What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

At Charlie’s, Brando and Sasha look at their phones. He says, what about a place with its own dock? and she says she likes the sound of that. He says, they’re not imagining things, right? and she says she keeps pinching herself about how well Deception’s stock did with the IPO. He says she’s a very wealthy woman, and she says, what’s hers is his. They’re a team, which means they can live in the home of their dreams. He asks what she’s dreaming about, when Sonny comes by and says, there’s the happy couple. He and Brando shake hands, and Brando asks if Dante decked Sonny after he left. Sonny says, not Dante, but it’s not important. He just wants to congratulate Sasha on her marriage to his cousin, and say, welcome home. Phyllis comes out, and Sonny asks if she knows Brando and Sasha. She says, they’ve been to the pub a few times. Her staff appreciates the large tips they leave. Sonny says, Brando’s his cousin, and he and Sasha just got married, and Phyllis congratulates them. She tells them that their drinks are on the house. It’s always nice to see such a happy couple. Brando thanks her, and says, they appreciate it. Sasha says, they do, and Phyllis says, she heard they lost their son. They have her sincere condolences.

Dante and Sam walk into the MetroCourt, and Sam asks, why the change of venue? Pizza would have been fine. He says, it would have, but he wanted to do something special. Does she want to get a drink at the bar? She asks, why something special? and he says she asks a lot of questions. She says, that’s the detective in her, and he says he guesses neither one of them can hide anything. It’s the thing that makes them work. She says, one of the things, and kisses him.

At one of the tables, Nina sits with Britt, Scotty and Obrecht, and says she wishes Britt could have joined her at the spa for some pampering. Britt says she was working, and Obrecht says, she works too much. She needs to get out more. Britt declares tonight a rant-free zone. Let’s just enjoy our dinner. Scotty says, good, because he’s starving, and Obrecht says, it’s so nice to have a family dinner like this. It’s unfortunate Maxie couldn’t join them. At least two of her precious girls are with her. Scotty says, if they want a girls night out, he can just lickety split, but Obrecht says, he’s part of the family too. He’s not going anywhere. They kiss, and Ava runs over to the table. She says she’s glad she found Scotty. She needs him.

Cameron and Josslyn are studying at Cameron’s house, when Josslyn makes a frustrated sound. He says, she can’t concentrate? and she says she keeps thinking about that call with her RA. He says, they’re just looking out for her, and she says, asking if she feels safe rooming with Trina. Trina’s her best friend, and she did not secretly record them, and she did not post it. They should be more worried about Esme. He says, they have to find evidence that links her to the recording, so then Trina can accept all the apologies from everyone who’s been blaming her. Josslyn says, that does nothing to lessen the pain Trina’s been feeling.

Spencer goes into the gallery, calling for Ava, and sees Trina. He asks what she’s doing here, and she says, surprised to see that she still has a job? Unlike him, Ava knows she didn’t make that video of Joss and Cam, so here she is. He says, that’s not what he meant. He just didn’t know she’d be working tonight. He’s here to see Ava. She says she heard him asking for her, but Ava’s not here, so he can go. She starts to go back to her work, but he doesn’t move. She asks what he’s waiting for, and he says, her.

Cameron says he can see if Aiden has any award winning cookies left, and Josslyn says, award winning? He says, Aiden won a contest promoting National Carrot Day, and she says, National Carrot Day? He says, it’s a thing. Aiden won it by baking carrot ginger cookies. She says, it sounds weird, and he says he knows, but they were oddly delicious. Did she see his post about it? She says, no, and he says he’s sorry. He forgot she deleted social media. She says, that’s okay. She deleted all of her accounts; too many accounts just to block. The trolls were out in full force. He says, the internet will find something else to fixate on very soon, and she says, until Trina’s trial starts up again. Then the whole thing blows up. She can’t believe she’s saying those words – Trina’s trial. It’s insane that she’s been arrested. He says, she’d never do anything so hurtful, and Josslyn says, it has to be Esme. No doubt she’s confident that she’s pulled this off and covered her tracks, but she is not that smart. There has to be evidence tying her to the video. He says, they have to find it before it’s too late.

Esme comes into the living room, where Nikolas is watching the fire, and asks if Alexis left. He says, she did, and Esme says, Alexis doesn’t want her here, does she? He says, all that matters is what he wants (spoken like a true Cassadine), and he wants her to stay. She thanks him, and says, her hope is that she can help him and Spence heal their relationship. He says, they’re making progress, doesn’t she think? but she says she doesn’t think, she knows. Not that she’s surprised. The more time she spends with Nikolas, the more she realizes what a great father he is.

Sam and Dante clink beer glasses at the bar, and Sam asks what they’re really doing here. Not that she minds having the best night ever. He says, it was just a really tough day at work, and when he saw her, he remembered how lucky he is to have her in his life. He just wanted her to know that. She says, believe her, she knows that, and they kiss.

