What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Brook turns and sees Chase come into Rice Plaza wearing his leather jacket. She runs up on stage, goes to the mic, and says, good evening everyone. She knows they’re anxious for the main event to begin, and the concert will start in just a few minutes, but first they’ll announce the results of their ugly Christmas sweater contest. Their first runner up is Detective Dante Falconari. The crowd applauds, and it’s a lot louder than the amount of people there. Sam asks if Dante entered the contest, and he says he didn’t. He doesn’t know what she’s talking about. This is his favorite sweater. FYI, it’s hardly an ugly sweater, so I’m not getting this. Brook goes over to Chase, and says she didn’t know he’d come. He says, neither did he. Dante told him that the CCRB may be reviewing his case in a few months, thanks to her letter and whatever else she did. Which was what exactly?

Sasha and Nina cross the plaza, dressed an elf and Mrs. Claus respectively. Sasha says, looks like Brook pulled it off, and Nina says, just in the St. Nick of time. Sasha says, Nina’s holiday humor is on point, and Sonny joins them with Donna, saying, look who it is; Mrs. Claus. Nina says, with her trusted assistant elf, and Sonny tells Donna, like they practiced. Donna hands Nina a gift bag, and tells her, merry Christmas.

On the phone, Carly says she just got home, and she’s getting everything ready. Kristina comes home for Christmas, and they’ll be all set when she gets here. So text when she leaves Trina’s. Love you. The doorbell rings, and Carly opens the door to Ava and Avery, who says, merry Christmas, Mama Carly, and hugs her.

Spencer tells Trina, merry Christmas, and she says, he told her that he was leaving town. He says he thought there was nothing here for him anymore, but he was wrong. But if she wants him to go, just say the words and he’ll leave.

Esme sings, ♫ jingle hell, jingle hell, jingle all the way. So much pain Nik will feel when daddy comes to slay – hey! ♫ What does Ace think? A solid plan? She knows it’s risky, but she promised to do all she can to get out of here. Because she’s starting the new year off with a real family. Nikolas comes in and, who that would be? knocking back some of his drink.

Heather puts a Santa hat and beard on Ryan, and says, perfect fit, as the guard watches. She tells Ryan, buck up, Santa. Bad attitudes get bupkis under the tree. She glances at the guard, and lowers her voice, saying, and this year, their Christmas lists have one thing in common. Justice for their little girl, and pain for everyone who hurt her.

By the side of the road somewhere, Josslyn checks one of the tires on her car. She looks at her phone, and says, still no bars. Just great. She sees headlights coming down the street toward her. She thanks them for stopping, and says, actually, she figured it out. So she doesn’t need any help, and she’s sure they have somewhere they need to be. We see a pair of black boots walking toward her, and Dex says, here’s good.

Spencer tells Trina, he gets it. This is the definition of should have called first. He’s sorry for the intrusion. He starts to leave, but she says, shoes off, and he follows her inside.

Esme asks if Nikolas is drunk, and he says, she never talks about her family. She says, he never asks. Unless it’s about the baby or her supposed crime spree, he’s not interested. He locks the door, and says, no adoptive family to pine for; they’re gone. She says, thanks for the reminder, and he says, her biological family is a mystery, so what’s left? Chosen family? Close friends that are searching for her; would move heaven and earth to find her? She asks if that’s so impossible to believe, and he says, in a word, yes. As far as he can tell, the only person who gives a damn about her is him. How sad is that? The man whose life she dismantled is the closest thing she has to family. She says, so he gives a damn about her. How would Ava react to him talking like that? He says, wouldn’t she like to know? and she says she thinks she does. He should be with his wife right now, or at least attempting to woo her back. Instead, he’s here, half-drunk and lording his power over her. Tell her. Did Ava finally wise up and cut him loose for good?

