Category Archives: Holidays

December 7, 2020 – Franco Makes a Decision, Shane Sleeps In One Time Too Many & This One

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Oops, I did it again, missed the beginning. Here’s the skinny. Franco paced his hospital room, hearing Peter say, you have no choice, in his head. Chase went to the Quartermaine mansion and found Willow. She told him that he’d spoken his mind, and now it was her turn. Violet showed Finn a picture she’d made of the entire family, including Roxie, and went upstairs to get ready for bed. Peter and Maxie went to the bistro, and talked about the bombing. Peter said he had a meeting with Dante, and Maxie said she couldn’t hear Dante’s name without thinking about Lulu. She told Peter that she’d never made a big decision without Lulu’s input. Meanwhile, Dante sat at the MetroCourt bar, looking at a picture of Lulu, when Valentin sat down. And that’s where I came in.

Elizabeth asks why Franco thinks he’s ready to get out of bed. He’s recovering from neurosurgery. He says he thinks he needs to talk to a shrink. He’s hearing a voice. She asks, what kind of voice? and he says it just started after the last surgery. She asks what the voice is saying, and he tells her, you have no choice. She says, in what? but he has no idea. She asks if he recognizes the voice, and he says, that’s the even weirder part. The voice inside his head is Peter.

Maxie tells Peter, remember when she said how precious life is? Anna had almost lost Finn, and she might not speak to her best friend again. He stops her, saying they have to stay positive that Lulu will make a full recovery and come back to them. She says she is, but she doesn’t want to wait to get married. She wants to marry as soon as possible. They’re on the same page, right? Is that what he wants too?

Finn tells Anna that she thinks Violet included everyone in her Port Charles family, and she asks where Violet’s grandfather is. He says she can’t blame Violet for not including him; she hasn’t met him. Anna says, exactly. She was wondering when Violet was going to meet him, since he’s there in Port Charles. He says, she’s not letting this go, and she asks if he’s met her. He says he’s beginning to regret it, and she says whatever issues he and his father have, shouldn’t prevent Violet from the right to meet her grandfather. He supposes he’ll have to give Gregory a call, but she says, not necessary – the doorbell rings – at all. It’s Gregory, who asks if he’s early, but she says, he’s perfect.  

Chase tells Willow, he knows it was a lot at the hospital, and she says, it was. After the initial shock wore off, she had time to wrap her brain around the fact that he’d never slept with Sasha. Part of her was relieved. It was good to know he didn’t betray her, but the longer she thought about it, the more confused and betrayed she felt. He says that’s why he didn’t tell her the truth, but she says, now it’s complicated. He says the last thing he wants is to hurt her or make things more difficult. The plan was for him to come clean after Wiley was safe and secure. She asks why he didn’t, and he says when he saw her and Michael in the park, they looked like a couple who needed and depended on each other, and he chickened out. But when she came to visit him in at the hospital when Finn was shot, he felt so close to her again, he had to tell her the truth. Then when he walked in on her and Michael, he realized he’d waited too long. Their marriage was no longer in name only.

Sasha says Michael doesn’t owe her anything, and Michael says they’ll have to agree to disagree on that one.  He asks how she is, and she says she was told that she’s lucky someone was there to rush her to the ER in time. Michael says he heard it wasn’t regular cocaine that triggered the heart attack, but it was laced with something a lot stronger that could have killed her. Sasha says he must hate her, and he says she couldn’t be more wrong. She says, that look, so kind and caring. She never thought she’d see that look again.

Franco thanks Doc for coming, and Doc says, of course (🍷) he came. Elizabeth told him that Franco is having a reaction to the surgery. Franco says he’s hearing a voice in his head, and it’s Peter. He wonders what it means, and Doc says, Peter is Faison’s son. Franco says, so? and Doc asks, what scares him most about the tumor? Franco says they’ve talked about that, and it’s not that it’s inoperable, but that he’ll somehow turn into the person he used to be. Doc says, someone like Faison. Franco asks if Doc thinks it has something to do with Peter’s father, and Doc says, it’s called projecting. Franco thinks he might become the person he used to be, and he’s projecting that fear onto someone else. Franco says, like Peter? and Doc says, possibly. They can explore that… Scotty comes in, and says, that’s enough. No more exploring, no more shrinking. His son has been through enough. He’s not letting Doc mess with Franco’s brain again.

Maxie asks what Peter thinks, and he says he’s surprised she wants to push it up. She has such a specific vision. She says she does, but between her vision and the baby, it will be a year before they can even think about it. She invited someone to help figure it out. Peter says, a wedding planner? and she says, not exactly. He says, her mom? and she says he’s getting warmer. His mom.

Gregory says, if it’s a bad time, he can go, but Finn says he should stay. There’s someone he should meet. Anna tells Finn, there’s a pot of tea and snacks in the kitchen. He asks where she’s going, and she says Maxie wanted to talk about the wedding, and Finn has a lot of catching up to do. She asks if he wants her to call Chase, but he says he doesn’t need his brother to referee. She says she didn’t think so, and tells Gregory, it was lovely to see him. She tells Finn, good luck, and leaves. Gregory says he wouldn’t mind the tea, if it’s not too much trouble. Finn says, okay, but Violet appears on the stairs, and asks, who is he?

Valentin tells Dante, he wants to do what’s best for Charlotte, and Dante says, if Valentin thinks he can use Lulu’s absence to keep Charlotte away from the family, it’s not happening. Valentin says he was hoping they could work out a schedule so Charlotte and Rocco could see each other as much as possible. What days work for Rocco? Dante spaces out, not answering, and Valentin asks if everything is all right.  

Sasha can’t believe Michael is doing this again, and asks, how many times has he been there to pick her up when she fell? He says he’s not counting. Everyone needs support at some time or another. Don’t pretend to be shatterproof glass with him. She says she knows that, and he says she seems to know a lot. She tells him, don’t believe everything he hears, and he says, in this case, he’s trusting the source – his mom. She says, Carly told him? and he says, it seems the journey that left them there, started months ago when she and Chase lied.   

Willow says she and Michael fell completely in love with Wiley, and gave him the happiest, most nurturing home. She took on the role of Wiley’s mother, and they depended on each other, like parents do, but it became more than that. She tried to explain when she and Chase met at Charlie’s; she and Michael aren’t just platonic friends.  They’re attracted to one another. She’s not saying that to hurt him, but if she deserves honesty from him, he deserves the same from her. He says he understands if she’s moved on. Maybe it’s best to just rip off the bandage. She says, it’s not that simple. When Chase confessed that it was all one big lie, that’s not all he said. He told her that he was still in love with her.

Franco tells Scotty that he asked Doc to come and help. Terry told him that the tumor could lead to a shift in his personality, and that’s bad news. Hearing Peter’s voice might be a start. Doc says, there may be a way to find out, but it’s a long shot if he’s willing to take it.

Maxie meets Anna at the bistro, and tells her that Peter had a meeting, but she wanted talk about the wedding. Anna says, right. Because of Lulu. She can imagine Maxie doesn’t want to plan right now. Take as much time as she needs. Maxie asks, what if she wants to take less time? They’ve wasted too much time already. She doesn’t want to step on Anna’s wedding plans, but she wants to move before the baby arrives. Anna says she can see that. Maxie should grasp any chance of happiness. She feels the same way after nearly losing Finn, but Maxie can’t snap her fingers and plan a wedding overnight. Maxie says, it’s asking the impossible… unless they have a double wedding.

Finn tells Violet, this is someone she might need to add to her drawings; it’s his dad. Gregory says, which means she’s his granddaughter. Violet asks if that means she gets to call him grandpa, and Gregory says he’d be honored. Finn whispers something to Violet, then says, okay. He tells Gregory, it’s the time of night when he reads Violet a story. He was thinking, since Gregory is there, he might like to read to her. Gregory says he’ll do one better; he’ll tell her a story. Would she like that? Violet gets excited, and hops up and down, saying, yes! Tell her a story. She takes Gregory’s hand, and they go into the living room. They sit down, and he says, once upon a time, there was a captain of a big pirate ship named Captain Cutlass.   

Valentin asks if Dante is feeling all right, and Dante says, yeah. He was just distracted. Valentin says, with everything going on, it’s got to be tough with Rocco, and Dante says, it must be hard for Charlotte, knowing that Lulu isn’t coming back. Valentin says, it’s hard to find the words, and Dante says he’s sure Valentin got what he wanted. Valentin asks if Dante thinks he enjoys his daughter crying for her mother every night. He and Lulu came to a truce for Charlotte’s sake. He thinks he and Dante should set aside their animosity, and let Rocco and Charlotte see each other as much as possible for their sakes. Dante suggests they stay on Lulu’s schedule. Valentin looks skeptical.

Willow says, for months it killed her to even be in the same room as Chase. All she could think of was how close they used to be, and how much they’d shared. She wanted a time machine to go back to before she’d walked in on him and Sasha, but that’s not reality. She had to face the fact of life without him. He says he wanted that too, but she’s right; they can’t do that. Sasha said it was a bad idea to tell her the truth; that it was selfish. Maybe Sasha was right, but he couldn’t let her go through life with Willow believing he’d ever stopped loving her, or would ever cheat on her, even if she hated him for it. She says, hated him? He doesn’t understand. It wouldn’t hurt so much if didn’t still love him too.

