And on Monday, Chase asks Brook if she thinks going after Linc is still worth it; Elizabeth wonders if Nikolas wants to protect her or himself; Curtis asks what Selina is doing at the club; and Cody has a proposition for someone.
🎸 Side Gig Within Main Gig…
Apparently, Cameron has a band IRL. It is really good of GH to let him perform his own material on the show. The ultimate in product placement.
Originally written under his pseudonym Richard Bachman, this is actually one of my favorite Stephen King books. I’m shocked they’re making it into a movie, since I haven’t met one other person who’s read it.
There are three classes of men; lovers of wisdom, lovers of honor, and lovers of gain. – Plato
You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor. – Aristotle
Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful. – Joshua J. Marine
We need to give each other space so that we may both give and receive such beautiful things as ideas, openness, dignity, joy, healing and inclusion. – Max de Pree
Popularity should be no scale for the election of politicians. If it would depend on popularity, Donald Duck and The Muppets would take seats in senate. – Orson Welles (Well…)
A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life. – Charles Darwin
We don’t apologize for our mistakes; we erase them. – Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum), Jurassic World: Dominion
We all make mistakes, have struggles, and even regret things in our past. But you are not your mistakes, you are not your struggles, and you are here now, with the power to shape your day and your future. – Steve Maraboli
A man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself. – John Stuart Mill
Don’t grieve. Anything you lose comes round in another form. – Rumi
🎶 If That’s All There Is, Then Let’s Keep Dancing…
See you on Monday, when I assume the soap will be readjusted, and we’ll see what’s on Deck. Until then, stay safe, stay always moving forward, and stay being wise, prudent, and sensible. Most of the time.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Cody says, Britt’s guess is as good as his, and she says, if that’s his story, stick to it. He says, she doesn’t believe him? and she asks why she should. She barely knows who he is.
Mac says he needs to learn more about this guy before potentially blowing his world apart, and letting him know he could be his dad. Felicia says, then do some research into his life, his background, and if Mac needs some help, he has her P.I. skills at his disposal. Mac says, it might be better if they forget the whole thing, and Felicia asks if he can do that. Maxie tells him, just do his research, and find out if Cody is his son. At least he’ll know. Mac says he doesn’t need to know. As far as he’s concerned, whoever Cody Bell is can remain a mystery forever.
Dante’s phone rings, and he says, Connor. Are they missing him already or what?… Say that again.
Jordan tells Rory, she needs him to process the prisoners awaiting transport to Pentenville, and he says, no problem. She says, there is one he’s familiar with. She needs his assurance that he can maintain a professional distance, and he says, yes, ma’am. She goes into the interrogation room, and tells Spencer, Officer Cabrera will take it from here.
At the hospital, Nikolas says, what does Frank mean, he’s not on the list? That’s his wife in there. Frank says, those are his orders, and Nikolas says, those might be Frank’s orders, but they’re not his. Sonny may be Frank’s boss, but he’s not Nikolas’s. Frank says, actually, Mr. Corinthos didn’t suggest Nikolas can’t go in. Miss Jerome did.
Victor says, nice of Sonny to join him, and Sonny says, join him? He’s the one who called the meeting. Victor says, he did, and Sonny is now six minutes late. Sonny says, let him cut to the chase. Victor has made a lot of messes, and he wants to know how Victor’s going to clean them up. Victor says, it would help if Sonny could be more specific. Everyone thinks he leaves a path of destruction wherever he goes, yet no one seems to come up with evidence to support that notion. Sonny says, that’s because Victor is good at covering up his tracks, and Victor says, that makes two of them. Sonny says, there’s a difference between them. He doesn’t let his family go down for crimes he’s committed. Victor says, just his employees and best friends, and Sonny asks what Victor is going to do for Spencer, now that he’s going to prison because he covered for Victor. Victor tells him, don’t you worry. He can protect his family. Sonny says, like he protected Ava?
Nikolas asks if Frank is saying Ava asked for him to be kept out, and Frank says, yes. Trina says, maybe Ava isn’t up for visitors. Maybe they can go get a coffee, and try later. Frank says, Trina can go right in. Ava is expecting her. Nikolas asks her to tell his wife that he’s going to see Spencer off to Pentenville, and Trina says, of course (🍷). He says, hopefully by then, she’ll have reconsidered.
Rory tells Spencer to put his personal effects in the envelope; anything of value he wants kept there. He can take his chances with intake at Pentenville, but items often go missing. Spencer says, thanks, but it’s not his first rodeo. He puts his watch and wallet in the envelope, and says he can take care of himself. Rory says he hopes that’s true; not just for Spencer’s sake, but the people who care about him.
Trina goes into Ava’s room, and Ava says she’s so happy to see her. Trina hugs Ava, and says, she thought she almost lost Ava, but Ava says, never. She’ll always be here for Trina.
Dante says he’ll be in touch, and Sam asks if everything’s okay. He says, that was his neighbor. His brother was visiting and saw the moving truck outside. He wants to put an offer on the house. Sam says, a good offer? and he says, like 20 grand over whatever the market value is. She says, he wouldn’t even have to list it. That’s great… isn’t it? He says, it is. He just hadn’t even thought about putting it on the market yet. Sam asks if he’s keeping his options open, but he says, hell no. He’s all in. But that is the house he shared with Lulu. She says, it must be weird to think of other people living there, and he says, it’s not that. It just feels like a decision he should be making with her. Sam says, it’s a big decision. Once he decides to sell, it’s final. It’s a good thing he doesn’t have to decide tonight. Think about it. Sleep on it. He says, that’s an excellent idea, and kisses her. She says she has another. Will he top off her glass of champagne?
Maxie asks why Mac doesn’t want to know if Cody is his son, and Mac says, after all these years, what difference does it make? Felicia says, it makes a huge difference to both of them. Just because Cody is an adult, doesn’t mean he’s not entitled to the truth. Maxie says, and this is Mac’s chance to have a child with his very own DNA. He says, Maxie is more than enough for him, and Maxie says, she’s sure a lot of the time, she was too much. He’s been such a great father to her, and Georgie. Felicia says, not a day goes by they’re not grateful for that, and Maxie says, if Cody is his son, she’s okay with it. She’s not going to feel threatened. He asks if they can just drop the subject, and Felicia says, they just want to make sure this is really how he feels. He says, it is, and Maxie says she still wants to know why. He says, if Cody is his son with Dominique, just knowing that might be too high of a price. Felicia asks what he’s talking about, and he says he’s talking about what it could do to their family.
Cody says, okay, so what is this Mac guy asking Britt about him? and she says, general stuff. How they met, his movements at the party… He wonders why Mac was asking that, and she says, probably to eliminate Cody as a suspect. He has to account for everybody’s whereabouts at the time Ava was attacked. Cody says, fine. Britt just told Mac that he was with her, right? She says she’s not sure it came up. She probably forgot. He says, she kissed him, and she laughs, and says, he kissed her. He says, fine, have it her way. It’s just his luck. A stranger comes to a new town, they get accused of murder. Britt says, has this happened to him before? Answer the question. How many murder investigations has he been questioned in? He says he’s been a lot of things in his life. Skydiver, stuntman, stable hand… She says, hustler, card shark… and he says, yeah, well, one thing he’s not is a cold-blooded killer. She knows that, right? She says she wouldn’t be standing here if he was, and he asks if she thinks he needs a lawyer. She says she doesn’t know, and he says, does she know how expensive lawyers are? She says she does, and he says, on a stable hand’s salary? Maybe it’s time to pull up stakes and get out of Dodge. She says, maybe it is, if he has something to hide.
Felicia tells Mac, she doesn’t understand. What risk could Cody possibly pose to their family? He doesn’t answer, and Maxie says she has an appointment she needs to get to. She thanks Felicia for babysitting, says, Mac, and leaves. Felicia asks Mac what he’s so afraid of, and he says he doesn’t know. Change? He loves the life they’ve built together, and it wasn’t easy. She says she knows, and he says, losing Georgie and Nathan, gaining three beautiful grandchildren. They’ve been doing so much; he finally feels like they’ve got a little bit of peace. He just doesn’t want anything to disrupt it. She says, life is change, and she wouldn’t begrudge him the opportunity to be there for Cody if Cody turns out to be his son. He says, at least they won’t be strapped with dirty diapers and those awkward conversations about adolescence, and she says, there’ll be plenty of awkward conversations. But just like he welcomed Maxie and Georgie as his own, she doesn’t need blood ties to welcome Cody into their family.
Rory says, Spencer can hand in his phone now, or before transport leaves, and Spencer says he’ll hang onto it, thanks. Rory says, no problem. Just make sure to memorize his contact’s number, and leave his lawyer’s information with that person. Spencer says, his grandmother is his contact, and out of town, and Rory says, get a new one. His grandmother’s husband maybe? Spencer says, maybe, and Rory picks up the envelope and starts to leave, but he stops. He says, when he saw Spencer and Trina at her party, he got the sense they weren’t finished; that there were still things they needed to say. Spencer says, Rory is mistaken. He and Trina are done, and they’re both moving on. So Rory has nothing to worry about. Rory says he’s not worried. He just doesn’t want Spencer haunting them from prison. He leaves.
Ava asks if Trina had any trouble getting in to see her, and Trina says, Frank let her come right in. She’s glad Ava has protection, but she hates that Ava is still in danger, and Ava says, that makes two of them. Trina asks what the police said. Do they have any idea who could have done this to her? Ava says, the police are following up on leads, and ruling people out. As for her, she has some thoughts of her own. Trina says, who? and Ava says, forget it. It turns out her personal prime suspect has an alibi, and couldn’t have done it. Trina says she saw Mr. Cassadine when she arrived, and Frank wouldn’t let him in.
At the station, Nikolas tells Jordan that he was with Elizabeth at the time, and she says she knows he couldn’t have physically carried out the crime. He asks what she’s implying, and she says she’s not implying anything. She just needs facts to get her closer to what happened and who’s responsible. He says, after he sees his son. Where’s Spencer? She says, most spouses in his position would be more cooperative, and he says he’s happy to cooperate, after he’s seen his son. She says, Spencer’s in interrogation. Feel free to go in. He thanks her, and she says, but before he goes, be sure to leave his information with the desk sergeant so they can arrange an interview.
Victor tells Sonny, Ava has a host of enemies, with threats coming at her from every corner. It’s almost impossible to keep her fully protected. Sonny says, not if she was targeted; that hits close to home. Victor asks what he’s insinuating, and Sonny asks if everything is copacetic between Nikolas and Ava. Victor says, it’s a little volatile at times, but Nikolas and Ava love each other fiercely. If Sonny thinks his nephew could ever… Sonny smiles, and Victor says, his nephew is completely devoted to his wife, and Sonny says, really?So devoted that Ava was staying at the MetroCourt? Because he dropped Avery off the other day, and he was surprised Ava was there. He thought maybe she was tired of staying with Esme, but that doesn’t make any sense, because Esme’s gone; she’s vanished. Does Victor know anything about that? Victor says he could ask Sonny the same. After all, Sonny snatched Esme off the street. Sonny says, let him tell Victor something right now. If he or Nikolas had anything to do with hurting Ava, they’re going to answer to him. Victor says, they don’t have to be adversaries surely. After all, they share family. Sonny says, don’t call me Shirley asks if anybody in Victor’s family actually talks to him, and Victor says, does anyone in Sonny’s? He answered Sonny’s summons, and tolerated his baseless insinuations. Cast aspersions on his family again, and Victor will cease being a gentleman. Sonny says, all right, and gets up. Stay away from Avery’s mother. And don’t make Sonny have to call him again. He claps Victor on the shoulder, says, old pal, and leaves.
Ava tells Trina, when she and Nikolas are getting along, it’s magic. But when they’re not, it’s curses. But enough about her. She wants to hear about Trina. How is she enjoying her vindication? Trina says, for starters, PCU reinstated her as a student, and Ava says, that’s great news. She’s so happy for Trina. Trina thanks her, and says, she felt guilty meeting with the PCU administration while Ava was there in the hospital. Ava says, that’s sweet of her, but there’s nothing Trina could have done for her. She’s happy Trina is taking care of herself. Trina says, she just thought Ava would be one of the first people to celebrate her returning from school, and Ava says, damn straight she would. Trina says, her parents did throw her a party, and Ava says she hates to miss a good party. How was it? Trina says, fun, and Ava says, that doesn’t sound very convincing. What happened? Trina says, an unexpected guest showed up.
Nikolas walks into the interrogation room, and Spencer yells, get out! Nikolas says he knows Spencer doesn’t want to see him, and Spencer asks when he figured that out. Was he not clear when they spoke? They’re done. Nikolas says, Spencer is going to prison, and he’s terrified. Spencer says he doesn’t care. If Nikolas doesn’t get out of here in ten seconds, Spencer will march out there and tell Commissioner Ashford exactly what Nikolas and Ava were arguing about at the picnic.
While unpacking boxes, Dante says, if Sam comes across Rocco’s gaming console, that would be the key to peace and happiness in this house. Sam asks if Cody didn’t borrow some horse race game, and Dante says, yeah, those are pretty expensive. Sam says, he seems like a pretty honest guy, and he says, seems like it. She wonders what Sonny was talking to Cody about, and Dante says, who knows? She says, Cody seems like a pretty harmless guy, but Dante says, looks can be deceiving. She asks what that’s supposed to mean, and Dante says, like he told her, when they were kids, Cody didn’t like to follow the rules. She says, that’s when they were kids. That was a long time ago. Dante says, that’s true. We do a lot of living between adolescence and growing up. Sam says, doesn’t she know it. She’s done a lot of things she regrets. She’s sure, back in the day, Cody played some tricks on some camp counselors, but that doesn’t mean he’s up to something now.
Cody tells Britt, he’s human. They all have something to hide. He’s sure she has plenty. She says she used to, but all the bad, wicked, criminal stuff all came out. She’s practically an open book. He says he bets there’s something, but she says, there isn’t. Anyway, this is about him. I can’t afford a lawyer; I’ve got to leave town. Overreaction much? He says he woudn’t have to consider leaving town if she’d given him an alibi, and she says she’s sorry. She only gives alibis after the third date, and since they’ve only been out once… He says, she’s right. She doesn’t owe him anything. See ya. He starts to leave, and she says, he’s really going to up and leave Port Charles? and he says, does she not want him to leave town? She says, his buddy Dante would be relieved that he escaped the Britch, but she’s good either way. He says he thinks she’d miss him, for several minutes, and she says, maybe a minute, but several is pushing it. He says, okay. Possibly he overreacted, but since he was a kid, he’s been operating on flight or fight mode. She says, why not stay and fight? and he asks if she wants him to fight. She says, as long as he doesn’t sucker punch Mac like he did Scotty, when Maxie comes to the door. He says he makes no promises. It sounds like the guy deserves it. Maxie walks in, and asks, what did he just say? Did he just threaten her stepdad? Britt says, Maxie… but Maxie says she’d like to hear this from Cody. Why does he want to hit Mac? Cody says, from what he’s been hearing, Mac thinks he gutted the woman at the picnic. Britt says, Ava Jerome, and he says, who he’s never even met. So why would he try to kill her? Maxie says, she can assure him, Mac doesn’t think he attacked Ava, and he says, then why is Mac asking all these questions about him? Maxie says, because he’s the Chief of Detectives. It’s his job to ask questions. Just answer directly and honestly, and he’ll be fine. Cody laughs, and says, she’s suggesting he talk to a cop voluntarily, and Maxie says, yes. Britt says, just call Mac. She’s sure he’ll put Cody’s mind at ease. He says, cops lie, and Maxie says, Mac is not a liar. Britt flashes back to the picnic, and Mac saying, he and Cody’s mother were friends. She tells Maxie, try to look at it from Cody’s perspective.They know Mac is a good guy and just doing his job, but Cody doesn’t.
Mac looks at a family photo, and says, Cody could be Leopold’s son. That would be best for everyone. Felicia says, not for Cody. Everyone deserves a loving, compassionate father. He says, like him, and she says, like him. She knows it’s not scientific, but when he met Cody, he saw himself in him, didn’t he? He asks if she sees a resemblance, and she says, his eyes, similar twinkle. Cody’s is mischievous, while Mac’s is kind. He says, even if Cody is his, he’s an adult. How much parenting could he need? She asks how much Maxie needs, and he says, good point. She says, he’s considering Cody a liability rather than an asset. Besides change, is there another reason he’s resistant to welcoming Cody into their family? He says, no matter whose son Cody is, he’s a stranger. How do they know what kind of person he is? Felicia says, here’s a thought; they get to know him. Not just what kind of person he is, not necessarily even as a son. Just get to know him as a friend. Mac says, maybe he’s setting himself up for disappointment. What if it all goes south? She says, what if it doesn’t?
Nikolas says, Spencer will be implicating him in Ava’s attack, and Spencer says, damn straight. Victor comes in, and says, Spencer will do no such thing. He’ll continue to remain silent. Is that understood? Unless of course (🍷) he’s already let something slip while he was three sheets to the wind at that unfortunate party. Spencer says he hasn’t sold out his faithless father yet. He hasn’t even given his father a second thought. Victor asks Nikolas how his wife is, and Nikolas says he hears she’s recovering. Victor says, he hears, and Nikolas says, Ava woudn’t let him in to see her. Spencer says, is that right? Maybe everyone’s finally on to Nikolas. Nikolas says, on to him? and Victor steers Nikolas to the door, saying, they’re not having this discussion, but Nikolas says, they are. Does Spencer think he’s behind Ava’s attack? Spencer says, because Nikolas is incapable of hurting the people he loves? Let’s ask Hayden. Victor says, that’s enough. Stop this right now. He knows they’re playing with a bit of a sticky wicket right now, but it’s nothing he can’t fix if the two of them get themselves together.
Jordan tells Rory, good job. He maintained his professional demeanor while he carried out his duties with Mr. Cassadine. Not an easy task. He thanks her, and says he thinks she should know, he did talk to Spencer about Trina. She asks if there was an altercation, but he says, it was all very calm. She says, that’s fine, and thanks him for telling her. He says, at the risk of overstepping, she knows Trina’s dad pretty well. Does she have any tips on how Rory could get on his good side?
Trina says, she almost forgot to tell Ava. She sold a sculpture to an overseas collector. Ava says, that’s impressive. Maybe they should close the gallery temporarily. Trina asks, why? and Ava says, because she doesn’t want Trina spending the rest of her summer behind a desk. Trina says, she can balance her social life and work at the gallery, and Ava says, okay, but let her know if it gets to be too much, or even if she needs a break, and Trina says she will. Ava says, promise her that she won’t be at the gallery alone, especially at night. Maybe Rory could keep her company. Trina asks if Ava thinks whoever did this, could come after her, and Ava says, she doesn’t know who and she doesn’t know why, so she doesn’t know what they’re capable of. She thinks it’s best to take precautions. Trina says she’ll figure something out, and Ava says, good, but she didn’t ask Trina about work; she asked Trina about her life. Let her guess. This unexpected party guest was Spencer, wasn’t it? Trina says she just doesn’t get him. He wrote her a letter, then he tried to leave before giving it to her. He dropped it, and after she picked it up, he wouldn’t even let her read it. Ava asks, why not? and Trina tells her, because he said they weren’t friends, but then he admitted he still had some kind of connection with her, but he’s been lying this entire time. What is she supposed to do with that, especially now that Rory is in the picture? Ava says she’s going to stop Trina there, and Trina says she’s sorry. She shouldn’t be talking about something so silly when Ava almost died, but Ava says, not because of that. She’s going to tell Trina something, because you only live once, and she deserves to know. Trina asks, what is it? and Ava says, according to Spencer, he knew all along she was innocent. Trina says, but that doesn’t make any sense. He told her to her face. Ava says, it was all a ruse. He only stayed with Esme to help prove Trina was innocent.
Dante tells Sam, he would never hold the past against Cody; that was just him back then. But now Dante has a family to protect, and that includes her and Danny and Scout. She says she appreciates that, but she considers herself a good judge of character. Cody may be the guy who thinks he can take a walk on the wild side, but she thinks he’s a decent guy. Dante asks if she’s saying she likes the guy, and she says, she does, so sue her. But…? He says, but Sonny’s not the only one keeping an eye on him.
Cody says he’s not trying to offend Maxie, but her stepdad is treating him like a suspect. He’s not going to just sit around and let the PCPD build a case against him. Maxie says, what part of that’s not what’s happening here does he not understand? and he says, he’s just supposed to take her word for it? She says, yes, and he says, he’s going to go. He’ll talk to Britt later. He leaves, and Maxie says she’s starting to believe she was wrong. She does not think Britt should give that guy a second chance.
Rory tells Jordan, Mr. Taggert has been pretty distant; any advice? She says, this is overstepping, and he says, sorry. He starts to leave, and she says, but since he asked, just be himself. Taggert values authenticity. And the Buffalo Bills. He thanks her, and says, that’s good for now.
Nikolas says, someone tried to kill his wife, and Victor is calling it a sticky wicket. Victor apologizes if he sounded glib. He simply meant, there is no hurdle that, as Cassadines, they can’t clear. Nikolas says, even if he’d hurt his wife – which he didn’t – it’s nothing compared to what Victor has done, and Victor says he knows it’s been a trying 48 hours, so he’s going to overlook that remark. But he still thinks Nikolas should respect Spencer’s wishes, and leave right now. Nikolas says, fine, but no matter how many times Spencer pushes him away, he won’t give up on Spencer. He leaves, and Rory says, transport’s almost ready. Time for Spencer to say his goodbyes. Victor walks Spencer into the squad room, and Spencer stops. Victor says, what is it? and Spencer says, he just thought more people would be here. He looks at no one to say his goodbyes to.
Ava says, Spencer carried a torch for Trina for a long time, and Trina asks why he didn’t tell her. Ava says, she thinks in his bone head, he thought he was protecting her. He figured if he was honest about his feelings, Esme would make her suffer even more, and knowing Esme, Ava shudders at what she might have done. Trina says, and Spencer told Ava all of this? Ava says, in a rare moment of openness, and Trina says, maybe she’s been wrong about him. Ava says, Spencer is a spoiled, entitled young man, but she thinks he cares for Trina, and Trina says, that could be what was in the letter. Ava says, probably, and Trina says, he’s reporting to Pentenville today. That’s where Nikolas is; at the PCPD, saying goodbye to Spencer. Nikolas wanted her to tell Ava that. Ava thanks her, and Trina asks if Ava thinks she should go see Spencer, but Ava says, she thinks Trina is the only one who can decide that. But if she does see Spencer, first she thinks Trina should think long and hard about what she wants, about what she needs. Trina says she can’t believe Spencer has feelings for her, and Ava says, of course (🍷) he does. Anybody with half a brain would.
Felicia says she’ll support any decision Mac makes, and he says, even if she doesn’t agree with it? She says, if she agrees or disagrees with, it’s his call. He says he appreciates that, and she says, of course (🍷) she can’t stop Maxie from collecting DNA samples from him and Cody, and running them off to the lab. Mac says, that would be just like her, and Felicia says, Maxie loves him. She’ll feel compelled to meddle. He says, this all could be a moot point. Cody may not be interested in getting to know him, even if he turns out to be Cody’s father. She says, that’s true; he may not, but how will Mac know unless he tries.
Sam says she likes Dante around Cody; he loosens up a bit. Dante asks if she’s saying he’s uptight, and she says, he’s the guy who billed her for slashing his tires. He says, that’s because he wanted to see her again, and she says, that’s cute. It’s okay to be cautious, but she kind of likes the vibe he has going on with Cody. She approves, and that’s very generous of her. He says, it is, but maybe it’s because they just moved in together, and she’s afraid she’ll get sick of him. She says, he’s right. She’s actually regretting that decision. He says, she just wants to palm him off on his friend when she needs space, and they kiss. She says she thinks it’s healthy for him to have outside friendships, and he says, she’s right. She says she knows. She just likes when he says it. He says, she’s right, and kisses her. She asks him to move that box off the table, and he does, as he lowers her to the couch, kissing her some more.
Britt asks, what’s up with Maxie? She liked Cody an hour ago. Maxie says, that was then, and Britt says, things got heated. Maxie says, Britt wanted her to look at things from Cody’s perspective, so she’s going to do that. If she was a wandering cowpoke, why would she want to punch the Chief of Detectives? Britt says, oh please. Like the authorities have never accused Maxie of something she didn’t do. Maxie… Maxie says she’s thinking. No, the authorities always knew what she was up to; they just didn’t have sufficient evidence. Britt says, that’s the story of her life. If Cody’s not a suspect in Ava’s stabbing, then what’s the big deal? Maxie says, Cody was so defensive just now. He might not have attacked Ava, but it’s perfectly clear he’s up to no good.
Cody makes a call, and says, they met recently, and he didn’t make a good impression. Can he have a second chance to change their mind about him?
At the Grill Bar, Nikolas tells Victor, given the nature of what they’re going to discuss, he thought they would go somewhere private. Victor says, privacy is overrated. In private, people tend to raise their voices, and the next thing you know, a priceless Ming vase is in pieces on the floor. Here at least, they’ll be forced to behave, and speak in civilized tones. And if they should break anything, it can be put back together again with a dollop of Daisy glue. So why doesn’t Nikolas go first? Nikolas says he can’t believe Victor and Spencer think he’s capable of doing that to Ava, and Victor says, of course (🍷) he’s capable; everyone’s capable of everything. But regardless of that, they have bigger problems. Nikolas says, like his son going to Pentenville, and Victor says, like Sonny Corinthos asking questions about Esme.
Sonny goes to visit Ava, and she says, hello. He says she looks better, and sounds good. She’s able to say I love you to their daughter; that’s a good thing. She thanks him for that, and the security. Knowing Frank out there, she can actually feel safe when she closes her eyes. He ask what her dreams are like, and she says, that’s a different story. In sleep, she doesn’t remember too much, and when she wakes up, the pain meds help with that. He asks if she has any idea who attacked her, but she says she doesn’t. He says he has the feeling there’s something she’s not telling him. Who is he protecting her from?
Trina runs into the station, and Jordan asks if they can help her, but she runs past the desk into the interrogation room. She asks Rory if she’s too late, and he says, sorry. She missed him.
Spencer’s cell door closes and locks. He looks out through the bars.
I didn’t see a preview for tomorrow. So we’ll be surprised. Or there will be Queen Elizabeth stuff.
Southern Charm
Naomie visits Whitney, and he tells her that his mom is still in bed; she gets up at the crack of noon. Naomie asks if Patricia knows what’s going on with them, and he says, she’s familiar, whatever that means. He tells Naomie that the theme of Patricia’s gentlemen’s dinner is en français. He thinks with Naomie’s French joie de vivre and knowhow, she should co-host, but Naomie doesn’t think it’s a good idea. She didn’t hear the conversation, but Leva said Craig hates her. Whitney says, she shouldn’t give a sh*t.
Austen gets his hair cut at home, and in his interview, he says, his hair is one of the things he fusses over. He has a peanut head, so he needs volume on the sides. We see clips of his daily grooming, and the hairdresser asks, what’s up with the Olivia situation? He says he’s happy, and she asks, what’s going on with Shep and Taylor? He says, same old sh*t. Shep knows he can get away with murder. The hairdresser thinks he’s still adjusting to a real relationship.
Shep and Taylor go to lunch, and Taylor’s mom Leslie meets them. In Olivia’s interview, she says, she was a mommy’s girl growing up. Her mom’s biggest lessons were Jesus, seatbelts, and sunscreen. Her mom tells it like it is. Leslie talks about the girls trip she was on, and says she hasn’t done one in 20 years. The wine sommelier got them in trouble though. They didn’t know the wine was $250 a bottle until the bill came. Wow. I always ask those questions. I once kicked my husband under the table when he ordered the daily special of Wagyu beef without knowing how pricey it is. He changed his order. In Shep’s interview, he says, Taylor’s parents are a lot of fun. We see a clip of Shep and Taylor at the beach with them, and he says, but they’re also faith based. He’s a skeptic and cynical, so that’s definitely a chasm between him and Taylor’s family. Leslie says, the best test of a healthy relationship is how a couple disagrees. Like when you throw an egg at someone and they break it, you have to figure out how to get over it. I watch Shep get smaller, and he says he’s sorry. She says, you have to be humble, and willing to apologize. That’s how you get to be married 40 years. Shep says, it takes a while for him to be contrite.
Chef Perig and sous chef Kyle do the cooking for the gentlemen’s dinner, and Perig tells Patricia that they’re starting with escargot. He says, after that, he’s doing duck, and she asks for hers to be well-done. He says, it will be a first, which surprises me because, eww, rare duck. In Patricia’s interview, she says she knows what she likes, and she doesn’t like rare duck. She gets what she wants, and that’s that. Leva goes to one of her restaurants, where she gets together with Kathryn (who is back to red hair), Venita, Olivia, Naomie, and Taylor. Venita says, girls night is going to be good, but Kathryn and Naomie don’t look thrilled. They order cocktails, and Leva says, they’re doing a tasting menu. She announces that Naomie hooked up with Whitney. Perhaps it will bond them in some sort of awkward, weird way. Taylor says, cheers to never having hooked up with Whitney, but Kathryn says she thinks he’s a great catch. It’s not weird; he’s a genuine person. Naomie says he cares about Kathryn. She’s sorry they didn’t talk at Friendsgiving, but she was in her head about Craig. She’s sorry if she hurt Kathryn by talking to Chleb at Olivia’s. He made it seem like he was the victim. Kathryn says, he adamantly denies talking negatively about her; he’s in denial. It is what it is. She’s still processing it. In Kathryn’s interview, she says, Naomie is like the Naomie she knew years ago; she’s being real. It confuses her because she likes Naomie, and wonders, why does she have to be a bitch?
Whitney goes over stuff with bartender Becky, and Patricia makes place cards. She asks who Whitney wants to sit next to, and he says, (Brazilian model) Adriana Lima. He looks at all the replicas of the Eiffel Tower and snow globes on the table, and says, it’s tchotchke heaven. They sit and have champagne, and Patricia says she prefers it in a coupe. In Whitney’s interview, he says, his mom can be exacting, but she’s 81, and can do whatever the f*** she wants. He changes her glass, but gives her a paper cocktail napkin, which we already know she hates, and we flash back to that. In Patricia’s interview, she says, many years ago, she hosted parties in her apartment in New York. We see photos, and I’m dying. It’s one of those humongous, pre-war building apartments that you have to be a skabillionaire to afford. Even though movies and TV would have you think otherwise. She says, she had a French chef, and waiters who were trained at Buckingham Palace. Now she has Whitney. There’s a knock at the door, and Shep has to cool his heels on the porch for a while, until Patricia finally gets up and answers the door. They must really miss Michael. Shep is wearing a white suit with a black tie, and Patricia says he should wear that every night. Whitney tells Shep that the menu is 1950s French. He found old place cards, and it was like the Ghost of Christmas Past. He found Cameran. We flash back to her at one of Patricia’s dinners, and Patricia asks if Shep remembers when Thomas almost beat Whitney up. We flash back to that, and Shep says, we’ve come a long way. Patricia says, have we? and Craig arrives, followed by Austen.
At the restaurant, Kathryn says she met with a dating coach who invited her to an event. One person has a key, and the other, a matching lock, and the object is to find the right person. Naomie says, that’s not speed dating, it’s a swingers party.Don’t go. Venita orders a bottle of champagne, and Leva says, the group of them hasn’t all been together since the garden party. She tells Venita that she wasn’t invited to Friendsgiving because Austen wondered if she was just a reporter for Madison. There was an issue with her and Venita that affected their trust; Venita knows what it is. I don’t. Why isn’t she telling me? She says, she and Madison had a conversation at the dog wedding, and in Leva’s interview, she says, she told Madison that it looked like she wasn’t over Austen. We see a clip of Leva telling Madison, it doesn’t look good; let it go. She says she was looking out for Madison. If she hadn’t known better, it would have seemed like Madison wasn’t over him. Madison thought Leva was saying she seemed like she wasn’t over him, but Leva said, no; she was saying, it read like that. Madison went from zero to 100, and Leva texted Venita about it. Madison saw it on Venita’s phone, and it got bigger. In Venita’s interview, she says, Madison was holding her phone for her, and saw the texts come in. Leva says, then she got a text from Madison, and it started a war. Venita says, if you can’t take it in the open, keep your mouth shut. Venita says, it feels like Leva wants her to choose sides, and Leva says, it ended up affecting everybody.
At the gentlemen’s dinner, Shep is on a that’s-what-she-said roll. Perig starts getting annoyed that no one is at the table yet, and keeps ringing the dinner bell, but they can’t hear it. The group is getting increasingly drunk, and Patricia says, they have to wait until chef announces dinner. Perig groans, it’s so ready, it’s ridiculous. Craig spills red wine on the white sofa, and Patricia says, that sofa cost $45,000. Shep says, that’s just a day at Sewing Down South, and Patricia runs to the kitchen club soda. Whitney points out that Craig hit the white rug too. He might want to learn how to coordinate the cup with his mouth. Patricia says, Kathryn got spray tan on the same sofa, and it took them an hour and a half, but they got it off. Craig tells Whitney that he swears he didn’t do it on purpose, and in Craig’s interview, he says, this is the worst thing he’s ever done drunk, which is saying a lot. He tells Patricia, it’s inexcusable, and he’ll take care of it tomorrow. In her interview, Patricia says, her mother told her, you’re known by the company you keep. It looks like she’s a B-list f***-boy. I die laughing. I love Patricia.
Perig tells the group, it’s ready, having given up on the bell idea. They sit at the table, and Patricia tells them, don’t lean back. These are 18th century chairs she hasn’t had reglued yet. Perig attempts humor, saying, he doesn’t know who the guy is who had the idea to eat snails, but he must have been very hungry. Shep toasts to thanking Miss Pat, who’s kept her doors open to them in tough times, interesting times, and good times. He thanks her, and they clink glasses. Shep says, Craig dropped an F-bomb, and Craig says he accidently broke the chair. We see one of the chair’s legs on the floor, and Patricia says, she paid $25,000 for these chairs. In Shep’s interview, he says, sofa: $45,000. Chairs: $25,000. Craig being drunk and ruining everything: priceless. He tells Craig that his zipper down. Apparently, Craig is having a stellar night. Austen asks what Patricia thinks about Whitney and Naomie, and Patricia says, Naomie is lovely, but she’s not getting her hopes up. In her interview, she says, women come and go in Whitney’s life. She tries not to be nosy, but she pesters constantly. She asks if there are any serious relationships going on; any engagements? Craig says he’ll be disappointed if his didn’t end up that way, and Shep says, he thinks about it every day, sometimes with trepidation and fear. Patricia ask if there are obstacles in their relationship, and Shep says, the obstacle is him.
At girls night, Shep calling Taylor a f***ing idiot is brought up, and Taylor says she hears Shep’s voice in her dreams, but he didn’t mean it, so she’s good. Venita says, she can’t let him talk to her like that, but she insists he doesn’t put her down. Once in a blue moon, something comes out, and people focus on that. Leva says, there’s no excuse, and in her interview, Leva says, she’d be running for the hills. Speak to me like you love me. She teaches that to her toddler. Taylor says, God pulled on her heart, and said to stick with Shep. In Naomie’s interview, she says, Shep is a lucky man to have her. She’s an angel. God is looking out for Shep. Taylor insists Shep is really working on things, and Leva tells her to remember, in concessions, the energy Taylor spends on Shep is energy she loses for herself. In Taylor’s interview, she says, they see Shep as a hardheaded guy who’s set in his ways. She wants to prove them wrong. Leva tells her, don’t lose herself.
