis, and Britt asks, since when is there a time limit on grief? Or facing her own mortality? Obrecht says, Britt isn’t the only person who has to content herself with what time she has left. She has friends, and a cousin, and a nephew, and a mother who love her, and will miss her when she’s gone. Obrecht will be devastated. With the life she’s led, did Britt think she expected to outlive her children? Nathan is gone, and every morning she’s grateful for each and every moment left with Britt. She wonders when will Britt ever feel the same, and she leaves.

Michael says he’ll take Ned’s offer to Drew and see what he says, but Ned says, Michael doesn’t sound very enthusiastic. Michael says, to be honest, he doesn’t think it will appeal Drew. An equitable distribution of power among the three of them doesn’t account for the risk Drew is taking on the Aurora side. Ned says, Drew takes the risk, and Michael reaps the benefit. Then the two of them turn him into their underling. Drew has never even worked for ELQ. Michael says, maybe not, but he did. He was the CEO for years while Ned was doing his music and other stuff. Ned says, long before Michael found himself in the executive suite, he was changing Michael’s diapers. Michael says, let’s not get personal. If Ned loses sight of what’s at stake, they all lose. Ned walks outside and looks at Valentin in his phone contacts.  

Carly says she’s glad she and Drew managed to push through, although she’s probably been doing all the pushing, since he felt like everything was fine. He says, sorry. Next time, he’ll clue her in. No more secrets. How about this? He doesn’t stand in the way of her investment, and she’s got to keep him honest; tell him if he starts veering away from Lila, and heading toward Edward. She tells him, don’t worry; she will.

Brando asks if Sonny is headed out, and Sonny says, he’s got to stop the bleeding. Brando asks how he can help, and Sonny says, just asking is plenty. Brando says he gets; it’s a sensitive situation. If he can’t talk to Michael, maybe he can talk to Dante. Maybe the two of them can get Michael to the table; see if he and Sonny can’t hammer out a peace. Sonny says, Brando is a good guy; stay that way. He doesn’t want to get involved in this. Brando tells Sonny that he said it himself, this is a legit business, which means there’s nothing Brando can’t know. Since it’s also family, he doesn’t want things to get so bad between Sonny and Michael that they can’t find their way back. Sonny says he thinks they’re a little too late for that.

On the phone with Drew, Michael says he just talked to Ned. Ned came back with a counter, but he wasn’t enthusiastic. Things got pretty tense, which is average for this family, but he was hoping Drew could come up with something better… All right. They’ll talk. He turns, and sees someone there. He asks if he can help them, and Dex says he hopes so.

Tomorrow, Sasha says Gladys is driving her crazy; Dante asks if that makes Michael any better than Sonny; and Sonny tells someone, if they touch one of his kids, and he’ll kill them himself.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht

Marcos tells Gary about his best friend Juan Carlos’s mom dying of a heart attack, and that Juan Carlos is in Miami, and couldn’t see her. In Marcos’s interview, he says, Juan Carlos is one of his oldest friends. He was there when Marco’s grandpa and grandma died, and he couldn’t go back to Venezuela because of his immigration status. Gary tells Marcos that his situation is more important than the guests, and asks if he wants company in the galley. In his interview, Marcos says, it’s not easy. He imagines it’s his mom, and hopes that sh*t doesn’t happen to him. He and Gary go to the galley, and Marcos says, business. Co-primary Lane tells Daisy that he likes to do a crew versus guests thing, and in the galley, Marcos tells Gary, this kind of stuff always happens when you’re away from home. Daisy checks out the table setting, and tells Ashley that she has the glasses the wrong way. (Ah-ha! in Nelson voice.) Daisy says, there’s a cabin that’s free, and tells Ashley to do it, then tells Marcos that the guests are sitting for dinner. It’s seafood night, and when Gary brings up a platter, he pretends he cooked it. Marcos describes the fabulous dishes, and Lane says, they’re all allergic seafood… just joking. Marcos laughs, but you know he’s thinking, not today. He goes to the galley to get dessert prepared, and Lane says, the seafood is impressive in variety. Marcos tells Colin about Juan Carlos’s mom, and says he always gets news like this when he’s cooking. That’s how it was when his grandpa and grandma died. Colin says, that’s when you realize how strong you are, and Daisy tells Marcos, the guests are ready for dessert. The guests pronounce the mean amazing, and applaud Marcos. Gary asks if Scarlett worked this hard day boats, she says, no, and they laugh. In Ashley’s interview, she says she doesn’t blame Gary; Scarlett is f***ing hot. It’s predictable though. We flash back to Gary flirting with everyone, including jokingly with Glenn, and Ashley says, it’s actually hilarious. Scarlett tells Gary that he makes her laugh.

Lane thanks the other guests for dressing up in white, and helping them celebrate. In Daisy’s interview, she says she’d love to meet someone amazing, but it hasn’t happened in 34 years, so she’s not holding her breath. Co-primary Amanda wants to saber a bottle, and does so successfully. Guest Becky asks if Glenn will join them for dinner tomorrow, and Gary tells Daisy and Kelsie about Juan Carlos. Marcos goes to bed, and Glenn tells Gary, the wind is picking up overnight. It will interesting to see how the swell comes through. Ashley says she’s pretty sure it was like this when they dragged last time, and Glenn suggests putting a couple fenders on deck. He tells Gary to keep an eye out for drifting. In Glenn’s interview, he says he’s not worried about the Parseval, but they  might drag into all the little boats. Gary tells Kelsie to be vigilant, and know the surroundings.

The wind is 15 knots at midnight, and Marcos tells Gary that he spoke by text to Juan Carlos. He doesn’t believe it. Life is unfair. Gary says, that’s why you have to make the most of every day. By 1:40 am, the wind picks up 25 knots, and Kelsie thinks one of the surrounding boats is getting too close for comfort. In her interview, she says she needs someone who has the ability to move the boat if they need to get the f***ing hell out of there, and she wakes up Gary. He says, they’re stretching anchor, and if they start dragging, they’ll be deep in mud. In Gary’s interview, he says he learned the hard way, and doesn’t want it to happen again in his lifetime, let alone twice in one season. At 6:30 am, the wind is at 30 knots, and Gary tells Barnaby that he’s going to bed, and wake Glenn if he gets concerned. It’s guest Becky’s birthday, and Lane thinks it would be fun to go kite surfing. Colin thinks they should wake Glenn because they’re dragging so much, and in Glenn’s interview, he says, there’s no choice but to re-anchor. They won’t just be dragging in shallow water, but into other boats. He tells the deckhands to pull both anchors up and redrop them. In Barnaby’s interview, he says, it could be a serious problem if they keep dragging, and Colin sees there’s a chain wrapped around one of the anchors. In his interview, Barnaby says, if they can’t get the anchor up, they could end up hitting a little boat.

Colin tells them to bring the anchor up so he can screw around with it, and in Colin’s interview, he says, it’s chaotic. If this debris gets caught in the propellor, it could break something. He wants to scream. A rock and another anchor are attached to it, and as Scarlett serves breakfast, Colin curses the anchor. Gary tells Glenn that he’ll jump in the tender, and Colin says, they have to make sure nothing goes in the thruster. They manage to get all this crap off the anchor, and Colin tells Glenn, both anchors are at the water line. They re-anchor, and Lane asks if the captain was doing stunts. It was actually pretty exciting. Lane asks Glenn if it’s possible to sail if it calms down, but Glenn says, it woudn’t be fun, but maybe tomorrow. Lane jokes that he wants a second opinion from Barnaby.  He tells Gary about the relay they want to do with the crew, and shows him the Seaman Cup trophy. Gary thinks it’s brilliant, and Lane tells him to come up with ideas for events. Is he up for the challenge? Gary says, game on. In the galley, Marcos tries to explain molecular gastronomy to Colin, and shows him how it’s done, which is where it finally made sense to me. Simplified, he put cantaloupe in a blender; added gelatin; heated it, then used a pipe (like you use for icing), dropping it into cold water. Boom! Caviar pearls that taste like cantaloupe. Colin asked if you could do it with any liquid, and Marcos said you could. I imagine they use molds or whatever to make the various food shapes. Ashley whines loudly about wanting to be in the relay, and Gary asks that the teams be changed from four on each to six, so there will be no tears. Ashley then tells the guests about how she whined, and afterward, Daisy says, the guests shouldn’t know that stuff unless they ask. If Ashley stood back, she’d probably get her way. Gary tells everyone to get in their swims soonish.

Daisy tells Marcos that Glenn will be dining with the guests, and Marcos says, he’ll have to change everything because he’d planned for eight people, not nine. She asks if she can help, and keeps apologizing. In Daisy’s interview, she says, f*** me. She feels so guilty. In the galley, Marcos says, f*** this.

The guests dress like pirates, and the crew like sailors. Glenn gives them instructions for the sailing course. He says, after that, they’ll bring a paddleboard around the boat once, then to the jacuzzi for the finish. This is possibly the best episode of the season. Scratch that. It is the best episode. Very little Ashley bullsh*t, and more fun. The guests are keeping the crew so busy by including them, there’s no time for Ashley’s bullsh*t. Glenn is the referee for the crew, and guest Matt for the guest. Ashley is paired with Barnaby, and in her interview, she says, no way she’s losing this race. They lag behind, and in her interview, she says, Barnaby is a sailing instructor. He should be doing his job better. When they get to the paddleboards, Glenn says he thinks it’s going to be a photo finish, with a mad dash to the jacuzzi. Everyone sits in the hot tub, and guest Romeo says, they were bested by the seaman. In Colin’s interview, he says, some people would think they’d let the guests win, but a competition is a competition. In Ashley’s interview, she says, f*** yeah; told you. The crew receives their cup, and they all drink out of it. Glenn says he’s impressed; they all did well. Marcos tells Daisy that dinner isn’t going to be as molecular because of the timing. She apologizes, and says she’ll take the bullet. In his interview, Marcos says he had a small amount of time to reinvent the dinner for nine plate. Daisy feels awful, and Ashley and Scarlett decorate for the dinner.

The guests are seated, and Glenn joins them. Glenn tells them that they don’t get many Canadians, and the first course is served – it looks like a tomato, but it’s a pepper! Amanda says, finding out the chef was excellent has been a highlight, and in Glenn’s interview, he says he doesn’t really understand it. He’s good with a regular tomato. The caviar is presented, Marcos having used prosciutto and cucumber, and Lane says, even though they told him, no holds barred, Marcos was still using their favorites. Glenn suggests Marcos might be an alien from the future. They toast to birthday girl Becky, and Amanda tells Marcos that he’s a magic man. Lane does a happy food dance, and Glenn thanks them. They suggest Glenn party with them, but Glenn says he needs his beauty rest. Lane tells the story of a man being asked if he’d ever done a hurricane. He drank a shot, got water thrown in his face, and was slapped. They want the crew to do the same to the dudes in the group, because apparently it’s some weird tradition. In Ashley’s interview, she says she has a lot of pent up frustration; it’s gonna rip. In Kelsie’s interview, she says, it feels wrong since the guests are so lovely, but if the guests ask, they provide. So they provide what the guests ask, and everyone goes to bed, a jolly good time having been had by all.

