Monthly Archives: June 2023

June 16, 2023 – Ned Is Brought Out of Twilight Sleep, School’s Out, Not Too Late, Something, Après Rules, Messy Lou, Almost Here, Pets (!) Of the Famous, 3 Squared Quotes & Parade

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Finn plays a solo game of Backgammon in the breakroom, when Elizabeth walks in and asks if he’s playing against himself. He asks what she wants to hear, and she asks if he has no friends. He says, Tracy’s back in town, so he’s practicing. He can’t let her beat him. She’s impossible to deal with under normal circumstances. If she got a win… He’s got to stay on his toes. Elizabeth says, maybe she can help, and sits across from him.

Diane and Alexis find seats at the Bistro, and Diane says she keeps forgetting this place serves Earl Grey by default. She’s not a fan. Alexis says, take it back and get something else, but Diane says she can’t. Alexis calls her a martyr, and asks why she’s so cranky. Somebody on her mind? Diane says, if she’s referring to DA Scorpio, no. Holly left town; Robert told her himself. Alexis says, that sounds good… isn’t it? but Diane says, he couldn’t say if or when she was going to return. Alexis says, sounds like a win to her. She’s gone; he’s here. So is Diane.

On the phone, Cody says he knows they have a lot going on right now, but he wouldn’t call if it wasn’t important. Sam asks if he got arrested again, and he says, no, but he does need her help. She says, with what? and he says, exposing Gladys Corbin.

Sasha comes into Willow’s room, apologizing for being late, but Willow says she imagines it take time to get all suited up. Sasha says, that’s not what distracted her. She got hung up by an email. Willow says she has no concept of time in this room. She’s just glad Sasha’s here. Sasha says, Willow looks so much better, and Willow thanks her. She says she doesn’t want to sound insensitive, but Sasha’s eyes look red. Has she been crying? Sasha says, time to rethink Deception’s concealer formula (well, I would hope you don’t put it in your eyes), and Willow asks, what’s going on? Sasha says she was crying because of Nina.

On the phone, Michael asks Dex if there’s any news from the Pikeman camp… Keep him posted. It’s important Sonny thinks things are status quo. He doesn’t want Sonny to know they had any connection. Chase comes along and asks how Willow is doing. Michael says, she’s holding her own. Sasha’s in with her right now. Chase says, no more phones? and Michael says, they still have to wear masks and gowns to keep the room sterile, but she’s only allowed one visitor at a time. Chase says, that’s great. He’s sure she appreciates the human contact. Michael says, what about him? and Chase says he’s actually trying to avoid human contact. Everybody’s on the 10th floor, waiting for news about Ned, and he doesn’t want to get in the way of… Michael says, Brook’s sweet Granny Tracy?

TJ checks Ned’s vitals, as Olivia stands by nervously. Tracy and Brook come in, and Brook asks how he is. Olivia tells them, the doctor said, it’s time to bring Ned out of his twilight sleep. Brook says, sounds hopeful, and Tracy asks TJ, is it hopeful?

Finn tells Elizabeth that backgammon dates back 5000 years, and she says she didn’t realize she was in for a history lesson. Elizabeth makes a good move, and Finn says, that was lucky. Gilgamesh, the Mesopotamian king who wanted immortality, would play. She says she guesses he had to do something if he was going to live forever, and Finn says, big time player? Cleopatra. Elizabeth says, wow, and Finn says, maybe the best of all; Lucille Ball. She and Sammy Davis would just sit down at parties and start playing backgammon. She asks if he’s trying to distract her with this amazing information and his dazzling charm, and he says, the dazzling charm comes naturally. The backgammon history is a bonus. She says, so he’s a charmer and a nerd; it’s a winning combination. He asks if she just called him a nerd, and she makes a winning move, saying, she thinks she likes this game.

Diane tells Alexis, Robert said his complicated life just got less complicated. Isn’t that attractive? Then their uncomplicated conversation became more complicated after Olivia Quartermaine came over and started pressing Robert for inside information on the SEC case, and was there a possible deal on the table where her client Carly could give up her client Sonny. Alexis says, and Diane was all ears, and Diane says, of course (🍷) she was. Robert didn’t seem to appreciate that. She just doesn’t know if they’re compatible. Alexis says, Diane really likes those bad boy clients, doesn’t she? and Diane says, she likes the bad boy clients? She coughs, saying, Jerry Jax…. cough, cough… Julian Jerome. Alexis says, stop. Everyone to their corners. Diane says, that’s not what she wanted to talk about anyway. She’s consulting on a new case, and she needs Alexis’s great wisdom. Has she ever heard of Bidz Secure? With a Z. It’s crypto currency. Alexis says she doesn’t do that, and Diane says, neither does she. Just stay with her. It’s a digital currency security start-up. Their client is the CFO who’s been accused of stealing the keys to a big wallet which has somehow gone missing. Alexis says, a big wallet? and Diane says, it’s not a real wallet. It’s a digital wallet. He says he’s being framed by the CEO, who’s apparently a real crypto bro, according to her associate. Alexis says, that’s a he said/he said, and Diane says, the wife of the crypto bro CEO says she actually witnessed their client downloading funds, so it’s a he said/she said/he said. Alexis says, it sounds like Diane doesn’t believe what she said. Does she have any evidence? Diane says, no. The security is all in the digital ether, so there’s no paper trail. It’s keystrokes and clicks, and no, she doesn’t believe her. According to Diane’s associate, her husband is a real shark. Alexis says, so where does the shark swim? What does the shark eat? Diane asks if Alexis is having a stroke. What is she talking about? Alexis says, hunger. She may not know anything about tech bros, but she knows something about bros, and if it were her, she would be looking into the proclivities and the extracurricular activities of this certain CEO, and Diane might find something that his wife doesn’t like. If she’s going out on a limb for a lying cheater, or worse, she might think twice. Diane says, Alexis Davis, you are yummy and brilliant and devious, and Alexis says, all’s fair in love and law.

Cody tells Sam that he’ll fill her in when she gets here. He’s at the stables. He thanks her, and flashes back to talking to Brook saying he has the support of her entire family, granny aside. He says, Comet would miss him. Wouldn’t you boy? He puts his forehead against the horse, and says, apparently, there’s a few people out there who would. Don’t worry. Gladys won’t get rid of him that easily.

TJ says, his hope is that the sedation allowed Ned’s brain to rest, preventing any further swelling and maybe decreasing it. Tracy says, hope; that’s carefully worded. He says, medical professionals are discouraged from giving blanket assurances, but he can tell them that Ned’s medical team is cautiously optimistic. Brook thanks him, and asks, what’s next? TJ says, they’ll wake him up and assess his cognitive state, and Olivia says she was told there was a slight chance of lasting effects. Tracy says, like what? and he says, they’re getting ahead of themselves. Instead of rattling off a list of possible complications, they’ll start with removing Ned’s IV sedation, and work from there.

Diane says, Alexis misses being a lawyer; she can hear it. Alexis says, miss it? Being a lawyer is like voluntarily signing up to go into battle with an army of paperwork and legal jargon. It’s like navigating a perverse maze of precedents and cases that have no mercy. Diane says, but cracking the case. Wiping the smug grin off the face of opposing counsel. That was never done to her of course (🍷), but then there’s winning, winning, winning. Alexis says, pages and pages and pages of statutory law that you have to memorize, only to find out that it’s just been revised, and Diane says, it’s like putting together a giant puzzle. Alexis says, you get no sleep, you have no life, because you know you have to be in court for the next 20 days in a row, and Diane says, that’s why we have caffeine. Alexis says, to watch an innocent person get exonerated and order restored to a chaotic world. God, she misses it so much. It’s like losing a limb. She misses arguing in court; she loved arguing. And the thrill of advocating for justice. It’s who she is. She can’t just stand on the sidelines and watch. Diane says, like a reporter?

Sam arrives at the stables, and tells Cody, this better be important. She’s got to go back to the hospital. He asks, how’s Ned? Leo and Brook were here earlier. So was Tracy. Sam says, so he met Tracy, and he says, it was quite the experience. She’s a mother who’s worried about her son. They’re all worried. Sam says she and Dante are at the hospital supporting Dante’s mother, so if Cody wouldn’t mind being brief; what’s his plan? He says, that’s what he needs her help with, and she says she thought he needed help executing the plan, not brainstorming the whole damn thing. He’s never had problems executing his own schemes before. He says, way harsh. Besides, she has proximity to the Corinthos family. She can gain inside knowledge on Gladys a helluva lot easier than he could. Besides, she’s the only one who knows the whole story and believes him. She says she doesn’t know the whole story. He never told her Gladys’s motive for framing him. He says, she does believe him, right?

Willow says, Nina made Sasha cry? What has she done now? Sasha says, it’s not what Willow thinks. These are tears of joy. Willow asks if they’re in a parallel universe. Nina sparked joy? Sasha says, very funny. Willow must be feeling better. Willow says she’s just trying to process, and Sasha says she knows Willow’s relationship with Nina has been… Willow says, disastrous… fraught, and Sasha says, and this is all her fault. There was a time when she and Nina were at odds, remember? Willow says, now Sasha will tell her again how that’s all changed, and Sasha says, it has changed. Nina just wrote her the most wonderful letter of commendation to end her guardianship. Willow says, that’s great. She’s so proud of Sasha. Sasha thanks her, and says she’s finally ready to move forward. How about Willow?

Michael says, so Tracy is putting Chase through the paces, and Chase says, oh yeah. Now he knows how Comet feels. Michael says, she’s not as bad as she seems. When the chips are down, she loves her family, and she’s extremely loyal. Maybe too loyal, but she loves Brook. They have this whole love/hate thing going on. Chase says, but Brook can hold her own. It’s actually kind of fun to watch. Michael says, looks like someone is getting desensitized to the Quartermaine ways, and Chase asks how Michael is holding up through all this. Michael says, it’s a roller coaster. But they’ll get to the other side. He’s just really thankful for the nanny, because with Wiley’s endless energy and keeping Amelia on track is a non-stop juggling act. Chase says he can’t imagine that. It’s got to take a lot of strength and patience, especially while worrying about Willow.

Tracy asks, how long is this going to take? and Brook asks if she has a pickleball championship. Why doesn’t she wait outside with Dante? Olivia says, TJ told them, it could be twenty minutes; it could be a few hours. Tracy is acting like a six-year-old on a road trip. Stop. Tracy says, where is the doctor? Can’t they be doing more? What happened to the Quartermaine name? Monica left them… Olivia says, seriously? Tracy can’t sit in her own son’s ICU room without complaining about everything? Tracy says, he’s used to it. It’s like home. Ned moves his head, and Tracy says she rests her case. Olivia says, they’re here, and Ned opens his eyes, the three of them coming into focus. He closes his eyes again, as we all would.

Elizabeth sets up another game, and Finn says, today’s the last day of being just Nurse Baldwin. How does it feel? She says, it feels good. She’s happy to have been chosen for this position. She hopes she can do some good. Maybe bring some healing to this hospital. Lord knows they could use it after losing Epiphany. He says he thinks she’s the right person to bring back the humanity they need, and she thanks him. She says she keeps telling herself, this isn’t about her. It’s about her service to the patients and the staff who work so hard. She’s been linked to this hospital her entire life. One of her grandfathers was Dr. Hardy, the symbol of virtue, the true hero of General Hospital. I find myself nodding. It’s in this place she’s had her highest highs and her lowest lows. This place has put her back together more times than she’d like to count. Let’s not forget all the legends of the nurses station; Jessie Brewer, Bobbie Spencer, and Epiphany. Sometimes she wonders if she’s strong enough to be like them. Finn says, she is strong. In the end, she might be the strongest of them all.

Sam says she bailed Cody out. If she’d thought he was a thief, she wouldn’t have bothered. He thanks her, and she says, maybe it’s best if he does this legally. Why doesn’t he ask Dante for help? He says he doesn’t want to compromise Dante, and she laughs, and says, but he’s compromising her? He says he could just skip town, but she’d be out her bail money, and she says she’d find him in a heartbeat. He says he has no doubt, and feeds Comet some carrots. He says, it kills him that Sasha doesn’t know who Gladys really is, and Sam says, which is why they need to prove that the bracelet was planted. He says, Sasha needs to know that Gladys can’t be trusted. So does Port Charles. Sam suggests they just focus on keeping him out of jail, and not bite off more than they can chew. Feeding Comet more carrots, Cody tells her, Comet says, why limit ourselves?

Michael tells Chase that his heart breaks every time there’s a moment with Amelia, and Willow’s not there to experience it. The other day, Amelia looked up at him and smiled at him for the first time, like she really saw him. It was incredible, but Willow wasn’t there; she was here. He tries to record what he can on his phone, but it’s not the same. Willow needs to be there, experiencing it firsthand, to see the look on Amelia’s face when she lights up. It’s time she’ll never get back. Chase says, she’ll be able to watch those videos forever, and she’ll treasure every single one of them. Even more because she’ll know Michael took the time to record, even though he was going through his own hell.

Sasha tells Willow that she just met with Dr. Montague. He’s the psychiatrist the court appointed to evaluate her. Willow asks, how’d it go? and Sasha says, pretty good? She thinks. It’s hard to know for sure. Willow is sure Dr. Montague was very impressed. Why wouldn’t he be? Sasha has survived things that would have broken anyone else. Sasha says, Willow’s one to talk, and Willow says, having the support of family and friends has made all the difference. Sasha says, same, and Nina was a very big part of that for her. Nina was there for her when she gave Nina every reason to hate her. She pretended to be the thing Nina wanted more than anything. Nina was searching for her daughter, and what she and Valentin did was horrible, but Nina somehow found the strength and love to forgive her. That could not have been easy. Willow says she sees what Sasha is doing, but Nina has put her and the family she loves through the wringer. Some things can’t be forgiven.

Finn says, maybe it’s time for a Hardy to be in charge again. Elizabeth’s Gram was a legend in her own right. It’s kind of her destiny. Elizabeth says, those are some big shoes to fill, and he says, the shoe fits, Cinderella. He’s sorry he couldn’t join her celebration last night. She says, couldn’t or wouldn’t? She realizes girls night out isn’t for everyone, but we missed you. He says, we? and she says, I missed you. He says, hopefully, there will be many more celebrations, but he knew she needed a night out with her best friends. She says she’d like to think he’s one of them, and he says, no doubt about it.

Olivia says, thank God. She’s been praying so hard. She knew he’d wake up. Tracy tells her, back off. His brain’s been deprived of enough oxygen. She tells Ned, say something, but Brook says, don’t rush him. Ned says, water, and Brook gets a glass, Olivia putting the straw in his mouth. TJ comes in, and says, that was fast. Tracy says she wouldn’t expect any less, and TJ tells Ned, welcome back. Does he know why he’s in the hospital?

Alexis says, Diane’s not the only one she complains to about her job. While Diane was chatting it up at The Savoy with Robert’s ex, she was complaining to Felicia about her job. Diane says, her, complain? and Alexis says she believes in free press. She believes in reporters. And maybe that passion for complaining just fuels that commitment… She just wishes she were more fulfilled at The Invader. Diane says, but? and Alexis says she sometimes makes a difference. She sometimes shines a light on a story that’s important, but those stories hardly ever happen. For every impactful story, it’s like there’s a zillion mundane, stupid ones, like celebrity gossip or fashion. It’s like finding a needle of significance in a haystack of triviality. Diane says, it’s not exactly Woodward and Bernstein, and Alexis says, maybe she’s just spreading herself too thin, and needs to take advantage of her support team, and do some serious outreach. Diane says, yes, her support team. That now includes – she clears her throat – the wonderful Esme Prince.

Michael says, Chase is right. He needs to focus on the future. Once Willow is released, they’ll have the rest of their lives to make more moments together. Chase says, and they will, but until then, don’t forget to send a flare up when things get tough. His friends are here, and they want to help. Michael thanks him, and says, despite all the angst and craziness with the kids, he wouldn’t trade being a father for anything. Chase says he can see that, and Michael asks if Chase ever thinks about children. Chase says, talk about turning the tables, and Michael asks if it’s a touchy subject. Chase says, no, of course (🍷) not. He grew up in a great family. His dad was always there. His mom was kind of busy, but they both loved him. Michael says, so how about it? and Chase says, let him put it this way. He definitely loves kids, and he and Brook are back together, but as for his own, that’s a long way off in the future. Michael says, the future kind of has a habit of catching up to you sooner than you think.

Sasha says, Willow’s relationship with Nina is complicated, but so is hers. She lied to Nina, she conned her, she broke Nina’s heart. And she put Brando through hell with her addiction. Both times, she was the recipient of grace; forgiven. And recently, she wrongfully accused a friend of something. Willow says, and she was forgiven? but Sasha says, he doesn’t hold it against her, but he’s not sure he can be her friend. Willow says she’s sorry, and Sasha says, so is she. It’s painful wanting to connect to someone you’ve wronged, even if they don’t owe you a thing.

Sam says, Cody’s innocence is going to be a lot easier to prove than Gladys’s guilt, and Cody says, tell it to his lawyer. She says, what lawyer? and he says, Scott Baldwin. She asks why Scotty isn’t dealing with this, and he says, Scotty is working on something else for him. She says, bigger than a conviction for grand larceny? They have to prove Gladys was in his pants the night of the Nurses Ball. He says, she was in his jacket, thank you very much, and the PCPD already looked into all this. There was no surveillance footage. She says, there are other ways.

Finn asks if Elizabeth wants to play, and she says, yeah, she wants to play. He asks if they’re still talking about backgammon, and she laughs, saying, yes, they’re talking about backgammon. He says, just checking, and they sit back at the board. He says he’s a little afraid. He thinks she cheats. She says she wants that cup, and he hands her the cup with the dice. She shakes them up, and spills them onto the board. They play another game, and she beats him again.

Alexis says, Esme Prince, the latest entrant into the Cassadine family Squid Game, and Diane laughs. Alexis says she did that as a favor to Laura, and Diane says, that’s some favor. Esme is a… not nice person… snake. That’s mild. Is Alexis sure that’s wise? Alexis says, since when has she done anything that’s wise? and Diane says, Alexis is one of the wisest people she knows. Occasionally, she’s led astray by her passion and idealism. Alexis says, in this case, she was just trying to provide Esme with some stability, so she doesn’t run off with Laura’s grandchild in tow. Diane says, it’s generous of her, and Alexis says, actually, she has a soft spot for Esme. Alexis knows firsthand what it’s like to have a psychotic parent, and Esme’s got two. And Gregory actually keeps her calm. Diane says, Gregory? and Alexis says, he’s agreed to join the editorial board. Diane says she thought Alexis was persona non grata when she went over his head and called the dean, but Alexis says, they have an understanding now. She can be his friend and care about him; she just can’t meddle. And the editorial board is actually happy to have him, and he’s happy to be in his erudite element. Diane says, so all’s well that ends well, and Alexis says, to quote the Bard.

Sasha asks if she can read Willow something, and Willow says, sure. Sasha reads: Sasha Gilmore is not defined by her past. No matter our mistakes, shortcomings, or circumstances, everyone deserves another chance to build a life that once seemed impossible. Willow says, that’s what Nina wrote about Sasha, isn’t it? and Sasha nods. Willow says, she writes well, and Sasha says, she writes from her heart. But maybe she was also writing about herself. Maybe it’s a prayer of sorts. All she knows is that Nina’s capacity for forgiveness is massive. Something tells her, it might be hereditary.

In the elevator, Michael says he’s glad Chase and Brook are back together. They’re good for each other. Chase says, there’s never a dull moment, that’s for sure. Last weekend, she took him to the Beecher’s Corners flea market. She said she had a surprise for him, and whisked him away on this whirlwind tour. It was like she was possessed; like she had this sixth sense for finding vintage clothing. They leave the elevator, and Michael says, Brook is usually all over the place, but Chase grounds her. She can be her own worst enemy. Chase is like a moral compass for her. It’s important each person bring something to the relationship, so they can complement each other. That’s what Willow does for him. She really helped him focus on what really matters, and Chase does that for Brook. Chase asks what Brook does for him, but Michael says, you tell me.

Ned says, his head… hurts, and TJ says, he has a head injury. They’ll get him a drip to manage the pain. Does he know how he hurt his head? Ned says, did he fall? and Tracy says, yes, at the MetroCourt pool. Ned says, pool… and Olivia says, hopefully, he won’t sue the owner. Tracy says, what she wants to know is why he came barreling out like he had some earthshattering news to tell Drew. What got him all fired up?

Diane says, she and Alexis need to exercise together, and Alexis asks, what’s wrong with her? Diane says, come on, but Alexis says, no. Diane says she’s going to take Alexis to her trapeze class. It is such a good workout. Alexis says, she knows a girl who broke her foot playing pickleball (WOTD), and Diane says, then they’ll do yoga. It’s nice, it’s safe, it’s close to the ground. All that stretching and core. Alexis says, it sounds hard, and Diane says, you are impossible. Alexis says, but consistent, giving Diane a thumbs up before she leaves.

Finn says he thinks the tide is turning, and Elizabeth says, we’ll see. She rolls the dice, and he says, ouch. That’s got to hurt a little bit. She calls him Genghis Khan, and he says, Genghis Khan playing backgammon? Is she sure? She says, if he did, she’s sure this world would be a much different place. He says he’s sure it would, and she rolls again. She says she doesn’t like this game anymore, and she has to get back to work. She doesn’t want that head nurse breathing down her neck. He says, she’s okay; I’ve heard some good things about her. She says she hopes it stays that way, and he says he’s sure it will. She bids him goodnight and leaves. He sighs and rolls the dice, getting snake eyes. He says, the tide is turning, and moves his pieces.

Sam calls Spinelli, and Cody says, no, wait, but she doesn’t pay attention to him. She tells Spinelli that she’s got a job for him, making a shushing motion to Cody.

Willow asks if Sasha thinks she’s been too hard on Nina, but Sasha says she didn’t say that. There’s been real harm done. All she’s saying is, the story doesn’t have to end there. Willow says she told Wiley, new beginnings are always possible, and Sasha flashes back to Cody telling her that Gladys framed him. He says, even if she doesn’t believe that, at least she believes he’s not a thief, and he hopes someday she knows he’s the one telling her the truth. She tells Willow, he’s got a wise mommy, and Willow blows her a kiss.

Chase tells Michael that he’s going to check in on Brook, and see how Ned’s doing… or he could just text her, and avoid Tracy. Michael says, that’s not really Chase’s style though, is it? and Chase says, no. He has to face things head-on. He just doesn’t want Brook to have to run interference with Tracy. Then again, it might give her something to do to take her mind off her dad. Michael asks how Ned is doing, and Chase says, they were waiting for Dr. Ashford to wake him up from the induced coma. Brook brought Leo in to sit with him earlier. Michael says, tell Brook that he’s thinking about her, and Chase says, and send Willow his love. Michael says, for what it’s worth (🍷), he thinks Chase would be a great dad. Chase heads for the elevator.

Ned says, this is all a bit fuzzy, and TJ says, totally normal. Let’s start with this. What year is it? Ned says, 2023, and TJ asks where they are. Ned says, Port Charles, New York, and everyone gets all happy. TJ says, seems like you’re on your way to recovery, Ned. He gave them a scare though. Ned says, his name is not Ned. And he and I say it together… My name is Eddie Maine. The happiness gets sucked out of the room.

On Monday, Austin tells Ava, it might be time for a new nanny; Brook tells someone that they need to step up; Ned wonders what they’re talking about; and Nina tells Sonny, once you know, there’s no going back.

🎓 They Made It…

It’s matriculation time.

🏆 How To See Them…

You can still watch the Daytime Emmys even if you missed them tonight.

🥪 Magical Sandwiches…

Stassi gives us a tour of Something About Her.

🍸 VanderHits Still Coming…

A million times hotter than Sandoval, who looks like a leftover beatnik from the 60s.

https://okmagazine.com/p/ariana-madix-new-boyfriend-daniel-wai-instagram-official-scandoval/

Again, when Jax is the voice of reason, we are living in Bizarro World.

https://okmagazine.com/p/jax-taylor-trolls-tom-sandoval-apart-inviting-brittany-cartwright-concert/

Eww.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/relationships/raquel-leviss-blasted-for-2013-post-about-making-your-ex-feel-uncomfortable-after-tom-sandoval-affair-not-much-has-changed/ar-AA1crJR1

At first I gave Schwartz credit.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1377111/where-tom-schwartz-stands-with-tom-sandoval-after-incredibly-messed-up-affair-with-raquel-leviss

And then I didn’t.

More about those not-so-secret revelations.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2023/06/14/vanderpump-rules-secrets-revealed-recap-tom-sandoval-raquel-leviss-lies-ariana-madix/70321716007/

Yeah, yeah. Hindsight is 20/20. I wouldn’t be so quick shame anyone for wanting a paycheck either. Still not loving Charli.

🍕 Just Another Juicy Joe…

I don’t believe for one second this guy’s on the up and up.

This time she didn’t understand the question.

🎉 Juneteenth Is Bustin’ Out All Over…

Read all about it.

https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/historical-legacy-juneteenth

Juneteenth.com

🐖 Latest In Celebrity Fashion…

Pets never go out of style.

https://parade.com/celebrities/celebrity-pets-on-instagram

🐳 Quotes of the Week

I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order. – John Burroughs

Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful.Annette Funicello

For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness. – Ralph Waldo Emerson (Uh-oh.)

Happiness depends to some extent upon external conditions, but chiefly upon mental attitudes. – Paramahansa Yogananda

We all make mistakes, have struggles, and even regret things in our past. But you are not your mistakes, you are not your struggles, and you are here NOW with the power to shape your day and your future. – Steve Maraboli

Judge each day not by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant. — Robert Louis Stevenson

Sometimes you make the right decision, and sometimes you have to make the decision right. – Dr. Phil

There’s a difference between undercooked and raw. – TomColicchio, Top Chef

There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest. – Elie Wiesel

📼 Made You a Mixtape…

If you still believe in weekends, do something outside of your usual routine. Then meet me on Sunday for a little Dead and/or on Monday for the usual soap and a lotta Deck. Until then, stay safe, stay using your time wisely, since there’s a limited supply, and stay believing new beginnings are always possible.

June 15, 2023 – Zeke Finds Out Who Jordan Is, Down But Not Out, What a Guy, Clueless On the Runway & Dancer

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Spencer brings a birthday gift to Curtis at the pool. He hopes it’s okay he’s here. At one of the tables, Stella says she’ll give Trina’s young man this; he doesn’t shrink from a challenge. Trina says, he puts up a good front. He believes in never letting them see you sweat, and by now, she’s guessing he’s sweating.

Portia asks Zeke what he means that Taggert didn’t seem well, but Zeke says, he had someone to help him; he’s not alone. Portia asks, who was with him, as Jordan comes out of the elevator, and Zeke says, there she is right now. He calls over to her, and tells Portia that Jordan will let them now how Taggert is doing.

At the stables, Cody (who I forgot was on this show) asks Leo what he’s doing. Leo shows him Joel Sartore’s book, Photo Ark Insects, and says, he takes all the good pictures. Leo got to meet him once. It was at a show of all Joel’s animal pictures. His mom and dad took him. His dad got hurt. He’s in the hospital.

Gladys gets out of the hospital elevator, and her phone dings. It’s a text from Selina: Returning to PC soon. Let’s have lunch and discuss settling up.

Carly says, either Ned recovers, and gets the SEC to drop the charges, or they’ll fight it out in court, but Drew says, they’d both be putting their freedom on the line. They don’t have to do that. They don’t have to both go down for this; only one of them does. She says she’s the one who invested heavily in Aurora after he and Michael told her not to. Her mistake, her consequences.

Sonny tells Nina that he just got a call from the church. It looks like they could have an opening in the fall. He hands her coffee, and she thanks him. He says, fall? The wedding? She says, right, the wedding. She’s sorry. She’s been trying to busy herself with Crimson work, but it seems all she can think about is Ned. Sonny says, he just hit his head; he’s going to make a full recovery. She says, probably, and he says, and then maybe he’ll start telling everybody the truth.

Carly says, it’s not up to Drew, and he says he’s all for taking accountability for mistakes, but just think about it for a second. What about Donna? What about her grandkids, and Joss, and Michael, and Willow, who’s still in recovery? And her mom? They all need her. She’s the heart, the center of this family. She says, putting them through a long trial wouldn’t be right, and he says, then let him help her. She asks, how? and he says, by offering himself up. He’s going to plead guilty.

Sonny tells Nina, nothing like a brush with death to shift your priorities. You never know. Maybe Ned will wake up and say he tipped off the SEC, or maybe it wasn’t him. She says, he’s doubting Ned tipped off the SEC now? and Sonny says, Ned gave him an impassioned plea, saying he didn’t do it, so he’s thinking maybe somebody else wanted leverage against him. But they shouldn’t worry about this right now; they have a church to book. She still wants to do this, right? She says, more than anything. If she marries him, she’ll be the luckiest woman alive. He tells her, she just said if. Is there a question?

Cody says he heard Leo’s dad got in an accident. Leo must be pretty worried. Leo says, his mom told him that that’ll get to visit, and Cody says, that’s a good thing, right? but Leo says, his dad won’t even know he’s there. She said he’s unconscious. That’s like a sleep where you can’t wake up. Cody says, fair point, but his mom would like to see his dad. Leo says he doesn’t want to go, and Cody says he gets that. He gets over things he’s scared to do by talking it out with his friends. They’re buddies, right? So why doesn’t Leo tell him why he doesn’t want to go? Leo says he doesn’t want to see his dad like that. What if he doesn’t wake up?

Portia says, Zeke’s met Jordan? and he says, Portia knows her too? Jordan comes over, and Zeke says he was going to introduce her to his sister, but it seems they’re already acquainted. Jordan says, of course (🍷), and asks how Portia is. Portia says she’s good. How is Jordan? Jordan smiles and nods, and Zeke says, he was just telling Portia how Jordan helped Taggert onto the elevator. He seemed a bit unsteady. Portia asks if he’s okay, and Jordan says, he’s fine. There’s nothing to worry about. Portia thanks her for talking to Taggert for her, and asks if Jordan wants to join them.

Curtis holds up a frame, and Spencer says, it’s called Kim at the Savoy. It seemed appropriate. Curtis says, it’s not just a print, and Trina says, signed by the artist? Spencer says, limited edition, and Stella says, it’s a gorgeous piece. Marshall says, some of the greatest acts in the world played at The Savoy in Harlem, and Curtis thanks Spencer, and says, he’d better believe it will have a permanent spot at The Savoy… in Port Charles. Spencer says he should be thanking Curtis for saving him and his brother in Greenland, but Curtis says, no thank you necessary. He had reasons for being there, and Trina was at the top of the list. But he does know how important Spencer is to Trina. Spencer says, Trina’s very important to him too, but he doesn’t think Curtis believes that. He leaves with Trina, and Stella says, isn’t Curtis the diplomat. Marshall says, he was very kind, and Curtis says he just wants his daughter to be happy. That doesn’t mean he’s not keeping his eye on Spencer.

Trina says, since Spencer is into making folks so happy, she has a request, and he says he’s awaiting instructions. She says she’s wondering if he can switch the playlist for her.

Sonny wonders if it should be when, and Nina says, of course (🍷); when they get married. There’s a knock at the door, and Frank lets Ava in. She asks if Avery is ready, and Nina says, she and Donna have been playing with wedding fabrics all morning, so Ava will have to pry them away. Sonny says, out like a light. They collapsed on a mountain of chiffon. Nina says, it’s organza, but Sonny says, it doesn’t matter. Nina could put burlap on, and she’d still be the most beautiful bride in the world. Sonny’s phone rings, and it’s Dante. Sonny asks, what’s going on?… and tells Nina, they’re waking Ned up now.

Ava says, can Nina believe Sonny rushing off to the hospital? Sonny doesn’t even like Ned. Nina says, Dante called, and Sonny offered support. She thinks Sonny feels guilty for accusing Ned, because all of a sudden, he’s not convinced Ned made the call to the SEC. Ava says, still, Sonny has no reason to suspect Nina. Nina just needs to keep cool and keep quiet. Luckily, she’s the only one who knows the truth. Nina says, Ava, her attorney Martin Grey, and now Ned Quartermaine knows the truth too.

Gladys replies to Selina: Need more time to pay you back. Sonny asks, what’s cookin’? and Gladys drops the phone. Luckily, it lands face down, and Sonny picks it up, handing it back to her.

Cody tells Leo that he knows it’s scary when someone you love is sick or hurt, but his adoptive mom always told him that love is the most powerful medicine, and Leo’s dad loves him so much. Cody is sure he’s trying his best to get better for Leo. Leo says, his biological dad loves him, but it didn’t help him; he’s dead. Cody says he’s sorry. He bets Leo misses him a lot. Leo says, no. He barely remembers him. Tracy walks in, and Cody says, Ned has the best doctors taking care of him, and he won’t be alone. He’ll have Leo’s mom, his stepsister, his granny, all his friends. Leo says, like him? and Cody says, you bet. He’s not going anywhere. Leo hugs Cody, and Tracy says, they’ve been looking everywhere for Leo. It’s time to visit his dad. Let’s go. Leo goes over to her, and she says, he smells like horses. Leo says he likes the smell, and she tells him, go clean up. Cody says, he wants to look nice for his dad, right? and Leo says he guesses. Cody says, besides, Leo needs to put his book back in his room. He hands the book to Leo, saying, he doesn’t want it to get all dirty and messed up in here. Leo says he wants to keep it safe, and runs off. Cody says he’s found Leo responds better to general suggestions, and Tracy says, now he’s telling her about her grandson.

Zeke tells Portia that he met Jordan last night at the pool. After Portia blew him off, he had to make alternate plans. Portia says, if Jordan met Zeke, he probably pinned her down for hours (ha-ha! their faces). He’s quite gregarious. When he came home from school, his report card always said he talked too much. He would go on and on and on, and just keep talking. Jordan probably found that out, huh? Jordan says, he’s certainly good company, when Spencer joins them. Portia says she doesn’t know if Spencer met her baby brother, Ezekiel Robinson, and Spencer says, of course (🍷) he has, at Portia’s wedding. It’s good to see him again. They shake hands, and Zeke says, him too. Spencer excuses himself, and says he’ll see them all outside. He leaves, and Portia says, of course (🍷) Trina invited Spencer to the party; of course (🍷) she did. Jordan says, the party? and Portia says, it’s a party for Curtis actually. Jordan says, that’s right, it’s his birthday, and Portia says, Stella reserved some spots for them at the pool. Jordan is more than welcome to join them. Portia excuses herself and leaves to oversee the cake, and Zeke asks if there’s something Jordan wants to tell him.

Stella asks how it feels, and Curtis says, he’s still wrapping his brain around everything, but it feels good. She says, to know that he doesn’t just have a child, but that child. She’s a remarkable young woman, and Stella thought so even before she had an inkling that she was Curtis’s daughter. Curtis says, they haven’t discussed labels yet. For now, he’s still Curtis, but he’s cool with that. He’s just going to follow her lead. Marshall says, Curtis called him by his first name when they met, but it didn’t change how he felt about Curtis or being part of the family. Curtis says, family; he likes the sound of that. Spencer joins Trina, telling her that it was an accomplishment. Portia comes over to them, and says she reintroduced Spencer to Trina’s Uncle Zeke. Trina says, cool, and Spencer says, he seems like a good guy. Portia says, he is. She’s happy Spencer could make it. Spencer says he’s happy to be included, and she says, he’s just in time for the cake. He says he had to drop off Esme and Ace at Esme’s new job; Ace is in daycare there. Portia says, co-parenting a baby is a lot of responsibility for a young man. So many moving parts you have to juggle.

