Author Archives: theresakp

April 16, 2018 – Jason Reunites with Sam, Jax is the Worst Person on the Planet & Whew!

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What I Watched Today

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

 

I almost kissed the guy from Verizon. It turned out to be a loose wire on the outside pole, most likely due to the hurricane force winds we had over the weekend. I missed bits and pieces of GH in the beginning, but nothing important. Dude got here just in time, and while he was quiet, my dogs were not. They love to help out.

General Hospital

Anna tells Robert there is no danger. Jason isn’t there to watch her back; she’s watching his.

Jason sees Sam in the hotel hallway, and asks what she’s doing there. She asks if he came looking for her. He says, no, and she’s stunned that he found her anyway.

Anna says Robert’s presence is not required. Robert tells her not to be like that. I love Robert. It’s like seeing an old friend.

Finn sees Chase at Charlie’s. Chase has a huge smile, and says, hi, but Finn isn’t having it.

Ava looks at the test results, and wonders what Griff is hiding. She runs into Michael at Charlie’s, and tells him that Carly is late with Avery.

Carly looks at note – find me where you left me tonight. She goes to the graveyard, and Nelle watches.

Jason tells Sam that he’s there with Anna looking for Henrik. He says she came to get away and think, so he’s going to let her do it. Sam says she’s not going to pretend she doesn’t see him, and asks if he wants to talk about the investigation. He says, sure, and follows her to her suite.

Robert says he knows what Anna is doing, but she says doesn’t think so. Jason is the best asset she‘s ever seen. She’s grateful that he rid the world, and her, of Faison, but she doesn’t think Henrik deserves the same fate. Robert says it’s not her responsibility, but she says she’s as responsible for Henrik as Faison is.

Chase makes an attempt at banter with Finn, but Finn is irritated by Chase rolling a quarter across his knuckles. Finn tells him to cut it out, but Chase says it calms him. Chase gets a text, and has to leave.

Michael suggests that Ava phone Carly, but Ava says Carly’s phone has a tendency to drop her calls. She tells him that Nelle sets good example for her. She could learn a lot from the way Nelle tolerates Carly.

Carly tells Morgan that she’s early for her weekly visit, but someone wants her here; someone who knows him, and knows what he means to her. She smells something, and Nelle flashes back to Ava finding Morgan’s cologne. We see Nelle spraying it all over the gravesite.

One of Sonny’s guys asks if Sonny wants him to look for Mike, but Sonny thinks maybe he got hung up with Carly somewhere. Pilar runs in, asking if Mike brought Avery back. She explains how he went to the park with them, and when she went to the pretzel cart, Mike left with Avery. Sonny can’t believe she left them, but she says she just turned her back for a minute. She was hoping he brought her home. He asks why Carly wasn’t at the park, and Pilar says something came up and she was supposed to meet them there.

Carly knows that smell. She looks around and calls for Morgan.

Nelle goes to Charlie’s, and sees Michael. She asks if he’s meeting someone, but he’s there to pick something up. She tells him, great work in Lamaze, but he says she did the work. She changes it to good support, and says they make a great team for the baby. He tells her about an ELQ event for expectant parents; really an excuse to get together socialize. He asks if she wants to go.

Griff and Kiki toast to her success as a Shadow with empty coffee cups (sigh). He says rumor has it Dr. Bensch championed her cause. He tells her that they’re all pulling for her. Epiphany says don’t let them down.

Robert tells Anna that Henrik has nothing to do with her, but she says he has everything to do with her. She was in and out of Faison’s life for decades, and if she’d paid attention, she might have discovered his existence. Robert says Faison never let on that he had a son, but she says she never bothered to ask. Henrik was raised with a tyrant for a father, and still saved Jason’s life. Robert asks why. She doesn’t know; conscience, a glimmer of humanity? Robert suggest he might have wanted to use the best asset she’s ever seen for his own ends. She refuses to condemn him on speculation. She needs to find him. Robert asks, and then what? Offer him redemption? She says, exactly.

Jason asks Sam, why Switzerland? She says she spun the globe, put her finger on it, and here she is. And him. She asks about his lead on Henrik. Jason tells her the book gave him new leads. At the end, the son takes the lighter from his father’s hospital room when he dies. Anna confirmed Faison had one, and was carrying it, but it wasn’t in his personal effects. The theory there is the night Faison died, Henrik took it. Sam says if they find the lighter, they find Henrik. Jason says the problem is, so many people were in and out of the hospital, and a lighter is small enough to be concealed anywhere. The next lead is that Henrik could be targeting his mother.

Anna tells Robert that she’s not writing Henrik off. Whatever he was coerced into doing, she believes he deserves a chance at his own life and intends to see he gets it. Robert is worried about her working with Jason, and now their granddaughter is mixed up in it. Anna says he’s perilously close to pissing her off. She would never bring Emma into anything dangerous; it’s a research trip. She’s capable and they have a bodyguard. Robert says they have a mob hit man. Why throw in with Jason? He wonders where Finn is, and thought he was her back up.

At the hospital, Finn tells Griff that he sees no sign of infection. The underlying problem doesn’t seem to be physical. Griff appreciates the consult, and asks how things are with Anna. Finn says he doesn’t know. They’re not as close as they once were. Griff had hoped Faison’s death brought her peace, but Finn says she’s transferred her energy to finding Faison’s son. She can take care of herself, and he thinks she prefers to.

Kiki asks Epiphany about the Shadow schedule. Epiphany says she plugged Kiki in where she could with her regular job, and Kiki says she’ll turn herself into a pretzel and make it work. Kiki sees that the first doctor she’s going to shadow with is Dr. Bensch; she’d thought it was in obstetrics. She asks if Epiphany can change it. Epiphany gives her a look, and Kiki says, never mind.

Kiki goes to David’s office. He asks if he can help her.

Michael tells Ava about the ELQ event, and Nelle says she’d love to go if she’s not working. Ava says they can talk about donations for the Nurses’ Ball tonight instead. Sonny calls Michael, asking if he’s seen Avery or his mother. Michael says Carly was supposed to meet Ava at Charlies, and drop Avery off. Ava was looking for them too. Sonny says he’ll fill Michael in when he gets there, and not to tell Ava there’s anything wrong. He leaves. Nelle asks Ava about the pictures of the donations. Ava says they’re on her phone, and goes to get some food. Nelle scrolls through the phone, sees the picture of the test results, and says, what have we here?

Carly hears someone. It’s Chase, who asks what she’s doing there. She says she came to visit her son’s grave. He tells her that he got a call about a prowler, and there’s been vandalism at the cemetery. She says she didn’t see anyone, but he tells her she still shouldn’t be there. The earthquake left the ground unstable. She tells him about the note, but when she shows it to him, it’s blank. Okay, I have to admit, Nelle’s plan is picking up steam.

Sonny leaves a message for Carly, and tells his guy to find out what’s going on at the hospital. Michael shows up, and asks what happened? Sonny asks Pilar to tell him, hoping she’ll remember something else. Michael wonders why Sonny hasn’t called Dante, but Sonny says if he calls the police, Ava will get involved.

Carly tells Chase there was a message on the back of the flyer that told her come here. He asks if she means the cemetery, and she says where she last left him. He asks if she’s been drinking, and she insists she’s not impaired. He thinks maybe she took the wrong flyer. She says she didn’t, and wonders what’s happening.

Nelle sends a copy of the test results to herself, and deletes the sent mail from Ava’s phone. Ava asks what she thinks about the donations, and Nelle says she thinks Ava is distracted. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have left this, and shows her the test result picture. Ava claims that Griff wanted her to take a picture for backup, and she forgot it was there. Nelle asks why she doesn’t delete it, and suggests Griff doesn’t know she has it. Ava tells her to leave it alone, but Nelle says she’s only asking because she cares. She believes things aren’t as idyllic as Ava claims.

Kiki tells David that she starts the Shadow Program tomorrow, and her first rotation is with him. She asks if he arranged it.

Jason tells Sam that Anna is convinced Henrik is after his mother because of the book’s epigraph. Sam starts to look up the word on her phone, and he says it’s a quote that describes the book’s theme. For if the rot comes from both ends, together the branches must be severed. Anna seems to think it’s a statement about Henrik’s parents. Faison is already severed; now it’s his mother turn. He’s not sure it’s much of lead. Sam asks if he mentions his mother in the book, and Jason says Anna thinks there are clues to lead his mother to him, but it’s a long shot. Jason wonders why a mother would be looking for a son who wants her severed. Sam says she’s still a mom, and maybe wants to tell him her side of the story.

Anna asks why Robert is asking her about Finn, and he says she’s crazy about him. She asks who told him that, and he gives her a list, saying just about everybody. She says that Finn’s help with Cassandra was good, but that’s it. Robert knows they got close. Anna says they didn’t; they kind of did, but circumstances changed. He’s not part of their world. He’s a doctor, not a spy. Robert helps himself to a drink.

Michael asks Sonny, what if Mike tries to go to his old neighborhood? There’s still damage from the earthquake, and Avery is too young to help if anything happens. Sonny decides to call Dante. Carly comes in with Chase, asking what’s going on, and explaining Chase wanted to make sure got she got home okay. He tells her that Mike and Avery are missing, but she says they’re at the park with Pilar. Sonny tells her that Pilar bought a snack, and when she wasn’t looking, Mike disappeared with Avery. Chase asks for a photo, and Carly gives him one. He says he’ll get it to dispatch. Sonny looks grim.

Ava says she doesn’t have to explain herself to Nelle. Nelle says she wants to do what she can to help Ava get back on solid ground. Nelle is here for Ava, like she was for Nelle. Both of their phones ring. It’s a missing child alert for Avery.

Dr. Bensch tells Kiki that Epiphany does the schedule, and she asks if he arranged it. He asks why, and she says he knows why. He tells her that he bears no ill will, and thought they had an understanding. However their wires got crossed, he understands she has no romantic interest in him. They’re both adults, and both capable of putting aside their personal feelings. He’s moving forward in a professional manner. Is she?

Anna tells Robert it’s her operation, not his. If he wants in, he has to do as she says. He says now he knows why Finn isn’t here. He starts to go to his room, and she realizes he’s not leaving the suite. He tells her the hotel is fully booked, so he’s staying with her. Finn calls. Anna is obviously agitated, and he says they have emotional support animals that can help with stress.

Sam says even if Anna is right, no one knows who Henrik’s mother is; it’s a dead end. Jason tells her that he contacted the publisher, and they don’t know PK Sinclair’s identity, but he found out where the book proceeds go – to an account in Zurich. Sam wonders if he could have a relationship with the same banks Faison used. Maybe it’s the same bank as the safe deposit box. She asks how they get in? Jason says Anna thinks she can get in by posing as a wealthy widow looking for schools for her granddaughter. He’s supposed to be her bodyguard. Sam says that’s one cover he can pull off; he just has to stand there and not say anything. He tells Sam that Anna has a list of schools she wants to search. Sam wonders why, if they can get into the safe deposit box. He says it doesn’t make sense, but she insisted. He thinks Anna doesn’t want him searching on his own. She’s afraid if he finds Henrik before her, he’ll kill him. Sam wonders why she’d care, but Jason isn’t sure. His phone rings, and he says it’s a Zurich area code. He answers, and says, got it; he’s on his way. The Swiss police just arrested Spinelli.

Anna tells Finn everything is all right, but he says she sounds tense. She tells him it’s a chronic condition. She asks how he is, and he says he’s making do. She says she’s the same, and asks about Alexis. He tells her, Alexis is Alexis. He says off the record, Griff was asking about her. He’s worried, and wanted to make sure she’s looking out for herself. She thanks him for his concern, saying it means a lot. He tells her to be careful, and take no undue risks – except at the roulette table. Robert asks Anna something about the shower. Finn hears, and says it sounds like she has a chaperone, and tells her, good luck. Anna makes a sad face.

Dr. Bensch tells Kiki that he’s sorry she’s uncomfortable. She could pull out, and spend the summer hitting the books for year one. She says then the Shadow door will slam shut. He says he can keep the past in the past, and she says she can too. She’ll see him tomorrow. He tells her, wise choice. She’ll get a lot out of it.

Griff sees Nelle at Charlie’s, and asks if Ava is still there. Nelle says she just left, and shows him the missing child alert.

Chase tells Sonny that they’re already getting responses. They have the park covered, and they’re pulling the security footage. Carly tells Sonny she’s sorry, and he says she doesn’t understand. Mike gets worse later in the day, and Pilar isn’t equipped to handle it. What was so important that she’d leave them alone?

Ava bursts in, asking what did Sonny and Carly do with her daughter?

Tomorrow, Lulu agrees to disagree with Dante, Spinelli says we meet again, and Ava tells Carly to give up the information now.

Vanderpump Rules

Let’s just get it out of the way right now. I hate Jax.

Jax tells Lisa he’s tired of everyone flipping the effing script on him, and eff all these effity effing effs. He gets loud and gives the finger – with both hands – to the entire restaurant. James says he looks like he’s popping out of his shirt. Outside, he yells at Tom for daring to still be friends with James. Jax rips his mic off, and stomps down the street, banging on a phone booth as he passes it. Tom is concerned something knocked a screw loose, and says Jax looks like he needs medication. I vote Jax off the island.

Brittany apologizes to Lisa. Lisa asks why Brittany is apologizing for Jax. Brittany says she’s associated with what he does, and Lisa asks if she’s going to spend the rest of her life enabling him to her own detriment. She asks what Brittany is hoping for, and what Brittany sees that she doesn’t. Brittany says she can’t not give him a chance. Lisa wonders how many chances she’s already given him. In her interview, Brittany says people don’t see what she does, and starts to cry. Lisa tells her that she needs to ask herself if he’s something worth fighting for. Preach it, sister!

Stassi sets up for the Pucker & Pout blog party. Katie says last year, she was unhappy with herself and angry. We flash back to that. In the past year, she’s worked on growing up, and her life is going in a good direction. She’s partnering up with the lipstick queen of the internet, and revamping the blog.

Katie and Stassi tie balloons. Katie tells Stassi that Jax isn’t coming, and brings her up to speed on what happened at SUR. In her interview, Stassi says meltdown and Jax go together like pizza and ranch dressing. Katie asks where things are at with Patrick. Stassi says she can’t be up and down anymore. The first night they were in Mexico, she texted him at 4 am, asking for him to wish her a good night, and he wouldn’t let it go that she hadn’t texted immediately upon arrival. In her interview, Stassi says it got intense. She feels like she put in effort and work the second time around, and if doesn’t work out, it’s awful. She and Katie inhale some helium, since cartoon voices always elevate the mood.

Brittany makes Jax coffee. Why? She asks how he feels, and he says a little hungover. She asks what set him off; he wasn’t even himself. Oh, I think he was very much himself – a bitter middle-aged dude who hangs out with too young of a crowd, and blames everyone else for his problems. He says that Adam told him about Scheana trying to set him up with Brittany, and how he didn’t even know what was going on. Brittany says Jax went crazy on everyone, and he makes the poor excuse that everyone is always in his business, and he’s fed up. In his interview, Jax claims that everyone else has done the same as him, if not worse, but for some reason, he gets targeted. I’d say no one has acted like him, he’s the worst, and he targets others to take the focus off of his own misdeeds. He wants to move. Then they can’t blame their problems on him. I’m sure he’ll find a new set of friends to take the blame for his problems.

Lala meets James for some musical collaboration. She asks if he’s nervous. She’s sh*tting bricks about her showcase. She tells him no talking, just play the five songs right in a row. He tells her it’s a big deal, and there could be people from the industry there. He feels like Dr. Dre to her Eminem, and I can’t. She tells him that she invited everyone, and wants to be the slutty Mother Teresa. I’m not even sure what that means. They discuss Jax. Lala had invited him because he’s Brittany’s man, and feels badly for her. She says if she was in that position, someone would be dead, and it wouldn’t be her. I have to say, I do like their sound, but they think a little too highly of themselves.

Tom and Schwartz hang out at the TomTom site. They have a beer and stroll around in hardhats. Tom says the progress party is crazy; people will actually see the progress they’ve made. Um… I think that’s the point. They discuss the DJ booth. They’ve invited twenty-five guests, and go over all the things they still need to deal with. Tom gets down on one knee and asks Schwartz to officially be his partner. He gives Schwartz a tie-tack with TT on it. He has a matching one. He hopes they have beautiful business babies together. They swear they’re ride or die.

Lisa goes to the riding club, and Ariana meets her there. They go through some agility runs. Lisa tells Ariana that she has a lot of confidence in Tom, and thinks it’s a good start. Who knows where it will take him? Ariana says his priorities are all TomTom, and she’s waiting for him to work on the cocktail book. In her interview, Ariana says once he got involved with the book, she had to start over. Now he’s moved on to bigger and better things. Why did he want to be involved in the first place? She wishes he would make it more of a priority; she could have had it done by now. Lisa asks her, why wait? but Ariana wonders how to bring it up without being a nag. In her interview, Lisa says Ariana is strong enough to stand on her own. She doesn’t understand why she’s putting up with Tom’s bullsh*t. Ariana asks, what about that Jax. Lisa says he’s making the wrong choice to yell at her and Ken. He created a mess, now he has to live with it. She’s considering firing him. I would.

Everyone is impressed with Katie’s promo party. Her mom and grandma are there, and very proud. Kristen comes in on crutches. Carter asks if she wants him to carry her purse, and she says, maybe later, when she’s drunk. He thinks Kristen being on crutches is hot. I think he’s a kinkball, until I see him watching her dress ride up as she walks. Kristen explains that she’s accident prone and awkward, and compares herself to the blow-up thing at a car dealership, doing an eerily accurate impression. Adam asks Brittany how it went, and if Jax is coming. Brittany says he’s not. We see he’s busy eating ice cream from a carton at home. Brittany says he went nuts last night. Billie says he’s insecure because Adam is hot. In her interview, Brittany says Adam is working to be a bartender, and does some modeling. Jax is jealous because he’s like Jax ten years ago. Jax 2.0 maybe?

Lisa and Ken arrive. In her interview, Katie says she’s thrilled with how the party came together. She says Stassi did an amazing job, and can accomplish a lot, when she’s not stressing over Patrick and his man bun. Stassi says they’d better serve goat cheese balls at her funeral. Lala tells James that Carter is giving him dirty looks. He tells her that’s nothing new. She asks if he’ll be comfortable at the showcase, and he says it’s not like he hasn’t performed in front of these same people trying to bring him down before.

Tom and Peter talk to Carter about butchering golf in Mexico. Carter asks what James said. Tom tells him about the hot tub, and that Jax saw the cushions afterward. NO! NOT THE CUSHIONS!!! Carter wonders why they didn’t have Kristen’s back, since they’re friends. In his interview, Tom thinks of all the times Kristen lied to him, and we flash back to that. Tom says it doesn’t look good. He was in the same situation; thinking, no way, and then it was, way.

Kristen talks to someone about her Cheadle – a beagle and chihuahua mix. Carter asks why she’s talking to more dudes. She asks where he’s been, and he says he heard about her and James in a jacuzzi. He says they weren’t just on the beach for ten minutes. She explains there was a plunge pool outside the room, but she wasn’t in it. Who is he going to believe, her or Jax? He says, her, and she asks why punish her then? In her interview, Kristen says her own boyfriend doesn’t believe her. She swore the group wouldn’t get in middle of her relationship, and they have. There’s nothing she can do. She hobbles off to the ladies’ room.

Katie’s mom thinks Lisa, and Lisa says she’s proud of Katie. Lisa asks when the babies are coming, and then says, one step at a time. Open the bar, then they can make a baby on the bar, which Mrs. Katie’s Mom finds hysterically funny.

Schwartz says for his standards, his footwear tonight is upscale. Everyone is impressed that he’s wearing shoes at all. They talk about the upcoming progress party. In her interview, Ariana says when they talk about the bar, they go into their own little world. Tom asks Ariana how the day with Lisa went, and she says they need to prioritize the cocktail book. In his interview, Tom says it’s not like Ariana has been super productive. She could do a lot without him. Dude, you are the one who wanted in. Should you do no work? She says she could have finished if he hadn’t wanted to be a part of it.

Jax eats whatever he can get his hands on. He’s fed up, bummed out, and it’s all the more reason for a fresh start. He’d like to see Kelsey, but she’s in Africa, so he’s lost. We see a clip of her telling him the reason he’s being mean is because he doesn’t want to be one to walk away. Brittany deserves his truth, so she can find the person who will treat her like a princess, the way she deserves. He says he’s trying to be better person, but Brittany wants a lot – to be married and have children – and he’s not sure he can give her that. I’m totally sure he can’t, but I don’t think she wants “a lot.”

Stassi sits with Brittany. She tells Brittany that everyone who knows her would say she deserves the best man, yet she’s chosen the one they all think is the worst. She wants Brittany to recognize her worth. Brittany says Stassi isn’t with her every day and doesn’t see their relationship. In her interview, Brittany says it’s hard to explain. Jax is her best friend, and it’s hard for people to understand, but she can’t turn it off. Stassi asks what if she’s wasting her best years. She hopes she’s not, and Stassi says she worries about it. She’s in a relationship that goes up and down. Brittany says even if it doesn’t work out, she’ll know she gave it her all. Stassi says if Brittany ends up marrying Jax, she doesn’t think she’s capable of attending the wedding.

Patrick visits Stassi. Did he shake that man bun? I probably won’t dislike him any less, but at least I’ll be able to look at him. He asks about the event, and Stassi says she’s tooting her own horn. She’s good at it. She likes to decorate things, but finds the clerical stuff a drag. Patrick says she just wants the credit for it. She tells him that they need to figure out how to be consistent in their relationship. She’s sorry she didn’t text him in Mexico, and he tells her to stop making it about her, when it’s not that big. She takes small things and slights, and turns them into major battles. Then she turns wars into battles. Stassi corrects him, saying it’s battles into wars, and he’s like, whatever. He says they’re four years in. They’re different people, and they need to find a happy medium.

Schwartz tells Katie that he and Tom stopped by the bar. She asks if it’s the semblance of a bar, and he says the progress is surprising. He says it’s their best year yet. In his interview, he says for once, he can imagine a future. A house in the hills, killing it at the restaurant, kids, dogs, and maybe a llama. Katie finds a bone in the fish they’re eating, and Schwartz tells her about choking on the plastic wrap, when he was over-eager to eat something as a child. She’s afraid to have children with him.

Katie feels like she’s come a long way. She talks about her depression from PTSD after falling through a skylight. We see a clip of her, vlogging about being in the hospital. She tells Schwartz that before the accident, she was positive and confident, but afterwards, something happened. She’d get angry and cause problems. Schwartz says people thought she was bad, but didn’t realize how close to death she came. She says it’s taken almost a decade, but she’s never felt more herself. She tells him it feels good, and starts to cry. In his interview, Schwartz says Katie has been through a lot, but finally grew into the awesome person he knew she could become. He tells her that they got through it, and they dance their wedding dance. It’s interspersed with clips from them dancing it at the wedding.

Jax brings home coffee. Brittany asks how he feels, and he says unhappy and has been it’s hard for him. Oh, boo-effing-hoo. Brittany says he’s making her feel like sh*t, but he says it has nothing to do with her. He needs to make changes. She deserves to be happy, get married, have kids, and be treated like a princess, but he’s not that person. She asks what he’s saying. He tells her that he’s not good in relationships. She deserves better.

Let me stop for a moment here. When I was young, single, and rocking NYC, I dated a lot. If I had to pick one piece of advice, it would be if a man says he’s not good enough for you, he’s not. Run. Now.

