Monthly Archives: August 2024

August 30, 2024 – Sonny Meets Jagger At the Boathouse, A Thought, On Or Not, Engaged, Who’s Back, Kyle’s World, Next In the City, Play Ball, A Half Dozen Plus One Quotes & Away

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Lucky is shoved into a chair, and he tells the guards that he doesn’t understand the attitude. He thought they were getting along just fine. Sidwell comes in and asks how long Lucky has been working with the doctor, and Lucky says, the guy Sidwell wanted him to shoot point blank? Sidwell says, Lucky came here with the intention of leaving with Dr. Gannon and he was hardly successful. He’s escaped, but Lucky is still here. He put a call out to an associate abroad who is very good at giving him what he wants when he wants it, and he’s going to find Isaiah. Lucky says, he’s got a guy who can get him anything any time and he had him track down the doctor? That would not have been his first or tenth choice. Sidwell says, Isaiah’s presence is very important to him, and Lucky says he didn’t peg Sidwell as the sentimental type. Sidwell says he wants Isaiah here to watch him kill Lucky.

At the airport, Isaiah gets off a flight from Heathrow, and hears, welcome to Port Charles. He moves on, and another man follows.

Dante tells Carly, it takes a special kind of person to take a sledgehammer to someone’s life and walk away. Does she have any idea what that did to Brook – Brook stands outside the door listening – using her as revenge to get between him and Lulu? Brook walks in and says she’s hearing her name and the tension in this room is like a ten. So what’s going on? Carly says, Dante is calling her out for paying Brook to break up him and Lulu, and Brook says, that was a very long time ago. Carly says, it was, and she regrets it. If she didn’t say this before, she’s sorry to both of them, and Lulu. Brook says, okay. She accepts Carly’s apology. Carly says she doesn’t want to fight with Dante under any circumstances, but especially right now when Lulu needs her family to be fighting for her.

On the phone, Michael says, Aurora is committed to expanding its interests into the streaming sector… Good. He’s glad they’re able to get everything sorted out and make it happen… No. Thank you. Getting dinner ready nearby, Sasha says, that sounds like it went pretty well, and he says, it did finally. He was worried the whole deal would disappear. He’s been on the phone since he pulled into the driveway. Thankfully, Yuri was here to help Monica out of the car. She says, try to stop him. Yuri is devoted to Michael’s grandmother. He says, the deal is done, so fingers crossed, and she asks if the fingers crossed clause is an addendum. He says, just in case. It can’t hurt. She says she knows how capable he is when he’s committed to a goal, and he says he was pretty sure they were closing the deal today, but until the ink is dry on every contract, he worries. She says she hopes it won’t affect his appetite, and he says, not at all. He’s really looking forward to the family dinner. He’s just wondering what’s keeping Willow.

Drew tells Willow that he doesn’t know why this is hitting him so hard. He feels kind of silly about it. He knew McConkey was sick. They all knew this was going to happen eventually. She says, knowing something intellectually and knowing it in your heart are very different things, and he says, there’s so much he wanted to ask McConkey, so much he wanted to learn from him, and all McConkey wanted was to spend more time with his family, and with his wife. She says she met Hazel briefly. She was so lovely. Drew says, he was a tough old guy, but when he talked about her and how much he loved her… He gave his life to politics, and all he wanted to do was spend the rest of it with the woman he loved.

Ava asks, where exactly are they headed? and Boyle says, Ava is being relocated to a more secure safe house. Ava says, in Port Charles? and Boyle says, Agent Cates chose the location. It will be more discreet. Ava says, that sounds perfect.

John asks if Kristina’s mother finally realized her case is hopeless and went home, and Kristina says her attorney is filing an emergency injunction against him. He says he loves her attorney’s never say never attitude, but it’s not going to amount to anything because he’s going to keep her in custody. Cadet Heller will cuff her and take her down to holding. He tells Dex that he’s on the PCPD’s payroll now, not Sonny’s, and Kristina laughs. She says, want to know the difference between John and her father? Her father has a moral code. John doesn’t have anything but… a badge. He says, that’s all he needs, and she says, no one is surprised he thinks that. He says, cadet, and Dex walks around the table. She asks how he’s going to charge her in the death of her own child, and he says, sometimes when you want to get a deal done, you’ve got to incentivize the other party to hold up their end. Now if Dex would be so kind… She says, this isn’t happening, and John opens the door. Dex tells Kristina to stay calm and puts the cuffs on her. He gently takes her elbow and leads her out, when Alexis comes back. She asks where the hell John thinks he’s taking her daughter.

On the phone, Sonny says he didn’t think Diane was going to pick up. He’s going to need her on call tonight. As a matter of fact, he’s going to need her on call all night. Make sure she has her phone with her at all times. He agreed to turn himself over to John Cates… It’s already been decided. Just be there when he calls. He leaves the penthouse.

Felicia brings coffee to Lulu’s room for Maxie, and Maxie asks how Felicia knew she wanted this. She didn’t even know she wanted this. Felicia says, she’s Maxie’s mom. She knows things. Maxie says, yeah, and Felicia scares her. Felicia says she understands why Maxie doesn’t want to leave Lulu, but she hopes Maxie isn’t spending the night here. Maxie says she’s not. She just doesn’t want Lulu to be alone. Felicia says, with any luck, she won’t be much longer, and Maxie says, Lulu went through life like she was invincible, and for a long time, Maxie really thought she was. Felicia says she can see why, and Maxie says, in a different world, Lulu would be the one going to the ends of the earth to save the ones she loves. That’s not who’s in this bed right now.

Brook asks if it’s her or did that come out of left field? and Dante says, it did. He hasn’t thought about that in a long time. Her? She says, no, not really, and he says, that thing with Carly was like a lifetime ago, and she says, a different lifetime. He says, a lifetime Carly doesn’t know anything about, when Sonny comes in. Dante asks how it’s going. Is everything okay? Sonny says, it will be. They need to talk.

Willow says, time is the most precious thing any of them will ever have. Most people don’t figure that out until it’s too late. But she knows. In the core of her being, she knows. She tears up and says, he gave her the gift of more time when she was sick. He says he would do every bit of it again, and she says she knows. She’s so very sorry for his loss and she hopes he can take some comfort in knowing that the man he believed in so deeply, believed in him. He says, McConkey saw something in him. He’s had bosses and commanding officers, but he never had a mentor. Somebody he could go to and ask for guidance. She says, sort of like a father figure? and he says, maybe. He never knew his father. By the time he met the Quartermaines, Alan was gone. She says she never met him, but she heard he was quite wonderful. Drew says he keeps asking himself, if the congressman saw something in him, would Alan Quartermaine have seen something? Would Alan have been proud of him?

Dante asks, what’s going on? and Sonny tells him that he just wants to say he’s sorry about Lulu. He’s sure Rocco is worried. Dante says, his mother’s been in a coma for so long, he doesn’t think Rocco thought anything else was going to happen. Then it starts to look like she may be dying, and he doesn’t think Rocco was ready for that. He sent Rocco off to baseball camp. That was a distraction for a little bit, but it’s weighing on him. Sonny says, what about Dante? How’s he getting through it?

Ava says she doesn’t mean to be a pest, but she thought they were headed back to Port Charles, and Boyle says, change of plans. Ava asks, why? What’s changed? Has their cover been blown or is the FBI so understaffed they can’t protect her in town? Boyle says, Ava can ask all the questions she wants, but she doesn’t have the answers to any of them. All she was told is, Corinthos has a lot of resources. Ava says, that is certainly true, and Boyle says, he could find her, so they’re moving her somewhere where he won’t. Ava asks if she has no say in the matter, and Boyle says, she does not. At this point, her life is in Agent Cates’s hands.

Cates says he’s taking Kristina to a holding cell, and he’s seen Alexis’s record, so he knows she knows what the inside of one looks like. Alexis says, he’s a disgrace. What kind of a monster would take a woman with Kristina’s physical injuries and throw her in a filthy holding cell? He says, take her to the cell, but Alexis tells Dex, don’t you move. (Poor Dex. I’ll bet he’s sorry he joined the force. Working for Sonny was easier.) John says he’s patiently listened to Alexis’s concerns, but if she thinks his patience for hysterical rants is infinite, she’s gravely mistaken. She says, when the FBI finds out what he’s done to this woman, they’ll have his badge (yes, for the love of all that’s holy, someone call them already), and he says, be careful, counselor. She just got her law license back. One call to the Bar Association and he can make that go away. Permanently. She says, do it. Do your worst. Because if he continues to try pushing around innocent people, she’ll stop him. Mark her words. She will stop him permanently. Anna comes out and asks, what the hell is going on here?

Sidwell says, spare him the fiction Lucky was just about to sell him. He came here to free his friend. It’s that simple. Lucky says, it’s even simpler than that. He wanted to work for Sidwell because he’s the only one around here who has any money. He hopes that doesn’t hurt Sidwell’s feelings. Ask around. Humanitarian work doesn’t pay. Sidwell says, so he was just pretending to care for the lives of others, and Lucky says, caring adjacent. He just cares about himself a whole lot more. You need work as a solid cover when you’re trying to get in and out of places or cross a few borders, but the pay is non-existent. And if there’s luxury anywhere around, he might just want to snuggle up and sit in its lap. Sidwell says, so Lucky wants him to believe it’s just a coincidence. He just happened to be here at the same time as Dr. Gannon. Lucky says, he can believe whatever he wants. He just hopes it comes with a big side of cash.

Sonny and Dante sit down, and Dante says, this thing with Lulu is hard, but with Sam’s help, he’s getting through it. Sonny says, Sam’s great. He’s glad Dante’s got her. But that doesn’t mean that Dante doesn’t sometimes think how things could have been different. Dante asks if he’s speaking from experience, and Sonny laughs and says, maybe. He wants to thank Dante for not giving up on him. He knows he made it tough at times. His mind was not… quite there, and his meds were messed with. But Dante never quit. Dante helped him get through it and he appreciates that. Dante puts his hand on Sonny’s shoulder and says, you’re my dad. When he was lost and messed up and threw away his life with Lulu, Sonny was the one who came halfway around the world to find him. Thank you. You didn’t give up on me either. Sonny says he may not be perfect – far from it – but he’d never give up on Dante or any of his children, and he knows he should have said this more often, but he’s proud of the man Dante is. Dante says, it means a lot, and thanks him, and Sonny says he wishes he could have seen Dante grow up. He wasn’t there, but just watching him these past years, seeing the honorable man he’s become… Dante says he loves Sonny.

Alexis says, Agent Cates is clearly guilty of overreach and abuse of power. He’s going to throw her daughter in a holding cell on charges that are unfounded and egregiously offensive. Anna says she sees, but Alexis says she doesn’t know that Anna does. Did she know he was going to throw her in a holding cell over what happened to her and use that tragedy to trump up bogus charges against her? Anna tells John, a storm is rolling in, which means this department’s resources will be stretched thin. The last thing the PCPD needs is a grieving mother still recovering from traumatic physical injuries in their custody, potentially needing resources that the department will be unable to provide. Alexis says, if so much as one of Kristina’s stitches becomes undone, she’ll sue John, the PCPD, and the FBI. Jerkface John says, the prisoner stays, and Anna says, all right. In which case, she needs him to ensure that all the appropriate paperwork for an extra departmental prisoner is completed and filled out and filed. That is going to take a lot of time, so he might as well start right now. He says he doesn’t have time for this, and she asks if he has somewhere else to be. He says, the Quartermaine estate. He’s taking a suspect into custody. Anna says, he’s not listening to what she’s saying, and he says, fine. Alexis can take her client home. He tells Kristina that he’ll be in touch. Don’t leave town. John leaves, and Dex takes off the cuffs. Kristina thanks Anna and Alexis hugs Kristina.

Drew tells Willow that every time he gives a campaign speech and introduces himself as Drew Quartermaine, he thinks about what that name means. He remembers where he was when the name change became final. He was at the MetroCourt pool and the significance of the Quartermaine name hit him all at once. Willow says, it’s a lot, and he says, it is. And not just because it’s a name that raises your profile or it’s a name people will recognize. It’s because it’s a way he can honor a man that he never got a chance to know. She says she’s sure Alan would be so proud of him, and he says, think of all the lives Alan saved at General Hospital. He devoted so much of his life and his time to the citizens of Port Charles. They sit down, and Drew says he wishes he’d known him. Willow says, Alan’s legacy lives on, and not just within the walls of GH, but within his family. And that includes Drew.

Sonny is about to leave, when Lois asks if he’s trying to sneak out without seeing her. He says, no, never, and she says, he’d better not. She hugs him, and she says, Dante told her that he was here, which she’s got to say surprised her, because a Quartermaine family dinner is the last place she’d expect him to be. He says, it’s a special occasion. All his kids are here except Kristina. Lois says, Kristina will be here next time, she promises. How’s she doing? Sonny says, she’s doing good. She’s tough. Lois says, just like her father, and he says, don’t let Kristina’s mother hear her say that, but Lois says she can take Alexis. Besides, she’s telling the truth. He’s a good dad. He thanks her and she says she’s really sorry about their recent issues. She was just trying to protect her daughter. He says he respects that, and she says, they do what they need to do to take care of their kids. He says, get the job done. Speaking of which, can she do him a favor? She says, yeah, and he says, a lot of his favorite people are Quartermaines – Amelia, Wiley, Michael. Take care of them, will she? She says, yeah. She’ll look out for them. She’ll always look out for his family, whether they’re Quartermaines or not.

Willow says, Alan might not have gotten to know Drew, but she has. She knows the man he really is. He says he thinks she might be the only one who does, and she says, he’s a good person. He saved her life without even thinking about it. He sacrificed himself and went to prison to protect Carly. He inspires her every day. There’s no one who comes through for his family more than he does. There’s an incoming call from Michael on her phone, but she doesn’t notice.

Michael leaves a voicemail, saying, everything’s fine here. He and the kids are wondering if she’s going to make it back in time for dinner, so just give him a yell when she gets this. He loves her. Sonny comes in and asks, how’s it going? Michael says he left Willow at Drew’s campaign event at Rice Plaza. He thought she’d be back by now. Sonny asks if Michael wants one of his guys to check on her, but Michael says, no. It’s fine. He just knows there’s going to be a pretty good storm tonight and he doesn’t want Willow caught up in it. He still gets nervous when she catches a cold. Sonny says, that’s understandable. He wants to take care of the people he loves. Michael asks if he’s talked to Krissy, but Sonny says, not since that bastard Jagger hauled her back to the PCPD. He’s charging her with the death of her own child. Michael says, that’s sick, and Sonny says, he’s sick. Jagger has had an agenda against him longer than Michael’s been alive. The one thing he’s always been afraid of is that one of his enemies are going to come after him through his children.

Alexis tells Kristina to make herself comfortable. Have a seat and she’ll make them some tea. Kristina thanks her for everything and says, Agent Cates is out of control, but it meant the world to her that Alexis fought for her. Alexis says she’ll always fight for Kristina. She’s got her. Kristina says she knows Alexis does, but she has to fight for herself. Cates has to be stopped. Alexis says, he will be, but it’s not going to be tonight. She wants Kristina to take that blanket, wrap it around herself, keep herself warm, and she’ll make some tea. Alexis’s phone rings, and she adds, after she answers the phone. She looks at the phone and says she has to take it. She answers as she walks into the kitchen, and Kristina takes Alexis’s keys out of her bag. She grabs her own bag and leaves.

Michael says, Sonny wasn’t himself, but the father he recognizes, the one that’s always been there for him, that’s the man who’s standing in front of him right now. He knows they’ve both made mistakes, but hopes they’re in a place now where they can move past them. Sonny says, they can do that. He’s a good son. Michael says, Sonny is a good dad, and they hug. Carly walks in and says she’s been waiting for this. It’s about time. She’s here on a mission. Wiley and Amelia are upstairs in the playroom and they’re asking for Michael. Michael says he knows better than to ignore the bosses, and leaves. Carly says she’s been praying that Sonny and Michael would reconnect, and Sonny says, it’s important that he’s on the same page as his children. He loves them and he doesn’t want anything to go unsaid. No regrets.

Lucky says, while Sidwell is trying to decide – he gets up, but a guard pushes him back down – whether he wants to kill him or hire him or cut him loose, they might as well play some cards. What do you say? Sidwell says, they have to kill the time, right? And it just so happens, he enjoys poker. He takes a deck out of his pocket (I guess he does enjoy it), and the guards put a crate between them as a table. Sidwell says, you shuffle, and Lucky says, with pleasure. Sidwell says, for someone who says he’s all about the money, Lucky spends a lot of time with nothing, and Lucky says, the last people to hire him were aid workers. It’s not much, but he ate. Sidwell says, what about a wife? Children? Lucky says, a wife and kids just want to eat too. He likes it on his own. He always has. How many cards?

Maxie tells Felicia, it’s not fair that Lulu can’t be added to the donor list. She understands the thinking behind it, but it just makes her mad. It’s like she has to fight with one arm tied behind her back. Felicia says, one of the hardest things you learn as a patient advocate is, donor lists are reserved for patients with a quality of life. Maxie says, so because Lulu’s been in a coma for three and a half years, her life doesn’t matter? and Felicia says, of course (🍷) her life matters, but with so many people on the donor list, there has to be some criteria. And the perception is, even with a transplant, Lulu’s quality of life wouldn’t significantly change. Maxie says, perception is not reality. Lulu’s life matters just as much as anybody else’s, and she’ll fight like hell for it.

Ava says, oh my God. This is Route 41. Boyle is taking her to the Pine Barrens? She knows Boyle isn’t with the FBI and that’s okay. Really. She’s known more than her share of professionals. She’s a Jerome. From the Jerome family. She has a lot of resources. Boyle says, if Ava had resources, she wouldn’t be hiding from Sonny Corinthos, and Ava says she’s talking about money. She has Jerome money. She has Cassadine money. Boyle says, she must be very proud, but Ava says, nope, just very rich. She can afford to pay Boyle a hell of a lot more than Cates is offering her. Don’t take her to a kill site. Take her to a bank. Boyle tells her, who says he’s paying her?

Cates goes to the boathouse and calls for Sonny. Lightning begins to flash, and John tries the door, but it’s locked. He looks in the window and says he knows Sonny’s here. Come on out. It’s time. Sonny comes out and says, he’s right. It is time. It’s time for this to end. It starts to rain.

Kristina lets herself into Sonny’s penthouse and takes a lockbox out from a credenza. She puts in a combination, opens it, and takes out a gun.

Sidwell lays down his hand of cards, and Lucky tells him, you know what they say. Lucky at cards, unlucky at love. He lays down his hand, and Sidwell says, so he assumes Lucky is no stranger to heartbreak. (I have no clue what these hands are. Other than a short flirtation with Yahtzee years ago, I have no poker knowledge.) Lucky says he’s what they call relationship challenged, but it’s made him one hell of a poker player. Sidwell says he can just as easily kill Lucky tomorrow as he can today. So let’s go again. Lucky says, why not? Tomorrow’s not going anywhere. He picks up the cards.

Maxie says she knows this isn’t fair to Sam, but she wishes Lulu would wake up and tell Dante that she loves him. She wasn’t able to tell him that she wanted him back. There’s a knock at the door and Dante comes in. He thanks Maxie for sitting with Lulu, and Maxie says, of course (🍷). Any time. He knows that. He says he just spoke to the doctors, and they say the cirrhosis is progressing faster than they thought and they could be losing her.

Michael calls Drew and says he’s trying to reach Willow. Can Drew call him back when he gets this? Thanks. Nina comes in and thanks Michael again for the invitation to his family dinner. Is Willow in the main house? She thought she’d ask before she trekked to the gatehouse in the rain. Michael says, she’s not here. They went to Rice Plaza together for Drew’s campaign event and he thought she would be back by now. He’s a little worried. He hopes she’s okay and not out in this storm somewhere.

Drew asks how Willow does it. She just always knows the right things to say. She’s so beautiful and compassionate and full of strength. She makes him want to be worthy of her belief in him. She says, he already is. There is no one like him.

John says he was thinking Sonny might not show up. Sonny leaves him no choice. He filed a case against Kristina. Sonny tells John that he said he’d be here, and John says, this must be his nightmare come to life. He must have spent sleepless nights wondering when a man with just handcuffs and a badge would eventually show up and it would be over for him. Sonny says, and here he is with his handcuffs all ready, and John creepy smiles. He says, nothing is going to give him more pleasure than perp walking Sonny past the Quartermaines. Everyone is going to finally see who Sonny really is. (Because they had no clue before. This guy is such an idiot.) Sonny says, no, Jagger. Now you’re going to see who I really am. He takes a gun out of his waistband and aims it at John.

Ava says, if Boyle isn’t in it for the money, Cates must have something on her. Boyle admits John has evidence that will take her down, but it goes away if Ava goes away, and Ava says, Boyle can’t trust him. Look what he’s making her do. Boyle says she might be taking a chance on doing this, but it’s the only chance she has. Ava says, no, but it’s not. She doesn’t have to do this. Isaiah (for whatever reason) jogs out to the road, and Ava grabs the wheel, saying, Boyle can’t do this. Boyle tries to right the wheel, when Isaiah comes out of the shadows in front of the car. Ava yells, watch out! and the car skids.

Alexis comes back in and says, finally, some good news about the injunction. She looks around and says, Kristina? She sees her bag laying on its side, open, and looks inside. She says, Kristina has her keys, and she runs out the front door calling Kristina’s name.

Sasha hugs Nina and says she was so happy that Nina was coming for dinner. She knows how much it means to Nina to spend time with Willow and the kids. Nina says, it would mean a lot more if Willow was here, and Sasha says, she’s still not back from the campaign event? Nina says, no and neither is Drew, and Sasha says, traffic in the rain is a nightmare. (WOTD) She’s sure they’ll be here very soon. They both know nothing is more important to Willow than her family. Michael comes by and says he’s going to the gatehouse. Willow might be there by now. Nina asks if he wants her to go with him, but he says, no. Only one of them should get soaked. Just call him if they hear from Willow. Nina says, of course (🍷), and he leaves.

Drew asks if he’s imagining this, and Willow says, what? He says, you and me. Not her hero and not the guy who saved her life, but the man who sees her and wants her. And she wants him too. She says, yes, and they kiss. (As a friend of mine texted me, no amount of yelling at the TV stopped them.)

John says, really? Is Sonny going to shoot a federal agent? Right here on the Quartermaine estate? Sonny says, John left himself wide open, and John asks if Sonny thinks he came alone with no backup. Sonny asks why John would need backup. John wants sole credit for bringing him in. John says, Kristina is about to go away for assault and murder. Sonny could save her by just turning himself in and confessing his crimes. But no. Sonny is too selfish to sacrifice himself for her. Or for anyone. Sonny is no man and he’s sure as hell no father. Sonny says, John has been banging the same old tired drum about Karen for decades. He still doesn’t understand, and now John targets his daughter? Sonny has told him over and over and over, John can come after him, but when he goes after Sonny’s daughter – he raises the gun – that’s unacceptable. He shoots John in the chest, and John goes down. Sonny walks over to him and puts another bullet in him for good measure.

Next week (presumably Tuesday), Chase tells Brook, there’s been a shooting; Drew says, there have been times when he wishes he’d met Willow first; Portia asks Jordan if she thinks a winning case can actually be made for Heather; and Sonny says he needs Carly’s help.

💭 Just a thought. Maybe John isn’t really a federal agent. Like, maybe he used to be, but something happened, and he got canned. I’m just wondering how Sonny is going to get away with this. There’s blood, so it’s not a bulletproof vest situation. He did talk to his boss and the lawyer recognized him as an agent, but as far as I know, Sonny isn’t going anywhere, so I need to find some justification here. Or maybe they’ve just discovered John isn’t who he claims to be, he’s extremely dangerous, and Sonny will be a hero. I’ve wondered how Adam J. Harrington is justifying his character’s behavior. He might just be rolling with it, but he’s playing it like someone who escaped from a hospital for the criminally insane.

🛁 Who Will Be Laboring…

GH will be rerunning the August 1st episode where Kristina confronted Ava.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/find-out-if-your-favorite-soaps-are-airing-on-labor-day-2024

🍊 Rubbing Salt In the Lemons…

Yeah, yeah. The heart wants what it wants, but this still seems deliberate. I’m sure Shannon was a handful, but no one deserves having their nose rubbed this hard in it.

https://people.com/alexis-bellino-and-john-janssen-are-engaged-after-9-months-of-dating-exclusive-8703643

🌴 They’ve Got Style…

No premiere date yet.

💎 The Hills Are Alive…

It can’t be happiness to see Mauricio take his new, much younger, main squeeze public.

But then this happened.

🗽 Delis and Laundromats and Gay Bars…

Premiering October 1st. I’m looking forward to the pigeons.

In the meantime, relive last season.

🐕 Put Him In, Coach…

I once had a Golden Retriever who would stare at a frisbee until it boinked him in the head. Even worse, his name was Einstein. It was a false prophecy.

https://people.com/shohei-ohtani-dog-decoy-throws-first-pitch-8703895

🐝 Quotes of the Week

Some days you just shouldn’t get out of bed, in my opinion. – Bob Spart (Bill Hunter), The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

My responsibility to myself, my neighbors, my family and the human family is to try to tell the truth. – Toni Cade Bambara

So it’s true, when all is said and done, grief is the price we pay for love. – E.A. Bucchianeri

Man is fond of counting his troubles, but he does not count his joys. If he counted them up as he ought to, he would see that every lot has enough happiness provided for it.Fyodor Dostoevsky

I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man. – George Washington

The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team. – Phil Jackson

We were good before things went bad. – Silas Clay (Michael Easton), General Hospital

🍃 Summer’s Last Stand…

Make a return trip on Monday where there won’t be soap, but a Deck that rests for no one. Until then, stay safe; stay not leaving food out for more than two hours when eating outside (one, if it’s particularly hot); and stay knowing that time is the most precious thing any of us will ever have.

August 29, 2024 – Sonny Tells Cates He’ll Confess, Traitor In the OC, He’s Served, WWDD, He Owns It, Jurassic Look, Find That Gator & Sealed

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Chase asks why they have to get dressed up, and Brook says, because Monica asked them to. She missed Drew’s event and wants to have a dinner. Violet comes downstairs and asks if she can dress up too. Brook says, absolutely. She can do something special with Violet’s hair. Violet says, it’s fine, and Brook asks how she’s doing. Violet says, it’s better in the daytime. She didn’t mean to bother them. It won’t happen again.

From a podium outside, Drew says, no one embodied being a representative more than Larry McConkey. He’s been fighting for equality, fairness, and economic stability and growth for all the people of this country. He’s honored and humbled that a man of such integrity has asked him to follow in his footsteps. McConkey has been his mentor and friend, and it will be an honor to carry on his legacy. He thanks Laura and Jordan for their endorsements, and his family for their support, especially Willow Corinthos, who is his biggest cheerleader. He thanks Michael, who’s part of his family and his business partner and had the good sense to marry Willow. He looks forward to stepping into McConkey’s shoes and becoming their Representative in every sense of the word. Michael wonders where McConkey is, and Willow says, he’s supposed to be here.

On the phone, Portia asks the lab to get back to her when they get Heather’s results. Curtis asks why she’s checking on Heather.

On the phone in the nook, Dante tells Rocco that they can go see his mom if he wants, but his mom would want him to have a good time while he’s there. Olivia asks, how’s Rocco? and Dante says, good, all things considered. She says she thinks baseball camp was a good idea. It’s a good distraction. How about him? How is he doing? He says he just wants to protect Rocco. Nikolas can’t do the transplant, and no one knows where Lucky is. Olivia says, Laura and Doc will track him down. He says he wishes he could go, but he doesn’t want to leave Rocco, and she says she thinks Lulu will be okay. He says he wishes he’d stayed with Lulu while he had the chance. (Where is all this coming from?)

At the penthouse, Donna tells Sonny that he can’t see the surprise she and Avery have been working on. He tells her to let him know when they’re ready, and she says she misses him. She’s glad mommy brought her and Avery over. He says he misses her too, and she runs off. He thanks Carly for bringing them.

At the station, Kristina says she can’t talk to John without her lawyer present and doesn’t know why she’s here again. She’s already been charged. He says he’s adding an additional charge. She’s being charged with manslaughter in the death of Irene Davis Ashford.

Carly asks how Sonny is feeling, and he says he’s pretty solid. She senses there’s a but, and he says, his meds are straight and now he can see what everyone else was seeing, the paranoia. He accused her of keeping Donna from him. She says she wasn’t trying to punish him. She was protecting Donna. He says, and him. He wouldn’t be able to forgive himself if he frightened or hurt one of his kids. She says, neither would she.

Brook says, Violet is never a bother, and Chase says, never ever. Brook asks why she said that, and Violet says she loves visiting here, but never thought she would stay this long. Does Chase know when her dad is going to be back? He says he’s sorry. He doesn’t know, but her dad loves her more than anything and he’s working to get better. Violet wonders what’s taking so long, and Brook says, he’s sick and his disease can’t be cured with medication. Chase says, it takes a lot of effort and willpower. In the meantime, they’re lucky she’s living with them. Brook says she especially loves game night, and Violet says, even when she loses? Brook says, even then.

Michael addresses Drew as their next congressman and tells Drew that he can’t stay. He has to take Monica to the doctor for a routine checkup. He congratulates Drew and leaves. Drew and Willow look at each other.

Olivia says, Dante didn’t leave because he wanted, and he says he was going undercover, but he didn’t know he’d be gone 9 months, get captured, and be rescued. Then he left again. She asks what he was afraid would happen, and he says, that he would hurt Lulu. She says, he didn’t abandon his wife and son. He was protecting them. He says he never would have gotten PTSD had he not gone undercover, and she says, maybe it wasn’t his justice to get, but he did what was right and necessary. He might have gotten in over his head, but it happens to the best of them. He fought to get back to the people who love him, twice. As desperately as she wanted him back, she understood that he had to be away for treatment. He chose to come home healthy and whole. He says, by then it was too late. Lulu moved on and rightly so. He always talked about how important family was, and he left her alone. He’s worried that he won’t be able to tell her how much he regrets it.