Gary bugs Scarlett to talk on deck, but she tells him it has to wait until she’s done. He talks anyway, so Ashley runs to Daisy, saying, Scarlett doesn’t need to be having a heart-to-heart with Gary when she could be helping. In Ashley’s interview, she says, she’s totally f***ing with Gary’s fun. Daisy comes up on deck, and tells Scarlett, it’s not the appropriate time. Gary says, he’s been c*ck blocked, and in Scarlett’s interview, she says, the only person causing trouble in her and Gary’s relationship is Gary. Scarlett told Daisy she tried to tell Gary later, but he said it wouldn’t take long. Daisy says, that’s Gary. Later, a shirtless Gary finds Scarlett in the laundry room, and half-asleep Daisy comes out. Gary asks if they were talking loud, and Daisy just glares at him, going back in her cabin. Gary tells Scarlett that Daisy is just jealous, and in her interview, Scarlett says, it’s easy for Gary not to care. Daisy’s not his boss. It’s effecting her work and she wants him to stop. This is why she can’t do this.

Glenn tells Colin that it’s not worth going back to drop off the guests, so they’ll take them to shore in the tender. Gary says, they were the best guests they’ve ever had, and I agree. Glenn calls the crew to the cockpit to say goodbye, and Daisy says, it feels like they’re picking up, not dropping off. Lane says, they obviously wish they could have sailed, but everything was phenomenal. He’s going to keep an eye out for Marcos, and expects to see a Michelin star near his name soon. The food totally redeemed the wind and the weather. He gives Glenn the tip envelope, and Gary goes with them in the tender. Glenn blows the horn, and the guests wave from the dock. The crew does some quick cleaning, and it’s time for the tip meeting. Glenn tells them that he’s not bias, but this was the classiest, funniest, kindest group, and they were Canadians. Not going anywhere and having to entertain guests is the hardest, and it’s the first time a chef did molecular gastronomy. Marcos has been continuously outdoing himself. They got the biggest tip of the season; $23K or $2,555 each. He hates to end the meeting with bad news, but they have a charter tomorrow, at noon. Daisy says, they’re so close to the end. How is this happening? Glenn says, they start at 8 am; it’s the final charter. He can’t allow their work to go unappreciated though, and has a caterer from a restaurant coming to the yacht. He tells them, it’s a school night, and to police themselves, so they can bang it out for the last one. Daisy asks to talk to Ashley, and tells Ashley that she can see how hard Ashley works, but the whingeing grates on her. (I’m assuming that’s akin to whining.) Daisy says, it’s inappropriate, and a part of the job Ashley needs to work on. There’s no point in decorating a beautiful table if you can’t sell it. Ashley says she knows she needs to work on that, and Daisy says she wants to see amazing, happy, and helping Scarlett. One last push. Marcos tells Colin that he has to keep going like nothing happened, and Colin asks how he can help. Glenn asks Daisy, Gary, and Marcos to join him for the preference sheet meeting.

The co-primaries are Laura and Matt, who are bringing Allegra and Gabe, who were supposed to get married in 2020, but had to cancel. They want to make up for lost time, and be married by Glenn on the beach. Gary asks if captains can really marry people, and Glenn says, to make it official, you have to follow-up with a Justice of the Peace. In Glenn’s interview, he says, he knows it’s traditional for a captain to officiate, but weddings can be a lot, and he’s nervous. Daisy reads that on day one, the guests want an astrological rave, and on day two, the beach wedding, with a reception including a multi-tiered cake. Marcos reads that another co-primary, Loren, adheres to a gluten-free diet, and Marcos says, that means she’s allergic and he has to be careful. In Marcos’s interview, he says, gluten-free, dairy-free, and a f***ing wedding cake. He’s going to have to make a gluten-free cake. This is going to emotionally destroy him; the stress is too much. Glenn says, it’s an interesting finale, and they all chant, last charter. Scarlett asks Daisy if they can wipe down the stainless tomorrow, and Daisy agrees. Daisy tries to chat with Marcos, who asks her to give him some space. The restaurant caterer arrives, and the crew gets dressed for dinner. After they’re seated, Daisy asks Marcos to go for a smoke. They go up on deck, and she asks if he’s okay. He says he’s better, but he’s sad and worried. She says, he’s an incredible chef, and to see him so low makes her heart break. She hugs him, and in his interview, he says, it’s the first time the whole season that he’s thinking he’s not going to pull it off. It’s that serious. He tells Daisy, he’s human, and in his interview, he says he may reach his limit. He’s in a glass of water, and ready to drown. Daisy says, he’ll come out shining, and hugs him.

I have my favorite episodes of the OG Below Deck (Shame Cocoon for one), but this was hands-down my favorite episode of Sailing Yacht. I’ve never been that crazy about this spin-off, although Glenn has grown on me, but these guests were so much fun, and so inclusive of the crew, there was literally no time for Ashley’s machinations, and little time for Gary’s nonsense. Gary is just an idiot, but Ashley could give Jax Taylor a run for his money as Worst Human On Earth. There was also a bit of excitement with that whole anchor thing. Best. Sailing. Episode. Ever.

Next time, party on deck; Daisy says, a hangover is tomorrow’s problem; the crew deals with tomorrow’s problem three hours before charter; Glenn says, tomorrow’s problem is self-inflicted, so it’s on them; and the beach where the wedding is to be held is crowded.

⚙️ Who’s That Guy…?

Stepping in for Brando.

https://soapdirt.com/general-hospital-comings-goings-brando-corbin-recast-new-face-debuts-two-exits/

🥀 Just So Sad…

I can’t imagine how they must feel.

https://people.com/tv/general-hospitals-jack-and-kristina-wagners-son-harrison-dead-at-27/

👠 The Housewife Trap…

I wouldn’t mind seeing her in the show, but point well made that she’s neither a housewife nor a mother.

🏰 Digs In Dubai…

To counteract the sad news above. On a side note, Bravo finally backed themselves into an acronym corner. Because it might get confused with DallasRHOD – it’s RHODubai. Good thing they aren’t from Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoron-ukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu. And yes, it’s a real place in New Zealand.

https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/5503306/real-housewives-dubai-caroline-stanbury-home-sergio/

🚂 Taking the A Train…

Delivered as promised. Feel free to come along tomorrow for a look at some soap and some Beverly Hills. Until then, stay safe, stay pursuing at least one passion, and stay not becoming a meme.

June 6, 2022 – Willow Makes a Decision, Extra Dead, Postponement & I Know

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Carly finds Drew at the pool and says she heard he was there. He says she seems to be in a better mood, and she says, things are finally starting to come together. He says, nothing like being released from a dungeon after a couple of years, and she says, it’s not quite that, but he says, it’s her version. It’s been a rough couple of years. She says, it has, and now there are blue skies ahead for Nina and Willow, Nina is finally in the rearview, and she knows Nina finally can’t do harm to this family anymore. Michael and Willow come in, and Drew says, it is such a relief to find out Willow isn’t Nina’s daughter.

At the neatest stables I’ve ever seen – I mean, like you could live in them – Leo looks at a white horse and says he loves him. Olivia tells Ned that Leo loves his new present. She knows getting horses, cars, and stock options for your birthday might be normal for Ned, but this girl knows how lucky they are. He says he’s the lucky one; he has her and Leo. She says, it turns out equestrian therapy is all its cracked up to be, and Leo pets the horse. Ned says he knows it’s supposed to help kids on the autism spectrum develop emotional bonds, and sensory skills like balance, but this looks more like a kid loving getting a horse. She asks if he’s getting all misty on her, and he asks if she’d believe him if he said no. She says, not for a minute, and suggests she and Leo go up to the house and get the horse some food. I wonder if she’s going to make it a sandwich, and Leo says, apples or carrots? She says, dealer’s choice, and they leave. Ned tells the horse, all right, mister. I’m trusting you to look out for my son, and since he clearly already loves you, welcome to the family. He guesses they’ll have to give the horse a name, and Valentin walks in, saying, he’s always been partial to comet. Comes around once a decade. Much like the offer he’s presenting Ned.

Terry gets a text from Chet, saying: Just landed. She sees TJ, and says, she thought he requested the whole week off work. He says he did. He had a family situation, but it’s been handled. She asks if everything is okay, and he says he couldn’t begin to tell her.

Curtis comes in with Marshall and Stella, and Portia says, he’s home. He says, yeah. They’re home.

At Shadybrook, Laura says, Elizabeth looks wonderful, and Elizabeth says, compared to what? Laura says, compared to yesterday. She looks more rested than she has in months. Elizabeth says she thinks it’s the first good night’s sleep she’s had since… It’s been more than months. She thanks Laura for helping her settle in, and Laura says, that’s what family does. Doc is going over some details with Elizabeth’s doctor. Unfortunately, it’s going to take a few days for the sleeping pills to get out of her system. Elizabeth says she figured, and Laura says, so don’t be alarmed if she can’t sleep and goes through… Elizabeth says, withdrawals? Laura says, it will only last for a few days, and Elizabeth says, it’s funny… Not funny, but irritating. She’s been a nurse for how long, and she didn’t see this coming. If she’d been her own patient, she would have caught this a lot sooner, but when it’s you.. Laura says, you’re too close to it. Elizabeth says she sees it now, and if it’s a choice between sleepless nights and hurting the people she loves… Finn walks in with flowers.

Portia hugs Curtis, saying, she was on her way to work, and she was afraid she was going to miss him. She tells Marshall that she’s so glad he’s okay. She heard he went through quite an ordeal. How is he feeling? He says he feels like he’s had a lifetime full of doctors in the last few days, and Stella says, maybe Portia wasn’t asking him as a doctor, but as the woman who loves his son. Marshall says, his bad. He guesses he’s still a bit on edge. He appreciates her concern though. She says, good. Because he’s going to have to get used to it. She made up the spare bedroom for him; make himself at home. Stella suggests Marshall get freshened up. He’s been in those clothes for days. Marshall says, he knows he promised Curtis answers, but Curtis says, they have time for that, and tells him to get settled first. Marshall leaves with Stella, and Portia says she’s so glad Curtis found his father. When he told her about the robbery, even though it had already happened, it’s scary. But all of them are okay, and that’s all that matters. Curtis saved the day. He says he doesn’t feel like much of a hero, and she asks, why not? He says, because if he hadn’t broken his father’s trust, he never would have put Marshall in danger in the first place.

Finn asks how Elizabeth is feeling, and she says, a little better. He says he thought he’d find a florist on the way over, but he only found a little convenient store. She takes the flowers – which are pretty damn nice for being from a deli and even wrapped in a brown paper cone – and he wonders if she hates them, but she says she doesn’t. She is a little confused. She asked him not to visit her. He says he heard her, but didn’t want her thinking he’d abandoned her, and didn’t want to hurt her. She says, but he is hurting her, more than he realizes.

Valentin tells Ned that he heard Leo got a new horse. Mind if he takes a gander? Ned says, sure, and Valentin says, he’s a good looking animal. When he and Charlotte were living here, they very much enjoyed riding in the area. Ned says, Charlotte is always welcome, and Valentin says, unfortunately, Charlotte is still away at boarding school. Ned is surprised she has school in the summer, and Valentin says, apparently. She’s as independent as her father. He holds out a box, and says he wanted to offer Ned this. He opens the box, and Ned says, equestrian gear, taking it from him. Valentin says, some of Charlotte’s helmets, riding crops and the like. Too small for her, but maybe Leo will enjoy them. Ned says, it’s very thoughtful of Valentin, but they both know that’s not why he stopped by. So what does he want? Valentin says, Ned knows what he wants. He wants to work together at ELQ before Drew and Michael push Ned out.

