Category Archives: cooking competition

Feb3

February 2, 2018 – Carly is Worse Than Nelle, a Helluva Winner, Idol Return & Six Not-So-Blind Quotes

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

Maxie sees Nathan next to her in bed. He asks how she slept, and says she looks like she’s seen a ghost.

Ava comes into Kelly’s. The waitress comments on her hair, telling her how great it looks; she can actually see her face now. Ava remembers Carly and Sonny saying that she’s ugly on the inside, and her telling them that her daughter would know her. She spills the coffee. Kiki walks in with Avery.

Sonny talks to Caruso on the phone, and asks what about his father? What kind of trouble is he in?

Carly tells Nelle that she always knew there was something deranged behind her eyes. She asks how crazy you have to be to spend a year in a mental hospital, and how crazy Nelle is now? Nelle should ask her the same about Morgan. Regardless of how manipulative Nelle is, this is starting to tick me off. Nelle tells her it’s none of her business, and Carly says it is; she cares about her grandchild. Nelle says if she cares about the baby to back off, since stress isn’t good for it. Carly says Nelle is volatile and her judgement is questionable. That’s not good for a mother. Nelle asks if Carly is going to try to say she’s unfit. Carly says not her, but if Michael were to think that she was… Nelle raises her hand to smack Carly, and Carly stops her, saying she shouldn’t have done that.

Jason tells Drew and Sam that they were working on theories, including Faison saying that Drew knows more than he realizes. Drew sarcastically says Faison is a very believable guy. Sam asks Jason to tell them everything he knows. If Drew really did know Henrik, it might spark something.

Maxie says Nathan is there, and he asks where else he’d be? He has the late shift, and they can spend the whole day together. She tells him that she had a horrible dream. Faison came to her office, and Nathan saved her. Nathan says of course he would, but she says it’s not just that. Faison shot him, and he didn’t make it; she lost him. He says it’s all right. They start to kiss, and she wakes up. She cries, saying, don’t let this be real.

Kiki asks Ava what’s wrong, and Ava says it’s just a klutzy waitress. The waitress gives her the stink eye as she cleans up. Way to make friends. Ava asks her to make another, and make sure the lid is on tight. Ava offers to treat Kiki and Avery to some hot chocolate, but Kiki says Avery will be pinging off the walls with the sugar. Ava says she knows it’s a lot to ask, and Kiki tells her, then don’t. Carly and Sonny have been decent, and she wants to honor their wishes.

Carly says Nelle has a violent streak, and Nelle says Carly provoked her. Carly accuses her of being a perpetual victim. Nelle says she wanted a reaction, and got one. She’s sure Carly is going to run off and tell Michael. Carly says he needs to know Nelle slapped her and that she lost control. She can’t blame it on the hormones. God help me; I’d like to slap Carly. I certainly wouldn’t goad a pregnant woman. Nelle says she has no right to bring up the past. It has no bearing on who she is today, or her capacity to be a mother. Carly disagrees, but says she’s been wrong before. She doesn’t have to bring Nelle down. Nelle is her own worst enemy, and handling the job fine on her own.

Drew asks Jason if Henrik and the traitor are the same person. Jason says they think so. Klein was working for a client who wanted him brought back to Russia. He thinks the client wanted him contained before Faison found out he was alive. The client was in Port Charles, but they found out nothing until they found Britt. She said Faison freaked out when he discovered Jason was alive, and said the traitor double-crossed him. Britt said she had no idea who it was, but when they found Britt, they found something else – a manuscript by PK Sinclair. Faison didn’t write it, but when he read it, he tried to burn it. Drew asks what it was about, and Jason says the main character was betrayed and destroyed by his son. Sam asks if he thinks the main character is Henrik.

At Maxie’s apartment, Nina looks at a picture of Maxie and Nathan. Maxie comes out, and tells her that she had the worst nightmare. She’d woken up, and Nathan was there like nothing happened. She was so relieved; her heart unfroze. She held him, and could feel him, warm and alive. Just as they were about to kiss, she woke up. She knows she was dreaming, and now she’s awake, but she can’t help but feel it was real, and this is the nightmare. She needs Nina to make her hear it. Nina says, Nathan is gone.

Jason figures the traitor, the client, and PK Sinclair are the same person, and also Faison’s son. They made contact. Drew notices that Jason keeps saying “they,” and asks who he’s working with. Jason says, Sonny and Spinelli. They went to Anna, who said she had no idea there was a son. Spinelli found an email for PK Sinclair. They reached out, and he replied. Obrecht confirmed there was a son, and they wanted to set up a meeting. Drew asks if he knew before the wedding. Jason says he did, and Drew says, yet he chose to keep it to himself.

Carly asks Sonny if everything is okay. He tells her that his old associate from the city called with information about his father, Mike. He’s is living in Brooklyn, and got himself in trouble. He’s guessing Mike fell off the wagon, is gambling again, and owes the wrong people. He tells Carly he’s going to Brooklyn, and she says something doesn’t feel right.

Ava tells Kiki she needs this. Kiki says Sonny and Carly were clear about the rules. Ava did something she can’t take back. Ava asks if Kiki thinks keeping her child from her is okay. Kiki says they have their reasons, and she can’t say she’s in complete disagreement. Ava says that Avery deserves to know her mother. She just wants to hold her for a minute. Kiki hands her over. Ava tells Avery how much she loves her, and tells Kiki that Avery isn’t afraid this time. It makes everything she went through worth it. She tells Kiki that she had a dream where Carly and Sonny were telling her that Avery would never know her, but here she is now. Kiki says Michael is coming in, and he can’t see Ava with her.

Maxie asks Nina where her parents are, and Nina says they were up all night, so she thought she would come. Maxie appreciates it, but says she doesn’t need a babysitter. Nina says it helps them to help her. She suggests Maxie have some yogurt; it’s good for the baby. She goes to look for Maxie’s vitamins, and Maxie sees literature from the funeral parlor on the table.

Kiki asks Ava to give Avery back. She does, and goes to the counter, where the waitress continues to throw shade with her eyes. Michael is happy to see his little sister and big sister. Kiki tells him about taking Avery to the botanical gardens. He sees Ava, and Kiki explains they just bumped into her; it wasn’t planned, and Ava was just leaving. Ava says she supposes she was. When she gets outside, she looks at them through the window.

Carly tells Sonny that Mike hasn’t gambled since Sonny put him in a program years ago. Sonny has kept tabs on him, and would have known. Sonny says if Mike wants to gamble, he will, and if it’s his first time hearing about it, that means he’s in with the wrong crowd. Carly tells him to at least take Jason.

Drew says that Jason told them to get out of town, but never mentioned Faison’s son. Jason thought when he got something concrete, he’d share it. He and Anna waited for Henrik in the park, but that’s when the trouble happened at the hotel. Drew wonders if Henrik could have shown up afterward, but Jason says Anna was there the whole night. She thought someone might have been watching, but never revealed themselves. Drew says he could have been there, and approached him. Jason says he was keeping Sam and the kids safe. He tells them the email account has been shut down, but Faison told him Henrik was hiding in plain sight. Drew thinks Faison could have just been making him chase his own tail and look for a ghost. Jason says he’ll let them know if he finds anything, and Drew says, truthfully this time? He leaves, and Drew tells Sam if they want to find Henrik, they’ll have to do it on their own.

Ava sees Nelle at the MetroCourt. Nelle apologizes, saying she knows they were supposed to meet a buyer in the lobby. Ava says the buyer canceled, and asks Nelle who she was picturing when she impaled the cherry in her drink? Carly? Nelle says Carly is upping her game by digging into her past. Ava says, not to scare her, but be prepared. Anything Carly finds out about her past that she can use, she will, to prove Nelle is an unfit mother.

Jason shows up at Sonny’s place, and Carly tells him there’s a problem. Sonny says Mike is in trouble, but Carly says she’s not convinced. Why would he start gambling again? Sonny says maybe he hooked up with a friend, found a sure thing, fell behind in his rent, and thought he’d use the card tables to compensate. He can’t help himself. Carly thinks it’s a trap. What if Faison set him up? Jason says Faison is dead. Carly asks why Sonny didn’t tell her, and he says he was going to, but things came up. Sonny leaves, and Carly asks Jason if he’s really dead. Jason says he is, and Carly says he won’t get his answers. Jason tells her he did get some answers. Faison told him why he was replaced with Drew. Faison’s mental conditioning didn’t work on him because of his brain damage. Drew was used because Faison and Henrik needed an asset they could control. Carly says he did blow up The Haunted Star. She asks if he’s told Drew, and Jason says, yes, but he told Sam first.

Drew tells Sam that they need to go to Anna. Andre gave her the flash drive. Sam says he put it in a Christmas ornament, and Anna didn’t even know she had it. Drew says she’s close to the situation. She confirmed Faison had a son, and has WSB contacts. Sam is afraid the problem is that they’ll be doing what he said Faison wanted Jason to do – run in circles chasing a ghost.

Maxie looks at a funeral brochure, and asks, what’s this? Nina says she and Felicia thought it might give her some ideas, so she’s not so overwhelmed. Maxie pushes everything onto the floor, saying she’s way past overwhelmed. They should be planning a nursery, not his funeral. Nina says she just wanted to help. Maxie says her husband dead. Everything she counted on and dreamed of, plans for her whole life disappeared in the time it took Faison to pull the trigger. Unless Nina can bring him back from the dead, there’s nothing she can do. Nina says she’s sorry, but she lost her brother too. They hug and cry.

Jason tells Carly that he went to tell Drew, and Sam showed up as he was leaving. He explains how Faison found Drew by accident when he was researching a SEAL team, and saw Jason’s face. It was hard for Sam, knowing it was so random. If he’d looked at another team, things might have gone differently. Carly says, it never would have happened, but Jason tells her not to look at it that way. Carly says she can see Sam’s point of view. Now Maxie is grieving the way Sam grieved for him.

Sam says even if they find Henrik and he cooperates, what can he tell them? They still need the flash drive, and it’s gone. Drew says they’ve talked about it more than once, but he can’t go on with Jason’s memories in his head. He needs to know who he is for both their sakes.

Ava tells Nelle it was all she could do to convince Kiki to let her hold Avery. Nelle says Carly is using Avery as a wedge between her and Kiki. Ava says Carly has no limits when it comes to protecting whoever she deems family, even if it means keeping a child away from their rightful parent. Nelle says, like Michael’s biological father, adding, as if Carly has led a spotless life. Ava calls Carly a staggering hypocrite. Nelle should try to strengthen her bond with Michael, and hopefully, he’ll be more open-minded. Sonny didn’t hesitate to swoop in while Ava was in the burn unit, and got full custody of Avery, so they have all the power. Nelle asks, who says she has to take it lying down?

Kiki wants to make it clear to Michael that she respects his parents’ limits. It was selfish of her mom to push it. Michael is sorry she’s stuck in the middle. Kiki says, not really, but Michael says she is Kiki’s mom, so she can’t be indifferent. He knows his kid will feel the same about Nelle. Kiki asks if they’re really trying to co-parent. He says the emphasis is on trying. They’re making things up as they go along. Kiki thinks he’s going to be a great dad. She remembers how he was with Avery. She and Morgan were wrong. Michael says he was no shining angel, but Kiki says he was the one willing to look past his own hurt, and do what’s right. She knows he’ll do that with his own kid.

Nina knows how Maxie feels; she’s grieving too. She thinks about things Nathan did as a child, and then things he said last week. She missed so many years with him, but she was lucky to have seen the man he became. Maxie says he was a spectacular man, with kindness and heart. She knew it the first night they met. We flash back to when Maxie was leaving to find herself. Nathan tells her that she doesn’t seem bad the way she is, and she tells him not to burn the apartment down. She and Nina hold hands.

Sonny uses the Star Trek transporter to get to Mike’s apartment in Brooklyn. He bangs on the door, yelling that Mike isn’t answering his phone. He came all the way out there; now open up.

Michael tells Kiki passing her medical exams is a big deal, and she should be proud of herself. He congratulates her, and she says now she just needs to attend med school and get a degree. He asks her what someone who’s the last in their med school class is called, and she says, a doctor. BA-DUM-CHH! She tells him she’s always had trouble sticking to anything, but he says with this, she let nothing stand in her way. She says, not even Dillon, and asks if he heard they broke up. He says he got that impression, and he’s sorry. Kiki knows he had mixed feelings, and he asks what happened. She says they gave each other space to pursue their goals, and got lost in it. He says it’s hard to develop a relationship when you’re separated. She says it goes both ways. The more time you share, you get close, whether you want to or not. Hmm… is she talking about Griff or Dr. Bensch?

Ava advises Nelle to make Michael an ally. Carly is relentless. She wouldn’t stop until she pried Avery away from her. Nelle says Ava can be relentless too. Look at her face. She took control of her destiny, and did the impossible. Why not again? Ava says she’ll think about it. Nelle says if they play it right, she can get her child back, and Nelle won’t lose hers in the first place. Ava tells her not to underestimate Carly. Once she puts a target on your back, she won’t rest until she takes you out. Nelle says she has no choice but to take Carly out first.

Carly tells Jason that people say heartbroken all the time, but really mean disappointed, sad, or upset. Heartbroken is what it sounds like; your heart is broken. You can’t breathe. It’s like a weight on your chest. The pain is so strong, you can’t move. Like how it was for Sam when he disappeared. She kept going for Danny’s sake, and did okay. She built a life for herself, and was as happy as she could be with a broken heart. Then, he comes back. Not someone she thinks is him, but him, and she’s not heartbroken anymore. She’s confused, and doing the wrong thing for what she thinks is the right reason, but she knows he’s alive in the world. When she comes up with the courage be with him, she can. Jason tells her to stop it. She says she knows he’s trying to do the noble thing, and wants Sam to be happy, but her love isn’t going away. Waiting for her to admit it, isn’t doing anyone any good. He loves her. Go and fight for her.

Drew tells Sam that his only valid memories are from the past three years, there in Port Charles. She asks what about Kim, but he says it was just a flicker of recognition. Sam says if his memories are gone, that wouldn’t have happened. Faison said that the mind control wouldn’t work on Jason because of his brain damage, but maybe it didn’t fully work on him either, or the process wasn’t as good as they thought. She believes who he is, is still inside of him. They don’t need the flash drive. He can remember on his own.

Maxie looks at the brochure again. She asks Nina to go through it with her. They can figure out what Nathan would want. Nina thinks Maxie should do it with her mom. Maxie says it’s the hardest thing she’ll ever have to do, but she’s doing it for Nathan, and it would be nice if Nina helped her. Nina says okay; they’re family. We see Nathan sitting behind them on the couch. He kisses the tops of both their heads. They look at each other. <sniffle>

On Monday, Griff wishes he had done more for Nathan, Nelle says Carly isn’t an issue anymore, and Michael asks what Carly did. Everything. Carly is the worst.

🍗 It was the Hell’s Kitchen finale tonight. Benjamin and Michelle were the final two, and their families joined them before they had to get cooking. This is also where the previous contestants help the final two in the kitchen. I always think this must be a double-edged sword. You know they’re good, but you can’t help wonder if they’re going to throw a hair into the soup. Michelle won the big prize – being head chef at Hell’s Kitchen restaurant in Vegas with a $250K salary – amid much fanfare and confetti. Benjamin said he had no regrets. I’m guessing he won’t do too badly in his next endeavor.

🎤 After its fake quick retirement, American Idol will be back on Sunday, March 11th. Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Katy Perry will be judging, and the hardest working man in show business (besides Tyler Perry), Ryan Seacrest will be back to host. I’ve heard we won’t be privy to the bad auditions, so why bother? I actually haven’t paid much attention to the show since Scotty McCreery’s win. It was such a stellar season – and with Lady Gaga coaching and performing – I just felt it couldn’t be topped. I’ll probably take a peek somewhere along the line though.

 🔊 Quotes of the Week

My life is an ever-swirling toilet that just won’t flush. – Nick Sax (Christopher Meloni), Happy

Let haste not be the ruler, lest we forget the purpose. – Arklon (Wings Hauser), Beastmaster 2: Through the Portal of Time

Not in a million years would they say this stuff in person, because they know they’d get punched right in the face. When they’re behind a keyboard and a screen name, they feel they can vent their frustrations and anger and rage. – BASE jumper and wingsuit pilot, Jeb Corliss, on cyber harassment

Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment. – Jim Rohn

I love the Lord; it’s Christians I can’t stand. – Dr. Phil (I hear you, Phil.)

I can take it or leave it, but I’d rather take it. – an alcoholic on the Dr. Phil show

WeekendTrueBlood

 

Jan23

January 22, 2017 – A Disagreement Between Sonny and Anna, Pride Day at SUR, Summer House Returns & It’s Suppertime

Posted on by
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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

Jason ponders on the footbridge, and flashes back to New Year’s Eve with Sam.

Sam looks out on her balcony, and flashes back to talking to Jason on the docks, and telling him that she loves Drew. Molly and Alexis arrive. Alexis asks if she’s ready to get married.

Curtis and Jordan join Drew. Curtis says the justice of the peace should be there soon, and to enjoy his last single moments. He’s getting ready to be married for real this time.

Carly tells Bobbie that she should have given Josslyn more credit. Bobbie says sometimes it feels good to be wrong. Carly is relieved about Josslyn, but says too bad she can’t say the same for Michael.

Michael meets Nelle at the hospital, but missed the prenatal appointment, but Nelle shows him the sonogram; the first picture of their baby.

Sonny tells Anna that Faison knows Heinrich is gunning for him. They have to use Heinrich as bait. Anna says they can’t exploit him like that. if Sonny orchestrates a meeting, he’ll start a war, and they don’t know who will get caught in the crossfire.

Faison caresses an unconscious Obrecht’s face.

At the MetroCourt, Laura wants to talk to Lulu. Lulu thinks Laura wants her to take a step back from reporting, and reevaluate things, but Laura knows better than to try talking her out of something she wants to do. Saving the world is genetic. Ned approaches their table, and apologizes to Laura about how quickly the race got nasty; it wasn’t his intention. He says his problem is with Julian, not her or Alexis. He guarantees a clean, fair fight, and a race they can be proud of.  Laura tells him that he didn’t have to apologize. She appreciates the gesture, but it’s wasted on her. She’s dropping out of the race.

Anna says Faison wouldn’t hesitate to kill his own son, and Sonny tells her that she says that like it’s a problem. Anna says they don’t know him; he could be an innocent, which would explain why he allowed Jason to live. Sonny says he paid several thugs to bring him back to Russia, and along the way, they shot up the MetroCourt and took Sam hostage. He asks if that sounds innocent. Anna says if he died, any chance of Jason’s questions being answered or Drew getting his memory back will be over.

Drew tells Curtis he doesn’t think they can squeeze in a bachelor party. Curtis says it’s tradition for the groomsmen and groom to share a drink before the ceremony, and pulls out a bottle. Monica arrives.

Spinelli finds Jason. He says there’s still time. Sam is marrying Drew, and he has to stop it.

Jordan gets a work call, and it’s something she has to check on personally. She tells Drew sorry, congratulations, and give Sam her best. Drew tells Monica that he appreciates her being there; it means a lot that’s she’s stood by him. She says she wouldn’t miss it. He’s Alan’s son, and she wishes she’d known him and raised him like she did Jason, but since that didn’t happen, she’d like to adopt him. He laughs, and says they missed that boat. She says it’s just a formality, but makes him and Scout legally part of the family. They may not know the next chapter, but he’ll always be part of the Quartermaines. Monica is looking really good. For a while, she had too many fillers in her face going on, but whatever she’s doing now, keep doing it.

Nelle tells Michael that they have a beautiful, healthy baby. Michael asks if she knows if it’s a boy or girl, but she says she wanted them to find out together. He says it’s her body, but she tells him it’s their baby, and she wants him to be involved in every step of process. She says the baby’s heartbeat was loud and strong. He can hear it at the next appointment. Carly and Bobbie join them.

Anna tells Sonny that she doesn’t think there’s a reason to involve Heinrich. She knows how to bring Faison out in the open. He’s obsessed with her, and it clouds his judgement and allows her to control things. It would also help if she had no surprises. With that in mind, has Sonny made contact? Sonny says he has the email address for PK Sinclair. If that’s Heinrich, then yes. He shows her the email exchange, and she tells him if PK emails again, don’t respond. Call her and they’ll figure out a plan. He says he doesn’t think he can do that.

Spinelli says Jason might still make it, but Jason says he’s not interrupting the wedding. Sam wants this, and loves Drew. Spinelli asks if he’s told her that he loves her, but he says that would make it hard on her. Spinelli says it would take an act of tremendous courage, but even if he doesn’t do it for himself, he needs to save Sam from making a mistake that will only bring her grief.

Curtis brings in the justice of the peace. The wedding begins. Molly walks in first, followed by Sam, wearing a white, cocktail length, lacy confection. Danny is the ringbearer. They stand before the officiant.

Anna tells Sonny it’s not a suggestion. Sonny doesn’t want trouble with her. She might be cop, but she’s Robin’s mother. She’s brave and honorable, and doesn’t deserve the hell Faison put her through. If he could back away, he would, but if Heinrich is his best shot, he’s taking it. If he calls, Sonny is using him, with or without her permission. She says she’ll see herself out. Outside, she calls Robert, telling him that she needs him to intercept some email messages, and divert them to her account. She tells him to make sure there’s no trace of the original address.

Carly asks why Michael and Nelle are at the hospital, since she’s too stupid to guess. Nelle says it was her first ultrasound, and gives her the picture. Michael says there’s no question he’s the father. Carly says she’s happy for him. Bobbie wants to look at the paternity test results, and Nelle tells her to get them from Michael, since she had them sent directly to his office. She adds that the baby is healthy, thanks for asking. She leaves, and Michael thanks them for being mostly civil. Bobbie thought they did pretty well. Carly says this is real and happening, and she supports him and the baby. They hug, and Michael goes to work or whatever he does.

Ned is surprised Laura is dropping out. Lulu says she had it in the bag, no offense to Ned. Laura says her family has to take precedence. Spencer had bad skiing accident in France, breaking both legs, and she has to go. She has the time and means right now, and hopes Lulu understands. She does, but she’s disappointed; she knows the campaign was important. Laura says it still is. Ned tells her that he’s sorry to see her go; she was a formidable candidate. He didn’t expect to win on a technicality, but she says he didn’t win anything yet. She wants to discuss terms; what he’s going to promise her in exchange for her endorsement.

