What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Valentin says, Victor should know by now that he’s a match for him, and Victor says, Valentin’s self-confidence is so misplaced. Valentin asks if Victor doesn’t want to know why he’s here, and Victor says he can think of two possible explanations. Either Valentin launched an ill-advised rescue attempt, or it’s out of pure revenge. Now tell him, which is it? Valentin says, can’t it be both?

Michael tells Willow that Amelia is asleep like the baby she is, and Wiley’s asleep, but apparently had a wrestling match with his covers. He tucked Wiley back in though, and he didn’t budge. She says, ring bearing is hard work, and he says, but Wiley did great, didn’t he? She says, the whole wedding was great; perfect in fact. He says, there was one major tradition they left out, and she says, what’s that? He tells her to hold the bouquet and he’ll show her. Is he going to make her toss it to him?

In her dorm room, Josslyn looks at a photo of Trina, and flashes back to Trina saying, it’s not just the way Spencer spoke to Dex; Spencer seemed to go out of his way to pick a fight. Josslyn says, he’s just being an entitled jerk, and Trina says, but he wanted to do better. She really believes that. Spencer was lashing out, and Dex was the nearest target. Something’s going on with him. Josslyn asks, like what? and Trina says she’s not sure, but she’s going to find out tonight. There’s a knock at the door, and Josslyn opens it to Dex. They hug.

In her office, Portia looks at the photo of her and Trina from the wedding. She flashes back to Trina saying, Portia kept this huge secret from her all of her life. Portia says she’s sorry, but she and Trina’s father love her. And every decision she made from the second she found out she was pregnant has been about Trina. Trina tells her, just don’t. How can Portia stand there and say she loves her, when she kept this from her for her entire life? There’s a knock at the door, and Portia says, come in. Marshall says he thought she could use a friend.

Some of Victor’s goons drag Trina and Spencer into the main salon of the Haunted Star, and Spencer says, I’m sick of being drug around by you no-necks. Goon1 says he’s sick of hearing Spencer’s voice, and Good2 tells him to quite messing around and take the prisoner to his room, and leaves with Trina. Goon1 says, Spencer heard the man, but Spencer stomps on his foot, and breaks free. He tries to run after Trina, but Goon3 grabs him, and Goon1 says, he’ll pay for that.

Michael carries Willow over the threshold and says, welcome home, Mrs. Corinthos. She says, it’s good to be home, Mr. Corinthos. He takes her bouquet from her, and says he’ll put these in water, but she says, he forgot something, and kisses him.

Dex asks if Josslyn is okay, and she says, it’s been a long, long day. Some of it was awesome, and some of it was not. He says, she looks beautiful, and she says she’s trying to find the energy to take her hair down. He says, allow him, and I say out loud, right. He takes the remaining pins out of her hair, and tells her, like he said, beautiful. She kisses him.

Victor says, whatever the reasons, he’s afraid Valentin has come all this way for nothing. He’s in Victor’s custody, and Victor’s men will soon hunt down his accomplices. Valentin says, Victor’s wasting his time; he came alone. Victor says he would have expected Valentin to be a better liar, and Valentin says he fooled Victor into thinking he was dead (ha-ha – good one), but Victor says he won’t let Valentin play him again. Make it easy on himself, just tell him who the accomplice is, and how Valentin found him. Valentin asks why he’d answer when Victor will just accuse him of lying, and Victor says, lies come easily. The truth often has to be coerced.

On the phone with Diane, Robert says he’s sorry they got interrupted earlier. He has a bit of time now if she wants to talk… Now in Anna’s bed, Scotty snores LOUDLY, and Robert says he’ll call her back. He tells Scotty, wake up, and wonders, how long does chloroform last? Elizabeth knocks at the door, and asks if Anna is decent. She’s coming in.

Spencer tells Goon1, sorry about his foot, and Goon1 says, not as sorry as he’s going to be. Spencer says, if Goon1 can forgive and forget, he promises to ask for leniency at his trial, because he will get caught. It is only a matter of time. Goon1 says, can you believe this guy? Let’s show him how we forgive and forget. He takes off his jacket, and I think, Victor is such a micromanager, shouldn’t they check with him first before beating the crap out of his nephew? Spencer says, his uncle wants to use him and his girlfriend for his psycho medical experiment. He was just protecting her. Doesn’t Goon1 have anyone he wants to protect? Goon1 says, no, since no one would be close to a jerk like him, and draws his fist back. Curtis stands in the doorway, and says, I wouldn’t do that if I were you.