Carly says she didn’t know Michael and Willow were stopping by, and Willow says, Wiley has a swimming lesson at the club, and Michael says, he convinced Willow that they could step away for a little relaxation. She’s graduating next week. Carly says she’s so proud of Willow; she’s been working so hard. Willow says, that must be why she’s so exhausted, and Drew asks if he can steal Michael for a second about some ELQ stuff. Carly asks if this means they’re reconsidering her offer to help, but Michael says, no, it doesn’t, and steps away with Drew. Carly and Willow sit, and Carly says, she knows Willow has been working and studying, but she thinks Wiley’s custody hearing is what has her so exhausted. Willow says, that was so insane, and so unnecessary. They said, no, and Nina should have respected that. Honestly, she’s never been as angry with someone as she is with Nina right now. Carly flashes back to reading the DNA results, and saying, it’s true; Nina is Willow’s mother. Carly tells Willow, what’s important is, she gets to choose who’s in Wiley’s life; Nina doesn’t. Don’t let her live in your mind rent free. Willow tells her, easier said than done, but there is one good thing to come out of this. Dealing with Nina helped her come to a big decision. Carly asks, about what? and Willow says, finding the identity of her biological mother.

Curtis tells Portia, his father was in that hospital, lying unconscious because that street trash slashed him with a knife. He thought he was going to lose his father all over again. She says, but he didn’t, and he says he’s had a lot of time to think. He keeps going over the last few months in his head. Here’s a man who was just trying to make things right with him, his son, and he was so angry, he just pushed Marshall away. He led Marshall to believe that he was letting him in, only to go digging through his closet for whatever skeletons he might find. Marshall left Port Charles because he felt like there was no place for him; like he and Marshall would never have a relationship, because Curtis didn’t trust him. She asks if Marshall gave Curtis reasons to trust him. Trust is earned. You’ve got to be there; be present. For whatever reason, Marshall wasn’t there for him, and Curtis asked for an explanation, and Marshall didn’t give him one. So he has every right to be frustrated. He says this coming from the woman who made the guest bedroom for Marshall, and she says, Marshall is still Curtis’s father, and Curtis is still Marshall’s son, and she cares about the both of them. As far ask Curtis blaming himself, he didn’t send Marshall packing or put him in harm’s way. Nothing. Curtis says he still couldn’t leave well enough alone, even when Marshall asked him to. She says she knows he thinks Marshall is selfish, just as she knows Marshall has his reasons, his regrets. She truly believes once they air it all out, the truth, like most truths, lies somewhere in-between. Curtis looks at the prescription bottle, and says, she’s probably right.

TJ tells Terry, there’s a lot going on with his family; a lot. He could use the distraction, and he’d be happy to go on the rotation if the hospital needs an extra set of hands. Terry says, always, but they need steady one. If he’s going through something heavy, he could be liability to the patients, and they have to come first. He says he can’t argue with that, and she tells him, that being said, there might be a surgery or two he could observe, if he doesn’t mind being hands-off and just learning. He says, it sounds awesome, and thanks her. She tells him, scrub in, and he leaves. She looks at a picture of Chet on her phone and sighs.

Finn asks Elizabeth to forgive him. He just wanted to see her. She says she’s scared. She’s scared she’s going to hurt someone the way she hurt Chase. What if next time it’s one of her boys or Violet? Laura says, everyone knows Elizabeth would never intentionally hurt anyone. It was a side effect of those pills, and she’s not taking them anymore. Elizabeth says, the doctors called it a dissociative fugue, and Finn says he’s heard of it. She says, in her case, it was caused by the pills. That’s how it happened biologically. Psychologically – why she did what she did – they still haven’t figured that out yet. He says, that’s okay. She just got here; there’s time. She says, something is broken in her, and she needs to fix it, and he says, of course (🍷). If there’s anything he can do to help, he’ll do it. She says she thinks she convinced herself that she was ready to move on when she really wasn’t, and he says, if he rushed her in any way… She says, no. That’s not the problem. He asks, what is their problem? and she says, when he’s with her, he convinces her everything’s okay. Like it’s all going to be all right. But if he keeps coming around, she’s going to start believing it, and she’ll never face what’s really wrong.  

Carly asks what it was about the custody hearing with Nina that influenced Willow’s decision, and Willow says, in that courtroom, she saw firsthand that biology doesn’t make a family. Nina, the blood relative, prioritized her own needs over Willow’s son’s. Harmony told Alexis that her birth mother disappeared from a commune and left her behind. Carly asks if she believes that, and Willow says she thinks it’s likely. Her parents spent a lot of time in various communes before Dawn of Day. They met some very damaged people. The chances are good that her birth mother wasn’t concerned about what was right for her child, any more than Nina was concerned about what’s right for Wiley.

Drew tells Michael, things were still pretty tense between him and Ned this morning. He doesn’t think they’re any closer to getting Ned on board with the Aurora/ELQ merger. Michael says he’s not surprised. It’s a matter of pride, because Valentin made a hostile takeover on Ned’s watch. As much as he doesn’t want to ignore Ned’s concerns, now’s not the time to back off. Drew says he doesn’t disagree, but Ned insists he doesn’t want the COO role, but he’s not suggesting another job he’d be okay with. Michael says, because he only wants one job – CEO. And from where Michael stands, it would be a mistake to give it to him.

Valentin says he made Ned an offer a few days ago, and he’s heard nothing; why is that? Ned says he’s been focusing on his family, and Valentin asks, isn’t ELQ one and the same with his family? Ned says, once upon a  time maybe, and Valentin says, but not anymore? Ned says he’s still living with the consequences of putting the company over family, and Valentin says, Ned means his tenure as CEO, but Ned says, no. He means Brook is still dealing with the consequences of her contract with Linc Brown, which Valentin exploited to take over the company. Valentin says he thinks Ned needs to stop looking at him as the problem, and remember he’s the one who got Brook out of that contract. Ned says, for a price, and Valentin says, everything has a price. The question is, what is Ned’s? Ned says, to betray his family? Valentin couldn’t afford it. Valentin says, from where he’s standing, Ned is the one being betrayed.

Elizabeth says, she knows Finn drove all this way, but he says, it’s okay. He should go. Laura says she’ll walk him out, and he tells Elizabeth, he’d do anything for her. So if she wants him to stay away, he’ll do that, but he’s not giving up on them. Someday when she’s ready, he’ll be there. He leaves with Laura, and in the hallway, he says, he’s been there every step of the way with Elizabeth, and now it seems like it’s been all his fault. She says, absolutely not, but he says, his presence made it worse. Laura says, she didn’t say that; she didn’t mean that. He says he knows, but he hates this, and she says, of course (🍷) he does. He asks why Laura thinks Elizabeth allowed her to visit, and Laura says, maybe because she’s been where Elizabeth is. She had issues of her own with mental illness about 20 years ago, and she lashed out at people; Luke, Scotty, even her own mother. She was dealing with a repressed memory, and even though she loved these people very much, just seeing them subconsciously triggered her drama. He says he’s sorry she went through that, but she wasn’t necessarily dealing with grief. She says, it was a lot of things, but not that, and he asks if she thinks the root of Elizabeth’s problem is something other than losing her husband.

Valentin says, Michael and Drew are going to put Ned on the sidelines, giving him a meaningless title and menial responsibilities. What about Leo? Ned asks if Valentin is concerned that they’re going to give Leo an inferior position at ELQ too, but Valentin says, the only shares Leo is in line for are Ned’s. Ned has to be in a position financially to protect Leo and Olivia. Ned says, in case Valentin hasn’t noticed, they’re not exactly paupers. He thinks they’ll be just fine, whoever leads ELQ in the future. Valentin says, of course (🍷), but it’s not just the money. It’s the power, and the respect, and if Ned votes to keep Valentin in place, he’ll guarantee Ned a suitable role at ELQ. Ned says, what role is that? and Valentin says, name it. Ned says, CEO, and Valentin says, no. They both know, however Ned votes, that role is filled. Ned says, then why vote for Valentin? and Valentin says, he maintains they can reach a mutually beneficial arrangement, one where they both win. Ned says, he doesn’t want the COO, and Valentin says, then get creative. Come up with a role where they’re practically equal. Ned says, that would mean Valentin giving up a significant chunk of his power. Why? What’s in for him? Valentin says, in case Ned hasn’t noticed, he’s being squeezed out. And 50% of something is better than 100% of nothing. Doesn’t Ned agree? Olivia comes back with Leo, and asks, what’s going on here?

Michael tells Drew, Ned is throwing a tantrum because he’s not getting what he wants. Is that who they want in charge? Drew says, Ned needs to be respected, the same way he’s respecting Michael in regard to Sonny. He wasn’t thrilled that Michael was going to use ELQ to bring Sonny down, but Michael promised to leave ELQ out of it, so he’ll step aside. Michael says he can afford to take things slower now that Wiley’s custody is secured. Drew asks why he doesn’t let it go entirely, and Michael says, why should he, if Sonny’s priority is Nina, protecting her and supporting her? He doesn’t care about the harm she’s done, or what it’s cost his own family. There’s no coming back from that. Drew says, you know who you sound like? and Michael tells him, don’t say Sonny. Drew says, he’s not going to say it, but Michael does. He can practically hear, you’re dead to me. Michael says, Sonny’s not dead to him yet. He has to crush him first. And he wants Sonny to know it was him. After that, he can get around to dying.

Portia asks, what’s that? and Curtis says, the medication that Marshall had with him. Portia asks if he wants her to look at it. She can tell him what it’s for, but he says he thinks he’s violated Marshall’s privacy enough. It’s his father’s job to tell his own story. Stella comes in, and says, Curtis’s father is washing up now. He wouldn’t even let her wait outside the door, so she guesses his pride is still intact. Portia says she better get going, but Stella says, before Portia leaves, she owes Portia an apology. When Marshall first came back in their lives, she wasn’t honest with Portia. In trying to keep her promises to Marshall and her sister, she gave Portia the runaround. She supposes that’s another way of saying she outright lied, and she’s not a person who likes to do that. Portia says, Stella doesn’t owe her an apology. Stella said she had promises to keep, and it wasn’t her story to tell; it was Marshall’s. And she’s not going to blame Stella for making a choice to protect her family. Now why doesn’t she give them some space? Portia tells Curtis to let her know if he needs anything. She loves him. He says he loves her too, and Portia leaves. Stella says, the patience of a saint, that one, and Curtis says, he got lucky, and she really stepped up for the family. Stella says, so when is he going to make Portia an official part of it?

Willow tells Carly, the way Nina weaponized Michael’s past. The extremes she was willing to go to, to win. It was like a warning. Willow shouldn’t go looking for someone who might be indifferent, even harmful, to her needs, as Nina was to Wiley’s. Carly asks if she’s sure, and Willow says she is. Between Wiley and Michael and the Quartermaines, and of course (🍷) Carly, she has all the family she needs. She sees Carly tearing up, and says she didn’t mean to make Carly cry. Carly takes Willow’s hand, and says she just appreciates being appreciated. And for what it’s worth (🍷), she thinks Willow is making the right decision.

Drew says, he just doesn’t want Michael doing something he’s going to end up regretting, but Michael says he won’t regret it. It’s already in the works. Drew says, what is? and Michael tells him, don’t worry; it doesn’t involve ELQ. Drew is in the clear. Drew says, even so… and Michael says, instead of focusing on his differences with his father, why don’t they focus on increasing Aurora’s stocks, so when they merge the companies, they’re on more equal footing? Drew says, Michael is right, and so far, it’s been more difficult than they thought.

