Monthly Archives: March 2023

March 16, 2023 – Obrecht Gets Good News and Bad News, Happy Returns, Guesting, They’re the Top, Everything Academy, Holiday & Unicorn

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Spencer asks why Dex is staying at Sonny’s, but Sonny says he doesn’t have to explain anything to Spencer. They’re both his guests. Dex leaves the room, and Spencer says he can’t deal with Dex right now. Sonny says he knows Spencer has a lot going on, but he has to watch his tone. Sonny’s not his enemy; he’s here for Spencer. Sonny says he appreciates that and he’s sorry, but he’s a bit of a mad mood right now, and Dex is the last person he needed to see.

Josslyn says she doesn’t want to fight with Cameron, but Cameron says he’s asking her to listen to him. She told him so many times that she hated living her life around Sonny’s business. All the times she was in lockdown or had bodyguards trailing after her, that’s her future with this man. She flashes back to Dex telling her that he was hired to work his way into Sonny’s inner circle to gather evidence his employer can use against Sonny. She tells Cameron, Dex is different than Sonny. She doesn’t want him to worry about her. She wants him to go to Stanford and be the star that he is. She’ll be fine. He asks if she promises, and she says she does.

Esme comes back to the rec room with Ace, looking for his binkie, when Trina says, looking for this? and holds it out to her. Esme says, she’s Spencer’s friend, and Trina says, that’s right; she’s Trina. Esme says, Trina Robinson. She knows who Trina is.

Alexis cleans up the drink Gregory spilled when he stumbled, and asks if he’s all right. He says he just lost his footing. Isht no big deal. She asks if he’s been drinking, and he says, it’s 11 am. She says, it never stopped her, and he says, it’s orange juice; period. He had a momentary attack of clutch… klutziness. She says, he’s slurring his words. Drinking just orange juice doesn’t do that.

Nina lets Obrecht in to her apartment, and asks if she’s heard from Terry, but Obrecht says, not yet. She’s waiting on the results of the last round of tests. The lab ran much faster when she was in charge. Nina says, they already know she’s a match. She doesn’t understand the hold-up. Obrecht says, they can’t take chances for Willow’s sake. They have to be patient. Nina says she feels like she’s unraveling, and feels guilty because Willow is the one going through this. Her body is shutting down. How long is she going to be able to hold on?

Carly comes into the Quartermaine sitting room with Amelia, and Maxie says, next on their list is vendors. Did Carly send her the list of vendors who have donated to the Nurses Ball in the past? Carly snuggles Amelia, and Maxie says, hello? Willow tells her, give it up. It’s a fight she won’t win.

Brook comes downstairs when the doorbell rings. She opens the door to Chase. He asks if she’s seen Willow and Michael, then says, who is he kidding? He came to get a peek at Amelia. Brook tells him, get in here. She’s the cutest little thing. She reminds Brook of Bailey when she was that age.

Maxie suggests they take a break. She can’t compete with all that cuteness. She’ll go check on Olivia, and then it will be back to business… Right? She goes over to Carly and Amelia, and Carly asks if Amelia isn’t the cutest.

Brook says she can’t believe Chase didn’t realize he’d shampooed with Bailey’s bubble bath, and he asks if he doesn’t always smell like lavender and chamomile. Besides, it was an honest mistake. Between her and Bailey, there were 50 bottles on the bathtub. Maxie comes out and asks if she’s interrupting, but Chase says he came to see Willow and the baby. Maxie says, the lovefest is in there, and he goes in. She tells Brook, it looks like there was a lovefest going on out here too.

Sonny asks, what’s going on? and Spencer says, Cam’s leaving. He got a scholarship to Stanford to play soccer, and they want him there spring quarter. Sonny says he knows Spencer is going to miss him, and Spencer says, for sure. Cameron’s been there for him despite their stupid rivalries, and now he’s leaving, and Dex is staying here? Sonny asks what this has to do with Dex, and Spencer says, because Joss broke up with Cam to get with Dex.

Alexis leads Gregory to a private area, and says, this is a nice spot. Nobody can see or hear them. Why doesn’t he talk to her? If he’s not drunk, why is he slurring his words? He says he wasn’t aware he was slurring, but he can assure her, he hasn’t been drinking. She says, well, there’s something off with him, and she’d like him to talk to her because she’s his friend. This is a safe space, and she’ll understand. He says, this is ridiculous, and insulting. He’s not drunk. She asks if they can just sit down and talk about this, but he says, no. He has an appointment. She says she’ll drive him. Why doesn’t he just give her his car keys? She holds out her hand.

Obrecht tells Nina, when Britta revealed her diagnosis, she had to sit by and watch her deal with the symptoms, even when Britt pretended not to have them. It was hard, but she had to follow Britta’s lead and respect her choices, and give her the support she needed whenever she needed it. Nina says, of course (🍷) Obrecht is right. She’s so sorry. Obrecht’s phone rings, she looks at it, and puts it down. She says, it’s Scotty; the tenth call today. Why won’t he get the hint? Nina says, Scotty loves her, and Obrecht loves him, but Obrecht says, if he loved her, he would have told her about Elizabeth’s role in harboring Esme Prince. Her silence made the police waste too much time believing Esme was The Hook, instead of looking for the real killer. Her Britta paid with her life. Nina says, Scotty only knew after the fact, but Obrecht says, it doesn’t matter. He helped Elizabeth get away with it. He chose Elizabeth over Obrecht and her family. Nina says, Obrecht just got done giving her some sound advice, so allow her to return the favor. Don’t shut out people who love her. Scotty can support her during this time she’s dealing with Britt’s death. Life is so fragile. They need to spend the little time they have with the people they love.

Sonny says, Josslyn broke up with Cameron, that’s her decision, and Spencer says, maybe he just wants someone to be mad at, and Dex is a convenient target. Sonny asks why Spencer needs a target, and Spencer says, because Cam is leaving, Britt is dead, and his little brother’s in prison bonding with Esme when he should be bonding with his real family. Is that long enough of a laundry list for Sonny? Sonny says, Spencer has Diane working her magic. She’ll get him custody of his baby brother. Spencer says, it can’t happen soon enough, and Sonny puts on his coat. Spencer asks if he’s leaving, and Sonny says he’s going to see Nina. Lay off Dex. Spencer asks how long Dex is staying, but Sonny says he doesn’t know. It’s open-ended, but he wants both of them to co-exist peacefully. Got it? Spencer says he’s got it, Sonny says, good, and leaves.

Trina says, Esme knows who she is? and Esme says, Trina’s one of the people she did terrible things to. Trina says, so she remembers? but Esme says, not even a little. Her lawyers told her about the charges she’s facing, and the people she’s hurt. Trina says, Esme framed her, and she almost went to prison, and Esme asks why she hated Trina so much. Trina asks if Esme is admitting she’s guilty, and Esme tells her, she can’t say that, but people told her about the person she was before. Everybody says she was a terrible excuse for a human being. Trina asks what Esme thinks, and Esme says, if she really did what she’s accused of, she thinks they’re right. But it’s like they’re talking about someone else, someone who terrifies her, and she’s glad she doesn’t have to think what that person thinks or feel what they feel anymore, and she prays to God she never has to. She doesn’t want to hurt anyone. She just wants to be free so she can raise Ace. Trina says, Spencer’s baby brother; he’s a real cutie. Esme says, he’s her baby, not Spencer’s. Spencer can’t have him. She asks if Spencer sent Trina. Is he outside? Trina tells her to chill. Spencer isn’t outside. He doesn’t even know she’s here. Esme asks if Trina’s his girlfriend, and Trina says, they’re friends. Esme says, if Spencer didn’t send Trina, what is she doing here? and Trina says she wanted to see how Esme and the baby were doing for herself. Esme asks why she cares, and Trina says, they all want what’s best for the baby. Esme says, his name is Ace. Doesn’t she think it’s best for a baby to stay with its mother? Trina says she thinks Esme is really lucky that Spring Ridge is letting her have him with her, but is it really the best place for Ace to be raised in a prison? Esme says, of course (🍷) not, but she’s not giving up her baby. He needs her, and she needs him. She can hardly believed he’s hers, but he is, and she can’t imagine life without him. She loves him so much. Trina says she can see that, and Esme says she’s sorry for everything she did to Trina and her friends, but she’s not that person. She doesn’t even remember who that person was, so to go to prison now for something she doesn’t even remember doing, it doesn’t seem fair, to her or Ace. Trina says she wishes they could all forget that too, and Esme says her parents were insane, and her lawyer says she’s not responsible because her dad was influencing her. Trina says, no one forced Esme to drug her, or to record Joss and Cam having sex, and Esme asks if she knows that for sure.

Gregory says, Alexis wants his car keys? and she says, if he doesn’t want to talk about it, that’s on him, but she doesn’t think he’s in any condition to drive. He says, for the last time, he’s not drunk, and she tells him, which is what she said every time she was drunk. He says, not everyone is a drunk like her, and she says she’s not trying to embarrass him or cause a scene… and he says, but she will, won’t she? Because Alexis Davis never admits when she’s wrong. He gives her his keys, and says, he’ll call a car. She says, they’ll be in her office when he wants to pick them up, but he says, leave them with the concierge. He never wants to see her again. He walks out.

Dex asks if Sonny left, and Spencer says, yeah. He asks where Sonny went, and Spencer says, Dex is off duty; it’s not his problem. Dex says he won’t get in Spencer’s way again, but Spencer says, don’t worry. He promised Sonny that he’d play nice. Dex says he’s not worried, and Spencer says, then why is Dex lying to his uncle.

Chase says, Amelia is so beautiful; she looks just like Willow. He’s so happy for her. She’s so lucky… He’s sorry. Willow says, don’t be. She is lucky. She has so much love in her life. Two beautiful healthy children, a family that’s embraced her, good friends and co-workers wishing her well, and a team of doctors doing everything they can. The least she can do is do her part and keep the faith. They should know today if Dr. Randolph approves using Liesl Obrecht as a stem cell donor.

Nina lets Sonny in, and they hug. Obrecht says, before he asks, there’s no word yet. Would he like some tea? He says he’s more of a coffee guy. Corinthos Coffee. Nina asks why there are two bodyguards outside, and he says, they’ll talk about that later. Has Obrecht seen Michael or Willow? Obrecht says, not recently; nothing to report. Obrecht’s phone rings, and Nina says, she’s going to have to talk to Scotty sooner or later. Pick up the phone. Obrecht looks at it, and says, it’s not Scotty; it’s the hospital.

Esme asks Trina, what if her father really was threatening her? He’s dead, and she can’t remember anything. How will they ever know the truth? Trina says, without Esme’s memories, it’s definitely a complicated situation. Esme says, it’s time for Ace’s nap, and Trina says she’ll go. Esme asks if she passed the test, and Trina says, what test? Esme says she may have lost her memories, but she’s not stupid. (She also said that to Doc, but it’s still just as amusing.) Trina came here to see if she was lying, didn’t she? Trina says, Esme’s always been an excellent liar, and she’s never been stupid, and neither has Trina. So yes. She came here to judge Esme for herself. Esme says she appreciates Trina’s honesty, and hopes Trina can appreciate hers. She’s not lying. She doesn’t have any memory of her life before this, and doesn’t think she ever will. She’s not wrong. I’ve read amnesiacs usually recover their memories quickly or not at all. Esme leaves with Ace.

Cameron says he should get back to work, and Josslyn says she should leave. They look at each other for a moment, and he says, awkward. She says she’s getting middle school flashbacks. She asks if they’re good, and he says, be happy. She says, him too, and her phone rings. It’s Trina, who asks, is she still with Cam? Josslyn says, he’s finishing up his shift, and she’s about to leave. What’s up? Trina says she has something important to tell Josslyn, Cam, and Spencer. Spencer said they could come to Sonny’s place. Can they meet her there? Josslyn asks, what’s going on? and Trina says she’ll tell Josslyn when she sees her, then hangs up.

Maxie tells Brook, everyone’s got their assignments, so she’s going to head out, and Brook says, they’ll talk tomorrow. Maxie says, one quick question before she goes. Why isn’t Brook in the sitting room? Brook says she just wanted to give Chase a little alone time with everyone, and Maxie says, this isn’t residual weirdness about him and Sasha, because she thought they cleared that up. Brook says, sort of. She knows nothing was going on; she talked to Sasha. Maxie says, not Chase? Why doesn’t Brook just be honest with him? Chase comes out, Maxie says, here’s her chance, and jets. Chase says, Brook is still here, and she says she wants him.

Willow is asleep on the sofa, and Carly tells Michael, mother and baby are down for a nap. How is he? He tells her not to worry about him, but she says she does worry about him. She knows it’s not easy playing the waiting game, or watching Willow struggle to do the simplest things. It’s got to be heartbreaking. He says, sometimes he has to leave the room, just for a moment, long enough to get himself back under control, so he can be the partner Willow needs him to be. She says, he is, and he says he can’t lose her. They can’t lose her. She has to be okay. Carly hugs him, and says, it’s going to be okay.

Dex asks what Spencer thinks he’s lying to Sonny about, and Spencer says, Joss for starters. He was told to stay away from her, correct? But as soon as he heard she broke up with Cam, there he was, moving right on in. Dex asks where he’s getting his information, and Spencer says, he’s denying it? and Dex says, yeah. Spencer says, so Dex hasn’t been sneaking around with Joss, and Dex says, Spencer’s known Josslyn a long time. Spencer says, that’s correct, and Dex asks if she seems like the type to sneak around. Spencer says, no, and Dex says, there’s his answer. There’s a knock at the door, and Dex opens it to Josslyn and Cameron.

Obrecht is still on the phone, and Nina asks how long it takes to say you can donate or you can’t. Sonny says, Liesl’s a doctor; she’ll want to know the details. Obrecht thanks Terry for calling her personally, and she has a really serious face. I don’t love Willow all that much, but I want Obrecht to saved the day, and Nina doesn’t need any more daughter heartache. Nina says, well? and Obrecht says, she’s going to be Willow’s stem cell donor. (Yay!) Nina squeals and says, oh thank God, grabbing Sonny’s hand. Obrecht says, but (uh-oh) there’s a problem.

Alexis tosses Gregory’s keys on the table, and Sam asks, whose are those? Alexis says she took Gregory’s car keys, and Sam says, Alexis doesn’t want him driving? Alexis says she doesn’t think it’s a good idea when you’re intoxicated, and Sam asks if he was over the legal limit. Alexis says she doesn’t know; she doesn’t have a breathalyzer with her. He was slurring his words, and he was unstable on his feet. I hate to tell her, but that could be any number of things from a diabetic attack to a stroke. Sam asks if Alexis smelled alcohol, and Alexis says, no, but she didn’t think he was in any condition to drive. Sam asks if she’s seen him like this before, and Alexis says, never. It’s completely out of character. Sam says, maybe Alexis is seeing another side, and Alexis says, maybe she never knew him in the first place.

Josslyn asks why there are so many guards here. Is Sonny in? Dex says, no, he’s out, and in a regal voice, Spencer says, don’t just stand there. Show his guests inside. Dex moves his arm, and winces, and Josslyn almost says something, but doesn’t. She asks if Trina is here, and Spencer says, she texted; she’s on her way. He asks Dex to give them some privacy, and Dex says he’ll be in his room. Spencer asks if they know what this is about, but Cameron says, no clue. Is Dex living here now? Josslyn looks like she has a headache, and Spencer says, yeah, unfortunately. Sonny invited him; can they believe it? Josslyn tells him, Trina said she had something important to tell all three of them, but she hung up before Josslyn could find out what it was. Spencer says, when she texted, he assumed she was still at Kelly’s with them, but Cameron says, she took off right after Spencer left. Spencer asks if she said where she was going, and Cameron says, no. Spencer says, did she sound okay? when there’s a knock at the door, Spencer opens the door, and asks if Trina’s okay. Trina strides in, and says she’s fine. She went to see Esme. Josslyn asks, why? and Trina says she wanted to see the new and improved version for herself. Spencer says, a delight, he’s sure. Is his baby brother okay? Trina says, he’s adorable. She’s holding him, and rocking him, and loving him. Spencer says, she makes a big show of that, doesn’t she? and Trina says, he doesn’t believe she loves her baby? He asks what she thinks, and Trina says she thinks it’s amazing how differently Esme acts now. He says, acts being the operative word? and Trina says, if Esme is acting, she’s very convincing. Which is why she wants to go to the DA, and asks him to drop the charges against her.

Chase says, Brook wants him? and she says, for the Nurses Ball. She’s organizing the musical acts, and she wants him and Blaze to perform for free. He says, of course (🍷). He can only speak for himself, but he’s in, with or without Blaze. The Nurses Ball is a great cause. She says, and he’s a great guy, when the doorbell rings. It’s Obrecht, and Brook invites her in. She says she has to speak with Willow, and Brook says she’s in the living room. I was calling it a sitting room. There’s no TV that I can see, so how can it be a living room? Obrecht goes in, and says she’s sorry to disturb them, but Michael says, not at all. Willow sits up, and asks if it’s good news. Obrecht says, yes. Dr. Randolph has cleared her to donate. However, they can’t harvest her stem cells right away. The transplant has been put on hold. Willow asks, for how long? and Michael takes her hand.

Sonny tells Nina, the good news is, Willow still has a donor. It’s huge. Nina agrees, but says, every second counts, and now they have to wait for Aunt Liesl’s medication to get out of her system. She didn’t even know Obrecht was taking anti-coagulants. He says, the doctors are taking her off of it, but it’s not safe to donate until it’s completely out of her system. Nina says, they’re running out of time. Her daughter needs a transplant now. They can’t afford to wait.

Alexis tells Sam that Gregory is furious with her. He accused her of being self-righteous and not being able to admit when she’s wrong… which is not wrong. He said she was projecting her alcoholism on everyone else because she’s one. Sam says, she doesn’t do that, and Alexis admits she does. She’s hyper sensitive about problem drinking for obvious reasons. Maybe she just went too far. Sam says, he did seem unstable, but one day of day drinking doesn’t mean you’re an alcoholic. Alexis says she knows, but something’s not right. What triggered her instinct was how he reacted when she asked if he’d been drinking. He was immediately hostile and defensive. That’s a classic alcoholic trick; self-righteousness, then a stormy exit. Sam says she knows it well, and Alexis says she’s sorry. Given her history, she’s telling Sam, he’s hiding something.

Josslyn tells Trina, the DA isn’t just going to drop the charges against Esme because they asked. He certainly didn’t drop them against Trina when they asked. Trina says, as long as Esme’s in prison, so is Ace. They have to do something. Spencer says he is doing something, and it doesn’t include dropping the charges against Esme. She needs to pay for what she did to all of them. Trina says, that’s exactly why she can’t be charged right now.

Esme sits down to read in the rec room, and a guard hands her a letter, saying, she’s got mail. Esme sees it’s from Heather in D’Archam, and literally drops it like it’s hot.

Nina tells Sonny that she wishes she could talk to Willow. Don’t worry; she’s not going to. Willow doesn’t want to talk to her, and she’s not going to upset her. She asks if Sonny wants to tell her why there’s two bodyguards out front, and he says he’s adding extra security. She asks, why? and he says, they can talk about it later. She says, they can talk about it now, and he says, there was an incident last night, and she asks if he’s hurt. He says, she can see he’s not, and she asks, what happened? He says, she’s the one who said she didn’t want to know anything about his business.

Cameron says, Trina lost him, and Josslyn says she’s in no way anxious to sit through a trial, but she’ll happily do it. Esme needs to face justice. Trina says, what if justice is impossible right now? Think about it. Esme is this poor, young, single mother who doesn’t remember anything about her crimes or the person she used to be. What if the jury feels sorry for her, and lets her off? And if that happens, and Esme goes back to being the old Esme one day, she can’t be tried for the same crimes a second time. Josslyn says she gets it. If the DA holds off on prosecuting Esme, Esme will still have her old crimes hanging over her head. One slip-up that shows her memory is back, she can be tried and convicted. Trina says, exactly. Prosecuting her right now is too big of a risk. Besides, there’s Ace to think about. Esme could be stuck in Spring Ridge until the trial starts, and that could be months from now. Spencer says, months of his brother being raised by security guards and surrounded by criminals. Is Trina sure she wouldn’t mind seeing Esme walking around free? Trina says she’s sure, and asks what Cam and Joss think. It’s their call too. Cameron says he’s in, and Josslyn says, her too. For Ace’s sake, Esme needs to go free.

Brook says, Dr. Obrecht didn’t seem so happy, and Chase says, does she ever? Brook says she hopes it’s not bad news. Willow and Michael couldn’t take another disappointment. He takes her hand.

Obrecht says, when her medication is out of her system, they can proceed. Willow says, but is it safe for her to donate? and Obrecht says, once her blood can clot again normally, there’s no danger to her. She’s so sorry for the delay. Willow says, don’t apologize. She already owes Obrecht so much. Michael thanks her for coming by in person, and Obrecht says, full transparency. She was with Nina and Sonny when she got the news; they know. Willow says, that’s okay. She agreed to keep Nina in the loop about her health. Obrecht says, Nina is very grateful, and gets up. Carly asks if Willow wants to go to the gatehouse and get some rest, but Willow wants to wait until Amelia wakes up. Carly says she’ll walk Obrecht out, and Willow asks Carly to fill everyone in. Carly says, of course (🍷), and Obrecht says she’ll be in touch. They leave, and Michael asks how Willow really feels. Willow says, fine, really, and Amelia makes a cute sound. Michael goes over to the bassinette.

Brook walks Chase out, and he says he’ll let her know what Blaze says about the Nurses Ball. Is she okay? She says, sure. Him? He says, take it easy, and leaves. She looks at him longingly.

Carly asks if Willow wants her to take Amelia, but Willow says, she’s enjoying having Amelia with her. Could she bring Wiley down from the playroom? Carly says, that’s a great idea, and Michael asks if she needs help, but she says she’s pretty good at bribing little boys away from their toys. She’s also good at listening. If he’s ready to talk, she’s here. She leaves, and Michael watches Willow with Amelia.

Sam tells Alexis that she talked to Trish, and she said, Gregory was served no alcohol here today. Alexis says she doesn’t know what it is. Maybe it’s pills… something. He’s hiding something. Sam says, it’s true he lied to her about not working at PCU anymore, and Alexis says, that’s what addicts do. They lie – a lot. Must. Have. Alexis’s. Plaid. Duster.

Trina thanks someone on the phone, and she tells the others that Diane has time right now. Spencer says, let’s do it, and thanks her for trying to help his baby brother. He and Trina gaze at each other, and Josslyn tells them, when Diane says now, she means now. Trina says she’ll meet them in the lobby, and Spencer tells Cameron not to think for a second he’s leaving without a goodbye party. Cameron and Josslyn leave, and Spencer tells Trina, he can’t believe he’s doing this for his brother’s sake, but prison is no place for an infant. She says, at least from what she can tell, Esme’s not a threat to anyone, and he says he sure hopes she’s right.

Esme looks at the letter on the floor, approaches it cautiously, and picks it up. She tears it open, and reads it.

Michael tells Willow that his mom said Wiley needed a quick clean-up; he was fingerpainting. Willow says, that’s all right. This is nice. She meant what she said about keeping the faith. She’ll hang around as long as necessary. Her family gives her strength.

Nina says, something happened that worried Sonny enough to increase his security, and he says, he’s not worried; he’s handling it. She says, if she knew the details, would she be worried? and he doesn’t look at her. She says she takes that as a yes, and he reminds her, she said she didn’t want to know. She says she didn’t think she did. Now she’s not so sure.

Tomorrow, Laura says, life is full of surprises; Diane is about to make someone’s day; Phyllis asks Nina if this is a relationship she can sustain; and Carly tells Sonny, they both know he can’t make that promise.

🐑 Return To the Soap Fold…

If there was ever a time for the heads of GH fans to explode, it’s now.

🚑 After the Hospital…

They just missed Britt.

🔪 Bringing Their Knives…

The latest season of Top Chef started last week, but it’s not too late to ketchup.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/top-chef-season-20-cast-premiere-date-trailer

https://parade.com/tv/top-chef-season-20

🏆 All About Oscar…

Better late than never. The winners.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/12/entertainment/oscar-winners-2023/index.html

The best and worst moments. I’m sure it’s debatable. There seemed to be a bunch of flack about Lady Gaga singing the song from Top Gun with too much passion for a song about a plane. Maybe it means something different to her.

https://mashable.com/article/oscars-2023-best-worst-moments

The parties.

https://ew.com/oscars/oscars-2023-after-party-photos/

https://deadline.com/gallery/2023-oscars-parties-photos/

And of course, the fashion.

https://people.com/style/every-must-see-outfit-change-from-the-2023-oscars-photos/

🍀 Top O’ the Mornin’…

All about St. Patrick’s Day. When I worked in NYC, I hated it. Not just because the parade would block 5th Avenue for half the day, but teenagers would be sitting on the curb getting drunk sick at 11 am. I think they’ve put an end to a lot of that, but I still get flashbacks.

https://www.history.com/topics/st-patricks-day/history-of-st-patricks-day

🍺 Making My O’Exit…

On the menu tomorrow is soap, tea, words of the wise (or not), and the joy of music. Until then, stay safe, stay in the eye of the hurricane mentally, and stay remembering that life is fragile, and you need to spend the little time you have with the people you love.

March 16, 2023 – Cameron Tells Josslyn To Stay Away From Dex, Charli Is an Evil Materialistic Human Being & Gang

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Josslyn calls Dex, and asks what happened to him last night. He flashes back to the shootout in the warehouse, and says he was working late. She says, pretty soon he won’t be working at all – at least not for Sonny. He hears something, and says he has to go; they’ll talk later. He draws his gun, but Sonny walks into the penthouse and tells him to take it easy. He was just talking to Frank; he got some bandages and antiseptic. Who was Dex talking to?

Trina meets Josslyn outside Kelly’s, and asks if she knows what this is about. Josslyn says she has no idea, but she’s glad Trina is with her. Trina says, likewise, and they go inside. Cameron says he’s glad they made it.

Elizabeth comes into the hospital, and says she hasn’t seen Portia since the wedding. Portia says, they have a lot to catch up on, and Elizabeth says she’s so sorry. Portia says, then Elizabeth has heard, and Elizabeth says she’s sure by now Portia has heard this could be her last day here. Portia tells her, not if she has anything to say about it.

Gregory meets Finn and Chase at the MetroCourt, and apologizes for keeping them waiting. Finn asks if he had something more important, but Gregory says, there’s nothing more important than his sons. Chase says he’s feeling like they come in second these days, and Gregory says, to what? but Finn says he thinks it’s more like to whom. Gregory sees Alexis sitting with Sam across the room.

Alexis says she’s changed her mind, and is no longer interested in breakfast. Sam says, five minutes ago, she was starving. What changed?

Laura and Doc walk into the rec room at Spring Ridge, and Doc asks if Laura is sure about this. She says, with Nikolas missing, they can’t abandon his child, and Spencer says he couldn’t agree more. She says, he can’t be here; she gave Esme her word. Spencer says he hates to make a liar out of her, but he’s not going anywhere. Esme comes in with Ace, and says, thank you so much for coming… She sees Spencer, and asks what he’s doing here.

Alexis says, like clockwork… and Sam says, she’s talking about Gregory. Alexis says she is, and Sam asks, what happened? Did he hit on her? Alexis says, worse. He lied to her. She glares at him.

Chase asks Gregory, what’s the deal? There’s obviously something going on between him and Alexis. Finn asks what she did; correct his grammar again? Chase asks if he can dish it, but not take it, and Gregory says, that woman needs to mind her own business. Chase asks, what happened? and Gregory says, Alexis treated him like he was under investigation instead of treating him like a friend.

Dex says, it was just a spam call, and Sonny says, he picked it up? Dex says he told them to stop calling, and asks if Sonny had any luck finding out who contracted the hit. Sonny says, it’s a work in progress, and Dex says he’s sure Brick is all over it. Sonny asks if Dex got any sleep, and Dex says he did. He thanks Sonny for getting him patched up, and letting him crash here, and Sonny says, it’s the least he could do, since Dex saved his life. Dex says he thinks they’re even since Sonny saved his, and Sonny asks if Spencer is here. He heard Spencer leave this morning, but figured he’d be back by now. Dex says, from where? but Sonny says he has no idea.

Esme says, Laura told her that she could trust her, and Laura says, she can. Esme says, not if she brought Spencer here, but Doc says, they didn’t bring him. Laura says, her grandson just came to check on his baby brother to see if he’s okay, and now he’s going to leave. Doc says, isn’t that right? but Spencer says, no. Laura says, he has to go, but he refuses, and she says, can’t he see that Esme wants nothing to do with him? He yells that he doesn’t care what Esme wants. His baby brother doesn’t belong in here. Laura whispers, this isn’t the way to get it done. She needs Esme to trust her. He needs Esme to trust her. In a normal tone, she says, Spencer must respect Esme’s wishes, and Doc says, he doesn’t want to upset his baby brother, does he? Spencer laughs, tells Esme, this is not over, and leaves. Laura tells Esme that she’s sorry, but Esme says she isn’t. Finally, someone who says what they mean. She thanks Laura.

Trina says, it seems like forever since she’s seen Cameron. How is he doing? He says, okay. Her? She says, it’s been interesting, and he says, she’ll have to fill him in. She says she will, but this is his show. He rang; they came. He says he wasn’t sure they would, and Trina tells him, he said it was important. What’s up? He asks if Spencer is with them, and Trina says, he didn’t mention anything. Cameron says he’s going to wait until Spencer gets here. He really doesn’t want to have this conversation more than once. Josslyn says, sounds big, and he says, it is.

Alexis tells Sam that she was trying to help Gregory get something he wanted. He wanted to work at PCU and have the freedom to served on the editorial board at The Invader. Sam says, but the university wouldn’t let him, and Alexis says, so he told her. Sam says, okay. Then what?

Gregory says, Alexis talks a big game about Mutual respect, keeping boundaries, letting people make their own choices… Finn says, Gregory doesn’t think she does that? and he says he knows she doesn’t. At the end of the day, she decided she knows more about his life than he does.

Alexis tells Sam, friends are supposed to be honest with each other, no matter how painful or how embarrassing. Agreed? Sam says, agreed, and Alexis says, apparently Gregory doesn’t.

Gregory says, Alexis crossed the line, and Finn wonders if there’s a point where he’ll tell them what that line is. Chase asks, what’s going on?

Sam asks what Gregory lied about. And why does he look so upset with Alexis? She thought Alexis tried to help him. Alexis says she kind of, sort of went over his head, but she can’t stress enough that she was trying to help him get something he wanted. Then she found out the truth.

Portia lets Elizabeth into her office, and says, she gave such a beautiful toast at the wedding (I will never hear the end of that – <sigh>). She just wishes there was a happily ever after part. Elizabeth says, Portia doesn’t owe her or anyone else an explanation. What happened between her and Curtis is her business, but when Portia is ready to talk about it, she’s here to listen. Portia says, Elizabeth has her own problems going on, and Elizabeth says, maybe they can help each other. Portia says she kept a secret; a big secret. Not just from Curtis, but from the person she loves most in the world. Elizabeth says, Trina, and Portia says she doesn’t know if they’re ever going to forgive her.

Cameron gossips with Trina and Josslyn, but then flashes back to seeing Dex in Josslyn’s dorm room. Spencer comes in, and asks what he missed.

Sonny says he knows there’s no love lost between Dex and Spencer, and he knows Spencer can be difficult, but Spencer is his nephew, so he expects them to co-exist. Dex says, understood, and don’t worry. He won’t overstay his welcome. Kristina comes in, and asks, what’s up with all the security? She sees Dex, and asks Sonny, how bad is it?

Esme says, the first day she woke up in the hospital, it was so confusing. She didn’t know who she was or where she was, let alone who she could trust. Laura says, it must have been terrifying, and Esme says she didn’t even want to talk to Doc, but didn’t know why until she met her father. Doc says, she looked at him and saw Ryan, but just didn’t realize it. Esme says she learned pretty quickly what kind of people her parents were. It was obvious they were trying to use her. Nikolas and Spencer were more subtle about it. Laura says, Esme has every right to be angry with her son and even her grandson, but know they love this little baby she’s holding. Esme says, do they though? Or is Ace just one more thing for them to control? Doc says he’s not sure that’s a fair assessment, but Esme says she’s not trying to be fair; she’s trying to be a good mother. Is that what Laura’s doing? Being a good mother to Nikolas and Spencer? Is this just another way of working her so she can take Ace away for them?

Elizabeth says, that’s a long time to keep a secret, and Portia tells her that she can say it. She kept life-altering information from the people she loves the most. Elizabeth says she absolutely won’t say it. She knows what it’s like to do the wrong thing for the right reasons. At least what feels right to you. Portia says she doesn’t think anything feels right to Curtis and Trina, and Elizabeth says, they’re hurting. Portia has to accept that. Portia says she does, and Elizabeth says, eventually, they’ll see she’s hurting too, and when Trina’s paternity is answered, they can all begin to heal… Unless they don’t want to know? Portia says, nothing will change the fact that Trina sees Marcus as her father, and she always will, and Elizabeth says, of course (🍷) not, but if she finds out they’re not biologically related, doesn’t Portia think she’ll have room in her heart for them both? Portia says, Elizabeth is being optimistic, but she hopes so, and Elizabeth says, optimistic for a woman who’s about to face the review board, she means? Portia says, Elizabeth should know by now she doesn’t listen to rumors, but Elizabeth says, she should. All of them are true.

Sam says, if Gregory isn’t teaching any more at PCU, what’s stopping him from working with Alexis? Alexis says, that’s exactly what she’d like to know, and Sam wonders if she asked him. Alexis says, hi, I’m Alexis Davis, your mother, and shakes Sam’s hand. Of course (🍷) she asked him. Sam says, and? and Alexis says, he said she was interfering and shut her down. Sam says, he’s not entirely wrong about the interfering part, and Alexis says, normally she’d say Sam was right, but she thinks there’s more to it than what Gregory’s telling her.

Gregory tells Finn and Chase, nothing’s going on; nothing earth shattering. He’s not teaching at PCU this semester, and for some reason, Alexis felt he was obligated to tell her. Finn asks if he’s taking a sabbatical, but Gregory says, just a break. Chase asks if he’s writing that novel he never had time for, and Gregory says he wishes he was that ambitious. He’s simply taking time for himself. Finn says, uh-huh, and he and Chase look at each other.

Sonny says, Dex is off the clock, and Kristina says, so it’s worse than she thought. He says, nothing he can’t handle. Dex drops the bag he’s holding, and a huge bandage roll falls out. Kristina asks if he cut himself shaving, as she puts them back in the bag, and Dex says, something like that. She tells him that he should try to be more careful next time, and he leaves the room. Kristina says, Sonny didn’t tell her that he had a new houseguest. She knows; ask me no questions, I’ll tell you no lies. He says, it’s all good, and they sit down. He asks what brings her by, and she says, guess. He says, she misses him? and she says, always, but she has a business proposition for him.

Laura says she doesn’t blame Esme for not trusting anyone, her included, and Doc says, especially after the way her parents manipulated her to help them escape. Laura says, not to mention using her as a wedge between Nikolas and Ava, and Doc says, it’s actually a healthy sign that her defense mechanisms are intact. Esme asks if he always talks like that, and Laura says, once a psychiatrist, always a psychiatrist. Doc says, guilty as charged, but he’s also family, without the Cassadine baggage. She’s his niece, and Ace is his grand-nephew. He hopes she can come to count on him as someone she can trust and not just see her father’s twin. She says she might not have Ace if it wasn’t for them, and Laura says, neither of them wants to take this baby from her, but does she really think prison is the best place for a baby?

Cameron asks where Spencer was, and he says he was visiting Esme at Spring Ridge, trying to appeal to her good side. Josslyn says, she doesn’t have a good side, and Trina asks if she’s still determined to keep the baby with her at Spring Ridge. Cameron says, it’s legal for her to have a baby in prison? and Josslyn asks what Spencer’s grandmother says. He tells her, that they need to play nice, and get Esme to trust them. She thinks once they do, Esme will come to her senses, and realize she has to offer the baby up because it’s the right thing to do. Cameron says, as if she knew the meaning of the words, and Josslyn says, for real. Trina looks at Cameron, and says, what? He says, it’s just, for a second, it felt like old times. Us against the common enemy. He’s going to miss that. Spencer asks why he’d have to, and Cameron says he doesn’t know how to put this delicately, so he’s just going to say it. He’s leaving Port Charles. This is harder than he thought it would be. Spencer says he doesn’t understand, and Trina asks if Cameron’s mom is moving to another hospital, but Cameron says his mom is staying here. He got an athletic scholarship to Stanford. They want him this spring quarter so he can start working out with the team. Josslyn says, that’s amazing. Stanford has one of the best programs in the country. Spencer says, Stanford University in California? and Cameron says, that’s the one. Trina says she’s glad, but he does know their mascot is a tree. Cameron says he thinks he can learn to live with that, but Spencer says he calls BS. Cameron loves playing soccer at PCU. His family’s here; his friends are here. What’s the real reason he’s leaving?

Esme says she knew it. Laura is no better than Spencer. She’s just better at hiding her true colors. Laura says she’s just thinking of the baby, but Esme says, a baby should be with its mother; the law agrees with her. Laura says, and they’ll respect whatever she decides, truly. She’s just asking Esme to think about it, that’s all. Think if this is the place she wants to raise her son, in this kind of environment. And God forbid she should be sent to Pentenville. Pentenville is going to make this place look like a spa in comparison. Esme says she hadn’t really thought about that, and Doc says, she could use this time. Figure things out; find herself. Come out stronger, self-sufficient, and ready to make a fresh start. Laura says, and it doesn’t have to be either/or, prison or the Cassadines. This baby has another option. Esme asks, what option? and Doc says, us. Laura says, two grandparents who would love to take care of him until she’s able to. All she has to do is ask.

Elizabeth tells Portia, she knows now helping Nikolas was the absolute wrong thing to do, but at the time, she convinced herself that harboring Esme was the lesser of evils. The time that really bothers her is between Officer Cabrera’s murder and Esme’s escape, when she knew Esme couldn’t be The Hook. She should have come forward and gone to the police then, but she didn’t. She convinced herself if she got arrested, her boys would suffer. Portia says she convinced herself Curtis and Trina were better off not knowing. That after 20 years, it would cause more of a mess in their lives. She doesn’t know why they do this to themselves. And they come up with these justifications. It makes no sense. Elizabeth agrees, and Portia says she’d offer to be a character witness for Elizabeth, but since she has her own character issues she’s trying to balance, she doesn’t know if she’d do any good. Elizabeth says, just knowing she has a friend in this place, always.

Kristina tells Sonny that she has the experience and expertise. All she needs is the seed money to get it off the ground. He says, her own restaurant, and she says, he doesn’t think she can do it? He says he thinks she can do it, and he’ll back her, but he’s just wondering where this is coming from. She loved being the manager at Charlie’s – she says, she does – and she got in that argument with her mom. Kristina says, Alexis implied she wasn’t ambitious enough, so she had to defend herself. He says, obviously, and she says she sees Molly and TJ mapping out their futures, and Sam and Dante doing the same thing. He says, she wants more? and she asks if it’s not okay to want more.

Alexis asks how things are with Sam and Dante. It seems like they’re in a good place. Sam says, they are, but not nearly as good as that attempt to deflect. I literally lol. Alexis says, darn, and Sam says, there is clearly unfinished business with her and Gregory. Why not just finish it? At least meet the guy halfway. Alexis looks over at Gregory.

Gregory says, so, how’s rockstar life, and doctor life? and Finn says, not nearly as entertaining as avoidance life. Again I laugh. Gregory says, like he should talk, and Finn says, fair enough. Chase says, Alexis is over there. Cant’s they just work out whatever’s between them? Finn says he’s sorry, but he has to get back to GH, and Chase says he has somewhere to be too. He tells Gregory, be an adult, and Gregory says he’ll try. Finn says, that’s the spirit, and he and Chase leave. Gregory and Alexis both get up, and meet in the middle like it’s the O.K. Corral.