Craig says, Taylor really loves Shep, and Austen says he doesn’t know why. Craig asks if it’s harder to walk a straight line if there are no consequences, and Shep says he doesn’t have indiscretions. He has personality, but no morals. Patricia tells him to remember, if he’s married, he has ostensibly stay faithful to one woman for the rest of his life. Craig takes Austen to the side, and says, stuff is coming to light. Shep has a Raya profile that’s been posted to gossip websites that Taylor reads. She’s going to see it. Patricia tells Whitney to bring Austen and Craig back, and Whitney tells them to come and have dessert. The chef is making crêpes Suzette for dessert, and decides to flambé them at the table. Perig tells the group that he made a lemon sauce, using a lemon from the garden. It doesn’t work on his first try because the pan isn’t hot enough, but he reheats it, and is successful the second time around. Whitney tries to make a toast in French, and makes no sense whatsoever. Patricia says, he doesn’t know what he’s talking about, but they clink glasses anyway. Whitney thinks they should conclude the evening before another chair gets broken, and Craig asks Shep to talk to him and Austen on the piazza. They go outside, and Craig says, Shep’s Raya profile was posted on a gossip site, and it registered the last time the member logged on. It’s been posted everywhere, and Craig wanted to tell him before Taylor yells at him. Shep says, he and Taylor were in a bad place when he was in Bermuda. He wasn’t single, but in turmoil, so he went to Bermuda. Craig asks why they were in flux, and Shep says, it was after Taylor found the texts from another girl. We flash back to the Reunion, when Shep admitted to reuniting with an old flame by text. Craig says, Shep was in trouble for stepping out, so he stepped out more? and Shep says, he and Taylor had a serious talk, and he said he needed time. Craig tells him that he should hide his profile, or people are going to think they have a chance with him. In Craig’s interview, he says, Shep has a long history of this. He hopes Shep’s not cheating on Taylor, but it doesn’t sound like he cares. It’s on Shep now. He’s done his job. Craig tells Shep, if he’s cheating, it’s on him, and shows him the post on his phone. He says, unless Shep deactivates the profile, this is going to continue, and Shep says, nothing happened. It turns out there’s nobody in Bermuda. In Austen’s interview, he says, they can only have Shep’s back so much. He has to look out for Taylor. She’s like a little sister to him. Shep says, he appreciates their concern, and Austen says, they didn’t want him to be blindsided. Shep says his conscience is clear.
Next time, Shep invites the group on a trip to Georgia; Austen talks to Taylor; Shep wants Taylor to quit her job; and Craig becomes irate and unreasonable with Naomie.
💡 IMO, Naomie is just trying to be nice. I don’t think she has leftover feelings for Craig. Craig, on the other hand, is overreacting and being dramatic. Last I checked, Naomie and Paige were cool with each other. Like borrowing clothes cool. So I’m not sure what his problem is, or why he’s gossiping about her.
👑🥀 Farewell To Her Majesty…
While I’m not exactly a follower of the royals, it saddened me to hear of Queen Elizabeth’s passing. She reigned my entire life, and while she didn’t reign over my country, she was still a fixture in my world. I did spend one day during the beginning of the pandemic watching a series of documentaries on her, and I couldn’t help but admire her dedication, especially when she received the crown at such a young age. She also had such a warm, beautiful, infectious smile, it was hard not to like her.
So again, not sure how the soap will land tomorrow, but there will be tea for sure, as well as quotes and music. Until then, stay safe, stay being your own parade, and stay always trying. How will you know if your don’t?
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Robert looks at Peter’s gravestone, which has all kinds of graffiti on it and garbage lying around it, when Anna walks into the cemetery. She asks why they’re meeting here, and he says, sometimes when he’s having a bad day, he strolls past. It makes him feel better. She says she doesn’t know whether to find that funny or really disturbing, and he says, both work. She says, he didn’t do this, did he? as he rights a bench nearby. He says, no, although he might have been tempted. Apart from the midnight vandals, this is the last place on earth anyone is going to visit.
Lucy hands the pool attendant her sunscreen, and tells him, don’t be stingy. The UV rays are not messing around today. She turns around, and he starts to put sunscreen on her shoulders. She says, that’s so nice, thank you, and Victor says, he’s glad she approves. One can’t be too careful.
At the Haven Bistro, Alexis looks at The Invader headline on her tablet: Who Attacked Ava Jerome? Valentin joins her, and says, a good headline is a real balancing act, isn’t it? It has to be vivid enough to attract the eyeball, but responsible enough to not play to the dregs of humanity. She says, that’s one way of describing it, and he says, that was supposed to be a complement. She thanks him, and asks if he wants something from her. He asks why she assumes he wants something, and she says, because he’s a Cassadine. She can always tells when one of them is holding back. He says, one of us. Last he checked, they were still family.
Maxie thanks Felicia for coming over. She can’t believe her babysitter canceled at the last minute. Felicia says, hello, I’m Felicia your mom, and Maxie says, they’ve met. Felicia says, then Maxie knows she’ll take any opportunity to spend time with her grandchildren. Maxie says she still appreciates it, and Felicia asks, where are her little angels? Maxie’s phone dings, and she checks it, saying, James is at Lila’s Kids, and Bailey Lou is taking a nap. Felicia says, already? and Maxie says, that’s what happens when you get up so early. It’s Sam. Dante’s moving into the penthouse today. Felicia says, how exciting, and Maxie says, she told Sam she’d help out, but she guesses Cody has it covered. Felicia says, Cody Bell? and Maxie says, yeah. If she wasn’t seeing Austin, she could see herself looking twice at Cody. Felicia says, that would be a very bad idea.
At the hospital, Austin tells Britt, he’s just saying she’s right, and she says, yes, she is. Mac approaches them, and asks if they’ve got a minute. Britt says, if this is about the Quartermaine picnic, she already gave her statement, and Mac says, he’s read them. He’s looking for some insight. Austin says, about what? and Mac says he’s trying to put together a profile of Ava’s attacker. Not just the physical, the emotional; what kind of person might have done this. Britt says, it sounds like he needs a psychiatrist for that, and Mac says he’s looked at the guest list, and he knows most of them, but some are virtual strangers, to him at least. Britt asks if there’s any particular stranger he’s interested in, and Mac says, he’s a friend of hers – Cody Bell.
Sam tells Cody, the box goes in Rocco’s room at the top of the stairs, and Dante brings in a box for the living room. She asks, what’s that on top? and he says, her new doormat. She says she’ll be the judge of that, and asks to see it. It has arrivederci on one end, and bonjourno on the other, and she says, that’s… Cody says, that’s Italian. Dante says, si, si, senor, and shows Sam. He says, it welcomes them – he turns it – and then when they leave, it… She says, it says right there, goodbye, and he asks if she likes it. She says she likes him, and he says, but not the mat? She says, they’ll keep it in rotation, and he asks how many doormats she has. She says, a lot, and he says, as many as she has boyfriends? She says she has a lot of doormats, but only one boyfriend, and they kiss. She tells him, welcome home, and he thanks her. They kiss again.
Anna says, it doesn’t seem possible that Emma is in college, and Robert says, tell him about it. Shouldn’t she be about yay high – he holds his hand about 3 feet off the ground – running about, blowing on the digeridoo? She says, that damn digeridoo, and he says, best present ever. She says she’s surprised Robin didn’t disown him about that, and he says, him too. Is that what she wanted to talk about, Robin and the family? She says, no, and he says he didn’t think so. She says she needs his list, and he says, laundry, grocery, bucket? She says, no. The list. The one he has in that little black book; the names of every contact he’s ever encountered. He says he’ll have her know, he holds that book in very high esteem, and she says, she knows that. He says, in this digital age, has the little black book ever been hacked? and she says, no, it hasn’t. He asks if there’s ever been a glitch in it, and she says, no, there hasn’t. He says, has it ever accidentally lost any of it’s information… and she says, she gets it. He’s right; the rest of the world is completely wrong. He’s God’s gift to every little black book everywhere. Now can she see it? (I have to admit, he has a point.) He says, last he heard, she was in good standing with the Bureau, and she says, she is. She made some discreet inquiries, but it’s imperative that this stay off the record. He says, and under the radar, and she says, yeah. He asks if she’s going to tell him what the deuce this is, and she says, it has to remain between them. He says, between her, him, and the stiff here, pointing to Peter’s grave, and she says, Victor Cassadine is going down.
Lucy asks, what happened to the pool attendant? and Victor says, he’s apprenticing. Nothing like hands-on experience. She says, he’s lucky it’s her, because another woman might have called the authorities. He says, for wanting to protect her skin? and she says, doesn’t he know, you should never touch a woman without her permission? He says, a thousand apologies, ma’am. Like he said, he’s a novice; he’s learning on the job. He bets she’d make an excellent teacher.
Valentin says, she’s always been his favorite, and Alexis says, Cassadine? She should hope so. She doesn’t care for private islands or private scores to settle. She built a life for herself. She torched it, and burned it to the ground, but she built it back better than before. She says, so has he. Is he going to screw all that up by doing his father’s bidding? He says, his father’s bidding? and she tells him, admit it. He’s here on Victor’s orders, isn’t he?
Cody says, look who he found outside, and Sonny says, looks like today’s Dante’s moving day. He has something for them. He hands Sam a casserole dish, and she asks what it is. He says, homemade lasagna, and Cody says, Sonny Corinthos cooks? Dante says, he does, but Sonny just gave them a whole case of champagne. Sonny says, they can’t drink it on an empty stomach. That’s the Bensonhurst way: when you’re sad, you eat; when you’re happy you… Sam says, eat. She loves it. She thanks him, and Dante says, thank you, neighbor. Cody says, neighbor? and Dante says, he lives across the hall. He does??? Have I not been paying attention, or did they just decide this? Cody, who’s been holding a box this whole time, says, this is for the kitchen, by the way, and Dante takes it from him. Sam says she should put the lasagna in the kitchen too, and follows Dante. Frank lurks around the doorway, and Cody says, that’s pretty cool; Sonny living across from Dante. Sonny says, he and Cody have to get something straight.
Austin tells Mac, all he knows about Cody is what Maxie’s told him. He assumes Mac spoke with Maxie, but Mac says, they haven’t had contact since the picnic. Austin checks his phone, and says, he has to take care of this, but Britt’s really the one Mac should be talking to. Austin leaves, and Britt says, she really doesn’t have that much experience with Cody. Mac says, but he’s a friend of hers, and she says, a new friend. Mac asks if she’d mind telling him more about Cody.
Austin walks into an exam room, looking at his tablet, and introduces himself. He says, why don’t they start by telling him what brought them to General Hospital. He looks up, and Mason says he’ll give Austin one guess.
Maxie says, that reaction was intense, and Felicia says, sorry. Maxie asks if Felicia knows something about Cody that she doesn’t. Because from what she can tell, he’s a really good guy. A refreshing change of pace from all the city slickers in these parts; he’s an actual cowboy. Felicia says she believes he’s a good guy too, and Maxie says, but? Felicia says, there’s this possibility that Cody could be… uh… Cody could be… um… Maxie tells her, whatever it is, just say it, and Felicia says, I’ve been sniffing around – Maxie says, around Cody? – and it’s increasingly looking like Mac could be his dad.
Felicia tells Maxie, then Cody announces that Dominique Stanton is his biological mother. The woman who raised him told him on her deathbed. Maxie says, that is dramatic, but what does this have to do with Mac? Felicia says, Dominique and Mac had a romance back in the day. She was married to this horrible man, Leopold Taub. Maxie says, Peter horrible, or just run-of-the-mill horrible? and Felicia says, he was pretty bad. He was older than her, and kept her a virtual prisoner in their home, and eventually shipped her off to Shadybrook. For six months, she couldn’t talk to anybody, she couldn’t see anybody. She couldn’t even check herself out until after Leopold died. Maxie says, once that happened, did she and Mac get back together? Felicia says, they did, but they realized they weren’t right for each other. Maxie says, duh, and Felicia says, she thinks it was a nice relationship. Mac doesn’t seem to have any regrets about it at all. Maxie says, but the point is, she and Mac were together before her stint in Shadybrook. Felicia nods, and Maxie says, so if she was pregnant during that time… Felicia says, the baby could very well be his.
Britt says, honestly, there’s not much to tell, unless Cody knowing how to make an entrance is relevant, and Mac says he heard Cody parachuted into town. Britt says, did he ever, and he says, anything else? She asks, why all the questions? Mac doesn’t think Cody was involved in the attack on Ava? Mac says, he’s not a suspect, but he’s a person of interest, and Britt says, to him or the police department? He says, meaning? and she says she just knows he was friends with Cody’s mom back in the day. Is that what this is about? He thanks her for her time, and says he’ll let her get back to work. He leaves, and she says, that was weird.
Austin asks why Mason is here, and Mason says, Austin had been so busy since that picnic, the only way he could see Austin was to make an appointment. It’s time to come home; they’re expecting him. Austin says, this is his home. If anyone should be hightailing it out of here, it should be Mason. Mason asks what that means, and Austin says, the night of the picnic, Mason said they needed to take care of Ava. Shortly thereafter, she was stabbed by an unknown assailant. Is that why Mason is here? To finish what he started?
Sonny says, Cody, right? It’s good to see his son reconnecting with an old friend. Cody says, it’s been good for him too, and Sonny says, any friend of his son’s is a friend of his. So there’s something going on with Cody and Spinelli. Sonny knows Spinelli’s strange, but he’s a good person. He’d hate to see a friend of his son exploiting a good person. Cody says he gets it. He’s not doing anything now, and won’t in the future, to hurt Spinelli. Sonny says he’s going to hold Cody to that.
Alexis says, it’s not like it’s anything new. Not that long ago, she walked in, and Valentin was sitting at her desk. Is that because he likes her office so much? He says, it is a nice office, and she says, Victor wanted to use The Invader for his own purposes, and her answer was? He says, no, unequivocally, and she says, so he comes to her with this same pitch. What makes him think her answer is going to be any different? He says, because there are other people involved, and she says, who? Spencer and Nikolas? Victor doesn’t honestly believe one of them would attack Ava. He says, this isn’t about what Victor believes; it’s about public perception. She asks, why send him? If Victor is so keen on protecting Spencer and Nikolas, why doesn’t he just talk to her personally? Why is he asking Valentin to do his dirty work? More important, why is Valentin agreeing to it? Valentin says, at least consider his point-of-view, and she says, sure. She’ll speak to him personally. Valentin says, he’s afraid that’s impossible right now, and she asks, why not? He says, because at the moment, Victor is otherwise engaged.
Lucy asks if Victor had fun at the Quartermaine picnic; of course (🍷) before Ava was attacked. He says, the perpetrator will pay, and she says she didn’t know he cared. He says, Nikolas is his family. You assault his wife, you assault all of us. He pets her arm, and says, but let’s not spoil such a beautiful day with such dark thoughts. How about if he makes them a reservation for dinner, al fresco? She says she would love that, but unfortunately, she’s booked. He says, lunch then, and she says, he is persistent He says, it’s one of his many virtues, and she says, to be honest, she’s not sure the two of them being seen out dining… It might give the wrong perspective. He says, it’s a harmless lunch, but she says she doesn’t think Martin will see it as harmless. Valentin and Martin are very close. He tells her not to worry about Valentin. His lips are sealed; Victor will see to that. She says, how? and he says, don’t worry about the details. Trust him. It will be their little secret.
Robert says, if Victor’s the target, count him in, but Anna says, he can’t be involved. He says, he had this guy dead to rights when Victor came back from Greece, but the Bureau cut a deal with him. She says she understands his instinct, but she can’t risk any collateral damage. Innocent lives are at stake here. He says, all the more reason to have the Bureau involved, and she says, their calculus when it comes to human life is different from hers. He says, so what amounts to an unacceptable loss in her world? Let him guess. Would it be the initials VC, and the V doesn’t stand for Victor? She says, if the list is too big an ask, she’ll figure something else out, and he says, Valentin means that much to her? She says, does getting Victor mean this much to him? He says he hasn’t been in the field for a while. Contacts, they come, they go, they die in dark alleys. She says, they’re still standing. Who’s to say some of his contacts aren’t also? He says, okay. He’ll share it. She thanks him, and he says, there’s one condition. She says, oh God.
Alexis tells Valentin, Victor’s not the only one who’s busy; she has a paper to run. She reaches for the check, but he says he’s got this. She says, of course (🍷). The price being? He says he doesn’t know; what did she get? She says, his price, and he says, the police want the public’s help finding Ava’s assailant. She’s the voice of the public, and TheInvader’s resources could go a long way in steering the search in the right direction. She says, the direction leading anywhere except toward the Cassadines.
Lucy tells Victor, our town loves its gossip, and they seem to love to gossip about her. He says he bets she’s a favorite topic among many, and she tells him, what she’s saying is, maybe they should just keep their friendship out in the light of day; keep it public. He says, the last thing he wants to do is put her in a compromising position, but he feels like he’s getting mixed signals here. She says, from moi? and he says, at the picnic, he felt like they were on the same page. Was he wrong? She says, absolutely not, but she’s been here before, and it always ends in disaster. He says, she hasn’t been here before with him. And is this the real reason she’s hesitating, or has someone poisoned her against him? She sips her drink, and looks coy.
Cody asks if he and Sonny are good, and Sonny says, they are. Sam and Dante come back, and Dante asks, what’s up? Cody says, nothing much, except he has to take off. Let him know when they’re ready to move the rest of the stuff. Sam says, next time, they’ll repay him with a beer, and Cody says, he’d never say no to that. Congratulations on the new digs… Well, new to Dante. Sam says, it’s actually an upgrade for her, and Cody says, cool. He’ll text Dante later. He says, it was great seeing Mr. Corinthos again, and Sonny says, call him Sonny. Cody leaves, and Sonny picks up the welcome mat. He says, Dante’s? He likes it. Dante tells Sam, see? He’s got great taste. She says she agreed to keep it in rotation, and Sonny says he’s happy for them. Not just because of the apartment, but he’s glad they found each other. Sam says, they did have to take a detour to get there, and Dante says, but they made it. Sam says she’s got the doormat to prove it, and Sonny says, she does.
Maxie asks Felicia what Mac is going to do, when Mac walks in, saying, grandpa reporting for duty. Maxie says Felicia was just filling her in on Cody maybe being his son… Oh wait a minute. Please tell her that the two of them have discussed this. Mac says, they’ve danced around it. This is just the first time they’ve said it out loud. Maxie says, and he thinks mom is wrong? but he says, he thinks Felicia has it right. There’s a good chance he might be Cody’s father. Of course (🍷) they won’t know until they do a DNA test, but he honestly doesn’t know if he wants to find out. Maxie says, why not? and Mac says, he’s having a hard time accepting that he had a son all these years, and didn’t know he existed.
Mason tells Austin, take it easy. None of that Vulcan death grip stuff. Austin says, Mason was always dumb, but he thinks somehow Mason got dumber. Ava Jerome is being guarded by Sonny Corinthos’s personal bodyguard, and the Chief of Detectives is literally right down the hall. Mason says, Austin has it all wrong. He didn’t try to off that Jerome woman. He was with Austin that night. Austin says, not the whole night, and Mason says, it wasn’t him. Can they get back to the main subject? There’s a patient coming to the hospital next week. Austin is going to take a personal interest. Austin says he doesn’t take orders from Mason, but Mason says, they’re not his orders. Austin says, he doesn’t take orders from her either, and Mason asks if he thinks that’s wise. Britt comes in, and asks if Austin got her text… Sorry. She didn’t know he was with a patient. Wait… She knows him. Open mic night on The Haunted Star. He was with Austin. Mason says, Austin never introduced them. Shame on him. Austin says, his apologies, and introduces them. They shake hands, and Mason says, the pleasure’s all his. He thanks Austin for the referral, and says he’ll see Austin soon. And he’ll look for Britt too. He leaves, and Britt says, what the hell was that?
Mac tells Maxie, he was young. She was in this impossible situation. But his memory of Dominique is that she was a bright light. She was a sweet, kind, genuine person. Maxie says, but obviously she didn’t hold a candle to mom, and he says, no one could, taking Felicia’s hand. Maxie asks if he was in love with Dominique, and he says, he was, but more important, he wanted to help her. Maxie says, mom told her that Leopold guy was horrible, and Mac says, the worst. The way he treated Dominique like property, Mac was relieved when Dominique got sent to Shadybrook. Maxie says, because it got her away from him. It doesn’t sound like Dominique was the type of person who would have a baby and abandon it. Mac says he knows she wasn’t for a fact. That’s why be believes it happened when Dominique was at Shadybrook. Either they drugged her… Felicia says, or convinced her that she was hallucinating, and Mac says, something. There’s just no way Dominique knew she had a kid out there.
Sonny says he has to get to a meeting, and Sam thanks him for the lasagna. Dante says, the kids will be excited. He hopes Sonny can join them. Sonny asks if he can bring a plus one. Nina has her own apartment, but she’s staying with him. Sam says, Carly may stop by once in a while. She hopes that’s not a problem for him. Sonny says he doesn’t have a problem with that. Do they have a problem with Nina? Dante says, they’ll make it work. That’s what families do. Sonny says he loves them, and they say they love him too. Sonny leaves, and Dante says, they’re going to enjoy their new home. Sam says, that’s the plan.
Anna says she’d lay down her life for Robert, but she can’t bring him in on this. Understand? He says he’s not asking her to; this one’s off the books. But the fact Victor is involved makes it so much more dangerous. She says she can take care of herself, and he says, no one knows that better than him. She says, his one condition? and he laughs. He says, they’ve already established he’s old school, and hands her a quarter. She says, what’s this? and he says, cellphones, they break, they get confiscated, they get lost. If it all goes south, who’s she going to call? She says, he does know payphones are obsolete now, and he says, but she’s Anna Devane. She’ll find one.
Victor says, his reputation isn’t exactly sterling, and Lucy says, whose is? He says, for instance, her friend Scott Baldwin may be harboring some ill will toward him, and Lucy says, you could say that. Scotty did say something about exiting a plane at 10,000 feet, but nobody’s perfect, including her. He begs to differ, and she says, how sweet. He says, how about this? They make it a business lunch. She says she doesn’t think they’re in business together, but he says, she’s a partner in Deception, where his son is a major investor. She says, fine. Let’s make it a business lunch then. She has to go change. She’s about to leave, when he grabs her arm, and says, he’s very fond of her, but a word of caution. Don’t waste his time, in business or anything else. He kisses her hand, and she leaves.
Alexis tells Valentin, for all of Nikolas’s faults, and there are many, he actually loves Ava. He says, that’s why Victor is coming to his defense. The police are hyper focused on Nikolas, and not even considering it could be a complete stranger obsessed with Ava. It wouldn’t be the first time. She says, it’s a fair point. It’s just that his motives ring false. He says he’s just looking out for the family, and she says, doesn’t he see? That’s the false part. Since when does he care about the Cassadine legacy?
Robert says he’ll get Anna the book as soon as possible, and she says she really appreciates it. He says, one more piece of advice, and she says, just the one? He says, even if she does manage to nab Victor, there’s always going to be something. She says, he means with Valentin, and Robert says, Valentin isn’t a person who can escape his past. Good luck. He’ll help in any way he can. God knows the world is going to be a better place without Victor, but she’s still going to have that fundamental problem with Valentin, and he thinks she knows it. He leaves, and Anna says, he’s gone. Lucy comes out, and says, this is a very strange place for a meeting. Anna says she didn’t pick it, but Lucy says, it doesn’t matter. She is finished. She is over this. She’s out of here. Finito. Anna says, why? What did Victor do? Lucy says, asked her to lunch.
Alexis says she’ll think about it, and Valentin says, he’ll take it. She gestures toward the table, and says, thanks for that. He didn’t have to. He says, no problem. Maybe the next time they’ll get to have lunch together. She says she’d really like that. How’s Charlotte? She hasn’t seen her in a long time. Valentin says, you and me both. But she’s enjoying her new boarding school, her friends, her horses. Alexis says, and her papa? She bets he misses Charlotte a lot. He says, more than he can tell her, but not for much longer. She asks if he’s planning a visit, and he says, something like that.
Dante says, the boxes are here; he’s in. They’ve just got to unpack them. Where does Sam want to start? She says, before they start, she wants to let him know she actually has a plan; a well thought out, meaningful, methodical plan. He says he thought they could start upstairs and work their way down, or a better idea is to start here, and work their way upstairs to the bedroom. She says, it is good idea, but she has a better idea. She goes over to the box of champagne, and tells him, what does he say they have a toast? He says, she wants to start there? and she says, they have plenty to celebrate. He says he thinks so too, and goes to get a boxcutter.
Britt says, if Austin is trying to pull something… He says he’s not trying to pull anything. Mason is his cousin. She says, right, and he says, Pautuck. She says, except that night on The Haunted Star, he said Mason was just a guy who asked him for a light. He says, Mason is his family. Sometimes he wishes Mason was not his family. She says she knows that feeling, and he leaves. Cody comes down the hall, and says, he got Britt’s text; what’s up? She says, exactly what kind of trouble is he in?
Felicia says, another reason it makes sense that Mac is Cody’s father, if the baby was Leopold’s, he would have wanted it. Not to love and care for, but for a stronger hold on Dominique’s fortune. Maxie says, but if the baby wasn’t his, it would have come between him and the fortune. Mac says, exactly. So Leopold takes the baby Dominque didn’t even know she had – Maxie says, this is so sick – and gives it to the Bells to raise. Felicia says, Leopold is killed, and Dominique checks herself out of Shadybrook, and lives the rest of her life without knowing she has a son. Maxie says, without knowing she has a son with Mac.
Sam says she’s definitely going with the best idea ever, and Dante asks, but what happens if they have a few more glasses of champagne? Then they’re completely unmotivated for unpacking. Sam tells him, she would say they should stay unmotivated, and become re-motivated tomorrow. They have all time in the world. He says, they do, and she says she really wants him to feel at home here. He says he does, but she says, she means really at home. Like it’s his place too, not hers with his things in it, but his place. Our place with our things. He says he already feels that way. Rocco is going to be fine. It might take him a bit, but wherever Sam, Danny, and Scout are, that’s home. She says, it’s going to be amazing, and he lifts his glass, saying, to the next chapter. She says, one second, and switches the welcome mat outside with his. He says he’s never going to live that mat down. She says, now she’s ready for that toast. She loves him. He sets their glasses aside, says, he loves her more than she knows, and they kiss.
They go into an exam room, and Cody tells Britt, he wants to know what he’s accused of and by whom. She says, Mac Scorpio, and he says, never heard of him, but Britt says, he met Mac the night of the picnic; Maxie’s father, and the Chief of Detectives? Cody says, what about him? and she says, that’s what she wants to know. Why is Mac interested in him?
Mac says, the bigger thing is, if it’s true, and Cody is his, then he has an adult son he doesn’t know; that he didn’t know existed. And what does Mac owe him? What does he owe Mac? Does he even want to open that door? Maxie says, those are all fair questions, and Mac says, he needs to know more about this guy, before potentially blowing his world apart, and letting him know that he could be his dad.
Austin sees Mason, sitting on a hospital bench, munching on something from the vending machine. He says, he made himself clear. He doesn’t want Mason here, and Mason says, Austin can paralyze him as many times as he wants, it’s not going to change anything. Austin’s problem is with somebody else. Just do as he’s told, and he has nothing to worry about. Mason finishes his snack, and leaves.
Valentin says he’s not trying to get Alexis to compromise her journalistic integrity. They’re Cassadines, and if they don’t look out for each other, who will. Victor comes in, and tells them, he couldn’t have said it better himself. Alexis tells Valentin to do what he thinks is best for his family, and she’ll do what she thinks is best for hers. Victor holds the door open for her, and she leaves without a word to him.
Anna says, Lucy has to take that business lunch with Victor, but Lucy says, no. She might be the main course. Anna says, she promised Lucy that she wouldn’t be compromised, right? and Lucy says, but Victor might. Anna says she has every confidence Lucy can get the information she needs without betraying Martin. Lucy says, those words better not be idle, and Anna says, she doesn’t do idle.
Victor says, as eager as he is to hear about Valentin’s headway with Alexis, he has an important meeting. Valentin leaves, and Victor sits down. Someone comes in, and sits across from him. Victor says, nice of you to join me, and Sonny smiles at him.
Tomorrow, Felicia asks what Mac is afraid of knowing, and he says, just knowing might be too high of a price; Maxie tells Britt that she’s starting to think she was wrong; Ava says she deserves to know; and Cody asks if he’s going to need a lawyer.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
When we left, Sutton was crying in Aspen, which has the makings of a country song. It’s morning, and Kyle tells LisaR that she sent a picture of the shoes Kathy arrived in to Paris and Nicky. She doesn’t even want those shoes in her house. Her level of exhaustion is beyond. LisaR says, yesterday was crazy. Diana was out of control, but she’s in pain, and it comes out as rage. Erika comes in, and Kyle asks if she’s going skiing, but she says, she’s going snowmobiling; she’s had some knee surgeries. Kyle says, when she talks to Sutton one-on-one, she gets Sutton’s humor, and Sutton shares with her. But when they’re in the group, she can’t figure Sutton out. Erika agrees, and says, one-on-one, they have great moments, then Sutton does a 180. Kyle says, it’s classic mean girl stuff, talking about unfollowing people. On their way to Kyle’s, Sutton tells Garcelle and Sheree (not that one), she got a good night’s sleep. Garcelle says, last night was rough, and Sutton says she’s here to enjoy the snow and learn new things. She thinks snowmobiling will be challenging, especially since they’re picking up Erika. We flash back to the night before, and Sutton says, they’ll challenge themselves with their non-friend.
Kathy is still sleeping, when Kyle checks on her. She says, they’re going skiing, and Kathy puts a pillow over her head. She complains that there are no hangers, and there isn’t one inch in the closet to put one thing. Kyle finds some hangers, and asks how much space Kathy needs. It’s not a big house. She tells Kathy that Dorit went to Diana’s hotel, and in Kyle’s interview, she says, if the house she was in was triggering her anxiety, she’d leave too. We see a clip of Dorit telling Kyle that she felt uncomfortable, and Diana said she has extra room in a safe building. In her interview, Kyle says she thinks Dorit just likes nice hotels. She tells Kathy not to let her dog out, and leaves. Dorit and Crystal come over, and the ski group heads for the hotel to get Diana. Sheree tells Sutton not to go in looking at Erika as her non-friend, and Sutton says, it’s cool. Sheree says, Erika is a non-factor. Go and have fun. They pick up Erika, and in Garcelle’s interview, she says, yay.
In Dorit’s interview, she says she hasn’t been on skis in 20 years. She’s secretly freaking out in her head. The ski group picks up Diana, who complains about the altitude. Kyle says, they took some oxygen. After last night, her mind was racing. Diana says she’s going to try being civilized today, and we flash back to her nasty self calling Sutton the c-word. In Diana’s interview, she says, it just came out of her, and she can’t take it back. Kyle tells Diana that Erika is going snowmobiling. She can’t picture Sutton on a snowmobile, let alone with Erica. On the ride to the snowmobile place, you can hear a pin drop, and in her interview, Sutton says, sure is quiet in here. At the T-Lazy-7, snowmobile instructor Jesse tells them, let’s get some helmets going! and they put them on. I already want to punch him out. There are goats and llamas there, but no explanation as to what that’s about. Jesse says, it’s going to be awesome! They’re going to have a great day. No surprise, Sutton gravitates over to the animals. I would too. In Sutton’s interview, she says, animals give her calm; kind of like Jesus. They give her little blessings… Erika is not going to kill you. You’ll be okay…. Jesse says, we’re going action sports, and in Garcelle’s interview, she says, Sutton missed the entire instruction on how to drive the snowmobile. They get on, and Garcelle sits behind Sheree, while Sutton and Erika go solo. Sheree says she loves the position of power, and Garcelle says she’s calling an Uber on the way back. Meanwhile, the skiers meet with ski guide Natalie. Diana says she’s feeling the altitude, and in her interview, she says, she grew up skiing. Her father gave her a pair of skis, and said, there you go. Mauricio meets them, and Dorit says, she’s a little nervous. In her interview, she says, it’s a little scary. All she can think is, don’t break a leg. They get in the gondola lift, and Dorit says, it reminds her of the gondola in Hong Kong. We flash back to Dorit freaking out in the completely transparent car. They start to ski.
Dorit falls, and in Crystal’s interview, she says, it’s a good group; they’re all serious skiers. The worst is Dorit, but that’s because she hasn’t skied in 20 years. All Crystal knows is that she wants to beat everybody. The snowmobilers get to a rest area, Sutton bringing up the rear, and Garcelle says, they made it. Jesse asks if they’d like hot chocolate, hot cider, or tea, and they want vodka and tequila, but he says, you can’t operate motor vehicles and drink. When the skiers are done, they have bloody Marys and snacks. Dorit is the last one there, and she says she’s proud of herself. LisaR says, she picked it right back up, and Kyle says, when she and Mauricio were dating, this is what they did. He gave her the confidence. She bets the others aren’t having as much fun. Erika says she enjoyed snowmobiling, and Sutton says she got nervous. Last night got to her; Diana was tough. Erika says, it got to everybody, and Sutton says, Diana told her that she’s never sincere. She kind of doesn’t care if Diana likes her. In Garcelle’s interview, she says, if she were Sutton, she’d never talk to Diana again. Why would Sutton want to be friends with her? Sutton says, don’t ask her to apologize again, and Garcelle says, she can’t force Diana to receive it. Erika says, don’t yell at her, but there’s something in Sutton’s apologies that’s coming off as not authentic. As someone who gets in trouble with people on Instagram that she shouldn’t, Erika hopes she acknowledges what she’s done wrong. She gets struck up in the moment, and it’s pure emotion; sometimes good, sometimes not. Garcelle says, Diana will be at dinner, and asks what Sutton is going to do. Sutton says she’d rather sit next to Erika, and Erika says, that’s a bold statement. Sutton says she likes Erika, and Erika says she likes Sutton too. In her interview, Garcelle says, she thinks Sutton and Erika would get along if they dropped the bullsh*t. They’re both from the south, they’re both opinionated, and when they let their guards down, they have fun with each other. Garcelle rides behind Sutton on the way back.
Garcelle brings Crystal a pre-dinner tequila, and says, the elevation is killing her, but they had fun. She thinks with Erika and herself, they talk about it, and it’s done yesterday. Crystal says, it’s okay to have two sides, call a spade a spade, and agree to disagree. She runs out of clichés, and says, that’s mature, but the problem is when people expect the final result to be the same. Then they fight forever. Erika tells Kyle that she had a nice time with Sutton, and Kyle wonders if it’s a window of opportunity. Erika says, it was peace. They communicated, and she’ll take it. Garcelle tells Crystal, the whole earring thing is everywhere, and we flash back to their discussion about it. Crystal asks what the other women on Garcelle’s show said, and Garcelle tells her, they said, if you can help the victims, why not give back the earrings? In Garcelle’s interview, she says, the show won’t be airing for a few days, but it’s syndicated, and it’s going to ruffle some feathers. She tells Crystal, it would show she has compassion, not that she’s guilty, and Crystal says, she wouldn’t want them. Crystal wonders if Erika will be wearing them, and Garcelle says, now she’s going to be staring at Erika’s ears. Sutton has a hard time getting in the van, since she’s wearing a short dress and heels, and she’s short. I totally relate. Those vans is high up for us short people.
They meet at a restaurant, and order cocktails. Kathy says she thinks she still has stuff in storage at the Waldorf, and Erika shows Kathy her $1800 clutch that she forgot she had and never used. She says, when you’re moving, you find things you’ve overlooked. She rambles on about some of the incredibly expensive pieces she has, and in Garcelle’s interview, she says, Erika is used to a certain lifestyle, and she’s not putting together that, given the situation with Tom, now is not the time to be talking about how expensive your stuff is or how much money you’ve spent. It’s not a good look. What the f***? Garcelle asks if Erika still has the $750K earrings, and Erika says, of course she does. Garcelle wonders what $750K earrings look like, and Erika says she’ll show Garcelle tomorrow. Garcelle asks if she doesn’t want to give them up, and Erika says, she wants to do what’s right. She’s following the letter of the law, and if a judge says, give them up, she will. She didn’t sign the checks; she’s not a lawyer. Garcelle asks if she doesn’t care about suffering people, and Erika says, it’s a property fight. Garcelle asks how she separates the two; she couldn’t do it. Having compassion isn’t saying she’s guilty. Erika asks if they’re stolen, and Garcelle says she doesn’t know. Erika says, she’d tell anyone, she’s not guilty, and how dare anyone say that sh*t about her? She’s fighting like the devil. It’s justice under the law. If she’s a liar, prove it. In her interview, Garcelle says, given Erika’s response, she’s not giving Erika a heads up about The Real. Their dinner is served, and Crystal says she wants everyone’s food. So do I. Kathy is using a janky mesh bag for a purse, and she says she has nice purses, but they were too dressy, and she didn’t want to bring them. In Kyle’s interview, she says, that’s not a purse. It’s a shopping bag from a store that Kathy is trying to pull off as a purse. Aspen is a chic place. Kathy says, you can use it as a halter top or a beach bag, and I’m not sure if she’s kidding.