Spinelli says Jason would take any risk or suffer any injury to save Sam. Jason says she doesn’t need saving. Spinelli says he watched her at the police station when their identities were sorted out. She knew all along, but pretended to believe Drew was Jason because he believed it. She lied for his benefit, and Spinelli thinks that’s why she’s marrying him. She’s sacrificing her happiness because of misguided loyalty. The same thing he’s doing now.

The couple has prepared their own vows. Drew tells Sam that people say their lives didn’t start until they met the person they’re going to live their life with, but with him, it’s literal. So much wasn’t true, but she gave him what was – love. He might have no past, but he’s thankful for his future with her. He takes the ring from Danny, and promises to love, honor, and cherish her until death and beyond, if that’s possible. Sam says when she was thinking about the vows, she kept thinking how much has changed in past couple of months. She realized the important things that last and matter stayed the same. She still loves and adores him. They share an incredible bond, and had the chance to make an amazing family. She has a life with him, but never expected it to be richer and fuller than she could imagine. It’s a life she wants to continue to share with him, always. She takes the ring, and promises to love, honor, and cherish him to death and beyond. They do the I dos. Do-be-do-be-do. The officiant pronounces them husband and wife. They kiss, and everyone applauds.

Anna goes home, and finds her door open. She draws her gun. She calls for Obrecht, but finds Jordan, her gun also drawn.

Obrecht is lying on some straw, and I wonder where there’s a barn in Port Charles.

Laura tells Ned that he’s going to need more than the backing of his supporters; he needs her support, but it will cost him. Ned says, hypothetically speaking, what would be the cost? She tells him that she wants tight limits on the redevelopment, but he says it’s up to the voters to decide. She wants him to designate the pre-war buildings to be left alone, and she’ll give her endorsement. He says he can give suggestions, but can’t make it happen. If he made that promise now, it would be in bad faith. Laura appreciates his candor. He says she was a worthy opponent. And would have made a fine mayor. They shake hands. When Ned leaves, Lulu says they lost.

Spinelli tells Jason that he was the first person, maybe the only person, who treated Sam with respect as a person in her own right. Because of that, she learned to respect and know herself. That’s not the case with Drew. They don’t know who he would have been if he’d been left in his own life. He doesn’t know himself, and can’t give of himself or give her that support. Jason says he’s making assumptions, but Spinelli says he saw him at the station, seemingly expecting Sam to fill his needs, giving little thought to what she needed. Jason says he doesn’t break the law or put lives at risk. Jason is true to himself, and out of that truth, can give Sam the love she needs. She made a wrong choice for the wrong reasons. Jason tells him to stop. He’s heard him, and it’s appreciated, but he has to leave Sam alone. Spinelli says that Sam told him in the early says, she had an unfamiliar feeling with him; one she liked, but couldn’t place. Then she realized he made her feel safe.

Curtis toasts to the bride and groom, saying may their joy outweigh their sorrow, and their good days outweigh the bad. May they rest easy in each other’s arms tonight, and all the days to come. Danny also makes a toast, saying, mommy and daddy, happy wedding! Sam smears Drew’s face with cake, and says gotcha.

Michael drops by Sonny’s. He tells Sonny about the paternity test, and that he’s definitely the father. Sonny asks how he feels, and Michael says he’s trying to wrap his head around the fact that he and Nelle will be connected by the baby. Sonny tells him to remember the baby comes first. Michael is concerned about it being a wedge. Nelle started out plotting against the family, and now she’s carrying their grandchild; he doesn’t want a rift. Sonny tells him to always trust that he’ll never lose Sonny’s love. He’s Michael’s father, and loves him unconditionally, and knows he’ll love the baby the same way.

At the MetroCourt, Bobbie asks how Carly is holding up, and Carly says, just dandy. She doesn’t know how she feels about Michael being a father, and her a grandmother. How is she supposed to be happy with Nelle in their lives? They see Nelle, and Carly tells her that was quite a performance at the hospital; now they get the encore at the MetroCourt. Nelle says she has no idea what Carly is talking about. Carly says Nell and her son are connected by the baby, but that’s where it begins and ends. If she’s thinking of going further, don’t. Nelle says how Michael feels is up to him. Monica arrives, and Nelle says she’s meeting her for dinner. Carly makes faces, and Monica asks if she has a problem with that. Nelle hopes she didn’t pull Monica away, but Monica says it was a small wedding, and Drew and Sam would rather get going. Carly is surprised that they’re married. Nelle says she’ll get a table. Bobbie tells Monica to be careful. Monica says regardless of the past, Nelle is carrying their great-grandchild, and they should try to get along. Bobbie says she’s doing so at her own risk. Carly tells her that Nelle will soon show her true colors.

Jordan says a neighbor called, thinking something was going on at Anna’s place. It’s been fully swept, and everything is fine. Anna tells her about Obrecht showing up drunk, and thinks that’s probably what the neighbor heard or saw. She tells Jordan that she looks great, and Jordan explains that she was Curtis’s plus one for the wedding. Anna can make it up to her by explaining why Obrecht was drunk, and asks if it’s about Faison. Anna says it’s nothing, and Jordan tells her to promise to call if she needs help. Anna thanks Jordan for checking on her, even though she didn’t have to. Jordan says surely Anna knows her by now.

Obrecht’s phone rings. Faison picks it up. We’re still not actually seeing him; just his hands or the back of his head.

Anna leaves a message on Obrecht’s phone, saying she shouldn’t have left. Anna needs to know if she’s okay, and asks her to call back. Anna gets a text, saying, I’m fine. Anna texts back that they aren’t finished, and the return text says, don’t worry, Anna. I’ll be seeing you soon.

We see the phone in Faison’s hand. Obrecht starts to wake up. She wonders what happened. She looks up, and gasps.

Michael is surprised at how well Sonny is handing it. Sonny says he has no use for Nelle, but has faith in Michael. Michael asks, even after he got involved with Nelle? Sonny says she took advantage of his good nature, but the baby is innocent. No matter what happens, Sonny is behind him, and will support whatever decision he makes.

Bobbie tells Carly to let it go. Monica is Michael’s grandmother, and gets to decide how to deal with Nelle. She thinks it’s a mistake, but it’s her mistake to make. Bobbie goes to get a table. Carly says Michael can do whatever wants, but that doesn’t mean she can’t talk him out of it. She makes a call, telling someone she needs to talk about Nelle Benson.

Laura asks to talk to Alexis. Alexis is sorry she dropped out of the race, but understands that family comes first. She’s bummed about Ned running unopposed. Laura doesn’t think it will be that smooth for him, and Alexis says it sounds like she has a replacement. Laura says she does, and she’s perfect. Alexis asks who the lucky candidate is, and Laura says, you.

Drew and Sam bask in the afterglow. He says he’s excited, and can’t wait to see what the future holds.

Still on the footbridge, Jason remembers when we were all children. Sam says he’s a good friend, and she wishes she was a better friend to him. She’s figured out why she sleeps better when she with him. He makes her feel safe.

Tomorrow, Jordan says she’s going to come down like a ton of bricks, Lulu make a pitch to Peter, and HE’S BACK!!!

Vanderpump Rules

Lisa arrives at SUR where the Pride Day party is being organized. Stassi is in charge of dressing the staff. She jokes that she shouldn’t have a problem getting the staff’s respect, considering she was the drunk girl stealing goat cheese balls off passing trays not long ago.

The guys go to a Reiki session. Peter is a regular; he has all his chakras together. Jax thought they were going to push pebbles around with a rake, but instead is subject to some meditation. It’s probably not hard for him to empty his mind. After the meditation, instructor Kelsey asks where everyone is at. Schwartz says he’s been drinking too much, Peter feels like he’s doing too much, and Tom thinks he’s stagnant. Jax tears up, and tells everyone about screwing up his relationship with Brittany. In his interview, he says no one has asked how he’s doing in all this, and I break out my violin. Kelsey gives him some attention and a hug, and Tom gives a voice to my thoughts when he says it wouldn’t be surprising if Jax ended up trying to sleep with her. I just don’t get what any woman sees in him. And he’s not that good looking. He’s no Brad Pitt. He’s not even Charles Bronson – two ends of the handsome spectrum.

The girls go to a spa or plastic surgeon or wherever you get Botox, and talk while they fill out paperwork. Lala says she’s having lunch with Katie. She likes Katie, and wonders if Scheana’s relationship is really talked about as much as she claims it is. Ariana thinks Scheana’s insecurities are getting the best of her, and everyone should mind their own business. Scheana brings up the Rob rumor. She says he laughed about it, but feels him pulling away.

In her interview, Stassi says it’s fun to have a girls’ night where everyone dresses up. The girls, minus Scheana, go to an outdoor bar. They discuss Scheana’s reaction to Rob making out with someone else. Brittany says she tried to explain that Katie just didn’t just make it up. The waiter knows the area where Brittany is from, and flirts with her. Kristen is glad she’s getting her mojo back. Katie asks how she’s doing. Brittany says she’s decided to work it out with Jax. I can’t take it. Stassi tells her that Jax will say he’s going to get help, and then be the same. He’s doing the bare minimum to keep her. She tells Brittany that he’s never once broken up with a girl in his entire life.

Lala, James, and Logan go out for drinks. James orders a double shot of bourbon, and toasts to getting drunk. My stomach turns when he chases the bourbon with maple syrup. In his interview, he explains that he’s curbing his drinking, but occasionally something comes over him. However, he can stop any time. Raquel is moving in, and we see a clip of James clearing out a whole drawer for her. Things start to get dicey when Lala tells them about asking for a bite of Raquel’s pasta at James’s event, then eating all of it. James calls her bitch, surprising all of us. James gets crazy, and tells her not to eff with his bitch. He follows that gem with saying Lala’s boyfriend will get bored soon, and be done with her, going on to next pretty blonde. In her interview, Lala says he turns into a werewolf when he drinks. Lala tells him to learn his place, and know how to talk to someone when they’re a friend. She stomps out, and Logan tells James to go after her. Outside, she asks wtf is wrong with him? It was a joke, and he should know who has his back. He says it’s not about the pasta, and repeats that several times. In his interview, he says it’s about respect for his girlfriend. Lala tells him to get out of her face. He wants to talk later, but she tells him to get lost.

Scheana asks the girls if they were talking about her last night. A friend of her mom’s was at the same restaurant, and heard her name. What are the odds of that? Brittany says Katie believes Scheana thinks she started the rumor. Scheana says Rob doesn’t need this. He’s too busy to deal with their BS. Brittany says Katie didn’t make it up, but Scheana insists she added to it. Brittany wonders why she’s getting so mad if it isn’t true.

Tom and Schwartz go to the restaurant site. It’s still a huge mess. Tom says they’re holding up their end of the bargain with sweat equity, and getting down and dirty. In his interview, Schwartz says Katie made him promise not to drink, do shots or have guys’ night. He did all three at once, but he came home to a loving reception, and it caught him off guard. He thinks he was subconsciously testing her to see how she’d react. Tom has to show him how use a protective mask. Schwartz says he’s not an engineer.

Katie shows the girls a picture that Tom sent of Schwartz sleeping on his couch. In her interview, she says a year ago, she would have rage texted and insulted his penis, but today, they’re talking it out. Marriage is good for them. She told him that she doesn’t like waking up alone. She tells them that Schwartz said he was falling in love with her all over again. Everyone goes, aww!

Lisa and Ken show up at the site. Schwartz is happy to be doing something, not just talking about it. Lisa asks if he and Katie are okay. Tom says Schwartz slept at his house, but that happens sometimes. Lisa tells Schwartz they’re going to sit down and go over his marriage vows. He says they’re right here, pointing to his heart. He tells Lisa that he wants to hug her, and she tells him to get away. In her interview, she tells us that he’s too old for puppy dog antics. Schwartz is married now, and needs to handle his responsibilities.

Kristen talked to Brittany’s mom, and wants to surprise her with a visit. Brittany has been crying that she wants her mother, so Kristen is flying Sherri out to LA. If she can’t talk sense into Brittany about breaking up with Jax, no one can.

It’s Pride Day, which can’t exist without Lisa, who is wearing pink from head to toe, including a humongous pink hat with big flowers. Rob comes by SUR. Scheana tells him she’s lost her smile. He says that life is hard enough, and she needs good people in it. In her interview, Scheana says if loses him because of what they said, there’s going to be a problem. She tells Rob that she loves him, but we don’t hear him say it back. I don’t know if that’s because he doesn’t, or it’s edited that way. I’m on to Bravo about that.

Stassi dresses Brittany in a flower child outfit. She looks really cute. Lisa sees Lala on the street in a sort of Wonder Woman getup. She tells Lisa about her fight with James. In her interview, Lala says if James doesn’t kiss her ass and apologize a million times, she’ll have no choice but to move on. Lisa says he’s lucky she wasn’t there or she would have boxed his ears, and he has ears to box. Ha-ha-ha-ha! He does have big ears.

Stassi dresses the other girls. She tells Jax if he doesn’t paint his face, she’ll put him in a flower crown, but he’s not into dressing up. Stassi thinks hitting her stride; everyone looks hot. Scheana tells Lala about Rob coming by SUR, and that he was sweet, acting like it doesn’t bother him, but it’s affecting her. Lala tells her to ignore it. In her interview, Lala says Scheana strives for perfection. She’s lost weight because she’s not eating; it’s obvious she’s stressed. Lala tells her to let the girls talk.

Pride is in full swing, and SUR is crowded already. Lisa thanks Tom for being festive. Jax insists he’s festive enough in a black T-shirt. Lisa introduces Billie, SUR’s trans hostess, to the crowd. Lisa supports her and applauds her journey. Billie talks about how supportive Lisa has been in giving her a job and accepting her. In his interview, Jax tells us that he had no idea Billie was trans when he met her. Whatever she had done, she got money’s worth. Billie tells him that she likes his vibe, and thinks he has his own sh*t to go through. I highly doubt their stories are the same, but I’m guessing everyone is drunk at this point. Lisa tells Stassi, good job. Schwartz motorboats Katie. In her interview, Katie says that she’s working on being more easy-going, and Schwartz Is working on not blacking out. It’s progress.

James hugs Logan and Jax. Jax doesn’t know what going on, and says it’s weird. In his interview, James says Logan and Raquel fill different voids in his life. Raquel is his emotional connection, and Logan is his party side. They drink doing that hooking arms thing. Scheana joins them. James says he’s never losing Logan as a friend. They love each other as best friends. Logan says more. It’s a deep relationship, and he looks out for James. Raquel says something is going on.

Brittany says she’s the opposite of Scheana, and eats when she’s stressed. Lisa sits down with Scheana. In her interview, Lisa says she knows Scheana well, and is seeing a fragility about her. She asks what’s going on. Scheana says she feels physically ill. She’s let Katie, Kristen, and Stassi affect her relationship, and she’s better when she’s not around them. She tells Lisa that they said something that wasn’t true, and starts to cry. She says it’s the happiest she’s ever been, and wonders why they want to bring her down. She wails that they’ve been perfect. Lisa reminds her about how she said things were fine with Shay. We flash back to Scheana telling Lisa that her relationship with Shay is amazing. Lisa tells her even if it doesn’t work out, it’s not the end of the world. Scheana says they’re meant to be together. Lisa tells her to eat something and pull herself together. Lisa goes to the kitchen, and grabs a plate of food, like the mom she is. She plops it in front of Scheana, telling her she looks like a nervous kitten, and she won’t have it. In her interview, Scheana says it’s refreshing to have a boss like Lisa, who is also a friend. I’d never say Lisa isn’t the best boss ever, but it’s not like Scheana has had a lot of jobs. Katie is wondering who took the plate of food she ordered for a customer. That would be the one in front of Scheana.

Rob arrives at SUR. Scheana says she can’t let them affect her life and relationship. It’s all good now, and she just wants to eat a sandwich. She has her smile back.

Brittany counts her tips. She made $576, which she informs Jax was hard work. Good for her. I can’t imagine doing her job. Jax tells her how pretty she looks and that he got compliments on her behalf. In her interview, she says he thinks he’s a charmer. She loves him, even though he’s a dummy.

Meanwhile, at PUMP, James asks if Lala a still mad at him. She says he’s one of her dearest friends, but his behavior is unacceptable. She tells him not to mention her name unless it’s something positive. She trusted him, and needs to feel safe. He apologizes, saying sometimes he’s an idiot and effed up. In his interview, he says he has a lot of acquaintances, but few friends. When things get complicated, he needs to straighten it out right away.

Kristen and Katie come by Brittany and Jax’s apartment. In her interview, Kristen says Brittany is the best thing to happen to the group, and she refuses to watch Jax bring her down. Brittany’s mom walks in. Jax looks like he’s going to have a heart attack. Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!

Next time, Sherri talks to Lisa, Sherri talks to Jax, Lala talks to Katie about Scheana, and Schwartz calls Scheana the fakest faker ever.

🏊 Summer House is back, and still just as stupid. Like a slightly older version of The Real World, a bunch of boring friends rent a house in the Hamptons that I would kill for, and proceed to spend the summer in a blackout. It didn’t take long before the arguments started, although there was a nice diversion when a couple of cast members decided to head back to NYC for the Gay Pride Parade. I assume this was filmed around the same time as Vanderpump Rules, but too bad Lisa wasn’t attending this one. Maybe she could whip these kids into interesting. If I had a fabulous house in the Hamptons, it’s not likely I would rent it to a bunch of drunken morons. I’ve also never had the desire to spend an entire summer with a bunch of other people in one house, but if I did, I guarantee they would be more intriguing and dimensional than this group

🍆 I discovered a cooking show that premiered in November, but is new to me, and it looks like a lot of fun. It’s Suppertime with Matty Matheson airs Tuesdays at 6, 6:30, and 7 pm on Viceland. You can read more about Matty, “the John Belushi of the Toronto food scene,” here:

https://torontolife.com/food/chef-matty-matheson-vice-canada-parts-and-labour-dead-set-on-life/

MattyMatheson

Matty Matheson

 

Jan20

January 19, 2018 – Obrecht Drunkenly Spills the Tea, a Chef Mention, Six Wise Quotes & the Weekend

Posted on by
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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

Anna talks into a recorder about Faison, and the latest on his more than one son. There’s a knock at the door. She picks up her gun.

At the hospital, Doc literally runs into Valentin while he’s texting, and Valentin suggests he concentrate on walking. Doc says he’s looking for new subjects, and asks if Valentin would like to volunteer. He’d love to study him. Valentin says he’s going away with Nina, but first he’s going to investigate taking Laura’s seat on the hospital board. Doc asks if he hasn’t taken enough from her.

At Charlie’s, Alexis tells Laura to explore every option, but Laura says no way she can work around it. She takes down the posters, and tells Julian the campaign is over. She’s dropping out of the race

Anna opens the door. Obrecht falls in.

No word from PK Sinclair. Jason says maybe they’re doing it wrong. Even if they draw Faison out, the best they can do is kill him. Sonny says the sooner the better, but it won’t prevent what Jason lost. Doesn’t he mean bring back? Unless there’s a time machine I don’t know about

Sam says her dress is perfect. Drew can’t wait to see her in it, and she can’t wait to marry him.

Anna asks what happened, and realizes Obrecht is drunk. She tells Anna that she’s an adult, pfft! She says she came in an Uber, and Anna wonders why she didn’t Uber to her own home. Obrecht asks what she did with Faison. Anna tells her sorry to disappoint, but he’s not here. Obrecht says it wouldn’t be the first time Anna held him captive. Anna says, as much as she would have liked it to, her place didn’t come equipped with pits and dungeons, but if he showed up, she’d call the WSB. She asks if Obrecht knows where to reach him. Obrecht says she wouldn’t be there if she had a way, but he hasn’t been responding. She thinks he’s coming for his son, and then her. Then he’ll come for Anna.

Sam says the florist will be coming, and a couple guys from the MetroCourt to move furniture. They agreed to get married at home, and she thinks they should take the opportunity to make it meaningful, beautiful and special. She says they deserve it. He says he doesn’t deserve her.

Jason tells Sonny that he was with Sam on New Year’s Eve. He doesn’t want Carly to think he was okay with it, but it did give them a chance to be together without anyone else’s opinion. They talked, and played dominoes, but she said something he’s been thinking about. She wasn’t the same person as she was when he got shot. Time passed for her, but not for him. Sonny thinks it’s just an excuse. If he tells her he loves her it will break her heart, but he can’t lie to himself. Sam is going to love him forever – the same way he loves her.

Jason shows up at Sam’s, because the Russians taught him how to build a Star Trek transporter.

Laura tells Doc this is a situation where she can’t delegate. Spencer’s welfare comes first. Someone will step up and take her place. Alexis says, what if Ned runs unopposed?

Kim comes by Charlie’s. Julian introduces her to Stas, his chef, saying she wants to try their signature dish. Stas says he can’t do avocado toast today, or much of anything else. The delivery was rotten. Everything they ordered is worthless. He doesn’t know what happened, but Julian thinks he does

Sonny tells Spinelli they’re going to wait. He doesn’t want Sinclair thinking they’re eager or getting suspicious. He tells Spinelli to deal with the high-tech stuff, and he’ll deal with negotiations.

Anna asks Obrecht to help her locate Faison and save herself. Obrecht says she’s trying to protect Nathan. He’s brave and naïve, and has no idea what his father is capable of. It’s not the physical danger, but the way he can toy with one’s mind, like he did with Anna’s. Anna says they’re on the same side, but she needs something to work with. Obrecht has nothing, not even a way to plead with him for Nathan. Anna doesn’t know why she kept Nathan a secret, since Faison always wanted a son. Was she ever tempted to tell him? Obrecht says her love for him doesn’t make her blind to his failings. He would have tried to control and fashion Nathan in his image, and would have destroyed him. She knows because she saw how he dealt with his other son.

Drew comes downstairs, and Jason says he’s there to give them a heads up. He and Sonny are working on getting Faison out of hiding. They’re close, and it could get dangerous. Drew tells him now isn’t the right time; he and Sam are getting married in a couple of hours. Jason thinks they should take kids on the honeymoon and stay away a while. Drew asks if he’s sure he wants to do this alone. Sam says they’ll take the kids.