Kristina says, Ava killed her baby when Ava pushed her out the window, but John tells her, Ava says different. Alexis runs into the station and asks where her daughter is, and Dex tells her, in the interrogation room. She goes in, and Kristina says, Cates is saying that she killed her baby. Alexis tells her, not another word, and tells John, Kristina did not kill her baby. Kristina knows that, she knows that, and more important, he knows that. He needs to better explain why he’s torturing her daughter. John says, they have new evidence and he’s charging Kristina with manslaughter. She says, cut the crap. This has nothing to do with Kristina and everything to do with Sonny.

Willow thanks Drew for what he said, and he says, it’s true. He made the decision after she encouraged him. She made him realize how much he wanted it. She says she thought McConkey would be here, and he says, so did he. Willow asks if McConkey didn’t contact him, and he says, no, and he didn’t leave a message. That’s not like him. He usually shows up when he says he will. He hopes nothing is wrong.

Portia tells Curtis that Heather is at the hospital and she has a new lawyer. It’s someone they both know. Curtis says, it can’t be Alexis or Diane, so who? and she says, Molly’s father, Ric Lansing. Scotty gave him the case. Curtis says, maybe it’s a non-starter. They know Scotty wouldn’t turn down a big payday. She says she did some research, and Ric is an excellent lawyer, and he asks if she thinks he’s encouraging Heather to move forward with this frivolous lawsuit. She says she does, when Drew comes by. He thanks them for their support in being here, and Curtis says, it was a great speech, but Drew says he’s never been more nervous. He thanks Curtis for taking on the extra work. Curtis says, it’s a challenge, but he loves it, and Drew says, it shows. He’s amazed at what Curtis has accomplished, but not surprised. He knew Curtis was the right man.

Alexis tells John, it’s absurd. In what universe is this a federal crime? He says, Kristina was charged with the attempted murder of a federal witness, and it can be attached to the original charges. Alexis says, Kristina almost died when Ava pushed her out a window, and he says, Ava was defending herself from Kristina’s attack. Kristina says, that’s not what happened… and Alexis stops her. She says, John is out of his jurisdiction and out of his mind. He’s also threatening the well-being of her client with this abuse. He says, if she’s so concerned, they both know a way she can make this go away, and Alexis says she has to take care of something. She’ll be back. She tells Kristina, say nothing, and tells John, don’t dare ask Kristina anything else without her being present, and she leaves.

Alexis asks tells the desk sergeant that she’s making an official request that Dex stay with her daughter. And under no circumstances is Cates to be alone with her.

Carly asks if Sonny has spoken to or seen Dante, and Sonny says he knew Lulu was being transferred to GH, but doesn’t know what’s wrong. Does she know anything? Carly says, Lulu needs a liver transplant, and he says, Nikolas was a match when Lulu was a baby. That, and being Spencer’s father are the only two good things he’s done in his life. Carly says, Laura went to see him. He’d love to do it, but he’s no longer a viable donor. She’s not a match either. Sonny says he’ll get tested and asks if anyone has reached out to Lucky. She says, Laura is tracking him down. She’s surprised Dante hasn’t reached out to Sonny, but he says, they haven’t talked since he was off his meds. Carly says, Dante can’t hold that against him, and he says, Dante was focused on Lulu, and he was focused on Kristina, so they didn’t touch base. Carly says, it’s clearly bothering him, and he says, he hasn’t exactly been great to his kids, and he wants to do whatever he can to fix it. She says, speaking of his kids, Ava called Avery and said she couldn’t see her for a while. Does he know what that’s about? He says, Jagger took Ava into protective custody, and she says, from what? He says, him, and she says, that’s ridiculous. Ava knows if she even gets a papercut, the PCPD will show up at his door. He says, Jagger has always had a vendetta, an agenda, and Jagger’s agenda is to take him down.

Chase asks if Violet wants to join the other kids, and Violet asks if Avery and Donna are coming over. Brook says, that’s the plan. Violet is part of a family now. Violet asks when the family is getting bigger. When are Brook and Chase having a baby?

Olivia asks if Dante regrets his life with Sam, but he says he loves Sam and he loves the life they’ve built. She asks, then what’s the problem? and he says, Lulu can’t build a life. She was in love with Dustin, and he was a good guy. He made her happy. Olivia says, it’s not doing Lulu any good for him to feel guilty, and he says he knows that, but if she doesn’t make it… She says, they’re not counting Lulu out again, and he says, she beat the odds before. She will again.

Portia asks if Curtis wants to get going, and he asks if she’s in hurry. She says, there’s nothing that can’t wait, and he says he thinks Aurora can do without him for a bit. She says, neither one of them need to be at work. Does he know what that means? He says, they’re both forgetting something important or another Seal of the Apocalypse was broken, and she says she doesn’t care if she gets fired or the world ends. She just cares about them in the moment. He says, amen to that, and they kiss.

Willow asks Drew, what’s wrong? and he says he just got off the phone with Hazel McConkey. She told him that Larry… died this morning. He’s gone. She says she’s so sorry, and he says, him too. She asks if Hazel said what happened, and he wonders if they can talk somewhere else. She says, of course (🍷).

Sonny looks at a piece of construction paper that says, we love you daddy, in glitter. There’s a knock at the door and he opens it to Alexis. He says, she sounded upset on the phone, and she says she needs to know how he is mentally, emotionally, and physically. How are his meds? He says he’s doing okay, and she says, good. She’s about to say something that’s going to make him really, really angry. She just got back from the PCPD. Cates has dragged their daughter in once again. He asks what that son of a bitch wants with Kristina, and she says, he wants to charge Kristina with manslaughter in the baby’s death. He says, that makes no sense, but she says, he’s saying she tried to kill Ava and the baby’s death was a result. He asks, how’s Kristina? and she says, one harsh word away from losing it. She’s glad he’s thinking clearly and rationally. He needs to see reason and do something he’s not going to like. Cates is willing to destroy Kristina unless he gets to Sonny. Sonny has to stop that from happening and give Cates what he wants.

Carly finds Olivia in the nook and says she didn’t expect to see Dante. He says, Maxie and Felicia are with Lulu. Does she think he’d leave Lulu alone? Carly says, no. She heard Laura went to East Africa to find Lucky. Olivia says, she’s hoping Lucky can be a donor. She needs to check in with Sasha about dinner. Is Carly staying? Carly says, Monica insisted. She’s sure it’s to spite Tracy. Olivia leaves, and Carly says she just left Sonny. She told him about the liver transplant and he’s going to get tested also. Elizabeth told her that they think Lulu’s liver failure was the result of her medication. Dante asks if she thinks he should have realized something was wrong, and she says, no. He says, despite what everyone thinks, he didn’t abandon Lulu.

Drew and Willow go to his office, and he tells Willow, Hazel said, just this morning, Larry was excited about coming. But on their way to the airport, he collapsed. He was rushed to the hospital and the doctors did everything they could, but he passed away. She was with him at the end. It’s amazing that she took the time to call. Willow says, she knew how much he and Larry hit it off. Obviously, their relationship meant a lot to him. Drew says he hopes so. Larry was relieved he was picking up the mantle. She asks, what happens now? and he says, Hazel will make a statement and there will probably be a special election. He might have to head to DC. He wants to finish what Larry started. He just wishes Larry was around to see it.

Portia says, Curtis can’t fool her. He loves what he’s doing. He says, it’s a challenge to build a division from the ground up. He sees the way Drew runs Aurora and can already see how improvements can be made. Portia says she’s glad to see him so happy, and he says, that makes one of us. Unless she’s just having a rough day. She says, all the days at the hospital are tough, but then there are Heather days. It makes her crazy that Laura doesn’t care what Heather’s done. Besides that, she loves her job. She just wishes they were able to spend more time with each other. He says, they’ll make time. They always do. She says, it will be less and less the closer it gets to election day. Drew said he’s doing a great job, and if her opinion matters, she thinks he’s doing terrific. He says, it does. It’s the only one that matters.

Sonny says, Alexis wants him to turn himself in and confess, and she says, if that’s what it takes for Cates to back off Kristina. Sonny says he can’t do anything from prison, but she says, Kristina is losing it. She can’t handle it. Her spirit is broken. He says, Kristina is stronger than she knows, and Alexis says, if her sister wasn’t blaming her for the baby’s death and she wasn’t being charged for it. He says, no jury is going to take it seriously, but she says, it’s not the jury she’s worried about. If the charges aren’t dismissed, the hearing will cause Kristina irreparable damage, and she won’t recover. If Sonny can’t save her, they’re going to lose her.

Kristina tells Dex that she knows she’s not supposed to talk anyone, but she didn’t kill her baby. She needs someone to believe her. John comes in with an officer and tells Dex to get out. Dex says he’s under orders to stay, and John asks, whose orders? Dex says, the desk sergeant, and John says he understands Dex is a cadet, so maybe he doesn’t know an FBI agent outranks a desk sergeant, and he’s asking Dex to leave. Reluctantly, Dex leaves, and John sits down. He says he knows it might not seem this way, but he’s sorry she has to go through this. She says, then let her go home, but he says he’s not the one keeping her here. Her father is. Sonny destroys people and her loyalty led to her baby’s death. Her baby is gone because of Sonny. What made her think protecting Sonny was more important than protecting her child? Sonny is the reason her child died. She says, Ava attacked her, but he says, Ava claims Kristina came at her. He’s sorry for her pain. She says, he’s the one causing it, but he says, Sonny is, and she says, leave her alone. Please. She starts to sob, and he says, if she knows anything about Sonny’s crimes, his illegal business dealings, and the violence he’s entailed, it might help mitigate the charges. He’s offering her a chance to help herself. She says, he’s got it backwards. He’s trying to accuse her of killing her baby so he can bring charges against her father, but the only criminal she sees is him.

Chase says, great question, and Brook says, it sure is. Violet asks, what’s the answer? When are they having a baby? Chase says, they just got married, and Brook says, it’s been so busy. Violet asks if they don’t want a baby, and Chase looks at Brook. She says, yes, they do.

Dante says, Carly is sounding like Tracy. She laid into him for abandoning Lulu. Carly tells him she didn’t say that, and he says, she was thinking it. She says she wasn’t. It’s normal to lash out… He tells her, don’t do that. Don’t pretend like she gives a damn. She says, of course (🍷) she does, and he says, don’t act concerned that he’s hurt Lulu when she paid Brook to try and break them up.

John says, be careful how she talks to a federal agent, but Kristina says, all she sees is a bully with a badge, and Jagger, a punk with a grudge. He’s obsessed with taking down her father. He can’t make a case, so he’s using Sonny’s dead grandchild as a prop to beat her up. A stellar example of law enforcement. He suggests she exercise her right to remain silent (ha-ha – he’s probably sorry he started this), but she says, whatever he thought he was going to accomplish here is not working. You will not use me against my father, you son of a bitch. (Woot! You go, Sonny’s daughter.)

Sonny tells Alexis that they can’t give in. Jagger is using Kristina as leverage against him. She says she understands that, but needs him to understand that by the time this game of chicken is over, Kristina won’t recover. He says he has faith that she and Diane will get Kristina out of this, but she says, it needs to happen now. Unless he’s willing to sacrifice Kristina. He says he’s not willing to sacrifice anything, and Alexis says, Kristina needs to be saved and she’s asking him to save her.

Kristina says, Ava was the one who threatened her, and John says, she really is her father’s daughter. Alexis walks into the station and asks Dex why he’s here and not in there. He says he was ordered to leave, and she goes in. Kristina asks if John is feeling like a big man now that he’s handcuffed her. Her lawyer is here. Get her arraigned. She can’t wait to get in front of a judge. He says he advises her to calm down, and she says she’s going to swear on a stack of Bibles that he used her daughter’s death to coerce her into testifying against her father. What do you say, Jagger? Cates’s phone rings, and Alexis tells him, better get that. He leaves, and Alexis asks the officer why he’s still here. He wisely makes himself scarce, and Alexis says, Kristina seems to be in a better mood. Kristina says she is and there’s no way in hell she’s going to let Jagger break her down.

Curtis says, McConkey died. It’s all over the news. Portia says, that’s terrible. That must be why Drew left so quickly. Curtis tries to call Drew, but gets voicemail. Portia says, he probably needs time to himself. It makes her wonder. With McConkey passing so quickly, what is Drew going to do about Aurora? Curtis says he thinks the timetable was just sped up. Drew didn’t appoint an interim CEO. She asks if it isn’t obvious. Drew is going to have him run Aurora.

Drew says, the last time he saw McConkey, he was saying he was going to take a vacation with his wife and grandkids. They were going on a fishing trip. He hated fishing, but his wife loved it. They were going to rent a boat. She was going to take some of the grandkids on the boat, and he was staying behind with some of them to eat and listen to baseball. Willow says, it sounds like a wonderful time, and he says, McConkey was a great grandfather. (The writers should have chosen a different adjective.) He’s sorry. He doesn’t want to hold her up from dinner. She says, he’s going too, right? but he says he’s not up for it. He’s going to stay here. She says she’ll tell Michael not to expect them. She wants to make sure he’s okay, and he says he is, but she says she’s not leaving until she believes it. Anyone could see how hard this is hitting him. (Oh brother.)

Carly can’t believe Dante is throwing this in her face. It was years ago. He says, it doesn’t matter. She still did it. She says she did, and it didn’t work, thank God. He and Lulu stayed together. She realized how wrong she was and moved on. She thought they all had. He says, it takes a special person to take a sledgehammer to other people’s lives and walk away. Brook comes near the door, but hears them and doesn’t go in. Dante asks if Carly has any idea what she did to Brook.

Alexis asks, what happened? and Kristina says, Cates was trying to use her baby’s death to make her betray her father. She’s not going to let that bastard hurt anyone else.

On the phone, Sonny tells John that he’s going to give him what he wants. He’ll confess to all the crimes, but first, John has to drop the charges. John says he’ll be at the penthouse in a half hour to formally arrest Sonny, but Sonny says his sons are at the Quartermaines. He needs to say his goodbyes, then he’ll go to the station. John says he’ll save Sonny a trip. He’ll meet Sonny at the Quartermaines and arrest him there.

I have the funny feeling that’s not what’s going to happen.

Tomorrow, Lois asks if Sonny is sneaking out without seeing her; Boyle tells Ava that her life is in Agent Cates’s hands; and Lucky tells Sidwell (I think) that it wouldn’t have been his first choice.

🍊 An Orange Walks Into The Quiet Woman…

Tonight, the women played a game of Traitor, and Teddi was the host – the one who chooses who the traitor is. She began with, welcome Housewives, and Vicki, which obviously did not go over well with Vicki. Surprisingly, Fancy Pants Heather wasn’t pleased either. At one point in the game, they had to reach in a box and take out a paper, which would show whether they lived or were murdered by the traitor. For whatever reason, the box also contained live crickets. You would have thought it was a homicidal Bengal tiger the way this bunch reacted, starting with Gina, who came short of jumping onto her chair. Emily feared not, letting a handful of them jump around her palm, stating she was from Ohio. Me too, originally, and I kind of get what she means, since I liked to give roly-poly bugs rides in my Matchbox cars. I also worked in one NYC office where a teeny tiny mouse dared show his/her face and it was like a bomb went off – women screeching and dashing everywhere. I was more than happy to try and get it into a cup to let it loose outside (if I didn’t give it a name, put a ribbon on it, and make it a pet), but that poor thing was in Chicago after the first scream. But I digress. Tamra ate a cricket, which should be a surprise to no one, since she probably bites the heads off of bats and chickens on a regular basis. I guessed the traitor early on from her speech patterns. Even though her voice was distorted, there was no hiding the cadence.

While we’re on the subject, I dunno. It’s not like Tamra invented digging into someone’s past and the last thing I’ve ever felt is empowered to judge because Tamra is a nasty piece of work. Besides, they would have gotten there sooner or later.

📮 Serving Up Some Drama…

This had to hurt. Awful meet awful.

⚰️ Moving Right Along

We’re not even at Season 2 yet.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/the-walking-dead-daryl-dixon-season-3-filming-spain-norman-reedus-melissa-mcbride/

Premiering September 29th.

https://www.tvinsider.com/gallery/the-walking-dead-daryl-dixon-season-2-photos-trailer/

🗽 He’ll Take Manhattan…

I loved Ryan on Million Dollar Listing. I love living vicariously through him and I’m not jealous one bit. He works hard for his money. I haven’t seen this yet, but I’m sure there will be a binge in my future.

🦕 Jurassic Park Part 6,012…

The plot is immaterial next to the main reason for watching – dinosaurs! (Yes, I know. I’m a child.)

https://ew.com/jurassic-world-4-rebirth-first-look-plot-details-revealed-8703944

🐊 Don’t Let Him Get Away…

Really? People thought this was real? Even if it had been, it’s a little small to be frightened of. But of course, I’m from Ohio.

https://people.com/animal-control-officers-called-for-alligator-find-toy-8704234

🌞 Grabbing the Final Rays…

Join me tomorrow for a big bar of soap and a variety of entertainment. Until then, stay safe, stay avoiding assumptions, and stay never letting a bully with a badge or a punk with a grudge break you down.

August 28, 2024 – Laura Calls In a Favor, A Petition, Powerful, This Week In LA, Test Flirt, Her Date, Rails Residue, Post Deck, New Apes, Where’d He Go & Sadness

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Alexis tells Sonny what happened at Irene’s funeral; how Molly tore into Kristina and Kristina ended up falling on the grave. Everyone was hysterical. Sonny asks what Molly was thinking, and Kristina walks in.

In a hotel room somewhere, Ava says she knows John is headed back to Port Charles and asks when he’ll be back. He says he won’t be gone long, but she says she doesn’t feel safe without him. He says, she’ll be fine, when there’s a knock at the door. He says, Agent Boyle will watch over her, and Boyle walks in.

At the hospital, Anna says, Tracy looks pale. Is she all right? Tracy says she’s not, and Anna asks if she can get Tracy something. Tracy says, it’s not her. It’s Lulu. She needs a miracle.

Laura tells Doc that Nikolas was crushed. That leaves Lucky. She’s got to find him. He travels a lot doing humanitarian work, but she hasn’t heard from him in months. She’s waiting to hear back from the place he last worked. She’s also going through some back channels. Her phone rings, and she asks if Robert has an update.

Gerard (a guard who has a name) says, they’re going in five minutes, and leaves. Lucky says, they did it. It worked. Isaiah says, it played out just like Lucky said, and Lucky tells him that they’re getting out today.

Kristina says she keeps wishing she hadn’t gotten so angry and stormed into Ava’s suite. Sonny says she didn’t know how Ava was going to react. She can’t blame herself. She says, not according to Molly. Molly said she chose to protect Sonny instead of her child and that she was selfish. Alexis says, Molly doesn’t mean that. She was lashing out. Trying to make sense of something that doesn’t make sense. She’s grieving too, and Kristina was the easiest person to blame. Kristina says, Molly thinks she was going to steal her baby after it was born, but you can’t steal what belongs to you. She was never more certain than at the funeral. When Adela was lowered into the ground, a part of her died too.

Ava says, John told her that he’d keep her safe, and he says he’s held up his end of the bargain so far, but she says she needs to know about the future. When is he bringing Avery? Are they going to be put in the witness protection program? He asks if that’s what she wants, living in some backwater town trying to fit in, and she says she wants to survive. Isn’t that the best option? John says he’s doing what he can. If the plan goes right, she’ll be able to go back, and Sonny will never threaten her or Avery again. She asks if she can give Avery a call, but John says, she’s having a wonderful time with the nanny. If Ava calls, it will just make Avery miss her. She asks if she can at least have her phone, but he says, it’s too risky. Her location could be compromised. Ava says she’s feeling cut off, and he says, that’s the whole point. It’s keeping her safe. Everything is going according to plan. Be patient. Does she trust him? She says, of course (🍷), and he says he’ll see her soon. He leaves with his suitcases.

Anna says, if Nikolas isn’t an option, what happens next? and Tracy says, they have to find Lucky. Anna says, it won’t be easy, but Tracy says, it has to happen unless some donor was overlooked. Anna asks if they have to share DNA or just the same blood type, and Tracy says, they don’t have to share the same DNA, but it’s the best chance for a match. Time is of the essence. If it doesn’t happen soon…. She says she has to take care of something, and leaves.

Robert says, the WSB said Lucky was participating in humanitarian efforts. He saved several doctors and patients in an area under siege. The organization decided to relocate to a more friendly part of the world, and Lucky found himself an area where his talents could be used. Laura asks if the WSB knows where he is, and Robert says, they believe he was headed toward East Africa, to a refugee camp. But it was months ago and nearly impossible to get a message to him. She asks if they have the location of the camp, but he says, the camp is always in flux and isolated. He’ll let her know if he can do more. Keep him in the loop. Doc says he’s sorry, and Laura says, it’s a setback. She’s not giving up. She thinks it’s time to call in a favor.

Isaiah says, Sidwell is complaining of stomach pain. He’s known toddlers who whine less. It’s just indigestion, but he told Sidwell that he needed to get a full panel of tests that require equipment they don’t have, so they’re leaving. Lucky says, all they need to do is make it off the compound. Once they lose the guards, he can get ahold of his contact, and they’ll be on their way. It’s not going to be easy, but it will work. It has to.

Anna goes to Portia’s office and says she learned from Tracy that Lulu’s condition is declining, and she needs a liver transplant. Is that true? Portia says she can’t discuss a patient’s condition without permission of the patient or family, and Anna says, of course (🍷). She doesn’t need information about Lulu’s condition, but needs information about the donor search. Portia says, the potential donor needs to be in good physical and psychological condition. They need to be a non-smoker for six weeks prior, understand the risks of the procedure, and have a compatible blood type. Anna says, what about age? Can they be a minor? Portia says, it’s rare. They prefer it be an adult, but in special circumstances, it’s possible. Anna says, that’s all she needed to hear, and leaves.

Laura goes to Jack’s office, and he asks, to what does he owe the honor? She says she needs his help, and he invites her in. She says her daughter was badly injured in an explosion and has been in a coma ever since. Her health has taken a sudden turn for the worse and she needs a liver transplant in order to survive. He says he’s sorry, but she says she’s not here for sympathy. She’s here for information. He asks what he could possibly know that would help, and she says, he’s a very high-ranking member of the WSB and she’s here to ask him to help her find her son.

Lucky says, Isaiah knows the plan. Wait for his signal, then move. Gerard comes back and says, let’s go. They pick up their bags, and Gerard says, just the doctor. Lucky is staying.

Kristina says she falls asleep and dreams about Adela, and Sonny says, she named the baby after his mother? She says, it’s not what TJ and Molly would have named her, but if she’d lived, that’s what she would have named her. Sonny says, it’s beautiful, and thanks her, and she says, in her dreams, Adela is so beautiful, so tiny, and so sweet. Kristina cries and says she’s so full of joy. She holds Adela and she’s laughing and kissing her face. Then she wakes up and remembers Adela is gone all over again. It’s like a knife to her heart and she can’t breathe. That’s why she’s not sleeping. When she sleeps, she can be with Adela, but when she wakes up, she remembers again that Adela has been taken away from her. There’s a knock at the door, and Alexis says she’ll get rid of them. She opens the door and asks what John is doing here again. He says he’s sorry to intrude, but he has a few more questions for Kristina.

Laura tells Jack that Lucky has been away from Port Charles for several years doing humanitarian work. He’s been providing security for aid workers in East Africa, and it isn’t easy getting in touch in an emergency. Jack says, it’s a chaotic part of the world, and Laura says she needs to bring him back. A donor that’s a full sibling is the best chance for a match. Can he help? He says he’ll do what he can, but he doesn’t want to lie. Finding Lucky will be a challenge. Laura says she realizes that, but he has more resources than she does, and he says, the WSB isn’t popular in that area. Inquiries will have to be made under the radar. Otherwise, it will be considered interference. She says she expects the WSB is expert in covert operations. She’s asking him to give her daughter a chance at life and to locate her son. He says, if it’s in his power to help, he will. He gets up, and she thanks him for his time. Before she goes out the door, she says, her family has done more than their share of favors for the WSB. When they had the power to help, they did. It’s time the WSB repaid the favor. Good day. She leaves.

Isaiah says, Lucky needs to come. They need protection. They’ll be transporting expensive equipment. If it’s stolen, is Gerard going to tell Sidwell it’s gone? Gerard hears something, and he tells Isaiah to be ready by the time he gets back. He leaves, and Isaiah asks what they do now.

Alexis says, no way in hell is John speaking to her daughter, but Kristina says, maybe she should just answer the questions. She has nothing to hide. Alexis says, as her attorney, she’s advising Kristina that it’s a bad idea. As her mother, she forbids it. John can’t come here without scheduling it in advance, and when he does, she’ll be present as Kristina’s attorney. Sonny says, John didn’t come to talk to their daughter. All John has to do is ask him. He’ll talk to John. John says he does have a few questions for Sonny, and Sonny tells him to come to his office tomorrow, but John says, Sonny doesn’t get to pick the time and place. The PC Grill in 20 minutes. Don’t keep him waiting or he’ll come back and take Kristina into custody. (Ugh. His schtick is getting so very old.) He leaves, and Kristina says, he’s just trying to get Sonny to say something. It’s a trap. Sonny says he can deal with it. He knows how to handle Agent Cates.

Ava asks how long Boyle has been with the Bureau, and Boyle says, five years. Ava asks if she’s been working with John, and Boyle says, some of the time. Ava says, John is high up, and asks if he has a lot of power, but Boyle says, they don’t divulge those things to the public. Ava says, nice shoes. She would wear them. Cartullo? Boyle says, good eye. She got them at a sample sale. Ava says, they still must have cost a lot. You can usually tell a cop or a Fed by their shoes. Those are chic. Boyle asks if she needs anything, and Ava says she’d like to have her phone, but Boyles says she meant to eat or drink. Ava says, that depends on how long they’re going to be here, and Boyle says she doesn’t think that long.  

On the phone, Alexis says she’ll be right there. She tells Kristina that the hospital has a problem with her insurance. She’ll be as quick as possible. Will she be okay? Kristina says, yes, but she’s worried about dad. Alexis says, Sonny can take care of himself, but Kristina says she’s upset that she’s the reason John has leverage over him. Alexis says, she has nothing to do with it. John would use any excuse to go after Sonny. When she gets back, they’ll have a snack watch harmless movie. She leaves, and Kristina makes a call. She asks if they can come over. She needs their help.

Lucky tells Isaiah to take the gun. If he gets a chance to stop the guards, run to the airfield and meet his contact. He’ll get Isaiah to Mogadishu. Isaiah says he’s not leaving with Lucky, but Lucky says, unless they shoot their way out, that’s not happening. If he had the chance to get out, he’d leave Isaiah in a heartbeat. Go save himself to save him.

Tracy goes to Laura’s apartment, and Laura asks what she can do for her. Tracy says she wants to help Lulu.

Kristina says she didn’t know who to call, and Jason says, Sonny kept him updated, but it’s good to see her. How is she feeling? She says, physically, she’s healing. She’s just scared. Cates came looking for her and her mom stood up to him. She knows Cates is working with Ava, who’s lying and making up everything. Ava is blaming her, but that’s not accurate. Jason says, it’s hard to be accused of a crime you didn’t commit. She has to fight the impulse to do something. Cates wants her to react and make a mistake so he can find something to charge her with that sticks. Please do not give him that chance. Kristina says, she can’t sit around and wait. She has to do something, but she can’t do it alone. She knows it’s a lot to ask, but he has to help her stop Cates and find a way to make Ava pay.

Ava says she knows a little bit about guns and the one Agent Boyle has, isn’t what Feds typically carry. Boyle says, female agents have their choice of weapons now, and Ava says she could use a coffee. She’ll run down and get one. Boyle says, you never know who’s out there. She’ll go. Ava says she’d like a macchiato, and Boyle says she’ll go to the coffee shop lobby. Sit tight. She leaves, and Ava picks up Boyle’s bag. She says, all right. Who are you?

Sonny meets John at the PC Grill and John says, Kristina seemed upset. How is she doing? Sonny says, John doesn’t care about Kristina or the fake crimes he’s charging her with. Stop playing around and tell him what he wants. John says, Kristina’s not looking too good. She probably won’t make it through the trial, let alone a 20-year sentence. Sonny says, it’s not going to come to that, and John says, Sonny can make his daughter’s troubles go away. Sonny asks, how? and John says, he’s going to confess.

Anna goes to Jack’s office (I’m starting to feel sorry for him), and he says, what an unexpected pleasure. What can he do for her? She tells him to stop playing games. She needs to know Valentin’s location. He says, the WSB doesn’t currently have it, but if he learns anything, she’ll be his first call. She says, he’s lying. She’s conducted run arounds herself. He asks if she’s rethinking letting Valentin escape. Browbeating him won’t help her find him any quicker. She says she needs to find his daughter for Lulu. His phone rings, and he tells them to send him the information immediately. Anna says, he knows Lulu is dying and Charlotte might help save her mother’s life. He needs to give her the courtesy of his full attention to discuss it. He says, she always sees him in the worst possible light, and she says she has reason to. He says, she can badger him or save Lulu. That’s what the phone call was about.

Tracy says she knows Laura is looking for Lucky, and she can use any of the Quartermaines’ resources to help bring him home. Laura thanks her for her generosity, but she’s waiting to hear from the WSB. She spoke to Jack Brennan, the station chief in Port Charles. Tracy says, they should be able to find Lucky, and Laura says, he told her that it was a chaotic part of the world, when her phone rings. It’s Jack, and she says she’s putting him on speakerphone. He says he has good news. He has a location for Lucky. She thanks him, and he says, Lucky was last seen at refugee camps in Somalia and Ethiopia a week ago. She asks if he’s there now, but Jack says he’s not sure. His contact doesn’t currently have eyes on Lucky and he can’t get satellite information for 48 hours. By then, it will be a long shot, since they move frequently. She asks if she can get a message to him to let him know it’s urgent, but he says, communication is sketchy to non-existent. Her best bet is to send someone, but whoever she sends needs to be prepared for the substantial risk. It’s a dangerous part of the world.

Alexis thanks Portia for helping with the insurance, and Portia says, no problem. She knows Alexis has a lot on her plate. How is Kristina doing? Alexis says, she slept last night, so there’s that. She’s got a long road ahead of her. Portia says, she’s a strong woman and clearly has a lot of support. It’s not easy, but she will get through it. Alexis says she takes it Portia heard about the scene between Kristina and Molly after the funeral, and Portia says she thinks they’re in a lot of pain. She imagines Alexis is too. As a mother, she truly feels for Alexis. It’s a terrible position to be in. She’d do anything for Trina, and she just has one daughter. Alexis is stuck in the middle, having to choose. She doesn’t know what she’d do.