Sonny says, there’s nothing wrong with wanting more, but this is not a competition, and Kristina says, even if her biological clock is ticking away and her kid sister is beating her to it? Dex eavesdrops, and Sonny says, she has all the time in the world for that. Let him ask her a question. Does she still love working at Charlie’s, managing? She says she loves dealing with customers and making them feel welcome, and she likes giving them what they want. He says, and it gives her time to volunteer at the youth center. Is that still important to her? She says, very, and he says, she’s not going to have that time if she’s launching a new business. She’ll have to be one-on-one with people, dealing with spreadsheets, paying the bills. He wants her to think about every angle. Even when you start a business, it’s a 24/7 endeavor. He thinks she can do it… Let him rephrase that. He knows she can do it, but is she going to be as happy as she is now. She says, probably not. Things are pretty great right now. She loves her life. Dex continues to listen, and Sonny says he guesses there’s her answer.

Spencer blames Esme, and Trina asks what Esme has to do with Cam transferring to Stanford. Spencer says, everything. Not only did Esme worm her way into his life to break up Ava and his father, she also had her mind set on breaking up this, their friendship. She hated that he had friends; people he relied on and trusted. Josslyn says, she can’t stand Esme either, but she doesn’t think Esme is to blame for Cam leaving. She’s not sure blame is the right word. Getting into Stanford is a huge achievement. Getting an athletic scholarship on top of it? It’s amazing; he’s amazing. Why is Spencer tarnishing this moment by bringing up Esme? Spencer says, because Esme set everything in motion. She used them. She lied to them. Now she gets some magic do-over because she claims to have lost her memory, and now it’s poor pitiful Esme. He’s sick of everyone defending her. If she gets custody of this kid and tries to raise him, she’s going to ruin his life, the same way she tried to ruin theirs. It’s enough. He gets up, banging on the counter. He strides out, yelling, it needs to stop!

Esme says, Ace would live with them? and Doc says, that’s right. Laura says, they’ve done it before. Her granddaughter Charlotte is living with them right now. She asks Doc if Charlotte wouldn’t love having a baby in the house, and Doc says, it would make her life. Laura says, and theirs too, but only until Esme has her life settled. Esme says, if she could trust Ace with anyone, it would be Laura, but it’s all just too complicated. Laura says, what is? and Esme says she looks at Doc and sees her father. She looks at Laura and sees Nikolas and Spencer. It’s really overwhelming, and frankly just feels wrong. So, she has to trust her instincts, which means her son is staying with her.

Sonny walks Kristina to the door, and says, she’s headed to Charlie’s? She says, somebody has to hang the open sign on the door, and he says, it’s been open for hours. Kristina says, Kurt, the first one in, always forgets, and Sonny says he’s proud of her. She says she knows, but sometimes she needs a reminder. He says she can like herself; he likes her too. She says she loves him, and he says he loves her too. They hug, and she thanks him for the pep talk. He says, anytime, and she leaves. Dex asks if everything’s all right with Kristina, and Sonny says, yeah. He loves that kid. Dex says he can tell, and Sonny says, out of all his kids, she’s like him. They get each other. Dex says, makes for a lucky daughter, but Sonny says he’s the lucky one. Feeling guilty yet, Dex? I hope so.

Cameron comes out from the back, and asks Josslyn, where’s Trina? She says, Trina asked her to tell him that she had to head out; something came up. He asks if that something’s name is Spencer, and she says, that would be her guess. Trina promised to say goodbye before he leaves town. He says, she’d better, and Josslyn says, they’re not going to be easy, are they? He says, the goodbyes? No. Some will be harder than others. She says she should head out, and he says he’s going to miss her. She says she’s going to miss him too.

Alexis says, it was nice to see Gregory with Finn and Chase, and he says, and her with Sam. He just told Finn and Chase that he wasn’t coming back to PCU. She says she’s glad he told them, and he tells her, that’s all he said. And that’s where it ends… unless she was telling her daughter something else. She says she just told Sam that she was concerned about him, and he says, don’t be; he’s just fine. She says, okay. It’s just that she cares about him, and doesn’t want their friendship to end over this. Does he? He says, no, and she says, good. So what do they do about it? He says he supposes this conversation is a start, and suddenly falls over, catching himself with a table.

Cameron says, he and Josslyn are done as a couple, but as she said, they’ve been friends all their lives. At the time, he didn’t think they could still be friends… She asks if he’s changed his mind, and he says, yeah. She breathes a sigh of relief, and says, that’s such good news. He says, as her friend, he needs her to listen to him. She says, sure. What? He says, stay away from Dex Heller.

Spencer comes into the apartment and sees Dex. They stare at each other and it’s another O.K. Corral moment.

Laura says, it seems like Esme’s made up her mind. She thinks they should be going. Esme says she appreciates them making the trip, and Laura says she’d do anything for her family. Esme says she can see that. She thinks it’s time they go back to their room. Laura touches Esme’s arm, and says, he’s asleep; she doesn’t want to wake him up. Esme quietly leaves, and Laura cries. Doc asks what she thinks, and she says, honestly, no matter what anybody says, that girl loves that baby. He says, yes, puts his arm around her, and they leave.

Alexis wipes up the drink Gregory spilled, and he says, don’t, but she says she’s got it. She asks if he’s all right, and he says, yeah. He lost his footing. Itsht no big deal. She asks if he’s been drinking.

Finn comes out of the hospital elevator as Elizabeth and Portia come out of Portia’s office. Elizabeth and Finn sort of smile at each other, and Portia tells Elizabeth, good luck. Elizabeth thanks her, and Portia moves on. Finn says, big day. How is she feeling? She says, nervous, but resolute. She’s hoping the board will see past her mistakes. He says, for what it’s worth (🍷), he’s here for her. As a friend; whatever she needs. She says, it’s worth a lot.

Josslyn says she can’t talk about Dex with Cameron, and he asks if she can’t just do this one thing. This isn’t throwing shade. She has to believe he only has her happiness in mind. He didn’t tell anyone about her and Dex in her dorm, did he? She says, no, and she’s so grateful, and he says he didn’t do it for Dex; he did it for her. She says she appreciates that, and he says he needs her to hear him out. She’s sneaking around with this guy. That isn’t her. She’s the most straightforward person he knows, and she shouldn’t have to change that about herself for Dex. She says she’s not changing herself, and he says, she hates Sonny and that life. Dex is a part of that. He has a gun, right? Of course (🍷) he has a gun. He’s going to get hurt; it’s inevitable. She flashes back to nursing Dex when his wound got infected, and Cameron says she’s going to end up living the life she hates. She has to know he’s right. She asks if he’s done, but he says, not even close.

Spencer asks if Dex isn’t supposed to be outside with the other bodyguards to keep people from coming in. How is he going to protect Uncle Sonny from in here? Dex says he’s off-duty, and Spencer asks what he’s doing here then. Sonny comes out, and says he invited Dex. Dex is going to be staying with them for a while.

Esme comes back to the rec room, and looks for Ace’s binkie. Trina says, looking for this? and holds it out to her.

Tomorrow, Alexis says, if he’s not drunk, why is Gregory slurring his words; Dex asks what Spencer thinks he’s lying to Sonny about; and Sonny tells Nina, there was an incident last night.

Vanderpump Rules

In Raquel’s interview, she says she hasn’t done many girls trips. Raquel now is wild, free, single, and fun. She’s focusing on herself. After their night out in Las Vegas, the girls go back to their suite, and Raquel is super drunk. She throws all the leftovers in a container, and puts them in the microwave. In Lala’s interview, she says, after seeing Raquel’s sloppiness, she doesn’t know if she’d trust Raquel after one too many drinks. Lala, Katie, and Kristina are lounging on a bed, and Kristina asks if Raquel made out with Oliver. Katie says, welcome to her world; there are a lot of comparisons. Raquel toddles into the room and sits on the bed with her food, and Kristina asks her about Oliver. Raquel says, it was Lala’s territory, but she gave the okay, and in Katie’s interview, she says she’s seeing a pattern. Raquel is only interested in guys her friends are married to or interested in. Big red flag. Lala says she punted Oliver to Raquel, but after seeing her drunk, she’d never trust Raquel around her man. Raquel says, thank God Lala doesn’t have a man around, and everyone is like, whaaat? Lala says she’s going to shut this down. Raquel has been drinking, it’s 3 am, and they’re going to bed. Raquel leaves, and Kristina asks if she’s tripping. Lala says she feels a Lala coming out that she doesn’t want. If Raquel wasn’t wasted, she’d put this bitch back in her grave. Lala tells Katie, give these ho’s an inch and they take a mile. She thinks the second it came out, Raquel wanted to retract. Kristina goes to get Katie’s toothbrush, and when she comes back, she says, Raquel is listening to music and has lights going from a projector. Lala wonders if she’s going to murder them tonight. They talk about hiding their boyfriends, and Raquel listens at the door. In her interview, she cries and says, the last thing she expected to be judged on was being drunk and having fun.

Kristina says, Andrew from the bar wanted to meet Katie, and Katie says, it would be a fun thing, but no. Lala says she likes Raquel without James, but she was appalled. In Lala’s interview, she says, she’s been that wasted person who says the most out-of-pocket things, and we flash back to some of her not-so-fine moments. She says she’s not judging, but their journeys are not in alignment. Raquel is a liability and unpredictable. Raquel brings Katie her makeup, and says she’s embarrassed. She thinks she said something offensive to Lala, and Lala says, it would be offensive to any woman. She tells Raquel what she’d said, and asks if Raquel really feels that way. If she does, Lala isn’t her audience. She respects relationships. It doesn’t feel great about having hooked up with Raquel’s ex-fiancé. In Raquel’s interview, she says, it’s weird, Lala schooling her about respecting relationships when she slept with Raquel’s boyfriend. It’s the textbook definition of hypocrite. They head for Lake Havasu.

Scheana goes over to Schwartz’s apartment where they meet with makeover stylist Sheera. In Scheana’s interview, she says, Schwartz needs to get his Schwartz back, and she’s going to personally do what she can to get him there. He tries on a bunch of stuff, and they purge his closet. If I hear it’s a vibe one more time, I’m smashing the TV. In the car on the way to Havasu, Kristina says she got the feeling Katie’s mother was hoping things would still work out with Katie and Schwarz. Katie says, they spent all the major holidays with her family, and Kristina says, it’s like someone is your whole life, then they’re gone. At Schwartz’s, Scheana asks if Schwartz should have things that remind him of his marriage, and Sheera suggests an archival box. Scheana tells Schwartz that Katie is celebrating their divorce, and thinks he should have a boys night; she’ll host. In Schwartz’s interview, he says he feels a sense of obligation to get sloppy and make out. He agrees, and Scheana says, he’s getting his Schwartz back.

In the car, Kristina asks if Raquel talked to James about breaking up or just left abruptly, and Raquel says, after James exploded at her dad on Thanksgiving, she made her decision. He was enraged on the car ride to the hotel. In her interview, Raquel says, James couldn’t stop with the low blows. He said her dad was miserable because he married a fat bitch, and he wasn’t a good dad. Raquel told him to shut up or she was going to strand him in the desert. She tells the girls that she was planning to leave when James went to London to visit his dad. She was going to pack her stuff, and leave the ring with a note. She’d felt so focused on James, she lost her identity. She doesn’t know who she is. Katie says, she has to figure that sh*t out, and Raquel starts crying. Kristina says, she’s been holding in her emotions, and Raquel says she’s good at that. Katie says she’s a pro, and Lala pulls over, saying, they need to eat. Raquel says she doesn’t feel good, and she’s having an anxiety attack.

The girls give Raquel some water, and Lala tells her to breathe in through her mouth and out her nose. Raquel says she doesn’t know how to do that, and they start laughing, realizing Lala has it backward. Lala says, Raquel is funny and cute, and enjoyed herself; they’re all good. Everything is fine. Katie says, she’s not alone, and Lala tells her to keep her head where her feet are. They arrive at the rental house, and in Katie’s interview, she says, it’s been an eventful 24 hours. She wants to relax, have fun, and talk to cute boys. Charli arrives, and meets Kristina for the first time. In Charli’s interview, she says, all she knows is, Kristina used to work at SUR, and now sells lip balm.

The Toms go to TomTom, and in Sandoval’s interview, he says, Greg is a great guy, but they don’t see eye to eye on things about getting the bar open. However, he’s consistent and reliable. Schwartz says he’s deliberating taking Lisa up on her offer. His head says, do it, but his heart says, not to do it. Tom says, what if they pull their money out, and Schwartz & Sandy’s flops? They’ll be left with nothing. Schwartz says, it’s a horrible thought, and Sandoval says, Greg knows the neighborhood, and they need him. Schwartz says he’s optimistic about the tasting consult. He’s going to check with who he discusses his most important financial decisions – the Magic 8 Ball. He brings it up on his phone, which is about as much fun as the electronic slot machines with no arm to pull, and asks if they should divest from TomTom. The 8 Ball says, yes, definitely, and Sandoval says, they’ll think about it. James comes in, and Schwartz says, they’re having a guys night. They’re going to Skybar and being hooligans. The only girl coming is Scheana because she’s one of the dudes. James says he likes it, and needs it. Ally wants him to separate himself from Raquel. It was cool in the beginning, but not anymore. In James’s interview, he says, Raquel never knew any of them before he introduced her. She needs to get her own life. Next, she’ll be DJing.  

The girls go out to a restaurant/bar. Lala says, tonight will be chill. They’ll just have dinner and go back to the house. Raquel says she’s glad Charli didn’t see her last night, and Lala says, when Raquel drinks, she’s a different person. Katie says, it was like the Hulk, and Kristina says, it wasn’t normal fun drunk. Lala says, a liability, and they tell Charli about Oliver. Raquel says she wants to go home, and Charli asks, what happened? Lala says, Raquel had lots of drinks and made out with Oliver on the dance floor at Discopussy. Charli wants to see his picture, and they show her. Lala says she had no intention of making out or smashing, so she gave Raquel permission. It was fine, but when they got back to the room, she’d said that if Raquel had one too many, she wouldn’t trust Raquel with her man. Then Raquel said, thank God she didn’t have a man. In Charli’s interview, she says, it sounds like Lala didn’t get chosen, and she’s bitter. She says she likes to see Raquel confident, but Lala says, as a woman, it was offensive and wrong on many levels; it was nothing to be proud of. In her interview, Charli says she doesn’t know who made Lala the spokesperson for women, but Lala doesn’t speak for her. She went from a mansion to an apartment. Lala says, it takes her back to high school, being a cheerleader and someone is trying to steal her man. In Raquel’s interview, she says, there was a moment in the car when she thought they could all be friends, but she’s not taking this sh*t. She tells Lala, if anyone should be on edge, it’s her, since Lala slept with James. Lala says, that was six years ago, and she was drinking. Raquel says, she was drinking too, and Charli says, it’s a valid point. Lala says, it was six years ago, and Raquel just tried to make out with Schwartz. Raquel says, it didn’t happen, and Lala says, Raquel is holding onto something from six years ago. She’s lived a billion lifetimes since then, and she’s learned. If Raquel can’t respect that, that’s her issue. Raquel says she needs to stand up for herself, but Lala says, that’s not the way to do it. Raquel calls her a hypocrite, since she slept with a married man. We flash back to the beginnings of Lala and Randall’s relationship, and Katie says, Raquel wanted to make out with Schwartz, and they’re still married. She’s trying to move past it and she’s been gracious, but she doesn’t have to be. She could light Raquel’s ass on fire for what she’s done. Raquel says, she didn’t make out with Schwartz, and Lala says, that’s not because Raquel is a stand-up chick; Schwartz denied her. Raquel doesn’t know sh*t about her situation. I recommend you disengage, bitch. In Lala’s interview, she says, the word mistress hits a nerve. Randall never had to defend himself. She’s had to wear that, and pay for someone else’s actions. She, Katie, and Kristina leave, and Charli laughs, saying, she loves when people shake. Note to self and the world: Charli is a complete and utter a-hole.

Lisa calls Ariana from her pet graveyard, and says she’s thinking of her. She’s where Giggy and Pink Dog and the others are buried. Ariana says she’d love to do that, but she’d never be able to leaved. Lisa says she told Ken that she’s burying him there as well.

Lala, Kristina, and Katie have coffee, and Kristina says she came down early, and Rachel had moved to Charli’s room. Lala says, this was supposed to be fun and about Katie, but it’s been about Raquel and her decisions for two nights. Raquel and Charli wake up, having slept in the same bed. I know a lot of the women/girls will share beds on these shows, but ugh. I just don’t want to share my sleeping space with a girlfriend. I barely want to share it with my man. We see a clip of them doing karaoke the night before, and Charli saying, any Kid Rock fans?… Just one? We don’t see them singing, but I’m guessing the song was Cocky, since it fits. Raquel says she feels not welcome [sic], and doesn’t want to stay. Charli says, it’s like some medieval shaming, and Raquel says, they were in a good place during the car ride. Hmm… The only thing added after that was Charli. I’m no Raquel fan, but Charli is a real piece of work. Although at least she’s openly a d-bag, while Raquel has a whole wide-eyed innocent act going on. Charli says, maybe it’s best to give them space, and Raquel says, Scheana is hosting a guys night for Schwartz. Charli suggests they crash it. Schwartz has more friends than these girls. In Raquel’s interview, she says she should have known she couldn’t trust them when she overheard them talking sh*t in Vegas. We flash back to yesterday, and she says she’d rather be in L.A. with her real friends who loved her for who she is. She and Charli go out on the terrace where the others are sitting, and Raquel says she doesn’t feel comfortable. It was a mistake for her come, so she’s leaving. They’re meeting Scheana and Schwartz. Kristina says, makes sense, and Charli says, Raquel’s not f***ing Tom. In Charli’s interview, she says she’s surprised Kristina could say anything with Katie’s d*ck in her mouth, and makes another crack about lip balm. Lala says she thinks it’s a good idea, and Raquel says, Lala gave her the green light, but Lala says, it’s not about Oliver. It’s about Raquel calling her a mistress – again. They’re done here. Safe travels. Raquel says, Lala is angry because Oliver chose her, and Lala laughs. Raquel says, if Oliver wanted to take Lala on the dance floor, he would have. Um… She can’t have it both ways – Lala giving her the green light and not being chosen. Raquel and Charli leave, Charli saying something about the lip balm girl with the dry-ass hair. Omg, she is still in high school. Kristina says, Charli has so much to do with it. Katie should rethink their friendship. Lala says, she gives bad advice. Those are two low vibration human beings. In the car, Raquel says, that was the funniest, most awkward thing. On the terrace, Kristina says, they’re going on a boat and having a bomb-ass day.

In Lala’s interview, she says, with Raquel out of the picture, they can get back to why they came; to show Katie a good time, and move on to a new chapter. They go to a dock where there’s floating cabanas and water toys. They find out the group of guys at the next cabana are having a bachelor party, and Lala tells them, homegirl is celebrating getting divorced. In her interview, Lala says, Lauren from Utah knows how to go to a lake party. She’ll show these bitches how it’s done.

The Toms meet Greg and his wife JoLane at Schwartz & Sandy’s for the food tasting. Sandoval brings Ariana with him, and in his interview, he says, it’s stressful. They don’t know which Greg they’ll get; the positive, happy one, or the everything sucks/what are you guys doing? one. Schwartz asks how Ariana is, and in Ariana’s interview, she says, when she left Vegas, they went to the vet and had to put Charlotte to sleep. She held Charlotte, telling her that she loved her. She’s been a wreck. I’m a wreck just hearing it, and she says she’s trying to put on a brave face and get out and do something nice. Just when I think I can’t despise Sandoval more, I do. Chef consultant Frankie brings them different dishes to try, and Greg says he doesn’t want things on the menu that people can get around the corner. In Sandoval’s interview, he says, they’re thinking only 18 items on the menu, so every one has to be a banger. Greg critiques the dishes, and says he wants to offer something that people would normally have to leave the neighborhood to get. In his interview, Sandoval says he hopes they can keep the momentum going so they don’t have to take money from TomTom.

Lala and Kristina surprise Katie on the terrace with a Schwartz piñata. Katie whacks it so hard, the head is severed from the body, and condoms and alcohol nips fall out, along with a vibrator. In Katie’s interview, she says, it’s a dream come true. She’s always wanted to beat the sh*t out of him. She wants to save it as a voodoo doll. Lala asks what Katie thinks she wants when she’s ready for a relationship, and Katie says, someone who adores and supports her, and values her opinions and mind; a true teammate. Lala says, Katie seems cool, and asks if there’s anything she misses. Katie says, she misses a lot of things, and Kristina says, 12 years is a long time. Katie says, Schwartz was her best friend, but she needed something more, and Kristina says, losing a best friend is just as hard. Katie says, it’s not easy to tell people, just be supportive and not get involved. She doesn’t want to bring the trip down, but Lala says she’s proud of Katie. She’s handling herself well. Power to the p*ssy.

Guys night happens at Skybar, and Brock brings Scheana along. She tells the others that she wasn’t invited on the girls trip, but she’s used to it. In Scheana’s interview, she says, Katie has two girls on her divorced trip. This is a party; that’s a sad get-together. They toast to the Schwartzinator, and James says, Lala called and said she had to give it to his ex. In Jame’s interview, he says, it doesn’t surprise him that it was a disaster. Lala doesn’t like Raquel, and if Raquel does one thing, she’s overstepping the alpha cat. He makes screeching sounds, and tells the guys that Lala and Raquel are like balsamic vinegarette and olive oil. Um… Those go together. I think he means oil and water.

In Havasu, the girls go to Havana Bar, which has a cowboy vibe. In her interview, Lala says, they’re not in L.A., and Kristina says, it’s Coors Light, JD shots, and cowboy boots. Lala says, this is America, and Kristina asks if Katie sees any cute boys. We don’t. Kristina sees a couple of guys that she thinks are more Lala’s vibe, and in Lala’s interview, she says she’s tingling in all the right places. Her vagina is leading the pack and they’re approaching. She goes over to the guys and finds out they’re from L.A. She invites the guys to join them.

At Skybar, Tom says he’s soused, when Charli and Raquel walk in. James says, Ally’s going to kill him. Guys night means nothing.

To be continued…

😵‍💫 Hairing My Tear Out…

My old computer is on its last legs, and I’m navigating a new one, so I’ve been running late. Tomorrow is only for soap, so I’ll have time to pour a little tea. Until then, stay safe, stay remembering what you have to be grateful for, and stay knowing, there’s nothing wrong with wanting more, but it’s not a competition.

March 15, 2023 – Dante Tells Cody To Come Clean With Mac, Lots Of Therapy Going Around New Jersey, The Worst People In the World Need Therapy, Funny & Perfect

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Dex asks if Sonny thinks the sniper worked for Pikeman, but Sonny says he doesn’t think they’d want to jeopardize the deal; too much at stake. But he’s going to find out who this guy is working for. He tells the guy to wake up, and the sniper stirs a little. Sonny says, if the guy wants his help, he has to help Sonny too, and the sniper asks what he wants. Sonny says he wants the guy to tell him who he’s working for.

Mac and Felicia sit in a table at the MetroCourt, and he says, champagne? What’s the occasion? She says, him and Doc making up. They’ve been friends way too long to stop now. Mac agrees, and they clink glasses. She says, Cody actually encouraged him to talk to Doc? and he says, Cody told him not to let the baggage fester. She says, so it was a good visit then? and he says, it was… until it wasn’t.

Dante asks if Mac is really Cody’s father, and Cody says, seems so. Dante says, so the tests were taken weeks after the other test? What’s the deal? The first test that said Mac wasn’t his father was wrong? Cody says, not exactly.

Finn introduces himself to Victor, who says he’s aware of who Finn is, and also aware of his relationship with Elizabeth Baldwin. Like this would mean what to Finn? Finn says he’s been called in to find out what the pathogen is in Victor’s system. Although extremely rare, he was able to identify it. Victor says, excellent. Now Finn can also get rid of it as quickly as possible.

Drew asks Laura to at least take some time to consider his offer. She’d be enhancing Charlotte’s trust fund and wouldn’t have to concern herself with ELQ matters. If he calls her little lady, I’m turning this off. She says she’s sorry, but she can’t just give up Valentin’s stake in the company, and Drew says, but he’s gone. It doesn’t benefit anybody to hang on to a past mistake… unless there’s something else going on.

Valentin tells Anna, Victor went to great lengths to get his hands on that necklace. So what’s the significance of those codes engraved in the diamond? She says, according to Laura, Eileen jumped at the suggestion she could get an unredacted report on the necklace. So what she’s thinking is, what if they planted false codes in that report to see where it led Victor? He says he likes the way her mind works, and she asks if it’s sexy or scary. He says he thinks it’s both, and kisses her. Lucy comes out with her bag, and says she has to leave immediately. Anna tells her, stop, but Lucy asks if she thinks anyone bothered to order the step-and-repeat for the red carpet. No. Does she think they know how to find a llama that doesn’t spit? No. Without her, the Nurses Ball is going to go down in flames. It will be the end of the show… forever.

Brook lets Maxie and Bobbie into the mansion, and thanks them for coming. Olivia sends her regrets; she caught the bug that’s going around. Maxie says, James’s teacher has it too. Tell Olivia she sympathizes and sends get well wishes. Bobbie asks if they should come back another time, but Brook says, not necessary. Olivia totally deputized her, and is ready, willing, and able to let them use the MetroCourt for the Nurses Ball, but there’s a slight hitch. Bobbie says, already? What is it? Maxie says, or who is it?

Outside the door on the phone, Carly gives Pilar instructions for Donna, and says she’ll be home as soon as possible. She hears Bobbie say, this is outrageous, and Maxie says, it’s unacceptable. Carly says, on second thought… She goes inside, and Bobbie says she’s not talking to that woman. It’s not part of her duty as co-chair, and Carly asks, what’s going on here? Bobbie says, the Nurses Ball needs a new home, and Maxie says, and if they don’t find one soon, the Nurses Ball is not happening.

Finn tells Victor that treating his condition is no simple matter. A pathogen is an organism that causes disease to the host. The severity of those symptoms depends on its virulence. Victor says, the symptom he’s experiencing is virulent in the extreme, and Finn says, what is uncommon is for a pathogen to cause such a specific immune response. Victor asks if it could affect his other organs, but Finn says, it’s not invasive. It doesn’t seem to spread to other organs or tissues. The affects are localized, and very specific. Victor asks what all that means, and Finn says, the pathogen has a mission; one it has achieved. I wonder if he’s laughing at Victor in his head.

Dante says, Cody told him that he didn’t deserve Mac in his life after what he did. What did he do? Cody says he screwed up, and doesn’t know how to make it right, and Dante says, he lied about the first DNA results. He said Mac wasn’t his father, when in actuality, he is. Why did he do that?

Mac tells Felicia, his visit with Cody was great at first. Hell, he likes Bludger. She says, his favorite obscure Australian beer no one knows about. So what went wrong? He says he doesn’t know. They got to talking, then Cody clammed up. She says, it sounds like Cody’s not exactly in touch with his feelings, and Mac says, you can’t really blame him. He lived on an estate that wasn’t his, on the outside looking in. He bets that’s why Cody’s always looking for the next payday.

Laura says, it’s too soon to make any major decisions about Charlotte’s inheritance, and Drew says, because Valentin only recently died. She nods, and he says he hopes his proposal didn’t seem insensitive, but she says, no. He says he’s just trying to heal a family rift, and she says, there’s no need to apologize. She can see why a proposal makes sense from his perspective, but whatever happens with Valentin’s shares isn’t up to her.

Valentin asks if Lucy said a llama that doesn’t spit, and Lucy says, duh. There was a llama in 2017; great llama. There was Lloyd the next year; great llama. Everyone knows you don’t hire Loraine because she’s a great expectorator. There’s all the rehearsals to plan for the musical numbers, the costuming, not to mention the orchestral needs. Anna says she really feels how disappointed Lucy is not to be part of the Nurses Ball this year. She gets it. Lucy says, no she doesn’t. She has no idea. She’s been the Mistress of Ceremonies since the 90s; the only one. It’s the 60th anniversary of GH, and she has to be there to chair all the committees, planning everything with her friends and with Marty. Instead, she’s stuck here with the two of them. No offense. It’s just totally unfathomable. She storms to the bedroom, and Anna says, she’s not wrong. The beauty of the Nurses Ball is that it really does bring people together. Their time, their talent, for such a worthy cause; Robin’s cause. She’s not the only one who’s really sad not to be part of the Nurses Ball this year.

Carly asks why the MetroCourt needs a new venue… Um… I think she means Nurses Ball. Maxie says, it doesn’t, and no one said anything about having to grovel. Brook tells her, Olivia did say it was a joint decision, and Carly asks, what’s the problem? The Nurses Ball is always held at the MetroCourt. Bobbie says, while Carly was the co-owner, but Maxie says she’s sure they can still have the Ball there. Brook says, but it’s not only up to Olivia, and Carly says, ooh. She needs the agreement of her new partner – Nina. This is stupid even for them. Like Nina would say no.

Sonny asks who the sniper works for, but he says he doesn’t know. Sonny says, he doesn’t know who he works for? and the sniper says, contractor. The deal was anonymous. Tony checks the sniper’s pulse, and says, he’s not going to last much longer. Brick walks in with another man, and Sonny asks if he’s the doctor. Brick says, he’s very discreet, and Sonny says he needs to doctor to make sure the sniper stays alive, at least until he gets some answers. The doctor checks the sniper, and Sonny says, they don’t have all day, but the doctor says, he’s gone. Sonny says, son of a bitch! and Brick says, sorry about that, but Sonny says, it was a long shot anyway. He asks if the doctor can help Dex, but Dex says he’s good. Sonny insists, and the doctor checks out Dex. Brick wonders why Dex is always in the line of fire.

Felicia says, Cody’s job at the Quartermaine stables is a really good gig, and Mac says, Cody told him that he was selling his plasma for extra money. Plus, he’s seen Cody with Selina Wu on more than one occasion. It seems that money is the driving force with Cody. Felicia says, or he’s on a never-ending quest for stability. Can’t they help him with that?

Cody tells Dante that he knew Cesar Faison and Leopold Taub were members of some cartel in the 90s, and he thought maybe Faison had access to Taub’s money. So when he met Britt and found out she was Faison’s daughter… Dante says, Cody thought he could use Britt to get her father’s money. Did Cody ever really like Britt? Cody says he did eventually. His feelings for Britt made him take his eyes off the prize. Then it just fell into their laps, thanks to Peter August’s final effects and the safe deposit key. Dante says, then Cody met Mac, and it threw a wrench in his plans? and Cody says, that necklace belonged to Taub, in the late 80s, early 90s. Then it just mysteriously showed up in the safe deposit box of Faison’s son? He really believed that necklace was his birthright. Dante says, except the DNA test proved it wasn’t Cody’s birthright, and he lied. Cody says, his mother was an heiress, who gave away every dime to her daughter, some woman he’s never even met, who ended up giving away what was supposed to be his half of the inheritance to save the whales. Don’t get him wrong; he likes whales. He likes dolphins too, but right now, they’re doing better financially than him. That necklace was supposed to be his shot. Dante says, he lied to Mac; he used Britt. Maybe Sam was right about him.

Finn says, the good news is, this pathogen has low toxigenicity, and Victor says, and the bad news? Finn says, the microorganism is not one that naturally occurs in Northern America, and Victor says he does have several international business associates. Could he have contracted it from one of them? Finn says, what he’s contracted is known as an obligate pathogen, which means it doesn’t survive for long outside of the human body. Victor says, so he couldn’t have gotten this from being in contact with anyone, and Finn says, highly unlikely. Victor asks, then how did he get it? and Finn asks if he has any enemies. Well, that’s a stupid question.

Laura tells Drew, Valentin’s stocks aren’t hers to sell, give, or trade; they belong to Charlotte. When she comes of age, she’ll decide whether to keep them. He says he respects that, and she says, unfortunately, it does put a pin in his family’s plans for ELQ. He says, the stock could be in far worse hands, thanks her for her time, and leaves.

Anna tells Valentin, for all her delusions of grandeur, Lucy’s right. She’s done so much to make the Nurses Ball a success, and she’s helped countless people along the way, Robin included. He says, forgive him; he didn’t even think of that. He shouldn’t have made light of her feelings. Anna says, in all fairness, she’s a real pain in… the thing. She just wishes Lucy could trust Maxie and Bobbie. They’re more than capable of making this happen. The show will go on. The Nurses Ball is bigger than all of them.

Maxie says, it’s an honor for the MetroCourt to host the Nurses Ball. She’s sure Nina won’t object. Bobbie says, if that woman makes them beg… and Carly says, they’ll cross that bridge when they come to it. Meanwhile, she thanks Maxie for asking her to help; she’s honored. Maxie says, Carly is also essential, and Carly says, whatever she needs, don’t hesitate to ask. She can help organize, and would love to be on the entertainment committee. Maxie says, music to her ears. They have so much to get done in such a little amount of time. Carly says she only wishes she could save them from having to involve Nina, when Nina walks in and asks what Carly’s trying to keep from her this time.

The doctor wraps Dex’s wound, and says, Dex is lucky. A few millimeters over, it would have shattered his arm. Six inches, it would have blown a hole through his chest. Sonny asks Tony to let the doctor out, and make sure he gets paid. Brick asks Sonny, what happened here? and Sonny says, the shooter was right there. If Dex hadn’t spotted him, he would have been taken out. Brick says, nice little ambush spot; the guy was a pro. Sonny says he needs Brick to find out who hired him, and Brick looks through the sniper’s pockets, finding a cellphone. Sonny tells him, check the contacts, and Brick says, there’s only one contact. One message; an address and a time. He’ll see if he can dig out more data. Their guy is wearing no jewelry; no obvious tats. All he’s got on him is a key fob and a matchbook. Dex says, may I? holding out his hand, and Sonny says, go ahead. Brick gives him the matchbook, and he says, it’s The Highsider logo; the biker bar. Brick says, Dex might just be useful after all, and Sonny says, Brick has no idea. The kid saved his life. Brick rolls his eyes.

Maxie says, perfect timing, and Nina tells her, she would say so. Brook says, Nina brought Olivia soup. Isn’t that thoughtful? Nobody says anything, and Brook says she’ll bring the soup up to Olivia. Nina asks what she walked in on, and Maxie says, she and Bobbie are co-chairing the planning committee for the Nurses Ball. Nina asks when the Ball is happening, and Maxie says, three weeks. Nina says, that soon, and Maxie says, GH’s 60th anniversary is coming up, and they didn’t want to break tradition, so they’re kind of hoping Nina and Olivia will let them use the ballroom at the MetroCourt. Nina is surprised Carly didn’t just pretend to agree, and Bobbie says, that’s something Nina would do. Carly says, the Nurses Ball can’t get off the ground without Nina’s consent. So does she want to keep making jabs or rise above her hatred for Carly for a good cause?

Brook comes downstairs as Drew walks in. He asks how Olivia is, and Brook says she thinks Olivia is secretly enjoying the opportunity to stay in bed and read. Seeing the doors closed, he asks if there’s a secret meeting, but she says, more like a gladiator match. It’s anyone’s guess who’s going to emerge from the arena alive.

Mac tells Felicia, as much as he’s grown to like Cody, he’s not their responsibility. He’s not family. She says she can’t explain it, but sometimes he feels like it.

Cody says he thinks he and Sam reached a truce, and Dante says, Cody stepped up for Sasha; she was impressed. But lying about who his father is… Cody says he knows. He screwed up. Even before the necklace burned up in that cabin, he regretted everything he did to get his hands on it, which is why he’s telling the truth now. Dante asks why he doesn’t tell Mac, and Cody says, that’s the reason he got the second test. He figured he could tell Mac the first test was the result of a lab error or something. Dante asks if Cody is going to tell Mac the truth, and wrap it up in another lie, and Cody says, there’s no winning with Dante. Dante says, there is. Just tell the absolute truth – all of it. If he wants to move forward with a relationship with Mac, start with transparency. Fess up. He can handle it, right?

Victor asks if Finn is suggesting he was deliberately infected, and Finn says, it’s not an accidental pathogen, so common means of transmission don’t apply here. Victor asks how he got it, and Finn says, either by injection, which would be invasive, and probably noticeable. More likely through ingestion. Victor says, so something he ate or drank, and Finn says, based on the timing of his symptoms, he’d say Victor contracted the pathogen late November, early December. Victor says, that doesn’t make it any easier to pinpoint, and Finn says he’ll ask for further tests to confirm. Victor says, Finn hasn’t mentioned treatment, and Finn says, research in this area of treatment is limited. Victor says, how so? He’s saying there’s no cure? Finn says, the damage done to Victor is not known to be reversable.

Brick says, so is that right? Dex saved Sonny’s life? Sonny says, he clocked the hit man before he could get a shot off. Dex pushed him out of the way. Dex says, Sonny returned the favor, and Brick wonders if they’re indebted to each other now. He’ll get the data on the phone and the rifle, and get back to Sonny. Sonny thanks him, and Brick says, of course (🍷). Sonny asks how Dex’s arm is, and Dex says, just a crease. Sonny tells Tony to have Dex help him get rid of the body. He’s tired of looking at it. They start to pick the sniper up, but Dex nearly falls over. Sonny has him sit down, and tells him, hydrate, giving him some water, but Dex says he wants to help Tony. Sonny says, Dex has lost a lot of blood, and he’s running on adrenaline. Take a drink. He’s no good to Sonny if he’s down for the count. Dex drinks some water, and asks who Sonny thinks sent the shooter. Sonny says, if anyone can find out, it’s Brick. How did Dex know to push him out of the way? Dex says he saw something out of the corner of his eye. In Afghanistan, sometimes that’s all the warning you got. Sonny says he was going to keep Dex out of the Pikeman deal; now Dex is in the middle of it. Drink up, and he’s going to take Dex home. Dex says, Tony can give him a ride, but Sonny says he’s not taking Dex to Dex’s place; he’s taking Dex to his place.

Dante says, Cody has to come clean all the way. Don’t give Mac a partial truth. Don’t rob him of the ability to make a choice. Cody says, Dante’s right. He can’t tell Mac that he’s his son unless he tells Mac that he lied about the first test, and why. Dante says, if it helps, he’ll be wherever Cody is going to talk to Mac, and Cody thanks him, but says, it’s not necessary. He won’t be telling Mac anything. Dante asks what Cody’s talking about. He’s going to let Mac live his life not knowing he has a son? Cody crumples up the paternity test, throws it into a garbage can, and says, it’s not like Mac raised him, so it’s no big loss. You can’t take away what someone never had. Dante says, you can actually. Why would Cody deprive him of that? Deprive him of getting to know his son. Why would he cheat himself out of all that? Cody says, maybe he doesn’t deserve it, and Dante asks if Mac deserves it. Cody says, what’s Mac losing? A son who’s beat up from stunt riding, and broke down from grifting. Dante says, so Mac pays the price because Cody doesn’t want to admit he screwed up? Cody says, it’s not a huge price; it’s him. Mac will be better off.

Mac says, Felicia treats everyone like family, when Laura approaches, and says she can confirm that. She wonders where Doc is, and Mac says, he wanted them to tell her that he had to see a patient. Felicia says, before that, he and Mac had a very nice chat, and Laura says she’s glad to hear that. She sits, and says, Doc doesn’t blame Mac for doing his job. Mac says he knows that; they’re good. Felicia says, as for the opposite of good… They all watch Victor walk in.

At the bar, Victor asks for two fingers of their best scotch, neat. Bartender Jamie (?) pours him a drink, and Victor thanks him. He’s about to take a sip, and flashes back to Finn telling him, it’s more likely he contracted the pathogen by ingestion; something he ate or drank. He asks for a new bottle, unopened, and Mac comes to the bar. He says his officers have been trying to contact Victor about the disappearance of his nephew Nikolas. Why has he been avoiding them?

