Monthly Archives: June 2024

Jun29

June 28, 2024 – Jason Pleads With Carly, His Exit, Not Her Season, Kathy Time, Claims, Low Moments, WWDD, Dynamic Duo, Grouchy Dancer, Rescued, A Round Number Of Quotes & I Am   

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What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

The moss bowl🎍is back!!! Jason walks into Sonny’s old kitchen and asks why Carly needs to see him. She says, because she knows.

Chase comes back to the Q mansion and Brook hugs him. She asks how it went with Finn, and he says, okay, he thinks. He’s really owning what happened. He apologized for the lies and the other things he said. Finn thanked him for getting the restraining order. She asks if he actually said the words, and Chase says, he did. For that and for taking custody. He realized what he’s putting Violet through and he’s kind of torn up about it. She says, good… She means that in the most supportive way possible. He says he knows, and she tells him, when Violet said, I thought you died like grandpa, she lost it. He says he had to pull over on the drive back, and she leads him into the living room. She asks how he thinks the rehab is, but he says he didn’t go inside. Finn wanted to take that step on his own. She says, he made sure Finn went in, right? and he says, yeah. He watched him go all the way inside. But the outside was nice. Even at night, it was very peaceful. She says, sounds like just what he needs, and Chase asks how Violet is doing. Is she in bed? Brook says, she was out like a light. She was exhausted. They didn’t get a chance to discuss this before when Finn was here… He says, discuss what? and she says she had a long talk with her grandmother. She made a very strong case about how she thinks they should proceed. He asks what the empress had to say, and Brook says, she thinks it would be best if the two of them move in here with Violet.

Natalia meets Sonny at the pool (the glowing pool balls are back too!), and he thanks her for coming. She says she’s flattered he asked, and he says, it’s not too late for her, is it? She says, no. She’s a total night owl, always has been. And he couldn’t have picked a better location. Her room is right downstairs. The server asks what he can get them, and Sonny says, North Sterling scotch, neat, for the lady – she says, he remembered, and thanks him – and he’ll have the same thing. The server says, coming right up, and Natalia asks, what has Sonny up so late? He says he’s been feeling a little stifled lately at his place, and she says she can imagine. He says, so he had to change the living situation. She asks if he traded in the luxurious penthouse for the MetroCourt presidential suite, and they laugh. He says, nah, and she asks what he means then. He says, Ava moved out, and Natalia says, she seemed pretty ensconced. He says, even so, it’s time to go.

Ava thanks Laura for coming by so late, and Laura says she got Ava’s message. Has she heard from Nikolas? Ava says, not since he’s been transferred. She’s sorry. Did Laura think this was about him? Laura says, more like she was hoping. She hasn’t heard from him either. Anyways, she’s here. She didn’t realize Ava was staying at the MetroCourt. Ava says, as of this morning. It turns out she’s safer here than under the same roof as Sonny Corinthos.

Kristina looks at some paperwork with Blaze and says, some of this sounds impressive, but she can’t tell if it is or it’s a total line of BS. For example, oversaw the distribution of priority communication throughout a complex interdepartmental network. Sounds impressive or… Blaze says, sounds like mailroom? Is Kristina sure she wants to hand over the day to day running of the LGBTQ center to someone else? It is her baby. Kristina says she doesn’t want to. The Corinthos-Davis House was her idea. She’s really passionate about it, but she wants someone else to take charge right now. That’s what’s best for the center. Blaze asks, how exactly is Kristina stepping back what’s best for the center? and Kristina says, because she came up with a really powerful idea, but there are people more qualified than she is who can run the center and make her vision a reality. Besides she doesn’t want to start back up again at the Corinthos-Davis House, then have to go on maternity leave five seconds later. Blaze says, maternity leave?

Chase asks if Tracy’s suggestion they move in here an invitation or a demand? and Brook says, it was a very strong invitation. He says, she decided this unilaterally? and she says, Monica and Olivia both signed off on it. He says, Monica and Olivia agreed with Tracy? Both of them? She says she knows. It’s like the Seven Seals of the Apocalypse all burst open at once. Of course (🍷) she said she wasn’t going to make any decisions without discussing it with him first. He says, okay. Let’s discuss it. What are the pros? Brook says, her grandmother first pointed out that they can’t move into his brother’s place with Violet, what with her grandfather dying there and her finding her father passed out and bleeding on the floor. Chase says, that’s a good point. So they’ll move into his place. Brook says, yeah, it’s just… He says, that it’s too small. They can get a bigger place. They’ve been talking about doing that anyway. What better time? She says, they could, and he says, where would they stay here that has more privacy than their own place? She says, there’s a suite with two bedrooms and a private bath, and there are tons of kids running around. Not to mention, Monica and Olivia and Willow and Sasha. Lots of positive, nurturing maternal energy. He tells her that she didn’t say Tracy, and she says, neither did she. He says, so those were Tracy’s talking points, and she says, pretty much. She also said, Violet needs consistency now. Not when they move, but right now. He asks if she agrees, and she says she thought they were really good points. What does he think? He says, when he was driving back from the rehab place alone, he was thinking about something Finn said to him about how he was being the big brother, taking care of him. Chase’s whole life he had his dad to take care of him. Now he’s responsible for his family, to provide for them and make sure they’re safe. When he was driving, every minute, every mile, he was coming up with a plan and revising it because he’s never had a kid, and now he has custody of one. He knows it’s just temporary, but he doesn’t know how long it will be. Not really. But the whole way back, he thought, yes. He can step up for his niece. He can give her the home she deserves.

The server brings the scotch, and Sonny thanks him. Natalia says, after what Ava did to Kristina’s mom, she can imagine it got pretty tense in the house, and Sonny says, but not for long. He doesn’t know what he was thinking, letting her move into his place. She says, he was thinking about his daughter Avery. By the way, she thinks she can guess who came up with that name. He says, she’d be right. Still, he thinks it suits his little girl. She agrees, and says, it’s none of her business but… He says, fire away, and she says, aside from this recent cohabitation, Ava doesn’t seem like she’s the one who got away. He says, Ava can’t get far away enough, and she laughs. She says, to long distance, and they clink glasses. He says, there is one person he thought he could count on until his dying day. She turned her back on him. She asks if that’s his wife Nina, but he says, no. Nina was a different mistake, but what she did happened around the same time. These people he could count on, he figured out he couldn’t count on them at all. She tells him that he said people, so more than one, and he says he discovered that these two people were the closest to him of anyone, and they were conspiring against him. At that time, he didn’t think Ava was, so he let her in. He should have known better because Ava was and always will be a treacherous viper.

Laura says she knows Ava and Sonny have a complicated history, but she thought they’d come to an understanding of late. Ava says she certainly thought so. As far as she knew, she and Sonny were closer than ever. They’d become… Friends might be too big a word, but they’d begun to let their guard down. They were confiding in each other. There was a kind of trust. Laura says, and now? and Ava says, now she’s living in a hotel, scrolling through real estate apps. Laura says, it’s not like Sonny to put the mother of one of his children out on the streets, and Ava says she’s not exactly destitute. Laura says, that’s very true. Would Ava mind telling her what happened between them? Ava says she wishes she knew. She’s sure Laura’s noticed how erratic Sonny has been lately. He’s lashed out at almost everybody, and up until now, she’s avoided being a target of his wrath. Laura says, and she has no idea why he suddenly turned on her. Ava says, none. She wouldn’t be able to correct it even if she did. Because with Sonny, any offense is a capital crime, real or imagined. Laura says she’s aware of how he feels about loyalty, and Ava says she sees Laura’s been the brunt of it herself. Don’t worry. She won’t pry. Laura thanks her, and Ava says, if anything, she’s been trying to support Sonny, and he seemed to be appreciating it. Then today, he became completely irrational. He picked a fight with her over she doesn’t even know what. It was so unsettling. It was so unmoored from reality, she had no choice but to leave. Laura says she’s become aware just recently that Sonny is not the man she thought he was. Except that lately, it seems like he’s been giving in to all of his worst impulses. But she hasn’t known Ava to be a completely helpless victim, so come on now. Why doesn’t Ava tell her what they were really fighting about?

Carly says, the FBI used her to strongarm Jason into being an informant. Which means it’s her fault he lost two and a half years of his life that he could have spent with his family. He asks, who told her? but she says, it doesn’t matter. He says, it does matter. He needs to know. She says, Sam. Sam’s not happy about it and blames her and she gets it. He asks how Sam found out, and she says, how does he think? He says, Spinelli, and she says, Sam got Spinelli to hack into the FBI’s evidence file and they found a recording of her at that meeting with Cyrus Renault and the Five Families, announcing to everyone that she was head of the Corinthos organization. Spinelli wasn’t able to delete the file. He says, that’s good. He thinks they’d notice that. She says, he was able to make a recording though, and Sam played it for her. Jason had a choice. His freedom and his family, or her. Why did he pick her? (Ugh. Just get a room at the MetroCourt already.)

Ava says, apparently, Kristina made some petty accusation against her. And because Kristina is the apple of Sonny’s eye, she got the boot. She’s sure Kristina is throwing a party somewhere as they speak. Her concern is that the person who will suffer the most from her moving out is Sonny. Laura says, how so? and Ava says she’s tried to be a stabilizing influence. She hasn’t been very successful, especially considering what happened at that wedding. Laura says, what wedding? Oh, Brook Lynn and Chase. Ava says, yeah. Sonny beat a man within an inch of his life at the reception. Laura says, oh my God, and Ava says, it’s no surprise Laura hasn’t heard about this, because as usual with Sonny, no charges were filed.

Kristina tells Blaze that she just meant maternity leave like in the sense of the time period a woman takes after she gives birth, whatever that time period is called. Blaze says, so family leave, and Kristina tells her that she said whatever. Blaze says, obviously, she will need time to recover, but isn’t that like twelve weeks? and Kristina says, yeah. Blaze says, isn’t that so the new parents can get acclimated to raising their newborn? and Kristina says, it’s for whatever they need it to be for, but yes, most importantly for that. Blaze says, but if she’s not raising the baby, can’t she return to the center in the amount of time the doctors recommend? Kristina says, six weeks, and Blaze says, why give up running the center she built from the ground up when she can just start six weeks in? Kristina says, because she doesn’t know what’s going to happen. She doesn’t know if Molly and TJ are going to break up or if they’re going to stay together. She doesn’t know if they’re maybe going to stay together and then maybe a year later, they’re going to break up. She doesn’t know. And if TJ decides that he does want full custody, and he does because it’s his biological and legal right… Blaze tries to interrupt, but Kristina says, stay with her. Molly has no legal or biological claim to this child, but she does. Blaze says, hold on a second. Is she saying she would actually try to get custody for Molly?

Natalia says she hasn’t had much interaction with Ava, but Ava always seems so disingenuous to her, and Sonny says, that’s putting it kindly. She says, if she ever crosses paths with Ava again, she’ll have her guard up, and Sonny says, do him a favor. Don’t cross paths with her. She’s going in a different direction. Natalia laughs and says she’ll keep that in mind. She doesn’t scare easily though, so she doesn’t like to give anyone that power over her to be afraid. He says he’s not telling her to be afraid. He’s just saying, don’t underestimate Ava. She says, duly noted, and enough about her anyhow, and Sonny says, here you go, raising his glass. They clink glasses, and Natalia says, on to more pleasant topics. What were they talking about before her? He says, betrayal, and she says, that’s pleasant. He says, it’s a downer, he knows, and she says, well, it’s a beautiful night in a beautiful place. And the scotch is amazing… and the company... He says, loves misery, but she says, no. Not afraid of the dark. He says, to the darkness, they clink again, and she says, and to the light that follows. She doesn’t want to belabor the topic, but there just is no pain quite like the wound of betrayal. She’s so sorry he had to go through that. He says, the same. What about her? Did she ever forgive the person who betrayed her? She tells him, who said there was just one? and he says, oh, there was more than one. He didn’t know that. She says, forgive? She doesn’t know if she forgives. She moves on. She doesn’t forget. The Lord wants her to forgive, so she tries. What about him? He says, no, and she says, just no? That’s it? They laugh and he says, actually, with family he forgives. And his family forgives him. That’s what families do, right? She says, right, but doesn’t he find it harmful not tempering anger with mercy? He says, sometimes. He’s been thinking lately about the people who turned away from him, who he trusted, that they believed in him. They all have one thing in common – me.

Jason says he never wanted Carly or the moss bowl🎍to know about this, and Carly asks, why? It’s her life. She’s the one who could be charged. He says he made sure she wouldn’t be, and she says, by sacrificing himself. He says, because he knew if she found out, she would confront the FBI and dare them to charge her, and that wouldn’t make any sense at all. She says, and him becoming an informant does? For more than two years? He says he didn’t think it would be that long. He thought it would be six months. One undercover operation and he’s out, she’s safe, but then it was another year, and another year after that. She cries, and he says, there was never a moment when it was too much. He never once thought about bailing. She says, of course (🍷) he didn’t. This is what he does. He always protects her, but this time, she was the target. She deserved to know, and she should have a say in how they handle things. He says, there is no we. He’s handling it the way he’s handling it. She says, that’s not an option anymore. She’s not going to let him throw his life away because… He says he’s not throwing his life away. He agreed to do a job and that’s what he’s doing. She asks how he knows Cates won’t double-cross him. How does he know Cates won’t say, thanks for your help; here’s you next mission? Does he honestly believe the FBI and John Cates are ever going to let him go?

Kristina says she just wants to know what her options are, and Blaze says, options that keep the baby in the family so Molly can raise it, or does she want the baby for herself? Kristina says, now who’s going into hypotheticals? and Blaze asks if she’s actually looked into these options. Kristina says, no, she hasn’t, but she did ask her mom for guidance. Her mom just didn’t want to give her opinion. Blaze says, very wise, her mother, and Kristina says, her mother did direct her to the legal statute involved, if hypothetically, she did want to pursue custody. Blaze says she guesses that’s not so bad, and Kristina says, and she did draw up a mock petition that could arguably be filed in court. Blaze says, Kristina… and Kristina says she thinks her chances are better than 50%. The baby’s not just a package you can hand over. If the courts agree with her and she gets custody, she’s the one who’s going to have to raise this child. Blaze once said she wished this baby were theirs. How would she feel about co-parenting?

Laura tells Ava that this is the first she heard Sonny attacked someone at the wedding. Who was the victim? Ava says she tried to ask him, but Sonny was pretty distraught himself over losing control in front of Kristina. Laura says, Kristina saw it? and Ava says, from what she understands, Kristina witnessed the whole thing, and she became extremely upset. Not that it matters now, because all is forgiven. Kristina and her father are once again thick as thieves. Laura thanks Ava for telling her this, and gets up. She gets her bag, and Ava says she knows it’s not the happiest news to impart, but she thought Laura should know. Although it’s not why she asked Laura here. Laura says, oh. She didn’t think so actually. Ava says, but it is about Sonny. He’s become so erratic, she doesn’t know what he’s going to do from one moment to the next. And the way they left things, she’s afraid he’s become so unhinged and paranoid, that he’s going to try and get their custody agreement overturned to keep Avery for himself. She cannot allow that to happen.

Brook says, Violet is Chase’s niece, so of course (🍷) he wants to take the lead in figuring out the best course of action for how she moves forward. She gets up, heads for the door, and says, so she’s going to tell Tracy that they’re going to leave… He says, wait, and follows her. He’s so grateful to her and her family – she says, they’re his family too – for wanting to help and take the three of them in. She says, of course (🍷). He knows how much her grandmother loves Finn, and Chase’s father, may he rest in peace, and she also loves making decisions. He tells her, what he was trying to say earlier. When he was driving and planning and worrying what to do about Violet, he walked through the front door and saw her. And it made him realize, he doesn’t have to do this alone. He has his wife – he takes her hands – the best partner and co-pilot and teammate he could ask for. She says she not only loves him, she admires him, because he shows up for the people he loves most, and he never complains. He says he complains sometimes, and she says, he’s kind and strong and gentle and he leads with his heart. He says, she should write all this down for when they renew their vows, but she says she’ll remember, and kisses him. So now that they’ve said all those things, what does he think of Tracy’s idea?

Carly says, Jason has no way to be sure the FBI will ever let them off the hook, not now, not ever, and he says, no, he doesn’t, but that’s the risk and he’s willing to take it. She says, but she’s not. That’s why she started exploring other options. He asks who she’s been talking to, and she says she talked to Diane because she wanted to know her chances of acquittal if she turned herself in. He says he hopes Diane said zero, and Carly tells him, she said 30. He says, Diane’s a great lawyer, but he would round that number down, and she says she gets it. They’re not great odds. But what are the odds of the FBI letting him go and him getting his life back? The only way to stop them is to call their bluff. He says, she keeps talking about the time that he’s lost with his family. If she turns herself in, if she goes to prison, then everything he did – he raises his voice – everything he sacrificed to protect her means nothing. So please, do not throw all of that away.

Chase says, here’s the deal. When he married Brook, he knew that a boatload of Quartermaines, Falconaris, and Cerullos came with the package. Brook says, for better or for worse, and he says, and now that he’s met them… She tells him that she knows what he’s going to say, but they really do mean well, and he tells her that he was going to say, he definitely thinks it’s to the better. She says, oh. Well, they do mean well. Except for Cousin Patty; she’s a mess. Anyway, what was he going to say? He says he came from a pretty small family to begin with, and now that his dad’s gone, his mom is off to parts unknown, and Finn is getting back on track, her loud, crazy family full of meddlers and busybodies… She says, he’s skating on thin ice, and he tells her that he’s just saying, he shouldn’t be surprised that they’d welcome him and Violet into the fold. She says, of course (🍷). They adore Violet, and she’s pretty sure they already prefer him over her. He says he thinks it’s because he’s easier to get along with, and she says, that’s a lot of words for pushover. And yeah, the Qs and the Cerullos are a crazy mixed bag, but we love each other. He says, even Cousin Patty? and Brook says, she keeps getting invited to stuff, so she guesses so. Which only proves her point. When something is up with one of them, they come together. They step up for each other, and Chase and Violet are a part of that family. He’s stuck with them. They kiss, when Gio walks in. He says he’s sorry for interrupting. Violet heard him tuning his violin. She came looking for the sound and she got lost going back to her room, so he helped her find it. She was pretty tired, so he’s pretty sure she’s asleep now. Chase thanks him for looking out for Violet, and Gio says, if nobody minds, he’s just going to go outside and practice. Brook asks if this is for Ava’s gallery, and he says, yeah. She says, play badly, and he says, if only he knew how. He leaves, and Brook asks what Chase thinks of the move. He gives her a quick kiss and says, hold that thought. He’s going to check on Violet. He dashes out.

Laura asks if Ava wants her to assist in a custody battle with Sonny, and Ava says, yes. Laura says she really shouldn’t be getting involved with that, and Ava says, Laura once told her that they’re family, even after she and Nikolas divorced. Did she mean that? Laura says she did, because she believes Ava truly loved her son, and actually, she thinks Nikolas still loves Ava. Ava says she loves him too, but oil and water, and Laura says she knows. Ava says, at this point in her life, other than Avery, Laura and Trina are the closest thing she has to family. That means something to her. Laura says, family means a lot to her too, and while she cares about Ava, don’t dare use that to work her. If there’s something Ava wants from her, be direct and ask her. Ava says, okay. Cards on the table then. She spoke to Scotty, and he said if Sonny tries to smear her in court, it could work, and she cannot let that happen. She cannot let Sonny have Avery. He’s barely fit to care for himself. Laura says, she’s right, and Ava says, as she sees it, the best defense is a good offense, right? So she’s looking for character witnesses. Just in case. So may she give Laura’s name to Scotty as someone who would be willing to appear in family court on her behalf?

Chase finds Brook asleep on the sofa, kisses her forehead, and sits on the coffee table. She wakes and asks how Violet is doing. He says, she’s fine. Seeing her sleeping peacefully up in her bed, then coming down and seeing Brook sleeping peacefully on the couch, has him thinking, there’s no better place for the three of them to spend the summer. She says, really? Is he sure? He says, it’s the right thing to do for Violet. She’ll have kids to play with, boats to ride, docks to swim off of, horses… Brook says, she’s super jazzed about the horses, and he says he’s super jazzed about spending the summer with his amazing wife and her massive family – their massive family. Tomorrow, he’ll start moving their stuff, and Violet’s too.

Laura says she understands Ava’s need to keep Avery really close to her right now, especially since lately, Sonny’s behavior has been genuinely concerning. Ava asks if that means Laura will help her. Can she give Laura’s name to Scotty? Laura says, yes, but that’s because if Avery has to have only one custodial parent right now, she believes it should be Ava. Ava thanks her, and Laura says, don’t make her regret this. Ava says she won’t. She promises. Laura’s faith and support mean everything. She’s sure Scotty will be contacting her. Laura says, okay, and goes to the door. Ava says she promises if she hears from Nikolas, she’ll let Laura know. She really does want only the very best for him. Laura thanks her and says her too, and leaves.

Jason says, if Carly goes forward with this and gets convicted, this life she has now, with the moss bowl🎍, the kids, Bobbie’s, the hotel, it’s all done. She’s probably going to go away for twenty years. Josslyn and Michael can take turns bringing Donna to visit her until she’s old enough to visit Carly on her own. And all for what? All because she wanted to turn herself in when she didn’t have to. How’s Donna going to feel when Carly abandons her for him? Carly says, Donna will always know she loves her, and he says, enough to stay out of prison for her? She says, that’s not fair, but he says, that’s a fact. Here’s another fact. If she goes to prison, he’ll blame himself every day for the rest of his life. So if she doesn’t want her daughter to grow up without her and doesn’t want him to carry that guilt, just stop. Just back off and let him finish what he started. She says, okay, fine. She gets it. She gets that he has to follow through with all this. She gets it. He breathes a sigh of relief and thanks her. She says, but what if she can’t stand it?

Kristina says, honestly, if the situation presents itself, would Blaze want to co-parent this child with her? Blaze says, does she want kids at all? She thinks, someday maybe, but right now with her career on the upswing, she just doesn’t think it’s a good time for her to be a mom. She hopes Kristina’s not too disappointed. Kristina says, no. How could she be? It’s not exactly the right time for her to be a mom right now either. In a perfect world, Molly and TJ would peacefully and blissfully raise this child on rock steady ground. She wouldn’t have to think about this. Blaze says, then why think about it at all? Couples fight. She knows, not Molly and TJ, but yes, Molly and TJ. It will all blow over and Kristina will have wasted a lot of energy over nothing. Kristina says, no. She has to be prepared. If this goes badly and TJ wants custody of this child, she has to make sure her sister has access to this baby. And the only way to do that is by suing TJ for custody.

Natalia pushes one of the glowing pool balls with her foot and asks if Sonny usually has trouble sleeping. He asks if he looks tired, but she says, no. Restless maybe. But that might just be her projecting. There are so many nights that she lies awake with a million thoughts racing through her head. It almost feels like ghosts. Has that ever happened to him? He says, all the time, and she says she thinks he has the right idea. In situations like this, when you’re being swarmed by ghosts, you need to reach out to a friend – she picks up her glass – have a drink in the night air. It’s a good way to make all that noise stop. He raises his glass and says, to finding our friends in the darkness. They clink glasses, and she says, cheers. He says, cheers, and drains his glass.

Ava walks on to the patio with her martini. She says, to new beginnings.

Carly says she admits Jason is right about all of it, and he says, good. He’ll take it from here. She says, but what if it’s too much of a cost for her? What if she can’t live with knowing she’s the reason he hasn’t had a day of freedom since November of 2021? He says, she doesn’t have to live with it. He does. She says she wouldn’t be the person she is today if not for him. Her life wouldn’t be what it is if she hadn’t met him. So how does she let the FBI use him, knowing she had the power to stop it? He says, she told him that she was going to do this his way, and she says she knows, but she changed her mind. He says, she can’t change her mind, not about this. He chose to take the FBI’s deal. So please, he’s asking her, do not get in the way of it.

On Monday, Ava says, there’s got to be something Trina’s herd that she can use; Natalia tells Maxie, this is not what they agreed to; Josslyn tells Sonny that she’s not going to make the same mistake twice; and Kristina can’t stop thinking about what’s going to happen to her.

😭 Nobody Wants This…

Get out the tissues.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/michael-easton-jophielle-loves-emotional-farewell

On YouTube June 30th.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/dont-miss-maurice-benards-interview-with-michael-easton

🍊 More About Beador…

All we know is, she wasn’t caught by the paparazzi picking up trash on the highway.

Shannon Beador Finishes Community Service Following DUI

Well, she is just a wee bit volatile.

Why Shannon Beador Might Be Isolated During RHOC Season 18

I almost feel sorry for her. It’s like they did it on purpose.

Why John Janssen Might Be Alexis Bellino’s Happily Ever After

🎤 Hey Rapper Rapper Rapper…

Could his name have been Hunky Dory?

Kathy Hilton Called Out Rapper for Ignoring Fans

🥣 Stirring the Pot…

Not a fan of hers, but that doesn’t mean she’s wrong.

Brandi Glanville Claims RHOBH Producers Knew About Taylor Armstrong’s Domestic Abuse

📺 Watch the Worst…

I’ll bet there were moments worse than these.

15 Years of Watch What Happens Live: The Show’s Worst Moments

⚰️ Carol’s Turn…

The definitive date for Season 2 is September 29th. Be there or be an octagon.

https://undeadwalking.com/posts/finally-daryl-dixon-the-book-of-carol-release-date-has-been-revealed-plus-new-images-01hzq6smywpm

https://collider.com/the-walking-dead-daryl-dixon-season-3-update/

https://undeadwalking.com/posts/norman-reedus-sets-high-expectations-of-daryl-dixon-the-book-of-carol-01j08qn5shvk

🦸‍♂️ Together At Last…

How it all came to be and how it’s going to be. I don’t go to the movies a lot, but I’m definitely going to see this one.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/deadpool-wolverine-news-hugh-jackman-one-in-a-billion-idea-1235932988/

https://www.cbr.com/deadpool-wolverine-mcu-x-men-elements/

https://ew.com/sabretooth-deadpool-and-wolverine-return-first-look-teaser-8671139

🩰 Dancer Unchanged…

Still confusing children everywhere she goes.

https://ew.com/abby-lee-miller-calls-fan-obnoxious-8670388

🐈 All About Them Rescues…

Dolly looks skeptical.

https://people.com/kaley-cuoco-adopts-dog-dolly-as-newest-pack-member-8671438

Well, she couldn’t just leave them.

https://people.com/meet-halle-berrys-two-new-kittens-boots-and-coco-8671178

Life imitates art.

https://people.com/lupita-nyongo-refused-change-her-rescue-cat-name-exclusive-8669582

🐝 Quotes of the Week

Never stop just because you feel defeated. The journey to the other side is attainable only after great suffering. – Santosh Kalwar

Redemption is through service. – Judge Greg Mathis

In matters of principle, stand like a rock; in matters of taste, swim with the current. – Thomas Jefferson

No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man. – Heraclitus

The most effective way to do it is to do it. – Amelia Earhart

She gets what she wants. We had to give her a Sweet 16 on her 13th birthday. – Jeremy Grey (Christopher Walken), Wedding Crashers

Success does not consist in never making mistakes, but in never making the same one a second time. – George Bernard Shaw

You will never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine. – John C. Maxwell

A man who views the world the same at 50 as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life. – Muhammad Ali

If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time. – Zig Ziglar

👠 Sissying My Walk…

Join me on the first Monday of next month for soap and TMI on Deck. Until then, stay safe, stay letting your Pride flag fly no matter how you identify, and stay never giving anyone the power over you to be afraid.