Carly says she’s so happy to see Avery. Is Santa outside? Avery asks, why? and Carly says, because she’s the best present he could have brought her. Avery says, Santa’s busy tonight, and Carly says, he sure is. Ava says, they were just on their way to the Gingerbread Jam, and thought they’d stop by for a visit. Carly asks if Avery has time for some hot cocoa, and Avery asks Ava if they do. Ava says she thinks they can squeeze it in, and Carly tells Donna, run to the kitchen; it’s all set up. Avery runs off, and Carly thanks Ava. Ava says she was just accommodating Avery’s wishes. Take her time. She’ll wait in the car. Carly says, why doesn’t Ava join them?… Or don’t. She knows Carly’s not going to say please.

Mac and Felicia see Sam and Dante, who has a winner ribbon on his sweater, and Mac, wearing a true ugly Christmas sweater, says, they missed the judging? Felicia asks how that’s an ugly sweater, and Dante tells her, that’s what he was saying. Mac says he put a lot of time and effort into this sweater, and I wonder if he’s taken up knitting. Mac’s phone dings, and he says, duty calls. He steps away, and Sam says, that is one of the ugliest sweaters she’s ever seen. Felicia says, isn’t it?

Brook says she didn’t know the Review Board was revisiting Chase’s case, but he says, considering revisiting. She says, this is amazing, and he says, it could be, but he has the feeling her letter alone isn’t enough to seal the deal. She says she didn’t even know they read the letter. What’s with the third degree? Isn’t this what he wanted? He says, of course (🍷) it’s what he wanted. He’s just trying to figure… Linc (the real Linc) says, they were supposed to be on stage ten minutes ago. Is this happening or not? Because if it isn’t, Brook can kiss their partnership, and all her precious songs, goodbye.

Nina looks at an ornament, and tells Donna, this is absolutely beautiful. Did she do it herself? Donna says, daddy helped, and Nina says, let her guess what part he helped with; the glitter. Sonny asks how she knew, and she says, because he’s still wearing some of it, brushing his coat. She says she knows the perfect spot for it on her tree; she wants it front and center. Sasha gives Donna a candy cane, and says, she can put this on the tree too. Donna says, or eat it, and Sasha says, she’d better ask her dad first. Sonny says, it’s Christmas Eve. Donna can have a candy cane. He asks Sasha to take Donna to see the reindeer, and Sasha says, she’d be delighted, taking Donna’s hand. They leave, and Nina sighs.

Brook takes the mic again, and says, ladies and gentlemen, the moment you’ve been waiting for. She introduces Blaze and Chase, who take the stage. Blaze says, their new song drops tonight, but guess who gets to hear it first? The crowd cheers, and Blaze and Chase sing I’ll Find a Way to You.

Dex asks if she’s okay, and Josslyn says she’s fine. What is he doing here? He says, tailing her, and she says, wow. He’s not even going to try to come up with another excuse. He says, why bother? and feels her neck, asking if it hurts. She says, a little, and he asks if she’s sure she’s okay. She says, she’s fine, something he’s not going be when Sonny finds out about this. He says he’ll heal, and she says, and if there’s a meat hook involved? He says, better him on a hook than a hook in her.

Spencer asks where everyone is, and Trina says, watching a movie. He says, they went all out with the Christmas decorations, and she tells him that her mom, Marshall, and Curtis went all out. This isn’t the norm for a Robinson Christmas. He says, makes sense though. First Christmas in a new house; gotta go big. She says, they’re trying to make things better for her, and he says, after Rory? She says she appreciates the effort, but… He says, it didn’t work, and she tells him, don’t say anything. She played along, and pretended to be in the spirit, but honestly, her only wish for this Christmas, is to wake up and have the last few days be a bad dream. He says, the past few years for him. He would change everything. She says, everything? and he says, except for coming back to Port Charles. Because then he wouldn’t have met her.