Valentin says, Anna could be part of the Nurses Ball if it weren’t for his father, but she says, that’s all right. Mac and Felicia will be there, and they were there for Robin during the toughest part of her life. He says, what they’re doing now will put Victor away for good, and it will allow her to always be part of Robin’s future. Lucy comes out, looking at her tablet, and going, nope… nope… nope. She says she just looked at the MetroCourt ballroom calendar. For the next five months, there’s absolutely nothing. Anna is sure Maxie will find her way around that, and Lucy says she hopes so. Valentin says he’s sure her leadership will be sorely missed. Lucy sits down, and says she really wants… she needs the Nurses Ball to be special. Anna says, it will be. Despite all the glitz and glamour, it’s the mission that’s so important for people to celebrate. Lucy says, Anna is so right, and Anna says she thinks that mission will be realized… without all the pizazz Lucy could bring to it of course (🍷). Lucy says she likes pizazz. She could still do it. She starts to get up, but Anna says, no. She knows it’s going to hurt them all, but life is going on without them.

Nina says she’ll have to check the schedule, but they’ll make it work. Of course (🍷) the MetroCourt will host the Nurses Ball, as long as Olivia agrees. Maxie says, Olivia already gave them her blessing, and Nina says she hopes they’ll let her know if there’s anything else she can do to help… unless they don’t want her involved. Maxie says, of course (🍷) they want her help. Don’t we Bobbie? Bobbie says, sure; the more the merrier. Maxie says, they’re the most capable women she knows. As long as they can work together – peacefully – they can achieve anything. Carly says she’s in, and Nina says she’s in too. She asks Maxie and Bobbie to give her and Carly a couple of minutes alone. Maxie can’t leave fast enough, and Carly nods to Bobbie, who follows.

Bobbie and Maxie go into the foyer, and Brook says, perfect timing. Please tell Drew that he has to perform at the Nurses Ball. Maxie asks if he can carry a tune, and Brook says, he can; he sings in the shower. He says, she hears him? and she says, the acoustics are weird in this house. Bobbie is sure he has some moves, and Drew says, all right. What would he have to do? Maxie says she’s sure he’s heard of Magic Milo and His Magic Wands, and Drew is like, uh… Bobbie says, it’s for charity. The least he can do is give them that shirt off his back.

Carly asks why Nina asked to speak to her privately. It’s not like their issues are secret. Nina says, it’s not about their privacy; it’s about Willow’s.

Dex says he’ll be fine, but Sonny says, no argument; it’s an order. Brick comes back, and Sonny says, any luck with the phone? but Brick says he’s still trying to dig out data. There were some prints from it though. The guy’s not from any registry he can access. He was a ghost. Sonny says, what about the weapon? and Brick says, it’s been modified, probably by the shooter. He can tell Sonny the original manufacturer, but there’s no serial numbers; it’s untraceable. Sonny asks what Brick’s thinking, and Brick says, a guy who doesn’t exist with an untraceable rifle. He’d say Sonny has a very, very powerful enemy. Hmm… I was wondering if Dex hadn’t set it up.

Brook says she has the perfect song, and runs to get her phone. Maxie goes with her, and Bobbie tells Drew, Carly and Nina are in there, and she doesn’t hear any furniture breaking, but… Drew says, it might not be long.

Carly says, now Nina is concerned about Willow’s privacy. She wasn’t concerned at all when she accused Willow of having an affair with TJ. What ticks me off is how Carly acts like it’s unfathomable you might perceive someone differently if you suddenly find out they’re family, especially your child. Nina says, this is about her health, and Carly says, if Willow wants Nina to know about her health, Willow will tell her. Nina says, that’s just the thing, she has, when there’s a knock at the door, and Drew asks if he’s interrupting. Nina asks him to join them; the three of them are privy to Willow’s health updates. Carly says, since when? and Nina says, since she had a conversation with her daughter, and Willow promised to keep her in the loop going forward.

Dante says he hates seeing Cody doing this to himself. He cares about Mac, and he cares about Cody. Why is he sabotaging himself? Why does he think he doesn’t deserve good things? And he’s not talking about fancy jewelry. Cody says, some secrets are meant to be kept, but Dante says, not this one. He knows what Cody sacrificed. Stop punishing yourself. Mac is a great guy. He’s surrounded by this beautiful family. Cody has an opportunity here to come out with the truth, and have these good people embrace him and give him a life he’s never known. Come on. Come clean.

Victor asks Jamie to leave the bottle, and tells Mac that he’s a very busy man. He pours himself another drink, and Mac says, a busy man with a big thirst. Victor says, it’s not illegal, is it? and Mac says, as long as he doesn’t intend to drive. Or harbor a fugitive. Victor asks where exactly he would do that. In his suite at the MetroCourt? Mac says, it wouldn’t be the first time he gave Nikolas a safe haven. Did he smuggle Nikolas to some island somewhere? Victor pours a third drink, and Mac asks, where’s Nikolas? Victor says, Mac’s guess is as good as his, and Mac says, Elizabeth Baldwin told the PCPD that Victor cleaned up evidence of Nikolas holding Esme Prince hostage. Victor tells him, that’s just hearsay, isn’t it? and Mac says he could haul Victor in for obstruction of justice. Victor says, can’t a man drink in peace around here? He doesn’t have a clue where his nephew is, and if Mac has any more questions, contact his attorney. As he leaves, he sees Laura and Felicia, and flashes back to Laura saying she’s going to put her family back together again, and when she does, she’s taking him apart. He walks over to Laura, and says, it was you. Laura asks, what was me? and he says, it had to be her.

Dante tells Cody, do the right thing, but Cody says, maybe saying nothing is the right thing. Dante walks out, and Cody takes the paternity test out of the garbage can, uncrumples it, and looks at it.

Mac goes over to the table too, and Victor says he knows what Laura’s done. She says, really. What has she done? He says she’s a vindictive… She’s determined to strip him of his power, and humiliate him in the process. She says, he doesn’t need her for that. When his life falls apart, and it will, he’ll have more than her to blame. He says, but she’s the one who will pay the most dearly. Mutually assured destruction. She struck the first blow, and now they both have everything to lose.

Anna tells Lucy that she hates missing the Nurses Ball too, but they all have to make sacrifices. Lucy says, but they don’t need Anna; they need her. Valentin says, but they can’t have her, can they? and Lucy says, that’s not his decision to make. She gets up, and Anna says, she can’t risk being seen, but Lucy says, oh yeah? Anna did. Anna left here for several hours the other day, doing God knows what. Valentin says, she’s a professional, and Lucy asks if they’re forgetting she was an asset too. And she was very effective if they remember. Anna says, what she remembers is, they’re in this mess because Lucy wouldn’t follow her orders, so Lucy is going to follow her orders now. You sit tight and you zip it. Lucy stomps back to the bedroom, and Anna says she thinks that went very well.

Brook says, both Carly and Nina are going to be on the planning committee? and Maxie says she thinks they make a formidable team. Bobbie says, if they survive.

Carly asks why Nina is asking her about Willow if Willow is giving Nina updates on her health, and Nina says, because Willow is sick, and she didn’t want to bug her about updates. She assumed Willow said it was okay to fill her in. Carly says, no, she didn’t, and asks if Drew knew, but he says he hasn’t spoken to Willow at all. If it helps, he can ask Willow and Michael, what’s the best way to share information. Carly says, anything else? and Nina says, once again, Carly’s disapproval speaks volumes. Carly says, they all know how dangerous Nina is with the tiniest bit of information. Nina says, she’s dangerous? If it were up to Carly, she’d still be in the dark about her daughter. Carly says, so much for being cordial, and Nina says, she’s right. She’s not going to argue for Willow’s sake, but she will say, Carly is no longer the gatekeeper of information. And it would serve Carly well to have this in the back of her mind. Nina knows a lot more than Carly thinks she does. She leaves, and Drew stops Carly from following.

Brick says, the shooter was contracted by a professional outfit, possibly an agency. Dex says, like the WSB? and Sonny says, whatever it is, they’re going to be very sorry.

Tomorrow, Esme says she has to trust her instincts; Spencer asks, what’s the real reason Cameron is leaving; Alexis tells Sam, there’s more going on than Gregory is saying; and Sonny says, it’s the least he can do since Dex saved his life.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey

I tell my dogs, now it’s time to watch despicable people with too much money. Teresa visits therapist Tegan, and in Teresa’s interview, she says she’s been going to therapy for six months. She’d always been against it, but didn’t like the way she’d reacted to Marge – even though she felt it was valid. Louie was into therapy, and told her that she didn’t have to react. She tells Tegan that her way of fixing a problem is lashing out, and in her interview, she says, her delivery is not always the way it should be, which is putting it mildly. We flash back to some choice moments, like her table flip, and she says, her therapist is teaching her how to approach things differently and communicate more. She tells Tegan that boys night did not go good [sic] and her brother told Louie to go f*** himself a million times. Louie said Joe #2 must be in pain, and had her call Joe, asking if he wanted to make peace. He said he did, but he didn’t come to her housewarming, and it was hurtful. She wished her parents were there, and her brother not being there was weird. She only has her brother, and nieces and nephew. Growing up, her father and a cousin didn’t talk for six years over $200. In her interview, Teresa says, her father was strong and stubborn. He never told her that he loved her until she finally started saying it. That’s how her parents were raised. She tells Tegan that she doesn’t want her kids grow up without cousins. Melania and Antonia were close, but haven’t come to each other’s parties. She says, Joe’s temper was out of control, and Tegan says, Teresa was petrified of her dad, so it’s triggering. Teresa says, the toxicity hurts, and Tegan says, she can make it stop by her choices of reaction. If it doesn’t, her only choice is to move on. Wow. Remind me to never use this therapist. As Dr. Phil says, there’s two sides to every pancake, and she’s just believing everything Teresa says. Obviously, she’s never seen the show. And if Teresa is so concerned about losing her only remaining family member (according to her), why doesn’t she act like a normal human?

Jen comes over to visit Marge post-surgery, bearing cookies and flowers. Marge says, they had to rebreak her arm. She’s going to sit on the sidelines and cheer at the baseball game. Jen says she’s doing the same, since nobody wants to see her ruining to first base. Marge says, Jennifer fell flat on her faced last year, and we flash back to that. Jennifer told Bill that she didn’t want him to be nice to Marge at the game. Marge told Melissa that she should leave Joe #2 for a baseball player. This came from Marge’s friend Laura, and when she repeated it to Marge, Marge got so worked up, she called Jennifer a disheveled drug addict. She’s a shampoo commercial, and Marge is an albino with a wig. In Jennifer’s interview, she says, she smokes weed when the kids are asleep, and it’s legal. Marge will find anything remotely negative, and throw it in her face with no regard for how it will affect Jennifer’s life. Marge either isn’t thinking kids or she’s just plain stupid. Marge asks if Jen thinks Jennifer is mad, since she booted Jen out of her house. Jen says, Jennifer texted her, saying she was sorry, but Jen’s friend wouldn’t stop poking at her. Another thing Dr. Phil says is, the word but means forget everything I just said and now I’ll tell you what I really think. Marge says, Jennifer is a f***ing loser, but Jen says, that display was not Marge, screaming like a 16 year old. Jennifer bringing up Marge’s kids was inexcusable, but Marge was her main concern. Jennifer tells Bill that Jen seemed rational, but Dolores was like a mute, and everybody sat there letting Marge rip her apart. In Jennifer’s interview, she says, everybody is afraid of Marge, and thinks they should be on their best behavior to keep Marge quiet. She’s like an evil master puppeteer. Jennifer is off her rocker. I’ve never once gotten that fear vibe from any of them. Marge tells Jen that she’s not going to say a word to Jennifer at the game, or even acknowledge her.  

Dolores’s dad Lawrence comes over, and in her interview, she says she was nervous the first time he met Paulie, since her dad can be intimidating. We flash back to her telling her dad that he intimidated every boy she brought home. She says, Paulie knew how to play her dad like a fiddle. Lawrence says, if his little girl is happy, he’s happy, and in Dolores’s interview, she says, her dad is worried about her being alone, but she’s not dating to date. She’s gearing toward the future. She tells Lawrence that Paulie is going in for a heart procedure, and Paulie says, his heart skips in its rhythm. The procedure has a 90% success rate in it not happening again. Lawrence says, the family is with him, and in her interview, Dolores says, it’s scary. It’s been a long time since she was in a relationship that makes her happy, and she doesn’t want to lose it. She and Lawrence walk Dog, and Lawrence says, she seems happy. She says, Paulie is the type of man she needs in her life. He’s like Lawrence; he’s there for her and takes care of things. We flash back to Dolores telling her parents about the bad times with Frank, and in her interview, she says, Frank and the family were 100% her priority, whether Frank deserved it or not. Now Frank doesn’t need to be here. She tells her dad that she speaks less to Frank, and Lawrence says, there have to boundaries. Dolores wants Paulie to know he’s her number one man, and Lawrence thinks Paulie is good for her; they’re a good couple.

Rachel and husband John meet Melissa and Joe at the batting cages, for practice. In Rachel’s interview, she says she’s an ex-bodybuilding competitor. You have to be strong, but it doesn’t take coordination. She doesn’t often play softball, but she’s been to first base a couple times. They order food and wine, and Frank joins them. He whines about his and Dolores’s relationship not being the same, and Melissa says she doesn’t think Paulie will be as warm as David toward Frank. Frank says, Paulie is affecting the family dynamic, and in Frank’s interview, he says, it’s a shame. He was a good father, but not a good husband, and it’s one of his biggest regrets. He loves Dolores, and they worked hard to be where they are, and it’s not easy. It’s the furthest they’ve been from one another in years, and he’s sad. Melissa suggests he take a step back. Frank’s girlfriend Brittany joins them, and none of them do very well in the cages. Melissa tells them about Jennifer taking what Marge said out of context, and in her interview, she says, Jennifer is planning revenge against Marge for outing Bill’s affair, but she’s not jumping on the bandwagon.

Rachel tells Melissa about Teresa saying, it’s better to be Marge’s friend than her enemy, and Melissa says Teresa is fake, and hates Marge. In Melissa’s interview, she says she sees Louie. He’s charming and manipulating, and told Teresa to be nice to Marge. In Marge’s interview, she says she needs to stop telling the truth about them.  – Rachel says, that’s why she’s not rolling with fake parade, but she didn’t know what say. In Rachel’s interview, she says she didn’t ask anyone’s opinions, and she’s not afraid of anybody, so there’s that. Melissa says, Jennifer is trying to ice Marge out, and in her interview, Rachel says she doesn’t give a flying. She’s a good judge of character and won’t be influenced.

Dolores is informed they have at least 3500 people, and in Dolores’s interview, she says, the baseball game was a major success last year. They made $180K, but for her, this year has to be better. She has a little something-something that’s going help bring in cash. They’re going to sell the Sexy Husband Calendar at the ballpark; it’s the hottest thing ever. We see the photo of Frank in rabbit ears, and he looks like a grumpy Easter bunny. It’s so funny, I might buy it just for that. Evan and Jackie arrive, and again, I’m flummoxed as to why she’s not a wife this season. Brittany and Frank come in, followed by Marge, who says, she’s on drugs, so she’s okay. Danielle asks how it’s going after the fight with Jennifer at Jen’s house, and Marge says, if she has a fight and they make up, she thinks they made up. Jennifer is crazy, and told everyone that she’s trying to break up Melissa’s marriage. All she was doing was trying to make Melissa feel better, and said she was so gorgeous, she could be with any ballplayer. In Danielle’s interview, she says, don’t tell her that to build her up. Say her boobs look perky today, not that she should be married to someone else. Another wow. These people read a lot into nothing. Danielle says she likes Jennifer, and while Jennifer discouraged her being friends with Marge, she said she’d keep an open mind, but an eye out. She says, Teresa told her that Marge was better to be kept as a friend than an enemy, and in Marge’s interview, she says, look who’s talking. We flash back to Teresa throwing an entire table full of stuff at Marge in a restaurant, and Marge says, clearly, she’s the worst enemy known to man. In Danielle’s interview, she says she can’t wrap her head around a friend digging up dirt on another friend, and tells Marge, that’s why Jennifer is vicious. She’s struggling with who Marge is. Marge says, Jennifer is suffering, and Jennifer arrives with bland Bill.  

Oh my God. This has only been on a half hour and it feels like a year.

Jennifer says she’s not acknowledging Marge, and Marge says, charity behavior all day. It looks like the diamond is near Coney Island, where I spent a few times playing hooky from work, and spent many a weekend on Brighton Beach nearby. Teresa and Louie get there last, and in Joe #2’s interview, he says he’s keeping his distance. Teresa can switch from zero to a hundred in an instant, and he has to defend himself before it becomes ugly. They bond over the calendar, and in Teresa’s interview, she says, this is the Joey she likes. It’s the way it always should be, especially around the children. The crowd cheers Dolores, who thanks them for coming to the Battle for Brooklyn to support Maimonides Health. In Melissa’s interview, she wonders if a new ballplayer would hit better than Joe. In Joe’s interview, he says, they suck. The doctors are going to kick the sh*t out of them. In Jennifer’s interview, she says, last year, they had a professional athlete on their team. We flash back to Tiki Barber, and she says she doesn’t know if Joe #2 is tall enough to catch the ball. Rachel tells Jennifer that Olivia broke her heart, saying she wants to be a love therapist; it’s kind of ironic. Jennifer tells Rachel that Olivia never said that before. She’d wanted to be a Broadway star. In her interview, Jennifer says she never spoke about the infidelity for this reason, and doesn’t know what to do. Every time they argue, Olivia tells them to remember they love each other. She’d wanted to protect them.

Dolores explains that Paulie isn’t there because he’s going to have heart surgery tomorrow, and Melissa says she thought it was because he didn’t want to be around Frank. Frank says he misses his and Dolores’s relationship. She doesn’t take his calls, and when he texts, she replies that she’ll call him later. He was crying the other day, which is unusual. Melissa says he’s going to make her cry. Joe #2 hugs Frank, and in Dolores’s interview, she says, Frank doesn’t like change. After the divorce, nothing changed, but he can’t make her feel guilty for being in a relationship she deserves. Knock it off. The score is 8 to 2 in favor of the doctors, and in Marge’s interviews, she says, thank God the kids are stepping in; the old-timers are not doing great. In Gia’s interview, she says her cousins are growing up fast, and it reminds her that she’s not able to be there for them as much as she wants to. It feels like Joe #2 and Melissa are trying to put a wedge between them, and it doesn’t sit well with her. The final score is 9 to 8 with the RHONJ team winning. In her interview, Dolores says, it feels good to be able to do this, and she’s proud of everybody – and the $200K they raised. She can’t wait for next year. Everyone watches the fireworks after the game.

Boring Bill and Jennifer go to therapist Judy, and in Jennifer’s interview, she says, Bill has always been against therapy, but when she told him that Olivia wanted to be a love therapist, he had nothing to say, but say there in shame. He never wants to talk about anything, but it’s the key to a healthy relationship. Learning how this affected Olivia made him want to go. Judy asks what brings them here, and Jennifer says, when she was pregnant with their 4th child, Bill cheated on her. She didn’t tell anybody, and pretending like it never happened was her process. Someone found out, and brought it up, so now everybody has to process it, including the kids. Bill told their oldest son, and she told Gabriella, but Olivia saw it on TikTok. In her interview, Jennifer says, Olivia asked her if all men cheat. (The short answer: yes.) Judy says, Jennifer seems most concerned about how it affects the kids, and Jennifer says it bothers her that Olivia wants to be a therapist. When she sees them bicker, she tells them to kiss. Judy says, Olivia wants security. For ten years, Jennifer forgot and forgave, so how did Bill feel as a father when it became public. Bill says, in the kids’ eyes, their mom is perfect, and their dad is hard on them. Now with the infidelity, he can’t push the kids, and some kids need micromanagement. Jennifer says, they’re outnumbered five to two, with only one participating parent. Bill put everything on her shoulders, and she feels like an employee being told her boss doesn’t like the job she did. Bill says his job is 24/7 stress, and Jennifer says, he goes straight to the pool house when he comes home from work, and only comes in after they’ve finished dinner. What about a hello? Judy says, Bill is very silent, and Jennifer says, everything is always brushed under the rug. At this point, she’s fed up. She’s not a subordinate, but an equal partner, and needs to be met halfway. Judy tells Bill, it’s not that Jennifer doesn’t appreciate his efforts, but she feel lonely, and in her interview, Jennifer says, she’s had up to here. Show her that he cares, or she’s going to check out. Judy says, Jennifer needs Bill to be there, and suggests they address the issue at another appointment. Bill says, great, but without much enthusiasm.

Next time, a pseudo Shore weekend; Jennifer says, Melissa and Joe #2 are always Team Marge, and she probably has something on them; a Hawaiian themed party where Bill ends up crawling; Marge confronts Teresa; and Danielle hears her name coming from a conversation she’s not involved in.

🏖 On the nightmare that is Summer House, we started off by returning to Kyle’s drunken rant about Lindsay and how she’s in Carl’s ear, and I immediately wanted to shove something in Kyle’s ear. Like a railroad spike. Kyle went outside, hollering the whole way, and finishing with yelling, f*** everyone for giving Lindsay so much power. Interesting, since he seems to be the only one who’s given her power, although he’d probably just be ranting about something else if she wasn’t there. Carl just sat there, and Danielle told him to do something, like that was going to happen. He said he wasn’t going to argue with Kyle right now, and would speak to him at the right time. Danielle hunted down big baby Amanda, who was busy crying and saying she didn’t want to be here. Me neither. Kyle continued his tirade in the, saying that Lindsay was ruining everything. I’m not even sure how we got here, since this started with Amanda being upset with Danielle. He stomped back in and went to his room, while Danielle complained to Mya that Carl was saying nothing. In Carl’s interview, he said he was angry and frustrated. Kyle yelling at his girlfriend was ugly and disrespectful. The old Carl would have beat the f*** out of him, but he doesn’t want to live like that. Bravo to Carl. Ciara told Kyle to chill, since he was clearly not fine, and he said it stemmed back to Lindsay. Lindsay said she was the one who felt hurt, since she’d done nothing, yet it was all her fault. She told Sam that it was clear Amanda didn’t want to be friends. Amanda talked sh*t about her, even though Lindsay had never talked sh*t about Amanda, and Amanda and Kyle were now a package deal. Danielle said Carl just sat there while Lindsay was annihilated by Kyle, and in Lindsay’s interview, she said she wished Carl would say something, but she understood. He was trying to figure out how to communicate his feelings and emotions being a sober person. Kyle said, everybody could s*ck his fat d*ck, and Lindsay, in a moment of clarity, said she was too old for this. Kyle said he was tired of sugarcoating, while Lindsay got away with murder, clearly not remembering what he does every time he’s drunk. Hint: It’s not sugarcoating. Gabby said she was exhausted after week with Kyle, and Lindsay said she’d put in 7 years. In the morning, Amanda texted a half-assed apology to Lindsay, while Kyle said Lindsay was a horrible, sick person who his best friend thought he was going to marry. Carl apologized to Lindsay, but said he wasn’t going to fight someone who’d been drinking all day and was now saying crazy sh*t. Go Yoda Carl. Lindsay said she wasn’t upset, and Kyle said he wished he hadn’t said what he said, but didn’t regret it. Get that boy a dictionary. Carl said he could literally bury Kyle. I’ll bring the shovel.

Kyle told Amanda that the challenging part was not saying mean things, because it’s hard when you’re 12. Carly told Lindsay that he didn’t want to talk to anybody; he had nothing to say. Amanda suggested Kyle make a better effort not to let her and Lindsay’s relationship get in the way of his and Carl’s. Carl decided Kyle wasn’t his friend, and he wanted to leave. The other girls toddled to the kitchen for pizza rolls and morning beer, which Danielle dubbed the breakfast of champions. friend. Mya called Oliver and said the Craig/Lindsay situation from last year was nothing in comparison. In his interview, Chris said that summer in the Hamptons was supposed to be fun; getting away from the city to have a good time. How cute of him. The girls decided they’d be pooling today, while Carl and Lindsay got the hell out of there. Lindsay told Danielle that at the end of the day, she was 37, and didn’t need to yell and scream to get her point across. Danielle blamed it on the sad, stupid f***ing slumber party, and told Amanda that she didn’t mean what she’d said about not trusting her. In Amanda’s interview, she said she forgave Danielle because she felt Danielle’s apology was sincere. Danielle was a protective person, and fought Lindsay’s battles like no other. Kyle said he was trying to mentally get in a place where he could talk to Carl with the right words, but now Carl was gone. He felt bad and didn’t know what do, and wished he knew how bite his tongue. Um… don’t drink until ranting point? In his interview, Kyle said he hated putting Carl in an awkward situation, and he’d have to apologize, since Carl and Lindsay were a package deal. He couldn’t keep his lips shut to keep the peace. Amanda told him that he had to say he was sorry, unless he wasn’t. Kyle looked lost in thought, but he was probably thinking about his next beer.

Pool antics happened, and the housemates trickled out, departing for the week, Kyle saying it was another disastrous weekend. That’s another thing. Why the hell do these people keep doing this when it always turns out badly? Oh yeah. The definition of crazy. Back in the city, Gabby and sister Danielle played tennis with Sam and Danielle #1. After two seconds, they called a water break. Gabby said she was in between job offers, and in her interview, she said she’d been working in the fashion industry since graduating college. She worked for a magazine, ignoring the signs the job was not the best for her, and ended up fired. Now she was second guessing her new job offers. Danielle #2 said she needed to focus on what she wanted. I think all of these people should focus on getting some therapy. Carl went to Asbury Park to meet mom Sharon, and in his interview, he said she was the anchor of his life. The house was triggering, and his mom reminded him that he was capable. Of what, he didn’t say. Being sober? Sane? Too old for this? She asked if living with a girl was a pain in the ass, but Carl said he and Lindsay were a good team. Because of her support, he hadn’t had a drink in 19 months, but he was struggling to find out who he is. Sharon suggested that we all do that until we die. Carl wasn’t sure how to handle Kyle’s anger, and Sharon said she just wanted Carl content and happy. Kyle said his brother Curtis had a lasting impact on him and how he lived his life. Curtis had saved his life. He saw how it could end for him if didn’t take things seriously. This was one of those rare moments where the show is actually good.

In Gabby’s interview, she said she loved the disco era, and was planning a Studio Fifty Forest party. She said she fined people if they ruined her party. Paige arrived, and asked Danielle how the previous weekend had been. Danielle said they’d had a slumber party and played games. It started off fun, but ended dramatically. She’d unintentionally hurt Amanda’s feelings, and Lindsay piggybacked on Amanda’s stuff. Kyle yelled about Lindsay, and Lindsay and Carl left early. Paige said, oh great. I can’t wait for the weekend. She got lucky though, since Kyle and Amanda were at a family reunion. Danielle said she thought family time did a soul good, and Paige said, as she got older, she found herself wanting to hang out with her parents. Little by little, everyone arrived, and Sam said she’d had a date with an Australian guy named Tim, who was potentially coming by for this weekend’s party. In Sam’s interview, she said they’d met in Montauk, and it was the best date she’d had in a year, and she has high standards. The girls talked about dating, and Gabby griped about a Taurus she’d gone out with. Sam wondered why she kept the door partially closed just for an astrology sign. Carl and Lindsay showed up, and Sam asked if it was going to be weird now with Kyle and Amanda, but they weren’t sure.

The housemates went dancing, and had green tea shots, which actually sounded good. In Danielle’s interview, she said she wasn’t used to seeing Carl and Lindsay isolating themselves. Remember her? Ah, third wheel syndrome. Gabby said it was interesting being with people who didn’t know her, and it made her reexamine how people see her. She had undealt with trauma, and didn’t trust herself. She felt immobilized, worrying if she’d make the wrong decision. These people must have other friends, right? Right? Danielle and Ciara had to explain to Gabby that they needed alcohol and food for the party, since she was used to hiring people to deal with that. They decorated, and Gabby said the theme of the party said she was extra. Mya told Ciara that she hadn’t cracked the Gabby code yet, and Ciara said, Gabby was missing out on authenticity.

Carl told Chris and Sam that he was doing his best to navigate coming back, but didn’t want to be around people who treated people like that. The girls, minus Lindsay who was glued to Carl, talked about Lindsay drinking again. Ciara said her dad was an alcoholic, and her parents had no alcohol at their wedding, and there was never any in the house to support him. They agreed Carl was moving too fast, and Danielle said he was talking about getting engaged, which was crazy, since you lived a fairytale for the first year.

Next time, a dachshund who catches ping pong balls; awkwardness; Carl asks if Kyle even likes him; Danielle says, Lindsay is so defensive it’s annoying; and Mya thinks it’s all going to lead to resentment.

🤡 Amusing moment. On Watch What Happens Live, guest Chloe Fineman mixed up Keith Urban with Keith Richards.

✈️ Gotta Jet…

Join me tomorrow for soap and VanderHappenings. Until then, stay safe, stay keeping your head above water even if it means treading, and stay not giving a partial truth, and robbing someone of the ability to make a choice.

March 13, 2023 – Dante Learns a Secret About Cody, Surprisingly Humongous Tip On Deck, Awfulness Tomorrow, Winner Winner & Winner

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Victor comes out of an exam room, and sees Elizabeth. He says, hello, and she looks at him like he has two heads.

Felicia sees Doc and Laura at the MetroCourt restaurant, and asks if they’re there for a late lunch or early dinner. Laura says, it just the first moment they’ve gotten to slow down, and Doc says he had to deal with his brother’s remains today.

Mac asks if Cody is up for another round, and Cody says, no reason not to. Cody gets up, and the paternity test falls to the floor. Mac picks it up, telling Cody he dropped something, and asks, what’s this? as we all do when something’s not any of our business.

On the phone, Drew thanks Michael, and says he believes it’s for the best. The doorbell rings, and Drew says he’ll check in later. He opens the door to Dante and Scout. He picks Scout up, and says he missed her so much. He tells her that Wiley and Olivia are upstairs, and word is, they have a new game for her to play. She asks if Carly is upstairs, and Drew asks why she’d say that. She says, Carly is always with him now. Told you.

Ava says, now Nina has important information about Carly, like Carly had important information about her. The question is, what’s she going to do with it? Nina says, they don’t really know anything for sure; they’re speculating. Ava says, there’s no other explanation. Carly and Drew committed insider trading. Nina says, and if anyone powerful found out, they might end up in prison.

Carly says she’s not trying to break Josslyn’s spirit. She knows Josslyn is hopeful Dex is going to leave Sonny’s world, and she wants Josslyn to be realistic. Josslyn says she appreciates Carly being direct with her, but what else is Dex supposed to do? If he wants out, he has he at least try. She thinks Dex is willing to do what it takes.

Sonny and Dex walk into the warehouse, and Dex says, it’s isolated, which is good; less chance someone will notice the shipment when it arrives. But Sonny will need to put cameras up. Sonny says he’s got someone on that, when a sniper trains a gun on Dex. Dex asks, how many points of entry? when he hears the gun cock. He pushes Sonny down, and tells him to stay down; there’s a sniper. Sonny pops up and shoots, ducking back down again, and Dex asks what he’s doing. He says, the guy will blow Sonny’s head off if he gets a clear shot, but Sonny shoots at the sniper again.

Josslyn says, Dex needs to be strategic about it, and Carly asks if she even wants to know, when Bobbie walks in with Donna. And hallelujah – the moss bowl 🎍is back! Donna hugs Carly, and Carly says she thought Donna was going to the zoo with grandma. Bobbie says, that was the plan, but Donna said her ears hurt. Carly says she still has a refill for Donna’s drops. She’ll go to GH, pick up the prescription, and Donna will feel better. If only she could fix Josslyn’s problems that easily.

Drew tells Scout that Carly isn’t always around, and Dante says, Carly has been helping to take care of Wiley’s mom, since she hasn’t been feeling well. He suggests she go upstairs and play; he wants to go to the stables and say hi to Cody. Scout asks him, say hi to the horses too, especially Thor, and he says, deal. They high-five, and she runs upstairs. Drew thanks Dante for bringing her, and Dante says, of course (🍷). Drew says, they grow up so fast, and Dante says, Danny and Rocco are teenagers; it’s crazy. Drew asks if he and Sam are thinking about having another one, but Dante says he thinks that chapter’s closed. He’s looking forward to the next chapter, whatever that is. Drew says he found out the hard way how short life is. He can’t wait to find out what the next chapter is himself.

Nina admits, bringing Carly down is so tempting, and Ava says, she and Carly have actually been on better terms lately, so personally, it woudn’t please her as much to see Carly in an orange jumpsuit as it would have a few years ago. Nina says, they don’t know if Carly and Drew would definitely go to prison. Maybe they’ll just pay a fine. Are you kidding? Nina runs a magazine, and never heard of Martha Stewart? Ava says she’s pretty sure people go to prison for insider trading, and Drew and Carly colluded to raise Aurora’s value. Nina says, they don’t know… and Ava says, theoretically colluded. Admit it. There has to be a part of Nina that’s glad to have Carly’s life in her hands again. Just like she did when she was in Nixon Falls.

Victor says, how lucky for him to bump into Elizabeth. They simply must continue their conversation from the other day. She says, sorry, she’s on duty, and he says, they previously discussed her involvement with his nephew’s ridiculous plot to keep Esme prisoner. He got the distinct impression there was more she wasn’t telling him. Elizabeth says she’s sure by now he knows it’s over. The police must have questioned him. He has no more leverage over her. He says, the police? and she says, he doesn’t know, does he? She made a deal with the PCPD in exchange for immunity. She told them everything, including his role in the cover-up. Not that he’s asking, but her advice to him is, get a good lawyer.

Felicia is sure dealing with Ryan’s remains wasn’t easy for Doc, and he says he appreciates that. He doesn’t think anyone should have to pretend they’re upset Ryan’s gone, especially her, and she says she can still acknowledge it’s hard for him. Ryan was his twin brother. Laura says, given the situation, they thought the best thing they could do was give Doc a private moment to spread Ryan’s ashes. Doc’s phone rings, and he says, a patient; he has to take this. He leaves, and Felicia asks how he’s really holding up. Laura says, he brought up his parents’ divorce for the first time in years. Doc stayed with his father when they split, and Ryan went with their mother. Felicia says, the mom who wound up molesting him, and Laura says, Doc told her that he could remember the day he said goodbye to his brother like it was yesterday; when he was young and he seemed so innocent. Even though he knows better, she thinks Doc still struggles with this notion that he could have done more. She knows he’s upset about Lucy. Felicia asks if Laura’s told him that she’s still alive, but Laura says, no. She feels like she needs to protect him right now. She feels like that situation could go south at any moment, but the longer it goes on, the harder it’s going to be. Felicia says she feels the same way about Mac. He knows there’s more going on with Anna. Maybe it’s time they bring their husbands in on what they’ve been up to.

Mac partially opens the paper, sees it’s from the lab, and says he guesses it’s personal. Cody grabs it back, and says, it’s nothing; just forget about it. He puts it back in his pocket, and Mac asks if everything is okay with him. Cody says, he was a little short of money this month, so he donated some plasma for cash. It’s just a little embarrassing, that’s all. Mac says, there’s nothing embarrassing about having money trouble. Been there and done that himself. If Cody needs help getting work, he and Felicia don’t have the bar anymore, but he knows a lot of people and can help. Cody says he’s the last person Mac should be helping.

Dex shoots back, and the sniper shoots again. Dex says, they’ve got to move. The longer they stay here, the worse their chances. From outside the door, Tony says, boss! and Sonny says, Tony? Tony asks what they’re looking at, and Dex says, a sniper with a rifle. Sonny calls out that his guys are here, and there’s more on the way. He wants to live, put his rifle down, and give himself up.

Mac says, Cody is the last person he should help? What does that mean? Cody says, they probably shouldn’t have that second round of beers, picking up the bottles. He still has work to do. Mac says, they were just having a nice talk. Why does he get the sense Cody is blowing him off? Dante comes in, and says, he didn’t mean to interrupt. Cody says, it’s fine, and tells Mac, sorry. He totally forgot he had plans with Dante. Mac says, no problem. He’s supposed to meet with his wife anyway. Cody says, about that friend of Mac’s. He knows things might be awkward and uncomfortable, but he thinks they should talk it out. If they don’t, things are just going to get more difficult to fix. In his experience, a really good friend who’s done right by you is hard to come by in this world. Mac says, good to know, and leaves. Dante asks, what was that all about?

Laura tells Felicia that she thinks it’s time they check in with Robert and Anna. She can’t help this feeling that things are about to blow up. Her phone rings, and she steps away to take the call. In a private area, she says, hello, Drew, and he says, sorry to bother her, but can they meet today? He has a proposal he wants to run by her.

Doc comes back to the table, and asks if he lost his wife. Felicia says, she had to take a call, and Doc sits down. She says she doesn’t want to make a big deal out of this, but she’s been trying to reach out to him for the last couple of days, and he hasn’t responded. He says he should have called back, and she asks why he hasn’t. He says he didn’t know what to say. Mac did what he had to do. His brother was a killer, and had to be stopped. His head knows that, but his heart is grieving and he can’t explain that. He looks at the people his brother terrorized, and many of those people are people he loves. He doesn’t want to mourn Ryan. Felicia takes his hand.

Victor says he wants to know exactly what Elizabeth told the police about him, and she says she told him that he wasn’t part of the kidnapping, but once he found out, he had no qualms about covering up his nephew’s tracks. She can imagine he did play a pivotal role in Nikolas leaving town. He says he had absolutely no part in this ill-conceived mess that she and Nikolas got themselves into, and she says, what’s that saying? It’s not about the crime; it’s about the cover-up? And he’s all over that. All she did was tell the truth, something his family is unfamiliar with, so consider this conversation over. He grabs her arm and says, they’re finished when he says they’re finished, but Carly stomps over and tells him, lay the hell off, Cassadine.

Sonny loads his gun, and tells Dex, he’s almost out. Dex says, Tony’s at the door. He and Tony can keep the shooter busy, and it’s Sonny’s best chance to get out. Sonny says, Dex knows what he’s doing, right? and Dex says, this is what he was trained to do. On three. One… two… three. He and Tony start to shoot, and Sonny ducks out the door. There’s gunfire back and forth, and Dex gets hit.

Bobbie says, Donna is down for her nap. Now she can get some work done. She salutes the moss bowl 🎍 as she goes past, and Josslyn says she thought this was Bobbie’s day off. Bobbie says, it is, but Maxie asked her to help plan the Nurses Ball, and Josslyn says, that’s awesome. She didn’t know they were doing it this year. Bobbie says, this year, not only is the Ball going to help fund research for HIV/AIDS, it’s also going to honor the hospital’s 60th anniversary, and the GH staff they’ve lost. Josslyn says, it’s a beautiful way to keep their memories alive, and Bobbie says, providing she can come up with enough musical acts. She’s going to reach out to the GH nurses, like Epiphany, Felix, Amy, and Deanna, but she’s also going to ask some non-GH staff, like Ned, Chase… and Cameron. Josslyn says she’s not so sure Cam would be up for performing this year. He’s been through a lot, and she hasn’t helped.

Carly asks if no one ever taught Victor not to put his hands on a woman, and Victor says, it’s lovely to see her again, calling her Mrs. Corinthos. She says, it’s Carly Spencer; a name she knows he’s familiar with. He says he’s just waiting for his test results, and she says, then he can wait somewhere else. He says, until next time, and tells Elizabeth that he hopes the situation with Esme doesn’t come back to haunt her. He leaves, and Elizabeth thanks Carly, but says she had it under control. Carly says, no offense, but it didn’t look like it, and asks what Victor was talking about; what situation with Esme?

Victor makes a call, saying, he may be in a spot of legal bother. Apparently, Elizabeth Baldwin made a statement to the PCPD and brought up his name. He needs them to find out exactly what she said.

Elizabeth says, it will all be coming out, so she may as well tell Carly. When Esme showed up at Windymere, she was pregnant with Nikolas’s child. Carly says, wow. When you think a man can’t sink any lower, he sleeps with his son’s girlfriend. Elizabeth says, at the time, everybody thought Esme was The Hook killer, even the police, and Carly asks why they didn’t go straight to the police with it. Elizabeth says, because Nikolas didn’t want his baby being born in prison, and they thought she was dangerous, so he came up with an alternate plan. He kept Esme locked up in one of the Windymere towers, and she provided Esme with medical care. She already told Cameron everything – not Jake or Aiden yet – but because she made a deal with the DA’s office, this is all going to be public very soon. She doesn’t know what came over her. She can only imagine what Carly must be thinking about her right now. Carly says she’s thinking she would have done the same thing.