Jax tells her that she deserves better, and he doesn’t think they can be together anymore. She doesn’t get where this is coming from. He says he doesn’t like who is, but it’s not because of her. She wants to know how he can do this, when she’s been through so much. She says she’s trying to help him, but he says what he did is wrong, and he effed up. She asks why he let her try – that’s what I say – and he says he wanted it to be fine, but it would be fine one day, then crazy the next. Jax says he needs to be by himself, and Brittany tells him to get out. How dare he put her through all this sh*t, and now act like he’s the one who gave his all? After everything she’s been though, to break up is bullsh*t. She doesn’t want to look at him anymore, and tells him to get out. She says after all the heartbreak, he’s going to pull this sh*t? Get out! In her interview, Brittany says she tried to stand by his side no matter what. Now he wants to throw it away. Seriously, you’re young. You’ll recover. She says she can’t look at him. She’s leaving. He says this isn’t what he wanted. She says he did, and calls him a dumbass, and slams the door on her way out. In her interview, she says he’s done a million horrible things to her, and he’s not going to change. He’ll always be the same Jax. Jax says he sucks in a relationship. He calls to her from the apartment balcony, but she gets into a car, and leaves. Jax wonders where she’s going. He respects that she stuck around and tried to make work, but he’s tired of seeing her upset and sad. It’s time to throw in the towel. I’d like to throw a wet towel at Jax’s head.

Spoiler alert – to date, it looks like they’re still together. While Brittany continues to say that it’s nobody’s business but her own – which is totally true, but you’re on a reality show, so you made it my business – she says people don’t know Jax’s other side. Unless Jax is totally making this up for TV, I don’t care what else goes on. If that’s his persona when the cameras are rolling, he’s still a repulsive person.

Next time, Jax goes to therapy, Brittany rethinks Adam, and Lala is terrified.

🚢 Below Deck Mediterranean will be cruising the south of Italy, beginning Tuesday, May 15th, at 9 pm.

😌 That Feeling When Things Get Back to Normal…

Whew3

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Whew

April 15, 2018 – My Day Sux Big Time

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What I watched today was, unfortunately, not much of anything. Sadly, thanks to Verizon, I have no internet, TV, or phone (borrowed this one). While it’s been fun watching the DVD of The Beastmaster with commententary, and several extra features from my set of Downton Abbey DVDs, it’s killing me that I won’t be able to see The Walking Dead/Fear the Walking Dead crossover, much less recap them. Quell disappointment! Hopefully, I’ll be back in business tomorrow and will be able to catch  up On Demand. If I can, I’ll do a mini-cap. Until then, enjoy your TV watching without me.

<SOB!>

 

April 13, 2018 – Robert Joins the Mission, Twelve Small Chefs, Some News, QuadrupliQuotes & the 13th

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Carly tells Griff that she’s had a few incidents where she’s heard or seen something, then it’s not there. Griff asks why Sonny thinks something is wrong. Carly says she does too, but not with her health.

Mike is frustrated, looking for his glasses. Sonny tells him it’s no big deal, but Mike thinks losing anything is a big deal for him. Sonny takes the glasses out of Mike’s shirt pocket, and hands them to him. Mike wants to go for a walk, but Sonny says he could use some company. Mike asks what’s on his mind. Sonny says he’s happy Mike is there, and wants to make most of it. He says Mike brought something up the other day, but then they got distracted. He was hoping to finish the conversation. Mike asks if it was horses, cards, or ladies, and they laugh. Sonny asks, what about a field in Croton?

In Bern Switzerland, shopping bags are all over Anna and Emma’s suite. Emma asks Anna if she looks convincing for a secret mission in her new dress. Anna praises her look, and says she should give her mom a call. Jason knocks at the door. Anna tells him that he’s just in time. She and Emma need a bodyguard.

Carly brings Griff up to speed about the phone calls. Griff says it sounds intense, and Carly tells him that  Dante traced the calls to a phone booth on Angel’s Bluff, close to where Morgan died. Griff says it must have been difficult being there, but Carly says she misses him everywhere she goes. She explains about the scarf, saying it was in the picture of Morgan on her desk. She tells him that she’s not making it up; she held it in her hands. He asks where it is, and she says the fire alarm went off and they had to evacuate. When she came back, it was gone. Griff asks what it felt like, and she says, like a scarf. Ha-ha! She tells him it was torn, dirty, and had what looked like blood stains on it. Griff asks if she had any weird sensations, smelled any odors, or got nauseous. She says every time she remembers Morgan getting killed, she gets sick. She knows someone else was in the house. He asks if she heard or saw them, but she says she could feel them. He tells her that sometimes you can pick up on something your other senses don’t register, and to always trust it. Usually it’s nothing, but it can save your life. She tells him that Sonny showed up, and scared the hell out of her. She almost took him out with a baseball bat. She’d heard sounds coming from Morgan’s room. When the lights came back on, she found a framed picture of him, with the glass in the frame shattered.

Sonny tells Mike that he mentioned a field in Croton, and sounded upset. Mike isn’t recalling it, and Sonny says if he’s upset, he can take it off Mike’s mind. Mike appreciates the offer, but has the feeling he did something to piss Sonny off. Sonny says he just wants to help him. Mike says whatever it was, is gone now. Sonny knows it’s difficult to remember. Mike says he’ll do his best. Sonny says it was a long time ago, and he’s not upset or mad in any way, but it seemed like Mike felt guilty. If that’s the case, of something is eating away at him, they can find out why and move on.

Griff knows it’s difficult to talk about, but Carly understands he has to rule stuff out. He tells her that a compromised brain can lead to incidents.

Anna tells Jason that she’s posing as the Widow Ashton (a nod to Larry?), and needs a pretend bodyguard. She was going to make him into her son-in-law, but his look screams bodyguard. She needs to make inquiries, and wants a bodyguard for Emma. She asks him what his jacket size is, and he tells her to ask Carly. Ha-ha! Emma comes out, and tells him that they got new clothes for their secret mission. They got an outfit for him too. She gives him a garment bag, and he tells Anna that they need to discuss this. She asks Emma to do some more research. She says she loves it, and Jason says she’s obviously Anna’s daughter. Anna says that’s why they need a bodyguard.

He asks why they don’t just break in to get the information from the records room. Anna says if she wanted to do that, that’s what she’d do. Does he think she can’t handle a simple robbery on her own? He thinks it might be beneath her. She asks why break in, when they can walk in without suspicion? He asks why not save time? She gets that he’s used to working alone, and he asks how they’re going to do this.

Sonny tells Mike to try again. Mike is sorry. He wishes he could help, but he has to find his glasses. Sonny picks them up from the table, and hands them to Mike. He tells Mike to sit, and breaks out a jigsaw puzzle. He says Griff thought would help. Mike asks if he’ll be putting together a picture of things he’s forgotten. Sonny says it’s not about remembering the past, but focusing on the present. Mike explains that the way to do it is to find the frame first, and fill it from the outside in. Sonny has some business to attend to, and asks if Mike will be okay. Mike says since he has three hundred pieces to deal with, he should be all right.

Griff looks at Carly’s records, and notices that after Morgan was born, she had a bullet removed from brain. She explains that when she was in labor, Sonny thought someone was trying to hurt her, and when he shot them, the bullet went through them and into her. It was a helluva day. He notices she had another incident more recently. She says it was when she was pregnant with Josslyn, but they both came out fine. Griff says traumatic injury effects can show up years later. She has a history of falls and wounds. She tells him that he might as well know that she was hospitalized twice for nervous breakdowns; the first one was mostly fake. Michael was kidnapped as a baby, and the kidnapper only got a slap on the wrist, so she shot him in open court. She was afraid she’d go to prison, so she faked a break with reality. The second time was a real breakdown.

Anna wants Jason to watch Emma while she slips away to get the records they need. Jason says, so what she needs is a babysitter, which is exactly what I was thinking. She says she’ll be making a path toward Henrik. Jason thinks simple and clean is the best way. Just go in and make a demand; it doesn’t require a cover. She asks what about Spinelli, and Jason says he set Jason up with what he needs to catch Henrik. Anna insists that a widow with disposable cash and a beautiful granddaughter is how to pave the way. Jason says he knows how good she is, and knows she doesn’t need him. She’s making a diversion, so he doesn’t get to before she does.

Nanny Pilar and Avery are headed to the park. Mike says he’ll join them.

Carly tells Griff that she’s not embarrassed about it. Michael’s biological father, AJ, staged Michael’s death. They even had a funeral and everything. She forgot to breathe; she just couldn’t take it. She held breath for longer periods of time, like she was trying to keep in suspended animation. I can actually understand what she’s saying. She tells Griff, obviously, Michael came back fine, but she didn’t recognize herself. She was paralyzed, fragile, weak, and powerless, and she doesn’t do powerless. Her phone rings, and it’s Pilar. She asks if it’s okay if Mike goes to the park with them. Finding out the test won’t take long, Carly tells Pilar it’s fine, and she’ll meet them there. She continues her story, telling Griff that she went to the hospital, and made a complete recovery. He asks if the feelings she described ever resurfaced, and she says, never. Morgan’s death rocked her to her core, but she never felt like she was losing herself. Griff says he’ll put a rush on the tests, and get her out. She says she remembers what it’s like to feel lost, but this is nothing like that. It all happened, and it’s all real.

Sonny goes to the hospital, looking for Griff, but Deanna says he’s not answering. Stella comes by, and asks how Mike is doing. Sonny says, not so well. It seems like every day, Mike is slipping away a little more.

Mike is ready to go, and tells Avery, let’s hit the road.

Anna says even if Jason found Henrik first, he’d wait for her, because they’re on the same side, aren’t they? Jason says he wants answers; she wants to protect Henrik. There’s a knock at the door. Jason waits on the side, his gun ready. Anna opens the door, and immediately closes it. She opens it again, and asks, what the hell are you doing here? It’s Robert.

Sonny tells Stella sometimes Mike makes perfect sense, and he lets his guard down. Then, bam! a left hook. Now it’s fifty years ago, and Mike is wondering if his parents are waiting for him. He’s like a time traveler. Stella says there are no easy answers. She can occupational therapy to his schedule, and Sonny should discuss medicinal options with Griff. She tells Sonny If he needs any help, let he know, and she’ll make sure it happens. She tells him to bear in mind that no matter how well the disease is managed, as the patient deteriorates, the symptoms change; it’s curveball after curveball. Sonny says it’s funny. When he was a kid, he used to wait up, playing a game about if Mike was going to show up. As he’s talking, we see Mike playing in the park with Avery, and once again, Max Gail takes my heart and stomps on it. Sonny says eventually, he stopped playing; stopped expecting things from Mike, and learned how to take care of himself. Now he’s playing the same old, losing game, but worse. He’s asking himself is Mike going to remember what day it is or what he had for lunch, or does he work at Kelly’s? He wonders about the day to come when Mike doesn’t recognize him.

Carly sees the noodle house ad underneath the windshield wiper. There’s something written on the back.

Robert says a suite and a shopping spree; what is Jason doing there? He didn’t think Jason worked undercover. It’s not his style. Jason hands Robert the garment bag, and leaves. Robert asks Anna what’s going on. She tells him that she and Jason are in the middle of following an important lead, and he ruined it. He’s shocked she brought their granddaughter, and is using Jason as backup. Anna says she’d would never involve Emma in anything dangerous. It’s a research mission, and he’s blowing it out of proportion. He says not where Faison is concerned, and Anna says it’s Henrik, not his father. Robert says Faison still has an important hold on her.

Stella tells Sonny that she heard about the night at Luke’s, and he says it was like going back in time; Mike was his confident, old self again. She says it was a beautiful gift, and he says it was great while it lasted. Sonny asks if recreating a moment could be a way to get Mike to remember something, and Stella says there’s no magic wand. She’s not telling him don’t try, but there’s no guarantee. Sonny wonders if it’s worth a shot, and she tells him the bottom line is, there’s no way to influence or manipulate what he remembers or doesn’t. What he needs is kindness, compassion, and empathy. He needs to be kept calm and have structure in his life. Maybe it will come on its own, but like Sonny did when he was a child, prepare for disappointment; it might not come back at all. Sonny says that’s what he was afraid of. Stella says in the meantime, he and his family should treat themselves with the same kindness and empathy. He has unfinished business, and Mike’s memory will disappoint him. The one thing he can rely on, is that it gets worse until it can’t get any worse. Sonny likes her; she gets to the heart of things. Stella hopes he appreciates it when she tells him the time will come when Mike no longer remembers his name, and he should forgive himself for wanting what Mike couldn’t give him.

Carly calls Pilar, and tells her to go back to the house and meet her there.

Griff joins Sonny and Stella, Stella reminds Sonny that it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Griff asks how it’s going. Sonny says all right, but he was hoping to meet Carly there. Griff tells him that Carly had a test to rule some things out. Sonny asks if they were brain scans, but Griff says he’ll let Carly explain.

Pilar says they have to head back home. Mike says they saw a pretzel cart, and it wouldn’t be an outing without getting one. Pilar relents, and Mike looks at the money in his wallet, but seems confused. Pilar says she’ll get them, and tells Mike to stay with Avery. After she leaves, Mike calls Avery, Courtney.

Robert says Anna needs to get away from all things Faison, so she can heal. She says it sounds lovely, but she has to find his son first. Robert tells her to let Jason do it, and she says she would if they shared the same viewpoint. Robert says she makes Henrik sound like a victim, and she says they won’t know until the find him. Emma comes back out, and asks if Robert came to help with the mission. He asks what brings her across the pond, and she says a research project for school, and she’s helping grandma with a secret mission. She asks what he’s doing there, and he says there’s no secret mission without him. He’s coming too. Anna is like, no way, telling Emma that he has more important things to do. Robert says he’ll check with HQ, and looks at Emma. Emma says, permission granted. Robert tells Anna he’s going to keep her from getting into a mess.

Sonny returns home. He sees the frame of the puzzle completed, but no Mike.

Pilar also comes back to no Mike – or Avery. She drops the pretzels and runs off to look for them.

Deanna gives Griff the test results. He reads, the preliminary tests show no markers indicating that Carly is having episodes originating from a physical cause.

Carly starts the car. The noodle house ad is on the passenger seat, and the back says, find me where you left me tonight.

In the hallway of the hotel in Bern, Jason asks Sam what she’s doing there.

On Monday. Ava wonders what Griff is hiding, Jason tells Sam that Henrik is targeting his mother, and Carly looks for Morgan.

🍳 I saw the last hour of this week’s MasterChef Junior, which is now being billed as, MasterChef: Junior Edition. It’s down to the top twelve, who all have more cooking talent in their pinkies than I’d have if I had two bodies. It fascinates me that the kids have such sophisticated skills and palates, yet they’re still kids. They got really excited when given tonight’s mystery box, which was also a HUGE plug for Blue Apron. The boxes were empty, mystifying the contestants, who were then led to the Blue Apron pantry, where they were to pick ingredients for their Blue Apron recipe. Lots of brand placement here. Gordon cooked along with them, which was cute, and he also got a critique. The lightheartedness of the judges is also a nice change from the screaming and yelling. Not that I can’t wait for the next Hell’s Kitchen. Winner Billy got a sweet prize; his recipe gets a spot in the Blue Apron (he-he) rotation, and he got saved from elimination. As if that wasn’t enough, he also got to pick the pairs for a tag team challenge, and another contestant to save. The challenge was creating a plate of classic Far East appetizers. Billy told us it was like a chess game, and chose the teams based on more erudite reasons than I would ever think of. Best of all, no one went home.

🔉 Important News

I’m so excited. Tinsley Mortimer is back with Coupon King Scott.

https://pge.sx/2GR5ziL

🔊 Even More Important News

Big night for TV on Sunday if you’re a zombie fan. The Walking Dead season finale will be followed by the Fear the Walking Dead season premiere, at 9 and 10 pm, respectively.

📣 Quotes of the Week

People who are committed to becoming aware of what they’ve done and changing, they can be our strongest proponents in an issue like this. – Edie Falco, on whether Louis CK should be given a second chance. Ditto! He seems to be one of the few who actually know how to apologize.

If you have made mistakes, there is always another chance for you. You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing we call ‘failure’ is not the falling down, but the staying down.Mary Pickford

You try to take a shortcut to success and end up with a mouthful of confetti. – Sophie (Jennifer Coolidge), 2 Broke Girls

If you make decisions based upon people’s reactions or judgments, then you make really boring choices.Heath Ledger

Friday-The-13th-Rules

Friday-the-13th-Kitty

April 12, 2018 – Lulu Makes Contact, Shep Has a Big Boy Party & It’s Easy

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

At the hospital, Deanna tells Griff that there’s a hostage situation. Peter drags Maxie out, holding a gun to her head. She asks why Griff didn’t tell her that he’s Faison’s son. An officer shoots. Griff wakes up, and Ava asks, what’s wrong?

Peter tells Lulu that her article on Henrik has the buzz. She thinks instead of being proud, Maxie will see it as another betrayal.

Maxie waits for Nina at the hospital, but she’s busy meeting Curtis. She asks what dirt he dug up on Peter.

Nelle calls Michael who’s also waiting at the hospital. She says she’s running behind because of work. Michael says Ava has been leaning on her a lot, and wonders if she’s not over-worked. She thanks him for caring, but she and the baby are fine, and she likes to keep busy.

Sonny asks if Carly talked to her mom, and Carly tells him Bobbie said everything was fine with the electric at the house. She told her about thinking there was an intruder, and how the police didn’t. Sonny asks if she wants an extra guard, but she says, like him, Bobbie doesn’t think anything happened. She tells him that she made an appointment with Griff though, so he won’t think she’s going crazy.

Maxie runs into Michael at the birthing class. He says Nelle is even later than him, and Maxie thinks there’s a lot of that going around. She says it’s nice he’s being supportive of Nelle; she’s sure it means a lot. He tells her even so, they’re not together, and she says, noted, but he is the father, and she thinks he’ll be a good one. Michael says he’ll do his best. At first, he wasn’t thrilled, but now he can’t wait to meet the baby. He might be getting ahead, but he’s already thinking about college funds and teaching his child how to ride a bike. Maxie says she’ll see him later.

Lulu tells Peter she’s there to apologize. He’s in the middle of another fight between her and Maxie, and he made it clear he wasn’t comfortable with the story in the first place. He says, typically, he doesn’t interfere with his writers. His hesitation was for her. Lulu says she thought if she uncovered the truth – what motivates Henrik, and if he’s like his character, conflicted, or as bad as Faison – she thought the answers might bring closure to Maxie and pave the way for forgiveness. Instead, she’ll see the man who murdered Nathan, and Lulu’s byline below the picture. She says there won’t be another one. She’s dropping the investigation. Peter tells her not to do it.

Nina looks at her phone, and asks Curtis to give her the highlights. Curtis says, originally, he wasn’t sold on her suspicion, but now he’s intrigued. The job references pan out. He rechecked them and confirmed it, but Peter’s last known address is the only address, and it’s the one in Port Charles. So where did he live before that?

Griff throws his stuff in his bag, saying he’s behind schedule. Ava says she didn’t want to wake him because he’d been tossing and turning. He says he just hates rushing, and has a lot on his mind. She picks up the envelope holding the test results, and asks if that’s what’s giving him bad dreams. He says he can’t talk to her about it, but she wishes he could tell her what’s bothering him. She says he can trust her, but he tells her it’s a matter of patient confidentiality. He appreciates her caring and understanding, and respecting his wishes.

Sonny tells Carly that no one thinks she’s going crazy. She says she’s not confused. She knows what she saw and heard. It’s all real. She doesn’t know what it means, but it’s not in her head. If the only way to convince him is to see a doctor, then that’s what she’ll do. She wishes he’d believe her, but after everything that happened with Sam last summer, he just wants to be sure. She says, so they’ll be sure.

Ava brings out breakfast. Griff is still in the shower, and since she can’t help herself, she looks in the envelope again. She wonders what it’s all about. What’s It All About, Alfie? starts to play in my head, and I know I’ll have an earworm for the day.

Max asks Sonny about going over the schedule for the warehouse. Sonny asks if Jason told him about Carly. Max says he knows about the phone calls from Angel’s Bluff, and that last night, she thought there was an intruder in her old house, but the police didn’t find anything. Jason said she found a picture of Morgan that was broken, but it sounds like earthquake damage to him. Sonny says Carly doesn’t think so. She thinks it’s some kind of message about Morgan. He says grief can play tricks on the mind; it makes connections that don’t exist. He doesn’t want that happening to her.

Griff drinks some coffee, and apologizes about being short. He didn’t get enough sleep. Ava tells him to just remember that when she’s not so sunshiny herself. He thinks once he destroys the test results, he can put it out of his mind. Ava asks if he’s sure about that, and he says he needs to try. He shouldn’t have been carrying them around in the first place. Nelle comes by with some contracts. Griff hurries out the door. Ava tells him that she loves him, and he says, see you tonight.

Curtis tells Nina on the surface, Peter has a flawless background, but the job references only state his title, and the start and end date. He can do additional digging, but it will raise suspicion. Nina says it’s not worth the risk. She doesn’t think he’s shady businesswise, but it’s his personal background she’s worried about. Curtis says he checked Peter’s criminal record, and there isn’t so much as a parking ticket. No history of an address is weird though. Nina thinks maybe he lived in corporate housing but Curtis doubts it. He couldn’t even find a magazine subscription or credit report address. It’s like he came out of nowhere, and he had to live somewhere. Maybe he didn’t work for the companies listed. It’s possible the employment records are fake. Nina says that would mean his entire background is fake.

Peter asks Lulu what the point would be in dropping the story? He’s argued against it because she and Maxie were already estranged. He thought it would make things worse, but now it’s been written; the damage is done. Lulu says Maxie doesn’t have to see more. The quicker it’s dropped and forgotten, the better. Peter says she went to all this trouble to bait the hook, why not see if he takes the bait? Lulu says, speak of the devil; Henrik just contacted her. He’d like to meet and tell his side. Peter says she doesn’t sound very excited. She says she’s heard from a lot of Henriks. One asked for pictures of her feet. Peter remembers they had a lot of false leads last time. She says, don’t remind her; crazy attracts crazy. It’s more evidence that this is a mistake. She gives him her phone, telling him to look at them. He asks if she’s looked at last one. It has some weird phrasing. If rot comes from both ends, rot must be severed from both ends. She grabs the phone, saying, forget what she said, this might really be Henrik.

Michael asks if Maxie is okay. She says Nina is so late, they’ll probably have to reschedule. Michael apologizes for being insensitive, but she tells him that he should be excited. Nathan was over the moon, and told everyone about how excited he was about doing future things with their child. Michael reminded her that he won’t get that chance, but she doesn’t need anyone feeling sorry for her; she can do that herself. She just doesn’t want to feel this way. It hits in waves. She saw the happy, excited couples, and felt like a spectator, watching what could have been, and that now she’ll be alone with the baby. Michael says she has family and friends help. She’s thankful for that, but they go home to their families, and it’s still just her and the baby. He understands. Grief hurts like hell, and all you can do is fight through it. Some days you win, some days you lose, but she’s stronger than she thinks, and will be a great mother. He tells her to look at Georgie, but she says that’s because of Spinelli and Ellie. There’s a difference between being a single parent and the sole parent. Nelle isn’t her favorite person, but she kind of envies her. Michael says Maxie has him has him too, and suggest going to the class together.

Ava thanks Nelle, who says she has to get to the hospital for class. Ava tells her to just say she’s busy next time, but Nelle says Michael is there holding her spot. Ava says he’s always thinking of her, and it’s a good sign. Nelle asks if Ava is trying to talk her out of her plans for Carly again, but Ava says she’s just pointing out the inroads Nelle has made without devious tactics. Nelle says as long as Carly is whispering in his ear, Michael won’t trust her. Ava tells her to keep in mind that she’s using deception to gain his trust. Nelle suggests Ave concentrate on her own relationship. Ava asks what that means, and Nelle says she noticed when Ava told Griff she loved him, he didn’t say it back. Ava says that’s none of her business. Ava gets a call from Carly, who says there’s been a change of plans with Avery.

