Monthly Archives: March 2023

Mar3

March 2, 2023 – Laura Sends Eileen To the Morgue, Poem, Bill’s Band, Through the Years, Please Go, Fakey McFake, Monstrous Loss, Everything SAG & Good

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Sasha puts a single rose on Brando’s grave, and says, it’s finally over. Heather Webber will never hurt anyone again. Soon they will lock her up. She hopes Heather suffers. He’s too kind to wish that on anyone, but he’s not here, so she gets to wish for what she wants. Of course (🍷) the one thing she wishes, she can’t have. Everybody talks about moving on and living her life. Easier said. She starts to cry, and says she misses him.

Maxie meets Brook at Kelly’s, and Brook asks, how’s her mom? Maxie says, hanging in there. Ryan really put her mom and Mac through the wringer. Brook says, look on the bright side. Ryan is dead, and Heather is being put away until she rots. Good riddance to the lunatics. Maxie says she’s still reeling though. Heather’s last victim was Austin. Brook asks if Maxie’s talked to him, and Maxie says she left a message, but didn’t want to push. Brook says, it’s hard to know where to draw that line with an ex, and Maxie says, now they’re talking about Brook and Chase. Is she right?

Dante comes into the steam room to find Chase rubbing his shoulder. Dante says he told Chase to take it easy. What did that punching bag ever do to him anyway? Chase says he was overcompensating. He’s sick of being in limbo. He wants to be a cop again.

Gregory reads out loud to Alexis, when the sounds of choppers faded from the air above Spoon Island, one notorious criminal was dead, another was in custody, and their legacies were cemented with the birth of their grandson and the trail of devastation each left in their wake. She takes it he has notes, but he says, just one; masterful. Congratulations. She’s nabbed the scoop of the year.

As they approach Sam’s apartment, TJ asks if Molly is up to this, but she says she’s fine. It’s probably just a touch of the bug that’s going around. She hasn’t seen her sisters in ages, and there’s no way she’s missing this brunch. Um… I guess she misses them so much, she wants them sick too? They knock at the door, and Sam tells Kristina, they’re here. Kristina comes out with a cake that has one candle on it, and Sam opens the door. They yell, happy anniversary!🎉

At the MetroCourt restaurant, Diane tells Robert, it’s so lovely, and he says, it’s been a long time coming. He really owes her, and she says, for wasting her time in court with a case that should never have been brought to trial? He says he was thinking more of a moment they shall call the elevator incident, and she says she was only doing what anyone would do when they figured out a colleague had been drugged and swindled. He says, regardless, this is an expression of his gratitude, and she asks if that’s all this is. He says, she’s got him. There was something else he wanted to talk to her about today.

Laura thanks Eileen for meeting her at the hospital, and Eileen says, of course (🍷). Laura says she’s been given a task that feels impossible to her, and she realized that Eileen is the best person to help her with it.

TJ says now he understands why Sam insisted he escort her to this so-called sister’s brunch, and Kristina says, they know TJ and Molly celebrated their anniversary at Curtis and Portia’s wedding. Sam says, the first year of domestic partnership deserves a celebration, and Kristina says, they’re borrowing from birthday tradition, lighting the candle. Sam says, make a wish, and Kristina tells them, then blow out the candle. They do, and everyone laughs.

Alexis says, right place, right time, and Gregory says, thanks to the tip from Smoltz. She says, when he’s right, it reminds her that he’d actually be good at his job if he had integrity. He says, Smoltz may have given her information, but it was her deductive reasoning that unmasked The Hook, and she says, a major get. He says, one she should be proud of, but she says, the glory isn’t all hers. She couldn’t have done it without him.

Dante says he knows Chase hates not being on the force, and Chase says, especially after an operation like the one on Spoon Island. They caught The Hook. Ryan Chamberlain is dead, Esme Prince has been recaptured, and where was he? Dante says he missed out too, but Chase says, because he was in England with Sam working on another case. Dante says, they were tracking down Esme’s nanny. She told them that Ryan was Esme’s biological father. Chase says, see? Dante’s proven his point. It was good work. Dante says, work Chase can do too when he gets reinstated. Chase says, if he gets reinstated, but Dante says he has every reason to believe the Board will reinstate Chase. Will he have some faith? Chase says he’ll try, but in the meantime, there’s another bad guy he can take down.

Brook tells Maxie, soon enough she and Chase won’t have a professional relationship, and Chase will be free of her completely. Maxie asks if he fired Brook as his manager, and Brook says, music was never Chase’s dream; it was hers. He loves police work, and he’s probably going to be reinstated in the next few months. Maxie asks how she feels about that, and Brook says, it makes him happy, and she’s happy for him. Maxie asks how she really feels, but Brook says she’s actually happy for him. He deserves to follow his passion. Maxie says, so does Brook, and Brook says she is. Aside from the ones he already sold, Linc gave her back her catalog. She can shop those around, build her slate of artists… Maxie asks why she still doesn’t seem happy, and Brook says, because she still doesn’t get what she wants.

Eileen says, whatever Laura needs, she’s at her service, and Laura says, she looks tired. Is she sick? Eileen says she hasn’t been sleeping well. Her alarm clock must have a short; it’s been waking her up at all hours. On top of which, the heat stopped working. Laura suggests she stay somewhere else until she can sort out the heat and the wiring, but Eileen says, that won’t help with the nightmares, and Laura says, what? but Eileen says, it’s nothing. Laura tells her, Anna Devane’s body has been recovered… or what the French authorities believe are her remains. Eileen says, her condolences, and Laura gets all teary and thanks her. Eileen says she hopes this gives Laura and Anna’s loved ones the closure they need. When will the body arrive? Laura says, it’s already here. Anna’s body is down in the morgue, and she’s the one who’s supposed to… identify it. She breaks down in tears.

Alexis tells Gregory, spitballing, bouncing theories off each other, that’s what led to her eureka moment with Heather. After that, it was just a matter of confirming her hunch. He says he might have helped get the wheels turning, but this was all her, and she says, take the win. Come on. They’re good together. Why bust it all up? He says he’s sensing a return to a conversation they put to bed, and she says she doesn’t understand why PCU won’t let him work at The Invader. He says he told her; a conflict of interest. (BTW, I think he’s lying to her; I don’t think he even asked.) She says she’s researched six publications, and all of them have professors working in their editorial department. So why does PCU set a different standard for their faculty specifically? He asks why she can’t let this go.

Chase tells Dante that he’s going to stop Linc Brown and his career as a music manager. Maybe get him charged just for good measure. Dante suggests Chase remember Linc was one of the reasons he was suspended in the first place. He adds harassment to assault, he’s not getting back on the force. Chase says, Brown gets handsy with his clients – he means, really handsy. He’s abusive, controlling, and manipulative, and that’s all they know about. There’s probably so much more. Dante says he knew the guy was a sleaze, but didn’t know he was doing that. That’s no good and he needs to be stopped. Why doesn’t he have a chat with Linc? Chase says, that won’t do any good, and Dante asks how working for him is going to change his behavior. Chase says, proximity gives him opportunity. Sooner or later, he’s going to slip up in a way that’s verifiable. Dante says, when he does, Chase better be far, far away from him.

Brook tells Maxie that she and Chase are over. He made that abundantly clear. In fact, she thinks he’s moved on. Maxie says, Chase is interested in someone else? Who? Brook says, Sasha, startling me, since I expected her to say Blaze. She’s not sure sure, but they’ve been spending a lot of time together lately. Maxie says, well, they’re friends, and she’s sure they’re just being supportive, and Brook says, how sure? grabbing Maxie’s hand. Maxie says, 98% sure, prying Brook’s hand off hers. She says, Brook needs to talk to Sasha, and Brook says, why? Whatever’s going on between them is none of her business. She and Chase are over. She doesn’t have him, but she does have her music back. Maxie says, she doesn’t seem that pleased, and Brook says, it came with strings. She had to sign a non-disclosure agreement. One of her main goals when she started was to nail Linc to the wall for sexual harassment, coercion, and all of the other sleazy stuff he does. Maxie says, and she persuaded Chase to help her? and Brook says she did, and he was totally into it. So when he finds out she signed an NDA and can no longer speak publicly about what Linc did to her, he could think she prioritized her career over doing what’s right. Maxie says she doesn’t think the NDA is going to be Brook’s problem. She should talk to a lawyer, but Brook needs to look into the Speak Out Act. An NDA can prevent you from talking about work product, like intellectual property… Brook says, lyrics, contracts, deals, and Maxi says, exactly, but a contract that restricts your talking about how you’ve been treated, misconduct in the workplace, or sexual harassment, those can’t be enforced anymore. Brook should look into it. Brook says she will, but that still doesn’t change what she did, and Maxie says, Chase is understanding. She’s sure he’ll forgive her. Sasha is suddenly there, and asks what Chase has to forgive Brook for. Um… none of your business?

Diane asks how offended she should be that the pleasure of her company wasn’t enough for her and Robert to meet, but he says, the pleasure of her company is reward enough, and she says, stop. He says he wanted to bring her up to speed on some recent events, and she says, he means Heather Webber being identified as the person who stabbed her with a hook. He says, she’s confessed, which means they’re removed from having to go through a trial, and Diane says, which means she doesn’t have to testify. She wasn’t looking forward to reliving that. She puts her clients on the stand every day, but it’s different… He says, when you’re the one being attacked. He gets it. She says, of course (🍷) he would. He was the victim of an attack recently.

Eileen says, shouldn’t one of Miss Devane’s relatives make the identification? but Laura says, her daughter lives all the way across the country. Eileen says, what about DA Scorpio? They were married. Laura says, they were, but the French authorities have made it clear that… the body… there’s been some decomposition. She’s sure Eileen understands why she wouldn’t want to expose one of Anna’s loved ones to a visual like that unless it was absolutely necessary. Eileen says, of course (🍷), and Laura says, unfortunately, it’s her job as city official to assist the gendarmerie, but she’s been here for hours, and she just can’t do it. Eileen says, Laura needs support, and Laura says she needs Eileen to do it.

Chase says he knows Dante isn’t telling him to look the other way while Linc manhandles his female clients, and Dante says, no, but he is telling Chase to maybe report him. He knows it’s difficult, but maybe Chase could convince some of these women to come forward. Chase says, Dante knows as well as he does, these types of allegations are hard to prove. Either everyone comes forward or no one does. Dante says he gets direct involvement, but for Chase, it’s a bad idea, and Chase says, why? These women endure this because they think if they don’t, Linc will end their music career. He doesn’t care if his music career ends; he can’t wait. He’s the perfect person to take Linc down. Dante says, Chase takes Linc down, Linc is liable to take Chase own with him. Then what happens? The CCRB gets wind of his little one-man operation, and there go his chances of reinstatement. Chase says he knows there are risks, but he doesn’t feel right leaving these women in Linc’s orbit to do this alone. Dante says, nor should he, but to be clear, are they talking women plural, or one woman in particular?

