Monthly Archives: May 2023

May 30, 2023 – Victor Makes His Bequests, Awful NJ Housewives Say Awful Things About Each Other & Girls

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Spencer talks to Ace, after picking him up early from daycare, when Laura walks in. He tells Ace that the most important thing to remember is, this is his home. And if Spencer has anything to say about it, it always will be. Laura laughs, saying, they’re cute together. She wants to remind Spencer that they’re guests are arriving soon. Spencer says, for Uncle Victor’s will reading. Ace doesn’t need to hear anything about Uncle Victor. Being abducted and taken on the Haunted Star is enough to last him a lifetime. Fortunately, he’s not going to remember any of that. Spencer’s phone rings, and he sees it’s Trina. Laura takes Ace, telling Spencer that she’ll put him down so he can take his phone call, and leaves. He tells Trina that he was just about to call her, and she says she beat him to it because she misses him. He says he misses her more, and she says she hasn’t interrupted the reading of his Great Uncle’s will, has she? and he says, if only. Any news about her DNA test results? She says, not yet, and he says, it’s funny how your life can change in an instant. She says, doesn’t she know it. She’ll talk to him soon. She looks at the photo of her and Portia from the wedding.

Looking at the same photo, Portia says, if only they were still this happy, when Marshall comes in. He says he needs a consultation, and holds out a spoon for her to taste something. He asks what she thinks, and she says, it’s perfect. Don’t touch it. Where did he learn to make gumbo that good? He says, that’s one of the benefits of being a musician in New Orleans. When you give them the blues, they’re going to give you cooking lessons. He picks up her phone, and says, that was a happy day, wasn’t it? She says, it was until it wasn’t. She’s still waiting for her happy ending. Curtis walks in.

Drew leaves a message for Carly, letting her know he was thinking about her. He wishes he could be with her right now, but he knows the best thing is for him to stick with their plan, and find some way to pressure Ned to get the government to drop the charges against them. He’s on it, and he’ll speak with her soon. Please let him know if there are any updates on Willow. Sam brings Scout in, and Drew picks her up. Sam says, once she told Scout there was a sleepover at daddy’s, there was no stopping her. Is he sure it’s a good night? Scout says, of course (🍷) it is. Right, dad? Drew says, every night with her is a good night, and he’ll never take one for granted.

Diane sees Robert at the MetroCourt, and he says he was just thinking about her. She flashes back to asking if Sonny thinks the Feds are trying to get to him through Carly, and Sonny asking her to find out why the Feds got involved. She says she’s exhausted her sources, but Sonny says, what about the DA? She tells Robert that she was just thinking about him as well.

Olivia tells Nina, it’s not fair. The Feds can’t use Carly against her own husband. Nina says, ex-husband, and Olivia says, that’s even worse; she’s not protected by spousal privilege. She’s sure the Feds think Carly has all kinds of incriminating information about Sonny, and they would be right. There’s got to be a way to keep Sonny from taking the fall. Nina looks over at Robert and Diane, and says she hopes Olivia’s right.

At the hospital, Sonny asks Michael how Willow is, and Michael says, she just started the procedure. Carly says, the bone marrow transplant’s going to work, and Willow is going to be with them a very long time. Josslyn says, they were outside her room a few minutes ago, and Willow’s being very brave, and Sonny says, Willow’s going to need a lot of support. He thinks they should put everything aside and stick together for Willow’s sake. Do they all agree on that? Michael says, they can. What matters right now is Willow. Speaking of which, he’s going to see how the procedure is progressing. He leaves, and Sonny wonders if they’ll get word on Willow soon, but Carly says, probably not. Josslyn’s phone dings, and she tells Carly that Trina just texted her. She’s downstairs. Carly tells her to go, and Josslyn leaves. Sonny says, they couldn’t get away from him soon enough.

Nina tells Olivia, if the rumors are true, and Sonny is who the government really wants, then Carly is just a means to an end. Olivia says she feels terrible for arguing with Carly about this. If they hadn’t, they could have put their heads together, and figured a way out of this whole insider trading mess. Nina says, it must be painful to hear that Olivia’s friend and ex-business partner thinks she’s fooling herself about her husband, and Olivia says, maybe she overshared a little bit about that. Carly understands her loyalty is to Ned, but she can’t figure it out. She’s convinced he’s the one who blew the whistle on her and Drew. Nina says, Carly is always convinced of Carly’s point of view, like there isn’t the possibility of another… She’s sorry. She knows Carly and Olivia are friends, and she respects that. And she agrees with Olivia. Despite their divorce – Olivia says, and despite the big rock on Nina’s finger – Carly cares for her kids and cares about Sonny. She’s never going to send him to prison. On the other hand, Nina does believe someone’s going to go down for this, and if it’s not Sonny… Olivia says, it won’t be Sonny, and Nina says, that means it’s either Carly or Drew, and Olivia is really good friends with both of them. Does she think there’s a chance one of them might turn on the other to save themselves?

Drew asks what Scout has, and she says, it’s her workbook from school. Sam thinks that’s her subtle way of saying she hopes daddy helps her with her homework, and Drew asks if Scout can believe there’s only a few more weeks until summer vacation. He heard the MetroCourt pool is opening soon, and they can start working on her swimming strokes. Sam says, she already swims like a seal. She thinks Scout gets it from Drew. Scout says she’s a mermaid, not a seal, and Sam says, sorry. Drew says, on that note, mermaids love music, right? He opens a box, revealing a harmonica, and says, this was her brother Oscar’s. Sam says, Oscar sure did love music, didn’t he? and Drew says he thinks Oscar would have loved for Scout to have it. Sam asks what Scout thinks about that, and Scout tells Drew that she loves him, and they hug.

Marshall says he’ll take Curtis’s bag upstairs, and Curtis asks him to put it in the guest room. Marshall says, to celebrate Curtis’s homecoming, he whipped up his famous Gumbo Ya-Ya, and Curtis says he loves it. When do we eat? Marshall says, not we, you. He’s just the cook. It’s a meal for two. He goes upstairs, and Portia says, welcome home.

Josslyn and Trina both say, any news? and Josslyn says, they just started the transplant. It’s a lot like a blood transfusion, so Willow is going to get Dr. Obrecht’s bone marrow, and that takes as long as it takes. They just have to wait and pray the new marrow starts producing healthy cells. Trina hugs Josslyn, and says, her little problem hardly seems to matter when Willow’s life being at stake, but Josslyn says, of course (🍷) it matters. Trina’s life could change with these DNA results. Trina says she’s not going to let it. Taggert is always going to be her dad, and Curtis is always going to be Curtis, a man she’s grown to love and respect. Josslyn asks, what about her mom? and Trina says, her mom is always going to be her mom, even if she never trusts her the same way again. Josslyn says she thought they patched things up, and Trina asks if Josslyn has ever tried to fix a flat tire with a patch. It’s not a permanent fix. Josslyn asks, when was the last time Trina changed a tire? and Trina admits she’s never had to change a tire, but she could if she had to. Josslyn says she’s sure Trina could. After everything she did in Greenland, she could do anything. Trina says, Josslyn could too, which is why they make the best roommates, and Josslyn says she knows, but they only have two more days in the dorm. Trina says, now she has to find a place to stay for the summer. Any suggestions? Josslyn says, she doesn’t want to move back home?

Laura asks, how’s Trina? and Spencer wonders if she was eavesdropping, but she says she didn’t have to. She could tell by the smile on his face. He says he smiles when other people call him too, but she says, not the same smile. There’s a knock at the door, and Laura opens it to Ava and Alexis, who says she’s been dreading this ordeal since she got the invitation. She hugs Spencer, and Ava says she wouldn’t miss it for the world. Spencer asks if she expects to inherit something, and Ava says she doesn’t care about any bequests, but after the hell that man put her through, she can’t hear often enough that Victor Cassadine is truly and most sincerely dead. Laura lets a man in, and tells him that she’s Laura Collins. Spencer says, Mayor Collins, and he is? He says, JB Brown, Esquire, from Brown, Brown, and Whitlock. He was Victor’s attorney and executor of his estate. They may have seen his letterhead on the invitation regarding this meeting.

Sonny tells Carly that she can go. He’ll stay until there’s word about Willow. He sits down, and she says she can stay, sitting next to him. He asks if she’s heard from the SEC, but she says, not so far. She hasn’t heard from the Justice Department either. He says he thinks she’s going to hear from them real soon.

Laura thanks JB for agreeing to do the reading at her apartment. It saved all of them a trip to his office. He says, happy to accommodate. Mr. Cassadine didn’t stipulate where he wanted his will read, only the parties he wanted in attendance. There’s a knock at the door, and Laura lets Martin in. He hugs her, and says he’s sorry he’s late. There was a minor crisis at the… He sees JB and says, well, look at this. He should have known JB would be here. They shake hands, and Laura says, they know each other? Martin says, this man’s a legend in his own time. He graduated Princeton, Oxford, and yale law school. Ava says, that’s Victor’s lawyer all right. Only the best for the absolute worst. Alexis asks what Martin is doing here, and Martin says, since his client Valentin Cassadine couldn’t make it, he asked Martin to stand proxy in his stead. Laura asks if he’s Anna’s proxy too, but Martin says, no. Anna’s on her way; she may be running late. JB says his schedule is running tight, and he doesn’t have time to wait for Miss Devane’s arrival. Laura says she can fill Anna in, and suggests they all make themselves comfortable so they can get started. They all sit down, and JB says, shall we begin? He opens the case he has with him.

Trina wonders why they can’t live in the dorms in the summer, and Josslyn asks if it would be so bad for Trina to move back home. Trina says she doesn’t know. Things are a little better with her mom, but she doesn’t know if she’s ready to be part of the family with the DNA results hanging over their heads. Josslyn says she has another option.

Curtis asks how Trina is, and Portia says, she’s good. The spring semester is ending soon, and so far she hasn’t made any plans to come home. He says, maybe when the DNA results come in, and she says she doesn’t know about that. Depending on the results, it may be harder for Trina to think of this as her home. He says he came home, didn’t he?

Robert guesses Diane heard the news, and Diane says, of course (🍷). He says he’s sorry she got it secondhand. He wanted to give it to her in person. She says she doesn’t understand. Why was it up to him to tell her? He says his complicated life just became a little less complicated, and she asks what he’s talking about. He says, Holly’s left town. What is she talking about?

Olivia tells Nina that she doesn’t believe Carly and Drew would ever turn on each other. Drew just risked everything to bring Nina’s Aunt Liesl back to save Willow’s life. The whole time he was gone, Carly couldn’t stand the suspense in not knowing if he was safe or not. Those two are completely in love. Nina says, but if the rumors are true… and Olivia says, maybe the rumors are just that – they’re rumors. Nina says, there’s only one way to find out, and looks over at Robert and Diane.

Carly tells Sonny, they can’t be sure the Feds are going to offer her a deal for evidence against him. Not that she would take it if they did. He says he told her before that he appreciates it, but he’s not going to let Donna grow up with a mother behind bars. Carly says she thinks they’re worrying about nothing. No one from the Justice Department has approached her. He says, yet. He had Diane work Robert Scorpio. He has contacts in DC, so if the Feds make an offer, he’s going to know about it. She says, that puts Diane in an awkward position, but he says, for what he pays her, Diane can be in an awkward position, especially when it comes to Carly. She’s way too important. Carly thanks him, and says she appreciates that. Nosy Michael comes back, and says, thank you for what?

Carly asks, how’s Willow? and Michael says, the transplant’s still in progress, but so far, so good. Again, what was she thanking Sonny for? Instead of telling him to mind his own damn business, Carly says, Michael has so much on his plate right now. He doesn’t need to worry about his parents. Michael says, so in other words, there is something to worry about? and Sonny says he wants to talk to Michael about something. He wants Michael to hear it in person and from him. He and Nina just got engaged to be married.

Nina says, Olivia and Robert are friends, right? and Olivia says, yeah, but she’d never… Nina says, impose on that friendship. She totally gets it, but Robert is the DA. If anyone knows what the US Attorney is doing, it’s Robert. Olivia asks why Robert would tell her, and Nina says, her husband’s reputation and her marriage are suffering because of these backdoor deals going around. No one knows what’s really true. She thinks Olivia would be doing everyone a service if she went over there, found out what’s going on, and cleared the air.

Diane tells Robert, never mind what she was talking about. Why would Holly leave town? He says, her son’s in trouble, so she’s gone to the rescue, and Diane says, good for her. She’s assuming when all that’s over, Holly will come back to Port Charles. He says he doesn’t think he’s a factor in that decision, and she says she’s sorry, but he says, don’t be. Olivia comes over to the table, and says, oh good; they’re talking shop. So Robert won’t mind telling her if it’s true. He says, if what’s true? and Diane says she’ll take a little powder room break, but Olivia says, it won’t be necessary. Diane is already involved in this. Diane says, involved in what? and Olivia says, the deal where Carly would give up Sonny.

Scout plays the harmonica, and Sam says, it’s such a nice day out. Why doesn’t she go out and play for the birds? Scout wonders if they’ll sing along with her, but Sam says she thinks there’s only one way to find out. Scout leaves, and Sam says she thinks Scout is probably going to sleep with the harmonica under her pillow. Drew says, it’s her harmonica now, so it’s up to her. It’s funny, isn’t it, how precious the little things can be. Sam says, he’s not going to lose her, but he says, if those insider trading charges stick… She asks if there’s any way to fix this, and he says, that depends on the whistleblower. Ned’s got the clout and contacts to make this whole thing go away. The less Sam knows the better. She asks if he’s kidding her. She can dig up leverage on Ned. It’s in her wheelhouse. All he has to do is ask.

Portia says, Curtis did come back home, and she’s beyond grateful. She hopes he’s here for good. Marshall comes out and says, the Ashford/Robinson party, right this way please. The doorbell rings, and Portia says, he doesn’t think that’s… Curtis says, maybe Trina thinks this is her home after all, but Marshall opens the door, and it’s Stella.

Josslyn says she doesn’t know why she didn’t think of it before; Trina can move in with her. There’s plenty of room. Trina asks if they shouldn’t ask her mom first, but Josslyn says, she’ll love the idea. Trina asks if she’s sure. What about Spencer? Josslyn says, what about him?

Alexis says she was thinking the worst was over, and she has nothing to worry about with this will reading. Then she remembered what a monster Victor was. Ava tells her, go ahead and worry. She’s going to enjoy this. JB says, it’s time to let his client speak for himself, and turns hits play on his laptop. Victor greets everyone, and welcomes them to the reading of his will. If they’re seeing this video, congratulations. They survived, and sadly, his attempt to make the world a better place has failed. Laura says, his warped view of the world, and Victor says, the shame is, they’re going to have to carry on for the rest of their lives in an overpopulated, under resourced planet. He pours himself a drink, and says, hopefully, his bequests will provide a little comfort to them as civilization continues to crumble around them. He raises his glass, takes a drink, and says, Ava, my dear. Until his nephew Nikolas returns, if ever, to rekindle their romance, he bequeaths to her a rendering of her first true love. JB pauses the video, and hands Ava a photo of a gargoyle statue. Ava says, maybe she can donate it and get a tax write-off, and JB starts the video again. Victor says, Alexis, my dear niece. He’ll never forget the kindness she extended to him, inviting him into her home for that Thanksgiving. This Matryoshka doll dates back to the Romanovs. JB hands her a Russian nesting doll, and Victor says, inside are smaller versions of itself, representing her daughters. Alexis says, this is actually nice, and Victor says, to one daughter in particular, Samantha, he bequeaths this deck of very rare tarot cards. JB hands Alexis the cards, and Victor says, who knows? Maybe one day she’ll use them to make herself lucky in love for once. Clearly, he doesn’t know how tarot cards work. Alexis says, and there it is; Victor, the monster. She tosses the deck on the table.

Trina says she knows Josslyn and Spencer aren’t as close as they used to be, but Josslyn says, he’s always welcome to come by and see Trina. He can even bring Ace, just as long as Esme’s not a part of the equation. Trina says, and what about Dex? and Josslyn says, what about him? Trina says, he and Spencer hate each other, and Josslyn knows it.

Marshall says, surprise, and Stella says she takes it TJ didn’t let anybody know she was back in town. Portia says, TJ does work extremely long hours at GH, and Stella says she knows TJ has a lot on his mind now. So she took it upon herself… She sees the bottle of wine in Marshall’s hand and says, is this a bad time? She’ll leave, and contact them later. Marshall says, she’s not going anywhere, is she, Curtis? Curtis says, Aunt Stella’s always welcome. Stella says, is she really? She wouldn’t blame either of them… Portia says, Curtis is right; she’s always welcome here. Marshall asks why they’re standing around like strangers then. He tells Stella that she looks great, and hugs her. Stella says she’s glad to see Portia and Curtis together, in spite of her.

Diane asks where Olivia heard there was a deal on the table involving Carly, and Olivia says she heard Carly can get out of the insider trading charges if she gives up Sonny. Diane asks Robert if there’s any truth to that, and he says, the two of them aren’t playing by the rules. Olivia says she cares because, A, Sonny is Dante’s father, and B, Carly’s her best friend, and C, her husband is the one suspected of blowing the whistle on Drew and Carly. And D, Diane, is Sonny’s attorney, so she assumes Diane is very interested in this too. So why doesn’t he stop stalling, and just answer the question? Diane says, let her make it easy for him. If he stays silent, that’s all the confirmation they need. He tells her, what he can say is… He gets up from the table and walks to the bar. Diane asks if Olivia’s got her answer, and Olivia walks off, passing Nina.

Michael says, their agreement still applies, and Sonny says, it’s always going to be Willow’s decision whether she wants Nina in her life and their children’s lives. His engagement doesn’t change that. Michael says he’s glad to hear it, and Sonny says he has to go make a call. He tells Michael to take care of his mother, and Michael says he always does. Sonny leaves, and Michael asks how Carly is doing. She says she happened to be at the MetroCourt last night when Nina couldn’t wait to announce they were toasting their engagement. Whoa. Wait. That’s not true. She didn’t announce anything; Trish asked her. And neither one of them knew Carly was even there. She says, and Sonny stopped by the house today so he could tell Donna, and Michael asks if that’s why she was thanking him; for being so upfront about it. Or is it something else?

Victor says, now, to other family members. To his darling granddaughter Charlotte, he bequeaths this necklace and pendant adorned with the Cassadine crest, in the hopes it will remind her of who she is, and who she will one day become. As for her father, the rotten apple of his eye Valentin Cassadine, to his son and all of those who have betrayed him, he makes this bequest. In this satchel, they’ll find a rare piece of antiquity. JB hands a velvet pouch to Martin, and Victor says, it was unearthed on Cassadine Island in Greece. It’s the last surviving piece of a once majestic statue of the sun god Apollo. Martin takes a stone middle finger out of the pouch, and I laugh my head off. That Victor; what a card. Victor says, whenever they look at it, he does hope they remember him. He raises his glass and drinks, and Laura laughs.

On the phone, Nina asks Sonny, how is she? and he says, the transplant’s still in progress. Everything seems to be going well. How is she holding up? She says she’s not going to lie and say she’s not worried. She’s just trying to stay positive and believe everything is going to get better.

Diane goes over to Robert at the bar, and says, hey sailor, buy a girl a drink? He says, the drinks are on her, and she says she deserves that. Just so he knows, she was only doing her job. He asks if Sonny is still paying her retainer, and she says, he is entitled to legal representation as well, or have they totally dropped the Sixth Amendment? He asks why she’s always got to be so right, and she says, because she is always right. Actually, she’s not; she takes that back. For instance, she thought he and Holly were meant for each other. He says, so did he.

Josslyn says, when Trina moves out of the dorms, move in with her; it’s just short term. Trina wonders if they ignore the fact their boyfriends can’t stand each other, and Josslyn asks why she’s so worried about them. Trina says, so Dex didn’t tell her? and Josslyn says, tell her what? Trina says, at the gym the other day, Spencer took a swing at Dex, and Josslyn says she saw Dex that day; he was fine. Trina saw him too. Trina says, Dex blocked the punch, and landed one of his own. Spencer’s lip is cut. Josslyn chuckles, and Trina says, she doesn’t seem overcome with concern. Josslyn says, to be fair, Spencer punched Dex first, remember? In Kelly’s, right before Christmas. And Dex didn’t even fight back. Spencer probably thought he wouldn’t, or couldn’t, but Dex knows how to defend himself, and it’s about time Spence realized that. Trina says she’d love to think Spencer learned his lesson, but most likely, he’ll keep on antagonizing Dex. He just can’t seem to help himself. Josslyn says, trust her. Dex has a lot more to worry about than getting along with Spencer. Trina asks what that means, and Josslyn says, he’s really busy, and working for Sonny isn’t exactly a low pressure job. She checks her phone, and says she has to get back to her family. She hugs Trina, saying, she loves her, and hopes she gets the test results back soon. Trina says she hopes Willow comes through with flying colors, and Josslyn thanks her, and says, her too. She leaves, and Trina’s phone dings. She looks at it, and looks worried.

Marshall says, it was a beautiful wedding, wasn’t it? and Portia says, it absolutely was. And Laura did a phenomenal job filling in for Stella. Stella says she’s sure Laura did. She only wishes… Portia says, she’s not the only one who wishes things had been done differently, and Marshall says, forget the table for two. He’s setting two more plates. There’s plenty of gumbo to go around. He goes to the kitchen, and Curtis tells Stella, might as well settle in. When he sets his mind, you’ve got two choices; give up or give in. Stella says she didn’t come all this way to give up, and neither should the two of them. Like she said to TJ, love is always worth fighting for.

Carly says she doesn’t want to add to Michael’s worries today of all days. Let’s just wait and make sure the bone marrow transplant works successfully… Michael says, just tell him why she’s grateful to Sonny, and she says, he came in on the tail end of that conversation. He says, fill him in on the rest, and she says, there’s a rumor that the Justice Department is going to offer her a deal. They’ll forget about the insider trading charges if she gives them evidence against his father.

Alexis says, darn. She has to go. Crisis. Too bad. Enjoy. Good luck, everyone. Martin says he thinks he’s done his part for his client, so he’ll be going. Unless of course (🍷) his sister needs him to stay. Laura says she’s just fine, and walks him out. Ava says, all that’s left is Spencer, and Laura sits back down. JB puts the video back on, and Victor says, as for Spencer, they’ve had many discussions about safeguarding his family. He may not be there in person to explain this to Spencer, but he trusts Spencer will know what to do with his bequest. Spencer looks at the small box in his hand, the one containing the silver dove he’d gotten for Trina.

Marshall says, dinner is ready, when Curtis’s phone rings. Curtis says, Trina, and she says she hopes she’s not interrupting, but he says, no; he’s at home with her mom. Is everything okay?… Okay. Bye. Portia asks, what is it? and Curtis says, it’s Trina. She’s at the hospital. Portia asks if she’s okay, but Curtis says, she’s fine. The DNA results are in.

Diane asks, what ultimately happened with Holly? and Robert says, life happened. What was it Diane said to her? She said, if we couldn’t make it work for all those years, why do we think we could make it work now? Diane says she’s sorry; she really is. Robert says, next time she wants to pump him for information, have her office call his office, and let’s put it on the books. He leaves.

Drew thanks Sam for offering to dig up dirt on Ned. It means a lot, but he really needs her to stay out of this one. Because if he goes to prison, Scout is going to need one of them to stick around. Olivia comes in with Scout, and says, look who she found giving a concert in the garden. Sam says she’s going to leave, and hugs Scout, saying, she’ll see Scout in the morning. She leaves, and Olivia tells Scout that she thinks there’s a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie in the kitchen with Scout’s name on it. Scout dashes off, and Drew says he thought Olivia had a meeting. Olivia says she did. Lucky for him, because that little girl is going to need her daddy. He says he and Sam were just talking about that, and she says, if he wants to stick around for Scout, she has some information he needs.

Nina asks if Sonny told Michael about their engagement, and he says, yeah. He wasn’t thrilled, but he wasn’t hostile, and now it looks like there’s a future for both of them. Maybe they can have hope that Willow will recover and find room in her heart for Nina.

Carly tells Michael, at this point, it’s only a rumor. Sonny has Diane looking into it to see if there’s any truth to it. He says, if there is, will she take it? but she says, he knows better. He says he’s watched her protect Sonny his whole life. Maybe she should think about protecting herself instead. Josslyn comes out of the elevator, and he says, if this government deal is legit, to give them Sonny and she goes free… Josslyn asks what she’s waiting for. Take the deal.

Tomorrow, Trina says, it’s now or never; Laura asks if Victor knows where her son is; and Nina says she’s going to do whatever it takes to be with the people she loves.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey – The Reunion – Part 1

Ugh. These people are like cartoons, and I try not to take this seriously, but it upsets me just knowing we breathe the same state air. Rachel needs to escape while there’s still time. And take Jen with her.

Just watching the preview makes my stomach turn.

The set is super cool. It’s an Irish castle theme, but the Victorian portraits on the walls are each of the women. I stan Teresa’s new haircut, and so does Andy. Those Summer House people need to take a page from the Jersey fashion book. Everyone looks stellar. Lots of sparkles and that sheer stuff that I love.

Juicy Joe calls and asks if Bill does bags under your eyes. His uncle is looking to get his eyes done. Teresa tells him that they’re taping the Reunion, and Andy takes the phone and chats with him. We find out he’s never watched the show.

Andy is also impressed by the outfits. Danielle says she was going for a not fresh out of the hamper look. Andy asks if Marge left her arsenal at home, and she says she did not. As none of us would. It’s a Reunion for Pete’s sake. Where better to bring your arsenal? Teresa insists Andy feel her heartbeat, which she says is real. She asks God to be with her; Namaste. Andy asks if Melissa or Teresa want to share their goal relating to each other. Teresa says she wishes Melissa well, peace, and wants to close the chapter. Melissa agrees with closing in peace, but thinks a lot of the truth needs to come out. Teresa says, the hardest thing was her family hurting them. Louie’s family was great, but hers hurt Louie. Melissa says she’s the one who was called a cheater, and Andy says they’re getting ahead before it’s time. He asks why Dina bowed out as a bridesmaid, and Teresa says, she didn’t want to be on camera. Andy says, she could have not signed a release, so Teresa flips to she didn’t want people to know she was there. She explained it to Teresa, and it was all good. Andy says, from their social media, it looks like Teresa and Louie hung out a lot with Dina and her man. Then it stopped. Teresa insists they’re okay, and Louie and Dave didn’t have business dealings. We flash back to Joe #2’s interview, where he said, it was Pizzagate part two. Melissa says, Joe was out of line for saying something on the show, and Andy tells them, a viewer has asked why Teresa didn’t invite Donna out of respect to her father. Wasn’t inviting in-laws the Italian thing to do? We flash back to Teresa saying, they have a history, and Teresa says she couldn’t invite Donna without inviting the rest of the family, and that was impossible. Melissa says, she and Joe were acceptable when Teresa needed to introduce Louie to the family. When she needs them, it’s all good between them. Teresa says, when she was alone, they never even asked her to go out to dinner, but Melissa says, they had dinner many times. She has pictures of Teresa and next door neighbor Shane, who Teresa thought was cute. Teresa is like, no way that ever happened, and we see the pictures. Teresa thinks she must have invited herself, since they never invited her anywhere. Seriously? Andy says he remembers when Teresa was dating Louie. The impression he got was that they were all hanging out, and they liked Louie. Teresa admits that her brother introduced her to Louie, and brought him on the show. She says, it’s all about the show and making money to Joe. Melissa says, Louie was the one who suggested Joe get him on the show. Just like he knew who Teresa was when they met. He’d wanted to go out with Alexia from Miami before he went out with her. Teresa says, these are lies, and it’s over between her and Melissa after tonight. She hints that if she’s not talking to Melissa, Melissa will be shown the door, and Melissa says she’s still got a couple of hours left. Teresa says, Melissa is out of her life after this night.

Everybody looks down, and Melissa says, says, it’s sad. Andy moves on to the hairstyle that broke the internet, and Teresa says, the higher the hair, the closer to God, like we haven’t heard that one already. Andy asks what Marge thought, and Marge says she cried. She thought Teresa was gorgeous, and when she walked out by herself, it was bittersweet. Then when Marge watched the finale, and knew what was going on behind her back… Teresa says she had nothing to do with it, and Marge says she was repulsed, disgusted, and shocked. She doesn’t care about Laura, but she does care about P.I.s. We already know Bo Dietl has distanced himself from this  whole thing, but we see flashbacks of Louie saying he has sh*t on everyone. Andy says this is too early to discuss too, and I wonder why he keeps leading them into topics he wants to discuss later. He says he’s switching gears, and going to Dolores. She turned into mush all thanks to her Irish love Paulie. He asks how Paulie changed Dolores, and Dolores says, her whole life she felt guarded, and he broke down walls she’d had up since she was young. All of the women say they noticed a difference, and a viewer has asked what Dolores loves so much about Paulie. Dolores says, that he’s willing to be such a part of her life, and we flash back to Paulie saying he’s got her. A viewer wonders if she misses Frank, and she says, the dynamics had to change. They’ll always be there for each other and be family, but Frank has had a life that was separate from hers. This part of her life doesn’t call for that kind of closeness. You can’t have two number ones. She tells Andy that David isn’t a part of their lives. She’s building a life together with Paulie, although Gabby and Frankie stay close to David, who still lives with Frank. Andy says, Dolores refused to move in with David without commitment, but moved in with Paulie without it. Dolores says, the intention with Paulie was different, and Andy asks how long Paulie’s been divorced. Dolores says, he’s not, but they’ve been separated for 14 years. Andy wonders why it never happened, and Dolores says she thinks there was never a call for it. Paulie hadn’t thought about getting married again, but he’s getting divorced now.

Before they reconvene, Andy says his son is wondering where his other daddy is. He needs to get another daddy. Teresa suggests her psychic, who’s only 100 bucks. Andy welcomes us back like we went somewhere, and asks Danielle about Valentina. Danielle says, Valentina has five boyfriends and is her now in a five year old’s body. Andy says, Danielle came onto the show a Staten Island bougie mama not afraid to speak her mind, but when it came to her brother, the others thought she wasn’t saying enough. We flash back to the brother stuff, and Andy passes tissues to Danielle. He asks how long since she and her brother have seen each other, and Danielle says, in August it will be 3 years, but she’ll be seeing him tomorrow at her grandmother’s wake. Everyone pretends to be sorry for her loss, and Andy asks if she’d tried reaching out to him. She says, they sent a gift for his new baby, but it was sent back. Ironically, RHONJ is his favorite show. Andy reads that a viewer thinks she’s obviously hiding something, and Danielle says, she’s been praying Marge has something in her arsenal about what she’s done wrong. Marge says she just wants them to be together, and Andy says, some of Marge’s comments in Ireland were below the belt. We flash back to Marge saying that, unless Danielle was willing to forgive and forget, she would always have problems in her family. Marge admits maybe it came out harsh, but it wasn’t meant that way. Teresa says she forgives and forgets, and when we all get over being stunned, Melissa says, she’s delusional. Marge says she was nothing but nice to Danielle, and Danielle flipped on her like a pancake. Andy says, Melissa defended Danielle in Ireland, but at Dolores’s party everything unraveled. Teresa says, Melissa wanted Danielle on her side for a storyline.

Danielle says, a lot of them have been mean girls, calling her a wannabe. They’re right, she wannabe nothing like them. Marge made fun of her all season. Marge says, Danielle had a great first season, and got a ton of endorsements. Even though the conversation has nothing to do with her, this prompts Jennifer to say she doesn’t need endorsements, and Andy doesn’t do endorsements. He’s never posting stuff. Andy says he does all the time, and loves his endorsements. Jennifer doesn’t bat an eye, even though she’s clearly wrong and obviously, she doesn’t read Andy’s social media. Marge says she was complimenting Danielle, and Andy says, Danielle came off tough, and it was surprising that she was so emotional, and left situations when it seemed like she was going to get in there. Danielle says Rachel shocked her. She thought they were friends. We flash back to Danielle telling Rachel that she was told Marge had an arsenal, and Rachel passing that back to Marge. Danielle says, Rachel made her look bad, and Rachel tells her, that’s what she said. Danielle tells her, Laura said it, and Andy says, it didn’t seem like that big a deal. Jennifer tries to put her two cents in, and Rachel says, no one asked her. Marge says, Rachel just repeated what Danielle said, and Dolores says, she was fueling the fire. Everyone accuses each other of bringing it up, and Rachel asks, where’s the accountability? Danielle says, if she was a bitch and an a-hole, she’d own it, and Rachel says, Danielle is a bitch and an a-hole to her. There’s a lot of screeching at each other, and Rachel tells Danielle, don’t take your insecurities out on me. Danielle says she has balls that drag out the door, and Rachel says she was shocked at how Danielle talked about her in the confessional; saying she was a bitch and on her high horse. Danielle says, the world sees it, and Andy says he loved seeing them together. He thinks this is the dumbest fight ever. He says, Dolores has known Rachel a long time, and Danielle is a new friend. How can they work it out? Dolores says, it’s so minute and stupid, and the longer it goes on, the worse it gets. It’s not worth it. Rachel says she likes Danielle and thinks she’s a great mom. But she didn’t think the punishment fit the crime. It was like Danielle needed to double down and not apologize. Andy asks if Danielle can give a positive response, like he’s a middle school counselor, which seems about right. Danielle says, she looked at it like she and Rachel were joining these crazy ladies together, and thought they had a friendship. She was hurt by it, and hurt sometimes becomes anger, and it snowballed. Dolores suggests they make a pact that what’s said during a season stays there, and promise not to talk about it again. Andy tells Dolores, well done, and says, they’re leaving it there. I say, good luck with that. No argument ever dies with the Housewives.

Andy says, Melissa built a new home, and her life should have been going up, but a malicious rumor redefined what family meant. Andy asks if Rachel’s husband’s company tiled the floors, and Melissa says, they did. Rachel says, Melissa changed her mind 100 times, and Melissa admits she did, but John did an awesome job. Andy asks about Teresa moving from Melissa’s neighborhood, and Melissa says, Teresa bought a house two doors down from her original house. Andy says, a viewer asked why Teresa publicly shamed Antonia, and Teresa insists it was a set-up question, even though no one could have predicted the conversation. Rachel says, just because Teresa says it, doesn’t make it fact, and Melissa says she wasn’t even in the conversation. Andy says, Melissa and Joe have talked about Gia on podcasts, and Melissa says, Teresa’s daughters have hate for her. Everyone saw it on TV. We flash back to Gia and I don’t know which one barely acknowledging Melissa as she’s talking to them. Teresa says, her kids don’t have hate in their heart, and Melissa says, roll the tape. Teresa says she loves her niece, and Andy asks what Teresa’s reaction is to Melissa telling Antonia, whatever goes on, it has nothing to do with her and not to hold a grudge if she sees them upset. Teresa says, Melissa only did it because they were filming, and Melissa says, her kids have never said a word about Teresa. Teresa says, what about saying Melissa and Joe put food on their table? which wasn’t their kids, and we hear Melissa’s podcast when that was discussed. Melissa says, at one time, Teresa was cool with them, and then there’s some big commotion about Joe not being on a list, then being on a list, but I have no idea what they’re talking about, since they’re trying to outshout each other. Melissa says, they were good when Joe took Gia to college, but since Teresa got her man, now they’re pieces of sh*t.  

Andy says, a viewer pointed out that Jennifer was hanging on for dear life to that ballplayer comment Marge made about Joe #2, and we flash back to Jennifer interrogating Melissa about it. Melissa says she didn’t know whether to be flattered or upset. She calls Marge Dynasty because she says these things. She finds Marge funny, and tongue in cheek. Marge says, they call Melissa J.Lo, and that’s how the ballplayer thing happened. Jennifer says, Laura told her that Marge is constantly saying Melissa can do better, and Andy says, apparently Jennifer invited Laura to a party and posted pictures. We see those, and Jennifer asks why Marge didn’t want Laura on the show, but Marge says she tried to get Laura on the show. Andy agrees that she did, and Jennifer looks confused, and wonders why Laura told her different. Andy says, if Laura was trying to get on the show as Marge’s friend, and now as her enemy, the producers would definitely be interested. Teresa acts like Melissa somehow slithered her way onto Teresa’s coattails to get on the show, and says, it’s disgusting. Andy says he has no recollection of it being that way. Melissa was cute, and Joe was funny, and they had a double staircase like Teresa did, which he found amusing. Jennifer says, Teresa can’t get past it, and Teresa says, Melissa’s whole storyline was about her. Melissa says, Teresa’s storyline is talking about her brother every season. Teresa says she never wants to look at Melissa’s face again after what Jacqueline (Laurita) told her about Melissa and Joe. They’d been going out with Juicy Joe’s ex-partner, who outed Joe so he didn’t go to jail. Melissa says, they don’t even know him.  

Next time – The Reunion Part 2 – Teresa cleanses the bad energy; Rachel asks if Jennifer will ever stop talking, and Andy says, she’ll run out of gas eventually; Andy asks if Danielle felt set up; Jaiden’s birth mother has been speaking to blogs, and Rachel says, it’s because Louie contacted her; Marge says her child was threatened at work because of Louie; Teresa says, Marge is the devil; Marge says, Teresa is a criminal, and so is Louie; and Melissa says, Teresa’s got a new bitch boy.

🚿 Needing To Take a Shower…

If these awful women weren’t enough for you, come back tomorrow for soap and some VanderAwful with Part 2 of the Reunion heard round the world. Until then, stay safe, stay being all you can be, whether you’re in the Army or not, and stay remembering you can’t have two number ones.

May 29, 2023 – The Second Annual Big Jim’s Talent Show On Deck, Reuniting Awful Summer People & Remember

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Was a rerun today. But the pending summer begs the question, when is the MetroCourt pool opening?