Blaze and Chase finish the song, and the crowd goes wild. Mac tells Felicia that he knows it’s Christmas Eve, but he has to cut out early. Dante walks over, and asks, what’s going on? Did he get a break with Cabrera? Mac tells him, enjoy the night off, but Dante says, what is it? Is it the earring? Felicia says she’ll see Mac later, hopefully under the mistletoe, but he says, actually, she’s coming with him. She says, she is?  But if this is police business… He says, partly, but it’s also personal. They do have a lead on Rory’s murder, and it goes back to her and Ryan Chamberlain.

Heather has Ryan dressed like a red-nosed reindeer, and adjusts his antlers (I’m dying here). She takes out a small giftbox, puts it in his lap, and smiles.

Mac says, forensics ID’d the DNA on the earring as belonging to Gloria Wilson, and Dante asks if that’s someone they know. Felicia says, it’s Ryan’s ex-wife, and Dante asks if Mac is saying she’s working with Esme now. Is she a suspect? Mac says, she can’t be, and Felicia says, she’s dead. Felicia witnessed her murder; Ryan killed her 30 years ago. Dante asks how an earring from the victim of a serial killer shows up connected to another victim of a serial killer three decades later? and Mac says, good question. Felicia says, there’s only way to get answers, but Mac says he may have changed his mind. Felicia tells him, too late. Like he said, this is personal

Brook says, Blaze and Chase were incredible. Can they feel the energy out here? Linc says, Blaze was real pitchy, and they need to talk wardrobe. He said, Santa’s mistress, not Santa’s mother-in-law. He leads her away, and Brook says, she can’t wait for that sleaze to be canceled. Chase says he hears that, and she asks if that means what she thinks it means. Is he willing to give them another shot?

Dante tells Sam, they got a lead on The Hook, and she asks what he’s still doing here. Go. He kisses her, and leaves.

Dex messes with Josslyn’s tire, and he asks if she got service. She says she saw an autobody shop about 50 yards down; the tow’s on its way. He doesn’t have to wait with her. The tow truck’s going to get here, and it’s freezing. He takes off his coat, and she asks what he’s doing. He tells her that she said she was cold, but she says she meant she didn’t want him to be cold. He puts his coat around her, and she says, if she wants him to take his clothes off, he’ll know. He asks, how so? and she says she’s very direct that way. He says he likes that about her. She says what’s on her mind; what she’s feeling, except for when she’s not sure. She says, excuse me. She’s fully in touch with all her feelings. He tells her, if she says so, and she says she does. He says, care to test that?

Avery takes the tissue paper out of a giftbag, and says, walkie talkies? Carly says, she’s too young for a phone – Ava says, much too young – and anyway, these are much more fun, because only people who know her secret frequency can talk to her. Ava  tells Avery to give it a try, and Avery runs upstairs with one. Carly says, it’s supposed to snow tonight, and Ava says, mm-hmm. Carly asks if Sonny has Avery tomorrow, and Ava says, he does. Carly says, that’s all she’s got, and Ava says, she told Carly that she’d wait in the car. Carly says, so Ava can call Nina and they can talk about her? but Ava says, no. They avoid the subject of Carly like the plague. Carly says, Nikolas then, and Ava almost chokes on her coffee. Carly says, is there trouble in paradise? Wow. And after Ava reveled in Carly’s divorce. Ava says, she knows. Karma is indeed a bitch.

Esme says she didn’t think she’d live to see the day, and Nikolas says, drop it. She asks if it’s hit the society pages yet, and flashes back to Ryan telling her, time is running out for destroying Ava and Nikolas. She says, daddy would be so pleased, and Nikolas asks what she said. She tells him, she asked who gets the house, and he asks, what part of drop it is confusing? She says, don’t worry, Ace. Your father’s not mad at you. He’s mad at himself. He has a bad habit of miscalculating, like when he locked your mother up in here because he thought she was the boogeyman. She tells Nikolas, he knows she’s not. He’ll figure that out when someone else dies, and he has only himself to blame.