Jason says he totally gets where Kristina is coming from, but it’s not her fight. If Cates hadn’t used her, he would find another way. Ava is a means to an end. He’s using Kristina, so don’t give him anything else he can hold over her head. He’s obsessed with getting Sonny. Being obsessed makes him crazy and it makes him dangerous. It also makes him weak. He has tunnel vision. He wants revenge for something that happened decades ago and will risk everything to get it. At some point, he’s going to make a mistake and leave himself open. Sonny knows when to make a move and Cates will never see it coming.

Sonny asks what he’s supposed to confess to, and John says, everything last thing. On the record of course (🍷). No trial, witnesses, or plea bargain. He’ll confess to the smuggling, money laundering, counterfeiting, and murder. Last but not least, he’ll tell them how he groomed an innocent underage girl and put her to work as a stripper. Sonny says, that’s a pretty big swing John’s taking. What if John misses? John says he won’t, and Sonny says, all he’s got is a phony statement from Ava that any lawyer can poke holes in. John asks if he wants to test that theory. If he’s wrong, Kristina will go to prison for a long, long time. It’s her freedom or his.

Isaiah says he’s not leaving Lucky in this mess, and Lucky says he came to rescue Isaiah. Isaiah says he didn’t ask, and Lucky says, he’s asking Isaiah to rescue them both. They’re out of their league and Isaiah needs to get out of here, get back to the states, and bring backup of the three letter kind. Isaiah says, don’t say the CIA, and Lucky says, no. Never go near them. But the WSB owes his family a favor.

Anna tells Jack, time is of the essence. She doesn’t know why they’re pinning their hope on Lucky when there’s another viable donor out there. He says, for the last time, he doesn’t know where Valentin and Charlotte are, but she says she doesn’t believe him. Jack is robbing Charlotte of the chance to save her own mother’s life and putting his efforts into a desperate search for a single man in a strife torn part of the world. When this fails, he’ll have to face the fact that he chose to protect the WSB rather than save the life of an innocent woman. She leaves and Jack ponders.

Tracy tells Laura that they can hire a mercenary or an extraction team. There are security contractors. Laura says, no. She doesn’t want a stranger to find her son. She can do it herself. Tracy says, it’s too dangerous, but Laura says she’s aware of the risks. She has a contact, the man who runs the last organization Lucky was working for. Tracy says she understands the impulse for Laura to go herself, but professionals would be better qualified. Laura says she doesn’t agree. Blood is thicker than water. Tracy asks if Doc is okay with this, and Doc says he knows better than to argue… because he’s going with her. Tracy says, fabulous. The mayor and her psychiatrist husband. What could possibly go wrong? Laura says she appreciates Laura’s concern, but they’ll be okay. Tracy says she hopes so, and Laura says, there is something Tracy can do to help. Look after Ace. Tracy wonders if he shouldn’t be with a family like Elizabeth’s. She has a child who’s Ace’s cousin. Laura says she thought Ace would be more comfortable with Tracy’s family. Don’t they have a nanny on staff? Tracy says, two, and Laura says she hopes throwing Ace into the mix won’t be overwhelming. Tracy says, Ace is welcome to come stay at Monica’s house, and Laura says she couldn’t do this without knowing he was safe. She trusts Tracy. Tracy says she’ll make sure Laura’s grandson has excellent care, and Larua says, then it’s settled. Let’s go find Lucky.  

Kristina says, so Jason isn’t going to stop Cates? but he says, something will be done. He can’t talk about it. She thanks him and says she knew he’d come through.

Sonny says, John has a lot riding on Ava. If she finds a better offer, she’ll recant her statement, and his case will fall apart. John says he’s not worried. Ava is in no position to recant – ever.  

Ava looks in Boyle’s bag. She takes out a pair of sunglasses and says, these cost a fortune. You can’t afford them on a government salary. She takes out a phone, thinks a moment, then puts it back. She finds a wad of cash and says, this is not right. She flashes back to Sonny telling her that John wants her dead and will try to frame him for her murder. The only thing John wants is her dead. Ava puts the bag back and opens the door. Boyle is there with the coffee and says, going somewhere?

Tomorrow, Violet asks when Chase and Brook are having a baby; Willow tells Drew that she’s so sorry; and John tells Kristina that she has a way to make this go away.

📋 Don’t Let Her Go…

You never know. Could work.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/general-hospital-fans-rally-to-save-kelly-monaco

Here’s the petition. I signed and commented.

https://www.change.org/p/retain-kelly-monaco-in-the-cast-of-general-hospital

🎭 No Drama Outside the Lines…

Kudos to them for the tough scenes they’ve been doing so well.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/kate-mansi-opens-up-about-the-powerful-drama-on-gh

💰 Fancy Crossover….

JoshA showed Fancy Pants Heather from the OC a mansion. In his interview, he explained that the Dubrows moved fast and didn’t mess around. That made them his kind of people. The house on a hill had 8 acres and amazing views of pretty much everything, and it was priced at $20 million. A steal Heather couldn’t resist.

There was trouble in his paradise between JoshA and his Heather. HeatherA was being spread too thin between work and family, especially now that the office had expanded to include Orange County.

JoshF went to Fashion Week in Paris, which left Tracy to handle their co-listing. In an odd twist, she showed it to a couple who were JoshF’s clients, meaning she might have to negotiate against Josh, which she said would be fun… for her.

Next time, a 20-car garage and doody on the curtains.

🐩 Looking For a Fabulous Match…

While I think a dog park is a great place to meet a potential date, it was weird when a guy asked if he could buy Whitney and her friend a drink. Are there bars in dog parks now? She finally made the smart move to use a matchmaker.

https://parade.com/news/my-big-fat-fabulous-lifes-whitney-thore-hones-flirting-skills-dog-park-exclusive-clip

🥂 Two Firsts In One Night…

I have to admit, it surprised me that Olivia spent the night with her first ever date. No judgement at all. As a matter of fact, good for her. I just didn’t expect it. If she doesn’t cut out that nervous laughing though, she might not get a second date.

https://people.com/welcome-to-plathville-recap-olivia-plath-spent-night-on-first-date-post-divorce-8702802

👠 Down the Not Quite Shore…

Melissa says she’s done with the drama.

https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2024/08/longtime-rhonj-star-promises-to-leave-if-castmate-stays-on-show.html

And Danielle is putting on her big girl pants.

🛟 After the Deck Is Over…

We need Chef Ben to come back and save the Med.

🦧 Their Kingdom…

I watched this last weekend. Nice plot twists and phenomenal effects. The story wasn’t bad, but I didn’t exactly come for the drama. It did not disappoint on the action/FX front.

Behind the curtain.

https://ew.com/kingdom-of-the-planet-of-the-apes-side-by-side-raw-cut-with-unfinished-vfx-clip-exclusive-8697941

🦍 Find the Chimp…

Coincidentally, I started watching Chimp Crazy too. The takeaway point being, don’t keep wild animals as pets. It’s abusive to the animal and it could backfire on you.

https://people.com/where-is-tonka-from-chimp-crazy-now-all-about-florida-sanctuary-8703367

🚓 Giving Summer a Speeding Ticket…

Join me tomorrow for soap and a seat in the OC shade. Until then, stay safe, stay keeping an emergency vehicle kit in your car, and stay not trying to make sense of something that doesn’t make sense.

August 27, 2024 – Heather Gets a New Lawyer, Soap Suds, No Stanbury Drama In Dubai, Slammed, Guilty, She Filed, Coming Up, Troubled Reality, Gilded Girl, They Do & Turns

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Alexis is on the phone when there’s a knock at the door. She says she’ll call them back, and opens the door to Ric.

Dex sees Molly sitting near the park and asks if she’s out for a run. She says, that was the original idea, but he can see how far she’s gotten, and he says he’ll leave her alone if she prefers. He just wanted to make sure she’s okay. She says she is… That’s a lie. She’s not okay at all.

At the hospital, Elizabeth says she thought Portia would be with the family after the funeral. She was sorry to hear about the baby. Portia says, it’s been a difficult day all around.

Tracy sits in the chapel, and Dante asks if she minds if he joins her.

Deanna says she hopes Portia can decompress, when Carly and Jossln walk in. Portia says, it’s not likely, and goes over to them. Elizabeth asks Deanna to cover for her and leaves. Carly asks if Portia can tell them anything about Lulu, and Josslyn says, they’re family. Carly says, no one sticks together the way the Spencers do

Laura waits in the visiting room at Flatland Prison. Nicolas is brought in, and they hug.

Elizabeth asks Heather, what seems to be the problem? and Heather says, nothing her little Lizzie Beth can’t fix. Elizabeth asks what she’s doing at the hospital, and Heather says, she’s getting a blood test, and she missed chow time at Pentenville. She requested dinner, but they forgot the Jello and got huffy when she asked. Elizabeth says, it’s not a hotel with room service, and Heather says, they don’t have Jello at Pentenville, or pudding, or anything that jiggles, except things that shouldn’t. Elizabeth says she’ll get Heather something special if she takes it easy on the staff, and Heather says, of course (🍷). The last thing she wants is to make trouble for Elizabeth or herself. God forbid she should jeopardize… Can Elizabeth keep a secret? Soon she’ll have access to all the Jello she wants. She’s fixing to go free.

Portia explains to Carly and Josslyn that Lulu’s status has changed. A blood test showed that her liver was compromised, likely due to her medication. She has cirrhosis and needs a liver transplant to live. Josslyn says, test her.

Laura asks how Nikolas is, and he says he’s in one peace. How’s Ace? She says she brought pictures, and shows him her phone. He laughs and Laura says, Ace is a happy kid and hitting all his milestones with flying colors. He’s learned the word no in three languages because his babysitter is a language major. Nikolas says, he’s going to be cosmopolitan, and she says, like his father. Nikolas says, and like his big brother… How is she? She says, they have a problem, which is why she needs him to toe the line in here for his sister’s sake. She needs him.  

Tracy asks, to what does she owe this visit? and Dante says he just wanted company. She says, hers? and he laughs. He thanks her for being here. It helps him knowing she’s here for Lulu. She says she’s not here to make things easier for him, but he says, it still does. She stepped up for Lulu a lot of times and knew when to step aside. It’s impressive. She helped shape Lulu, then cut her loose on the world. Tracy says, Lulu became someone she doesn’t recognize.

Dex asks if Molly needs a ride, but she says she’s not ready to go anywhere. She doesn’t want to face her family. The funeral was taxing in ways she didn’t anticipate. He sits down, and she says she blew up at her mom and sister. She said awful things. He says he’s been there. There were a lot of fights before he took off. She says, he doesn’t talk to his family at all? and he says, it doesn’t have to be that way for her. She can patch things up. She says, suck it up and apologize when she’s not sorry and suppress her feelings because her sister is a walking disaster, and her mom has no time for anything else? That would be status quo, and she’d rather have nothing.

Ric says he can’t stay because he has an appointment, and Alexis says, with Satan? She tells him that Kristina is upstairs, so she suggests he keep his voice down. He says he’s glad she’s taking care of Sonny’s offspring. Molly is hurting. She’s upset with the way Alexis is treating her like an afterthought. She’s in pain and holds Alexis accountable for part of it. He suggests Alexis seize the chance to change, because she’s not getting another one.

Molly says, run, literally, while he can, but Dex says he’s absorbing it. It seems like she and her mom have a great relationship. She says, they get along well and can talk about almost anything. They have mutual respect and by many measures, Alexis defines a good mother. He asks, what about the other measures? and she says she knows some people have it worse and knows her mother loves her to the extent circumstances allow. She raised a family on her own, which is commendable, but any one individual has only so much time and energy to go around. So when one family member can’t stand on their own feet, they need more love and understanding, and the rest of them learn to live with what’s left.

Ric tells Alexis to try listening, and she says, to his absentee daddy parental advice? He says, don’t let that be an excuse not to make it right with Molly. She was crying for hours and he reassured her that Alexis would reach out and try to fix it, but she didn’t call. Alexis says she was too busy dealing with her post-op, postpartum, post arrest daughter who is on the verge of a nervous breakdown, but he says, Molly needs her just as much. All she needs to do is let Molly know that she’s on Alexis’s mind and heart. Alexis says, Molly knows that, but he says, she doesn’t feel it.

Elizabeth tells Heather that there’s no doctor/patient confidentiality. She can’t keep quiet about an escape attempt. Heather laughs and says, no. She’s Heather 2.0 and doing things the right way, the legal way. Scotty took her case and said it’s a slam dunk. They’re supposed to meet here. Has she seen him? Elizabeth says, no. No one has seen Scotty. He’s gone.

Nikolas asks if Laura is flexing her mayoral muscles by bringing her own lab tech, but she says, time is of the essence. All they need is to arrange for him to be moved back to Port Charles if the blood test proves that his liver is healthy and functioning. He says he’s already a match, and she says, they’ll fly him home within the hour, but it’s not without risk. He says he’d do anything for Lulu, and she says she hopes it’s enough. He says, it was last time.

Dante says, Lulu is the same person she was when she went into the coma, and Tracy says she’s surprised he doesn’t see it. What does he remember when he and Lulu first met? He says, she was a handful. Fiery and mischievous, always up to something. She says, Lulu was confident and didn’t take any crap, and Dante says, she kicked ass. Tracy says, then she changed. She became insecure and cautious with a conservative approach to life. Dante says, maybe he’s not so grateful she’s here, and Tracy says, he doesn’t like it when she’s holding up a mirror and showing him what he did. Lulu had spirit, determination, and courage, and he robbed her of it.

Alexis says, however Molly feels, she knows that’s untrue, and Ric says, then tell her. She says, he saw Kristina at the funeral. She was about to lose it. She almost died, the baby die, she’s recovering from surgery and postpartum, and living with the threat she might lose her freedom. She needs help navigating it. He says, Molly doesn’t? and she says, yes. Doesn’t he think she wants to spend every minute with both her daughters? One person can’t be both places at the same time. They’ve had a profound loss, and the one more equipped to handle it is Molly.

Dex asks if Molly thinks her mom would agree, and she says, no, but there’s no denying Kristina is a mess. She always has been and always will be. (I think this is unfair. Kristina is a mess off and on, like everyone else in Port Charles, except maybe Molly, who’s been a mess since she met her first real life problem, infertility. Kristina had actually been doing very well before this whole mess.) She tells Dex that Kristina couldn’t function without their mom’s oversight. She figured this out when she was young, so she learned to be strong and independent, a problem solver. It might sound vain, but she learned to be excellent. She knew if she asked for more, her mom would kill herself trying to give it to her and her sister would suffer as a result. He says, it’s the one thing she can’t talk to her mom about, and she asks about his family. He says his dad hurt the whole family, and his brothers hurt people as a result. His mom got it the worst. She asks if his mom ever thought of leaving, and he says he doesn’t know. She may have thought that’s what love was. She says she bets his mom wanted to leave, and he says, if she left, she had no one to go with her. He wishes he’d asked her on the side, but he took off instead and never looked back. Molly says she never asked for more because she assumed her mother couldn’t give it, but he says, maybe she didn’t give it because Molly never asked.

Tracy says, so Dante walked away. He’s good at that. He says he was sick. He had PTSD. She says she understands, but he sought help alone. He says he didn’t want to drag Lulu down with him, and she says, Lulu vowed to stay by his side when he was at his most vulnerable, despite the fact he slept with her cousin. But he turned her away. He says he didn’t want to, but she says, it doesn’t matter what he wanted. He shattered Lulu’s confidence. She was a shadow of herself. If she dies without reclaiming the spark she inherited from her father, Tracy will never forgive him. He says he can live the rest of his life without her forgiveness. Why doesn’t she keep it for herself?  

Nicolas says he remembers the first time he saw Lulu after the operation. He still has a mark on his back. Laura says, from the bone marrow, and he says he couldn’t wait to make sure she was okay. She says, he brought Lulu flowers, and he says, to a toddler. It’s the thought that counts. He saw a little girl who needed protection and care and told her that he was going to do that. He said that to his boys… He starts to cry and asks, is it too late for him? Will he ever be able to atone for destroying his family?

Josslyn says she knows Nikolas is a match, but she’d like to be tested. Portia asks if she isn’t already an organ donor recipient, and Carly says, she had childhood kidney cancer. Portia says, that makes her ineligible. They’d be surprised how many factors come into play. Carly asks if she can be tested, and Portia says she’ll get the ball rolling. She asks Deanna to draw Carly’s blood, and Deanna says, as soon as she’s done relieving Elizabeth. She’s sure it won’t be much longer. Portia looks toward Heather’s room, and Deanna says she can draw blood at the same time. She’ll multitask.

Heather asks what Elizabeth means, and Elizabeth says, Scotty is out of town indefinitely. She thinks it’s some big, possibly lucrative, case. Heather says she has a big, lucrative case and he’s supposed to represent her. He told her that he’d get her out of that hellhole, and she could be with her grandson. She has plans. Portia comes in and tells her, you know what they say about plans. God laughs, and so do I.

Dex sits in the MetroCourt and looks at his phone. He sees calls from his mother.

Portia asks, what brings Heather here? and Heather says, a court order. Her lawyer pushed it through. Elizabeth says, he arranged for a blood test, and Portia says she’ll be more than happy to take Heather’s blood.

Ric says, Alexis’s reasoning doesn’t change the fact that Molly thinks she’s choosing Kristina over her, but Alexis says she never has and never did. Ric asks, what about the document? and she says, it was misunderstood. He says, her and Molly’s relationship is in jeopardy, and she says she’s been in a relationship with her daughter since the day she was born. No breaks. His relationship with her is long distance phone calls and she thinks she knows better. Now he shows up with his flashy righteous arguments. Kristina needs her more and Molly understands. He says, what if she doesn’t? when Molly walks in. Ric says he prays Alexis is right, greets Molly, and leaves. Molly tells Alexis, whatever he said, she wishes he didn’t. She can fight her own battles. Alexis says she thought Molly was here to work things out with her sister, and Molly says, not with Kristina. With you.

Laura says she believes in Nikolas, and he says, that makes one of us. She says, he turned himself in and saved Ace from a life on the run. It was a selfless choice, like he did with Lulu and he’s about to do again. He says, it’s so hard to hold on to that in here, and she say she gets that he’s struggling, but he can survive that. He asks, how? and she says, serve his sentence, come home, and be a good father. The technician comes in, and she tells him to go save his sister.

Tracy says, before Dante delves into it, she’s lived too long and experienced too much to waste time dwelling on her past mistakes. He says, what about her promise to Laura that Lulu would get the best care possible? She probably promised Luke the same thing. Maybe she promised Luke that Lulu would always get top notch treatment. Or maybe she told him that she could wake Lulu up with her money and resources and treat Lulu like her own daughter. Maybe Luke thought about that when his life flashed before his eyes and found comfort in knowing she’d look after his little girl. She kept almost all of her promises, but Lulu has nothing to show for it.

Laura looks at a paper and says, Nikolas can’t do it. He can’t help Lulu.

Josslyn comes up behind Dex and puts her hands over his eyes. She says, guess who? and he says he’d recognize those hands anywhere.

Dante says, Tracy is right. Lulu wanted to stick it out and told him that if he left, it was the end, there was no coming back. That terrified him, but the alternative was worse. He was more afraid if he stayed, so he left. He knows it was wrong, but it’s done. Lulu is fading away and there’s nothing he can do about it.

Nikolas says, it must be a mistake. Lulu has his bone marrow. Laura says, it’s not that. The test shows his liver function doesn’t meet the criteria. He says he’s not sick and he’s not drinking in here, and she says, his liver is fine for him, but not fine for donation.

Elizabeth says she heard Carly got tested, and Carly says, yes. She’d also like to add herself to the registry. Maybe one day she can give someone a gift like Josslyn received. Elizabeth says she remembers how sick Josslyn was and how hard it was for Carly. Carly says, it was hard for Elizabeth too, and Elizabeth says, if someone had told her back then that they’d be friends… Carly says, they wouldn’t have believed it, and Elizabeth says, too bad so many things that tie them together are so awful. Carly says, here comes one of those things now, and they see Ric.

Heather says, Portia has a nice bedside manner when she wants to, and Portia says, Heather didn’t think she was going to hurt her. Heather says she thinks Portia was tempted, and Portia says she might have been, but she doesn’t give in to every temptation. She also took her oath seriously and wants to live up to it. Heather says she was regarding Portia as a mother, not a doctor, and Portia says, pain as vengeance isn’t her style. Heather says, it was never her goal, and Portia asks if it was just a pesky biproduct of faulty hip. Heather says, in her mind, she thought she was protecting her daughter, and Portia says, that might be something they have in common. She would go to great lengths to protect her daughter, and so would Heather.

Molly tells Alexis that Kristina is a lost cause. There’s no mending fences unless they’re both willing to put in the work, which means Kristina has to acknowledge that she’s done anything wrong and offer a sincere apology. That’s not going happen, and she has no illusions about her sister. She’s not expecting more, but she’s hopeful for more from Alexis. Alexis asks, what more does she want? and Molly says, understanding, acknowledgment of what she’s navigating. Alexis says she knows Molly is navigating hell and wants her to know she’d do anything to get her to the other side of it. Molly asks if Alexis will tell her the truth, and Alexis says, always. Molly says, if Irene had lived, would she have helped Kristina take Irene away from her and TJ?  

Josslyn tells Dex that it was too late to see Lulu and her mom kicked her out. There was nothing left for her to do, and her mom said she should go live her life. Dex says, remind him to thank her. It’s hard to turn off the worry. She says, there’s a chance Lulu will be okay. She’s trying to be optimistic, but bad things can happen, and she doesn’t want another thing to be added to the list. He says, they can pray it won’t be.

Alexis tells Molly that Kristina came to her with the document and asked her legal opinion. She told Kristina what she’s told all of them all along. If Kristina asserted herself in court, it would probably go her way, but she would not get involved at all. If she’d given Kristina a hard no, in Kristina’s condition, she would have lost her. Like she’s losing Molly now. She loves her three daughters more than anything, equally. As imperfectly perfect as they are, she can’t bear to lose any of them ever. Molly says, Alexis hasn’t lost her, and they hug.

Carly says, look what the cat dragged in, and Ric says he’s in town for an infant’s funeral. Is attacking him necessary? Carly asks if chaining her to a wall was necessary, and Elizabeth says she’s sorry for Molly and TJ’s loss. How are they dealing with it? Carly asks what he’s doing at the hospital, and he says he has business here. Carly says, the memorial service is over, and suggests he go back to whatever hole he crawled out of. Ric says, it’s good to see her. He hopes he and Elizabeth have the opportunity to catch up. He leaves and Elizabeth says, that can’t be good.

Heather says she’s not a threat anymore and Portia doesn’t need to be protective. Portia says, Scotty’s gone, and Heather is too toxic for another lawyer to take on. She’s going to spend the rest of her days at Pentenville where she belongs. Rick walks in, and Portia says, he can’t be here. He says, is she Heather Webber? and Heather says she is. He says, then he’s in the right place. Scotty sent him. He’s Ric Lansing, her new attorney. He’d like a word alone with his client. Portia leaves, and Heather asks if this is really happening. He tells her, let’s get you out of prison and make the bastards pay.

Portia fingers the vial of Heather’s blood and looks at the computer. (The wheels turning in her head tell me that she’s not so ethical after all.)

Tracy tells Dante that she shouldn’t have said what she said, and he says, apology accepted. She says she didn’t apologize. She stands by what she said, but her timing could use work. Beating him up now accomplishes nothing. Dante says he can take it. He knows she doesn’t have a whole lot of use for him and he’s not itching to be best friends, but she’s important to Lulu, which makes her important to him. She got Lulu through more than a few tough times and hopes she has one more left in her. Lulu needs her now more than ever. She almost starts to cry, but catches herself and says, Lulu needs both of them. Dante puts his hand on her shoulder.

Laura says, it will be okay. Just because Nikolas can’t help doesn’t mean no one else can. Lulu has other relatives. He says, including her mother who would do anything to save her. Laura has to find him for Lesley Lu. Find Lucky and bring him home. She nods and they hug.

Tomorrow, Laura says, it’s time the WSB repays the favor; Lucky tells Isaiah to wait for his signal, then they’ll move; and John tells Alexis that she can make her daughter’s troubles go away.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

I’m thinking about getting in on this. Obviously, the dress would be too small for me, but it would be a unique autograph book to have.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/win-jophielle-loves-emmy-dress-autographed-by-gh-stars

What. The. Blip? It says, storyline dictated. Translation: another casualty of new writers. It will open the door to Lulu going back with Dante. Kind of lazy writing if you ask me.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/kelly-monaco-out-at-general-hospital

Not sure if anyone cares, but he felt the need to give us this information.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-rick-hearst-reveals-where-ric-lansing-has-been

Extra innings.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/watch-ghs-nicholas-chavez-in-the-first-trailer-for-monsters

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/cameron-mathison-christmas-movie-update

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/exclusive-ghs-ryan-carnes-previews-his-heart-wrenching-new-movie

Losses.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/abc/general-hospital-phil-brewer-martin-west-dead-82-174370

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/abc/one-life-to-live-pamela-payton-wright-dead-78-174330

🐪 A Camel Went Through a Needle’s Eye…

This episode went from one rich person event to another, from an over-the-top Bar Mitzvah to a golf game where Chanel wore a tutu and did not do badly. I often think, being rich must be exhausting. Or at least that’s what I tell myself, so I won’t cry into my coffee. Stanbury told Sergio that it was the first time she wasn’t involved with the drama, and she enjoyed it. She also found out through a hypnotherapist that boarding school isn’t her fondest memory, but keeping a stiff upper lip, she told us in her interview, that’s what rich people in England do. She explained that the family name before the war was Steinberg, Caroline’s father being Jewish, hence the Bar Mitzvah. There was a couple’s dinner where they played one of those question games, which are always about sex and other things I don’t want to know. Several of the women (not Stanbury) are consistently bitchy in regard to one another’s businesses. It’s beyond me why you’d be bitchy about anything when you’ve got millions in the bank. Chanel was confused as to what some of the conflict was about, and she’s not alone. Next time, the finale.

🍊 There’s the Door…

So far, she’s no prize and way too heavy on the Johnny J. defense.

https://okmagazine.com/p/vicki-gunvalson-emily-simpson-slam-alexis-bellino-rhoc-return/

💎 No Big Shock…

For those who are still interested in this guy or doubted the outcome.

🍼 Nothing To See Here…

This is certainly no surprise to anyone.

https://okmagazine.com/p/brittany-cartwright-jax-taylor-divorce-filed/

📺 Next Up On Bravo…

Something to look forward to. Or avoid.

📉 Predictable Outcome…

I don’t care what his wife wanted. This is bad timing to the point of being unsavory. He’s the last guy who should be doing a reality show and doesn’t seem like he even wants to, yet he brought production to court? Not a good look. No surprise.

🪭 Crossing Over and Back In Time…

I was bummed when she died on TWD, but I’m glad she found new life here. I love The Gilded Age. Maybe even more than Downton Abbey.

https://undeadwalking.com/posts/walking-dead-s-merritt-wever-joins-hbo-s-historical-drama-the-gilded-age-01j58q56zdxw

💍 Do You Take This Dog…

Shades of Giggy and Grandma Wrinkles.

https://people.com/dogs-who-fell-in-love-at-senior-community-get-married-8700654

⛅️ There Goes the Sun…

Join me tomorrow for soap and LA Millions. Until then, stay safe, stay not spreading out on public transport, and stay being confident and not taking any crap.

August 26, 2024 – Lucky Applies For a Job In an Odd Way, 25th Anniversary Cookie On Deck & Almost

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

The guard removes the sack from the prisoner’s head, and we see it’s Lucky. The head guard comes in and says he heard Lucky caused some trouble, and Lucky says, it was eight against one. He took down seven. The guy says, they’re breathing, and Lucky says he had to keep them alive. Taking down your co-workers before a job interview makes a lousy first impression. He hears their boss pays well. He’s just proving he can hold his own. Any questions? Head guard asks who he is, and Lucky says, just call him Lucky.

Jack thanks Carly for coming by, and she wonders if she had a choice. Two WSB agents came for her and she thought she was being taken into custody again. He says, should they take her into custody again? He thought she’d like a formal escort. She asks, why he brought her here, and he says he’s afraid he’s using her.

Gio plays his violin as Lois listens. He sees her and it startles him, and she says, he sounds like a broken record. He asks, what’s a record? and she feigns hurt. She says, it sounded perfect, but he says, it sounds wrong to him. She tells him that everything she’s saying is off today. She wants him to be honest. She wants his opinion as a musician and sound connoisseur, and he needs to be honest. Does her accent bother him?

As Tracy pots a plant, Brook says, Lois is a total rock star. Tracy says, her enthusiasm as a spokesperson resonates with Deception’s demographic… for the most part, and Brook says she can’t get over the caller that criticized Lois’s accent. Tracy says she can’t get over that Lois had no comeback. Chase joins them, and Brook asks how his hand is. He says he can’t believe he spilled coffee on it, and Brook says, Lulu being transferred to GH is a good thing, right? but he says, it’s not good news.

Dante tells Lulu that they both know she’d do anything for the kids, so she’s got to get through this to see them grow up. They need her in their lives. All of them. Sam comes to the door.

Portia tells Laura that they have a diagnosis for Lulu, and Dr. Conlon says, it’s cirrhosis of the liver. Laura says she thought cirrhosis was caused by alcoholism, and Portia says, that’s the most widely known cause. It’s a buildup of scar tissue on the liver that effects the ability to filter out toxins. Dr. Conlon says, it’s surprising to see it in someone as young as Lulu, but she’s been on the same medications for four years. That’s what’s most likely causing it. Laura says, then they have to change Lulu’s medication, but Portia says, it’s not that simple.

Robert asks why Anna summoned him, and she says she requested him. She needs him to tap into his old boy network at the WSB and use his contacts to help her find Valentin. He says, she just got rid of Valentin. Why track him down? She says, Laura asked her to find her granddaughter and that’s exactly what she’s going to do.

Carly says, Jack is using her how? when Jason comes in. Jack says, just the man he wanted to see.

Chase says, they’re still waiting on Lulu’s condition to determine how they’re going to move forward. Rocco is scared for his mom, and Dante wants to be supportive without giving him false hope. Tracy suddenly leaves, and Chase wonders what that’s about.  