Sonny tells Max that he’s dealing with this dad, and he needs Carly’s help to navigate. He knows there’s no timetable on grief, and they’ll never really get over Morgan’s death. Max says Mike has been doing better lately. He heard they had a great time at Luke’s. Sonny says Mike was doing good for a while. So good, Michael recorded him, but he said something that didn’t sit well with Sonny about a field in Croton. There was something that happened a long time ago. He had to get rid of a problem for Skully, and buried it in a field. Max asks if Mike knew about it, and Sonny says, no, but what else might he know? Max says, even if someone found the problem, there’s no evidence linking it to Sonny. Sonny says, there is.

Nina wonders why the companies would lie, but Curtis says someone might have altered the information to show Peter worked there. All HR would do is check the database. They’re all multinational corporations, and hackers happen. It’s all speculation, but he knows there’s more. She tells him to stay on it; he’s given her a lot to think about. He says, just to keep it 100, there’s no whiff of wrongdoing. Maybe his references are legit, and he just can’t keep a permanent place of residence for whatever reason. Nina says at least she knows she’s not paranoid. Peter is too good to be true, and might be hiding something.

Lulu tells Peter that the words are from the epigraph, but the book hasn’t dropped yet. Peter says there are a lot of advance copies out there. She says, for due diligence, she’ll call the publisher and ask for list. Something rings true, and this could be Henrik Faison.

Carly tells Ava that she has a doctor’s appointment, and it’s not convenient for her to come to the house. They agree on meeting at Charlie’s later. Ava complains to Nelle, and Nelle says maybe now Ava understands why she’s not taking any chances.

Max asks Sonny if there’s evidence linking him to the problem, like witnesses. Sonny thinks the major players are all dead, but he’s worried about physical evidence. He buried the body with the gun. Thirty years ago, you wiped it clean, and it was a done deal. Now there have been new developments in forensics. If someone finds the body, he might be compromised.

In the hospital parking garage, Nelle watches Carly get out of her car and go upstairs. She starts to write a note, but hears someone, and ducks behind the car. A dude puts an ad for a noodle shop under the wiper. Nelle looks at it. It’s probably making her hungry.

Max says it’s a cold case. No one is looking for the guy, so maybe they should just let well enough alone. Sonny says he hasn’t thought about it all this time until Mike brought it up. What worries him is how Mike knew about it. Mike has no filter, and he doesn’t know what’s true. There’s always a chance Sonny is being investigated, and the FBI could be monitoring him. Max says they’ll just do what they have to do. Go dig up the problem.

Maxie and Michael do breathing exercises, and they joke around. Nelle arrives.

Lulu tells Peter that Henrik wants to tell his side. He thought that’s what she wanted. She says she wanted that with Henrik’s father, and look how that turned out. Faison came back because of the article she wrote. She’d give anything to take it back, and can’t, but she can learn from her mistakes and not repeat them. He could also be a fraud. Maxie will see it as Lulu exploiting Nathan’s death to further her career. It’s not like she’s obligated. It’s not her duty, but her choice, and last time it ended up leading to pain for the people she cares about. Lulu cares about other people? She says Dante lost his partner and best friend, and he didn’t want her to do it. She hopes deep down he’s not blaming her. Peter says he had reservations, but thought it might help with closure. Lulu says one way to find closure is to drop the whole thing. Faison is dead, and the only one who can give any answers is Henrik. Peter tells her that she has to decide if furthering the investigation is worth it in the end.

Max asks Sonny for an address, and a reference point as to where the problem is buried. Sonny says they have to be smart. He doesn’t want to draw attention to the problem by digging it up, but has to focus on what Mike knows and who else knows about it.

Griff sees Carly, who says she needs him to tell her that she’s not crazy. They go to his office.

Ava looks at her phone. She remembers Griff saying he can’t talk about the envelope. He doesn’t have to. She took a picture of the contents.

Curtis sits on a bench talking to himself. He says, no active records. Peter is a ghost, but good thing he don’t believe in no ghosts. If he can’t find any records of Peter as an adult, he’ll look for something from his childhood. He puts Peter’s name and birth record into Spyder Finder.

Nelle watches Maxie joking with Michael, and makes herself known. Maxie acts like a bit of an a-hole, telling Nelle to sit somewhere else, since they’re practicing. Nina arrives, and tells Maxie she was stuck on a project. She switches places with Michael, and Maxie tells Nina to focus on breathing.

Lulu tells Peter that she can’t miss this opportunity. She’s gone too far to give up. If she wants to continue to call herself a journalist, she can run from a story, no matter how uncomfortable it is. Peter tells her to keep her editor in the loop, and no going over her head. She says she won’t let him down.

She leaves, and Peter calls Valentin. He says, it’s done, and smiles, totally confusing me as to whose side he’s on.

Tomorrow, Stella tells Sonny to forgive himself, Mike asks if Avery wants to hit the road, and Carly thinks something is wrong, but not with her health.

I don’t know if they were using a different type of film or what, but there was an odd quality to it today.

Southern Charm

We left off with everyone on their way to Shep’s barbecue. Yum! Raw chicken! In the car, Thomas thinks no nanny will be Kathryn approved. Ashley suggests they get married, but he doesn’t think she’d like that either. I’m not liking Ashley a whole lot so far.

Cameran compliments Shep’s party décor. She’s about ready to pop, but waddles upstairs to look at the renovation. She’s impressed. She thinks if he could put the same amount of time and effort into improving himself, he’d be the perfect ten. She asks Craig if he brought a date, but Craig isn’t there yet. It’s the first time he’ll be seeing Naomie since the break-up, and he’s not sure how to feel.

Naomie is anxious, but Kathryn tells her not to let it affect her. In her interview, Naomie says Craig seemed to be fine with the whole thing, going out with his friends every night. Chelsea says when she saw Austen being touchy-feely with one of her friends, she wasn’t cool with it. Kathryn chimes in, having been the victim of Thomas, who said she was nuts.

Austen tells Whitney that he and Chelsea are over. Craig wonders why there’s no aluminum foil. Whitney suggests they put the ribs in the oven, since Craig can’t seem to cook anything beyond raw. The girls arrive. Austen holds his breath. Ashley is nervous. So far, this is a great party. Everyone is stressed, tense, and worried. Except for Cameran, who is too pregnant to be anything except just that.

The second Kathryn walks in, Thomas reacts like he’s five, and inches away from Ashley, who tells him not to let go of her hand. Kathryn goes upstairs to hide Shep’s gift, and barely acknowledges either one of them. Naomie gives Craig a hug. He says they’ve been grilling all day. Then why is nothing cooked? Naomie tells Whitney she’s uncomfortable and this sucks. Austen tells Chelsea that Ashley is cute, but he’s not looking. Chelsea feels sorry for Kathryn – she knows what it’s like. Austen deflects by saying Chelsea looks great

Kathryn’s gift is the word home in nautical flags. Nice! She pours Red Bull into a wine glass to fit in. Shep tells Naomie that Craig has nothing but nice stuff to say about her. He thinks they should stay friends. In her interview, Naomie says Shep can give her advice on how to drink and not get a hangover, but not on relationships. Craig says he usually cuts exes off, but she’s going to be around, making it impossible to move on. Shep throws some cheese down from the deck.

Naomie asks how Thomas and Ashley met, and he says he was playing polo in Santa Barbara. Naomie lived there when she was a child, but only remembers big spiders. That doesn’t say much for Santa Barbara. Thomas tells her that Ashley was going to move to Las Vegas, and he suggested she move to Charleston instead. In her interview, Kathryn says Ashley is as dumb as a rock. It’s beyond awkward in the kitchen at this point. Just when I think it can’t get worse, JD (bleh) shows up. Chelsea says all the girls hate him. Include me in that club. Austen wants the dirt.

Chelsea asks if all is good. Naomie says she’s never been violent, but tonight, she’s feeling it. Austen is cooking, and says it’s on Craig if everything goes up in flames.

Kathryn thinks there are a lot of unsaid WTFs going on. I’ll have to remember that. Danni asks if Ashley said anything, but Kathryn says only nice to meet you. She says she still loves Thomas, and Naomie doesn’t get how she can love someone who effs up all the time. Ashley sits on the deck with Cameran and Whitney. She doesn’t want to go down by herself. Whitney tells her to face the music.

Dinner is served, and actually looks pretty good. Naomie says Kathryn is handling it better than she is. Cameran chows down at the table by herself. In her interview, she says since she’s been pregnant, eating is like a drug. When you’re pregnant, everything tastes better, and she eats like Roseanne. I assume she means Barr. JD joins her, and asks if she loves being pregnant. She says it’s not as bad as she thought it would be, but doesn’t love it. In her interview, she admits to liking having boobs for the first time ever, but too bad they’ll be teabags in six months. Everyone starts going downstairs to the table. Shep asks how Craig is doing. Craig wishes it hadn’t ended, but Shep says he gave it a good try. He left no stone uncovered [sic]. And this guy is well-read. Naomie tells the other girls that she almost cried in the kitchen. Shep is happy that everyone’s together. Craig says everyone is dealing with their awkwardness just for Shep.

Thomas is hanging out by himself, and Kathryn asks how he’s doing. He says she looks great, and tells her a blonde joke that isn’t worth repeating. She tells him about her new place. He gets a text, and tells her it’s the new nanny who thought they were meeting for training tonight. Kathryn says he was supposed to consult her before hiring someone. She’s disappointed that she wasn’t part of the process, and Thomas says it came up quick. He says told the new nanny, who apparently doesn’t have a name, what Deidre’s failings were, and that she needs to be respectful of Kathryn. Kathryn says if they did these kinds of things together, it would be nurturing for their relationship as co-parents. In his interview, Thomas says if Kathryn had been this calm and composed when they were together, it might have ended differently. BTW, Kathryn does look the best she ever has. Her haircut is perfect for her, and while I’ve never knocked her style, the more classic look she’s sporting now suits her.

Ashley suddenly appears, and says she’s heard a lot about Kathryn, but doesn’t think Kathryn knows anything about her. She goes blah-blah-blah about meeting Thomas, and that she moved in July to see what real life was like with Thomas. Shep looks out, and says, so far, nothing has been thrown. We flash back to some previous tornadoes. Ashley says she has nothing but respect for Kathryn as the mother of Thomas’s children, and that the kids are beautiful. Kathryn says Ashley caught her off guard, since Thomas never mentioned he had a girlfriend. Thomas makes a stupid face, mumbles that he thought he had, and shrugs. Ashley says she’s looking forward to getting to know Kathryn. Kathryn says she’s happy to meet Ashley, but it was a surprise. They hug, sort of, and Kathryn moves along. Well played.

Cameran asks if Shep is giving a toast at his first big boy party. He says that everyone there means something to him. They’re friends for different reasons, and he appreciates them all coming. He hopes they’re all as happy as Cameran one day, and in a relationship that makes as much sense. They all clink glasses. In his interview, Shep says thirty-eight is the age to take time for introspection. They talk about foods not to order on the first date, like ribs or spaghetti. In her interview, Naomie says even though they’re not together, she’d want to kill whoever Craig was dating, which she thinks is normal. Maybe in the short term.

JD says he’s half-single. Elizabeth doesn’t want him, but doesn’t want him to be with anyone else. The girls aren’t buying it. Shep tells him, safety first. Shep opens JD’s gift. It’s a blanket in case he needs to crash on Shep’s couch. Austen says it’s a full moon, which means women are fertile tonight. Has he been reading old wives’ tales again? In her interview, Kathryn thinks Ashley has an agenda, but plays the stupid card well. JD’s laugh annoys the girls. Naomie says it gives her nightmares.

Cameran goes upstairs to sit inside. Shep tells her that he and Craig are like old buddies again. He says when Craig isn’t in a relationship, it’s like old times. In his interview, Shep says he and Craig are like the Hatfields and the McCoys. They never agree – even though Shep is always right – but he loves Craig. Cameran asks Craig if he feels like he got closure. He’s bummed it didn’t work, but it didn’t.

Thomas follows Ashley to the bathroom. Really? Craig tells Cameran and Shep that he couldn’t be himself anymore. It was a snowball effect that they couldn’t move past, and stopped communicating. They see Thomas and Ashley close the bathroom door, and laugh. Really?

JD says he’s staying in the guest house, which is two houses away. Must be nice. He says he loves Elizabeth, and Naomie laughs. He says the last thing he wants is to be in this position with her. Naomie asks if he knows why she’s not at the party, and he says because he’s there. Naomie says, no sh*t, and JD asks what she wants him to do. She tells him, be a better husband, and Danni almost chokes on her drink. JD says she’s absurd, and Naomie tells him she goes by his house almost every day, and makes Elizabeth get out of bed. He says they’ve made mistakes, but they’re working through it. Naomie says Elizabeth calls her crying every day, and is not doing well, while he’s seen out every night, screwing twenty-year-olds. He asks what she’s talking about, and she says she knows the girls. Chelsea calls him a con artist, and says he must be good at hiding this sh*t. He asks if they’re upset, and says, fine; he’ll be the bad guy. Austen tells them not to throw all of them in that category, and the girls are like, oh please. Kathryn says they like to smear women who have no voice. JD says he’s not smearing Elizabeth; she’s a great girl. Kathryn says she wants to make sure the narrative isn’t misconstrued, whatever that means, and the good old boy’s system is dying. Naomie says everyone there knows JD is a complete piece of sh*t. He says at least he knows how they feel, and wisely bids everyone goodnight.

Thomas and Ashley come out of bathroom. Really? smh

Chelsea says that everyone knows, so why not say it? Austen says he doesn’t really know what goes on, but Chelsea doesn’t believe he hasn’t heard. He says he’s not defending JD; he just doesn’t know what he did. Upstairs, Whitney says Craig’s ex was ripping into JD. In her interview, Naomie tells us that no one will say it, but the good old boys protect each other. She wasn’t born there – she was born in France – so she’s more apt to tell the truth. Craig tells her she did the right thing, sticking up for her friend. He has her back. She says she heard he was on JD’s side, and said he’s going through a lot. Craig asks what the context was, but she says she wasn’t there. He tells her not to say he’s on JD’s side then. Ask questions before she jumps to conclusions. He agrees with her, and trusts her convictions. She wonders why he didn’t trust her during the relationship. He says she never believed in him. They broke up because she shot down everything he said. He always had to prove himself, and his word was never good enough. She starts getting weepy. He says people asked why he didn’t bring a date, but he didn’t want to ruin any chances. She starts bawling, and tells him to stop. She says it’s hard to see him, and it seems to be the first time he’s cared that they broke up. He says if she thinks he wasn’t upset, that’s just her guard. She says he seems happier than she could make him. He says they’re damaged, and she doesn’t understand why. She asks to talk to him later; she’s going home.

Shep wakes up to a mess and leftovers.

Naomie visits Kathryn, who is still recovering. Chelsea says she can’t talk to Craig when he’s nice, or she starts crying. Kathryn is glad Naomie busted JD. She says that’s exactly what Thomas did, then told everyone she was crazy. They believed him, since they didn’t know her. She says it’s bringing up old feelings, and starts to cry, saying she’s ruining her makeup. In her interview, she says everything they went through took its toll. Thomas dominated the relationship. She’s glad she and Naomie are talking; she doesn’t know how to have girlfriends. Naomie is glad to have a bond stronger than the guys. Kathryn says she’s feeling co-dependent already.

Thomas and Ashley go out to eat. He orders for them, but she says no on the mescal shooter, and wants to stick with wine. In his interview, Thomas says their energy melds well, and he and Kathryn were a bad fit. Is this some kind of Vulcan thing? Ashley says she wants him to be attracted to her, and she wants to turn him on, but don’t ask her to dye her hair red. Wow. That was uncalled for, and I like her even less than I did at the beginning. Thomas says everything seemed civil at the party. Ashley says Kathryn probably doesn’t know if their serious, which makes me think Ashley doesn’t know either. In his interview, Thomas says when estrogen is involved it’s winning for winning’s sake. He tells Ashley that Kathryn just wants to win. She doesn’t want him, but doesn’t want him with anyone else or to be happy. Ashley asks if Kathryn loved him in the beginning, and he thinks she tried, but it all happened quickly, and she was so young. Ashley asks if he wishes it had worked out. We flash back to good times, and Thomas says it was nice to be with her when she was sweet and nice.

Next time, Cameran’s baby shower, Elizabeth makes an appearance, and Craig asks Naomie the question that’s on everyone’s mind – what’s wrong with his sewing?

🎶 The Southern Charm Theme Song… It’s Easy…

Great song!

 

 

April 11, 2018 – Franco’s Okay You’re Okay, The Day After the Party, Some Star, Some Serhant, a Puzzlement & Pet Day

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Jason visits Anna. He has news about their search, and wanted to tell her in person.

Peter finds Valentin in his office with his feet us on the desk. Valentin says Peter hasn’t been returning his calls. If he didn’t know better, he’d think Peter was avoiding him.

Nina calls Curtis, and asks what’s going on? She says he had time to cash the check, and tells him patience isn’t her strong suit, but she’ll hang on. Maxie comes by. She thought something terrible happened, and asks what the hell?

Elizabeth sees Franco at the hospital. He says he’s feeling sore, and she tells him it will probably take a while. He asks what about the rest of him, and she thinks even longer. He asks how Jake is, and she says, fine, considering. She’s glad Jim is dead. Franco was a little boy, and should have been focusing on Lego. Star Wars, and playing with his brother. Jim was a disgusting excuse for a human being, but didn’t break Franco; Franco won. Franco says it doesn’t feel like it, but she tells him it will. He just needs to get there. She tells him he’s being released. The boys are on break, and are excited to have him home; so is she. Franco says he wants that more than anything, but can’t.

Elizabeth thought after getting answers, Franco would be ready. He thought so too. He knows for certain that he’s not the despicable person Jim tried to convince him that he was; he’s not evil. He wasn’t trying to hurt Drew. Elizabeth says he was trying to protect him, so why? He tells her that he has things he needs to sort out before he’s comfortable in her home. It’s hard to explain, but he doesn’t feel like he knows his place. She says his place is with her and the boys; they miss him. He misses them too. Elizabeth says the man he was trying to be and scared he wasn’t, was him. She always believe it, and he has proof now. He was good when he was little, and he’s good now. Franco pinky swears that he’ll do everything he can to heal. She says he can heal at home, but he asks her to trust him on this one. She says she’s always trusted him. They exchange I love yous.

Maxie wants to know why Nina didn’t show up for their appointment. When she wasn’t in the office, Maxie thought Nina was meeting her at the hospital, but she wasn’t there either. She didn’t get any messages, and asks why Nina was a no show. Nina says because Maxie broke up with her. She says that Maxie said there was too much Nathan between them, but Peter has no connection. Maxie says he kind of does.

Valentin asks why Peter hasn’t returned his calls. Peter says he’s been busy; he’s still busy. Valentin says he’s been busy too, listening to Lulu. She came by, saying she’s trying to unearth Henrik aka Peter. Peter says it’s her stab at apologizing to Maxie, and thinks it’s a waste of time. It’s not going to happen; he’s on it. He’s her boss, and if she gets too close, he’ll throw her off. Valentin tells him Lulu is the least of their problems.

Jason tells Anna about talking to the publishing company. They don’t know PK Sinclair’s real identity, but the money is going to a bank account in Zurich. Anna say that’s near where she thinks Henrik went to school. She says she’ll pursue that avenue, while he follows the money. She asks about him looking for Henrik’s mother. Jason says Anna is clearly uncomfortable about that; why?

Doc tells Franco that he heard about last night. Franco says, good times. Doc says it was quite the roller coaster, and Franco thanks him for helping Jake through the trauma. Doc says Jake is a remarkable, resilient child. He says Jim is dead; Drew shot him, and Franco says, that’s the short of it. Doc asks, what’s the long? Franco tells Doc he put Jim in the trunk of a car and took him to the studio. He relived what happened that night, and it all came back to him in horrible, vivid detail. Doc asks what he remembers, and Franco says, everything. Jim came to his room, night after night, saying he was a good boy, but only if he kept his mouth shut. His mom had a lot to deal with, and it was their little secret. Doc says Jim sexually abused Franco. Franco says Jim told him that he loved him. He was fatherless and needed a man in his life. Maybe he was right; maybe he encouraged it. He didn’t stop him, and could have told someone. Doc says he was a child; a small, helpless, defenseless child. He had no way to process it. Franco says he knew it was wrong. Doc says, of course it felt wrong. Jim knew what he was doing, and how to keep him quiet. He’s to blame, not Franco; never him.

Nina says Maxie gave her a whole speech about how she didn’t want to be near people connected to Nathan. She was hurt, but understood. Now Nathan has a connection to Peter? Maxie says maybe it’s the wrong word; it’s more like, reminiscent. Nina asks if Peter reminds Maxie of Nathan. Maxie says in the way he moves, and sometimes his gestures; maybe it’s a thirty-something-year-old guy thing. Nina asks if she’s attracted to him, but Maxie says she just sees similarities. Nina asks why Peter didn’t go to the appointment, and Maxie says she didn’t ask; she thought she was going with Nina. Nina says she asked him to sleep on her couch. She doesn’t know him. The problem is, no one does. Maxie insists she does.

Peter says Anna and Jason will get nowhere; he’s thoroughly covered his tracks. Valentin says he doesn’t know that. They’re well-trained, and with the manuscript, he might as well have left a trail of bread crumbs. They know what they’re doing, and he’s playing with fire. Peter says he’s the only one who stands to get burned. Valentin says if Peter thinks he won’t be affected, think again.

Anna thinks she and Jason should respect Henrik’s mother’s privacy. She probably has a whole other life and family. Why drag her out? She asks if he’s sending Spinelli, but Jason says he’s working a different angle. He’s dealing with this himself. Anna says she’s going with him.

Franco explains that when he pushed Drew, he wanted Drew to hide, but Drew didn’t want to go by himself. Franco couldn’t go because of Jim, and Drew wouldn’t go down the stairs, so he pushed him. Doc says he was trying to help Drew, not hurt him, and Franco says he wanted to make sure Jim couldn’t do to Drew what he’d done to him. Doc says he protected his best friend; it’s incredible for a child that age. He says it’s a lot to process, but they’ll work through it. He can rest easy that he’s not damaged in the way he thought. He’s good and decent. Franco says, what if he’s not? What if what Jim did took a lasting toll? What if he’s a danger to Elizabeth’s boys?

Franco tells Doc he went online, and Doc says that was his first mistake. Franco says children who are abused grow up to be abusers. Doc says they can, but the majority don’t. Franco asks what if he’s in the almost category. Doc says he told Franco about his twin who was abused by their mom. He grew up to be a violent criminal, but he wasn’t the only one who suffered. Franco says he’s sorry, adding that Doc seems pretty normal. Doc doesn’t know about that, but a lot of work and therapy put the trauma in the past where it belongs. Franco asks what if he’s not so lucky, and Doc asks if he’s ever looked at Elizabeth’s sons inappropriately. He’s not going to suddenly morph into a predator. Franco says he already has.

Nina asks Maxie, who is Peter? Where did he grow up? Who is his family? Is he vegan? Besides being a gym rat and a bean counter, he’s a mystery. Maxie says they have similar backgrounds with parents who were absent. Outside of work, he eats alone and watches old sitcoms because he wishes he had a family like that. He’s an unexpected friend, and for whatever reason, brings her comfort. Shouldn’t that be a good thing?

Valentin says Peter has known him long time, but he’s changed a lot. He’s a father now, and married. He likes his life, and doesn’t want Peter to mess it up. If Nina finds out he’s been protecting Peter, he’ll lose her forever. Peter asks when this became about him, and Valentin says every time he’s had Peter’s back over and over again. Staying focused on Peter, he’s risking his life. Jason will find him. Peter says he doesn’t know that. Valentin asks why Peter let him live? He was the perfect candidate to kill Peter’s father, and he did. Now, he’s looking for Peter. Every day he digs the hole deeper with Maxie, and it’s going to end badly.