They all go back to the rental house, and Kyle says, holy smoke show, as she looks around. They have cocktails, and LisaR passes out edibles. In LisaR’s interview, she says, maybe that will get people dancing. This group is so f***ing hardcore and dramatic. She wants to have fun. Kathy asks for everyone’s attention, and promotes some tequila she, Nicky, and James are investors in, that she’s apparently shilled before. She says she wants everyone’s opinion, and suggests they do a bottoms up, but Erika says, the last time she was on the tequila, she cussed out Garcelle’s son. She doesn’t think it’s a good thing for her. Dorit asks Garcelle, what happened at dinner? and Garcelle says, Erika was open about not wanting to give up the earrings. She wants it to go through the legal process. In Diana’s interview, she says, if you’re that passionate about victims, put your money where your mouth is, and donate yourself. Garcelle calls Erika over, saying, they don’t want to talk behind her back. She told them Erika had been open about wanting to go through the legal process in regard to the earrings, and Erika says, she’s not doing anything not required under the law. Crystal asks if there’s something she wants to do, and Erika says, absolutely not. People sued her, she responded, and until a judge decides, that’s it. Diana says, justice is based on facts, and Crystal asks if Erika doesn’t think there’s a story of right versus the law. Erika says, the law takes precedence, and Crystal says she’d give up the earrings. Erika asks, why? To look good? Garcelle says, to show compassion, and Erika asks if Garcelle thinks she doesn’t have any. Garcelle says, she thinks Erika doesn’t want to show any because it might make her seem guilty, and Erika says, she’s not guilty. Garcelle tells her, she’s not saying Erika is, but if she does that, it could look that way. Crystal says, it’s about trying to make people whole, and Erika says, people are made whole in a court of law, not the court of public opinion. Crystal says she’s not talking about public opinion, and Erika yells, yeah, you are! She’s not letting the legal process play out. The law matters, and if you don’t understand that, get out. In her interview, Garcelle says, even if she’s innocent, Erika has had two decades of a lavish lifestyle off the backs of the victims. Erika says, it’s only one side of the story. Does she believe it just because someone said it? What are the facts? Crystal says, there are dead people, and money was stolen from the survivors. Erika asks, where are her facts? and Crystal asks if she’s saying there are no victims. Erika asks if it’s been proven, and in her interview, she says she understands people are dead, but they need to find out what did and didn’t happen to the settlement money. She tells Crystal, it’s not an issue of guilt or innocence. In LisaR’s interview, she says, this is getting in the way of her vibe. If she’d passed out the edibles earlier, everyone would be having Doritos, eating, and laughing. This is bumming her high. Erika says she doesn’t feel for the potential victims; who knows if they are or not? In Kyle’s interview, she says, if she was in Erika’s shoes, she would tell people that she cares, but just be patient with the process. Crystal says, all she thinks about are the victims, and Erika says, they shouldn’t care about anybody else but her. Alrighty then.
Kyle says, it’s not about just the law; there are victims. In Erika’s interview she says, she didn’t work there, she’s not a lawyer, she’s never met these people. Garcelle asks if Erika doesn’t believe there are victims, and Erika says, that is to be litigated. Kyle says she thought it was a given that the money was taken by Tom’s company, but Erika says, no. It’s in litigation. Kyle suggests she have compassion in the meantime, but Erika says, the only person she’s concerned about is herself. Dorit recommends Erika take a deep breath, and Erika asks why she has to pay for the sins of someone she divorced. In Dorit’s interview, she says, Erika says things in the moment that sometimes come out sideways. It’s hard to defend her. She has to take responsibility for what comes out of her mouth. Garcelle says, if Erika gives the earrings back… and Erika says, what happens? In her interview, Erika says, she’s fighting a legal battle. Stop criticizing her for defending herself. Kyle says, it’s Erika not acknowledging the victims that’s the problem, and Erika says, they’re not her victims. F-words are freely being thrown in, and Kathy tells them, stop cursing. Kyle says, people died, and there were people left in the aftermath. She doesn’t believe Erika knew where the money came from, but she’s not showing compassion. Erika asks why she should show compassion for people dogging her. Kyle tells her to stop talking like that and put herself aside, and Erika asks why Kyle is hung up on this. Kyle says Erika needs to be her own victim, and Erika yells she’s not a f***ing victim. She’s a wife left in ruin. If I was on this show, this is where I’d look at the camera like Jim in The Office. Dorit tells LisaR, they need to get her out, and in her interview, LisaR says, it’s getting to the point where you can’t come back. When she senses that, you’ve got to go. Nothing good will come from it. LisaR tells Erika, we’re leaving, and Erika grabs her fur, saying, she’s not caving because people think she should feel some way. Let it play out in court. She’s not taking responsibility for what she didn’t do. She can fight all night with these bitches. In the driveway (heated driveway, I might add), Erika yells, f*** you all! What about the facts?
Inside, Sutton says she was looking forward to a game of shuffleboard, and Garcelle says, it’s not happening, girl.
Next time, more drinking; setting a cowboy hat on fire; Erika says she’s not apologizing for sh*t; Dorit says, Crystal doesn’t know all the information, and neither does she; and Kathy gets really pissed off over Kyle’s choice of tequila.
She Finally Did It…
It was a long wait, but the fashion show finally had fashions.
Join me tomorrow for soap and some Charm. Until then, stay safe, stay always remembering your roots, and stay not trying to pull off a shopping bag from a store as a purse. Especially in Aspen.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Marshall tells Sonny, this here is a celebration. They don’t want no trouble. Sonny says he doesn’t want any trouble either. He’s there to celebrate Trina, just like everyone else. He just wants to have a minute with Curtis. Curtis says, now is not a good time, and Marshall says, Sonny heard his son. He thinks it’s best Sonny leave now. Taggert tells Portia, nothing’s going to happen, and she asks if he’s sure about that. He says, 95% sure, and she says, he likes those odds? He says, whatever happens, Sonny and Curtis can work it out, and she says she hopes he’s right. She just wanted Trina to have a lovely party to celebrate, and… it looks like she’s got some drama of her own.
Trina says, the envelope has her name on it. Did Spencer find it somewhere? He says, no. Can she give it back please? She says, why should she? It’s hers. He says, no. Actually, it’s his. He was going to give it to her… She says, now she has it, so why does he want it back?
Willow wakes, and reaches for Michael, but he’s not there. She hears Wiley giggle, and Nelle’s voice says, say bye-bye, grandma; bye-bye, daddy. She goes downstairs and sees Carly and Michael lying dead in the living room. Nelle is there, holding Wiley’s hand, and she tells Willow, it’s no use. She’s too late. Willow says, give her her son, but Nelle says, she doesn’t have Willow’s son. Oh, Willow means her son. Willow says, Nelle is nothing to Wiley, and Nelle says, guess again. Now that the obstacles have been removed, she and her son can be together. Willow asks what she did to Michael and Carly, and Nelle says, she didn’t do anything; Willow did. Willow looks down to see her hands covered in blood, and says, no. Nelle says she’s so glad karma is finally paying Willow back for taking her son from her. Now there’s no more Michael, no more Carly… Thanks for that by the way. Willow says, no, no, no, and Nelle says, and when she disappears with her son, Willow won’t have anybody anymore. Say bye-bye. Wiley says, bye-bye, mommy, and Willow moves toward them, but they disappear. Willow looks at Michael and Carly, and screams. She wakes up, and sees Michael isn’t there. She says, oh my God, and jumps out of bed.
Downstairs, Carly thanks Temp Michael for letting her help put Wiley to bed. She’s going to miss that little guy when she’s on her trip. He says, Wiley loves spending time with her, and he appreciates the reinforcement, because Willow has been going to bed really early lately. Carly says, of course (🍷). She’s working and pregnant. He says he knows. He’s starting to realize how big a deal that is. Willow comes in, and says, thank God, throwing her arms around Michael. He asks, what’s wrong? and she says, Nelle.
Spencer says, it doesn’t matter why he didn’t give Trina the letter. They’re his words, and he no longer wishes Trina to read them. Give it back. She says, no, and he says, please. That letter is his property. She says, possession is nine tenths of the law, so if he wants it back he’s going to have to do more than say please. Follow her. She leads him outside.
Sonny says, he means no disrespect, but this doesn’t involve Marshall. Curtis says, regardless, he decides who he wants to have a conversation with in his own club, and Nina comes by. She asks if Sonny minds if she steals him away for a second, and Sonny goes with her. Marshall says, he’s gone. Now tell him what the hell is going on. Curtis says, thanks. He knows what Marshall is doing, but he and Sonny go back aways. Whatever issues they have, they can resolve them on their own. Marshall says, he’s been in the music business a long time, and he’s seen Sonny’s type and how they behave in establishments like Curtis’s. Once they get their hooks in, there’s no getting them out. Curtis says, Marshall has warned him about this before. Trust him. He gets it. Marshall says, he’s not meddling, but Curtis has great back-up with Police Commissioner Ashford. All Curtis has to do is call it in, but hey, he’s not meddling.
Jordan tells TJ that she’s working on a case involving one of those genealogy companies, and it reminded her of when Stella took her test. She’d almost forgotten that’s how Stella found her cousin in London. TJ says, it was, and it’s been a whirlwind adventure ever since. She says, at the time, they all thought her long-lost relative was here in Port Charles, and he says, and they said it was a closer match than a cousin. She guesses they were wrong, but he says he doesn’t know. When she found her cousin, they let it go, but honestly, the whole thing never set right with him. They chalked it up to a technical glitch, but it seems unlikely a reputable company would make that mistake. Stella arrives, and tells TJ to give her a hug.
Josslyn asks if Cameron has some place else to be, but he says he has another surprise. She says, another secret, and he says, a surprise, not a secret. She says, close enough, and he says, she’s the one keeping all the secrets. HE didn’t know his girlfriend was a pro dumpster diver. Is she still mad at him? She asks, what for? and he says, not telling her about Spencer’s plan to save Trina. She says, no. Of course (🍷) she wasn’t thrilled, but she gets it. Spencer put him in an impossible situation.
Spencer says, until he gives it to Trina, the letter is his property, and he’s not giving it to her. This is totally unfair. She says, he’s really going to complain to her about what is and isn’t fair? She’ll give him the letter back – he says, thank you – but first she has to tell him why he’s being so weird about it… Fine. She’ll open it. He says, it’s not for her, but she says, it has her name on it. He says, that’s because it’s addressed to Trina his friend, and according to her, they’re not friends anymore.
Cameron tells Josslyn, in the interest of not keeping secrets, Spencer wrote Trina a letter. In it, he explains everything; how he always believed Trina, and was only pretending to back Esme. She says, wow. She’s almost proud of him. Does Cameron think that’s what they’re talking about? He says he hopes so. All these secrets haven’t been doing anyone any good. It’s time for everything to be out in the open.
Trina says she set a boundary, and Spencer says, he’s just trying to respect it. She says she didn’t mean to hurt him when she said they couldn’t be friends anymore, but he says, we Cassadines have ice in our veins. She didn’t hurt him, but thank you. He appreciates it, and knows she wasn’t trying to hurt him. She says, he has to admit, their relationship got pretty toxic, and he says, toxic or not, their relationship meant a lot to him, and it always will. She says, it’s meant a lot to her too, but their friendship wasn’t good for her. She felt like she kept compromising herself over and over again. She hopes he understands, and he says he does. And since they’re sharing, there’s something he’d like to tell her too.
Jordan and Stella hug, and Stella asks, where’s that nephew of hers? Jordan gestures to Marshall and Curtis talking, and Stella says, those two look like they could use a minute. Now what’s going on with TJ? Starting with how thin he’s getting. Is Molly feeding him enough?… She says she’s sorry. They’re a modern couple and they feed themselves. TJ says, between Molly’s schedule and his, they manage to grab the occasional meal, and he promises he’s taking care of himself. She says, okay. What’s going on with Jordan? She’s kind of quiet. Is everything all right? Portia runs up, and says she’s sorry to interrupt, but it’s so good to see Stella. They hug, and Stella sees Portia’s ring. She says, wait a minute. What is this?
Curtis says he knows Marshall doesn’t like Sonny, but he’s got it covered. Marshall says, don’t get it twisted; this isn’t personal. He barely knows Sonny, but he knows Sonny’s type; the type that can cause trouble. Curtis sees Selina, and Marshall says, if Sonny is trying to rope Curtis or The Savoy into something shady, they got to deal with that. Curtis says he hears Marshall, but he and Sonny don’t have that kind of relationship.
Willow says, Nelle had Wiley by the hand. She tried to take him from Nelle, and they disappeared. She was standing there with Michael and Carly, and they were both dead. Then she woke up. Michael says, it was just a dream, and Carly says, she got intense dreams when she was pregnant; she gets it. Willow says she hopes she doesn’t have them until she delivers. She’s tired enough as it is. She’s cutting back her hours at GH. Carly says, that’s smart, and she’s sure GH is understanding. Michael says, and she has him to take care of her, and Carly says, and her entire family. Willow says she appreciates that, and Michael promises there will be no stress during this pregnancy.
Nina goes to Nelle’s grave with a bouquet of flowers, and says she’s sorry she wasn’t here earlier. It’s been a long, exhausting day, but Nelle is never far from her thoughts. She can’t believe it’s been two years since she lost Nelle. It’s been an interesting two years. She never even visited last year. Nelle says, no big deal, and Nina looks up to see her. Nelle says, she’s literally living rent free in Nina’s head. Hi mom.
Selina says, always a pleasure, and Sonny says he didn’t expect to see her here tonight. She says, Curtis is a valued partner of hers. She came to express her congratulations for Trina’s good fortune. He says, that’s very generous, and she says, sit with her and have a drink. Unless he’s waiting on Miss Reeves. He says, Miss Reeves isn’t with him tonight. She says, then they’re both unescorted, since Curtis is occupied with family matters. They should have a chat. Sonny says, about what? and she says, there’s always business to discuss.
Spencer tells Trina that he’s sorry he made their friendship confusing. That’s all on him. He should have been upfront about Esme, and he should have told Esme about his feelings for her. Maybe if he’d done that, he could have saved them from the path of destruction they were on. She says, that would have been preferable, and he says, maybe they could have… The point is, everyone deserved better, and that’s essentially what he wrote in the letter. He just wanted an opportunity to come clean, and let her know he would have done everything differently. She says she appreciates that, and he says he understands why they can’t be friends anymore. He messed up her life, and he’ll always regret that.
Stella says, that looks like an engagement ring, and Portia says, Curtis proposed. They’re engaged.
Willow says, Wiley is safe and sound, sleeping like the angel he is, and Carly says, it doesn’t hurt to make sure. Michael says, she got dressed. Is she going out? Willow says she’s just getting some air, and he says he’ll go with her, but she says, one of them needs to stay with Wiley. He says, his mom can do that, or that can take Wiley to the main house. Willow says, Michael wants to wake Wiley so he can babysit her? and Carly says she actually needs to go over some things with Michael before her trip. Willow says she’ll be fine, and leaves. Michael asks what Carly wants to talk about, and she says, nothing. She gets that his heart is in the right place, but she thinks Willow needs time alone. He says he doesn’t want to hover, but Willow’s been acting so off lately, he can’t shake the feeling there’s something she’s not telling him.
Nelle says, normally, she’s not a fan of being forgotten, and Nina says, she didn’t forget Nelle. Nelle says she knows. Nina was doing the Lord’s work in Nixon Falls. Thanks for that, by the way. She knows Nina didn’t do it for her, but Nina did it because of her, so that’s good enough. Nina says she was upset with Carly. She let Nelle slip, and even after she knew what she did, she didn’t tell Nina that Nelle was her daughter. She just left Nelle out there alone. Nina cries, and says she didn’t mean to let things go as far as they did, but Nelle says, didn’t she? It doesn’t matter. What’s important is that it paid off beautifully. Nina broke up Sonny and Carly, and kept Sonny for herself. Nina says she’s not going to apologize for her relationship with Sonny, but she did hurt a lot of people, including Wiley. Nelle says, Wiley’s a baby. He’s not going to remember any of it anyway. Nina says, Wiley’s not a baby anymore. He’s old enough to have things affect him. Nelle says, if Michael and Carly, and that baby-stealing insufferable Willow, want to tell him things about her or Nina that might be hurtful, that’s on them. They’re in the clear. Nina says she doesn’t want anyone to hurt Wiley, but Nelle says, he’ll get over it. It’s not like anyone’s stealing his kidney for cash, like Frank Benson. Nina says, her greatest regret is that she couldn’t protect Nelle growing up from that horrible, neglectful person. Nelle says, Nina’s mom did put her in a coma, and shrugs. Nina says, she would have been a good mother. Nelle’s life would have been so different. Nelle says, it would. Nina would have given her so much love, everything she ever wanted or needed. They hug, and Nelle says, she could have followed in Nina’s footsteps. Maybe become Editor-in-Chief of Crimson magazine. Nina says she wishes she could have given Nelle that life, and Nelle says, it’s a shame they didn’t know who they were to each other. She could have learned from the best. Together, they really could have made Michael and Carly suffer. They could have made sure Carly stayed in the nuthouse for the rest of her life. They could have hidden her son away from Michael. Working together, they really could have done a lot of damage.
Carly tells Michel, being pregnant is like being on a roller coaster. One minute, you’re glowing and happy, and the next minute, you’re just miserable. He says he knows he’s being over-protective, but how random is it that Willow dreamed about Nelle? She says, Nelle died two years ago today, and he says he didn’t realize. She says she tries not to think about it, but sometimes it just hits her. Reaching out, trying to grab Nelle and help her, and she just falls. It was awful. Then she felt relief. Nelle’s gone. Her friends and family are safe. Then she was terrified she was going to be blamed for Nelle’s death – and she was, once Nina found out the truth. Michael says he’s going to just call and check on Willow, and Carly says, it’s been five minutes; come on. He calls, but gets voicemail, and says, Carly doesn’t think she’d go to Nelle’s grave, does she? Carly says, he knows Willow best. What does he think? He says he thinks it’s a possibility, and since it’s the anniversary of Nelle’s death, he thinks there’s a chance she’ll run into Nina. Carly flashes back to finding out Nina is Willow’s mother, and he says, what happens if Willow runs into Nina? She says she thinks it will be unpleasant, but she doesn’t think Nina would hurt Willow. He says he’s going to check on her, and asks if Carly would mind watching Wiley. She says, yes, of course (🍷), when Wiley runs in, and asks where Michael is going. Michael says he’s going to pick up mommy, but Wiley hugs him, and says, no. Michael asks, what’s wrong? He loves Grandma Carly. Wiley says he had a bad dream, and doesn’t want Michael to go. Carly says, she’ll check on Willow, and Michael can stay with his son. She won’t let anything happen to Willow. He thanks her, and she leaves.
Nelle says, if Nina’s mother hadn’t pawned her off on Frank Benson, and Carly hadn’t let her plummet to her death, and if she and Nina had known who they were to each other, she could have had the most beautiful life. They could have punished them all. Nina says, that’s not what she wanted for Nelle. Everything she did, all the mistakes she made, were because she was in pain. Nelle is her baby, and Nina misses her, but she’s going to have to spend the rest of her life making up for her mistakes. Nelle says, what’s the point in whining about that? If Madeline hadn’t done what she did to Nina, and if Frank hadn’t done what he did to her, it’s the best get-out-of-jail-free card ever. Nina says, just because they got hurt doesn’t absolve them, and Nelle says, they got hurt, and hurt the world around them. Face it. They’re exactly the same. They had a connection, but Nina couldn’t let herself recognize that Nelle was her own flesh and blood. Not while Nelle was working for her, not while Nelle was standing in front of her, not when Nina testified against her, when they were trying to take her baby away from her. Nina had every opportunity to be the mother she always wanted to be, and she pushed Nelle away. Nina says she didn’t know, and cries, her face in her hands. When she looks up, Willow is there instead of Nelle.
Trina tells Spencer, she doesn’t know what to say, and he tells her, she doesn’t have to say anything. He just wanted her to know he’s sorry. She says she wishes things were different, and he says, him too. Rory comes out, and says he’s sorry to interrupt, but she’s been gone a while. He just wanted to make sure she was okay. Spencer says, he’s kept her from her party long enough. They’re done here anyway, aren’t they? She hands him the letter, and he leaves. Rory asks if she’s okay, and she says, yeah… She doesn’t know what just happened. He asks if she wants to get out of here, but she says, no. This is her party, and she wants to enjoy it with her date.
Sonny says, it’s a little late for business, and Selina says, friendship then. Let her buy him a drink. He says he doesn’t want to intrude any longer, and she says, it’s hardly intrusion. He’s welcome here. Or has he been made to feel otherwise?
Taggert asks if that thing Trina had to take care of had anything to do with Spencer, and she says, they just cleared the air. She told him they couldn’t be friends anymore. He says, smart decision. He knows it wasn’t easy, but that kid, he’s no good.
Portia says, they were going to tell Stella tonight. This is not how they wanted her to find out. She’s so sorry. Curtis comes over, and says, sorry for what? Stella says, it seems that he’s been keeping some things from her, and Portia says, she saw the ring, so… He says, they were going to tell her together in person tonight, and Stella says, oh, independent corroboration. Jordan says, she and TJ will give them some privacy, and they move on. Portia says she’s so sorry, but Stella says, Portia doesn’t owe her an apology; Curtis does. But first, allow her to welcome Portia to the family. They hug, and Portia thanks her. Stella says, Curtis finally takes her suggestion, and proposes, and she’s the last to know. He says, it wasn’t on purpose, and she asks if they’ve started making plans yet. Curtis says, slow down just a bit; they just got engaged. Stella says, like that’s an excuse, and Portia says, there is one thing they did, that they definitely agree on. Curtis says, that’s part of the reason they were waiting for tonight to tell her, and Stella says she’s dying to know. Curtis says, they’d like to know if she would marry them, and she says she’s never officiated at a wedding before. He says, it’s easy. You just go online, fill out some paperwork, and register with the clerk. Portia says, and you can just drop it in the mail, and Stella flashes back to never mailing the divorce papers. Portia asks if she would do them the honor, and Curtis takes Stella’s hand, saying, because there’s really no one better to marry them. She says, marrying the two of them would be the honor of her life, and Marshall says, and he’ll handle the music. Portia thanks them, and says, that’s one thing down. Now all they have to do is pick a date, a venue, the guest list, and apply for a marriage license. Stella says, for that, they have to supply proof of their divorces, and Curtis says, come to think of it, he doesn’t remember getting that. Stella says, he’d better look into it.
Willow asks who Nina was talking to, and Nina says she was talking to herself. Willow says, sorry for intruding. She knows how hard this day must be for her. Nina says, it is hard. She didn’t know Nelle was her daughter when she was alive, but she carried her. Nelle was her baby. Willow is probably wondering why she’s grieving when Nelle did such horrible things. Willow says, Nelle was still Nina’s child, and a mother’s love is unconditional. Feeling sadness over what could have been, that’s just human. Nina thanks her, and says she’s guessing Willow is here for Jonah, but Willow says she’s here for Nelle.
Selina asks if Curtis is giving Sonny any trouble, but Sonny says, it’s just a misunderstanding. He ran into a singer, Harrison Chase. Does she know of him? She says, the detective on suspension, and he says, he’s a good singer, and a good guy. He thought Chase would be a good fit for The Savoy. She says she appreciates Sonny making the connection. She’s sure Curtis will too.
Curtis asks if Jordan’s got a minute, and she says, what’s up? He says, this is going to sound strange, but did she ever receive notification that their divorce was finalized? She says, now that he mentions it, she’s not sure. She remembers filing the papers, but… He says, maybe it’s because he moved, his got lost in the mail, but she’s sure she got hers? She says she doesn’t remember seeing it, but she did get a lot of mail while she was away at the clinic. She could double-check; maybe she misplaced it. He says he hates to ask, but he needs it to apply for a marriage license. She says, of course (🍷). In order to get married again, you need to be divorced.
Stella congratulates Trina, and hugs her, saying, she had faith that Trina would be exonerated. Trina thanks her and thanks her for coming. Stella says, absolutely, and Curtis asks if he can steal Stella away for a minute. They leave, and Taggert tells Trina that he’s going to bounce. Have fun, stay late with her friends, and enjoy being young while she can. She says she supposes she can, as long as he promises to get lattes with her at the Haven Bistro soon. He says, twist his arm, and hugs Trina, saying, he has such a good daughter. He tells Jordan, see ya, and leaves. Jordan asks where Rory is, and Trina says, he went to get drinks. Jordan says she wanted to tell him about a break in a case, but shop talk can wait. Trina says, he’d love to hear about it. He loves his work. Jordan says, it’s pretty interesting. One of those DNA genealogy sites gave them some important evidence. Trina says, that’s so cool, and Jordan says, it make her glad those tests have become mainstream. Has Trina ever done one?
Willow tells Nina, Nelle was Wiley’s birth mother. She felt she should pay her respects, for Wiley’s sake. Nina says, Willow came out of respect for Nelle; that’s nice. She must be conflicted, since she and Michael are trying to erase Nelle from Wiley’s life. Willow says, they’re not trying to erase Nelle; they’re protecting Wiley. Even Nina admitted Nelle did terrible things. Nina says, and that’s what they want to do, lie to Wiley. Tell him people don’t have flaws. Willow says, Nelle was beyond flawed. If she’d had her way, Michael would have never known Wiley was his son, and Nina would have never known Wiley was her grandson. Every time she thinks she’s making headway with Nina, there’s no reasoning with her. She only sees what she wants to see. Nina tells Willow to get off her damn high horse. She’s sorry Nelle did horrible things, but it’s made Willow so self-righteous, she can’t acknowledge anyone’s pain but her own. Carly walks into the cemetery, and says, enough. If anyone needs perspective, it’s Nina. No matter how hard she tries to rewrite history, no matter how much she wishes Nelle had been redeemed, it doesn’t change the facts. Nelle was a kidnapper and a murderer, and the only reason they’re safe is because she’s dead.
Sonny says he can handle his business with Curtis, and Selina says, she and Sonny go back many years and many favors. Sonny agrees they do, and she says, anything she can do to strengthen their ties, don’t hesitate to ask. He says he’ll keep that in mind. She and Curtis have been doing business; how’s that working out? She says, splendidly. She found Curtis to be quite accommodating. Sonny says he’s going to let Curtis get back to his family, and thinks Selina should do the same. You know what they say about a good man. He whispers, they have their limits, and she whispers back, thank you for the advice. But she knows exactly where she and Curtis stand.
Trina tells Jordan that she took a DNA genealogy test for a project in high school. Why does she ask? Curtis gets on stage, and says, good evening. He thanks everyone for coming to The Savoy for Trina. Everyone yells, and he says, when he first met Trina, it’s safe to say she was profoundly unimpressed. But he on the other hand, immediately noticed what a strong, smart, resilient young lady she is. It’s impossible not to. So in honor of Trina, please help him welcome tonight’s entertainment, Cameron Webber. Cameron comes out with an electric guitar, and apparently has a band we never knew about. He asks how everyone is feeling tonight, and they whoop and holler. He says, his first song is dedicated to Trina. In fact, they’re all dedicated to Trina, since this is her party. This song is about a person they both know. She’ll get what it means. There’s a lot of da-da-da stuff, and something about someone being messed up in the head, but they don’t give a damn. I’m actually not positive, but I assume it’s about Esme? Cameron finishes the song to cheers and applause.
Spencer sets the letter on fire, and watches it burn.
Carly suggests Willow go home, and take care of herself and the baby. Michael and Wiley are waiting. Willow says, Carly’s right. It was a mistake to come here. She leaves, and Nina says, this is precious. She comes here to have a private moment with her daughter, the two of them show up, uninvited, and she’s the villain. Carly says, Nina and Nelle are alike. Nothing was ever Nelle’s fault, and nothing is ever Nina’s fault. Nina says, she’s taken responsibility for her actions, and she’s paid the consequences, and Carly says, but she doesn’t believe she deserves them. She and Nelle sing the same tune; that they’re a product of their circumstances, and that excuses their actions. Nina says, Carly of all people should sympathize. Not with her, but with Nelle. Because it was Carly’s adoptive father who neglected Nelle, abused her, and sold her for parts. Carly says she had compassion for Nelle, and in return, she was sent to Ferncliff for months, Michael was left to burn in a car, and Nelle switched Wiley for Willow’s dead baby. Does Nina get that? Nelle used someone’s dead infant as a prop. How proud Nina must be. Carly walks out, and Nina says, it didn’t have to be like this.
Tomorrow, Felicia tells Maxie, that would be a bad idea; Anna tells Robert, she doesn’t know whether to find that funny or disturbing; Victor tells Lucy, it will be their little secret; and Sonny wants to get something straight with Cody.
Speaking of evil, come by tomorrow for some soap and the Housewives who have the market on the devil’s work these days. Until then, stay safe, stay not shooting the messenger, and stay not crashing anyone’s private moments at the cemetery. No good can come of it.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
At the pool, Chase says, Brook had an idea to get him a gig? but she says she has no time to explain. Just trust her. He does trust her, doesn’t he?
Near the pool bar, Sonny says, when Nina and Ava were talking at the hospital, Ava clearly seemed like something was troubling her. Nina says, it’s not important, but he says, it didn’t look that way to him. She says, he made it perfectly clear there are things that happen in his life that he can’t talk to her about. She and Ava are friends, and there are some things that need to stay between them that he can’t be a part of. He says he knows she’s Ava’s friend, but she’s also Avery’s mother. So if she’s in trouble, and Nina isn’t telling him something, he needs to know, like if Nina was in trouble.
The Savoy says, Closed for a Private Party, and Portia squeals as she walks in with Taggert. Curtis tells the bartenders, the majority of the guests just finished their freshman year of college, so they’re underage. No alcoholic beverages for anyone wearing an orange wristband. Taggert says, looks amazing, and Portia says, Trina is going to feel so special. Trina comes in with Rory, and says, this is incredible. She thanks Curtis for shutting down the club for them. He says, it’s the least he could do. They all deserve to celebrate and have a little happiness for a change. Trina says she loves it, and hugs him. Portia says, this is above and beyond, and Curtis says, his pleasure. He has some things he needs to arrange, but enjoy the party. He leaves, and Taggert congratulates Portia on her engagement. He’s really happy for her. Jordan joins them, and says, likewise. TJ told her that she was invited, but given how Trina’s troubles started, is her being here going to be a problem?
Cameron tells Trina, congrats on this very special night, and hugs her. He says, she must be so relieved this whole thing is finally over. She says she is, and thanks him. She asks, where’s Joss? She figured they’d be coming together. Cameron says, she told him that she had to stop at GH first, but he swears she should have beaten him here. He wonders what’s keeping her.
Dex says, Josslyn’s not actually thinking of crawling in the dumpster. They’re just talking about a bracelet. Why doesn’t she just buy her sister a new one? She says, no. Her sister is going through enough right now. If there’s a chance the bracelet is in there, she’s going to look for it. She opens one side of the dumpster, and says, is he going to help her or not? He opens the other side, and says, sure, why not? She hands him her bag, gets in, and starts digging around. He takes jacket off, and joins her.
Cameron says he hasn’t gotten a text from Joss, but he’s sure she’ll be here soon. Trina says, no rush, and tells Rory, it’s early, and she plans on living it up. He says, him too, and they kiss, when Spencer walks in.
TJ sees Brando sitting on a bench at the hospital, and says, feel free to tell him it’s none of his business, but he saw Brando sitting there over an hour ago. He has time to talk if Brando wants. Brando says, Sasha’s in trouble, and he doesn’t know how to help her, or if he even can.
Sasha goes into the PC Grill, and sees Lucy sitting at a table. Sasha joins her, and says, it’s been way too long since they got together. Why here and not the MetroCourt? Lucy says she thought, let’s get a change of scenery going on. It’s good sometimes to get out of the building where their offices are. Sasha says she couldn’t agree more. So let’s be honest. They’ve been radio silent with her for about a week or so. She’s glad Lucy decided to bring her back in. She’s ready. What’s on the agenda for today’s meeting? Lucy says, that would be Sasha, and her future with Deception.
Nina tells Sonny, of course (🍷) Ava’s worried. She was attacked, she didn’t see who attacked her, and there are no suspects, so the person who did this is still on the loose. And as for her, she’s not in trouble, but she’s got a lot on her mind, given the date today. Brook and Chase join them, and Brook hugs Sonny. He asks how she’s doing, and she says she’s doing great. He say, she has a big smile on her face; what’s the reason? She says she doesn’t know if they’ve heard, but she and Chase are now officially a thing. Chase says, the thing is, they’re a couple, and Sonny says, congratulations. Welcome to the family, so to speak. Brook says, they should do dinner one night, like a double-date, and Nina asks if she thinks Michael would be okay with that. Brook says she loves her cousin, but they don’t see eye to eye on everything, and they’re adults. She thinks they should do it. It would be a blast. Sonny asks how long he’s known Brook. A long time, right? He knows when she’s buttering him up. What favor does she need?
Sasha tells Lucy, she didn’t realize her future with Deception had to be addressed. She is an equity partner after all. Lucy says, exactly, and her behavior as of late has made the company vulnerable. She doesn’t know if Sasha has noticed – she hopes Sasha has – but the business has taken a big hit. So perhaps Sasha could take a step back, just for a while, until she’s well. Sasha says she is well, and doesn’t like this one bit. She understands where Lucy is coming from though. She’ll take a step back from the fall campaign; the winter one too, if need be. All this drama should be forgotten by then… What? Lucy says, they’re going to need more than that.
TJ tells Brando that he heard about Sasha’s incident with Smoltz at the MetroCourt. He sent Brando a couple of texts, just checking in, but when he didn’t hear back, he figured Brando had a lot on his plate. Brando says, Sasha’s attorney came up with a strategy for her to avoid prison, and TJ says, it’s that serious? Brando says, it could be if they don’t find a way to address it. They had an appointment this morning with Dr. Rubin, who was going to pitch the potential solution to Sasha, but the session didn’t go as planned. TJ asks, how so? He’s not just Brando’s friend, he’s also a doctor, so any medical information Brando shares, he’ll consider privileged. Brando says, he’s felt so helpless. He couldn’t save his son, and couldn’t stop Sasha from spiraling. Now he’s worried he might have crossed a line.
Portia says she holds no ill will about Jordan’s part in Trina’s investigation. She thought she’d made that clear before. Jordan was just doing her job, and Portia knows that. Taggert says, and when push came to shove, Jordan helped lead the charge against Esme. Portia says, and all that is behind them anyway. She sees Spencer come in, and says she has to check on something. She leaves, and Jordan says she hopes she could extend the same grace to Portia if their roles were reversed, and Taggert says, he’s just glad she and Portia were able to mend fences. Maybe it’s time to leave the past in the past. Jordan flashes back to hearing Portia on the phone, saying, the genetic counseling isn’t concerning her; it concerns her daughter. Her medical history isn’t relevant. The screening is for her daughter’s paternal line. Jordan tells Taggert that she wonders if that’s ever truly possible.
Rory sees Spencer, and points him out to Trina. Cameron says, he was just with Spencer, and he didn’t mention anything about Trina’s party. He had no idea Spencer was planning to come. Trina says, neither did she. Spencer takes out the envelope containing the letter to Trina, looks at it, then puts it back in his pocket. Portia asks Trina if she needs anything from her, but Trina says she’s fine. In fact, she thinks she’d like a couple minutes alone with Spencer. Portia says, they’re here if Trina decides she needs back-up, and Trina goes over to him.
Spencer says, for a second, he thought Trina was going to have him escorted out, but she says, everyone just wants to mood for tonight to remain fun – for her and her friends. He says, which is why he wanted to congratulate her before he’s shipped off to Pentenville tomorrow, because they are friends. She says, no, Spencer, we’re not.