Jordan says she’s the Police Commissioner, and Zeke says, good thing he doesn’t have any unpaid parking tickets. It’s such a familiar surname. Is she related to…? She says, yes, she is. She’s Curtis’s ex-wife.

Trina tells Portia, Spencer is doing such a good job at balancing his responsibilities. She’s really proud of him. Portia says she’s just acknowledging that caring for a baby is all consuming, and Spencer says, she’s absolutely right. If someone had told him a year ago he’d know how to comfort a colicky child, he’d have laughed in their face. It’s certainly a big challenge, and his father wasn’t up to it, so he’s assumed the responsibility, but she’s correct; it’s a big commitment. Trina says, which makes it all the more impressive that Spencer is stepping up, and Portia says, absolutely. What he’s doing is admirable. But do her a favor and enjoy his youth while he can. Balancing friends and activities while caring for a little one can be exhausting, no matter what your intentions are. Spencer says he’ll do his best, but one thing he’ll always do is make time for Trina.

Stella asks why Curtis refuses to let her put candles on his cake, and he says, because Trix candles are for kids. Besides, everything he would wish for is already coming true. Marshall says, not everything, and looks over at Spencer and Trina.

Zeke asks if Jordan knew who he was when they met, but she says, would she have confessed so much if she had? How was she supposed to know he was related to Portia? He says, so the ex she kissed who went back to his wife… She says she realizes this is an awkward position they’re in, and he says, awkward for her, but it’s excruciating for him. His sister’s finally hopeful again, and now he’s sitting on information that could ruin everything? She says, nothing has to be ruined. Portia never has to know. He asks if she’s suggesting he keep it from her, and she says, that kiss happened in a moment in time, and that time is over, so let it go. She has.

Cody suggests he and Tracy start over. He holds out his hand, and says, I’m Cody, but she doesn’t take it. She says she knows who he is. The question is, does he know who she is? She’s Tracy Quartermaine. She may not always be physically present, but she’s like the wind; she’s everywhere. She knows absolutely everything that’s going on with her family, and definitely doesn’t need to be brought up to speed by the hired help. And just to put him on notice, she will be counting the silverware. He says, that won’t be necessary, and she says, why her family has a jewel thief in its employ is beyond her. He would have been gone the minute he got arrested. Normally, she’d blame Monica, but she understands the only reason he’s still here is because he’s got Mama Q wrapped around his little finger? And Tracy’s son adores Olivia, but that won’t help him with her. Brook comes in, and says, leave him alone, granny.

Sonny says, Gladys is welcome. Nice to see her too. She says she’s sorry. She wanted to make sure the screen wasn’t cracked. She’s such a butterfingers these days. He asks why she’s so jumpy, and she says, Sasha is meeting with a court appointed shrink. He says he thought Doc was treating her, and she says, yeah, but in order to hear her petition, the judge had to send her to an impartial medical practitioner. He asks what petition she’s talking about, and she says, Sasha wants to sever the guardianship. He says, that’s great news, right? and she says, is it?

Drew says he’s instructed his lawyer to make a deal, and Carly won’t get out unscathed, but she’ll stay out of prison. She says, call it off, but he says, it’s too late. He’s already proposed the deal. She asks if the SEC accepted it, and he says, not yet, but his lawyer is confident they will. Carly’s going to have to pay a very big fine. She says she doesn’t care about the money. He’s telling her that he’s going to prison instead of her. He says, it’s very likely he’ll spend some time behind bars, and she says she knows he’s doing this for her and her family, but she’s not the only one with children. Scout has spent enough time away from him. He says he hates the idea of being away from Scout again, but he knows Scout is in a stable, loving home with Sam and Dante, a man he likes and respects. If Carly goes away, Donna is with Sonny. She says, and Nina.

Ava says she can’t believe it; Ned overheard Nina with Martin. Nina says, the second Ned wakes up, he’s going to spill everything, but Ava says, she doesn’t know that. Nina says she talked to Ned before he had his accident. He was determined to clear his name, and Ned isn’t the only exposure she’s had. The so-called anonymous source isn’t so anonymous. Martin told her that the Feds can uncover her identity. Once Sonny finds out she’s the cause of Carly’s trouble, goodbye wedding, goodbye marriage, goodbye love. And Willow. Drew saved Willow’s life, and Carly… She was going to say, Carly is like her second mother, but Carly is Willow’s mother by choice. So when Willow finds out she’s the one who turned in Carly and Drew, any chance she had of forming a relationship is gone. Ava tells her to take a breath, and Nina says she just wanted more time. She just wanted to be happy with him and be his fiancé a little bit more. Ned is waking up, and that means her time and her luck is running out. Ava says, maybe, but maybe not, and Nina says she doesn’t want any more tricks, but Ava says, what she’s proposing is more radical than any trick. If there’s a hope of salvaging things with Sonny, there’s only one thing to do. Nina has to go to him and tell him the truth – now.

Zeke says, Jordan didn’t seem surprised when she found out he was Portia’s brother, and she says she found out last night. She overheard Portia introducing him. That’s why she texted him to meet up today. He says, so it wasn’t because she liked him and his sparkling conversation? and she says she does like him, but this is too messy. Last night shouldn’t have happened. He says, so she regrets sleeping with him? but she says she thinks he knows otherwise. But this situation is regrettable, and she’s pretty sure he feels his first loyalty is to Portia. He says, which brings them back to Jordan’s suggestion that he lie to her, and she says, Portia wants her marriage to work, and he just said she was feeling hopeful again. Why hurt what she and Curtis are trying to rebuild?

Marshall says, the best birthday gift he can give Curtis is space. He’s moving out. Curtis says, he doesn’t have to, and Marshall says he knows, but he wants to. Better now while he’s confident. He has a little nest egg saved, so he can afford his own place. Curtis starts to object, but Stella tells him to let his father finish. He says, clearly, Aunt Stella is on Marshall’s side, but Marshall says, there ain’t no side. The best thing Curtis can do is focus on his marriage, and his daughter.

Portia tells Spencer that she’s trying to be more forthright these days, so she’s going to tell him something. She knows he has the best intentions where his baby brother is concerned, but she also knows he’s not the primary caregiver. What if the charges against Esme are reinstated, and all that responsibility falls on him? Trina flashes back to Spencer saying the evidence in Victor’s safety deposit box was probably falsified. Spencer’s phone rings, and he says, it’s probably about Ace. He steps away to take the call, and Trina tells Portia that she doesn’t have to say it. She knows Portia disapproves. Portia says she’s just trying to do what’s best for Trina, and Trina says she knows.

Tracy wonders if this whole family lost their minds while she was absent, and Brook says, after Cody was charged with stealing the bracelet, her dad wanted to fire him, but she convinced him not to. Tracy says, so the singing detective wasn’t enough. Brook wanted the cowboy as back-up, but Brook says, it wasn’t that way. He’s good with Leo. Tracy says, all the more reason to get rid of the criminal, but Cody says, accused criminal. Nothing’s been proven yet. Brook says, ever since Leo was diagnosed with being on the spectrum, it’s important he have people who accept him and understand him. Tracy says, that’s what family’s for, but Brook says, Leo also needs constituency and routine. She’d put money on dad being in the hospital really messing with Leo’s head. If Tracy fires Cody, she’s just going to upend Leo even more. Does Tracy really want dad to clean up the mess she made? Tracy says, Brook’s walking on thin ice, and Brook says, so be it. She’d do anything for Leo. Tracy says, all right. Going to her deep and abiding love for this family, she’ll table the discussion for now, but while Ned is recovering, they’ll slowly and gently change Leo’s routine. She tells Cody, take the time to find other employment, because the minute Ned is better, you’re gone, ponyboy. She leaves, and Brook says, so that’s her grandmother. Cody says he never had a grandma, but after meeting hers, he’s damn glad he didn’t.

Nina says she and Ava have talked about this. If she tells Sonny the truth, it’s over; he’ll never forgive her. Ava says, he might, if she gets out in front of it. There’s a chance Sonny could forgive her… Maybe not right away, but he’ll definitely appreciate her coming clean. But she has to get to the hospital before Ned wakes up. If she doesn’t, she can kiss her life with Sonny goodbye. Nina gets up and puts her engagement ring on the mantel. Ava says, that’s it, huh? Just giving up? Nina says she has the feeling today will be the end of her engagement, so she’s going to make it easy for Sonny and leave the ring there. It’s time for her to start letting go. Will Ava stay with the girls? Ava says, Nina doesn’t even have to ask, and Nina leaves.

Sonny tells Gladys, Sasha’s doing better, she’s feeling better, the end of the guardianship is a good thing. Gladys says, in theory, and Sonny asks if there’s something she isn’t telling him right now. Because if there is, she needs to spit it out. Gladys says she doesn’t think Sasha is ready, but Sonny says, that is for Sasha and the judge to decide, not her. She says, it’s too soon. What if Sasha has a relapse? What would happen to her business? Her reputation? If she does this right now, it could ruin her life. They have to protect Sasha. He can’t let this happen. He says, of course (🍷) he wants to protect Sasha, but Gladys hasn’t given him a good reason to think she can’t handle her own life. She did well under pressure, didn’t she? Gladys says, they got lucky. He knows how it is with those mental health struggles. Are those struggles ever really over? He says, they’re two different people with two different circumstances. Yes, they’ve overcome a lot, and they’ve gotten help. Sasha’s handled the guardianship with dignity. She’s going to be okay. Gladys says she wants her daughter-in-law to be healthy and independent someday. She just doesn’t want to make a hasty decision. He says, it is up to the judge, but she says, Sasha respects him. She’ll listen to him. Will he talk with her? Convince her to give this arrangement a little more time.

Stella says she’s going to leave Curtis and Marshall to settle this, but for her part, Marshall’s making good sense. She leaves, and Curtis says, he and Portia told him that he’d always have a home with them. Marshall says, and that won’t change, will it? This is addition by subtraction. With his absence, he’s creating more room for Curtis and Portia to live their lives. Trina’s out of school now, and she’s eventually going to want to come home. Curtis says he sure hopes so. Marshall says, take this time and be with his family. This father in the family is all right. They’re good. Marshall grabs Curtis’s hand and shakes it.

Trina asks if everything is okay, but Spencer says, no. Esme called. The daycare provider is ill. They’re shutting down for the day as a precaution, so he’s picking Ace up. Trina says, she can’t do it? but he says, she’s at work. The same with Doc and his grandmother. He hates this, but… She says, he’s got to go.

Jordan tells Zeke, Portia’s been through so much, she hopes he considers sparing her more pain. As for her, she thanks him for being a true gentleman. She walks to the elevator, as he watches. She turns to give him a last look, and dammit, I want him to follow her. She gets in and they smile at each other. Portia comes around the corner, and says, she doesn’t know which Spencer she finds more infuriating, the entitled brat, or the new version, the responsible aspiring parent. Whichever one shows up, it doesn’t matter. She doesn’t see how he can make Trina a priority. Zeke asks, what’s this about Spencer being an aspiring parent? and Portia says, he wants to get custody of his baby brother, the brother whose mother, also Spencer’s ex-girlfriend, tried to frame Trina. Messy, right? He says, there’s a lot going on, and she says she doesn’t want Trina involved with any of that stuff. Even though she believes Spencer really does care about Trina, she doesn’t think he can give Trina the attention she deserves. No one can be a devoted partner when their focus is so split.

Brook says, unfortunately, Cody met her grandmother on a bad day, and he asks if this is the part where she tells him that her bark is worse than her bite. She says, they’re both bad, but that’s Tracy. She’ll take the screws to ya and come through for ya in equal measure. He says, translation, she’s a Quartermaine, and Brook says, he’s learning. He’s really sorry about Ned. He’s been praying for her and her family, and if there’s anything he can do, let him know. She says, just keep supporting Leo, and he says, Leo’s taking it pretty hard. He caught Leo with his nose in a book earlier; some pictures of insects. She says, a Joel Sartore photo book; he loves those. (Me too!) Cody says, Leo said his mom and dad took him to meet the photographer. He got pretty shaky talking about Ned’s accident. He knows Ned is unconscious. He’s pretty worried. Brook thanks him for telling her. She’s glad Leo has a friend he can count on. He says, it won’t do Leo much good if he goes to jail. It looks like his days are numbered.

Carly tells Drew, let’s just wait it out. She read somewhere that the statute of limitations for the SEC is five years. He asks if she can make it that long with a hold on her finances, and she says, him taking the rap for her can’t be their only option. He says, it’s his choice. He doesn’t want her feeling guilty about it. She says, it’s not guilt; it’s heartbreak. She can’t stand the thought of losing him. He holds her.

Stella thanks Spencer for coming, and he thanks her for having him. Trina thanks him for coming, and says, he scored points with the gift. He says he likes her family; they’re good people. He’s not going anywhere. He kisses her forehead and leaves, and she says, except for daycare.

Curtis says he appreciates Marshall’s offer to move out, and Marshall says he’s not talking about far away. Those days are over. But Curtis and Portia bought that home for their shared future, and from where he stands, that future looks like it’s possible again.

Zeke tells Portia, Trina’s sharp. She realizes Spencer’s life is complicated. Portia says, she should see the pattern. She shouldn’t have to compromise. She shouldn’t have to come in second place in her boyfriend’s life. He says, both she and Trina deserve better, and she tells him not to blame Curtis for how he behaved on their wedding night. There was a lot going on. He says, his issue with Curtis is how he’s behaved since the wedding.

Sonny tells Gladys that he’ll talk to Sasha, but he’s not going to convince her of anything. She’ll do what she thinks is best. Gladys says, and if she doesn’t know what that is? but he says he trusts Sasha. She should too. She rolls her eyes and walks away.

As Gladys goes into the elevator, Nina comes out, and Sonny asks what she’s doing here. Are the girls okay? She says, Ava’s with the girls. She had to see him. He asks, what’s wrong? and she just gives him a pained look. He holds her hand and notices her ring finger is bare. He asks, where’s her ring?

On the phone, Ava says, Nina’s gone, and the girls are asleep. She has this apartment to herself until Sonny gets here, which could be any moment, so she has to be quick. If you were incriminating information that Mason wants, where would you hide?

Cody says, Gladys is still claiming he stole that bracelet, and Brook tells him, hang in there. He has the full support of her entire family, granny aside. They’d hate to lose him. He says, she means, Leo would, but she says, they’d all miss him, Leo especially. She’ll work on her grandmother, but he’ll always have a home here. Tracy yells, is Brook coming or what? and Brook says, that’s her cue. Leo tells Cody, goodbye, and Cody says, he’s got this, hugging him. They do a high-five and then a fancy fist bump/handshake. They leave, Tracy giving Cody a last glare.

Drew says, Carly’s not going to lose him. No matter what, no matter where. If he’s in prison or anywhere, he’s still hers, but he wants her to know that he understands if she doesn’t want to wait for him. She says, that’s not going to happen because none of this is going to happen. They’re not doing this. He says he has to do this for her, but she says she doesn’t want him to do this for her. He says he’s doing this for them.

Tomorrow, Cody asks if someone believes him; Diane says, all’s well that ends well; Elizabeth tells Finn, there are other ways; and Sam says, some things can’t be forgiven.

💣 Just On Pause…

I have the feeling she’ll be just fine.

💛 Mob Boss With a Heart Of Gold…

This was so very nice of him.

👗 Redeemed Or Not…

I feel the same way about Project Runway that I do about the many cooking shows I love; those who can’t do, watch. I can barely hem pants, but I love watching what the designers come up with using only a Hefty bag, a row of sequins, and a funnel. This season (number 20!) features contestants from seasons past, their first challenge to create a Redemption Look, a new riff on the outfit that got them ousted. Alicia Silverstone was the guest judge.

📉 Wrong Side Of the Day…

Let’s just say my love/hate relationship with technology is leaning heavily on the latter side today, so I’m calling it a night. But be prepared tomorrow for soap, tea, quotes and music. Until then, stay safe, stay knowing there will always be another sale and the lowest prices of the season probably aren’t, and stay never being too old for candles on your birthday cake.

June 14, 2023 – TJ Gives Olivia an Update On Ned, More VanderMess Revealed, New Old OC, They’d Better Work & Turn

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Curtis gets out of the pool, and says, Zeke should give it a try. Zeke says he’d like to, but he has to meet with a client. Curtis says he appreciates Zeke dropping by, and Zeke says, of course (🍷). He had to wish happy birthday to his brother-in-law. Stella tells Zeke to hurry back; they’re having cake later. Zeke says he’ll so be there, and leaves. Curtis asks Portia if everything is okay, and she says she was just kind of hoping maybe… She turns to see Trina holding a gift, and Trina says, happy birthday, Curtis.

Jordan walks into the MetroCourt, and sends a text to Zeke: Zeke, it’s me from the other night… Do you have a minute to meet up? I’m at the MC.

Drew calls Michael, and thanks him for holding down the fort at Aurora… No, he hasn’t been to GH yet. Things got a little crazy last night. He’ll get there soon. He has to take care of a little business first… Let’s just say he’s taking the future into his own hands.

Gladys finds Sasha at the hospital, and is surprised she’s there already, but Sasha says she didn’t want to be late. Gladys says, they have time to take a breath, and Sasha says she knows where this is going. Please don’t start. Gladys says, there’s no reason to be terminating the guardianship, but Sasha says, they’ve been over this several times. Gladys says she just wants Sasha to think about it a little bit longer. It was just a few days ago when she went on the Home & Heart shopping channel, and almost had another break. Sasha says she was being manipulated by those sleazy producers. She wasn’t hearing a baby crying in her head. They were playing that noise in her earpiece. Gladys says, still, the worst could have happened, and Sasha says, but the worst didn’t happen. She was able to hold it together, and the producers backed off, thanks to Cody. Sam and Dante walk in, and Sam says, even Gladys has to admit it; Cody stepped up and saved the day.

Olivia prays the rosary outside Ned’s room, and Brook asks if she’s okay. Olivia says, she remembers growing up in Bensonhurst, how the mamas and great aunts would pull out their rosaries in a time of crisis. She swore she’d never be that old fashioned old lady. Then she got old, and realized how scary life can be, and she’s so grateful for her rosaries and her prayer, and for her faith. It comforts her. Brook asks why she stopped praying, and Olivia says she’s been praying all night, and doesn’t think God is listening. Not to mention, Brook interrupted her. Brook says, if God listens to anyone, it’s Olivia, and Olivia asks, then why they don’t have any news about Brook’s dad? Just give her a sign… something. Carly approaches with some coffee, and says, Drew told her what happened to Ned, and she wanted to be here for Olivia and her family. Brook says, Carly is an angel, taking the coffee, and Carly says, if she’s the last person Olivia wants to see, she can just go. TJ comes out of Ned’s room, and says, he has some news about Olivia’s husband.

Trina hands Curtis the gift, and he thanks her, adding, he’s really glad she came. Portia says, it’s nice to see Trina, hugging her, and Trina says she couldn’t miss Curtis’s birthday. Stella gives Trina a hug, and Marshall says, his turn. Stella wonders what’s keeping Thomas Jr., and Curtis says, TJ called to wish him a happy birthday, and apologized that he can’t be with them. He’s shadowing the head of neurology at GH, and couldn’t get the day off. Stella says, what a shame. She was hoping to get the whole family together, now that it’s all official.

Zeke sees Jordan at the bar, and says, here he thought she forgot about him. She says she actually has something to talk to him about. Does he have time for coffee? He says he can’t stay; he has to meet a client. She tells him that he’s going to have to come up with another excuse. That one is getting old. He says he doesn’t live in Port Charles, so when he’s in town, he’s kind of at the mercy of his clients. However, now that she’s called him, he has her digits, so… Is she free for lunch? She says she’ll see what she can do, and he says, if she can’t, he’ll call her and they’ll make other plans. Drew comes in, and Zeke excuses himself. Jordan heads for the elevator, and sees Taggert coming out. He asks if she won’t join him for a drink, but it looks like he’s already started.

Sasha says she’s come around about Cody. He seems like he’s one of the good guys. Gladys asks if she’s the only one who remembers that Cody stole an expensive bracelet from her, but Sam says, that’s yet to be proven. Gladys asks Dante if that’s true, but he says he’s not going to comment on that. Sasha asks if they’re here to see Willow, but Dante says, Ned, actually. He was in an accident. Sasha says she’s so sorry. As if his family hasn’t been going through enough. She’ll pray for them all. Dante thanks her, and his phone rings. He says, it’s the station, and steps away to take the call. Sam says she assumes they’re here to see Willow, and Sasha says, she is… after her appointment. She’s here to see a psychiatrist to talk about ending her guardianship. Sam congratulates her, and says, that’s great news, but Gladys says, just to be clear, it’s not a done deal. It’s just an initial consultation. Sam says, Gladys isn’t against Sasha regaining control of her life, is she?

TJ wants to give them an update about Ned, but Carly says she doesn’t want to intrude, and starts to leave. Olivia tells her, wait. Will she stay… please? Carly says, of course (🍷). Of course (🍷) she’ll stay with Olivia. Olivia tells TJ that they’re ready, and he says, last night, they put Ned under twilight sedation for his brain swelling. Carly says she’s sorry, but Olivia says, TJ explained that the swelling was moderate enough, they may be able to bring it down using a medication with diuretics. TJ says, they’re keeping Ned in a twilight state to manage his pain while the swelling goes down. Unfortunately, they’re not seeing as much improvement as they’d like. Olivia asks what that means, and TJ says, they’ll continue to monitor him for now, but if the swelling persists, they’ll have to bring him in for surgery. (Bring him in where? He’s already in the hospital.)

Taggert puts his arm around Jordan as they walk to the bar, and he asks, when was the last time they had a drink together? She says, it’s only 11 am, and he’s already had a few. Is he okay? He asks why he wouldn’t be okay, and Jordan flashes back to Portia asking if she’s spoken to Taggert recently; he might need a friend. Jordan tells her, the DNA test results came in. Curtis is Trina’s father. Jordan tells Taggert, what he needs isn’t found in a bottle, and he tells her, says you. She says, let’s get you back to your room.

Zeke says he’s on his way to the conference room to meet with the SEC attorneys to work out the plea deal, but it’s his job to look out for Drew’s best interests. So once again, Zeke is advising him not to do this. Drew says he hears Zeke – again. He’s not changing his mind. I can actually see this, since prison there is probably a cakewalk compared to Greece. Zeke says, but Drew wants him to hold off on finalizing the deal because of the ace up his sleeve? Correct? Drew says, right. He’s still holding on to hope. Zeke sees Jordan helping Taggert into the elevator, and Drew asks if he’s okay. Zeke says he’s not sure. He thinks he just saw his ex-brother-in-law.

Marshall wants to make a toast, but Curtis says, it’s not necessary. Marshall says he knows he doesn’t have to, but he’s going to anyway. He remembers when Curtis was born. He held Curtis in his arms, and couldn’t believe how blessed he was to be the father of another perfect son. He wanted to teach Curtis things that his father taught him. His father wanted to make sure he knew that it was just as valuable to play a musical instrument as it was to throw a ball around. He wanted to make sure Marshall was open to new experiences; explore the world. That’s what he wanted to teach Curtis, but as they all know, sadly, life turned out differently. I feel sorry for Stella who’s holding her drink the way you raise it for a toast, as Marshall keeps going. He says, but in spite of that, his son loves music anyway, and he got to cook Curtis his world famous gumbo yaya. So he guesses, how the saying goes, better late than never. Standing here today with his son on his birthday, he feels just as blessed as he did years ago. To Curtis. Everyone is like, thank God, we can drink now, and says, to Curtis. But no. Stella (of all people) says, before everyone drinks, she has something to add. The only thing that gives her more joy than being with her nephew on his birthday, is that this year they’re joined by his daughter. Welcome to the family, Trina. Curtis says, it’s quite a birthday gift, and they clink glasses. Stella says she needs to get their first family picture, and Trina excuses herself to use the restroom. Stella wonders if it’s something she said.

Gladys says, of course (🍷) she wants Sasha to heal, and not need her as a guardian anymore; that was always the goal. Sam wonders if it was everyone’s goal, and Gladys says, yes, it was. Dante comes back, and asks if everything’s all right. Sam says, of course (🍷), and tells Sasha, good luck. Sasha says, thanks, she’ll take it, and they leave. Gladys glowers, and Sasha tells her, please stop worrying. She’s ready. It’s time she took her life back.

TJ says he’ll keep them posted, and leaves. Olivia says she’s got to tell Tracy. She’s bringing Leo. He won’t stop asking about Ned. He must be so worried. She didn’t go home last night; he was alone with Tracy. Brook says she’ll go home and act as a buffer, and leaves. Carly tells Olivia, It’s going to be okay; Ned is strong. Olivia says she’s just glad Drew was there. If he hadn’t been there and acted so quickly… Carly says, there isn’t anyone Drew wouldn’t help, and Olivia asks, what the hell did you just say? Carly says she must have misspoke. She didn’t mean… Olivia tells her, just say it. It’s ironic that Drew saved Ned’s life, when she thinks Ned is trying to destroy Drew’s. Carly tells Olivia that she didn’t say any of that, but Olivia says, it’s what she’s thinking. Even though Ned saw it, he wasn’t the one who told the SEC about their insider trading. Carly says, it doesn’t matter; she’s here for Olivia. Olivia says, Ned only needs people here who are rooting for him; not people who are against him. Carly says she doesn’t wish Ned any harm. Neither does Drew. Olivia says, Ned swore to her that he’s innocent, and she believed him. So if Carly is going to be here and sit in judgement of her husband while he’s fighting for his life, just go. She doesn’t need Carly here. This is hard enough for her already. Carly says, that’s fair, when Sam and Dante join them. Carly says she was just leaving, and Dante asks if there’s bad news about Ned, but Carly says, it’s her. She’s sorry. The last thing she wanted to do was upset Olivia. She’ll be praying for Olivia, Ned, and their whole family. She leaves, and Dante asks if Olivia is okay. Olivia shakes her head, and he holds her as she cries.

Gladys sits next to Sasha, and says she hopes Sasha didn’t listen to what Sam suggested. She’s just concerned about Sasha, that’s all. Sasha says she understands, and knows Gladys feels she has to do right by Sasha out of obligation to Brando, but it’s starting to feel like Gladys can’t see how far she’s come. Like at the last Home & Heart taping. The producers were literally messing with her head, hoping she’d melt down so they could get a pathetic boost for their ratings. But she didn’t freak out. She held it together. And Gladys was the one who was against her making that appearance in the first place. She’s starting to feel like Gladys doesn’t believe in her. Gladys says, no, that’s not it, and Sasha says, then what is it?

Marshall says he knows Stella is excited about having Trina in the family. She’s a great aunt now. He’s a grandfather; he’s excited too. But they have to give Trina space. Ease up. She says, he’s right; she’s pushing too hard. She just wanted to have the family come together, and get over all this hurt between everyone. He says he understands, but the situation is still damaged. They have to give Trina time to want to be with them. Stella says she sees so much of her sister’s spirit in Trina. He does too, doesn’t he? He says, oh yeah, and she says, it just kills her that Trina will never get a chance to know Irene.

Portia says she’s worried about Trina, but Curtis says, she probably just needs a minute. And maybe they should chill on this instant family kumbaya stuff. She says she’s with him on that, but Trina’s on summer break and living with Carly. How much more space could she possibly need? He says, she’s not choosing to live with Carly over Portia. She’s already Josslyn’s roommate. She’s just extending the arrangement over the summer. They’ve got to give her that. She tells him that what he’s saying makes sense, but it’s still difficult, and he says he knows. It’s going to take some getting used to for everyone. Maybe she could explain that to Aunt Stella, but he thinks his dad’s already taken care of that. Portia says, maybe that gives them a chance to talk about them. Where do they really stand?

Jordan dumps Taggert on the couch, and he says, this is better. He looks at his phone and suggests they order room service. Does she want a Bloody Mary or a mimosa? She says, the only thing he’s drinking is water, handing him a bottle. Being an alcoholic isn’t going to solve his problems. He asks what she knows about his problems, and she says, Portia told her about the DNA test. He says, so she knows a lot, but she doesn’t know what it feels like. She didn’t have to wake up knowing TJ wasn’t her son. She says she didn’t, and he says, one minute he has a daughter, the next minute, he doesn’t, and there’s no way for him to get her back.

Drew and Carly walk out to the terrace holding hands, and he says, what happened at GH with Ned? She says, he’s not good. If they can’t get the swelling in his brain to go down, they’ll have to operate. He says, that can be a really dangerous surgery, and she says she knows. Olivia is taking it so hard. Drew bets she was glad to have Carly there, but Carly says she doesn’t know about that. She thinks she made everything worse. She said something that came out wrong. She said that Drew would risk everything to save anyone, and Olivia interpreted that to mean she didn’t want Ned to get better and deserves what’s happening to him. She doesn’t; that’s not true. Wow. Does anyone listen to anyone? He says, Olivia is just frantic with worry. She needed a place to vent, and Carly was it. They’re way to close not to figure this out. Carly says, these insider trading charges are looming over everything. And if Ned stays in the hospital, their one plan to get these SEC charges dropped isn’t going to happen. He says he’s not counting them out just yet, and she asks if he found something. He says, on Tracy.

Gladys says she made a promise to take care of Sasha. Brando was gone and she needed help. She wants to do right by her son. Sasha says she has, and so much more. She wouldn’t be doing this if she didn’t feel ready to take control of her life again. Gladys says she hopes Sasha’s right. The doctor comes out and introduces himself as Damon Montague. He’s here to discuss terminating her guardianship. Sasha says, it’s nice to meet him, and introduces Gladys. He says, nice to meet Gladys. Follow him. Gladys says she has a whole list of questions for him, but he says he’s afraid this visit is just between him and Sasha. Gladys says, she’s Sasha’s guardian, and he says, they’ll be time for that later. Today it’s just about him getting to know Sasha. Sasha follows him into his office.

Olivia tells Dante, TJ explained they’re going to try and bring down the swelling in Ned’s brain with diuretics, but if it doesn’t come down fast enough, he’s going to need surgery. Dante says, it sounds like they’re doing everything they can to avoid that route. Sam gets a call, and steps away to take it. Dante asks if Olivia wants to talk about Carly, but she says, the only thing that matters right now is Ned coming back to them. Even if he doesn’t need surgery, there could be brain damage. He tells her, stop. He knows it’s hard right now. In moments of uncertainty, she lets her mind go wild, but try to stay with him in the here and now. She says she was so upset with Ned about the stupid SEC thing, but Dante says, she already told Ned that she knew he wasn’t responsible for the anonymous tip. Don’t do this to herself. She says she was just thanking God for that. It’s the only thing making this even slightly tolerable. She can’t help thinking about the time they lost that they might never get back.

Jordan says she’s sure it was hard to hear that Trina isn’t Taggert’s biological daughter, but she isn’t gone. He’s still the man who raised her. She’s seen how much Trina loves him. That DNA test didn’t change any of that for her. He says, that’s what he told himself; nothing could break their bond. He thinks he actually convinced himself that he was prepared for the possibility she might not be his daughter. But deep down he was holding on to the hope she was really his daughter. When it was the opposite, he was crushed. She says, of course (🍷) he was. Anyone would feel the same. It will take some time to process, but the shock will wear off eventually, and he and Trina will pick right back up where they left off. He says he’s keeping a brave face up for Trina. He doesn’t want her to worry about him. She isn’t just related to Curtis. She’s related to Marshall, Stella, TJ… Wow. If Trina wants to get to know her real family, he doesn’t want to get in the way. She says, he’s Trina’s real family too. They all know that. Why won’t he let himself see it?

Curtis says, they’re figuring things out, and Portia says, but they’re not. They’re dancing around the issue; they’re not really talking about it. Now they know Trina is his biological daughter, and he missed out on her childhood. He must resent her. He says he’s not going to lie. He would have loved to see Trina grow up, but what’s done is done. He’s not going to let it hold him back, because he has every moment from here on out to connect with his daughter. And if she’ll have him, he’s here for it. She says she’ll never forgive herself for staying silent as long as she did, but he says, at some point, you have to just forgive and move on. She says, a few weeks ago, she would have never imagined they’d all be here together. Is there still hope for them to become a real family? He says, there is.

Marshall tells Stella that Trina is going to want to know all about Irene. She just has to give Trina some time.  She says, he sounds so sure, and he says, because he is. She just has to stop pushing. It’s new, but once the newness wears off, Trina’s going to want to get to know this side of the family. She says she doesn’t know. That girl really loves Marcus Taggert. He says, they have to encourage all of that. He’s gotten to know Trina, and believes she wants to be a part of them. They’ll be able to tell her all about the family she didn’t get to be with; the family she has now. Stella prays he’s right, and says she’ll wait patiently for that day to come. He says, her? Patient? She says she’s been overrun with boys in this family, and now that they finally have a girl, she’s not going to push her away.

Trina comes back out, and says, sorry about that, but Curtis says, it’s all right. It’s all new for them too. So they’ll just take it one day at a time. How’s Taggert? Trina says she saw him last night; he’s doing well. Portia says, that’s really good to hear, and excuses herself to check on the cake for later. Trina picks up her gift, and asks Curtis if he could open it when it’s just them. He says, sure, and opens the gift. He smiles.

Taggert tells Jordan that Trina was just talking to him about her plans for summer like it was normal… and he started to notice her features that he always thought came from him… When she laughed, he thought of his sister Gia, and when she was serious, she seemed like his mom and dad. Then he realized none of it was from him, or his blood. Everything that he thought made up his daughter came from someone else.

Sasha asks Dr. Montague if it’s wrong to say she’s nervous. Of course (🍷) she wants to be independent again, and she thinks she’s ready, but actually being here is daunting. The doctor says, it’s his job is to relieve some of that pressure. He gives his opinion to the court, so they can decide if she’s really ready for this. He read her file. She experienced two traumatic losses, all while living in the pubic eye. It must have been incredibly difficult. She says, it was definitely a struggle, and he asks how she characterizes her relationship with her guardian. She says she’s grateful to Gladys. When her husband Brando died, she was shattered to lose him so soon after losing Liam. She couldn’t get out of bed. Gladys really stepped up for her. They’ve butted heads a few times but she always knows Gladys has her best interests at heart. He asks her to tell him more about them butting heads.

Drew tells Carly that he was confronting Tracy about telling Ned to go to the SEC in exchange for keeping her secret. That’s when Ned came charging into the pool area. He tripped and fell, and naturally Tracy tried to pin it on him, and say he pushed Ned, but the security cameras covered him. She says, thank God she insisted on putting those cameras around the pool. That’s what happens when she runs the place. Her phone rings, and she says, hey, Diane… Really? Drew is here with her now. She tells Drew that the US Attorney called Diane. They want to meet her and Diane in their office. Back on the phone, she says, okay, so this is where they make the offer for her to go against Sonny in exchange for them dropping the charges against her and Drew, right?… She tells Drew, probably. She wants Diane to tell them that she’s not going to turn against someone she cares about to get out of this. Make sure she tells them that… Thank you. Drew says, that was very brave, but he’s got to ask her, now what?

Sam comes back, and tells Dante, it was Scout; she’s fine. She asks if Olivia needs anything. Is she hungry? Olivia shakes her head, but says she appreciates it. TJ comes out, and, ever the optimist, Olivia says, he’s going to need surgery, isn’t he? but TJ says, no. He was going over Ned’s latest test results, and he turned a corner. He won’t need surgery. Olivia jumps on TJ, hugging him.