Julian shows up at Sonny’s. Sonny asks if there’s anything he can do to improve Julian’s coffee experience. Julian tells Sonny his grocery delivery was tampered with. Sonny asks if he wants a bouncer. Julian says they’re not dealing with delinquents; it’s much worse than that.

Alexis tells Laura that she’ll draft a press release. Laura tells her to say she’s dropping out for personal reasons, but remains committed to Charles Street. The residents can still fight redevelopment by voting no on proposition whatever. She has faith, and thinks they’ll make the right choice. Alexis hopes they have a choice to make.

Doc tells Valentin he already has what he wants; does he need Laura’s seat on top of it? Valentin says the Cassadine family has a vested interest in the hospital. He came across some papers about the bailout, and says the hospital would have closed without Cassadine money. He wants to continue the tradition. Doc wonders what experience he has, and Valentin says he can offer his expertise in logistics and financials, and they need both. Laura appears, and asks if there’s a problem. Doc tells her that Valentin wants her seat on the board, and she asks what makes him think he’d be welcome? He tells her, big checks. She asks if he’s buying his way in. Valentin says he’s going on his way before she launches into her litany of perceived transgressions. He reminds her they’re just allegations which have no proof.

Anna tells Obrecht that there’s no mention of Faison having one son, let alone two, in any of the WSB folders. Obrecht says she made sure there was nothing to tie Nathan to Faison. Maxie should have left well enough alone. She tells Anna the other son’s name was Heinrich, and he was of little interest to Faison, who sent him to boarding school as soon as he was able to go. Anna wonders why. Given how arrogant Faison is, she would think he’d be thrilled with a son to carry on his name and follow in his footsteps. Obrecht asks if she’s that blind. She doesn’t need a WSB file for this. The reason is simple; Heinrich was Faison’s son, but not Anna’s.

Jason plays pool by himself at The Floating Rib. Kim walks in and asks if he needs someone to break.

Drew tells Sam that the kids are coming with them to Tahiti. She wonders how they can get ready that fast, but he says they’ll get what they need there. She asks what about Aurora, and he says they hired Peter for a reason, and it will be fine. She says this isn’t about the honeymoon, but about Faison.

Anna asks what Obrecht knows about Heinrich’s mother. She says the mother had even less to do with Heinrich than Faison, and disappeared after giving birth. Anna asks how he came by the child, but Obrecht says she never asked and he never told her. He wanted nothing to do with Heinrich, but Heinrich was devious, and tried to emulate Faison’s ways, always wanting his approval. Nathan is handsome and charismatic, and Faison would have doted on him. Now that he’s been rejected, he’ll want revenge. He won’t come to connect with Nathan, he’ll come to punish her for lying and making a fool of him. What would be more fitting than to take Nathan from her? Anna says he won’t have that chance. The time for Faison hurting people is done. She and Obrecht together will see to that.

Sonny ask if Julian thinks Ned is responsible for the sabotage of his bar. Julian corrects that to gastropub, and says maybe not personally. Jim Harvey has been buying up real estate, and those who refuse to sell are finding it hard to go about their daily lives. He wonders if Sonny subcontracted some of his men to help Jim do the dirty work. Sonny tells him he promised Mary May Ward that he’d never go near Charles Street. He tells Julian to sell; the neighborhood would be better off without him. Julian says he’s not the problem; Jim Harvey is. If Sonny doesn’t wake up, he’ll find himself a stranger in his own city.

Doc tells Laura that Spencer with two broken legs mixed with boredom, is a recipe for disaster. She says that’s why she’s flying to France. Doc says he’ll reschedule his appointments, but Laura says his patients need him. He says she and Spencer need him more, and wonders how she’ll maneuver a kid with two broken legs. She says she’s not bringing him back; she’s just staying until he’s capable of getting around himself. He asks if Spencer wouldn’t be more comfortable back home, but she doesn’t want him anywhere near Valentin. Doc says he’ll visit as often as he can. He asks what about the election, and she says a candidate can’t take six weeks off.; she had to step down. Doc is concerned Ned will win by default, but Laura says not if a person steps up who understands the issues, and has been by her side on the campaign trail. They’d be primed to take over. Doc asks if she means him. I’m laughing about the “campaign trail,” since it’s been all of a week.

Kim calls Jason a pool shark. She says he looks just like Drew, but he’s nothing like him. Drew liked to kid around and had swagger, and liked to talk more. Jason breaks, and she says, same as him, a pool shark. Jason swears he’s not, but Kim wonders if she’ll get a chance to shoot. She tells him that she has personal question, but feel free not to answer. Was he trying to get back home for the entire five years? Jason says he can only account for six months. Before that, he doesn’t know. Kim bets he thought everything would be the same, and he says until he saw the date. He didn’t believe it at first; he didn’t want to, but had to face it, so he came straight home. It’s mostly been good. He couldn’t go back to his old life, but he’s good with the one he has now. She wonders how he’s dealing with Sam. He says he trusts her to make the right decisions, and she chose Drew. They’re getting married tonight.

Sam asks Drew, what if Faison shows up? Won’t he want to confront him? Drew says he’d like to choke every answer out of him, but if finding out about the past is less important than his future with her. He wants the kids to be protected. Sam says she loves him, and goes upstairs to get ready.

Jason tells Kim, sorry to blindside her. She says she’s happy for them. They already thought they were married, so it makes sense to make it official. She doesn’t know why she was surprised. Jason says you can know something in your head, but it takes your heart a while to catch up. She wonders if his heart is still catching up. Julian comes in, and asks if she had dinner. Kim says no, and he offers to buy it for her to make up for the lack of avocado toast. She tells him as soon as she finishes the game, but Jason says he’ll quit while he’s ahead.

Julian tells Kim that he thanks God his daughter is with Drew and not that bastard. Kim hadn’t known Sam is his daughter. He says they’re estranged, but he still worries about her. He wishes she would stay away from Jason. He tells Kim not to let his blue eyes fool her. He’s a mob enforcer; a professional killer.

Laura tells Doc that he’s a natural, but he says Ned’s camp will have a field day, especially with his serial killer twin. She says there’s always something to work around, but not to count himself out. He says it would be like gifting the election to Ned. He knows Spencer needs her. She puts family ahead of her ambition to do good, and it’s one of the reasons he loves her.

Obrecht wakes up on Anna’s couch, and sees a note. It says she should stay there and sleep it off. Don’t go out. She has reason to be afraid. Obrecht says she can take care of herself.

On the phone, Sonny tells someone (probably Brick) to see if there’s anything to find on Jim Harvey and Niagara Equities. Anna comes in, using the same transporter Jason did, and Sonny asks if it’s about Faison. She tells him that Obrecht showed up at her house, distraught and drunk. She’s worried about Nathan, but Anna assured her they would find Faison. Sonny asks if she wants to compare notes, and she asks if he has something. He wonders if he’ll get incriminated, but she says if he has a lead, she doesn’t care how he got it. This is one case where the end definitely justifies the means.

The tickets to Tahiti are delivered. Drew wonders if he’s been to Tahiti before. Sam gets ready. She thinks about when she married Jason.

Jason ponders at The Floating Rib, and has a beer.

Doc says who knew a skiing accident in France would have ripple effects on politics in upstate New York? Laura is concerned about letting everyone down, but Doc says she galvanized the neighborhood. It’s about everyone coming together to stand for what they believe in. She says he sounds like a mayor to her.

Obrecht leaves Anna’s house. Someone knocks her out from behind. We see Faison’s hand taking out a cigarette out of his case.

Sonny tells Anna that they made contact with PK Sinclair. She says his real name it Heinrich. Faison had a child with an unknown woman, who gave him up at birth. It’s unclear how he found out, but he regarded the child as an annoyance, and sent him to boarding school even though he admired his father. Sonny says the father rejects the son too many times, and the son goes after him. Once he gets the son, he can use him to get Faison. Anna says, like hell.

On Monday, Sam prepares for her wedding, Spinelli tells Jason that he and Sam are both sacrificing their happiness, and Anna says orchestrating a meeting between Faison and Heinrich will start a war.

🍳  Hell’s Kitchen is down to the final four. For this week’s twist, the contestants guided athletes through making their signature dishes, using only verbal instructions. Robin went home, but she said that she and her pet rock would do just fine. Okay…

📣  Quotes of the Week

Success is getting what you want, happiness is wanting what you get. – Dale Carnegie

You can’t make the same mistake twice, the second time, it’s not a mistake, it’s a choice. – Anonymous

It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something. — Franklin D. Roosevelt

You will fail. It’s a matter of when. The true test is if you can continue and stand up and accept failure and move forward. – Lady Gaga

I’ve been absolutely terrified every moment of my life – and I’ve never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do. – Georgia O’Keeffe

Victory is won not in miles but in inches. Win a little now, hold your ground, and later, win a little more. — Louis L’Amour

🎇 Everybody’s Workin’ For It…

Friday3

WeekendDrink (2)

Weekend2

Flintstones

Have a Yabba Dabba Weekend!

Dec30

December 29, 2017 – Yes They Kiss, This, That, Some Dogs, a Shower & a Cornucopia of Quotes for the New Year

Posted on by
Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

Anna tells Robert that Cassandra was on Spoon Island. She asks him to let her know when Cassandra is in custody. She loves it when a plan comes together. Finn asks if she just quoted The A Team. He guesses he should start packing. He and Roxie can now move around the cabin. Anna tells him that he was never her prisoner, and Roxie can stay as long as she wants, but he says they’re a package deal. He asks if she’s glad to get rid of him, but she says Cassandra isn’t in custody yet. Maybe he should stick around.

Valentin asks Cassandra if this is necessary. Cassandra tells Valentin that he’s lucky she brought him there, instead of leaving his body for his Amazon wife to stumble over. She reminds me of Natasha in the Bullwinkle cartoons, but toned down a hundred notches.

Nina texts Valentin yet again. She wonders why he’s not there for their anniversary.

Dante asks Lulu what the next big story is, but she hesitates to answer the question.

Carly and Sonny make out at the bar. He asks where Jason is, but she says she doesn’t know. Sonny says he tried talking him out of going to Russia to look for Faison, but wonders if he found an earlier flight to St. Petersburg.

Drew looks for Monica at the hospital, but Kim says he missed her. He was hoping for a ride. His car won’t start, and he needs to meet Sam. It’s an hour wait for a cab, and Kim asks where they’re supposed to meet. He tells her the Haunted Star.

Sam asks what Jason is doing there. He says he’s supposed to meet Sonny, but she tells him that she and Drew rented the boat for the evening. He realizes they’re moving, and asks if Drew is driving. Sam says no; Drew’s not there yet. It’s on autopilot, and they have to stop it.

As Anna putters around to make a New Year’s Eve spread, Finn says there’s no reason to stay while she and the WSB take down Cassandra. She says any minute now, but you don’t pronounce the patient cured until the tests come back from the lab. She tells him to do what he wants, and he asks if she wants him to leave. She calls him impossible, and he says she’s deflecting and not facing her feelings. She says what she feels is satisfaction; Cassandra is going to be put away for a long time. She would feel ecstatic if Finn could acknowledge her success. He says if it wasn’t for him, she’d still be eating croissants in Monaco. She tells him he’s grown a huge ego. He says if he’s reading it correctly, she’s asking him to leave.

Cassandra tells Valentin that life with a wife and child hasn’t just made him soft; it’s made him stupid. He betrayed her in the most obvious way. She’s surprised he doesn’t realize his mistake. When he knocked the phone out of her hand, Eric discovered the bug. Cassandra doesn’t realize the obvious. If Valentin had planted that bug, he never would have knocked the phone out of her hand.

Nina calls Valentin, and gets voicemail. She wonders why he isn’t there yet.

Lulu tells Dante that she wants something bigger than the Lomax story. She and Peter kicked around some ideas. He asks what they settled on, and they see Nina frantically talking. She tells them that Valentin is late, and not answering his cell or the house phone. Lulu asks if she thinks there’s something wrong with Charlotte. Nina says the babysitter isn’t picking up either. She doesn’t know what to think.

Carly tells Sonny that Jason is more than capable of taking care of himself. Sonny asks what she did. Did she do what she always does, stepping in? Carly says it’s what Sonny wants. Didn’t he just try to convince Jason that Sam was the one for him? Sonny says he got nowhere, and so will she. Whatever she was planning, is not going to work.

Kim gives Drew a ride. He tries to call Sam, but says the reception on the boat is sketchy. Kim asks if there’s someone else he can call, and he explains that there is no one else. He rented the boat, so they could have it to themselves. He tells her that there’s no captain, because it’s on autopilot, and Kim is amused about the technology.

Sam tells Jason the autopilot did what it was supposed to, and pulled away from the pier. Now they’re adrift because they shut it off, and when they did that, it also cut the engine. They shut it off, and the wrong people are on board. She says she should have known how the emergency shut-off works. Sam starts to babble about how the boat should have an analog control system, and says they’re going to be stuck for a few hours. She tries to call Drew, but there’s no service.

Jason tells Sam, sorry. She says it’s not his fault, but thanks him for not saying, I told you so. He thinks this is happening because of him. Carly told him to meet Sonny there. Sam says she was at Aurora and heard their plans, since Lulu announced them, and she must have found a way to delay Drew. Jason says she took things too far, and he needs to talk to her. Sam says there’s nothing he can say or do to change her mind. Carly isn’t trying to convince him, but her. Carly wanted to put them alone together to try and change her mind.

Carly tells Sonny to wait and see, and let nature take its course. He wonders when has she ever done that? She says whatever is going to happen, will happen, and it’s out of their hands. Sonny says Jason is with Sam because of her.

Nina gets ahold of the babysitter. Charlotte is fine, and Valentin left a while ago. She says he should be there soon. Lulu wonders why she’s worried, and Nina says he’s probably picking up gift. It’s their one-year anniversary. Lulu says it’s been one year since they teamed up to keep Charlotte from her mother. Lulu is too old to be such a brat, and I’m really starting to dislike her. Dante asks what’s going on, and Lulu says Valentin is up to something, and Nina is covering it up. I hope her career bombs. Making wild assumptions is not what a good journalist does.

Valentin tells Cassandra not to blame him for her carelessness. She hired him because he was the best. If he was going to bug her phone, she’d have never known it. Cassandra says he lies like breathing, and needs some incentive to tell the truth. She tells Eric to beat the truth out of him.

Finn accuses Anna of practically pushing him out the door. She says just because she pointed out his massive ego, he doesn’t need to go out in the cold. She tells him they could celebrate the new year together, or he could act like an adolescent who can’t wrangle a date with his crush, and leave. She’s proved he’s terrified. Finn says if he’s terrified, she’s petrified. She can’t admit she wants him to stay. She asks if he wants to stay, and he says he’d love to.

Jason calls the harbor master, but they’re not a priority. It will be at least three hours before a tow comes, but they can figure out something in the meantime. He looks behind the bar, and brings out a set of dominoes. He challenges her to a game. She asks if the rules are the same. He says whoever loses a round, takes a shot of tequila. Sam tells him that he’s on.

Anna tells Finn that she has champagne for her, cider, and several kinds of sparkling water. She also makes a killer grilled cheese. He can’t think of better way to ring in the new year.

Cassandra’s phone rings (when did she have time to get another one?). She tells Eric to take a break, and answer the phone. Cassandra wonders if Valentin was planning on taking over himself, but he says he never wanted anything to do with her organization. He wanted to be left alone with his wife and daughter. He tells her it’s their one-year anniversary, and Cassandra says he takes new beginnings literally. Valentin says Nina asked him spontaneously. She wanted to strengthen his position in his custody case, and risked everything for him. Cassandra says he makes it sound idyllic. Valentin says, not idyllic, but real. As long as Nina and Charlotte are by his side, the rest of the world can burn. Cassandra realizes he really means it. He says she knows he didn’t do this, and she’s wasting her time. She needs to find the leak in her organization. Eric comes back, and Cassandra tells him to let Valentin go. Eric says that the authorities just seized her factory.

Dante asks if Nina has reason to believe Valentin is involved in something criminal. Lulu says it’s not like he hasn’t killed anyone – like her brother. Please. Give it a rest. Nina says she’ll find him herself.

Carly goes off to play hostess. Sonny tells Dante and Lulu that he got thank you cards from the kids. Lulu says it was Charlotte’s idea. She told the kids that you always send a thank you when you get a gift. They talk about the kids, and Lulu says it’s amazing that Sonny is willing to drop everything for his family. A huge question mark hangs over my head, since not long ago, Sonny gave up trying to get out of the business for them. She tells Sonny that with Dante, sometimes work gets in the way. Dante says he’s looking for Faison, and asks if Sonny is looking too. Sonny asks if he’s had any success, and Dante says he was going to ask the same thing.

Kim and Drew are stuck in traffic. She says it looks like everyone is trying to get somewhere before midnight. He tells her, sorry, and she asks him to get her glasses from the glovebox. He wonders if she needs glasses, why she’s not wearing them now, but she says it’s only when her eyes are tired at night. Me too. Drew gives her the glasses, and sees a CD marked 2003. He asks if it’s the one that she gave him. She asks if he listened to it, and if it triggered any memories.

Sam says it’s only her first shot, but Jason has already had two. He tells her she’s gotten good at the game, and she tells him that she and Drew play sometimes. She doubts this is what Carly had in mind. She was Carly’s least favorite person, and now she’s the only one who can make Jason happy. Jason says Carly feels bad because she pushed Sam to Drew when she thought it was him. Sam says nobody pushed her. She’s not with him because of Carly, but because she loves him. A lot has changed; she changed. Jason says it wasn’t five years for him. He woke up at the clinic, and had no idea how much time had passed. All he could think about was coming home, but he’s glad she didn’t wait, and went on and lived life. She has Drew, Danny, and Emily Scout. He missed her, but can’t miss the life they didn’t have. As long as she’s happy, he’s good.

Cassandra says someone located the factory by using the bug; her operation is completely lost. Valentin says she got played, and had better get out of the country, and live to fight another day. She wonders if it wasn’t him, who did it? She was always so careful. The lightbulb comes on, and she says, Finn. Valentin asks how he would know how to do something like that, and Cassandra says his girlfriend would. She knew Anna had ties to the WSB, but since Anna didn’t try to hide her identity, she assumed Anna wouldn’t go after her business. She says Finn played her perfectly. Valentin tells her to leave him out of it, but she says she has to take care of Finn, then him. His marriage won’t see the new year; what a shame. She leaves with Eric, and Valentin struggles against his bonds. I totally get why she wants to go after Finn, but what did Valentin do? Or is he just a reminder that she’s stupid?

Anna and Finn toast to a happy new year, and better days. Finn says the water was a good year. He suddenly tells Anna that he has to go. He just needs to go out for a while. He wants to make a fresh start between them, and it will be worth it. He won’t be long. I say, oh no, don’t leave, to the TV.

Sonny doesn’t know Faison’s location. Dante tells him it’s an active investigation. The bartender tells Sonny that he can’t find Carly, and asks if he’ll give her a message. Tell her that he’ll be happy to take care of any special projects she has moving forward.

Sam asks if Jason is drunk. He says no, and she tells him the game is fundamentally unfair. He can drink five times as many shots, which means she has to win fives times more. She doesn’t think she’s ever achieved it, since she’s never seen him drunk. He moves a domino, and she asks why he made such a stupid play? He tells her that he was distracted, but she says he’s losing on purpose. He doesn’t want to see her drunk. Jason, the tough hitman, is too polite to get a lady drunk, unless she’s his lady. They agree that maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. Jason says it’s almost midnight. If they get up on deck, maybe they’ll see some fireworks. He helps her on with the coat that Maxie picked out.

Robert calls Anna, saying they haven’t found Cassandra yet. She says she’ll lock up, and stay armed until they do. She starts to go upstairs, and the door opens. She says, Finn, we have a problem. By the look on her face, I don’t think it’s Finn.

Nina keeps texting Valentin, and wondering where he is.

Lulu toasts to a new career. Dante asks Sonny to make a resolution to share information on Faison, and Sonny says he will if Dante will. Lulu wants to text Laura to see if she’s enjoying her honeymoon, but Dante suggests she’ll enjoy it more if Lulu doesn’t text her. Sonny tells Carly that she seems happy, and she says she is. He asks if it has anything to do with the bartender. He told Sonny to tell her that he’d be happy to do any special projects for her. She says the employees are always looking for extra work. Sonny tells her that if you start the new year with a lie, you’ll be lied to for the rest of the year.

Dante wonders why Lulu was asking about Faison, and tells her that she has to work on her technique. Is she going after him herself? She avoids the question, and he tells her that Faison is dangerous and a psychopath. Stay away from him. She says she will, if he will. He says he’s a cop; it’s his job. She says he has to accept her career the way she does his. He says not when she’s on the path of a predator. She says they have a problem then.

Carly tells Sonny that she may have arranged for Sam and Jason to get stuck somewhere. Sonny asks if it’s somewhere dangerous, and she says, no, but private. He asks what about Drew, and she says she paid the bartender to tamper with his car. Sonny says she’ll be the first person he’ll blame, but she doesn’t care; she’s doing him a favor. He’ll never be happy with Sam, because Sam won’t be happy without Jason.

Kim tells Drew that he believed in staying in the moment, and not looking too far ahead. He also liked to enjoy a song and a sunset. He used to say, don’t waste chance to live what’s right in front of you.

Sam’s coat deserves a mention. It’s white, soft military style, with a nipped waist and pleats. She tells Jason that Danny loves fireworks, just like his dad. She asks when Jason gave the city money to rebuild, if it was because the fireworks were good from there? He says it was for a lot of reasons, but that was one of them.

Finn gets back with flowers, but there’s no one there. He puts them on the desk, and looks for Anna.

They’re just going to leave me hanging all over the place in this episode, aren’t they?

When Finn comes back, Cassandra is there, smelling one of the flowers.

Valentin continues to struggle. He remembers his and Nina’s wedding, and saying the vows.

The countdown begins. Alone, Nina says, happy anniversary, Valentin.

Dante and Lulu kiss. He wants her to be an award winning journalist, but wants her safe. She promises she will be.

Sonny tells Carly that he knows her intentions are good, and he loves her for that. She’s a force of nature, and his life means nothing without her. She loves him the same way. They kiss.

