What I Watched Today

(Weekday bites, Friday’s whole GH enchilada & media minutiae)

General Hospital

🍕 Weekday Slices…                                                                          

Monday: 

Sonny met Gio at the Brown Dog, and Gio asked how Fizz🐶was. Sonny said Fizz🐶 missed him, but Fizz🐶 wasn’t the only one who could use company, and Gio asked if it was that obvious. Sonny asked what was going on.

Alexis thought it was wonderful that Brook and Chase were resuming their adoption journey. The child would be lucky to have them as parents. But they should know, it may not be that easy.

Turner said accusing Chase was a serious allegation, and Ric said it was accurate, nonetheless. Dante asked who the witness was, and Ric said, Wiley Corinthos.

Wiley told Willow that he’d had a nightmare. He didn’t like it there and missed his bedroom at daddy’s.

Lulu caught Spinelli lost in thought, and he said, sorry. It had been a remarkable time with Maxie’s coming home party. But once Maxie saw Nathan, he had to expect she’d choose Nathan.

Maxie and Nathan hugged.

Dante said, Wiley saw Chase? and Ric said he’d just found out. Wiley told him voluntarily and uncoached, but Dante must think, due to Wiley’s age, he was fabricating it. Dante said, it needed to be corroborated, and Ric said Chase had recently been demoted because of his unauthorized investigation into Willow’s case. He’d undermined the case and had clear animosity against Ric’s client. Turner said it had been dealt with, but Ric said Chase hadn’t learned his lesson. The PCPD had seized the key, but Chase had handled it before the search warrant was even issued. Whose idea was it to go fishing for the key to Drew’s house? Dante said, Nathan’s, and Ric said if Chase had been part of the decision making, imagine the PR nightmare. Critical evidence had been missing that allowed a guilty woman to go free. Turner said Michael was free to go, and Ric and Michael left. Dante told Turner that they’d gotten the idea about the key from Chase.

Alexis told Chase and Brook that they’d have to reapply, but they should be able to fly through it unless there had been a major change to their lives. Chase said when they’d last applied, he was a detective at the PCPD, but he’d been demoted to patrolman. He wondered if it would hurt their chances.

Sonny asked how it was going with Emma and her parents, and Gio said he guessed it was fine. They’d been texting, but it wasn’t the same as talking face to face. She wasn’t saying a lot about her grandmother’s status or how the family was taking the news. Sonny said he was sure Emma was happy that she had Gio to talk to, and Gio said he hated that she was far away. He missed her. Sonny said, of course (🍷). Emma was a good person and so was Gio. Gio said he couldn’t stop thinking that the longer Emma was away, the less likely it was that she’d come back.

Spinelli said Jason and Brook insisted Maxie would choose him, and Lulu said she didn’t doubt Maxie’s love for him. Spinelli said he feared that love wasn’t as deep as her love for Nathan.

Maxie said her mom told her that Nathan was back, but seeing and hearing him was surreal. Nathan said, for him too, and she said she hadn’t upgraded her phone for a long time because she was afraid she’d lose the messages from him and forget the sound of his voice. How did this happen? He said he wished he knew, and she asked if he remembered what happened that day. He said he remembered looking for her at Crimson and his father was there. His father shot him, and then he remembered being at GH and waiting with her. Then everything sort of went dark. We flashed back to Nathan’s final moments, and he said, then when he woke up, Nina was there and he was in a hospital bed at GH, seven years of his life gone. He was sorry for leaving her and the baby alone. She said he didn’t leave. He was taken from them. She knew he’d never leave her.

Lulu said Maxie loved both Spinelli and Nathan in different ways. Spinelli knew parts of Maxie that Nathan never knew. He knew Georgie, and the connection to Maxie’s sister was priceless. He was Maxie’s first real love. Spinelli said they broke up and there was Nathan. Nathan breathed new life into Maxie, and he’d found a new life in Portland. Lulu said Nathan wasn’t Maxie’s first love, but he was a big one, and Spinelli said Nathan was her hero. Lulu said, a love like that hits differently and you couldn’t stand in the way of it, and Spinelli said it seemed she’d given it considerable thought

Maxie said she heard Nathan met James, and Nathan said James was amazing… and terrifying. Maxie said he was a thrill seeker and wondered where he got it from. They were supposed to raise James together. The last thing Nathan said was that he loved her like there was no tomorrow. He said, it was true then and it’s true now. For him, it was like no time had passed. For her, everything changed, and they had to face what happened.

Sonny asked why Gio thought Emma might stay in California, and Gio said one reason she’d come to Port Charles was for her grandmother, and she’d wondered when she’d feel like she belonged. Sonny asked what Gio would do if that happened.

Alexis said being demoted wasn’t a crime or an indication of bad character. Agencies now took a holistic approach. Brook said, they looked at all factors, and Alexis said she wanted to make sure they saw what she did. They were loving and kind people with ample resources, a stable home, and a good support system. She couldn’t think of more deserving parents. She was going to start the application process immediately. She left, and Chase said he’d never forgive himself if his job affected their chances.

Ric said he was glad Wiley told him and not Chase, and Michael asked if he thought Chase knew Wiley saw him. Ric said he wouldn’t worry about it, but he thought Michael should stay away from Chase. If Chase was willing to throw his career away for Willow, who know what else he’d do.

Turner said if Chase had tampered with Michael’s keys, it strongly suggested he’d tampered with the video footage, but Dante said he’d never seen Chase cut corners or tamper with evidence. She suggested Chase had a blind spot for Willow like Dante did with Michael, and Dante said they should have a conversation with Chase before they jumped to conclusions. She told him to get his department in order. The next wrong move, heads would roll, and it would start with theirs.

Willow said Wiley hadn’t slept there in so long, it made sense that he got scared. He’d get used to it quicker than he thought. How about if they read together until he fell asleep? He said he missed reading with her, and she said her too. Soon the house would feel like home to him and anywhere else wouldn’t feel quite right.

Gio said he wasn’t sure what he’d do and asked what Sonny would think if he moved to be with her. Sonny said he’d miss Gio, but if Gio followed his heart, he’d understand. He couldn’t say the same for Olivia. She’d be strategic and cook for him in the morning. By night… Gio said he’d be unpacking. His phone dinged and he said Josslyn was on her way. Sonny said that was his cue to get out, and Gio thanked him for listening. It made him feel less guilty. Sonny said he was always there and not to feel guilty about anything. On his way out, he saw Turner come in. He asked if she was all right, but she said, no. She’d had an awful day and could use a drink. He asked if she could use some company, and she told him to join her at his own risk. He said he liked risk.

Maxie said she fell apart when she lost Nathan. She blamed Lulu. Nathan said, for the article, and Maxie said she was so broken, she reached out to the first hand she thought was there to help. When she forced herself to be present, all she could see was grief and didn’t see who Peter was, but she didn’t regret Bailey Lou. Nathan said she had to move on and she did. The last months without her were so hard, he couldn’t imagine what it was like she was alone. She said she wasn’t alone. She had Spinelli. He said she still did. What did that mean for them?

Lulu said she’d been thinking about how Maxie would choose, and Spinelli said Chase and Brook encouraged him to fight for her. But if she belonged to Nathan, he’d be fighting Maxie’s heart’s desire, and it wasn’t a fight he was willing to undertake. She said that didn’t sound like the Spinelli she knew.

Ric went to Alexis’s office, and said between keeping Rocco out of prison and settling Michael and Willow’s custody, he thought they were working well together. She said just because they’d collaborated for their mutual benefit didn’t mean she wanted to see him, and he said he had news from the PCPD about Drew’s attempted murder case.

Brook thanked Chase for his patience in putting off the adoption, and he said everything would work out the way it was meant to. They kissed, and she said she couldn’t wait to be a parent with him. She loved him so much. He said him too, when Michael walked in and said, you son of a bitch.

Maxie told Nathan that what happened next was all she could think about. Spinelli was her rock, especially with her kids. Nathan said Spinelli had been supportive in his relationship with James, and she said they were the two best men she’d ever known. He said he’d do anything for James – and her, and she said she cared about them both and wanted them both in her life, but she knew she could only share her life with one of them. He told her, no pressure, but she said dragging it out wasn’t good for the kids. He said he supported whatever she decided, and she says she made her choice. She loved him and always would.

Lulu said, no matter what happened, Spinelli and Maxie had a family. They’d built a life and it wouldn’t just disappear. Spinelli said while that was true, what would destroy him more than Maxie choosing Nathan, was Maxie staying with him out of obligation. He wanted her to be happy even if it wasn’t with him. Lulu said that’s what made him Maxie’s hero, even if he didn’t get the girl.

Josslyn asked how Emma was, and Gio said, struggling, but getting through. She asked if there was anything she could do to help, and Gio asked if that was why she gave them the address of Dalton’s lab. She said she admitted nothing. She wanted to help Emma then and wanted to help her now. She had a reason for showing up other than checking on Emma. She put a copy of The Crystalline Conspiracy on the table.  

Sonny asked what had Turner upset, but she said she couldn’t get into it with him. He said she’d been to his home, met his daughter, and they’d had pizza. She’d built her career on reading people. Couldn’t she tell he was being straight with her? He was about to leave, and said, good luck with her problem, when she said her problem was his son.

Ric said the PCPD wasn’t done with Michael and were looking to build a case against him, and Alexis said she’d hated everything she had to do. He said she’d created reasonable doubt without one piece of evidence against Michael. Now Chase took her theory too far.

Michael told Chase to stop using the PCPD as his proxy, and Brook asked what was going on. Michael said the PCPD issued a warrant for his keys to see if he had a key to Drew’s house. He’d never had one, but Chase put one on there, didn’t he? He threw something at Chase, and Chase went after him. They struggled, Chase kicked Michael, and Michael punched Chase in the face. Dante came in and separated them, and Michael told Chase not to pin Drew’s shooting on him. Chase said he didn’t, but Michael said his son saw Chase with his keys. Chase was dirty. Chase knew it, he knew it, and now they all knew it too.

Willow read to Wiley and said she couldn’t believe it was his new favorite book. Wiley said daddy gave it to him when daddy told him that they were going to Hawaii this summer.

Gio said the woman on the cover looked like Anna, and Josslyn said she was Anna. The author’s name was a pseudonym. The real writer was Cesar Faison. She thought Emma might want it. It might be helpful with Anna’s treatment. He said, as a friend, he was begging her to drop it. From Emma’s description, Anna sounded like a whack job, and Emma was upset. Josslyn said she’d consider dropping it if Gio went to see Emma if she didn’t come home soon.

Turner told Sonny that she’d had a perfect win/loss record. Now she had two losses – Ava Jerome and Willow Cain. He asked if she thought it was his fault because he had a connection to both cases, but she told him that wasn’t what she said. He said she was angry, and she said she knew she had the right suspect and they slipped through her fingers.