Sasha walks out with the doctor, and Gladys asks, how’d it go? Sasha says, it was a good start, and Dr. Montague says, he’ll see Sasha soon. Sasha leaves, and Gladys says, excuse me. Damon? He says he had no idea Sasha was her daughter-in-law. It’s surprising to run into her this way. She says, definitely unexpected. Will he need to recuse himself from Sasha’s case, since they know each other? He says, why invite questions? His private life has no bearing on his work. He hasn’t seen her at The Savoy for a while. Will she be rejoining Miss Wu’s game any time soon? She shakes her head, and says, Sasha isn’t the only one trying to turn over a new leaf.

Taggert cries as he talks, and tells Jordan that he’s made a lot of mistakes in his life. He’s jealous. He chose his job over his marriage. He compromised himself in the pursuit of justice. Through all of that, he told himself that he got one thing perfect… his daughter. None of that was true. She says, he’s wrong. He made Trina who she is. no one can ever take that away from him. He says, that’s just it. They already have.

Curtis takes a frame decorated with macaroni – the kind like you make in Girl Scouts – out of the box, and Trina says, he never got any of her homemade gifts as a kid. He says, it’s perfect, and thanks her. She says, maybe one day, he’ll be able to put a picture of them in it. He says he thinks they can do something about that now, and takes a selfie of them.

Jordan looks at her phone, and says, come on, Zeke. We’ve got to sort this out before you talk to your sister.

Jordan sees Zeke walking through the restaurant, and asks if he’s ready to join them at the party. What’s that look about? He says he thought he just saw Taggert. They didn’t talk, but he didn’t see Taggert for long. He was just glad someone was there to help him.

TJ says, now that the swelling has reduced, they’ll prepare to bring Ned out of the twilight state. First they’ll make sure his vitals are stable; then they’ll bring him out of the anesthesia. Olivia says, then he just wakes up and he’s okay? but TJ says, as with any head injury, there are a lot of unknowns. Once Ned wakes up, they’ll be able to better assess the extent of his injuries, but they’re cautiously optimistic. He leaves, and Dante says he told Olivia it was going to be okay. She says, thank God, blessing herself. It’s about time this family got some good news.

Carly tells Drew, either Ned recovers, and gets the SEC to drop the charges, or they fight like hell in court. He says, but they’d both be putting their freedom on the line. They don’t have to do that. They both don’t have to go down. Only one of them does.

Tomorrow, Curtis says, everything he’s wished for is coming true; Trina tells Spencer that she has a request; and Sonny asks if Nina has a question.

Vanderpump Rules – Season 10 – Secrets Revealed

I’m not sure how this is going to go, since it’s basically unseen footage. Lisa tells us the fallout wouldn’t fit into one episode. They had no alternative but to carry on with the story. I think it’s more like they scrambled through cut footage to get more mileage out of it. Once again, I’ll be using Raquel’s given name of Rachel. Because she thinks it’s disrespectful and I have zero respect for her.

A producer asks if Lisa ever expected something like this to happen, and Lisa says she never expected to still be sitting here eleven years ago. Soon it will be Vanderpump Drools.

Our first stop is Katie and Schwartz still living together post-divorce. And still calling each other Bub, which bothers me to no end. In Katie’s interview, she says, it’s not ideal, but they’re listing their house and it’s better than cold turkey. Schwartz says, Stassi told him, as divorcees they’re f***ing gold. He asks if she’s dated, and she says, yeah, then he’s sorry he asked. In his interview, he says he had to physically walk away when Katie said she wanted a divorce. They had their dream home and were talking about having kids. He doesn’t know how to handle it. In Katie’s interview, she says she couldn’t keep waiting for him to grow up. She’ll always love him, but she’s been defending the relationship for years.

Lisa says, this season was a lot of out with the old, and in with the new, including Sandoval’s apartment. If Sandoval’s old walls could talk, he probably wouldn’t get his deposit back. In Sandoval’s interview, he says Ariana’s brother has been living there. Now her brother is moving out, and he has to say goodbye to the place he’s lived the longest in. Schwartz comes by, and they reminisce about the days when Jax lived there. I congratulate Sandoval again on replacing Jax as Worst Human Being On Earth. Sandoval says, the times he went through in that apartment made him who he is today. We flash back over his and Ariana’s time there, and Sandoval says, it will always be a part of him. They find a beer bong from Hawaii, and Schwartz drinks some out of it.🤮He says, it’s the end of an era.

The producer asks about a funnier scene that didn’t make it, and Lisa says, when Rachel broke up with Peter, he was so drunk, he had to ask her to do it again. We see Peter at See You Next Tuesday, and James swears he didn’t run to Lisa about anything. We flash back to Lisa telling James that Rachel and Peter aren’t dating. James tells Peter that Rachel said she wasn’t him, but he has his own girlfriend and doesn’t care about Peter’s middle-aged sh*t. Peter asks Rachel to talk, and tells her that he doesn’t remember anything from their conversation. We flash back to her saying she sees no future between them. She literally has to repeat to Peter that she came to the conclusion they’re not going anywhere. Peter says, James told him that Rachel was never into him and was afraid breaking his heart. No offense, but that’s not going to happen. Rachel says she’s glad they’re on the same page. I can’t exactly read him, so I’m not sure about that.

Lisa thinks it’s a shame Scheana and Katie aren’t friends. Scheana instigated the Schwartz make out, but why is Rachel at the table when she offered to make out with Schwartz? It’s a girls night at SUR, and Katie’s not there yet. Scheana says she thinks she’s apologized enough, but Katie’s not changing her opinion. Katie’s telling Schwartz that he can’t make out with her. We see Scheana asking Schwartz about making out at Coachella on her podcast, and him saying he wasn’t even at Coachella. She asks if he’d like to make the rumor true. Rachel says she was prepared to be uninvited to Vegas, and Scheana says, they’ll have to reconfigurate [sic] the seating arrangement. They shuffle around before Katie arrives, and Charli sits with them. Katie invites Charli to come on the Vegas/Havasu trip, and Charli says, Havasu is white trash. Maybe. Didn’t former RHOC’s Vicki vacation there? In Scheana’s interview she says, it’s so rude for Katie to invite Charli in front of her, and she tells Katie that she wants to stay in a good place. Katie says, if she didn’t think that was possible, she wouldn’t be here, and in Katie’s interview, she says, if Scheana would own what she’s done and apologize, after dying of shock, she could move forward, but that’s not what’s happening.

Lisa says she never would have suspected Sandoval would cheat on Ariana with Rachel. Now they know why Sandoval stuck up for her so much; he was in more than her corner. Tom tells Ariana that he missed her, and plays it up that Rachel crashed guys night and it was a big drag. Rachel and Charli arrive, and we see a clip captioned, Saddle Ranch 10 hours earlier, with Sandoval and Rachel looking cozy. Charli says, they were sad Ariana had to leave the trip, and Rachel tells them about meeting Oliver. She told Lala that she thought he was cute too, and Lala said she was giving her the green light. The next thing she knew, she and Olivier were making out on the dance floor. We see Tom’s face, and he looks stoic, but you know he must be boiling under the surface; his eyes are daggers. Rachel tells them, afterward Lala said she wouldn’t feel comfortable with Rachel around her man, so she said, good thing Lala doesn’t have one. Charli says she thinks Lala was embarrassed. She f***ed the wrong guy for money. Methinks Charli better duck and run the next time she sees Lala.

A producer asks how pissed Lisa would be if she were in Ariana’s position, being taken out on a date when Sandoval was stepping out on her with one of her friends. She says she’d have Sandoval’s balls crystalized and wear them for earrings. Alrighty then. Sandoval and Ariana go roller skating, and in her interview, she says, she and Sandoval started as friends, so it allows them to rebuild the fun, romantic times. She wants him to succeed, but misses them being together. He falls. I laugh. He tells her that she does a lovely dance of hot and cute, and she says she told the girls that she invited everyone to the pool party. Katie and Rachel aren’t in a great spot, and Katie and Lala are in lockstep on it. She told Katie that she’d have to work hard for her not to love Rachel. They have this beautiful friendship family. Sandoval says, they have this transparent love, and Ariana says she hopes she never hears about it again after the pool party.🤮

Schwartz waits for a date, and in his interview, he says, it’s been 12 years since he’s been on a date someone other than Katie. He met Kendall on Hinge. They matched and decided to take it to the next level. He tells her that he’s never met someone online, and she says, it’s weird. In his interview, Schwartz says, his neurosis dissipated when she walked in. Kendall says she lives in Brentwood, and he says, she might as well live in Minnesota. Oh, I see. It’s like telling a dude living in Manhattan that you live in Queens. Schwartz says he’s slowly getting his life back together, and asks Kendall’s take on a hypothetical situation. John goes to a dear friend’s wedding in Mexico. He’s been divorced seven months, and makes out with this girl, and his ex-wife defriends him. He didn’t do it with spite. Yeah, he left out the part where she was in John and the ex-wife’s friend group. Kendall thinks John’s human, and they agree they’re having fun. In Schwartz’s interview, he says he thinks the date was a success. Kendall was super charming, and they had a connection. She’ll always be his first date after the divorce. She suggests they go for a stroll.

In Lisa’s interview, she says she wasn’t suspicious. She’d put it to bed, but others in the group were suspicious. Kristina, Katie, and Lala go to dinner at SUR. They order appetizers, and I wonder, what the hell is street corn? Lisa joins them, and the server brings her some fries to try. She says she can’t try the whole menu. It could take weeks, or years in some people’s case. We see a clip of the Schwartz & Sandy’s debacle. She says, they can talk smack indulge in this kind of conversation because none of them work for her, and Kristina says, they’re just girls having dinner. Katie recalls Ken spilling the tea about Sandoval and Rachel in the kitchen, and we flash back to that. Katie says she asked Ariana about it, and Ariana said, Rachel was friends with both of them. Lala says, the day Ariana’s grandmother died, Sandoval was with Rachel. Ariana was calling him, and she was furious. He said he was on his way, but he didn’t leave for two hours. In Lala’s interview, she says, something is going on with Sandoval and Rachel, and she tells the girls, when you get that close with someone, and you’re drinking, sometimes things happen.

Scheana and Rachel go to a resin jewelry workshop to make a necklace and earrings. Scheana asks why Rachel was late to work, and Rachel says she and the Toms carpooled. When they got back, they went in the jacuzzi – she had her bathing suit with her. They drank a little bit, and she went to the social media room and passed out. Sandoval told her to crash in the guest room. In Rachel’s interview, she says she didn’t make a move on Schwartz, and nothing happened with her and Sandoval either. It was just a fun night as friends, and she overslept. Scheana says, both Toms said she didn’t stay over, and we flash back to Brock asking, and Sandoval saying no. Scheana says, if they lie, it looks like something is going on, but Rachel says, what’s weird is everyone making it weird. Scheana says, like Rachel would act like a friend, and secretly do something with one of their guys when they’re not there.😐Rachel says, they want to paint the picture that she’s a homewrecking whore; it’s so farfetched. We go back to the final interview where Rachel is bawling her eyes out, and saying, Tom wanted to lie about it because it’s a really bad look to hook up with someone’s boyfriend in their own house when they’ve gone out of town, especially to a funeral of all things. Scheana tells Rachel that she was the OG homewrecker, then came Lala, now here Rachel is, and they laugh.

In her interview, Lisa says, she and Ariana connected over their love of horseback riding. Then Lisa sustained an injury so devastating, she didn’t think she could ride again, but Ariana encouraged her to get back in saddle. Lisa meets Ariana at the stables, and digs in her bag for loose carrots (as we all do) to feed Prince Tardon. They sit, and Lisa says she came to ride, and when she got on, Tardon was frisky. He settled down, but he tripped. She flew over him, then he jumped over her. In her interview, she says she knew her leg was broken, but it turned out to be broken in four places and shattered. She tells Ariana that she doesn’t know what to do. She feels like such a failure. She’s always been that person to say get back on the horse, now here she is. She’s strong when comes to life, but wonders, can she risk it? In Lisa’s interview, she says she hasn’t been riding, and feels like a coward. She shows Ariana where she was when it happened, and Ariana offers to do something stupid to make a different memory. She does a cartwheel, twerks, and flips the spot off. She tells Lisa, now when she thinks of the spot, Lisa will think of her. In her interview, Lisa says, when they captured the huge fallout that happened because of the affair, there was so much going on. A lot of people would let it die, but it’s their responsibility to tell the true story.

March 9th 2023. James tells Ally that Sandoval apologized a bunch of times, but didn’t really apologize to Ariana. And 1000%, Rachel didn’t write her apology herself. Not that she has the brain capacity, but she doesn’t talk like that. They can have each other; they deserve each other. They get a drink, and James says, f*** Rachel. The most traumatic thing is Graham’s life. He guesses Sandoval is his daddy now. Ally says, he’s been a fake friend, and, mixing his metaphors a little, James says, it’s like Judas stabbed him in the back. It’s betrayal. In James’s interview, he says, Sandoval is 42 and washed up. He threw away his amazing girlfriend for an airhead bimbo, who’s using Sandoval like she used him. He tells Ally that Schwartz plays dumb, but Graham knows more tricks than Schwartz.

Ally meets Lala and Katie, who’s hung over from a girls night the night before. Lala says she’d hoped the shots would bond Katie and Scheana, and Katie says she doesn’t want to kill Scheana now. So much has happened; Rachel with the restraining orders and posting pictures of her scrape. She asks what James said, and Ally tells her that he’s hurt. He said Sandoval’s not a friend; never was and never will be. Lala can’t believe someone could look you in the eye and know they’re sleeping with your ex-fiancé. Ally says, Sandoval was texting James after Ariana found out, and James had no idea. Katie says, Ariana is pretending to be cool. The most diabolical thing is them covering it up and being deceptive for so long. In Ally’s interview, she says she’s surprised they kept it a secret for so long. She doesn’t trust anyone. Lala tells Ally that she’d wanted to make sure James had gotten over Rachel.  They’d been planning a life together. They were going to get married and have babies. The whole thing happened very quickly when Ally came into the picture. She shouldn’t have to deal with things that happened with James before she was in the picture. Ally says, James felt everyone sided with Rachel, and he had no friends. He felt a deeply about his relationships, and he’d been friends with Sandoval for so long. He hasn’t talked to Sandoval yet, but he feels he was disposable. Lala says, it’s heartbreaking that Scheana and Ariana were riding hard for Rachel. You expect betrayal from a dude, but you expect to lean on your girlfriends. Ally says, it’s a bigger betrayal. That’s some deep sh*t.

The End?

🍊 Same Old Orange…

While I’m sort of watching Real Housewives of Orange County, it just looks like more of the same. I’d actually started liking it better after Tamra left, now it’s, same sh*t, different season. Tonight, they went out on a lovely day cruise, and Tamra proceeded to get drunk and screech, you’re a liar at Shannon over and over, and call her an alcoholic. 😐 And this was after they’d met for lunch and agreed to be copacetic and move forward. Tamra is such an asshat. I can’t help but think of the very first season, when I said, this is the future of TV. Seriously, I said those words, and I was right, but it’s time to retire these Wives. The only one of the franchise I still liked was RHONY, and those are the only ones Bravo replaced, despite their lame attempt at correcting that mistake with spin-offs. From what I’ve seen of the previews, the new cast looks like a potential clone of the rest of these sociopathic screamers.

👗 On the Catwalk…

The new season of Project Runway has commenced.

🧹 Dusting Myself Off…

Join me tomorrow for soap and whatever I can pull out of the teapot. Until then, stay safe, stay being kind to those in the service industry, and stay knowing it’s never too late to make a macaroni frame for a loved one.

June 13, 2023 – No Soap Again, Awful People Blabber Nonsense Part 3, Sonny’s Badger, Opening Up, First Kiss, Teasing, Speaking Out, Care For All, Sad News, She’s Single & Life

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Again, this happened.

Please note: Fans will also want to double-check their DVR boxes for tomorrow because these kinds of interruptions play havoc with DVR scheduling. Many viewers find that following a preemption, their DVR won’t record the next episode.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey – The Reunion – Part 3

I’m off to a good start, calling Teresa an idiot during the review of last week. Bitch boy is on the way.😐 = incomprehensible.

The dudes join the fray, and Andy promises us the intense conclusion of the Reunion. They talk Botox until the countdown, and Andy welcomes our Jersey men. Paulie says he’s in awe of the Irish castle, and Andy congratulates Louie and  Teresa on the wedding. He asks Louie’s first reaction to Teresa’s hair, and Louie says, wow. Andy says, same. Joe #2 says his heart is hammering, and Andy says, that’s ironic, because that’s what his sister said. He talks about the men’s calendar, saying they have it at the Watch What Happens Live studio, and it’s Frank’s month. Joe #2 says, Frank as the Easter Bunny made his life, and we flash back to the women asking Paulie’s mom if she thought the calendar was hot, and her saying, no. Jumping right in, Andy says, they’ll start with the PJs, and Louie says, that came out wrong. When Teresa was emptying the house, he took an old pair of sweats out of a bag of clothes, and wore them one night; in an endearing good way. It sounded creepy, but that’s not what happened.😐 He says he tried connecting with Joe #2 because he knew what Teresa wanted, and she didn’t want this. Joe says he wants to believe Louie, but whenever he gives Louie the benefit of the doubt, he gets screwed. All he wanted was a family, and after Teresa got back from prison, they were on the best terms. She was humble and they talked every day. Teresa says, because they were filming, and confuses everyone, including me. I saw Teresa and Juicy Joe Go To Prison, and that wasn’t part of it. Teresa and Joe #2 get argumentative. Teresa whines about them not taking her out, and Joe says, she was single and going out like crazy. Melissa concurs, and Teresa tells her, STFU. She’s talking to her brother. Andy looks so exhausted, I literally lol. Melissa says, five minutes ago, Teresa said she never wanted to see them again, and now Joe’s her brother. Teresa says, they dragged her through the mud for ten years, once again confusing everyone, since she was the one on Melissa from day one. Andy finally says, they’re not getting anywhere, and to stop. Teresa says she wants to speak to her brother, not Melissa, and Andy says, they’ve established that. Teresa tells Andy to shut up, and calls Melissa a gaslighting bitch. Alrighty then.

Andy suggests they talk about something else, and after some small talk about the toddler in Marge’s house and John being hazed, we take a look at the Real Househusbands of New Jersey. We go down Jersey Dude Memory Lane, proving once again that the guys are the ones who should have a show. Andy asks, who’s best at holding their booze? and Joe #2 says he is, but John begs to differ. A viewer says, Frank seems to be having a hard time letting Dolores go, and Frank stresses that there’s nothing beyond friendship and family. Dolores is one of his best friends, and their family dynamic isn’t orthodox. Andy says, speaking of unorthodox, is Frank still living with David? Frank says, he and Brittany just got their own house, and he and Paulie are in a great place. Paulie agrees 100%. A viewer asks if Bill feels guilty about ignoring his family, but Bill says, he’s missed games, but because of work, not because he was in the pool house. Jennifer says, he’s not always there; that’s just how it feels. Andy says, Bill looked miserable, but Bill says he’s not. He works hard to make his wife happy, and certain things had been ignored, but not on purpose. Things have improved. Andy asks when Paulie is going to make an honest woman of Dolores, and Paulie says, Dolores wants to take her time. Andy suggests he get a divorce first, and Paulie says, it’s in the works. Andy asks how Paulie’s relationship with his ex is, and he says, Dolores is the first woman he brought around his kids, and he’s been separated 14 years. It was a gear shift like with Frank, and Dolores is also on the TV box, but his ex is understanding. A viewer asks, what happened when Frankie was working with Louie? and Dolores says, he got another job, but we flash back to Frank telling Joe #2, the business seems closed, and Louie’s not returning his calls. Dolores says, Louie gave her son a job, and she’s grateful for that. She doesn’t know what the rumor is, and doesn’t want to talk about Frankie. Joe #2 says he’s known Frankie his whole life, and Frankie told him things. Teresa says, he’s lying, and Dolores tells Joe #2, it ends right here. She doesn’t have a problem with him, and doesn’t want one. Andy asks why she’s upset, and she says she doesn’t want to talk about her son. He has a good job, and that’s all that happened. Andy says, that begs more questions, and I wonder if Dolores is afraid of Louie. John asks, how come Louie brought his kid’s mother into this? Bo Dietl’s friends were subcontracted to investigate him. Louis says, Bo is a good friend, but he didn’t have John investigated. John says, you can’t just contact someone in prison, and the number used was traced back to Bo’s people. Andy reminds Louie how he threw Bo Dietl’s name around in the finale, and said he had information on all of them. Louie says, he was misstating in anger.😐We flash back to that, and Rachel says, she and Melissa went out to lunch, and Bo was sitting at a table next to them. She wonders what the odds are of that, and I wonder if Bo could actually stink that much at being a P.I. John tells Louie to stop the bullsh*t. He sees through both of them. Teresa says she’s all about the proof, and Melissa asks if Louie is saying he didn’t hire Bo Dietl, who’s getting a lot of free publicity tonight. Louie says he did not; he was just angry. Andy says, production just called from downstairs, and asks Louie if a security person he hired is here. Louie says he didn’t hire him. Bo sent him. This guy… I don’t even know what to say. Do they watch this stuff back? He doesn’t just look like a liar; he looks like a liar confused by his own lies. He also looks batsh*t crazy sometimes. Like scary crazy.

Louie says, they’ve gotten death threats, and John applauds Louie’s acting skills. Louie says, Bo is working on a case; someone is harassing him. Since she hasn’t drug Marge into it for a minute, Teresa says, Marge has been talking to the person harassing them, and putting out false information. Louie tells Marge, let’s play, because he thinks he’s in some spy movie or maybe Batman, and Marge says she has no idea what they’re talking about. Louie is under criminal investigation. Louie says, she’s lying, and Marge says, Louie called her child, and they have the phone records. She shows Andy, who shows Louie, who admits it’s his cell number. Frank asks if Louie hired Bo to create a slander campaign against him and Joe #2, and Louie says, that’s nothing that would benefit him. Melissa says, bad tweets and bad publicity; that’s why they see so much hate. Louie says, be careful. Their day is coming. Once more reverting to his Bond villain persona. Joe #2 says, the people Louie hires tell them everything, and Andy says, a viewer writes that it sounded like Louie ghosted Joe #2 over the pizza business. Louie says, Joe approached him, and met with Louie’s nephew, who gave Joe money for the ovens. There’s an undercurrent of Teresa and Melissa trading insults, and Teresa says, Melissa is embarrassing. Melissa says, no, you, and Andy says, they’re both embarrassing. Louie says he called Joe and asked if he wanted to take 5 or 10%. Everything was for Teresa, and in her name. Then Joe got upset. Joe says he figured they’d put in half a million to start, and when he asked what was going on, Louie said he was busy. He stole Joe’s idea. Andy asks what John’s reaction is, and John says, if it was Joe’s idea, they should have drawn up a document. Teresa starts nattering on about how she told them to do that, and Andy finally screams at her to let them talk. She’s been doing this all day. She finally shuts up, and Andy asks about Louie and Dina’s husband having a falling out over business. We flash back to Joe #2 talking about Pizzagate, Part 2, and Louie says, Joe is lying and Dina’s husband called him out. Joe calls Louie a woman abuser, which sounds out of context, but to be honest, they’re all talking at once and over each other, so I’m not sure I didn’t miss something. Louie says, Joe is a bully, and he’s going to meet his match. Joe says, Louie will say something nice, then says, in due time… Louie says, Joe will regret this, and Joe says he regrets it every day. He’s done. Okay, I still don’t get Pizzagate Part 1 or 2, especially not 2.

Andy says he wants Joe #2’s reaction. Teresa said Jacqueline told her that he and Melissa were hanging out with Juicy Joe’s former partner who ratted them out. Teresa now believes Joe and Melissa are responsible for her going to jail. Frank asks if Joe waives attorney/client privilege, and Joe agrees. Frank says he was Joe’s attorney at the time, and they were contacted by the FBI. They were asked to come to Paterson to talk. Teresa says she knows Joe #2 would never try to hurt her… and Frank says, Joe #2 never showed up. Teresa says, it was Juicy Joe’s partner, and says something in Italian. Joe says, she broke his heart, and Teresa says, they were talking to Juicy Joe’s partner. Marge asks why Teresa believes every bad rumor, and Teresa says, Jacqueline has no reason to lie. Andy says, her standing up for Jacqueline is the joke of the century, since she’s been talking sh*t about Jacqueline for 10 years. Teresa insists she has not, we flash back, and yes, she has. Hoping to divert from the proof, Teresa says, she’s been through this for 10 years; it’s disgraceful. Louie says, it’s just a matter of time, twirling his moustache, and Joe #2 asks if Louie is threatening him. There’s something about a video, but again, it’s such a noisy mess, I miss it, and Teresa says, there’s stuff in Joe #2’s past. Andy suggests they do something old fashioned and pretend he’s the host. He asks is Joe regrets not going to the wedding, but Joe says, no, and somehow the pizza thing gets brought up again. Andy tells Teresa to stop talking, and Joe says, they were saying his wife was cheating on him. Louie says, they never believed it. He just told Joe so he could get ahead of it. Andy asks why they didn’t invite Melissa, and Louie says, he just called Joe; it’s his fault. He didn’t want what happened to him to happen to Joe. Joe says, Louie told him that it was with multiple men, but Louie says, no, he didn’t. Andy asks if Teresa said Joe could do better, but Joe says, that was Gia. She called him. Teresa says, she’ll call Gia right now at Coachella, and does. Andy takes the phone, and asks if she told her uncle that he can do better than Melissa, and Gia says, she called regarding the wedding. She asked him to do the right thing; mom wanted him to walk her down the aisle. She never said he could do better than her Aunt Melissa. It’s sad. Joe asks if she’s calling him a liar, and Andy tells her to have a blast. Be careful, and don’t take anything someone gives her. Be smart. Obviously he’s been there and done that. Melissa asks why Joe would make it up, and Teresa says, because he’s married to Melissa. Teresa says she was always good to him and put him first. He was her best friend. She starts crying, and says, this is disgraceful. She can’t. She gets up, and as she leaves, she says, mommy and daddy. He should be ashamed. She yells, and don’t come following me! but it’s unclear if she means Joe or the camera.

Melissa says, Teresa’s embarrassed, and we hear her ranting backstage, saying, he lies about her daughter. She doesn’t want to make up. She wants it over. Still onstage, Joe #2 says, she’ll never give up what’s in her brain. Gia calls Teresa and tells her not to cry. Louie has jetted back there too, because Teresa can’t utter a word without him butting in. Frank says, he’s never seen it this bad. It’s not like with Juicy Joe. Melissa says, they never suffered a P.I., and Jennifer insists Louie never hired one. John says, it’s not hearsay, and Melissa says she thinks there’s so much out there on Louie, he wants a folder on everyone else. And Teresa doesn’t want it to come out. Andy goes to see Teresa, and she says she didn’t know Gia called Joe to beg him to come to the wedding. Louie says, Gia might have told him that he could do better for her mom, and Teresa says, not to leave Melissa. Andy says, they can’t keep relitigating this. They have to go out and finish. Teresa says, there are a lot of accusations, and Louie says, they have to build their narrative. Andy apologizes for yelling at Teresa, although I don’t know why. I don’t know how he doesn’t smack her one, or knock her and Melissa’s heads together. Onstage, Dolores says, nobody put their two cents in. Let it be.

Returning to his seat, Andy says, obviously, they’re not resolving anything, but he wants to see if there’s anything else Teresa and Joe want to say before he sends the husbands away. Joe says, Teresa told him that she’s heartbroken, and she says it in Italian again. He says he’ll never say never. She’s his only sister, and he’s not happy with her. He’s upset with her, but he’ll always love her. If she was in an accident tomorrow, he’d run to be by her side. If she was sick, he’d pick her up… She says, no, and Joe says, this is why it will never be with her. She says, it’s like their parents said, honor me while I’m alive, not when I’m dead. Joe says, he and Louie have their differences, and he thinks the best thing to do is to forget about each other. Let Louie do his thing, and leave them alone. Since he’s recharging for his next spiral, Louie shakes hands with Joe. As they leave, Frank says, they’ve wasted way too much energy on this. They’re too old for this. Andy says, it’s a bittersweet time to say goodbye to the husbands, and tells us, we’ll be right back. Louie goes over to John and says, he’s sorry. John’s a good father. John says, then be a friend and admit to what he knows he did, but Louie says he can’t. John says, if he’s going to apologize, own it, when Joe comes over to them, and they all leave the stage area.

Andy says, their final moments are rather somber, and asks Dolores what she’s feeling. Dolores says, nothing got resolved, and she thinks it’s time to part ways. It’s toxic for both of them, and both of them are hurt. Time apart is good. Andy wonders if watching it back spoke to Danielle, since she’s seeing her brother tomorrow. Danielle says she doesn’t know how he’ll react, and she’s afraid. She doesn’t want any toxic fighting. Andy asks if Marge is putting her arsenal behind her, and Jennifer says she’s sick of hearing arsenal. Suddenly struck by the wand of the Wisdom Fairy, she says, at the end of the day, it’s about them being friends. She felt it in Ireland. They had a great time having fun. They’re going to make mistakes; sh*t happens. They need to find a way to put on their big girl panties.😐Dolores says, there’s only one way, and that’s to leave everything behind. Jennifer says, Marge is right, 😐causing me to nearly faint. Unless you forget, you can’t truly forgive. Andy asks if Jennifer and Marge are going to bury the hatchet, and Marge says she’s in a different place in life. She doesn’t want insanity; no negative energy. Danielle agrees, and Andy asks if Rachel has decided to forget the nonsense with her and Danielle, and if they can come together. Rachel says she’s happy to move forward. They have more in common than not, and she’d like to form a new friendship. Danielle says she would too, and Andy says, last, but not least, Melissa and Teresa were more open with their real feelings, yet managed to coexist in a weird way. Teresa says she was getting married, and wanted peace. She tried everything, but Melissa kept denying her. Andy asks where she is now, and she says she just wants peace and to close the door. Melissa says she feels the hate. She could never please Teresa. Whatever she did was wrong. She loves Teresa, no matter what Teresa thinks, and worries about her. She’s just going to go with the flow; whatever the family decides to do.

Andy says, it’s been a tough season, from the highest high, Teresa’s hair; to the lowest low. He thanks them for allowing us into part of their life. They’re going to toast with Irish whiskey and pizza. Surprisingly, when the pizza is brought out (looks like NYC pizza, so I assume they filmed there), several of the ladies chow down.😐I guess it is a pretty long day. Andy asks Dolores to give the toast, and she says; Here’s to cheating, stealing, fighting and drinking. If you cheat, may you cheat death; If you steal, may you steal someone’s heart; If you fight, may you fight for a brother; If you drink, may you drink with me.

Andy says, it’s been a wild ride.

🦫 It’s Official…

I’m ashamed to say, I never even noticed this.

🏥 His Real Life Backstory…

Very cool how he had a bit part on GH way back when.

👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨 Sprina Locks Lips…

And you thought a kiss was just a kiss.

🏃🏼‍♂️ Willey’s Crossing…

There’s quite a few AMC alum on GH now.

🌈 Pride For All…

Now if she could just get a storyline.

🩺 Sharing Is Caring…

For those in the LGBTQ+ community in need of healthcare.

🥀 Gone Too Soon…

Hair is one of my favorite movie musicals, and despite its sad ending, it’s often chased my blues away. I also had the good fortune to see him play Buddy in my all-time favorite musical, Follies, on Broadway. He was an absolute joy to watch.

https://people.com/treat-williams-dead-at-71-7511398

🐻‍❄️ She’s the Only One…

Awesome!

https://people.com/white-panda-captured-on-video-in-china-7508366

🤹🏽‍♀️ Giving the Old Razzle Dazzle…

Hopefully, we’re back to soap tomorrow, along with some awful Secrets Revealed. Although I doubt there will be anything new. I hope not anyway. Until then, stay safe, stay looking both ways, even when in the crosswalk – as my father would say, you’ll be the only one with the right of way in the hospital – and stay keeping in mind, unless you forget, you can’t truly forgive.

June 12, 2023 – Chase Asks If Tracy Wants To Change Her Statement, Twice the Awful People On Deck (and I don’t mean the guests), On Broadway & Real

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Josslyn says she doesn’t like Dex continuing to work for Sonny, but she understands it, and he says, it’ll be safer this time. She says, good, maybe he’ll get shot less, but he says he won’t have to worry about Sonny catching him spying for Michael, since he’s no longer spying for Michael. She says she’s still going to worry, and he says, nice to know someone cares about him. She tells him, get used to it. He’s not alone anymore. Michael walks in with Carly, looks at Josslyn, and says, truce?

At the hospital, someone calls for the head nurse, and Elizabeth takes the call. She says she’s so sorry. Unfortunately, Nurse Johnson is no longer with them… Thank you. She was a very special person… Of course (🍷) she can transfer them. Finn says he still misses her, and Elizabeth says she does too, all the time. But being here is when she misses Epiphany the most.

Austin finds Ava in a private lounge at the MetroCourt, and asks if she knows what’s going on by the pool. She says, somebody fell and they called the paramedics. Have a seat. He thanks her and sits down. He says, this is cozy; a public place, but still away from it all. She says she thought privacy would be best, considering they’re talking about betraying the most dangerous man she knows.

Sonny asks if Nina is okay, and she wonders if he’d believe her if she said she was. He asks if this is still about what happened after he got back from Nixon Falls. She has to know, that’s all behind them. They’ve both done things they regret, and guess what? You move forward. She flashes back to Ned saying that he didn’t tip off the SEC; she did. She says she knows they’ve moved on since then, and he asks, what’s the problem? She says she’ll always regret the pain that she caused him.

Olivia says she’s not leaving Ned for one single second, and Brook asks Drew, what happened? Tracy comes flying over, and says, Drew attacked Ned; he practically killed him. She tells Chase to put his badge to use and arrest Drew for assault. Brook says, Drew attacked her dad? and Drew says, what? That is not what happened. Ned came charging in here, looked like he tripped on something, and hit his head falling in the pool. It was an accident. Tracy says, it was attempted murder, and Drew says, if anything, he saved Ned’s life. He pulled Ned out of the pool before he drowned. Tracy says, covering his tracks. If it had just been the two of them, Drew would have let Ned drown. Brook says, that doesn’t sound like Drew, and Tracy says, this isn’t the first time he attacked Ned. He sucker punched Ned back at the house; Brook saw it. Brook says, that’s true, and Tracy asks what Chase is waiting for; arrest him. Olivia says, this is not the time, and tells Brook that they’re taking her father down in the service elevator. She’s going to ride with him in the ambulance. Brook says she’ll be right behind Tracy, and Tracy says she’s going too. She tells Chase, do his duty, and walks out behind Brook, glaring at Drew on her way out. Drew says he was nowhere near Ned when he fell. Is Chase seriously going to arrest him?

I miss something here, but it’s not worth going back for. Drew flashes back to Ned’s trip and fall, and God forgive me, I laugh again. Zeke walks in, and asks, what’s going on? Why is Drew wet? Drew says, his cousin Ned tripped and fell in the pool. He had to go in and rescue him. He gave Ned CPR, but he wasn’t breathing. Zeke asks if Ned is going to be okay, but Drew doesn’t know. Zeke asks if Ned is the same guy who ratted out Drew and Carly to the SEC, and Drew says, that’s him. Zeke says, please tell him that he didn’t… but Drew says he didn’t do anything. He wasn’t anywhere near Ned, but unfortunately, it’s his word against Ned’s mother’s, and his mother is Tracy Quartermaine. Zeke says, and no one else saw what happened? and Drew says he’s afraid not.