Sasha tells Michael that Chase wanted to tell the truth, but she argued against it. She hates that they lied, but it worked out the way it should. Wiley is safe with him and Willow, and the two of them have moved on. If she had it to do over again, she wouldn’t change a thing. Maybe not the drugs part, but everything else. Saving Wiley was worth it. Michael says, no question, but they might have found another way to get there. She says they couldn’t take that risk, and neither could he. If it had cost Michael his son, it wouldn’t have worked out between them. He says when he looks at it through her eyes, he sees it definitely wasn’t deception, but an act of love.

Doc asks what Franco is up for, and Franco says, just about anything. Doc explains that he knows of a surgeon in Geneva who’s done research on the brain and reality phenomena. Scotty asks, what’s the Swedish word for malarkey? and Doc tells him, malarkey. He tells Franco, the doctor might say the tumor is creating the voice in his head, but it’s his best chance for an accurate diagnosis. Franco says he needs to figure out where he is, and Scotty says, even if it kills him. Franco says, yes. Even if it kills the monster inside him.     

Peter says he didn’t expect to see Dante and Valentin together. He can push the meeting up if… Valentin says, it’s fine, and tells Dante, he’ll be in touch. He leaves, and Peter thanks Dante for meeting him outside of the office. Dante asks if it’s about the cybersecurity issue, but Peter says, no. Dante asks what he can do for Peter, and Peter says, stop working for him.

Maxie tells Anna, imagine being at the altar, with not only Finn, but her son. Think how amazing it would be, having Peter in a collective I do. Anna says, maybe Maxie should think about it. She gets a text from Valentin asking where she is, and saying he needs to talk to her. She tells Maxie, there’s something she needs to handle, and Maxie says, no biggie. She’s got to run too. She tells Anna to get Finn on board, and, don’t tell Peter; it’s a surprise. Maxie leaves, and Anna says, it’s turning into a night of surprises.

Gregory tells Violet, and at the captain’s command, the pod of whales jumped, and created a huge wave that caused a divergence. Captain Cutlass was able to sail away out of the trap, and on to his next pirate adventure. The end. She says, tell another one, and Finn says, maybe another night. It’s past her bedtime. He asks her to go upstairs, and says he’ll be up to tuck her in. She says goodnight to her grandpa, and leaves. Finn says he hasn’t thought about Captain Cutlass in a long time, but he still holds magic. Violet was enthralled. Gregory says, it’s not magic, but imagination  and a lot of love. It’s easy for a child to understand, but as they get older, they drift away from old loves, like him and Jackie. Finn asks, what about them? and Gregory says, Chase didn’t tell him? They decided to separate.

Chase says, Willow still loves him in spite of everything? She says she loves the man she was with for over a year. The man she thought she’d have a future with, until she thought he didn’t exist, when he cheated on her with Sasha and broke her heart. But now he’s back to being him, the good guy she loves, but that doesn’t change how she feels about Michael. They haven’t signed the annulment, and maybe never will. He says he doesn’t need an immediate answer. She gave him more than he had the right to hope for. He tells her, he was going to say goodbye. Do they shake hands? Hug? They move closer to each other.

Sasha says, she never thought in a million years she’d hear him say he understood what she did; that she lied because she loved him. She betrayed him and stomped on his heart because she loved him. The worst thing she ever did turned out to be the finest thing she ever did. Michael says she’s not done yet. She’s got to get better, get stronger, and be the kick-ass executive and beauty queen who doesn’t need white powder to give her confidence. She says she completely forgot, and he says, forgot what? She says how good it feels to see herself the way he sees her.

Doc tells Franco that he’ll make arrangements. He’ll need to Lucas to sign off, but doesn’t think it will be an issue. Scotty asks if this is his goal or Franco’s, and Franco says it’s his best chance for an accurate diagnosis. Scotty leaves, and Franco  tells Elizabeth, he knows she wants him to start radiation, and he will, but he’s going to put it off for a few weeks. He needs to make sure the tumor isn’t starting something that’s worse. Does she understand? She says she knows he won’t rest until he finds answers, but she’s not letting him go alone.   

Dante asks if Peter is firing him, but Peter says, no. Of course (🍷) not. He’s seen the value in Dante’s work since he brought Dante on. He knows the situation with Lulu hit Dante hard. How could it not be? Dante should be a full-time parent, and enjoy quality time. When he’s ready to come back, let him know. Dante says he can’t. He doesn’t want to sound harsh, but having a routine is good for Rocco and him. If he wasn’t focused on a job, he’d think about Lulu 24 hours a day. Peter asks if he’s sure, and Dante says when he works, he feels like he should finish the job.

Valentin thanks Anna for meeting him, and she asks if it’s about Peter, but he says, it’s about Dante. He met with Dante, hoping they could set a schedule for Charlotte, but he doesn’t think Dante is in the proper headspace for parenting. Anna says she’s not surprised he’s struggling, but Valentin says, that’s not it. The WSB was treating him for PTSD, and he’s concerned they let him out too early.

Finn says, his father and Jackie are separating? What happened? Gregory asks if he means was there one terrible unforgivable event like an affair. There was nothing traumatic; it was like a death from a thousand cuts. Jackie was covering everything from Tiananmen Square to Timbuktu, and he was lecturing from Stanford to St. Andrews. They were always on different schedules, not to mention time zones. It sounds cliché, but they grew apart. They have different interests, and there’s been painfully more silence than conversation. Finn says he’s sorry to hear that, but they’re choosing to separate, not divorce. Maybe there’s a chance, in time. Gregory says, time isn’t guaranteed to anyone. Being shot must have taught Finn that.   

Willow tells Chase, she thinks the best way to say goodbye is a simple goodnight. He says, goodnight, and starts to leave, but turns around. He says, whatever happens going forward, he’s glad she reached out tonight. She says she is too, and he leaves.

Maxie walks into Sasha’s room, saying, what do you mean we’re not family? We’re business partners… She stops short when she sees Michael, and says she didn’t expect see him there. He says he was just heading out, and Sasha thanks him. She tells him not to worry about her. She always lands on her feet. He says the words will be more believable when she’s not in a hospital bed; be careful. He leaves, and Maxie says she came with a whole speech, ready to kick Sasha’s butt, and tell her to get her act together. She’s already lost one friend and doesn’t want to lose another, but seeing the smile on Sasha’s face makes her think maybe Sasha doesn’t need a speech, and she’s getting encouragement from another source.

Franco says he knows Elizabeth would love to be by his side, but she can’t go. She says she knows, but Scotty can. Is he okay with that? He says he is, and she gets in the bed next to him. He says he can’t wait to be a stepdad again. He’s going to fight to the bitter end. She says, it’s not ending yet.

Peter tells Dante, if work is the best therapy, he’ll see Dante first thing in the morning. Dante says he’ll be there, and Peter tells him, it’s a work meeting, so his tab is on the office. Dante leaves, and makes a call outside. He says, it’s him. He almost lost access to the target, but he’s still on the job. They have the evidence to exonerate the innocent party, and he’s ready to complete the mission.

Finn asks when Gregory has to go back to California, but Gregory says he’s in no rush. He’d like to stick around for the wedding, and to tell his granddaughter more stories. Finn asks about his teaching, but Gregory says his teaching is online now; he can teach from anywhere. Why not Port Charles? He tells Finn, face it. He’s going to be seeing more of him.

Valentin tells Anna, whatever Dante is dealing with, he thinks it’s not so much Lulu as the PTSD. Anna says she could reach out to Robert and get his take on it, but Valentin says they don’t need to involve the Bureau. She and Dante are close, right? She says, she could rekindle their friendship, but she’s not a doctor. She can’t diagnose PTSD. He says he’s aware of that, but she can read people, and he’d appreciate it. If Dante is going to spend time around Charlotte, he needs to know Dante is trustworthy.

Finn let’s Chase in, and says Chase is smiling. He hasn’t smiled in months. What gives? Chase tells him, say it; he was right. Finn says, he was right, and Chase says he should have told Willow the truth a long time ago, but better late then never. Finn says, he’s not bleeding… Did she give him a pie in the face? Chase says, none of the above. Finn says Chase looks happy, and he has something else that will make him happy. Their dad is going to stay in town until the wedding. Chase says, the day is getting better and better. Maybe Finn will realize family isn’t so scary after all.

Michael comes home, and Willow asks how Sasha is. He says, physically, she’s much better. They talked through what happened, and hopefully she won’t be looking for any more answers in white powder. Willow is glad to hear they talked, and he asks how her talk was with Chase. She says she ended up with more questions than answers. She knows she wants what’s best for him, and he says, all he wants is the same for her. They hear Wiley crying, and he says, one thing’s for certain, somebody needs them. They go to tend to Wiley.