Alexis wondered what Chase had been thinking since he’d been demoted, and Ric said he wasn’t thinking. Chase’s latest mistake was that he’d poisoned the PCPD’s chance to hold Michael for Drew’s shooting. Chase’s harassment could result in a big financial settlement from the city. She asked if he was that hard up since his blackmailing days were over, and he said he had the best intentions for his client. She said the son of the man he hated, but Ric said he didn’t, and she said, envied then. Ric said he’d changed. He wasn’t the man he was. He realized how important family was. He’d been on his own a long time and realized what was important. Molly was at the top of the list, but what if he wasn’t around? Would anybody miss him? The truth was, Molly would probably be the only one. Whether he liked it or not, Sonny’s kids were the closest he had to a relationship with his family.

Sonny said Turner made a case to the jury and they rejected it. It wasn’t her fault. She said people were beginning to question his son’s innocence because she hadn’t done her job, and she got up and ran out.

Spinelli looked at a family photo, when Maxie returned. She said she saw Nathan, and he said he was sure it was a joyous reunion. He was happy for her. She said she was happy for James. He finally got his father back. She’d told Nathan that she’d always love him, but Spinelli was the one she was in love with. She chose to be with him.

Lulu was at the Brown Dog, when Nathan came in.

Spinelli said, Maxie told Nathan she chose him? and she asked why he was surprised. He said he’d assumed she’d return to Nathan, and she said that would mean leaving him. He said he didn’t want her to stay out of a sense of obligation, but she said it wasn’t about obligation. It was about how he threw her a welcome home party and helped the kids decorate her room for Valentine’s Day, even though he had no idea if she’d ever see it. He was the best father to Georgie, James, and Bailey Lou. He fixed her phone so she’d never lose Nathan’s voicemails, but she’d stopped listening to them a long time ago. Somewhere along the way, he’d become home to her. It wasn’t about obligation. It was about love. He was her person and she chose him. They kissed.

Brook said she was sure Wiley misunderstood, and Chase said he wanted justice. Brook said she understood that Michael was upset, but this was unacceptable, and she and Chase walked out. Michael said he never had Drew’s key, and Dante said if Chase put it on his keyring, he did Michael a huge favor. They couldn’t build a case because now the evidence was compromised. Michael said, compromised or not, who did Dante believe? And Dante said he believed Michael was innocent.

Willow smoothed Wiley’s hair as he slept, and flashed back to putting Drew’s key on Michael’s keyring.

Alexis said she’d love to believe Ric had turned over a new leaf, but had a hard time trusting him. It was hard to believe her basement was transformative. He said he had nothing to distract him other than hearing them talk. Their arguments and laughter made him realize how alone he was. He wanted laughter in his life, and arguments and conversation. And he wanted to do it with people he cared about and who cared about him. He’d wasted his life having a vendetta against his brother and for the first time in a long time, he didn’t have an agenda.

Sonny followed Turner out, and asked if anybody ever told her that she was too hard on herself. She said the last thing she needed was sympathy from him, but he said that’s not what he felt for her and kissed her.

Tuesday:

After the kiss, Turner pushed Sonny away, then slapped him.

Nathan met Lulu at the Brown Dog. She assumed he was back with Maxie and suggested they give each other space, but he said he wasn’t with Maxie and wouldn’t be.

Chase thanked Brook for having his back, and she asked if Michael was right.

Pascal caught Lucas as he was going out the door, and Sidwell came out. He asked if Lucas was leaving.

Jack called Jason to his office, and Jason told Jack that he didn’t like him, but say what he had to say. Jack said he thought Dr. Westbourne was in serious danger.

Cullum went to see Britt in her office and said the work had progressed. It was clear he’d made the right choice in not killing her.

Jack said Cullum was trying to find out about the Five Poppies, and Jason flashed back to Britt telling him that Cullum and Sidwell were working together. He asked why, and Jack said the one common denominator between the Five Poppies and Anna’s breakdown was Cesar Faison.

Cullum said Britt had completed the theoretical phase and it was time to produce the actual device, but Britt said she couldn’t move forward without the actual physical components. He said Sidwell was working on it, and they’d start the new phase soon, and she said it was potentially dangerous. He said, still, there was no reason why she couldn’t create a viable prototype that worked, and she said, what if it didn’t? He said, then he’d get someone who could make one that did, and left.

Marco came into the foyer, and Lucas said he’d gotten a text and was going to the hospital. Marco verified that Lucas was on call, and Lucas said he was disappointed in Pascal not knowing his schedule. Marco said they all had an off day now and then, and walked Lucas out. Outside, he asked if Lucas was coming back tonight, and Lucas said, of course (🍷). Marco asked him to check in before he came back and not return until he heard back from him.

Chase insisted he wasn’t trying to frame Michael, but Britt said Wiley wouldn’t lie and it wasn’t a coincidence that the PCPD showed up with a warrant. She wanted the truth. What had he actually done?

Lulu asked if Nathan saw Maxie, and he said, it was surreal. She said Maxie used to wish she could see him one more time and got her wish. Why weren’t they together? He said he wasn’t who Maxie wanted to be with. She made her choice and wanted to be with Spinelli.

Sonny said Turner didn’t slap him because they’d kissed. She slapped him because this was complicated. She said it was simple. That could never happen again. She left.

Jack said everything he was going to tell Jason was classified. It was unclear what Jason knew beyond what he’d told Cullum, and Cullum wanted to learn more. He suggested Jason tell him as little as possible. Jason said his only concern was Britt, but that changed when Jack recruited Josslyn. Jack told him not to mention Josslyn to Cullum, and Jason asked if Cullum was a danger to her. Jack said he’d made a mistake, and it was up to him to make sure Josslyn didn’t pay for it.

Chase told Brook that he hadn’t put the key on Michael’s keyring, but he was responsible for the warrant. He’d known Drew’s key was there.

Lulu told Nathan that she was surprised. She thought Spinelli was amazing, but she remembered how much Maxie and Nathan loved each other. Nathan said he’d been gone a long time and Maxie moved on. It was yesterday for him, but had been a long time for Maxie. Lulu said she was so sorry.

At the hatchet range, Turner got a bullseye, when Jordan walked in. She said, dare she ask who Turner was aiming for?

Ric went to Sonny’s and asked how serious the charges were. Sonny had said it was urgent. Did he want Ric to call Diane? Sonny said Ric misunderstood. He wanted to run something by him, and it was urgent. Ric asked if a crime had been committed, and Sonny said he was sure a crime was being committed somewhere, but was it a crime to kiss the acting District Attorney?

Chase told Brook that Michael’s keys were on the table, and his gut told him something was off. His instincts were right, since one of the keys unlocked the door to Drew’s house. Brook said he assumed Michael shot Drew when the only evidence he had was the key. Did he think Michael was so stupid he’d frame Willow and keep the key on the ring? She didn’t. How did it go from his discovery to the warrant and Michael being questioned? He said he knew he’d broken the chain of evidence and anything he found would be inadmissible. He had no choice but to arrange for it being discovered by someone else.

Nathan told Lulu that Maxie said she loved him and always would, but her heart belonged to Spinelli. She wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. It made sense. A lot had happened in the years he’d been gone. Maxie had experiences without him and what they’d had was seven years ago. They couldn’t be expected to be the same people and have the same feelings. Lulu said she had to ask. What would have happened if Maxie had chosen him?

Jordan asked what got Turner throwing sharp things at wood, and Turner said she’d done something stupid and incredibly unprofessional. Jordan asked if that something had to do with Sonny Corinthos.

Ric asked if the ADA was a willing participant, and Sonny said, the kiss was definitely mutual. Although she did kind of push him away and slap him. Ric said, it just went from maybe not great to very, very bad, and Sonny said he was rushing to judgement. He and Turner had been getting close. Ric said he needed more information. Where did the kiss happen? Were there witnesses? Sonny said he’d been at the Brown Dog with Gio, when Turner walked in. They had a conversation, she left, and he followed. He didn’t think anyone saw the kiss. Turner was worked up over work stuff and emotional. They got caught up in the moment and things happened. Ric said, then she slapped him, and Sonny said she told him this could never happen again and left. Ric said he believed Sonny, but that wouldn’t stop Turner from twisting it into unwanted attention and accusing him of harassment. Sonny said he didn’t think she’d do something like that.

Britt flashed back to Jason saying he’d help get her out and didn’t want her to be afraid. Lucas walked in, and she said she was in the middle of something. He said that was an understatement. He knew she was being extorted by Sidwell and Marco.

Jack told Jason that if he had it to do over again, he wouldn’t. He’d also taken precautions and had Josslyn siloed off. Her record as an agent had been blacked out. There was nothing connecting her to the Five Poppies operation. She wasn’t on Cullum’s radar, and it had to stay that way. Josslyn was an unassuming presence and had money and a connection to Jason and Sonny. That made her a valuable asset. Cullum came in and said it appeared they’d started the meeting without him. Seeing Jason, he said, you must be Jason Morgan.

Britt asked if Marco and Lucas were fighting, but Lucas said, no. He’d overheard Marco and his father talking. He knew she was working on an illegal project, and threatened her life if she didn’t cooperate. She said he must have misunderstood, but he said, Marco confirmed it. He confronted Marco and Marco told him everything. She said Marco was an absolute idiot.

Sidwell berated Pascal for showing open hostility toward Lucas after they’d discussed it, and Pascal said Lucas was a duplicitous liar. He would lead Marco to ruin, along with Sidwell and the entire enterprise if Sidwell wasn’t careful. Sidwell said he’d deal with his son and Lucas. Pascal had to make sure he never alerted Lucas to their concerns again. Marco came in and Pascal left. Sidwell asked Marco to join him in an after-dinner drink, and Marco said he’d been thinking about Lucas’s commute and Lucas being on call. With his schedule, it might be best for them to find a place on the mainland. Sidwell said, absolutely not. Dr. Westbourne was coming and going, and Cullum was breathing down his neck. Marco said, all the more reason for them to find a place, and Sidwell asked if Lucas had been complaining. Did he not want to be there?

Jack said he’d told Jason that Cullum had additional questions for him, and he left. Cullum said he assumed Jason knew why he was there, but Jason said he didn’t know a damn thing. He’d had no intention of talking to Brennan and had no intention of talking to Cullum.

Sonny said they both knew Turner was ambitious, but she wasn’t corrupt, and Ric said he was relying too much on her integrity. She could take advantage of the potential opportunity to take him down. Sonny said it wasn’t her style, and Ric asked how much interaction they’d had. Sonny flashed back to being alone at the hatchet range with Turner, and Ric asked if they’d ever crossed the line before.

Turner told Jordan that it was a case she was dealing with. Because there had been a breach in the chain of evidence, there was no provable case. Jordan said no wonder she was frustrated, and Turner said she was furious. She went to have a drink at the Brown Dog, and guess who she bumped into who gave her a sympathetic ear? Jordan said she was guessing Turner didn’t tell Sonny to leave, and Turner said, that would have been the smart thing. Instead, she let her guard down and opened up. The crazy part was that it didn’t feel like Sonny was angling, but genuinely listening as a friend. How foolish she was. Jordan said maybe she wasn’t foolish at all.

Nathan told Lulu that if Maxie had chosen him, he would have honored that. He had loyalty and respect for their marriage and for James, but if before Maxie woke up, something had happened making the decision his, he would have chosen Lulu.