Austin tells Ava to try and understand, there’s more dangerous things in this world than Sonny Corinthos, like unicorns and daisies, and she says, maybe for him, but Sonny can keep Avery away from her, and nothing in this world would be worse for her than losing her child. He says he thinks she’s not using her imagination, and she says she’s sick of these vague portents of doom. He says, Mason will be sure she never sees Avery or anyone else again, ever, and she says she knows Mason isn’t the one calling the shots; he reeks of errand boy. But is that all he is? He says, Mason is many things, a lot of things, none of them good, but he really doesn’t understand what she’s asking. Could she narrow it down? She asks if Mason could be acting on his own, without his boss knowing.

Sonny says, they settled this a long time ago. Why is Nina dredging it up now? She says she’s just in a mood, one she doesn’t necessarily want to be in. Is he still working? Or can she tempt him away? He says, she always tempts him. What does she have in mind? She says, what she wants is to get out of here, go home, get into bed, and pretend the rest of the world doesn’t exist.

Tracy and Brook dash into the hospital, and Tracy asks if the desk nurse knows where Ned Quartermaine is. They see Olivia, and run over to her, and Brook asks if Ned woke up. Olivia says she was talking to Ned the whole way there, and she hopes he could hear her. Tracy starts to go in, but Olivia says, she can’t right now. Tracy asks if Olivia knows how much money her family gives to the hospital. Nobody’s going to stop her. Olivia says she knows Ned is Tracy’s son, but if Tracy interrupts, and Ned dies on that gurney, she promises they’ll be having a double funeral. Brook asks if the doctors said anything, but Olivia says, Dr. Ashford is in with Ned right now. Finn comes by, and Tracy tells him that Ned has a head injury. Brook says, Dr. Ashford is in with him right now, and Tracy asks if he knows Dr. Ashford. Finn says, he’s a very talented intern, but Tracy says, that’s not good enough. She wants Finn to examine him. Finn says he’s not a neurologist, but Tracy says she doesn’t care. He says, okay, he’ll take a look, and goes inside.

Josslyn says, Michael has another job for Dex after he left Dex hanging? That’s unbelievable; let’s go. Feeling the call of the moss bowl🎍, Dex tells her, wait. He wants to hear Michael’s offer. Josslyn says, he doesn’t owe Michael any more favors, but Dex says, spying on Sonny was a job, not a favor. What does Michael want him to do? Michael says he wants Dex to do what he’s already been doing; keep working for Sonny. Josslyn says, so he can keep getting evidence Michael won’t use? but Michael says he doesn’t need Dex to get evidence. He needs Dex to keep an eye on Sonny. Protect him. Dex says, this is a 180, and Josslyn says, five minutes ago, Michael wanted Sonny in prison. Dex says, besides, Sonny pays him for protection, and Michael says, which is why this’ll work. All Dex has to do is what he’s already been doing for Sonny. And if he gets wind of any trouble from Pikeman, or anyone, report back to him. Dex says, to what end? and Michael says, so he can help him. The moss bowl🎍 is pleased, but Josslyn says, no. This is insane. Michael is putting Dex right back where he was; spying on Sonny for him. Carly can’t possibly think this is a good idea. Carly says, it was her idea.

Sonny says he likes the way Nina thinks, but he’s waiting on a call from Brick, and Nina asks if he’s choosing Brick over her. He says, well, he and Brick go way back, and she’s a close second, like a photo finish. She says, he’s comparing her to a horse? but he says, not just any horse; a racehorse. She says, consider her swept off her feet, and he says, it shouldn’t take too long. Then she can have him for the rest of their lives.

Finn comes out, and Olivia asks, how is Ned? Tracy says, is he awake? Can he talk? Can they see him? Finn says, they managed to stabilize Ned, but he’s still unconscious. They’re prepping him for a CT scan. They believe there might be some swelling on the brain. A specialist will meet them at imaging and go over the scans as they’re being taken. Olivia asks how bad it is that he hasn’t regained consciousness yet, but Finn says, it’s entirely too soon to jump to any conclusions. Brook says, it seems like they’ve been waiting forever, and Finn says he knows waiting is hard, but he can promise Ned is getting the best possible care. Can Olivia tell him what happened? Olivia says, she wasn’t there. When she got there, he was already out of the pool and on the ground. Tracy says she was there; she saw everything. Drew Cain flew into a rage and attacked him. Finn wonders why Drew would do that, and she says, he’s convinced Ned turned him into the SEC and wants revenge.

Chase asks if Drew would come down to the station and answer a few questions, and Zeke says, not without his lawyer present. Drew introduces them, and they shake hands. Chase says he just has to get Drew’s official statement, and Zeke asks why he can’t do it there. Chase says, an accusation has been made, so it’s customary to do it at the station, but by all means, his attorney should be present. Zeke says, but his client is soaked, and asks if it can’t wait, but Drew says, it’s fine. He’s happy to answer some questions; no problem. Zeke asks if Chase will excuse them a moment, and takes Drew aside. He asks Drew, what’s going on? Doesn’t he want to go to the hospital and be with his family? Drew says he does, but if he goes there now, Tracy’s going to be pointing fingers. She’s probably already telling everybody within earshot that he tried to kill her son. Zeke says, great. He’ll prepare the slander suit. Drew says, in the meantime, they need to make this thing go away as quickly as possible. The last thing they need is Tracy’s wild accusations complicating things with the SEC.

On the phone, Sonny says, another dead end?… Yeah… He knows Brick isn’t giving up, and he isn’t giving up either. Talk to him soon. Nina says, bad news? and Sonny says, Brick is just trying to track down some information for him, and it’s taking longer than he thought. If there’s any way she wants to distract him… She says she’ll do her best, and they’re about to kiss, when Sonny’s phone rings. She tells him, ignore it, but he says he’s sorry. He looks at the phone, and says, it’s Brook… Just calm down… He’ll be there. Nina asks, what’s going on? and Sonny says, Ned fell and hit his head. He’s at General Hospital. Nina asks if he’s going to be okay, but Sonny says he doesn’t know. Brook was very upset. She says, Ned didn’t tell them what happened? and he says, Ned’s unconscious. He has to go. She says she’ll go with him, and follows him out the door.

Ava says, Austin thinks Mason’s acting on orders. Could it be that Mason is just torturing them for the fun of it, so he can have power over them? Austin says, Mason does like having power over him, but he’s not the one calling the shots. She asks, who is, and how do they get out from under them? and Austin says he’s been trying to get out from under them for years, but it’s not possible. That should tell her how powerful these people are. He knows she doesn’t want to hear it, but the best course of action – she says, for him, but he says, for both of them – would be for her to do what Mason wants her to do. She says she can’t go against Sonny. That’s suicide. He says, she’s Avery’s mother; that protects her against Sonny. But if she doesn’t do what Mason wants, that could get them both killed.

Sonny and Nina come into the hospital, and Olivia cries, putting her arms around Sonny. She asks how he knew they were there, and Brook says she called him. He hugs Brook, and asks what they know, but she says, nothing. They took dad for a CT scan. Sonny asks if Ned woke up. Did they talk to him? Olivia says, he’s unconscious, and starts to cry, but Sonny says, he’s going to be okay. He’s a fighter. They’ll take care of him. Olivia says, he wasn’t breathing, and Nina says, they’re so sorry this is happening. Brook says, so are they, and Nina says, they were so shocked when Brook called. This is a horrible accident. Tracy comes by with Finn, and says, it was no accident. Drew tried to kill Ned. Sonny says he knows Tracy is upset and wants to blame somebody, but Drew had nothing to do with it. Tracy tells him, of course (🍷) he’d say that. He always denies crimes that have actually been committed. Why wouldn’t he defend a former Navy SEAL who’s trained to kill? Why would a man like that ever get violent? He says, in a public place, in front of her? and she asks, what part of in a rage doesn’t he get? TJ comes out, and Olivia asks, how’s her husband?

Josslyn says, Carly wants Dex to continue to risk his life, but instead of risking it to put Sonny in jail, he’s risking it to protect him? Carly says she wants Dex to keep doing what he’s doing. The only difference is, now he has Michael for back-up. Josslyn asks why she’s doing this. And don’t say Donna and Avery. Michael says, she’s right. It was beyond their baby sisters. This is about keeping them and the moss bowl🎍 safe, and moving on. Josslyn says, except Dex can’t move on if he gets caught this time, and Dex asks to speak with Josslyn privately. Carly says she wants Josslyn to think about what they said, and wants her to understand how important this is. She and Michael leave, and Josslyn says, don’t tell her that he’s actually considering it.

Chase sets up the recorder in the interrogation room, and asks if Drew is there voluntarily. Drew says he is, and Chase asks Drew to walk him through what happened. Drew says, he and Tracy Quartermaine were in the pool area. Ned came rushing out and was calling his name. Ned came around the corner and it seemed like he tripped on something. He went down, hit his head, and immediately rolled into the pool; face down, unconscious, bleeding. Drew went in, pulled him out of the pool. He determined Ned wasn’t breathing, and checked for a pulse. There was no pulse, so he started performing CPR. He told Tracy to call 9-1-1, and that’s that until the paramedics showed up and took over. Chase thanks him, and asks if he and Tracy were at the pool area alone. Drew says, they were, and Chase asks what they were doing. Drew says, they were talking, and Chase says, about? Drew says, business, family. With the Quartermaines, they kind of go hand in hand. Chase says, it’s kind of an odd place to discuss business, doesn’t he think? but Drew says, what he and Tracy needed to speak about required privacy. Chase says, Drew told him that Ned was rushing toward him. Did the two of them make any contact before Ned fell? Drew says, absolutely not. They weren’t even remotely close. Chase asks why Tracy would think otherwise, but Zeke says, Drew doesn’t have to answer that. His client isn’t a mind reader. Chase says, fair enough, and asks why Drew thinks she made that accusation. Drew says, he and Tracy are at odds; family issues he guesses. An officer comes in, and says, there’s something Chase should see, and Chase says he’ll be right back. He leaves, and Zeke says, talk to him. How is he doing? Drew says he’s fine. He’s just worried about Ned. Zeke says, him too. From what Drew told him, Ned is his best shot at making these insider trading charges go away.

The officer gives Chase the security footage from the MetroCourt pool area, and Chase looks at the tablet.

TJ says, Ned has sustained a TBI; a traumatic brain injury. When he fell, the impact of his brain against his skull caused his brain to swell. They can see some physical damage on the scans, but won’t know any cognitive damage until he regains consciousness. Brook asks if it’s bad that he’s still out, but TJ says, not necessarily. The body often shuts down to devote all its energy to the injury, the brain in particular. The neuropathways can be rerouted after an injury, but it takes time. This might actually assist in his healing. Olivia says, what if he doesn’t wake up tomorrow, or the day after that? and TJ says, the longer Ned remains unconscious, the longer they go without a sense of how and where his brain has been affected. Mr. Quartermaine is also suffering from hypoxemia; the oxygen level in his blood is low. This indicates his brain was deprived of oxygen for a time. Olivia cries, and Brook asks if he’s saying her dad may never wake up.

Ava tells Austin that Mason wants inside information on Sonny. Good luck with that. Sonny doesn’t discuss his business with her. They share a child together; that’s it. It’s the only reason he didn’t kill her years ago. Sonny barely tolerates her, and certainly doesn’t trust her. Austin says, she’ll just have to figure out a different way to get the information, and she says, how exactly? He says, she’s really smart. She’ll figure it out. She can listen to his conversations, go through his papers. She says, like he just leaves important documents lying around. It’s just as likely he’ll have a conversation about it near enough that she can hear. He says he knows she can do it. She’s just got to think outside the box. She says, the Feds have been after Sonny for decades. They use actual undercover agents, and surveillance equipment, and Austin might have noticed, the guy is walking around a free man. How can she possibly do any better? He says, she knows him, so she can do better. She knows all his vulnerabilities. She knows his weaknesses, and knows how to use them against him. She says, what makes him so sure about that? Because they share Avery? They both love their daughter, but that doesn’t mean she was conceived in a moment of mutual regard. He says, okay, but she still has access because of Avery. She’s got to help him out. He helped her out. She says, Sonny is Avery’s father. She’s not going to betray him like that. He says, she should rethink that. Because when Mason talks about taking Sonny down, he’s not just talking about sending him to prison. She says, Mason wants to kill Sonny? and he says he imagines Sonny’s made her walk this emotional tightrope and jump through these hoops. When was the last time Sonny tried to take Avery from her? She says, he did that a lot, but not lately, and he says, what if he does it again? Next week, next month, or next year? What if he gets grumpy? Wouldn’t her life be just a little bit better if Sonny were gone for good?

TJ says, it’s hard to tell, and Tracy says, that’s what doctors tell you when they don’t know what’s going on. Olivia asks if they can see Ned, and TJ says, he’s in the ICU; one visitor at a time. He leaves, and Tracy says, Olivia can go first. Brook takes her hand, and says, tell daddy that they’re here, they love him, and they’re waiting for him. Deanna takes Olivia to the ICU, Brook hugs Sonny, and Nina looks incredibly uncomfortable.

Dex says, he’s thinking about taking the job, but Josslyn says, didn’t he just tell her how much safer he’d be now that he’s not spying for Michael? He says he won’t be spying; he’ll be protecting Sonny. She says, Sonny doesn’t need his protection. He says he thinks Sonny does. Sonny’s business is changing. The people he’s dealing with are extremely dangerous. She says, what else is new? but he says, this is different. Pikeman is massive. The scope of its resources and connections are global. She says, he has Brick, and Dex says, who’s on the west coast. Brick can’t be with Sonny day to day; he can. She asks why he’d want to, and he says, because Sonny is going to need someone who has his back, and someone who’s not going to sell him out for more money, somebody who isn’t going to cut and run when things get dangerous. Someone like him. She asks why it has to be him, and he says, because he won’t be doing it for the money. He’ll be doing it for her.

Drew says he can’t even think about the SEC charges right now, and Zeke says, no problem. That’s why he’s here. Drew says, when he pulled Ned out of the pool and he wasn’t breathing, he felt like he was performing CPR forever. That’s not good. Zeke says he doesn’t mean to sound callous, but Drew’s his client, and he’s going to do what’s best for him. Will Tracy drop the accusation once she’s had a chance to cool down? Drew says, absolutely not. Tracy wants to neutralize him. Zeke says, by neutralize, Drew means what? but Drew says, it’s better he doesn’t know. Zeke says, something every attorney loves to hear, and Drew says, Tracy’s accusations are just a temporary nuisance. Whatever the PCPD drags up will prove he’s innocent. Zeke says, eventually… hopefully. But if he’s charged with attempted murder, the US Attorney’s office will never accept his plea deal.

Chase walks into the hospital, and Brook runs up and hugs him. He asks how her dad is, and if he’s woken up, but she shakes her head. He says he’s so sorry, and Tracy says, detective. Brook says, here we go, and Tracy says she trusts Chase’s presence here means Drew Cain is safely locked up in a cell. Chase says, about that. He’s here because he’s wondering if, on time to reflect, Tracy wants to change her statement. She asks why she’d want to that. She knows what she saw. She’s the only one who witnessed Drew Cain’s vicious attack on her son. Why would he think she’d want to change that? He says, because the MetroCourt security cameras captured the whole incident, plain as day.

Dex tells Josslyn that his best option is to keep working for Sonny. It’s in his best interest to keep Sonny on top, and with Michael involved… She asks how that’s remotely a good thing, and he says, because Michael is smart, and he understands the business. He can’t advise Sonny directly, but he can do it through Dex. She says she just hates that her family is putting him in this position, but he says he made his choices, and his eyes have been wide open the whole time. She asks if anyone’s ever told him that he makes really bad decisions, and he says he doesn’t know about that. Look where they’ve led him. He wouldn’t have it any other way. He kisses her.

Ava says she doesn’t not want Sonny dead. Once upon a time… Austin says, why not? and she says she won’t deprive Avery of her father; she loves him. He says, with Sonny out of the way, she can gain full custody. She’ll never have to worry… She says, stop it. She won’t be a part of this. He says he’s just trying to convince her… She says, he’s trying to manipulate her, and this might shock him, but she doesn’t take kindly to that sort of thing. He says he’s being honest with her. If she does this one thing… She says, he only wants her to cooperate because if she does, Mason will leave him alone. He says, please. Mason is never, ever, ever going to leave him alone. It’s like she refuses to believe how dangerous these people really are. She says she needs context; she needs names. He says, believe it or not, he’s trying to protect her, and she asks, why? He says, she’s never boring, even when she’s at her worst, but when she’s at her best, she says mean things that make him want to hear her say more mean things. It’s like the burn you get after a strong drink. She says, comparing her to cocktails. Is he trying to flatter her or something? He says, maybe… partly, but not entirely. They can do this if they do it together.

Chase says, Tracy witnessed a traumatic event involving her son. Her first impressions may not be accurate. In light of the security footage, would she like to rethink he original statement? She says, it all happened very fast and she was very upset, thinking her son was going to die. Sonny tells her, spit it out, and Tracy says, he might have slipped and fell. Chase says, just to be clear, Drew Cain was not the aggressor, and Brook says, like Alexis wasn’t driving that car. Tracy says, it was an accident, okay? Now is Olivia going to stay with Ned all night? She’d like to see her son. She heads for ICU, and Finn follows her. Brook thanks Chase, and says she knows he cut her grandmother some slack. He says he’s just glad they cleared it all up. He’s sure Drew will be glad to hear it’s over. His phone dings, and he looks at it, then looks over at Nina and Sonny.

Olivia asks Deanna if she can touch Ned, and Deanna says, she can hold his hand. Crying, she goes over to the bed, takes Ned’s hand, and says, she’s here, just like she said she’d be. His daughter Brook is here, and his mother’s here, breathing fire on his behalf. She laughs through her tears, and says, they’re all here; staying close together for him. He’s got to wake up. She loves him so much. He’s got to come back to them. He’s got to come back to her. She lays her head on his chest.

The officer says, Drew is free to go, and Zeke says, so his client isn’t being charged. The officer says, according to the witness, the fall wasn’t Mr. Cain’s fault; it was an accident. Detective Chase wanted him to thank Drew for his cooperation, and apologize for any inconvenience. Drew thanks the officer, and says he’s glad this got cleared up. The officer leaves, and Zeke says he’s glad that turned out okay. Drew says, him too, but he’s wondering what got Tracy to change her mind.

Josslyn tells Michael that she doesn’t like it, as they have a stand-off, the moss bowl🎍 between them. She thinks he and Carly are both terrible for putting Dex in this position, but it’s his choice. Dex says he’ll do it. He’ll protect Sonny. Michael thanks him, and says he really believes it’s the best way to keep everybody safe. Dex says, it’s not going to be easy. Pikeman is massive and dangerous. Carly says, that’s why it’s important for Dex to keep Michael informed. This is a situation Sonny’s never been in before. Michael says he just hopes Sonny doesn’t end up trusting the wrong people. I love how they’re acting like Sonny is five years old.

Ava says she’ll think about it, but Austin says, what’s there to think about? She says, if he could just tell her who Mason is working for… He says, that’s not going to happen, and she says she’s being threatened to do this without knowing who she’s doing it for. He says, whatever they’re doing, they’re doing for her own good, but she says, it’s pretty obvious her best interests aren’t his main concern. He says, when he found her with Nikolas in the stables, he didn’t run away. He stayed and helped her out. It’s time for her to return the favor. She says, so that’s what all of this has been leading up to; one big, fat quid pro quo. He says, maybe a little, but she does get to help herself out in the process.

Olivia comes out of Ned’s room, and Brook goes in. Nina tells Olivia that she’s so sorry this is happening. If there’s anything she can do for Olivia or the family… Chase’s phone dings, and Nina says, Olivia’s been so great with Willow, and if there’s anything she can do to repay that… Chase looks at his phone, and looks over at Nina. Nina says, in any way… and Chase looks troubled.

The text says, In Loving Memory Of Jacklyn Zeman.

Hmm… I wonder if Chase saw Nina in the footage.

Tomorrow, Portia wonders if there’s still hope for her and Curtis to become a real family; Taggert asks Jordan to join him for a drink; and Drew says he’s taking the future in his own hands.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht

I have no clue why, but it was double the Deck tonight. Maybe they’re rushing the season. Just as well.

It’s literally Colin’s worst nightmare. The toilets won’t flush, and are overflowing. He says, the blockage is directly under the girls bathrooms, and in his interview, he says, to get out the turd the size of a football, he has to pressurize the line. Too much pressure, and there will be an explosion out of the toilet; it’s horrific. He makes magic with a vacuum hooked to a hose, Alex says he hears a thump, thump, thump, and the toilet flushes. Colin says, one of them blocked it and took dump after. He asks if this is why Gary calls Daisy Daisy Poo, and she insists it’s not her. They bleach everything, and it’s time for the tip meeting.

Glenn says, the four person charter gave them an opportunity to catch up and get ahead. He compliments Ileisha on her food again, and says, the tip is $13K, or $1273 euros per person. At first I think, how cheap, but then I remember it was only one night. He says he knows they’re heading out for dinner tonight, and wishes Gary a happy birthday. He tells them to have fun, but save some energy for tomorrow because they have the whole day off. He’s booked them a private cabana at Blu Beach, where dinner is also being done for them. He wants them to recharge their batteries since they still have half a season to go. In Daisy’s interview, she says she’s ready to have a f***ing drink. Daisy brings out champagne, but drops a glass off the tray, and Chase yells, mazel tov! In her interview, she says, it’s been a tough season for her. They toast to Gary’s birthday, and Daisy radios Glenn to tell him that they’re setting up the party. Colin prints out Gary masks for everyone, and Lucy makes sure her bunk is stocked with water, a charger, M&Ms, and magnesium. They hang letter balloons, and Gary puts on his lucky underwear. In Colin’s interview, he says, the situation with Daisy feels natural. They know each other so well; it’s comfortable. He’s just concerned it will affect their friendship. They’re great friends, but may not be great lovers… yet. Gary comes upstairs, and in his interview, he says he wants the best birthday ever. He sees the masks, and says, and you get a Gary, and you get a Gary… Mads asks if Gary is mad at her, and we flash back to him grumbling that she didn’t say goodnight. They drink, and Gary says, there’s enough Gary for everyone tonight. He tells Daisy, since it’s his birthday, she has to be nice to him. She always brings him down in front of everyone. We flash back to that, and he says he’s asking her nicely not to do that tonight. In Daisy’s interview, she says, maybe she goes too far in taking the piss out of Gary. But if he’s so upset, why bring it up now? She tells him, noted, and Glenn tells them to have fun. In Chase’s interview, he says he’s not the smartest guy, but he’s trying his best not to offend anyone. His number one goal is to drink less; to be less. In the taxi, Gary points out that the Southern ladies were into Chase, and Chase says he thinks they were 10s in their heydays. If one of them had three beach houses and one foot on the banana peel, they’d be an automatic 10.

They get to the restaurant, and Ileisha says she’s very stoked with herself. Daisy goes for a smoke with Ileisha, and says, Gary asked her to be nice. She’d thought she was nice, and it hurt because she stands up for him. In Daisy’s interview, she says, the idea that she hurt someone’s feelings without realizing it feels awful. She tells Ileisha that she can’t be around him. Everything she says is wrong. They go back to the table, and Mads takes Gary’s hand. He says he loves affection, and is a person who needs affection. Mads says she’s the opposite. In Alex’s interview, he says he thinks he’d be more forward and go for Mads, but stealing the boss’s girl is not the best move. It’s not him. Daisy tells Colin that she’s over dinner, and Chase says he’s never been out to dinner with better looking ladies. He toasts to the mistakes he’ll make, and they head back to the boat. In the taxi, Gary kisses Mads, and Chase walks on the taxi ceiling. Mads says, there are three things in life: penis, chocolate, and money… and sleep. Glenn is down for that last one on the boat, and when they get back Chase goes to bed. Lucy says, the hot tub is 800 degrees, which we can safely assume is an exaggeration. Mads kisses Alex, and says, don’t tell Gary. Gary asks Colin if he’s going to hook up with Daisy, and they play wrestle in the crew mess until Colin pushes Gary’s face in some cake. Mads and Lucy ditch the hot tub, and Gary wants a kiss from Daisy, but she says no. He says he doesn’t want her to be mad, and she says she’s mad at herself. She’s sorry she made him feel bad. Gary says, coming from her, it hurts. They’re like a house on fire together. In Gary’s interview, he says, regardless of their conflict, he believes he and Daisy have chemistry. His feelings are different for Mads than for Daisy. They hug, and Mads asks if she’s interrupting. In Mads’ interview, she says she doesn’t f***ing know what he wants. She doesn’t know what’s going on, but it’s not her issue. She could get mad. If he was her boyfriend, she’d flip a table, but she doesn’t care. She’s just taking care of herself; that’s it. She kisses Gary in the hot tub. Daisy goes to Colin’s cabin, and Gary and Mads go to a guest cabin. Daisy says she wants Colin sleeping next to her, and in her interview, she says, they’ve been friends more than anything, but she can see them falling into a relationship. Colin is kind and loyal, and who doesn’t love kisses and cuddles? We hear sounds from the guest cabin I can’t unhear, and Gary sings, happy birthday to me.

Igy Marina, Portisco. Colin tells Daisy that she’s snoring, and Mads and Gary go back to their own cabins. In Chase’s interview, he says he picked the wrong cabin. He should have bunked with Glenn. Daisy snores like a bear. Gary farts, and Daisy jets out of the cabin. Glenn says, it’s time to get up, and Alex says, it’s a fun day ahead. They clean up from the night before, and Gary asks Colin if he and Daisy hooked up. Colin says he thinks so, and Gary says he saw her storming out when he farted. Let’s have a drama free day. They crack beers and head out. In the taxi, Gary says, Daisy snores like a freight train, and in the other one, Daisy says, she slept in Colin’s bed, and he’s literally like a radiator. Gary says he only drinks on days that start with a T; today, tomorrow, Thursday, Thaturday, and Thunday. They immediately start drinking at the beach, and in Ileisha’s interview, she says, on charter, they’re go-go-go, and now they can actually chat and be friends. She sings, it feels like heaven on earth. Back at the boat, Glenn gets on the eFoil, and wipes out pretty quickly. The crew plays in the water, then tequila happens. Mads tells Gary to stop being clingy, and they snack and drink. Glenn uses the eFoil as a bodyboard, and says, this is fun. Colin asks if Ileisha is feeling more comfortable, and she says she is. She’s finally found it easier in the galley. She asks how she measures up to the last chef, and Colin says, their other chef was better, but they were older and more experienced. Why he says something this stupid, I have no clue, and Chase says, how to piss off a chef. In Ileisha’s interview, she says, you don’t say that to someone. What a d*ckhead. She’s striving to be her best personal self. Pick her up; don’t bring her down. Chase tells Colin, when a woman asks how they compare, say you’re the best. Wise words. Ileisha cries in the bathroom. Probably because she’s had way too much to drink. They probably never sobered up from the night before.

Ileisha says, it’s too much, and Gary asks Daisy to give him a spin, singing, baby, come back to me. In Daisy’s interview, she says, it’s a confusing situation. He should have a certain amount of respect and consideration. Mads tells Lucy that she’s not taking Gary seriously, and Gary tries to motorboat Daisy, but it’s a fail. In her interview, Mads says she’s not giving serious emotion to someone who’s not serious with her. He’ll never stop being Gary. She tells Lucy that Gary’s not her boyfriend.  She’s enjoying a non-serious relationship. It is what it is. Glenn is finally successful on the eFoil, says, I did it! but then falls off. Gary lies with his head in Daisy’s lap, and Colin asks if Ileisha is okay. He’s sorry. She says, it was hard to hear. She wants to be awesome. He says, she is, and in his interview, he says, knowing she takes pride in her work, he shouldn’t have said it. He thinks she’s an amazing chef, and says, let’s be friends again. She says, they’re good. Daisy tells Gary that he’s gross, and in her interview, she says she’s made it clear that she wants to be with Colin; it’s the healthier choice. To Gary, it’s a game, and she feels like another number. The crew races to the water on their bellies, and Chase wins. They all roll around in the waves. Gary takes his trunks off, and asks, who wants to swim with Gary? One of the things that makes him even more distasteful is him constantly talking about himself in the third person. Mads asks if Alex is having a good time, and he says he wishes the day would never end. He tells her that she’s pretty, and she says, he is too. Colin and Daisy goof around in the water, and everyone changes for dinner. Daisy kisses Colin, and in Gary’s interview, he tells us that he can’t say what he wants. It’s a recipe for disaster. Off to the side of the table, Gary tries to kiss Daisy, and she tells him that she doesn’t think they need to be together. Clearly it’s not happening. He hooked up with Mads on the first night, and showed Daisy what she meant to him. In her interview, she says, it’s a pattern, and it’s ridiculous. She doesn’t want to be one of ten million. Gary says he thinks she has feelings for him, and likes Colin as a mate. At the table, Chase tells Ileisha that she’s crushing it. Gary says he thinks it would have been different had he not had covid, but Daisy says, it’s too complicated. Gary says, she’s just getting back at him, but she shakes her head. She says she doesn’t want to be with him. He wants to be with everybody else, but now that he can’t have her, he wants her. She’s not into his games. He says he didn’t stay at her house in London when she invited him, and she says, he made his choice. He says, having sex with her was f***ing amazing, and she tells him to shut up, calling him a moron. She’s so done with this.

Colin wonders what they’re talking about, and Daisy tells Gary that she has to look out for herself. She’s done with this conversation. In Daisy’s interview, she says, they slept together when the season ended, and also when they went to Disneyland. After that, it was the usual Gary thing, going from female to female. He never made it anything more, and she wanted to keep it private. It’s such a mess. She tells Gary that she doesn’t know what he wants her to say. It’s done and they have to move on. They can’t go back in the past. He’s with Mads, and she likes Colin. She feels a lot for him. She likes Gary, but it is what it is. They go back to the table, and Colin tells Daisy that they can talk about it, but she says, it’s fine. They leave, and in Chase’s interview, he says he didn’t piss anyone off. He’s pinching himself. He can have fun and no one got angry. In the taxi, Ileisha wonders why she’s being an emotional mess. One comment sticks with her. Daisy says, like Gary saying she’s being a mean person. She thought she was awful. On the boat, Glenn snoozes while listening to an audiobook on humpback whales. The crew returns, and Daisy asks if Colin is okay. He says, no drama? and she says she doesn’t think so. In Colin’s interview, he says, he’s not stupid. What’s going on? Alex tucks Chase in, and Mads hugs Alex, saying she loves him. He says he’d totally smash her, and in her interview, she says she doesn’t want anyone’s feelings hurt, but Alex is a grown up man, and she’s getting a grown toddler with Gary. She didn’t play her cards right. She tells Alex that she’ll come upstairs, and he waits on deck, but Gary pulls her into a cabin. Alex snoozes on the deck, and Gary suggests he and Mads go to a guest cabin.

Daisy walks into Gary, Colin, and Chase’s cabin, and Mads suggests a thruple. Gary wonders if Daisy would keep them awake with her snoring, and in his interview, Chase says he just wants some goddam sleep. If there’s an orgy, he doesn’t want to be a part of it. He goes to a guest cabin, and Ileisha texts her boyfriend that she loves him. Mads, Daisy, and Colin squish into the same bunk. Lucy find Alex sleeping, and in her interview, she says, bless him. This is f***ing gold. She takes some photos. She pretends to lead him to his cabin, but brings him to where Colin, Daisy, et al are, and tells him to get some cuddles. Daisy says she’s actually going to bed, and Colin says he’ll come along, and gets his headphones. They get in her bunk, and she asks if he had a good day. Colin says, it was fun, and she says she wants to honest; with Gary, it’s complicated. They have slept together; in L.A. and in Menorca. I’m not sure why Colin is acting all shocked, and Daisy asks if he’s mad. He says he’s confused. She and Gary led him to believe there was nothing going on. She says she asked Gary not to tell anyone, and not to be mad at him. In Colin’s interview, he says, WTF? Why lie about that? Colin says he’s going back to his cabin, but Daisy asks him not to. He says, she has to respect that he needs to figure it out. She begs him not to go, and stands in front of the door, but he says, this is f***ing bullsh*t. She says, it didn’t mean anything, but he leaves, saying he feels stupid. He should, but not for the reasons he thinks.

There’s no point in talking about next time, because it is next time.

Hard to believe, but it’s only midnight. Daisy follows Colin, and he says he feels weird now. Gary is his boy, and they talk all the time, even off season. He asked if they had something going on. Daisy says, they don’t. Just because they smashed doesn’t mean they had anything. He says, it’s just weird, and she gets in his bunk with him, but he tells her to get out. She says she feels like sh*t, and he says, she should. She’s a liar. They’re supposed to be friends. I’m literally shocked at how unreasonable he’s being, and she asks if he really wants her to leave. He says, yes, and she does. He says, f*** those guys, and they both lie in their separate cabins, in bed alone. In his interview, Colin says he thought Daisy and Gary were just friends, but he could see the chemistry they have. Now it all makes sense, and it’s blowing his mind. Everyone goes back to their original bunks.

After two straight days of drinking, it’s not pretty. Gary wonders if he has anyone to apologize to, and Daisy texts him a heads up. He says he’s not looking forward to the conversation, when Colin comes out. Chase asks if Daisy is all right, and she says she’s stressed. Alex wonders, about what? Gary tells Colin that he needs to stop drinking so much. It’s embarrassing. Colin says, Daisy gave him some interesting news, and Gary says, she messaged him. Colin asks, why not tell him? Gary said nothing happened, and it was a d*ck move. Gary said he and Daisy were meant to be mates. Gary agrees not telling Colin was a d*ck move, and Colin says, he lied. In the crew mess, Daisy says, there’s drama and she feels sick. Colin tells Gary that he’s confused. He’s getting feelings for Daisy, but he thought she and Gary were nothing, or he never would have started anything. Gary says, there’s nothing between them, and Colin says, they don’t sleep with someone they don’t like. In Gary’s interview, he says he doesn’t know why he promised not to tell. In a sense, it’s his way of getting Daisy back. Daisy was happy to show the world she was with Colin, but she was ashamed of him, and it was bruise on his ego. And with that, Gary proves once again what a d-bag he is. He tells Colin, maybe deep down Daisy has some feelings for him, and I call him a bastard out loud. Chase says, there’s so much drama going on with the heads of their departments. Lucy waits to see if she graduated from uni. She majored in sports management, and doesn’t know how to tell her parents if she doesn’t pass. Glenn radios Daisy, Gary, and Ileisha for the preference sheet meeting.

