Monthly Archives: August 2022

Aug17

August 16, 2022 – The Case Takes a Major Turn, a Goodbye, a Cause, Back At Work, Slamming It, Shake Up, Pets (!) & Rumor

Posted on August 17, 2022 by theresakp

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Jordan comes back from Oz’s room, and Portia asks, what happened? Curtis asks if Oz is willing to talk, and Jordan says, Oz is willing to testify he sold the phone to Esme… provided they give him a deal. Portia says, and they gave him a good one, right?

Ava slips into the courtroom as Judge Young addresses the jury foreman. He says, in the matter of the State of New York versus Trina Robinson, has the jury reached a verdict? The foreman says, we have, your honor.

Nikolas says, Victor won’t ever find Esme, and Victor says, why not? Nikolas tells him, because she’s dead, and Victor asks how he knows. Nikolas says, it’s better not to get into… but Victor says he’s not asking again. Nikolas says he knows she’s dead because he killed her.

The judge tells the foreman to hand the verdict to the bailiff, when Robert bursts into the courtroom. He says, your honor, these proceedings have got to stop immediately.

At the MetroCourt bar, Nina gets a text from Sonny saying he’s thinking of her, and he’s sorry he had to work tonight. She texts back: Waiting will make it all the more sweeter. She hears a phone ding, and sees him standing behind her. He says he thinks waiting is overrated, doesn’t she?

A sign by the pool says, closed for a private party. Michael is hanging decorations, and comes down off the ladder, asking if Carly thinks Willow is going to like her surprise party. Carly says, she’s going to love it. It was sweet of him to plan all this for her. He says, she’s to be celebrated. Nursing school is no cakewalk, but raising a kid on top of it? Carly says, and growing one, and he says he’s really proud of her. Carly says she’s proud of Willow too, and Wiley says he’s helping. Crêpe paper is draped around him, and Carly asks if that’s what they’re calling it. How did he do this? Drew comes in, and Carly tells him, he can’t just stand there; he has to help. Michael tosses him a role of crêpe paper, and Drew says he thinks Wiley has the right idea. He looks good. Carly says she doesn’t think Drew can pull this look off, and he asks if that’s a challenge.

Willow hesitates, then knocks on Terry’s office door. Terry thanks her for getting here so quickly, and invites her in. Britt is also there, and Terry tells Willow, have a seat. They have a lot to discuss.

Jordan says, DA Scorpio agreed to the protections Oz asked for, and Portia says, thank God. Jordan says, he’s being prepped for transport to the courthouse right now, and Portia says, they have to hurry; they’re about to read the verdict. Curtis says, let’s just hope it’s in time, and Portia says, it has to be.

Judge Young asks, what’s the meaning of this? and Robert says, pressing evidence has come up which should be presented to the court. The judge says, such as? and Robert says, a new witness has come forward. Judge Young asks if the witness is present, and Robert says, no, but they’re on their way. Arden says, with all due respect, the jury has already returned a verdict. The time for new evidence has passed. Isn’t he her boss? Diane says, the foreman has not yet handed the verdict to the bailiff. Therefore, officially speaking, the verdict has not been entered, and new evidence may be presented. The judge asks them to approach the bench, and Spencer asks if Josslyn thinks this will work. She says, it better, and Ava asks Taggert if this is good news. He says he thinks this case is about to take a major turn.

Victor says, tell him exactly what happened, and Nikolas says he appreciates Victor’s interest, but he’s handling it. Victor says, he’s seen how well Nikolas cleans up his messes. How many times has Nikolas come to him for help? Nikolas says, not this time, and Victor says, Nikolas knows there’s nothing he wouldn’t do for this family. Nikolas says, including allowing Spencer to be shipped off to Pentenville, and Victor says, Spencer put his family first, which is what he’s trying to do. Now tell him exactly what happened to Esme, so all of them can come out of this unscathed. Nikolas says, the staff called him. They could hear Ava and Esme fighting. Victor asks if Esme told Ava about his transgression, but Nikolas says, no. Esme was trying to leave town, and Ava wasn’t having it. She wanted Esme to confess to framing Trina. Things got… heated. Fortunately, he arrived before Esme told Ava that they slept together. Victor says, that is fortunate, isn’t it? and Nikolas says he sent Ava off, and tried to talk some sense into Esme. Victor says he can imagine how that went, and Nikolas says, she was enraged, completely deranged. They struggled, and he pushed her off the parapet. Victor asks, what he did with the body, but Nikolas says he hasn’t found it. Victor says, then how does he know Esme is dead?

Robert tells the judge, Oz Haggerty has been named in testimony, and his name was mentioned, and his name has been mentioned relating to information on this case. Arden says, Diane informed them of this witness. She also said she didn’t know what his testimony would be or if he’d even be able to testify. Judge Young says, if the witness were present, he’d allow it, and Robert says, Mr. Haggerty has just come out of a coma. He’s agreed to testify for the defense, and is being brought here as we speak. His office strongly agrees they need to hear this information. It could change the course of the entire case. Diane says, and innocent young woman’s future is at stake. Will this court really jeopardize that over a technicality?

Nina says she thought Sonny had plans for tonight, and he says he had to change things around. She says, for her? and he says, he figured since doing this, why wait? She says, good, because she’s not the patient type, and he says, him neither. Does she want to have dinner? She says, tonight? and he says, right now. She says she knows someone pretty high up in this place, so she thinks she can get them a table. Olivia appears, and says, oh, hell no.

Drew tells Wiley to hit him with a streamer, and Wiley puts a strip of crêpe paper around Drew’s neck. Drew says, nice choice, and Carly says, he wears it well. Drew says, thanks to this guy, and he and Wiley high-five. Michael says, nice tie, and Drew says, Wiley’s helping him spruce up his wardrobe a little bit. Michael says, Drew needs it, and Carly says, crêpe paper chic is the new rage these days. Michael thanks Drew for pitching in, and says, Willow’s still at the hospital, so they have some time. Drew asks what he can do, and Michael says, how about centerpieces? Drew says, his specialty, and Carly says she’ll show him where they are. They leave, and Michael asks if Wiley wants to practice what to do when his mommy gets here. Wiley says, yeah, and Michael says, pretend he’s mommy walking into the party. Wiley says, mommy doesn’t walk like that, and Michael asks Wiley to cut him some slack. He’s mommy walking into the party, and what does Wiley yell? Wiley says, surprise! and Michael says, he’s a natural.

Britt asks if anyone else will be joining Willow, but Willow says, just her. Terry says, they want to start by congratulating Willow on her graduation. She’s worked incredibly hard, and it’s obvious Willow is going to be an excellent nurse. Britt says, they’re really lucky to have her here at GH, and Willow thanks them, but says she knows they didn’t ask her here just to congratulate her. Britt says, they didn’t, and Terry says, the results of her biopsy came back. The biopsy confirmed their initial suspicious; Willow has leukemia.

Judge Young tells Diane that he’ll decide how to uphold the integrity of this court, not her, and Diane apologizes. He tells them to return to their seats, and says, because DA Scorpio vouched for the witness’s imminent arrival, and because the jury hasn’t officially handed in the verdict, he’ll allow the testimony. His decision is conditional on the witness’s timely arrival. Any delays, and he’ll instruct the jury to hand in the verdict. Robert says, understood, your honor, and Trina asks Diane if they’re positive Oz is on his way. Diane says, if the DA says he’s on his way, then he’s on his way, and Trina asks if her mom or Curtis have tried reaching out to Diane. What if something happened?

Nina says, Olivia can’t refuse her service here anymore. She’s Olivia’s partner, remember? Olivia says, if only she could forget, and Sonny asks if they can’t act like adults here. Olivia says, just because Nina is co-owner doesn’t mean she can waltz in here and demand a table whenever the mood strikes. They’re fully booked. We see some of the tables are empty, and Sonny suggests they go somewhere else, but Nina says, no. She’s sure they can work something out. Olivia says, of course (🍷). They can just cancel the reservation of a paying customer at the last minute, so Nina can do her big flex. That would be a great business decision. Sonny says, they’ll just eat at the bar, and Nina asks if the bar is fully booked too, but Olivia says, they don’t take reservations for the bar, which any decent co-owner would know that. Um… I figured Nina was being facetious. Olivia leaves, and Nina says, that was fun. Sonny tells her, they’ll have to get used to it, and Nina says, she guesses so. He asks if it scared her off, but she says, not even a little bit.

Drew tells Carly, Michael is really going all out for Willow. It’s so sweet that he loves her so much. Carly says, he does, and she can’t tell Drew how much it makes her happy to see Michael happy. He’s settled; he’s confident. Michael finally has the family he deserves. He says, there must have been a day when she thought that might never happen; he means, when Nelle was around. She says, thank God that’s behind them, and Olivia strides in. She asks if she can talk to Carly for a second. Drew says, he’ll get to work, and leaves. Carly asks, what’s going on? and Olivia says, there is a situation in the restaurant, and Carly’s not going to like it.

Terry says, the test results confirm she’s in the early stages of leukemia. The words echo as Willow hears them, and Britt says, she knows it’s a lot to take in. Does Willow have any questions?

Nikolas tells Victor, if Esme was still alive, she’d have turned up by now. He’s been out searching; he’s still searching. All he found is a shoe, so he decided it best to let everyone believe that she took off, as she intended. Hopefully, her body is lost to the water, and no one will ever know the truth. Victor says, in the first place, that’s an awfully big hope, and Nikolas says, one that will pay off. Victor says, secondly, does Nikolas really take him for such a fool? and Nikolas asks what he means. Victor says, this whole cockamamie story of his doesn’t add up. So come on, out with it. Who is he trying to protect?

Curtis and Portia come into the courtroom, and Ava changes seats so they can sit behind Trina. Rory opens the courtroom door, and Jordan comes in with an orderly wheeling Oz. Diane says, the defense calls Oz Haggerty to the stand, and I cheer in my head.

Willow says, they’ve studied leukemia in her classes. She’s worked with cancer patients. Obviously she knows what it is, and how it’s treated, but… Britt says, hearing the actual words… and Willow says, it’s like a foreign language. Terry says, a whole team of doctors, including Britt and herself, will be with Willow every step of the way, and Willow says, it’s a difficult illness to treat. Terry says, she’s right, but they caught this at a very early stage, and Willow asks, will it affect… What does it mean for her baby? Britt says, they’ll discuss specifics once they have a treatment plan in place, but yes, her case is complicated by the pregnancy. For some types of cancer, treatment is delayed until the second trimester when the fetus is completely formed, but in general, chemotherapy drugs are detrimental to the development of the fetus.

Drew says, he met with Valentin, and Michael asks, how’d it go? Drew says, he may have a way to get Valentin to give up control of ELQ, and Michael says, that’s huge. Drew says, it’s definitely the long game, but anything is worth trying to get the family business back. Michael asks if he’s told Drew lately how happy he is Drew is back home, and Drew says, not lately, and it was starting to hurt his feelings. Michael says he feels like he has a real partner in Aurora, and Drew says, good, because he does.

Olivia says, Nina and Sonny are inside on a date, and Carly says, Olivia is probably going to see more of that now that Nina owns half the hotel. Olivia says, Carly’s half of the hotel, and now she’s parading Carly’s ex-husband around, trying to flaunt whatever she’s got going on. Carly says, it’s okay; it doesn’t bother her. Olivia asks how that’s even possible, and Carly says she hates that Nina owns her half of the hotel, and she’ll probably never be thrilled seeing Nina and Sonny together, but not because she has feelings for him. Sonny can do what he wants. She has everything she needs right here. Olivia looks over at the party being set up, and says, she really does. Her son, her grandson, and a very handsome, very good new friend.

Diane thanks Oz for making it here today, and asks if he’s ever met the defendant, Trina Robinson. He says, yes. She came by The Highsider with the girl from the video. Diane says, Josslyn Jax, and Oz says, that’s her in the back. Josslyn acknowledges that, and Diane asks, and when was this? He says, a couple of months ago, and she says, let’s see if we can narrow it down a bit, shall we? Was it June 15^th? He says, sounds about right, and she says, so well after the video of Josslyn Jax and Cameron Webber was recorded? He says, yes, and she says, previous testimony has indicated that it was actually a woman by the name of Esme Prince who recorded the video. Does he know her? He says, yes. He confronted her about this trial, and he thinks she slipped something in his drink. Diane says, not the hallmark of an innocent woman, is it? and Arden objects. Diane says, withdrawn. Forensic evidence has shown us that the revenge porn video was recorded on a black market phone that was activated on January 28^th. Did he sell that phone to Miss Prince? He says he did, and Diane shows him a picture of Esme. She asks if that’s the woman, and he nods, but she says, they’ll need an actual verbal confirmation from him. He says, yeah, that’s her, and Diane asks, when was that? He says, sometime in January; he doesn’t have an exact date. She says, one last question. Has he ever at any time sold any phone, black market or otherwise, to the defendant, Trina Robinson? He says, no, and she says, no further questions. Portia says, yes! and everyone applauds. Judge Young says, order, and tells Arden, her witness. Robert whispers something to Arden.

Nikolas asks Victor, who would he be protecting? He’s protecting himself. He didn’t mean to kill Esme. Victor says, if that’s true, Nikolas has nothing to hide. Neither Ava nor Spencer will ever find out he slept with Esme, so as far as everyone is concerned, he has no motive. He can just go to the police, and tell them there’s been a terrible accident. Nikolas says, no, and Victor says, then tell him what really happened, or he’ll go to the police. Nikolas says, most of what he told Victor is true, except Ava does know about him and Esme. Victor says, that’s the real reason Ava isn’t living here, and Nikolas says, yes. Victor says, and Esme? and Nikolas tells him, she and Ava fought like he said. He came home and heard them on the parapet. All he saw was Esme going over the ledge. Victor says, so Ava killed Esme, and Nikolas says, Ava swore she didn’t push Esme, and he believes her, but he knows how it looks. No one will buy it’s an accident. Victor says, there was a physical fight? and Nikolas says, Ava’s DNA could be on Esme. So now does Victor understand why it’s best everyone believes Esme skipped town? Victor says, Nikolas covered for Ava, and Nikolas says, of course (🍷) he did. Victor says, yet Ava still left him, and Nikolas says, Ava’s rightfully upset, but she sees the wisdom in them staying married. Victor says, if it gets out that Nikolas slept with Esme, right there is the motive, and Nikolas says, exactly. Victor asks how Nikolas is going to carry on this charade without Ava living here, and Nikolas says, she just needs to cool down. And when she does, he’ll prove to her that they belong together. She’ll come back. Victor says he has to admit he likes Ava. She fits right into this family. That said, now she’s a threat, and all threats have to be eliminated.

Willow sits down, and says, what about her own prognosis? Terry says, while there are no guarantees, Willow’s prognosis is hopeful. It’s at a very early stage, but they need more information as soon as possible. She’d like to make an appointment for further testing so they can finalize her treatment plan by the end of the week. Willow says she’s sorry; she can’t do that. Terry says she understands Willow must be reeling, but she and Dr. Westbourne are there to answer any questions she has. Britt tells her, feel free to get a second opinion, and Terry says she stresses time is of the essence. Early treatment would be favorable. Willow says she knows, but she needs a minute to think. It’s a lot of factors to weigh… so much. Britt says she’ll clear her morning tomorrow, and they can talk as long as Willow wants, and Terry tells Willow to take tonight to discuss things with her family. Willow thanks them, and says she has plans with Michael tonight, but she’ll think about everything they said, and she’ll follow up. Terry says, soon? and Willow promises. She gets up and gets her bag, and Terry says she doesn’t like the idea of Willow being alone right now. Is there anyone they can call for her?

Wiley helps Drew with the balloons, and Drew says, nicely done. They high-five, and Drew says, let’s get to work. Carly tells Olivia, Drew is a really good friend, and looks have nothing to do with it. Olivia says she doesn’t think she realized what good friends Carly and Drew had become until Carly put up her half of the hotel to help him out, and Carly says she doesn’t know what Olivia is talking about. She invested in a company which is owned by Michael. Remember Michael, her son? Olivia says, Drew also had something to do with it, and Carly says she’s stopping Olivia there. Olivia asks where Carly thinks she’s going, and Carly says, Olivia is insinuating there’s something going on with her and Drew. She can’t even fathom how complicated that would be. Olivia says, so Carly has thought of it, and Carly says, keep your voice down. Olivia tells her, she’s just saying.

As they eat at the bar, Nina says she’s sorry she couldn’t get them a table, but Sonny says, he’s not. They’ve got the best seat in the house. Nina says, even though they’re a little exposed? and he says, they’re going be exposed no matter what. I have to mention, not one other person is sitting at the bar, so it’s not like they’re cramped or it’s not private enough. She says she guesses it’s better than a verbal lashing from his ex-wife’s best friend. He says, it’s a hell of a first date, ain’t it? and she says, it’s funny to hear him say first date. He says, it is for them. What’s funny? She says she’s wondering if there’s any other couple out there who’s had two different versions of their relationship like they have. First it was Nina and Mike; now it’s Nina and Sonny. He says, you can’t say they don’t make it interesting, and she agrees. They lean in for a kiss, but Sonny’s phone rings, and he says he has to get this. Brick?… What did he find out? Anything?… Can he get back to him?… Yeah. Thank you. Nina asks if he has to go, and he says, yeah. He had Brick follow up on something, and now he has to deal with it. He’s sorry. She says, don’t be, it’s okay, and he says, they’re doing this, right? Her and him? She says, that’s the plan, and he says, all right. So there are still some things she needs to know… about his business.

Nikolas says, he’ll kill Victor before he lays a hand on Ava, but Victor says, calm down. It doesn’t have to be that drastic. Nikolas put himself at great risk for this woman. What if Esme shows up alive? What then? Nikolas says, he’ll cross that bridge when he gets there, but Victor says, there will be no time to cross bridges if she goes straight to the authorities. Nikolas tells him, quit worrying about something that hasn’t happened, and most likely won’t. Esme hasn’t turned up at the hospital, she has no resources, zero friends, and besides, it’s not her style to go to the cops. She would rather hold this over their heads. Victor tells him, say Esme is dead – Nikolas says, God willing – the harbor won’t keep its secrets forever. Sooner or later, Esme’s body is going to wash up, and when it does, all evidence is going to point to Ava. Doesn’t Nikolas see that the deeper he gets into covering this up, the harder it will be to avoid charges as an accomplice? Nikolas has to turn Ava in, or he will.

Arden says, in light of this new evidence, the DA’s office is dropping the charges. The courtroom goes wild with joy, and Judge Young calls for order, banging his gavel. He says, on behalf of the state of New York, he thanks the jury for its service. He tells Trina, the state of New York has dropped all charges against her. She’s free to go. Court is dismissed. The foreman tosses the verdict into a wastebasket, and Dex watches. Portia says, they did it, and she and Taggert hug Trina. Trina asks if this is really happening, and Portia says, you’re free, baby girl. You are free. Everyone is ecstatic, and Dex saunters over to the wastebasket, takes out the slip of paper with the verdict, puts it in his pocket, and casually leaves.

Willow says, there’s no need to call anyone. She’s fine. Britt says, she doesn’t even have to tell them about the diagnosis, and Terry says, it would be extra support for her. (Here’s where the news breaks in with something that can’t wait ten minutes. Why, God, why?) Britt says, Willow just got dealt some very big and difficult news, and Willow says, yes. It is big and difficult and she can’t really wrap her head around it right now. She just needs to take some time. Is that okay? Terry says, of course (🍷), and Britt says, they understand. Willow thanks them, and says, she’ll be in touch tomorrow. She leaves, and out in the hallway, she leans against the wall, breathing heavily.

Carly looks at her phone, and says, Trina was exonerated. Thank God. Olivia says, really? That’s incredible. Carly says she’d love to believe this nightmare is over, but won’t be until they nail Esme for what she did. Olivia says, there’s not a big enough book in this world for them to throw at that girl. Now is Carly done deflecting? Carly says, Olivia’s theory that she has feelings for Drew… Olivia says, is spot-on? and Carly says, is so ridiculous, it doesn’t even deserve a response. Olivia says, okay, she’ll back off, but just so Carly knows, she thinks it goes both ways. Carly says, she does? and Olivia says, Drew was really worried about Carly when she lost her half of the hotel. She really felt like there were feelings there. Carly says, there are feelings. Friendly feelings. That’s all. Olivia says, okay, when Drew comes by, and asks, what’s next? Olivia says she has to get the cake, which is inside the restaurant, but her phone dings. She says, Leo. It’s okay, but she should probably call. Carly says, she can get the cake; she knows where it is. Go call her son. Olivia leaves, and Drew says he can help Carly, but she says, it’s okay, and walks out.

In the hallway, Diane says, Robert Scorpio. You did a good thing today. It was a great thing actually. He says, just fulfilling the needs of the job, and she says, really? A little more than that she thinks. Trina Robinson is a remarkable young woman, so he’s a credit to his community, to his office… He pretends to be overcome, and says, two compliments in one day? She tells him, don’t get used to it, and leaves.

Taggert says he’s so proud of Trina. How does she feel? She says, relieved, exhausted, thrilled. For so long, this has been hanging over her like she’s been waiting for D-Day. He says, decision day, and she says she wasn’t able to think about anything else. And now, her life is back again. Portia says, Trina’s future is wide open, and she can’t wait to see what Trina is going to do with it. They hug again.

Josslyn says she’s sorry Spencer’s plan didn’t work out the way he’d hoped, and he says, all that matters is that Trina’s free. He doesn’t care how they got here. She asks what he was going to tell Trina, and he asks what she means. She says, Trina still has no idea when he switched over to her side. After everything Trina has been through, doesn’t he think she deserves some answers?

Nikolas tells Victor, he messed up hugely when he cheated on Ava. At the very least, he owes it to her to protect her, and he will. If Victor cares about this family, like he claims to, he’ll say nothing. Victor says, and watch Nikolas go down in flames with Ava? Not a chance. Nikolas says, what about Spencer? If Victor throws Ava under the bus, it will come out that Nikolas slept with Esme, and Spencer will never forgive him. Is that what Victor wants? This is him putting his family first, and Ava is his family. So is Victor with him, or against him? Victor says, all right. He’ll do whatever Nikolas needs, but his story has to be airtight. They have to destroy all the evidence that leads to Nikolas and Ava. He’s assuming Nikolas has taken care of that, but what about the shoe? Nikolas says, it’s hidden, along with the suitcase, and Victor says, it’s hidden? That’s not enough. Everything has to be destroyed – and now. Yeah, I’m with Victor here. I thought it was really stupid for Nikolas to hang onto that stuff.

Curtis says, Trina is probably already all hugged out, but she says she thinks she can do one more. He hugs her and says, congratulations. She thanks him for keeping an eye out for the bartender. If it hadn’t been for that… Portia says, yes, thank you. Thank you for everything. He says he’d do anything for the two of them, if that’s not obvious by now. Portia says, it is.

Taggert tells Jordan, he appreciates her talking to Robert; getting him to play ball with Oz, and letting him testify. She says, it was a team effort, and he says, it was a game changer. It set his daughter free. She says, now that they have Oz’s testimony on record… He says, come out, come out, Esme, wherever you are, and Jordan says, she’s going down.

Ava hugs Trina, and says she’s so happy for her. She just knew it would all work out. Trina says, she means she hoped. There’s no way they could have known; none of them did. Ava says, don’t be so sure. She happens to be very resourceful.

Nina says, Sonny doesn’t have to explain, and he says, but he does, and he’ll tell her why. Because this isn’t going to be like being with Mike in Nixon Falls. There’s going to be dates he cuts short, dates he cancels. There’s going to be places he goes, who knows where, and she’s going to ask a lot of questions, but he’s not going to be able to give her answers. She says she gets it. She’s already accepted all of that. She doesn’t want to know the answers to those questions. She wouldn’t touch those answers with a ten-foot pole. He says, smart woman, and she says, it goes both ways. Don’t dare ask her who’s on September’s cover of Crimson. He laughs, and says he wouldn’t dream of it. He kisses her, and says he’ll call her later. She says, he’d better, and he gives her a lingering look before he leaves, and she sighs.

In the hallway, Sonny calls Brick, and asks what he found out about Dex.

Willow walks into the pool area, and only Michael is there. He runs over to her, saying, no, no, no. He thought they were meeting in the restaurant. It was going to be a surprise. He was going to bring her out here… this whole thing. She asks, what is all this? and he says, it’s her graduation party. She says, oh wow… She’s… He asks, what’s wrong?

Carly is bringing the cake through the MetroCourt, and something falls off the top of the box. Carly puts the box on the bar, and turns to pick it up, but Nina hands it to her. She asks if she can help Carly.

Sonny meets Dex in an alleyway, and Dex says he has some news. Sonny says he has some news too… about Dex. Dex says, oh, and Sonny moves closer. He says, it’s not good.

Josslyn tells Trina, she’s been waiting forever to say this – study abroad, here we come. Trina says, hold on. She still needs to be reinstated at PCU. Josslyn says, she will, and Rory joins them. Josslyn says she’s going to call Cam, and tell him the good news. She leaves, and Rory says, free woman. Trina says, that’s me, and he says, looks good on her. Ava looks at Spencer sadly, and leaves.

In the hallway, Portia asks Curtis, where’d Jordan go? He says, Taggert said she left on a mission, and he’s guessing it ends up at Windymere. Ava comes out, and listens. Curtis says, Jordan is hellbent on finding Esme Prince.

Rory says he’s going home to change, and asks if he can see Trina later. She says, text her, and he says, if she’s too tired, he totally gets it. She says, text her, and he says he will. He leaves, and Spencer comes over to Trina. He says, big day, and she says, one of the biggest. He says he’s so relieved she’s exonerated, and she says, if he were to tell her that a couple of days ago, she wouldn’t have believed him. Is he finally going to tell her what changed? He says, everything.

Nikolas brings down the suitcase, and the doorbell rings. Victor grabs the suitcase, and goes out the patio door, hiding it behind a bush. Nikolas answers the door to find Jordan and a couple of officers. He says, good evening, and she says she’s following up on their discussion about Esme. Victor jets over to them, and says, now is not a good time, Nikolas says he’ll call and set up a meeting, but Jordan holds up a warrant, and says, that wasn’t a request.

Tomorrow, Jordan says she has a warrant to search the premises; Trina says, Spencer is going to tell her what changed; and Sonny tells Dex, this is how he deals with liars.

🥀 Dimming the Lights…

She was also on OLTL, but I only have a vague memory of her. Hey, I’ve watched a lot of soap.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1342001/another-world-star-robyn-griggs-dead-at-49

😢 Sad Ending…

I hadn’t known about this. What a shame. Suicide is always a permanent solution to what is undoubtedly a temporary problem.

https://www.soapoperanetwork.com/2022/08/general-hospital-lindsey-pearlman-cause-of-death-confirmed-la-county-coroners-office

🎄 But Not As Hayden…

While I’m not into heartwarming, this sounds like it might be good.

Rebecca Budig Is Back at Work!

💬 Nice Try…

Dorit’s right; she’s thirsty. I have never once gotten this vibe.

https://www.etonline.com/dorit-kemsley-slams-rumor-that-she-and-kyle-richards-husband-are-having-an-affair-189146

💎 Heard On the Grapevine…

There’s definitely a few cast members I’d like to shake.

Is a Cast Shakeup Coming to RHOBH for Season 13? Insider Reveals If 3 People Are Getting Fired Ahead of Reunion Taping

🐕 Cuteness Makes Everything Okay…

Some celebrity pets. The great leveler. They don’t care who you are. They will poop on your floor, and eat your shoes.

https://www.yardbarker.com/lifestyle/articles/20_celebrity_pets_that_will_make_you_say_aw/s1__34563662

🍭 Sweet Dreams Are Made…

Giving you an open invite to return tomorrow, where there will be soap and me throwing things at the TV during RHOBH. Until then, stay safe, stay living your best life, even if it’s on a budget, and stay never hanging on to the suitcase of the psychopath who’s gone over your parapet.

Aug16

August 15, 2022 – The Verdict Is In, Dual Birthday With Shirtless Deckhands On Deck & Dusk

Posted on August 16, 2022 by theresakp

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

The elevator alarm continues to blare, and Curtis asks Rory, what’s going on with the elevator? It isn’t moving. Rory asks if anyone can hear him. Is everyone okay? Jordan calls out from inside, and says she’s alone. She’s all right; just stuck. Rory says he’s got it, and the other officer leaves. Elizabeth and Finn come by, and Elizabeth says she doesn’t know where she’s supposed to be, but she’s avoiding the stairs for a while. Rory says they’re going to get Jordan out, and she thanks him, adding, take his time.

Portia takes out the syringe, and places it on a chair. She wipes her hands on her lab coat, and says, Oz Haggerty, can you hear me? but there’s no response.

Cameron finds Josslyn by the pool, and she says she was just about to text him. She says, Trina left for GH. Diane thinks the jury is close to reaching a verdict. Apparently, they worked all through lunch, and don’t need a dinner. She can’t remember if it’s better if the verdict comes in quickly, or worse. He says he can’t believe this could all be over tomorrow, and she says, the trial maybe, but what about Trina’s life? Even if she’s found innocent, her life’s not going to just snap back to normal. Did he let Spencer know? He says he hasn’t spoken to Spencer since Spencer admitted escaping from Spring Ridge, but he’ll let Spencer know. She guesses Trina’s and Spencer’s futures are up in the air right now, and he asks how Trina took it; the fact Spencer was secretly working to trap Esme all along. Josslyn says she doesn’t know; she didn’t tell Trina.

Spencer lets Victor into Windymere, and Nikolas thanks him for coming. Victor says, of course (🍷). Will Ava be joining them? Nikolas says, Ava is staying at the MetroCourt for the moment, and Victor says, problems? Nikolas says, nothing they can’t work out, and Victor says, then it’s just them. He was hoping Spencer called him over to share some good news. Did the Martin Grey come through for Spencer? Spencer says, Martin was able to secure him a plea deal, and Nikolas says, that’s wonderful, but Spencer says he turned it down.

Portia says she needs Oz to wake up, and checks his eyes with a penlight. She says, okay, picks up the syringe, and injects it into Oz’s IV tube.

Nikolas asks why Spencer didn’t take the DA’s offer. What was it? Spencer says, another ten days at Spring Ridge, and Nikolas says, and he refused? It makes no sense. Spencer says, the price was too high, and Victor asks if he can be more specific. What price would he have to pay to secure the plea deal? Spencer says, they wanted him to name names; tell them who assisted him in escaping Spring Ridge. Nikolas says, his son is covering for Victor.

Rory tells Jordan, sit tight. They have maintenance working on it. She thanks him for handling things, and says she’s good. She can check her email; no need to rush. Outside, Elizabeth tells them, the elevator was out yesterday too, and Finn flashes back to finding Elizabeth on the stairs. She says she has to get back to work, but she’s sure it will be up and running soon. She goes to the computer, and Finn asks if she’s sure she’s all right. She asks why she wouldn’t be. She’s not the one stuck in the elevator. She thanks him for walking her to work. She has to go over her shift notes. She leaves, and Curtis asks if Trina is thinking about the trial. She says she’s thinking about her mom. She should be back by now, especially since the alarm stopped. He says, she told them she had to see about a patient, and Trina says, it feels like there’s something she’s not saying.

Portia puts the cap back on the syringe, and sticks it back in her pocket. She steps back to look at Oz, and says, please, please, please. The machine starts to beep (I assume meaning he’s waking up), and she says, oh my God. She goes back out to the hallway.

Josslyn tells Cameron, it’s not like she was deliberately holding back. A lot’s been going on, and she and Trina didn’t even talk until the next day. He says, and Spencer wasn’t even mentioned. He would think that would be topic number one. She says, a few other things were going on with both of them. They were about to get into it, when Sonny came over to talk to her. He says, wow. So Spencer hasn’t talked to Trina either, and she says, not that she knows of. Is he upset? He says, he’s not upset. He feels bad for Spencer. What Spencer did was huge, and he’d selfishly like Trina to know Spencer was on her side, and that he was also helping. She says she gets it, and he asks if they’re good. She must still be upset with him. She says, it shook her up; she’s not going to lie. She even talked to her mom about it, but she doesn’t think he’s like Sonny. He was helping Spencer, and she gets it, but just don’t do it again. He says he wanted to tell her. He threatened to tell her so many times, but Spencer was adamant that they couldn’t risk tipping off Esme. She says, Esme’s a psychopath who had Spencer under her thumb for way too long. Thank God Trina has Rory. He says, Rory seems to be hanging around a lot, and she says, Trina really likes him, and he’s the only one who’s gotten her to smile lately. She really likes him too. Based off what she’s seen, and what Trina’s told her, he seems like a really good guy. He says, Spencer is a good guy, even if Trina hasn’t realized it yet, and she says she’s just glad to know Spencer didn’t fall for Esme’s act, and wasn’t blind to her cruelty and manipulations. Leave it to Spencer to do everything backwards. He asks what she means, and she says, Spencer pretended to be on Esme’s side, and that was really hurtful to Trina. Now they know his heart was in the right place, but it was still devastating, while Rory was so kind and supportive. Dex walks in wearing flip-flops and walking like Bette Davis in Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? and asks Josslyn if Trina is all right.

Elizabeth runs to Oz’s room, and Portia acts like she just showed up, saying, she heard the alarm. They go in, and Portia asks Elizabeth how his vital signs are. Elizabeth says, he seems to be waking up.

Finn goes to Terry’s office, and she says she already knows about the elevator; she just got off the phone with maintenance. Finn says, good to know that’s being handled, but that’s not why he’s here. She says, is it Biz? and he sits down. She asks, what happened? Another episode of vertigo? He says, no, she seems physically fine, and Terry says, that’s what she thought too. When she saw Elizabeth this morning, she seemed like her old self, but he’s making her feel like that’s not true. He says, Elizabeth is incredible, and they all want her to get better. She puts on this great face, but he can’t get her to open up to him. She says, about what? and he says he doesn’t know. She’s acting like the panic attack in the stairwell never happened. Terry says, Elizabeth just told her that she’d felt dizzy, but he says, when he found her, she was completely unresponsive. She says, it sounds like the fugue state she experienced before going to Shadybrook, and he says he thinks her issues stem from more than just sleeping pills.

Nikolas says, the guard Victor hired to watch Spencer at Spring Ridge is the one who helped Spencer sneak out and back in without getting caught, isn’t he? Then let him take the fall. Put the fear of God in him so he doesn’t name Victor, because that’s ultimately what Victor is concerned about; saving his own hide even at the expense of Nikolas’s son. Spencer says, Uncle Victor only did what he asked, and Nikolas says, then let Victor help him now. Anything could happen to him at Pentenville; he could be killed. Spencer says, it’s too late. He’s already signed the deal; it’s happening. Uncle Sonny visited him, and said his people on the inside would look out for him as much as they can. Nikolas laughs, and says, that’s great. They’ve gone from Victor’s goons to Sonny’s thugs protecting Spencer from other thugs. How’s that for irony? He asks why Victor doesn’t say something, and Victor says he commends Spencer for his loyalty. He’s proud of Spencer for facing the consequences of his actions, like a man. He’s sure this experience will only make Spencer stronger. Spencer thanks him, and wonders if he could ask Victor a favor. Victor says, anything, and Spencer says, find Esme.

Cameron wonders how Dex knows Trina, and Josslyn introduces them. She tells Cameron that Dex works for Sonny, and Dex says he was with Trina when she got the voicemail from Diane saying the jury might be coming back soon. Is there any news? She says, they haven’t heard anything, and Cameron says, it’s nice of Dex to be concerned about someone he’s never met. Dex says he hopes everything works out for Josslyn’s friend, and flip-flops back out. Cameron asks if Josslyn told Dex that Trina’s seeing a cop, but she says she doesn’t think he’s interested in Trina that way. He says, then he’s interested in Josslyn, and she says, what? Why would Cameron say that? He says, why else would he come and talk to her, and she flashes back to meeting Dex outside Kelly’s, and asking if Sonny sent him to talk to the jury foreman. She tells Cameron, there’s another reason Dex is interested in Trina’s trial, and it has nothing to do with her.

Elizabeth asks if Oz can hear her. They need him to open his eyes; can he do that? Oz opens his eyes, and she tells him that he’s at General Hospital. She’s Nurse Baldwin. Can he tell her his name? He says, Henry, and coughs. But only his mom calls him… Oz. He’s Oz. She says, he’s doing great. Can he tell her the year? He says, 2022, and asks, what happened? She says she’ll get his doctor for him, and everything will be explained. She starts to leave, and Portia runs to the door behind her. She tells Elizabeth that she needs to talk to Oz. It will only take a few minutes.

The elevator door opens, and Jordan says, that didn’t take too long. The maintenance guy says, they were just working on this elevator yesterday. He doesn’t know why it got stuck again. He couldn’t find the problem. She says, maybe it could have been a glitch? He goes into the elevator, and Jordan and Curtis exchange nods. Rory says he’ll get back to his post now, when Trina’s phone rings. She says, it’s Diane, and Diane tells her, this is it. The jury is back, and she needs to get to the courthouse right away.

Elizabeth says, Portia’s not supposed to be in here, but Portia says she’s no danger to that man. Trina’s the one in danger, and that man in there is the one who can save her. Elizabeth says, it might take her a minute to locate Dr. Davidson because the elevator is out, and Portia says she can monitor him and make sure he’s okay. Elizabeth leaves, and Portia goes back in, closing the door. She sits next to Oz’s bed, and he asks if she’s his doctor. She says she is a doctor here at the hospital, but she’s not his attending. She’s Trina Robinson’s mother. Does he remember Trina? She’s a college girl, and she came to find him at The Highsider. She was asking him questions about a black market phone he sold. She just needs him to tell her the truth. He says, the truth? and she says, yes, taking out her phone. Starting with who did this to him. She holds the phone up to film him.

Trina leaves a voicemail for Portia, saying, call her back as soon as she gets this. Curtis says he’s sure she just got hung up with a patient, and Trina says she knows, but she needs Portia to know the jury reached a verdict. She has to go to the courthouse and face them. She needs her mom.

Portia says she needs Oz to tell her his name, and he asks why she cares what happened to him. She says, she believes Esme Prince drugged him, because Esme didn’t want him to testify that he sold her a black market phone; a phone Esme used to frame her daughter. He says he was drugged? and she says, he was given a very strong narcotic, and overdosed, but he says, no way; he doesn’t use. She says, he was rushed here and treated. He had to be put in a medically induced coma, from which he just awakened. Does he remember anything that happened to him? Anything? Please. An innocent girl could go to prison.

Rory says he’ll find Portia, but Curtis says he’ll go. Trina thanks him, and says she needs to call her dad and text Joss. Jordan says, Trina needs to go home right away. She needs to get changed and get to the courthouse like her attorney said. She asks Rory to drive Trina home, then to the courthouse, and come back. She needs him here. And do not go inside. Understand? He says he does, and tells Trina that the jury has seen who she really is. She’ll be okay. Now let’s go. They can’t have her being late. Curtis says he’ll get Trina’s mom, and they’ll be right behind her. They hug, he tells her, do not worry, and she leaves with Rory.

Josslyn tells Cameron that she already knew Dex worked for Sonny, since she’d seen them a couple of times. She was at Kelly’s with her mom, when she walked outside and saw Dex talking to some guy. She recognized him, and that’s when she realized he was one of the jurors. She asked them what they were doing, and the juror took off. She asked Dex, what’s going on? and he refused to answer; the same way Sonny or any of his guys refuse to answer when you ask them about anything potentially illegal. He asks if she’s saying Sonny bought off the jury, and she says, that’s what it looked like to her. He says, damn. He knows jury tampering is illegal, but if it helps Trina… Josslyn says she knows, but Trina shouldn’t need Sonny’s help. She’s innocent, and the jury has to see that. Her phone dings, and she says, oh my God. They’re about to find out. That was Trina. The jury’s back. He says, let’s go, and they leave as Dex watches.

Portia tells Oz, think, please. What’s the last thing he remembers? The man who found him saved his life. Oz told him that a woman gave him something. He says, that little bitch, and Elizabeth approaches his door, running into Jordan and Curtis. Jordan asks if there’s any change in the patient’s condition, and Elizabeth says, as a matter of fact, he just woke up. He’s stable and… Jordan goes inside, as Portia is saying, who? Who did this to you? Just tell me! Please!

Finn says, plus, they’re worried about Dr. Robinson’s daughter Trina, and Terry says, it’s been hard on everyone. He says, he keeps circling back to something that’s been gnawing at him for a while, and she says, which is? He says, he’s noticed anytime anyone mentions Elizabeth’s parents, she either walks away or changes the subject, or shuts down completely. He knows he’s asked Terry before, but can she think of anything when Elizabeth was growing that might have really upset her? She says she’s racked brain ever since he asked, but nothing comes to mind. Biz clearly didn’t get along with her parents, but at the time, Terry thought she was just being a typical rebellious teen. Finn says, what about her sister? and she says, Biz thought Sarah was a suck-up, always trying to please their parents. She has to admit she didn’t disagree. But there’s a whole chunk of Biz’s life she wasn’t a part of, so if something happened, it could have happened then. There’s a knock at the door, and Elizabeth comes in, saying, good news… She sees Finn, and asks what he’s doing here. He says, talking, and she says, hospital business?… It’s her, isn’t it? They’re talking about her.

Jordan says, step away from the patient, but Portia says, no. He remembers. She knows he does. Just tell them who drugged him. She tried to kill him. Jordan says, let her do her job. Portia wants her to do her job, doesn’t she? Curtis says, Trina needs Portia, and Portia asks, what’s going on? He says, Diane called; the jury is in. Portia says, then it’s too late for Oz’s testimony to help Trina, but he says, it’s not too late until the verdict is read. Call Diane, let her know what’s going on, and see if she can get a continuance. He’ll be outside. He leaves, and Jordan says, she’s Commissioner Ashford. She asks if Oz can tell her what happened to him. If someone attempted to kill him, she needs to know. He says, really? The PCPD cares about him as a citizen? She says, she cares about every victim of crime, and she’ll work to bring his would-be killer to justice. Portia says, just tell them who drugged him. They don’t have time for this. He can save her daughter. He can save her little girl. Please just make the damn statement. He says, here’s his statement. He wants a lawyer.

Trina comes into the courtroom, and Diane asks, where are Curtis and her mom? Are they parking? Trina says, they’ll be here shortly. They were at the hospital, and she left to go home and chance. Diane says, good thinking. How is she feeling? Trina says she’s shaking inside, but Diane says, look at me. Even if the jury finds against her, this is not over. They will appeal. Trina says, but she’ll have to go to prison in the meantime, right? Spencer comes in, and says, she’s not going to prison, and she asks what he’s doing here. He says, trying to make sure he was there when the verdict came in, and she says, translation: he bribed someone. He asks her to give him a break on this one. He had to be here. He just wishes he could have done more. She asks why he admitted he left Spring Ridge, and he says he had to. He couldn’t let them think she made that video. She says, that was a risk. The ADA shut it down anyway. And when did he think she was innocent? Taggert walks in, and tells Spencer to get away from his daughter, but Spencer says he was just going to tell Trina… Taggert says, now, and Spencer walks away. Taggert hugs Trina, and says he’s here. He loves her. Where’s her mom? Diane’s phone rings, and she asks where Curtis and Portia are… What? Josslyn arrives, and hugs Trina, who says she’s so glad Josslyn is here. Josslyn says, her too. Cameron wishes he could be here too, but Aiden got stranded somewhere. Elizabeth’s not home, so Cameron had to go get him. He’s sending his best wishes. Trina says, that’s okay; she’s taking all she can get right now. She’s really scared. Josslyn tells her to focus on her breath. No matter what happens, keep breathing, and everything will be fine. The bailiff says, all rise.

Nikolas makes a drink, when Victor comes back in, saying, Spencer took off in a hurry… Isn’t it a little early even for Nikolas? Nikolas says, since his son’s about to be dragged into that hellhole of a prison, he doesn’t give a damn, and Victor says, Sonny Corinthos isn’t the only one with connections at Pentenville. Spencer will be well looked after. Nikolas says, too bad he can’t get reward points, and Victor says, Spencer’s being a lot more mature about this than Nikolas is. Nikolas says, because he’s too naïve to recognize the fact Victor is putting his own self-interests over Spencer’s well-being. Victor says, like Nikolas did when he had sex with Spencer’s girlfriend? Nikolas positively turned green after Spencer asked him to find Esme. Why is that? Nikolas says he’d be happy to never see Esme again, and Victor asks if that’s likely. Nikolas is hiding something. They both know it, so fess up and tell him. Where is the charming Esme Prince?