Chase told Brook that he returned the keys afterward and dropped them. That must have been when Wiley saw him. He suggested Nathan should see if Michael had the key in his possession. Brook said he’d manipulated his fellow officers to find evidence he knew was inadmissible, but he said it was only inadmissible if anyone could prove he handled the keys. She said he’d crossed the line. Maybe she would understand if Willow was in Pentenville, but she was free and got her kids back. Why do something he knew was wrong? The only explanation was that he wanted revenge for what he thought Michael did to Willow.

Nathan said so much had changed with him and Maxie. She made a choice and was happy with Spinelli. Lulu said he deserved happiness too, and he said now they were free to pursue what they wanted, but she said she didn’t think Maxie would see it that way. She’d made a choice, but still loved Nathan. He said he loved Maxie too, but wanted to be happy, but Lulu said him being happy and them being happy together were two different things. It happened in Maxie’s absence. If she had been there, it wouldn’t have happened. He said, Maxie wasn’t there and it did happen. Time stopped for him and his feelings were past that time. He’d gotten to know Lulu in a way he never had and they couldn’t erase that. He didn’t want to. Did she? She said she didn’t know. She saw him differently now, more than just a friend, but Maxie was her best friend, and she didn’t want to ever do anything to hurt her.  

Ric said he was Sonny’s lawyer and wanted him to be aware. He had to be honest. Did he think it would happen again if it was up to Turner? Sonny said she told him no, and Ric asked if he thought it might. Was it a maneuver to compromise her or something real? Sonny said it wasn’t a maneuver, and Ric said, so Sonny wasn’t trying to play her, but was he sure she wasn’t trying to play him?

Jordan told Turner that Sonny wasn’t a typical criminal. Don’t make the same mistake some people did. Those closest to taking him down were the ones who managed to work their way into his inner circle. Turner said the odds were extremely low she’d be in his inner circle, and Jordan said, clearly they had a rapport of sorts. She’d said he got her to let her guard down. Turner asked, who was to say he didn’t too? and Jordan said it sounded like he’d shown her empathy. He was a complicated man. No one denied he had good traits, but whether he was sincere or not, that didn’t change the fact he was a criminal. If given the opportunity, could she prosecute him?

Brook said Chase had been demoted. His quest had cost him a lot – his detective shield and the respect of his fellow officers. And for what? Chase said, Michael shot a congressman in the back and left him to die. Then he framed Willow for it so he could take her kids. That can’t be okay. He can’t get away with it. She said he didn’t know that Michael did that, but wanted to believe he did. What if Dante had heard their conversation? Did he think Dante would let him serve on the PCPD again? It could cost him everything. Was it really worth it?

Cullum said it didn’t have to be adversarial. He wasn’t accusing Jason, but treating him as a witness to the security incident at the Five Poppies. Jason said everyone thought Britt died, but he saw her alive and well in Paris, so he tracked her down, and Cullum asked, why go to the trouble? Jason said he and Britt were involved once. He found her at the resort. She was in trouble, so he got her out. Cullum asked if she’d shared what transpired, but Jason said, no, and he didn’t ask. Cullum said he must have observed some details, but Jason said he didn’t care about details. His only concern was Britt.

Marco said Lucas had no complaints and was happy there, and Sidwell said that settled it. Marco said, did it? Them living there was intended to be temporary. He didn’t want them imposing for too long. Sidwell said Marco was his son. He wanted him there. Marco said he knew, but there was a lot going on. People were coming and going who he didn’t want Lucas to cross paths with. There were things he didn’t want Lucas to see or find out. Sidwell asked if Lucas had seen something or become aware of something he shouldn’t.

Britt said Lucas didn’t know what he was dealing with. These people were seriously dangerous and would kill him without blinking. Lucas said Marco wasn’t like that, but Britt said his father was. Sidwell murdered someone right in front of her. No one else could know about what she was doing. Marco had done him no favors by being honest. Do one for him and forget they had this conversation. She intended to. He should break up with Marco and get far away. Lucas said he and Marco were in this together. Marco agreed to get out from whatever it was, but Lucas couldn’t do that while she was being threatened. They couldn’t get away from Sidwell until he got her out. How could he save her?

Ric said, as Sonny’s lawyer, he needed to know the goal, and Sonny said, let him worry about Turner. Ric said, as a former DA, Sonny was the biggest fish they all wanted to land. He didn’t doubt the possibility that Turner had genuine feelings for Sonny, but there was also the possibility that she was using their closeness to gather evidence to bring him down. Remember that.  

Tuner said if she had evidence to use against Sonny in court, she wouldn’t hesitate to go after him, and Jordan said Turner knew the line she wouldn’t cross. They clinked glasses, and Jordan said, but keep in mind that Sonny was one of the biggest crime bosses on the eastern seaboard. Whatever feelings they had, it was about her job and his freedom. Sonny might care, but only as long as she didn’t get in his way. Jordan left.

Brook said she didn’t know why Chase couldn’t see it. The drive he had for making Michael pay for the crimes he thought Michael committed was taking precedence over his life. Chase said that wasn’t true. He just wanted to see justice served. She said they were in the process of trying for adoption and would be under tremendous scrutiny. Every aspect of their lives would be under a microscope. He could choose to keep pursuing justice or move forward with the adoption, but he couldn’t have both.

Nathan said Lulu was underestimating Maxie. He thought she’d want to move on. Lulu said she did, but she cared about Maxie and knew Maxie cared about him, and he said he thought it was worth a little awkwardness for the chance to see what could be between them. He thought it was worth a try… unless she felt differently. Be honest. Did she want this to be over?

Jason said he didn’t care about the WSB. He cared about Britt. That’s why he went to the Five Poppies, to make sure she was okay, and when it was clear, get her out. And that’s what he did. Cullum said he was sure Britt was grateful, and Jason said, she was, but once she resumed her life, she moved on. She had no use for him anymore.

Sidwell wondered if Lucas had asked any questions, but Marco said, no. He was an amazing, trusting man, who believed he had nothing to do with Sidwell’s business. He had no idea what was really going on. Sidwell said then there was no need for Lucas to go away. Just the opposite. If he sent Lucas away, it would arouse suspicion and undermine their relationship, and he wouldn’t have that. He just wanted Marco to be happy. It was wonderful that he’d found a partner in Lucas and he wanted Marco to keep Lucas close. Pascal listened in outside the door.

Britt asked if Marco knew Lucas was trying to help her, but he said, no. She said, keep it that way. Marco’s father had access to an experimental drug that kept her Huntington’s symptoms at bay. In exchange, she did whatever they wanted. Lucas asked how she got it, and she said she got an injection from Marco or Pascal when she went to work at Windymere. He asked if she had an extra dose. If they could get a sample… She said, reverse engineering. She’d already thought of that, but her medication was kept at Windymere under lock and key. He said, lucky for her. He lived at Windymere.

Wednesday:

Gio sat with Fizz🐶 and told him that tomorrow he was flying to the west coast, when Emma walked in.

Molly met Cody at the Brown Dog and said she was surprised to get his text. He gave her manuscript back and said he’d read every last word.

Carly brought Valentin the chef’s special from the MetroCourt, as requested, and said they had a complication. Her brother knew more than he should and Marco knew everything.

Elizabeth asked Lucas about Marco, and he thought they’d be okay. Dante asked to borrow Elizabeth.

Brook said she refused to bring a child into the home while Chase was still fixated on Michael, and he asked if she was telling him they couldn’t adopt until he let this go.

Dante told Elizabeth that he needed a favor.

Ava met Lucas at the hospital, and he said she needed to stay away from Sidwell.

Britt met Jason at the cabin and said maybe they could find a place with central heating and room service. She looked at him and said, not the face. The face never meant anything good. Jason said Cullum was onto them.

Molly ordered whiskey, but Cody said, two beers. She didn’t need whiskey for this. He loved her book.

Gio said he would have picked Emma up at the airport (true love!), but she said it was easier to take ride share. Since when did Fizz 🐶hang out there? Gio said Fizz 🐶was smaller and quieter than Outback, and he’d snuck Fizz🐶 in. Emma asked him to hold her.

Brook told Chase that it wasn’t an ultimatum. It was a choice. He’d brought the consequences of his actions into their home. If he kept going down that road, they might have to move out. He was heartbroken when he was demoted. If he lost his job… He said it wasn’t going to happen, and the demotion had no bearing on the adoption, but she said she wasn’t worried about the adoption process. She was worried about where his head was at. Had he taken the patrolman position so he could hang around the station and find a way to nail Michael? Being a cop was the thing that fulfilled him and gave him purpose. Why risk it all?

Dante wanted know what happened when Willow stayed with Elizabeth. He wasn’t there as a cop, just as a friend.

Ava said Sidwell was the best client she had, and Lucas asked if she wasn’t curious where he made his money. She said it was none of her business and she was protecting herself and the gallery. He said her professional reputation wasn’t his concern. He wanted her safe. She said Carly had finally gotten to him.

Carly told Valentin that she’d tried to plan a dinner with Sidwell and Marco, and it went to hell. Lucas told her that Marco was involved in his father’s business and he didn’t want her near Sidwell. Valentin said her proximity was all they had. Change his mind. Carly said she couldn’t and now her brother was in danger. They had to help him.

Jason told Britt that he’d been called into a meeting at the WSB with Cullum. He’d wanted to see if they were still in contact and he’d said they were when she first got to Port Charles, but once she’d gotten on staff at the hospital, she’d had no use for him. Britt said she’d seen Cullum too. He and Sidwell wanted her working on a prototype and if she didn’t deliver, she was a dead woman.

Cody said he loved the book and couldn’t put it down, and Molly said he’d had no problem putting it down the last time, but she got that his feelings were hurt. He said they wouldn’t have been if he’d read the whole thing like a grown-up. She was talented. She said she’d written the book as a creative outlet and would have tweaked things for publication, and he said, like Casey. He liked how Casey wasn’t how he seemed. In the beginning, he was seen from Abigail’s perspective, not how he really was. Molly said, her first impression was off base, and he asked if that reminded her of someone.

Valentin asked if Lucas had gotten a direct threat, but Carly said she didn’t know. He didn’t want to involve the police or the WSB. Valentin asked how he figured out Marco was working for his father, and she said he’d overheard Sidwell and Marco talking. He asked if Lucas had been caught, but she said, no. Lucas confronted Marco, who told him everything. He said he’d thought she told him that Lucas was smart.

Lucas said Carly had made valid points, and Ava said, so now he agreed Marco was using him? He said, no, and she asked why they were breaking up then. He said they weren’t, and she said, he got to be with Marco while she lost her best client? He said he loved Marco, and she said she loved commissions. He said he’d seen Marco’s father in a different light and Carly was right not to trust him. He felt terrible that he’d invited Ava to Windymere and now she had a relationship with Sidwell, but their time together had to stop.

Elizabeth asked if Dante was hoping to find evidence against Willow, Michael, or both, and Dante said Willow had been acquitted and his brother was under suspicion. He was trying to find peace of mind. That they couldn’t prove who shot Drew was a like an open wound and he was trying close it before Chase tanked his entire career.