Glenn says, it’s primary Suginia’s birthday trip. Daisy reads that they want the water toys, food, lots of laughs, and dinner with the captain. They want an all-white cocktail party. Ileisha says, they want a Caribbean meal, and Daisy says, after dinner on Suginia’s birthday, they want to continue the celebration with dancing and a birthday cake including tropical fruits. In Ileisha’s interview, she says she’s spent some time in the Caribbean – not cooking, eating. The stews start cleaning the cabins, and Lucy says she f***ing reeks. Gary tells Mads that he and Daisy had hooked up in the past, and she says, okay. He says he told Colin, who got pissed off, but she says she doesn’t care. Good talk. In her interview, Mads says she thinks Gary wants her to be upset. She tells him that she figured they had; it makes sense. In her interview, she says she’s not investing emotionally, and she’s not playing his stupid f***ing game. Daisy asks Colin if he’s mad, but he says he doesn’t know what to think. He’s hurt that they lied. She should have said something. This changes a lot, because there’s something deep in there. She doesn’t f*** everybody. She says she didn’t want to lie to him or keep a secret from him. She didn’t want anyone to know. She doesn’t see a future with Gary. Colin says he doesn’t know what to do now, and I’m pissed at Colin since I thought he was the mature one of the group. In Daisy’s interview, she says, that’s exactly why she didn’t want anyone to know. She f***ed up. She tells Colin, okay. You do you, and I’ll do me, and he says, cool.

Alex asks Colin about Daisy, and Chase asks, what’s up with the weird awkward tensions? Mads says she’s privy to information because she’s a part of it now, and Colin removes himself from the conversation. Mads says, Gary and Daisy hooked up. Chase says, it’s a weird love triangle, and Alex says, they’re three of the weirdest people he’s ever met. Daisy tells Gary that things have changed with Colin, but Gary says, if Colin has real feelings, this shouldn’t change his perception. In her interview, Daisy says she’d rather talk about it than move on. She likes Colin and cares about him. It’s different from Gary. He hasn’t slept with all stews, and after sleeping with her roommate, that’s it. The person Gary is most concerned about is Gary. He sees a toy and wants it. Gary suggests a threesome, and Daisy says, STFU.

The crew does last minute stuff, and Daisy asks Gary if he and Colin are okay. Gary says, they’ll be fine; they’ll get over it. She says she feels awful for causing this; she’s sorry. Gary says, there’s nothing they can do about it, and provisions come in. Chase tells Ileisha that they didn’t have all the sex appeal she ordered. He’ll have to do. It’s 30 minutes until the guests arrive, and in Glenn’s interview, he says he hopes the crew is fully rested and ready to power through the mid-season hump. He wants to knock it out of the ballpark. The guests arrive, Daisy gives the tour, and fancy snacks are served. The boat pulls out, and Suginia says, this is real. The fire alarm goes off in the engine room, and one of the guests says, it smells like gas. Another says, they smell food, and they’re hungry. Gary pushes past a cameraman, and everyone runs around.

Yep, that boat needs to be retired.

Gary tells the deckhands to look around anywhere there’s smoke, and Colin tells Glenn that he’s been pushing the diesel more than he should have. He thinks it should be fine after letting it cool down. Colin says, Gary shouldn’t have panicked, and in Gary’s interview, he says, who knows what’s bothering Colin? He’s sorry he f***ed Daisy, but work is work. Glenn asks if it’s clear to sail, and Colin says, they’re good to go with sailing put. The sails are put up, and a guest says, it feels like heaven on earth, but Ileisha doesn’t sing this time. Glenn says, it’s a nice day to be a super yachtie. Ileisha burns herself, taking the skin off of her thumb, and Chase helps dress and tape the wound. He tells her, it’s not ideal, but it’s a challenge, and she’s a badass. It’s her time to shine. The sails come down, and Daisy catches Lucy talking to herself in the laundry. A guest is looking for a piña colada, and Gary says he can get a girl to bring it.😐Glenn hunts down Daisy, and in his interview, he says, that’s his pet peeve. Guests shouldn’t have to look for someone. I wonder what happened to the two other girls on duty. The guests play in the water, and Colin calls his sister Monica. He tells her about Daisy and Gary, and she says, not cool. He says he got tricked. He was starting to like her. My God. He needs to put some big boy pants on. It’s not like it was yesterday. Monica suggests Daisy didn’t want anyone to know because she was embarrassed. To be honest, she wouldn’t want anyone to know. Me neither. In Colin’s interview, he says he’s closer to his sister than anyone else in the family. She knows the mistakes he’s made screwing the crew. She’s his guru. He says he’s not sure he can believe anything now, and she says, he has to decide if he wants to spend more time with Daisy. Daisy asks Mads to pack a cooler for the beach, then help prepare for Suginia’s birthday dinner. Gary slinks up to Mads, and says, they had an interesting time. She asks, what’s the problem then? Why is he complaining? In her interview, she wonders why Gary can’t get a f***ing clue. He’s getting all the perks. What’s the problem? He needs to stop being a clinger. It’s not cute. Lucy checks her grades online, but she doesn’t look happy. She slams the door.

Cannigione. Lucy calls her parents, and tells her dad that she got 2.1, and he asks why she’s bummed. In Lucy’s interview, she says, 2.1 means she didn’t get first class honors, but she’ll graduate. Her dad says he wasn’t going to have a drink tonight, but he will now, and her mom says, they’re so proud. Guest Troy yells, to infinity and beyond, and jumps off the boat. Daisy gets ready for the beach, eying Colin, who slips around like a ghost. Gary goes to help set up, and Chase loads the tender. Colin helps Ileisha in the galley, and in Mads’ interview, she says, Daisy has a lot going on right now. She loves proving her worth. As a junior stew, it’s her job to make Daisy’s life easier. Put me in, coach. On the beach, Daisy asks how Gary and Colin are, and Gary says he’s fine, but Colin, not so much. Daisy suggests Colin needs time, but Gary says, at the end of the day, he’s not worrying about it. She asks if he apologized, but he says he doesn’t think it needs an apology, and asks if Daisy is using him as a scapegoat. Chase brings the guests, and Gary tells Daisy, a promise is a promise; end of story. In Daisy’s interview, she says, not only are she and Colin on the rocks, but thinking she’s the catalyst that will end Gary and Colin’s friendship is a disaster. The anxiety is eating her up, and she doesn’t know how to fix this. She tells Gary that he’s stirring it and he loves it.

Daisy welcomes the guests to the beach. On the boat, Lucy goes over silverware with Ileisha. Glenn frets that a 9:30 dinner will be going on until midnight. On the beach, Gary tells Daisy, if Colin wants to hold a grudge, it’s his problem. F***ing grow up. Daisy says she’s asking him to change his mindset, and in Chase’s interview, he says, if Gary, Colin, and Daisy don’t work out their love triangle, it can seep to the rest of the crew and ruin the season. Pull it together. This is messy. Lucy wonders why the guests have to use every single towel, and in Ileisha’s interview, she says, her high expectations are stressful. This is their heritage. She doesn’t know if this is the traditional version, but she’ll make the best food she can with the flavors she knows represent the Caribbean. Gary smacks himself in the face getting the canopy back in the case, and I laaaugh. The guests go back to the boat and get ready for dinner. Colin heaves a huge sigh when he sees Gary in the crew mess, and even I feel the tension every time Daisy and Colin cross paths. Glenn joins the guests for dinner, and they get excited over Johnny cakes. Guest Troy explains, in the 50s, New York had a big migration from the Caribbean community, and Suginia’s grandmother was a matriarch who brought people west. Guest Kevin says, Ileisha hit that one spot on, and Suginia says, it brought her back to her grandma who has passed away. In Gary’s interview, he says, if Colin thinks he’s a bad friend and can’t forgive him, he’s a f***ing idiot. He tells Chase that he’s so over this.

Suginia says, Ileisha is amazing, and guest Nicole says, Ileisha is on fire. Daisy asks Lucy to pull out some art deco decorations for the birthday party, and in Lucy’s interview, she says, Daisy has two men in love with her. She doesn’t get how they didn’t know, but she doesn’t want to know. Gary and Lucy blow up balloons, and Daisy says she hates her life. Chase tells Ileisha that the guests are hyped up and saying she’s on fire.

Daisy tells the guests that the last course is upstairs, and asks the crew to come up. There’s varicolored mood lighting, and Ileisha brings up the cake as they sing Happy Birthday. The cake is served, and Suginia says she loves it. It’s the best birthday cake she’s ever had. Daisy thanks the stews and says she couldn’t do it without them. She’s stressed out and hates her life. She heads for her cabin, and as soon as the cake is put away, the guests decide they want more. Daisy asks if Colin is okay, and in Colin’s interview, he says, his heart says to live in the moment and enjoy it, but his brain says this has trouble written all over it. Wow. I think he’s making a much bigger deal out of pretty much everything than it needs to be.

Next time, Chase is pissed off that Gary is making him look like a tattletale bitch; Gary tells Colin that nothing is happening between him and Daisy, and Colin calls him a p*ssy; and there’s an anchor drag that may or may not cause the Parsifal III to hit another boat.

🎭  If You Can Make It There…

The Tony winners.

https://people.com/tony-awards-2023-winners-list-7508437

And even more important, the fashion. I dunno if I’d call some of these best dressed though. Maybe you had to be there.

https://people.com/2023-tony-awards-best-dressed-stars-red-carpet-photos-7510770

🌃  Those Summer Nights…

U-turn it back tomorrow for soap and watching steam come out of Louie’s ears. Until then, stay safe, stay striving to be the person your dog thinks you are, and stay watching your step when you walk around a pool.

June 11, 2023 – Grace Gets the Radiation Treatment & Nightlife

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

Fear the Walking Dead

Grace asks where they are, and Mo says, on a boat. She asks, what happened? and Morgan says, she got bit. It’s going to be okay. June has a way of treating bites that stops the infection and the fever. They’re going to spend some time together; her, him, and Mo. Some guards in a boat behind then start shooting, and Dwight says he’s pushing the boat as fast as he can. Morgan gets June on the radio, and tells her that Grace has been bit, but they can’t amputate. He asks if her treatment might work, and she says, maybe. He says, they’ll take that, and she explains that the equipment they need is on a train car. He says, Grace is burning up, and asks, where the last place was June saw the train car? Shrike comes on the radio, and says, it’s not there. Why do they think she put it on wheels? To keep people like them from messing with it. She’ll tell them where the train car is, and even give them an escort. She’ll allow June to administer treatment. Morgan asks what she wants in return, and Shrike says she paid a little trip to King County. She saw how many walkers he killed single-handedly… except for the one that bit Grace. There’s a trainyard nearby with containers that have thousands of Carrion inside. She needs them all cleared. She doesn’t care if he gets help; she just wants it cleared. She was going to have the prefects do it, but why, when she has him? That’s how Grace gets a shot at living.

Grace wakes up on a moving truck, and asks where they’re going. Morgan says, they’re going to a shipyard, and then she’s being taken to meet June. Grace asks how he knows they’ll do what they say, but he says, they’re not clearing the shipyard until she’s with June. He radios Daniel, who says, they’re armed and ready, but need assurances they’re not walking into a trap. Shrike assures him the Carrion are real and she wants them dead. The contents of the containers are valuable to her. Morgan says, they’re going to clear. She just has to tell them where the train is. Shrike says, no guns; it has to be done by hand. There are supplies they need to rebuild the world in the containers; supplies and munitions. One stray bullet, and PADRE’s entire legacy goes up in smoke. He asks why she didn’t tell them that before, and she says she knew they had an army, but not an armory. Daniel says, Morgan already told her too much. It’s too dangerous now. He can’t ask his soldiers to do this. Morgan says, he can’t back out now, but Grace takes the walkie and tells Daniel, it’s okay. She doesn’t want anyone to die for her. Daniel says he’s sorry, and Morgan says, they can do it without them, but Grace says he has to be there for Mo; and Dwight and Sherry need to be there for Finch. Morgan says he had to watch Jenny die from a bite. He can’t do it again. She says, he can’t save her. It’s not like she had much time anyway. Mo asks what she’s talking about, and Grace says, before the bite, she was sick. It’s cancer. Mo asks if June can’t help, but she says, no. She’s been running away from it for a long time, and it’s finally catching up. She has months, maybe a year, left. Mo says, that’s a lot more than a day, and the truck stops. Morgan asks Shrike, what’s going on? and she says, if he’s not going to help, they have to make sure Grace doesn’t hurt Mo or Finch when she turns. Grace is dragged from the truck, and Morgan says he’ll do whatever Shrike wants. Grace says, don’t let Mo watch, but Mo surprises everyone by jumping one of the guards, pushing their gun out of the way. Dwight, Sherry, and Morgan knock out the rest of the guards, and Shrike asks if they copy. What’s their ETA? Mo says, Red Kite taught her well. She’s going to fight for every minute she can get with Grace. Shrike tells them, if it’s done, move on to Nightingale, Red Kite, and Starling, but Dwight says he’s afraid the guards won’t be able to comply with those orders. Shrike says, no one’s ever stolen a child from PADRE before, but Dwight says he thinks Finch and Mo are going to be the first of many. Morgan suggests they see if the map in the truck has the train location, but Grace says, they’ll never make it there in time. She hands him a paper and says she wants to spend the time she has left with him and Mo there. They look at the map, and Mo points out the train tracks, saying, it has to be further down the line. Morgan wants to know what the coordinates are that Grace gave him, and Dwight says, it’s a repeater station, like the one Grace serviced for PADRE, and Mo says, she’s sick; she doesn’t know what she’s saying. Mo just got them both back, and doesn’t want to lose them again. Morgan says, they’re going to get Grace to the train car, and tells Sherry to raise June. Tell her to do everything she can to meet them there. Shrike isn’t going to make this easy. Mo says, they’re fighting for someone they love, and they’re going to win.

Back on the boat, Grace hears Shrike on the radio, but Mo says, it’s not them being talked about. Morgan says, Dwight and Sherry are acting as decoys, and Grace says, the coordinates were inland. Where are they taking her? Mo says, to the train car, and Morgan says, June is going to try and meet them there. They’re going to try and give her more time. Grace says, trying is going to get both of them killed. He asks why she wanted to go to the repeater station, when they hear shots in the distance. Morgan asks Mo to get Dwight on the radio, and asks if Dwight is okay. Dwight, Sherry, and Finch run into an abandoned house, and Dwight says, they’re pinned. Sherry says, they can’t stay long; the guards can flank them. Dwight says, they know they’re following the wrong people, and tells Morgan that they may have company soon. Morgan says, if Shrike is listening, it’s him she wants. Let Dwight and Sherry take Finch and go. Sherry wonders if Shrike will listen, but Dwight says, not after what they’ve done. They sent prefects; she knows they won’t kill them. I wonder why, and Dwight says he’ll lay down suppressive fire. If they do what he taught them, they’ll fall back and regroup. Sherry takes off with Finch.

Morgan asks again why Grace wanted to go to the repeater station, and she says, it’s their future. Over the years, she’s been scavenging things for PADRE and collected other things too. Things to make a home. Things to make Mo feel safe. Morgan says he thought they agreed PADRE was the best thing for Mo, but Grace says, that doesn’t mean it’s what she wanted. She should have said something sooner. Maybe they would have changed their minds. She waited until it was too late, like always. She wanted a moment for Mo to see what it was like. Morgan says, they can still do that. June can stop the infection. A flare goes up, and Mo says, they know we’re here.

Dwight finds Sherry with Finch under a bridge, and Finch says he had to stop and catch his breath. Dwight asks if he got shot, but Sherry says, no. He’s burning up though. Finch says he can still keep going, but Dwight tells Sherry to call June. Sherry tells June that Finch is burning up, and June asks what the bite looks like. Dwight takes a look, and it’s not good. Finch asks if he’s going to be okay, and Sherry says, June will figure it out. June asks if the bite is red and inflamed, and Sherry says, it is. June asks about the skin around it; is it hot? Dwight says, yeah, and June says, the infection could be back, but she really needs to see them. She asks where they are, and Sherry says, Grace’s repeater station; it’s close by. Dwight says he’ll send the coordinates, and June asks if Morgan was listening. He says he was, and tells her to go to Finch. She says she’ll meet him at the train car, or walk him through it if she has to. Mo says, they can’t give up, but Grace says she can’t have them risking their lives for a treatment that doesn’t work. She wants to spend the time she has left with Mo and Morgan. Morgan asks if Mo remembers the place the walked through with Madison. If they block the entrances, they can stay there for as much time as they have. Mo says, they can’t give up, but Grace says, it’s not giving up; it’s accepting how things are. Another flare goes up, and Morgan says, Dwight was right. They’re getting close. He’ll lead them away and take the long way to the carnival. He’ll meet them both there. He gets out of the boat, and Grace thanks him for understanding. He promises he’ll see her soon, and kisses her hand. He tells Mo to look after her mother, and they row away.

Grace hears Morgan over the radio, saying, he’s where they said they’d meet, but they’re not here. He thinks he knows where they are, and he’ll find them. Mo tells Grace that he’ll understand when she’s better. Grace tells her to stop, but Mo says, they don’t have time. Every minute counts. We see Mo is pumping a handcar down the railroad tracks, and she says she doesn’t know why Grace and Morgan can’t see it, but she can. They’re going to save Grace’s life. Grace says, even if they get to the train car, it won’t work, but Mo says she’s going to show Grace that she’s wrong. Grace says, the prefects are going to take Mo back to PADRE, and Mo stops. She says, they found us, and Grace tells her to call her dad, but Mo says, he’ll make them go back. The tracks are blocked by a group of people, and Grace begs Mo to walkie Morgan.

Going into a little building, Sherry wonders why Grace wanted to come here, but Dwight says he doesn’t know. June is on her way. He carries Finch inside, and puts him on a bed. It looks like a somewhat normal house, and Sherry says, Grace must have been preparing for life after PADRE. She tells Finch to stay strong, and June arrives. June comes in with Daniel, and tells them that Madison is standing guard.

Dove tells Mo, stop right there, and Grace says, do what they say. Mo says, Dove wouldn’t hurt her, but Dove says, don’t be so sure. Mo asks if they know the truth about PADRE. There is no PADRE. He’s been dead a long time. And Shrike and Crane are full of sh*t. They’re doing all this all because they lost their dad. Dove says, PADRE isn’t a person. PADRE is an idea. The right one. Mo moves forward a bit, but Dove stops her and says, don’t make her do this. Grace tells Mo, no, and Mo says she knows how angry Dove was when she found out her mom was dead. She doesn’t think Dove wants her to feel that too. She moves forward, and Dove steps out of the way. Mo tells Grace that they’re going to save her.

Mo gets Grace to the train car, and flares explode in the distance. Mo says, they’re going to have more company; they’re drawing Carrion. She blocks the connecting door, and Grace asks how Mo knew the prefects wouldn’t hurt her, but Mo says she didn’t; she took a chance. She radios June to say they made it. She asks if June can help her, and June says she thinks so. Mo asks, what made Finch sick? and June says, it’s not the radiation; the infection’s back. She didn’t give him a high enough dose to kill it. She was afraid any more of the radiation would kill him, but thinks she has it now. And if Grace already has cancer… Mo says, they don’t have to worry about how much radiation she gets. June says, it might buy her the time she wants, and Mo asks how Finch is. June says, they’re working on it. Whatever Mo does, don’t let them destroy that equipment. Is she ready? Mo says, tell her exactly what to do.

June gives Mo instructions, and Mo gives Grace the radiation. treatment. She asks Grace if it worked, and Grace says she hopes so. Mo asks June how long it takes to work, and June says, it could take a while. If her temperature falls, that’s a good sign. If it goes up, they’ll deal with it. Dwight asks what that means for Finch, and June says, Grace had the infection longer than Finch did before she treated him. If this dose works for Grace, it might work for Finch too. Dwight asks what she means by might, and Mo asks for final instructions. June tells her to power down the machine and turn off the generator. She doesn’t want Mo exposed to more than she needs to be. Mo does as June told her, and zombies clamor outside. She says, they’re not going to be able to get out of here, and Grace says, her dad is on his way. Where are the prefects? Mo is sure there around somewhere. They’re going to try and stop dad from getting to them. Grace says, she was so brave back there when they tried to stop her, and Mo says, losing Grace seemed scarier. Grace says, when she was Mo’s age, she didn’t even have the courage to pick up the telephone, and Mo asks what a telephone is. Grace laughs weakly, saying, she forgets how different it is for kids like Mo now. That’s what she was trying to do at the repeater station. Show Mo how things were; how they could be. Mo says she can still do that, and Grace groans. Mo says, she’s getting hotter, and radios June. June asks her temperature, and Mo says, 106. What’s happening? June says she’s sorry. The radiation therapy didn’t get to her in time. Mo says she got there as fast as she could, but June says, it’s not her fault. Even if she’d gotten it immediately, it might not have worked; it hasn’t on anybody else. Mo says, tell her how much to give Grace, but June says, she won’t survive any more. Mo says, she won’t survive anyway. Tell her how much. Grace tells Mo that she did everything she could, and Mo says, how much? but June says she can’t help Mo any more. Enjoy the time she has. Morgan radios Mo as he runs, and says he’s on his way. Mo says she tried, and he says he heard it all. She says she’s sorry, but he says, she has nothing to be sorry about. She tells him, be careful. There are prefects in the woods. He says, if they’re smart, they’ll listen to him. he knows they can hear. Don’t you try to stop me. He yells it again, don’t you try and stop me! He asks to talk to Grace, and Grace says, it wasn’t mean to be. He says he should have listened to her before, but she says, it’s okay. She understands why he didn’t. He says he doesn’t think he’s going to make it before… She says she’s so sorry, and he says, if he can’t make it, Mo’s got to leave. Grace says, she can’t; there’s walkers outside. He says she knows what she has to do right? and she says she knows. She loves him. I love you so much, my darling. And nothing… nothing will ever change that. He says he loves her. He’s not ready to let her go. She says, neither is she, and he keeps moving. Grace says she doesn’t want to hurt Mo. She’s going to go before he comes. She asks Mo to pick up a scalpel, and says, if she can’t hold out, Mo has to promise she’ll do it before she comes back. Mo promises, and says, all Grace wanted to do was spend more time together, and she took that from her and dad, but Grace says, Mo gave them more time. Mo says, no. She wasted it. All the time they had left. Grace says she’s not talking about today. There was a time things were really bleak… We flash back, and she says, she and Mo’s father were thinking of ending things. They came so close to doing it. Does she know why they didn’t? We flash back to baby Mo interrupting their suicide attempt, and Grace says, they heard her crying. She gave them a reason to live. We see them with baby Mo, and Grace says she gave them more time than she knows. Mo cries, and Grace closes her eyes. She’s gone. Mo says, mom? and shakes her, but there’s no response. She stands there looking at the scalpel, and we hear the zombies outside. She says she’s sorry. She can’t do it. Grace opens her eyes and snarls. (Sad as it is, I can’t help thinking, cool.) She comes after Mo, who drops the scalpel. She gets Mo up against the wall, and tries to bite her. Mo pushes Grace into some equipment, and tries to move the cart from in front of the door, but Grace grabs her. She screams, and reaches for the scalpel, but it’s too far away. Morgan gets there just in time, and pokey sticks grace in the back of the head. He grabs Mo putting her face against him.

Morgan closes Grace’s eyes. Outside, Shrike says, they need to talk. Morgan tells Mo, it’s going to be all right, but she just stares straight ahead. He picks up his stick and says, it’s a promise. He goes outside, where Shrike stands with a group of prefects. She says, he’s a brave man. She thought they’d have to come in and get him. He wonders why no one killed him along the way, and she says, they know what Heron would have… He says, her name was Grace, and Shrike says, they dug this out of storage, showing him a battle ax. She asks if he remembers what he did with it seven years ago. It’s a shame he didn’t use the same skills today. He asks if she can’t leave them alone to bury Grace properly, but she says she’s sorry. She can’t. He can still make things right. He asks her again to leave them, and she says, he’s not going to hurt her prefects, but they don’t have the same hang up about him. He puts his pokey stick to her throat, and the prefects aim their pokey sticks. Shrike tells him to listen carefully. She could kill him right now. but she doesn’t want to. She knows the pain Wren is in. The whole reason for PADRE was to prevent anyone from feeling that kind of pain. She pushes his stick down, and says, she already lost one parent today. Don’t make her lose a second one. Mo comes out, and Morgan tells her to go back inside. She says, Shrike’s right. She doesn’t want to feel like this. He says, there’s nothing Shrike can do to make the feeling go away, and Mo asks why they need the containers in the shipyard. Shrike says, so they can build a new settlements all over the country, and make sure no one feels the way she’s feeling right now. Morgan says, you can’t run away from your feelings (and he ought to know), but Shrike says, she won’t be running from anything. She’ll be running toward a bright future. He says, what future? Shrike can’t even get to the containers. Mo says she can do it, if they help her. It’s what PADRE’s been training them to do for years. Morgan says, the walkers will kill her, but Mo says, not if they’re smart; not if they use their training. Who’s with her? Dove says, all right; let’s do it. Morgan says, don’t do this, as the guards hold him back. He says he can’t lose her, and Shrike says, there they have it. It’s not about what she wants; it’s about what you want. He says, she’s going to get his daughter killed, and she says she told him, she doesn’t want to kill him. He stops struggling, and she says, smart man. But not so fast. He uses his pokey stick for some swordplay, and knocks the guards down and out. He runs past Shrike, calling to Mo, but she trips him with the ax. She says she warned him, and the guards pop back up. Morgan says, she’s not going to kill him and she asks, why? He says, because he doesn’t die. Everybody else does, but he doesn’t. She says, maybe he’s right. Maybe he needs to think about why that keeps happening. The guards hustle him back to the train car, and she says, make sure he can’t get out. They put a chain on the door, and send up a flare. She  tosses down the ax, and they leave. We see Morgan through the window as zombies toddle toward the car.

Next time, Madison finds Morgan, who says, all he does is kill; Morgan goes to the shipyard; and Daniel and Shrike face off.

🤯 More Brains…

Join me tomorrow for soap and double the Deck. Until then, stay safe, stay unplugging once in a while, and stay knowing that accepting how things are is not necessarily giving up.

June 9, 2023 – No Soap For You, 2 Mollys, Jersey Mess, Vandermath, VanderNew, Sink It, Dead Dates, A Farewell, Star Releases, Sharks, Cuteness, Double 4 Quotes & Love

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Well there was this:

So I did this:

💼 Ups and Downs…

She’s doing a good job so far. She’s not straying too far from the already established character.

She’s lucky she didn’t kill someone.

👠 Jersey Devils…

They still don’t totally explain it. So like, what happened the next time Frankie and Louie spoke? Or haven’t they?

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/frank-catania-shares-why-frankie-stopped-working-for-luis-ruelas

Where they are now.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/rhonj-season-13-finale-recap-cast-updates

This one doesn’t live in the real world with the rest of us. I don’t blame Andy for losing his sh*t. It was like, STFU already.

About that text.

And the rest.

🍸 Trying To Recover…

I don’t think there is a future for her on the show. At least, I hope not.

I guess, but I can’t imagine she didn’t want to smack Rachel’s bobblehead face. I thought she was restrained.

https://people.com/lala-kent-regrets-attacking-raquel-leviss-at-vanderpump-rules-reunion-7510310

Giving you more Lala.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/raquels-big-secret-on-vanderpump-rules-reunion-lala-reacts

She’ll be fine. She dodged a narcissistic bullet.

https://extratv.com/2023/06/08/ariana-madix-reveals-plans-for-the-future-and-thoughts-on-marriage-after-scandoval/

She was so funny on WWHL.

🎁 Just What We Need…

I still want more episodes of Overserved, but I’ll take what I can get. After I take a million showers to get the smell of the Reunion off.

⛵️ Aye, Aye, Captain…

She’s right. That boat needs to die. I’m sure Glenn and Colin are having a grand old time holding it together with duct tape and bubble gum, but it almost tanked the season.

⚰️ Moving Dead…

Updates on both Dead City’s premiere and Fear the Walking Dead’s mid-season finale.

https://screenrant.com/fear-the-walking-dead-season-8-episode-6-airtime-change/

🥀 She’ll Be Missed…

I love this show, and was so sad to hear this.

https://people.com/bling-empire-anna-shay-dead-7508300

👽 When the Force Will Be With You…

Updates on Star Wars releases.

https://ew.com/movies/star-wars-movie-tv-show-release-dates/

🦈 Doo-Doo Doo-Doo-Doo-Doo…

Cue the music.

https://people.com/sharkfest-2023-how-to-watch-sharkfest-7509679

🦙 Take a Deep Breath…

Some relief from all the nasty, awful reality this week.

https://paradepets.com/pet-news/cute-animals

☄️ Quotes of the Week

Some people think only intellect counts: knowing how to solve problems, knowing how to get by, knowing how to identify an advantage and seize it. But the functions of intellect are insufficient without courage, love, friendship, compassion and empathy. – Dean Koontz

The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing.  — John Powell

The border to eternity is never ahead of us. It runs parallel to life and can be crossed over at any moment by old and young. – Reinhard Bonnke

A mathematical formula for happiness: Reality divided by Expectations. There were two ways to be happy: improve your reality or lower your expectations.Jodi Picoult (I vote for lowering expectations.)

Even while we kill and punish we must try to feel about the enemy as we feel about ourselves—to wish that he were not bad, to hope that he may, in this world or another, be cured: in fact, to wish his good. That is what is meant in the Bible by loving him: wishing his good, not feeling fond of him nor saying he is nice when he is not. – C.S. Lewis, from Mere Christianity

I can tell you, without diversity, creativity remains stagnant.Edward Enninful

We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light. – Plato

That wasn’t karaoke. It was you, a jukebox, and a bar full of angry people. – Mike Biggs (Billy Gardell), Mike & Molly

🕺🏽 Curly Shuffling Away…

Tune in for a chance of Fear on Sunday, and on Monday really Tuesday for soap and double the Deck. Until then, stay safe, stay respecting your elders no matter how old you are, and stay making sure that when you’re singing karaoke, you’re really at karaoke.

June 8, 2023 – A Slip and Fall At the Pool, Incoming, His First, Remembrance, Striking, In Jersey, Reunited, No Return, All Star Chef, My VanderTake, Rocky & Walk

Standard

Walk I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Anna arrives home to find Sonny at her door. He says he was going to give it another ten minutes, then leave a note. She asks why he didn’t text her, and he tells her, some things are better said face to face.

Dante lets Valentin into the interrogation room through the side door, and he asks why Dante wanted to see him. Dante says he needs Valentin’s help with Anna.

Michael brings Carly to the stairwell, and says, they can talk more privately here. She asks if this is where he brought Dex when he asked Dex to spy on Sonny, and he says, sometimes. Why? She says, because she wants his opinion on Dex. Is he trustworthy? Would Michael put the life of someone he loves in Dex’s hands?

Josslyn puts the pieces of the flashdrive in Dex’s palm, and says, there goes their ticket out. Pretty useless now. He asks if it’s the footage of Sonny doing the Pikeman deal, and she says, mm-hm. Michael gave it to her mom. She could have traded this footage to the Feds in exchange for them dropping the charges against her and Drew. Dex risked his life to get that footage, and Carly destroyed it, because protecting Sonny is more important to her.

As they sit down at the MetroCourt restaurant, Chase tells Brook, just say it. She hates it, doesn’t she? She says, what’s to hate? He wanted the new car; he got the one he wanted. How could she possibly hate that? He says, it’s not a car; it’s a truck. It’s got 4-wheel drive, off roading capabilities, advanced driver assistance, and you can operate the off roading capabilities in operating mode or manual. It will be perfect for them to go camping. She says, he wants them to go camping?

Tracy meets Drew at the pool, and she asks why he wanted to meet away from the house. He says, blackmail works so much better when there’s no one to overhear.

Ned comes out on the terrace, and tells Nina, poor Drew. Wrong place, wrong time, wrong girlfriend. She wasn’t after Aurora’s CEO; she wanted to take down Carly. She says she doesn’t know where he came up with this, but he couldn’t be more wrong, and he says he just overheard her conversation with her lawyer. Everyone believes he was the one who handed Carly and Drew over to the SEC, but it was her all along.

Michael asks where Carly is going with this. Has she changed her mind and decided to give the flashdrive to the FBI so she and Drew stay out of prison? Does she think Dex may have to testify because he’s on the footage? She says, the footage no longer exists; she smashed the flashdrive. He asks why she did that. She should have held onto it in case she still wanted a way out for her and Drew. She says, the footage was dangerous. It could have gotten Sonny and Dex killed. Besides, she has a much better use for Dex.

Dex puts the flashdrive pieces in his pocket, and Josslyn asks if he’s sure he wants to hold on to that. There’s no way to retrieve the footage. He says he doesn’t want to retrieve the footage; he wants to physically destroy the flashdrive. He doesn’t want anything left to imply he was ever collecting evidence against Sonny. From here on in, he has to be the most loyal, discreet, trustworthy employee Sonny has. She says, take his orders, risk his life so Sonny can get richer… and he’s okay with that? He says, it’s not about being okay; it’s about survival.

Chase says, Brook doesn’t enjoy camping? Sleeping close to nature and catching a fish in the stream, then cooking it over an open fire? She says, no. She likes sleeping in a bed, and she likes her fish to be caught and prepared by someone else, preferably a five-star chef. He says, what about fresh air, hiking, everything you need in a backpack? and she says, are they hiking, or running from the bear who’s trying to eat them?  He says, what about cuddling up next to each other in front of a roaring campfire? and she says, what about cuddling up next to each other in front of a firepit in the Q boathouse? He says he could totally see that. Her, him, a fire, Olivia bringing them lasagna, Ned going on about his beloved ELQ, and Tracy lecturing him yet again about how he’s not good enough for her. She says, the Q’s date might not be the most romantic, but there are alternatives, and he says, such as? She says, nightclubs, live music. He might even be tempted to get back in the game. He says his heart is very much out of the music biz, but it seems like hers is still in it. Tell him again why she went back to work at Deception.

Tracy says, so much for Drew’s upright and honorable routine, and he says he really didn’t want it to come to this, but a guy’s gotta do what a guy’s gotta do. Tracy understands the language of blackmail. She says she understands more about the process than he does apparently. Blackmail requires leverage, and he has none to use against her. He says, let’s start with Deception, shall we? She coerced Brook into going back to work there. She says, where Brook chooses to work is her business, and he says, his point exactly. If it were up to Brook, she’d be working in music. She’s working at Deception under Tracy’s orders, and he kind of feels Lucy Coe would like to hear that. She says, fine. Get Lucy Coe down here; tell her everything. A waiter asks if they’re looking for Lucy Coe.

Dante asks if Valentin thought he was getting arrested, and Valentin says, given their history, he couldn’t be sure. Falsifying his death… Dante says he’s sure Valentin had reasons for doing that, and Valentin says, so did Anna. He asks if this is an official inquiry, but Dante says, it’s off the record, and personal. That article in The Sun that was about Anna’s WSB file was pretty brutal. Valentin asks how Dante is hoping he can help, and Dante says, Valentin is Victor’s son, and Victor was head of the WSB for many years. He had a lot of opportunity to plant a lie in Anna’s file that could be used as a time bomb he could set off whenever he wanted to. Valentin says, his father was a mean and spiteful man. He had full faith in his plan, but he was prepared to exact revenge in case of his failure, in which he thought Anna Devane could always play a part. He was right, and now he’s making her pay for it. Dante says he wants to clear Anna’s name. So how do they prove her file was doctored?

Nina says she was curious about Carly and Drew’s legal situation, so she asked her lawyer about it. Ned must have misinterpreted. Ned says, it’s too late to save this. As soon as you eliminate him, she becomes the obvious suspect; the one that has the most to gain by sending Carly off to prison. Although she took a big risk, and maybe she’s realized that by now, and that’s the reason she called a meeting with her lawyer. She must have realized that, even though Sonny and Carly are divorced, Sonny would do anything to protect her. When he finds out Nina was the one who pointed the SEC at Carly, she and Sonny are done.