Nina says, there’s no part of her that enjoys being put in this position again. Don’t get her wrong; she’s happy things worked out with Sonny. But her desire to get revenge against Carly has cost her so much. Although she supposes it would serve Carly right to serve a little time in prison, given Carly kept her from her daughter for the better part of a year. Ava says she’s not going to kill anybody or call anybody, but Nina is. She hands Nina her phone, and says, it’s the number for the SEC; she’s going to call. Isn’t this what she wants? What is she waiting for?

Felicia says she knows Doc isn’t mourning the man who stalked her or terrorized Ava. He’s mourning the little boy he still remembers, before bad things happened to Ryan. Can she tell him a secret? He says, always, and she says, when she heard Ryan was taken to the morgue, she snuck down to see him. After all the pain he put her through, she had to see his dead body for herself. Doc says he understands, and she says she told herself, if she could see he was really gone, and he was no longer a threat to her, maybe she might be able to forgive him, but she’s ashamed to say she couldn’t. She cries, and Doc tells her, don’t ever feel that she has to forgive him. Don’t ever be ashamed for how you really feel. Felicia is immediately together, and says, exactly. Doesn’t the doctor think it’s time he take his own advice? Mac approaches the table, and says, sorry he’s late; the day got away from him.

Dante says, it seems like Cody was trying to get rid of Mac. Why? Cody says he found out what happened with Mac and Ryan, so he sent Mac a couple of texts to make sure he’s okay. Then out of nowhere, Mac shows up where he works. Mac’s clearly trying to be best buds, but he was like, hey man, I got enough friends, thanks. Dante laughs, and says, Cody’s got so many friends, he can count them on one hand, and still have a finger left over. Cody says he hopes Dante knows what finger he’s saving for him, and Dante says he does, and that’s not very nice. Cody took the time to text Mac, and Mac came over to see him. He’s not Cody’s father, but he can still be a friend. He’s known Mac a long time; he’s a stand-up guy. Cody says he knows. Dante’s told him. Everyone’s told him. Maxie’s told him, Sam has told him, which is exactly why he doesn’t deserve to have Mac in his life. Not after what he’s done to Mac.

Nina asks what Ava’s doing. She’s trying to take the high road here. Drew comes over, and says, sorry to interrupt, but does Nina have a second? Nina says, sure, and he says he just wanted to touch base now that her Aunt Liesl is going to be Willow’s bone marrow donor. Nina says, they’re very grateful. She’s doing more tests actually. I’m wondering when Drew became Michael’s spokesperson. Drew says, it’s amazing that Obrecht is stepping up, and Nina says, Obrecht’s always been her rock. It was very difficult to find out Willow was her daughter, then find out she’s fighting leukemia. Drew says, Nina doesn’t have to explain to him. He lost a child to cancer, and although their situations are very different, he wouldn’t wish it on his worst enemies. Nina thanks him, and he asks if he can offer her some hard-won advice. She says, what’s that? and he says, while she’s trying to take care of Willow from a distance, don’t forget to take care of herself. He leaves, and Nina and Ava look at each other.

Elizabeth says, there’s no way Carly can understand why she helped Nikolas the way she did, and Carly says, help Nikolas? No, but she can certainly understand Elizabeth’s instincts. They’ve had their issues over the years, but she could never fault Elizabeth the loyalty she has to her children and family. Carly would move heaven and earth to protect hers; they have that in common. Elizabeth agrees, and Carly says, if Jason asked her to help him the way Nikolas asked Elizabeth, she wouldn’t hesitate to say yes. Although Jason never would have been duped by Esme. Elizabeth says, much less slept with her, and Carly says, and more important, he would never have vanished when the heat was on and left her holding the bag. He would never have done that to Elizabeth either. She knows Nikolas is a good friend of Elizabeth’s, and she’s really sorry Nikolas betrayed her like this. She’s not going to turn this into a therapy session, but this is one of the things that frustrates her about Elizabeth. They’re so much alike, but Elizabeth never learns the tough lesson Carly learned a long time ago – be careful who you give your loyalty to. They may not return it in kind.

Dex checks the wound in his upper arm, and puts a new clip in his gun. The sniper continues to fire, and Dex fires back, Sonny now firing from the doorway. Sonny hits the sniper, who falls to the floor. Tony goes to check on him, and Sonny asks if Dex is all right. Dex says he’s glad Sonny came back.

Josslyn says she and Cam broke up, but she has the feeling Bobbie already knew that, and Bobbie says, a grandmother has a way of figuring these things out, like Carly wouldn’t have told her. But she’s noticed that Josslyn’s been acting a lot lighter lately, so does that mean someone else is making her happy? Josslyn says, she and Cam had been growing apart for almost a year, and Bobbie says, because of the revenge porn? Josslyn says, that certainly didn’t help. Maybe there’s a world where they would have stayed together out of sheer momentum, but a lot happened this year, and they just feel like two different people. They both lost a lot. Bobbie says, the whole town lost a lot this year, and that’s why it’s so important they all come together and celebrate. Not only the amazing achievement of General Hospital being around for 60 years, but also the fact it’s still thriving. And they’re going to honor those they lost; Lucy, Valentin, and Britt. I guess Anna is chopped liver? Josslyn says, and Uncle Luke, and takes Bobbie’s hand.

Victor paces an exam room, and looks at his watch. The doctor some in, and apologizes for keeping him waiting. The results are in. They found something concerning in his bloodwork.

Elizabeth tells Carly that she doesn’t want to be hardened by this, and certainly doesn’t want Nikolas’s actions to change who she is. But this experience has definitely changed her perspective. She can almost see, in a warped way, how her parents thought they were protecting her. Ultimately, her dad’s actions were about protecting himself from embarrassment, but she could see how they were tempted to go down that path. Carly says, Elizabeth would never do that to her kids, and Elizabeth says, never, but the anger she had toward her parents? She’s not there anymore. She wants to just hold on to the good memories, before it all went to hell. Carly says she was hoping Elizabeth would come to that decision at some point, and takes a photo out of her wallet. It’s the photo of Elizabeth’s parents that she swiped.

Drew meets Laura in a private area at the MetroCourt, and she asks what the mysterious proposal is. He says he’ll keep it simple. In the wake of Valentin’s death, Charlotte has been left with a large portion of ELQ voting stock. Obviously, Charlotte isn’t of voting age, so this falls on Laura’s shoulders, at least for a few years. She says she still hasn’t heard a proposal, and he says, so he and Ned have agreed on a plan to buy back Charlotte’s stock at a very good price, provided Laura is on board.

Nina says she’s not going to tattle on Carly today, and Ava says she didn’t think Nina would, especially after that conversation. Nina says, her issues are with Carly, not with Drew. He’s a stand-up guy (maybe he should hang out with Mac), and if she says anything, he’s going to go to prison too. No matter what she thinks or feels about Carly, Carly has been the main source of support for Willow and Michael during this really difficult time, and there’s nothing worth taking that away from Willow.

Felicia says she thinks Mac and Doc should spend some time alone, and leaves the table. Doc says, have a seat, and Mac sits, saying, he’s been avoiding Doc for the last few days. Doc says he thinks they’ve both been doing their share of avoiding. That’s not really like them, is it? Mac says, no. He’s taken a life in the line of duty before, but to see Doc’s face, to see his grief… there has to be a part of him that blames Mac for killing Ryan. Doc says, there isn’t. He’s been avoiding Mac and Felicia because he sees the relief on their faces. He feels it too. Relief that they’re safe, that the burden of his brother has finally been lifted from his life, but he still feels guilty. Mac says, Doc thinks they’ve been avoiding each other to ignore the voices in their head, and Doc says, if he were diagnosing, he’d say it was a classic case of avoidance. Be that as it may, Ryan was his brother at birth, but his brother in life, the one he can count on, his best friend, that’s Mac. Mac goes over to Doc, and hugs him. Felicia stands at the bar and smiles.

Dante says, Cody doesn’t deserve Mac? He has the feeling this has nothing to do with Cody’s past. If Cody doesn’t tell him something, he can’t help. Cody asks if Dante can keep a secret, and Dante says, to the grave. Cody hesitates, and Dante asks, how bad is this one?

Felicia says, everything worked out okay? and Mac tells her, he’d say so. In the 30 years they’ve been friends, this is the most they’ve ever talked about their feelings. He can’t take the credit. Cody was the one who suggested they talk it out. He thinks they had Cody all wrong when he first came to Port Charles.

Cody says, to the grave, right? and Dante nods. Cody gives him the paternity test, and Dante reads it. He says, so Mac is really Cody’s father.

Josslyn says, it’s been almost a year since Uncle Luke passed. Bobbie doesn’t talk about him much. Bobbie says she just can’t accept it. She keeps thinking he’s going to show up at her house one day (where does Bobbie live anyway? have we ever seen her place?), and say, hey, Barbara Jean, have I got one helluva story for you. They laugh, and Bobbie says she also knows that if Luke were still around, he would have reached out by now. There’s no way he would have let her, or Tracy, or his kids, grieve this long. Josslyn says she knows Bobbie misses him. Does she feel unsettled? Bobbie says, Josslyn’s Uncle Luke was larger than life, and there’s no way she’ll ever believe he died in some random accident. Someone out there is to blame.

Victor says, now the doctor’s got his attention. What exactly is wrong with his bloodwork? The doctor says, what he found was out of his purview, which is why he brought Dr. Finn on board for a consult. Victor asks what that means, and the doctor says, the lab results show a pathogen in Victor’s bloodstream.

Laura says, Drew’s given her a lot to think about, and he says, what does she say? Will she sell him the shares of ELQ? She says she’s sorry. She can’t do that. He looked so confident, I laugh. Why on earth would he think she’d just hand them over?

Ava says she’s impressed; this is like growth for Nina. Nina says, maybe not. Selfishly, she doesn’t want to do anything to hurt Willow. Because of her health issues, but also because Nina is hoping down the line they can have a real mother/daughter relationship. Ava says she totally gets that, but still, it must be nice to know Nina has this bombshell in her back pocket, just in case.

Elizabeth asks where Carly got the photo, and Carly asks if Elizabeth remembers her coming by the house after Elizabeth got back from Monterey. Elizabeth was in a really bad place, and determined to burn every picture of her parents. She thought one day Elizabeth would regret that decision. Elizabeth says, that is such a violation. She can’t believe Carly did that… Thank you. Carly knows she’s said this to Elizabeth before, but if she ever finds herself in this spot again, and needs to talk to someone, call her. She knows they don’t like each other all the time, but they respect each other enough to get the job done. Carly walks off, and Elizabeth looks at the photo.

Sonny asks if the sniper is dead, but Tony says, just incapacitated. Sonny asks about Dex’s wound, and Dex says, just a crease. Nothing to worry about. Does Sonny think he works for Pikeman? Sonny says he doesn’t think they’d want to risk jeopardizing the deal. Too much at stake. He’s going to find out who this guy is working for.

Tomorrow, Maxie says, the Nurses Ball is not happening; Dante asks why Cody would cheat himself; Laura says, whatever happens isn’t up to her; and Nina asks what Carly is keeping from her this time.

Below Deck

Captain Lee calls Ross and Fraser to the bridge, and says he thought the guests were well-behaved at dinner. Fraser tells the captain that the guests want to turn the boat into Club St. David. They’re bringing in dancers and a DJ. In the captain’s interview, he says, pick a party, they’ve had it on the boat, but it can rock on without his ass. Dinner is Japanese, and in Rachel’s interview, she says, Japanese food is fantastic, but it takes time to do the details. She’s got to do everything she can to make it perfect. She’s got to kill this. Hayley asks if Tyler is going to call his mum [and come out to her], and Tyler says, what scares him is, he doesn’t know how they’re going to react. Hayley says, they might get upset, but it will pass, and they’ll have to accept it. Isn’t she the optimist? I guess she’s never heard of anyone becoming estranged from their family after they’ve come out. In Ross’s interview, he says, he and Katie have had their ups and downs, and we flash back to some of those. In Katie’s interview, she says, it’s a bummer that it’s the end of the season. She and Ross are doing better, and she thinks it could be something more. In his interview, Ross says he doesn’t see a long term future for them. Guest Angel falls asleep on the floating trampoline, and Captain Lee asks how much line the trampoline has. He thinks it might be fun to let him go. Angel’s so-called friends agree, and the deckhands let the line out. Captain Lee says, this is classic. Now they’re going to douche him. In Tony’s interview, he says, the guests are fun to have around. He’d do this for free. He jet skis around Angel, and the captain says, Angel still had his drink in his hand. Angel finally realizes waves of water are crashing over him from the jet ski, and tries to board it behind Tony, but falls in the water. Primary Jake says, that made the trip. He’s ready to go home. Rachel says, tonight is going to be insane, and Fraser asks the stews to help set up the club. In Rachel’s interview, she says, while working with Captain Sandy, she learned how she can be quicker. Sometimes it’s not about quantity, but quality. We flash back to Rachel and Captain Sandy discussing timing, and Rachel says, tonight, she’s making one course after another, but cutting the courses back. The guests get ready for dinner, and laugh about Angel. C Canapés come out almost as soon as the guests sit down, and food just keeps coming. The stews go disco ball happy, and Fraser says, Angel lost his voice. This is the quietest moment they’ve had. In Fraser’s interview, he says, without Angel, it changes his opinion of the guests. They were overshadowed by a hideously demanding a-hole, who’s now lost his voice. Ross picks up the dancers and the DJ. Leigh-Ann grills Hayley about Camille, asking if she and Ben slept with each other. Hayley says she wasn’t there, and didn’t see it, but Tony was in the bottom bunk. It’s not like Ben would be cheating though. He’s allowed to have some fun. Shame on her for encouraging this.

Rachel brings out Kobe beef sashimi with a quail egg she cooks at the table. The guests applaud, and Jake says, it’s the best dish he’s ever had. The DJ sets up, and Jake says, the meal was an absolute pleasure. In Fraser’s interview, he says, great food gave the guests high spirits. Angel is a lovely man… joking. The guests go to the makeshift club and dance, while Leigh-Ann tends bar. The DJ says, this is the kind of vibe you do in St. Lucia. Rachel says she’s five Red Bulls deep, and never sleeping again. The DJ leaves around 1:30, and Ben calls Camille. He tells her that he thinks he’s ready to chill in the DR, and she says, it’s the last push. In Ben’s interview, he says he didn’t tell Camille about Leigh-Ann. Nothing happened… yet, but he does feel guilty. Leigh-Ann questions Ben about Camille, and he says, she was a deck stew who was let go; it was tough. They’re not dating, but they’re seeing each other after the season to figure out where they stand. Leigh-Ann says, the last time he’d messaged, he’d asked if she was seeing someone, and she was; now it was vice versa. In Leigh-Ann’s interview, she says she and Ben chatted for a year, as well as sending voice notes. It wasn’t nice to hear, but he did say they weren’t together, so she’s going for it. Because she’s an awful person. Not as awful as Jax, but still awful.

Captain Lee tells Ross that there’s a lot more swell, so docking should be fun. Rachel thinks her field of f***s has been plowed, and she has none left to give. On deck, Katie tells the deckhands that Ross tried out for a porn video, and in Ross’s interview, he says he went to a bar owned by a porn actor who said he should try out. A producer asks, what role? and he says, just a penis. Wow. Talk about spot-on casting. The captain gazes out, and envies another boat’s tender, grumbling that they have a POS. They head into Rodney Bay with the wind pushing them. Katie says, the currents are gnarly, and in Captain Lee’s interview, he says, any place the wind can get in, it will. It’s like a game. There’s a bullseye on the side of the boat, and that’s where the wind is headed. They dock, and the guests pack. There are goodbyes and hugs, and Jake says, everything was fantastic, and the food was above and beyond. The beach and boat parties were great. He gives the captain two envelopes, and in Hayley’s interview, she says, one could contain Monopoly money. The crew meets in the Sky Lounge for the tip meeting, and Captain Lee slams the now one envelope down, calling it a fat little f***er. He tells them, job well done. He can’t thank them enough for such a great first charter back. He goes over some docking things with the deckhands, and says, they’re picking up guests tomorrow at 1:30, so it gives them time to unwind. Oh. The money. He says, it was more than he thought – drumroll – $40K or $3,076 each. In her interview, Hayley says, it was payoff for dealing with Angel, and we flash back to what an a-hole he was. She says, it probably happens every time. Sorry about him. She mimics passing out money. The captain tells them to get their asses back to work.

Everyone is in a good mood because of the massive tip, and Fraser says he fancies Jake more now. The captain radios Fraser, Ross, and Rachel for the preference sheet meeting in the Sky Lounge. He says, it’s the last charter, is just one day, and they have a late pick-up, so no lunch. Primaries Keith and his wife Jolynn are bodybuilders, and one of their guests is Dexter the Blade Jackson, who was Mr. Olympia 2008, and his wife. They want a Buns & Guns contest, with the crew as contestants and the guests as judges. In his interview, Fraser says, they look intimidating. In Ross’s interview, he says, the contest sounds like they’ll have to be pretty naked and flexing like an idiot. He’ll try to evade it as long as he can. Captain Lee says, it’s the last one, and they need to end strong. Leigh-Ann wants to see who she’s competing with, and looks at pictures of Camille. In her interview, she says, Camille is beautiful and photogenic. It sucks, but she doesn’t look like Ben’s type. She’s too much of a poppie, a dumb American blonde. It doesn’t make her feel good, but maybe she has a chance. She asks if Camille was good at her job, and Tyler says, no; that’s why he’s here.

The crew goes ashore, and in his interview, Ross says, it’s not much downtime, and probably not the best idea to rage into the night, but what’s a couple days with a hangover? They head for Jacques Waterfront Dining, and toast to one helluva f***ing crew. Ben says, they’re breaking records. Hayley and Fraser step away for a smoke, and Hayley says Fraser made everyone proud. He says, it’s a learning curve, and she says, he taught her so much with grace and patience. In Fraser’s interview, he says, Hayley’s perception makes him confident. She’s a slice of everything okay. He hugs her. Leigh-Ann talks about how her last relationship broke her heart. He ran hot and cold, and she found out he was talking to ten other chicks. In her interview, she says she was cheated on in every relationship, which makes her even more awful, since she knows how it feels. She tells Ben that she feels like she’s moving on to another chapter. They crew goes to  club Discotheque, and as Ben dances with Leigh, he takes his shirt off. He gives her a lap dance, and in his interview, he says he loves playing fire. It can’t hurt, can it?

Ross drags over some stranger named Adelina, and insists she join the group with her friends, Anna, Lisa, and Sam. In Katie’s interview, she says, WTF? She thought they were moving forward, but she guesses they’re going backward. It’s flat out disrespectful at this point. The crew heads back to the boat, and Katie tells Ross to behave, but he says he thinks they’re done. The others seem like they’re having more fun. Ross is a clear argument for not screwing the crew. Katie tells him to chill out. When they get back to the boat, she tells Ross that if he wants to play, fine. Wander, but leave her out. Fraser asks Ben about the comparison between Leigh-Ann online and in person, but Ben says he wants to see what happens with Camille. Fraser says, it’s going to be over before Ben knows it, but in Ben’s interview, he says he thinks Fraser has a better connection with Leigh-Ann than he did with Camille. It’s so hard. it’s a massive temptation, and he feels himself weakening. He tells Fraser, it’s so tricky, and Fraser says, do what’s best for himself. Katie tells Ross that she’s not trying to fight, but he has to realize that he’s a sh*tty person when he’s drinking. Ross insists he’s been nothing but nice, and wonders why she’s mad. He asks if he can kiss her, but she says, no. She’s ending it now. She walks away, and in Ross’s interview, he says, more drama. No matter what, he’s in the doghouse, and he’s over it. He tells her that he doesn’t think they were meant to be together. They’ve tried four times, and he doesn’t want her unhappy. He likes her, but even when he behaves, she pushes him away. She tells him not to let exterior people f*** with him; that’s who she is. In the crew mess, Hayley and Tyler shove cake in their faces, then throw the rest around.  

Fraser says, never again, and Hayley laughs so hard, she pees herself. There’s cake absolutely everywhere, even in fruit bowl, and Tyler says, Hayley is like Ariel on crack. She says, all she wanted was goodnight Doritos. Out on deck, Leigh-Ann asks if Ben is having a good time. She doesn’t want to mess up what he has, and he says he wasn’t expecting her; she’s awesome. In his interview, he says he can feel himself giving in more. He might be in a bit of trouble. They hug, and go to their separate cabins. Hayley wonders why she got left with the mess, and yells for Tyler.

In the morning, everyone is hung over. Ross asks if Katie wants to talk; they need to sort themselves out. Katie says she was in her head, and he says, she came at him (a gross exaggeration). She gets a weird wall up. In Ross’s interview, he says he’s definitely got conflicted feelings. He loves flirting, and can’t decide. He just wants to have fun. Katie says, they both made mistakes, and suggests they just have fun. Ross says, they missed their chance to have sex in the guest cabin. They hug it out. Fraser says he’s not feeling good to put it lightly. He has no recollection of last night, but Tony says, Fraser just disappeared, and he says he’s proud of himself. Provisions come in, and Hayley says she’s too hungover for this sh*t. Everything is incredibly hard today. Captain Lee calls everyone to the aft deck for guest arrival, and Tyler desperately looks for his trousers. The crew lines up, and when they see the guests coming, and in Fraser’s interview, he says he’s not seeing many smiles. Not one hint of emotion. There’s a slow stampede of protein and muscle incoming, and the guests look like they’re going to kill them.

Next time, the crew’s sorry attempt at body building; Rachel’s sh*t-o-meter needle is in the red; Tyler calls his mum; the last crew dinner; and Leigh-Ann and Ben make out, maybe more. How disappointing. But then again, maybe the boat turns some people awful.

🏖 Since I’m desperate to get back that hour I lost over the weekend, I’ll talk trash about Summer House tomorrow. Believe me, it was nothing to write home about. Unless your Carl’s mom.

🏆 Bottom Line…

More on the Academy Awards tomorrow, but here’s the winner’s list. Looks like Everything Everywhere was the big kahuna.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/12/entertainment/oscar-winners-2023/index.html

🌉 In All the Old Familiar Places…

Stop by tomorrow for soap, and everyone awful all at once in New Jersey and the Hamptons. Until then, stay safe, stay appreciating other cultures, and stay being careful who you give your loyalty to. They may not return it in kind.

March 10, 2023 – Drew Gives Ned a Proposal, Dear Diary, VanderMore, Southern Smarm, Awards Talk, Vegas Cat (!), Slightly More Than a Dozen Quotes & Lift

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Gladys says she doesn’t know why Sonny is so worked up, and he says he’s not, but he can be if she doesn’t give him an answer.

Nina sees Ava in the restaurant, and Ava says she was hoping to have lunch with one of the owners, and doesn’t mean Olivia. Does Nina have time for her? Nina says, they’re overdue for a proper catch-up, and she wants to hear about all the developments in Ava’s life. Ava tells her to be careful what she wishes for.

At the Quartermaines, Mac tells Michael, this form states that the PCPD has returned all the items taken from the boathouse when Ava was attacked. He just needs a signature, and he’ll be out of Michael’s hair. Another phrase they use a lot, but I never hear it IRL. Michael says he’s glad to have it behind them, and thanks Mac for catching the killer. Mac says, his sympathies for everything Michael’s family is going through, and the challenges still to come.

In the foyer, Maxie says, it’s perfect that Ned answered the door, and he invites her in. He asks, what brings her by? and she says, as a matter-of-fact, him.

Walking into what used to be Sonny’s kitchen, Carly says she and Drew made quite a mess last night. I guess she stepped over everything to get him that brownie. He says, it’s not every day they get the house to themselves. He feels they’re obligated to take advantage of that, and kisses her. She says, sooner or later, they have to clean this up, and he suggests later, kissing her again. I still don’t see the moss bowl🎍. What did she do with it???

Dex says he has to leave soon, and Josslyn says, right. His mystery boss needs evidence against Sonny. He flashes back to Michael saying, if Sonny is telling Dex about his past, he’s got nothing to worry about. He tells her that he can make a lot more than grilled cheese. He can make grilled salmon with grilled asparagus marinated in truffle oil. She says, so he can cook, and he’s just now telling her. Why was he holding out? He says, after what he ate when he was in the Marines, he promised himself he’d learn to cook when he got back to the states. The meals keep them fed, but they weren’t exactly fine dining. He’ll make her grilled asparagus sometime. He kisses her neck, and she says, it’s too cold to grill, having never heard of doing it indoors, and he says, this summer. She asks if he thinks they’ll still be together this summer, and he says, the job should be over by then, and he can spend every minute getting closer to her without worrying about Sonny. She says she can’t wait, and asks if she’ll see him later. He says, she can count on it, and kisses her again.

Mac says he’s so sorry about everything Willow is going through, especially so soon after the birth of that adorable baby. She says, hopefully, there might be some good news on the horizon. She might have a match with a bone marrow donor. He says he’ll pray everything works out, and she says she’ll take all the prayers she can get. She wants to spend as much time with her family as possible. Mac congratulates her on Amelia; she’s beautiful. Michael says he thinks so too, but he might be a little bias. Willow says, no. She’s gorgeous. Mac says, children are a blessing. Enjoy your time with them. It goes by really fast. Maxie walks in with Ned, and Mac says, case in point. He blinked, and Maxie’s all grown up. Maxie says, moral of the story; don’t blink. She asks what he’s doing here, and he says he had police business to finish up. Maxie says, good thing because she has a big announcement for all of them.

Cody says he ran into Sasha’s mother-in-law, and she asks if they’ve even met. How did he know it was her? He says, at some time in the conversation, it came out that her last name was Corbin. She was talking about selling a garage that belonged to her daughter-in-law, so it wasn’t hard to put together. Sasha says she’d been afraid Gladys would sell the garage without consulting her, but she thought she was just being paranoid. She can’t believe Gladys actually did it. Cody asks if there’s anything he can do, and she says, he can tell her who Gladys was selling the garage to.

Sonny says, Gladys was so eager to sell the garage, she wanted him to convince Sasha to get on board. How does he know she didn’t badger Sasha into taking the offer? She asks if that’s what he really thinks about her, and he says he knows how Miss Wu operates when she sets her sights on something, and if she’s pressuring Gladys, he can help her, but she has to tell him what’s going on.

Nina says she’s sorry she didn’t stick around last night, but Ava says she knows Nina wanted to see Willow. Nina says she spent the night with Sonny, but she’s glad Ava decided to stay at her place with all the drama happening at Windymere. Ava says, even with Ryan dead, she didn’t want to be on the island all by herself, and Nina says, anyone in their right mind would need a little break from Windymere for a while, and Ava says, Nina doesn’t even know the whole story. Nina says, Ava is welcome to stay with her for as long as she wants to. Sonny mentioned Nikolas threatened to take Avery. Ava says, it was a miscommunication really, and asks how things went with Willow. Nina says, better than she’d hoped. Willow opened up to her about the affects of her health issues. Liesl asked her to do it, and Willow’s grateful to Aunt Liesl, so she honored her request, but she doesn’t care. Maybe this little thaw is a step in the right direction. Ava asks, how are things with Sonny? and Nina says, they’re fine. Ava says, is there trouble in paradise? and Nina says, yes. Only it’s not her paradise. Ava asks, whose? and Nina says, Carly.

Gladys says, Sonny doesn’t have to worry about Selina Wu for her. He knows how much she loves her daughter-in-law, and she wants to do right by Brando. She always has Sasha’s best interests at heart. Dex comes in, and Sonny motions him over. Sonny tells Gladys that he has some business to take care of. She’d better know what she’s doing. Gladys smiles, and leaves.

Sasha asks, who owns the garage now? and Cody says he really doesn’t want to get anymore involved, but he doesn’t want to lie to her either. He just heard part of a conversation, and really thinks she needs to ask Gladys herself. Sasha says she intends to, and sends a text to Gladys. She says she knows he feels bad, but don’t. She appreciates him being honest with her. At least someone was.

Maxie holds up a binder, and says, the Nurses Ball is back. She wanted to commemorate GH’s 60th anniversary, and celebrate how much GH’s workers have meant to the community. She thought, what better way than the Nurses Ball. Mac says, that is a great idea, and Ned says, normally, he’d say the should skip it – the year of Lucy’s death – but 60 years of General Hospital is too big of an anniversary to ignore. Michael agrees, and Maxie says, since Lucy isn’t here to run things, she’s going to attempt to step into Lucy’s shoes and chair the event. As they can imagine, it’s a big undertaking financially, which is where Michael and Ned come in. Mac says he has some things to take care of, so he’ll leave them to it. He congratulates Willow and Michael again, and leaves. Ned says, whatever Maxie needs, she can count on ELQ and the entire Quartermaine family. She thanks him, and says she imagines things are pretty crazy at ELQ right now, with Valentin being gone also. Of course (🍷), Aurora Media will be at her service. He’s sure Drew will be on board too. She thanks them, and says, they really need sponsors for this event, not to mention musical acts. She looks at Ned, and he says he might be able to help with that, but he has to deal with this text. He leaves, and Willow asks, what about Michael? but he says his performance days are gone, so no thanks. Maxie says, that’s okay. She has a much better plan for him.

Carly thanks Drew for helping, even though he made the mess, and he says he put the mess on the floor. The mess was on the kitchen island from her. She says she doesn’t do a lot of baking or cooking, so she doesn’t see a lot of cleaning up the kitchen in their future. He says, their future; he likes the sound of that. She says, her too, and they kiss. He says he’s confident that his plan to get Charlotte’s ELQ shares and step away from the company is going to pacify Ned, and she says, Ned’s the only person they have to worry about turning them into the SEC, so they’re good.

Ava says, spill it, the dirt on Carly, and Nina says she hasn’t really been able to process it with everything that’s going on with Willow and her new grandchild… Ava says, just tell her. She could use the distraction. Nina says, remember when she told Ava about Drew and Carly hiding whatever’s going on with them? Ava says, vaguely, and Nina says she saw them hugging pretty intimately, and she heard them say they couldn’t show how they really feel about each other in public. Ava wonders why, and Nina says she’s sort of figuring it out, but it’s raising more questions than answers.

Cody sees the paper that dropped on the floor, and picks it up. He wonders if it’s the invoice he was looking for, but he sees it’s his paternity test, and wonders how it got here. He puts it in his pocket, and asks Comet if he’s pulling tricks again, when there’s a knock at the door. It’s Mac.

Gladys asks bartender Jamie why she can’t book a spa appointment from the bar. She really needs a massage. Sasha asks, why is that? Is she stressed out about something? Like Deception?

Drew says, besides Ned, the only people who know he and Carly are romantically involved are people they trust; Sonny, Olivia, Michael, and Joss. The SEC isn’t going to have any reason to look into the timing of their relationship, unless Ned tips them off. Carly says she can’t believe Ned, and Drew says, she’s an investor in Aurora, but the merger never happened. She didn’t actually profit from any inside information, and it was like, six months ago. He thinks they’re good. She says she hears him, but she can’t wrap her head around them being seen as a couple out in public. She’s used to the hiding. The majority of the time they’ve spent together is stolen moments at her house. He says, they’ve been pretty great moments, and she says, amazing moments. She suggests they enjoy the last few moments of secrecy before the whole world finds out, and he says he plans on it, when Josslyn walks in. She apologizes for interrupting, but Drew says he was just getting ready to go. Josslyn tells him not to leave on her account. It looked like they were having a good time. He says he’s going to make sure they have plenty of good times, and leaves. 1) I don’t think the SEC would care if she profited or not, it’s still a crime, and 2) they’ve been together in public plenty. The only difference will be, they’ll be holding hands now.

Dex wonders why Sonny isn’t including him in the Pikeman deal, and Sonny says, if he doesn’t, he’ll have no reason to blame Dex if the deal goes sideways.

Gladys says she doesn’t know what Sasha is talking about; she has the day off work. Sasha says, please don’t tell her that she sold Brando’s garage, and Gladys asks how Sasha heard about that. Sasha says, so it’s true. She actually sold it. Gladys says she did, and Sasha says she can’t believe Gladys would sell her husband’s garage without asking her. Gladys didn’t even tell her. How could she do that? Gladys says, it was time, and Sasha says, Gladys told her that they were going to hold off until she was ready. Gladys tells Sasha that she doesn’t have the final say; the court put her in charge. Sasha says, forget about the damn court. They had an arrangement as family, and in the spirit of that arrangement, Gladys should have consulted with her. Gladys had no right to sell Brando’s garage behind her back. Gladys says she was just trying to do what’s best, and Sasha asks, how was that best for her? Gladys says, it’s not all about Sasha. She did it for herself.

Cody asks what brings Mac here, and Mac says he had some police business with the Quartermaines and thought he’d visit. Cody reached out a few times, and he feels bad for not responding. Cody says he thought Mac might want to talk after what he went through with Ryan Chamberlain. It’s dumb. Mac’s a cop, and obviously dealt with killing a criminal before, so he’s sorry if it seemed like he was hounding Mac. Mac says he should have called Cody back, but Cody says he’s not much of a talker either, especially when it comes to emotional stuff. When he has a lot of things on his mind, he tends to hop on the back of a horse and go for a ride. Did Mac ever try it? Mac says, in his younger days, he spent some time at a ranch in the Outback. Cody asks why he stopped riding, and Mac says he hasn’t had much of an opportunity since he left Australia. Cody says, there’s nothing like it, and Mac says, something tells him that he couldn’t get this old leg over the saddle. It’s not like riding a bike. Cody says, of course (🍷) it is. Horses are just like giant bikes with minds of their own. Mac says, those were the days. Riding out into the bush with his friends, and at the end of the day, go to the pub and put back a few Bludger pale ales. Cody says, Mac drinks Bludgers? and Mac says, Cody’s heard of them? Cody says he did a stunt gig with a guy from Australia, and that’s all he drank. Cody developed a taste for them. Mac says he didn’t think anyone in the United States drank them, and Cody says, don’t tell Mama Q, but he might have put a case of Bludgers on the grocery order. He still has a couple. Does Mac want one? Mac says he’s off the clock.

Michael says, Aurora Media will be at Maxie’s disposal for the Nurses Ball, and he’ll make a personal donation as well. She thanks him, and says, she’s not just here for the money. Don’t get her wrong; she’s taking the donation. But she was hoping he’d join the planning committee. He says, she’s kidding. What about Brook? She’s the one with entertainment experience. Maxie says, but he’s a respected figure in the community. He has tons of connections to local businesses because of his work at Aurora and ELQ. Not to mention, both sides of his family have close relationships with the hospital, so he’s just the person she needs for this committee. Willow says, it is a good cause, and he says, it’s a great cause. It’s just he can’t with everything that’s going on right now. Willow says, before he rules it out, she thinks he should consider it.

Drew comes in, and Ned says he should warn him. Maxie is in there hustling up support for the Nurses Ball. Drew says, hard to imagine without Lucy, but he’s sure Maxie will do a wonderful job. Ned agrees, and Drew says, the family managed to come together for Willow and Michael’s sake, but obviously ELQ is still the elephant in the room. He’s got a proposal to make all this tension a thing of the past.

Nina tells Ava, something’s wrong; Sasha’s not happy. Ava looks over at Sasha arguing with Gladys, and asks if Nina is going to go talk to her, but Nina says, not right now. Sasha knows she’s there for her. If Sasha needs her, she knows where to find her. Ava says, then back to Carly, and Nina says she’s never thrilled when Carly and Sonny have an interaction, but she’s come to terms with the fact that, unfortunately, Carly is always going to have a presence in their lives. And despite her feelings for Carly, she can’t really blame Sonny for wanting to protect her, especially from the Feds. She is his ex-wife. Ava says, so Ned has some kind of trouble that could get Carly and Drew in trouble with the SEC. She wonders what it could be, but Nina has no idea. Ava says, they’re smart; they’ll figure it out. She knows Carly and Drew woudn’t keep their relationship quiet to spare anyone’s feelings. There’s got to be a compelling reason that they’re not going public. Nina wonders if the legal consequences Sonny mentioned could involve jail time. She’s guessing fines woudn’t matter with the Quartermaine money, but what she doesn’t get is the secrecy. The reason Nina owns half this hotel is because Carly was trying to help out Drew and Michael during that whole Aurora/ELQ merger. Ava says, that’s it. She knows what Carly and Drew are so afraid of.

Sonny says he’s leaving Dex out of the Pikeman deal because he sees Dex has potential, and wants to bring him up in the business. He wants to make sure Dex does it well. Dex says he appreciates the faith, but he’d think if Sonny saw potential, Sonny would want to give him more responsibility, not leave him out. Sonny says he just needs to be careful how he brings Dex up, because if the deal goes south, he’ll know Dex had nothing to do with it. Dex says, makes sense, and Sonny says, that doesn’t mean Dex still can’t help him.

Michael agrees the Nurses Ball is a worthy cause, and under normal circumstances, he’d do it in a heartbeat. But Willow’s bone marrow transplant is coming up… Willow says, they can’t do anything about that except wait, and he says, what about the wedding? She says she has the wedding under control, along with help from his mom, his sister, Sasha, Brook, and Olivia. Michael says, what about their newborn baby? and Willow says, they’re lucky enough to have help. Maxie says, it sounds like he’s out of excuses, and Willow says, the community really needs this, and so does she. Do it for her?

Cody and Mac clink bottles, and Mac says, this brings him back. Cody says, him too. It reminds him of simpler times in his life. Mac wonders when things got so complicated, and Cody says he can only imagine how difficult it must be, having to take someone’s life in the line of duty. Mac says he’s been a cop for about 30 years. Killing Ryan, even though it’s not the first time he’s had to take a life while on the job, this was different. He and Ryan had a complicated history. This was a man who terrorized his family for decades because of his obsession with Felicia, but he was also the twin brother of Mac’s best friend, Doc. Even as twisted and downright evil as Ryan could be, it wasn’t that many years ago, Ryan actually managed to switch places with Doc. He had Doc locked up and drugged up in Ferncliff Asylum. Ryan pretended to be Doc. Cody says, this guy sounds degenerate, malevolent, nasty, and a real piece of work pretty messed up, and Mac says, he was, but he was also Doc’s brother. He doesn’t think Doc ever gave up hope that Ryan would change one day, but that day will never come because Mac killed him. Cody says, Mac did that to save Ava and himself, and Mac says he knows they’re all better off, and the shooting was justified, but he killed his best friend’s twin brother, and he knows in some small way, Doc still loved Ryan. He hates that he caused his friend any pain. Cody says, sometimes it’s easier to talk about heavy stuff with someone you barely know, and Mac says he’s glad they’re getting to know each other. They clink bottles again, and Cody says, him too.

Gladys says, the truth is, she had every right to sell the garage, not just as Sasha’s guardian, but as Brando’s mother who’s grieving him. Sasha says she’s grieving him too, and Gladys says she knows. She’s sorry for the tough time Sasha had, but the guardianship has protected her in way she doesn’t even know. She has no idea what it’s like trying to manage all these finances. Getting bills every single month, for the garage, each one with Brando’s name on it, and then there’s when Chamber of Commerce calls the office phone and asks for Mr. Corbin. She gets faced with daily reminders that Brando isn’t here with them anymore. Sasha says she had no idea. Why didn’t Gladys tell her any of this? Gladys says, because her job is to literally protect Sasha as her guardian. Sasha lost her husband; she lost her son. It’s been hard on her too. So she needed to get rid of the garage for many reasons; not the least of which is getting on with her life. She’s sorry if that makes Sasha hate her. It’s just a chance she had to take.

Drew tells Ned, Valentin’s death opens the possibility to get ELQ back in Quartermaine control. Ned says, technically, it’s in Quartermaine control now, and Drew says, Ned is CEO, but this is an opportunity for the family to regain majority ownership of the company. Valentin’s stock went to Charlotte, which means Laura controls it. He’s sure they can negotiate to reacquire the stock that Valentin poached from them. (I’m not so sure about that, but go on.) Ned says, so Drew and Michael can ice him out again? and Drew says, Valentin drove a wedge between them, but he’s gone. The way he sees it, it’s a chance for them to start over. So in the interest of putting the family back together, he’s willing to step away from ELQ entirely. Ned says he honestly wasn’t expecting that, and Drew says, he’ll run Aurora full time; he’s okay with that. The most important thing is making this family a united front again. Last summer, they were all at each other’s throats, then they came together for Willow, and it reminded him how right it feels for them to all be on the same team. He knows they’re Quartermaines, and they’re going to bicker and backstab, but at the end of the day, when it matters, they band together. They have to do whatever they have to in order to make this family whole again, and part of that is to get ELQ back. So what does Ned say?