Dex and Josslyn dig through the garbage, and Dex asks if it’s her first dumpster dive. Or is she one of those progressive college kids who like repurposing old food? She says, gross, no. It’s her first time going through trash, public or private. He says she must love her little sister, and she says, of course (🍷) she does. Is he an only child? He says, no. He has siblings, but they don’t get along well, or at all actually. She says, sorry to hear that. She’s super close to all of her siblings. He says, it is what it is. He’s better off without them. She asks, what makes him say that? and he says, if he’d never moved on, he would have never come to Port Charles, and he woudn’t have crossed paths with the people he met here. She says, they should keep searching. They dig some more, and she tells him that her foot is stuck. He tries to help her, and she ends up falling, and pulling him down on top of her.
Brook asks if a girl can’t spend some quality time with her favorite non-biological uncle, and his second life partner. Nina says, she’s been called worse, and Sonny says, Brook is playing with fire now. Brook says, all right; he called her out. She does need a favor – she and Chase need a favor. She’s decided to follow in her mom’s footsteps, and become a behind-the-scenes force in the music industry. It’s been two years to the day she lost her voice, thanks to Nelle attacking her, and depriving her of the gift of singing. She may have been down, but she’s not out. She has a ton of experience in the music biz. She can still write songs, and take everything she’s learned, and help new talent and manage them, which is what she’s doing with Chase. She knows Sonny has a ton of connections, so she was hoping he could flex some of that muscle, and help her get Chase some gigs. What does he say?
Spencer says he knows he’s said some stupid and regrettable things to Trina, but this all started because they were friends last year. She says she can’t deny past; they were friends. Unfortunately, things have changed since then, and the most important thing she needs to do is to heal. She can’t do that if he’s still a part of her life. What he said on the witness stand when he tried to give her an alibi, she won’t forget that either. He sacrificed his own freedom to try and give her hers. That’s a big deal, but they both need to move on. She hugs him, and tells him to take care of himself in Pentenville. She really wants the best for him. Truly. She goes back to Rory, and Spencer takes out the envelope.
Josslyn tells Dex, 500 showers aren’t going to fix this. They were just lying in trash. Dex says, she was falling, and he tried to help her, but she’s strong. She says, the important things is, they just keep looking for the bracelet. They dig some more, and she says, ta-da! She found it; Avery’s bracelet. He asks if she’s sure, and she says she’s positive. He says, impressive, and she tells him, she had help.
TJ asks what Brando did that he thinks crossed a line, and Brando says, he was so desperate, and Sasha’s been making all kinds of rash decisions; about her health, her finances, even this legal situation. She has a problem with drugs, but she’s resisted treatment for months.That’s what led to all of this. He’s not judging; he’s speaking as a former addict himself. Sasha had a psychiatric break, and it didn’t happen privately. It happened during her appearance on the Home & Heart show. TJ says, he didn’t get to see it live, but he caught a clip on social media. It was rough. Brando says, then there was an incident with that reporter Smoltz where she lost it, and attacked his car. That’s when her attorney Martin Grey came up with the idea that the courts might be more lenient if she agreed to a guardianship. He would be her conservator. He’d be in charge of all her treatments, and he’d have power of attorney for her. TJ says he can see how an attorney would be in favor, and it could work, as long as Sasha agreed. Brando says, that’s where he screwed up. He didn’t include Sasha in the conversations, so when Dr. Rubin pitched it to Sasha, she snapped.
Sasha asks what Lucy is looking for, a public apology? Does she want Sasha to do another interview, open up a vein, and beg forgiveness? And for what? Grieving the loss of her son? For relapsing? Lucy says, it’s a lot more complicated than that, and Sasha knows it. Sasha has been struggling for some time now, and she’s made some rash decisions that have affected her well-being, and it’s also affecting the well-being of their company, She hates having to say this. It’s horrible to have to say, and horrible for Sasha to have to listen, but right now she is an equity partner in Deception, and has the power to make decisions for Deception, even if she’s not in the right head space to make them. Sasha says, enough. What’s the bottom line? Do they want to push her out of her company?
Chase asks if he can talk to Brook for a second, but she says, they haven’t even heard her Uncle Sonny’s reaction. So what does Sonny think? Sonny says he knows a few people who would book Chase as a favor to him, and Brook gets all excited, but he says, listen. The last time she came to him for a favor, it was about teaching Linc a lesson, and had nothing to do with Chase’s career. Chase says, she did what? and Brook says, Linc is a dirtball, and Chase has real talent. Booking him in some real venues, both promotes him and gets her a little payback on Linc. It sounds like a win-win to her. They’re just trying to set up their next chapter, and make sure Linc gets the punishment he deserves. Sonny says, that’s good enough for him; consider it done. Chase tells them that he has something to say.
Dex offers Josslyn his hand, but she says, she can do this herself. She gets out of the dumpster, and he says he gives her credit for finding the bracelet, but she’s probably going to have to buy her little sister a new once, since it smells so bad. Josslyn says she’s going to clean it, but she has to change her clothes before she goes to Trina’s party. He says, that’s why, no matter what the weather, it’s good to wear layers. He takes his shirt off, and she asks if he plans his day looking for chances to take his shirt off, and he says he hasn’t had any complaints so far. He could have kept his shirt clean, and let her look for her sister’s bracelet alone. She says he’s right, thanking him, and he says, anytime. He tells her to have fun at the party, and she leaves.
Spencer sits by himself, staring at the envelope, when Cameron comes by. He says he couldn’t hear what Spencer and Trian were saying, but he read their facial expression. Is he okay? Spencer says, not really, but he was just about to leave anyway. Cameron points to the envelope, and asks, what’s that? Spencer says he had this crazy idea he would confess everything in a letter to Trina. He would give it to her, and she’d read it and forgive him, and everything would be better again. Typical of him, always taking the easy way out. It was a stupid idea. Cameron says, it’s the first non-stupid idea Spencer has had all year.
Marshall congratulates Curtis on his engagement to Portia. Lord knows he’s glad he’s here to see it. Curtis says, they decided to fight for their relationship, the same way Marshall encouraged Trina to fight for her court case. Marshall says, she did the same for him. Because of Trina, he has a shot at doing something with his family. And Curtis? Curtis holds out his hand, and they bro hug.
TJ tells Brando, he can’t say he’s surprised. Who would love the idea of signing over their free will to someone else, even if it’s their spouse? Brando asks if TJ thinks he overstepped, but TJ says he’s not a psychiatrist; it’s not his place to say medically. And he’s not inside their marriage. Brando says he was going to bring up the idea of conservatorship to Sasha last week, he just… He just couldn’t muster up the courage. He convinced himself that Dr. Rubin could explain it better, being in a safe controlled environment, but that wasn’t the truth. TJ asks, what was the truth? and Brando says, it’s hard to admit, but he was ashamed of what he was asking Sasha to do.
Sasha tells Lucy that she demands an answer. Is Lucy kicking her out of Deception? Lucy says, no, they’re not voting her out, and Sasha says, what is she asking for then? Lucy says, they’re asking that she simply simple voluntarily put her fiduciary responsibilities and financial stake in Deception in a trust. Then they can monitor it until Sasha is deemed better. Sasha asks, who gets to decide when she’s better? Some doctor? Lucy? Are they going to take a vote? Lucy says, no, but if Sasha doesn’t help them out here, cooperate, they’ll be forced to vote her out. But they don’t want to do that; they want what’s best for Sasha. So come on, just think about it. Take a step back from Deception, just for now. Sasha bangs on the table, and says, hell no!
Brando tells TJ that he never gives Sasha a chance to ask for help. He always oversteps before she’s ready, then she pushes him away. He doesn’t give her a chance to come to him. TJ says, there may be some truth to that, but the better question is, why is Brando telling all this to him and not his wife? Brando says, good point.
Chase says he means no disrespect to Sonny, but he sees Brook’s attempt at making him a popstar as more of a sabbatical. His first love is being a police officer, and he’s still holding out hope he’ll be allowed to be one again one day – if the Civilian Review Board allows it. Their lines of work don’t exactly overlap very well. Sonny says, he respects Chase’s honesty, but luckily, his business contacts in music venues are where he distributes coffee. Chase says, Sonny’s name alone has connections, and he’s on thin ice at the PCPD already. He just can’t risk it. Nina says she might have a potential solution. She’s really good friends with Curtis Ashford. She and Sonny could both put in a good word for Chase playing at The Savoy. Chase says he guesses if the ask is from Nina, he could live with that, and Brook says, that would be great. She thanks Nina, and of course (🍷) Uncle Dimples for taking the time to listen to her. Nina says she’s actually going to see Curtis because she wants to congratulate him on his engagement. She asks if Sonny will come with her, and they leave. Brook says, that worked out for the best. Chase will have a gig in no time. He tells her that she went way too far, and walks away.
Everyone is dancing, and Cameron tells Spencer, they all want Trina to have a fantastic time tonight. Spencer says, she deserves it, and Cameron says, she also deserves to know the truth. That way, she can make an accurate assessment of Spencer’s role in her life. He’s not saying because he thinks they have a chance to be together; it’s slim. He’s saying this because he learned the hard way, through his mom. Suppressing your feelings only leads to trouble. He thinks the fact Spencer came here, uninvited, to deliver that letter in person, rather than dropping it in a mailbox, says Spencer thinks that too. Cameron leaves, and Spencer ponders this.
Brando tells TJ that Sasha has a Deception meeting at the PC Grill. He’s supposed to meet her afterward. That was, until everything blew up. TJ says he’s headed to The Savoy, and can drop Brando off at the Grill first. Brando says, it would be good for him and Sasha to talk about things when tensions are so high. Funny. You’d think that’s when you shouldn’t be talking about things.
Sasha says she’s not going to step back and be some phony figurehead, and Lucy asks her to keep her voice down. The last thing Deception needs is another public spectacle. Sasha asks if that’s why Lucy chose the Grill. Lucy thought she wouldn’t cause a scene in such an upscale place? Think again. She gets up, and screams, Lucy betrayed her. This is the company she put her blood, sweat, and tears into. Lucy gets up, and says, stop right now. Listen to her. She loves Sasha like a daughter, and Sasha knows that, but she’ll be damned if she lets Sasha jeopardize everything she’s worked her entire life to build. No way. Sasha says, like a daughter, huh? Yet at the first sign of trouble, she wants to shove Sasha off the lifeboat. Lucy says, this has been building for well over a year;it’s not the first sign. Sasha says, so Lucy just abandons her now, like everyone else? She screams, go to hell, Lucy! as a guy at the next table films her on his phone.
Jordan says, Trina’s really something, and Taggert says he’s just lucky he survived to watch her grow up. Sometimes she has a personality he doesn’t recognize. Trina’s definitely her own person. He’s a strategist, and he games everything. Portia is a healer, more holistic, but Trina leads with her heart. She’s a rescuer by nature, and wants to save the world. Sometimes he wonders where she gets it from. Jordan looks at Curtis.
Nina and Sonny come in, and Curtis excuses himself. Portia tells Marshall that she’s sorry Epiphany couldn’t make it tonight. She remembers studying for the MCATs and doesn’t envy her at all. How are things going between the two of them? Marshall says, they’re good. He told Epiphany about his diagnosis, and that woman couldn’t have been more supportive. He often wonders what could been had he been honest about his original diagnosis back in the day. He got blindsided. Maybe if he’d had symptoms when he was younger he coulda… Coulda, woulda, woulda, coulda. He might have been better prepared to handle it.
Curtis tells Nina that he’s glad she could made it. He says, Sonny, and Nina thanks him for the invitation. She knows they’re here to celebrate Trina, but she wanted to congratulate him on his engagement. She wants to congratulate Portia, and leaves. Curtis says he has to check on something, but Sonny follows him, and asks, what’s going on? Can they clear the air here? Why does he get the sense Curtis thinks he’s crashing the party? Curtis says, because he is, and Sonny says, Nina was invited, but he thought he and Curtis were friends. Curtis says, they did favors for each other, or so he thought, but it turns out it was only one-sided. Sonny asks if Curtis is still mad because he didn’t dig into Marshall’s arrest record.
Josslyn arrives at The Savoy, and Josslyn asks why Rory didn’t tell her that he could dance. They sit at a table, and Rory says, it doesn’t really come up in casual conversation, and they’ve never gone out dancing. He usually tries to bust a move at weddings or parties with work people. There’s a cop banquet thing next month. People are supposed to bring their significant others if she’s ready for that. She says, what this whole trial thing has taught her is that she shouldn’t waste time being so cautious. So she’s ready to take the leap if he is. They kiss, and Spencer sees them through a curtain of streamers.
Cameron says, Josslyn finally made it; it’s good to see her. He was wondering what was keeping her. Did she go all the way home to change?
Filming dude tells his date that he can’t believe their catching the latest meltdown of the Basket Case of Deception. If he was my date, I’d dump my drink on his head and leave. Sasha snatches his phone out of his hand, and says, leeches. All of you are leeches. Is he just trying get a piece of her while she gets her life back on track? Dude says, it’s a public place.If you don’t want attention, act normal. She says, normal? Like he was normal filming her? She stomps on his phone, and he says, what the hell? She asks if this is crazy enough for him, and the manager says he’s going to have to ask Sasha to leave. She yells, get your hands off me! and pushes him, but he grabs her. She freaks out, when Brando walks in. Lucy apologizes to the manager and insensitive dude, and Brando asks if Sasha is okay. She says, no, she’s not okay, and cries in his arms. She tells him that she needs help.
TJ hugs Jordan, and she says, he’s so late. Was there an emergency at the hospital? He says, no. He had to give a friend a ride, but Aunt Stella texted him. She’s on her way to the airport, and really wanted Trina to know how happy she is for her. Jordan says, maybe this will encourage Stella to stop traveling the world and stay put in Port Charles. He says he’d like that, but he’s glad Aunt Stella has the opportunity to see the world. To think that almost got taken away from her because of a technical glitch. Jordan asks what he’s talking about, and he says, she forgot? The ancestry website initially matched her with the wrong person before her cousin in London. It said she had a close relation in Port Charles.
Brook asks what Chase is talking about. She was kind of polite and everything. He says, that favor she asked Sonny; she never even asked him about it. The last thing he needs is to be associated with the mob. His reputation has to be on the up-and-up. She says, he’s right; she’s sorry. But all’s well that ends well, right? It turns out they owe Nina for the favor, not Sonny. He says he just wants to be clear. It’s important that she not put him in another compromising position again. Unless… He smiles, and she says, message received. She won’t compromise his integrity while they figure out how to take down Linc. He thanks her, and they hug.
Curtis says he doesn’t know what Sonny expected. He asked Sonny for a favor, and Sonny turned him down. He learned at that moment he can’t depend on Sonny. It’s that simple. Did everyone take unreasonable pills today? Sonny says, Curtis has no idea what he’s done to protect Curtis’s family, and Curtis says, here’s his chance… Forget about it. Sonny says he likes Curtis. Can’t they work this out? Curtis says, Sonny made the rules abundantly clear. He just doesn’t like them. Marshall asks if they’ve got a problem here.
Josslyn says she did change. She’s surprised Cameron noticed. He says he’s a little bit stupid, but she changed outfits completely. She says, it’s no big deal. She told him earlier, Avery lost her charm bracelet, and it was from Ava. She had to look for it, and Avery said she wore it to GH. So her search led her to a trash bin, and she did a bit of dumpster diving, which was pretty disgusting, but she ended up finding the bracelet. He says, his girlfriend is a certified badass. He’s sorry she didn’t call him though. He wouldn’t want her to do that alone.
Rory leaves to get some waters, and Trina gets up to walk around. She sees Spencer, and he tries to jet, but she stops him. He says he’s going to take her advice to heart. He’ll see her when he sees her. Have fun. On his way out, he drops the envelope, and she sees it. They both race to pick it up, but she gets there first. She asks, what is this?
Tomorrow, Marshall asks Sonny to leave; Spencer says, there’s something he’d like to tell Trina; Willow tells Nina that she’s here for Nelle; and Sonny says he’ll keep Selina’s offer in mind.
Below Deck Mediterranean
The title of this episode is Let Me Be Frank, and it reminds me of an old joke…
Mellieha Bay. We’re still at the wine tasting, and in Dave’s interview, he says, the guests are loving it. The problem is, he had everything ready to go up at once, and everyone could pour whatever wine they wanted. He’s trying to make interior’s life easier. The wine pairing is making everyone else’s life difficult. Dessert is served, and Storm tells the guests that he wants to go over things for tomorrow. We flash back to the preference sheet meeting, and primary Adam’s request for a water obstacle course for a friendly competition. Storm tells them to bring their drinking face and sports legs and body, because it’s going to go together. Kyle suggests the guests change into their PJs, and one of them says he should too. Kyle says, even though they’re supposed to be in uniform, he has to honor guest requests. Tasha tells Dave that the meal was hectic, but amazing, and he says, it was sh*t. In Tasha’s interview, she says, it probably wasn’t the best decision to do the wine pairing, but the guests are having the best time, and that’s all that matters. Kyle gets in his PJs, and tells Dave, well done, as he walks past.
Kyle gets applause when he shows up, and in Tasha’s interview, she says she thinks Kyle’s flirting is great, but she loves a good love story. She’s always been a rebellious angel. People think she looks innocent, but really she tries to get away with murder. Bad decisions make good stories. She joins the party, and they play Rose and Thorn. Guest Daniel says, meeting them was his rose, and Kyle and Tasha are like, oh, gee, aww. Someone asks about Kyle, and Kyle says he wasn’t expecting to be attracted to another individual for a while, but seeing Frank’s smile, he was shook. Frank has a warm aura that makes him feel comfortable, and he’d like to get to know him. In Kyle’s interview, he says, he could definitely be fired for this kind of interaction, but being part of the LGBTQIA+ community, it’s difficult to make this kind of connection. What’s more important, job or romance? Kyle jokes and talks with the guests as they all lounge on the couch, and in her interview, Tasha says, if Captain Sandy came by and saw this, they’d both be in trouble. As his boss, she should say something to stop it, but she feels like a bit of a c*ck block at the moment. She tells Kyle that she needs him for work stuff, and out of the guests’ earshot, she says she doesn’t want him to get into trouble. The guests go to bed, and Mzi teases that Kyle looked cozy on the couch. He likes Kyle’s commitment to the cause. The crew goes to bed.
In the morning, Courtney does her tender thing. Natalya is annoyed by how much she has to clean up, and bitches to Dave. In her interview, she says, she already has a full morning, so when Tasha and Kyle leave the place like a pig sty, she goes through the roof. Courtney and Natalya get out the outfits for the competition, and the suits for the women are red spandex with spaghetti straps and relax on the front in rhinestones. Natalya gripes to Kyle and Tasha about how much she’s had to do, and in Tasha’s interview, she says she thinks if the shoe was on the other foot, and Natalya was up until 4 am, she would have gone to bed too. It’s not the end of the world. The slide is blown up, and Storm tells Mzi if he can get to the top from the bottom, he’ll let Mzi slide for 3 hours. But of course, it’s impossible. Storm tells the deckhands to be cheerful and loud, shocking and vivey (whatever that means), and Jason says, he means American. In Storm’s interview, he says, now that he’s got a taste of being a bosun, he doesn’t want to be anything else. He wants to make the guests and the captain happy, so he can say he’s done everything he can do.
Kyle puts on the relax bathing suit, and everyone cracks up. He puts trunks over it before they go out because… you know why. Captain Sandy welcomes everyone to the mini Olympics, and introduces Team Adams Family versus Team Home. The guests get the advantage, or disadvantage, of having a shot before each challenge. They do a bunch of crazy/silly stuff, and it ends 5 to 3 with Team Adams Family winning. The captain says, back to work, but Kyle sheds his trunks and continues to frolic in the water with the guests. The captain starts repeating, back to work, like a mom boss, until Kyle gets the message. In her interview, she says, it’s a fine line when the guests want to mingle with the crew, and some of the crew don’t know when to end the fun. If you have respect for yourself and your industry, you don’t cross the line. She trusts every crew member, until they show they can’t be trusted. You just need to know where the line is, and not cross it. In Kyle’s interview, he says, he’s never been in this position before. Rule number one, don’t get intimate with guests. But he doesn’t want to lose this. He needs to figure out a way of showing interest without losing his job.
In Mzi’s interview, he says, he and Courtney have chemistry, but they like each other as good friends, nothing more. Dave makes a three-layer chocolate cake, with butter icing and white chocolate ganache, shaped like a ship. In his interview, he says, he did it once before, in all chocolate; The Black Pearl. We see a picture of him in a pirate costume holding a ship cake. Storm tells Jason to take a break for 15 minutes, which turns into 45 minutes. In his interview, Mzi says, there’s always one person in the work place who’s defiant. He has no respect for people like that. Know your job, and try to make chemistry work, not destroy it. Frank tells Kyle that he’s sad it’s the last night, but Kyle says, it’s never the last night, and they flirt some more. Natalya asks for help with decorating for the birthday party, and Storm sends Jason. Captain Sandy is impressed with cake, and says she’s loving the silver and gold décor. Kyle makes drinks that are mostly tequila based, and again I wonder, blech, why? Guest Liam turns into Bambi for the evening. Mzi and Courtney discuss Jason, and Courtney says, he should have more respect for the job. She’s had enough. She sees Jason nearby, and wonders if he heard, but Mzi doesn’t think so. In Jason’s interview, he says, they’ve got a clique, and he feels like an outsider. It sucks for sure. Courtney tells Mzi that she doesn’t want any drama. She’s keeping her mouth shut.
The guests are impressed with the dinner table, and Natalya is impressed with Bambi. In Natalya’s interview, she says, she’s not into girls, but could be for Bambi. In Captain Sandy’s interview, she says, she’s a child at heart, and loves cake like she loves puppies, but she also loves ships. She never had a chef make a ship cake. After the usual fabulous dinner, Dave brings out the cake, and Happy Birthday is sung badly. The guests get ready to go in the hot tub, and Natalya is overwhelmed in the laundry. She tells Storm that she’s hit a wall, and he says he has too. In her interview, Natalya says she likes Storm, but she has trust issues. Her longest relationship was 7 weeks when she was 17. They were out for Valentine’s Day, and he left in the middle of dinner because his ex wanted him back. And he stuck her with the bill. In the hot tub, Adam says he feels like he’s in a big gay soup. Mzi tells Storm that Jason was a few minutes late for anchor watch, but he apologized. Frank goes over to where Kyle is tending bar, and says, it seems like he’s alone a lot with his job. Kyle says he is, and that’s why he struggles to find a partner. Frank says, Kyle has the gay wit he doesn’t, and Kyle says, it came from when he was growing up. It was a way out of awkward situations. Frank says, he’s like a deer in headlights, and Kyle says, that’s what makes him so cute. Guest Jennifer wonders if will happen, and in Kyle’s interview, he says, Frank is gorgeous, but giving him heart as well. Jennifer thinks they’ll be a thing, and wants to encourage them. The guests head to bed, and Kyle and Frank have a hug.
In Tasha’s interview, she says she sees messages from her boyfriend, but there aren’t enough hours in the day to chat. He’s having issues about her working with Dave, and she doesn’t know what she’s supposed to do. Frank texts Kyle, asking if they can hang out after charter, and Kyle texts back, inviting Frank to join the crew later. A pigeon tries to take up residence on deck, and nearly creams Captain Sandy when she comes out. Storm keeps trying to radio Jason, who finally emerges. Storm tells Jason that he called three times, and Jason needs to respond. In Jason’s interview, he says he’s sorry he’s not moving fast enough for Storm. He’s not a dog. Why is it a surprise to this guy that he’s an outsider? Liam wonders what they’re going to do for food rest of their lives. Courtney asks Mzi if heart palpitations are normal for docking. She’s scared, and it’s stressing her out. In her interview, she says, her brain is her biggest enemy. The more she thinks about something, the more scared she is to do it. She throws her lines, and they dock successfully. Captain Sandy tells the crew to meet for guest departure.
While hugging in the goodbye line, Frank says he wants to kiss Kyle, and Kyle says, they will later. Adam says, they made his 30th more than he could ask for go. The crew went the extra million miles. They put out all the toys, even though they seemed super complicated, and a hassle. The crew became part of their family, and he’s profoundly grateful. He gives the captain the tip envelope, and they leave. Tasha says, that was a lovely speech, and Captain Sandy tells them to get in their reds, and turn the boat around. They spiff up the boat, and the captain calls them for the tip meeting. She tells them that she’s pleased with everyone. The cake was insane. The toys weren’t easy, but they conquered the slide. The games were great, and they did an awesome job. She’s decided to make Storm bosun, and everyone goes, yay! She says, congrats; he earned it. One thing she wants to talk about is the line on mingling with the guests. When she says, get back in uniform and back to work, that doesn’t mean go down the slide. They should be friendly, but in uniform, they’re professionals, and can’t forget that. In Kyle’s interview, he says, that won’t happen again, obviously, but thanks for pointing it out. The tip is $20K, or $1800 each. In Storm’s interview, he says, it’s like a crazy dream. He’ll try his best to kick ass. He’s seriously stoked. He’s going to enjoy the night out. Kyle says, Adam told them that they were like family. How do they know where the line is? Natalya suggests someone hang off the boat to show Kyle how low he is next to the guests.
Courtney raps as they wash down the boat. Dave asks to talk to Tasha, and in his interview, he says, it’s like they’re both treading on glass. He wants to be friends, but they need to reach an agreement that suits them both. They sit on deck, and Dave says, they don’t have to be friends, but they need to work together. Tasha says, now that they both understand nothing is going to happen between them, they can get on with each other. He says he has lots of feelings for her, and his heart was broken. He was upset, and he’s not scared to say it. He’s a big boy, and still thinks she’s an amazing person. She says, sorry, and they hug
Grand Harbour. The crew gets ready to go out. In Dave’s interview, he says, if he indulges in spirits, he can’t hold his tongue. It’s easier to get along than have bad vibes, so tonight is going to be a clear night. He’s decided to stay on the boat. The rest of the crew goes to a bar, where they see the guests from the last charter. Frank and Kyle hug, and in Tasha’s interview, she says she’s finally free to be herself, and enjoy what she loves doing most – partying. Can Dave stay on the boat every night out? Kyle says he wants to take Frank places he’s never been (literally, that’s not romantic talk), and Frank says he hasn’t traveled enough. Natalya suggests she and Storm go back to the boat for vegemite toast and a movie. I’ve had vegemite. No thanks. In Storm’s interview, he says, Natalya keeps him on his toes. She’s a fierce little lady, and he likes her a lot. They others stay and dance for a while. When it’s time to leave, there’s lots of hugging. Kyle makes a heart sign to Frank before he gets in the car. In Kyle’s interview, he gets tears in his eyes and says, he’s waited a long time to have a moment like this. He doesn’t know what will happen in the future. You don’t want to be away from someone who makes you feel so good. He gets out of the car, and yells, Frank, I love you! They run toward each other, and passionately kiss. Everyone screams with happiness, and fireworks go off. Again, literally. Okay, maybe figuratively too.
This season, girl power; Mzi in drag; Tasha says, when the guests are away, he mice will play; Captain Sandy says, the interior has to get organized, and it’s the last time she’s saying it; Storm and Jason clash; Storm has a conflict with Natalya; Tasha says she struggles with being alone; and a huge swell where someone gets hurt.
💓 Best episode so far this season. And if you wonder what eventually happened:
Stop by tomorrow for soap, a spot of tea, and a bit of music. Until then, stay safe, stay being a beacon of light in a dark world, and stay not suppressing your feelings. It only leads to trouble.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Chase and Brook walk into the pool area, and Brook thanks him for getting her away from the house. The place is swarming with cops and people cleaning up. He says he can’t believe someone stabbed Ava at a crowded event, and she says, the good news is, Ava is out of surgery and in stable condition. He says he’s sure the PCPD will find out what happened, and she says she hopes so. She asks if they can change the subject, and he says, absolutely. Can he just say how happy he is that they both finally got out of their own ways and are doing this. They’re going on a date. She says, at least they’re giving it the old college try, but he says, they can do much, much better than that, and kisses her.
Sam is sitting in a chaise lounge when Dante approaches. He asks if the seat next to her is taken, and she says she was saving it for someone. He’s like, fifteen minutes late. Dante sits, and says, damn. What’s with this dude? He’s late? That’s so rude. She tells him, she wouldn’t say that. He probably has good reason. He’s a cop, a detective. Dante asks if she’s saying he puts his work above his personal life, and she says, he’s just really dedicated to his job.
In the home of the moss bowl 🎍, Josslyn gives Cameron something to drink, and he says he’s sorry. He feels like he should be waiting on her after everything she just went through. Is she sure she’s okay? She says she is now, since the moss bowl is back 🎍but when she first saw Ava, she just froze. There was so much blood. Then Ava opened her eyes, and Josslyn went to reach for her phone to dial 9-1-1, but she’d left it inside. She knew she had to get help, but Ava was so scared. Ava wouldn’t let Josslyn leave her. He says he’s sorry she had to go through that, and she says, eventually, she found a towel, something to apply pressure to the wound. By that time, Ava had passed out, and she didn’t know if she should run and get more help, or stay and keep applying the pressure. And that’s when Dex showed up.
At the hospital, Sonny tells Dex that he won’t need him for the rest of the night. Dex asks if he’s sure, when Temp Michael (who always confuses me for a moment) comes around the corner. Dex tells Sonny, he knows Selina Wu has a shipment coming in. He can go to the docks and make sure things go smoothly, and Sonny says, he wants to work that bad? Dex tells him, he’s said it before; he wants to prove Sonny can count on him. Sonny says, all right then, and Dex starts to leave, but Sonny says he has something else he wants Dex to do for him.
In a room at the MetroCourt, Spencer holds his head, and says he feels like crap. He needs to take a shower. He takes off his shoes and shirt, and sits down on the bed instead. He says, maybe a nap, and lies down.
Willow leans against the wall for a moment, and Terry asks if she’s all right. Willow says, it’s the end of her shift. She’s just a little tired. Terry says, Nurse Tate, my office. Now.
Nina goes in to see Ava, and sits next to the bed. She asks if Ava is in much pain, and Ava says, at the moment, she can’t feel much of anything. That’s probably good. She’s not looking forward to the painkillers wearing off. She asks if Avery was here, and Nina says, Sonny brought her by earlier. She needed to see for herself that her mommy was all right. She figured Ava might want some company, but if she’d rather sleep, Nina can go. Ava says, no. Stay. It’s better not to be alone. Nina says, speaking of being alone, why is she alone? Where’s her husband? Ava says she told Nikolas to stay away, and Nina says, when she saw him earlier, he seemed pretty worried about her. Ava sort of laughs, and says, she bets he did. Nina asks why she doesn’t want to see Nikolas, and Ava says, he hurt her. He betrayed her in the worst possible way.
Cameron says, Dex was there, Sonny’s guy, and Josslyn says, he helped her save Ava’s life. He really knew what he was doing. Cameron says, he bets Dex did, considering his line of work, and she says, Dex was a soldier. He served in Afghanistan. He says he didn’t know that. What he does know about Dex is that Josslyn saw him pestering one of the jurors at Trina’s trial. She says, yeah, and she still thinks he’s an idiot to work for Sonny. All she’s saying is, he has a few redeeming qualities. When he found her and Ava, he didn’t panic. He knew they had to get to the hospital right away. If they’d waited for that ambulance, Ava would be dead. So, yes, she helped, but Dex saved her life. Cameron wonders where Spencer was during all this, and Josslyn says she doesn’t know, but is he implying Spencer could have attacked Ava? He says, no, of course (🍷) not. Spencer did stalk Ava, but he doesn’t think Spencer is capable of that kind of violence. If Esme were still in town, maybe she could be the one, but he only asks because Ava is Spencer’s stepmom. This attack affects him. She says she didn’t see Spencer at the picnic, but apparently, he got totally wasted.
Spencer sleeps, and dreams he’s searching for Trina, Cam, and Joss in an empty Savoy. Esme says, they aren’t here, and he sees her sitting on the bar, holding a martini. She says, neither is Trina. It’s just you and me. He says, she’s come back, and she says she never left, not really. He doesn’t have to pretend with her. She knows he missed her. He says, the only thing he missed was the police arresting her for framing Trina. He’s disappointed she was able to skip town before the cops got her. She says, liar, and hops down from the bar. She asks if he isn’t really disappointed in himself; that all his plans were for nothing? He says, at least it got her out of his life. One call to Commissioner Ashford, and she’s done. He’ll have her sent to prison. She laughs, and he says, it makes her smile, prison? She says, she’s out of his life, but she took his father and Trina with her.
Nina says, don’t tell her Nikolas is the one who attacked her, and Ava says she doesn’t know who attacked her, but she doesn’t think it was Nikolas. Nina says, then how did he hurt her? and Ava says, he betrayed her in the most basic way. Nina says, he cheated on her. She’s so sorry. He’s such an idiot.Who was it? Not that it matters; cheating is cheating. Ava says, it matters, and Nina says, who was it? Ava says, Esme, and Nina says, Spencer’s girlfriend Esme? Nikolas slept with his son’s girlfriend? That’s disgusting. Ava says, Nikolas claims he thought their marriage was over, that he’d been drinking heavily, and that Esme came on to him. Nina asks if that’s why Esme left. Did Ava run her out of town? Ava says, something like that.
Dante slides Sam’s chaise closer to his, and says, sorry he’s late. He kisses her, and she says, he’s forgiven. Besides she had plenty to keep her occupied. She points to Brook and Chase, who are still kissing, and says, his former partner and BLQ can’t keep their hands off each other. She thinks it’s in the air. Actually, she thinks it’s pretty easy to get in your own way. Like her totally overthinking the moving in thing. He says, but she didn’t do that. She had her reasons, and as long as he knows she wants to move forward, he and Rocco will move in… someday. She says, how about tomorrow?
Michael watches from a distance, and Dex asks what Sonny wants him to do. Sonny says he wants Dex to go to the ICU, and stand guard by Ava’s room until Frank gets here. Dex says, that’s it? He can do a lot more than that. Sonny asks how many times he has to tell Dex; just do what he tells him to do. Does he have a problem with that? Michael comes over, and says he heard about Ava. He asks if Sonny has any idea who attacked her, and Sonny asks if there’s any reason he should know that. Michael says, it was a fundraiser for sick children – a picnic, barbecue, games on the Quartermaine grounds – and somehow, Ava got stabbed in the middle of it. Sonny asks what Michael is suggesting, and Michael says, they both know violence tends to follow Sonny around. Was he involved?
Brook tells Chase, they have to stay focused. They have a plan. Does he think it’s time? He looks at his watch, and says, just about. He stares at her, and she says, what? He says, she’s really beautiful, and she tells him, stop. She should have known he’d become a mushball after they got together. He asks if she thinks calling him a mushball is an insult; it’s not. After all these months of hiding his feelings, he gets to say them out loud. Guess what? He yells that he thinks she’s beautiful. She’s wicked smart, and impossibly funny, and what she did for Maxie and Bailey Lou, who has a bigger heart than Brook Lynn Quartermaine? Which is why she deserves an epic first date. She says, he doesn’t have anything planned? That is a letdown. He says, he has plans; lots and lots of plans. They kiss, and Linc walks in. He says, what the hell? Is this how Brook thinks a manager services her clients? It’s hardly professional.
In Terry’s office, Willow drinks some water, and says she feels better already. Terry says she doesn’t have to tell Willow, nursing is a strenuous occupation. You spend most of the day on your feet, and it’s usually go, go, go. Willow says she knows that, but she still loves it. She’s proud of graduating, and proud of being a full-time nurse. Terry says, that’s quite an accomplishment. When she found Willow in the hallway just now, it looked like she was about to faint. Willow says, what nurse isn’t wiped out at the end of their shift? She can still do her job. Terry says, if Willow decided to take a medical leave, her job would still be waiting for her. Willow says, she’s not even out of her first trimester yet, and Terry wants her to take off the rest of her pregnancy? And maternity leave on top of that? She’d be gone almost a year. Terry says she’s not talking about Willow’s pregnancy. She’s talking about the time Willow will need to beat her leukemia. Willow says, pregnant women get tired even if they don’t have leukemia, and Terry says, and Willow is handling both, while keeping her diagnosis a secret from her partner. Willow says, it’s her choice and her mind is made up.