Anna asks if Sonny wants to come inside, but he says, it’s up to her. He doesn’t want to intrude. She tells him, she has the feeling that whatever he was about to say, she doesn’t want to hear it on the doorstep. They go inside, and she asks if he’d like some water, but he says, no thanks. She says she’s going to have a drink, and he says, go ahead. She pours herself something, and takes a sip. She says, go ahead, call her a hypocrite, and he asks if that’s why she thinks he came here. She says, obviously. After all the years she spent upholding the law as a special agent and Police Commissioner, investigating him for various crimes, questioning him about how he could possibly reconcile breaking the law with being a loving parent, and now he gets to find out that she was a criminal herself? Actually, worse than that. A double agent, which is to say, a traitor. He asks if she’s finished, because he wasn’t going to say any of that, and she asks what he was going to say. He says, she’s upset. He’ll come back some other time. She says, please wait. She’s sorry. Not at her best. Please stay.

Michael asks what better use Carly has for Dex, and she says, before she tells him, what’s his assessment of Dex? He says he guesses he likes Dex. He took on an impossible job and did it really well. He’s had relentless pressure for months and didn’t crack. He wormed his way into Sonny’s confidence, despite being with Josslyn, which Sonny didn’t like. She asks what he knows about Dex’s time in the military, and he says he knows Dex was discharged because of some personal issue, but his combat experience is excellent; highest rating. He had the reputation of keeping a cool head under fire, which is one of the reasons Michael hired him. Why is she interested? She says, because she wants him to hire Dex to do another job.

Josslyn asks why Dex isn’t angrier. Why isn’t he angry period? Both her mother and brother have the chance to set him free, yet they’re leaving him trapped. He says, Michael gave him a job; the job changed. It happens. She says, so he’s totally fine working for Sonny, but he says, it’s not about what’s fine. It’s the situation he’s in. He spent months earning Sonny’s trust, convincing Sonny to let him in. Just tonight, Sonny gave him a lecture on how he’s in this now; how he has to commit. He doesn’t have the option to leave. She says, actually, he might. He can just ask Sonny to let him go.

Tracy asks if the waiter always eavesdrops on private conversations, but he says he wasn’t eavesdropping. He was just doing his job. They’re about to resume poolside cocktail service. Tracy says, well don’t. She wants privacy. That means, no bartender, no guests, no staff, including himself; just her and Mr. Cain. And if anyone has any questions about that, they can contact Olivia Quartermaine, her daughter-in-law, the co-owner of this place. The waiter leaves, and Drew says, that was rude. And pointless. Chewing out a hotel employee just to make herself feel better. It’s not going to keep Brook in place at Deception. She suggests he focus on his own problems. He seems to have enough of them. He says, as it happens, she’s the answer to his problems.

Brook tells Chase, they’ve been over this. She went back to Deception because she really loves those ladies, and they really need her. He says, really? They seem like pretty savvy businesswomen. She says, they are, but they don’t really understand the nuances of social media presence, and he says, and the music? She says she’ll still be doing music on a part-time basis, and he says, music is her passion. It’s one of the first things he learned about her. What happened to change that? She says she found a new passion, and he says, Deception? She says, him, when Olivia stops by. Brook asks her to join them, but she says she thinks Ned is waiting for her on the terrace. Brook says her dad is probably on some phone calls. Please sit down. Chase can tell her about his new truck. Oliva says, a new truck? and sits down. Tell her all about it.

Ned says, in the long run, Nina’s done herself a favor. She’s much better off without Sonny Corinthos. Nina says she and Sonny are engaged, but he says, not for long. She says, gee, most people say congratulations, and he tells her, just accept the fact that she and Sonny won’t be living happily ever after. She says, that tip was anonymous. There’s no way anyone will be able to prove he did it. He says he didn’t; she did. She says, no one’s going to have to know who’s responsible for this. Just keep doing what he’s doing, insisting he didn’t do anything. The people who know him, the people who really matter will believe him… eventually. He says he has no intention of taking the fall for her. She did this, and she’d better find a way to clean it up. Nina sees Trish and shushes him. Trish tells Nina, the pool man just told her that Tracy Quartermaine shut down the entire pool area because she wanted privacy, and Nina says, for what? Trish says she doesn’t know, but apparently Drew Cain is there. Trish leaves, and Ned says, Drew’s here. He needs to talk to him. Ned dashes off, and Nina runs after him.

Dante is looking at the article about Anna, when there’s a knock at the door. He says, come in, and Sam walks in. He asks how she got in here, and she says, her boyfriend’s a cop and the desk sergeant breaks the rules for her occasionally. They kiss, and Dante says, he doesn’t blame him. He would’ve done the same thing. She says, lucky her, and he asks why she is here. Was he supposed to do something or be somewhere? She says, he was supposed to be home two hours ago, and he says he’s sorry. She says she figured he was working on a case, but he’s just sitting here and she got no text or call. She wants to know what’s going on. He says he’s just worried about a friend.

Sonny says, when the news story broke about Anna, he started thinking about all the headlines he’s been through over the years. She says, they don’t seem like headlines now; they seem like take downs. He says, two were seared in his memory. Wife of Crime Lord Dies in a Car Bomb. He saw the headline the next morning, after his wife died. And the other one was, Corinthos Son Killed in a Suspected Mob Hit. That was Morgan. He was already in hell from all the pain and grief. It was a lot to take. His private life all over the world for everybody to see, for everybody to read, for everybody to judge. (Yet no one knew who he was in Nixon Falls. Go figure.) They don’t know what happened to him. They don’t know how he suffered. Just like he doesn’t know why she did what she did. That’s why he’s here to tell her that he’s sorry for how she fell. He’s sorry for what happened to her. She thanks him for sharing that, and says she feels like sometimes she gets in her own way. He says, that headline was just a take down. She knows that, right? She says, the most difficult part of this is, the news story is true. It’s factually accurate; she did those things. There were reasons. There were justifications, excuses. There was a context then that the media has chosen to leave out, but she can’t deny it happened. She tears up, and says she made a lot of mistakes at the beginning of her career, and thinks she’s spent most of her life trying to make up for them. Now it’s come and bit her in the most public way. He says he’s done things allegedly – they both laugh – but he’s done them. Some, he felt there was a reason to do them, and others he regrets. But he always tells himself, his life, who he is now, should not be limited to the worst things he’s done in his life. Just like her. She’s a great mother, a great grandma. She’s courageous and brilliant, and no matter what, he’ll always consider her his friend… whatever that’s worth. She says, it’s worth a lot.

Michael tells Carly, the peace between him and Sonny right now is pretty fragile. He’s going to be suspicious if Michael hires Dex out from under him. She says she wants him to pay Dex to keep working for Sonny. Since Jason died, Sonny doesn’t have someone to be his right hand. Michael says, what about Brick? and she says, Brick’s great, but he’s based on the west coast. He can’t be by Sonny’s side day in and day out, but Dex can, and given Michael’s description, he’s obviously qualified. Michael says, in what way specifically? and she says she wants Dex to use all of his skills to protect Sonny; to follow orders. And if he sees trouble coming, he needs to tell Michael, and Michael needs to tell him how to advise Sonny.

Josslyn says, when she met with Sonny in his office that day and asked him to fire Dex, he told her that Dex would have to go in himself and ask him. But he never said anything about refusing to let Dex quit. Everybody knows they’re together now. Everybody’s seen them. Sonny can’t just disappear him and nobody will ask questions. Sonny already knows she doesn’t want Dex working for him. It makes perfect sense for him to quit. She’s not saying it will be easy, but it can be done. Dex just has to meet with Sonny, and tell him respectfully that he wants out. Dex says he doesn’t want out.

Drew tells Tracy, Ned’s got connections at the SEC. He can make this investigation into him and Carly go away. She says, and he thinks he can force Ned into getting the SEC to back off, and he says, no, but he thinks she can. She laughs and says, she loves his sense of humor, and his imaginative fantasy world, but he says, no fantasy here. She either persuades Ned, or he tells Ned the truth that she dragged Brook into potential intellectual property theft, malfeasance, and corporate espionage. These are activities that carry the potential for criminal penalties. So how is her son going to react when he finds out she put her granddaughter at risk? Ned comes running in, and says, there’s something he has to tell Drew… He trips on a pile of towels, and falls into the pool, hitting his head on the side. He floats face down, and Nina stops short in the hallway, where she can see, but not be seen.

Anna sits on the steps going upstairs, when Valentin walks in. She says, he needs to not do that, and he asks why she’s not taking his calls. She says she doesn’t want to. She’d like to smash her phone actually. She’d like to put the SIM card down the waste disposal. He asks if he can join her, and sits next to her. He says he’s sorry. He’s sorry his father has done this to her. She says she hates Victor. She hated him when he was alive, and loathes him now that he’s dead. If there’s a hell, she hopes he burns there for all eternity. Valentin says, him too, and Anna says, Victor didn’t do this to her. She did it to herself.

Sam asks who Dante’s friend is, and what made them keep Dante here. He asks if she knows that hit piece about Anna in The Sun, about her being a double agent, and she says, yeah. He says, it’s true, and Sam says she just assumed it was a lie. He says, so did he, so he called Valentin over here to help him exonerate her. She says, Valentin loves Anna. Of course (🍷) he’d want to help her. Dante tells her, there were some things Valentin said about the classified information, and about how ugly it is when it sees the light of day, which is why it’s classified. Valentin said he should know, because after some of the things Dante did for the WSB, the last thing he would want is for it to be plastered on the front page of anything. He just feels bad for Anna. He doesn’t know how she’s going to build back her life again. Sam says, it’s possible. After all, he did.   

Josslyn says, Dex wants to work for Sonny? and he says he wants to work in Port Charles. Mostly for her, but he likes it here. He gravitates to the moss bowl🎍, because he likes that too, and he says he likes a lot of the people he’s met here. It’s starting to feel like home. He hasn’t had one of those since he was a kid. She says, sometimes she forgets how different their lives have been. There are so many things she takes for granted; some things Dex never had. He says, one of the advantages of not having things is that when you get them, you value them and don’t want to let them go. He likes what he has here. He wants to stay. She says, he doesn’t have to work for Sonny to stay, but he says he can’t think of anything he’d rather do.

Michael says, let him get this straight. Carly wants him to be Sonny’s guardian angel while Dex does all the legwork. She says, yes, and he says, so instead of sending Sonny to prison, she wants him and Dex to work together to keep him out of Pentenville. Keep him safe, monitor his business ventures, keep a level head, and counsel. She nods, and he says, so everything Jason used to do, he and Dex will be doing together. She says, yes, except there’s one obvious catch. Sonny can never know.

Drew turns Ned over, and Tracy asks if he’s breathing. Nina scrambles for her phone to film it for social media, and Tracy runs for her bag. Drew tells Ned, they’ve got this, and gets Ned out of the pool and onto the floor. Nina pockets her phone, as Tracy says, her adult son just fell into the MetroCourt pool and he hit his head and he’s not breathing. On opposite sides of the room, Tracy and Nina both look distraught, and Drew begins chest compression.

Anna says, Valentin knew she was a double agent, right? and he says, and she knows espionage is a shadowy thing. It’s all compromise, neither good nor bad; just varying shades of grey. And no one can claim being entirely pure of intentions, certainly not him. Not even Robert Scorpio. She says she’s not afraid to face Robert. He knew everything; found out years ago. And Robin was aware. Maybe not all the gory details, but she knew enough. He says, so who is it she’s worried about? and she says she thinks the people it’s going to affect the most, the people who are going to look at her differently, are Emma and Noah.

Michael says, what he doesn’t get is that Carly, Drew, or both could be sent to federal prison, yet her priority is to protect Sonny? Apparently, he wasn’t listening to the last speech she gave him on why Sonny can’t go to prison. She says, her problems with the SEC are for her and Drew to figure out. When she showed him that flashdrive, it proved how vulnerable his father is. Pikeman is a defense contractor, right? He says, enemies against the government, and potential enemies in the government (or something to that effect), and she says, a challenge his father has never dealt with before. When he showed her that footage of Sonny taking that delivery, it was evidence he violated national security. If Michael hadn’t changed his mind, his father would be in prison right now. Donna and Avery’s lives would be destroyed, and their lives would be in danger. She needs him to step up and protect his father. He says, what if he’s willing, but Dex isn’t?

Dex tells Josslyn, he has a high school diploma, no college courses, no interest in taking any. What kind of job can he get? Security? Doorman at the MetroCourt? She says, he was in security before, and there’s noting wrong with making a good, honest living, but he says he’s not as noble as she thinks he is. Sonny pays a helluva lot more than her honest living, and he’s good at it. Sonny is paying him to do things he already knows how to do, and he’s willing to accept a certain amount of risk. She says, and he’s willing to break the law, and he says, the worst thing he’s seen Sonny do is hang him from a meat hook. I laugh, because it’s true. Sonny is the most innocuous mobster in the world. She says, that could have been a lot worse, but he says he survived, thanks to her. Ever since he saved Sonny’s life at the warehouse, Sonny’s attitude toward him has changed. Sonny’s giving him more opportunities and trusting him more. This is his best option, and he’s going to take it. Unless it’s going to cost him her.

Brook says, Chase did all the research, and can tell Olivia all the specs. Olivia is all excited, and asks if it has 4-wheel drive, advanced driver assist, hands-free technology. Brook says, Olivia’s family used to own a garage in Brooklyn, and Chase says, nice. To answer her question, yes, yes, and yes. She says, then don’t think, do. Can she ask what’s the special reason he decided to buy this fancy new truck? He says he came into some money doing this whole singing thing – Brook says, like she promised – and now that he’s back to being a cop, he thought he’d treat himself to the truck of his dreams. Olivia says, congratulations, when Trish runs over, and tells Olivia that the paramedics are coming up. There’s been a slip and fall at the pool.

Drew continues to work on Ned, when the paramedics come in and take over. Drew says, he’s been unconscious for a couple of minutes. He’s been doing CPR. He got no sign of any pulse at all. Please… Olivia comes in, followed by Brook and Chase. She starts to run to Ned, but Drew holds her back, saying, let them do their work. The hallway is empty.

Nina pours a drink in Sonny’s office, and looks at her engagement ring. She flashes back to Sonny proposing. Then she remembers Ned saying, when Sonny finds out she was the one who pointed the SEC at Carly, she and Sonny are done. Sonny comes in, and says, Frank told him that she was waiting. What brings her by?

Anna tells Valentin that she switched her phone off because she’s a coward. Of all the people that could reach out to her, the one person she dreads is Emma. Emma is going to beg her to say it’s not true, that she wasn’t a traitor. She’s going to have to tell Emma… She starts to cry, and he puts his hand on her knee. She says, that she was, and Valentin says he thinks Anna shouldn’t underestimate her. She’s going to be hurt, she’s going to want an explanation, but Anna can give it to her. Anna can tell her that she was pulled in over her head; that she was manipulated by Cesar Faison. Anna says, she knows. She was, but how do you explain that? Maybe one day she’ll want to listen. Emma might even forgive her. But the way Emma used to look at her, with such pride, like she was the thing Emma aspired to be, that’s gone forever. He holds her as she cries. I wish my grandma had been Anna. She used to try and get us to take hard boiled eggs in a paper bag for the plane ride home. 😖

Sam says, Dante was pretty wrecked when he came back from the WSB, and he says, that’s one way to put it. She says, he managed to rebuild his life, and he says he had a lot of help; from Anna, from his family, and mostly from her. He wouldn’t have chosen any of that, but he survived. And waiting for him on the other side was Sam, someone he never expected. Now he never wants any other life, and it’s all her fault. He says he loves her, and they kiss.

Michael tells Carly, yes, Dex is qualified to protect Sonny, but who says he wants to, or that he’ll agree to take the risk of reporting back to him what Sonny does. Sure, it’s in Sonny’s best interest, but Sonny won’t see it that way. That means Dex would be a spy, and it could get him killed. Why should he take that risk when he can just take the money he’s earned and disappear? She says, he knows Dex. Would he do that? Michael says, he wouldn’t blame him if he did. He knows it would break Josslyn’s heart; she cares about him. Carly says, she truly cares about him. That’s one of the reasons she came up with this plan. Josslyn’s feelings are getting deeper and deeper all the time. The longer Dex stays in Port Charles, the more devastated she’ll be if he decides to leaved. If he decides to disappear, better it happens now. He asks if she’s sure about this, and she says, no. She’s not sure about any of this, but she does know she wants Michael to give Dex a choice, and let’s see what he decides.

Josslyn says, Dex just made this big case about why he wants to work for Sonny, but he’ll quit if she wants him to? He says he’s very clear she wants him to, but he’ll quit if it’s the only way they can stay together. She takes his hand and says, no. She’s not going to put conditions on their relationship. She’s not going to tell him what he can and can’t do. He’d only start resenting her. So she’d rather take her chances, and watch him take his with Sonny. Dex can go be his best lieutenant, risk his life, and break the law. Just remember, his life is kind of important to her. He says he’ll remember, and kisses her.

Sonny asks, what’s wrong? and Nina says, it’s all his fault. If he hadn’t given her such a spectacular ring, she wouldn’t be thinking about him all the time. So it leads her to want to see him, which led her to come here. He says, she’s always welcome, and she says, remember when they came back from Nixon Falls, and she was convinced she’d lost him forever? He hated her for withholding the truth about who he was. She thought he’d never forgive her, but what made it even worse was the memory of how happy she’d been with him. He says, they’ve all done things they regret and can’t forget the past, but what they can do is not live there. They can also think about the future they’re going to have – together. She says she wants that more than anything, but tonight, she just wants him, and they hug.

The paramedics get Ned situated on the gurney, and Olivia says she’s his wife. She needs to be riding in the ambulance with him. She tells Ned she’s here, and asks if he can hear her. She’s not leaving him, even for a second. Brook asks, what happened? and Tracy says, Drew attacked Ned and almost killed him. She tells Chase to put his badge to use; arrest him for assault.

Tomorrow, Austin tells Ava, if she doesn’t do what Mason wants, it could get them both killed; Elizabeth says, Finn’s secret is safe with her; and Drew asks if Chase is seriously going to arrest him.

🏥 Checking In…

I always liked him on AMC, but I’m hoping he’s not going to play a nice guy. We already have enough of those on the show right now.

💃🏽 Welcome To the Nurses Ball…

It must have been a blast.

📹 Sweet Share…

Such a shame. I can’t even fathom how she must feel.

🪧 Soap Solidarity…

Six degrees of GH. Fran Drescher is the SAG-AFTRA president, and Charles Shaughnessy (Victor) starred with her on The Nanny.

☯️ Yin and Yang…

Jersey Girl.

https://okmagazine.com/p/melissa-gorga-fan-post-star-rhonj-amid-nasty-feud-teresa-giudice/

Bitch Boy.

https://screenrant.com/real-housewives-of-new-jersey-luis-ruelas-lawsuit/

🍊 Angry Woman No More…

This is good… I guess.

💎 Exit Stage Hilton…

Did anyone really think she was coming back after last season?

https://people.com/kathy-hilton-exits-real-housewives-of-beverly-hills-not-filming-season-13-7502450

👨🏽‍🍳 Winner, Winner, Deconstructed Chicken Dinner…

This was an excellent season, and I called it. I couldn’t help thinking of what I’d do during the different challenges. Like when the chefs did elevated picnics. I would have handed the judges a to-go bag from Balducci’s.

https://people.com/top-chef-crowns-winner-in-first-world-all-stars-finale-7510110

🍸 Not Today Satan…

We all need a break from the Vanderpump Rules Reunion blues – I know it bummed me out – so I’ll just say this about that. While I blame them both, Sandoval is the worse of the two. He’s truly a sociopath with delusions of grandeur, and I don’t care how much he wails that he’s human. That wasn’t an, oops, we were really drunk, or even, I fell in love with someone else. Not that those would be an excuse to cheat. You should always close the door on one relationship before opening it to another. The thing that made it so awful was that it went on for so long. Sandoval is also nearly 40, and obviously the less sheltered of the two, and no doubt manipulating the situation.

Which brings me to the awful vapidness of the ex-beauty queen runner-up. The fact that she could pretend to be such a good friend to Ariana is extremely disturbing. I don’t know if Rachel is a sociopath, but there’s definitely something going on there in that there seems to be nothing going on there. Lisa had it correct that she seemed to be playing a role, like it was a competition. It’s what she knows, but it’s not as human as she claims. Normally, those who grow up in that life either leave it behind eventually, live off their endorsements, or when they can no longer do, they teach the next generation of contestants. Rachel is stuck in some weird groove in the movie in her head, and Ariana also had it right in that she finds her identity in men, and has no original thoughts. Why? Who knows? Hopefully, she’ll find these things out in therapy, but she’s done for on reality TV. And if she’s offered one of those villain roles in some all-stars challenge show, it would be in her best interest to steer clear. I have no clue what her parents are really like, since James’s narrative is questionable to be sure; that they started it. It would behoove them to take charge, and get her as far away from LA as possible.

As for Lisa, she who can do no wrong, I have never seen her look sadder. At least not in public. I have no clue what happens behind closed doors, nor should I, but I have never seen her look like that. Not when her mother died, not when her brother died of an overdose, not when Giggy, or any of the other dogs, or the pony died. It was the sadness of a mother whose children have seriously f***ed up. And she does look at them as her children, so I hope Ariana and Lala eventually give her a pass.

Ariana is already doing okay. Her heart’s still broken, but better now than after they got married and/or had children. I’m with her on thank God her eggs weren’t fertilized. He would have probably challenged her for them on top of it. Lala was spot on once again when she said Ariana would look back and see this as a favor.

The whole thing was just sad.

🦫 So I Leave You With This…

Because we all need a laugh, and animals are the best.

https://www.upworthy.com/flying-squirrel-faking-its-own-death

🎨 Being My Own Muse…

Stop on in tomorrow for soap, the tea du jour, quotes, and a song. Until then, stay safe, stay filling the paper tray if you’ve used the last piece, and stay not living in the past.

June 7, 2023 – Martin Gives Nina Bad News, The Most God Awful Third Part Of a Reunion Ever & Shake

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

🕊 Apologies first. I did little editing. The Vanderpump Rules Reunion was so long and full of so much angst, and it’s so late, and I didn’t want to wait, since you might want this with your morning coffee. I think it’s still decipherable enough. Note: Re-edited today for your reading pleasure.

General Hospital

Portia asks Elizabeth to please say she’ll join her in a drink after work. With everything that’s going on in her life right now, she could use a night out with her best friend. Elizabeth says she’s almost done. She’s been helping Bobbie all day. It’s not fair that they’re making her pull double duty as head nurse and chief surgical nurse. Portia says, hopefully, it won’t be long before they find a replacement for Epiphany, but Elizabeth says, easier said than done. Portia agrees those are major shoes to fill, but Elizabeth says she’s not sure anyone can fill them.

Jordan and Zeke are still getting busy.

At the MetroCourt bar, Valentin leaves a message for Anna to call him back, when Martin walks in. Valentin asks where Anna is, but Martin says he doesn’t know. He’s here to see another client. Valentin says, excuse me? and Martin says, Valentin knows he can’t discuss the details; attorney/client privilege. Valentin says he needs Martin to represent Anna, and Martin promises him that Anna isn’t in any danger. Valentin asks if she’s been released. She’s not returning any of his phone calls, and she’s not at her townhouse. Martin says, she’s got a lot on her mind, and swears she’ll reach out when she’s ready. Valentin’s phone dings, and Martin says, speak of the devil. It might be her now. We see it’s from Hume: Call. Urgent. Valentin says, no, it’s business.

Dex knocks on Sonny’s office door, and tells him, everything is set at the warehouse. He just wanted to see if Sonny needed anything else. Sonny says he’s all set, and Dex asks if there’s something on his mind. Sonny says, Olivia insists her husband didn’t point the SEC at Carly and Drew, and he’s starting to believe it.

Ned and Olivia get romantic at the MetroCourt restaurant, and Ned says he’s missed this. She says, they were only on the outs for a few days, and he says, a few days too many. He’s so relieved and happy that she believes in him. She says, he didn’t make it easy. He was the prime suspect. She’s noticed how he’s committed to being honest with her since their reconciliation. They kiss again, when Nina comes along. She says, the two of them seem very celebratory. She assumes they’ve heard the good news that Willow had her bone marrow transplant, and Olivia says, it’s one of the many things they’re celebrating. Nina asks, what are the others? and Ned says, his wife knows now that he wasn’t the one who turned in Carly and Drew to the SEC.

In the elevator, Drew flashes back to telling Carly that they just have to find the right leverage to make Ned get them out of this. He says he sure hopes this works, and looks at his phone. He wonders why he’s not getting a call back.

A masked and suited Michael tells Willow that the doctors said he could sit with her a while, and asks how she’s feeling. She says, exhausted, but at the same time, she’s excited. She feels like they’ll finally be able to put this behind them, and their family will be whole again.

Carly looks at the flashdrive, when Josslyn comes in. Josslyn asks what it is, and Carly says, she knows damn well what it is. Josslyn insists she doesn’t, but Carly says, stop. Don’t lie to her. She knows everything that’s been going on between her, her brother, and Sonny.

Terry approaches the reception desk with Finn, and says, Elizabeth is still here. Elizabeth says, they look awfully serious. What’s going on? Finn says, they were just given a brief by the GH Board, and Elizabeth says, about? Terry says, about Elizabeth’s future here at the hospital.

Zeke says, that was… Jordan says, unexpected? She thinks it’s exactly what both of them needed tonight. He asks if it made her stop thinking about the kiss with her ex, then says, sorry, but she says, he didn’t do anything wrong. In fact, he’s right. Maybe it’s time she started thinking a little less, and just have fun. No strings attached. All that baggage can wait until tomorrow. They kiss, and his phone dings. He says, hold that thought, and looks at his phone. He says, unfortunately, there’s one thing that can’t wait until tomorrow. His client’s been trying to get ahold of him.

Drew knocks at Willow’s window, and calls her on the hospital phone. He says he hopes she’s up for another visitor, and she says, for him, anything. He asks how she’s doing, and she says she’s hoping for good results. She doesn’t want to get ahead of herself. She still needs to stay in isolation until the confirm the bone marrow isn’t being rejected. She realizes how blessed she is, and she has him to thank. He risked everything to bring her donor back. He says, it’s family; it’s what they do. She says she knows, but the story could have ended very differently if the SEC had found him before he was able to bring Liesl back.

Nina says she’s so glad Ned and Olivia are on the same page. Last she heard, Olivia was convinced Ned… If they don’t mind her asking, what changed her mind? Olivia says she looked into Ned’s heart, and she believed him. Nina says, love is so blinding, and Ned asks if there’s something they can help her with. Olivia says, it’s okay. Sonny came around to believing him, and so will Carly. Nina says, Sonny no longer believes Ned called the SEC? and Olivia says, he may not be all the way there, but he’s starting to come around to Olivia’s way of seeing things. Nina says, she must be so relieved. She’ll leave them alone. She leaves, and Ned wonders what that was all about.

Josslyn says, what about Michael and Sonny? and Carly says, Michael told her how he’s been working for months to get intel against Sonny, so he can send Sonny to prison. This flashdrive is video footage to implicate Sonny. Josslyn says she doesn’t have anything to do with that, but Carly says, she knew what he was planning and wanted it to happen. This is why Josslyn told her that Dex had a plan for getting out of Sonny’s world. She knows Dex was hired by Michael to infiltrate Sonny’s organization.

Elizabeth says she thought her troubles had already been sorted out. Did the Board have second thoughts? Terry says she was present at the meeting; it was their quarterly review of personnel and open positions. The subject of Epiphany recommending Elizabeth take over as head nurse came up. Monica gave the idea a ringing endorsement, but the Board has to consider everything, including Elizabeth’s record and how it might affect the reputation of the hospital. Elizabeth says she sees, and Terry says, given how Elizabeth’s credentials and reputation speak for themselves, it really was a no-brainer. Elizabeth says, wait. What? Finn says, stop torturing her, and Terry says, it was practically unanimous. The Board voted to give Elizabeth the position of head nurse. Terry hugs Elizabeth, and Elizabeth asks if she’s sure about this. Finn says he was there when Monica made her recommendation. She cited Elizabeth’s years of dedicated service, as well as the letter of support Epiphany wrote for her. Elizabeth tells them that she doesn’t know what to say, and Portia suggests she say, when do I start? Terry says, Monica was called away on some important business. She really wanted to be the one to extend the offer (because there’s no Zoom or phones). She hopes it’s okay that it’s coming from the Chief of Staff, not to mention, Elizabeth’s best friend. Portia says, the BFF is a tier, not a title, and Elizabeth says she can’t even wrap her head around this. A year ago, all the drama with her parents; it was such a low point, but she got through it. Now she’s going to be head nurse, and she couldn’t have done this without any of them. Finn says he’s pretty sure she could have, but he’s grateful to have played a part in it, and Portia says, they all are. Elizabeth tells them, well, like Portia said, when does she start? Terry says, provided the salary terms are agreed on and the paperwork gets filled out, she can start as soon as next week.

Willow asks if Michael knows he has very expressive eyes (yeah, if you like dead fish). Even though the rest of his face is covered by a mask, she can see something’s bothering him. What isn’t he telling her?

On the phone at the hospital, Drew thanks Zeke for getting back to him, and asks if there’s any chance they can meet this evening. It’s pretty important. Zeke says he guesses he could make himself free, and Drew says he’ll come to Zeke. He’s staying at the MetroCourt, right? There’s a bar by the rooftop pool. Zeke says he’s familiar with it, and he’ll see Drew later. Jordan says, usually when somebody does the fake work call thing, it’s because they’re trying to leave somebody else’s place, but he says he promises he’s telling her the truth. If she doesn’t believe him, give him her phone number so he can prove it to her. He says he knows she told him, no strings attached, but they can always do a sequel. She tells him that he can put his number in her phone, and he does, saying, he guesses he’ll see her when he sees her.

Martin says he thought he handled all Valentin’s corporate affairs. Should he be concerned? Nina runs up to Valentin, and says she saw the article about Anna, and can’t believe someone would exploit her past. Valentin notices Nina’s ring, and thanks her for the sentiment, but says he has to go. He jets, and Nina wonders if it was something she said, but Martin says, the situation’s a little more complicated than appearances might suggest, which is something he fears she’s about to experience all too well. He’s got some news for her.

Sonny asks what Dex knows about Ned Quartermaine, and Dex says, not a lot. Sonny says, he’s more than capable of selling out his family, but he’s not stupid. There’s no way he would turn Drew and Carly in while Willow’s sick. It doesn’t make any sense. He’s thinking maybe Carly is a means to an end. Dex says, to what end? and Sonny says, he and Carly were together a long time. She knows a lot about him; things the Feds would want to know. He’s thinking it wasn’t an anonymous tip. The Feds pointed the SEC at Carly as leverage to get Carly to flip on him. Dex asks, what about Drew Cain? and Sonny says, collateral damage. He must have been the target all along. It wouldn’t be the first time the Feds came after him through people he cares about. That’s the downfall of this life, but there’s also the benefits of making it comfortable and easy for the ones they care about. You’ve just got to bend the rules a little bit. Like when Dex punched that superior officer in the military. Dex says, it’s not exactly his proudest moment, but Sonny says, he’s got to be proud. He was a superior, but he was an abuser, and the only reason he stopped is because Dex did something about it. That’s what they have in common. Dex says, they do, and Sonny says, but Dex did break his trust. It might take a while to get that  back. It may not come back. Dex asks, then why is Sonny even wasting his time with him? and Sonny says, because he sees great potential in Dex, more than he’s seen in a long time. He knows he can give Dex what he wants. Dex asks, what’s that? and Sonny says, a place where he belongs. But if he wants to succeed, he has to commit. Dex is all in now, and Dex says, yes, sir. Sonny tells him that he can go now.

Josslyn says she can’t believe Michael told Carly, but Carly says, Michael didn’t tell her that part; she figured it out on her own. That’s why there’s been so much tension between Michael and Josslyn. Josslyn says, she’s right about that, but she’s not pissed off at Michael for planting Dex in Sonny’s organization. She’s pissed off at Michael because he didn’t have the follow through to finish Sonny off when he had the chance. Now Dex is stuck, or he has to disappear, but Carly has the power to change that now. She has the evidence that puts Sonny away for life. Stop thinking about Dex and Drew, and save herself. Please have the courage to finish what Michael couldn’t.

Dex pops back into Sonny’s office, and Sonny says he thought Dex went home. Dex says he was on his way out when Valentin Cassadine showed up. He wants to speak with Sonny. Sonny says, let him in, and tells Dex he can stay. Valentin comes in, and Sonny asks, what’s the special occasion? Valentin says, he just got off the phone with Hume. Pikeman is making arrangements for the second shipment they talked about, but Sonny says, he told Pikeman that he’d only continue if they figure out who ambushed him at the warehouse. Does Valentin have answers? Valentin says, not that they relayed to him. If he’s being honest, he thinks Pikeman’s probably in the dark about who the sniper is, but admitting to it isn’t a good look for them. Sonny says, neither is calling his bluff.

Olivia says, Nina would love nothing better than for her and Carly to be at odds, for Carly to think Ned is guilty, and for her to have to run around defending him. Ned says, all he cares about is that Olivia knows he told the truth, and she says she’s sorry she ever doubted him. He says, that’s because he’s given her reasons in the past to doubt him, but it’s behind them now. Olivia says she knows that too. Now what they have to focus on is making sure this conflict doesn’t tear their family apart, and she knows exactly how they’re going to do it. He asks, how? and she says, they’re going to find out who actually threw Drew and Carly to the wolves.

Nina and Martin go to a private spot on the terrace, and she asks if he’d rather go to her office. He says, not unless she wants to explain why she hired him. They already ran into Valentin. He wants to keep this off the record and as low tech as possible, in case his computer and phone records are subpoenaed. She asks why that would happen, and he says, because the Feds are leaning on him to give up her identity.

Michael says he doesn’t want to burden Willow with any outside issues while she’s recovering, but he doesn’t want to keep things from her either. She says, having something else to think about would actually be good for her, so she’s not stressing about whether the transplant is going to work or not. He says, when she puts it that way… When he promised her that he was going to end this vendetta with Sonny, he meant it. She asked him to drop it, and all he wants to do is make her happy. He had every intention of destroying the evidence against Sonny. She says, it sure seems like we’re building up to a but here, and he says, but now his mom could use that evidence as leverage to set her and Drew free.

Josslyn tells Carly that she wants to get Dex the hell away from Sonny. She doesn’t want Dex trapped in that world. And she wants to save Carly. She has this evidence; make herself a deal. Help Drew. Scout can grow up with her dad, and Donna can grow up with her mom. Carly says, there are so many moving parts to this Josslyn doesn’t understand, and this bloodlust she has for Sonny’s got to stop. It’s too much. Josslyn says, is it? He ruined their lives, and he hurt Carly. Carly says, yes. Sonny hurt her. And he hurt Josslyn’s brother, and he hurt Wiley. And she knows he hurt Josslyn, and she knows Josslyn thinks she has her back in all of this, but Sonny cannot go to prison. Because she’s a total idiot, Josslyn asks, why? Better him than Carly, right?