Jason tells Anna that she has Emma. She asks if he can’t wait a week, but he says he’s not putting it off. He can’t get back the five years, but he needs to know why. Anna says they know he was raised by a terrible man, but they also know he has the potential for good. He kept Jason alive. Jason says that means nothing, but Anna thinks it does. Henrik has the right to know that he might have inherited a fatal disease. Jason says he’ll tell him when he finds him, and Anna asks if that will be after he shoots him. Jason says he won’t shoot him on sight, but Anna says he will if he thinks Henrik is a threat, and their definitions of that are distinctly different. She knows he’ll find Henrik, and all she asks is that she’s with him when he does.

Franco tells Doc to look at the heinous things he did. People have been calling him a predator for years. Doc says what he did when he had the tumor is in no way related. Franco thinks it’s a large coincidence, but Doc says his behavior was medically explained, and since the tumor was removed, he’s been a model citizen. He’s committed to Elizabeth and her kids, and they feel safe with him. That’s indicative of who he is now; actions speak louder than words. That he was molested is a horrible and heartbreaking fact, but in no way means he’s be bad as an adult. Doc tells him to ask Elizabeth or her boys. They would say just the opposite, and for what it’s worth, so would he.

Jason says Anna wants to be there so he doesn’t kill Henrik. She agrees, and he asks what makes her think she could stop him? She says he holds her opinion in high enough regard to consider it. She doesn’t think he’s a mindless killing machine; he has a conscience. They’ve often been on opposite sides, but he respects her, maybe because of Robin. He says it’s not just Robin. She says she didn’t think so, and suggests they find Henrik together and deal with him. Jason says he does respect her, but asks that she respect him enough to tell him what’s really going on. She says whatever she can’t disclose, she has her reasons. He understands, but wants to be honest with her. When he finds Henrik, if it looks like he’s picking up where Faison left off, he’s going to shut him down. Emma comes downstairs.

Maxie tells Nina that she didn’t mean to hurt her feelings. Nina says she didn’t, and Maxie’s comfort is her top priority. Maxie says, just not with Peter; Nina wants it to be with her. Nina apologizes if she’s being selfish. Maxie says it’s not, and she is with her most of the time; it just can’t be all the time. Peter isn’t as invested; it’s easier to breathe around him. Nina gets it. It’s like her and Valentin.

Valentin tells Peter that sooner or later, someone will ask why Faison was at Crimson. He wasn’t there for Maxie; he was there for Peter. He knew Peter had double-crossed him, and wanted to kill him. The whole chain of events falls on him, and his issues with his father. Peter says he thinks about his part in this all the time. He wishes Nathan was still alive, but all he can do is help his widow and child. Valentin says then he needs to get out of Port Charles as soon as possible.

Nina tells Maxie that she’s an emotional, volatile person. Maxie says she’s noticed. Nina says since Nathan died, she vacillates wildly between okay and losing her you-know-what all over, usually with Valentin. His response is always something amazing. Maxie says she’s lucky, and Nina says he wouldn’t be able to be that way if he was grieving too. He’s sad and empathetic, but it’s not a personal loss. Peter is probably the same way. Maxie is glad she understands. Nina is still her birthing coach, but Maxie asks if she could ease up on Peter a little.

Peter tells Valentin that he’s not going anywhere. Valentin says, if he stays, there are two alternatives; get caught and killed or exposed. Peter says it’s his risk to take. He likes his life too, and he’s not giving it up because Valentin thinks he should. Valentin says it’s worse than he thought. This is all about Maxie. Peter has fallen for her.

Emma asks what Anna and Jason are talking about, and Jason says they’re planning a trip to Switzerland. Anna tells her that they’re working on a project, but it’s going to have to wait a few days. Emma says she’d like to go along. In class, everyone was assigned to research a country and give an oral report, and she got Switzerland. She tells them some facts about the country, and Anna says it’s a good start. Emma says how cool would it be to actually go there> Anna says it’s a working trip, but Emma says she loves helping her spy. She leaves to get a snack, and Jason asks Anna if she’s really thinking about it. Anna makes a maybe-I-am face.

Elizabeth is waiting for Franco. She knows it’s scary to have been through what he was, but she knows he’s not one of those people. He would never hurt the boys. He tells her that’s what Doc said. She asks if he believes Doc, and he does. She asks if he has any doubts, and he says he has no fears or hesitations. She and the boys are the best hing that’s happened to him. She says he’s made their family complete. He kisses her, and she asks if he’s coming home. He says, yes, and they hug. Everyone is happy, including me.

Maxie tells Nina that Peter isn’t trying to replace Nathan; no one can do that. Nina says Nathan is irreplaceable. Maxie says Peter seems genuine in wanting to know about Nathan. Maybe Nina could tel him some stories. He’d like that, and it might help her too. Nina says, Maxie wins; she’ll give him a chance. Maxie says she won’t regret it. They can make up the class this afternoon. Maxie leaves, and Nina calls Curtis again. She tells him that he’s right; there’s nothing there. She starts to tell him to call off the investigation, and listens. She says, he found dirt on Peter?

Peter tells Valentin not to be ridiculous; Maxie is his brother’s widow. Her child is his only family. Valentin says he’s lived his whole life without one, but Peter says maybe he’s ready for that to change. Valentin says she doesn’t even know who he is, and Peter says it’s better than nothing. Valentin hopes it doesn’t blow up in their faces. Peter says, him too, and remembers Maxie saying he has a unique connection to Nathan, having been there when Nathan was shot, and saying she doesn’t know why he was there that day.

Anna tells Jason to think about it. With a child along, they’ll be less conspicuous. He doesn’t know why she thinks Robin would be okay with it. Anna says where else could Emma be safer than with the two of them? I don’t know. Maybe anywhere?

Tomorrow, Griff plans to destroy the test, Lulu is dropping the investigation, and Carly has a change in plans.

The Real Housewives of New York City

Tinsley meets Ramona and Carole for drinks. Carole is hung over. They talk about the Halloween party. Carole insists LuAnn darkened her skin for her Diana Ross costume, although no one seems to care. I don’t care. I think LuAnn is pretty much clueless about everything, so why bother?

Bethenny gets a snowman cake plate from Dorinda, and says Dorinda is destined to make her a hoarder. In her interview, Dorinda says she and Bethenny got together in the summer; she was intrigued by what Bethenny was doing in Puerto Rico. Bethenny tells Dorinda that she and LuAnn hung out until the wee hours after the party. Dorinda says now that she unloaded the baggage, LuAnn can be herself.

Ramona wonders why LuAnn didn’t talk more about Tom, but Carole is sick of it. In her interview, Carole says LuAnn holds her friends to a higher standard than herself. Ramona says Bethenny attacked her over her opinion about Bethenny’s investment property. Like she’s entitled to one. We flash back to that.

In her interview, Bethenny says Ramona needs an imbecile-ectomy. Ha-ha! As long as she can feel like she’s better than everyone else, she’s happy. Dorinda says she’s staying with Ramona in the Hamptons. Bethenny says she just wants to have a nice dinner there for her birthday. They talk about Sonja, and how antisocial she was at the party.

Ramona is going to have a party for Carole after the marathon. She’s impressed, since Carole never worked out once in fifty years. I agree. My Nikes are off to her. Ramona gets a call from Kirk, her restaurant owner friend, who did her daughter’s graduation party. She asks him to help her on Saturday night.

Sonja meets Dorinda for a walk. Sonja is surprised Dorinda remembered, since they’d made plans at the party and she was pretty hammered. Dorinda likes Sonja, but they get off track, so she’s going to try not to let Sonja trigger her. Sonja talks about being in Costa Rica; resting, juicing, and doing yoga. She tells Dorinda about taking an antidepressant for a while. In her interview, Dorinda thinks Sonja shouldn’t be on anything but vegetables and rest. They discuss the party. Sonja says she thinks Tinsley felt like Sonja shadowed her when they lived together. Dorinda says Sonja was too critical. Sonja says they text. She doesn’t want to tell Tinsley, I told you so, now that she’s living in a hotel. Dorinda thinks Tinsley is happy at the hotel. In her interview, Sonja says it doesn’t make sense. She complains that Tinsley never gave her anything until Scott came around. She says Tinsley likes to be with a guy who picks up the tab, but she isn’t like that. Dorinda tries to keep her cool, and tells Sonja they’ll see each other in the Hamptons. She suggests to Sonja, when in doubt, don’t shout it out.

LuAnn meets Tinsley for dinner. Tinsley ordered wine already, because she was having a texting war with Scott. In her interview, she hopes Scott misses her enough to want her back. LuAnn talks about a time when she dressed like a Moroccan princess and surprised her husband in Morocco. I assume she’s referring to the Count. In her interview, Tinsley doesn’t think LuAnn should be giving her dating advice. LuAnn says the beginning shouldn’t be like this, and Tinsley says LuAnn’s beginning came to an end fast. She tells LuAnn that the others think she’s not sharing that much. In her interview, Tinsley says LuAnn kept talking about it, and now that it’s over, she’s not talking. It seems disingenuous. LuAnn says she’s done with Tom, and Tinsley says she brought him into their lives. In her interview, LuAnn says she feels too vulnerable to share with the other women. Tinsley says she’s using “the Countess wall,” and in her interview, LuAnn says this isn’t coming from place of love, but a place of mean. Tinsley says she’s going to the marathon, and LuAnn says she wasn’t invited. Tinsley remembers that LuAnn and Carole had a fight, but LuAnn calls it a discussion. Tinsley says Adam will be there, and LuAnn calls him Carole’s joy boy. Tinsley remarks that they lasted longer than LuAnn’s marriage. Tinsley says Carole likes LuAnn when she’s being real, and LuAnn asks if Carole is the judge of authentic now. In her interview, Tinsley says she’s just trying to help, not be mean. The Countess LuAnn orders some rosé.

Dorinda and Carole take a walk by the Hudson River. Carole says she runs there, and Dorinda says, two days. Carole says she’s been scared, but finally woke up excited. Dorinda suggests Carole wear a Walkman, and Carole tells her the 80s are calling. In her interview, Carole says her younger self wouldn’t have believed she was running in the marathon. They sit on a bench, and Dorinda says Sonja is nuts. At the party, she wanted to start fresh. Carole tells Dorinda that Sonja said she looked fat in her costume. Dorinda asks if she did, and Carole says she looked adorable. In her interview, Dorinda says that’s not the way to build a friendship, especially after their bad history. Carole pretends to be offended that Dorinda isn’t watching her run, and spending time with her daughter instead. Dorinda suggests throwing a party, but Carole tells her that Ramona beat her to it. Dorinda says she’s supposed to stay with Ramona in the Hamptons. Carole isn’t sure where she’s staying yet.

At Sonja’s townhouse, she goes over bar instructions with her housekeeper. She’s been throwing gay parties on Wednesdays for twelve years. Her designer friend Marc arrives with his boyfriend, and it gets crowded pretty quickly. Sonja is feeling on the outs with the girls, and looks forward to not being judged. It’s no women allowed, because women have an agenda. Sonja tells us that she’s a gay man trapped in a woman’s body. There’s probably an app for that. She spends the night gossiping about the other women, and then shouts, let’s turn this up! The music gets louder.

Bethenny goes to her new apartment. She has six properties now, and is doing four renovations. She says this is next level, and she might stay there a while. She’s also moving into a new corporate space next to the apartment. She hasn’t been feeling the business lately, since she’s been knee-deep in Puerto Rico. She’s hired a president to run things for her, and says everything is up in the air. In her interview, she says show her a woman who is rich, tan, thin, having sex, and getting sleep, and she’ll show you a unicorn.

Dorinda meets Tinsley for lunch. Lots of eating this week. She wanted to meet before they left for the Hamptons. They laugh over ordering wine at 11:30 am. Tinsley says she hasn’t seen Dorinda since the Halloween party, when she was bubbled out. Dorinda says, when Sonja said she looked fat. She says she’s a forgiver, and likes to keep it moving. She went in unprepared, and tells Tinsley to be prepared for the weekend. Sonja has been talking horribly about her, saying she gets men to pay for everything like a kept woman. In her interview, Tinsley thought they were in a better place, and it’s making her angry. She tells Dorinda that she didn’t know what she was walking into, living with Sonja. Dorinda calls Sonja a bully, saying she acts like she has a Candyland mentality, but she’s waiting with a knife. In her interview, Dorinda says she was discouraged. Sonja takes jabs, and you don’t feel it until it’s over. She’s going to be supportive of Tinsley.

LuAnn meets Sonja for tea. Everything is all autumned up at the restaurant, and I love it. In her interview, LuAnn says Sonja drives her nuts, but what are friends for? Sonja calls her The Countess, and LuAnn says it annoys some people, but it will always be a part of her. She has her own Pandora station with that name. Sonja says her financial advisor suggested she rent out the townhouse. It’s too much work for her alone. LuAnn says she’s looking for an apartment. They talk about when they lived together. LuAnn says she met with Tinsley, who felt she should open up more. Sonja says she’s really hurt for LuAnn. LuAnn says she feels sensitive; Tom just wasn’t changing. Seriously, did she really think he would? At his age? In her interview, LuAnn says at least Sonja didn’t say, I told you so. They toast to good friends.

It’s marathon day. This is the moment Carole has spent the last four months thinking about. She didn’t get much sleep, but feels great. Her husband used to run the marathon, and she looked at his stats, feeling melancholy and proud. She wishes she’d made more of a celebration. She and Adam are still in each other’s lives, and they’ve reached equilibrium. The marathon has something to do with it. Her goal is to be finished before the sweeper bus comes. #Goals  Ex-Housewife Heather Thomson and her husband John are also running. Carole says it’s scarier than covering the Middle East. The starting line is the scariest place she’s ever been. She says it’s different than the other challenges she’s had. There’s no support. It’s all on her.

At mile eight, Carole start doesn’t know if she’ll finish, but it’s a mental game, and she can only think one mile at a time. Some of her friends cheer her on, Tinsley among them. In her interview, she says her legs were paralyzed, but she just kept going, and thought the finish line was a mirage. She makes it! She remembers hearing her parents and friends cheering her name, and seeing the guy holding the medal. She says, it’s isolating and lonely; just you and the road. At the end, seeing everyone cheering you on, you remember you’re not really alone.

Carole says, people called her husband Anthony a hero when he battled cancer, and it bothered her, but he was a hero after all. She feels like she’s honoring him the way she should have when he talked obsessively about running.

Next time, the Hamptons, LuAnn thinks there’s a change in the dynamic, and Dorinda goes off on Sonja – finger in her face and all.

🌟 On tonight’s Star, everyone in neighborhood helped to rebuild Carlotta’s place. Simone admitted she married Angel to stay out of juvie, but said they’re getting a divorce when she’s eighteen. I have the feeling they’ll end up really falling in love. Arlene’s twin sister, Charlene (their parents weren’t very creative), showed up looking for Star, and information on who might have killed Arlene. Star didn’t say anything, but told Cotton that she was fairly certain that Brody did it, since he showed up with blood on him, saying Arlene would never bother her again.

Ms. Desmond thought Noah was a risk, and without guaranteed success, there was no tour. Quavo was recruited by Midtown, and Star suggested he headline. Quavo agreed after an introduction to Alex, but Noah was less than thrilled. Carlotta stopped Noah from hitting the bottle, telling him it wasn’t the answer to his insecurities. He still stepped on everyone’s dreams by punching Quavo, who pulled a gun. Since Carlotta is everyone’s mom, she squashed the beef quickly, but Quavo walked. Everyone was like, thanks Noah. Noah ended up thanking Carlotta, and asked her to be his manager.

Star confronted Brody, who said he did what he had to for her protection. She asked if that’s why he killed her mother. He insisted it was an OD, but Star wanted to know what their little secret was, and why she didn’t speak for two weeks afterward. He wouldn’t talk, and she ended up calling him a coward, saying she never wanted to see him again. Angel’s mom showed up, and told him ICE was looking for him because she’d overstayed her work visa when he was little and lied about who his father was. I don’t think that’s how it works, and now he’s married to Simone anyway, but okay. Brody left Star a message that she was right and he was leaving, but a dude slammed into his room, and bounced him through a glass table. After Take 3 sold out a local show, Ms. Desmond agreed to another tour, but without Noah. Star flashed back to her mother’s OD. Brody had found Star with the needle in her hand (she picked it up after her mother used it), and when he asked what happened, she told him that she’d given mommy her medicine. That was the secret. Star called Brody, and told him she remembered, but he said she was right, and he killed Arlene. He told Star he loved her and hung up. It turned out he was calling from a bathtub where twinnie Charlene told him he’d killed her sister for no good reason. He said Arlene was an awful person, and Charlene electrocuted him by dropping a live wire into the water.

Queen Latifah’s best hair tonight was a toss-up between a braid that circled her head and went down her back, and a Veronica Lake fall with sweeping side bangs that had highlights. Next time, Simone feels guilty about Derek (as she should), another tragedy happens, and Queen Latifah sports purple streaks.

💰 Sell It Like Serhant premiered toight, and Ryan helped struggling wine salesman Tim. Tim, who had been addicted to heroin at a young age, served in Afghanistan, and graduated from culinary school, was now riding the “struggle bus,” and not doing well with sales. Ryan strikes me as a really nice guy, which isn’t a huge surprise, since he used to be a soap actor. They’re an acting breed unto themselves, much more appreciative of their audience than your average celebrity. Second only to country singers in understanding where they came from and who put them where they are now. We learned about the selling process, asking questions, listening to customers, and steering them to the right product. Ryan sent a spy to a wine tasting that Tim was working, and they communicated secretly. I don’t think I would have been a hard sell here, since Tim had me at dry Riesling. Ryan felt part of the problem was Tim’s guilt about putting his parents through the wringer, so he flew them out for a visit. After a rough start to his last stand, where he disappeared to make a cheese plate, Tim got on the “awesome bus.” The boss seemed like a bit of a hard-on – Tim only sold seven bottles out of the goal of ten – but decided to keep Tim in the end. Hopefully, Tim keeps riding that bus. Next time, a wax club. Ouch.

❓ Pondering…

Wtf, Jeff Goldblum? Why is he suddenly in so many commercials? Does he have a balloon payment coming up on something?

🐶🐱🐰🐹🐠 Happy National Pet Day! 🐣🐷🐕🐁

GroupShot

April 10, 2018 – Franco Says No More Secrets, Beverly Hills Returns Home & Loca

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

I missed the very beginning because, Mark Zuckerberg. They were smart enough to cut it off early, carrying the rest on some other channel. From what I caught, Zuckerberg was talking about how Facebook was going to do things that, if they’d done them in the first place, I wouldn’t have had my viewing pleasure interrupted. It wasn’t long enough go on a hunt for, so…

Jordan tells Elizabeth the security cameras are coming up short. She can quit stalling and tell her what’s going on.

Jim puts his hands around Franco’s throat. He tells Franco it’s his fault. He made him do it. He’s a bad boy. There’s a shot, and Jim keels over. Drew runs in, holding the gun. He tells Franco to wake up.

At Carly’s old house, Jason brings Sonny up to speed on the phone calls. Sonny doesn’t understand why Carly didn’t tell him. Jason says it was the night Mike was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and Carly adds Ava also had him arrested that day. Sonny understands that, but wonders why something wasn’t said later. Carly says the calls stopped. Sonny wants to know about the scarf, and Jason tells him about it, basically repeating the same story we’ve heard at least four times now. Carly tells Sonny the scarf was identical to the one Morgan is wearing in a photo in her office. Jason says the office was evacuated, and when Carly came back, it was gone. Sonny asks if Jason saw it. That’s a no, and Jason tells him they came up empty with security footage as well. Sonny says, so there’s no proof it was there. Carly insists it was, and Jason wonders why they’re doing this now. What happened?

Anna sits with Finn and Alexis at the MetroCourt. She just has one question about Faison. Finn says Jason was just asking about his personal effects. Anna tells him that she sent them to the WSB, but his lighter was missing. She asks if he remembers seeing it at her house. He wonders why it matters, since Faison is dead, but Anna says his son is alive. It could be the key to finding him.

Peter, Maxie, and Lulu are in Peter’s office. Maxie sees Peter’s copy of The Severed Branch. Peter tells Maxie that it’s a fictional version of Henrik’s struggle with his father. Maxie asks how long he’s been keeping it, and he tells her that he got an advance copy a week ago. He thought it would upset her. Lulu says they don’t know if Henrik was a victim or not, and Maxie accuses her of cashing in on Nathan’s death again.

Jordan asks Elizabeth why she thinks Jim tried to bury Franco and Drew. Elizabeth believes it has something to do with their childhood. She calls Franco a hero, and Jordan says they’ve both disappeared. If she knows anything, Elizabeth has to tell her, or it could end badly for Franco.

Drew tells Franco to stay with him, and calls for an ambulance. Franco starts to come around, and Drew says, help is on the way. Franco sees Jim lying there bleeding, and Drew says Betsy told him what Jim did to him, and that Franco saved him from the same thing. He thanks Franco. Franco grabs Drew’s arm, and tears up.

Carly tells Jason that when the lights started flickering, she wasn’t that alarmed, but then the lights went out and she heard footsteps upstairs. She checked Morgan’s room, and everything was fine, but she took his baseball bat with her. The lights came back on, and she went back upstairs to return the bat, and found this… She shows him the picture, and says it was just lying on the floor, sticking out from underneath the bed. Jason asks if it was there the first time. She doesn’t think so, but she was using the flashlight on her phone; anything is possible. She thinks someone wanted her to find it, like the scarf, and wants Brick to run a check. Sonny says there isn’t time; he’s calling the cops.

Finn tells Anna when he let himself in, Faison was there with a gun, and was really insulted that Finn didn’t know who he was. Anna asks if he saw the lighter, and Finn thinks back to smelling cigar smoke. He remembers Faison taking out a silver case, tapping out a cigarillo, then using a pewter lighter. Anna moves to hug him, but shakes his hand instead, thanking him.

Lulu tells Maxie that she never denied her part in bringing Faison out of hiding. Maxie says now she’s going to do the same with his son, and wonders who will die this time. Lulu says there’s no proof he even exists, even though there are allegations that he had something to do with Jason. Maxie says he held Jason prisoner for five years. Lulu says they’re unsubstantiated stories. Maxie says if she wants to find the truth, fine, do that. Lulu leaves.

At Windemere, Nina tells Valentin she’s sorry, but she thinks Peter has an agenda, and it’s eventually coming out. He hopes she isn’t rifling through his trash or hacking his email. She says she’s not personally doing anything to dig up dirt. Valentin asks if there’s someone working on her behalf, and she says when Peter’s past comes out, she hopes it doesn’t hurt Maxie. She promises that whatever happens, she’ll keep it to herself.

Jordan shows up at Franco’s studio with Elizabeth and an officer. Drew tells them he has a gun, and Jordan tells the officer to bag and tag it. Elizabeth runs to Franco, and the EMTs come in. Jordan asks what happened here, and Franco says Drew saved his life. He and Drew give each other a nod.

Carly asks Sonny if he’s sure that he should involve the cops. He says if Dante traced the calls, there’s already an official record. Carly says she’ll call them.

Finn wonders why Anna is acting like she won the lottery, but he knows she can’t let him in unless she needs something. Anna tells them to have a lovely evening. Alexis says, it could have been worse. Maybe if Julian parachuted in from the skylight. At the bar, Anna makes a phone call.

Carly says the police are on the way. Jason gets a call from Anna, who asks him to meet her at the MetroCourt. She has an update on their mutual objective. He asks if Carly still needs him, but she says, they’ve got this. He tells Anna that he’s on his way. Anna looks at Alexis and Finn.

Nina tells Valentin he hasn’t touched his dinner, and he says easing her pain is his top priority. Like the brat she is, Lulu barges in, telling them the housekeeper said to come up. Nina says she’ll have to talk to the housekeeper. Really. Valentin says Charlotte is asleep, and he’d appreciate a phone call when she wants to visit. She says she’s not there to see Charlotte. She wants to take him up on his offer.