Jun28

June 27, 2024 – Finn Says Goodbye To Violet, Words From His Co-Workers, Just No, Better For You, Riders, Pet (!) Safety & Wake Me

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What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

Carly thanks Diane for coming over so quickly, and Diane says, it sounded urgent. Carly says she needs Diane to keep her out of prison.

At the new apartment, Josslyn opens the door to Dex.

Violet runs to Finn, and he asks if she had fun sleeping over. She asks, how is he? Is he feeling better?

Sam comes home, and tells Dante that Scout was nervous in the car, but when they got there, she couldn’t wait for the sleepover. She wants to make sure Danny won’t hear their conversation, and starts to check on him upstairs, but Dante says, Jason came and picked Danny up. She asks where they went.

Walking into the garage, Jason says, sorry the gym was closed, but Danny says, this is way better than working out. They go over to Jason’s bike, and Jason asks if Danny is sure he’s ready do this. Danny says, oh yeah.

Dante tells Sam that Jason was taking Danny to the gym, and Danny was stoked. He thought it would be okay with her. Was he wrong? She says, yes, but he couldn’t have known what was going on. He asks what he’s missing, and she says, Spinelli found out what the FBI is holding over Jason. Jason stayed away all this time because the Feds have evidence against Carly.

Jason says, the most important thing is safety. Not just for kids, for everybody. If he needs to know something, ask. He tells Danny that he does his own maintenance. It’s important in case you get stuck. Danny says, especially if someone is after you. Did Jason’s father teach him? Jason says, Alan? Not that he recalls. He fixed people, not machines. Danny asks when he learned, and Jason says, after his accident.

Carly tells Diane, when Sonny was in Nixon Falls and everyone but Nina thought he was dead, she went meeting with the Five Families and claimed to be head of Sonny’s organization. Diane says, no judgement, but why did she do that? and Carly says, Cyrus was trying to take over Sonny’s territory so he could pass a highly addictive narcotic through Port Charles. It was the same drug Sasha got hooked on. Diane says, it wasn’t just civic altruism, and Carly says, there was a threat to her family that was business related. Someone at the meeting was wearing a wire, and the FBI has an audio file of her committing RICO violations. Diane asks how she became aware of it, and Carly says, a reliable source hacked into their database and retrieved the file. Diane says, good. Another felony. She doesn’t want to know the source, but asks why they were doing a deep dive into the database in the first place.

Finn tells Violet not to ever worry about him, and she asks how his cut is. Did he have to go to the hospital? He says his hand is fine. He just needed a bandage. She says, there was a lot of blood, and he says he knows, but it looked worse than it was. Violet asks if they can go home now, and he says he’d love to, but she’s going to stay with Uncle Chase for a while longer. She says she wants to come home, and he says, that’s what he wants too, but he’s not going home. He’s going away. She says, he has to take her with him, but he says, it’s just for a little while. She says she doesn’t care and wants to come, but he says, she can’t go where he’s going. Daddy is sick. His hand is better, but his head and heart… He cries and says he was so sad after grandpa died, he started drinking alcohol and never should done that. That’s why he fell asleep on the floor. Violet says, can’t he stop? and he says, some people can stop. He thought he was one of them, but he was wrong. He needs to go to a special hospital where they’re going to help him stop for good. She asks, how long he’ll be gone, and he says, the doctor says three months. She says, that’s a long time. Does he really have to go? He says he does, and she says, but she can help him stop.

Josslyn asks what Dex is doing here, and he says he wanted to look at her new place. She asks how he found it, and he says he used his sharp detective skills. She said it was above the Quartermaines’ garage, so he followed that lead. She says, hidden in plain sight. She wonders how he got past the gate, and he says, it was open. He thinks someone is visiting. She tells him that he needs better detective skills, and he says he’s still learning. He knows moving is a pain, so he brought provisions. He holds up a bag from Bobbie’s, and says he brought enough for Trina. She says, Trina is taking care of her Aunt Stella, who is sick, and he asks if she needs help. She says, yes, and asks him to come in. She’s finished cleaning, but needs help moving something that’s not heavy, but awkward. Dex says, it’s nice to have another set of hands, and they move a box that not awkward at all and looks like she could have moved it herself.

Violet says, if she helps Finn, he can stay with her, and Finn says he doesn’t want to leave her ever, but if he doesn’t go, he won’t get better. What happened can never happen again. He’s sorry. She must have been afraid when she found him. She says she thought he was dead like grandpa, and he says he’s sorry. He’s proud of her for calling Tracy and getting help. It was the absolutely right thing to do. Violet cries and says she wants to take care of him, but he says, that’s not the way it’s supposed to be. He should be taking care of her. She says, they can take care of each other, and he says, they’re good at that, but he has to be able to, and right now he’s not. That’s why he has to go away, so he can come back and be the best dad, a dad she deserves. He made a terrible mistake and none of it is her fault. She’s perfect and he loves her so much, more than life itself. They hug and everyone in the room is crying.

Jason tells Danny that he was worried about AJ drinking and driving, so he got in the car with him. The car crashed, and the next thing he knew… the first thing he knew was, he didn’t know anybody. Not his family, his name, nothing. Danny says, that must have been hard, and Jason asks if he knows what TBI is. Danny says, traumatic brain injury, and Jason says, that’s what he had. Danny says, mom told him that Jason is drawn to danger and that’s why he does dangerous jobs. Jason says, he’s done dangerous work that he can’t talk about, but mom doesn’t want Danny to get hurt. He suggests they get back to the bike, and Danny asks if it’s hard to learn to ride. Jason says he wasn’t a natural, but it wasn’t hard to learn. He loved it from the start.

Carly tells Diane that she wasn’t involved with getting the file. Someone brought it to her. Diane asks if she’s being blackmailed, but Carly says she’s not. Jason is. It’s the reason he lost 3 years with his family. The FBI threatened to charge her if he didn’t become an informant, and she has it on good authority that they won’t honor the deal. Diane asks if she’s sure the authority is legit, and Carly says, if anyone would know, he would, and he said when Jason was no longer of use to the FBI, they’ll charge her anyway. Diane says she can’t disagree, and Carly says, why should Jason spend one more day under the FBI’s thumb. She wants to call their bluff. Let them charge her and they’ll fight it in court. She needs to know, what are her chances of being acquitted?

Diane asks if Carly actually conducted mob business. Did she make any illegal money transfers? Did she launder money? Did she transfer illegal or stolen goods? Carly says, no, to all of it, and Diane asks if her name is on any incriminating documents. Carly says she doesn’t think so, and Diane asks if anyone at the meeting would be willing to testify against her. Who was at the meeting? Carly says, Cyrus Renault and Selina Wu. Vincent Novak and Charles Buscema are dead. If anyone testified, they wouldn’t be long for this world. Diane asks if the FBI has the sole audio file, and Carly asks what she’s thinking. Diane says, in this age of deep fakes and digital trickery, the chain of custody of the evidence is essential. The FBI would have to produce the original file to prove it’s not altered. Carly says, her source said the file couldn’t be altered or deleted. Where does that leave her? Diane says, given her and Sonny’s long history with the Feds and her recent dust up with the SEC, she thinks the FBI might have a strong case.

Josslyn asks what Dex learned in school today, and he says, they’re doing de-escalation training. He bets that make civilian courses. She asks if he’s suggesting she take one, but he says, no. He loves how she never backs down from a fight. Don’t lose that. She asks what he learned, and he says, each situation is different. It’s a judgement call every time. Sometimes you have to rush in and act fast, but most of the time, you’re better served to take a step back and see what happens before you do something you can’t take back. She says she’s learning that herself. She’s done a few things recently that she wishes she could take back. He says him too.

Danny thanks Jason for letting him help change the oil, but Jason says, he helped Danny. Danny did the work. Danny asks when Jason is going to teach him to ride.

Sam tells Dante about the recording of Carly meeting with the Five Families, and how it’s being held over Jason’s head. He asks if she realizes what she’s done. Forget Carly. She breached and FBI file; it’s a federal crime. If she’s caught, she’ll go to prison. Sam says, the hack was bulletproof, but Dante asks if she doesn’t think they can trace it back to Spinelli. Who else knows? She says, Spinelli, Carly, and now him, and he says, now he’s an accessory. She can’t tell anyone. If the FBI finds out about Spinelli hacking their database at her request, she’ll be taken away from her kids.

Chase says, they should get going, and Finn says, Violet is going to have so much fun. He’ll be back before she knows it. She says she’ll miss him, and he says he’ll miss her. She tries to put a friendship bracelet on him, but it doesn’t fit, so he puts it in his shirt pocket and says he’s going to put it next to his heart and keep it there always. He loves her. She says she loves him too, and he and Chase go to the door. Chase opens it, and Finn blows Violet a kiss. She catches it, and they leave. Violet cries, and Brook hugs her.

Dex says, it’s a great place, and Josslyn says she lucked out. He says he used to think about someday helping her move out of the dorm and into his place, and she says, her too. He says he enjoyed dinner, and she says her too. He says, hypothetically of course (🍷), what would it take for them to get back to where they were before? and she says, before what? He says, before he told her that he was willing to kill someone for Sonny.

Chase pulls up to Sky Meadow Lodge, and Finn thanks him for letting him say goodbye to Violet. He knows it went against the restraining order. Chase says, what he did wasn’t about the restraining order. Finn needed to see Violet before he left. Finn says he’s sorry about the things he said to Chase and Brook. The things he said to Elizabeth, he can’t forgive himself, and the worst of it was that he passed out and scared his little girl. Chase says, it could have been worse, and Finn says, only Chase could find a silver lining in this. Chase says, a lot of people take a restraining order as a challenge and show up anyway. The number of domestic disturbances he’s had to break up… Kids see knock down drag outs with their parents, and he’s seen the looks on their faces as the parents are taken away. He thanks Finn for not putting Violet in the middle and making it worse for his daughter. Finn says he heard Violet thought he was dead and left her forever. How could he do that to her? Chase says, because he has an illness. That’s why he’s going away, to get well. Finn says, his kid brother, and Chase says he’s been grown up for a while now. Finn says, this is different. Now Chase is coming to his rescue. Chase says that’s just because he’s a nice guy, and Finn thanks him for taking care of his little girl. Chase says he’s Finn’s brother, and Finn says, he did the right thing. He knows Chase was trying to protect Violet, and he’ll always be grateful for that.

Danny says he hears it’s easier than riding a bike, but Jason says, they’ll have to ask his mom first. Danny says, he was just kidding, yet kinda hoping, and Jason says, maybe next time, if mom agrees. Danny says he doesn’t see that happening, and Jason says, there are other things to do. Danny says, like what? and Jason says, they’ll figure it out. He’s seen Danny can do anything he sets his mind to. Danny says, tell that to his algebra teacher, and Jason asks if he needs help with math. Danny asks if Jason is good at math, and Jason says he uses it in his job. Danny asks if Jason shoots hoops, but Jason says he hasn’t for a while.  

Sam says, Spinelli covered their tracks flawlessly, but Dante says, Cates knows Spinelli after what happened when he was shot. Sam says, it would be impossible to prove, and Dante says, they broke federal laws. That’s exactly why he didn’t want her to get involved. She says she needed to know what they had on Jason, and he asks if she’d rather stay with her kids or have them visit her in prison. She says, stay with her kids, and he says, then she’s got to leave it alone. Talk to no one, and whatever she found out, leave it alone, act like it never happened, and hope it doesn’t come out.

Chase tells Finn not to worry. He and Brook will take great care of Violet. Finn says he knows. Tell her every day that he loves her, and he’ll be back as soon as he can. Chase says, that’s what they all want, but no shortcuts. Don’t convince himself he’s got it handled or just had a slip. Finn says, it’s not his first rodeo, and Chase says, if he’s in doubt, think of how devastated Violet would be to be put through this again, and stop. Finn says, he’ll do it for Violet, but it’s not easy, and Chase says, the best thing he can do is get well for his child. Finn says, Chase is a good cop, and Chase wonders what that has to do with it. Finn says he knows Chase has seen stuff, and Chase says, it comes with the job. Finn says, but he still wants to help. It’s a quality he admires.

Brook brings Violet a snack, but she says she’s not hungry, so Brook puts it on the coffee table. She asks if Violet has any questions, and Violet says, her dad is going to a hospital. Will he be in bed? Will he be able to watch TV? Will people be nice to him? Brook says, it’s beautiful there. He won’t want to stay in bed or watch TV. He’s going to hike and swim, and the people there are kind. They’re going to help him learn how not to drink. Violet asks if it’s like camp, and Brook says, kinda like camp. Violet says, camp is fun. If her dad is away, what is she going to do? Brook says, there’s so much to do here. Name it. Violet says she’d like to go swimming, and Brook says, Uncle Chase said he’d teach her to ride a bike. Violet says, and he told her that she’s almost ready to ditch her training wheels. She’d also like to go horse riding. Brook says, coincidentally, they have a whole stable of horses. Violet knows some of them, but Brook knows the rest will love to meet her.

Josslyn tells Dex that she doesn’t know how they can put it behind them. There are people she cares about who have crossed that line, but what’s important is that he didn’t. When she told him at dinner that he didn’t have to prove anything, that he’d done good enough to redeem himself, she meant it. She thought he’d joined the PCPD for her – she knows how to make about her – but she sees he did it for himself. The longer he’s there, the more she sees that’s where he wants to be. Did she get it right? He says, 100%, and she says, then she’s happy for him. He says, to be clear, if being a cop impressed or pleased her, he’s good with that.

Dante says, Sam knows He’s right. He’s just trying to help. She says, knowing that Jason did this to save Carly… She’d thought that maybe for once he’d put his kids first, but Carly is his first priority. Always has been and always will be. Nothing else matters. If Danny knew that, it would break his heart. Dante says, she needs to make sure he never knows.

Diane says, the FBI’s case rests solely on Carly’s admission that she was head of the Corinthos organization. Even if it was just as a figurehead, it will land her in hot water, but she had a compelling reason. She walked into a room of known crime figures, pretending to be one of them, to protect her children. Carly says she was terrified, and Diane says she knows from experience how compelling Carly is as a witness and how she can play to a jury. Even with Diane’s skills, knowledge of the law, and tricky tricks, she thinks the best they can hope for is a 30% chance of acquittal. Carly says, that means there’s a 70% chance of her going to federal prison, and Diane says she doesn’t like those odds, for Carly or for Donna.

Sam leaves a message for Spinelli, and tells him, the case they’re working on, don’t do anything until he hears back from her. Danny and Jason come in, and Dante asks, how was the gym? Danny says, it was closed. They went to the garage instead and tuned up Jason’s bike. He changed the oil. Dante says, those are awesome skills to have, and Jason says he should get going. He leaves, and Sam says, it sounds like Danny had a good time. Danny says, he did. Jason is the best. He tells Dante, no offense, and Dante says, none taken. Danny goes upstairs, and Dante hugs Sam.  

Carly tells Diane that she doesn’t know how she can leave Donna with the way Sonny is acting. But it’s not fair for Jason to be under the FBI’s thumb. Diane says, Jason doesn’t need saving. Let him do whatever he’s doing, He’s capable and strategy is his thing. If Carly’s got a plan to rush in and save him, historically, how has that worked? Whatever arrangement he has going, has kept her out of prison so far. Carly says she doesn’t know for how much longer and wants to be prepared. Can they work on a defense just in case? Diane says she can work on one. She tells Carly to sit tight, and leaves.

Dex tells Josslyn that he has an early morning. Her? Josslyn says she lucked out. she has nothing tomorrow morning. Are the cadets running in the park? He says, always, and she says, maybe she’ll see him there. They leave together.

Violet says, it’s a big house, and Brook asks if she just noticed. Violet says, it’s different when she stays over. She could get lost. Brook is lucky she used to live here. Brook says, the best part is the people who live here, her family. And the greatest part of family is that when you’re sick or in trouble, the rest step up and help out. Violet says, like they’re helping her dad, and Brook says, Violet is helping him too. She’s being very brave. Violet says, it’s easy when you’ve got help, and Brook says, they’re glad to help. That’s what family is for. Violet says she’s glad they’re family, and Brook says her too. She hugs Violet.

Finn says, it’s time to do this, and Chase says, he’ll walk Finn in, but Finn says he’s got it from here. It’s not like he can make a break for it. Chase says he’s not worried, and Finn says, Chase is a lousy liar. Promise to look after Violet, give her a kiss, and tell her that he loves her. Chase says, she knows that, but he will, and Finn says he loves Chase. Chase says he loves Finn too, and Finn says, dad would be proud. Chase says, dad would be proud of Finn taking this step, and Finn says, there’s no point in stalling any longer. Chase says, on the count of three, and Finn says, one… Chase says, two… and with tears in his eyes, Finn gets out of the car. Chase watches him as he goes to the door, hesitates, then walks inside. Chase pounds on the steering wheel, puts on his seatbelt, and drives away.

Tomorrow, Brook asks what Chase thinks of Tracy’s idea; Blaze asks if Kristina is saying she’s going after custody of the baby; and Jason says, everything he did to protect Carly means nothing.

🧂 Rubbing Salt In the Wound…

I still can’t believe this. It’s an outrage.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/gh-stars-say-goodbye-to-michael-easton

👠 If You Have the Stomach For It…

Honestly, I don’t think we need this. Not that I wouldn’t want to smash a glass on most of their heads, but because of disloyalty to hairstylists? What?

https://people.com/rhonj-danielle-cabral-condemns-violence-does-not-apologize-for-smashing-cup-on-jennifer-aydin-8385973

RHONJ’s Jennifer Aydin Reveals New Details of Fight With Danielle, Plus Danielle’s Former Hair Stylist Talks Recent Run-In With Her and Slams Her as “Delusional”

On the upside.

Tamra Judge Praises Joe Gorga for Making ‘Amazing TV’

💐 A Healthier Reality…

I’m not sure how fabulous her life is, but she travels more than I do. This is a kinder, gentler, but still very real, reality show.

https://www.etonline.com/my-big-fat-fabulous-life-first-look-whitney-meets-the-man-she-thinks-shell-marry-exclusive-227160

This one is kind of weird, but I can’t turn away. There’s a lot of angst, but no throwing of Solo cups.

https://www.etonline.com/welcome-to-plathville-season-6-trailer-shows-ethan-and-olivia-plath-dating-other-people-after

🚴 Get On Your Bike and Ride…

This seems like a film worth seeing. Very grindhouse.

https://www.cinemablend.com/movies/norman-reedus-filthy-the-bikeriders-specifically-related-walking-dead-daryl-dixon

https://www.themarysue.com/jeff-nichols-interview-the-bikeriders/

🎆 It’s Almost Here…

✈️ Touching the Sky…

Join me tomorrow for soap and the usual Friday festivities. Until then, stay safe, stay not assuming everyone speaks English when traveling to faraway places, and stay knowing when you have to act fast or when you’re better served to take a step back before doing something you can’t take back.

Jun27

June 26, 2024 – Finn Meets With Chase, Why Goodbye, Best Yet, Twirling Out, Lighter, New VanderStaff, Calling It Off, Celebrations, World’s Ugliest & Freedom

Posted on by
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What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

Trina knocks on Sonny’s door, and says she was asked to grab Ava’s day planner. Sonny tells her to check Ava’s room, and Trina tells him that Ava said… He says, Ava told Trina that he threw her out because he did.

Kristina startles Alexis, who’s snoozing on her sofa next to her open laptop. Kristina says she knocked, and Alexis says, and when she didn’t answer? Kristina says, naturally, she let herself in. What is Alexis working on that she was so focused? Alexis slams her laptop shut, and Kristina says, not too suspicious.

Trina says she also wanted to give Sonny Ava’s suite number at the MetroCourt, but he says, that’s not necessary. She asks if he wants her to tell Ava anything, and he says, tell her that she’ll be hearing from his attorney soon. He and Ava aren’t of the same opinion that it’s not suitable to raise a child in a hotel, even part time. It was good seeing her. He opens the door, and Trina leaves.

Finn sees Chase on Gregory’s memorial bench, and Chase says he can take off, but Finn says, it’s his bench too. Good thing he came. It might be the only way to get Chase to talk to him. He doesn’t remember the hill being so steep. Another reason to stay sober. Chase says nothing, and Finn says, he remembers when Chase was furious at him for not communicating with their dad. Chase asks what Finn wants him to say, but Finn says, Chase knows exactly what he wants to hear. He’s left messages and texts. He’s desperate to know how his daughter is, and Chase couldn’t even call him back.

Chase and Finn sit on the bench, and Finn asks, how’s Violet? Chase says, confused and worried about him, and Finn says, because she walked in, and it scared her seeing him passed out. Chase says he reassured her that Finn was okay, but she’s more concerned he’ll think she abandoned him or doesn’t love him anymore. Finn says he would never think that, and Chase says, that’s what he told her. Brook’s been great with her; everybody at the Quartermaine’s has. Finn says he hopes Violet isn’t mad at him, but Chase says, he’s Violet’s hero. They have that in common. Finn says he’s a lot of things, but not a hero, and Chase says, that’s not true. He’s looked to Finn for guidance. He didn’t mean to come here, but it’s where he ended up. Finn says him too, and Chase says, that has to count for something.

Brook says she’s not sure how much Violet slept, and Tracy says, if Violet is like her, not much. Brook says, she’s playing a board game with Leo. He seemed to intrinsically know she needed distracting. Tracy says, he’s a special boy, and Brook says she’s scared about what comes next. Tracy asks if she means the big picture, and Brook says, what if Violet asks to call her father? Tracy says, Brook will think of something. She always does. Brook wonders, what if Violet asks when she’s going home? She’s like their little adorable prisoner. Tracy says, in an enormous, gilded cage, and Brook says she gets that they’re lucky. Tracy asks if she’s considered the possibility that this could be a permanent situation.

Sasha tells Cody that she feels bad for Violet. She’s not her usual boisterous self. She barely at breakfast and picked at her lunch. Cody suggests the food was subpar, and she says, excuse you. Violet looked tired too. She’s worried there’s something serious going on. Cody says, Violet just lost her grandpa. She’s probably still sad and still processing it. Why is she here and not home with her dad? Sasha says, that’s the thing. Whatever is happening has to do with Finn. She overheard Olivia and Tracy talking about Brook, Chase, and Violet moving in here permanently.

Trina delivers Ava’s planner, and Ava thanks her. She couldn’t bear the thought of facing Sonny again. She asks if there was any hint of him being upset or remorseful, but Trina says, he was cold. All about business. She wanted to get out of there. Ava asks if Natalia was there, but Trina says, Sonny was alone. She offered him Ava’s suite number… Ava says, let her guess. He didn’t want it. That’s fine. If he wants to know, he can ask the front desk. Trina says, he did have a message for her. She’ll be hearing from his attorney about whether a hotel is an appropriate place to raise Avery, even part time. He definitely was making a point. Ava says, that son of a bitch is planning to take away her daughter.

Ava says, Sonny kicked her out before she could find a place, and Trina says, it’s not fair. Ava says, it’s criminal. This isn’t a permanent solution. Him going after Avery is a payback thing. He wrongly thinks she’s responsible for his friend losing her law license, but she brought it on herself. Sonny is violent, impulsive, vindictive, and selfish. She did what she could to co-exist, and now he’s paying her back by taking her daughter. Trina asks what she’s going to do, and Ava says, fight back. Sonny isn’t the only one who knows a thing or two about threats.

Tracy tells Brook that she had a long conversation with Olivia and Monica about when and if Finn goes to rehab. She and Chase can’t move into Finn’s apartment. That’s where Violet lost her grandpa and saw her father drunk and bleeding on the floor. Chase’s apartment is a one-bedroom and they’re newlyweds. She’d like to think they’ll eventually get back to that. Brook says, they can get a bigger place. They have the money, and the situation warrants extra spending. Tracy says, Violet needs stability and consistency right now, and she’d like to offer Violet a home for as long as she needs it, provided Brook and Chase come with her.

Josslyn is cleaning the new apartment, when there’s a knock at the door. Gio says he thought he’d check in, and wonders why she’s cleaning. Josslyn says, it’s what people do, and he asks if he didn’t do enough. She says, this is a me thing. Trina was supposed to help, but she has to run errands for Ava. Gio says he gathers Josslyn isn’t a big fan, and she says she respects Trina’s relationship with Ava, but she more than dislikes her. She does have one redeeming quality. She created Avery. Although she probably shouldn’t badmouth the woman who hired him to play at the gallery. Maybe Ava has two redeeming qualities. She has great taste in musicians.

Kristina says she looked up the information from the link Alexis gave her and drew up a petition. Can Alexis look it over? Alexis asks what the gist of it is, and Kristina says, if Molly and TJ split up, the baby stays with them.

Finn says he’d do anything to change what happened and be the father Violet deserves, and Chase asks if Diane served him with the papers. He didn’t have a choice, and it wasn’t easy. Finn says he knows. He’s been so angry at Chase, Elizabeth, and the hospital, when the person he really hated was himself. He’s found himself back where he started, unable to control the urge to anaesthetize. Chase says, that’s the first step. He’s sorry Finn is here, but thankful he’s still alive. Finn says he doesn’t deserve to be, but Chase tells him, don’t say that. Finn says his daughter found him unconscious on the floor in their home and she was scared. He did that. Chase says, he didn’t mean to, but Finn says, it doesn’t matter. The choice he made caused Violet pain and it makes him want to die. Something broke in him. He’s broken.

Alexis says, us meaning? and Kristina says, the Davis family. Alexis says she thinks Kristina should ask Molly, but Kristina asks her to please look it over. Alexis says she distinctly remembers saying she wouldn’t advise Kristina, lest it look like she’s choosing sides, and Kristina says, if they split, Molly has no legal claim. Alexis says, the last time she saw them, they were fine, and Kristina says, they’ve been annoyingly agreeable since high school, but stress breaks some couples. She has to be prepared. Alexis wonders if subconsciously, deep down, Kristina wants TJ and Molly to break up, but Kristina says, no. Why? Alexis says, she just has a feeling Kristina might… There’s a knock at the door, and Alexis says she hopes it’s not Kristina’s sister. She opens the door to Sonny and says, thank God. (I’ll bet that’s the first he’s heard that in a long time.)

Josslyn asks how much Ava is paying Gio, unless it’s none of her business. He doesn’t have to answer if it’s private. He says, 100 bucks, and she says, an hour? He says, for the whole thing, and Josslyn calls Ava a cheapskate. Gio says he’s telling himself it’s good exposure. He’s living at the Quartermaines, so he has no living expenses. She says, Ava should pay him what he’s worth, and he says, she should be an agent. She says, and deal with demanding talent like him? He starts to help her, but she says, his hands are his meal ticket and he’s got to protect them at all costs.

Tracy says she knows this isn’t how Brook envisioned married life, but they have the perfect set up; a suite with adjoining rooms that’s bigger than Chase’s apartment. No offense. Brook says, none taken, and Tracy says, and this place is crawling with maternal energy. Brook says, her? but Tracy says, no. Monica, Olivia, Lois, Sasha, and Willow in the gatehouse. There are also plenty of father figures and tons of children coming in and out. Brook says, all the reasons she told Chase, and Tracy says, and he told her yes to it temporarily, but she’s offering the possibility of something more permanent. Brook says she’ll have to talk to Chase. He’s the one with emergency custody. Tracy says, they need to consider the possibility that it may become more permanent.