In the hallway, Sam asks, how’s Lulu? and Dante sys, the doctor’s don’t know. They think it’s her liver function. Sam says, it’s happened before, but Dante says, Lulu being transferred here is… She says, it’s good Lulu is here now, so she can get the care she needs. He says he hopes it’s enough.

Robert says he can see why Charlotte is a priority. Laura must be going through the wringer. Anna says she’s fairly certain Jack knows where Valentin is hiding and would bet money he arranged it. The WSB does not want Valentin found. Without Valentin, there’s no prosecution of Pikeman, and the WSB walks away scot-free. She has to locate Valentin without Brennan catching on, or they’ll move Valentin and they’re back to square one.

Jason says he heard the WSB picked up Carly. Can they walk out, or does he have to call his attorney? Jack says, there’s no need, and Jason asks why they’re here. Jack says he knew Jason wouldn’t agree to meet, and Carly says, he used her as bait. Jack says, there was no other way to get Jason here, and Jason says, let’s go. Jack asks if Carly wants to have dinner this week.

Head guard asks if he should point out the irony of Lucky’s name, and Lucky says he worked hard to get where he is. Head guard asks, Lucky who? He’s never heard of him. Lucky says, that proves how good he is, and he lists his accomplishments. He says he doesn’t come cheap, but thankfully, money is no problem for Sidwell. Head guard asks what his skills are, and Lucky says, if the money is right, he’ll do whatever they need. No questions asked.

Anna says, Robert knows people who have worked closely with Brennan, and Robert says he’ll make a few calls. Keep him abreast of her progress. The more he knows, the more he can find out. She says she owes him, and he says, promise him that all this is about is bringing Charlotte home. Nothing else. She says, what else could it be? and he says, you can’t kid a kidder.

Losi tells Gio about the caller at Home & Heart, and he says, not everyone likes how he plays the violin. She says, they’re philistines, and he says, so is this woman. All she needed to do was buy the product, and she did. Lois says, he’s as smart as he is cute, and he says, if that was the case, his grades would be better. She says, after what happened, she was thinking that if she wants to sell more products, maybe she should lose the accent. He says, it’s part of who she is, where she’s from, but she says, a good businesswoman listens to her customers. She’s concerned she cost Deception potential sales. Gio says, the family text thread blew up. Everyone agrees she was amazing. She says, they’re family. They have to say that. He says, she’s one of the coolest, kindest people he knows, and he loves to hear her tawk. She shouldn’t change a thing.

Brook tells Chase that when Tracy and Luke got married, Lulu was living here. Laura was sick and not around much, so when Lulu needed a mother, Tracy was there, someone who accept Lulu for who she was, but didn’t put up with her crap. Lulu was trouble back then. Chase says he never saw that side of her, and Brook says, they never got along. She didn’t like Lulu to begin with, then Lulu became her grandma’s stepdaughter. Then something serious happened that bonded Lulu and Tracy forever. When they were in high school, Lulu slept with Dillon and got pregnant with Tracy’s grandchild. Chase says, Lulu was pregnant in high school? but Brook says, she terminated the pregnancy.

Jack suggests the Surf Lodge, and asks Carly, how’s Thursday? She says, how about never? and he says he’ll call her. She says, don’t, and he says he’ll text. Since Jason is here… Carly says, he’s not interested, but Jack says, all Jason has to do is listen. Jason says he’ll hear Jack out, and Carly asks, why? Jason says, so they don’t have to do this a second time. Carly tells him, suit yourself, and leaves. Jack says he doesn’t think Carly is pleased with either of them, and Jason asks what he wants.

Portia says, the toxins build up over time. The body compensates, but at a certain point, it’s too extensive and the liver fails completely. Dr. Conlon says, that’s where Lulu is now, and his phone beeps. Portia says, she’ll take it from here, and he says he’ll work on a treatment plan and do what he can for Lulu’s symptoms. He leaves, and Laura asks how this happened. How did Silver Water miss this? Portia says, Lulu’s coma masked the symptoms – loss of appetite, fatigue, abdominal pain, itchiness. Elizabeth says, things they’d know if Lulu could tell them, but now that they know, they can combat the symptoms. Laura asks, how they can save Lulu’s life?

Head guard ask how he knows Lucky isn’t a spy, and Lucky asks, what would be the point? Their operation isn’t exactly on the DL. Head guard asks why he should hire Lucky, and Lucky says, he just took out seven of his men. He owes them to pick up the slack. The guard says, bring in the doctor, and Lucky thanks him and says he zigged when he should have zagged. Does this mean he has the job? A guard shoves Isaiah in the room, and the guard tells Lucky, kill him. He hands Lucky a gun.

Sam says she knows it’s not easy for Dante to talk about his feelings, but when he wants to, she’s here. If he doesn’t want to, she’ll respect that too. He says he loves her, and she says she loves him too. She wants him to know that she understands a part of his heart will always be with Lulu, because when you love someone, they become a part of you. She doesn’t want him to lose that and loves him for it. He says, she’s smart, and she says she did choose him, and they kiss.  

Chase says he can’t imagine how hard it was, and Brook says, Dillon totally stepped up, but Lulu wasn’t ready to be a mother. They never discussed it. Chase asks why they didn’t get along, and she says, Lulu thought she was after Dante, but she knew him from the neighborhood. They grew up together, but she did try to take him away from Lulu. It was many years ago and long forgotten. Chase can’t be jealous. He says he’s not, but it’s weird to think about. She says, then don’t think. They’re rock solid and she waited an excruciatingly long time him for him to come along. He says he’s sorry he made her wait, and kisses her.

Carly goes to Anna’s office and says, Anna needs to be honest. What did Jack want with Jason?

Jack thanks Jason for hearing him out, but Jason says he has no choice. Jack is the one who made the evidence about Carly disappear. What did he do with the recording? Jack says, it was destroyed, but even if it surfaced again, it would be inadmissible because the chain of custody was broken. Jason asks why he did it, and Jack says he doesn’t think someone as charming and capable as Carly should go to prison for protecting her family. Jason says, there was nothing in for him? and Jack says, if someone is unfairly accused and you can help, you should do it, and Jason says, so he was a good Samaritan? Jack says he believes in justice, as he defines it. He thinks they have that in common. That’s why they should work together.

Laura finds Dante and tells him that Lulu has cirrhosis of the liver. Elizabeth says, it was probably caused by the medication, and Dante says, then they can change her medication, but Laura says, it’s too late for that. Her liver is failing, and she needs a transplant. Elizabeth says, it’s relatively easy once they find a donor. The liver regenerates itself and the piece they take from the donor will grow back. What’s put into Lulu will grow into a fully functioning organ. Dante wonders if Lulu can handle the surgery, and Laura says, there’s always a risk, but if they do nothing, they’ll lose her. Dante says he and Rocco will get tested, and Sam says her too. Laura says she’s going to encourage all of Lulu’s family and friends to get tested, but their best hope for a match without risk of rejection is from a close family relative. Dante says, like a brother.  

Lucky asks if this is a test, and head guard says, if Lucky can kill Isaiah, that proves he’s got what it takes to work here. Lucky says, doctors are pretty valuable. Is he sure? Head guard asks, what happened to him asking no questions? and Lucky says, when he’s getting paid. The guard says, he doesn’t get paid for a job interview. If he does it for free, he’ll collect next time. Lucky says, okay, and aims the gun.  

Dante says, a full sibling is a better match than a half-sibling, and Laura says, absolutely. But they don’t know where Lucky is.

Lucky pulls the trigger, but it just clicks. He says, someone forgot to load it. He guesses good help is hard to find these days. Head guard says, he’s in, on a probationary basis of course (🍷), and Lucky asks if he doesn’t have to kill this guy, but head guard tells him, like he said, good doctors are hard to find. So are men willing to pull the trigger. He tells Isaiah to patch Lucky up and leaves. Lucky looks out the door window, then tells Isaiah that it’s good to see him. Isaiah punches Lucky in the face.

Laura says she’s going to talk to the prison warden and see if Nikolas can get transferred to GH tonight for the test. Portia comes by and says, good news. The prison doctor said they’re equipped to test Nikolas there. Now with any luck, they’ll know if he’s a match in the morning. Laura thanks her, and Portia leaves. Dante says, it’s going to be okay.  

Lois tells Gio that she’s looking at Deception’s selling data and how much customers were buying during her segment. He says, the longer she talked, the more she sold, but she says, it was her sales pitch. She can sell anything. He says, then why is she bothered about her accent? and she says she thinks she can sell more if she sounded sophisticated. They both know people on TV don’t sound like her. She’s promoting Deception and wants to reach as wide an audience as possible. Maybe that means she needs to lose her accent.  

Anna says, the only person Brennan seems interested in is Carly, and Carly says, he had two agents bring her to his field office to lure Jason there. Anna asks where Jason is now. Is Brennan holding him? Carly says, no. He wanted to stay and hear Brennan out. Anna says, they know Jason can take care of himself and he’s capable of saying no, and Carly says, except when it comes to one thing. Anna says, you, and Carly says, it worked for Cates. He kept Jason from his family for two years and she’s damned if she’ll let Brennan do the same thing.

Jack says, the WSB is stretched thin and could use someone with Jason’s skill set. Jason says he’s not interested, but Jack says he won’t be working for the WSB. He’ll work off the books. Jason says, doing what? and Jack says, that will vary case by case. Some people need simple persuasion, while others need to be removed from the playing field. Jason says, it’s not a game to him. No deal. Jack says, not yet.

Jack says, the way everyone speaks about Jason is that he’s skilled, efficient, unflappable, and apparently indestructible. Jason says he’s not indestructible, but Jack says, close enough. Jason asks how it would work, and Jack says, he would be given an objective to take care of how he sees fit. The pay would be substantial. What does he say? Jason says, no, but Jack thinks he should do himself a favor and think it over. It would be mutually beneficial. Consider him helping Carly as a sign of good faith.

Brook tells Chase that the Lulu situation is bringing things up, feelings and memories, and the more than her share of sins she committed. Chase says, like stealing Dante? and Brook says she hasn’t shared her troubled teen years with Chase, but he says, they have their whole lives. He wants to know all about her. She says, he doesn’t, but he says, of course (🍷) he does. It means a lot for her to share that part of herself. Yuri comes in and asks if everything is okay. Chase says, someone they know is sick, and Yuri says he’s sorry.  Brook asks if Yuri is okay, and he says, Violet wants a glass of milk. She’s still sad. Brook says, let her get it, and Yuri leaves. Brook says she needs to take care of Violet, but Chase says he’ll go.  

On the phone, Lois says she was told they could help her… She’s looking to hire a dialect coach.

Lucky says, Isaiah has some bedside manner, and Isaiah says, Lucky took a shot at him. Lucky says, the gun wasn’t loaded, but Isaiah says, Lucky didn’t know that. Lucky says he did. It was too light. Isaiah says, too light for one bullet? That’s all it would take to kill him. Lucky says he made a judgment call, and he was right, and Isaiah tells him to get back in the chair so he can check him out. What is he doing here? Lucky says, getting Isaiah out. Isaiah says, by attacking the compound? and Lucky asks if he should have pretended he was delivering a pizza. Isaiah says he had it under control, and Lucky asks if by that, he means being held captive. Isaiah says, what about Lucky attacking the guards and getting stabbed? but Lucky says he didn’t get stabbed on purpose. Isaiah says, being stabbed on purpose would imply that he had a plan, and Lucky asks how Isaiah’s plan is going. Providing first aid for a mercenary who’s strip mining a conflict area. Isaiah says, so Lucky is here to break him out. What’s his plan? but Lucky says he works best when he’s in the moment.

Anna says, Brennan will use Jason to his advantage by putting him out in the field, unofficially and anonymously. Then he’ll take credit for Jason’s efforts. That will untarnish his image and raise his stakes with the Bureau. Carly says, Jason would never go along with that, and Anna says, or would he? Does Brennan have anything else on her? Has she done anything else that could be misconstrued as a felony? Carly says, not that she knows of, and Anna says, yet, here they are. Brennan is ensconced in the new WSB station, and he’s used Carly to bring in Jason. He doesn’t go after these goals directly and he’s admitted that. For Brennan, that’s practically forthright. Carly asks, what’s his angle? and Anna says she doesn’t know, but she’s certainly going to find out.

Jason says he’s grateful for what Jack did for Carly, but doesn’t owe him anything. He’s not going to work with him. Jack says, he doesn’t want Jason to work for him, but with him, and Jason says, it’s still no. Jack says, sooner or later, he’ll have something Jason wants. They’ll talk again. Jason leaves.

Dante tells Laura, good luck with the warden, and she says she’ll call as soon as they have the test results. She leaves, and Dante says, sounds good. Sam says, if Nikolas is a match. He’s been a match before. Dante says, and he’ll be a match again, and Sam says, if he’s not, they’ll find someone who is. Dante says, this has to work. If Lulu doesn’t make it, he doesn’t know how he’ll get Rocco through it. She says, he’s not alone. She’ll be there for Rocco, and she’ll be there for him.

Chase sees Brook looking out the window, and she asks, how’s Violet? He says, missing her dad and grandpa, and she says, being separated from Finn so soon after she lost her Gregory has to be unbearable. Chase says, Finn will be okay, and as hard as it was losing his dad, he’s glad Gregory didn’t suffer. He’d never tell Dante, but Lulu’s been in a coma for so long, maybe whatever is going on is a natural end. She says she hates to say it, but she thinks he’s right. But that won’t make losing Lulu any easier for those who love her. They hug.

Tracy goes to Lulu’s room and says, it’s nice to see her back in town. She thinks about her all the time. Lulu has no idea how much she misses her. She loved watching Lulu grow up. She knows Lulu is having a hard time, but she has to hang in there. No child of Luke Spencer’s ever gives up. They don’t know how. She has her father’s heart, his courage, and his impossible, infuriating stubbornness. She’s going to get through this. Her dad wouldn’t have it any other way. She kisses Lulu’s hand.

Isaiah says, Lucky has no plan, again, and Lucky says he will when the opportunity presents itself. Isaiah tells him, that’s what he always says, and Lucky says he’s alive and well. Isaiah says, and bleeding, and Lucky asks for details about the guard rotation. Isaiah puts a bandage on his wound, and says, there are 18 men. Lucky says he took out 7, so only 15 to go. Isaiah says, Lucky never tells him the odds, and Lucky says, they’ve been in worse places. Isaiah says, they haven’t. Lucky should never have come for him. Escape is impossible. Lucky says, his old man told him that there’s always a way out.

Tomorrow, Ric tells Alexis to seize the chance or there won’t be another one; Laura says she has a problem; Heather asks if Elizabeth can keep a secret; and Tracy says, Dante robbed Lulu of her spirit and determination.

Below Deck Mediterranean

It’s pouring, and in Captain Sandy’s interview, she says, they’ve had two separate leaks, and they’re stuck at the dock. They can’t catch a break. The guests return and the captain asks the deckhands to clean the forward cabin which is now dry. Aesha reminds Ellie that there’s a mermaid party tonight. Since the guests missed out going to the winery, Aesha is going to do a wine tasting at the bar. In Jono’s interview, he says, it’s a lot of pressure. Being at the dock definitely affects the guests’ moods, and he’s got allergy restrictions and different preferences. The past few charters, the food has been great. She is always ready to rise to the occasion. In Aesha’s interview, she says she hates being stuck. The winery was her way of entertaining the guests and alleviating the pressure. A distraction to keep them entertained. Aesha gathers the guests at the bar and oversees the wine tasting in her own way. In Bri’s interview, she says she’s trying her best to stay away from Joe, and we flash back to them in the bathroom. She says she tries to picture him as a really old man, and she thinks it worked. In Captain Sandy’s interview, she says, Aesha has skills you don’t find on a CV. Not every chief stew can get the guests to smile when it’s pouring, and plans have been canceled. Joe blabs on and on about the date thing to Gael, and says, it takes more courage to say no. She tells him that she feels he led the girls on and she has empathy for them. In her interview, she says she knows Joe is toying with the girls and he doesn’t care as long as he gets what he wants. She wonders if his good guy act is just an act. He makes it seem like it’s the girls’ fault.

Zea Marina, Athens. Pamela wanders around the galley, and in Jono’s interview, he says, Pamela’s giving Jennifer Coolidge vibes. She tells him that she’s just being drunk nosy. In his interview, Jono says he’s trying to incorporate the theme in his food. Crustaceans and fish under the sea. The guests dress up as merpeople, and Pamela tells Aesha that she’s a little f***ed up. Aesha asks if she can get Pamela anything, and Pamela says, yes, alcohol. Bri can’t find her own black dress and wonders if it counts as misplacing something. One of the guests is dressed as a merman with his junk hanging down out of his robe (not his real junk… I don’t think), and in Aesha’s interview, she says she loves balls. Scott’s are the best. She knew he was the one when she saw his balls. Aesha tells the guest that she’s not sure if mermen have balls, and helps Pamela down the stairs. Bri says she’s doing cabins, but she’s still looking for her dress. She finally tells Aesha that she can’t find it, and Aesha asks, what the f***ing Christ have you done? In her interview, Aesha says, if the laundry stew can’t find her own uniform, where does she go from here? She tells Bri that she can wear her black shirt, but find her dress. Dinner is served, and guest Jennifer sees there’s raw seafood on her plate. She says she can’t eat it, and another guest asks, why? She says, it could kill her. She put it on the preference sheet more than once and said it 14 times. The captain comes to the table, and Jennifer explains that she has an iron overload and can’t eat raw fish. Captain Sandy says she’ll handle it, and in her interview, she says, what the f***? This is unacceptable. She tells Jono, and in his interview, he says, f*** me. The captain says, it’s a big screw up.

Jono apologizes, and Captain Sandy tells him to go see the guest. In the captain’s interview, she says she’s pissed. She’s never, in her 35 years as captain, had a guest fed something that could kill them. It’s a fireable offense and she needs to look for a replacement. Jono tells Jennifer that he’s so sorry and takes the plate away. Captain Sandy tells Aesha what happened, and in Aesha’s interview, she says, it’s a huge f*** up. Should she double-check everything? She’s spread insanely thin and doesn’t know how she can functionally do that. The captain tells Jono that this is serious, and he says, people say if you put a lot of lime on it, it cooks the fish. I’ve never heard of such a thing, and the captain just says, no. Ellie tells Bri that the primary is nearly passed out and she thinks it will be an early night. Pamela asks Aesha to feed her, and she does, using the choo-choo method. The captain calls Norma and says she needs a new chef, and Norma says she’ll get back to the captain asap. Aesha finds rags on the bar, and in her interview, she says, Ellie isn’t the local pub bartender. It’s a five-star superyacht. She has no time to repeat herself. At this point, it feels like she’s a one woman show. Pamela says she wants a drinky poo, then finally decides she’s drunk enough and should call it a day. In his interview, Jono says, chefs have fired for lesser things. It’s his reputation as well. The guests go to bed, and lightning flashes.

Second day of charter. Captain Sandy calls the owner, and says she was hoping she could bring on a fourth stew. The owner agrees, and in Jono’s interview, he says he has no chance to make another mistake. The captain asks how Aesha would feel about having another stew, and Aesha says, amazing. It will solve everything. She hugs Captain Sandy, and in Captain Sandy’s interview, she says, the boat requires four stews, but they weren’t able to have one because of the leak in the forward cabin. She’s going to try and find someone for Aesha. She doesn’t see a lot of rain, so she’s getting the boat off the dock and putting the toys out as long as there isn’t lightning. She tells Aesha that they’re taking the guests on a boat ride and coming in for the fireworks. They head out and drop anchor, and Joe gets snippy with Gael, trying to tell her what to do when she already knows. He keeps asking whether she did this or that, and says he was just trying to help. In Ellie’s interview, she says she’s been working her ass off. She’s aspiring to be a chief stew, and thinks Aesha is taking her for granted. She’s recognizing Ellie’s efforts less and less. Instead of mentoring her, she’s treating Ellie like she doesn’t belong. Lots of whining tonight.

The guests play on the water toys, and Joe tells Nathan that Gael doesn’t like him telling her what to do. In Joe’s interview, he says, Gael will listen to Nathan because they have a special relationship, and she’ll listen to Iain because he’s the bosun. But he’s the lead deckhand. Let him do his job. He tells Nathan that Gael has a weird thing with him. The captain contacts Norma for another stew and adds that she still needs a chef. She notices the wind kick up and thinks a storm must be coming. The fireworks are confirmed, and Joe looks for his red polo. Ellie suggests he check his cabin, and he asks Bri about it. In Joe’s interview, he says he doesn’t want to get her fired. He’s not snitching, but he’s only got one polo now and it stinks. In Nathan’s interview, he says, his mom and dad weren’t affectionate, but Gael brings it out of him. He’d lay his jacket on a puddle for her. He’d lay across the puddle himself for her. If they were at a carnival and there was a photo booth, they’d get their picture taken. Anchor is hauled, and in his interview, Jono says, two of the guests are celebrating an anniversary, and everything is definitely going to be cooked. The boat docks. Ellie tells Bri that the theme is black and white, and they decorate. Guest Janie says, we’re having fireworks, about 10,000 times. The fireworks happen and dinner is served. Ellie tells Bri that she regrets allowing a random man make her look like a dumb bitch. Joe played with their heads and that’s not how you treat women. Bri says, it’s cold, and in her interview, she says, this is the best interaction she and Ellie have had, and she feels guilty about the bathroom incident. It must never be spoken about, ever. In Jono’s interview, he says he put in the effort, now it’s the moment of truth. He hopes they like it. Aesha tells him that the guests think the dinner is beautiful, and the captain gets a text from Norma saying the new stew can start tomorrow, but she still has no chef. Janie’s husband presents her with a diamond bracelet, and she says, fireworks… jewelry… What else is she getting? He says, lucky. BA-DUM-CHH! Jono makes chocolate cake topped with caramel sauce, ice cream, and a cookie, and in Aesha’s interview, she says she feels like Jono put a lot of effort into the first course and forgot about dessert. Janie says, this isn’t what they wanted. She’s disappointed after the great dinner. Aesha can take back the cookie and ice cream. She would have preferred a soufflé or crème brûlée. The chef missed the mark tonight. Aesha agrees.

Aesha tells Jono that the guests were happy with everything else, but Janie was disappointed with the dessert. It wasn’t high-end. He says, it was all homemade, but she says, it’s not a chocolate soufflé or crème brûlée. He says he had no time. It was a big meal. In his interview, he says, it was a punch in the gut. The situation with the fish deflated him and this reaction ruined his spirits. Pamela says, Janie is upset, and wonders if she needs to teach the chef how to make soufflés. The guests go to bed.

Final day of charter. Jono makes beignets and, in his interview, he says he wanted to do something extra to show he cares, but it might be too late. Joe tells Iain that they did a full wash of the bow, and in Joe’s interview, he says, he doesn’t know what Iain’s game is, but he’s got the opportunity to prove he’s got what it takes. It’s time for guest departure, and Pamela’s husband (whose name escapes me) says, it was top-notch. Pamela says, they had such a good time, she can barely remember the first night. We flash back to Aesha feeding her. She tells them not to work too hard, and the guests leave. The captain tells the crew, good job, and to meet in the usual place for their thick envelope tip meeting. Aesha tells the captain that the anniversary dessert was a cookie and ice cream, and Janie was pissed. The captain appreciates her honesty and calls Jono to the bridge. In her interview, she says she’s going to have to let Jono go. He made a cookie for a 25th anniversary dessert and served raw fish to a person who could die from eating it. She should just fire him for that, but they can’t find a chef. She says, sh*t. F***.

Captain Sandy tells Jono to have a seat. Serving the guest raw fish was a fireable offense. She’s not going to do that, but it can’t happen again. The guests were upset about last night’s dessert and she’s not sure why a cookie was served. Why didn’t he make crème brûlée? He says he felt like it was a challenging dinner, but he’ll bring more until the end of the season. I think, dude. You should have said almost anything but that. Saying that you don’t make it well would have been better. In Captain Sandy’s interview, she says she has no replacement, and they can’t be stuck with no chef like what happened with Matthrew. We flash back to that, and she says, the crew cooking was the worst meal they ever had. Maybe Norma can make a miracle, but she has no choice for now. In Jono’s interview, he says he was prepared to be fired. He’s devastated and feels like he’s ruining all his hard work. He’s disappointed in himself. Gael makes an announcement that the carpet is being fixed, and the captain calls everyone together for the tip meeting.  

They gather in the main salon, and Captain Sandy says, they were stuck on the dock, but the crew brought the energy, and it energized the clients. They have two charters left and need to dig deep and bring it. The tip is $25K – $2000 or 2170 euros each. She says, they’re getting a new stew, and Joe’s antennae immediately go up. He asks when they’re coming, and the captain tells them, have fun tonight. It was a great charter. Aesha says she’s so happy, but in Ellie’s interview, she asks if they need a new stew. In Aesha’s interview, she says, her life will get so much easier, and in Bri’s interview, she says, all she knows is that she doesn’t want drama. She’s working on maturing. Ellie hopes it’s a laundry stew, and Aesha shuffles around cabinmates. Iain will have his own cabin, since he’s the bosun. Bri will go with Jono, Gael will be back with Aesha, and the new girl will be with Ellie. She asks Bri if she’s okay being put with Jono, and Bri says she is. Aesha asks Jono if he’s comfortable sharing a cabin with Bri, and he says he’s comfortable sharing with anyone. Joe is overly excited, and in his interview, he says, new is good. In her interview, Aesha says she knows it’s going to affect the dynamics. Ellie is seething, and she feels this could mark the point where things go south. She doesn’t care. At this point, she needs all the help she can get. We see the new stew headed toward the boat.

To be continued…

👑 Queen of the Sandcastle…

Join me tomorrow for soap, what to watch or not, and what’s happening in Dubai. Until then, stay safe, stay wearing white after Labor Day if you want to, and stay never serving raw fish to someone who could die from eating it. And no cookies for a 25th anniversary either.

August 23, 2024 – A Meltdown At the Cemetery, So Lucky, Temp Sam, New Guy, Rejection, In the OC, Dead Book, Finishing Last, Behind the Dragon, Good Romance, Very Funny, Decagonal Quotes & Cake

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Kristina asks what Molly said, and Molly says, Kristina heard her. She had a choice. Protect her baby or Kristina’s father, and she chose Sonny. The truth is right here. Her sweet, innocent baby is buried right here because of Kristina.

Chase calls Brook from the station, and she says she only has a minute. He says, that’s fine. He just wanted to see how her mom’s segment is going. Caller Myrna says she thought Lois was supposed to entice viewers, not send them diving for the mute button. Lois’s accent is so distracting, she can’t focus on the products. Brook says she’s got to go, and Haven asks if Myrna perhaps had a bad experience with someone from the lovely borough of Brooklyn, or is she just having a bad day period? Dante walks in, and Maxie asks what he’s doing here. He says he’s looking for her. It’s Lulu. She’s been moved to General Hospital.

Elizabeth briefly takes Lulu’s hand, then sees Laura coming into the room. Laura asks, how’s Lulu?

We see a crude prison cell. A prisoner with leg irons is shoved into it.

Maxie asks what Dante means, and Dante says, the doctors are worried about Lulu, but she says she doesn’t know what that means. What did the doctors say exactly? He says he’s getting this information from Laura, but he guesses she’s had a setback, so the doctors want her moved to GH so they can handle her medical needs better. Maxie says she doesn’t like the way that sounds. It seems like there’s something wrong. He says he wishes he had more information, but he doesn’t. He just thought she’d like to know as soon as possible. She says, he was right, thanks him, and goes back to work.

Lois says she understands her accent takes a little getting used to, and Myrna says, a little? Haven says she was raised that it’s bad manners to critique the way someone speaks, and anyone with even a basic modicum of knowledge about etiquette would know it’s very rude to offer unsolicited advice on someone’s physical attributes. She’s sure Myrna has a lot of things to do today, and thanks her for calling. Lois says, the good news is, that Deception’s new Deceiver serum plumps and rejuvenates your skin no matter what your accent. Brook and Tracy watch, and Brook smiles. Haven says, exactly. And here at Home & Heart, we encourage everyone to use their voice and use Deception’s skin care products. Their skin will thank them.

Elizabeth suggests she and Laura talk outside, and they go to the waiting area. Laura asks if there’s been a change, and Elizabeth says, Lulu is stable, but her liver function is still declining. Laura says she doesn’t understand this. She has been on the same protocol for years. Why the sudden change? Elizabeth says, they don’t know why this is happening. They’ve already run additional tests. She knows it’s hard, but they just have to wait for them to come through. In the meantime, she’s doing everything she can to keep Lulu comfortable. Laura thanks her for doing that, and Elizabeth says, it was smart to bring her here. No offense to the long-term facility, but she can get better, more comprehensive testing and treatment here at GH. She’s in good hands. Laura says, especially hers, and Elizabeth says, Port Charles is Lulu’s home. Now she’s surrounded by people who love her. Laura starts to cry, and Elizabeth says, doctors and nurses included. They’re going to get her through this. Laura thanks her.

Molly says, Kristina is looking for absolution, for people to tell her this isn’t her fault. She wants to blame Ava, but this is on her. Nobody dragged her to Ava’s hotel room. She went there on her own and she picked a fight. (I can’t imagine talking like this to my sister, no matter what happened.) Kristina says she went there to protect her family, and Molly says, couldn’t she have waited, waited the few weeks her baby needed to be born? TJ tries to get her to stop, but Molly continues to yell. Molly says she knew she shouldn’t have trusted Kristina. She’s so selfish and self-absorbed. Alexis says, please stop it. Not now, please. Molly says, and there it is. Right on time. Mom swoops in to protect Kristina. You could basically set your watch by it. Alexis says, that’s not what it is, but Molly says, of course (🍷) it is. Because it’s impossible to imagine a world where Kristina has to take responsibility for her own actions without Alexis running in to defend her. Is that why she was so eager to get her law license back? So she could help Kristina steal thier baby? Alexis cries and covers her face with her hands.