Fizz🐶! Emma said she just wanted to be with Gio. It was hard to explain from far away or a text. All she wanted to do was see his face and talk to him. Gio said him too, and she said she had to tell the whole family about Anna. Even Noah flew home from school. It was awful. They were devastated. Her mom took it the hardest. She put on a brave face, but she could tell her mom was so scared. She’d always thought of her grandma as invincible. He said him too. It was awful to find out she wasn’t. Emma said she and her mom went to France, but they weren’t allowed to see Anna, and he asked, why not?

Chase said he’d become a cop to protect the defenseless and help those who couldn’t help themselves, but Brook said Willow wasn’t helpless. She’d had Drew and Nina, and she’d been acquitted. This time the system worked. Chase said, Michael was still walking free, and she said, so it was revenge. He said Michael had every resource, status, and power, so he wasn’t held to account. How was that justice? How could he stand by and watch and still call himself a cop?

Molly asked if Cody blamed her, but he said, absolutely not. She’d challenged assumptions. Molly said it was open to the possibility Casey was more than he claimed, and Cody said, Casey wanted it that way. He traded on the dumb hunk thing. It was a defense mechanism to keep people from getting too close or being disappointed. She said, Casey was loyal and fair and modest and brave, like him. She was glad he’d finished the book. He said her sister changed his mind. She’d said Molly didn’t want to publish it to spare his feelings. If she didn’t want it published, that was her call, but if she was holding back for him, it would be a real shame. She’d written something special and people deserved to read it.

Valentin said Lucas should have kept his mouth shut, and Carly said, but he didn’t, so here they were. He wondered why Lucas was still breathing, and she said Marco confessed and begged Lucas to stay. He said eventually, he was going to leave his father’s business. He claimed once a specific project was done, they could walk away. Valentin said he was worried Marco had told Sidwell everything, and she said she thought Lucas was holding back. She’d asked him to leave Windymere, but he refused. Valentin said none of that mattered. There was nothing they could do at this point. Their plan was the same, and her brother was on his own.

Ava said she’d created the connection, and Lucas said he’d thought Sidwell was with Lucy, but she said, not for long. He asked her to hear him. He needed his family and loved her. He didn’t want her to get hurt. He flashed back to Britt telling him that Sidwell murdered someone right in front of her, and Ava said, hurt her how? If there was something she needed to know, tell her now.

Britt said Cullum came to her with a new timeline for the fabrication of the prototype, and Jason asked if it was possible. She said the data was solid and she believed she could do it. In a perfect world, it would mean an endless source of clean energy. He said, and in Sidwell and Cullum’s world? and she said the damage they could do with that much power was too scary to think about.

Brook said Chase carried the weight like he was the only one who could make things right. What about the cases that weren’t Willow? There were other people to help, protect, and defend, but he couldn’t do it if he was losing faith in the system. Chase told her that he never said that, but she said his actions spoke volumes. It was as if justice couldn’t prevail without him personally moving it forward. That didn’t sound like a cop. It sounded like a personal vendetta against Michael.

Dante told Elizabeth that it was like Chase needed Michael to be the one who shot Drew and framed Willow, and he wouldn’t stop until he proved it. It wasn’t far-fetched, but he was just looking for clarity. Elizabeth said she didn’t think she had anything to offer. She could speak to Willow’s behavior and mood, but she never even saw the gun. Either one of them could have put it in her guest room and both could have shot Drew. He asked if she thought Michael framed Willow, and she said, when Michael came back from Germany and took the kids away from Willow, Willow was shattered, but he didn’t seem to care. She was surprised at how harsh he was, but that didn’t mean he framed Willow for murder. She didn’t believe either of them did it. Dante said it wasn’t hers to figure out, and she said unless there was a witness or new evidence, he had to accept they may never know the truth.

Emma told Gio that Dr. Laurent said they could agitate Anna and set back her progress. She was still fixated on Faison and keeping them safe. The doctor said Anna had to find her own way through it. She never felt so helpless. She did once observe Anna in the garden. Gio asked how she seemed, and Emma said, calm… peaceful. Her mom tried to hide that it gutted her not to see Anna, and she thought her mom needed her more than her grandma. It made her wonder if she should be back home in Berkeley.

Chase said Brook wasn’t wrong. He’d been overly consumed, but it was beyond frustrating that Michael was keeping the kids from Willow. Brook agreed, and said it was chilling the lengths Michael was willing to go. It was a great example of losing perspective and she didn’t want that for them. He said neither did he, and she told him not to let the case overshadow what was important to them and would matter for the rest of their lives. He said, adopting a child.

Lucas said there was nothing specific Ava needed to know, but if it wasn’t for Marco, he wouldn’t spend time at Windymere if he didn’t have to ever again. She said she wanted to. She liked Sidwell. He said she didn’t know Sidwell, but she said she did. Better than most. She knew that world and had dealt with her fair share of dangerous men. He said, not that dangerous, but she said, close enough. She decided if the risk was worth the reward and in this case, she believed it was.

Britt told Jason that it had never been built or tested. So much could go wrong where the consequences would be catastrophic. He asked what she told Cullum, and she said she’d stalled. They had a small window where Sidwell would be getting the physical components she needed. When he did, she’d do what she could to slow down the fabrication process. He said, enough to appease Cullum, until they could get their hands on her meds. She said she had news. Someone wanted to help. He said, who? and she said, Lucas.

Cody said he loved the symbolism in Molly’s book, and she was surprised he’d paid so much attention. He said he may not own Pemberly, but had a few tricks up his sleeve. She asked if he’d read Pride and Prejudice, and he said he and the ladies in his book club had.

Gio said he understood, but hoped he and Emma could make things work. He was willing to move out there to be with her. He didn’t want to lose her. Emma said she wanted to be with him. She’d gotten an earlier flight. He said, good thing, and showed her the reservations he’d made on his phone. He said he loved her, and she said she was desperately in love with him, and they kissed.

Dante said Elizabeth was right, and she said she spoke from experience when she told him that he couldn’t fix all the problems or heal all the wounds. The silver lining was that Amelia and Wiley had been reunited with their mother. Willow and Michael had finally found a way to compromise, and the children got to see their mom again. That might have to be enough.

Britt told Jason that Lucas overheard Sidwell and Marco, enough to know they were extorting her. He showed up at the hospital in full hero mode. She told him about the Huntington’s medication, and he had the same idea about reverse engineering. He said he’d try to get her meds somehow. Jason said Lucas was risking his life, and she said if she were more noble, she’d refuse to make the prototype and run away with Jason without her meds. But she had a small problem with dying. He said her sacrificing herself wasn’t an option. They would find another way.

Valentin said if they brought Sidwell down and Brennan was exposed, Lucas might get away unscathed, and Carly said, maybe, but it wasn’t good enough. He said he was sorry. He was concerned that Lucas might warn Marco, and she said, then Marco would warn Sidwell. He said then their plan would be dead in the water.

Chase said he and Brook had wanted to become parents for so long. The most important thing was for them to raise a family. That’s what mattered and where his focus was now. She said, thank God. She didn’t know how long this was going to go on. He said she had his word. Nothing was going to stop them from adopting a child, least of all, him. She said, they were doing this, and he said they were having a baby, and they kissed.

Dante said he’d follow Elizabeth’s lead. He may not be able to fix Michael or Chase, but he’d be grateful to know the kids were okay. He thanked her and said he was sorry to dump on her. He owed her and would pay her back. She told him, let it go, and as she walked away, he said he wasn’t sure he wanted to.  

Valentin said their only chance to help Josslyn was to bring Sidwell and Jack down together, and Carly said, so her brother was collateral damage? He said, unless she could think of a more viable option. He was sorry and couldn’t force her to do anything, but do him a favor. If she chose to tell Lucas everything, give him a heads up. She said, so he could run? and he said it was better than going back to prison. She said she’d trusted him up to this point. There was no reason to stop now. Who would they start with? He said, her daughter. Her daughter was in danger. She said, so was her brother. They had to save them both.

Ava told Lucas not to let Carly come between him and Marco. He’d been happy and alive since he met Marco. Don’t lose him. Lucas asked her to promise to be careful with Sidwell, and she said, don’t worry about her. She knew how to handle a man like Sidwell.

Jason said Lucas was their best chance and they had to take it, but Britt said, what if Lucas couldn’t pull through? He said, then they figured something else out, and she said she liked it when he said our and we. He said they were in this together. He wasn’t leaving her again. They hugged.

Cody said the book club couldn’t decide whether to read Persuasion or Sense and Sensibility next, and Molly said she’d go with Persuasion. He said that’s what he wanted, but he was outvoted. If and when she decided to publish, reading her was a unanimous vote. She asked if he didn’t think she was too risqué for Jane Austin fans, and he said, they’d love it. She should hear the way they talked about Colin Firth. He had to get going. She asked him to wait, then kissed him.

Emma and Gio got busy.

Thursday:

Willow was about to approach Drew, when the doorbell rang.

Jason told Sonny that he met Cullum. Brennan called him in and Cullum had questions about Britt and the Five Poppies. Sonny asked what he thought of Cullum, and Jason said he was cold and probably as dangerous as Britt said. Sonny said, keep your friends close and your enemies closer. He wondered if they could find somebody to take the fall for taking out Cullum, and Jason said, possibly Brennan.

Isaiah brought a healthy mid-morning snack to Portia’s office, and she said she’d remembered today, but would be hungry again in an hour.  

Trina wondered why Kai’s phone was blowing up, and he said there were rumors Drew’s replacement was being announced. He had no clue who it was, but his internship would be done. His career in politics was over before it started.

Diane was back at the office. Her leg was on the mend, everything was back to normal, and she’d see Alexis more. Alexis said, maybe not.  

Boyle went to Laura’s office, but she said, not now. She was getting ready for a press conference. He said it couldn’t wait. Sidwell sent him.

Willow opened the door to Sidwell, who breezed in past her. He said she must be excited. Today was the beginning of what was hopefully a long and fruitful career in politics. Woot! She said she appreciated him thinking of her and it was an amazing opportunity, but she’d never agreed. She’d thought it over and was declining his generous offer.

Trina said the new representative might keep him, but Kai said, what if they were as bad or worse than Drew? Trina said, what if they were great? and Kai thanked her for changing his perspective. He picked up his phone, and she said she had to check with the gallery, but then said, no, no, no! She’d called her mom by accident.

Portia said Trina called and hung up, and Isaiah said maybe it was a butt dial. She said, or a mistake. They hadn’t spoken since Trina found out the baby was Curtis’s. She was hoping Trina would be more open to speaking, but she guessed not. He said maybe she had a problem with them living together.

Sonny asked if Brennan knew Cullum was dirty, and Jason said he didn’t think so, but Brennan didn’t trust Cullum. He’d warned Jason not to give Brennan any details about the Five Poppies. Sonny said it was interesting that Brennan considered Cullum a threat, and Jason said Cullum was too high up in WSB. If they got too close to uncovering Sidwell’s project, he could protect Sidwell and interfere. Sonny said it sounded like Jason changed his mind about taking out Cullum, and Jason said Cullum was more dangerous than Sidwell. The sooner he was dead, the better.