The judge comes in, and says, you may be seated, and Diane says, before the jury is brought back in, there’s new evidence that’s just been brought to her attention. It’s pertinent to her case, and will prove her client’s innocence. ADA Arden objects, and says, defense counsel has already rested her case. The jury is literally waiting to render their verdict. The time for presenting new evidence has passed. Diane says, this trial isn’t meant to demonstrate how it can stick to some procedural timeline; it is meant to determine the innocence of the defendant. She’s literally just been told that one of her witnesses, Oz Haggerty, who has been comatose, has regained consciousness, and is ready to answer questions. Arden says, her objection still stands. This trial is over. Diane says, procedurally, it’s not; basic law 101. The verdict has not been rendered; the court has not concluded in this matter. Judge Young says he’d agree if evidence that was heretofore not available to the defense is now available. The jury could hear new evidence, if he deems it pertinent.

Elizabeth says she came to share the good news that the patient who might be a witness in Trina’s trial is waking up. Instead, she found the two of them talking about her behind her back. Finn says he’s not talking behind her back. He’d be happy to talk with her in the room. He’s worried about her, and he’s guilty of expressing those concerns to her best friend. Elizabeth says, Terry is her friend, but also their boss. How would he feel if she expressed her concern for him to his boss? She’s told him a hundred times, she’s fine. He says, then why is she getting defensive? and she says, because he’s second guessing her. Clearly, he’s decided something is wrong with her, and nothing she does or says will change his mind. Terry says, they don’t want anything to be wrong with her, but if there is something going on… Elizabeth says, that’s just it. Stop acting like they know what’s better for her more than she does. Finn says, that’s what friends do. They just want to help her get to the bottom of what’s still happening. Elizabeth says, nothing is happening with her. It’s over. He says, her vertigo on the stairwell says otherwise, and Terry says, Finn told her that Elizabeth was having a panic attack. Elizabeth says, maybe she’s averse to stairwells, and looks at Finn, adding, maybe she has reason to be. He says, whatever it is, does she think it’s best to ignore it? and she says she just wants to move on. He says, the way she moved on from her parents?

Nickolas tells Victor, he assumes Esme left town; all her things are gone. Victor says, and none of the staff saw her leave? and Nikolas says, nope. Victor says, since Ava moved out, he’s assuming telling her about Esme didn’t go down well, and Nikolas says he didn’t tell Ava. He got to the courthouse in time to stop Esme from telling her. Victor says, then why is Ava not here? and Nikolas says, when he got to the courthouse, he found Ava and Esme together. He was rattled, so he didn’t cover well. Ava assumed he was taking Esme’s side, which she’s accused him of doing before. Victor says, with good reason by the looks of it, and Nikolas says, Ava will be back. She just needs time. Victor asks, why did Esme take off like that? Why so suddenly, without a trace? Nikolas says, it happened after Spencer’s testimony at the trial. Esme realized he was on to her, and he suspects she ran because she was guilty, and afraid of being found out. Victor says, too bad she didn’t take off before she testified. That would have avoided the misunderstand between Nikolas and Ava, and his secret would have been safe forever. Well, Spencer seems keen on him helping find Esme. He’d better get on it. Nikolas says, he can’t find Esme, and he knows good and well why.

Arden challenges the relevancy of the defense’s so-called key witness, when Dex walks in. Diane says, it was one of Arden’s own witnesses, Officer Rory Cabrera, who brought up Oz Haggerty, making her witness relevant. Oz Haggerty would have been subpoenaed, and called to testify, but he’s been in a medially induced coma. Arden says, if Mr. Haggerty has been in a coma, he hasn’t been deposed; he hasn’t given a statement. How does defense counsel know his testimony will be relevant? The judge asks if Diane has questioned Mr. Haggerty directly, and Diane says, huh? (Ha-ha-ha! her face) He’s been in a coma. She hasn’t had a chance to question him. Judge Young asks what testimony does Diane hope to present that will have a significant impact on this case, and Diane says, they know Oz Haggerty was the one who sold the phone used in the commission of this crime, and he can tie it to whoever he sold it to – not her client, but Esme Prince. The judge says, and she’s certain his testimony will support her assertion? and she says, he just woke up an hour ago. She hasn’t been able to take his statement, but if they take a brief adjournment, she will be able to take his statement. Judge Young says, so that’s a no. She doesn’t know if he’ll be able to provide a relevant statement. Diane says she has every reason to believe… and Arden says, the defense is grasping at straws, wasting the court’s time, and dragging out a case that’s practically settled. The judge asks Diane if Oz is medically cleared to be questioned, and Diane says she can find out. If they just have a brief recess… Judge Young says, Arden’s objections are sustained. The defense can’t say with any kind of certainty, that this witness’s testimony will exonerate the defendant, or even if the witness will cooperate. He’s sorry, but the court won’t delay on a Hail Mary pass by the defense. Bring in the jury. Everyone looks either stunned or annoyed, and Josslyn shakes her head. I say, I give up. If Rory hadn’t mentioned Oz, I could see it, but he did, and told the court why he was relevant.

Elizabeth tells Finn, her parents haven’t been part of her life for a long time. He also knows he chooses not to talk about him. He says, he’s aware, and she says, then why can’t he respect that? He says he meant no disrespect, but it keeps coming up. Even Jake was afraid to tell her that her parents contacted him. She says, no. Leave Jake out of this. And no more irrelevant questions about her family. She’s serious. If he brings it up again, they’re done. She can’t be with someone who doesn’t respect her boundaries. He says, understood, and she says she has work to do. She leaves, and Terry says, that was definitive. If this has anything to do with the past and Biz’s family, she has little to no hope about her opening up about it. So what do they do now? He says, talk to someone else.

Nikolas tells Victor, Esme didn’t leave of her own volition. He paid her off. Victor says, and she accepted? He finds it hard to believe she’d be so agreeable. Nikolas says he told her that he’d make it worth her while. If she left town and never came back, he’d throw in a yearly bonus. Victor says, that’s generous of him, and Nikolas says he wants to make sure Ava and Spencer never find out the mistake he made by sleeping with Esme. Everyone is better off with her gone. Victor says, except Trina Robinson. Spencer was convinced Esme was behind everything; so desperate to help Trina, he put himself at risk. He’d hate to see Spencer’s sacrifice be in vain. He has to find this troublemaker, and soon. He starts to leave, but Nikolas grabs his arm, saying, she’s gone. Let her go. Victor says he’s sure with his resources, it won’t be that hard. When was the last time Nikolas saw Esme? It was the day she and Spencer testified in court. Nikolas says, Victor can’t find her. He’ll never find her. Victor asks, why is that? and Nikolas says, because she’s dead.

Portia tells Curtis, this is taking forever, when Rory comes by and says, she’s not at the courthouse yet? He just dropped Trina off; the jury is in. Curtis says, they were hoping to find something here that could help the case, and Portia asks how Trina is doing. Is she scared? Rory says, she’s pretty nervous about it, which is to be expected. Curtis says, there may be some good news coming. Oz Haggerty just regained consciousness. Rory asks if the Commissioner knows, and Curtis says, she’s in there with him now. Rory excuses himself, and jets. Portia says, she shouldn’t have pushed Oz so hard; she made him clam up. Now her baby is alone… She’s wasting her time being here. He says, don’t do that. If it wasn’t for her, he wouldn’t be awake at all, or talking. She says she needs to go. She’s got to be with Trina. And Oz won’t do anyone any good if he won’t come forward and admit Esme is the one who bought the phone from him, and she tried to kill him. And what if the jury finds Trina guilty, and she’s not there? She won’t be able to hold her one more time. She wants to tell Trina that she loves her. He takes her hands, and says, don’t worry. He’ll get her to the courthouse. They’ll leave right now. As they head for the elevator, Jordan comes by. Portia asks, what happened? and Curtis asks if Oz is willing to talk.

The jury comes into the courtroom, and Josslyn looks at Dex, who looks at the foreman. Judge Young asks the foreman, in the matter of The State versus Trina Robinson, has the jury reached a verdict?

Tomorrow, Victor says, if Nikolas doesn’t tell him, he’ll go to the police himself; Olivia tells Carly, there’s a situation; Robert stops the reading of the verdict; and Terry tells Willow that her biopsy is back.

Below Deck Mediterranean

Grand Harbour Marina, Malta. Tasha says, the cabin swap is happening, and Dave moves in with Jason. Kyle tells Storm that he doesn’t have a choice. In Tasha’s interview, she says, it’s kind of like a walk of shame. The whole time she’s been trying to hide this secret so as not to disrupt the crew, and cause drama, and essentially it’s just messy now. In Dave’s interview, he says, he feels like it’s over now. He feels bad about what he did, and he’s disappointed in himself. It’s a sh*t feeling. Tasha gets in Kyle’s bunk, and says, she has to move on. She has to prove it to herself and everyone else, regardless of what’s happened. Kyle tells her that no matter what, he’s there for her, and they hug. Captain Sandy calls Storm, Dave, and Tasha for a preference sheet meeting. Tasha tells Dave that she’s not letting this affect her; no weird vibes. The captain says, it’s charter three, and primary is Kristina, who’s in real estate. She wants a joint 50^th birthday party with her cousin Dina. They prefer their cake to be delivered by a shirtless deckhand. Storm says, 100% Mzi, and Captain Sandy says, on their final night, they want a Studio 54 party with glitter décor. They want to spend as much time with the water toys as possible, and Storm says, it will be adventure land for them. In his interview, he says, he’s never been a bosun before, but the captain feels she can trust him with this provisional title. He’s excited, but it’s nerve-wracking. He’s going to give it 250% from the moment he wakes up until he goes to sleep. Dave suggests a sponge cake, but Tasha says, they both like vanilla cake. In Captain Sandy’s interview, she says, she’s had two couples in her crews who turned out in a good way, and the other 20, not so much. Dave and Natasha are demonstrating professionalism, and she thinks they can do this. She tells them all to get a good night’s sleep.

Tasha texts her ex-boyfriend, asking to talk, while Kyle sneaks up on Natalya in the laundry. She tells him, Kyle, it’s a hot iron, and in the crew mess, Jason asks if she just said, Kyle was Hawaiian. Storm asks if Natalya wants to cuddle, and in her interview, she says, she’s never had good experiences with boyfriends. She and Storm are a little romantic, and she’s happy. He tells her that he’s a little nervous. He has a big day tomorrow, and she says, she thought he said something else. They laugh at their naughtiness. Dave finishes moving in with Jason, and in Jason’s interview, he says he feels for Dave, but he might feel differently if he knew the whole story. They had a rocky start, but they’re cool. But now that they’re roommates: mind your business, stay clean, don’t use Axe deodorizer in the f***ing room (which I totally agree with). He says, it turns out he’s a little OCD. Tasha meets with Natalya to go over the schedule. She says, champagne is the welcome drink, then they’ll set up for lunch. Natalya suggests a nautical thing, and Tasha tells her, get the sailor hats out. Natalya tells Kyle, the new girl better look like trash, and he says he’s going to tell her that Storm is single, available, and looking. He’s going to be that bitch.

Courtney (from a previous season) arrives, and tells Captain Sandy, she’s excited to be back, but nervous to be on deck. In her interview, Courtney says she was of two minds last season, being promoted to second stew. We flash back to that, and she says, she feels like she was known as the wild and crazy one. Last season was intense. She spent a lot of time inside, and never saw daylight. Afterwards, she went to the Bahamas, and spent the last part of the season as a deckie. She feels deckhand fits her personality better than stew. She’s excited, but nervous, and ready to twerk. She and Mzi hug, and Captain Sandy says she loves Mzi’s face when he sees Courtney. Mzi introduces her to the other deckhands. In Mzi’s interview, he says he’s psyched to have Courtney back. She’ll add something to the team, and some good banter too. She came to Cape Town – we see photos – and they’ve come a long way in terms of their friendship. He’s grown fond of Courtney. A producer asks if he has any lingering feelings, and we flash back to Mzi and Courtney kissing. Mzi laughs, and says, no. Natalya says Courtney is her roomie, and Courtney meets the rest of the interior. Storm asks the deckhands to meet, and says he’s printed out the schedule. In the evenings, they’ll try to help the interior. If you see things lying around, pick them up. It’s the small things that make the biggest difference. In his interview, Storm says he’s an intense person. He was in Sri Lanka in 2019, suffered some serious symptoms while surfing, and found out he has AFib. He had surgery where they stop your heart and restart it, and he was dead for two minutes. Everything he does now is hardcore. Everything he can do, he’s going to overdo. Courtney tells Mzi that she’s nervous. She needs to know how to do the anchor and sh*t. He says, it’s all Gucci. The provisions come in.

Kyle tells Natalya, tonight is the big night with the 50^thbirthday party, and Captain Sandy checks the swells, saying, they’re not good. In her interview, she says, they have a charter boarding today, and at the dock, the wind seems calm. To a lay person, they have no idea how big the swells are when she goes around the corner; they’re massive. That’s no fun for anyone. Unfortunately, she can’t leave the dock. This sucks. She puts her head in her hands, then radios the crew to get ready to greet the guests. In Kyle’s interview, he says, his tooth is killing him because he grinds his teeth at night. This is all he needs. Captain Sandy calls a quick meeting, and introduces Courtney. She tells the crew, it’s too rough out there. They’re staying on the dock, so they have to pull out all the stops. They line up to welcome the guests, and Tasha gives the tour. The captain explains about the swells, and tells them, if the swell dissipates, they’ll get off the dock. The way they’re rocking now would be tenfold out there. So they’re going stay on the dock. The guests are obviously disappointed, and Captain Sandy says she’ll challenge the crew to entertain them. They can also have an adventure off the boat with a nice view. In Tasha’s interview, she says, the best thing to do is feed them alcohol when they’re stuck. Storm tells the deckhands that they’ll give a hand to interior all day, and just ask Tasha what to do. In Dave’s interview, he says he considers himself lucky to still be on board. Growing up, he fought a lot, and his whole life has been about changing. He moved from the UK to the Alps during ski season, where he met nicer people. He wants to keep the feeling of gratitude with him, work harder, and support everyone on board. The guests go up on deck and take photos. Jason offers Dave help, and in Jason’s interview, he says he feels for Dave. He has to be a full-time chef for clients who are expecting the best, then throw in the emotion of Dave and Tasha. He can’t even fathom how difficult it must be. He’d jump off the goddam boat. Cortney helps Natalya unpack the guests’ suitcases, and in Courtney’s interview, she says, interior and the deck always help each other, but she came on as a deckhand and went straight back to the cabins. It does make her appreciate the fact she’s on deck; thank God she’s not doing this full-time. Tasha makes cocktails, and Natalya gives Courtney the lowdown on Tasha and Dave. She also tells Courtney about Storm, and Courtney asks if they’ve banged. Natalya says, not yet. Kyle asks how comfortable the guests are with semi-nude men, and they say, extremely. During lunch, they can be fully nude. Captain Sandy checks the waves again, and makes a face. Dave tells Jason that he’s not familiar with Maltese food, which is on the guests’ preference sheet. He’s throwing some local fish in, and going from there. In Dave’s interview, he says, he’s never made Maltese food. It’s a complete brain-block for him, so he picked some things he can manipulate and change, and they’ll see how it goes. The guests are seated for lunch.

Tasha suggests a golf cart tour to the guests, then goes over the evening’s decorations with Natalya. Local fish meagre is a big hit with the guests, and Storm tells Jason that he’s going with Courtney and Mzi on the golf cart tour. Tasha texts with her ex-boyfriend, and Kyle says he’s getting pissed off because he’s not getting any help. Tasha tells her boyfriend that she doesn’t know what to do. He says he wants to speak to her on the phone. In Kyle’s interview, he says, Tash is distracted by who-knows-what, he’s in pain, and there’s no one helping on service. Natalya says she has to do laundry, and Kyle says, this is getting out of control. Storm tells the guests that they’re going on a city trip later, and should stop and have drinks. Tasha calls about the tour, and gets a tour guide. Storm tells Captain Sandy that the guests will be able to get off the boat, and she says, awesome sauce. Kyle tells Natalya that he’s feeling disoriented, and doesn’t want to f*** up service. He asks to be on housekeeping tonight, and she says, 100%. The guests leave, and Natalya and Tasha get the stuff out for the birthday party. On land, tour guide Chris gets everyone situated in carts. In Mzi’s interview, he says he’s familiar with golf carts. He’s been playing golf since he was seven. This takes him back. Golf requires a lot of practice, and he’s hoping by the end of the season, he can handle a tender like a golf cart. Captain Sandy is impressed with Storm’s schedule, and Tasha and Natalya find sparkly dresses for the party. Chris gives the tour, and says, the walls around the city were built in 1400. The captain calls Storm to the bridge, and tells him, the weather is going to get better, and at 7 am, they’re throwing lines. Chris shows the guests a view of Valletta, the capital of Malta, the smallest capital in Europe.

Tasha cries on the phone to her ex, saying there was no excuse for her cheating with the chef, which sounds like some kind of porn film plot. She says she’s a liar and a cheat, and can’t live with this. She loves him to pieces, and she’s struggling. She doesn’t deserve him. In her interview, she says, her ex told her to stop beating herself up. He thinks they can make it work, and forgives her. Why isn’t she fighting for this? She doesn’t know the right thing to do. She tells him that she loves him.

Tasha tells Kyle to go to bed, and Storm tells Natalya she looks sexy in the sparkly dress. In Natalya’s interview, she says she loves a theme party; it’s her specialty, and she loves to micromanage. She lives for the guests’ reactions, and loves to see them blown away. Tasha tells Kyle that after everything, her ex loves and supports her. He wants to sort things out. Kyle asks how she feels about her ex, and she says, he’s like a straight version of Kyle. She’s never met anyone who makes her laugh as much. In Tasha’s interview, she says, going through this situation with Dave was awful, but it made her realize that she still loves her ex. They’re very similar, and love to party. She can be happy and be herself with him. She never wanted to hurt him, and let things get out of control. The guests return, and Mzi says he has to prep himself for another wild dance. Storm asks Mzi if he has any tips, and Kyle tries rinsing his mouth with something, but he’s still in pain. Tasha tells Natalya, they’re a man down, so she’ll have to do housekeeping. Natalya says she’s over this, and in Tasha’s interview, she says, Natalya’s not happy, but since Courtney doesn’t know the boat, it’s easier to have her on service where she can guide her. Natalya can do the housekeeping fast, and Tasha is the Chief Stew. She’s running this operation, and Natalya needs to listen. The guests get ready for dinner, and Natalya tells Kyle that she can’t deal with this. She set up a whole extravaganza, now do she has to do housekeeping because Courtney doesn’t know where the stuff is. It’s called a cleaning caddy. It’s absolute bullsh*t. She’s forgetting that Courtney is also a deckhand regardless. I doubt she’d expect another deckhand to do housekeeping.

Kyle says Natalya should do service because she’s a loud outspoken bitch, and in his interview, he says, it’s sh*tty for her to have set everything up, gone all out, and then be put on housekeeping. Now she can’t see how the guests are enjoying her decorations. On one hand, he’s glad she can confide in him, but on the other, he’s in pain and wants to sleep. She tells him goodnight, and Courtney changes into a sparkly dress, while Natalya shimmies out of hers. In Dave’s interview, he says, everything that happened with him and Natasha was so difficult, he’s lucky he has the galley. His mindset has changed, and all he can think about is, get the job done. The guests are thrilled with the casino themed décor (primary Kristina is from Las Vegas), and Kristina says, Happy 32^nd – forever. Courtney says, this dress is her worst nightmare, and in her interview, she says she doesn’t really want to be in a glittery pink sparkly dress her first night. Tasha invites the guests up to dinner, as Natalya scrubs a floor, and says, if this isn’t a representation of her day, she doesn’t know what else is. The guests are served, and Kristina says she’s in heaven; it’s amazing. The guys get ready to serve dessert and a show, and in his interview, Mzi says he thought his stripping days were done. He gave a decent Magic Mike performance last time. He’s packing a serious dad bod. No one wants to see this. Dave gets shirtless, and brings up the cake. Storm wishes he could have alcohol, and they sing Happy Birthday. Courtney says, they have one more surprise, and Storm and Mzi come out in costume; Mzi wearing some kind of sparkly getup, and Storm in a sort of firefighter outfit. They do lap dances, and everyone cracks up. In Natalya’s interview, she says she’d be more excited to see Storm strip privately in her cabin, not for 20 women. She’s just saying. She tells Storm to come downstairs for the real show, and the guests make plans to get into the hot tub. They say, they’re jaboozin’, whatever that is.

The guests go to bed, and the crew cleans up. Tasha texts her ex that she loves him.

2^nd Day of Charter. Captain Sandy checks the screen, and tells Storm that the weather is cooperating. She needs location and distances. He calls the deckhands to tell them what’s happening, and Natalya sets the table for breakfast. Storm gives the deckhands instructions, and the captain says, ready to depart; bring all lines in. In Courtney’s interview, she says she’s happy to be back as a deckhand. She’s glad the lines are smaller. You know what it’s like to learn with something harder or bigger… She laughs, covering her face. Storm radios, five meters, but Captain Sandy says he’s not coming though. He has to press the mic, then talk. He says, six meters, but she still can’t hear him, and they’re headed for a dolphin. She says, he’s still not coming through, he says, one meter, and they hit. I think we can assume the captain won’t be happy about this.

Next time, Tasha says, Dave is going to be upset that she’s getting back together with her ex; Kyle says, something is definitely wrong, and Captain Sandy insists he get help; and the captain can’t get the stabilizers on, causing everything to literally go sideways.

📱 Exiting the Chat…

Stop in tomorrow for soap, tea, and a musical interlude. Until then, stay safe, stay being responsible for taking care of something, even if it’s just a plant, and stay picking things up if you see them lying around. It’s the small things that make the biggest difference.

Aug13

August 12, 2022 – Jordan Shows Compassion, Dominique, New Gig, Reprise, Confused, a Break-Up, NYC Revealed, Dead Talk, Exactly 12 Quotes & Runnin’

Posted on August 13, 2022 by theresakp

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Portia says she’s going to inject Oz Haggerty with the reversal agents, and Curtis says, what if something goes wrong? and She says she knows there’s a risk of him waking up too fast too soon, but it’s her only option. She has to go through with this. He says he’s not talking about the risk to Haggerty; he’s talking about the risk to the woman he loves.

Dante leads Cody into the station, and says, next time, maybe he’ll think before he sucker punches somebody. And don’t pick a lawyer like Scotty; he sues people. Cody says, the only thing he regrets is only landing one punch. They go into the interrogation room, and Cody asks if they can ditch these cuffs. How about doing his old buddy a favor and letting him go free? Dante says he is doing Cody a favor by talking to him like this, because next time, it could be through the bars of a cell.

At Charlie’s, Britt examines Scotty’s nose, and tells him, it’s not broken, and he’s lucky it’s not. He says he didn’t deserve to get sucker punched by her boyfriend, and she says, Cody is not her boyfriend, and from what she heard, he had a score to settle with Scotty. Scotty says, he’s never seen that guy before in his life, until Cody punched him. And this whole Dominique, this cockamamie story. If Dominique had another kid out there before Serena, she would have told him. Obrecht asks if he’s sure, and he says he is, because they shared everything. Obrecht says, perhaps he didn’t know her as well as he thought.

Rory tells Jordan, no need to stick around. He’s got it from here. She says she wants to believe that, but he hasn’t answered her question. Can he put his badge above his feelings for Trina Robinson? He says, it’s because he cares about Trina that she can trust him.

Trina asks TJ to please tell her that bartender is coming out of his coma. Her attorney thinks the jury is close to reaching a verdict. Oz Haggerty is the only one who can prove her innocence. He says, Oz Haggerty’s medical team is bringing him out of his medically induced coma, but unfortunately, it’s a painstakingly slow medical process. He still has a long way to go before he regains consciousness. She says, which means the jury is going to reach their verdict without knowing Esme is the one who bought the black market cellphone. He says he’s sorry to be the bearer of bad news, and she says, the closer they get to the verdict, the harder it is to stay optimistic.

Portia tells Curtis, the only thing that matters is that Haggerty wakes up in time to tell the truth before that jury comes back with a verdict. Curtis says, is it vitally important that Oz wakes up? Hell yeah, but it’s not the only thing that matters. Even if she talks her way into that room, she won’t make it out if her attempts to wake him up go sideways. She says she already told him, she’s willing to take that risk, but he says, give herself a cover. Be smart about it. Don’t go charging in there asking to incriminate herself. She says, if anyone goes to prison, it’s better her than her daughter, but he says he won’t trade Trina’s freedom for hers.

Dante says, he and Cody have always been honest with each other, right? and Cody says, more or less. Dante says, so why doesn’t Cody be honest with him right now? How long has he been hunting down Scott Baldwin? Is that why he stuck around town? Cody swears he didn’t come to Port Charles for anything other than a paycheck. The surprise bonus was running into Dante. Dante says, Cody had to know he’d run into Scotty sooner or later, right? and Cody says, if he came to town to find Scotty, doesn’t Dante think he would have made it happen sooner? He didn’t even know who Scotty was until a couple of months ago, and believe him, when he found out who Scotty was, and what Scotty did to him, he didn’t want anything to do with that piece of trash. Today, when Scotty was standing right in front of him with that smug grin on his face, he just kept thinking about everything he’d heard, and how Scotty had taken everything that was rightfully his, and he just got so mad… He’s sorry. He couldn’t stop himself. Dante asks how Cody got to this point in his life and not know Scotty stole something from him, and Cody says he didn’t know about Scotty, because he didn’t even know Dominique was his mom. Dante asks how he found that out, and Cody says, he heard it from a dead woman.

Scotty says, he and Dominique had no secrets. If she had a son out there, Scotty would have found him, and had him live with them. Scotty would never turn his back on him. Obrecht says she knows he wants to believe in Dominique, but if they shared everything, why would she go to her grave without telling him about Cody? What would have motivated her to stay silent? Britt says, people stay silent for lots of reasons. Sometimes it’s because they don’t trust people, sometimes it’s because they’re so afraid of what they’ve kept inside, they can’t face it. Obrecht says, and sometimes we’re brave and don’t even know it. Maybe it wasn’t so much that Dominique was keeping a secret from Scotty. What if she was trying to protect him? Scotty says, maybe she was trying to protect herself.

Jordan tells Rory that she cares about Trina too, but as they were taught at the Academy, the badge comes first. He says he knows he’s just a rookie, but does it have to be either or? Can’t a police officer be true to the badge and still have compassion? Yeah, he wants Trina to be found not guilty, and the best way for that to happen is for the man inside this room to wake up, and testify that Esme Prince bought that black market cellphone, and that Trina wasn’t involved. She says, the problem is, Miss Prince is no longer living at Windymere, and they’re having trouble finding her. He says he wants to help with that too, but first, she can trust him that no one, not Esme Prince or anyone else not on the list, will enter this room and interfere with the recovery of Oz Haggerty.

Trina tells TJ, she’s usually a glass half-full kind of person, but she’s not that sure the truth is going to come out in time to vindicate her. And if Diane’s right, time’s almost up. She sits, and TJ sits next to her. He says he wants her to keep reminding herself how many people are on her side. Her mom and Curtis are doing everything they can. Joss and Cam, the victims, both testified on her behalf. That’s got to mean something to the jury. She says, but Joss and Cam don’t have any hard proof that she’s innocent. The only one who can exonerate her is that bartender Oz. She knows he’s not in a natural coma; he’s medically induced. Can’t they get him out of it faster? TJ flashes back to telling Portia that he plans on administering drugs to wake Oz up, and Portia saying, Oz was put into a coma for a reason. To forcibly wake him up would be completely denying his medical needs, and that’s the very definition of unethical. He tells Trina, even if there were such a way… She says, wait. If it was impossible, he’d have said so, but he didn’t. He just talked around it, and made it a hypothetical. Does that mean he can force Oz to wake up?

Portia asks Curtis, where was all this concern when TJ was the one who was going to revive Oz? He was willing to risk his entire career, his freedom, to inject the reversal agents. Curtis says, they were desperate. Besides, TJ stood a better chance of getting in and out of Oz’s room without suspicion. He can’t say the same about her, considering she’s Trina’s mother. She asks if he’s telling her she should give up. She should trust twelve total strangers in that jury room? He says, hell no; he’s not saying that. He’s saying they’re a team, and should share the same risks and the same consequences, which means they should stick to the original plan. While he distracts Rory, she slips into Oz’s room, and gives him that injection. She says, and if it fails? All three of them end up in Pentenville? He says, at least they’ll be together. He takes her hand, and asks what she says. She says, let’s do it.

Cody tells Dante, life could have been different. He grew up in the shadows of Serenity. It was originally owned by the Stanton family. The Bells, who he thought were his real parents, lived in the caretaker’s cottage. That’s where he learned to ride horses. It’s also where he learned he’d never amount to more in life than being a cook’s son. The love of horses came naturally to him; no other lesson ever stuck. He grew up hearing these stories about the house on the hill, where the beautiful Dominique and her shady husband Leopold Taub used to live. Dante says, it’s an interesting story, but how does Scotty fit in?

Scotty says, Dominique’s marriage to Leopold Taub wasn’t a love match. He was a social climber. The Stantons represented everything he wasn’t. Britt says, Leopold Taub. Why does that name sound familiar? Obrecht says, Leopold Taub and Cesar had certain… dealings, and Britt says, her father and Cody’s father.

Cody says, he knew Leopold was a bad man because he was cruel to the horses. Apparently, he was also cruel to his wife. It was just a story, until… Dante says, until what? and Cody says, a few months ago, he got that call you never want to get. His mom – or the woman he thought was his mom – was dying. So he dropped everything and went home to say goodbye. Dante says he’s sorry, and Cody says, thanks. He was out of a job, so it was easy to drop everything. He came home to that sad little caretaker cottage, and he was right beside her when she took her last breath. Dante says, again, he’s sorry, but at least Cody got to say goodbye. Cody says, before he did, she took his hand and told him that she couldn’t die before she told him the truth. She didn’t give birth to him. His birth mother was the beautiful, very wealthy Dominique Stanton.

Jordan looks through the window at Oz, and says, there’s no sign of him waking, is there? Rory says, not since he’s been there, and she says, part of her wants to walk in there and grab him by the shoulders, and tell him to snap out of it. He says, Trina matters to her too, right? and she says, Trina matters to a whole lot of people in this town. They know who she is, and who she isn’t, but the evidence… Rory says, Esme Prince manufactured the evidence to point to Trina, and she says, unfortunately, they can’t prove that. He says, no, but Oz can. If anything happens, Jordan will be the first to know. She thanks him, and leaves. He looks at Oz.

Trina asks TJ, if they can speed up the process and bring Oz out of his coma, why haven’t they tried? He says, because it can backfire. It can make the coma permanent or worse. She says, he means it might kill Oz, and he says, there’s always a chance. Even if the reversal agents were to work, there’s no way to guarantee Oz would wake up with his faculties and memories intact. She says, okay, so no injection. The doctors stick to whatever protocol they’re using now. How long will it take for Oz to wake up? He says, it could be days, or weeks, and she says she doesn’t have that long. He says he knows. They’re just doctors. They took an oath to do no harm. He was so determined to help her that, for a moment, he almost forgot that. Curtis and Portia come down the hall, looking guilty, and Portia asks what Trina is doing here. Curtis says, let him guess. Diane got ahold of her. Trina says, Diane messaged her that jury is close to reaching a verdict. She guesses that means she might not be coming home for dinner tonight. Portia hugs her, and TJ says he’ll let them have some family time alone. He leaves, and Portia says, Trina shouldn’t be here. She should go home and spend some time with her friends. Trina say, it’s not their fault. They’re trying to cheer her up, but she doesn’t feel like pretending it’s all going to be okay. Portia says, Trina has to have faith. Believe it or not, miracles still do happen. Trina says, Portia doesn’t have to pretend with her either. TJ told her that she stopped him from taking extreme measures to wake up Oz. Portia looks at Curtis, and it’s not lost on Trina. Trina says, don’t get her wrong, she understands. Portia didn’t want TJ risking a patient’s life or his career doing something unethical. She’s glad Portia stepped up and told him to do the right thing. Portia says, there’s nothing she wouldn’t do for Trina, absolutely nothing, and Curtis says, he hates to break up this moment, but didn’t Portia have a patient she’s worried about? Why doesn’t he stay with Trina, and she can go do what she’s got to do. She asks if he’s sure, and he says, go; they’ll be right here. She tells Trina to take care of herself, and leaves.

Cody tells Dante, that deathbed confession turned his world upside down. Even his last name wasn’t right; he wasn’t a Bell. He was a wealthy Stanton who was supposed to grow up in that house on that hill. Dante says he can kind of relate. What he got to Port Charles, he didn’t know Sonny was his father. He was undercover in Sonny’s operation, trying to take him down from the inside, and he found out Sonny was his dad after Sonny shot him. Cody says, Dante’s story beats his, and Dante says he’s not trying to one-up Cody. He’s just saying he can relate. To find out as an adult you’re not who you thought you were messes with your head. Cody says he never knew if Dominique thought about him or wanted to provide for him. After she died, Serenity was sold off, and the proceeds went to the love of her life, the father of her daughter Serena. Dante says, enter Scott Baldwin, and Cody says, does Dante want to ask him again why he punched that smug son of a gun? He stole everything Cody didn’t even know he had. Dante says, and Scotty swears he didn’t know about Cody? Cody says, yeah, but he also claims Dominique was the love of his life. If they were so close, why didn’t she ever tell him about her first born child? Dante asks if Cody is mad at Scotty, or mad at his mother for what she did to him?

Scotty ices his nose, and says, if Dominique was trying to keep her son away from Leopold, it makes sense she would give him to the Bells to raise. Obrecht says, kind of like Maxie trusting Brook with Bailey to keep her safe from Peter. Britt says, but the one big difference is, Maxie’s situation was temporary, where it sounds like Dominique’s situation was never-ending. Obrecht says, that would explain why Cody never knew who he was; Dominique kept silent to the end. Britt says, it all fits together, doesn’t it? Unless the pieces fit a little too well. Scotty asks what she’s driving at, and Britt says she hasn’t known Cody long, but from the first time she met him, he was always working some angle. So what if that’s what this is, and none of the story is true?

Curtis hands a bag from the vending machine to Trina, but she says she’s not hungry. He says, humor him. She’s got to keep up her strength because she doesn’t want to lose hope. Remember what her mom said about miracles. She takes the bag from him, and says she wants to have faith, but she doesn’t want to fool herself. Things aren’t going her way, and TJ said, even if Oz comes out of his coma, they don’t know if his memories will still be intact. He could have totally forgotten he was selling that black market phone to Esme, and even if he does, it could take weeks or months, and by then, the jury will already have decided, and she could be in Pentenville. He says he can’t promise how this is going to turn out, but he can promise that everyone who cares about her is doing everything they can to prove her innocence. She puts her head on his shoulder, and he puts his arm around her.

TJ looks at his tablet, and Jordan asks what he’s studying so intently. He says, Oz Haggerty’s chart. He’s looking for any glimmer of hope that his awakening is speeding up. She says she knows how badly he wants to help Trina; so does she, but they can’t force things. He says, that’s the thing. Just like he told Portia and Curtis, there’s a way to force Oz into consciousness.

Rory asks if Portia has heard from Trina; how is she? Portia says, she’s waiting, like the rest of us, for the patient in that room to wake up. Actually, that’s why she stopped by. She was just going to check on Oz, and see how he’s progressing herself. He says he’s sorry, but he can’t let her in, and she tells him that she’s a doctor. He says he knows it’s unusual to stop a doctor from seeing a patient, but unfortunately, her name isn’t on the approved list, and he can’t let her inside. She says, good for him, going by the book. She’s not on the list because she’s not the attending on the case and not a consultant on the case. Did he think she wanted to go in there to treat the patient? She just wanted to take a look at him with her own two eyes. Obviously, she has a vested interest in seeing everything is done to restore Mr. Haggerty to full consciousness. And he wants the same thing, doesn’t he? He says, of course (🍷). That’s why he’s grateful Commissioner Ashford assigned him this post. He promises her, nobody will interfere with the recovery of Haggerty. And when he comes out of this coma, he can ID Esme as being the one who bought the black market phone. Rory thinks that will be enough to convince the jury that Trina’s not guilty. She says, of course (🍷), but by then Trina could be in Pentenville for weeks, if not months. Can’t he… She goes to the window, and he says he doesn’t understand. Can’t he what? Is she sure he can’t help her? She says, yes, she’s sure, and walks away.

Cody tells Dante, maybe it’s easier to blame Scotty than his mother, but put himself in Cody’s shoes. Dante says, that’s what he’s trying to do. Telling Cody about Sonny, and discovering Sonny was his father. It’s not the same thing, but it still threw him for a loop. His whole career is crime fighting, and Sonny’s is the exact opposite. He’s sympathetic to Cody’s situation. Cody says, his whole life, no matter how far he’s traveled, no matter how hard he’s tried to fit in, he never felt like he belonged. And now, he finds out the home and life he was supposed to have has been sold off, and the proceeds go to Scotty and his daughter, who Cody’s mother obviously loved more than him.

Obrecht says, what if Cody made up the whole story just to get money out of Scotty? and Scotty says, there’s no money to get. Everything Dominique had, she left to Serena, and Serena spent all that money saving the whales. Britt says, if he wants her to arrange a DNA test to see if Cody is Dominique’s son, she can make that happen, but Scotty says, that’s not necessary, because he saw it in Cody’s eyes; the same thing he sees in Serena’s eyes, Dominque’s eyes. Obrecht says, that’s all the proof Scotty has? He says, it’s not just the eyes; it’s the hunger Cody has. Obrecht says, a hunger for his lost money, and Scotty says he’s not just talking about that. The hunger Cody has for the meaning in his life. He thinks Britt knows what he’s talking about, and Britt says she doesn’t think she would have described it quite like that, but now that Scotty has, she’s seen that too. Scotty says, then she knows he’s right, and Obrecht says, very well. If Cody is who he claims to be, what is Scotty supposed to do about it? He says, if she’s the Liesl he thinks she is, he thinks she already knows the answer. The question he has to ask himself is, what would Dominique want him to do? He gets up, kisses the top of Obrecht’s head, and says he’ll see them.

Jordan asks what exactly TJ told Portia and Curtis, and TJ says, that he was so laser focused on helping Trina, he considered using extreme measures to shock Oz’s system, basically to try and force him out of his coma. But don’t worry. Portia wasn’t having any of it, and reminded him that he needed to put the patient first. It’s just too risky of a procedure. She says she’s relieved to hear that, no matter how much it would help Trina. He says he knows the law is the law. He just wishes he was as confident as Jordan that justice will be done.

Trina says she knows what Curtis is thinking. He’s worried that his phone is going to ring, and it’s going to be Diane telling them the jury’s reached a verdict. She’s having the same feeling. Portia comes by, and Trina asks, what happened to her patient? She says, unfortunately, her patient’s condition remains unchanged. Trina is so lucky to have a friend like Rory. He won’t let anyone or anything compromise the witness who can clear her. He’s not letting anybody in that room who’s not on the approved list.

Rory calls Jordan, and she asks if everything is okay. He says he thought she’d like to know, something out of the ordinary happened. She says, what’s that? and he says, Oz Haggerty had a visit from a doctor not on the approved list. She says, which doctor? and he says, Trina’s mom, Dr. Robinson. She asks if Portia said why she was there, and he says, she just wanted to see if Haggerty was any closer to waking up. Being Trina’s mom, he can totally understand that, but she wasn’t on the approved list, so he didn’t let her in. When he arrested Spencer and Cameron, Jordan said he was a bit over-eager, and needed to use better discretion, so he just wanted to check in, and make sure he did the right thing. Jordan assures him, it was the right thing to do

Cody asks, what’s next? and Dante says, he’ll be taken to his cell. If he needs a lawyer, Dante can give him a couple of recommendations. If money’s an issue, he’ll be assigned a public defender. Cody says, really? He pours his heart out about how his world’s been turned upside down, and Dante can’t show his buddy a little bit of compassion? Dante asks what Cody expects him to do. He punched a guy in the face in a public setting in front of a bunch of witnesses, and now the guy’s pressing charges. There’s literally nothing he can do. Cody says, it pays to know people in high places, huh? and Dante says, it usually does. He starts to bring Cody to his cell, when Scotty comes in. Cody asks, how’s the nose? Did he break it? Dante says, it’s not a great idea to antagonize the guy who’s pressing charges against him, and Scotty says, his nose is fine. He can smell a phony baloney a mile away. Cody says, Scotty spends his inheritance, and has the nerve to call him a phony baloney? Take him away. Prison’s a step up from this guy. Scotty says he can also smell the real McCoy, and he thinks Cody is, so he’s dropping the charges.

TJ asks if Jordan is planning on being in the courtroom when the jury reads the verdict, and she says, her presence in the courtroom goes with the job, but this is one time she’d give anything not to be there. She walks away, and sees Trina talking with Portia and Curtis, and listens from around the corner. Trina says she guesses there’s no point in waiting around here. Even if Oz wakes up now, it’s probably too late to change anything. Portia says, it’s never too late, and Curtis tells Portia that he knows what they both want. What if it’s just not possible? She says, nothing’s impossible. Isn’t that what he always tells her? He’s so sweet. She hugs him, and whispers, she’s got to find a way in that room. Please just get Trina out of here. She says she keeps getting all these texts, but Trina says she didn’t hear Portia’s phone. Portia says she keeps her phone on silent at the hospital. Her patient still needs her, and she’ll catch up with the two of them later. She hugs Trina, saying she loves her, and jets. Trina asks if that seemed weird to Curtis. He says, her mom has a lot on her mind right now. She wants to help Trina, but she’s got to focus on her patients. He’s sure that’s all it is. She says, wait. She still thinks that goodbye was strange. Maybe she should talk to her mom before they go. He tells her, she heard what her mom said. She needs to focus on her patients, and tonight she can come home and worry about Trina. Trina says, if the worst happens and she goes to prison, Curtis has to promise he’ll take care of her mother, and he says, first of all, he doesn’t want her thinking that way. Whatever happens, of course (🍷) they’re going to take care of her mother. She just wants a happy and fair ending to Trina’s trial, just like all of them. Come on; let’s go. Trina says, what if Diane calls and she has to go to the courthouse, and she won’t be able to see her mom until she’s behind bars? Curtis says he promises as soon as he gets a phone call from Diane saying the verdict is in, he’ll get her mother to the courthouse, so she can be there to support Trina.

TJ sees Jordan, and says he wishes there was something more they could do for Trina and her family. If only Haggerty would wake up and tell them what he knows.

Britt asks how Obrecht let Scotty leave without her. Isn’t she afraid he’ll do something foolish? Obrecht says she was tempted to stop Scotty, but the truth is, she’s proud of him. Britt says, even if it means doing right by the former love of his life, Dominique? and Obrecht says, maybe if Dominique was still alive, she’d be concerned, but she died years ago. She’s not afraid of Scotty’s past. On the contrary. The fact that he was able to love someone so strongly, so deeply, means he’s capable of loving her even more. Britt says, either that’s a terrific spin on the situation, or Obrecht really does believe in true love. If that’s the case, she envies Obrecht. Obrecht says she never had that faith in the past, but she found it for the first time with Scotty. It may take some time, but it’s out there waiting for Britt; she’s sure of it. Britt says, true love’s not for everyone. She had a shot with Jason, briefly, but he’s gone. And let’s face it, she’s damaged goods. Obrecht laughs and takes Britt’s hands, saying, they’re all damaged in one way or another. She is, and so is Scotty. When you find the right person, you help each other heal.

Scotty asks Dante what the DA’s office said, and Dante tells him, if Scotty’s not pressing charges, there is no case, and they can let Cody go. Cody says, so he’s a free man? and Dante says, as soon as he gets the cuffs off. Scotty says he doesn’t expect Cody to thank him, and Cody says, good, because he’s not getting a thanks. Dante unlocks the cuffs, and Scotty says, Cody can choose to believe him or not, but he didn’t know that Dominique had a son. When they found out she had an inoperable brain tumor, they spent a lot of time together, and she would have told him about Cody, but she didn’t, so she must have had her reasons. Cody says, Scotty can tell himself that at night if it helps him sleep. For him, it’s a whole load of BS. Scotty leaves, and Cody says, does Dante believe that guy? Dante tells him, he hates to say it, but he thinks Scotty is telling the truth.