Ava says she’s sorry to interrupt, but she needs to borrow Scotty; just for a couple of moments. It’s important. Obrecht says, Ava is too late; Scotty is hers. Scotty says, that’s okay, my schnitzel. He’ll be quick. He steps away with Ava, and Obrecht says, it’s so wonderful to finally have found her soulmate. Nina and Britt are long overdue. At least Nina has someone… Nina makes a noise, and Obrecht says, that leaves her Britta. Any news from the matchmaker? Nina says, matchmaker?

Scotty asks if this is about Ava divorcing Nikolas again. He thought she was going to give Nikolas more than 24 hours. She says, this is about his son, and he asks what Spencer has to do with this. She says she doesn’t want Spencer at the gallery, so she’d like for Scotty to arrange for Spencer to do his restitution someplace else. Like picking up garbage or sweeping the streets; either would be good. He asks if this is about Trina, and she says, Trina has been through enough. She’s not going to let Spencer hurt Trina anymore.

Trina asks why Spencer is waiting for her, and he says he needs to know that she’s okay. She asks what he thinks. She was arrested for something she didn’t even do. She had an arraignment hearing, which he didn’t even bother to show up… He says he didn’t think she’d want him there, and she says she didn’t. And how could he possibly think that would be even close to okay? He says, sorry, poor word choice, and she says she guesses that would really affect someone who was vicious enough to post a sex tape, but despite what he thinks, that person wasn’t her. He tells her, stop.

Sasha tells Phyllis that she and Brando are planning a long life together. They’re looking for their first home. Sonny says, if they need any help, just ask. Since Deception did so well in the IPO, they’re not going to have any problems. He’s a happy investor himself. Good luck with their house hunting. He and Phyllis go to the bar, and he says, Phyllis feels bad for Brando and Sasha, doesn’t she? She says, mm-hm. You never get over losing a child, but at least Sasha and Brando have each other. They can focus on building a life together. He says, they seem to be doing good. So how’s everything going with her? She says, look around. Business is booming. He says, that’s not what he asked. He’s talking more like about Port Charles; How’s life? She says she’s amazed at how quickly it’s begun to feel like home, and he says, she doesn’t miss her friends in Nixon Falls? She says she does, but when she goes back to visit, they feel more like the past. Port Charles is her present. He says, that’s good, and she asks what he’s up to. He laughs, and says, actually, he has a favor to ask her.

Scotty tells Ava, the judge would have his head if he tries to change a court order of placement over a couple of teenagers fighting. She says, this is more than a fight; he knows that. Spencer told Trina that he believes she’s behind that revenge porn video. How can she be expected to work with him? He says, unless Trina has some concerns over this thing, Spencer has no legal connection to her case, and she says, except for the fact he keeps defending the enemy.

Nina says she gathers from Obrecht that Britt hasn’t been matched with her soulmate yet, and Britt says, sadly, soulmates are few and far between. Obrecht says, only because Britt has been dragging her feet, and Britt says she filled out the ten-page questionnaire. Now it’s up to Society Set-Ups. Nina says she’s sorry, but she can’t stay for dinner. She promised Phyllis that she’d stop by and see her. She tells Britt to be sure to call her when she meets Mr. Right, and Britt says, when hell freezes over. Nina leaves, and Obrecht says, this has been more than just a few moments. Where has Ava taken mein Scott?

Dante says, his day is definitely improving, and Sam says she’s glad her plan is working. He asks, what plan was that? and she says, to destress him. Does he want to talk about it? He says, some cases are just tougher than others, and she says, Trina Robinson? The new evidence that he asked the officer to email him, any ideas? He says he doesn’t know, and suggests they get a table. They get up, and Ava comes by. She asks for a word with Dante, and he says, sure. Sam says she’ll wait, and he goes with Ava to a private area. He asks what he can do for Ava, and she says, he can stop wasting time and resources on this ridiculous case against Trina.

Spencer tells Trina that he’s sorry, and asks if they can start over. Seeing her caught him by surprise, and he’s reacting inappropriately. She says, in more ways than one, and he says, putting aside everything that’s going on right now, he’s worried about his friend. She asks how he does that, and he says, does what? She says, ignore the fact that he accused her of betraying her best friends, then humiliating them in public. Does he really think they can talk as if none of that happened? He says he supposes not, and she says, but that’s just him closing his eyes to the truth. How else could he stay with Esme after everything she’s done?