Sasha asks if everything is okay with Brook and Chase, and Brook says, nothing major; just music business stuff. Maxie stares at Brook, and Sasha sits down, saying, she admires Brook. She’s juggling two careers. Sasha crumbled under the pressure of just one. Maxie says, Sasha didn’t. What she went through wasn’t a reflection of her capabilities or professionalism. Don’t sell herself short. Maxie tells them that she left her phone in her coat pocket; talk amongst themselves. She stands behind Sasha and eavesdrops, as Sasha says she thinks it’s incredible what Brook has done with Chase’s music career. Is she taking on other clients? Brook says, actually, she thinks it’s time to explore new horizons.

Alexis asks why Gregory is willing to let this go, and he says he knows his limits. She says, the only limits he has are the ones PCU has shackled him with. He should just quit. He says, she finds journalism gratifying? and she says, certainly more than she thought. He says, when she was practicing law, if someone had told her to quit and run The Invader, or just be on the staff… She says she’d refuse, and he says, being an attorney was her first love, was it not? She admits it was, and says, and teaching is his. He says, this may sound flowery or pretentious, but he feels the knowledge he’s imparted is his bequest to a better world. If anyone should understand how hard it is to give up a career you’ve poured your heart and soul into… She says she gets it, and he says, besides, just because he’s not officially working here doesn’t mean they can’t continue to collaborate. She said herself, why bust up a good thing? He’s thinking, there must be a way to build on the momentum of this story, and his ideas are hers, free of charge.

Kristina asks, who’s ready for a toast? and Sam asks for sparkling water. She thinks she got a bit of food poisoning in England. TJ says, sparkling water for him too; he’s due at work. Kristina says, they’re both squares. Molly won’t let her drink alone, will she? Molly says, maybe just a small glass, and TJ says, his dad called to wish them a happy anniversary. Sam asks how Shawn is, and TJ says, great, and not at all surprised Alexis cracked The Hook case. Kristina hopes Heather’s capture brings Gladys and Sasha some peace, and Sam says, that’s why it’s so important for them to celebrate these milestones. To the people we love, and all of the milestones. Kristina says, to TJ and Molly, and they clink glasses.

Eileen says, Laura wants her to identify Anna Devane’s remains? and Laura says, there aren’t many people she could trust with this. Eileen says, forgive her, but she doesn’t have the impression Laura trusts her. Laura rarely calls on her for assistance, and Laura’s often dismissive of her efforts. Laura admits she was short with Eileen when Eileen talked with Warden Brewster about the Spring Ridge escapes. Eileen says, it wasn’t the first time Laura kept her out of the loop, and it was important she stay informed. Laura says, being informed isn’t necessarily being involved. Okay, she admits it. She’s been keeping Eileen at arm’s length. Eileen asks, why? and as they walk down the hallway, Laura says she owes Eileen an apology. She let her personal sensibilities cloud her judgement. They don’t have to be adversaries. Eileen is a strong administrator, and will be a great successor when Laura decides not to seek reelection, but she needs to know she can count on Eileen when it matters. Eileen says, understood. She’ll go to the morgue and make the identification. Laura presses the elevator button, and says she can’t tell Eileen how grateful she is for her stepping up in this way. It’s something she’ll never forget. Eileen gets in the elevator, the doors close, and Laura gets out her phone. She says, she’s on her way.

Diane apologizes for bringing up a sore subject, but Robert says, it’s public knowledge. Holly played him; he fell for it. Diane says she’s assuming Holly is still recovering from her burns in Europe, and he says, Holly has some challenges ahead of her. Regardless of what’s happened, he wishes her well. Diane says she may not know Holly well, but she knows this second chance meant a lot to him. She’s sorry. He asks, why? and she says, because he is. Deep as first love, and wild with all regret. He says, o death in life, the days that are no more, and she says, to Tennyson. They clink coffee cups, and she says, she was hoping Tennyson was getting him through during that time, and he says, not just Tennyson.

Sasha says she hopes Brook finds the perfect singer for every song, and make superstars out of all of them, and Brook says, that’s the dream. Sasha says, it’s hard to make many moves under this guardianship, but she’s starting to think about her future, and Brook asks if there’s anyone else in that future. Maxie jets back to her seat, babbling that her phone was in her purse the whole time, and Sasha wonders if Brook is asking her something specific. Maxie asks what she missed.

Dante says, Chase and Brook teamed up to take down Linc. Is Chase worried about his feelings for Brook coming back? Chase says, maybe they will, maybe they won’t. Either way, it’s worth it to see this through. Does Dante remember how aimless he felt when he was first suspended? For a guy who’s wanted to be a cop longer than he can remember, it didn’t feel good to lose his purpose. Dante asks, what about singing? but Chase says, that’s a paycheck, not a purpose. He wants to help people and if he can’t do it as a cop, he’ll do it this way.

Gregory says, Doc would add a good point of view to a think piece, and Alexis says, Doc is not only Ryan’s brother, he’s his twin, and his victim. Gregory says, to share your exact DNA with someone who’s both you physiological and moral opposite? It’s a great angle. She says she likes it, and he asks if Doc would be willing to talk about it. She says, there’s only one way to find out. She’d also like to interview Esme, even though she’s got some problems of her own right now. Gregory says he forgot. Congratulations are in order; Alexis is an aunt again. She says, that’s mean. She knows Nikolas is having another son, but she doesn’t know where he is. Gregory gets up, and says, it’s a good thing she’s good at solving mysteries, and she says, about the job. He says, just when they were having such a nice chat, and she says, humor her. If PCU hadn’t gotten in the way of taking the job, would he have accepted it? He says, he would have liked nothing more, and leaves.

TJ thanks Sam and Kristina for this very thoughtful surprise. Growing up, he never knew what he was missing, but through Molly, he has sisters. He thanks them for always making him feel like family, and Sam says, he is family. Kristina says, he’s trapped and there’s no escape, but it’s only because they love him. He says he loves them too, and Molly walks him to the door. He says he’ll see her tonight, and leaves. She goes back inside, and says, as they know, TJ is traditional and she’s not, but she appreciates them celebrating the commitment she and TJ made. Sam says, love should always be celebrated, and Molly says, right back at her and Dante. Kristina says, her sisters are happily in love. It almost gives a girl a complex. Sam says, when Kristina meets someone – and she will – they won’t know what hit them. Kristina says, because she’s a wrecking ball, but Sam says, she’s fantastic and smart and beautiful, and Molly says, face it, they’re magnificent. They deserve only the best, and that includes Kristina. Only good things for the Davis girls.

Robert says he’s grateful to have friends, old and new, and Diane says he’d better be calling her new. Alexis approaches the table, and says, if it isn’t her two favorite members of her former profession. Can she join them? Diane asks if it matters, and Robert says he has another appointment. My how time flies. Diane thanks him for breakfast, Alexis takes his seat, and he leaves. Alexis asks if it was business or discovery, and Diane says, it was breakfast. She thanks Alexis for alerting her before the identity of The Hook went to print, and Alexis says, it’s the least she could do. How is Diane feeling? Diane says, like she no longer has any excuses not to go out and live her life, and take a breath. And Alexis? Is she deciding what shelf to dust off for her Pulitzer? Alexis says, that’s a bit of a stretch, but Diane says, she’s on her way. Alexis says she’d be more on her way if PCU weren’t being obstructionist. The school’s administration won’t allow Gregory to join the editorial board. Conflict of interest. Diane asks, how? and Alexis says, exactly. Diane asks what Gregory has to say about this, and Alexis says, nothing. He doesn’t want to give up teaching, so he’s accepting it. Diane says she’s guessing Alexis isn’t, and Alexis says, no. Diane knows how she is.

TJ sees Laura, and says he didn’t get a chance to thank her for stepping in to officiate at his uncle’s wedding. She was incredible. She thanks him, and says, it was her honor. How’s his Aunt Stella doing? He says, on the mend. He asks what brings her by GH, and she says, closure.

Gregory asks the reception nurse to direct him to exam room 3, and she says she remembers him; he’s Dr. Finn’s dad. He says he hadn’t realized he was famous, when TJ comes by and says hello. Gregory says he’s looking for exam room 3, and TJ says he can show Gregory. Don’t tell him Gregory has caught this bug making the rounds. Gregory says, if only.

Eileen goes into the morgue. It’s empty, and she looks at the instruments on the table and shudders. She flashes back to hearing Anna say, you’re next, Eileen. You’re next. The attendant comes in, and she jumps a mile. He says he didn’t mean to startle her. Is she Deputy Mayor Ashby? She says, yes, and he says, he’s Moe (or maybe Mel); he’s been expecting her. He holds out his hand, but she doesn’t take it. She says she’s sorry; she’s just a little jumpy. He says, they get that a lot down here. Mayor Collins said she’d be identifying the Jane Doe from France. She says, that’s why she’s here, and he slides out a drawer holding a body in a body bag. He says he has to step out for a minute. Why doesn’t she take a look, and he’ll be back with the form she has to sign. He leaves, and I don’t think that’s how any of this works.

Dante says, it sounds like Chase is going to go after Linc no matter what, and Chase says, yeah. Dante says, promise if he gets into any trouble, Chase will call him, and Chase thanks him. He suggests Chase get his bum shoulder checked out, but Chase says, Dante knows how he feels about hospitals. Dante says, speaking of hospitals, he heard Willow was released, and Chase asks if that means she’s doing better. Dante says he doesn’t know, and suggests Chase stop by and see her. Chase says he has to meet little Amelia, and Dante says, his mother has fierce baby fever right now. She keeps hinting, and trying to find out if he and Sam are having kids. Chase asks if he wants them, but Dante says, they haven’t discussed it. I’m thinking either Sam, Molly, or both are pregnant.

Sam says she notices Molly switched to the sparkling water. Is everything okay? Molly says she just feels under the weather, and Kristina says she already opened the bottle. It’s a sin to let it go flat. Molly says she doesn’t want any more, but she could use something sweet. Is there any dessert? Didn’t they just have cake? Sam says, in the bag over there, and Kristina goes to get it. Molly says she wants to hear all about finding Esme’s nanny, and Sam says, it was insane. It was beautiful and rural, and they found her in this little place in Devon. She tells Molly about the crazy driving, when Kristina takes a pregnancy test out of the bag. Molly excuses herself, and Sam asks what’s taking Kristina so long. Kristina puts the test behind her back, and Sam says, she had one job. Kristina asks if there’s something Sam wants to tell her, and shows her the test. Dante comes in, and Kristina turns around, putting the test behind her back again. He asks if it’s over.

Diane says, do not meddle, and Alexis says she’s not meddling. She’s doing Gregory a favor. Diane wonders if he asked for this favor, and Alexis says, no. Diane says, then don’t do it, but Alexis says, he wants this job. Diane should have seen him. He just doesn’t want to give up teaching. Diane says, the professor is a big boy. If he wants it so badly, he’ll find a way to get it – on his own. Alexis says, not necessarily. He’s a cerebral guy. He doesn’t like to make waves. She does. She’s action oriented. Diane says, that’s Latin for meddling, and Alexis says, he wants the job, and she’s going to do something about it.