Victor says, fortunately, he doesn’t require Valentin’s cooperation. His mere presence is enough. Obrecht asks if Valentin has news about Willow. How is she? Valentin says, as far as he knows, Willow is still alive. Can the same be said of Victor’s hostages? Victor says his great nephews are fine, thank you, as is the stowaway, Trina Robinson. But none of them will survive what is to come unless Obrecht gets on with the testing. Obrecht goes back to her microscope, and Valentin says, what testing? Victor says he’s so glad Valentin asked. Liesl is testing the final step in his plan to save the world, and Valentin’s here to help.

Elizabeth is about to go into Anna’s room, when Robert opens the door. He comes out, closing it behind him, and says he was just visiting Anna. Elizabeth says she just needs to take Anna’s vitals, but he says, she’s sleeping at the moment. Elizabeth says she’ll do her best not to wake Anna up, but Robert says he can’t let her do that.

Marshall says he was worried about Trina, and figured Portia was too. It might help them both if they worry together. She thanks him, and says, ever since Trina called her… He says, Trina called her? and she asks if Curtis didn’t fill him in on everything. He says, that’s great. He hasn’t spoken to Curtis. He’s been leaving messages, but he thought Curtis must be off hounding the PCPD about finding Trina, and was too preoccupied to talk to his old man. That’s good. She says, he doesn’t know. Curtis and Drew Cain uncovered a lead and left to bring Trina home… if they can get past Victor Cassadine. Marshalls says, ugh.

Curtis tells the Goons, the boss doesn’t take kindly to those harming his family, and Goon1 says, this one tried to escape. He needs to be taught a lesson. Spencer says he just wanted to check on Trina. Her room is down the hallway near the engine room, which gives it a lot of fumes. He just wanted to make sure she’s okay. Goon1 says, Spencer doesn’t give requests, and Curtis suggests Goon1 take a break. He’ll take care of this guy. Goon1 says, Curtis isn’t assigned to this detail. Stick to his orders if he knows what’s good for him. As a matter of fact, he doesn’t think he’s ever seen Curtis before. Curtis says he doesn’t think he’s ever seen Goon1 before either. There’s a lot of guards here. Goon1 says, still… and Spencer laughs. He says, his uncle must have been scraping the bottom of the barrel for them. He must have been very, very desperate, to hire the entire brainless brigade. Goon1 asks if Spencer has a death wish, but Spencer says, all he cares about is Trina, glancing at Curtis. Curtis says, don’t harm the boss’s family if you know what’s good for you, and leaves. As soon as he’s gone, Goon1 punches Spencer in the stomach.

Michael brings out the bouquet, now in a vase, and asks how Willow is feeling. She says, blissfully happy to be able to call him her husband, and mean it this time. It’s a dream come true. He says he wants to spend his life making her dreams come true, and she says, all she wants is him. He says he’s sorry there was no dancing at the reception. Actually, there was no reception, thanks to Ned. She says, at least the SEC didn’t show up until after the ceremony, and he says, and they didn’t keep his mom overnight. Since they don’t know where Drew is, they just have to wait for him to come back with Obrecht. She says, Sonny gets some credit for that. If he hadn’t led the SEC to believe Drew was in Maui, things might be very different. She takes his hand, and says, ever since she was diagnosed with leukemia, the world keeps falling out from under her. Her one constant has been him, their children, and his family. They’ve never stopped supporting her and loving her. And if the worst happens – he protests, but she keeps going – she hates the thought of the family being divided between him and his father.

Dex asks if Josslyn is asleep, and she says, dreaming. He says, good dreams he hopes, and she says, very good, kissing him. He says, she told him it was a long day. Tell him about the wonderful parts. She says, that would be the wedding. Everyone was so happy for Michael and Willow. Everyone made an effort, even Tracy. He asks, who’s Tracy? and she says, Tracy Quartermaine, Michael’s great aunt, his grandpa’s sister. She makes the Wicked Witch of the West seem lowkey and agreeable. He asks if she isn’t being a little harsh, and she says, he can meet Tracy and tell her if she’s wrong. But even she got in the spirit of things. She saw Kristina. They don’t really talk anymore. She’s loyal to her dad; she doesn’t want to admit he’s done anything wrong. But after that little bit of tension, it was like a big, extended family – the Spencers, the Corinthos, the Quartermaines, various Falconaris, McCalls, Davises. They were all able to just put the grudges aside and enjoy the night. He asks if the bride and groom were able to relax and enjoy their wedding, and she says, Michael and Willow were blissful. People overuse that word, on ice cream and manicures, but tonight she saw true bliss. They looked at each other like they were the only two people on the planet. They were so grateful, so in love, so happy to have that moment. That was bliss.