Spencer says he’s so sorry about Rory, and Trina says, her too. He says he’s heard from pretty much everyone what a good guy he was. Obviously, Rory meant a lot to her. She says, it’s still so weird to hear people talk about him in the past tense, and Spencer says he’s sorry. She says, don’t be. Spencer’s right. He was here, and now he’s gone, because of her. Spencer says, no, but she says, if Rory had never met her, he’d still be alive. Spencer says he’s to blame. It’s his fault. He  brought Esme to Port Charles, and put Trina in her path, and she says she knows he’s trying to help, and she’s grateful, but Esme being caught is the only thing that will make it right. Not better, but right. He says he agrees. Esme needs to be brought to justice. And if the police won’t do it, he will.

Heather tells Ryan, merry Christmas. It’s the least she could do after he took such good care of their daughter. Don’t worry that he didn’t get her anything. Those bedroom eyes are gift enough. Besides, she didn’t spend a dime on it. Well, isn’t he going to open it? She laughs, and says, just kidding. He’s going to jump for joy when he sees what’s inside… Oops. He can’t, can he? Besides, they don’t want the loons around here getting jealous. Mac says, PCPD. They’re here to see one of their guests. Felicia says, that’s a generous description, and Heather shoves the gift under Ryan’s blanket. Mac tells her, step away from Ryan, and Dante asks what Heather was doing with him.

Chase says he’s willing to give this another try. Because no matter what happens, Linc needs to be stopped. She says, he has no idea how happy this makes her, and moves closer, but he backs up. He says he wants to be clear. When he says, give this another try, he means their business partnership, nothing more.

Nina says, her goal is to not be a downer tonight,  but Sonny says, that’s impossible. Nina says, with what happened to Rory, it makes her think about Jay (Nathan), and he says, that makes sense. She says, and it’s not lost on her that it’s difficult for him to think about his son putting his life on the line every day. He says, maybe he deserves it, considering what he put people through over the years. He suggests they go to Saints on the way home, and light a candle for her brother, and she says, and for Dante. He says, done, and they hug.

Heather asks if that’s Mac Scorpio under all that scruff. Meow. Felicia says, he’s taken, and Heather says, the Aztec princess herself. It is such an honor to be in the presence of royalty. She bows, and Mac asks if she knows who that is. She says, of course (🍷). Ryan Chamberlain is practically the mayor in these parts. She’s just a volunteer fill-in while his orderly’s off the clock. Dante says, that’s good; she can translate.  Mac shows Ryan the evidence bag with the earring in it, and says, lose something?

Spencer says, the whole reason Esme came after Trina is because she knows hurting Trina means hurting him. And now she’s coming after the people closest to Trina; the people who stood in her corner and defended her. All due credit to Ava and Diane. She says, but Spencer was her biggest defender, and he says, Esme hates him for it. He’s her biggest target. Well, if Esme wants him, she can have him.

Josslyn asks if this is some sort of communication exercise, and Dex says, tell him how she feels, give it a moment, and he’ll do the same. She says, challenge accepted. Right now, she feels annoyed. He says, and he feels victorious, and she says, impatient. He says, challenged, and she says, amused. He says, pleased, and she says, curious. He says, engaged, and she says, uncomfortable. He says, concerned, and she says, embarrassed. He says, skeptical, and moves closer. She says, honest, and he says, doubly skeptical. She says, guilty, he moves even closer, and says, gripped. She says, breathless, and he says, warm. She says, warmer, and he says, hot, and kisses her. They see the lights of the tow  truck, and he says, sorry. She says, don’t be, but he says he shouldn’t have complicated things. She says, would he stop? She doesn’t need him making excuses for her choices. He says, that’s not what he meant, but she hands him back his coat, and heads for the tow truck, thanking them for coming.