Ava says, separating her from her child is not happening, and Trina says she gets that Ava is upset, but fighting Sonny? Ava asks what choice she has, and Trina asks if Ava wants her to open the gallery, but Ava says, it’s Trina’s day off. Go enjoy what she has planned. The gallery will survive being closed one day. She has to get situated. Trina says, let her know if she needs anything, and Ava hugs her and thanks her. When Trina leaves, Ava gets on the phone.

Sasha says she hopes everything is okay with Finn, and Cody says him too. For Finn’s sake, but mostly for Violet’s. Sasha says she knows what it’s like growing up without a father. It’s not easy. Cody says, luckily, he had a lot of stand-ins. It helps a lot, but it’s not… Sasha says, it’s not the same as having a dad. Mac comes in and asks if it’s a bad time.

Chase says he just wants to help Finn, and Finn says he knows. Chase says he’ll give Finn whatever support he needs, but he has to take the first step. Finn takes out his phone and calls Sky Meadow Lodge. He says he believes their holding a bed for him, and the woman says, they are. He says he’ll be checking in tonight, and she says, glad to hear it. They’ll see him then. Chase says he’s proud of Finn, but Finn says, he might want to wait until he’s there. Chase says he has faith, and Finn says, 90 days. Chase says, he’s got this, and Finn asks if Chase can give him a ride. Chase says, he’ll also give him a ride home when he gets out, and Finn says he has one more favor. Chase says, anything, and Finn says he wants to say goodbye to his daughter.

Alexis asks to what she owes this visit, and Sonny says he found out Ava was the reason she was disbarred and he’s furious. She says, join the club, and he says, she had him fooled. He doesn’t know why he let Ava live with him. Alexis says, he got to spend time with Avery, and he says, if he would have known… He’s glad he knows now. He told Ava to pack her bags and move out. He should have listened to what people were telling him. Alexis says, he didn’t have the information. None of them did. Sonny says he knows they don’t see eye to eye on everything, but as far as Ava goes, they’re on the same side.

Mac says, after Cody left, Maxie went on about how Cody stepped up for the family and he wanted to thank him. Cody says he loves them, and Mac says, they love him too, especially James. He keeps asking when Mac is going with him to his next lesson. Cody says, he’s welcome any time, and Mac says, Sasha has made some new decisions too. She’s gone from the Face of Deception to a private chef. She says, Cody also lets her help out, and Mac says, she’s a welcome addition. He’s sorry for having suspicions about Cody once upon a time. He had Cody pegged as a con man who couldn’t be trusted, but that’s obviously not the truth. Cody is Superman to his family. Will he accept Mac’s apology?

Trina shows up at the apartment and says she’s sorry she’s late. Josslyn says, Trina is so late, she got a new roommate. She’s kidding. Gio is helping. Is Trina okay? Trina says she had a strange interaction with Ava. Ava went off about Sonny. Josslyn says she thought they were getting along, but Trina says, he threw her out and she was full of rage, all directed at Sonny. Josslyn says, it’s not their first showdown, and Gio asks if Ava could be a threat to Sonny. Josslyn says, physically? She doesn’t think so. Trina says she disagrees. This afternoon, Ava seemed capable of anything.

Brook looks at a photo of Edward and Lila, and Tracy asks how she’s doing. Brook says, overwhelmed but grateful Tracy is in a position to help Finn if he chooses, and that they’re collectively in a position to help Violet. She thinks Violet will be okay. Tracy says she does too, but she was talking about Brook. Taking on a child is an enormous responsibility, especially this early in a marriage. Brook says she’ll think of it as training for when she and Chase have kids of their own, and Tracy says, she’s proud of Brook. She’s handling this with enormous grace, compassion, and patience. She’s supposed to be on her honeymoon. Florence, this is not. Brook says, she hopes they get there some time, but home is just where they belong right now, and Tracy says, Brook is handling it better than she would, but Brook says she thinks under the bravado, Tracy’s got a big heart. Tracy says, don’t tell anyone, and Brook thanks her for saying all the right things, the things she needed to hear. Tracy hugs her and says, this too shall pass.

Cody says, there’s nothing to forgive, and if there were, it would be done. He loves Mac’s family. Mac says, and he fits right in, and Cody says, it feels that way to him. Mac says, it makes sense, considering Cody, Sasha, and Maxie were working together at Deception. They got to know each other. He means Cody and Maxie, and now Cody gets to spend time with Sasha. Sasha says she lives in the kitchen, but she’s here now because she’s in between meals. Cody says, they’re just co-workers, and Mac says, sure. He tells Cody to expect an observer at James’s next lesson, and leaves. Sasha says she can’t take it anymore. What’s wrong with him?

Scotty says, her favorite lawyer at her service, and Ava says, she and Sonny hit a rough patch. She has every reason to believe he’s going to go for sole custody of Avery, and she can’t let that happen. She won’t. She can’t lose another daughter. He asks if she thinks Sonny will argue that she’s unfit, and she says, most likely. He asks if she is, and she says, of course (🍷) not, but it doesn’t matter. Sonny will do what he always does. Pay someone off to get the result he wants or lie on the stand. Scotty says, either strategy could work.

Chase comes back to the Quartermaines, and tells Tracy and Brook that he saw Finn. They had a long conversation on their father’s bench. It was dicey at first, but they’re in a good place. Finn is obviously upset that they kept Violet from him, but he understands, and he said it was the right thing. Tracy asks if he’s going to rehab, and he says, Finn called to confirm it in front of him, and he’s taking Finn tonight – on one condition. Tracy says, his or Finn’s, and he says, Finn’s. He wants to see Violet before he goes.

Alexis says she was going to wait, but she can’t. She has news, and since Sonny brought up Ava – she shows them the document – she’s no longer disbarred. Her disbarment was vacated and her two-year suspension has already been served. Kristina hugs her, and Sonny says, congratulations. Alexis says she has to catch up on her continuing education, but after that, she’ll be reinstated. Sonny says, justice prevails, and Alexis says she’s joining Diane’s law firm. Sonny says, the dynamic duo, and Alexis says, Diane is still his lawyer, not her. He says, good, because he’s about to have a legal battle on his hands.

Tracy wonders, what if Finn manipulates Violet? but Chase says he’ll be observing the conversation. Finn has one chance and if he observes Finn going off the rails, he’ll shut it down. Not to give him a chance to see her when he’ll be gone for three months… Brook says, it would be cruel, and Tracy agrees. She says, Chase is Violet’s guardian, so it’s his call. Chase says he appreciates the support, and she asks, where and when the meeting will be. He says, here and now. Finn is waiting outside in his car.

Sasha says, Cody had the perfect opportunity to come clean. He obviously loves Mac’s family and wants to be part of it. She would too. Cody says he has to wait for the timing to be right. If it’s off, he might lose everything he has. It’s too big a risk. Sasha says she wants him to be happy, and he says he is. She says, the happiest he could be, and he says, it’s new territory for him, wanting to be part of something. It’s usually been me, myself, and I. Until he found out Mac was his father, he was fine with things the way they were. She says she thought they were trying a better way, and he says, old habits die hard. He almost told Mac. She says, maybe next time, he will.

Josslyn says she knows Gio loves his uncle, and Gio says, she doesn’t. She says she used to once upon a time, and he asks, what happened? Or is it none of his business? She says, family stuff. Her mom was married to Sonny, more than once. They had and have a volatile relationship, and their last breakup was pretty bad. Gio says, and she sided with her mom, and she says she did, but she made a mistake getting involved. It was none of her business. Her mom is more than capable of taking care of herself. She has the right to live her own life, and so does Sonny. She and Sonny don’t agree on pretty much anything, but she doesn’t want anything to happen to him. Gio asks if Trina thinks it’s possible that Ava poses a real threat, and Trina says she doesn’t know, but she wouldn’t rule it out.

Scotty says, Ava and Sonny both have a spotty past with the PCPD. Family court is going to look at it like bad versus even worse. Ava says, Sonny is a mob boss, but he says, allegedly. It’s not on his tax return. She says, plenty of people know he’s violent and impulsive, going from one mental health crisis to the next, and he says, they could testify or not. She has to protect herself. In cases like this, it’s usually a mutual disaster for everyone. She says she’ll take her chances. There’s no way she’s leaving Avery with Sonny permanently. Is he going to be her lawyer or not? He says he’s in, and they shake hands. He says, since he’s going up against Killer Miller, he’s going to need stunt pay.

Tracy hugs Finn and cries. He thanks her for letting him do this, but she says, it was Chase’s idea. He felt it was good for Violet, and that’s all that matters. Brook comes down the stairs and says, Violet is ready. Tracy asks Finn, is he?

Tomorrow, Jason asks someone if they’re sure they’re ready to do this; Violet begs Finn to take her with him; and Dante tells Sam that she can’t tell anybody about this.

😕 WTF Over and Over…

It doesn’t say for sure, but the wording makes it sound like he was let go. Are they kidding? He’s just done some of the best work of his career. I hate when they change writers. There are always casualties.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/michael-easton-says-goodbye-to-general-hospital

🍊 If He Says So…

Yeah, okay, we’ll see. Premieres July 11th.

Andy Cohen Says RHOC Season 18 Is ‘Possibly the Best Season Yet’

🍑 Gone With the Wind Minus Fabulous…

No surprise. What a shame. You’d think she’d have had enough sense to understand it was crossing the line. Which is probably pretty hard to do in the Housewives franchise.

Kenya Moore Officially Exits RHOA Following Suspension, Before Thanking Fans on Social Media

https://people.com/kenya-moore-exits-real-housewives-of-atlanta-after-suspension-for-explicit-photos-scandal-8669281

🐪 Walking On Air…

I’ve always liked Caroline. I’d love to see her and LVP together… or maybe not.

https://okmagazine.com/p/caroline-stanbury-life-real-housewives-dubai-lighter-ladies-london/

🍸 Changing the Rules…

It’s not like any of the cast we know still works there.

https://okmagazine.com/p/vpr-fans-go-wild-lisa-vanderpump-new-sur-staff-show-hiatus/

📑 What’s Mine Stays Mine…

I don’t blame her. I can understand why there might be some hurt feelings at having it sprung on him – they should have had this conversation earlier – but what’s the big deal with signing a prenup unless you’re in it for the money? Especially a dude. Come on. And why is everyone getting three wedding dresses? I swear, all you need is one per wedding.

https://extratv.com/2024/06/26/kelly-bensimon-calls-off-wedding-to-scott-litner-4-days-before-ceremony/

🪅 Nobody Does It Better…

No one will ever top PUMP/SUR for Pride Day. I’ve been to quite a few celebrations in NYC, but I only did the march once. It’s a looong walk.

Bravo’s Best Pride Celebrations

🐶 He Makes My Heart Sing…

There are no ugly dogs, just dogs that are cute in a different way. Although I’m pretty sure if they’d combed his hair, he might not have come away the winner. Congrats, you Wild Thang!

https://people.com/a-pekingese-named-wild-thang-wins-the-2024-world-s-ugliest-dog-contest-8668102

🧘‍♀️ Watching the Tide Roll Away…

Stop in tomorrow for soap, a little tea, and a little music befitting the month. Until then, stay safe, stay using your headphones when listening to music at the beach, and stay taking the first step if you need to.

Jun26

June 25, 2024 – Anna Finds a Secret Phone, Two For the Return, A Chat, Reuniting, Sergio the Gnat, Island Auditions, New Listings, Owning It, Real Sad, Parading Mermaids, Sharks & Home

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What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

Jason sits in his car outside somewhere and makes a call.

Spinelli plays with the kids, while Maxie waits at an outside table. His phone rings, she sees it’s Jason, and picks it up. She says, if he called to talk to Spinelli, he’s off with the kids, but he says he called to talk to her. He wants her to call Anna just to say hi and check in. Then call him back and tell him if she picked up. She wants more information, but he asks her to just call for him please, and she agrees.

Anna is in bed with Valentin, watching him sleep, when she hears her phone buzz. She picks it up, and Maxie says she called to see how Anna is doing. Anna asks, why? and Maxie says, because Jason asked her to call, say hi and see how she’s doing, and call him back. Anna says she’s fine, and Valentin takes the phone out of her hand. He tells Maxie that Anna will have to call her back, and he and Anna get busy.

Carly goes to visit Jack in Pentenville. Jack says, her visit almost makes his incarceration worth it.

Finn leaves a message for Chase, saying, do not do this. Chase is his brother. Stop avoiding him. He wants to talk to his daughter. He’s the only parent Violet has left, and they need each other. Do not escalate this more than he already has. Call him back. There’s a knock at the door, and Finn opens it to Diane.

Ava tells Sonny, dinner must have gone late last night. She didn’t see him before she went to bed, and he wasn’t around this morning either. He tells her to get used to it. She’s going to be seeing less of him. She asks, why is that? and he says, she’s moving out.

Ava asks where Sonny is coming from. When she offered to leave, he told her it wasn’t necessary and asked her to stay. She took it to mean for as long as she wanted. He says, that was then, this is now. Things change. She says, overnight? (like she doesn’t remember what she just did) and he says, the arrangement no longer works for him. All she needs to know is, it’s over. She says she’ll be out when she finds a place, but he says he wants her out now. Avery will stay with him, and he’s not discussing it further. She can stay at the MetroCourt or with whatever friends she has left, but she’s not staying here another night. He doesn’t want her in his presence. They’re done.

Valentin asks if he’s dreaming or did that happen again, and Anna says, it happened. She’s happy to be here, but she can’t spend the day. Valentin tells her not to go. They’re not done with each other yet. He kisses her.

Jack tells Carly that this is the highlight of his day, but he doubts she came for the pleasure of his company. She says she didn’t, and he says, don’t leave him in suspense. She says, he used to work for the WSB and knows how intelligence agencies work, and he says he’s been on both sides of the law. She says she needs his expertise, but doesn’t know if she can trust him, and he says, she can’t.

Jason asks if Maxie got Anna, and Maxie says she did. Anna sounded annoyed at being woken up. She told Anna that he made her call. What’s going on? Why is he checking on Anna? Why is he worried and why didn’t he call himself? He tells her that he’s got to go. Thanks. He hangs up and she says, rude. Jason gets a text from Anna: I’m fine. V is up. Go before he sees you.

Diane gives Finn some paperwork, and says, while she’s here, she’s happy to answer any questions. Her advice is that he discuss it with someone not involved in the case. He says he doesn’t understand, and Diane says, this document is an emergency court order granting his brother temporary custody of the minor child Violet Finn. The other document is a restraining order barring him from being 500 feet from said minor child. He says, she’s helping Chase steal his daughter.

Anna snoops around the living room again, and Valentin calls from the kitchen that breakfast is almost ready. She looks behind some books and finds a satellite phone.

Ava says she and Sonny share custody. He can’t keep Avery and kick her out. Avery is happy with them under the same roof. It’s going to hurt and confuse her. He says, they lived separately for years. It won’t take Avery that long to adjust. She asks him to think it through, but he says he’s already given it all the attention it needs. She has five minutes. Last night, he felt generous. She’s lucky he didn’t humiliate her in front of everyone. She says she thought she was the only one he could trust, and he says he was wrong, but she says, he’s wrong now to cut ties. Everyone has either betrayed, played, or judged him. He can’t rely on anyone. He says, but he can rely on her, and she says she’s proven she has his back. He asks why she’s fighting so hard to stay. What’s her angle? She says she doesn’t have one, but he says, everybody has an angle – money, power, revenge. Is that why she went after Alexis, for revenge? Ava says, this is about Kristina’s temper tantrum. God forbid Alexis should take responsibility for losing her law license. He says, Alexis lost her license because of Ava, but Ava says, Alexis broke the law. It’s not her fault. Sonny says, Alexis screwed up, but Ava didn’t have to sneak around and turn her in, but Ava says she followed legal procedure. Alexis committed perjury. He asks, who is she to judge? She killed Connie. Maybe he should sign an affidavit against her.

Finn says, Diane is taking a child from her father, but Diane says, not according to the law. They wouldn’t be able to get a court order if there was no proof the child was unsafe where she was, and the father could no longer be trusted to be responsible for her. Finn says, it’s lies. He’s been taking care of her for the last five years. Diane says, they have photographic evidence to the contrary. The court takes the parent/child relationship seriously, and you can’t get a court order without good reason. Finn asks, what about her? What’s her reason for tearing apart a family and taking a child from her sole parent? None of that matters because she gets billable hours. Diane says she was asked to pass along a message. Violet is doing great. She loves and misses him and can’t wait until he’s healthy again. She’s waiting to break her own record for holding her breath under water until he can watch. Finn cries and says, they can’t take his daughter. They can try, but he’s not going to let them. She says, if he comes within 500 feet of Violet, he’ll be arrested. Think about what watching that would do to his daughter. She leaves, and Finn takes out his phone.

Jason finds Elizabeth at the hospital, and says he thought he’d check on her. She looks worried. She says, Finn has gotten worse. He’s spiraling and out of control, and it’s affecting his daughter. Luckily, there are a lot of people who love her and are worried about her. He says he’s glad Violet has a support system, but who’s looking out for her and the boys? She says, they’re doing okay. She’s going to Al-Anon and it’s definitely helped. The boys are hanging in there. He asks if Jake is all right, and she says, he’s gotten better. She doesn’t think he’s as angry with Jason anymore. It made a difference when he called Jason for help and Jason came through.

Calling from the kitchen, Valentin says, breakfast is served, and Anna puts everything back and sits down on the sofa. He brings in two plates and says, it’s not much. It was the best he could do. She says she’d like to see what it looks like when he goes all out, and he says he’d like to spend the rest of his life trying to impress her. She says, it’s not because she doesn’t want to or doesn’t love him. Last night answered that question. Their lives don’t fit together. He says, they did once, but she says, that’s debatable and things changed. It’s impossible for her to imagine a life together after what she did to Charlotte. He says, impossible in Port Charles, but maybe not elsewhere.

Carly says, maybe this was a mistake, but Jack tells her not to be hasty. He told her not to trust him because she can’t. The only person she can rely on is herself. Don’t put her faith in someone else. Carly says, there’s someone in her life who’s never failed her, and he asks, why not talk to them? He advises her to think carefully about who she confides in. Calculate the risk and the reward. What is the reward? She says, if she tells him, he’ll use it against her, but he says, not unless he has something to gain. Pentenville is dark and dreary. She brings in the light. She says, the FBI has evidence, a recording, that she committed RICO violations and was involved in criminal conspiracy.

Finn tells Scotty that Diane shoved these papers at him, and he shows Scotty the paperwork. He says he didn’t even have a chance to say goodbye. Tell him this isn’t real. Scotty says, there seems to be an incident involving Tracy and Violet. What happened? Finn says he had a bad night. He’s ashamed, but it’s been greatly exaggerated. Scotty says he thought Finn and Tracy were friends, and Finn says he did too. She’s also Brook’s grandmother, and Brook and Chase have had their eyes on Violet. Violet must be scared and confused. Who knows what other lies they’re telling her. He needs Scotty’s help. Scotty says, he needs somebody to go to bat with the judge. Maybe one of his NA people or possibly another doctor. Finn says he resigned. He had no choice. He wants to sue the place because they want to slander him and ruin his reputation. To a good lawyer it would be a great lawsuit. Scotty can keep the money. He just wants his daughter back. What does Scotty say?

Carly says she was doing it to protect her family when Sonny was presumed dead, but Jack says, none of that matters. She says, the FBI blackmailed Jason into being an informant, and in return, they won’t charge her. He asks if Jason told her that, and she says, a hacker discovered the file and tried to delete it. He says, that’s impossible from the outside. She’s gotten herself into quite a situation. What does she need to know from him? She says, will the FBI honor their agreement? and he says, not a chance.

Sonny says, Morgan would still be alive if Ava hadn’t messed with his medication and her psychotic sister hadn’t planted a bomb. If her family didn’t exist, Morgan would be alive. Ava says she’s truly sorry about what happened. She loved Morgan. What happened was a tragedy, but she doesn’t need a lecture on morality from him. She admits she’d done bad things, but Sonny needs to take responsibility. She’s not the reason his family is broken and in shambles. All of his children’s problems have one thing in common – him.

Valentin says he couldn’t bring himself to leave Port Charles. He didn’t want to give up the chance see Anna or give up the idea they’d find their way back to each other. Anna says, there are a lot of things to consider. How will it affect Charlotte? Valentin asks her to just consider it. Think about it, for him. She says she has to go, and he walks her to the door. He asks if they can talk tomorrow, and she says, yeah. He kisses her and she leaves. He watches her from the window.

Jason says he wants to keep trying to make sure Jake knows he’s here for him, if it’s okay with Elizabeth. She says she appreciates it, but Jake is his own person now. He’s got strong opinions and Jason doesn’t need hers for Jake to decide if he wants to build a relationship with him. He needs Jake’s. Jason thanks her for not standing in the way and reminding him that it’s not going to be easy. She says, it will be worth it, and he asks if Jake is still into baseball and if the Woodchucks are still his favorite team. She says, yes, and she thinks they have a game coming up with their main rivals, the Red Wings. Jason says he’ll see if Jake wants to go, and she says she’s not going to tell Jake what he should do. She needs to allow him to come to his own terms, but she hopes he goes for his sake, and Jason’s.

Finn says he thinks he has a good case against the hospital. They made wild accusations against him. He asks if Scotty shouldn’t be taking notes, and Scotty says he would if he was taking the case, but he’s not. Finn asks, why? He’ll get his daughter back and Scotty will get rich. Scotty says he doesn’t think a jury is going to be as sympathetic to Finn as he thinks, and Finn asks if he believes what’s in the papers. Scotty says, they’re just papers. Does Finn love his brother? Finn says, even with everything Chase is doing to him, he does, and Scotty asks if Chase loves him. Finn says he’d like to think so. He can’t understand why Chase is doing this to him. Scotty says, Chase is doing what he has to, not what he wants, and Finn says, he’s doing what he’s being told. He wasn’t here. Chase is being manipulated by Tracy into thinking he’s a danger to his daughter. Scotty says, Finn has been barred from seeing his daughter. He’s not in control of anything. He can’t fix this legally. He has to fix himself. He knows how hard it is, but Finn has to open his eyes and see he’s not as alone as he thinks.  

Jason and Anna meet outside for coffee. She says she appreciates him looking out for her, but he didn’t have to stay all night. Jason says, Valentin is dangerous, but she says, not to her. He says, better safe than sorry, and she asks why he didn’t leave when the light went out. He says, it still could have gone sideways, and she suggest they coordinate next time. Valentin is trained in surveillance. It would have been a royal disaster if Jason had been discovered. She’s surprised he didn’t discover Jason. He’s usually more careful. Jason says, it sounds like he was preoccupied, and Anna says she was able to search the house. She found a satellite phone hidden in a bookshelf. She was unable to pull any information from it before Valentin came back, but obviously he uses it to conduct business with Pikeman. Jason says, they’ll have to turn it over to Cates. Then he can shut down Pikeman and put away Valentin for good.  

Jack tells Carly, Jason is too useful for the FBI to let him go after a single job. They’ll use him until they’ve tapped him out or he’s dead. And as soon as the Jason stops being useful, they’re going to put her in prison. She says, so the deal they made is a lie, and he says, they may drop the ball in a myriad of ways, but they never leave it on the table.

Scotty asks why Elizabeth didn’t tell him how bad Finn was, and she says she didn’t want to talk to more people than necessary and turn Finn’s pain into gossip. He says he could have helped her and the boys, and she says she appreciates it, but they’re okay. How was Finn? He says, Diane filed a restraining order and Chase has temporary custody of Violet, and she says, Chase has been updating her. She’s guessing Finn wanted Scotty to represent him. Scotty says, he does, and he also wants to sue General Hospital for defamation. He tried to get Finn to see he’s in no position to be suing anybody and needs to get a different kind of help. Elizabeth asks if he thinks he got through, but he says, no. If he knows anything about hitting bottle, Finn has to hit rock bottom. Then maybe he’ll turn himself around. She asks if he thinks Finn is there yet.  

Finn holds a stuffed bear and cries. He picks up phone and makes a call. He says he’s wondering if they deliver… Good. He’d like a handle of vodka… Make it two.

Scotty says, every addict’s rock bottom is different, and Elizabeth says she heard that at Al-Anon. He says, it’s going to be just as hurtful for her to watch, and she says, it’s killing her to watch Finn destroy his life. He says, whatever happens, he’s here for her and her boys.

The delivery comes, and Finn takes two bottles out of the bag. (I guess a handle is a large bottle? I’ve never heard that term before.) He opens one of the bottles and smells it. He looks at the papers, then looks at the bottle. His hand shakes as he brings it to his mouth, but instead of drinking it, he throws it at the door, smashing it. He throws the other one against the door too, and says, no. He picks up his jacket and leaves.

Jack says he knows how Carly feels, but she has one thing going for her that he didn’t. Time is on her side. She needs to prepare herself while Jason continues his job. She says, prepare for what? and he says, court. She needs to find the best lawyer and come up with a strategy. As sure as their sitting here, one day she’ll have to defend herself in front of a jury. She thanks him for the advice, and he says he’s got plenty. Come back anytime. She leaves.

Jason asks if Anna thinks she’ll get back into Valentin’s house, and she says, the way they left things, she’s welcome back whenever she chooses. He asks if she’s okay with that, and she says, part of her feels like she’s betraying Valentin. She’s done a lot of things she’s not okay with in her career. The job is the job. He says, this means hurting someone she cares about, and she says, it’s not the first time she’s done that either, but she can’t allow Valentin to get away with his crimes. It has to be done, so she’ll do it.

On the phone, Valentin tells someone, move the shipment through Port Charles as we discussed. Sonny won’t be a problem. He’s isolated and coming apart. All it takes to push him over the edge is one last shove.

Ava tells Sonny that she packed a few things and will send for the rest, and he says, fine. Get out. She walks out the door, turns, and says, she’ll be back for her daug… He slams the door.

Tomorrow, Chase tells Finn that he has to take the first step; Sonny says, they’re about to have a legal battle; and Ava tells Trina that Sonny isn’t the only one who knows a thing or two about threats

☔️ It’s Raining Returns…

I guess this squashes my theory it might be Frisco.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/jonathan-jackson-returns-to-general-hospital

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/jonathan-jackson-opens-up-about-his-return-to-general-hospital

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/abc/lucky-general-hospital-jonathan-jackson-151164

Think Ava will move in with him?

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/bryan-craig-returns-to-general-hospital

🎤 Locher Room Chat…

While this was live earlier today, you can still catch it on YouTube. He does excellent interviews.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/chat-live-with-greg-rikaart-adam-huss-and-adam-bucci

👯‍♂️ Keeping In Touch…

This is so sweet, and says a lot about them as human beings.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/finola-hughes-and-kimberly-mccullough-reunite

🐪 Through a Camel’s Eye…

Not loving Lesa. In her interview, she made fun of Caroline Stanbury being an example to 50-year-old influencer. Jealous maybe? Since at last count, Caroline had more followers. And news flash. We’re all going to be 50… and 60… and 70… and so on. At least we hope so. My other takeaway from this episode was, Sergio is a handful. Or as Caroline said to him, you’re like a gnat.