Valentin says, Victor really is depraved. He looks at Obrecht, and says, Victor’s delusional, right? Tell him this is a fantasy with no chance of being realized. She says, he is delusional. However, the pathogen is all too real… and effective. Victor asks if Valentin realizes that man is responsible for 80% of the crises in our world, and just happens to have a mortality rate of 80%. Kind of perfect, doesn’t he think? Once man and nature are back in balance, our beautiful planet can flourish once again. He’d hoped to have Valentin by his side, but after Valentin’s betrayal, he’s had to reevaluate his priorities. Valentin says, what exactly is on his worth being saved list? and Victor says, once Liesl has proved the effectiveness of the antidote, Nikolas’s infant son Ace – he really must get around to renaming him one day – and himself, and he promised Liesl she could take some of the antidote home to her family, and his trusted employees of course (🍷). He’s afraid everyone else’s fate will come down to a roll of the dice. Valentin says, what if the cure isn’t effective? What does it come down to then? It’s not too late. Victor can end this madness. And he can have something so much better than all this death. He can have his son back.

Elizabeth says, Robert won’t let her monitor a patient? and Robert says, Anna’s exhausted and tired. He figured that was more important than having her vitals checked again. She says, actually, it’s not. If Anna is that tired, they need to make sure there’s not a medical reason for it. He asks if it’s possible for her to come back later, but she says, it doesn’t work like that. And if Robert was genuinely concerned about Anna, he’d be pushing the call button, and not trying to stonewall her.

Outside Trina’s room, Curtis tells Goon2, change of plans. Watkins wants him on patrol. Goon2 asks why Watkins isn’t telling him. Who are you?

Trina paces in her room, and hears punches being thrown. Curtis opens the door, and she runs to him, hugging him hard.

Dex tells Josslyn, so the wedding was perfect. What about the reception? Anyone get hammered and do something they’ll regret? Anybody pick a fight with the Wicked Witch of the West? She says she wishes. There wasn’t a reception. Two agents from the SEC came in and took her mom for questioning. They’re accusing her mom and Drew of insider trading. He asks how that’s even possible, and she says, her mom bought shares from Aurora, Drew’s company, right before they were supposed to merge with ELQ, but thanks to Ned Quartermaine, the merger never happened, and her mom lost a ton of money. She had to sell her half of the hotel; Nina bought it. She guesses her mom was getting inside information from Drew. He asks if the SEC questioned Drew, but she says, no. Drew is off trying to save Willow, but when he comes back – if he comes back – he’s going to be in serious trouble. He asks how Drew managed to avoid the SEC, and she says, Sonny.

Willow says she loves that they had a family wedding, even if the family was all Michael’s, and he asks if she hasn’t been paying attention. It’s her family now too. She says, of everyone who was there tonight, how many love him? and he says, besides Ned and Tracy? Everyone… including Ned and Tracy. She asks, how many love Sonny? and he says, most of them. She says, how much overlap? How many love him and Sonny both? He says, aside from again Ned and Tracy, everyone. She says, the rift between him and Sonny effects them all. Because even if he’s right – and he is right and Sonny’s wrong, and she’s pretty sure they all know that, including Kristina – they still love them both. They don’t want to choose. So for their sakes, can’t he find a way to co-exist with his father? He says, there’s something she doesn’t know; something he can’t keep from her anymore. It’s better if he shows her. He takes out his phone.

Willow asks, what did she just see? and he says, his father accepting a delivery from a private military contractor. Sonny made a deal with these people to illegally traffic weapons through Port Charles. Those are Federal crimes; violations of the National Security Act. This footage will send his father to prison for the rest of his life.

Josslyn says, Sonny made them think Drew left for Maui, and Dex says, that’s good news, right? She says, yes and no. Drew is free to help Willow without the SEC getting in his way, but getting help from Sonny complicates things. He says, plus he’s working with her brother to take Sonny down, but Josslyn says she prefers calling it bringing him to justice. He chose to break the law, and he’s ruined lives doing that. He has to suffer the consequences… but then he sticks up for them like he used to do, and it reminds her that he’s just full of contradictions. Hmm… So is she. It’s okay if Sonny doesn’t suffer consequences as long as he sticks up for them all the time? Dex says, Sonny does have impeccable timing. He got it tonight; the evidence that Sonny is accepting shipments from Pikeman. She asks, what happens now? and he says, that’s up to Michael. He gave it to Michael, so he guesses Michael will turn it over to the authorities. She says, and this will all be over? and he says, that’s the hope.

Elizabeth says she’s trying to take care of Anna, and Robert says he is too. She says, then step aside and let her in, but he says he can’t. She asks if she’s going to have to call security… on Robert Scorpio? He says, there’s something going on. He can’t give her any details. It’s entirely confidential. She has to trust him on this.