Esme says, Spencer doesn’t now how lucky he is to have Nikolas as a father, and Nikolas says he’s made a lot of mistakes with his son. She says, despite everything, she still sees their father/son bond. It might weaken, but it can’t be broken. She often wonders what kind of bond she would have had with her birth parents, had they been alive to raise her, and he asks if she has any memories of them. She says, she was an infant when she was adopted. Then she lost her adoptive parents too. It was hard growing up without a mother. He says, he and Spencer would agree with her, and she says, it’s not as though her adoptive parents left her intentionally; their deaths were unexpected, tragic. But she can’t help feeling that her birth parents just threw her away. She’ll always wonder if she’ll be worthy of their love. He says, children don’t have to earn love. Besides, she doesn’t know why she was put up for adoption. Her parents could have desperately wanted her, but it wasn’t possible to keep her. She says, like his mother couldn’t be a part of his childhood?                             

Phyllis says she’ll do anything for Sonny if it’s in her power, and he says he knows, but she’s bearing the brunt of running this place. He hopes it hasn’t burdened her in any way. She tells him, don’t worry. She’s very happy here. He says, good, because it would help him a lot if she’d take Charlie’s off his hands.

Brando asks if Sasha is okay, and she says, why wouldn’t she be? He says he knows Phyllis’s mention of Liam upset her, and she says, Phyllis was just being kind. Besides, she doesn’t need a reminder of Liam. She thinks about him all the time. Brando says, him too, and she says, it was nice of Sonny to welcome her to the family. Brando invited him to the wedding reception, right? He says, he thought she was handling that, and she says, they discussed this… He says, don’t worry. He’ll make sure Sonny knows. He looks over at the bar, and says, maybe later. It looks like he’s a little busy right now.

Phyllis says, she’d love to own Charlie’s, but she can’t afford to buy it, and Sonny says, trust him. The price would be more than reasonable. How does a hundred dollars sound? She laughs, and tells him, don’t be absurd. He says he’d give it to her for free, but then the taxes would kill her. This place should be hers; she belongs here. She asks if this is misplaced guilt about the Tan-O burning down, and he says, it wouldn’t have happened if she and Lenny hadn’t taken him in. She says, Sonny… and he says, listen to him. She gave him a home. It’s the most beautiful thing anyone could do, and how does he repay that? He smacks the bar, and says, this is a start. Understand him? Phyllis nods, and Nina walks in.

Dante says he doesn’t know if Ava knows this, but he’s not the lead detective on Trina’s case. She says, he could still be the voice of reason, right? The Commissioner has lost her damn mind if she thanks Trina would make a sex tape of anybody, let alone her very best friends. Why haven’t the cops looked into Esme Prince? He says she knows he can’t talk about an ongoing investigation, and she says she’s so sick of the party line. He says, how about this one? They’re following the evidence. She suggests he follow the evidence that leads to Esme’s guilt, before Trina ends up in prison. She leaves, and Dante goes back to Sam, who says, sorry she left him without any back-up. He says, she kind of did, but really, they shouldn’t both have to deal with it. Sam says, she was out of line, and Dante says, yeah, but she was also right.

Obrecht says she hopes Scotty billed Ava for his time, but he says, as a lawyer, it’s never nine to five. He’s always got to be on call for his clients, especially the ones who pay so well. She says she finds his work ethic strangely sexy, and kisses him. Britt rolls her eyes, and says, gross.

Nikolas tells Esme, true. He didn’t meet his mother until he was a teenager. She says, Spence told her about it. She has to admit, it’s nice to talk to someone else who had a lonely childhood. He asks if she didn’t have adoptive brothers and sisters, and she says she did, but they were never close. After her adoptive parents died, the only one who cared about her was Nanny Maggie. Nikolas says, that’s someone, and asks if  they’re still in touch. She says, when she was sent away to boarding school, Maggie found another job, and they lost touch. He says, so Spencer never met her, and she says she’s afraid not, but they really would have liked one another. And Maggie would have liked the fact Esme found someone who really loved her, however briefly.

Spencer says, his situation with Esme is complicated, and Trina says, it was complicated when Spencer thought Esme was pregnant. Ava told her it was a false alarm. Congratulations on dodging another bullet, but he still thinks she’s guilty. She starts to walk away, and he says, she was drunk at the cabin, and she said she didn’t even know what happened. She says, she didn’t walk around with a burner phone in case she got mad at her friends and decided to tape them having sex. And then send out an email while they’re in the middle of class. In case he forgot, she was with him when they got the video. When he was at his mother’s grave. When he decided once again that the rules didn’t apply to him. When he decided to sneak out of prison. She lied to the Commissioner to cover for him. He asks if she’s told her lawyer that he’s her alibi.

Josslyn says she might as well be watching cat videos, and Cameron suggests they take a break. She asks what he has in mind, and he kisses her. She breaks away, and asks if he heard that. Someone’s here.

Nina goes over to Brando and Sasha’s table, and asks if they’re recovering from their exciting day. Sasha says, they’re trying to, and Nina says, it’s no small thing to take a company public. Brando says, his wife is an amazing woman, and Nina agrees. She asks if she’s complimented Sasha on her speech at the launch party, but Sasha says her speech wasn’t that great. Nina tells her, stop being so modest.