Real Housewives of Dubai Season 2, Episode 4 Recap: The Queens Are Fighting

🚣 The Love Boat Has Landed…

Imagine my surprise to see this in my local news. Again, this is one of those shows that I find embarrassing for the contestants even if they don’t. You can smell the desperation, and I just can’t look. Unless someone I know gets on it, but even then, it’s debatable.

https://patch.com/new-jersey/across-nj/love-island-usa-auditions-coming-jersey-shore

💰 Millions Coming Your Way…

Already buying that mansion in my head. Premiers July 10th.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/million-dollar-listing-los-angeles-season-15-trailer-premiere-date-cast

🗽 Ryan Takes Manhattan…

I’ll definitely be checking this one out. Premieres June 28th.

https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/owning-manhattan-season-1-ryan-serhant-release-date-news

https://okmagazine.com/p/ryan-serhant-teases-not-everyone-makes-finale-owning-manhattan/

🥀 Too Real…

This is so sad. It sounds like she had a lot going for her.

https://people.com/mtv-the-real-world-miami-alum-sarah-becker-dead-8667895

🧜‍♀️ Bringing Out Your Inner Mermaid Since 1983…

For some reason, I’ve just never gone to one of these. If I had a bucket list, this would be on it.

https://www.coneyisland.com/mermaidparade

Fabulous pictures of some very clever costumes.

PHOTOS: 2024 Coney Island Mermaid Parade

🦈 Dun-Dun Dun-Dun Dun-Dun…

Shark Week is coming – July 7th – 14th.

https://people.com/shark-week-2024-schedule-8662632

👏 An Audience Member In My Own Life…

Join me tomorrow for much of the same, but a day later. Until then, stay safe, stay swimming where there’s a lifeguard even if you’re a strong swimmer, and stay never turning someone’s pain into gossip.

Jun25

June 24, 2024 – Tracy Gives Finn an Ultimatum, Just Okay Food On Deck & Greatest

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What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

John says he needs to celebrate with someone, and so far, Carly is the closest friend he has here. She tells him that he has to get some new friends, and toasts to taking down the bad guys – or bad persons. He says he’ll definitely drink to that.

Molly comes home, where TJ is waiting. She apologizes for being late. She was stuck at the office, then there was traffic. He asks if that’s true or was she avoiding coming home?

Kristina goes to Sonny’s office and says she got him a gift. He looks in the bag, and she asks how she did. He says, perfect.

On the phone, Tracy says, Brook’s mother is waiting. She’ll take care of it. Finn comes out and says, tell him where his daughter is.

Brook and Chase bring Violet to the Quartermaines. Lois tells Violet that there’s nothing she loves more than a sleepover. They’re going to stay up all night, eat tons of sugar, and do all the fun stuff. Chase tells Yuri to make sure the front gate is locked, and the staff knows not to let his brother in.

Molly asks if TJ thinks she’d volunteer to stay at work, and he says he wouldn’t blame her. She says she was stuck at the office, and he says he ordered take out, but she tells him that she had a late lunch. Maybe later. He says he was hoping they could talk about what happened, but she says she doesn’t know what more they can talk about. They can’t go back in time and change the surrogate. TJ says he wants her to accept his apology. He was a total ass and he’s sorry.

Sonny takes something out of the bag, and Kristina says, it’s organic and locally grown. He says he’ll put it to good use. He’s starting to feel like he wants to cook. Is she hungry? She says, Blaze is meeting her and they’re going out, when Natalia and Blaze come in. Natalia says she told Blaze that Sonny wasn’t a vampire, and tells Sonny that she thought she’d drop by and say hey. He says he’s glad she did and hopes she stays. He has a lot of basil in the kitchen, and he’s thinking of making pesto and chicken piccata. Blaze and Kristina agree to stay for dinner, and Natalia says, he had her at pesto. Can she help? He says, that depends. How good is she in the kitchen? She tells Blaze, careful, and Blaze says, she’s a pretty good cook. Sonny says, there are some kitchen rules. In the kitchen, he’s the boss. Natalia says, yes, chef, and they go to the kitchen. Blaze asks if Kristina is cool with this, and Kristina says, yeah. It helps that Blaze is here and can be a buffer. Blaze says, who thought they’d be having dinner all together? and Kristina says, it’s been a long and winding road. Blaze says she wouldn’t change a thing, and Kristina says her either.

Carly asks if John will be checking out when he wraps up his assignment, and he says, soon. She asks, how soon, or is it classified? and he says, within the week. He was here longer than he’d intended. Carly says, thanks for choosing us for your stay, and he thanks her for saving his hide on the docks and watching him all night. She says, he thanked her already, but he says, it deserves repeating. Carly says, he’s welcome, and he tells her to enjoy the rest of the champagne. She says, if he insists, and he says he did enjoy her company. She says, back at him. Give her a give a call if he’s severely beaten, and good luck with whatever happens next. He says, it’s been a while, but he feels like luck is finally on his side. He leaves, and she says, not for long, you bastard.

Violet wonders if she should go home in case her daddy needs help, but Lois says she spoke to Brook’s grandma and she’s with Violet’s daddy, helping him feel better. Let them spoil her. Violet says her stomach hurts, and Brook takes her to the bathroom. Lois says, of course (🍷) Violet feels sick. So does she. Chase thanks her, and she says, they all want to help. Chase says, if Violet had stayed with them, Finn would have been pounding on the door all night. Violet is going through enough. She found Finn bleeding and couldn’t wake him up. She says, thank God Violet called Tracy, and Chase says, with the amount of booze Finn consumed, he could have been passed out all night. As it is, Violet is going to carry this with her for the rest of her life. Lois says, they’ll get her through this. It’s important that Chase is here, and Violet knows she has him. He says, he hopes so. He has to make some more arrangements. She tells him to let her know if there’s anything else she can do, and leaves. He makes a call and says he’s sorry to be calling so late.  

Tracy says, Violet is safe, but Finn says, that’s not what he asked. She asks if he has any idea what Violet saw when she walked in here. He was passed out cold, bleeding on the floor in a sea of broken glass. He says he’s sorry Violet had to witness that, but Tracy says, she didn’t have to. He created the situation. Finn asks if Violet called her, and she says, Violet picked up the phone, saw the missed calls from her, and had the good sense to call her back. She said her father needed help. She’d thought he died. Tracy called 911, and when she got here, Violet was standing over him, keeping watch, scared out of her mind. Finn says he’s sorry for how he spoke to her earlier. This was the wake-up call he needed. He’s going to clean himself and the apartment up, and bring Violet home. Tracy says, no, and Finn says, he’s Violet’s father. She says, he can’t care for his daughter, and she’s not coming home until he proves he can care for himself.

Finn asks where his daughter is, and Tracy says, she’s with people who love her, and they’ll continue to care for her when he seeks help. She’s booked him a room at Sky Meadow Lodge. It’s a 90-day minimum treatment facility. He says, she’s overstepping. He doesn’t need residential treatment. She says, even before tonight, she would have argued that he did, and he says he’ll go to meetings, but Violet is staying with him. She says, meetings are no longer sufficient, and he says, she doesn’t know his life. His daughter is at the Quartermaines, isn’t she? He’s going there and getting her, and if anyone tries to stop him, he’ll call the police.

On the phone, Chase says, Yuri will meet them at the gate. Violet comes back with Brook and asks if Chase is sure that Brook’s grandma will take care of her dad. He says, she can, and she will. Violet says, it’s a big house, and Brook says, their room is next to hers. If she needs anything, or if she has a bad dream, they’ll be right there. Violet asks if they think her daddy had bad dreams, and Chase says, they make some people so sad, they feel sick. Violet says, like grandpa? but Brook says, no. This is completely different. Violet says, if her daddy is sick, he needs her, and Chase says, that was his first intention, but Brook says, her daddy taking some time away is the best way. Violet asks, what if he thinks she doesn’t love him anymore? but Chase says, he would never think that and that will never change.

As they enjoy dinner, Natalia tells stories about Blaze as a kid, and Blaze asks if they’re done laughing at her younger self. Dinner was incredible. Natalia says she thought Corinthos was a Greek name, and Sonny says, it is. She asks how he got so good at cooking authentic Italian food, and Sonny asks how Brook’s wedding looked. Natalia says, the Cerullos, when Ava walks in and says, isn’t this cozy?

Carly flashes back to Sonny telling her that Jason working for Cates is proof Jason is working against him, and Carly saying, if he thinks Jason is trying to get evidence against him, Jason must be bad at it, since he’s a free man. Spinelli comes into Carly’s office, saying, gracious greetings. He says, she seems disgruntled, and she says she wonders why. She can’t believe that guy used her as leverage to hold Jason hostage. Then he had the nerve to show up here with champagne. Spinelli just missed him. Spinelli asks how it went, and she says, she smiled and said she hoped he’d enjoyed his stay in Port Charles. Spinelli wonders if there was cause for celebration, or was he trying to come on to Carly, and she says she wishes he’d tried something. It would have given her an excuse to stab him. (Ah, my favorite side of Carly.)

TJ tells Molly that he let his anxiety run away with him and it wasn’t fair. They both decided on Kristina being the surrogate together. It’s not like she strongarmed him. So for him to blame her was messed up and he’s sorry. She thanks him, and asks if he wishes they hadn’t used Kristina, but he says, Kristina is a great surrogate. She loves Molly more than anything and would never hurt her… intentionally. He’s not going to allow worry to overshadow their joy. What he hates most is that he didn’t make Molly feel like she could share things with him because his reaction would be so… She says, big? and he says, an understatement. They weren’t on the same page, but now he’s all in. She says she’s scared when the time comes… She doesn’t want to say it out loud, but he tells her that she can say anything to him. She says she’s afraid when the time comes, Kristina won’t be able to let go of their child. What if they were wrong to trust her sister?

Ava says she came by to see if Sonny wanted to grab dinner. It looks delightful. Natalia says, he’s a master chef, and Sonny says, she minced garlic like a pro. Ava says, it’s nice to share a passion. She’ll grab a chair. Kristina says, no. There’s no way in hell she’s sharing a meal with the woman who stabbed her mother in the back.

Brook says, Violet is braver than she was at Violet’s age, and Chase tells Violet that she did the right thing, calling for help. Violet says, that’s what he told her to do when there was trouble, and he says, she got the ball rolling, and now she can leave it to the grown-ups to get her daddy better. Lois comes in and asks if Violet would like to see her room, and Brook says, when she wakes up, she’ll see the most beautiful view. Lois says she picked out a pair of Scout’s pajamas and suggests they set her up. Brook says, they’ll be up in a minute, and Lois takes Violet upstairs. Brook thanks Chase for being her rock, but he says he’s just following her lead. He knows Violet can’t stay with Finn, but getting it in his head… She says, watching it play out breaks your heart.

Tracy says, if Finn calls the police, she’ll show them the pictures, and he asks her not to take Violet away from him. She’s all he has left. She can’t take his daughter. She says, nobody wants this, and he insists he’ll pull it together. She asks if he thinks he’s the only one grieving. This is not the way to handle it. Finn says, and taking away his daughter is? He made a mistake. Seeing the pictures, he doesn’t like the person he is any more than she does. That’s not him. She says, but it is. (Thank you.) But it doesn’t have to be if he goes to rehab. He says he’ll fight it on his own. He’ll do whatever she wants. She says, this is not a negotiation. If he wants Violet back, he’ll have to seek treatment. If he can’t or won’t commit to sobriety, she’ll have to use all her resources to make sure his brother and Brook get custody of Violet, temporary or otherwise. Finn asks why she’s doing this, and she says, it’s not about him. It’s about Violet, and until he understands that there’s nothing left to say. She walks out.

Chase and Brook talk about Florence, and Chase says he wishes they were there, but Brook says she doesn’t. It’s hard and messy and heartbreaking, but it’s real, and they’ll get through it together. Home is where he is. It doesn’t matter. He says he loves her, and she says she loves him too. They’ve got this. Diane walks in, and Chase thanks her for coming. She says, he felt it was important that they met, and he says, to protect Violet from her father. Finn is in danger. Brook says, he’s been drinking heavily since Gregory died, and Chase says, Violet walked in on him, passed out. Brook says, he’d cut his hand and was bleeding. Violet was terrified. Chase says, she thought Finn had died like her grandfather, and Diane says, tell her what they need.  

TJ tells Molly that Kristina keeping the baby is their worst nightmare, but isn’t it anyone’s who uses a surrogate? They wanted to have a child, but they couldn’t. Kristina gave them a beautiful gift because Kristina loves her. He thinks she loves him too, but a little less. Molly says she was being paranoid. They’re the ones who wanted to be parents, not Kristina. It was the furthest thing from her mind, and now she’s in a new relationship. The last thing she needs is to be up all night with a baby. TJ says, their baby is going to sleep through the night, and Molly says, they’re going to come out of the womb a perfect angel and never want screen time. They’ve mastered parenting already. TJ says he’s sorry about their fight, and she says her too. He says he knows it sounds rich coming from the guy who was second guessing things, but they need to try and have faith in her sister. She says she’ll try if he will, and he says, deal.

Ava asks if Sonny is going to condone this hostility, and Kristina says, she’s lucky hostility is all it is. Ava had her mother disbarred because she was mad that Alexis was being mean to her brother. Ava says, it goes deeper than that, and Kristina says, she didn’t even have the courage to attach her name. Ava says, Alexis lied under oath, and Kristina says, this coming from the paragon of truth and justice. Sonny suggests someone fill him in, and Kristina says, that actually sounds like fun. Does Ava want to do the honors or should she? Ava says, knock herself out. She’ll give Sonny the unbiased version later. She walks out, and Natalia looks like she wants to disappear, as we all would.

Spinelli tells Carly that he tried his best to pull the file out of the hands of the FBI, but there were too many levels of protection to penetrate. Carly says, for two years Jason could have been with the people who loved him, but he was too busy protecting her. She has to make it right. She’s going to tell Cates to arrest her. Spinelli says he can’t let her do that, and blocks her way.

Molly says she shouldn’t have kept what happened from TJ, but he says, he didn’t make it easy for her to confide in him. She thought he’d react in anger, and she was right. She wonders if they’ll ever feel easy again, and he says, considering they’re bringing a baby into the mix, no. At least not for a while. Something can be wonderful and hard at the same time. Molly says she can’t believe how fast it’s coming. Soon the apartment will be littered with baby stuff. TJ says, and diapers everywhere, and she asks if it’s stressing him out. He says he’s not worried. He just wants to do right by their child and let them know they’re loved and supported, no matter what.

Kristina says, at the hearing, her mom found out Ava was the one that accused her of perjury, and signed an affidavit that was hearsay. Sonny asks if it’s Ava’s fault Alexis lost her license, and Kristina says her mom just found out now. She can’t believe he lives with the same woman who caused so much pain. It’s the first time she’s seen Ava since the hearing, and she had to say something. She’s sorry she ruined dinner. Sonny says, she didn’t ruin it, and Natalia says she commends Kristina. She defended her mother and has nothing to apologize for.

Diane says, it will be an uphill battle, and Chase says he’s aware of that. She says. Finn is Violet’s legal guardian, and the law is on his side, but they can preempt him with an emergency custody order, so Violet can stay for the time being. Lois comes in and says she can’t find Yuri. Tracy walks in behind her, and says, he was opening the gate for her. Diane being here saved her a phone call. She’s afraid they’re going to need a restraining order.

Carly says she’d rather be in prison than see Jason blackmailed one more day. Diane has successfully gotten her exonerated before; she’ll do it again. He says, what if she doesn’t? What if she’s incriminated? What happens to her children, specifically Donna? Carly says she can’t stand the thought of that, but how is Donna more important than Danny or Jake? He says, what happened to them was tragic, but they still had their mothers. If she goes away, Donna will be without hers. He’s sure Jason was aware of that and wanted to avoid it at all costs. Carly says she’s struggling with how she’s feeling. On one hand, she’s frustrated that Jason would do this without her knowledge or consent. She’s responsible for him being gone so long. Spinelli says, and on the other hand? and she says she’s so moved to see how much he loves her. Spinelli says he’d do the same for Maxie without hesitation. He loves Maxie the way Jason loves Carly. And if Carly loves Jason… She says, he knows she does, and he says, then she has to let this go. She asks, how? and he says, it’s already done. They can’t go back and undo it, and if she turns herself in, Jason’s sacrifice was for nothing.

Molly says, they won’t have much time for themselves, and TJ says, not any. She suggests they make the most of it while they can, and he asks what she has in mind. She says she was thinking they could start with this – she kisses him – and go from there. He says, so basically, dinner can wait, and she says, dinner can wait. They get busy and I think it would be really funny if she got pregnant.

Natalia says, it would have been easy to keep the peace, but Kristina defended her mother. She hopes her daughter would do the same. Blaze says, of course (🍷), she would, and Sonny says, Alexis should be proud. He asks, who’s up for tiramisu? but Natalia says she couldn’t eat another bite. Kristina says, she can, and Sonny says, she won’t regret it.

Spinelli says, freedom is the greatest gift Jason could give Carly. She can’t give it back and has to accept it. She says, okay. She won’t turn herself in, but she won’t allow the FBI to use her as leverage with Jason. He asks how she plans to stop them, and she says, she’ll find a way. And when she does, Cates won’t see her coming.

Tracy says she tried to get through to Finn, but doesn’t know if she succeeded, and Brook says, arrangements have been made if Finn wants. Chase says, that’s a big if. He wishes you could force someone into treatment. Diane says she’ll need a statement from him, and Brook asks when the restraining order can be filed. Diane says she’ll present it to a judge tomorrow morning, and Chase wonders if Finn is going to come there tonight. Tracy says she doesn’t know, but she hopes he realizes they’re trying to save his relationship with Violet.

Alone in his apartment, Finn looks at family pictures on his phone.

Tomorrow, Finn says he’s not going to let Chase steal his daughter; Carly says she needs Jack’s expertise, but doesn’t know if she can trust him; and Sonny asks someone, who are you to judge?

Below Deck Mediterranean

Captain Sandy calls Jono to the bridge and tells him that the primary came to her and said the spices were too strong and the eggs were cold. How did that happen? He says he had the eggs ready at 8:30 when they’d wanted to have breakfast, but the guests had a slower morning. She tells him to make sure the eggs are made to order, and in her interview, she says, for a chef to tell her that he made breakfast when it was supposed to start is a huge red flag, but she has to give him the opportunity to show he can do this. Finish strong and she’ll assess the next charter. Anchor is in the pocket, and they head out. Bri says she’s feeling more confident, and in Ellie’s interview, she says she’s putting in a lot of effort because they’re improving as a team. The team’s success is her success.

Nathan tells Gael that she’s a genuine girl, and she thanks him. Did she not know? Was she a questioning young adult? The captain tells Iain that once the beach is set up, take two crew members there and come back. He can help them set up, but then he has to stay on board. Since he’s bosun, he’s not allowed to have fun anymore. In her interview, the captain says, if something goes wrong, she needs someone to know what’s going on. It’s a safety thing, Aesha talks to Jono about lunch, and in Jono’s interview, he says he’s hoping lunch goes smoothly. He needs to create a menu that doesn’t need microwaving. There’s no microwave on the beach. In Aesha’s interview, she says she thinks Iain heard Captain Sandy say the guests knew what they wanted and that meant the guests set it up themselves. In Iain’s interview, he says he’s had no time to scout for a location, and it makes him nervous. He prefers to trust his team rather than micromanage. This is a little test. Ellie and Joe flirt, and in Ellie’s interview, she says she would not kick Joe out of bed. Iain drops Joe and Gael off with a ton of stuff, but goes directly back to the boat instead of helping them set up. They lug the stuff a long way to the beach, making several trips, and in Joe’s interview, he says, there’s no leadership. Iain could have helped. Back on the boat, the guests are getting antsy to leave, and are finally given the green light. Iain radios that the guests are on their way, and Joe says, what the f***? The guests are underway, and they haven’t set up. This is bad. Gael wonders why no one is communicating. It’s a sh*tshow.

Aesha comes with the guests and helps with the set up. She asks Joe if the beach Olympics were organized, but he tells her, there was no time. On the boat, Jono frets over what Captain Sandy told him, and in his interview, he says, there’s no time to process his disappointment like there would be at a normal job. He has to focus on the meals to come. Joe tells Aesha that no one let them know when the guests were coming, and she says, it’s their first beach picnic. They’ll get it. Gael says, they’ll make it work, and Aesha says, when the food comes, Gael can swap out with Bri. There’s volleyball, then a ring toss. Joe takes his shirt off, the guests cheer, and he wins the long jump. The food is served, and on the yacht, the captain has the deck crew set up the water toys. Joe tells Gael that he’s never had guests arrive before everything is set up, and they wonder why they weren’t told until the guests were on their way. In his Joe’s interview, he says, his granddad taught him that respect is everything, and he doesn’t want step on Iain’s toes. He’s in an awkward situation. Lunch is a success, and one of the guests suggests they’ll have to wear muumuus on the plane back. When the guests come back, Aesha tells Iain, if there’s something like Beach Olympics on the preference sheets, he has to organize it ahead of time, and he makes up some lame excuse per usual. In Gael’s interview, she wonders what Iain was doing. Where was he? And he didn’t even acknowledge that they managed to do it anyway. In Iain’s interview, he compares his lack of management to a difficult task on a previous job – i.e. apples and oranges – and says, sometimes you have to do things that frustrate you. Just get it done. Aesha calls the provisioner for a Greek folk dance instructor, and the provisioner says she knows just the guy and he’ll bring plates for smashing. In his interview, Jono says, there’s a lot to be proved. If he makes a mistake and the captain picks up on it, his job is at risk.

The captain is joining the guests for dinner, and Aesha tells Iain that the Greek dancer needs to be picked up at 9:15. One of the guests says, they’re going to their next feeding, and they sit down for dinner. Gigi asks Jono about the spices in the gazpacho, and he says he googled it. It was some grandma’s recipe and it sounded authentic. In Captain Sandy’s interview, she says, don’t say it’s some grandma’s recipe; say it’s a secret recipe. Don’t say you googled it; say it’s someone else’s recipe. Joe and Ellie flirt, and in Bri’s interview, she says, it feels awkward. After tasting the entrée, Gigi says, there’s that spice again. It’s not agreeing with her palate. Jono takes the dessert out of the oven, and in his interview, he says he can see the cakes are overdone. F*** me. In the captain’s interview, she says, this is a superyacht. The food shouldn’t be just okay. It should be excellent. Jono is 0 for 2 now.

Captain Sandy asks Gigi about qualifying for the Olympics, and Gigi says, when she and Mary Jo Fernandez were in the finals, two audience members came in between serves to sit in some front seats. She’d missed her first serve and it was distracting, so she asked Mary Jo who those people were. Mary Jo told her to calm down. It was the Queen and King of Spain. That’s okay. I wouldn’t know who they were either. In Gael’s interview, she says she’s more comfortable with Nathan every day. He’s a good guy to be around. Jono doesn’t have a freezer in the galley (!) and leaves to get vanilla ice cream. Aesha and Ellie look at the cakes, and Aesha thinks they don’t look good. Ellie agrees, and Jono comes back with coffee ice cream. In Aesha’s interview, she says, last night, she had to serve grocery store sponge cake. Now she has to serve overcooked lava cake and melted ice cream. When she finds herself questioning too many dishes this early on, she needs to say something. Gigi says, the cake is interesting, and in Captain Sandy’s interview, she says, it’s subpar. When the guests are off the boat, she’s going to have a very real conversation with Jono, but she’s definitely looking for backup. The guests are brought to the sundeck where they’re serenaded by two guys on lute and guitar. Afterward, the instructor teaches them Greek dancing.

Aesha cuts herself on a glass behind the bar, and in her interview, she says, it’s been a long day. When you’re exhausted, that’s when accidents happen, but unless they have to amputate her thumb, she’s going to keep going. Guest Rabbi Deb offers to get her Band-Aids. Upstairs, plates are smashed, and the guests all say, that was so fun.

Third day of charter. The captain hauls anchor, and Ellie says she’s proud of Bri. Bri says, they can drink to that tonight. They talk about Joe, but neither one of them stakes claim. Ellie says, no matter what happens, she’s not fighting over boys, since there’s no future in any of them. The boat docks, and it’s time for the guests to leave. There are lots of hugs, and Gigi says, it’s been a special couple of days. They had an amazing time and beach day was outstanding. The food was… okay. It was hit or miss. Some of it was good, but some of it missed the mark. The tip represents a little bit of that. Captain Sandy says, feedback makes us better, and they hug. In Aesha’s interview, she says, Gigi’s comment was accurate. Jono’s plating is mostly average, and she doesn’t want to be embarrassed by any plate she puts down on charter. She tells Ellie and Bri that she’s impressed with their improvement. Ellie is a natural born service person, and she thanks her for taking Bri under her wing. The captain radios that it’s time for the tip meeting.

Captain Sandy says, the deck team killed it. There were some issues with a guest and the catamaran, but Nathan and Gael did an amazing job with the beach games. She loved how they worked together. She’ll discuss the food with Jono on the bridge later. She tells interior that the party was epic, and the guests loved it. The tip is $25K or $2000 each, which doesn’t reflect okay to me. I wonder what excellent would have been. She tells them that they’re going to turn the boat around and thanks them. In Joe’s interview, he says he likes two babes in the same department. He’s testing the waters on both ends. The captain calls Jono to the bridge, which is where we started this episode.

Captain Sandy tells Jono that she tasted the food, and it was salty. She asks why he chose chicken for the chef’s choice when it was a chance for him to show what he could do. We flash back to the guests being underwhelmed, and he says, he was trying to see what he could serve that satisfied all preferences. Some people didn’t like seafood, and some didn’t like red meat. The captain says she doesn’t think chicken should be served on a yacht. He could make epic seafood for those who like it, and a different protein for those who don’t. He’s got to work on his plating, and the ice cream was also melted. Jono blames the freezer, and Captain Sandy says, she’ll make sure it’s fixed. Don’t lose his mind in the galley. Jono says he prides himself on his professionalism and accepts criticism. He was self-trained, and if the guests don’t like it, he needs to know why and he’s happy to improve. In Captain Sandy’s interview, she says, it’s only charter two, but it has to be perfect from charter one. She’s given second chances in the past, but she’s not waiting to find another chef just in case he doesn’t come through. She texts provisioner Norma, and says she needs someone on standby.

The crew goes out to a restaurant, and Aesha asks Jono if he’s okay. He says, the captain wasn’t super critical, and he welcomes feedback. Bri wonders what’s up with the espresso martinis in Greece. They’re like a sweaty person after a long day. In Ellie’s interview, she says she’s not jealous of Bri flirting with Joe, but Bri knows she’s attracted to him and they’re roommates. The general rule on a boat is, you don’t want to go for the guy your supervisor is interested in. Gael’s boyfriend texts her, and Bri tells Jono that she’s annoyed with Ellie because she wants Joe.

They leave for a club, drink some more, and dance. Ellie dances with Joe, and Nathan comes on to Gael. In Ellie’s interview, she says she’s going for Joe. They’re getting it on. Not tonight, but pretty soon. Gael says, it looks like Bri needs to get something out, and Bri says she’s irritated. She and Ellie talked about Joe, and she knows Ellie is interested in him because she asked if Bri was. Gael encourages Bri to go after Joe anyway, and while Ellie takes a break, Bri sits next to him. He asks who she’s gravitating toward, and she says she’s feeling it out. He asks if she’d s*ck Nathan’s d*ck, and she says she’d take his.