Scotty comes to, holding his head, and says, too many martinis. He realizes he’s in Anna’s bed, and sits up, checking his pockets. He grabs the bedside phone, dials, and says, operator. He sees the phone has been unplugged. Maybe they should have taken it out of the room.

Portia says, there’s been no word from Curtis or Drew since they went to find the Haunted Star, and Marshall says he’s sorry. It’s hard enough worrying about Trina, but now to have his brave, but reckless son off on some foolhardy mission to take down some dangerous lunatic. What was he thinking? She says she’s grateful to Curtis for trying to find Trina and bring her home. He’s saved Trina’s life more than once, and she trusts he’ll be able to do it again… but she’s terrified too. Marshall says, him too. Curtis loves his family above all else. Ain’t nothin’ gonna stop him. Nothin’. Especially to rescue a girl who might be his daughter.

Curtis puts the out cold guard next to Trina’s bed, and zip ties his wrists. He says, he should be out for a while, and she says she can’t believe he’s really here. He says, he can’t believe she’s wearing that sweater there’s no way he wasn’t going to come for her, and she asks if her mom knows he’s here. He says he left her a note. No surprise, she’s worried about Trina. Trina says she’s sorry for all of this. She wishes she could tell her mom herself. He says, she will, because he’s going to get her out of here, and she says, how? Victor has guards all over this place. He says, remember, he has help. They’re going to get her, Spencer, and the baby safely out of here and home. She says she hasn’t seen Spencer’s brother in like, forever; a nanny’s with him. And Spencer is having a lot of friction with the guards. One in particular really hates him. He says he just saw Spencer, and she asks if he’s okay. Curtis says, actually, Spencer was more worried about her than his own safety. He checks his gun, and she asks if Spencer is in trouble. He says, right now, he’s going to get her off this boat and come back for Spencer, and she says she’ll help him get Spencer, but he says he can’t put her at risk like that. She says, Spencer has helped her this entire time. She’s not leaving him. He tells her to do exactly as he says. He says, run, she runs like hell, okay? She promises, and he says, let’s go get Spencer. He aims his gun in front of him, and they slip out.

Victor says, what’s the incentive of getting his son back? He’s already got Valentin. Valentin says, he’s Victor’s captive. Call it off. Let Liesl, Spencer, Trina, and the baby go home. They can work together to set the world to rights. Pour money into scientific research; hire the most brilliant minds. Just think of everything they could achieve together, with no lives lost. You and me; father and son. Victor says, the only way to save this planet is through drastic measures. As for his son, he was foolish enough to trust him once. He won’t be foolish enough to make that mistake again. Valentin says, all right, then let Spencer, Trina, and the baby go. He’ll stay as Victor’s subject. Think of everything they can do with no innocent lives lost. Victor says, no one is innocent. They’re all responsible for the mess this planet’s in, but Valentin can save himself. Just give Victor the answers. He knows Valentin didn’t come here alone; there are others. Who are they and how many? Valentin says he came alone, and Victor asks if it troubles Valentin to be so predictable. Valentin asks if it troubles Victor to be so predictable, and Victor says, this is what’s going to happen. Liesl is going to infect Valentin with the pathogen. They’re pressed for time, so she’s going to deliver it through an injection. The onset of symptoms should be almost instantaneous. Then it just comes down to a waiting game. If Valentin gives him the answers he needs, they’ll give him the antidote, which they’re reasonably certain will be effective. If, however, he dies, they’ll know they have more work to do. Fortunately, they have Trina and Spencer as back-ups. If Valentin doesn’t give him the answers, or takes too much time, then they’ll just test the antidote on them. Goon3 takes Valentin out of the room, and Victor tells Obrecht, let’s go make history.

Michael tells Willow, this wasn’t staged; this wasn’t entrapment. Sonny is helping them smuggle arms out of the country. Willow asks why he would do that, and Michael says, money; they’re paying him a fortune. She says, Sonny’s wealthy already. How much money does he need? Michael thinks it’s more than just money. Port Charles is Sonny’s territory; he decides who moves through it. To deal with  a major defense contractor like Pikeman gives him power, leverage. They want to move their merchandise out of the country, Sonny makes that happen. They don’t just owe him money, they owe him favors. Maybe they have the leverage of politicians, someone who could be useful to Sonny. This is his father’s business. This is what they don’t talk about. It’s what makes them targets; what gets people killed. She asks how he even has that video, and he says, someone sent it to him. She says, that doesn’t make any sense. Someone obtained evidence of Sonny breaking the law. Why wouldn’t they take it to the police themselves? He says, because that someone works for him.