Laura asked if Boyle wasn’t embarrassed to have been reduced to Sidwell’s messenger boy. Didn’t he have actual work helping the people of Port Charles? He said he was one of those people and keeping Sidwell happy helped him. She was still new to this. She said, extortion? and he said she didn’t fully accept the position she was in. Bottom line, they were both in the same boat. Sidwell was the captain and they were along for the ride. She said tell her what Sidwell wanted, and he said Sidwell wanted Willow Cain to fill her husband’s seat in congress. Laura said that was impossible, but he said, nothing was truly impossible. It was quite simple. Governor Mendez had put the appointment in her hands. All she needed to do was to Willow would be Drew’s successor. Laura said she wouldn’t do it.

Sidwell said Willow was misunderstanding, and she went on and on about the kids and everything she had to do, while Sidwell kept trying to interrupt her. (It was pretty funny.) She said she had to make her kids a priority. She was sorry, but she was sure the governor could find someone else. Sidwell said, no doubt, but she had unique qualifications that made her valuable to him, so he wanted her in congress. She would take the position, given what he’d done for her. They both knew that refusing wasn’t an option.

Portia said she and Isaiah hadn’t talked. They just moved in together. Did he regret it? He said, absolutely not. She said they started off sneaking around, now they were living together, and she was pregnant with another man’s baby, and he said he was good with all that. If they were happy, who cared how it was supposed to be? Portia said Trina cared, but maybe that would change after the baby was born.

Trina said she’d called her mom by accident, but Kai said the number must have been on her screen. Trina said she’d been thinking about texting, and he asked why she didn’t. She said her mom was staying with Isaiah. She couldn’t understand why he didn’t go away since he wasn’t the baby’s father.

Jason said they knew Sidwell was dangerous and would kill whoever got in his way, but he had a huge ego and was easily distracted. Cullum was all business and had the power of the WSB behind him, but if Brennan didn’t want him investigating the Five Poppies, it was a rift they could take advantage of. Sidwell needed to be gone. Sonny said Jason hadn’t wanted to kill Sidwell because he was in control of Britt’s medication, and Jason said he is, but if they could get a dose out of Windymere, they could figure out how to replicate it. And they had a new way in – Lucas.

Alexis said she’d gone over the pros and cons, and Diane said, the pros outweighed the cons. Alexis said, by one. She could effect change that mattered. So she said okay, she’d do it. Laura was announcing it this afternoon. Diane said she was thrilled and thought Laura made a wise choice, and Alexis said she needed help. Because of her history, the press would grill her, and she wanted Diane to prep her. Diane pretended to be various reporters, bringing up Alexis’s history, and Alexis answered perfectly. Diane asked why they should trust her when she had a criminal record, and Alexis said they’d trusted Drew Cain, who had served time. That meant they believed in giving second chances. She’d make her second chance count. Diane said, fantastic. People loved a comeback and Alexis was one of the strongest people she knew.  

Laura said Alexis already accepted the offer and there was a press conference at 3. Boyle would have to tell Sidwell that he was too late. Boyle said Sidwell was dangerous. Rumor had it, she had second hand knowledge. She said Sidwell held her son and Anna captive and tried to kill them, and he said it would be unwise to say no. She needed to face reality and sacrifice herself if she wanted to protect her family. Announce that Willow would be the new congresswoman. She said, no, but he said she needed to accept the fact that she was in position to refuse. He started to leave, but she said, wait. Why did Sidwell want Willow?

Willow said she knew Sidwell believed she was qualified and there was a precedent of spouses taking over the position… Sidwell said all she needed to do was look out for her constituent. She had one constituent and it was him. She asked how he knew the mayor wouldn’t object, and he said he had the matter well in hand. She didn’t understand what he could do to her and her life if she refused. Was she going dressed like that? (Seriously? Them’s fightin’ words.) She said she knew he could take her children away and she had no choice, but wouldn’t he be better off choosing someone who was grateful rather than forced? He said, she had Drew’s last name. She was a noble wife standing with her man. He thought the voters would find her very relatable as a working mother. He realized it would be difficult for her to be called Mrs. Cain. They both knew she loathed her husband, but the congressional seat would give her prestige and power, the power to stand up to Michael Corinthos, the power to keep her children with her forever. Please be smarter than her husband. As long as she cooperated, she’d have a long and happy life with her children.

Trina said her mom living with Isaiah was disrespectful to her dad, and Kai said Curtis was with Jordan. He didn’t think Curtis cared. Trina said she cared, when Isaiah knocked at the door.

Laura said Willow was a nurse with no civic experience, and Boyle said what Sidwell wanted her to be was persuasive. Willow looked good on camera, the wife of a man tragically struck down in his prime. Laura said spare her the spin, and he said he was just trying to help, but she insisted on fighting the inevitable. She said, that was it. Willow was too inexperienced to put up a fight. She was easier to influence. He said, ding-ding-ding! Give the lady a prize. She said she was sticking with her choice, but he said it was the worst choice she could make. Alexis would make nothing but trouble.

Diane said she couldn’t wait to see what a competent representative looked like, especially since they’d suffered through Cutthroat Cain’s reign of revenge. Alexis said she’d be in Port Charles most of the time. Her family was there and she’d rather be with her constituents than rub elbows with special interests in DC. Diane said, that’s why she’d be good, but before she went public, she should give Sonny a heads up.

Jason told Sonny that Lucas figured out that Marco and Sidwell were coercing Britt. Lucas was now hellbent on getting Britt out from under Sidwell’s thumb. Sonny said Lucas was in over his head, but Jason said Lucas was determined to help. Sonny said Lucas was more stubborn than his sister, and Jason said if they could just get one dose of Britt’s medication, they could take Cullum out. Sonny said, and frame Brennan in the process. They might not have to take Sidwell out of the picture. Brennan might be able to do the job and take Sidwell out himself.

Nina showed up at Drew’s and asked what brought Sidwell by. He said he’d come to see Drew, but was excited to hear Willow’s wonderful news. Nina said Willow had decided to take Drew’s seat, and hugged her. She was hoping Willow would say yes. Willow said it would be announced soon by the mayor, and Nina told her to put on her power suit. Willow left and Sidwell said he’d heard Nina was heavily involved in Drew’s campaign and helped him get elected. She said, regretfully, and he said Willow was lucky to have her as a guide. She said Willow would do better than Drew, but it was a low bar, and Sidwell said Port Charles would be in excellent hands.  

Trina asked if her mom was okay, and Isaiah said she was fine. Trina said then they had nothing to say, but he said he thought they did and would appreciate if she heard him out. Kai said it was her call, and Trina let Isaiah in. Kai asked if she wanted him to stay, but she said he could go. He left and Trina told Isaiah to say what he came to say. He said he knew she thought everything her mother did was wrong and everything her father did was right, and she said her mom lied – again – and cheated – again. The only thing that was different this time was that the baby was her husband’s. Isaiah said it was more complex than that. Portia cared about her and he had to ask why she cut herself off from her mother’s love when her mother was willing to do what it took to work with her. She said her mother wasn’t willing to dump him, and he said, if they broke up, what then?

Willow said she spoke to the daycare and was ready to go, and Sidwell asked if he could stay and see Drew. He’d let himself out. Willow told him to stay as long as he liked, and left with Nina.

Alexis told Sonny that it looked like she’d be taking over Drew’s seat in congress. The governor asked Laura for a recommendation and Laura recommended her. Sonny said he thought she’d do a great job. Congratulations. Jason asked if there was trouble, and Sonny said that he thought Laura made a big mistake.

Laura said Alexis would make a great congresswoman. She was smart. Boyle said that was the problem. She was too smart. She was principled, stubborn, and not easy to sway. Did Sidwell know? She said she didn’t discuss her decisions was Sidwell, and he said maybe it was time to start. She said, spoken like a true lapdog, and he said, a practical lapdog. She needed to wise up fast. Whatever Sidwell had on her, she was down in the mud with the rest of them. Even her family, wherever they may be. His phone dinged and he said she had a press conference in 15 minutes, but she said it wasn’t until 3. He said he moved it up, and she asked if this is what the next four years would be like. He said, get used to it, but she said she didn’t want to be that person. She thought it was time to call Sidwell’s bluff. She was announcing Alexis Davis as congresswoman and dared Sidwell to do his worst.

Sidwell told Drew that he was sorry he hadn’t visited sooner, and Drew blinked. Sidwell asked, what’s wrong? Was Drew trying to tell him something? Three fast, three slow. SOS. He knew Willow put Drew in that bed, but she couldn’t have done it without him.

Trina asked if Isaiah was saying he was willing to break up with her mother, and he said he was trying to get her to move past it. She said if he wanted her blessing, it wasn’t going to happen, and he said of course (🍷) not, but when would she have enough of punishing her mom? It seemed like she wouldn’t be happy until her mother ended up alone. He didn’t expect her to like him, but he wanted her to think long and hard about what the rift was doing to her mother. He didn’t believe that deep inside she wanted her mother to be unhappy. He left and she looked at her phone.

Jason said, Alexis taking over would eliminate the problems for everybody, and Sonny said, under normal circumstances, she’d be a great choice. Laura’s first impulse was to do right by Port Charles, but she didn’t think about risking exposure. She didn’t think that far ahead. Jason said, by doing the right thing for the city, she put herself in more danger.  

Sidwell said he’d followed Willow’s trial closely, and with help from inside information at the PCPD, he was convinced Willow shot him. Which made him sure she’d be receptive to his offer. Which offer, Jenz? Access to a certain paralytic that mimics the symptoms of a stroke, but is completely undetectable – the very thing keeping him in a locked in state. Drew became a thorn in his side, but his unhinged performance on the stand was what convinced him, and Willow, that he was nothing but a liability. So they joined forces. She now has partial custody of her children and will be a much more pliant representative in congress. Didn’t he tell Drew? Willow was taking his seat in the House of Representatives. Sidwell laughed.

Alexis said she’d like to think there was a possibility of reshaping the system by working from within, and Diane said, good luck with that pushback. Alexis said, Drew abused his power beyond imagination. He had no right to use the government to hurt people. Diane’s phone chimed and she said the mayor was about to give a press conference and it was going to livestream. Alexis said it couldn’t be hers. It wasn’t happening until this afternoon. She opened her laptop.

There was a knock at Portia’s office door. Trina came in and said, mom. Hi.

Sidwell said he warned Drew not to cross him. Now look at him. The symbol of a loyal and adoring wife could only be taken so far. Voters bore so easily. But he could see Willow’s political career skyrocket once she became a widow. So stop with the repeated effort to signal someone. It would have a detrimental effect on his life expectancy. Besides, it was a waste of energy, since his caregivers had been paid to look the other way. And given the interaction he’d had with most of Port Charles, he doubted very much that Drew would have any visitors who wanted to help him.

Laura addressed the press conference and said, in the light of his ongoing health crisis, Congressman Cain was no longer able to represent the district and the people of Port Charles. She thanked him for his service and wished him a speedy recovery. Diane wondered why Laura was doing this without Alexis, and Laura said she’d love to announce the appointment of the newest representative of the State of New York, Mrs. Willow Cain. Sidwell showed Drew the press conference on his phone, and Sonny looked at Jason, who shrugged. Willow said she knew she was new to politics and government. She knew she had a lot to learn, but as a nurse, and most important, a mother, taking care of people was what she did best. She was going to do her best to honor her husband’s good work and represent all of them in Washington DC.