Below Deck Sailing Yacht

Colin tells Glenn, no oil and no exhaust from the engine, and Glenn says, great news. In Glenn’s interview, he says he’s happy they were able to solve the problem. The Parsifal III has been giving them a run for their money. He doesn’t think he’s every had this much engine trouble with guests onboard in his whole career, and he hopes it’s the last. Knock wood. He knocks on his head. Daisy shakes down Colin for what his talent is going to be, and in her interview, she wonders how the f*** she’s going to top last year’s talent show. We flash back to that, and she says she’s not sure what Jim is expecting, but she’s a talentless person. She tells Colin, according to everyone, he can do it all. Alex has slept through the sailing and the heeling, and when he gets up, Gary says, he needs a word with him. Gary tells Colin that he doesn’t know what’s happening at night. The first day, he told Alex to leave the boat the way he’d want the boat left to him. Nothing is rinsed. Daisy teaches the stews to Irish dance, and in Daisy’s interview, she says, she wasn’t good at Irish dancing when she was 12, and she’s sure not now, but she’s a team player. Guest Marnie goes out on the eFoil, and Glenn asks what Gary is doing for talent. Gary says, nothing, and Glenn says, he does that all day long. In Chase’s interview, he says, the situation with Alex is a tough one. It’s frustrating that Gary doesn’t want him talk with Alex;  it makes him look like a tattletale. That’s not his intention. Daisy gets some provisions for the talent show, like a keyboard, and Gary meets Alex on deck. He tells Alex, the boat looks like sh*t, but Alex says he spent 6 hours on it. Gary says, it’s mainly the anchor pocket, and Alex says he forgot that. Gary tells him that Glenn commented on the flybridge. He thinks it’s unfair on Chase, even though he knows that’s not Alex’s intention. Chase is claiming he’s lazy, but Gary told him that he didn’t think that was it. We flash back, and Chase said nothing of the kind. He asked if he could speak to Alex himself, and Gary said he’d do it. Alex says he’s shocked, and Gary says, Chase thought Alex had been just sitting there all night and was livid. WTF? This is why I hate this guy. He’s like a middle schooler causing drama where there is none.

In Alex’s interview, he says he feels like he’s working hard. He doesn’t know why Chase is attacking him behind his back. Come and talk to him. What’s this guy’s deal? Alex apologizes to Glenn, and Daisy tells the guests that the seafood-palooza is on for tonight. In Ileisha’s interview, she says, seafood is her secret weapon. She’s making oysters, whole baked snapper, fresh fish, and grilled prawns. She’s going to smash it. Mads talks to Alex, and Gary asks her to come hang out. He tells her that they’ve hooked up twice, and asks what she wants out of it. She says she’s fine with a casual hookup, and he says, she wants to flirt with everyone else. In her interview, Mads says she doesn’t know what Gary expects. She likes to enjoy herself, but that doesn’t mean she’s settling down for life. She doesn’t want anyone hindering her flirting. If anyone wants to tell her what to do, she’ll tell them to f*** off. Colin tries to find a rhyme for deckie, and says, the keyboard is for kids. The table is decorated in a seashell theme, and it’s gorgeous. Primary Jim asks if his shorts make his butt look fat, or does his fat butt make his butt look fat? The palooza is served, and Jim says, the chef is amazing. He declares that whoever wins the talent show will get to take the flag home. The flag that flies his nakey self. Glenn practices a joke about how sex can burn the same amount of calories as running 8 miles… but no one can run 8 miles in 30 seconds. BA-DUM-CHH!  

Glenn announces the second annual Big Jim Talent Show, and says he’ll warm them up with a joke. He went to the zoo, but they only had one fluffy dog – it was a shih tzu. It takes them a minute, as it does me. Chase catches things in his mouth, Mads and Lucy do cartwheels, and Lucy makes her boobies go up and down. Gary tries to do a pyramid with Mads and Lucy, holding the Jim flag, and fails miserably. Then Daisy does Irish dancing with Mads, Lucy, and Ileisha. Colin says, last year, he did a song about the guests, but this year, the song is about the crew. Alex holds the music while he plays the tiny keyboard and sings. In Daisy’s interview, she says, she’s so proud of her team; they’re the most talented bunch. Except for Colin’s song. He’s so cute. Colin and Alex win by one point. Alex asks Chase about what he told Gary, and Chase says, Glenn comes out and says, the boat looks like sh*t, and he looks like an a-hole. He’s not a guy who gets pissed at dumb sh*t. We flash back to Gary saying he was livid, and Alex says he doesn’t believe Chase is like that. In his interview, he says, from what he can tell, Chase either isn’t that fired up, or Gary is instigating drama. It seems like someone’s not telling the truth. Alex cleans the boat.

Last day of charter. Alex tells Chase that he didn’t stop moving; the boat should be perfect. Jim says, the talent show was awesome, and Gary tells Alex, good job. Jim scares the stews by hiding near the bar. Why? Who knows? Gary tells Colin that he doesn’t think Mads takes him seriously, and Colin says, the more Gary pushes, the more she steps back. Gary says, he wants love too, and in Colin’s interview, he says, what we’re dealing with is a stage five clinger. Mads isn’t giving in to all of Gary’s shenanigans and it’s kind of funny. Breakfast is served, and they get to Igy Marina. The spot they’re supposed to dock in is pretty tight, and Gary asks Daisy to help watch the fenders. In Glenn’s interview, he says, it’s the first time they’ve had big neighbors on both sides. He can do a lot of damage if the groundlines go under the rudder. If they’re pulled in too fast or too hard, they can pop the stern lines. Focus is critical. We see a crane shot, and yeah, it’s tight.

There’s trouble fitting the fenders between the boats, and in his interview, Glenn says, it’s 11 meters wide, but they only have about 9 to work with. Still, he knows he can wiggle his way in, and he does. It’s time for goodbyes, and Jim gives Glenn a humongous envelope, saying, it’s a small tip, so it won’t go far; it’s all ones that he usually spends at the strip bar. Farewell, and he loves them. As he asks, where’s his horn honk? Glenn obliges. The crew meets for the tip meeting, and Glenn says, something can always go wrong on charter; there’s never a dull moment. There was smoke and an engine fire, but Colin saved the day. The gelling of the interior is a testament to Daisy’s leadership, and he noticed an improvement. Ileisha also showed a big improvement. The tip is $27,500, or just shy of 2700 euros each. In Ileisha’s interview, she says she’s so happy; Glenn is giving her compliments. She’s exhausted mentally and physically. Gary asks who Alex has his eye on, but Alex says he’s not playing. Everyone gets ready, and the drinking commences, and Chase is already past his limit. He demands someone funnel beer with him, and starts getting loud and obnoxious. They get in the taxis, Gary going with the girls, and the rest of the guys together. Chase says he wants to drink tequila from Lucy’s tig old bitties, and Gary tells the girls what the guys have been saying about them. When they complain, he gets out of the taxi on the highway, and calls to the other taxi that he’s coming.  

He gets back in, and Daisy tells him, that’s not funny; they’re on a main road. Gary says, all the guys want to f*** Daisy, and Daisy tells him to stop talking. They get to the restaurant, and Gary tells Colin that the ride wasn’t good. He told the girls what the guys think about them, and it clearly wasn’t a complement. He said, all the guys wanted to f*** Daisy, but they’re scared of her. Colin says, Gary ditched the boys, then threw them under the bus, and in his interview, he says, Gary was in direct violation of BroCode number one; don’t tell the girls what we say about them. Colin goes back to the table, and says, Gary is a f***ing leper. Ileisha isn’t feeling well, and gets sick in the bathroom. Colin says, Gary is being a f***ing gossip, and Lucy says, he told her that Colin said she was ugly. Colin is like, what? and Lucy starts laughing. Chase asks if he can drink tequila from between Lucy’s boobies, but that’s a hard no. In Lucy’s interview, she says, Chase needs to chill until he understands his limit. When he’s drunk he gets loud. Chase rephrases it, and just says he wants tequila. Meanwhile, Glenn lounges on the boat. Ileisha decides to go back, and tells them that she’ll let them know when she gets there. Have an awesome night. Gary talks to Mads in Italian, and asks her to be his girlfriend. She says, it’s a little fast, and she needs another drink. Chase says, cheers to boobies, and Lucy says, it’s not the time or place. Chase says he’s 10 drinks deep, but she doesn’t have to call him a f***ing a-hole. She tells him not to put words in her mouth, and gets up, her chair falling behind her. She says, if she’s going to call him a f***ing a-hole, she’ll call him a f***ing a-hole to his f***ing face. She storms out, and in her interview, she says, he is a f***ing a-hole.  Daisy and Mads follow Lucy out.

Chase says, it was a joke. He’s not saying another word. The girls come back, and in Lucy’s interview, she says she’s fed up. Chase is so annoying. WTF? My name is Chase. I love boobs and want to do tequila shots on your t*ts. On the way back, Gary says, say one thing to chicks, and they start throwing their chairs. I say, first of all, Gary, only chicks can call chicks chicks. Back at the boat, with Glenn safely asleep, Colin asks, what’s in Gary’s head? Gary says, Mads gave him two second of her time, and Daisy looked at him like he cheated on her. He’s sick and tired of games. He’s over it. Mads gets in Gary’s bunk with him, and Chase says he’s not putting up with this sh*t tonight. S*ck my d*ck, boss. He and Colin commiserate, and when Mads leaves, Chase tells Colin, quick, reclaim the cabin, but they wonder where Gary is. They look for him. Alex joins the search, and they check out the master, Gary yelling for them to get out. Mads says, WTF? Why? I give up on figuring out what anyone sees in Gary and what side of the fence Mads is on. Alex says he’s glad they got to the bottom of that, and Gary tells Mads that it took his b*ner away straightaway. I don’t know if that’s the reason, but Mads leaves, and in Daisy’s interview, she says she’s so confused right now. She asks Colin where Gary is, and they go looking for him, because what else is there to do on a night off? They go to the master, and Gary tells them that Mads got pissed off and went to bed. Colin says, his bad, and on the way upstairs, Colin kisses Daisy on the steps, which makes me very nervous that they’ll fall. Colin wonders where that came from, and he and Daisy go to her cabin. Daisy asks if it’s okay that Colin sleeps there, and Mads goes back to the master. The door closes, and Gary tells Mads that she’s something else. Daisy tells Colin that he turns her on.

Color me surprised. I knew it was going to happen this season, but there was no gradual leading up to it. Or even flirting all night leading up to it. There was zero leading up to it.

There was no preview.

Summer House Reunion – Part 1

Before the Reunion begins, Lindsay says, there’s literally nothing worse than what her best friend did to her. Danielle says, it’s like experiencing a death in real time, and she’s not up for it. The housemates sit down, and these girls need to take fashion tips from the Housewives or something. Mya looks like she’s dressed for the beach, nobody is impressive, and some of them look like, did you check yourself in the mirror before you left? Andy says, the set is inspired by Kyle’s 40th birthday party, and asks Kyle, what is the endgame for the mullet? Kyle says, TBD, and Amanda says, it makes him happy, and it’s not permanent. She’ll deal with it… for now. Andy congratulates Lindsay and Carl, and admires the ring. He welcomes Sam, Gabby, and Chris to their first Reunion. He tells us that there was a seismic shift in the friends group, and emotions were raw. He hopes that they find a resolution. Seeing the finale, he was upset as a fan. We flash back to Lindsay being awful to Danielle and Danielle calling her a monster, and Andy asks what Danielle hopes to get out of it. Danielle says she hated seeing Lindsay’s face. The way it looked, it felt like she was seeing a stranger. If it’s over, it’s over. Andy asks, what about Lindsay? and Lindsay says she’s hoping for an open and honest conversation. During the summer, they weren’t hearing each other; they were speaking different languages. She’s hoping they’ll hear each other and have an open dialogue. This is really mature sounding, but sooner or later will no doubt implode.

Andy says, relationships took turns in ways we’d have never predicted. Kyle and Amanda weren’t in a single argument. Everyone applauds, and Amanda says, they didn’t have to plan a wedding. Kyle says, and he didn’t cheat. They communicate better. Andy tells Amanda that Jen from Provo, Utah thanks her for being open about her health issues, and Amanda says, she’s back on her cycle. As a matter of fact, she has her period right now. Post birth control syndrome, which messes with your cycle, is apparently a thing, but she didn’t know. Andy says he wants to address a blind item that Kyle cheated, and Kyle says, the internet is a powerful drug. According to the internet, he had affairs with everyone. Lindsay says, no way Kyle has the time, and Andy says, the leak happened during the Loverboy drama. Paige thinks it came from Lindsay, who wrote about Kyle’s wedding under anonymous sources. Carl says, it’s a truthful thing that happened. Craig’s behavior was questionable. Paige says, they don’t know them, and Lindsay says she never sent the item. Andy says, a viewer was reminded of the cheating rumors Lindsay brought up, and Lindsay says, which turned out not to be true We flash back to Lindsay saying Kyle was making out with someone, and Andy says, but Kyle’s forgiven Lindsay. Kyle says he thinks there are a lot of things they’ve been quick to forgive and move on; that’s what friends do. But he’s been told by numerous people that Lindsay knew for a couple of days before filming. Lindsay spins a lot of things. He knows for a fact she knew before they got to the house that summer. Andy asks if he means she waited until they were on camera, and Amanda says, it was Kyle’s birthday weekend. Kyle says, Lindsay spoke with a producer, and they decided to blow it up on his birthday. It was a rumor, and there was no confirmation. Lindsay says, mutual friends saw him.

Lindsay says, they weren’t in a friendship place, and Amanda says, she would have pulled Lindsay aside and talked to her privately. Lindsay says she’s sorry she brought it up on camera, but Kyle says, her apology is shallow. Just admit it was purposeful backstabbing that she spun as a friend. Amanda says, it was the beginning of a series of trends, and Kyle says, Lindsay often sounds forced and produced. Carl says, the issue is that Kyle cheated, and Kyle says, it was a rumor, and he was blindsided. Lindsay says she found out the week before, and had a hard time going through with it. Amanda says she’s so sorry Lindsay struggled. Andy says, this is Kyle and Amada’s first summer as a married couple, but Gabby, Chris, and Sam came single and left with mixed results. A viewer thinks the way Mya addressed Sam was harsh and unkind. We flash back to Sam talking non-stop, and Mya talking to her about it. Mya says, they’ve talked about this, and it wasn’t her intention to hurt Sam’s feelings. She thought Sam should know. Andy asks if Sam was surprised, and Sam says she wasn’t upset because it felt mean. She’s heard it before. It’s her one biggest insecurity. She cries, and says, it brought up hurtful things from her past. They were done behind her back which made them more hurtful. Andy says, Gabby surprised them, having issues with Ciara, and Gabby says she didn’t think Ciara liked her; which is fine. But Ciara seemed to be making a concerted effort to find a reason. Ciara says, it’s not that she doesn’t like Gabby, but in the conversations they had about money, it felt like Gabby was flaunting it, and it rubbed her in a weird way. Mya says, it felt like she and Gabby had moments as time went on, and Andy asks if Ciara has written off Gabby, but she says, no. Gabby says she felt written off, and Andy says, Danielle came in last year reunion with hate toward Ciara. He’s surprised how close they are now. He wonders what changed, and Ciara says she thinks a lot of their feelings were based on other people’s situations. They hung out outside of filming. Andy asks if Lindsay was surprised, but Lindsay says, Ciara has animosity toward her, so when her friendship with Danielle cracked, she wasn’t surprised. Ciara says, the past is in the past, and she thought they were on good terms now, but it doesn’t seem that way.

Andy says, Carl and Lindsay moved in together and decided to exclusively call each other babe. We flash back to the 47,000 times they called each other babe, and I’m glad I’m not the only one who noticed. Andy says, they’re relationship put their friendships in the house to the test. Did they realize how much they called each other babe? Carl says he cringes now when he does it, and Lindsay says she can’t call him Carl. I understand this, since a friend of mine and I suddenly realized how much we were both saying you know. Then every time we did it, it was definitely cringy. Andy asks if it felt weird coming back as a couple, and Lindsay says, being a couple, you’re always target, so you brace for impact. Carl says, there was still resentment about things past, and this was his first serious relationship in 10 years. Their friends were seeing them in a different way, and he’d hoped it would be positive instead of questioning everything. Chris says he was supportive, and Sam says, seeing them as a couple brought her joy. Andy says, Amy from NYC wondered if Kyle was nervous about them coming to the house as a couple, as he’s known them for over a decade. Kyle says, he would be concerned about any friend who was dating Lindsay. He’s sorry, but he knows her well, and knew she was drinking again, When he drinks, he’s goofy, loud, and obnoxious, but she gets irrational and defensive. He was nervous that the honeymoon phase was being driven by her not drinking, and they were all waiting to see what happened, but it was out of concern and love for Carl, and knowing her. Andy asks if that’s a fair concern, and Lindsay admits it is. Andy says, a viewer wants to know if Carl and Lindsay act differently on and off camera, and Paige says she thinks they’re fake, and Andy says, but the newbies don’t. Paige says, there was an article in People four hours after they were engaged. Everything is premeditated and planned. Carl says, Paige dates the biggest liar, nyah-nyah-nyah, and Andy says, there are a lot of liars on Bravo. I literally lol, and Paige says, they lie about everything, and spin every story. Lindsay says, she must think there’s a lot of money in it, and Paige says, that’s why she’s confused. Neither one of them have jobs.

Danielle says she doesn’t think they put on for the camera, but they want the fairytale to be real. She played into it. They wanted to express their love bigger than anything. Andy asks if she saw the cracks, and Danielle says, when they were in Montauk, it was like they were the amigos. Lindsay was drinking, and became contentions with Carl, so he left. Carl says he assumed if Lindsay went back to drinking, this part of her might be activated again, but he didn’t think it would be toward him. The more I hear, the more I think Lindsay shouldn’t be drinking at all. Not if she’s a mean drunk. For the record, I’m the happy drunk who says, let’s put on musicals! Danielle says she told Carl that he could get through this, but he went back to the city in an Uber, while Lindsay stayed in South Hampton. Andy says, for those unenlightened, taking an Uber to NYC from Long Island is an aggressive move. It’s a $400, four hour move. Andy asks why Danielle never mentioned it, and Danielle says she didn’t want to air Lindsay and Carl’s fights. She was protecting them. Andy says, it seemed the fights happened when Lindsay was drinking, and we flash back to some of that. Andy says, Susan in LA asks if Lindsay ever feels like she’s walking on eggshells around Carl, and Lindsay says she wants to be respectful of his sobriety. Carl says he wants Lindsay to be the best version of herself. He tries to talk to her about it, so she can recognize it and learn. Andy asks if Kyle feels Carly is more troubled about Lindsay’s drinking than he’s saying. Kyle says, a month or two in, he knew what Carl’s number one challenge would be. He’d been looking forward to his one year mark sober as a single person. Andy asks Carl if he’s more bothered than he’s admitting.

Carl says, they talked about it in couple’s therapy. A big part of the work is dialogue, and he doesn’t want to hold back. Lindsay doesn’t communicate well when she drinks. Andy tells Lindsay, Carl is sober and she’s not; Al-Anon is her friend. Lindsay says, a friend sent her a list of Zoom meetings, and Carl says he’s an alcoholic and a drug addict; it’s a lot. Communication has to be constant, and he gives Lindsay grace and credit because of what she signed up for. Please don’t tell me that he takes this crap out of gratitude. Andy asks why Carl told Kyle about the engagement early, especially after he said he could never trust Kyle with another secret. We flash back to Kyle spreading the good news about Carl fingerbanging Lindsay, and the reactions, which are mostly elementary schoolish giggling. Amanda says, Kyle only told her, and that was because she had to stay home, since the dogs were having surgery. He told her two seconds before he left. Andy asks if Chris was surprised Carl told him early, but Chris says he’s not marriage minded, so he was  it was no big deal. Carl says he thought she must know, and Andy asks how many of them think she did. It’s everyone, and Paige says, she knew when Lindsay asked if she liked her dress. Lindsay had never asked her a fashion related question in the five years she’d been in the house. We flash back to Kyle telling the others, and Danielle freaking when she finds out. Andy asks if Danielle wishes she’d reacted differently, but Danielle says, it’s the most raw she’s been on the show. She found out 30 minutes to an hour before they were going to the party; it was pure raw emotion. Andy asks if Lindsay was surprised at some of the muted reactions to the engagement so as not to upset Danielle, and Lindsay says she remembers Danielle’s reaction to Amanda’s engagement; there’s consistency. Danielle asks if Lindsay is saying she hates engagements or happiness.

Andy asks Carl to elaborate on saying, all the girls owe Lindsay an apology, and Amanda says, the feeling’s mutual. Carl says, it was the commentary. Paige and Lindsay had lunch in the first episode, and it seemed all good. What changed? Gabby reminds Paige that she said it was a clean slate. Then at the first sign of tension between Danielle and Lindsay, Paige said she was glad Danielle was seeing who Lindsay is. She was confused why Paige would be excited about a longstanding friendship… Paige says she wasn’t excited, and Lindsay tries to interrupt. Paige says she remembers being a 25 year old new girl who Lindsay barely spoke to, but screamed at. We flash back to that, and Paige says, it was her first summer, so it was a wash. She gravitated to Amanda, since Amanda was the only nice one. She know others have had different experiences with Lindsay, and yes, she gossips about that, but she’s watched Lindsay fight with every girl there, and it had nothing to do with her. She was in that position at one time, so when they come to her, she says she gets it. When Danielle got it on the other end, she was happy Danielle was standing up for herself. Lindsay asks why Paige squashed their beef at lunch, and Paige says, Lindsay went on a PR tirade, saying Paige weaponized her miscarriage, when Paige sent her flowers. She judges people based on how they treat others. Lindsay shouts over Paige talking, and Paige says, Lindsay is rude. Andy had to yell at her at Bravocon for the way she spoke to his employees. Ciara says, the way she speaks to the employees is despicable. Someone (I miss who) says, Lindsay threw a shoe at a producer, and Paige says, name one girl Lindsay talks to. Lindsay says she texted Mya when the dog bit her at the wedding. She thought they were in a good place. Then when she shows up at the Reunion, they’re not. Paige says, that’s because Lindsay goes on press tours, and Andy asks if Lindsay complained about Paige to Danielle. Danielle says, she did. There’s a bunch of yelling and everyone talking at once, and Paige says, Lindsay is literally nuts. Lindsay says, she’d rather be nuts than boring.

Next time, Kory joins the group; Carl admits showing up for work coked up; Kyle cries; we find out Ciara texted Kory to go out; and Carl says he did what he thought was best to surprise Lindsay.

🧘🏾‍♀️ No Diggity Here…

Slide into my blog tomorrow for soap and the mess that will be the Jersey Reunion. Until then, stay safe, stay not making your phone an appendage, and stay always having an endgame for your mullet.

May 28, 2023 – The Truth About PADRE & Dreaming

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

Fear the Walking Dead

Madison opens her eyes to a zombie head wrapped in a burlap sack and cinched in a vise above her. She struggles to get up, but realizes she’s tied up and strapped down. A guard comes in and tells her, sorry about the sedative, but it was easier that way. Madison asks if they haven’t taken enough blood, but the guard says, they’ve moved beyond studying her blood. It will be easier if Blue Jay explains. June comes in, and Madison says, Naomi, but June says, that was a long time ago. So long, I forgot she was ever called that. The guard says, PADRE wants her back on the island, and to get Madison ready. Madison asks if June is one of them, but June says, not by choice. Madison wonders if June has been the one drawing her blood, but June says she didn’t even know Madison was alive. She’s done everything she can to put Shrike off. Madison asks, from what? What is Shrike going to do to her? June says, Shrike has ideas on how to cure Carrion bites based on Alicia surviving as long as she did. It’s probably why Shrike was collecting Madison’s blood. It might be something besides radiation, something hereditary. Madison asks if Shrike is right, but June thinks it’s too soon to tell. There’s a boy who’s been responding to the radiation, but it hasn’t even been a week. Madison looks at the head moving around in the bag, and wonders if she can ask June a favor. June says, anything, and Madison says, there’s a file with the names of the children she took; their real names, not the names PADRE gave them. She promised Mo that she’d track down the kids’ parents, but June says, everything she’s tried to do since being at PADRE has blown up in her face. Shrike radios, asking if Madison is ready, and June nods. The guard tells Shrike that she is, and June reminds Madison of how she saved them all when she was left at the stadium. She won’t leave Madison now. She’ll be with her until the end. Madison looks again at the zombie head.

12 years ago. A teenage girl (obviously Shrike when she was younger) and boy walk into a room, and the girl says, they shouldn’t be here. They check out a two-way mirror, when a voice on the loudspeaker asks what they’re doing in here. They’re about to run, when a man in uniform comes in. It’s their dad, and he says, they should have seen their faces. The boy says, the mirror is creepy, and the soldier says, it helps him with meetings. The girl says, he needs to get the mic fixed too, but the soldier says, Sergeant Brenner says it’s probably just a faulty wire. The girl asks if he really has to go today, and the soldier says he wants to show them something.

The girl looks through binoculars and the soldier tells her, it’s a middle-spotted woodpecker. When their mom gave him the binoculars, she said, it was so he’d always see what’s coming. When he saw that bird this morning, he felt like she was trying to tell him that they’d be okay here. These birds live in families, and cooperate to raise their young. If the birds can do it, so can they. A soldier asks if they should load up, calling the man General Kreddick. The general asks for a minute, and his daughter says she hates when he leaves the island, but he says, that’s the way they’re going to help people rebuild; the same way they did this place. Each shipping container is filled with supplies to rebuild. The boy says, it’s dangerous out there. LA and Atlanta were bombed. Kreddick says, they need to seed new communities, calling the boy Ben. The young woman asks how they even know there’s still people out there, and Kreddick asks if they remember Elias and Senator Vasquez. They made contact with Vasquez yesterday. He and his staff are beneath the Franklin Hotel in Galveston. They’re safe. Ben asks why Kreddick can’t stay on the island until it’s safer, but Kreddick says, they’ll never survive here cut off from the world. What will happen when their supplies run out if they don’t have trading partners; other communities to rely on? He promises they’ll be safe here, and tells them to use the code names he gave them if they communicate by radio; it’s for their safety. The boy says he’s Crane, right? and the girl asks why she has to be Shrike. Kreddick says, the shrike may be small, but it’s brutal when it needs to be. Doesn’t hesitate to take care of its family. He tells her to take care of her brother while he’s gone, and she salutes him. He hugs them, says he’ll see them soon, and leaves.

Shrike removes the burlap, revealing the zombie head, which is pretty disgusting, and says, after everything PADRE gave Madison, she betrayed him. This is how she’s going to make it up to him. And she won’t be alone. Nightingale is going to next to her, as soon as they can find him. Madison asks why PADRE is doing this, and Shrike says, for the same reason he does everything. To ensure what he’s built endures.

Running along some railroad tracks, Mo whacks a zombie, and Dove asks if she realizes how far they are from the rest of the group. Mo says she has to do this. They need to see what’s in the railroad car.

Shrike tells Madison, years from now, when people talk about how PADRE was able to stop infections from Carrion bites killing, they’ll remember today. Madison will be a hero.

Mo thinks Finch might be inside. He never came back from his surgery. Dove says, he’s recovering from his surgery, but Mo says, after Finch’s boat got attacked, PADRE sent guards after him. She checked the logs, and it said they went to an old railroad museum, but nothing is there. She thinks someone moved the train car here. Maybe PADRE isn’t telling them the truth. What if something bad happened in there? What if it’s still happening?

June asks to sedate Madison, but Shrike says, she brought PADRE plenty of pain. It’s time she felt a little herself. The head moves closer.

Mo bangs on the tracks with a sledgehammer, and tells Dove that they have to know what’s going on in there. A guard asks what they’re doing, and comes toward them, but they run off.

Madison yells as the head comes closer, when Mo pulls the plug. Shrike tells the guards to get her out of here. Now. As the guards come for Mo, June grabs Shrike’s gun and knocks her out with the butt. Mo yells for June to help, and June stabs the head, then cuts Madison’s bonds, saying, she owes Madison one. June shoots one of the guards, and Madison gets herself free, grabbing Mo, and ducking down with her behind a cabinet. She asks what Mo is doing here, and Mo says they have to get out of here so they can do what they said, but Madison tells her that she’ll never be able to get near the island after this. Mo says her dad can help, but Madison says, until he’s back, they’re on their own. June has a gun battle with the remaining guard, and finally shoots him in the head. Mo tells Madison that they just have to find the prefects, and get through to them the way Madison got through to her. If they do that, the other kids will follow. June gives Madison some oxygen, and Hawk radios Shrike, saying,  they’re done for the day. Shrike reaches for the radio, but Madison kicks it away. Dove comes in, aiming her gun, and tells them not to move. Shrike tells her to call the prefects and tell them to get more guards, but Mo says, don’t. She was going to kill Lark. Dove says, Lark deserves it, and Mo asks if Finch did. Shrike tells Dove not to listen to Mo, and Mo says, Shrike killed him, didn’t she? Shrike says she saved him, but June says, that is a lie. Mo asks where he is, and Shrike says, somewhere his parents can’t do him anymore harm. June says, Shrike is the reason Finch got bit, and Dove asks, what the hell is going on here? Shrike says, she’s ensuring what PADRE built, and ensuring they have a future. Madison asks if that’s what this looks like to Dove, when Hawk radios Dove, asking her location. Shrike tells her to let them know and tell them to get over here, but Madison says, don’t do it. PADRE lied to her about this. Think of what else he’s lied about. Her parents could still be out there and she can help find them. Dove says, they abandoned her because they couldn’t take care of her, but Madison says, that’s not true. Dove asks how she knows, and Madison says she’s the one who took Dove away from her parents. Dove asks their names and where Madison took her from, but Madison says she doesn’t know, but knows Dove’s face. The only one tricking her is PADRE. June says, that’s why PADRE kept this a secret, but they can change that. Madison says she just needs to get to the island. There’s a file there with the names of all the kids she took, and where she took them from. That’s how she can help Dove. That’s how she can help all the kids. Hawk radios again for Dove’s location, but she turns the radio off. She says she’ll help Madison get back to the island. She doesn’t care what’s in the file, but she cares about the truth, and wants to hear it from PADRE. Shrike asks how she’ll do that, and Dove says she can if Shrike helps her. Shrike asks why she would, and Dove holds her gun to Shrike’s head. Shrike says, if Dove kills her, he’ll do worse than she planned to do to Lark today. Dove asks, why is that? and Shrike says, because she’s PADRE’s daughter. They hear something outside.

Kreddick tells the other soldiers, let’s move out, and Shrike peaks out from her hiding place, telling Ben the coast is clear. She says, he shouldn’t be here, but he says he just wants to make sure she’s safe. He sees that their dad forgot his binoculars, and wants to take them to him; he won’t be able to see what’s coming without them. Shrike says, it’s just a superstition. He’ll be fine. Ben says, that’s what they said about mom, and tells her to get out of his way, but she says, no. He shoves her out of the way, and locks her in, using a tool to brace the door shut. He runs after their father.

As they leave the train car, Shrike says, Dove is making a big mistake. Whatever answer she’s looking for, it’s not that. A group comes out of the woods with guns, and a man tells them, hands up. A woman (Diane) says, tell them what they want and no one gets hurt, and Madison says, she knows them. They’re all parents, aren’t they? Diane looks at Dove, who asks what she’s looking at. Diane asks where their kids are. Where’s Adrian? Madison says she doesn’t know any Adrian, but June says, he was here, he’s dead. Diane says, he just wanted to find his daughter, and June says, he did, but she’s dead too. She died a long time ago. Shrike says, because of June, but June says, because of what Shrike made her do. Mo says, if they want to find their kids, Madison can help, but Diane says, she’s with PADRE. Mo says, not anymore. She’s changed. Dove says, PADRE lied to all of them. Shrike is his daughter. Maybe they can find out what else he’s lied about – together. Diane says they’ll wait for the Commander, and Dove asks who that is, when a man tells them, turn around. Madison says, Daniel? and he says, Madison… and June. June says, he’s alive. Diane says, he knows these people? and he says, give them back their weapons. It seems they all have nine lives. Madison says, they’re going to need them.

Walking through the woods, Madison takes more oxygen, Daniel says he often considered the possibility of Madison being alive, but not like this. Madison says she’s not proud of what she did. She just wants a chance to make it right. He says, you and me both. Maybe they can help each other. He’s been looking for that damn island for years. If what she’s telling them is correct, she may be the best and only shot for these folks to get their children back from PADRE. She asks how he wound up with them, and he says, seven years ago, Morgan told PADRE they were out here, and PADRE found them. They brought everyone to a ship to assess them before deciding where they were going to be sent according to their skills and usefulness. Some went to the mainland, some went to the island; others, he doesn’t know where they went. PADRE thought he was too old to be of any use, so they dumped him in the swamp. Madison says she’s sorry, and Daniel says, PADRE was right about one thing, he is old. But PADRE was wrong about everything else. Being old doesn’t mean to be useless. He could take care of himself. So could everyone in the group, except for Charlie. She asks, what happened to Charlie? and he says, Morgan didn’t tell her? She says, Morgan didn’t get to tell her much before PADRE figured out what they were up to and separated them. He says, Charlie became very sick. She was like a daughter to him by then, and he promised he’d stay with her to the end, so she didn’t have to die alone. Like Ofelia. He broke his promise. He wasn’t there for her. He wasn’t there for Luciana either. She says she’s sorry, and knows Morgan would be too, and he says he had no purpose. Then he found these folks; this angry, desperate group of people in search of their kidnapped children. It gave him a purpose. He organized and trained them, and made them into an army. They’re strong and getting stronger, because there’s more of them out there. He lost his family, but he’s going to fight to help them get back theirs. She says, maybe he hasn’t lost all of his family. The files. There’s not just the kids in there. Luciana, Charlie, maybe he can find out what happened to them.

Dove says, maybe they can use the transport boat to get back to the island, and Shrike asks if she’s sure she wants to go down this road. Daniel suggests Shrike stop asking questions and start answering some, and Madison says, like who else knows she’s PADRE’s daughter? Shrike says, not many, and Daniel asks why her father separates children from their parents, but doesn’t do the same to himself. Shrike says, they don’t get it, but Madison says, they do. He’s an a-hole, like every other a-hole who runs places like this. Shrike says, he’s not. PADRE believes in the way the place is run and how they do things; he has for a very long time. Madison says, that makes no sense, and June says, she’s right. Why are they killing people for an experiment that will never pay off? Shrike says, it will pay off. Look at Finch. Madison asks, what happened to Shrike’s father? Why’d he build a place like this? Dove says, they’ve got to go, and Diane asks where Dove came from before PADRE, but Dove doesn’t know. Why does she care? Diane asks if Dove knows her, but Dove says she’s never seen the woman before. A bunch of guys from PADRE come out with guns, and one says, move away from the boat now. Madison says, they don’t understand. Shrike is PADRE’s daughter. They’ve been lied to. Daniel says, PADRE has been ripping families apart, yet kept his daughter by his side all this time. Mo says, it’s true, calling the guy Hawk. PADRE’s been lying to them all this time. Shrike suggests they focus more on getting her out of there, and Hawk says, Mo and Dove don’t have to go along with this anymore. Dove says, they’re going to the island, and Mo says, they’re going to get some answers from PADRE. Hawk asks who they are to question PADRE, and Dove says, it’s not just her. She’s seen some sh*t today. On the train. PADRE has a lot to explain. He says, she’s not thinking straight, and Daniel tells Hawk, the same could be said for him. All these people have lost children to PADRE. Maybe they could find Hawk’s parents. Hawk says, their parents abandoned them, but Diane says, we didn’t. We’ve been fighting this whole time. Daniel suggests Hawk’s group join them; fight alongside them. Hawk tells Dove to just hand her over, but Dove says, no. He says, maybe she’ll listen to PADRE, and takes out his radio, but Madison goes behind Shrike (who I keep wanting to call Shrek) and grabs her, holding a knife to her throat. She says, they can’t wait any longer. If PADRE knows they’re coming, they’ll destroy the files. Hawk asks, what files? and Madison says, the ones that say where Dove came from; who her parents are. Who all their parents are. Hawk says, they’ll make sure she never gets it. They’re not getting on that boat. Daniel says, they’re going to have to go through them, but Hawk asks if Daniel doesn’t think he’d shoot an old man. Mo stands in front of Daniel, and says, he might, but would he shoot her? Daniel says, they’ll hold them off, and tells Madison to go, but she says she’s not leaving Mo. Mo tells her, get that file. If Madison can show Dove the truth, the rest of the kids will follow. Go. June, Dove, Shrike, and Madison get on the boat, and Madison drives it away.

Ben runs through a container yard, yelling for his dad, while Sam/Shrike frees herself from the boat. She runs after him, calling his name, but it’s like a container maze, and she hits a dead end. She sees a container with DEAD HERE spray painted on it, reminiscent of the DEAD INSIDE sign Rick saw in the first Walking Dead episode. She hears Ben yelling for help, and zombies growling. A couple of them have cornered Ben, and more come and surround him. Shrike calls his name.

Finch sits in an interrogation room, and over the intercom, PADRE says he thinks it’s time Finch told them where he’s been. Finch asks what he means, and PADRE says, he was bit, but he’s still here. Healthy. Thriving. Finch asks where Red Kite is, and Starling, and PADRE says, they’ve been reassigned. Somewhere they can’t cause him any more harm. Finch says, they saved him, but PADRE says, they saved him. Over the radio, a man says, they have a situation, and the guard asks, what kind of situation? Madison says, they have his daughter. How about telling their guards to stand aside so they can have a chat? Shrike tells Madison not to do this, but Madison says, time to stop hiding behind the mirror and tell the truth. Shrike says, he doesn’t have to answer for anything, but Madison says, yes, he does. Every kid wants to know why they were ripped away from their parents, but he wouldn’t do the same with his own daughter. Over the radio, Daniel tells Madison that they got away and asks if Dove is still with her. One of their people thinks she might be Dove’s mother. He hands the radio to Diane, who says she didn’t think it was possible, but a mother knows. Shrike says, don’t fall for this crap, and Diane says, Dove’s name is Alex, and she was taken outside Baton Rouge years ago. She thinks it was that woman, Lark. She searched for so long. She sang You Are My Sunshine as they took Alex away. She never stopped looking. Shrike says, this woman is just trying to get into Dove’s head, but Madison says, stop lying to her. Shrike says she’s not lying, and Madison says, there’s one way to find out. Dove’s file. They want it. Shrike says she’s making a mistake, but Madison says, do it, or she tells everyone here who Shrike really is. PADRE says, give her what she wants, and Madison tells Dove that she’s about to get the answers she came here for.