Brook says, sorry to bolt, but she has a full day, and Maxie says, stay. Sasha says, there’s been this really weird tension between them these last few weeks, but Brook says, no. Sasha says she’s sober, she’s calm, she thinks she’s rational. So she’ll be really disappointed if Brook tells her that she’s imagining this. Brook says, she brought out the big guns right away, and Sasha says, something has clearly changed between them, and she thinks it has to do with Chase.

TJ asks what Gregory means by if only, and Gregory says, nothing. It’s just a wonder he hasn’t picked it up from one of his students. Chase comes in, and Gregory asks if he’s there to see his brother, but Chase says, Finn’s off this morning. He tweaked a muscle in his shoulder, and he’s getting it checked out. What is Gregory doing here?

Robert sees Laura, and asks if Ashby went for the bait. She says, hook, line, and sinker, and he says, well done. She says, now let’s just hope it all goes according to plan.

Eileen hesitates, then remembers Laura saying how grateful she is, and it’s something she’ll never forget. She slowly goes over to the drawer, and zips open the bag enough to reveal Anna’s beat up, bluish face. The lights flicker, then go out, and Eileen says, hello? Is Moe (or Mel) there? The lights went out. Hello? The lights come back on, and she sees a ghostly Anna standing in front of her. She looks back at the table, where Anna’s body is still lying, and says, this isn’t real. This isn’t real. Anna floats toward her, looking like a demon.

Tomorrow, Chase asks if there’s a reason Gregory won’t tell him why he’s at the hospital; Kristina says she just found out Dante and Sam have been holding out on her; Laura says, Victor has no one to blame but himself; and Eileen says, please. I’ll do anything.

📜 Poets In Law…

If you want to read the whole poem.

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45384/the-princess-tears-idle-tears

🎸 Rock On…

Good for him. I thought he did a wonderful job on GH, and certainly better than the Most Extras’ first song on Vanderpump Rules last night.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/william-lipton-band-the-runarounds-performs-on-netflixs-outer-banks

🎊 Another 50th…

The Y&R Memory Lane. It’s comforting to know some of the soaps we grew up with are still there.

THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS Stars Share Their Favorite Classic Scenes

💎 Here’s Your Hat…

Isn’t she gone yet? Please, take Kyle with you.

Kyle Richards Updates Fans On Her Friendship With Lisa Rinna Following Her Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills Exit

Well, we agree on LisaR’s exit, but no Housewife is bigger than the franchise? I present Queen LVP. She’s still got it going on elsewhere, and the show began its slippery slope downhill after her departure.

Garcelle Beauvais Tells Former Real Housewife Of Beverly Hills Star Lisa Rinna To “Move On” Following Her Exit

🍊 Phonier Than a Three Dollar Bill…

I’m ambivalent to Kelly – although she does let fly some amusing bon mots – but I agree Tamra is fake. The worst thing was when she decided to become a Christian, made a big production out of it, then never gave a Christian hoot again. I cringe just thinking of it. The loudest wheel gets the screen time.

RHOC Alum Calls Tamra Judge ‘The Most Fake Person on the Face of This Earth’

🦐 Farewell Creature…

He was my favorite monster as a kid. My sister went through a model building phase for a hot minute, and did several classic monsters. I loved him.

https://ew.com/movies/ricou-browning-monster-creature-from-black-lagoon-dies-93/

🏆 And the Not Loser Is…

The winners.

https://ew.com/awards/sag-awards/sag-awards-2023-winners-list/

The best moments. I would usually say, these are debatable, but they’re pretty spot-on.

https://ew.com/awards/sag-awards/best-moments-sag-awards-2023/

The fashion.

https://ew.com/sag-awards/sag-awards-2023-red-carpet-photos/

Afterwards.

https://ew.com/sag-awards/see-all-the-stars-at-the-2023-sag-awards-after-parties/

My personal favorite.

https://ew.com/awards/sag-awards/james-hong-2023-sag-awards-speech-producer-said-asians-not-good-enough/

♟ Do Not Pass Go, Do Not Collect $200…

Come to my window tomorrow for soap, tea spillage, what might pass as wisdom, and music celebrating women. Until then, stay safe, stay raising your own bar, and stay celebrating milestones, big and small.

Mar2

March 1, 2023 – Dante Makes a Discovery In the Tack Room, James Has To Be Escorted Out & Survive

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Sonny goes into Pozzulo’s and tells Dex that he can take the night off, but Dex says, there’s something he wanted to ask Sonny.

There’s a knock at the gatehouse door, and Michael asks if Willow is sure she’s up for this, but she says she’s the one who invited them over. He opens the door to Carly and Josslyn, and Carly says, Willow told them it was important. Willow says, very important. It’s about their future.

Scotty says, everybody take it easy and breathe, and Elizabeth says she knows Obrecht has questions… and Obrecht smacks her across the face.

Dante works at the tack closet lock, when Bennett comes in. He asks if Dante needs a hand, but Dante says he’s got it.

Sonny asks if there’s a problem, but Dex says, everything’s fine. He was there by himself for a while, and got to poking around the kitchen. He found some recipe cards… Sonny says, they’re his, and Dex says he knew Sonny liked to cook, but there’s some legit recipes in there. He decided to try his hand at one. Sonny asks, which one? Dex says, chicken piccata, and Sonny says, good choice. Dex asks if Sonny would like to try some, and Sonny says, why not?

Michael goes upstairs, and Willow says she hopes she didn’t worry them, but Josslyn says, they’re curious. Willow says, their wedding day is going to be here before they know it, and there’s so much to do. They have to start moving on plans. Carly says, between them and the Quartermaines, every last detail is going to be perfect, and Josslyn says, anything Willow wants for her day, it’s hers. Willow thanks them, and says, what she’s wishing for is much bigger than flower arrangements or entrée choices. She knows what she’s facing. She knows her marriage to Michael will be much shorter than either of them envisioned, but she doesn’t want the fact that they’re running out of time to be the focus of the wedding. Josslyn says, of course (🍷) she doesn’t, and Willow says she wants the day to be a celebration of everything they have; their love for each other, their son and daughter, the life they’ve managed to build together. It should be a happy day. Carly says, it should and it will be. They promise. Willow says, good. Now let’s plan a wedding.

Finn runs over and says, that’s out of line, but Elizabeth says, it’s okay. He asks if she’s all right, and Nina suggests she and Obrecht go someplace they can talk. Obrecht says she knows what Elizabeth did; how she aided and abetted Nikolas in keeping Esme Prince a prisoner. She knew, yet she didn’t come forward. She let the police continue their search, and now Obrecht’s daughter is dead because of her. She remained silent. Elizabeth says she’s sorry. If she could go back… Obrecht says she wouldn’t wish this on anyone, not even Elizabeth. You reap what you sow. Nina takes her arm, and leads her away.

Dante gets the door open, and looks around with a flashlight. He tells Bennett, you see what I see? and Ava braces herself. He asks if Bennet is seeing what he’s seeing, and Bennett says, sure do. Dante says, Nikolas was definitely here, picking up a watch. There are his initials. Bennett asks if Ava recognizes the watch, and Dante says, NMSC. Ava says, Nikolas Mikhail Stavrosovich Cassadine, and Bennett says, that’s a serious name. She says she gave it to Nikolas for their first anniversary, and Dante asks if he was wearing it the last time Ava saw him, but she doesn’t know. He tells Bennett, look at that, showing him the watch, and Bennett says, that’s interesting.

Scotty tells Elizabeth that he’s sorry. He thought he could calm Obrecht down before she went off like that. Elizabeth says, that’s okay; she got what she deserved. Finn says, Obrecht shouldn’t have hit her, but Elizbeth says, she lost her son once. She knows what it’s like. Obrecht lost her daughter, and Obrecht’s right; she did play a role in that. Scotty says he loves them both, and doesn’t want this rift going on, and Elizabeth suggests Scotty check on Obrecht.

Obrecht tells Nina, Nikolas she understands; that man is a schwein. But Elizabeth is supposed to be virtuous. She had the power to stop those horrible attacks, and she did nothing. Nina says she knows Obrecht wants someone to blame… Obrecht says, someone? Elizabeth is the reason Britta is gone, but Nina says, Heather Webber is the reason. Obrecht says, Heather Webber could have been caught if the police had focused on someone else. Whose fault is that? She demands justice for her daughter. Yes, her killer was apprehended, but her enabler walks free. Scotty joins them, and Obrecht says, and some have decided to take her side.

Michael comes back downstairs, says, don’t mind him, and they don’t. Carly says, Olivia’s going to want to handle all the food, and Willow says she’d like Wiley and Amelia to be part of the ceremony. Carly says, having her kids be part of the ceremony is going to be so beautiful, and Willow asks Josslyn to be one of her bridesmaids. Josslyn says, of course (🍷); she would love that. Willow asks how Carly would feel about matron of honor duty, and Carly says she kept the truth from Willow about Nina being her mother, but Willow says, Carly is such an important part of her life. Carly’s become like a mother to her. Carly hugs her, and says, yes. She’d be honored. Josslyn says she hopes so; it’s in the title. Carly thanks Willow, and Willow says, but of course (🍷) the most important detail is their dresses. Carly says, of course (🍷), and Willow says she has some options on her tablet. She gets up, and is suddenly dizzy, but Michael rushes to her side and says he’s got her. Is she okay?

Dex sets a plate in front of Sonny, and says, moment of truth. Sonny takes a bite, and says, it’s good. There’s something missing. Dex wonders if it’s the sauce, or too many capers, but Sonny says, the sauce is great. He gets a tiny bowl of something, and says, parsley. Dex says, curly or fresh? but Sonny says, it doesn’t matter, and sprinkles some on. He takes another bite, and says, that’s more like it. He asks Dex to join him, and Dex goes to make a plate for himself.

Dante says, the watch and the band are both broken, and asks when Ava last saw Nikolas wearing it. She says, the evening of February 13th, and Dante asks, what time? She says, 7, 7:30, and he says, the watch stopped on February 13th at 8:07 pm. The watch is a clue Nikolas came down here for some reason. Bennett suggests Nikolas stashed some gold there in case he had to make a quick getaway, and Dante puts the watch in an evidence bag, saying, they’ll have CSU do a sweep of the area. Nikolas Cassadine was definitely in this room before he disappeared. Bennet says, now they just have to figure out where the trail goes from here.

Scotty says he knows it was a big blow to hear about Nikolas and Elizabeth, but he wishes Obrecht had some time to process it before confronting her. She asks, why is that? Because he can’t stand anyone confronting his precious Elizabeth? He tells her, that’s not what he’s saying, when TJ comes by, and asks if Obrecht isn’t waiting for Terry. Obrecht says, for some test results, and TJ says, she got pulled into an urgent meeting and won’t be available for a while. Obrecht looks at Scotty, and says, of course (🍷) she won’t. She no longer has a Co-Chief of Staff to share responsibilities with. TJ says, Terry did give him permission to go over the results with her, and Nina asks if they’re in. He suggests they discuss it in his office, and they follow him, walking past Scotty, who then follows them.