Ned tells Olivia that Valentin was dropping off some of Charlotte’s old riding gear for Leo. Olivia says, what a lovely gesture, whatever Valentin’s motives are. Leo asks if he can see, and Ned says, go ahead. Leo runs to the box, and Valentin says, if you ask him, Leo is going to be one heck of a horseman. Olivia asks Leo what he says, and Leo thanks Valentin. Valentin says, you’re welcome; happy trails. He should get going. If there’s anything else Ned needs, let him know. He tells Olivia, arrivederci, and she says, ciao. He leaves, and Olivia tells Leo to have Cook give him some sugar cubes for the horse. Leo runs off, and Ned says, Olivia seems to be getting along with Valentin. She says, he was always great with Bailey, and he’s been exceptionally kind to Leo. Sue her, but it’s kind of hard to stay mad at someone like that. Why? He tells her, just saying. She’s right. It’s some nice stuff Valentin dropped off. She says, good will gestures aside, she’d sleep with one eye open with that guy around. Even on his best day, he’s up to something.

Laura says, Finn knows better than anyone what grief can do to a person, and he says, he does. She says she knows he wants to be there for Elizabeth, and he will be, eventually. He says, just not in the same room, and she says, for now, no. He really has to respect Elizabeth’s request for space from him. He says, okay, and leaves.

Curtis wonders if Stella is really asking if he’s going to propose to Portia now, after everything that’s happened. She says, it’s during troubling times that people prove themselves. And Portia has shown time and time again that she’s a true member of this family. He says he appreciates that she’s grown to care for Portia, and she says, he knows how rare it is for her to think anyone is good enough for him. He says he’s aware. It’s just that he and Portia have only been together a little over a year. She says, long enough to buy this house. Sounds like a commitment to her. He says, this is an investment… to a commitment, and she tells him, all she’s saying is that if you find someone who makes you happier than anything else in this, don’t waste time, because it won’t wait for you. She learned that the hard way; so did his father. Curtis says, it’s just that the divorce between him and Jordan is still fresh, and Stella gets troubled look on her face. He asks if she’s okay, and she says, she’s fine. She guesses the last few days is catching up with her; that’s all. Marshall comes in, and Curtis asks how he’s feeling. Marshall says, better, and thanks Curtis. He says, also a bit terrified, and Curtis says, about what? Marshall says, whatever happens next. It’s time to give Curtis the answers he’s been looking for.

Valentin joins Drew and Michael, and says, lovely day, isn’t it? Drew says, he’s awfully chipper for a man who’s about to be voted out, but Valentin says, nothing’s set in stone. And he’s pretty sure if he doesn’t win the round, he can still win the match.

Marshall says, before they get into all this, he needs to clear Curtis’s mother Irene of any blame. The lie, telling Curtis and his brother that Marshall had passed away, wasn’t something she came up with after he was gone. He made that decision, and pressured her to go along with it. After what happened… he felt it was for the best. Curtis says, after Marshall was arrested, and Marshall says, yeah. Curtis might recall he served in Vietnam before Curtis was born. When he came back to the world, he was disillusioned about a lot of things. He could hardly pick up his clarinet. He needed a purpose, and he found it in protests. First, it was just the war, then civil rights, and then no nukes. Any injustice anywhere, he was there. Not just to make the world a better place, because that was part of it, but he needed to give himself purpose, and in doing that, he found music again, but Curtis’s mother thought he was pushing himself too much, and not getting enough sleep. That’s why he was having these paranoid thoughts. Curtis asks, paranoid how? and Marshall says he was convinced they were being watched.

Finn comes out of the hospital elevator, and Terry asks if he saw Biz. How is she doing? He says he saw Elizabeth. As to how she’s doing, she wouldn’t tell him.

Laura suggests Elizabeth put the flowers in her room to add a little color; it can be so dull in there. Elizabeth says, it’s better than a cell. Part of her is still afraid she’s going to be arrested, or sued, or both, but Laura tells her, Chase made it clear he isn’t pressing charges. Elizabeth says, what about the art studio? She torched a building in her sleep. Laura says, they don’t know that yet. Elizabeth doesn’t remember, and there’s no evidence linking her to it. Elizabeth says, but what if she’s charged? and Laura says, the sleeping pills had been in Elizabeth’s body for almost a year before the incidents starting happening, right? What if there’s something more going on here? Elizabeth says, Laura doesn’t think the sleeping pills were the cause? but Laura says, no. The sleeping pills were definitely the why; they made her sleepwalk and disassociate. It’s the when. Elizabeth had been taking them for almost a year before the sleepwalking incidents started happening. So she was wondering if maybe anything more recently happened to trigger the behavior in Elizabeth. Has she brought up at all in any of her sessions? Elizabeth says she thinks she needs to lie down, and Laura tells her to get the rest she needs. She’ll come back soon. Elizabeth thanks her for coming, and walks out, leaving the flowers.

Terry says, Elizabeth asked Finn to leave? and he says, she implied he was making it worse. That he makes her feel like things are really okay when they’re not, so she can’t do the work she needs to. He wants to respect her wishes, but he cares about her and it’s hard. Terry says she knows he loves Elizabeth, but she also knows what it’s like not to be able to help someone you care about. But trust her, they’ll find their way back to each other, when Elizabeth works through her grief. He says he thinks it might be more than grief. He thinks Elizabeth might be repressing something else. She says, such as? and he says, you tell me. Terry has known her the longest. She says, other than losing Franco? They already discussed Elizabeth’s falling out with her parents. Has anyone reached out to Carolyn and Jeff to let them know what’s going on with Elizabeth? He says he doesn’t know, but does she think it’s time someone did?

Olivia says she knows Ned is upset about this argument with Michael and Drew, but the Quartermaines are always squabbling about ELQ, and they always work it out. He says, that was back when grandfather ruled with an iron fist, or when his mother and AJ served as a common enemy. This time, he’s the one on the outside. She says, if he’s truly worried about being put out to pasture, go to Michael and Drew; make  deal. It’s what he’s best at. This doesn’t have to be a blood feud. He says he guesses she’s right, and she puts her head on his shoulder, saying, she always is.

Drew says, they’ve got no intention of losing the round or the match, and Valentin says, of course (🍷) they don’t. No one intends to lose, but somebody has to. Maybe it will be them. Michael says, back at him, and Valentin says, that’s the spirit. Drew says, let’s go, and Michael and Drew jet.  

Carly asks what that was about, and Drew says, posturing, but Michael says he thinks it’s more than that. His gut says Valentin is planning something before the shareholders vote. Carly says, like what? and Michael says he doesn’t know, but it’s all he can think about, which is probably Valentin’s plan. So much for relaxation. Willow says, same here. All this talk about Nina makes her wish they’d stayed to watch Wiley’s swim class. Michael says, they can probably catch the end of it, and Willow says, sounds perfect. They leave, and Drew sits down. He asks if Willow is okay; she seems off. Carly says, Nina got into her head; that’s all. Drew says, she can kick her right back out, because Nina’s out of Wiley’s life, and she’s not Willow’s mother; she’s nobody to any of you. Carly did the right thing not looping Willow in. Willow is lucky to have Carly as a friend. Carly says she’s not that great of a friend, but Drew says she helped him settle back in. She offered to buy Aurora stock to drive up the price. She says, then let her be his friend. Let her help him save ELQ from Valentin.

At the hospital, Portia says she saw TJ was observing today. She thought he’d be home with Curtis and his grandfather. He says he wanted to more than anything, but the way he sees it, Marshall promised Uncle Curtis answers, and Uncle Curtis has been waiting a lifetime for those answers. She says she hopes he’s right, and he says, and whatever explanation Marshall gives helps heal the emptiness and uncertainty Uncle Curtis has lived with all these years. Still, he has to wonder if there’s anything Marshall can say to help Curtis understand why he disappeared.

Curtis says, Marshall doesn’t sound entirely paranoid to him. They know the government keeps tabs on protestors and people they deem instigators. Stella says, it’s more complicated than that, and Marshall says, when Curtis was three years old, he went to another protest. There, the police were involved. Some people got arrested, and he had an episode. Curtis says, when he was resisting arrest? but Marshall says, that’s just it. He wasn’t resisting arrest; at least not intentionally. Anyway they dropped Marshall off at a psychiatric ward. There, they put him under observation for 72 hours. That’s when he was diagnosed. Curtis says, with what? and Marshall says, schizophrenia.

Tomorrow, Stella says, now is not the time to turn away; Brad tells Britt, welcome to her intervention; Carly says she can help Drew whether he likes it or not; and Sonny thinks he knows who’s behind both.

⚰️ More Dead Stuff…

Mostly about Madison’s return.

https://ew.com/tv/kim-dickens-colman-domingo-fear-the-walking-dead-return/

https://ew.com/tv/fear-the-walking-dead-madison-kim-dickens-return-season-finale/

🚶🏽‍♀️ Sneaking Out Early…

A thousand apologies, but due to circumstances beyond my control, my whole day has been running late, so I’m postponing Below Deck Sailing Yacht until tomorrow. Otherwise, I’ll be seeing the sun come up, and like Captain Glenn, I need my beauty rest. So see you with soap and Deck tomorrow. Until then, stay safe, stay not quitting when things get tough, and stay not letting anyone you’ve got beef with live in your mind rent free.

June 5, 2022 – Madison Brings the Skinny On PADRE, Guesswork, Season 8 Knowledge, About PADRE, Madison Talk & Wild

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

Fear the Walking Dead

Someone breaths heavily, wheezes, then coughs. Over an intercom, a voice says, you made it, but you don’t sound like you’re doing so hot. We can help, but first you have to decide if you want to be a part of this; if you’re willing to do what needs be done to get what you want. There’s a bright red light.

Morgan wakes up, and we hear a zombie. We see he’s in a tent, suspended between two trees, a good twenty feet up. A zombie beneath reaches up, looking like my dogs do when they hope something will fall while I make dinner. Morgan gets on the radio, and asks if anybody can hear him, but just gets static. He asks, is anybody out there? Anybody? Mo cries, and he picks her up. He says, she’s hungry and they’re going shopping. They’ll take mama with them. He puts on the  tape of Grace singing, and puts headphones on Mo, who I have to say, is very cute. Mo sleeps, as Morgan carries her in a duffel bag on the beach. He looks down to see a hood moving in the sand. He removes the hood, and sees a zombie head stuck in the sand, a crab sticking to it.

Morgan goes to a town, and looks in a car, finding a can of formula, but it’s empty. He looks through the lockers in a pediatrician’s office, and them walks to some wrought iron gates that say Sanderson across the top. He opens them, and walks to a house. He goes inside the very creaky front door, and looks around. Mo talks to herself, and Morgan hears a woman saying, I’m here. Where are you? Morgan brandishes his weapon, and pushes open a door, seeing a woman holding a knife. She asks what he’s doing here, and he raises his hands, saying, he’s just looking for food. She says she doesn’t have any, and Morgan sees a bunch of pregnancy tests lined up on the vanity. He says, okay, and puts down his weapon. He ask how far along she is. This is his daughter Mo. He’s Morgan. She lowers the knife, and says her name is Ava. He says he thinks they can help each other, but she says she can help him with this advice. Take that girl as far away as he can. He says, not until he finds her mother and the rest of his family. It looks like she’s looking for hers too. Ava suggests he reconsider, saying, this is no place for kids.

Back in his tent, Morgan tries to radio Grace, asking if she’s out there. He says he can’t keep doing this without her. He did what she asked, and got Mo someplace safe, but Mo needs her. He needs her. He’s scared, so he needs his family. A man asks if somebody is up there. He could use some help down here. Morgan unzips the tent, and a man wearing a hood says, good evening. Everything goes black.