Drew meets Zeke at the pool bar, and says he was glad to meet Zeke at Portia and Curtis’s wedding and learn he had some expertise in cases like his. Zeke asks if Curtis knows he’s representing Drew, but Drew says, not yet. He’s waiting until Curtis has a little less on his plate, and this might not even go to trial. Zeke says, from his lips, and Drew says he’s going to need Zeke to get the SEC on the phone and talk about making a deal. Zeke says, good. He knows Drew would come around to his way of thinking. So he’s going to testify against Carly? Drew says, no. He’s going to turn himself in.

Terry tells Finn and Portia that she’s going to check on Willow, then expedite Elizabeth’s paperwork, so she can start asap in her new position. Portia says, the job never ends for the Chief of Staff, and Terry says, apparently not, which reminds her the Board has earmarked some funds for her to have a second in command. She doesn’t suppose she could encourage two of her favorite department heads to apply. Portia says, it’s a negative for her. She’s seen firsthand how you can become disenchanted with that job. She much prefers patients over paperwork. Terry says, if only she knew someone who got off on paperwork, and looks at Finn. He looks behind him, but there’s no one there, and says, him? That’s a hard pass. The elevator comes, Terry says, think about it, and gets in. Finn asks how Portia is doing. They haven’t talked much since the wedding. She says, things are complicated. Some of it isn’t her place to say, but like she told him, it’s… He says, complicated, and she says, Curtis moved back in, but they’re still working things out. Maybe it’s foolish of her to think they can salvage a relationship after it’s already been broken, but she’s holding out hope they can. She looks at Elizabeth, and says she has the feeling he knows exactly what she’s talking about.

On the phone in front of the memorial wall, Elizabeth tells her grandmother, it’s true. She’s walking in her footsteps as head nurse… Thank you. Your words are gold to me. She’ll call in the morning… She loves her too. She looks at the photo of Epiphany, then at the one of Steve Hardy. She says she did it. She’s going to be head nurse. She hopes that makes him proud.

Jordan sees Zeke left his room key, and picks it up. She says, he’s going to need it, and leaves with it.

Zeke says, Drew wants to turn himself in? and Drew says, yes. He wants to testify that this was all his idea, and Carly had no idea what she was doing. Zeke says he can only assume that’s a lie, since Carly bought all the shares in Aurora, and Drew says, this is his line of work; not Carly’s. He should have stressed the legal ramifications. Zeke says, ignorance of the law is no defense. Where is this coming from? Why is Drew so determined to fall on his own sword? Drew says, it’s ripping the families apart. They’re trying to get Carly to flip on her ex-husband. Zeke says, Sonny Corinthos? He can see the Feds thinking that’s the way to go. Drew says, Carly’s not going to turn on Sonny. Then they’re going to try to pit him and Carly against each other. It’s not going to stop until someone pays. He’s made it very clear that between Carly, Sonny, and him, only one person is going down. They’ve got such a big presence in their kids’ lives. Zeke says, and he’s not a presence in his daughter’s? but Drew says, his role is Scout’s life is very different. When he came back to Port Charles, she didn’t even know who he was. Zeke’s got to trust him. This makes the most sense. Somebody’s got to go down, and it’s going to be him.

Josslyn says, Sonny’s a criminal, like this is big news, but Carly says, Sonny’s world isn’t that cut and dried. Josslyn used to understand that. What’s changed? Is it Dex? Josslyn cries, and says, no. She accepted the life that Sonny was a part of when it was convenient for her. It’s the life she was raised in. She grew up in that house. She bought into the fantasy that Sonny uses his power for good. And she always believed Sonny would do right by Carly. He hasn’t been that man in a minute. Why should she believe his intentions now? Does Carly think she looks at Sonny and sees her happy childhood memories anymore? She looks at him and sees all the pain he’s brought to their family, and all the times they got caught in his crossfire. Carly says, that’s not true, and Josslyn says, why doesn’t she tell that to Dex, or to Willow? Actually, why doesn’t she tell that to Morgan?… She’s sorry. Carly tells her that she has to stop, and stomps on the flashdrive, crushing it. Just stop.

Zeke says he wouldn’t be doing his duty as Drew’s lawyer if he didn’t advise him against turning himself in to the SEC, and Drew asks if he doesn’t think he can negotiate favorable terms. Zeke says, if the government will take a guilty plea without going through a lengthy and costly trial, maybe, but it’s going to take some time. Drew says, that’s all he needs. Just get the deal in place, but don’t finalize anything yet. He might have an ace up his sleeve that will make this whole thing go away. Zeke says he assumes he doesn’t want to know, and Drew says, probably not. Zeke says he’ll see what he can do in the morning, but keep in mind that even if the SEC agrees to a deal, a federal judge can always overrule it. Drew says, it’s a risk he’ll have to take.

Finn and Portia approach Elizabeth, and Finn says he hopes they’re not interrupting. Elizabeth says, no. She was just thinking about her grandfather and all the others who have meant so much to this hospital. It’s really an honor to be appointed head nurse. Finn says, an honor she deserves, and Portia says, absolutely. And now Elizabeth doesn’t have an excuse not to go out with her. They have some good news to celebrate. Terry said she’d meet up with them later. How about the MetroCourt? She can make reservations for three or… Elizabeth looks at Finn, and says, make that four. He’s coming with them, right? He says he wishes he could, but he has some work he needs to finish up. Have fun; she deserves it. Elizabeth thanks him, and dashes off with Portia.

Jordan sees Zeke at the restaurant, and asks if he forgot something. She hands him the keycard, saying, he locked himself out of his room. He asks how she knows he didn’t leave it on purpose so she’d track him down, and she asks if that’s his pick-up line. Because it needs some work. He says, they’re both here, so can he order them a nightcap? but she says, that’s how they ended up in his room in the first place. How about a raincheck? He says, she has his number, and she says, yes, she does.

Olivia says, it would go a long way in mending fences if she and Ned could find the guilty party, and he says he loves her unswerving loyalty. But everyone seems to forget that Drew and Carly are the guilty parties. For all they know, it was some Eagle Scout accountant on Drew’s payroll who tipped off the SEC. Even if he proves his innocence, that doesn’t change the fact that Drew and Michael were so quick to crucify him. The level of distrust between them… He’s not sure they can bounce back from that. At least not enough to run ELQ together again. Olivia says, or Ned could be the bigger person. Find them the information they need. That would turn down the heat a little, doesn’t he think?

Nina says, Martin told her the tip to the SEC would be anonymous, and Martin says, if it would have remained a financial matter, that would have been the case. But now that the FBI is using it to pressure Carly to turn on Sonny, that’s an entirely different situation. Nina says, she never thought about that, which is always the crux of Nina’s problems. She has the foresight of a 14 year old. He says, neither did he. Not that he thinks she’d do it, but if Carly does flip on Sonny for some reason, it’s likely both parties will want to know her name during discovery. You know what they say, all’s fair in love and war, especially when it comes to RICO charges.

Sonny says, make arrangements for one shipment, but he’s not allowing them to move one crate until they have a real conversation about what threat he’s facing. Can Valentin let them know that? Valentin says, absolutely, and Sonny tells Dex that he can go. Dex leaves, and Sonny asks Valentin how Anna is holding up. Valentin says he wishes he knew.

Willow tells Michael, whatever Carly decides to do with the information is her choice, but it won’t be made out of anger or malice. It’ll all be out in the open. So whatever happens next, she supports him and his family. Just like they’ve supported her through this fight with leukemia. He thanks her, when Terry walks in, and says she sees somebody’s awake. She asks how Willow is feeling, and Willow says, like she got her immune system shot out, then got shot up with someone else’s DNA. Terry says, that’s a good thing; it means it’s working. She tells Michael that she has to run a few tests, and he says he’ll be outside. He tells Willow that he loves her, and she says she loves him too.

Josslyn picks up the pieces of the flashdrive, putting them on the kitchen island. The moss bowl🎍eyes them hungrily, and Josslyn asks what Carly just did. Carly says, what she should have done the second Michael gave it to her. She knows what Josslyn is going through. She’s lashing out at the people she loves when they prove to her they’re human and reckless with her heart; she gets it. It’s a page out of the playbook she used to follow. Hell, she still follows it from time to time. Josslyn says, Carly is telling her that she wants to save her from herself? Carly just condemned Dex. He’s done for. Carly says, he’s not. Stay here with Donna and the moss bowl🎍 . Josslyn asks where she’s going, and Carly says she’s going to take care of everything.

Sonny tells Valentin that he and Anna go back a long way. They don’t always see eye to eye, but they understand each other. When she’s hurt, she doesn’t want to burden the people who care about her. There’s usually one in every relationship. Valentin says he gets that. He’s just usually not in a relationship where they’re both that person. He goes to the door, and says, by the way, he noticed a rather large and expensive rock on Nina’s finger. Does that mean Sonny has good news to report? Sonny laughs, and says, that’s right. Valentin says, congratulations. She’s an amazing woman. Be good to one another. He leaves, closing the door behind him.

Josslyn messes with the pieces of the flashdrive, when Dex comes running in, saying, hey, Joss. He stops short, and says, what’s wrong? She says, it’s over. There’s no way out for them now. She hugs him.

Michael disposes of his sanitary outfit, and runs into Carly as she walks out of the elevator.

Olivia says, lately, Ned’s become a little more cynical, and he says, that’s not fair, but she says, don’t take it as a criticism. She knows they can’t be all pie in the sky all the time. She married a tough businessman, not some aspiring rock star he was years ago. But she married a man who put family first. So she’s just saying, maybe it’s possible that he’s strayed away from that a little bit lately, and maybe it’s possible it’s time to get back to that. He says he’ll think about that, and she says she has to check in with the chef, but snag them a table on the terrace. He says he thinks he can manage that, and they kiss.

Jordan says she’ll give Zeke a call, and he says, okay. She goes to the elevator, and Portia comes out with Elizabeth. She tells them, have a good night, and gets in. They head for the bar, and Portia says, what a great surprise, hugging Zeke. She asks if Elizabeth has met her brother Zeke, and Jordan hears, just as the elevator doors close.

At the hospital, Finn flashes back to being Elizabeth’s escort at the Nurses Ball.

On the phone at the pool, Drew asks if there’s any chance Tracy can circle back to the MetroCourt… Why here? Because they have to do this away from the rest of the family… There’s an important matter he needs to discuss with her.

Nina tells Martin that she never would have come forward had she known her identity could be exposed. More importantly, that Sonny could be hurt. He says, it’s not a done deal, but he’d be wrong if he didn’t at least alert her to the possibility. She puts her head in her hands, and he says, this isn’t over. In the meantime, he’ll do everything in his power to make sure no one knows it was her who tipped off the SEC about Drew and Carly. Ned listens in, then jets, and Martin tells Nina that he needs to get to the office before anyone knows he’s gone. He walks out, and Ned watches him leave.

Tomorrow, Drew says, Tracy is the answer to his problem; Dex tells Josslyn, this is his best option and he’s taking it; Sonny says, some things are better said face to face; and Ned says, it was you all along.

Vanderpump Rules – The Reunion – Part 3

I’ve decided to call Raquel Rachel for two reasons. Most of the cast was calling her that already, although Andy continued to call her Raquel. You’ll find the other reason later in the show.

James says, what a finale to the finale, and Andy says, POS (my addition) Rachel is here and ready to join them. Because of the restraining order, Scheana is now 100 yards away in her trailer. He asks how Rachel is, and she says, holding up. She’s super embarrassed, and not proud of what she did. She owes a lot of people in the room an apology. Andy says, first, we need to discuss how they got there. The girls trip to Vegas and Lake Havasu that Katie organized. We flash back to that, and Rachel says she was so uncomfortable. Lala says, that’s her fault, not theirs, and Andy says, the first stop was Vegas. He asks Lisa how the restaurant is going, and she says, fantastic. They knocked it out of the ballpark, and it’s been productive. She’s always loved to create design, and it’s arguably the most beautiful restaurant in Vegas. Andy says, we thought we saw a sisterhood in the car ride where Rachel had a breakdown, and the girls rallied around her. We flash back to that, and Rachel says, then they proceeded to bash her at dinner. Lala says, they were talking about a comment Rachel made, and Lala’s assessment was spot-on. She wouldn’t trust Rachel. Andy asks what Rachel meant by, thank God Lala doesn’t have a man, and Rachel says, she was so drunk… Andy – who’s semi not having it – says, sometimes [when we’re drunk], we speak the truth. Rachel says she was shocked at how drunk she got. Her personality did shift that summer. She changed her mindset. She wasn’t pleasing everyone else all the time, and only herself. Lala says, she was screwing people over, and Rachel says she’s been super, super selfish. This makes me want to smack her more than I wanted to smack her to begin with, but Ariana does it for me verbally. She tells Rachel, diabolical, disgusting, subhuman. Get a better vocabulary, because selfish doesn’t cut it. Rachel says, her actions were human, and Sandoval tries to interject, but Lala tells him to be quiet. There’s some, no, you, stuff, and Lala tells him, STFU. Andy says he wants hear them both, and Lala says, watching the both of them act and say what they did while they were f***ing each other is demonic. Sandoval says, they had sex one time, and Lala says, it doesn’t matter; they crossed the line. James tells Lala, why is he saying it was one time? and Andy says, watching Rachel talk to Ariana about her intimacy issues with Sandoval, looking back, it is diabolical. We flash back to that, and Andy says, he’s never seen anything like it. He asks what it was like watching it, and Rachel says, it was hard to watch. Andy says, in their one on one, she said they’d slept together once. She insists she was transparent, and Andy asks if Sandoval encouraged her to break up with Ariana. Rachel says she encouraged Sandoval to reflect and see if he was happy. As a friend first, she wanted him be happy. Ariana says, they’d already f***ed by then. STFU. F*** you. You’re disgusting. She tells Rachel that she wishes nothing but the worst f***ing sh*t for her. Sandoval says, we don’t live our lives by logic, and they all laugh. Lisa says, there is no logic here, and Sandoval says, that’s what he means; feelings took over. Rachel says, James and Lala can’t talk. They kept their hooking up a secret when she and James were together. Lala says, I wasn’t your best friend, ho. She was a kid, and Rachel was a no-name. They met and Lala hated her. Ariana was her best friend. She’s sick, talking to Ariana while f***ing Sandoval. Sandoval says, one time, and James says, be honest. Multiple, multiple, multiple times. Sandoval tries to mimic James, because he’s too stupid to realize he’s said one time one time too many.  Andy brings up Rachel saying Lala was a mistress, and Lal says she’s so sick and so done with the mistress thing. If she’d been one, it would be a lot easier to say, sh*t happens. The truth is, she was lied to for a long time. She had a ring. He said they were separated. They were traveling together, and he FaceTimed her with his kids. Sandoval asks why she didn’t go to his house, and she says, hindsight is 20/20. Sandoval says, Lala called him her boyfriend, and we flash back to the Reunion a million years ago where Lala talked about it without talking about it. Lala tells him, STFU about her life; he wasn’t separated. Sandoval says she should do her research because he’s the biggest a-hole on the planet. Rachel says, Lala told her that the woman gets the blame, and Andy asks if she feels like she’s taking the blame. Rachel says, Lala referred to her as a mistress, and Lala says she’s paying for someone else’s lies and actions. Karma is a f***. Look at Sandoval’s life now. Lisa tells her not to let that make her bitter, but Lala says, she’s not bitter; she’s aware. Sandoval is still mumbling stuff, and Lala calls him a f***ing moron, and James says, he’s a psychopath. Scheana sits in her trailer nodding and eating her feelings. There’s more name calling, and Lala says she called it pretty well. That’s why it triggers Sandoval. Andy decides it’s time to take a break.

Brock and his new haircut join Scheana, and Andy says, the other shocking moment on the show was Schwartz making out with Rachel. We flash back to that, and Schwartz asks if that’s really what he looks like making out. In his mind, he’s sexy. I realize he’s trying to give comic relief, but there’s a time and place, and it’s not now. Andy asks if anyone thinks Katie overreacted, but it’s a hard no. She had one rule; don’t hook up with someone in the friend group. Andy asks what drove Schwartz to disregard the boundary, and Schwartz goes from comedy to semantics, saying, technically, Rachel wasn’t Katie’s friend. Rachel says she thought they had a little thing between them. Insert your favorite joke here. Ariana is skeptical, but Rachel says, they had chemistry. Katie says, Rachel is a c-word, and Schwartz was drunk, and Lisa asks how Rachel could be in that situation when she’d slept with Sandoval. Rachel lies that she put a cap on things with Sandoval, and Schwartz says, Rachel was someone he’d been curious to make out with from the beginning, even though no one is listening to him anymore. James says, it’s incesty, dirty, and weird, and Andy says, Lala revealed that she and James hooked up when he was with Rachel. We flash back to that, and Rachel says, James and Lala always had a flirty relationship. Andy wonders if she ever questioned James about it, but she says she doesn’t recall, although she noticed the flirtation, and it made her uncomfortable at the time. Lala didn’t have any respect for her. Lala says she still doesn’t, and Rachel says, Lala resented her because she loved the attention from James, and the attention wasn’t on her anymore. Lala says she thinks Rachel needs a mental evaluation; she’s insane. Rachel says she is getting an evaluation, and Andy asks why making out with Schwartz is unforgivable, yet Lala expects Rachel to get over James. Lala wonders, why bring up something from five seasons ago? When she told Rachel, she acted totally over it until it served her narrative. Rachel made a stupid comment in Vegas, and tried to put the focus back on Lala. We flash back to Lala saying, she wouldn’t trust Rachel with her man, and Rachel saying, good thing she doesn’t have a man. Andy asks if Rachel weaponized Lala’s admission, and Rachel says, it was Lala at her finest. Lala says she’s always at her finest, and Andy decides to switch gears to Schwartz’s beach day joke, when James got angry and threw a drink at him. Andy asks why it triggered James, and James says, he’s worked his whole life to open for a DJ he’s always admired, and Schwartz was disrespectful. Sandoval tries to talk, and James tells him, shut up. When he doesn’t, James puts his fingers in his ears and says, lalalalalalalalalala. Schwartz wonders what he has to say to squash the beef, and Andy says, he has apologized 85,000 times. Schwartz says, James should apologize, but James says he’s not sorry. Schwartz says he was upset about James tearing apart his life afterward, and James says he doesn’t regret throwing the drink, but he’s sorry about the rant. Andy says, it’s a good place to take a break. Lisa tells James, if he doesn’t shut up, they’ll be here two days. Just make his point. James apologizes to Lisa and Andy, and says he loves them. He sure is wired tonight.

I eat my feelings in the form of frozen lemon bars from Trader Joe’s.

Andy says, rumor had it that Sandoval and Ariana were in an open relationship. It all started when Ally spotted them in The Abbey. James imitates them dancing, and we flash back to Ally saying she saw them without Ariana. Ally is also visiting Scheana’s trailer, and they discuss how Sandoval made it sound like they were all there together.  Andy asks if Katie thought something was going on, but she says, not at that point, but later, when she saw them interacting, it felt weird. James thinks Sandoval possibly started the rumor so people wouldn’t suspect, and Ariana says she thinks so, since it was based on Rachel being told after Coachella. In her trailer, Scheana says, it’s a f***ing lie, and Sandoval insists he never said such a thing. Ariana says, they already know he’s a liar, and Rachel tells them, Sandoval never said that. Schwartz says, there was a rumor that Sandoval and Ariana hooked up with Billie Lee, and had a threesome, but he knows it’s bullsh*t. Ariana says, they never had a threesome, and Schwartz says, Lala hooked up with Ariana too. Andy says, which brings them back to the affair. He asks where Rachel stayed after the news broke, and she says, with her sister for a while, then she went to Tucson where she stayed with family. Andy asks if she and Sandoval have been hanging out, and Sandoval mumbles that they’ve hung out. Andy asks if Rachel was considering skipping the Reunion, and she says she was. She was ashamed and embarrassed that she was capable if keeping such a secret from someone who’s been in her corner. She’s sorry for betraying Ariana, and can’t fathom the pain. She’s right, selfish doesn’t begin to describe her state of mind. They made a mistake in the way it was handled, and  betrayed those closest to them. It was detrimental to all their friendships, and she’s seeing the consequences of her actions. She didn’t consider the consequences, since she’d been living in the moment. Andy asks, why do it? and Rachel says, she and Sandoval had a connection. She felt seen and heard. Ariana rightly takes offense to this, but Rachel says she never confided personal things to Ariana, but felt compelled to confide in Sandoval. Ariana rightly says, that’s inappropriate. She never should have crossed the line. Rachel says, she was a people pleaser, and Ariana says – wait for it – so my dog just died, and I cried in your arms, and you thought, I should f*** her boyfriend. You’re lower than the lowest of people. Rachel stupidly does her deer-in-the-headlights nod as Ariana talks. Ariana says, she’s a psychopath, and terrifying as a person because of what she’s capable of. Rachel loves Harry Potter; she’s The Dementor. I don’t know what that is, but it doesn’t sound good. Ariana hopes Charlotte haunts Rachel, and Rachel says, you’re right, because she’s forgotten all her pageant responses at this point. Ariana says, she’s a soul sucking individual, who she never wants to see or speak to again, and she’ll be better for it. Andy asks why Rachel kept going with the affair, and Rachel says, it was impossible to turn away. Andy asks if she’s in love with Sandoval, and after a short silence, she says, yeah. Ariana says, she’s ugly, hideous, rotten inside, and Andy asks if she’s still in love. Rachel looks at him blankly, and Andy asks if Sandoval is in love. There’s silence, and Ariana looks like she’s going to laugh. She says, delusional and hilarious, and Lala says, it’s a simple question. Are you in love or not? Sandoval heaves one of those huge sighs of his, and says, he’s sorry; yes. Ariana says, grody, a word I haven’t heard in I don’t know how long. It’s the most pathetic thing she’s heard. Lala says, they both did this for Ariana. There will be a day when she thinks she’s grateful she got out of the torture chamber, and eliminated two horrendous people at the same time. Ariana says, Rachel is nothing. Let that sink in. It shouldn’t be hard for her to absorb what someone else thinks, since she’s never had an original thought. Lala says, nor does she have this. This is who he is, and it will be a pattern. She’ll be the next to go, and she’s dead to everybody. Rachel gets up, and walks out. Ariana says, leave and never come back. No one wants you.

Rachel says she just needed water, and comes back, but Ariana says, they don’t need her. Andy says, after the beach, Rachel went back to Sandoval’s house with him and Schwartz, then lied about spending the night. We flash back to when Sandoval kept calling Lisa dude. Andy asks if they had sex, but Sandoval says, absolutely not. Schwarz says, there was no hanky panky weird sh*t in the hot tub, and Andy asks if Sandoval and Rachel ever hooked up at his house. Sandoval says, no, and Andy asks what he thinks about the support for Ariana. He says, she deserves it. It was heartbreaking. Not one friend, or even anyone close, texted him. Ariana asks what he thought would happen, and he says, a text would be nice. Ariana says, no one wants to be friends with him; they don’t like him. Schwartz says, at Ariana’s worst and most humiliating moment… Ariana says, she’s not humiliated, and Schwartz says, the world is rallying around her. Andy asks Ariana’s perspective on that, and she says, that’s what kept her going. She tears up, and says, her friends, her family, strangers. There was a week and a half where she didn’t eat, and lost 8 pounds. (I can’t help the word upside! creeping into my head.) She had someone staying with her, because she needed to be babysat. She can’t think of two worse people. James says, disgusting, and Ariana says, she doesn’t have to be a person in a relationship who never made a mistake to know that on no level whatsoever did she deserve this f***ing sh*t. Sandoval agrees she didn’t, and Ariana says, and they’re still doing it. It’s f***ing disgusting. This is gross. When is it going to click? It’s an abomination. Abort it. It’s so f***ing awful. Lisa looks like she’s going to cry, and I’m on the verge. Ariana says, if not for everyone around her… Her life is getting better by the minute, and theirs is in the gutter. James suggests Rachel not call Ally her replacement, when actually she’s an upgrade. Ariana says, Sandoval got a downgrade.

Andy says, the news lit up the internet with a lot of rumors to clear up. On Halloween, Sandoval dressed as Rachel. Ariana says, she helped him do it, and Lisa says, it’s macabre and bizarre. Why do any of it, but why that? James says, he’s a creeper, and Andy brings up the lightning bolt necklace Rachel bought that matches Sandoval’s. We flash back to that, and Andy asks if it has a meaning. Rachel says, it’s significant to who Sandoval became in her life. Lisa says, but it’s so provocative, and it’s on camera. It’s like Rachel is acting out some weird charade. Like in her mind, she’s in a pageant, acting a part, and competing with the other girls. James says, she’s not winning this one either, and Ariana says, she’s a sociopath. Rachel says she cringed when she saw it, and Ariana says, she should be cringing every moment of her life. Lisa asks how Rachel feels, looking in the eyes of the person who loved and defended her? but everyone chimes in, saying, she feels nothing. Lisa says, it’s the most mind-boggling piece of film she’s ever seen. Sandoval whines that neither one of them had time to process this, and didn’t want to hurt anyone. Andy asks what happened with Ariana’s eggs, and we flash back to that. He asks if Sandoval fertilized them, and she says, no, thank God. She doesn’t want that DNA mixed with her. Andy asks if Sandoval’s slept with anyone else since the break-up, and Sandoval says, no. James and Lala make noises about someone in Chicago, and Ariana says, he slept with her. Sandoval says, she kept her T-shirt on; really hot. Lala says, he’s such a f***ing d*ck. Shwartz just puts his head down, and in her trailer, Scheana says she wants to throw something at the TV. Lala tells Rachel, this is her future, just so she knows. Andy says, Rachel is Raquel’s given name. How old was she when she changed it? Rachel says, first grade. There were two other Rachels… Ariana says, she wanted to feel special, and Rachel says, her family calls her Rachel, and her friends call her Raquel. Ariana says, she has no friends anymore, and Rachel says, any time someone calls you something out of your preferred name, it’s disrespectful. And there you go – my reason for doing it. She says, Lala should know, but Lala says, it’s a nickname. She didn’t change her name. Andy asks if Sandoval’s family knew what was going on, and Sandoval says, he told his mom, and she was extremely surprised. She said, this is not good, and he said he knows. He heaves another sigh, and Andy asks about Rachel spending Christmas with him, but he says, no. Andy asks if she’s met his family, and Sandoval says, when they came for the opening of Schwartz & Sandy’s. Andy asks what they thought, and Ariana says, she’s a whore.

My feelings are now chocolate covered almonds.

Andy asks how they went from a one-night stand to a full blown relationship, and there’s another sigh. Sandoval says, emotions got the best of him. Andy asks when it became a relationship, and Sandoval says, January. Andy says, when the dust settles – James says, it’s never settling – where do they think they’ll be a year from now? Rachel says, it’s too soon to tell, and James says, in a house made of dog sh*t. He’s a creeper; they’re poo poo heads. Lisa tells him, stop it, and Sandoval says, it’s hard to know if what they’re feeling is real or not. It’s best to take time to reflect. James thinks they scripted this, and Rachel says, they were trying to figure out if it’s just something exciting and superficial, or is it deeper? Lisa says, at other’s expense, and Rachel says she’s sorry. Ariana says she doesn’t accept, and Lisa says, they don’t understand the magnitude. Schwartz says he’d told Sandoval that he had to tell Ariana what was going on, or it was going to come out and humiliate her. Ariana says she already told him; she’s not humiliated. He changes that to, it’s going to be nuclear. Andy asks if Rachel thinks it’s possible to mend fences, and she says, right now, no. Ariana says, forever, no, and Katie says, it’s not up to Rachel. Rachel says she’s sorry to the people she’s hurt through this process. In Scheana’s trailer, Brock suggests she could name the people, and Scheana asks where her apology is. Rachel says, she’s embarrassed all around and Lala says, people finally see who she really is. Rachel says, it’s a learning process. She wants to be a better friend to those in her life, and realizes how much her actions affect other people. Andy bids her goodbye, and they take a break. Ariana tells Rachel to skedaddle, and go get the little rat kisses she loves.

Backstage, Rachel coddles Sandoval, and says, it was brutal. He says, she handled it better than him, and she says, it was hard to admit to everything when it was laid out in front of them; what they’ve done and how they hurt people. It’s hard to accept that, and seeing the person she’s become. It’s not who she wants to be. Sandoval says, it really sucks. It’s hard knowing people think they’re the evilest people ever, and compulsive liars. She says, in hindsight, they should have done things differently. A producer tells Rachel that she has to evacuate to maintain her distance from Scheana. Lala asks Ariana what she would have done had Sandoval told her, and Ariana says, he would have had two options. Either it’s over between her and him, or he never sees Rachel again. Lala asks if Ariana would have not been as upset, and she says, eventually maybe, but don’t go for her friends.

In the commercial break, the text says, there’s more we haven’t seen. Betrayal, deception, more fallout, deceit, tears, and secrets. Next week, it’s Secrets Revealed. In other words, we scrambled through the footage we didn’t use. I need a drink, but don’t dare. I won’t stop.

Andy says, they’re doing the restraining order do-si-do, and asks what Scheana’s thoughts are. She says, Rachel is a sociopath; not one tear. Ariana says, fake AF, and Andy asks for final thoughts at the end of an incredibly dramatic night. He asks if Scheana and Brock will be having a second baby, but despite Lisa’s pleadings, Scheana says, not any time soon. James is hoping to do more festivals, and that Imagine ends up booking him again. He’s just keeping it going. Andy asks if Schwartz thinks he’ll remarry, but Schwartz says, only a 5% chance. He’ll fall in love and have a happy life, but not married. Katie says, maybe, but she doesn’t want another wedding, and has no wish to be a mother. She wants to be the cool aunt, off to another country with the hot young guy of the month. Andy asks how they move on as a group, but they don’t know if there’s an answer. Sandoval gives us a last sigh, and says he understands that he f***ed up. He’s human and made a mistake and hurt somebody he loved more than anyone. He starts blubbering, like we care, and says he knows Ariana hates him and it’s okay. He understands, and wants her to know he’ll always love her, and always cheer her on from afar. Ariana says she’s grateful for Scheana, Lala, James, Katie, Lisa, and Andy being here for her today and always. She won’t forgive Sandoval, and won’t be cheering him on from afar. Andy asks Lisa where the gang goes from here, and she says, there’s too much to process. She hopes some of them find forgiveness or compassion, and Andy says, what everyone needs is time. He thanks them for being open and free with their thoughts and emotions. In 10 great seasons, this one blew our minds. They take a group photo, and Lisa says she loves them all. Scheana says, it’s the most somber end to a Reunion ever.

Six days later – Rachel’s final interview. The producer says, it seems like Rachel is in a lot of pain. Why does she think this is important? She says, the truth is important to her. She’s been lying and being deceitful the entire time. She doesn’t want to lie anymore. The worst is out, but she’s still finding herself having to lie about specific timeline things. We flash back to Sandoval saying, one time, and the producer asks why she maintained some lies at the Reunion. She says, it felt less hurtful to say it wasn’t going on for as long as it was. The second time was in Mexico. They’d said it wasn’t going to be a thing, but the first night in Cancun, Sandoval got drunk and couldn’t find his room. She heard him in the hallway, and told him to come inside. She admits to having sex multiple times in Mexico, and that it was regular and ongoing. It picked up speed after they wrapped filming. She says she didn’t go to St. Louis for Christmas, but then we see a photo of them there, dated around then. The producer says, she’s telling it with her face, and she says she has a bad poker face. It happened and she felt guilty. It ate her alive. She even wondered what Ariana would think of her as an addition, a throuple, but Sandoval said she wouldn’t be into that. She loves Ariana as a person, and was in love with Sandoval, so it didn’t seem far-fetched. Sandoval is going to kill her, but she hates lying. She insists there was never anything in Sandoval and Ariana’s house, but starts bawling. She says, Sandoval is the one person she has. If she betrayed him, she’d have nobody. The producer says, she already ripped off the bandaid; what’s one more detail? She says, it’s the one story agreed on getting straight. It’s a bad look to hook up with someone’s boyfriend in their own house when they’re out of town, especially for a funeral. It’s killed her f***ing soul. She’s so sick of lying. She hates being deceitful. It’s horrible.  

I hope God strikes her fat and ugly. Although she’s partway there on the inside.

🛁 Can’t Wash the Dirt Off…

We’ve had some awful Reunions going on, but this was the worst. But it’s over now, so don’t shy away about coming back tomorrow for soap and a spot of tea. Until then, stay safe, stay having sweet dreams, and for the love of all that’s holy, never sleep with your friend’s significant other. Unless you are a throuple.

June 6, 2023 – Drew Wants To Talk About a Deal, Jersey Takes Awful Up a Notch, Thoughts & Smalltown

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Portia goes into an exam room and finds Esme there in a hospital gown.

Drew visits Curtis, and Curtis tells him, it’s official; he’s Trina’s father. Drew gives him a bro hug, and says, congratulations. It’s the best thing in the world. How does he feel? Curtis says, she’s a gem. He hit the jackpot. Drew says he has goosebumps. Trina’s an amazing young woman. Curtis says he does have his regrets about the time they spent apart, but he’s looking toward the future. Drew says, that’s the Curtis he knows. Is that why he’s here? Did he barge in on some daughter time? Curtis says, Trina’s staying with Josslyn, and Drew says, she’s not ready to come back home yet? Curtis says, no, but he is. He moved his things in. Drew says, really? and Curtis asks why he sounds so surprised. Drew says, the last time they talked, Curtis said he was conflicted about his feelings. Does that mean he’s got everything figured out?

Zeke introduces himself, and Jordan does the same, adding, like she said… He says he heard her loud and clear. He’s just going to have his drink and go. If that’s cool with her. He orders a tequila, soda, and lime, and she says, he’s awfully sure of himself, isn’t he? He says he’s always had a way with people, and she asks if he’s an only child. He says he has a sister. Why? She says, it’s been her experience that many over-confident people have grown up as the sole focus of their parents.

Willow sits up, when Nurse Clara comes in, and says she wanted to check in on her favorite patient. Willow says she doesn’t think she can be anything but absolutely grateful, and Clara says, grateful is good, but a bone marrow transplant can be a very difficult procedure. It’s okay to say she’s in pain. Willow says, it hurts way more than she expected. She just can’t find a comfortable position to sit in. Clara says, if it’s any comfort, that’s a common reaction. Now they just have to find some ways to distract her. Would she like her mom to come in? Willow says, her mom? and Clara says, she’s been camped out here 24/7; barely left Willow’s side. She’s sure she’d love to see Willow, if she’s up to it.

Laura goes to Doc’s office and asks if he’s got a minute. She’d like to talk to him about something. He says, as opposed to about thirty minutes when he gets home from work? and she says, yeah; it’s that important. He asks what it is, and she closes the door. He says, it’s that important, and she says she’s made a decision about something. She knows he’s going to try and talk her out of it, but she’s not going to change her mind. He says, hit me, and she says she’s going to look for Nikolas. More specifically, she’s going to Russia to look for Nikolas.

Brook wonders why Chase has been gone so long, and tells Tracy, and you know what? He’s not our waiter. Tracy says, they can’t talk around him, and Brook asks why they don’t wait until they’re home. Tracy says she was going to pull Brook aside tonight, but then saw her lounging by the pool, getting absolutely nothing constructive done. And Brook hasn’t brought her anything yet on The Deceptor patent. Brook says she’s sorry, but Tracy says, don’t apologize or make excuses. Is it Chase? Is he too much of a distraction? Because she can tell him that it was her who made the phone call to get him reinstated. Brook shushes her, and says, yes, Tracy was the one who called the CCRB to get them to look at his case, but Chase got himself reinstated. Tracy says, he’s not going to like it either way, and really? A policeman? Brook says, he’s a detective, and Tracy says, those law and order types are always so hung up on the rules. Brook says, imagine that, and Tracy says, she just needs to do her job and do it fast, but Brook says she’s worried about Tracy and whatever she has planned. Maxie, Sasha, and Lucy are her friends. She won’t do anything to hurt them.