Michael asks if Sonny has considered that Ava was targeted because of her connection to him, and Dex tells Michael to shut his mouth. Sonny pushes Dex back, and tells him, stop that; stop jumping like that. Let him explain something to Michael. Ava is Avery’s mother, and that’s the only connection he has to what happened. The attack took place on Quartermaine property. Maybe Michael’s other family should have better security. Michael says he thinks the GH Board should reconsider their relationship with Sonny, and Sonny says, his donations built not one, but two wings to the hospital. Michael says, money can’t buy respectability, and leaves. Sonny says, what a shame, and Dex says, he has no right to speak to Sonny that way. Sonny says, when he tells Dex something, just do it. Go to the ICU now.
Spencer tells Esme, don’t talk to him about his father. He can’t believe she had sex with him. She sits at a table where a martini is waiting, and asks if he’s really that surprised. She was his first, but he was hardly her first. Deep down, he had to know he wasn’t experienced enough for her. How does she explain this in a way he’ll understand?… She knows. He just wasn’t man enough to keep her satisfied. He says, the thought of touching her physically repulsed him, and she says, it’s true she was never his top priority. He chose his friends over her, especially Trina. Is it any wonder she turned to someone else; a man of experience? He says she could have turned to anyone else, and he wouldn’t have cared, but she chose his father. How could she? How could he? She says, poor little rich boy. His father chose her over him, just like his beloved Trina chose rookie Rory over him. That makes him the biggest loser, doesn’t it? He lost his father and the girl. He says, that’s because Trina doesn’t know the truth. She doesn’t now he was on her side the entire time. Esme says, and if she did? What then? Does he think Trina is going to drop Officer Six-Pack and come running to him? Keep dreaming. He says he had to act like he didn’t believe Trina to trick Esme into admitting she’d set Trina up, and Esme says, but she was smarter. No way she’d incriminate herself. The only reason Trina got exonerated is because that rat of a bartender sold her out. Spencer’s plan didn’t accomplish anything. That’s not strictly true. Spencer played his role so well, Trina is never going to forgive him, and he knows that. So why hasn’t he told her? It’s not some noble gesture; he’s far from noble. It’s because he’s scared it still won’t make a difference. Trina still won’t want him. She made sure of that. He yells, shut up! and Esme disappears. She says, enjoy Pentenville. She’s sure he’ll make a ton of friends. He yells, shut up, Esme! as she laughs. He wakes up.
Cameron tells Josslyn, Spencer’s going to Pentenville tomorrow. He doesn’t blame him for cutting loose. She says she’d probably do the same thing if she was in his shoes. Does Cameron think they should check on him? He’s at the MetroCourt. Cameron says, he’s spending his last day of freedom at the pool? but she says, he’s staying there. She thinks he got into yet another argument with his dad. He said he was going there to shower and get some sleep. Her phone rings, she says, hey munchkin… Slow down… Where is she?… Is she sure?… Okay. She’s going to look for it. She’ll tell her if she finds it. Cameron asks what she’s off to look for, and she says, Avery’s charm bracelet. Her mom gave it to her, and she thinks she left it at GH, so Josslyn’s heading over there. She thinks she has enough time before Trina’s party. Cameron says he thinks he’ll check on Spencer. It might be the last time he can say goodbye before Spencer goes to Pentenville. He’ll see her at the party.
Dex stands guard outside, while inside Ava’s room, Nina says, so Ava’s husband slept with his son’s girlfriend, and Ava found out about it, and walked away? That doesn’t sound like the Ava Jerome she knows and loves. She would expect some epic Shakespearian payback. Ava says, believe her, she wanted to make Nikolas pay. She had to wait. Nina asks, why? and Ava flashes back to struggling with Esme on the parapet. Nina asks, where’d she go? and Ava says, it just wasn’t the right time. Nina says, it sounds like she’s talking about something specific. What is it? What made her wait?
In his room, Spencer writes, dear Trina. I want you to know the truth. I wasn’t going to tell you. I figured you were better off without me in your life, but I need you to know, from the moment I walked into that interrogation room after you’d been arrested, I knew you were innocent. Despite what I said, I believe in you. I always have.
Brook says she can’t believe a dirtbag like Linc is lecturing on professional behavior, and Linc says, didn’t he warn Chase? All Brook wants is to get Chase in bed. Chase says, actually, they’re dating. See that thing on his face? It’s a smile, because he’s happy. Linc says, a manager and a client are hooking up, and he’s calling it dating? Brook says she’s not surprised Linc doesn’t understand the concept. Dating is when a woman actually wants to spend time with you. Linc says, he and Chase have a meeting on the books. Chase is supposed to be with him right now, not Brook. They have to talk about studio musicians. Chase says, they had a meeting, but he’s canceling it. He doesn’t need 30 days to decide who his manager is going to be. He’s ready to sign with Brook. Linc says, what about the gig at The Savoy he just got for Chase? and Chase says, he’ll still do the gig, and Linc will get his cut, but Linc says, Chase thinks he’s going to promote someone else’s singer? Unless Chase signs with him, that gig is off. I’d bet dollars to donuts (I have no idea what that means, but it sounds good), Curtis would let him sing there anyway.
Sam asks why Dante is laughing, and he says he’s not laughing at her. It’s just when he brought it up, she seemed hesitant. Now she’s all gung-ho about it, which is great. He loves this change of pace, but he doesn’t want her to feel like they need to rush anything. She says she was just thinking it would be good for Rocco to move before the school year starts. Unless he’s too busy working. He says he’ll always make time for them, and they kiss.
Michael tells Nurse Andrea that he’s here to meet Willow. Has she seen her? Andrea says she saw Willow earlier, and believes she’s in Dr. Randolph’s office.
Ava tells Nina that she doesn’t know what she’s saying. She thinks it’s all the pain medication they have her on. She asks Nina to promise not to tell anyone about Nikolas and Esme. It would just be so humiliating if people knew Nikolas cheated on her with a girl young enough to be his daughter. Nina promises not to tell anyone, but says, Nikolas should be ashamed of what he did to Ava; of what he did to his own son. Ava didn’t do anything wrong. Ava says she’s not sure everybody would agree, and Nina says, Ava’s not to blame for this situation. Ava says she’s not a particularly popular person. Nikolas knows this. Even after she knew about him cheating, he tried to convince her that they still needed each other. A part of he actually believes him. Nina wonders why Nikolas is saying they need each other. What isn’t Ava telling her? What did she do? Ava looks past Nina, who turns around to see Sonny standing in the doorway.
Linc says, either Linc signs with him, and keeps his show at a first class venue, where he can guarantee Chase at least two promoters from Manhattan in the audience; or he can blow it all playing kiss-and-tell with the sequel to Clueless. Brook says, hey, who’s he calling clueless? and he asks if she’d prefer Dazed and Confused. Chase says he’s made up his mind. The Savoy gig would have been fun, but he’s sticking with Brook. Linc says, Chase is a fool. He would have made Chase a star. All Brook can do is keep his bed warm. Chase says, watch it, and moves closer to Linc. Linc tells him, enjoy his career as a wedding singer. Brush up on The Village People. People can’t get enough of YMCA at receptions. Linc leaves, and Brook says she didn’t love the insults, but they did it. Step one is complete. He says, now on to step two.
Willow says, it’s like Terry’s pressuring her to tell Michael about her leukemia diagnosis, and Terry says she’s sorry. The last thing she wants to do is add stress to Willow’s life. The decision to share her diagnosis or not is hers alone, but as her as boss and her doctor, it’s Terry’s duty to point out that if the people around Willow don’t know she’s ill, they’ll expect her to maintain her busy schedule. So it’s going to fall on Willow to take care of herself. Willow says she’s sorry. She didn’t mean to jump down Terry’s throat. She’s not lying. She basically feels fine; she just lacks some energy. Her goal is to keep her life as normal as possible for as long as she can. She’s lucky. They caught it early, but her life is no longer normal. She has to face that. There’s a knock at the door, and Michael says he’s looking for Willow. Willow says she’s in here, and he asks if he’s interrupting something. Willow says, no. She’s glad he’s here. He needs to know what she’s decided.
There’s a knock at Spencer’s door, and Spencer asks who it is. Cameron says, it’s him, and Spencer puts his writing stuff under his pillow. He smooths his hair, and opens the door. He asks what Cameron is doing here, and Cameron says, nice to see him too. He came to check on Spencer. He heard Spencer got a little drunk at the Quartermaine picnic. What gives? Spencer says he’s going to Pentenville tomorrow; he thought he deserved a big send-off. Cameron asks if Spencer is sure that’s it, and Spencer says, yeah. Cameron says, in that case, why is Spencer spending his last night of freedom alone, and not with his family at Windymere?
Frank tells Dex that he’ll take over, and Dex says, the boss is inside. Josslyn joins them, and asks, how’s Ava? Dex says, Frank just got here; he’s been here a while. He walks with Josslyn to the waiting area, and says, it’s seemed quiet since he got here; no medical emergencies. What is she doing here? She says, Avery lost her bracelet. She thinks she might have left it in Ava’s room, or somewhere in the waiting area. He says he’s been here for a while, but he hasn’t seen anything like that. She looks under a couch, and says she’s going to keep looking. The bracelet is from Ava, so Avery is pretty upset. He says, a janitor took the trash not too long ago. Maybe he knows what happened to it.
Sonny says, it got quiet when he came in. Is everything okay? Ava says, for starters, some lunatic stabbed her with a hook, and the cops don’t know who it was. He asks if she has any idea who attacked her, but she says she didn’t see anything. Nina says, maybe she will when she recovers, and Ava says she hopes so. She asks if Avery is all right. It wasn’t too scary to see her like this? Sonny says, she was reassured that her mom was just sleeping, and she just wants her mommy to get better. Ava says she wants that too, but until the person who did this is caught, what’s to stop them from trying to finish the job?
Sonny comes out with Nina, and tells Frank to keep his eyes open. Frank says he’s on it, and Sonny asks what Josslyn is doing here. She says, Avery lost her charm bracelet, the one Ava gave her. She thinks she might have left it here. Dex comes back, and says he found the janitor, but it was too late. He already took the trash to the dumpster. Josslyn says, she’ll figure this out; they don’t have to wait. Sonny says he appreciates her looking out for her sister. She says she always will, and Sonny and Nina leave. Dex says he’s sorry her little sister lost her bracelet, but Josslyn says, this isn’t over. Does he know where the dumpsters are?
Willow tells Michael that she was so excited to get her nursing degree, she tried to do too much too soon. She was just talking to Dr. Randolph about cutting back her hours. He says he’s completely supportive of this. He’s been worried about Willow since she fainted. Once the baby comes, their lives will only get busier. He’s glad she’s getting her rest now while she can. Willow says she promises her goal is to be 100% when this is over.
Spencer tells Cameron, his Uncle Victor got him the room. Something about not wanting to haul his drunk ass back to Windymere. Since this is his last night of freedom, he figured he’d spend it there. He wanted some five-star luxury before his three months in maximum security. Cameron says, that makes sense. So is his dad at the hospital with Ava? Spencer says he assumes so, and Cameron asks if he’s scared to go to Pentenville. Spencer says, of course (🍷) he is; who wouldn’t be? His life is royally screwed up, and for nothing. Cameron says, it’s not for nothing. Spencer was helping his friend Trina; that matters.Spencer says, except that it turns out it was completely pointless. He didn’t do anything to help her. It was the bartender’s testimony that got the charges dropped. Cameron says, what’s important is that Spencer was helping a friend, and Spencer says, maybe, eyeing his pillow. Cameron says, if Spencer wants, he can stick around. They could play some video games. He can be a little late to Trina’s party. Trina is having a party to celebrate PCU dropping the Title IX charges; she’s going back to classes in the fall. Spencer says, that’s great; good for her. But Cameron doesn’t have to stick around. Cameron asks if he’s sure, and Spencer says he’ll see Cameron in a few months. Cameron asks if Spencer doesn’t think he’ll come visit, and Spencer says, he is? Cameron says, Spencer’s his friend, isn’t he? and they hug.
Sam asks how the investigation into Ava’s stabbing is going, and Dante says, slow. Whoever stabbed her took a big risk, doing it at a picnic with so many people around. She says, maybe it wasn’t about the risk. Maybe it was a crime of passion.
Brook says, she knew it was a good plan to make Linc want to sign Chase, then make a big deal about Chase signing with her. It’s just going to make Linc want to sign him more. He’s one of those guys who wants what he can’t have. Chase says, and on to step two. They have to find a way to make him some kind of success… as a singer. And step three, Linc will buy out his contract. She says, at a very good price, she might add, and he says, then he’ll abandon his singing career, and leave Linc in the lurch. She says, yes. That is the final step. He says, then the hard part. She’s got to make him a star. She says, easy peasy.
Dante helps Sam up, and says, let’s go for pizza, then to his place to start packing up. She asks if he’s sure Rocco will want to give up his backyard, and he says, there’s a beautiful park a block away from her penthouse. She says, what about living with two other kids? and he says, they’ve spent so much time together at the Quartermaines, they’re pretty much siblings already. They kiss, and she says, it’s a go. On their way out, the run into Brook and Chase. Dante says, look who they have here. He was going to say they should be enjoying each other more, but he doesn’t think that’s possible. Chase says, they’re that obvious? and Sam says, only in the best way possible. Dante tells them, have a good night, and leaves with Sam.
At the dumpster, Josslyn tells Dex, that smell; it’s so gross. He says, it’s garbage. What did she expect? She tells him, it says number ten, and the janitor said that’s trash, not medical waste. She brings a wooden crate over, and gets on it. He says, she’s not actually climbing in? It’s just a bracelet. Why doesn’t she buy her sister a new one? Josslyn says, no, and opens the dumpster. She says, her sister is going through enough right now. If there’s a chance the bracelet is in here, she’s going to look for it. Is he going to help her or what?
Dressed in a suit, Spencer signs the letter and puts it in an envelope. He leaves, taking it with him.
Willow thanks Terry for hearing her out, and Terry says she’s a great nurse. They want to support her any way they can. Her desk phone rings, and she says she has to take this. Willow and Michael leave, and in the hallway, Willow says, hang on. Michael asks if something is wrong, and she asks if he thinks they can skip the MetroCourt, and have a quiet dinner at home. He says, as long as they’re together, he doesn’t care where they go.
Frank comes into Ava’s room, and she asks if he’s going to be right outside her door all night. He says he will, and she says, he won’t let anyone in who isn’t approved? He says he has the list on his phone, and she asks if Nikolas Cassadine is on the list. Frank says, he is, and she says, he shouldn’t be. Take her husband’s name off.
Chase says, if it was that easy to make someone a star, wouldn’t every karaoke singer do it? She says, they’re not talking about karaoke singers. She has experiences; she has contacts. Chase is the total package. Every guy is going to want to be him, and every girl is going to have a poster of him on her wall. Anyone who hears him is going to become an instant fan. He says, is that all it’s going to take? and she says, he can be very charismatic. They kiss, and Chase says, and she can be very convincing. How are they going to get him in front of a crowd? She sees Nina and Sonny walk in, and says she has an idea. Trust her.
Sonny says he knows he interrupted something between Nina and Ava. When he walked into the room, it was tense. She says he doesn’t need to know about this. It’s just, Ava’s been through a lot, and she’s emotional right now. He says, he knows that’s not it. Tell him the truth. What were she and Ava talking about?
On Monday, Brando says, Sasha is in trouble; Sasha asks Lucy, what’s the bottom line; and Sonny asks what favor someone needs.
🏋️♀️ They Never Die…
I still expect Faison to show up again, even though Doc has his brain in a jar. Or perhaps a good twin. Could happen.
I don’t get Jackie being demoted. At first I thought maybe she’d decided to take time off, but no. Bravo has made some bad decisions lately. They’re reducing the time of the person who had the most interesting, and real, storyline last season; yet they continue to keep Teresa, who has become a liability with her temper, in the forefront. Don’t even get me started on RHOBH.
The word incestuous comes to mind. I also don’t know why Raquel would want to go from one bad choice to another. At least the chances of Schwartz rage texting her are slim.
I don’t know how much of a competition it is though. It’s not like you can’t watch almost anything at any time now. I personally have at least three premieres on my viewing schedule this weekend.
Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success. – Dale Carnegie
Maybe this world is another planet’s hell. – Aldous Huxley
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth. – Oscar Wilde
You can tell a lot about a fellow’s character by his way of eating jellybeans. – Ronald Reagan
The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance. – Alan Watts
It’s the friends you can call up at 4 a.m. that matter. – Marlene Dietrich
A coward is incapable of exhibiting love; it is the prerogative of the brave. – Mahatma Gandhi
Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude. – Thomas Jefferson
Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything. – George Bernard Shaw
I think the only answer is to live life to the fullest while you can and collect memories like fools collect money. Because in the end, that’s all you have – happy memories. – Sarah Strohmeyer
We do not remember days, we remember moments. The richness of life lies in memories we have forgotten. – Cesare Pavese
Basic cable; it’s like being in prison. – Charlie Harper (Charlie Sheen), Two and a Half Men
You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else. – Albert Einstein (The first guy to figure out Survivor.)
🍁 Unofficial Seasonal Change…
Soap and Deck will still be laboring on Monday, so join me for both. Until then, stay safe, stay laboring at whatever you want or not this weekend, and stay knowing that helping a friend is never for nothing. It always matters.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Finn tells Elizabeth, something doesn’t add up. If Nikolas always knew he could vouch for her whereabouts, why didn’t he just say that? More to the point, why didn’t she? She says, because Nikolas is lying.
Trina tells Ava that she’s going to be okay. Her family is right outside, even Spencer, just waiting for her to wake up. The alarm on the machine starts going off, and Trina runs out, yelling for help.
In Valentin’s hotel room (um… what happened between the pool and here?), Valentin tells Anna, they’ve been keeping secrets from one another. She says, they have? and he says he thinks it’s time they stop doing that. Put their cards on the table. She asks if he’d like to go first, but he says he thinks they can both jump in as need be. She’s got Lucy Coe trying to get information on him. That’s clever. She says, given the players, she thought sequins might be a good camouflage because he’s been so opaque. He says he has his reasons. Actually, he has one very good reason. She says, his daughter. Charlotte’s in danger, isn’t she?
Curtis asks what brings Drew by to The Savoy, and Drew says, after everything that happened at the family manse yesterday, he needed a bit of a distraction. Curtis says he heard what happened to Ava. Is she going to be okay? Portia joins them, and Drew says, last he heard, she’s critical, but stable. Portia says, it’s so horrible. Do they have any idea who might have done this to her? Drew says, the PCPD is working on it, the boathouse is cordoned off as a crime scene, and he spent most of the morning answering questions. Portia says, no wonder he needed a distraction, and Curtis says, speaking of distractions, should he tell Drew or does she want to? Drew says, tell him what? and Portia shows him her ring. Curtis says, they got engaged.
Carly lovingly cleans around the moss bowl🎍, and flashes back to blowing off a relationship with Drew. There’s a knock at the door, and Bobbie comes in. She says, Carly was a million miles away just now, and Carly says she was thinking things out. Bobbie says, that’s why she’s here. Her daughter needs her, and she’s here for her. They hug.
Finn tells Elizabeth, Nikolas lied; what a shocker. But he did find them together. She says she wasn’t with Nikolas the whole time, and he asks why Nikolas told Jordan that she was. She says, he was being a friend and covering for her, and he asks, where was she then? She says she doesn’t know, and he says, the Quartermaine estate is a big place. Nobody could fault her for not knowing where she was. She says she hasn’t told him everything. It’s time she did.
Bobbie asks how Avery is taking it, and Carly says, she’s really upset and confused. She can’t go away to a seminar with Avery’s mother in the hospital. Bobbie says, mmm… and Carly says, if she wants to say something, just say it. Bobbie says, Carly is using Ava’s stabbing as an excuse not to go, and Carly asks why she’d need an excuse. Bobbie says, after the merger disaster, Carly picked herself up, and was so excited to get her life back on track. Now she’s looking for excuses not to take the next step. So what changed?
Drew congratulates Curtis and Portia, and says he’s so happy for them. Portia says, they’re pretty excited about it themselves, and Curtis says, they’re pretty lucky, aren’t they. She says, yeah, they are.
Dr. Valero comes out of Ava’s room, and Nikolas asks, what’s happening? Why did the alarms go off?
Valentin says, Victor has Charlotte, and Anna says she wanted to be wrong. How did he get to her? Valentin says he thought Charlotte was safe. Peter was gone, and he made the mistake of letting his guard down. She says she thinks they both underestimated Victor. Using your granddaughter as hostage is a new low. He says, that’s the thing about his father; he has no low to hit.Victor saved Charlotte from Peter. She wanted to see him in the clinic, and he thought it was okay for Victor to bring her to him. She says, and he took her? and he says, as soon as he left the clinic, Victor took her to her new school, a state-of-the-art security boarding school, a place where sheiks and oligarchs send their children. He can send texts and call, but neither the school nor Victor will allow him physical contact. She says, with Valentin’s daughter as leverage, Victor knows he has control over him, and Valentin says, that’s exactly right. Victor made it very clear that Valentin has do everything he says, or he’s going to hurt her.
Dr. Valero tells Nikolas, Ava’s blood pressure was dangerously low. They gave her medication to stabilize it. Nikolas says, but she’s stable, and the doctor says, with her vitals and the way she’s responding to medication, they expect her to regain consciousness soon. Nikolas asks if he can see her, and Dr. Valero says, of course (🎍).Trina says she’s going to the vending machine, and Spencer says he’ll go with her. They leave, and Victor asks how Nikolas is holding up. Nikolas says he’s concerned about his wife, and goes into Ava’s room. Jordan suggests Victor let Nikolas have some time alone with Ava. It’s his turn to answer questions.
Curtis tells Drew, now that the charges have been dropped, PCU expunged their Title IX ruling, and reinstated Trina. Drew says, that’s so great that they’re throwing Trina a party. She deserves to have a little bit of fun after everything she’s been through. Curtis says he just wishes she didn’t have to worry about Ava now, when Portia comes over, and says, she has to check on some patients before the party. She’ll see Curtis tonight. She tells Drew, it’s good to see him, and leaves. Curtis says, now that it’s just the two of them, does Drew want to tell him the real reason he stopped by?
Carly tells Bobbie that she can’t fly off to Aruba to take a leadership course when her personal life is complicated. Bobbie says, don’t tell her this is about Sonny, and Carly says, God no. This is about Jason. Bobbie asks how Jason can be causing her problems, and Carly says she thinks she has feelings for his brother. Bobbie says, oh, that, and Carly asks what she means. Bobbie says, everybody knows, and Carly asks what everybody thinks they know. Bobbie says she doesn’t know what the big deal is. They’re both heathy, single adults. Carly says, it’s not nearly that simple, and Bobbie says, tell her everything. Carly says, after Jason died, she and Drew were getting closer and becoming friends. Then they started what she thought was just harmless flirting. Now she realizes she has feelings for him. Bobbie asks if Drew returns the feelings, and Carly says, she thinks so… yes. Yesterday at the picnic, she asked him point blank what was going on. Bobbie says she knows that look. She takes it the conversation went pretty well. Carly says, after a while, there wasn’t a lot of talking going on, so… Bobbie says she loves those conversations, and Carly says, but before it got too hot, the fire stopped everything. Bobbie says, Carly lost her, and Carly says, they left the grill unattended, but it was fine because someone put the fire out, and it gave her and Drew a minute to think. He stopped by earlier because he wanted to talk about where she thought things should go between them. Bobbie asks what she told him, and Carly says, she told him, in the past year, she lost her marriage, her career, and her best friend, and that her life has gone from stable to uncharted, and it wouldn’t be fair for her to start anything with him when she wasn’t sure where her life was going. Bobbie says, so Carly is putting her life on hold to protect Drew. The last time she looked, Drew was perfectly capable of protecting himself.
Drew asks if Curtis is accusing him of ulterior motives in looking up a friend, and Curtis says, Drew looks like he’s got something on his mind. Drew says he just came from Carly’s and… Yesterday at the Quartermaine picnic, Carly accused him of flirting with her. Curtis says, was he? and Drew says, oh yeah. Curtis asks if she returned the vibe, and Drew says, yes… but when he went to talk to her today, and told her that he wanted to see where this would go, she said she needs to sort her own life out first. Curtis tells Drew, he hates to say it, but she might be right, and Drew says, probably. Curtis says, and while she’s getting her house in order, maybe Drew should do the same.
Elizabeth says, Nikolas needed to cover for her because she didn’t know where she was, and Finn asks if she thinks she lost time again. She says, yes, and he says, maybe she doesn’t remember because she hit her head, but she says she’s lost consciousness before. This was different. It was like when those pills were making her sleepwalk, which means she can’t explain her whereabouts when Ava was attacked. Nikolas knew it would make the police suspicious, and she can’t risk anything happening to her because her boys need her. She doesn’t know what to do. She needs help. He takes her hands, and tells her, start from the beginning. They’ll figure this out together.
Jordan says, DA Scorpio said Victor showed up at the boathouse after Ava was found, and Victor says, one of many. They were concerned when they saw the police there. She says, prior to that, can he tell her where he was and who he was with? and he says, when Ava was so viciously attacked, he was with Spencer; he’d been taken ill. She asks if he’s sure, because the Quartermaine staffer who confirmed Spencer was intoxicated at the time of the attack said he was alone. Another witness stated they saw Victor and Spencer at around 10:15 pm, after the attack. Nikolas already stated he was with Elizabeth Baldwin when Ava was assaulted. So can anyone confirm his whereabouts? He says he commends Jordan on her pursuit of justice, but right now, his family needs him. He trusts they’ll find the person responsible for this dreadful crime. She thanks him for his time, and says she will be following up.
Nikolas tells Ava, Dr. Valero thinks she’ll wake up soon. He wonders if she’ll be able to tell them what she saw. She opens her eyes, and whimpers, no… Stop… She sees him, and says, Nikolas.
Elizabeth says, after she and Finn fought about him calling Sarah, she stormed off, and then she blacked out. He says, maybe their fight triggered it? and she says, maybe. She was angry, and all she could hear was his voice telling her that her boys were probably aware that she has a problem. Then she was someplace else, and has no idea how she got there. That’s when Nikolas showed up. He says, that was around the time Ava was attacked, and she says she has zero recollection of where she was or what she was doing. He says, even if she doesn’t remember, there’s no way she did this. She asks how he can be sure, and he says, she had no reason to want to hurt Ava. She says she hurt Chase, and he says, that’s because whatever part of her subconscious is doing this, didn’t want him to discover what was going on. She says, what if she ran into Ava, and perceived her as a threat? Anything is possible. She doesn’t know what she was doing.
Drew asks what Curtis means by getting his own house in order, and Curtis asks what Drew’s done since he came back to town. First, he threw himself into investigating Victor Cassadine. Then it was helping the Quartermaines get ELQ back from Valentin. Drew says, those are important things, and Curtis says, they are, to other people. Drew asks if Curtis is saying he should be more selfish, and Curtis tells him, he’s saying Drew’s been so busy righting the wrongs from his past, he stopped himself from moving forward.
Carly says, maybe Bobbie is right. Maybe she’s not protecting Drew; maybe she’s protecting herself. Bobbie says, from what? and Carly says, you tell me. How could it not be a mistake, after everything that’s happened in her life, to get involved with Jason’s brother? Bobbie asks if she’s afraid she’s seeing Drew as a substitute, but Carly says, of course (🍷) not. Bobbie says, because nobody could take Jason’s place in her life, and Carly says, exactly. Bobbie says, Jason was her safety net. No matter what shenanigans Carly got up to, no matter how questionable her behavior, and believe her, she’s not judging… Carly asks if she’s sure, and Bobbie says, Jason woudn’t either. There was nothing Carly could ever do to drive Jason away. He might be hurt, angry, or bitterly disappointed, but Jason would never turn his back on Carly, even when she might have deserved it. But Drew might not be as forgiving of her impulses. Carly flashes back to finding out Nina is Willow’s mother, and Bobbie says, like whatever it is she’s thinking about right now.
Portia sees Spencer and Trina at the hospital, and Trina runs over to hug her. Portia asks how Trina’s holding up, and Trina says, she was in the room with Ava when the alarms started going off. Portia asks if Ava is okay, and Trina tells her, the doctor said she’s going to be fine, but she’s scared out of mind. Portia says she’s sorry Trina has to go through this right now, especially after everything else. Trina says, about that. She was thinking maybe tonight isn’t the best time for a party. Would Portia be upset if they canceled it?
Victor joins Spencer, and Spencer asks if there’s any change with Ava. Victor says, not that he’s aware of. He’s been held up by the Police Commissioner. That’s someone who could benefit from more professional detachment. Spencer says, meaning? and Victor says, meaning, if Commissioner Ashford continues to make these insinuations disguised as questions, she’s going to find out the hard way what it’s like to cross a Cassadine.
Anna says, for what it’s worth (🍷), she knows what he’s going through, and he says he knows she does. He wishes she could teach him how she handled it, because Charlotte’s not safe, and there’s nothing he can do about it. He’s close to tears, and says, he’s helpless. She asks why he didn’t tell her. Obviously not at first, since he couldn’t risk having a message intercepted, but when he came home, she was here. He says, please believe him; he had no choice. Protecting Charlotte is his only priority. If Victor even knew they were having this conversation, there’s no telling what he would do to her. He’s going insane. She hugs him, and says she understands. They’ll bring Charlotte home, she promises, but in order to do it, they have to take Victor down. Valentin’s been working for him since he left the clinic? Valentin says he has, and she asks if he’s done everything Victor asked. He says, just about, and she says, what has Victor asked him to do?
Finn tells Elizabeth, they have to rule out a few things out. Has she been taking any pills again? She says, not since she checked herself out of Shadybrook. This came on, on its own. She doesn’t know what’s happening to her. He says, something triggered it. She said she was replaying their fight in her head. Anything else? She says, yeah. She’s been having these fragments of a memory. She’s a teenager, and she’s shouting at a woman to stay away from her father. He asks, what woman? and she says she doesn’t know; no one she remembers or recognizes. It happened again after their fight. That’s the last thing she remembers until she came to. He asks, how often has this been happening? and she says, the first time, it was after she talked to Scotty about walking in on Finn and Terry talking about her behind her back. He says, and this time, it was after she was angry about him calling Sarah. These events have something in common; she was angry at him. She says, there was another time. When she checked herself out of Shadybrook and came to work. Does he remember how he found her on the stairwell? She doesn’t think this is being cause by their arguments or her being angry. These images are happening every time somebody confronts her about what’s been happening, and normally that person is him. Maybe it’s more than grief over losing Franco. There’s something very wrong with her.
Jordan goes into Ava’s room, and Nikolas says, please. His wife just woke up and she’s in distress. She’s in no condition to answer questions. Jordan says she got the okay from Dr. Valero, but he says, she’ll also need his okay, and he’s not okay. Ava asks, what happened? and Jordan goes over to her bed. She says, Ava is in ICU. She was stabbed last night. They’re making every effort to find out who did this to her, but time is of the essence. Does she feel up to answering some questions? Nikolas says he wants them to find out who did this more than anybody, but not at the expense of Ava’s recovery. Ava says she wants to talk. She doesn’t know if she can help though. She didn’t see who attacked her. Jordan asks, what’s the last thing Ava remembers? and Ava says, she was at the Quartermaines; she was outside the boathouse. Jordan asks if anyone was with her, but Ava says, she was alone; she thought so. She wanted to take a moment for herself. Then there was pain… here. Jordan asks what else she remembers, but Ava says she’s sorry. It’s all a blur after that. She thinks she tried to call out for help. Does Jordan know who found her? Jordan says, Josslyn Jax. She and a man who works for Sonny found her. They saved her life. What was she doing prior to being at the boathouse? Why did she need a moment alone? Ava looks at Nikolas, and flashes back to Nikolas accusing her of not wanting him to be close with Spencer, because she only has herself to blame for her failed relationship with Kiki. Nikolas tells Jordan, clearly his wife needs rest; this can wait. Jordan says, when Ava woke up, she seemed upset with her husband. Why is that? Ava says, they had a fight.
Carly tells Bobbie that she doesn’t want to use Drew as a crutch to get over everything that’s happened, and Bobbie asks if he isn’t already. Carly says, as a friend, yes, but that’s not what either one of them are talking about. If something happens between her and Drew, they want it to be about them, not a rebound. Bobbie says she doesn’t see them being a rebound thing, and Carly says, neither does she, because it’s not going to happen. Bobbie says, what about all those feelings she just admitted to having? They’re not going to go away. And Carly knows better than anyone, you can’t help who you fall for. Carly says, they’ll just have to deal with it, and who knows? Maybe someday something will happen between her and Drew, but the way things are now, she can’t afford to lose a friend.
Drew tells Curtis, when he was in that cell, all he wanted was to get back to the life he remembered. Although he shouldn’t have been surprised when he got back, and time hadn’t stopped. Curtis says, time doesn’t do that no matter how nicely we ask, and Drew says, Curtis and Portia were lucky the found their way back. Curtis says, they weren’t lucky. They worked hard to get to where they are now, and to get away from the mistakes of their past. When he and Portia got together back in the day, she was married. He didn’t know that, and he was in his first year of recovery. Drew says, they still had a connection, but Curtis says, it was nothing they could build on, so inevitably, it ended badly. Now that they find themselves back together, they’re the same people, but they’re in different places. Drew says, better places, and Curtis says, much better places. The thing is, they’re not trying to recreate the past. They’re exploring the beautiful future. Drew says, that’s the thing with Carly. The future he wants with her is nothing like their pasts. He know what Curtis is going to say; that he has to respect the fact Carly doesn’t want to mess with their friendship. Curtis says, valid, but it’s also a good excuse not to take risks. Drew says, she doesn’t think it’s time. And he wishes she didn’t feel that way. He thinks they could be incredible together, but just because he’s ready to move forward, doesn’t mean she is.
Anna asks if Valentin is the French captain, and he says, Captain Françoise Olivier. She says she wishes she were more surprised, and he says he’s so sorry, but she says, please don’t. She understands why he did what he did. What is Victor after? Why is he doing all of this? Valentin says he doesn’t know. Victor won’t tell him, and he doesn’t have to. He’s got Charlotte. Valentin is completely in the dark. She says, now that she knows Jennifer was framed, she can call the WSB, but he says, that’s out of the question. This has to stay between them. If it doesn’t, and Victor knows Valentin betrayed him, he’ll take it out on Charlotte. She says, they can’t leave an innocent woman in prison, but he says he’s too far in. He’s not going to let anything happen to Charlotte. He’s not going to lose his daughter.
Jordan asks what Ava and Nikolas fought about, and Ava says, what they always fight about – his son. She and Spencer don’t like each other very much and it causes friction. Jordan says, and this was right before Ava was attacked? How heated did the argument get? Nikolas says he didn’t stab his wife. How is this relevant? Jordan says, it’s relevant because this morning, she asked Nikolas if Ava was upset before she was attacked. She asked if Ava experienced any conflict, and he said no, yet here she is, having fought with his son. Why did he lie to her? He says, the Cassadine family’s arguments are traditionally dramatic. So when she asked him about conflict, he assumed she meant outside of the family. (Nice try.) She says she’d love to believe that, and he says, one thing both of them should believe is that he deeply regrets getting in a fight with Ava. If they hadn’t fought, she might not have gone to that damn boathouse, and he might have been there to stop anyone who wanted to cause her harm. Instead, he was venting about the argument to Elizabeth. He’s so sorry. He should have never left her side. One silly fight, and he almost lost her. He should have been there for her. Ava thanks him, and says, it’s the thought that counts. She says she’s getting a little tired, and Jordan says she understands. She thanks Ava for speaking with her. They’ll pick this up when she’s feeling stronger. She’ll speak with Nikolas later. She leaves, and he asks how Ava is feeling. When he heard she was attacked, he was so scared. She shrinks away from him, and he asks, what’s wrong? She says, last night, they said a lot of things to each other, and he says, they did… Wait. She doesn’t think he did this to her, does she?