Ugh.

Next time, Jono says, it’s still not good; Ellie tells Bri that she’s breaking girl code; Bri tells the captain that this unnecessary drama is killing her; and Ellie says she’s out.

🏇 Matching My Polos…

Join me tomorrow for soap and a little Dubai talk. Until then, stay safe, stay never body shaming anyone who hasn’t worked on their summer body, and stay remembering that something can be wonderful and hard at the same time.

Jun22

July 21, 2024 –Carly Hears the Audio File, On Returning, No Social, Almost Brandy, OC Drama, Coming Deck, VanderJunk, Expectations, Reunion, Animal Tales, Jesting, More Than 8 Quotes & Love

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What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

Carly says she’s sorry to keep Sam waiting, and Sam says, crisis averted? Carly says, more like crisis handled for now. Sam says, good, because she’s going to need Carly’s undivided attention. She only wants to do this once. Carly says, do what? and Sam says she knows why Jason let them think he was dead.

Anna tells Jason that she’s having dinner at Valentin’s house tomorrow. She’ll find the opportunity to search. Then she’ll get the evidence that he’s running Pikeman. Jason says his way is simpler, and she says, if by his way he means he’s going to break in, search, and if he doesn’t find anything, he’ll beat the truth out of Valentin, that’s not going to work. He says, her way will? and she says, yes, because she’s Valentin’s blind spot. She can take him unawares. Jason just has to be patient. Jason says he sacrificed over two and a half years to protect Carly. He will not let this go to waste. He needs to prove to the FBI that Valentin is their guy.

Chase says, Brook really went all out for dinner, and she says, it’s their first homecooked meal as a married couple. It’s a big milestone. It doesn’t matter that she’s cooked a ton for him in the past. This was the first official one. He says, then he officially declares it delicious, and she asks how he’d rate it. He says, five stars. And the food was pretty good too. He kisses her.

Maxie says, Bailey Lou has had her second bath and is in bed, and James asks her to tell Georgie that he didn’t throw food as a baby. Maxie asks Violet if they’re still fighting about this. Who’s winning? Violet says she thinks it’s a tie, and James says, that means he won. Georgie says, no, it doesn’t, and Maxie says, they’re all winners. Why doesn’t Violet get her stuff and she’ll take her home. Georgie says, they really don’t want Violet to go home. Can she please sleep over? Spinelli comes in and says, hello, family, and the lovely Violet. He’s sorry he missed dinner. Maxie says, he also missed clean-up. How was work? He says he’ll fill her in after dinner, and James asks if Violet can’t stay. Maxie says, maybe next time. Violet’s dad really wants her home. Violet says, it’s okay. She had a lot of fun today, but she hasn’t to go home now. Her dad gets really sad and lonely when she’s not there.

Finn lies on the couch, his phone playing morose music alongside an open bottle of tequila. (Why? Why is it always tequila?) He wakes with a start, sits up, and holds his head. He picks up the bottle and takes a swig. (Ugh. It’s bad if you’re drinking straight from the bottle, and Michael Easton is so good, he’s making me feel ill.) He notices a smear of blood and some glass on the table, and looks at his hand, realizing he has a piece of glass imbedded in his palm. He pulls out the glass, takes another swig, and pours some tequila on the wound, which is obviously painful. He tries to get up, but falls on the floor and stays there.

Sam puts her phone on Carly’s desk and says, what she’s about to hear isn’t all about her, even though she knows Carly is going to make it that way. Sam’s life and her children have been affected. Elizabeth and Jake, and anyone who’s ever loved Jason and mourned his death.  Carly asks where she got this and how she knows it wasn’t altered, and Sam says, it’s real. Spinelli got it from the FBI’s evidentiary database. And of course (🍷) Carly will be able to confirm its authenticity. Sam hits play, and Carly’s voice says, as you all know, my husband is dead, but his organization isn’t. It’s still strong and stable. The only thing that’s changed is the person who sits in Sonny’s seat, and from now on, that will be me.

John comes into the warehouse and asks, where is she? Jason says, where’s who? and John tells him not to play games. He knows Anna was here. Jason says, and now she’s not. John asks what they talked about, and says, Jason had better have been smart enough to record it. Jason says he never records conversations, and John says, then they have a problem. Unless he’s figured out another way to prove Anna is the one running Pikeman. Jason says, John’s not going to find anything on Anna because there’s nothing there. Or does proving it not even matter anymore?

Anna says, sorry she’s late, but Valentin says, don’t worry about it. He’s just glad she wasn’t canceling. She says she did think about it, but she wanted to see him. He says he’s glad, and she says, whatever he’s cooking smells delicious. He says, coq au vin, and she says, the classics. They never get old. She’s always loved how he decorated this place. He says, that makes him happy because it’s all for her. He bought this house hoping they would share it. Does she know what goes well with coq au vin? A Bordeaux he brought back from his travels. Would she like a glass? She asks how she could say no, and he says, she can’t. He’ll be right back. He goes into the kitchen, and she says, take your time. When he’s gone, she starts snooping around.

Violet thanks doorman Carl for walking her up and he says, anytime. Tell her dad he said hi. She closes the door and sees Finn on the floor. She says, dad? and runs to him. She shakes him and says, she’s home. Wake up. She sees the blood on his hand and takes his phone off the table. She sees he missed a call from Tracy, and she hits the number to call back.

Tracy picks up and says, it’s about time. She’s left him three messages. She was beginning to think he was avoiding her. Violet says, her dad needs help, and Tracy asks, what’s wrong? Violet says she thinks he’s dead, and Tracy says she’ll be right there. She calls 911 and says she needs to report an emergency. 347 Portside Road, apartment 9.

Spinelli kisses Maxie, and says, it seems as though she may be somewhere else. Is something wrong? She says, no. She’s just worried about Violet. He asks if something happened when she dropped Violet off, but she says, it was a completely normal drive. She just really heard what Violet was saying while she was here. How she needed to get home and be with her dad because she was worried about him. It kind of sounded like she was raising Finn, not the other way around. Spinelli says, she does seem responsible for her father, but what if that’s just their normal relationship? After all, in the dictionary, under the word precocious, there’s a picture of Violet. Maxie says, even so, it’s possible for a child to be too sensitive. She feels like there might be something going on at home.

Tracy runs into Finn’s apartment, and Violet says, he won’t wake up. Tracy says she called an ambulance, and asks Violet to wait by the door until they get here. She checks Finn, and the paramedics come. Violet tells them, he’s over there, and they go over to him. Tracy says, his daughter found him like this when she came home. Luckily, Violet had the good sense to call her. She tells Violet that she thinks her dad is just sleeping, and Violet says, on the floor? Did he fall? Tracy says, maybe, probably, and Violet asks why there’s blood on him. Tracy says she thinks he cut his hand when he fell. The paramedics will take care of it and they need to give them room. She’ll talk to them. She tells Violet to stay where she is, and asks one of the paramedics how bad Finn is hurt. The paramedic says, the cut? and Tracy asks if they checked his airways and his heart. The paramedic says she’s sorry to put it this way, but drunk is not an emergency. Tracy says she knows that, they know that, but Violet doesn’t know that. She has to get her out of here, so she’ll be back. She tells Violet that the paramedics want a little time to help her dad. Grab her bag. She thinks they should visit her Uncle Chase. Violet says she’s already been gone too long today, and Tracy says, her dad didn’t hurt himself because she was gone. She knows how happy it will make her Uncle Chase to see her, and she’ll come right back here and make sure her dad is as good as new. Violet says she doesn’t want to go, and Tracy says she understands, but she would say her dad needs to rest, wouldn’t she? Violet says, what if he doesn’t wake up like grandpa? but Tracy says, it isn’t the same thing. Her grandfather was really, really sick. Does she remember all the doctor’s appointments and the special things he needed to walk and to breathe? Her dad just needs a little time to feel like himself again. Violet asks if she’s sure, and Tracy says she is. Violet asks if she can give him a kiss before they go, and Tracy says she wishes Violet could, but they need to give them room to work. Violet says, okay, picks up her bag, and leaves with Tracy.

Carly says she can’t believe this, and Sam says, she didn’t know the FBI had evidence against her? Carly says, no. All Jason told her was that he was an informant. She assumed they had evidence against him. It never occurred to her… Sam says, that it was her, and Carly says she can’t believe this recording even exists. It took place over three years ago with the heads of all the families under incredibly tight security. Sam says, obviously not tight enough, because the FBI was able to record the whole meeting, including Carly’s declaration that she was taking over for Sonny as head of his organization. Carly asks why Sam even went looking for it, and Sam says, because she wanted to know what the FBI was using to force Jason to cooperate. So she was able to borrow and copy Agent Cates’s credentials, and Spinelli was able to hack into the evidentiary database. Their plan was to get rid of the evidence once they had it, but Cates’s access did not allow for him to alter or delete the file. So all Spinelli could do was make a recording of the audio file. Carly says she can’t believe Jason was protecting her. Everything he’s been through… Poor Jason. Sam says, he’s not the victim here. Jason abandoned his children and let anyone who ever loved him think he was dead.

Anna rifles through Valentin’s desk, listens for him coming, then looks on the shelves. He comes back with two glasses of wine and says, sorry to keep her waiting. He hands her a glass and she says, some things are worth the wait. He asks if she found what she was looking for.

Chase opens the door to Tracy and Violet, and Tracy says, sorry to come by unannounced, but she told Violet how happy they’d be to see her. Chase says, of course (🍷) they are. He can always use some more Violet time. He invites them in, and Brook says, they were just talking about how much they miss her and want to hang out with her, and here she is. Perfect timing. She just made dessert – apple pie – and they were about to dig in. She’s sure Violet wants a piece. Violet says, that’s okay. She’s not hungry. Chase asks if she wants some hot cocoa. She can put all the marshmallows she wants in it. (All I can think is, Chase, it’s 90 out today.) Violet says she’s fine, except she was in the pool all day and put her wet swimsuit in her bag. It gets all gross if she leaves it in there. Brook says, come with her, and they’ll hang it up. She and Violet leave, and Chase asks Tracy, why is Violet with her and what’s going on?

Anna says, Valentin caught her. She was just looking at all the titles on his books; they’re so interesting. He knows how she’s always pretending she’s going to read at night instead of going to sleep as soon as her head hits the pillow. He says he always loved the untouched stack of books on her bedside table. She’d never let him move them because she said she was going to get to them. She says she promises she will one day… when she retires, and he says, it sounds like her work is very busy. She says, the Commissioner’s job is never done, and he tells her to try the Bordeaux. She takes a sip and says, that’s delicious. Yum. He says he’s glad she likes it because there’s plenty more where that came from for them to share in the future. She says, that’s a bit presumptuous of him, and he says, hope springs eternal, darling. She says she did actually find out an interesting piece of information in her work about Jack Brennan, and he says, he’s ancient history, but she says, he’s not so ancient. He was injured recently in Pentenville. He was taken to GH for treatment. He got caught in a knife fight. He says, that’s unfortunate. Still, you can count on Jack to make enemies of those he’s stuck with behind bars. She says she was alerted when he was taken in for treatment. Jurisdictional courtesy and all that. She went to see him. Valentin says, and? and she says, he knows Jack. You can never get a straight answer out of him. But he did strongly imply that he did stab himself in the hopes he’d get a visit from Carly of all people. He says, hopefully, he’ll recover. He’s really not interested in discussing Jack. He’d really rather discuss her. She says, he’s so good at deflecting, and he says he learned from the best. He suggests they adjourn to the patio and have dinner.

John tells Jason, the good people of Port Charles may have been fooled into seeing Anna as a dedicated public servant, but you don’t have to dig very deep into her background, especially her time at the WSB, to uncover evidence that proves Anna is the head of Pikeman. Jason says, the evidence can be interpreted any way he wants, and he wants Anna to be guilty. John says he won’t be lectured by a man who spent years working for Sonny Corinthos, and Jason says, John is also derailing his investigation by targeting the wrong person. John says he’s following the evidence, and if Jason won’t or can’t find him what he needs to shut down Pikeman and close this case, he won’t go back to Quantico empty handed. He will take Carly Spencer with him. He walks out.

Carly closes the door and says, Sam knows Jason didn’t want to leave Danny and Jake or anyone else he loved. He was doing it to protect her. Sam says, yes, because he loves Carly more than he loves his own kids, and Carly says, it isn’t Jason’s fault. If Sam wants to blame someone… Sam says, blame her? Don’t worry. She does. She thinks Carly is just as responsible for this as Jason. She showed up at a mob meeting. She claimed to be running Sonny’s organization. She incriminated herself. And instead of paying for her actions like the adult she is, Jason abandoned his children and abandoned his life to cover for her. Carly says, Jason was doing what he thought was right, and Sam says, how convenient for her. She doesn’t ever have to pay for her mistakes. Carly says, why doesn’t Sam direct some of this anger toward Agent Cates? He’s the one who started all this, not Jason. Sam says, Carly will always stick up for Jason like Jason sticks up for her. What about everyone else? What about the people who believed in Jason? What about the people he left behind… for you? Sam walks out.

Tracy tells Chase, Violet just walked in on her father, passed out, drunk, and bleeding on the floor, and Chase says, bleeding? She says, he cut his hand. It wasn’t serious, but it was messy. Violet didn’t know it wasn’t serious. She actually thought he might have died while she was having fun on a playdate. She blamed herself because she left him alone all day. He asks how she found Violet, and she says, Violet saw missed calls from her on Finn’s phone and called her back. Violet told her that her father needed help. He says, poor Violet, and Tracy says, he should have seen the look on Violet’s face when she walked in there. She was terrified. He says, Tracy wanted to get her out of there, so she brought Violet here, and she says, Violet adores him and she thought maybe he could distract her from what she just saw. He asks, where’s Finn now? and she says, he’s at home with the paramedics. She called 911 and hopefully, they got him bandaged and sobered up by now. She will soon see. He says he’s coming with her, but she says, no, he’s not. He says, of course (🍷) he is. Why wouldn’t he? She says, because when Finn wakes up, he’s going to want to see Violet and he just can’t. Not like this. So she wants him and Brook to take Violet back to her house. He asks, why? and she says, he doesn’t have the room here for Violet to stay here, and what if Finn decides to come and get her back? Does he really want Finn pounding on his front door, putting her through that after everything else she’s been through tonight? He says, God no, and she says she can handle Finn. He needs to comfort his niece. She needs her Uncle Chase to make her feel safe. He says, okay. He’ll do it here way, but she has to keep him posted on Finn’s condition. She says she will. She has Violet’s keys so she can let herself back in. He thanks her for all of this, and she says, he knows she loves Finn. He’s her friend. And she also knows this is what his father would want, and she’s grateful she can help his son any way she can. He says he can’t believe Finn would let Violet see him like this. The pain he must be in to let this happen. He wants to be here for his niece, but he feels like he’s failing Finn if he doesn’t go with her. She says, he’s done everything he can to help his brother, and truthfully, she can say things to Finn that he can’t. And what she’s going to say to him, he really needs to hear. She leaves.

Spinelli and Maxie snuggle on the sofa, when there’s a knock at the door. Maxie asks if Spinelli is expecting anyone, and he says, no. She says, great, and gets up to answer it. She opens the door to Sam, who says she’s sorry she didn’t call. She has to discuss something with Spinelli. Maxie says she owes the kids some butterfly kisses, and leaves. Spinelli says, Sam left him earlier quite expeditiously. Dare he ask where she was going? She says she went to see Carly, and he says he thought she’d go see Jason. He should have anticipated her need to confront Carly. She says she wanted to see what Carly knew about Jason and the FBI, and he says, she played the recording for Carly? She says, Carly can lie like a pro, but her reaction was genuine. Tonight was the first time she knew that Jason spent the past two years under the control of the FBI so she didn’t have to face charges of racketeering.

There’s a knock at Carly’s office door, and she says, come in. John asks if she’s got a few minutes, but she says she’s a little busy. He says he’ll make it worth her while, and holds up a bottle of champagne. Full disclosure, even though she owns half the hotel and could get this bottle for free, he charged it to his suite. She says, he didn’t expense it to the FBI? and he asks who she thinks pays for his suite. He just never thanked her properly for coming to his rescue that night in the alley or spending the night nursing him in his suite (WOTD). Things could have gotten a lot worse had she not been there, and he appreciates her help. She says, he’s welcome, and he says he’s also grateful that she didn’t tell anybody about it like he asked. She says, and that deserves an expensive bottle of champagne? and he says he just thought he should celebrate. His investigation is almost finished. A little more time wrapping things up and he’ll be heading back to Quantico. She says she’ll be sorry to see him leave Port Charles, and he says he won’t miss much about Port Charles, but he will miss her.

As they walk back inside, Anna tells Valentin that his coq au vin is perfect, and he says he’s glad she liked it. But he can’t take full credit. It’s not his recipe. She says she appreciates honesty. It’s so rare these days. He says, and all the more precious because of it. In the spirit of honesty, he has an armagnac that makes the perfect digestif. He pours them each a glass, and asks, what should they drink to? She says, their lovely conversation under the stars, and he says, that is cause for celebration. Anna says, or they can talk about something they haven’t touched on yet. Like his success at ELQ. He seems to be jetting around all over the place lately. What exactly is he up to these days? He says, most of his trips to Europe are just excuses to pop in and see Charlotte. It’s one of the perks of having access to a corporate jet. She says she wouldn’t know. And the rest of the time? He says he’d bore her to tears with all that corporate stuff. He thinks her work is far more interesting. What case is she working on now? What mysteries is she solving at the moment? She says, everything she’s working on is classified, and he makes a pouty face. She says, which reminds her, she has a very big day tomorrow. This is really lovely. Thank you, but I have to go. He takes her hand and says, no. Please don’t. There’s something he has to tell her.

She says, sounds serious. Should she be concerned? He says, it is serious. They’ve been dancing around this for a long time. A long time ago, the trust between the two of them was damaged. She says she expects that’s true for both of them, and he says he really only believes 30% of what she tells him. She says, that’s interesting. Her percentage for him is actually a lot lower. He says he supposes he deserved that. If he hasn’t completely drained the trust tank, he’d like to say something to her, and he thinks she’s going to understand it’s completely honest. She says, and that is? and he says he loves her. He always has. It’s in his DNA; it’s like the color of his eyes. Being apart from her is the hardest thing he’s ever done, and he keeps wishing that this hopeless feeling of loving someone he can’t have will fade away. But it doesn’t. He doesn’t think it ever will.

Carly says, since John is opening up a bottle of fancy champagne and celebrating heading home, does that mean he’s rounded up all the bad guys and put them in prison? He says, wouldn’t that be nice? and she asks if that means he hasn’t. He says, investigations are rarely cut and dried. One thing about bad guys, there’s always one more out there. She asks if this one more is really dangerous, and he says he’s not sure what they’re capable of, but this person has done some very bad things. She says, interesting choice of words – this person. Does that mean the bad guy is really a woman?

Spinelli asks if Carly is worried about the information on her that the FBI is holding over Jason’s head, but Sam says, they really didn’t talk about it. She was more concerned about what Jason was up to. He says, perhaps when she has time to process, she’ll realize the great jeopardy. The recording incriminates her for possible RICO violations… Sam asks why he’s worried about Carly being charged. That’s never going to happen. Jason made his choice. He turned his back on everyone to keep Carly safe. Now he’s going to have to live with those consequences.

Chase says he knows Violet is scared and worried about her dad, but he promises her dad is going to be okay. She asks how he knows that, and he says, sometimes, grown-ups just know things. Brook says, he’s not lying to her. Her Uncle Chase is a cop. He’s telling her the truth. Violet asks if Chase knows how to cook, and he says he sure does. She asks if he thinks he could teach her how to make stuff besides sandwiches. Maybe her dad won’t look so tired or be so sad if she can make him some good things to eat when he comes home from work. Chase says he knows she wants to help her dad, but it’s not… Brook shakes her head, and he says, it’s not that hard to – Brook nods – to make something special. How about this? They’re going to go and spend the night at the Quartermaines, and in the morning, he’ll make some French toast. Sasha can cook for everybody else, but he, Violet, and Brook will have their own thing. It’ll be his special recipe with cinnamon. Violet says, with whipped cream on top? and he says, of course (🍷). It’s no good any other way. He puts his arm around her and hugs her to him.

Finn half sits/half lies in a chair, his hand bandaged. Tracy comes in and says, hello? She looks around and says, they just left him like that. She kicks one of Finn’s feet, but he barely stirs. She kicks him again, but nothing. She sighs and gets her phone out of her bag. As she fights back tears, she takes pictures of Finn, the broken glass, and the nearly empty bottle, with the blood smear next to it. She gathers her composure and takes another photo of Finn. (Reality check. It’s highly doubtful the paramedics would have left Finn alone and passed out. If something had gone sideways, like him dying from alcohol poisoning, they could be sued.)

As he opens the bottle, John says, if he didn’t know any better, he’d say Carly was trying to worm confidential information out of him. She says, he’s the one who showed up here with champagne trying to lower her defenses. He says, maybe he just wants to celebrate the beginning of the end, and she says, by all means. He pours the champagne and says, as for the gender of the bad guy, a good agent never tells. He hands her a glass, and she asks if he’s a good agent. He says, the best, and she says she’ll drink to that, and they clink glasses.

Anna says, as much as she tried to fight it, she’s still very much drawn to him. And like him, she wishes she didn’t feel it. It’s late. She really should go. She’s had such a lovely evening. She takes his hand, and he thanks her. He kisses her hand and says he loved it too. He just wishes it didn’t have to end. She says, maybe it doesn’t, and he kisses her. They continue to kiss, as Jason lurks around the front of the house. He sees them through the window. He looks… I don’t know. It’s Jason. He never looks any kind of way but Jason.

Violet says, spending the night at the Quartermaines will be fun, but she didn’t bring her PJs. Brook tells her not to worry about that. Scout has a bunch at the house she can borrow. Violet says, all right, but she still has to call her dad and ask if she can come. He cut his hand, and it was bleeding. He might need her help tonight. Brook suggests she give Violet’s dad a call and make sure it’s okay. She thinks she left her phone in the kitchen and asks if Violet wouldn’t mind grabbing it for her. Violet says, sure, and goes to the kitchen. As soon as she’s gone, Brook says, all she wants to do is take care of Finn. It’s breaking her heart. Chase says he knows. Him too. She says she didn’t think she could love him any more than she does, but watching him be such a great uncle to that little girl… He says, is she kidding him? He’d do anything for that girl. He hates lying to her. It feels wrong. Brook says, no, it’s not wrong. There are certain things children need to be protected from. What Finn is going through right now is one of them. Violet is too young to understand the truth of what’s going on. It will only scare her. They’re keeping Violet safe. So any time he starts to feel guilty, remind himself of that, okay? Brook calls to Violet that she found her phone. She called dad and he said it was okay for her to spend the night at the Quartermaines.

Tracy walks into the living room with Finn’s medical bag. She fishes around in it and comes out with a capsule of what (I think) they used to call smelling salts. She pops it open under his nose, and he sits up, coughs, then groans. He says, what the…? What happened? Tracy says, you tell me, and Finn looks at her for a moment, then says, where’s Violet? Where’s his daughter? Tracy says, she’s gone. She’s not coming back.

Tomorrow, Carly says she has to fix this and make this right; Kristina asks if Ava wants to do the honors, or should she; Violet asks Brook, what if he thinks she doesn’t love him anymore; and Finn tells Tracy, if anyone tries to stop him, he’s calling the police.

🧼 After His Break…

It’s great how GH gives actors wiggle room and also fosters their other talents.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/dominic-zamprogna-opens-up-about-his-break-from-gh

🔌Ryan Unplugged…

Can’t say I blame him.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ryan-paevey-explains-why-hes-retreating-from-social-media

🥂 Valentin’s Digestif…

I’d never heard of this before. The more you know…

https://www.liquor.com/articles/brandy-armagnac/

🍊 That Boy Is a Monster…

Looks like someone has been on Ozempic. Maybe everyone. Most of this is just sad. I don’t remember a lot about Alexis, but I’m guessing she’s not super bright. Rhyming door with Beador isn’t exactly poetic genius.

VIDEO: See RHOC Season 18 Trailer! Shannon Calls John Janssen a “Monster” as Alexis Taunts Her, Travis Moves Out of Home With Gina, & Heather is Accused of Lying, Plus Ryan’s FBI Drama, Shannon’s DUI, and Meet Newbie Katie!

🛟 Preview On Deck…

What’s coming up on the next Med.

Below Deck Med Season 9, Episode 4 Preview: Captain Sandy Sees ‘Huge Red Flag’ With Chef Jono

🍸 Perception Of the Rules…

The VanderQueen herself.

Lisa Vanderpump Discusses Ariana’s Potential Exit, If They’re Feuding, and Lala Nearly Quitting Vanderpump Rules, Plus VPR Pause, Ann Maddox’s Future on Show, and Credits Stassi for Start of Series

This season’s MVanderP.

Lala Kent Says She Was Approached for ‘The Traitors,’ and Shares Update on Scheana Friendship, Plus She Talks Tom Sandoval’s Casting, Katie & Ally’s Convo, Due Date, and What She’s “Most Excited” for With Baby No. 2

On the VanderOutskirts.

Billie Lee Says She Staged “Intervention” for Tom Sandoval After Finding “Drugs” as She Explains Why They’re No Longer Friends, Plus Claims Tom’s Girlfriend Victoria Wanted Ariana’s Stuff Out of House & Dishes on Their “Toxic” Fights

⚰️ Setting the Bar…

Wake me when September starts.

https://undeadwalking.com/posts/norman-reedus-sets-high-expectations-of-daryl-dixon-the-book-of-carol-01j08qn5shvk

🎸 Together As a Hole…

I loved this band. Whatever else you think of Courtney, she’s a brilliant musician.

https://people.com/hole-courtney-love-melissa-auf-der-maur-reunite-in-studio-8666898

🃏 A Joke…

A burglar broke into a house one night. He shined his flashlight around, looking for valuables when a voice in the dark said, Jesus knows you’re here. He nearly jumped out of his skin, clicked his flashlight off, and froze. When he heard nothing more, after a bit, he shook his head and continued.

Just as he pulled the stereo out so he could disconnect the wires, clear as a bell he heard a voice say, Jesus is watching you. Freaked out, he shined his light around frantically, looking for the source of the voice. Finally, in the corner of the room, his flashlight beam came to rest on a parrot.

Did you say that? he hissed at the parrot. Yep, the parrot confessed, then squawked, I’m just trying to warn you that he is watching you. The burglar relaxed. Warn me, huh? Who in the world are you?

 I’m Moses, replied the bird.

Moses? the burglar laughed. What kind of people would name a bird Moses?

The same kind of people that would name their Rottweiler Jesus.