Inside, a guard plops a box on the table, and Shrike says, there’s something Dove needs to understand before she sees that file. Madison asks, what’s that? They already know this place is built on a lie. Shrike says, it’s not what they think. It’s the only way to protect them from what happened here before. Madison asks PADRE, what happened before? but he says he doesn’t answer to her. She tells him, he always says he never lost a kid, but she doesn’t know if that’s true. Who did they lose?

Ben is totally hemmed in, whimpering, as Sam watches. There’s gunshots, and the zombies drop. Kreddick asks what they’re doing here, and Ben throws his arms around his father. Ben gives him the binoculars, saying, he forgot these, and Kreddick says, he has to get them out of here. The shipyard’s a pool of the dead. More zombies show up, and Kreddick shoots, but runs out of ammunition. The three of them take off.

Madison asks again, what happened here?

Kreddick says, they have to get back to the boat, but zombies are coming out of everywhere, and they’re completely trapped.

Shrike says, Madison is never going to get her father to admit to anything. Madison says, why is that? and picks up a sledgehammer she conveniently found on the way in.

Kreddick shoves the closest zombie away, and gives Shrike a boost to the top of a container. He shoves more zombies, and boosts Ben up.

Madison asks why he won’t answer them.

Ben reaches down, and Kreddick takes his hand, but they slip apart. The zombies start to feed on Kreddick, and he tells Ben, don’t let this die. It’s too important.

Madison smashes the two-way mirror with the sledgehammer.

Kreddick – who, to his credit, is taking this like a champ – says he loves them both. Ben and Shrike watch as the zombies envelop him, and a single tear rolls down Shrike’s cheek.

Madison sees Ben behind the mirror.

Kreddick goes down in a sea of zombies, as Ben cries.

Shrike says, her father can’t answer Madison because her father is dead. She and her brother lost him a long time ago. Dove wanted to ask PADRE for the truth. Go ahead. Ask them. They are PADRE.

Shrike watches the zombies mill around, her father now one of them.

Madison asks how this went from what their father was doing to what they’re doing now. Shrike says, they didn’t know how to go on.

Still on top of a container, Ben brings out a gun and says he found it inside. Shrike takes it, and in a voiceover, she says, what did they even have to go on for? In the past, a guy over the radio Shrike is holding asks if PADRE 1 copies.

Shrike says, but then the universe answered, and Ben says, it was one of the kids from the island. He wanted to know what happened to his parents. They all did. Shrike says, they knew what it would do to the kids if they knew their parents died; how it would break them. Madison says, so they lied, and Shrike says, they told them that their parents abandoned them. Their parents knew they couldn’t take care of them, so they fled. Madison says, and they believed it? and Ben says, their parents left and never came back. What else were they supposed to think? Shrike says, they told the kids that they’d face this new world together without their parents; that they’d be better for it. Madison says, and the shipyard? Those containers? Shrike says, their father died protecting what was inside. They made sure it stayed that way. Madison asks, how? but Ben says, it doesn’t concern her. June asks how they recruited adults. They were just a bunch of kids. Ben says, it was easy. They made them believe he was still here, and they kept on believing it. Dove asks why they lied, and Shrike says, to protect them. Dove asks, from what? and Shrike says, open it. It’s what she wanted. Madison looks through the files until she finds the one for Dove. Shrike says, go on. Tell Dove who she is. Madison sees that her name was Odessa and her mother was Ava Sanderson. She flashes back to Ava saying, she cried when Madison pulled Odessa away from her on the beach. Madison says, no, and Dove asks, what’s wrong? Shrike says, go on. She deserves the truth. Madison says, her name is Odessa, and Dove says, her parents? Madison says she knew Dove’s mother. Her name was Ava. Shrike asks, what happened to Ava? and Madison flashes back to killing zombie Ava. Madison says, she died, and Shrike asks, how? Madison says, she was trying to take Dove back from PADRE, and Shrike asks, who made her believe that was possible? Madison flashes back to telling Ava that they can help her and her baby, and Dove says, her mother is dead because of Madison? She slams Madison up against the wall, and June tells her, no. Dove says, Madison made her believe in something more, and puts her gun to Madison’s head. Shrike says, let her go, but Dove says, she needs to pay for this. Shrike says, she will, but not this way, and Ben radios the guards, telling Dove to stand down. The guards come in, and Madison asks what Shrike is going to do now. Shrike says, they’re going to continue what they started on the train, and June says, like hell they are, but Ben says she doesn’t have a choice. She says, he’s a monster, but Shrike says, she and her brother are protecting these kids from the worst pain of all; the pain of losing a parent. Madison asks what that has to do with the train. The experiments? Ben says, as long as the world is the way it is, children will continue to experience unimaginable loss, but if there’s a cure, that would change everything. Seriously? No one has thought of that before this? Shrike says, they can go back to family, to connection. But in the meantime, they’re going to protect these kids the way they always have. She holds out the microphone to Madison and asks if she wants to tell the kids she rescued the truth. Go ahead. Let the whole island hear… That’s what she thought. The guard takes Madison and June, and Dove leaves with Shrike.

June, Madison, and Dove are on a boat with two guards, Shrike driving. Madison asks what Nick and Alicia were like, and June says she doesn’t think Madison would have recognized them. The boat stops, and Dove says, let’s go. They start to walk through the woods, when Daniel, Mo, and company come out. Daniel says, they’ve got to stop meeting like this. The guards draw their guns, but Daniel says, let their people go, and they’ll walk away. No one has to get hurt. They’ve got another 12 soldiers deep in the woods, and they’ve got their prefects. Shrike says, they wouldn’t, but Daniel asks if she wants to take that chance. Shrike signals the guards, who lower their weapons, and some of Daniel’s group disarm everyone. Diane says, Alex? but Dove says, that’s not her name, and Diane isn’t her mother. Her mother’s dead. Because of Madison. June says, Dove can still have a family, even if it’s not who she thought. She said Madison made her believe in something more. That’s still there. Come with them. Dove doesn’t say anything, and Shrike says, looks like she made her choice. And every other kid on that island is going to make the same one. Remember that. Mo says, no, they won’t, and Madison tells Daniel that she’s sorry. Diane says, this was a mistake; she can’t help them. Daniel says, yes, she can, but Madison says, she’s right. Those kids are never going to follow her; not after everything she’s done. Diane says, not just them, and Madison says she’s not the leader they need. But she thinks she knows who might be. Mo asks, who’s that? and Madison says, your father. They walk off, leaving Shrike and Dove on the path.

Zombies growl behind a metal fence, as Shrike watches them. She asks if Crane copies. He says he does, and she says, he was supposed to meet her. Ben says, after what happened, being out in the open doesn’t seem like a good idea, but she says, they’ve got a bigger problem. The parents know where the island is, which means it’s only a matter of time until they get here. Ben looks at an old photo of him, Shrike, and their father, and says, they’ll destroy everything they’ve built. She says, not if they’re not here. It doesn’t matter if they know who they are. What matters is that what they’ve built survives. He asks how they’re going to do that, and she says, by expanding. They’re going to do what dad said. Ben says, there are thousands of Carrion in that shipyard. Carrion they put there to protect what’s inside. She says, they taught the kids to fight for a reason. It’s time the kids showed them what they’ve learned.

We see tons of zombies in the shipyard.

Next time, Dwight tells Morgan that there’s nowhere to go; Morgan says, they’re trying to burn them out; Mo calls to her dad for help; and Grace says, they’ll kill him if he doesn’t tell them what happened.

🧟‍♀️ Don’t Be a Stranger…

Stop by tomorrow for what’s on Deck, and smack talk about awful people reuniting and talking smack about each other. Until then, stay safe, stay remembering those we’ve lost in service to our country on Memorial Day, and stay knowing that if you ask for the truth, it might not be what you think it is, or what you want to hear.

May 26, 2023 – Willow’s Transplant Begins, B&B Reunion, OC Coming Up, VanderNatter, Begging, Revelations, Who Is It, Fashion Cat, Half a Dozen Quotes Plus One & We Gotta

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Carly tells Sonny that Donna wants pancakes tomorrow, and he says, there’s plenty in the freezer. Carly tells him that Donna also wants to save some for Willow, and he says, it’s a great kid they’ve got. Carly’s phone rings, and she steps out to take it, leaving Sonny alone with the moss bowl🎍. Drew asks if there’s any word from the hospital, but Carly says, no, but they’re about to head over there because she wants to be there when Willow has her procedure. He says, of course (🍷). He’s sending good thoughts. She says, he’s not coming? and he says he thought he should stick around to see if he can dig up any dirt on Tracy to leverage Ned to use his influence on the SEC. She says, they’re going ahead with Plan A, huh? and he says, absolutely. There’s one way out of this, and they’re going to find it. She goes back in the kitchen, and Sonny tosses her a towel, and hands her a bowl to dry.

On the phone, Nina says, the patient’s name is Willow Corinthos… She is family. Nina Reeves. She’s Willow’s mother… Her daughter was scheduled to do a bone marrow transplant, and she just wants to see how she’s doing… She knows they can’t… There’s a knock at the door, and she says she’ll call them back. She tells them, thanks – she hangs up the phone – for nothing. She lets Diane in and says, Diane’s a lawyer. Diane agrees that she is, and Nina asks if there’s any way she can sue the hospital to get information on her daughter. Diane says she never – almost never – gives out free advice, but in this instance she will for the good of everyone involved. If Nina would like to find out about her daughter, ask her. Now will Nina tell Sonny that she’s here; he’s expecting her. Nina says, he’s not here. He had to share some news with Carly. Diane says, that’s right. May I? She says she heard congratulations are in order, and looks at Nina’s ring, adding, for the jeweler.

Anna meets Robert at the MetroCourt, and thanks him for making time in his busy schedule. He says, she made it sound important. Is it a business proposal? She says, personal. Holly. She’s trying to reach Holly, but she’s gone radio silent. Given their last conversation, she’s a little bit concerned something’s happened. Robert says, something has happened, and it’s all his fault.

Tracy says, that’s gratitude for you. After all she went through to get Brook and Chase back together. Olivia says, that explains the serenade on the terrace, and hugs Brook. She says she’s happy for Brook, and Ned says he’s glad Chase finally let Brook out of the doghouse. If only they could all be that lucky. Olivia says, it’s neither the time nor the place, and Brook says, Olivia still can’t think Ned is the one who blew the whistle on Carly and Drew, but Tracy says, of course (🍷) he did, and he deserves a medal. Ned says, no he doesn’t because he didn’t. Brook believes him. Why can’t his own wife? Drew comes in, and Olivia says she’d like to believe Ned. Drew says he’d like to believe Ned too. Just give him one good reason.

Sonny asks how the SEC situation with Carly and Drew is going (didn’t they just have this conversation?), and she says, they’re not going down without a fight. Sonny says his offer still stands. If she wants to turn him in to the Feds, she can. Just let him know what she’s going to do beforehand. She thanks him, but says, it’s too big of a risk, and he says, let him be the judge of that. She says, if the situations were reversed, would he turn her in? He asks what she thinks, when Josslyn walks in and asks, what’s he doing here?

TJ tells Willow that it’s not going to hurt. The donating was the hard part. The transplant itself isn’t that different from a blood transfusion. So all Willow needs to do is sit back and relax. Wiley knocks at the window, and says, hi mommy. Michael calls, and Willow asks, who is this, and how did you get my number? He says, her fan club misses her, but she says, not as much as she misses them. Wiley says he loves her, and she says, her too.

Ned asks how he could do this to Drew and Carly when Willow is so sick. The answer is simple; he couldn’t, and he didn’t. Drew says he would believe Ned, if he hadn’t threatened to do just that, and Olivia says, he’s right. Ned said he was going to do this. Ned tells her, he said he might consider it, which was an empty threat, but even if he had considered it, he never followed through with it. Brook says, that’s enough. Get back to their corners. Shame on Ned. And shame on Drew for focusing on the SEC and that whole mess. None of that matters compared to what Willow is facing today. Tracy says, exactly, and thanks Brook for reminding this family of what’s really important. Why can’t they come together instead of pulling each other apart? Olivia can’t believe this is what it’s come to, and Tracy says, when Brook is the voice of reason, no one is more surprised than she is. Olivia says, and Tracy being the voice of family unity, but Tracy says she’s always advocated for family unity. Drew asks if she didn’t withhold medication from Edward when he was having a heart attack (ha-ha!), and Brook says, she sure did. Ned says, famously, and Tracy says, if there was one person who could attest to her devotion to the well-being and the happiness and the harmony of this family, it would be her granddaughter. Olivia laughs, and says she gets it. Tracy got Brook and Chase back together, and now she wants Brook to feel like she owes her something. Tracy says, it’s not always quid pro quo. There are such things as altruism and sacrifice. Ned asks if Tracy is feeling well, but Olivia says, trust her. Tracy is feeling just fine. How exactly is doing right by her granddaughter’s heart a sacrifice? What exactly did she give up? Or by some chance did she stand to gain something. Brook says, of course (🍷) she’s grateful for her grandmother helping get her and Chase back together – Tracy says, Brook is more than welcome – but like her dad said, kindness in this house usually comes at a price. Ned says, whatever the price was, he hopes she can afford it, and Brook says, let’s just say she’s glad she’s back at work. Olivia asks, what work? and Brook says she’s back at Deception. Ned asks, what about her music? and she says, he knows she can’t sing anymore. He says he thought she was putting together a list of artists to manage. Things were going well, right? Why give that up?

Diane says, maybe she should just wait in the lobby until Sonny gets back, but Nina says, now that she and Sonny are engaged, she was hoping his friends can be her friends. Diane says she might just have to settle for cordial, and Nina says, in the spirit of cordiality, maybe they can get past their differences and try to get along. Diane says, their differences? Like the time she shredded Nina on the stand, and got a judge to deny her visitation to see her grandson? Nina says, Diane was doing her job; it wasn’t personal. Diane says, no, it wasn’t, and Nina says, the least she can do is admire Diane’s skill. Diane says, and she admires Nina’s, and Nina says she doesn’t think Diane is as cynical as she wants the world to believe. Diane says, Nina’s got her. She’s absolutely right. In fact, what Nina sees standing before her is the warm and fuzzy Diane. Nina says, let her just throw something out there. As one woman speaking to another… Diane says she’s going to be charging Sonny for this conversation, but Nina says, this isn’t legal advice. This is just a get to know ya thing. Diane says, now she’s charging him double, and I can totally see her in a Noel Coward play. Nina says she loves her job at Crimson, but it wasn’t until she was in Nixon Falls that she realized the magazine shouldn’t be her whole life. Diane asks if she’s considered a puppy, and Nina says she has a family, a small one; a daughter and two grandchildren who are in her thoughts. Is there someone in Diane’s? Is there anyone special in her life? If not, why? I’ve never thought of it before, but other than Max being a boyfriend for a time, we’ve never seen Diane’s family.

Carly says, Sonny stopped by to talk to Donna, and Donna insisted her daddy make her pancakes. I get distracted by the way they’re standing around the moss bowl🎍, and Josslyn asks if he told Carly that she stopped by his office. Carly says, he did; he did not tell her why. Sonny says, that’s because it was a private matter between Josslyn and him, and Josslyn says, she asked him for a favor, and he said no. Sonny says he told her to have her friend come to him, but they don’t need to rehash this. He’s got to go. He asks Carly to tell Michael and Willow that he’s praying for them, and she says she will. He leaves, and Josslyn says she thought there was a schedule for visitations. Carly says, there is, but some things need to be said face-to-face, and Josslyn says, like what? Carly says, like Sonny and Nina are engaged.

Wiley asks if Willow is coming home, and Willow says she’s going to do her best. TJ scraps his sterile jumpsuit, and Michael asks if there’s anything he can do to make things easier for Willow. TJ says, it looks like he’s already doing it. Seeing all of them is the best medicine she can get. Sasha joins them, and says, looks like a party. She takes the phone, and says, how’s the guest of honor? Willow says, just happy to see everybody, and Sasha suggests she keep the kids entertained so Michael can have some time with Willow. Michael asks if Wiley wants some playtime with Aunt Sasha, and Wiley says he’ll ask Amelia. He whispers to Amelia, then listens, and tells them, she says, yes. Sasha says, let’s do it, and TJ asks if he can join. Sasha says, the more, the merrier, and they leave. Willow thanks Michael for bringing them, and he says he didn’t have much of a choice; Wiley insisted. She says she’s so scared, and he says, him too. One thing he does know is, they didn’t make it this far, they didn’t go to hell and back just to lose each other now. She says she wishes she could kiss him one last time, and he says, she will, but it’s not going to be the last time. This is just the beginning.

Carly tells Josslyn that they need to get to the hospital. Willow’s procedure is starting soon, and she wants to be there for Michael. Josslyn says she doesn’t know if Michael wants to see her right now, and Carly asks, what’s going on? Josslyn says, they had a fight. And now Sonny wants to officially make Nina a member of the family that she set out to destroy? Carly says, first of all, this family is just fine, and Sonny and Nina being engaged is kind of a relief. Josslyn asks how Carly can say that, and Carly says, Sonny’s committed to Nina, and she’s committed to Drew. Josslyn says, so no harm, no foul? but Carly says, there was a lot of harm and a lot of foul, but it’s just like a clean break. Josslyn wonders why Sonny didn’t tell her when she was alone with him in his office, and Carly asks, why would he? He knows how she feels about Nina. Josslyn says she hasn’t made that a secret, and Carly says, the secret here is why Josslyn went to see Sonny in the first place. Josslyn says, she told Carly; she was asking him for a favor. Carly says, Dex, and Josslyn says, yes. She went to see him about Dex. Carly asks, why? Did she want Sonny to give Dex a raise? Josslyn says, no. She wanted Sonny to fire him.

Anna says, so Holly just left town without so much as a farewell, and Robert says, at least she didn’t have to fake an escape from the towering inferno, third degree burns, and hospitalization. This time it was just goodbye. Anna says, it never is just goodbye with the two of them though, is it? and Robert says, they decided you can’t recapture the past, no matter how much you might want to. And this time when they said their farewells, they really meant them. Anna takes his hand, and says, sorry. Did Holly tell him about Ethan? Robert says, yeah, and all the trouble he’s in, and she asks if Holly told him that she was willing to go back to the Bureau to pay off his debts. He says, apparently, she decided on a shortcut. A deal with the devil… Selina Wu. He told her there were alternatives; that he wanted to help. She doesn’t want him involved. Anna says, Holly’s protecting him, which proves she still does really care about him. He says, caring was never the issue, and she asks, what is the issue? Is her name Diane?

Diane tells Nina that she’s sorry. There seems to be some kind of confusion that she wants to dispel Nina of. They’re not friends, and as such, questions into her personal life and relationships are unwelcome. She knows Nina is going through a tough time, wanting to see Willow and not being able to do so. She feels for Nina. Nina say she gets it. She’s never been able to make friends very easily. Just so Diane knows, she’d be with Willow right now. She’d be in the hospital room if she didn’t owe Sonny so much. She didn’t want to run into Carly or Michael, and have another clash. She doesn’t want to make Sonny’s life more complicated than she already has. Diane says she admires that restraint, and just so Nina knows, she hopes Nina really does make him happy. Nina says she does, when Sonny walks in and asks if everything is okay. Diane says, yeah. Congratulations. Sonny says, thanks, and Nina asks how it went with Carly and Donna. He says he and Donna made pancakes, and Diane suggests they talk in private, but Sonny says he was going to tell Nina anyway. Diane says, there’s talk going around town, but Sonny already knows that, and Sonny says, it looks like the DOJ may have made Carly an offer. Nina asks if they’re pressuring Carly to turn on Drew, but Sonny says, no. They’re pressuring Carly to turn on him.

Drew says, it’s no secret how Brook feels about music. She must have had a compelling reason to go back to Deception. Brook says, after all the craziness with Linc, she was craving stability and a little less drama, and Ned says, but she really enjoyed being a manager, and she was damn good at it. Brook says she realized she wants to write music, not manage it, and working back at Deception allows her the freedom to do that. Drew says, she’s got romance, she’s got freedom, she’s got creativity. It’s almost like she has her own fairy godmother. He looks at Tracy, and Brook says, you could say that. Drew asks if Tracy doesn’t wish she had one. She could wish herself straight back to Amsterdam. Tracy says she could also buy a plane ticket, and everyone says, don’t let us stop you, in unison. Tracy says, wow. If she didn’t know better, she’d say her loving family couldn’t wait to get rid of her. Drew says, come on. They don’t feel that way… Do you? Everyone gives soap looks.

Tracy says, as much as she hates disappointing her loved ones, she has no plans on leaving any time soon. Don’t all cheer at once. Brook says she’s glad Tracy is here, and not just because Tracy helped get her and Chase back together. Tracy tells her that she’d say she did a little more than help, and Olivia says, and she has. Ned says, repeatedly, and Brook says, Tracy is always there when she needs her, even if it’s just to tell her no. Tracy asks when she’s ever denied Brook anything, and Ned says, this is all too much. Olivia says, on that happy note, she has to go. Big meeting at the MetroCourt. Tracy says, no words of reassurance for her mother-in-law? and Olivia says she has plenty of words for Tracy.

Ned follows Olivia out, and tells her that he’s not the one who turned them in. How can he convince her? Olivia says, as it happens, she ran into Carly at the MetroCourt last night. It was pretty tense. Carly was demanding to know why she didn’t kick him to the curb. He says, maybe because he’s her husband, and she says, and Carly’s her best friend. That’s not nothing. And asks much as she wants to believe him, the thing she can’t get out of her mind, he flat out accused Carly and Drew of insider trading, and the next thing anybody knows, somebody blows the whistle. He says, somebody, but not him.

Nina says, to think she felt sorry for Carly that she has to worry about Michael and Willow during all this, and now she’s going to throw Sonny under the bus to save herself? Sonny says, she won’t, but Nina asks how he can know that. Diane says she really thinks she and Sonny… but Sonny says, no. He wants Nina to hear it. It’s not the first time the Feds have come after him using someone who’s close to him. Nina says she knows Carly told him that she wouldn’t do it, but what else is she going to say? He’s making pancakes for the daughter he shares with her. She had to have been tempted. He says he told her that she should do it. The Feds come after him, he’s prepared. She made it clear she won’t do it. Nina says, what if the Feds come to Carly and make her choose between her children and him?

Michael tells Sasha that Willow’s asking for her, and she leaves. TJ says he should go check on the preparations. He’ll see Michael in a minute, and Michael sees Wiley coloring. He says he’s going to let Wiley in on a little secret. Color outside the lines. That hardly seems Michael type advice.

Carly asks if Dex wants out or does Josslyn want Dex out. Josslyn says, Dex wants out, and Carly says, then Dex can tell Sonny himself. Josslyn tells her, that’s what Sonny said, and Carly says, sounds like Sonny. What did Dex say? Josslyn says, he wasn’t happy about it at first, but… Carly says, he knew her heart was in the right place. Is this what’s going on with her and Michael? Josslyn says, Michael just doesn’t approve of her and Dex, and Carly says, overprotective big brother. Josslyn says, something like that, but if he needs them, that’s all that matters, and Carly says, he needs them. So let’s go.

Willow picks up the phone, and Sasha says, she rang? Willow says she did. She thought if anyone could understand, it was Sasha. She remembers when Sasha was in isolation. Sasha says she hated it, but she made it through, and so will Willow. Willow says, ever since she’s been in here, she’s felt like a soldier in a foxhole, and Sasha says, that just means Willow is a fighter, which they already knew. Willow says, it got her thinking. You hear about soldiers that with their last dying breath, call out for their mothers. If worse comes to worse, who does she call out for? The mother who raised her and turned out to be a fraud and a murderer, or the mother who gave birth to her and couldn’t stand her until she found out they were related? Sasha doesn’t need to answer that; she’s just being silly. Sasha says, it’s not silly. It’s just something she won’t know until it happens, and it’s not going to. Willow says, they don’t know that, but Sasha says, they know they’re in the homestretch. So don’t think about dying; think about living. Think about Michael and Wiley and Amelia. Think about all the people who love her so much, and need her. Today is just like any other day in her life, except she’s been given a great gift. Willow knows how precious life is, and how quickly it can disappear, so she can be the soldier who fights for every breath, for every second, and win. Willow says, no wonder Sasha was such a hit on TV. She can sell anything. Even hope.

Carly and Josslyn find Michael, and Carly asks if they missed the kids. Michael says, the nanny just took them home, but Wiley left him a crayon so he wouldn’t miss mommy. Carly says she loves Wiley, and she loves Michael so much. He says he loves her too, and they hug. He says, hi to Josslyn, and Carly says, everything is okay, right? Josslyn says, everything is fine. All that matters is that Willow gets better, right? Michael says, right.

Sonny says, Carly isn’t giving him up, and Nina says she’s sure he knows best. She has to go to the MetroCourt. She loves him. Just let her know how he is; let her know how Willow is. He says he’ll keep her posted. Willow is in good hands; so is he. Nina leaves, and Sonny tells Diane, go ahead. Tell him what she knows that he doesn’t.

Robert says, Holly’s a friend, and Anna says, he comes barging into her house, when she’s jetlagged and exhausted, demanding they talk. He bites Valentin’s head off, all because, she thinks, he’s love torn. He says he had a moment of weakness, but she says, no, he was flummoxed about how two bright, beautiful women could be interested in him. He says he wasn’t flummoxed or love torn, and she says, conflicted, confused, whatever. She thinks maybe Holly did him a favor by bowing out. Because while it might be disappointing not to have two women vying for his affections, on the bright side, he still does have one.

Olivia says she’s doing her best to stand by Ned. She knows how much ELQ means to him, and she knows how hurt he was when he felt pushed aside. He says he sided with Valentin because it was the right thing to do for ELQ. Yes, he lashed out when he thought the company – their family legacy – was being threatened by a hostile takeover, but he’s not a snitch and he’s going to prove it to her. She asks what he’s going to do, and he says, show her once and for all that he’s the man she married; a man deserving of her love and her trust. He kisses her, and she asks him to promise her that he’s not going to do anything stupid. She leaves, and Tracy says, that’s touching, but if he asks her, he’s wasting his time.

Drew says he gets the impression Brook is less than thrilled having her grandmother back, and she says she loves her grandmother, and owes her big time. He says, for helping her and Chase get back together, and she asks where he heard about that. He says, the tenth or eleventh time it was said, he picked up on it, and Brook says, she can be very generous, and he says, but? She says, but her grandmother’s generosity usually comes with a price.

Olivia asks if she’s late or Nina is early, and Nina tells her, let’s just say, we’re both here at exactly the right moment. Olivia says she’ll take it. She sees Nina’s ring, and says, that’s quite a rock. She sees why Nina and Sonny were in such a good mood last night. Nina says, they’re engaged, and Olivia says, congratulations. She wishes them every happiness, and Nina thanks her. She says, in case Olivia was wondering, Sonny already told the news to Carly and Donna, and they all made pancakes together. Olivia says, so Carly’s taking it in stride, and Nina says, apparently. She’s sure Carly will tell Olivia how she really feels, given how close they are. Olivia says, not anymore. Carly can’t understand why she hasn’t kicked Ned to the curb for what he did to her and Drew. Nina asks, what did Ned say? and Olivia says, Ned swears up and down he didn’t turn them in to the SEC, and Nina asks if Olivia believes him. Olivia says she’d really like to, but she keeps asking herself; if Ned didn’t do it, who did?

Diane says, it’s just a rumor, but Sonny said himself, it’s not the first time the Feds have come after him using someone close to him, and who’s closer to him than Carly? Sonny asks if the rumors say who gave up Carly and Drew, and Diane says, no. The insider trading tip was anonymous, but there’s a strong suspicion that it was Ned Quartermaine. He tells her, that’s what Carly says, but why would Ned do that to Carly and Drew a year after the fact? Now that the Feds are involved, he thinks Carly and Drew are just a means to an end. Diane says, so he thinks the Feds have been monitoring him, and saw Drew and Carly mess up, and pointed the SEC in her direction in order to pressure her to flip on him? That would mean there was no insider tip, and this whole thing was just an excuse to get this investigation rolling. That means the SEC is doing the Justice Department a favor. Sonny says, maybe, but he’s not letting Ned off the hook just yet, because he’s more than capable of stabbing Drew and Carly in the back. Do him a favor. Find out how and why the Feds got involved. Anything she can come up with. She says she’s pretty much exhausted all her resources, and he says, what about the DA? She says, Robert Scorpio? Why would the District Attorney of Port Charles have any information as to the government’s investigation? He says, it’s no secret that Robert has strong ties to DC through the Bureau, and she asks, what makes him think Robert would tell her? He says, because she’s the best. She has a way of being persuasive. She says she has to go, and he says, to see Carly? She says, confidential. She can’t possibly tell him. And as for Robert Scorpio, she’ll think about it. Before she goes, he tells her, don’t think too long. She leaves, and Sonny tells the guard, bring the car around now.

Carly and Josslyn come to the window, and Michael says, more of Willow’s fan club. Carly takes the phone, and says, they just want to tell her how much they love her. Josslyn says, she’s the best sister-in-law ever. Willow says, back at her, and TJ says he’s sorry, but he means it this time. Everyone leaves except Michael, and he says he had a speech planned, all these things he was going to say, but right now all that matters is she knows how much he loves her. She says she loves him too, and he leaves. She hangs up the phone, and tells TJ that she’s ready.

Robert tells Anna that as far as he knows, Diane isn’t interested anymore, beyond them sparring in court. Diane comes in, and Anna says, why doesn’t he ask her? She’s going to take her cue. She leaves, and Diane and Robert look at each other.

Nina says, for what it’s worth (🍷), she’s sorry Olivia has cause to doubt Ned, and Olivia says, her too. Nina tells her, she can’t believe she’s saying this, but poor Carly and Drew to be put in this position, and Olivia says, what position? Nina says, it’s just rumors; she shouldn’t have said anything. Olivia says, where there’s smoke, there’s fire, and knowledge is power. Why doesn’t Nina tell her the rumors, and she’ll decide for herself if she wants to believe them. Nina tells her, like she said, it’s just talk, but it seems like the government is using Carly and Drew’s legal problems to get to Sonny.

In the foyer, Ned asks if Tracy is home to stay, and she asks if that would be a problem. He says, of course (🍷) not, but you know what they say about idle hands. She says, don’t worry. She knows how to stay busy. He says, that’s what he’s afraid of.

Brook says, what makes Drew think he owes Tracy anything? and he says, maybe because she was trying so hard to sell everybody on the joys of being back at Deception. She says she loves her job; it’s steady and plays to her strengths. He says he knows what music means to her, writing it and managing artists, so if anything or anyone is making her choose… Tracy comes in and says she needs to borrow her granddaughter, and Drew leaves, turning to look at Brook before going out the door.

Sasha says, Willow may look fragile, but she’s tough as nails, and Michael thanks her for coming. She asks him to call her when Willow’s awake, and leaves. Josslyn says, Sasha’s right. Willow is unstoppable. Carly tells Michael that he and Willow love each other like crazy. Now there’s Wiley and Amelia, and their love is stronger than ever. Don’t forget that. She hugs him, and Sonny walks in.

TJ asks if Willow is ready, and she says she can’t wait. He tells her, like he said before, all she needs to do is sit back and relax. Let the bone marrow do its thing. If all goes well, she’ll have nothing but healthy cells in her body, and a whole new lease on life. The transplant begins, and Willow flashes back to bringing Amelia home, and telling Wiley that Amelia will need his help.

On (presumably) Tuesday, Curtis says he has two choices, give up or give in; Portia says she has other options; Spencer says, it’s funny how your life can change in an instant; and Drew says, the less someone knows, the better.

🕺🏻 Still Duke To Me…

He’s allowed in the clubhouse since he was once on GH.

🍊 What Happens In the OC…

Frankly, I was glad to see Tamra go. Now we have to watch her very lit throughout the season. Cringing at the thought.

🍸 Welcome To the Cheap Seats…

He’s not just the most awful human being on earth, a title once only held by Jax, he’s also an idiot.

Another genius and more tidbits.

About that open relationship thing.

Brittany deserves to be heard. Apparently she tamed the previously reigning king of awful people. Maybe. We’ll see.

🍑 Will Work For Hair Extensions…

I could definitely see her at the casino. It kind of bummed me out when the news of their divorce broke. Surprisingly, I liked their Don’t Be Tardy show with its kookie family vibe. Oh well.

👨🏻‍💼 Likes and Dislikes…

Andy reveals all. Well, some anyway.

⚰️ Guessing Game…

Something to ponder.

🐈‍⬛ Karl’s Furry Muse…

It’s not always about the dog… although it should be. (Just kidding. Kind of.)

🐡 Quotes of the Week

Ends are not bad things, they just mean that something else is about to begin. And there are many things that don’t really end, anyway, they just begin again in a new way. Ends are not bad and many ends aren’t really an ending; some things are never-ending. – C. JoyBell C.

When you’re through changing, you’re through. – Martha Stewart

The reading of all good books is like a conversation with the finest minds of past centuries.René Descartes

If we command our wealth, we shall be rich and free; if our wealth commands us, we are poor indeed. – Edmund Burke

Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.Albert Einstein

Animals are such agreeable friends — they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms. – George Eliot

🪦 By hero, we tend to mean a heightened man who, more than other men, possesses qualities of courage, loyalty, resourcefulness, charisma, above all, selflessness. He is an example of right behavior; the sort of man who risks his life to protect his society’s values, sacrificing his personal needs for those of the community. Paul Zweig

🙃 And In Confusion…

Enjoy your long weekend if weekends are on your agenda in this new world. If not, enjoy whatever you want to call it. Join me on Monday really Tuesday for what’s on Deck and a reunion of awful Summer people – GH will be a rerun. Until then, stay safe, stay not chewing with your mouth open, and stay remembering, it’s not always quid pro quo. There are such things as altruism and sacrifice.

May 25, 2023 – Curtis Picks a Lane, Backstory, Are They On, The Usual, VanderTalk, Future Fear, Shark Host, Pets (!) Celebrate & Dream

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Donna runs into Sonny’s old kitchen – the moss bowl🎍 displayed prominently – and hugs him. She asks if he’s going to have breakfast with her and mommy, but he says, that depends on what’s on the menu. Carly says, what else? Something from a box. Sonny tells Donna to get dressed and they’ll figure something else out. Donna runs out, and Sonny says he should have asked Carly if it was all right first, but she says, it’s fine. He says he has news, and she says, let her guess; he’s getting married. He says, she heard, but she says she saw. She was at the MetroCourt last night. She guesses congratulations are in order.

Nina tells Ava that she has no choice. She has one option. It’s time for the gloves to come off. She can’t continue to let Carly come between her and her family. Ava says, which is why Nina stupidly and compulsively sicced the SEC on her when it could definitely backfire, and tank not only her relationship with Sonny, but any potential relationship with her daughter. Nina says she knows. She has to make sure the charges against Carly stick, and that she goes away for a good, long time.

TJ leaves another message for Molly, and says he won’t keep blowing up her phone. He just didn’t remember if he said he was sorry in that last message, but he is, and he loves her. Just call him back, or even better, come home. There’s a knock at the door, and he opens it to Stella. He says, this is a surprise, and she says, and by the look on his face, not a welcome one. He says, just the opposite. She’s exactly who he needs. They hug.

TempMolly into Alexis’s house, and hugs her, crying. Sam asks, what’s wrong? and Molly says, everything’s falling apart.

TJ says he’s always happy to see Stella, and she says, something’s weighing on him. She can tell. What is it?

Jordan says, Portia is giving her way too much credit, but Portia says she’s actually not giving Jordan enough. Jordan tells her, stop. She’s not the person Portia thinks she is. Portia says, that’s dramatic, and Jordan says she just means she doesn’t deserve all this praise, especially considering what she’s done. Portia asks, why? What has she done? Curtis comes out of the elevator.

Sam says she thought Alexis said everything was fine. Alexis says, it’s not life-threatening. Everything is going to be fine. Molly hugs her again, when Kristina comes out, and asks, what’s wrong? Molly says she’s been diagnosed with endometriosis, and Alexis says, so the biopsy confirmed it. Kristina asks, how bad is it? and Molly says, it’s not good. It’s not going to kill her or anything, but it’s when the tissue from the uterus grows outside the uterus. Sam says she’s heard of it. It’s really painful, isn’t it? Molly says, it can be. It comes and goes. Sam says she’s so sorry, and Kristina says, me too. Alexis says, me three, and Sam asks what they can do for her. Molly says, that’s just it; there’s nothing to do. Kristina says, the doctors can give her something for the pain, right? and Molly says, the pain is manageable. It’s the rest. She and TJ may never be able to have a baby.

TJ says, he and Molly have been trying to get pregnant, and Stella says, that’s wonderful… but she’s guessing they’re having a hard time. He says, they just found out because of medical challenges, it might not happen for them, and she says she’s so sorry. She can see he’s heartbroken, and she imagines Molly is too. He says, and he didn’t know.