Portia says, of course (🍷) they can cancel the party, but is Trina sure? She’s always putting everyone else’s needs before her own. And after everything Trina’s been through, doesn’t she think she deserves an evening to herself to celebrate her accomplishments? Trina says she wants to do that, but she also wants Ava to be there. Portia says, and when Ava wakes up, what does Trina think she’ll say when she finds out Trina canceled the party on her account? Trina tells her, Ava would probably say she shouldn’t have, and Portia says, the Ava she knows, would insist she have the party as planned. It’s high time Trina focused on herself.
Walking through the hospital, Spencer says, he has no idea why they’re protecting his father, and Victor says, how many times does he have to tell Spencer? We Cassadines protect our own. Spencer says, there are limits. His father deserves to be in prison for the things he’s done. Victor says, this is one thing he didn’t do. The only interesting piece of information from Commissioner Ashford is that Spencer’s father has an airtight alibi. He was with Elizabeth Baldwin when Ava was being attacked. Spencer says, even better. If his father isn’t the one who hurt Ava, he has zero reason to withhold the truth. He will tell Commissioner Ashford that his father slept with Esme.
Nikolas says, Ava knows he’s not the one who did this to her, doesn’t she? and she says, he couldn’t have. He was with Elizabeth. He says, he was, but that’s not the only reason she thinks… She says she doesn’t know what to think, and he says, he’d never do anything like this; no matter what they said, no matter how angry. Please tell him that she believes him. She says she’s tired. She wants to be alone. Let her rest.
Trina sees Jordan, and asks, how’s Ava? Jordan says, she’s awake, and Trina hugs Portia. She says she has to text Joss and tell her the news. She runs off, and Spencer and Victor come by. Spencer tries to say something to Jordan, but Victor cuts him off, saying, that’s wonderful news about our Ava. He thanks her, and tells Spencer, shall we? He leads Spencer away, but Spencer keeps looking back at Jordan. Trina comes back, and asks if Portia thinks she has enough time to get some of Ava’s stuff before the party. Now that she’s awake, she’s sure Ava will want something familiar with her. Portia says, she’ll be cutting it close. Windymere isn’t exactly around the corner. Trina says, but the MetroCourt is, and that’s where she’s been staying the last couple of days. Portia says, in that case, Trina can take her car. They leave, and nothing is lost on Jordan.
Victor says, listen to him, great-nephew. He’s only going to tell Spencer this once, and he’s going to remember it for the rest of his life. Neither his father’s marriage, nor anything else relevant to their family is of concern to the authorities. Is that understood? Spencer says, yes, uncle, and Victor says he knows Spencer is angry at his father, and he has every reason to be, but his movements at the time of Ava’s attack are well accounted for. His betrayal of Spencer, no matter how painful, is totally irrelevant. Spencer says, maybe to the authorities, but it is relevant to Trina. Victor asks, how so? and Spencer says, because if Commissioner Ashford knows why Esme left town, she can use that to find her. Victor says, it always comes round to Miss Robinson, doesn’t it? He admires Spencer’s good intentions, but Esme didn’t tell anyone where she was going. Spencer is just complicating things for himself if he goes back and changes his story now. He tried it once. Look where it got him. Spencer says, but, uncle… and Victor says, listen to him. Don’t invite any more trouble. He’s in enough already.
Finn says, there’s nothing wrong with Elizabeth. He thinks this just means there’s something in her past, something hidden, she’s not dealing with. She says she tried to fight it. She tried to push it down, hoping it would go away. She just can’t do it anymore. She has to face whatever she’s blocking out. He says, she’s not alone. They’ll find the answers together.
Curtis says, if Drew feels that he and Carly have something special, wouldn’t he want to find out if she feels the same thing? Even if it took a while? Drew says, that’s some solid advice right there, and Curtis tells Drew, he’s not saying what worked for him and Portia is going to work for them. But he seems to remember a saying that life is long and full of surprises. Drew says, he thinks he and Carly make each other happy, but the answer to Curtis’s question is yes. He can give her time. He can give her all the time she needs to make sure she’s ready.
Carly tells Bobbie, it’s a text from Josslyn… Ava’s going to be okay. Avery is going to be thrilled. Bobbie says, good. Now Carly has no reason not to go to that seminar. Carly says she thinks she needs to stay put, and Bobbie says, she’s doing it again; making excuses to postpone the next chapter of her life. Carly says she’s being sensible, but Bobbie says, sensible is not Carly’s thing. Carly hands Bobbie her bag, and says, great talk; nice seeing her. Bobbie says, Carly is a creature of impulse. When she sees something she wants, she goes for it. Carly says she’s really trying to look before she leaps. She thought Bobbie would be proud of her. Bobbie says, no. Carly is looking for reasons not to leap. Maybe losing the hotel was a blessing in disguise. Maybe Carly can find happiness with a new career. Maybe even a new man. Carly says she loves Bobbie, but she’s got to go. She hustles Bobbie to the door, and they exchange I love yous. After Bobbie’s gone, Carly goes to the refrigerator, and takes down the brochure for the seminar. She considers taking the moss bowl 🎍 with her to Aruba.
Anna tells Valentin, Charlotte is his priority, but she wants him to remember, he’s not carrying this burden alone now. That gives them some leeway. He says, no one else can be involved, and she says, all right. No WSB, no friends, no allies. Nothing. They’ll figure out a way to keep Charlotte safe themselves. He says, Victor has to think he can trust him, and she says, he will. He’ll never know Valentin confided in her. Once Charlotte is safe, then they’re going to put an end to Victor. She hugs him.
Tomorrow, Brook tells Chase, step one is complete; Sonny says he needs Dex to do something else for him; and Willow says her mind is made up.
Southern Charm
Shep says he reacted in the worst way possible, calling Taylor a f***ing idiot. He’s glad Taylor tells him how she feels. Even if he doesn’t like it or it’s not what he wants to hear, he respects the hell out of that. He says he’s an every now and then jerk, which I think is debatable, since he’s a jerk most of the time. He tells Taylor all the right things, but we all know how this is going to end up, so…
Whitney brings wine, bread, and cheese out to the pool for lunch with Patricia, but makes the faux pas of using paper napkins. Austen calls, and says he’s having a Friendsgiving at his aunt’s. Whitney says, he’s going to Texas, but his mother might be available. Patricia asks if Madison or Naomie are coming, and Austen says, Naomie will be there. He can’t believe Whitney is making her come stag. Patricia wonders what she’s hearing, since apparently Whitney hasn’t told her that he’s hooking up with one of her pets. Naomie tells her mother that she ended up staying an extra night at Auldbrass with Whitney, and seems as surprised as Patricia that they’re a thing. In her interview, she says she doesn’t know when that change happened, but yeah. Her mom says she needs someone who’s been through a little bit of life to understand her. Naomie says, none of her friends tell their parents about their hook-ups, but her mom is like, well, we’re French. Patricia tries to pump Whitney for more information, and no pressure, but she wishes he’d settle down. She could kick the bucket any day now.
In the car, Paige asks Craig if Naomie is coming to Friendsgiving, and he says, she’s dating Whitney now. Paige asks if they’re boyfriend/ girlfriend, but Craig says he doesn’t care. He thinks Naomie is lost. In Craig’s interview, he says he can relate to being lost, but he didn’t sleep with Whitney. However, he’ll officiate the wedding, be the flower boy, whatever they need, as long as it gets Naomie to back off. Paige says, anyone who thinks Naomie is over him is out of their mind. We flash back to their first meeting when Naomie was all like, girls before dudes, and Paige says, at first, she thought Naomie was cool. Craig says, he was good with her at Auldbrass, but Paige says, Naomie was probably just trying to impress him. They go grocery shopping, and in his interview, Craig is all psyched about the day-to-day with her.
Venita meets Madison for a workout with Madison’s trainer. In Madison’s interview, she says, her fiancé is hot as sh*t, so she has to look good. In Venita’s interview, she says she loves Madison, but if Madison ever asks her to work out again, she might have to ditch the friendship. Venita does some deadlifts, and Madison says, you got to lock a man down. In her interview, she says, thank God for plastic surgery. That sh*t will save you. They talk about Madison’s upcoming wedding, and Madison says she doesn’t care if it’s big or small; that’s not what it’s about.
In Shep’s interview, he says, after what went down at Auldbrass, he’s trying to be more considerate, thoughtful, and selfless. They’re making some dishes for Friendsgiving, and Taylor puts him on banana pudding duty, while she handles the traditional green bean casserole. She tells him, when they’re with friends who don’t understand their banter (her word), he looks like an a-hole, and it makes her looks bad for taking it. In his interview, he says, he doesn’t want their friends to think they have a bad relationship because it’s not. He’s learning on the fly.
Austen’s sister Katie sets the table for Friendsgiving, and they go down Memory Lane. In his interview, he says, his Aunt Barbara’s house is the epitome of thanksgiving. He’s always in charge of the punch bowl, and every year it’s different. Craig is going to be bringing the turkey, and has a phobia about touching raw poultry. In Craig’s interview, he explains, there was a 200 person chicken dinner at the firehall when he was in high school, and they put the cooked chicken back in the boxes where the raw chicken was. 130 people were hospitalized. Paige offers to pull it out of the brine it’s been in, but it’s too heavy, and Craig ends up having to touch it anyway. Kathryn gets to Aunt Barbara’s first, and prepares some meatballs using weird ingredients like grape jelly. Craig and Paige are next, and Craig and Austen bring the fryer out to the patio. Naomie arrives with a casserole and a salad, and it’s all awkward with Paige. Paige says she doesn’t think she likes bourbon, which I think could get her kicked out of Charleston, and in Naomie’s interview, she says, it’s obvious Paige isn’t happy with her. She tries to make small talk, and in her interview, she says she has no idea what Craig has told Paige. She’s just trying to be friendly and copacetic, but it’s not working out for her. In Austen’s interview, he says, Craig acts like he knows what he’s doing, but somewhere back there, he doesn’t know what he’s doing. In Craig’s interview, he says he knows what he’s doing; he just hasn’t done it before. But he’s been with people who have done it. The margin of error is small, but the turkey could possibly explode. Austen says, so this could be like a rocket? Shep gets there with Taylor and his banana pudding, and Marcie and John follow shortly after. Craig and Austen fumble with lighting the fryer, and high-five when they’re successful. Leva and Olivia come bearing gravy and mashed potatoes respectively. In Shep’s interview, he says, Craig has this thing like he knows what he’s doing in the cooking arena, but he really doesn’t. He’s terrified with Craig in charge of anything.
Kathryn and Naomie sit down for a drink together, and Kathryn asks if Paige is having fun. Paige says, the whole group together is a lot, and she doesn’t know who Naomie thinks she’s fooling. If she was with her friends, she would have already popped off. Naomie tells Olivia that she picked up weird energy from Paige already, and it’s awkward. She went to say hello to Craig, and he turned his back; it was weird. She thinks things have been misconstrued to Paige. Paige tells Kathryn about Naomie pulling Craig aside at the dog wedding, and says, it was one of the most inappropriate things ever. She would have sent Craig a secret text like a normal person. In Kathryn’s interview, she says she thinks Naomie liked having Craig wanting her back. Don’t insert yourself into someone’s happiness just because you want attention. Another reason she thinks Naomie is a petty little bitch. I’m not sure the word petty means what Kathryn thinks it means. Paige says she’s acted like a goddam peach, and Kathryn says she thinks Paige and Craig are perfect for each other. Paige says, as long as Kathryn doesn’t try to have coffee with him, they’re cool. The turkey is done, and Austen and Craig high-five again.
Olivia and Austen agree there might be drama between Paige and Naomie. The turkey is carved, and passes the taste test. They prepare their plates inside, and go outside to eat. Austen gets up and thanks Katie for her help. He says he adores everyone at the table, and everyone toasts to Friendsgiving. In Austen’s interview, he says, Thanksgiving is his favorite holiday, so Friendsgiving makes him happy. He thinks the group could use a nice meal together, and he’s thankful they don’t have to always yell and bitch at each other. Naomie, Leva, and Olivia put napkins on their heads to make Pilgrim bonnets, and for some reason, Craig thinks this is racist. In Naomie’s interview, she says, Craig is really mad at something else and blaming it on the Pilgrims. This is insane. She thinks it’s just her being around that bothers Craig.
They go inside for dessert, and Naomie asks if Paige wants to talk outside. Paige says she can’t imagine what they have to talk about, but she’d love to. Craig says, his crazy ex-girlfriend wants a conversation with Paige, and Leva tells him to choose different words. He says, Naomie has already pulled him aside, now she’s pulling his girlfriend out there. In his in interview, he says, ex-girlfriends from years ago shouldn’t create drama with new girlfriends. She’s just not firing on all cylinders. Naomie and Paige sit on the porch, and Naomie says, clearly, Paige is uncomfortable. Paige says, Naomie pulling Craig aside at Patricia’s and saying, if Paige is uncomfortable, she won’t come around, insinuates there are feelings there. Naomie says, that’s not at all what she meant, and Paige asks if Naomie feels Craig treats her differently when she’s around. Naomie says she does, and Paige says, that also insinuates there’s some kind of relationship. I’m not following this logic, and Naomie says she feels like Paige is coming at her, but Paige says, Naomie pulled her aside, not the other way around. She asks if Naomie still has feelings for Craig, and Naomie says, not at all. Paige says, the optics of it look like she does, and in Naomie’s interview, she says, this is for sure pointless. She understands why, in Paige’s mind, Craig seems like a shining prince, but this whole thing is bullsh*t. Paige says, when she met Naomie, she liked her, but she’s dealt with girls before. She knows Naomie and Craig have a past, and that they hooked up this summer, so it’s not crazy for her to thing Naomie has feelings for Craig, and that what happened at Patricia’s is what she thought. She thought they were cool, and Naomie should have just come to her and asked if she was uncomfortable. They’ll never be best friends, but she wants to be able to socialize with Naomie. She doesn’t hold grudges, and they’re cool. She thinks Naomie is pretty and funny, and she wants to borrow her clothes. Naomie says, Paige is a badass.
Next time, Patricia holds her annual guy’s dinner, while the girls have a dinner out; and Shep refuses to make his profile inactive on dating sites.
🍂 Summering Into Fall…
Jump into tomorrow’s free-for-all of soap, tea, and quotable quotes, with some music on top. Until then, stay safe, stay always bringing a gift no matter what the invite says, and stay not being so busy righting the wrongs from your past, that you stop yourself from moving forward.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Lucy knocks on Valentin’s hotel room door, and he asks what she’s doing here. Looking for pickles? She says, very funny. She’s here about Deception. He’s one of their fancy shmancy big-time investors. He asks if it’s about Sasha pleading assault and battery on that would-be journalist, and Lucy says she hates Sasha having to go through that. It’s the last thing she needed after everything she’s endured. He says he’s sensing a but, and she says, but – he says, there it is – what happens in the courtroom is one thing. It’s an entirely different trial in the court of public opinion. He asks, what’s her point? and she says, Sasha’s the Face of Deception. She’s the physical representation of their brand, and right now their brand is tarnished. He says, because of Sasha, and she says, yeah, but she think she has a way to fix it. Her partners are sort of dragging their feet. He asks where he comes in exactly, and she says she can’t believe she’s going to have to say this. For the good of their company, and everyone else who’s involved, Sasha has to go.
At the hospital, Brando asks if Sasha is okay, but she says she doesn’t know what she is. He says, after this meeting’s behind them, it’s all going to be better, and she asks, how? He says, because then she’ll be able to stand in front of a judge, knowing they’ve done everything possible to A, prove that she’s taken responsibility for her actions, and B, that she’s prepared to get the help she needs. She says, and if the judge decides she’s still a threat to the community? She could go to prison for a really long time.
At the pool, Anna says, fancy seeing you here, and Victor asks if she’ll join him. He pulls out a chair, and she says, despite their mutual distrust, they do have one thing that bonds them – how much they care about Valentin. Ever since he’s come back, he’s been like a new man, and she has no doubt she has Victor to thank for that.
Jordan tells Finn and Elizabeth, based on the blood loss at the scene, her officers believe Ava was attacked not long before she was discovered. That gives a short window of time for the attack; somewhere between 9:45 to 10 pm. Finn says, that’s probably around the time he ran into Maxie and spoke to her briefly. Jordan thanks him, and asks if Elizabeth remembers where she was during that time. Elizabeth says she took a walk around the grounds at some point, and Jordan says, alone? Elizabeth says she just needed to clear her head, and Jordan asks if something happened to upset her.
Spencer tells Trina, he’s sorry Ava got hurt; mostly because it hurts her. He figured she would be here. She says, he’s there for her? and he says, always. And as his Uncle Victor reminds him, they have to support family no matter what, and Ava is family. She says, and he wants to support his father too, but he says, the hell he does.
In Ava’s room, Nikolas says, if only she’d listened to him, it never would have come to this. They seemed to be at peace for the first time since Esme poisoned things between them. It could have been so different… It’s too late now.
Carly says, Drew is here early. Does he want some coffee? He says, that would be great, and lingers around the moss bowl 🎍. He says he’s been thinking a lot about last night. It’s kind of all he’s been thinking about actually. She says, every five seconds? and he says, it’s pretty much constant actually (WOTD). She says she’s been thinking about it non-stop too, and he says he knows she said she wanted time, and he doesn’t want to step on that, but there’s taking time and there’s missing a chance. That was amazing at the boathouse. She says, it was, and he says he feels like they’re on the brink of something pretty incredible. He wants it, and he wants her. She says she wants it too. What she loved about yesterday was that it was so smooth and easy that it felt… He says, it felt right, and she says, until it didn’t. She doesn’t mean it felt wrong. She’s just so scared to see the ending before it even starts. Does that make sense? He says, not really, and she says she knows he wants to see what happens between them, but he doesn’t know her. How can he when she doesn’t even know herself? What is he thinking; just say it. He asks if it’s okay to call her out right now, and she says, yeah. He tells her, he’s thinking what she just said is a load of crap. If anyone knows themselves, it’s her.
Sasha tells Brando, it makes her blood boil just thinking about it. Smoltz and Sienna set her up. They destroyed her reputation, and now she’s the one at fault? He says, she’s right. They pushed her past her breaking point, and that is not fair, but focusing on that now is counterproductive. They need to just get through the day, and do whatever it takes to get her home to the people who love her. That’s him, by the way. She says she loves him too, and he asks if she’s ready. She nods, and he knocks on a door. A woman comes out, and says she’s Dr. Rubin, and Brando introduces himself. Dr. Rubin says, she must be Sasha, and invites them in.
Valentin says he doesn’t understand why Lucy came to him. He’s not involved in the day-to-day at Deception. She says, replacing the Face of Deception is hardly the day-to-day, and he says, if she feels so strongly about it, force a vote, and take care of it. She says, it’s not that simple. A lot of her other partners feel like perhaps that might send Sasha over the edge. He says, perhaps it will. Martin says she’s seeing a shrink… Lucy says, he talked to Martin, didn’t he? She swears, if Valentin sent the pickle photo with her and Victor to Martin, she’ll kill him, and he says, this has nothing to do with Sasha and Deception. She’s here because she’s worried about Martin. She says, he’s got her; she’s worried about Martin. She’s been worried about Martin since the day he left. He says, she could have fooled him, and she says, excuse me? He says, she wasn’t worried about Martin when Victor was fawning all over her at the picnic.
Anna says she’s glad she and Victor ran into each other. She’s been meaning to thank him for going the extra mile to smooth things over between them. He says, she’s very welcome, and she says, he’s right. It’s easy to fall back on old habits, and just get ruled by mistrust and suspicion. He says, surely one conversation wasn’t enough to dispel all her doubts about him, and she says, no and don’t call me Shirley, but it was a nice reminder of how much they care about Valentin. Sitting there between father and son, she realized how much Valentin has changed post-convalescence. Wouldn’t he agree? He says he would, and she says, tell her, what’s his secret?
Elizabeth asks Jordan if it really matters why she went for a walk. It’s personal. Finn says, she’s being kind. He was an idiot last night and brought up a touchy subject, and rightly so, Elizabeth left before one of them said something they regretted. Jordan says, and this was… Finn says, near the stables, and she asks what he did next. He says he was upset, and went looking for Elizabeth. Like he said, he ran into Maxie. He asked if she’d seen Elizabeth, she said, no, and he went to the main house. He ran into Valentin and Spencer, and Victor Cassadine. Spencer had a couple of drinks, and Finn tried to help him. Jordan says, if she asks Spencer, will he corroborate? and Finn says, if he remembers, but Valentin was there, and Victor was there too. Jordan says, and after Elizabeth left Finn, she went for a walk. Did this walk happen to take her by the boathouse?
Trina says she thought things were better between Spencer and his dad; what changed? Spencer says, nothing. He’s still the same Nikolas Cassadine. He’s out for himself. Everyone else be damned. She says, he hurt Spencer, didn’t he? and Spencer says, Nikolas opened his eyes, so he guesses he could say Nikolas did him a favor. She takes his hand, and says, if he needs to talk about it, they can, but he pulls his hand away, and says, it’s not her problem anymore. She says she’s going to check on Ava, and walks to Ava’s room.
Nikolas says he hates to see Ava suffer like this. He gets up, and leans over her, when Trina walks in. She asks what he’s doing, and he says he’s glad she’s here. He knows how much she means to Ava. Trina says, Ava means just as much to her, and asks if there are any updates on who did this to her. He says, no. Unfortunately, Ava has her fair share of enemies. Finding the culprit will be difficult. She says, but not impossible, and he says, of course (🍷) not. She says she just doesn’t get it. Why now? He says he’s been asking himself the same question, and she says, and? He says, to do something this vicious, it must have been someone who hates her very much. He’ll give them some privacy. He starts to leave, and Trina says, it could also be someone who used to love her.
Carly tells Drew, look around. It’s the same kitchen, it’s the same refrigerator, it’s the same coffee maker. He says, it’s the same griddle and the same moss bowl 🎍, and she says, only because she happened to get the house in the divorce. Of the things that defined her three years ago – her marriage to Sonny, her kids, her friendship with Jason, and her hotel – three of the four are gone. It’s just her and her kids, and thank God she has them, because if she didn’t… He tells her, don’t even go there, and she says, the Jason part was unavoidable because he died. It was heartbreaking and shattering, but people aren’t guaranteed to be with you until the end of the ride. But her hotel? She gambled and she lost. Her marriage to Sonny ended because… He says, the guy who came back from Nixon Falls wasn’t the same guy she married, and she says she told him that, didn’t she? He says, a couple of times, and she was right.
Dr. Rubin says she needs Sasha to understand that what happens next is entirely up to her. No one is forcing Sasha into anything, but in her professional opinion, this is her best option, not only to guarantee her freedom, but also her mental well-being. Sasha says she thought this was a psychiatric exam; the doctor asks questions, and she gives answers. What does she mean, option? The doctor says she’s sorry. She thought Brando and Sasha discussed this. Brando says, before he left town, Martin suggested an alternative that pretty much ensures her freedom. Sasha asks, what is it? and Dr. Rubin says, if she agrees, they can ask the court to appoint Brando as her guardian.
Lucy says she cares very deeply for Marty, and Valentin says, she has a funny way of showing it. She says, okay, Mr. Judgy Judgerson, and he says, she did everything except bite Victor’s gherkin. <snort> She says, what he saw was a perfectly innocent exchange. She can’t help it if he’s reading something untoward into it. What is that icky little smirk? He says, she’s a lot of things; perfectly innocent, not one of them. Neither is his father for that matter. She says, whatever he saw or thinks he saw, her loyalty to Marty has not wavered. He tells her, if you say so, and she says she does. He says, if she wasn’t putting the moves on Victor… and she says, she didn’t and she doesn’t want to. He says, then she was working him for information. In the espionage business, that’s called a honey trap. Which begs the question, what was she hoping to learn from Victor?
Victor tells Anna, as much as he’d like to take credit for his son’s transformation, he’s afraid he had no part in it. She asks how he explains it then, and he says, perhaps Valentin has come to realize that he’s not alone in the world. Valentin has family now. She says, he’s always had family, and Victor says, family he’s close to? She says, him? and he says, nothing means more to him. Just look at Spencer and Nikolas, waiting word on poor Ava. Families close ranks when the situation demands it, and the Cassadines are no exception. Doubt their loyalty at her own peril. She asks if that’s a threat, but he says, simply a statement of fact. She says she sees, and he says, does she or is this friendly overture just for show? She says, when Valentin left town, he and Victor were barely on speaking terms. Then he comes back, and they’re this dynamic father and son duo. He can’t blame her for wondering why.
Elizabeth says she doesn’t remember, and Jordan says, she doesn’t remember where she went walking? Elizabeth says, the Quartermaine grounds are enormous. It was dark and she was upset. She wasn’t paying attention to where she was going. She can’t tell Jordan her exact route. Jordan asks if she went by the boathouse, but Elizabeth says she doesn’t know. Finn says, let’s be real. Can anyone account for every second last night? Jordan says, her job is to reconstruct the circumstances of Ava’s attack. She needs to know who was where when it happened. Finn asks if they need a lawyer present, and Jordan says she’s not accusing anyone. Finn wonders if she’s sure, and doesn’t think they should say another word without an attorney here. He thinks it might be time for Jordan to go, and Jordan says, believe it or not, she’s on their side. Her goal is to eliminate them from any possible suspicion. That’s why it would help if Elizabeth could say definitively where she was at the time of the attack. Nikolas comes in, and says, he can help with that.
Nikolas says, at the time of the attack, he and Elizabeth were together. He flashes back to finding Elizabeth, and her telling him she doesn’t remember how she got there or how she scraped her head. He says, he and Spencer had just had a fight. That’s when Finn found them. Jordan asks why he didn’t say so, and he says, at the time, they didn’t know what was happening. It’s only looking back that it makes sense. It was around the time Ava was… Elizabeth asks, how is she? and he says, she’s stable, but she hasn’t regained consciousness. Elizabeth says, she’s strong; she’s going to pull through. Nikolas says he hopes so, and Finn asks if there are any more questions. Jordan says she’s good for now. Nikolas’s account seems to tie up nicely. Nikolas says, what does she mean, seems to? when her phone rings. She looks at it, and says, she may need to speak to him again. She leaves as she answers the call, and Finn closes the door and asks, what was that all about?
Sasha says, guardianship? and Brando says, only in name. She says, like she’s a child who can’t take care of herself. Dr. Rubin says, just the opposite. It demonstrates awareness of her mental health issues. Sasha laughs, and the doctor says, trusting someone – in this case, her husband – to make important decisions will send a message to the judge. Sasha says, not help make; make for her. Brando says, she knows he’d never do that. This could lighten her sentence. The judge might even toss the punishment out altogether. Isn’t that what she wants? Sasha says, not like this. He can’t listen to these people; they’re wrong. he says he disagrees, and she asks when he stopped believing in her.
Lucy asks, what makes Valentin think she wants something from his father? and he asks if she’s saying she doesn’t? She flashes back to Anna telling her to exploit the attention Victor can’t wait to lavish on her. Shake the tree a bit, and see if any information about Valentin comes loose. She has all the necessary assets to be Anna’s asset. Lucy tells Valentin to let her worry about Victor, and consider what she told him about Sasha’s future. He says, what about Martin? and she says she’s all in. She leaves, and he waits a moment, then follows her.
Victor says, Valentin now understands the value of family, and Anna tells him, like she said, he always has. Victor says, yes, of course (🍷). His bond with Charlotte is unparalleled. Anna asks how she is, and he says, she’s wonderful; loving her time at boarding school. She asks why Charlotte didn’t come home for summer, and he says, apparently, a state-of-the-art equestrian center was recently donated. She can’t tear herself away from the horses. Apparently, she practically begged Valentin to let her stay. She says, how could he say no? and Victor says, precisely. He must be getting back to the hospital to check on Ava. He’s happy they had this chat. She says, so is she, and he leaves. She says, So. Am. I.
Drew tells Carly, he’s the poster child for stuff you go through changes you. His experience definitely made him realize what truly matters in life. Sonny’s experience clearly changed him. She says, that’s obvious, and he says, what’s not so obvious, is the person who got screwed is her. Sonny came back and he had different priorities, and he understands that. A bunch of his priorities when he got on that plane to Afghanistan were not his priorities when he got home. She says she wants to hear about that, and he says he’ll tell her, but now he needs to acknowledge, to point out and say out loud that Carly spent a big chunk of her life in a marriage that was not always easy; at times it was flat out hard. But she gave all of herself. She gave everything she could in good times and bad times, and everything in between. Now that’s gone, and that’s a big loss. She says, wow. She feels like she’s been saying that, screaming it, out loud, but no one could hear her, let alone see her. He says, he sees her, and she says she doesn’t want to stay there. It’s not something she wants to hold on to; a part of her life that’s gone. It’s nice to get credit for going through something. He says, actually, he got her a trophy. It’s in the car. He’s got polish it up before bringing it to her. She laughs and thanks him, and he tells her that she said that already. She says she knows. She says, the good news is, she gets to figure out who she is without those three core pieces of her. He says, the bad news? and she says she has to do it before having a relationship with him. She doesn’t want to make the mistake of rebounding again. He says, again? and she says, not romantically. But she can see, while she really wanted to help and support him and Michael, jeopardizing her hotel with that investment was a kneejerk reaction. Something awful happens to her, and she has to counteract it with something positive. It was a risky investment and she paid the price. He says, question. If it had worked out… She says she would be really happy, but it didn’t. It’s not about the money. It would have been nice, sure, but it’s not the important part. She could get over that. What she couldn’t get over is if she messed things up with him.
Brando says he does believe in her, but Sasha says, clearly, that’s not true. Dr. Rubin says she knows this is shocking and painful, but Sasha did assault someone. Sasha says, there were extenuating circumstances, and the doctor says she’s sure there were, but Sasha committed a crime. So that leaves her with two choices; conservatorship or prison. Sasha says, no, and Brando says he loves her. He’s only doing this to help them stay together. He couldn’t stand it if she was taken away from him. He’s trying to avoid that. She says, by taking charge of her, and Dr. Rubin says, by showing the court that someone who cares about her will be responsible for her treatment. Sasha says, in charge of her, and Brando says, don’t think about it like that. She says, he would make all the decisions. The small ones, like the use of her credit cards and cellphone, but big things too. Where she goes, when she goes, who she goes with. Is that honestly better than prison? The doctor says, yes, and Brando says he thinks if she takes the time to think about it, she’ll agree. Sasha says she needs some air, and walks out. He calls to her, but she keeps going.
Trina says she wishes she could do something. Make it so none of this happened, but we can’t go back in time, can we? If we could, there are so many things she would change. (You and me both, sister.) Different things she would choose. She takes Ava’s hand, and says, but one thing she’d do the same way is her friendship with Ava. She cries, and says she needs Ava. Please open her eyes. Come back, please. She doesn’t know how to do this without her.
Nikolas says he doesn’t know what to tell Finn. Is he suggesting Nikolas is keeping something from him? Finn says, isn’t he? when his phone chirps. He says he has a patient in the ER who needs to see him, and Elizabeth says, they’ll talk about this when he’s done. Finn leaves, and Elizabeth asks why Nikolas did that. He says, tell the truth? and she says, only part of it. When he found her with this cut on her forehead, she had no idea what happened or where she’d been. Why didn’t he say so?
Victor finds Spencer on a couch near Ava’s room, and asks how she is. Spencer says, Trina is in with her, and Victor asks if that’s why Spencer is here, for Trina. Spencer asks why Victor is here. To wait for Ava to wake up, or pray she never does? Jordan comes by and says she just spoke to a member of the Quartermaine staff who was working at the picnic. Victor says, congratulations, and Jordan says, she had something interesting to say about Spencer. Spencer asks, what? and she says, where he was at the time someone tried to kill his stepmother.
Nikolas says, they both know Elizabeth didn’t attack Ava, and Elizabeth says, someone did. He asks if she’s implying it’s him, but she says, no. Why would he go out of his way to give her an alibi? He says he cares about her. They go way back. She says, let’s not talk about that, and he says he also doesn’t want the PCPD wasting its time and energy going after her when the real criminal is out there. Finn comes back, and asks if everything is okay. Elizabeth asks, how’s his patient? and he says, good. Nikolas says, he needs to get back to Ava, and leaves. Elizabeth says, Finn could have al little empathy. Can’t he see how upset Nikolas is? He says, that guy only lets you see what he wants you to see. What does Nikolas want with her? She says, he just wants to help, and Finn says, help her, or help himself?
Carly says, why wouldn’t she want to be with Drew? and he says, he’s been asking himself the same question. He’s handsome, he’s really funny, he’s kind, and ridiculously sexy. He says he was waiting for that last one, and brushes her hair back. She says, they’ve already established effortless. He says, it is, and she says, he’s not going to make it easy on her. He says he’s not, but she says she can’t give in to him. He asks, why not? and she says she lost everything that in her mind identified her, and she hates it, but she doesn’t want to hide from it by turning to him. When she comes to him, she wants it to be for the right reasons. He says, so it’s self-definition time, huh? and she says, yep. Who is she without Sonny and Jason? She doesn’t know. It’s been since she was 22 years old, when she met them. She’s grown and changed since then, but with them by her side. So she has to try this on her own for a while. He says he looks forward to meeting whoever she turns out to be, and she says, her too. He says, but he doesn’t think that’s what’s really going on here.
On the phone, Anna says, what she’s looking for specifically is the name of the benefactor who donated the equestrian center to the school… So if they could find that for her, that would be great… As soon as possible. She thanks them, and flags down Lucy, who has walked in. Lucy keeps walking, and says, no. She doesn’t want to. Anna asks, why not? and Lucy says, every time she talks to Anna, she seems to get into more trouble. Anna asks, why? Has there been a development with Victor? Lucy says, no. It’s just, now Valentin is accusing her of throwing herself at his daddy. Anna laughs, and says, obviously, she’s gotten Victor’s attention. Lucy says, she got his attention. She got his eyeballs. She got his hands, and Anna promised her it wouldn’t go this far. She’s not doing this to Marty. Anna says, she doesn’t have to do anything, but if she cares about Marty… Lucy says, of course (🍷) she cares about Marty, and Anna says, then just keep Victor on a string, and they’ll keep Marty off the government radar, as they promised. Lucy says, for how long? and Anna says, until she’s certain what hold Victor has over Valentin. She’s getting closer. Lucy says, well, hurry up, and leaves. Anna sits back down with her phone, and Valentin watches her.
Victor asks if Jordan is accusing his great-nephew of attacking his stepmother, and Jordan says, apparently, Spencer was three sheets to the wind. He was in the bathroom getting sick at the time of the attack. Victor asks if she’s surprised. Facing 90 days in jail would drive anyone to drink, particularly since he was just looking out for a friend. She says she’d ask if Spencer saw anything suspicious near the boathouse, but given his state, he’s not reliable witness. Nikolas joins them, and Jordan says, apparently it runs in the family.
Drew tells Carly, everything she said sounds great, and obviously, she believes it. Some of it might even be true. She says, some of it? and he says, but there’s something else, something underneath it that scares her. And he’s here to tell her that she doesn’t have to be afraid of him. He kisses her, and leaves Carly alone at last with the moss bowl 🎍.
Anna is reading Budapest Crossing, when Valentin takes the book out of her hands. He says, it seems we’re not being as honest with each other as we claim to be, are we darling?
Sasha walks into the pool area, and a girl comes up to her, asking if she’s the Face of Deception. Sasha says, she is. Does she want a selfie?
Elizabeth tells Finn that Nikolas loves Ava; he would never hurt her. Finn tells her that he’s not accusing Nikolas, and she says, so he’s accusing her? He says, no, but something isn’t adding up. If Nikolas could always vouch for her whereabouts, why didn’t he just say that? More to the point, why didn’t she?
Nikolas says he’s had enough of Jordan’s so-called investigation. If she’s not accusing his friends, she’s after his son. Meanwhile, the person who tried to kill his wife is out there, roaming free. Spencer says he doesn’t need Nikolas to defend him, and Victor says, his father’s quite right. The police are doing everything but chasing the real culprit. Jordan says, maybe they’re closer than he thinks.