Kim is like, sorry, happy new year. Drew says he’ll go the rest of the way on foot. He says to tell Oscar, happy new year, and she says the same to Sam.

Sam and Jason watch the fireworks. She says it’s beautiful. He looks at her, and says, beautiful. They look at each other, and he holds out his hand. They get closer. We flash back to when she was drunk, and they danced. They begin to dance on the deck, and we flash back to when they danced under Chinese lanterns in the rain. They dance, and gaze into each other’s eyes. They kiss, while Auld Lang Syne plays.

We get the end-of-the-year full credits, but no preview.

✈ I’ve probably seen it a million times, but suddenly realized that’s Ashley Jones (Parker, General Hospital) in a Priceline commercial with Kaley Cuoco (Penny, The Big Bang Theory). Turns out they’re good friends, and last spring, Kaley helped throw Ashley a safari-themed high tea baby shower. You don’t see one of those very often, and how’s that for useless trivia?

Since we’re still in holiday TV interruptus, I watched two episodes of Hell’s Kitchen tonight. I’m so out of the loop with this show, it didn’t really matter, but nothing makes it feel like home more than Gordon Ramsay bleepity-bleep-bleep-bleeping his way around a kitchen. Especially when he tells the contestants they’ve made a blunder that’s “the worst in the history of this competition.” I wish I had a quarter for every time he’s said that. I know the phrase is supposed to be a nickel, but, inflation.

 🎊 Some Quotes to Usher in the New Year

The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles but to irrigate deserts. – C.S. Lewis, from The Abolition of Man, Compiled in Words to Live By

It is not true that people stop pursuing dreams because they grow old, they grow old because they stop pursuing dreams. – Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Knowing what must be done does away with fear. – Rosa Parks

No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another. – Charles Dickens

A calm and modest life brings more happiness than the pursuit of success combined with constant restlessness. – Albert Einstein

To thrive in life you need three bones. A wishbone. A backbone. And a funny bone.
— Reba McEntire

I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re doing something. – Neil Gaiman

Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties. Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us. Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man. – Benjamin Franklin

New Year’s Day. A fresh start. A new chapter in life waiting to be written. New questions to be asked, embraced, and loved. Answers to be discovered and then lived in this transformative year of delight and self-discovery. Today carve out a quiet interlude for yourself in which to dream, pen in hand. Only dreams give birth to change. – Sarah Ban Breathnach

😸 Here’s Where I’m Supposed to Say…

See you next year – ha-ha! but I’m not going to. It’s so cliché. Whether you rock your new year in at home or take it to the streets, enjoy, but enjoy safely. As for me, been there, done it all, when it was safer and less expensive. I’ll be ringing in the new year with Chinese food, liquor and Beastmaster 2: Through the Portal of Time. Stop laughing.

Wishing you all good things in 2018 – and all the best in TV!

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🐆 And if You’re Inclined to See What a Safari-Themed High Tea Baby Shower is All About…

http://celebritybabies.people.com/2016/04/08/ashley-jones-baby-shower-kaley-cuoco-photos/

🎅 And Because I Can’t Resist…

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Casey’s First Christmas

 

Sep30

September 29, 2017 – Patient 6 is Good with a Paperclip, Z Nation Returns, So Does Hell’s Kitchen & Michael Berryman

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

Alexis and Sam visit Jason. Alexis encourages Sam to get moving on her follow-up appointment with Dr. Bensch. Sam wants to reschedule, but Alexis and Jason won’t let her. When they’re gone, Jason looks at the postcard again.

Franco is nervous to return to the art therapy program. Elizabeth says he’ll be fine. She tells him good luck, and takes Jake to visit Jason.

In Russia, the nurse checks Patient 6’s vitals. Dr. Kline says he’s lucky to be alive. He tells the nurse that greed comes back to bite you. They offered him a fortune to keep Patient 6 there, but he’s more trouble than he’s worth. The doctor can’t wait to get him out of there.

Someone comes into Ava’s room while she’s sleeping. It’s Griff.

Patient 6 is being transported today, and Dr. Kline wants no trace of him having been there. When the doctor leaves the room, Patient 6 takes out a paperclip.

Ava asks why Griff is there, and he says to see her. He tells her that she has no idea how beautiful she is.

Kristina goes to Parker’s office. She tells Parker that her brother-in-law is awake. Parker says it’s amazing, and the family must be relieved. Kristina says that Molly will be missing a class or two. They go the extra mile for the people they care about, like she just did.

Dillon meets Kiki for lunch. He notes she ordered two lunches, but one of them is for Dr. Bensch, who suddenly appears. He has to jet though, and tells Dillon he’s welcome to the lunch.

Sam tells Alexis that they’re early, and Dr. Bensch isn’t available yet. She wants to leave, but Alexis says no, they’ll wait. Sam doesn’t like Jason being alone. Alexis says her sisters will be happy to help, but Sam doesn’t think so, and says on second thought, Jason could use some alone time. Alexis asks if she’s going to talk to Julien. She thinks somebody should tell him. Sam asks if that somebody is Alexis.

Griff picks up a hand mirror, and shows Ava her face. She looks normal again. He says she’s as gorgeous as ever. If only she worked as hard to heal her soul as she has her face. She wakes up.

Griff calls Anna. He leaves a message saying he narrowed the location of the clinic, but doesn’t have an address. Franco comes in the locker room. He tells Griff they reinstated the art therapy program. Griff asks if he’s been in contact with Ava, but Franco hasn’t talked to her. Griff says that she seems to be MIA, and Franco wonders why it’s stressing Griff out.

Dr. Kline asks if Ava is all right. She tells him that she’s just having bad dreams. He says the first procedure went smoothly, and wants her rested for the next. He goes to get her something to help her sleep.

Patient 6 screws around with the paperclip, trying to get the cuffs open.

I have an interruption, but don’t miss enough to slog through the pirated video online.

Jake goes to get something, and Jason tells Elizabeth that he’s doing well. Elizabeth says he’s strong, but they’ve been there for him. Jason asks if she means her and Franco.

Franco asks if Ava owes Griff money. Griff says that he thinks she’s in trouble, and Franco suggests he get a hazmat suit if he’s going to deal with her. Griff tells Franco that they’re friends, and Franco finds it hard to believe, since they’re polar opposites. Griff says like Franco and Elizabeth.

Patient 6 drops the paperclip, and I say bad words. Someone picks it up. It’s Ava, who just took a tremendous chance unless they have adjoining rooms.

Jason tells Elizabeth that he sees Franco got back in touch with his artistic side. She says the exhibit was old paintings, but he did get the art program back at GH. Jason says they’ll be living and working together now; so much togetherness. She wonders if Jason has a problem with that. Jake shows Jason some pictures he’s organizing. Jason asks if he’s missing one, and Jake wonders if he’s talking about the one he and Franco did together.

Franco tells Griff about giving the money from the exhibit to the hospital. Griff says the old pieces must have stirred up feelings, and Franco says he’s been talking to Elizabeth. Griff mentions the painting he didn’t want to talk about, and Franco starts to singsong, Griff and Ava sitting in a tree. Griff says he has confusing feelings, and Ava is halfway around the globe and hurting. Franco asks what he’s doing there then, and tells him to go find her.

Patient 6 works with the paperclip on the cuffs. Ava chatters at him, saying she can’t believe he can free himself with a paperclip, and he tells her that she should go. She says, and miss this? She’ll take her chances.

Sam tells Alexis that she hasn’t had a perfect scorecard with love either, and veers in the direction of danger. She wouldn’t change anything, but it hasn’t always been easy. Alexis says she doesn’t want Sam to make the same mistake she did with her children. Molly is the good one, but they haven’t always seen red flags. Look at Kristina.

Kristina tells Parker that she’s been bombing in her business classes, and shows Parker her latest dud paper. Parker says economics isn’t her forte, but Kristina says she’s not there for help. She thinks the universe is trying to tell her something. Parker suggests it’s to study more. Kristina thinks maybe she should focus on real world experiences. Parker wonders why she’s getting the feeling that it’s a done deal. Kristina says she dropped her classes. Now there’s no more obstacles preventing them from seeing each other.

Kiki wonders if Dillon is jealous, and he says who wouldn’t be. Dr. Bensch gets to spend massive amounts of time with her, and now he’s buying her lunch. She says it was a sandwich, but Dillon says fries were included – that’s huge. Kiki says she’s also busy with school, her study group, and him. Dillon knows if it weren’t for Dr. Bensch she wouldn’t be on the fast track, but wishes he was helping. Kiki asks how she would function without the foot and backrubs, and conversation about non-medical things. He says he’ll walk her back to the hospital. He tells her please, how could he be jealous of a middle-aged guy in scrubs. Ouch.

Sam tells Alexis that she’s needs to get out and join the dating pool. Alexis is like, no way, and Sam asks if she’s still holding a torch for Julien. Alexis says it’s more like a match, but Sam says the best thing to do is move on. There are a ton of eligible bachelors in Port Charles; pick one. Dr. Bensch shows up, and Sam introduces him. He says he’s already reviewed her stats, and she’ll be in and out quickly. She says that she wants to get back to Jason, and they make small talk about that. Sam tells Dr. Bensch that they’re thinking of having a party for everyone who had a hand in taking care of Jason, so he’s invited. She tells him he can bring his wife or girlfriend, and he tells her he’s single and straight. She says a handsome doctor who’s unattached; what are the odds?

Griff tells Franco that finding Ava is easier said than done. Franco asks if he has any idea where she is, and Griff tells him a clinic in St. Petersburg, Russia. Franco asks what’s the hold-up? Grab a Russian dictionary, and hop on the next flight. Griff asks what he’s supposed to do when he gets there, and Franco tells him to hit up every hospital. Someone will point him in the right direction. Griff says that he’s waiting for friend to call back, and Franco says he can wait in Russia and be productive, or wait here, wringing his hands.

Patient 6 finishes getting free from the cuffs. Ava can’t believe he did that. He tells her to go back to her room; he’s going home. She asks how he’s going to do that, and if he even has a passport. She tells him that they’re planning on moving him today. He hears someone in the hallway, and tells her to get out. He waits behind the door, and when the guard or orderly or whatever he is comes in, Patent 6 jumps him and they fight.

Jake brings up the picture of Jason and Franco, but Elizabeth says that wasn’t Jason; it was a neighbor boy. He looks a lot like Jason, but Franco explained that it couldn’t have been him. Jake shows them a picture of Jason as a boy on his tablet. Elizabeth says there’s a resemblance, and Jake says they could be twins.

Patient 6 and nameless guy continue to fight. Patient 6 finally knocks him out. Ava comes back out, and asks who the hell he is.

Sam asks Dr. Bensch to ease her mother’s fears about her health while she goes to change. Alexis asks a couple of questions, but he has the feeling she already knows the answers. She strikes him as a woman who does her research. She asks if she strikes him as a woman who lets her daughter run roughshod over her, and says he must know what Sam is trying to do. He says she’s trying to set them up, but he likes it.

Parker thinks Kristina is being impulsive, but Kristina says that doesn’t mean she’s making a mistake. Parker says that Kristina’s parents don’t like her as it is, now she’s dropped out of school because of her. Kristina says that wasn’t the only reason, and they’ll come around once they get to know her. Parker asks what if they don’t, and Kristina says that she’s an adult and makes her own choices. The business degree isn’t what she wants. She thought Parker had feelings for her, and wonders if she’s wrong.

Griff says that Franco makes good points. Franco asks if the conversation was actually helpful. Griff says it was strange, but it got him thinking. Franco tells him that from personal experience, the only thing worse than not getting what you want is not living at all.

Elizabeth tells Jake that it’s just a coincidence. There’s only one Jason, and there’s no one else like him. Jake says he’s like Jason, and Jason hopes in good ways. He asks how Jake’s therapy is going, and Jake says they talk about Star Wars. Jason thanks Elizabeth for bringing him, and says the next time, Jake will be able to visit him at home. When they’re gone, Jason looks at the postcard again.

Patient 6 cuffs the now unconscious nameless guy to the bed, and goes through his pockets. He looks into the hallway, and tells Ava it’s clear and to get out. She tells him there’s a ton of security between there and the front door. He says he’s not going that way. She says that she doesn’t even know his name, but good luck, whoever you are. He thanks her and says that he owes her. She leaves, and he fiddles with his mask.

Parker tells Kristina that she’s not wrong. She has strong feelings, but education is important. Kristina says the timing isn’t right. Parker doesn’t want her to regret what she’s doing, but Kristina says that life is short. Between business and love, she’s picking love. Parker asks if she’s free for dinner. Kristina says she is, and Parker says it’s a date.

Jason stares at the postcard, and looks at the phone.

At the hospital, Franco asks Elizabeth and Jake how the visit went. Jake informs him that people can hear you when they’re in a coma. Elizabeth asks how Franco’s first day back was, but he says he’s just getting started. He asks Jake if that’s true what he said about being in a coma. Jake says that his father said he could hear him, he just wasn’t strong enough to talk back. Franco flashes back to talking to Jason, saying if they’re connected to wake up and tell him who he is, so Franco can figure out who he is, and why he’s done what he’s done.

Franco’s phone rings. It’s Jason. He says he’s been awake for almost two days and Franco hasn’t visited. He’s disappointed. He asks why Franco doesn’t come over right now.

Ava is back in her room, looking at a magazine, when Dr. Kline comes in with something to help her sleep. He tells her that success can’t be rushed. She’ll realize when they’re done, and she’s back to her old self. He gets a message that it’s time to transport Patient 6.

Griff leaves a message for Anna that he’s on his way to the airport, and if her contacts come through, to call him. Kiki says she was totally eavesdropping. He says that he wanted to see her anyway. He’s going after her mom. She asks if he’s found out where she is. He tells her not the exact location, but he’s narrowed it down. He says it’s better than waiting and doing nothing. He’s done trying, now he’s going. She asks how he can help, and he asks if she speaks Russian. That’s a no, so he tells her to hold down the fort and pray. Kiki tells him if he finds her mother – he says when – to tell her that she loves her.

Dr. Kline finds the guy cuffed to Patient 6’s bed. He makes an announcement that Patient 6 is on the loose. Everyone should be on the alert. Do not let him make it outside.

Patient 6 runs through a hallway and busts through a door. What do you know? Ta-da! It’s Steve Burton. Like we didn’t know this.

On Monday, Michael accuses Nelle of lying, Jason wants to know why Franco visited him in the ICU, and Paitent 6/Steve Burton/ real Jason (?) needs a favor.

Z Nation

Two years later. Roberta watches as zombies suddenly catch fire in a wasteland. Acid rain starts to come down, and her face melts. She screams.

Roberta wakes up inside of a cocoon in a laboratory. She pulls a tube out of her mouth. Her hair is blonde. Thanks to HDTV, I can see every pore on her nose. She gets up, dressed like a futuristic go-go dancer, in a white crop top and shorts, with little transparent boots. Her hands shake. She strolls around, and picks up a hammer. She walks out to the hallway, and rounds a corner. She sees a child who screams at her. She sees the acid rain in her mind again, and faints.

Roberta opens her eyes to find Murphy standing over her, looking like a normal person. She tells him he’s looking dapper, and he says look who’s back in town. He thought she was dead. He asks if she’s okay, but she’s not sure. He tells her that he’s been cured, and she is too. The bullet that passed through him, hit her. She asks where they are, and where everyone else is. He says she’s been in a coma a long time. She tells him that she was having some weird dreams, and asks how long she’s been out. He tells her for two years. Roberta asks about the others, but Murphy says they didn’t make it. I don’t believe it though. He helps her up. She says she has to get out of there, but he says there’s nowhere to go. There’s nothing left but rotting Z’s.

They get in an elevator. The elevator opens into a park, and Murphy welcomes Roberta to Zona. He tells her they made it; they beat the apocalypse. She can’t believe the rest are all dead, but he says things got so bad in the old world, they’re probably better off. He misses them, even 10K. He tells her that she owes enjoying her life to everyone who didn’t make it. She tells him that she needs to change, but he tells her that it’s Thursday, and clothing is optional. He’s right, because we see two nakey people walk by. Roberta says she hasn’t known the days of the week in years. Murphy gives her the tour.

Murphy tells Roberta that they have all seven days, like when it was pre-Z. They have everything except zombies and the clap, which they eradicated. They stroll through the town, and everyone says hello to Murphy. He tells Roberta that they have tennis, golf, and other recreational activities, like real people, and everything is free when you’re with The Murph. Roberta rolls her eyes, and he says he can’t help it if they owe him their lives. She asks if the vaccine worked, and he says of course. With his blood and the best lab money could buy, what could go wrong?

He takes Roberta to the Giant Museum of Humanity, where they saved what they could, the best of the best of humanity. There’s everything from an Elvis suit to the last case of pop rocks. Roberta sees her reflection in a display case, and touches her hair. She wanders into the hallway, and a guard asks to see bar code. He looks on her wrist, and talks into his radio, saying that there’s a possible unvax. Murphy says she’s with him and introduces her as General Warren. The guard apologizes, and she says that she just woke up from a coma. They continue to walk, and she’s surprised that Murphy made her a general. He says he wanted to make sure they took good care of her.

All dressed up, Roberta and Murphy get into a self-driving car. He can’t wait for her to meet The Founder. He saw it coming before it was coming, and saved what’s left of civilization. He saved humanity, at least the richest of them. She asks what about the rest of the planet, and he says it’s too late. They have a small boat, and can’t save everyone.

A guy runs through the forest, chased by zombies. We see Doc (told you), who has a beard down to his waist, and looks like Moses. He says, now is the time for all good men to kill some puppies and kittens, and mercies the zombies by wielding two hammers. He says it’s a beautiful sight. 10K pops out of nowhere, and head butts him before he realizes it’s Doc.

Up in a treehouse, Doc sits with 10K and Red. 10K says he could have killed Doc, but Doc says it would take way more than a head butt to bring him down. He tells 10K that it’s a nice set-up. It’s been almost two years since they’ve seen each other, and Doc says time flies when you’re killing Z’s. He wants to talk to them about a place called Newmerica, a safe zone in Northern Canada where there are no Z’s. 10K is skeptical, but Doc says it feels right. He tells them that the US government is involved (again, what could go wrong?), and they’re trying to get to the north before snowfall. There’s a waystation refugee camp for survivors. 10K says they have a good spot already. Red says he’s the first human they’ve seen. Doc thinks they might not get another chance, and looking at his beard, asks for a pair of scissors.

A woman is trapped in a car with a zombie, while two men are outside. One has a gun, but he says there’s only one bullet. Another car pulls up, and it’s Addie and Lucy, both rocking a punk-type look, with Addie sporting an eye patch. Addie tells them they’re there to help. Addie gets the woman out of the car, and Lucy calms the zombie. One of the men thanks them, and says they’re going to Newmerica. The other man shoots the zombie. Lucy asks why he did that, and he says it was their mom. The people drive off. Lucy asks Addie if she’s sure she wants to go, but Addie thinks they don’t have a choice. Lucy says, Zona; time to jet. Hey, she used my word.

Murphy tells Roberta that The Founder is a cool guy for being called The Founder, He tells her not to let his appearance frighten her. Really? What could be scary after fighting zombies for years? He used his own blood for the first vaccine, and failed. Not everyone has Murphy’s corpuscles.

OMG! The Founder is Michael Berryman! I love him! Murphy introduces Roberta, but he says everyone knows General Warren. He forgot how beautiful she is. He kisses her hand, and says they’ve met before. He tells Roberta that they all owe her undying gratitude for delivering The Murphy alive. She says it wasn’t easy; half the time she wanted to kill him herself. The Founder takes a breath from his portable oxygen tank. He says she’s funny too. They’ll want her in the gene pool. He says he’d like for her to meet his friends.

The door opens to a group gathered around a dining table. The Founder says he’d like to introduce a hero’s hero, and his new best friend, General Roberta Warren. They all stare at her. The Founder starts to clap, and they follow his lead. The applause gets faster. It’s a weird Stepford-like moment.

At the refugee camp, Dr. Sun directs some workers, and tells some new people to stay within the parameters, especially after dark. A woman complains to a guard that they’re Z bait. He tells her that they take everyone’s welfare seriously, and he thinks she needs a hug. He hugs her, and she calms down. He tells her that human contact is important. He feels better now; how about her? She says if he tries it again, she’ll shoot him. He says, fair enough.

Doc, 10K, and Red arrive at the camp. Dr. Sun hugs them, and asks what happened to Doc. He says that 10K thought he was a Gandalf zombie and coldcocked him. Then he has to explain The Lord of the Rings to 10K.

At the dining table, Murphy says there’s no one more badass than Roberta. One time she chopped the head off of a mutual friend. She says he was already dead, and they barely knew each other; Murphy exaggerates. The Founder tells her that there’s no need to be humble. Roberta says now that they’re cured, they need to learn how to fight. Murphy says not him. Zona is Z free, and his traveling days are over. The Founder tells her that if reports are correct, the last of civilization is in Newmerica. They’ve clawed their way back, and will do it again. He tells her it’s time for renewal, and making way for a new world. It’s the end of the world as we know it, and he feels fine. They can’t wait another decade for the last Z to die of starvation. The moment is here. The window of opportunity to save humanity is closing. They have the shield of the vaccine and the sword of wisdom. It’s time for a reset. Everyone toasts to a reset.

Addie drives like a maniac, trying to shake someone following them. They’re nearly creamed by a huge ball of zombies rolling through, but it misses them and rolls into the car behind them. Addie laughs, and Lucy tells her that it’s not funny; a zombie could have been hurt. There are two soldiers in the car, and the zombies go nuts banging on it. The windshield breaks.

A woman makes small talk with Roberta. The Founder says that he heard her two favorite things are chocolate and killing zombies. He had his pastry chef make a special dessert for her – a chocolate volcano zombie head cake. Murphy tells her that the brains are cherry custard. Roberta cuts into it, and flashes back to repeatedly stabbing a zombie. When she comes back to reality, all of the guests are covered in chocolate and cherry, and she’s destroyed the cake.

Red talks to Sun about the treehouse, and how she hated to give it up. Sun tells her it’s hard to let go of a shred of security. Red asks if she thinks Newmerica is real. She does, but also thinks maybe people need something to believe in. Sun asks Red about 5K. Red says they’d finally made it – we see this as she’s talking – but 5K fell down a hill and was surrounded by a huge flock of crows. When they flew off, 5K was gone. She hopes to see him again one day.