Josslyn says, Dex will be out from under Sonny’s thumb. He won’t have to be looking over his shoulder all the time. And they won’t have to worry that Sonny will find out Dex is working against him. He says, they can move on with their lives, and she says, and Sonny will spend the rest of his life behind bars? What if Dex goes down with Sonny? He was involved in the Pikeman deal. He says, Michael might not even have to use his name, and she says, if he does? Dex says he should be able to cut a deal since he was the one to turn the evidence over. She asks if there’s any way Sonny gets out of this, but he says he doesn’t see how. He’ll be facing the full weight of the Federal government. Does she want Sonny to get away with it?

Elizabeth says she does trust Robert, but she also has to do her job. If her supervisor sees she hasn’t filled in Anna’s vitals, she’s going to start asking questions. Robert asks if she can maybe tell her supervisor that it’s a family emergency. That her… goldfish died? Just buy him a bit of time. Please. He’s begging her.

Scotty asks if the operator can connect him to the WSB. It’s a matter of life and death.

Goon3 asks if Goon1 thinks Spencer has had enough, but Goon1 says he guesses not. Trina runs out and says, hey. Leave him alone. Goon1 says, what are you gonna do about it, sweetheart? Well, that remark should be enough to give her the strength of ten.

Two guards strap Valentin to a chair, while Victor watches through the window. It’s amazing how clean everything is after forty years underground. It’s got electricity, it’s spic-and-span, but everyone is wearing coats, so apparently, they couldn’t get the heat going. Obrecht joins Victor, and asks if he’s sure he wants to do this. He could be signing his son’s death warrant. He says, Valentin made his choice. Just go. She goes inside, and takes a syringe out of a case. She looks at Victor, and says, it’s his son, but Victor says, not anymore. Obrecht injects Valentin. She says she’s sorry, and he says he knows. She goes back out, and tells Victor, this is insanity. She makes a disgusted noise and starts to leave, but Victor grabs her arm. He says, if she wants to save her great niece, she’ll see this experiment through. A guard grabs her and points her toward the window, which is kind of stupid, but okay, and Victor asks how Valentin is feeling. Valentin asks, how long until he’s dead? Victor put a lot of work into this. It would be a shame if it amounted to nothing. Victor says he thinks Valentin needs a tissue, and Valentin begins to bleed from his nose.

Elizabeth says she’ll delay taking Anna’s vitals, and Robert thanks her. She says, he has 30 minutes, and he says he’ll take it. He wants to get it sorted out as soon as possible. A man approaches, and says, Agent Hersley from the WSB. He shows Robert his badge, and says he needs to get into the room right away. Robert says, on what business? and Hersley says, it’s confidential. He goes past Robert, and into Anna’s room. Scotty says he’s got to talk to the agent, and Elizabeth says, where’s Anna? Scotty says, Scorpio drugged him because he doesn’t want him talking to the WSB agent about Victor’s biological weapon. Elizabeth asks if that’s true, and Robert says, you idiot. Does Scotty realize what he’s just done? He’s killed the woman he purported to love, along with three hostages. They should have just acted like Scotty escaped from the psyche ward and has these delusions all the time.

Michael tells Willow, his father’s lieutenant Dex Heller doesn’t work for his father; Dex works for him. He saw an opportunity to get inside his father’s organization to gather evidence to pass along to law enforcement. Dex found it. As soon as he gives this to the Justice Department, Sonny will be out of their lives for good. She says, what about the rest of his family? His brothers, and sisters? She starts to cry, and Michael says, they’ll be safe. He didn’t want to tell her any of this. He didn’t want her to worry. She hyperventilates and passes out. Luckily onto the sofa. He flies to her, calling her name.

Josslyn tells Dex that Avery and Donna are going to be devastated when Sonny goes to prison. So will Kristina. He says he’s so sorry. The last thing he wants is to hurt her family. She says, he didn’t; Sonny did. He just never thought he’d get caught, and now he has.

Portia tells Marshall, up until the Nurses Ball, all she could think about was how she messed things up with Curtis and Trina. She wasn’t even sure she could repair either relationship, but that seems like a lifetime ago. He says, she’s been through a lot, and she says, it feels like one disaster has been put on hold for another one, but Curtis was really there for her when she found out Trina was missing. When Trina called from the Haunted Star, she told Portia that she loved her. She starts to cry, and says, she thought she was never going to hear those words from Trina again. Marshall hands her a hanky, soaps and Dr. Phil being the only place you see them anymore, and he says, of course (🍷) Trina loves her. And Trina will forgive her, just like Curtis forgave him. Portia tells him that she doesn’t even care if Trina ever says one word to her again. She just wants Trina home safe, and Curtis too. She would give anything for that to happen, but she’s stuck here, and can’t do anything to help her daughter. He says he’s here for her, however long it takes. He holds her against himself, and says, it’s going to be all right.