TJ tells Jordan that he has to get back to his rounds, but he’ll see her later. They hug, and Jordan waits for the elevator. She sees Curtis with Trina, and gets in. She flashes back to what TJ told her about using extreme measures to wake Oz up, and Portia telling him it was too risky. She remembers asking Rory about why Portia wanted to see Oz, and Rory asking if a police officer can’t be true to the badge, but still have compassion. She pulls the emergency alarm in the elevator. Aw. I want to cry. That’s so good of her.

An officer tells Rory, someone must be trapped inside the elevator, and Rory says he’s coming too. No one is around Oz’s room, and Portia – I’m sure not believing her luck – goes inside and closes the door. She closes the blinds and goes over to Oz. She says she knows he can save her daughter. He’s the only one who can. She takes a syringe out of her pocket.

On Monday, Victor says, Nikolas is hiding something, and they both know it; Josslyn tells Cameron, there’s another reason Dex is interested in Trina’s trial; Trina says, the jury has reached a verdict; and Portia asks if Oz can hear her.

☝🏽 BTW, for the past two days, the ABC affiliate here has forgotten their news is on at 4, and broken into GH to tell us nothing that couldn’t wait. Yesterday, I bounced around, piecing it together, since no one source had it in its entirety. Today, I was quick enough to catch it before ABC had a chance to pull for unlicensed content or whatever. My point is, WTF, ABC? If we’re at war, let me know, but it’s unnecessary to have everyone chiming in, including the subject’s kindergarten teacher, about a document. It can wait a half hour.

🤔 Who’s That Woman…?

All about Dominique. I have a vague recollection of the actress, but not much about the storyline.

Dominique on GENERAL HOSPITAL — Everything You Need To Know

Kin Shriner Recalls Scott and Dominique’s Tragic Love Story on GH

👾 Trina Transformed…

Is there anything this girl can’t do? Now she’s balancing school and work. Although she can come to work in fuzzy slippers.

GH Alum Sydney Mikayla Stars in the New Transformers Series!

💪🏼 Kicking It Again…

Another GH alum, but with a new/old gig.

https://www.etonline.com/cobra-kai-sean-kanan-reprises-karate-kid-iii-role-for-season-5-188786

💎 It’s Her Nickname…

I think Kathy is a ditz, but harmless. She also confused Garcelle with Kyle, so there’s that.

https://www.buzzfeed.com/morganmurrell/kathy-hilton-lizzo-precious-comment-backlash

🍹 A Real Shocker…

Finally, Taylor got a clue and moved on. This dude is going to be perpetually 14, but he never made a secret of being a Peter Pan. Kudos to him for that.

https://pagesix.com/2022/08/12/southern-charm-stars-shep-rose-taylor-ann-green-confirm-breakup/

🗽 New New York…

The latest ladies from the Big Apple.

https://tvdeets.com/rhony-cast-revealed-meet-the-four-women-reportedly-signed-on-for-season-14-reboot/

⚰️ Dead Happenings…

Fear’s final season.

https://ew.com/tv/fear-the-walking-dead-showrunners-finale-season-8/

Tales of the Walking Dead premieres this Sunday night. It sounds like it’s up my alley, so I’ll definitely be taking a look.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/tales-of-the-walking-dead-schedule-when-where-to-watch-early-amc-plus/

https://ew.com/tv/tales-of-the-walking-dead-musical-episode/

📻 Quotes of the Week

Our most significant opportunities will be found in times of greatest difficulty. – Thomas S. Monson

We are all ordinary. We are all boring. We are all spectacular. We are all shy. We are all bold. We are all heroes. We are all helpless. It just depends on the day. – Brad Meltzer

Courage – a perfect sensibility of the measure of danger, and a mental willingness to endure it. – William Tecumseh Sherman

The man who insists on seeing with perfect clearness before he decides, never decides. – Henri-Frédéric Amiel

We could never learn to be brave and patient, if there were only joy in the world. – Helen Keller

Being good is easy, what is difficult is being just. – Victor Hugo

My past has not defined me, destroyed me, deterred me, or defeated me; it has only strengthened me. – Steve Maraboli

Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. – Steve Jobs

Every one of us is losing something precious to us. Lost opportunities, lost possibilities, feelings we can never get back again. That’s part of what it means to be alive. – Haruki Murakami

The only real limitation on your abilities is the level of your desires. If you want it badly enough, there are no limits on what you can achieve. – Brian Tracy

I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order. – John Burroughs

If you just go with the flow, no matter what weird things happen along the way, you always end up exactly where you belong. – Tom Upton

🔌 Unplugging…

It’s time to call it a week, and it’s certainly been one. Fighting technical dragons is exhausting. Plug back in with me on Monday for soap and what’s on Deck. Until then, stay safe, stay not being wishy-washy, and stay knowing, sometimes we’re brave and don’t even know it.

Aug12

August 11, 2022 – Portia Has To Wake Oz Now, a Charming Dog Wedding & Who

Posted on August 12, 2022 by theresakp

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Sonny asks if Spencer is going to be a sacrificial lamb, or is he going to sacrifice someone else?

Portia tells Curtis, it’s now or never. Is he ready? He says, is she? They don’t have to do this if she’s having any doubts. She asks if there’s any other way to let the jury know Esme bought that phone from Oz Haggerty, and he says, no, there isn’t. She says, then let’s do this.

Josslyn brings Trina a mango mocktail by the pool, and lies on the chaise next to her, saying, it’s perfect weather today. She hopes it stays like this all summer. Trina says, let’s hope she can enjoy it for more than an hour a day, and Josslyn asks if that’s a prison joke. Trina asks if it was funny, and Josslyn says, this isn’t working, is it? Trina says, don’t get her wrong. She knows she shouldn’t be spending every waking moment thinking about this verdict. She appreciates Josslyn trying to distract her, but… Josslyn says, but she’s failing miserably, and Trina says, don’t let her stop Josslyn from – she watches as Dex gets out of the pool – having a good… time.

Maxie meets Austin at the MetroCourt Gardens, and says, sorry. She thought she’d be more fashionably late than this. She was treating Spinelli to a pedicure. He asks if he should be jealous, and she says, of her or Spinelli? He asks why he would be jealous of her, and she says, what is there to be jealous of at all? Yes, she and Spinelli have a child and a history, and an eternally abiding friendship, but romantically, she’s with Austin, and she’s happy where she is. He says, that’s nice to hear, and thanks her. She says, this is where he returns the compliment, and he says, she’ll do. He’s just kidding. He kisses her, and says, me and Miss Jones, we got a thing going on.

Lucy finds Martin at Charlie’s and says, wait until he sees what she has on underneath her dress. He says, why wait? Let’s get out of here. He kisses her, and she says she loves his spontaneity and enthusiasm, but can they have a little bite to eat? She’s starving. He says, about that. Why don’t they forego the wings, finger lickin’ as they may be, and feast on mofongo in the Dominican Republic, or poutine in Toronto? She can show him her unmentionables at 10,000 feet. Lucy asks, what’s gotten into him; she likes it. But she has to admit, she’s a tad bit suspicious. He says he has to leave town, and he wants her to come with him.

Outside Oz’s hospital room, Jordan tells Rory to make sure he checks the badges of all medical personnel who have access. Portia and Curtis stop short, and do an about-face when they see Jordan and Rory, but Jordan says she was looking for them. Curtis asks if she found out anything new about that thing they talked about, and Jordan says she knows why they’re both here, and she won’t allow it.

Martin says, it’s just a pressing matter out of town that he could take care of anywhere, and he thought his lovely lady would like to be with him when he does the thing he’d rather not do here. He sits down, and says, he’s being coerced. She sits with him, and says, by whom? He says, Anna Devane, and she asks if he’s in possession of some state secrets or something. When she wrote her Guide to Port Charles, she noted that Anna can’t be too judgy about those. He says, Anna wants him to break attorney/client privilege, but Lucy says, that’s nothing. She has the perfect solution. He says, which is? and she says, you tell her no. Ta-da! Problem solved. He says, how does she, of all people, not know how coercion works? See also extortion, blackmail, putting the screws to. She says she knows how coercion works, and if she’s learned anything from being a coercee, it’s that literally the truth shall set you free. He says, not this time, and she says, whatever Anna has on him, it can’t be so bad that he can’t be a phoenix and rise above the wreckage of his life. He says he doesn’t want to rise from the wreckage, but she says, that’s what the wreckage is for. He says he doesn’t want anything to do with wreckage, and she says, okay, fine. What is it that Anna really has on him? He looks around, and says, it’s a little economic subterfuge concerning his ex-wives. She says, all of them? and he says, yes, all of them. And believe him, one by one they’re bad enough, but as a group, they make Medea look like Betty Rubble. She says she can see why he married them, and he says, if Anna rats him out, he’ll be raked over the coals, emotionally and financially. She takes his hand, and says, here’s what they’re going to do. He’s not going to back down. He’s simply going to tell his ex-wives and Anna that he’s his own man. He’s noble, and steadfast like a mountain, and he’s not going to back down – ever. Now which client does Anna want dirt on? He says, Valentin, and she says she’ll help him pack.

Austin asks Maxie, how is his self-proclaimed arch nemesis? and she says, smitten apparently. He says, no kidding, and she says, he knew about Britt? He says, Britt Westbourne? No way. Really. She asks who he thinks she was talking about, and he says, from Spinelli’s behavior he knew Spinelli had it bad for somebody, but he wouldn’t have guessed it was Britt. Britt’s great, but he’s never seen Spinelli look at her like that. She says, maybe he doesn’t know Spinelli well enough to see it, and he says, forget it. This is a waste of their valuable time together, and they’re here to discuss a plan that will probably not get Georgie to stop hating him. She says, Georgie doesn’t hate him, and he says, the last time he talked to her daughter, she asked if he knew what happens to matter when it goes into a black hole. Maxie says, she is her father’s daughter, and he says he told her that he doesn’t know; nobody knows. She said, wanna find out? Maxie says, she’s also her mother’s, and he says, kids love him. James loves him, Bailey loves him. That sweet little Leo goes out of his way to spend time with him, but Georgie… He doesn’t get it. What did he do? She says, nothing; nothing at all. She just needs to spend time with him. Which is why their pending weekend getaway is perfect. He said he found a place, right? He says he did, and gives her a brochure from a water park. She reads, family fun time, and he says, it’s got a lazy river, and a water slide. Georgie will love that because she loves swimming, and it’s got the biggest ball pit on the east coast. He thinks James might like that. She says she loves this. Is he ready? He says he thinks from a bacterial standpoint, they’ll have to sanitize the ball pit, but she says, she wasn’t asking if he was ready for biological warfare. She guesses she’s asking if he’s ready for a family.

Portia and Curtis are standing in front of Jordan, while Rory guards the door to Oz’s room. Jordan says, Portia wants to talk to this patient the moment he wakes up, but that hasn’t happened yet, and there’s no telling if, or even when it will. She’s assigned Officer Cabrera, and he’ll notify her the second Mr. Haggerty opens his eyes. Jordan says, they appreciate that, and Curtis says, they know her inquiry was off the record. They’re definitely not trying to get her in trouble. Portia says she has the discretion to assign manpower at the hospital as she sees fit, and since Mr. Haggerty appears to be the victim of a crime, and the perpetrator is yet to be caught, she can more than justify extra security for him. Curtis says he appreciates Rory being here, but he’d be more than happy to keep watch, and Portia says, she can help. She can monitor the patient. Jordan says, Oz Haggerty may be able to exonerate Trina. The person who drugged him may try again, so why don’t they want him protected?

Trina asks, who’s the hottie? and Dex waves. Trina asks if Josslyn knows him, and Josslyn says she does. Dex walks over, and Trina says, how exactly? Dex tells Josslyn, about yesterday… and she says, forget about it. He says he’d like to. Will she? Trina says, forget about what?

Spencer tells Sonny, there’s only one person responsible for escaping Spring Ridge, and it’s him. Now he has to hope, whether it’s 30 days, or 365, the people he cares about will be waiting for him when he gets out. Either way, he’s going to deal with it. Sonny says, atta boy, and Spencer says he appreciates the survival tips and the protection. Thank you. Sonny says, anything within his means, and Spencer says he really means it. It’s big of Sonny, considering Spencer called him out for intimidating Esme. Sonny says, Spencer gave quite a performance. He thought Spencer was out of his mind for a while there. Spencer says, Sonny’s not the only one. He knows there are people he hurt and pushed away while he was trying to trap Esme, and he has a lot of ~~almonds~~ amends to make as a result. Sonny says, as far as they go, they’re good, and Spencer says he appreciates it. Sonny’s always stood by him. Sonny says, they’re family, and Spencer says, they are. Which is why he’s hoping Sonny will do one more thing for him.

Maxie says, Austin spending a few hours with her kids is one thing, but an entire weekend is a commitment. She understands if he’s not ready to take that on yet. He says, family has always been a complicated concept for him, but he knows how important her family is to her, and he’d love the chance to see if he fits into it somehow. His phone rings, and he says he has to take this. He leaves, and Maxie looks at the brochure. A waiter comes by, and asks if she’d like a drink, or would she like to order? She says she’s not sure what her date wants… Wait. They can ask him. Austin comes back, and Maxie asks what he’d like. He says, about that. He can’t stay… He asks the waiter to give them a second, and the waiter jets. Maxie asks if it’s a work thing, and he says, ish. That was his property manager back in Pautuck. Something’s wrong with one of the cabins. She says, how bad is it that the property manager can’t handle it? and he says he doesn’t know. That’s what he aims to find out. She says, they’ll take a raincheck on lunch, but he says, it’s not just lunch. He’ll probably be gone for a couple of days. She asks if he’s saying he’s canceling the weekend with her kids.

Martin says, so Lucy agrees with him. They should just get out of Port Charles until this whole thing blows over. She says he really can’t betray Valentin; he will unleash holy hell. Martin says, is she kidding? Knowing Valentin, he’d get Martin to represent him in a case against himself. She asks what would happen if Anna tells his ex-wives what she knows, and he says, what’s worse than holy hell? She says, ex-wives with really good lawyers? Tell her about this financial subterfuge. Is it like an offshore account somewhere? He says, it’s nothing like that. There’s no stash in the Cayman Islands. Most of the money’s been spent taking care of his mother. He just thought it was better to take care of the only woman who’s ever really cared for him. Lucy says, not the only woman, and he says, so she doesn’t hate him? She says she doesn’t hate him. Please. She’s done far, far, far worse. He says, somewhere in the middle, this stopped making him feel better, and she says, and it wasn’t for the benefit of a beloved aging parent either. He says, so they’re agreed. Wither shall they go? Beach or mountains? She takes his hand, and says, anywhere with him would be absolutely divine, but she can’t come along. There’s too much to do at Deception. She’s afraid he’s going to have to be on his own, and he’ll have to wait to see her unmentionables.

Spencer says he wasn’t able to help Trina, but maybe Sonny can, and Sonny asks what he has in mind. Spencer says, if anyone can exonerate Trina, it’s Esme. He took his best shot and he missed, but he knows Sonny will do better. Sonny isn’t sure what Spencer is asking, and Spencer says, nothing illegal. His dad said Esme took off, and he was hoping Sonny could use his considerable resources to bring her back. That’s it. Sonny says, what he can do is find Esme and bring her back, but it seems to him, she’s long gone. Spencer says, Trina’s jury could come back with a guilty verdict any time now. Sonny may be her last chance. Sonny says, Spencer is facing a stint in maximum security, and his priority is Trina? and Spencer says, yeah. She’s his friend, whether she considers him one or not. Sonny asks if it will make Spencer feel more comfortable to know he’s doing everything he can for Trina, and Spencer says, he is. Sonny gets up, and tells Spencer that he has to focus on himself. They hug, and Sonny says, don’t forget head down, mouth shut.

Trina introduces herself to Dex, and asks if he’s heard about her. He says, only good things, and she says, clearly, he’s not a news junkie. He introduces himself, and says he just came by to say hi. He’ll let them get back to it. He leaves, and Trina says, he seems nice enough, but Josslyn says she doesn’t know what he seems. Trina asks, how does she… and Josslyn says, he works for Sonny. Trina says, in that case, why is he asking Josslyn to forget what happened yesterday, and what did happened yesterday?

On the phone, Dex says, there’s something he thinks they should know.

Portia says, of course (🍷) they want Mr. Haggerty protected, and who better to do that than Officer Cabrera? She’s sorry. She hasn’t been sleeping that well. Curtis says, the jury’s been deliberating, and Portia says, it’s he uncertainty of everything; it’s so unnerving. Jordan says, of course (🍷), and Portia says, their first priority is to make sure Mr. Haggerty can testify on the record, so she wants to thank Jordan and Rory. Rory says he’s happy to help, and Jordan says she needs to have a word with Portia and Curtis. She tells Rory she’ll be right back, and they step away. Curtis asks if they did something wrong, but Jordan says, not that she’s aware of. She wanted to speak to them privately because she tried to call Esme in for questioning, but unfortunately, she’s nowhere to be found. Portia says, she skipped town? and Jordan tells her, it’s hard to say, but even if Mr. Haggerty wakes up, and points fingers at Esme as the perp, it will prove challenging to bring her to justice. Curtis suggests they focus on one problem at a time. If Oz names another person of interest, it still looks good for Trina. Jordan says, assuming he wakes up. In the meantime, do something with themselves. At least leave the building and get some fresh air and sunshine. Oz Haggerty is in good hands. Rory will make sure no one gets past him.

Austen tells Maxie, whatever it is, he’s hopeful it will be over and done, and he can get back here for their weekend plans. She says she’s glad to hear that, but if for some reason he gets held up, she can always bring the kids to Pautuck. He says she doesn’t need to do that, and she says, or not. Is there something he doesn’t want her to see, or does he not want Pautuck to see her? He says she doesn’t need to make that drive, but she says, it’s not far. He says he doesn’t know how long this is going to take, but don’t waste her time. She says, it’s true her past experience in his town is somewhat checkered, but she’d really like to get to know the Pautuck he loves. He says, and he would love for her to do that. Some other time, when he’s not distracted by other people’s problems. She says, so what he’s telling her is… He says he wants to be distracted by their problems. He doesn’t want to let her down. She says, the only way he can let her down is to not be honest with her. He needs to tell her, what is this spur of the moment trip about?

In her office with Curtis, Portia says she never thought she’d be disappointed to hear Esme skipped town. Where does he think she ran off to? Europe maybe? He says, it’s possible. It’s also possible she’s still in town, and not as friendless as we thought. Portia says, she’s hiding, not confessing, and he says, getting Esme to confess was a long shot anyway. She says, let’s face it. Esme’s disappearance doesn’t have a direct effect on the case. There’s only one thing that’s going to make a damn bit of difference. Curtis says, yeah, and he’s being guarded, and she says, by Rory. He has to take a break eventually. Curtis says, and he’s likely to be replaced by another officer. Jordan is very thorough, so that room is never going to go unguarded. She says, maybe they can come up with some kind of distraction, and he says, without tipping Rory off? She says, outside distraction then, but he says, they don’t need any more outside involvement. She says, there’s got to be some way she can get around Rory and into that room, because if there isn’t, she doesn’t know what else she can do.

Sonny asks Dex if Josslyn told Trina who he met with yesterday, but Dex says he doesn’t think so; Trina would have reacted. But there’s no telling if Josslyn will say something down the line. He tried to feel her out, but she shot him down. Sonny says, that’s Josslyn, and Dex says, so he figured Sonny would want to handle it. Sonny says, Dex figured right.

Josslyn says she’s run into Dex a couple of times, and Trina says, where? Josslyn says, around. Here’s a thought – Trina and Rory. Trina says, that’s nice thought, and Josslyn suggests she say more, but Trina asks, what is there to say? Josslyn says, they just hung out again; say that. Tell her everything. Trina says, he brought her to the pool after dark, and Josslyn says she knows. Trina says, how? Josslyn helped him? Josslyn says, yes. Her mom may no longer be the owner, but the staff is still loyal to her, so is one of the other owners, and when she called, they were receptive. Trina says she was wondering how Rory pulled it off, and Josslyn asks if she at least had a good time. Trina says, they did. She thinks the best part is, she didn’t have to second guess everything that came out of his mouth, unlike Spencer. She asks if Josslyn told Cam about Spencer’s testimony, and Josslyn says, they talked about it. Trina asks if Cameron thought it was crazy that Spencer did a 180, and tried to give her an alibi, when Sonny comes by. He says, it’s great to see Trina having a good afternoon. He wants her to know that there are people pulling for her.

Austin says, there was an Incident, and Maxie asks, what kind of incident? but he doesn’t know. He didn’t get the details, but when he does, he’ll bore her with every last one. Trust him. Leaving is the last thing he wants to do. Lucy runs over, saying, hello, hello, hello, and Austin says, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye. He can’t stay; he’s sorry. But have fun. He tells Maxie that he’ll call her, and gives her a kiss. Lucy asks, where goeth the good doctor? and Maxie says, Pautuck. Lucy says, what? Eww. Why? Maxie says she has no idea, and Lucy asks how long he’s going to be gone. Maxie says, a couple of days, or so he says. Lucy says she senses a bit of annoyance, which she can empathize with, because she just had an abrupt farewell to Martin. Maxie asks if they broke up, but Lucy says, it’s nothing like that, but isn’t it kind of weird this mass exodus of the men of Port Charles? Maxie asks why they’re so secretive about it, but Lucy says, Martin did actually let her in on the reason for his departure. She gathers Austin did not. Maxie shakes her head.

Martin asks Spencer how Port Charles’ finest is treating him, and Spencer says he doesn’t mean to brag, but he did get an extra blanket last night, had lunch from Kelly’s, and he’s allowed visitors. Martin says, so being a mayor’s grandson has its privileges, and Spencer says, he’s not sure he would give it a five star review, but the PCPD is a decent budget option for travelers passing through. Martin says he’s glad to see Spencer still has his sense of humor, and Spencer says, the question is, how much longer is he going to need it? 30 days?… Longer? Martin says, that’s up to him. He takes out a folder, and says he had a conversation with DA Scorpio. If Spencer names his accomplices, he’s looking at 10 days is Spring Ridge. Spencer says, if he doesn’t? and Martin says, 3 months in Pentenville; 3 very long, very difficult months. Spencer says, it could be worse, and Martin says, it will be. Pentenville will not be a good place for Spencer for many reasons, most obviously his physical safety. Spencer says he knows the risks, and Martin says, he thinks because he’s Sonny Corinthos’s nephew, he’ll be protected. He’d better hope he’s right. In the meantime, he hopes Spencer takes this deal. He slides the folder over, and says, come on. He had to pull a rabbit out of a hat for this. Ten days in Spring Ridge is practically a vacation. Spencer says he appreciates that, and Martin asks, then why the hesitation? If he doesn’t want to think about his physical safety, think about his family’s emotional well-being. Spencer says, his family will be fine, but Martin says, why put them through it in the first place, especially his grandmother? They both know what Laura would want him to do.

Jordan asks Rory how it’s going, and he says, quiet so far. She says, let’s hope it stays that way, and he says he’s ready if it doesn’t. She says, that’s what she wants to hear. She did want to speak to him about something. ADA Arden informed her that he was a spectator at Trina Robinson’s trial. He says, it was his day off, and she says, it’s clear from his interaction with Curtis and Portia, that he’s become familiar with Trina’s family, and Trina herself. He says, yes, ma’am, and she says, the patient in this room is a key witness in Trina’s case. She could have picked any other officer, but she hand-picked him because she trusts him. He thanks her, but she says, don’t thank her yet. She needs to know, is an assignment connected to Trina going to be a problem for him?

Sonny tells Dex to get Trina a drink, lunch, whatever she wants; it’s on him. Trina says, thanks, but she’s not hungry, and Sonny says, if she changes her mind, talk to Dex. He’s going to be looking after her while he talks to Josslyn. He asks if Josslyn’s got a minute, and she gets up. She walks out, and he follows. In a more private area, he says he doesn’t want her to concern herself Dex’s errand yesterday, and she says, he means the whole jury tampering thing? He says, yeah, and she says, why? So he doesn’t get in trouble? Why would she want to save him? He says he knows she wouldn’t want to save him, but he thinks she’d want to save Trina, right?

Curtis tells Portia, everything will be okay. We just need to step back and recalibrate. She says, no. We don’t; I do. She has a legit reason for going in and out of that room, but he doesn’t. She thinks it’s best that she not get him involved. She needs to do this on her own. He says, they’ve gone through this before; he has her back. She says, and she loves him for that, but if Rory wasn’t involved, and Jordan wasn’t popping up around every corner, it would be a different situation, but that’s not what’s happening. They’re talking about injecting another doctor’s patient with drugs to reverse a medically induced coma, in a fraction of the time it should be reasonably done. On top of that, his ex-wife is involved. He asks what Jordan being his ex-wife has to do with anything, and she says, Jordan knows him. She knows his ways, and Portia is already fairly positive Jordan thinks they’re up to something. At this point, she thinks it’s best if she does this on her own. He asks how she’s going to do that, and she says, because she’s a doctor, and Rory won’t stop her from walking past him and into that room. And before anyone has a chance to question her, she’ll have administered the reversal agents, and Oz Haggerty will be awake. Curtis says, or dead.

Spencer asks if Martin is playing the grandmother card. Is this about him going to prison or keeping Martin from facing Laura’s wrath? Martin says, why does he have to choose? He is Laura’s brother, and has to answer to her. If he allows Spencer to imperil his life, Martin’s life is in even more jeopardy than it already is. Spencer says, then Martin can remind his grandmother of the promise he made to her before she left; that he’s going to try his hardest to live up to her expectations. Martin says, call it a hunch, but he doesn’t think Laura expected maximum security to be part of the deal. Come on. Does Spencer really think taking the fall for this is going to afford him some sort of redemption? Spencer says, he’s rarely been held accountable for the things he’s done in his life. So now he’s taking responsibility, and being a man. Martin says, by taking the fall for somebody else; covering for a man his grandmother both despises and distrusts. Don’t look at him like that. It wasn’t that hard to figure out. Laura already told him that Victor had somebody on the inside of Spring Ridge. Spencer says, his great-uncle is trying to get him to narc on his other great-uncle. This is something straight out of Greek mythology. Martin says, so be it, Apollo. What is it going to take for Spencer to flip on his Great-Uncle Hades?

Portia says she knows a thousand things could go wrong, and Curtis says, starting with Rory. If he clocks her, it will be obvious she’s responsible for administering the shot. She says, only if he finds out, and he says, what if he does? She says, then she gets caught. He says, which means goodbye job, goodbye good reputation, goodbye medical license, and goodbye career. She says, but the reward will be worth the risk if Oz regains consciousness and exonerates Trina. Then it will all have been worth it. There’s a knock at the door, and Austin comes in. He says, the nurses station is all abuzz, and Portia says, they’re kind of in the middle of something. Is it important? Austin says he doesn’t know. There’s a uniformed police officer stationed outside of an ICU room. Is that important? You tell me. Portia says, the patient is a potential witness for a crime that’s under investigation, and he says, got you. Thanks. Now the next time he can’t find Britt or Terry, he knows who to come to for answers. Are they okay? It seems a little edgy in here. Curtis says, family issue, and Austin says, the trial. Forgive him; he’s so sorry. He guesses he was distracted by the police presence. Curtis says, they’ve had the same thing on their mind, and Austin says he sincerely hopes everything goes their way. Sorry to interrupt. He leaves, and Curtis says, it’s getting dicey. Now not just Jordan and Rory’s eyes are on them, but Austin’s. She says, everyone’s eyes are on that room, and he asks if she’s got the feeling their timing is off, but she says, if not now, when? Portia’s phone rings, and she says, it’s Diane. She answers, listens, and thanks Diane for letting her know. Curtis asks, what is it? and Portia says, Diane tried to get Trina and got her voicemail. Diane’s not sure, but she thinks the jury is close to a verdict.

Sonny says he knows he’s not Josslyn’s favorite person these days, but would she hurt Trina to get back at him? She says she’ll never forgive him for what he did to her mother, but she’s grateful for what he did for her friend.

Trina says, Dex and Josslyn are friends? and he asks if that’s what Josslyn said. Her phone chirps, and she says she’s got a message. She picks up the phone, and listens.

Spencer says, if he’s Apollo, and Uncle Victor is Hades, that makes Martin Poseidon. Martin says, that, off the top of Spencer’s head, it makes him proud. Spencer says, he is Greek, and Martin says, even so. This Greek god has a ferry to catch, so what’s it going to be, nephew? Spencer says, no deal, and Martin tells him, he was afraid Spencer would say that. Very well. Sign here. He’ll report to Pentenville in two weeks. By the way, if he needs more help thinking it through, he could always call Spencer’s daddy, or Laura. Spencer says he doesn’t need his family weighing in on this, and that includes Martin. Right now, he’s not Spencer’s Great-Uncle Martin; he’s Spencer’s lawyer. And as Martin’s client, he’s telling Martin, his mind is made up. He signs the paper.

Maxie says, maybe she’s overreacting, and Lucy says, maybe. But maybe it’s her attempt to downplay a potential red flag from someone who was heretofore red flag free, and it’s causing her emotional and spiritual dissonance. But that’s for Maxie to say, not her. Maxie signals the waiter for another drink, and says, in the middle of planning a weekend away with her kids, Austin suddenly gets a phone call from Pautuck and has to flee? What could be so important that he’d blow them off? Lucy says, she doesn’t really buy his reason? and Maxie says, he didn’t give her one. And the timing is too convenient. What if Austin is having second thoughts about their relationship?

On the phone, Austin tells Mason that he has to stop. Stop hassling him. He had to stop by work… Will he stop?… Fine. He wins. They all win. He’ll drop everything. Tell her that he’s on his way.

Rory tells Jordan, no need to stick around. He’s got it. She says she wants to believe him, but he hasn’t answered her question. Can he put his badge above his feelings for Trina Robinson?

Dex tells Sonny, sorry to interrupt, but he thinks Josslyn’s friend needs her. Josslyn thanks him, and goes back to Trina. Sonny asks, what’s going down? and Dex says, word is, the jury’s coming back soon. Sonny says, all right. They’re about to find out how strong Dex’s powers of persuasion are.

Josslyn says, what is it? and Trina says, Diane thinks there might be a verdict today. Josslyn says, did she say if it was good or bad? It doesn’t matter. Diane did an excellent job establishing reasonable doubt; the jury will do the right thing. Trina says, and what if they don’t? and Josslyn says, then they’ll appeal. Trina says, and in the meantime, she’s in prison, not on house arrest. She just… She thought she had more time. They hug.

Curtis tells Portia, he doesn’t understand. Either the jury is back or it’s not. What makes Diane so sure they’ll be back with a verdict so soon? She says, apparently, Diane has a contact at the courthouse, and the jury has decided to work through lunch, and not order dinner. He says, okay, then they will be back. He was going to suggest they sleep on this, but… She says, they don’t have time to wait any longer. If they’re going to save Trina from going to prison, she has to wake Oz up right now.

Tomorrow, Dante asks if Cody is mad at Scotty or his mother; Britt says, what if none of the story is true; TJ is sorry to be the bearer of bad news; and Obrecht suggests Scotty didn’t know Dominique as well as he thought.

Southern Charm

Event planner Erica works with Patricia on the dog wedding, and Patricia likes that Erica is detail oriented and takes notes. Although I’m not sure how else she’d do her job. Madison is going to be maid of honor, and Venita wonders what she should wear. Madison tells her, anything fabulous. Venita says she doesn’t think they should wear fur to a dog wedding. Meanwhile, Shep and Whitney walk Little Craig and Peaches, hoping to get the dogs acquainted. Whitney says, Peaches is like a squirrel. It’s her first time on a leash. Shep says he heard Madison was going to be maid of honor, and Whitney says, Austen is the groomsmen. His mother wants him to play the Wedding March. She’s doing this because she thinks neither one of them will get married. The dogs have a better chance. Shep says, marriage is a big deal, and Whitney says, being with the same woman for eternity. Shep says, it begs the age old question of lust versus love. He doesn’t think he could do it. Whitney says, every year Ferrari comes out with a new model, and Shep says he doesn’t want to marry because he doesn’t want to get divorced. In Shep’s interview, he says, in his family, there are zero divorces. The bar is high, and if he fails at marriage, he’s failed at something. Nobody likes to fail. He tells Whitney that Taylor is fantastic, but he doesn’t know what to do. Whitney asks if she has a timeline, but Shep says, not at all. Peaches barks incessantly at another dog, and Shep says, Little Craig is in for a long one.

Friday. Olivia, Kathryn, and Taylor meet for a girls brunch. Olivia says, Marcie set her up with a date for the dog wedding. He’s a friend of Marcie and John’s. We see a clip of them telling Olivia about friend Zach, and Olivia says, Austen’s great, but she can’t figure out their relationship. Taylor says, she can’t figure out hers and Shep’s either. Austen video chats with his sister Katie, and wonders why Harry Potter can’t fix his glasses if he’s a wizard. And why is he the only one who wears glasses? Both valid points. She asks about Olivia, and Austen says, there’s something there, but he wants to continue to have fun. Katie tells him to make sure he doesn’t make his fun messy, and we flash back to Austen’s previous messiness, like the threesome. Katie tells him not to put himself in the position of cue the mess, and he thanks her for her sage wisdom. At the brunch, Kathryn says she wasn’t invited to the wedding, and in her interview, she imitates Patricia saying she’s going to host a lavish event. She says, it’s pathetic, and Taylor says, Kathryn is talking about her future mother-in-law.

Saturday – Chapter One. The cake arrives, and the topper is adorable, lifelike figurines of a French bulldog and a Pomeranian. Everyone gets ready for the event. Craig tells Paige that he sleeps better when she’s with him, and she says, all she hears is, zzzzzzz. Taylor and Shep give Little Craig a bath, and he’s the cutest thing, so small and all eyes. Olivia tells dad Gary that she’s going to a dog wedding, and Gary asks if the dogs know they’re getting married. He suggests she bring their dog along, and she says, Marcie set her up with a date. In Olivia’s interview, she says, there have been several offers of set-ups, but this is the first one she’s actually going through with. She tells Gary, it feels weird, bringing a date with Austen there, and Gary tell her to play the field. She says he’s been giving her that same advice for years. She’ll wait until her mom gets home. Patricia says she’s excited. It’s not every day your dog gets married. In Patricia’s interview, she says, it’s silly, but people love weddings and people love dogs, and it’s an excuse for a party. Madison arrives.

Chapter two. Olivia is introduced to Zach at Marcie and John’s, and in her interview, she says, considering it’s her first official blind date, she’s pleased. He’s handsome, tall, and has a great head of hair. So far, so good. They talk about pickleball, and toast to the wedding. Marcie hopes there’s a prenup. If there isn’t, Little Craig will be scoring. Shep and Taylor bring Little Craig in a limo. Little Craig farts, and Shep tells him, get it all out now. They give Little Craig marriage advice, and Shep says, do whatever you want. Taylor says, it’s going to be a long day.

Chapter Three. In Shep’s interview, he says, every girl has a syndrome Disney drilled into them, but there is no Prince Charming. The more perfect they seem, the more screwed up they are. Patricia says Peaches’ dress is better than any she had, and in her interview, she says, she was married three times. In a church, on a megayacht, and in a Fifth Avenue apartment by a Supreme Court judge. Obviously, it would be nice to see Whitney walking down the aisle, but as long as it’s a member of the family, she’s happy. Erica goes over the procession with the participants, and Little Craig heads for the pool. Shep is worried he’s going to pop the swan floatie, and runs to get him. Little Craig dodges Shep, thinking it’s a game, but Shep finally gets a leash on him. Taylor asks if Whitney is excited to be in-laws with Shep, and he says, it’s his life’s dream. Officiant Dr. Berger arrives, and Whitney does a sound check. Venita brings Charles in a tux, and Shep says, if Taylor starts crying because of a dog wedding, he doesn’t know what to do. Champagne is passed, and Madison comes out. She says, the bride is nervous, but doing great. In Austen’s interview, he says he knew this would happen when he was asked to be best man. Erica tells him that he and Madison will walk out together, and he says, it’s his nightmare to be on the altar with Madison. Erica promises it will be super sweet and fast. Marcie and John arrive with Olivia and Zach, and Austen frowns at them. He wonders who Olivia is with, and Taylor says, Olivia’s date is a handsome man.

Chapter Four. Shep says, it’s ridiculous, but he’s here for it. He’s not even being cynical. Austen asks Olivia who her date is, and she says, Marcie set them up. Shep says, Zach seems cool, and in Austen’s interview, he says, it’s one of those things you say. You tell them you want them to date in the hopes that they really don’t. She just did what he told her to do. We flash back to three weeks ago, and Austen telling Olivia that he can’t expect her to wait around. Naomie says it seems awkward with Madison and Austen, and asks Madison, what changed? They were fine at her house. Madison says she got engaged, and we flash back to Austen making a hasty exit at Olivia’s party. Naomie says, it’s awkward around Craig now. He’s creating boundaries out of respect for Paige. In Naomie’s interview, she says, it looks insane that she wants to be friendly, but she’d thought they were cool. As they approach the house, Paige tells Craig, this is some rich people sh*t if I’ve ever seen it. Paige is the only one without a jacket, and it’s freezing. Naomie says, they’ll peer pressure someone into giving her one, and suggests Craig pony up. In Craig’s interview, he wonders what’s going through Naomie’s head that she thinks she knows what’s best for him and his girlfriend. He doesn’t think she’s getting it. She’s not respecting boundaries. Nevertheless, he gives up his jacket. It’s raining lightly, and Erica wants to try and do the ceremony before the big clouds come. Patricia asks if Little Craig is chickening out.

Chapter Five. Appetizers are passed, and Whitney sets up, saying, his equipment is being temperamental. Erica gives everyone petals to toss when the dogs say I do. Shep wants to get the ceremony out of the way so they can start having fun. Austen asks if he’s supposed to walk slow-fashioned, and I wonder if that’s even a real phrase. The bride enters, and she’s incredibly cute in her little wedding dress. It starts to rain harder, and Patricia says, what a disaster. Austen snipes at Madison, who asks why he’s being weird. A keyboardist starts the Wedding March, and Whitney comes in on electric guitar.

Patricia walks Peaches down aisle, but Peaches doesn’t want to come. Charles jumps down from his seat, and he and Peaches sniff at one another. Shep says, it’s a last minute rejection. She’s a runaway bride. Shep grabs Peaches, and everyone applauds. Craig tells Whitney, who thought they’d ever see Madison and Austen at the altar? and in Olivia’s interview, she says she feels bad for Austen. He seems to be in a sh*t situation. But she’s just going to have fun with Jake. A producer says, his name is Zach. Shep runs to get Little Craig’s top hat, and it doesn’t get much cuter. Dr. Berger begins the ceremony, joining these canines in holy muttrimony. In Taylor’s interview, she says, Shep would probably tell the pastor to hurry up. It’s been five minutes too long. Even though they only started a minute ago. In Shep’s interview, he says he’s a let’s skip the wedding and go right to the reception kind of guy. Dr. Berger says, love, like pups, makes messes and leaves us surprises. It needs cleaning up after, and sometimes needs to get fixed, but he’s already taken care of that. In Craig’s interview, he says he’s a romantic at heart, and wants to live a rom-com life. He’s getting excited thinking about a possible wedding with Paige. Dr. Berger asks if they take each other, and if they will share toys, and not get jealous when other dogs sniff their private parts at the dog park. The petals are thrown, and the dogs seem disappointed that it’s not something edible.

Patricia says, it’s time for the reception; let them eat cake. Patricia explains the armadillo bachelor cake to Craig, and Venita says her dog is next. Olivia thanks Marcie for setting her and Jake Zach up. He’s fun, and she’s having a good time. In Craig’s interview, he says, if Austen doesn’t want to date Olivia, why does he care if she dates someone else? And if he does care, he should date her. Austen whines to Leva about Olivia bringing a date. Marcie says, she told Austen that if he didn’t make a move, someone else would. He didn’t hear her, so now he can see it. In Leva’s interview, she says, Austen is a f***ing moron. Lock her down or she’s gone. Madison sits near Austen, who is visibly uncomfortable. She says her duties are over, and Venita asks if she got any inspiration. Madison tells Austen that she was just trying to say hello, and he says, they have no reason to talk. Everything she dos is like a subtle dig at him. She asks for an example, and Austen says, when she announced she was engaged, she said the only ex that was important was her ex-husband. In Patricia’s interview, she wonders, what’s going on? Why are there altercations at a dog wedding? Austen says, Madison just can’t help it. She tries to make it look like everything is his fault; it’s the definition of gaslighting. Naomie is sitting near Craig, who jumps at the first chance to escape, and in Naomie’s interview, she says, she’s tired of the awkwardness. She doesn’t want Paige to think she’s after her boyfriend. She’s not trying to get with Craig. At least not anymore. Austen says he’s 0 for 2, and Paige tells him that Ciara is in town. Craig says, she’s sleeping on his couch.

Austen says, why not? Olivia brought a date, lumberjack chic. In Craig’s interview, he says, Austen should sit down with a therapist. To do something out of revenge probably isn’t the right thing to do. Naomie asks if she and Craig can chat casually and quickly; it’s not a big deal. They step away, and Madison tells Paige, exes always have feelings. Paige says, like they missed out? Naomie’s loss; her gain. In his interview, Craig says he’s balancing being respectful and kind to Naomie, but pulling him aside at a group event is weird. He asks what the problem is, and she asks why it’s feeling awkward. He says, it’s a respect thing. They’re not just exes; they hooked up recently. Naomie says she feels like sometimes he acts a certain way, and Craig asks if she’s insinuating he acts differently when his girlfriend is here. I don’t know why she’d think that when he acted like he was in the Witness Protection Program when Paige wasn’t even in the state. Naomie says she was in the same situation when she was dating Metul. She felt like she wasn’t allowed to interact with Craig. Craig says, that’s because she was with someone controlling as hell. She was never in his position. She left to be with a controlling a-hole who dumped her. In the meantime, her loving boyfriend moved on. She’ll never be in the same position that he is. She won’t affect his life anymore. She just won’t. He walks out, finds Paige, and says, he’s ready to go.

Next time, Kathryn thinks she and Chleb should take a break; the group stays at a Frank Lloyd Wright house; ATV and horseback riding; Shep says, it’s not a f***ing kumbaya; and Craig says, it sounds like jealousy and deflection.

🎸 Rocking Around the Clock…

Take a load off tomorrow for some soap, tea, sager wisdom than Marcie’s, and whatever earworm I’m feeling. Until then, stay safe, stay centered, and stay keeping your head down and your mouth shut. Oh wait. That’s Spencer. Never mind.

Aug11

August 10, 2022 – Drew Offers Valentin Simplicity, Toothsome Surprise In Beverly Hills, a Thought & More Teeth

Posted on August 11, 2022 by theresakp

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Spinelli yells, stop, please don’t, and we see he’s at the nail salon having a pedicure. He says, that tickles, and Maxie tells him, stop. He’s making a scene. She tells the technician, sorry about her friend; it’s his first time. He says, nothing like the first time.

Britt asks if Cody is crazy, and Obrecht asks if Scotty is okay. Scotty says he thinks Cody broke his nose, and Cody says he’ll break a lot more than that. This has been a long time coming.

Nikolas says, he and Ava may as well be divorced if she insists on living apart, and she says, fine by her. She already signed the papers. He asks if she wants to pay with her freedom, and she says, if her choice is keeping company with a Cassadine or convicts, she’ll choose convicts. Alexis joins them, and says, we’re not all bad, and Ava says, exception meet rule. The papers are waiting for Nikolas. Just say the word. Ava leaves, and Alexis asks what Nikolas has done this time.

Spencer sits in the interrogation room, when Dante comes in. Spencer holds up his cuffed wrists, and says, this isn’t necessary, but Dante says, ADA Arden begs to differ, given Spencer’s history of busting out of prison bars. Spencer says, he was gone all of two hours to pay respects to his mother. He returned to Spring Ridge that afternoon. Dante says, it won’t be a consideration where Spencer is headed. Slipping out of a prison spa, that’s one thing. Pentenville is quite another.

Sonny asks if the kiss was worth the wait, and Nina says she almost forgot what that felt like. He says, can’t have that, and she says, actually, she has a really short memory. He says, allow him to remind her, and kisses her again.

Valentin tells Drew, their chat will have to wait; he has a commitment elsewhere. Drew puts his hand on Valentin’s shoulder and says, he’s not asking.