Jordan says they can answer questions there or at the station. Elizabeth tells her that Franco is hurt, and should be checked out at the hospital. Jordan says Drew isn’t injured. He says he saw Jim on top of Franco, choking him. He saw the gun on the floor, and shot Jim with it. There was no time to do anything else. Elizabeth thanks him, and he says he owed Franco, who will explain when he’s ready. Elizabeth leaves to take Franco to the hospital, and Jordan tells Drew that she wants to know exactly what happened there tonight.

Sonny tells Carly to relax. She wants it to be over, and hopes they find something. Chase comes downstairs, and says he did a thorough search, but there’s no evidence of forced entry or anything suspicious. Carly says that’s not possible. He repeats there’s no evidence of a break-in or an intruder. She shows him the picture, and says everything was cleaned up after the earthquake; how could one picture be broken? She says she wasn’t alone. Someone was here trying to send her a message.

Jason meets with Anna. She tells him that she has confirmation from Finn that Faison had a lighter. Jason says when he asked Finn about it, Finn was more interested in protecting her. As far as Finn was concerned, Jason was the only one he saw that night, and told him that whatever he’s doing better have no blow back to her. She says maybe he remembered because he wants to help, and she’s level headed enough to know the lighter was at her place. It never turned up anywhere else, so he probably had it on him. Jason says, according to Finn, the duty nurse puts everything in a bag and it goes to the patient’s room. Anna says Faison went straight to surgery, and then trauma, until a bed was available. Jason says it sounds like Henrik took the lighter when Faison was dying. He thinks Henrik is leaving a trail for someone to follow – his mother. Wow. That’s a conclusion jump.

Maxie wants to burn the book, but Peter says that doesn’t sound like her style. She tells him that he’s right. For whatever reason, burning books is an attempt to control people. She says it’s just a story about poor misunderstood Henrik, and how none of the awful things he did were really his fault. Now that Faison is dead, he gets a free pass. He becomes a bestselling author, and Nathan has to settle for an obituary and a plaque. Lulu gets another story, and it doesn’t seem fair. She thinks a moment, and says maybe she’s being unfair. Peter asks if she means to Lulu, and she says no. Lulu is an opportunist. She’s talking about Henrik. What if he is just another victim of Faison’s?

Valentin says he’s busy, and he’ll deal with Lulu tomorrow. Nina asks, why wait? She wants to know what’s going on. Lulu says she’s doing an exposé about PK Sinclair. Nina asks why, and she says it was Faison’s pen name, but The Severed Branch was apparently written by Henrik. Lulu says there’s no actual proof he exists, and she wants to find him. She wants to find out if he was an ally or an innocent bystander. Nina knows why Lulu would want to, but what’s in it for Valentin?

Drew tells Jordan he’s given her his statement. She asks how he knew to come there. He says he didn’t. He wasn’t needed at the hospital, and due to unforeseen issues with his marriage, has been staying at the hotel. On the way, he saw Elizabeth’s car. He knew Franco’s loft was there, and thought he’d check it out. He had no time to do anything else but shoot Jim. Jordan gets a call from the hospital, and says it’s about Jim.

Elizabeth comes into Franco’s hospital room, and tells him that he’s staying overnight for observation. She says good thing Drew got to him when he did; she could have lost him. She kisses him, and he says she’s not getting rid of him that easy. She asks, why take Jim hostage? They were safe. Why not let the police deal with it? She asks if it was because of what happened when they were kids, and if he found the answers he was looking for. He touches her face.

Chase tells Carly that he’s sure there’s a reasonable explanation. Things are still settling after the earthquake, and it will take time before things get back to normal. He leaves, and Sonny tells her the by-the-book detective said there’s nothing to worry about. She says she wants Brick to go over everything with a fine-toothed comb. He says, fine, but he wants her to make an appointment with Griff. She says, a neurologist? Why? Does he think she imagined it?

Finn stares at Anna, and Alexis asks if he wants the waitress to bring binoculars. He says Anna made it clear she can take care of herself. Alexis says Anna also made it clear to her that the two of them aren’t an item. Finn tells her that she struck gold; a recovering addict with a bearded dragon and other issues. She asks if he has a psycho sister who terrorized a hospital, and says he’s looking better all the time.

Jason tells Anna that Spinelli is working through the cities where Faison did business. He asks if Spinelli should try to pick up the trail on Henrik’s mother, but Anna says he’s making an assumption. He asks if she’s changed her mind about the epigraph, and she says maybe he is daring his mother to find him. He’ll be the one with the lighter.

Peter tells Maxie it’s hard to say. All they have to go on is the book; maybe she should read it. Maxie doesn’t deny she’s curious, but doesn’t know if she’s ready to read it. He says it will be there if she wants it.

Valentin says he has a vested interest in closure for Nina. He didn’t think Lulu wanted anything to do with his contacts, but she says upon further consideration, realized she needed help to track Henrik. Nina says even if he had something to do with it, how would she prove it? Lulu says, one step at a time. First, she has to make contact, and hopefully, get an interview, then see what happens. People give away more than they intend to. Valentin says he’ll get her a list of his contacts, and she says she still thinks Henrik is in Port Charles.

Jordan and Drew stand next to Jim’s body. She says there’s self-defense and the prevention of violence, but the court can give a great deal of leeway. He might face judge, but she doesn’t think he should get charged. She leaves him with Jim’s body, and I’m not sure why. It’s not like he’d be paying his last respects. He tells Jim that his only regret in killing him, is that he can’t hear this. It’s over, and he’s never going to hurt Franco or another child again. He throws the sheet over Jim’s face.

Elizabeth tells Franco it can wait until morning; he needs to rest. He says, no more; no more secrets between them. She says she’s not going anywhere, and to tell her everything.

Drew sees Franco and Elizabeth through the room window. He tears up.

Carly swears she didn’t hallucinate, but Sonny just wants to rule out anything physical. He points out how Sam acted when she got sick. Carly knows what she saw and heard. He asks her to just do this for him. She agrees, but only to prove there’s nothing wrong.

Finn insists on picking up the check. Alexis says it must be a man thing, but he says etiquette clearly states that when interrupted about spy business, the interuptee picks up the tab. She asks if this is the point where he ghosts her, saying Molly explained that term, and he says it’s where she and Molly ghost him. She thinks he and Anna are protesting their feelings a little too much, but says they’ll see if they bring out the best in each other. They leave.

Anna tells Jason that her granddaughter is coming for a visit. He says she should focus on Emma, and he’ll keep working. The lighter might lead to Henrik and his mother.

Valentin tells Nina that he put Lulu on the launch himself. Nina says it would be just like her to double back. She goes upstairs to check on Charlotte. Valentin calls Peter, but gets voicemail. He leaves a message to call back immediately.

Peter tells Maxie not to force herself. She says, unlike Lulu, he has her best interests at heart. If he thinks it might help, she’ll give it a try. She trusts him. She takes the book, and tells Peter, goodnight. Peter looks at the lighter, and flicks it on and off.

Drew walks away from the room. Elizabeth cuddles with Franco. Everyone ponders.

Tomorrow, Doc tells Franco that he’s not to blame, Valentin asks if Peter is avoiding him, and Jason has news for Anna about the search.

A standing ovation to Greg Evigan for what ended up being a thankless role. As fun as it is to be a villain, nobody wants to play a child molester. He was wonderfully creepy, and ended up giving us his all. Farewell, BJ. We hardly knew ye.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Still in Berlin, LisaR and Dorit go to the spa. Teddi and Kyle wait in the lobby. Erika had suggested they go to the zoo, but she’s a half hour late. Kyle does her nails. LisaR tells Dorit that he wouldn’t admit it, but if Harry could live in the wilderness alone, he would. #WhatDoesHarryLikeToDo  Dorit says PK only likes being in the shower alone. She says they’ve earned this moment, since things have gotten crazy. LisaR says she’d choose a spa day over a zoo day.

Kyle and Teddi decide to go to the zoo, and text Erika to meet them there. Erika shows up, saying she isn’t feeling well. The zoo has pandas on loan from China, and the hotel hooked them up with unbelievable access. We see the seals, and Kyle says she and LVP swam with them in Dubai. We find out there are only about 1800 pandas left. They take pictures with the pandas, who are behind glass snacking on bamboo. I saw the pandas at the Bronx Zoo. They are unbelievably cute and don’t look real.

Dorit and LisaR move on from a pedicure to a massage. LisaR asks how Dorit is doing. Dorit thinks everything is okay, and that Kyle wants to sort things out. LisaR thinks something deeper is going on, and if it doesn’t get cleared up, it will fester. They have a boat ride tonight, and even I scream, noooo!

Teddi goes to Kyle’s suite to get glammed for the evening. They have a snack while Kyle does her makeup. Kyle says she walked around with Erika after the zoo for a while. Teddi says Erika did apologize to her, but wants to discuss it another time. She’s not sure what it is exactly that Erika wants to discuss, and wonders if the boat goes to LA.

Once again, LisaR is wearing practically nothing, using a blazer in place of a dress. Teddi is like, what’s happening? and says she missed the memo about it being a costume party. They get in the limo, and have drinks. Erika is late again. The boat is going to leave before they get there, and they call her, but the call goes to voicemail. LisaR hopes her look is just taking extra time, and nothing is wrong. They decide to leave, and ask them to hold the boat when they get there. Where is LVP?

Oh, that’s right. She left to get the award for the Road to Yulin film. Kyle tells the girls that she and LVP have an understanding. She doesn’t think the others grasp the longevity of their friendship. In her interview, Kyle says Dorit flings around stories, and if there’s a problem, she has to keep talking about it.

Erika is still sick, and late because of dealing with the lube and baby powder for the latex she’s wearing. The rest of them get to the boat and ask if they can wait ten minutes. LisaR hopes it’s going to be different from the Hong Kong boat ride. Erika walks up looking like for real blow-up doll in red latex, and LisaR says she didn’t disappoint. Teddi says she’d be the sweatiest human alive. Me too. Erika apologizes, and they disembark. It’s kind of like the Circle Line, except in Berlin. The sun sets, and they look at the city lights from the deck. In her interview, Erika encourages everyone to travel. It opens your heart and mind.

Inside, Dorit and Erika do shots. Kyle thinks Erika’s outfit looks like a lot of work. Me too. Erika says if you don’t know how to do the lube and baby powder, leave it to the pros. It’s all theirs. Kyle wants to know what’s under LisaR’s blazer and it’s a black teddy. They all scream like teenagers. In her interview, LisaR wonders if they’re having such a good time because LVP isn’t there. No. I’d rather have her there than you.

After the boat ride, they walk down an alley, and the girls are all nervous. Erika tells them that they’re going to the new hot spot. It warms her heart that the ladies are a little unnerved, and tells them to grow some balls. LisaR says she’s dressed like a street walker, but didn’t think she’d be walking down an alley. It does kind of remind me of Hostel. Erika says you have to be in the know to find it, and it’s an invitation only restaurant. They finally reach a door in a graffitied wall. They walk through what looks like an art space to the restaurant, which is bright and beautiful. They order drinks.

Kyle and Erika hug, and Kyle is glad they’re in Berlin. Kyle hasn’t hugged latex before, and says it’s voluptuous and soft, and does make her want to touch it. Dorit wants the candles lit. Teddi didn’t even notice, and points out the difference in what’s important to them. Looking at Teddi, Erika says she has one issue – pretend amnesia. She says amnesia, okay, but pretend says she’s a liar. Didn’t we do this already? Teddi says it wasn’t what she said, but how Erika talked to her. Erika doesn’t care; she was angry. Teddi asks if she didn’t apologize, and Erika says, yes, but she has a bad temper. Teddi says she’s not used to it. Erika has a big presence. Dorit says Erika scares Teddi. Teddi says she knows where Erika is coming from. She’s smart and beautiful, but if pushed, she doesn’t know how to handle it. Teddi says Erika made her uncomfortable, and hurt her feelings. There was a moment when she didn’t want to come on the trip. She doesn’t know why it upsets her so much, and she starts to get a little weepy. In her interview, LisaR says this triggered something from Teddi’s childhood. Maybe. Maybe not. Geez. Erika says, sorry, and she’s glad Teddi came. In her interview, Erika says she’s like to work on shutting her temper off. She’s adult enough to know she’s an a-hole. Good for her. I always say, everyone acts like an a-hole once in a while, but real a-holes are a-holes because they don’t know they’re being a-holes. Erika says they don’t need to talk about it again. In her interview, Teddi says it’s more like a Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tree branch than an olive branch, but she’ll take it.

Dorit says her fashion show is in ten days. She wants all the ladies to be there. Kyle says other than the arguments, LisaR almost dying on a horse, and a couple of panic attacks, she had a good time.

LVP is at the dog center, and we see all the sweet babies. She says the trip was peppered with differences of opinion, but she enjoyed it. Puppies! She doesn’t like awards, but main man John says it gets the word out. In her interview, LVP says the film is gathering momentum to affect change. She tells John that he has to pick up the award, but he says he’s not going up by himself. He’s afraid he’ll start to cry, and LVP says they can’t be crying all the time. Hand her the puppy now. She needs puppy therapy. I want a puppy too.

Dorit tells PK that she’s beyond exhausted, but she has deadlines. PK asks if he’ll be able to retire after this, but she says not for a couple of years.

Erika is headlining in NYC. She says she’s taking Berlin there, and comes out for rehearsal in a latex bodysuit.

Everyone else is doing boring stuff.

The morally corrupt Faye Resnick is Kyle’s designer, and helping her with the move. Kyle has been back and forth a hundred times, and wishes she could take the wallpaper. She says everything was happy there, and the house has good juju. It’s where the girls grew up (sort of – it’s not like they’re ready to leave the nest), and it’s scary to leave; it was her safety zone, and they created incredible memories there. We flash back to some of them. She says even though it hasn’t been sold yet, it feels weird that she’ll never sleep there with her family again. She’s always been sad when they’ve moved, but this time it’s harder. She wonders why she’s leaving, and we flash back to more good times in the house, like trying to teach the girls to do laundry, which I learned out of the womb. She tells the house she loves it, and says goodbye.

Teddi and Edwin take the kids to lunch. Teddi tells the kids how much she missed them. Edwin asks how it was, and she says she liked being in Berlin. She tells him there was never a dull moment, but that’s for a later conversation. She raised the kids never to talk negatively about their friends. She asks if daddy took good care of them, and Edwin says they had a blast. She tells him that she’s decided against investing in a horse for now, and he jokes that means he can buy the new Lamborghini.

Kyle visits LVP. Schnookie! Kyle says she’s exhausted from the house stuff. She wants to have everyone over to show them American Woman. LVP tells her about getting the award, saying it was nice to be acknowledged, but emotional. She says the award was for compassion, and Kyle says what about her? She tells LVP about the pandas and the boat trip. LVP says Kyle and Dorit talk a million miles a minute. In her interview, Kyle says she thought she’d patched things up with Dorit in Berlin, but Dorit keeps talking out of her ass while covering it at the same time. She tells LVP about Dorit bringing up old stuff again. LVP asks if she’s going to Dorit’s fashion show. Kyle says they’re fine, but LVP says it doesn’t seem like it.

It’s Erika’s first show in four months. She says there’s nothing like NYC; there’s always energy, and it’s cutting edge. NYC is where it’s at. Yes! Mikey asks about the smoke lights, but one of the dancers tells him the fire marshal is there. In her interview, Erika says live performance is her favorite thing to do, and the catalyst for everything else. They decide to let the smoke lights go, and just use the glitter cannon. Erika tells us that every performance should be like the Grammys. People pay to see her, and she doesn’t want to sell them short. She also informs us that playing a nightclub ain’t glamourous. It actually looks pretty shabby backstage. This is not the Copa.

Erika is introduced. The crowd goes wild. Erika says it’s an exchange of energy. Every show is like the Super Bowl. It’s important to the people who took the time out to see her. I like her attitude.

Dorit is stressed. Some things were changed with the show, and this is the last time they’ll be at the venue before show time. She likes every detail to be perfect. Event Planner Cory says he’ll walk her through. She says it’s been planned through the last detail. It’s the most important function she’s done, and she’s feeling the pressure. She says usually at the last fitting, everything should fit. We see a clip of that not happening. Dorit has anxiety and no time for problems.

Cory explains the logistics. Dorit loves it, but it terrifies her. She’s concerned about the curtain drop reveal, saying that if they rehearse it, the curtain will get dirty. PK says they don’t have to rehearse, and Dorit almost has a heart attack. She makes Cory promise to rehearse. In her interview, Dorit says it’s insane and risky, but she wants her comeback to be noticed. She insists on bringing in palm trees, but Cory is having a problem with getting them inside, since the door isn’t big enough. Hearing that he also had to shrink the runway. Dorit is going to drop over dead. PK tells her the team knows what they’re doing, and should be fine. From the look on her face, I’m thinking maybe he should get the back-up smelling salts.

Next time, the season finale, Kyle has an American Woman party, Camille gets engaged, and the fashion show happens. I assume Dorit lives.

💝 Because It’s One of My Favorite Things…

 

April 9, 2018 – Jim’s Big Reveal, Jax Explodes & I’m Exhausted

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

At Kelly’s, Josslyn tells Michael that Oscar is going nuts at home. He thinks it’s great how much Josslyn cares about Oscar, and she thinks Michael should follow her example. He should stop being stubborn, and get back together with Nelle.

Nelle calls someone, and asks if they want to grab a bite to eat. She knows it’s late, but she worked up an appetite today.

Carly finds a picture of Morgan in a smashed frame. She hears footsteps, and calls his name. She grabs the bat and gets ready.

Elizabeth talks to a cop, telling him to call for backup and search for Franco. Jordan shows up at the hospital, and at first thinks Franco took someone. Elizabeth says it’s the opposite. Jim took Franco.

Jim pulls the car in somewhere, and takes out the gun.

Carly stands behind the door. A real person is coming up the stairs. The door opens, and she raises the bat.

Michael asks what it will take for Josslyn to abandon her quest? She tells him to make an honest effort to fix things with Nelle. He says funny that she used the word honest. She says they’re having a baby; he should try to make things better. He tells Josslyn they’ve come to an understanding, and are working together for the baby. She says, not for each other, and he insists they’re over. She doesn’t get why he can’t try, since they seem made for each other. He disagrees, and since it’s his life, his vote counts more than hers. They’re never getting back together.

Elizabeth explains what happened, and tells Jordan that Jim had a gun, and he’s wearing scrubs. Jordan says he knows they’re searching for him, so he must have been desperate, sneaking around the hospital. Drew says he was trying to get to Betsy. He was with her and thought she had an episode, but she must have really seen him. Jordan asks how she is, and Drew says heavily sedated. Elizabeth says Jim tried to take off with her and Jake, and Franco showed up. He got in between them, and she and Jake ran. By the time she got back with Drew, they were gone. She tells Jordan that she can’t ignore this just because it’s Franco. Jordan says she’s not. They’re canvassing the area. Elizabeth says Jim tried to kill Franco once before, and won’t hesitate again.

We see the parent of an honor roll student bumper sticker on Elizabeth’s car. Franco is in the trunk. No, he’s not – it’s Jim! Franco says, let’s go; we’re here, and holds the gun on Jim. Jim gets out, and Franco tells him to get up if he wants to live. Boy, am I smiling.

Josslyn sees Nelle, and tells her to sit, leaving to order something. Nelle tells Michael that Josslyn is the most romantic person she’s ever met. He says wait until her first heartbreak, and she says to hell with love. Nelle thinks she’s too optimistic for that. She asks if Michael is still at the MetroCourt. She picked up some gifts, and got him a baby monitor. It covers any place within city range, so he can speak into it on the nights when he won’t be there in person. He says it’s thoughtful of her, and asks if she wants to join them, but Nelle says she’s meeting someone. Brad walks in, and she says, here he is now. Michael looks puzzled.

Carly nearly whacks Sonny in the head. She says she thought he was an intruder, and he tells her that he didn’t want her to be alone with the inspector, since she’s been jumpy. He was calling to her; didn’t she hear him? She says she was caught up in this, and shows him the picture.

Jordan says they got the footage from the security cameras. Elizabeth asks if Franco is hurt, but Jordan says they couldn’t tell from the angle. They can see them struggling, but next usable image is them driving away. Scotty shows up, and asks what’s with the cops. Elizabeth tells him that Jim was there, and tried to take her and Jake hostage. Franco intervened, and Jim took him. Drew adds that he took Elizabeth’s car, and Scotty says it careened by him, going toward Beecher’s Corners. Jordan leaves, and Elizabeth asks Scotty if he saw that Franco is okay. He says he doesn’t know about okay, but he was in control. He was definitely driving, and there was no sign of Jim.

Franco throws Jim into the studio. He asks Jim if he remembers how he was so keen to buy the place that brought them together after all these years. Jim asks if it wasn’t condemned, and Franco says, yep; it’s just them. Jim’s favorite painting survived the earthquake without a scratch. Jim says they shouldn’t be there. Franco says he likes it there. In his life, it’s been hard to feel safe, but he feels safe there. He’s done his best work there, and they have work to do. Jim asks Franco, please don’t hurt him again, and Franco promises he won’t, calling him Uncle Jim. He says Jim used to like it when he called him Uncle Jim. Jim says that had some good times; he was a special kid. Franco says Jim has a very dark sense of humor. Jim doesn’t know what he’s talking about, but Franco thinks he does. Jim says he’s sorry it’s come to this. It wouldn’t have happened if he’d protected Franco. Franco asks him to clarify. Jim says when they were in his hotel room, and Franco freaked out. Drew busted in, and Jim got scared, letting his guys take them. He didn’t know what they were going to do, and would have put stop to it. Franco says, that’s enough. That’s not what happened, and not why they’re at the studio. They’re there to talk about what happened on the stairs, when he pushed Andy down and hurt him. He finally remembers what happened. He pushed Andy because of Jim. He tells Jim to talk about what happened before the stairs. Jim says it’s ancient history; why talk about it? Franco says because they’re going to, and when he’s satisfied he’s heard every word Jim has to say, he’ll put him out of his misery. He’s going to keep his promise not to hurt him, but he’s going to kill him.

Franco says, let’s talk what really went on, but Jim says he has nothing to say. Franco says that’s a first; Jim is never at a loss for words. Jim says they’ve already talked about what he did to Andy, but Franco says, not all of it. We see young Franco push Andy. He says, yes, he did it, but why? Jim says Franco knows why, and Franco tells him to pretend he forgot, and explain it. Jim says it’s in his DNA; he was born to hurt people. He terrorized Andy. Betsy needed him there to keep Franco away from him. He asks if Franco remembers what Andy looked like at the bottom of the stairs. We see Betsy finding him. Franco says he remembers better than Jim. Jim whines about seeing Andy so small in the hospital bed. We see Betsy in a bad wig next to Andy at the hospital, and Jim telling her that he’ll take care of Bobby tonight. Franco says he remembers going to bed that night, closing his eyes, and trying to disappear, but he couldn’t. We see Jim coming into his room, and says he knows Bobby is playing possum. He knows Bobby is upset about what happened, so he got him something. He gives him a stuffed toy. Franco says he was in there so many times – when his mom was at work, late at night when his mom was sleeping. He was in the bed, sitting next to him, and would pat the bed spread two times; always two times. One time he even came in broad daylight when his mom was downstairs. Jim calls him crazy. Franco says Jim told him they had to be quiet, so no one would know. Jim says it’s not true. Franco says, it is. The thing that troubles him the most, is that Jim somehow made him think he deserved it. We see Jim telling Bobby not to make trouble for his mom; it’s their secret. Jim says his mom was weak, and he needed a strong hand. Franco says they wouldn’t be there if Jim had just smacked him around. He pushed Andy to save him. He couldn’t let Jim molest Andy the way he molested him. He did that to him, and was going to do it to Andy. That is the truth. Jim calls him nuts, saying it’s a bizarre fantasy concocted to let him off the hook. Franco cries, saying he was just a little kid. Jim used him; fouled him. Now he’s going to say it. He points the gun at Jim. Jim says he’s not a bad man. Franco needed him, and he was there for him. All he ever did was love him.