Morgan wakes up on the beach, and sees a bunch of guys in hoods digging a hole. He starts to get up, and head hood says, don’t be a hero. Morgan says he doesn’t know what they want, but whatever it is, they can work it out. Just give him his little girl back. Head hood says, she doesn’t belong to Morgan, like all the other kids he took. Morgan says he didn’t take any kids, and the guy says, where are they? Morgan says, give him back his daughter, and they’ll never see them again. The guy tells Morgan, get in that hole, and tells the others, bury him. Morgan asks why they’re doing this, and he says, so every other sh*thead sees what happens when they steal our kids. Cover him. He’s getting what he deserves. He puts a hood over Morgan’s head, and Morgan hears gunfire. He gets the hood off, and sees they’re all dead, and someone is holding Mo. He says, whoever you are, thank you for saving my life. A woman says she’s not here to save him, and he says, they thought he was her. His baby is everything to him. He can’t let them take her. We see it’s Madison, and she says, the baby is better off with her. He’ll get over it; she did. He starts to jump out of the hole, and she shoots near him. She takes a hit of oxygen from a tank, and he says, please, stop, but she says, she’ll kill him if he follows her. He starts to get out, and she shoots near him again, then trots off with Mo.

Madison runs past hooded heads on the beach. She gets on the radio, telling Oriole that she’s approaching the drop. She goes to a dock and inside the boathouse. There’s no boat, and she radios Oriole, saying, you’re late. A man says, they’re getting them processed, and she asks how long it’s going to take. He says, as long as it takes, and she puts Mo down, giving her something to eat. On the radio, she hears Ava saying, Jim, can you hear me? We need you. This baby needs you. Madison tells Oriole that she has the lead on a new egg. She’s going to leave this one in the birdhouse, and check it out. She tells Mo that she knows Mo misses her daddy, but she’s better off without him, and she leaves.

She passes the heads again, and hears, Jim, I need… She gets on, and says, hello? Ava says, who is this? and Madison says, someone who wants to help. She heard Ava’s message; where is she? Ava asks how she knows Madison’s not the one stealing kids, and Madison says she’s a mother herself, and knows how hard it is. Ava says she just wants this baby to be okay, and Madison says, Ava just has to tell Madison where she is. While she’s talking, zombies surround Madison. She takes out her battleax, and kills them all. She takes some oxygen, and sees the tank is low. As she walks, she asks if Ava is still there. Tell Madison where she is. Ava says, if Madison really wants to help… and Madison says she knows it’s hard to know who to trust. Morgan comes up behind her, and turns off the radio. He tells her, hand over the gun, and she gives it to him. She says, he’s making a mistake, and he says, not as big as the one she made taking his daughter. Drop her weapon, and turn around. She does, and he asks, where is she? Madison says, somewhere he’ll never find her. He says, wrong answer, and she asks where her oxygen tanks are. He says, someplace she’ll never find them, and she says, she’s the least of his problems. The people she’s with can kill him in ways he can’t imagine. He says, they should probably get moving if she wants to breathe, and she says, if they find out he’s interfered with the egg, he’ll be sorry. Parents think they give kids what they need, but if he saw where she’s from, he’d see why she’s taking kids. She can’t breathe, and he gives her some oxygen.

In what looks like an interrogation room, a voice over the intercom asks if Madison has considered their offer. She says she’ll do what they ask, but they have to hold up their end of the deal. They voice says, we will, and she asks how she knows. The voice says, the only reason she’s still breathing is because of them. What’s her name? She says, Madison, and the voice says, not anymore. They’ll tell her who she’s going to be from now on.

At the dock, Madison says, they’re too late, and Morgan asks what she means. She says, they’ve already rescued Mo. Her people came sooner than she expected. He looks at the log, and sees a notebook that says, PADRE on it. He asks if she’s with PADRE, and she asks what he knows about it. He says, let’s move, and they leave the dock. He asks which way they went, and she says, his baby is better off without him, but he says, she doesn’t get to decide what’s best for his family. She says she already did. A zombie straggles up, and she takes out her weapon. She says she used to be like him, and Morgan stabs the zombie with his own pokey tool. Madison whacks at Morgan, and they struggle. He sees Alicia and Nick tattooed on her wrists, and backs off, saying, oh, dear God. She’s Madison Clark. She asks how he knows her name.

Morgan says, Madison? and she asks how he knows her name. He says her kids told him, but she says he’s full of sh*t. She says, her kids are alive, and he says, he’ll tell her what he knows in exchange for his daughter. She says, there’s only one way to rescue his daughter; bring someone else’s kid to take her place. He says, there’s no other way without taking a child away from their family? and she says, no. She coughs, and he says, what if the kid isn’t born yet? The woman Madison was talking to on the radio is pregnant, and not doing so good. He knows where she is. She asks if he’s sure he’s ready to go down that road, and he says, he will if it gets his daughter back. She says she’ll take him to PADRE to look for Mo, and get her back. He asks if PADRE will look after the baby and mother; he’s not taking a child from their mother otherwise. She says, yeah, and he hands her back her weapon. She breathes into the oxygen mask.

They walk, and Morgan asks if Madison got smoke in her lungs when she escaped the stadium. Is that why she needs the oxygen? She says, something like that, and he says, the way he heard it, there’s no way anyone got out of the stadium alive. She says she’s full of surprise. What else did her kids tell him? He says, quite a bit, but she’s not what he imagined, stealing kids. She says, rescuing kids, and he asks if that’s her or PADRE talking. She asks what he knows about PADRE, and he says, he knows they’ve been putting out a radio message, nobody can find them, and Alicia had been looking for them, but he’s not going to tell her any more until he gets his kid back. She asks if Morgan thinks he’s doing the right thing when she’s in the right place. PADRE can give her the life people like him can’t. He asks what she means by people like him, and she says, parents. He couldn’t even feed her. It looks like he’s barely scraping by. He says, Mo is his daughter, and her mother is coming back. They survived the bombs in Galveston. She asks if Nick and Alicia were there, but he says he’s not telling her anything more. Their family have gotten through worse. She says, family isn’t the answer; it’s the problem. It’s what PADRE has figured out. What they’re building is different. He says, Madison put her life on the line for family; what the hell happened to her? They come to the gates, and she asks if this is the place. He says, what now? and she says, they go in, and tell her the truth; they’ll go a place where the baby will be taken care of. He asks, what happens to the mother after the baby is born? but she says, he doesn’t need to know. He says he does, but she insists, he doesn’t. He asks how she can do this to people, and she says, you get used to it, breathing in more oxygen.

In the interrogation room, Madison says she did what they asked. Now it’s their turn. The voice over the intercom tells her, More. One time isn’t enough. They’re going to need her to keep doing it. She looks at the tattoos on her wrists.

Morgan and Madison walk into Ava’s house, and Morgan asks if Ava is there. Ava comes out on the upstairs balcony, and asks what he’s doing here. He says he found somebody he thinks can help her, Madison says, they spoke on the walkie, and Morgan told her where Ava was. Ava says, she wants Jim, and Madison asks if Jim is the baby’s father. Ava says, this house belonged to her family. She was born here, and thought it was safe. Madison says she can help Ava and her baby, and Ava asks, how? Madison says, she can take them to a safe place with good people. It’s the kind of place a kid dreams about growing up in. Ava says, it sounds too good to be true, but Madison says, it’s for real, and it’s their best shot at their kids’ future. Morgan’s kid is in there. Morgan says he didn’t think it was possible for a place like this to exist, but it does. Ava asks, what’s it called? and he says, PADRE. She says she’ll get her things, and when she’s gone, Morgan asks Madison what’s going to happen to happen to the mother? Madison asks if he doesn’t think it’s a little late to be asking, but he says she didn’t answer him before. She says, he knows or he would have pressed. They split them up; that’s how PADRE works. They gave it their best shot, but they were looking at it the wrong way. The way they see each other, and what they do for each other. PADRE has rewritten the book on all of it, what it looks like; no attachments or connections. He says he’s not doing this. He’s seen a mother lose her baby before, and doesn’t want to see it again. She says, then he’ll never see his daughter again. Ava comes back, and asks if everything is all right. Madison says, it is for her, and Morgan says, him too. They should get her to PADRE. Madison looks outside, and sees a bunch of hooded figures headed their way. She says, they found her, and asks if there’s a back way. Ava asks why they’re after her, and Madison says, they’re pissed off about her saving some kids. Ava says, follow her, and they head out the back way.

They run across a field, and Madison asks Morgan for some oxygen. Ava says, the beach is this way, and trips over a zombie that’s stuck under a bush. Madison smashes it’s had in, and Morgan asks if Ava is okay; did she get bit? She says she just got cut from the vines, and Madison says they have to keep moving. If that group catches up with them, they’ll be killed. Morgan says, if something happens to Ava’s baby, it’s on her, and Madison wonders where they should go. Morgan suggests a conveniently located crypt nearby, although it wouldn’t be my first choice, given that there are zombies everywhere. They go inside, and close the door, pulling a cement bench in front of it. Morgan says, it’ll be okay, and Madison takes out a heart rate monitor to check on the baby. Ava says, the baby is fine, and asks, who’s after Madison? Madison uses the monitor, and Morgan says, what is it? Madison says, she can’t get a heartbeat, and Morgan asks if PADRE doesn’t have doctors, handing her the radio. She says, she can’t hear it, but he tells her, keep looking. She says, Ava isn’t pregnant; she never was. Morgan says he doesn’t understand, and Madison says, Ava was tricking them to get Madison to take her to PADRE. Morgan asks if it’s true. Is Ava not pregnant? Madison says, it doesn’t matter. Tie her up, and leave her food and water; she’ll just slow them down. Ava says, Madison doesn’t remember? Madison took her daughter a year ago. She told Ava that it was for the best. Madison really doesn’t remember. She was five. Her name was Odessa, and she cried when they pulled her from Ava on the beach. What Madison told her wasn’t true. Madison says, Morgan knew what was going on, and they still have to get out. Ava tells Madison to take her there, but Madison says, Ava’s plan could never work. The doctors at PADRE would have checked her as soon as she got in the door, and kept checking the entire time she was there. Ava says she needs to see her daughter, and Morgan says, since Ava isn’t pregnant, how is he getting Mo back? Madison says, even with a trade, there was no guarantee. Ava is stunned that she was to be used as a trade, and Morgan shoves Madison up against the wall. He tells Madison to find a way for him to get to his kid or she’ll never know where children are. His eyes look crazy, and he says he wants his kid. If she wants to know about hers… Madison says, she doesn’t want to find them. If she never sees them again, that’s okay. She got over it before. She wasn’t lying when she said that before. Morgan tells her, she was just saying that; they had a deal. She says, so she could get what she wanted, and Morgan says, why else would she be doing all of this? Madison takes a breath of oxygen

In the interrogation room, the intercom voice tells Madison that she needs to rescue more children.  