Sam says, they know Molly is devastated, but this isn’t helping. Molly says she doesn’t care, and Ric says, let him and TJ take her home. Molly asks if they think she’s just making this up. That she’s just imagining mom was going to help Kristina steal her baby. Alexis says, that’s not what happened, and Molly takes a paper out of her bag. She says she found this in Alexis’s briefcase this morning, an affidavit written by Kristina saying she planned to file for custody of her baby. Alexis says, that’s not what happened, and Molly says, all those times she defended Kristina to TJ. She told him that he was wrong about her. It turns out she was wrong. Kristina was never going to give her the baby, and Alexis was just holding on to this for her, waiting to file it. Was she going to file this before her baby was born, or was she going to rip the baby from her hands and hand her to Kristina right in front of her? Alexis repeats, that’s not what happened, and Molly asks when she was planning to file this document. She did it for Kristina because Kristina was never going to give her the baby. Kristina says, no, she wasn’t.

Laura takes Elizabeth’s hand and says she’s never given up hope that Lulu would wake up. She knows that, right? Elizabeth says, of course (🍷), and Laura says she knows what people are thinking. She can see it in their eyes whenever Lulu is brought up. They know she’s been in a coma for three and a half years and they think that it’s hopeless. Elizabeth says, no one thinks that, but Laura says, yes, they do. They absolutely do. They think she should let Lulu go. That she’s being unfair, going through procedure after procedure, but they don’t know her daughter the way she does. And she knows Lulu is a fighter and she is in there and she’s trying to come back. They need to give her every opportunity to do that.

Dante comes into the station, and Chase asks, how was the funeral? (What a question. How does he think it was at a funeral?) Dante says, it was terrible. Kristina’s a mess. She’s completely devastated. Chase says he’s sorry. He knows how hard it is to see a sibling in that much pain. Dante says, you want to say or do something to help them, but there’s just nothing. He sits down, and Chase says, don’t take this the wrong way, but why did he come in today? He should be with his family. Dante says he got some unexpected news at the funeral and wanted to bury himself in some work and process it properly. He didn’t really want to talk to his family about it at the funeral. They’re dealing with enough as it is. Chase says he’s here. If Dante wants to talk about it, he’s happy to listen. Dante says, it’s Lulu. They moved her to GH. She’s taken a turn for the worse.

Going over to Elizabeth at the hospital, Maxie says Dante told her that Lulu had been transferred here. How’s she doing? Elizabeth says, they don’t know yet. The doctor is running labs and doing an MRI, hoping to get a clearer picture of what she’s dealing with. Maxie says, so she’s hanging in there? and Elizabeth says, she’s stable… for now. Maxie asks if the doctors are with her right now or Laura or anybody? She wants to see her, but she doesn’t want to get in the way. Elizabeth says, the doctor is finished, and Laura went to call the rest of the family. Maxie asks if it’s okay for her to see Lulu, and Elizabeth says, absolutely. They encourage friends and family to visit and talk to coma patients. Some people who come out of a coma actually remember what was said to them while they were under, and she suspects that’s exactly what Lulu needs. Her room is right over there. Maxie thanks her, and Elizabeth says, take all the time she needs. Maxie goes into Lulu’s room.

Back home, Curtis says, that was a lot harder than he thought it would be, and Marshall says, there’s always some sadness at a funeral, but there’s something about a funeral for a baby. Stella asks how Jordan is holding up, and Jordan says she’s okay. It’s difficult seeing TJ suffer this much. She just wants to wrap her arms around him and make it better. Stella thinks they could all use a pick-me-up. There’s plenty of food here. She’ll go heat some up. Marshall asks if she needs help, and she says, absolutely. They go to the kitchen, and Portia asks if any of them happen to know anything about Molly’s father. There certainly didn’t seem to be any love lost between him and Molly’s family. You could practically feel the chill in the air. Jordan says, Ric Lansing certainly won’t win any popularity contests in Port Charles. He operates in what she can call a grey area. But this isn’t the time or place to discuss his would-be transgressions, so let’s just say he’s not very well liked in this town. But Ric and Molly have a decent relationship. He does try to stay far from Port Charles for a reason. He’s estranged from his brother Sonny, and he and Alexis can’t be in the same room without butting heads. Ric’s made his fair share of enemies in Port Charles, so she’s sure he prefers to stay as far away as possible most of the time. Portia says she had no idea, but that explains a lot, and Curtis says, they all know how complicated family relationships can be. But no matter what he’s done, Ric is Molly’s father, and she clearly loves him. He’s really glad Ric showed up when Molly needed him, and it’s very important they do the same for TJ.

Molly says, Kristina was never going to honor their agreement. She was planning on keeping Molly’s baby. Kristina says, she was a part of me. I nurtured her. Molly says, Kristina killed her, and Kristina says she never would have put her intentionally in harm. Never. She was her mother for eight months and nothing Molly can say or do will ever erase that. Molly says, mothers look out for their children and protect them. They keep them safe at all costs. Kristina has zero maternal instinct. She’s selfish. She’s impulsive. She makes the same mistakes over and over. She’s a total trainwreck. Sam tries to get her to dial it down, but Molly says, Kristina got up in that church and presented herself as this grieving mother, all the while pretending she’s not to blame for her baby’s death. Kristina says she loved her. She loved her more than anything in this whole world. Molly says, love? Kristina doesn’t know the meaning of that word. Look at this grave. Her daughter is buried here. Kristina did not protect her. She did not keep her safe. She put her at risk, and she died. Say it. Admit that she killed Molly’s baby. Kristina falls to her knees and sobs.

Chase says, that’s not what he was expecting Dante to say. Lulu never occurred to him. Dante says, him either. It was a total shock. He got used to the status quo, as terrible as that sounds. He just wasn’t expecting this. Chase asks if Rocco knows, and Dante says, yeah. He told Rocco. Chase asks how he took it, and Dante says, how does he think? He’s a kid. They’re talking about his mom. Rocco had hope that she’s going to wake up soon and he’s telling Rocco that she’s getting worse. She might not make it. This is tough. Chase says, Rocco has Dante, he has Sam, and a huge family around him to lift him back up. Hopefully, that’s enough. Dante says he hopes Chase is right, and Chase says he feels for Rocco, but it’s got to be affecting Dante. How is he doing, knowing that Lulu could be slipping away?

Haven thanks the viewers for tuning in today to see what the amazing Deceiver serum can do. The results are indisputable. But don’t take her word for it. Try it for themselves. She promises they won’t be disappointed. Lois says, we can’t wait to hear how it changes your lives, and Tracy and Brook smile. Lois says, until then, stay beautiful, and Haven thanks her for coming. It’s great to see her. And now she’s proud to take this moment to introduce their newest addition to the Home & Heart family. Please meet their new program host, Pearl. Pearl thanks Haven and says, today, she has an incredible line of vegan handbags by Kay Carol. Whether it’s work or travel, fashion or function, we’ve got something that’s going to fit your life. Stay tuned for this exclusive deal. The director says, they’re clear. Let’s move to Stage 14. Nice going. Brook says, wow. These handbags are beautiful. Especially this one. She picks up a bag and says she just needs to have it. As soon as she’s done here, she’ll come see Pearl on Stage 14. Pearl says, don’t wait too long. These handbags are going to sell out fast. Haven tells Lois, that was great. She was fantastic. Not everybody is cut out for this kind of thing, but she’s a natural. Brook says, and a hit. These numbers are amazing. They just keep going up. Lois says, really? And Brook says, absolutely. (WOTD) This was Deception’s best segment yet. She sold the most units of Home & Heart’s entire quarter. Haven says she knows what she’s talking about. Lois is a natural. She knows greatness when she sees it. Lois says, wow. Who knew? Brook says she did, and Tracy says she’s got to hand it to Lois. She really pulled it off. She did a terrific job.

Kristina continues to weep and says, Molly’s wrong. She does know what love is. She loved her. She did. She loved her. She knows what love is. She loved her. She did… She did. TJ bends down and says something I can’t hear, and Molly flashes back to Kristina asking Molly to let her help. Let her carry that baby for her and TJ. Molly flashes back to Molly saying that she was disappointed and bitter to know Kristina could carry a child and she couldn’t, then asking Kristina to be their surrogate. She remembers telling Alexis that the bond between her and Kristina is stronger than all the legal protections in the world, and them being excited when Kristina finds out she’s pregnant. She remembers TJ saying, Kristina is more than a surrogate. She’s biologically and emotionally invested. Molly tells him that she’s still choosing to be hopeful. She flashes back to telling TJ that Kristina wants their baby to be her baby and thanks to the interview, the whole world thinks it is. She remembers trying to get Kristina to terminate her parental rights, and Kristina saying she wonders if she and Allie couldn’t provide a more stable home for this baby right now. She flashes back to TJ telling her about the accident, visiting Kristina afterward, and Kristina telling her that their precious little girl is gone. Ric says, they have to get her home, but Molly says she’s not leaving without TJ. TJ goes over to her and says, let’s get out of here. They walk out hand in hand. Kristina continues to sob and says, she did. She loved her. Sam glares at Ric, and Alexis holds Kristina.

Maxie paints Lulu’s nails and says she’s sorry she missed their visit last week. Lulu knows she considers it their standing date, but James was missing, and they were looking for him. Don’t worry. He turned up. A little worse for the wear, but boy, does she have a crazy story to tell Lulu when she wakes up about who he went to see. You know why she loves painting Lulu’s nails? She believes just because you’re stuck in a bed doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to be pampered. And painting Lulu’s nails reminds her of their Crimson days. When they’d get so excited about any free samples they’d receive. Well, it was thrilling for her, and she loved Lulu so much for going along and pretending. Maxie misses her and knows it’s probably driving her crazy to be stuck in this bed being forced to listen to her ramble, so please wake up and tell her to be quiet. She promises she won’t even get offended. Does Lulu know how she knows she’s going to pull through this? There are so many people who still need her. Her mom, Charlotte and Rocco… her. And even though Lulu is stuck in this bed with perfect nails right now, none of them have given up on her. She promises.

The prisoner is pushed into a chair, and we see he has a sack over his head.

Outside the house, Molly tells TJ, this should have been their first step toward healing, and she turned it into something ugly. She’s sorry. She hopes he can forgive her. He says, there’s nothing to forgive. Irene was their daughter. They loved her so much from the moment they knew she was coming. As much as they like to think they can control their emotions, they’re bound to get away from them in certain situations. She says, that’s exactly how she felt. They were just spilling out of her. He says he completely understands. They never got the opportunity to meet Irene, but they’ll always be her parents. In all this messy, horrific, complicated grief, they’ll figure it out together. They hug.

Dante says he doesn’t know how he feels about Lulu. Does he even have a right to feel? Chase says, he’s entitled to have any feelings he has, but he should be honest with himself about that. Dante says he can tell Chase one thing for certain. He loves Sam. He loves the life they’ve created, the family they’ve built. She’s like a miracle for him. Chase says he knows how great Dante and Sam are together, and how much they adore each other, but that doesn’t mean he can’t have complicated feelings for Lulu. She was Dante’s wife. They have a kid together. Dante says, they were already divorced when she got hurt. They were over. She was starting a new life with someone else, and she was happy. But every time he takes Rocco in there to see her in that bed, does he love her? Does he care for her? Does he want her to wake up? Of course (🍷), all those things. But he knows Lulu put him behind her. She’s not lying in that bed dreaming about him.

Maxie says she’ll tell Lulu a secret. She thinks Dante still needs her too. He tracked her down today, at work, just to let her know Lulu had been moved here. After Lulu got hurt, she never told Dante that Lulu was planning on telling him that she still loved him. She did think about it, but it didn’t seem fair. She thought Lulu would want for him to move on, be happy, and he is happy. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t need her too. So if that counts for anything, please fight her way back for him too, okay?

Stella says, almost ready, and Marshall asks if he can help her with anything else. She says, no. Everything’s taken care of, but thank you. He says he appreciated what she said at the church. He likes to think that both of their Irenes are up there in heaven, watching over them and taking care of each other. She says she always thought it was Irene who brought him back to them after they lost him for so long. And with both Irenes together, she’s sure they’ll be raining down blessings on them. He says he certainly hopes so.

TJ tells Jordan that Kristina was never going to give up their baby. She had an affidavit all prepared, saying she was the mother and wanted to retain custody. And the kicker is that Alexis was helping her.

Marshall says, TJ needs the blessing the most. He lost a child. That’s the kind of pain nobody can bear and he can’t shoulder that pain alone. He’s going to need them.

Brook asks Lois, what’s wrong? but Lois says, nothing. She’s fine. Brook says, she did a fantastic job. Everybody loves her, so why does she look like somebody just told her that she can only wear pale pink nail polish for the rest of her life? Lois takes Brook’s hands and says she needs Brook to be honest with her. Is her accent unbearable?

Portia tells Curtis that she’s sorry she can’t stay longer for TJ and Molly, but she’s needed at the hospital. He says, that’s okay. He’s sure they understand, and they’ll feel her love and support. Go save lives and they’ll take it from here. She says she loves him so much and he says he loves her too. She says she’ll see him tonight, and she’s about to leave, when there’s a knock at the door. She opens it to Ric, and says, they haven’t officially met. She introduces herself, and he does the same. He says, it’s nice to meet her, and she says her too. She has to leave for the hospital, but she’s so sorry for his loss. He thanks her and says he was very much looking forward to meeting his first grandchild. She tells him, please make himself at home, and leaves. Curtis introduces himself, and they shake hands. Curtis says he’s really glad Ric is here to support Molly, and Ric says him too. Molly comes out and he hugs her. He asks how she’s feeling, and she says she and her dad are just going to step outside. Curtis says, let him know if they need anything, and they go out to the patio. Curtis tells TJ that he knows it’s been hard on him in a million different ways. Is he hanging in there? TJ says he doesn’t have a choice. He just keeps reminding himself that it’s not always going to hurt this much. Time heals all wounds, even the ones that seem like they’ll be raw forever. Curtis says, that’s what he and TJ’s mother are here to remind him of as well, and Jordan says, that goes for everyone else too. They’re all here to lift him and Molly up and get them through this as fast as they can. TJ says he knows. They’ve all been amazing and he’s incredibly grateful for his family right now. Curtis says, good. Because he’s stuck with them. TJ says he’s going to see if Aunt Stella and granddad need anything, and leaves. Curtis asks how Jordan is doing. It must be tough watching her son go through all this. She says her pain can wait. TJ is her primary concern right now. He just filled her in on what took place at Irene’s gravesite after they left the church. He asks what she means, and she says, Kristina and Alexis were planning on stealing her son’s child.

Molly thanks Ric for coming. She knows he doesn’t love being in Port Charles, but it means so much to have him here. He says, of course (🍷) he came. He’s always going to be there for her when she needs him. How is she doing? Honestly. She says she’s completely drained. She feels like she just fought a war. Alone. He says, if it’s any comfort, she won, but she says she doesn’t think there’s any victors today. Her relationship with Kristina is in pieces and it looks like mom is taking Kristina’s side. She’s honestly sick to her stomach about everything. He says he’s proud of her. She stood up for herself and she stood up for her child. (Is that what we’re calling it?) Not everybody would have that kind of strength, especially when you’re being pressured to kind of go along and play nice. She’s a complete marvel. (Ugh.)

Brook asks if Lois is crazy. They talk the way they talk. Lois says, but they don’t talk the same. Their accents and their speech patterns are different. Brook says, maybe a little bit, but who cares? She can’t believe Lois is worried about this. Numbers don’t lie and she was a huge hit. Haven says, yes, she was. She agrees. The people on social media can’t get enough of her, and neither can she. Lois says, that’s very nice of her to say. She knows it was dicey at first, and thanks Haven so much for helping push her through that rocky start. Haven says, once they got her over that hump, they were off to the races. And they won. She can’t wait to book Lois’s next appearance. They need to make this a regular thing. Tracy joins them and says, all right. They don’t need to inflate Lois’s ego more than it already is. They’ll be in touch to book their next segment on Home & Heart. Until then, shall they decamp for home? Brook says, absolutely. Lead the way. As they walk, Brook asks if Haven can believe these numbers. Lois tries to say, decamp for home, the way Tracy did, but then says, forget it, and follows them.

Jordan says, Alexis had a custody affidavit all drawn up and ready to file. Molly found it in Alexis’s briefcase. Curtis says, wow. He had no idea. She says, this is so infuriating. They all knew that Kristina had rights as the baby’s biological mother. TJ’s been worried about that for months. But this baby was conceived because TJ and Molly so desperately wanted to be parents. Kristina never would have even thought of having a baby if it wasn’t for them. So for Kristina to go back on her word and betray her sister and TJ by deciding to keep the baby, it’s unforgivable. And for Alexis to help Kristina, knowing what it would do to Molly and TJ… That baby was his biological child. Curtis says, and what should have been the happiest moments of Molly and TJ’s lives would have quickly devolved into a custody battle. She says she promises him, if that precious little baby had survived, Kristina and Alexis would have been in for the fight of their lives if they thought they could take that grandchild away from her. (Oh, so now it’s her baby.)

Alexis asks how Kristina’s stitches feel. Does she need another pain pill? Kristina says, who cares about her stitches? Her baby is dead, and her sister is blaming her. Alexis says, her sister is in pain too, and she’s lashing out. And as cliché as it sounds, sometimes the people we love the most are the most capable of hurting us. Kristina says, none of that excuses Molly’s behavior, and Alexis says she thinks this is an opportune time to remind Kristina that she’s named after Alexis’s sister Kristina, who she loved very much. They didn’t always get along, but she loved her fiercely and was devastated at her death. And she misses her and would give just about anything to be able to talk to her again. Kristina and Molly are still here and they’re at odds, and she gets how critical this is, but they’re going to have to find a way to repair their relationship. Kristina says, Molly is blaming her for her baby’s death. She will never forgive her.

Molly says, funny thing is, she knows how this is all going to end. Mom and Sam will plead Kristina’s case to her. They’ll say, she’s emotional and fragile right now, and they’ll say, you’re sisters. You’re Davis girls. That should always come first. They’ll probably encourage her to suck it up, be the bigger person, apologize to Kristina, say all the right things to make her feel better. And who knows? Maybe they’ll catch her at a weak moment, and she’ll even do it. Ric says, but she doesn’t want to, and she says, no. She will never forgive Kristina. Every time she visits her daughter’s grave or walks past the room that should have been her nursery, she’ll know it’s Kristina’s fault her baby is dead.

Maxie says she knows it’s a Spencer tradition to pull off a win at the eleventh hour, because Lulu used to love doing that. Then Lulu would give her this smug smile that drove her crazy. But she admired it. She admired Lulu. Anyway, they’re approaching the eleventh hour, so Lulu needs to pull out that win. Come back to them. For Rocco and Charlotte – Dante opens the door – for her, for Dante.

Elizabeth tells Laura that when she was first getting to know Lucky, he told her how Lulu had aplastic anemia when she was a toddler. And he told her how strong Laura was for her and that she never gave up on her. She needs that strength now and Elizabeth knows Laura is going to give it to her. Laura thanks her for saying that. Boy, does she miss Lucky. She wishes to God she knew where he was so she could bring him home.

The prisoner is shoved into the wall, and the guard turns him around. He takes the sack off the prisoner’s head and – big surprise, not – it’s Lucky.

On Monday, Chase tells Brook that he’s afraid it’s not good news; Carly wonders what Jack Brennan wants with Jason; and Laura asks Portia, how the doctors could miss this?

🍀 A Lucky Break…

Wow. Laura wishes and Lucky appears.

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

🧴 Just For a Minute…

But if they come up with a new character for her, who would play temp Sam?

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/lindsay-hartley-on-playing-sam-on-gh-again

🛸 Beam Me Up To Port Charles…

This made me wonder what happened to Zeke. I liked him and he totally disappeared. Maybe he’s polishing his skis.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/sawandi-wilson-cast-as-isaiah-on-general-hospital

🚫 She Said No…

Can you blame her? And just curious. What is Dorinda doing in that photo?

🍊 Follow the Bouncing Orange…

In vino veritas and all that, but it’s not that she just speaks her truth. She screeches, rants and raves, gets two inches from people’s faces, and flails around while she’s doing it.

But maybe I can forgive.

So was Alexis at liberty to tell Katie? I’m not saying it didn’t happen, but I’m confused.

Well, just think how we feel.

⚰️ Reading Carol…

Coming to a small screen near you September 29th.

https://undeadwalking.com/posts/new-promo-for-twd-daryl-dixon-the-book-of-carol-season-2-01j5x6s1mq33

https://undeadwalking.com/posts/amc-exclusive-content-for-season-2-of-daryl-dixon-the-book-of-carol-in-september-01j5zkmxmeza

You need to be an AMC+ subscriber to actually watch the beginning of the premiere, but this has a pretty long trailer and it looks good. Real good.

https://undeadwalking.com/posts/watch-the-first-11-minutes-of-the-season-2-premiere-of-daryl-dixon-the-book-of-carol-01j41x8z1qsd

🌁 That’s a Wrap…

So can’t they edit any faster?

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/last-us-season-2-wrapped-095338207.html

https://winteriscoming.net/posts/the-last-of-us-season-2-held-a-wrap-party-end-of-filming-seems-imminent-01j5xeshf86a

Might be some spoilers here.

https://screenrant.com/alien-romulus-last-of-us-season-2-isabela-merced-dina-casting-perfect/

🐉 How To Make Your Dragon…

Don’t try this at home.

https://winteriscoming.net/posts/watch-how-house-of-the-dragon-s-gorgeous-dragons-were-made-in-new-visual-effects-reel-01j5tv9k3kjr

🐶 Gaga For Frenchies…

Those ears!

https://people.com/lady-gaga-new-french-bulldog-after-dognapping-case-8700159

🥊 More Than a Quote…

Muhammad Ali: I’m defeating America’s so-called threats and enemies. And the flag is going dun-dun-dun-dun. I’m standing so proud. And I’d have whooped the world for America. I took my gold medal, thought I’d invented something. I said, Man, I know I’m going to get my people freedom. I’m the champion of the whole world. Olympic champion. I know I can eat downtown now. And I went downtown that day, had my big gold medal on, and went in a restaurant. And at that time, things weren’t integrated. Black folks couldn’t eat downtown. And I went downtown, I sat down, and I said, A cup of coffee, a hotdog. The lady said, We don’t serve Negroes. I was so mad, I said, I don’t eat them either, just give me a cup of coffee and a hamburger.

🏌️‍♂️ Quotes of the Week

Today stretches ahead of you waiting to be shaped. You are the sculptor who gets to do the shaping. What today will be like is up to you. – Steve Maraboli

A coward is incapable of exhibiting love; it is the prerogative of the brave. – Mahatma Gandhi

I think the only answer is to live life to the fullest while you can and collect memories like fools collect money. Because in the end, that’s all you have – happy memories. – Sarah Strohmeyer

Immature love says, I love you because I need you. Mature love says, I need you because I love you. – Erich Fromm

We need to give each other space so that we may both give and receive such beautiful things as ideas, openness, dignity, joy, healing and inclusion. – Max de Pree

If you fuel your journey on the opinions of others, you are going to run out of gas. – Steve Maraboli

Dance above the surface of the world. Let your thoughts lift you into creativity that is not hampered by opinion. – Red Haircrow

Sometimes we have to be the change we didn’t see coming. – Jacqueline Grace Lopez

Walmart dumped Paula Deen, but continued to sell AR-15 assault rifles after Sandy Hook—interesting ethical credo.Piers Morgan

It’s not easy having a good time. Even smiling makes my face ache. – Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry), The Rocky Horror Picture Show

🍈 One In a Melon…

Come back on Monday for soap and a mess on the Med. Until then, stay safe, stay putting things back where you found them, and stay never offering unsolicited advice on someone’s physical attributes.

⚠️Caution: Might contain bad words

August 22, 2024 – Irene Marie’s Funeral Ends Badly, For Real, Cast List, Gloves Are Off In the OC, Disturbing Dance, Dark Reality, New Dead, Coming Soon, Tribute, Cutest & Lobster

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Cody tells James, no more riding without a helmet, but James says, Cody’s hat is cooler. Cody says, James can’t even see with it on, and gives him a smaller version of the hat. Excited, James runs off and Cody takes the helmet and follows him.

Maxie tells Natalia that Lois has been making the rounds as Deception spokesperson, but this will be her first time as an on-air presence on Home & Heart. Natalia says, Lois does have the gift of gab, and Lucy says, they’ll see if she can pull off selling on camera to the home audience.

Lois asks Brook if she looks too demure, but Brook says, she looks beautiful. Is she nervous? Lois says she’ll be talking to people already interested in the product. It’s in the bag. She goes to get her earrings from the makeup artist and overhears her saying that Lois’s Brooklyn accent gives her a headache.  

Molly puts a spray of flowers on the casket, and people begin to come into the church. Kristina comes in with Sam (played by Lindsay Hartley) and Alexis on either side. TJ asks if Molly is okay, and she says, yeah. Him? He says, yeah. Stella lights a candle, and hugs TJ. Molly runs out of the church. Outside, Ric arrives and hugs Molly.  

Sonny says, Ava deserves to pay for what she’s done, and his face should be the last thing she sees, but he’s not here to take her life. He’s here to save her life. Let’s go. Ava says, he assumes she’s going to walk out with him no questions asked? Does he think she’s that gullible? He says, she’s not seeing the whole picture, and she tells him to give her the layout. He says, Jagger Cates wants to end her life, not him.

Molly says she didn’t know Ric was coming, and he says he and Alexis agreed he needed to be here. He’s so sorry. It’s a horrible loss. She says she’s glad he’s here. She feels so alone. He hugs her.

Kristina says, they shouldn’t have to make coffins so small, and Alexis gives the minister the baby’s name. She warns Sam that Ric is coming for Molly. Kristina says she called the baby Adela. She knew it was going to be a girl, but she didn’t tell anyone. When she was lying awake at night, thinking of the baby’s future, that’s what she called her. Dante says, Sonny’s mother’s name.

Tracy says, Maxie can’t be happy about Sonny being a part of Deception, but Maxie says, he’s just investing. Tracy says, he’s forcing them to take on Natalia as CFO, and Maxie asks how many meetings she sat in on where Natalia negotiated Blaze’s contract. She went over everything and was never satisfied. Isn’t that what they’re looking for in a CFO?  

Brook reminds Lois to hold up the product and asks, what’s wrong? She has weird energy. Lois says, last minute stage fright, and Brook asks, since when? Lois says, since she heard her accent gave someone a headache.

Sonny tells Ava that Jagger is going to try and frame him for her murder. The only thing Jagger wants is her dead.

Josslyn sees Trina at the church and keeps walking. Stella asks Trina if everything is okay.

Jordan says, TJ is bearing up well, and Curtis asks how she’s doing. She says, it’s hitting her harder than she thought it would. Portia says she’s sorry for their loss. If there’s anything she can do, she’s here.  

Sam asks, where’s Sonny? and Alexis says, Molly had a meltdown and blamed him for everything. Out of respect and to avoid a scene, he stayed away. Sam says she wishes he was here for Kristina’s sake, and the minister says they’re going to begin the service. Sam says, they have to wait for Molly, and the minister asks if Kristina isn’t the mother. Alexis says, she’s the surrogate. The parents are Molly and TJ. Ric brings Molly back in, and Alexis says, that’s Molly.  

Brook asks, who’s talking smack? She’ll make sure they’re transferred to late night. Lois says she doesn’t want trouble, but be honest. Is it that bad? Brook says, it’s part of her charm. Their different dialects are what makes them cool. Just focus on her and remember everyone in Bensonhurst is watching. She called them.

TJ thanks Ric, and Sam tells Alexis, it’s nice of him to come for Molly. She hopes they don’t regret it. She can’t remember a time when he didn’t make things worse. Alexis says, good thing Sonny’s not here.

TJ and Molly sit down, and Ric tells Alexis that he came as soon as he could. Good thing he was late, since he met their daughter outside.  

The minister says, they gather to celebrate a life and honor the memory. This life was too brief, but Irene Marie loved, gave love, and had an impact. They grieve not just for what was lost, but for what could have been. They mourn Irene Marie and the life she could have had.

The director (Debbie Matenopoulus) asks if Lois is ready, and Lois asks if she’s ever worked in the music business. Was she in music videos? The director says she’s been on TV for years, but prefers the view from behind the camera. Is Lois ready for her debut? Lois says, as ready as she’ll ever be, and Brook tells her, break a leg.

Sonny says he’ll take Ava where Jagger can’t find her. Doesn’t she want to be around for Avery? She says, that’s why she’s not going with him, but he says, if he wanted to take her out, would he be here today trying to convince her to go with him? She says, it’s the baby’s funeral, and he says he needs her alive to do the right thing when the time comes. She says, Scotty would never go for it, and he asks if she’s talked to Scotty lately. She says she and John are closer than he knows. John would never hurt her. He says, Jagger just put handcuffs on Kristina when she was in a wheelchair. Ava gave her statement and now she’s a liability. She says, John is protecting her, but Sonny says, he’s using her. She asks why she should believe him when she knows for a fact that he’d kill her if given half a chance.

The minister asks God to hold Irene Marie in His everlasting love and light. Amen. Now Irene’s grandmother will give a reading. Kristina says she has something to say and goes to the front.

Coming back into the stable with James, Cody says, he looks great. He’s a real natural. His grandparents are horse people and will be super proud. Is he okay? James says, yeah, and Cody says, James knows he can tell him anything, especially now that he’s James’s uncle. James wonders why Grandpa Mac was so mad at Cody, and Cody says he thinks Mac was more mad about the time they didn’t get to spend together when Cody was a kid. James says, that’s not Cody’s fault, but Cody says, Mac has a good reason to be mad at him. James asks what he did.

Haven meets Lois, and Tracy asks if Maxie is sure Lois can do this. Maxie says, if Tracy had seen any of Lois’s trunk shows, she wouldn’t ask. Lois is popular wherever she goes. Tracy says, success in one venue isn’t necessarily success in another. Maybe Lois is too much for TV, from her shoes to her fingernails. Television magnifies things, and she’s not sure if a magnified Lois wouldn’t overwhelm the audience. Maxie says she doesn’t agree, and if Tracy was concerned, she should have said something weeks ago, not just before Lois gets on camera.

Brook tells Lois to imagine she’s talking to the same people that she does at department stores, and Lois says she’ll try. Brook tells her that she’s got this, and looks at Lois’s hand. She says she told Lois to break a leg, not a nail, and Lois says she can’t go on. Her nails are her brand. Brook says, no one will notice, but Lois says she will. Brook says, take a breath. It will be okay.