🦄 It’s Okay To Be Different…

Kind of like that eagle in Strays.

https://people.com/intersex-tortoiseshell-kitten-found-in-oregon-8661653

Who knew he was a farmer at heart? Or is he hoping to hatch a dinosaur egg?

https://people.com/chris-pratt-chickens-washington-state-ranch-8665857

The donkey has found his people… er, elk.

https://people.com/pet-donkey-missing-5-years-found-living-with-wild-elk-8667442

🐓 Quotes of the Week

Many a trip continues long after movement in time and space have ceased. – John Steinbeck

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

Behind her back, like a lady and a professional. – Kate Chastain (Below Deck) on how one should gossip

The great Western disease is, I’ll be happy when… When I get the money. When I get a BMW. When I get this job. Well, the reality is, you never get to when. The only way to find happiness is to understand that happiness is not out there. It’s in here. And happiness is not next week. It’s now. – Marshall Goldsmith (Or my favorite, when I lose weight.)

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

The road to success and the road to failure are almost exactly the same. – Colin R.Davis

Good judgment comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgment. – Rita Mae Brown

Sometimes when you have a lot of bars and a lot of people, people make bad choices. – law enforcement officer, Drugs Inc.: The Fix

Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

🤽‍♀️ Coming Up For Air…

Enjoy the first weekend of official summer, or the A/C if it’s too hot where you are, and join me on Monday for soap and what’s on Deck. Until then, stay safe, stay always using sunscreen, stay saying the things a friend needs to hear, especially if others can’t. 

Jun21

June 20, 2024 – Spinelli Finds the Prize, Get Your Own, She’s a Tease, Sold, It’s Them Not Her, New Traitors, A Farewell, Posteenth, The Cutest & Don’t

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What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

At the coffee warehouse, Carly asks Jason if he’s busy, and he says he’s working. She suggests he check in with Drew. What Drew is doing might affect him.

Terry asks if Elizabeth wants to grab coffee, but Elizabeth says she can’t. She has paperwork. She doesn’t how Epiphany did it. Terry says, they’ll call it a meeting. They do have catching up to do. Elizabeth says, that sounds ominous, and asks if something happened with Terry and Yuri. Terry says, it’s about Elizabeth and Finn.

Finn tells Violet that everything she needs for a pool day with Georgie is in her bag, but Violet thinks it would be more fun if they had a take your daughter to work day. Finn says, they’ll do that another day. He has to arrange it in advance. She tells him that he said there were surprises at work all the time, and Finn asks if there’s some reason she doesn’t want to go to the pool. She says she doesn’t want to leave him here alone.

Mac and Felicia make out on the sofa, and Felicia says, before they get caught up with their reunion, this isn’t their house. Mac says, the kids are out with Maxie and won’t be back for a while, and Bailey Lou is fast asleep. The babysitters have the run of the place. Felicia reminds him that Spinelli lives here now, but Mac says, Spinelli said he had a rendezvous. Mac wants that to remain a mystery.

Sam goes to Spinelli’s gamer den, and he tells her that he found something. She asks him to please not tell her that the FBI is onto him, and he says, her lack of faith in his ability wounds him. Cates still doesn’t know they’re using his credentials. She says, they can’t get sloppy, or they’ll get caught, but he says, that’s not the issue. He found their prize, but now they have a new problem.

Finn says he’d rather hang out with Violet than go to work, but his patients need to see him. He’ll probably be so busy, he won’t miss her. He wants her to go have fun and not worry about her dad. He’s fine. Georgie arrives to get Violet, and Finn tells Violet to have lots of fun. If she needs anything, call him. They hug, and he says he loves her so much.

Terry says she doesn’t want to pry, just check-in, and Elizabeth says, obviously, she’s hurt and confused. She loves Finn and wishes she could be angry and write him off, but she can’t. She knows he’s a good man, but he’s sick and needs help. Terry says, they’re both medical professionals, and have seen this more times than they can count. No one can force Finn to get help. He’ll have to ask for it. Elizabeth says, it’s hard enough to watch Finn spiral, but she’s worried about the toll it will take on her boys. They built a beautiful relationship with Finn, and she’s afraid it will create a void. Terry says, it’s tough, but she’s a great mom and will get them through it. Elizabeth says, but what about Violet? How is she going to get through it?

Finn takes out a bottle and glass, and looks at his hospital ID. He puts the bottle and glass back, and leaves.

Jason wonders what Drew has going on besides running Aurora, and Carly says, there’s no reason his and Drew’s relationship should be as messy as the one he had with AJ. Drew broke up with her because he knew she’d put Jason first. She thinks he was hoping she’d deny it. Jason says he’s sorry, but she says she and Drew are fine. Drew seemed good at Willow’s surprise party. Jason should have come. He would have heard the announcement. His brother is running for congress.

Mac tells Felicia that he’s glad to be home. He missed her. She says, good, and he says he’ll never take off without her again. It drove home how lucky he is. Frisco gave an honest accounting of his mistakes with her and the girls and didn’t whitewash his behavior. (Hmm… Could Frisco be coming back? Is Morgan a red herring?) Felicia says, it must have been awkward, and Mac says, it was, but it was liberating. Frisco was grateful and thanked Mac for being a father to the girls when he wasn’t. He thinks Frisco understands how much he missed out on in leaving Port Charles. He made damn sure Frisco understood how extraordinary the three women he left behind are. She says, they’re lucky to have him in their lives. He made sacrifices for her girls, and she’s sure he felt it would have been easier to take off and start his own family. He says, never. They’re family and he never wanted anything else. There’s a knock at the door, and Mac says, whoever it is has godawful timing. Felicia opens the door to Anna and Robert, who says, there’s a rumor the old man has returned. Anna says she’s here to arrest her brother-in-law for an unlawful absence, and she and Robert hug Mac.

Finn tells Elizabeth that he doesn’t want it to be strange or awkward, and asks if she wants to check his blood alcohol content. She asks if she needs to, and he says, she doesn’t need to do anything, but they have to work together. That’s it. She says she knows he’s hurting, and she still loves him. He’s still family. He says, she’s Violet’s aunt, and before she asks, Violet is at the pool with Georgie and Maxie is supervising. Elizabeth steps away, and Portia greets Finn. He thanks her for the time off and says he’s eager to get back to work. He wants to check his patient files before rounds. Portia says she and Terry would like a word, and he says, lead the way, following her to Terry’s office.

At the pool, Gio tells James that Josslyn is the lifeguard today, and asks what that means. James says, no cannonballs, and Gio says, they can still have fun. If they follow the rules, maybe he can hook them up with ices later. Georgie says, James has to listen to her, but James says, she’s not the boss of him. Maxie says, correct, and tells Georgie and Violet to go in the pool. James missed a spot with his sunscreen. Nina comes along, and says, like father like son, and James says, Mac is putting in a treehouse for him with Cody. Nina says she hopes she’s invited to the housewarming. Or are girls not allowed? He says, she is, but not Georgie. Maxie lets James go into the pool and tells Nina that she handled Natalia’s complaints. Nina says, good. She trusts Maxie. Maxie is surprised she didn’t hear complaints from Nina about Natalia, but Nina says, she went to Willow’s surprise party and she’s walking on air. Maxie says, they must be getting along better than she thought, but Nina says she had to find Drew and ended up invited. Maxie asks if Nina expects her to believe she was just looking for Drew because of business, and not planning to attend the party. She wasn’t born yesterday.

Carly tells Jason that McConkey is retiring and convinced Drew to run for his seat. Jason says he thinks Drew would make a good congressman. She doesn’t agree? Carly says she thinks Drew has great qualities for a politician. He’s photogenic, he can talk to people, and has a great life story. (Apparently, she doesn’t expect a lot from a political candidate.) Jason asks why she has a problem with him then, and she says, there will be public scrutiny. It will take zero minutes to pick apart Drew’s story and they’ll dig for dirt. With the Quartermaines, there’s plenty to find. AJ’s drunk driving, Jason working for Sonny, all the way to Dante’s shooting, and Jason can’t afford scrutiny

Spinelli tells Sam that he can’t corrupt or delete the file. It’s accessible, but not assailable. Unfortunately, the FBI will be holding onto it. Sam asks what he means by accessible but not assailable, and he said it’s like a real-only file, but they can only listen to it. They can play it, but not delete it. Sam tells him to just play it. Maybe knowing what it is will help them find a way to neutralize it.

Terry tells Finn that his patients are under capable supervision, and Portia says, this conversation can’t wait. They want to discuss Finn’s responsibility to GH and his patients. He says he’s anxious to see how his patients are doing. They can find a time that works for all of them and circle back. Terry says, there’s no need, and Portia says, they’ve cleared his calendar for the day. Terry says, they’re here as his colleagues, but also his friends, and Finn says, the last time they had a meeting like this, he was told to have a lawyer present, but Terry says, they want to keep it informal. Finn asks what this is really about, and Portia says, his drinking.

Josslyn says, Trina is the nicest person she knows, and asks how Gio got in trouble with her. He says, it was just a misunderstanding. They’re fine now. Josslyn tells him that Trina has been going through a lot, but she’s too close to get an accurate reading. It’s been a rough year for Trina. Her boyfriend died unexpectedly in February. Gio says, Trina told him that she’d lost someone close. He’s sorry for her loss and he’ll tread carefully. She thanks him and says she doesn’t mean to tell him what to do. He says he’s used to it. She’s kind of bossy, but nothing compared to his aunts and some of his uncles. Dex walks in wearing his uniform.

Anna says she’s happy Mac is back. She could use his advice and they have a lot of catching up to do. He congratulates her on becoming Commissioner. With respect to Jordan, he always thought she was the best person for the position. Felicia says, Mac was no slouch, and Robert says he raised the bar for everyone. Anna says she tries daily to live up to his high standards, and Robert says, at least he didn’t have Cates breathing down his neck. Mac asks if he means Jagger Cates. Is he back in Port Charles? It will be good to see him. Anna says, he goes by John now and he’s not the sweet young kid Mac remembers.

Carly says, the people who love and care about Jason can be hurt. How does he think Monica would want to see the front page splashed with all of that? Or Danny and Jake reading it? He’ll be thrust in the spotlight against his will. Jason says he’s been through worse.

Sam says, it explains so much, and Spinelli says he thought Jason would rather go to prison than he an informant. He was acting out of love. Sam says, for Carly. That son of a bitch.

Finn asks, who said he was drinking? and Portia says, they were approached by a concerned party. Finn says, Elizabeth. They’re taking the word of his ex as proof of a problem. Terry asks if he’s denying using alcohol, but Finn says he’s denying nothing. He’s seen them drink. Have they ever seen him be impaired at work? He’ll submit to a blood test if they think he’s drunk. Portia says, everyone is different. Finn has a narcotics addiction. Terry says, they can’t risk him treating patients, and Portia says, he can treat them supervised, but has to submit to the physician’s health plan. He’ll have to go to meetings, they’ll monitor his attendance, and he’ll have to authorize his sponsor to give them updates, as well as get drug testing on a regular basis. Finn asks, what if he says no? and Terry says, it will have to go before the Executive Committee, which will make it official. Then the committee will have to notify the Medical Board, which will make it public. They’ll give him a choice of seeing patients under supervision or he could lose his license altogether.

Trina joins Josslyn, and says, Dex is looking official. She tells Gio that there are no more towels, and he says, duty calls. Trina says she’s going with him, and they leave. Josslyn tells Dex, nice uniform. It suits him.

Nina says, possibly Drew arranged for her to show up, and Maxie says, uninvited. Nina says, once she was there, Willow invited her, and Maxie wonders what would have happened had Nina been asked to leave. Nina says, of course (🍷) she would honor Willow’s wishes, and Maxie says, Nina and Willow’s relationship was happening naturally. If Nina hurries and manipulates it, she risks it being worse than before. Nina says, it’s different from her earlier misfires… Her lies, schemes, and cringeworthy sucking up. Now she has Drew on her side and Willow thinks he walks on water.

Finn tells Portia and Terry that they’re smearing his reputation. If he determines there’s slander, be warned. He knows everything about this place. He saved the hospital from going under. If not for him, neither of them would have jobs. GH exists today because he signed his patent to the Blackwood’s cure. Terry says, no one is denying his contribution, and Portia says, they want him to remain to build on it. Finn says, they’re not being friends. They’re bureaucrats and hypocrites. Portia says, they’re looking at him like a valued member of the staff and as a friend, but he says, friends don’t blindside him and threaten to take away something he loves. He’ll save them the trouble. He quits. He walks out.

Carly says, Drew gets to live a great life while Jason slaves at the warehouse, lives in a room above Bobbie’s, and Sonny tells everyone that he’s a traitor. (Um… Isn’t Jason loaded? It sounds like his choice.) Jason says, let Drew have his life. He doesn’t want it. Carly says, it’s not about what Drew has; it’s about what Jason doesn’t. Jason says, it’s not Drew’s fault, and Carly says, it was two years Jason could have spent with his family and that his family spent grieving. Why? What was so important that it was worth him losing that time?

Sam tells Spinelli that Jason lied to her. He’d said he had no choice, but everything he did was because of Carly. Cates has evidence about Carly running Sonny’s organization, and Jason put her welfare above everyone, including his children. Carly always comes first. Spinelli says, it must have been the hardest decision Jason ever had to make. There’s some nobility… She tells him, don’t you dare. There’s no nobility in abandoning his kids so a grown woman can escape the consequences of the life she chose. Anyone who says otherwise never heard a son crying for his father because he’s dead. She asks if Spinelli can make a copy, and he says he can. Why? She says, just do it.

Jason says, there’s an important job he has to do. Otherwise, he never would have left his sons and his family. Once the job is finished, he’ll take his life back. It’s the only life he wants. Carly says she hopes Drew’s campaign doesn’t get in the way. She’ll do everything in her power to defend him. She knows he’d do the same for her. Jason says, okay, and she says she’s glad he agrees. She hugs him and says she’ll see him soon. She leaves and Jason gets an audio file from The Jackal.

Spinelli tells Sam not to do anything hasty, but she says she’s going to do the one thing a good mother does – protect her children at all costs. No matter what it takes. She leaves.

Mac says, maybe he can talk to Jagger and get him to back off, but Felicia says she thinks Anna can handle Cates. Anna says she’d prefer he keep out of it, when her phone dings. She tells them that she has to deal with something, but she expects Mac back at his desk at 5 am sharp. No excuses.

Maxie tells Nina, be careful. Willow’s opinion of both her and Drew could change if she finds out about their affair, and how they hate each other, but can’t keep their hands off each other. Nina says she could keep her hands off Drew if she wanted to. They’re consenting adults, and he got plenty. Because of her connections and advice, he’s running for congress and Willow is his biggest supporter. She’s going to make sure he’s elected. Willow will be grateful, Drew will owe her, and they’ll all be happy. Everyone wins.

Finn sees Elizabeth when he comes out of the elevator and asks if she’s happy now. She got her revenge. She wanted him out, so he’s out. He just quit. She reported him before he had a chance to explain, with no concern how it would hurt him, his patients, or Violet. The only thing that mattered was getting back at him. She says she did turn him in, but she did it for his patients, Violet, and most of all, him. He’s jeopardizing everything good in his life, and it was the way to get back the Finn she knows and loves. The compassionate, brilliant, loving man who would never put anyone in harm’s way. Finn asks if she knows how many lives he’s saved. Of course (🍷) she doesn’t, because she doesn’t know him at all. Maybe she never did. He doesn’t want her near Violet. Don’t call her, don’t see her, and don’t spend time with her. She says, he agreed… but he says, that was his mistake. He thought he knew her, but he was wrong. Stay away from him and Violet.

Gio says, that’s the second time Trina ran interference for Josslyn and Dex, and asks if they’re back together. Trina says, not yet, but maybe they’ll figure things out. She’s trying to give them room to talk things out. He says he likes seeing her look out for Josslyn. She cares about her friends as much as they care about her.

Dex says he could use Josslyn’s help. The department is having beach volleyball. It’s not his game, but he volunteered to break the ice with the other cops. Tom Cruise, he’s not. Josslyn says she’d love to help, but she can’t this weekend. She and Trina are moving to a new place. He says he’s glad for them, but sorry to lose her expertise. She says, He has to learn to negotiate. She’ll give him some pointers if he helps her move. He says, deal, but he would help regardless. It’s the PCPD’s motto to protect and serve.

Portia thanks Elizabeth and says she was right. She saw the way Finn was, and Elizabeth absolutely did the right thing. Elizabeth thanks her and says, when Finn sobers up, he’s going to realize what he threw away. She hopes someday, somehow, he can pick himself back up, but what is it costing Violet?

The kids go back to Maxie’s after the pool, and James wants to talk about the treehouse, but Mac says, Cody needs to be here. Georgie says, Violet’s done some camping and has ideas, and James asks if Violet can stay over. They can camp out. Violet says, her dad won’t let her, but James says, she hasn’t asked. Maxie says, another night. Violet’s dad is expecting her.  

Finn comes home after a hard day of being a jerk. He takes out the bottle and glass and takes a drink. He pours another and drinks that too.

Anna goes to the coffee warehouse, and Jason asks if she’s made any more progress with Valentin. She says she’s going slow and treading carefully, and he says, Cates is getting impatient and wants results. Drew is running for congress and it’s going put him in the public eye. The spotlight will be on him, and if his profile is too high, he’ll be useless to the FBI. He didn’t go through all this for Cates to arrest Carly. He knows Anna wants to do this her way, but he’s running out of time. Cates will get what he wants, and he’ll bust Valentin.

Sam finds Carly, and says, there’s something she needs to hear.

Tomorrow, Cates promises to make it worth Carly’s while; Chase wants to know why Violet is with Tracy; and Jason says, he’s not letting this thing go to waste.

🏊 Must Have…

Well, I’m definitely getting one of these. Although I’d rather have the actual pool.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/get-your-own-gh-metro-court-pool-towel

🍊 New Slice Of the Orange…

Premieres July 11th.

Heather Dubrow Teases ‘Must-See’ RHOC Season 18 and Tamra Judge Friendship

👰🏼‍♀️ Love For Sale…

Dresses. Plural. I had one. Great charity choice though.

https://people.com/summer-house-star-lindsay-hubbard-selling-wedding-dresses-after-broken-engagement-carl-radke-8666037

👠 Never Her Fault…

Yeah, that must be it.

https://ew.com/teresa-giudice-says-feds-targeted-her-because-rhonj-producers-had-her-pay-cash-in-scene-8666098

🚬 Twirling Their Mustaches…

This season’s Traitors.

https://extratv.com/2024/06/05/the-traitors-tom-sandoval-sam-asghari-and-more-join-season-3-cast/

She’ll make it nice.

The Best Dorinda Medley on Traitors Memes

📓 Goodbye Professor…

All the great movies he made, and yet, whenever I hear his name, I think of Animal House.

https://ew.com/donald-sutherland-dead-mash-actor-was-88-8666623

🎉 Celebrations…

How the stars celebrated Juneteenth.

https://extratv.com/2024/06/18/stars-reflect-on-juneteenth-celebrate-the-freedom/

🐶 Mine For the Win…

You can try though.

https://people.com/worlds-cutest-rescue-dog-contest-2024-submissions-8666051

El Wray sez: I iz a shoo in.

🩱 Got My Suit Damp…

Join me tomorrow for soap and a pre-weekend kiki. Until then, stay safe, stay having a back-up plan when hosting an outdoor party, and stay asking for help if you need it, whether it’s with moving or something bigger.

Jun20

Juneteenth 2024 – Alexis Gets Good/Bad News (and we’re back to present tense), Her Conflict, Standing Alongside, Their Baby, At the Top, Weeds In the Garden State, Rankings, New Life, Pets (!) Too & Kinky

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What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

🤸‍♀️ Shifting tenses. Going back to using present tense, since the other way wasn’t working for me.

General Hospital

Josslyn marvels at how early Gio gets to the pool, and says, he knows she’s very competitive. Now she has to figure out how to be a better, more conscientious employee than him. She tells him not to save someone; leave the lifeguarding to her. Sonny brings Avery in, and Avery tells Josslyn that she’s taking swim lessons. Josslyn introduces her to Gio, and Sonny says, it was about time he and Gio saw each other again.

Chase and Brook go to see Alexis, who says she’s sorry she didn’t make the wedding. If she’d known it would be the last time she’d see Gregory, she would have. She’s going to miss him. She shows them the medal Gregory gave her, and says, it was for good luck. She’s sure he’s going to send it when he can. Brook says, in between charming the angels, and Alexis asks the reason they’re here. Chase asks how it went with his brother, and she says, not well.

James and Cody come into the stables, saying, it was so cool, and Tracy asks, what’s cool? James says he jumped, but Cody says, technically, Comet did the jumping. Tracy wonders if Cody set jumps up for James, but James says, it was a huge tree, and Cody says, really, Comet took a longer than average step, but it counts as a jump. Tracy says she hasn’t worked up to jumping, but James has inspired her. She asks Cody to get her horse ready, and he says, it’s done. He’s going to take James back to the house. James complains that there are only girls there, and Cody says, his family is the best.

Maxie wonders why Spinelli is wearing a towel around his shoulders, and he says, Bailey required an unscheduled bath. He’s leaving it at that. Maxie says, they’re going to the pool when James gets back, and there’s a knock at the door. She opens it to Mac, who asks if anyone has seen his wife. There’s lots of hugging.

Stella, TJ, and Felicia discuss a patient who can’t afford treatment and has to wait five months for their benefits to kick in. They decide on the route they’re going to take and fist bump. Maxie calls Felicia, but Felicia says she can call Maxie later.

Alexis tells Chase and Brook that Finn was worse than she’d ever seen him. He was defiant, angry, and denied there was a problem, despite the evidence to the contrary. She thought she could navigate this road, since she’d done it before, but she had no magic words for them. Finn wasn’t going to listen until he was ready. Chase says, he’s not there yet, and Alexis says she’d try again if she thought it would help. Brook says, their immediate concern is Violet, and Alexis asks if they’ve noticed anything, like Violet being neglected. Chase says he doesn’t think so, but Brook says she’s concerned about Violet being left in a situation that’s potentially damaging. They want to protect her in every way. Chase says, they thought Alexis might have some advice for them.

Sonny says, it was a big deal for Gio to switch to PCU, and Gio says he likes it already. Sonny asks if he doesn’t regret leaving the city, and Gio says he’ll always be grateful that Sonny made it possible for him to go there. Sonny says, Gio has a gift that he wants him to pursue, but he’s concerned that Gio accepted going to PCU because Gio doesn’t want him to keep paying tuition. Gio says, it’s more complicated than that. PCU has an excellent music department and gave him a scholarship. He’ll always be thankful to Sonny… Sonny says, but he wants to pay his own way. He gets that. He likes making his own money and being independent. Gio says he’s not that independent. He’s living at the Quartermaines’. Sonny says, he should get hazard pay.

Natalia walks into the pool area on the phone and leaves a message for Brook. She wants to discuss the last recording session that Brook wasn’t able to attend… for good reason. She’s sorry about Brook’s father-in-law and hopes they got the flowers and card. She’s at the pool and wondering if Brook would like to join her. She sees Sonny, who says he was hoping to run into her. Would she like to join him? She says she’d love to, and he says his daughter is taking swim lessons. Natalia sees Avery and says, she’s adorable. She’s a water baby. Sonny says he loves swimming in Puerto Rico, and she says, it has the most beautiful beaches, but she might be bias. She had been biased about Kristina too, but she underestimated his daughter.

Maxie says, of all the days for her mom to ignore her calls, but Mac says she’s busy. Maxie says she left a message that there had been an exciting development, and Mac says, she thinks a sale at Wyndham’s is an exciting development. Spinelli brings nuBailey in, and Mac says, she got so big. He wonders if she’s getting her driver’s license next, and takes her from Spinelli. Spinelli tells him, gracious greetings and a heartfelt welcome home, and Mac asks if he’s a permanent fixture or temporary. Georgie says, he lives here now, and Spinelli makes an excuse to take Bailey and get out of the room. There’s a knock at the door, and Georgie opens it to Cody and James, who runs to Mac. Mac says he thinks James has grown a foot, and Cody says, pretty close. Mac says, it’s good to see Cody, and Cody says, him too.

Natalia says, it’s not that she didn’t think Kristina was lovely and intelligent, but the other day, they were all at a recording session and Blaze was terrible. In came Kristina, and a light switch flipped. She realized how much they loved each other. Sonny asked if Kristina made Blaze’s performance better, and Natalia says, Kristina’s presence made all the difference in Blaze’s emotional connection to the song. She asked if he believed in muses, and he said he thought so. He’d dabbled in the industry and was a silent partner in the 90s for a big music label. She says, everything was fun in the 90s, and he says, it was a good time. She says she thinks good times are ahead, and he says he hopes so.

Alexis says, family court isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s not what they’d expect. The best interest of the child should be the priority, but the way the state defines it and the way a loving relative does is hardly ever the same. Reporting a parent to CPS doesn’t guarantee protection, and the child can end up in a group home or with strangers. Chase says, that’s the last thing they want, and Alexis says, he’s in a tough predicament, being between his loyalty to Finn and protecting Violet. Her advice to them is to call a licensed clinical social worker, and Chase says, then that’s what they’ll do. Alexis wishes she was more help, but Chase says, just talking helped, and thanks her for trying with Finn. Alexis says, he’s a good man. He’s just lost. Chase says he knows that at some point, they’ll help him find his way back. She tells them, good luck, and they leave.

In the hallway, Brook sees she missed Natalia’s call, and tells Chase that she’s demanding. Chase says he’s still on leave and has extra time. He suggests she deal with it now. He’s going to GH. He knows exactly who to talk to.

Mac says he heard Cody was the new Face of Deception, but he thinks Sasha is better for business. Maxie says, they’re the former Faces, and Mac says, sorry. Cody says, don’t be. It’s not up his alley. Mac asks what he’s doing now, and Cody says he’s managing the stables at the Quartermaines. Maxie says, he’s been spending a lot of time with James, teaching him about horses, and James says, they jumped over a tree. Maxie says, what? and Cody says, James is exaggerating. It was more like a big stick, but it was still an awesome feat. He asks what Mac was up to, and Mac says he was helping a friend. Maxie asks if that’s all they’re getting, and Mac says, unfortunately, yes, and he hates keeping secrets. Cody says, him too, and Mac says, that’s something else they have in common. Cody says he’ll leave them to their family reunion. He’ll see James soon. Mac says he’d like to tag along sometime if it’s okay with Cody, and Cody says he’d like that. Mac says, he’ll set it up, and Cody watches the family interaction for a moment, then leaves.  

Sonny asks how Natalia is feeling about Blaze and Kristina’s relationship, and she says, worried. Not because she thinks it’s wrong, but the way she was brought up in Puerto Rico, they’re not accepting. Sonny says, love is love was not a motto she grew up with? and she says, no, but she’s evolving. She has a hard time seeing that kind of love ending in real happiness. He says, Kristina and Blaze have to figure it out, and she says, that means she’d have to relinquish control. It’s not her favorite. Her phone dings, and she says she has to approve some photo shoot proofs. She hands him a thumb drive of the recording session and asks him to give it to Brook. He says, on one condition, that he’s invited to the release party. She says she’ll see what she can do, and leaves.

Gio asks if Josslyn talked to Michael about the apartment yet, and she says she’s going after work to see him in person. She knows he’ll say yes, but she doesn’t want him to think she’s taking advantage. Gio says, that’s like him and Uncle Sonny. Sonny has paid for his musical education and would probably pay for him to go to Europe and visit all the concert halls, but that would be taking advantage. Josslyn asks if he’s worried about taking advantage of Sonny, and Gio says, when someone is as powerful and important as Sonny, people are always asking for things, and he never wants to take it for granted. Josslyn says, it’s nice to hear how Gio appreciates Sonny. She’s sure it means a lot to him.