Tomorrow, Cameron tells Josslyn that they need to follow Trina to the end, Trina asks for Epiphany’s help, Brando thought he had a connection with someone, and Jason asks if Sam is ready for a long chain of events.

Below Deck

When we last left Rachel wanted to punch somebody in the scrotum because there was no caviar. She tells Francesca, what was wrapped up like caviar, was actually salmon roe, and asks her to stall the guests. Keep them drinking. Shane pops his head into the galley, but Rachel tells him to keep moving. She’s not nice right now; she’s not kidding. The guests discuss what options they have for dinner outfits. Rachel tells Ashling to stall, and in her interview, Ashling says Rachel is bonkers, but she’s used to it. Her sister is a chef, and the family often says, the chef has arrived. Don’t say anything; don’t make any sudden movements. Back the hell away.

Francesca tells Elizabeth to clean everything. Guest Justin asks if they can have a full boat tour. Rachel calls the provisor, who says everything was in the same pouch, but promises to get a substitute of that caliber for the caviar. Francesca calls Captain Lee and tells him that the guests would like a tour, and he supposes that can be worked out, but he doesn’t sound too thrilled. In Shane’s interview, he says he hates struggling. He’s been in this position before, and gotten out of it. He went to Berkeley underprepared, but ended up with a 3.5 GPA. He’s determined to make it work and be a proper yachtie.

Francesca starts decorating the table, and in her interview, says, thank God she and Ashling get along. She doesn’t need to tell Ashling what to do. They’re similar, keeping their heads down and just doing what needs to be done. The slide is brought in, and Chase keeps asking if Eddie needs him to do anything. In Eddie’s interview, he says he’s trying to give Shane the least amount of opportunity to screw up. He doesn’t need charming and funny. He needs someone to work hard and get the job done. Rachel continues to freak, and Eddie goes to pick up the steel drum band.

Izzy finds Chase annoying, and James says it’s her own fault. She told him to step up, or he was going to lose her job. In her interview, Izzy says, Shane’s not cut out for yachting, along with a nit picking boss. He needs to shut up and do his job. The provisor calls back, and tells Rachel he’s sending them caviar, and it will be at the Jolly Harbour dock at 6:45. Eddie comes back with the band, which is one guy. Rachel asks Eddie about sending the tender for the caviar, and he goes back out. The captain sighs. Francesca uses a lot of silver branches for the white party décor, and they look gorgeous. In Rachel’s interview, she says she’s going to lose her sh*t. Everything is done except the caviar, and time is ticking. Where is it? Francesca tells Captain Lee to feel free to take his time with the tour; the caviar is still coming. He says he’ll handle it, and Francesca sends the guests to meet him on the bow. The captain starts off by explaining a bell, and says, if you’re hearing it, you shouldn’t be where you are. In his interview, he says, if the caviar doesn’t show up, he’s going to be sitting there with his d*ck in his hands. He makes funnies, and stretches out the tour. Rachel paces, and the captain turns the guests over to Francesca.

The drum plays as the guests enter the dining area. Francesca tells Tim, happy birthday, and points out the mother-of-pearl spoon for the caviar. In the galley, Rachel says God hates her guts. In her interview, she asks, where is this effing caviar? Eddie finally gets back with it, and Francesca explains the menu. Rachel puts the caviar in a bowl, saving a bit for garnish, but then drops it. She says, it slipped out of her hand, but luckily, the appetizer was already done. She makes teeny weeny bellinis to go with it, and everyone loves it. I hope it reflects in the tip. In the crew mess, Eddie tells James and Izzy, they make a great team. Izzy says James has the muscles, and she has the brains. Eddie says he appreciates it, and also her babysitting Shane on the beach. The guests tell the captain, it’s an honor to have him join them, and they toast to Tim’s 50th. Rachel explains the first course.

Rachel tells Eddie that she needs a pot washed, and Eddie says he’ll wash the sh*t out of it. Rachel asks for something to hold the parmesan, and Tim says, the food should be illegal, it’s so good. In Captain Lee’s interview, he says he’s impressed with what Rachel is doing in the galley. In his 35 years as a charter captain, he’s never been this impressed. She’s the complete package; everything he wants in a charter chef. The guests applaud.

The steel drum guy goes back, and Tim asks for a carafe with a spout. He says, the two most coveted things are longevity and prosperity, and the longer you drink from the spout, the longer your life. The further away you can drink, the more prosperity you have. The captain calls Eddie, and asks how much K2R they have; it’s getting messy. Eddie comes up to see what’s going on, and says he’s got cases. Captain Lee can’t believe he’s going to do this, and asks Francesca for a bath towel. A couple of the guests say the have something for him to wear instead. They run back to their cabin, and bring back a special shirt with Tim’s picture on it. The captain puts a rug down, so Eddie doesn’t have to suffer for his misgivings. He’s pretty good though, and in his interview, he laughs, and says this is why he gets the big bucks. Shane calls girlfriend Aubrey, who tells him everybody’s relationships are falling apart. She feels grateful, and he says he’s happy too. In his interview, he says he feels lucky to have a girlfriend. It’s good having Aubrey virtually, and it’s the first time he’s been in a mature relationship. He misses her. Shane falls asleep talking to her.

Rachel gets the cake ready, and she and Francesca present it, while singing, Happy Birthday. A guest wonders how Rachel knew it was Tim’s favorite, and Rachel says she’s good like that. James tells Eddie, everyone seems to be getting on together, and Eddie says, the tide is turning. Ashling calls her mom, who hasn’t heard from her in a couple of days. She tells Ashling about the coronavirus, and how they’ve detained people in China. She insists that Ashling get herself a mask, and Ashling promises she will. In Ashling’s interview, she says, in Australia, they knew about it, but hadn’t heard much. She doesn’t think it’s as serious people are making it out to be. Yep. That’s what we all said. Francesca tells Elizabeth to check on the guests every 10 minutes or so, and Eddie sprays the wine stains on the deck. Izzy talks with Elizabeth, and says she looks miserable. In Izzy’s interview, she says, interior is not fun. You’re inside the boat, working under a dictator, at a stressful job. She’s glad she got out. Elizabeth says she’s just tired.

It’s been 42 minutes since anyone checked on the guests, and while Francesca is telling Elizabeth to make sure the cutlery is cleaned, a guest comes into the galley and tells her they’re dying upstairs. They need tequila, red wine, and Bailey’s on ice. In Francesca’s interview, she says she’s mortified. 98% of the time she has a poker face, but she’s pissed right now. She tells Elizabeth that the guests have to be the first priority, and they’ve had a good time – up until now. Elizabeth says she didn’t hear Francesca tell her to check on them, and she’s trying her best. In her interview, Elizabeth says, when Francesca acts like this, it pisses her off. Like what? A boss? Francesca says she’s tired and she’ll address it in the morning. In Elizabeth’s interview, she says, Francesca can still be human and run a tight ship. Francesca sits on the floor of her and Rachel’s cabin, and tells Rachel that she needs to have a proper talk with Elizabeth. Elizabeth tells Eddie that Francesca couldn’t go to bed without giving her sh*t about the guests. Whatever. Francesca tells Rachel that it’s the third charter, and Elizabeth isn’t pulling her weight. She’s not following direction. In Rachel’s interview, she says she likes Elizabeth, but doesn’t want to get involved. She doesn’t want to be in the middle between a department head and a junior stew. The guests go to bed, and James sits at the bar. He says he wants a drink, and Elizabeth says he’ll have to be more sneaky than sitting at the bar. He says they’re the only ones up.   

Eddie asks why Shane isn’t on deck; it’s 7:37. Shane says his phone died. He’s almost 2 hours late, and stumbles around. He apologizes to James, and thanks him for uncovering the furniture. Eddie asks if the captain had fun at dinner, and Captain Lee says he had a good time; the guests are a lot of fun. Eddie says when he got up, Shane was sleeping like a log, and yesterday, he found the lazarette door open. Thank God nothing was stolen. The captain says, there’s $100K worth of sh*t in there. Eddie says, yesterday, when he came back from running errands, Shane was asleep with a cover over his eyes that said, do not disturb. Captain Lee doesn’t get it. Eddie tells the guests that he’s going to put the jet skis in the water. Shane yaps about his phone dying, and in his interview, says it was so stupid. I think we can all agree on that one. Eddie asks Izzy how everything is going, and she says she had a busy morning. Eddie asks, if Shane was going to say something about it, what would he say? and Shane says, he f***ed up. In Eddie’s interview, he says he’s over Shane. He doesn’t know what to say. If there was ever a time not to make a mistake, it would be now.