Portia tells Curtis that she was just thanking Jordan for all she did for Trina, but of course (🍷) she’s too humble to accept it. Curtis says he does appreciate Jordan running interference while they were on the island, and Jordan says, and while she was safe in Port Charles, he was the one in harm’s way. Portia says she thanks them both. Because of their team work, Trina’s home. A nurse approaches them, and says she has a question for Portia about a patient. Portia says, of course (🍷), and leaves with her. Curtis asks what he walked in on. It looked like Jordan was about to say something to Portia. Jordan says, about their kiss? She considered it. He asks her to promise him she won’t do that, and she says, why? Because he’s still not sure what it meant? Or because he decided it didn’t matter? Anna joins them, and after saying hello to her, Curtis says he should get going. He leaves, and Anna says, the air’s a bit charged in here.

Curtis walks over to Portia, and she asks if he needs her. He says, that’s exactly what he’s been trying to figure out.

Nina tells Ava that she’s been assured by Martin that no one will find out she was behind the anonymous tip; she’d be protected. Ava says, from the government finding out maybe, but there are people in Port Charles can put two and two together. Nina says she gets that. That’s why she needs Carly gone. Without Carly looming over everything, she has a clear path to be with Sonny, and try to forge a relationship with her daughter. Ava says, she’s dreaming big, and Nina says, why not? Doesn’t she get to be happy? To be with the man she loves and try to get to know her daughter? Why does Carly get the storybook ending while the rest of us are left with nothing?

Sonny says he knows Nina’s not Carly’s first choice, and Carly says, it’s not her choice. It’s Sonny’s life and he’s got to live it. He says, that’s the plan, and she asks why he came by, to fill her in? He says he wanted to tell Donna and the moss bowl🎍, but he didn’t know if Carly wanted him to do it alone or if they should do it together. She asks, what’s the rush? Did he and Nina set a date? He says, nothing like that. It’s just that Avery saw Nina’s engagement ring. She says, they all know how Avery likes to spread the good news, and he says he’s going to tell all his kids, obviously, but he didn’t want to tell Donna without talking to her first. She says she’ll follow his lead, and he says, she’s refolding towels she already folded. She tells him that she’s really distracted right now, and he asks if she wants to tell him why.

Carly says, Sonny just missed Diane. Diane was here discussing the SEC’s case against her. He says he asked Josslyn about that, and she asks where he saw Josslyn. He asks if Diane has a good defense teed up, and she says, unfortunately, the case against her is very strong, so even a lawyer as skilled as Diane has an uphill battle ahead. He says, there’s a chance the SEC was pointed at her to get to him.

TJ tells Stella, they were both blindsided. They went from this vague idea of wanting to start family in the future, to realizing they want a child now, to finding out they can’t – at least not the conventional way. She says, it’s a delicate subject matter for sure, even for partners like him and Molly who have been together forever. He says he keeps sticking his foot in his mouth, and she says, here’s the thing. Yes, this is happening to both of them, but right now, Molly can’t see that. This is agony for her. The sensible woman he’s used to is still there, but this could take her a while to find her way. He says, so what does he do? and she says, nothing but pray.

Molly says, as to the severity of her condition, the chances of conceiving are incredibly low, but Kristina says, not impossible though, right? Molly tells them, it wasn’t actually said, but strongly implied, and Sam says she’s sorry. Alexis asks what they can do, but Kristina says, nothing, right Molly? Molly is the one who always has everything figured out. Molly says, not this time, and Kristina says she’s sure the doctor gave Molly and TJ other options, like adoption and IVF… Alexis makes a cutting motion, and says, not at this time, but Kristina says, it’s Molly they’re talking about. She identifies the problem, then boom… Molly tells Kristina, just stop, and walks out. Kristina wonders what she said.

Anna asks if Jordan wants to talk about it, but Jordan says she doesn’t want to keep Anna from whatever she came here to do. Anna says she’s finished with her phlebotomy, and has a little time before her next debrief with the WSB, and Jordan asks how she’s feeling. Anna was still recuperating in the hospital when she charged off to Greenland. Anna says she feels like a million bucks, but Jordan doesn’t look so good after whatever that thing was with Curtis. Jordan says she’s tried to move on; to get over Curtis and put the whole marriage in the rearview. Anna asks how that’s working for her, and Jordan says she guesses what they say is accurate; objects in the mirror may be closer than they appear.

Portia asks why everyone is talking in riddles today, and Curtis asks what she means. She says, Jordan alluded to doing something wrong, and when she asked what it was, Jordan wouldn’t say. He says, she knows how by-the-book Jordan tries to be. She had to bend a lot of professional rules to help Trina. Portia says, maybe. Is he going to leave her hanging too? He says, no. He wants to talk about him and her.

Alexis goes outside, and Kristina asks Sam to tell her what she did wrong, since she’s become so skilled at it. Sam says she’s sorry. Kristina is really excited about her project, and she… Kristina says, completely rained on her parade, and Sam says, yes. Kristina says, Sam made some decent points, and Sam says she knows, but it was the wrong time and place. She actually learned something from mom, that sometimes encouragement is better than a fix. Kristina says, which is exactly the mistake she just made with Molly.

Alexis tells Molly, she meant well. Her execution left a little to be desired, that’s all. Molly says she knows. Krissy isn’t the problem. She’s just feeling a little overwhelmed right now in the most unfamiliar way. She hates it. Alexis says, because she feels not in control, but Molly says, because she feels like a failure.

Stella brings TJ coffee, and says, it’s one of those situations where it’s all you can do. No actions to take; certainly no one to blame. He says, but Molly’s blaming herself, and Stella says, right now she is. Right now, she’s up, she’s down, she’s all over the place. She’s mourning a dream. He is too, and she’s not trying to minimize that, but as a woman… He says, it’s different, and she says, yes. The best advice she can give him is to know that. Molly is going through something really difficult that he can’t fully understand, but he can love her. Keep reminding her of that. Just be there. He says, that, he can do.

Jordan wonders if Anna remembers when she asked for advice last summer, and Anna says, Jordan asked if she’d ever come clean to an ex about something that would impact his relationship. She’s assuming by whatever’s going on with Curtis and Portia, that information came out. Jordan says, Anna suggested she question her motivation for revealing the truth, and yes, she wanted to protect Curtis, but that wasn’t the only reason. So ultimately, she didn’t tell him. Anna says, but someone did. Is that why things are tense between the two of them? He’s angry with her because she stayed silent? Jordan says, Curtis is far from angry, and now there’s a new secret weighing on her conscience.

Curtis asks if Portia has time to talk, and she says, he’s her husband. If she doesn’t have time, she’ll make time. He says his experience in Greenland got him to thinking, and she says she was afraid she was never going to see him again. He says, same here. He doesn’t want to leave anything between them unsaid.

Ava tells Nina, Carly may be on her way to prison for insider trading. She hardly calls that a storybook ending. Nina says, Carly needs to do some serious time. Let’s not forget, she’s going to prison for something she actually did. Ava says, and she’ll be conveniently out of Nina’s way, and Nina says, finally Carly won’t be swooping in every time she tries to have a conversation with Willow. Ava says, she doesn’t have an issue with Carly going away; her issue is with Nina blowing up her own life to make that happen.

Sonny tells Carly that he has business dealings with a group of people who have very powerful enemies. In government, he thinks, and they’ve targeted him at least once that he knows of. Now he thinks they’re coming after Carly to get to him. Carly asks how that would work, and Sonny says, the SEC only started coming after her after he started dealing with these people. Carly says, that explains the timing. Why months after the failed merger, the SEC started asking her questions. He says, somebody’s playing the long game. They’re threatening her so she’ll flip on him. Once he’s out of the picture, it compromises the people he’s working with. She says she gets it, except for Ned. Sometimes the simplest solution is the truth. Ned threatened to turn her and Drew in to the SEC, and he did it. Sonny says, at some point, the justice system is going to figure out that by her being in trouble is the easiest way to get to him. She tells him, Diane says that’s already happening, and he says, based on what? She says, on confirmed intel here in the DA’s office, and Sonny says, they’re talking on a federal level, right? Carly tells him that the US Attorney may cut a deal if she turns state’s evidence against him, and he says, do it. He can get through this. He’ll be in court, he’ll fight the charges. She says, he doesn’t know that. He can’t control the narrative. He says he has Diane. She’s fantastic. She’ll get him through it. Carly says, no. She appreciates his nobility, but no. He says, this has nothing to do with being noble, but she says, yes, it’s noble. She appreciates him stepping up for her, especially given their recent history, but no. It’s a hard no.

Sonny says, Carly’s not thinking this through, and she says, it’s all she’s been thinking about. He says, it’s too late to roll the dice, but she says she’s not. He asks what he’s supposed to do. Just let the mother of his children go to prison? She says, it’s not like she’s going to Pentenville. Even if she goes down for insider trading, it’ll be a minimum security situation for a couple of years. It won’t be fun. She’ll hate it. She’ll hate being away from her kids, but hell, she’s been through worse. He says, so it’s either/or. Unless Diane pulls a rabbit out of her hat, Carly is either going to have to turn him into the Feds or do time. She says, there’s another option. Turn on Drew.

Ava asks if Nina is really willing to risk the possible consequences just to get revenge, and Nina says, it’s not about revenge… Okay, maybe when it all first started, it was about revenge, but it’s not anymore. It’s such a mess, and she’s just trying to hold on to her relationship and trying to build a foundation with her daughter. Unless Ava doesn’t want that for her. Ava says, stop it. Of course (🍷) she does. She’s on Nina’s side. She’s made some hasty and regrettable decisions; decisions that have had real ramifications. She just wants to make sure Nina is considering what hers might be. Nina says, she knows. If the end result is for her daughter to not turn to Carly, and God willing, turn to her, any ramifications are worth it.

Kristina says she feels terrible, but Sam says, don’t. Kristina was just trying to encourage Molly. She gets it, and she’s sure Molly will too. Kristina says she’s never seen Molly like that, and Sam says, she knows, but fertility issues are a whole different beast. It’s like being dropped down into the most barren and inhospitable place, and you’re thinking it’s your fault you’re there. Kristina says she forgets sometimes that Sam struggled to get pregnant, and Sam says, that’s something she’ll never forget, but I still can’t remember it. Kristina says, this is crazy. She can’t possibly think it’s her fault. Sam says, she does. Kristina’s right, she shouldn’t, but she does. Her body is betraying her. it’s the worst, most isolating feeling ever. So their rational, level-headed Molly isn’t going to be so rational about this. It’s not possible.

Alexis says, it’s not her fault, and Molly says she knows that intellectually. Alexis says, feeling it’s another thing, and Molly says, what if she’d gone to the doctor sooner? What if she’d taken charge of her health the way she’s taken charge of everything else in her life? Maybe this wouldn’t be happening. Alexis says, maybes aren’t going to help anything right now, because the truth is, she’ll never know. So the important thing is to just stay in the here and now. Molly says she despises the here and now, and Alexis asks how TJ is handling it. Molly says, just another area where she screwed up, and Alexis says, there’s no sure way to navigate this. Molly says, TJ is worried about her. He’s surprised she suffered in silence for so long, which is when she got super defensive, and then came here. Alexis says, this is raw. It’s going to take some time, and Molly has to give it some time. She knows Molly and TJ will figure it out. Molly says, you know something strange? A few months ago, it wasn’t even something she was sure she wanted. Alexis says, to be pregnant? and Molly says, they’d talked about having kids, but it was way down the list. So why is she so devastated?

Stella asks what she can do for TJ, and he says, she can distract him. What brought her back to town? She says, family of course (🍷). How’s Curtis? TJ says, she hasn’t been to see him yet? and she says, this was her first stop. He says, getting the lay of the land, and she asks if she’s that obvious. He says, only to him, and she says she felt badly about the conversation she had with Trina the night of the wedding. the whole reason she skipped the ceremony was so she wouldn’t complicate things, and she ended up complicating them anyway. He says, it’s not her fault; the truth was bound to come out. She says she’s sorry she ran off, and at the worst possible time. First, all the upheaval with the family, then the craziness with Trina getting kidnapped? He says, inadvertently, but yeah, and she says, when she read about what happened on that ship, she had to come back. He says, thank God everyone’s in one piece, except for Victor Cassadine. She says, good riddance. So did the ordeal bring everyone closer together? He says, Trina’s back at home. Things seem to be fine between her and Portia. Stella says, what about Curtis and Portia? and he says, that’s another story.

Anna says, you guys kissed? and Jordan says, it would have gone even further if she hadn’t stopped it. Anna says, wow. What does she think this means? Jordan says, that’s the problem; she doesn’t know. What’s worse is, she doesn’t think Curtis knows either.

Curtis and Portia go to her office, and Curtis says, he and Portia have been in limbo for a while now, and he doesn’t want it to go on any longer. She asks what that means. That he’s decided to forgive her, or is he saying he’s officially ending things?

Ava says, it sounds like Nina’s mind is made up, and Nina says, it is. Ava asks, what’s the plan? How is she going to make things worse for Carly than she’s already made them? Nina says she’s still figuring things out. Ava is going to think she’s callous, but from what she understands, Diane is only Carly’s attorney. Ava says, so Drew has separate representation, and Nina says, right. So it’s going to be tough to present a united front when you’re being advised by different attorneys. She thinks that’s fertile ground for miscommunication and mistrust to grow. Ava says, Nina wants to break up Drew and Carly, but Nina says, it’s bigger than that. She wants Drew to believe Carly will turn on him, so he turns on her first.

Carly says, Sonny is definitely the biggest get, but the CEO of a big company and a Quartermaine; Drew has a target on his back too. Sonny says, too bad she won’t consider it either, but she says, no, not for a second. She’s guilty. He says, that’s never mattered before, and she says she did it. She got insider information, and she acted on it. Despite Michael and Drew telling her not to. He says, probably because they told her not to, and she says she’s not going to let someone else pay for her mistakes. He asks where that leaves her. When it comes to prison, it doesn’t matter the level of security, it’s not an option.

Kristina hates that she made Molly feel worse, but Sam says, she didn’t mean to. Kristina says, maybe not consciously, but if she’s being honest, she’s still licking her wounds from their previous conversation. Molly would never do something like this. She would never try to execute a half-baked plan like this, and she’s envious of that. Sam says, they’re all envious of how big Kristina dreams. She and Molly wish their imaginations stretched as far. Kristina says, they’re envious of how strong Sam is. She’s the most resilient Davis… Sam says she doesn’t know about that, and Kristina says, at least Sam and Molly aren’t the ones keeping mom up at night. Sam says she can assure Kristina, as a mother, you worry about all your kids all the time. It’s part of the job. Kristina says, what if Molly never gets to do that job? and Sam says, then they’re going to have her back, like they always do. She puts her arm around Kristina.

Alexis says, if she could take the pain away from Molly, she would, but she can’t. She’s Molly’s mother, but she was a lawyer. Molly says, that’s relevant how? and Alexis says, as Molly’s mother, she can console her, but as a coach, she can help Molly game this out. So tell her, who does  she need more right now? Molly falls into Alexis’s arms, and cries. Alexis says, mommy it is.

Stella asks if TJ thinks Portia and Curtis are over, but he says he doesn’t know. All he knows is, Curtis still hasn’t moved back home. She says she was afraid of that. Curtis has always placed a premium on transparency. TJ says, that’s basically why Curtis and his mom got divorced, and she says, speaking of Jordan. Was Curtis upset to find out she knew about Trina? He says, Curtis was hurt, but he also understood it wasn’t his mom’s story to tell, and she says, it sounds like Curtis is on better terms with his ex-wife than his current wife.

Jordan tells Anna, Curtis was so insistent that he not tell Portia about their kiss. It’s like she’s gone from being his ex-wife to being his dirty little secret. Anna says she sees how that would sting, but her instinct is telling her that this whole situation is confusing for everyone involved, and that Curtis is trying to navigate it without hurting anyone. Jordan says, it’s impossible. Whether he decides to give their relationship another chance, or chooses to go back with Portia, one of them is going to get hurt. Deeply.

Portia tells Curtis that she knows she made a monumental mistake, but she won’t accept the end of their marriage. Marcus told her that she should fight for what she wants, and what she wants is him. She wants to fight for him, for them, for what they’ve built together. Please don’t throw it away. He says he doesn’t intend to. There’s a lot to sort through. He can’t guarantee there’s a way forward for them, but they’ll never know unless they try. She asks what that looks like. Dating? Therapy? He says, let’s start with me moving back home.

Molly comes back inside with Alexis, and Kristina says she’s sorry. What she should have said is, she loves Molly and she’s here for anything Molly needs. Sam says, they all are, and Alexis says, always. Molly thanks them, and says she’s sorry for being so on edge. Sam tells her not to apologize. What she’s going through is real and heavy, and she gets to feel all the feelings. Molly says, some more pleasant than others, and Sam says, they’re in her corner, putting her arm around Molly. Kristina says, Davis girls unite, and they put their hands together. Alexis joins them, and Molly says she prays she and TJ have a family, but even if it never happens, she’s so grateful for the family she already has.

TJ hugs Stella, and says he’s so happy she’s back. She says, here’s hoping his uncle feels the same way, and TJ says, of course (🍷) he will. She says she’s not so sure, but she does know this. Whether it’s TJ and Molly, Curtis and Portia, or this family that needs mending, love is always worth fighting for. She kisses him on the cheek, and leaves.

Portia says, Curtis is coming back home? and he says, unless she has any objections. She says, objections? No. She’s been hoping and praying for this. He says, then he’ll move his things in right away. He’ll be staying in the guest room. She says, if that’s what he thinks is best, and he says he does, but if that’s not enough for her… She says, it’s plenty. She just wants him back home, and will do whatever it takes to make it happen. It’s not about pride for her. He says, it’s not going to happen overnight, and she says she can be patient. Because she knows it’s just the first step to them becoming a family again.

Jordan thanks Anna for listening, and Anna says, of course (🍷). Anytime. Jordan says she didn’t mean to make Anna late for her meeting, and Anna says, Jordan makes it sound so civil. And mutual, as if she has a choice in the matter. Jordan asks if she’s worried, and Anna says she’s skated this line with the WSB before. She’s thinking an association that’s gone on this long isn’t easily broken. Jordan says, so she’s realizing, and Anna asks what she’s going to do. Jordan says she has two choices. She can either bow out, or she can go after what she wants, but does she even have the right to do that if it means destroying the life of another woman?

Ava says, Nina has her work cut out for her. Does she really see a stand-up guy like Drew Cain flipping on his girlfriend? Sending her to prison, no matter how much she deserves it; no matter how guilty she is? Nina says she can, under the right circumstances, and Ava says, which are? Nina says, first, they need Drew to know he didn’t do anything wrong. They don’t even know if he was the one who gave Carly the information about the merger; it could have been Michael. Nina bets Drew didn’t even want her to invest in Aurora, but Carly probably did what she always does. She barged in, she went after what she wants. She doesn’t think about anyone else’s feelings… Ava says, stop. She’s getting off track here now. She’s not trying to rain on Nina’s parade, she’s just wondering how realistic it is to expect Drew to give up Carly. Nina says, it’s not unrealistic to expect Carly to give him up, and Ava says, if it was Sonny or Jason, she’d say absolutely not, but with Drew, there is room for doubt. The relationship is relatively new. Maybe threatened with serious prison time, Carly would give him up, but it’s not certain. Nina says, it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter if Carly would turn Drew in. The only thing that matters is that Drew believes that she would. They need Drew to get this information from somebody he trusts; that Carly is planning on turning state’s evidence against him. Ava says, neither of them fits that description, and Nina says, no, but she can think of someone who does.

Carly says, Drew has a plan, and Sonny asks if it’s a good one. Carly says, it’s a long shot, and she still may lose everything. Donna runs in, and Carly says she loves Donna’s outfit. Sonny says, she looks sharp, and Donna asks if they can make pancakes. Sonny says, if she’s serious, because he’ll need her help, and Carly says, those chocolate chips aren’t going to make it there on their own. Donna says, they can count on her, and Carly says she knows they can, because she’s such a big girl. And because of that, she and Donna’s daddy need to talk to her about some changes coming up. Donna says, fun changes? and Sonny says, everything’s going to work out. Carly tells her, what daddy said, but she looks pretty worried.

Tomorrow, Tracy asks when she’s ever denied Brook anything; Robert tells Anna, something has happened, and it’s all his fault; Drew says, there’s a way out of it, and they’ll find it; and Sonny wants to know what someone knows and he doesn’t.

🕶 Before He Was Brick…

Very cool story.

🧼 Memorial Day Soap…

ABC will be airing a GH will rerun with both Rory and Epiphany.

🥱 No Surprises Here…

Teresa storms off.

Bo Dietl isn’t having Louie’s lies.

🍸 If Yesterday Wasn’t Enough…

Ariana has more revelations.

Ariana claps back and more.

Charli might be questionable as far as truth goes, but she has surprising insight on the former prom beauty queen.

A replay of the action.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1375356/vanderpump-rules-reunion-part-one-every-bombshell-from-the-explosive-scandoval-showdown

⚰️ Fear Coming Up…

Theories on PADRE.

https://screenrant.com/fear-walking-dead-season-8-troy-return-theory-padre/?newsletter_popup=1

Another reunion.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/fear-the-walking-dead-season-8-episode-3-odessa-clip-reunites-madison-clark-june-dorie/

🦈 Doo-Doo, Doo-Doo, Doo, Doo…

Aquaman knows what he’s talking about.

https://ew.com/tv/jason-momoa-shark-week/

🐕 Pups At Parties…

Don’t give me any ideas.

https://people.com/pets/new-york-dog-wedding-by-high-low-hostess-amanada-orso/

At one time, I had 8 little dogs, and I don’t think I have one picture of all of them together. Major kudos.

https://people.com/photo-30-posed-dogs-birthday-party-wins-nextdoor-contest-7503586

🚶🏽‍♀️ Walking On the Tame Side…

Take a break tomorrow for soap, tea for all, interesting things people have said, and music befitting the month. Until then, stay safe, stay listening like you mean it, and stay recognizing when encouragement is better than a fix.

May 24, 2023 – Diane Presents Carly With Her Options, Temping, Part One Of Sandoval’s Reunion Awfulness & Hero

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Diane visits Sonny’s old kitchen, aka home of the hallowed moss bowl🎍, and Carly asks if she wants coffee. Diane says, bless you, and Carly asks if she had a rough night. Diane says, rough morning. She forgot to set her alarm, then the line at Kelly’s was out the door. Carly asks why Diane didn’t just text and say she’d be late, but Diane says, never. Punctuality is her trademark. Carly says, one of many, and Diane says, before they get into the nitty-gritty, catch her up. What’s been going on? Carly says, Nina and Sonny are getting married, and Diane chokes on her coffee.

Nina is admiring her ring when Sonny comes out, and says, cappuccino for her, and espresso for him. She asks what he thinks people did before espresso machines, which is a good question, and he says, live a sad unfulfilled life. She takes a sip, and he says, so? She says, it’s delicious, but he says he was talking about the ring. Is she still a fan? She says, considering she’s obsessed with it, she thinks so, and he says he can get her a different one, but she says, it’s perfect. The setting is perfect, the stone is perfect, the coffee is perfect, he’s… He says, perfect, but she says, even better. He’s all hers. They kiss.

Alexis writes a text to Gregory: Just checking in. Here if you need me. She says, here goes nothin’, and sends it. Sam knocks at the door, and Alexis says, she’s early; how unlike her. Sam asks if that’s Alexis’s not so subtle way of saying she’s usually late, and Alexis hugs her. Sam says she came early because she wanted to talk to Alexis before Krissy got here. Alexis says, also, so Sam doesn’t lecture her, she reached out to Gregory. Sam asks if he responded, but Alexis says she just sent it a minute ago. Sam says, actually, she didn’t come here to talk to Alexis about Gregory. She wanted to talk to Alexis about her sister. Alexis says she’s worried about Molly too, but Sam says, not that sister. What’s going on with Molly?

TJ comes out as Molly is getting her bag ready for work, and she says she’s sorry if she woke him; she was trying to be quiet. He says, like she was last night? He didn’t hear her come in. She says, it was late, and he says, she must be tired. Why doesn’t she take the day off? She asks if he can please not treat her like she’s about to break, and he says he’s sorry. She tells him, there’s no reason for her to take the day off. She’s not sick. God knows she’s not pregnant, and she never will be.

Curtis lifts weights at Volovino’s, when Drew comes in. He says, hi, but Curtis doesn’t hear him because he’s busy flashing back to his conversation with Jordan, and Jordan asking if he’s on the rebound or are he and Portia really over; and if so, do they get a second chance?

At the hospital, Jordan is flashing back to her and Curtis kissing. Portia says she needs to speak with Jordan.

Sam tells Alexis that she knew something was up at Michael and Willow’s wedding. Molly seemed a little off to her, and she asked TJ if Molly was okay. He said she was fine, but he was glad she had her sisters. Two SEC agents showed up and questioned Carly, so the conversation got derailed, and now she feels terrible because she didn’t follow up. Alexis doesn’t want her to feel terrible. She thinks Molly will tell Sam about it when she feels the time is right for her, and she thinks the time is soon. Sam asks how worried she should be, but Alexis says she shouldn’t be worried. This is not life threatening. She’ll be fine. What about Kristina? Sam says, the foundation Sonny is helping her set up. She thinks it’s an amazing idea, and can do a lot for the LGBTQ+ community. However, she doesn’t think Kristina is grasping the reality of what she’s getting herself into. She feels like Kristina needs guidance. Alexis asks, who doesn’t? when there’s a knock at the door. Alexis says, it’s her middle girl, and she and TempKristina (see below) hug. Kristina tells them that she’s about to change Port Charles forever. Wanna see?

TJ tells Molly, it’s still too soon to say they can’t have children, but she  tells him, she didn’t say that. She said she can’t get pregnant. He says he just meant that they can still create and raise a family together. It might not look like they thought it would, but when have they ever been conventional. She asks if it’s okay if they don’t talk about their options right now. She knows they need to figure it out, and they will, but right now, she’s a little bit overwhelmed. He says he gets it. They have all the time in the world to figure out what’s next. Honestly, he’s more focused on her right now. Endometriosis is a serious condition, and Dr. Navarro says she has a serious case. Which means she’s been suffering symptoms all this time and he didn’t know. Why didn’t she tell him?

Drew comes over to Curtis, and asks if he’s okay. Curtis says, all good, and asks if he and Drew are good. Drew asks why they wouldn’t be, and Curtis says he heard Drew and Carly have been seeing each other for a while now, and if memory serves him correctly, he said some not so nice things about Carly’s lies to Nina. Drew says, that’s not why he kept it a secret. There’s some things Curtis doesn’t know. Plus, Curtis was just telling the truth, and he likes that he can count on Curtis for that. If anyone knows their own mind, it’s Curtis.

Jordan suggests they go somewhere more private, but Portia says she doesn’t need privacy for this. She wants to say thank you. If not for Jordan, Trina wouldn’t have made it back to Port Charles. Jordan says, what she did was a team effort, and Portia says, Jordan was a major part of that team. She put her career in jeopardy to hold off the WSB. She just wants Jordan to know she’ll forever be grateful.

Nina says she wishes this could last forever, and Sonny says, that’s the plan; til death do us part. She says she means the part where it’s just them; the dinner, the coffee this morning… Pretty soon, the whole world is going to know they’re engaged. He asks if she doesn’t think they know right now, and she wonders if they should have celebrated so publicly last night, but he says, they have nothing to hide. She says she agrees with him, but they have to face it. Not everyone is going to be as happy about them getting married as they are.

Diane asks how Carly feels about the Nina situation, as she soaks up the radiance of the moss bowl🎍 , and Carly says she’s not exactly thrilled about it. Her heart’s not being ripped out of her chest or anything. She and Sonny are divorced. They’ve both moved on, and she’s happy that he’s happy. It’s just… Diane says, Carly wishes he was happy with literally anyone else, and Carly says, it’s Nina. That woman devastated her family, and now she’s positioned to be even closer to them. It’s appalling to her, but there’s no stopping Sonny once he’s made up his mind, so she just has to figure out a way to live with it. Diane says, Sonny is a difficult man, and Carly says, ya think? Diane says she knows this because he’s a difficult client, but a relationship with him has to be an endurance event. Carly says, Diane doesn’t think Nina can handle it, does she? and Diane says she thinks if Nina wants to, she’d better start her conditioning now, but she’s not optimistic. Carly says she doesn’t have the energy or the desire to unpack Nina, and Diane says, fair enough. Let’s get down to business, shall we? Carly says, her case with the SEC. Go. Diane says, Carly has options, but she’s not going to like them.

Molly says, it’s not like it was excruciating, and TJ says, but she was in pain often. Was it constant? She says, no, but it was often enough. She guesses it depended on where she was in her cycle. He asks if it hurt when they had sex, and she says, sometimes, not all the time. He asks why she didn’t say anything, and she says, because she didn’t want it to hurt. Everything else about it – being close to him, cuddling with him, having him hold her in his arms – she loved those things, and didn’t want to ruin it by saying she’s feeling a little crampy tonight and doesn’t really want to. He says he feels like a monster, but she says, no. He says, his partner has been in pain and he didn’t even know, and she says, because she didn’t let him know. He asks why she’d hide something like that from him, but she says she wasn’t hiding it; she was dealing with it.

Kristian spreads out a blueprint on the table, and says she has to talk to the contractor, but she wanted to show them first. Sam says, then she’s already hired an architect, but Kristina says she doesn’t need one. All she’s doing is knocking down a couple of walls. Sam says, which requires a permit, but Kristina says, the contractor’s going to figure all that out. This is her chance to really make a difference. She knows she’s said that before, but it’s for real this time, and would mean the world to have their support, especially Alexis’s.

Sonny tells Nina, last night was perfect (WOTD). He doesn’t care what people think. Nina says she agrees with him, but unfortunately, they don’t live in a vacuum. There’s a knock at the door, and he says, they don’t? That’s Ava dropping off Avery, and he doesn’t want Avery to know until he tells Ava first. She says, her lips are sealed, turning her ring around, and he answers the door. Avery hugs Sonny, then runs to Nina, and Ava says, Avery was excited Nina was going to be here today. Nina says she’s super excited. She’s been thinking about this. Playground, park, carousel. Avery says, yeah, and Nina asks, which one? Avery says, all of them, and Sonny says, what about me? Nina asks if Avery thinks they should let her dad join them, and Avery notices the ring, asking, what’s that? The sparkly ring? Mommy used to wear one just like that.

Curtis asks Drew, what’s this with the SEC? They questioned him? Drew says, thanks to Ned Quartermaine, he and Carly are being charged with insider trading. Curtis says, Ned turned them in? and Drew says, he didn’t admit it of course (🍷), but he doesn’t know who else it could be. Curtis asks if they have a case, and Drew says, they have a strong case. The SEC is coming at them hard, for whatever reason, and it doesn’t seem like they’re interested in a deal. At least not with both of them. Curtis helps Drew get boxing gloves on, and Drew says, of course (🍷) his Aunt Tracy had the brilliant suggestion he should turn Carly in. Curtis says, damn, that’s cold, and Drew says, it’s not an option, but just between them – Curtis says, of course (🍷) – he needs to disarm Ned. He’s rich and he’s got power. He could strongarm the SEC and make this whole thing go away. Curtis doubts he’ll do it willingly, and Drew says, Carly doesn’t deserve any of this. He’s going to do everything in his power to make sure he protects her. He punches the heavy bag.

Diane says, before they get into strategy, she wants to be walked through Carly’s actions as though she’s never heard it before. Carly says she knew Michael and Drew were planning to merge ELQ and Aurora, and Diane says, arguably a sacrifice for Drew. Carly says, Drew liked having his company independent of ELQ. The only reason he agreed to the merger was to help his family. Since Michael’s her son and at the time Drew was just a friend, she wanted to help them. Diane says, so Carly bought stock in Aurora before the merger, and Carly says, yes. Aurora is the smaller company, so the more it’s worth, the more equal the merger would be. The irony is, Drew told her not to do it. And Michael did too. Diane says, fortunately, Michael has no part in this because he owns no stock in Aurora, and they’re going to leave him out of it. So Drew cautioned her not to buy the shares, and she… Carly says, didn’t listen. Now Drew is caught up in her mistake. She didn’t mean for it to be insider trading. She was just trying to help. Diane says she gets it. The SEC probably gets it too. The problem is, they don’t care. Carly knew before the public that there was a merger planned, and she acted on it. Carly says, that makes her guilty, and Diane says, her and Drew both.

Molly tells TJ that she’s always had painful periods; cramping and bloating and tenderness. This was more severe, but it wasn’t completely foreign, so she thought it was just what happens as you get older. So she took ibuprofen and got on with life. TJ asks if it even helped, and she says she’s sorry, but he says he’s not asking her to apologize. He just wants to understand. Did she ever think to get checked out? She says, no. She just told him that she thought it was normal. He says, being in pain all the time is not normal, and she says, it wasn’t all the time, but he says, she’s not casual about her health. She asks what he wants her to say. She got used to it. He says, but why? If you’re not feeling well, you go to the doctor. Obviously, something was wrong. She says, not to her, and the last thing she needs is for him to keep piling it on right now. She feels guilty enough. He says, for what? and she says, because she ignored her symptoms; she didn’t get examined. She cries, and says, if she’d just gotten diagnosed earlier and started treatment sooner… but it’s too late for that. It’s all her fault.

Kristina tells Alexis and Sam, so this is the common space. A place to hang out, have fun, and support each other. She wants the kids to feel safe. Like when they walk through those doors, they know that everything is fine and they’re going to be okay. Alexis says, sounds wonderful, and Kristina says, the offices will be here, with the staff; they’ll be nearby. She wants to hire young people. Less like administrators and more like their peers. It’s going to be bright and airy and open, and really colorful. Sam says, it sounds like a major renovation, but Kristina says, actually, it’s not. Sam says, she’s knocking down walls and stuff. Won’t it increase her property taxes? Kristina says, maybe, but it will be so worth it in the long run, and Sam asks if she’s even started fundraising yet. Kristina says, no. She needed to have something to show before she started asking for money. Sam says, mom… but Alexis says she trusts Kristina. If she thinks it’s worth it, it’s worth it. Kristina holds up a paper printed with the letters CD covered by a roof in rainbow colors, The Corinthos-Davis House underneath, and says, and this is their logo. How beautiful is it? Do they love it? Alexis says she loves it, and Kristina asks Sam, what now? Sam says, nothing. She just thinks it’s a little premature to hire a graphic designer. Kristina asks how she’s supposed to have a website if she doesn’t have a logo, and Alexis says, an online presence is very important. Sam says, absolutely, but so is hiring an accountant and registering as a non-profit, and Kristina asks, so what is Sam’s deal? Does she just not believe in this project? Or is it her Sam doesn’t believe in?

Drew finishes with the heavy bag, and tells Curtis that he thinks Tracy is Ned’s Achilles heel. If he could just scrounge up some dirt on her. Curtis says, if Drew needs a man, he’s got one. Drew has always been there for him. Drew says, no way is he dragging anyone else into this mess. Besides, Curtis has enough on his plate. Any developments on the Trina front? Curtis says, she took the DNA test; the results should be in soon. Drew says, good. He thinks if the positions were reversed, he doesn’t think he’d be handling it as collected and cool as Curtis is right now. Curtis says he’s been living at the boxing gym. It helps keep his mind off things. Drew asks if Curtis and Portia have been discussing the next steps, but Curtis says, they’re all in a holding pattern, just trying to see what’s what. Drew says, the reason he’s asking is, he thought after Greenland, they were on the same page, and Curtis says, about bringing Trina home, yeah, but everything else, no. After his time in Greenland, he reevaluated his plans. Drew says, such as? and Curtis says, if he should have ended his marriage so quickly to Jordan.

Portia says, Jordan has gone above and beyond. When they needed Oz Haggerty’s testimony, she bought them time. Jordan says she doesn’t know what Portia is talking about, and neither does Portia. Portia says, it’s just that ever since Trina came home, it’s become clear to her that Jordan’s been looking out for her family, and she never gave Jordan credit for it. So this is her saying thank you, and she’s truly sorry that she’s just realizing it now. She just hopes Jordan can accept her apology.

Sonny says Avery knows he loves Nina very much. He took a chance, and asked her to marry him. Avery asks if she said yes, and Nina says she did. Sonny asks what Avery thinks about that, and Avery asks if she can be a flower girl. Nina thinks that can be arranged, and Sonny says, she’s already been practicing. Avery says, this is the best news ever, and hugs Nina. Nina says, Avery has no idea how happy that makes her. She can hardly wait to be part of Avery’s family. Avery says, her neither, and asks if she can go on her tablet. Sonny says, it’s by her bedside, and Avery runs off. Nina says, Ava’s been very quiet. Isn’t she going to say congratulations?

Diane tells Carly, here are the people responsible. The person who gave out the insider information, and the person who acted on said information. Carly says, me, and Diane says, ultimately, they are both culpable. From a legal standpoint, not a moral or emotional one. Drew has the option to say Carly acted without his knowledge. That he wasn’t even a participant. That he wasn’t even the one who gave her the insider information. Carly says, in other words, lie, and Diane says, likewise, Carly can say Drew came to her and asked her to purchase stock in Aurora. He gave her no private information; she was just following instructions. Carly says, that’s literally the opposite of what happened, and Diane tells her, she’s just saying this is how Carly can strike a deal with the Feds. She had no private information; no private knowledge. She was just doing a favor for a friend. Carly says, no. Drew wouldn’t do that to her, and she’s not going to do it to him. Diane says, in that case, there is another alternative. She was speaking with a friend in the DA’s office, a trusted source. She had an interesting tidbit to share. They gravitate back to the moss bowl🎍, and Diane says she thinks they can all agree, the SEC is least interested in Carly. Carly says, Drew is definitely the more high profile get, sure, and Diane says, in terms of high profile, a corporate CEO pales in comparison to Sonny Corinthos. Does she know who’s right across the hall from the SEC? The Justice Department. Carly says, no, and Diane says, Carly knows where all the bodies are buried, so if she decides to give them Sonny, she can write her ticket to freedom. I’m shocked at Diane’s suggestion, and Carly says, no. Diane says, even though he’s marrying a woman she can’t stand? and Carly says, he can be marrying Hannibal Lecter for all she cares. She’s not giving up Sonny. Diane says she just wanted to make sure Carly understood the parameters, and Carly says, let’s just focus on her other options, but Diane says, she has none.