Goon3 takes off after Trina, but Curtis intercepts him, knocking the gun out of his hand, and kicking his ass all over the place. Goon1 runs up, and he and Curtis struggle.

Tomorrow, Brook asks why Tracy thinks she can still hold something over her head; Ava says, Nina better hope Sonny doesn’t find out it was her who snitched; Michael calls 9-1-1; and Trina tries to wake up Spencer.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey

What the hell? Everyone is magically delicious home. At least Ireland is now free of New Jersey. Danielle’s mother Angel comes over, and the grandkids go nuts. Nate tells the kids, if they don’t behave, mom and dad will take their candy away, and watch them cry as they eat it in front of them. That actually sounds like something my father would have said. In Danielle’s interview, she says, she talks about everything with her mom. When she was in high school, they would argue and fight, but her mom is her best friend. What she loves most is that her mom doesn’t beat around the bush. She says what she feels, and doesn’t give a sh*t. Danielle says she had a hard time in Ireland, and Angel asks if she needs to kick someone’s ass. In her interview, Danielle says, during the ride home, she was holding on by a thread. She wanted nothing to do with anyone. Angel asks if they were mean to her, and Danielle says, they were mean girls times a million. Rachel wouldn’t let go of Danielle having called her a rat, and Angel says, she’s not ride or die. Danielle says, then Marge was attacking her. There’s a rumor she’s holding that came from Marge’s friend. A mutual friend saw Melissa in the back seat of a car with a guy, and they were kissing. She doesn’t know if it’s true, but it’s what Marge’s friend said. In her interview, she says she was like Muhammad Ali, blocking sh*t left and right. She had no time to think about what to do about what she was told. Angel says, she should tell Melissa. If she were Melissa, she’d want to know.

Rachel and John go see an adoption attorney, and in Rachel’s interview, she says, there’s always been something missing for her in not adopting Jaiden. Jaiden thought he’d been automatically adopted when she and John got married, and didn’t understand. She wanted it to feel like a complete family for him. He’s so good with the girls, and she wants to take the last step to solidify her being his legal guardian. She tells the attorney that Jaiden will be 16 soon, and although he had a mom, she wasn’t around. It was a lot for him to process, and she’s wanted to adopt him for a long time, but she was scared of the outcome. The attorney tells them that there’s an obligation to serve or try to serve the mother as part of the process. It not only makes Rachel a legal parent, but terminates the biological mother’s legal rights. If she objects, she has the right to an appointed attorney, and they’ll have a contested adoption. Rachel says, it’s crazy. Jaiden’s mother has never been a parental figure in his life, but she still has to ask if it’s okay to adopt the son she raised. In her interview, Rachel says she can’t imagine having no regard for her children. It’s frustrating. She knows who Jaiden is and his heart, and she wants to fill that void. She cries, and says she wants to solidify that she’s here for him and he’s her number one priority. She tells the attorney that she doesn’t want to disturb Jaiden’s life, but this is important, and the attorney says she’ll start the search when she’s drafting the papers. If they hear nothing within 45 days, they’re home free.

Jennifer tells Olivia about the surprise bridal shower she’s throwing for Teresa. They’re doing henna, like in the Turkish culture. Olivia wonders what the garters are, and Jennifer explains that they’re lingerie, like she wants Jennifer to wear for daddy. In Jennifer’s interview, she says, thanks Margaret. Her nine year old daughter thinks she needs to wear lingerie to make her relationship work. Whenever they argue, even if it’s trivial, Olivia gets upset. Jennifer asks Bill if he spent time with the kids while she was away; they were calling her. Bill says, they need to be taught some level of independence, and Jennifer reminds him that the therapist said they take authority more seriously from a father figure. We see a clip of the therapist saying, if dad is taking time for them, they feel it’s important. Bill says, when he’s at work, he’s in a situation where he cares for others, and when he’s home, it’s a different story. That’s the reality of it. In her interview, Jennifer says she could be selfish and live a life of luxury, but she toughs it out for the family. Someone should remind her about saying that the next time she goes shopping for a Birkin. She needs to reevaluate what toughing it out means. Bill says he has to save to put the kids through college, or he wouldn’t work so many hours. Jennifer says, they have to figure out how to do it together. He always blames her when there’s no one to blame; it’s a work in progress. She feels like sometimes they need a referee, and asks if he’d go to see the therapist again, but he says, in this circumstance, no. Jennifer says, they have more issues. His complaints are about her, and hers are about him complaining about her. In her interview, she says, if both of them aren’t participating to make it work, it’s not going to work.