Phyllis says, Sonny does realize he’s physically giving her Charlie’s. The place is worth a lot of money. She doesn’t feel right accepting; she’s fine as manager. Nina joins them, and Phyllis says, help her out. Talk some sense into Sonny. He wants to give her Charlie’s. Sonny says he’s selling it to her for a hundred bucks, and Phyllis says, which is ludicrous. Nina says she thinks it’s a wonderful idea, and asks Phyllis to please tell her that she’ll accept Sonny’s offer.

Sam says she knew Dante didn’t think Trina should be charged, but he says, it doesn’t matter what he thinks. He can’t let his feelings get in the way; that’s the job. She says, his job is to serve justice, and he says, the problem with that is, sometimes the law and justice aren’t the same thing. That’s the tough part about being a cop. She says, a good cop, and he says he promises her, he’ll do everything in his power to make sure the right person is punished.

Scotty asks if Nina left, and Britt says, a while ago. He says he guesses he only has eyes for Obrecht, and Britt drains her glass. She says she’s going to get another drink. Does anyone want a refill? Scotty says, sure, and Obrecht suggests Britt flag down a waitress, but Britt is already gone.

Cameron tells Josslyn, he checked underneath every bed and checked in every closet. No one is in this house. He even checked the alarm; it’s still set. She says she must be losing her mind, hearing things that aren’t even there. He tells her not to beat herself up. That kiss just now… Was he moving too fast? She says she wanted him to kiss her. She wants them to be close in that way again. She just feels so exposed. She does feel safe around him, and she’s not going to let a horrible video get in between them. He says, it won’t, and his phone rings. He looks at it, and asks, why is she calling?

Phyllis says, they’re teaming up against her? and Nina says, selfishly, she wants Phyllis to take Sonny’s offer, because it means she’s agreeing to stay in Port Charles. Phyllis says, Sonny doesn’t have to give her this place to get her to stay, and Sonny says he doesn’t have to do anything. He just wants to give Phyllis what’s hers. Nina says, she deserves it, and Sonny asks if she’ll do it for him. Please?

Sasha says she knows she and Brando talked about a house, but do they really want property to maintain? Maybe they should think about a condo. He says, up until now, he’s only thought as far as them living together. He never imagined that… She says, that it would happen this soon? and he says, no, that money wouldn’t be an issue. Where did that come from? She says, they did get married in a hurry, and he says, when you know something’s right, you don’t waste time thinking about it. She says, is he sure that’s it, or did she push him into this? Did they only get married because she wanted to?

Ava goes home to Windymere, and says, Nikolas looks thoughtful. Anything he’d care to share? He says he was waiting for her. He was wondering if she was going to come home. She says, of course (🍷). This is her house. She’s not going to let Esme chase her out of it. Where is that little snake anyway? Has she slithered off somewhere other than Windymere? He says he hates to disappoint her, but Esme’s still here. They had an interesting conversation about her childhood. Ava asks what heart-rending tale of woe Esme spun, or better question, how much of it did he buy? He says he pretended to buy all of it, and she asks if that’s his strategy. Be a sympathetic ear so Esme will open up to him? He says, the more they know about her, the better, and Ava says she already knows more than she cares to know. He suggests they talk about something more pleasant. Why doesn’t he make her a drink? She says, no thank you. She’s going to bed. He takes her arm, and says, sounds good. He’ll join her.

Trina says, her alibi hasn’t come up yet, and he thanks her for not ratting him out, but she tells him, don’t relax yet. She’ll tell Scotty everything if that means she wins the case. She’s not going to prison for him. He says he doesn’t expect her to, and she asks if he’s changed his mind about her. Can he see that she’s telling the truth? He says, it’s hard to believe that she’d do that to Joss and Cam, and she says, so he believes Esme did it? He tells her, he didn’t say that, and she says, then who? Him? Because he was the only other person that was in the cabin. He says, it wasn’t him, and she asks, then what’s his theory? Some random hiker broke in without her, Joss, or Cam hearing anything? Without any sign of a break-in? Or maybe it was a Sasquatch. How far is he going to go to defend Esme? He says he’s not defending Esme. He’s doing this for Trina. Esme set her up. Trina asks, then why is he still with her? and he says he’s only pretending to stand by Esme until she slips up. Until he has evidence that she’s the one who filmed and posted that video of Joss and Cam. That she’s the one who’s guilty, and not Trina. She says, so him saying he believed Esme was just a pretense to trap her? and he says, that’s why he suggested she move into Windymere. She thinks it’s so she’ll stay safe from his Uncle Sonny, but really it’s so he can watch her and try to get evidence that she’s the one behind the video. Trina says, he’s doing this to help her. Why? He says, because he’s falling in love with her. He’s about to kiss her, and she says, what, Spencer? Esme got his tongue? Is he going to keep denying what’s right in front of his face? I assume that was his fantasy, not Trina’s.