Some of the guests jet ski, and Francesca asks Ashling if everything was tidy when she got up. Ashling says, it was pretty tidy, and Izzy tells James about Shane being late. In Elizabeth’s interview, she says last night didn’t go well for her. Getting yelled at by her boss in front of coworkers isn’t cool. One, what Francesca did wasn’t even close to yelling, and two, Francesca clearly told her to check on the guests every ten minutes, she didn’t listen, and Francesca is her boss. The guests say they love Rachel, and Eddie asks Izzy what he should tell Shane. In Eddie’s interview, he says, Izzy is a badass, who doesn’t take sh*t from anyone. That’s the beginning of being a good leader. He does his best to set his crew members up for success, then lets them do it on their own. Izzy pulls up the anchor, and the boat heads out to Jolly Harbour. Rachel thanks Francesca for helping her last night, and Francesca tells Ashling that she’s glad to have her. She doesn’t have time to train people. Breakfast is served, and the captain starts to dock the boat. Shane is slow with bringing down one of the fenders. Captain Lee says, with the wind coming in the opposite direction, he can potentially hit the dock. It’s a disaster waiting to happen. He yells that he has no stern thruster, and keeps saying he’s not getting anything. One of the guests says, this is where the captain earns his money.

Izzy says docking is nerve wracking every time, and Captain Lee asks if anybody was doing anything on the effing stern. Shane asks basic questions that even I know the answers to just from watching the show. The captain radios Eddie, and asks, who TF put these lines out? Whoever it is, his ass is the captain’s. If anyone thinks he’s pissed, they’re right. In the captain’s interview, he says, the docking was an effing disaster. This is the third time, and they’ve docked the same way. So far, Shane has been given every opportunity to prove himself, but his puppy ass is still on the porch. It’s not rocket science. He tells the crew to get in their whites, and meet on the aft deck.   

The guests say goodbye, and Tim calls Captain Lee the porren champ. I guess that’s the name of that red wine game. Tim tells them, he knows it’s cliché to say it was the best vacation of his life, but it was incredible. He gives the captain the tip envelope, which looks fat. When the guests are off the boat, Captain Lee tells everyone, back to work, except for the deck crew. He tells the deck crew, the docking sucked. The first line is the spring line; it keeps them from hitting the dock. Next is the windward crisscross. If they don’t have them, nothing can happen, In Eddie’s interview, he says he doesn’t know what to do. Like the captain has said, you can’t fix stupid. Captain Lee says he doesn’t want it to happen again. Shane goes over stuff to himself, and the stews strip the beds. In Shane’s interview, he says he’s got to practice more times, and writes a bunch of notes down. In his interview, he says his number one feeling is frustration. He knows he’s in the hot seat, and has to step up. He needs A performing, and he’s at B. If he doesn’t get to A, he can say goodbye to B. Elizabeth says she feels unmotivated.

It’s time for the tip, and Captain Lee says the charter went extremely well. Rachel’s meals were outstanding, and her knowledge of food shows. They did have a few close calls. Some people aren’t performing at where he thinks they should be at this point, and it’s a cause for concern. The tip is $20K, or $1650 each. Shane apologizes to Izzy, and says, when Eddie is around, he feels nervous because Eddie is watching him. Izzy says she felt like that the first time she was on deck. James says, there’s nothing worse than sleeping in, and the captain radios for Eddie. He tells Eddie that he’s been contemplating what to do about Sunshine (their nickname for Shane). Eddie says, on one hand, he sees Shane trying to step up, but he was an hour and a half late today. Captain Lee says, if Shane was gone, it probably wouldn’t be much different than having him here, and radios for Shane to come to the bridge.

When Shane gets there, the captain tells him, have a seat. Unless you’ve just done something incredibly heroic, like saving a life, these are not words you want to hear from the captain. Captain Lee tells Shane, they need to have a conversation.   

Next time, someone mixes bleach with soap and makes mustard gas, the crew goes out, James says it’s getting deep, and Rachel says something is despicable.   

🤸🏽 Gathering No Moss…

Time to get rolling, since I still have editing to do on my next article for https://mupoentertainment.com/theresa-krakauskas/. I spent last weekend watching several obscure horror flicks for review, since nothing says holiday season like a scary movie. So until it’s time for Temptation Tuesday, stay safe, stay adventuresome, and stay drinking your red wine like a normal person.

December 3, 2020 – Cyrus Gives Trina Surprising News, a Not-So Charming Pandemic, About That Emoji, Seasonal Happenings & Collective December

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

At the bistro, Trina tells the man to stop saying her name. She doesn’t know him, and has no business with him. He says, even if it’s about her father?

Sonny asks if Cyrus thinks Julian is responsible for bombing The Floating Rib. Cyrus says he’s not 100% sure, but it’s a well-informed guess. Not long ago, Julian reached out to him. He was desperate, and convinced that Sonny was sending Jason to kill him. Cyrus is aware of Julian’s many transgressions against Sonny and his family, and although Sonny had reasons to eliminate Julian, he chose not to. He thinks Julian feared Sonny was going to uncover a new transgression. He’d begged Cyrus to get rid of Jason before Jason got rid of him. Sonny asks what Cyrus’s response was, and Cyrus is surprised Sonny needs to ask.

Carly runs into Taggert outside, and he wonders where Trina is. Carly says she’s in school, and he hopes she has a bodyguard. He’s aware of the bombing at The Floating Rib, and says, Trina could have been there. Carly says, Trina could have, but she wasn’t. Jason was the target, and it had nothing to do with Trina. Portia didn’t want a guard, but she’s taking extra precautions to protect Trina, who’s eager to have some normalcy in her life. Taggert says he doesn’t want Trina to be in any more danger, and Carly asks what he’s going to do. Blame himself for framing Cyrus, blame Cyrus for retaliating, or use his default, blame Sonny for everything?  

Trina tells the man to go before she calls the cops. She knows the Commissioner personally. (That’s funny, considering she wants nothing to do with Jordan.) The man says he doesn’t want any trouble, but he has important information about her dad.

Portia sees Laura, and asks how she’s doing. Laura says she’s managing, and tells Portia that she talked to Lulu’s caregivers; she’s settled in and comfortable. She’s glad to have Curtis and Jordan back, and Portia says she’s been consulting with Jordan on her medical condition. Jordan says the mayor knows the details, but they should continue their conversation in the examining room, since they don’t know who might be lurking. Portia and Jordan go into the exam room, and Laura asks Curtis if they found anything. Curtis says, a name, but it remains a mystery as much as the PCPD file Cyrus wanted. Laura says she wants to be honest about what she knows about the file, and Curtis wonders how much she could know about a homicide case from the 70s. She says she knew the victim. She’s the one who killed him.

Ava stands on the parapet, thinking about being there with Julian the night before, when Nikolas comes out. He says he’s sorry for startling Ava, and she says she supposes she has a bit of PTSD. Valentin pushed her from the parapet. It was blind luck that she hit the water, and not the rocks, and blind luck that Nikolas was on the bluff and rescued her. Without him, she surely would have drowned. Nikolas says he saw her walking on the bluff earlier, like a Thomas Hardy character. She looked like she was looking for something, maybe someone. Ava says she was thinking  about the explosion at The Floating Rib, and wondering how anyone could plant an explosive device for the express purpose of harming as many people as possible. She was trying to make sense of what happened to his sister, and searching for a way to comfort him, and ease the pain she saw on his face when they took Lulu away. She hugs him.

Martin walks into his office while he’s on the phone. He says he’ll get the files over asap. Funny… Not them. He could have sworn he left the blinds open when he left last night… No, everything else seems as it should be. He tells them they’ll talk later. Someone comes up behind him, but he turns and sprays them in the face with something. We see it’s Julian, who says, what the hell…?

Laura tells Curtis, it happened when she was a teenager. David Hamilton was a friend of her stepfather’s, and he seduced her as a way to get back at her mother. There was an ugly confrontation. She shoved him, and he hit his head and died. Curtis says, it was an accident, and she says she was hysterical. She didn’t even remember it for months, and her mother took the blame. When it came out, she got a suspended sentence. He says he’s sorry; she was so young. It must have been painful. She says, it did a lot of damage to her and her mother. When they showed her the file, she was stunned, but she didn’t say anything. Curtis says she needs to know that she can tell him anything, and she thanks him.

Nikolas tells Ava, he has to believe Lulu will fight with everything inside her. Somewhere in her mind or soul, she knows Rocco and Charlotte need their mother. Ava says it’s okay for him to admit he needs Lulu too, and he says he doesn’t think he realized how much he depended on Lulu as his moral compass. She says, as angry as Lulu was because he let them believe he’d died, she’s still his sister. Sisters forgive their brothers. At least they’re supposed to, right? That’s what being a family is. Nikolas asks if she’s talking about Lulu and him, or her and Julian.   

Martin says Julian has to forgive him. Since he was mugged in the parking garage and his briefcase was stolen, he keeps pepper spray at the ready to make him feel safer. Julian wouldn’t know anything about that, would he? Julian says, no, sorry, and Martin says, normally he doesn’t offer refreshment to people who break into his office, and if Julian doesn’t make his point soon, his manners are going to evaporate. Julian asks if their conversation is under attorney/client privilege, and Martin says, for the right price. Julian says, the price is right; trust him. Sonny and Jason want him dead; his sister does too. Martin asks what gave rise to this belief, and Julian says Ava tried to shoot him, and he thought the best way to get away was to jump from the turret. Which he did, as Jason and Sonny arrived, also brandishing pistols. They think he’s dead, but they’re going to keep looking for him until they find his body. He needs to leave town or they’ll kill him, and if not them, Cyrus. Martin says this doesn’t fall under his job as an attorney. What’s his role? Julian is glad he asked. He needs Martin to help him get out of town.