Maxie tells Mac that Cody has been great for James. He treats James like a little brother, and all the kids at the Quartermaines are obsessed with him. She doesn’t know how he has the patience. Mac says, they’re not his. No matter how bad it gets, they go back to their parents. (Been there, done that as a mother’s helper. I had all the patience in the world because I was getting paid and going home at the end of the day.) Maxie says, Cody is gifted, and Mac says, so is she. She says she’s not sure her kids agree. Cody is like a real-life superhero around here. Like someone else she knows.

Diane goes to Alexis’s office, and says she comes bearing gifts. What she hopes is a source of clarity. She holds out an envelope and says, it’s from the Court of Appeals. It came in care of her office. Alexis says, she didn’t open it? and Diane says, tampering with the mail is a federal offense. She doesn’t know what’s in there, but Alexis’s future awaits.  

TJ says he’s impressed with what Felicia has done in record time. The few things she didn’t get are probably in the patient’s records, but they’ll have to get the patient’s consent. She says she already got it and it’s on file, and he says, she thought of everything. Her phone rings, and he says, Maxie again? It’s fine if she wants to pick it up. She says she will, when she’s officially off duty.

Tracy calls Finn and leaves a message. She says, he keeps not calling her back. She’s worried about him. Please call her. She goes into the other room, and startles Cody. She asks if he’s okay, and he says he’ll take care of her gear. She says, that’s not what she asked.

Maxie asks, what kind of mother doesn’t answer her daughter’s calls or texts? and Mac says, the working kind. He’s so proud of Felicia. Maxie says, she goes the extra mile for her patients and it’s spilling into other areas. She advocates for everyone, including Maxie, whether she wants it or not. She asks if Mac was in on Felicia’s plan to get Spinelli to move in, but he says he had no part of it. Maxie says, her heart was in the right place, and she’s glad it happened, but don’t tell Felicia she said that. They’re taking things slowly. Mac says, that’s music to his ears, and Maxie says she missed him so much. He says, it’s so good to be home.

Brook sees Sonny at the pool, and he motions her over. He tells her that Avery has her swim class, and she asks if he’s seen his wedding date. He says, Natalia just left, and Brook says, Natalia summoned her, then took off? He says, Natalia left something with him for her, and gives her the drive. He asks if she’s okay, and she says, it’s Chase’s niece Violet. He asks if she’s hurt or sick, and she says, Violet is fine for now, but if she tells him something, will he keep it between them? He says, of course (🍷), and she says, ever since Gregory died, Finn has been drinking… a lot. Sonny asks if he isn’t recovering, and she says, that’s why they haven’t faced this before. Finn furiously maintains it’s none of their business. Sonny says, that’s where he would be wrong.

Chase sees Stella in the café and tells her that TJ said she’d be here. She says, he ratted her out, and Chase promises to be brief. She’s a social worker. She says, and he’s a police officer, and he says, normally, he’d hand this off to someone else, but it’s personal, and he doesn’t feel comfortable with that. She asks if it has something to do with his father. She was sorry to hear about Gregory’s death. He says, no, but yes, and she says, that clears things up. He says, not directly with his death, but it may be a catalyst. There’s a child is with a parent in the throes of SUD. She says, Substance Use Disorder. Long term or recent? and he says, they’ve been clean for years, but the recent environment isn’t safe for anyone, let alone a little girl.

Alexis says, a friend just died and her two daughters are courting disaster, and Diane tells her, don’t buy a lottery ticket. Alexis says, or open that envelope, but Diane says, the outcome won’t change, no matter what. Isn’t Alexis tired of being in limbo? She knows she is. Alexis says she’s sorry to inconvenience Diane, and Diane says, if Alexis doesn’t open it, she will. Alexis says, do it… No, wait. She picks up Gregory’s medal, and says, go ahead. Diane opens the envelope.

Cody tells Tracy, where he comes from is a story with a winding road. He thought his dad was Mr. Bell, but he wasn’t. Then he assumed his dad was the rich guy Mr. Bell worked for, but he wasn’t. He moved to Port Charles and had a DNA test and finally knows who his father is. Tracy asks if it’s good news or bad news, but he says, his father doesn’t know he has a son. She asks if he’s a bad guy, but Cody says, the opposite. He likes him a lot. She says she’s confused, and he says, join the club. He’s had multiple chances to tell him, but he lied instead. He’s not sure he can walk it back. She says, it’s his story. He can walk it in any direction he wants. He asks, what if his father is furious? but she says, what if he’s thrilled he has a son?

Mac puts Bailey down for her nap, and Maxie says she thought he’d be more tan since he was in South America. Spinelli says, it’s winter there now, and James asks if it’s winter in Florida too. Spinelli asks Maxie if they teach geography at James’s school, and she says, he takes after her. (Same.) Felicia comes in and says, she’s here. What’s the exciting new development?

Sonny tells Brook that this has to be stopped. Kids are innocent, and they think the suffering and pain are going to last forever. Even if they get through it, it changes them. But with people like Brook in their corner, this child will never go through what he did. She won’t let it happen.

Chase says he’d prefer not to give specifics, and Stella suggests she ask questions and he can tell her what he’s comfortable with. She asks if the child is being neglected, but he says, no. She says, threatened or abused? and he says he doesn’t think so. Don’t tell him he has to wait until it happens. She says, there are agencies where he can report his concerns, but as a cop, he knows the drill. It’s not easy. A judge isn’t likely to break up a family over a couple of benders. Document everything and get statements from people who have seen the parent under the influence and acting irresponsibly. He asks if he’s supposed to build a case against his brother, but she says she’s advising him to build a case for his niece.

Alexis says, just tell her, and Diane says, well… There’s some good news and some bad news. Which does she want first? Alexis says, the bad news… no, the good, and Diane says, the court vacated her disbarment as improperly applied. Alexis says, she won? She can practice law again? Diane says, that leads to the bad news. Her legal license has been suspended for two years. Alexis says she’s waited this long. She can put up with this hellhole for a couple of years. Diane says, she doesn’t have to. Her two-year suspension started four years ago. She knows, she’s awful. Alexis says, it’s over, and Diane says, Alexis needs 48 hours of legal education and will have to apply to the bar. Alexis says she couldn’t have done it without Diane, and Diane says she knows. They dance around, saying, it’s over, and hug

Cody wonders if Tracy thinks he’s crazy, stupid, or both, and she asks if he wants to know what she thinks. He says, at this point, he’ll take Comet’s advice, and she says, he’s lucky. He has a clean slate and the opportunity for a fresh start. He says he lied and he’s still lying, but she says, one admission can put an end to it. The rest of their lives can begin any time, and he gets to decide when that is. She leaves.

Felicia says she fulfilled her duties at the hospital, despite the steady stream of interruptions. She’s confused as to what was so important. The kids are fine. The house isn’t on fire. James starts to say something, but Maxie stops him and says, it’s not on fire, but the house is hotter than it’s been in a while. Felicia asks if the A/C isn’t working, and coming in behind her, Mac says, the A/C is working. He’s sorry he was away so long. It won’t happen again. Maxie asks if Felicia understands why she was blowing up her phone. Felicia says, you’re here, and hugs Mac. James suggests they get ice cream to celebrate, and despite Maxie’s objection, Mac says, James can have all the toppings. Felicia says, welcome home, and they kiss. Mac says, it’s good to be here.

Tomorrow, Violet tells Finn that she doesn’t want to be alone; Spinelli tells Sam that they found their prize; and Carly tells Jason, what he’s doing affects you.

🧼 Not Twinning…

Excellent actress in a tough role.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-eva-larue-reveals-how-shes-trying-to-redeem-natalia

🧹 Enough Already…

It baffles and infuriates me how people use the anonymity of the internet to say whatever pops into their feeble little heads.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/general-hospital-defends-tabyana-ali-against-racist-attacks

🔮 Meanwhile In Another Soap Galaxy…

How cool is this?

https://people.com/kelly-ripa-and-mark-consuelos-reunite-with-their-all-my-children-baby-enzo-8664900

🔪 Top Of the Heap…

Since there was no more Quickfire Challenge, the chefs went right to Elimination, where they had to make the best four-course meal of their lives. There was food porn galore, including a new take on Hummingbird cake. Emeril Lagasse was the secret guest judge, which thrilled the contestants to no end. I went to see his show once at the Food Network in NYC, but I was in mountain goat territory, so no tasting for me. We did get a righteous bag of potato chips though. Read on to see who came out on top.

‘Top Chef’ finale recap: ‘Cruising to a Win’ crowned the season 21 champion – was it Dan, Danny or Savannah?

👠 What Happens in Jersey…

What’s annoying about RHONJ is that I’ve lived at the Jersey Shore for quite a while and have never met anyone like these people. That goes for the cast of The Jersey Shore as well. And I’ve never once heard anyone use the term bitch boy.

Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 14, Episode 7 Recap: An Ice-cold Housewarming

They should be scared. It’s time to call it a Jersey night. While they’re at it, they might find people who live in this century.

Report: RHONJ Cast ‘Walking on Eggshells’ and ‘Scared of Speaking Out’

The Countess speaks.

Luann de Lesseps Predicts Money Loss for RHONJ Cast After Canceled Reunion

🧑‍🍳 Chef On the Water…

Chef Ben will always know the way to my heart.

A Definitive Ranking of Every Below Deck Med Chef

🏡 Surreally Back…

Why, Macy Gray, why?

Kim Zolciak Joins Macy Gray and More Celebs in MTV’s Surreal Life: Villa of Secrets

🐕 Don’t Forget Your Pets…

Pets enjoy holidays too. Okay, we probably enjoy dressing them up for holidays more, but that’s beside the point. They do love being included.

Celebrating Juneteenth With Your Dog

🏄‍♀️ Sea-ing Clearly Now…

Take a break with me tomorrow for soap and useless, but amusing, information. Until then, stay safe, stay not monopolizing a community grill, and stay never taking advantage of your benefactor.

Jun19

June 18, 2024 – Sam Asks Carly For Help, His Return, Studio Photo, Growing Up, See You In Dubai, Rotten Peach, Update, Yikes, All the Thrones, Vampires Now, Juneteenth, Here Kitty & A Place

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What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

Both Cody and Sasha couldn’t sleep and found each other on the patio. He wondered if it was the excitement of the party keeping her awake, but she said, maybe it was him.

Valentin brought Anna champagne and she said it was unnecessary, but he said, there was no such thing as unnecessary champagne. She told him that his apology was also unnecessary, and he said they’d had plans for dinner, and he bailed. She said, work was a valid excuse, but it cast doubt on his claim that he could compartmentalize his life. He said he was getting the hang of it.

John went to the coffee warehouse and told Jason that he was finally free. John knew who was running Pikeman – Anna Devane. Jason said, it wasn’t possible, but John said, it was and he had proof.

Carly saw Sam at the pool and said, Sam was too late for the party. It had been fabulous, mostly. Sam said, Dante had to work, and Danny was out with his friends. She’d wanted to stay home in case he needed her, but he hadn’t. Now Danny was home with Scout and Rocco, and she wanted to ask Carly, mother to mother, to help her son.

At Bobbie’s, Lucy told Scotty that she hoped the umpteenth revision of Blaze’s contract was the charm. When they gave Natalia what she wanted, then she’d find something else she didn’t like. They’d been bending over backwards. Scotty said, they still had no final contract, but Lucy said she thought he liked it. He was loving the billable hours. He said, working with her was enough. He saw it as a collaboration. She asked if that meant he wasn’t charging her, but he said he wouldn’t go that far.

Sam told Carly that Jason posed a physical danger to Danny. When he came back after he was shot, he held up in the Quartermaine boathouse. Danny found him, and Jason got Danny to help him. Carly said, Danny was Jason’s son and Jason had a bullet wound, and Sam asked, what son should help his father with a gunshot wound? On top of it, Jason asked Danny to promise not to tell her. If Carly was in her place, and he’d done that to her kid, how would she feel? Carly said, if it was anyone else, she’d be furious, but she trusted Jason. She might not like it, but she had to trust it. He’d never let harm come to their kids. Sam said, it was Jason’s line of work and would always happen with his lifestyle. He followed danger and didn’t even try to avoid it. He was the last person who could guarantee Danny’s safety. Carly said, Jason would take a bullet for Danny, and Sam said, it sounded heroic, but Jason was why he’d be in the line of fire in the first place. She was asking as a friend. Carly asked if they were friends, and Sam asked if Carly couldn’t accept that she felt differently, that her concern was real, and help her.

John said he’d gotten into Anna’s email account, and there were emails back and forth with Jack dating back five years. Jason asked if John would be able to shut Pikeman down, and John said, soon. Jason said, then John didn’t need him.

Anna said, Valentin could have called, emailed, or texted, and he said, next time, he’d send a singing telegram. The problem with those methods of communication was, they were from a distance, and he liked being next to her. She told him that dinner was up to him, since he was a busy man, but he said, other than Charlotte, she was always his priority. She asked if he’d choose her over the nefarious schemes he had going, and he said, no contest. She asked if they should be playing at this, and he asked if they were playing. She said they both knew it hadn’t worked for a reason, and she was wondering if it was wise. He said he didn’t know, but it wasn’t something he’d change, and kissed her.

Cody asked if Sasha was saying he kept her up at night, and she said, he’d been on her mind. He asked what he was wearing, but she said, not like that. She’d been thinking about his smile. He said he did some thinking about hers too, and she said, it was sad sometimes. Not all the time, but after James came back from his riding lessons or when the kids grilled him. He would be all smiles until there was a breather, then it went away. Not entirely, but in his eyes. He seemed lonely. The kids adored him, and the grown-ups trusted him. Even Tracy relied on him. He was surrounded by a family he didn’t have, except of course (🍷) the one he belonged to. He said, a big part of him wanted to come clean, and she asked what was stopping him, while I got distracted by her earrings. He said, Mac was still out of town, and he didn’t know how to admit he’d lied in the first place. It wasn’t for a noble cause. He lied to protect himself from getting arrested and prosecuted because he tried to defraud someone. Sasha said, the worst case, Mac would be disappointed and angry. How long did he think it would last? Cody said he didn’t want to find out. That’s why a big part of him was relieved Mac was still gone. As long as Mac was away, he didn’t have to decide. He was a coward. She said she thought that sometimes we got comfortable in our own discomfort, living without the thing we were missing, even though it’s what we really needed. He asked how he moved forward, and she said, if what he was doing wasn’t working, try something new.

Sam said she needed Carly to ask Jason to leave Danny alone and keep his distance, and Carly asked, why do that to Danny? Sam said she had to, and Carly said, Danny adored Jason. He was just like him. Sam said, that was the problem. Danny had no idea how dangerous Jason’s life was. He thought his father was smart and cool and got him. He wanted to be just like Jason, which was the worst possible thing that could happen to him.

Valentin said he’d make dinner for Anna tomorrow, and she wondered how she could say no. He said he’d see her tomorrow, but she said she hadn’t told him yes. He said he liked his chances.

John told Jason that the email was circumstantial. There were no details or direct mention of Pikeman. Jason said, then he got nothing, but John said it pointed to Anna and Brennan being collaborators. Clearly Jack was out of commission, so Anna was running the show. She’d been pointing him in the wrong direction. Jason said, clearly, somebody was, and John said he’d put too much faith in his brother’s connection to Robin. Anna had been obstructing him at every turn, keeping him out of the loop and away from the evidence. If she was running Pikeman, it made sense. Anna trusted Jason, so he needed Jason to get him clear proof of the connection between Anna, Brennan, and Pikeman. Jason said, the sooner he got out from under the FBI, the better, and John said, if Jason warned Anna and she was able to cover tracks, Carly would go to prison.

Lucy thought the reason Natalia bothered her was that she was so damn smart. She was intelligent, organized, and laser focused on getting every advantage for her daughter. She wished Natalia worked for Deception. Natalia knew they had to formalize the contract before they could launch the campaign. Scotty said he thought he found something that would work.

Cody asked how Sasha knew where to find him, and she said he wasn’t in his room. Maybe he wasn’t the only one who was lonely. Maybe she wanted to try something new too. And she kissed him.

Sam said, it was one thing for Jason to live the life he did, but she didn’t want that for Danny. Carly said, it’s not like Jason was going to recruit Danny into the mob, but Sam said, it would still be something dangerous, and Jason wouldn’t protect Danny unless someone else got through to him. He wouldn’t listen to her, and it had to be Carly. Carly said, Sam wanted her to ask Jason to break his own heart, sending away a boy who loved and needed him. And what about Danny? The rejection and abandonment would break his heart. Sam said, Jason just got back, so it was better to do it now, and Carly said she got that Sam was doing this out of love, but it would devastate Danny. Sam said, at least he’d be alive. He was in more danger around Jason than not being around him. Carly said, if Sam didn’t want Jason to be her kid’s father, why had she made such a big deal about having baby with him?

Jason told Anna that John thought she was running Pikeman. How close was she with Brennan? She said, not close. They trained together and worked together on a failed op Jack sabotaged to pocket the money for Pikeman. He asked if she was sure it was Jack, and she said she wasn’t positive enough to prove anything. He asked if they’d kept in touch, but she said she’d barely seen or spoken to him in decades until he turned up in Port Charles. Jason said, the emails indicated they’d been meeting in secret for the last five years.

Lucy asked what her genius, sexy lawyer had come up with, and Scotty said he was working on Heather’s case. Lucy said, none of his hours would be billable now, and Deception wasn’t paying for his pie and coffee. He said, back to Heather… and Lucy said, Heather had murdered people and attempted to murder several others. He said, there were mitigating circumstances, and she said, he sounded like Laura. But Laura was a goody two-shoes do-gooder, and reopening cases was just the naïve, stupid thing good people tended to do. She expected worse of him. She relied on him to be the lesser person. He told her that cobalt poisoning was real and there were documented cases, and she wondered if people with faulty hip replacements were running around slaughtering people. He said, it affected behavior, and he thought he could convince a jury that’s what made Heather so violent. She said, so Heather would get a new trial and be released to kill again? and he said, there could be a lot of money in this for Heather.

Carly said, Jason hadn’t been sure he wanted to have a baby with Sam, for all the reasons she just said – the risks, the danger, the life he was leading – but Sam wanted it, so he gave in, and Sam got what she wanted, a boy like Jason. She didn’t get to change her mind now. Sam said she was in love with Jason then, but she grew up, and Jason didn’t turn out to be the man she thought he was. He disappeared on them, on his children, twice. Carly said, so there it was. Sam wasn’t doing this to protect Danny. She was doing it to punish Jason.

Anna told Jason that she hadn’t spoken to or emailed Jack in decades, not until she arrested him. Jason said, John had gotten into her personal email account, and she asked if he had a warrant. Jason told her, he said he did, and Anna said, it was a WSB tactic. Doctoring or forging emails, then planting them to divert attention or incriminate. In this case, both. Valentin did this. Jason said, Valentin was framing her.

Sasha and Cody kissed their way to the boathouse. They heard someone plucking a violin, and Cody said, wasn’t Gio just at the party? And now’s the time to practice? Sasha thought Gio probably didn’t want to wake anyone, and Cody said, the property was the size of Rhode Island, and he picked this spot?  

Scotty told Lucy, think product liability. If Heather’s faulty hip caused her behavior, the company was responsible. Lucy said, so maybe Heather would be entitled to compensation, and he said, Heather’s pain and suffering and everything she was going through when she wasn’t in her right mind. Lucy said, Heather was never in her right mind, but Scotty said, Lucy didn’t know her back then. She said, what about the victims and their families? and he said, the manufacturer was liable for that. Lucy said she got that he had a soft spot for Heather. Their relationship had resulted in a son who he’d lost, who was allegedly not responsible for committing murder because of a medical condition. Like mother, like son. He said, those were different circumstances, and Lucy said, the tumor that was removed from Franco was real, and once it was removed, he became a decent, albeit flawed and complicated, human being. What if before Heather’s stint as The Hook, she also committed murder? He said, Heather did a lot of horrible things in her day and had a lot of half-baked ideas. Kind of like Lucy back in her day.

Anna asked if Jason had seen the email, but he said, no. John had said there was nothing concrete, just references to meetings and things discussed. She said, so it wasn’t enough to build a case, and he said, not really. She said, so Valentin wasn’t framing her per se. He was using her as a decoy. Jason asked if she was making excuses for Valentin, and she said, no… maybe. Valentin knows pointing Cates toward her with no solid evidence to incriminate her was something she could handle. Jason asked if it didn’t bother her, and she said, it did, very much, but how she felt was irrelevant. Valentin loved her and would never risk sending her to prison, but he wasn’t above using her as a pawn, so she’d get investigated while he was doing things. It was a win for him. Jason said he understood where she was coming from all too well, but Cates was a real problem. Anna said, it would only keep Cates busy. The emails would impede the FBI’s investigation of Pikeman. She wasn’t in any danger of prosecution because there was no real evidence. Jason said, John ordered him to get the evidence to indict her, and if he didn’t, Carly would be prosecuted. Anna wasn’t in danger, but Carly was. He was going to have to tell John that Valentin was head of Pikeman.

Lucy asked how Scotty dared compare her to Heather, and he admitted he shouldn’t have said it. Lucy said she’d run schemes and scams a lot with him. Heather proved invaluable when she helped Lucy and Franco escape from Ferncliff, but Lucy never killed anybody… Victor Jerome swallowed her locket on his own; she didn’t force him. She never killed anyone and never switched, stole, or did anything to anyone’s baby. Scotty said, if Lucy needed a hip replacement and it poisoned her and made her do weird stuff, would she like to be written off and locked up with no one to help her? Lucy said, of course (🍷) not, but did he really believe it turned someone into a different person or just magnified who the person was? If Heather was a dangerous person, was it fair to the people she harmed to let her go free? He said, no one was talking about Heather going free, and she asked if it wasn’t a possibility. He said, everything was a possibility, and she asked, what about the person who murdered Franco? If they weren’t responsible because of a condition, would he believe it was justice? He said, she had a point, but put her hat on it and cover it up. She said she loved that he saw dollar signs, but let someone else make bank from Heather. He had to steer clear of her. He said, maybe she should be charging him, and she said, maybe she’d take it out in trade. He took a bite of her pie.

Gio continued to play, and Cody wondered if they could politely ask him to leave, but Sasha said, Gio was family, and they were staff. He said he just thought they were going to finally… and she said, that was the plan. He said, she had a plan? and she said, Brook’s cousin was 20 feet away, but it was actually nice, romantic even. A private concert just for them. Not bad. Cody said, maybe even perfect.

Sam said she wasn’t trying to punish Jason. She was keeping her kid safe. Carly said, it wasn’t like Jason was in the Bahamas. The first time he disappeared, he was shot and nearly died. The second time, he was taken into custody. Sam said, that was what happened in Jason’s life, and Carly said, Sam knew about his life before. She didn’t get to change her mind. Sam said, of course (🍷) she did. She didn’t want her son to end up like Morgan, end up dead. Carly said, it’s not about that. Sam was doing this to Jason because he didn’t devote his life to her and didn’t change who he was to fit in the life she wanted once she grew up. She was taking away his son to punish him. Sam said she knew she shouldn’t have come to Carly. Carly didn’t want Jason to change because he might not put her first. If anything happened to her son because his father wouldn’t stay away, Carly was just as responsible as Jason. Sam walked out. (Um… I think Sam and Jason are the ones responsible for their own kid.)

Anna said, Jason couldn’t tell John about Valentin. They had no evidence to prove he was running Pikeman, and she didn’t trust Cates to do the job right. He’d arrest Valentin prematurely, Valentin would escape, Pikeman would stay in business, and Cates would never let Jason loose. She was having dinner at Valentin’s house and would get the evidence he needed to hand over to Cates. Valentin would be arrested, and Jason would get his life back. Jason said, okay, but he wanted to make something clear. He was going to take Valentin down himself before he’d let Cates hurt Carly.

Tomorrow, Josslyn can’t believe Gio is worried about taking advantage of Sonny; TJ tells Felicia that she thought of everything; Diane tells Alexis, the future awaits, handing her an envelope; and Chase tells Brook that he knows exactly who to talk to.

🚨 Mac Is Back…

But will Cody ‘fess up?

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/john-j-york-opens-up-about-returning-to-gh

🔥 Fanning the Flames…

It’s not like we didn’t know it could always be a possibility. No body, no dead. Sometimes even when there is a body. I’m still expecting Faison to show up again, even though his brain is in a jar somewhere.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/bryan-craig-shares-a-photo-from-the-general-hospital-studio

🎀 A Bigger Bailey….

The latest on Maxie’s youngest.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/riley-and-miley-plonski-are-playing-bailey-on-general-hospital

🐪 Send In the Camels…

So, I’m kinda sorta watching this. I’ve liked Caroline Stanbury since Ladies of London (RIP), and I’m enjoying her friendship with Ayan. Here’s hoping it lasts and they don’t go middle school on me. I figure we’re also safe from fistfights, since they don’t go for that stuff in Dubai. This week, from out of the blue and probably because she was drunk, Brook called Caroline a see-you-next-Tuesday for no apparent reason. This caused a disinvite to a party by Caroline’s husband, but probably really Caroline. A lot of the cast was like, you can’t disinvite someone, but you’d better believe if someone called me that, they’d get a disinvite and possibly a smack in the face. Are you kidding?

Real Housewives of Dubai Season 2, Episode 3 Recap: Closing Time for C-Bombs!

🍑 Unsavory In Atlanta…

Ugh. Why? I liked her too.

https://www.etonline.com/kenya-moore-suspended-from-rhoa-production-may-lose-spot-on-show-227456

https://people.com/kenya-moore-addresses-rhoa-suspension-after-oral-sex-poster-scandal-brittany-eady-8663908

🗽 Her Million Dollar Listing…

$4.45 million to be exact, which is cheap. Hard to believe, I know, but NYC isn’t for the thrifty anymore.

https://okmagazine.com/p/sonja-morgan-life-update-auctioning-new-york-townhouse/

🚴‍♂️ What’s Cooking…

He got banged up pretty bad.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2024/06/16/gordon-ramsay-bike-accident/74116685007/

Some advice from Gordon. Besides, wear a bike helmet.

https://www.ladbible.com/community/gordon-ramsay-soft-boiled-eggs-perfect-yolk-576152-20230703

🐉 Dragons In the House…

Warning: Spoilers ahead if you haven’t watched yet.

https://ew.com/house-of-the-dragon-season-2-premiere-recap-team-black-vengeance-8663084

In case you watched and need an explanation.

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/house-of-the-dragon-season-2-episode-1-ending-explained-blood-cheese

What’s different in the book.

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/house-of-the-dragon-blood-and-cheese-book-differences-maelor

Even if you don’t plan on watching the show, check out the credits. They’re amazing.