On the phone, Cameron says, okay. Thank you for calling and telling me yourself. Josslyn asks what the director of Lila’s Kids wanted, and he says he can’t work at the daycare this summer. She says, he was going to be head counselor; he was so excited. He says he can’t be in charge of the kids with the tape still out there, and she says, this is so unfair. They did nothing wrong. It’s not their fault Esme recorded them and posted something. He says, still, damage is done, and she says, they were campers at Lila’s Kids; this is not fair. He says, no, it’s not, but the director’s not to blame; no one is. Josslyn says, Esme is. She’s going to get everything she wanted.

Esme opens a box, and takes out a stack of letters. She takes one out, and reads: Dear Esme, I was surprised to get your letter saying you’re going to the United States with Spencer. I hope he brings you all the happiness you deserve, but I have to ask if being in New York is wise. No good can come from any contact with your father. Please be careful. Love, Maggie.

Ava says she hopes Nikolas had the housekeeper make a up a guest bedroom for him, because she has no intention of moving out of the master suite, and she certainly has no intention of sharing a room with him. He tells her, we say a lot of things when we’re angry, and she asks if he thinks she didn’t mean it. He says he thinks they’re both passionate, volatile people. He thinks they both live in the moment, and they both say what’s on their minds. Which is why they’re so good together. She says, this isn’t foreplay. As long as Esme remains in this house, he’s going to need a lot of blankets, because his bed is going to be very cold. He says, even after the vow renewal ceremony? but she says, there isn’t going to be one.

Britt looks at her phone, and the email says, congratulations; she has 8 possible matches. She scrolls, and thinks, duck pin bowling? It’s competitive? Is this a man or a twelve year old? Next… Hmm, not bad… She likes that too… She laughs, and thinks, and has a sense of humor. Could it be?

Dante’s phone dings, and Sam doesn’t see him anywhere around, so she takes it out of his jacket pocket. She reads, one new email from Rory, and sees it’s regarding the forensics report Dante requested.

Phyllis says, they act like she’s doing them a favor, and Sonny says, she is. Phyllis asks if Nina knew about this, and Nina says, they just want to make her happy, because when she’s happy, they’re happy. Phyllis thanks Sonny for his very generous offer… She accepts. Nina hugs her, and Sonny says, thank you. Phyllis says, before the finalize the paperwork, she’s got to drop off a deposit in the night box. Sonny asks if Rolph doesn’t walk her to the bank, but she says, he had to leave early. Sonny says, she’s not walking alone to the bank, and calls Frank over. He asks Frank to walk Phyllis to the bank, and make sure nothing happens to her. Phyllis follows Frank out, and Sonny tells Nina that Scotty came to see him at Pozzulo’s. Scotty’s going to subpoena him to be a character witness for Nina at the visitation hearing. Nina says, there’s not going to be a subpoena. She’s going to talk to Scotty, and if there’s a subpoena, she’ll fire him. Sonny says, they’ll see how it goes. He asks if she wants a drink. On the house since she helped him convince Phyllis to take over the pub. She says she’s good, and it was lovely of him to do that.

Brando says, he married Sasha because he loves her. He wanted to make that commitment to be her husband. She says, and not just to make her happy? He says, her happiness is a priority to him for the rest of their lives, and she’d better get used to it. He’d do anything for her. He married her for them. They kiss.

Obrecht calls Dante over to the table, and he sighs loudly. He asks, what is it? and she says she demands he arrest Sonny Corinthos this instant. Dante says, what for? and she says, for threatening her beloved Scotty. Dante says, her beloved Scotty can go down to the station and file a complaint all by himself. Britt comes back to the table, and Scotty tells Dante, there’s no need to make it official. He’s just telling Dante, off the record, since Carly left Sonny, Dante just needs to corral his father.

Sam puts in Rocco as a passcode into Dante’s phone, and says, good thing she knows him.

Cameron asks what time Josslyn told her mom that she’d be home, and she says she’ll text and tell her mom not to worry. He says he thinks she should go; he’s not the best company right now. She says he doesn’t have to entertain her. She just wants to be with him. He says he wants to be with her too, but he has a history test tomorrow, and… She says, and he needs his beauty sleep. He promises to make it up to her, and she says she hates everything that’s happened. They need to prove that Esme’s responsible. He says, they will, and she kisses and hugs him.

Spencer says he wishes this wasn’t happening to Trina, but she can’t blame Esme for everything that goes wrong in her life. She tells him, get out, and pushes him, saying, get the hell out. He leaves, but pauses for a moment in the hallway.

Nikolas says, Ava wants to postpone the vow renewal? Can’t they work through this? She says, this is more than just a lover’s spat. The way she feels right now, any vow Nikolas made to her would be meaningless. She walks out.

Sam reads Rory’s email. Rory writes that it’s the Robinson forensics report Dante requested, and to let him know if Dante has any trouble opening it. Dante comes up behind Sam and asks what she’s doing.