In the car, Murphy tells Roberta that she knows how to make a first impression. Roberta apologizes, and says she has to get out of there. Her hand shakes, and Murphy asks if she’s okay. She says something is wrong with her, and she has to go. She jumps out of the car, and starts to run, avoiding the guards by hiding behind trees. She sees a golf cart, puts on the boots she finds in the back, and rips her gown to make it shorter. She drives the cart to the lab. When she walks inside, a guard tries to stop her, she puts some martial arts moves on him, and he’s down. Ditto the next one. In her mind, she sees the wasteland. She sees a large metal gate with a sign that says zombies beyond this point. She lifts it up, and it opens to the ocean. Guards come up from behind her, and take her away.

Roberta is strapped to a gurney and riding in some kind of medical vehicle, like a rolling examining room. Murphy is there, and she asks where she’s going. He tells her she could have killed the guards, and she can’t go around killing things like she used to. She tells him that he doesn’t understand, and he says to enlighten him. He tells her that she’s the one who doesn’t understand. There’s no one left to save but themselves. He asks her not to go PTSD on him, when this is the first good thing to happen since day one.

Doc gives 10K a box of ammo. 10K asks him what if it sucks, and Doc tells him that life is a crapshoot. He’s young. He might even want to start a family. 10K says that Red doesn’t want children after what happened to 5K. He tells Doc a different story, and we see it differently as he’s talking. When they were searching, they saw this huge black cloud of crows at the bottom of a hill.  They thought they saw him standing in the middle. When the flock cleared, they realized he’d sacrificed himself to save him. We see his clothes and a bloody mess. Doc tells 10K that for not being blood kin, 5K was a lot like him. 10K asks if that’s supposed to make him feel better. Doc says nope. I love Doc. He reminds me of my father.

Another stopped car looks like they’re in trouble. Lucy wonders why everyone in such a hurry to get to Newmerica. She and Addie walk toward the car, but suddenly Lucy tells Addie to stop. She says there are no Z’s there. Instead, it’s a group of guys with guns.

At the camp, a guard tries to contact Rolling Thunder One on his radio, but there’s no answer.

Lucy and Addie are tied up in the back seat. Lucy tells them to let Addie go; she’s the one they want. Using her thoughts, Addie tells Lucy to leave them alone. Keep her eyes on her, and be ready to move. Addie scratches at her non-eye, which I guess is so we can see it. It’s gross, but far from the worst thing on this show.

In her mind, Roberta walks through the wasteland. She sees a control panel, and is about to press a button. IRL, her hand starts to shake. In her dream, she looks up and sees a gigantic stingray (the fish, not the car) floating through the sky. The vehicle stops. Murphy tells her to wake up. She tells him to get her out. He starts to unstrap her, when the door opens. Murphy recognizes Dr. Teller. The doctor tells them to come with him. He has no time to explain.

Back at Zona, one of The Founder’s dinner guests wears a protective suit while he messes with a zombie hand in the lab. It starts to disintegrate until it’s only bones.

Next time, Murphy says it’s not good.

🔪 This time around, Hell’s Kitchen is pitting 16 All Stars – those who did not win in their season, but were still winners in their own right – against each other. The prize is being head chef at Gordon’s Las Vegas restaurant, which pulls in a salary of a quarter of a million dollars. There were a lot of flashbacks from the previous seasons, highlighting the various contestants. The first challenge was a men versus women thing, and the men won. They got to go down a sky slide made of glass from seventy stories up. Which may or may not be your idea of a win. I don’t have the names down, but one of the guys was pretty frightened, and I don’t blame him. He did it anyway, and my hat’s off to him. It did look like fun, but I’d be scared out of my mind. Afterward, was dinner at Wolfgang Puck’s restaurant, and Wolfgang himself was trotted out to greet them. The women got the thankless tasks of cleaning up from the initial opening of the contest. This consisted of taking down the bleachers, taking up the red carpet, and best of all, picking up the zillion pieces of confetti that were dropped. Robyn, who got a one out of five, sinking the ladies’ team, consulted her tiger eye, telling the group that it answers yes or no questions for her. One of the other women made a great point in saying that she guessed Robyn didn’t ask about the salmon. <snort> They should vote her off just for thinking she hears from a tiger eye. Next time is an elimination.

Quotes of the Week

Some failure in life is inevitable. It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well have not lived at all – in which case you fail by default. – J.K. Rowling

For to be free is not merely to case off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. – Nelson Mandela

Did you hear about the two guys who stole a calendar? They each got six months. – a character in the Lifetime movie, Break-Up Nightmare, although probably pretty old.

In Honor of Tonight’s Z-miere

An interview:

http://keyw.com/michael-berryman-says-nuclear-radiation-caused-his-strange-appearance-interview/

MichaelBerryman

Michael Berryman

There were many, but I liked this one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sep21

September 20, 2017 – Finn Meets Cassandra, a Master Chef is Born & Channel Zero Returns

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

In Monaco, Anna asks Finn what boy didn’t want to grow up to be a secret agent? He tells her the ones who wanted to be infectious disease specialists. She tells him to stop whining, and remember that what they’re doing is all for the greater good. She peeks inside a restaurant, and spots Cassandra sitting with a man. She tells Finn that she’s going in first, and he’ll know what to do when it’s time.

Kristina picks up Sam’s jacket at the hospital. She asks Kiki about med school, and Kiki says it’s like walking a tightrope; as long as she doesn’t look down, she’s fine. She tells Kristina that sometimes you have to follow your heart, even if other people don’t get it.

Parker teaches class. She tells the students that through Jane Austen’s work, they see her world, with its class and gender distinctions. Even though the world has changed, people and the hows-and-whys of what they want, haven’t. Molly suggests that they still knew right from wrong, and to crush someone’s heart would be unforgivable in Austen’s world. Parker replies that we’d hope so today as well.

At Shriners Hospital, Charlotte asks Valentin if he thinks Bailey will be scared, and wonders what will happen. She says that Bailey is glad they’re helping her. Valentin says that the doctors provide the real help, but they’re giving moral support, explaining that means encouragement. She says that Valentin did help, by telling Bailey’s mother where to bring her. Lulu walks in, and says that being Charlotte’s mom, she thought she should be there for Charlotte and her friend.

Nelle sees Michael, and tells him that she’s being evicted; her apartment is being sold. I identify, since that happened to me with my first apartment. I wasn’t evicted, but they jacked up the rent, and I had to move. Michael doesn’t think it’s a big deal, and suggests moving in with him, but she thinks it’s way too soon. He says that she’s making more out of it than she needs to, and she tells him that he’s never been in her position, and never will be. She jets, and Carly approaches, asking what’s going on, and if it has anything to do with Nelle’s late fiancé. Michael says that’s right; what’s more important than him breaking up with Nelle? She asks if he did.

Kristina looks on Molly’s schedule, and sees that she’s in Parker’s class right now. She says this should work.

Parker says much of Austen’s work is about heartbreak, but also misunderstanding. The conclusions drawn make sense to their understanding. She poses a question about why they left their families or stations in life, and talks about them finding love despite the circumstances of their world. She says that two people rarely discover that they love each other at the same time. Molly says otherwise there would be no story. Parker tells the class that in Austen’s world, love wins, and wouldn’t it be great if knew ourselves the way the characters do, and gave ourselves more chances?

Inside the restaurant, Anna asks where ladies room is, and slips something into Cassandra’s tea. The waiter serves Cassandra. She sips her tea, and suddenly starts to choke. She falls out of her chair, and Finn says that’s his cue. He runs inside, and says he’s a doctor.

Michael and Carly sit in Kelly’s. Michael tells Carly sorry to disappoint her, but he and Nelle are still together. She says that Nelle’s fiancé died under mysterious circumstances, which Michael says is otherwise known as an accident. Michael explains what Nelle told him, and Carly says that insufficient evidence doesn’t mean she’s innocent. Michael says it doesn’t mean she’s guilty either. He understands why Nelle didn’t tell him, accepts her explanation, and believes her.

As the class is leaving, Kristina walks in, saying she found Molly’s keys. Molly is like, oh good, I thought I’d have to comb the place with a metal detector. Kristina sees Parker, who’s talking with another student. Molly asks what the hell she thinks she’s doing.

Bailey’s mom can’t thank Valentin enough, telling him how helpful the app was. He tells her how great the doctors are, and that he had scoliosis as a child and is a huge supporter of the hospital. Lulu adds that her nephew got burned and had excellent care there. The doctor comes out and welcomes Bailey.

Dante tells Kiki that he needs some help. He’s trying to get ahold of Ava, but Kiki says she can’t get in touch either. He asks if Kiki knows that Ava sold a tapestry to Valentin. He thought it was odd because she’d accused him of killing Nikolas. Kiki says she’s mentioned Nikolas more than once, and has no idea why they’d have any business together. Dante asks if she has any idea where Ava might be. Kiki says she doesn’t know exactly, but might know something. She asks if it’s official police business, since she can only speculate. Dante says this is personal. If Spencer wins the civil case, it will help him and Lulu with the custody hearing, but the first step is proving wrongful death. Her mother is a threat to Valentin; why would they throw in together?

Finn tends to Cassandra, and she quickly recovers.

Carly tells Michael that he acts like he doesn’t care. He says he does; that’s why he asked Nelle about it. Carly can’t believe he’s just going to take her word for it, with no follow-up. Michael says that despite Zack’s parents’ best effort to find a scapegoat, they couldn’t pin anything on Nelle. Carly asks if it isn’t in her best interest to be exonerated completely.

Kristina tells Molly that she’ll explain later, but she needs to see Parker. Molly tells her not to get hurt again. Kristina says it’s important. Molly wants a hint. Kristina says it’s nothing major, but it was unfair, and she needs to tell the truth. Molly gives her back her keys, and says be careful. Kristina tells Parker that she was dropping something off for Molly, but since she’s here, she’d like to talk. Parker says she seems happy with Valerie, so what else is there to say? Kristina says that whatever happened, good or bad, Parker has been honest, and she needs to be the same.

Cassandra thanks Finn. He says he did what anyone in his position would, but thinks she should get checked out at a hospital. She tells him that she doesn’t like hospitals, and Finn says he works at them and doesn’t like them, but she should still go. She asks how he knew what was wrong so quickly, and if he’s an allergist. He explains that he’s an infectious disease specialist, and traveling with a friend. Cassandra says fate has brought them together. She has to watch everything she eats and drinks, and wasn’t careful. He tries to extract himself, but she doesn’t want him to leave yet.

Bailey’s mom tells the doctor about how Valentin helped her. The doctor explains what the hospital does, and how they accept children up to age eighteen, regardless of their parents’ ability to pay. He wants to start Bailey’s examination, and tells Charlotte there’s a playroom. He leads Bailey and her mother to the exam room, and Charlotte asks why Lulu and Valentin didn’t tell them that they weren’t married to each other? They tell her that it’s complicated, and Lulu takes Charlotte to the playroom.

Kiki tells Dante that she doesn’t know anything for sure. He asks what she thinks she knows. She says that she thinks Ava is in a clinic in St. Petersburg, Russia, that she believes will restore her face. Dante says she doesn’t seem happy about it, and Kiki says she’s concerned for lots of reasons. He asks if one of them is Valentin, and she tells him that she thinks Valentin set up the trip. Dante says each of them must have something the other wants. Kiki says that was her thought too. Dante leaves, and Nelle blows past. Kiki asks if something is wrong, and she says, yep – Carly.

Michael tells Carly she doesn’t want Nelle exonerated; she wants Nelle out of his life. Carly says she tried to back off, but put himself in her position. Even if Nelle had no involvement, it’s a big coincidence that right after her healthy, wealthy fiancé dies, she got serious with him. He’s not the kind of guy who would ask for a prenup. She tells him that he’s her only surviving son, and she doesn’t want him dying under mysterious circumstances. She says that he should at least talk to the family or the police; it would give her peace of mind. Michael says that she’s ridiculous, and Carly says she’d rather be ridiculous than lose him.

Parker asks what Kristina needs to be honest about. Kristina says she hasn’t been truthful about Valerie. She wasn’t her date, but her wingwoman. Valerie wanted to make Parker regret dumping her, and kissed her, and Kristina played along. When Valerie saw them outside of Kelly’s, she assumed she should keep up the act, and Kristina wanted Parker to know she’d moved on, but realized the last thing Parker needs is more drama from her. She lied to protect Parker’s feelings, but she doesn’t want to lie anymore, especially not to her. Parker appreciates it, and Kristina says one more thing. She was dating a guy the last time they were together, but she told him it was over, and she’s single now.

Lulu comes back, and tells Valentin that Charlotte is playing with some kids she met. She thanks him, saying he’s been great. Valentin is glad that Bailey is getting the care she needs. Lulu asks what about him. She didn’t know about his physical issues. She’s sorry he suffered. He’s skeptical that she’d care. She says she used to think he was a monster, but seeing him with Charlotte, there’s no denying he loves her.

Kiki tells Nelle that she’s more than happy to listen. She saw the pictures from Moraco, and she and Michael look happy. She wonders if that’s why Carly is upset, but Nelle says there’s no one thing Carly hates her for. Kiki says when Carly hates, she goes all in with everything she’s got, until she doesn’t. She explains about her own difficulties with Carly about Michael. Everything was cool, but then Morgan died, and it was horrible again until Carly realized that Kiki really loved him. Nelle appreciates it, but says her situation is different. She tried to destroy Carly’s marriage and family, and she doesn’t think they’re coming back from that. Kiki says okay, Carly hates her, but she and Michael like each other. There’s no reason for Carly not to forgive her someday. What else could Carly have on her?

Carly tells Michael that nothing would make her happier if Nelle was innocent. He’d be safe and happy, and that’s all she wants, but him taking it on faith frightens her. Michael says he gets it. She already lost Morgan, they don’t know if Jason is going to be okay, and Sonny almost died. She says that she doesn’t want to risk it, and he says he doesn’t either, but he doesn’t need to know any more. Hasn’t she taken risks? She says she has, and they’ve bitten her in the ass every time. He says not every time. There were plenty of times her instincts were right, and she did what she wanted despite being told otherwise. He likes Nelle, and there’s nothing that can change his mind.

Finn excuses himself, saying he needs to get back to his traveling companion. He tells Cassandra that she should get tests. She tells him that her allergies are severe. She’s been to many doctors, but none have been as quick on their feet. She tells him to enjoy his stay. He sits with Anna. She tells him that even if he hadn’t acted, the symptoms would have subsided. He says that’s good to know, and that this whole thing is a bust.

Kristina didn’t want Parker thinking something that wasn’t true. Parker says in the spirit of openness, she has something to say too. When she came to town, she wasn’t honest with Kristina or herself. She regretted the way she ended things; Kristina deserved better. Kristina says whatever happened, here we are. Parker asks where that is exactly, and Kristina says they’re cool. She starts to walk away, and Parker says that she doesn’t know that they are cool.

Lulu tells Valentin he’s good with Charlotte, and she’s revised her opinion. He’s not a monster, just a very bad man. He’s helped her understand that empathy comes from experience. He asks if she’s hoping he’ll share, and she says as Charlotte’s mother, she should probably knew what her biological father went through. Valentin tells her that just before he died, his father sent him to boarding school to hide him from Helena. She would have thought him to be a rival for her son and had him killed. He was five years old. A trust fund was set up for his education, but nothing for medical care. His scoliosis went untreated. He says that it got bad, but that won’t be the case for Bailey.

Nelle tells Kiki that something happened before she came to Port Charles that wasn’t handled very well. Kiki is like, oh horrors, you have a past with mistakes. She points out that she’s been able to move on, but Nelle says that they’re digging up dirt from when she was broke, younger, and stupid. Kiki says when Carly finds something, just tell Michael, he’ll listen. She just has to be honest. Carly would do anything for him, even get along with her. Nelle says, here’s hoping, and leaves.

Carly tells Michael that she’s not going to pretend she’s not concerned, and she doesn’t get it, but she hears him. It’s his life, and his decision. He asks if she’ll back off. She says that she loves him so much, and always will.

Lulu tells Valentin that, like it or not, they’re both Charlotte’s parents. Even if she wins the custody hearing, he’ll always have visitation, and Charlotte will know he’s her father. Dante is her stepdad, but he’s her poppa. She thinks it’s important to know more about him, and understand how he physically became the man he is today. He asks if she’s looking for dirt (word of the day) to use? He tells her that he underwent expensive surgeries that weren’t without discomfort, but the results were worth it. He was able to stand up straight for the first time in his life. She asks if he was scared for Charlotte, and he says yes, but if she had scoliosis, he would have brought her to Shriners where she would have gotten the best care.

Charlotte returns and wonders when Bailey will be finished. She tells Valentin it’s a fun place, and asks if it’s like where he went. He says no, he wishes. He tells her that he’d like to get a present for Bailey, but doesn’t know what she likes. Dante comes out of the elevator. He tells Lulu that he needs to know something about Valentin. He thinks Valentin somehow convinced Ava to recant her statement.

The man with Cassandra hands Finn a note, saying that Madam sends it with her compliments. He and Cassandra leave, and I note what a fabulous, flowing, floral print dress she’s wearing. Finn opens it, and says nice penmanship. The note says that she thanks him. She can’t repay him, but asks that he come by and see her for a token of her gratitude, and it has her address. Anna grabs the note out of his hand, and says it’s not a bust; it’s going swimmingly.

Parker tells Kristina that the only way to be cool is to have real closure. Kristina says, no more notes or hints or made up excuses? Parker wants to sit and talk face to face; it’s the only way. Kristian tells her there’s some stuff that she needs to say too. Parker asks how about now? They can go somewhere private.

At Kelly’s, Michael makes a call and says he needs someone to do something for him.

Carly gets a text from Zack’s sister. She wants to talk about Jenelle.

Tomorrow, Jordan can’t afford another bad choice, Lulu asks what Valentin did to Ava, and Ava asks why Patient 6 needs to be controlled.

🍲 It was the MasterChef finale tonight. Eboni, Dino and Jason had to come up with a three-course meal that expressed who they were. Joe Bastianich was the guest judge, and managed to intimidate everyone. Jason made an uni custard with his appetizer, and while that sounds really awful, everyone seemed to love it. I’d definitely try anything. Well, not something alive and moving, but most things. For dessert, Eboni made a chocolate mousse cake with a macadamia crust that I’d definitely try, and try again. It looked the best dessert you can imagine. For their entrees, Jason put an Asian spin on cod, Eboni made duck, and Dino’s main dish was lamb. It was food porn at its finest. The judges agreed that all the home cooks fulfilled the challenge of conveying their journeys, from getting the apron to putting their soul on a plate. Dino was the big, quarter-of-a-million-dollar winner. In his interview, he said, I did it, ma! and was glad he was finally going out to be the positive light he was meant to be. You go, Dino!

This House is No Home

🏡 Channel Zero is back on the Sy-we-can’t-spell-Fy channel again, with Channel Zero: No-End House. The blurb sums it up as being about four friends entering the No End house, and confronting strangely personal horrors in each room. It looks promising, and I found it even creepier than American Horror Story, which this season has decided to make statements rather than be scary. Sigh… In the first episode, one of the friends confronts the death of her father. They used a record playing at a too slow and unnatural speed to great effect. Like those giant cockroaches, a weird-sounding record creeps everyone out. And nobody wants to hear it in the dark when they’re in a big, strange house. I like it.

CZ

CZ2

Sep14

September 13, 2017 – Oscar Breaks In, Two Chefs are Out, Some Quotes & Today’s Everyman

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

Michael says just to be clear, Nelle was engaged, he died, and she was investigated for it? She tells him that’s correct. He says for two people who are supposed to trust each other, it’s a lot

Bobbie sees Monica crying in the hallway. She doesn’t know if Jason is coming back.

Anna knocks on Finn’s door. She says that she knows he’s in there; she’s a trained spy. He suggests she uses her training to figure out that he’s not in the mood, but she says she has to talk to him, and she’s breaking in. He opens the door at the same time, and she tumbles inside.

At Carly’s house, Sonny asks Milo how serious the break-in was. Oscar is sitting on the couch, and Milo says that the kid claimed that Josslyn invited him over, but Josslyn is too young to go on dates.

Finn asks if Anna can move her wrist, but she doesn’t want to; it hurts. He checks her out, and says it’s a minor sprain. She asks if he saw Hayden, but he tells her that it was a false alarm. She wonders if Hayden has vanished like her father thought she would.

Bobbie tells Monica that no matter how big or old they get, it never goes away. Monica remembers kissing the booboo to make it go away, and still sees the tiny child. She’s angry, and wonders why it’s happening to their family again. Bobbie says it shouldn’t be. Monica says they’ve both buried children, and it’s not the natural order of things. Bobbie says they’re still carrying on, but Monica wonders where the justice is.

Nelle says that she was afraid to tell Michael. She almost destroyed his parents, and thought there would be no coming back if she told him. Carly was just starting to tolerate her. He asks if she can blame Carly for being concerned. These are huge, life-altering secrets.

Carly tells Milo that it’s Oscar. Sonny asks what happened. Milo says that he came to the front door, and when he found out it was locked, let himself in the back. Carly says she’s told Josslyn to lock the doors, although it doesn’t look like that matters with Milo there. Milo says Oscar tried telling him some story about Josslyn inviting him over. Sonny asks Oscar why he thought it was a good idea to break into his wife’s house.

Bobbie tells Monica that they’ve witnessed medical miracles and the strength of human spirit, and Jason is as tough as they come. She says they’re just not privy to the rest. Monica says they just have to keep on living, and do the best we can for those left behind. Bobbie says that’s what she tells herself too, and lists all the grandchildren.