Sonny told Jason, it looked like Sidwell cut Laura off at the pass.

🫔 Friday’s Enchilada…

Portia goes into her office where Trina is waiting. She says she’s sorry to have left Trina waiting, and Trina says she’s sorry. She should have called. Portia says, she never has to call. Trina has her full attention. What’s going on? Trina says she got a surprise visit from Dr. Gannon, and they finally had it out.

On the phone in Maxie’s office, Lucy says, the carbon pricing is built into the quote… Okay. Get back to her… Thank you. Maxie comes in and says, carbon pricing. Lucy is singing her song, and she thinks Lucy is sitting in her chair. Lucy says, oh my gosh! There you are! They hug.

At the MetroCourt, Obrecht says Nathan can study the menu to his heart’s content after he tells her about his reunion with Maxie, and he says, despite it taking place in a graveyard, he thinks it went pretty well. She says, Maxie must have been thrilled to see him again, and he says, yeah, she was. He felt the same way. She says, and have they made plans for their next rendezvous? Preferably outside a cemetery. He says, no, and she says, why not? He says, because it’s over between them, when he sees Lulu sit at another table.

Lulu thanks Willow and Nina for being here. She appreciates Willow giving her the first one on one interview as a congresswoman. Willow says she’s a little nervous. Is it okay to admit that? Lulu says, most people are. She’s just honest enough to admit. Willow says Lulu doesn’t need to go easy on her, and Nina says she’s right there if Willow needs her. Lulu says, let’s get to it, shall we? Does Willow mind if she records it? Willow says, no, and Lulu turns on the recorder and says, let her offer Willow her congratulations on stepping into her husband’s seat. It’s a huge career change. Willow says, it sure is, and Lulu asks, whose idea was it?

Joining Sidwell on the turret, Marco says, Pascal told him that Sidwell wanted to see him, and Sidwell says, see those piers? They used to belong to Sonny. Now the piers belong to them and that’s only the beginning. Marco says, of what? and Sidwell says, avenging his mother’s death. He knows Marco doubts his commitment to making Sonny pay, but they’re seconds away from putting the final nail in his coffin.  

Lucas goes to Britt’s office and says he got her text. What’s with all the stop signs and telephone emojis? She says, it’s code for emergency, and he says, it’s a really confusing code. She says he told her that he could get access to her medication at Windymere. Has he made any progress?

On the phone with Suzanne in her office, Alexis says, of course (🍷) she saw the press conference. She had no idea the seat was going to be offered to Willow, of all people. It’s insane that Mayor Collins kept her in the dark. She opens the door and Laura is there.  

Portia says, so Trina spoke to Isaiah. How bad was it? Trina says, it got a little intense, and Portia says she’s so sorry. Isaiah never should have confronted Trina. She hopes Trina doesn’t think she asked him to do something like that. She would never. Trina says, no. He made that clear. Portia says, the last thing she wants is for them to be in a fight, but Trina says, it wasn’t like that. Dr. Gannon told her some hard truths that she didn’t want to hear. She was ready to feel some type of way about it, but what he said, she needed to hear it, because it made her realize she owed Portia an apology.

Lucy says Maxie looks absolutely gorgeous, and Maxie says she got a lot of beauty rest. Lucy says she’s sorry she missed Maxie’s homecoming party. How was it? Maxie says, great, but having people watch her all day and fawn over her got old really quick. She’s desperate to dive into work and came to the office. What’s going on? Lucy says they should go to the MetroCourt and get champagne, but Maxie says, it’s not necessary. Lucy says, they have more to talk about than Deception. They need to talk about Nathan. What did she feel when she saw him? Did she see him? Did she talk to him? What did she say? Maxie says, Lucy is desperately trying to distract her from work. What is she hiding?

Nathan says, Maxie decided to stay with Spinelli, and Obrecht says, that’s ridiculous. After a coma, people often experience a confusional state. It will clear up over time. Right now she’s still hazy. Nathan says, she seemed pretty clear headed to him. She said she’d always love him, but Spinelli had her heart. Obrecht asked how he responded, and he said he told Maxie that he’d always love her, and he wished her well. That’s it. She says, dummkopf. Why didn’t he fight for her?

Willow tells Lulu that she can’t remember who first approached her about taking Drew’s seat. Probably someone on his staff. She’s thankful that Governor Mendez approved it. Lulu says, once she’s sworn in, what policies will be a priority for her? and Willow says she still needs to finish familiarizing herself with all the issues. Lulu asks if Congressman Cain discussed the issues most important to him with her, and Willow says, of course (🍷), and Nina says, Willow’s top propriety will always be her constituents first and foremost. She believes Willow is going to ask for federal funding in a number of areas, such as infrastructure, housing, and education. She looks at Willow and says, isn’t that right?

Alexis tells Suzanne that she’s got to go and will call her back. Laura says she never intended to blindside Alexis, and Alexis says, okay. Let’s not do this now. Laura says she has a reasonable explanation, but Alexis says she’s not in the mood to hear it. Laura says, absolutely. They’ll talk another time, Alexis thanks her and starts to leave, but then turns back. She says, you know what? She’d actually like to hear why on earth Laura didn’t give her a heads up.

Lucas says he searched for Britt’s medication, but didn’t find it, and Britt says, why doesn’t he ask Marco? He probably knows where Pascal has them stashed. He says he hasn’t told Marco that he’s helping her yet, and she sighs, probably having caught dramatic sighing from Jason. She says, it’s probably for the best. He can’t be trusted. Lucas says he needs more time to get it. It’s the only way to free her from Cullum and Sidwell. She says, hopefully, instead of him bumping around Windymere, she’s figured out another way to get her hands on her medicine.

Lucy says she’s not hiding anything, and Maxie says, uh-huh. The longer Lucy hides something from her, the more she’ll worry, and her anxiety could cause a medical relapse. Lucy asks if that could really happen, and Maxie says she can’t make Lucy talk, but if she’s willing to take the risk…  Lucy says, okay. Deception had a teensy-weensy problem. When she collapsed on live television, it shook up their customers. Maxie says, that doesn’t sound teensy-weensy. How bad was it? Lucy says, judge for herself, and shows Maxie a photo of her collapsed on the floor. Maxie says she hopes her kids didn’t see it, and Lucy says she’s sorry, but they probably did. It went vital. Maxie says she’s sure it was bad for her family, and Lucy says, it was pretty horrible. It was horrible for the company too.  

Obrecht asks why Nathan is being so damn noble. If he won’t fight for his own sake, do it for James. He wants his parents together. If he’s any kind of father, fight to give James the family he deserves. Nathan tells her, leave James out of it. How dare she insinuate he’s neglected his son? And who is she to judge anyone’s parenting skills? Obrecht says she’s sorry, but she can’t let him break his own heart. Nathan says he’s sorry he got so hot. He’s not discussing it anymore. He gets up and leaves.

Lucas says Britt has his attention. What’s the plan? She takes out a syringe and says, it’s sodium pentothal. When it’s Pascal’s turn to administer her medication, she’ll knock him out with a shot of his own. Cullum or Sidwell would probably overpower her. He says, Cullum and Sidwell would do what they could to track her down. It was too risky. She said it was a risk she was willing to take, but he said, no, it’s not. He’ll come through for her, he promises. Just be patient a little bit longer. Let him put it this way. As much as he’d love to stick it to Pascal, he didn’t love the idea of her running around with sodium pentothal. It was a recipe for disaster.

Coming back inside with Marco, Sidwell says, oh, I love a brisk day. It gets the blood pumping. It awakens the mind to soar. Has Marco heard? Willow Cain was tapped to serve out her husband’s term in congress. Marco says, what about Alexis? Everyone at the office thought it would be her, including Alexis. Sidwell says, Ezra told him that it was Laura’s choice and he wanted Willow, so… Marco says, with all due respect, how does this get them closer to making Sonny pay? and Sidwell says, thanks to him, Willow is in a position of authority. He suspects she’ll relish using a bit of power that didn’t come from her current or former husband. Marco asks how Willow’s recently bestowed power related to Sonny, and Sidwell says, Willow was married to Sonny’s son, who she hates. Maybe she’ll use her newfound political agency to get the FBI to look into his father’s illegal activities.

Lulu asks if Willow will be serving on any of Drew’s previous committees. Has she heard from any of the members? Willow says, prior to the announcement, some of them reached out and expressed their sympathy for Drew. As for any committees he sat on, She’s not sure yet. Nina says, we’ll weigh our options. Once we do, we’ll get back to you. Lulu says she noticed Nina has been saying we a lot. Does she plan on taking an active role as her daughter navigates the scene in DC? Nina says she’s happy to lend her guidance and support to Willow when it’s needed, but her daughter is a very capable young woman, and she has every confidence that she’s going to be incredible all on her own. On that note, it’s probably best that she step aside and Lulu hear directly from Willow. Willow says Nina doesn’t have to go, and Nina says Willow doesn’t have to worry. She’s got this. Nina leaves.

Laura says she tried to warn Alexis. She sent a text asking her to call. Alexis says she didn’t get a text, but Laura says, she did. Alexis digs her phone out of her bag and says she did. Okay. She’s sorry she missed it, but doesn’t Laura think it merits a phone call at least? Laura says she didn’t find out until like, 15 minutes before the press conference, and Alexis says she wishes it wasn’t something she’d hoped for. She told her children. She told her friends. Then Willow, of all people. It was humiliating honestly. Laura says she’s sorry. She feels awful. Can Alexis ever forgive her?

Trina says she’s so sorry about the way she treated Portia. She’s been unfair. Portia says Trina has every right to be angry, but Trina says, it’s no excuse for the way she lashed out. Dr. Gannon pointed out that she’d been judgmental and kept punishing Portia. She didn’t want Portia to be unhappy and alone. She doesn’t want to hurt Portia. Portia says she knows that, and Trina says, during the snowstorm, Portia asked if she could love someone who’d disappointed her and her answer is yes. Because she loves Portia. She loves Portia so much. Portia says she loves Trina too, and they hug.

Alexis says, of course (🍷) she forgives Laura. Give her a minute. Laura says if it was up to her, Alexis would be in Washington right now, and Alexis says, Governor Mendez had other thoughts, and Laura says she doesn’t think the decision was based on ability. Alexis says, ya think? She knows it isn’t the first time a vacant seat was filled by a spouse, but Willow? Obviously the governor didn’t want someone smart enough to question his authority. Laura says she hopes Willow maintains her sense of independence and can’t be bullied into carrying out someone else’s agenda. Alexis says she wouldn’t worry. Willow Cain isn’t a pushover. Behind that gentle caretaking demeanor is a young woman who is surprisingly resourceful.

Lulu asks how Willow really feels taking on a new role, and Willow says, aside from being completely blindsided with the offer? Her first impulse was to say no, but then a lot of people – most notably her mother – helped her realize it was an incredible opportunity to do some good and a way to honor her husband. As an added bonus, she’d be a positive role model for her children. She’s made some very public mistakes last year and had the chance to make them proud, digging into her job and doing it well. So even though her upcoming role was the result of unfortunate circumstances, she hoped to make it a positive experience for herself and her family.  