Trina tells Ava, she’s not alone. Her family is outside, even Spencer. They’re waiting for her to wake up. The machine starts beeping.
Tomorrow, Carly tells Bobbie, if she has something to say, just say it; Elizabeth says she hasn’t told Finn everything; and Trina calls for help.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
Four days before Aspen. In the car, Dorit tells Kyle that last night was interesting, wild, and all over the place. In Kyle’s interview, she says, after the party, she and Dorit met their husbands and went to the Polo Lounge, where they continued to party and be overserved. Dorit says, LisaR is having extreme reactions, and we flash back to LisaR screeching, if you talk about her husband or kids, she’ll hunt you down. Dorit says, it’s from not having dealt with her mom’s passing; it’s a build-up. Kyle says, at her house, first LisaR was yelling, and she thought it was harsh. We flash back to LisaR losing it some more, and Kyle says, it was one extreme to the next. Kyle went from calm down to poor thing. We flash back to LisaR crying over Lois, and in her interview, Kyle says, when her mom died, she was physically ill for two years. She tells Dorit, she understands the pain, but LisaR is taking it out on one person. Dorit says, Sutton. She doesn’t want Sutton to feel like she’s being piled on. Sutton doesn’t articulate herself or make her point as good as she could. We flash back to Sutton babbling, and Erika saying, and she’s the one with a drinking problem. In Kyle’s interview, she says, sometimes Sutton says too much, but sometimes she’s too scared to speak up and rock the boat. She makes it difficult. Dorit thinks Sutton just needs helpful advice and support, not another thing coming at her.
Diana visits Garcelle, and says she’s so hung over, she’s wearing her dress backward. It’s the closest she’s been to a walk of shame. In Garcelle’s interview, she says, it’s a Team Diana fail, and in Diana’s interview, she says, she didn’t want the party to stop, and took it too far. Now she’s feeling the pain. Garcelle says, the pics Diana posted… They show a drunk faced photo of Kyle, and I die laughing. There’s another of Kathy and Diana, where Kathy has her eyes closed, and Diana says, she’s mortified about Kyle’s picture. She tells Garcelle that she’s been backing away from Sutton to see who she is. Is she malicious or misunderstood? In her interview, Garcelle says she’s still trying to figure out Diana. She didn’t start off guarded with her, but they started off rocky. Diana says, Aspen is her happy place, and tells Garcelle that she’ll be staying in a hotel. It’s for the best. She’s worried Garcelle is going to ask her to leave, and she sent in ghostbusters to cleanse the energy of the place. In her interview, Diana says, she believes things carry energy, so she brings experienced energy cleansers. We see a clip of that, and in Garcelle’s interview, she says, she likes herbs, crystals, and stuff she doesn’t really believe helps, but it works for her. She’s been places and done stuff, but does she think Diana is crazy? Absolutely. Does she want to try it? Yes! She tells Diana that she’s a nutjob.
LisaR brings in a box of Lois’s stuff, and tells Harry that the last one made her have a mental breakdown the other night. In LisaR’s interview, she says, something about losing a mother is very profound. It’s more painful than would have realized. She picks up a book called The Trailside Murders, and says she didn’t know there was a book about it. We flash back to Lois telling LisaR about how she was attacked by someone she worked with. LisaR says, Lois’s name is in there, but she doesn’t think she can look at it. In her interview, she says, her role model was almost killed, yet went through life with grace and compassion. Her anger is a big thing in going through the grieving process. It wasn’t expected, but she’s letting herself go through it. How is she supposed to go on? She tells Harry that her dad’s tombstone says, I did it my way, and Lois wanted hers to say, me too. She thinks that says it all. Harry says, it’s a tough climb, and she says she’s got to feel whatever it is. Her therapist asked her to look at it as, what hurts, and what hurts more? Harry thinks that’s a negative way to look at it, but she says, it takes the pressure off accepting life. It is the way it is. I would not even know where to start in pointing out how messed up her thinking is. You can absolutely grieve as you wish, but you can’t attack other people in the name of it.
Kyle and Mauricio play on a mini golf course set up in the yard. She asks if the plane is all set up for Aspen, and he says, it’s super set. There’s no way he’s not coming along under such amazing ski conditions. He’s going on the girls trip. She says, he can walk Storm, since she’s scared of bears. In Kyle’s interview, she says, growing up, Mauricio’s family had a place in Vale, but he fell in love with Aspen, and in 2019 they bought their first home there. She loves that the house isn’t big, so they don’t have space for guests. She tells Mauricio that she got a guest rental and chef for the women not staying with them, and Mauricio says, the rental is one of his favorite homes in Aspen.
Dorit packs, and gives PK the lowdown on the Aspen trip. She says, Sutton and Erika aren’t great, which is an understatement. Kathy, Erika and LisaR are staying with Kyle, but she’s cool with being in the rental house with the others. In Dorit’s interview, she says, so many people were vying for staying with Kyle, she decided to be a good friend. And she doesn’t really care where she stays. She tells PK, she knows she’s going be okay. She’s doing the work to get stronger and feel better, less jumpy. She doesn’t want to block anything. We see a clip of a therapy session, and she says she wants to go through the emotions that she has to. If she goes through them and feels them, she’ll know how to process it. PK says, her embracing and addressing them will lead to healing quicker. In her interview, Dorit says she has good days, but there are days when something triggers her, and she goes into a state of panic. We flash back to her talking about her panic attacks and lack of sleep, and she says, she thinks as time goes on with therapy, she’ll be okay. PK says he’s off to London, so don’t call and say, come and get her. She did that when she was in Mexico. She says, but he didn’t get her, and he says he knew she’d be okay. This time though, he’ll be in London, and it’s not so easy to get to Aspen. She says, he should come from Mars if she needs him.
Kyle tells Mauricio that she’s questioning whether Dorit will be okay at the other house, since she got panicked at their house here. She adds him that Garcelle and Sutton unfollowed Erika, and it sends a message. In Kyle’s interview, she says she didn’t know Garcelle had unfollowed her until she was scrolling on Instagram. It’s stupid having this conversation at their age – I wonder why she brought it up then – but if someone unfollows you, they’re making a statement. Yeah. They’re stating they don’t want to follow you anymore. Mauricio says he wants to have fun, and he’s staying out of everything.
Everyone packs, and Garcelle calls Sheree, who shows her a bed full of wigs. Garcelle asks if a bomb went off in her house. Sheree asks if she’s ready, and Garcelle says she’s as ready as she’s going to be. At the disco party, she was hot about Erika. We flash back to Garcelle asking if Erika is calling her a liar. She tells Sheree that she doesn’t want anything to do with Erika. If Erika was on fire, she’d have no water to throw. Sheree says, at least spit on her.
One day before Aspen. Crystal calls Garcelle, and asks if she’s read TMZ about Erika. We see the article claiming Erika refuses to hand over a pair of $750K earrings, and Garcelle says, they’re talking about it on her show. She just tried to get out of it. In Garcelle’s interview, she says, does she have to say how she feels? Absolutely, but the show won’t air before the trip. She hopes they have a good time… until Erika finds out. Crystal says, they were paid from the company. It’s a lot of money, and could have paid some of the victims. (Well, maybe one.) She says, that needs to go back. Period. There’s no way Erika can think none of them know; it’s very public. In Crystal’s interview, she says she’s learned if Erika wants to share, let her, but if she doesn’t, don’t push it. We flash back to the Reunion, and Erika yelling, is she angry enough for Crystal now?
They get on the plane, and Garcelle blesses herself. In Erika’s interview, she says, Aspen is for the super elite. It’s beautiful, quaint, and luxurious. It’s for the people who have made it, and are where they want to be. She’s been to Aspen a million times. She’s flown in on her own plane. For someone who claims the money means nothing, she sure misses it. They have champagne, and Kyle says, Kathy is coming from New York. Paris said, dropping her mom off to make a connection is like leaving an infant on the curb. She tells the women that tomorrow, they can ski or snowmobile, and the next day they can go shopping. Tonight, they might be tired, so she’s having a barbecue at her house; it’s her favorite place in the world. In Kyle’s interview, she says, this trip is just what the doctor ordered. It’s impossible not to feel happy when you’re there. I’m sure these women will find a way.
They stop at the hotel to drop Diana off first, then the rest are dispersed between Kyle’s – LisaR, Erika, and of course Mauricio – and the rental house – Garcelle, Sutton, Dorit, Crystal, and Sheree. Kyle immediately finds some outdoor Christmas lights that should be down, and insists on doing it immediately. The women in the rental house go apesh*t over the elevator, and are introduced to Chef Talo. Kathy arrives at Kyle’s, and says she’s had three hours sleep in four days. She’s wearing slippers, and Kyle asks if she went to the airport in those. Kathy says she did, and Kyle asks, what if people recognize her? Like this isn’t going to be on TV. Kathy insists, they don’t, and Kyle gives her the room with bunkbeds, which her kids swear are the most comfortable beds in the house. Kyle serves lunch, and asks if Kathy is going to ski, but Kathy says her knee has been hurting her. Kyle says, Kathy goes down the slopes holding her ski poles straight out from her sides. Kathy says, when she hears people whizzing by her, she gets nervous. She puts the poles out so people are scared of her. I think that’s a great idea for the subway. In LisaR’s interview, she says she’s never seen that before. Kathy says, if she has to smack them a little, she will. I think Kathy has a little bit of a mean streak. In Diana’s interview, she says she’s the first to admit it, she’s high maintenance. She’s protecting the rest of them from herself.
Everyone gathers at Kyle’s house, and Mauricio does the cooking with Sheree as sous chef. Even though it’s freezing out, Mauricio mans the grill. In Kyle’s interview, she says she’d never put her sister Kathy in the category of it being easy for them to be together. This says how far they’ve come after all these years. We flash back to the Reunion where Kathy started crying, and Kyle says, they’ve grown close, but Kathy’s very high maintenance.
LisaR finds a Ouija board, and in Garcelle’s interview, she says, they don’t need any more spirits; they have enough. Erika and LisaR work the planchette (no surprise), and Kyle asks if they’ll be able to work out their issues and have fun on this trip. Is she kidding? LisaR obviously moves the planchette to no, and Sheree asks if Garcelle will find a soulmate. Kyle asks the Ouija board, why did Garcelle unfollow Erika on Instagram? and I wonder, what the hell is wrong with this woman? In Erika’s interview, she says, can they talk about anything else? She’s 51, not 12. Who gives a sh*t? Garcelle says, Erika called her a liar, and Erika says, that’s because Garcelle said she cared about her. Garcelle says, no. Erika said Garcelle was bringing a narrative to her drinking. Erika said, Garcelle repeated it to Dorit and Kyle. Garcelle says she also told Erika, and Erika says, when? Garcelle says, when they had drinks, which I find ironic. We flash back to Erika saying she has to watch it with the meds and the alcohol, and Garcelle says, calling her a liar was a stretch. It hurt her, and she got emotional about it, and did something about it. Kathy says, she hates the word liar. Liar, thief, and pedophile are the worst things to be called. Erika says she’s been called two out of three, and in Crystal’s interview, she says she gets liar and thief, but pedophile is a bit extreme. Garcelle says, she and Erika don’t have to be friends, and Erika says, that’s fine. It’s not all kumbaya. Garcelle says she’s good with that, and Erika says, she is too. Kyle says, Sutton also unfollowed her, and in Dorit’s interview, she says she doesn’t understand what’s going on with Kyle, but she’s noticed there’s a bit of stirring going on. Kathy says, nobody cares. They’re not that important. Kyle wants to know the intention behind it, and yells, what were they trying to say?
Sutton says, Erika called her the c-word, and we flash back to that at the Reunion. Kyle tells her, then say that’s what it is, and Sutton says, none of them cared. Kyle gets all mad, and says she was talking about being honest. She’s out. LisaR says they should talk to each other, but Kyle says she’s not dealing with lies and bullsh*t. In Sutton’s interview, she says, they’re talking about Instagram. Erika called her a name, and no one said a word. She unfollows Erika, and now they have a problem. Sutton says, no one said anything, and LisaR says, why should they? Diana says, because she is one, and Erika laughs her head off. No words from me. Not printable ones anyway. Garcelle says, that’s not okay, and in her interview, she says she doesn’t like that word. There’s never a reason to use that word, especially another woman. Diana acts like she said nothing wrong, and says, not everybody can be friends. She can’t stand Sutton, so she tries to keep space between them. It’s tough in a group. She likes Garcelle, but dislikes her best friend. Garcelle asks, why? and Diana says, the way Sutton does things is very slithery. Kyle suggests they talk like Sutton is in the room because she is. Garcelle says, nobody wants to hear that, and Diana asks if she should talk behind Sutton’s back, since she obviously doesn’t see the alternative of saying nothing. Garcelle says she gets that Diana has her feelings, and Diana wonders if Sutton has feelings. Sutton came after her when she was bleeding. She comes after people at their weakest. Why? Kyle tells Sutton to speak up for herself, and Diana says, there’s no defending it; it’s unforgivable. She got out of her deathbed to go to Garcelle’s party. Which I’m guessing is a bit of an exaggeration. She says, Sutton shamed her about it. Sutton had two miscarriages she hid. If it’s so hard to talk about, why doesn’t she understand? She knew what she was doing. In Crystal’s interview, she says, Sutton could apologize a million times, and it won’t matter. It’s asinine to go in circles like that. We flash to the Reunion where Sutton and Diana kind of made up, and Crystal says, there’s a point where you can only defend yourself so much. Diana leaves, and Garcelle says, that was not okay. In her interview, Garcelle says, she was thinking after Diana left her house, she would give Sutton a chance. This was the next chance, but with Diana, words and actions are two different things. In Kyle’s interview, she says, people get upset and emotional, but it’s not intentional. Diana is just saying what she feels. You could say she’s being mean, but Kyle respects her for being honest. Sutton cries, and Garcelle says, this is a lot.
Next time, Housewives on the slopes; Sutton says she’d rather sit next to Erika than Diana; Crystal wishes they would give it up; and Erika says she doesn’t give a f*** about anyone but herself, and walks out.
Stop in tomorrow for soap and Charm. Until then, stay safe, stay aware if current events, but not obsessed by them, and stay giving people credit for going through something. It’s not always noticed.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Nina sleeps on a couch in the hospital, Sonny’s arm around her. She wakes, and says she almost forgot where they were. Last night at the Quartermaines wasn’t a nightmare; what happened? Sonny says, it happened. Someone tried to kill Ava.
Nikolas goes to the reception desk, and says he’s been waiting for hours. Someone needs to give him an update on his wife’s condition. The nurse says she’s sorry, there’s been no update, and Nikolas starts yelling, demanding to talk to the head of surgery. Jordan comes along, and he tells her that his wife has been in surgery all night. Can she please help him find out something? She says she can try, and he says he just needs to know what happened to his wife. She says, that makes two of them.
At the Quartermaine mansion, Brook tells an officer that she was out on the terrace for a while, then helped distribute desserts. The officer says, before that? and Brook says, in and out of the kitchen. The officer says, and you? and Drew says he was probably on s’mores duty at the time Ava was injured. She says, and before? and he flashes back to him and Carly kissing. He says, manning the grill, and asks how much longer this is going to take. She says she just has a few more questions, when her phone rings. She steps away to take it, and Brook asks why Drew is so antsy. If he seems too eager to get away, they’ll think he has something to hide. He says, he wants to check on Carly.
THE MOSS BOWL IS BACK!!! 🎍 Do Carly and Sonny have shared custody? Carly pours coffee, and flashes back to flirting with Drew, and Drew kissing her. Josslyn comes in, and Carly says she didn’t expect Josslyn to be up for hours. She hands Josslyn some coffee, saying, she thinks Josslyn needs it more than her. Josslyn says she didn’t really sleep last night, and Carly says, of course (🍷) not. She saved Ava’s life. Josslyn says she just keeps replying it in her head. It’s like she’s outside her body watching as she holds that towel to stop the bleeding. She doesn’t love Ava, but she couldn’t let Ava die. Before she passed out, Ava was so scared. All she wanted was for Josslyn to hold her hand. Carly hugs Josslyn, and says, she’s so proud of her. She hates that Josslyn went through that. Josslyn asks if there’s any news, but Carly says, not yet. Josslyn says, Avery? and Carly says, she doesn’t know. She and Sonny are trying to decide when to tell her. Josslyn says she doesn’t think Trina knows either. She had a meeting at PCU this morning, and she’s supposed to come here after. There’s a knock at the door, and Trina waves through the window.
Elizabeth goes to Finn’s office, and says she got his messages – all five of them. He says he’s sorry. He couldn’t sleep. He felt horrible about what happened. It was all he could do to stop from driving to her house, so he kept calling, hoping she’d pick up. She says she should have, but he says, it’s okay. He was just worried. She seemed like she was in shock after what happened to Ava. She says she thinks what happened is pretty shocking, doesn’t he? He says, it’s horrible. It just seems like Elizabeth shut down. She wouldn’t let him drive her home. She says she doesn’t want to revisit last night. Being that close to violence really makes her nervous. He asks if she saw something last night.
Spencer is lying on his hotel room bed, when somebody starts banging on the door. He says, this better be a damned emergency, and opens the door. Victor says, it is a damned emergency.
Brook says she knew it. Something is going on with Drew and Carly. He says, Joss found Ava near death, so of course (🍷) he’s worried about Joss and Carly both. And Avery. Carly’s probably wondering what to tell her. He just wants to see Carly needs anything, and she says, as friends do, and smiles. He says, no offense, but what’s it to her? Why is she so interested in him and Carly? She says, before yesterday, pure nosiness, but today, she doesn’t want to see anyone waste as much time as she did.
Carly hugs Trina, and asks, how is she? Trina says, better than she’s been in a long time, and even better now that she sees the moss bowl 🎍. PCU just dropped the Title IX violation against her, and Carly says, that’s great news. Josslyn says, finally. Did they apologize while they were at it? Trina says she met with the Title IX coordinator and the dean, and they apologized for the previous finding. Nothing will be on her record, and she can continue with the rest of her classes. Carly says, that’s great on their part, and Trina says she hoped they would, but she was still nervous. Josslyn says she really wanted to go with Trina, but it was a crazy night. Trina says, that’s okay; it all worked out. She can really enjoy her party tonight. Carly says, her mom must be over the moon. Has Trina talked to her? Trina says, her mom is super excited they dropped the Title IX determination, but they really didn’t get to talk because her mom was getting ready for work at the hospital. She can’t wait to tell Ava. She thinks she’s going to stop by the gallery… Josslyn says, she doesn’t think there’s any point in going to the gallery today, and Trina asks, why? Did something happen to it? Josslyn says, no. Something happened to Ava.
Finn asks if Elizabeth was nearby when Ava got attacked. Did she hear something or see something? She flashes back to meeting Nikolas, and telling him, it happened again; she’s losing time. She tells Finn, she only knows what he knows, and he says, when he couldn’t reach her on the phone, he got a little worried. She apologizes, and says she didn’t mean to worry him. She just needed time to herself. He says, because she was angry with him for contacting Sarah. He was so wrong. He tried to apologize last night, but she said he wasn’t her anything. Does she still mean that?
The reception nurse goes with Jordan to answer a couple of questions, and Nina comes by with Sonny. She asks if Ava is out of surgery, and he asks what Sonny is doing here. Sonny tells Nikolas, don’t step any closer to him. Same as Nikolas; that’s what he’s doing here. Nikolas says, Ava is his wife. She’s nothing to Sonny. Sonny says, it’s not a competition. Ava is the mother of his child and a good friend to somebody that means a lot to him. Nina says, they’re not here to upset him. They’re worried, the same as him. Nikolas says he wants Sonny gone, and Sonny says, he wants Nikolas out of here, so he guesses neither of them is going to get what they want. Jordan asks if there’s a problem. She sincerely hopes not, since this is a hospital, and she’ll have no qualms about escorting them out. Sonny says, no problem, and Jordan tells Nikolas, the surgeon will come out to speak with him shortly. He asks if Ava is going to recover, and she says, they didn’t share details because she’s not family, but she believes Ava is in post op. Nikolas asks if she’s conscious. Did she say what happened?
Nikolas tells room service to send coffee in a carafe. On second thought, send two. Victor picks up Spencer’s clothes, and says he sees housekeeping hasn’t been here. Spencer apologizes for the surroundings, but doesn’t imagine Victor will be staying long. Victor says, Spencer doesn’t make it easy to track him down. Although registering here as Fred Flintstone was a dead giveaway. Spencer says, Carly banned him from the hotel, and Olivia has a long memory, so what was so urgent? Is Ava dead? Victor says, not yet. How does Spencer feel about that? Spencer says, ambivalent. Him? Victor says, much the same, and Spencer says, not angry? Victor says, that Ava was attacked? and Spencer says, that the attack wasn’t more successful. Victor says, that’s a rather callous point-of-view. Who would think that? Spencer says, the person responsible – Victor.
Drew says, so Brook and Chase are officially a thing now? and she says she doesn’t know what they’re calling themselves, but they’re together. He says, it’s about damn time, and she says, a lot of people were pulling for them. He says he’s happy they didn’t give up on each other, and she says, her too. Now can he see why she’s meddling? He says he has no idea, and she says, jokes aside, if he and Carly have real feelings for each other, if there’s a chance at happiness, don’t let this window close. He says, they actually did sort of have a breakthrough yesterday, and she says, and? He says, and that is the extent of her helpful nosiness. He’ll take it from here. He starts to leave, but the officer comes back, and says, he isn’t cleared to leave. She has a few more questions.
Trina says she has to go to the hospital, and Josslyn says, let her change, and she’ll go too. Carly asks her to check on the girls while she’s upstairs, and tells Trina, Avery stayed here last night. Trina says, poor baby. She can’t believe she’s been fighting over a stupid school judgment, and Ava’s been fighting for her life all night. Carly says, Trina’s school judgment isn’t stupid; she got her future back. Trina says, what about Ava’s future? Why didn’t they tell her what was going on? Carly says, because Josslyn didn’t home until after midnight; she had to give a statement to the police. And she didn’t tell Trina because she didn’t want Trina to miss her appointment this morning. It’s too important, and there’s nothing Trina could have done anyway. She understands that, right? Trina says she does. Thank God Joss found Ava. She just can’t… What about Avery? Does she know what happened to her mom? Carly says, they don’t want to tell her until they have some concrete information, and Trina says, she’s just so little to have her life turned upside down. She’s already dealing with a lot. Carly says, including her and Sonny’s divorce, and Trina says, but Carly is a constant, and Ava knows that too. Thank God Avery has Carly.
Victor asks if Spencer is suggesting he attacked Ava. He must still be suffering from his alcohol fueled evening. Spencer says, they all know the lengths Victor will go to protect this family. Perhaps he felt Ava was becoming a liability. Victor says, she was, but does Spencer really think he’d stab her? Spencer says, no, of course (🍷) not. Victor would never risk getting the blood spatter on his Italian loafers, but sending in an operative to kill Ava at a party with a million suspects is definitely in Victor’s wheelhouse. Victor says, clever boy, and Spencer says, the Police Commissioner probably has that figured out too. So it might be time for Victor to take an extended vacation, and look into the house at Cassadine Island. Victor tells Spencer not to mistake himself. He’s not complimenting Spencer on his cleverness on figuring him out. Rather on being clever enough to start deflecting suspicion from himself. Let him lay it all out for Spencer. Ava controls Spencer’s fortune, his money. In other words, she controls him. She flung the betrayal of Spencer’s father and girlfriend in his face, and turned his world on its axis yesterday. Spencer’s rage drove him to consume an obscene amount of alcohol, and loosened his inhibitions. The attack was up close personal, and Spencer has as much reason to kill Ava as anyone.
Nikolas says, he’s Ava’s husband, and she’ll talk to him, but Jordan says she has a few questions first. They step away, and Sonny tells Nina, it looks like Ava is going to be in recovery for a while before she goes to ICU. Does she want to get some breakfast? Nina says she’s not hungry. She’s going to stick around here. He says he’s going to check on Avery, and she says, of course (🍷). She thanks him for spending the night with her here. They see Nikolas talking animatedly with Jordan, and Nina asks, what’s up? He says, Nikolas seems more wound up than he usually is, and Nina says she thinks he’s probably terrified. Sonny wonders, of what?
Jordan tells Nikolas, as soon as she gets the all clear from Ava’s doctors, she’ll question Ava. Until then, does he have any information that could aid this investigation? He says, not really, and she asks if he’s sure that’s all. Things looked pretty tense with him and Sonny. Nikolas says, his nerves are raw, and he’s been up all night. He thanks her for the update, but now he needs some black coffee. She says he can’t go. She’s sure he doesn’t want to miss the surgeon. Until they arrive, help her out. Walk her through everything that happened with Ava at the picnic yesterday.
Elizabeth says she asked Finn not to interfere, and he called her sister? He crossed a boundary she’d clearly drawn. How is she supposed to feel about that? He says he understands. He shouldn’t have done it. Obviously, he won’t call Sarah back. She says, the damage is already done. Sarah is going to assume she messed up somehow. He says he never spoke to her; how would she? Elizabeth says he doesn’t know her, and he says, she’s right. He doesn’t know anything about her family because ELizabeth never speaks about them. He’s not trying to justify this, but the only reason he reached out is because he’s concerned about her and her health, and he felt like he had no other alternative. She says, than going behind her back? Ignoring her when she asked him not to mention her parents again? He says, it was arrogant of him, and disrespectful. Please let him know how he can make this right. She says, he can’t.
Spencer tells Victor, nice try. Despite his father’s betrayal, Spencer didn’t try to filet him – yet. Victor says, he almost believes Spencer. So he didn’t attack Ava? Spencer says, sorry. He was too busy emptying the contents of his stomach onto the Quartermaine azaleas. Victor says, that is curious. He was certain Spencer did it, and Spencer says, so Victor didn’t? Victor says, and leave Ava alive, and Spencer with no clear alibi? He may be many things, but sloppy is not one of them. Spencer says, he’s relieved to hear this, but he’d never turn Victor in. Victor says, nor I you. He hasn’t forgotten the reason Spencer is headed to Pentenville; turning down that plea deal, and not turning Victor in for arranging Spencer’s visit his mother’s grave. There’s a lot of strength in Spencer; more than his father. Spencer says, who was also at the picnic, and angry with Ava. Can his father account for his whereabouts? Victor says he believes not. Maybe he’s the one they should be looking to protect.
Nikolas says, he can’t believe a fun day has ended in this, and Jordan says, take his time. He says he wishes he could tell her where Ava was the whole time, but they were at the Quartermaines for hours. They were on the grounds, in the house. They spoke with Olivia and Sonny… She asks, when was the last time he saw Ava? and he says, in the den. She asks if they were alone, and he says, no; he was with Spencer. Ava left, and then it was just him and Spencer. She asks if Ava said where she was headed, and he says he thinks she was going to get a drink. She asks if Ava seemed upset or worried about anything, and Nikolas flashes back to Ava slapping him after he said only she was to blame for not healing things with Kiki. He wonders why Jordan is asking, and she says, she’s just trying to ascertain his wife’s state of mind. Has she had any conflicts with any recently, and troubling phone calls? He says, no, and she says, things are fine at home? He says he doesn’t know why she’s wasting time with him, when she could be out finding the person who tried to kill his wife. She says, they’re questioning everyone who was on the Quartermaine estate, and the department is actively engaged in tracking down leads. He says, Sonny and Ava are constantly having ongoing custody issues. Why isn’t Jordan grilling him? She says, as she stated, they’re questioning everyone. Why is he so resistant to providing answers? The doctor comes out looking for Nikolas.
Carly tells Trina, Avery has an entire family who loves her, Ava included. She’s sure Ava is going to make a full recovery, but whatever happens, she’ll always protect Avery like she’s one of her own. Josslyn brings Avery in, and Trina says, she’s getting to be such a big girl now. Josslyn says, too big for Donna’s bed, which is where she found Avery. Avery says, she was reading to Donna, and they fell asleep. Josslyn says, Donna is still out like a light, and Carly says, Avery is a wonderful big sister. Did she have fun sleeping with her little sis? Avery nods, and says she’s hungry. Carly goes over possible breakfasts with Donna, and Josslyn asks if Trina is ready to go. Trina says, Ava is her friend. She doesn’t know what she’s going to do if she loses her. Avery says she wants daddy’s pancakes, and Sonny comes in, saying, hey, kiddo.
Elizabeth – who is getting so very annoying now – says she didn’t appreciate Finn using her boys to justify his actions. He tells her, all he was saying is, they’re struggling too, and she says she’d never subject them to harm. He’s not a psychiatrist, and just because she shared some aspects of her life with him, doesn’t give him the right to intervene. He says, that’s not at all what he was doing. She has every right to be angry with him… She says, gee, thanks, and he tells her, everything he says is going to be wrong, right? If she wants to end things with him over this, he’ll understand, but he has something to say first. Then if she wants to leave, he’ll let her go. He loves her. He just wants her to be happy, and however she chooses to get there, he wants to be on that journey with her.
Spencer asks Victor, why should they protect his father? He is the worst of them, and that’s saying something in a family with Stavros and Helena. Victor says, Spencer never lived with Stavros and Helena. Nonetheless, they must protect their family first. Spencer pours the coffee, and says, he never agreed to that. Victor says he’s deeply disappointed in Spencer’s father, but Nikolas is also his grandmother’s son. How does Spencer think Laura would feel if she knew he turned his back on his father? Spencer says, grandmother asked them both to behave while she was away, and Victor says, Nikolas made a mistake. We Cassadines hold each other accountable in house. So if the police come asking questions, Spencer must say nothing to implicate his father. Spencer asks why he should lie for someone who’s done nothing but lie to him, and Victor says, he’s asking Spencer to just omit any reference to what he learned about his father and Esme yesterday. If he does, he may be rewarded. Spencer says, that sounds a little vague. What’s Victor going to do? Take him out for ice cream? He’d like Victor to be more specific. Victor says, protect his family, and Spencer might get his hands on his birthright earlier than he expected. Spencer says, even if he omits, what will Ava say when she wakes up? Victor says, assuming she does. Leave Ava to him.
The doctor tells Nikolas, they managed to repair much of the damage, but they’re keeping Ava in ICU, where they can observe her for possible complications. Nina wanders over, and Nikolas asks, what kind of complications? The doctor says, peritonitis, sepsis, bowel obstruction… Nina asks if it’s serious, and Nikolas nods to the doctor. She says, Ava’s condition is serious, but stable. Nikolas asks if he can see her, and the doctor says, briefly. He leaves with the doctor, and Jordan asks the nurse to let her know the minute Ava wakes up. The nurse says she’ll clear it with Ava’s doctor, and Nina asks, what about visitors? The nurse says, just those who are approved, like family. She leaves, and Nina tells Jordan, the person who did this to Ava is still out there. Like she didn’t know. Please do everything she can to find this monster who did this to her. Jordan says, they’ll chase down every clue, no matter where it leads.
Victor asks if he and Spencer understand each other, and Spencer says he understands what Victor expects, but he’s not fully convinced he should agree. Victor says, for heaven’s sake. Spencer went to great lengths to dupe his girlfriend into revealing Trina’s innocence, yet he won’t agree to mislead the PCPD for his father’s sake? Nikolas says, Trina must have heard by now, and jumps up to put on his shoes. Victor says, his concern for his friend is touching. He wishes Spencer would show the same kind of loyalty to his father. Spencer tells Victor, thanks for dropping by, but he can’t stay, and jets.
Sonny says he hopes Carly doesn’t mind; he let himself in. She says, special circumstances, and he says, one batch of chocolate chip pancakes coming up, but first, Avery has to clean that face and get dressed. Avery says, let her mix in the chips, and he says, as long as they make it to the batter. She runs upstairs, and Sonny asks how Carly is doing. Carly says, fine, and Trina asks if there’s any news about Ava. Sonny says he got a call on the way here, and she’s out of surgery, and they’re putting her in ICU. Trina says, they’re on their way there now, and he says, let Dex take them. He’s waiting for Sonny in front. Carly says, Josslyn told her everything that happened last night, and she says this Dex kid helped save Ava’s life. Josslyn says, Dex did more than help. He told her that he used to be a soldier, and if they’d waited for the ambulance, it wouldn’t have worked. He saved Ava’s life. Trina says, they both did, and Sonny says, Dex is a good guy to have around. Let Dex take them to GH and wait. Trina says, okay, and thanks him. They leave, and Sonny asks if Carly minds. She says, go ahead, and he starts taking out pancake making supplies. She asks if he was at the hospital all night, and he says, yeah. She nods, and says, she’ll get the griddle.
The officer thanks Drew and Brook for their statements, and says, they’ll be in touch. She leaves, and Drew says, he’s all for being thorough, but that was taking forever. He says he’ll see her later, but she says, one more thing before he goes. Chase has been crazy patient with her. It helps. He says he’s a pretty laid back guy, but he doesn’t share Chase’s fortitude. She says, nobody does, but he’s a close second on the thoughtful scale. Take his cues from Carly. He says, noted, and leaves. Brook’s phone rings, and she tells Chase that she was just thinking about him.
Elizabeth says she needs time to think, and Finn tells her, take all the time she needs. She says, whatever challenges she might have, let her work through them in her own way on her own time. He can do that? He says he can and he will. Advice will be given only when asked. It’s hard for him to not to try to heal; occupational hazard. That’s his challenge, and he has to realize he can’t always have things his way. She says she has to tell him something. Something really strange happened to her last night… There’s a knock at the door, and Finn says he’s busy, but Jordan says, it’s the Police Commissioner. He lets her in, and she says she only has a few questions. She sees Elizabeth, and says, great. She was looking for her.
Carly says, Donna is still asleep, so she’s not going to wake her up, and Sonny says, more pancakes for them. Carly sits down, and tells Avery that she and her daddy want to talk to her about her mommy. Avery asks if her mommy is coming over for pancakes, but Sonny says, she’s not able to do that. Her mommy got hurt last night. Avery asks if that’s why her mommy didn’t pick her up, and Carly says, yeah. Avery asks if mommy’s okay, and Sonny says, her mommy has a lot of people at the hospital taking care of her. Carly says, until her mommy is better, Avery is going to stay with them. How does that sound? Avery says she wants to see mommy, and Carly says she knows Avery does, but she doesn’t think Avery is old enough. Avery asks if she can see Daddy Nikolas.
Trina tells Josslyn, the nurse said it’s only family right now, but Trina can sit in the waiting area of the ICU. She thanks Josslyn for coming with her, and they hug. Trina thanks Dex for saving Ava’s life, and says, Joss told her that he’s the main reason Ava’s alive. Dex says, Joss did her part. It was definitely a team effort. Trina says she’s grateful to both of them. Can he see that Joss gets home and gets some rest? She’ll keep Josslyn posted. Trina leaves, and Josslyn says, Sonny couldn’t give Dex the morning off? Not even after saving Avery’s mother? He says he wouldn’t have taken the time, even if Sonny offered. He’s still feeling a little fuzzy after last night; it’s better to be working. She thanks him for stepping up. Ava isn’t her favorite person in the world, but she’s Avery’s mother and a dear friend of Trina’s. She couldn’t have done it by herself. She’s really glad he was there. He says, ditto, and she says, sorry for freaking out so much, but he says, he’s seen people with a lot more training completely lose it over a lot less.
Jordan says she’d like brief statements from Finn and Elizabeth about last night, and Elizabeth says, of course (🍷). Finn asks if she’d like a seat, but Jordan says, that’s not necessary. She looks at Elizabeth, and says, ouch. What happened to her head? Elizabeth says, a tree branch at the Quartermaine picnic, and Jordan says, be thankful she suffered nothing worse there. Finn asks if there are any leads, and Jordan says, her team is constructing a timeline. This was a particularly vicious crime, with a woman’s life hanging in the balance. Until she can question Ava, she has to rely on other people’s accounts. With so many people there, anyone could be an eyewitness and not even realize it. That’s why it’s vital she gather information while it’s still fresh. Finn says, of course (🍷), and Jordan thanks him. She hopes with everyone’s help, they can piece it together, and identify this butcher, whoever he or she is.