Sonny says, they planned to tell Ava first. They didn’t want to spring it on Avery like that, but things happen. Ava says, for better or worse, nothing gets by their daughter these days. She tells them, congrats, and Nina thanks her. Ava asks when Sonny popped the question, and Nina says, last night. Ava asks if Carly knows, and Sonny says, not yet. Ava says, he might want to get on that. She knows Avery. She’s going to tell the mailman, and Donna, and the barista at Charlie’s, and anybody and everybody who will listen. Sonny says, she’s probably right. He’s going to head over there right now. He asks if Nina is all right with Avery, but Ava says she’ll hang around. Nina says she’d like that, and Sonny leaves. Nina says, he’s gone. So does Ava want to tell her what she really thinks?

Sam says, of course (🍷) she believes in Kristina, but Kristina says, it doesn’t sound like it. Sam says, Kristina’s compassion, her vision, her creativity, all of it. Sam wants to see her get the shelter up and running more than anything, but it’s going to be difficult. There’s going to be a lot of hoops to jump through, and she doesn’t think Kristina is getting that right now. For starters, she’s going to be housing a lot of at risk teenagers, who have been emotionally traumatized, possibly exploited, and she’s going to need professionals to help her with that. So instead of picking out colors for paint, she’d hire a psychiatrist as a consultant. Kristina says she knows; she’s getting there. Sam says, it’s like Kristina’s priorities are all in the wrong order, and asks why Alexis isn’t chiming in here. Alexis says she’s trusting that Kristina knows what she’s getting into, and Kristina thanks her. Sam says, they’ve heard this before. Kristina has all of these great ideas and this vision, and then it doesn’t work out the way she wants it to. It’s not because Sam doesn’t believe in her. It’s because Kristina never follows through.

TJ says he doesn’t blame Molly at all, but she says, he was just upset because she didn’t see a doctor. He says he was upset because she was in pain, and he hates that; not because he thinks she’s at fault. She says she feels so guilty. She feels like she let him down. He says, no, but she says she was supposed to carry his baby, now she can’t. He says, she’s not supposed to do anything. Nothing is expected of her. They’re in this together. She tells him, he says that and she knows he really believes it, but it’s different when you’re a woman. She so wanted to give him this gift. To do this thing that women do every single day, and they have been for centuries. And to know that she can’t… He says, we can’t, and she says, except there’s nothing wrong with him. It’s her. She thinks she needs some time to come to terms with that. He asks what he can do, and she says, honestly, nothing. She has to get to work. He asks her not to leave, but she keeps walking and goes out the door.

It’s Curtis’s turn at the heavy bag, and Drew says he must be losing it. He could have sworn Curtis said Jordan. Curtis says he did. They’ve been spending a lot of time together lately, and recently Jordan admitted she still has feelings for him. So now he’s asking himself, did he give up on their marriage too quickly? Drew says, that’s a big question. He can certainly understand why Curtis would be drawn back to Jordan, but has he talked to Portia? Curtis says, about Jordan? but Drew says, no, about him and Portia. Before he starts reevaluating his relationship with his ex, shouldn’t he examine the state of his marriage?

Jordan says, Portia has nothing to apologize for, but Portia says she kinda does. Jordan gave her great advice. She told Portia to tell the truth to Curtis about Trina. If she’d listened to Jordan, if she’d done it sooner… But what did she do? She accused Jordan of trying to break them up. It’s so ironic. Jordan says, the what if game never does anyone any good. In all honesty, she should have never interfered. Portia says she’s glad Jordan did. It’s far messier than she could have imagined, but at least the truth is out. Maybe she should ask Jordan what she should do next. If Jordan were her, how would she save Portia’s marriage?

Curtis tells Drew, Portia’s the one who lied to him. He doesn’t owe her anything. Drew says he agrees, but Curtis just said he’s afraid he ended things too quickly with his ex. Isn’t it possible he’s making the same mistake with Portia? Curtis says he can’t get past it. Every time he’s in the same room as Portia, all he can think about is the dishonesty, and Drew asks how much time they spend together. Curtis says, not much, and Drew says he’s going to stand by Curtis, no matter what, but unless he can say for certain that he doesn’t love Portia anymore… Curtis says, it doesn’t matter. Love or no love, it doesn’t change what she did. Drew says, but it does affect Curtis’s capacity to forgive.

Portia tells Jordan, sorry. She’s going to retract that question. She’s been so worried about Trina, she hasn’t gotten an ounce of sleep. She thanks Jordan for the talk, and starts to leave, but Jordan asks her to wait. She can’t offer advice on Curtis, but she can say this about Trina because she’s been there. Focus on forgiving herself. Mothers are human; they make mistakes too. In time, Trina will see that.

Kristina says she would have expected this from mom, but not Sam. Sam says she wants Kristina to be successful, but Kristina says she doesn’t. Sam just wants to suck the joy out of everything she gets excited about. Alexis says, that’s not true, and Kristina asks if she’s even been listening. Kristina’s phone rings, and Alexis says, both she and Sam are supportive of her. Sam says, absolutely, and Alexis says, if anyone can get this shelter going, Kristina can. Kristina says, now she’s going to be on the call with the contractor, and it’s actually perfect timing. She steps away, and Sam says, that went well. Alexis asks if Sam didn’t come down a little hard on Kristina, but Sam says, Kristina is an adult. She needs to understand what she’s actually getting into. Alexis says she agrees, and Sam says, you could have fooled me. What are they supposed to do? Alexis says, last time she interfered with Kristina’s career, Kristina didn’t speak to her for a month. Sam says, now Kristina isn’t going to speak to her for a month. She probably hates Sam more now. Alexis says, just give her some time, and she’ll value the advice Sam gave her, and Sam says she’s actually proud of how Alexis bit her tongue. Alexis says she’s proud of herself. She’s getting better. She also can’t predict the future, so if that’s the case, why not just have faith?

Diane says, Carly is in a very poor position. Technically, she’s guilty of insider trading. She has two paths that could get her out of it… Carly says, which are non-starters, and Diane says, which leaves Carly holding the bag. Carly says, for her own actions. She wants Diane to do everything in her power to fight these charges, but at the end of the day, it’s her mess, and if she has to pay for it, she will. Diane says, understood. She thanks Carly for the coffee, blows the moss bowl🎍 a kiss, and leaves.

Ava says she already told Nina that she’s happy for her, and Nina says, once more, this time with feeling. Ava asks what Nina wants from her, and Nina says, for starters, the truth. Ava says, does she? The truth is, Nina’s relationship has been a ticking time bomb since she turned Carly into the SEC. Nina asks why Carly shouldn’t pay, and Ava says, because she’s Carly. She doesn’t know how to tell Nina this, but Carly and Sonny have been through everything – the good, the bad, the ugly – for well over twenty years, and Nina’s been in a relationship with Sonny for like, two? Nina says, that shouldn’t matter, and Ava says, but it does. If Sonny finds out that Nina turned Carly in, it’s over forever.

On the phone, TJ leaves a message for Molly, saying, he doesn’t like how their conversation ended. He’s so sorry for all of it, but most of all that she felt alone in this. Just know he loves her and he’s here. Always.

Sam says, Alexis’s support means so much to Kristina. Maybe with this extra boost of confidence she might be able to pull this off. Alexis says, who knows? Stranger things have happened. Don’t tell her sister she said that. Sam says, never.

Drew tells Curtis that he’s sorry. This is such a tough spot. He wishes he could help. Curtis says, he already has, and leaves.

Portia says she can’t tell Jordan how much she appreciates that, but Jordan says, Portia is giving her way too much credit. Portia says she’s not giving Jordan enough credit, but Jordan tells her, stop. She’s not the person Portia thinks she is.

Ava says, there’s really no easy way out of this. Either Nina comes clean, and accepts she and Sonny are over, and maybe they can find their way back to each other in a few years; or she keeps digging the hole she’s digging, and prays she gets to China. Nina says, Ava is right. Because of her stupid, impulsive decision, she planted the seeds to lose both Sonny and Willow. Ava says she’s sorry it’s come to this, and Nina says, so is she. She doesn’t have any other options. She only has one choice. It’s time for the gloves to come off.

There’s a knock at Sonny’s old kitchen door, and Carly says, come in. Sonny walks in.

Tomorrow, Portia asks if Curtis is officially ending things; Jordan tells Anna that there’s a secret weighing on her conscience; and Carly tells Sonny, sometimes the simplest solution is the truth.

👟 Stepping In…

I knew I knew her from somewhere.

Vanderpump Rules – The Reunion – Part 1

FYI, I’m sure I missed a bunch of stuff. There was a lot of yelling and separate conversations going on. That’s why I hate a Reunion. They all talk at once, then start yelling, and I lose track of what’s being said. Anyway, here we go with this sad awfulness.

Andy says, this is a reunion that may be more explosive and dramatic than anything seen in the show’s ten year history.

The players in this season’s triangle did separate interviews with Andy, and we see that first. Andy asks how Sandoval is doing; it’s his final chance to come clean. Sandoval says he’s doing okay, and agrees that he’s the most hated man on television.

Andy asks how Ariana is doing, and she says, better than a few weeks ago. He tells her that she looks great despite what happened (upside!), and asks about her and Sandoval’s current living status. She says, Sandoval is staying in the guest room, and she tries to avoid run-ins with him. They have people running interference and go-betweens.

Andy asks how Raquel is feeling about seeing everyone in a group setting, and true to beauty queen form, she has her prepared response of, she’s preparing for the worst, and hoping for the best.

Andy asks if Ariana has seen or spoken to Raquel, and she says, no. It took Raquel – who she calls Rachel now, as they all do – 48 hours to text her. She told Ariana that she didn’t know what to say, and she was sorry. Ariana told her, f*** off, you f***ing rat, and blocked her.  

Andy asks when Sandoval realized he had feelings for Raquel, and Sandoval says, throughout last year, he started to see who she really was. I’ll refrain from adding who I think that is. Andy asks when they first hooked up, and Sandoval says, they’d been at guys night, then the next time there was a See You Next Tuesday, the show was filming, but they weren’t a part of it. Some of them went to The Abbey that night, and he and Raquel had sex.

Andy asks if Ariana was suspicious, and she says, absolutely not. Andy says, in watching the show, she vehemently stood up for Sandoval, and we flash back to Ariana saying she trusts and loves both Sandoval and Raquel. She says she felt like he was a loyal and committed partner, and she trusted him.

Andy says, Sandoval claims he and Raquel weren’t together when they went glamping, and Sandoval says, after that first time, they took a break. Andy asks when it kicked back up to romance, and Sandoval says, after they went to Life is Beautiful; after they’d wrapped filming. Andy says, before Bravocon. He wonders what Sandoval was thinking when, during his concert, he looked out to see his girlfriend and his mistress (I thank him for using that word, and I’m sure Lala does too) next to each other. Did it get him off? Tom says, no, but I bet it did.

Andy asks Ariana, looking back, are there situations where she wonders how she missed it? and she says, of course. More so with Raquel than Sandoval. They all know men are trash – no offense – but she trusts her girlfriends. This was someone who’d ingratiated themselves in her life. How could they be so close? She’d expect it more from a guy, but she can’t imagine doing that to one of her friends.

Andy asks how Sandoval could cheat on his girlfriend of nine years with one of her closest friends, and Sandoval says, he and Ariana kept their relationship private for many years; they had issues. He felt like her gay BFF, and they put on a front for filming. He even talked to a showrunner about it. We see some unseen footage, where Sandoval tells some guy that he feels guilty. He feels it’s important to talk about sh*t and not pretend it’s all amazing. He doesn’t think it’s fair to the rest of the cast.

Andy asks Ariana if there were elements of the relationship that she and Sandoval were hiding, but she says, she felt they showed everything. Sandoval is framing it now as something else, because he’s desperate to throw anything at the wall, hoping it sticks. He used to coach her like he coached Raquel. They’ve got to get their lies and stories straight, and get their spin right, so they can have matching answers Andy says, it looks like she’s moved on from tears to anger, and she says, the indifference is becoming strong.

Andy asks how Sandoval feels about seeing everyone. He says he’s nervous and scared, but ready to face it.

Schwartz is the first on the set, and Andy asks if he was silent or was silenced. Schwartz says, both. On her way in, Lisa says she feels like she’s dressed like a gladiator, and might need to be. She sees Ariana, and says, that’s a revenge dress if she ever saw one. When Sandoval comes out, Ariana says, he looks like sh*t, and Lala says she hates him. Me too.

Andy says, let’s dive in to the Season 10 Reunion, and introduces everyone – minus Raquel who is not legally allowed in the same room as Scheana, due to a restraining order. We see Raquel watching from her trailer. Lisa says, normally she doesn’t like Reunions, but this one is much needed. Andy asks how Ariana is feeling, and she says, as good as she could be feeling. She did have a great night’s sleep, which she usually doesn’t before a Reunion. Andy asks if it’s Sandoval’s first time seeing the group since news of the affair broke, and Sandoval says, yes. Andy asks how he’s feeling, and he says he’s all over the place. Andy says, it’s the first time Schwartz isn’t sitting next to Katie at a Reunion, and Schwartz says, it’s strange, and kind of sad. He tells Andy that he and Katie put in post-divorce work on their relationship, but Katie disagrees. Andy says, since most women are angry at Sandoval and Schwartz, is James now the number one guy? And James says, it’s not hard to compete with Schwartz and a clown. Andy congratulates Scheana on her wedding, and asks if they’re still in the honeymoon phase. She says, they are, and that Brock cut all his hair off. Andy says, the most burning thing they have to talk about is the affair that happened right under their noses. We flash back to Ally’s interview, where she talked about seeing Sandoval with Raquel at The Abbey, and wondered where Ariana was. Next, we relive Ken saying that Sandoval had Raquel over when Ariana wasn’t home, and then Lala saying Sandoval was with Raquel all day after Ariana’s grandmother died. Andy says, they’ll get in a bit now, and talk about it more when Raquel comes out. He asks if there’s anything Sandoval wants to say, and Sandoval starts sniffling. James tells him to pull himself together, and Ariana says, the sad sack act is f***ing BS. James says, it’s not an audition. He accuses Sandoval of crying crocodile tears, and calls him a p*ssy. Sandoval says he appreciates everybody being there for Ariana, and the world collectively rolls its eyes. He says, no matter what was going on in their relationship, she didn’t deserve to have this happen. Ariana says, nothing happened; he did it. He says he’s sorry for doing the one thing he said he wouldn’t, and he did it in the worst way possible. James and Lala are both unimpressed, and Ariana says, he’s been victim blaming her 100%, and this is bullsh*t. Andy asks if Sandoval is still living in the house, and Sandoval says, off and on. Andy says, when Lala and Randall broke up, she got out quickly, and he asks if Lala thinks this is healthy. Lala says, no. Given ten years, Sandoval is Randall. She couldn’t get Randall to stay home, but once they broke up, she couldn’t get him out. That’s a narcissist, and Sandoval is a dangerous human being. Lisa thinks that’s a ridiculous stance, and Lala says she didn’t ask Lisa’s opinion. When someone does that to a life partner, there’s something wrong with them. Sandoval says, who is she to be judging his character? and she tells him, STFU. Lisa says, they’re here for ten hours. They can’t start like this. Andy asks what Ariana thinks caused the divide, not spending quality time together? but Ariana says, Sandoval f***ing other people. Andy asks if there were more than Raquel, and we flash back to Sandoval telling Scheana about cheating with someone else. Ariana says, Sandoval made these choices, and Andy asks what Sandoval thinks caused the demise of the relationship, and Sandoval says, communication dissipated, but Ariana says, it’s not like they never had conversation. Andy says, Sandoval claimed they hadn’t been intimate in years, but Ariana says, that’s not true. Besides, having intimacy issues doesn’t excuse anything. You work on it or break up. Andy asks if the rest of the group sensed there were significant issues in the relationship. Schwartz nods, and Scheana says, not until recently. She and Lala had a conversation where Lala said she thought something was going on with Sandoval and Raquel. Scheana said, they were fine and in a good place. Andy asks Lala when the conversation happened, and she says, in January. James keeps sending jabs Sandoval’s way, and Sandoval says, he’s been supportive of James. Lala says, Sandoval paid for half of James and Raquel’s engagement, and James says, it just goes to show how much of a friend Sandoval wasn’t. James gets up, and Sandoval tells James to get out of his face. Andy separates them.

During the commercial break, my feelings take the shape of gummi bears, and I eat them.

Sandoval says he stood up for James, and James says, Sandoval is a nobody, nothing, a loser, a backstabbing ho. Sandoval says, if James gets in his face again, he’s going to f*** James up. This is all the provocation James needs, and they have to be separated again. James says he’s going to beat Sandoval’s ass, and Andy tells him to stay in his chair. James says he’s going to the bathroom, and calls Sandoval a worm with a mustache. When James leaves, Sandoval says, James pees on a fire hydrant like a dog, and Raquel is his fire hydrant. Lala tells him to stop bringing in things from 500 years ago. This was Sandoval’s life partner, not Kristen Doute. Stop pulling out the history books. James comes back, and Andy asks why Sandoval didn’t come clean. Lisa says, the million dollar question, and Sandoval says, Ariana was going through a lot, and he didn’t want to add anything. Andy asks when Sandoval told Schwartz, and Schwartz says, in July, Sandoval was saying he wasn’t happy, then after guys night out, he confided in Schwartz the next day. Ariana says, when Charlotte’s body wasn’t even cold, and we flash back to her leaving the girls trip because of Charlotte. Schwartz says, he didn’t know that, and Katie asks when he found out, and Schwartz says, late August. He and Sandoval met up, and Sandoval broke it down for him. Sandoval is like, what? and Lala asks if they didn’t put their timelines together. We see a clip of Andy’s interview with Sandoval, and he says, it was mid to late January. Andy asks if Schwartz knew when he kissed Raquel, but he says, no, and we flash back to that. Andy asks if he had a gut feeling, since he talked about Raquel possibly having a crush on someone else. We flash back to that, and Schwartz says he wasn’t talking about Sandoval. Sandoval had said it was a one night stand, and would never happen again. It was a mistake, alcohol. After that, things went back to normal. Scheana asks if this was before they went glamping, Schwartz says, yes, and we flash back to Schwartz saying Raquel has a type; men that are taken. Schwartz says, Sandoval and Raquel spent an inappropriate amount of time together, and Andy asks why Sandoval encouraged Schwartz and Raquel to make out. Was he a decoy? Sandoval says, absolutely not. After he and Raquel hooked up, he said it was never going to happen again. Lisa says, it’s perverse, and Katie says, it’s a great excuse. Look over here instead of at us. Andy says, Sandoval cheated with Miami Girl early in the relationship, and we flash back to that. Sandoval’s excuse for this is – wait for it – he wanted to feel single one more time before getting serious. Andy asks Ariana why she was forgiving of Miami Girl, and Ariana says, they weren’t exclusive, and she wanted everyone see best in him. Like I said, a lot is going on, and Sandoval brings up Kristen again, but no one cares. Lala tells him, it’s not that serious. It wasn’t like being in a committed relationship, then f***ing his partner’s best friend.  

Andy says, it’s easy to forget that, before the affair, the group was dealing with three seismic breakups; Lala and Randall, James and Raquel, and Schwartz and Katie. He asks what made Katie realize it was the end of the road, and she says, realizing she wasn’t happy, and Schwartz prioritized everyone over her. Schwarz says, prioritizing the bar was a necessity, but Katie says, and everything else; friends, parties, strangers. So she made a choice she didn’t want to. Schwartz says, their intimacy had dwindled, and he was going through a lot, losing his father, his brother, and his money. But he’d never expect Katie to put her feelings on hold to stay with him out of pity. Katie says, they went from being husband and wife to being friends. Looking back, she thinks she’d do it differently, and not be friends right away. Schwartz says, he would have been reasonable had Katie fallen for someone else in the group. When they were still living together, Katie was hooking up. Katie says, Schwartz could have done the same thing, but Schwartz says, the friend code is murky. If the roles were reversed, and she’d made out with Peter, he would have been okay with it. He’s sorry he hurt Katie’s feelings in Mexico, but somehow the kiss was liberating. I don’t necessarily hate Schwartz. I just want to pat him on the head and tell him to go lie down. Lala says, Schwartz felt that way and Raquel was f***ing his best friend the whole time. Sandoval says, one time, but Lala says, it doesn’t matter. Andy says, no one has clean hands except Katie and Lisa. James cheated on Kristen – James points out he was in his early 20s – Ariana was with Sandoval before he broke up with Kristen, Schwartz made out with everyone while he was married, and James and Lala often had something going on. Lala says, none of them were f***ing their best friend’s man, and Andy moves on. He asks where Schwartz and Katie stand in building a friendship, and Katie says, she looks for honesty, respect, and integrity. Schwartz complains that he has to abide by her terms, like that’s unreasonable, and Katie says she’s setting boundaries. James says, staying out of the friend group is the least Schwartz could do out of respect for her as a woman, and Sandoval says, that’s sexist. The world gives a collective blank stare. Andy asks if Jo is a girlfriend to Schwartz, and he says, she’s a friend, although it evolved into a friend with benefits thing. They were both coming out of long term relationships, and were each other’s happy place. Katie says, Jo is a creep and no one likes her, and Schwartz says, Katie is going to get a cease and desist if she doesn’t quit commenting about Jo on social media. We see some comments, but I’m like, eh, grow up. Andy asks Katie if Jo is in the friend group, and Katie says, by proxy. She was a friend of Kristen’s, but she blocked Kristen as soon as she moved in with Schwartz. Andy asks if Jo and Schwartz didn’t double-date with Sandoval and Raquel, but Schwartz says, they just all went snowboarding. James says, Raquel hates snowboarding, and just went to s*ck Sandoval’s d*ck.

Andy asks the Toms how far away they’d thought the opening of Schwartz & Sandy’s was after they had their first party, and Schwartz says, they’d thought the end of August; it was naïve. Andy asks when they ended up opening, and Schwartz tells him, November 2nd. Andy says, the food seemed to be holding them up, and Sandoval says, they’ve been through three chefs. Andy wonders why they just didn’t open the bar with minimal food to start, and Sandoval says, they would have loved to. Lisa says, Greg didn’t want to, and Andy asks how it’s going now. Schwartz says, it’s great. They have good food and gotten good feedback. Lisa says, they didn’t know what they were doing, and why should they, since they’d never done it before. She didn’t like Sandoval saying they didn’t need her, and we flash back to Sandoval’s interview, where he said they were glad not to be under LVP’s thumb. Lisa says she’s done everything to give them a start. She gave them 5% of TomTom. It cost $5 million, they each put in $50K, and she ended up giving it back when they needed the money before Schwartz & Sandy’s opened. It’s a sh*tshow, but she’s been on that side, and it’s not an easy place to be. Andy asks if they took a hit after the news of the affair, and Schwartz says, a little bit. There was boycott momentum at first, but it’s good now. Lala says, people were writing Team Ariana on the tips, and Schwartz admits there was Team Ariana and F*** Tom graffiti in the bathroom. Andy asks if Ariana is going to stop speaking to Lisa since she’s still friendly with Sandoval, and Ariana says, they won’t be as close. Lisa asks what Ariana expects her to do, and Ariana says she doesn’t expect anything from anyone. Andy asks if Ariana thinks Lisa should pull out of the business, and Ariana says, Lisa knows what’s best for he. She’s not someone who should give Lisa business advice. Lisa says, if it comes at a cost of friendship and loyalty… but Ariana says she’ll always love Lisa and support anything she does. It just won’t be a place she frequents. Lisa says she doesn’t want her and the Toms partnership to affect her and Ariana’s friendship. Andy says, Schwartz & Sandy’s wasn’t the only restaurant talked about this season. Ariana and Katie are going to make their bread and butter from a sandwich shop, Something About Her. Ariana says, they haven’t opened yet, but expect o by the end of May. Andy says, they started selling merch after the affair news broke, and Ariana says, they’ve made $200K. They thought they’d do it down the road, but people were asking how they could be supportive. Katie says, they brought Andy a shirt to replace the TomTom hoodie Raquel gave him. Andy says he’s switching gears. Last year, Lala was hard on Brock, and she and Scheana weren’t in a good place. Scheana says she thinks the kids brought them closer together, and they understood what they needed out of a friendship. Lala even bought the house next door to her in Palm Springs. Andy wonders if this is an issue with Katie. Schwartz had said Katie felt she didn’t get the same level of loyalty from Lala as she’s giving Scheana.

Katie says, if the roles were reversed, Lala probably wouldn’t be happy, but she didn’t make it an issue. Lala says she went to Scheana’s wedding, but aborted the mission on a lot of things. The kids were the reason they created the friendship. Katie says she understood that, but in the past, Lala said, anyone who talked to Scheana was dead to her. Andy asks if Scheana feels any differently, since she’d encouraged Schwartz and Raquel to make out. Scheana gets weepy, and says, she got a different perspective when she saw the show, and wishes she’d had more empathy for Katie. What she heard from Raquel about how Katie was treating her took over, and she was watching Raquel’s back. After watching the show, she feels different. Katie isn’t the person Raquel explained to her. She let what Raquel told her be bible, and it took her back to where she was bullied by Katie and Lala. We flash back to that, and Scheana says she felt like she needed to protect Raquel. Lala says, they’re not teaching pre-K; this is Bravo. No one is bullying anyone. Sandoval asks if Lala gets a get-out-of-jail-free card, and Lala tells him, STFU. Both he and Raquel triggered her, and now they know why. Sandoval says, Lala used Raquel as a scapegoat, but Lala says, she sniffed Raquel out a mile away; she moves like a snake. Sandoval says, it takes one to know one, and Lala says, and he has the balls to say, accountability, Katie. Lisa says, Lala has been aggressive in the bast, and Lal tells her not to stick up for Sandoval. Lisa says, she’s not; she’s talking about Lala. Everyone starts talking at once, and James gets up and leaves, saying, he’s not listening to this sh*t. In her trailer, Raquel says, oh my God.  

Next time – Part Two – Schwartz says, Katie has a history of diminishing his friendships; more of the one-on-one interviews; and Raquel joins the group.

🍸 Having My Own Kiki…

See you tomorrow for soap and recovery from this awful VanderMess. Until then, stay safe, stay bringing in ‘da noise and ‘da funk, and stay just having faith, since you can’t predict the future.

May 23, 2023 – Sonny Proposes To Nina, Teresa’s Epic Unforgettable Wedding, Closer To God & Behind

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Dex punches the heavy bag at Volonino’s, when Spencer walks in. Dex says, it’s good to see him. He heard things got pretty rough in Greenland. Spencer says, that’s one way to put his uncle trying to kill millions of people, and Dex says, thank God he was able to stop it. Joss was worried about him. Spencer says he’d assume so; they’ve been friends their whole lives. Dex says he’s glad Spencer is back in one piece, and Spencer says, Dex can stop sucking up. There’s no one around here. Dex asks if Spencer can cut the attitude for five seconds, and Spencer says, Dex would like that, wouldn’t he? No. Not when every word that comes out of Dex’s mouth is a lie. His Uncle Sonny might trust Dex, but he doesn’t trust Dex as far as he can throw him. To him, Dex is always going to be a backstabbing traitor. Trina overhears.

Finn says, it looks like Chase has the weight of the world on his shoulders, and Chase says he doesn’t think Finn’s friend Tracy likes him very much. Finn says, Tracy’s not good at pulling her punches. She’s also good at protecting her family, and if you have a problem with one of them, you probably got a problem with her. Chase says he got that; loud and clear. She called him judgmental, and said he acts like Brook isn’t good enough for him. Finn says, that’s a little harsh, and Chase says he thought so too. Does Finn think that’s how Brook feels?

Brook tries to write song lyrics, when Ned comes in on the phone, saying, he knows tips to the SEC are anonymous, but someone must know who told them about Drew and Carly’s alleged insider trading… Okay. Thanks. He appreciates them looking into it. Let him know if they find anything. Brook asks what they was about, and Ned says, trying to prove his innocence. So far, she’s the only one who knows he’s not responsible for turning in Drew and Carly. Everything okay? She says she’s just working on another song, and he asks to take a look. He reads for a moment, and says, this looks dark. He’s guessing things aren’t any better with Chase. She says, things aren’t anything with Chase. He broke up with her, and now that he’s back at the PCPD, there’s no reason for them to see each other again.

On the phone in a MetroCourt alcove, Carly says she’s calling to check on a patient; Willow Corinthos… She’s Willow’s mother-in-law, Carly Spencer… That’s great. Thank you. It’s so good to hear. Olivia walks in, and they look at each other.

Sonny says, Nina is never going to be out in the cold because she’s always going to be a part of his life. She thanks him, but says, they both know this is going to be a fraught subject in their relationship. Think of the strain when she said she didn’t want to know about his business. This is the same thing. He says he’s not going to let that happen, but she says, it’s out of his control. There’s nothing he can do about it, because family comes first. She’s just going to have to learn to live with being on the outside. He says, she’s not going to be on the outside, because he’s going to spend the rest of his life proving it to her, but she says, that’s easy to say now. He says, now and forever, and she says, forever. He says, forever… if she marries him. She asks if he said what she thinks he did, and he says he’s asking her if she’d make him the happiest man ever and marry him. What does she say? He kisses her hand.

Dex says, it’s really good to see Trina. He was just telling Spencer how worried Joss was. She barely slept while they were missing. Spencer says, and he was just telling Dex that he doesn’t need to tell them how Joss feels about anything. Trina says, if it had been Joss on that boat, she would have been scared out of her mind. She’s glad Dex was there for her. Dex says he wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere else. He’s going to hit the shower. He’s glad they’re both home safe. Trina thanks him, and says, that’s nice to hear, isn’t it, Spencer? Spencer says, please, and Dex leaves. Trina says, Spencer does know he’s being a jerk, right? and Spencer says he doesn’t like the guy. Why should he pretend he does? She says, he’s dating Joss, and it would be better for everyone if they could just get along. He says, Dex hit on Joss while she was still dating Cam; absolutely not. Besides, it doesn’t matter; they’re not going to last. She asks, what makes him say that? and he says, because Joss has decided she hates his Uncle Sonny and all that he stands for. So dating his employee is a non-starter.

Chase tells Finn, it was nice of dad to defend him to Tracy, but the truth is, she might be right. He’s treated Brook unfairly. Finn says, Chase has a valid reason to be mad at Brook. She could have ruined his reinstatement at the PCPD. Chase says, what she did was wrong, but the only reason it happened was because she wanted to keep working with him, and she seems genuinely sorry for doing it. Finn says, remorse is a step in the right direction, and Chase says, she showed up at his hearing to speak on his behalf. That took a lot of guts, and seeing her there made him realize how much he’s missed her. Is he just being stubborn and punishing them both by not forgiving her? Finn says, Chase is the only one who can answer that, and Chase says, Finn is picking now to stop being his know-it-all big brother who loves telling him what to do? Finn says he thinks the question is, can Chase really forgive Brook? Can he really forgive her and put all of this behind them for good? Chase says he thinks so, and Finn says, then he thinks Chase owes it to both of them to find out. But what if they get back together and she does the same thing again? Chase has to be really honest with himself. Can he accept Brook for who she really is?

Olivia says she wasn’t expecting to see Carly here, and Carly says, because of Nina and the whole co-owner thing? She decided a long time ago not to live her life based on what that woman does. Besides, she was on her way out. Olivia says, Carly must hate her, but Carly says, hate Olivia? No, but her husband is a different story.

Ned asks if Brook isn’t being a bit dramatic, but she says she’s just stating the facts. She hasn’t seen Chase since Michael and Willow’s wedding, and they barely said ten words to each other. Ned asks if it might have something to do with the fact Brook’s been hiding from Chase, but she says she wasn’t hiding. She just had to get Chase away from granny before she… He says, before she what? and she says, with granny, who knows? He says, mother isn’t exactly the model of tact, when Tracy walks in, and says, nonsense. She’s an absolute delight wherever she is. Ned tells her, good morning, mother, and she says, aren’t the two of them the faces of doom. What’s wrong now? Ned says he still hasn’t found out who reported Drew and Carly to the SEC, and Tracy says, that’s right, because it wasn’t him. He says, it wasn’t; he’s not lying. Tracy says, and he’s known for his honesty and transparency, and Brook says, one way for him to prove it is to find the person who would want to hurt Carly and Drew. He says, besides him, and Brook says, actually, who would want to hurt Carly or Drew? They’re assuming it’s someone who wants to hurt the both of them. What if it’s someone who only wants to hurt one of them? Ned asks what she means, and she opens her notebook and says, check it out. She draws two circles that overlap somewhat, and says, these are Carly’s enemies, and these are Drew’s enemies. Tracy says, if she’s drawing to scale, Carly’s circle needs to be a lot bigger, and Brook points to the overlap and says, these are the people who knew about Carly purchasing Aurora’s stock. It could be somebody who’s only after Carly, or only after Drew, or after both of them. Tracy says, a diagram of revenge. How fun. Ned’s phone rings, and he steps away to take the call. Tracy says she’s glad Brook is helping her father. It’s a better use of her time than mooning over Harrison Chase, that ingrate. Brook asks, how Chase can be ungrateful when he doesn’t even know what she did for him? and Tracy turns away. Brook says, they had a deal. Tracy said she’d stay away from Chase if Brook went back to work at Deception, which she’s done. Tracy says, oops, and Brook asks what that means. What has Tracy done?

Nina says she’s sorry; she can’t marry Sonny. He asks if she’s saying, no, and she says she has to. This whole thing is all wrong. He says he admits this isn’t exactly how he planned to ask her to marry him, and she says, see? He didn’t plan on proposing to her. He’s just trying to make her feel better. He asks if she doesn’t think it would make them both feel better if she said, yes, and she says she loves him for doing this, but she doesn’t want a pity proposal. He says he feels a lot about her, but pity’s not one, and she asks what he calls this. He says, love, and she says she just got done telling him that she’s afraid his family is going to come between them, and he immediately asks her to marry him? It’s very kind of him… but he says, this isn’t about kindness. Kindness is him making her favorite pasta dish for dinner. He’s asking her to marry him. Yeah, he didn’t pick the right setting, and he should’ve had a big speech, but he didn’t think she’d need a candlelit dinner and champagne to agree to marry him. She says she doesn’t need that. She just needs to know that he really wants her to be his wife. Be honest with her. Has he ever thought of proposing to her before tonight? He says, as a matter of fact, yes, and takes a jewelry box out of his pocket, showing her the ring inside. Now does she believe him? He just didn’t know what the right time was because of Willow. They were both worried, and he never felt it was the right time. He guesses it’s not the right time now, and closes the box, but she says, that’s for her? He says he had it specially made for her, but if she doesn’t want it… She says, who wouldn’t want it? It’s beautiful. He really wants to marry her? He says, absolutely. Does she want to rethink her answer?

Dex goes into the steam room, when Josslyn comes in wearing a towel. She says, fancy seeing him here.

Trina tells Spencer that she hates to disappoint him, but Joss really cares for Dex. She doesn’t think he’s going anywhere. He says he doesn’t understand what Joss sees in him; they’re complete opposites. That relationship is going nowhere. She says, sometimes complete opposites make the best couples. You can’t put logic around love. The heart wants what it wants. He says, yes, it does, and kisses her. Josslyn walks in, fully dressed, and hugs Spencer, saying, she’s so happy to see him. She was so worried about him. He says, so he heard, and she asks if she should say she’s sorry about his uncle. He says, sorry for what? That he turned out to be a psychopath? No. He’s just embarrassed that he trusted Victor for as long as he did. She says, it’s not Spencer’s fault he wanted to believe the best about him, and Trina says, when Josslyn came in, she was upset. Is everything all right with Willow? Josslyn says, she’s fine. She’s doing the best she can. She’s going through chemo and preparing for the bone marrow transplant tomorrow. Josslyn and Michael got in a fight. Trina says, about what? and Josslyn says, nothing; she shouldn’t have said anything. Spencer says, maybe it’s too soon for him to get back to the gym. He should probably give it some time while he’s recovering from his acts of heroism, so he’ll see Trina later. He leaves, and Trina tells Josslyn, spill. What could possibly make her mad enough to argue with Michael while Willow’s fighting for her life?

Tracy says she made sure Detective Chase knows he’s not good enough for Brook. She made it perfectly clear she doesn’t like him looking down his nose at her granddaughter. Brook asks what he said, and Tracy says, not a lot actually. His father, however, Jeremy… Brook says, Gregory, and Tracy says, whatever. Felt the need to insert himself in their conversation and defend Chase. Brook says, things weren’t mortifying enough, and Tracy says she did get her point across, however. Brook asks, why? She did exactly as Tracy asked. She had no right to talk to Chase. Tracy says, relax. He’s a big boy. He can handle it. Brook says, that’s not the point; he shouldn’t have to. She’s the one who messed up. She’s the one who was slow to send her letter to the CCRB. Tracy says, she more than made up for it by having her grease the wheels and a few palms to get him reinstated, and Brook asks why she couldn’t just stay out of it like she promised. Tracy says, what’s done is done, and why does Brook want to be with someone who keeps judging her. Brook is better off without him as far as she’s concerned.

Chase says he guesses that’s the big question. Is he willing to accept Brook for who she is, or does he want her to be someone she isn’t? Finn says he learned the hard way. Sometimes two people want to be together and they try their best, but they’re just too different to make it work. Chase says, this whole conversation could be pointless. Who knows if Brook will take him back, considering the way he’s treated her. Finn says, Tracy’s his friend, but she’s not always the most reliable narrator. What’s his gut telling him? Chase says, that he needs to fix this, and he gets up. Finn says, good luck with all that, but Chase grabs his arm and says, Finn is going to help him.