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/house-of-the-dragons-season-2-opeinng-credits-bayeux-tapestry

New Games coming up.

https://ew.com/game-of-thrones-a-knight-of-the-seven-kingdoms-first-look-cast-confirmed-8665658

https://ew.com/george-r-r-martin-game-of-thrones-prequel-series-ten-thousand-ships-alive-again-8662533

All the spinoffs.

https://ew.com/game-of-thrones-a-knight-of-the-seven-kingdoms-first-look-cast-confirmed-8665658

⚰️ Second Interview…

Recapping the first six episodes of Season 2.

https://www.theringer.com/2024/6/17/24178944/interview-with-the-vampire-season-2-the-sneaky-best-show-on-tv-right-now

https://slate.com/culture/2024/06/interview-with-the-vampire-series-season-2-anne-rice-amc.html

⛓️‍💥 Because It’s Juneteenth…

All about the holiday.

https://nmaahc.si.edu/juneteenth

Juneteeth.com

Home

What’s open and closed tomorrow.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2024/06/18/open-closed-juneteenth-2024/74126117007/

🐈 Give It a Whirl…

She needs her kitten named. Go for it.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/emme-rylan-needs-your-help-naming-her-adorable-new-kitten

🧘‍♀️ Resting Beach Face…

Join me tomorrow for soap and finding out what Chef ends up on Top. Until then, stay safe, stay getting permission before taking pictures inside someone else’s house, and stay trying something new if what you’re doing isn’t working.

Jun18

June 17, 2024 – Alexis Confronts Finn, Tennis Pro Again On Deck, Soap Fathers, A Farewell, Covering Pride, Tearful Trailer, The Tonys, Don’t Watch This, Showing Off & True

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What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

Michael surprised Willow with a birthday party at the MetroCourt pool.

At the hospital, Portia told Elizabeth she was headed to the party, but Elizabeth said she wasn’t in a party mood. Portia said she had something that would put a smile on Elizabeth’s face. Finn was going to be back at work tomorrow. Elizabeth asked to talk to Portia in private.

Finn was binging hard when there was a knock at the door. He hid the bottle and glass and sprayed his breath. He opened the door to Alexis, who said, surprise!

At the party Gio told Josslyn that Olivia and Lois insisted he come and meet people, and she said, his big night out was at his workplace, but at least they didn’t have to work. Gio said if she and Trina moved to the garage apartment, they could carpool, and Josslyn said she wanted to talk to Michael about moving, but not at the party. They clinked glasses in hopes of being neighbors. Nina popped in and asked to borrow Drew, saying it was something about Crimson. They stepped away, and she told him to do his thing and make it convincing. He said it had been his idea, so chill. He went over to Willow and said that Nina hadn’t known they were having a party. He thought he’d gently ask if she minded if Nina stuck around.

Willow asked if Michael minded, but he said, it was her party, so she went over to Nina and asked if Nina would like to stay. Nina said she knew she wasn’t invited, but Willow said she was inviting Nina now. Nina told Willow, happy birthday, and Willow said she was glad Nina was there. Cody told Chase that he was sorry about Chase’s dad, and Chase said he couldn’t believe he’d never see him again, but he was grateful for the time they’d had together. He wouldn’t trade it for the world. Sasha told Nina that she noticed Nina had tried the if you love someone, set them free thing, and Nina said, it worked. Sasha said she was thrilled. Willow had a good heart, and if Nina didn’t push it… Nina said she was trying.

Portia took Elizabeth to her office, and Elizabeth said, Finn was still drinking. Portia said she needed to be absolutely clear. The last time Elizabeth came to her as a friend, not as a boss. What about now? Elizabeth said, the situation had escalated, and she didn’t have a choice. She had to say something.

Alexis said she hadn’t seen Finn at meetings and was wondering what happened to their two meeting a day plan. Finn said he’d gotten busy, and Alexis asked if Violet was there. He asked, where else would she be? and Alexis said, a sleepover? Finn said, Violet was asleep, and Alexis asked if he minded if she checked on her. She was worried Violet might have been listening. She went to Violet’s room, and Finn took out his bottle and glass.

Michael told Carly that Nina had been invited by the birthday girl, and she asked how he felt about that. He said he hoped Willow wouldn’t be disappointed again if Nina failed her, but it was up to Willow. He was never going to try and control her life again.

Elizabeth told Portia that she’d ended the relationship because of Finn’s drinking. So she was coming to Portia as Co-Chief. She wanted to let Portia know that Finn was spiraling, and she was afraid he’d be a danger to his patients.

Alexis came back, and said, oh good. Finn was defiant drinking. He asked if she wanted one, and she said, more than anything, but no thanks. She thanked him for not hiding it. At least she wouldn’t have to get him to admit it, since he was clearly drinking. She asked if it was since the wedding, but he said, the first drink was an accident. She said, to be fair, she assumed it had been since his dad died, and he said, they’d just reconnected after a lifetime of being estranged. He’d felt his father’s love, then he was gone. Who wouldn’t drink? Alexis said, an alcoholic might try not to, but Finn said, alcohol had never been his problem. He was a recovering drug addict and hadn’t taken drugs. And it wasn’t like he was just getting high. Zekenestrol had been keeping him alive. Alexis said, he’d developed a dependency, and Finn asked if she was saying he was at fault, but she said, it wasn’t about fault. Addiction was a disease. He said he was an addict, but not an alcoholic. That was her thing. She laughed and asked what his point was, and he said, just because she couldn’t drink, didn’t mean he couldn’t. Alexis said, people who had only a drug addiction didn’t hide their liquor, but he said he wasn’t. He’d quit drinking out of an abundance of caution. He didn’t need it. Alexis said, he was making up for it now, and he said he could handle the alcohol, but not the snarky judgments and telling him how to live his life. No doubt, that’s why she was there.

Carly asked Drew, since when did he go to bat for Nina? Michael told her that he’d asked for Nina to stay. Drew said he did, and she asked, why, after everything she’d done to him? He admitted Nina wasn’t his favorite person, and Carly said, then why?

Curtis said he was glad Nina was assisting him with PR and the roll out of the wellness division, but was she sure she was okay working with Drew? She said, they had their problems, but they were working together. Despite the bad blood, they were grown-ups, and in a position to help each other. Curtis said he was in the room when Nina was throwing accusations about Carly and the alleged FBI agent in Drew’s face, and Nina said, it had been unprofessional, and she regretted it. She and Drew had reached a détente. If she could be in contact with Willow, she could put up with Drew as long Willow could put up with her. She just wanted to be part of Willow’s life and had no agenda. Curtis told her to hang in there. It would be worth it. He and Trina had a rough start, but now she was his greatest joy. They wished each other well.

Willow told Chase that she was sorry about his father, and asked how he was. He said he was recovering. Grief was like a series of natural disasters hitting you at random. She said, his father’s last day was spent with his family, celebrating Chase’s future, and Chase agreed it wasn’t a bad way to go. They hugged.

Drew said Carly had told him that his obsession with revenge against Nina would only hurt him, and he realized she was right. She said she hadn’t meant she wanted him to advocate for Nina, but he said, practically speaking, he needed her. Carly asked, why? and he said, she kept Crimson profitable and had introduced him to McConkey. Carly said, Nina didn’t do something for anyone without something being in it for her, and Drew said, Nina greed to coach Willow about being the New Tomorrow spokesperson, and he was inspired to keep on her good side. Carly told him not to push Nina and Willow together, but he said, it was about what Willow wanted.

Alexis said she was worried about Finn. He was saying and doing things to justify his drinking and pushing people away who wanted to help. Finn said he had an ache inside that wouldn’t go away and felt like he was rotting on the inside. He didn’t know anyone who wouldn’t need something to numb that kind of pain. She said, of course (🍷) they would, but numbing the thing inside stopped people from loving him. He said, maybe that was a sign people should leave him alone, and Alexis asked if he wanted his brother to leave him alone. Chase had lost the same father. Finn said he wasn’t sure it was the same loss, and she said, maybe Chase wanted to share their loss, but Finn said he didn’t want to. It was his to deal with in his way.

Elizabeth told Portia that Finn had been triggered by his father’s death. He had found Gregory, and now it had become an excuse. He claimed he’d been addicted to Zekenestrol and alcohol had never been a problem. He could handle it. Portia asked if he could, and Elizabeth said she’d found him with a woman and a bottle of tequila. Portia asked if he’d been with the woman in a none of her business way, but Elizabeth said, that wasn’t relevant. After seeing Finn’s anger, and his refusal to accept responsibility and admit there was a problem, she was concerned it would affect his patients. Portia said, she should be concerned, and Elizabeth said she was also concerned about Violet.

Brook thanked Carly for hiring Gio and gushed out his accomplishments. Gio said he could fold towels like nobody’s business, and Brook said, he’d played at the wedding, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Carly said, Josslyn had told her that he was playing at the summer festival, and Brook said, he was also majoring in music at PCU and was first violin. Gio told her that she was getting carried away, and Carly said, when you were proud of someone, you wanted the whole world to know. She hugged Josslyn.

Elizabeth told Portia that she went to check on Violet the next day, and Finn was clearly hungover. He and Violet were supposed to go to the pool, but he’d fallen asleep. He was an amazing dad and didn’t break plans with Violet. He’d had too much to drink, passed out, and was lying to cover it up. She didn’t want this to jeopardize his relationship with his daughter. Portia said, Elizabeth had to be hoping for some kind of outcome by telling her, and Elizabeth said she wanted Portia to convince Finn to go to rehab. Medical leave allowed them 12 weeks. Portia said she’d consider the options. She was sorry and was here for Elizabeth. She told Elizabeth not to hesitate in calling her if there was anything else. She knew how difficult it was to come forward, but Elizabeth had done the right thing for the hospital and the patients. Elizabeth said she hoped in the end it was the right thing for Finn, and they hugged.

Alexis said, got it, and Finn asked if that meant they were done. She said she didn’t see any point in continuing, and he said he could see in her eyes that she’d given up on him too. (Because there’s no pleasing him.) Alexis said she knew better than anyone how Finn hated bumper sticker preachy stuff at meetings. It was the last thing she wanted here, but only he could make the turn, see the cost of his drinking, and stop it. Finn agreed and said, only him, not any of them. Alexis said, and only he could ask for help and accept it, and he said, when he needed it, he would ask for it. He thanked her for her concern, and she asked why she suspected he didn’t mean that. He said, she was projecting her own stuff on him, but she said, even if that was so, the difference between them was, when she was free falling and living from bottle to bottle, she wasn’t the sole parent of a nine-year-old girl.

Willow said, when she thought of the mistakes and wrong turns that she and Chase made… He said, it was a miracle they ended up where they should be. She told him that he’d been the first man she loved, the first choice her heart made on its own, and he said, it all worked out.

Drew told Curtis and Michael that he was going to accept McConkey’s offer and endorsement. Curtis said he was going to be great, and Drew appreciated his support, not just as a candidate, but the wellness division was now on Curtis’s shoulders. This came out of nowhere, but the more he thought about it, he realized it was important to him. He had to try. Michael said he’d gotten a phone call from Judge Perez that made sense now. The judge told Michael that Drew had filed a petition to change his name. Drew said, that was another thing he’d thought hard about, and decided the Quartermain name was higher in recognition and had philanthropic history. Curtis said, there was also the implication of privilege, but Drew said, having money made him less susceptible to special interests. He’d be able to focus on the needs of the people. Curtis said, Drew sounded like a man with a plan.

Finn asked if Alexis was suggesting he was a bad father, but she said she thought he was a wonderful father when he was sober. But when he was drunk, he was this. He said he loved Violet more than anything. She was his whole world. He had always and always would put her first. Alexis told him, prove it and go to rehab, and he told her that she was overreacting. She said, why didn’t he ask Violet, since she was behind him listening. He turned around, but Violet wasn’t there, and Alexis said, made you look. But before he cursed her out, imagine if Violet had heard him. How proud did he think she’d be of her dad then?

Willow asked Sasha if things were going well, and Sasha said, they couldn’t be better. Willow told her not to let the Quartermaines railroad her, but Sasha said, after Lucy, she could handle anything. Cody asked if they wanted anything, and Willow was good, but Sasha asked him for a glass of wine. When he left, Willow asked how things were going, and Sasha told her that the job was fun and interesting. The accommodations were comfortable, and the salary was reasonable, and knowing she got to see Cody every day was a huge plus.

Brook said, Gio was the pride of the Cerullo family, and Gio said he’d better get home and practice. He left, and Carly said she heard Gio talk about a lot of family members, but not a mom or dad. Brook said, Gio’s father died before he was born. His mother had been a violinist with the New York Philharmonic, but also died. He’d been raised by the vast and loving Cerullo/Falconari clan. Carly said, he was lucky to have a supportive family.

Curtis said he was glad Portia could make it, and asked if she was okay. She said, it was just a thing at work, and he said he was going to be busier than he’d thought. Drew made his decision. She said, Drew was going to run? and Curtis said, yes. Portia said she supported him as a candidate, but didn’t like him leaving Curtis in the lurch, and Curtis admitted he was going to be busy. She said, as long as he wasn’t too busy for her, she had no problem with it. He said he liked being his own boss and this had opened the door for him to make things his own.

Finn said he thought it was time for Alexis to leave, and she said she thought it was time for him to go to rehab. Apparently, neither of them were getting what they wanted. If he started getting booze in bulk like she had, maybe then he’d look inside himself. Meetings weren’t going to fix this. He needed 90 days to dry out and sort himself out. Finn said Violet needed him and there was no way he was abandoning her, but Alexis said, he already did every time he drank. Violet had been living with a wonderful father, and now was trapped in the house with a drunk. He told her to get the hell out.

Michael told Willow that it was official, and Willow said she thought Drew would do a great job. He had to win. She didn’t know if changing his name was necessary, but he should go for it. Michael said, she was fired up, and she said, it was hard not to be. Drew’s opponent would set anyone who wasn’t a white, male billionaire back to the Stone Age.

Cody told Sasha that he’d been talking to Chase about his dad and how much he’d cherished the time spent with him. It got him thinking. Sasha said, about Mac? and Cody said, Mac was his father. He was like Chase’s dad; he was a good guy and Cody admired him. But unlike Chase’s dad, he was still here. Who knew for how long? Cody wondered if he was wasting time he’d want back. Sasha said, if he was asking that question, he knew the answer already.

Finn said, Alexis knew nothing about him and Violet, and was projecting her sad story on him. He wasn’t interested, and for the last time, he wanted her to get out. He opened the door, and she said, sober Finn would say that with more concern. Drunk Finn is mean. Her good friend, the kind, wonderful man and wonderful father was in there somewhere, and at some point, he’d have to live with the consequences of what he was choosing now. Call her when he hit rock bottom. It was going to be sooner than he thought.

Everyone sang Happy Birthday to Willow, and Sasha told her to make a wish. Willow blew out the candles, and everyone applauded and called for a speech. Willow thanked them, thanked Michael for throwing the party, and thanked the guests for coming. She was genuinely surprised. The occasion called for a speech, but not from her. She believed Drew had an announcement. Drew said he guessed that there was no time like the present, even though it wasn’t how he planned to do it. He was running for Congressman in the 28th district inf the state of New York. He truly believed there was too much division and greed with his opponent. Because Drew had money, that meant no one could sway him. There was a big difference between prosperity and greed. When they all prospered, they all won. There was applause, and Willow said she was proud he was part of the family. The best present they could give her was to vote for Drew.

Finn closed the door. He sat on the sofa, picked up his glass, swirled the liquor around, and caressed his face with it.  

Tomorrow, Sasha asks, what’s stopping Cody; Anna tells Valentin that she wonders if it’s wise; and Jason says, someone is being framed.

Below Deck Mediterranean

Gael goes to meet Nathan, but walks past a producer who asks if she needs a mic. She makes up an excuse that she’s just getting water and texts Nathan, telling him the situation and suggesting they call it a night. In Gael’s interview, she says she’s still in a relationship and was having stronger feelings than she needed to. Nathan said, f*** me, and in his interview, he said he hoped this wouldn’t make it awkward, but he was willing to take the risk. The boat heads for The Acropolis, and in Captain Sandy’s interview, she says, the last charter was the worst provisioning experience, so she was changing companies. Normally, she’s all about three strikes and you’re out, but if the first strike was that bad, you’re out. She calls a new provisioner and sets things up. Gael calls her boyfriend, probably out of guilt. Afterward, Nathan apologizes for being a knob, but she says she was a knob too, and they could be knobs together. Ellie talks to Bri about a laundry plan, and in Iain’s interview, he says he wants to be Captain Sandy’s best bosun ever. In Bri’s interview, she says she’s only been in the industry two years and knows she’s the baby, and in Ellie’s interview, she says, Bri is like a baby giraffe figuring out how to walk. The captain calls Aesha, Iain, and Jono for the preference sheet meeting.

Captain Sandy says, the primary is Gigi Fernandez, a 17-time Grand Slam champion, who’s won Olympic gold several times. She’s had Gigi on charter before and they became friends. We flash back to that, and the captain says, they had a great charter. She tells Jono that the chef made seven courses for each meal, and their expectations are high. They see the guests want Mexican food, yoga, and the water toys. The captain says, they’re going to Poros, and Jono sees that one of the guests has a lot of restrictions. Jono says, she hates seafood, and it’s one of the top requests, and Captain Sandy says, they’re used to getting what they want when they want it. In Jono’s interview, he says he’s never had exposure with this many preferences. He still looks at things like a designer rather than a chef. The captain tells him, pressure makes us better. You can tell she’s in AA. It’s that bumper sticker stuff Finn hates.

Provisions actually are provided, and Aesha and Jono are ecstatic. In Ellie’s interview, she says, there might be something between her and Joe. The guests arrive, and Captain Sandy says she’s happy to have Gigi back. Aesha will show them around the boat, then they’ll take off for their first adventure. Gigi visits the captain on the bridge, and they talk about their passions being their work. In Aesha’s interview, she says she feels these guests have higher expectations than the last guests. She prays to the god of the ocean to give her stews who know their jobs. Joe flirts with Bri and finds out she has a tattoo. In his interview, he says his granddad was Italian and his father figure. He was against tattoos, so Joe has none, but on a female, they’re like forbidden fruit. Bri wants Ellie to teach her how to be flirty and seductive AF, and Ellie asks if she’s thinking of anyone specific, but Bri says, just in general. In Ellie’s interview, she says she has chemistry with Joe. Usually, when she sets her eyes on a guy, he’s already interested, so it’s just giving him the green light. In Bri’s interview, she says, yeah, it’s Joe.  

In Jono’s interview, he says, it’s a Mexican themed lunch. The last boat he worked on, the owners were Mexican, so it’s going to be a breeze. Lunch is served, and in Ellie’s interview, she says she’s definitely biting her tongue with Jono, but it’s hard for her. All she can do is remain professional going forward. Gigi thinks there’s something overbearing with the spices, and Jono did look pretty heavy handed with them. Aesha asks if Bri is writing down the laundry pieces so she doesn’t forget, and in Bri’s interview, she says she hates laundry so much. Thank God for the notebook. She doesn’t know why she didn’t think of it first. Gigi tells Captain Sandy, the food’s not Rachel good, but it’s good. Aesha tells a guest to make sure they pencil when jumping off the boat, because they don’t want to tear their anus.😐Anchor is dropped, and in Iain’s interview, he says, it’s early in the season, but he has a good team. No one’s an idiot. The guests request to be seated for dinner as the sun is going down, which sounds lovely. They do water sports, and guest Laura asks Nathan to paddleboard with her. Aesha’s boyfriend calls, and in her interview, she says, when she gets check-ins from Scott, he has a wonderful way of bringing her back to reality. (FYI, she was on Watch What Happens Live, and they are now engaged.) She says, Scott could totally work on a boat. He runs a bar and has the highest standards. They’d be a perfect match on a yacht. She tells the captain that they’re doing a toga competition after dinner. In her interview, Aesha says, maybe they wore togas because they had so many orgies. It’s open and waiting. Gael’s boyfriend texts her, and the guests yell for Nathan to take his shirt off. In Nathan’s interview, he says, they’re going backwards. The current is that strong. He and Laura can’t be seen, and in Joe’s interview, he says, this can’t be happening.

Joe radios lain to come to the platform. They see Nathan and Laura coming back on a catamaran, and Gigi says, a random boat picked them up. In Iain’s interview, he says, it’s not a good look and doesn’t make him happy. Captain Sandy asks to see Joe and says, it’s embarrassing. In her interview, she says she appreciates that Joe is accountable, but it still goes back to Iain. They need two people watching, and it’s Iain’s job as bosun to delegate the watch person. She tells Iain that she’s not happy. When the guests are in the water, she wants one person in the tender following them. She tells him to apologize to Gigi, and he does. He says, at the end of the day, it shouldn’t happen. The guests use the slide, then do some yoga. I’m tired just watching these people. Iain tells Gael that he didn’t know Nathan was out with a guest, and in Gael’s interview, she says, he sent her down, but not to watch the guests. If no one was watching them, it’s kind of on him. We flash back to Iain telling her to go down for three hours; Joe was coming to relieve her.

Jono tells Ellie that the guests didn’t say anything about snacks, but he’s prepping them anyway. He doesn’t want her to be in that position again. We flash back to that, and in Jono’s interview, he says he’s upset about what happened and is committed to making sure it doesn’t happen again. At the end of the day, they’re a team, and they need to have each other’s backs. He tells her, they’ll move forward and work well together. lain discusses watching the guests with the deckhands, and in Joe’s interview, he says, Gael should have stayed on the platform. The yoga instructor tells the guests to exhale out stress, because it must be really stressful to be on one of these charters. In Ellie’s interview, she says, Bri has been receptive to her advice. If Bri fails, she’ll see it as her failure as well. When it came to being a stew, she would be a Lamborghini, an A player. Bri would be a Mazda who will get you from point A to point B. Ellie tells Aesha that Bri is improving, and the captain radios the deckhands to bring in the slide. She’s ready to go. Iain orders Nathan around, and in Nathan’s interview, he says, there’s a noticeable change when Iain is frustrated. To him, it’s a sign of weakness in a bosun.

In his interview, Iian says, to be a leader, you’ve got to be tough. Sometimes you have to bark at them, and they bark back. Aesha tells the stews they’re so organized. Well done. Nathan tells Joe that he loves Iain, but hates micromanaging. He knows what he’s doing. Just let him do it. The boat lands in Poros, and in Aesha’s interview, she says, Bri has improved so much. She’s gone from Charmander to Charizard. She’s morphing slowly into a more evolved Pokémon. Gael calls her boyfriend again, apologizing for not calling enough. The guests get ready for dinner, and both the Greek décor and the view are beautiful. Captain Sandy wants to do synchronized service with the stews, and they all put on white gloves. The entree is a chicken dish, and in her interview, the captain says, the expectation of a Mediterranean cruise is five-star food. Gigi has traveled the world. She has dined in the finest restaurants. Chicken is not really something to be served on a superyacht. Everything has to be perfect. It does look pretty, which Gigi comments on. It’s super quiet while the guests are eating, and in Aesha’s interview, she says, coming from someone who proclaims it loudly when they love food – we flash back to Aesha’s happy reaction when eating – she feels like it’s usually not great if people are not wowing from their seats. She asks the guests if the food is okay.

Gigi says, it’s pretty decent – not exactly a compliment – and Jono makes deconstructed chocolate sponge cake for dessert, which I guess means just breaking it apart. He adds a scoop of sorbet, and in Aesha’s interview, she says, it’s the most boring out of all the cakes. It’s like poop on a platter. First, she was made to serve chicken. Now she’s giving them sponge cake. And she has to be the face of all this sh*t. I literally laugh out loud – Aesha is a riot. I’d probably love the food, but yeah, it’s not five-star. Gigi says, it could be more chocolaty, and in her interview, Aesha laughs. She hopes if she rushes them into the toga party, they won’t have time to think about dessert, and asks if it’s time to start the competition. The guests put on togas, but they look more like halter dresses. Aesha notes that guest Julie Ann is wearing a butt plug necklace. Iain picks his nose on the bridge like he’s digging for gold. The toga contest commences; the stews, Gael, and a few of the guests competing. Julie Ann wonders why they did this. Guests Julie Ann and Roberta are tied for winner, and Aesha suggests a butt plug for a prize. The guests go to bed, and Bri sings, it’s clean up time at a normal hour. Everyone is glad to get to bed.

In Jono’s interview, he says, breakfast is ticklish. It’s hard to time huevos rancheros, especially when there are three selections. On deck, Aesha tells Bri that she’s looking at history. You don’t get this anywhere else in the world. Yoga is set up, and in the galley, Jono covers the eggs with a towel – where they sit for one and a half hours until the guests are up for breakfast. You’d think he could at least pop them in the microwave, but no. Gigi asks Aesha for hot eggs and says, there’s nothing worse than cold eggs. I’m not sure if there’s nothing worse, but yuk. Aesha tells Jono that the primary wants extra hot eggs, and Gigi goes to the bridge. Captain Sandy asks how breakfast was, and Gigi says, the eggs were cold. She can’t believe the chef’s choice dinner last night was chicken, and thinks deconstructed means, it didn’t work out (ha-ha-ha!). Lunch also had an overbearing spice flavor. The captain agrees that she should want the food to be superb, and in her interview, Captain Sandy says she knows Gigi. She wouldn’t complain just to complain. Jono was good during the first charter, but the circumstances didn’t allow her to see what he was capable of. She calls him to the bridge.

Next time, a beach excursion; Gigi says, the food was just okay; and Ellie wants to go for Joe, but so does Bri.

🧰 It’s Their Day…

How the dads celebrated.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/gallery/general-hospital/see-how-your-favorite-stars-celebrated-fathers-day-2

🥀 Dimming the Lights…

She certainly had an amazing career. Kind of like Angela Lansbury.

https://people.com/janis-paige-dead-at-101-8657895

🦚 Proud As a Peacock…

I saw him in Threepenny Opera on Broadway, and he was amazing. He’s the perfect host for The Traitors and can definitely rock fashion.

https://ew.com/see-photos-alan-cumming-ew-2024-pride-cover-shoot-8662602

🌱 Moving On…

Apparently, you can’t keep them down on the farm after they’ve tasted freedom. Premieres July 16th.

https://people.com/ethan-and-olivia-plath-attempt-to-move-on-after-divorce-in-tear-soaked-welcome-to-plathville-trailer-exclusive-8662585

🎭 Hitting the Heights…

The Tony winners.

https://broadwaydirect.com/2024-tony-award-winners/

The performances.

https://broadwaydirect.com/watch-now-musical-performances-from-the-2024-tony-awards/

The highlights.

https://broadwaydirect.com/highlights-from-the-2024-tony-awards/

The fashion.

https://www.etonline.com/gallery/tony-awards-2024-red-carpet-arrivals-227498

🫣 No Pleasure, Guilty Or Otherwise…

MILF Manor 2 has to be one of the most embarrassing displays of desperation I have ever seen. A middle-aged woman crying because a middle-aged dude is looking for the shiny new thing as soon as he scored. If by this time, she hasn’t accepted that it’s not her, he’s shallow, and that’s just the way things are, she needs therapy, not a reality show. The first season was bad enough, but this one is worse, throwing not only cougars and cubs together, but also the cubs’ daddies. It’s doubtful any of the men are there for a serious relationship and the women are acting like middle school girls fighting over boys. Please don’t watch this. Please. It’s worse than awful. It’s what awful calls awful.

🐕 Raise Your Paw High…

I could look at Demi Moore’s chihuahua all day long.

https://www.etonline.com/gallery/paws-up-celebs-show-off-their-precious-pets-117103

🌞 Hot For Summer…

Surf by tomorrow for soap and a peek at Dubai. Until then, stay safe, stay checking the wind direction before shaking sand off your towel, and stay not serving chicken to someone who expects five-star food.