Sonny tells Cyrus, it’s a simple question. Julian asked him to murder Jason. What was his response? Cyrus says he flatly refused. Eliminating Jason would be a violation of the truce, and downright stupid. He has no desire to provoke a war. Enough people have been hurt already. He turned Julian down, but clearly Julian was desperate. Cyrus assumes Julian took the matter into his own hands. Sonny says, so Julian bombed The Floating Rib? and Cyrus says, Julian was willing to blow up the whole city if that’s what it took. No one has seen Julian, and he imagines Julian is making his way to some country that won’t extradite him. Good luck to the police. He hopes they succeed in tracking him. He tells Sonny that he’ll see himself out. He calls for Brando, and says, let’s go. Brando looks at Sonny, and they leave. Sonny tells Jason, Cyrus really wants them to go after Julian, doesn’t he?

Taggert says Carly is absolutely right; Cyrus is the real problem. All roads point back to him. Carly says, Sonny is on Taggert’s side. He gave Taggert a place to stay, and protected him and Trina. It might not look the way it used to, but at least he’s not really dead. He says, it’s an adjustment, relying on Sonny, and Carly says their daughters are best friends. Trina and Portia are welcome in their home anytime; their families are connected. She remembers when Taggert worked for the PCPD. He was relentless in trying to take Sonny down. He had his justifications, but today, this is where they are, united in a common enemy. Taggert says, agreed, but he wishes Sonny would work faster. He needs to get the job done now. He tells her, truth be told, he should have thrown his badge away years ago, and taken on Cyrus himself.

Trina asks the man what he knows about her dad, and he tells her, stick around. Someone will be by to tell her what she needs to know. He disappears. Not literally, but he’s gone quickly.

Jordan tells Portia, she’s so sorry. The Floating Rib was bombed on her watch. Portia says Jordan wasn’t there, and Jordan says, that’s the problem. She knows Trina and Dev were friends, and Portia says, it’s been hard, especially so close to the death of Trina’s father. Jordan says again, she’s so sorry. She and Curtis thought they were so smart, getting out of town, and out from under Cyrus’s thumb. She left in the middle of a crisis. Maybe if she’d been there, Cyrus would have given her a heads up, and she could have saved lives. Portia says, then what? If Cyrus found out she’d gone against him, he would have threatened TJ again.

Curtis says, maybe Cyrus is dredging up the case to hurt Laura, but she says, that’s the thing. It’s a matter of public record, and she’s never hidden it. He says, maybe this new piece of the puzzle will shed some light on that. He asks if the name Florence Gray means anything to her.

Ava tells Nikolas, she was thinking about Lulu. As devastating as her condition is, she’s alive, so there’s hope. There’s a chance Lulu will wake up one day, and there will be one less death on the hands of whoever planted the bomb. He says, two people are dead, and his sister is comatose. Whoever planted the bomb should go straight to hell. They just need to figure out who it is. Has she heard anything he needs to know?

Martin tells Julian, he’s not a travel agent, and Julian isn’t asking for legal assistance. Julian says Martin might want to help him. When he was hiding there, he started snooping around. He found a safe, and figured there was cash in it that Martin didn’t want to declare. Martin says that’s not Julian’s business, but Julian says, it is. He might want that cash as well as Martin’s car keys. If he goes back to his place, or uses his car or bank accounts, they’ll know he’s alive, and that’s not good. Martin asks, why on God’s green earth does Julian think he’d agree? Julian says he figured Martin would say that, so while he was snooping, he happened to find an interesting picture tucked away in one of Martin’s old law journals. It seems as if Mr. Gray has secrets of his own.   

Laura tells Curtis, Gray is a common name. He says, that’s what they  thought when they ran into Martin, but the name Florence is more distinctive. She asks if they think Florence Gray is connected to Cyrus, and he says they’re fairly certain that’s who Cyrus was keeping at the Wilson address. Laura says, and the recipient of the loving postcard? and he says, that’s the theory. They traced the medical supplies to a company in Mexico City. They looked at the records, and came up with an account at that address. Any chance she recognizes it? He tells her to remember she can tell him anything. Laura says, her biological father was married to Florence Gray.

Portia asks Jordan if Cyrus is responsible for the explosion, and Jordan says they’re almost certain. Portia says if Jordan had been in town, Cyrus would have threatened her to get her cooperation, so it’s best she was out of the equation. Mac Scorpio is sparing her grief. Jordan says, true. Cyrus doesn’t have the same history or leverage with Mac, and Portia says, maybe Mac can actually make a case, and Trina can see the man responsible for her father’s death brought to justice.

Carly says she knows Taggert is getting anxious to see his daughter, but Sonny knows what he’s doing. Taggert says he’s tired of just doing nothing, and thinking of Trina grieving another loss. He saw Dev on Halloween night , and he seemed like a decent kid. Carly says, it’s not Sonny’s fault, but Taggert says, it’s Sonny’s fault he hasn’t gotten Cyrus yet. Maybe Carly’s daughter is used to danger, but his isn’t. She says, how dare he act holier than thou with her? He would have framed Sonny if he’d had the chance. Compromises have consequences, and his didn’t just affect him, but they affected her family. All of this is on him.

Cyrus approaches Trina’s table, and she says she’s supposed to be meeting someone. He says the someone she’s supposed to meet is him, and she says she’s out of there. He says he only has her best interest at heart, and she says, like what he did to her father? Cyrus had her kidnapped, so he could ambush her father, and her dad died saving her. Why would she want to listen to him? He says she’s mistaken. Her father didn’t sacrifice his life to save her. He’s not actually dead. He’s very much alive.

Portia tells Jordan, they came to a meeting of the minds when Jordan told her the truth about her relationship with Cyrus. Is there anything else Jordan has to tell her? Jordan says, actually, there is something she hasn’t told Portia.

Laura tells Curtis, her biological father is Gordon Gray, and his wife’s name was Florence. Is it even possible it’s the same person? Curtis says, Florence Gray lived in Port Charles. Coincidence? Maybe. Laura says, they lived in Port Charles for a few years, but then they moved. She doesn’t know where they went. He takes it they weren’t close, and she says, not at all. Gordon was her mother’s mentor, and they had an affair. When she was born, they told her mother that she was dead. He says he’s sorry; that’s awful. Laura says, fortunately for her, she was raised by a wonderful family, but she didn’t actually live with Leslie until she was a teenager. He says a lot has happened in her life, and she says she was no easy teen either, but Leslie never gave up on her. That’s why they became close. She was fortunate they had such a close relationship. If Cyrus is responsible for what happened to her daughter… He says he feels the same way, but if they can figure out if Florence Gray was the woman married to Laura’s biological father, and can figure out why Cyrus was taking care of her, they might have leverage.

Carly tells Taggert, Instead of complaining that Sonny hasn’t taken down Cyrus the way he’d like, he might want to be grateful for his life. They’re doing this for Trina, not him.   

Trina asks if Cyrus really just said her father was alive. She’d be an idiot to believe anything he told her. She was there when her father died. She was at the funeral, and watched when they put the coffin in the ground. She doesn’t know where he’s coming up with this information. He says he never did anything to her father. Her father pretended to be dead to protect her from the criminals who kidnapped her to get to him.

Ava tells Nikolas, there are rumors Cyrus was involved, but he’s too slippery to let himself be implicated. Nikolas says, if evidence shows up pointing to Cyrus, he’s a dead man, and Ava tells him, let the police do their job, so when Lulu wakes up, she doesn’t have to visit him in prison. They go inside, and Nikolas thanks her for being optimistic about Lulu. Despite the miserable way their marriage started, he’s relieved to have her by his side. When Lulu was taken away, he needed her support. Ava says, by his side is where she was meant to be, and Nikolas says, not just for show? She was so late getting there, he was worried. Ava says she had to move heaven and earth to get there, and she was willing to do that. Is he? Nikolas asks, so are they married for real? She moves toward him, and says, last night she heard herself say, I love Nikolas, and she meant it. As far as she’s concerned, their marriage is as real as gets.

Martin tells Julian the photo is doctored, but Julian asks if he’s sure, considering what it says on the back. He wouldn’t mind if the picture found its way into Sonny’s hands? Martin moves for the pepper spray, but Julian grabs it. He suggests they play it nice and simple, and tells Martin to open the safe

Sonny tells Jason, he’s convinced Cyrus has something to do with the bombing, and believes Julian helped, but he doesn’t think it was Julian’s idea. Cyrus is trying to put enough air between him and Julian to make them think his hands are clean. He thinks he covered his tracks, but he’s wrong

Cyrus tells Trina, he admires the way Taggert protected her. A parent’s love for a child is the most beautiful thing in the world, and her father is brimming with love for her. She says, if it’s true, where is he?