Haven says, their favorite brand Deception Cosmetics is introducing an exciting new product. She welcomes Lois, and Lois says she’s so… happy to be here, but then just stares at the camera.

Sonny says, let’s go, but Ava says, no deal. She doesn’t need Sonny to save her. She’s a wealthy woman and can disappear on her own. He says, not really, because she’s damn sure not going to take Avery. Jagger’s got her cornered. He doesn’t care where she runs. She can’t hide unless she’s with him. He’s her way out.

Kristina tells everyone that the minister said something that resonated with her, and she wanted to share that. Even though Irene’s life ended just as it was starting, she had impact. He’s so right. She did, and even though none of them had a chance to meet Irene, they knew her. Anyone who felt her kick knew she was destined to be a US Women’s Olympic champion. She laughs, then starts to cry and says, for eight months they shared every second together. She felt her move and watched her grow. They breathed together and she learned about her, what she liked and didn’t like. She used to love walks in the park and was so peaceful after. She liked pastilles and peanut butter, not together, but liked when Kristina ate them. She liked being sung to. Now everyone is crying, and Kristina touches the casket. She says, even though Irene isn’t physically with them, her memory is. The feeling, the weight of her, her impact will stay with Kristina and she hopes with them forever.

Stella says, her wish is for TJ and Molly to find strength and comfort in each other, and she prays they have the family they so deserve. She tells Kristina that she knows Kristina doesn’t have the same connection, but she carried Irene in love and felt her loving spirit, and that makes them eternally grateful. They can’t know what Irene would have become, but with the support of her loving parents, it’s not hard to imagine she would have been a happy girl and gone far in life. She takes comfort in knowing Irene is in the hands of her namesake, Stella’s sister.

Cody says he didn’t tell Mac the truth about something important, and James says, he lied? What about? Cody says, something that wasn’t fair to Grandpa Mac and he regrets it. James says, you’re not supposed to lie, and Cody says he wishes he hadn’t. James says he’s lied before. He said he brushed his teeth when he hadn’t, and he got caught. His toothbrush was dry. Cody says, rookie mistake, and James tells Cody that he said he was sorry, but he’s lied about other dumb stuff. Sometimes it’s easier to lie, but he feels bad and regrets it. Cody says he knows exactly how James feels.

The minister says, they’re going to move to the gravesite, Irene’s final resting place. Kristina begins to sob, and TJ tells Molly, we can do this. Willow says she doesn’t think she can go, and Michael suggests they see Jonah instead. Josslyn sees Trina sitting alone, and Portia asks how Trina is doing. Does she want to ride with them? Trina says she’s okay, but she wants to sit for a while. Portia says, let her know if she needs anything, and leaves. Josslyn asks if she can sit with Trina.

Dante finishes with a phone call, and Sam asks if it’s the station, but Dante says, it’s Laura. He’s got to go. She says, Lulu? and he says he’ll let her know when he gets there, and leaves.

Haven says, the new serum used with the Deceptor is a game changer. She can’t believe all the money she’s wasted on serums that don’t do half of what this does. She asks Lois to tell them how to get firmer, younger looking skin, and Tracy says she guesses Lois isn’t going to overwhelm the viewers after all. Brook nods to Lois, and Lois says, everyone watching should take out their cellphones and credit cards before this product runs out – Deception’s newest serum, The Deceiver. Brook encourages her to smile, and she asks if the viewers have spent a small fortune on their neck, eyes, and lovely faces. Is their bathroom counter covered with half-used products they tried, but didn’t cut it? Haven asks if Lois has sneaked into her house and checked out her bathroom (same), and Lois says, clear that clutter because this product does it all. It plumps and rejuvenates the skin from below the surface. Deceive your skin one drop at a time with Deceiver serum. Haven says, they’re offering it at a special price which will be gone at the end of the day, but she has the feeling they’ll be sold out before then. Lucy tells Maxie, kind of a rocky start, but Lois is watchable. Lois explains how to use the product, and Lucy looks at her phone says, Scotty is out of town on a lucrative, promising new case. She has to call him. If he leaves them high and dry, they’ll need a new lawyer. She leaves, and Maxie says she heard an earful from Tracy about Natalia joining Deception. Now she’d like to hear from Natalia. Natalia says, ask her anything, and Maxie says, Sonny was willing to invest to secure her a position and she’s more than qualified, but what’s in it for her? What did he promise her?

Sonny says he’s glad Ava came to her senses, but she says she’s not going with him. Unless he’s planning to shoot her in the back, why doesn’t he go so she can lock up. She can find a place to hide herself. He says, she’s playing into Jagger’s hands, and she says, he needs to work on his sales pitch. She’s not buying. He tells her to do it for Kristina and the baby. She needs to recant her statement. They don’t have time. Ava tells her to leave him alone and pseudo hero John comes in and tells Sonny, get away from her.

Josslyn says she hates the way they left things, and Trina says, her too. She apologizes for being so defensive. Ava is her friend, but Josslyn is her best friend. She doesn’t know what she’d do without her. Josslyn says, her neither. She’s sorry too. She has no right to tell Trina who she can be friends with, even if she doesn’t like them. Trina says she understands why Josslyn feels the way she does, and why Spencer felt the same way. Ava is complicated, but they’ve always been honest with each other. Maybe she still has hope for Ava. Josslyn says, Ava is lucky to have a friend like Trina, and Trina says she wouldn’t ask Josslyn to change her mind, but don’t ask her to change hers. She puts her head on Josslyn’s shoulder.

Sonny says, Ava isn’t going anywhere with John, and John asks if he thinks she’s better off with a dangerous criminal. Sonny says, she’s safer with him than Jagger, and John says, let him guess. Sonny offered Ava his protection. Funny how the how the ones he claims to protect are the ones who end up suffering the most. Like Karen, like his brother, even Sonny’s own children. Sonny is toxic and radioactive to anyone he gets close to, and no one knows that better than Ava, right?

Natalia says, Sonny just gave her a chance, that’s it. After her incredibly regrettable words that ended up being run in The Invader, she wanted to run, but Sonny wanted to help her just because they’re friends. To be honest, she thinks it’s a convenient excuse for him to be able to back Brook because he really cares about her. Maxie says she appreciates Natalia’s candor, and Natalia says she’s spent some time going over the books and one thing is abundantly clear. Maxie is the beating heart of the company, the one constant that keeps this business going. She has no interest in challenging that. She’s here to help support Maxie and thank Sonny by giving him a good return on his investment. She looks forward to working with Maxie. Maxie smiles.

Michael says he’s glad they came to Jonah’s grave, and Willow says she feels terrible for Molly and TJ, but Kristina’s speech was touching. The little details rushed back and how she felt, even though she was giving Jonah up for adoption. It’s hard loving someone you know you can’t have. Michael says he understands because of the time he believed Wiley was Jonah, but now they have two healthy happy kids. Maybe Jonah brought them together. Willow leans on him, and he says, she can share anything with him. Her memories, fears, ideas, whatever it is, good or bad. They’re in this together. Willow looks troubled and says she wants Michael to know something… Jonah liked Mozart.  

Each person places a pink rose on the grave, and TJ puts a teddy bear that says for a special boy with them. He says, daddy loves you, and Molly says, mommy loves you too. She hugs Ric, and Kristina puts her rose last. She says, I love you my sweet Adela, and Molly says, what did you just call my daughter?

Haven answers a call from Myrna in Indiana, and Myrna says, she’s been using Deception for years and she’s been watching Home & Heart for even longer. She has some advice for Lois. Lose the accent. She had to mute her television. If Deception wants to sell their product, they need a spokeswoman who can speak properly. (I wonder if it’s Lucy on the phone.)

Kristina says she had to call the baby something, and TJ and Molly just named her this morning. Molly says, Kristina didn’t. It was her baby, and Kristina says, the baby was a part of her and she was part of the baby. She knows Molly can’t know what it feels like… Molly says she knows she’ll never feel what it’s like to carry a child, but she refuses to watch Kristina’s grieving Madonna act for the rest of her life. Kristina says she’s not playing anything. She’s devested. Molly says she hopes so. Kristina is the reason the baby is dead.

Ava tells John and Sonny, let’s keep a cool head. There’s expensive artwork to consider. John calls another agent to come in, and she introduces herself as Linda Boyle. John says he’s sure she recognizes Sonny and tells her to take Ava to the car. He’s bringing her into protective custody. Sonny tells Ava, don’t do it. She knows he’s right. Ava asks if John is sure this is necessary, and John says, trust him, it is. She goes with Agent Boyle, and John tells Sonny that he’ll take it from here, and follows them.

Kristina asks how Molly can say that, and Molly says, it’s true. Kristina never should have gone to that hotel room. Kristina says she had to talk to Ava. Ava was making her testify against her own father. Molly says, she had a choice. To protect her unborn child or her criminal father, but Kristina says, it’s not like that. Molly says, it’s exactly like that. In order to protect her father, Kristina sacrificed her baby’s life.  

Tomorrow, Lois says she needs Brook to be honest; Jordan tells Curtis that Kristina and Alexis were planning on stealing her son’s child; and when Maxie asks Dante what he’s doing here, he says, it’s Lulu.

🪞 Life Imitating Soap…

First a MetroCourt beach towel. Next, the Deceptor

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-deception-beauty-products-are-real-and-on-sale

🕵🏻‍♀️ Follow the Port Charles Road…

I’ve always wondered if the writers have one of those big bulletin boards like detectives do, with strings going all over the place.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/general-hospital-cast-list

🍊 Orange Is the New Blackmail…

Every week, I watch this again, and every week, I wonder why, since it just aggravates me. While there are some close seconds, the most aggravating thing is the return of Alexis. I barely remember her from the seasons she was on previously, although I remember Tamra picking on her ad nauseum and feeling badly for her, as well as her husband being no prize. This time around, she’s making up for it, coming fast and hard for Shannon from the jump. It’s no secret that I’m not a Shannon fan, but this is bordering on harassment. She keeps talking about how Shannon is doing Johnny J. wrong, but other than fighting the lawsuit, there’s no clarification as to what it is she’s doing. Yet Alexis is doing plenty and threatening more, kicking someone who is clearly down. Not exactly the Christian she claims to be.

Tamra follows closely behind, saying she’s coming from a place of love, yet her words about Shannon’s drinking are nothing but loving. Tough love doesn’t mean badgering and cruel words. I, too, think Shannon has a drinking problem. I’m not saying she’s an alcoholic – only Shannon can make that judgement – but her drinking has definitely been problematic. So has Tamra’s, but one thing Tamra is right about is that she hasn’t drove her car into a house. Shannon’s problem with alcohol mirrors her problems in general. She can’t seem to take responsibility for anything. Her issues are always because of someone else. That being said, apparently, Tamra is unaware that hassling a supposed alcoholic does nothing to lead them to help. She needs to put her time where her mouth is and attend a few Al-Anon meetings if she’s that concerned.

As for the videos Alexis is hanging over Shannon’s head, while Alexis has remained not at liberty to disclose their content, Katie claimed that Shannon had nearly run over Johnny J.’s daughter while drunk. Yeah, that’s bad, but why is he hanging onto this as a blackmail item? Hasn’t it been a while now? Shannon may have done something more than stupid in a blackout, but extortion is never a good look, and Johnny J. is looking more rotten by the minute, while he hides behind the jugs of Alexis.

If someone even has to ask why it’s wrong, there’s something wrong with them. Again, I’m no fan of Shannon’s, but I’m not liking what Alexis and Johnny J. are doing one bit. And maybe he should pay for her facelift since he took quite a few years away from her.

🩰 New Level Of Cringe…

Is she trying to top Abby Lee’s talent for being insensitive? Or is she that out of touch with human emotion? Even worse is the how the viewers didn’t even get the connection.

https://ew.com/dance-moms-a-new-era-disturbed-viewers-with-a-jonbenet-ramsey-routine-8699661

🌌 While We’re On the Subject…

The Dark Side series is excellent, and I can’t wait to see this one.

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/dark-side-reality-tv-trailer-174927225.html

While I was looking for that, I came across this related article.

https://www.cracked.com/image-pictofact-7747-29-reality-tv-shows-with-very-dark-downsides

⚰️ A Different Walk…

This sounds intriguing. One of the reasons I love zombie films/shows is because they’re never really about zombies. The zombies are nearly always an allegory for something else, and ultimately, they’re about us being our own worst enemy.

https://www.cbr.com/walking-dead-fans-will-love-handling-of-the-undead/

🎬 Posh, Becks, and Gordon Ride Again…

I’m very much looking forward to checking both of these out. I loved Victoria’s other reality shows and there’s no one more real than Gordon.

I’ve yet to see this one, but it’s on my short list.

https://ew.com/david-beckham-says-making-docuseries-helped-him-forgive-himself-8699550

🦸 Deadpool’s Softer Side…

Sad, but sweet.

https://ew.com/ryan-reynolds-explains-deadpool-and-wolverine-tribute-to-rob-delaney-s-late-son-8697791

🐶 Best In Rescue…

You can vote daily from August 21 to September 20.

https://people.com/worlds-cutest-rescue-dog-contest-2024-8661021

Mine isn’t entered because it wouldn’t be fair to the other contestants.

El Wray the Rescue Chi

🎣 Keeping It Reel…

Join me tomorrow for the usual soap and Friday mixed bag. Until then, stay safe, stay using what you’ve learned to help others going through similar struggles, and stay never making fun of someone’s accent. Our different dialects are what make us cool.

August 21, 2024 – Anna Gives Jason a Warning, LA Millions, Smallest Violin Playing, Miami Adoption, Marvel-ous, They’re Tripping, Bravocoaster, Imploding, Furbabies With Fans & Love

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

On the phone, Alexis says she’s sure they’ll handle it. They’re resourceful. Just see that they get here. They’re needed here for once. She asks if Kristina got enough sleep, and Kristina says, every time she sleeps, she wakes up at GH and her daughter is gone. Then when she wakes up, she’s in the nightmare where Ava is blaming her for everything.

In the interrogation room, Ava says, Kristina came at her and she grabbed Kristina’s arm to fend her off. There was nothing she could do. Kristina wanted one thing. Anna says, that being, to kill Ava, and Ava says, she screamed it over and over – I’ll kill you! John stands nearby with a smug look on his face that I’d like to smack off.

TJ puts his arms around Molly, and she wonders how they do this. How do they bury their daughter? He says, together.

Josslyn walks into the gallery, and Trina tells her that Ava’s not here. Josslyn says, if there’s any justice, Ava won’t be here again and will be behind bars.

Anna says she’s been over the transcript from Ava’s original interview and not once did she mention Kristina threatened to kill her. Ava says she was in shock. Her memory was a mess. She forgot. Anna says, and she only just remembered? and John says, it happens, and Anna knows that. Anna asks if Ava is now his client since he seems to be speaking for her, and John says, she’s a witness in an ongoing RICO investigation for a crime boss who seems to operate freely under Anna’s nose. Anna asks if Ava’s official counsel agreed to that, and Ava says, if Anna can find Scotty, she can ask him. Anna asks where Scotty is, and John says, ask Jason.

Jason says, Clement shas been safely relocated to Sonny’s island. He’s under Sonny’s protection and off Cates’s radar. Now they’ve got to find Valentin. Sonny says, they just have to use the right bait and he’ll come like a dog. Jason says, what bait? and Sonny says, not what, who. Anna.

Molly tells TJ that the family is on their way early. Is it possible to want something and dread it at the same time? TJ says, his mom is strong and steady, and he needs her now. She’ll hug him, and her just being here will make him feel better, but he can’t stand to look in her eyes today. Molly says, today, it’ll be in all their faces, and TJ says, if they can’t hide the pain, that means it will be big and heavy and crush him. She says her too. Is there anything they can do to make it bearable? TJ says he can’t think of anything, and Molly says she thinks it will help if they stop thinking about the baby as our baby. He asks what she means, and she says, he tried to tell her, and he was right. Their baby deserves a name and it’s time to give her one.

Alexis tells Kristina that the funeral is today. They’re going to come together as a family. Kristina wonders if TJ and Molly would still consider her family if they knew what she was going to do. She was going to keep her baby girl had she lived.  

Sonny says, Valentin has zero motivation to show his face, and Jason asks if Anna is the right button to push. What about Nina? Sonny says, only Anna and his daughter, and he’s not using a child. Jason says, he’s assuming Valentin still cares about Anna, and Sonny says, if Valentin thought Anna was in trouble, he’d come running. Jason says he doesn’t like it.

Anna wonders why she should ask Jason about Scotty, and John says, Scotty never showed up for their meeting. He checked with Scotty’s doorman, and he didn’t come home last night. Anna says, some of Scotty’s favorite activities happen after the streetlights come on, and only after 24 hours does he consider himself late. Did they reach out to Lucy Coe? He might be there. Ava says, or he might be six feet under, and John says, the last time Scotty called, he said he had a run in with Jason. Anna asks if he’s suggesting Jason killed him, and John says he’s suggesting Scotty’s not here, hasn’t been in touch, and the last one to speak with him was Jason. He’d be happy to investigate if he didn’t think he’d be stepping on the PCPD’s toes. Anna asks if Scotty is another surprise witness, but John says, not at this time. Anna says, then it falls in her jurisdiction. She’ll look forward to handling the situation. John says, keep him apprised, and she says she will, and she leaves. John says, Ava did great. Her words were perfect. She says, as he scripted them. Now she’s on the hook for falsifying a statement. He says, she’s in this to take Sonny down, and she asks if he thinks antagonizing the Commissioner is the way to do it. He says, if Anna is angry, she’s less likely to look for discrepancies in Ava’s statement. (Wow, He is stupid.) Ava says she imagines Sonny waiting for her, and John says, the only thing Sonny responds to is leverage, and he knows just where to get some.  

Josslyn asks if Trina thinks Ava will get away with it, but Trina says she doesn’t know. Ava has come out okay before. Josslyn says, she’s been accused of a baby’s death, and no one is surprised. So what if she pushed Kristina out a window? Trina says, she’s acting like Ava’s been tried and convicted, and Josslyn asks if Trina is buying Ava’s story that Kristina came after her. Trina says she believes Ava deserves her day in court same as everybody else. Apparently, Josslyn doesn’t agree and wants to ignore the court process. Josslyn tells Trina that she’s not saying that, and Trina says, Josslyn doesn’t want to say anything to offend her, but she doesn’t want Josslyn to censor herself. Josslyn says she despises Ava, and Trina asks, what’s the problem behind the problem? Josslyn says, you.

Kristina looks over the affidavit she was going to submit for custody and says, it’s worthless now, but Alexis says, it’s not meaningless. TJ and Molly need understanding as much as Kristina does. Her affidavit is unnecessary and will only hurt them. The last thing anyone needs is more hurt. They need to be kind to one another. Kristina says, that’s what she’s trying to do, and Alexis says, then forget about it. They never need to know what she intended to do.

There’s a knock at the door, and TJ lets Jordan, Marshall, Curtis, and Stella in. Jordan hugs Molly and asks how she’s doing, and Molly says, not so great. Jordan says, she’s not alone. They’re here for them both. They’ll get through this together. Stella says she hopes they’re not early, and TJ says, they expected it. They both say, early is on time, and Curtis says, sometimes it helps to take the time to get ready for well-wishers. Jordan asks what they can do, and TJ says, them being here is everything. Stella says, they’re always her for them, and Marshall says, between them, they have the love and strength to get them through. Jordan says, they know how to unite when things are hard, and Marshall says he’ll make coffee. They need something stronger than brown water. Curtis says his coffee is good, and everyone is like, um… Marshall goes to the kitchen, and Molly says she needs to do one small thing before the funeral. Curtis says he’ll go with her, but Molly says she thinks it’s better if she goes alone. She leaves, and Jordan says, something is wrong. One small thing?

Jason says, this could bring the PCPD and the FBI down on Sonny, and Sonny says he didn’t want trouble. Anna is the one who made him her enemy. There’s a knock at the door and Jason opens it to Anna.

Trina says, the problem is her? and Josslyn says she loves Trina and hates Ava. That will never change. Her problem is Trina sticking by Ava. Trina says she’d do that for anyone she considers a friend, and Josslyn asks how Ava’s friendship can compare to hers. Trina says, it’s different, and Josslyn says she knows they bonded over Spencer, and she doesn’t begrudge Trina that. Trina says she’s not stupid. She knows Ava’s done horrible things. Josslyn says, she still does. She’s never changed and hasn’t tried. Trina says, Josslyn doesn’t know that, and Josslyn says she knows what happened is more complicated that they could possibly know, but it wouldn’t have happened if Ava hadn’t provoked Kristina. Trina says, they weren’t there, and Josslyn asks, how many people does Ava have to hurt, how many people need to be hurt bad before Trina sees that Ava isn’t worthy of her friendship? Trina says, there are plenty of people in Josslyn’s life she’s looked the other way for. Give Ava a break. Ava walks in.

Anna tells Sonny that Ava was at the station amending her statement. She now claims Kristina attacked her and threatened to kill her. Sonny says, the lies are all Jagger’s, and Anna agrees. He happened to be at the station, and she feels like Ava was coerced, but she can’t prove it. Sonny says, Jagger couldn’t be a man and has to get to him through his daughter, and it’s on Anna. None of it would have happened if Valentin hadn’t messed with his medication right under Anna’s nose. Valentin made a deal with Pikeman and targeted him. Maybe he did it from Anna’s bed. Anna says, Sonny’s life choices are his responsibility, and he set this in motion when he put Karen on stage at the Paradise Lounge. (Remind me never to make a mistake in Port Charles. People will remember it for a million years.) Sonny says, she needs to go, and Anna says she’d like Jason to accompany her. She didn’t just come here to apprise Sonny of Ava’s statement. She has questions for Jason. Jason says, about what? and she says, Scotty’s disappearance, and they leave.

Molly goes to Alexis’s house, and Kristina says she’s early. Where’s TJ? Molly says, at home with the family, and Kristina asks if they’re fighting. Molly says, no. She wanted a moment alone with Kristina before the funeral. They’re naming the baby. Kristina says, without her?

TJ says he wants to tell them something. He and Molly have done a lot of talking about names. They made lot of lists. Some of the names were good, but not right. Stella says, it’s not as easy as you’d think to name a baby, and TJ says, this name needed to be perfect. The baby was the first of a new generation. They were afraid to pick the wrong one and got stuck. Then it got harder when she… when they lost her before they could meet her, but they couldn’t bury her without a name. Then Stella said something that made it clear. Stella says, he’ll have to be more specific, and he says, she was talking about her sister, her strength, composure, and light. It gave Molly the idea and he knew it was right. The name was staring them in the face all along when they look in Stella, Marshall, and Curtis’s eyes. It’s right there. Their baby is Irene. Irene Marie.

In the interrogation room, Anna asks, where’s Scotty? and Jason says he has no idea. She asks, when was the last time Jason saw him? and Jason says, here, after Ava was arrested. She says, Cates thinks Jason has seen him recently, and Jason says, Cates thinks a lot of things. Anna asks where he was last night, and Jason tells her that he’s not saying anything without his attorney. Anna says, Scotty appears to be a missing person, and it’s her duty to follow up, but Jason says he doesn’t buy Cates’s claim. She says, they had an understanding about Valentin, and he says, she had a request, and it wasn’t the first one. He did his best. He didn’t tell Sonny that she let Valentin go. That stays between them. But Sonny had a right to know about the medication, since this never would have happened if he hadn’t been off his meds. Anna says, ever since Jason has been back, he’s straddled two world’s – Sonny’s and hers. He can’t continue. He’ll have to choose.

Jordan says, it’s a lovely name. They’ll cherish it like they cherish TJ and Molly. Curtis says, they got it exactly right, and TJ says, if they want to talk about it… but Marshall says, don’t dare change it. Stella takes TJ’s hands and says, it’s a fine name. His grandmother would be honored. She’s going to check on the bagels. The delivery guy is probably circling the block. She leaves and cries in the hallway. Curtis follows her out and holds her as she sobs.  

Kristina says, they named the baby without her? and Molly says, it was time. They needed it for the birth certificate before they bury her. Kristina says, they should have talked to her, but Molly says, they’re the parents. It’s done. They named her Irene Marie after TJ’s grandmother. Kristina says, that’s not what she would have named her, and Alexis says, stop. Do not fight. Do not turn on each other, or it will cost them so much more. There’s a knock at the door, and when Alexis opens it, the biggest idiot in the world is there. That would be John.

Ava says, obviously, she arrived at an inopportune time, and Josslyn says, TJ and Molly are burying their baby. Ava tells Trina to go. She’ll take care of everything. Trina says she’ll get a Ride Share, and Josslyn says she’ll meet Trina there. Just so Ava knows, if it had been her and not Kristina in that hotel room, she wouldn’t have been the one who went through the window. She leaves, and Trina says she’s sorry, but Ava tells her, never apologize for someone else. She takes it Josslyn has given Trina and ultimatum – her or Josslyn – but Trina says, not yet. Is it true the FBI arrested Kristina for trying to kill her? Ava says, yes, and Trina says, when she came to see Ava in jail, she never said anything about Kristina wanting to kill her. Both stories can’t be true, so who is Ava lying to, her or the police?

Ava says, Trina should probably get going, and Trina asks if Ava lied to her. She needs to know. Ava says she’s not supposed to talk about her case, and Trina asks if she’s talking about the one where she’s the victim or the perpetrator. Josslyn stood here and said Ava wasn’t worthy of her friendship. Ava asks what Trina wants her to say, and Trina says, the truth. Ava says she doesn’t want to involve Trina. It’s dangerous. Trina says she fought Esme for her life and saw a man die in front of her. She’s not a child and Ava isn’t responsible for her. How can they be friends if Ava can’t be straight with her? Ava says, the truth is… She’s in trouble. The FBI is making her do things she’d rather not. The only way for her to stay alive is do what she’s told.

Alexis asks what the hell John is here for, and he says, Kristina. He’s taking her to the station. Alexis says, not today, and he says he has questions for her. Alexis says, what kind of questions? and he says, like what brought her to the hotel room. (Wasn’t that already answered?) Alexis says, it can wait. They’re burying the baby today. John says, because Kristina tried to murder his witness. The longer they drag this out, the less time they’ll have at the service. Alexis says, no one is going anywhere except him, and he says he’ll take them all in and their dead can be buried without any of them. (I know it’s a show, but in what world would an FBI agent acting like this be feasible?)

Stella says she didn’t want anyone to see her being a weak and pitiful mess, but Curtis says he doesn’t see that. He’s just glad he could be here for her. He can imagine what his mama would have said if he wasn’t. She would come down from heaven and read him the riot act. She says, that’s a talking to that she’d pull up a chair and pop some corn for. There’s only so much TJ and Molly can bear. He says, good thing TJ and Molly have them to help them carry on, and she says she’ll need him to keep an eye on her and shoo her out of the room if she gets shaky. He says he will if she promises to do the same for him.

Anna says, Jason has been given a second chance. He doesn’t need to go back to Sonny, and deep down, she doesn’t think he wants to. She sees him with Carly and the boys. She sees a life for him apart from Sonny. He says, she sees what she wants to, and he gets up. She says, he has that life at his fingertips, the way it would have been if Sonny hadn’t gotten his hooks in Jason when he was young and didn’t know better. He says, she knows it’s not that clear cut, and she says she knows it’s not clear why he’s taking orders from Sonny. It’s one thing when you’re young, damaged, and alone, but you can’t hide behind naiveté and misplaced loyalty. Jason asks when she learned better. After she became a double agent? After Faison? Or did it finally happen after Valentin. She’s demanding better from him, but she’s compromised herself again and anger. She’s doing it now.

Curtis brings the bagels in, and Stella says she’s so proud of TJ. She loves him so much. And so do their Irenes. She hugs him.

Alexis asks Molly to check her briefcase. The terms of Kristina’s release are in there. John’s limit to contact is clearly spelled out. He can’t just barge in. He has to make an appointment in advance, and they all have to agree on it. He says, that’s not his understanding, but she tells him, read it again. It’s interesting to her how little he understands for an FBI agent. (Agreed, and what I said before. I’m starting to question if he is one.) Take a walk, or she’ll call the judge and his supervisor at the DOJ, who will have his ass in a sling before his second cup of coffee. If he spent less time harassing her daughter and more time presenting his shred of a case… He says, he did. Ava made a sworn statement presenting her version of the case, and that’s all the case he needs to pursue Kristina. And he will. Alexis says, get out, and he leaves. She slams the door and hugs Kristina.

Ava says she answered Trina’s question and told her what she wanted to know, and they will never talk about this again. Trina thanks her, and Ava says, go to the funeral. Maybe she shouldn’t come back for a bit. Trina asks if Ava thinks it’s that easy to get rid of her, and Ava says she can’t bear anything happening to Trina. Trina says, it’s too late. It already happened to her. For better or worse. There’s nothing that can break their bond. She knows who Ava is. It was never a secret, but she’s seen that Ava can do good. And everyone else will see it if she stops John Cates from hurting Kristina. Ava says she’ll make this right somehow, and Trina says, somehow starts with telling the truth, but Ava says she can’t. Not yet. Trina says, time is running out, and she leaves.

Molly finds the affidavit and looks at it. Kristina asks if Cates is going to take her at the funeral, but Alexis says, no, he isn’t. If he tries, he’s going to run into the stark reality that is her. Nothing is more important for Alexis than protecting her.

Ava types on her laptop when she flashes back to Kristina saying she’s going to tell the truth about Ava, then going through the hotel window. She closes the laptop and gets her bag. Sonny walks in and says, going somewhere? She asks if he’s going to kill her.  

Anna says, it’s true. She’s compromised. Jason doesn’t have to be. He has the opportunity to get out. He says he appreciates the heads up. So are they done? With tears in her eyes, she says she and John have one thing in common. They swore an oath to protect and serve. John’s methods will never be hers, but she is going to take Sonny down. She only hopes Jason’s not standing next to him when she does. Jason nods and leaves.  

Sonny says, after what Ava did to his daughter and her daughter? She let Cates come after Kristina and use her to get to him. She deserves to die, and his face should be the last thing she sees. He moves closer and says, but he’s not here to take her life. He’s here to save her life.