Nina says, wow. That’s something Sonny can put on his résumé. He says he never needed a résumé, and she says, that makes sense. She’s looking forward to finding out about his other marketable skills, and he says, fashion sense… marinara sauce… dancing… the two-step, do the Hustle… She says, he just described a perfect date, and he asks if she’s free tomorrow. She says she is, and she’s free tonight… but he’s not. That’s okay. No explanation needed. Of course (🍷) he has plans tonight. He says, one or two. How about if he walks her out? She says, of course (🍷), and he takes her hand, leading her to the door.

Drew asks Valentin if he’s overstepping. Is this too familiar? Valentin asks if this is what Drew’s executive coach suggested; that they become besties, and when he’s sufficiently seduced, Drew will snatch ELQ out from under him? Drew says, that would be so foolish. Doesn’t Valentin think he would see that coming, the way he saw the merger between Aurora and ELQ coming, and seduced Ned into voting his way? Valentin asks what Drew is hoping to get straight, and Drew says, things are bad between them at the moment… Valentin says, why does he get the feeling they’re going to get worse? and Drew says, no; they’re about to get much better – to his benefit and Valentin’s.

Ava tells the MetroCourt bartender, martini please. He knows the way she likes it. He asks if she wants a tab, and she says, charge it to her room, 827. She’s not going home tonight… or any night.

Alexis asks, what’s up with Nikolas and Ava? and he says, typical marital strife. She says, talk of imprisonment is typical between them? and he says, it never arose between her and Julian? She says, Nikolas doesn’t have to talk to her if he doesn’t want to. Just tell her it’s of her business. He says, it’s none of her business, but she says, too bad; she outranks him. He says, he and Ava will sort it out, and she says, with adequate legal counsel? He says, it won’t come to that. Ava is too smart, too pragmatic, and too in love with him to let their marriage die over a stupid mistake. Alexis says, she’s also too vain and too scornful to let a stupid mistake pass. She doesn’t mean to be cynical, but he should watch his back. He says, duly noted, and asks what she’s doing here. She says, his assistant called her office and said he wanted to meet her here, but he says, he never called her office and said he wanted to meet her here. Victor appears, and says, no, but he did.

Dante puts a bag from Kelly’s on the table, and says, no comment? Spencer says he can’t talk to Dante without his lawyer present, and Dante tells him, relax. He’s here to feed Spencer, not harass him. He takes Spencer’s cuffs off, and says, it’s courtesy of Spencer’s buddy Cameron, over at Kelly’s. Spencer says, tell him thanks, but he’s not hungry, and Dante says, he’d eat it if he were Spencer. He heard the kitchen at Pentenville lost one of its fine dining stars. Come on. He has to give Laura a good report, or she’s liable to get on the next plane out of Italy and leave Spencer’s great-grandmother in the lurch. Spencer opens the bag, and Dante says, not to get his hopes up, but apparently his great Uncle Martin has been in touch with DA Scorpio, and Spencer’s situation might be improving.

On the phone with Lucy at Charlie’s, Martin says he’s procured them a table, but do him a favor and hurry. It’s been a trying day, and he’s desperate for the kind of comfort only she can provide… Come to think of it, why don’t they forget about this little tete-a-tete at the pub? He’s on his way over to hers for a little extra privacy. He’ll see her soon. He gets up and starts to leave, but Anna blocks him, and asks if he’s leaving. He says he’s got a hot date, and she says she doesn’t want to keep him from Lucy, but blocks him again as he steps around her. She says, unless she can do him one better.

Obrecht tells Scotty not to be such a baby, calling him her sweet little schnitzel. His nose is bruised, but probably not broken. Cody says he can remedy that, and Britt says, time to go. Cody says, let’s go finish this in private, and moves toward Scotty, but Obrecht knees him, then twists his arm behind his back. She says, he’ll learn. You mess with my bull, you get my horns. She lets Cody go, and he says, this is between him and Scotty, but Scotty says he doesn’t even know Cody. Cody says, well, he knows Scotty. In another life, he might have called Scotty dad. Britt says, whoa. Is Cody saying he’s Scotty’s son?

Maxie thanks the technician, giving her a huge tip. The technician thanks Maxie, and says she loves Deception, and Maxie says she’ll send some products over for her. The technician says she appreciates that, as Spinelli admires his feet. Maxie says, So. Review? and he says, life affirming. His cuticles are so finely arched; his calluses no more. He thanks her for this treat, and wonders why he’s never pampered himself like this before. She says, he’s been busy. Co-parenting Georgie, creating that matchmaking algorithm for Society Set-Ups – he gestures for her to keep her voice down – and harboring a super-secret crush that’s not so super-secret anymore. When was he going to tell her that he had feelings for Britt?

Nina meets Ava, and asks if she’s seen how blue the sky is today, and the fluffy white clouds. And the air. It was warm, but not humid. It was almost like a storybook. Ava asks if she’s on something, and Nina says, it’s called life. Can’t she just be happy? Ava asks if Nina does happy, and Nina says she does now. She tells the bartender that she’ll have the opposite of what Ava is having, and Ava says, she’ll have a Shirley Temple then, but Nina says, make it a Cosmo. She asks Ava, bad day? and Ava says, yeah. Sometimes it feels like she knows no other. But Nina is smiling. What’s got her all sunshiny today? Nina tells her, it almost feels indecent of her to say, and Ava asks if Nina and Sonny are over the hump. There are many jokes to be made here, but it’s too easy.

Valentin asks how Drew plans on improving his life, and Drew says, by simplifying it. He’ll take ELQ off Valentin’s hands. Valentin says he was hoping for something original, and Drew says, this is about as original as he gets. Valentin says, Drew is going to be waiting a while. He’s not getting ELQ. Drew says, at least not until Danny is of age and reclaims his shares from Valentin, and Valentin says, perhaps by then, Drew will see things Ned’s way, and not mess with success. Drew says, anything is possible. However, Drew’s family, reliably chaotic; Valentin’s family famously predictable. Valentin says he’s never heard the Cassadines described as predictable, and Drew says, really? One or more of them is always in trouble, or causing it, often to each other. What’s it worth to Valentin if there was one less Cassadine around stirring things up?

Martin asks why he has the feeling Anna was looking for him, and she says, good instincts. He asks how she knew he was here, and she says didn’t; she trailed him from the courthouse. He says he didn’t see her at the courthouse, and she says, he would have if she’d wanted him to. He says, one day, she must teach him the tricks of her trade, but right now, he really must leave; he has a rendezvous with Lucy. Anna says, he’ll get more out of her company, and he says he has no doubt she’s good, but that good? That’s definitely a question that shall remain unanswered. She asks why he doesn’t sit down and find out. He won’t be sorry. He says he needs a judge’s ruling on this one. Is she flirting with him? She says, it’s not flirting; it’s foreplay. So sit down, and let’s get to the main event.

Spencer says he doesn’t care what happens to him, and Dante says, that’s a shame, because Spencer has a lot of friends and family who feel otherwise. Spencer says, they don’t have to worry. He got himself into this; he can live with the consequences. Dante says, how noble, and Spencer says, the only people he cares about are the ones suffering because of him. Dante says, like Trina? and sits down. He says, it took Spencer took long enough to come forward as her alibi, and Spencer asks if it would have mattered if he spoke up earlier, but Dante says he doubts it. The prosecutor probably would have used the same arguments regardless. Him being with Trina when the video was posted wouldn’t have exonerated her; it could be timed in advance. Spencer says, at least he tried to step. He hopes that means something to Trina. There’s a knock at the door, and an officer says, someone is here to see Mr. Cassadine. Dante says, he’ll be right there, and tells Spencer, sit tight. He comes out, and sees Sonny. Dante asks if everything is okay, and Sonny says he heard Spencer got arrested. Dante says, yeah. He’s got a real go-it-alone attitude, and Sonny asks if Dante is telling him that Spencer is going to need more help. Dante says, yeah. Is he going to get it from Sonny?

Britt asks if this is a joke, and Obrecht asks if Scotty shares DNA with Britt’s boyfriend. Britt says, he’s not her boyfriend, and Scotty says he’s never seen Cody before in his life. Britt says, that’s not exactly a no, he’s not my son denial, and Scotty says, hang on a second. He’s not the criminal. Cody is the one who sucker punched him. All right. In his youth, his shenanigans caused him to change his will a few times. That doesn’t mean every Joe Blow with dollar signs in his eyes is his son. Britt asks if he knows that for sure, and Scotty says he’ll take a DNA test. Cody asks if he can get a word in edgewise. He said he could be Scotty’s son in another life. To the best of his knowledge, Scotty’s not his father in this one. Obrecht says, so he’s not claiming some family resemblance? and Cody says he’s been told he takes after his mother. Scotty asks, who is she? and Cody says, not is; was. She’s dead, and gave Scotty a daughter. His mother was Dominique Stanton.

Spinelli asks if the afternoon of self-care was just an excuse for Maxie to discuss his so-called feelings for Dr. Westbourne, and she says, hmm… He says, she played him, and she says she wouldn’t have had to resort to an afternoon of pampering if he’d just answered her question in the first place. When did he realize he had feelings for Britt? He flashes back to Cody telling him that he’s got two options. Come clean, and watch Society Set-Ups go belly up while the Feds investigate violations of privacy and security breaches; or make everyone believe Cody’s cover story that Spinelli is crushing on Britt. Maxie says, when? and he says, it’s a recent development. She says, in retrospect, she remembers him being interested in Britt’s first match with Society Set-Ups. He insisted on going to the PC Grill so they could check on Britt’s date. She didn’t realize his interest was romantic. He hid those feelings pretty well. He says he hardly knew himself, and she says, the thing is, him and Britt… He says, it’s not a match made in heaven? and she says she loves Britt, but she’s just so… He says, cold? Bitter? She says, and he’s so not. How in the world did his algorithm pair them up?

Scotty says, this is all horse hockey. Cody’s not Dominique’s son. Cody says, like Scotty didn’t know, and Scotty says, he does, because Dominique had one kid, their daughter Serena. Britt asks if Obrecht knew about this Dominique woman, but Scotty says, she didn’t, because they decided to leave the past where it belongs – in the past. Obrecht says, Dominique Stanton, the first Face of Deception. She had her fingers crossed behind her back when she agreed they shouldn’t discuss their past. Scotty says, for good reason. It was a long time ago when Dominique died, and it was horrible. Her death was slow, hard, and painful. Obrecht says she’s sorry, and Scotty says, Cody has a lot of nerve, dredging up her name like it’s his. Cody tells him, he never said it was. His name is Bell. He got it from the family who raised him when Dominique couldn’t, or wouldn’t.

Dante brings Sonny into the interrogation room, and says, don’t take too long. The bus for Pentenville leaves in an hour. He leaves, and Sonny asks, what’s in the bag? Spencer says, cheese fries; help himself. Sonny says he doesn’t take food from a condemned man, and Spencer says, Sonny has been to Pentenville, hasn’t he. It’s bad, right? Sonny says, it’s not what Spencer is imagining, but it’s not Spring Ridge. Spencer says, his lawyer is trying to get his sentence reduced, and Sonny says, because he confessed? Spencer says, and because the only reason he left was to visit his mother’s gravesite. But chances are he’s going to have to serve his original one month sentence. Sonny says, not by chance; this is a dead certainty. He sits down and says, all right. Let’s get you ready.

Victor apologizes for the subterfuge, but he suspected Alexis wouldn’t be all that eager to meet with him, despite the desperately urgent family need. She says she’s assuming the urgent family need is to discuss Nikolas’s marital woes, and Victor says, indirectly. Nikolas says, this is about Spencer, isn’t it? and Alexis says, she heard that at Trina’s trial, Spencer gave her an alibi. Nikolas says, causing him to be arrested for his brief absence from Spring Ridge, and the ADA wants him to serve his original one month sentence in Pentenville. Alexis says she’s not sure what she can do about that. She’ll be happy to visit him in Pentenville, even though the words happy and Pentenville don’t go together. Victor says, it wouldn’t even have to come to that if they can keep Spencer out of Pentenville altogether, and Alexis asks how he figures that. Victor says, by using the mighty power of the press.

Martin says, he hopes he’s mistaken, but he’s sensing a – shall we say – definite truculence coming from Anna. Anna says, no. She gets that way, particularly when she’s been lied to, or played for a fool. He says, the fool would be whoever was stupid enough to underestimate her. At any other time and on any other day, he’d be happy to offer her the legal services of Martin Grey, Esquire to put the villain down… She thanks him, and says she really needs his services. He says, at least give him an idea of the nature of her trouble, and she suggests they start with a name – Valentin Cassadine.

Valentin asks if a certain former Navy SEAL is offering to eliminate a member of his family? but Drew says, nothing so permanent, and no random Cassadine. Valentin says, Drew has piqued his curiosity, and Drew says, Spencer is a kid. He’s frustrating and annoying, but he’s no real threat to Valentin. Nikolas wrangled the Cassadine estate from Valentin, and it probably stung a little bit, but it didn’t really slow Valentin down. There’s just one Cassadine who’s of real concern; one Valentin could do without. Drew can get him Victor.

Ava says she’s happy for Nina. She’d thought maybe the Nina and Sonny flame had flickered and died. Nina says, it might have, and Ava says, if Nina had drawn that line in the sand, and refused to tolerate Carly in his life. Nina says, Carly is always going to be a gnat in their relationship, but Ava knows how to handle gnats. Ava says, you squish them, and tells the bartender, another round. And Nina is co-owner of the joint, so she’s definitely buying. She tells Nina, just be careful. Don’t congratulate herself too soon. Certain gnats can be very sneaky pests. They can bother the hell out of you. So much so, Nina might start reevaluating how much Sonny’s love means to her. Nina asks, how are Ava and Nikolas? Is Nikolas pestering her to move back to Windymere? Ava says, he won’t if he knows what’s good for him, and Nina asks, what happened since the last time they talked? Ava says, the question is, what hasn’t happened?

Sonny says, he has guys on the inside, and put the word out that Spencer is untouchable. They’ll be looking out for him. Spencer thanks him, but Sonny says, Spencer can thank him in 30 days. These guys aren’t bodyguards, and won’t be on him every minute. Spencer has to do what Sonny told him to do. Keep his head down and his mouth shut. Don’t make any trouble for anybody, and they won’t make any trouble for him. Spencer says he’s got it, and Sonny says he didn’t come here to scare Spencer. Spencer says, that’s okay. Sonny didn’t scare him; he was already scared. Sonny says, Spencer put his freedom on the line for Trina, and that took a lot of guts. Sonny is proud of him.

An officer tells Dante, dispatch just got a report of a fight at the MetroCourt. Dante says he was just there, and the officer asks if Dante wants him to head over, but Dante says he’s got it.

Scotty asks if Cody just said his name was Bell, and Britt says, obviously, that means something to Scotty. Scotty says, Dominique’s family, the Stantons, had an estate called Serenity. The Bells were the cooks, the groundskeepers… Cody says the stable hands. When Dominique gave him up, the Bells raised him as their own. Scotty says, that’s impossible. He wasn’t with Dominique long enough to have a kid before Serena. Cody says, he arrived long before Scotty hooked up with his mom. By the time he was old enough to find out the truth about his biological mother, she was dead; his inheritance was gone. Scotty says, that’s what this is about. Cody is here grubbin’ for Dominique’s money.

Maxie asks how this amazing algorithm knew Spinelli and Britt were a match. Did the code get a kink or something? He says, his code isn’t kink…y, and she says, yet oddly, it paired them up. He says, it’s not the code. Don’t blame his code. One day… She says, go on, and he says, like a bolt from the blue, he saw Dr. Westbourne, and knew she was the one. Maxie asks, when exactly was this moment? When Britt was stabbing someone in the back with her scalpel because they stole her parking space? He says, opposites attract. Britt stands up for what she believes. Her sharp edges cleave straight to his heart. She asks when he was going to tell Britt how he felt, and he says, if not for Cody Bell, he would have never. She says, never? What if Britt reciprocated his feelings? He says, some words are never meant to be spoken.

Martin tells Anna, come on. She knows he can’t do that. He’s Valentin’s attorney, and there’s such a thing as attorney/client privilege. She says, it’s precisely because of his relationship with Valentin that she chose him to help her, and he says, help her how? She says, he’s hiding something, and Martin says, he’s sorry. She’s just going to have to seek assistance elsewhere. He’s a little disappointed in her, being willing to exploit his relationship with Valentin for her own ends. She does realize she’s trying to solicit him to commit malpractice. And another thing. Valentin’s not just his client, he’s Martin’s friend. And as Valentin’s friend, it’s his duty to tell Valentin that she’s trying to betray him. She says, kind of like Martin is trying to betray his three ex-wives.

Drew says, so, is Valentin interested? and Valentin says, in tearing down his own father? Drew says, father? Is that how he’s referring to Victor these days? Valentin says, if the DNA fits, and Drew says, he takes responsibility for his child. He looks out for Scout. He tries to teach her right from wrong. He learns from her. He wipes away a tear when she scrapes her elbow, and will even go to Disney on Ice, and enjoy it as much as she does. Does Valentin know why? Valentin says, because he loves her? and Drew says, exactly. And the years he spent away from he, partly due to Valentin’s father, nearly killed him. Does that describe Victor’s relationship with him? Valentin says, not really, and Drew says, he’s a father, Valentin’s a father. Victor is not a father. He’s biology. Name one good or loving thing he’s done for Valentin or Charlotte since he’s come into their lives. Valentin says, Drew’s concept of family is rather narrow and hopelessly American, and Drew says, they can take Victor down together. Valentin says, this help, what it will cost him? and Drew says, ELQ. Valentin asks, how?

Scotty says, Dominique inspired a long list of fortune hunters, but he doesn’t have one red cent for Cody. Cody says, that’s because all the money went to Serena, and Scotty says, don’t think of going near her. It will be the last thing Cody does. Cody says, and she spent it all trying to save the whales, and Scotty says, what the hell. Is there nothing in this world that nobody knows? Does everybody know everything now? Obrecht says, it’s the internet, and Cody says he actually respects his half-sister’s commitment to the environment. He believes in preserving wild places, and respecting wildlife as well, but she didn’t have to spend her whole fortune. She could have held back a couple million. Scotty says, she didn’t, and Cody says he only wants his fair share. Scotty tells him, well, good luck with that. He’s got nothing to give Cody. Cody says he’s fine with that. He’ll make it on his own. Scotty says, good. Do that. Leave Britt out of it. Britt asks what she has to do with it, and Obrecht says, she’ll never see this pauper again. He sucker punched her dear Scotty. Dante walks in, and says, what’s this now?

Valentin doesn’t doubt Drew has the means to neutralize his father. He just wants to hear him say it. Drew says, Valentin will have to buy him dinner first. He’s not giving it up all at once, especially knowing the Cassadine reputation for treachery. Valentin asks if Drew thinks he’s going to run to Victor with his little plot, and Drew says he thinks Valentin would be tempted if it works to his advantage for Victor to think he’s loyal. Valentin says, perhaps he is loyal, and Drew says he’s sure Valentin is; to his daughter, to Anna. But there’s no way Victor is on that list. He remembers the conversation they had in the cell on Cassadine Island. Valentin knows he’s dangerous. Valentin is way too smart to want a volatile megalomaniac like him running around. Think about it. Decide what it’s worth knowing that one day his father will no longer be a threat to those close to him.

Martin says, his ex-wives adore him, and Anna suggests they might adore him less if they found out about the assets he’s concealed from them. Sit. He sits back down, and she tells him, she has to say though, the creativity in the accounting is almost a masterpiece. Almost. It’s good enough to get past the average accountant, but it couldn’t get past the scrutiny of the WSB. He says he’s sure she has him confused with someone else, and she says, sorry, her bad. She takes out her phone, and says, so he wouldn’t mind if she shows his exes’ attorneys this spreadsheet she’s compiled. He says, as if it’s any of her business. He’s already been more than generous. His mother is an invalid, a woman who requires round the clock nursing care, and has for years. That doesn’t come cheap. So maybe he didn’t want to let a kettle of vultures help themselves to money that should be caring for his momma. She says, perhaps if he were to explain the situation to his ex-wives. She’s sure they’re well-aware of his deep commitment to his mother… He says, she has no idea what his ex-wives are like, and she says, well, tell her. He says, for one thing, number one is a greedy, vindictive, rapacious, mendacious predator. If it was up to her, there would be nothing left standing but his beard. And number two, God love her, isn’t exactly a brain trust. The woman actually thought the Vatican was a hotel. The only intelligent thing she ever did was line up behind number one, and number three – God help us all – the less said about her, the better. She says, so they agree then, and he says, what? She says, that he’s at greater risk if he crosses his exes than if he crosses Valentin. Here’s the thing; make no mistake. He’s at the greatest risk if he crosses her.

Spencer tells Sonny, trying to save Trina might not work. If the jury finds her guilty, he’ll have confessed for nothing. Sonny says, it had to be done. If Spencer had kept quiet, he wouldn’t be who he is; the man Sonny knew he could be. Spencer tells him, Jordan said he could help himself, maybe cut down on his prison time, if he named the people who helped him slip out of Spring Ridge. Would Sonny still think he was that man if he told Sonny that he was considering turning rat?

Alexis tells Victor, she’s not going to deploy The Invader to help Spencer because it would destroy their credibility. It would also backfire on Spencer. Nikolas asks, how? and Alexis says, Trina is on trial for a crime neither Spencer or her victims believe she committed. Can they imagine the uproar if a young white man is set free for a crime he did do, while a young black woman is sent to prison for a crime she didn’t do? That’s a Category Five blowback, and it will land directly on them – and rightly so – for orchestrating it. It will also alienate Spencer against them both. Nikolas asks if there isn’t something she can do. Spencer cares deeply for Trina. Nikolas just left him at the PCPD, and Spencer is going crazy about what happened to her. Alexis says, she can’t keep Spencer out of Pentenville, although she can help ease his mind by helping Trina. Nikolas says, it’s too late to make Trina’s case; the jury is already deciding. Alexis says, but it’s not too late to build a case against someone else, and Victor says, someone like Esme, for example?

Sonny says, in his line of work, there’s nothing worse than an informant. Then again, Spencer isn’t in his line of work. He needs to use whatever tools he has to help himself. Spencer says, even if he has to live with the knowledge that he sent someone else down for what he did? and Sonny says, what about the people who have to live with his absence? Ask himself, do they stand to gain more if Spencer’s accomplice goes free, or Spencer does?

Alexis says she has a reporter developing a story on Esme; it’s just not enough to print yet. Nikolas says, what if he told her that Esme left? and she says, the prosecution’s star witness, the one the victims think did it? Where did she go? Nikolas says he doesn’t know. Spencer doesn’t either. He returned home after the trial ended, and she was gone; so were her things. Alexis gets up, and says she may be able to work with that. Victor says, and he’ll continue his efforts to help Spencer locate her. Why don’t they meet later, and go over their plans to track Esme down? Victor leaves, and Alexis asks Nikolas, whose idea was it to pressure The Invader to help Spencer? Was it his, or Victor’s? Nikolas says, does it matter? and she says, yes. It would matter a lot to his mom. He says, his mother isn’t in town, and his son needs him… It was Victor’s idea, but he’s completely on board. He won’t apologize for doing everything in his power to free his son. Wouldn’t she do the same thing if it were one of her daughters?

Martin says, even if he wanted to help Anna, he can’t. Other than helping him put down that attempted coup at ELQ, he hasn’t even seen Valentin lately. He has no idea what she’s talking about. What lies does she think Valentin told her? She says, Valentin may not have shared his secret with Martin yet, but he’s in the right position to get it. Martin just has to stick close to him, and she’ll coach him on what to uncover. He says, doing so could ruin him, but she says, cheating his ex-wives out of money is going to ruin him. If he comes through for her, she’ll protect him from his ex-wives. At least one and two; greedy and stupid. Number three, she’s no joke. Anna leaves Martin to mull this over. (It wasn’t my intention, but Martin? Mull?)

Maxie says she can’t bear the thought of Spinelli bottling up his feelings, but he says, it’s not a hardship. Now that Britt has been made aware of his… passion, she’s made it very clear that she doesn’t reciprocate his feelings. Maxie says, she could change her mind; stranger things have happened. And he should see if that algorithm matches them up. He says, no. He’d never use his algorithm on his own profile. Never. She says, but if it could zero in on the love of his life… He says he can’t, and she says, doesn’t he want to know who it is? Her phone rings, and he says, what if his algorithm matches him with someone he can never have? Maxie says, it’s Austin, and tells Austin that she’s running late, but she’ll be leaving soon.

Dante says, they got a call at the station about a fight, and Britt says, it wasn’t a fight fight. Cody says, one measly tap on the nose, but Obrecht says, Cody assaulted mein Scott. Dante says, did he? and Cody holds out his wrists. Britt rolls her eyes, and Dante says, Cody is under arrest. Cody says he knows the drill, but Dante says, they’re going by the book just in case, and gives Cody his rights. Cody gives Britt a wry smile, and Dante asks if Cody understood his rights. Cody says, Dante did an amazing job; he could probably recite them in his sleep. He tells Britt, they’re probably going to need a raincheck for date number two, and leaves with Dante.

Nina says she knows Ava has a room here. She thought Ava and Nikolas turned a corner. Ava says, they did, but around that corner was a big brick wall, and she walked right into it. Nina asks if she wants to talk about it, and Ava asks if she wants to be an accessory after the fact. Nina says she doesn’t follow, and Ava says, nor does she want to. Look at her. She’s happy and basking in the warmth and light of new love. Cheers to that.

Drew says he’ll be in touch, but Valentin says, wait. Whatever happened between Drew and his father is in the past. Don’t drift back into his sights. Drew says, or else? but Valentin says he’s not trying to intimidate Drew. That’s obviously not an easy task. His father is ruthless, and if he decides Drew can’t be threatened, he’ll target those closest to Drew. Trust him. He knows.

Tomorrow, Sonny asks if someone is going to be the state’s sacrificial lamb; Maxie asks if Austin is canceling the weekend with her kids; Martin wants Lucy to come with him; and Jordan knows why Curtis and Portia are there, and won’t allow it.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

PK and Dorit go to the dentist together, and in Dorit’s interview, she says, two years ago, PK got his teeth done, and he’s smiling all the time now. So she got her teeth done too. You’re not a real couple unless you do your teeth together. Oh Lord, do you think they brush their together at one of those tandem sinks? Dr. Salah tells PK that his teeth spearheaded the whole looking fantastic, and PK says, since he had them done, they’ve had a home invasion and he got a DUI. He’s not so sure his teeth are bringing him luck. In her interview, Dorit says she’s still pissed at PK for not telling her about the DUI, but she hasn’t lost all trust in him. But if he makes another mistake, she won’t be so easy on him. She’s putting on an event for a charity called Homeless Not Toothless (and no, I’m not making that up). Sharon Stone is on the board. They’d been neighbors, and Sharon asked her to look into it. She found out it was a charity that didn’t get a lot of attention, and she thought she could bring more awareness to it. We see clips of her asking all the women to the event, and she tells Dr. Salah, if he’s in town, maybe he and his wife could attend. He says he’d love to, and they could select a well-deserving person for the gift of a smile. PK asks to look at a picture of his before teeth, and says, imagine what a catch he is, having gotten Dorit with those teeth.

Crystal visits Sutton in her office at the store, and Sutton tells her that Porter couldn’t come into work; she was complaining of a sore throat. In Crystal’s interview, she says, her first job was at Victoria’s Secret, but she was fired her first day because she was too young. She went across the mall to Finish Line, and even though she hates feet, she killed it in sales. She tells Sutton that she saw LisaR, and heard her side. Sutton says, LisaR blew up, and Crystal says, LisaR told her that she was very angry. Sutton says, LisaR didn’t say that at their lunch, but when she has an audience, she explodes and looks like she wants to kill her. Crystal asks if Sutton wants to resolve it, and Sutton says she’s done everything she can; it’s on LisaR, not her. She asks what’s going on with Crystal, and Crystal says, she talked to LisaR about her daughter who has anorexia. LisaR told her that they’d been talking about her eating disorder. She forgets how not normal it is for other people, and for them, its concerning. Sutton says it seemed to her, it wasn’t out of grave concern, but… Crystal asks if they were judging her, and Sutton says, either that, or it was, what is this? Crystal says, it’s a lifelong journey. She’s going to make sure to take a page out of their perfect plan book, and it will be gone in a week. In her interview, Crystal says, she’s seeing a pattern of her vulnerability being met with judgement, and we flash back to them treating Crystal like she’s five. She says, just because she hasn’t done everything, doesn’t mean she hasn’t done anything. She tells Sutton, it’s a struggle. They’re being insensitive, and she wants to resolve it. She shouldn’t have pressure from other people.

Asher plays piano and sings. Wake me when it’s over. In Diana’s interview, she says, it’s her favorite time when he forgets she’s in the house, and he’s on [sic] the piano, singing, and doesn’t know she’s there. She asks if that’s something he’s working on, and he says, it is. He tells her that it’s fun having her be a part of his career; she’s the brain. In her interview, she says, Asher lives a sheltered life. He grew up on Broadway, and he’s sweet. He needs her hardness and strength. He’s not confrontational, and it’s her number one quality. They talk about waiting on getting pregnant again, and Diana says, things are meant to work out the way they do. Asher says he’d like to see Eli be a little older, and Diana says she’ll start the IVF in mid-March. He says he thinks it’s great that they’re going to start again, and in Diana’s interview, she says, when she called to tell Asher about the miscarriage, it shifted the relationship. He grew up, and they grew closer. She really wanted a second baby fast because she had a sibling, and she loves having babies. Asher says, it’s his first learning curve with a baby, and Diana says, it’s a lot of work.

Erika visits Kyle, and they have a session with Dustin, a stretching coach. That must have been what Leva was doing in Southern Charm last week. I’ve never heard of this. He’s brought a gong for a sound bath, and Kyle says, the last time they did that, they were in Del Mar. We flash back to that, and Dustin asks if Erika has done assisted stretching before. She says she has, and in Kyle’s interview, she says she has hypermobility syndrome. We flash back to her doing the splits, and she says, with it come other ailments, among them her arms going numb. She should have gone into the Cirque du Soleil, but she’s wasting her talent. Afterward, she and Erika have tea, and she asks Erika how the dating is going. Erika says, it’s more of a friendship. He’s younger than Tom, but older than her; older is her jam. She asks about the party, and Kyle says, Garcelle was talking about her drinking. We flash back to Garcelle expressing concern, and Kyle saying, talking about somebody’s drinking feels like a label to her. Erika says, she’s over a story being circulated as if she has a problem. You realize who your friends are in those moments. (Yeah, your friends are the ones who will be honest and say they think there’s a problem.) Kyle asks if Erika thinks it’s coming from a bad place, and Erika says, it’s not coming from a good place. In Erika’s interview, she says she doesn’t want to be on medication, she doesn’t want to be in this position, and she doesn’t want to be in this house. But that’s where she’s at, and she’s fighting her way out as best she can. She tells Kyle, the moral is, you can’t have a good time in front of some of these people. Kyle mentions Dorit’s black and gold party for Homeless Not Toothless, and they spend a while making fun of the name. Erika says, the name is wrong, and Kyle says, you won’t forget it, but she might have to just send a check.

Everyone gets ready for Dorit’s party, and Dorita does a walk through with party planner Nick. Dorit says, the table is a work of art, and in her interview, she says she loves a theme, but she doesn’t like a dress code that’s difficult to achieve. She knows everyone will knock this out of the park. PK tells her, their mystery surprise guest is coming at 7, and offers to do the lights. In Dorit’s interview, she says, PK thinks the lights are manual labor, and he’s not good at manual labor. She has no confidence in him. None. He practices, and she says, that’s exactly why she’s worried.

Kathy arrives with friend Dwight, and in Dorit’s interview, she says, they know Dwight through a former friend. We see a clip of him pushing Ken Todd in a pool, and Dorit says, Dwight is no longer friends with their former friend. He’s come back to the PK/Dorit camp. The others trickle in, and I’m not a fan of the outfits that are entirely gold. Charity rep Sydney Grossman walks in, and in her interview, Dorit says, Dr. Jay Grossman has done so much for the charity, and he’s also a real character. We see a clip of telling Dorit that he was a sperm donor. He found out through 23andme that he has six kids, so apparently he donated a lot. Sydney, who’s his not sperm-donated daughter, tells Dorit this means a lot to their family. Pigs in a blanket appetizers are served, and PK presents Mauricio with a Versace belt that has a gold buckle. PK tells Erika about his DUI, and how he was coming from dinner with Lionel Richie and John Legend. He told the police when they pulled him over, and it wasn’t a great start. It went from bad to worse, and the lesson is, even when you think you’re okay, you may not be. In Sutton’s interview, she says, LisaR is still angry at her, and can’t let it go, but what is she going to do? Tell her to get the F out of Dorit’s house? Dorit yaps about the guy she wants Garcelle to meet, and how he wanted to be here. In Garcelle’s interview, she says, Dorit has been mentioning this for a year. Why hasn’t he reached out? In Dorit’s interview, she says she’s a good matchmaker, and in Erika’s interview, she says, Dorit wants to set her up with someone, but she hasn’t come through yet. She does like nerds…

They sit for dinner, and Erika says she can have one cocktail. In Garcelle’s interview, she says, Erika didn’t drink as much at the wine tasting. This is dinner with an open bar. They’ll see what happens. LisaR is being really loud, and PK calls for everyone’s attention. Dorit says she wants to introduce a charity she’s been working with for two years. She wanted to have a gala with an auction, but they had a surge in covid, so she had to scale back. Dr. Salah has offered to donate an entire smile. In Diana’s interview, she says, when she was in her 20s, she depended on a charity to remove her wisdom teeth. It’s come full circle. Although she did grow another set; she got bit by a shark.

For whatever reason, Kyle tells Sutton that she’d heard LisaR told her, get the f*** out of her house, but LisaR claims she didn’t say that. She just said, maybe Sutton should leave. We see a clip of Kyle talking to LisaR on the phone, and LisaR saying, she was obviously not serious, and Sutton didn’t leave. Sutton says she doesn’t want to talk about this at dinner in front of everyone, and blatantly ignoring that, Kyle asks Dorit if LisaR said, get the f*** out. LisaR hears this, and yells, that didn’t happen. Garcelle says, it did, and in her interview, she says, Sutton just told them that she didn’t want to talk about it. Kyle is always ready to throw Sutton under the bus. Kyle shouts over to LisaR, and says, they insist she said f***. Mauricio says, he wasn’t even there, but he knows she said it. LisaR says she must have been frustrated, but she doesn’t remember. Was it brutal? Garcelle says, it was, and LisaR says, she thinks their issue could be put to bed. Mauricio says he doesn’t think it ever will be, and LisaR says, the fact that Sutton didn’t apologize to her husband… but Sutton says she sent a thoughtful text. In Sutton’s interview, she reads the text, which wishes Harry a happy birthday, and thanks him for including her. To keep the evening about celebrating him, she didn’t get a chance to express her apology, and she’s sorry for any embarrassment she caused him. Kissy kitty face and heart emoji. LisaR says, to make it go away, Sutton has to make a public apology. Sutton pretends to open a rule book, and says, do what LisaR tells her, and it goes away. In Crystal’s interview, she says, they’re not alone. There are other people here, including her friends, who are freaking out and texting her, WTF is going on? LisaR starts ranting and raving, and Sydney looks stunned. LisaR yells that when she understands why Sutton did this, she’ll let it the f*** go.

Dorit tells them to put a pin in it, and asks, who started it? All fingers rightly point to Kyle, and in Kyle’s interview, she says she just wanted to know if LisaR and Sutton still had issues. Are they okay, or are they sweeping it under the rug? It escalated into an uncomfortable situation, but it’s not Amsterdam level. We flash back to LisaR smashing a glass on the table when Kim asked, what about the husband? #WhatDidHarryDo? The lights dim, and they think the party is over, but the mystery surprise guest appears on the stairs. Kathy asks, who the hell is that? and we see it’s Melissa Etherege. Sutton says, Melissa is her girl crush, and Melissa sings Come To My Window. In Garcelle’s interview, she wonders how much of the screaming Melissa heard. It’s not a good look. You can dress them up, but you can’t take them out. PK explains that he works closely with Melissa’s managers, and they kept it a secret that they had a two-time Grammy winner coming. In Crystal’s interview, she says, this is the power of Melissa Etherege. She managed to get LisaR and Sutton to stop fighting. (Um… I think just LisaR is fighting.) How many encores can they get? A group photo is taken, and Melissa escapes. PK tells them that they can continue arguing now.

Sutton asks what LisaR wants from her, and LisaR says she doesn’t want to have this with Sutton. Her mom’s stuff came today. In LisaR’s interview, she says, it was everything from childhood photos to jewelry. It’s really, really heavy. Kathy frets that she can’t hear, and LisaR tells her to join them. Everyone gathers round, and LisaR says she can’t do this anymore. Her mom died two months ago, and her stuff came today. She doesn’t want to fight with Sutton; that’s not what it’s about. Her pain isn’t about Sutton, so she’s going to let it go. She has anger and feelings about a lot of things in her life. She’s in a lot of pain, and doing the best she can. She cries, and says she’s trying to figure out how to live without her mom, and she doesn’t know how. She keeps repeating she’s sorry, while Kyle hovers and dries her tears. In her interview, Garcelle says, LisaR had a breakthrough. Maybe she’s finally let go of the rage she feels about her mom. Sutton says, no one knows how to do it right, and LisaR says, what she did wasn’t right. She shouldn’t have put it on Sutton. She’s sorry she projected. She’s been saying she’s strong when she’s not. Someone yells for lash glue. In her interview, LisaR says, clearly she needed support and needed her friends to stay with her. She was acting out, but she was just in pain. Leave it to Melissa Etherege.

Next time, Sutton says an attorney from one of Erika’s lawsuits called her; Crystal tells her husband that she’s feeling pressure from the group, and doesn’t want to answer to them; Farrah plans her wedding; a disco party happens; and Garcelle says she doesn’t have to make Erika look bad, because she’s doing it on her own.

🗯 Sigh. I get that LisaR is in pain, and I’m sure she’s sorry in the moment, but I question her picking that lane for good. I really want to feel badly for her, and I do, but her behavior is just unacceptable. If you must use someone as a punching bag, use someone in your own household who’s forced to tolerate you, and will possibly tell you to get a grip before you do something really stupid. Like have a screaming match by yourself at a charity event.

🌄 New Every Morning…

Well, the problem turned out to be the AC unit itself. Long story short, yesterday’s nightmare could have been worse, but things are back to normal, for the most part. So stop in tomorrow for some soap and Charm. Until then, stay safe, stay conversant, and stay never thinking because someone hasn’t done everything, it means they haven’t done anything.

Aug10

August 9, 2022 – Cody Makes an Impression on Obrecht, New Jersey Newlyweds & Italian Scenes

Posted on August 10, 2022 by theresakp

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Cody brings Britt a strawberry margarita, and sits on the chaise next to her. He asks if everybody took off, and she says, Maxie left for work, and Sam was meeting up with Dante for a bite to eat at the restaurant. What was that with Spinelli? He says, it was like he told her. He can see her appeal; he doesn’t blame Spinelli. She says, so Spinelli warned her away from him because he’s jealous, and he asks if she’s never had two men fight over her before. She says she’s not a chew toy. Did Spinelli put up a fight, or bow out gracefully? Cody tells her, let’s just say he left. Disappointed? She says, in Spinelli? Definite no. He says, good, because Spinelli won’t be bothering her anymore. So where does she want to go on their second date? Obrecht appears, and asks, who is this? Isn’t Britt going to introduce them?

At the MetroCourt bar, Sam tells Dante, Spinelli sure left in a hurry. Does he think Cody warned Spinelli off Britt? Dante says he doesn’t think Cody is Spinelli’s favorite person, and the fact that they both like Britt… He could sense some animosity happening. She says, Spinelli doesn’t seem like Britt’s type. She’s just too… They both say, cold… vicious. Sam says, at least she knows what Dante thinks, and he says he doesn’t think there’s any shot at Britt and Spinelli being a couple, so he doesn’t think she needs to worry about that. She says she’s going to call him just to make sure, but he stops her, and asks if she’s really that worried about Spinelli, or is she really trying that hard to avoid talking about them moving in together?

At a table, Mia asks Drew, any thoughts? He says he sees where he went wrong when he was planning the Aurora/ELQ merger. She says, and how Valentin was able to get around him, and he says he was just seeing what he wanted to see. His whole plan hinged on Ned reacting exactly the way he wanted Ned to react. He truly believed that Ned would put his own selfish interests aside for the good of the family. Valentin was a realist. He met Ned where he was, and gave Ned what he really wanted. She says, very clear-eyed assessment, and he says he thinks it’s important to look at what happened so you can avoid it in the future, but he will say he’s reframing this. This was not a failure; this was just a setback. She says, good. It sounds positive. He says he’s determined to come back stronger, and so will Aurora. Valentin better watch his back. No surprise, Valentin walks in.

Felicia and Anna go into an exercise room, and Felicia asks if Anna wants to do mat work first, or go straight for the weights. Anna asks why she’s so enthusiastic. Can’t they have tea and scones first? Felicia says, is she kidding? Anna didn’t see how all these women were checking Mac out at the pool. She has to stay on her toes. Anna asks if she’s joking. He only has eyes for Felicia. Please. Felicia says, all this talk of retirement is why she feels so old, and Anna says, Mac wants to retire? Felicia says, not yet, but he’s considering the possibility in a few years. Anna says, good, because a Mac at home with nothing to do is going to drive Felicia bonkers. Felicia says, can Anna see it? The two of them on the porch, sitting in their rocking chairs… Anna says, no, but Felicia has that other gig, right? Doing the Open Mic Night at The Haunted Star? Felicia doesn’t even know how to be bored. Felicia says she has to admit, she likes Open Mic Night. And of course (🍷) she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren; they keep her busy. But still… Anna says, what? She’s restless? Felicia nods, and Anna asks if she’s thought any more about going back to P.I. work. Felicia says, why? Does the WSB need help? Or is it personal? Does Anna want her to find out what Valentin is really up to?

Ava meets Scotty at the MetroCourt Gardens, and tells him, welcome back. They hug, and she asks, how’s Serena? He says, she can’t go back to Denmark again, so he told her to go elsewhere to save the whales. He told her to go down to Florida and save the manatees for a while, and not get in any trouble. Ava asks, what happens if she gets arrested again? and Scotty says, then he’ll go and get her out of trouble. Ava says, she’s very lucky that she has a father who will drop everything to help her, and he says he keeps telling her that all the time. They sit, and she asks, how’s Liesl? Scotty says, Liesl is fine. He can’t wait for their homecoming tonight. He’d stopped by to talk about their five-course meal for tonight. Well, actually, it’s six courses, if Ava knows what he means. She says, that’s TMI, but she’s pleased it’s going so well between them. He thanks her, and asks, what about her and Nikolas? He got word from Martin Grey’s office that they sent the divorce papers to Windymere, but nothing was filed, so he guesses she hasn’t signed anything yet. Does that mean that whole cockamamie idea of her and Nikolas getting divorced, then getting remarried, has changed? She says, things have definitely changed, but the divorce is definitely happening.

Sonny says he’s glad Nina came by. They really haven’t had a conversation since they had one at the MetroCourt pool. She tells him, when he said their relationship will never be about just the two of them; that Carly will always have a part in their lives? That conversation? He says, he believes that, and he can live with that because she’s worth it to him. But what she didn’t say to him is, is he worth it to her? She says, he didn’t give her a chance because he just left, and he says, because he wanted her to think about it. He wanted her to be sure. Has she made up her mind?

Scotty asks what he missed while he was gone, and Ava flashes back to Esme tumbling off the parapet, and the aftermath. She says she doesn’t know where to start, when Nikolas approaches the table. He says he’s been looking for Ava everywhere. They need to talk, alone. Scotty says, maybe Ava doesn’t want be alone with him, and Ava says she’s actually glad Nikolas is here. She’s giving him what he wants. She takes out the divorce papers, and asks Scotty for a pen, but Nikolas says, don’t do this. This isn’t what she really wants. She signs it, and says, his turn, but he says he’s not signing.