Ava says, Madison has kids? and Madison says, they’re all doing what they’re doing for their own reasons. Ava picks up Madison’s weapon, and hits the oxygen canister, so that the oxygen sprays everywhere, and busts open one of the graves. Another dicey move in a zombie apocalypse. She pulls out a shotgun, and says, her granddaddy wanted to be buried with his favorite hunting gun, so he could be prepared in care he didn’t end up at the Pearly Gates. She doesn’t think they will either. (Was he going to shoot Satan?) Zombies start to bang at the door, and Morgan says he knows Ava is angry, but they’ve got to go if they’re going to get out alive. Ava says, she has another way. Madison might not want to see her kids, but she doesn’t want them to die. Ava gets on the radio, and asks if they’re the ones looking for the collector. A man’s voice asks who she is, and she says, someone like them; a woman who got her child stolen, like them. She found a way to motivate the collector. Madison says she can’t help Ava, but Ava says she thinks Madison will find a way. She points the gun at Morgan, and says, tell Madison where she can find her kids, or she’ll shoot him, and his daughter will never see him again. Tell her where they are. Morgan says, it’s not going to work, and Ava says, why? He says, because they’re already dead. He’s sorry, but Madison’s kids are gone. Madison shoves him against the wall, saying, he told her they were alive, but he says he wouldn’t lie. She says he never did know about her kids, and he says, Nick was shot; Victor, Alicia, and Luci were all there. They buried  him themselves. She says, and Alicia, and he says, she got bit not long ago. She took her own arm off, but not before infection set in. She fought it off for months; longer than anybody ever has. Madison leans on him, and says, no. He says, the last time he and Alicia talked, she was close to the end, and Madison cries, saying, no. Morgan says he’s sorry.

Zombies are starting to get the door open, and Morgan says, there’s 30 of them out there, and more on the way. The man on the radio asks if Ava is there, and Morgan tells Madison, he’s still waiting on their deal. She says she can’t give what she promised, and he tells Ava that those people tried to kill him already, and they’re going to kill all of them. Ava says they can get out, and the man on the radio asks why she isn’t answering. Morgan turns the radio off, and asks how long before they’re found. Ava says, it’s a big property; it could be hours. Morgan says, they’ll have to fight their way through the zombies, and get out before the posse finds them. Ava doesn’t want to bring Madison, and Morgan says, he’s sorry about what they did, but they’re going to need Madison. He tells Madison that they’re going to need her. He’s sorry he didn’t tell her the truth from the beginning. He did what he thought he had to. She asks what they were doing when they died, and Morgan says, Nick was going through a bad patch when they met; Alicia too. They thought Madison was gone, but they’d been making steps to build something better when it happened. Madison asks how Alicia got bit, and Morgan says, the bombs they were talking about; she was trying to stop them from going off. She survived the explosion, and escaped the fallout. She fought the infection for as long as she could. Madison says, he didn’t see her die? and he says, he had to leave with Mo. Alicia could still be out there. She says, no one survives a bite, but he says, Alicia is different. Maybe she found a way. Madison says, even if she did, she doesn’t want to find her, and he asks, why?  

The voice over the intercom says, we think it’s time. She’s rescued more children than any other collector, so now they’ll help her find hers. She pulls her sleeves over her tattoos, and folds her hands on the table. She says, no; she doesn’t want to find them. She tells Morgan, she was willing to die in the stadium so her kids could see what she was building was worth fighting for. PADRE played her from the start. They made her do things she didn’t want to, so when she could finally get her kids back, she’d say no. Morgan asks why she’s still taking kids, and she says, because she knew what they’d do if she walked away. They’d find Nick and Alicia, and make them do what she wouldn’t. Now she doesn’t have to worry about that anymore. She wishes she knew that before she took Morgan’s daughter. They hear gunfire outside, and Morgan says, the posse is going to kill them both. He tells Ava that Madison saved him once before, but Ava wants to give her up. Morgan says, they need to get their kids back, but Ava says she doesn’t think this group will see it that way. From outside the door, the head hood says, if they’re hiding Madison, they’ll have a problem, and Madison says, let them in. Don’t do this for her. Morgan says he has to get his daughter back, and Madison says, she can’t undo things. Morgan says, they just need to find a way, but Madison says, there’s only one way to show them that he’s not with her. Morgan calls to them to wait. He’s going to open the door and hand her over to them. Morgan tells Madison, sorry, but she says, it’s the only way he’ll live to see his daughter one day. He and Ava move the bench away, and open the door. The head guy says, hands where he can see them. He removes his hood, and asks if Madison remembers him. She took his boy last winter. He puts a hood on Madison’s head, and tells the others, start digging. High tide is in less than two hours.

Outside, Morgan looks pretty bummed, and Ava says, Morgan made the right call. Morgan asks what they did with Madison, and the head hood says, left her to watch the tide; it’s worse when they see it coming. Morgan asks what Madison told them, and he says, not much, but she didn’t need to. He shows Morgan the PADRE notebook, and says, now they know when Madison was being picked up. He gives Morgan a hood, and says, they’re going to surprise her friends at the beach and bury them all. Someone will talk. He asks if Morgan has a problem with that, and Morgan says, it won’t get their kids back, and it will get everybody killed. Ava tells them to let Morgan go, and the head hood says, that’s not how any of this works. She says, the PADRE people took their kids; why are they fighting each other? Let him go. The head hood says, Morgan knows what happens if he gets in their way, and Morgan says, he knows and he won’t. He tells Ava, don’t go with them; she doesn’t have to. She says she has to get to her kid. She has to do something. She shows him a stuffed toy, and says, Odessa lost it the day before Madison took her. Ava promised to find it and give it back to her. She’s not breaking her promise. He says he knows, and she goes with them.

Madison’s head pokes out of the sand, and she coughs. Zombies begin coming out of the water, and she flashes back to the intercom. We see a toy dropped into a bin, and hear a baby crying. Madison drops toys and other baby stuff into a bin, and holds a stuffed tiger, hesitating before finally dropping it in with the others. She closes her eyes as the zombies come closer. One falls, and crawls toward her. She remembers the bin again, and the zombie’s face is chopped off by Morgan. He slices and dices the other two, and says, Madison doesn’t deserve to go out like this. She says she can’t help him, and he says, when he met her kids, he was in a place not too different from her; wanting to get away from everything and everybody. Meeting Alicia and Nick, and seeing what she gave them was a big part in turning him around. In a way, he owes her. The people who did this are wrong, and they have to fight for what they believe. No one is gone until they’re gone. Alicia told him Madison used to say that. Madison says, everything she’s done, she is gone, but Morgan says, hang on; he’s got her tanks. He runs off, and more zombies come out water. She says, they’re all… She realizes they’re wearing hoods, and says, she told them not to go to the dock.  She calls to Morgan, who begins to stab them until he sees the one with the stuffed toy hanging from its belt. He takes the hood off, and it’s Ava. He says, no, no, no, and Madison calls his name. He says he never should have done this, and because he’s so distracted, he falls backward, Ava on top of him. Madison gets an arm out of the sand, and manages to grab her battleax, chopping off the surrounding zombies at the knees. Morgan tells Ava that he’s sorry, and Madison bashes her head in. She grabs the oxygen mask, and inhales. She asks Morgan, what the hell was that? and he says, Ava is dead because of something he did. She won’t see her daughter because of him. Madison says, she’s dead because of PADRE, and Morgan says, Madison was just ready to give up; what changed? She says, she’s gone, but he’s not. She’ll help him get to his daughter, and they’ll show PADRE that they’re wrong. He says, then what? and she says she doesn’t know. She wasn’t lying when she said the only way to get to PADRE is to take another child. He says, there’s got to be another way there, but she says, there isn’t. He looks at the tape player, and says, there is. It just means they can’t fail.

They go to the dock, and the guard asks who Morgan is. Madison says, he’s a collector with something to offer. The guard says he doesn’t see anything, and Morgan says he has information. There are rafts with people on them. The guard asks, what kind of people? and Madison says, the ones they might want. Morgan says, there’s a pregnant woman on one of them. He can tell them more, but the guard’s got to let him go with them. The guard says, get in.

On the boat, Morgan asks Madison, where the hell are they going? Where’s PADRE? She says she’s been meaning to tell him – she doesn’t know. They’re blindfolded, and we see the boat speeding away toward an ocean liner.  

This was the finale, so no preview.

🔎 Since We Have Nothing Better To Do…

Speculation on when the next season will land.

🏃🏽 Rushing the Season…

The body’s not even cold yet.

https://screenrant.com/fear-walking-dead-season-8-news-updates-details/

🐣 Where Children Are Eggs…

The way Madison described it, it sounded like Christmasland in NOS4A2.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/fear-the-walking-dead-where-is-padre-explained-madison-clark-season-7-episode-16-gone/

🕶 Who Gonna Check Victor…?

Madison’s Why.

Her best moments. At least according to TVInsider.

https://www.tvinsider.com/1047056/fear-the-walking-dead-madison-clark-best-moments/

🏂 Sliding Into Monday Like…

Come on by tomorrow for some soap and peek at what’s on Deck. Until then, stay safe, stay looking for the good in the challenge, and stay knowing, no one is gone until they’re gone.

June 3, 2022 – Sonny Won’t Let Nina Go, Why, Opening Up, Joining Salem, a Farewell, So She Claims, Reaction, VanderNews, Premieres, New Motel, Quotes of Eight & Somebody

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Sonny picks up Nina’s necklace from in front of Nelle’s gravestone. I knew it!

In a cab, Nina tells the driver that she’s going to the airport; the international terminal. Her phone dings, but she brushes it aside.

On the phone, Sonny tells Phyllis not to worry. He’s going to find her.

Sam says, when Cody said, partners in crime, is he talking about Detective Falconari? Cody says he can’t wrap his head around the cop part. This guy’s mom sent him to summer camp to keep him out of trouble, and he got in a lot more while he was there. Dante says, that was because of Cody, and Cody says, right. He’s the one who led Dante astray; Dante’s the innocent one. Sam says, they’ve known each other that long? and Cody says, we were twelve? Thirteen? Dante says, twelve. He came home from school one day, and his mom had a bag packed. He was going to camp for the summer. Stay out of trouble and get into nature. Sam says, and Cody was the bad influence that corrupted Dante? Cody says he was a bad influence, but so was Dante back in the day.

Josslyn sees Cameron at the pool, putting out towels, and says, two shifts? Kelly’s, now here? He says, with everything going on with his mom, he figured he could use the extra work, and she asks if they can talk about what’s going on with them.

In front of her house, Trina says she can’t believe she and Rory stayed out so long, and he says he guesses that means they were having a good time. She says she guesses so, and thanks him for everything back at the pool, and for dinner, and for ice cream. She’ll pay him back for everything. He tells her not to worry about it, and thanks her for introducing him to that amazing food truck. She says, right? She only knew about it because it goes by PCU on certain days. He says, another testament to her incredible taste. Good art, good food. He can’t wait to see what else she introduces him to.

Spencer says he promises whatever Esme has to say, he’ll listen, but can he please go first? He’s had a lot of time to think about what she said to him; how he takes her for granted, and how Trina gets under his skin. But he evades every time she calls him out on it, and he realized she’s right. She deserves some answers.

Ava says, don’t tell her that he hired a divorce lawyer already, and Nikolas says, no, but he was ready to give up on their marriage. She says she was too. She drew a line in the sand, and she was ready to walk away. Thankfully, she realized it was the last thing she wanted. They can find their way back from this, can’t they?