Ava lies in a hospital bed, and her door closes. Nikolas comes in, and stands by her bedside. Trina arrives, and looks at them through the window. Someone puts a hand on her shoulder, and she turns around to see Spencer.
Avery says, Daddy Nikolas must be worried about mommy too. Can she see him? Please? Sonny tells her take one more bite, then they’ll go. He feeds her a forkful of pancake, and Carly says, take her car; the booster seat is already set up. She hugs Avery, saying, she’s a strong girl. Avery leaves with Sonny, leaving Carly alone with the moss bowl 🎍. She puts the pancake stuff away, and Drew comes to the door. He peeks in, and she smiles. She tells him that he’s here early. Would he like some coffee? He says, that would be great. He’s been thinking a lot about last night. It’s all he’s been thinking about actually. She says, every five seconds? and he says, it’s pretty much constant. She says, she’s been thinking a lot about it too.
Sonny and Avery get to the hospital, and Nina is there. Sonny says, Avery knows Nina, right? and she says, mommy’s friend. Nina says she’s her mommy’s really good friend, and Avery asks if Nina is here to see her mommy. Nina says she’s hoping, and Sonny asks how she’s doing. Nina says, she’s doing okay. She was moved to ICU. She’s just waiting to find out when she can see Ava. He asks if they can wait with her, and she says, it would mean the world to her. She takes Avery’s hand, and they go to the elevator.
Josslyn thanks Dex for not calling Sonny over, and he asks if she’s avoiding him. She says she doesn’t feel like dealing with Nina right now, and she has to go. She hates the thought of leaving Trina alone. He says, plans? and she says, yeah, with Cam, her boyfriend. He says, the guy he met at the pool the other day? Don’t worry about Trina. The boss will let him stay and make sure she gets home. Josslyn says, dutiful to a fault, and he says he likes to see his commitments through to the end. She says she wishes she could say the same about his boss, and leaves.
Jordan says, based on the blood loss at the scene, her team believes Ava was injured shortly before she was discovered. That gives them a short window for the approximate time of the attack; somewhere between 9:45 and 10 pm. Finn says, that’s probably around the time he ran into Maxie, and spoke to her briefly. Jordan thanks him, and asks if Elizabeth remembers where she was during that time.
Trina says she wasn’t expecting to see Spencer here, especially knowing how he feels about Ava. He says he’s sorry Ava got hurt; mostly because it hurts her. He figured she’d be here. She says, he’s here for her? and he says, always. And as his Uncle Victor constantly reminds him, they support family no matter what, and Ava is family. She says, and he wants to support his father too.
Nikolas sits next to Ava’s bed, and says, if only she’d listened to him. It never would have come to this.
Tomorrow, Sasha asks when Brando stopped believing in her; Anna says she has no doubt she has Victor to thank for that; and Drew tells Carly that he feels they’re on the brink of something incredible.
❓ Not a Lot…
It’s kind of like when the news breaks in on GH and everyone weighs in, even though there’s hardly any information.
I always think it seems so stupid for an adult to unfollow or unfriend. I don’t have tons of FB friends because I like to actually know the people I let into my life. Although if your profile pic includes a dog, you’re probably in. Years ago, I noticed I was a friend down, looked at the list, but couldn’t figure out who it was. Then about a year later, I found out someone I knew from karaoke unfriended me because of a perceived insult from a mutual friend. I found out from a neighbor who went out with her via a dating sight. She made him swear not to tell me, but he couldn’t get on the phone fast enough. The moral of the story is, it was just as well.
It looks like those awful women of Beverly Hills will be on tomorrow, so join me for some of that and some soap. Until then, stay safe, stay setting the bar high, and stay not registering at a hotel as Fred Flintstone. It’s a dead giveaway.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
On the phone, Josslyn tells Michael that he’s got great timing. She just got done reading Wiley a bedtime story, and he’s loving his sleepover at the main house. His nanny’s upstairs with him now. She tells him to enjoy kicking back with Willow. They’re all good on their end. She sees Nina, and says, this may not be her house, but she knows for a fact Nina isn’t welcome here. Nina says she’s not here for a social visit. This is uncomfortable for her, and she’s only here because she has a carload of desserts for Olivia that were mistakenly delivered to the MetroCourt. She’s just trying to correct a mistake. Josslyn says she was just on the phone with Michael, and she could have told him that Nina was there trespassing, but he and Willow rarely get a night to themselves, and Josslyn’s completely capable of throwing Nina out herself. But apparently she’s not capable of listening. She says, Nina will not go anywhere near Wiley, and Nina tells her, like she said, she just brought desserts for Olivia. She wasn’t planning on seeing her grandson. Josslyn says, let’s make sure – get out – when Sonny comes in, and asks, what’s the problem here? Josslyn says, the problem? She’s looking at it. Sonny says, Olivia knows that Nina’s here and why, and Josslyn asks how long it takes to drop off desserts, because she highly doubts Olivia invited her to stay. Sonny says, Josslyn doesn’t have to like it, but he thinks her mom taught her how to be civil to people, and Josslyn says, her mom also taught her how to deal with a back-stabbing bitch. Sonny tried to help Trina, and that’s the only reason she’s not slapping his girlfriend into next week. Since apparently she also has no concept of the law. She leaves, and Nina says, that was fun. She thinks she’ll go. Sonny says, hell no.
Felicia says she’s not going to tell Mac what to do. It’s his call whether or not he tells Cody that he was once romantically involved with Cody’s mother. But Mac and Dominique as a couple was pretty common knowledge back in the day. Somebody’s bound to point that out to Cody eventually. He says, one thing at a time, okay? He’s still trying to wrap his head around the fact that Dominique had a son she gave up. That’s not at all like the woman they both knew.
Britt slaps Cody, and he asks, what the hell is wrong with her? That was a damn good kiss.
Finn finds Valentin in the living room, and says he’s looking for Elizabeth. He asks if she came by, and Valentin says he hasn’t seen her, but he’s looking for Anna. Has Finn seen her? They hear groaning outside, and find Spencer walking up to the patio. Finn says, take it easy, and Spencer says, leave him the hell alone. Finn says, Spencer doesn’t look so good. He’ll get a glass of water, and Spencer can come inside. They’ll get someone to find his dad. Clearly drunk, Spencer says, forget it. He never wants to see his dad again.
Nikolas finds Elizabeth sitting on the ground, and she asks, what happened?
Ava lies outside the boathouse, bleeding. She touches her wound and looks at the blood on her hand. She feebly tries to call for help.
Mac tells Felicia, Dominique was a bright light. She was a loving generous person, who would have cherished having a son. It’s obvious she gave him away to protect him from Taub, but once Leopold died, why not reclaim him and raise him herself? Felicia says, what if she didn’t realize she had a son?
Britt says she didn’t slap Cody based on the quality of the kiss. She slapped him because of why he kissed her. He says, she’s telling him it was a good kiss though, and she says, he only kissed her to distract her. He says, distract her from what? and she says, his interrogation about Peter and Faison. Come on. Just be honest. Why is he so fascinated by her father and brother?
Nina says, besides Sonny, nobody wants her here, and he says, nobody can make mistakes and move on with their lives. The way Josslyn and Michael treat her is unfair, it’s rude, and… it’s actually sad. A lot of people here will be happy to see her, and he’s at the top of the list. she says she knows he’ll always be on her side, and he’ll face down all the haters, but she doesn’t want another confrontation. She’d rather go home. He asks if she can’t stay a little while, and she asks, why? He says he’s got Dex bringing him some paperwork. Once he signs off on it, they’ll go to his place and have a nightcap. She says, that’s an offer she can’t refuse, when Anna walks in. She says she didn’t mean to interrupt… Actually, she is interrupting. She wonders if she can have a moment with Sonny.
Finn sits Spencer down on the couch, and Valentin gives him some water, saying, Spencer’s clearly dehydrated. Spencer says he doesn’t need damn thing from Valentin. All of the trouble between Spencer and his father started when Valentin came sniffing for an inheritance that never belonged to him. Spencer puts his arm around Finn, and says, that’s when his father made the horrible decision to play dead to get his revenge. That’s something his father has to live with, but all the drama started with Valentin. Valentin says, anything he’s done to hurt Spencer, he’s sorry, and leaves. Spencer says he hates that guy, and Finn says he’s not a big fan himself. Spencer says he wishes he could blame Valentin for everything, but Valentin didn’t force his father to lie, play dead, or marry Ava… Finn says, but what? Did Spencer’s dad do something to upset him? Spencer says, it doesn’t matter, because the man he grew up with, the man he hero worshipped, either changed or was never real in the first place.
Nikolas helps Elizabeth up, and says, it looks like she hit her head. How did that happen? She says she doesn’t know, and he asks, what’s the last thing she remembers? She says she was at the stables with Finn. They had an argument, and now she’s here. He says, she’s not that close to the stables. She doesn’t remember walking here or how she got that scrape on her forehead? She says, no. She remembers being really angry and feeling betrayed, and he asks what they argued about. She says, Finn went behind her back again. He called Sarah. Nikolas says, her sister who hasn’t been in town for ten years? Why would Finn call her? She says, because Finn thinks she’s losing her mind.
Josslyn sees Ava, who’s still weakly calling for help, and says, oh my God. She’s going to get help. Does Ava have her phone on her? Was she carrying it and dropped it? She’s going to get help. The picnic is for GH, so there are nurses and doctors here. Ava grabs Josslyn’s leg, and says, don’t leave her.
Sonny asks if Anna wants to talk WSB business. They’ll have to get Diane… Anna says, he doesn’t need Diane. This is more official-adjacent. Nina says she’ll go get some fresh air; it’s a lovely night. Anna thanks her, and she leaves. Sonny says, Anna’s got his attention, so what’s up? She says she’s aware that in addition to his business enterprises, he keeps a close watch on all the illegal activities in Port Charles. He says he can neither confirm nor deny that statement, and she says, let her cut to the chase. Does he have any information about what Victor Cassadine is doing here?
Nina stands outside, and hears Valentin say, she walks in beauty, like the night Of cloudless climes and starry skies; and all that’s best of dark and bright meet in her aspect and her eyes… Nina says, Thus mellowed to that tender light, which Heaven to gaudy day denies. Most people think it’s Shakespeare, but it’s really… He says, Lord Byron; mad, bad, and dangerous to know.
Mac asks how Dominique could have a son and not be aware, and Felicia says, think back. Dominique stayed at Shadybrook for a time. He says, Leopold had her committed. He wanted control of Dominique and her fortune. She says, that’s what everyone assumed, but what if there were other reasons? What if Dominique was pregnant, and Leopold took the baby?
Cody says he asked about Britt’s family. That’s what you do when you’re trying to get to know new people in your life. She says she keeps telling him; she doesn’t want to talk about Peter or her father. Why can’t he accept it and move on? He says, the better questions is, why is she being so defensive? It’s not like he asked if she had a criminal past too. Why is it easier to accuse him of being manipulative, rather than just admit she’s attracted to him? What is so God-so awful about them being into each other? She asks, who said she was into him?
Finn tells Spencer, to be bitterly disappointed in his father’s life choices? Welcome to the club. He’s not in a good place to be giving any sort of advice, but he’s going to throw it out there anyway. Maybe somewhere down the line, it will mean something to Spencer. Spencer says, it couldn’t be worse than the garbage his father’s been throwing out there, and Finn says, that’s the thing, kid. If we’re lucky, we grow up thinking our parents are superhuman; they have all the right answers, and can fix all the problems. Spencer says, but in his case, his father is the problem, and Finn says, and at some point we realize, they’re not superhuman. They’re just people, doing the best they can, who occasionally screw up. Human beings come with flaws, even parents, but that doesn’t mean they love us any less. Spencer says, if that’s how things shook out for Finn and his dad, good for him. But it doesn’t seem like that’s how things are working out for him and his father. Victor walks in, and tells Finn, it seems his great-nephew is a little worse for wear. Don’t worry; he’ll take care of Spencer. Finn says, they were just making headway on their talk, but Victor says he won’t hear of it. Go ahead. Let family deal with family. Finn says, it’s Spencer’s call, and Spencer says, he’ll be fine with his Great-Uncle Victor. Finn says, fair enough; feel better. He leaves, and Spencer tells Victor not to ask why he’s so upset, but Victor says he doesn’t have to. He already knows.
Nikolas says, Finn thinks Elizabeth is losing her mind? and Elizabeth says, she wouldn’t have checked herself out of Shadybrook if she hadn’t felt ready to face the world. He says, Finn doesn’t agree? and she says, he keeps going back and forth. He’s trying to be supportive, but she knows he’s watching her and doubting her. She knows it sounds paranoid, but he says, it doesn’t. If Finn is reaching out to Sarah, why would he do that if he wasn’t checking in on her? Elizabeth says, exactly. He’s fixated on her non-existent relationship with her parents. He keeps fishing around, like she’s hiding some dire secret. He says, about who? Someone in her family? Elizabeth flashes back to being on the stair landing with another young woman, who asks what she’s doing. Elizabeth says, stay away from her father. In the present, she says, Nikolas? Where are we?…No. It happened again. She’s losing time.
Josslyn tells Ava that she just needs to stop the bleeding. She needs a towel. She’s not leaving Ava, but she has to stop the bleeding. She runs inside, and Ava passes out. Josslyn runs back out with a towel, and says she needs Ava to wake back up. Josslyn needs her to hold this while she gets help. If Ava doesn’t wake up, she’s going to die. Josslyn yells for help, and says she can’t leave or Ava will bleed out, but she has to get help. Dex runs onto the scene, asking Josslyn if that’s her, and sees what’s happening. Josslyn tells him to call 9-1-1, but he tells her to call; he’ll hold it. She makes the call, while Dex presses on Ava’s wound.
Mac tells Felicia, when Dominique was in Shadybrook, no one was allowed to visit her. She finally signed herself out after Taub was killed. Felicia asks if he remembers what kind of mood she was in when she got out, and he says, she was eager to get on with her life. It was a long time ago, but he remembers she was happy and upbeat; there wasn’t a hint of sadness. There’s no way anyone would have suspected she was hiding her child. Felicia says, what if there were no hints because she didn’t know she had a baby? and Mac says, Leopold Taub was a bastard. He would have had no problem taking Dominique’s child away from her, except… She says, except what? and he says, why would Leopold Taub want to hide his own child?
Cody asks if Britt expects him to believe she didn’t like the kiss and doesn’t find him attractive. That’s her story? All the verbal sparring they do; the moments they connect? Did he just misinterpret all the signs? He’s sorry; his bad. He won’t bother her anymore. She knows her way back to the main house. She says, fine. He didn’t make it up. He says, sorry, what? and she says, he was right. She is attracted to him. Sometimes she even likes him. He says, then what’s the problem? and she says, there’s nothing more terrifying than liking someone.
Elizabeth says, she was just lost in her train of thought, and Nikolas says, it happens to everyone, but she says, he doesn’t understand. It’s more than that. She keeps having a memory that doesn’t make sense to her. She had an attack of vertigo in the stairwell… He asks if she needs to see a neurologist, and she tells him, Finn said the same thing, and he wants her to see a psychiatrist. Nikolas says, they don’t sound like bad ideas, but she says she thinks if Finn would stop pressuring her this would all go away. He keeps going behind her back; first with Terry, now with her sister. How is she supposed to react to that? How is she supposed to have a meaningful relationship with someone she can’t trust? Nikolas says, you can’t.
Spencer walks over to the bar, and says, now that is more like it. He’s going to need something stronger than water. Victor says, it’s more than obvious Spencer’s had more than he needs already. Getting sloppy drunk is not only undignified, it can lead to errors in judgment, which can be costly. Spencer says, if Victor wants to lecture on errors in judgement, he’s afraid Victor is talking to the wrong Cassadine, and Victor says, he thought so. Spencer says, he thought what? when Olivia walks in. She says, just a friendly reminder that the festivities are taking place out on the grounds, and Victor says he’s so sorry. He and his nephew were just taking a short break from the all the merrymaking. He hopes she doesn’t mind. She says she’ll take care of a couple of things. It turns out hosting this party is a bigger ordeal than she could have imagined. She leaves, and Victor says, Mrs. Quartermaine seemed out of sorts. He wonders why.
Nina says, hello, friend, and Valentin says, this is the last place he expected to find her. She says she could say the same about him. Last she heard, he was the Quartermaines’ public enemy number one. He says, not all of them. Ned is an ally. Michael’s mad at him, but Drew is yet to be determined. He supposes that’s a long-winded way of saying he’s tolerated. She says, lucky him. Josslyn just tried to throw her out. He says he’s so sorry to hear that. It’s no fun being the target for the ire of youth, especially when they think they’re on the side of righteousness. She says, as she recalls, he was in a similar situation with Spencer. He thought Valentin stole his home and inheritance, and Josslyn thinks she stole Carly’s husband and half of the hotel. He says he assumes she has no regrets about Sonny. How about obtaining half the MetroCourt?
Anna tells Sonny, Victor has intimated on more than one occasion that he has a larger agenda. So if he is, for example, transporting something illegal, he’d have to use the waterfront, in which case, Sonny would most likely hear about it, right? Sonny says, If he had any information on Victor, he’d give it to her. As far as he knows, Victor’s only recent crime has been to bust Spencer out of Spring Ridge to visit his mother’s grave. She asks if Spencer told Sonny that Victor got him out of prison.
On the phone, Josslyn explains they’re at the boathouse by the lake. It’s a woman; she’s been stabbed in the abdomen very badly. Dex says, her pulse is weak, and her breathing is shallow. They have to move her now. Josslyn says, is he kidding? They’ll kill her. But he says, if they don’t get her to a hospital in the next 20 minutes, she’ll be dead already. He tells Josslyn to keep pressure on the wound, and goes inside. She asks what he’s getting, and he says, they have to create a pressure. He starts ripping a shirt, and she asks how he knows all this. Did he go to medical school or something? He says he was a soldier. He did a tour in Afghanistan, and that’s how he knows they don’t have time to wait for an ambulance. If the body loses too much blood, it’s like an engine running without oil, and the body shuts down. He gives Josslyn a piece of material he’s fashioned into a sort-of belt, and tells her to tie it around Ava. He says, if it goes past a certain point, her organs will never recover. It might take a couple of days, but she’ll get through it. He tells Josslyn, good job, and she says, now what? He tells her to keep the pressure on. His SUV is nearby. They’ll carry Ava to the car, and Josslyn will stay in the back, keeping pressure on the wound. He’ll drive. She asks if all this movement won’t hurt Ava more, but he says, they do this, or she dies.
Elizabeth asks if they’re talking about him and Ava now, and Nikolas says, yeah. The whole time he was with her, he kept trying to overcome her trust issues, and get to a place where they could believe in each other. That process proved impossible. He had his part in it, and takes full responsibility for his failures, but in the end, the most hurtful betrayal was all Ava. Elizabeth asks what she did, but he says, the particulars don’t matter. She lashed out and didn’t care what she destroyed in the process. She was vindictive to the very end. Elizabeth asks if he’s saying he and Ava are over, and he says, they’re definitely over. Finn comes along, and says he was looking for her. What happened to her head? She says, it’s not a big deal; it’s just a scrape. Nikolas says, Elizabeth is fine, and Finn asks if he can speak to her alone for a moment, but Nikolas says, now’s not a good time.
Spencer says, sorry, Victor thought what? and Victor says, it’s obvious from the hints Spencer’s been dropping that he already knows his father had sex with Esme. Spencer laughs, and says he can’t believe Nikolas told Victor. Victor says, he and Nikolas have their differences, but first and foremost, they’re Cassadines. They stick together. Spencer says, count him out. He wants nothing to do with his father. When he heard Ava say he slept with Esme… Victor says, Ava told him? That is indiscreet of her.
Valentin asks Nina how she feels about owning that particular hotel. Is she having buyer’s remorse? She says, a little bit. Sonny warned her there would be pushback, and there is. People just assume she bought it out of spite. He asks if Sonny assumes that.
Anna asks Sonny to please tell that he has proof, and he says he did his best to get Spencer to give up Victor, but he refused. He has mixed feelings about that, because on one hand, he wants to break Victor’s hold on Spencer. If he gets arrested, that’s a bonus. On the other hand, he admires Spencer letting him take the easy way out. He’s always emphasized to this boy that loyalty is so important, and always taking responsibilities for his actions. It’s nice to see he’s finally doing it. She says, loyalty, that’s cool. In this instance, given the family he comes from, when it comes to loyalty, Spencer is lucky to have Sonny as a role model.
Mac tells Felicia, Taub was obsessed with money and power. He wanted Dominique so he could control the Stanton fortune. But if Dominique got pregnant with his child, he’d have an even stronger hold on that fortune. So why keep the kid a secret? Olivia runs up, and says, she just got a call from the PCPD. Someone’s been attacked on the property. Mac asks if they were attacked at the main house, but she says, no, on the property. It was a stabbing, and whoever found them decided to take them right to GH. The police are on the way here right now. Mac asks if the police told her the victim’s name, and she says, only that it took place on the property, but the property is enormous. And God knows how many people were at this party. Mac gets on the phone, and says he’s at the Quartermaine estate. He needs information about the attack that was just reported.
Cody says he doesn’t understand what’s scary about liking someone, and Britt says, last year, she finally met someone she could be completely honest with, who she could share her deepest darkest secrets, and he didn’t judge her. Cody says, sounds like a cool dude. Where is he? She says, that’s the thing. The universe finally gave her someone she felt safe to be honest with. Then the universe decided to kill him. He says he’s so sorry, and she says, her too. That’s why she slapped him. It isn’t because the kiss was bad or inappropriate; it made her feel something. And if she’s learned anything about this life, it’s when she feels something good, it only leads to pain, and that’s terrifying. He says, maybe it was just a one-time thing; like the heat of the moment. Maybe if they kissed again, nothing would happen. She woudn’t feel anything, and she’d have nothing to be afraid of. She says, there’s zero logic in that statement, and he says, it’s still just a theory, but there’s only one way to test it out. They kiss.
Spencer says he’s taking off, but Victor says, if Spencer thinks he’s going in search of another beer keg or bar set-up, he’s sadly mistaken. Spencer says, Victor doesn’t have to worry he’ll get so drunk he’ll tell someone about the little day pass from Spring Ridge that Victor arranged. Victor says he’s not worried about that. He’s worried that Spencer will tell someone about his father’s affair with Esme. Unless he already has. Spencer says, if he told anyone his father slept with his girlfriend, that’s a really bad look for him. He’s not that drunk. Victor asks if he’s sure about that. How much can he remember about the last few hours? Spencer says, next to nothing, and honestly that’s how he likes it.
Nina tells Valentin, Sonny just gave her his honest opinion. He warned her about the optics of buying Carly’s half of the hotel. Initially, she thought he was taking Carly’s side, but he was just being a realist. He thought Olivia was going to stay loyal to Carly, and the hotel staff was going to stay loyal to Carly. Right now she’s working on them, but Sonny wanted her to see what she’d be up against, but he also said they’d do it together; that he’d be by her side.
Sonny tells Anna that he appreciates her saying he’s a good role model. There’s a few people in his family who don’t agree with that. She guesses things have been difficult for him since he got back. She’s sorry to hear about his divorce. She knows from her own life that sometimes people truly do have irreconcilable differences, even if at one point they were very much in love. Look at her and Robert. He says, isn’t Robert her best friend now? and laughs. He says he doesn’t think he and Carly can do that, because she has so much resentment toward Nina. She says, he’s not willing to give her up, right? and he asks if she thinks he’s wrong. She says she thinks he’s following his heart. How could that ever be wrong? Her phone rings, and she says she has to take it. Anna says, Jordan… attacked?… She’s here at the Quartermaines’.
Finn says, Nikolas wants to talk about timing? He just left Nikolas’s kid at the main house, and he’s in a bad way. Nikolas might want to check on him. Nikolas says he’s not the right person to help his son, and he doesn’t feel comfortable leaving Elizabeth alone if she doesn’t want to be with him. Finn tells Elizabeth that he’s sorry. He shouldn’t have gone behind Elizabeth’s back. He thought he was helping, but he was so wrong. He just wants to talk. Please don’t shut him out.
As they walk toward the boathouse, Olivia asks if they shouldn’t go to the house and let everyone know what’s happening, but Mac says, the whole estate will have to be searched. The boathouse is the perfect staging area. He tells them, wait here, and looks at the pool of blood where Ava was. He calls dispatch, and tells them he’s at the Quartermaine estate. Send forensics to the boathouse. He found the attack site.
Ava is wheeled into the hospital, and the doctor says medical stuff, and gives the nurses instructions. He wants to do a massive transfusion, and asks for O negative blood. He wants two lines in her, and a lot of stuff with initials. Tell the OR they’re coming up. Josslyn and Dex come in, as Ava is being wheeled away. Josslyn gives Dex his phone, and says, sorry about the blood. He says, it’s okay; it’ll wash off. I have a mental picture of him holding his phone under a faucet. She says, if Ava lives, it’s because of him, but he says, it was both of them.
Cody says, still scared? and Britt says, quaking in her boots. He asks if that means another date is out of the question, but she says she’ll risk it, and leaves.
Anna tells Valentin, Jordan is on her way with forensics. Mac already determined the attack took place at the boathouse. He asks if they know the name of the victim yet, and she says, no, but she figures Jordan will know by the time she gets here. So she’s going to wait and see if they need any assistance. It makes you wonder, doesn’t it, if this is a criminal matter or intelligence. He says, she doesn’t think Victor was involved, but she says, you can’t deny the possibility. He says he guesses it depends on who the victim is, when Anna’s phone dings. She says, it’s Jordan, and looks at her phone. She shows it to Valentin and us, and it says, Ava Jerome.
On the phone, Sonny asks Frank to tell Dex that he knows why Dex did what he did, and he’ll see Dex when he gets there. He tells Nina, he knows why Dex didn’t show up with the paperwork. He found someone stabbed on the property, and took her to the hospital. Nina says, here?That’s awful. Sonny said, her. Was it a woman? He says, it was Ava, and she says, oh my God. He says, she’s in pretty bad shape, and Nina says she needs to be there for her. He says he’ll go with her, and they run out.
Forensics has gotten to the boathouse, and Elizabeth asks Mac, what’s going on? Why are the police here? Mac says, Ava Jerome was attacked tonight. She’s at the hospital. Nikolas says, oh my God, and Finn asks, how bad is it? Mac says, she’s in critical condition; her survival is uncertain. Olivia crosses herself, and by now, Victor and Spencer are there too. Nikolas says he has to get to his wife, but Mac says, hang on. The police are going to need statements from all of them. They’re still determining the time of the attack. They know it happened within the last two hours, and they’re going to need the whereabouts of everyone she was in contact with. We look down the line of possible suspects, although Mason and Austin aren’t among them.
Tomorrow, Brook tells Drew that they’ll think he has something to hide; Jordan asks why Nikolas is so resistant to providing answers; Josslyn tells Trina, something happened to Ava; and Sonny tells someone that neither of them is going to get what they want.
Below Deck Mediterranean
First thing in the morning, Tasha is texting her ex-boyfriend now boyfriend (I think), and Natalya tells Storm, last night was fun, but he got a little emo. She can’t be serious when she goes out. In Natalya’s interview, she says, Storm was a bit tragic last night, but she gets over things quickly. She thinks he’s caring and considerate, and wants to see where it goes. Captain Sandy calls for a preference sheet meeting. Primary Adam is a tech executive in NYC. Joining him is sister Jennifer, and they’re celebrating Adam’s 30th. They want to play with all the water toys, especially the slide, which the captain expects today with the provisions. Storm looks thrilled. Adam wants a water obstacle course for a friendly competition. Dave reads that they want a tasting menu of courses from around the world, and Captain Sandy says, it’s gonna be a fun charter. Storm tells the deck crew they have to move quickly, and Kyle and Natalya do their usual banter.
In the crew mess, Dave whines to Tasha that she couldn’t even look at him last night and it was awkward. She says she’s not ignoring him; she’s just struggling with the situation in her head. He tells her to do her job, and he’ll do his. She says, their jobs require them to work together, and he says he’s tired of pussyfooting around. No more. He’s not dwelling on this, and he deserves better than her. What they had is done. Captain Sandy comes in, and asks if she interrupted something. Should she leave? Tasha says, they were just talking work, but the captain says, clearly there’s tension. Just be patient with each other, focus on the job, and stay professional. In the captain’s interview, she says it’s not the first time she’s had a boatmance that went wrong. She wants her crew to feel supported, but to give them the space to work it out. She also wants them to understand she still has an expectation. When they step up those stairs, she needs to know they can remain professional.
Courtney is hoisted down in the tender, and in her interview, she says she hopes to get the hang of it, but for now, she’s not friends with this tender. You have to press buttons to go forward and reverse. Just f***ing put a throttle in there or something. It’s like patting your head and rubbing your stomach. In Captain Sandy’s interview, she says, the deck crew has found their groove, and having Courtney is a part of it. They have a rhythm; they’re crushing it. Kyle goes through the preference sheets looking at the photos, and in his interview, he says, this charter is going to test him. Provisions come in, and the slide is on its way. In Tasha’s interview, she’s excited about doing a wine pairing. It takes the service level up a few notches. Tasha texts her boyfriend, while Kyle and Natalya bicker about the laundry. The slide arrives, all 500 pounds of it, and the captain says, guest arrival is in 30 minutes. In Storm’s interview, he says he doesn’t know what he’s going to do. This is a disaster. Jason gives some suggestions about getting the slide on board, and in his interview, he says he’s not entirely green. His problem is in knowing when his input is welcome, and when he’s barking up the wrong tree. Storm radios Courtney and Dave for help. The get the slide into the tender, and Courtney drives it to the boat, then hooks the slide to the crane. In Mzi’s interview, he says, it’s good to see Courtney in her groove, but to be honest, he’s always impressed with her. Everyone gets ready for the guests.
Kyle says, for the first time he’s clammy, and they welcome the guests. In Kyle’s interview, he says, all men with beautiful smiles. Holy hell, Lord save me. There are fancy welcome drinks in pineapples, Tasha gives the tour, and the luggage is brought on board. Kyle toasts, here’s to the queers with the guests. Captain Sandy checks her weather screen, and sees no bumps on the horizon. In Storm’s interview, he says, all docking operations make him nervous at this point, and we flash back to the last one, which was not so good, but this time, all is well. Guest Frank chats up Kyle in the galley; then they move to flirting on deck. In his interview, Kyle says, there is a God. In Tasha’s interview, she says she’s going to let Kyle continue to flirt with Frank, but that’s as far as it can go. He needs to be careful. If the captain finds out, he could lose his job over this.
Anchor is dropped into the blue, blue water I long for, and Kyle flirts some more with Frank as he shakes martinis. In Kyle’s interview, he says, they are a professional team and have their limitations. One of those is, don’t get intimate with guests. He could possibly lose his job. A producer suggests he’s being unprofessional now, and he agrees. Fabulous food is made, and in Dave’s interview, he says, this is the hardest job he’s ever done because of the situation with Tasha. They weren’t dating, but it does feel like a break-up. It’s torture on a stick seeing her. He guesses he’s just going to hang in there. A guest says, the food is like art, and the deck crew gets ready to set up the slide. In Mzi’s interview, he says he just remembers the slide is horrible to deal with, and we flash back to that. He says, now it’s four new people who have never done this before, setting it up on a boat that’s never had a slide before. Tasha and her boyfriend text some more, and in her interview, she says, long distance relationships in yachting almost seem impossible. It’s very distracting. In Storm’s interview, he says, he wants people to understand he knows what he’s doing, but he doesn’t know what he’s doing. He’s never set up a slide before. He’s worked on expedition vessels, small sailing vessels, and charters. Fake it til you make it, baby.
At the table, guest Jennifer says, Frank and Kyle are going to be boyfriends, and she’s going to marry them. Frank says he needs a boyfriend, and I wonder where Kyle is. Captain Sandy tells the deck crew they’re doing a good job, and helps out with the slide. They need more slack, and Storm can’t undo Jason’s bowline, but Jason insists he did it right. Storm says he can’t stand this arguing, and in Jason’s interview, he says, Storm looks like an idiot. Jason goes over to undo the knot, and Storm suggests he tie it properly next time. Jason tells him, f*** off. In Storm’s interview, he says he doesn’t know what Jason tied, but it wasn’t a bowline. Then Jason swore at him. Don’t ever do that. Ever.
The guests discuss Iceland, and the verdict is, it’s all gay and vegan. They get wind of the slide being set up, and get ready for the water. Mzi tells Courtney, Jason told Storm to f*** off, and she says, Jason’s annoying. Kyle finds out Frank is 37, and asks what creams he’s using. In the galley, he tells Natalya, that’s maturity you want, and she says, you never know. He could be the love of Kyle’s life. The guests use the slide, and Tasha tells Dave that the wine-pairing is tonight. Dave is making pasta, and asks for her help. In Dave’s interview, he says he doesn’t know how Tasha thinks she’s doing wine pairing with a buffet. He’s doing street food. Give him a can of beer. Natalya asks if Storm’s up for a cuddle later, and he’s in. It’s been a sh*tty day. He tells her about Jason, and says, he’s out of control. In his interview, Storm says he’s changed his mind about Jason. Since he’s been put in this position, it’s been his biggest challenge as far as team management goes.
Kyle is on break, and the guests ask him to sit with him. He obliges, and asks for the gossip. In Natalya’s interview, she hints at once having had a quickie with a guest. In Jason’s interview, he says he can’t knowingly do something wrong if he knows a better, more efficient way to do it. He’s dealing with an imbecile. In Courtney’s interview, she says, it seems like Jason doesn’t really want to be here. You have to be a team player. Sometimes you don’t want to do sh*t, but you do it because it’s your f***ing job. They pull up the trampoline, and the wind picks up. Storm says they need a secondary line, and calls to Jason, who ignores him. Storm asks if Jason is f***ing kidding him. In his interview, Storm says, Jason’s been insubordinate to him. He guesses it’s up to him to find out what Jason’s good at and what motivates him. He’s still got a lot to learn with Jason.
Tasha goes over the menu with Kyle, and how she’s doing a wine pairing with the buffet. Captain Sandy calls Storm to the bridge, and asks if he knows what an anchor dragging looks like, showing him on the screen. She tells him, that’s what you’re watching for on anchor watch. In her interview, she says she sees bosun material in Storm. He’s great on deck and great with the clients. It’s important she teach him; she wants him to succeed. In Dave’s interview, he says, it’s an around the world dinner tonight, and he wants a street food vibe. Nice one bite wonder food. Dave does that smoke cloche thing for one of the courses, and in Tasha’s interview, she says, the guests’ reaction to the first wine pairing makes her want to keep it going throughout the dinner. She asks if Dave can send things out one at a time since the guests are enjoying the elegance, and he acts like he’s okay with that, but he’s not. In his interview, he says, it’s a huge change. They were doing a buffet, but now it’s a la carte, and going to effect the quality of his food. Tasha’s promised the guests, so it’s not ideal, but he’s sucking it up. The American sliders end up cold, and when Dave reheats them, they literally slide. He says, this is ridiculous. The wine pairing has slowed down service. He’s reheating most of the dishes and his burgers are f***ed. He complains to Tasha that it’s taking too long. A wine gets paired wrong, but the guests don’t notice, so who cares? Dave starts complaining and Tasha radios for help, but everyone else is sleeping. In Kyle’s interview, he says, the last thing you want is service that doesn’t seem seamless. This is poor planning. Tasha insists, it’s not her.
Next time, Kyle in spandex; a mini Olympics; Jason doesn’t respond to his radio; and Tasha’s boyfriend has issues about her working with Dave.
I did wonder why she found it crazy that Lydia believed in fairies. Why not? The dead are walking, for God’s sake. But my main question is, will Beta be in the mix? They owe me that one.
While I can’t promise blue skies tomorrow, I can promise soap, tea, and a little music. Until then, stay safe, stay rooting for the underdog, and stay knowing, human beings come with flaws, even parents, but that doesn’t mean they love us any less.
What I Watched - TV With Theresa 