Finn says, Elizabeth has to stop beating herself up, but she says, people are finding out what she did, and coming to the same conclusion. He says, not people; one, sort of person. She says, because of her, Heather Webber was able to kill more people, and he tells her to be careful. Obrecht’s crazy and she’s going to want to avenge Britt, and there’s no telling how she’s going to go about doing that. Elizabeth and the boys may want to… He says he’s not doing that again. She probably needs space, and he’s going to leave her to it. He starts to leave, but she says she doesn’t need space from him.

Willow says she’s fine, and asks Josslyn to grab her tablet. Carly says, they can do this another time, but Willow vehemently insists she’s fine. She just did it too fast. Josslyn gives her the tablet, and Michael suggests she take a nap. They start whispering like she’s already asleep, and I see why she didn’t want to tell anyone she was sick. These people are annoying. She says she wanted to show them the dresses, but Carly says, she and Josslyn aren’t going anywhere. They can pick this up after she takes her nap. Michael says, think how good she’ll feel, and Willow says, a quick nap. He says, the quickest. He’ll help her upstairs. Michael and Willow go upstairs, and Josslyn says, with Willow home, it’s almost like everything’s okay, but it’s not even close to okay. Carly says, there’s still hope. Michael’s not giving up; neither should  they. Josslyn wishes there was something she could do to help, but Carly says, she’s helping. She’s here, giving them every ounce of love and support she has, and when Josslyn can’t handle it, call her. Josslyn says, careful. She has unlimited calls, but Carly says she pays the bills. They’re going to get through this. Some way, somehow. She hugs Josslyn.

Dex asks if Sonny learned cooking from his mom, but Sonny says his mom wasn’t that big of a cook. If you wanted to learn to cook, you went to Gloria’s house; Gloria Cirillo. Dex says he’s heard of her; that’s Michael’s cousin. Sonny says, Gloria was her grandmother, an amazing Italian woman from Bensonhurst. When he closes his eyes, he can smell that house; it was warm and inviting. If you were a kid who didn’t have a great home, that was the place to go. Dex assumes Sonny was one of those kids, and Sonny says, anybody was welcome at Gloria’s house, and she taught him what a strong, happily married wife looked like. It was an honor for him to be a member of the family in a sense; it was good for him. She could cook. The recipe cards are in her handwriting. Dex says he saw one for a marinara sauce that looked killer, and Sonny says, she used to tell him, the secret ingredient is celery. Everybody would ask what she meant; celery has no taste. They wanted something fancy, but if you eat that without celery, you will notice a difference. I believe this. One of my SILs makes amazing macaroni salad. I asked what was different from other macaroni salads, and she said, celery salt. Celery is amazing, and it does too have a taste, Sonny.

TJ tells Obrecht and Nina to have a seat, and Scotty follows them in. Nina asks if Obrecht is a match for Willow, and TJ says, Terry’s cheek swab showed at least six HLA markers for Willow, making her a potential donor candidate. They had some bloodwork done to ensure her bone marrow would be compatible with Willow’s. Dr. Obrecht is a confirmed match for Willow. Nina gets super excited, and says her daughter is going to live, hugging Obrecht, who barely responds.

Sonny asks what Dex’s story is; who turned him on to cooking? Dex says, it was less a who then a what. The food was terrible in the army. He promised himself that he’d learn to cook. He’s getting there. Online tutorials help, and recipes. Sonny says, it’s relaxing, and Dex says, his work, the day in, the day out, takes its toll. Cooking is a way to relieve some of that stress.

Michael comes downstairs, and Carly asks how Willow is. He says, she’s sleeping, and said she’s sorry, but Carly says she assumed Willow was okay; she should have checked with him first. He says he gets it. Willow doesn’t want to spend the time she has resting. Carly says, of course (🍷) not. She wants to feel every moment. She tells Michael that he can say anything to them, and Josslyn says, if anybody knows how he feels… He says, it’s her, and she tells him that she’s not saying it’s the same thing. She and Oscar were nowhere near his and Willow’s level. They didn’t have kids. He says, but she knows what it’s like to watch somebody she loves… There’s a knock at the door, and Michael lets a woman with a clipboard in, telling her to go upstairs. He tells Carly and Josslyn, it’s the hospice nurse, and Carly hugs him, saying, she’s so sorry. He says he just wants to give Willow the world. All she’s asking for is more time with her family. Josslyn says, and time is the one thing he can’t give her.

Nina asks, what’s the next step? and TJ says, Dr. Obrecht will go through a physical, a bunch of medical stuff, and other various tests. They have to rule out any possible medical issues that could cause problems for her or Willow. Nina asks how likely that is to happen, and he says, the probability increases with age. Obrecht has been staring into space, and Scotty says, Liesl. She says she’s sorry; it’s all a bit overwhelming. TJ says, they know she’s a doctor, but they’ll be here to walk her through every step of the way, and he’s here to answer any questions she might have. Obrecht says, and this will work? Willow’s life will be saved? TJ says, there’s never 100% certainty, but he’s optimistic, and Nina says, how lucky are we? Obrecht says, lucky indeed.

Finn says, he and Elizabeth are still friends, right? He wants to be there to support her, but only if it’s what she wants. She says, look at him, respecting boundaries, and he says he’s trying to. She says she does need his support, more than he knows. She should be facing the consequences of her actions, and would have, if she didn’t have the boys to think about. Finn says, having Scotty broker a deal was a good move; her boys need her. She says she knows. She just feels awful about the pain she caused, especially for Obrecht. Regardless of what she’s done in the past, she’s still a mom grieving over her child. Elizabeth played a role in her daughter’s death. The least she can do is face Obrecht and take the hit. He says, literally, and she says, there’s going to be more because of what she and Nikolas did. He says, because of what Nikolas did, and she says, there’s going to be a ripple effect. If he stands by her, he’s going to get caught in the crossfire.

Ava leads everyone back into Windymere, and Dante says, just to go over this again, the last time she saw Nikolas was the night of February 13th. He shows up, they argue, he takes off around 7:30. Bennett says, he then goes to the tack room to pick something up before skipping town, and Dante asks if Ava knows what Nikolas was looking for. She says, no. She never uses that room. Dante says, Nikolas gave her the impression he was leaving Port Charles? and she says, yes. Bennett says, then it stands to reason that whatever he retrieved, it was necessary for him to get out of Dodge. Dante says, he’d moved out all of his stuff. Why would he be looking for anything here? Why not go to the place where he was staying? This is kind of stupid, since the Cassadines could have gold ingots or something buried all over the island. Ava asks if Dante is sure he didn’t, but Dante says, they have this as his last known location. Bennett suggests Nikolas met up with someone who helped him get off the island, and Dante says, Victor, and asks Ava if she knows where Victor is, but Ava says, no. Bennett asks if Nikolas told her how he was leaving or said where he was going, and Ava says, they had an argument. He said something about being done with her and being done with Port Charles. He didn’t say anything about a destination, and as to how, Nikolas had resources she knew nothing about. Dante says he doesn’t believe that for a second, but Ava says, it’s true. There was a time she and Nikolas shared everything, but once their marriage deteriorated, he kept her out of the loop. Clearly. Dante asks if Bennett has any more questions, but Bennett says, not at the moment. Dante thanks Ava for her time, and she says she’ll walk them out. In the foyer, Bennett’s phone rings, and he says, it’s the station. He’ll meet Dante outside. He leaves, and Dante tells Ava, actually, he doesn’t think they’re quite through here. She says she told him everything, but he says, they both know that’s not true. He knows she’s trying to hide it, but facing Ryan Chamberlain would have rattled anyone, even her. She says she’s certainly had better nights, and he says he’s not just talking about last night. Ryan’s had his sites on her for years, and put her through hell. It sticks with a person. She says, his point? and he says, nobody would blame her if she wanted to get some help. She tells him to be careful. He’s starting to sound like he gives a damn. He says, she’s his sister’s mother, and she went above and beyond to help them with The Hook investigation. She says, they were on the right track; they just couldn’t put the pieces together. Heather Webber? He says he’s glad she got out of there unscathed, and she says, physically. He says, that’s what he’s talking about. There’s people who have been through what she’s been through. He has resources, and can put her in touch. She thanks him, and says, it’s kind of him to look out for her, but he says he doubts she’s going to take him up on it. She says she’ll keep it in mind, and he says, fair enough. The upside is that she doesn’t have to go around looking over her shoulder anymore. The darkness is dead and buried. He leaves, and she quickly shuts the door.

Finn says, it won’t be as bad as Elizabeth thinks. Just because Obrecht reacted one way doesn’t mean everybody will be as unforgiving. She says she’s just trying to be realistic. People are going to have some strong, negative feelings toward her. He says, that’s just because they don’t know the whole story, and she says, he’d be smart to keep his distance. He says, since when has he been smart? and she says she doesn’t want him ending up as collateral damage for the things she’s done. He says, she should know by now that he doesn’t care what people think about him. She stuck by him through the whole Peter August ordeal. It’s his turn to stick by her.

Scotty tries to take Obrecht’s hand, but she shakes him off and asks, how soon can she get the physical? TJ says he’ll make the arrangements now, and Nina thanks him. He says he’s just doing his job, and she says, he knows what she means; given their history. He tells her, let’s just get Willow well, and leaves. Nina asks how she can ever thank Obrecht, and Obrecht says, she won’t; Willow’s family. Nina says, the way Obrecht is stepping up for them is the definition of selflessness. She’s so grateful. Obrecht says she’d do anything for Nina and theirs, and they hug. Obrecht tells her, go on. She knows what comes next. Nina runs out, and Scotty says, Britt would be so happy that Obrecht is going to save Willow, but Obrecht says, don’t dare talk to her about her daughter. He helped Elizabeth get away with murder. As far as she’s concerned, Britta’s blood is now on his hands as well.

Michael says, they should be sending out birth announcements, or preparing for kindergarten orientation. They should be looking forward to their life, not the end of it. Carly says she’s so sorry, but he still has some time with Willow. It may not look like he pictured, but it can still be rich and full of love. He says, it has to be, and Josslyn says, it already is. She sees how he is with Willow, Wiley, and Amelia; he’s amazing. He says he wishes he could do more… There is something he could do for Willow. Josslyn says, don’t leave them in suspense, when his phone rings, and he says, it’s Nina.

Dex asks if he can take a picture of some of the recipe cards, and Sonny says, Gloria would be thrilled to know people are still making her food. She used to tell him, food is to be shared. Forget that top secret recipe nonsense. Dex says, Sonny was lucky to have someone like her in his life, and Sonny says, doesn’t he know it. Frank comes in, and says, Sonny wanted to see him? Sonny says he has an update on Pikeman.

Scotty says, Obrecht is making this more complicated than it actually is, and she says, did he or did he not strike a deal so Elizabeth wouldn’t face charges for her role in Britta’s death? He says, Elizabeth got caught up in a big mess, and Obrecht says, at which point, she should have gone to the authorities. If Elizabeth had, her daughter wouldn’t be… He says, if she had, there was no evidence to lead the cops to Heather Webber. He hates to say this, but there was no way to save Britt. Obrecht says, Elizabeth isn’t his daughter, but he says, she kinda is. She says, Britta was hers, and now she’s dead. Elizabeth could have stopped it, but she walks free because of him. He says, Liesl… but she says she doesn’t want to hear excuses. Leave her alone. She turns her back to him, and he leaves.