Obrecht tells Britt that she’s sorry Scotty had to leave. His law practice keeps him so busy. Britt says she thought maybe he was running away from Dante, and Obrecht says, her Scotty runs away from nothing. Britt says, of course (🍷) not, and Obrecht says she’s sorry she and Scotty made Britt feel left out. Britt tells her, don’t lose sleep over it. She’s just glad Obrecht found love. Obrecht says, it’s a wonderful feeling. One she wants Britt to experience as well. She paid a fortune to that matchmaker. What’s taking them so long to find the intelligent and handsome man Britt deserves? Britt says, actually, she received some possible matches earlier, and Obrecht gets all excited, saying, really? She did? Britt says she’s still going through their profiles, and Obrecht says, perhaps she should go through them for Britt. A second set of eyes is always useful. Britt hands Obrecht her phone, says, knock yourself out, mutter, and leaves. Obrecht looks at the phone, and runs after Britt.

Brando asks Sonny to thank Phyllis for the drinks, and Sonny tells him and Sasha to have a good one. They leave, and Nina asks if it’s okay if she hangs around until Phyllis gets back. They haven’t really had a chance to connect. Sonny says, yeah, he’s going to stay there anyway, and wait for Frank and Phyllis to get back. Nina says she’ll lock up, but as she gets to the door, two masked gunman bust in, and say, don’t do anything stupid and you might live through this.

Tomorrow, Chase feels terrible that he let Brook down; Dante isn’t sure if he can trust Sam; and Sonny says, they can turn around and go, and this will all be over.

The Real Housewives of Orange County

Still inflicting themselves on Aspen, Shannon told Heather that the others were still up at 4 am when she got up to get water. Heather said she was going into town, and would meet Shannon to go shopping. Shannon asked if Gina was coming, and we flashed back to the night before when Gina was pretty drunk. Gina told Emily that she should have listened to her gut, and in Gina’s interview, she said, yesterday after seeing the mine, they went on the ghost tour and she learned about tommyknockers. We saw a clip of the guide explaining these ghosts and how to placate them (see below), and Gina told Emily that she was going back to the mine and bringing a gift to fix this whole thing. In her interview, Gina said, it wasn’t her; it was the demons. They asked Landon and Chef Leigh to make up a basket for them with things like liquor and chocolate. In Emily’s interview, she said Gina didn’t want to take responsibility for being out of control, and was blaming it on evil spirits. Gina told Shannon what they were doing, and when she and Emily left, Landon said they were from Aspen, and never heard of such a thing. Apparently, it is a thing though.

Noella called Nancy, who said it was all good on her end, and Noella said there was mean girl bullsh*t going on, and it didn’t feel good. We flashed back to her argument with Heather, and in Noella’s interview, she said she had enough going on. She wasn’t adding Heather’s negative bullsh*t to it. She was taking time out. Nancy said, if they couldn’t be nice knowing Noella’s father just died, forget them. Emily and Gina went back to the mine, and Gina placed the basket several feet inside, and said they were sorry. She did not give them permission to take up residency inside her or her soul. She wished them well and said she was sorry again. When they left, she told Emily that she felt good about it, and in Emily’s interview, she said, as an attorney, she liked contracts. If Gina wanted to have one with the tommyknockers, she was all for it. Let’s make this legal.

Noella met with wellness coach Betty, and told Betty that she’d just lost her father. Betty said the minerals from the mine held energy. Everything had a different frequency vibrations. The more they were grounded, the more they connected with everything. On the way back from the mine, Emily said, Gina had to work things out with Shannon, and Gina admitted she might have taken some things out on Shannon. In Gina’s interview, she said she’d known Shannon for five years, but Shannon had yet to treat her like an equal. Shannon had known Noella for five minutes, and now could say she was the one helping her. All Shannon was concerned with in regard to friendships was getting praise. Emily said Gina and Shannon needed to sit down and have a real conversation; work it out. Gina said Shannon made her a worse version of herself. They went to the shopping area in town, and saw a giant bear statue. With Shannon’s face superimposed over it, Gina told bear Shannon to stop calling her arrogant. Bear Shannon should be sticking up for her and being a good friend.