Olivia tells Carly that she’s sorry. She had no idea Ned was even thinking about going to the SEC. Carly says she believes Olivia, and knows Olivia would have told her had she known. Olivia says, to get blindsided like that, especially at Michael and Willow’s wedding… and Carly says she can’t believe Ned would stoop so low. Olivia says she knows it doesn’t help, but she’s absolutely furious with Ned. They’ve done nothing but fight ever since this came out. Carly asks if Ned is staying at the MetroCourt; she doesn’t want to run into him. Olivia asks why he’d be staying at the hotel, and Carly says, where else would he go if Olivia kicked him out? She did kick him out, didn’t she?

Trina says she knows everyone is on edge, but it’s not like Josslyn and Michael to fight, especially with what they’re going through. Josslyn says she knows the timing wasn’t great, but she can’t help it. He’s being unfair. Trina says, about what? and Josslyn says, he’s just being a condescending ass who thinks he knows everything. Trina says, she’s really mad. What did he do? Josslyn says, he just refuses to accept the fact that what she and Dex have is real. He says, Josslyn is in college, so it’s just a phase. There are plenty of other guys. He acts like she’ll just forget about Dex the second he leaves town. Trina asks if Dex is going somewhere.

In the steam room, Dex says, just who he wanted to see, and he and Josslyn kiss passionately. Their towels fall to the floor. Obviously, he’s daydreaming, which Spencer ruins by walking in.

Olivia tells Carly that she was clear with Ned; calling the SEC was unconscionable. Carly says, but she didn’t throw him out, and Olivia says, no, she didn’t. Carly says, she could go to prison because of Olivia’s husband, and Olivia says, Carly did buy Aurora stock because she had privileged information about a possible merger with ELQ. She’s not entirely innocent. Carly says she was helping her son, and Olivia says she gets it. They’d both do anything to help their children. She told Ned that she thought his behavior was disgusting… Carly says, but? and Olivia says, but she’s worked too hard on her marriage to throw it away just because Ned told the truth.

Ned asks if something happened while he was gone, and asks what Tracy did. Tracy asks why everyone in the house always thinks the worst of her, and Ned says, fool us once. Tracy says, if he must know, she helped his daughter get a little self-esteem, something he should have done a long time ago, but he says, Brook’s self-esteem is fine. He’s asking again – what did Tracy do to her? Tracy says, he means, what did he do for her. She’s lucky to have someone on her side. Brook asks if they hear that, and Ned says, barely. Brook says, that’s her song, and goes out on the patio. Ned holds Tracy back from following her, and Brook finds Finn outside, holding up a speaker, like the boombox in Say Anything. Chase sings with the music; now we’re gonna make it; we were born to be together.

Nina says she’s sorry. She can’t marry Sonny. She can’t risk causing any more trouble in his life. She’s already cost him so much. He says, not as much as she’s given him. He loves her. He loves everything about her. He loves the passion she has for her life. He loves that she lets him be who he is. She doesn’t try to change him. Nina says, because he’s perfect, and he says, because she helped him get there. From the second he met her. He didn’t know who he was; it didn’t matter. Because he knows what he felt, and he still does. She sees things in him other people don’t see. He can be Sonny. He doesn’t have to be the boss, or someone who has their guard up. When he was at his worst, she stood up for him, no matter how much he pushed her away. So when she started talking about her family and how they were slipping away, he didn’t feel pity; he felt recognition. They’re the same way. They make mistakes and ask for forgiveness. He knows how hard that was for Nina, but he knows why she did it. Because she’s brave, and she’s a fighter, and he wants her to allow him to fight alongside of her. Will she be his partner for life, because he can’t imagine his life without her. He gets down on one knee, and says, Nina Reeves, will you marry me? He holds out the ring.

Dex asks if Spencer is done with this workout, and Spencer says, not that it’s any of Dex’s business, but he’s still recovering from what happened in Greenland. He and Joss have known each other a long time… Dex says, Spencer said that once or twice, and Spencer says, he, Cameron, and Josslyn all grew up together. Dex says he gets it. Spencer makes it very clear he wishes Cameron and Josslyn were still together. Spencer says, they were happy before Dex came along, and Dex says, Cameron seems like a good guy, but Joss makes her own choices about who she’s with. Spencer says, Dex is right. All he’s saying is, the three of them have a history with one another, and Dex has been here… three months? Dex says, a year actually, and Spencer says his point is, he knows Josslyn better than Dex ever will. Dex says, is that so? and Spencer asks, what’s Josslyn’s favorite movie of all time? It’s Children of the Corn. What snack did she used to sneak into the kitchen late at night to grab? Chocolate chips, dipped in peanut butter. Then, when she was ten years old, she sprained her wrist because she fell off Whiskey. Dex says, whiskey? and Spencer says, one of the Cassadine horses. They have those. She hurt herself real bad when they were taking a ride on Spoon Island. Dex says, at least she made a full recovery (I will not make a joke here… I will not make a joke here…), and Spencer says, his point is, he knows these things because he and Josslyn go way back. Dex tells him, so he’s said, but all Spencer’s examples prove is he knew her as a kid. He doesn’t seem to have a clue as to who Josslyn is now.

Josslyn says, Dex isn’t going anywhere, and Trina says, so who cares what Michael thinks? She and Dex know how they feel about each other, so there’s nothing Michael can do to break them up, right? She gets it. She knows what it’s like when people close to you think you’re too young to know what you want. No one approved of her and Spencer in the beginning. Some people still don’t, but what matters is that they know they’re supposed to be together.

Carly asks when Ned has ever told the truth, and Olivia says, Drew gave Carly privileged information and she acted on it. Carly says she lost money. The SEC never would have looked at them if Ned hadn’t pointed the SEC at them, and that was after he sided with Valentin and killed the merger. Olivia says, those are all business decisions, and have nothing to do with her, and Carly says, so if it doesn’t personally affect her, Olivia is just going to turn a blind eye to whatever Ned does? Olivia says, it’s not her job to police Ned’s business tactics, and she’s not going to ruin her marriage over it, and Carly says, got it. Olivia tries to say something, but Carly says, they shouldn’t talk about this, and Olivia says she has to get back to work.

Chase continues to sing to Brook (Finn’s arms must be getting tired), and Ned and Tracy watch from the doorway. The song ends, and Finn says he thinks they can take it from here. He goes inside, and Tracy says she can’t believe Finn got roped into that ridiculous display. Finn says, it’s all very embarrassing, but what can he say? Chase is family. Ned says, amen, and Tracy smiles.

Brook asks what Chase is doing here, and he says, trying to get back the best thing that’s ever happened to him.

Nina asks how she got so lucky. Sonny is the best man she’s ever known. He’s kind, he’s brave, he’s strong, and no matter what the obstacle that’s in front of him, he never gives up on getting what he wants. Sonny says he doesn’t, and she says, and he wants her. He says, now she’s getting it, and she says she wants to believe him, but she can’t stop thinking that one day he’s going to realize she’s more trouble than she’s worth. He says, that’s not going to happen. He knows exactly who she is, and his eyes are wide open. He’s not going anywhere. She asks if he’s sure, and he says he’s never been more sure in his life. A lot of people said he’s not worth it. She says, well, they’re wrong, because he’s worth everything. He’s her rock. If it hadn’t been for him these past few months… Finding out Willow was her daughter, seeing her get so sick. She would have fallen apart if Sonny hadn’t been there for her. She loves him so much for that; more than she can say. He asks if that’s a yes, and she says, yes! throwing her arms around him. She says she can’t wait to marry him, and they kiss.

Spencer says, Dex doesn’t know what the hell he’s talking about, and Dex says, Spencer acts like he doesn’t want Josslyn hanging around with them anymore; like he’s stealing Josslyn away from them. Spencer says, as if he could. She may be sleeping with Dex right now, but she’ll get tired of this little walk on the wild side. Dex jumps up (towel staying in place) and tells Spencer to watch it. Spencer says, Dex has no future with this girl. Joss is smart and motivated, and she’s going places. She wants to be a doctor. Dex, on the other hand, is muscle for hire who works for her ex-stepfather, who she hates by the way. There’s no way they’ll be happy together. Dex says, here’s what he knows about Joss. She makes up her own mind, and she deserves a lot better than an entitled punk like Spencer. Spencer pulls back his arm to punch Dex.

Sonny tells Nina to close her eyes, and put the ring on her finger. He says she can open them, and she admires the ring. She says, it’s absolutely beautiful; the ring of her dreams, given to her by the man of her dreams. They hug, and she says, they’re getting married. Get used to it because she’s going to be saying it a million times. He says he’s never going to get tired of hearing her say it, and she asks what they do now. He says he’s thinking there’s a candlelit dinner and champagne with their names on it, and she asks if he’s sure. He says, since she agreed to marry him, he thinks it qualifies as a special occasion. He takes her hand, and says, let’s go.

Chase asks Brook to hear him out. He knows he has a lot to make up for… She grabs his lapels, pulls him to her, and kisses him. Inside, Finn says, it looks like Tracy’s little plan failed, and she says, did it though? Chase says, there’s something he has to tell Brook, and she asks if they can’t talk later, but he says, she needs to hear this now. He misses her. He misses talking to her, and hearing her laugh. Her teasing him and bossing him around, and choosing his wardrobe. His life is so much duller without her in it. He’s back on the force, and should be thrilled, but after every shift, if it goes well, he wants to talk to her. And if it doesn’t go well, he wants to talk to her even more. He was so unfair to her. She says she’s the one who needs to apologize. She knows how much being a detective means to him, and she still held off writing that letter. She selfishly wanted to keep him singing so they could spend more time together. She knew it was wrong, and she’s so, so sorry. He says he’s sorry too. She’s really trying to be a better person. She wants to be better for him. He says he thinks that’s perfect because they’re pretty great together. So what does she say? Does she forgive him?

Olivia goes to the elevator, and the doors open to Nina and Sonny making out. Olivia clears her throat, and Sonny says, don’t mind them. They were just having fun. Olivia asks if they’re getting out any time soon, and Nina says, sorry. They get out, Olivia goes in, and says, have a nice night. The doors close, and Sonny asks, what’s wrong with her? Nina says she doesn’t know and doesn’t care. She doesn’t want to think about anyone else right now. Tonight, she and Sonny are the only two people in the entire world. They kiss.

Dex comes out, sees Josslyn with Trina, and says, this is a surprise. Josslyn kisses him, and says, a nice one she hopes. He says, always, and she asks if he wants to go to dinner. He says he’d love to, and Trina asks if he happened to see Spencer in there. He says he thinks Spencer is still in the locker room, and Trina asks if Spencer said anything to him. He says, nothing important, and he and Josslyn leave.

Finn asks if Tracy is saying she wanted this to happen, and she says, obviously, but his brother needed a little incentive. Her talk was designed to provoke him into doing something exactly like that. Finn looks at her skeptically, and says he’s not sure if she’s telling the truth, or just trying to save face. She says she’s been married a few times, and Ned says, more than a few. She says, if there’s one thing she’s learned, it’s never underestimate the power of reverse psychology on a man, and Ned tells Finn, word of advice; never second guess his mother.

Brook says, there’s nothing to forgive, but Chase says, yes, there is. He was being stubborn, standing on some stupid principle, making them both miserable. She says she’s not holding a grudge, and he says, good, because the last thing he wants is for her to feel bad about herself. She tells Chase, shut up and kiss me, and he does.

Spencer comes out with a cut on his lip, and Trina asks, what happened to him? He says, don’t worry about it, and she says, Dex hit him? Dex didn’t say anything about it when he came out. Spencer says, they got into it a little, and Trina says she can’t believe Dex did that. She’s texting Joss. He says, don’t. He threw the first punch. She says, but Dex didn’t look hurt, and Spencer says, he blocked it and then he got in a hit and walked away. She says, so Spencer is saying he started the fight, and Dex defended himself, then stopped it from going any further. He says he guesses, and she says, come on. Joss is her best friend, and Dex means a lot to her. Why can’t he and Dex get along? He says, it’s not his fault, and she says, so it’s all on Dex. He says, yes. He’s tried to be nice to the guy, but it’s impossible.

Hostess Trish uncorks the champagne, and Nina thanks her and says, every celebration needs a little champagne. Trish asks what they’re celebrating, and Nina says, they’re engaged. At the elevator, Carly hears, and turns around to see them kiss.

Tomorrow, Curtis wonders if he gave up on their marriage too quickly; Portia wants to speak with Jordan; and Diane says, Carly has options, but she’s not going to like them.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey – Teresa Gets Married

We flash back over highlights of Teresa and Louie’s relationship. Teresa says, they’re savoring these last moments before becoming husband and wife. I wonder what the chances of no fights, since the Gorgas aren’t attending.

One day to wedding; the Rehearsal Dinner. In her interview, Teresa says she never thought she’d find the love of her life. We find out Louie sits down when he pees, which we did not need to know. Louie’s older sister Veronica is going to be the officiant, and Teresa says, Veronica is the sister she never had. In Dolores’s interview, she says, she and Teresa have been friends for 28 years, and it’s comforting to see Teresa find love. It’s painful that her parents aren’t there, but never in a million years did she think Teresa’s brother wouldn’t be there. The wedding party is massive, and Louie says he pictures Bill in his life forever, even though Bill was added five minutes ago. In her interview, Teresa says, the people there are rooting for them and their love, and are actually happy for them. Gia tells Dolores, the only thing stressing her mom out is her uncle, and in Gia’s interview, she says, he completely burned the bridge. It’s over for everybody.  Dolores says, you can’t move forward if you don’t let things go, and tells Jennifer that it’s hard to watch; the kids get affected. They loved and adored their uncle. Jennifer suggests they concentrate on the happy stuff, and Dolores says she wants nothing more than for Joe #2 to give Teresa away, but Jennifer says, life is not a fairytale. There aren’t always happy endings. Wow. She’s a real fortune cookie genius.

The table settings are lavish and there’s lots of sparkle everywhere. In Teresa’s interview, she says, Louie’s mom reminds her of her mom. She wishes her parents had met Louie. Her mom didn’t want her with Juicy Joe; she wanted her to find someone who would treat her like a queen. She knew her soulmate was out there, and she’s glad she got him. Louie thanks his dad, Louie Sr., for coming, and in Louie’s interview, he says he had a hard time growing up. His father is an alcoholic, but he’s recovered now for 8 years. Louie has done a lot of healing, and today his father means the world to him. Louie Sr. says he feels beyond blessed that Louie has Teresa and her beautiful daughters. The day he goes to the big casino upstairs, he’ll go comfortable knowing Louie has a woman who has his back. Jennifer tells Paulie that she doesn’t like whiskey, scotch, or bourbon, but she likes the affect. Teresa says she can’t wait to party; they’re going to dance all night. Is it mean of me to hope this marriage fails eventually? In a big way?

Wedding Day. In Teresa’s interview, she says she considers hairdresser Lucia and makeup artist Priscilla two of her best friends. They’ve known each other for over 10 years, and they were always there for her. They’re practically family. Teresa reads a super long text, and in her interview, she says, it’s Angie, who’s been a family friend for years. She worked in the hospital where they made visits when her dad got sick. Angie helped care for her dad. Angie texts that she had a dream about Teresa’s parents walking her down the aisle. Her dad said, no tears today. Ironically, this makes Teresa cry, and Angie texts that Teresa’s parents are going to hold her hand the whole time. They love her so much. In her interview, Teresa says, Louie would have loved her parents. She’s asked them be with her all day. Lucia says, they’re here with her, and Gia gets weepy. Teresa tells Lucia that Joe #2 isn’t coming. It’s okay though. In Gia’s interview, she says, her uncle’s name shouldn’t even be present in the conversation. Teresa says, things happen for a reason. She’s with her chosen family.

Bill asks if Louie is nervous, but Louie says, no. Jennifer comes into the bride’s prep room, and asks if she can borrow Teresa. She wants to give Teresa something. She gives Teresa a pendant she had made that features a photo of Teresa’s parents. Teresa says, it’s her favorite picture of them, and Jennifer says she’s sorry for telling Danielle about the cheating rumor. She feels like she played a part Joe and Melissa not wanting to come. Teresa says, it’s not Jennifer’s fault; they made their decision. Gabriella says, they’d better not be talking about her uncle, and in her interview, she says she thinks it’s unfair that people keep bringing up her uncle’s name. It’s a sensitive topic, and makes Teresa upset. Teresa tells Jennifer, it’s been over 10 years. She’s done. This is the way it’s supposed to be. Jennifer says, today, just positive vibes, and Gabriella says she doesn’t want to hear her uncle’s name, and Melania wants to know why Gabriella is crying.

2 hours to the wedding. In Teresa’s interview, she says, her daughters are overprotective. They’ve only had each other, and they just want her to be happy. She didn’t want her brother mentioned. Her daughters have seen what he caused for the past ten years; the past few months. It’s been a long road. Everything’s all gorgeous, as you’d expect. The price tag for this extravaganza was $500,000. Half a million. It’s insane, but consider the source. Louie gathers the guys, and says, it’s a pivotal moment. He never thought he’d find someone as loyal as Teresa. It’s the blessest [sic] he’s ever felt. Is he picking up Teresa’s bad pronunciation habits? Seeing Teresa with his family, he felt he found the one. He thanks them for being here. Teresa’s hair is now happening, and in her interview, she says, she told Lucia that she wanted her hair half up, half down. Lucia says, it’s the biggest project she’s done yet. Teresa wanted a big crown, and this one is stupid big. Lucia says, the hair has to work around the crown, and in Teresa’s interview, she says she loves big, dramatic statement pieces.  I guess so. She loves her hair’s height, and Lucia says, there are over 1500 pins in Teresa’s hair. In Jennifer’s interview, she says she’s a team player, so she’s not going to say anything, but the hair is supposed to be an accent piece, not the main event. Gia bets Queen Elizabeth has a crown like Teresa’s, but I think QE’s crowns were probably more understated. In Dolores’s interview, she says she’d like it to be lower, but Teresa looks beautiful and can pull it off.

In Danielle’s interview, she says, things got out of hand at Paulie’s house. She knew what she’d said would be the reason Joe #2 isn’t here, but this is Teresa’s day. There are a lot of random Bravolebrities on the guest list, and Marge says she told her mom not to come because Melissa and Joe wouldn’t be there. In her interview, Marge says, Joe and Melissa feel betrayed. She has a hard time wrapping her head around it herself. It’s devastating. People start to sit, and the finishing touches are put on Teresa, who says she’s so happy. The guests, not so much, since it’s 93 degrees outside. I can identify here. My wedding day was also in the 90s, and the venue had no air conditioning. Luckily, we were near a lake and the breeze was in our favor. In her interview, Danielle says, it’s a million degrees and the makeup is melting. In Marge’s interview, she says, they’re going to smell like swamp ass. It’s not good. 4 minutes to go.

The Wedding Ceremony. Louie says he can’t believe this day is here, and the endless amount of bridesmaids come down the aisle, as Verdi’s Ave Maria is played by a violin quartet. Why does this chick try to be classy, then go apesh*t all the time? Theresa comes out.

In Marge’s interview, she says, as Teresa gets closer, her hair gets bigger. She’s waiting for doves to fly out of it. She says, Teresa looks gorgeous though. It takes a special woman to pull it off. In Danielle’s interview, she says, you know the saying, the higher the hair, the closer to God? God is looking up at Teresa’s hair. In Louie’s interview, he says, Teresa’s hair is standing up 3 feet, but it’s what she wanted, and that’s beautiful. Veronica welcomes the guests who are witnessing the incredible union of Louie and Teresa. She can’t think of two people more suited for one another. Me neither. The guests have been invited to share their commitment. Louie says a bunch of BS, and Teresa says a bunch of BS, ending with, today is the day they become one. She’s going to love him for a million tomorrows. Did she get that off the internet? It sounds like one of those cut and paste things catfishers use. They join hands, and say their vows. Veronica puts a little spin on it, asking if Louie will be okay with always having the smaller closet, and if Teresa can overlook endless dog hair on the furniture. They exchange rings, and Veronica says, it’s her deepest honor to pronounce them wife and husband. There’s applause, and Veronica tells Louie to kiss his gorgeous bride. Everyone cheers, and in Teresa’s interview, she says she did feel her parents there. It was so magical, beautiful, and perfect.

The Wedding Reception. Jackie says, it looks like Teresa and Louie belong together, and Marge says, the only people crying were her and Louie. Jennifer says, everyone is thinking about Joe #2, and Marge says, they’re all here, but Joe and Melissa aren’t. How can she feel as happy as she should? She’s thinking of cutting out early, but Jackie tells her not to leave early because of that. Jen says, it doesn’t have anything to do with her, and Marge says, they’ll have a good time and not talk about it.

The reception is all fabulous and over-the-top with lots of food. There are fire dancers and acrobats, and when Jen sees there’s mac and cheese, she says she’s never been so happy. Teresa and Louie go to the bridal suite to change, and Marge says she’s going to watch them walk in, and then slip out. In Dolores’s interview, she says, today is about Teresa, and they can keep the issues under wraps right now. There’s always next week. Everyone starts looking at their phones, and I’m appalled that they’re at a reception and don’t have their phones off. Except for Bill, who’s a doctor. There are headlines about Joe #2 being out for Teresa’s blood, and in Jennifer’s interview, she says, Teresa can’t have a happy day. It’s bad enough not to have her one family member by her side, but now he’s bashing her on social media. Teresa can’t see the posts. This is so stupid and wrong on so many levels, including common courtesy, and Louie says, oh my God. One more message on Instagram, and he’s going to bury them. Them not coming is f***ed up, and doing what they’re doing is crazy. Oh come on. They might as well have said they didn’t want them there. We see a line of flappers dancing, and in his interview, Louie says, Joe and Melissa’s behavior is disgusting. He’s not telling Teresa. She deserves to have her day. Teresa comes out in her second dress, which I really love; it’s like a sexy prairie style in white lace. A stripper comes out, with tassels and huge feathered fans, and I’m like, WTF? along with most of the guests. In Danielle’s interview, she says, there’s a titty lady in front of her. She doesn’t think she put enough in the gift envelope. In Teresa and Louie’s joint interview, Teresa says, she wanted their wedding to be sexy and hot. She wanted it to be epic; something people wouldn’t forget. Louie asks if they actually had someone sitting in a martini glass, and yep, they did. Teresa says she wanted the dancers to be with as less clothes [sic] as possible. She twirls around in her dress, which also has hem to waist slits in the skirt. Jennifer says, they’re finally going to party. The bridal party is announced, and as they walk in, Marge and Jen sneak out.

Louie and Teresa dance, and in Gia’s interview, she says, it’s the most beautiful thing to watch the special day they’ve waited so long for. It looks like a fairytale. There’s some kind of circle dance, and in her interview, Teresa says, she feels the love. Everyone’s happy for them, and she’s grateful. Louie is all the family she needs. The bride and groom make the rounds, which is why you never get to eat at your own wedding. That stuff takes a while. I note that Phaedra is very blond now, and a sword swallower comes out. The emcee asks Teresa’s daughters to come to the stage, and they say good things about Louie. In Teresa’s interview, she says, to have the approval of her daughters is the biggest reward. She’s proud of herself. She got to show her daughters the type of man to be with. Gia says, they love him. It’s truly a fairytale, and she’s happy to call them a family. There’s dancing, and someone wearing a disco ball for a head mingles with the guests. Or maybe they are a guest. I have no idea. Louie takes the mic, and thanks everyone for coming – their friends and family. Teresa pipes up, chosen family, and they cut the cake, which is humongous, but relatively simple. There’s a  tier of crystals in the middle, which is pretty cool. In Teresa and Louie’s interview, she says, she feels lucky. Everything was perfect. Louie says, it’s only getting better. He’d love to see their blended family grow, and them be grandparents. Teresa says, they have lots of time for that, and they kiss.

Next time – The Reunion – Teresa has a gorgeous new haircut; Jennifer says, Marge has old lady energy; Dolores says, Paulie is not divorced yet; Rachel tells Danielle not to take it out on her; Teresa says she’s never looking at Melissa again; Marge tells Melissa to sleep with one eye open; Joe #2 asks why Teresa is covering for someone; Marge says her kid was threatened at work; Andy does some yelling; and Teresa walks off the set.

👰🏻‍♀️ Main Event Hair…

In case you want to see it for yourself.

🪩 Loving To Boogie…

Make a return trip tomorrow for soap and a terrifying Reunion. Reunions are always awful, with everyone talking and yelling at once. This one ought to beat them all. Well, maybe not RHONJ… Until then, stay safe, stay shutting down put downs, and stay not trying to put logic around love. The heart wants what it wants.

May 22, 2023 – Tracy Has Lunch With Chase, Big Jim’s Flag Flies On Deck, Thank God Those Awful Summer People Are Going Home & Eye

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Drew leads Carly into the MetroCourt, and she says, not that she’s complaining, but why did he bring her here? He says, all will be revealed, and pulls out a seat for her at the bar. He says he thought they deserved some time together to enjoy each other, and the MetroCourt is close to GH. If Michael or Willow need them, they can be there in a minute. He knows she used to be co-owner, so if being here hurts her… She says, being with him here or anywhere is just perfect, and they kiss.

Finn meets Gregory at the MetroCourt, and Gregory thanks Finn for making time for him. Finn says, of course (🍷). Gregory said he had news that couldn’t wait. Finn sees Tracy come in, and says, but it’s going to have to wait just another minute. He goes over to Tracy, and asks if Tracy Quartermaine came back to Port Charles and didn’t tell him. She says, she did, and hugs him. He says he’s happy to see her, and she says, likewise. She’s sorry she hasn’t been in touch, but she got caught up in family drama. He says, that sounds made up, but he’ll let it slide… this time. Gregory joins them, and Tracy asks if Finn would care to introduce them. He says, of course (🍷), and introduces Gregory and Tracy. They shake hands, Tracy calling Gregory Professor Chase, and Gregory asks her to call him Gregory. He asks if she’d like to join them, and she says, other under circumstances, she’d love to, but she’s meeting someone… and there he is now. Chase walks in.

At Kelly’s, Cody says, don’t worry, he was just leaving, but Sasha says, please don’t. She came here to find him. He asks, why? and she says she wants to know why he’s still keeping things from her.

Selina sits next to Gladys at The Savoy, and says, it’s so nice to see her. So this is about her little I.O.U.? A big guy sits down on the other side of Gladys.

Michael and Josslyn go into the hospital breakroom, and he says he’s guessing she talked to Dex. She says, last night. He asked her to meet him on the hospital roof. She thought he was being romantic, but he pulled her close and told her that he had to say goodbye… because of Michael.

At her Crimson office, Nina kisses Sonny, and he says, that was quite a welcome. Why did she call him here? Did something happen? She says she has to tell him something. She’s been thinking about Willow. Willow wants her to make peace with Carly, but it’s one thing Nina is never going to be able to give her.

Cody says he doesn’t feel like hearing any more false accusations, and asks Sasha to excuse him, but she says she heard he came to the Home & Heart studio while she was promoting The Deceptor. He tells her, what can he say? He’s a big fan of skincare. Can’t she tell by his baby soft face? She says, Maxie told her that he had a different reason for being there, and he says he doesn’t remember seeing Maxie at the studio, but Sasha says, Maxie knows what Lucy told her. He says, which was? and she says, that he was going to take off all his clothes for her.

Finn asks, since when did Chase and Tracy start socializing? and Tracy says, since she was apprised of Chase’s association with her granddaughter. She knows a lot about Chase, and Chase knows nothing about her, so she thought she’d rectify that with a little one-on-one experience. Shall we? She tells Finn that she’ll be in touch about a game of backgammon soon, and Finn tells Chase, good luck. Chase and Tracy go to a table, and Gregory says, she seems nice. Finn says, does she?

Carly raises her glass, and says, to Drew, for always knowing what she needs before she does. She thanks him for always making her feel better, and he says he feels exactly the same way. He thanks her for being in his life, and they clink glasses, saying, to us. He says, real world incoming, and Tracy says she’s surprised to see them both out and about. Drew says, the SEC hasn’t hauled them off to prison just yet, despite Ned’s best efforts, and Tracy says she’s sure justice will prevail, despite their best efforts. She walks away, and Chase asks if she’s always like that. Both Drew and Carly say, pretty much, and he says, good to know. Could they tell Willow that he says hi, and he’s sending good thoughts her way? Carly says, of course (🍷), and he leaves to join Tracy. Carly says, she has such a sunny disposition. Tracy spreads joy wherever she goes. Drew says, doesn’t she? and asks if she wants to get out of here, but she says, changing locations won’t help. As much as she’d like to, they can’t ignore the trouble they’re in, or what it means for them.

Josslyn says, Dex didn’t exactly tell her that they have to say goodbye because of Michael. Dex told her that he was leaving, and when she asked him why, he told her their deal was off. She literally couldn’t believe what she was hearing. He continued to explain, and then she got it. Michael changed his mind? Michael says he gets she’s upset… She says she’s furious. Michael hired Dex to work for Sonny to get evidence against him. Now that Dex risked his life to get Michael what he wants, he doesn’t want it anymore? Michael says he knows he put Dex in a tough spot… She says, an impossible spot. The understanding was, Dex was going to get that evidence, Michael was going to give that evidence to the FBI, then Sonny would go to prison. The job would be over, and Dex would have the rest of his life carefree of retaliation. But if Michael doesn’t give that evidence to the FBI, then Sonny doesn’t go to prison, does he? and Dex is trapped. Michael says, Dex understood there were significant risks that came with this job, and she says, not the risk that Michael would change his mind at the last minute. Now that Dex has worked in Sonny’s organization for over six months, now that Dex knows too much about Sonny for Sonny to ever let him quit, there’s no way out of it for him. Michael says, yes, there is. She just told him that Dex is leaving. She says, he’s not. He agreed to stay. He says, because of her? and she says, partly… Yes, he’s staying because of her. Michael asks how she could do that to Dex.

Sonny says he knows it’s an uphill battle for Nina, honoring what Willow wants. All she can do is try. Nina says she has tried. She’s gone to Carly – twice. She’s owned up to her actions and apologized. She even asked Carly to try and help her make almonds amends with Willow. He says, and Carly said no? but she says, a simple no isn’t good enough for Carly. When she ran into Carly at GH, Nina apologized for blaming Carly for getting in between her and Willow. Then Aunt Liesl and Drew arrived, and she wasn’t able to respond. Last night, she called and asked Nina to come over. Nina assumed it was to finish their conversation, and took it as a positive sign, but Carly just wanted her to beg a little bit more before Carly shot her down. Carly refuses to help her. She says the same thing all the time; she’s going to respect Willow’s decision, whether it’s for or against Nina. He asks if Carly said she was going to work against Nina, and Nina says, she might as well have. Nobody understands more than she does why Willow is upset with her. She makes mistakes all the time, and continues to make mistakes. One of them was suing Michael and Willow for visitation rights with Wiley. She could have handled it better, but as long as Carly supports Willow’s decision to keep Nina out of her life, Willow will never reconsider. He says he hates that she’s going through this, and she says she loves that he’s on her side. It means the world to her. Especially when it feels like no one else is.

Cody and Sasha sit down, and Cody says, guilty as charged. He did threaten to streak on that telecast. He heard she was being trolled on social media. They were suggesting Sasha was going to have another breakdown. He couldn’t stand for that, so he booked it down to the studio. When he got there, the producer and the production assistant were playing the sounds of babies crying in Sasha’s earpiece. So he threatened to strip. Then he saw that she didn’t need his help; she was handling it herself. He also did have some words with their host, Haven, too. Sasha asks what he said, and he tells her, let’s just say it’s safe for her to go back on that channel. They won’t mess with her again. She says she can’t believe he did all this for her. Last time she saw him, she told him that she couldn’t trust him. He says, no one’s ever trusted him. That’s why he’s alive.

Gladys says she’s ready to take care of her debt, and Selina asks if Gladys has the money she owes her. Gladys says she has something even better – information, and Selina says, regarding? Gladys says, Sonny’s biggest bruiser was handing cash to one of Sonny’s other guys, and Selina says, Gladys saw one of Sonny’s employees receive payment, but Gladys says, it was more than a week’s pay; it was a big, thick envelope. Selina says, how Sonny pays his employees is none of her concern, but Gladys says, there was something special about this. Something had to have happened for Sonny to be spreading the wealth around like that. Selina says, that may be useful, and Gladys says, useful enough to cover her debt? Selina says she’ll knock five grand off, but she’s afraid Gladys still owes her 80K. Gladys says she doesn’t have that kind of money, and Selina says, this is upsetting. Very upsetting.

Finn asks what news Gregory has for him, and Gregory says he’s got plane tickets for all of them to go to Disneyworld. It’ll be the perfect family vacation; Finn, him, Chase, and Violet. Violet’s never been and she talks about it constantly. She wants to visit Cinderella’s castle, fly on Dumbo, and needs to have a conversation with all the Disney princesses. Finn says, of course (🍷) she does, and Gregory says, tell her it’s for her birthday. It’ll be the trip of a lifetime.

Chase thanks Tracy for the invitation, but he’s curious. What did she want to talk to him about? He’s a detective, and he’s stumped. She says, he’s not much of a detective, is he? Let her spell it out for him.

Carly reminds Drew that Diane said they’d be pitted against each other. She was talking to her mom last night… He says, and she told Carly to take the day off. Carly says, no, but it doesn’t matter. She’d never do that. He says, there’s going to be a lot of pressure on both of them. Tracy suggested something similar to him. She says, that’s because Tracy’s a compulsive schemer, and expects everyone to react the way she would, and he says, maybe Carly should reconsider. Maybe she should testify against him.

Michael says, the only way Dex can stay in Port Charles is if he continues to work for Sonny, and Josslyn says, that’s because Sonny’s not going to prison where he belongs, and that’s because of Michael. Michael says he hired Dex on the understanding that Dex would get close to Sonny, gather evidence against Sonny, and turn the evidence over to him. Michael says, and he would handle it from there. Dex was supposed to already be out of it at that point, and still could be. He gave Dex a lot of money, and from what he understands, so did Sonny. All Dex has to do is get on a bus and a ferry to Canada, and buy himself a new identity. He doesn’t even have to do that because Sonny wasn’t arrested; he’s not going to be looking for an informant. He could take off without Sonny doing much to find him. Josslyn says, this is pointless. She already told Michael that Dex isn’t going anywhere. He says, because Josslyn wants him to stay, despite the risks. Despite the fact that if Sonny finds out, he could have Dex killed, and that’s going to be on him. She says, exactly. He just doesn’t want to have Dex on his conscience. It’s easier to throw money at him, and have him go away. Michael doesn’t even see Dex as a real person. Michael doesn’t give a damn what Dex wants, or how he feels. He says, but she does, and she says, yeah.

Sonny takes Nina’s hand, and says he’s on Nina’s side. He knows how much she wants to have a daughter and have the chance to be a mother, especially when she thought that chance was stolen from her. He wants her to and Willow to move forward. She asks if they shouldn’t do it together, as a family, and he says, actually, Michael came to him. He wants peace. She says, that’s great, and he says, but that peace comes on one condition.

Sasha says she didn’t see Cody there; why didn’t he say hello? He says, she handled it like a pro. She recovered on her own, and didn’t need him stepping in. She asks if he was ever going to tell her, and he says, probably not. She asks, why not? and he says, honestly, he didn’t know how she’d react. They didn’t exactly leave things on the friendliest of terms last time. She says she’s sorry. She judge him too quickly. He says, she was defending her mother-ion-law, which he could almost respect if Gladys hadn’t framed him for stealing that bracelet.

Finn says, Violet will love it, and asks when Gregory was thinking. Gregory says, next week, but Finn says he doesn’t think there’s any way they could get time off with such short notice. Gregory asks, why not? and Finn says, for one thing, Violet is in school, but Gregory says, it’s the end of the school year. Finn says he can’t request time off with such short notice, and Chase just got his badge back. Gregory asks if they both don’t have family leave coming. He already bought the tickets; business class for all of them. Finn asks why it has to be now.

Chase says he doesn’t know what Brook told Tracy… Tracy says, Brook didn’t have to tell her anything; it was all over her face. She moved heaven and earth for Chase, and he repaid her by breaking her heart. He says, it’s more complicated than that, and she says, what it is, is him looking down from his high horse and judging Brook, when he should be thanking his lucky stars she ever gave him the time of day. So quit stalling. Either forgive her and skip off into the sunset, or cut her loose. Personally, she thinks Brook would be much better off if Chase took his charms, and found someone who meets his lofty moral standards, and left Brook to find somebody who’s actually worthy of the air she breathes.

Carly can’t believe Drew would suggest she throw him under the bus. She can’t believe he’d think she would do something like that. He says he knows that’s not her style, but this is a bad situation, and they have to consider all of the options. He can’t see her go to prison. She says she can’t see him go to prison. She’s not going to save herself at his expense. He says, him going against her is a non-starter as well, and she says, great. Then they’re on the same page. He says he’ll always protect her. Always. She says, there might not be a way out of this. Diane said the SEC has a really good case against them. He says he did tell her about a potential merger at ELQ, and she did buy stock, but she says she was just trying to help him get his family’s business back from Valentin. He says, they know that, but the SEC doesn’t care, and she says, Josslyn is old enough to handle anything thrown at her, and Michael has a family of his own, but she can’t stand the thought of being away from Donna and Avery. It’s bad enough they were away from their dad all those months. How does she tell them that she has to go away? He says, they’re going to find a way out of this; they’re going to beat this. She says, what about him? He was away from his family for two years. How do they beat this without turning on each other? He says, the only way to do that is to go after the person who ratted them out. Um… that’s not going to help them stay out of prison.