Willow comes downstairs, and sees Michael, Carly, and Josslyn in a huddle. She asks, what’s wrong? and Michael says, nothing. For the first time in a very, very long time, everything is right. She has a match; confirmed from a cheek swab and a blood test. She says, oh my God. I have a match? He says, you have a match, and they hug.

Sonny tells Frank, let’s go into my office. He tells Dex, thanks for dinner. He can clean up, and then go. Dex says, but Sonny told him that he had an update on Pikeman, and Sonny says, he does. Dex says he thought he was in on it, and Sonny says, he was. He goes into his office with Frank, and tells Frank, close the door. Dex looks confused and a little panicked.

Austin says, what the hell was that? Ava told him that Nikolas was dead. She says, he was dead, and he asks if she took his pulse. She says, of course (🍷) she took his pulse, and he says, one time, they told him in medical school that a dead body doesn’t just get up and walk away. She says she’s sure she was in shock, but she can tell him one thing for certain – Nikolas’s heart was not beating. She’s sure of it. Austin says, then where the hell is he?

We see hospital machines, and on the phone, Mason says, it’s him. Do they want an update?… He’s stable. On life support. We see Nikolas in a hospital bed, hooked up to the machines, and Mason says, Sleeping Beauty’s got everything he needs right here.

Tomorrow, Gregory congratulates Alexis on the scoop of the year; Robert tells Diane, it’s an expression of his gratitude; and Chase says he wants to be the one to take him down.

Vanderpump Rules

Scheana made Katie’s pain about her, and Katie bitched to Ariana about Scheana telling Schwartz her business. In Katie’s interview, she said she’d been careful not to dip into the friend group for flirting or hooking up. A producer asked why, and she said, because she’s not an a-hole. She and Schwartz had been a package deal for so long, she was worried people would draw lines and choose sides, and they’d choose Schwartz. DJ James told everyone at the Canyon Club – which I thought looked more like a food court than a club – to make some noise. Raquel and Ally went outside, and Raquel said James had told her about hooking up with Lala when they’d been together. Ally said she knew about it, and it made her sick. Raquel asked if Ally was okay with James having kept it secret and that he was still friends with Lala, and Ally said when James told that he was drinking again, she got worried. In Ally’s interview, she said she thought Raquel was just looking out for her, but how many talks were they going to have about James? They talked about James’s charm, another guy where I just don’t see it. Sandoval was about to go on with the Most Extras, and in his interview, he said, the adrenaline was spiking. Just f***ing do it. I was not feeling the first number at all, then James called Ally Bubba, and I got confused. Ally said, Raquel told her to be careful, and James said it pissed him off. It wasn’t okay, and he was going to warn Raquel’s next boyfriend that she didn’t s*ck d*ck. Ally was like, let’s not talk about it and just dance. Sandoval then did a rendition of Jesse’s Girl, changing it to Schwartz’s Mom, and it was actually pretty funny. He also kept flashing a 1982 picture of Schwartz’s mom that he’d stolen and taken on tour. Schwartz said it was a dubious honor, and Sandoval had a good heart, but there were some sexual overtones. During her interview, Raquel was shown doing nothing but drinking heavily, and I wasn’t sure what that was about, but then at the bar in the club, Raquel asked Schwartz to make out, so maybe that was a real time sequence.  

In Schwartz’s interview, he said he was flattered, since Raquel was hot, and part of him wanted to get into a tongue-locked embrace with her, since he is single. But he was like, no thank you, and Raquel said she liked Katie, but it wasn’t like they were close. He told her that Katie would be upset, since apparently, she’d forgotten that Schwartz and Katie were very close five minutes ago.

Sandoval visited Schwartz, and said his brothers were in town. They’d planned a party at Schwartz & Sandy’s, thinking it would be open by then. In Sandoval’s interview, he said, it would be smart to save the money by not having the party, but his parents had invested a quarter million in the bar, so they were doing it. Scheana came by to see if Schwartz had made any progress with his new place. She’d sent him some links, and said he needed to tidy up. Sandoval said, Schwartz needed to get his mojo back, like he ever had any. They make a list of what he needed, and in his interview, Schwartz said he knew he was still in there, but he was down to a pilot light and wanted to be a roaring fire. I don’t see that as ever happening. He told Sandoval and Scheana that he and Katie had an agreement not to date friends. He wasn’t even supposed to be hanging out with them. Scheana again managed to make it about herself and got all weepy over Katie calling her a troll, like she hasn’t been called worse things. She said if there was picking sides, she’d pick sides. Meanwhile at SUR, Charli was back from the Hamptons. I guess she’s too young and/or sane to be on Summer House. She added that she’d spent $400 on dessert when she was super drunk, so I’m going with too young. Unless the dessert involved an entire bottle of a one-of-a-kind vintage bourbon. Raquel told Charli about Sandoval’s concert, and said, at the end of the night, James had an argument with Ally and had to be escorted out. We saw a clip, but it was kind of vague, and Raquel said she was sure it had something to do with the conversation she’d had with Ally. Charli told Raquel that it wasn’t her place to discuss Lala with Ally, and the needle started going back to sane. Because she couldn’t let it go and we’re 15, Raquel asked Charli’s thoughts on her making out with Schwartz. Charli said, it would probably be weird, and in Raquel’s interview, she said she thought she had a crush on Schwartz. He was always happy to see her. Charli asked how Raquel would feel if she made out with James, and Raquel said, weird, but you do you. In her interview, Raquel said, Scheana had put the idea in her head, but it had grown on her like a fungus. Charli said, people would call her a homewrecker, but Raquel said, there was no home to wreck.

The Toms met with Greg, and Sandoval told him that they were having a friends and family party tonight. Manager Matt had been let go for drinking on the job, and Greg said, his people knew not to drink on the job. When they’d had the Daily Mail event, it seemed like the atmosphere of a party for everybody, but he chose not to have some of them come back. They needed to make sure they were focused on actually opening. Schwartz said they’d been thinking August 26th, a month from now, and Greg suggested they give him a heads up when they form an idea and not tell him later. In Sandoval’s interview, he said, everything they’d suggested about opening in the past few months, Greg had vetoed. They were paying $25K a month in rent. Greg said, they weren’t finished. They had a long lease, and a lot of money to pay back. They had to do what it took to make it work, and he had no time for bullsh*t. Lisa met James at a tea shop, where they had – no surprise – a pot of tea. Lisa said she’d been hearing things, and we saw a clip of Raquel telling Lisa that James had to be escorted out after Sandoval’s concert. James said, it was interesting bringing alcohol back into his life, which I guess is one word for it. Lisa wondered why he did, since he’d been doing so well, and in James’s interview, he said he wanted to get back out there, but hadn’t been on a date in years. He felt like an older, more mature guy now. He told Lisa that he was in love with Ally, and Lisa reminded him that just yesterday, he’d said Raquel was the best thing that had ever happened to him. Now he was saying the same thing about Ally. James said he’d always been emotional, like we didn’t know that, and Lisa said he’d been heartbroken and devastated after the break-up. We flashed back to James weeping at the Reunion, and James started to cry in the tea shop, saying, it’s a lot. In Lisa’s interview, she said she didn’t think James wanted anyone to know how badly he’d been hurt by Raquel dumping him. He wanted to be the dumper, not the dumpee. James said he loved his life, and Lisa asked, but can he manage it?

Before the party, the Toms took a breath together. These two could give the Extreme Sisters a run for their money. Sandoval said, Schwartz & Sandy’s, night two; let’s go! The family and friends were all impressed, as Peruvian tuna ceviche was served. Katie brought friend Kristina Kelly as her plus one, and in Katie’s interview, she said, they’d just traveled to Rome for their friend’s wedding. In Ariana’s interview, she said, Katie bringing Kristina felt obvious. Sandoval’s mom said, it was unbelievable, and in his interview, Sandoval said, she was a retired firefighter. It was important for him to show her that he could follow through with what he planned. Most of the VanderGroup showed, except for Lala, who was sick, and James, who had a See You Next Tuesday gig. Kristina said, Scheana was making Katie’s divorce messy, and Katie said, if Schwartz wanted to hook up with one of the friend group, she would run a train through his restaurant. Ariana laughed like this was the funniest thing she’d ever heard. Katie suggested a girls trip to Vegas, and driving to Havasu afterward and renting a house on the lake, but she wasn’t inviting Scheana.

Schwartz told Katie that Sandoval’s family was all there, but she was his only family in L.A. Katie said she was upset about Scheana’s meddling, but Schwartz said, Katie was setting boundaries that didn’t exist. Katie said, him being with Raquel would make her uncomfortable. People kept interrupting to congratulate Schwartz, causing him to lose focus in the conversation. Katie said she was going home, and Schwartz said he’d prefer it if she left. In his interview, he said, Katie had forced him to choose a lot during the relationship, but they weren’t married anymore, so it wasn’t his problem anymore.

Ariana met Raquel and Katie for wine and cheese, and Katie said she thought they should rage responsibly in Vegas, and she wasn’t inviting Scheana. Raquel said she had a confession to make, and told Katie about asking Schwartz if he wanted to make out. In Raquel’s interview, she said, Katie was going to find out eventually, and she’d rather Katie hear it for her before the girls trip. She said, Schwartz was respecting Katie’s boundaries, but Katie said, Raquel wasn’t. Raquel said she was sorry, and Ariana said she didn’t know Raquel had it in her. Raquel said she didn’t know who she was anymore, and flipping the script to her liking, Katie asked how much the Schwartz thing had been motivated by Scheana. Raquel said, Scheana put he idea in her head, and Katie said, that’s why Scheana was dead to her. In Katie’s interview, she said, Raquel wasn’t smart enough to think up something that diabolical. She was the human equivalent of cotton candy. Raquel used the excuse that she’d been drinking, and Katie said, it was too much. Her house was about to be sold in three weeks, and it was a lot. She was on the verge of crying, and kept repeating that she just wanted to have fun.

Lisa brought the Toms to the Rose Garden at SUR, and said, the party had been a success, why weren’t they opening? She told them that Greg seemed peeved, and we flashed back to Greg telling Lisa that the Toms know nothing about the business. Sandoval admitted they might have misled Greg about their level of experience, and she asked, who was paying the rent? Sandoval said they were, and she said, but Greg owned the lease. They should have come to her, and she would have told them not to sign it. In Lisa’s interview, she said, Greg had no urgency to open if he wasn’t paying the rent. She thought Greg was an experienced restauranteur, but the boys had more pressure to get the doors open or they’d be in trouble. Sandoval said he wasn’t sleeping, and pacing no his lawn at night, and Schwartz said he was already a cautionary tale with his marriage. He didn’t want to be one with his business. Lisa said maybe they could think of a way to open where Greg wasn’t involved.