Ava says, Carly invested in Aurora when the plan was to merge that company with ELQ, and Nina says, right, to get ELQ under the Quartermaines’ control. It was Drew and Michael’s plan and when Carly tried to help them, she invested heavily. When the merger didn’t happen, she lost it all. Ava says, but if Carly bought Aurora’s stock knowing there was a merger on the horizon, isn’t that insider trading? And she and Drew could be open to prosecution if anybody finds out. Nina says, that’s why they have to keep their relationship at a distance, because they don’t want anyone investigating to think they discuss these sensitive business matters. Otherwise, they’re facing jail time.

Dex says, anything Sonny needs, he’s good for it, and Sonny says he wants to take Dex to the warehouse where the Pikeman shipment is going to be stored. He’s not going to tell Dex when it’s going to land; the date’s been changed. Dex asks, why take him to the warehouse? and Sonny says he wants Dex’s assessment of the place. He wants to see how good Dex identifies vulnerabilities. Sonny says, think of it as training, and leaves, Dex following.

Josslyn says, sorry for crashing Carly’s time with Drew, but Carly says, this is Josslyn’s home. She’s always happy to see her. Josslyn says she knows, but Carly and Drew don’t get to spend a ton of time together since they have to keep things on the downlow. Carly says, that may be changing, and Josslyn says she’s so happy to hear that. Carly says, it’s still in the works, but she’s cautiously optimistic. Josslyn says she hopes it works out. Carly deserves to show the world how happy Drew makes her. Carly says, so does Josslyn. A secret relationship’s a lot of fun, but it comes with baggage. Josslyn says, and we’re back to Dex, and Carly says, she’s Josslyn’s mom, and she’s always going to want to protect Josslyn and stop her from getting hurt. Forget about what Sonny would do if he found out Josslyn has been seeing Dex behind his back, but Josslyn grew up in that world. She saw Carly deal with it every day. Is she sure she wants that for herself? Josslyn says, Dex is planning on getting out of Sonny’s organization, and Carly asks if Josslyn is going to hang her future on a vague promise. Josslyn flashes back to Dex saying, option three. He gets evidence on Sonny, turns it over to his real boss, who turns it over to the Feds. Sonny goes to prison; he’s in the clear. Josslyn says, option three it is, and he says, no matter what happens, he can’t walk away from her. Josslyn tells Carly, it’s not like that. Dex has a real plan. Carly says, like what?

Ned says, Drew brings up some good points, and Drew says, it’s a win-win for Ned. They regain Valentin’s stock and he extracts himself from ELQ. Ned says, Drew’s given him a lot to think about.

Willow says, if Michael helps plan the Nurses Ball, it will give them something to look forward to. They won’t be focusing on the transplant, and have something positive to pour their energy into. Something that benefits them, GH, and the entire city. He asks how he can say no to that, and Maxie says, awesome, and thanks him. Their first meeting is tomorrow, and she’ll call him tonight to go over the details. She jets, and Willow thanks Michael. He says, she’s his world. There isn’t anything he wouldn’t do for her. They kiss.

Mac asks if Cody is up for another one, and Cody says, no reason not to. He gets up, and Mac says he thinks Cody dropped something. He picks up the paternity test, and starts to unfold it. Like people do when it’s not their stuff.

Sasha says she doesn’t hate Gladys, and Gladys thanks her. Sasha says, but she doesn’t like that Gladys went behind her back, and Gladys says, understood. Sasha says she gets where Gladys was coming from, and she’s probably right. Left to her own devices, Sasha probably would never have parted ways with the garage. She couldn’t bear it. I guess running it as a profitable business wasn’t an option? Gladys says, just so Sasha knows, it wasn’t easy for her either, and Sasha says she guesses in maybe a not-so-good way, it worked out for the best. Instead of hanging over them, the garage is gone, and they’re forced to move forward. Gladys says she sees why her son fell for Sasha, and Sasha starts to cry. She says she misses him, and Gladys says she does too. They hug.

Nina says, Ava’s theory is good, but that’s all it is; a theory. Ava says, a theory that can turn the tables. Nina has important information about Carly, just like Carly had important information about her. The question is, what is she going to do with it?

Josslyn says, Carly and Drew are figuring out a way they can be together out in the open. She and Dex want that too, and she knows Dex is going to get out of the mob for good. Carly says she knows Josslyn believes that, and Dex probably believes he can leave that world, but take it from someone who has been very close to it most of her life, once you’re in, it’s really hard to leave. Josslyn says, but it is possible, and Carly says, it is, but the way out is usually death.

Sonny and Dex go into the warehouse, and Dex says, Sonny is going to have to put up cameras outside. Someone trains a gun on Dex, and Sonny says he’s got somebody on that, and Dex says, ports of entry? Dex realizes there’s a gun with a gun above them, and pushes Sonny down as the guy shoots.

On Monday, Victor says, he and Elizabeth are finished when he says they are; Cody says he’s the last person Mac should be helping; Josslyn tells Carly that Dex is willing to do what it takes; and Dex tells Sonny, the longer they stay here, the worse their chances.

Already Making Friends…

Special K? Really? By next year, she’ll be running the place, and have a Ponzi scheme involving the commissary.

https://people.com/tv/jen-shah-adjusting-to-life-in-prison-second-journal-entry/

🍸 And It’s Just the Beginning…

You’d think this was the biggest news since the moon landing. No kidding she was a wolf in sheep’s clothing. I can’t even fathom having an affair with a friend’s boyfriend, and looking them in the face every day.

If LVP says it, it must be true.

I forgot all about Miami Girl.

https://www.etonline.com/vanderpump-rules-star-tom-sandoval-threatens-to-stop-filming-after-scene-with-raquel-leviss-200441

🍹 Charming Taylor…

Does he have BDE? I just don’t get it. And this show is way too incestuous.

🏆 About Uncle Oscar…

The nominees. I’m kind of surprised about Everything Everywhere All At Once. Don’t get me wrong. It was an amazing film, although a long way of basically telling me to be nice and find happiness in the small things. But it doesn’t seem like the kind of film that becomes so mainstream.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/24/entertainment/oscar-nominations-list-2023/index.html

How to watch. (Turn on TV or streaming service. Watch.)

https://people.com/movies/oscars-2023-how-to-watch-what-to-expect/

The carpet.

https://people.com/movies/oscars-2023-red-carpet-wont-be-red-this-year-details/

The gift bags. My God how I want one of these.

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/03/10/2023-oscars-gift-bag-whats-inside.html

No Gaga. Hey, she’s a busy woman.

https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/lady-gaga-perform-2023-oscars/story?id=97740301

Break points.

https://people.com/movies/oscars-2023-best-actors-nominees-big-breaks/

🐱 Viva Las Gato…

What are the odds the next guest would be a vet?

https://people.com/pets/lost-cat-found-in-las-vegas-hotel-room/

🥠 Quotes of the Week

We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies. – Martin Luther King, Jr.

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

If you’re trying to achieve, there will be road blocks. I’ve had them; everybody has had them. But obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. – Michael Jordan (Or kick it down.)

If you are insecure, guess what? The rest of the world is too. Do not overestimate the competition and underestimate yourself. You are better than you think. – T. Harv Eker

Apologizing does not always mean that you’re wrong and the other person is right. It just means that you value your relationship more than your ego. – Unknown

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.Ralph Waldo Emerson

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. – Dr. Seuss

In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years. – Abraham Lincoln

Life is never fair, and perhaps it is a good thing for most of us that it is not. – Oscar Wilde

Life is a long lesson in humility. – James M. Barrie

Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up. – Thomas A. Edison

In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on. – Robert Frost

I think you’re Mozart. – Amy Slaton, 1000-Lb. Sisters, referring to her son’s painting

💌 And the Award Goes To…

Make a return trip on Monday for some soap, what’s on Deck, and smack talk about the awful people on Summer House. Until then, stay safe, stay surrounding yourself with those who uplift you, and stay remembering, a secret relationship’s a lot of fun, but it comes with baggage.

March 9, 2023 – Victor Has an Off Night, Her Other Boy, Reunited, Coming Back, Dead Again, Soap Jump, Deck Secrets, VanderScandal, One Of Us, Today & Barbie

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Nina asks MetroCourt bartender Jamie if he isn’t in business school, and he says, PCU’s graduate program. She asks why someone in a leadership position would be investigated by the SEC, and Sonny walks up wondering why she’d ask that.

On the phone, Ava leaves a message for Austin asking if they can discuss his charming cousin, and the not-so charming stranglehold he has on them. Call her as soon as he can. Trina comes in and says she received a notification that artwork came in, but Ava says, it’s not her job to track it anymore. Trina says she wanted to spare Ava from anything gallery related, especially after everything that’s happened to her lately. Ava says, thanks, but Trina doesn’t have to take care of her, and Trina says, to be honest, she wanted a reason to return to the gallery. This place is really important to her; like a second home. Now it’s more important than her first.

Curtis is in the elevator, when Selina joins him. She congratulates him on his nuptials, and asks if Brad delivered her gift at the rehearsal dinner. Curtis says, he did, and she says she’s surprised she didn’t hear from him. Did the gift not meet with his approval?

At the stables, Cody looks for a receipt in a file folder, and ends up dropping everything on the floor. He says, Mama Q didn’t hire him for his organizational skills, and Sasha comes in, saying, that much is obvious. He says he’s about ponies, not paperwork, and she says, he’s good with horses. He’s also good with people. Among them, her.

Lucy asks Anna if the coffee is dark roast; it tastes burnt. Bleh. I know what she means and I hate that. Lucy says she misses Kelly’s smooth coffee. She misses Kelly’s. She misses croissants. Couldn’t Anna just kill for a chocolate babka? Why does Felicia just bring yoghurt and granola? Valentin comes out, and Anna asks, how was his shower? but he says he didn’t actually take one. Somebody decided to use the last of the hot water again. Lucy says, that’s because the water here is so very hard, she has to rinse a lot to get the shampoo out of her hair. Lucy moves the blind to peek out, but Anna yells, stay away from the window! Lucy asks how long they have to keep hiding here. This is torture. Anna and Valentin look at each other.

Victor is putting on his tie as Eileen wakes up. She says, good morning, and he says, is it? She says, it’s the best sleep she’s had in weeks. She feels so rested. He says, that makes one of them, and she says, he’s not upset about last night, is he? He says he’ll thank her not to mention last night again.

Felicia, Bobbie, and Maxie have coffee at Charlie’s, and Bobbie says, they treaded very carefully with Jesse Brewer. She was a wonderful, generous woman, but she had zero tolerance for personal drama at work, so she really kept them on their toes. Maxie asks how long she’s worked at GH, and Bobbie says, 45 years. The hospital’s turning 60 this year, so she wasn’t here at its conception. Felicia says, 60 years is quite a milestone, and Maxie says, the hospital’s the center of so many peoples’ lives in Port Charles. How are they marking the occasion? Bobbie says, there aren’t any plans she’s aware of, and Felicia says, that’s a missed opportunity. Maxie says, it’s more than that. It’s a travesty. Somebody needs to do something about it.

Looking at her tablet, Lucy sighs, putting her feet up on the couch next to Valentin, and he says, problem? She says, the stock, and he says, took a hit? but she tells him, relax. He’s still getting a return on his investment. It’s just… It could be a whole heck of a lot better. He says, if she was there, and she says, yes. Anna comes out and tells Valentin, that was the last of the coffee, and he says he misses Paris. She says, her too, and he says, for a lot of reasons, but right now for the coffee. Anna snuggles in his lap, and Lucy says, stop. Marty can’t be here because he’s visiting his mom, so seeing the lovebirds is tough when she’s involuntarily celibate. Anna tells her, when this is over, Marty will be waiting for her, but Lucy says, don’t say the w word. Waiting, waiting, waiting. It’s all she does. She’s so sick of waiting. She just wants out of here.

Victor puts on his shoes, and Eileen says, they were both tired last night, and they’d both been drinking. Oooh. I get why he’s cranky. She says, neither of them were at their best, but now they’re both rejuvenated. He puts on his jacket, and she asks if it was something she did, but he says he has a busy day today. She says, anything to do with the next phase of his plan? He doesn’t have to go it alone. She’s with him all the way. She straightens his tie, and says, didn’t she prove that to him, when she helped take care of Anna Devane? She grabs his lapels, pulls him toward her, and says, let her in. Tell her what he needs; what he wants. She’ll do whatever it takes to make it happen.

Cody says, if he knew Sasha was coming, he’d have cleaned the place up. She helps him pick up the papers, and asks if he found what he was looking for. He says he’s afraid not, but no worries; he’ll look later. He doesn’t notice, but one of the papers stays on the floor, and Sasha hands him a box. She says, it’s to thank him, and he says, for what? She says, for what he did when she confronted Heather Webber at the PCPD.

Ava says, trouble at home? but Trina says, Ava is the one who just went through hell. How is she? Ava says she’s getting there, and Trina says, and her friend Dr. Gatlin-Holt? Ava says, well enough to check himself out of the hospital. Trina’s mom treated him before he left GH. When are she and Curtis headed to Italy? Trina says, as far as she knows, that trip is canceled. They’re not in a great place right now. Ava says she’s so sorry to hear that. What happened? Trina says, I happened.

Curtis tells Selina that he had a few things on his mind. Sending out thank you cards wasn’t on his list. Selina says, it’s not like him to be ungrateful, so she’ll ignore his oversight. Newlywedded bliss can be all-consuming. Or so she’s been told. He asks her to excuse him, and walks off.

Gladys plays poker on her phone in a private area of the hotel, and says, you’re bluffing, sucker. Selina comes along, and says she never bluffs. Gladys thanks Selina for meeting her, and Selina asks why she didn’t want to meet at The Savoy. Gladys says she makes bad decisions when she’s at the club, and Selina asks if that’s what she thinks, indicating a manila envelope on the table. Gladys says, the deed to her son’s garage.

Nina tells Sonny that she’s always pestering Jamie with business questions; he’s in business school. She’s taking credit when he passes his course with flying colors. Sonny asks if she’s heard from Willow today, and she says, no. And she didn’t want to risk their somewhat shaky truce, bothering Willow with questions and calls. He says she’s taking it slow, that’s a good thing, and she says she’s just grateful she’s in the loop where her daughter’s health is concerned. He says he wishes he was in the loop where his daughter was concerned. Has she heard anything from Ava about Nikolas threatening to take Avery?

Bobbie says she agrees. It would be great to honor GH’s six decades of service to the community, but they’re still navigating Britt’s loss, so they’re just putting up a plaque. Maxie says, they need more than a plaque. Port Charles has seen so much loss and turmoil in sixty recent years. This town needs a celebration. Felicia agrees, and Bobbie says she supposes Maxie has something in mind. Maxie says, many somethings actually, but there is a clear winner to usher in the festivities. This town needs the biggest and best Nurses Ball GH has ever seen. There is no better way to mark GH’s sixtieth anniversary than the Nurses Ball. Felicia says, the anniversary is next month, but Bobbie says, there’s no way to get the Nurses Ball ready in time. It’s not an easy enterprise. Maxie says she’s done bigger events in less time. She just needs a choreographer, a fireworks team, a llama, and a truckload of bubbly. Plus a celebrity guest, teasers for the local news, and some corporate sponsors to foot the bill. Bobbie says, easy peasy, and Maxie says, we can do it. Felicia asks, who’s us? and Maxie says, the three of them.

Victor kisses Eileen’s hand, and says, she really wants to help? and she says, any way she can. He says, then only come when he calls. It wasn’t long ago she imagined she was being haunted. She says she was under a lot of pressure, and realizes now it was sleeping pills her doctor prescribed. She requested a copy of the file on Holly Sutton with her accident at the cabin; the original unredacted file. It contained useful information on the necklace. He says, she’s certain she can get her hands on this file? and she says she has strings she can pull. He says, then pull them now. In the hallway, she makes a call, and says, checking in… as demanded.

As Anna tries to talk to Eileen, Valentin tells Lucy, as far as safehouses go, this is fine. We’re all making sacrifices, so deal with it. Lucy asks why she should. He and Anna are the spies. She’s just a humble… Anna says she can’t talk right now. Eileen’s contact will meet her where she is. She tells Valentin and Lucy, they cannot go out the door, but Valentin says, this is their best chance to bring Victor down. Lucy says, this really seems like a you problem, pointing at both of them, and Valentin says he wishes he’d taken that attitude when they found her shackled in a Paris catacomb. Lucy says she really is grateful, but she woudn’t have needed rescuing if Anna hadn’t blackmailed here into spying in the first place. Anna says she just had Eileen on the phone, and she says she’ll get them everything they need to stop Victor. Lucy says, for their sakes and for hers, she hopes Eileen comes through – and soon. She walks out of the room, and Valentin says, if they don’t get out of here soon, he just might kill Lucy Coe himself.

Gladys picks up the envelope, and says, this will make her and Selina square, right? Selina says, more than amply, and holds out her hand. Gladys gives her the envelope, and Selina checks out the paperwork. She says, Gladys is more than covered. The remaining funds can be deposited into a business account, or used for a stake in the next game. Gladys says, no thank you. She’s done with all that. A deposit will suit her fine.

Cody says he was afraid Sasha would think he was butting in, but he knew Dante would look after her, and she says, Dante showed up because Cody sent him? Cody asks if that’s not why she’s thanking him, but she says, no. She’s thanking him for not giving her up to the desk sergeant when she claimed to be Heather’s lawyer. He looks in the box, and says, yum, biscotti, and she says, he enjoyed Olivia’s biscotti that night in the solarium. He thanks her, and says, she’s not mad? She says she pretended to be someone’s lawyer to get in to see the woman who killed her husband. He thought she was out for revenge, and tried to save her from herself. He says, turns out, she doesn’t need saving.

Ava says, none of this is Trina’s fault, but Trina says, if she hadn’t gone to see Aunt Stella the night of the wedding, none of this would have happened. Ava says, most secrets come to light. What’s important is how Trina is doing. Trina says she’s all over the place. She’s angry at her mom… Ava says, but Trina misses her, and Trina says she wants to stay close to her dad, but she’s starting to feel distant from him. And she likes Curtis, but she resents him. Ava asks what she can do. What does Trina need? Trina says, a solution, but Ava says she doesn’t think she can help with that.

Nina says, Nikolas threatened to take Avery? and Sonny says, Ava told him it was an empty threat, but there’s no empty threat when it comes to his child. Curtis approaches, and says he’s sorry to interrupt, but can he and Nina talk for a moment? Nina says, of course (🍷). Isn’t he supposed to be in Tuscany? He thanks Nina for comping the room for them, but he can’t accept. He gives her an envelope, and she says, he’s reimbursing her for the room? Sonny says, it was a gift for Curtis and his wife, and Curtis says, that’s just it. Portia may not be his wife for much longer. Nina says she’s so sorry; what happened? Sonny wisely gets up, and says he’ll let them have a discussion. He has something he’s got to do. Curtis suggests he and Nina have a seat at his table.

Selina says, just the man she wanted to see, and Sonny asks what he can do for her. She asks why her shipment was rerouted from Pier 55 yesterday, and he says, a minor inconvenience. She says, if he’s concerned she might attempt to join his Pikeman deal… Gladys almost walks in the room, but stops, and Sonny says, they had an arrangement. She operates on his docks at his discretion. And he wants her to keep it that way. She walks off, and Sonny sees Gladys. She says, hi cuz, but he tells her, don’t hi cuz him. What was she doing with Miss Wu?

Ava says she’s always here for Trina, but there’s no quick fix for this particular situation. She knows Trina is probably sick of hearing things like this, but with maturity comes the understanding that nothing is absolute. There are almost always shades of grey. Trina says, what her mom did was wrong. No amount of age or perspective will make her see that differently. Ava says she agrees Trina’s mother was wrong, but if Trina is looking for her to validate her righteous indignation, Ava thinks Trina is going to be disappointed. She knows from personal experience, there’s no telling what a mother might do when she’s afraid she’ll lose her child.

Sasha tells Cody, it wasn’t easy listening to the woman who murdered her husband; every word coming out of Heather’s mouth infuriated her. He says, and Sasha didn’t go for her throat. He admires her restraint. Sasha says, it would have felt so satisfying to claw her face off, but she thought about what Brando would want; to get justice for him without compromising her future. He says she definitely seems lighter or something, and she tells him that she wouldn’t say it was closure, but a burden has been lifted. How about him? How does he feel? He says he’s not really liking himself much lately. He seems to be in the habit of letting down anyone who cares about him. She says, all any of them can do is forgive themselves, and he says, if he can’t, what then?

Maxie tells Bobbie, Corinthos Coffee, ELQ, Aurora Media, and they can get Ned to come up with the rest. Bobbie says, hold on there, hotfoot. They haven’t even pitched this to the Board. Maxie says, when they hear she lined up donors, and she’s offering her services free of charge, how could they object? Bobbie says, Maxie needs a reliable committee, but Maxie says, no problem. She can already think of half a dozen go-getters, and she already has a co-chair. Bobbie says, Maxie’s mother didn’t agree to that, but Maxie tells her, who said she’s talking about her mom?

Felicia comes bearing coffee to the safehouse, and Valentin says, they heard about what happened with Ryan Chamberlain. Is she all right? She says she’s getting there. The whole thing was a traumatic experience, but she thinks it’s worth it, because Ryan is now gone. How is everything here? Valentin says, it would be nice to believe they’re making progress. Despite his reservations, Anna said Felicia was the most convincing corpse she’d ever seen. Felicia admits she liked seeing the look on Eileen’s face when Eileen realized she’d been had. Valentin doubts she liked being played. Let’s hope she hasn’t gone rogue. Felicia says, if Eileen wants to take them down, she’s going down first, but Anna says she has the feeling Eileen is too self-serving for that.

Eileen waits in the Bistro, when Laura walks in. Laura says, Eileen was expecting someone else, and Eileen says she thought maybe Felicia, but she should have known it would be Laura. Laura asks, why is that? and Eileen says, Anna is clearly enjoying her fall from grace. What better way to stick it to her than send Laura? Laura says she volunteered, and Eileen says, not surprising. Laura was the first to tell her that Anna was dead, then sent her to the morgue. Laura’s been playing her since Lucy Coe was shot. Laura says, they were on to her long before that. They were biding their time until she could prove to be useful to them.

Lucy begs Felicia not to go, and asks if she can’t stay and be a buffer between them. Felicia says she’s sure there’s not friction; they’re all on the same side. Lucy says, they’re all going a little stir crazy. She knows that saying, two’s company… Valentin says, three’s a necessary evil in order to survive, and Felicia promises she’ll be back. And she’ll bring Lucy an update on what Maxie is planning for the Nurses Ball. Anna gestures for Felicia to shush, but Lucy says, oh my God, the Nurses Ball. They set a date? When is it? Anna is like, eh! but Felicia says, in a few weeks. Lucy says, there can be no Nurses Ball without her.

Maxie says, Bobbie makes the most sense as a co-chair. She loves the hospital. She knows its history. She’s played a role in the health and happiness of so many who’ve walked through the doors, the least of whom is her. She has to do it. Nobody else can fill Lucy’s shoes. Maxie needs her… She has until the end of breakfast to decide. Now, musical acts… Maxie consults her phone.

Sasha tells Cody that she’s had a lot of time to think, usually at night when it’s quiet. One of the things she couldn’t let go of is how Brando spent so much time taking care of her before he died. They lost a lot of valuable time together when she was spiraling. Cody says, she went through a lot. It’s not her fault she was a hot mess express. She laughs, and says, don’t be shy. Tell her what he really thinks. He says he’s sorry. He suffers from foot in mouth disease. She tells him not to apologize. She told him before, she appreciates he doesn’t feel the need to treat her with kid gloves. He says he could still stand to have more grace, and she says he could stand extending some grace to himself. Once she managed to do that, her regrets stopped keeping her up at night. He says, sounds easier said than done, and she says, nothing worth doing is ever easy. Comet snorts, and Cody says, Comet agrees. Sasha tells Cody that he’s outnumbered.

Trina tells Ava, she doesn’t know what to say to her mom, or Curtis, or even her dad. Should she take the DNA test? Ava says, that depends. Does she want to know who her biological father is? Trina says she’s not sure, and Ava says, maybe the better question is, would knowing change anything for her? Trina says she won’t let it. Marcus Taggert is her father. He raised her, he loves her, and that will never change. Ava says, if that’s the case, some would say, there’s no reason to find out. But at the end of the day, Ava likes looking in the mirror and knowing who she is, exactly where she came from. It might not change her habits or behavior, but at least there are no lingering existential questions. Trina asks if Ava is saying she should get the test, and Ava tells her, she’s saying, why not know for sure?

Nina tells Curtis, she’s so sorry; she doesn’t know what to say. Curtis says he doesn’t either, and she asks how she can help. He says, she can take his check, but she says, they both know she’s not doing that. He’s not really telling her that his marriage is over, is he? He says, Porta lied to him. When they met again after all those years of being apart, she made a point of telling him that Trina couldn’t possibly be his daughter. She says she’s not defending Portia, but to be honest, she can’t condemn her either. Curtis says, Portia didn’t admit Trina could be his daughter until her secret came out and she had no choice. Nina says, because Portia was afraid she was going to lose him, and she can understand that. She withheld information for the exact same reason.

Sonny asks what business Gladys could possibly be doing with Miss Wu, and she says she was just following his advice. He discouraged her from selling the garage to a low bidder. She rejected that offer, and sold it to someone who knows its worth. Selina Wu is the proud new owner of Brando’s garage.

Victor goes to the bar, and Selina says, whatever Mr. Cassadine is having, put it on her tab. Victor says, it’s kind of her, but unnecessary, and she says, she insists. He looks like he needs a pick-me-up. He asks what she knows about it.

Sasha pets Comet and sweettalks him, and Cody asks if she grew up around horses. She says, lately, she’s more familiar with the horsepower of muscle cars, but he says, she’s not afraid. The last woman he had there would rather be caught dead than… She says she loves riding; it’s just been a while. He suggests she ride there, and she asks what he charges. He says, she’d be doing him a favor. It exercises the horses, and Mama Q will stop worrying whether he has friends or not. She asks Comet if that sounds fair, and listens. Cody asks what Comet said, and she says, that Cody does have friends.

Laura asks what Eileen found out, and Eileen says she and Victor shared a room last night. They used to… Laura says, Anna told her. The less she hears about that, the better. Eileen says, Laura doesn’t have to. She’d hoped reigniting their physical relationship would loosen Victor’s lips, but it didn’t work. Laura asks, why not? and Eileen says, Victor hasn’t been himself… He had an off night in the bedroom.

Selina asks Victor to disregard her intrusion. Enjoy his coffee in good health. Perhaps it will restore his customary courtliness. She takes out her phone, and turns her back to him.

Nina says, not telling Sonny’s family he was in Nixon Falls is a mistake she’s still living down, but at the time, she thought she was justified. Curtis asks if she’s saying Portia did too, and she says, yes, but that being said, she’s always on his team, especially with this issue. She knows how painful it is being denied your own children. He says, finding out Trina might be his daughter, is nothing in comparison with what Carly did to Nina with Willow, and she says she’s trying to focus on rebuilding her relationship with Willow, but she’s so angry. Curtis says, so is he, and she says, he has every right to be, but she wants him to remember the circumstances aren’t the same. Portia is his wife, and she’s Trina’s mother. Has he spoken to Trina? He says he went to see her. The whole time he spoke with her, he just kept looking into those big, beautiful brown eyes, and wondering if they were his mother’s eyes. He’s got to know. She says, he’s got to have answers, right? But does Trina want to know? He says, she’s considering it, and Nina says, take it from her, don’t push. She’s learning to live with what she’s given. Whether it’s a DNA test or a relationship, let Trina decide.

Ava says she and Trina share no DNA. Nature didn’t forge the connection they have; they did that. It’s one of the most meaningful bonds she has. She doesn’t know if that’s an argument for or not getting the test; only Trina knows. But whatever she decides, Ava will be beside her, holding her hand. They hug.

Maxie tells Bobbie, time’s up. What’s it gonna be? Bobbie says, all right. She’ll co-chair the Nurses Ball Planning Committee. Maxie says, Bobbie is the best. She won’t be sorry. She promises the Nurses Ball will be the best way to celebrate the sixtieth festivities of the hospital. She’s going to text her mom. Bobbie says, she and Lucy might not have always seen eye to eye, but she’s going to do Lucy proud. Maxie says, Lucy worked really hard every year to make sure the Nurses Ball was a huge success, and Bobbie says, Lucy made it sound like it was the biggest undertaking in modern times, but she intends to do just as well, without breaking half the sweat or losing her clothes. I wonder if that’s how Lucy is going to make her reentry.

Felicia looks at her phone, and says, it’s largely because of Lucy that Maxie thinks the show should go on. She wants to honor what she thinks is Lucy’s legacy as the heart and soul of the Nurses Ball. Lucy says, that’s lovely and she’s grateful, but it’s really no small feat organizing an entire Nurses Ball, and in just a few weeks? She doesn’t think Maxie is capable of doing it. Felicia tells her not to worry. Maxie has plenty of people to help her. The text she just received? Bobbie is going to co-chair. Lucy says, Bobbie Spencer? Anna opens the door, and Felicia says, sounds like it’s all in hand. Stay safe. She jets, and Lucy asks if they actually heard that. Bobbie Spencer, no. No, no, no, no, no. Bobbie Spencer is not going to take what is hers… again.

Nina says, whatever Trina decides, no matter the results, Curtis is still going to be part of her life because of his relationship with her mother. He says he’s not sure where he and Portia stand, and Nina says, so if Trina’s not his daughter, both Portia and Trina will be out of his life?

Trina says she doesn’t know what she’d do without Ava, and Ava says she’ll always be here for Trina. But she only has one mother. Trina says, maybe, but unlike her mother, Ava has never been dishonest with her. When it comes to Ava Jerome, what she sees is what she gets.

Cody thanks Sasha for the biscotti, and she says, probably not as good as Mama Q’s, but he says, if they are, he won’t tell her. She says she thinks she’ll take him up on his offer. She would love to get back into riding. He says, excellent, and she says she wishes she could give him something more in return. Like free color matching at Deception, or free tune-ups at the garage. He says he’s already found his perfect foundation shade, thanks, and he doesn’t have a car; which works out, since she no longer has a garage. Sasha asks what he means; she still has Brando’s garage. Cody flashes back to hearing Gladys says she’d sign the garage over to Selina, and says, he’s sorry. He must have heard wrong. Sasha says, from who?

Sonny says, it sounds like Gladys selling Brando’s garage to Miss Wu is a savvy business deal. He’s good with it as long as Sasha is. Gladys says she’s glad he’s on board. See ya. She tries to jet, but he calls her back, and asks, is Sasha good or not?

Valentin sips his coffee, and says, now that’s a cup of joe. Anna says she knows living with Lucy is a temporary – he says, insanity? – thing, but it’s all going to work out in the end. If they can prove Victor killed Luke, and framed her for killing Lucy… He says, providing Eileen does everything they as her to do.

Victor tells Selina that he should apologize. He hasn’t been feeling himself lately. She says, oh? and flashes back to him raising the martini she put something in, which I’d forgotten about. She says, that’s a terrible shame, smiles at him, and leaves. So she gave him something to make him impotent? I guess killing his ego is the next best thing to killing him.

Laura asks if that’s unusual for Victor, and Eileen says, until now, he’s actually been rather… robust. But they haven’t been together in months. Maybe last night explains why. Laura says, clearly, Eileen isn’t going to be able to get information from him seducing him, so they have to come up with another way to engage his interest.

On the phone, Selina says, Miss Sutton, it’s Selina Wu. She’ll be interested to know that something has disconcerted their mutual acquaintance, Mr. Cassadine. Perhaps that something has to do with the substance Holly paid her to slip him? She gets in the elevator, as she watches Victor at the bar.

Eileen tells Laura, despite Victor’s frustration and embarrassment earlier, his interest was piqued when she mentioned getting the unredacted report of Holly Sutton’s accident and the necklace she stole. Laura says she thinks they just might have to give Victor exactly what he wants.

Tomorrow, Drew has a proposal for Ned; Sasha wants to know who Cody heard discussing selling Brando’s garage; and Sonny says, Gladys better know what she’s doing.

🍼 Forgotten Son…

I have some vague recollection of him, but God knows we heard his name enough from Heather.

👫 Besties Across the Pond…

It’s so cool how they’re friends IRL.

🎤 Returning Again…

Important dates to remember; March 29th, the tribute to Sonja Eddy, and April 3rd, the Nurses Ball.

⚰️ He’s a Multiple…

I don’t see why he couldn’t come back. I fully expect Faison to show up again, even though his brain is in a jar, or that his good twin will show up. Maybe Doc and Ryan were triplets. Or maybe Ryan figured out a way to seem dead, since he had a lot of time on his hand (ha-ha), and Heather will come dig him up.

🧼 When He Switched…

This was eons ago, and he’s just talking about it now?

🛥 Don’t Tell…

I don’t know how secret any of this is, but it’s interesting. It kind of sounds like (June, June) Hannah will be back in the franchise too. Although obviously not working for Captain Sandy.

🍸 Let’s Get To It…

While it was hard to choose among the many, many, many articles on the top – including those on CNN and the New York Times, because this is such important news – we’ll start with these. I’d love to be a fly on the wall at that Reunion. Unless Ariana is carrying a flyswatter.

The Queen herself weighs in.

https://people.com/tv/lisa-vanderpump-addresses-tom-sandoval-ariana-madix-breakup-raquel-leviss-drama/

You might want to take notes.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/08/entertainment/raquel-leviss-ariana-madix-tom-sandoval/index.html

Like this is a surprise.

🖥 Beyond the Game…

This is a great show. Nice that they were able to incorporate an actor from the game into the series. I’ve never really played video games except for when I babysat. I’m too afraid I’ll get sucked in and never come up for air. And I don’t have a grandmother whose basement I can live in.

https://ew.com/tv/the-last-of-us-troy-baker-james-interview/

👗 It Happened March 9th

I still love Barbie. But it’s really all about the clothes. And the tiny shoes that always get lost. And all the accessories. And maybe the teeny dog that comes with her.

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/9-video

👠 In a Barbie World…

Join me for the free-for-all that is Friday’s post, when there will be soap, tea, insightful words, and captivating music. Until then, stay safe, stay being the calm in the storm, and stay remembering, with maturity comes the understanding that nothing is absolute. There are almost always shades of grey.

March 8, 2023 – Eileen Spills the Beans About Victor, Girls Gone To Vegas (Without Scheana) & Better Be

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Cameron comes home to find Elizabeth sleeping on the couch. He asks if she’s okay.

Laura goes to Esme’s room, and asks if Esme has a few minutes to talk, but Esme says, no. Elizabeth Baldwin told her the truth about Laura’s son. Laura doesn’t really care about her. None of them can be trusted, and she’s sick of listening to Laura’s lies.

Trina sees Spencer sitting on a bench, and he flashes back to kissing her. They hug.

Obrecht is sitting in a private area at the MetroCourt, when Victor comes along. She tells him to go away, but he sits down. She asks if he didn’t hear her, and he says he heard her loud and clear. He also knows how much she enjoys telling him off, so have at it.

Robert brings a blindfolded Eileen into the safehouse where Anna is, and removes the blindfold. She sees Valentin, and says, he’s alive too. Anna says, it’s a miracle, and Eileen asks why Anna didn’t tell her. Anna says, because she could have gone straight to Victor, but Eileen says she knows better. If Victor heard the recording of them setting her up, she’d be seen as a liability and probably killed. Valentin says, probably, and Robert says, it’s good she’s clear on that. She says, if they’re alive, does that mean Lucy Coe… but Valentin says, no. She’s here to give them information, not ask questions. They’ll tell her what she wants to know once they decide how useful she can be. Anna asks why she’s working for Victor. How close is she to him? They need to know everything.

Portia asks Marshall if he thinks there’s any hope for her and Curtis, when Curtis comes out of the elevator. Marshall says he’ll be in Dr. Samuels’s office, but there’s no need for Curtis to come with him to check in. Stay. Talk. Curtis and Portia have something to say to each other. Curtis says, not now, not here, and starts to walk away, but Portia says, please don’t go.

Spencer says, Trina shouldn’t be here. What if she runs into her mom? She says she thought of the possibility, but it doesn’t matter. She needs to be here for him. She hands him a gift bag, saying, she got his baby brother a cool baby blanket, and he thanks her. They sit, and Spencer says he doesn’t know when he’ll get to give it to him though. She asks if they’re not going home today. Is he okay? He says, the baby’s fine, but things have gone from bad to worse. Esme said his father kept her prisoner at Windymere.

Esme tells Laura, she actually had to jump off a turret to get away. She could have been killed or she could have lost her baby, and Laura didn’t say a word about any of this. Laura says she’s sorry. She only recently found out about this. Esme asks why she should believe Laura. She can’t trust any of them. All of the Cassadines are horrible; Nikolas, Spencer, Uncle Victor. They’re all trying to take Ace away from her. Laura says she’s not a Cassadine, but Esme says, she’s Spencer’s grandmother, so she knows Laura is on Spencer’s side. Laura says she’s also Esme’s baby’s grandmother, and she is on his side.

Portia says she and Curtis do have things to say, and Marshall says he’ll be in Dr. Samuels’s office. He tells Portia, it’s good to see her, kisses her on the cheek, and leaves. Curtis wonders what there is to discuss, and Portia says, first of all, he hasn’t been home. Where has he been staying? He says, at the MetroCourt hotel, and she tells him, come home. She can stay in the guest room if he prefers. He says he doesn’t prefer any of this, and as for him coming home, he’s sorry, but he’s just not ready. She says, they can’t keep avoiding each other forever. Can he answer her one thing? Do he and Trina want to have a DNA test to see if they’re father and daughter?

Eileen asks where Felicia is, and Anna says, she couldn’t make it. She tells Eileen to take a seat, and says, they need to understand her involvement with Victor and what she knows. Valentin asks why Victor would want a mole in the mayor’s office, and Eileen says, at first, it was all about Laura. He wanted her to keep tabs on Laura. Anna wonders, why is that? and Eileen says she believes he wanted to keep Laura from focusing on him. He told Eileen to undermine her whenever possible. Anna asks if he was interested in certain information, and Eileen says, he wanted to know if the PCPD was investigating him, but other than that, he didn’t give her any details. Robert says, how convenient for her, and Eileen says, they’re not partners. Victor made that quite clear. She works for him, and does what he tells her to do. Since he promised to back her political aspirations, she had no idea he would be killing people who got in his way. Robert says, that’s not very shrewd of her not to vet someone like Victor when she’s about to become his flunky, and Anna says, Eileen was lured in by the promise of more, wasn’t she? More power, more money… Eileen says, it was never about money. Victor said he believed in her… until she started working for him. Then her eyes were opened. Valentin asks, what did she see?

Cameron says, Elizabeth isn’t sleepwalking, is she? but Elizabeth says she was waiting up for him and fell asleep. She can assure him, she’s not in that dark place anymore. He says he’s glad to hear that, and glad she waited up for him. He’s going to play soccer for Stanford.

Obrecht says she doesn’t know what kind of game Victor is playing, but she’s not interested. He says he’s not playing games. He’s just offering himself as a target for her anger. She knows how much better she feels after cussing him out. She says she was hoping to be left alone to try and eat; something nearly impossible to do these days with the lump in her throat, but she has to keep up her strength. He says he’s truly sorry about her daughter’s death, but she must understand how blessed she’s been. She’s enjoyed the love of her children. Valentin came into his life for only a short while, and they hardly had a loving father/son relationship. They hardly had any relationship at all, and before he could repair the damage, Valentin was taken from him. Not the same hell that she’s experiencing, but it’s hell nonetheless. She supposes she can feel sorry for him for that much, and he says, they can comfort each other, even slightly. Let him keep her company until Scotty gets here. She says, he’s not coming, and Victor asks, where is he? She says she doesn’t know, and she doesn’t care. The only person she wants to talk to less than Victor, is Scotty.