Sonny tells Nina that Michael is still angry, but Willow pushed Michael to talk with him. She says, Willow’s quite the peacemaker, but peace is never simple. What was Michael’s condition? He says, Willow gets to decide whether she has a relationship with Nina, and what that looks like. Michael isn’t going to pressure her one way or the other. He’s going to let her decide. Nina says, so he’s doing the same thing Carly is doing; reinforcing Willow’s animosity toward her with his silence. Sonny says he wants Nina to have a relationship with Willow. He told Michael that he can’t control what Nina does – he was clear on that – but he’s not going to pressure Willow either. Nina says, Sonny has to stay neutral so he doesn’t lose his son again, and he says, she understands, doesn’t she? She asks, what makes him think he can trust Michael?

Michael says, Josslyn has feelings for Dex, and it’s pretty obvious Dex has feelings for her too. How could he not? Before he met Josslyn, he had no one; no family, no home, no significant ties. He was literally a hired gun, and that’s what Michael wanted. He wanted someone who was willing to risk their life for money. Now he’s risking his life for Josslyn. She’s the only one who can stop this. She’s the only one who can send Dex away. She says she won’t, and he says, she knows Dex would be better off, but she says she doesn’t know what would happen if Dex left here. Neither does Michael. What she does know is that she’s not going to lie to Dex. She’s not going to tell him that she wants him to go when she doesn’t. He can make his own decisions. The only way to save this is for Michael to do what he was supposed to do in the first place, and turn Sonny in.

Gregory tells Finn, memories are all they have, and he wants to make as many as possible while he still can. Finn asks what that means, and Gregory says, Violet’s growing up so fast. There’s still so much to teach her, and experiences he wants to have with her. He wants to make sure to do all that before he wakes up and realizes it’s too late. Finn looks over at Chase and Tracy, and Gregory says, yes, he’s being impulsive… He asks Finn, what’s the matter? and Finn says, it looks like Chase is about to meet his maker. His phone rings, and he says, it’s the hospital. He needs to take this. He steps away, and Gregory watches Chase and Tracy.

Chase says, with all due respect… and Tracy asks what he knows about respect. He says, if she’d allow him a moment… She says, he’s had all the time in the world to figure out how to worship the ground Brook walks on. Now he wants more time? No. Sorry. Time’s up. Gregory walks over, and asks if there’s a problem here.

Michael says he can’t use that evidence against Sonny, and Josslyn asks, why not? He says he told Willow that he wouldn’t, and she asks why he involved Willow in this. He says, she doesn’t want to lie to Dex; he doesn’t want to lie to Willow. After their wedding, when Willow said she wanted him to co-exist with Sonny, he showed her the Pikeman evidence, and told her about his plan to turn Sonny in. She says she gets that Willow wants everyone to get along, but Willow can’t see the damage that Sonny’s done; the lives he’s wrecked, and the danger everyone surrounding him is in. Did Michael tell her about Morgan? Michael says he talked to her about Morgan, Josslyn, and his siblings. He told her how much he loves them all. She made him realize that if he turned Sonny in, he’d be blowing his family apart, and the ones who’d be suffering the most would be Avery and Donna because Sonny is their father and they love him. If he sent Sonny to prison, how are they supposed to choose? Do they keep loving Sonny or do they keep loving him? And which big sister would they count on, Josslyn or Kristina, when they can’t stand to be in the same room together? She says she gets it. It’s one big emotional complicated mess. But there had to have been a better solution than hanging Dex out to dry.

 Sonny asks if Nina thinks Michael’s lying, and she says, it’s worth entertaining the idea that he might be stringing Sonny along. He came to Sonny because Willow pushed him. Michael would do anything for Willow, and now he gets to determine Sonny’s placement in the family contingent on Sonny agreeing to his agenda, which means staying silent while Willow keeps Nina out of her life. She’s not saying he should refuse Michael’s terms. She’s just asking him to consider Michael might not hold up his end of the deal. He says, things have been difficult with him and Michael for a while, but when Michael came to him, he believed Michael was sincere and he’s going to do what he says. She tells him, she knows he’ll do anything to reconnect with his family, but he has to understand that excludes her.

Drew says, Ned got them into this mess, and Ned is going to get them out, but Carly asks how he’s going to do that. Even if he takes back his accusations, it’s still in the SEC’s hands. Drew says, he’s been at the helm of ELQ for decades. He’s built contacts and influence. She says, Michael ran ELQ for the past ten years; what kind of influence does Ned have? Drew says, Ned has had time to build government contacts. He has a lot of favors owed to him, so if he knows what strings to pull, he can probably get the SEC off their backs. She asks why Ned would do that, and he says, they’ve just got to find the right leverage to use against him to get them out of this. The question is, what do they use?

Sasha says she’s sorry Gladys accused Cody of stealing the bracelet at the Nurses Ball. Before that, they were becoming friends. He says, they bonded over biscotti, and she says she’s not one to turn down good friends, and after what he did at Home & Heart, she’d say he qualifies. He says, it doesn’t take much to get him streaking, and she says, good to know. She’s sorry things got so complicated between them, and would like to go back to being friends. He says, that would be great, but he doesn’t see how it’s possible.

Gladys tells Selina that she can get the money, but she can’t take it all out of her daughter-in-law’s account in one transaction. It will raise red flags. She has to pay Selina in installments. Selina says she’s leaving for Singapore to visit her mother, and Gladys says, how sweet. Gladys hopes she’s okay, and Selina says, she’d hoped to get this matter resolved before she leaves. Gladys says, this was the best she could do, and Selina says, sometimes all we can ask for is our best. Do that, and she’ll give Gladys until she gets back to gather the funds. Gladys breathes a sigh of relief and thanks Selina, who says, she’d be a bad businesswoman if she didn’t charge Gladys interest. 20% a week seems fair, considering the time and attention she’s paid to this matter. Well, she’s no more a perpetrator of usury than the credit card companies. Gladys says, that will take her even longer to get the money out of Sasha’s account, and Selina says she’s confident Gladys will manage. Gladys says, Selina doesn’t understand. She thinks Sasha is planning on terminating the guardianship. Selina says, that’s not her concern. She doesn’t care how Gladys gets the money. She expects to be paid in full when she returns. Selina gets up, and her guy follows her out.

Tracy asks why her conversation would have anything to do with Gregory, and he says, because he’s the father of the young man she’s reading the riot act to. Chase says he’s got this, and Tracy says, his son has been treating her granddaughter like dirt, and she won’t take it any longer. He says, Quartermaine… Brook must be her granddaughter, and Tracy says, congratulations. His genius grant is on its way. He says, with all due respect, she seems to be missing some facts, and she says, the fact is, if her granddaughter weren’t so blinded by… all that, she would stop moping and realize Chase should be down on his knees begging her to take him back. Gregory says, she doesn’t know the first thing about his son so let him educate her. His son is kind and generous. He puts others ahead of himself – always. He’s dedicated his life to public service, and Gregory is proud of the way he is. Chase says, this isn’t necessary, but Gregory says, no, it is. Chase can make mistakes like all humans do, but he learns from them, and strives to do better. Tracy says, as far as she’s concerned, he hasn’t learned a thing. And of all his so-called virtues, he lacks the capacity for forgiveness. Gregory says, she’s entitled to her opinion. Fortunately, he’s taught his sons not to value the opinions of snobs. Chase looks like he wants the earth to swallow him up.

Carly says, she and Drew can go the direct route. They can find something incriminating, and use it against Ned. She’s sure there’s something out there; she just doesn’t know how recent it is. And she doesn’t want to hurt Olivia. She’d like to avoid doing that. He agrees, and she says, okay, the indirect route. Someone who’s done something dirty who Ned would want to protect. She can think of two people. Brook; she’s always in some kind of trouble… He says he really doesn’t want to blackmail Brook, and she says, her neither; she likes Brook. That leaves Tracy.

Nina says she’s truly so happy for Sonny. His estrangement from Michael has been eating him up inside. Michael is his son, and means the world to him. He says, she’s not angry, and she says, if anyone knows the position he’s in, it’s her. She’d never begrudge him the opportunity of healing things with his family. He asks why she’s so good to him, and she says, she loves him. All she wants is for him to be happy, and part of her is so glad he has this chance. He says, and what about the other part? and she says she feels like her chance at having her own family is slipping away.

Michael tells Josslyn that he feels sorry for Dex, but he’s a grown man. Nobody forced him to take this job. She says, but he offered Dex conditions that made it seem acceptable, and then changed them, and he says, Dex could leave and live a better life, but he’s throwing it all away because of Josslyn. She says she doesn’t regret what happened between her and Dex. And whether Michael likes it or not, what happens to Dex affects her too. He says he lost count of how many times he told Dex to stay away from her, but she says, he doesn’t have any control over Dex’s personal life, or hers. He asks what she wants him to say. I’m sorry? He’s more sorry than she can ever know. She says, sorry doesn’t change anything. When he bailed on this deal, when he let Sonny go, he not only upended Dex’s life, he upended hers too. He tells her, she says this now, but she’s still in college. She has her whole future ahead of her. She’s going to be a doctor. What kind of relationship does she think she can have with Dex long term?

Cody says he doesn’t think Sasha would be here talking about their friendship if she thought he stole the bracelet. Does she still believe he was responsible? She says, stealing a bracelet doesn’t make sense from a man who stepped up for her on Home & Heart. Maybe he was set up, but not by Gladys. He says he gets why she believes in Gladys after everything Gladys has done for her, but her mother-in-law framed him. She starts to protest, and he says, at least she believes he isn’t a thief. He thanks her, but someday he hopes she knows he was telling the truth to her. He gets up and walks out.

Outside The Savoy, Gladys messes with her phone, and says, one money transfer down. Her phone rings, and she asks Sasha, what’s up? Sasha says she has something important to tell Gladys. She set up a meeting with her doctor to discuss getting the guardianship lifted. Gladys looks sick.

Selina’s dude says he’s surprised she showed Gladys so much grace, but she says, grace has nothing to do with it. By the time they return from Singapore, Gladys will either have the money or not. And if she doesn’t, perhaps she’ll be forced to do something drastic, like run away. And perhaps her Cousin Sonny will have to do Selina a favor in order to clear Gladys’s debt.

Carly says she has no love for Tracy, and Drew says, she’s done horrible things and never had to pay. She says, framing Alexis for drunk driving comes to mind, but he thinks there are more things than that. Luke died over a year ago. Why is she coming back to Port Charles now? What has she been up to? Carly says, no good, knowing Tracy, and he says, exactly. So they find something on Tracy, take it to Ned, and ask him, would he rather they pay, or save his mom? She says she thinks they might not want to know the answer to that question, but he says, they’ve got to find out. They’ve got nothing else to lose. She says, except their freedom. She puts her arms around him, and says, okay. Let’s get Tracy.

Tracy says, snob? That’s all Gregory’s got? He says he could come up with other names, but being a gentleman… She laughs, and asks if that’s what they’re calling it these days, when Finn approaches the table. He asks if he could speak with Tracy a second, and she says, excuse me, gentlemen. They step into the hallway, and Finn asks Tracy, what’s going on in here? She says, she and his father are having a difference of opinion about his brother, and he says he thought this was a friendly meeting. She says, he knows she holds him in the highest regard, but his brother… Let’s just say, she may be the only person in Port Charles who isn’t a member of his fan club. Finn says, understood. He knows Brook and Chase have their problems, but isn’t that for them to figure out? She says, he may be content to sit on the sidelines, but that’s not how she operates when a member of her family is slighted. If Brook doesn’t see who Chase is really soon, she promises she’ll open Brook’s eyes for her.

Chase says he had things under control; Gregory didn’t have to butt in like that. Gregory says he’s sorry he overstepped, but Chase says, it’s fine. He appreciates Gregory defending him, although he’s not used to smoke coming out Gregory’s ears. Gregory says, when Chase was growing up, he always stood up for him, and Chase says, but his style was always diplomatic. What’s gotten into him? Gregory says, the woman was out for blood. It doesn’t matter how old Chase is. If someone’s attacking Chase, he’s going to protect him… as long as he’s able. He hugs Chase, who looks startled.

Josslyn tells Michael, Dex thought the job was going to end. He was going to get out, and they’d have a chance to answer all those questions about their future. But she’s stuck, thanks to him. He says, right or wrong, this is where they are. She hates what Sonny does, so she’s kidding herself if she thinks she can make things work with Dex. Isn’t the kinder thing to just let him go? She says she’s not letting him go. She’ll find a way out, for both of them. She grabs her jacket, and leaves.

Sonny says, Nina’s not losing her family, but she says she needs to be really, really careful about how she pursues a relationship with Willow; if she pursues one at all. She doesn’t want to drive another wedge between him and his son. Meanwhile, he’s going to get closer to his family, all of whom have made it very clear there’s no place for her. Birthday parties, wedding anniversaries, milestone celebrations; she won’t be invited. It already happened with Michael and Willow’s wedding. He was invited; she wasn’t. He says, she’s not going to be out in the cold, because she’s always going to be in his life, and she thanks him for saying that, but they both know it’s going to be a fraught subject for them. Remember the strain on their relationship when she said she wanted to stay away from his business? It’s going to be the same thing. He says he’s not going to let it, and she says, it’s out of his control. He can’t do anything about it. Family comes first. She’s going to just have to learn to live being on the outside, but he says, she’s not going to be on the outside. He’s going to prove that to her for the rest of his life if he has to. She says, that’s easy for him to say now, and he says, now and forever. She says, forever, and he says, forever, if she’ll marry him.

Tomorrow, Brook asks why someone couldn’t just stay out of it like they promised; Trina tells Spencer, it would be better for everyone if he would just get along with someone; Carly tells Olivia that her husband is a different story; and Sonny asks if Nina wants to rethink her answer.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht

Igy Marina, Sardinia. Chase says, it’s nice not to be the boss, and Daisy says, Colin can go f*** himself. She sits next to Gary, and says, it’s been so hard with the non-stop complaining, then Colin turns around and makes a clown out of her in front of everyone. In Daisy’s interview, she says she’s never been angry at Colin, but he knew what he was doing. He wants to be the voice of reason, and it’s none of his f***ing business. STFU and know his place. Glenn radios the crew, reminding them that the tender is dropping them off at the restaurant, and they get dressed. In Gary’s interview, he says he didn’t expect hook up with Mads. She’s the cutest girl on the boat, and Daisy and Alex were all over each other anyway. They get in the tender, and take selfies. Gary toasts to Glenn, and when they get to shore, they go through a garden to the restaurant. The server tells them that the dishes are about the Sardinian experience, and Chase points out, they’re so fancy. He tells the stews to take notes, and he and Mads laugh together. In her interview, Daisy says, the last thing she needs is Mads and Chase making sh*t jokes about her f***ing job. In Colin’s interview, he says he doesn’t want to fight with Daisy. She’s a good friend, and it’s a waste of her energy being mad, but he’s not going feel sorry for giving his opinion. Back on the boat, Glenn is engrossed in a book. No doubt about the mating habits of some crustacean. Ileisha asks if Gary is jealous about Mads talking with Chase, and Lucy goes out to have a smoke with the guys. In Alex’s interview, he says he wants to hook up with Mads, but it seems pretty messy at this point. Even though he enjoys flirting, Gary is his boss, so he thinks it’s a bad idea. They take a taxi back, and Lucy says, Gary is pissing her off; he’s f***ing annoying. They play F***/Marry/Kill, and Daisy says she’s going to kill Colin because she’s super f***ing mad at him. By the time they get back and head for the hot tub, Glenn is snoozing away. In Chase’s interview, he says, they want to get drunk and argue, but it’s time to bring out Twister. He’s trying to be friends with everyone. Let’s have fun and celebrate! From the looks of things, playing Twister is probably a bad idea on a wet deck when you’re drunk. Gary tells Mads that he’s not here to play games, when Alex comes back, and Gary says, point proven. Enough said. Mads says she doesn’t understand, but Gary says she knows what she’s doing. She tells him that she’s just going with the flow, and he asks if she’s interested in him. She says, yeah, puzzling the hell out of me, and he kisses her. In her interview, she says, she wishes Alex would make a move, but he hasn’t and she’s horny. They make out, and I’m grossed out.  

A commercial wonders if it’s the end of an era for Summer House, and I say, yes, please.

There are hangovers in the morning, and Mads doesn’t remember much. Colin asks how Gary’s night was, and he says he hooked up with Mads. Daisy asks Mads if hooking up with Gary was a bad thing, btu she says she doesn’t know. She’s pretty sure she’s still drunk. Daisy asks the stews to refresh the cabins, and Gary tells Colin that Daisy is pissed at him. Colin says he’s on the firing line for what he said at the meeting. Daisy tells Mads that what Colin said was clearly directed her, and in Gary’s interview, he says, anyone dumb enough to piss off Daisy has a target on their back. Just agree with her. Colin says, Daisy is very defensive, and Lucy asks if Mads is okay, but Mads says she hates herself for hooking up with Gary. Daisy asks if Gary slept with her, but Gary says, no. Lucy asks if Mads fancies Gary, but she says she doesn’t know. It’s not that deep. Daisy wonders why Gary didn’t say anything and in his interview, Gary says, Daisy doesn’t need to know about his kissing life. Every time he tries to hook up with a girl, Daisy tries to c*ck block him. We flash back to that, and he says, Daisy doesn’t want him, but doesn’t want anyone else to have him. It’s weird. Glenn calls Ileisha, Daisy, and Gary for the preference sheet meeting.

Glenn says, they have return guest. Primary Jim was their best charter. Daisy says, they just want to have a good time, and reads that Jim wants to let his alter ego, Big Jim, out for nighttime debauchery. Ileisha reads that they have no dietary restrictions, which I’m sure is happiness for her. Gary says, they want the equipment out for water sports, and Daisy says, a traditional Sardinian dinner, yoga in the morning, a seafood palooza, and talent show number two. Gary says he’s not stripping again, and Daisy says, he’ll have to come up with another talent. Glenn says, it should be a good charter. Colin asks Daisy to meet him on the flybridge, and he tells her, obviously, she’s upset, and he ended up in the firing line because she felt attacked by what he said. Daisy says, he shut her down. After he acted like he knows all about her, she’s allowed an opinion. He insists he wasn’t being critical. He just put in his perspective on normal stuff. She says, after Glenn complained, then he chirped in, she felt overwhelmed, and he says he didn’t want to make her feel worse. He’s sorry. In his interview, he says, Daisy and Gary get in fights, and then make up. He doesn’t want issues. He tells her that he always wants them to be good, and they hug it out. Alex asks how Mads’s night was. He’s happy for their true love. Mads says, he’s f***ing ridiculous, and he says he’s just jealous… He’s kidding. Ileisha preps food, and everyone goes to bed.

In the morning, provisions come in, and Daisy checks the cabins. She’s happy. The guests arrive, and Glenn tells them, welcome to Italy. Jim says he can’t tell Glenn how great it is to be back here, and Glenn says, since they know the boat, they’ll skip the tour, and get out quick. Jim says, time to sail, and Glenn tells Colin that he’s going to fire it up. Horseradish beef filet sliders come out, and I sigh, remembering the leftover chicken and steamed vegetables I had for dinner. Jim says he loves him some horseradish. Me too, Jim. Me too. Smoke comes from the engine, Colin says, f***ing hell, and runs downstairs. Jim tells Glenn that they’ve been bopping up and down the Amalfi coast, and saw a lot of cool sh*t. More smoke starts coming out, and Jim asks if there’s anything Glenn wants to tell him about. The fire alarm goes off.

Portisco, Sardinia. Glenn tells Gary to check the alarm that’s going off in the bridge. He’s getting blown into shallow water, and has to get out. Colin radios that something’s not right; they need to anchor. Glenn moves to a better spot, and Jim says, 30 minutes in, and the engine is smoking. Looking at the engine, Colin says, everything seems normal, and they anchor. Glenn tells Colin that he’s shutting it down, and Daisy tells the guests that it’s welcome smoke. In her interview, she says she can’t believe they have engine problems again. Now the pressure and focus is on the interior. Colin says, oil is dripping from the turbo. Either something is seriously broken inside the engine or the turbo is broken. He’s not sure. It’s on the scale of a possible catastrophe, and he’s stuck with the stress. Glenn tells the deckhands to get out the paddleboats, and Jim says, boat stands for break out another thousand. In Ileisha’s interview, she says she’s bouncing back with a family style dinner, so there can’t be timing issues, and Glenn can’t be on her back. In Colin’s interview, he says, the shaft in the turbo snapped, which explains where the oil is coming from. The turbo’s job is to compress the air in the engine, so they’re stuck at anchor until the problem is fixed. They’re dealing with this after the cooler issue, and there’s a shortage of Caterpillar parts. He’s fearing the worst, that they can’t get a turbo, and the season is over. Glenn sends texts to all the parts places, and receives replies: they’re out of them, they’re not in stock, not at the moment, and a two week minimum wait. He sighs.

Ileisha prepares the traditional Sardinian dinner, and Glenn gets a text that there’s a turbo in Amsterdam. In Glenn’s interview, he says, sometimes you get lucky. Thank God it’s one of those times. Chase tells Daisy that he thinks he can BS leading a yoga class for 30 minutes. The guests are seated for dinner, and Jim says, being stranded was not a terrible day. The food is served, and Jim thinks he won’t fit in his shirt by tomorrow. The food is deemed incredible and amazing, and Daisy tells Ileisha that the guests are very happy. In his interview, Glenn says, Daisy and Ileisha are making an effort not to make the same mistakes, and he’s noticing a big improvement. At the end of the meal, Jim says, the dinner was spectacular, and they go to bed. Wow. These people are super easy. In Alex’s interview, he says he’s used to working on smaller boats, and not used to cleaning things over and over, just for it to get dirty before the sun comes up. Work on a superyacht is counterproductive. The night shift sucks.

2nd day of charter. Glenn says, the turbo is on its way, and Chase finds the deck less than clean. In Chase’s interview, he says, it’s not his first time picking up the slack for Alex. We flash back to that, and he says, Gary would say it looks terrible and he’d look like the a-hole. He’s not taking the fall. Chase leads yoga, with Lucy assisting, and in Lucy’s interview, she says, the guests just want to do a bit of stretching; not take a master class. It’s cringing her out. Chase speaks with Gary about Alex, and Glenn points out something that should have gotten rinsed at night. Gary says he’ll have a chat with Alex, and breakfast is served. The turbo arrives, and the guests applaud. Colin replaces the part. Daisy has a flag of Big Jim nakey with something covering his junk, but there’s no way I’m looking close enough to see what it is. I can’t unsee enough already. She hangs it in the crew mess. In his interview, Colin says, the turbo is now installed, and it’s time to test it. He’ll let the engine heat up and burn off the loose oil. If there’s no more smoke, he’ll know he fixed the problem and they can set sailing. Glenn watches, and the alarm goes off, but he says, it seems the level dropped off. Colin says, everything is amazing with the engine; no oil or exhaust. Glenn says, he’ll get the sails up, and Daisy says, they’re going to sail hard. In his interview, Glenn says, it’s crazy. They’ve had two massive unrelated engine failures in a short time. Fingers crossed their bad luck is out of the way. I think they need a bigger better boat. He says he’s going to  give Jim and the gang a monumental sail, and the sails go up while pirate movie music plays. Things go flying, and Daisy wonders why they need to heel so hard. Jim’s flag flies from the mast, and Glenn tells him, it’s their new courtesy flag. Jim says, how can he not love that?

Next time, Talent show #2; Gary talks to Alex; Alex wonders why Chase is attacking him behind his back: Chase insults Lucy at dinner; and Daisy kisses Colin.

Summer House

Oh God. I hate these people more than Gary.

Several minutes are taken up with reminding us how awful the season was.

Lindsay and Carl come back to the house, and Kyle is the only one around. He says he’s glad they came back, and Carl says he appreciates that Kyle is supportive; it means a lot. Kyle says he’s doing his best to get Carl to see the other side, but Carl says he couldn’t handle being seen as the bad guy. He needed space. Kyle says, it’s snowballed, and became a bigger deal than it was, and Lindsay says, Carl’s mental health is the most important thing. He wanted to get away, and they got away. In Carl’s interview, he says, all summer there was constant questioning about how he was acting and making decisions. He’s learning to navigate the transitions in his life as best he can. He loves some of the people in the house, and wants to have a good time. Kyle says he hopes Carl plans on talking to Danielle, and Lindsay says she is, but she’s not sure about Carl. Kyle says, one last hurrah. Upstairs, Kory puts on a henna tattoo, and Danielle wishes Robert was here. Lindsay tells Sam that they were having a mental health day, and in Danielle’s interview, she says she wants them to finish the summer off hopeful. At the end of the day, she wants to figure this out. In Lindsay’s interview, she says, Carl is a people pleaser, and if he can’t please everyone, it affects his self-esteem. You can’t run when the going gets tough. That’s not how life works. This is curious, coming from someone who has run quite a few times. She says, they decided to have a day where they supported each other, then they were going back. The party is a safari theme, and the housemates dress in costume. Ciara is a tsakarem from Avatar, and Kyle has a blow-up tiger around his waist, so it looks like he’s riding it. This is actually cooler than it sounds, even though I hate to put the words cool and Kyle in the same sentence. Kory and Sam have matching costumes and look like a couple from the caveman days. Mya is poison ivy, but looks more like the character from Batman comics. I always played her when I was a kid and we acted them out. Stop laughing. Carl wants to end the summer on a good note. In Mya’s interview, she says, after the weird DM she got, she asked Oliver about it, but he glossed over it. He’s here for their last weekend, and she wants to enjoy her friends. They’ll discuss it in private when it’s time. In Sam’s interview, she says she feels like she and Kory are the same page, and connecting on a real level. Maybe they can go the distance. If someone had asked her about that when they met… She didn’t see it coming. It was not on her Bingo card. Craig talks to Amanda about her engagement period, and says he wants to move closer to his and Paige’s engagement.  Amanda thinks they need to spend longer periods of time together. They’ll either date until they’re married or break up and figure it out. If not, they’ll be in the same weird place their whole relationship. Mya asks Oliver to please stop mingling with women.

The antics get stupider as drinking goes on. Hey camera guy! I see you! In Gabby’s interview, she says, after getting a fresh perspective of herself from the housemates, she’s trying to change how she comes off. This means giving people a chance she might not have before. Ciara’s ear keeps falling off, and she says she can’t meet guys like this. Paige – in a flurry of pink feathers as a flamingo – and Craig sit in lawn chairs, and Paige says, it feels like they’re 80 and watching their kids have a house party. Craig says, give us your keys, and tells her that before the conversation they had on Kyle’s birthday, he thought their engagement would happen within six months. But he heard the message loud and clear. He knows more stuff has to happen first. She says, he put on a lot of pressure because they’ve been dating a year, but he says he wants kids in the next five years. She says, same, and he says, then you get married, so you have to get engaged. She tells him that she gets he wants to start the process, but it seems like he gets scared if she doesn’t want to do it immediately and runs away. He says he thinks it’s too good to be true, and she says, if she couldn’t be with him, she would know. The last time she had this conversation with someone, she broke out in hives. She knows in her gut it’s right, and they should be making the next step as a unit. She suggests that if she needs to be in NYC, he be with her, and vice versa if he needs to be in Charleston. He wonders if he should move in, and she says she’d love that. He says, as long as they’re taking steps to get closer, and eventually get engaged. She tells him, don’t propose in front of any of these fools. When she knows what kind of ring she wants, he’ll know. He gets teary, and says he’s not going to find someone he likes as much as her.

Amanda tells Kyle that she thinks Danielle sees her friendship with Lindsay as repairable deep down, but he says, no. There’s dancing and the limbo, and Craig keeps asking people if they want to see the ring, freaking them out. There’s a toast with a couple of the girls, Danielle, and Lindsay in the kitchen, and Danielle says, there’s nothing she wants more than Lindsay’s happiness. She’s wanted to celebrate for a long time. Lindsay says, she had the opportunity on Saturday, and Danielle says, she only found out 30 minutes before. Lindsay says, Carl didn’t want to ruin the surprise, and Danielle says she thought they were best friends. Lindsay says she did too, and Danielle asks if Lindsay didn’t think it would hurt. Lindsay asks why Danielle is making it about her, and Danielle says she thought their friendship meant something. Lindsay says she thought it did too, but everything Danielle said hurt her. Danielle says she said she thought Lindsay was moving too fast, and she was cut out of a monumental part of Lindsay’s life, and Lindsay says, correct. Which is kind of creepy. Danielle asks if Lindsay doesn’t think she wants her to be happy, and Lindsay says, yes. Danielle says, she’s f***ing crazy, and Amanda and Ciara, who’ve been listening in, go around to the front so they can hear better, feigning concern that Lindsay and Danielle might start swinging at each other. Danielle says she’s been with Lindsay through every break-up. She wants Lindsay to be happy. Lindsay isn’t seeing it from her perspective, and she’s so wrong. She would have put everything aside and been there with fireworks. Lindsay says, she’s proven otherwise, but Danielle says she would have done everything. She tells Lindsay, don’t look at her with that f***ing smug face (she’s not wrong), and Lindsay asks why Danielle is yelling at her. Danielle says, Lindsay doesn’t get how much she cares for her, and Lindsay says, because of how Danielle treated her. Danielle says she’s had Lindsay’s back for years, and Lindsay is coming at her with literally no emotion. She doesn’t give a sh*t about Danielle or their friendship. She sees exactly who Lindsay is; she sees it clear as day. It’s the final nail in the coffin; they’re done. Lindsay says, it’s been done, and Danielle says, she’s a f***ing monster. Lindsay isn’t ruining her last weekend. Lindsay says, Danielle already did that for her husband, and Danielle asks if they’re already married. Lindsay says, when they are, Danielle won’t be invited, and Danielle says she’ll happily not attend. Danielle walks out, and collapses into the waiting arms of the girls who have been listening in. Amanda says, they’re all here for her, and Danielle cries as they gather around her.

The girls tell Danielle that they heard unintentionally, and Mya tells her, this is what friendship looks like. Outside, Lindsay tells Carl that they toasted, and pretended to have a civil conversation. She was clean, calm, and cool, and Danielle hated that she was chill. Danielle said she had a smug face (she did), and said Lindsay didn’t care. She stopped caring when Danielle treated her the way she has; she abandoned the friendship. Carl says, Danielle has her own issues. Inside, Danielle says, let them have each other. She’ll always root for them on the sidelines. She cries, and Amanda tells her to cash in all the hugs she needs. Sitting on the steps outside, Craig tells Kyle that he’s chilling. There’s no safe place inside; it’s a war zone. He thought they’d take swings at each other. Kyle says, Lindsay’s a good fighter when she’s sober. She can be wrong, and end up being right. Craig says, it didn’t end well, and they fist bump, Craig telling Kyle, good luck. Lindsay tells Carl, it was the same thing over again, and she got yelled at again. Kyle and his tiger join them, and he says, Craig told him there was warfare. Lindsay says, Danielle was screaming at her, and Kyle says, that’s not productive. She says, it never is, and tells him to talk to Carl. She leaves, and Carl says he doesn’t know where to go from here. There’s care and love and history, and he thinks Danielle is struggling internally. It saddens him, since he thought that was one friendship that would derail. In need of battery power, Kyle’s tiger deflates, and he says he’s walking away with a limp tiger. Paige tells Craig that Danielle is mourning the loss of a friendship, and Lindsay is laughing and joking. The tiger is back in action after getting new batteries, and Danielle goes inside by herself and cries in the bathroom.  

Ciara says she’s appalled by the conversation, and Paige says, Danielle is coming to the realization they all had years ago, and it’s traumatizing. Mya leaves the circle, and Ciara wonders if she’s okay. She thinks Mya and Oliver are fighting; it feels weird. It’s going to be hard when they decide to end it, but it kind of is what it is. Outside, there’s angst at the grill over too much flame, and Kyle and Amanda say mushy stuff to each other. There’s a soda fight in the kitchen, and Gabby slips. Paige says, it’s a goddam hazard here. People start dumping each other into the pool and/or jumping in themselves. Mya asks Oliver to come into the bathroom, and tells him to cover his mic. They don’t do a very good job of this, since we pretty much hear everything. She tells him that he shouldn’t be here, and to go. He says he’s here for her, but she says she knows what he’s doing. Give it a break. He’s talking to girls behind the bar. He mumbles again that he’s here for her, and she tells him, pull his sh*t together. He says he hears her, and she asks why he’s cheating on her. He says they can figure it out. The bottom line is, he’s here for her. She cries, and tells him to go, and he leaves. Oliver was never a major player, but I kind of liked hm. Scratch that now. He’s awful too.

Craig tells Kyle that he and Paige had a serious convo about what happens next. Mya lies on her bed in a towel, and outside, the party rages on. Amanda pours tequila into Lindsay’s mouth from the bottle. The extra people finally leave, and Danielle tells a couple of her friends that she wants to go home. One of them says, Danielle expected it to go a certain way and it didn’t. They tuck her in, turn out the lights, and leave. Kyle suggests he and Kory streak though the quad, and in Kyle’s interview, he says, this summer was one for the books; it was very different. He’s known Lindsay and Carl for going on ten years. Mya says, this is bullsh*t, and Sam says, it’s a sh*tty way to end the summer. In his interview, Kyle says, it bums him that they all can’t be on the same page. He’d always thought, no matter what happened, they can figure this out. Now doesn’t know. Everyone holds hands and jumps in the pool.

Next time – the Reunion – Andy says, emotions are raw; Danielle says, Lindsay felt like a stranger; Kyle says, Lindsay is the coldest, most emotionless person he’s ever seen; Andy is starting to think Lindsay and Danielle shouldn’t be friends; Mya says, Oliver cheated with 11 women; Gabby felt written off by Ciara; and Kyle accuses Lindsay of perpetuating a cheating rumor.

🏖 Enough Is Enough Is Enough…

Join me tomorrow for soap and the wedding hair of the century. Until then, stay safe, stay picking up after your pets, and stay making as many memories as possible while you can.

May 21, 2023 – A Train Full Of Zombie Experiments & Space

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What I Watched Today

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

Fear the Walking Dead

June tacks up signs on the trees that say: Turn Back. PADRE will take your children; PADRE is a lie – turn back. She stabs a zombie in the head, and keeps walking. She sees someone wrote, They took my daughter. Please help, on one of the signs. She hears someone contact Warbler on the radio, saying they have a lead on an egg; it might be a mess. Using binoculars, she sees a boat come through the canal or whatever it is. She shoots the two people in the boat with tranquilizing darts. Using surgical tools and skills, she cuts their index fingers off and sets the boat free. Back at her cabin, she puts the fingers in a jar, and hears Warbler say, they’ve been hit. That a-hole got us. When he finds that son of a bitch., he’s going to cut off both his hands. I love how he assumes it’s a man.

Walking in the woods, June sees another message written on one of her signs: Who are you? Where can I find you? She looks at an old billboard that says Coastal Railroad Museum, and on the radio, a woman says, PADRE 3; rescue complete. A man responds, en route to you now.

June deposits more fingers in the jar, when a man comes to the cabin. He says he just wants to talk, but June draws her gun. She asks how he found this place, and he says he followed her. He’s the one whose been writing on the signs. His name is Adrian, and he needs her help. The Collectors took his daughter Hannah from him a few years ago. June says she doesn’t know Hannah, and he says, but June knows PADRE, and he knows she can help him. He tells her to ask whatever she wants, but she says she doesn’t want to get to know him; she doesn’t want to know anybody. He asks what they did to her. Did they take her kid? Did she take kids for them? She tells him, get out and don’t come back, but he shows her Hannah’s picture, and says, it was taken when she was 7; she’d be 12 now. He shows her a friendship bracelet he’s wearing, and says, Hannah made one for each of them. She says she can’t help him, but he says he’ll be back every day. There are a lot of like-minded people who could help with what she’s doing. They’re forming an army to take PADRE. She tells him that if she sees him here again, she’ll kill him, but he says he thinks she’s just trying to scare him. She says, if PADRE’s had his daughter this long, he’s not getting her back. They use the people you care about the most against you. He says he’s not going to stop looking. She can either kill him or help him, but he’s not giving up. She backs him out the door, and shuts it, but he says, they know who she is now, and he’s not giving up.

June looks at the photo of Hannah that Adrian left, and packs a bag, including the jar of fingers. She leaves the photo behind.

June tranquilizes three more people in another boat, and is about to collect more fingers, but she unmasks one of them, and it’s Dwight. She unmasks another, and sees it’s Sherry. She says, sh*t. She hears a gun cock, and a boy tells her not to move. June says she didn’t know there were kids on board, and the boy says he hid under the tarp. He tells her that he’s going to call PADRE, and picks up a radio. He says, PADRE 2; we got attacked. A man addresses the boy as Finch, and asks, where’s Whistler? Finch says, dead; she killed him. He asks about Red Kite and Starling, and Finch says, she knocked them out. He asks the location, when Dwight and Sherry start to come around. June grabs the radio, and Finch accidently shoots the boat, which deflates. Dwight asks if that’s June, and Finch says, she shot them. She was trying to steal their boat. Sherry says, June’s the one who’s been cutting people’s fingers off, and Dwight snatches her tool roll from her. Finch wonders why June is calling Red Kite Dwight, and asks if she used to be at PADRE. Dwight tells her that they think Finch has appendicitis, and needs surgery. She asks why he doesn’t take Finch to the clinic, and he asks where she thinks they were headed. The man comes on the radio again, and Finch tells Dwight to tell them where they are, but he says, no. June is a nurse, and is going to help him. Sherry says, his appendix could burst by the time they get him to the clinic on foot, but June says she doesn’t have the equipment. Dwight says, she’ll have to figure it out, and June asks, why is that? He says, if she doesn’t, he’s telling PADRE who’s been cutting off his Collector’s fingers. June says she just wanted to leave, and Sherry asks, why? June says, it wasn’t safe for her anymore, and Dwight asks Finch to step away for a bit, giving the boy an oar in case he sees Carrion, and reminding him to aim for the eyes. Sherry wonders what happened to June, and says, if she does the surgery, they’ll get her a boat, and she can go wherever the hell she wants. PADRE will never know it was her. June says, Finch is their kid, isn’t he? The one Sherry was pregnant with when they were found on the rafts. Sherry says, PADRE doesn’t know Dwight is his father. Dwight teaches all the kids combat, and she’s in the nursery. Finch doesn’t know he’s their kid. Dwight says, they’ve been following PADRE’s rules, and Sherry says, once the surgery’s done, they’ll take Finch back, and no one will be the wiser. June says she knows where they can do the surgery, but they can’t ask any questions. She’ll take them there and do the surgery, then they have to keep up their end of the bargain and get her the boat. Sherry promises they will.