Michael asks Nelle what happened. She says they were engaged, and had already set a date, but wanted to get away before all the wedding preparations happened. So she planned a trip. They’d kayaked before, but not up north. Zack’s kayak took on water. He was a strong swimmer, but it was too much for him. Michael asks if she went after him. Nelle says she couldn’t. She wasn’t a strong swimmer, and the waves were too strong. They weren’t wearing jackets, which was stupid (yes, it was, and why would you do that?), and she panicked. He asks if she called 911, but she says that they also stupidly left them on shore. Zack did everything he wasn’t supposed to, and couldn’t stay afloat. I’m surprised they made it through any kayaking trips. Michael asks if she didn’t try to save him, and she says she reached out her oar, but he couldn’t get it. She encouraged him to swim, but he couldn’t. She did everything she could, and he came up a few times until he went under. She’s gone over and over it in her mind, wishing she’d done something differently; anything that could have saved him. Michael asks why his parents suspected her, and she tells him that the plug from the kayak was missing. She doesn’t know if it was an accident or someone took it out, but she didn’t sabotage it. It’s not like she wanted him to die.

Sonny says he doesn’t think Oscar would violate anyone’s privacy. Oscar explains that he and Josslyn made plans to meet after school. She’d texted him to come in, since she had headphones on, and might not hear him. He figured he’d try the back, and that’s when Milo grabbed him. Oscar apologizes to Sonny, but Sonny says it’s not his house; it’s Carly’s. Oscar apologizes to Carly, and she says accepted. He also apologizes to Milo. Milo says he’ll forgive him once his story checks out. He wonders why Josslyn isn’t at home, and in perfect soap timing, she walks in. She asks what’s happening, and why Oscar is there. Milo says he told them she invited him, and asks if that’s true.

Finn gets Anna ice and wraps up her wrist. She tells him that he’s being gracious, considering he doesn’t want her there. He asks her to tell him what’s so important, and if it’s about the diamond. She says she got some more intel, and diamond was stolen in a smash and grab that the Bureau believes was planned and executed by a group headed by Valentin, who used the name Theo Hart back then. Finn says maybe she should be breaking into his place. Anna explains that they weren’t able to tie him to it, but the diamonds went to a fence named Cassandra Pierce. She sold them at a profit, and invested in illegal commodities on the dark web. Finn asks if Valentin was involved, but Anna says it’s hard to say. Finn wonders what it has to do with him. He’s trying to pick up the shards of his life, and go back to treating sick people. She says that’s why she’s there.

Josslyn tells them that she’d texted Oscar to meet her at school, but for some reason, it never got sent. She asks Oscar why he didn’t tell them, and he says he tried. Oscar says he owes Sonny an apology too. He should have known who he was before acting like jerk in the park. Sonny says that he seems like a smart kid. He should use his intelligence to think before he acts. Oscar says he’ll work on that, and they shake hands. Josslyn wonders why Milo is guarding the house. She asks about Jason, and Carly tells her that nothing has changed. Sonny wants to talk to Josslyn, and Carly takes Oscar to another room. Milo goes back to work. Sonny tells Josslyn that they’ve done well lately, but even if it means she’ll hate him, he wants to level with her.

Michael tells Nelle that the absent plug raises questions, but everything points to an accident. Why did the police get involved? Nelle says that Zack’s parents didn’t like her. Michael doesn’t think that’s enough to charge anyone with a murder, but she says a few weeks before, Zack had made her the beneficiary of his will. Michael says that changes things. Nelle tells him that she didn’t want the money; it was Zack’s idea. She says it was fun being around them, but it was new to her. He says just like their trip to Morocco, but she says that the biggest trip they took was the one to Maine. They’d planned on traveling after the wedding. He asks how soon she was accused, and she says almost immediately. They’d never thought she was good enough for their son, and they had the clout. The police came after her, but the worst part was that she wasn’t allowed at the funeral. Tears run down her cheeks as she talks. Michael asks if she loved Zack, and she says she thought she did. He’s made her happier than she’d ever been. He was good to her, and she thought that was enough, but she didn’t know what she didn’t know about love.

Anna tells Finn that Cassandra lives in Monaco, and is a virtual recluse who doesn’t socialize. Finn asks how it relates to him. Anna says that she has to make contact, but her sources tell her there’s a zero to no chance on her own. However, Cassandra is a hypochondriac in constant contact with doctors. She’d be responsive to someone of his stature. He says she’s asking him to be a spy, and she says no, a doctor.

Monica tells Bobbie that she loves spending time with grandchildren, but with Jason, she’s had to learn to live and let live. Bobbie says her too, for same reason – Sonny. Monica wonders if she’d pushed harder, if he’d be all right now. Bobbie tells her not to second guess herself, and that they’re both smart cookies. They laugh about some of their past discretions. Monica says that so much has happened, and Bobbie says they’re still standing. They hug.

Nelle asks if Michael thinks she killed Zack. Michael says that it’s getting late. He wants to see Jason, and asks if Nelle will come with him. She says of course. Michael tells her that he doesn’t know if Jason can hear him, but wants to tell him how much he admires him, and could always count on him for hard advice. She asks if he means like now, and he says he knows what Jason would say. He should trust his instincts and do what’s right for himself. He says the answer to the question is no; he doesn’t think that Nelle did it. He takes her hand, and says that he believes her, and believes in her. She thanks him, and says that she was afraid she’d lost him. He says she won’t, and hugs her.

Carly tells Oscar sorry about the misunderstanding, but tensions are running high. He says he should have thought it through; his mom would be pissed if he committed a felony. She asks if his mom knows that he’s spending time with Josslyn, and he says that she knows he has a friend who’s a girl. She wonders if his mom knows her stepdad is Sonny.

Sonny says that Josslyn isn’t a kid anymore. He put something in motion that got out of control. She asks if that’s why Jason got hurt, and Sonny tells her that someone after him and Jason saved his life. She asks if he’s going to be all right, but Sonny says they don’t know. She feels badly for Jason and everyone who loves him, including Sonny. Sonny says that he’s doing everything he can to keep them safe, including extra security. It won’t be forever, but he feels it’s his job to protect the people he loves. Josslyn tells him to be careful too. He says it’s a deal, and they hug.

Anna says that it will be a good opportunity for both she and Finn. He tells her that she said that about visiting Raymond Berlin, and it was a big, fat nothing. She says this time he’ll get to use his doctor talents. He doesn’t want to be put in a situation that will blow up in his face, but she says she’ll be right next to him. He tells her no, and gives her instructions about her wrist while walking her to the door. She tells him she’s grateful, and he says then leave him to his solitude – as of now.

Josslyn and Oscar go to the footbridge. She wonders where the fireflies go when they go, and he says they can google it. She says or they can talk about what happened. She knows it’s a lot to handle. She’s always known what Sonny did, since she was old enough to figure it out, and says sorry he got caught up in it. Oscar tells her that he’s okay, and waves to Milo, who’s at the end of the bridge. He says it’s one thing to know him firsthand, but as of tonight, when it comes to protecting his family, he knows you don’t want to be on Sonny’s bad side. Josslyn says if he wants to call it off, she understands.

Carly tells Sonny that she doesn’t think Oscar told his mother who Josslyn’s parents are. He asks if they should call her, but Carly says not yet. If they continue spending time together though, they’ll have to make the call. She says that she’d be furious if Josslyn was dating some crime lord’s kid, and Sonny is like, what did you just call me? and laughs. She says that’s how his mother will see it. She asks how things with Josslyn went, and Sonny tells her that Josslyn is like her old self with him. They talk about how Michael is cool on the outside, no matter what’s going on inside. Carly says she thinks she made things worse, telling him about Nelle, but it was too important not to.

Michael and Nelle go to the hospital. Michael goes in to visit Jason. Bobbie sees Nelle, and says just perfect; the grieving family fits in with her M.O. Nelle is like, what? Bobbie tells her that they know all about it, and Michael will find out, even if she’s the one who has to tell him. Nelle can continue to skate on thin ice, or take the opportunity to leave town forever. Nelle says that she must be pretty bitter to mess with other people’s happiness, and Bobbie calls her a trailer trash gold-digger. Michael comes out, and Bobbie runs up to him, saying she’s sorry to be the one to tell him, but he interrupts, saying he already knows and he believes Nelle. Bobbie makes noises about her lying to cover it up, and Nelle says that she doesn’t pretend to be perfect. She’s done stupid things, but she didn’t kill Zack. Michael says that at any time, any one of them could end up like Jason or Morgan. He chooses to be with her, and won’t stand there while she’s being attacked. He asks Bobbie to trust him to make his own decisions. She says that she’ll back off, but prays she doesn’t regret it. When she’s gone, Nelle asks if Michael is okay.

Oscar says there’s no way he wants to stop seeing Josslyn. She tells him that Max and Milo have been guarding Sonny since she was born. Oscar says he’s not intimidated, even knowing that his kneecaps could be broken if he messes up. He likes being with her. They kiss. Aww!

Finn tells Roxie that he’s sorry she didn’t get to move into the big house with a new terrarium, but the plans have been put on hold. They have to figure out how to rebuild their lives without Hayden. He says Anna must be out of her mind.

On the phone, Anna tells Robert that she has no intention of giving up. She’s going to get him to cooperate one way or the other.

Monica gives Bobbie some coffee. She says that she was going over Jason’s charts, and couldn’t tear herself away. She asks Bobbie if something happened, and Bobbie tells her that she had a run-in with their mutual grandson, but it’s a story for another day. She wonders how they can watch out for their children when they don’t want help.

Michael tells Nelle that they’ve had their fair share of hard times, but as long as she’s straight with him, he’ll believe her. She says she has to be straight about something else. When she said she loved Zack, she didn’t know what love was. It took Michael to show her. She wants to prove he can trust her, and won’t let him down. She loves him. He tells her that he loves her too, and they embrace.

Carly tells Sonny that Nelle is probably working overtime to convince Michael that the accusations were unfair, and he’ll believe her. Sonny says it’s not like she’s a murderer. Carly is afraid that Nelle will use Jason being in the hospital as a time to strike. Sonny tells her they’re not losing Michael, and they’re not losing Jason. She asks about the business situation, and if it’s stabilized. He tells her not to worry. If anybody makes a move, they won’t live to regret it.

Oscar apologizes to Josslyn. A lot of that going around today. She tells him not to be sorry; she’s not. She says they should be careful though, or Milo will think it’s his duty to report back to her parents. She hopes that Sonny settles things asap, so they can have some privacy. Oscar reaches up, and grabs something. He says it’s the last firefly of the season. He tells Josslyn that if you make a wish and let it go, the wish will come true. She puts her hands around his, and they close their eyes for a moment. Oscar lets the firefly go.

Tomorrow, Maxie says she’s going to have to out Nathan and Amy to get her job back, Griff needs Elizabeth’s help, and Valentin says that they’ve neutralized the key witness – Ava.

🍰 On MasterChef, family members watched as the cooks made dishes inspired by their families, and Cate was the winner. Next, they had to make a “stunning, elegant, and delicious salmon dish. Each contestant got a different amount of time, which Cate dictated. Gordon spit out Yachecia’s salmon (I actually went, oh! out loud.), saying he’d tasted better fish in cat food. Why is he eating cat food? Jeff only had twenty minutes, and the fish was basically raw. Gordon asked if Jeff was trying to poison him, but isn’t salmon often eaten raw? Like with sushi and lox? He tried to say he meant to do that, which didn’t go in his favor. While waiting for the judges’ decision, the cooks got snarky and nasty with each other. Yachecia and Jeff both got the boot. Good. At least I don’t have to type her name anymore, and I think he should have been gone a while ago. Gordon did tell Jeff that they didn’t think they could teach him any more, since he wasn’t prepared to listen. In his exit interview, he called himself Jeff 2.0, which is 2.Out to say.

Flour was in the mystery box, and profiteroles were to be made in 45 minutes. I was confused though, since they looked like cream puffs, and I’d thought they were something else. I guess all this time I didn’t know what a profiterole was. Jason moved on to the finale. Molten cake was the next challenge. I have to mention that I have loved Eboni’s shade of lipstick throughout this season – it’s purple with sparkles, and looks better than that sounds. Dino’s cake was a total mess, since he didn’t get it into the oven quickly enough for it to bake thoroughly. It just looked like a puddle on the plate. Eboni was the winner, and said it’s a long way from the ghetto, telling us about being a single mother in Chicago not long ago. Three cheese soufflés in thirty minutes was the final battle. It was close, but Cate was out, and Dino got the third finalist spot. She predicted Eboni for the win. Her exit was gracious, and she said that she not only learned about cooking, but learned more about herself. She still felt like she won the experience of a lifetime, and so she should. Next time is the two-hour finale.

🙇 Tonight was the Odd Mom Out finale. How long was that season? Like, four episodes?

👯  Reality and Artistry

In theory, we should do the opposite. Exposing people to the sometimes harsh reality of life and history, is truly how you “entertain, educate and enlighten” people. Life isn’t always rosy and handed to you on a silver platter. The sooner people understand that, the better off they’ll be. – Nick Kangadis, TruthChicago  Preach it!

To all of you artists, keep going — we have to support each other. The trick is when you’re in a bar play like you are in a stadium and when you are in a stadium play like you are in a bar. – Lady Gaga  Exactly!

😣  Dude is all of us at one time or another.

http://www.tmz.com/2017/08/27/straight-outta-compton-jason-mitchell-blows-up-on-delta-staff-overbooking/

JasonMitchell

Jason, in Happier Times

 

Sep7

September 6, 2017 – Ava Confronts Griff, a Souffle Saves Three Cooks & Dog Thoughts

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

Lulu places an order at Kelly’s. She runs into Valerie, and tells her she’s planning Rocco’s birthday party. It’s just going to be family.

Michael arrives home. Carly asks if he went by the hospital, and he says he just missed her. He sat with Sam, but she didn’t tell him much, and he didn’t see Jason. Carly tells Michael that he’s in a coma, and they don’t think he’ll regain consciousness.

Sonny prays in the chapel. Dante comes in, and says he has news. Sonny asks if it’s about Jason, but Dante says it’s about him.

Kristina and Molly join Sam. Kristina says they’re going to take the kids for some distractions. An intern brings Sam Jason’s belongings. Sam takes his wedding ring out of the bag, and says today is their anniversary.

Griff didn’t realize Ava was interested in boxing, but she tells him that she’s there because he is.

Sam tells her sisters not to cry or she will. She says Jason will be fine. Molly says of course, and they discuss future anniversaries. Sam thanks them. Kristina leaves, and Sam asks if Molly is okay. She’s concerned about Sam being alone, but Sam says that Jason is with her.

Dante tells Sonny that they’re not pressing charges for the shooting. They’re calling it justifiable homicide. Now that Sonny has had a chance to breathe, he wonders if anything has changed. Where is Sonny going from here?

Lulu tells Valerie that they’ve been avoiding each other for months. Valerie wishes it had worked out differently. Lulu says she practically dragged her into the Spencer clan, and Valerie adds until she slept with Lulu’s husband. Lulu says she almost caused Valerie to be burned to death, so there’s no moral high ground. She says the insanity seems like a lifetime ago. Maybe it’s what she’s going through with Charlotte that made her consider what family means. They should be there for each other even when one of them screws up. (That was a pretty big screw up though.) She asks if they can start over. Maybe they can be the cousins they should have been. Valerie says that would be great. Lulu gives Valerie an invite to Rocco’s party

Griff apologizes to Ava for not being able to talk. He says death is part of the job. Ava says being a priest is more than a job; it’s a vocation, a calling, and he approaches being a doctor the same way. He needs to talk to someone who can listen. He barks at her that he’s fine, and she says, clearly. He thanks her, but says he needs to be alone. She calls him a hypocrite.

Michael asks Carly how Jason was shot. Carly tells him about the meeting of the five families. She says Jason went along with Sonny, and everyone seemed okay and on board. Petro (which Carly pronounces Petrov – is he another Garvey?) came back, and there was a stand-off. Sam walked in on it, and Jason took a bullet for her. She says Sonny killed Petro, but it was clearly self-defense. Physically he’s okay, but he blames himself.

Sonny says that Dante is afraid he’ll retaliate if Jason dies. He says all he knows is that Jason is dying, and all he can do is wait. Dante says they can talk later, but Sonny doesn’t know if he’ll have any answers. Jason is like a brother, and he already almost lost him once.

Sam asks Jason to squeeze her hand. Nothing.

Ava says that Griff tells everyone else to reach out for help, and practically beat down her door. If it wasn’t for him, she’d be downing martinis in the dark, alone at home. Now she has hope – not a lot, but just enough – and sometimes she can face her future. He’s glad he helped, but needs to be alone. She says for what, to wallow? He listened to her, why can’t she listen to him? He says he has nothing to say. It’s a profound sense of loss, and he doesn’t know what to talk about. Ava says empathy is not her strong suit, and wonders how Griff got that way. He says that when he was a boy, things were harsh, and he watched his mom struggle; he had to keep his guard up. He became an altar boy. His priest was a good man, and he felt comfort in God and the church, and began to see beauty in the world. He thought the priesthood would be his life. Ava asks how he became a doctor, and he says he was reading biology as much as theology. He thought his superiors would balk at the idea, but they encouraged him to follow both paths. He discovered he could make a difference. He could ease suffering. Marisol was different. He thought that he could save her, and failed. It brought him back to the harshness, and he should never have let his guard down. Ava says he’s missing the point.

Sonny apologizes for unloading on Dante. He says he prayed so much, he doesn’t know if he can pray anymore. Dante says he’s going to say prayer himself. Sonny leaves to see Jason.

Kristina can’t get Scout to stop crying. Parker comes by. She says she’s an aunt herself, and wants to show her a tip. She rocks the stroller like it’s a jacked up car, and Scout settles down. She asks Kristina about the shooting, and Kristina says it’s her brother-in-law Jason. She’s helping out by taking Scout for the day. Kristina says it was a surprise running into her at The Floating Rib. She’s glad Parker could move on from her divorce, but Parker says she’s not seeing anyone.

Sam says Jason always comes back to her. She knows he can hear her, but can’t answer right now. She tells him how much she and the children love him. They need him. She needs him to fight for her and the kids. She’ll fight with him. She wishes him a happy anniversary.

Ava tells Griff that the world is a harsh place, and life is often lousy. We all face disappointment and loss, and all want things that are out of reach, even when we know better. She takes off her mask, and tells him to look at her. She wants her face back. She wants to look in the mirror and not be reminded of every mistake, crime, sin, and every person she’s ever wronged. She knows it’s vain, but she wants to be beautiful. Griff says she is. She kisses him. He kisses back. Woo-woo.

Griff tells Ava to stop. (Un-woo-woo.) There’s been a misunderstanding. He told her that she’s beautiful, but never wanted to give her that impression. He wanted to help her as a friend. She tells him to shut up. Ha!

Parker tells Kristina that an old friend was showing her around. She hasn’t dated since the divorce. Dating means starting over, but it’s hard to admit the life you wanted wasn’t there. Kristina identifies. Parker says one of the reasons she took the job at PCU was because she wanted to get away from the memories. She’s sorry to burden Kristina after all that happened between them. Kristina says aren’t they past it? If not, it’s time they started. Parker says that she’s sorry she hurt Kristina. Kristina says ditto, and done; let’s just move on. Parker says she’ll follow Kristina’s example. She says Kristina found someone she cares about, and she hopes they value her. Valerie comes out of Kelly’s.

Michael asks why Sonny would blame himself. Carly says he knew it would be hard to retire, if not impossible. He was doing what she asked him to, and this is on her. She talks about the night Kiki was shot, and seeing the crates of guns on the pier, and throwing them in the harbor. She thought she could handle it; it was part of the life she chose, but after that night, she’d been pushing Sonny to find another way. After Morgan died, she told him that if he wanted his family, he’d have to get out of the business. If she hadn’t forced his hand, none of this would have happened.

Sam talks to Jason about their wedding. She’s going to keep those vows. She promises to love and cherish him in sickness and in health. She puts his ring back on his finger.

Sonny asks Sam if there’s any change. She says nothing yet, and he tells her that it will take time. Sam says she talked to Jason, and likes to think he heard her. Sonny says if he hears anyone, it will be her. He goes into Jason’s room. Molly sees Sam. She says Danny wanted her and Jason to come with them to the water park; he wants to see his parents.

Michael tells Carly that it was Sonny’s choice, and she didn’t shoot Jason. Is she just being overly dramatic and making this about her? He suggests they do something that will help, instead of bringing Sam food that she won’t eat and coffee that she won’t drink. Carly says she used to get so wound up, she’d talk herself into doing something crazy, and Jason would talk her out of it. Michael is just like him, or how he used to be. Michael says Jason is the last person who would think she should blame herself.

Lulu goes to the chapel. Dante tells her that Sonny is with Jason. She asks if he’s okay. He says he was thinking about how Sonny looks at Jason like a brother, and he’s just his son. Lulu asks if he wonders if things would be different if they’d known about each other earlier. Dante says he’d like that bond, but doesn’t think it can happen. Lulu says look how much Sonny and Jason’s friendship has cost.

Valerie tells Kristina that she picked up lunch. Parker doesn’t want to interrupt their lunch date. They make small talk. Parker tells Kristina she hopes the family stuff goes okay, and leaves. Valerie says it’s official – Parker is jealous.

Ava is like, misunderstanding and wrong idea? She asks Griff how anyone can be so clueless and shut off from their emotions. She wonders which is more foolish, him not knowing how he made her feel or her thinking he could feel that way? She asks when the last time was that he practiced what he preached?  He says he does every day, and she says every day he clings to a white collar, using it to shield him from emotions. Ava says that he tells her that she’s hiding out, but he’s hiding in plain sight from living. Even if he gave up the collar, there would be one tight around his neck, keeping him from anything but friendship. He’s afraid to feel emotion and passion, and afraid to let anyone touch him.

Griff says that Ava couldn’t be more wrong; he feels too much. She says take it from an art dealer, he’s no more human than a painting or sculpture. He’s a depiction of a man. She’s sorry she wasted her time with his pity and false compassion. She’s done. She turns to leave, and Griff grabs her hand.

Kristina tells Valerie that she knows she should say she’s over it and it’s meaningless. Valerie asks what the truth is, but Kristina doesn’t know what she wants.

Lulu asks if Dante thinks that Sonny will stay in the mob, and he says that he’s concerned about it. Lulu thinks if Sonny wants help, he’ll make it happen. If not, Dante has her, Rocco, and Charlotte. He says he’s the world’s luckiest man, and they kiss.

Sam wonders how many times the kids can hear that one of their parents are hurt, and she doesn’t know what to say. Carly and Michael ask if they can do anything. Sam says that she doesn’t know what to say to Danny. Michael says he needs a distraction. Molly says she tried that, and Michael says maybe he can change Danny’s mind. Carly says she’s going to take Sam home, where she’s going to shower, get some food, and try to sleep. Then she can come back and be strong for Jason.