Britt introduces Cody to Obrecht, who tells him to call her Liesl. Did she hear him say something about a second date? Britt tells her, stop, and Obrecht says, stop what? Is she not allowed to engage in conversation with Britt’s friends? Cody wonders if there’s something he’s missing here, and Obrecht says, her daughter doesn’t like her interfering in her love life. Britt says, there is no love life, and Obrecht says, unfortunately, she’s too busy to screen Britt’s potential beaus; she has so many. He says he can imagine, and Britt asks him to do her a favor and go for a walk. She needs to speak to her mother. He says, of course (🍷) and asks if Obrecht would like a drink; a frozen margarita, perhaps? Obrecht says, an iced tea would be delightful, and he says, of course (🍷). He leaves, and Britt tells Obrecht, thank you. Can Obrecht make her look more pathetic?

Sam says she’s done nothing but think about moving in together since Dante asked her at the Hatchet Ranch. He says, it was pretty romantic of him, and she says, it was sweet and spontaneous, but it was pretty obvious he caught her by surprise. Now that she’s had a minute to think about it, she does have some questions. He says, fire away, and she says, question number one, where would they live? He says he was thinking, there’s a lot of room at his place, and Danny and Rocco can walk to school from there. She says, true, and he says, that was an overwhelmingly positive response. She’s not comfortable at his place, is she? That’s why they spend so much time at her place? She says she thinks his home is beautiful, and he’s right, it’s in a great location, but yeah, she’s just not comfortable there. He asks, why not? and she says, because it’s Lulu’s home.

Valentin comes over to the table, and Drew says, they’re actually in the middle of something, but Valentin says, she’s Mia Lombardi, isn’t she? He’s Valentin Cassadine, and they’ve never met, but her reputation precedes her. He’s actually never needed an executive coaching service before. She says, really? Just because he thinks he doesn’t, doesn’t mean he won’t need a consultation somewhere down the road. He says, fair enough, but right now his holdings are doing really well. In fact, his company is extremely strong. Drew says, the markets are very volatile at the moment; fortunes can chance in a flash. What’s that saying? Success breeds complacency, and complacency breeds failure. Valentin says, failure is why Drew’s company failed to merge with his, when Carly comes to the table, and asks if she’s interrupting. Valentin says he’s surprised to see her here, and she asks, why? The MetroCourt is still Port Charles’s premier restaurant, and she’s sure Olivia will maintain that standard. Valentin says he’s sure she will, with Nina’s help. She asks if he’s alone. There’s a table by the kitchen that’s perfect for him. He says, he’s actually meeting someone, and tells Mia, it was a pleasure. He leaves, and Drew says, nicely done.

Nina says she’s thought a lot about what Sonny said, that Carly will always be a part of their lives. She even talked to her Aunt Liesl about it. He asks if he wants to know what she said, and Nina tells him, Obrecht reminded her that he and Carly could always reconcile, like they’ve done many, many times before. He says, her aunt doesn’t know what she’s talking about, and she says she’s not so worried about Carly; she’s concentrated on them. She tainted their relationship in Nixon Falls with her lies, and wanting to keep them separate from the rest of the world. He asks if she’s saying she’d like to keep their relationship separate, and she says, it would be so easy to do that, but they can’t. That’s not reality. She used to say they’d be together no matter what anyone else thought. He says, the only opinions that matter are theirs, that’s it, and she says, that’s true in principle – she withdraws her hand from his – but in reality, not so much. They’re not the two people who lived in that bubble in Nixon Falls. Their relationship has changed. He says, for better or worse?

As they exercise, Anna tells Felicia, she asked Valentin about the discrepancies between when he left the clinic and when he returned to Port Charles. Felicia says, did he tell Anna where he was? and Anna says, he told her that he transferred to another facility in order to finish out his recovery. Felicia says, sounds plausible, and Anna says, but Felicia doesn’t believe him. Felicia says she thinks the more important question is, does Anna?

On the phone, in a private area at the MetroCourt, Victor pours tea, and says, he just finished reading the most interesting article about the toll excessive litigation is taking on their legal system. He’s sure they’d agree it’s in everyone’s best interest to put non-violent legal offenders to pay a fine, rather than serve a costly prison sentence. Valentin has walked in, and listens. Victor says, of course (🍷) his great-nephew falls into that category, but as they’ll remember, Spencer went straight back to Spring Ridge the minute he finished paying his respects to his late departed mother at her gravesite… He’s sorry the governor feels that way. They have a difference of opinion that may cause him to rethink the rather generous donation he was planning to give to the governor’s reelection campaign… Why doesn’t he do that? Why doesn’t he give it some more thought? Victor looks forward to hearing from him. Valentin sits down, and says, he heard about Spencer’s little field trip to Courtney’s grave. He assumes Victor had something to do with that. Victor says he takes an interest in his family; in Spencer, Natasha, Nikolas, Valentin, Charlotte. By the way, he had a very nice conversation with Charlotte this morning.

Scotty says, this divorce was Nikolas’s big idea. Now he’s changed his mind? Nikolas says, circumstances changed, and Ava says, sure did. Scotty asks, what’s that supposed to mean? and Ava says, Esme Prince… Nikolas says, do not have this conversation… and Ava says, she left town. Scotty says, that should be good news. Esme didn’t seem right, so they should be doing the can-can. Nikolas says, it’s bad news for Trina, and Ava asks what he’s talking about. He says he’ll fill her in, in private, and Ava asks if Scotty would mind. Scotty says, anything for her, and steps away. Nikolas sits, and Ava asks, what is this about Trina? He says, apparently Spencer was trying to get Esme to exonerate Trina, and Ava says she knew he was up to something. Nikolas says, he was only pretending to be on Esme’s side. In fact, he was setting her up. He wanted to trick Esme into believing he was on her side. She says, like father, like son, and he says, the point is, he thought everyone would be so relieved that Esme was gone, no one would question her departure or expend much energy trying to find her, but Spencer insists on finding her. He refuses to let it go, which is why they have to stay married.

Drew asks, where are his manners? and introduces Mia and Carly. Carly says, Mia is the person she’s meeting with, and Mia says, they have an appointment. Carly says, if they’re not finished, she can wait at the bar, but Drew says, they were just wrapping up when Valentin came over to gloat. He gets up, giving Carly his seat, and says, Mia gets his five-star recommendation. He leaves, and Mia says, some clients are a delight to work with. Carly says, Drew’s pretty special, and his recommendation goes a long way with her. Mia says, Carly has seen her webpage and looked at her reviews. What else does Carly need to know before she hires her? Carly asks, what exactly will executive coaching do for her? and Mia suggests they start with the basics. What are Carly’s goals? Carly says, to get back what she lost – and more.

Sonny says he needs a refill, and Nina says she’s saying this wrong. He says, so she’s not dumping him? and she says, technically, she doesn’t think she can dump him because they were never a thing; not Nina and Sonny. He suggests they explore Nina and Sonny in Port Charles, and she says, they’re not separate from the rest of the world, and she has to give up this fantasy that he’s her safe haven she can go to where none of her troubles exist. He says, what they had in Nixon Falls, they can’t have that, but that time in their lives can be part of them. They can build on that, as long as she’s willing to take a chance.

Obrecht asks what Britt is talking about. She only wants to help Britt, not humiliate her. Hearing about romantic rivals shows Cody how desirable she is. Britt says, Obrecht is making the whole thing up, but Obrecht says, she made nothing up. Britt may not have suitors at present, but she’s had them in the past. She wanted Cody to know he has rivals. He strikes her as the competitive type. Why didn’t Britt tell her about him? Britt says she knew Obrecht would overreact, which – oh gee, what a surprise – she did. Obrecht says she was being friendly. Will Britt at least tell her how she and Cody met? Britt says, Society Set-Ups, and Obrecht laughs, saying, she knew it. She waves to Cody at the bar, and says, he’s very handsome. Britt admits, he’s easy on the eyes, but he’s far from a mother’s dream. He has no permanent home or job. He bounces around from town to town. He’s a terrible card player, and often smells like a horse. Obrecht says, excuse me? and Britt says, Cody works at the Quartermaine stables. Obrecht says, so he does have a job, and heads toward the bar, but Britt pulls her back and says, Cody is far from perfect. Obrecht says, who is? Give Cody a chance, have some fun. Britt doesn’t have to marry the man. It’s been a while since she’s seen Britt happy. She just wants someone who can make Britt smile.

Dante asks why Sam didn’t say something, and she says she knows he doesn’t like to talk about Lulu, so she was respecting his privacy. He says he likes talking about Lulu, and she says, as Rocco’s mom, not as his ex-wife, the woman that he loved for years. He says he thought it was poor form to talk about your ex, and she says, Lulu wasn’t completely his ex. Yes, they were divorced, but they have plenty of unfinished business.

Victor says he loves getting to know his granddaughter better. She loved the new riding boots Valentin sent her, by the way. She was a little disappointed Valentin didn’t visit her in person. She explained he’d been rather busy lately. Valentin says, he couldn’t tell her the whole story, could he? That his father put her in a school that’s denying him access, and he’s not allowed physical contact with his own child. Victor says, all those little details will only upset her, and she’s absolutely thriving in her school. So much so, there isn’t any reason she shouldn’t stay there indefinitely. Valentin asks why Victor is keeping her as leverage against him. He’s done everything Victor has demanded. Victor says, has he really? Then why is Laura Collins still alive? Valentin says, she’s in Italy, consumed by the needs of her mother. She’s not in Port Charles investigating the death of Luke Spencer. Victor hands Valentin a cup of tea, and says he supposes that is a kind of stopgap for the moment, but Valentin is usually more successful in his endeavors, which leads him to wonder if Valentin is as cooperative as he claims to be. Valentin says he’ll do anything to protect his daughter; Victor knows that. He’s cooperated fully. Victor says, what about Anna Devane? She’s still asking questions.

Anna says she doesn’t know why Valentin would lie to her, and Felicia wonders why she gets the feeling Anna isn’t satisfied with Valentin’s explanation. Anna says she’s not completely, but she’s always accepted the fact that they don’t share every aspect of their lives with each other. That’s just not who they are. She’s withheld stuff – she’s still withholding – so she can’t find fault with him not being completely forthcoming. Felicia says, a part of Anna still does blame him, and Anna says she hates that about herself. Something went on when Valentin was away from Port Charles, and she doesn’t know what it was, but does that really matter? Felicia says, Anna does enjoy spending time with him, and Anna says she does; he’s so charming. And he’s really smart, and very challenging. Felicia says, and sexy, and Anna laughs, saying, maybe mystery is just part of the package. Or she keeps looking for an excuse not to get closer to Valentin. The break-up with Finn was so unbearable, she doesn’t want to let herself get hurt again. Felicia asks if Anna wants an excuse to break up with Valentin, but Anna says she doesn’t know. She’s really thought about that, but no. She wants him in her life. If she could just look past these unanswered questions.

Nikolas says, while people are searching for Esme, he and Ava have to stick together, but she says, one has nothing to do with the other. They don’t even know if Esme is dead or alive. Nikolas says, no one’s seen or heard from her since she fell from the parapet. To him, that means she’s dead, and it’s only a matter of time before her body is found. If Ava admits to knowing that he and Esme slept together, that gives Ava motive to have pushed her to her death. She says, so he thinks the safest thing to do is to pretend their marriage is okay? and he says, as her husband, he can’t be compelled to testify against her, should it come to that. She says, it won’t. She didn’t do anything. She’s innocent. He says, just like Trina? If he could turn back the clock, and never invite Esme into his home, he’d do it in a heartbeat. He knows how badly he hurt her, but please, let him help her. She doesn’t have to do this alone.

Carly thanks Mia, and says she’ll be in touch. Drew comes back, and Mia says she’ll see him next week. Mia leaves, and Drew says, good meeting? Carly says she really likes Mia; she asks hard questions. He says, she asks the right questions. It was her idea to merge Aurora and ELQ. Carly says, that didn’t turn out so well (which was exactly what I was thinking), and he says, it was a really good idea. He just dropped the ball. She says, no one could have predicted Ned would go against his family and side with Valentin, and he says, as much as ELQ is a family business, the Q’s put business first. She says, and their own self-interests, and he says, exactly. She asks if he’d like to join her, and he says he’d love to. They sit at another table, and he says, if he wasn’t so caught up in contributing to the family, he doesn’t think he would have underestimated Ned’s dissatisfaction. She says, as Mia would ask, what are his goals? and he says, first, stop making assumptions, and second, go after what he wants. She says, which means? and he says, no more Mr. Nice Guy.

Smoltz goes into Charlie’s, and says, a source told him that Sonny and Nina were here. Do they mind if he asks them a few questions? Sonny whacks him, and… oh wait, that’s just in my head. Sonny says he knows the owner, and she wouldn’t mind if he… He gets up, but Nina grabs him, and Smoltz says he only wants a comment on Sasha Gilmore’s shockingly violent attack on the press. Nina says, they would think about commenting if there was any real press around, and Smoltz says, very funny, coming from someone who lives in a glass house. He’s just doing his job. Sonny says, harassing people isn’t doing his job, and Smoltz says, any warehouse explosions lately? Sonny starts to get up again, but Nina puts her hand on his shoulder and says, if anyone should be facing charges, it’s not Sasha, it’s Smoltz. Smoltz asks if she’s saying he should forgive Sasha, like Sonny forgave her for what she did to his family. Sonny says, all right, enough, and jumps up. Smoltz runs out the door, and Nina says, Smoltz just proved her point that they can’t avoid the rest of the world.

Scotty tells Ava, he has to get to Liesl. What’s the verdict? She says, she and Nikolas are not getting divorced, but she’s keeping the papers. She gives Scotty his pen back and thanks him, and Scotty says he’ll never understand the two of them. At least he got some billable hours so he can get that motorcycle he wants. He tells Nikolas, take care of her. She’s very precious to him. Scotty leaves, and Nikolas says Ava is precious to him too, but she tells him not to think all is forgiven. She’s just protecting herself. As much as she hates to admit it, his argument has merit. She’s been open about her hatred for Esme, the staff heard them fighting, and the fact Nikolas slept with that tramp gives Ava ample motive to want to kill her. Ava saying she didn’t do it will be believed by exactly nobody, so for self-preservation, she will remain Mrs. Cassadine. He says, for whatever reason, he thanks her for not going through with the divorce. Now let’s go. She says, think again, buckaroo. She’s not going anywhere.

Obrecht says she thinks sometimes that Britt has forgotten what fun is like, but Britt insists she hasn’t. Cody’s fun… when he isn’t annoying the hell out of her. Obrecht says she’s glad to hear it. She admits she was second guessing the wisdom in hiring Zelda after Britt ended up in the pool at that Society Set-Ups mixer. That was just a publicity stunt. Who parachutes out of a plane onto a hotel roof? Cody says, that would be him, and Obrecht says, he’s the dummkopf who landed on her daughter? He says, not deliberately. He works as a stunt man. Obrecht says, sounds dangerous, but he says, not really. He’s highly trained. She takes her drink from him, and says, how exhilarating. He says, it sounds like she knows how to enjoy life, and she says, adrenaline is its own reward. Britt tells her, enough bonding. What is Obrecht doing here? Was Obrecht looking for her? Obrecht says, her schnitzel is back in town. Britt asks her not to call Scotty that, and Obrecht says, they’re meeting here for a romantic reunion. She tells Cody, she and her sweetheart have special plans. Otherwise she’d ask him and Britt to join them. He says, he and Britt are just getting to know each other, but the third date? Obrecht beams at Britt.

Dante tells Sam, Lulu’s entire life is unfinished, until she gets out of that coma. Rocco should have his mother, and Laura her daughter. And yeah, he misses Lulu. He’s probably always going to miss her. But that part of them that was a couple was over. Please don’t let Lulu come between them. He doesn’t want to lose her. She says she doesn’t want to lose him either. She thinks, subconsciously, they didn’t talk about Lulu because things are really great between them. Why rock the boat? He says, it is kind of strange. They talked about her once, and that was at the beginning of their relationship. She says she thinks they have some things to work out before they rent moving trucks, and he says, maybe, but he wants to make one thing perfectly clear.

Felicia hands Anna a water bottle, saying, it looks like she needs this. Anna thanks her, and says, she should just look past these unanswered questions with Valentin, right? Please don’t ask her again how it makes her feel, because she actually just wants the opinion of a good friend to tell her what to do. Felicia says, in that case, trust her instincts. Anna knows how well she can read people. Anna says, Peter August anyone? and Felicia says, yes and no. There were mitigating circumstances when it comes to Peter. Anna believed he was her son. Anna asks if this is supposed to make her feel better, because it doesn’t, and Felicia asks if tea and scones at the MetroCourt would help. Anna says, it might, and Felicia says, is Anna satisfied with Valentin’s explanation that he went to another clinic before coming home? Anna says, no, she’s not, and Felicia says, there you go. Find out the truth for yourself.

Valentin says, he has Anna well in hand, and Victor says, she’s no longer checking up on Valentin behind his back? Valentin says, Anna is an intelligent trained agent. She knew he was hiding something from her. Victor says, like a quick trip to Tahiti, and Valentin says he covered with a story that he went to a second clinic. It calmed her doubts. Victor asks if he’s convinced Anna believes him, and Valentin flashes back to telling Anna that he’s held things back. He tells Victor, he and Anna understand each other. The situation has been dealt with. Victor asks, how? and Valentin says, she’s not going to be asking any more questions. Victor says, forgive him if he’s not convinced.

Obrecht says, it was lovely meeting Cody, but she must track down her missing schn… boyfriend. Britt scowls at her, and Obrecht tells her, later Liebchen. She leaves, and Cody says he really likes Britt’s mother; she’s a pistol. Britt says she thinks he means bulldozer, and he says, strong women don’t bother him. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be interested in her.

Sonny asks if Nina is still bothered by that hack Smultz, and she says, Smoltz. Even his name annoys her. It’s just an ugly part of the world they’re going to have to contend with. He says, hey. They did, he’s gone, they’re still standing, because what they have is real. It can’t be separate anymore, and shouldn’t be. She says, if this is going to work, she has to be Nina and he has to be Sonny, and everything it entails, and he says, and face the world head-on. She says she’s ready for it. She’s welcoming it, because he’s worth it. She promises it’s going to be great from now on. She’s damn proud to be with him. She’s his… if he’ll still have her.

Carly says she likes the idea of Drew taking charge. Just promise her that he won’t model after Edward. He says, him going after what he wants doesn’t mean he has to be a complete jerk, and she says, promise her that he’ll stay true to himself. He says, always, and she says, Mia thinks he’s charming. He says, really? She’s been nothing but professional to him. Carly laughs, and he says, if Carly decides to work with her, he bets Mia will help her. She says she needs to figure out what’s next for her, and he says, she will. And when she does, there will be no stopping her.

Dante tells Sam, he’s a very patient man. So let him know when she wants to move in together. She asks if he’s sure about that, and he says he is. He loves her. He wants a life with her, and doesn’t care what it looks like. She says, good. Because she loves him too. They kiss, and his phone dings. He says, it’s the station; he has to go. She says, as long as he comes back, and he says, no worries about that (which makes me worry about that). They kiss again, and he leaves. Sam watches Carly laughing with Drew.

Nikolas says he thought he and Ava agreed, and she says she’ll accept his help, but living in a house where they were so happy, she can’t do it. He says, the point is to present a united front. What will people think if she’s not living in Windymere with him? What’s their explanation? She shrugs, and says she doesn’t know. That’s his problem. Figure it out.

Obrecht and Scotty find Britt and Cody still at the pool. Obrecht introduces Scotty to Cody, and they shake hands. Cody says he knows Scotty. He’s the lawyer who advertises on the bus benches. Scotty says he advertises everywhere. Here’s his card in case Cody ever needs it. Cody says, he’s wanted to do this – he tosses Scotty’s card on the ground – for a long time, and punches Scotty in the face. Britt and Obrecht are totally shocked.

Nina tells Sonny that she’s sorry she ever hesitated. She wants to be with him. He says, then why did she take so long? and they kiss.

Anna thanks Felicia for her honesty. She and Valentin don’t have to share everything, but her intuition is telling her that whatever he’s holding back is important. She thinks she just needed encouragement to go forward, and Felicia says, Anna has as much encouragement as she needs, and then some. Anna says, whatever Valentin is hiding, she needs to find out what it is.

Victor says, everything he knows about Anna Devane suggests she could be a real problem, but Valentin says he’ll handle her. Victor says, yes, he will – for now – and leaves. Valentin gets up, and Drew walks in. Drew says, he and Valentin need to get a few things straight.

Tomorrow, Valentin says, Drew has piqued his curiosity; Alexis tells Nikolas to watch his back; Dante tells Spencer that his situation might be improving; and Cody tells Britt, it’s been a long time coming.

👰🏻 Here Comes New Jersey…

The skinny on the author of Skinny Italian’s wedding.

Who skipped to the hell outta here. Stars being a questionable term.

https://pagesix.com/2022/08/05/joe-melissa-gorga-skipping-teresa-giudice-luis-ruelas-wedding/

https://people.com/tv/melissa-gorga-joe-gorga-skipped-teresa-giudices-wedding-after-unforgivable-betrayal-sources/

Who Skipped Teresa Giudice and Luis Ruelas’ Wedding?

The event.

https://people.com/tv/teresa-giudice-luis-ruelas-married/

https://www.bravotv.com/the-real-housewives-of-new-jersey/style-living/teresa-giudice-luis-louie-ruelas-wedding-cake-photos

The photos. My main queries are: Is that dry ice or a foam party? and, how many filters are on that photo of her daughters?

https://people.com/tv/teresa-giudices-luis-ruelas-wedding-celeb-guests-glammed-up-see-photos/

Nobody knows his sorrow.

https://pagesix.com/2022/08/09/joe-gorga-says-no-one-knows-how-he-feels-amid-teresa-giudice-feud/

My local paper. No, I did not attend. I’m sure I didn’t get an invite because Danielle Staub once liked one of my tweets.

https://patch.com/new-jersey/eastbrunswick/real-housewives-nj-star-teresa-giudice-marries-east-brunswick

🕶 Be Cool, Honey Bunny…

It’s like, 110 out, and I’m having all kinds of problems with electrical devices – mostly the AC. So in order not to sweat my ass off any further (why can’t we sweat our inner thighs off?), I’m cutting out early. Come back tomorrow, when it’s hopefully cooler, to join me for soap and the miseducation of Beverly Hills. Until then, stay safe, stay cool and not all uncool, and remember that saying; success breeds complacency, and complacency breeds failure.

Aug9

August 8, 2022 – Obrecht Gives Nina an Unusual Gift, Rage Texting On Deck & Devoted

Posted on August 9, 2022 by theresakp

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Nina tells Jamika Pessoa, as the new co-owner of the MetroCourt restaurant, she’s hoping to shake things up, and thinks having a celebrity chef would be the perfect shake-up. Jamika says, it sounds exciting, and asks if Nina has anything specific in mind. Nina says she’d like to do a tasting menu every Saturday night. She wants the MetroCourt to be a destination venue, with more emphasis on organic seasonal items. Jamika says, these are some really interesting ideas, but the MetroCourt already enjoys such an excellent reputation. Why the change? Nina says, because she thinks this restaurant can be so much more. She wants this restaurant to be the best restaurant on the east coast. That’s why she’s talking to Jamika. Obrecht walks in, and Jamika says, she’s enjoyed the tour of the kitchen, the space is really nice, and she really likes Nina’s vision. Nina says, great. Has she persuaded Jamika? Jamika says, hold on. It’s a lot to think about, but she’ll definitely give Nina’s offer some serious consideration, and get back to her really soon. They shake hands, and Jamika leaves. Obrecht tells Nina, excellent work. She’s a natural. Nina says, maybe Obrecht should tell the staff, who still remain staunchly Team Carly. Obrecht says she’s watch Nina work at Crimson. She’s smart, she’s charming, she’s fair. Obrecht has no doubt Nina will win them over, given time. Nina thanks Obrecht for her vote of confidence, and Obrecht says she enjoys seeing Nina thrive. Speaking of which, she brought Nina a gift. She slides a case over, and Nina opens it. Obrecht says, it’s Japanese. Nina takes out a sheathed knife, and Obrecht says, it’s called a tanto. On a day to day basis, Nina can use it to open her mail, but in emergencies… Nina unsheathes it, and says, she can use it to defend her turf? Obrecht says, it’s always good to be prepared.

At Charlie’s on the phone, Kristina talks to a vendor. She says she knows they have a long relationship with Charlie’s, but if they can’t make the delivery by the end of the day tomorrow, they’ll take their business elsewhere… That’s what she thought they’d say. Thank you. Sonny comes in and applauds, saying, she handled that nicely. Now he knows why Phyllis promoted her to manager. Actually, that’s why he came by. He wanted to congratulate her in person. She thanks him, but says she has to ask. Phyllis is Sonny’s friend. Did he put Phyllis up to promoting her? He says, not at all. She’s earned it. She works hard, and he’s very proud of her. She thanks him, and says she has a good example to follow.

Spinelli says, Britt can’t go out with Cody again, and Britt asks who he is to tell her who she can and can’t go out with? He says he’s in earnest. She must resist spurious entreaties. She says, what? Plain English, Spinelli. He says, believe him. She must not see Cody Bell again.

Sam says, Cody is telling her that he had no idea Spinelli was giving him a dirty look the entire time he was talking to Britt? Cody says, maybe he doesn’t like cowboys. Maybe he should find Spinelli and clear the air. Maxie says she knows Spinelli is quirky, and he’s an acquired taste, and it takes time to warm up to him, but he’s the father of her daughter, so please don’t give him a hard time. He’s kind of sensitive. Cody promises he’ll go easy on Spinelli. Being new in town, the last thing he wants to do is create an enemy. He leaves, and Sam tells Maxie, spill. Spinelli’s been acting squirrely for weeks now. Does she know why? Does she know what he’s up to?

Brook asks if Dante has been a detective so long he sees conspiracies everywhere. Is it that hard to believe she just wants to help further Chase’s music career as a pop star? Dante says, yeah, it is. The way he sees it, this is less about Chase about more about her trying to stick it to her former manager. Is he getting warm?

Chase asks what makes Linc think Brook is up to something, and Linc says, he told Chase; he knows her. It’s right there in her music. Some people write vague lyrics, or lyrics with metaphors, but not BLQ. In her songs, she wears her heart on her sleeve. It’s in every note, every line. She’s looking for love, and he’s telling Chase, she thinks she’s found it – in him.

Michael is parked next to a dumpster, and Dex gets in his car. Michael says, be quick; he has a graduation to attend. Dex says, this couldn’t wait, and Michael wonders if it’s worth the risk of being seen together. Dex says he knows what he’s doing. He made sure no one followed him. Michael asks, what’s up? and Dex says, after what Michael’s dad asked him to do, he deserves a raise.

Willow tries to look for her test results on the hospital computer, but it says, pending. She says, damn, when Ava approaches, and asks if something is wrong.

Sonny says, Kristina’s mother is good role model. It’s amazing how she turned her life around, and made a legitimate success of The Invader. Kristina says she agrees about her mom and The Invader, but she wasn’t talking about her; she was talking about Sonny. He laughs, and says, that’s nice. According to Michael, he’s a traitor who turned his back on his family, and Josslyn feels the same way. Dante is stuck in the middle. He’s trying to keep the peace. She says she can’t speak for any of them, but she knows she wouldn’t even be here if it wasn’t for him. He stood by her when she turned her back on the family, and bought into Dawn of Day. Sonny refused to give up on her, even when she hated him for it. He opened her eyes and showed her who really loved her versus who was just using her. No way she’ll ever turn her back on him. He says her support means a lot, but… She asks, what is it? and he says, she seemed very careful not to mention Nina.

Nina says, leave it to her Aunt Liesl to say congratulations with samurai steel. Hopefully, she’ll never have to use it in anger. Obrecht says she’s confident Nina will make a success of her new venture. That it’s coming at Carly’s expense? Consider that a bonus. But don’t kid yourself. Carly isn’t the kind to just turn the other cheek. Nina says she didn’t buy Carly’s half of the MetroCourt out of spite, and Obrecht says she knows that. She also knows how deeply it wounded Nina when she found out Willow is carrying one more grandchild for Carly to love. Nina says, it’s just a reminder that the universe is always looking out for Carly, and Obrecht says, now that Nina knows that, maybe she should stop apologizing for falling for Carly’s husband.

Britt says she just doesn’t understand why her love life, or lack thereof, is so important to Spinelli, and he tells her not to be distracted by his motivations. Stay away from Cody. There’s too much at stake. She says, for who? and he says, actually, it’s for whom. She says, enough with the grammar lessons. What is he so afraid of? He tells her, who says he’s afraid of anything? He’s just expressing concern for a friend. She says she doesn’t understand him. He begged her to give Society Set-Ups a shot. She did, and they matched her with Cody, who, much to her surprise, didn’t turn out to be as horrible as she thought he’d be. But now that he wants a second date, Spinelli is all of a sudden telling her to run as fast as she can? He says, exactly. Don’t look back. She asks, why? What business is it of his? What does he know about Cody that she doesn’t? Cody comes in and sees them.

Maxie asks, what makes Sam think something is going on with Spinelli? and Sam says, when she and Dante were with Cody, Spinelli was acting strangely, as if he owed Cody money. He couldn’t rush out fast enough. Maxie says, Sam knows Spinelli. He’s really shy until he gets to know someone. Sam says, really? She doesn’t think Spinelli was shy about encouraging Britt to date again and getting back on the horse. And who better to do that with than the horse expert Cody? Maxie tells her, despite what the matchmaker says, things don’t work out for everyone, and Sam says, right. Maxie asks if something is going on. Is something wrong with Sam and Dante?

Brook says, it’s not that she doesn’t trust Dante, they just have different views of what is and isn’t… He says, legal? and she tells him, she was going to say appropriate. He says, if she doesn’t want to tell him, that’s fine; it’s her decision. But this involves Chase, and because she’s a Quartermaine, she has that gene that compels her to be plotting and scheming and stuff. She says, if he thinks that insults her, it doesn’t, and he says he’s not trying to insult her. He’s just trying to let her know that Chase doesn’t have that gene. And if Chase has a chance of getting his badge back, Dante doesn’t want to see him blow it.

Chase says, Linc doesn’t know Brook as well as he thinks, because their relationship is strictly professional. Linc says, for Chase, sure, but Brook isn’t going to go through all this trouble just to win a competition over who gets to manage him. Take it from someone who knows. He let his heart rule his brain when he first met her. That’s another reason Chase should sign with him and not with Brook. When you mix business with romance, it never ends well. Chase and Brook look at each other.

Michael says, they set Dex’s pay rate when he took the deal. Dex knew what the job was when he signed up. Dex says he’s not talking about undermining Michael’s father. His eyes were wide open on that when he took the job, but no one said anything about threatening civilians. Michael says he never asked Dex to threaten anybody, and Dex says, no, but his daddy did.

Willow tells Ava that nothing is wrong. She’s graduating from nursing school in a couple of hours, and she’s wrapping up some loose ends. She starts to leave, but Ava says, wait. She wants to congratulate Willow on graduating nursing school; that’s quite an accomplishment. GH is very lucky to have her. Willow thanks her, and asks why she has the feeling Ava wants something from her. Ava says, Willow is as preceptive as she is dedicated. They’ve had a member of the household at Windymere go missing. She disappeared from the island last night, and nobody’s heard from her. She’s been troubled, so they’re all a little concerned. Willow says she’s sorry to hear about that, but she doesn’t know how she can help. Ava says, if she’d been in some kind of accident, she probably would have been brought here, right? Willow says she can check recent admissions. Last night? Ava says, that’s right. She’d just hate to think of the poor girl lying helpless in the ER, or worse, the morgue.

Kristina says she should get back to work, and Sonny says, in other words, she doesn’t want to talk about Nina. He’s not there to get Kristina’s blessing. He knows Nina hurt their family, and he’s not saying she should be okay with that. She says, good, because he’s right; she’s not okay with it. Losing him was one of the hardest things she’s ever had to face. Losing Morgan still causes her grief. He was her little brother, but he wasn’t her dad. When Sonny came home, it was nothing short of a miracle, but Nina could have spared them six months of pan and suffering. (It was nine, but I’ll let it pass.) He says, no one knows it better than he does; only Nina, he would say. Kristina says, she doesn’t like what Nina did, but who is she to throw stones? She’s made some bad calls, and done things she wishes she could take back, so she’s not judging Nina or him. He says, her respect and opinion really matters to him, and she says, he seems to be avoiding the real question. Does Nina matter to him?

Nina tells Obrecht, the idea of Carly bouncing yet another grandchild on her knee on knee when she can’t even see Wiley triggered something in her. She’s going to go after what she wants, and she’s not going to feel bad about it. And anyone who has a problem with it, too bad for them. Obrecht says, that’s the spirit. Now there’s nothing to keep Nina and Sonny apart… Is there? Nina says, Sonny made it very clear Carly will always be in their lives. She is going to be the third person at their table for two. He claims he’s found some kind of peace with that, and unless she doesn’t the same… Obrecht says, Sonny is damn lucky to have Nina in his life. It’s up to him to tell Carly to find her own table for one, and if he can’t or won’t do that, Nina needs to walk away right now.

Britt says, if Spinelli is worried about her dating Cody because he has inside information, she’s entitled to know about it. Cody joins them, and says he thought his ears were burning. Is there a problem? Britt says, you tell me. Spinelli is warning her away from him. Spinelli says, it’s for her own good, and Cody says he knows Spinelli is friends with Sam and Dante, but what did he ever do to Spinelli? Spinelli says, as if Cody didn’t know, and Cody says, if that’s how Spinelli is going to play it, might as well put their cards on the table, and tell Britt what’s really going on.

Sam tells Maxie, things have never been better between her and Dante. Actually, Dante asked her to move in with him. Maxie says, that’s big news, and Sam asks if it surprises her, but she says, no, not at all. She sees how happy they are. It’s just that every step Dante takes with Sam, it’s one step he takes away from Lulu. She knows there’s no change in Lulu’s condition, and gets that Dante has to move on with his life… Forget she said anything. Let’s talk more about this idea of cohabiting. Are Rocco and Dante going to move into her townhouse, or are they going to move into his house, or are they going to… Sam says, slow down. It was just an idea. They haven’t told the kids yet. Maxie says she’s seen Rocco with Danny and Scout; they get along great. And if Dante wants to merge their two families, what more is there to talk about? This is something Sam wants too, right? Sam says she can’t get the image of Cody going after Spinelli out of her head. She feels like he needs back-up right now, so she’s going to go. She jets, and Maxie follows.

Brook says, Chase isn’t as squeaky clean as Dante is making him sound. He told a whole bunch of lies to a whole bunch of people when he pretended to be Bailey’s father. And what about the time he and Sasha pretended to have an affair to push Michael and Willow together to prevent Nelle from getting custody of Wiley? Dante says, Brook is proving his point. Chase sacrificed himself for the greater good. He punched Valentin in the face to defend Brook. Now he’s derailed his career by doing the same thing with Linc. She says, he doesn’t need to remind her of the million ways she owes Chase. That’s why she’s trying to help him with his music career to pay him back. If he doesn’t believe her, that’s his problem, not hers.

Chase tells Linc that he’s got it all wrong. Brook is way too smart to mix business with romance. Linc says he thought he was too smart too, until he met Brook. Stick with him, and kick BLQ to the curb. In 30 days, when he launches Chase’s career, Chase will forget he even knew her, and Chase will thank him for it. Chase looks at Brook again.

Michael wonders what his dad asked Dex to do, and Dex says, Sonny is hoping for a certain outcome at Trina Robinson’s trial. Michael says, Trina is his sisters best friend and a great young women. She’s being charged for a crime she didn’t commit; he wants her exonerated too. Dex says, Sonny isn’t just hoping for that outcome. He wants Dex to guarantee the jury comes back with a verdict of not guilty. Michael asks if he gave Dex specific instructions as to how, and Dex nods. Michael says, he had Dex pressure a juror, and Dex says, Michael got it on the first guess. Jury tampering is a felony, but he followed orders and did as he was asked.

Willow thinks Ava can rest easy. No Jane Doe was admitted in the last 24 hours. If Ava wants to give her the name of the young woman, she can double-check on her specifically. A doctor comes to the desk, and asks if Willow has the file he requested. She says she got his message, and goes to get it. Ava leans over to look at the screen, but doesn’t see Esme’s name. Willow comes back, and says she hopes Ava considers it a positive sign that nothing bad has happened to the young woman who vanished from Windymere. Ava says, they wouldn’t want that. She’s learned the hard way, life is short. You never know when your number’s up, do you? Willow excuses herself, and Ava wonders, what was that about?

Sonny says, Kristina knows him well enough to know Nina matters to him. They were on the verge of seeing where that was going to take them, and had to come to the reality that what they had in Nixon Falls isn’t what they have in Port Charles. It was like they were in their little bubble out there. Kristina says, but that’s the thing. He wasn’t alone there. He just didn’t know it, but Nina did. He says, fair enough, but Carly isn’t going anywhere. She’s Donna’s mother, and she’ll always be a part of his life, forever. He can face that reality, but he doesn’t know of Nina can. Kristina says she still feels horrible about the role she played in his divorce. She was the one who convinced him that Carly wasn’t going to show up to The Haunted Star that night. If she’d just kept her mouth shut, Sonny wouldn’t have given up so easy, and turned to Nina, and maybe he and Carly would still be married. He says he wants her to understand something. He did everything he could to go after Carly. He takes her hand, and tells her that she can’t blame herself at all. We make choices; we have to live by them. She says, all she wants is for him to be happy. It would be a shame for him to come back to them and not grab life with both hands and make the most of it. And if that means Nina for him, so be it.

Nina tells Obrecht, she’s being realistic. Donna isn’t even in kindergarten yet. Sonny and Carly are going to be co-parents forever – and ever. She didn’t want to buy the MetroCourt. She bought it so she could give it back to Carly. Carly refused, so she kept it for herself, even though she knew it was one more reason for Carly to keep a target on her. When she and Sonny were in Nixon Falls, it was easier. They were isolated. There weren’t all these people and problems coming between them. But she still sees that man, that man she fell for, and wanted in the worst way. Obrecht takes her hand, and says, that was then. Knowing what Nina knows now, does she still want Sonny?

Britt says, don’t keep her in suspense. What do Spinelli and Cody know that she doesn’t? Cody says, isn’t it obvious? when Maxie and Sam join them. Sam asks, what’s obvious? and Cody tells Spinelli, it’s no use, my friend. They’re going to find out sooner or later. Mr. Spinelli here doesn’t want him and Britt to be a match. Britt asks, why is that? and Cody says, because Spinelli wants her all to himself.

Dante says, if Brook means what she says, she’ll leave Chase out of whatever revenge scheme she has planned for Linc. Chase deserves better.

Linc says, this is how he’s going to turn Chase into a star. First, they’re going to book a studio and record Chase singing one of Brook’s songs; they’ll make that his signature song. Then, they’ll promote the hell out of it all over social media. He’ll sing at The Savoy to season himself as a performer, and build anticipation for his big splash at The Mercury Lounge. And then… Brook comes over, and says she’s been thinking. They should just call off this competition.

Michael says, if his father was convinced of jury tampering, he’d only have himself to blame, and Dex says, all they have to do is find a third party to tip off the judge while he’s waiting for the jury to come back with a verdict. Michael says, Dex is going to get that bonus – he’s earned it – but he can’t tip off the authorities about his father.

Ava says she doesn’t want to pry, but is Willow sure she’s all right? Willow says, just a touch of morning sickness. Ava knows how it goes through the first trimester. Ava says, Willow is pregnant, and Willow says, either that or she’s developing a strange craving for pickles and pancakes. Ava says, that’s wonderful news. She’s sure everybody must be so thrilled, and Willow says, this baby is a gift for the entire family, which makes her the happiest person in the whole world. She bursts into tears, and Ava holds her and asks, is something going on beyond the baby?

Dex says he doesn’t understand. He just gave Michael the perfect opportunity to nail his old man, but he refuses to pull the trigger? Why? Michael says, he wants to take Sonny down, but not at Trina’s expense, and Dex asks, what’s the big deal? There’s a new trial, and Trina gets another day in court. Michael says, and put Trina through the stress of another trial, and her family? Not to mention, his sister Josslyn is the victim here. Maybe the jury was ready to acquit anyway. Dex says, but what if they were ready to convict? This way, Trina gets another chance, and Sonny goes directly to prison. Michael says, Dex is going to get his bonus, but he’s not going to risk this. Dex says, whatever; it’s Michael’s call. He gets out of the car, and Michael says, wait. If there’s a silver lining in all this, Dex proved himself to Sonny. It gets him a step closer, so next time… Dex says, if there is a next time. This all hinges on whether the jury got the message or not.

Sonny says, Kristina’s support means everything to him. Can he get a hug? She hugs him, and he asks what he did to earn this kind of love and loyalty. She says, besides being loving and loyal to her? Not just with the Dawn of Day thing, but he didn’t judge her about Parker. He was upset when she tried to bribe her professor and got kicked out of Wesleyan, but he didn’t judge her when her partner was a woman. He shakes his head, and she says she knows she can always count on him to be there, no matter how hard she tries to push him away. He says, it looks like we’re stuck with each other, kid, and Kristina says, looks like it. They laugh, and hug again.

Nina tells Obrecht, she just asked herself that question; does she still want Sonny? And the answer is yes, probably more than ever. Obrecht says, it’s nice to see Nina this happy, but still, be careful. Wanting Sonny and having him all to herself are not the same thing. The man has five children. Not to mention, Sonny’s ex is never really an ex. They’ve split up more times than she can count, and they’ve always gotten back together. The pattern is consistent; they could get back together again. Then where will Nina be? Nina thanks Obrecht, and says she hears Obrecht’s warning loud and clear. They get up, and hug. Nina says she loves Obrecht and thanks her for the talk. Obrecht says, whatever Nina decides, make sure her little gift is never far away. She leaves, and Nina takes the knife out of its sheath and looks at it.

Dante asks what he missed, and Sam says, Cody just made the craziest suggestion. Maxie says, Cody thinks the reason Spinelli doesn’t want Britt to date Cody, is because Spinelli wants Britt all to himself, and Britt says, as if. Maxie says, no offense, but it’s kind of funny; Britt and Spinelli? Spinelli says, it’s a preposterous proposition, and Cody says, come on, little boy, let’s go talk this man to man, pushing Spinelli into the next room.

Chase tells Brook that he doesn’t understand. Why the change of heart? Cancel the competition? She was the one who decided… She tells him, she knows what she said, but if he feels exploited, like they’re just two dogs fighting over the same juicy bone, now’s the time to call it quits. Linc laughs, and she asks, what’s so funny? He tells Chase, what did he say? He’ll be in touch. He leaves, and Brook asks, what was that about? Chase says, him… and her.

Willow tells Ava, she’s so sorry about that. She doesn’t know how she lost it like that. Ava says, Willow doesn’t have to explain to her. She’s been there. Willow says, that’s right. Ava knows the joy of feeling that little life inside you… the agony you feel when… Ava says, you lose it. Their situations were very different, but still, losing a child, no matter what the age, is devastating. She would give anything to be there to protect her darling Kiki, but she’s so grateful for every day that she has with Avery. She’s determined to do whatever she needs to keep Avery happy and safe. She’s sure Willow feels exactly the same about Wiley and the new baby. Michael joins them, and asks if Willow is okay. She says, she’s fine, but he says, she’s not fine; he can see it in her face. He asks Ava, what did you do to her? but Willow says, he’s got it wrong. Ava didn’t do anything to upset her. They were just talking about children, and her hormones got the better of her. Ava says, she heard the good news; congratulations. Michael thanks her, and Willow thanks her for the talk. Ava says, her pleasure. She knows Willow is going to take excellent care of her baby, but don’t forget to take care of herself too. Ava leaves, and Michael asks what Ava meant by that. Is there something he should know?

Ava’s phone rings, and she sees it’s Nikolas. She asks what he wants.

Maxie says, they know Spinelli has been lonely since Ellie left him, and Sam says, maybe that’s why he seems so interested in Britt’s love life. Britt says, they’re both wrong. Spinelli is not interested in her. He’s into Brandi. Dante asks, who’s Brandi? and Britt says, the woman he’s dating from Society Set-Ups. He showed Britt her photo. She’s a bombshell who speaks three languages; Elvish, Klingon, and Dothraki? Maxie says, no. She’s the mother of Spinelli’s only child. If he were dating someone, she would know. Dante says, something seems off with this whole thing. He’s going to check it out. He leaves, and Britt says, they’re both Spinelli’s friends. Why would he go on and on about this Brandi lady, if he’s not really dating her? Sam says she doesn’t think there is a Brandi. What are the chances of a bombshell speaking three made up languages? Maxie says, maybe Spinelli is trying to make Britt jealous, and Britt says, so she’s saying Cody is right, and Spinelli is interested in her? No.