Sasha asks Donna what she asked Santa for, and Donna asks if he’ll still bring it if she tells. Sasha says, Donna is thinking of birthday wishes; those are supposed to be kept secret. Christmas is different, but Donna doesn’t have to tell her if she doesn’t want to. Donna says she asked Santa to bring Sasha a happy new year, and Sasha says, Donna’s Christmas wish was for her? That is the kindest, most generous thing. Sasha thanks her, and Donna says she hopes Santa comes through. Sasha says, so does she, and asks if Donna wants to get some cocoa. Donna says, with extra marshmallows, and they walk off.

Brook says she’s confused. She thought… Chase says, they had an agreement. He promised to help get her songs back from Linc and he’s keeping that promise, but that’s it; that’s as far as this goes. She says, but the letter; his second chance with the CCRB. Doesn’t that give them a second chance too? He says he appreciates what she did for him, and that is why he’s here tonight, but that doesn’t change the fact she played God with his future. She says, that’s a little bit of an overstatement, but he says he disagrees. She took away his agency. She made choices without consulting him about his own life. She says she’s so sorry, and he says he knows she is. She asks if they can’t get past this. Go back to the way things were. She takes his hand, and he says, no, they can’t, and walks away.

Ava says, don’t let her hold Carly back from celebrating, and Carly says she can’t believe Nikolas cheated on Ava. Ava says, multiple times with multiple women, and Carly says, wow. She thought he was smarter than that. She’s really sorry. Ava says, so is she, when Avery’s voice comes over the walkie talkie, saying, mommy? Ava says, hi, sweetheart, and Avery says, does it work? Ava says, yes, it’s working, and tells her to come back. It’s time for them to go to the Gingerbread Jam. And what does she say to Carly? Donna says, thank you, Mama Carly, and Carly says, she’s welcome. Ava tells Carly, that’s a thoughtful gift, and thanks her. They wish each other a merry Christmas, and Carly wishes Ava a happy New Year if she doesn’t see her. Ava says, God knows she can’t wait for this one to be over, and Carly says, let’s hope for a fresh start for all of us.

Heather says, didn’t Jordan tell you, no Ava, no info, and asks Mac what that means. Dante says, a cop is dead, you son of a bitch. Talk now. Mac tells Dante to take a break, and Dante asks if Mac can’t see Ryan is messing with them, but Mac says, that’s an order. Dante walks out, and Mac says, Ryan knows damn well this is his ex-wife’s. It was found on the person of Rory Cabrera. Felicia says, one of Port Charles’ finest, and Mac says, right after he succumbed to wounds inflicted by a serial killer they believe to be Esme Prince. Felicia says, he remembers Esme, right? One of his former confidants in here. Mac says, Ryan’s room is being tossed as they speak, and Heather says, they can just waltz in here and do that? Felicia says, inmate’s rights are limited at best, but she’s sure Heather knows that already. She tells Ryan, if there’s evidence connecting him and Esme’s murders, they’ll find it, and Mac says, even if there isn’t, he’s putting all this before a judge. Ryan is up to his ears in this case. Felicia says, when Mac is through, Ryan is going to D’Archam for the rest of his sorry life.

Spencer tells Trina, he’ll create a situation so tempting, Esme won’t be able to resist. She’ll come for him, but he’ll be ready. Trina asks if he’s insane. He’s not baiting that maniac. He says, it’s not her call, and she says, it’s Jordan’s. He says, she’d rat him out? and she says, it beats burying him. He says, this will work. All he’s got to do is lure Esme out of hiding. Trina starts to argue, but he says, she’s not going to have the element of surprise anymore. She says, lure Esme out how? and he says he doesn’t know; he hasn’t gotten that far yet, but he will, and it will be inspired. Tell him that she thinks this is a good idea. She says, it has potential, but it’s missing one key factor – her.