Dante says, Cody didn’t corrupt him, but he definitely coerced Dante into going along with his more harebrained schemes. Cody says, like Dante didn’t have any suggestions, and Dante says, Cody knows it wasn’t his idea or choice to take a canoe out in the middle of the lake, and tip it over on purpose. Cody starts laughing and banging the table, and says, they pretended they were drowning, and yelled, help! help! until the prettiest CIT came over. Dante tells Sam, that’s Counselor-in-Training, and Cody says, she swam over. She – air quotes – rescued us – end air quotes – and boy she was mad. Dante says, they got banned from the beach for the rest of the summer, and Cody says, then Dante stole all the camp director’s cigarettes out of his cabin. Dante says, and why did he do that? and Cody says, because he dared Dante to. Dante says, they got busted because this guy smoked every cigarette in the pack, and started puking all over the place, and Cody says, nothing like a little adrenaline rush to let you know you’re alive. Sam says, it’s like jumping out of a plane and crash-landing on an unsuspecting woman, and Cody says, talk about mad… and pretty. She actually reminds him of that CIT. Still, if she hadn’t been there, it would have been a perfect landing. Dante says, instead of a potential negligence lawsuit, and Cody says, look at Dante, former renegade, embracing the straight and narrow path to a humdrum life. Dante says he doesn’t know if staring down the barrel of a loaded gun is as dangerous as jumping out of a plane, and Cody says he’s just messing with Dante. He’s going to get another round for that dinner Dante is going to buy him. He gets up, and puts his hand on his back. Sam asks if he’s okay, and Cody says, that tumble just fired up some old injuries. He’s good. A little pain just lets you know you’re alive. He goes to the bar, and Sam wonders why Dante never mentioned him before. Dante says he doesn’t know. They saw each other at summer camp, had a helluva time, but they lost touch after Dante stopped going. Sam says, that’s too bad. He seems like a good guy. Dante says, he is a good guy. Good at getting in trouble.

Josslyn says she feels like she and Cameron should be able to tell each other everything by now. Unless this is something bigger. Does he feel like they need time or something? He says, no. He doesn’t want that. Does she? She says she doesn’t know what else to do. Clearly, something is going on. Cameron flashes back to telling Spencer that he’s not going to lose Josslyn because Spencer can’t keep his head in the game. Make it happen, or he will. Cameron says, Josslyn is right. There’s something he has to tell her. She says, okay, when Adam walks in. Cameron says, isn’t that…? and she says, the creep who tried to hit on her when she thought they were just study buddies? Adam says he’s sorry to interrupt, but he really needs to talk to her.

Taggert tells Portia that he was hoping Trina would get home before he left, and she says, Trina is actually supposed to be back by now, but she has been working a lot. Dealing with everything hanging over her head, Portia doesn’t blame her. She wishes there was something she could do to make things better, and Taggert says, she will. He asks her to give Trina a big hug from her dad, and she says she sure will. Trina’s still a daddy’s girl; don’t worry. Taggert opens the door to find Rory and Trina standing there, and asks, sweetheart, who’s your friend?

Nikolas downs a drink, and Ava says, they had a fight; so do most couples. She just had to remember everything they’ve shared. How they’ve survived, despite everyone’s predictions to the contrary. Because they love each other. Because they understand each other. It’s going to take a helluva lot more than an argument to sever that bond. He flashes back to… I don’t want to talk about it, and says, to be fair, it was more than one argument. There are things between them that aren’t easy to resolve. She says, nothing between them has been easy, and it hasn’t stopped them yet, but he says, she walked away from him; from them. He thought it was over. She says she thought so too, but it’s because they’re both stubborn, passionate people. When they’re at odds, things can get really ugly, but when they’re together, they’re unbeatable. That’s the problem. They stopped working as a team. They started to let their own agendas drive them, and forgot to protect this life they’ve created together. That life is beautiful. It’s remarkable, and utterly their own. And she’s not going to let Spencer and Esme tear it down.

Spencer says he’s so sorry for how bad things have gotten between him and Esme. He’s so sorry for the way he treated her. He takes her hand, and asks if she’ll please forgive him.

On the phone, Sonny asks if Brick can track down Nina for him. She’s not returning his calls, his texting, or nothing… He’s just afraid she’s not in a great state of mind, and she might do something she’s going to regret.

Nina thanks the driver for making the stop; she left her passport in the office. She realizes her necklace is gone, and asks him to wait. They have to make another stop before he drives her to the airport.

Cody comes back with beers, and says, to Port Charles finest. That means Dante. Dante says, to unexpected reunions, and they clink bottles. Sam says, no wedding ring; he’s not married? He says, free as a bird, and she says, no kids? He says, no, and she asks if there’s anyone special in his life. He says, she asks a lot of questions, and Dante says, Sam is a private investigator; occupational hazard. Sam says, it’s like jumping out of a plane and landing on a roof. It’s sort of like skydiving. Is that what Cody does for a living, or is it his side hustle? Cody says, actually, for a long time, he was a stunt horseback rider, and Dante says, cool. Cody was always good with horses. Cody says he grew up around them, and when he moved out west, he worked on ranches. That’s where he learned stunt riding, but after too many tumbles, he had to hang up his saddle. Now he makes a living doing short term gigs. Sam asks if dropping out of the sky isn’t hard on his back, and he says, yeah. He’ll probably have to quit that too. So how long have Sam and Dante been together? Dante asks if Sam wants to take that one, and she says, they’re coming up on a year. Cody asks how they met, and Dante says, Sam has been a family friend for years. Sam says, her ex-husband was best friends with Dante’s father. Cody says, Dante found his father. He remembers Dante wanted to know who he was. Dante says he got to know his father a little over 10 years ago, and Cody says, that’s significant; tell him about him. Dante says, he’s a businessman in Port Charles, and Cody asks, what’s his business? Dante says, Corinthos Coffee, and Cody says, his dad is Sonny Corinthos?

Sonny tells Brick, talk to him… a plane ticket, where?… Dammit. Milan?… How soon?… All right. He’s on it. He starts to leave, but meets Nina, who’s coming into the cemetery.

Cameron says, if he was Adam, he’d get the hell out of here, but Josslyn says, it’s fine. Let’s hear what he has to say. Adam asks if they can talk in private, and Cameron says, he’s joking, but Josslyn says, it’s fine. He’s got a minute. Cameron steps away, and Josslyn says, one wrong word, and he’s in the pool, and she’s pretty good at it. He says he’s been afraid to talk to her at school, but he saw her come in there, and figured it’s now or never. She says, for what? and he says, an apology.

Nikolas tells Ava, as convenient as it would be to blame Spencer and Esme, they’ve struggled with trust and honesty from the beginning, and he takes his responsibility in that. Ava says she knows they have legitimate issues to work through, but despite that, there’s love here. There’s a kinship even, and there’s certainly no denying their attraction. Surely those things can see them through. What does he say? Is still in this with her? He says, don’t call him Shirley.

Esme says she appreciates Spencer’s acknowledgement that he’s treated her badly, but it’s not that simple. She removes her hand from his, and gets up. He follows and says, he knows he messed everything up. He’s trying to work it out. He wants to be the man she deserves, but in order to do that, he may need a second, third, or fourth chance, and he doesn’t even know which one he’s on now. Just believe he’s trying to do better by her. She says she needs more than trying, and from where she’s standing, it doesn’t look like he’s trying very hard, except to justify his behavior. She’s been willing to stand by him, no matter what, but she hasn’t gotten anything close to that from him. She deserves better. His father reminded her of that.

Nikolas says he’s with Ava, always and forever. She moves to kiss him, but he backs up a little. She says, forever lasted all of four seconds, and he says she just surprised him. She says, and his instinct was to recoil; that’s not very reassuring. He says he’s as in love with her as ever. He wanted to grab her in his arms so many times, and he had to restrain himself. They came so close to the edge of giving up. It might take time for him to feel normal. She says, there is still one giant thing between them. If they really want to move forward, they have to settle it once and for all.

Spencer says, Esme talked to his father about him? and Esme flashes back to – oh! My eyes! She says, among other things. Nikolas saw her suitcase, and she accidentally broke the news about Ava’s offer for them to move out of Windymere in exchange for an allowance from his trust fund. One thing led to another, and she told him they fought, and she was on the verge of walking out on him. Spencer asks what Nikolas said to make her stay, and she says, Nikolas cares about Spencer and doesn’t want to see him hurt, so he talked her down. He gave her a new perspective on relationships. It was a lot to take in, but it made her realize she has to be honest in what she needs from Spencer. He says he knows their relationship has been rocky. He’s been in a bad head space ever since he came back from Spring Ridge, but he’s ready to do whatever it takes to make this work between them. She asks if he really means that.

Portia asks if she can get Rory anything to drink, but he says he’s fine. Trina asks if Taggert wasn’t supposed to be leaving, and Portia thinks she remembers Rory. Wasn’t he at the courthouse at Trina’s arraignment? He says, yes. It was the first day he officially met Trina. Trina says, Rory got her a soda when she was in the interrogation room. Portia says, well, that’s an interesting story, and the three of them force a laugh. Taggert says, mm-hm, and Rory says he heard how Taggert and Commissioner Ashford took down Cyrus Renault. Great work. Taggert says, ya think? He broke the law. He had to convince his ex-wife and daughter that he was dead for nearly six months. Trina says, which she had a problem with at first, but then she realized he was just doing what he had to do. Rory says, it sounds like Taggert did what he needed to do to protect his family and community. He admires that. Taggert asks if Rory likes breaking the rules. Is that the real reason he’s hanging out with Taggert’s daughter?

Josslyn says, Adam wants to apologize? and he says he does. He’s sorry for being a total jerk. He had no right to say the things he said. She says, no, he didn’t; so why did he? He tells her, he’s ashamed to say it now, but all he saw was a hot girl in a video. He didn’t think about how it felt to have her privacy violated. Then he read her article in The Invader. Reading about what she went through, it was seriously messed up, and made him check himself. If someone did that to his sister, he would be furious. He’s really sorry, and sorry he made it worse for her. She thanks him, and says she accepts his apology. He asks if they should hug it out or something, and she says, remember the pool? Don’t push it.

Dante says he’s guessing Cody knows the name Sonny Corinthos, and Cody says, he knows Sonny roasts a mean bean. Can Dante hook him up with some free coffee? Dante says, some things never change; always looking for an angle. Cody says, it’s not what you know, and Dante says, it’s who you know. Cody asks what Dante is up to tonight. Does he want to raise a ruckus to honor the old times? Dante says he has an early morning, and Cody says, Dante has to keep those bad guys off the street. Dante says, and get his kid to school. Cody says, look at Dante. He’s a dad with a great job, and a cool girlfriend. He didn’t think Dante had it in him. Cody is happy for him. It looks like he grew up to have a full life. Dante thanks him, and says, it looks like Cody got the life he wanted too. Cody says, more or less. He’s glad they had this chance to catch up, even if it’s just one night. Sam says, they’re having dinner at her place tomorrow night. Why doesn’t Cody come by?

Sonny says he was worried about Nina. He called and texted, but she didn’t return his calls. She says she put her phone on silent; she wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone. He says he heard her petition to see Wiley was rejected. He’s sorry. She asks if he’s upset about how she let Scotty go after Michael, and he says he doesn’t like to see Michael in pain, but can’t he feel for her too? She says she won’t be hurting Michael or anyone anymore. She’s headed to the airport as soon as she finds… He says, this? holding up her necklace. He won’t give it to her, and she says, she’s running late; there’s a car waiting for her. He says, too bad. He’s not letting her go.

Ava says, her offer to Spencer wasn’t only to get him and Esme to move out; it was for her and Nikolas. Nikolas says, she wanted to give them space to work on their marriage, but it hurts that his son chose money over their relationship. Ava says she means no disrespect, but in Spencer’s eyes, Nikolas did the same thing. As a gesture of good faith and to show him she’s committed to their marriage, she won’t make Spencer choose. He says, if she reneges on their deal, Spencer will be furious, but she says, no. She’ll still give him the money, on the condition he remain here. Of course (🍷) she’ll still have to put up with Esme. He says, not necessarily. Esme and Spencer might be breaking up. Esme seems to think so. Ava says, maybe that’s why Spencer was looking for her. Maybe she’s gone already. This calls for a toast. Things are looking up already.