Tomorrow, Cody says he needs to tell James the truth about something; at the funeral, Kristina has something she’d like to say; Trina still has hope for Ava; and Sonny says, no matter where you run, you can’t hide

💰 This Week In Listings…

JoshA was on both sides of a listing for a 20,000 square foot house on an acre and a half. It was absolutely massive, but he said what made it desirable was also what worked against him. The size made it hard to visualize what it would look like finished – i.e. with furniture in it. So, while it was a pricey venture, he staged the house. He encouraged the seller to take $23.5 million instead of the $25 they’d insisted on, because something can happen on Planet Earth and the ripples in the financial world move. In other words, today’s $25 million can drop to $20 million tomorrow. What I love most about this show is the comradery between the cast members. They might act competitive, and probably are, but Tracy and JoshF singing I’ve Been Working on the Railroad while driving in a hot dog truck was everything. The best quote came from JoshF: A well-priced house in the Flats will sell faster than Ozempic at a Housewives Reunion. The best visual? A Yorkie wearing sunglasses.

🚷 Seems We’re At an Impasse…

If they want to stick with a Jersey group, maybe they should just scrap the area. I’d love for them to film where I live. I don’t want to be on it; I’m just nosey about my neighbors.

https://extratv.com/2024/08/16/andy-cohen-s-rhonj-update-no-moving-forward-with-this-group-exclusive/

🚂 Off the Rails…

Breaking it down.

First of all, this sounds like nothing but drunk dialing and talking nonsense. Secondly, while I’ve sometimes suspected Andy of being a closet heterosexual, no, just no. And if it were ever to be yes, it wouldn’t be Kate. Thirdly, he’s never acted like a boss and he’s always inappropriate. It’s part of his schtick charm. If this ordeal has taken its toll on Brandi, it’s because she’s once again making an a-hole of herself. She went too far, got the boot, tried to backpedal and make it someone else’s fault, and it didn’t go well. Didn’t like her then, like her even less now.

https://okmagazine.com/p/andy-cohen-brandi-glanville-kate-chastain-explicit-video-leaked/

Now, a desperate last-ditch effort and another failure to launch sympathy. Oddly enough, this is kind of funny and I wonder if Brandi would have played this card had a woman said the same thing.

https://okmagazine.com/p/brandi-glanville-andy-cohen-eddie-cibrian-manhood-size/

👩‍👩‍👦‍👦 It’s a Boys…

Aw. I know how much Julia wanted this and I’m sure they’re going to be great moms.

Their story.

https://people.com/all-about-martina-navratilova-and-julia-lemigova-marriage-8639538

🗽 Last Night’s Watching…

Pirate vibes! Scary Island 2.0! While this article was for the premiere on Peacock, this is being shown on Bravo now. Their personalities are pretty much the same. It just makes me miss the old cast more though. Even Ramona. She’s just so clueless.

https://people.com/bravocon-2023-rhony-ogs-are-back-in-rhugt-rhony-legacy-trailer-8387603

🔁 Which Way Did They Go…

So is the podcast with Jenn still on or will Jackie be One Jersey J?

So is Jax fired? Will Brittany be going to The Valley solo next season?

https://okmagazine.com/p/jax-taylor-fired-the-valley-after-entering-in-patient-mental-health-facility-debunked/

🧔🏽‍♀️ Next In Marvel…

This looks pretty good, but Deadpool & Wolverine might have ruined me for all others.

https://ew.com/kraven-the-hunter-goes-toe-to-toe-with-rhino-in-bloody-new-trailer-8695169

🦹 Three… Two… One…

Is Scorsese kidding? Superhero movies are practically the only cinema. I don’t want to pay movie theater prices to watch two people lowkey talk about relationships. I can wait and stream that.

https://ew.com/brian-cox-says-hollywood-is-imploding-because-of-marvel-dc-films-8697645

A random find that might make Cox’s credibility questionable. I, too, am a Spice Girls fan, but at least I own it.

https://ew.com/celebrity/brian-cox-closet-spice-girls-fan-sings-wannabe-carpool-karaoke/

🐩 More Followers Than You…

Pets with a presence.

https://www.revolt.tv/article/10-celebrity-pets-with-their-own-fan-bases

🪸 Beached You To It…

Make a return trip tomorrow for soap and idiOCy. Until then, stay safe, stay making the most of summer’s end, and stay never apologizing for someone else.

August 20, 2024 – Kristina Is Arraigned, Soap Bubbles, Sergio Wants a Baby, Salty Talk, VanderBail, Best R Ever, Zoo Babies & Afternoon

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Laura asks, what hell are you doing here? and Cyrus (didn’t see that coming) says, hell had nothing to do with it. Laura tells Lulu, mom is here. She’ll be right back. She and Cyrus go out into the hall, and Laura says, Lulu’s doctor called her. Why is he here? He says he hasn’t seen Laura in months and assumed she had her hands full with the baby, her mayoral duties, and Heather. He visits frequently, so he’s surprised he hasn’t run into her.

Ava leaves a voicemail for Scotty. She asks, where’s the pharmacist? Is everything okay? She needs for him to call her back. She throws her phone as Nina walks in. Nina picks it up and says she thinks Ava dropped something.

Dante comes home, and Sam hugs him. She says she brought Scout home from her softball game. She was awesome. She’s upstairs and she’s sure she’ll tell Dante all about it. She’s headed over to her mom’s, since Kristina is there. Is he okay to stay and watch the kids? He says, the kids aren’t a problem, but Kristina isn’t at her mom’s.

Molly meets TJ at the hospital, and he says he heard about Kristina. He’s so sorry. She says, her mom is with Kristina, but she’s had no chance to talk to her. She did have time to be reprimanded by his mom. She used her authority as ADA to confront Ava in jail. Scotty complained to the DA’s office, and it landed on the Deputy Mayor’s desk. All she could think about was that her child was gone because of Ava. She could have been suspended or fired, but instead she got more than her share of professional courtesy and grace off the books. She doesn’t regret confronting Ava, but she’s sorry about so many other things. She hopes he can forgive her.

Alexis tells John that her emergency hearing should be granted soon, and John says, Kristina assaulted and threatened to kill a federal witness. She says, this is malicious prosecution and doesn’t serve him, which he’ll find out in court.

Sonny goes into the interrogation room, and Kristina asks why this is happening. He says he’s going to take care of everything.

Kristina tells Sonny that John claims she threatened Ava and tried to kill her, but that’s not what happened. Ava grabbed her. She only threatened to tell the court the truth about Ava on the witness stand. Sonny says he’ll tell her what’s going on. Is she up to hearing it? She says, yeah, and he says, he and Jagger go way back to a time when he did things he’s not proud of. That’s a weight that he’ll have to live with. The guilt is his weight, not hers. She says, his past doesn’t matter, but he says, Jagger has come back to settle the score. Jagger knows how much he loves her, and that’s why Jagger is targeting him.

Nina says, her life is in her phone, and hands Ava’s phone to her. Ava asks what she wants, and Nina says she managed to squeeze out half a page for the artist Ava is so excited about. Ava says, under other circumstances, she’d be thrilled, but she has bigger concerns. Her lawyer isn’t answering his phone. Nina says, Scotty isn’t always reliable, and Ava says she was arrested for murder and the FBI agent who was helping her clearly has his own agenda. Go ahead and say it. She has nobody to blame but herself. Nina says, it’s true she wanted to see what Ava had coming to her, but this is not what she had in mind. Ava says, Nina wanted to see her suffer. She got her wish.

Molly says she’s sorry she was hiding behind work and left TJ to handle everything, but he says, she’s grieving too, and he wasn’t always understanding. She says, it’s like living in a slow-motion nightmare. She’s living in one horrible moment when the next comes. Sonny and Kristina got off the elevator, and Kristina was ready to go home, when Agent Cates stormed in and arrested Kristina. He claims Ava is a witness in a RICO violations case, and Kristina assaulted her. He says, that doesn’t sound right, and she says, their mom went into lawyer mode, but now she’s starting to wonder if she shouldn’t have defended Kristina.

Laura asks if the doctor has been in there, and Cyrus says, no one’s been in there since he got here. She asks how often he visits Lulu, and he says he tries to be here two or three times a week. He reads the Bible to her. He’s her uncle, and he hopes it brings her a little comfort. Laura asks why he didn’t tell her, and he says he knows she’s got a lot going on, so he thought he’d help. He sees now that he should have cleared it with her, and he apologizes. If it causes her distress, he’ll stop. She says she appreciates his intentions. She’s worried about Lulu. He asks, why? and she says, the doctor asked to see her. She said something’s not right with Lulu’s tests, and there was an urgency about it. He asks if she’d like him to pray with her, and she says, her only prayer is that if her daughter needs help, she has the strength to give it to her.

Alexis tells Kristina that she got the emergency hearing, and Kristina wants to know how this happened. Alexis says, it’s a desperate miscalculation by a desperate man, and it’s going to blow back on Cates big time. She’ll be in the courtroom and meet Kristina outside. She leaves, and Sonny says, they’ve got this. Don’t worry. He leaves, and Kristina says, it isn’t her fault. Ava grabbed her. She flashes back and says, Ava grabbed me.

Doc asks if Lulu is okay, and Laura says she only saw Lulu for a moment. Cyrus was there. Cyrus says he’s only seen the nurse since he’s been here, and Laura says, apparently, Cyrus visits Lulu regularly. Cyrus says, among other patients, and Doc says, ministering, he supposes. The doctor joins them and says she’s run some tests and is waiting for the results. She’ll see if the lab can put a rush on them. She wants to have the most current information in hand before she updates Laura. Doc asks if she has any indication of what’s going on, and she says, when they get the results, they can decide on what course of action, if any, they want to go for. She leaves, and Cyrus says he doesn’t wish to intrude. He’ll pray for them both. He leaves, and Doc asks if Laura is okay with Cyrus visiting. She says she doesn’t know. She can’t think about anything but Lulu.

Nina asks why an FBI agent would concern himself with a custody case. It’s not something they usually take on. Ava says, he wanted information he could use against Sonny. She told him that she had nothing to give him, then Sonny showed up at her hotel suite. He was livid about the custody battle. Nina knows how he gets quiet and intense, and Cates stepped in. Nina says, Sonny can be intense, but she doesn’t believe he’d harm Ava, and Ava says, Sonny hates her and Cates was there for her like a hero. He said he’d help her with the custody battle, so she threw in with him. The only thing she cares about and that matters to her is Avery. Now she thinks she made a gigantic mistake.

Dante tells Sam about Kristina’s arrest, and Sam asks if Anna and her mom know. He says, her mom is all over it. Cates is saying Kristina went after Ava, who’s a witness in a RICO case against Sonny, and Sam says, unreal. He says, her mom is trying to get Kristina arraigned. He just got back from seeing Laura. She asks if the mayor is in on this too, but he says, something is going on with Lulu.

Molly says she showed Ava the autopsy photos. She wanted Ava to know what she’d done and live with the memory of the images. The autopsy photos upset and horrified Ava, but it didn’t make her feel any better and Ava didn’t confess. So what did she accomplish? She jeopardized her own career. She wanted to take action, and what she did, she did out of anger. She can see why Kristina would do the same thing. He asks if she thinks Kristina threatened to kill Ava. She says, Kristina wouldn’t mean it and wouldn’t physically attack her. He says, they have photos, and she says, a picture can tell a thousand lies. It’s how it’s interpreted. Maybe Ava was grabbing Kristina. Maybe she was fending Kristina off. He asks if she thinks that scenario is possible, and she says she doesn’t want to, but maybe Kristina’s actions are responsible for the death of their baby.

Alexis says, Sonny will say and do nothing, no matter how much Cates goads him. If he can’t do that, he has to leave. Sonny asks how she is. She hasn’t had a case in a while, and this is their daughter. He wants to know if she’s up for it. She asks if he’s doubting her. If she had any qualms, Diane would be here. When she sees Cates’s smug mug, she’ll be filled with righteous indignation and a strength she forgot she had. He says, that’s what he likes to hear. His presence here will present a problem for Cates, not him. Cates hates the fact he’s breathing, so he’s going to watch as she pokes holes in his bogus arrest. It’s going to drive him crazy.

The FBI lawyer shows up and tells John that he doesn’t feel comfortable about the case. It’s not clear cut. John tells him to make it clear. It’s part of an ongoing investigation involving Sonny. He needs Kristina to stay put until the trial. The lawyer says, got it, and they go into the courtroom. The bailiff says, all rise… Judge Sullivan presiding. Judge Judy The judge takes her seat and tells them, let’s get going. It’s late.

Dante says, the doctor wanted to see Laura because Lulu had a setback, and Sam says she’s sorry. Does Rocco know? Dante says he wanted to know more first. Lulu has been a prisoner in that bed so long, he hopes miracles happen, but he feels like the chances are slim. Sam’s phone rings, and she says, it’s Diane. She listens for a moment, then thanks Diane for calling. She tells Dante that the emergency hearing was granted. It’s starting now. He tells her to go and keep him posted. She says, let her know what happens with Lulu and if he needs anything, and he says, he needs to figure out what to try and say to Rocco. (I thought Laura told him to hold that thought.)

Ava tells Nina that she and Sonny had a falling out and he gave her the boot. The next thing she knows, they’re lining up character witnesses for family court. She got involved with Cates, but now she sees how obsessed he is with taking Sonny down. Nina asks if it won’t help Ava’s case, but Ava says she’s still facing criminal charges for Kristina’s fall. She can’t take care of Avery from behind bars. Nina thinks it’s not going to come to that, and asks, what happened? Ava says she swears it was an accident. She and Nina were friends before she blew it, and Nina knows whatever else she is, however selfish or bad she is, she’d never hurt a child.

TJ says, Molly’s not only one who saw Ava. He went to the gallery. She asks, why? and he says, for the same reason. He needs answers, and the two of them have been so far apart. She says she feels terrible, but he says, she’s dealing with the same loss, and he understands. What Ava suggested lines up with what Molly told him. He doesn’t think Kristina is blameless. She says, Kristina made the choice to go see Ava. If she hadn’t done that one thing, their child would be alive. (These two are idiots on a good day. If Kristina had gotten hit by a bus that went through a red light, I’ll bet Molly would say, she shouldn’t have been crossing the street.)

Alexis tells judge Sullivan that there’s no witness statement, no report, no video. Besides that, her client was just released from the hospital where she had an emergency C-section. It’s not only an unjust arrest, it’s jeopardizing her health and bordering on malicious prosecution. She asks that her client be released immediately. The judge asks where the evidence is to back up the charges, and the lawyer looks at John, who’s got nothing. He gets up and says, they have a report from a reliable citizen, but the FBI has a heavy workload and has yet to file a formal transcript. In light of this, he asks for a continuance. Judge Sullivan says, denied. This has been a colossal waste of everyone’s time. The defendant is released on her own recognizance, effective immediately. John jumps up and says, no. She’s making a mistake (I wait for her to say, you again?)

TJ says he loves Molly and he’s sorry, and she says she loves him too. She was too scared to handle her own grief and too heartbroken to handle his. He’s her best friend and partner and she let him down in every possible way. He says he accepts her apology and loves her so much, and they hug. She says, there’s so much to take care of, and he says, they’ll figure it out. They’ll go someplace quiet. Molly’s phone dings, and she says, it’s a friend from the courthouse. Kristina’s been granted emergency bail. TJ wonders why Alexis didn’t call, and Molly says, since she works in the DA’s office, they thought it was better if she kept her distance. He tells her, go see about her sister and don’t worry about anything else. They’ll figure it out together tomorrow. She leaves.

Laura tells Doc that when the doctor called and said it was about her daughter, she had a surge of hope that the doctor would say Lulu was awake and asking for her. It has happened so many times, a sort of irrational spark of joy, only to be followed up by a crash when she hears them say, there’s no change. This is worse than no change. She can tell by what the doctor isn’t saying. Lulu is getting worse.

Dante leaves a voicemail for Laura, saying, he’s checking in. He hears Rocco and says he didn’t know Rocco was downstairs. Rocco asks if there’s any truth to the rumor they’re getting pizza, and Dante says he ordered pizza, but he’s got to talk to Rocco about his mom.

Ava tells Nina that Kristina came to her suite. She was furious about the subpoena. Sonny attacked Dex and she saw the whole thing. Nina says, it must have been traumatic. She’s fond of Kristina and knows Sonny is protective of her. Ava says, Kristina was beyond. Kristina barged in, screaming at her. At some point she put her hand on Kristina, and Kristina jerked away. She stumbled and tripped on some luggage, then crashed through the window. It happened so fast. She had nothing to do with it. It was an accident. Nina says, Kristina lost the baby and nearly died, and Ava says, it was tragic and horrible. Nina says, the luggage was just right there? Was Ava going somewhere? Ava says, Carly threw John out and she let him keep his bags in her room, since he was helping her with the custody fight. After Kristina fell, she supposes she was in shock. She didn’t know how to explain the bags of an FBI agent, so she did something stupid. She hid them. She put them in a closet, and of course (🍷) the cops found them. Nina says, Ava altered a crime scene and lied about what made Kristina fall. Of course (🍷) they’ll wonder why Ava would lie if it was an accident. Ava says, but it was. She didn’t push Kristina. Nina has to believe her.

John says, as soon as the defendant leaves the courtroom, her father will have her on a plane to a country with no extradition treaty. Judge Sullivan says, the only reason John hasn’t been cited for contempt is because of his FBI badge. He has 48 hours to get his case together, including documents that show Ava is listed as a witness in a RICO case, or he’ll be the one in a cell. (Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! John’s face.) The bailiff says, all rise, and the judge leaves. John asks the lawyer, what the hell was that? and he says, it was a lousy case, and they got treated accordingly. John better get it together and his evidence had better be bulletproof or he’ll have John’s badge, and John will be sitting in a cell. John glares Sonny on his way out, and Sonny asks Alexis, how’d I do? Alexis smiles and Sonny winks at Kristina. (Our Sonny is back.)

Ava says she sees Nina isn’t convinced, and Nina says she believes a lot of it. It was a confusing situation and probably happened fast. Ava says, Kristina fell, but everybody assumes she pushed her, and Nina says, life isn’t fun when your credibility is shot. She knows about that. When you meddle with people in a life changing way, nobody gives you the benefit of the doubt, especially when you need it most. She hopes Ava gets out of it. She’s a good mom. Let her know about the magazine space, and if she sees Scotty, she’ll tell him to call Ava. She walks out, and while she’s looking in her bag in the hallway, Ava says she’s sorry. Nina says, her too, and leaves with tears in her eyes.

Laura says she wishes she had an update for Dante. Thank God that Doc is here. He says, waiting is excruciating, but he appreciates that Lulu’s doctor is so thorough. Laura says, hearing no change would be good news today. She can’t bear thought of Lulu living out her life like this, so she has hope. He says, it’s okay to be hopeful, and she says she needs to be strong for Lulu. She cries and he holds her. He says, hang onto that and hang onto him.

Sam sees Molly at the courthouse, and says, mom was on fire and Sonny kept his composure, and Molly says she’s not surprised about mom. Sam says, what Molly missed was Cates’s meltdown, and Molly says she’s had the misfortune of dealing with him. He waves his badge around like it’s proof he walks on water. What evidence did he have? Sam says, nothing, and the judge told him he has 48 hours to get it or he’ll be brought up on charges. Finally, justice in action. Kristina gets to go home and heal. Molly says, she still has the charges hanging over her head, but Sam says she believes they’ll be dropped. Cates has nothing even resembling evidence. It’s just a way to get at Sonny.  

Dante says he’s sorry Rocco’s grandma can’t be here for their video game rematch, and Rocco says he thought that’s why they were having pizza. Dante says he went to see Rocco’s mom, and Rocco says he likes visiting. It’s quiet and peaceful and mom knows he’s there. He tells her stupid stuff that happened in school and reads her horoscope from The Invader. He remembers she used to read that. Dante says he wants to talk to Rocco’s grandma. The doctors ran some tests and got the results, but he doesn’t know more than that until he speaks to Laura. He asks if Rocco is okay, and Rocco nods. He says he has pictures of mom, so he’ll never forget what she looks like. There’s footage and recordings, but her voice never sounds right, like her. He’s afraid he’s going to forget what her real voice sounds like.

John goes to the gallery and tells Ava that Alexis was granted an emergency bail hearing. The judge practically walked Kristina and Sonny out of the courtroom. Ava says, Kristina was arrested? and John says, after they went over her story – how Kristina was the aggressor, came to her suite uninvited, forced her way in, and threatened Ava – the next logical step was to file charges. Ava asks if he’s talked to Scotty, and he asks, why? She says she hasn’t heard a peep from him all day, and something tells her that she’s going to need her lawyer. He says, Scotty is obviously busy, but she doesn’t need him. He’s the only hope she has left. (I think the only hope she has left is coming clean.)

Kristina thanks Alexis, and Alexis says she gives credit to Kristina’s father. He behaved no matter how much Cates goaded him. Sonny says he’d do anything for his daughter, even listening to the rants of an FBI agent. Kristina says she didn’t think she’d be back in this house again, and Alexis says, they both love and adore her. Sonny says, they’ll always protect her.  

On the phone, Nina says that someone owes her a favor and she’s ready to collect.

Rocco says he believes if his mom wakes up and says one word, it will all come back, and Dante says, that’s a good way to look at it. Rocco says, as long as she’s alive, it can change. They can’t give up hope that she could wake up tomorrow or next week. She’s hanging in so they need to. When the day comes and she opens her eyes, he hopes he’s sitting there and he’s the first thing she sees. He wishes it could be soon. He misses her. Dante says he misses her too.

Sam says she thinks it’s absurd. Kristina just lost the baby and could have died. She should be home grieving and taking care of herself, instead of winding up in a courtroom… She’s so sorry. Why wasn’t Molly here? Molly says, her office was concerned about a conflict of interest, and Sam asks if she wouldn’t have heard. Molly says she was caught up in something with TJ. They have to plan the baby’s funeral. Sam hugs her and says she’s sorry.  

John says, they have to rehearse Ava’s story for the record on file, but she says she’s given her statement. He says, give it again, but this time, she’s going to say what he tells her to say and do it how he wants it. She says, it’s been a long day. She’s going to close up and head back to her hotel. They can start tomorrow. He says, the judge gave him 48 hours. He’s not losing his badge or Sonny’s case over this. Let’s get started. They’re going to work on her statement until it’s perfect.

The doctor apologizes for the wait and tells Laura that they did a test on Lulu’s liver, and it’s been compromised. If they continue on this trajectory, her liver will fail. Laura asks if the doctor is telling her that her daughter is going to die.

Tomorrow, Alexis says, TJ never needs to know what Kristina intended to do; John tells Ava that the only thing Sonny responds to is leverage; and Anna tells someone that they have to choose.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

I’m thrilled that Brad is back, but bummed that Britt is no longer around to cause trouble with him.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/parry-shen-celebrates-his-return-to-general-hospital

In case you don’t know him.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/abc/general-hospital-brad-cooper-parry-shen-171676

Background on Lulu, much of which I don’t remember. On the show, it sounds like she’s going to die, but there was that Soaps In Depth article that said they’re recasting, so who knows? Whenever they change writers, it’s a surprise a minute.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/abc/general-hospital-lulu-spencer-falconeri-169139

Still pretty incensed about this.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/jacqueline-grace-lopez-shares-a-special-message-with-fans

Do you think he really says things like, holy heck?

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/nicholas-chavezs-netflix-series-gets-a-premiere-date

🐪 A Camel Walks Into Dubai…

In one of the creepiest moments in Housewives history, Sara revealed that her housekeeper had been plotting to kidnap her young son. She was also sharing his picture with various creepers, who responded with how cute he was, which is pretty f***ed up. To add insult to injury, when Sara told her to start packing, she packed some of Sara’s things as well. Thankfully, she’s now in jail. A thousand showers can’t wipe that away.

Sergio wanted to have a baby with Stanbury, and it sounded like it might be a deal breaker. If I were her, I’d have that baby lickity-split, since a puppy at her heels he might be, but he’s also a real find who adores her and who’s actually thoughtful. For her birthday, he took her on a private yacht cruise and had a cake made that looked like their new house. I love stuff like that. I mean the cake, but the yacht is good too. They finally have the leeway to use a surrogate, and money is no object as far as a nanny or anything else goes, so why not? She said it would be life changing, but not so much when you have a life like theirs. It’s not like he’ll have to take a second job.

Stanbury and Lesa had lunch, and Lesa did one of those things I hate that many of the Housewives do – play the family card. You know, what you said effects my family. Well, if people don’t get that you’re on a reality show and nonsense is going to be said about you, maybe you need a new address book. It just seems way overused. Fancy Pants Heather made the same claim just last week on RHOC. It’s just doubtful anyone cares about secondhand hearsay from a co-star.

And the rest…

🧂 Pass the Salt…

Coming September 18th.

In case you need an explanation.

https://ew.com/real-housewives-salt-lake-city-season-5-trailer-explained-8697919

🍸 Adding Bail Bondsman To Resumé…

That’s a lot of weed. How stupid is he to be carting that to another country?

🦸 You’re Welcome, Canada…

Movin’ on up.

https://ew.com/deadpool-and-wolverine-beats-joker-highest-grossing-r-rated-movie-of-all-time-8696677

🦥 New At the Zoo…

It doesn’t get much more adorable.

https://people.com/atlanta-zoo-excited-about-birth-of-baby-two-toed-sloth-8697807

🐼 No surprise, Ying Ying looks exhausted.

https://people.com/giant-panda-hong-kong-gives-birth-twins-worlds-oldest-first-time-panda-mom-8696512

🦩 The times, they are a-changin’.

https://people.com/same-sex-chilean-flamingo-couple-hatch-and-care-for-chick-8696536

🌊 Good Tides, High Vibes…

Join me tomorrow for soap and what’s being listed in LA. Until then, stay safe, stay speaking about others as though they were standing next to you, and stay never throwing in with an FBI agent who has their own agenda.

August 19, 2024 – John Arrests Kristina For Attempted Murder, Starboard Cabin Leak On Deck, Charged, Our Talk Daddy & Island

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Cody tells Sasha that he knows it’s a big step for her and doesn’t want to mess it up. She tells him to stop talking, and they get busy.

Brad (yay!) thanks Terry for seeing him, and she asks if his concern is a medical issue. He says, no, and she asks what she can do for him. He says he was checking the GH job website and noticed an opening for a lab tech. He realizes it’s an entry level position, but he’d like to apply. She asks, what’s stopping him? and he says his history with GH. She asks if he’s referring to his extremely checkered past as an employee of this hospital. Does he think it’s worth his time applying? He says he knows it’s a long shot… unless the Co-Chief of Staff goes to bat for him.

Jason looks for Anna at the station.

Laura tells Anna that it was the long-term care facility on the phone. The doctor wants to see her, so she needs to go. Anna asks if there’s anything she can do, and Laura says, yes. Step up the search for Valentin. Charlotte may need to see her mother. She hopes to God it’s not the last time.

John tells Kristina that she’s under arrest, and Alexis asks, for what? He says that’s between him, the perp, and the FBI, and Sonny says, John wants to come after him, but can’t do it like a man, so he’s going to harass his daughter. John says, even if that were true – and he’s not saying it is – there’s nothing Sonny can do about it.

Tracy brings Violet to the stables. They’re both dressed in riding outfits, and Violet says she loves her new costume. Tracy says, she looks wonderful, and Violet asks if she looks elegant. Tracy says, exceptionally, but the outfits are about more than looking good. There’s also safety and comfort. She tells Violet to pay close attention to Cody when he saddles her horse. Everybody should be able to saddle their own horse. She wonders where Cody is, and Violet says, maybe he’s hiding. Tracy suggests they find him.  

Laura asks Jordan to cover for her at the breakfast meeting on waterfront planning. Lulu has had a setback with her health, and she may need to rely on Jordan more than usual. Jordan says, that’s what she’s here for. She hopes everything is all right. Laura says her too.

The desk sergeant tells Jason that Anna’s not in her office and asks if he can take a message, but Jason says he’ll wait. He sits with Dante, and they discuss Danny’s upcoming baseball game. Dante’s phone rings, and he says he’ll be right there.

John asks if Sonny is feeling powerless, but Sonny says, against John? Not a chance. John says he’s got the FBI behind him. What’s Sonny got? Sonny says he’d be happy to show it to John, and John says, bring it. Alexis tells Sonny, stop it, and Sonny says he’s going to make a phone call. He leaves, and John tells the officer to cuff Kristina, but Alexis says, not until he tells her what the charges are. John says, Kristina is an adult. He doesn’t have to answer to her parent. Alexis says she’s not here as Kristina’s mother, but as her lawyer, and John (who is eternally out of every loop) says, she lost her license. She says, he needs to catch up. She got her license back. Molly says, it’s a judicial review process, not unlike the one he’ll be facing at the DOJ. John tells Kristina that she’s being arrested for the assault and attempted murder of Ava Jerome.

Anna comes into the station and Jason says he was waiting for her. She tells him to follow her.

Dante goes to see Laura, who says she’s sorry she didn’t call herself. Dante says he hopes she’s not too busy for dinner tonight. Rocco has reached level 20 in Fortune Quest and wants to tell her all about it. She says she has to go to Silver Water. Something’s not right with Lulu.

On the phone, Sonny says he doesn’t care if she’s in court or what client she has, he needs to speak to her. (I assume it’s Diane.)

Molly says, that’s ridiculous, and John says, the victim would disagree. Kristina says, Ava Jerome is nobody’s victim, and John says, only because Kristina didn’t succeed. Alexis tells Kristina not to say another word and asks John when this alleged assault took place. John says, the attacked happened on August 1st at 10:30 am, and Alexis says, the altercation when Kristina fell three stories and Ava walked away without a hair out of place? but John says he’s not litigating this at the hospital. Molly says, he doesn’t have a law license, and won’t be litigating anything, and he says he’s here to take the perp to the PCPD. Kristina says, Ava attacked her, nearly killed her, and did kill her baby, and Molly says, his claim is shaky at best and John can’t arrest Kristina. This is out of his jurisdiction. He says he’s a federal agent. The whole country is his jurisdiction. She says, this is local matter to be handled by the PCPD and the Port Charles DA’s office, and he says, where she works, but she says she won’t be on the case. He says, Kristina made a criminal threat against a material witness in an ongoing FBI investigation. Which means it’s absolutely within his jurisdiction.  

Tracy tells Violet, Cody’s not out back or in the stable. She knows she told him they were going riding. Where could he be? Violet says, Cody lives upstairs. Maybe he’s up there. Tracy says, there’s only one way to find out, walks up the stairs, and calls to Cody. Cody and Sasha stop what they’re doing, and Cody says, maybe if they’re quiet, she’ll go away. Sasha says, it’s Tracy, and he says, touché. She hopes he locked the door, and he calls that he’ll be be right down. Just give him a minute. He tells Sasha that he’s sorry.