Sonny tells Jason that he’s sorry for all of it. He knows it’s too little too late, but also knows what needs to be done.

Tomorrow, Curtis tells Jordan that they make a good team, Danny asks if his dad is okay, and Sonny says there’s no getting out of this life for him.

🍆 🍚 On MasterChef, chopsticks were in the mystery box, and the cooks had to make an Asian inspired dish with their own twist. Dino won, which officially put him in the top six. The elimination test was making pasta from scratch. Both Gabriel and Yachecia got the full Gordon, with him telling Gabriel his dish was a disaster and looked horrible, and informing Yachecia that hers was the worst performing dish in the game, adding that the filling looked like cat food, and the broth like something from the bottom of a dish washer. Ouch! I wondered why mint ends up in everything. I don’t even like mint gum, and the second I hear it’s an ingredient, I’m like, no. Eboni ended up the winner, and Gabriel was out. However, he got a huge consolation prize. Gordon will be paying his way through culinary school, after which he’ll have a job waiting for him with Aaron. It was kind of like when Jennifer Hudson lost on American Idol, but then sang with Barry Manilow the next day, and went on to win an Oscar. Sometimes losing isn’t losing.

In the second hour, Jason was captain of the red team, and Eboni captain of the blue, when the cooks worked a pop-up restaurant in a vineyard. They created two appetizers – a scallop dish and lobster capellini – and two entrees – duck breast and filet mignon. I actually learned something about how to make a capellini nest by twisting it around on a spoon. Eboni tried to do Jeff a favor by picking him for her team, hoping to break his challenge curse. It backfired, and they lost. But instead of taking it graciously, or even making a joke of it, Eboni blamed the loss on Jeff, Jeff, and more Jeff, saying that he really was cursed. Jeff fired back, and the whole thing was embarrassing. Third team member Cate wisely stayed out of the argument. The pressure test was a chocolate soufflé. Somehow, even Jeff created perfection on a plate, and all three were moved to the next round, Gordon saying everything was so good, they couldn’t eliminate anybody. All was forgiven and everyone hugged. Next time, raw fish, but not on purpose.

🔪 A new Gordon Ramsay effort, Hell’s Kitchen All Stars, will be airing starting Friday, September 29th, at 9 pm. That’s the same start date for Z Nation, which I’m hoping is on at 10.

Why They’re Better Than People

Dogs are our link to paradise. They don’t know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring – it was peace. – Milan Kundera

JulietSpring2017

My Little Old Girl

 

Aug31

August 30, 2017 – Nina Gets a Surprise, the NYC Reunion Wraps Up & a Little Bit of Chef

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

Maxie slaps Nathan. She asks Amy if what she wanted all along was for Maxie to share her husband, and says she can share this with him, and slaps her too.

Felicia tells Bobbie that Nelle’s real name is Janelle, which is why she couldn’t find anything on her. Felicia really needs a new line of work. She stinks at being a detective. She shows Bobbie a newspaper article about Nelle being a suspect in her fiancé’s death.

Dillon wants to know what Nina wants in the photos, but Nelle says she’s at tea with some official who wouldn’t take no for an answer.

The official is Valentin, who thinks champagne is more appropriate.

Carly meets Josslyn at the MetroCourt, and asks Josslyn if Oscar put the smile on her face. Josslyn says they were just texting about school, and Carly tells her to relax; she said Josslyn could see him. Josslyn asks if she’s in trouble, but Carly wants to talk to her about Sonny.

Petro moves to shoot Sam, but Jason intervenes and gets himself shot instead. Max tosses Sonny’s gun to him, and Sonny shoots Petro. Sam tells Jason she loves him, and to stay with her. Well, you shouldn’t have followed him and burst in unannounced then.

Nina tells Valentin that she’s supposed to meet with the Minister of Culture. Valentin says it’s him. He says she stood him up last night, and now’s the time to keep her promise. She says she’s working. She has an answer for him, but the photo shoot is crucial. Valentin doesn’t give a damn, all he can think about is having her in his arms again.

Nelle tells Dillon about some of the things Nina wants in the photos. She mentions Michael, and Dillon grumbles about flying solo. She says Michael had to work too. Dillon thinks it’s convenient that Michael had a business trip in Morocco at the same time. Nelle says she’s not complaining.

Felicia explains to Bobbie that Nelle’s fiancé, Zach, died before the wedding. They went sea kayaking, and a storm came up. They were in separate kayaks, and his capsized. He wasn’t wearing a life vest and drowned. Nelle claimed she tried, but couldn’t get to him in time. Bobbie says it could have been an accident, but Felicia says the police and his family don’t think so.

Nathan shoves Maxie into the room. Amy says she’s so caught up in her own drama, she doesn’t see what’s in front of her. They were having a business meeting. Maxie wonders what business they could have. Amy tells Nathan to let her throw her tantrum, since it’s all she cares about. Maxie asks if Man Landers told Nathan to love the one he’s with. She sees the cutout, and asks what freaky stuff they’re into, but then says she doesn’t want to know. Nathan says they’re not having an affair, but he did lie to her

Josslyn wonders if Carly said she could see Oscar because she wants to get back together with Sonny.  Carly says no; she just realized that she can’t keep Josslyn in a cocoon. Josslyn says she’s working on her honesty, and Carly says if she wants Josslyn to be honest, she has to be too. She wants them to move back in with Sonny and Avery.

Max calls for help, while Sonny gets out the first aid kit. He tells Sam to keep Jason awake, and he’ll try to stop the blood.

Valentin toasts to being Nina’s husband again, and never betraying her. She says one toast does not a reconciliation make, no matter how beautiful the setting. He says he’s just showing off, but if she takes him back, he’ll prove he knows what real love is, and how much she means to him.

The jewelry for the shoot is all tangled. Dillon says he has the lighting right, and wonders how long it will take to fix it. Nelle says she’ll get the jewelry straight, and has the assistant get the models. She opens a case that has a gorgeous blue necklace in it – huge blue sapphires, each surrounded by diamonds – and says, wow.

Amy tells Maxie that she didn’t want the secret to ruin Nathan’s marriage. Maxie says it’s her marriage too, and Amy says she’ll butt out. Nathan explains about Chet. Maxie is surprised he’s a veteran, since she thought he’d be with the NFL. Amy tells her how he hurt his knee, and ended up in Afghanistan, where he sustained wounds, and now needs constant medical attention. Maxie says she didn’t know, and Amy says that Chet didn’t want anyone to know. She tells Maxie about how she needed money to keep his medical care going after her mother died. She talks about the Man Landers blog taking off, and how she got Nathan involved. Maxie is like, it’s you???

Carly tells Josslyn that while Sonny had Jax deported, he also got the deportation lifted, and hopes Josslyn can forgive him. She says Avery misses them too, and just wants her family back together. Because Avery is that articulate, even though she’s a toddler. Carly says that’s what she and Sonny want too.

Jason is losing blood. Sonny tells Sam keep talking to him. She tells him the kids need their father, and please open his eyes. He does. We hear the sirens in the distance.

Nathan says that Amy really gives the advice. Amy explains about how she read another blog, and people liked her comments. She started her own blog, and soon people wanted to know who Man Landers was. Nathan says it was supposed to be a one-time thing, but then there was a book deal and podcast. Amy tells Maxie that Nathan has been a champ for her and her brother. He’s not just devoted, but the most honest guy around, and he loves Maxie so much. Nathan asks if it’s going to come between them.

Nina asks Valentin how she can trust him. He says he’ll prove it day by day, over the rest of her life, if she’ll have him. She says she’s made up her mind, and kisses him. I hope that’s a yes. She tells him that she loves him, and wants to be with him. They kiss some more.

Nelle puts the necklace on. Dillon comes in and says, busted, and asks how it feels to have a small fortune of sapphires around her neck. She says she’s taking it off, but he suggests they do test shots. She agrees, but only because she’s willing to go above and beyond to help.

Bobbie asks Felicia why they think Nelle was involved. She says the kayak was missing, and Bobbie wonders if that’s not on the rental company, but Felicia says he owned it, and it was the best. He was the son of wealthy parents, like Michael, and he made Nelle the beneficiary of his will. It was millions.

Josslyn tells Carly that she’s still mad, but doesn’t hate Sonny. She felt terrible, thinking about how good he’s been to her. Carly says he loves her. Josslyn gets he was grieving for Morgan and lashing out; she’s been doing that too, and wants to stop. It’s time for some happiness. Carly agrees, and wants to be a family again.

The paramedics arrive. Sam tells Jason to breathe. The EMTs begin to work on him.

Josslyn wonders how Bobbie will take the news. Carly says she’ll find out soon, since Bobbie asked to meet her. Josslyn says she has to go to the library and work on her syllabus. Carly is like, hmm… and Josslyn says Oscar is on vacation; she can show her pictures. Carly says she’s into believing everyone mode, even Nelle.

The paramedic says that they have to stabilize Jason first. No one cares about Petro, who just lies there. They don’t even check for a pulse. Dante arrives, and Sonny says that Petro tried to kill him, but he shot him dead with a single shot. Dante asks Max what happened, and Sonny says don’t talk without a lawyer, but changes his mind when Dante says it’s off the record. Max explains how Petro got him outside, and said he’d kill him if he didn’t cooperate. Jason is conscious, and Sam tells him to stay with her.

Maxie says she understands. It was sneaky and underhanded, but for good cause. She forgives him, but says he has a lot of explaining to do. Amy is like, I’m outta here. She says if she’s not pressing her luck, maybe Maxie will rethink her plan to unmask Man Landers. Maxie says she will, and Amy says maybe she’s not so snarky after all. Maxie asks if she gave the advice to spice up the marriage to Mac and Felicia, and Amy says that was Nathan; he went rogue during the podcast. She adds that he didn’t suggest getting busy in the bushes though. Maxie asks if it was Nathan who suggested giving up everything for love. Nathan says that was Amy, and Maxie says it was excellent advice. Amy leaves, and Maxie tells Nathan she understands their secrecy, but wonders why he didn’t tell her.

Felicia tells Bobbie that Nelle planned the trip after Zach had signed everything over to her. Bobbie says she’s a manipulator, but that doesn’t make her a killer. Felicia says that Nelle swore she tried to save him, but could barely stay afloat herself, and had left her phone on shore. He disappeared under the waves. His family wanted her brought up on murder charges, but there wasn’t enough evidence. They tied the will up in probate, so she got nothing, and want to see her in prison for life.

Dillon looks at the pictures, and tells Nelle they don’t need models; they should put her on the cover. She tells him to delete them, but he thinks she shows a lot of facets of herself in the pictures. In some she looks like an ice queen, and in others, she looks like she’s a kid playing dress-up. She says that’s what it feels like. She can’t believe it, and wonders whose life she’s living. He wishes he could share her enthusiasm for travel. When he was younger, he was shuttled from country to country, and his mom compensated for her time with material things. Nelle says it’s a matter of perspective. She moved a lot because her father was always in debt. She thinks that’s why she resented Carly at first. To her, Carly had everything, while she had nothing. Dillon says everything comes with a price. Sounds Stephen King-ish.

Valentin tells Nina it was worth the eight-hour flight and the waiting. Nina says she wanted to make sure her eyes were open. She wants to be with him; she misses everything about it. Valentin doesn’t know what would have done if she said no. He’d never love another woman, because no one compares to her. He takes out her ring set, saying that he broke into her office. He puts them back on her finger, and asks her to make him the happiest man in world and not divorce him. She says yes. They both look like they’ve been to the Bahamas; they’re as tan as Sonny. Valentin says he’ll love her always. He picks her up and carries her to the bed, and you guessed it, a song part. Um… Nina, did you forget you’re at work? Yes she did. They get busy.

Dillon tells Nelle that money can’t buy happiness. Ask any Quartermaine. The assistant needs Dillon for something, and Nelle looks at the necklace.

Bobbie hates being the messenger. Carly comes in, and Felicia leaves. Bobbie tells her that Felicia found something, but Carly says she’s done meddling, and everyone is happy. She has something to tell Bobbie about Sonny, but Bobbie says it will have to wait. She’s afraid for Michael. It’s not about meddling; it’s life or death.

Max continues to talk to Dante, and Sonny tells him about how Jason got shot, and that he shot Petro in self-defense. Sam tells Jason that he came back to her once before, so come back again.

Maxie asks why the secrets? Nathan apologizes, saying that the timing never seemed right. He should have just moved to Portland. He’s proud of her devotion to her career and her daughter. Amy is going to have to tell the truth eventually, so he’s moving. Maxie says he could do that, but she won’t be there. She quit her job, and got a one way ticket back. He asks about Georgie, and Maxie says she’ll still see her, and she can find another job, but never another love of her life. They kiss.

Felicia sees Amy, and says she seems calm. She tells Amy that she told Maxie about her and Nathan. Amy says it’s not what she thinks. She isn’t at liberty to say what’s going on, but Maxie accepts it. Felicia is like, what?!

Nina doesn’t want to leave. Her phone rings, and she ignores it, but it rings again. There’s a problem at the photo shoot. The sapphire necklace missing. Oh, come on, Nelle is going to be responsible for the Chicago fire soon.

Dillon looks at the shots. Nelle says she told him to delete them, but he says he’s an artist and never deletes his work. Nelle goes on about what more could she ask for, and how happy she is. She still thinks he should delete the photos though.

Carly asks Bobbie if she’s not exaggerating. Bobbie says she has proof that Nelle is dangerous. Carly says okay, let’s hear it. Bobbie tells her to brace herself.

The EMTs take Jason out to the ambulance, and Sam goes with them. Sonny looks at the blood on the floor.

Tomorrow, Nelle tells Michael that they have to go now, Carly says she’s not losing another son, and Sam tells Monica about Jason.

The Real Housewives of NYC

We start with some talk about body parts, what we do with them, and grooming them. ♫ LA-LA-LA! ♫ Andy asks if the booze made Tinsley open up (omg – and he didn’t even say that on purpose) about a certain sexual act. She explains that she thought it was a cute story. Um… cute is not the adjective I’d ascribe to that.  I’m no prude by any stretch of the imagination – I lived in NYC in the 70s and 80s for God’s sake – but there are some things I don’t want to know, and this is most of them. Ramona explains that she grew up Catholic, and didn’t think oral sex was sex. Moving on, but not fast enough.

Andy brings up how Ramona asked Bethenny if her daughter is aware of her nakey past. Which isn’t really very nakey. We flash back to that, and also the argument they had in Vermont. Then the non-invite/invite to Mexico, and wrap it up with the pool apology. Maybe Ramona just shouldn’t drink. A viewer asks why Ramona chose to bring it up after a million years. Ramona says she’d been sent an article mentioning it. We also go back to the first reunion where Ramona walked off when Alex mentioned she’d done art photos. Ramona says she’s not as uptight now. Yeah, we’ve noticed. She says she probably needs delivery lessons, and I second that. She didn’t know how to make it right, and she made it worse. Another viewer asks why Bethenny made a big deal about it. I can answer that. Because Ramona is a huge a-hole and Bethenny had enough. Bethenny says the article was already out there, and she’d even written about it, but Ramona approaching her under the guise of being worried about Brynn finding out, was the wrong thing. Ramona insists it was out of concern, but Bethenny says not one person believes that, nor did any other mother ever voice their “concern.” She’d even said in an interview that she wanted to hurt Bethenny. Ramona says Bethenny makes her nervous. Bethenny says when she was going through a bad personal time, she never came at Ramona, even though Ramona attacked her right and left. Ramona says who can embarrass her anyway? because she’s an insensitive dolt. Ramona says she’s been there for Bethenny, and she owns what she does. Bethenny asks what she’s ever done to Ramona, but Ramona doesn’t answer because there is no answer.

Another viewer wonders why, since Bethenny called LuAnn every name in the book, she wasn’t more forgiving. LuAnn jumps in and says it was about the kids. It gets put out there that maybe Ramona is jealous about Bethenny’s success the way Jill Zarin is. After listing about a thousand ways that Ramona has been obnoxious, if not downright nasty to her, Bethenny says that Ramona can’t be happy for other people, and it shows. Ramona says that Bethenny is projecting, but apparently she doesn’t know what the word means. Bethenny points out that everyone is shaking their heads. LuAnn says the idea is to learn from mistakes and not make them again. Andy asks if the rest of them would be forgiving. LuAnn says it takes a while for the burn to go away. Dorinda tells them that when she watched how angry Ramona was versus Bethenny being quiet, she doesn’t think Ramona realizes how intense she was being. Andy asks if she’d taken anything like Xanax, but Ramona insists she was just drinking. Andy asks why Bethenny ended up inviting her to Mexico. Bethenny says she didn’t want to exclude her. She doesn’t want to be close, but she doesn’t “not not like” her.

We discuss Sonja Morgan’s Home for Wayward It Girls. I note that LuAnn’s necklace looks like the one that’s missing on General Hospital. When was the last time she was in Morocco? We see clips of Tinsley’s new life – fun with Sonja, fun without Sonja, arguments with Sonja, the Page Six debacle, and her eventual move. We also flash back to the thank you party, and that amazing cake. Andy asks about the best and worst of living with Sonja. Tinsley says it was the worst time of her life, and she’ll forever be grateful, but the downside was the criticism. Sonja admits that she should have laid off in front of the other girls, but says then Tinsley aired the dirty laundry. Andy asks LuAnn for her opinion, since she’d also lived with Sonja. LuAnn thinks Sonja was like an overbearing mama and hard on Tinsley. Sonja agrees she was, but thought Tinsley needed guidance. She says that Tinsley falls in love quickly, and she wanted the best for her. She’d said she wanted to get married and have children, so Sonja tried to help. Tinsley says she’s not an intern, but a friend, and had every intention of giving her something when she left. Sonja gripes about not getting a birthday card, reminding me about the card sitting here for someone whose birthday was three days ago.

Andy asks if Sonja went to Page Six about Tinsley being ungrateful, but she insists she didn’t. He asks if Tinsley confirmed it. She says she wouldn’t know how to do that, but Sonja had just been complaining about the exact same thing, and she felt betrayed. Sonja says she didn’t come to her first. Carole says they were the exact words Sonja said. Andy asks if it was a thank you or f-you party, but Tinsley says she planned it before all that happened. Bethenny thinks they should call it a thuck you party. Ha-ha! Sonja says she thought the glitz was just for show, but when Tinsley gave her speech, she knew it was sincere. That five grand gift certificate for Bergdorf’s probably didn’t hurt either. Tinsley is sorry they fought, and admits she wasn’t the perfect house guest, but they’re good now.

We move on to the Mexico trip, and get to relive it through clips. First, the great room hunt by Ramona and Sonja. What a couple of ungrateful idiots. We revisit LuAnn’s fall into the bushes – HAHAHAHAHA! – her subsequent fall (which wasn’t quite as funny), tequila day, Dorinda stabbing herself, and end with the rose and thorn dinner. It’s fun to watch their reactions. It’s so good, we see the clips of LuAnn falling again. Andy says in ten years, he’s never seen her drunk like that. LuAnn says she never gets out of control, but it was a long drinking day and she hadn’t eaten. Andy says Bethenny brought them to the epicenter of alcohol.

Andy asks why Ramona thought she should get the best room, considering how she stood with Bethenny? Ramona doesn’t know what she was thinking. I’m not so sure Ramona does think, and Dorinda reads my mind, saying she wasn’t. Andy brings up Sonja making out with the ladies, and taking it to a new level. Sonja says now that LuAnn is married, she had to find new victims. Carole thinks Sonja might have given her a hickey. Andy asks how Dorinda cut herself, and Bethenny calls her a gangster. Dorinda says she didn’t feel a thing. She saw the blood in the morning, and thought she had her period. Andy asks Bethenny whey she didn’t want to be psychoanalyzed by Dorinda. Bethenny says that Dorinda saying she was controlling was like saying H2O is water.

Bethenny tells Andy that everyone was great on the trip, but she feels self-conscious about her success. She wanted the trip to be perfect, because the main event centered around her business. She says this season was the funniest of all of them. They talk about the pool apology again, and how funny it was that Bethenny and Ramona had barely spoken in weeks, and then ended up hugging nakey, separated by a pool noodle.

Andy asks what everyone’s rose and thorn for the season was. LuAnn’s rose was getting married, and her thorn was hearing all the stuff about Tom, although she appreciates everyone having her back. I cringe again, thinking she would soon be divorcing. Dorinda says that daughter Hannah starting her new life was her rose, and her thorn was arguing with Bethenny. For Tinsley, moving back to NYC and meeting Scott were roses, but fighting with Sonja was pretty thorny. Sonja’s rose was making up with Dorinda (who said there’s always next season), but for her thorn, felt she gave Tinsley too much tough love, and should have backed off. No surprise that Carole’s thorn was the election results, but she had a rose in going to Washington DC for the Women’s March. Ramona has both a rose and thorn in Bethenny, with acting out toward her, then making up with her. Bethenny says her rose was a sense of personal freedom after the Vermont trip, and she didn’t have a thorn. Andy wonders what about her struggle with Ramona, and she says it might have been both, but she had other stuff going on.

We end with a shot of tequila. Toast to strong drink and strong women.

👰 🚫 Next Wednesday, Andy will be interviewing LuAnn one-on-one at 11 pm.

🍴 On MasterChef, the first half was a Mexican-themed tag team challenge, and a mystery box revealing Nutella, with which they made a breakfast. My stomach doesn’t like the idea of Nutella for breakfast, unless it’s spread on toast. Jason won, and got to pick the teams for the tag team. Cate and Dino were the winners there, and Caitlin got sent home. The contestants then went to Big Bear Lake where rainbow trout was featured, and the guests being served were Gordon, Christina, and Aaron. Dino headed up the blue team, and Cate was the red team captain. Note to self: Never put cornmeal on rainbow trout. If nothing else, you will piss off Gordon. The teams picked the one dish they wanted each judge to taste. Christina got some fish bones from the red team, but they still won the challenge. Jeff acted like a huge baby because the red team got to have fun on the water while the blue team awaited their fate. Back at the MasterChef kitchen, the pressure test was to make truffles. The candy kind. Yachecia’s were a mess, prompting Gordon to ask if she’d bitten into one. She was also missing some, although Gordon praised the two that actually looked like truffles. I was pretty sure she was going home, but Daniel had a chunk of chocolate in one of his. Apparently, this is a cardinal sin in truffle-making, and he got the old heave-ho.