Taggert wants Carly to know he’s truly grateful to her and Sonny for hiding him, and everything they’re doing for Trina. He’s getting angry and frustrated, and has time on his hands. He’s been thinking about how Trina had to hear he was a corrupt cop. Carly says Josslyn told her that Trina is determined to set the record straight and clear his name. She refuses to see him as anything but a hero. He says he told Sonny that the only reason he hasn’t killed Cyrus is, if he’s caught, he’ll go to prison, or he’ll be on the run his whole life, and he’ll lose Trina forever. She tells him to trust Sonny. He’ll know when the time is right. Taggert asks what if Cyrus gets rid of Sonny first?   

Nikolas tells Ava that he doesn’t want any threat to their happiness, including Ryan. She says, Ryan’s not a threat; he’s in a coma from the stabbing Nikolas claimed he arranged. Nikolas says, as long as Ryan is alive, there’s a chance he’ll continue to blackmail her, and demand they divorce, or he’ll expose what he knows about Julian. Ava says they don’t have to worry about Julian. He’s not a problem anymore. Nikolas asks what she means.   

Martin opens the safe, and tells Julian, relax. He doesn’t keep a firearm, but he’s rethinking that for the future. He does have a letter written by Julian’s late wife. The original was delivered to Ryan per Nelle’s instructions. It makes for interesting reading; how Julian helped steal Sonny’s grandson. Julian says once Sonny realizes Martin has been sitting on that information for months, he’ll kill him. Martin should destroy it for his own sake. Martin takes out a bunch of money stacks, and puts them on the desk. Julian picks them up, and Martin says he gave Julian everything he has. Now it’s Julian’s turn. Give him back his photo.

Portia asks what Jordan needs to tell her, and Jordan says they uncovered a clue that could lead to Cyrus’s vulnerability. They can use it against him, and get the upper hand. What she’s trying to say is, this could be over soon, and they can stop agonizing about their kids. She’ll know TJ is safe, and Trina will get the justice she deserves.   

Laura tells Curtis, she doesn’t know much about her biological father, and even less about his wife. She doesn’t see how there could possibly be a connection to Cyrus, and wondered why the interest in David Hamilton. What is Cyrus doing, and where is it leading? Curtis said the only pattern that jumped out was that Laura seemed to be at the center.

Cyrus tells Trina that he’s sorry; he has no idea where her father is. He only knows her father is still alive. She asks if he has any photos or videos, and he says he doesn’t, but he got the information from a trusted source. He didn’t think she should continue to hurt and grieve over someone who’s still in the land of the living. If he could locate her father, he would, but most of the people in town are hostile toward him. Trina says she wonders why, and Cyrus says he admires her spirit. He sincerely hopes she finds her father. There’s nothing better than a child reuniting with the parent they love. Trina suggests he stop acting like she believes what he’s saying; she doesn’t. Not one word. Cyrus jets.

Taggert tells Carly, the odds are good that Cyrus will kill more people than he already has, the longer Sonny waits.

Cyrus joins his righthand dude, and says he met with Trina. Mark his words, she’ll find Taggert if he’s there. And when she does, he’ll be there to kill Taggert – again.

Jason tells Sonny, Cyrus paid the bartender to call Julian, who delivered the bomb for Cyrus. Sonny says, they’re both responsible, and Jason says, Cyrus is the bigger threat. Sonny says he hopes they find him alive. They can use him against Cyrus. Jason says other people have survived the fall. There’s a good chance Julian is alive. Sonny wonders where he is, since Ava isn’t hiding him. They have to find Julian.

Julian tells Martin, no can do. He needs the photo for insurance purposes. He starts loading up Martin’s briefcase with the money, and Martin says, for heaven’s sake. Not another briefcase. He gave Julian what he wanted; that was the deal. Julian says, it wasn’t a deal, and don’t mention he saw him. If he finds out Martin mentioned his name, he’ll make sure Martin’s deep, dark secret gets exposed. He closes the briefcase, and asks if Martin isn’t going to wish him good luck and God speed. Martin says, go to hell, and Julian says he’s going to spend his life looking over his shoulder. He’s already there.

Nikolas tells Ava he knows how desperate Julian was. He kept finding excuses to stay in Port Charles. He prays Julian is gone now, and asks how certain she is. She says she knows, and wants him to leave it there. He asks where her brother is, and she says, he’s not a problem anymore. Nikolas says Ava told him that she loved him. If that’s true, tell him. She says, Julian is dead, and he’s dead because of her.

Jax asks if Nina forgives Valentin, Ava and Nikolas come to an understanding, and Carly asks Sonny to tell her that he’s going to make Julian pay

Southern Charm

A state of emergency was declared in South Carolina, and Craig’s voiceover (I guess he’s officially replaced Cameran) told us, as Georgia and the rest of the world went into lockdown, they got used to their new normal. We saw what everyone was doing at home, and the Black Lives Matter protests after the death of George Floyd. Craig said, after two months that felt like two years, restrictions were lifted, and Charleston was back – sort of

June. People were masked and cleaning like mad. Michael waited for Patricia, as she grilled him about what supplies he had in the car, like antibacterial wipes and masks. Patricia came out wearing a black lace skirt with slits up to there, and Michael joked that her skirt was indecent. She said, good; too bad no one was around to enjoy it. In Patricia’s interview, she said that both she and Michael were at an age where they were vulnerable, and had started a self-imposed quarantine in March, along with Whitney, who had come to visit. She told Michael, her hair was so long, she felt like an aging hippie, and in her interview, said Michael had been coloring her hair, and she looked like a skunk. They drove to Krispy Kreme, as we all would want to.

Craig’s new girlfriend Natalie was staying with him. In his interview, he said he was pretty sure he loved her. He said, at this point, only the major cities had problems with the virus, and he thought people were overreacting. He claimed he was careful, but we saw clips of him and Shep being not so careful. All of his major deals were on hold, and his business partner thought they should throw an HSN virtual pillow party. Craig balked at the idea, saying his chemistry was better in person, but dude was like, um… we’re in the middle of a pandemic. Shep’s girlfriend Taylor was staying with him as well, and told Shep that she couldn’t smell her armpits. In Shep’s interview, he said, at first he was crazy about taking precautions, but then started not caring. Quarantining with Taylor, he’d gotten a peek into the white picket fence life. He’d looked over the fence and didn’t hate it.

Madison said homeschooling sucked, but luckily son Hudson was smarter than her. Austen met his parents and sister for dinner, and even though they were sitting outside, it looked like no one was observing much of any kind of restrictions. In his interview, Austen said his entire business was based around bars and restaurants, and they were down 46%. The beer was sitting in a warehouse going bad. Madison got together with her mom and aunt, and told them that before quarantine, she and Austen had been good, but she had a five-year plan, and Austen had been doing the opposite. Austen griped that Madison had put him in the backseat, while she was bettering her life by doing things like going to the gym. His sister suggested maybe Madison was on to something, and he should grow up or get out. Reaching for justification, Austen’s mom wondered if Austen and Madison were really compatible. Madison said she was conflicted, and her mom said she was successful and independent. She’d done it all herself, and was a good mom. She didn’t need to have a man. She told them that she was having a birthday party for Austen on a private island.

John said he finally got his boys. They couldn’t come for spring break, but now it was dad camp. Madison called and told him about the birthday party. Leva called Danni, and asked if she’d talked to Kathryn. (This was at the time of the monkey emoji debacle.) Danni said she’d reached out, but she knew that Kathryn needs her space sometimes. Leva said Kathryn had reached out to her a lot, asking for advice. She thought maybe she was Kathryn’s only non-white friend. In Danni’s interview, she said it was a f*** you to her. She’d been there for Kathryn when her mother passed away, and had even been the one to tell her. Leva asked if Danni knew about the statue of John C. Calhoun, who was one of Kathryn’s ancestors. He’d been Vice President twice, and fought to keep slavery, it being his last dying wish. Leva said they were having a conference about taking down the statue, and invited Danni. In Leva’s interview, she thought being able to have a conversation without it being radical was like a weight being lifted. She thought it would be healing for the community, and a powerful first step.

We saw several news clips about Calhoun being 7th Vice President, and supporting slavery. The meeting was at the base of the statue, and Leva said Calhoun Street used to be Boundary Street, and Calhoun was looking down on the boundary between Black and white people. The other Madison from Gwynn’s joined them, along with a few of Leva’s friends. State Representative and minority leader Todd Rutherford gave a speech about why the statue should come down, and said it was time to move on. There weren’t that many people, but that could have been due to the pandemic. In her interview, Leva said Charleston was an old Southern city that was used to everyone being quiet and staying in their place. Leva said she thought it was a beautiful first step. They had more work to do, but taking down the symbols that triggered old pain was a start.    

Kathryn told us, during quarantine, she and Thomas were week on/week off with the kids. She had to figure out homeschooling now, and was trying to make the best of it. Madison called, and Kathryn told her that she had to be creative with entertaining the kids. Madison told her about the party, and said it was really a reason to get everyone together and have fun. Kathryn said she was super depressed about the emoji thing, but Madison didn’t know what was going on. Kathryn said it was a genuine mistake, and had nothing to do with politics or race. In Kathryn’s interview, she said a friend was promoting a Trump party, and although she wasn’t a Trump supporter, her friend was being bullied. Someone started trolling her, and she posted it along with, that’s how seriously I take this, thinking the emoji looked funny. Madison said she had to watch what she said, and think about other people. Kathryn told her that she’d gotten so much hate online, she’d been in a bubble lately.