In a private area, Cody tells Spinelli, sit, and pushes him into a chair. Spinelli says he doesn’t know what they have to discuss, and Cody says, Spinelli can start by thanking him. Spinelli says he’s supposed to thank Cody for lying to Britt, claiming she’s his destiny and love? Cody says, yeah, doofus. Think about the alternative. Spinelli tells her the truth. He imitates Spinelli, and says, yeah, uh, Britt, that cowboy you’re all hot for? He wasn’t selected by a matchmaker. I actually arranged it because he threatened to expose I am the genius behind Society Set-Ups. Spinelli tells him to keep his voice down, and Cody says, and Zelda? She’s just a front. The real matchmaker is an algorithm that Searches all sorts of private accounts of unsuspecting citizens, not just the people who sign up for the service. Does Spinelli think Britt wants to hear that? What does Spinelli think the NSA is going to say when they find out he’s been doing unauthorized data mining? Violating privacy? Breaching unauthorized data systems? Spinelli says, Cody wouldn’t… would he? Cody says, that depends on Spinelli.

Brook says, Chase should know by now not to believe a word Linc says, and Chase says, don’t worry. He told Linc that he had it all wrong. He said Brook had feelings for Chase. She laughs, and says, Linc actually said that? He tells her, Linc said she can’t separate business from romance, which is why he would make a better fit as Chase’s manger. Brook says, that man has no shame. He’s the one who sexually harassed her, and now he’s claiming she’d do the same thing to Chase? He says, Linc didn’t phrase it exactly like that. He just thinks she cares too much. She asks if he doesn’t see what that means, and he says, no, but he supposes she’s going to tell him.

At Charlie’s, Dex asks Kristina if she can tell him if his boss is here, and she says, she’ll bite. Who’s his boss? He sees Sonny behind the bar, and says, there he is. Kristina asks if Sonny knows this guy, and Dex asks if she’s another bodyguard. Kristina says, no; she’s his daughter. Sonny says, Dex is a new hire, and thanks her again for having his back. She goes to the bar, and Dex says he’d like to do a little digging; see where the jury stands. Sonny says he has informants at the courthouse. From what he hears, the jury’s still out. Nina comes in, and smiles at Sonny.

Maxie tells Britt not to worry about Spinelli, and Sam says, she and Maxie have been friends with him for a while. They’ll take care of him. Britt should focus on Cody. She thinks if Britt wants to give him another chance, she should do that. If not, kick that cowboy to the curb.

Cody says, Spinelli got himself into this mess. The way he sees it, there are only two ways to get out. Spinelli says he’s pretty sure he doesn’t want to hear what they are, and Cody says, option one. Spinelli comes clean with Britt, and gets ready for Society Set-Ups to go belly up when those Feds investigate the invasion of privacy, and all those other security breaches. Spinelli says, and the other option? and Cody says, make everyone believe his cover story. Spinelli needs to convince everyone that he’s crushing on Britt.

Brook tells Chase, isn’t it obvious? Their plan must be working. He says, she just told him that she wanted to cancel the competition, but she says, not now. Linc is getting desperate. If he thinks she just wants to jump into bed with Chase, that’s ludicrous. He must be feeling threatened. He says, so they just continue as planned? and she says, unless he wants out. He says, not unless she does, and she says, not when they’re this close… to winning. Right? He says, right.

Sonny says, Dex can leave. Sonny will call if he needs him. Dex leaves, and Nina says, hi. Kristina tells her, welcome. She figures Nina would like some time alone with her dad, so she’s going to check on something in the kitchen. Nina thanks her, and she goes in the back. Nina asks if Sonny heard that; Kristina was almost polite to her. She figured Kristina would tell her to go take a hike. Sonny says he has a very complicated, loving relationship with Kristina. They’ve had a few bumps in the road, but they always have each other’s backs. Nina says she’s happy Kristina isn’t turning against him like Michael did, and he says, if she’s there to see Phyllis, Phyllis isn’t there, but she says, that’s okay. She thinks he’ll do just fine.

On the phone, Ava says she’s not going to tell Nikolas where she spent the night. He lost the right to know her whereabouts when he slept with his son’s witch of a girlfriend. Speaking of Esme, she has good and bad news. Esme’s not in the ER or the GH morgue. The bad news is she could be anywhere. Bye.

Michael tells Willow, talk to him, and she flashes back to Ava saying she’s grateful for every minute with Avery. She’s going to do whatever she can to keep her happy and safe. Willow says, believe it or not, Ava was very helpful. She’s more convinced than ever that she needs to do what’s best for their baby, and she will, whatever it takes. She hugs him.

Tomorrow, Dante tells Sam that he wants to make something perfectly clear; Ava says she’s giving Nikolas what he wants; Felicia asks if Anna ever found out what Valentin is up to; and Nina tells Sonny, their relationship has changed.

Below Deck Mediterranean

When we last left, Captain Sandy said, The docking was the straw that broke the camel’s back, and Raygan was called to the bridge. The captain says, on the first charter, they were down two people, but she could see Raygan’s lack of experience. This charter, she has a full team and it was complete chaos. It’s obvious Raygan hasn’t run a deck crew in a boat this busy of this size. Raygan starts babbling about how now that she knows the ins and outs, she thinks she should do better, but Captain Sandy says, it’s the final straw. When they were docking, Raygan said she had three meters when she had less than one and a half. That’s a big thing for her, so she’s letting Raygan go. If she had the time and wasn’t running a boat this size, she’d train and teach Raygan. She’ll give Raygan a recommendation, and suggests she work under a strong bosun. She truly hopes Raygan pursues her career because she wants to see more women on deck and on the bridge. Raygan thanks her, and the captain tells her, don’t give up. Go be a deckhand under a strong bosun on a busy charter boat. Raygan leaves, and Captain Sandy says, that was hard. Raygan asks for her luggage, and Tasha calls Storm, asking him to get Raygan’s suitcase. Raygan tells Tasha that Captain Sandy just sacked her. Apparently, she’s not strong enough for the deck. Tasha says she’s sorry. She doesn’t know what to say. They hug, and Storm wonders why Raygan needs her suitcase, and Raygan says, apparently, she’s not experienced enough, so she’s been sacked. Word spreads, and in Jason’s interview, he says, sounds about right. The day she had a hangover, and took off the whole day, he loved it. Storm hopes they can find someone in two days, and Mzi says, it’s going to be intense. Raygan says goodbye to everyone, and in her interview, she says, she feels sad to leave under these circumstances. It’s a bad feeling, like she hasn’t achieved what she was supposed to. She’s trying to keep positive, and see what happens in the future. Tasha tells Kyle hat she hates when someone is fired, and in Kyle’s interview, he says he thinks there are going to be challenges for the exterior, as opposed to the interior’s power team.

The crew cleans the boat, and when Tasha opens the oven, she gets steam in her eye. Dave trots after her to the bathroom with a cold compress. In Tasha’s interview, she says, when they first met, they had fun and laughed, but now he’s suffocating her. Captain Sandy calls Storm to the bridge, and Natalya pins a paper that says, Third Stew Kyle, on Kyle’s shirt. The captain tells Storm that she needs a bosun who has experience on the lines. It can be dangerous, and it’s important that she feels she can trust them. She’d love to offer him the position of provisional bosun, and he says, bosun is his goal. She tells him to figure out a schedule, and he says he has something planned in his head already. In Captain Sandy’s interview, she says, it’s difficult to find a great bosun. She saw Storm’s potential and how he took command. She’s giving him the opportunity to show he can be bosun, but she needs to make sure he can lead a team. That’s why it’s provisional. Storm tells the other deckhands, and says, he’s over the moon, but it’s terrifying. Mzi says they have his back, and Captain Sandy radios the crew to meet in the main salon. She says, everybody knows she let Raygan go. It wasn’t easy; it was gut-wrenching. For now, Storm will be stepping in as provisional bosun. He’s going to show her what he’s got. Everyone applauds, and in his interview, Storm says, it’s been a dream of his, and he feels emotional. He’s been working hard, and has to rely on his experience. He needs to keep a calm head, and show the captain that she made the right decision. Captain Sandy tells them that the new female deckhand is arriving the first day of charter.

Dave texts Tasha, asks if they can talk, but she ignores him. In Dave’s interview, he says he has no idea where he’s standing with Tasha. She runs from any approach he makes, and he’s scared to confront her because he’s scared to lose her. He texts that he can’t do this. The crew wraps it up, and changes to go out. In Natalya’s interview, she says, she thinks something is going to happen with Storm, but she doesn’t know when. She tries to say, it’s inevitable, and fails miserably. They take taxis to the restaurant, ordering espresso martinis all around, except for Dave, who broods and says he’ll have a beer. Mzi sits in between Tasha and Natalya, and Dave says he’s jealous. Kyle says, if a newcomer thinks they can get between him, Tasha, and Natalya – the third stew – they’re highly mistaken. There’s a discussion about which cabin the new crew members will take, and Dave tells Tasha that not being able to go into detail is stressing him out. They need to talk. She gives him a hard no, and he says, it’s a joke. It’s driving him nuts that this is consistently going on. They all leave, and go to a club. In Jason’s interview, he says he doesn’t know his flirting style. He’s an introvert after the initial introduction. He’s either a fish out of water or a huge p*ssy. Mzi and Storm go for a smoke, and Storm tells Mzi some plans in his head. Mzi suggests he stop saying I; don’t make it about himself. In Mzi’s interview, he says, while he’s never been in Storm’s position, he felt the pressure last season just stepping on board. We flash back to the yacht education of Mzi, and a producer asks if Mzi’s nerves are gone now. He says he’s getting there. He and Storm bro hug, and Natalya dances on the bar. Dave hunts down Tasha, and says he wants to chat. He asks her not to hate him, and she says she doesn’t, but he says she seems uncomfortable. She literally can’t be around him, and he deserves more. She tells him, they’re not in a relationship, and she doesn’t play games. He says he asked her about it, but she didn’t message back, and she says, they work 20 hours a day. He says, she has time to read his messages, but she says, she should never feel like she has to answer to anyone. He tells her not to lead him on, and she says she’s not. He insists she is, and she walks away. Dave tells Storm that he’s potentially lost one of the best things that’s happened to him. Tasha gets in a taxi, and heads back to the boat, and Dave starts asking everyone if they’ve seen her. In Tasha’s interview, she says, the fact is, they’re sharing a cabin. She doesn’t know what to do about this.

The rest of the crew continues to drink and dance. Dave continues to text Tasha, asking where she is. On the boat, she moves some stuff to a guest cabin, and he texts, this is really not cool. The crew decide to call it a night, and in the taxi, Dave says, this needs to be over now. Natalya wonders what secrets Storm’s mustache is hiding, and they kiss. In Storm’s interview, he says, it’s been a wonderful day. They got a big tip, the charter guests are off the boat, and he’s just kissed the most beautiful woman in the world. A producer says, and he got a promotion, and he says he forgot. Dave sees Tasha isn’t in their cabin, and he says he’s over it. He’s been saving her rotten secret the whole time. He calls her, and she ignores it. Natalya bites at Storm, and he says he’s not an apple. Dave starts to rage text Tasha, saying he’s going to tell everyone if she doesn’t, calling her a slut, and telling her, f*** you. Kyle goes to the guest cabin, and asks, what’s going on? Tasha explains that she and Dave hooked up on their last boat. Kyle says he knew it, and she shows him the messages Dave’s been sending. In her interview, she says, when you hook up, you have a level of trust in the person. Now he’s sending her messages calling her names. Dave texts, goodbye rotten secret. You deserve this. Kyle says, that sh*t is stopping now, and Tasha says, Dave is psycho. In Kyle’s interview, he says he’s seen the type of person Dave is. We flash back to Dave trying to start something with Jason, and Jason saying, it’s a power move. Dave’s not getting the girl, so he’s trying to be the alpha. Kyle finds Dave in a ball in the bathroom, and Dave says he caused damage with his behavior that he can’t take back. Natalya and Storm kiss in her bunk, and Kyle comes in, covering his eyes. He tells them that Dave is having anxiety, and Storm suggests telling him to go to bed, and stop this sh*t now. Storm goes to find Dave, and asks if he’s all right. Dave says he’s feeling like sh*t. He and Tasha have been hooking up for the last two months. Storm says he already put that two and two together, and Dave says, the whole thing is frustrating because no one understands what’s going on, but he’s had enough. F*** her. He doesn’t deserve it. He’s been nothing but good to her. Storm says, this is toxic, and somehow gets Dave to go back to bed. Kyle stays with Tasha, suggesting they watch something funny. Storm goes back to Natalya’s cabin, and says, Dave and Tasha have been sleeping with each other for two months; it’s a big secret. Dave looks at photos of him and Tasha on his phone, and Natalya reminds Storm that there are two sides to every story, but Storm says he’s agreeing with Tasha.

Storm tells Mzi about Tasha and Dave, and Tasha tells Kyle, it’s going be hell having to work with him. Kyle says she’s overthinking it, and in Dave’s interview, he says he doesn’t remember what happened, but he knows he f***ed up. Regardless of being drunk and not remembering, what he said in the texts was unforgivable. You don’t talk like that even if people are in the wrong. Tasha tells Kyle that she’s trying to figure out how to get her stuff from the cabin. In Natalya’s interview, she says, she doesn’t know if she and Storm are having small romance or something else. She’s taking it day by day. Jason tells Storm, if they can be professional, go for it. Tasha goes into the cabin where Jason is lying on the bottom bunk, and heads straight into the bathroom. Kyle goes to the crew mess, and says he needs endless amounts of water and coffee today. Tasha gets her stuff, and leaves without talking to Dave. Storm says, when he got up this morning, he forgot he had to be bosun. In Jason’s interview, he thinks there’s going to be more order, and people will know what they’re doing. He expects Storm will act like a bosun, and he thinks it’s going to be good. Tasha talks to Natalya, saying, she’s obviously the one who brought this on, but Natalya says, it’s takes two to tango. It doesn’t matter what happened in the past; Dave had no right to talk to her that way. Tasha apologizes for the disruption she caused, and Natalya hugs her. Storm asks Mzi to be with him on the stern, and in his interview, Storm says he’s nervous. He knows he still needs to learn a lot, but he’s worked on a lot of boats, and they’ve shaped him to be who he is. He feels it’s a big mountain he has to climb, but he has the right set of boots on. Kyle and Tasha discuss what habit in a partner would send them over the edge, and in Kyle’s interview, he says, before he came out, he had a 12 year relationship. It was challenging because his whole life was a secret. It was tough when he was left for a woman, but when you lay manure first, you get the best veggies. Tasha says, they should enjoy being single.

Dave looks at the text he sent, and sighs. He cries in the bathroom, and Kyle asks, what’s wrong? Dave says he’s having an anxiety attack, and Kyle tells Captain Sandy. He says, Dave is a bit emotional, and he was hoping she could have a word with him. The captain goes to the bathroom where Dave is, and asks if he’s okay. She tells him to breathe, and he says his mind is literally out of control. She tells him, keep breathing, and he says, this hasn’t happened in a long time. He thought he had it under control. Captain Sandy says she thinks something made it surface; the lack of sleep, and the intense work environment. He says he can’t sleep. He can’t switch it off. She suggests they go for a walk and look at the water. Storm says, you can’t make this sh*t up, and tells Jason what’s going on. Mzi says he thinks it’s just emotions from previous things, and Captain Sandy takes Dave to sit on the dock. She asks, what’s going on? and he says he’s ashamed. She says, he’s human, and he says he sent Tasha texts she didn’t deserve; he was mean. The captain thinks they should change cabins, and says she’ll talk to Tasha. In Captain Sandy’s interview, she says, she’s not sure what happened, but as captain, it’s her obligation to make sure Tasha feels safe. That’s more important than anything. She goes back to the boat, and radios Tasha to come to the bridge. She tells Tasha that she doesn’t know the story, and Tasha says, Dave sent her texts that were not nice, but she feels she caused this mess. The captain says, it’s not her fault. People make their own decisions. Tasha says, the situation was that she’d just come out of a five year relationship. She and Dave had a thing, then she didn’t want anything else to happen, so there’s been upsetting things. Captain Sandy asks if she feels safe, and Tasha says, to be honest, she feels better. She hopes it doesn’t get out of hand, where one of them has to go, but she feels she can move on. The captain says she trusts Tasha and her judgment, so they’ll go from there. One of them does need to move out of the cabin. In Tasha’s interview, she says she’s not telling Captain Sandy about the messages. Dave is a lovely person, kind and caring. She wants the peace of mind to be able to carry on a professional work relationship, and thinks it’s best not to say anything. She says, if the captain is happy, let them carry on, and Tasha won’t let it affect anything. Captain Sandy says she already knows that, and in the captain’s interview, she says she’s not concerned if crew members had a relationship; it’s none of her business. She cares about their mental health and well-being, and getting through the season. When people go into yachting, some people are running from something, and others are looking for something. They have her support, but she’s here to do a job, and expects the same from them.

In Storm’s interview, he says, it’s his first time as a bosun. With all the boat drama, it’s important to have someone who’s passionate about what they do, and good vibes. They need to gel as a team. Captain Sandy calls Dave to the bridge, and Tasha tells Kyle that she created this mess.

Captain Sandy tells Dave that she had a conversation with Tasha, and this is not okay; it’s unacceptable. She needs to know everybody is safe. Dave admits he was out of line, and there’s no excuse for that, but asks that she please give him another chance. She says, if he does it again, he’s fired. Does he think he can get through the season? Can they reset and move on? He says, definitely, and she says she wants them to move cabins. It happens today. He says he’s sorry, and in her interview, Captain Sandy says, with interpersonal relationships on board, each crew member draws their own line, but if Tasha had said she felt threatened, she would have let Dave go. Tasha tells Kyle, she’s been in a relationship where she’s felt controlled, and it’s not nice. What she saw last night, it was like she was being owned. They’re not even in a relationship. At the same time, Dave isn’t a bad person; he was just drunk. She doesn’t know what to say to him. Kyle says she has to make him understand nothing can happen. Tell him that she needs to work on herself. There are lots of hugs and thanks. Natalya sings in the laundry about the new girl arriving. She’s ready for fresh faces.

Tasha seeks out Dave in what’s now his cabin, and he says he feels like he betrayed Tasha; he f***ed up. She says, he’s a good person, but he says he’s ashamed. The situation should never have gotten to this. She says she’s sorry she made him feel like he had to hide his stuff, and asks if he feels like they can work together professionally. Can he still do what he does best? They hug it out, and Tasha says, no hard feelings. In Tasha’s interview, she says she’s never seen Dave act this way. She doesn’t recognize him. Hopefully, he’ll never do this again.

Next time, the new stew arrives; a duel birthday celebration; Tasha needs to speak to her ex properly, and doesn’t know the right thing to do; and it looks like another close call with a dolphin (not the mammal).

🚂 Time To Relax At the Junction…

Roll on by tomorrow for soap, a cuppa tea, and a song. Until then, stay safe, stay thinking before you speak, and stay remembering, when you lay manure first, you get the best veggies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i52mlmJtyJQ

Aug6

August 5, 2022 – Deception Does Damage Control, Yesterday’s Charm, 2 Anniversaries, He’s Restless, Days Move, Kindness Please, Regrets, Sit Down, Med Captain, 50 Cent’s 2 Cents, Transformation, Who’s On, 5+5 = 10 Quotes & Here It Comes

Posted on August 6, 2022 by theresakp

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Chase lounges in a floatie donut in the pool. Dante comes by and says, this reminds him of a movie he saw once. Disillusioned guy spends the summer floating around in a pool so he can avoid his future. Chase says, The Graduate. It’s a good movie. The key difference is though, the main character had Simon and Garfunkel singing his confusion. Dante says, right, and Chase says, and didn’t have to pay for his pool chaise. Dante says, that’s true too. Don’t kid himself though. That guy was a lot younger than him. Chase says, thank you. Did Dante talk to his guy at the CCRB? Dante says, yeah, and Chase says, and? Is there a chance he’s getting back on the force? Dante says he’s sorry. He wishes he had better news to report.

Lucy comes into the Deception office, and tells Brook and Maxie that she’s sorry to keep them waiting. She was on the phone with Paris again and again, and she appreciates them coming to this meeting at such short notice. Maxie says she’s supposed to meet Britt for brunch, but if this is about what she thinks it’s about, Britt will forgive her. Lucy says, yeah, Sasha, and Brook says, it’s all over the news. It’s blowing up their social media. They need to release a statement. Lucy says, exactly, and Maxie says, one that protects Sasha’s privacy. Lucy says, that is a given, but they also have to consider Deception’s image and protect their company. Maxie says, more important, they help their friend, but Lucy says she’s not sure they can do both.

Martin gives Sasha some coffee, and says, it’s not Perks, but why doesn’t she try to drink it anyway; be as sharp as she can. She just stares ahead, and he says, Sasha? If she doesn’t have anything more to say, he guesses he’ll see what time transport is set for her arraignment. Outside in the squad room, Gladys arrives, and Brando hugs her. She says she brought Sasha fresh clothes. He looks like he hasn’t slept a wink. Where’s Sasha? He points to the interrogation room, and says, she’s int there conferring with her lawyer Martin Grey. She says, excellent. He’s Valentin Cassadine’s attorney; he’s high-powered. He’ll help their girl for sure. Martin comes out, and Brando asks, how’s Sasha? Martin says, she’s just great. Why shouldn’t she be? She’s only facing charges of reckless endangerment, disturbing the peace, willful destruction of property – both public and private – and oh yeah, attempted murder.

Gregory meets Alexis at some outside tables, and she says, he’s early. He says, only by a few minutes. He’s eager to hear the feedback on the op ed he wrote. She says, and so he shall. She promised to be honest. He tells her not to keep him in suspense. Who came out on top of their little wager? She says, you tell me, and hands him her tablet.

At the MetroCourt Gardens, Sam thanks Spinelli for meeting her. He says, of course (🍷). He’s always at her service. Cody walks in, and Spinelli says, unlike others, she’s entirely worthy of his time and efforts.

Cody sees Britt, and says, hello again. He sits next to her, and she says, and goodbye again, getting up. He says, come on. Don’t be like that. She doesn’t have to take off. She says, sorry. She has to go. He says, what? She needs something plugged in again? She needs to wash her hair? He knows she doesn’t need to see a guy about a horse because he’s that guy. She says, he’s right. She doesn’t need to make excuses. The simple truth is, she just doesn’t like him.

Chase says, so the Review Board is going to rule against him? and Dante says he doesn’t know about that. All he knows is, his guy on the inside, when he asked if Chase would get his badge back, he said the chances were slim. Chase asks if there’s anything he can do to derail this, and Dante says, the new member appointed by the public advocate is making a point of throwing the book at cops who step out of line, regardless of their exemplary record. Chase says, so that’s it, he’s no longer a cop, but Dante says, take it from him, you’re still a cop until you actually hand your badge in for good. There’s always hope until that happens. Chase says, hope doesn’t pay his late rent, and Dante says he’ll spot Chase rent money. Chase says he appreciates that, but he got himself into this, and he’ll get himself out. Dante says, even if it means taking a job outside the force? when Linc appears, and says, then it’s a good thing Chase has other options.

Brook scrolls on her tablet, and says, the comments are so rude. Poor Sasha. Maxie says, she kept insisting she was okay, but in retrospect, it’s clear she wasn’t. Lucy says, these media hounds are baying for blood. They’ve got to simply reset the narrative. They need to engender empathy for Sasha that maintains her position here, and hopefully placates the Board of Directors. Maxie says, they need to come up with a strategy that shields Deception from liability, while not abandoning one of their partners. Brook says, right. Where do they start? Maxie says, let’s get the ball rolling, and asks if Brook would mind taking notes. Brook says, of course (🍷) not, and Maxie says, Deception’s press release subject: Deception’s commitment on supporting health and mental well-being.

Gladys brings a garment bag in to Sasha, and asks how she’s holding up.

Alexis tells Gregory, this one says, Professor Chase’s opinion piece seems like a complaint in search of a cause, and he says, but if you scroll up, you’ll see Cronkite’s Ghost – he laughs – says his op-ed piece eloquently illuminates the necessity of objectivity. She laughs, and says, Cronkite’s Ghost. They say a handle says a lot about a person. She’s getting pompous blowhard. He asks if she’s ascribing that characterization to him, but she says, no, of course (🍷) not. Here’s one. Newshound86 thinks his op-ed piece is a dumpster fire. He says, how constructive… and poetic, and she says, this one just wants her to put the horoscopes back in. He says, he’d argue that astrology is subjective, so he marks that one in his favor. She says, by a slim margin, it appears the readers approve of his point-of-view. Cue the gloating. He says, him gloat? No. It’s enough he’s feeling validated that his so-called antiquated notions have merit. Thanks for following up. She says, a deal’s a deal, and he says, speaking of which, their deal was, if he won, she’d take more of his input on board. She wonders why the hairs on the back of her neck on end. Cue the smirk. He smiles.

Cody says, Britt hasn’t been shy about her disapproval, and she says, and yet, here he is. Haven’t they played this scene before? He says, yes, we have, but we keep screwing up the finale, and she asks what he means by we. He says, he can admit that he doesn’t always say the right things, and she asks if he expects her to say something to the contrary, but he says, no. He was just giving her the chance to admit that she’s unforgiving when it comes to human frailty. He takes a sip of his drink, and says he’ll wait. She says, by all means, help yourself.

Sam tells Spinelli that she thinks she hit a brick wall, but he’s busy staring at Britt and Cody. She says, then Felicia made a great suggestion to her. She said, think analog. He says, interesting, and she says, the documentation she needs is abroad. Is he available for a quick trip? He asks, where? and she says she was thinking Mars. She hears the planet is notorious for sloppy record keeping. He says, that’s just common knowledge, and she says, he’s not even listening to a word she’s saying, but he says, he is. Analog records… messy… Mars? She tells him, she said Mars, and the word she used is sloppy. What’s messy is him eavesdropping on Britt and Cody’s conversation. She wants him to tell her why, and no lame excuse or denial, because she’s not buying it.

Sasha comes out, and Brando her. He says he’s not going anywhere, and Gladys leads her away. Martin says he’s glad Brando’s mother brought fresh clothes; she needs to be as presentable as possible. Brando says, clothes aren’t going to do anything. Her eyes are vacant and she doesn’t look good. They need to get her out of here. Tell him, how are they going to beat these charges? Martin says, they can’t.

Cody tells Britt to look at it from his point-of-view. She tore into him about falling into the pool at the mixer. He was hired to jump, and she was standing smackdab in the middle of it. She helped him in the alley when he got beat up, but then she assumed he deserved it. He did not. Then she drenched him on their date because he went a little overboard trying to impress her. And she woudn’t even accept his apology. Then when she finally did accept his apology, she found some trivial reason to get angry at him again. It’s like she wants him to fail. He guesses if people don’t live up to her ridiculously high expectations she’s set for them, she gets to feel justified punishing them. She says, he’s right. He’s got her number. He says, he does?

Sam says, Spinelli is on good terms with Britt, so his beef must be with Cody. Why? He says, Mr. Bell is a scoundrel of ill-repute, and she asks if he realizes Cody and Dante are best friends from childhood. Leo loves the guy, as do the horses. He seems like a nice guy. What’s Spinelli’s issue with him? Spinelli says, he’s a man of many faces, and she says, meaning? He says he can read people well. Remember, he never liked Peter August. She says, nobody liked Peter August. Why doesn’t he save his incredible reading skills for the documentation they’ll be hunting down on their trip? She’d like to leave by the end of the week. He says he’s completely at her disposal stateside, but he’s too occupied with work to cross the International Dateline. She says, work. She’s so glad he brought that up. What is it he does these days?

Dante says he wasn’t talking to Linc. What does he want? Linc says, nothing to do with Dante. He has business with Dante’s friend here. Dante says, Chase is still a cop, so Chase is his partner, and Chase asks Dante to give them a second. Dante asks if Chase is kidding. This guy might be the reason he gets kicked off the force. What business could Chase possibly have with him? Linc says, standing right here, and Dante says, go stand over there. Chase tells Dante, he knows what he’s doing, and Dante says, all right. Just don’t let this punk bait him. He leaves, and Linc says, Chase gave him 30 days to show him what he can do. It hasn’t even been a week, and he’s booked Chase a gig at The Savoy. What has Brook done for him lately?

Maxie asks Brook to read that last part back, and Brook reads, together we pledge to stand up for the Deception family by breaking the stigma of mental health challenges, ensuring their partners and their families receive all the help they need. Therefore, Deception will make a one million dollar donation to help families with mental illness. Maxie says, sounds good. Just change the Deception family to our Deception family, and she thinks that’s their press release. Brook agrees, and says, Sasha’s arrest was definitely a cry for help. Hopefully, framing it this way will inspire compassion. Haters be damned. She’s going to make this change, email it to herself, and take it to PR. Maxie asks her to have legal put their eyes on it first. Then tell them to work with PR. She wants it posted on all their social media platforms as soon as possible. Brook says, she’ll make it happen, and leaves. Maxie asks if Lucy didn’t have anything she wanted to add, but Lucy says, no. Actually, everything Maxie and Brook said is fine. Lucy scarfs gummi bears as they talk, and Maxie says, she’s glad Martin is representing Sasha; he’s one of the best. And she’s not just saying that because… you know. Lucy says, my guy knows his stuff, and it’s good for Sasha’s sake, and for ours. Maxie says, ours? and Lucy says, it’s just that Martin sees the big picture, and understands how important it is to protect all of Sasha’s interests, which includes Deception. Which means they have some tough decisions to make. Maxie says, how tough? and Lucy says, Maxie’s not going to like what she has to say.

Martin tells Brando, he had a call into the DA’s office, and his contact just got back to him. Martin wanted to run something by him. Brando says, something about Sasha? and Martin says, Brando’s got to understand some things. Brando says, sounds serious, and Martin says, in the first place, he’s sorry he rattled off those charges at Brando like that. He wasn’t trying to be flippant. He’s a little punchy in the morning when he hasn’t slept, but he swears he’s taking this case seriously. He wants Brando to know, he’s looking at every possibility to help his wife; all of them. Brando thanks him, and asks if Martin was being punchy when he said they couldn’t beat some of these charges. Martin says, some of the charges he believe can be thrown out, or restitution can be made, but on some of the others, no way. They have to contend with a very damning video; a video where Sasha isn’t just out of control, she looks outright violent. All those assault charges are going to be tough to beat. Brando says, but he’ll try, right? They’ll do whatever he wants them to do. Martin says he believes Brando will, but can the same thing be said of his wife?

Gladys wipes Sasha’s face, and Sasha pulls away. Gladys says, Sasha is still a little smudged. She’s just trying help. Sasha says, thanks, but nobody can help, and Gladys says, that’s not true. Sasha has a whole army behind her. Maxie’s been blowing up Gladys’s phone; she just hasn’t had a chance to get back to her. She’s sure Maxie and Lucy want to visit Sasha, but Sasha says she’s not. Not after what she did. Gladys asks why she did it, and Sasha says, she was standing up for herself, and she would do it again.

Gregory says, he heard Sasha Gilmore recently attacked the vehicle of one of Alexis’s reporters, and she says, Smoltz (who apparently has no first name) is a freelancer. He says, whatever Smoltz’s role at The Invader, he’s surprised there’s been no mention of it in her paper. Why is that? She says, because the story is still evolving, and they’ll cover it when they know more. Unless of course (🍷) he’d like her to report the salacious account of a spokesmodel having a nervous breakdown. He says, that’s a narrow way of looking at it, and she says, and his way? He says, the facts. A reporter – one affiliated with her paper – was attacked while doing his job.

Lucy says, maybe they should consider finding a new Face of Deception, and Maxie asks if she’s talking about pushing Sasha out, but Lucy says, no, absolutely not. Sasha is their partner, and always will be. She’s just thinking maybe Sasha should step aside as spokesperson, just for a while. Take a sabbatical or something. Maxie says, after everything Sasha has lost, Lucy wants to strip her of more, and Lucy says, it’s hard to say and hard to hear, but look at everything they’ve built; look at all this company means. All the money, everything, is tied up in its stock value. And if it goes belly-up, it’s Brokesville again; they’ll have nothing. She knows Sasha wouldn’t want that. Does Maxie? Sasha is their friend, always; this is just business. Maxie says, okay. Then as the head of this business, Lucy can tell her, and she walks out.

Gladys says, can’t the court just ask Sasha to pay for the damage to that reporter’s car? She’s good for it. Sasha says, Smoltz deserved it; so did Sienna. Pretending to be Sasha’s friend, when all along, Sienna wanted to ply her with more drugs so she could stab her in the back. She’s so sick of them. She’s tired of being exploited. Gladys says, of course (🍷) she is, but isn’t she also tired of feeling out of control?

Martin tells Brando, he doesn’t know what the hell’s going on or why, but they simply don’t have time to figure it out. For some reason, Brando’s wife has completely shut down. Every answer she gave him was model celeb, if she answered him at all. Brando says, Sasha’s in shock. Spending the night in jail didn’t help at all. Martin says, he’ll definitely ask the court to take that into consideration, but that’s not the only issue at play here, is it? He was up most of the night going over the evidence in this case, trying to wrap his head recent events, and he doesn’t have to tell Brando, it doesn’t look good. Sasha has blown up her sobriety, she’s spun out on national television… She caused a fatal car accident... Brando says, she didn’t cause that; Harmony ran out in front of her. Martin says, so what? His point is, with Sasha these days, it’s one thing after another. This is just something else in a long line of bad looks. Now, worst of all, she’s either in denial or she’s intentionally avoiding the help she so desperately needs.

Britt tells Cody, she is too hard on people; she always has been. He asks if she thinks she misses out on getting to know folks, and she says, probably. He says, it’s kind of worse that they end up missing out on knowing her, and she says, okay, this is sliding into the sappy zone. What he doesn’t understand is, she doesn’t really like people all that much, so it’s no great loss. He says he’s see how she and her buddy Brad get on, when she’s not scolding him, and she says, that weirdo? He says, besides, what’s a little sap between friends? Nothing wrong with that. Not to be presumptuous, but he has a sappy present for her. He knows they’re not friends or anything like that, but consider him a weirdo. He takes an envelope out of his pocket, and puts it on the table. He says, it’s just a little token to prove he’s not some conniving grifter, and she says, he just happened to be carrying it in case he bumped into her? Not conniving, eh? How did he know where to find her?

Spinelli assures Sam, his work is of the greatest importance. Not as important as hers of course (🍷). He has contacts all over the world who can be at her disposal. In fact, he’ll connect her with someone who can help aid in her investigation. She says, nice try. She’s not done interrogating him yet. He says, she’s an astute sleuth. Can’t she detect a dead end when she sees one? Speaking of sleuths, how are things with Detective Falconari? She says, well, he asked her to move in with him. Spinelli says, congratulations. Glad tidings… are they not?

Chase tells Linc, that’s great about The Savoy, but he’s sure Brook has some irons in the fire. Linc says, while she’s flailing around, he’s crushing it. How does a gig at The Mercury Lounge sound? Chase says, in New York City? Out of his league. That place is for the big acts. Linc says, it is, and it will be for Chase before he knows it, with Linc managing his career. It’s hard to have a serious conversation with a floatie between them. Chase gets out of the pool, and Linc hands him a towel. He says, it’s good to see Chase’s unemployment paid off with more gym time. When he’s through marketing Chase, their key demo is either going to want to be him, or want to be with him. Brook walks in, and says, Chase isn’t just a piece of meat; he’s an artist – a talented, beautiful artist. Chase gets dressed, and Brook says, he’s got talent, and smarts, and heart. Linc says, sure. He’s the total package, but he assures her, Chase’s fans will be more interested in his eyes than his IQ. His development department has put together a promotional plan for Chase. He’s also booked studio time for them to start laying down tracks with top writers and producers. After the gig at The Savoy, then they’ll focus on The Mercury Lounge. At both gigs, the concert goers will be able to stream and share his EP. They’ll be able to sell a ton of merch at The Mercury Lounge. Either way, it’s instant revenue for Chase. Chase says he could actually use the money, and Brook asks, how much is this studio time? What are they talking here? Chase says, it does sound expensive, and Linc says, you bet it is, but not for Chase; it’s part of the package. Like his styling, his wardrobe, and his voice lessons. Can Brook offer him the same? Dante watches them, and Brook says, no, but she can offer him something even better.

Britt asks if Cody is having her followed; paying people to let him know if she shows up here? He says, Maxie told him… Well, she mentioned something about brunch plans, and he took a chance. She says, it’s still invasive, and he says he hears her, but it’s still better than showing up at her hotel room or her office. He didn’t have any other options. Is she going to open it or what? She holds the envelope to her ear, and says, it’s not ticking. He says, no need. He’s blown up enough chances with her. She opens the passport and starts to read, and he says, she’s a hard woman to make arts and crafts for. He’ll totally understand if she hates it. She says she doesn’t hate it, and he says, does she think maybe they could add another stamp? Any night she’s available. She asks if there’s any way he’ll take no for an answer, and he says, statistically? Probably the same chances as her refraining from sarcasm. She says she calls the meal this time, and he says, deal.

Sam tells Spinelli, there’s so much to consider. She’s not sure about moving. She doesn’t want to uproot Scout and Danny; the penthouse is their home. He says, home is wherever she is. Doesn’t she want to live with Dante? She says she thinks things are really good the way they are. Why change it? He asks if there’s any other reason she’s hesitant to do this, when Maxie walks in, and says, hey guys. She’s having a morning. Is she interrupting if she sits? Sam says, not at all, and Spinelli says, have a seat. Britt says she never would have figured Cody for being the arts and crafts type, and Maxie says, it looks like Britt and Cody are getting along. She guesses she doesn’t have to apologize to Britt for missing their brunch. Looks like she gave true love an assist. Spinelli asks why she’s so certain Cody is right for Britt, and she says, because she trusts Society Set-Ups. And she’s spent some time with him; he’s a sweet guy. Sam says she happens to agree, but Spinelli says, they both couldn’t be more wrong, and storms out.

Alexis says, not everyone sees things through the lens of a journalism professor, and Gregory says, he’s also a citizen. It concerns him whenever freedom of the press is constrained by threats or violence. She says, she agrees, but he doesn’t know Smoltz. His tactics are less than savory, and she wouldn’t put it past him if he goaded Sasha into a reaction, hoping to provoke just what he got. So if she were him, she wouldn’t hang out the shingle of the First Amendment rights on this one. He says he’d like to invite her to one of his PCU lectures, and she says, he’s lecturing? He says, PCU wooed him out of retirement; convinced him to teach a course. He thinks she’d get a lot out of it. She says, really? She’s argued First Amendment rights in a court of law a lot more than he’s ever lectured about it in a classroom. He says, then she undoubtedly knows, the character of the victim doesn’t preclude the reporting of the crime. Mr. Smoltz may not be the kind of reporter she respects, but he was the target of violence, which makes it at least worthy of her attention, and in his learned opinion, most definitely newsworthy.

Sasha says, Gladys thinks she’s out of control? and Gladys says, doesn’t she? Lately, she’s not the Sasha that Gladys has come to know and love. Sasha says, love. Gladys didn’t even want her to marry her son. Gladys says, she didn’t. Not then. Not at the time, for a few reasons. It seemed like they were rushing, for one thing, and she didn’t like being excluded. But once she saw how much Sasha really loved Brando, and how happy she makes him, and how kind and smart she is, she’s been proud to call Sasha her daughter-in-law. And she’s done what she could to protect Sasha. She thought Sasha knew that.

Brando asks if Martin thinks he gives a damn about optics. He cares about Sasha. He cares about what Martin can do for her. Martin says, Brando needs to care about all of it. Just like he does. Sasha’s drawn the attention of the internet; she’s gone viral. Given the recent nature of political events involving their mayor, the DA’s office is doing everything to avoid the appearance of favoritism. Sasha’s a celebrity. Optics. Translation: don’t expect any kind of preferential treatment, because they’re in no position to give her a break. Brando asks what they do, and Martin says, he motivates his wife to take a more active part in her own defense. He agrees she needs help. She needs a psyche consult, but he doesn’t know if she’d be receptive to the idea. Most of all, she needs to demonstrate her commitment to intensive therapy and restitution. Brando says he doesn’t know if Sasha is ready to confront this, and Martin says, and that severely limits their options. He can only think of one other way to keep Brando’s wife out of prison.

Britt tells Cody, it’s official; she’s been stood up. She’s going to the pool. He says, he’d ask to join her, but she’d just say he’s pushing it, and she says, maybe he is getting to know her. Maxie and Sam join them, and Maxie says, they are getting along. Britt asks for a word with her, and they step aside. Britt asks, what happened to brunch; did Maxie forget? Maxie says, she got hung up at Deception, damage control, and Britt says, right. Sorry. How’s Sasha doing? Any word? Maxie says, nothing from her side; not happy things from theirs. Britt says, when she sees Sasha, tell her she has friends, and Maxie says, she will. It seems like Britt is all about friends these days. Looking pretty cozy over there. She asks, what’s that? indicating the envelope in Britt’s hand, and Britt says, just a silly gift Cody made her. Maxie says, oh… really, and Britt says she’ll overlook whatever part Maxie played in securing him a second date. Maxie gets excited, and says, they’re going on a second date? Britt says, calm down. It’s just a date. Don’t go pricing wedding venues.

Alexis tells Gregory, what Sasha did to Smoltz is news, regardless of extenuating circumstances, but is it newsworthy? He says, that sounds like leftover lawyer speak, and she says, it’s human speak, because she’s a human being. You know who else is a human being? Sasha Gilmore. Gregory says, one that she knows personally. Could that be precluding her view? She says, she barely knows Sasha. She’s looking at the big picture, and given the impact of social media, and various platforms, in contemporary journalism, that’s something that has to be taken very seriously. He says, by all means, put the truth out there, and she says, Cronkite said, in seeking the truth, you need to be able to look at both sides of the story. If they just tell the facts of what happened to Sasha, it’s a disservice to her and their readers. He says, don’t tell him she has alternative facts, and she says, she has context. In the span of a year, Sasha has overdosed, she’s gotten clean, she’s fallen in love, she’s lost a child, she’s been in a fatal car crash, she’s relapsed, and she’s still struggling with her mental health. So if they omit all that, and just print she attacked a car with a valet sign, that’s not showing respect to the Fourth Estate. It’s character assassination disguised as journalism.

Martin says he knows he can cut a deal with the DA’s office, predicated on the promise that Sasha stays out of trouble moving forward, but Brando says he doesn’t know if they can guarantee that. Martin says, in her current state? Brando had better guarantee it, because if he makes a deal, and she breaks her promise, she will be remanded to prison. Like he said, there might be one other way, if Brando’s prepared for it. Brando asks if it’s something that would get the DA to accept this deal, and Martin asks if he knows what guardianship is. Brando says, it’s like a conservatorship, right? and Martin says, exactly. In New York state, the guardianship is utilized when an adult is considered legally incapacitated. Brando says, Martin wants them to claim Sasha is incapable of taking care of herself? and Martin asks, what happened during her last therapy appointment? Brando says, she didn’t make it, and Martin asks if Brando would say her condition makes her less able to manage things, like her health and financial affairs. Brando says he doesn’t know about this, and Martin says, take it easy. They’re not talking about tossing Sasha into some 19^th century house of hysteria; this is simply a strategy. It’s a way to keep her at home, and out of prison. Appoint someone, a guardian to watch out for her well-being, make sure she gets to appointments on time, safeguard her finances. It doesn’t have to be forever. Brando says, it seems extreme, and Martin says, it’s Brando’s call, but given Sasha’s state of mind, is she ready for a trial? He doesn’t think it would go well for her. Does Brando?

Sasha says she’s tired, and Gladys says she knows, but they’re all doing their best to help her. She can’t read Sasha’s mind, but she’ll tell Sasha what’s on hers. Sasha is her family now, and that means Gladys will do whatever it takes to look out for her.