Truffles

Truffles

Truffles2

Also Truffles

Aug24

August 23, 2017 – Winston Takes the Stand, the NYC Reunion Continues, Raw Chicken & Jax

Posted on by
Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

Elizabeth says she missed being in the studio with Franco, and he says he missed being everywhere with her. He tells her she should paint again, and to consider his studio hers. She says for now she’ll live vicariously, and tells him there’s a reason he’s famous. He says not for the reason he’d like.

Ned sees Alexis at the MetroCourt. He was looking for her because he’s in the market for her legal services.

Julian’s trial starts again. The prosecutor – whose name I still can’t find out, so I’m continuing to call him Will Smith – has an addition to the witness list. Scotty says the prosecutor is playing games, and he’s had no prep time. Will says that he has a witness that can speak to Julian’s motives. Julian wonders who it’s going to be. It’s Winston! Scotty asks how bad it’s going to be.

Sam tells Carly that she shot Sonny. Carly says that the Garvenator bragged to her about it, and Sam says that’s not the whole story. Jason tries to get her to leave, but Sam says she’s not staying silent anymore, and Carly deserves to know what happened.

Elizabeth says that Franco is a powerful artist. He says the purpose of the paintings was for people to feel the darkness. He worries that his talent and the darkness were intrinsically connected, and he won’t be able to create anymore. She says he was literally in a different head space then, but he says he can’t blame everything on the tumor.

Ned tells Alexis that he wants to update his will, adding Olivia-Q and Leo. Alexis calls Leo his stepson, but he says that he hasn’t been able to adopt Leo yet.

Wow. Winston is the same actor, but looks younger; maybe because he lost weight. Scotty doesn’t understand how he can speak about anyone else’s motives. Will says he was there during many of their conversations, and his testimony is vital. The judge allows it. Will asks when he first met Olivia-J. Winston talks about her having him opening the store. All he knew was that she had unfinished business in Port Charles, and her brother was involved and willing to do whatever she needed.

Carly says Garvezilla told her that he killed Sonny. How could Sam have shot him? Sam says she collapsed afterward. She woke up in the hospital, and didn’t remember anything. Then she started to remember, and she’s sooo sorry. Carly grasps that it’s real, and Sonny confirms that it’s true. Sam says she didn’t know what was real or wasn’t anymore. Her hallucinations were like a walking nightmare, with Sonny telling her that he was going to take her family away. Sam tells Carly that it sounds crazy, but she was so scared and would have done anything. Carly realizes this is what Sam wanted to tell her at the hospital. Sam says it makes her nauseous to know how far it went. She bought a black-market gun, and staked out his house, following him to the site.

Elizabeth tells Franco that she loves their world. Franco says that he does too, and it scares him. He tells Elizabeth that she thrills and calms him at the same time, and he loves her. He says she’s probably the first sane woman he’s been with, and the first normal person to love him. He doesn’t deserve her. He loves the world they’ve created, but is terrified he’ll mess it up. Elizabeth tells him that he won’t, but he says she doesn’t know that. She says that everyone has darkness inside, but there’s also light. She understands the paintings have brought up bad memories, but there’s one in particular that she wants to know about. She pulls out the painting she’d been looking at. Two boys side-by-side, looking down a road.

Alexis tells Ned that she’s not representing him in a custody case. Ned says this must mean she thinks Julian might get off. He thought she’d have the best chance of getting Julian to agree to an adoption. She says that she wouldn’t go anywhere near it for a million different reasons. He asks her if one of those reasons is that she’s still hung up on Julian.

Winston says he ran the pawn shop and carried out Olivia-J’s orders. Will Smith asks if he was present at Olivia and Julian’s first meeting. When he says that he wasn’t, Will asks when was the first occasion they met? Winston says that Julian came by to lay out future plans and how best to achieve them. but he wasn’t privy to everything. He says they spoke in conspiratorial tones, and when Julian left, Olivia told him what he was to do. Scotty is like, he wasn’t present, what is up with this? Will reads off something about Alexis meeting with Julian when Winston was there, and Julian saying he was just a friend.

Jason says that Sam doesn’t have to do this. She says she does. She says that Sonny was amazing and sympathetic. He tried to talk her down, saying he’d never do anything to hurt her. Carly is like, of course he wouldn’t, and I wonder if she forgot Sam was sick. She answers my question by saying that she gets Sam was sick, but she’s trying to understand everything. Sam talks about Sonny walking toward her, and how he tried to take the gun, but it went off. Carly says it was an accident then, but Sam says she meant to shoot him and she did.

Will Smith asks Winston what he and Julian discussed. Winston says that Julian was pleased that Morgan was killed, and was looking forward to helping Olivia-J. Will asks what the plan was, but Winston didn’t know. He says Julian seemed to be a willing participant. No surprise Scotty objects, since it’s total conjecture, and it’s sustained. Winston says that Julian was concerned about legal ramifications, and wanted to help, but not get caught. They agreed to say he was coerced, but he was a willing accomplice.

Alexis tells Ned that she knows how she feels, but doesn’t know which feeling wins out. She asks what’s wrong with her. Ned says she’s beautiful, smart, and complicated, and way too good for Julian. She agrees, but loves him, and can’t let go. She wonders why she picks men who are bad for her, and dangerous. She says Ned is the only one who didn’t fit the mold, and she ran from him, but if she had it to do over, she’d do it differently. Ned tells her she wouldn’t, and she says he’s right. He says she knows the answer, and Alexis says they’re all like her father, and her father didn’t love her. Ned says maybe it’s time to break the pattern.

Elizabeth tells Franco that the painting stands out from the others. The energy is lighter, and hopeful. Ava texts Franco, and he says he gets to show his work at the gallery. He’ll be killing two birds with one stone; getting rid of the stuff, and making money. Elizabeth asks what he’s going to do with it, and he says that he wants to help her with the groceries, mortgage, and sexy stuff. She tells him that he makes everything sexy, and when he adds helping Kiki, she says it’s getting sexier by the minute. Franco wonders what if the art doesn’t sell, and Elizabeth says it will, especially the painting she likes. He tells her that one’s not for sale.

Sam tells Carly that a lot of it is a blur, but Sonny is clear. He put his hand on hers to stop her, and she deliberately pulled the trigger. Sonny says that it wasn’t her, and to stop apologizing. She says he did nothing to defend herself, but she had to finish it. Sonny didn’t fall into the hole; she kicked him in, and thought he was dead. She tells Sonny that she left him there to die, and is sooo sorry. He calls her over to him, and says it wasn’t her fault. She had an infection, and it wasn’t her. She has nothing to be sorry about. Carly looks pissed.

Winston says he was just there to facilitate things as the driver/delivery person. Will Smith asks if he was aware she was unstable, and alludes that Julian was. Scotty’s objection is sustained. Will asks if Winston was there around the time of the hospital bombing, and he says that Julian told Olivia to make it look like he’d been tied up, so he could deny accountability.

Scotty says this is the definition of hearsay, and there’s nothing to back it up. The judge tells Will to ask a question or excuse the witness. He asks Winston about Julian trying to kill Olivia, and asks why he would do anything for her if he wanted her dead. Will tells Winston to speculate, and Scotty is like, ha! Winston says Olivia told him that Julian felt guilty, and would do anything in his power to make it right.

Franco tells Elizabeth that he’s keeping that painting. She asks why it’s special, and talks about the counterpoint in the picture. Franco thinks her talking about art is hot. She asks if the mirror effect is significant. Franco explains that when he was little, he had an imaginary friend who lived in an imaginary world that mirrored his. He outgrew it, but missed his friend, so he did the painting with each of them in their respective opposite realities. He says it was the last nice thing painted; a manifestation of his childhood psychosis.

Sonny tells Sam to stop blaming herself for something she couldn’t control. She does the “what if” thing, and he asks if he or Morgan were responsible for things they did when they were sick. Sam says no, and Jason says to blame him. She was sick and not herself, and he did nothing. He should have realized it was serious and made her go to the doctor. Sonny says that he didn’t expect it, but Jason says he should have been paying attention. Sam says she was hiding, but doesn’t know why, because she trusts him most of all. She wonders why she didn’t she ask him for help.

Alexis tells Ned that Julian’s proclamation of love made her head spin. He means it, but the other side of him can’t help it; he was born into it. She knows she’s making excuses, and Ned thanks her for not making him say it. She says he’ll hurt her again, but when it’s happening to you, and you’re in love with them, and they’ve made you happier than you’ve ever been, the thought of saying that it can’t work out is impossible. She wants off the roller coaster. She wants it to end, and has to figure out how to make that happen. I dunno. Kill him?

Scotty asks why Winston’s visit upset Julian. When Winston says that he can’t speak for Julian’s state of mind, Scotty wonders why, since he’s speaking for everyone else’s. Will Smith objects, saying it’s hearsay, but Winston says maybe Julian wasn’t feeling well. Scotty asks if Olivia wouldn’t have known that, since Winston was following him and she was bugging his phone. Winston says she didn’t tell him everything, and Scotty says that he wasn’t always in the loop then.

Scotty asks Winston how jail is, and suggests that he might get better accommodations for his testimony. He asks if Winston is trying to save hide, but Winston pretends to be noble, saying that he wanted to make things right for everyone who suffered at Olivia and Julian’s hands. Julian jumps up and yells liar! and it gets loud in the courtroom.

Elizabeth says that to escape the loneliness, Franco made someone up who would understand him. He tells her that she’s special, and she says that she feels the same way about him. He doesn’t want to lose her, and she says, then don’t.

Sonny tells Sam that losing your mind is terrifying. Telling someone makes it real, so you make them your enemy. He talks about how he would cover until the dam broke, and he couldn’t take anymore. He tells her that she’s not like him; it was something temporary. Sam worries that it unleashed something in her. Sonny asks if she feels the same way now, and she says no. Jason tells her to trust herself. Sonny says it’s over, but Carly says not as long as the police are investigating.

Elizabeth asks Franco if there’s something he’s not telling her about the painting. At first he says no, but then says that maybe about the subject matter. When he imagined the friend, he imagined him being helpful. Like when Franco couldn’t tie his shoes, the friend learned and helped him. He has a real memory of being on merry go round, and not knowing how to get off, but his friend jumped off first, and he followed. He wants the picture as a reminder, but tells Elizabeth not to worry; he doesn’t have an imaginary friend now. She says that it makes total sense, and now that she understands, she loves it even more – and loves him. They kiss.

Alexis wonders if there’s a support group for her problem. Ned thinks there is, but she says AA is all she can handle. Ned offers to be sounding board. Alexis says that she wants to like someone sane, safe and gentle, but can’t get out of her own way. Ned says, so far, but she’s fiercely intelligent, and if anyone can break the cycle, it’s her.

The courtroom is out of control. The judge tells Scotty to calm his client down, or there’s going to be some contempt handed out. Julian threatens Winston, and the prosecution rests.

Carly asks Sonny if he knew all along, and he tells her he did. Jason admits to covering for them, and says that he and Sonny decided to protect her. Carly gets it that Sam is sick, and that the last thing she needed was being hounded by the police. What she doesn’t get, is why they didn’t tell her. Sonny says the situation was volatile. Carly tells him everything always is, and after twenty years, how can he keep something like that from her?

Tomorrow, Lucy asks Finn about the house, Julian wants to take the stand, and Carly asks Sonny when trusting each other changed.

The Real Housewives of New York City – Reunion Part Two

Andy asks how LuAnn feels about Tom seeing Missy. She insists he sees her at parties because Ramona brings her, but Ramona says that’s not true. LuAnn reminds us that Ramona’s husband was in a full-blown affair, and Bethenny says it’s not the bar by which they should set their relationships. Andy asks LuAnn why they’re together, and LuAnn makes noises about how they live. Bethenny says you can make a lifestyle out of a life, but not a life out of a lifestyle. LuAnn says she loves being married, and blah-blah-blah, the same stuff we’ve heard a million times. She talks about her penthouse, and Bethenny says that’s pretentious AF, since it’s really just a one-bedroom on the top floor. Andy remarks on how happy everyone is. Really, Andy?

It’s Tinsley’s turn in the hot seat. We flash back to her arrival at Sonja’s, and her explanation of the arrest. (Tinsley Mortimer, google it.) There’s a clip of Carole reading to her from Page Six about her comeback. And more clips about her relationship. The montage ends with her meeting Scott, and Carole saying she sees a pink dress in her future. A viewer asks why she still has the same look, neighborhood, and activities, and she says she didn’t want to reinvent herself, but get her life back and be herself again. Carole talks about how funny and genuine she is, and says although they’re polar opposites, they connected. Tinsley is still at the hotel, and talks about how cool her room is. Bethenny asks if she and Scott are moving in together, and she says in the fall. She thinks he’s “the one.” Good for her. He seems like a nice guy, and more geared to her than someone named Topper. Andy asks if she’s in a better place now. Again, really, Andy? Tinsley tells them about how she kept going back to her abusive relationship. Dorinda asks why she didn’t ask her mother for help, and she says she hid a lot of things. There was also a lot of drinking going on, and she carried it into the season as a crutch.

A viewer asks if she uses humor to make light of her drinking, and if she has a problem. Tinsley’s non-drinking problem is discussed. Andy asks if she was drinking first thing in the morning in Mexico, which isn’t really a fair question, since that was a vacation that revolved around liquor. LuAnn says that Tinsley can out drink her (holy!), and Tinsley says she’s amazed at how she can put it away. Bethenny says it’s doubtful she’d be in a six-month relationship with Scott if there was a problem, and I agree. I think this one just likes to party. And why not?

Carole is next. We flash back to Carole being positive that Hillary would win the election, and how very informed on politics she is. Obviously not informed enough to make a correct prediction. We see her insulting Ramona, and her emotions taking a nosedive on election night, and there’s a clip from the Women’s March. We move on to her shacking up with Adam, and how that goes downhill pretty quickly, and he moves back out. Andy asks what’s going on with them now. Carole says he was in-between apartments when he lived with her, but they’ve decided to take a break and give each other some space. She likes feeling free. She’s not seeing other people; she’s focusing on the me-centric parts of her life. Andy asks how she’d feel if Adam was seeing other people, and it doesn’t seem like she cares a whole lot.

Andy asks Bethenny if the election was the most irritated she’s been at Carol, but she says no. Bethenny thinks we need dialogue, not badgering. Carole talks about how no one appreciated her election expertise, and Ramona says she felt like she couldn’t even talk to her. Andy asks who knows either candidate and who voted for who. Ramona says she met them both, but pleads the fifth about voting. Dorinda brings up the picture that Sonja has of her and Donald, and Sonja says she used to consult with him about hotels. Dorinda says Hillary has been to her home. Luann knows no one. Bethenny told Bill Clinton that he had spinach in his teeth at Barney’s. She also told a funny story about doing the walk of shame literally into Donald, who recognized her and decided to introduce her to whoever he was with. She said she probably still reeked of the night before’s liquor. Yep. That’s always when things like that happen. She says she didn’t like the election whatsoever or her choices, and I’m with her. Tinsley is good friends with Ivanka, but claimed that she wasn’t in the state where she was registered, and couldn’t vote. Okay. It sounded like she didn’t really care, saying it wasn’t her thing, almost giving Carole apoplexy. I hate that. Yes, it’s your right to vote, but then shouldn’t it also be your right not to vote? Just sayin’.  Oddly enough, this political discussion is one of the few times no one argued.

Sonja juggling Frenchie and Rocco is brought to the table, and we flash back to both of them. I love Sonja saying that she’s between a Rocco and a hard place, and we see how Frenchie moved in. Andy asks what the status is. She’d originally thought of Frenchie for Tinsley, but he had eyes for her, and they’re still seeing each other. Carole heard he was “cast” as Sonja’s boyfriend. Sonja is like, what? and says he was staying with her all the time anyway, so she suggested he live with her when he’s not in France. She likes getting it. Thanks for the visual. She says they went to Paris when they finished filming, and she met his parents. Dorinda thinks it’s a mistake to have someone move in so quickly. Andy asks how Rocco feels, and Dorinda says they’re good friends. Why is she suddenly answering for Sonja? Bethenny thinks it’s genius, and Sonja says the long game wins. She wants someone who’s really there for her, and says Rocco is a good person. She’s not giving him up, and they’ll see. She thinks Frenchie might eventually want children even though he says he’d give it up to marry her. She wants someone to grow old with, and thinks someone like Rocco would fulfill that need. Bethenny thinks she should give him the old bang down one-two and check it out, since Sonja has never slept with him.

Bethenny’s divorce is the next topic. We flash back to suckerfish Jason Hoppy making her life a living hell, even after the divorce was finalized. What a creep that guy is. Andy asks what’s the latest on her love life, and Bethenny says she’s with Dennis. She says things needed to be dealt with, and she’s in a better place to make a sane decision. She says she has a difficult time letting people get close, but she had ended the relationship due to the circumstances of their divorces. She says she’s freer and happier now, and Dennis has dealt with his own issues. A viewer says she should consider I gotta go as her next tagline, and we flash back to her jetting early from events. She says she mostly removed herself from arguments, and if she doesn’t like how someone is speaking to her, she’s gotta go. Andy brings up suckerfish Jason’s latest stalking charges, and Ramona reminds Bethenny about how she’ll never be rid of this slimebucket because they have a child together. Bethenny flat-out doesn’t want to discuss it with her. She says it’s been a negative, inexplicable situation that’s hopefully getting better now. Andy milks the topic some more, and Bethenny says it cost her $3 million in legal fees. He asks about Brynn, and Bethenny says she doesn’t understand at her age. She’s isolated in her life and happy. Carole adds that Bethenny has never said anything negative about Jason to her daughter, unlike the crap Jason has pulled on her. Bethenny says by the time Brynn is old enough to be aware, a new story will have eclipsed hers. She doubts she’ll be relevant by the time Brynn is googling things. Carole says by then she’ll have a sense of the dynamic. Bethenny says life isn’t fairytales and rainbows.

Andy brings up Bethenny talking to her mother for the first time in years, and if she’s had contact. Bethenny says that her mother talking to the press was the problem in the first place, and when she was getting ready to visit Florida, her mother told a magazine negative things. Andy wonders if stress affects how Bethenny interacts with others, because he’s the king of idiotic queries. Bethenny says they can’t imagine the torment this has been, and if she lets it out, she’ll break down. Ramona talks about Mario trying to force his way into her life when they’d started filming after the divorce, and how awful it was. Carole says she saw how Jason interfered with Bethenny’s relationships, and Bethenny didn’t even realize how the emotions wreaked havoc in her life. Bethenny says it’s impossible to explain and it’s torture. She starts to cry, and Andy asks if the ladies knew what was going on. LuAnn says only from the papers. Carole says he’s obsessed with her, and LuAnn wonders where his anger is coming from. My guess is from that sleazebag suckerfish losing his meal ticket and not being able to face reality. Andy asks if LuAnn understands Bethenny’s breakdown in the Berkshires now, but LuAnn says she understood it then. Andy asks if there’s a resolution, and Bethenny says any resolution is court mandated. She has faith that somehow, she’ll have a normal, free life, but it won’t happen unless there’s zero contact. Ramona talks about how important it is to teach their daughters independence, and it’s the first rational thing that’s come out of her mouth in maybe ever. Dorinda says you need to have options, and you can’t afford to lose them financially or emotionally. Bethenny says it’s important not to have a man be your identity. Andy asks when Bethenny is at her happiest, and she says being with her daughter and doing simple things. She thanks everyone for being respectful, and says that was fun.

Next time, the reunion concludes, Ramona is front and center, and Tinsley argues with Sonja.

🍄 I missed the first hour of the two-hour MasterChef, but caught the second half. There was a chicken and potato challenge with teams of two – there are ten cooks remaining. Dino and Jeff knocked it out of the park, and I thought Christina was going to leap across the stage and grab the chicken out of Aaron’s hand. Caitlin and Adam tried some kind of Japanese fusion thing without tasting all of the elements together, and it was a bust. Gordon said they had brilliant moments, but this wasn’t one of them, and most of his critique was bleeped out. Eboni and Cate were the winners and their recipe will be in Family Circle magazine. Cool! Yachecia escaped a third pressure test, and Adam and Caitlin ended up on the chipping block after Gordon played with them, at first acting like they were safe. It was mean, but I laughed. They had to replicate Gordon’s signature chicken dish, Chicken Supreme. Adam’s chicken was raw. The cardinal sin of cooking. Gordon rubbed it in by saying it’s the best dish he’s cooked in the competition – other than the chicken being raw. You’ll never have to worry about raw chicken with me, since I cook the crap out of it.  Adam cried, Caitlin cried, the balcony cried. Christina tried to make him feel better by talking to him about the rest of the dish, and how fabulous it was, acting like Gordon didn’t just go, oh dear, a million times. I’m no expert, but even I knew what a grievous error this was. Although there was a group of girls in my Home Ec class who failed to get Jell-O to set overnight, which might top that. Gordon said the big loser knew who they were, and Adam took his apron off. For a moment, he hesitated, and I thought we might all have to stay in for recess. Next time, there’s a tag team challenge, and everyone, including the judges, looks like they have a headache.

🐓 I checked out Jax and Brittany Take Kentucky. The look on LVP’s face when Jax told her that he’s working on the farm made it worth watching, but not much else. She suggested he was good at stirring the sh*t, but didn’t know about him shoveling it. It was okay. Since this is just a filler until the next season of Vanderpump Rules, I didn’t take it too seriously. I was a little disturbed that Jax told Brittany’s mother and grandmother that he was going to marry her, after he sought out contraband liquid courage to do it. They seemed thrilled, although I’m not sure why, but what bothered me was my immediate reaction that this might be Jax’s way of trying to stay relevant within the Bravo franchise. Could a wedding spin-off be far behind? Bleh.

💃 Odd Mom Out continues to be entertaining. And you don’t have to be a mom, or the odd one out, to enjoy it. Like Seinfeld, if you’re a New Yorker, the jokes are funnier, but you don’t have to be one to laugh.

Kentucky