Brad talks to Nelle about how he and Lucas can’t wait to take home their baby. She asks if the adoption is confirmed, and Brad says he’s worried it will fall through. She tells him to relax; it won’t make the baby come any faster. She says she hasn’t seen Lucas much lately, and Brad says he’s been working a lot, so he can take time later when the baby comes. Lucas calls, and Brad steps away. Michael sits at the table. He tells Nelle that if she’s going to make friends, she can’t do much worse than Brad. I guess he didn’t get the memo that Brad changed his ways.

Scotty tells Elizabeth that the car was going downtown, even though he told the cops it was going in the opposite direction. If Franco was the hostage taker and not the hostage, he didn’t want to alert them. Elizabeth wonders why he wouldn’t get help. Scotty has no idea why Franco does what he does. He probably got upset when Jim manhandled her and Jake. He can’t find Franco, but knows who can – Mac Scorpio.

Jim tells Franco he’s sorry he hurt him. He was a special kid, and they had a bond. Franco asks how many children did Jim abuse? Franco tried hard to stop Jim from doing to Andy what he did to him. One day, he showed up with a baseball mitt for Andy, and he knew Jim wasn’t going to stop. He says don’t tell him it was only one, and Jim says he doesn’t know how many. Franco doesn’t believe him, and Jim says he doesn’t remember. Franco thinks he does. He thinks Jim remembers everything; every little detail like what their favorite cartoons were, and breakfast cereal, and the colors of paint in their bedrooms. He bets Jim remembers every gift he gave every one of them. Jim says he was so special, and Franco says he’s not getting out alive without a full confession. He hands Jim a pen.

Carly tells Sonny she doesn’t know what caused the lights to go out or the noise. She just found the picture. Someone broke it. The same someone who left it there for her to find, but she didn’t see anyone. She could feel someone was in there. Sonny says the earthquake could have broken it, but Carly insists it didn’t. It’s not the first time she’s gotten a message about Morgan.

Sonny says he’ll check the circuit box. Carly says she did that already, and tells him it started with the phone calls. She thought they were thought pranks. At first, they were just hang-ups, then a young guy said, I’m here, and in the last call, she heard an explosion. Dante traced the calls to a pay phone near where Morgan died. She explains that she and Jason went to the police. They talked to a homeless man who said a young guy used the phone a couple of times, but after that, the calls stopped. She tells Sonny about the scarf she found on her desk, and how it was like Morgan used to wear. Sonny wants to see it, but she says he can’t. The fire alarm went off, and when she came back, it was gone. Now this photo. The common thread is their son. Sonny understands why she’d ask Jason, but wonders why she never told him.

Nelle asks Michael what’s wrong with Brad. Michael says he has a questionable past, and Nelle wonders if he knows who he’s talking too. She says he’s been nice to her, and Michael says he’s not telling her not to be friends, just giving her the facts. She appreciates him looking out for her, but says Brad has been nothing but cool. She doesn’t think Lucas would have married him or want to raise a child with him if he wasn’t. And if he’s good enough for Lucas, he’s good enough for her. Michael says it’s her call; he just wanted her to be aware.

Scotty tells Drew that Franco was driving downtown. Drew wonders where Franco would take Jim, and can’t understand why he wouldn’t call the police. Elizabeth thinks there are missing pieces to the story. Drew says if Franco didn’t tell her, he can’t fully remember or can’t share it. She says he’s been bothered by Jim since the beginning. He couldn’t shake it, like the painting of him and Drew when they were kids. Drew says he’s only seen a picture of it. She says for whatever reason, it rattled Franco, and got him thinking about his childhood. Drew asks if the painting is at her house, but she says he didn’t want to look at it. He asks where it is.

Franco makes Jim write a confession. Franco wants to know where Jim took all the kids. He thinks Jim has a spot, so they’re going there. Jim asks what about his confession. Doesn’t he want Jim to go to prison? Franco says the statute of limitations is long expired. Jim asks if Franco is going to let him go, and Franco shakes his head, saying he’s going to kill him. Jim says Franco promised he wouldn’t hurt him, and Franco says he’ll kill him quickly. Jim tells him not to do this. He knows he failed Franco. Franco points the gun at him, saying he deserves to die. Jim tells him to think about the other kids, and if they don’t deserve the same chance to hear him admit what did and see him punished. The only thing Franco cares about is stopping it. Jim says he’ll be in prison, and never be near a kid again. Franco says it’s too risky. The only way to know he’ll never hurt anyone again is to kill him. Jim says Franco will only make him a victim; he’s sick and needs help. Who will he be to the people love him? The guy they love is a cold-blooded executioner. Franco remembers Jim telling him to be a good boy, and points the gun at him, saying, never again. Jim jumps up, and pushes him.

Sonny understands why Carly tells Jason everything, but why not tell him? She says he was already dealing with Mike. She’d thought it would be handled by now. She doesn’t understand any of it, but Sonny says they’ll get through it together, and hugs her.

Nelle tells Brad she’s starving, and he says it’s on him; a token of his gratitude for what she said. He made a bad mistake, and bad choices. Even now, he feels like he doesn’t measure up with Lucas’s family. Nelle says she’s over it. She doesn’t care what people think anymore. He says for what it’s worth, he thinks highly of her, and expects to think even higher when she becomes a mother. She says, back atcha, dad-to-be.

Josslyn heard Michael putting in his two cents about Brad. It shows he cares. Michael says that’s not the same as loving someone. He should have figured that out sooner.

Scotty tells Elizabeth that he’s out of there before Jordan realizes he gave her the wrong information. He’s meeting Mac at Kelly’s. He wonders where Drew went, and Elizabeth says he had someplace to be.

Jim and Franco struggle. The gun flies out of Franco’s hands. They fall to the floor, and Franco grabs for it, but Jim gets him in a headlock. Franco sees Betsy, who’s saying she’s sorry. He sees Elizabeth reaching for him, and Andy giving him the rabbit’s foot. He starts to black out. Jim calls him Bobby, and tells him to go to sleep. He couldn’t leave it alone. It’s his fault. He made Jim do it. He promised not to tell, and he’s a bad boy. A gun goes off, and Jim falls. Drew stands there with a literal smoking gun.

Tomorrow, Lulu wants to take Valentin up on his offer, Sonny says there’s no proof of a scarf, and Drew tries to wake up Franco.

Vanderpump Rules

James calls Kristen an attention seeker, and tells her to shut up. She throws a drink at him, and half of it lands on Lala. James and Lala walk out. James tells Stassi that he hopes she’s happy. If he said something, it was meant as a joke. Scheana says he was apologizing. In her interview, Katie thinks it’s all a waste of energy. Lala asks, who throws a drink? (apparently, Kristen), and Stassi says, who makes things like this up? Lala says, he didn’t, and way to have a civilized conversation. Now she has a drink all over her.

James talks to Raquel, weeping on the phone that he doesn’t know what to do. Tom comes over to talk to him. He asks if there’s something James doesn’t remember, but James says, no. He has nothing to lie about. In his interview, he says they kept poking and prodding.

Stassi orders room service, with balsamic vinaigrette to go with the pizza. In her interview, she explains the five condiments for pizza are: sriracha/ranch, ranch, balsamic, hot sauce, and one time when she was drunk, she used ketchup. I have never once wanted to dip my pizza in any kind of dressing.

Jax says it’s the last night, so they’re turning it up, as the kids say. Then he gets confused, not being sure if it should be turnt. The drinking commences.

James says Jax is running with a sarcastic, bad joke. Lala tells him she’s proud of how he handled himself. She wondered if that really happened, and James calls Kristen stupid. He says she’ll be coming for him now, with a diabolical plan. Lala says Kristen will have to go through her first, and that the two of them are like Eminem (who she calls Em) and Dr. Dre. No one is gangster like them. I feel like I should comment here, but I don’t even know what to say.

Katie says Kristen is making it worse for herself; it’s like Jerry Springer. Kristen complains about what she went through, and in her interview, Katie says it was like a psychotic mental crazy tirade. She says she told Kristen to take a breath. Nip it in the bed, bury it, and move on, but she didn’t listen. Kristen says at least she used a drink and not her fist. Katie tells her it’s pointless. She’s not going to lie and say Kristen did the right thing. She’s making it worse. In her interview, Kristen says Katie is being an a-hole to her, and wonders why this is her fault.

At TomTom, the walls are up, as well as the framing for the office. Ken and Lisa discuss the plans, and Ken says the kitchen won’t be happening for a month. Lisa remembers opening a place in Piccadilly Circus, saying it was a lot of pressure, but wonderful. Tom calls, and tells her that he’s been trying different cocktails, and has his eye on different mescals. She says he can show her when he gets back. He says that the others are interested in checking the place out, and he wants them to see the progress, Lisa says it looks like bomb went off. In his interview, Tom thinks if his friends see the progress as it’s happening, they can have more of a connection to the finished product. Lisa tells him okay, and asks how they’re doing. He says everyone is getting along, and James and Kristen might or might not have hooked up. She says nothing surprises her, and the only recipe Kristen knows, is one for disaster.

Jax wants to call Kelsey and give her an update. His anxiety is high from the trip. Uh-huh. I don’t think I’ve mentioned it for a while, but I hate Jax. With a passion.

Brittany tells Stassi that Jax wants privacy, so he can FaceTime with Kelsey, his Reiki instructor. In her interview, Stassi says if Jax kicked her out for some stupid sh*t called Reiki, she’d hit him with a rake. Brittany says she can only imagine what they talk about. All she knows Is that Kelsey taps on him, and it calms him down, but weed does the same thing.

Jax tells Kelsey that he’s in Mexico. She asks if he’s taking time for himself, like he ever takes any other kind of time. He says it’s utter chaos, and there’s a lot of drinking. He’s trying to steer clear of the drama, but feels attacked by everyone. He has no patience when he’s being attacked. She tells him when that’s happening, to sit for a moment and breathe. When we react to things people say about up, that means a part of us believes it’s true. Jax says he snaps easily, but he’s learning not to. Kelsey tells him to focus on the good stuff. She says Nelson Mandela could have chosen to see the bad happening to him, or what he did, seeing what he’d do afterward. In his interview, Jax says he knows who Nelson Mandela is. He went to jail because he fought for the rights of the providence, or whatever. One of the producers asks what country he’s from, and Jax answers, Africa? His question mark. He does know Nelson is in Oprah’s book club though. Kelsey tells him that he has the power to manifest what he wants. His decision should be to make no decision for the next two weeks. Jax says she always makes him happy. Jax always makes me ill.

Scheana is excited to see Rob. The four days felt like four months. I’ll bet it felt like four minutes for him. Kristen says it’s taking all of her will power not to strangle James. She can’t leave the rumor in Mexico, and has to take it home. Stassi says, adios, Mexico.

Kristen and Carter go to lunch. Carter says he worked and took care of the dogs while she was away. Kristen wishes he’d been there, but is glad she went. She says everything was fine, but James created a rumor. She says she’d walked with him on the beach, and something was said when the guys were at golf. Tom asked James if they’d messed around, and James’s response was, a little bit. Carter says this is pissing him off. When they were first hanging out there was an issue with James. In her interview, Kristen says she’ll never live it down, and it will always be in the back of Carter’s mind. We flash back to when she claimed to have made out with James, and he said they had sex, just after she met Carter. She says she has no credibility, but she would never jeopardize her position with him. He tells her not to put herself in these positions; her track record doesn’t speak highly of her. He says he’s going to have a chat with Tom, and Kristen insists there’s no cheating going on.

Everyone is back at SUR, and I love Lisa’s blouse so much. It’s a white, button-down in a pirate/price style, and the sleeves are poufy on the bottom half. She asks Lala what happened to her lips, and if it’s permanent. Lala says, no. She sucks on a bottle cap to get the effect, but she did it for too long. She shows Lisa a picture of what she looked like before the swelling went down, and her lips are cartoonishly huge. It’s like when all the kids were trying to look like whatever Jenner/Kardasian that was. Lisa tells her it’s ridiculous. She asks how the trip was, and Lala says she had the best time. She tells Lisa that they went in on Jax at dinner because he’s an effing idiot. He wants to move Brittany to Florida to do social media for a hockey team. In her interview, Lisa says Jax talks a lot, and she doesn’t pay much attention. He also said he wanted to be a bartender, and he couldn’t do that either. Lala promises not to look like a duck when they open.

James sets up to DJ, and tells Raquel it feels good to be back. He’s nervous about tonight, wondering who’s coming to mess him up, considering what happened in Mexico. Now that he’s sobered up, he wouldn’t go near Kristen with a ten-foot pole. He got drunk, but he didn’t cheat. He does a sound check.

While driving to work, Brittany tells Jax she misses Mexico. He says they just have to pay for the trip now. She asks if he’s put any more thought into the Florida job. He says Kelsey told him not to think for two weeks. You’d think it wouldn’t be that hard for him not to think period, but he says it’s hard not to think about his dream job. Brittany hopes he’s including her in the thinking. He says it would be good for both of them. They’ll make more money, and the cost of living is lower. Brittany wants to make sure he’s thinking it through, and he says it’s a good opportunity. In her interview, Brittany says her close friends are there, and she has a great job. She’s comfortable there, and it’s unfair, considering the things she’s given up for him so far. He asks if Adam, her boyfriend, will be there tonight. Brittany laughs his remark off, saying Adam is a nice guy. Jax tells her there’s no such thing. In his interview, Jax says no matter how innocent, he doesn’t know what Adam is thinking, and he needs to know his role is twenty steps behind Jax. Brittany is like, Jax, please, but likes that he’s jealous.

Katie is waiting for Stassi, who’s planning a party for her. She took a break from her beauty blog to plan the wedding. She’s throwing a party to impress those seriously networked in beauty industry. Stassi arrives, and they make a list. Stassi asks if Katie has talked to Kristen. Schwartz forgot about that, and Stassi says it was made into a bigger deal than it should have been. Katie says it might not be true, but at the end of the day, who cares? Stassi says Kristen is trying so hard to disprove it, it’s looking true. In her interview, Stassi says if she caught Patrick with an ex in Mexico, she’d plan a murder for two years from now, so she didn’t get caught. She’d make an ice pick out of actual ice, stab them, and let it melt. No one would know how they were murdered, because there would be no weapon. That’s ingenious.

Scheana tells Lisa her divorce is final. Lisa asks if she’s marrying Rob, and Scheana says she hopes so. They’ve talked about it, and he likes Madison as a name for a girl. She says they’ve been looking at houses. Lisa tells her to take her time: she’s been divorced less than a week. In her interview, Lisa says Scheana should wait for the ink to be dry before picking out baby names. Maybe she should wait for Rob to be interested in getting married. Scheana tells her about the sort of set-up with Brittany and Adam, and how Jax is pissed. She admits she did it partly because he’d been talking about her and Rob. The one time Jax actually told the truth. It figures. In her interview, Lisa says Scheana is treading a dangerous line. Jax has no morals, but has a huge ego. This could go horribly wrong. Scheana says, mission accomplished.

SUR is packed. James spins his music. Lala says she got out early just for this. Jax says he had great time. Ariana says, her too. Jax wants to talk to Adam, and says he’ll be right back. In his interview, Tom says if someone was aggressively pursuing Ariana, he would confront them. Yeah, well, the key word there is aggressively. This guy doesn’t even seem like he’s pursuing her at all. Jax asks Adam how he is. In his interview, Jax wonders why he’s even there, since he’s not scheduled to work. Adam asks how the trip was, and Jax says, amazing. He says, so, he hears Adam has a crush on his girlfriend.

Adam says, not at all, and Jax doesn’t know what to do. He messes with the chair, trying to make it higher, and then decides to stand, no doubt psychologically making himself bigger. This is too funny. He says he’s not against Adam; he’s a nice guy. Scheana came in, thinking he and Brittany had broken up, and said Adam had a crush on her. That’s fine; he’s not mad, but wants Adam to understand they’re together. Adam says, that’s understood. Adam explains that one night when they were having a drink at Jax’s place, Scheana texted him about going out with them as a group. This gets Jax really steamed. In his interview, he says he had no idea Scheana was trying to hook Brittany up in his own house. He says he wishes Adam had pulled him aside. He tells Adam that he has a home; he has a family. He has dogs. I’m dying here. Not that I don’t think of my dogs as family – I’m the worst – but Jax. Omg. He says this isn’t a candy cane relationship. What? What does that mean? Is that what you have on winter break? He’s more mad at Scheana than Adam, and says Scheana is a shady-ass with no leg to stand on. It’s like the madder Jax gets, the less coherent he gets. He says Scheana is tailgating Rob. He wants to put a nail in his head when hears about him. Well, that we agree on. He says he’ll deal with it; it’s not Adam’s problem.

Things are rocking at SUR. Ariana gets on the bar and pours shots. She’s going to make a lot of money tonight, and plans on diving into a bed of it like Scrooge McDuck. Tom talks about how hot she is. Some of the girls are off the clock, and go to the bar. Jax tells Brittany that she needs to talk to Scheana, and tells her what Adam said. Brittany says she didn’t know about it, but Scheana was just trying to make her feel better. Jax asks if he’s supposed to be okay with that, and she says noting came from it. Brittany tells him to calm down. In her interview, she says Jax is spiraling out of control. Get out of the way. The Jax train coming. She tells him to talk to Scheana.

Ariana asks James where the pillows came from by the hot tub in Mexico. He says he was so drunk, he asked to sleep out there. We flash back to Jax telling Brittany to look at the pillow. James says he was the only on in the hot tub. Schwartz was talking, and Kristen was listening to music. In his interview, he says Jax knows this will take the weight from him. He says Jax threw him under bus, and took it too far.

Jax comes over, babbling to Scheana about Adam. He says she brought him into his home for a set-up. She says it wasn’t a set-up. He says she can’t keep a husband, and she’s going to tell him how to run his life. Scheana says she just wanted Brittany to get a confidence boost after it got knocked down. In her interview, she says she’s Brittany’s friend and has the right to set her up to have a good time, flirt, or whatever. Jax effed up. Britanny did not. Karma’s a bitch. Katie says Kristen isn’t the only person who needs to grow up, and tells him to shrug it off.

James accuses Jax of spreading the rumor about him and Kristen, and he did it about Faith. He says he didn’t, but Lala insists he did. Lisa and Ken come in. Jax calls Tom over. Lala suggests he not do this in front of Ken and Lisa. Lisa says it would be nice if he acknowledged her. In his interview, he says he’s sorry he didn’t roll out the red carpet. He tells Lisa that he’s tired of them flipping the effing script on him. He starts getting louder and weird, saying, eff you, all you lying sh*ts. Lala tells him that he puts his peepee in anything that walks, and he whines it’s not fair. In her interview, Lisa wonders why choose to have a meltdown in the place that’s paid your bills for so long? Jax starts giving the finger, calling everyone lying sacks of sh*t. Now he’s giving the finger with both hands. Lisa can’t believe it, and tells him she’s never had an employee speak to her the way he does, and this is her place of business. She says he’s being arrogant, obnoxious, and acting like a baby. She’s not listening to him, and tells him leave.

Tom tries to calm Jax down. Lisa has nothing more to say, and Brittany says you can’t be screaming at your job. Jax gets pissed at Tom, saying that he’s being buddy-buddy with James. He goes nuts, pulling his mic off, and saying he’s out of there, and that everyone is delusional. Tom asks if he’s not supposed to be James’s friend. Jax stalks off, banging the side of a phone booth as he stomps down the street. Wow. I hate Jax, but that was fun.

Next time, Katie’s blog party, Carter confronts Tom, and Jax tells Brittany that she deserves better. YOU DO! RUN! NOW!

🎭 Wow…

Well, those were two ends of the TV spectrum.

Tragedy

LOL-Laughing

April 8, 2018 – The Battle of Negan & Simon, a Little Atlanta, a Dash of Potomac & Bye-Bye Weekend

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

The Walking Dead

Rick reads Carl’s letter and gazes out the window. Carl talks about his eighth birthday, and other things he remembers from how it used to be. Tears rolls down Rick’s cheeks. It’s not just the stuff that happened, but how Carl felt, special and safe. He thought growing up would mean a family and a job, but it means keeping those you love safe. He wants Rick to feel safe, like he did when Rick held his hand on walks. He doesn’t think the Saviors will surrender, but there’s regular people in there. They’re close to starting over, and have friends now – there have to be more places and people; a chance to make changes and have a real life. If they won’t end it, he has to. He has to find peace and move forward; not forget, but make it so it won’t happen again. Show them they can be safe again without killing, and maybe one day they’ll have birthdays, schools, jobs, and pizza on Friday night, like they used to. Carl tells Rick to take Judith on walks like they had, because she’ll remember. He tells Rick that he loves him. Rick sees Michonne walking hand-in-hand with Judith.

Michonne lies on the bed, pondering. She checks the nightstand. There’s a letter for Negan in the drawer. I’m hoping somehow, Rick and Negan can work together as frenemies. Not just because I think Jeffrey Dean Morgan is nearly everything on this show, but there’s a tremendous amount of story potential there. Please, Walking Dead, don’t blow another opportunity.

Gregory tells Simon that he came back to make amends. Simon is pissed because Gregory made him look like an ass. Gregory says his intel wasn’t current. Juice and momentum can give you a chance in the game. He had it, and did it. Maggie had Hilltop by the nut, and he didn’t know it. He wants to make it right with Negan. Simon tells him that he’s Negan, and not in the collective sense, but he’s assumed control. Negan no longer in the field of play. Gregory calls Simon, the man, and says he knew he could do it. Negan had a big personality, but was too unconventional. Simon is a leader. Simon tells Gregory that’s why he can’t be seen going easy on him. He has the juice and momentum, and wants to keep it. Ergo, Gregory goes. Gregory says the stupid troglodytes at the Sanctuary can’t advise him in community affairs and politics. Simon tells him, it’s ended. Gregory says he’s achieved, survived, and suffered too much. He’s been reborn as a certified sh*t-kicker. It’s not going to end with him wandering into the wilderness with his d*ck in his hand. Gregory says, he is the juice. Simon throws him to the ground. He says he wasn’t going to send Gregory away; he was going to kill him. He asks if Gregory can make coffee, and Gregory says, the best in the land. Simon tells him they’ll start with coffee, and see where it goes. Is this a date?

The Oceanside people go through the woods. Still trying to convince them to fight, Aaron is there, and is so dehydrated and weak, he can barely fight off a zombie. Cyndie says they made their choice. If wants to die in the woods, that’s his.

Eugene shows the Savior ladies the dish he’s made – mac and cheese with sardines – a staple from his college days. It’s a lasting energy source. He eats some, and says it takes him back. It’s all that’s on the menu until the order is complete. He reminds everyone that their lives are on lock. Negan is MIA, and Simon has taken over. They need to be lickety-quick, but he thinks the best they can hope for, is to squeeze out the bare minimum needed to stop Simon from finding out how short they are. Gabriel coughs up a lung, and Eugene tells him to keep his mask on. He either has influenza or cocca-something. Either way, it’s airborne or he would be dead.

He brings a bullet over to Gabriel, and asks him to feel it. Morgan says the imperfection was intentional. He wanted to make it so didn’t work. He doesn’t want anyone to die. Eugene asks if he wants to die, and Gabriel says he doesn’t want to hep him, but does fear death. He thinks maybe it’s God’s way of showing he’s still the same person who locked his parishioners out. He’s still the same scared animal, doing what he can to survive. Eugene tells him to find an unobtrusive corner; he’s off the line. He tells Gabriel to try not to cry too loud. He’s going outside to test rounds not compromised by Gabriel’s chicanery.

Eugene goes outside, and is ambushed by Daryl and Rosita. They spirit him away.