Cameron tells Elizabeth, he got the email this morning. He got the scholarship. They want him to start spring quarter, so he can work out with the team and be ready to play in the fall. Elizabeth hugs him, and says she can’t believe it. She’s so proud of him. He thanks her, and says, but she waited up for him. What’s going on?

Trina says, Esme’s remembered? but Spencer says, no. Esme claims Elizabeth confessed to helping his father. She says, Cam’s mom helped Spencer’s dad hold Esme prisoner? And he thinks that’s true, doesn’t he? He says he could see his dad doing something like that, and his father had enough influence over Elizabeth to put her in that position. His grandmother didn’t say anything, but maybe she and Uncle Victor don’t know about this yet. Trina suggests calling her, but he says, she’s in with Esme right now. Maybe she’s finding out. Either way, he hopes his grandmother can get through to Esme and make her see reason. Esme’s lawyer filed a petition. She wants to take the baby back to prison with her.

Laura asks if she’s given Esme reason to believe she’s lying, but Esme says, no. Laura has been really good to her, especially when she was giving birth to Ace. She couldn’t have gotten through it without Laura. Laura says she was really glad to be there for Esme. She’s happy to be here for Esme now, and promises to make sure she’s treated fairly. Esme asks why Laura cares about her; everyone says she was a horrible person. Laura says, Esme is the mother of her grandchild, and she thinks she has a pretty good idea of what Esme’s feeling right now. She was Esme’s age when she had her first baby, and she was frightened and trapped, and surrounded by enemies. Esme asks, what happened? and Laura says, she ended up being separated from her son for many, many years. Esme says, that’s exactly what’s going to happen to her, but Laura says, Esme hasn’t even stood trial yet. So much could change between now and then. Esme says, Ace should be with her. She’s his mom. Laura says she knows, but Esme has to think about what’s best for her son. Ask herself, is prison really the best spot for a baby?

Valentin asks what Eileen’s witnessed working with Victor, and Eileen says, he’s cold. He’s ruthless. She’s sure he’d have no qualms about killing her if he found out she was talking to them. Robert says, then she’d better make sure he doesn’t find out, and Anna asks if she knows who actually shot Lucy Coe. Um… Didn’t she already say it was Holly when she confessed? Eileen says, Holly Sutton, and Robert asks how Holly came to work for Victor, but Eileen says she has no idea. She’s never even seen Holly with him. She only knows how pleased Victor was when Anna was charged with Lucy’s shooting. One night, he told her how he loved the idea of using Holly against Robert and Anna. Anna says, Victor confided in Eileen. So this relationship is personal as well as professional? Eileen says, sometimes, and Robert says, how personal? Anna says, if Eileen’s taped confession goes public, she’ll never see the light of day again. She understands that? When does Victor confide in her? Eileen says, when they’re in bed together. Really? I don’t see it, but okay. Maybe she’s a freak in the sheets, or maybe Victor is more vanilla than I think.

Curtis says, Trina’s not ready to take a DNA test, and Portia says, then he’s spoken to her? He says, yes, and she asks how Trina is doing. She’s not responding to Portia’s calls or texts, which she completely understands, but she’s still worried about her. He says, Trina’s going through a lot these days, and what was said between them shall remain private. She says, of course (🍷), but a little information would be comforting right now, and he says, Trina’s strong; she knows that. Thankfully, she has a lot of support; from him, from Taggert, from Josslyn, his dad. Hell, even Spencer. She says, it’s good Trina doesn’t need her, but he says, Trina will always need her mom. She thanks him for that, and he says he has to go. He’ll think about coming home. She says she’ll do anything to fix what’s happened between them, but he continues walking away.

Cameron asks if Elizabeth is having second thoughts about him leaving. If so, he understands; applying for the scholarship is different than actually getting it. Elizabeth says, of course (🍷) she’s going to miss him – they all will – but she’s so happy for him. He worked hard for this, and deserves it. He’s going to be such an asset to his school. He says, okay, so what’s wrong? and she says she did something she deeply regrets, and she needs to tell him about it. Ever since her run-in with Esme on the docks, she’s known where Esme was, and she kept it a secret. He asks why she’d do that, and she says she thought she was doing the right thing, and by the time she realized she was wrong, it was too late, and she felt she couldn’t come forward. He asks where Esme was, and she says, Nikolas kept her at Windymere. She was locked in a room in the north tower.

Victor says, the unlikely lovebirds have fallen out. Do tell. What was the breaking point? The horrible wardrobe choices or his abysmal table manners? Come on. Throw him a crumb. Her and Baldwin on the rocks? He’s beginning to feel better already. She says she’s not surprised. Sadistic narcissists are always amused by other people’s suffering. She won’t put hers on display for his sordid entertainment. He laughs, and she asks why he’s grinning like an idiot. He says, there’s the feisty woman he knows and admires back again. The Liesl who spits fire and never backs down. She has to admit, the adrenaline pumping is a lot better than slipping into the pit of despair. She says she supposes so. She’s sorry he lost his son. She’s sorrier that he didn’t get to fulfill that relationship. He says, so is he, and thanks her. She asks if Valentin’s body was recovered, and he says, yes, but he’s having trouble getting the French police to release it to him. Don’t worry. He won’t rest until he can bring his son home.

As surprised as I am, Robert says, Eileen is sleeping with Victor? and Eileen says, off and on for months. It was casual; two consenting adults and all that. But lately, Victor’s been distant. Valentin says, nothing his father does is ever casual; everything is strategic. Anna asks when things changed, and Eileen says, after the explosion that destroyed the necklace Victor wanted. She’s never seen him so angry. Valentin asks if he ever told her why he wanted the necklace, and she tells him, he said he needed the necklace to find something. She doesn’t know what. Valentin says, yeah, she does. Think. What did he tell her exactly? She says, one thing stands out. He said the necklace would lead him to… somewhere; a place he was looking for.

Trina tells Spencer that she can’t believe Esme was being held prisoner at Windymere. That must have been why she was in the harbor on New Year’s Eve. She came all the way from Spoon Island on her own. Spencer says, she’s a survivor all right, and Trina asks if he thinks Esme always knew Ryan Chamberlain and Heather Webber were her parents. That’s a lot to survive right there. Spencer says, considering she was only in boarding school in Paris because he was there, he thinks she knew about Ryan for a while. Ryan told Ava, right before Mac Scorpio shot him, that he and Esme had been working together. The whole reason she was in France was to get close to him. Their entire relationship was a set-up. She had instructions from Ryan to get close to him and widen the gap between him and his father. Looking back, she manipulated him beautifully. She manipulated him from the very beginning, encouraging him to get revenge on his father, and drive his father and Ava apart. Trina says she’s so sorry, and he says, everything Esme told him from the beginning has been a lie. She says she feels him; it’s the worst. She turns around to see Portia.

Cameron tells Elizabeth that he doesn’t get it. The police suspected Esme of being a killer. They were looking for her everywhere and she knew where Esme was? Why did she just have the police handle it? She says she wanted to, but Nikolas convinced her that they were protecting the baby, as well as everyone else. For a period of time, there were no more Hook attacks, so they thought they were doing the right thing. Until Officer Cabrera was killed, then they realized it couldn’t be Esme. He asks why she didn’t call the police then, and she says she really struggled with it, but she was in too deep. She didn’t want to go to jail and leave them, then Esme showed up with amnesia, and part of her thought there was no reason to come forward. That would have been the easy way out. So yesterday, she went to the police and told them everything, and they gave her an immunity deal. Does he think he can ever forgive her? Talk to her. Just tell her what he’s feeling.

Dr. Samuels says, Marshall was concerned with the genes that could be indicators of schizophrenia, and Marshall says he knows there are ten genes scientists have linked to the disease. She says, it’s also possible to have schizophrenia without those gene indicators present, and he says, she doesn’t have to beat around the bush with him. He’s lived most of his life with this diagnosis. Give it to him straight. How many of the genes does he have? She says, his test results showed he doesn’t have a single gene mutation that would indicate schizophrenia.

Valentin says, they need to know more about this place Victor wants to find. What else can Eileen tell them? She says, only that Victor’s been searching for it for years, and Anna says, and he believes the necklace is the key to finding it? Eileen says, yes, but he never said how or why. Just that, now that the necklace is gone, he’s back to square one. Robert says, it’s not enough; they need more. Eileen says she doesn’t have anything else, and Valentin says, maybe she can get Victor to give them something else; a little more pillow talk. She asks if he’s suggesting she sleep with Victor to get information, but Anna says, they’re not suggesting anything. However, Eileen’s prior relationship with him might get him to open up. Eileen asks how Anna proposes she do that, and Anna says she wants Eileen to listen to what she says very carefully.

The guard comes into Esme’s room, and says, arrangements have been made to transport her to Spring Ridge this evening. Esme says, what about her baby? and he says, the infant is going with her. Esme breathes a sigh of relief, and smiles.

Portia asks if Trina is here to see her, but Trina says, no. She’s here for Spencer. Portia says, of course (🍷), and congratulates him on his baby brother. He thanks her, and they see Laura come out. Trina tells Spencer to go talk to his grandmother. It looks like she needs to talk to him. There’s a lot of that going around right now. He leaves, and Portia asks if that means Trina has something to say to her. They sit, and Trina says, she talked to dad. Her real dad; her always dad, no matter what. Portia agrees, no matter what, Taggert will always be Trina’s dad, and Trina says, he’s amazing. She can’t believe he’s not more upset at Portia not telling them the truth. Portia says, Trina’s father is a good man, and Trina says she’s just sorry he had to rise to the occasion in the first place. Portia says, her too. She knows Trina spoke to Curtis. Don’t worry. He didn’t tell her anything, but she didn’t want Trina to think she was keeping something from her. She asks how Trina’s slideshow for the post-impressionists went, but Trina says, they’re not there yet.

Curtis asks if the doctor is saying Marshall doesn’t have schizophrenia, but she says she’s not saying that. She’s not a psychiatrist. They’ve spoken about how testing for schizophrenia has come a long way since Marshall was diagnosed, and there’s still a lot they don’t understand. That’s a lot of quagmires, she knows. Marshall says, but she’s saying the person in those tests isn’t at risk for schizophrenia? and she says, no more than anyone else.

Spencer asks if Laura got through to Esme. Does she understand the baby would be better off with him? She says she tried, but unfortunately, Elizabeth admitted to Esme that Spencer’s father held her captive at Windymere for months, so now she’s suspicious of all Cassadines. He says, that’s his father, not him. All he wants is what’s best for his little brother. She says she thinks she convinced Esme that she cares about the baby, that she wants what’s best for the baby, and Esme can trust her. Which is why she’s hoping they can find an arrangement where Esme isn’t cut out entirely. Spencer says, no, that’s not going to work because of his father. Esme is never going to believe there’s a scenario where the baby is better off with him. They’re going to have to take this thing to court. She says she was hoping he wouldn’t say that. She’ll never stop looking for an amicable solution for everyone involved; him, Esme, even his father, when he comes back. He says, she thinks there’s such a thing as an amicable solution when it comes to Esme? It is a fight that woman wants, and it’s a fight she’s going to get. He’s going to the nursery to see if they’ll let him hold his brother one more time before his brother is stripped from him. Laura tells him, Esme and the baby are being transferred to Spring Ridge tonight.

Victor asks if Obrecht is going to sit staring disapprovingly at him all evening, or is she going to tell him what Scotty did or didn’t do that got her to come to her senses? She says, he lied to her. Scotty chose someone else over her. He put someone else’s needs above hers and her Britta’s. Victor says, not only is that foolish, it’s unforgiveable. It seems they’re both destined to a solitary evening. Unless of course (🍷) they keep each other company. He reaches for her hand, but she snatches it away, saying, that will never happen. She gets up, and says, Scotty’s misstep can’t compare to everything Victor’s done to her. Does he think she’s forgotten he’s a fool? She assures him, she has not. He’ll never touch her again. She’d rather be alone. She walks off.

Laura says, the decisions they make now will effect this baby for the rest of his childhood. If they alienate Esme now, they set in motion a cycle of hearings in family court. They see the baby being wheeled to Esme’s room, and Laura says, there’s nothing more they can do right now.

Esme picks Ace up, and Portia says, no one expects a new mother to have all the answers. Ask for help if she needs it. Esme thanks Portia for being so kind to her. She understands she was horrible to Portia’s daughter. She’s a very kind person. She bets Portia is a great mother, and she wants to be that for her child too. Portia says she’s just doing her job, and leaves to check on Esme’s release papers. Esme says she missed Ace, who now looks about six-months old. She asks if he remembers her; she’s his mom. He’s her Ace. They’ve been through a lot together, but they’ve got each other. She promises to protect him. He chomps seriously on his pacifier.

Cameron tells Elizabeth that he doesn’t know what to think. It’s a lot to process. He gets she thought Esme was dangerous and shouldn’t roam the streets, but the way they went about the whole thing, it’s a lot. He can’t believe he had no idea she was dealing with all this. She says, he couldn’t have known. She worked very hard to keep it from him, and she’s so sorry for letting him down like this, especially on a day when he should be celebrating this major milestone in his life. If he has questions, come to her, and she’ll try to answer them honestly. He says he’ll let her know. He has to think about this, alone in his room. He starts to go upstairs, but comes back and tells her that he loves her. He’s proud of her. It must have taken a lot of guts to admit that to the police. She’s a good person. She cries, and says she doesn’t know how she got so lucky to have a son like him, but she’s glad she did. She thanks him for still believing in her, and they hug.

Valentin tells Anna, Victor said, Luke was making his life difficult, and she says, then he kills Luke for the Ice Princess, without knowing Luke had already started cutting the diamond up and selling key pieces. Then when Victor examined it, it didn’t have the coded messages he needed. Valentin says, which led him to the necklace made out of pieces of the Ice Princess. And thanks to Robert, they have the diamond and the codes. She says, they’re obviously coordinates to this place Victor wants to find, and he says, they’re going to figure it out. Anna says, together.

Eileen sits down across from Victor, and says, sorry they quarreled. She slides a hotel room keycard across the table, and says, want to make up? He takes the keycard.

In the hallway, Marshall says he’ll be damned. He laughs and says, maybe Portia was right. She’s been suggesting he might not have schizophrenia. Could he have been misdiagnosed all those years ago? If so, why?

Trina asks Spencer and Laura if everything is all right; they look upset. Spencer says, Esme is going to Spring Ridge tonight. She’s taking his baby brother with her. Trina says, already? when the guard wheels Esme out, Ace in her arms. She says, Ace is coming with her, and Spencer says, for now. He asks if the baby will be warm enough; it’s cold outside. Laura says, he’s just going down to the transport van in the parking garage, but Spencer offers Esme the blanket. She says, no thanks, but Laura puts it in her lap, saying, it might be good to have an extra one around. Esme tells Laura that she can visit at Spring Ridge if she likes, and Laura says she’d like that. The guard wheels Esme and Ace into the elevator, and the doors close. Trina tells Spencer that she’s sorry, and says, maybe Esme will let him visit too, but he says, no. His baby brother isn’t going to be in there for long. He’s going to do everything in his power to keep that kid away from that lunatic.

Tomorrow, Curtis tells Nina that he can’t accept; Maxie tells Bobbie, somebody needs to do something about it; and Sonny asks what Gladys is doing with Miss Wu.

Vanderpump Rules

Charli and Katie did some hiking, but Katie said, they should have just gone to McDonald’s instead. This has absolutely nothing to do with anything, but I thought it was funny. In Raquel’s interview, she said, Havasu was infamous for Girls Gone Wild and spring break. So does that mean Fort Lauderdale is done? I never did a spring break, since I didn’t go to normal college. Ariana couldn’t believe Raquel said she wanted to make out with Schwartz, and in Ariana’s interview, she said, they’d been encouraging Raquel to go crazy and make mistakes, but not like that. Raquel told Ariana that it was unfair for Katie to determine who Schwartz went out or made out with, but she still felt bad. In her interview, Raquel said she and Katie were never close because Katie had beef with James. And Katie didn’t come to her puppy party. We flashed back to that, and I knew it would be the best part of the show, unless we saw Villa Rosa. Raquel said it was difficult to know what Katie was thinking and feeling because she had a good poker face. She said she told Scheana about the trip, even though Scheana wasn’t invited. Scheana called Lala, and told her that she took Katie off the list for the wedding, since she wasn’t invited on the girls trip. In Scheana’s interview, she said, they were going to have an epic wedding in Mexico. Fire dancers, steel drummers, maybe a mariachi band, but what they weren’t having was Katie’s bitchy ass. She told Lala that Katie made her feel bad about herself, but Lala wasn’t quite having it. She said, Scheana feigned empathy for Katie’s divorce, but was trying to facilitate intimacy between her best friend Raquel and Schwartz. Scheana said, Schwartz claimed if they did make out, Katie drove him to it, but I’m not so sure that’s what he said. In Katie’s interview, she said, Raquel was Zoolander and Scheana was Mugatu. Scheana needed to be taken out. She explained the reference, but I wasn’t interested enough to really absorb it. Raquel and Ariana went shopping, and Raquel tried on a bathing suit that made her look like when they block body parts out in a photo.  

Lisa played with grandson Teddy, and I wondered where the dogs were. In Lisa’s interview, she said she worshiped the ground that baby never walked on. She was loving having a grandchild, and made no bones about being a proud grandmother. She told Ken that she had an obsessive personality, like he didn’t know. She’d had drinks with the Toms, and was seriously worried about the Schwartz and Sandy’s situation. The whole thing was a fiasco, and they were at odds with Gregg. Ken wondered if the Toms should buy Gregg out, but Lisa said, where would they get the money. Ken suggested helping them, but Lisa said they didn’t want to get involved with another restaurant, and she didn’t want to invest 30% in something where the Toms were at the helm. In her interview, she said she didn’t want to be partners with them and be in a combative situation. Ken suggested they check in with the Toms and see how far behind they were. Lisa was hesitant to step on Gregg’s toes. He knew what he was doing, and said they couldn’t open for another month, but the Toms were paying the rent. Ken said, then Gregg had nothing to lose.

James and Ally met James’s mom Jacqueline for lunch. James said he didn’t drink in front of his mom, and in his interview, he said he wanted to respect that she’d been sober for 4 years. He didn’t think she was ever going to drink again. Jacqueline asked if Ally had met Raquel, and Ally said, they’d had a conversation. We flashed back to that, and Jacqueline said she liked that Ally and James had met organically. No one dragged Ally to a show to meet the DJ. In Ally’s interview, she said, her friend Zack had dragged her to one of James’s shows, and the rest was history. Jacqueline asked if James thought it was wise that he was drinking, but he said he was doing all right. In James’s interview, he said he wasn’t wise. If he was Yoda, he’d move to Budapest and be a monk, but he’s not. Jacqueline told him, proceed with caution; it’s a dangerous game. Ally admitted there had been a couple of nights, and in her interview, she said she and James met when he was sober, and she thought it was cool and mature. About a month in, he told her that he’d had a drink (which probably means at least several) on his birthday in Vegas. She started to wonder if she’d ever actually known him sober.

Schwartz & Sandy’s looked like a mess; stuff everywhere. Lisa and Ken stopped by with Puffy (!), and Sandoval said it would be nice when the bar was a well-oiled machine. Lisa said they were there to help. She and Ken had discussed it a lot, and if they wanted their investment in TomTom back, they could have it, along with an option to buy it back in a year. Ken said, it wasn’t something they especially wanted to do, but the money was there if they needed it, and wanted to buy out Gregg. In Sandoval’s interview, he said they’d put a lot of sweat equity into it. It didn’t seem fair to just their investment back, but it was getting to the point where they had to explore all their options. Lisa said, it they were totally f***ed, it was an option. She hoped they found another way, but they would know it was there.

The girls packed for their trip. They were spending the night in Vegas, and then driving the next day to Lake Havasu. Ariana went over dog Charlotte’s medication with Sandoval, and in Ariana’s interview, she said, Charlotte was her soul dog; her ride or die. They’d been together 18 years, longer than her and Tom. Charlotte had a seizure, and Charlotte’s dad was on doggy duty. Katie told Kristina that she couldn’t wait to leave, and told Kristina about Raquel asking Schwartz to make out. In Kristina’s interview, she said she was the only one not falling for Raquel’s innocent act. Everyone treated her like a baby, but that was an insult to babies. Lala came by Raquel’s apartment, and asked if she missed the friendship she and James had. She and Randall had fought all the time. Raquel said, when your in it, you’re emotionally invested, and can’t see things for what they are. Lala said, I’m being mind f***ed. Why am I not doing anything about it? Let’s have a baby. Raquel said that was the worst idea ever, then realized what a moron she was by saying that, but she recovered, telling Lala, maybe she didn’t see it because Ocean was supposed to be here. Lala said if she didn’t think that way, she’d be in a hole. She considered herself smart. How did she get here? Raquel said, it was hard to heal with all Lala’s legal battles, and Lala said, it was constant. She was getting buck wild on the trip. She hadn’t had sex with a new person in years; not since Ocean was conceived, not since 2020. In Lala’s interview, she said, their sex life declined once she got sober. Randall had commented to his assistant, Lala used to be kinky, fun, and sexy until she got sober. Raquel said they were on a mission to find somebody worthy enough for Lala.

Everyone met at the airport; no private jet this time. At the hotel, they were given a keycard with Lisa’s picture on it. The suite was humongous, and in Katie’s interview, she said she liked to be bougie when she traveled, but this was palatial. Thank God Lisa was their fairy godmother and hooked them up. Lala said she brought a surprise – a Schwartz piñata. Back in L.A., James and Ally got a pedicure. James said he felt mentally beaten up by everybody. He’d met with Lisa, and she’d asked if he didn’t think he’d moved too quickly, but he told her that he deserved to be happy. Ally said she got that it was quick, but you met the right person when you were meant to. James asked Ally if she liked him better sober or now, and she said she liked him better when he wasn’t drinking. James said he liked going out, and Ally said it was better when he was in control. But if everyone was concerned and having talks with him, maybe he should consider what they were saying. James insisted it wasn’t genuine. They hadn’t had time to see how he was now. He wasn’t falling off the rails. Ariana had to leave Vegas and go home because Charlotte was having breakthrough seizures. She’d seemed okay, then the vet called and said she was still having partial seizures. She wasn’t there mentally anymore. Lala said she wouldn’t regret going home, and in Ariana’s interview, she said, Charlotte had been there for half her life. She couldn’t wrap her head around what life would be like without her best friend. I got pretty teary during this, since I’ve been there. I even grieve over total stranger’s dogs.

The girls went to the Vanderpump Paris restaurant, where Katie’s mom joined them. In Katie’s interview, she said her mom has lived in Vegas for nine or ten years. Of course she was inviting her mom to dinner. She was an amazing daughter, and knew that bitch loves a martini. I don’t know when it became a thing to call your friends bitches (and your mom). Call me old-fashioned, but just no. Their server was Garcelle’s son Oliver, who said he’d lived in Vegas since 2018. Lala said he was her type of man, and in her interview, she said, they’d met at the Vanderpump Paris opening, but hooking up had been the last thing on her mind. Lately, she’d been feeling bad for her vagina. Lisa joined them, and they told her about Ariana’s dog. If anyone understands that stuff, it’s Lisa. I’ll bet Lisa gives her employees bereavement leave for pets.

Ariana hit the ground running, telling Sandoval to go straight to the vet. In Sandoval’s interview, he said, Ariana was never interested in having children, but if she could have given birth to Charlotte, she would have. Obviously, they knew at some point this day was coming, but now it was here, and he was concerned about how it was going to affect Ariana. He needed to be there in any he could. I thought about how much everyone hates him right now, and that made it doubly sad, but Puffy! Lisa asked if they’d met Oliver, and Oliver said just now. In Lisa’s interview, she said, Lala had a big ego, and was hurt when someone didn’t remember her, but in Lala’s interview, she said, if he was lucky, he’d remember her later. She didn’t give a f***. In Raquel’s interview, she said, the point of the trip was to meet cute guys and have fun. Oliver was charismatic, and his swagger was intriguing. Lisa asked Katie about the sandwich shop, and Katie said they still had to find a location. Lisa said, don’t look five doors down from SUR. It was 8 grand a month, and had a kitchen and patio. In Katie’s interview, she said, the most important thing they needed was a location. If Lisa found them a spot, she’d be indebted. She already promised Lisa her first born, and guessed it would have to be her soul this time. Lisa asked if she was going to Scheana’s wedding, and Katie said, no, but she did have a non-refundable room booked, so she might be in Mexico. Being a good mom, Teri told Lisa about the whole Raquel/Scheana/Schwartz thing, and Raquel babbled that Scheana had broached the subject, and the idea stayed in her head. Lisa said she still had to take some responsibility for it, and Teri said, Katie and Schwartz were technically still married and selling their home; it was an emotional thing. Katie might not show her emotions, but it was hard. In her interview, Katie said, what she was going through was hard. She didn’t think Raquel got it. Schwartz wasn’t just some dude she’d dated; he was family. If Raquel had to hear it from her mother, so be it.

Oliver joined the girls afterward at Discopussy, along with a few of his friends. In her interview, Lala said she didn’t know what his personality was like, but she wasn’t looking for a life partner. They talked kids and custody, and Oliver said he was separated. Lala and Raquel walked over to the bar, and Raquel said she was attracted to Oliver. In Raquel’s interview, she said she and Lala came on the trip to have the best time, and she likes Oliver too. In Lala’s interview, she said, it was strange that Raquel showed zero interest until she said, damn, he’s kind of fine. It wasn’t a pageant, but Raquel was treating it like one; she was in competition mode. Katie and Charli flirted with some guys at the bar, and Katie gave one her number. Raquel and Oliver danced and kissed, and in her interview, Lala said she didn’t give two sh*ts who Raquel was kissing, but be real. If it were a competition, she would have won, and they’d be rolling around in bed. She’s always the winner.

Next time, Schwartz suggests they be hooligans and have a guys night; Ally doesn’t want James to be around Raquel; Lala says she’d never trust Raquel with her man if Raquel was drunk; and Raquel says, thank God Lala doesn’t have a man right now. I imagine the next moment, we see fireworks.

🦁 Hear Me Roar…

Come visit tomorrow for a soap and tea party. Until then, stay safe, stay being strong, but flexible, and stay proceeding with caution if you decide to drink when everyone’s telling you that you’re a better person sober. It’s a dangerous game.  

March 7, 2023 – Willow Has a Moment With Nina, Spitting Venom At Brunch In New Jersey & Your Mama

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Portia is looking at her wedding photo, when there’s a knock at her office door. Marshall asks if she’s got a minute, and she says, of course (🍷). He says, they’ve barely seen each other at the house, and she says, that’s on her. She’s been so busy with work. He says, of course (🍷). It’s perfectly understandable. He’s getting the results of his genetic screening, and she says, he must have so many questions. He says he does, but the only thing he’s going to ask her about is Curtis.

At the hospital, Alexis says hi to Curtis, but he doesn’t respond, so she calls to him again. He says he’s sorry; he didn’t hear her. She says, it must have been quite a meeting. She apologizes that her wedding present is going to be super late, but he tells her, save her money. Where he and Portia are headed, it’s probably going to get returned.

Nina comes out of the elevator, and sees Willow and Michael. She says she was looking for her Aunt Liesl, and Michael says, Nina just missed her. Nina starts to leave, but Willow says, wait, and asks Michael to give them a moment alone.

Sonny asks why Ava is willing to give her ex-husband a pass. If Nikolas has something over on her, he can help her. Austin approaches and says he’s sorry to interrupt, but he’d like to speak to Ava. Sonny says, they’re in the middle of something, but Ava says, it’s okay; she has things to discuss with Austin. Sonny asks, what about the situation with Nikolas? but she says, there is no situation. Nikolas was just trying to hurt her, and is absolutely no threat to their daughter. Forget she said anything, and chalk it up to a few martinis and a thousand bad decisions. She leaves with Austin, and Olivia asks what that was about, but Sonny says, Ava wouldn’t tell him.

Molly meets TJ at Charlie’s, and he asks if she took it. She says she did. He says, so… are they having a baby?

Drew kisses Carly in what used to be Sonny’s kitchen. She’s removed the moss bowl 🎍 so there are no witnesses, but its absence is keenly felt. She says, they have to wait until her brownies are done, and he says he can’t believe she’s baking. She says, these are for Willow. She hasn’t had much of an appetite lately, but she loves Carly’s brownies. It also looks like Liesl Obrecht is going to be a match for a donor, and they need to celebrate. What’s a celebration without brownies? He says he has something he wants to celebrate – them; openly, as a couple.

Molly tells TJ, no, they’re not having a baby; the test was negative. He says, it’s funny. He was just cruising along, not even thinking about having a baby; at least not yet. Then, all of a sudden, there could be a baby and it’s back to no baby in a couple of minutes. She asks how he feels about all of this, and he says, it’s not like they were planning on starting a family; not until he’s finished his residency. They would need a bigger place. They definitely haven’t saved for a baby, so… She says, so he’s relieved she’s not pregnant, right?

Curtis says, it’s a long story he doesn’t care to repeat, and Alexis says, no worries. He tells her, let’s just say he’ll be attending more meetings than usual, and she says, that’s what they’re there for. It must have been quite a blow. He says he’ll be fine, and she says she’s not one to preach, but for what it’s worth (🍷), that’s where prayer comes in handy sometimes. He says, it does. He doesn’t want to be the reason she misses her meeting, and she asks him to come with her. He hesitates, but she says, don’t be difficult, and he follows her.

Marshall says he’s deeply troubled about the rift between Portia and Curtis. Not only has he witnessed how devoted they were to each other, but he and Curtis wouldn’t have the relationship they do if not for her. She says she couldn’t even tell him why she didn’t tell Curtis that he could be Trina’s father, but he says, she doesn’t have to justify her actions to him.

Austin says, it looked like Ava was just about to tell Sonny that Nikolas is dead and the body is missing. Why would she do something like that? She says she needs help, and Sonny is Avery’s father. He’d do anything to protect Avery, and protecting Avery means protecting her; and if she’s protected, Austin is protected.

Olivia says, if Sonny want to stick his nose all up in Ava’s business, go right ahead, and he says, she’s Avery’s mother. After what she’s been through with Ryan Chamberlain, she has every right to be spooked. She says, Ava and Austin seem cozy at the moment. Why doesn’t Sonny let Austin be her emotional support animal? Sonny’s got enough going on in his life right now.

Michael parks Willow’s wheelchair near a bench, and asks if she’s sure about this. She says, if it becomes too much, she’ll send up a flare. He sees he has a text from Dex that says, GH roof, and tells her that he won’t be far. He leaves, and Willow tells Nina, they just had a meeting with Dr. Randolph and Aunt Liesl. They’re running more tests to make sure it’s safe for her to donate, but Dr. Randolph is hopeful. She wanted to talk to Nina about where things stand. Nina asks how Willow is. How are the kids? Is there anything she can do… Willow says she wanted to talk to Nina about her condition; the kids are off-limits. She’s not going to tell Nina anything about them, and Nina won’t ask. Are they clear? Bitch.

Waiting on the roof, Dex gets a text from Michael that says, On my way.

Portia tells Marshall that she doesn’t know if her actions can even be justified; not anymore anyway. He says, and at the time? and she says, Curtis was out of her life for good, with no expectations of him coming back. She was with Taggert, and he’d just come back from his assignment, and she found out she was pregnant. They were overjoyed, and Trina and Taggert have this bond that’s so sacred. She would do anything to protect it. He says, even at the expense of the bond she shares with his son, and she says, it made perfect sense at the time. She thought Marshall, of all people, would be able to understand this. He says, but he walked away from his family because he thought it was the right thing to do. Everyone wants to protect their loved ones from harm. It’s a natural instinct, and it shouldn’t be ignored, but maybe looking back on it all, that instinct shouldn’t be trusted.

TJ says he wouldn’t say that, but Molly says, he can tell her. He says he thinks they need to have a talk. Sit down and really… She says, he can tell her anything… except right now. Alexis walks in with Curtis, and they all say hi. Alexis says, happy anniversary, and Molly asks them to join her and TJ. Alexis says, they don’t want to interrupt, but TJ tells them to stay; he hasn’t seen Curtis since the wedding. Curtis says he’s going to order from the bar, and asks if he can talk to TJ for a second.

Dex takes the SIM card out of his phone, throws it down, and steps on it. Michael comes out on the roof and says he doesn’t have a lot of time. He wants to get Willow home. Dex says he wants to give Michael a heads up. He thinks Sonny is on to him.

Ava tells Austin that Nikolas is her responsibility. Don’t give anyone a reason to suspect him. Let her protect herself. He says, telling a guy like Sonny Corinthos isn’t going to help them. In fact, it could get them both killed. Mason watches from outside the doorway, and smiles.

Sonny says he has a lot on his plate, which is why he needs Olivia’s help, and she asks, in what way? He says, Nina… and she says, the answer’s no. He asks if she can’t hear him out. Nina’s climbing the walls about this whole Willow situation. Olivia lives at the Quartermaines. Can she just keep him posted on how Willow is?

Carly says, Drew wants to take their relationship public? What happened to the whole they might be accused of insider trading thing? He says, it’s a risk, and she says, call her crazy, but she’s not really excited about going to prison. And if she’s being honest, she finds this being in secret not so bad. He says, she’s enjoying the intrigue; having an elicit affair without actually betraying anyone. She says she finds it sexy and exciting, and he says he gets that, but enough time has passed since the stock purchase and the failed merger. It’s not as obvious to people that they were together when the stock was purchased. She says, he’s such a romantic, but he says he’s just being realistic. The longer they keep this a secret, it increases their chances of getting caught, which will make people question how long they’ve actually been together, which brings them back to insider trading. She says she thinks they’ve done a pretty good job of keeping this quiet. Only her kids and Sonny know they’re together. He says, and Olivia, and she says, none of them are going to say anything. No one is on to them.

Nina says she won’t ask about the kids, and Willow says, if she does, this conversation is over. What I said. Nina sits down, and asks Willow to go on, and Willow says, first, about the bone marrow transplant. While Nina’s aunt is a match, there are questions about her fitness as a bone marrow donor. Nina says, because of her age? and Willow says, bone marrow donors are ideally between the ages of 18 and 35 years of age, and Nina’s aunt is… Nina says, over 35, but she’s as strong as an ox. Willow says, it’s not so much her physical fitness as her medical history they have to consider, and they also have to determine if there are any underlying issues she may not know about. Nina says, Willow’s been talking about her Aunt Liesl. How are you?

Drew says, it’s kind of a miracle the secret has lasted as long as it has, and Carly says, Ned was the one who threatened to go to the FCC. Won’t them going public with their relationship cause him to react? Drew says, the only reason Ned threatened that was to keep him and Michael out of ELQ, and she says, what’s changed? He says, Ned was afraid they’d push him out, so he teamed up with Valentin. Valentin is now dead, and his shares were inherited by his daughter, but Laura is the one handling her affairs, so now is the perfect opportunity to get back Valentin’s shares. She says, but if they isolate Ned, won’t he pull the trigger with the FCC? and Drew says, not if he bows out.

Alexis says she feels like she interrupted something big, and Molly says, it was almost something big. Alexis asks if everything is okay, and Molly says, everything’s fine. It’s just that she and TJ thought she might be pregnant. I’m glad she did say we, because face it, only one of you carries and delivers the baby. Molly says, she’s not, and Alexis says, it’s something to talk about. Molly says, they weren’t planning on having kids yet, with both of them being so busy. If they add a baby to the mix… Alexis says, it’s exhausting, and Molly works. So when she’s at work, she’ll be thinking about the baby, and when she’s with the baby, she’ll be thinking about what she has to do at work. And with TJ’s schedule, she’ll be doing the night shift. Good luck with that. And the truth is, you’ve got to keep your eye on them 24 hours a day. As small as they are, you can’t imagine how they have such a long reach, and they’ll put anything in their mouth. Molly was a cross between an octopus and a Dustbuster. It makes you wonder how you’ll get through a whole day, let alone 18 years. She sees Molly’s face – which is a mix of horrified, panicked, and exhausted already – and says, on the other hand, it’s the best thing that could ever happen to you.

TJ says he knows something went down after he and Molly left the reception. He’s not asking Curtis for details. He just wants to know if there’s anything he can do. Curtis says he appreciates the offer. Right now, he just wants to focus on anything else. Like TJ. How are he and Molly? TJ says, actually, it’s crazy. He and Molly are talking about having a baby. Any thoughts on fatherhood?

Portia says, the reason she’s been burying herself in her work and avoiding Marshall is, she didn’t want to have this conversation. Now she’s thankful they had it. She thought she’d ruined everything. Not just between her and Curtis, but between her and Marshall as well. And now he’s saying he doesn’t hate her for what she’s done. It gives her hope. He says he could never hate her, not after everything she’s done for him. He wouldn’t have questioned his schizophrenia diagnosis if it wasn’t for her. That’s why he wanted to see her before he got his test results from the geneticist; to say thank you.

Nina can’t imagine how Willow must be feeling, and Willow says she doesn’t have a lot of energy, or an appetite. She has difficulty concentrating. Also – this is going to sound really shallow – her nails are really brittle. She always prefers it when they look nice. Nina asks to see, and Willow shows Nina her hand. Nina says, not long ago, Crimson did a feature on nail art, and a nail artist gave her a nail strengthening recommendation. She digs in her bag, and pulls out a bottle, saying, she’s been using it all the time. She hands it to Willow, who thanks her.

Michael says, if Sonny was on to Dex, he’d be dead, but Dex says, something’s changed. When Sonny agreed to the Pikeman deal, he said he wanted Dex involved, and last night he got an update and shut Dex out. He went into his office with one of his guys and shut the door. Michael says, that doesn’t mean he’s pushing Dex out, but Dex says, if Sonny trusted him, he would have been there. And this shipment is still Michael’s best chance of busting Sonny.

Olivia says she hates to break it to Sonny, but there’s absolutely nothing he can do for Michael and Willow right now. He says he knows that, but this distance is killing him, and she says, then go do something about it.

Mason peeks in from behind a door, and Ava tells Austin, if she lets Sonny know what she did and why, he’ll take care of things and make sure Avery doesn’t lose her mother. Austin says he thinks she’s making a huge mistake, and she asks what he wants her to do. Sit around and wait; do nothing. Mason pops out, and says, Austin’s ladyfriend has a point. If she’s begging Sonny Corinthos for help, they both must be in big trouble.

Drew says, if he leaves ELQ, Ned has no reason to turn them in. So if no one else finds out when their relationship actually started, they should be in the clear. She says, what about Michael? He has some serious differences with Ned about ELQ. Drew says, Michael has something more important on his mind than business. The people they care about, the people they love, that’s way more important. That’s become crystal clear to him. She says, that’s sweet, but she can’t let him do this.

Alexis says, Molly and TJ would make wonderful parents. They’re healthy, they’re smart, they’re successful, they have a great support system. Molly asks, what about work? and Alexis says she raised two babies while working as a lawyer and as a single mom. She thinks Molly can manage. Molly says, TJ works insane hours, and Alexis tells her, she didn’t say it was going to be easy. They’ll make it work. She thinks Molly would love being a mom. She did… she does. Are she and TJ on the same page about having a kid? Molly looks over at TJ.

Curtis says, sorry. TJ could ask him about literally anything else. TJ says he’s sorry; he didn’t realize. They thought Molly might be pregnant, but she’s not. He’s never had the feeling before, but having a baby with Molly would be amazing. Curtis says, that’s great news, but TJ says he’s not so sure. Molly’s freaked out. She has a five-year plan, and this isn’t in it. The last thing he wants to do is push her to have a baby if she doesn’t want to, and if she thinks he does, she won’t want to disappoint him. Maybe he should keep his feelings to himself.