Nikolas says, how nice of Esme to find pleasure in his misfortune, and she says, no one is keeping him here, unlike her. If he doesn’t like her attitude, he can leave. He says, excuse him for checking in, and she says, he has Demetrius for that, but he says, she’s not carrying Demetrius’s child. He needed to see for himself that she’s all right. She asks if she looks all right. It’s freezing in here, she sleeps on moth eaten linens, she has no one to talk to except the baby. He asks what she talks to the baby about, and she says, since when does he care? He says, she’s bored, and wants real conversation; he’s here. She says, he’s only here because he has nowhere else to go, and no one else to talk to. And he calls her sad. He walks out, locking the door in the hallway, and she says, think about it. The closest thing he has to companionship is his prisoner. She laughs.

Josslyn comes home, and Carly says she was so worried about her. She says hi to Dex, and Josslyn says, Dex took over for Steve, and she was having car trouble, so he gave her a ride home. Carly thanks him, and he says, no problem. Josslyn says, Carly didn’t start the movie without her, but Carly says she’d never start the movie without her. She’ll go get the popcorn. She tells Dex, merry Christmas, and he says, back at her. She leaves, and Josslyn says, thanks again. He says, any time, looks up at the mistletoe, and tells her, hopefully, sooner than later.

Trina says, Spencer alone isn’t enough bait, but them together, pretending to turn to each other after Rory’s death, Esme won’t be able to help herself. He says, absolutely not. It’s dangerous. She says, he can take risks, but not her. He has to admit it’s a good idea. He says, it has potential, but he still doesn’t like it. She asks, what’s the alternative? Do nothing, and let someone else suffer as a result? He knows they’re stronger together. He says, this is so not what he had in mind when he came over, and she says she thought he came be her friend and try to make her feel better. He says, of course (🍷) he did, and she says, then mission accomplished. Is he in or what? She holds out her hand and they shake.

Mac says, Ryan’s window of opportunity is rapidly closing. Give up Esme before they nail her, and she gives him up. Mac walks out, and Felicia tells Heather, don’t be fooled. Ryan is dangerous even shut in here. Tread carefully. She walks to the door, and Heather says, Feliz Navidad, your highness… Or is it your majesty?… No, your highness.

Nikolas brings Esme new linens, and says, he also turned up the heat. Don’t say he’s never done anything for her. As for lonely, she doesn’t know the meaning of the word, but she’ll discover it on Cassadine Island. Merry Christmas. He leaves, and she half-smiles.

Heather retrieves the giftbox, and Ryan grabs her wrist. He says, that earring was on the chain she pilfered from him years ago. She jerks away, and says, just for that, she’s not giving him his present. He says, she still has that chain, doesn’t she? and she puts her finger to her lips. She sings, ♫ silent night, holy night. All is calm, all is bright. ♫ The guard watches, and she continues singing as she leaves.

Heather’s singing turns into Chase and Blaze continuing Silent Night. As they sing…

Dante returns, and it begins to snow.

Esme adjusts the angel on the top of the tree. An idea blooms as she puts the toilet paper garland near one of the lights.

Spencer and Trina go outside, she wipes snow from his face, and he leaves.

Carly and Josslyn eat popcorn while they watch the movie, and Josslyn smiles.

Dex walks in the snow, and flashes back to kissing Josslyn.

Sonny and Nina kiss, and Sam and Dante kiss.

Tomorrow, Brook tells someone that she’ll see what she can do; Britt says, this isn’t how she wanted to spend her last Christmas in Port Charles; Sonny tells Sasha, they can do this by dinnertime; and Cody tells Olivia, they have a situation.

🦙 Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop…

More celebrity pets. Also a good photo gallery to get pet names from if you get stuck.

https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/nydn-famous-celebrity-pets-20190212-photogallery.html

✉️ Hustling and Bustling…

There was a time when I had cards out the weekend after Thanksgiving. Now I’m lucky if they’re out by New Year’s. This year, they will be postmarked by Christmas Eve, dammit. That’s my excuse for cutting it short, and I’m sticking to it. Drop in tomorrow for soap, a spot of tea, and whatever holiday cheer I can drum up. Until then, stay safe, stay not feeling pressured into holly jolliness, and stay having a good attitude, because bad attitudes get bupkis under the tree.