Betty said she was getting to Noella’s root chakras. May Noella feel grounded in every step, and know her place in this earth. In Noella’s interview, she said she’d shed lot of dead weight in Aspen, but she was still in the mourning process. Betty said, may Noella have the ability to create and digest emotion and external influence, to know what’s hers and what’s others. In her interview, Noella said she was on the path to healing. Jen and Heather headed for some shopping, and Heather talked about the sky getting pink before it snowed. They met up with Gina and Emily, and Gina said she was upset about the sh*t with Shannon. Emily said she thought Gina was hurt that Shannon cared more about Noella, when she didn’t get the same thing from Shannon. Gina said it bothered her, and Shannon walked in. Gina asked if they could talk privately, and told Shannon that last night wasn’t indicative of who she was. She was lashing out, and not addressing issues she had with Shannon telling people she was arrogant. Shannon said Gina had overcome a lot of obstacles, and was launching her business. It was amazing, but there was a line between confidence and arrogance. Gina had made certain comments that were on the mean side, like asking if Shannon even had any friends. Gina said, Shannon was the one who said she had no friends. The others completely ignored them, and focused on looking for expensive accessories, and Heather picking out a leather jacket. Shannon said, Gina didn’t own what she did, and Gina said she was never included when Shannon talked about her core friend group; it hurt her feelings. Shannon said she’d done things for Gina that she hadn’t done for anyone else, and she never said she had no friends. How dare Gina? When Gina was single, she invited Gina out with her friends all the time, and now she suddenly had no friends? The overall theme was, Gina hadn’t made the effort, and never reached out to her. Gina said she was trying more with Shannon than anyone else. In Heather’s interview, she said she was glad they were getting it out, but she figured the more they purchased, the less irritated the staff would be by the yelling and the spectacle. Gina said Shannon wasn’t answering her texts, yet said she was the one not making an effort. Shannon said she didn’t respond to one text because she was stressing out getting a lunch ready, and in Shannon’s interview, she said she wasn’t a punching bag. She was doing the best she could, and thought she did a decent job of being a friend. Gina got out her phone, and pointed out two texts Shannon hadn’t responded to. In her interview, Shannon said, big evidence. Two times. Shannon said she didn’t know as Gina wanted to get along with her, and Emily said she thought Gina was hurt by Shannon being so invested in Noella and her well-being, when the same effort wasn’t put into Gina. Shannon said, when Gina was going through a hard time, she couldn’t be there because a nasty divorce had consumed her. When she met Noella met, she wanted to be supportive. When bad things happened, she wanted to be there for someone. Gina said she didn’t feel like Shannon wanted to be her friend, and Shannon said she felt horrible that Gina felt that way. She didn’t want to fight. They hugged it out, and Shannon said she cared about Gina, and was sorry for anything done to hurt her. It was the last thing she wanted to do. In her interview, Gina said she hoped her friendship with Shannon was never the same after this, but it was better. It was like remodeling. You had to tear everything down and start over.  

There was a big to-do about Shannon having a splinter, and when that was over with, Noella told Shannon that she thought it was time for her to take her rings off. She asked Shannon to do it with her, and Shannon asked if she was sure. In Noella’s interview, she said she knew what it signified, and Shannon was a great friend. She told Shannon that there was so much unknown, and Shannon said, God had a plan. This wasn’t the right relationship for Noella, but she had a beautiful son. She’d look back later, and thank God this happened, or she wouldn’t be where she was today. It was a bit of a struggle to get the rings off, but eventually, it happened, and Noella said, they put up a good fight. They left for dinner, and in Emily’s interview, she said she had high hopes for their last night in Aspen. She thought it was important to focus on rebuilding and creating cohesion, not tearing each other down.

They went to the French Alpine Bistro, which confused me by playing German music. In Heather’s interview, she wondered how she was seated across from Noella. Noella told the sommelier about how she was going through a divorce, and when she was angry, ordered expensive wine. In her interview, Heather asked, what vintage do you suggest for misery? Shannon said she was excited for her Rack and Roll party. She wanted them to embrace the theme, and channel their inner rock stars. In Shannon’s interview, she said she made a great rib and liked rock and roll. They toasted to rock and roll, and Emily asked them to tell something they’d learned about someone that they didn’t know before. Shannon said Noella had taken off her rings, which meant she was ready to move on. Noella said she came to mourn the death of her father and her marriage, and wanted to go back to the OC fresh. Heather said she enjoyed seeing how Emily prioritized her life based on her kids, and Emily said it was the best compliment she could ever get. Noella said, it was the hardest job in the world, and gave everyone compliments. She said she was happy to have Heather in her friendzone, and in Heather’s interview, she said, if Noella wants to be friends with her, don’t lie about her. In Noella’s interview, she said, if the only way to have a good night was to kiss Heather’s ass – the waiter came over to their table and said a regular wanted to buy them a round of shots – now can they please have fun? There was drinking and dancing, and in Emily’s interview, she said, at the end of the day, they were moving forward, and that’s what it was all about. They toasted to Aspen.  