Portia asks how Marshall is feeling about all of this, and he says, not only does he not know what to expect, he doesn’t know what to hope for. That he has schizophrenia, and he can congratulate himself for managing it so well for so long, or… Portia says, absolutely. Schizophrenia is a very difficult disease to manage, and he says, on the other hand, what if he’s healthy? Everything he gave up; his wife, his boys, a life with his family. All of his sacrifice; all for nothing. She says, he thought he was a threat to his family, and wanted to protect them. He’s wasted nothing. Now he just has to move forward. He says, but how does he move forward?

Willow tells Nina, aside from the state of her nails and her need to take a lot of naps, she’s better than okay. Michael is taking excellent care of her. Nina says she sees how much Michael loves Willow, and she’s glad they have each other. She’s thankful that Willow chose to tell her all of this, but Willow says, to be honest, she didn’t want to. Nina’s Aunt Liesl asked her to.

Michael asks how Sonny’s attitude been toward Dex overall, and Dex tells him that he would have said good. Michael asks, why? and Dex says he was waiting for Sonny at Pizzulo’s, and didn’t have anything to do. He started poking around the kitchen, and found this recipe for chicken piccata, so he decided to make it. When Sonny got there, he asked if Sonny wanted some, and he did, so they had dinner together. They talked; nothing about business. Sonny told him about who he’d gotten the recipe from; Gloria Cerullo. Michael says, forget about the Pikeman update. If Sonny is talking about his past, Dex has nothing to worry about.

Austin tells Mason, this is not a good time, but Ava says, Mason never shows up without a good reason. She doesn’t know what Mason thinks he’s heard… Mason asks if Austin wants to enlighten the lady, and Austin says, Mason has some concerns, but Mason says he’s not concerned. He’s not even bothered. Like he was telling Austin, Windymere has some very impressive stables. He can see no expense was spared for the horses. Something about being around animals is calming to a person. Particularly when that animal is left behind to rot.

Olivia says, always a pleasure, and Sonny says he’s got one more thing, and yes, it’s about Nina. Olivia sighs loudly, and Sonny says, just be nice to her. This whole thing with Willow is tearing her apart. She’s running Crimson, and trying to prove herself at the MetroCourt. Olivia says, fine. She’ll be nicer to Nina, but her first loyalty is to Carly, and it always will be. He says he wouldn’t expect anything less, and she says, not for nothing, Carly seems pretty happy these days. Sonny says he’s noticed, and she says, noticed what exactly?

Portia says, Marshall’s not alone. She’s going to be there for him. And she knows Curtis wants to be there for him. Curtis is going to Marshall’s appointment with him, isn’t he? Marshall says he thought he’d wait until he got the results. He doesn’t want to bother anyone; not now. She says, she and Curtis aren’t in the best of positions right now, but she knows he’d want to be there for his dad. He says he never thought he’d hear those words, but he’s hearing them in no small part now because of her. She says, Marshall and Curtis definitely started building that bridge themselves. She has to see some patients, but why doesn’t he stay there, make a phone call, and have some privacy? She leaves, and he takes out his phone, putting it on the arm of the chair and looking at it.

Molly tells Alexis that she and TJ have talked about having kids somewhere down the line, but sooner than that, she doesn’t know what he thinks. Alexis says, maybe that’s a conversation they should have, and Molly says, they’re trying to. Alexis says, that’s her cue to leave. She knows how Molly likes to plan things, but from one planner to another, plan to have her mind changed. Molly says, that’s good advice, and Alexis says, when you think you’re the smartest person in the room, you tend not to listen to your partner… or in her case, a friend.

Curtis’s phone rings, and he says, it’s TJ’s granddad. He says, hey pop, what’s up? and Marshall says he knows Curtis is busy, but he’d appreciate it if Curtis was here.

Michael says, he told Dex before that Sonny wants to be a mentor, a father figure. Making that dinner gave him that opportunity. Dex says, that’s not why he did it. He genuinely wanted to try the recipe. Michael says, it was spur of the moment; that’s why it worked. Sonny hasn’t lasted this long by being stupid or naïve. If Dex had forced it, Sonny would have noticed. So just keep doing what he’s doing. He’s closer than he thinks. Dex says, what about Pikeman? and Michael says, don’t push it. That will only make him suspicious. Let Sonny choose to trust him. He has to get back downstairs to Willow. Dex says he hopes she feels better, and Michael says, they’re working on it, and leaves.

Willow says, Aunt Liesl wanted her to give Nina a chance, and Nina says, Aunt Liesl didn’t… and Willow says, threaten to withhold her bone marrow if she didn’t make an effort with Nina? No. Nina breathes a sigh of relief, and Willow says, Liesl just explained how much her heath matters to Nina, and she wanted to respect that. Nina says, it does matter. More than she can say. Michael comes back, and asks if Willow is ready to go home. Willow says, sounds like heaven, and Nina says she has to get back to the hotel. It’s convention season. Michael says, they won’t keep her, like they just did lunch, and Nina presses the elevator button. After an awkward five seconds, Nina thanks Willow, and leaves, presumably choosing to take the stairs.

Mason asks if they’re having fun yet. He’s having fun. He thinks the three of them should socialize more together. How are they going to stay in contact?… He snaps his fingers, and says, they’ll exchange numbers. He asks to see Ava’s phone, and she suggests he just tell her the number and she’ll add him to her contacts, but he says, no. He wouldn’t want her to get the number wrong. He holds out his hand, but she says, Austin can give him her number, and he can text her. He says he’d rather take care of it here and now, and she says, fine, handing him her phone.

Sonny says, he and Olivia both know Carly and Drew have been spending time together. It’s too bad they have to be so discreet. She asks how he’d know about that.

Carly says, it’s too much. She can’t let Drew give up on ELQ because of her. He says his first priority is to protect them from the SEC, but giving Ned control of ELQ is a good strategy. She says, he has to work on that romance thing, and he says, she wants romance? He’ll do anything to prove his devotion. He’ll even do the dishes. He’ll clear the dishes right here. She says, he doesn’t have to, and he swipes all the dishes off the kitchen island. Luckily, they’re all plastic, and the moss bowl 🎍 wasn’t there. He kisses her, picks her up, and puts her on the counter.

Mason says he’s in Ava’s contacts, and he texted himself, so she has his number and he has hers. That way, when he calls, she’ll answer. He tells them to have a good evening, and leaves.

Marshall thanks Portia for letting him use her office, and for everything else. She says, their conversation was helpful to her, and she appreciates him letting her talk things out. She hopes his test results are everything he wants them to be. He tips his hat to her, and walks off, but she calls to him. She asks if he thinks there’s any hope for her and Curtis, and Curtis walks out of the elevator.

On the phone, Alexis leaves a message for Gregory, saying, she doesn’t like how they left things. Can they talk?

TJ tells Molly, having a baby is a big decision – the biggest – so he thinks they should sit down and talk about how they feel. Go over their finances… She says she wants to have a baby, and he says, him too.

In the elevator, Michael asks how it went with Nina, and Willow says, surprisingly well. She told Nina that the kids were off-limits, and she agreed. The questions she did ask were appropriate, and Willow got the sense Nina really heard her answers. He says he’s glad it went well, and she says, it did, but she’s not forgetting who Nina is, or what she’s done to their family.

Magically having teleported to Carly’s bed, Drew and Carly kiss. He says, soon, he’ll be able to spend any night she wants, and she tells him to be careful; she might take him up on that. He says, in the meantime, there is something she could do for him, and she says, anything. He says he’d really love a brownie… with a glass of milk. Oh yeah? Did anybody clean up that mess in the kitchen?

Sonny tells Olivia that he knows why Carly and Drew have to stay quiet. If certain people find out how long they’ve been together or what they’ve discussed, they’ll have to deal with the consequences. She says, only because her husband threatened to sic the SEC on them. Nina walks in, and Olivia says, how’s that for romantic? She pats Sonny on the shoulder and leaves, and Nina stares at the back of Sonny’s head.

Tomorrow, Portia asks if Trina has something to say to her; Victor thinks he feels better already; Elizabeth asks if someone thinks they can ever forgive her; and Esme says she’s done listening to someone’s lies.

Real Housewives of New Jersey

Danielle practiced with Valentina for her birthday party entrance. In her interview, she said, it was going to be a full-on production. When she throws a party, she throws a party. It’s what her babies will remember. Nate said, she wanted their kids to have her personality. Was she happy now? She’d invited Jennifer and Rachel, but they’d gotten into it at Teresa’s housewarming, and she hoped they didn’t get into it at Valentina’s party or she’d go off.

Rachel’s family came over, and in her interview, she talked about being a guidette back in the day. She said that her mother is a typical Jewish mother, and her type A personality and Italian attitude come from her father. Her grandmother doesn’t give a single sh*t, and uses the excuse that she’s old and can say whatever she wants. Rachel’s mom asked about Teresa’s housewarming, and Rachel told her about Jennifer calling her a f***ing idiot.

Melissa gave Antonia a driving lesson, and said, please don’t hit any humans. I guess squirrels, street signs, etc. are okay? When Melissa asked her to pull into a drive-through for coffee, Antonia made Melissa take the wheel. In Melissa’s interview, she said, she and Antonia had turned a corner. Antonia still gave her side-eye when she could, but it seemed more copacetic. Maybe because she wanted a car. Melissa told her, whatever went on between her father and Teresa had nothing to do with Antonia, and in Melissa’s interview, she said, she and Joe #2 had always vowed to never involve the kids. Antonia told her, the kids stay out of their stuff, and Melissa said, if you have no family you have nothing. Family is everything.

5 weeks to the wedding. Teresa, Gia, and Milania went to the city where Teresa tried on wedding dresses and veils. Apparently, these were fake wedding dresses by the same designer, since the real dress was being kept secret. In Teresa’s interview, she said, the theme of her first wedding was Shakespeare in Love, which I shocked the hell out of me, since I can’t imagine Teresa even knows who Shakespeare is. She said she’d been stressed putting everything together, but this time she was using a wedding planner, and it was so much easier. Well, duh. Designer Mark Zunino was there because Teresa wanted her veil to be special. She explained about wanting something about her parents incorporated into it, and got all teary, even though she just gave a slap in the face to her parents’ dear friends by not inviting them to the wedding. In her interview, she said, Milania took it the hardest when Joe #1 left – we flashed back to that – but now Milania was thriving. She asked the girls if Melissa had talked to them, but they said it was no more than hi and bye. In Gia’s interview, she said, they were at Melissa’s and Joe #2’s shore house all the time last year. Milania said, Joe #2 should be walking Teresa down the aisle, and Gia said Teresa was two seconds from asking him, and now it was questionable whether he was coming to the wedding. Milania said, if he didn’t, it was over.

Jennifer met Melissa for lunch, and in Jennifer’s interview, she said she and Melissa were finally good. She was excited to maybe start a friendship. We flashed back to Jennifer throwing things at Melissa. They talked babies, and Jennifer said, it was like Bill was her boss. She took care of the kids, and if something went wrong, it was her fault. She whined that Marge always had an issue with her, and Melissa admitted that Marge didn’t give Jennifer a pass like she did other people. Jennifer said, there was a pattern of Marge losing friends. She asked if Marge hadn’t encouraged Melissa to leave Joe #2, and in Melissa’s interview, she said, it was at a time when she and Joe were going through something, and we flashed back to them arguing. Melissa said, it was just a girlfriend trying flatter her, but Jennifer told her to be careful. Marge can be dangerous. Please.

Jen was having the women over for a comfortable brunch where she was serving southern comfort food. In her interview, she said she wasn’t domestic, but every party with these women seemed to be filled with venom. She hoped to get them to understand that parties were about eating, drinking, and laughing; not women looking for blood. She’d liked Jennifer before Jennifer called and trashed her friend, but since Jennifer hadn’t slept with her husband, Jen was willing to give her another chance. The women started to arrive, and Melissa said, Jennifer had told her to watch her back with Marge. Marge said, Jennifer always twisted the things she said, and in Marge’s interview, she said, Jennifer was pathetic, obsessed, and embarrassing. They ate outside, which was probably wise, just in case things got thrown. Marge said Danielle wasn’t like her Instagram, and Melissa said, Danielle’s Instagram was extra. She thought it was one reason Danielle and her brother didn’t talk. Jackie showed up, and I thought, she might as well be a Housewife this season, since she’s getting as much screen time. Danielle explained that she and her brother hadn’t talked in two years. She’d blocked him on social media after he made fun of her, and he kicked her out of his wedding, Marge said, that was hardcore, but in Rachel’s interview, she said, it seemed sketchy that something so miniscule ripped the family apart. Danielle said, it was painful, but at a certain point, you had to block your heart. Melissa asked what terms Dolores was on with Jennifer, and Dolores said she didn’t know; she just wanted peace. Marge said, nothing was ever put to bed with Jennifer. She was a f***ing a-hole.

Jennifer arrived, and a hush fell over the group. Jen thanked everyone for coming, and they all clinked glasses. The topic of Jennifer’s house came up, and she said she didn’t brag; she just explained. She stated facts. Everyone received those facts differently, depending on if they liked her or not. Marge asked why Jennifer was trying to change people’s opinions of her. She’d told Melissa to watch her back. Why was Jennifer trash talking her? Jennifer said, that was her experience and she could talk about what she wanted. Marge said she thought she and Jennifer had moved forward, but it seemed they couldn’t. Jennifer insisted she was just giving the history, since history and facts are her new buzzwords. They began raising their voices, and in Rachel’s interview, she said she wasn’t understanding how it gets to this point. Grown-ass women were screaming like children over something stupid, Marge told Jennifer that you don’t win friendships by turning one friend against another, and Jennifer said she had a family; Marge would never know what that was like. Marge said she had a good marriage, and Jennifer would never know what that was like. In Melissa’s interview, she said, as many times as she’d seen them fight – we flashed back to several of them – she’s shook at what they’re saying. Jen finally got up, and yelled for them to stop.

It didn’t matter. Jennifer kept going, and Jen said, it’s not Teresa’s house; she has neighbors. They still continued on, now calling each other stupid, and in Danielle’s interview, she said, both of them were throwing dirty laundry in each other’s faces. She wasn’t telling these bitches nothing. There was a lot of no, you stuff, and Marge called Jennifer a disheveled drug addict. In Jen’s interview, she said she’d rather see them punch each other in the face. You know a party’s not fun if even she hasn’t eaten the fried chicken. Jen went inside, and Marge tried to leave, but Jen blocked her, saying, she wasn’t going anywhere. She told Marge to sit her ass down, and asked Jennifer to leave. They weren’t doing this. Teresa said, if Jennifer was going, she was going to leave too, which was no great loss. In front of the house, Jennifer told Teresa that Marge was jealous, and in her interview, she said it bothered Marge that she was living the f***ing dream. She doesn’t run at the first glimpse of unhappiness. Oh yeah, she definitely seems like she’s living the f***ing dream, gathering history and facts, and screaming the sh*t out of people with them. Marge said that Jennifer was a sick f***ing a-hole, and Jen said it was nice having everyone over, but they could leave now.  

Valentina’s birthday was over-the-top as promised. On the scale of a wedding reception, the theme seemed to be Barbiecore, with everything pink, as well as a real live Barbie, although a lot of the kids seemed too little to know what was going on. In Danielle’s interview, she said, there was nothing better than to be able to do for her kids. She thought she nailed it. Rachel told Danielle that the argument at Jen’s lunch was hard to watch, and Danielle said she liked Jennifer and Marge individually. She asked where she stood, and Rachel said she was annoyed when Jennifer screamed in her face that she was a f***ing idiot. They got off to a sh*tty start. Jennifer asked Rachel if she wanted to talk, and Rachel said she didn’t appreciate being called a f***ing idiot. Jennifer spent so much time talking about owning it, I don’t even know if she actually apologized. She told Rachel that when she talked about history, it didn’t mean she was still mad. The facts might be negative, but she wasn’t. In Rachel’s interview, she said, in Jennifer’s mind, Jennifer makes sense, but in Rachel’s mind, nothing makes sense. Jennifer said she was doing what she needed to in order to move forward. Valentina made her entrance, escorted by her brother, and did a cartwheel. Jennifer wailed to Louie that Marge was always coming for her and spitting out venom. Marijuana is not drugs. Um… She complained to Rachel about Marge telling Melissa to leave Joe, and Teresa said, she’d rather keep Marge as a friend than as an enemy. In Teresa’s interview, she said, they’d made up, but their history was no secret. Rachel said she had a mind of her own, and Teresa suggested she do her homework and pay attention.  

This is one of the reasons I think this franchise is over. They’re still rehashing fights from seasons ago. They need some new material. Or maybe, how about less screaming at each other and more fun stuff?

Next time, Teresa tells her therapist that Joe #2’s temper is out of control; Teresa’s therapist says, moving on is Teresa’s only option; Rachel tells Melissa what Jennifer said about Marge; the charity softball game happens; and Frank misses his and Dolores’s friendship.

👩‍👩‍👧‍👧 Celebrating Women Of All Nations…

Take a break with me tomorrow for soap and what’s up with the servers, ex-servers, and servers-to-be at SUR. After which, LVP will be on Watch What Happens Live. Until then, stay safe, stay remembering to spring ahead this weekend, and stay not always trusting the instinct to protect your loved ones from harm.

March 6, 2023 – Esme Learns About Her Imprisonment, Adult Frat Boys On Deck, Awful House People Are Also Boring & You Don’t

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Sonny asks if Nina has talked to Obrecht, but she says, no, and the MetroCourt is super busy because a convention is in town. He says he knows she’s anxious to hear that Obrecht has done everything she needs to do to be a bone marrow donor for Willow.

Michael wheels Willow out of the hospital elevator, and Obrecht says, she didn’t have to be here for this meeting. Willow says, Obrecht didn’t either, but Obrecht says she sees it differently. She owes it to her dear, departed Britta. She couldn’t save her daughter’s life, but if she can save Willow’s… Willow says she’ll be forever grateful. Obrecht says, remember what she told her; like it or not, she’s one of them now.

Austin sees Mason in a private area of the MetroCourt, and Mason tells him, have a seat, but Austin says he’s meeting someone. Mason says, if Austin is referring to Ava, he’d better make time for both their sakes.

Sonny says, Nina needs a distraction, and Nina sees Ava at the bar sipping a martini. She says, there’s someone who needs distracting just as much as she does, and they walk over. Nina tells Ava, you know what they say about drinking alone, and Ava flashes back to telling Austin that she’s sure Nikolas was dead, and him asking, then where is he? Sonny says, she’s not waiting for Nikolas to show up again, is she?

A nurse tells Spencer that they just need a couple of signatures, and he can take the baby home, but Diane joins them and says, there’s been a change of plans. She’s sorry, but that baby’s not going anywhere. Victor asks if she knows who she’s speaking with, and she laughs and says, her client. Laura says, it will be okay, and give them a chance to reconsider their plan, but Spencer says, there’s nothing to reconsider, as he takes the baby from Victor. His baby brother belongs with him. Diane says, unfortunately, his mother disagrees.

Esme pushes the nurse call button, and Elizabeth comes in. Esme says she’s glad to see Elizabeth, and asks if Elizabeth can bring her baby. Elizabeth says she can, but they have to talk first, and Esme says she hopes Elizabeth is going to walk her through the mommy menu. She can’t think of anyone she’d rather have teach her how to be a good parent. Elizabeth says, Esme may not feel that way after Esme hears what she has to say, but Esme says she can’t imagine that. Elizabeth sits down and says, Esme needs to know how she ended up here.

Alexis thanks Gregory for his input and coming by on such short notice, and Gregory says, any time. Not only does he enjoy the work, she’s a friend. She says, then why is he lying to her? and he asks what he’s lying about. She says, he told her that he couldn’t take the job at The Invader because he was bound to his teaching gig at PCU, and he says, it’s a conflict of interest, but she asks, how it can be if he doesn’t have a job? He asks how she’d know, and she says she offered him the job and he said he wanted it, but PCU had a conflict of interest, which didn’t make any sense to her, so she called Dean Jeffries. She hoped she could convince him that Gregory could do both, since that’s what he said he wanted to do. He admits he said that, and she tells him that she’s asking again, why did he lie to her?

Obrecht says, no doubt they’re wondering if her willingness to participate comes with a price tag, and Michael says, now that she mentions it… but Willow tells him, let’s just be grateful Liesl is a match. Obrecht says, it’s an honest question that deserves an equally honest answer, when Terry comes out and suggests they go to her office to discuss the next steps. They follow her.

Ava says, so Obrecht is a bone marrow match. She’s thrilled for Nina and for Willow. Nina says, it’s not a sure thing yet, but it’s a step in the right direction, and Ava says, after she lost Kiki, she swore she’d never lose Avery. After Nina’s loss, she’s rooting for Nina to have a relationship with Willow. She and Nina hug.

The nurse leaves, and Victor says, if Nikolas were here, Esme wouldn’t make such an outrageous claim, and Laura says, no, she woudn’t, but unfortunately, her son’s not here. Spencer says, but he is. Esme’s going back to Spring Ridge while she awaits trial. When she’s convicted – which she most certainly will be – she’s going back to Pentenville. Diane can’t tell him that the court, even on its cruelest day, would think that’s a good environment for a baby. A woman walks up, and Diane says, this is Janet Kershaw from child services. Laura says, they’ve met before, and she’s relieved Janet is involved with this case. She’s sure they can reach a decision that’s best for this child. Janet says, that’s up for the court to decide. Esme Prince has filed a motion for custody of her baby once she’s transferred back to Spring Ridge.

Esme asks how she wound up here, and Elizabeth says, she’d been missing for a while. Everyone, including the police, thought she was The Hook killer. Elizabeth was on the pier waiting to go to Windymere, when Esme showed up. Of course (🍷) she called 9-1-1, but Esme went for her phone, and they struggled and Elizabeth fell down and hit her head. Esme asks if she pushed Elizabeth, but Elizabeth says, no. They struggled over the phone, and when she fell, she went unconscious. It wasn’t until she saw Esme again that she realized Esme was pregnant. Being a nurse, she felt it was her obligation to protect the baby. Esme asks what she means. Protect her baby how?

Austin says, whatever Mason has to tell him, say it fast. It’s not polite to keep a lady waiting. Mason says, that’s right. Austin is a gentleman. He can’t resist a damsel in distress. If Ava was alone on that island with no one to help her, Austin would cross the water and make it his business to help her. Austin says he doesn’t know what Mason is talking about, and Mason says, if he’s worried about the ex-Mrs. Cassadine, she’s probably on her second or third martini by now. He’s not judging her, with everything they’ve been through lately. He followed Austin to Spoon Island that night. He saw everything.

Elizabeth says, Nikolas needed someone to care for Esme until she gave birth, and Esme says, when he came to see her at Spring Ridge with those papers that gave him full custody, he never said anything about Elizabeth taking care of her. Elizabeth says, he was keeping it a secret. He kept Esme under lock and key, in a tower in his home. Esme says, Elizabeth is telling her that she was Nikolas’s prisoner, and she helped him? and Elizabeth says, yes.

Austin says he doesn’t know what Mason thinks he saw, but Ava hasn’t done anything wrong; neither has he. Mason tells Austin that he said that with conviction… and he does mean conviction. He’s sure if Austin tells any judge that story, they’ll believe him, and his lady friend. Austin says he still has no idea what Mason is talking about, and Mason says, some stable at Windymere, huh? And that tack room – he whistles – downright luxurious. But he doesn’t have to tell Austin that, does he?

Alexis asks why Gregory felt he couldn’t confide in her. Is he under some sort of gag order? He says, no, and she asks if litigation is involved. If there is, she’ll back off. He says, Alexis Davis backs off; now there’s a headline. She says she wants him to work here, and he wanted to work here. That can never happen if there’s mistrust. And just so he knows, the dean didn’t offer any additional information, so she doesn’t know what to think. Was he suspended? Was he fired? Talk to her. Maybe she can help him. He says, unfortunately, she can’t. No one can.

Spencer says he thought it was bad enough he had to serve time in prison, but he actually committed the crime. Is Janet telling him that now his innocent baby brother has to be there too? Janet says, in certain cases and certain facilities, the State of New York allows a mother to keep her child with her for the first 18 months she’s incarcerated. Spencer says, the baby is Uncle Victor’s family too, and deserves to be home with them, and Victor says, spoken like a true Cassadine. If it’s a matter of proving Spencer has the means to care for a child, they have his personal guarantee. Diane says, here his personal guarantee might do more harm than good, and Laura says, Nikolas’s baby is also her family. Whether they like it or not, they can’t just take Esme out of the equation. She is after all the baby’s mother.

Elizabeth says, at the time, she had reason to believe Esme was a threat, and didn’t know what Nikolas was going to do to her after she had the baby. Esme says she only has Elizabeth’s word for that, and Elizabeth says she knows what it’s like to have gaps in your memory. Esme says, Elizabeth just told her that she was locked in a tower like some princess in a fairytale. What else doesn’t she know? How did she escape? Did she let her hair down and climb down like Rapunzel? Elizabeth says, no, she jumped from the turret into the harbor, and Esme says she could have died, and her baby… Elizabeth says, but she didn’t, and she lost her memory, but she saved her baby. Esme says, no thanks to his father… or Elizabeth, and Elizabeth says she doesn’t blame Esme for feeling the way she does, but if Esme thinks Elizabeth owes her an apology, she couldn’t be more wrong.

Ava, Nina, and Sonny sit at a table in the MetroCourt restaurant, and Ava orders another martini, champagne, and sparkling water. Sonny thinks Ava has as much to celebrate as Nina and Willow. The way he sees it, she hit the trifecta. She helped capture The Hook killer, Ryan Chamberlain is dead, and Nikolas Cassadine is nowhere to be found on this earth. He’d say that’s a lot to celebrate. Nina says she sees his point, and good riddance to Ryan Chamberlain, but she knows how much Ava loved Nikolas. She tells Ava not to give up hope. He’ll realize what he’s missing, come back, and try to make things right, but Ava says she doubts that.

Obrecht says, as a reminder, she’s a doctor too. What kind of hoops does she have to jump through to make this happen? Terry says, being a potential match is a crucial first step, but before they go ahead with the transplant, they need to know it’s safe for Obrecht to donate. They have to run additional tests and weigh those results… Obrecht says, against her age and medical history, and see if something comes up to disqualify her as a donor.

Alexis asks why Gregory thinks he can’t talk to anyone about this; is it that severe? He says, as one friend to another, he’s asking her to let this go and forget about it. She says she’s sorry, but she can’t do that. In friendship, there’s trust, and he says, and if he were to ask her to trust him to know what’s good for him… She asks if it’s good for him to keep something that appears to be this critical from someone who cares about him. If that’s the case, she’ll have to reevaluate their friendship. He asks if she means end it.

Nina says, it’s hard for her to sit there and do nothing when Obrecht might be able to save Willow’s life. Sonny says there’s nothing he can do to stop her, and Michael and Willow don’t want to see him. So go ahead and go. She thanks him for understanding, and gets up to leave, but hostess Ashley intercepts her, and says, there’s a problem with the AC.

Terry asks if Obrecht is on any medications, and Obrecht says she’s taking an anticoagulant. Terry says she’ll have to consult with Obrecht’s physician, and leaves. Obrecht says she’ll give Michael and Willow some privacy, but Michael asks her to stay. She never answered the question. Obrecht says, what’s in it for her? When you lose a child, or in her case two children, it forever shapes your world perspective. Willow says she still grieves for her son Jonah every day. She can’t imagine the pain Obrecht suffered losing two grown children. Obrecht says, that’s why she was so pleased to find out she had a new family member in Willow. Willow was in need of help, and it never occurred to her not to be a donor, so Willow could have the kind of life her Britta can no longer enjoy.

Austin asks what Mason wants, and Mason says, what he’s always wanted; for Austin to remember his responsibilities. Austin says he knows where he comes from, and knows how far he’s come. Nothing and nobody will make him go back. Mason says, Austin is smart. He’ll figure it out on his own, and in the end, he’ll do the right thing.

Esme says, Elizabeth helped Nikolas keep her prisoner, and she was so desperate she jumped off a turret into a harbor, but Elizabeth doesn’t think she deserves an apology? Elizabeth admits she went about it all wrong, but she thought she was protecting the people she loves, as well as keeping Esme and the baby safe. Esme says she thought Elizabeth was on her side, but doesn’t know what to believe now. What if the police find out? Elizabeth says, they know, and Esme asks how she’s walking around free. Elizabeth says, because she voluntarily came forward and made a statement, and Esme asks if that’s why Nikolas disappeared; he knew he’d be a wanted man? Elizabeth assumes so, and says, all of this will become public knowledge soon enough. She just wanted Esme to hear it from her. She owes Esme that much. She starts to leave, but Esme says, there’s one more thing she needs to know. Did she want her baby? Was she trying to get rid of it and that’s why Nikolas locked her away?

Spencer tells Janet, now that Esme’s serial killer father is dead, her remaining family is Heather Webber, who murdered a very dear friend of his, as well as attacked his lawyer. So does she really think it’s in the best interest of the child? Diane suggests he reign back his rhetoric a little; he’s not winning her any points with child services. Laura asks, what happens now? and Janet says, the baby will remain here in the nursery until his mother is transferred to Spring Ridge. The nurse s to take the baby, but Spencer says he’s not giving him up. Laura says, he doesn’t want to upset the baby, does he? and Victor says, for once, he agrees with Laura. Don’t worry. This isn’t over yet. Diane says, this all has to be argued in family court in front of a judge, but until that time, Spencer complies with all the court orders. Spencer says, okay, but he wants to go one record that this goes against everything he wants for his baby brother. Like anyone cares. He gives the baby to the nurse.

Ava asks why she should be fearful about Nikolas returning to Port Charles, and Sonny says, his guess is, Ava still has a thing for him. Their marriage ended badly, but if Nikolas came back, she’d be tempted to get back together with him. Is he close? She says, no. It was hard to learn, but she learned her lesson. He says he’s happy for her, but wonders why Nikolas wouldn’t make contact, especially after everything that’s happened with Ryan Chamberlain. She says, her relationship with Nikolas was always tempestuous. Their marriage didn’t stand a chance after Ryan decided to use Esme to destroy it. Sonny asks if that’s what Ryan told her, and she says, he bragged about it, right up until she shot him. Thankfully, Mac ended his life altogether. Sonny still thinks it’s strange she hasn’t heard from Nikolas. He doesn’t like Nikolas, but between the birth of his new kid and finding out Ryan ended his marriage, he’d think Nikolas would come running back to her. But he hasn’t. So he’s going to ask her, what’s stopping him?

Michael says he’s incredibly grateful for Obrecht’s kindness, but it seems like there’s another reason she’s doing this. Willow asks if Michael is right, and Obrecht says, her fiancé is correct. She appreciates him being so direct, and will return it in kind. It’s no secret how they feel about Nina, but her niece was devastated when she found out she wasn’t a match to be a donor. So she appeals to Willow as a mother. She knows Willow isn’t ready to think of Nina as her mom, and maybe never will be. All she’s asking for is for Willow to imagine a time when maybe Nina isn’t her enemy. If she can open her heart to that possibility, that will be all the thanks she needs.

Austin says, well, this was fun. Mason got his points in, and he’s out of here. Mason tells him to go have a chitchat with his partner in crime Ava. He searched her online; she’s been around the block. She knows when it’s time to fight, and when it’s time to negotiate.

Nina tells Ashley that there shouldn’t be any more problems, but if there’s anything else, let her know; she’ll be at GH. Austin comes in, and Nina says, Ava is right over there if he’s looking for her. He says he was, and she says, he and Ava seem inseparable these days, and it makes her wonder why they’re together.

Diane says she’ll go with Janet to fill out the paperwork, and Janet says, of course (🍷). They leave, and Laura tells Spencer that they’ll do everything in their power to make sure his brother gets the best possible care. Victor says he’s going to do everything within the law, and even outside of it if necessary, to make sure Spencer gets custody of their newest Cassadine. Don’t worry. He leaves, and Laura says she’s so sorry. Spencer says he’s sorry too. His little brother shouldn’t be in a hospital nursery, and shouldn’t be shipped off to prison before he’s a month old. Like Uncle Victor said, this isn’t over.

Elizabeth says she can’t tell Esme what was in her heart. There was a time she thought Esme was incapable of loving anyone but herself. Esme says, if what Elizabeth told her is true, and she jumped off the turret at Windymere, she must have been pretty desperate, and not thinking about the baby by doing something so dangerous. Elizabeth says, they may never know, but when she surfaced, she seemed to have left the old Esme behind her. In a way, she’s been given a blank slate – Spencer walks in – a fresh start. It’s up to Esme what she does with it. Spencer tells her that he couldn’t have said that better himself, and Esme asks what he wants; to keep playing her so he can take her baby away from her? He says she has a lot on her plate now that she’ll be returning to Spring Ridge, but she says, the difference is, now she knows what he didn’t tell her. Spencer asks Elizabeth what she’s talking about, and Elizabeth says she’s going to let them work it out. She hopes they can both put aside their own needs for the sake of the baby. She leaves, and Spencer sits down. He says he doesn’t know what Elizabeth told her, but he thinks she’d be making a huge mistake if she takes the baby to prison with her. She says he needs to correct his word choice. It’s not the baby; it’s her baby. Hers, not his, and definitely not his father’s now that she knows he locked her up as his prisoner and threw away the key.

Alexis apologizes, and says, Gregory is right; it is his business. But doesn’t he think he’d feel better if he could talk to someone who cares about him? That’s what friends are for. He says he appreciates what she’s trying to do, but he’s asking her to respect his privacy. She says, if he can’t talk to her, she hopes there’s someone he can talk to, and he says, if she’s thinking about telling Chase or Finn about this… She says, they don’t know? and he says, nobody knows, and it’s going to stay that way.

Austin says, nothing like a near-death experience at the hands of two psychopaths to jumpstart a friendship. Does Nina not approve? Nina says, no, on the contrary. She thinks it’s great. Ava has been very lonely since her marriage with Nikolas blew up. She could use another good, trusted friend. Austin thanks her for the vote of confidence, and says he’ll do the best he can. She says she has to go to GH, but a word to the wise. Ava acts like she’s really tough, but she’s vulnerable inside. He says, good to know, and Nina leaves. Austin watches Ava talking to Sonny, then turns to see Austin behind him.

Willow says she’s incredibly grateful for Obrecht volunteering, and if it turns out she can be the donor, she’ll be forever in Obrecht’s debt, but it’s impossible for her to put aside everything Nina has done to her, Michael, and Wiley. She knows how much Obrecht loves Nina and would never tell her not to… Obrecht says, just as she can’t expect Willow to love her; she understands that. But ift Willow does get a second chance at life, she asks Willow to ask herself if she wants to spend it denying someone who’s been waiting their whole life to love her. Willow says she doesn’t think Nina loves her personally; she loves having a daughter. In fact, before Nina found out she was Willow’s mother, she couldn’t stand her. So this about-face seems more like it’s about Nina than about her. Obrecht says, that could describe her. Britta’s childhood was about her; her desperate need to impress Britt’s father, and to mold Britt into the daughter she desired. It wasn’t until the last few years of Britta’s life when she realized how wrong she’d been. She apologized to her daughter, and Britt mercifully forgave her. In those last years, she and Britt not only became mother and daughter, but friends. She can only wish the same for Willow and Nina, despite Nina’s shortcomings. Wow. Who knew Obrecht was one day going to turn into the voice of reason? Terry comes in, and says, the last round of tests are ready. She asks Obrecht to come with her, and promises she’ll give Michael and Willow an update as soon as she can. Obrecht leaves with her, and Michael tells Willow, let’s go home.

Ava tells Sonny that she knows she’s said it before, but she’s through with Nikolas; she means it this time. She hopes she’s seen the last of him. Austin sits at another table, and watches. Sonny says, he doesn’t like Nikolas, but it’s amazing she’s come to the same conclusion. It seemed to him that she was more afraid of Nikolas returning than staring down Ryan Chamberlain. Did Nikolas threaten her? Ava says, Nikolas didn’t threaten her. He threatened Avery.

Alexis says she thought Gregory was closer than ever to his sons, and he says he is, but his boys have enough going on in their lives without worrying about him. She says, that’s what families do. That’s what friends do. If Chase and Finn… He says, if she’s the friend she says she is, she’ll do as he asks. He heads for the door, and she says she is his friend. She’s very sorry for whatever’s going on with him, and sorry she’s upset him, but she’s not sorry for being concerned. He gives her a nod, and leaves.

Diane wonders where everyone went, and Laura says, to their separate corners. Diane says she did some checking, and there’s nothing to prevent Esme from taking the baby to Spring Ridge, for the short term. Laura says she understands Esme’s desire to keep her baby close to her, but given her history, this is very complicated. What are Spencer’s chances of gaining custody of his little brother? Diane says she’s spoken to Spencer about this. Michael Corinthos was able to gain custody of his little sister Avery, and Spencer and Michael are very similar in terms of resources, so there is precedent. However, it would be so much better if Spencer could get Esme to cooperate.

Spencer asks if Elizabeth told Esme that she was his father’s prisoner, and she says, as if he didn’t know. He swears it’s all new information to him. It would explain why she was missing for so long, but he wonders, if it’s true, how would Elizabeth know? She says, never mind. He’ll find out soon enough. And so will the judge, and there will be no way they’ll take her baby away from her. He says, if she truly cares about her son the way he thinks she does, she doesn’t want her baby raised in a prison. She wants him to be with a family that loves him very dearly. She says, her son’s name is Ace, and she doesn’t need lessons in love from him. He talks a good game just like Nikolas did, but he’s no better than his father. (Ouch!) It’s because she loves her son that she won’t let Spencer anywhere near him.

Elizabeth walks toward the hospital exit, and Victor says, she can run, but she can’t hide. She says she doesn’t have time for this. She has to go home to her boys. He says he does admire her maternal instinct. Is that what prompted her to throw in with his nephew to keep Esme prisoner? He has plenty of evidence proving she helped Nikolas keep Esme captive, and he’ll send it to the authorities unless she tells him where he might find Nikolas. She asks, what makes him think she knows? and he says, that’s the way she wants to play it? Don’t say he didn’t warn her. He starts to walk away, and she says, no, she’s warning him. In a short time, his so-called evidence will be worthless, and he’ll have no power over her. But good luck with finding Nikolas. She walks out, the doors making a satisfying swishing sound. Not. Victor’s. Day.

Sonny asks what Ava means about Nikolas threatening their daughter, and she says she means he said he’d try to take Avery away from her, which is ridiculous, right? He has zero chance in court. It’s an empty threat meant to wound her, and it did, but don’t give it a second thought. Nikolas is gone. He’s left Port Charles, and probably left the country. Sonny says, it’s one thing to threaten him or Ava, but if Nikolas threatens their daughter in any way, he’ll find Nikolas; he doesn’t care where he’s hiding. Ava tells him to please let it go, but Sonny says, if Nikolas has anything over her, he can help.

Michael wheels Willow to the elevator, and he asks if she’s okay. She says she’s just thinking about what Aunt Liesl said. If she’s lucky enough to get a second chance at life, she needs to start thinking about how she wants to spend it… and if Nina has any part in it. Nina comes out of the elevator, and she and Willow look at each other.

Tomorrow, TJ asks Molly if they’re having a baby; Willow wants to talk to Nina about something; Sonny needs Olivia’s help; and Dex tells Michael that Sonny might be on to him.

Below Deck

Rodney Bay, St. Lucia. Captain Lee says, it feels goddam good to be back. He feels better than a dog having its belly rubbed. In Ben tells Ross that it’s been an emotional roller coaster with the captain gone and then coming back, while Camille is pulling at his heartstrings. Ross thinks they should get a discount on end of the season counseling. Rachel hugs Captain Lee, and in her interview, she says she likes Captain Sandy and has mad respect for her, but she loves Captain Lee. He means a lot to her as a person. She says she’s glad he’s back, and he says he’s glad to be back. The captain radios Fraser to come to his quarters. They hug, and Captain Lee asks, how are things? Fraser says, good, and tells the captain that a new crew member arrived about an hour ago; she was a chief stew on her last boat. Rachel explains to Leigh-Ann that the guests want tropical cocktails. Leigh-Ann tells Hayley that she knows Ben, and in Hayley’s interview, she says, the plot thickens. It’s going to be horrific. She laughs and says, poor Ben. Fraser says, the steel drummer is coming at two, and they have a cocktail pairing tonight. In his interview, he says he’s never done a pairing before, but they have to cater to all the guests’ needs. Rachel says, they’re having a Caribbean lunch, and Hayley tells Leigh-Ann about Camille. In Leigh-Ann’s interview, she says she’s disappointed. She’s never been in a situation where there was another girl before. But they’re in yachting; how serious can it be? Fraser asks how long Leigh-Ann was on her last boat, and she says, four years; she was chief stew at the end. In Fraser’s interview, he says he’s concerned about how much experience his new crew member has. She’s was a chief stew longer than he’s been, but it’s his boat now. If she jumps in and does what she’s told, they’ll have no issues. The captain radios for everyone to come to the Sky Lounge.