Dwight goes out for a smoke, and hears Negan’s whistle. Negan asks him if he’s surprised. He shouldn’t be. Dwight says they found his car, and Simon thought – Negan cuts him off, telling him it was a real punch in the d*ck (his second favorite word). Rick cornered him with those decomposed a-holes, and Dwight and Simon never showed. He knows what they were thinking, and wants to know if Dwight remembers who he is. He tells Dwight the conversation is just between them. Dwight says, Simon is his number two, and he thought Negan would want him to go by Simon’s call. Dwight says, he’s Negan. Negan says, good; that’s what he likes to hear. He tells Dwight that when time comes, and it will, to remember this talk. Remember what they’ve done, and can still do together. Dwight looks relieved.

In the boardroom, Simon tells Negan that he thought Negan had been killed, and he was gone. Negan polishes Lucille. Simon admits he lacks discipline, and made it personal. That’s why he moved it from infection to extermination at Hilltop. Things went bad, but he owns it, and asks for a pass. He’ll make it up to Negan; he promises. Negan smiles, and ask if Simon remembers when he took this place; when Simon helped him? He wasn’t sure he wanted to keep Simon on board before he had a system in place. Simon had killed all those people in a settlement long ago. People think that’s psychotic sh*t from a demented, broken ghoul. That’s someone you don’t want to work with, let alone stand next to. He figured he’d figure keep an eye on Simon, and everything seemed to work out until this point. He tells Simon he needs him on his knees. Simon gets ready for a bat in the head, but Negan says, all is forgiven. Get his ass up; they’re good. Simon tells Negan that he won’t let him down. Negan says he appreciates the hell out of that.

Negan has a board meeting, and a Savior takes out a map. Negan points, saying this is where they start. They don’t have to take Hilltop, but they’re going to make sure the farmers can’t leave. If they poke their heads out, the Saviors will clip their asses. They’re going to have teams 24/7, sniping them one by one, until they have full contrition. Simon is happy to have Negan back, and Negan says it’s good to be back. Negan tells them clear out, except for Dwight. He wants to kick around some things. I’m sure Dwight thinks one of those things is his head.

Negan tells Dwight he’s smart as hell. No matter what, he didn’t stew or do anything stupid. He just went about the business of getting his. Nothing shook him. He kept his eyes on what could keep him alive and well. He tells Dwight to keep on keeping that sh*t clear. Dwight nods, and Negan smiles.

Eugene suspects he’s alive because they have a nostalgia for comradery, but he’ll give them space until they’re ready to break the ice. Daryl pulls out a large knife, telling Eugene to shut his mouth or he’ll cut Eugene’s tongue out. Rosita tells Daryl to keep on moving; they’re going to be looking for him. Eugene thanks her, and she tells him to shut up. He tells her that she’s the one who told him making bullets would save lives. He thought the crack of a bat would be the last thing he’d hear, and then thought Negan would torture him, but he didn’t. He gave Eugene a chance to live. Rosita says everyone who has died since then is on him. He says Rick pushed to take the Savior’s home. Rosita pulls out her gun, calling him a selfish coward and a traitor. He turned his back on the friends he had, and didn’t give a rat’s ass about them. They’re going to stick him in the darkest hole, and the only time he’ll come out is when need him to teach them something. He’ll get his wish and live, but they’ll be forcing him to do something useful with his pathetic life.

Dwight writes things on the map. There’s a knock at the door, and he hides everything. It’s Simon, who says, it went well. The status quo has been re-achieved. He asks why Dwight was held back, and Dwight says, for a pep talk. Simon tells him they need to have a serious talk with others who are less than thrilled with the current management. It saddens him, but the time has come to gather like-minded individuals to gather strength, and do what need to do. He tells Dwight to think about what Negan has done to him. Everything he’s extracted; every indignity. He knows what he has to do. They’re meeting in the courtyard after rounds, and going to begin what’s next. Dwight says, all right, and Simon grabs his shoulders, and says, yes, my boy. Well, if it was a tossup I don’t think I’d pick Simon.

Daryl shoots some zombies with arrows.  While the zombies are being a distraction, Eugene sticks his fingers down his throat, and makes himself throw up on Rosita. Considering what he ate, that’s pretty disgusting, but she barely flinches. He takes off, and she shoots at him, but he gets through a hole in a fence. She and Daryl follow. Rosita says they can’t let him get back, and suggests they blow his head off. As soon as they pass, Eugene comes out from under a pile of ashes and mess.

Aaron is sleeping in the woods. It starts to rain, and he gets some water from a can nearby. He hears zombie sounds, and takes out his knife. It’s a mean-looking one, and he pikes it in the head. If we were in a 42nd Street movie theatre, I’d yell, look out behind you! Another zombie grabs him, and they fall together. Aaron loses the knife, and the zombie grabs at his legs. He manages to kick its brain out of its head, but here comes another one. The knife is lost, but he grabs a pokey stick, and skewers it. Yet one more comes, knocking him down, and it’s inches from his face only separated from him by the stick. He gets the upper hand, and beats the non-living crap out of it with the stick. He lies there, rain pouring down, surrounded by the now dead undead.

Someone asks if he’s dead. It’s the Oceansiders. He says they left him. It’s what the Saviors turned them into. They lie, they don’t trust, and don’t live the way they want because of the Saviors. The Saviors hurt them, and will keep on hurting them, unless they do one thing – fight. They just look at him vacantly, and I’m thinking this group seriously lacks personality. Give them a personality or get rid of them.

Commercial break. Red Machete is still not happening for me.

Dwight waits in the courtyard. The others come out, Gregory among them. Simon tells them that if they’re here right now, they’re in. They can talk about approaches and finesses, but they’re in; no take backs. They need to make it quick, quiet, and respectful. Negan has done a lot for them, and deserves it. He says Dwight has legit personal issues with Negan, so the kill is his if he wants it. Something quiet – not a knife, that’s too personal. Maybe a silencer. Then they’ll set a break to start healing. The destruction of Hilltop and its people, and then get on with their lives. He says, right, Dwight?

We hear whistling, and I literally lol. Negan says he’ll take it from here. He says, three… two… one… There are gunshots, and the renegade Saviors drop, save for Gregory, Simon, and Dwight. Two Saviors come out for Simon. Simon lunges at Negan, who says there’s the Simon he knows. He’s coming at him, instead of doing that backstabbing bullsh*t. He asks, why? After everything he did for Simon. He killed the garbage people, when Negan specifically told him not to do that. He pounds on one of the dead Saviors with Lucille. He says after all this, him being him, he’s still going to give Simon his share. If you want to be the man, you got to beat the man. If he can do that, then hell, he should be the man.

Inside everyone gathers. Simon blathers about how they have to get to work when this is done, and how he didn’t want this, but the Sanctuary must stand. As he’s talking, he catches Negan off-guard with a punch. He gets his bearings, and they fight. I’m just a little worried, since Negan is wearing his leather jacket, which probably isn’t a good idea. Negan gives Simon a head-butt. Simon goes down, and Negan kicks him in the face. Gregory inches away. Dwight grabs him, and tells him to get out now. He gives Gregory a map, telling him to give it to Rick. It’s about tomorrow, and the only move they’ve got. He hands Gregory some car keys. Hopefully, he won’t just keep driving.

Negan straddles Simon, strangling him. Finally, he lies still. Negan gets up, and says, what an a-hole. I realize my mouth is open. The crowd was certainly quiet about it. I have to admit, I’ll be glad I won’t have to work around writing Simon says anymore.

Gregory is shoved into the pen at Hilltop. Maggie gives the map to Rick. End Negan, end the risk, is written on it, along with something about where they’ll be. Maggie asks what they’re going to do.

Negan tells Dwight that Simon was a d*ckless worm. What else could he do but crush his throat? But what was bad for Simon, is good for him. They’ve had their ups and downs, but he’s always been able to count on Dwight. He’d like Dwight to be his right-hand man, if he’ll accept the promotion. Dwight agrees. He wants to help Negan finish things with Rick. Negan tells him not to sell himself short. He already has.

Laura, who knew Dwight was a traitor, is in his room. Negan says he found her on the side of the road. She says in Alexandria, he killed their team. She ran and kept running. She wanted to expose him for the scum weasel he is. Negan says it makes sense. He told RIck when to attack, and how to get to the outpost. He’s been slipping workers guns, and maybe even lied about Shari. He thinks he’s some sort of hero, but he’s a nobody and way over his head. When he said Dwight comes through when he’s needed, he meant it. He knew he could count on him delivering the plan to Rick – the brilliant fake-ass plan. He used Gregory. Negan thought he’d take a field trip, but he got a delivery boy; good for him. All that intel will lead them directly into the line of fire. They won’t know what hit them, all thanks to his new right-hand man. He’d thought about killing him, but that was too dignified for a backstabbing, double-crossing dirtbag. Negan says he has plans for Dwight, and laughs.

Looking all angry and rumpled, Eugene tells the workers that they have to prepare to protect the Sanctuary. Negan is back, and they’re going to finish Hilltop. A messenger tells him Negan needs the bullet order by tomorrow. He says to give Negan his personal congratulations on his return. His request will be filled in its entirety, and on time. If he needs bullets, he’s going to get them. All of them. They’re going to rise to the occasion, and will change Savior history forever. He tells Gabriel, all hands on deck. He’s going to be sorting shells. Follow his lead, or cry and die. He says, here we go. He quotes Rosita, saying, time to do something useful with their pathetic lives.

Yay! Simon is a zombie chained to the fence. He’s a good one too; a snapping maniac. Negan is on the deck, and Michonne radios him from a rooftop nearby. He asks if Rick is with her, and to put him on. She says this isn’t about Rick; it’s about Carl. Carl wrote him a letter, and she’s delivering it because that’s what he wanted. Negan says he can’t promise not to kill the messenger, and she tells him, shut up and listen. She reads.

Carl tells Negan that he was helping someone, and got bit. Now he’s gone. Negan might be gone, but he doesn’t think so. He wonders if Negan is working on a way out. Maybe got out. Maybe he thinks it’s a lost cause, and wants to kill them all. He wishes he could have asked if Negan feels that he has to be who he is. If this is what he wanted or wished he could have. The way out is forgiveness. There doesn’t have to be a fight. He hopes his dad offers peace, and he takes it. He hopes things can change. It did for him. He can still start over. Negan listens to every word so thoughtfully, I want to cry.

Negan says, there is no getting out of it now. He wouldn’t accept surrender if they were on their knees. Winning isn’t about beating them, but killing every last one of them. That is starting over. He never wanted this. Rick made it happen. Tell him that. No more talk. He throws the radio down and stomps on it, along with my storyline dreams.

Next week – both the finale of The Walking Dead (at 9 pm), and the premiere of Fear the Walking Dead (at 10 pm). Morgan tells Rick to finish it, the Saviors attack, and Dwight is sent to Jaundice Jadis. I can’t wait to see Fear, since they’re setting up camp in an amusement park. Abandoned amusement parks are creepy all on their own. Add zombies, and you can’t lose.

🍹 A Quick Wives Note…

🍑 The Real Housewives of Atlanta know how to pour on the glam. It was part one of their reunion, and Porsha went full-on princess with a tiara, mammoth jeweled earrings, and a blue velvet gown. Although she claimed to be a goddess because she’s grown. The earrings were all huge, sparkly, and fabulous. Only Kandi was slightly lower key with the accessories, but made up for it with the bling on her gown. NeNe was in red lace and fringe. Kenya was in a frilly yellow explosion. She confirmed her pregnancy, but she never did actually say, I’m pregnant, which made me wonder if the bun is in someone else’s oven. Cynthia had the most glamorous, Rapunzel-like side ponytail ever, and was wearing a red gown fit for a quinceañera. Marlo joined them swathed in lavender cotton candy. Only Sheree was a bit of a disappointment. Her gigantic emerald earrings passed, but she was covered all the way to her chin in a gown of silken material that did not look good on film. She said it was Gucci. Was it his nun period? I wondered if her new felon man doesn’t want her showing any skin. A viewer even pointed out that she seemed unusually covered up this season.

🏰 The Real Housewives of Potomac has mostly centered around Karen’s tax issues, since apparently her husband owes the government. They moved out of the neighborhood, although her idea of downsizing isn’t like the average person’s idea. I guess now they only have 6000 square feet and one pool. What blew my mind though, were the rest of them demanding answers from her like it was their right to know. I’m not a huge fan of Karen’s, but they were like a pack of vultures.

WeekendOver

WeekendGoodby

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 6, 2018 – Betsy Spills to Drew, One Good Quote & My Best Girl

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

Due to unexpected business, this week, it’s just GH and one quote, but it’s a good one.

General Hospital

Jason tells Sonny might be going out of town. Carly tells them that she has to go to her old house to meet the inspector.

Nelle gets there first, checking to see if anyone is around. She’s sorry she had to steal a key from Josslyn, but it’s for a good cause. Let the haunting begin.

Kim asks how Oscar’s return to the outside world was. He tells her about meeting Josslyn at Kelly’s, and how he told her about the evening with Drew. Kim says it was a nice time, that’s all. He thinks it was more than that. He heard her talking to Julian, saying she never loved anyone like she did Drew and hasn’t gotten over him.

Drew wants to get the doctor, but Betsy wants him to get Bobby. She needs to tell him about Jim. Drew asks if she can tell him. He really needs to know.

Franco wants Doc to hypnotize him right now, but Doc says not until he’s totally calm. Franco says he is; why won’t Doc help him? Doc says it won’t work until he’s ready. Franco says he is, and would do it himself if he could. He wants his life back. Doc tells him that he can’t force it; they’ll give it a go again tomorrow. Franco says tomorrow might be too late.

Jim tells Elizabeth to do as he says, and they won’t get hurt. She asks him to let Jake go, but he says, no, and takes her purse. He says she’s going to drive out, keeping her eyes straight ahead. They’re looking for him on his own, and won’t look twice at two adults and a child.

Carly asks Jason what’s going on with Sam. He tells her, good news. Sam took Danny and Scout on a trip. Carly wonders how that’s good news, and he says she needs time away to focus on herself and the kids; time away from him and Drew. Carly says Sam doesn’t need time away from him, but she’ll follow her heart back to him, the sooner the better. Jason says maybe she’ll realize she needs to be alone. He’s okay with anything, unless she goes back to Drew. He says she’s not herself with him. She lacks confidence, and is always waiting for his approval and smoothing things over. I’ve actually never gotten that from their relationship, and wonder how Jason made this judgement after only being on the scene a short time. He says it’s not his place to interfere; it still isn’t. Sam has to figure out what’s right for her. He tells Carly to promise not to interfere; no set-ups, no pressure, nothing. That’s like asking one of my dogs not to covet my dinner. He says if Sam comes back, it will be the happiest day of his life, but if it doesn’t happen, as long as she’s strong, confident, and truly happy, it will be okay. Carly agrees Sam should do what makes her happy, and is sure she will when she comes back and runs into his arms. When that happens, Carly is going to need him to tell her she was right, and wants a witness. Sonny comes back in, and asks, a witness to what? That’s probably a touchy word with Sonny. Carly has to leave, and says she’ll let Jason tell him. Sonny asks if he really wants to know.

Nelle plugs a home control device into an outlet in Carly’s living room. She messes with the app on her phone, making the lights blink.

Oscar tells Kim it’s what she said. She tells him the thing with eavesdropping – besides being rude and invading privacy – is that it’s out of context. He heard the tail end of a conversation that was personal, and it’s none of his business. Oscar asks how, when Drew is his dad? She tells him to get some rest. He understands if she’s not comfortable discussing Drew with him, but says she shouldn’t be talking Julian either. She should be talking to Drew.

Drew asks what scared Betsy? She says she was dreaming. She saw Jim a moment ago in her room.

Franco tells Doc that Elizabeth came to see him. She brought Jake, and it tore him up. He wants to go home, and needs to remember. Doc knows patience isn’t Franco’s strong suit, but if he tries to force he memories, he might undo everything that got him to this point. Is he willing to risk that?

Jake tells Elizabeth they were told in school to never get in a car like this. As Bo Deitl told us: never go to crime scene number two. Jim tells Elizabeth to shut him up, and get in the car. Elizabeth asks Jake if he trusts her, and tells him to do exactly what she says – run! Jake takes off, and she pushes Jim back.

Jason tells sonny that Spinelli is in Europe, hoping to gain access to Faison’s safety deposit boxes by posing as Henrik. Sonny asks if he doesn’t think Spinelli will screw that up. Jason tells him about Spinelli’s contingency plan. Sonny assumes the plan is if Spinelli gets in trouble, Jason picks him up. Jason says it’s more elaborate than that, and might not come to it. Sonny says Spinelli is a genius in the computer world, but in the real world, he’ll blow it. He tells Jason that he should bring along Anna; she wants Henrik more than anybody. Jason says she’s cooperative, but there’s definitely something she’s not saying. Sonny says anything to do with Faison is personal to her, and Jason says it’s the same with his son. He doesn’t know why, but she seems too close.

He asks how Mike is, and Sonny says there are good days bad days. He tells Jason about Mike recording some old times on Michael’s phone. He say everything was great, then he went on a tangent about a field in Croton, and something that happened years ago, Jason says, so? Sonny says, Mike was never there. He couldn’t possibly know what happened.

Carly gets to her house, and leaves a message for the inspector. The lights start to flicker. Carly wonders when this started. Hiding upstairs, Nelle smiles.

Betsy tells Drew that it felt real; her mind must be playing tricks. He tells her that Jim is a fugitive. If he comes back, he’ll be arrested on sight. He says they haven’t found him, but there’s no way for him to get past them. She’s safe. She says she’s not worried about herself; she’s afraid for Bobby.

Doc tells Franco that they’ll try again tomorrow. If he wants success, go home, and get some sleep. Franco says he has no home until this is resolved, but can stay in Kiki’s spare room. Doc doesn’t think he should drive, and says he’ll call Franco an Uber. Okay, Franco is an Uber. BA-DUM-CHH!

Jim says that was a big mistake. Elizabeth says it’s all over for him, and he tells her to get in the car. Jakes shows back up and tells Jim to get away from his mom. Great move, kid, instead of running to get help.

Sonny explains to Jason that when he worked for Joe Skully and was moving up in the organization, he was proving his loyalty. Joe said there was a problem with a guy who wasn’t trustworthy, and he asked Sonny to meet him. He just said there was problem. It was as simple as that. He got there, and Skully wasn’t mad; he was casual, and didn’t even stop watching TV. He told Sonny he was going to be driving to Croton, and don’t forget to bring his shovel. There was a body wrapped in plastic in the trunk. He took care of the problem in a field. There was no one and nothing around for miles. Jason asks if that was the end of it, and Sonny says, until Mike brought it up, it didn’t even exist. His dad wasn’t there. How would he know?

The inspector calls Carly, saying it will be an hour. The lights blink and go out. Wouldn’t she think it was a problem from the earthquake? I guess not. She asks if anyone is there, and hears something upstairs. Nelle makes sounds with the app, and smiles.

Drew tells Betsy that Jim tried to hurt Bobby and failed; he’s running for his life. She says he doesn’t understand, and he asks her to help him. Tell him what happened. She says she raised them like brothers. You’d think two boys would be a handful, but not them. They were rambunctious, but sweet. They hardly fought, and would play for hours together. It was all her fault, bringing in Jim. He seemed so nice and charming, and then Bobby started acting out. At the time, she didn’t know why, but looking back, realized what happened, and what caused the fall down the stairs. She continues to talk, but we don’t hear the rest of what she says to Drew.

Elizabeth tries to run. Jim tries to get Jake to come, but he won’t, and Elizabeth pokes him in the eye. He pushes her down, and tells her to get in the car. Franco is suddenly there, and Jim says, looks what he did. He calls Franco Bobby, and says it’s all his fault. Hmm… I don’t know if Franco is taking the bait this time. He looks pretty staunch.

Jim tells Elizabeth and Jake to get in the car. Franco rushes Jim, causing him to drop the gun, and Elizabeth and Jake run. Jim reaches for the gun, but Franco pulls him back. They tussle on the ground.

Sonny tells Jason that Mike came and went. The times he saw him, Mike lectured him that Skully was bad news. He thought, who was Mike to tell him how to live his life? It was his business. He knows now that Mike was trying to stop him from making a choice he couldn’t take back. Maybe if he’d listened, he’d have a different life. Skully was offering what he was offering, and he took it with both hands. He’s not complaining; look at what he built. Jason asks if Croton was the only job like that. Sonny says there were a few others, but Mike wasn’t there. He’s sure he never told him. Jason wonders if Mike knew someone else who worked for Skully. Sonny says, maybe, but who knows what he remembers these days?

Carly goes upstairs, and asks if anyone is there. She goes into Morgan’s room, and closes the door. She gets nostalgic, like this is the time, and picks up a baseball glove. She holds it to her chest, and says, Morgan, my baby. She hears creaking, and picks up the bat. She looks in the closet, and there’s nothing there. Not much in the way of clothing either. Did he live there?

Kim is glad Oscar is getting to know his father. Oscar says having him there felt easy, like they all belonged together. He never knew how much he wanted that. Doesn’t she feel the same way? She say the Drew she was talking about, the one she knew, the Navy SEAL, doesn’t even remember being that person or spending time with her. When talks about not being over Drew, she means the Drew of the past, not the one here the other night. The one she was in love with is gone, and he’s not coming back. Oscar says he left her something, and she says, yeah, him. Oscar says besides him, and takes out the CD. He says she can’t seem to throw it away.

Drew leaves Betsy’s room. He sees Doc, who asks if he’s all right. Drew doesn’t think so. He felt guilty about Betsy freaking out. Doc says he doesn’t think Drew was the cause, but Drew says he went to apologize. She said she needed to talk to Franco about Jim, and he asks if she could tell him instead. She told him how he fell down the stairs, and how it relates to Jim. Elizabeth and Jake run in. Elizabeth tells them that Jim was in the garage, and had a gun. He tried to force them into the car, but Franco stopped him. They were fighting, but she doesn’t know what happened.

Franco punches Jim out. Jim says he’s his friend. Franco puts his hands around Jim’s throat.

Sonny tells Jason that the other day, Mike said remembered him as a kid, kicking the can. He got the day right, and the other kid right, but Sonny doesn’t remember him being there. Jason says maybe he wanted to be there or wished he was, and convinced himself. Sonny says Griff told him that Mike’s mind would play tricks. One day he forgets what he had for breakfast, but remembers a sandwich from the 80s. Jason asks what the harm is. At some point, Mike won’t remember anything. Let him have his memories now. Sonny says he told Mike that he remembered him being there. Maybe he was there. Memory is unreliable, but he can tell Jason for sure that Mike was not anywhere near the field in Croton.

Carly goes back to the living room, and texts Bobbie, saying the inspector was a no show. Bobbie texts back, saying she’ll reschedule. Carly is about to leave, and hears footsteps. She picks up the bat again, and the lights come on.

Oscar says the CD is special; Drew made it for her. She says not the Drew he knows; he’s different now. Oscar says there must be a reason she kept it. It should have been recycled. He says if she doesn’t care, he’ll take it right now, but she doesn’t have to pretend like she doesn’t have feelings about it. Kim tells him, that’s enough; it’s late. She already told him how she feels. She hugs him, and he goes to his room. She looks at the CD.

Elizabeth says the police are on the way. She asks Doc to stay with Jake; she’s going with Drew. Jake asks, what now? and Doc says the police have been called. Jake says what if it’s too late? Jim had gun. If he shoots Franco, it’s all his fault.

Jim tells Franco, you know me. Franco says, he does, and Jim will never hurt him or anyone he loves again. He continues to punch Jim. Jim says he’ll turn himself in, and when Franco pauses, he punches Franco in the face, and grabs for gun.

Sonny says that his dad enjoyed himself at “Luke’s.” Jason thinks everyone has a good time. Sonny says some of them don’t like him, or even despise him, but they came for Mike. Jason says he never understood the value of memory. He couldn’t miss a childhood he didn’t know. The other night, he realized how much he’s been through, and how much people mean to him. He sees their faces, remembering the good and bad times, and knows they share that. It’s good Sonny was able to give Mike back some of his missing history for a little while. Sonny says they had a good conversation afterward. Mike was lucid, and it was good to see him in the present. Now it’s a guessing game as to which Mike is coming into the room. Maybe he did see Sonny kicking cans, but the Croton thing worries him. If Mike knows something, what does he know, and what has he said without realizing?