At the bar in the MetroCourt, Nathan asks if the coast is clear, and Nina says, if he’s referring to his mother, yes. He says he left for a bit. He feels bad for ditching her, but he needed some air. She was pushing hard for him to reunite with Maxie and things got tense. Nina asks if they’re getting back together, and he says, no. She wants to stay with Spinelli. She asks how that makes him feel, and he says he’ll always love Maxie the way she loves him. He wants her to be happy and hopes she is with Spinelli. Nina says, now he’s free to pursue Lulu, and he says, is that such a bad thing? She says she doesn’t know, but he might want to reconsider.

Lucy says they did issue disclaimer after disclaimer to make sure people knew their face cream wasn’t connected to Maxie’s medical condition, but it was too late. After what they’d seen on television and online, their Youth Truth line, along with their other products, kind of became radioactive and sales cratered. So did the numbers. Maxie asks, what were the numbers? and Lucy says she’ll show her that too. She opens her laptop and says, see the dip? That step declining is a kind of market correction. Maxie says, that’s not a market correction, it’s bankrupt. How are they still in business? Lucy says they did go into crisis mode and desperate times call for desperate measures. Maxie says she knows this is when they did something. Just tell her what it was they did. Lucy says, as fortune would have it, they didn’t do anything. They didn’t have to. A guardian angel stepped in to bail them out. Maxie asks, who is this guardian angel exactly?

Maroc says, Sonny’s been the target of FBI investigations for years, yet he manages to slip through their fingers all the time, but Sidwell says, not this time. If he tries to defend himself, he’ll be taking down his good friend Laura Collins. Marco asks if it’s really wise to have the FBI sniffing around Port Charles right now given their own activities, and Sidwell says he knows what they’ll do. Finish the project here and have Willow – boom! – bring the FBI down. Marco says, so they’re still counting on Britt being ready in May or June, and Sidwell says, she’s ready to start building a prototype. Marco says, there are no guarantees the prototype will work. The first time, they frequently don’t. Sidwell says, then she’d better make sure theirs does. After all, her life depends on it.

Britt says they’re running out of time. She knows Lucas wants to help, but he doesn’t understand. They’ve reached the final phase of the project. When it’s done, she’ll be completely expendable. Lucas says he needs to work fast and means to enlist help. She says, from whom? and he says he’ll be in touch. As he leaves, she says, wait!  

Trina says she wants Portia to live her own life, one that makes her happy and she has to trust the choices Portia makes will do that for her. Portia says, normally, it isn’t the parent learning from the child, but Trina says, they don’t do normal. Portia says she wouldn’t have it any other way, and they hug.

Laura and Alexis have coffee, and Laura says, this is how she thought it would be, the two of them collaborating on policy over friendly cups of coffee. They could have done so much good. Alexis says, Laura hasn’t seen her on too much caffeine. There’s yelling and things get broken. Laura says, that’s because Alexis is passionate. She admires that about her. Alexis says she admires Laura too, and Laura thanks her. She does think Alexis was the best person to fill the position and doesn’t regret recommending her. She deeply regrets building Alexis’s hopes. Alexis says, Scout is the priority and she was already starting to divide her time. Everything worked out for the best. Laura asks if she really believes that, and Alexis tells her that she’s going to keep saying it until she does.

Nina tells Nathan that it takes time to heal before jumping into a new marriage, and he says, it’s been over for seven years. Maxie has moved on and he’s free to do the same. Nina says she’s worried that he’s rushing into things, and he says, she’s the one who told him to trust his heart. She told him that there was no reason to wait and what he wants is to be with Lulu. He looks at Lulu talking to Willow.

Obrecht runs into Britt’s office, and Britt says, excuse you. She could have been with a patient. She hides the syringe in the credenza, and Obrecht says, please. Her brother is in crisis and Britt must help him. Britt asks, what’s wrong? and Obrecht says she thinks the trauma of his missing years is catching up with him. He’s not acting like himself. Britt says, how so? and Obrecht says, for one, he snapped at her. Britt says she’ll schedule electroshock therapy stat, and Obrecht says, for another, Maxie told him that she wanted to stay with Spinelli. The Nathan they know and love would fight, but he’s completely given up. Britt asks what Obrecht wants her to do, and Obrecht says, talk sense into him. Make him understand that he belongs with Maxie and James. Britt says that’s the last thing she’s gonna do.

At Windymere, Lucas asks if Marco’s dad is around, and Marco says, no. He’s on the mainland. Why? Lucas says, Marco already told him that Britt’s life had been threatened, but he was short on details. If he’s going to stay here, he needs to know more now. Marco says they have to be careful. If Cullum or his father think Lucas knows too much, his life could be in danger. Lucas says, it’s already in danger. He has the right to know more of the story. What happened with Britt and how deeply is Marco involved?

Maxie says, Jenz Sidwell? and closes the door. Lucy says she knows. They stuck it out long as they could. Jenz came in and made a generous offer. Deception was on life support and there was absolutely no other option. Maxie says, stupid question, but couldn’t Tracy help out? and Lucy says, no. She was very distracted by Monica’s death and a long-lost sister showed up. Maxie says she heard something about that, and Lucy says, Tracy went out of town, and we made the deal. Maxie says, we? and Lucy says, Brook, Maxie’s mother, and her all signed off on it. Maxie says, they did not give him shares of stock, and Lucy says, of course (🍷) not. She’d never do that. They gave him the control of raw materials and shipping and distribution. Maxie says, okay… and Lucy says, it all turned out. They turned the ship around and they’re still here. Look at them and what they’re doing, and she’ll understand why they made the deal. Maxie says she’s back now and it’s obvious that it’s time for her to take charge. She picks up the phone.

Portia says she’s so happy she and Trina are finally talking. Trina has no idea. Her forgiveness means everything. Trina says she’s glad too. I just missed us. Portia says in the interest of being transparent, she wants to be open about what her relationship is. She doesn’t know what the future holds, but she’s invested in a future with Isaiah. Trina says she guesses he’s sticking around even though Portia is having another man’s baby, and Portia says, he is. What about Trina? How does she feel about the relationship? Trina says she wanted to hate him and told herself that he was a self-serving jerk who took advantage of her parents’ marriage, but the way he defended Portia, she saw how much he cared for her. Portia says she cares for him too, and Trina says she has no problem with Portia being with him, just know they won’t bond overnight. Portia says she’s happy that Trina is open to the idea of him, and Trina says she wants Portia to be happy. She’s sorry it took so long for her to realize that. They hug.

Lulu says she got Nathan’s text. What’s going on? He says he doesn’t know if she noticed the heated exchange between him and his mom, and she says, when she glanced over, things looked intense. He says, yeah. He told her that he and Maxie weren’t getting back together, and she got upset. She asked why he wasn’t putting up a fight. He didn’t tell her that was because he was hoping he’d end up with Lulu. He saw her here and wanted to see if she was still undecided. Lulu says she wants to give them a chance, but this isn’t about them, and he says, Maxie. She says just because Maxie wants to be with Spinelli, doesn’t mean she’d be okay with the two of them. Maxie might see it as betrayal and she wouldn’t blame her.

Nina says she hopes she wasn’t overstepping, but Willow says it was okay. She has so much to learn and needs to know she has Nina’s support. While she was talking to Lulu, she realized that certain men probably think they can use her as a political puppet. Nina says, Mendez? and Willow says, among others. She has her own agenda now and is going to use this unexpected opportunity to make a better life for herself and her children.

Britt tells Obrecht, Nathan, Maxie, and Spinelli are grown adults with their own hearts and minds. You can’t swap one out for another if Maxie wants to be with Spinelli. Obrecht says, even if she can see what Britt can’t, she believes Spinelli can’t possibly make Maxie as happy as Nathan, and Britt asks how she knows. Maybe they seem like an unlikely couple on the outside, but maybe Spinelli sees something in Maxie no one else sees. Maybe he treats her as an equal and makes her feel safe and loved. Maybe he gives her the confidence and courage to be the best version of herself. Maybe he understands her better than she understands herself. Obrecht says she doesn’t know if that’s true about Maxie and Spinelli, but it’s clear there’s something special about Jason Morgan.  

Marco says, Britt needs to complete the project, or she won’t get the medication, and Lucas asks, what’s the dosage schedule? Marco says, she gets a daily injection, and Lucas says, the project is what exactly? but Marco says, the less he knows, the better. Lucas says, okay… for now. Why does Britt need the medication? For what exactly? Marco says, it’s an experimental drug that keeps her Huntington’s symptoms at bay. Without it, her mobility and cognitive skills will rapidly decline. Lucas says, and Marco has gone along with withholding this medication from her? and Marco says he’s ashamed to admit it, but yes. Sometimes he’s even the one to give her the injection. And she’s only allowed to get it here. Lucas says he thinks Marco is being honest. He knows Marco told him the truth because Britt told him the same thing. Marco says, he talked to Britt? That’s a bad idea. He can’t trust her. Lucas says she told him the same thing about Marco. He passed Lucas’s test and didn’t lie. Marco says, Lucas manipulated him and played him, and Lucas asks how that feels to him. Marco says he knows he has no room to talk. For what it’s worth (🍷), he feels badly about Britt’s situation. Lucas says, then help get her out. Give him one dose so they have it to reverse engineer. Marco says, Cullum will know if there’s a dose missing. He’s sorry, but he can’t help.  

Sidwell says he was happy to get Maxie’s call. It’s wonderful to see her on her feet. He must say, she looks quite well. Lucy says, very, very, very well, and Maxie thanks them and says she appreciates that. Sidwell asks if Lucy filled Maxie in on what he did for the company in her absence, how he kept them going, and Lucy says, they’re bouncing back, slowly but surely. All thanks to him. She takes his hand and Sidwell says he’s just happy to be of help. Perhaps he can bring her up to speed on all things at the Port Charles Grill. Lucy says, wouldn’t that be lovely? but Maxie says she’ll have to pass. She has a lot on her plate at work. Go ahead. Lucy asks if she’s sure, and Maxie says, definitely, but they will need to discuss Sidwell’s exit strategy from the company.  

Trina asks if Portia is okay, and Portia says, the baby kicked. She puts Trina’s hand on her bump and says, wait a second. Trina says, oh my God. She’s got a little brother or sister in there. Hey, I’m your big sister. Portia says she’s so glad she could share this moment with Trina, and Trina says her too.

Lucas says he refuses to accept Marco’s refusal. They have to find a way to help Britt. Marco says, Lucas doesn’t like her, and Lucas says, maybe not, but he can’t walk away from the situation and leave Britt at the mercy of Cullum and Marco’s father. It would taint any potential of their future happiness. Marco asked him to stay, and this is the price for him staying. Marco says, Lucas is a good man, and annoyingly stubborn. He wishes he could say no. Lucas says, so he’ll help them? and Marco says it would get all three of them killed, but Lucas is right. They need to get Britt out of this mess.   

Britt says she’s talking about Maxie and Spinelli, not her and Jason, but Obrecht says Britt has never been able to fool her mutter. She was describing how Jason makes her feel. Britt says, she’s wrong. They’re not even together. Obrecht says, she may have to give up on Nathan and Maxie, but not Britt. It’s clear Jason loves her and she loves him. They might be happy if she’d get out of her own way.