Leva and friends went to Republic for some food and drink. Danni said Kathryn never talked about her family history, and Madison said she thought Kathryn should be doing more. They toasted to what could be an important day in history, and to change. Danni admitted to being ignorant, and everyone agreed full history wasn’t taught enough in school. Leva said they needed to remove the things that glorified enslavement, and one of the women said these historical figures lived in a time period when they fought for a right they thought existed. Germany wasn’t still flying Nazi flags. Leva said she struggled with Kathryn, and thought Kathryn had to know what was a trigger. If it was her great-grandfather’s statue, she’d know. One of Leva’s friends said Kathryn should speak out; use her voice in a positive light and move on. In Leva’s interview, she said Kathryn should have been there to say it was okay. She told the group that she informed Kathryn about the statue being taken down, and Kathryn said she didn’t care; it was ugly. Leva thought Kathryn was trying to be funny, but she was offended. Madison suggested Kathryn didn’t think that way because of her privilege, and one of the other women said she wished she knew what privilege felt like. Danni thought Kathryn was just selfish, saying, she had no empathy, and couldn’t put herself in other people’s shoes. She ignored everything. Madison said, obviously Kathryn couldn’t help who her ancestors were, but she should speak out. The monkey emoji was brought up, and Madison said there was more to it than that. Kathryn feigned ignorance, but she’d told the person to stop using their minority claim, and they were what was wrong with Charleston. Kathryn had tried to say she didn’t know who she talking to, but with a statement like that, she did, so they fired her. We saw a news blurb that said Kathryn didn’t reflect the values of the brand, and had been terminated. Leva asked if Danni was going to continue their friendship, but Danni said they hadn’t talked in months. Madison said Kathryn reached out when it benefited her, and Danni knew that. IMO, Kathryn wasn’t necessarily thinking in a racist way, but she definitely wasn’t thinking. (Read all about it in the links below, and decide for yourself.) I also think what Danni said is true; she lacks empathy, and she’s very focused on herself, but I don’t know why. She’s been through a lot, and you never know what’s really going on with a person. This is why I don’t think cancel culture is a good look. Most of the time anyway. People make mistakes, and while they should be held accountable for their actions, icing them out isn’t going to teach anybody anything, and I would hope that would be a part of the change we’d like to see in the world. Okay, getting down off my soapbox now.

Shep met with his trainer at an empty gym, and brought Lil Craig along, the real star of this show. He wondered where Austen was, and said it wasn’t like him not to show up. He called Austen, who said something wasn’t right. He was feeling flu-y, and achy. Shep said that was scary. He thought if Austen felt better the next day, he was in the clear, but he wasn’t a doctor. Austen promised he’d bounce back quick, and in Shep’s interview, he said, if you feel sick during a pandemic, and the symptoms are flu, it’s covid. He called Craig, and told him Austen had bailed because of he was feeling flulike. Shep said he was wigging out, because they’d all gone out the past weekend, and Craig said he felt fine. Shep said he did too, and wondered if Madison was still going to have the party. Shep said again that he was wigging out about Austen.

Three days later. Austen made a Zoom call to Madison, but struggled trying to tell her, since he’s such a big baby. He finally spit out that he’d recently tested positive for corona, and obviously they’d just gotten together. We saw a clip of Austen and Madison out with Craig and Shep, and Austen said he was surprised since he’d just tested negative. Madison said he and Craig went out to bars, stayed out all night, and had people over. Now she and Hudson were at risk. She called him selfish, and said she was trying to throw a party for him. The salon had been closed for months, and just reopened. Now everything was legit ruined. He said he could have gotten it from her, since she was working. That’s where I would have hung up, and never talked to him again, but Madison called him an effing idiot, and asked if he’d never heard of protection. She stayed pretty calm, but she was definitely seething, and said her son could have been exposed. Austen said he was praying Hudson wasn’t positive, and hoped and prayed the important people in his life, like her, were negative. He said they didn’t need to hash all this out right now, and she told him that he wasn’t setting foot in her house unless she knew he was negative. He said he understood she was pissed, but they’d talk when he came out of it. She hung up on him, and he said, really? Yes. Really, Austen. As Madison said, you’re an effing idiot.

Next time, Shep tests negative, but everyone else is positive; Austen says it’s not good with Madison; John chats up Madison; Craig joins QVC virtually to sell pillows; the Calhoun statue comes down; and Dani confronts Kathryn.

🐒 It’s All About That Monkey…

Take your pick of viewpoints.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/kathryn-dennis-addresses-monkey-emoji-controversy-southern-charm

https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/814462/southern-charm-kathryn-dennis-sends-monkey-emoji-to-black-activist/

🎅 Have a Holly Jolly Pandemic…

You’ve missed a few, but there are many TV specials to come.

https://nypost.com/2020/11/30/must-watch-2020-christmas-specials-to-get-in-the-holiday-spirit/

NYC preps for the holidays. Such as they are.

https://nypost.com/2020/11/27/nyc-holiday-season-is-underway-the-posts-week-in-photos/

At least the tree doesn’t look so skimpy anymore.

https://nypost.com/2020/12/02/midtown-a-ghost-town-before-rockefeller-center-tree-lighting/

🏀 Gotta Bounce…

There will be time for tea tomorrow, but for now, stay safe, stay thinking before you speak (or post), and stay skeptical of mob bosses bearing good news.

November 30, 2020 – Sonny Shakes Down the Bartender, Shane’s Chakras Are Out Of Whack, Oops, Engaged Off Deck, AMC Reunion, Goodbye Charlie, Star Celebrations, Who’s Real On the Wives & December

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Julian packs, and Ava tells him that she told the staff she was away until further notice. She’s trained them over the years not to ask questions. Julian says, thank God for small favors, and Ava says Julian has reason to be thankful. More than Dev, and the man Lulu was dating; they’re dead. He says, only Jason was supposed to be there. it was supposed to be empty. She says, the place was packed with people. Why did he leave the bomb there? Why didn’t he throw it in the harbor? He says Cyrus didn’t give him a choice, but she says they always have choices, even when they’re backed into a corner. He says, like she did when she shot Connie Falconari?

At the hospital, Laura asks Nikolas if there’s any improvement. Nikolas says, Patrick and Griff were called, and concurred with Lucas’s diagnosis. There’s nothing they can do but wait and hope. Laura says, it’s not that she doesn’t trust Lucas, but she was hoping Patrick or Griff knew of a new way to deal with what’s happening with Lulu. Nikolas says, they send their regards, and tells her that he can reach out to Elizabeth. Maybe she knows where to find Lucky. Laura says, this can’t wait. They have to make a decision about his sister. She looks into Lulu’s room, and sees Dante with Lulu.

Alexis rings the bell at the Quartermaines, and Ned is surprised to see her. She says, Olivia invited her. She would have brought wine, but thought that would be inappropriate. Olivia welcomes Alexis, and thanks her for coming. She tells Ned that she asked Alexis to join them, and to take her coat. Olivia leaves, and Ned asks what in the world made Alexis think this was a good idea? She says his wife wouldn’t take no for an answer, and it would have been more suspicious if she’d turned Olivia down. He says, no offense, but can she stay sober? The doorbell rings, and Alexis says she won’t drink anything she doesn’t have to. Robert comes in, saying, happy Thanksgiving, and Ned says, another surprise guest. Olivia asks for his help in the kitchen, and he asks if she invited the entire city. She asks what he thinks about Alexis and Robert. They’re both members of the Lonely Hearts Club this year, and she thought they could celebrate Thanksgiving by doing some matchmaking.

Epiphany tells Sasha, the drugs increased her heart rate to the point of her having a heart attack. She hopes Sasha realizes the severity of what happened, and relies on her support system next time. Sasha asks, what support system? She has no family. Epiphany says Michael sat by her bed the whole night.

Willow tells Michael, when she realized Chase was telling her the truth, she had to walk out. She’s not ready to talk about it. What about him? Has he talked to Sasha? He says the medication Sasha was given kept her asleep. Olivia  tells them to come on. Thanksgiving punch is being served. They join the others.   

Sonny asks Sam how the family is, and she says, aside from her mother, who she doesn’t want to talk about, Scout is too young to understand anything that’s going on, and Danny is taking it in stride. Carly says, Josslyn is the same way. She’s devastated about Dev, but lockdowns are normal for her. Sonny says, what a way to celebrate Thanksgiving, and Carly says, she doesn’t understand how Cyrus knew Jason was in The Floating Rib. Jason guesses he wasn’t careful enough, and Sam says Jason was in the MetroCourt when he said he was going to The Rib to play pool with Danny. He says, Cyrus wasn’t around, but someone maybe someone on staff at the MetroCourt overheard him. Carly says, Trish just hired a new bartender, Eli. They were going to do a background check on Monday. Sonny asks if Eli is working today, and Carly checks the schedule. She says he’s working from 1 to 9 today, and Sonny says he’s sorry, but he and Jason have to leave. Carly says he’s got to do what he needs to do, and Jason asks Sam if they’re good. She says, sure, but I dunno.    