Spencer tells Esme, he means it with all his heart. He wants them to make it. Can she please accept his apology? She takes his hands and says she loves him. She wants to make this relationship work, so yes, she forgives him. She hopes this can be a new beginning for them. He says he wants that too. He’s ready for all this drama to be a thing of the past. She says, the best part is, she knows he means that.

Portia tells Taggert, this isn’t an interrogation, but Rory says, it’s a fair question. Actually, he’s a by-the-book guy. That’s why he looked it up, and there’s no rule he’s not allowed to be friends with Trina while she’s awaiting trial. Taggert says, he’s a rookie, right? There’s something Rory needs to understand about law enforcement; there’s written rules, and unwritten rules. Rory says, yes, sir. He takes that seriously. Just like he takes seriously their oath and motto, to protect and serve; that’s why he was drawn to the job. He’s not violating the oath or motto by hanging out with Trina. If someone has a problem with that, it’s on them, not him. Portia asks what Rory likes to do in his spare time, and he says, Trina is teaching him about art; she has a great eye. Trina says she keeps telling him, art is subjective, but she guesses she’s been around it more. Rory says, no false modesty; own it, lady. Trina says she guesses she’s pretty good at it, and Rory says he likes to keep active; play sports, swim, work out when he can. The job keeps him pretty busy, and the whole work/life balance is tough. Portia says, let her know when he’s got that figured out, and he says, right now, he’s trying to remind himself to make more time for the things he enjoys. He and Trina smile at each other.

Cody tells Sam, he appreciates the offer, but he’s got to hit the road tomorrow. She says, no way. He’s only there for the day? He says, life in the gig economy. His next job’s in the Finger Lakes area, but Port Charles seems like a nice town. Sam says, it is. Too bad he can’t stick around and get to know the place. Cody says he never gets too comfy in one place; got to pay the bills. Sam asks if he’s looking for something long term, and he says, since he quit riding, he just goes where the wind blows. He’s open to opportunities. Why does she ask? She says she might know of a job that’s a good fit, if of course (🍷) he’s interested.

Nina tells Sonny, she can’t stay here. She hates losing him, leaving him, but she can’t keep doing this. Her mistakes have cost him everything, and they’ve finally caught up with her. He says he meant what he said on the stand; he forgives her for what she did to him. She thanks him, and says, it means everything, but it doesn’t change the fact she lost Wiley, her grandson, her flesh and blood, the last link she’ll ever have to her daughter. He says, she doesn’t know that for sure, and she says, Michael and Willow won’t let her see Wiley after everything that happened in court today. He says, Michael and Willow can’t keep her from her grandson forever, but she says, they can. They won’t let that little boy see anything redeemable in her. Willow accused her of being exactly like Nelle. And Nina said terrible things. She has a habit of lashing out when she feels cornered. She missed her chance at getting what her mother stole from her. She won’t know Nelle, and now she won’t know Nelle’s son. The only thing she has left of them is that necklace. Please give to her so she can go. It hurts too much to stay here. He puts the necklace in her hand, and asks her to do him a favor. Before she leaves; let him ask her one thing. How does she think Wiley will feel when he finds out she gave up on him?

Sam tells Cody, her kids spend a lot of time at their grandmother’s. They have stables and horses. They just got a new horse, and they’re actually looking for another handler. Cody says, so old money? New? She says, does it matter? He said he worked on ranches. Does that mean he has experience in managing and grooming horses? He says, yeah. When he was a kid, his family tended to some horses that were on an estate near the camp. He helped out, and even took over for a couple years before he went out west. She says she can’t promise anything, but she and Dante can get him a foot in the door, but Dante says, he thinks it’s a good idea, but he doesn’t think it’s the right one for Cody. Never too comfy in one place, right?

Cameron gets a text from Spencer: All good. Plan on track. Josslyn comes back with Adam, and Cameron says, everything okay? She says, yeah, and Adam says, he was telling Josslyn that he read their article in The Invader, and how sorry he is everything went down the way it did. They’re really brave, and he appreciates them both. Cameron says, cool, thanks, and Adam leaves. Cameron asks if he’s legit, and Josslyn says, actually, yes. He apologized, and told her that when he read the article, he changed. They changed his perspective. It’s just more validation that they made the right decision in agreeing to do the article. He says he guesses they did. He’s glad she’s finally getting some closure. She tells him, she wouldn’t say that. She won’t get any closure on any of this until Esme gets what she deserves.

Spencer and Esme walk in, and Ava says she’s glad Spencer is here. She has some news. She’s decided to amend their agreement. Spencer says, she’s giving him full control of his trust fund? but she laughs, and says, no. She’s still giving him an allowance like they agreed, except Spencer won’t be moving out. He’ll stay, and work things out with his father. Spencer says, she wants him to stay here? and she says, yes, and it seems the timing has worked out perfectly. Nikolas told her what happened. Esme looks at Nikolas, who gives a small shake of his head, and Esme asks Ava, what was that exactly? Ava says she understands Esme and Spencer have been having some difficulties, and are looking to take a break. She’s not going to insult Esme’s intelligence by saying she’s sorry to hear that. She’s sure Esme will land on her feet; find some other family to terrorize, as long as it’s not hers. Esme says, that’s where Ava is wrong. She and Spencer worked everything out. He stays; she stays. Does that alter Ava’s terms? Ava looks at Nikolas.

Nina tells Sonny, she’s not giving up on Wiley; she’s fighting to stay in his life. Sonny says, until now. She had one setback, and she’s going to throw in the towel? She says she can’t sit on the sidelines and watch that little boy play out the rest of his life without her, knowing his family poisoned his mind against her. It just hurts too much. He says, if she runs away, Wiley is going to believe the lies. He’s going to grow up, and want to know his mother and her family. He’s going to seek Nina out, and maybe want a relationship with her when he finds out how great she is. She says she doesn’t see that happening, but he says, they don’t know the future, but he can tell her right now, she’s not going to have a relationship with Wiley if she’s not here. She says she just feels hopeless, and he says, so she’s going to run. That’s what she does; it’s her pattern. She has to break that pattern. Otherwise, Wiley is going to grow up believing all the lies people are telling him. She says, what if it’s too late? but he says, that’s her fear talking. Remember what she said to him? The only way she could make it up to Wiley is to prove how much she loves him. She believed that then, believe it now. She says she doesn’t know what she believes, and he says, stay here. She has a life here. She could have one with Wiley, but she’s never going to know if she runs away.

Cody thanks Sam for the offer, but says, it’s not the right gig for him. Dante says, ever since they were kids, Cody’s had adventure in his veins, and Cody tells Sam, he’s right. Dante’s always had his number.

Cameron says his break’s just about over, and Josslyn says, he was going to tell her something before Adam interrupted them. He says, it’s not really important; it can wait. She says, really? Because she can’t shake the feeling he’s hiding something from her. He says, no. He’s sorry. He’s probably giving off weird vibes; he’s worried about his mom. She says, right. She’s sorry, but he knows he can tell her anything, right? He says he loves her, and she says she loves him too, and they hug.

Ava says, the most important thing is that Nikolas and Spencer work out their problems. If Esme and Nikolas are back track, it seems that Esme will be sticking around. Nikolas says, that is if Spencer decides to stay; the decision is his. And Nikolas supports whatever he decides. Esme says, seems like win-win to her, and Spencer says, how can he refuse such a generous offer? but the look on his face is skeptical. Ava says, then it’s settled. As a welcome home gift, she’ll wire his first payment. She jets, and Spencer says he’ll come too. He follows Ava out, and Esme tells Nikolas, she thought they’d never leave. In the hallway, Spencer asks if Ava is really okay with Esme staying here. She says she’s committed to her marriage, just like she’s committed to Spencer and his father moving forward. If that means putting up with Esme, Ava will do her best to tolerate her. She walks away, and inside the room, Esme says, so Nikolas didn’t tell Ava? She doesn’t suspect? Nikolas says, no, and what happened between them can never happen again. They’re back together with their partners, and have another shot at making it work. He thinks it’s best if Spencer and Ava never find out, and Esme says she totally agrees. Ava and Spence never have to find out. Nikolas leaves.  

Rory says, it’s nice meeting Portia and Taggert, but unfortunately, he has an early morning. Portia says, it was nice meeting him too, and Taggert says he was just leaving; he’ll walk Rory out. Rory says, see Trina soon, and leaves with Taggert. Trina laughs, and picks up her phone. Portia says, he was nice, and he was cute too. She picked up a little connection. Trina tells Portia, like she said, he’s a nice person, but she barely knows him, and Portia says, okay. Whatever Trina says. They both squeal.

Nina touches Nelle’s gravestone, and tells Sonny, okay. She’ll stay in Port Charles, for Wiley. He says, she’s making the right choice, and she says, she’ll watch that sweet little boy become a stranger to her, or worse, afraid of her because of what his family has said about her. She’s not sure how she’s going to handle that. He says, she’s not going to handle it alone. She has him, Phyllis, her family and friends. He takes her hand and says they’re here for her, and she says, that’s a good thing. He says, every step of the way, and she says, because she doesn’t know how she’s going to watch Wiley grow up without her, or how she’s going to live without him. Sonny holds her, and she cries

On Monday, Portia asks if Marshall gave Curtis a reason to trust him; Valentin tells Ned, everything has a price – what’s yours; Willow tells Carly that dealing with Nina helped her come to a big decision; and Elizabeth tells Finn that he’s hurting her more than he realizes.

⌨️ Why the Temp…

It was a little startling. The weird thing was, I kind of thought he made a better Michael than the regular Michael.

🏍 It’s All Good…

I’ll bet it was nothing in comparison to his wife having a baby with another dude.

🧼 Joining Beyond…

The latest actors to jump onto the Salem bandwagon.

🥀 Goodbye Too Soon…

I vaguely remember him from Melrose Place. It was sad to read he’s leaving behind a wife and 8 children.

https://people.com/movies/brad-johnson-always-and-melrose-place-actor-dead-at-62/

🍷 Have Some More…

So how many f***s do you think she gives now?

🚗 Smarter Than the Average Car…

I don’t get the attraction either.

🍸 At the Pump…

Is this the royal we, or is she having a change-of-life baby?

We’re not sure how Lisa can show a text that [neither PK nor Dorit] can show on their phone, so we don’t know, [Kyle] Richards, 53, told us last week.

Unhinged? More like the worst human on earth.

Aww! They’re all growed up.

📺 Coming Right Up…

TV premiere dates for 2022.

https://ew.com/tv/2022-tv-premiere-dates/

👠 In the Pink…

I can’t wait to see this show. I love Trixie.

https://www.queerty.com/trixie-motel-book-queer-5-reasons-tune-discovery-pride-season-20220602

🏓 Quotes of the Week

Trust is lost in buckets and gained in drops. – Judge Faith Jenkins

The hardest thing to understand in the world is the income tax. – Albert Einstein

If I were to search for logic, it wouldn’t be among the English upper class. – Violet Crawley (Maggie Smith), Downton Abbey

I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and I believe in miracles. – Audrey Hepburn

I have learned silence from the talkative, toleration from the intolerant, and kindness from the unkind; yet, strange, I am ungrateful to those teachers. – Kahlil Gibran

Most of our obstacles would melt away if, instead of cowering before them, we should make up our minds to walk boldly through them. – Orison Swett Marden (Or smack them out of the way.)

There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.Nelson Mandela

Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

🧍🏽‍♀️ Just Taking a Step To the Right…

Come hither again when the Dead are Feared. Until then, stay safe, stay keeping your priorities straight, and stay not letting your pattern be running away. And if it is, break it.