John says, Kristina got a subpoena from Ava’s lawyer to testify against her father and went to Ava’s hotel suite to confront her. She threatened to kill Ava if she was forced to testify. Kristina says, that’s not what happened, and John says, when Ava wasn’t intimidated, Kristina flew into a rage and attacked Ava. During the struggle was when Kristina crashed through the window. Kristina says, that’s not true, and John tells her, that’s what Ava says, and thanks to the photos she provided, the evidence shows Kristina assaulting Ava. Alexis says, the photos show Ava had hands on Kristina, and John says, she was defending herself. Alexis says, Ava was sending Kristina off balance and crashing out the window, but John says, that’s for the court to decide. He tells Kristina, get up, but Alexis says, don’t move. This is abuse and harassment. It’s a threat to Kristina’s physical health and to John’s employment. He says, she’s being discharged, and Alexis says, to go home to a clean bed. He’s not about to drag off Kristina to a dirty cell. Sonny says, she’s in a wheelchair, and Alexis says, if he insists on this, she’ll call the ACLU, the DOJ, the FBI, and the local press. John says, fine. Bring the wheelchair. Alexis tells Kristina not to do or say anything. She’ll be right behind them. She tells Molly that she can’t come, or it will risk favoritism. Sonny promises to fix this, and the officer gives Kristina her rights. Alexis says, she’ll keep them posted, and follows Kristina, John, and the officer out of the hospital.

Dante asks if Laura wants him to come, but she says, Doc is going to meet her there. He wonders if he should tell Rocco, but she says, not yet. She wants to talk to the doctor first. She’s hoping it’s a false alarm. She’s hoping Lulu will be better and this will just be a surprise visit. She’ll call as soon as she knows anything. Dante thanks her for keeping him in the loop, and she says, of course (🍷). He’s family and always will be… What’s wrong? He says he knows he and Lulu weren’t together when it happened, but he’ll always love her. Laura says she knows and takes his hand.

Molly meets Jordan at an outside table, and Jordan says she appreciates Molly coming here. Molly asks if Jordan is here as her mother-in-law or the Deputy Mayor, and Jordan says, a little of both. Kristina tells her that Agent Cates arrested Kristina, and she doesn’t mean to rush Jordan… Jordan says, they need to take some time. She wants to make sure Molly really hears her. Molly says, about what? and Jordan asks, what on earth possessed her to go see Ava in jail?  

Terry says, Brad altered Finn’s drug screening, and faked lab results that said Britt was pregnant with Patrick Drake’s child. Brad says, she was pregnant, and Terry says, after he helped her steal Lulu’s embryo. She brings out his folder, and he says, for the record, he did nothing to implant the embryo, but she says, he gets no points for that. He also helped Nelle pass off her child as his and Lucas’s. He says his child died and Lucas hadn’t even met him yet. All he was doing was watching their new baby and the baby just died. She says she can’t imagine what he was going through, but it’s no excuse for what he did. He says he made a monumentally bad call that cost him everything. He knows he hurt people, but he also believes he’s been punished enough. Terry asks if he expects her to trust him, and he says, Britt did. Before she died… before she was murdered by Heather Webber, she lobbied for him to get a job as a patient advocate. Terry says, she was a good friend, and he says, the best ever. Terry says, she was also a professional and committed to the good of the hospital. He says, she was, and she wouldn’t have lobbied for him if she didn’t trust him. She believed in second chances and got more than a few. She offered one to him, and she wasn’t able to follow through, but Terry can. Please give him one more chance. For Britt.

Cody comes downstairs and says he’s sorry. Tracy asks if he was sleeping on the job, but he says, definitely not sleeping. She asks if he forgot, and he says he did. She says, that’s never happened to her before. She’s been ignored, but never forgotten. She tells Violet, there’s a first time for everything, and Cody says he forgot in all the excitement. Tracy asks if he means James being missing, and Violet says, James is missing? Cody says, they found James, and Tracy says she thought he was the one who found James.  

At the station, Alexis asks where Kristina is, and John says, she’s being booked. Sonny says, John has gone too far, and John asks if that’s a threat. Alexis says, it’s a fact. This is a massive overreach of jurisdiction and an abuse of power. He says, tell it to the judge, and she says she’s going to tell his superior at the FBI about the supposed investigation. (Someone, please do that.) John asks if they think he’s making it up. The FBI has been investigating Sonny for decades. Alexis says she thinks the FBI is a lot less interested in Sonny than he is, and Sonny says, John is off the rails. He can’t wait to see John crash and burn. (Agreed.)

Anna asks, what’s on Jason’s mind? and Jason says, they talked about Sonny being a little off. His bipolar meds were tampered with. She says, Carly told her that, but he seems back on track. Jason says, he is, and she asks if they know who it was who tampered with the meds. He says, Valentin, and Valentin got away when he gave Anna time to warn him.

Cody asks if they want to get on the horses, but Violet says she forgot her hat. She runs into the other room and sees Sasha coming downstairs. Violet asks if she was taking a nap with Cody.

Brad tells Terry that no one ever accused him of being incompetent. Nothing he did wrong was self-serving. He was either blackmailed or coerced. Terry says, he’s no one’s innocent victim, and he says, one thing he never was, was innocent. He always brought on his own trouble, but that doesn’t change that he’s an expert lab technician and would be an asset to the hospital. She asks why he doesn’t apply to another lab. Why is it so important he work at GH? He says, for the same reason it was to Britt. It’s home.

Jordan says, they got a call from Scotty saying the DA’s office was harassing his client, but Molly says she wasn’t alone and brought an impartial witness with her. She never said she was a representative of the DA. Most importantly, Ava killed her daughter. Jordan says, it has yet to be proved. If Molly was there as a private citizen, why did she ask Dex to be her witness? She would have never even gotten in there if she didn’t work for the DA. Not only did she abuse her position, she compromised the case. Molly says she’s sorry. She wasn’t thinking. Jordan says she’s glad Molly understands. Molly asks why she isn’t hearing this from Robert, and Jordan says, he understands she was acting out of grief, and as a professional courtesy, he’s letting her handle it rather than give Molly an official reprimand. What she doesn’t understand is why Molly did this on the day TJ and her family needed her. She thought Molly needed them too. Molly says she does, and Jordan asks, why did she leave them to confront Ava? Molly says she was angry. She wanted justice for her daughter, bur doesn’t even know if prosecuting Ava will accomplish that. Jordan says, nothing will bring that beautiful baby back, and Molly says, don’t they deserve to know what happened? She’s starting think Kristina falling wasn’t Ava’s fault.  

Kristina comes out and asks where Molly is, and Alexis says she suggested Molly stay behind so it doesn’t look like there’s bias. Kristina says, Cates is biased. She almost died and her baby did die. Alexis asks if she’s in pain, and Kristina says, no, but she’s uncomfortable and wants to go home. Sonny says, he’ll have Frank pick up her medication, and Kristina says, this is a nightmare.  

John says, Kristina’s cell is ready, but Alexis says she’s going to find a way to make Kristina more comfortable. She goes to the desk, and Sonny tells Kristina that he doesn’t want her to worry. She’ll be home before she knows it.

Anna says, Jason thinks Valentin tampered with Sonny’s meds, and Jason says, yeah. Anna says, Carly thinks it’s Ava. She has no proof. She’s just going off of Ava’s history. She did the same thing to Morgan. Jason says, that’s what they thought, and Anna says she’s trying to make sense of it. Jason says he found the pharmacist that switched Sonny’s medication, and he said it was on Valentin’s orders. He filled Jason in on everything. Anna says she had no idea Valentin tampered with Sonny’s meds, and Jason says he knows. It’s not her style. She says, she appreciates that, for what it’s worth (🍷), and he says, for what it’s worth (🍷), he needs to know where Valentin is,  but she says she doesn’t know. He asks if she’s still protecting Valentin, and she says she knows she screwed up, but she swears she had no idea that Valentin tampered with Sonny’s meds. Jason asks if she’d tell him if she did, and she says she would. He says, that he believes, and she asks if Sonny knows. He says, not yet, and she says, Jason can’t tell him. he tells her to stop protecting Valentin, but she says, it’s not about him. She needs to find Charlotte.  

Violet wonders why people take naps when they don’t have to, and Cody says, we get old. We get tired. We take naps. Violet says, they’re not old. Tracy is old. Tracy coughs and says, it’s not polite to discuss age. Violet asks, why? and she says, those are the rules. Sasha says she’d better get back to the house, and Tracy suggests she take Violet to get some apples and carrots for the horses. Violet asks if she’s not supposed to watch Cody saddle them, but Tracy says, they’ll wait. Sasha says, if Violet feeds Buttercup apples and carrots, Buttercup will love her even more, and Violet says, sounds like a plan. They leave, and Cody says he’s sorry he made them wait. It won’t happen again. Tracy says, in the middle of the day? and Cody says he’s entitled to a break. Tracy says, there are children on the grounds, and Cody says, they were in his bedroom. She asks if Leo has never barged in unannounced, and he says he thinks that kid can travel through walls. She asks what he was thinking, and he says, it was a big afternoon. She says, because he returned James, but he says, not that part. It was huge, but it’s what happened after. Mac told James that he’s Mac’s son. He thinks Mac might have forgiven him.

Terry says, Brad can’t ask her to turn a blind eye on his misdeeds, and he asks if she turned a blind eye on Britt. She says, they didn’t like anything about each other, and Brad says, but by the time Britt invited Terry to her first and only birthday bash, they were more than co-workers. They were friends, right? Terry says, it was a great party. He and Britt sang the hell out of that duet. She remembers how excited she was for Britt to embark on a new life. He says, none of them knew that life was ending that same night. Britt died because she saved Josslyn. Terry asks if he thinks that will persuade Michael not to object, and he asks if she’s saying she’s going to try and help him work here. She says she can’t believe she’s going to say this, but she’ll do it.  

Dante says he heard from three different people that Cates arrested his sister, and Sonny says, he sure did. Dante tells John that his sister was just in the hospital, and John asks if that means she doesn’t need to face the consequences of her actions. Dante says, what actions? but John walks away. Sonny says, bogus charges. John is using Kristina to get to him. Bogus charges or not, it’s better than lockup. Kristina says, they know it’s not true, and Alexis says, it’s not even plausible. Kristina says, when she let Ava know that she’d tell everything about Connie and Morgan, that’s when Ava grabbed her. She didn’t attack Ava. Alexis says, she knows, and if she has to, she’ll prove it.

Molly says she doesn’t think Kristina would intentionally hurt Ava, and Ava has nothing to do with being a witness for the FBI. Jordan says, it’s painfully obvious, and dealing with Ava would set anyone off. Molly says she was there when Kristina received the subpoena, and Jordan asks, what was her initial reaction? Molly says, Kristina was adamant that she wouldn’t testify and went to ask Ava to withdraw the subpoena. Jordan says, maybe her actions were rash, but that hardly seems unhinged, and Molly says, Kristina has a temper, and she’s hated Ava ever since Morgan died. She can’t help but wonder what Kristina did when Ava refused.

Jason says, nothing is going to happen to Charlotte, and Anna says, while Jason was waiting for her, she was in with Laura. Lulu isn’t doing well, and Laura wants Charlotte back here to spend whatever time Lulu has left with her, but she has no idea where Charlotte is and needs to find Valentin. Jason says, he’s not keeping this from Sonny, but she says, if Sonny finds out, he’ll retaliate. He says, Sonny will have to find Valentin first, and she says she’s just asking him to hold off. It’s about Charlotte. She owes it to Charlotte. Charlotte almost died because of her. She should not be forced to watch her father die. Jason says he’s not telling her that’s not going to happen, but if it does, Charlotte won’t be anywhere near it. She says she’s asking for time to track them down and Jason sighs. He says, if this is about Charlotte, when Anna finds them, is she going to warn Valentin about Sonny? Anna says she won’t let a private citizen take the law into their own hands.

Cody says he’s got a dad and a family. James is super psyched about his new uncle, which is him. Tracy says, it’s wonderful and she’s happy for him, and he says, that means a lot. She tells him, now saddle the horses.  

Terry says, Britt will haunt her if she doesn’t, and Brad thanks her. It’s amazing. She won’t regret it. He’ll be totally opposite of the person he was. She says, he doesn’t have the job yet, but he says, with her recommendation, he’ll be in. She says, in the highly unlikely event that it happens, he’ll be on probation, and he says he’s already done parole. Probation is nothing. She says, a lot of people will want him to fail, and he says he looks forward to winning over the haters. He thanks her, she says, get out, and he leaves.

Laura asks someone, what the hell are you doing here? (Valentin?)

In the interrogation room, Dante says he got Kristina some soup, but she says she’s not hungry. Alexis says she’s got to try and eat, and Kristina says, fine. She takes a couple of spoonfuls and says, it’s kind of good. Dante says, would her big brother steer her wrong? Sonny looks though the window and John comes up behind him. John says, it must be weird to be on this side, and Sonny asks if he feels guilty. John asks, why? and Sonny says, because he made a bogus charge and used Kristina to get to him. John says, he had to watch Sonny use Karen. Now he’ll watch justice take its course. Sonny says, this isn’t not justice, when Jason arrives. John says, if it’s not the enforcer right on cue, and Sonny tells Jason, let’s walk. This guy gets on his nerves. They leave.

On the phone, Anna tells someone that she needs help locating one of their clients.

Alexis says, John is still here. Fantastic. He says, someone’s got to stand guard, and she says, knock himself out . She’ll be petitioning for a emergency hearing, but he says, it won’t get the charges dismissed. She says, we’ll see. In the meantime, she’ll see about bail. John says, he’s sure with a father who owns a private island, Kristina won’t be a flight risk, but she says she won’t let him railroad her daughter.

Dante says, Kristina won’t spend the night in a cell, and she asks if he thinks she’ll get out. He says, if she can’t, she’s still not going downstairs, and she asks if she’ll get house arrest at the MetroCourt. He says, she’ll spend the night here, and she asks if it’s better than downstairs. He says, of course (🍷), and she says, at least the cell has a bed, but he says, they have Wi-Fi. They’ll binge one of those crappy reality shows she loves. She can pick the one he hates the most. He asks if she’s okay, and she says, just scared. They don’t have evidence of what actually happened. The photos show that Ava grabbed her, but the look on her face is angry. At the end of the day, it’s Ava’s word against hers. Dante says, that’s a great thing. Who would believe Ava over her?

Jordan says she’s surprised Molly has doubts about her sister, and Molly says, Kristina loved the baby and would never intentionally hurt her, but Kristina doesn’t think sometimes. She’s sure TJ has shared his concerns. Jordan says, he has, and Molly says, Kristina has had her outbursts during the pregnancy. She saw the photos of the confrontation. Jordan asks if Ava’s hands weren’t on Kristina, and Molly says, it doesn’t prove Ava was the aggressor. They were both so mad. Jordan asks what she’s saying, and Molly says, the idea of Kristina threatening Ava isn’t that farfetched. Jordan asks if she thinks Kristina attacked Ava, and Molly says, they wouldn’t be here. None of this would have happened if Kristina had listened her and stayed away from Ava.

In Sonny’s car, Sonny tells Jason that Jagger arrested Kristina to get to him, and Jason agrees. Sonny says, Ava was right about one thing. She didn’t tamper with his medication. Jagger did. Jagger expected him to lose his mind and attack him. Jason says, it wasn’t Cates, and Sonny says, he had the motive and the dates match. Jason says, it wasn’t him. It was Valentin.

Tomorrow, Molly tells TJ that if Kristina hadn’t done that one thing, their child would still be alive; Sam asks Dante if the mayor is in on this too; Sonny says, this is going to drive someone crazy; and Laura asks if they’re telling her that her daughter is going to die.

Below Deck Mediterranean

D*ckwad Joe tells Ellie that he doesn’t want to go on the date. He’s never been asked on a date before and thinks it’s serious, and he doesn’t want serious. Ellie says, it’s just about having fun, talking, and getting to know each other, but Joe says, for him, dating is up there and he’s not ready. He feels pressure and doesn’t want a date. Ellie says, okay. Not a problem. He says, she doesn’t hate him? and she says, no. Thanks. Bye. In her interview, she says, he liked her well enough to make out with her, but not enough to get to know her as a person and talk to her. She understands why some spiders eat their mates after mating.

Joe tells Nathan that maybe he took it too serious, but he doesn’t want to force himself. Gael asks if Ellie is all right, and Ellie says she’s numb to everything at this point. She imitates Joe and says, it’s not that serious. She’s moving on. In Gael’s interview, she says, Joe is being a d*ck. He wants what he wants when he wants it. He doesn’t care about the girls and she’s losing respect for him. Bri tells Jono that she heard Ellie speaking to Aesha, and she needs to stop flirting with Joe. Jono says, her job may depend on this. In Nathan’s interview, he says he usually dresses casually, but tonight, he’s here to impress. He puts on a turtleneck and slacks, and says, one look in the mirror and he looks like a knob. The crew leaves to go out, and in the taxi, Joe tells Bri about the non-date and says he didn’t want the pressure. In Bri’s interview, she says she’s not surprised, but he should have said no first instead of yes. This is what annoys her. Joe starts something and never finishes. He leaves her there, dangling. The crew heads for a restaurant.

At the table, they talk zombies, and Joe asks if Ellie is all right. She says she’s fine, and he says he’s never been asked on a date before. He was overwhelmed. It seemed too serios. She says, he was wrong, and in Joe’s interview, he says his last relationship was in 2017. When they broke up, he was going through a rough time. He was sleeping in his car and had no job. He thought he didn’t deserve this woman. The next person he dates is going to be the person he marries. Wow. He really doesn’t understand dating at all. Aesha says that if she marries Scott, he’s going to take her name, so he’ll be Scott Scott. Joe asks if Ellie wants children, and she says she was an only child, and wants three. He’s surprised and says he doesn’t know her, and in her interview, Ellie says, that’s what the date was about. How many ways can you chase away good p*ssy? In Bri’s interview, she says, f*** Joe, and tells Jono that it’s awkward now. Jono thinks it’s funny, and in her interview, Bri says she’s confused. If Joe wants Ellie, then take Ellie and stop teasing her. Well, we know he won’t be taking her on a date.

The crew goes to a penthouse club where they – surprise – dance and drink. In Bri’s interview, she says, Joe looks in her eyes and she’s locked in. Stop it. Nathan asks Gael to come with him, and she asks if she’s in trouble. He says, maybe, and Aesha wonders if they’re finally having a moment. Nathan says, they should get off the boat and do something cool, and Gael asks if they’re allowed. He says he asked Iain and Iain said it was okay. They’ll have fun. In Gael’s interview, she says she hasn’t had time to fully resolve her feelings about her last relationship. She wishes she could deny how she feels about Nathan, but she can’t. She’s never had a connection this quickly and it’s scary. Iain sits with Aesha, and he says he feels she’s doing well. She says she had her trials with the girls and had to teach them, and he says he wondered if she was going to make a change. She says she almost fired both of them, and in Aesha’s interview, she says, they’re doing well enough to keep their jobs, but she’s had to do her job, then repeat theirs if she wants the boat to run to the administrative standard. We flash back to her dealing with their screw-ups, and she says she needs to be on all the time and it’s not sustainable. Bri and Ellie sit together, and Bri says, Joe is playing both of them. It’s like chasing a flea. Ellie says she apologizes for hurting Bri’s feelings. It wasn’t her intention. She saw Bri’s defense mechanism was going into sensitive mode, and was afraid if she responded, Bri would keep defaulting to it. So she stayed firm to bring Bri out. Bri says she’s sorry for projecting and accusing Ellie of things she didn’t do, and in Ellie’s interview, she says she’s surprised Bri apologized and is owning up to her role in their issues. If she had known Joe was leading Bri on, she would have approached the situation differently. They hug. Nathan tells Iain that he asked Gael out and she said yes. Iain asks if Nathan is nervous, and Nathan says, a wee bit. Nathan asks Gael if she wants to go bungee jumping or skydiving, and she says she’s flexible.  Insert your own joke here. Joe follows Bri to the bathroom and asks why Bri’s face dropped when she saw him. She tells him not to be giving her eyes, and he says he’s only giving her eyes because she’s giving him eyes. She says, f*** off. She wants to hook up with him. He goes into the stall, and we hear them saying rude things. Joe tells her to get her skirt up. Gross. I’m not into angry sex or toilet sex.

Joe says, Bri started it, and she says, if he doesn’t know how to make a decision, she’ll make it for him. If he can’t be a man, she will be. Get out. He walks out, and in Bri’s interview, she says, sh*t. In every way possible, Joe isn’t good for her. He’s feeding into her impulsiveness and not making her a good human. The crew leaves the club, and Ellie tells Aesha that Bri said she was sorry for the unnecessary drama. Aesha says, unless they did it for themselves, she couldn’t do it for them. In Aesha’s interview, she says, maybe the cabin switch made them make up. She needs to see them at work to see if this is actually going to happen. She tells Ellie that she loves that they had the conversation. Back on the boat, everyone goes to bed. Bri wonders if she should talk to Joe and clear the air, and Aesha says, be honest with him. Joe gets a text from Bri saying they should chat. He wonders what she wants to chat about.

28 hours before charter. Captain Sandy reads that heavy rainstorms are predicted, while Nathan searches for fun activities in Athens. In Nathan’s interview, he says he likes the idea of rock climbing. Aesha tells Bri and Ellie that they know the drill. Cabins and laundry. The captain goes into the laundry room where it looks like a clothing store exploded, and in her interview, she says, the laundry is a disaster. Joe tells Nathan that he and Bri kissed in the toilet, and Nathan says, get off. Joe says, Nathan is shouting when he’s trying to keep it on the downlow, and in their joint interview, Nathan says, Joe can do what he wants. He’s single. Joe says he doesn’t know what he’s doing. How can he expect a good outcome? Nathan says, exactly.

Bri calls her friend and is talking as she walks into the laundry room where Captain Sandy is ironing. The captain says she wants Bri to clean up this mess. Hang up. The way she left it, that can’t happen again. She doesn’t like messes. If Bri is disorganized, how can she keep up? Fix this for her and get started now. Nathan goes to the bridge and asks Captain Sandy if it’s possible for him to bring out Gael to do a wee activity. The captain asks if something is going on, and he says, he’s enjoying her company and thought it would be nice to get off the boat for a wee distraction. She tells him to enjoy himself. As long as the work is completed, have fun. Bri tells Jono about what the captain said, and says, but she’s an organized mess. In Jono’s interview, he says, it’s a fiasco, but Bri is his girl. He doesn’t want her to lose her job. He’s not covering up for her, but he feels empathetic. Nathan tells Gael that they’re going rock climbing, and she says, nice, and hugs him. Captain Sandy shows Aesha where she’s going to ask Leah to marry her, and in the captain’s interview, she says, Leah is coming in a few days and she’s nervous. She doesn’t want to mess it up. Aesha suggests she do it on the dock there. It will be more ceremonial. Captain Sandy says she wants it to flow and not bawl her eyes out. She tells Aesha that the laundry room is an explosion. She thinks a lot of Bri’s confusion is that. She sees Aesha standing to eat her meals. She never sits and the captain wants to help. In Gael’s interview, she says, when it’s more serious, she overthinks it more. She tells Jono that it’s exciting, but terrifying, and in her interview, she says she thinks she and Nathan have a connection, but she’s seen guys be sweet to girls, and behind their back, they don’t know what’s going on. Maybe Nathan is playing games. In the past, she’s been hurt and it scares her. She and Nathan leave.

At the preference sheet meeting, Captain Sandy says, the primary is Pamela Duke, who created a nautical themed jewelry line. The other guests are her husband Denny, Uncle Steve, and his wife Janie. Janie and Steve will be celebrating their 25th anniversary, and there’s a fireworks surprise from Steve. They have a lot to discuss. They’re going to be stuck on the dock the first day. The wind is going to be over 40 knots, and they wouldn’t be able to get back in. In the captain’s interview, she says, instead of a hurricane, in the Mediterranean, it’s called a Medicane. There are going to be high winds and lots of rain. She thinks it will move by quickly and hopes to get off the second day. She tells Aesha that there’s a lot of history in this town, so it should be easy to figure out what to do.

At the rock-climbing place, Gael asks if Nathan still thinks it’s a good idea and he says, no. In Nathan’s interview, he says he’s afraid of heights. He doesn’t know why he chose this activity. F***. Nathan says he’ll race her up, and Gael slips, but then passes him. He says he’s scared, but she says, he’s got this. They reach the top, and he’s afraid to go back down, but she says, just think of it as a bosun’s chair and push on the wall. They go back down, and in Gael’s interview, she says she feels a bit vulnerable. They’re progressing and she wonders if that’s why it’s scary. They climb again, and a little kid begins his climb. Nathan says he hopes the kid falls. When they’re finished, Nathan says, it turns out that she’s the better rock climber, and she says she’s proud of him. He was scared, but he got here. He says he will puke on their first date, and she says, it’s a story to tell. In his interview, he says, it was fun getting to know Gael. He might have found his pot of gold after all.

18 hours before charter. Bri tells Joe not to f*** around. Don’t make her feel dumb. He says, cut the sh*t, and in Bri’s interview, she says, her time with Joe is done. She knows who Joe is and sees through his bullsh*t. It’s nice to feel wanted, but she has to set boundaries and needs him not to cross them. Aesha looks up the Agora of Athens, and says, it looks beautiful. She asks Bri about the laundry and says, the captain said it was a total sh*tshow. She feels Bri works inefficiently and gives her some tips. In Aesha’s interview, she says, the boat is meant to be run with four stews. She does it with three and two have little experience. It’s just hectic. Ellie looks for her Pepsi and is courteous, but not too friendly, with Joe. In Joe’s interview, he says he has no regrets about not going on the date. He’s not interested. Gael and Nathan get back to the boat, and Nathan asks for a kiss. In Gael’s interview, she says, right now, screw it. She’s going to do what makes her feel happy. He’s nice and she likes him, Did she say that? Nathan tells Joe that they had fun. He’s a hopeless romantic, and Joe is just hopeless.  

5 hours before charter. Thunder starts, and Captain Sandy says, this sucks. The provisions come in and rain begins to fall. The captain wonders what the dripping noise is and sees there’s another leak in the forward cabin. We flash back to her telling Aesha that they can’t use the cabin, and she says, this is not good. She radios the deckhands and says, the leak is getting in the bosun’s locker now. The door is closed and they’re taking on water. In her interview, Captain Sandy says, when they take on this much water, it can sink the boat. They can’t go to sea, and it will end the season. Nathan says he needs a wet vac, and the captain says, f*** me.

Captain Sandy says, the forward hatch is leaking, and the crew cabin is really flooding. Joe says he hates the rain so much. They use the wet vac, and Luka says he was plugging it and the plug fell. He tells Captain Sandy that the leak is finished, and in her interview, she says, they have to dry it out and make sure the hatch is sealed. It showed them where the leak was, so they were able to fix it. She tells the deckhands to put in fans. In Jono’s interview, he says he has to dig deep to focus on stellar food. He used to ride horses, and taking care of them requires discipline. He’s digging from that to focus on producing stellar food when they’re stuck at the dock. The captain radios, 30 minutes to guest arrival, and Nathan tells Joe that Bri is having a hard time in the laundry. Things go missing. Joe says, they can’t complain, and in Joe’s interview, he says he knows Bri is treading on eggshells, so he’s not saying anything. The captain radios for the crew to go to the main deck, and primary Pamela comes out of the taxi screeching. Captain Sandy says, Aesha will show them around the boat and after that, she’ll have a chat with them about the plan. Aesha does the tour, and Pamela looks for the bar. The captain says she has bad news regarding the weather. They can’t leave yet, Pamela asks, where’s her alcohol?

Captain Sandy says, if they went out, the guests would hate her and be scared for their lives. Pamela says, it wasn’t supposed to happen until three. Where’s her alcohol? This sucks. The captain says, sorry, and in Aesha’s interview, she says, they look like they were just told Santa isn’t real. It’s really sad. Aesha tells the guests that after lunch, they’re going to a wine tasting at Athen’s oldest winery. It’s absolutely beautiful and will be a nice excursion. Perhaps realizing what an ass she’s being, Pamela says she knows it’s not their fault. Lunch is about to be served, and Nathan and Gael spoon in Nathan’s bunk. Aesha asks if there are deckhands available, interrupting their cuddle, but it turns out Nathan isn’t needed. The guests deem lunch delicious, and Iain calls Nathan to meet in the galley pantry. Aesha tells Gael that she’s going to the winery with Gael’s boyfriend and they’re going to cuddle. Gael asks if Aesha is bringing back some wine for her, but Aesha says, no, and Gael says, bitch. In the taxi, guest Eric says, it’s what they call pre-rain in Florida, and on the boat, Captain Sandy says, holy sh*t. It says, 30 inches of rain today. Pamela is afraid they’ll get to the winery, but won’t be able to get out. Aesha says, it’s indoors, but Pamela says she thinks they should have stayed on the ship. She’s not agreeing to this anymore. Take her back.

Gael says, this is why the storm had a damn name, when an alarm goes off. Captain Sandy says, oh sh*t. F*** me, man. Which seem to be the words of the day. She thinks they might be leaking again and tells Iain to check the starboard cabin. Nathan radios Aesha in the other taxi that the guests want to turn back because the roads are flooding, and Aesha says, let’s go back. The captain says, it’s getting wet. It’s leaking like a motherf***er. Iain says, yeah, it’s dripping, and the captain says, f***, f***, f***!  

To  be continued…

⚖️ Justice For Johnny…

An update on the Neanderthal murderers.

https://ew.com/murder-charges-announced-fatal-shooting-johnny-wactor-8697940

🎤 King Of Talk…

It wouldn’t be right not to acknowledge Phil Donahue’s contribution to daytime talk TV. He had a real reality show.

https://ew.com/talk-show-hosts-react-to-phil-donahue-death-oprah-katie-couric-more-8697726

💦 Walking On Raindrops…

Join me tomorrow for soap and Dubai talk. Until then, stay safe, stay making promises sparingly and keeping the ones you make, and stay giving second chances, especially if you’ve gotten a few of them yourself.