Teresa takes the girls for their dress fitting, and tells the woman that it’s hard to get all four of them in one place at one time. The girls put on their dresses, and Teresa takes photos. Gia calls Juicy Joe, so he can see them, and Teresa says she keeps praying every day. She wants him to come back one day. She gets teary, and Joe says he’s glad she’s happy, and he appreciates what she does for the kids. As long as they’re happy, that’s all that matters. In Teresa’s interview, she says, Joe wishing her happiness shows how far they’ve come. She’s so proud of how they’ve continued their relationship and stayed connected. It makes her daughters happy, and he’ll always be in her life. She tells the girls, the next time they’re in these dresses will be the big day.

Marge, Marge Sr., and Lexi have lunch with Lexi’s mom Ingrid. In Marge’s interview, she says, Ingrid is the ultimate mother and grandmother, jetting in to help. Lexi is separated and staying in the guest house with her son Nino. Marge loves it; they’re all family. Lexi says, it’s a sh*tty situation, but what came out of it was special. Joe #3 is so good with her son. Marge says, Joe loves having Nino there; he’s a good grandfather. And Lexi needed a support system. Lexi says, they were married 8 years, and she’d thought they could get back together, but they couldn’t. Marge Sr. says, he thought they could get back together, and Lexi says she couldn’t have done it without them. Marge tears up, and says, Lexi’s been with her through her divorce, and the hardest times, every disaster. In her interview, Marge says she can’t see life without Lexi. Lexi helped her raise her kids. She’s like Marge’s soulmate, but they don’t have sex. Lexi knew her two faces ago. When she loves, she wants to adopt and share and nurture. No matter how many times she’s been burned, she can’t help it. Marge Sr. can’t understand why Teresa is so nasty to her family, and Marge says, she thinks they mistreat her, but they don’t.

Antonia gets a letter from the Superintendent of Schools commending her for getting on the honor roll, and having straight A’s. In Melissa’s interview, she says, Antonia is a good kid, a little lady. She’s about to get her license, and applied 8 colleges. Most of them aren’t in New Jersey, but Melissa is okay with that. Antonia needs to get out and see what life is like without mommy folding her clothes. Joe #2 wonders who’s beeping a car horn outside, and they all go out to see Melissa’s mother Donna drive up in a car with a bow on it. In Joe’s interview, he says, Antonia is about to turn 17. His mother-in-law adores their children, and Donna wanted to drive the car there. Antonia cries, and in his interview, Joe says, love and happiness are what life is about. Melissa talks about Ireland, and says, it was definitely an emotional trip. Teresa’s remark about Antonia was the lowest blow, but then they went to a farm where they painted a tribute to the bride. She drew their family coming to the United States, and she was sobbing. It was at that point she gave up. She won’t argue anymore. Joe says he doesn’t like that she feels she has to prove herself, and she says she’s going to the bridal shower. In her interview, she says she’s doing everything to keep things in a peaceful place, so they can get by until the wedding. So they can go to the wedding, just for the normalcy of a family member getting married. She tells Joe, after the wedding, she wants off this ride. She’s done. It took her 18 years to say no.

Dolores meets Frank for lunch, and in her interview, she says, the last thing she wants is a sit-down with Frank, but Paulie thinks it’s a good idea. We flash back to Paulie suggesting an in-depth conversation, and Dolores says, it’s never been done. That’s not how they do things. She doesn’t think they even told the kids when they divorced. Gabby was 4 and asked why daddy didn’t live with them. They don’t have emotional talks about feelings. She’s never done this. Frank says, they have so much to catch up on. They used to talk every day. Frankie has his dream job, and he wants to go out for a celebratory dinner. He asked Gabby to come, and Frank asked if he’d told Dolores, but Frankie said she’d feel bad if Paulie didn’t come. Dolores says, Paulie would definitely come, as would Brittany, but Frank says, it’s not their place; it’s their family. In the past, just the four of them would go out. Dolores says, that’s because they weren’t in serious relationships. Their family can grow, and other people can be accepted. She has to consider Paulie’s feelings. Frank says, there’s no reason they can’t have the same relationship. Brittany has no problem with it. Dolores says she doesn’t want Paulie to have a problem with it; she has a problem with it. Frank complains about not having his own relationship with Paulie, and Dolores says, Paulie cares about his relationship with her, not with Frank. Frank whines that when he has the urge to call his mother, she’s not there anymore, and in Frank’s interview, he says, any time he had something bad or good to talk about, he’d call his mother. Since she passed, Dolores has been this person. Dolores tells Frank that he’s getting emotional in his old age, and in her interview, she says, Frank lost his mother and his best friend. She’s sorry about how he feels, but she has to worry about Paulie’s feelings. She tells Frank that it’s nice to say she belongs to somebody. She hasn’t gotten that from anyone else. She tells him, it’s not restriction, but boundaries, and in her interview, she says, Frank will always be family. She can’t throw away 30 years. All she’s asking for is a boundary and some space some. Frank caves, and says, what if they all go; him, Dolores, Paulie, Brittany, Frankie, and Gabby.