Carly goes back to Morgan’s room. Nelle sneaks back to the living room, unplugs the device, and leaves.  Carly picks up the mitt, and tells herself to pull it together. She says the earthquake messed with the lights. She sees a framed photo of Morgan, and the glass is broken.

Kim looks at the CD, and puts it in her laptop. She listens, and smiles.

Jake tells Doc that Jim is big and mean. His mom tried fighting him, but she was too little, and he threw her on the ground. He wanted them to get in the car, but they wouldn’t. Franco show up. Jim called Franco Bobby, and said weird stuff. For a minute, Franco didn’t move, then he tackled Jim, and they ran away. Doc tells Jake that he doesn’t think he messed up; he had no control over the situation, but kept his head. He did everything he could to help his mom, and it was brave of him. Jake says his mom and Franco are the brave ones.

Drew and Elizabeth get to the garage, but there’s no one there, and no car. Elizabeth wonders what happened to them.

On Monday, Josslyn tells Michael he should get back together with Nelle, Elizabeth goes to Jordan about Jim, and Carly raises the bat.

🔉  Quote of the Week

We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.Martin Luther King, Jr. Now if only the people who claim to follow his teachings, would actually listen to what he had to say.

😎 Juliet sez…

Juliet2014

Enjoy yer weekend!

 

April 5, 2018 – Jim is a Snake, the Return of the Charming South & a Kitten

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

In the hospital parking garage, Drew asks Jake, how about that earthquake? like it’s the Mets. Jake says some of his friend’s houses got wrecked, but he guesses they’re okay. Drew asks what brings them by. Elizabeth says they’re visiting Franco, and Jake says he’s been sick. Drew says that’s why he’s there.

Inside the hospital, Jim acts shifty, and avoids David.

Josslyn and Oscar go to Kelly’s. He orders an incredible amount of food, telling her that he’s going crazy, since he just got loose. Josslyn tells him not to go too crazy. She promised his mom they’d be low key.

Julian brings Kim flowers. He says it’s quiet, and she says Oscar couldn’t wait to escape. Putting on his Captain Obvious hat, Julian says, so she’s alone.

Jake wonders why Drew would be seeing Franco, since he doesn’t like him. Elizabeth is like, hey, but Drew says it’s a fair question. He tells Jake that sometimes feelings change when you understand someone more, and you shouldn’t judge until you’ve walked in their shoes. He’s actually there to see Franco’s mom. He hopes she can help him understand Franco more. Jake says Franco is seeing Doc, and hopes they both help. He wants Franco to come home.

Franco cries, and says he can’t. It doesn’t matter; no one would believe him. Doc tells him to take a breath, and remember that Doc can bring him out any time if it’s too painful. He asks if Franco can continue. Can he tell him why he’s so afraid of Jim? Franco cries, saying, he hurts me. Doc asks what Jim did to hurt him.

Jim slithers around, and grabs some scrubs.

Jake wants to show Franco his award. Elizabeth says they’re surprising him in a good way. He runs off for some kid reason. Drew tells Elizabeth he wants to help, and hopes Betsy is more forthcoming; her stories go back and forth. Elizabeth says she could be reacting out of fear. Drew hopes he can make her feel safe and she tells truth, especially about what happened with Franco and Jim. Elizabeth is a little freaked out because Drew is being so amazing. He supposes she knows about Sam. Elizabeth knows she hurt Drew, and never wanted him to feel that pain again. He says they’re good. He doesn’t want his wife to be confused about who she loves. They both deserve better than that.

Kim suggests some wine. Julian says he can’t fault Oscar’s style, getting locked in a freezer with his girlfriend. Kim says she wants to pull her hair out. Even now, she’s anxious. Julian says she can’t protect him forever or blame herself if something goes wrong. If it hadn’t been for crooked Jim, they’d have had the party at his place. Kim asks what’s up with Jim? The last she heard, he was accused of trying to kill Drew and Franco. Julian says she just saw Drew, and wonders why the subject didn’t come up. What were they talking about that he’d forget something so important?

David meets Kiki at Kelly’s. He’s glad she called. He assumed she was avoiding him, and hopes this means she’s over being upset.

Doc tells Franco that he’s going deeper; total relaxation. Franco puts his head on the desk. Doc says, twice as deep… three times. He’s in a state of total relaxation. He’s being taken back to a time in his childhood, when he instinctively knew something wasn’t right. He’s safe. Franco says his mom isn’t around, and Jim is scary when she’s not around. He’s just pretending to be nice, and says they’re friends. Doc asks why he’s frightened, and Franco says because they’re not friends. Andy is his friend; Jim is phony, bringing toys. Andy feels left out, but he can have Franco’s toy. Uncle Jim is bringing Andy a toy, but he tells Andy that he can’t take it. Jim says he’s jealous, but that’s not why. Doc says he’s safe, and asks him why. Franco says, stop it… no… no… he’ll tell mom. Doc asks what’s happening, then tells Franco to close his eyes, and slowly come out. I wonder, why now? He tells Franco to open his eyes when he feels ready. In his mind, Franco sees Jim in the hotel room.

Elizabeth tells Drew that she heard about Franco’s panic attack at the hotel, and that Drew rescued him. Drew says he just wants to know the truth too. She tells him that Betsy is under sedation, and pretty fragile. Jake comes back from wherever he disappeared to, and Elizabeth tells Drew that she knows he’ll get through the rough patch and find happiness.

Kim tells Julian that Drew was there to visit Oscar. Maybe he didn’t want to talk about it in front of his son. Julian says after their time in his office, they promised to be honest. She says she’s trying to. He tells her if it has nothing to do with Drew, maybe it’s him or her. She asks what he’s talking about, and he says, her hesitation. He didn’t expect her to be walking on stars, but would love to continue to be friends, and possibly more.

Josslyn tells Oscar there’s no way he’s going to finish the mass quantity of food he ordered. He suggests she help him. Josslyn says he’s back to his old self, and Oscar adds, but better. He has her, his mom, and for the first time, his dad.

Kiki says upset doesn’t begin to cover how she feels. Try furious. David knew what he was doing. He said he was the final vote, and then kissed her like it was payment due. David says he misunderstood. She doesn’t want his explanations or the book, and she’s turning down the program. He says he was under the impression she wanted more than friendship. He read the signals wrong.

Franco hears Jim calling him a bad boy, and saying everyone knows it. If he tells, it will kill his mother and Andy will hate him. Franco doesn’t care; he’s going to tell. Jim says he’ll cause more trouble for his mom, Andy, and himself. Is that what he wants? Franco says, no, but he has to do something to make it stop. Doc tells Franco to look at him, and asks if he can hear him. Franco says Jim wants to hurt mom and Andy. He has to do something. He says, no! and ducks away from Jim.

Betsy tells Francesca that she wants to see her son. Drew asks for a visit, but she wants to see Bobby. Francesca offers to see if he’s still there. Drew asks if she’d mind a few words, and Betsy nods. Francesca says Betsy is not to be upset or agitated. Betsy asks if Jim sent him. Drew says he knows Jim had her locked up, and he’s sorry. Franco was desperate to find her; so was he. He tells her that Jim is long gone. She asks who he is, and he says Andrew Cain. Andy. He’s the boy she took in; the boy she gave away.

Francesca says she has some samples she’s about to send out; she’ll go get them. We see she was talking to Jim, who’s now wearing a lab coat.

Doc tells Franco he’s counting backward, and to realize that it was the past; there’s no reason to be frightened. He begins to count, and tells Franco to recognize he’s in a safe place. Doc is with him, and no one can hurt him. The memories are in the past, and are no threat in the present. He’s fully awake and aware; safe and unafraid. How does he feel?

Betsy says Drew looks wonderful; all grown up. She’s so sorry. He says from what he hears, she treated him like her own son. She took him in, and gave him a home when she didn’t have to. She tells him that he was a delight. A sweet, dear boy; affectionate, generous, and smart. He was on his way to reading. He was a joy to have. He thanks her. He says he doesn’t want to upset her, but has some questions for Bobby’s sake. There’s no blame, and he’s not ungrateful. She’s the only mother he ever had. He needs to know what happened. Why did she send him away? Because Franco pushed him? Jim peeks into the room.

Julian senses Kim’s shift has something to do with Drew. Kim says he might want to know because Sam is his daughter, but Sam and Drew aren’t together. She thinks it has something to do with Jason, since Carly said it was only a matter of time. Julian thanks her for telling him. He wishes Alexis had told him, but he’s been excommunicated from the family. He asks what happens next, and she says nothing needs to change between them. Julian says he’s not talking about them. What about her and Oscar’s father?

Oscar tells Josslyn that he made Drew feel better; at least that’s what he said. Josslyn asks what happened. He says he doesn’t know everything, but Drew said he and Sam broke up. Josslyn says, that’s huge. Did they say what happened? What did his mom do? Oscar says she served them ice cream.

David tells Kiki that he thought they had chemistry. She says, no. She told him that she didn’t want to be touched. Does that sound like chemistry? He thought she was denying her feelings. Last night, she said she’d overreacted and apologized. She says she thanked him for the Shadow Program, and he tried to kiss her. She never sent out signals, and never wanted him. She’s going to the board, and telling them to choose another candidate. David says, absolutely not. She can’t do that.

Drew asks Betsy why she felt the need to send him away. Was it dangerous for him there? Was she trying to protect him. Betsy nods. He thanks her, and asks if it was Bobby or Jim. She sees Jim outside the door, and yells, nooo!

Doc asks Franco if he knows where he is. Franco says in Doc’s office. Doc asks how he feels, and he says he’s going to kill Jim. Doc says it’s better than being terrified like he was a few minutes ago. Franco doesn’t understand what’s happening to him. Doc sits on the floor with him, and says what he’s experiencing is abreaction. Reliving a traumatic event can be therapeutic, cathartic, and helpful, but sometimes it can lead to more harm. He took him out of it because he was suffering. Franco says he was close to figuring it out. Doc tells him that his well-being is more important. It’s not going to happen in one session. Franco says he was right there, and he has to do something. Doc asks, like what? Franco doesn’t know. Doc thinks putting him under again today could be detrimental or dangerous, but if they do it again, he needs to know Jim can’t hurt him. I’m not sure how Doc can say that, considering Jim nearly just buried Franco alive.

Betsy yells, no; don’t let him in, and Drew says he’s sorry. Francesca runs in. Drew tells her he doesn’t know what happened. Francesca says she’ll get a doctor, and Drew tells Betsy to breathe.

Doc tells Franco it’s not a race get to his memories, but a way to do it safely. Franco wants to do it now. Doc says it’s exploratory not experiential. Instead of reliving it, he wants to explore the events. Franco has to remove himself from his feelings. Franco says he has trouble with that, so how? Doc says they’ll work together – safely. Doc checks his phone, and says something urgent came up. He asks if Franco will be all right alone for a while; he’ll be back. After he leaves, Elizabeth comes in, and asks if Franco is okay. He says he’s better now, and she says she has a surprise if he’s up for it. Jake runs to Franco and hugs him. Franco says Jake has no idea how glad he is to see him, and they have a group hug.

David tells Kiki that rejecting the Shadow Program will be a slap in the face of the committee. She’ll look ungrateful and unfocused. Kiki says it’s better than owing him something. He says it’s not worth throwing away the chance of a lifetime. She suggests maybe he’s more concerned about how it looks for him. He thinks she has potential. She’s gifted; he believes that from the beginning when she was just a nurses’ aid. He encouraged her to do more, but she got into pre-med and med school on her own. She deserves the compliments, and he never wants her to think he didn’t mean them. The only one who doesn’t believe in her, is her.

Josslyn says Oscar’s mom found out the love of her life is free, and all she did was serve ice cream? Oscar says it was awesome being to together like a real family. He never knew how much he wanted it until then. He wishes it could be like that all the time. Josslyn says now that Drew is single, he might get his wish.

Julian tells Kim that Drew just lost his wife. Not to just any man, but his brother. Kim thinks the only thing he can handle is putting one foot in front of the other right now. He and Oscar bonded, and they had a nice time. That’s all there is to it. He says he’s accepted that he and Alexis have gone their separate ways when he found out she and Finn were serious. It was like a door slammed in his face. Now a door opened up for Kim. Is she not going through it? Is there no hope for a future with Drew?

Franco complements Jake, who says Franco is the one who taught him. Jake wants to paint with him, and Aiden wants to play his new video game with him. He tells Franco that his prize was a gift card to the art supply place he likes, and wants them to go together. Franco tells him to say the word. Jake asks when Franco is coming home. Elizabeth says they can’t put a time line on it, and Franco says he wants to, but can’t right now. He says he’s trying. He wants to get better and show them he belongs there, and hopes he’s welcomed if he ever gets there.

David tells Kiki to promise she won’t turn down this golden opportunity. She can think of him as a jerk, but keep her position. She knows it’s an incredible opportunity, but if she keeps it, she doesn’t want any favors. David says it’s all good, and hopefully, they can get back to the productive work relationship they had. They had an easy rapport. He asks if she forgives him, and she says she has to get to work. She leaves, and I take that as a no.

Doc comes to Betsy’s room, and Drew tells him that he clearly said something to upset her. Doc says, maybe, maybe not, and asks what transpired before her outburst. Drew says she tried to apologize, but he told her that she didn’t have to. He thanked her, and said he didn’t blame her. Everything was calm, and he asked why she needed to send him away. Was it because of Franco or Jim? She lost it, and it looked like she had a panic attack.

Jim creeps around the parking garage. He looks at his phone and hyperventilates. He hears Elizabeth and Jake coming.

Drew tells Betsy he didn’t mean to upset her, and he’s sorry. He starts to leave, and she tells him to wait. She asks him to get Bobby. She has to tell him about Jim.

Julian and Kim make out. He accuses her of changing the subject. She tells him that he doesn’t give himself enough credit. He says Oscar will be home soon, and he should be on his way. She hopes he’s not upset with her, and he says he’s not. He’s no one to judge, and he enjoys her company either way. He asks if she still has a glimmer of hope about Drew, and she says she never felt love like she did with him. After all these years, she guesses she never got over him. Outside the door, Oscar overhears.

Francesca tells Kiki congratulations on getting in the Shadow Program. She says David stepped up, so she must have made quite an impression. Kiki says she’s lucky to have him on her side.

David listens to the message from Kiki again, like the weirdo he is starting to become.

Franco tells Doc that he needs to get back in right now. Long enough to find out about Jim. Good or bad, he needs to know now, and not just for his family.

Elizabeth tells Jake not to rub it in with Aiden about his visit. Jake says, why not? It’s so much fun. There’s the bad seed Jake that I know and love. Jim comes up behind Elizabeth with a gun. He tells her to do as he says, and they won’t get hurt.

Tomorrow, I don’t know because I had a hair appointment, missed the show, and watched a bootleg video that didn’t include a preview.

Southern Charm

We’re at a black-tie Christmas party. Patricia says there’s no craziness coming on; maybe she missed something. Kathryn and Thomas’s new girlfriend Ashley have words, ending with Kathryn telling Ashley eff you, and calling her an entitled gold digger. Ashley had hoped she and Kathryn could be cool, but Kathryn says that will never happen. Ashley calls Kathryn nothing but an egg donor.

Three months earlier…

Kathryn uses sage to get the negative stuff out, and protect her place from a-holes. If only that worked.

Cameran is HUGE, and getting ready for the new baby. She reminds us about the psychic telling her she’d be pregnant before the end of 2017. She’s been blessed with an easy pregnancy, except for the last two weeks – she’s over it. Shep brings her some fast food. Palmer Corinne is the upcoming baby’s name, and Shep asks if he can touch it. He tells Cameran he went to New York, but was on a different wavelength from his RelationShep pick. He says he put his chips on the table, but she wasn’t in the same headspace. She only spent two nights with him out of the five he was there. Cameran tells him he’s not young, and suggests dating women his own age, which is 38 today. He thinks they should go bowling, but she thinks a party at his beach house is in order.

Danni visits Kathryn in her new apartment. Kathryn thinks Thomas always doubted her ability to take care of herself, and this is showing her independence. Even though she hasn’t failed one in a year and a half, Thomas has the ability to ask for a drug test at any time, and her arm is totally black and blue. She says if it means more time with her children, she’ll do it. Danni tells Kathryn that she realized she and her fiancé weren’t meant for each other, so they broke it off. Kathryn says the one thing Thomas agreed to was getting rid of the nanny, who she thinks stands between her and the children.

In his interview, Thomas says he has a new kid-friendly house, but misses his downtown compound. Soon to be ex-nanny Diedre shows him some learning games he’ll need to do with the kids. New girlfriend Ashley shows up. Thomas met her in California and they’ve been inseparable ever since.

Danni asks if Kathryn has met Ashley, but she says, no. Her three-year-old told her about a woman sleeping in daddy’s bed. She thinks it’s clear what Ashley’s intention is. She tells Danni that it’s lucky Ashley is a hospice nurse. It will come in handy.

Naomie comes by Chelsea’s salon. She also has a new house, and we see Craig moving stuff into his. They gave it their best shot, but it didn’t work out. He says nothing was ever good enough, and we flash back to how mean she was to him. He’s now sharing a house with best friend Sean. They celebrate by having a beer.

Naomie says she misses Craig, but then remembers how bad it was. We flash back to her airing their dirty laundry. She says the good ones are either already taken, work too much, or have an STD. She asks about Austen, and Chelsea says he quit his job and hasn’t been working. He still lives a frat boy style. She was constantly picking up the tab for dinner, and he was totally okay with it. She says he and his friends were out at a bar, and met up with a bachelorette party. Then he showed up at her house at 3 am, and thought she’d be cool with a booty call. That was a no.

In his interview, Austen tells us he quit his job because it wasn’t working out. They wanted him to move to Savannah, and he wasn’t down with that, but he’s getting a lot done being unemployed. We see him napping, drinking, and playing with his phone. Shep joins him on the balcony of a bar. Austen tells him, happy birthday, but Shep says he’s not into birthdays – starting now. Austen says that he thought he and Chelsea were getting along great. He told her they should be exclusive or move on, and thought it was cut and dried, but it wasn’t with her. He met up with another girl, who turned out to be a friend of hers, and she wasn’t comfortable with that.

Chelsea tells Naomie that she’s not mad, but she and the friend are not homegirls anymore.

Austen says he ended things with the friend, and thinks clearly something is holding him back. Shep asks if he has any residual feelings for Chelsea, and Austen says the door is ajar.

Whitney meets Shep for lunch. Shep guzzles a water, saying he was out late last night. Whitney tells Shep that Patricia has a gentleman caller, and he thinks an engagement is coming. We see Patricia admiring a ring with a rock the size of Rhode Island, and telling Whitney it’s a promise ring, but could be bigger. Whitney says he found out about one of Patricia’s marriages by telegram. He suggests having a grown-up birthday at Shep’s house. Shep says he has a friend who’s a party planner, and wants to recruit Craig for the food department. Whitney asks if Shep thinks Craig will pick up. Shep says they’re good, and we flash back to the party where they called each other drunken a-holes, and Craig pounded Shep on the leg. Whitney bets Shep twenty bucks that Craig doesn’t pick up. Craig picks up on the first ring. Shep tells him about the party, and Craig is psyched to be the chef. Shep tells Whitney not to forget his twenty bucks.

Thomas visits JD (bleh). We see a headline about him ditching the rent bills for his bar. Ha-ha-ha! He tells Thomas he’s back in the guest house, and they have drink. JD says technically, he and Elizabeth have been separated for a couple months, but he doesn’t want to talk about it until he knows what’s happening. He says the stress made their problems apparent, and he didn’t get her support. He whines about her saying she didn’t love him anymore, and says it snowballed. A week went by, and he didn’t hear a word. Thomas asks what that tells him, and JD says she took off her ring, and he took off his.

Craig meets Shep at a butcher shop, and they pick out meat for the cookout. Craig says Shep is doing his best to adult. He’s glad they’re friends again, since being at each other’s throats was exhausting. Craig asks who’s coming, and Shep says Naomie will be there. It’s the first time Craig is going to see her since they separated. He’s not sure what to do. In his interview, he says you can’t google something like that. He amends that, saying you can, but he doesn’t know what would come up. Shep says Thomas’s new girlfriend is coming, and Craig doesn’t think Kathryn has met her yet. Shep is like, oh great.

Party planner Katie is making Shep look like he knows what he’s doing. Craig arrives with trays of ribs, chicken, and other meat. He’s also embroidered an apron for Shep. Shep shows him the grill, which is mammoth. Like all of us, they have a problem getting the fire going. Shep suggests using the gas, but Craig holds steadfast.

Ashley babbles to Thomas about what to wear, and gives him a fashion show. In his interview, Thomas says Ashley is very different from Kathryn. She has beautiful manners, which he doesn’t see with Kathryn. She puts on booty shorts, then says she doesn’t want to look like a hoochie while meeting people for the first time. Thomas votes yes on the shorts. I’m wondering how long this could possibly last.

Katie and her staff are taking a half hour before dinner happens, leaving Shep and Craig alone to argue over grilling. Austen walks in with two beers in a six pack carton. He gives Shep a book for his birthday, and Shep is all excited because it’s something he’s watching on PBS. Craig googles some stuff about grilling. Austen explains that they’re going to need some appetizers, and wonders what kind of sh*t birthday party this is without Tostitos and salsa. Austen is sent to store for cheese cubes.

Naomie goes to Chelsea’s place for a kiki before Shep’s party. Danni and Kathryn arrive next. Chelsea asks Kathryn if she’s had sex with Shep, and my mouth falls open. Not only is Kathryn now getting along with this group, apparently, they’re pretty close. Or very rude. She doesn’t remember it too well, since it was long ago – which doesn’t say much for Shep’s skills – but he made her shower beforehand because he’s anal about his sheets.

Austen brings back a crudité tray and some other finger food.

Naomie tells the girls that Elizabeth isn’t coming because JD roped her into watching the kids. They all talk about what a sh*t JD is, and Kathryn compares him to Thomas. Naomie says the good old boys band together and have the power. She’s hoping Craig doesn’t bring anyone.

Thomas – being the juvenile that he is – wonders what Kathryn’s reaction will be seeing Ashley in the shorts. She wonders if she’s dressing for Kathryn. She asks if Thomas will protect her from Kathryn, like there might be a throw down.

Shep calls the bartender over for advice about the grill, even though he tells Shep that he’s no cook. Craig babbles irrationally, and tells Shep not to do sh*t he doesn’t know about. Shep uses the same tongs on the ribs that he used on the chicken, and Craig nearly has apoplexy. In his interview, Shep is incredibly chill about Craig, attributing it to the break-up. Craig continues to ramble. Shep asks if he can put paper plates in the oven.

Pasta salad has appeared. Shep says Craig is frazzled, although I think the word insane might fit him better right now. Austen thinks they should test the ribs, but Shep says the tongs are now radioactive.

Chelsea says she and Austen are seeing what happens. Naomie asks Kathryn is she’s cool about meeting Ashley, and Kathryn says, Ashley who?  Thomas hasn’t even told her that he has a new girlfriend. They all think it’s weird to move across the country to be with someone you don’t know. Chelsea says, some girls are thirsty. Kathryn adds, dehydrated, making them all laugh. She says she’s not involved in drama anymore. She’s into her life and kids and girlfriends. Chelsea says she has her side chicks.

Shep says they’re getting there, despite the friction.

Naomie tells the girls that at the end of the day, they’re all they’ve got. They drink to women [sic] empowerment.

Thomas and Ashley arrive at Shep’s party. We hear the honey bee theme song, It’s Easy, while everyone gets up and leaves for the party in slow motion.

To be continued…

This season, polo, Cameran has the baby, Craig wonders what Naomie finds wrong with his sewing, Kathryn realizes she has a support system, and Ashley doesn’t go over too well with the others.

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