Brook says, what she can offer Chase is unique, and Linc says, what is this, a double-standard? Brook tells him, get his head out of the gutter, if it’s at all possible. Linc is only looking at Chase as a performer. She’s a songwriter and they’ve collaborated before. If they share songwriting credit, he’ll get a larger share of all songs produced and streamed. The money won’t be instant, but the residuals mean a lot more in the long run. Chase says, it’s very tempting, and she tells him, think about it, and leaves. She walks over to Dante, and he says he’d clap for her, but he doesn’t want to blow her cover. That was a great show. Is there anything she can’t do? She says she can’t understand what he’s saying right now. Why is he smiling? He says, it’s him. They go way back. The whole wanting to be Chase’s manager is a good angle, but he knows a con when he sees one.

Gregory tells Alexis, beautifully expressed. Miss Gilmore is lucky that Alexis is Editor-in-Chief. She says, he’s agreeing with her? and he asks if that’s so hard to believe. She says, given their interaction thus far? and he says, fair enough. He agrees this story can’t be told without including Miss Gilmore’s state of mind as a mitigating factor. It’s wise to take a more nuanced approach. Alexis says, she’s concerned about violating medical confidentiality. How does she inject nuance without compromising privacy? He says, it’s tricky, but there are ways, and she says, okay, professor. He’s offered a lesson. Okeydoke. She takes out her notebook, and says, school’s in session. He says he’s honored, but she says, don’t be. She’s doing it for Sasha.

Brando says, Martin is sure no plea deal can be made? and Martin says, not if Sasha doesn’t demonstrate some kind of cooperation. Brando asks if she wouldn’t have to agree to a guardianship, but Martin says, not necessarily, especially if she was incapable of making that decision. Brando says, she’s already accused him of trying to control her life. He doesn’t know if he’s comfortable with this. Gladys and Sasha join them, and Gladys says, comfortable with what? Are they talking a game plan, a strategy? Martin says, they have a couple options to consider, but for now they’re taking it one step at a time. He tells Sasha, this officer is going to escort her to the courthouse where she’s going to be arraigned. They’ll meet her there. Does she have any questions? Sasha shakes her head, and Brando takes her hands, and says, everything’s going to be okay. She says, promise? and he says, better than that, a vow. For better or worse, in sickness and in health. He’s got her.

Maxie goes back to Cody and Sam, and says, Cody’s gift was a hit. Congrats. They high-five, and Cody thanks her for encouraging him to give it to Britt personally. Sam says, smooth move, Maxie, and he says, too bad all of Britt’s friends aren’t as supportive as they are. Sam says, if he’s referring to Spinelli, don’t worry about him; he’s been all over the place lately. Maxie says, she’s noticed that. What’s with him? Sam says she doesn’t know, aside from the fact he gave Cody a dirty look the entire time she was talking to him, and Maxie wonders why he’d be doing that. Does Cody have any idea? He says, not a clue.

Britt lies on a chaise, her eyes closed, when Spinelli clears his throat, startling her. He says, she’s about to make a mistake, and she says, his mistake was looming over her like a vampire. He almost got a swift kick. She gets up, and he says he’s serious. She can’t go out with Cody again.

Britt says she knows Dante wants his partner back, but whether he wants to believe it or not, Chase real future in music. Dante says he knows Chase is a talented guy, but he also happens to know, Chase is thinking things are pretty bleak right now, and he doesn’t want Chase to make a mistake. So please level with him. What the hell do the two of them have cooking up?

Chase tells Linc, that’s great. Tell the development team to send over the promotional package, and he’ll have his lawyers look at it. Linc says, he’s convincing, but not good enough for Linc, or himself. Chase says he’s not sure what Linc is getting at, and Linc says, don’t play a player. He knows Brook, and he knows what she’s really up to.

On Monday, Cody says, might as well put their cards on the table; Willow has the feeling Ava want something from her; Obrecht says, Nina needs to walk away now; and Dex says he just gave Michael the perfect opportunity to nail his old man.

Southern Charm

Austen joins Kathryn for a pedicure at a nail place, unoriginally called The Nail Place. He says he’s excited for girls day, and in his interview, he says he’s always had a soft spot for Kathryn. He did win Drama King in high school, and Kathryn can be dramatic as well. She asks if he’s getting a color, and he says he’s not Craig. Working at home, Craig tells himself, work smarter, not harder. Naomie calls, and he tells her that he’s working on his spring collection. She says she had a strange reaction at Olivia’s, and needs to pick his brain. She asks if he wants to get coffee, and we flash back to Paige saying, it’s inappropriate to hang out with one’s ex. Craig asks why she’s calling him about it, and Naomie says, it’s about Kathryn. She thought he’d be the best person to advise her. We flash back to Craig asking Paige, what about having lunch with an ex? and Paige saying, no. He says, it must be serious enough if she wants to talk in person. He’s going to be over by her later, and there’s a coffee shop nearby. In Craig’s interview, he says, it’s just coffee. He’ll get in and get out. They’re not getting their nails done together. Meanwhile at the nail salon, Austen says he loves Kathryn’s blond look, and she asks how things are going with him and Olivia. He says, they haven’t spoken since the party. It bothered him that after he’d talked to her about Madison, Olivia invited her to the party. He doesn’t want to pursue someone who wants to be friends with his ex. In Kathryn’s interview, she says, sometimes Austen can be a petty bitch.

Olivia and mom Robin discuss the party, and agree it was fun. Robin asks about Austen, and Olivia says, they didn’t end on the best note at the party. We flash back to Olivia telling Austen that she’s waiting for the day he doesn’t care about Madison, and she tells Robin about it. Robin says, he does seem more tense around Madison. She thinks it’s sensitive and sweet, and says, you usually don’t hear about a woman being… whatever [Madison] is. Olivia says, everyone has ex stuff, but she wants Austen to be right in that department. In Olivia’s interview, she says, a relationship with Austen is too much work. She’s not enough drama for him. He seems to like it; it’s what he’s used to. While they get a paraffin foot treatment, Austen says he’s happy Kathryn and Chleb are back together. Kathryn says, they’re trying, but in her gut, she feels like something is off. At the party, he was talking to Naomie a lot. It was weird super and disrespectful, and she felt hurt. We see a clip of Chleb telling Kathryn that Naomie was calling her names, and Kathryn saying, he should have shut it down immediately, not listen because he’s being a good guy. In Kathryn’s interview, she says she wishes he would be more aware of what he’s doing. Loyalty, hello? Austen tells her, if she thinks something off, then something is off.

Leva sees her trainer, and he does some kind of massage/stretching exercises for her muscles. In Leva’s interview, she says she wants to be present. She’s reading books about essentialism, so she doesn’t cook as much, lets the house be messy, and picks her battles at work. She’s consciously practicing to be a calmer person. But it’s not working. She loves Little Lamar, but he’s two and chaotic. We see some clips of Little in action, and she says, he’s so high energy from 6 am until his bedtime at 9 pm, which is her fault. Venita’s mom Vi visits her, and says she loves Venita’s big hair. When she was young, she had big hair. In Venita’s interview, she says, her mother didn’t tell her be perfect. She told Venita that perfect was however she chose to be. Venita tells Vi that she had a bad week. She didn’t get invited to Olivia’s party because Olivia didn’t want the garden party again. She guesses it’s embarrassing, and her feelings are hurt. Vi says, Venita’s got to talk about things, but when she’s rational; not in the heat of anger. Venita says she doesn’t know how to go about it, since she’s never seen it. Vi didn’t show her how to handle things, and hid any disagreements with her dad. Vi says she’s not talking about Venita’s dad, and in her interview, Venita says she was an only child. She was in high school when she came home one day, and her dad was gone. Her parents could have worked for the Secret Service. She had no idea it wasn’t working out. She tells Vi, all she knew was that she had two parents, and then one of them was gone, and Vi says, Venita still has two parents. In Venita’s interview, she says, her dad was probably living a double life since she was about 14. It took until her aunt called and said he was marrying someone else for her to understand her parents were done. Vi says, Venita’s dad was thinking with the wrong part of his anatomy, and it wasn’t something to discuss with her daughter. She didn’t want Venita to see her pain. Venita says she doesn’t have the insight her friends do, because they saw their parents argue, then figure it out. Vi says, it’s probably because she grew up in a house where they did argue, and Venita asks what it taught Vi. Vi says, not to do it, and in her interview, Venita says, teaching you how to avoid fighting doesn’t teach you how to deal with fighting. She’ll get overly upset at a simple confrontation, because she’s never seen anyone do that on a personal level. Vi says she tried to protect Venita from the pitfalls of life, which was not necessarily a good thing. Venita didn’t learn how to handle adversity, and Vi apologizes for what she didn’t do. Going forward, she’ll do her best. Books on parenting don’t work. You have to go through it to learn. She asks if that satisfied Venita, and Venita says, it’s more than she had yesterday.

Little Craig! Shep visits Whitney and Patricia, who’s gotten Little Craig a champagne bottle toy, which she says is unshreddable. Whitney says, Little Craig is like a piranha meets the Tasmanian Devil, and Shep says, his dad calls the dog a French terrorist. New guy Randy is doing the butlering, and Patricia says, nobody can take Michael’s place, but he’s good. Whitney says, Randy alleviates his duties, like official dog walker. In Patricia’s interview, she says, Randy is a lovely man. He’s a good server and fixes drinks so much better than Whitney. We flash back to Whitney bumbling through things, and see that Little Craig is already well on his way to totally destroying his new toy. Patricia says, speaking of incurring damage, Little Craig was involved in Peaches’ violation. Shep asks if they had a roll in the hay, and Whitney says, Little Craig is a feral mess. Done with his toy destruction, Little Craig runs to find Peaches, and Patricia says, let him; the damage has been done. In her interview, Patricia says, mounted is too strong a word. He sullied Peaches’ reputation. She tells Shep that Little Craig has to do the honorable thing. She’d like to have a wedding. (I can’t wait!) Shep asks if she wants Little Craig to make an honest doggy of Peaches, and Patricia says, he thinks she’s kidding. She doesn’t see anybody here doing anything in the near future. Shep says, so they’ll give her the wedding she richly deserves. She asks if Little Craig has a tux. She’s getting Peaches a wedding gown. In Shep’s interview, he says, if Whitney had his way, he’d be a bachelor for life. Still living in hope, Patricia says she doesn’t want to preempt any wedding bells, and asks Shep about Taylor. Shep says, Taylor’s not a pressure type of gal.

Taylor visits Marcie, and checks out the nursery, saying, it’s so pink; she loves it. Marcie says she’s glad she’s done. She’s due in 5 weeks. In Taylor’s interview, she says, in her perfect world she’d get married around 30, and have kids by 33. How old is she now? (I looked it up. She’s 27.) Marcie shows Taylor the outfit she’s taking the baby home in, and they move on to an entire closet full of clothes. In her interview, Taylor says she gets giddy looking at clothes and strollers. Shep’s clock isn’t ticking, but hers is. Shep tells Patricia that he thinks he’s in the clear, but Patricia says, don’t kid yourself. Whitney asks how long they’ve been going out, and Shep says, two years. Patricia says, if there was no proposal after four months, that’s it. In Patricia’s interview, she says, Taylor is making a mistake be acquiescing. She needs to give him an ultimatum. Patricia says, she’s amazed that any woman could put up with the two of them, and Shep says, they’re on the George Clooney/Warren Beatty track.

Naomie calls Craig, saying she’s at the coffee place, and they’re out of chai. She places both their orders, and when he gets there, she asks why he’s grumpy. He insists he’s not, and she asks if he had fun at Olivia’s party. He asks it was about Kathryn she wanted to discuss, and she says, during the party, Chleb came up and started going in about Kathryn. We flash back to that, and Naomie says, Chleb was saying not nice things. Craig says, like what? and we flash back to Chleb saying he could only listen so much to Kathryn, then he’d put on ESPN and tune out. Like practically every man doesn’t do this. She tells Craig, Chleb doesn’t seem happy. The one lesson she learned after her and Craig was, never air your dirty laundry to other people. She has regrets about talking bad about Craig, and she’s pretty sure Metul did the same thing to her. Karma is very real. She wonders what’s making Craig uncomfortable. He’s jittery, making no eye contact, and keeps looking over his shoulder. Who’s coming? She says, he’s acting like she’s part of a sting operation or something. She doesn’t know what’s going on, and wishes he’d just be straight and not act like a weirdo. In Craig’s interview, he wonders why they needed to have coffee for Naomie to tell him that Chleb was talking sh*t about Kathryn. Naomie says she feels bad for Kathryn. They’ll never be good friends, but she feels it’s the right thing to hand Craig the information. Maybe he could just talk to her. He says, maybe, but he’s got to be going. He’s picking up Paige from the airport. Naomie suggests they do a fun night out, and Craig says, one day, maybe. Naomie says she just wants to have fun, but Craig says, unfortunately, there are boundaries. He’s glad they can catch up and be friends, but at the end of the day, Naomie is his ex-girlfriend, and Paige doesn’t appreciate it. They can’t hang out just yet. Naomie says, they can’t forget the past, and in his interview, Craig says he thinks Paige is being understanding, even though she doesn’t understand the situation, since she lives in NYC, where you don’t run into your ex all the time or hang out with them. He doesn’t want to push or disrespect her any further. In Naomie’s interview, she says, if she hadn’t thought she and Craig were on the same page, she wouldn’t have asked him for coffee. She’s not trying to get with him. She’s not the type who tries to get with a guy who has a girlfriend. If it feels awkward, that’s on them, not her. I can see it both ways, but I’ve never really wanted to hang out with an ex. Oh wait. I do hang out with my boyfriend from high school once in a while, but those feelings are long gone. If they were even real at that age. Now he’s someone I grew up with.

Olivia calls Naomie from the car, and says she’s meeting Venita. Naomie says, awesome; heal it up. They meet at a juice bar, and in Venita’s interview, she says, with her parents, all she’s seen is avoidance of fighting, confrontation, and issues. She wants to step up and resolve this, rather than letting it sit. Venita asks how the party was, and Olivia says, fun. They toast to this thing (i.e. their meeting), and Olivia says she appreciates Venita reaching out. Venita says, they had a rocky start, and she wants to be able to lay everything on the table. Olivia says she thinks Venita has a false perception of who she is, and she was thrown by Venita’s misconceptions. Insinuating something is not cool. Venita says, when Olivia walked away, it felt dismissive, and Olivia gets how it could be perceived, but it’s her way to cool off when she knows nothing is going to get resolved in that moment. Venita apologizes for coming at Olivia so hot. It wasn’t necessary, and it’s not who she is as an individual. She suggests they make it a clean slate. Now they just have to worry about everyone else. She says, with all that smoke and heat between Austen and Madison, why invite Madison to the party? Olivia says, she and Madison are fine, but she got an earful about it. We flash back to Austen acting stupid, and Venita asks if Olivia and Austen are dating. Olivia says, they only went out one-on-one once, and they’re in in that weird limbo. Venita wonders if Madison knows, and Olivia asks why it would matter. Venita says, Madison and Austen were so deeply involved, part of Madison feels entitled to know what’s going on. It’s not worth it.

Chleb goes to mom Debbie’s house, and she asks if he’s working hard. He says, seven days; he’s pretty damn tired. Debbie wonders if he didn’t take the tag off his shoes, but he says, it’s the style. She says, it seems awkward, but he says, it’s the drip these days. She asks how Kathryn is, and he says, they went through some stuff. There was a girl named Naomie at the party who Kathryn dislikes, and she and Chleb got to talking. We see a clip of Kathryn telling Chleb, it’s embarrassing. In Chleb’s interview, he says he doesn’t want to be in a relationship with someone he’s thinking negatively about. Debbie says, it takes work, and suggests he make a list of what he likes and dislikes about the relationship. She says, if you have more dislikes than likes, you ain’t gonna make it, baby.

Paige is at Craig’s, and he offers her every coffee flavor known to man. She says, yuck to maple, which is one of my favorites, but she also hates mint, and we’re in agreement there. My only exception is Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies. She asks if he can imagine when they actually have a kitchen, and in Craig’s interview, he says, it’s hard to play house with no kitchen, and living out of boxes. The fact that Paige feels comfortable with things as is, is an incredible sign. Paige suggests sitting outside, and Craig wonders if they make an iced coffee maker. Paige is like, nooo, and says, he loves tea anyway. In his interview, he says, Paige loves how he is, and he loves that feeling. She’s his biggest fan. Aww. They’re not engaged yet, but he thinks he’s found his person. They sit in rockers on the porch, and he tells her that he’d like a big family, and wants to renovate the house with that vision.

Event planner Erica goes to Patricia’s, and Patricia says she thinks it would be fun to have a dog wedding, so she needed a wedding planner. Erica asks how big it will be, and Patricia says, around 25 people. It might be the only wedding she throws. In Patricia’s interview, she says she has Whitney’s wedding planned. A medieval cathedral, a florist from Paris, Valentino for the mother-of-the-bride dress, but she doesn’t get to make those decisions. Erica asks, who is going to officiate? and Patricia says, Little Craig and Peaches go to the same vet. She thinks Dr. Berger will agree to officiate. They decide on having it in the garden, and Erica asks if Patricia wants the guests welcomed with champagne. Patricia says she does, but she wants it in coups, not flutes. Erica asks about cakes, and Patricia wants the ones featured in Steel Magnolias. The groom’s cake is an armadillo cake in red velvet. She tells Erica, the invitations have already gone out.

To be continued…

Next time, Whitney and Shep talk human marriage; the dog wedding happens; Olivia brings a date that’s not Austen; Whitney plays guitar; and Craig tells Naomie that she left a loving relationship to be with a controlling a-hole. She won’t affect his life anymore.

🎉 Happy Anniversary…

Scotty celebrates his 45^th.

GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Kin Shriner Opens up About His 40th Anniversary as Scotty (EXCLUSIVE)

GENERAL HOSPITAL Star Kin Shriner Celebrates His 41st Anniversary on the Soap — Relive Scotty’s Most Memorable Moments!

GENERAL HOSPITAL Stars Celebrate Kin Shriner’s 45th Anniversary

💐 Another Congrats…

Not as long, but still. She took a small villainous part and turned it into being a major player.

Kathleen Gati Celebrates Her Anniversary at GENERAL HOSPITAL

🧼 Jumping Soap…

I vaguely remember him being Todd on OLTL for five minutes. Even they realized it was a bad idea. No one can replace Roger Howarth.

Trevor St. John Cast on THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS!

🦚 Goodbye and Hello…

Yep. They’re going to nickel and dime us to death. Or in this case, $4.99 us.

https://ew.com/tv/days-of-our-lives-moving-to-peacock/

💝 Sharing Is Caring…

NuTrina has a message for all of us.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-tabyana-ali-shares-an-important-message-with-her-fans

🎡 Yeah, Yeah…

LisaR needs to get off the merry-go-round that’s her feelings. Next week, she’ll be back to the shading game.

RHOBH’s Lisa Rinna Regrets Not Having More “Empathy” for Lisa Vanderpump Amid Grief, Talks Erika Getting Served at Airport, as Andy Calls Her a “Double Disaster” on Instagram, Plus Reacts to Tamra’s Claims About Denise

💎 She’s Rocking the Boat…

Sheree can be on my fantasy spin-off too.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1340467/why-real-housewives-of-beverly-hills-sheree-zampino-says-kyle-richards-should-sit-down

⛴ Cruising the Med…

Captain Sandy’s voyage to reality star.

https://www.vacationer.travel/captain-sandy-yawn-below-deck-mediterannean/

🍸 Backing His Home Girl…

50 Cent is back to dogging Randall.

https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.72274/title.50-cent-randall-emmet-power-ex

⚰️ New Rick…

Daryl’s journey to leadership.

https://screenrant.com/walking-dead-daryl-rick-grimes-revolver/

🌜 On the Moon…

The VMA line-up.

MTV VMAs Reveals DJs & Performers For 2022 Trophy Show – Update

📣 Quotes of the Week

A room hung with pictures is a room hung with thoughts. – Joshua Reynolds

Happiness depends to some extent upon external conditions, but chiefly upon mental attitudes. – Paramahansa Yogananda

Magic exists. Who can doubt it, when there are rainbows and wildflowers, the music of the wind and the silence of the stars? Anyone who has loved has been touched by magic. It is such a simple and such an extraordinary part of the lives we live. – Nora Roberts

The greatest source of unhappiness in the world comes from having unreasonable expectations about the behavior of other people. – Don Fehr

Accept responsibility for your life. Know that it is you who will get you where you want to go, no one else. – Les Brown

Sometimes you make the right decision, and sometimes you have to make the decision right. – Dr. Phil

Security is mostly a superstition… Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. – Helen Keller

Life is like a novel. It’s filled with suspense. You have no idea what is going to happen until you turn the page. – Sidney Sheldon (Well, let’s hope it’s not like a Sidney Sheldon novel.)

If there’s a world here in a hundred years, it’s going to be saved by tens of millions of little things. The powers-that-be can break up any big thing they want… but what are they going to do about 10 million little things? They break up two of them, and three more like them spring up! – Pete Seeger

The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off. – Gloria Steinem

🛣 On the Road Again…

It’s certainly been a week. If it’s been one for you too, or even if it hasn’t, you have my permission to take the next two days off. But be back on Monday for soap and a Mediterranean cruise. Until then, stay safe, stay away from overly processed foods, and stay never trying to play a player.

Aug5

August 4, 2022 – Curtis Tells Portia About the Plan To Wake Oz, Charming Postponement & Shades

Posted on August 5, 2022 by theresakp

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Carly comes into Kelly’s, and hugs Josslyn. Josslyn asks why Carly didn’t tell her that she was coming, and Carly says she wanted to surprise Josslyn, and she was dying for a Kelly’s milkshake. She asks where Cameron is, and Josslyn says, he had to take care of a later shipment, and she’s on her way out. Carly asks if everything is okay, and Josslyn says, yeah. Carly asks if Josslyn wants to join her for a milkshake; she’s buying. And Josslyn can tell her what’s really going on. Josslyn says, Cam lied to her, and she hates it.

On the phone in his office, Sonny tells Brick to get the information as soon as he can… No. He has a different assignment for their friend Dex, so he can prove to Sonny that he belongs in this business. He thanks Brick, and there’s a knock at the door. Sonny says, come in, and Frank brings in Dex. Dex says, Sonny’s got a job for him?

Sienna gets in Smoltz’s car, and says, that was a bust. He says, ya think? She’s obsessed with true crime. She says, at least she tried. So pay up. She holds out her hand, and he tells her, dream on. You succeed, you get paid. She says, he wants her to try again? and he says, the Gilmore girl is obviously on edge. The tiniest thing could push her over. They feel the car rock, and suddenly Sasha is at the driver’s window. Smoltz asks what she’s doing, and she says she was about to ask him the same question. And why the hell was Sienna setting her up?

TJ tells Curtis, bringing Oz out of the coma carries serious risks, and Curtis says, on a scale of one to ten, how dangerous is it? Portia comes by, and says, they’re looking serious. Curtis says, they were talking about Trina’s trial. How did everything go in court today? She says, it was one surprise after another, and Curtis says, good surprises, or bad ones?

Dante thanks Jordan for considering him for Operation Running Circles. He’s sorry he had to turn it down. Jordan says he explained his reasons. It’s all good. He says, it’s not, if saying no means he won’t be considered for future opportunities.

Smoltz gets out of the car, suggesting a new deal. He’ll drop the Harmony Miller angle if Sasha admits, for the record, to falling off the wagon. She asks why he won’t leave her alone, and he says, trainwrecks sell, especially beautiful ones. The public loves a fairytale, but what they love even more is a fairytale princess dragged down to earth. It makes them seem more human. She can get them behind her if she just pulls herself back together. Admitting there’s a problem is the first step. So when did she start using again? Was it after her kid died? Sienna says, okay, that’s enough, and Sasha asks, what’s wrong with him? She walks to the exit, and leans against the wall. Sienna says, he needs to back off, but Smoltz says, he just asked her a question. Sienna says, a highly insensitive question, when Sasha picks up the Valet Parking sign, and starts smashing Smoltz’s windshield.

Sonny says, when Dex came to him looking for work, he was eager to prove himself, and Dex asks if Sonny thinks that’s changed. Sonny says, he’s still a little eager, but a lot of guys talk a big game and can’t back it up. Dex has shown Sonny that he’s capable. Dex says he appreciates it, and Sonny says, keep it up, and there may be a place for Dex in his organization. Dex says he’d love that, and Sonny says he needs to see more of Dex; that’s what this next job is about. Completing it will result in greater trust between them, and he’ll give Dex more responsibility. Dex says, whatever it is, he’s in, and Sonny shows him a picture on his phone. He says he needs Dex to find this guy, and Dex asks, who is he? Another drug dealer like the photographer? Sonny says, his name’s Beckett Reed. He’s the manager of a theater; no criminal record Sonny knows of. Dex asks what he did to get on Sonny’s list.

Josslyn tells Carly, Diane surprised everyone, and called Spencer for the defense. And he testified he was with Trina when the video got released. Actually, he went a step further, and said he thought Esme was the one who recorded them. Carly says, Spencer finally saw the light? It’s about time. Josslyn says, that’s the thing. Apparently, Spencer saw the light this whole time. He was only pretending to support Esme, while he tried to find evidence that Esme set Trina up. Carly says, let her guess. That didn’t really work. Josslyn says, of course (🍷) it didn’t work; there are a thousand ways that could go wrong. But the point is, Spencer didn’t want to tell anyone because it could get back to Esme. Carly says, sure. He didn’t want Esme leaving town. Josslyn says, but he told Cam. Not at the very beginning, but close enough. Carly says, and Cam kept it from her, and Josslyn says she knew something was off. She asked Cam over and over if there was something wrong, something he wasn’t telling her, but he had an excuse every time, and it seemed reasonable. But she knew something was going on. Things were just different between them. Now she knows why.

Jordan asks what’s on Dante’s mind, and he says he’s just been thinking about next steps lately. He wants to grow in his job; move on to bigger roles in his department. She says she admires his ambition, and he says, even though it’s counterintuitive, considering he turned down the last assignment. He couldn’t do that to Rocco. He couldn’t leave Rocco again, and upend his life like that. So for the time being, he needs to focus on assignments closer to home. She says, and he’s worried it could derail his advancement? and he says, will it? They sit down, and she says she doesn’t see why. He’s speaking to a fellow single parent. She understands sacrifices and tough decisions you have to make. She respects his choice to stay local. He says, but she chose differently, and she says, in a completely different situation. Her decision to go undercover… There were men out there who were legitimately dangerous; who she knew putting away would result in a safer world for her son. Did she miss out on time with TJ? Yeah, a lot of it. They weathered some rough patches because of that. Dante says, it seems like he’s doing pretty good now, and she says, he’s thriving. They’re close again, and she’s so grateful, but if she could go back… she honestly doesn’t know what she’d choose.

Portia says, apparently, Spencer had an attack of conscience, because all of a sudden, Diane changed her strategy, and called Spencer as a witness. Curtis says, for the defense? and she says, yes. He asks, how’d that go? and she says, Spencer confessed he was with Trina at the time the video was sent out. TJ says, at Spring Ridge? and Curtis asks, why didn’t Trina say so? Portia says, he wasn’t at Spring Ridge. Apparently, he broke out to go visit his mother’s grave. Curtis says, let him get this straight. Trina ran into Spencer at the cemetery. Portia says, and Trina kept it quiet because she didn’t want to get Spencer in any trouble. TJ says, that was months ago. So Spencer committed a major infraction, gets away with it, then confesses to it in the courtroom? It sounds like he went out on a limb for Trina. Portia says she guesses, but she’s having a hard time believing Trina kept it a secret for months now. If she would have just said something sooner… There’s no point in thinking about the what ifs. Curtis asks if Spencer’s testimony was a major blow to the prosecution, but Portia says, not really. The ADA poked holes all through the alibi. She really believes Trina is guilty, even though Spencer testified he believed Esme is the one who did it, as did Josslyn, as did Cameron. Can somebody please tell her how this girl isn’t being investigated? Curtis says, Jordan is trying to connect Esme to the bartender right now, and Portia asks, what’s the status with that? And what about the bartender? Is he any closer to waking up or what?

Sasha screams as she pummels Smoltz’s windshield, and he says, what is she doing? Sienna says she’s out of here, and jets. Brando shows up, and asks what Sasha is doing. He tells her to stop. She’s going to hurt herself. But it’s like she doesn’t even hear him. He finally gets the sign out of her hands, and tells her, stop, putting his arms around her. He says he’s not leaving her, and goes limp, crying.

Dante thanks Jordan for her understanding; it means a lot. She says, of course (🍷). Right now, the best thing is for him to be with his family. He says, having said that, Rocco is getting older, and he’s hoping to have some help at home soon. She says she’ll keep an eye out for assignments that won’t take him too far. How’s that? He says, sounds like a deal, and she says, if he ever needs to talk about his future, professional or otherwise, her door is always open. An officer tells Jordan that they just received a call about an altercation at the MetroCourt involving some high profile people. A unit is already on the way. Jordan asks, who’s involved? and the officer says, Sasha Gilmore from Deception and a local reporter. Jordan tells Dante, run point? and he says, let’s go for a ride, leaving with the officer.

Curtis tells Portia, the way he understands it, Oz’s doctors are in the process of bringing Oz out of a medically induced coma as they speak, but it could take a while before he wakes up. She says, they don’t have a while; the jury deliberation starts tomorrow. If her baby girl has to spend one second in prison, a conviction is going to be set in place. There’s no guarantee it’s going to be overturned by an appeal. They’ll be at the mercy of whatever judge happens to be assigned to that case. Curtis says, she’s right. The best thing hands down for Trina is that bartender testifying before the jury makes a verdict. She says, so their best hope is lying in a coma, and their next alternative is wrangling the truth out of that conniving little snake Esme. There has to be some other way. Something they haven’t thought of; something they haven’t explored, right? She looks at Curtis, then TJ, and says, obviously something is going on here, and she really doesn’t have the patience or energy to guess. Tell her what it is.

Josslyn tells Carly, it’s not just that Cam lied. It bothers her of course (🍷), but if their positions were reversed, she can see a situation where she would keep Trina’s confidence. Carly says, right, but that’s not what happened, and Josslyn says, what Spencer did, going rogue, and trying to bring Esme down by himself, and making Trina think he’s turned against her is immature. And the fact Cam went along with it is childish. They’re not playing a video game here; this is Trina’s entire life. And Spencer knew it was Esme the entire time and stayed silent? It’s dumb. Carly says, it’s not the smartest way to go about it, and Josslyn says she doesn’t know why she’s surprised. Spencer has always had to be the star of his own drama. He’s been like that since they were kids. Carly says, he’s grown up a bit since, but Josslyn says, not enough. Spencer’s big plan never had a chance of succeeding. She’s shocked Cameron couldn’t see that. He’s known Spencer as long as she has. Is he really that clueless? Carly says, Josslyn is going to have to be real intentional about her own feelings. She knows herself. She trusts her instincts, and knew something was off with Cameron and she was right. Josslyn says, like Carly knew something was off with Sonny.

Dex says, this guy must have done something to get on Sonny’s bad side if he’s siccing Dex on him, and Sonny says, he’s a jury foreman on a trial he’s interested in. Dex needs to have a conversation with him; let him know the outcome Sonny wants, which is Trina Robinson goes free. He doesn’t care what the jury thinks. He doesn’t care if it’s a hung jury. He doesn’t want Trina going to prison. He hands Dex a folder, and says, Beckett has family members with health issues. Maybe he needs a hand in medical bills. Dex says he’ll make it clear what Beckett stands to gain by cooperating. If he refuses? Sonny says, then Dex makes it clear what he stands to lose. Dex wonders if he can ask why, and Sonny says, why what? Dex says he read about the trial. He knows what Trina Robinson is accused of involves Josslyn. Sonny and Josslyn are obviously not on the best terms. Sonny says, part of doing this job is not asking questions, and Dex says he gets that; need to know basis. However, he’s of the opinion, trust goes both ways. Sonny says, Dex can ask, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to answer, and Dex says he accepts that. He starts to leave, and Sonny says, Trina’s innocent. She was set up. She’s a good girl. He knows she didn’t commit this crime. Dex says, so Sonny is attempting to right a wrong, and Sonny says, let him know when it’s done.

Smoltz says, my oh my. He was just trying to confirm Sasha was high when she ran down Harmony Miller, but being the Face of Deception’s latest victim is so much better. He simply can’t wait to publish the heck out of this story. We hear sirens, and Brando says, stop talking, or those will be the last words Smoltz ever speaks. Dante comes on the scene, and asks if someone wants to tell him what the hell is going on here.

Portia leads Curtis and TJ into her office, and says, spill. What tricks do they have up their sleeves? TJ says, not tricks, and Curtis says, an option. TJ says, a potentially dangerous option, and Curtis says, but if it’s Trina’s only hope, he thinks it’s worth pursuing. Portia asks, what is it? and Curtis says, Trina needs her right now. Portia should focus on her, and let him and TJ take care of the rest. She says, now he’s really making her nervous. He can’t leave her like that. He has to tell her what’s happening here. Please tell her. Curtis says, TJ brought it to his attention that they can wake Oz up. TJ says, they’re warming him up, and weening him off the drugs that are keeping him in an induced coma. When that finishes, he still has to come to on his own. Portia says, and that could take some time, and TJ says, by that time, it might be too late for Trina. They can speed up the process by giving him a large dose of flumazenil and some other medical thing to quickly reverse the effect of the drugs he’s on. Curtis says, once he wakes up, they can get him to give them the evidence they need to exonerate Trina. She asks if they’ve completely lost their minds. That man was put into a coma for a reason. To forcibly wake him up would be completely denying his medical needs. No. That’s the very definition of unethical. She’s surprised TJ would even think about this, and Curtis says, TJ warned him that this would be drastic, but he said they should do it anyway. She knows he’s right. If there’s ever been a time for drastic measures… She says, this is insane; he doesn’t understand. Curtis says, he spoke with Jordan, and apparently Spencer told Britt Westbourne that he saw the exact same drug that the bartender OD’d on in Esme’s things. She says, whoa, what? and Curtis says he believes Esme drugged Trina at the cabin. That’s why that one drink hit her so hard. Portia says she’s going to kill that girl, she swears, and Curtis says, just know that Esme is dangerous. She’s been planning this for months, and hid evidence so Trina would take the fall, but Oz’s testimony could change all of that. They just need him to wake up. TJ says he can give Oz the reversal drugs… but Portia says, he’ll do no such thing, and Curtis says, what other choice do they have?

Sasha is now huddled on the ground, and Brando tells Dante, he just got here at the end. He can’t tell Dante how it all started. Dante says he’ll come back, and approaches Smoltz, who says, he can’t wait to sue that woman for everything she’s worth. Dante says, why doesn’t Smoltz tell him his side of the story, and Smoltz says, there’s only one side. She’s insane. She attacked his car with a pole. Dante says, out of the blue, unprovoked? and Smoltz says, yes. He was minding his own business. He didn’t even know she was here. If Dante doesn’t believe him, he has dashcam, recorded the whole thing. By the way, he’s pressing charges if that wasn’t abundantly obvious. Dante says, of course (🍷) he is, and tells Smoltz to take a look at Sasha. Obviously there’s something real going on, something painful. Does Smoltz really want to be that guy? Smoltz says, what guy? and Dante says, the kind of guy who kicks a woman when she’s down. Smoltz says, last he checked, destroying property is a crime. Does Dante want to be that cop who lets dangerous criminals go free? Dante says, that’s what he thought; that’s a yes then. Brando asks if Sasha thinks she can give Dante her statement, but she shakes her head. He says, it’s okay; no rush. Don’t worry. He’s going to get her some help. Dante asks how it’s going, and Brando gets up and says, Sasha is spent. Does Dante mind if they come by the station tomorrow to give her statement? Dante says he can’t do that, and Brando says, obviously she’s in no condition to speak. He just needs to get her home. Dante says he would if he could, but this guy’s pressing charges. He’d love to let her go, but he can’t.

Dex sees a guy sitting outside Kelly’s, and says, Beckett Reed? Beckett asks if he knows Dex, and Dex says, not yet, but they’ve got a lot to talk about, namely the Trina Robinson trial. Beckett says he’s not allowed to discuss that, and gets up, but Dex says, trust him. Beckett is going to want to hear what he has to say.

Josslyn tells Carly that she’s not saying the situations are at all alike. The Sonny thing is another level. Carly says, Josslyn’s right though. She knew something was off with Sonny, that something was wrong with them, and she didn’t trust her gut. Josslyn says she hates Sonny for what he did to Carly, but Carly says she doesn’t want to get into it. Josslyn asks how she can stay so calm. Just saying his name makes her blood boil. Carly says, because she’s all right. What happened in that courtroom… and she doesn’t mean when Sonny testified, although that drove her crazy, but it’s really about what happened after. Sonny sided with Nina after Scotty had been so unfair to Michael. That cinched it for her. Sonny is Donna’s father and that’s it. He has no bearing on any other part of her life. Josslyn says she wishes she could turn off her anger and resentment, and Carly says, she can. She’s just coming off her freshman year with a 4.0 and a starting spot on the volleyball team. Josslyn has so much going for her; so much ahead of her. Don’t waste her energy leading the charge against Sonny. Besides, Michael’s got that covered. Josslyn says, but Carly stood by Sonny for decades. Carly gave him everything, and he threw that away. Carly says, it hurt, but staying mad and wanting revenge and wanting to see Sonny fall, all that energy could be spent in other places, and on other people. Josslyn says, so she’s just going to let it go? and Carly says she’s just gonna let it go. Josslyn should too. Not because it’s good for Sonny; it’s good for Josslyn.

Dex says, so Beckett understands why it’s important that he do as Dex’s boss asks? Beckett says he does, and Dex says, and what is it? He just wants to make sure Beckett’s memory is on point. Beckett tells him, say Trina Robinson isn’t guilty, and Dex says, good job. Josslyn walks out, and asks what Dex is doing here. She says she recognizes Beckett; he’s on Trina’s jury.

Brando walks into the station with a handcuffed Sasha, and tells her, do not say anything. He asks if Dante can’t see she needs help, and Dante says he promises that’s what he’s trying to get for her. Jordan asks if there’s a problem here, and Brando says, yeah, his wife shouldn’t be here. Dante says, Sasha needs to sit down, and brings her to the interrogation room to rest. Brando starts to follow, but Jordan says, hold up. Tell her what’s going on. Dante tells Sasha to have a seat, and says, she needs to get a lawyer. She just stares into space, and he says he’s going to help her… countersue Smoltz or something. She says she couldn’t stand it anymore… She’s so tired. Dante tells her, sit tight. He’ll be right back. He walks out, and Brando is telling Jordan, please. This is not like Sasha. That dirtbag must have said or done something to make her snap. Jordan asks Dante, any input? and he says, Smoltz has dashcam footage. He’s got Sasha taking a pole and smashing his car; he’s going to press charges. Brando insists she had to have been provoked, but Dante says, even so, if she was… Jordan says, they have to book her, and Brando says, is Jordan kidding? Has she seen Sasha? Sasha can make bail; it’s not a problem. Jordan says, court’s closed. She’s sorry, but Sasha is going to have to stay until her arraignment tomorrow. Brando says, they can’t hold her. He’s telling Jordan, she won’t make it.

Beckett says, he can’t be seen with anyone connected to the case, and exits stage left. Dex says he doesn’t know what Josslyn heard… and she says, who is he? What’s his name? He knows hers; what’s his? He says, Dex Heller, and she says, she didn’t just record that, so he doesn’t have to pitch her some sob story… but he says, it wasn’t just some sob story; it was the truth. She says, that he didn’t have a choice but to follow Sonny’s orders? She believed it the other night in the alley, but not so much anymore. She despises Sonny, but doesn’t believe for one second if Dex went to him and said he wanted to quit, Sonny wouldn’t let him go. He says, no offense, but she’s Sonny’s ex-stepdaughter. That gives her privileges she doesn’t realize she has. She says, they’re not doing this. This isn’t about her; this is about him here. He’s talking to someone from Trina’s jury. Does he think it’s a coincidence? Did Sonny send him? He says, sorry. He’s got nothing. She says, shocker. She’s out of here. She goes back inside Kelly’s.

Josslyn sits down, and Carly says she thought Josslyn left. Josslyn says, Carly will never guess what she just witnessed outside.

Sonny’s phone rings, and he asks Brando, what’s up? Brando says, Sasha’s been arrested, and Sonny asks, what happened? Brando asks if he remembers Smoltz, and Sonny says, yeah. Brando says, he must have done something to set Sasha off, because she trashed his car. Sonny says, how is she? and Brando says, she’s in pretty bad mental shape, but he’s pressing charges, so they’re holding her here overnight. She can’t stay here; not in the state she’s in. Sonny says, he’ll call Diane, and they’ll prove Sasha was acting in self-defense, but Brando says, there’s dashcam footage. Sasha approached Smoltz, not the other way around. Is there another way they can get her out of here? Sonny says, not in the conventional sense, if Brando knows what he means. Brando says he doesn’t know how to help his wife, and Sonny says he’s on his way. It’ll take him ten minutes. Brando says he doesn’t want to upset Sasha any more. There’s nothing Sonny can do anyway. Sonny says, Brando needs support, and Brando says he appreciates it, but he’ll keep Sonny posted. Sonny says, whatever he needs, and Brando says he knows and thanks him. I gotta say it. First of all, Sasha would be able to request to go to the psyche ward at the hospital rather than jail. I also doubt the PCPD would be risking a lawsuit keeping her there when she’s obviously having mental issues, especially in today’s climate.

Portia says, the risks of waking this guy up to soon are cognitive impairment… death, and Curtis says, he can also survive it. Portia says, yes, he could. His heart could be beating, but who’s to say he’ll be able to speak? And if he can speak, what if he can’t tell them want they want to hear? Curtis says, and if he does? and Portia says, then TJ will be violating his oath. He’ll be putting his whole medical career in danger when it’s barely begun. Not to mention the legal ramifications if he gets caught. TJ says he won’t get caught, but she says he doesn’t know that. This is too big of a gamble. She won’t let them do this. There’s no way. She can’t. Curtis says he doesn’t think she understands, but she says, no one wants Trina exonerated more than she does, but for TJ to lose his medical license? It’s not worth it. TJ needs to promise her, just leave it alone. TJ says, okay, he promises, when his phone dings, and he says, it’s about a patient; he has to go. Portia says, the fact he was willing to risk everything for her baby girl, she’ll never forget it. TJ leaves, and Curtis says, there’s a million things that could go wrong. She says, a million and one, and he says, how else are they supposed to help Trina? She says she thinks there’s another way, and he says, if there is, he doesn’t see it. Aside from Esme, Oz Haggerty is the only person who can prove Trina’s innocence. They need Oz awake, and there’s a way to do it. Frankly, he’s surprised she’s shutting this down so quickly. She asks if it’s really that hard to believe she wouldn’t let another doctor go to jail with, or in place of, her daughter? He says, but she’d let herself. And that’s exactly what she’s going to do, isn’t it? Ha! I knew it.

Josslyn tells Carly, she swears she heard the jury guy say Trina’s name. Did she just see what she thinks she saw? Carly says, someone who works for Sonny trying to influence a juror? That sounds about right. Josslyn says, Sonny’s trying to help Trina? and Carly tells her, don’t seem so surprised about that. Sonny has known Trina a long time, and she’s really close with Ava. Josslyn says, but to do it like this?… But it’s Sonny. He just does what he wants when he wants; to hell with anyone else. Carly says, she can look at it like that, and Josslyn asks, how else is there to look at it? It’s not right. Carly says, it’s not right for Trina to go to prison for a crime she didn’t commit either.

There’s a knock at Sonny’s office door, and he says, come in. Frank walks in, and Sonny says, is it done?

Curtis says, Portia doesn’t want TJ to risk his career, but she’s willing to risk hers. She’s going to wake Oz herself, isn’t she? She says, please don’t ask her any more questions, and he says, is she? She says, yes, but without him and without TJ. It’s her turn to shield Curtis. He has Marshall, Stella, and TJ to thinks about. He says he has her to think about as well. All those million and one things that could go wrong, and she wants to do this alone? It’s like she’s asking to get caught. She says, so she gets caught. She’s Trina’s mother. She signed up for this the second Trina was born. She cries a little, and says, and if there are consequences, she’ll face them. As long as her baby girl is happy and safe, but this is her job, not his, understand? It’s no one else’s. He takes her hands.