Laura says, this thing may turn out to be a good opportunity for Willow, if she’s as determined as she says to nurse Drew back to health single-handedly, and Alexis says, as much as she loathes Drew, she’d never wish this on him. Laura says she’s sure, but Willow is going to be kept busy and won’t be able to have her life revolve around Drew. Alexis says she thinks a lot of people will benefit from Willow having a lot less time around him.

Nina says, it’s good to see Willow take control of her life, and Willow says, it feels good. It feels liberating. She felt subservient and subordinate to the men in her life, especially with Michael. There has always been an imbalance of power and wealth. She was a nobody, but now she’s Congresswoman Willow Cain. Nina says, yes, she is. She’s forging her own path, and her success will only strengthen her position. Willow says she’s Wiley and Amelia’s mother, and Nina says, she’s not planning any more custody fights. Willow says, no, but if Michael tries to push her around, she’ll have the power to push back.  

Nathan says he respects how much Lulu’s friendship with Maxie means to her. He doesn’t want to pressure her into being with him either, but he’s not letting go of hope. He knows what he wants and he wants her. She says she wants him too. If any two people deserve a shot at happiness, it’s them. He asks if she’s saying what he thinks she is, and she says, what the hell. Let’s do it. He asks if she’s sure, and she says, they can’t do this in secret. They have to find a way to come clean with Maxie. The question is, which one of them is going to tell her?

Sidwell says he has no intention of walking away from Deception, and Maxie says she appreciates everything he’s done to keep Deception afloat in her absence. But she’s here now and it’s her job to handle materials, distribution, and shipping. Having them both do the same job is redundant and besides, she thinks their record keeping systems are incompatible. Sidwell says he has no desire to interfere in the way she runs the company, but he has a contract that allows him to continue for the next five years. She can take him to court to void it, but it will undoubtedly have an effect on Deception, with its tenuous record, not to mention her own. She say she’s fully recovered, and he says he’s glad she’s here, but he strongly urges her to accept the assistance he’s already provided and will continue to provide for quite some time. They should head out. Lucy says, yes, they should, and Maxie says, enjoy your lunch. Lucy leaves first and before he leaves, Maxie tells Sidwell, this discussion is not over,

On Monday, Chase tells Ned that he deeply regrets it and will fix it immediately; Trina wonders why her parents want to see her; Laura asks if Willow plans on settling her own scores; and Michael says Dante wants to see him.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

New temps in town.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-comings-goings-temporary-recast-steps-in-to-port-charles-exclusive/

Hey, why not?

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-maurice-benard-talks-sonny-and-turners-kiss-says-pairing-just-feels-right-excl/

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-why-dante-and-elizabeths-potential-romance-is-worth-exploring/

Any budding Spinellis out there up for a challenge?

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-star-kirsten-storms-goes-public-with-hacking-crisis-its-really-freaking-me-out/

From Port Charles to prime time.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-alum-evan-hofer-scores-a-primetime-gig-get-the-details-on-his-new-job/

Love both these girls.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/jonelle-allen-dishes-legendary-catfight-with-vivica-a-fox-possible-generations-reboot/

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Down Under

Not the most exciting episode, except for them losing a guest while snorkeling. They found her. Ben thought he was one step away from future outbursts, and had to finesse new sous chef Ellie. While the guests were relatively accommodating, we watched as the tip shrunk with every single meal served late. Although I suppose that was in the same category as one of the guests saying there was no easy way to eat the bacon – first world problems.

Vanderpump Rules

This show continues to bore me – except for her Royal Britishness – but Venus did a good job with the Pride Day event. They served Penis Pump Pumptinis (shouldn’t it have been just Penis Pumptinis?), so somebody needs to trademark penis pump asap, since it seems to be getting a lot of play. Natalie sang her new release, Passengers, but IMO, it was no Good As Gold. In Natalie’s interview, she said she wasn’t a complete disaster of a person. I say, TBD. Angelica tried to confront Audrey about berating her in public, but Audrey said it was just comedy. I dunno about that. I actually think the only people who would think any of her act was funny would be the middle schoolers she hangs out with.

Summer House

 In the spirit of transparency, I barely paid attention this week.

Southern Charm

While in Mexico, the group drove ATVs, went surfing, and had a tequila tasting. (Bleh.) Whitney stayed on the outskirts, since sand is offensive to his sensibilities. Even though JT is gone, this has been an especially cringe season due to several of the cast members being too old for high school rivalries. Salley and Charley got in a spirited debate at the bar, while the guys kibbitzed from a distance, which was also pretty juvenile. Even worse, Craig got super drunk, and after announcing that he had tequila, beer, and cigarettes, berated Salley the whole way back on the bus. I don’t like her either, but enough already.

Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills

This was a really interesting episode. Probably for the first time, I felt empathy for nearly all the cast members. Because, for a moment, as far apart as these women are from the average woman, we were all the same. Erika spoke with her therapist, confessing how tired she was after fielding the repercussions of being married to Tom. She also talked about a short relationship where it sounded like the guy knocked her around. She gave him a second chance and he did it again, and she was trying not to blame herself. Her therapist was very insightful, talking about how we think we’ll be happy when X happens, but it’s a myth. The way she put it was, there is no here. Rachel talked about trust being broken, Kyle met Rachel’s parents and mourned her mother, and Boz talked about how her husband’s death had affected the family. True to form, there were a few idiotic moments, like when Rachel talked about cheating on Rodger when they were still dating, and how he proposed after she told him. In Kyle’s interview, she said a precedent had been set for the marriage. Huh? How did that justify him cheating 20 years after they were married? Was it a delayed payback? One thing that was impossible to identify with was Dorit dropping $5K at LoveShackFancy. I have the feeling the divorce isn’t going to be as amicable as she thinks it will be.

The Valley: Persian Style

Tanin had a party for her skincare line, and while she made up with Sky, Golnesa still had beef with her. After taking an informal poll, she threw her drink at Sky from behind, which started the screaming and Sky threatening to call the police, who would have no doubt said it was a civil matter and gotten the hell out. Reza was worried about Mercedeh being a single married person, but she wasn’t interested in his advice and told him to stay out of her marriage. Since I depend on my friends to give me the hard truths, I found this a little depressing, but Reza was smart and dropped it, since their friendship was still fragile. At this point, we all know she filed for divorce, so I’m wondering if they ended up circling back to this topic. This was the finale, and I’m sure the Reunion will be a load of laughs.

Random Reality Items

I nearly gagged when I watched this. After talking smack about each other in their books, it was now like the Mutual Admiration Society.

I have no doubt he’s out of his mind.

Five times? Really? I’d say they should call it quits already.

Saddest thing I read all week.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Reality Check: America’s Next Top Model. Netflix. I don’t remember watching a lot of this show originally. I’m pretty sure I got bored early on. Although I do remember thinking the meltdowns over makeovers were ridiculous. Little did I know what these poor just out of high schoolers were put through. There were many questionable themes for photo shoots – homelessness, crime victims, and the much publicized switching of ethnicities – but I did wonder if Calvin Klein and Abercrombie weren’t sorry they didn’t think of them it first. The saddest story was that of Shandi, who drunkenly slept with an Italian model when doing a shoot there. Production had encouraged them to party hardy, and provided the alcohol. Since these were not exactly mature women, that was their first mistake. The other mistake was not stepping in when it was clear Shandi should not be making decisions for herself. Like watching a three-part trainwreck.

https://extratv.com/2026/02/20/america-s-next-top-model-where-are-the-winners-now/

Naked Ambition. Netflix. This short documentary is well worth watching, especially from the women in history aspect. Bunny Yaeger was not only a pin-up girl in the 50s, she photographed them, most notably Betty Page. She was also not just the first female photographer for Playboy, she was their first photographer. I love the time period and love the old pin-up girls, as it evokes nostalgia for an era before my time, and this film captured it perfectly. Besides being a model and legendary photographer, she dabbled in acting – Nude on the Moon has to be one of the best titles of all time – wrote several books, and was a swimsuit designer, popularizing the bikini. Bunny was a visionary ahead of her time, and makes the rest of us look like slouches. Dita Von Teese also did some of the narration – love her, and her hat is fabulous.

https://deadline.com/2025/08/naked-ambition-trailer-music-box-films-acquisition-1236477486/

Brightburn. Netflix. A childless couple finds a baby boy dropped from the sky and thinks they’ve been granted a miracle. No such luck. While aliens aren’t exactly my jam, it wasn’t awful. The acting was truly great, it was gruesome AF, and the special effects were pretty good.

https://www.looper.com/2043802/james-gunn-horror-superman-movie-brightburn-streaming-netflix/

The Expendables. Netflix. Yeah, yeah. I’m super late to this party, but it was there and so was I, and I hadn’t seen it. A group of mercenaries is recruited to eliminate a Latin dictator and a renegade CIA agent. Actually, the plot isn’t important. It’s all about the action and the one-liners. My father used to say if someone wasn’t killed in the first ten minutes, he was leaving, and this was his kind of movie. I’ve watched my share of action films, and I don’t know if I’ve ever seen that many explosions in one movie. Mindlessly entertaining.

https://collider.com/the-expendables-movie-review-sylvester-stallone-jason-statham/

https://www.insidehook.com/film/the-expendables-10-year-anniversary

https://collider.com/every-expendables-movie-ranked/

🏆 All About Those BAFTAS Almost…

I’m not going there about the Tourette’s. It’s a thing. Watch Baylen Out Loud.

The winners.

https://ew.com/bafta-awards-2026-winners-list-11911012

Woot! Here’s hoping they do the same at the Academy Awards.

https://ew.com/sinners-and-director-ryan-coogler-make-bafta-awards-history-11911605

The fashion.

https://www.essence.com/fashion/best-celebrity-red-carpet-looks-baftas-2026/

I kinda like the puppy skirt.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/the-most-heinous-looks-from-the-2026-bafta-film-awards/

🐾 In Their Spare Time…

🦅 Some animals are conservationists.

https://people.com/redwood-tree-saved-from-destruction-after-bald-eagle-spotted-in-branches-11916471

🐈‍⬛ 🐕 Some are fitness enthusiasts.

https://people.com/woman-shocked-when-cat-starts-using-treadmill-exclusive-11914385

https://people.com/labrador-sisters-share-at-home-treadmill-routine-11913279

🦍 And many are gorgeous models.

https://people.com/winners-of-the-2026-world-nature-photography-awards-11911941

📣 Quotes of the Week

Your journey has molded you for your greater good, and it was exactly what it needed to be. Don’t think that you’ve lost time. There is no short-cutting to life. It took each and every situation you have encountered to bring you to the now. And now is right on time. – Asha Tyson

Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don’t. – Bill Nye

Too often we… enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought. – John F. Kennedy

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit. – Aristotle

Whatever it is you’re seeking won’t come in the form you’re expecting. – Haruki Marukami

Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect. – Chief Seattle

He is the red flag. – Friend of Courtney Reardanz referring to Colt Johnson, 90 Day Fiancé: The Single Life

🏂 Snow Place Like Home…

Until next time, stay safe; stay checking on your elderly neighbors (one of mine is 101 – true story); and stay not confusing people with your emoji codes.