Next time, The girls trip; a Schwartz piñata; Ken suggests buying Greg out; James’s mom asks if it’s wise that he’s drinking again; Raquel meets Garcelle’s son Oliver; and Lala says it would be no contest between her and Raquel.

🧊 Picking It Up Like It’s Cold…

Time for tea tomorrow, along with the usual soap, and some awards talk. Until then, stay safe, stay never mistaking kindness for weakness, and stay forgetting that top secret recipe nonsense. Food is to be shared.

Mar1

February 28, 2023 – The Police Descend On Spoon Island, Teresa’s Love Bubble Housewarming & Wake

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Curtis apologizes to Trina for showing up unannounced, but he hasn’t seen her since the reception. She asks why he would; there’s nothing to say. He says he doesn’t think so. It’s not every day he finds out he might be a father, and it’s not every day she finds out she might have a father she never knew.

Jordan gives Dante a signed warrant that gives the PCPD the right to search every inch of Spoon Island. Dante says, if Nikolas is there, they’re going to find him, and Jordan says, and with Elizabeth’s testimony, he’ll be going away to prison for a very long time.

Scotty asks why Elizabeth isn’t smiling. They got a really good deal. She asks, what’s going to happen to Nikolas? and Scotty says, he’ll be charged with a boatload of crimes. She says, because she incriminated him, and Scotty asks if she’d rather Nikolas incriminate her. All she did was tell the truth. Nikolas sucked her in to this whole Esme thing; he thought she was the killer. When he found out she wasn’t, they were in over their heads, and he got the DA to make the deal for immunity. She didn’t know Esme was the killer for a long time. She says, tell that to the woman he loves – Britt’s mom.

At the hospital, Obrecht tells Finn that she can’t imagine what’s keeping Scotty. He looks away, and she asks what he knows that she doesn’t.

On the phone, Nina says, her daughter needs a bone marrow transplant, and all people have to do to help is register to be a donor. With Crimson’s demographics, they can reach under 35 year olds, people with more stem cells to offer. They need to launch an appeal. Every second counts.

Willow films herself, and says, by the time Michael sees this, their wedding will be just a memory. She hopes he doesn’t just remember the tears, but the flowers, the music, and the dancing. She hopes the photographer takes lots of pictures, and a video that he can show to Amelia when she’s old enough to understand how very much Willow loved her daddy. Michael comes downstairs, and asks what she’s doing.

Austin and Ava go into Windymere, and Austin says, it’s a little weird. She says, which part? and he says, the part where Heather sticks him with a hook and he falls to the floor, and there was this moment where he thought about all the things he didn’t get to do in his life. She says she’s glad she was able to stop the bleeding, and he says, him too. And he was glad she got to go after Ryan Chamberlain. She says, Mac fired the fatal shot. It’s ironic. If she’d killed Ryan, it would have been self-defense. Meanwhile, she has no defense at all for killing Nikolas. He says, it’s possible at this point, Elizabeth has given the cops a full statement, and she says, the cops are going to be here soon, looking for evidence to corroborate her story. He says, they’re going to be looking for corroborative evidence in the north tower, but she says, they’re going to be looking for Nikolas, which puts the whole island at play. He knows what they have to do.

Trina invites Curtis in, and he says, they have a lot to talk about, but she says, not really. Her mom lied to all of them. He says he’s not here to talk about her mom. He’s here to talk about them, and where they go from here.

Willow says she was just thinking about their wedding, and asks if Michael is getting cold feet, but he says, never. He wants it to be everything she ever dreamed of, and she says, as long as he’s beside her when they say I do, it will be. Wiley comes down, and says he was going to kiss his baby sister, but she spit up on him. Willow says, babies will do that, but she’s counting on him to look out for his baby sister; big brothers are important. Michael says, it’s time for Wiley to go to his playroom, and Wiley says he almost forgot. He found something. The half-heart necklace dangles from his hand.

Nina asks, what’s going on? and Obrecht says, that’s what she’s trying to find out. It seems Dr. Finn is keeping secrets. Nina says, about what? and Finn says, it’s hardly a secret. Scotty’s not here because he’s with a client. Obrecht says, of course (🍷). Scotty said something about helping Elizabeth with a legal matter. Nina wonders if Elizabeth is in trouble, but Obrecht says, it’s probably something mundane, like a parking ticket, while that maniac Heather Webber gets away with murder. Finn says, not exactly; she’s been returned to D’Archam. Obrecht says, to live out her days in a padded cell, when the police wasted precious time looking for Esme, and Heather was the killer all along. Finn says, a lot of people thought Esme was the killer. No one could have known otherwise. Obrecht says, someone must have known the killer wasn’t Esme and looked the other way, and because of them, her Britta is no more.

Elizabeth doesn’t know how she’ll ever face Obrecht again, and Scotty says, she’ll be very upset, but if he can convince the DA’s office, he can reason with Liesl. She wonders how you reason with someone who’s lost a child, and he says, when Peter August killed Franco, that’s a different story. What she and Nikolas did with Esme… that’s different. Elizabeth wonders why she didn’t come forward sooner, and he says, because she truly believed Esme was The Hook killer. It wasn’t until that rookie cop was killed that she knew it was someone else. She asks if he really thinks that will make a difference to Obrecht.

Dante tells Jordan, the search team is assembled, and the Coast Guard is going to take them to Spoon Island. Jordan says she’s going to GH to talk to Austin. She’s curious what he was doing at Windymere when all hell broke loose. He asks if she thinks Austin knows something about Nikolas, and she says, it’s worth a shot. He tells her, good luck with that, she says, back atcha, and leaves. Dante takes his gun out of his desk.

Trina says she has an exam to prep for, and her slide show for the post-Impressionist report on Friday, and Curtis says he gets it. When the whole world blows up, it’s nice to have work to focus on. (Agreed.) The other night, when he and her mother were going through it, he went straight to The Savoy, the one place he knew he was on solid ground and there was an endless supply of liquor. She asks if it helped, but he says, not exactly. All he wanted was a glass and a bottle to drown his woes, but fortunately N’neka knew it was a bad sign, and called his father. Marshall beelined it down to The Savoy, and gave him hell. Marshall reminded him booze is never the answer. Trina asks, what happened then? and he says, they talked about what he wanted to forget. He let Marshall know that Portia lied to them for twenty years, but he’s here to talk about him and Trina, and where they go from here.

At the hospital, Jordan walks out of the elevator and down the hall, and comes face-to-face with Portia.

Wiley asks if he did something wrong, but Willow says, not at all. There’s a knock at the door. It’s Sasha, who says she came to offer her help, and Michael takes Wiley upstairs to check on his sister. Sasha asks what she can do, and Willow says, she can start by getting rid of this necklace.

Nina suggests they go somewhere private, but Obrecht says, all she wants is the key to Heather’s padded cell. That, and five minutes alone with whoever hid Esme all that time. Finn asks what makes her think someone was hiding her, and she says, Esme was pregnant. She doesn’t think Esme is resourceful enough to manage on her own. Someone must have helped her. Nina suggests they go sit down, and leads Obrecht away. Finn calls Scotty, and asks if it’s over. How’s Elizabeth? Scotty and Elizabeth walk in, and Scotty tells him to turn around and see for himself. He did well. Finn is looking at an innocent woman. Elizabeth says, not guilty, but that doesn’t make her innocent.

Austin says, Ava does have options. She’s a wealthy woman. She could go anywhere in the world, and no one would ever find her. She says, if she were to run now, she’d have to run without her child. Ryan Chamberlain has already taken one daughter from her. She’ll die before she loses another. He says, it would probably make him really sad if she was dead, so whatever she’s got going on, count him in. She says, Nikolas is dead because of her. She won’t fault Austin if he goes back to GH, and forgets he was ever here. There’s a knock at the door (because this humongous house doesn’t have a doorbell), and Dante says, it’s the PCPD. Ava looks at Austin.

Curtis says he was a witness to the horrible year Trina had last year. Being accused of a crime she didn’t commit and it’s subsequent trial. Rory’s death, and the fear of knowing The Hook killer was targeting people she’s close to. But through it all, she had her family – her mom and her dad. Right now, it probably feels like her family is up for grabs. She’d only be human to resent his presence in her life. She says she doesn’t resent him. He’s always been wonderful to her. He might have been a little pushy at times, but that’s before they established boundaries. He says, those boundaries have a really big hole in them right now, and it’s only going to get wider until they answer one big question once and for all. She asks if he’s saying they need to see what their DNA says about them.

Portia says, if Jordan is there to see Austin, she just missed him. He checked himself out. Jordan asks if she approved that, but Portia says, absolutely not, but he’s a doctor, and they say we make the worst patients. Jordan says, since she’s here, she’ll pay a visit to Esme and see if giving birth jogged her memory. Portia asks if Esme can wait, and Jordan says, sure. Why? Portia says, Austin’s room is empty and they can talk in there without being disturbed. She thinks they need to have a conversation.

Sasha tells Willow, just to make it clear, she didn’t come here to lobby for Nina. She’s on Willow’s and Michael’s side because she understands two things can be true at the same time. (They love that one, so… 🍷) Nina’s been very good to her, but she’s aware that hasn’t been the case for everyone. Willow thanks her for understanding. So many people think they need to choose sides, and it’s just not necessary. She doesn’t want to waste the time she has thinking about Nina. She and Michael want to make this wedding as joyful and perfect for everyone, and she’s going to need all the help she can get. Sasha says, she’s got it, but she needs Willow to stop talking about the time she has left. Miracles can still happen. Willow says she’s not being a pessimist, just realistic. She’s run out of options. Sasha says, it’s so unfair. Willow has so much to live for, and so many people who need her. Willow tells her, nobody said life was fair; Sasha knows that better than anyone. Sasha says she went to visit Heather Webber at the PCPD, and Willow says, no, but Sasha says, it’s a good thing. She’s glad she did it. She got to put a face to Brando’s murderer, and it gave her a chance to release all the pent-up anger she’s been keeping it check. It also made her realize, when Liam died, she thought there could be nothing worse than death, but she was wrong. She loved Liam and loved Brando, and she loves Willow. She realized if someone goes through life without experiencing love and never having anything to lose, that would be the worst thing that could happen.

Nina says she understands Obrecht’s pain; she misses Britt too. But even if Obrecht could prove someone knew Esme wasn’t the killer, it’s not going to bring Britt back. Obrecht says, no, but it would give her great pleasure to give that person pain. She asks if her honesty upsets Nina, and Nina says, no; she’s used to it. Crimson is going to do a campaign for stem cell donors. She’s not fooling herself. She understands it might be too late, but if they can save other lives… Obrecht says, it might not be too late. She knows a possible donor. Nina says, who?

Finn says, Liesl was asking about Scotty. She’s here. Scotty thanks him for the heads up, and tells Elizabeth, if she needs anything, call him. He leaves to look for Obrecht, and Finn asks if Elizabeth is okay. She asks if he means, can she live with herself after throwing a lifelong friend under the bus, but Finn says he doesn’t know what kind of friend Nikolas is. He ran off and left her holding the ball. She says she may not be guilty of holding Esme hostage, but she fully enabled Nikolas. Finn says, but she took responsibility. What would Nik have done to Esme and the baby if she’d just walked away?