Mr. Puppers! Noella told friend Keni that she just wanted to be in a new house and rebuild. Keni said she knew Noella would manifest her perfect home. Emily was preparing to do the wedding photo thing, and invited Gina to come. They drank champagne as Emily got her makeup done, and in Emily’s interview, she said, it wasn’t a vow renewal or a wedding – we flashed back to her saying how they got married on the fly and had no photos – but it was a celebration of their marriage, their love, and how far they’d come. Gina said she could tell when Emily and Shane were having a rough time, and we flashed back to that. Gina told Emily, it was nice to know that they’d done the work. They deserved to celebrate. Emily was zipped into her gown, and put on some very expensive borrowed jewelry. Shane and the boys waited at the bottom of the outside staircase, and Annabelle joined them, everybody all dressed up. Emily came down the stairs to Canon in D Major, otherwise known as the main theme from Ordinary People. In her interview, she said, for her to walk down and see her husband and three children was huge for her. She never thought it could be possible. Everything she wanted in life came true. It was like a fairytale. Shane said she was missing something, and opened a jewelry box, showing her an engagement ring. She said, are you serious? and he said, no, closing the box, but then put it on her finger. In Emily’s interview, she said, Shane didn’t really propose, and we flashed back to her telling the women that it happened over Google chat. She said, there had been no engagement ring, and although Shane had given her a wedding ring, she hadn’t found it for three years. He told her it wasn’t over yet, and put a wedding ring over the engagement ring. He said, and ten years was a big deal for her. Then there was eleven, twelve, and thirteen. He added an anniversary band, and in her interview, Emily said she knew Shane had a hard façade, but this was a testament to how romantic and how he did love her. They took pictures, and Gina said they nailed it.   

Shannon got ready for her party, with core friends Dana and Lisa helping. Noella tried to figure out how to set a guitar on fire, and everyone got ready. Heather and Terry had a private kiki beforehand, and Heather said, Shannon was out of her mind. She had the idea they should form a band. She thought they’d just show up and learn a song in 30 seconds. On the flight home, Shannon told her that they were going to form a band, and she said, but Shannon had no song, no musical instruments, and Heather didn’t think anyone in the group had musical talent. What’s the plan? Shannon said she needed Heather’s help, so Heather called Richard Marx, who had a track from a song Heather and Daisy Fuentes had written. We saw clips of the different women doing their bit, and Heather told Terry that they were going to perform it at the party.  

Shannon got laced into her outfit, and everyone trickled in; Noella Hendrix, Emilectra, Gwina Stefani, Fancy Spice, and Thunder Storms. The last one to come in was Doctor Baywatch, who said she wasn’t a rocker, but was virally linked to one. They sat down for dinner, and in Shannon’s interview, she said she’d cooked the ribs all day in apple cider to point of perfection. Maybe she should put a pin in that. In Jen’s interview, she said she had a message she needed to share. Even though Ryne might hate it, the group needed to know, and he needed to hear it.

Jen tells everyone, the time before the last time they got together, she’d been in an emotional state. She didn’t show her emotions often, and thanked everybody for helping her. She usually didn’t reach out, but they lent a hand, and she was happy for the future. Shannon said she was in one of the most blessed places she’d ever been in her life, and was grateful. It was only going to get better. Everyone applauded, and in Shannon’s interview, she said, God had a plan. She had three thriving kids, and someone by her side who she was in love with. There was so much good in her life, she wasn’t focusing on anything but the positive. Heather said, her friends were a great blessing, and in her interview, she said, life was short and unpredictable. She wasn’t perfect, and had made mistakes, but she knew the people in her circle were worthy, and she was proud to call them her friends. Shannon told the women that they were taking half a shot, and then going on stage. In Noella’s interview, she said, it had been a year of change, and from that, rebirth and regrowth. As much as love was important, she thought it was better for her not to focus on sex and relationships, but give love to herself. They got onstage, and Shannon yelled, to OC Realz! the name of their band. She told the crowd that it was their first performance, and Heather thanked Richard Marx and Daisy Fuentes. The song was called Whatever I Want, and it wasn’t awful. It was better than Good As Gold, but I have the feeling there was some autotuning going on.  

This was the finale, and the text went this way. Shannon and John were buying a boat, but Gina was still not in the core friend group, which remained at four. Noella was dating a younger man who she thought was her twin flame. She’d gotten a new house, but had no sex dungeon… yet. Jen’s home was on the market. She and Ryne had separated for over a month, but were looking for a fresh start in a new house. I wondered why Mr. Puppers didn’t get an update. Emily had been in touch with her father, and thought of bringing the kids to meet him. She was still involved in fundraising for the California Innocence Project, but others said she was still guilty of stirring the pot. Gina had brought Travis on a tour of her hometown in Long Island, and they were saving up to buy a bigger house – one that could hold her overinflated ego. Heather and Terry celebrated the 25^th anniversary of their first date, and were planning a party for the twins’ graduation. Sushi would not be served.   

Next time, the Reunion.

👻 About Those Ghosts…

A bit more complex than what the tour guide said, but that was the gist of it, despite Landon’s skepticism.

🙏🏽 Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep…

Hope to see you tomorrow for some soap and a flip of the coin. Until then, stay safe, stay humanitarian, and stay knowing that sometimes relationships are like remodeling. You have to tear everything down and start over.