Lucy goes into Maxie’s office with a bottle of champagne, and two glasses. She asks if Maxie is reading the report she just finished reading, and Maxie says, with the initial numbers of the sales of The Deceptor? It almost seems to good to be true. Lucy says, too good to be true? Oh poo. The Deceptor is flying off the shelves because it’s a fantastic product. They marketed it, promoted the heck out of it, and they deserve to celebrate. Maxie says, without Brook and Sasha? and Lucy says, for now. They can celebrate again tomorrow. Maybe with mimosas in the morning and champagne at sunset. Taking the product, the phenomenon that it is, back to Home & Heart was a genius idea. Whose idea was it? Oh that’s right; it was mine. She pops open the bottle, and they squeal.

Portia asks, what brings Esme in today? and Esme says she has a sore throat and her whole body aches. She just wanted to make sure it’s not strep, for her baby’s sake, and so she doesn’t spread it around work. She has a job at The Invader. At least she thinks she still has a job. Things didn’t exactly go well her first day. Portia says, and spreading an infection to the whole staff of the paper might be the last straw, and Esme says, exactly. Portia begins her examination, and says, already working, huh? Esme says she wishes she didn’t have to. She hates the idea of leaving Ace. Portia asks if she has to work. Ace is a Cassadine. Esme says, Ace is her son, and she wants to make sure Spencer can’t take him away from her by claiming she’s unfit, or lacking the resources to raise him. Portia says, that’s exactly her point; Esme does have resources. Esme asks what she means.

Curtis says he thought he’d at least try to work things out with his wife, and Drew says, moving in is a great first step. Curtis says, baby step. He’s still in the guest room. Drew says, nothing wrong with taking things slow, and Curtis says, it just sounds so weird; taking things slow with his wife. Drew says he thinks it sounds smart. Good for him. Curtis wishes everyone felt that way, and Drew says, Jordan? Curtis says, yeah. Portia told her that he moved back home before he had a chance to break the news to her. He hated for her to find out that way. Drew says, that’s not good. He’s sorry. So Jordan was really upset? Curtis says, Jordan accused him of using her to sort out his feelings, and he has to be honest. He can’t even be mad at her because it’s valid. Drew says, not what happened? and Curtis says, no. He would never intentionally hurt Jordan like that. Drew says, sometimes in order to do what’s right, you have to hurt the people you love. Um… what?

Clara asks if she said something to upset Willow, but Willow says, no. Clara says she’s been working double shifts, and whether she comes in at dawn or midnight, Willow’s mom is always here, looking after her. Willow says, really? and Clara asks if it’s so hard to believe. Do they not get along? Willow says, the thing is, last year, she found out the woman who raised her for her entire life, the woman she called mom, wasn’t her biological mother. Clara says she’s so sorry. It must have come as quite a shock. Willow says, it did. The woman she thought was her mom, Harmony, was a very damaged human being, lost and looking for guidance. She was easily manipulated, easily fell prey to the wrong people. She wasn’t always the protector a good mom should be. Willow thinks she tried, but still, somehow… Clara says, she was Willow’s mom, and Willow loved her, and Willow says she did, even though she let Willow down over and over again. And even after she found out Harmony wasn’t even her mom – it’s crazy – Willow’s first instinct is always to defend her.

Doc tells Laura, Nikolas has been missing for months. Why the sudden push to look for him now? She says she thinks something is wrong, and Nikolas may need her help. She found out there’s a property the Cassadines own in Chechnya. He may very well be there. Doc says, there may be a Cassadine property in Russia, but that doesn’t mean Nikolas is living there, and she says she knows that, but it’s the only lead she’s got. She just doesn’t believe her son would completely abandon both of his sons. She thinks either he’s being held against his will, or he’s fallen into a deep depression. Either way, he needs help. She’s his mother. She’s going to help him. He says, yes, she is, and she should.

Lucy pours the champagne, and says, to world wide domination. Maxie says she likes that, and to cruelty free cosmetics. Lucy says she likes that too. To The Deceptor. They clink glasses.

Laura says, Doc’s not going to fight her on this? He’s not going to tell her how dangerous Chechnya is? He says, she already knows how dangerous it is, and he knows once she’s made up her mind, there’s no point in trying to talk her out of it. She thanks him for understanding, and he says he understands all too well. That’s why he’s going with her.

Drew says, rumor has it, the Feds are going to be offering Carly a deal if she gives them Sonny, and Curtis says, but they haven’t approached her yet. Drew says, it doesn’t matter. Anybody who knows Carly knows she would never give up Sonny. They’ve been through a lot together, but when it comes to protecting their family, nothing trumps that. Curtis says, so if giving up Sonny’s not an option, what is? and Drew says, they will likely pit Carly and him against each other. Curtis says, no prison time if Drew testifies against Carly and vice versa. Damn. Only one of them can make that deal. Drew says he thinks Carly might be considering it.

Zeke’s drink comes, and Jordan says she’s sorry if she was rude, but he says, don’t apologize. He appreciates a woman who’s direct. She tells him, most men say that, and then… He says, then what? Did one do her wrong? She says, her mood is her own fault. She did something stupid. He says, that doesn’t sound like her, but she says, he doesn’t even know her. He says, convince him that she’s wrong, and she says she kissed her ex. And then he promptly went back to his new wife. So like she said, stupid, but you know what? She told herself that she wouldn’t waste another minute. She knows he just got one, but can she buy him a drink?

Clara says she’s a mom; three blessings. On their best days they can do spectacular things. Get everyone fed, off to school, hold down a job, stop the pain from hurting, but they’re only human. And on their best days they do what they can, but when they have those rough days, those days when that little voice in your head is screaming to run away, they have to forgive themselves for not being perfect. She doesn’t know this Harmony, but can tell Willow still loves her. Maybe she didn’t have great parents. Maybe when she got Willow, she thought she could improve on what she was taught as a little girl. That’s the best they can do as moms; strive to do better for their littles ones and not repeat their mother’s mistakes. They strive to do their best so they can leave things better for the next generation of moms.

Maxie says, sometimes she has to pinch herself, and Lucy asks, why? Maxie says she knew it was a solid concept, but never dreamed Deception would be so successful. Lucy says, Maxie needs to dream bigger, and if Maxie doesn’t mind her saying so, she needs a bigger house. They have to move her on up. Maxie says she knows. Three kids in a two bedroom apartment, that’s insane. But it takes time to find a new place to live; time she doesn’t have. Lucy says, that’s why they made computers. She doesn’t do much realty work these days, but she does have access to fabulous real estate websites, so why don’t they take a deep dive and scoop Maxie up a dream house?

Tracy says, Brook is acting like she wants her to murder someone, and Brook says, like that’s out of the realm of possibilities. Tracy says, this is just business, and Brook says, Maxie, Sasha, and Lucy are great bosses, and Deception’s doing really well. Tracy says, well, all that’s going to change, and soon. She flounces out.

Clara brings Willow some water, and says she doesn’t mean to be nosy, but she has to assume the woman who’s been here every day looking after Willow, making sure she gets her pain meds the minute they’re due to be given, is her biological mom. How did Willow find her? Willow says, she’s not her mom; she’s her mother-in-law, and Clara says, devoted as she is, she would have sworn it was Willow’s mom. I’d love to know how Carly is there 24/7 when we’ve seen her in the kitchen for the last four days. Willow says, that’s Carly, and she loves her dearly. She has a really big heart. Clara says, good for her. She never really got along with her mother-in-law. Willow says, that’s too bad. She’s so thankful to have Carly in her life. Clara says she’s sure Willow’s mother-in-law is thankful to have Willow in her life. It’s a shame her biological mother died without Willow getting to know her. (That’s a weird thing to say, since Willow didn’t even imply that a little.) Willow says, her biological mother is alive, and living in Port Charles. But she wants nothing to do with her.

Curtis says he gets that Carly wants to put the kids first, but he knows Drew, and knows Drew feels the same way. Drew says he’s missed out on so much of Scout’s life already. The last thing he wants to do is miss out on more. Curtis asks if there’s some scenario where Drew and Carly can beat the charges together, and Drew says he’s working on it; nothing concrete yet. Curtis says his offer to help still stands, and Drew says he knows and appreciates it. They clink beer bottles, and Curtis says, it does seem extreme. Drew agrees, and Curtis says, the merger between ELQ and Aurora never happened, so nobody made any money. Drew says, just the opposite actually, and Curtis asks if this is one of those slap on the wrist deals where you do community service and pay a fine, and everybody’s on their way, but Drew says, not likely. He thinks the US Attorney’s office wants Carly to flip on Sonny.

Portia checks Esme’s throat, and says, accepting financial support from your baby’s father doesn’t make you unfit, but Esme says she’s terrified she’ll lose Ace. Portia says, she has rights. Her throat does look irritated, but Portia doesn’t think it’s strep. They’re going to do a culture just to make sure. Esme asks, what about the muscle aches? and Portia says, Esme endured a horrible ordeal when Ace was kidnapped, right? Esme says, so did Portia, and Portia says she did. She had trouble sleeping and eating. Did the same thing happen with Esme? Esme says, it was awful. Her baby coming home was all she could think about. Portia says she thinks Esme is under a lot of stress right now, and Esme says she did have a panic attack at work yesterday. Portia asks how things are going at home. She imagines living with Spencer and Laura is pretty tense. Esme says, it’s not the best situation, no. She actually tried to leave the other day. Portia asks if they’ve threatened to cut Esme off if she decides to leave town, but Esme says, just the opposite. Spencer says he’ll follow her wherever she goes.

Laura says, Doc wants to go with her to Chechnya? What about his job? He says, what about her job? She says she got Jordan to take on the job of Deputy Mayor, so the city is in very good hands. Besides, there’s email, and there’s Zoom if there’s any kind of an emergency. He says he has plenty of vacation time banked, and she says, what about Esme and Spencer? Doesn’t he think they need supervision? He says, that’s more like a refereeing, and they are adults. They have to learn how to figure things out sooner or later. They can’t just keep coming to Laura or him to do it for them. She asks if he really wants to leave them to their own devices, and he says, how about if he sees if Alexis and her daughters are okay with being on Spencer watch? Laura says she likes that, and she can always ask Sonny to keep an eye out too. He says, then it’s settled. They’re going to Chechnya. She says she guesses it is. They have to find somebody who knows the language and knows how things work in that part of the world. He asks where she thinks one would find such a person, and she says she knows who to ask.

Lucy tells Maxie, look at this one. It’s got a three car garage, and a beautiful patio off the master suite. Giant pool, gorgeous, sexy jacuzzi, and look at the chandelier. Maxie could throw the most beautiful parties. Maxie says, it is gorgeous, and look at that kitchen. But why is Lucy showing her McMansions? She can’t afford any of these. Besides, who has a pool in upstate New York. It’s impractical. Lucy says, Maxie says impractical; she says necessary. Swimming is very good exercise. Okay. Maybe it’s a little extravagant. Maxie says she has three kids. Extravagant for her is not eating their leftovers for dinner. Lucy says she’s trying to get Maxie to dream bigger and think bigger, and Maxie says she needs a bigger house so all her kids can have their own rooms. Georgie will be over the moon, and James will finally stop bugging her. Lucy says, wait for it… Look at this one… a tree-lined neighborhood. It says, good schools, excellent schools, big backyard. Wow. Four bedrooms, three baths, and a walk-in closet. Maxie grips Lucy’s shoulder, and says, talk about the lap of luxury. She’s in love, and it even has a little white picket fence. She’s started liking white picket fences. Does that mean she’s a grown-up now? Lucy says she thinks Maxie started being a grown-up when she became a mother, but you do you. Maxie gets to do whatever she wants and what she thinks is right. Maxie says she loves it.

Zeke says, so the mechanic tells him that he has a rabbit in his engine, and Jordan says, not possible. He says, it happens more than you think, especially in the snow. The engine is warm, and the rabbit got in there and started chewing on the hoses. When they popped the hood, there was rabbit fur everywhere. Jordan says, not a fan of bunnies, huh? and Zeke says, not anymore. She asks where he’s from, and he asks how she knows he’s an out of towner. She says she’d remember if she’d seen him before, and he says, she’s got him. He’s new to Port Charles. This place is starting to look better by the minute.

Clara says, Nina Reeves is Willow’s mother? She reads Crimson religiously. It’s a shame she didn’t get a chance to raise Willow. Willow says she’s not sure it’s a bad thing. Harmony had her faults, but Nina’s a trainwreck. Clara says she doesn’t believe anyone’s all bad; or all good, for that matter. They’re all flawed and imperfect. Some of us give in to our good instincts; some of us give in to the bad ones. Life is complicated. It sounds to her like the universe wants them in each other’s orbits. Nina’s Aunt Liesl saved Willow’s life with the bone marrow transplant. She thinks the universe wants them in each other’s lives. Willow says, no. Every time she gives Nina an inch, she takes a mile. Clara says, yet she forgave Harmony for her mistakes. Is Nina really that unforgivable? Willow says, that’s exactly what she’s saying, and Clara says, so if Willow were to get a call saying Nina had died in an unexpected car accident, how would she feel?

Maxie tells Lucy, this house does seem perfect for her. Four bedrooms, three bathrooms, an amazing kitchen, good schools, but can she really afford it? I thought they made millions when the company went public, and Lucy says, come on. Look around her. Think about what an amazingly successful year they’ve had at Deception together. Maxie says, what about next year, and the year after that, and the year after that? Lucy says, it’s a valid point, but all they have to do is come up with more products, new and better products, and they can do that together as long as they put their minds to it. Come on, Maxie. Live for today. Maxie says, to living for today, and Lucy says, to Deception. Maxie says, to Deception, and they clink glasses.

On the phone, Laura says she hopes they don’t mind she got their number from Brook, but she has a problem, and they’re the perfect person to talk to about it… Oh no. It’s not official city business. It’s personal. Her son has been missing for a few months now, and she has reason to believe he might be in a home in Chechnya. The problem is, she and her husband don’t speak Russian, and have never been to that part of the world. She was hoping they’d know someone who could act as a translator and as a guide. So would they happen to know anyone who could fill that bill?… She and Doc would like to leave as soon as they can.

Portia says, in her opinion, Esme needs to do what’s best for her and that baby, and Esme says she agrees, but Laura does have a good point. She can’t take care of Ace all by herself, and if she leaves town, she’ll have to get a full-time job. Portia says, but maybe not, and Esme says, people need money to eat and buy clothes and put a roof over their head. Portia says, yes, of course (🍷), but does she think Spencer would let his baby brother go hungry? Esme says she doesn’t want to be dependent on anyone, and Portia says she respects that, but maybe moving out of Port Charles with her baby would be better for Esme. It sounds like she’d be more comfortable without Ace’s family watching her every move.

Drew tells Curtis, the situation is just so untenable. At some point, something’s got to give. He thanks Curtis for talking it out. He has enough on his plate, and Drew appreciates it. Curtis says, it is awkward, living in his own house and staying in the guest room, but he owes it to himself, and to Portia, to hang in there and make it work. Drew says he’s proud of Curtis, and Curtis says, that kiss just confused everything, and it brought up feelings that were better off buried.

Willow says, Clara doesn’t play fair, and Clara says, it was just a question. Willow sighs and says, when Harmony died, and the truth came out about who she really was and all the bad things she’d done, she still missed her. And she never stopped loving her. And yes, she wishes Harmony were still alive. Clara says, her biological mom isn’t dead, and Willow says, no, she’s not. And she very badly wants to be in Willow’s life and her kids’ lives. And if Nina were to die tomorrow, she thinks she’d feel another loss, like she did with Harmony. But with Nina, it’s so much more complicated. Clara asks if it has to be. Her relationship with her mother wasn’t perfect, but she’d do anything to see her again. Her beeper goes off, and she says she has to go. She’ll see Willow later.

Laura thanks Yuri, and looks like she’s in shock. Doc says, what? Did Yuri say he can’t help them? She says, just the opposite. He’s between jobs. He says he’d love to help them. Doc says, that’s excellent, and she says, for the first time, for weeks now, she actually thinks there’s a chance for her to see her sone again. Doc hugs her.

Portia says, someone will call Esme with the results from her throat culture, and in the meantime, here’s a prescription that will help her manage her pain. Esme thanks her, and Portia says, in the meantime, eat healthy, drink fluids, and have nutrient rich foods. Take care of herself, and that baby. Esme says, will do, and she’ll think about what Portia said.

Drew says he hopes things work out with Curtis and Portia, and Curtis says, time will tell. He tells Drew to call him if he needs anything. Drew says, only if he does the same, and Curtis says, he’s got it. They fist bump, and Drew leaves. Outside, he makes a call. He says, it’s Drew Cain. They have to move up the meeting regarding the SEC. He wants to talk about a deal.

Chase asks, where’s Tracy? and Brook says, gone. He says, more pâté for them, but she says she hates pâté. He says, him too. What’s going on with her and her grandmother? She says she wishes she knew. The bartender cleans up. Both Jordan and Zeke are gone. He finds Jordan’s ring in the bottom of her glass.

Zeke and Jordan get very, very busy in his  room at the MetroCourt as his jazzy playlist plays.

Tomorrow, Olivia tells Ned that she knows exactly how they’re going to do it; Drew asks someone to meet this evening; and Josslyn tells Carly to have the courage to do what Michael couldn’t.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey – The Reunion – Part 2

Ugh for the second time this week, and it’s only Tuesday.

Andy says, Teresa doesn’t really think her brother and sister-in-law are responsible for her going to jail, and Teresa says, they hung out with the people responsible. She spoke to the FBI. Melissa says she doesn’t know the man Teresa is talking about, and Andy says he’s curious about Dolores’s reaction, but Dolores says she just can’t fathom… Melissa asks how would they even know this guy, and Teresa says, they weren’t targeting her, but her ex, by hanging out with the people doing it to her ex. Melissa says she and Joe #2 didn’t commit mortgage fraud, and Teresa says they did it to her husband. Melissa says, it’s a f***ing lie. Melissa reads a text from Jacqueline Laurita to Jackie calling Teresa an entire long paragraph of names, saying she’s a nasty a-hole who thinks she’s a goddess. Melissa says, this is Teresa’s friend, and Teresa says, Jacqueline said Melissa is a whore, and Andy says, moving on. Teresa says she’s cleansing the bad energy, and I wait for her to leave, but she doesn’t. Andy asks Rachel what the first season was like, dealing with a two year old and a newborn, and we flash back. Rachel says, it was challenging, but she has help from her mom and aunt, since she has no nanny. She’d rather have someone do cleaning so she can spend time with her kids. You don’t get that time back. She tears up, and Andy says, a viewer wonders if she prefers John hairy or smooth. We flash back to John’s waxing, and she says she likes him smooth. He’s shaved his entire body, and got lipo. He looks younger now. Andy says, Miley from Oakland wants to know what Rachel thought when Jennifer called her out on her nose job when she’d had one herself. Jennifer starts off talking about the plastic surgeon, and slides into babbling about irrelevant topics. Rachel says, none of that happened, but Jennifer says, that’s how she remembers it. So I guess that makes it fact. She accuses Rachel of being BravoLover1234 on social media. I’m doubting that just because I would hope she’d make up a more original handle. Jennifer talks and talks and talks, and Rachel asks if Andy can make her stop talking, but he says, she’ll run out of gas soon. Finally, he gets a word in, and asks where Rachel is in the adoption process. She says, it was finalized, and Andy says, it was so touching when Jaiden expressed it was what he wanted, and we flash back to that. Rachel says she’s going to cry. We all are, and I’ll say it again, she needs to take those kids, her newly hot husband, and run. She says, Jaiden’s birth mother had been contacted by blogs, and said they were adopting for the show. Dolores says, Rachel was talking about it years ago, and Andy says, Jaiden’s birth mother was saying John was preventing her from speaking or seeing Jaiden. Rachel says, a castmate provided more information. Jaiden’s birth mother was contacted because of Louie. He’d gotten information on what prison she’d been in and where she was, and had someone track her down. Andy asks how she found out it was Louie, and she says, he told someone close to her who’s not in the cast. Teresa acts like, no way would Louie ever do such a thing, but Marge says, Louie screaming a P.I.’s name at them makes sense now, and we flash back to the Bo Dietl debacle. Teresa says, Marge is calling the kettle black. Everything comes to Marge. Marge says, she’d never hire a P.I., and Teresa says, Louie has the money. Melissa says, he’s a great f***ing catch, and Teresa says, Marge started it, and Melissa says, Marge apologized, and Teresa said she did nothing wrong. Somehow, this escalates between Melissa and Teresa, who do that thing I hate, shouting over each other so you can’t understand either one of them, but it makes no sense anyway. It ends with Teresa telling Melissa to take a namaste and stick it up her a-hole, and Melissa says, if she could find one, she would.

Jackie and Jen join the group, Andy saying, the nice Jewish girls have arrived. Andy says, Jen has made her transformation into the Housewives universe; it usually takes longer. Jen says she doesn’t recognize herself. She’s had a facelift, a nose job, and lost weight. Andy says, she’s not messing around, and she says, if she’s not asked back, this might be her last shot. She also seems sane, so I don’t get this. He asks how she liked her first season, and she says, it was actually better than expectation in terms of filming, but the aftermath is tricky. There was a lot of reaction to her having slept with James Gandolfini. She was surprised how offended people were. She wasn’t always this old hag; she was in her 20s. People said he couldn’t defend himself and had slept with an old hag. God almighty. She didn’t look that bad, and yeah, had anyone seen James in later years? He wasn’t exactly Hugh Jackman. Or even Ryan Reynolds. Jen says, her exit has the James Gandolfini rest stop, and it makes her cry. Andy says, Jackie looks healthy; she seems like she’s radiating. Jackie says she needed more weight in her face; she looks younger. He asks how she feels being back as a friend, and she says, it was hard. Maybe, but it’s probably why she looks healthy. A few months into her recovery, they were talking about casting, but she was not in a good place. She’d gained a lot of weight in a short period of time, and she didn’t want to move backwards. It was the best thing, and gave her a chance to write her book, which was important in her recovery. Andy says, when Dolores was on Watch What Happens Live, she’d talked honestly about taking Ozempic, and asks Jackie her opinion. Jackie says, it’s not a bad thing to want to lose weight, but she thinks the problem is, one day, you have to go off of them, and studies show you gain the weight back quickly. People can become addicted to being thin, and getting back to it is where dangerous habits can come in. Well said. Andy asks the name of her book, and she says, The Weight of Beautiful. He says, who knew she was a talented limerick lyricist, and we flash back to that. She says, a few Guinness’s will get her there. She makes one up about Andy, which I didn’t catch exactly, but close enough. There once was a man who got chatty with ladies who liked to be catty. A producer and host from coast to coast, the Housewives all call him daddy. Andy asks, who’s the better chugger? and everyone agrees that it’s Jackie. We flash back, and Andy says, Melissa talked about drunk dialing her ex and was stealing wine glasses. Melissa says, when she’s drunk, she likes to have fun, and she’ll say anything. Teresa says she shouldn’t do that kind of stuff since she’s a married woman with children. Melissa says, Teresa calls people the c-word and her children see that. Teresa says she had a good reason to use that word😐, and Melissa says she was just having fun with the girls. Teresa says, if she hadn’t been getting married, she’d have made a big deal about it. Marge says, it was all in fun, and Teresa says, of course Marge would back up Melissa. Andy asks what Teresa’s problem with male strippers is, and she says she’s into Channing Taynum [sic]. Melissa feigns shock, and says, how dare Teresa say such a thing when she’s married? Andy says, it’s time to take a break. I know I need one.

The dudes arrive backstage, and ugh, Louie is such a jerk. Frank says, they’re going to bust John’s cherry. Back at the Reunion, Andy says, in Ireland, they had a way with words, and we flash back to Teresa’s raw as a cucumber and fresh of breath air; Melissa’s thinking the word arsenal had something to do with a book; Danielle insisting conversating is a word; and Jennifer’s infamous boogawolf. Andy says, it’s a new one to him, and Jennifer says, her best friend from Arkansas said, the next time she saw Marge, call her that. At the dinner, a lightbulb popped in her head. Let’s add that to the list since it’s more like a lightbulb popped on over her head. Jen says she’s used it like ten times since. Andy asks Melissa to define arsenal, and she’s still shaky on that, but her lightbulb finally comes on. Did anyone here go to school or even ever read a book? A viewer points out that conversating is in the dictionary, and Marge says, it is now, but it’s a slang word, and she wouldn’t use it on an application. I find it kind of annoying. Another viewer commends Marge for taking in friends as family, and asks how her relationship with Jan’s kids is. She says, Jan died last August, and it was hard on them; it was sudden. His son called her, and said Jan was going to the hospital, and to get there asap. She spoke to Jan every day. Andy asks if Marge’s stepdaughter is the only one of Jan’s children she’s estranged from, and Marge says, it’s still hard. They talk some more about Rachel adopting, and Marge says Rachel is a great mother. Then we have to hear about Marge’s early sex life with Joe #3, which I don’t need, and who’s having the most sex, which is another thing not on my bucket list of info needed. A viewer wonders why Marge wasn’t okay with Jennifer and Teresa saying she was a better friend than an enemy, but was okay with Jackie saying she wouldn’t want Marge as an enemy. Marge says, with Jennifer and Teresa, it was a forewarning; like saying she’s not a good person. Jackie says, all she meant was Marge would be a formidable opponent. Teresa whines that she just said that because of what Jackie said. A viewer asks where Marge gets her information, and if she gets Google alerts. Marge says she doesn’t get alerts, and doesn’t have an arsenal of information. Teresa says, Marge brought up the rumor about Ethan cheating, and Andy says, Teresa is the one who brought it up. Teresa says, that’s because she heard it from her brother, who heard it from Melissa, who heard it from Marge. Melissa says, that didn’t happen, and Andy says, there was a lot of talk about Laura. What did Marge do to piss her off? Marge says she was trying to be kind and get Laura on the show. Then she realized the friendship was more about the show than a real friendship. Laura was told by someone else, the way to get on is to cause drama, so she talked to Teresa and Jennifer. Andy asks why Jennifer listened to what Laura had to say, and Jennifer says, she’d been reliving the affair while watching the show, so she  thought, why not? Andy says, Melissa already knew about the rumor before Jennifer heard it from Laura, and Jennifer says, Laura told her that Melissa knew already. There’s a bunch of nonsense from Melissa and Teresa, and Andy asks, why bring it up on camera to Danielle? And why tell Danielle not to bring it up to Melissa? Jennifer says she was letting the narrative play out, and Marge says, Jennifer went to acting school, although I’m not sure if Marge is being funny or Jennifer did go to acting school and this was the best she could do. There’s convoluted talk, and Melissa says, they just wanted to make a big deal that Danielle could deliver in the finale. Rachel says, Danielle was manipulated, and Andy asks if she feels set up. Danielle asks if they set her up.

Omg this feels so loooong, and we’re only halfway through.

There are crickets, and Jennifer says she’s sorry if it came across that way. Marge says, someone she thought was a friend lied, and it fell in Danielle’s lap. It was up to her what she did with it. Danielle says she doesn’t feel set up😐. She likes to believe she’s nobody’s pawn. Marge says, she was a pawn, but Danielle says she doesn’t think so. Andy says, she might walk away tonight with a different opinion, and Jennifer asks if she should have hidden the information. Andy asks, who thinks the rumors are true? and no one dares raise their hand even if they’re thinking it. Jennifer says she believes Marge told Laura the rumor. Andy asks, who does Melissa blame most? and Melissa says she blames Teresa for talking to Joe #2, but then Teresa won’t let her talk, and it’s the back and forth thing. Jen says, they should have invited Melissa, not just half the couple. Backstage, Joe #2 says, in 13 years, it’s never been like this. Joe #3 asks, what’s different? and Joe #2 jokingly says, Nate. Frank says, they’ve had plenty of arguments, but it’s never gotten to this point. The only thing different is Louie.

Teresa says, it wasn’t her idea. It was Louie, but everything he said was coming from Marge. Melissa asks why not ask them both to come over, and Teresa says she was going to leave, but then she felt bad. Melissa says she should feel bad. She was trying to break up her brother’s marriage. Teresa wishes her happiness, but then talks behind her back. Teresa says she wants the next question, but Melissa is like, oh no. There’s a bunch of nonsense back and forth, until Andy finally screams, hold on! Stop! But it doesn’t. It’s like two little kids who need to have the last word, and Teresa says, Melissa’s weak. Andy says he swears to God. They’re like kindergarteners who don’t grow or evolve. Teresa doesn’t miss a beat, and says, Melissa and Joe were looking for an excuse not to come to the wedding. They were looking for a storyline. Melissa says, Teresa did it, not her, but Teresa says she didn’t do it. Melissa can talk to Louie when he comes out. Melissa says, Louie’s the biggest bitch boy. He wants to be on the show; he’s the new bitch boy. Teresa says, Joe #2 is the bitch boy, and Andy suggests they keep talking over each other every f***ing second. Everyone else is either staring into space or looking down, and Teresa says she can’t wait to never look at Melissa’s face again after today. Backstage, the guys get ready. Frank says, normally, he keeps his mouth shut, but not today. He never jumps in, but he did nothing but try to help Louie. In unseen footage, Frank is telling Joe #2 about how Frankie had been working for Louie. Louie closed the company, but never told Frankie, then wouldn’t take Frankie’s calls. Joe #2 wonders what Louie’s agenda is, and Frank tells him not to fight Louie. Louie will kick his ass, not like Juicy Joe. Joe #2 laughs.  

Andy says, there was a lot of viewer reaction to Jennifer’s coffee reading, and we flash back to Angie saying, Jennifer would get endorsements. A viewer asked if Jennifer thought people would fall for it, but Jennifer insists Angie is good at what she does. Marge says, the reading was obviously tainted, and everyone gets out their dictionaries. Jennifer says, Angie is a nurse by day, and looked after nono; that’s how Jennifer knew her. She’d asked if Jennifer was going into the lion’s den, and told her that Melissa never came to visit. There’s a bunch of mess, and Andy asks if Bill’s perception on therapy has changed, and we flash back to Bill saying he doesn’t need to go back. Jennifer says, one session did wonders, and she’s not pushing it. We already know she’s never not going to sweep things under the rug. Andy asks if Bill is still in the pool house, and Jennifer says, he explained that he’s with patients all day, then comes home to her, the nanny, her dad, four kids, and now a dog. She’s using the pool house now, and they’re hanging together. She’s so happy. Andy asks if Marge believes that, and Marge says she believes this is what Jennifer wants in a marriage. Andy asks if Marge blames Jennifer for still being angry because her daughter is suffering repercussions, and Marge says she understands why Jennifer is mad, but there have obviously issues that have been going on for years, and she’s not taking responsibility for that. Jennifer says, her daughter wanted to be a Broadway star, and Marge says, she will be. Jennifer talks too much. Andy says, Marge called Jennifer a drug addict, and Marge says she’s not a vice shamer, but when the vice is your entire lifestyle… Jennifer shrieks that Marge has old lady energy about a million times, and Marge says she’s seen a change in Jennifer. Jennifer’s head spins around as she hurls stupid made up names at Marge, and Marge says, Jennifer can insult her looks all she wants. She could give two sh*ts. Andy says, Jennifer was distraught about Bill’s affair being exposed, but had no problem exposing the rumor about Melissa. Jennifer says, first, she wondered if they would share information, and Melissa says, she never shared any information about Jennifer. What was the point of bringing it into the finale? Jennifer says, for her to kill it, and Andy says, it seemed like they blamed Jennifer when it was her and Teresa, and Teresa says she did nothing with the information she was given. Andy asks how Teresa and Marge’s relationship is. They seemed cordial during the season, then they were taking shots at each other on social media. Marge says she was fine until she had Bo Dietl screamed in her face and Louie sh*t on them. Backstage, Frank says, Louie claims Bo Dietl has a file on everyone here. Who does that? Joe #2 says, it’s sick sh*t, and Frank asks why anyone would have a file unless they know they have a dirty closet. I thought Bo Dietl refuted Louie’s claim, so I’m not sure why this was brought up again here.

Marge says, she’s since found out that one of her children was called and threatened at work – by Louie. She has the phone records, and Teresa knows it. She pulls out the receipts, and Teresa says, freaky sh*t. Jennifer asks if Marge’s son spoke to him, and Marge tells them, Louie said, I’m the guy you’ve got to worry about. It’s a very private place with high security. No one has any idea where the office is. Teresa says, someone is spoofing Louie, but Marge says, no one knows where her child is. Andy says, there is some hack going on with the Housewives. They’ve all gotten calls they thought were from each other. Teresa says she spoke to a P.I., and this does happen, and Marge says, the police know about it, and the phone records were pulled. On the side, Teresa and Melissa are bickering again, and Marge says she called Dolores; she was a mess. Teresa says, if Dolores knew, why didn’t Dolores tell her, and Dolores says, she wants nothing to do with this. Teresa is all, well, I never, and says, do what she has to do. Just now, she got two missed calls from Marge. How convenient! But Marge says, it’s a landline, and no one has the number. Since denial didn’t work, Teresa says, Marge has called people about Louie in the past. Marge says she never wants to see his sham of a face again, but Andy says she’s going to have to. There’s more bickering, and Teresa calls Marge the devil. Marge says, Teresa is a criminal, and so is Louie. Teresa is the one who started the rumor about Jackie’s husband. Louie belittles her and makes her look like an a-hole. Teresa says, oh no he doesn’t, and calls Marge a whore. Marge says she’s belittled and pathetic, and Andy says, stop. Teresa calls Marge, old hag Nancy, which I have no idea what is in reference to, and Andy says they’re both acting like a-holes. He thanks Jackie and Jen, and says, they’re going to bring out the Jersey men.

The guys come out of the dressing room, and some of the women take a pee break. Danielle says, they set her up, and Melissa tells Joe #2, this is next level sh*t. Andy goes backstage, and tells Louie that he’s worried about emotions getting out of control. He doesn’t want things to get physical. He’s the first line. Louie tells him not to worry, and thanks him for caring. Huh? Andy says, let’s do this, and tells Joe #2, don’t get out of his chair. Joe promises, and Louie says, it’s so sickening. Well, we agree there, just not for the same reasons.

Next time, Teresa thinks Andy should get Botox; Frank shows off his new teeth; Frankie working for Louie is discussed; John tells Louie to stop the bullsh*t; Marge says, Louie is under criminal investigation; Louie says, I know everything, let’s play (ugh on top of ugh over and over); Teresa is the first one out of her chair, pointing her finger at Joe #2; and Teresa walks out, screaming at the cameras, but this time, there’s no red Solo cup to throw.

🍿 This was really strange in spots. I swear, Teresa was either high or she’s totally losing it. There was one point, when they were talking about Laura, where she was obviously lost, bringing up things they’d just talked about like they hadn’t just talked about them. And Louie… WTF? This guy gets weirder every time we see him. There’s some kind of ticking time bomb there. I just hope it doesn’t end in tragic headlines.

🩰 In a Barbie World…

Come back tomorrow for soap and the finale of an even more awful Reunion. Until then stay safe, stay returning what you’ve borrowed, and stay dreaming bigger.