Brando tells Jordan, Sasha is not a criminal, and Dante says, they know that. Brando says, hear him out. This is a mental health issue. They can see the state she’s in. Sasha is led to booking, and Brando says he’s sure the dashcam footage shows it too. She’s fingerprinted, and he says, Sasha’s not in her right state of mind. She needs help from professionals – Sasha is patted down – and as long as she stays in there, this is traumatizing for her. He’ll make sure she comes back to do whatever they need her to do, but she needs to come home. Sasha’s mugshot is taken, and Brando tells them, if she doesn’t, he’s scared she won’t recover. Please.

Sonny says he’s glad Frank said something, and Dex comes in. Sonny asks, how’d it go? and Dex hesitates, but Sonny says, he can talk in front of Frank. Dex says he met with Beckett, and got the point across, but he can’t say for sure Beckett will comply. Sonny asks, how come? and Dex says, Josslyn interrupted them, and Beckett took the opportunity to take off. Sonny says, but Dex delivered the message, right? and Dex says, nothing to do but wait and see. Sonny thanks him for the update, and tells him to take the rest of the night off. Close the door. Dex leaves, closing the door behind him, and Sonny says, lines up with what Frank told him. Frank says he had eyes on Dex the whole time. He didn’t leave anything out.

in the restaurant, Dex takes a huge chance, and calls Michael. he says, he’s leaving Sonny’s office. They need to meet. He wants to renegotiate their deal.

Josslyn says, Sonny is doing something she doesn’t agree with; that on the outside is wrong, and Carly says, true. Josslyn says, but he’s doing it for someone she loves, and Carly says, also true. Josslyn says, and Trina is innocent, so maybe on some level it’s right? Carly tells her, life is mostly shades of grey, and Josslyn says she still hates Sonny for what he did to Carly. Carly says, her too, and Josslyn says she refuses to owe him anything. Carly says, her too, and Josslyn says, ever. Carly says, okay. What’s Josslyn going to do about what she saw. Josslyn says she doesn’t think there’s anything she can do.

Jordan says she hears Brando, but he says he doesn’t think she does. She says she really wishes they could do this another way, but Sasha broke the law. The victim is pressing charges. There’s no getting around that. Dante says, listen to him. They’re going to hold her overnight. He promises they’ll look after her. They’ll get her a psyche evaluation in the morning. Brando says, she can’t stay here overnight, but Dante says, she has to. Sasha comes out, and Brando tells her that he promises he’ll get her out of here. He’ll be there when the sun comes up to get her out of here. He loves her so much. As she’s led away, he says, they’re going to get her through this. It’s going to be okay. Again, they could take her to the ER to be put in the psyche ward, and no one has even suggested it. Arrgh. It annoys me when they ignore an obvious protocol. I’ve given up on the hospital.

Curtis says, it’s absolutely amazing the way Portia loves her daughter. He’s never seen anything more fierce, and beautiful. He touches her face, and she says she hopes that means he won’t stand in her way. He says, no, but he’s not trying to let her go at it alone. She says she can’t let him do this, but he says she’s not; he’s offering. Better yet, he’s insisting. He loves her and Trina. This is their family, and he wants to defend it. They’re going to do this together. She asks how she can say no to that, and he says he doesn’t think she can. He puts his arms around her, and they cling to each other.

Tomorrow, Gregory says, Alexis came out on top in their little wager; Martin says he can only think of one other way to keep Sasha out of prison; Maxie asks Lucy if she’s talking about pushing Sasha out; and Britt asks if there’s any way Cody will take no for an answer.

🚕 Screeching To a Halt…

It’s been a day, and night, so I’m making the executive decision to postpone the Charm until tomorrow, in order to edit properly. I’m sure it will be worth the wait, and besides, what else do you have to do on a Friday night besides reading about exes who can’t quit one another in Charleston? I know, to quote Portia, a million and one things, but come by anyway for soap, the promised Charm, tea, wisdom, and music. Until then, stay safe, stay being kind to yourself, and stay spending your energy in other places and on other people, not on staying mad and wanting revenge. Because life is mostly shades of grey.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SubpzqswJRE

Aug4

August 3, 2022 – Ava Asks Sonny For a Favor, LisaR Has a Wine Tasting, a Thought, Better Than the Owners & High School

Posted on August 4, 2022 by theresakp

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Nina sees Sasha come into the MetroCourt Garden, and asks how she is. Sasha says she’s good. She feels like wearing a sign around her neck that says she’s okay. She’s sorry. Nina is the last person she wanted to snap at, but Nina says, no need to apologize. Enough people ask, how are you? and you want to slap them. Sasha says she doesn’t want to keep Nina, and asks if she’s waiting for someone, but Nina says she’s getting a feel for the place, since she owns half of the MetroCourt now. Sasha says, sorry, she forgot, but Nina says, it’s understandable. Sasha has other things on her mind. Besides, Nina can hardly believe it herself. Sasha asks if it’s good or bad disbelief, and Nina says, it’s going to be a challenge. She has no experience running a hotel, and it’s not like her partner is welcoming her with open arms. But the more she wraps her brain around it, the more certain she is that it was a good call to keep the hotel. Sasha says, in that case, would Nina show her to her table? and Nina says, this way madame. She seats Sasha, and says she’s glad Sasha feels up to going out. Where’s Brando?

Brando goes to Sonny’s office at Pozzulo’s, and Sonny says, Sasha? Brando asks how Sonny can tell, and Sonny says, the look on Brando’s face. What happened? Brando says, Sasha’s ghosting him. She’s not at home, and she turned her phone off. Sonny asks why Brando is here, and not with her, and Brando says, because tracking Sasha down might be the worst thing he can do right now.

Josslyn walks into Kelly’s, and Cameron asks if she didn’t get his texts and calls earlier. What happened at Trina’s trial? She says, Trina testified and she was great. Spencer was arrested. He says, again? What is he arrested for now? She says, he testified he was with Trina when the video got posted. Cameron says, he testified as a witness? and she says, yeah. He came forward at the last minute, and convinced Diane that he could give Trina an alibi. Cameron says, so he was at Spring Ridge with Trina? Why didn’t he say anything before? She says, they weren’t at Spring Ridge. Spencer snuck out. He visited his mom’s grave. It was the anniversary of her death, and he ran into Trina there. Cameron wonders why Trina didn’t say anything, and Josslyn says, she was protecting Spencer. Trina finally told her before the trial started. Trina promised if things got desperate, she’d name Spencer as her alibi, but she didn’t have to; Spencer came forward on his own. He says, at least he stepped up for Trina. Wow. She says, yeah, wow. He did a total 180. He told the whole court Esme was the one who recorded them and sent the video to the whole school, so why isn’t Cameron more surprised? He says, Spencer knew Trina was innocent all along, and goes in the back. She says, what?

Trina and Rory go to the pool, and Trina thanks him, saying, this was a great idea. He says he figured after what happened in court today, she needed to clear her head, and she says, explain to her why Spencer went back on that stand, and said he escaped from Spring Ridge. He says, to help her, but she says, it doesn’t make any sense after everything he said to her.

At the station, Jordan tells the officer to uncuff Spencer; she’ll take from here. She says, he knew when he gave Trina an alibi, he’d be admitting he escaped from prison. Why? He says, throw enough reasonable doubt at the jury, and they just might acquit her, and she says, if Trina is acquitted or not, he’s most likely going back to prison.

Nikolas tells Ava, he put the sitting room back in order. There’s no sign she and Esme had a fight. She says, he’s positive there’s no sign of Esme where she fell from the parapet, and he says he scoured shoreline, and that’s the only thing – he indicates Esme’s shoe – that washed up. She asks if he thinks Esme’s dead, but he says he doesn’t know. They should move forward as if she is. He’s already started laying the groundwork for their cover story. She asks if he spoke with the staff, and he says, he talked to one of the maids. He asked if Esme had left yet, and she said she hadn’t seen Esme. They have to make sure everyone believes Esme took off after their argument. Ava says, she took off all right, straight over the parapet. He reaches for her, but she says, don’t. She told him; he’s touched her for the last time. He says he knows she’s angry, and she says, he just doesn’t get it. She’s better off on her own than with the man who betrayed her.

Brando tells Sonny, he and Sasha had a fight. He said something cruel to her; something he didn’t even mean. Sonny says, that’s what happens when two people who love each other get in a fight. Did she storm out, and he didn’t get to say he’s sorry? Brando says he apologized, but since the fight was about him trying to control her, he thought it was a bad idea to follow her. Now he wishes he had. Sonny says, because she’s ignoring his calls. The last thing she said to him after the fight was that she needed space. Sonny tells him, do himself a favor, and give her some space, and Brando says, why? So he can let her know he’s not a controlling jerk after all? Sonny says, he’s not a controlling jerk. Sasha had a relapse. Brando is there for her, and he’s understanding what she’s going through. Brando says, he means as a recovering addict. Whenever he and Sasha are apart, he has nightmares of her buying more drugs. Sonny says, Brando can’t keep living this way. It’s not good for him or Sasha. Brando says, which is why he needs a favor. Can Sonny spare a guy to look after her? Sonny says, Sasha’s not going to like a bodyguard, but Brando says, she doesn’t need to know. Sonny wonders if Brando is asking him to help spy on his wife.

Cameron says he’s been wanting to tell Josslyn for months. Spencer was only pretending to believe Esme, so she would slip up and provide evidence that it was her who filmed the video, not Trina. Josslyn says, all this time, Spencer’s been playing Esme? and Cameron says, once Trina was arrested, Spencer knew she wasn’t capable of something so evil, and that it had to have been Esme who framed her. Also that Esme would do a very good job at covering her tracks so nothing led back to her. She says, so Spencer was only pretending to support Esme, because he was really convincing. He says, think about it. If Esme got the slightest bit suspicious, she would have left town, and they’d have no evidence it was actually her who was responsible. No one could know. She says, no one except him, and he says, Spencer came over one night. He and Trina had just gotten in a big fight. He wasn’t cutting Spencer any slack, and forced Spencer to tell him. He wanted to tell her so badly, but Spencer made him promise. She says she doesn’t care what Spencer made him promise. She’s his girlfriend, and she has a right to know.

Sasha tells Nina, Brando isn’t joining her. They need a break from each other. Nina asks if something happened. Did they have a fight? They’re practically still newlyweds, so she doesn’t think they should be needing a break so soon. Sasha says, they’re not getting a divorce. She just came here to get a drink. It’s not healthy for a couple to spend all their time together. Nina says she agrees with that 100%, but Sasha knows her. Why be cool, calm, and collected when she can overreact? Sasha laughs, and says she knows it’s coming from a place of care. Nina asks if Sasha wants her drink with company or without, and Sasha says, normally, she’d love to have a drink with Nina, but she’s meeting someone. She knows Nina is dying to ask, but Nina insists she doesn’t care. Sasha says, that’s okay. She’s meeting Sienna Colby, the makeup artist. Nina says, they use her occasionally at some Crimson photo shoots, but she doesn’t know know Sienna. Why doesn’t she keep Sasha company until Sienna shows up?

Smoltz meets Sienna outside Kelly’s, and she says, finally. They have to hurry; Sasha’s already at the MetroCourt. Smoltz says, relax. If this girl thinks Sienna is bringing her drugs, she’ll wait. Are the clear on how this needs to work?

Rory asks if Trina talked to Spencer after he left court, and she says, yeah. She wanted to apologize for going off on him earlier. Then Jordan came and arrested him. She gets quiet, and he says, what? She says, before Spencer got arrested, he told her that he should have said something from the start. She thinks he meant to say he never believed she was guilty… but he still stayed with Esme, so that doesn’t make any sense. Sorry. She shouldn’t be talking about this. He says, why not? Cassadine’s testimony was a big deal, and she’s still processing. She says she doesn’t know how to feel about Spencer yet. She means she doesn’t know how to feel about what Spencer did, and what Rory did too. He asks if she means what he said on the stand, but she says, no. Her… and him… He says, what about them? and she says, they kissed.

Nikolas says, Esme could be dead, and Ava was fighting with her when she fell from the parapet. Ava can’t bear the brunt of this on her own. She needs his help. Ava says, she didn’t push her. They were fighting over the letter. Esme yanked it out of her hand, and it was her own momentum that forced her over. He says, he believes her, but they already went over this. Everyone knows about her hatred for Esme, and she didn’t call 9-1-1. She says, because he told her not to, and he says, because it was the right thing to do. He’s just pointing out, they have to live with that decision. She tells him, stop saying we. There is no we. The we is done. He had sex with Esme. That was vile enough, but then he lied to her face for weeks. He kept her at arm’s length, then he had sex with her after being with Esme; that’s disgusting. She’ll never forgive him. She starts to leave, but he says, if she walks out of Windymere on the heels of Esme’s disappearance, everyone is going to wonder why. What is she going to tell them? That he slept with his son’s girlfriend, and she found it unforgivable? If that’s not motive for murder, he doesn’t know what is, especially since the staff heard her fighting with Esme loudly enough to call and tell him. If Esme’s body washes up on the shoreline, Ava is going be the PCPD’s one and only suspect. His phone rings, and he says, speak of the devil; it’s the PCPD. He answers, and Spencer says he’s been arrested. He’s being charged with escaping Spring Ridge. Will Nikolas help? Nikolas says, he’ll be right there. Ava says, who’s been arrested? Is it about Esme? Nikolas says, Spencer’s at PCPD, and she asks, why? What happened? He says, Spencer testified on Trina’s behalf in court. Apparently, he saw Trina at the cemetery when he visited Courtney’s grave on the anniversary of her death, and Trina was there when she supposedly posted the sex tape. He gave her an alibi. She says, Spencer did that for Trina? and Nikolas says, and he’s been arrested thanks to his good deed. He’ll return as soon as he can. She says, don’t rush. She’s not going to be here when he gets back.

Josslyn says she told Trina that Cameron had been acting weird, and making up all kinds of excuses. He was lying to her. He says, she’s the one who knew Spencer was Trina’s alibi since the video was posted, but she says she that found out just before the trial started. He’s been actively lying to her for weeks… months. They’re supposed to trust each other; that means no secrets, especially when it’s about something like this. This isn’t who hooked up at a party or got drunk. This could potentially affect the rest of Trina’s life. He says he told her, he wanted to say something, but this was important to prove Trina’s innocence. She says, but he didn’t. Spencer still has no solid evidence proving Esme made that video, and what on earth made Spencer think a snake like Esme would ever admit the truth? He says, Spencer had incentive. There was a plan. If Esme exonerated Trina, Spencer would tell Esme who her birth mother is. She says, what? and he says, Spencer was bluffing. She says, he needs to tell her everything from the beginning.

Nikolas says, Ava’s not thinking straight. He’s sorry he slept with Esme, and he’ll apologize for the rest of his life, but right now, she has to set aside her anger and let him help her. She says, any man stupid enough, weak enough to have sex with his son’s manipulative girlfriend is a liability, not an asset. He says she can be as hurt as she want, but she says she doesn’t want to be hurt. She didn’t choose for him to be unfaithful. He tells her, he’s just saying, she can’t afford to focus on the infidelity; they have bigger priorities right now. They can’t let anyone ever find out what happened to Esme. She says she can take care of herself. It’s not exactly her first rodeo. He says, don’t do anything rash. They’ll talk when he gets back. She says, fine; go.

Jordan brings Spencer to the interrogation room, and he says, she’s not taking him to a cell? She says she’s not completely cold-hearted. She’s aware of the sacrifice he made to help Trina. He sits, and she says, so let’s hear the full story… unless he wants to wait for his lawyer. He says, it’s okay, and she sits opposite him. She asks how he escaped Spring Ridge, and he says, it’s a minimum security prison; he just did. She asks why he felt compelled to escape, and he says, it was the anniversary of his mother’s death. Even when he was away at boarding school, he made sure flowers were left on her grave, and this was the first year he wasn’t going to be able to do that. It drove him crazy, and he was growing desperate. She says, and that’s where he saw Trina, and he says, she was there for research on a school paper. He convinced her not to turn him in, and promised he was going right back to Spring Ridge – which he did. She says, so he got away with his little adventure. Why confess now? He says, for Trina.

Trina says she shouldn’t be talking about another guy with Rory, and he says she can if she wants to; he can take it. She says she gets it. If the jury finds her guilty, she’ll have to go to prison. You can’t do much dating behind a glass window, especially if one of you is a felon and the other’s a cop. He says she has to help him out here. He has no idea what she’s talking about. She says she’s reading all of his signals loud and clear. She’s too complicated, and they should just be friends.

Sienna tells Smoltz, if she said she was clear on what she had to do, would he believe her? He says, it never hurts to go over it one more time. Call him before she meets Sasha. Then slip the phone into her purse so he can hear the whole conversation. She says, Sasha talking about the night Harmony Miller died, and he says, best case scenario, they get the Face of Deception to admit she was high when she hit Harmony with her car. Or, better to get Sasha to buy pills off her, or at the very least, get her to admit she’s been using drugs. Sienna says, he’ll keep her name out of it? and he says, of course (🍷). She’s his anonymous source, and she’ll get 500 bucks for her trouble. She says, he really has it in for Sasha, and he says, it’s not personal; just business. Sasha Gilmore is clickbait. Sienna says, she’s not that famous, and he says, not yet, but soon, she’ll be infamous.

Brando says, he’s not asking Sonny to spy on Sasha, but Sonny says, Brando wants one of his guys following his wife without her knowing. What does he call that? He laughs, and Brando says, when Sonny puts it like that, it does sound bad, but Sonny says, stop worrying. He’s not saying no… Brando says, Sonny was right; it’s a bad idea. The last thing he wants to be is that guy. Sonny tells Brando to give himself a break. Sometimes when you’re watching somebody you love suffer, you do crazy things. Brando says, he’s not making it better by smothering Sasha, but Sonny says, Brando’s got great instincts. If he thinks something is going on with Sasha, there probably is. What does he think? Brando asks if Sonny thinks he should go look for her, and Sonny says, sometimes when people are in a bad way, they don’t want to ask for help. If that’s what’s going on with Sasha, what does Brando’s gut tell him? Brando thinks for a moment, and says, that Sonny is right. He has to go find her. He dashes out the door.

Sasha tells Nina, Brando doesn’t trust her. He watches her every move to make sure she doesn’t do something crazy, but Brando’s the one making her crazy. Nina says, being under the microscope is no fun… Sasha says, but? and Nina says, Brando was on the set of Home & Heart when Sasha thought Liam was in the baby carrier. He brought her to GH to put her on that 72 hour psychological watch. So he’s a little worried about her. Sasha says she knows she’s put him through a lot, but Nina says, it’s not her fault. Sasha says, it is. She thought going back to work would help her stop grieving for Liam, but she took on too much too soon, and it totally backfired. She promises to be more careful going forward.

Sienna puts the phone in her bag, and walks into the restaurant. Nina says she just wants to remind Sasha that she can talk to her about anything. Sienna comes over to the table, says hi to Sasha, and tells Nina, what a surprise. Sasha asks how Sienna has been, and Sienna says, good; crazy busy. Will Nina be joining them? Nina says, no. She was just keeping Sasha company until Sienna arrived. She gets up, and tells them, have a nice dinner. She leaves, and Sienna sits down, saying, sorry she’s late; traffic was a nightmare. She’s so glad they’re doing this. Sasha says she was surprised when she got Sienna’s text, and Sienna says, she’s been meaning to reach out, and see if Sasha needed anything. Smoltz listens in from his car, and Sasha says she’s glad Sienna suggested this. She feels like having fun tonight. Sienna says she totally gets it. Sasha should head for the bathroom first, and she’ll follow. Smoltz says, good, good, good.

Jordan hands Spencer’s arrest report to an officer, and tells him to send it to the DA’s office. Nikolas comes in with Martin, and asks, where’s his son? Jordan says she assumes Nikolas wants to speak to him, and Nikolas says, alone, if possible… Please. She says, Spencer’s in the interrogation room. He’s got 15 minutes. Nikolas thanks her, and goes in. Martin tells Jordan, as she knows, his client was a model prisoner at Spring Ridge; fully served out his sentence. She says, and skipped incarceration without notifying the authorities. Save your breath, counselor.

Nikolas says, when he saw Spencer testifying for Trina, he had a feeling this would happen. Spencer says, it will be worth it if Trina’s found not guilty, but Nikolas says he’s afraid that’s not a sure thing. Spencer says, which is why he needs Nikolas to do something for him. Make sure Esme does not leave town.

There’s a knock at Sonny’s office door. I guess today is the day he gives out favors. Ava comes in, and he asks what she’s doing here. She says she needs his help.

Martin says he takes it by Jordan’s refusal to listen to him, that she opposes leniency for a young man who was merely trying to honor the memory of his dead mother? She says she’s not the person he needs to convince. He needs to go before a judge. He says, by all means. What does she say they process Spencer ASAP, so they get him on that night court docket? He’s sure his client would love to get out of here as soon as possible, and to be clear, they’re hardly talking about a dangerous felon or a menace to society. He’s simply an impulsive young man who made a bad decision.

Nikolas wonders why Esme suddenly matters to Spencer now. If he knows she made the sex tape, how could he possibly still have feelings for her? Spencer says, the only feelings he has for Esme are anger and contempt, but as long as Esme’s in town, there’s a chance she can exonerate Trina. Nikolas says he doesn’t see that happening, and Spencer says he’s been looking for evidence to link Esme to that video, but so far, he’s come up empty. Nikolas says, Esme is too savvy to slip up, and Spencer says, yeah, so he came up with another idea; to offer Esme a deal.

Rory says, Trina thinks he only wants to be friends. Where did that come from? She says, to start, he’s not bothered by her talking about another guy. Then there’s a good chance she might be found guilty and sent to prison, which means a bad chance of them getting any closer, and Rory just has to be practical. At this point, it makes sense that they’re friends. And not even that if it’s awkward. He says, awkward for who? and she says, it’s okay. Her feelings aren’t hurt. He says he’s sorry to hear that because he’s totally into her. She says, he is? Then why is he letting her run her mouth about Spencer? Shouldn’t he be jealous? He says, if Spencer Cassadine fell into a hole never to be seen again, he wouldn’t shed a tear. But obviously something is bothering her, and he wants to help. If it means talking about Spencer’s testimony and wondering why he came forward, Rory was willing to bite his tongue until it bled and listen. That’s what he gets for being a nice guy. She says, he’s not trying; he is.

Sienna gets the pills out of her bag, but Sasha says, actually, she’s good. She’s hungry. Does Sienna want to order something? Sienna suggests they start with cocktails, and go from there, and Sasha says, sounds good. Anything particular in mind? She can choose. Sienna says, by the way, Sasha looks great. She was worried about Sasha after Home & Heart. Sasha says, thanks. She’s doing a lot better. Sienna says she’s overindulged a few times herself when the stress got to her, and Sasha says, but not on national TV. Sienna says, true, and Sasha asks if she’s done any exotic shoots lately. Sienna says, she was in Venice recently, and Sasha says, lucky her; tell her everything. Sienna says, it was amazing. The models were temperamental at times; Sasha knows how it is. The photographer has one vision, and the stylist has another. And when she’s working on the models, it’s, more blush, not enough blush, too much eyeliner, can the lip gloss be shinier? It doesn’t matter if you’re in front or behind the camera. If people knew how stressed out this business makes them. Sasha says, it’s a good thing they don’t know. They’re in the business of selling a fantasy. Sienna says, it doesn’t matter how much they suffer (oh, please, stop). Like when Sasha had that horrible accident with Harmony Miller. In the car, Smoltz says, amateur. You’re going to blow this whole thing.

Ava tells Sonny, Trina’s trial is finishing up. The jury starts deliberation tomorrow. He says, and it doesn’t look good for Trina, but she says she doesn’t know. It could go either way, but she’s not willing to sit around and wait. He says, that’s not her style, and she says she needs to be sure Trina is acquitted. He says, the easiest way to do that is to get the guilty party to confess. Or he could just go to Esme Prince and tell her… Ava says, no. He can’t do that.

Sasha asks if Sienna knew Harmony, but Sienna says, no. She’s just a true crime junkie. Smoltz looks like he’s going to have apoplexy, and Sienna says, that Harmony committed two murders, and tried to kill two more caught her attention. Sasha did the world a favor, taking her out. Sasha says, every death is a tragedy, no matter who the victim is, and Sienna says, of course (🍷). So what happened? Did Harmony just run out in front of Sasha’s car? Sasha says, this was a mistake, and Sienna says, she’s so sorry. She’s like a bull in a China shop when it comes to true crime. Please stay. Sasha says, good luck finding someone else to discuss her true crime obsession, and leaves. Smoltz says, damn it. The Titanic stayed afloat longer. Back to the drawing board.

Ava tells Sonny, it’s not important for the world to know that Esme’s behind the revenge porn. All that matters is that Trina goes free. Sonny says he thought she’d jump chance of bringing Esme down; personally escorting her to Pentenville. Ava laughs, and says, well, Esme’s gone. She left town. He says his people can find her, but Ava says, they have no time for that. What if the jury comes back with a verdict before they find her? He says, his people are very good at finding people, and she says, trust her. They won’t find Esme in time. He gets up, and asks what she did, but she says, this is not about her. This is about a young woman’s future. Will he help Trina or not? He says he’ll take care of it, and she asks what he’s going to do. He just looks at her, and she says, okay. She thanks him, and leaves.

Cameron tells Josslyn, Spencer thought Esme would care more about finding out who her biological mother was than she would about hurting Trina. She says, well, he was wrong, and he was trying to outmaneuver the biggest manipulator on the planet. And there was probably a much simpler, more direct way to help Trina, but Spencer wanted to be the hero, and he wanted to pull the strings. Cameron says, and he should have seen that, but she says, not necessarily. It’s always easier to say what you would have done differently when you’re looking back on a situation. She wasn’t in Cameron’s position, and didn’t have Spencer begging her to keep this secret. Still, she’d like to think if he had told her, they could have figured something out together. He says he’s sorry, and she says, now that she knows everything, they need to work together to bring Esme down.

Rory takes Trina’s hands, and says, earlier, she sounded pretty sure she’d be found guilty, and she says she has to consider the possibility. He says, or she could consider being an optimist, but she says, if she gets her hopes up, and she’s found guilty, she’ll be crushed. It’s better to prepare for the worst. She takes her shoes off, and sits at the edge of the pool, putting her feet in the water. He takes his shoes and socks off, and says, she was great on the stand, and she has some serious guts risking cross-examination. The word on ADA Arden is, she eats barracudas for lunch. Really? I did not get that impression. She seemed more like a high school student pretending to be a lawyer. Trina says, and she’s just a minnow, and he sits next to her. He tells her, don’t sell herself short. She gave the jury a chance to see her, Trina Robinson, a flesh and blood person; not some mustache twirling villain looking to humiliate her friends. She says she wishes he was on her jury, and he asks if she regrets taking the stand. She says, no. She got to speak her truth, and thanks to Diane, she got to tell the jury how much Esme hated Josslyn. He says, her lawyer did a great job pointing out that Esme had the means, opportunity, and a strong motive, and she says, whatever happens, at least she knows she did everything she could to help herself. He says, and whatever happens, he’s glad to know her. He inches closer to her, says, and he definitely wants the chance to know her more, and they kiss.

Spencer tells Nikolas, Esme was tempted to confess in exchange for learning the identity of her biological mother. He could try again, maybe get her to crack, but he can’t do that if she disappears. Nikolas says, Spencer should focus on his own problems, not Esme, and Spencer says, what if Nikolas spoke to her? At this point, Nikolas has a better chance of getting through to Esme than he does. Nikolas says, that’s ridiculous, and Spencer says, is it? Nikolas and Esme have gotten a lot closer lately. It’s worth a shot. Nikolas says, there’s something he has to tell Spencer. I wonder, why bother this kid with this now? It’s not like Esme can tell him. Oh wait. Scratch that. She’ll probably be waiting when they get back to Windymere.

Brando approaches Nina at the restaurant, and asks if she’s seen Sasha. Nina says she saw Sasha here earlier; she was meeting a friend. He says he checked. She’s not here now. Nina says she needs to go to Crimson to make a quick edit. Did he try the pool? He says, no, and thanks her, running off.

Ava finds Nina on her tablet in a corner of the restaurant, and says, look at her. Hard at work already. Taking to owning the MetroCourt like a duck to water. Will Nina be delivering her room service meals personally? Nina says, very… Wait a minute. Ava has taken a room? Does that mean more problems between her and Nikolas? Ava says, another problem in a long list of problems, and Nina guesses Trina’s probably at the top of that list. How is the trial going? Ava says, that’s actually one thing she feels good about. Nina says, Trina won’t be going to prison, and Ava says, she can almost guarantee it.

Sonny calls Dex, and tells him to come by. Sonny’s got a job for him.

Nikolas says, as far as Esme goes… and Spencer says, what did she do now? Nikolas says, she’s gone, and Spencer says, gone where? Nikolas tells him, she left town. Oh good. At least he’s not telling Spencer what an idiot he really is.

Trina says, so Rory is interested? and he says, he told her. She says, it looks like she’s stuck with him, and he says, like glue. She says, well, at least until she goes to prison, but he says he’s not giving up on her just yet, and she shouldn’t either.

Spencer and Nikolas come out, and Spencer says, time for his arraignment? Jordan says she’s afraid not, and Martin says he’s sorry. He couldn’t get Spencer before a judge until tomorrow morning. Nikolas says, Spencer’s got to spend the night in a cell? and Spencer says, his home away from home; good. Nikolas says, let him take Spencer back to Windymere. They have his word; he’ll have Spencer back to go before the judge tomorrow. Jordan says, if she did that for him, she’d have to do it for every parent who made a similar promise. Spencer says he’ll be okay. He’s just sorry he can’t be there for Trina. He needs Nikolas to find Esme. She’s the key to Trina’s freedom.

Nina is having a drink with Ava, when Brando comes back. Nina asks if Brando found Sasha, and he says, she’s not at the pool; she’s not at the restaurant. How did she seem when Nina spoke to her? Nina says, she seemed fine. She did mention they’d had an argument. He tells her, he said the wrong thing, and Ava says, a specialty of hers too, she’s afraid. Brando says, it sounds like Sasha is covering her true feelings. Nina says she doesn’t know, but she gets the sense that Sasha is definitely not okay.

Sierra gets in the car with Smoltz, and says, that was a bust. He says, ya think? She’s obsessed with true crime. She says, at least she tried. So pay up. She holds out her hand, and he says, dream on. If you succeed, you get paid. She says, he wants her to try again? and he says, the Gilmore girl is obviously on edge. The tiniest thing could push her over. The car rocks, and suddenly Sasha appears at the driver’s window.

Tomorrow, Dex says, whatever it is, he’s in; Josslyn says Carly will never guess what she just witnessed; and Sasha wants to know why the hell they were setting her up.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

LisaR calls each member of the group. Diana says she’s struggling. She’s sick of being sick. Kyle says she’s out of covid jail on Monday, and LisaR says she’s having a wine tasting. She calls Dorit, and Garcelle, saying she’s having a little afternoon soiree, and tells Sutton that she can wear leather pants. Dorit says, this is actually happening, and in LisaR’s interview, she says, the whole enterprise stemmed from the wine tasting where they got sh*t faced. We flash back to that, and Dorit says, she wouldn’t miss it for the world. LisaR says, there’s only going to be six of them, and Dorit says, she’s one of the last women standing. Her and Kathy. LisaR says, Kathy was exposed, so she’s not coming. Dorit is the last woman standing.

Sutton shows her son Philip how to make chicken salad, and her daughter Porter joins them. In Sutton’s interview, she says, during Christmas, her children were in Italy with their father. We flash back to her telling Garcelle, this is her life as a single person. She says, it’s weird to be alone with no family around. She talks to herself, she talks to her animals… She asks about the pictures from Philip’s birthday party, and Porter says, the skydiving, and in her interview, Sutton says, when Philip was three, he hated flying. They were on a flight, and he screamed, we’re all gonna die! She was mortified, telling people, he’s three; he doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Now he’s jumping out of planes. A year ago he wanted to join the Army, because he’d been too comfortable in life. She thought, she’ll make him uncomfortable then, and sent him to Georgia when it was 105 with 100% humidity. She got him a job delivering vending machines, and when she picked him up a month later, he wanted to go to college. He’ll be attending The Citadel, which is a military school, so they both win. Porter says, the chicken salad is gross in theory with all the mayonnaise, but it tastes good.

Garcelle meets Dorit for dinner, and Dorit says she hates not hugging. In Garcelle’s interview, she says she and Dorit have past hurdles, but it’s all in the past now. Dorit apologized for calling her a bully. Now they can have fun, not judge, and move on. She tells Dorit that she’s recording the audio portion of her book, and we see a clip of her in the studio. Dorit says, not many women would have cojones to put everything out there, and in her interview, Garcelle says, there are stories she never talked about. She had an experience with Bill Cosby that was scary. There were things she thought she had peace around, but when she was writing, she found they were still haunting her. Dorit says, she did it. Garcelle says she heard about PK’s DUI, and Dorit says, alleged DUI; he was never booked. He was arrested, and took a breathalyzer, but he was under the limit, and the cops said he’d have to find his own way home. He was so shook up. In Garcelle’s interview, she says, she heard the officers drove him home. That would never happen with anyone in her world. Did they stop and get a steak too? I literally lol. Dorit wonders if Erika is going to drink at the wine tasting; and Garcelle says, they had drinks the other night, and she’d said she’s not allowed with the medication. She told Erika she was concerned, but didn’t know Erika fell until after the fact. Dorit is shocked, and says, Erika’s got to figure it out. Garcelle tells Dorit that Erika said something interesting; that being Sutton’s friend may be a liability. Dorit wonders what she meant, and Garcelle says, being Sutton’s friend is detrimental. In her interview, she says, maybe it was a compliment. She’d be liked more if she wasn’t with Sutton, but that would also mean she can’t handle herself, and let it happen. Dorit says, Garcelle doesn’t seem like the Thelma and Louise type. Garcelle says she’ll throw something at someone for you.

Mikey makes espresso, and he, Erika, publicist Jack, and assistant Laia talk Pretty Mess Hair. They want to get stylists to post about it, and Erika says, everyone is always adding hair. Mikey ask if Erika is dating someone perfect, and we see something about an NFL player, but she says she’s just trying get good d*ck. She needs someone to slip into her DMs for her, and they all agree Jack would be perfect to respond to offers. In Erika’s interview, she says, she wouldn’t be a good girlfriend just coming off a 20 year relationship. D*ck is great, but she and a boyfriend have no time for each other. She tells them that she sent a text to the wrong person, thanking them for the good d*ck. They responded, what are you talking about? I’ve been trying to give you some. She’s decided she wants to be a part-time dominatrix. In an intimate moment, a man she was with said she’d be good at it, and should explore it. She’d be high-end with no more than five customers. In her interview, she says she’s bossy, and likes to administer pain for pleasure. She loves latex and costumes, and knows there are people who like that. She says she’s calling it Pretty Mess Dungeon, and tells Mikey to call the trademark lawyer immediately. Who knows older, narcissistic, rich men better than she does?

LisaR meets Sutton for lunch, and Sutton says she likes LisaR. LisaR says, people think she’s a bitch, and they’re scared of her. Sutton says she was only scared one time, and we flash back to that whole Elton John ticket thing. LisaR says, she doesn’t want to hold it, but it makes her mad sometimes. At the end of the day, it’s been while. It’s over, it was silly, Sutton did say she was sorry, and LisaR has to move on. Ugh. Even more to loathe. She’s one of those people who forgives you, then gets mad all over again out of the blue. LisaR says she likes to torture Sutton, and Sutton says she can take it. LisaR says she doesn’t think she’d do it if Sutton couldn’t, and Sutton says, LisaR is like the Grinch. Her heart gets bigger. LisaR says, she has a big mouth on top of a big heart.

Everyone gets ready for the wine tasting. Dorit calls Diana, who says, look how much they did to avoid covid, and it took them down anyway. Erika calls Kyle from the car, and they talk about Kyle’s new puppy, Smokey. We see a picture, and yep, he’s adorable, and big. Sutton calls Crystal, saying she wants to bring Crystal some soup, and Crystal says she’s just lying around and eating; she’s gained five pounds. At LisaR’s house, Erika asks for chamomile tea, saying she’s not supposed to drink with the meds she takes, and she does. In Dorit’s interview, she says she was there to witness how Erika behaved at Garcelle’s party, and now Garcelle mentions her falling. It makes Dorit think she might need to keep an eye on Erika. Erika tells everyone, it says on the bottle not to do it, but of course she did. Garcelle comes in with a jacket screaming Balenciaga, and Dorit asks, who made it? Harry joins them, and says his house is blessed. LisaR says, they set everything up because everyone has covid, and Dorit tells her, be honest. Did she and Harry do it, or just Harry? We flash back to Harry’s Bolognese dinner, and Lisa says she blew the leaves. Harry says she did it very well, and Erika says she read in a book that LisaR is a good blower. Sheree (not that one), says, if Harry left a Yelp review… Erika says, from one to five, how’s LisaR’s BJ? LisaR says, it better be ten, and Harry says, ten, but she tells him, it took way too long.

Erika brings up Crystal’s eating disorder, and says she asked Crystal if she’s gotten professional help. She talks about it a lot. Dorit says, Crystal told her that she was vomiting every day, and in Dorit’s interview, she says, clearly if Crystal is talking about it, it’s a sign she needs help. LisaR says, her daughter was 15 when she had an eating disorder, and they sought therapy right away. Erika says, Crystal has been talking about it on Instagram, and Dorit says she was shocked by some of the things Crystal told her. LisaR says, Crystal can’t get better unless she has help. In Sutton’s interview, she says she doesn’t like it when they talk about someone who isn’t there. She doesn’t know a lot about eating disorders, and hasn’t talked one-on-one to Crystal. She wants to stay out of it, and not get involved.

LisaR calls them to the wine tasting table, where their wine people Doug and Maggie await. Doug says the rosé is a continuation of their France trip, and it’s from the Provence area. In LisaR’s interview, she says, she’s putting herself in a vulnerable position. These bitches could go hard, and tear it apart. In Sutton’s interview, she says, the rosé is perfect for her taste; she likes a pale rosé. They taste several wines, and in Garcelle’s interview, she says, at a wine tasting, you normally take a sip, spit, and put it down, but nobody here has a spit bucket. Harry thinks the brut needs more work, and it’s agreed the rosé is perfection. Garcelle asks if LisaR is going to feed them, and LisaR says, they have pizza and charcuterie. Harry made the pizza of course. Harry says he’s going for a walk, and escapes these harridans. Dorit says she has a friend who’s into Garcelle, and thinks she’s the most beautiful woman in the world. He’s been asking for her to introduce them for the last couple of years. Sheree asks what he looks like, and Dorit says, he’s not a man on the prowl, looking to get laid. Erika says, then he’s not the guy for her, and announces she’s having a lot of sex. Dorit asks if it’s with the same person, and Erika says, yes. Dorit asks if that isn’t dating, and Sheree suggests it’s more like he’s providing a service. Erika says, and she’s providing one back. Dorit mentions Erika’s drinking, and in her interview, Dorit says, she doesn’t want to be judgmental, but she wants to be a good friend. She’s kind of torn.

Garcelle wants to speak to Erika, and the others have cookies on the patio. Sheree says, LisaR is very nurturing, and LisaR says, everyone thinks she’s a bitch. Sheree says, she’s a sweet soul (um… no), and we can all get caught up in the bitchy. Erika and Garcelle sit on a bench, and Garcelle says she loved having drinks with Erika, but it threw her off when she said Sutton was a liability. She wondered what Erika meant by that, and Erika says, Garcelle always has to clean up after and take care of Sutton. She feels like Garcelle doesn’t have to; Sutton gets herself in hot water. Garcelle says, she gets that, but it’s what friendship is for. Erika says, some of the things Sutton says are wild, like she’s sorry she didn’t have a gun put to her head when Dorit did have one put to hers. Garcelle says she told Sutton it was wrong. and asks if they can invite Sutton into the conversation. Erika says, no, and Garcelle asks, why? Erika says, why would they? and Garcelle tells Erika, maybe Sutton will say something that will change her mind. Erika says she doesn’t think now is the moment, and Garcelle says she comes from a big family. They have each other’s backs. Doesn’t Erika think Garcelle would stand up for her? Erika says, she thinks it would be conditional. She feels Garcelle would do more for Sutton, but she and Sutton are closer. She doesn’t think Garcelle would cut her the same slack. Garcelle has been clear about how she feels about Erika and what happened, and she doesn’t think Garcelle necessarily believes her. Garcelle says, she doesn’t know if she believes everything, and in Erika’s interview, she says, Garcelle has set her sights on her again and again. She wants to make Erika the bad guy. She doesn’t know what she’s done to Garcelle, but witness her life burning down. She’s so judgmental.

Sutton says she doesn’t like being called a liability, and we see a clip of Garcelle telling Sutton that she’s going to talk to Erika. She says, if Erika felt like that, Erika should have told her, not Garcelle. She asks why Erika feels she’s a liability, and Erika says, Garcelle always cleans up for her and supports her. Sutton says, that’s called being a friend, and Erika says, she’s had spats with her, Diana, and LisaR, and Garcelle is there to defend and support her. Garcelle asks why Erika is trying to make her feel bad about being a loyal friend, and Erika says, Garcelle supports Sutton when Sutton falls out with one of them, but Sutton went tit for tat for Garcelle about LisaR. We flash back to Sutton on Watch What Happen Live, saying, LisaR and Harry never thanked her about the Elton John gala tickets. Erika says, Garcelle would never embarrass or hurt anyone, but Sutton did. LisaR says, Sutton has no idea of how much she hurt her and Harry. There’s a reason she wants to hurt LisaR, and she has to figure out why. LisaR always wants some complicated, diabolical reason for what are basically off-the-cuff hurtful remarks people make when they’re pissed at you.

Sutton says, LisaR talked about forgiveness, but it doesn’t sound like she’s forgiven Sutton. Their lunch went differently than it is now, and she thinks LisaR plays it with an audience does, but she does like her. LisaR makes fun of Sutton’s accent, and Sutton says she thinks LisaR is a good person… some days. LisaR says, Sutton doesn’t respect her (God knows I don’t), and in her interview, LisaR says she doesn’t know why it bugs her. There’s an injustice to it. Sutton is still not being honest and it’s frustrating. Sutton says, things were different at lunch. LisaR said she’d talked nasty behind Sutton’s back, and we flash back to LisaR talking smack about Sutton with Erika, Kyle, and Diana. In her interview, LisaR says, if Sutton said she wanted to hurt her because she’d hurt Garcelle, she thinks she could move past it. Sutton says, LisaR talks out of both sides of her mouth, and LisaR says, so does Sutton, since that’s the best she can come up with.

LisaR’s head spins around, and she tells Sutton, f*** you! Get out of my house! If you’re going to talk like this, leave. In Sutton’s interview, she says, the soap actress never leaves LisaR’s body. It would take an exorcism to get it out. LisaR says, come after her as much as she wants, but if she comes for LisaR’s children and husband, end of story. She screams, if you come for my children or husband, I will f***ing hunt you down! She asks if everyone is clear, and Sutton asks if it’s a threat or a promise, and LisaR says, it’s a fact. Garcelle says, no kids allowed, and LisaR says, or husbands. I’m sitting here wondering WTF happened, and I guess this husband tirade is because Sutton said she’d gotten tickets for LisaR and Harry. See why he goes for walks? Sutton tells LisaR that she’s sorry 100%, and LisaR says, Sutton tried to humiliate them, but she humiliated herself. She’s slurring her words at this point, laughs, and says she’s drunk. Then she tells Sutton that she looked like a f***ing fool, humiliating her, Harry, and the charity tenfold. Get ready. That’s the truth.

Yeah, between the two of them, I don’t think it’s Sutton who’s humiliating herself.

Next time, PK gets new teeth; Sutton tells Crystal what was discussed at the wine tasting; Dorit has a dinner where a celebrity who is not Boy George plays a concert; and LisaR totally breaks down.

💡 You know, I do feel badly for LisaR about Lois, but I can’t support her using it for an excuse to be an a-hole. She was an a-hole before Lois passed away, but she’s using Lois as a reason to let fly with whatever she likes at this point. The soap actress has given way to the she-devil.

🐕 All About Those Pets…

The pets of Beverly Hills, which I would so much rather see than the Housewives.

https://heavy.com/entertainment/real-housewives/crystal-kung-minkoff-new-puppies-photos/

🧸 Lullaby and Goodnight…

Come by tomorrow for some soap and some Charm. Until then, stay safe, stay supporting local businesses, and stay knowing, It’s always easier to say what you would have done differently when you’re looking back on a situation. So don’t beat yourself up about it.