Ava hands the warrant back to Dante, and says, everything seems to be in order. He sends some officers to comb the main house, and others to comb the outlying buildings. Ava asks if this is really necessary. Heather’s in custody, and Ryan’s in the morgue. He says, it has nothing to do with what happened here last night. They got testimony that Esme Prince was being held here against her will after Ava moved out. So they can’t go anywhere until the find some proof, or at least a clue where Nikolas is hiding.

Trina says, she and Curtis will have to agree to disagree. She doesn’t need a DNA test. She already knows all she needs to know about her family; the good and the bad. He says he knows how she feels. When Marshall came back into his life, he shut the door in Marshall’s face. After 40 years, the last thing he needed was some dude coming into his life claiming to be his father. All those years without him, Curtis learned to be strong, almost unbreakable. Then he realized, who was he kidding? A piece of him was missing. He didn’t even realize it until he looked Marshall in the face and saw a part of him looking back. Trina says she’s glad for him and Marshall, but it’s not the same thing for her. He grew up without a dad; she grew up with a dad. A dad who was always there for her. He says he understands all of that. He bets she thinks even asking the question of asking who her biological father is, is betraying Taggert.

Portia tells Jordan, this isn’t easy for her to say, but there’s something Jordan needs to know. Jordan says, before Portia tells her anything, full disclosure. Curtis came to her earlier, and told her what happened at their wedding reception. Portia says, Jordan tried to warn her, and she wants Jordan to know she was right. She kept telling herself that she was trying to protect her daughter – protect her whole family – but in reality, the only one she was protecting was herself. She didn’t want to face the fact that Dr. Portia Robinson, at the top of her profession and respected by her peers, loved by the people who matter the most, is so very far from perfect. In fact, she’s a coward. Jordan says, that’s simply not true.

Michael says, Wiley decided to take a nap, and Willow suggests they take advantage of the quiet. Sasha says, they’re trying to decide between orchids and roses, and he says, why not both? Sasha says, that’s why he’s a CEO, and he says, he’s also a dad. Not that Amelia seems to care. Willow asks if their daughter is giving him a hard time, and he says, it’s that damn mobile above her bed. She’s fascinated with it and can’t stop staring at it. Sasha suggests removing it, but he says, she’ll just start crying, and Willow says, it sounds like she needs a dose of her mommy. She goes upstairs, and Michael tells Sasha not to let Willow limit herself. He wants the wedding to be everything she wants. Sasha says, it’s his wedding too; what does he want? He says he wants what he can’t have – more time.

Obrecht says, if Nina is looking for a donor, look no further, and Nina asks if she’s a match. Obrecht says she doesn’t want them to get ahead of themselves, but she’s been swabbed and had the bloodwork done, and she’s still waiting to hear if she’s a match. That’s why she’s here today. Nina thanks her, and they hug. Nina says, when she found out she wasn’t a match, she was so disappointed. She thought that’s why the universe threw her and Willow together; so she could help save Willow’s life. She felt so helpless. Obrecht says, that’s one of the reasons she volunteered, and Scotty joins them, asking Obrecht to tell Nina the other reason. Obrecht says, if it turns out that she’s a match and can save Willow’s life when Carly’s silence almost killed her, that will be sweet revenge. Scotty says, that’s my girl.

Ava says, that explains why Nikolas vanished into thin air. If he sensed Elizabeth was going to confess, she couldn’t do it without implicating him. He must have felt the walls were closing in and just run. Austin says he’s so sorry. It must be agonizing realizing the man she thought she knew inside and out was keeping that poor pregnant girl prisoner. She tells him, let’s not go overboard; Esme is no saint. But no one deserves to be locked in a tower. Dante asks, who said anything about a tower? and Ava says she just remembered that for the last few months, Nikolas said the north tower was off-limits, even to the staff, so it makes sense. Where else could he have been hiding Esme? Dante says, they checked the tower once already. It had been painted and cleaned, and it looked like Nikolas was trying to cover his tracks. His phone rings, and he tells them, don’t touch anything; he’ll be right there. Ava asks if something was found, but he says he doesn’t know yet, and leaves.

Trina tells Curtis that she’s not trying to be selfish. She’s sure it’s complicated for everyone and her dad has some questions of his own. Is it fair to him, wondering if or when the truth will eventually come out? Or say there’s some random medical emergency? Curtis says, is it fair to Taggert? and Trina says, the only thing that matters to her is, she loves her dad, and knows her dad loves her. He says he doesn’t want that to change. If there’s one thing this family has learned… Trina says she knows the end of the sentence; it’s the not knowing that will cause the real damage. He says he’s not going to lie. He wants to know the real truth, but he’s not going to push. It’s her call. So what does she want to do?

Portia says, Jordan has been warning her to come clean to Curtis for months, and now Jordan is defending her? Jordan tells her, she’s just saying Portia isn’t a coward. She had valid reasons for keeping her secret. She was protecting herself, but also protecting Trina and Taggert, even Curtis in a way. Portia’s a good person who puts her family first. Portia says, even though she chose to ignore Jordan’s warnings, but Jordan says, Portia had reasons to doubt her motives. She might have done the same in Portia’s place, but believe it or not, she was trying to spare Portia the kind of pain she’s dealing with now. Portia says she knows that, but what she doesn’t know is if there’s anything she can do to make the situation better.

Sasha says, if she could give Michael more time with Willow, she would do it in a heartbeat. She knows how he feels. Not a day goes by when she doesn’t wish she could hold Liam in her arms again, or get a glimpse of Brando and that epic smile when he’s changing a tire in his garage. Michael says he’s sorry for not checking in with her more often, but she says, don’t be. They all suffer their burdens, and most days she manages to put one foot in front of the other. It’s almost like she’s dancing with Brando. He says, Willow wants him to dance with her at the wedding, and she says, then that’s what he has to do. He says, even if it’s their last dance? when Willow comes back, saying, mission accomplished. Amelia’s asleep… What did she miss?

Nina wants to check with Terry and see if they can’t put a rush on the results, but Obrecht says, Terry knows she’s here. While they’re waiting, she suggests Scotty distract them with Elizabeth’s legal troubles, but he says, it’s no big deal really. The cops are questioning anybody and everybody about the whereabouts of Nikolas. Obrecht asks what angelic Elizabeth can tell the police about Nikolas’s nefarious dealings, and he says, they’re old friends… at least before. Obrecht says, before what? and Nina says, they have more important things to worry about, like the test results. Obrecht says she’s as anxious as Nina, and asks why Scotty won’t look at her. What legal trouble did he handle for Elizabeth?

Elizabeth tells Finn, of course (🍷) she’s grateful that Scotty cut a deal for her. She’s not going to prison and she’s not going to derail her boys’ lives. He asks what she’s worried about, and she says, the police can’t sit on the story forever, and when it comes out… He says, she’ll deal with it. The one positive that’s come out of this is how she’s handled the whole ordeal. There might have been a time she needed to lean on someone, but he didn’t do her justice.

Ava tells Austin, maybe she should take Avery and run. They practically gave her a medal for her part in taking Ryan down. When they find out what happened to Nikolas, they’ll reinstate the death penalty because Victor will make sure she’s dead. Her phone rings, and it’s Dante. He asks if she and the doctor could join him down here. She says, certainly, and asks where he is. He says, the tack room, and she looks at Austin. A lot of that going around today.

Trina says she loves her dad, and she’s come to love Curtis too; it’s just different. He says, okay. If she decides to take the test down the road, let him know. He opens the door, and she says she just wants to make one thing clear. No matter what the test says… He says, Taggert will always be her father, she nods, and he leaves.

Portia says she’s dreaded having this talk, but now that she and Jordan have had it… you know. Jordan says she feels the same. Don’t lose hope. The lies that cost Jordan her marriage, was her choosing to put her job before her family. Portia chose family over everything, and one day, Curtis and Trina will see that. She leaves.

Sasha says, Michael was just telling her that he didn’t want to step on Willow’s toes at the reception, so she told him to stop making excuses and take some dancing lessons. Willow says, so Sasha went for some tough love, and Sasha says, the best kind. She needs to get started on the arrangements they discussed. Michael thanks her, and she tells him, you take care of Willow, and I’ll take care of everything else. Michael fusses over Willow, and Sasha watches them for a moment. She looks at the necklace in her hand, and leaves.

Scotty says, Nina’s right. They should concern themselves with the test results. Obrecht says, agreed, but why does she sense he’s keeping something from her? What has Elizabeth done? He says, to be clear, it’s not Elizabeth, it’s Nikolas, and Nina says, what about those results? Obrecht asks, what did Nikolas do? and Scotty says, it’s going to come out sooner or later. Nikolas held Esme hostage in the tower at Windymere. He thought she was The Hook killer. She says, Nikolas isn’t his client. How does he know this? He says, Elizabeth helped him, even though they knew Esme was not The Hook killer.

Elizabeth says she’s grateful to Finn for everything he’s done for her, and respecting her choice to come forward. Even though she’s very nervous about the fallout to come, she knows she can face it. It’s a million times better than living in fear, waiting to be exposed. He says he respects the choice she made, and whatever comes, he’s with her all the way. She thanks him, and says she’s excited to get back to work. She starts to walk down the hall, but Obrecht storms up to her, followed by Scotty and Nina, and asks where Elizabeth thinks she’s going.

Ava and Austin arrive at the tack room, and Dante thanks them for coming like he’s hosting a party. He asks Ava if she knows what’s behind the padlocked door, but she says, no; she doesn’t spend a lot of time here. She thinks it’s just for storage. He says, Nikolas’s personal, effects, documents, stuff like that? but she says she thinks if Nikolas kept anything important in there, he would have removed it before she took possession of the house. Austin asks why they’re here. It seems like a waste of time. Dante says, the door has a padlock on it. Does she have a key? She says she’s sure there’s a key, but she doesn’t have it, and Dante asks an officer for the crowbar. Dante takes it, and walks to the door.

Tomorrow, Elizabeth says, if Finn stands by her, he’s going to be caught in the crossfire; TJ has important news; and Obrecht says, you reap what you sow.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey

The guys get home from guys night pretty drunk. Louie told Teresa that he’d brought up what Joe #2 had said about them on social media, and it got heated. She said, Louie’s family was so wonderful to her, and hers was causing this circus. Teresa is a circus unto herself.

Melissa stopped by the new house Joe #2 is constructing, and asked about guys night. Joe said, Louie brought up the podcast, and Melissa said, they’d helped out when Teresa was in prison. Juicy Joe needed someone to film with, and they were there. We flash back to that, and in Melissa’s interview, she said, when the family was down, they stepped up. Now twist it, string it out, and throw it the wrong way. Joe #2 said, Teresa kicked out everything on their side.