Captain Lee says, it’s a little different, but it’s great to be back. He thanks them for cooperating with Captain Sandy. She did him a solid by filling in. In his interview, the captain says, he was madder than a pissed on chicken, and he’d be goddamned if didn’t finish what started. Everyone welcomes him back, and he says, let’s get after it. Last minute touches are done to the boat, and the guests arrive. In Katie’s interview, she says she’s met a lot of frat boys in Miami. They’re loud and obnoxious. It’s like she’s back in south Florida. The captain says, Fraser will give them the tour, and they’ll get underway. In Captain Lee’s interview, he says, being behind the wheel again is great; it’s where he belongs. It’s like riding a bike, but a big bike. One of the guests says his Wi-Fi password is s*ckmyd*ck. I understand this, since I have some questionable passwords involving eBay. Fraser tells Leigh-Ann that she’s going to be on bar, and in Rachel’s interview, she says, the guests have requested a seafood extravaganza paired with beverages. They’re going to be hammered. Guests don’t pair well with pairing menus. The guests say, blah-blah- blah mortgage business, and in Leigh-Ann’s interview, she says, she’s stressing her t*ts off. She’s just jumped on, and doesn’t know Rachel’s cooking enough to do a cocktail match. She and Fraser come up with drinks together, and in her interview, she says, fake it til you make it. That’s what she’ll be doing until she knows where everything is. She’s taking it by the balls and winging it.

The drummer arrives, and plays as the guests sit down to lunch. I’m not sure why anyone would want to have a steel drummer playing as they sit down to eat; it sounds like it would be annoying. Primary Jake says, they’re off to a good start. Everyone had better be the happiest they’ve ever been. Fraser says, it’s going to be a heavily fueled meal, and Rachel introduces first course – some kind of heirloom tomato soup that sounds wonderful, until I hear it’s being paired with a gin/elderflower tonic and my stomach turns. In Hayley’s interview, she says, cocktail after cocktail; things are going to be broken later. She hopes not her or her soul. The captain sees nothing but wind, and sighs. In Ben’s interview, he says he has a connection with Camille, and they’re going to see each other in the Dominican Republic after the season ends. He’s also developed a connection with Leigh-Ann online, and needs to tell them about each other. He fake cries. Ross tells the captain that he’s going to follow the guests when they use the jet skis, and Captain Lee says, if it gets too crazy, let him know. He thinks the guests will be fun, but it’s going to be a long night. Leigh-Ann tells Ben that she’s on nights, and he says, so is he. She tells him that he’ll have to fill her in on the juicy parts. He admits he hooked up with one of the stews, and he’s sad she left, and in Tony’s interview, he says, the ghost of Camille, plus the sexual tension between Ben and Leigh-Ann has been going on a long time. It’s going to be just boom. He hopes not in the cabin.

Captain Lee joins the guests for dinner, and in Rachel’s interview, she says, it’s time to celebrate. She can’t wait to knock Captain Lee’s socks off. The pièce de resistance is salt encrusted branzino. At the table, the captain explains how you’re not allowed to bring a banana on a fishing boat. It’s bad luck, and you won’t catch any fish. Too bad he doesn’t explain what the logic, or lack thereof, is. Rachel brings out the entire fish, takes it out of the salt, and the guests are served at the table. One of the guests says she’s Jake’s sister-in-law, and within one year, Jake and her sister dated, moved in together, got engaged, and were expecting a baby. In Fraser’s interview, he says, it’s strange that the primary is sharing a cabin with his sister-in-law. He has no idea who these people are, and what their situations are after dark, but something doesn’t add up. The captain says, his wife claims they met through friends, but he doesn’t remember the first time they met. That’s what it’s going to say on his tombstone: you should have remembered me the first time. In Katie’s interview, she says, Ben doesn’t know what to do, and laughs. Her connection to Ross is getting stronger, and more serious. In Ross’s interview, he says, he’s happier when he’s having sex, but it hasn’t been regular enough recently. By that, I’m guessing he means ten times a day. The guests get in the hot tub, and Leigh-Ann and Ben talk about the first messages they sent. Drinks and sandwiches are served, and in her interview, Leigh-Ann says she’s never seen anyone drink so much. She loves margaritas, but this is next level. In Ben’s interview, he says, it’s time to get them to bed; they’re a pain in the bum. Guest Angel slips and falls, but he’s good. Ben texts Leigh-Ann that he’s so glad he met her, and she says, her too. Guess he’s not that head over heels for Camille.

In Fraser’s interview, he says he didn’t finish university, and felt like a failure. He still gets incredibly insecure, even though he knows what he’s doing is working. He’s still the baddest bitch on board. Ross tells the captain that the guests are keen to do a beach set-up, and in the captain’s interview, he says he wanted to be back. Now he’s back to the same goddam wind. They don’t call it the Windward Islands for nothing. Ross says he thinks wherever they put the gazebos, they’re going to disappear, and Fraser suggests having games at the beach with drinks and snacks, then lunch back on the boat. In his interview, Fraser says, he’s learned the hard way that his responsibility is to lead and delegate. Angel says he woke up covered in bruises, and the others tell him that he fell, but he doesn’t remember. Katie, Ross, and Ben leave to set up on the beach, and breakfast is served. Angel asks if Hayley is a ninja; she’s way too quiet. In Leigh-Ann’s interview, she says she thinks Fraser is challenging her. She’s had to learn everything the hard way. Her parents divorced when she was 8, and she eventually dropped out of school to lead the beach bum life, but she couldn’t do the surfer bum lifestyle. In Fraser’s interview, he says, Jake’s wife is in Chicago with the babies. Interesting. Ben radios the boat, and says they need gazebos because of the heat. In Ross’s interview, he says, since Leigh-Ann has joined the crew, he’s noticing a slight power struggle and the slightest tension. Fraser tells Ross that someone (i.e. Leigh-Ann) has been getting their chief stew boots on. People shouldn’t be getting creative; that’s his job.

Angel doesn’t even look at Fraser as he barks an order, and in the pantry, Fraser says, Angel is a bleepity-bleep. Hayley says, he just noticed? Gazebos are brought to the beach, and in Katie’s interview, she says she thinks it’s weird how Leigh-Ann and Ben have been flirting. Ben isn’t being truthful. He’s obsessed with Camille – we flash back – and needs to come clean. He’s creating feelings, and Leigh-Ann is going to be crushed. He can’t have his cake and eat it too. Fraser tells Hayley that Angel, aka Satan, is a horrible man who didn’t even look him in the face when he placed a drink order. Rachel tells Fraser that the food is packed and ready to go, and the guests head for the beach. Hayley tells Tyler that boyfriend Joss is going back to work by the time she gets home; he’s a drill operator offshore. In Tyler’s interview, he says, his dad is an emotionless man with traditional values. Every time he sees Tyler, he asks if he has a girlfriend. Ben tells the guests that they have cornhole, and there’s going to be a sack race and a three-legged race. Angel says he hates sand. Captain Lee tells Rachel that he likes the new crew. There’s not one scintilla of animosity, and he’s loving it. It feels great coming back. In his interview, he says he’s impressed with the cohesiveness of the crew. Captain Sandy did something right. He tells Rachel that it’s not like it normally is at this point in the season. Usually, everyone’s d*cks are in the dirt dragging down. Katie asks Leigh-Ann if it’s awkward with Ben, but Leigh-Ann says she doesn’t know how Ben is feeling. In Leigh-Ann’s interview, she asks why Ben is so f***ing hot.

Fraser says he has a horrible feeling the guests are hating the beach because he’s not there to make it amazing. The beach is sh*t, and the weather is sh*t. Tony says, they’ll get so wasted, they won’t know where they are, and yep, it looks that way. Fraser sets the lunch table, and makes jazz hands since he’s wearing white gloves. Camille texts Ben, and he says he misses her, but he’s working. The guests come back, and Leigh-Ann tells Ben that he’s a cool guy; she’s stoked. He fixes her collar, and in his interview, he says, they were talking every other day, and have unfinished business. In Leigh-Ann’s interview, she says, they’ve been chatting for over a year, and the chemistry was there. Now being with him, the chemistry is there. She’s the type of girl who goes for what she wants. Ben tells her that she’s a good flirt, and in Ben’s interview, he says he’s between a rock and a hard place. There’s going to be trouble. She’s going to be trouble. In her interview, Leigh-Ann says, she’s all in or nothing. He’d better be ready.

Next time, Angel passes out on the trampoline; Ben tells Leigh-Ann about Camille, but she decides to go for it anyway; the new primaries are bodybuilders, and Fraser says, they look intimidating.

🏖  When the awful people on Summer House aren’t being awful, they’re being boring. Danielle told Kyle that he needed to have another hard conversation with Carl, and they hugged it out. We saw everyone’s day jobs, and zzzzz… Carl met with Kyle at the newly acquired Loverboy office, and Kyle said first and foremost was their friendship. He felt bad, but it had been a slow build. Carl said he understand Kyle had to vent. but it was hard to hear from Danielle. He’d been the face of the brand and did public appearances. He felt he was wearing different hats, but not getting compensated for them. Kyle said, Carl claimed to be working 90 hour weeks, but he had a hard time figuring out if Carl was working 40 hours. Carl admitted to getting distracted, and Kyle suggested they reevaluate how Carl was spending his time. They should also rethink his title, and make sure he felt appreciated and liked what he was doing. He never wanted to let tension come between them again. In Kyle’s interview, he said their friendship came first, and he was going to do his best to support Carl as a friend and CEO. Yeah, until the next time he’s drunk.

It was a fast week, and we were back in the Hamptons in no time. Andrea was going to join them, and promised to cook dinner. The girls reminisced about the last time Andrea cooked dinner and a wine glass was thrown. We flashed back to that, and Ciara said it was not going to happen this year. The drinking commenced, and in Lindsay’s interview, she said she couldn’t be sure that Kyle was making Carl’s happiness a priority. There was no friendship in business. I kind of feel the same way. When I worked 9 to 5, I was always careful who I hung out with from work. At some jobs, it was no one. Paige wasn’t coming, since it was her brother’s birthday, and the housemates agreed their goal was to make it to the tiramisu. The girls sat outside and drank, while the guys cooked inside and drank. Danielle told Lindsay about bonding with Gabby over their mutual ex, and Lindsay told them that Carl and Kyle had talked. Carl appreciated it, and it cleared the air, but there still seemed to be no clear solution. Gabby asked if it affected Lindsay and Amanda’s relationship, and Lindsay told them that Amanda said Carl worked for her. She’d been supporting Loverboy more than Amanda, and had stayed sober – although not right now – to support Carl. Yet Amanda said she was manipulating her boyfriend. Inside, Andrea told the guys, when you taste food, you should taste passion.

The housemates gathered to eat, and Andrea said, everyone was beautiful, and he toasted to life and love in Italian. He said, last year, they’d talked about love and cried. This year, he wanted to know how they keep it sexy in the bedroom. Lindsay said, Carl loved zebras and she had these zebra boy shorts… but no one wanted to hear it. Then there was a bunch of TMI that I didn’t want to hear. After dinner was finished, Andrea jumped up, and said they were going to South Hamptons Social for dancing. Apparently, Sam is a talker, and Mya said she wasn’t telling Sam to be quiet and wasn’t coming for her, but enough already. Sam said, it’s a me thing. She couldn’t shut up, and no one wanted more of her. She cried, and Mya said there was more to her than that. Zzzzz…

They go out, but apparently it was so boring, we barely saw the club, and they were back at the house. They did the same boring dancing and drinking there, except for Lindsay and Carl, who turned in early. In Lindsay’s interview, she said, this summer was different from the last one where she was drunk every weekend. Now she had what she needed at the end of the night; it was right here in the room. Drunk Kyle made a solo trip to the kitchen looking for the goddam cookies. Then he toddled into Danielle’s room. As much as they could, they talked about their argument, and Kyle said he’d been puzzled at Carl’s behavior. Carl was caught up in his relationship, but Kyle swore he loved that. In Danielle’s interview, she said she knew being a couple made things different, but she wasn’t sure how different. She and Lindsay had been inseparable. We flashed back to that, and she said, when Carl came along, they were the tres amigos. Now it was just Lindsay and Carl. it was hard to figure out where she fit in.

Sam called her mom Kristine, and said she was in a house full of big personalities, and felt like she loved the sound of her own voice. One of the girls said she needed to pull it back, and she was too much for everyone. In Sam’s interview, she said, when she was in college, she dated an older man who drummed it into her that she was too much, and she was insecure about that. Kristine said, Sam was used to filling the space. She had to think balance, but be who she was. Kyle told some of the guys that he thought they could have had more fun last night, and he’d come to the conclusion that Carl… had a voice in his ear. I swear, I’m going to scream if I hear him say that one more time.

Ciara talked to Kyle about Amanda, and said she’d given an amazing tea party. She’d talked about her fertility journey, and that she hadn’t had a period for nine months, but was apprehensive about going to the doctor. Ciara was concerned. Women’s health wasn’t her specialty, but as a nurse, she didn’t want someone to take a chance when they wanted to be a mom. Kyle said it would be soul crushing if they found out they couldn’t have kids. Although a possible relief to the rest of the world.

The housemates had a slumber party, and Amanda pulled down Kyle’s pants showing his bare ass. This I can never unsee and I’m scarred for life. The guys were gifted with matching PJs, and Kyle talked to Amanda, who said she was scared. She didn’t want to know. Kyle said she needed to communicate, and she said she didn’t want to talk about her reproductive system anymore. I didn’t want to hear about it either. Danielle said they were going to play a game called Stir the Pot. You picked a card, and the question on it had to be answered. No surprise, it was mostly sex questions. Lindsay’s card read, who would you be most afraid to break up with, and everyone said, her. We flashed back to Lindsay screeching at various boyfriends, including Carl. Danielle’s card asked who she trusted the least, and she said, in a curveball, you can’t see what’s coming sense, she’d go with Amanda. Amanda started crying and walked out, saying, that felt personal.

Danielle said that it felt like Amanda was only her friend sometimes, and Ciara asked if something specific had happened. Lindsay said Amanda claimed she’d been manipulating Carl, and Danielle said there had been undertones of tension, but she didn’t understand why. Ciara said not every battle had to be Danielle’s. Lindsay whined that Amanda said she’d tainted Carl, who worked for her. Everything she did was wrong. Kyle said he was over this sh*t, and looked for Amanda. Amanda wandered past mumbling, and said she was going to bed. She told Kyle that she was done, and he said he was tired of this bullsh*t. Like a sabretooth tiger, he was going to go lose his mind. Whatever that meant. Danielle said she didn’t mean to stir the pot, and Lindsay pointed out that was literally the name of the game. Kyle came back, and said, Amanda had apologized to Danielle, who never responded. She was a master manipulator, and his wife deserved better. Danielle didn’t think they should do this here and now, and in Kyle’s interview, he said they didn’t know the real side of that evil conniving bitch. Kyle told them that his wife was the nicest person, but they were bitches who got in the way, and it made him sick. He stomped out, which he’s made into a lifestyle brand, and Danielle told Carl to say something. Kyle was being an a-hole. Like this was something new. Kyle stood in front of the house, and yelled, f*** everybody for giving Lindsay Hubbard so much power!

To be continued…

… aren’t you glad?

💃🏽 In Appreciation Of All Women…

Come on down tomorrow for some soap and the latest in New Jersey. Until then, stay safe, stay lifting each other up, and stay making sure honest questions get honest answers.

March 3, 2023 – Anna Threatens To Haunt Eileen Forever, For His 60th, Another Return, VanderScandal, Salty Stuff, Delays, Rescue Dress-Up, a Half Dozen Brief Quotes & Free It

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Kristina asks if Sam wants to talk, but they hear Dante’s key in the door, and she hides the pregnancy test behind her back. Dante comes in, and says, it’s over? Sam kisses Dante, and Kristina says, they’ve both been holding out. She holds up the pregnancy test.

Diane says, Alexis is going to do something ethically grey, but morally justifiable, isn’t she? and Alexis says, there’s nothing grey, but yes on the morally justifiable part. Diane says she knows how hard Alexis fights for those she feels have been wronged, but sometimes she’s in danger of overstepping. Alexis makes a call to Dean Jeffries in the journalism department at PCU, and Diane throws up her hands.

Gregory tells TJ, it’s a wonder he hasn’t caught the bug from one of his students… yet, when Chase comes along. Gregory asks if Chase is here to see his brother, but Chase says, Finn’s off this morning. He tweaked a muscle in this shoulder and he came to get it checked out. He asks what Gregory is doing here, but Gregory says, it’s nothing. He asks TJ to help Chase; he’ll find the exam room on his own. Chase asks if he’s sick.

Brook asks if Sasha thinks there’s tension between them because of Chase. She’s way off base. That has nothing to do with what’s going on here. Sasha says, then Brook admits there is something.

Spencer looks at a pamphlet along with the car seat in his lap, when Laura comes by, and says, confusing, isn’t it? He says, very, and she explains how to use it. He thanks her, and stands up holding it. He asks how he looks. She asks if she can be honest, and he says, sure. She says, like somebody who’s too young to be a parent.

Eileen backs away, saying, it isn’t real, and bumps into the drawer with the body on it. She screams, and ghostly Anna walks toward her, saying, you’re next. You’re next. You killed me. Eileen screams for help, but Anna says, there’s no one to help her. Eileen says, please. She’ll do anything. Anna says, confess. Confess to what you did to me. Confess or join me. Eileen looks at the body, then back at Anna.

Spencer tells Laura that he’s ready. At least as ready as he can be. Diane filed a petition with the court for him to take custody of his little brother, which is basically just a formality since Esme is going back to prison and his father is gone. Charlotte texted to let him know all the furniture has arrived and it’s been set up. He ordered diapers, formula, parenting books. He’s really trying. She says she knows she is, and couldn’t be more proud of him. It’s just that he’s not this baby’s parent; Spencer is his brother. He says, the baby’s father isn’t here, so it’s up to him to do right by his baby brother. His brother deserves something that ties him to his future instead of his past. She says, something that maybe severs all ties with his mother?

Sasha says, something’s been off between her and Brook. If it isn’t Chase, what is it? Brook suggests they drop it, but Maxie thinks talking things out could really help. Sasha says, Brook told Maxie, but didn’t tell her? They’re better than this. Brook says, nothing is wrong… per se. She might have mentioned to Maxie that Sasha and Chase have grown closer lately, and Sasha thinks it’s a conversation they should have in private. Maxie says, oh man, and gets up. She says she has errands she needs to run anyway, makes a call me gesture behind Sasha’s back, and leaves. Sasha says, let’s do this, and Brook asks if they have to. Sasha says, yes.

Gregory says he was just telling TJ how shocked he is that he hasn’t picked up this bug making the rounds. Now go get his shoulder treated. Chase asks if TJ can help with it, but TJ’s phone chirps. He says he has to see a patient, but tells Chase to check in at the nurse’s station and get set up. He leaves, and Chase asks if there’s a reason Gregory won’t tell him why he’s here.

Diane tells Alexis that she’s going to powder her nose and pretend she’s not hearing this. She leaves, and Alexis tells Dean Jeffries who she is, and that she’s the editor-in-chief at The Invader. She wanted to talk to him about Professor Gregory Chase; he works in the history and journalism department… Can he repeat that?… Is he sure?… No, nothing else. She thanks him for his time.

Kristina asks if Sam hasn’t told Dante yet. She’s so sorry. She shouldn’t have said anything. Dante says, someone should probably say something, and Molly comes downstairs, asking, what’s going on? Kristina says she found this, showing Molly the pregnancy test. She apologizes to Sam, and says she must have opened up the wrong bag. (And accidentally pulled out the test, looked it over, and decided to wave it around.) Dante asks if he and Sam need to talk, but Molly says, actually, it was her bag. The pregnancy test isn’t Sam’s… It’s hers.

Diane asks if it’s over, and Alexis says, yes. Diane says she sees Alexis gave Dean Jeffries a piece of her mind. So when does Gregory start at The Invader?… Is she okay? Alexis says, Gregory doesn’t work at PCU anymore. Dean Jeffries told her that Gregory hasn’t given a lecture or taught a class at PCU all semester. Diane says she doesn’t understand, and Alexis says, neither does she. His sons think he’s working at the university. It doesn’t make any sense; she knows him. Diane says, maybe not as well as she thought, and Alexis says, they’ve become very good friends. When Diane was stabbed, he wouldn’t leave the hospital, even when Alexis insisted he go. Diane says, that was very kind of him, but what kind of a friendship does Alexis think they’re building if he can’t even be honest with her? Alexis says, normally, she’d agree with Diane, but there’s something else at play here. Diane’s phone dings, and she says she has to go. Tread carefully with Gregory. No more investing in this friendship until she’s fully investigated the situation. She leaves, and Alexis says, she’s going to evaluate this all right.

Gregory explains to Chase that he thought he might run out of his migraine medication, and he needs an examination to refill the prescription. He asks about Chase’s shoulder, and Chase says he just worked too hard at the gym. He needs to lay off the heavy bag. Gregory says, Chase is usually good at pacing himself, and Chase says he has a lot going on. He’s trying to get his badge back, and there’s this thing with Brook. Gregory says he should have known. There’s only one person who gets Chase all worked up. Chase still hasn’t made peace with how he feels about her.

Brook says, they’re good, but Sasha says, obviously not. Brook says, if there are problems, they’re hers, and she’ll handle them herself, but Sasha says, it’s not healthy to bottle up your feelings. If anyone would know, it would be her. Brook says she doesn’t want to talk about this. Can’t Sasha respect that? Sasha says she can, but this is becoming a problem. Their friendship is important to her. Brook says, it’s important to her too, and Sasha says, and beyond that, they work together. At the very least, she wants to work it out so it doesn’t impact their professional relationship. Brook says, at least that’s one less thing to worry about. She’s quitting.

Spencer asks if Laura can blame him for wanting to keep his brother away from Esme. She is unfit to be a mother, and will use that baby the same way she used him. Laura says, he’s hurt, and has every right to be after the way Esme manipulated him. Remember, she was doing that on Ryan’s orders before she lost her memory. He says, so…? and Laura says, the Esme she’s witnessed in the past few days seems to genuinely care about that baby. And he knows what it’s like to grow up without a mother. Does he really want that for his baby brother? Spencer asks, what if she regains her memory? Does Laura remember what kind of person she was? Laura says she does. She’s on his side 100%, and the baby’s side, so she’s saying she doesn’t think it’s wise to completely alienate Esme. It would be better to get her to want his support. He tells Laura, say Esme never regains her memory. What kind of mother is she going to be without a past? He doesn’t want his baby brother anywhere near Esme. Period. Victor comes in, and asks, where is the newest Cassadine heir? He can’t wait to meet him.

Eileen says, what happened to Anna was an accident. It wasn’t supposed to go like that. Anna says, but it did. My death is on your hands. Eileen says she didn’t know. Please. Can Anna just leave her alone? Anna says, confess… or meet my fate. Or she’ll haunt Eileen forever. Eileen says, no, no, no, no, no. Please. Anna is right. It’s her fault, and she’ll tell Anna everything.

Kristina says, Molly’s pregnant, but Molly says she doesn’t know yet. That’s kinda what the test is for. Sam says, sorry for being weird, but she knew it wasn’t hers or Kristina’s, and figured Molly didn’t want anyone to know. Molly says, right on all fronts. Sam can’t imagine what Dante was thinking, and Dante says he’s thinking he should leave them to sort it out. He jets upstairs, and Molly thanks Kristina, but Kristina says, if Molly didn’t want anyone to find out, she shouldn’t have left it in the shopping bag. Molly says she was hiding it from TJ, and Sam tells her, she would have said it was hers, but Dante walked in. Kristina asks why Molly is hiding it from TJ, and Molly says she’s not sure how he’ll react.

Sasha says, Brook is quitting? and Brook says she didn’t mean for it to come out that way, but she did tell Sasha that she was exploring new horizons. Chase’s music career is really taking off, and she’s getting interest from a lot of new artists. Sasha says she just assumed Brook would continue to do both, but Brook says, the balancing act is a lot. If she’s going to take on new artists, she has to devote time to them. She wishes she could do both. She was going to tell Sasha and Maxie at work; give her notice. Don’t tell her yet. Sasha says she won’t, as long as Sasha is telling her the truth, and this has nothing to do with her and Chase.

Chase says, there’s no future for him and Brook, not after she lied, and Gregory says, yet he’s still working with her. Chase says, as he recalls, someone lectured him about doing the right thing on Christmas Eve. Doing the right thing is finishing what he started. Gregory says, but he still hasn’t forgiven Brook, and Chase asks, why should he? Gregory says he doesn’t want Chase to have regrets. To look back and think how much time he wasted holding onto his anger when he could maybe work things out with Brook. Chase asks if Gregory is telling him to let it go, and Gregory says, Chase was never a hothead, even as a kid. All of a sudden, he’s losing control at every turn, and it all comes back to Brook. Chase asks, what’s the point? and Gregory says, Chase is still in pain, and hasn’t resolved his feelings for her. Chase was happy with Brook. Chase says, she also drove him crazy, and Gregory says, because she challenged him. She’s different; they’re both different, but they compliment each other. Sometimes that can lead to harmony, sometimes discord. Whether the relationship is worth it is up to him. Gregory’s phone tweedles, and he says, it’s Alexis. He has to go. He’s not telling Chase what to do. He’s just suggesting Chase work out his feelings before he hurts himself again.

As he and Victor approach the nursery window, Spencer says, the baby will be discharged soon, and he’ll be taking him home. Victor says, that’s splendid news. No word from his father? Spencer shakes his head, and Victor says, he and Spencer will just have to fill that void, but Laura says, Victor’s services won’t be needed. She knows her son won’t abandon his child. Victor says he prays she’s right. In the meantime, the remaining Cassadines will step up. He’s taken the liberty of finding them a new home. Spencer can’t be expected to raise a child under Sonny Corinthos’s roof. Laura says, he’s not. Her grandsons are both staying with her. Victor says, that’s generous of her, but her plate is rather full at the moment with taking in Charlotte. She says, her grandchildren are her first priority, especially since they’re missing their fathers. Victor says, Spencer and his brother will want for nothing. He’ll arrange for round the clock care for the baby. Spencer says he appreciates it, but everything is already set up at grandmother’s house. If they’ll excuse him, he’s going to see what’s taking so long. He leaves, and Victor asks why Laura is so hellbent on keeping him from what’s left of his family. She says, her? Both Spencer and Charlotte have wisely chosen to stay away from him, and he has no one to blame for that buy himself.

Eileen says she knew Anna was being framed, and she helped. She was the one who arranged for the tourism drone to be at the waterfront at the right time. Without her, the footage of Holly Sutton shooting Lucy Coe would never have been captured. Anna never would have fled the country; she never would have been in Paris… or in that sewer. She’s so, so sorry. Please don’t hurt her. There are some electronic sounds, and Anna’s voice says, I think we’ve got enough, don’t you? The body sits up, and ghostly Anna disappears. Eileen looks like she might pass out, when Anna walks through the door. The body takes off her latex prosthetics, and Felicia says, this disguise is so convincing, it’s scary. Anna says, so scary.

Alexis flashes back to asking Gregory if he would have accepted the job had PCU not gotten in the way, and him saying, he’d have liked nothing more. There’s a knock at her office door, and Gregory says he came as soon as he could. What’s so urgent?

Maxie says, it’s so good to see Chase… unless he’s sick, but he says he just hurt his shoulder. He’s waiting for an MRI. She says, he must have been working out pretty hard to injure himself. Any specific reason why? He says, it just wasn’t his smartest moment, and she says, love does that to the best of us. He says, what? and she asks if that’s not why he’s throwing weights around; trying to impress the new woman in his life.

Brook says she would never let what’s going on between Sasha and Chase influence her professionally. She and Chase broke up. She just wants Chase and Sasha to be happy. If that’s together… yay. Sasha says, thank you, but there’s no her and Chase. They’re friends, and she’s still grieving Brando. Brook says, Sasha can still grieve and move on. She’s seen the way Chase and Sasha are together. Sasha says, what Brook’s seen is Chase being the awesome guy he is; supporting a friend in need. As for moving on, she hopes to one day. Brook says, but she’s not there yet, and Sasha says, the only romance she and Chase had was staged. He’s just being there for her as a friend. Brook says, for the record, there are more people there for Sasha than just Chase; her too.

Eileen says, this is a trick? What the hell is wrong with them? Anna says, Eileen wants to talk about tricks, after framing her for shooting Lucy? Thanks for the confession, by the way. It’s made their job a lot easier. She asks if Felicia got everything, and Felicia says, every last word, pulling a recorder out of the body bag. She plays back Eileen’s confession, and says, good thing New York is a one-party consent state. Anna says, which Eileen knows about, given her impressive political career. Eileen says she was coerced. It will never hold up in a court of law. Anna asks if she wants to take that chance. She might be right that this would be deemed inadmissible in court, but it can still be leaked to her constituents. Anna feels like the good citizens of this great city need to know what their public servants are up to. Felicia asks how long Anna thinks before Eileen is removed from office, and Anna says, not too long probably. Felicia says, Eileen can kiss her political aspirations goodbye, and Anna says, not to mention her freedom. Eileen says, there’s no need for that. She’ll see to it that Anna’s name is cleared. Anna says, thank you, but I want so much more than that.

Victor says, everything he’s ever done has been for the sake and benefit of his family, and Laura bursts out laughing. He asks what she finds funny, and she says, all of it maybe. He chased his own son away with all of his schemes, and now Charlotte is left without a father. Laura doesn’t think it’s to her benefit. Victor says, not a day goes by he doesn’t ache for his son. He’d do anything he could to bring Valentin back. She says, and Nikolas? and he says he won’t rest until he finds Nikolas and reunites him with his children. She asks if Victor didn’t help him sneak off, and he says, of course (🍷) he didn’t. She laughs again, and says, forgive her if she doesn’t believe him. He asks if she really thinks he’d keep Nikolas away from his newborn son, and she says she absolutely does. They both know the only person Victor cares about is himself. He says, that is simply not true. His family means everything in the world to him, and he’s almost lost all of them. She says, that’s because he puts his lust for power above all else, but don’t worry. His day is coming, sooner than he thinks maybe. And the fallout is going to be glorious. He asks what the hell she’s talking about, and she shrugs.

Kristina says she could be an aunt again; this is great. Sam says, is it? and Kristina says, of course (🍷) it is. She doesn’t know why Molly thinks TJ won’t react well. Molly tells her that she said she didn’t know how he’d react, not that he’d react badly. Kristina says, they’ve been together for ten years, and Sam says, maybe she’s just not ready to say anything to him yet. Kristina says, they’ve never talked about having kids? and Molly says, in the abstract maybe, but once they were established in their careers, and that day is not here yet. Kristina says, TJ won’t care; he’s going to freak. Molly says, if she’s pregnant, and honestly she doesn’t know. TJ wants to be a hands-on father. That’s going to be hard with the hours he works at the hospital, and it’s not like she’s any less busy. This is exactly why they wanted to wait. Sam says, everything is going to be okay, because they’re going to take this one step at a time. Don’t worry. Molly says, don’t say anything to anyone, and Kristina says, only mom… She’s kidding. Sam says, they won’t say anything to anyone. Right, Krissy? Kristina asks why she’s always looked at as the weak link. She’ll keep her mouth shut. Sam says, and she’ll make sure to tell Dante so they’re all on the same page. Dante comes back downstairs, and Kristina says, there’s no time like the present.

Alexis says she’s having an issue, and could use Gregory’s input. He says, all right, and sits down. She says, some of it’s clear; some of it’s obscure. She’s just having trouble sorting it out. He says, let’s hear it, and she says, actually, it might be better if he read it. She wants to turn it into an editorial, and it might be a bit one-sided. Take a look and tell her what he thinks. He says he lives for this, and starts to read.

Maxie tells Chase not to worry. He won’t get any awkwardness from her. She’s friends with Brook, but she’s also friends with Sasha, so… He says, she thinks he’s seeing Sasha? and she says, isn’t he? He says, no, and she says, now there is awkwardness, but he says he’s not dating anybody. What gave her the impression he was? She says, nothing. She just noticed he and Sasha were spending a lot of time together lately. He asks if Sasha said something, but Maxie says, no, but she was just at Kelly’s with Brook – he says, of course (🍷) – and she might have mentioned there was something between him and Sasha. Then Sasha showed up, and said there was tension between her and Brook. Clearly Maxie connected dots that shouldn’t have been connected. She’s sorry. She obviously stirred some things up. He says, it’s okay. Break-ups can be confusing. She says, doesn’t she know it, and he asks if that’s why she’s here; trying to find Austin? She says, she hasn’t spoken to him since The Hook attack, and she wanted to make sure he was okay. Chase says, but she’s debating whether or not it’s her place, and she says, wouldn’t it be great if, when relationships ended, all the feelings just went up in smoke? He says, yes, it would.

Sasha says she’s glad they talked this out, and Brook says, her too. Now she has to tell Maxie that she was right. She’s insufferable. Sasha says, maybe Maxie will surprise her… probably not. Even if she did have feelings for Chase, it woudn’t matter. It’s written all over his face how much Brook meant to him, and probably still does. She doesn’t think anyone is replacing Brook in Chase’s life anytime soon. Brook says, she’s got the past tense right, but Chase wants nothing to do with her, and honestly, it’s a relief. It took her a minute, but she’s completely over him.

Sam asks if Dante has recovered from the shock yet, and he says, almost. She says she told Molly they weren’t going to say anything to anyone, and he says, of course (🍷) not. Their secret is safe with him. She says, when he thought the pregnancy test was hers, how did it make him feel?

Laura says, sooner or later, Victor’s past is going to catch up with him, and she’s hoping it’s sooner. Spencer comes out with the baby, and says, meet the newest Cassadine. Victor asks if he has a name, and Spencer says he’s working on it, but in the Cassadine tradition, his middle name will be Niklosovich, like his. Victor says, may I? and Spencer says, of course (🍷), handing him the baby. Victor fusses over the baby, and says, technically, he’s the baby’s great, great Uncle Victor, but that’s quite a mouthful. Welcome to the family. As he’ll discover, they’re quite a formidable bunch, the Cassadines. Although he admits, in recent months, they rather lost their way. But the baby gives him hope again. Welcome to the family. Somehow, some day, his daddy is going to come back. And when he does, when they’re whole again, he’ll see how strong this family is when they come together. You, my little one, are our future, and I’m going to move heaven and earth to make sure it’s a bright and prosperous one for all of us. Spencer and Laura look at him like he’s Maleficent at Princess Aurora’s christening.

Anna says, of course (🍷) the mayor will ask for Eileen’s resignation, but she has a lot of sway with the DA. If Eileen does as they ask, and helps them to bring Victor down… Eileen asks if they’re crazy, and Anna says, help them bring him down. Working with him puts her in a unique position to get information that will help them put him away for good. Eileen says she can’t go against Victor. He’ll kill her if he finds out. Felicia says, yes, he will, because that’s the kind of monster he is, which is why they need her to get the goods on him. Anna says, they know Eileen sold her soul to Victor because of her political ambition, but she doesn’t believe Eileen is as bad as he is. Why doesn’t she do the right thing? Eileen says, it’s too risky, and Felicia says, suit herself, but once this recording goes public, how does she think Victor is going to react? Eileen says, there must be some other way, but Anna says, there isn’t. There are only two ways out of this. Either she’s with them, against Victor, or she faces the consequences of her own actions. What is it going to be?

Dante says, Sam’s definitely not pregnant, right? and she says, no, but can he just answer the question? He says, if she had been pregnant, he would have been super excited, over the moon, and she says, so would she. He says, but he looks at their life together and thinks, maybe no more kids. She says, no more kids, and he says, they’re two for two. He likes what they’ve built together. If it were to happen by accident, then bring it on, but why mess with perfection? She asks if he’s seen the playroom lately; it’s a disaster. He says, but that’s their mess, and she says, it is, kissing him.

Kristina tells Molly to stop thinking about all the reasons the timing might not be right. What does her heart say? Molly tells her, it says she really wants to have a baby with TJ, and Kristina says, her too. She means, she wants Molly to have a baby.

TJ goes into the exam room to treat Chase, but Chase isn’t there. TJ’s phone rings, and Molly asks if he has a minute. He says, for her, always, and Kristina gives Molly a thumbs up. Molly says, good, because there’s something she wants to tell him.

Outside Kelly’s, Brook tells Sasha that she was upset at first, but not only does she have zero romantic feelings for Chase, she realized not being in a relationship is the best thing that could have happened to her. Now she can focus all her energy on her management business without all the distractions. Sasha says, sounds like she’s in a good place, and Brook says she is. They leave, and Chase comes out from around the corner looking all sad.

Gregory says, Alexis’s assessment is spot-on, and she says, so it does read as one-sided. He says he made some notes as to where the argument needs to be rounded out, and where opposing viewpoints could have benefited. She thanks him for his input and for coming by at such short notice, and he says, not only does he enjoy the work, he’s her friend. She says she thinks he believes that, and he says he does. She says, then why is he lying to her?

Eileen says, fine. She’ll work with them against Victor. Anna thanks her for making the right choice, and Felicia asks if she understands the consequence of double-crossing them. Eileen says, her confession will be leaked to law enforcement and the people of Port Charles, and Felicia says, Victor included. Excellent. They’ll start tonight. Anna says, let’s nail Victor to the wall.

The nurse tells Spencer that they just need a couple of signatures, and he can take the baby home, but Diane suddenly shows up, and says, there’s been a change in plan. She’s sorry, but that baby’s not going anywhere.

On Monday, Elizabeth tells Esme that she couldn’t be more wrong if she thinks Elizabeth owes her an apology; Obrecht says she sees Willow differently; Mason pays Austin a visit; and Sonny says, that’s a lot to celebrate.

🎂 One Is Silver, the Other Gold…

And for his birthday, a blast from Sonny’s past.

🥏 Like a Boomerang…

Well, we’d better find out what the hell Mason is doing with him. I actually think this guy is a better Nikolas. He’s more believable for some reason.

🔥 Fuel For Reunion Fire…

Did not see this coming.

https://people.com/tv/vanderpump-rules-stars-slam-tom-sandoval-raquel-leviss-over-alleged-affair-causing-ariana-madix-split/

📼 That’s My Question…

And where’s the Kathy tirade footage? Is there going to be some grand lost footage special in the future?

In other Salt Lake news.

👵🏼 Because It’s Getting Old…

Honestly? I think the Real Housewives are over. Unless Andy has a magic wand that can revamp it, I think the franchise is done.

🐩 Highest Honor…

I love this.

https://people.com/pets/rescue-dogs-celebrate-jamie-lee-curtis-after-2023-sag-awards-win/

🦞 Quotes of the Week

When deeds speak, words are nothing. – Pierre-Joseph Proudhon

March is the month God created to show people who don’t drink what a hangover is like. – Garrison Keillor

Tough times never last, but tough people do.Dr. Robert Schuller

A champion is someone who gets up when he can’t. – Jack Dempsey (Apparently, I’m a champion every morning.)

When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on. – Franklin D. Roosevelt

I find your tranquility kind of irritating. – Gina Baxter (Hope Davis), Your Honor

🍒 With a Cherry On Top…

Get sidetracked on Monday really Tuesday with some soap and the right captain on Deck. Until then, stay safe, stay not getting distracted by the minutiae, and stay not investing in a friendship until you’ve fully investigated the situation.