They go into a railroad car that looks less than sterile, and see a zombie head in a clamp. Dwight asks if June is sure it’s safe, and she stabs the zombie head, saying, it is now. She turns on some machines, and preps Finch for surgery. Finch asks if it will hurt, but Sherry says, he won’t feel a thing, and when he wakes up, he’ll feel better. Sherry finds a binder that contains studies on people who have turned, and asks June, what is this; who are these people? June says, the deal was no questions, but Sherry says, the deal’s changed. Dwight says, she’s got to give them something, when they hear the cock of a gun. It’s Adrian, and he asks who the kid is. June says she’s trying to help him, and Adrian says, two Collectors from PADRE? June says, it’s not what he thinks, and he says, PADRE has his daughter Hannah. Sherry says, maybe they can help him, and Dwight says, this doesn’t have to end in a fight. He’s sure she’s fine. PADRE hasn’t lost a kid yet. If Adrian can tell him what she looks like, maybe they can figure out something. A man asks Adrian’s location on the radio, and while he’s distracted, Dwight reaches for the gun. It goes off, hitting a wall. Outside, zombies gather. Dwight holds a gun on Adrian, and crushes the radio under his foot. Adrian says, there’s lots of more of them, and they can’t be stopped. They won’t let them hurt any more kids. Dwight says, they brought him here to save his life, and June says, they have a problem. The bullet hit the control panel, and she can’t do surgery without power. Finch cries out in pain, and June says, there’s an emergency override in the back of the train. They can have power if it’s turned on. Dwight says he’ll go, and gives Sherry the gun. June says, he can’t walk through the train; it’s full of the dead. She used to work here. It was off the books. PADRE didn’t want anyone to know about the experiments they were doing. Sherry asks if they’re the ones in the binder, and June says, the woman in the photos is Shrike. PADRE wanted her to find a way to stop the effect of walker bites. She had an idea; a treatment. Radiation. It was slow and painful. It was worse than dying from the bites. PADRE tried to force June to administer the treatments. She couldn’t do it, so she ran. Sherry says, they have to get to the back of the train. Dwight looks up, seeing a trapdoor, and says he doesn’t think they have to.

Adrian tells June that he’s sorry, and she says she told him to stay away. He says, if he had, he wouldn’t have seen this place. It shows she knows more about PADRE than she let on. She says she can’t help him, and he says, can’t, or won’t? Her attacks aren’t stopping them. She’s barely slowing them down. If she wants to do something, help him find Hannah, or help the boy and get him out before those Collectors bring him back to PADRE. She says she can’t, and he says, she told him PADRE uses the people you care about against you. He’s sorry for what happened to her, but if she never gets close to anyone again, what’s she living for? The electricity comes back on, and Dwight radios, asking how Finch is. June says, he’s still sleeping, but the medication won’t last much longer. Dwight and Sherry climb to the top of the train, and Dwight asks Sherry, what’s wrong? She says, seeing Finch and hearing him call her honey. She can’t snap back to the way things used to be. They made a choice when they were picked up on the rafts. They’d play by PADRE’s rules because they thought it was the safest place for their son. After what she’s seen today, she can’t bring Finch back here. It doesn’t feel safe. June knows all of PADRE’s collecting grounds and all the places he would look. They’ll find a place, and once they’re settled, they’ll find a way to let everyone know the truth about PADRE. He asks if they can really be a family, and she says, they can. She saw it earlier. They can do this. He kisses her, and they fall through the roof of the train into a car. June radios, asking, what happened? The car is full of zombies, and Dwight shoots some of them, then he and Sherry climb up onto a luggage rack. He tells June that they fell into a car of walkers like he’s never seen. She tells them to stay where they are. She’s on her way, but he says, it’s too risky. He doesn’t have nearly enough ammo. June says she’ll figure it out, but he says, no. Finch needs her for the operation. If they don’t make it back, promise him that she’ll take care of Finch. She tells him, stay put; she’s coming. Adrian asks what she’s doing, and she says, they have to survive for Finch. He asks if she’s doing this because it’s what’s best for Finch, or because she’s afraid she’ll have to take care of him, and she draws her gun, telling him, don’t follow her.

June walks through a car where there are shelves containing jars of zombie heads, and chained up zombies who snap at her as she goes by. She says she’s so sorry, and keeps walking. The door to the next car is padlocked, and the zombies start to break free since the pipes they’re chained to are pretty beat. She starts to shoot them, falls, and the gun goes flying. She fends them off as best she can, but luckily, Adrian didn’t listen to her, and comes in, stabbing them in the head. She says she told him not to follow her, and picks up her gun. He says, good thing he didn’t listen, but she says, he should have. He says, they’re a lot alike. The only difference is, he still has someone to live for. She has to find hers. Like he told her, there are more people like them. Together, they can take down PADRE. She says she can’t help him, but he says he’s not doing it for himself; he’s doing it for Hannah. He’s going to find her whether June helps him or not. And when he does, he wants her to see that her father isn’t who PADRE says he is. They should keep moving. Finch appears with his oar, and says he’s coming with them. June says, it’s too dangerous, but Finch says he can handle the Carrion; Red Kite taught him how.

The zombies start reaching through the rungs on the luggage rack, when June comes in shooting. Finch gets one with an oar, and asks, how was that? Dwight says, that was good, kid, and Adrian and June stab the last of the zombies. Sherry asks what Finch is doing here, and he says he’s going to tell PADRE how he fought the Carrion, but Sherry says, they’re not going back to PADRE. Dwight says, they want what’s best for Finch, and it’s not there. Sherry nods, and Dwight says, they’re his parents. Finch says, they’re not, no, and Sherry tells him that she knows it’s a lot to take in right now, but she promises they’ll figure it out as a family. Finch doubles over in pain, and June says, they should get him back to the operating room. They start to move forward, and Adrian turns around, seeing a child zombie through the door window. He says, no. Hannah. He grabs June, and says, that’s why she wouldn’t help him; she knew. June killed her. June says she tried to save her. She treated Hannah for asthma when she first came to PADRE. She was just a scared kid. She missed her dad. She reminded June of her own daughter, and June wanted to take care of her and make her feel safe. Adrian says, she’s a liar, and June says, then she went out on a scout. She went off-island and got bit. It was on her back, and June couldn’t amputate, but she had to do something. He asks if Shrike put Hannah through treatment, but June says, it wasn’t Shrike’s treatment; it was hers. She saw someone survive a bite longer than anyone she’d ever seen. She’d been exposed to radiation, so June thought, if it worked for her, it might work for Hannah. She gave Hannah radiotherapy using equipment salvaged from the hospital. It stopped the infection, but the amount of radiation it took made things worse for her, and June wanted to end her suffering. Adrian asks why she didn’t, and June says, Shrike wouldn’t let her. Shrike wanted to let Hannah turn so she could study her. See how long it took. Adrian says, and June let her? but June says she didn’t have a choice. Shrike held a gun on her, and said, as long as her finger was on the trigger, June had to keep the experiments going or other people would pay the price. That’s how this whole place happened, because she tried to save someone she cared about. Other people suffered as a result, so she made sure Shrike couldn’t do to anyone else what she did to her, and she took Shrike’s trigger finger. June knew they couldn’t do the experiments without her, and knew as long as she stayed away from here, away from people, no one else she cared about could get hurt. Adrian lets June go, and looks at zombie Hannah, saying, she was all he had left. He understands now why June wants to be alone. He walks up to the window and puts his hand on the pane. He opens the door and goes in, and June says, no! He holds Hannah, telling her that he’s got her, and the zombies close in on him. The others look away.

June stitches up Finch, and says, he’s stable. He should be awake soon. Dwight thanks her, and she says she held up her end of the deal. They should arrange for that boat. He says, they will, but when it comes, they want to all get in it together. June says, that wasn’t the deal, but Sherry says, things changed. June says, for who? and Sherry says, when Finch wakes up, they want to take him away from this place. Dwight says, they want to try and be a family, and she asks what it has to do with her. He says, she’s family, and Sherry says, they understand why June chose to be on her own, but they can’t let her end up like Adrian. Dwight says, someone who doesn’t have anybody to live for. He told her before, he wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for her and John. He has a family because of that, and wants her to be a part of it. That is, if she wants to. She says, okay. Adrian saved her so she could find someone to live for, but she needs to put Adrian and Hannah to rest first. They’ve suffered enough. As she’s about to walk into the next car, a couple of PADRE people come in with guns, and steampunk woman says, hello, Blue Jay. June is knocked out.

Steampunk woman says, oh good; June is coming around. June asks how she found her, and steampunk woman says, they figured it was her as soon as the Collectors started showing up without to the island without fingers. She holds up her hand, missing an index finger, and even though she doesn’t say it, we know she’s Shrike. Shrike says, no one else could be so precise. When they heard the boat that was missing had a kid who needed surgery on board, she knew June would come here. Dwight asks, what’s going on? and Shrike says she assumes Blue Jay told them what this place was; how much promise it had. Sherry asks if that’s what she calls murdering people, but Shrike says, they were about saving lives. Dwight says, she’s full of sh*t, but she says, he’s the one who lied to PADRE about what they were doing today. He says he brought Finch here to keep him safe from a-holes like her, but she says, no one wants the children safe more than PADRE. They created this place so the children would be safe from Carrion. But Blue Jay ran off before she could perfect the cure. June says, everyone she tried it on died, and Shrike says, that was then. She has faith June will get it right this time. PADRE’s got something big and expansive planned. He wants these children to be as safe as they can be. June needs to pick up where she left off. June says she won’t do it, but Shrike says, she just needs a little motivation. One of the men grabs June, pulling her to the side, and another brings in Adrian’s snapping head, putting it in the vise, and pushing it closer to a sleeping Finch. Dwight and Sherry get up, saying, hey, stop it! Sherry yells for Finch to wake up, and Shrike presses a button. The head moves closer to Finch, and June launches herself toward it, but Shrike pulls her back. Dwight and Sherry continue to yell, and the head bites Finch’s shoulder. Sherry cries, and Shrike makes the vise reverse. Dwight says he’s going to kill her, and she asks why he would do that. She’s the only one who can save his life… Well, they are. She tells the men to get them out of here, and they take Dwight and Sherry out; Sherry wailing, and Dwight threatening to kill Shrike. Shrike tells June that she’d better get to work. She’s got a lot to catch up on. They’ve got new patients on their way at this very moment. There’s just one thing they have to do first. They have to make sure that Blue Jay can never hurt them. She cuts off June’s finger, and June screams.

Morgan rides in the back of a truck with Madison, and she asks if he knows where they’re being taken. He says, her guess is as good as his, and she asks why he doesn’t think he can be the person Mo needs him to be. What the hell happened? What’s holding him back? They may not be alive long enough for her to pass judgement on him. He says he keeps thinking about a thing he did – actually, a thing he didn’t do – a long time ago. She asks, what? and he says, it doesn’t matter. She asks if he can fix it, but he says, not the worst of it, no. She says, some of it? and he says, maybe. She asks what the hell he’s doing here. Mo needs him. He needs to do whatever it takes so he can move forward. He says he’s not exactly in a position where he can call the shots, and Madison starts to cough. She falls off the bench, onto the floor, and Morgan yells for the driver to pull over. She can’t breathe. A man comes back, and pulls Madison back on the bench. Another man says, get her a tank, and as he’s reaching to get one, Madison rushes both of them, and shoves them out the back door, tumbling out with them. She yells for Morgan to go, as one of the men grabs her. Morgan takes off into the woods, and she yells, do what you need to do!

Next time, Madison gets the zombie head in her face; a fight on the train; Daniel returns; and Madison says, it’s time to tell the truth.

🐷 That’s All Folks…

See you tomorrow for the usual. Stay safe, sane, and as serene as you can.

May 19, 2023 – Josslyn Asks Sonny To Fire Dex, See You, Returning, New Gig, Ramona’s a Jerk, She Knows, VanderDirt, Upcoming Dead, Cute Pets (!), Precisely 10 Quotes & Places

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Jordan says she’s sorry Curtis is hurting, but if there’s one thing she knows, it’s that Curtis Ashford can weather whatever comes his way. And he won’t have to go through it alone. She takes his hand, and says, he has so many people who love him, and they’ll be right by his side, no matter what. He kisses her. Then he kisses her again.

Walking into Portia’s office, Taggert says, Portia can’t go off half-cocked gunning for Spencer. It’s going to backfire on her. Portia says she’s tried to look the other way, especially since it might alienate Trina, but all the while, Spencer keeps becoming more and more a part of her life, and alienating Trina from her. He says, but she’s seeing progress. Why blow it now? She asks why he’s not with her on this. She doesn’t get it. He says, when Trina was rescued from the Haunted Star, he told her to back off, but she’s doing the exact opposite; she’s doubling down. Portia says, maybe that’s because Trina came back closer to Spencer than ever before, and he says, which they anticipated, given what they went through. Are there valid concerns about Spencer being in Trina’s life? Hell yes. But he’s starting to wonder if she’s laser focused on Spencer because she doesn’t want to focus on herself, her husband, and the state of her marriage.

Outside Kelly’s, Cody tells Scotty that he’s not asking for a team to salvage the Haunted Star like it was the Titanic. The necklace was on the boat when it went down. So why can’t they just cut through the red tape… Scotty says, because the WSB is all about the red tape. They’ve been down this road before. Scotty told him, it’s because they have to establish that the necklace belongs to Cody, which means he has to sign an affidavit that says he’s Leopold Taub’s son. Cody says, more red tape. Is that absolutely necessary? Scotty says he knows it’s like saying Genghis Khan is Cody’s father, but the WSB isn’t going to give Cody money just because he says so. They go inside, and Scotty says, Cody has to suck it up for 35 million dollars, and say he was the Taub he was born to be. Sitting at a table, Obrecht and James watch them.

Nina looks at a glossy color photo of Sasha that says, Beauty isn’t magic, it’s Deception, and another photo of Sasha with The Deceptor. Sasha asks if those are the new ads, and Nina shows her. Sasha says, it is amazing what good lighting can do, but Nina says, the woman in these ads doesn’t need any lighting to look beautiful. And she also looked beautiful on the Home & Heart shopping channel. Sasha says, Nina saw that? She’s not going to lie; it was white-knuckle time in front of those cameras, especially when she heard the sound of a baby crying in her earpiece. Nina says she couldn’t believe it when Lucy told her that someone deliberately tried to sabotage Sasha, and Sasha tells her not to underestimate how low some people will sink to get what they want. Nina says she never has, and she never will.

On the phone at the hospital, Michael tells Carly not to worry. He’s honoring Willow’s wishes. Nina won’t get anywhere near her. Dante comes out of the elevator, and says he couldn’t help overhearing, and Michael can tell him to mind his own business. Is that what Willow wants, or is that what Michael wants for her?

There’s a knock at Sonny’s office door, and Frank says, he has a visitor. Josslyn comes in, and Sonny says, this is a surprise. Is everything good with her mom and Donna? She says, everyone’s fine. This is about her. He tells her, go on, and Josslyn tells him that he always says he’d do anything for her. He says, no matter how she treats him, that always stands, and she says, good, because she’s about to take him up on that offer. He asks if she’s in some kind of trouble, but she says, it’s not about her. He says, then what’s it about? and she says, Dex. She wants Sonny to fire him.

Gladys walks into Pozzulo’s as Dex is saying hello to Frank. Dex says he needs to speak with Sonny, but Gladys says, take a number. Family first.

Michael says, Dante is right. It’s none of his business. Dante says, that’s not the first time he’s heard that today. He was interviewing a perp in the ER who said the same thing. He was in the building and thought he’d check in on them, but he’ll take his nosy butt out of here. Michael tells him, wait. He doesn’t tell Willow what to do. If she wants to make room for Nina, he won’t stand in her way, but she’s going through a lot right now, and he won’t stand for Nina intruding. Dante says he hopes for Michael’s sake and his kids’ sake, that changes. He had Sonny at his wedding. Anything can happen.

Sasha tells Nina that she’s gathering something else is brewing besides Deception’s ad campaign. Would it have to do with Carly or Willow? Nina says, no psychic channeling please. Sasha isn’t here to give her a reading or to listen to her sob stories. Sasha’s here so they can talk about the Crimson spread for her new product, The Deceptor; which she tried and it’s great. Isn’t Maxie joining them? Sasha says, of course (🍷). Maxie knows Deception has a lot riding on this campaign.

Scotty tells Cody, as Taub’s heir, they have to stake a legal claim. He knows Cody doesn’t like his father, but 35 million dollars will buy him a lot of sports cars, and a lot of therapy. Is Cody listening to him? Cody says, give him a minute, and walks over to Obrecht’s table. Scotty says, these kids have no priorities, and Obrecht introduces Cody to her grandson James. James shakes Cody’s hand and says, nice to meet him. Cody says, they have an ice cream sundae here, so is it a celebration? Obrecht says, yes. They just came from James’s moving up ceremony. Cody says, congrats; that’s awesome. Does James have any plans for the summer? Obrecht says, James is going to a great summer camp. She tells James to guess where Cody works, and James says, where? Cody says he works at the stables. Does James like horses? James looks away, and Obrecht says, James is a little afraid of horses, which might be a problem at his camp. Cody says, maybe they can do something about that.

Portia says, worrying to death about Trina going missing is the only thing that’s keeping her from replaying every wrong move she made with Curtis. She can’t stop thinking about hearing the hurt that was in his voice, and seeing the distrust and betrayal in his eyes when he looked at her. Taggert doesn’t know how hard she prayed for forgiveness, and wished she could go back in time and tell him and Curtis the truth from the start. Taggert asks if she’s told Curtis that, and she says she’s tried, but he won’t stick around long enough to listen, much less have a conversation with her. And Jordan, of all people, warned her more than once that lies are what drove a wedge between them. So how can she even blame Curtis for being mad about being deceived all over again? Taggert says, Curtis loves Portia and will forgive her, but she has to forgive herself. She has to stop feeling guilty and stop tiptoeing around Curtis. Tell Curtis she loves him, before it’s too late.

Jordan pushes away from Curtis, and he says, come on. Let’s get out of here. She says she’s tempted; he doesn’t know how much. But this isn’t the first time they felt that old spark. He says, maybe they should do something about it, but she says, before this goes any further – if this goes any further – they need to know why.

Cody says, James is friends with Leo, right? So is he. Something else they have in common is, Cody went to camp too. Is James looking forward to going? James says he doesn’t know. He hates mosquitos. Cody says, that’s something else they have in common. Take it from him, camp is worth a couple bug bites. James asks, why? and Cody says, when he was James’s age, his summers were really lonely. Until he went to camp, and met his best friend ever, Dante Falconari. They had a blast. James says, Cody knows Dante; he’s James’s godfather. Cody says, Dante is his oldest friend, meaning he’s known Dante the longest; not that he’s old. Funny. I always feel the need to clarify that too. He taught Dante how to ride horses, and Dante taught him how to paddle a canoe. James says, at camp? and Cody says, that’s where they first became friends. He bets when James goes to camp, he’s going to meet a kid he’ll become friends with forever too. And he might be able to paddle a canoe. James asks if Cody likes sundaes, and Cody says, who doesn’t? Of course (🍷). James hands him a spoon, and says he’s kind of scared of canoes too… and bats. Cody says, bats are awesome; they eat mosquitos. He takes a bite of James’s sundae, and James smiles.

Sasha says she thinks the text in the headline would pop more in white, but other than that, everything looks great. What does Nina think? Nina says, sorry. Sasha was talking to her. Sasha said, color, white… Yes, she can see that. Sasha says, Maxie’s not here, but it seems neither is Nina. They can reschedule. Nina apologizes, and says she can’t get her mind off of Willow. She’s alone in the isolation room; she doesn’t have the ability to hold her own children. Sasha says, or be held by her own mother, and Nina says, stop getting into her head. Sasha says she understands in her own way. Nina can talk to her. Nina says, it’s just that, if Michael and Carly have it their way, she’s never going to get close to Willow. She’s trying not to dwell on that. She just wants this transplant to give Willow her life back, whether she’s in it or not. Sasha says she’s going to talk to Carly and Michael on Nina’s behalf, and Nina says she appreciates the offer, but she wouldn’t put Sasha in that position. She has enough to handle lately. Sasha says, actually, she’s feeling very confident lately. Despite that attempt to get her to melt down on television, she held it together and came away stronger than ever. Nina says, yes, she did, and Sasha says she’s made up her mind. She’s going to petition the court to end Gladys’s guardianship. She’s taking charge of her life again.

Gladys says, tell Sonny that his Cousin Gladys is waiting, but Frank says, he’s in a meeting; door’s closed. Even the President and the Pope would have to wait. Gladys steps away, and Frank gives Dex and envelope, and says, the boss gave him this to give to Dex. He said Dex earned it. Gladys sees that there’s a ton of cash in it.

On the phone, Sonny says, let him know what they come up with. He apologizes to Josslyn, and asks why she wants him to kick Dex to the curb. She says, because she wants him to be free to make his own choices and live his own life, and Sonny says, if that’s what Dex wants, Dex should respect him enough to ask him to his face and not send her. Josslyn says, Dex doesn’t even know she’s here; she’s the one asking. Sonny says, she knew Dex was on his payroll when she met him. So why is she coming now. What’s changed?

Scotty comes over to Obrecht’s table with a bakery box, and says, the waitress said these cupcakes are for her, and James asks if he can have a cupcake, but she says, these are for later. James asks if Cody can come home with them and have one, but Scotty says, he and Cody have to take care of some legal business. Cody has to sign an affidavit. Cody says, he’s right. Sorry, pal. Obrecht says, an affidavit? and Scotty says, it’s no big deal. Cody tells her that he needs a legal document to establish his family background. It is nothing, but Scotty’s right; they have to get back to work. James asks if Cody can’t stay, and Cody says, for a few minutes. Does James like brownies? James says he loves them, Cody says, cupcakes later, brownies now, and they go to the counter.

Nina says, that’s great news that Sasha is taking charge of her finances and her life again. She’s so proud of Sasha. Sasha says she’s honored Nina is proud of her. She’s still a very important person in Sasha’s life. Nina says, it’s ironic, isn’t it? She once thought Sasha was the daughter she’d always wanted, and that turned out to not be the case, but now she’s closer to Sasha than her own biological child. Sasha says, Willow doesn’t know what she’s missing. For Willow’s sake, she hopes that changes soon. Nina says, Sasha’s a little biased, and Sasha says she is. Nina could have turned her back on Sasha when she found out Sasha misled her. Nina says, she kinda did, but Sasha says, after a while, Nina forgave her. If she’s the daughter Nina always wanted, Nina is the mother that she always wished she had. They hug.

Dante says he’s glad Willow could at least wave at them before she went to sleep, and Michael says, him too. Glimpses of her awake and alert are rare occurrences these days. Dante asks if Michael is okay, and Michael says he just has to keep telling himself that this will be over soon, and Willow will have a full recovery. Home stretch. Dante says he believes that, and tells Michael not to feel he can’t reach out for support if he needs to. He knows they don’t agree on some things, but Michael knows Dante’s got him, right? Michael says he does; thanks. About Sonny, they’re actually in a better place. As long as Sonny doesn’t lobby for Nina. Dante says, he’s going to do that; he loves her. Michael flashes back to Sonny agreeing to let Nina and Willow figure out their relationship on their own. Can Michael do the same? Michael tells Dante, at the end of the day, he’s counting on Sonny to choose his family over Nina, but Dante says he doesn’t know about that. It’s a long shot. Michael says, maybe; maybe not.

Josslyn tells Sonny, nothing’s changed. She fell for Dex, despite the fact he works for Sonny, and she owns that. I laugh, since I can’t imagine telling my father that I fell for someone. Sonny says, she’s her mother’s daughter; direct, and honest to a fault. She says she thought he valued honesty, and he says he’s come to an understanding with her brother Michael. Does she think they can’t also? She says she’s game. He can start by letting Dex go. He says, if Dex wants that, he knows where to find Sonny.

Dex puts the envelope in his pocket, and Gladys says, nice work if you can get it, huh? What did he do? Place a bet for Sonny? Ponies? Something else. Dex says he only bets on sure things; Sonny’s one of them. Josslyn comes out, and Gladys jets into Sonny’s office. She closes the door, and says, Cousin Sonny, this is your lucky day. Outside, Dex asks Josslyn what she’s doing here.

Portia says, it might be too late for her and Curtis, and asks if Taggert knows something. He says he doesn’t know anything. He just knows from experience that things can get out of hand. They can go too far, and you can’t go back. She asks if he’s saying she and Curtis have reached some sort of turning point, and he says, the guy dropped everything and risked everything to bring Trina back home. A lot of it was because of Trina, but a lot of it was because of her. Now it’s her turn. She has to decide what she wants, and then she needs to fight for it. He’s talking about the focus and tenacity she has when she fights for her patients. She says, what about fighting for their daughter? Is she supposed to just let Trina fend for herself against Spencer Cassadine? They both know how that ends. He says, she can’t send Trina to her room any more than she can make Trina forgive and forget what she’s done to her by turning her life upside down. Trina’s not her little girl any more. Portia says, she might be his though, and he says, she’s always going to be his, no matter what the tests say. Nobody can tell Trina how to run her life. He knows how stubborn Portia is, and no matter how hard it is to let this go, Portia has got to let Trina live her life. Then maybe Portia can concentrate on living hers.

Curtis says, he and Jordan have always had strong feelings, which is why they got together in the first place. Those feelings… He’s always had them. Maybe he always will. Jordan says he had other feelings about her too. Remember? Ones he couldn’t get past, involving mistrust and betrayal. She lets go of his hand, and says, that’s why they split up, and he moved on to Portia. The two of them rekindled their relationship and fell in love. He says, but that was before… and she says, let her finish. He and Portia were happy. She saw that. They bought a house together, and made it a home for Trina and his father. They exchanged heartfelt vows and got married in front of their friends and family. They had the fairytale ending. He says, but they didn’t, and she knows why. And here we are. She says, yes, here we are, but is this the last grasp for something that’s ended? Something they should let be over? Or will these feelings always be here, just waiting for them to rekindle them?

Josslyn says she’s not here, and leaves with Dex. Sonny asks what Gladys wants, and she says she has a proposal that’s in their mutual interest. As he knows, she’s in charge of Sasha’s day to day decision making, including investments. He says, for the time being. He heard during Sasha’s last TV appearance, she was doing okay and holding her own. Gladys says, thankfully, Sasha didn’t fall to pieces like the last time, but Sasha isn’t ready to handle her finances. He says, so Sasha should keep trusting her, and laughs. She says she knew he’d understand, and sits down. As it turns out, she has a knack for finances, which is why she’s letting him in on the ground floor of an amazing opportunity. Take it from her, it can’t miss.

At the Bistro, Maxie thanks Sasha for meeting her, and Sasha asks, what’s so important that Maxie had her run out of Nina’s office where they were supposed to have a meeting about Deception? Maxie says, that can wait. She has something to tell Sasha, and thinks she’ll want to know.

At Kelly’s counter, Cody shows James how to tie knots, and Scotty tells Obrecht that he thinks that kid is going to have a hell of a stomachache. She says, Nathan never got the chance to spend time with his son, and Scotty says he’s sorry about that. Nathan would have made a hell of a father. James has got a lot of people who care about him; even Cody. He’s not family, but maybe they’ll have more of these outings. She asks where this new and unexpected fondness for Cody came from. What’s his legal action all about? Scotty says he thought they weren’t speaking any more, and she says, they’re speaking now. He says, then hear this. He doesn’t want to ruin the surprise.

Portia says, if living her own life means ignoring all the big flashing warning signs when she sees Trina and Spencer together, Taggert can forget that. She won’t let this go. He says he’s not asking her to let this go. He’s just asking her to be smart about how she approaches their daughter. Trina has them, Curtis, Marshall, Jordan; all these people who care about her. Portia asks what he means by Jordan, and he asks if Portia thinks it’s a coincidence that Jordan was stuck in the elevator long enough for Portia to talk to that bartender and convince him to testify on Trina’s behalf. Portia asks if he’s telling her that Jordan did that deliberately. Did she tell him that? He says, she didn’t have to. They’ve been partners long enough; he knows her. The point is, Jordan also cares about Trina. Which means Portia can stop using Trina as an excuse, and start putting her energy into working on her marriage.

Jordan tells Curtis, it never ended for her. Even when things were at their worst, she was still ready to fight for them. He walked away from her… right into Portia’s arms. She’s not blaming him, or Portia. She’s come to terms with her part in things, and trying to be more mindful going forward, but did she ever stop caring, stop feeling, loving him? Never. She truly wanted him and Portia to be happy. She told Portia that she needed to tell him the truth, so Portia wouldn’t make the same mistakes she did. He tells her that he always said she was a class act, but Jordan says she wouldn’t give herself much credit. Does he know why she didn’t come to his wedding? In part, she was sitting it out because she knew what Portia was keeping from him. But mainly, it was because she couldn’t bear to hear him pledge his love to someone else. She still loved him that much. So before they go any further, she needs to know where he is, what he feels, what he wants. Is he on the rebound or are he and Portia really over? And if so, do they get a second chance?

Outside somewhere, Dex says, it’s just him and Josslyn now. What went down in Sonny’s office? She says she told Sonny that she wanted him to cut Dex loose, and Dex says, she told Sonny to fire him? She says, it was the only way she knew how to get him out of Sonny’s world, and he says, unbelievable. What did he say?… Don’t bother. Sonny said, if he wanted out, it was up to him to ask for himself. She says, he knows Sonny well, and he asks why she got involved in this. She says, maybe because Sonny will kill Dex if he finds out Dex has been working against him, and he says he knew the risk when he took the job. He doesn’t need her constantly trying to rescue him. She asks if he’s sure. So far, her track record’s awesome. He says he appreciates that. He appreciates her. They’re supposed to be in this together. She says, exactly. So no more risking his neck without telling her. He says, that’s unrealistic. He can’t run it by her every time Sonny asks him to do something, and he can’t have her going to Sonny on his behalf and asking Sonny to fire him when he doesn’t even know about it. She says she wants him free and clear of Sonny. She’s sorry. She thought that’s what he wanted too. He says, she knows he does, and kisses her.

Sonny tells Gladys, they have to wrap this up. He has somewhere he needs to be and something he needs to do. She says she’ll make it quick. It’s about Deception – the company. The thing Sasha was hyping on the Home & Heart shopping channel was just the tip of the iceberg. There’s a whole new line in the works; maybe a whole new division. New products need new investing. He says he’s sure Lucy and Maxie have all the financing taken care of, but Gladys says, there’s always room for more. This is a golden opportunity. He gets in now, he makes bank when this line hits the market. He asks, what’s in it for her? and she says she was thinking a finder’s fee. He laughs and asks, how big? She says she hadn’t thought of a percentage. She was just circling around, doing some calculating. He says, it sounds like a winner, but it’s a no from him, because his portfolio is fine. And she knows about the trouble Carly got in with the insider trading thing. It pretty much falls under the same umbrella. And she doesn’t want to open herself up to that, does she? She can thank him later, because he does everything he can to protect his family. He hustles her out the door, and asks Frank to get his cousin a big box of biscotti. He leaves, and Gladys wonders what just happened.

Dante looks at his phone, and tells Michael, apparently his perp just remembered he had a partner. He has to go back to the ER. Michael says he’s glad Dante stopped by, and Dante says, he is too. Michael sounded cryptic before. Is everything cool with him and Sonny? Michael tells him, let’s just say they found one point of understanding, and Dante asks, with Willow or Nina? Michael suggests Dante save his skills for he perp downstairs, and Dante asks him to tell Willow that they’re thinking about her; him, Sam, and the kids love her. Michael says, will do, and Dante says, don’t make Sonny choose between him and Nina. Michael tells him, say hi to Sam, and Dante says he gave it his best shot. He goes to the elevator.

Sasha says, Cody was in the studio the day of The Deceptor pitch? and Maxie says, according to Lucy, Cody found out they were messing with Sasha, and threatened to streak in front of the camera. And she believes it. He did it at the Nurses Ball. Sasha wonders if he’s still at Kelly’s, and Maxie says, when she spoke to Liesl, he was still there, checking up on James. Sasha says, excuse her. There’s something she needs to take care of.

Curtis tells Jordan that he’d love to say he has all the answers. But the truth is, his life’s up in the air. Jordan says, because of the DNA test? and he says, that’s a big part of it. He’d be lying if he said he knows how he’ll react if he finds out he’s Trina’s biological father. Or if he’s not. She says, that’s understandable. What about the other parts? He says he guesses after what he experienced in Greenland – that Victor Cassadine madness – coming out of an intense experience like that, shook things up for him. What is he doing with his life? He’s made this place a success, and he’s proud of that, but then he wonders, is this all there is? Because he’s feeling like it’s not enough. She says, sounds like he’s restless again. Is he wondering where his heart lies? He says he doesn’t know. He cares about Jordan way to much to make promises he’s not sure he can deliver. She says, why couldn’t she have been a little more honest with him, and him, a little less honest with her? He says, we are who we are, and asks if she can give him some time until he can figure out the rest.

Dex and Josslyn kiss, and she says she’s got it; they’re in this together. He says, they have to trust each other, and she says, she’ll trust him when he has to act alone sometimes, and he has to trust her. Does he? He says, of course (🍷), and she quickly kisses him, saying she’ll see him later. He asks where she’s going, but she says, trust me, and leaves.

Jordan tells Curtis to take the time he needs. Once he unravels the knots in his marriage, and deals with the results of the DNA test, he knows where to find her. He kisses her cheek, tells her, take care, and she leaves.

Portia and Taggert walk down the hall, and she says she’s glad he stopped by. He says he feels like he did all the talking. Did any of it stick? She says she heard what he had to say, and appreciates it, but she can’t be the only one to make their marriage work. Curtis has to want it too. Curtis knows how desperately she wants things to work out. So in the meantime, she’s not going to take her eyes off the other love of her life. She’s not going to let Trina become another casualty of the Cassadines. She’s going to make sure Trina sees Spencer Cassadine for who he really is.

Frank gives Gladys the biscotti, and she says she saw him hand Dex that big fat envelope earlier. What was that about? Some big deal he and Sonny pulled off? Frank says, she knows better than to ask that, being family and all. Gladys takes out her phone, and goes outside. She calls Selina, and says, she knows what she owes Selina, but she may have something that’s more valuable than money.

Josslyn asks if she and Michael can talk somewhere private, and he asks what she wants to talk about. She says, him… and Dex.

Scotty says, he and Cody have to get that thing signed ASAP, and Cody tells James that he’ll talk to James’s grandma or mom, and they’ll figure out a time James can come to the stables with him and Leo. Scotty walks them out, and says he has his car. Can he give them a lift? Obrecht asks where he parked, and he says, in the lot. She walks toward the parking lot, and Scotty says, things are looking up.

Cody eats the cherry from James’s sundae, when Sasha walks into Kelly’s, obviously looking for him.

On Monday, Carly asks how she and Drew beat this without turning on each other; Tracy tells Chase, forgive her and skip off into the sunset, or cut her loose; and Sonny tells Nina, peace comes with a condition.

🪀 Hello I Must Be Going…

The door is always open though.

🏥 Coming Back…

Hopefully, he stays put a while.

🕺🏽 It’s Carrrlos…

And he was the guru at the end of Mad Men.

🗽 She Also Forgets Her Age…

Typical Ramona. I met Kristen once at a cocktail party and she was lovely.

🐀 Not the Rat…

But she was there? What does that mean?

🍸 Just a Little…

If you can’t get enough, a blow-by-blow of the VanderMess.

https://people.com/tv/vanderpump-rules-season-10-finale-sandoval-and-ariana-address-raquel-affair-fallout/

Not for one second did I think it was staged.

https://www.insider.com/vanderpump-rules-ariana-madix-scandoval-not-staged-2023-5

⚰️ Spawn Of the Dead…

What’s happening soon in the Deadverse.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/fear-the-walking-dead-midseason-finale-dead-city-premiere-amc-plus-specials/

🦔 Boop That Nose…

Cute animal videos. No need to say more.

https://digg.com/animals/link/tiktok-cute-animal-videos-5cHGPcMnYu

🐚 Quotes of the Week

Never look down on anybody unless you’re helping him up.Jesse Jackson

Faith is daring to put your dream to the test. It is better to try to do something and fail than to try to do nothing and succeed. – Robert H. Schuller

Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently. – Maya Angelou

It’s a general moral principle that the more power you have over someone, the greater your duty is to use that power benevolently. Well, who is the one person in the world you have the greatest power over? It’s your future self. You hold that life in your hands, and what it will be depends on how you care for it. – Rick Hanson

Listen to what you know instead of what you fear. – Richard Bach

You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. – Khalil Gibran

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. – attributed to Edmund Burke

Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts.Daniel Patrick Moynihan

Clichés are tropes because they’re true. – Wesley Fists (Austin Crute), Daybreak

If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything. – Mark Twain

🌪 Never Was In Kansas…

There will perhaps be some Dead here on Sunday, but for sure there will be soap, Sailing, and awful Summer people on Monday really Tuesday. Until then, stay safe, stay letting other people finish their sentences, and stay not making promises you’re not sure you can deliver.