Teresa told Louie that she was embarrassed that Joe #2 told him to go f*** himself. How dare he? Louie said, Joe was pissed about Melissa’s family not being invited, and Teresa said, if she hadn’t put Melissa in the wedding party, why would she invite them? To his credit, Louie said, Melissa’s parents had a relationship with her parents, but Teresa countered this with the nonsensical question of, then why didn’t Joe invite Louie’s family to Antonia’s 16th birthday party? In Joe #2’s interview, he said, since Teresa met Louie, he didn’t feel welcome in her new life, and it bothered him. Louie said he felt bad that Joe was in pain. He thought Joe missed his sister. Teresa whined that Joe was hurting her, and Louie suggested making peace. She said she’d call and ask if he was coming to their housewarming party. She wants to be in her love bubble. We saw a clip of her telling everyone that she’s having a love bubble housewarming, and she called Joe. Louie wrote something down and showed her, and she said she wanted to make peace. Joe said it was a done deal, and she asked if he wanted to talk about anything. He said he just wanted to move forward, and Teresa said, her therapist told her, it was no good to talk about the past. You don’t get anywhere. I guess it isn’t the kind of therapy where you blame everything on your parents. Louie pointed to the pad again, and she asked if Joe was coming to her party. He said he didn’t know, and afterward, Louie said, baby steps.

Dolores’s mom Valerie came over, and Dolores asked if Valerie was being careful with her diet, since she didn’t want heart surgery again. She asked what Valerie had for breakfast, and Valerie said, cake. In Dolores’s interview, she said, her mom was God fearing and set in her ways. So she’s not arguing anymore. She told Valerie that Paulie had met the guys, but Frank hadn’t been there since he was in the hospital. She said, everyone loved Paulie, and Frankie said, Paulie was protective. Valerie asked what was going on with Paulie and Frank, but Dolores said that Frank took it personally when Paulie said he was taking over as the man in her life. He didn’t want a relationship with her and Frank. They didn’t have to be friends, just get along. In her interview, Dolores said, family was always a priority, and it included Frank. She’d wanted them to be close, but now her family and relationship was with Paulie. Frank would get over it.

Bill and Jennifer went out to dinner. It was raining, and Bill said, summer in Jersey; you get whatever comes. Yep, he’s right, but it’s more like all year round. Whoever first said, if you don’t like the weather, wait a minute, lived here. Jennifer said she was getting Justin a party bus for prom, and Bill said, she created a monster. In Jennifer’s interview, she said, Bill thought she spoiled the kids, but they’d had a rough year because of what he’d done. If they want a bus, they get a bus. Jennifer said it was easy for Bill to use her as a scapegoat, and Bill said he tried to diffuse situations she was in. She asked why he could never see it from her side. She felt like he took her love for granted. She always forgives him, and instead of backing her up, he only says things in rebuttal to what she’s said, not her opponent. Bill asked if she only wanted things on her terms, and in her interview, she said she needed someone to support her and be there, and she didn’t always feel it. It wasn’t okay anymore.

Rachel met with Marge’s (and Housewives) friend Jen, and in Rachel’s interview, she said she felt like she knew Jen from another life; they’d immediately clicked. In Jen’s interview, she said she and Rachel were kindred spirits. Rachel was an old soul, and she was sucked in by Rachel’s sweetness. Rachel told Jen, it was constant drama with the women. RIP the mozzarella that wasn’t consumed. Jen said, she consumed it, and we flashed back to her stuffing her face with cheese. As I would. She said she saw Marge and Jennifer yelling at each other, and heard Jennifer talking about Rachel’s nose. Rachel said she wasn’t offended; she’s an open book. Jen said that Rachel was a better woman than her. She would have told Jennifer, f*** you. Rachel said, Jennifer had called her, and hoped she hadn’t offended her; she’d been unhappy with her own results. Then she segued into talking about Dolores. She didn’t think Jennifer realized they were friendly. She’d known Frank and Britt for ten years. She told Jennifer that she didn’t want any part of this, but Jennifer said she was just giving the history. Jen told Rachel that Jennifer had called her too. She claimed she wanted a marriage therapy referral, and then badmouthed Marge. She said, Marge was jealous. Rachel said, of what? but Jen didn’t know. In Jen’s interview, she said, Jennifer thought she had big balls. Like she was going to switch teams, and dump her bestie. She’d been friends with Marge for three years. In Rachel’s interview, she said she didn’t want to hear about it or participate. It brought her back to high school. Her mom always said, if someone is waving a red flag, a parade is coming, and Jennifer was waving a red flag.

Dolores met Marge to shop for a housewarming gift, and Dolores said, Frank told her what had happened on guys night. Joe #2 was upset because Teresa hadn’t invited Melissa’s parent to the wedding. They called Melissa, who said, her husband lost his sh*t. Teresa has known her mother and sisters forever. He didn’t want to come to the housewarming, but she wanted him to go, listen to what Teresa has to say, accept it for what it is, and move on. Dolores said, you never know, but she wasn’t specific about what we never know.

No surprise, the housewarming party was over-the-top, including a dancer inside a bubble in the pool, and lots of love bubble kitsch. Joe called Melissa, who was getting her makeup done, and said he couldn’t go. He’d already texted Teresa; he wasn’t ready to come. In his interview, he says, Teresa didn’t want him there, and it feels like a game. It was the worst feeling coming from his own family. He’d be uncomfortable and couldn’t fake it. Louie told Teresa that he felt sad, and she said she did too. Joe was missing milestones in their life, like the housewarming and her 50th birthday. In Teresa’s interview, she said, it was no after no, and told the girls about him canceling, adding that he’d brought up Melissa’s family not being invited to the wedding on guys night. Joe said he needed to get over it. He would never have what he thought he would. His sister does what makes her happy, and that means keeping the family away. He told Melissa to go and have a good time, but in her interview, Melissa’s said, it’s just the next thing for Teresa to hold over her head and make Joe the bad guy, but she wanted to keep the peace.

Danielle said she loved the vibe at the party. Evan and Jackie were there, and Marge said, Jennifer had been up Jen’s ass talking sh*t about her. We saw a clip of that, and Marge said, talking about therapy turned into talking about her. In Marge’s interview, she said, Jennifer was a professional victim. She wanted the attention she didn’t get at home. Did she think Jen wasn’t going to tell her? In Jennifer’s interview, she said, Melissa coming to the party without Joe was making a clear statement. He’s a drama queen. Teresa said, the girls hadn’t seen Joe in six months, and in Danielle’s interview, she said, you’d have to be blind, deaf and mute not to see the connection between her situation with her brother. Once too much time passes, that’s it. She hoped they didn’t make the same mistake. Rachel told Dolores that Frank missed her and the old dynamic, but Dolores said she was 52 years old and had taken care of everyone. It was time to worry about herself. Paulie didn’t want Frank to be the man in her life, and if that meant they had to be separate in some things, everyone needed to get over it. Gia said she missed Melissa’s kids, and in her interview, she said, every time Teresa and Joe had drama, the kids were separated. In Melissa’s interview, she said, it was sad. She loved them, and knew they had hate for her and Joe. She wouldn’t wish the situation on anybody. Dude, I would have moved on ages ago. Then again, I wasn’t born into a big Italian family. Although I do have an Italian family by marriage to my aunt.

Louie thanked everybody for coming. Not just friends and family, but those who gave them loving support. Teresa said, their chosen family. Everyone there was special and they loved them, and they wouldn’t want to be celebrating with anyone but them. In Melissa’s interview, she said she didn’t appreciate Teresa’s chosen family remark, especially with Joe not being there. But if she brought it up, Teresa would just say she didn’t mean it that way. Think before you speak. She knows it’s hard. Melissa said Joe wasn’t here, and Teresa was his only family member. She slipped out to have a cry, and in her interview, she said she tried to be strong for Joe, but she had her own breaking point. She didn’t get why the subtle digs, things like chosen family. What about the ones who had been there for years? It meant nothing to Teresa, and she knew Joe would be upset. The sprinklers went on, and the guys said, Louie had one job… Melissa said she wanted to be honest with Jackie – and you know when a Housewife says honest, it’s an excuse to gossip. She’d been talking to Danielle about the mozzarella party, and told Danielle that Jackie had insulted her shorts and said they looked like they’d come out of the hamper. Jackie said she didn’t care. Danielle was a horrible dresser, and she wore those shorts two weeks in a row. I guess Jackie doesn’t have a favorite anything? Geez. She should see what I wear on repeat. Danielle’s antennae went up, and she jetted over. Jackie insisted she never looked Danielle up and down, but we flashed back, and yeah, she did. In Danielle’s interview, she said, maybe Jackie didn’t realize how judgy she was. Her hands were going all over the place as she talked, and Jackie told Danielle to get her hands out of her face. Danielle said, Jackie was from Staten Island, and she would know if Danielle was coming for her. Jackie told Danielle to leave her hands out of her space. If I’m sorry can’t leave your mouth, then f*** off. Marge said she was offended be Jennifer calling Jen and bitching about her. Jennifer insisted she’d just called for a marriage counselor referral, and in Jennifer’s interview, she said, when they were on the call, Jen did not defend Marge. It’s called not engaging, Jennifer. You should try it sometime. Marge said, Jennifer had called her jealous, but Jennifer said she never said that. She’d told Jen that Marge was threatened by her. She’d wanted Jen to know the context of their history. No surprise, Marge called Jen over, and Jen told Jennifer that she hadn’t said Jennifer called specifically for that, but the conversation morphed. Marge wondered how she and Jennifer were supposed to move forward if Jennifer kept holding a grudge. Sounding like a character from Hamilton, Jennifer said she was allowed to state the facts of the matter. Rachel said, Jennifer did the same thing with her, and talked sh*t about Dolores. Jennifer stamped her foot and said she was giving Rachel context, but Rachel said, it wasn’t a history lesson. Jennifer called her a f***ing idiot, and Rachel told her to watch her mouth. Jennifer called Dolores an idiot too, and in Dolores’s interview, she wondered where this was coming from, and if Jennifer was out of her f***ing mind. Jennifer started winding up, and Jackie said, if she wanted to get her point across, she’d better calm down. Jennifer said she was sorry she spoke about Rachel’s nose job, but Dolores had offended her. Dolores said, Jennifer just left the house without talking about what happened, and Teresa said, Dolores was never going to take sides. Rachel said this was not what she wanted to be a part of, and Jennifer said, give her a medal. So much for apologies. In Rachel’s interview, she said she could give two sh*ts about what comes out of Jennifer’s mouth. It’s giving someone power, and Jennifer would never have that over her. Rachel said she was leaving, and Jennifer (even though it wasn’t her party) said, don’t let the door hit her on the way out. Rachel pointed out that there was no door, since they were outside. Jennifer had no f***ing class. Jennifer called Rachel a f***ing idiot again since she’d run out of words.

Next time, Valentina’s party; Teresa tries on her wedding dress; and Marge and Jennifer argue.

🙃 Yes, No, Maybe, I Don’t Know…

Tomorrow is VanderDay, so join me for some soap and Rules. Until then, stay safe, stay not being the first to arrive or the last to leave a party, and stay facing the fallout. It’s a million times better than living in fear, waiting to be exposed.