Jennifer oversees setting up for Teresa’s surprise shower at a restaurant. In her interview, she says she’s the best bridesmaid to have, and there are no bad seeds in the bridal party. Teresa’s chosen family is here to celebrate, and who doesn’t like a surprise? Good ones, not the bad ones. Gia arrives, and says she told Teresa that they were meeting for lunch. While driving the other girls to the not-really-a-lunch, Teresa talks to Louie, who says he’s sending a text for the dinner on Thursday. He’s invited everyone but Melissa and Joe. Teresa asks if he knows the cameras are on. They’re filming.

Louie says, oh sh*t. Okay. He has to invite everyone, or it wouldn’t be fair. I wonder if they’re this stupid or they think Bravo is. Milania asks why they’re inviting Melissa and Joe, and Teresa says, being upset and angry takes more energy. In Teresa’s interview, she says she doesn’t like to tell the girls everything that’s going on with the family if she doesn’t have to, and the wedding’s a week away. She tells them, there’s always light at the end of the rainbow. The shower décor is all pink, gold, and white; and a lot classier than all of these women put together. Melissa talks with Louie’s sister Veronica, and in Melissa’s interview, she says, Teresa’s new sister-in-law is lovely. She wants that for Teresa, and doesn’t understand why she feels it’s them or her. She’s replaced them. It’s like she has someone to call family now, so bye. Melissa finds out Veronica is officiating, and Gia comes over to say hello to Melissa, which makes for a very strained moment. There’s an announcement that appetizers are being served now, and for the guests to go to the main room. I guess Jennifer rented the whole place? It’s like the wedding before the wedding. The women talk about Ireland, and Melissa says, something seemed off with Danielle. Danielle says, a few things were off, and Dolores says, Danielle wears her heart on her sleeve. Marge asks if Melissa has spoken to Teresa, and Melissa says, of course not, and it’s making her sad. In Danielle’s interview, she says, Melissa is on Teresa’s terms, and feeling a certain way, so she doesn’t want to add any stress. Not today. Teresa arrives, and everyone gets out their phones. The MC tells them, make some noise for Teresa.

Teresa says she feels so special, being in a room full of women paid to be celebrating her. She had no idea. In her interview, she says, Louie’s mom is so sweet. She reminds Teresa of her own mom, and she wishes her mom was here. Everyone is seated, except for Melissa, who has to eat in a bathroom stall. Just kidding. More food porn! Danielle tells Dolores and Jennifer that she went to Ireland one person, and came home another. Her eyes are wide open, and she’s going to pick and choose her battles. Dolores says, that comes with age and experience, and Jennifer tells them, there’s something to be said for being older and wiser. Dolores says, she loves their youth, but wouldn’t buy back those days. Rachel sits down, and in Danielle’s interview, she says she’s trying to take it as it comes. Rachel can be sweet and nice, then boom! When it’s , it’s nice, but when it’s not, she doesn’t want to  there. In Rachel’s interview, she says, you can only push so much before she pokes back. She wants to move forward. They need to put on their big girl panties, and carry on. Teresa thanks everyone for coming, and says she was surprised. She thanks pretty much everyone in the room for something except Melissa, and in Marge’s interview, she says, Teresa just can’t just say she’s happy her sister-in-law is here. It feels intentional, and must be making Melissa feel like she’s not wanted. Jennifer has all the single girls knead the henna and think about the man they want to marry. In Jennifer’s interview, she says, henna gives abundance, love, and prosperity. Some woman, whose name I miss, tells Melissa that Teresa is in the wrong. She told Teresa that she’s only got one brother, and should have mentioned Melissa. Jennifer puts a veil on Teresa, who sits in the middle with the henna, while the women dance around the bride. Jennifer says, she’ll absorb the good energy, and in Danielle’s interview, she says she loves activities. They’re dancing and making noises. Over the top big is her thing. Teresa tells Jennifer that she loves it, and Jennifer says, that’s what bridesmaids do. Teresa says, it’s happy and fun, and no negative energy.

Give it a minute.

Next time, Jen’s mom is an identical twin, and they still dress alike at 80; the dinner with Frank happens; Danielle’s mom tells her that her brother doesn’t want to fix it; Louie says, he wants to talk to Teresa’s brother as much as a rat in the street, and he’s pulling her out of the snake pit.

🤔 Pondering Weak and Weary…

Join me tomorrow for some soap and VanderOmens. Until then, stay safe, stay looking both ways before you cross the street, and stay remembering, there’s always light at the end of the rainbow.