Epiphany tells Sasha that she has a visitor, and Sasha asks if Michael came back. Brando walks in, and Epiphany says she’ll check on Sasha later. She leaves, and Brando asks if Sasha is feeling better. She says, last night is blurry, but she does remember him being there. He says he brought her there after… She says, she OD’d. That’s what Epiphany said, but it still doesn’t make sense. The amount of cocaine she’d have to ingest would be astronomical. (Just for the record, that’s not necessarily true; it can hit anyone wrong at any time.) He says, so she’s been using? and she says she had a rough year. It’s rare, but she’s used it as a pick-me-up. He says, that’s what people with addictions say, and she starts to tell him that she doesn’t… but he says, people like them. 

Ava tells Julian not to throw Connie in her face. Her nerves were shot because of him. He had her convinced she had to protect him at all costs. Julian says, it’s late in the game to have a conscience, and she says, that’s the difference between them. She’s grown, and she’s not a weak-minded coward who can’t take responsibility, like him. He says he’s glad they’re parting on good terms. She says she’s got to go see her husband, and find out if he has news on the sister Julian put in the hospital. Keep packing. She wants him out by dawn.   

Dante tells Lulu that she needs to wake up. He hasn’t had a chance to tell her how sorry he is. Laura comes in, and asks if he’d mind some company, and he tells her that she should be in there, but Laura says she actually wanted to have a conversation with him about Lulu’s treatment. She’s legally the next of kin, but Dante is Lulu’s husband and Rocco’s father. She feels he has the right to have a say. He thanks her, and asks, what are their options? She says, Lulu isn’t supposed to wake up any time soon, and Dante starts to cry. She says as much as she appreciates GH, maybe it’s not the right place for Lulu’s medical care. He asks what she’s saying. She wants to send Lulu away? Is she giving up on her daughter?

Olivia says Alexis and Robert have a lot in common, and Robert says, they do? She says, they’re both lawyers, and Alexis says, not anymore. Robert says he’s heard Molly is a superstar at PCU, and she’s going to be a lawyer, and Alexis says maybe Molly will throw it all away and be a secret agent for 40 years, then make it a retirement hobby. Olivia laughs, and says Alexis is so funny. She has to check on the turkey. Robert gets up, and says he’s got to check on… something. By the punch bowl in the foyer, Robert asks Olivia what she’s doing, and she says he’s her friend, and Alexis is Ned’s friend; she thought they’d hit it off. He says, in all the time he’s lived there, he and Alexis have never exchanged two words. Olivia says, excuse her for trying to expand his social prospects. She was trying to be a good friend.

Ned tells Alexis, it’s nice to see her not drinking, but the more they’re around each other, the greater the chance Olivia will find out the truth. She asks if he thinks she’s going to bust into a cabinet, and start drinking the booze, but he says, there’s noticeable awkwardness. He’s glad his mother didn’t show up. Alexis says, they need to act normal. They have a long-standing friendship. If they don’t act like it, it will be suspicious, and someone will think something did happen between them. Robert stands in the doorway.

Sasha tells Brando, she barely knows him, and he’s telling her that he has a substance abuse problem. She’ll take his word for it, but not everyone who uses is an addict. She was just blowing off steam. (Amusing choice of words.) He says he’s not trying to judge, but from his past experience, he doesn’t think he’s wrong. He recognizes the warning signs. She says she gets it. Being in the hospital isn’t a good look. She just had too much last night. He says that’s not what he’s talking about. He’s seen her when she’s with Cyrus. She’s constantly going to the bathroom, and comes out sniffling. It’s becoming a nasty habit. She didn’t even ask what was in the bag; if it was cocaine or something stronger. He’s not trying to shame her, but he’s saying this because he’s been there. When he returned home from his tour, he wasn’t in a good place either, and also felt he needed something to take the edge off. A little something here, a little something there, and eventually… She says, it catches up to you.

Ava finds Nikolas at the hospital, and says, he’s been there all night? Lulu’s injuries didn’t seem that serious. Why hasn’t she been discharged? He apologizes for not calling, and says, they didn’t think it was serious. They thought it was just a headache, but her brain was swelling the whole time. Lulu was talking to Dante in the chapel, and collapsed. Ava asks, how bad is it? and he says, the doctors don’t know if she’ll wake up again. She says she’s so sorry, and he says they reached out to Patrick and Griff, but they confirmed Lucas’s diagnosis. Lulu just wasn’t as lucky as Franco. She says, Franco was at The Floating Rib? and he says, and Elizabeth and Cameron. Ava sits, and asks if they’re okay. He says, Elizabeth is fine, thankfully. Cameron has a leg injury, and will be fine, unlike Dev who died. Whoever did this has so much blood on their hands… He totally forgot to make arrangements for her brother, and tells her, sit tight. He’ll figure something out. Ava says let her worry about her brother.

Alexis tells Ned that she has no interest in blowing up his life. They see Robert, and Alexis says, time to refill her club soda. Ned says Robert might not know it, but their family Thanksgiving gatherings can be eventful. Robert says he doesn’t know what he stumbled into, but Olivia is his friend. If Ned hurts her, Robert swears Ned will still be in a wheelchair at Christmas. They hear Olivia yelling, and rush out into the foyer. Ned says, that doesn’t sound good, and Olivia says she was so distracted, she put the turkey in the oven at the wrong temperature. It’s like a charcoal briquet. Ned says, no one is hurt; it’s all fine, but she says, nothing is fine. Lulu is in the hospital, and might never wake up. Rocco may never have another conversation with his mother. Dante and Rocco are practically strangers, and now this. The one thing her son asked her for, a traditional Thanksgiving, and she screwed it up. It’s ruined. Monica says they haven’t cooked a successful turkey since the 90s. Olivia is sticking with tradition. If that’s what she wanted, she did a bang-up job. She says, they all know what they have to do next, and where they need to be,

Laura tells Dante, she’ll never give up. She’ll never stop hoping and praying that Lulu will come back, but the truth is, they’re done everything they can do there. They need to look into a long-term care facility, where doctors and nurses know how to deal with this. He says he just wants time with lulu. He wasted so much time. Please, can he have that? Laura leaves, and he kisses Lulu’s forehead.

Eli finds Sonny and Jason on the terrace, and tells them, sorry. The terrace is closed for the holidays. Jason says, they’re not there for a meal. Sonny says, they need answers, and Eli is going to give them to him and Jason.

Carly gives Sam something to drink, saying, she knows Sam is shaken up. Sam says she thought Jason and Danny were dead, and Carly says she’s so sorry. Sam says it was probably the most horrific hour of her life. She’s grateful Jason and Danny weren’t there, but she can’t stop thinking about Dev. He was so young, and had his whole life ahead of him, and now he’s gone. Carly says, it’s awful, and Sam says, it is. Carly told her Josslyn is used to growing up like this, and it breaks her heart. She doesn’t want that to happen to Scout, and Danny is old enough to understand now. This is a nightmare that will affect him in ways she can’t help. Carly says she gets it. They take chances with their lives they can’t imagine taking with their children. But Sam knew this was the life Jason lived when she chose to have Danny, like she knew about Sonny every time she married him. Fear is part of the deal, and they have to live with it. Sam says, what if she can’t live with it anymore?

Sasha tells Brando, she didn’t go looking for this. She was upset about the break-up, and got drunk. She overslept the day of the big Deception photo shoot, and Maxie freaked out when she saw how bad Sasha looked. Someone pulled her aside, and gave her something to get through it, and it worked. She had energy, and the photos turned out great. He says, in the short term, but then it becomes a way of life, and you depend on it more and more. That’s how the drugs work. Sasha says she’s not an addict, and he says she gave herself a heart attack and ended up in the hospital. Is she scared straight, or is she calling her dealer when she gets home? She asks why he’s spending Thanksgiving with her, and he says she’s the only one he can help right now.

Laura tells Nikolas that Dante actually said she was giving up on her daughter, and he hopes she set Dante straight. He shouldn’t even have a say. She says, he’s Rocco’s father, and it’s better if it doesn’t become a fight. They see Dante, and Nikolas tells Laura that he’ll talk to him, but she says, no. Epiphany comes out, and says, the mayor has visitors.  Everyone from the Quartermaines joins her, and Laura cries. 

Dante asks what Olivia is doing there, and she says, it’s where they should have been. Monica says, it’s not just about food, and Alexis says, it’s about family. Michael says, not just the family they’re born not, but those they choose to make a part of their lives. Ned asks, where else would they be? So…? He hugs Laura.   

Sasha asks how many people were at The Floating Rib, and Brando says, quite a few, including Dev, the son he never knew existed until a few months ago. The son he never imagined would be a part of his life, and now he’s gone. She says she’s so sorry. He should be with family, not there. They should be grieving together. He says he can’t deal with that, but he can help someone who needs it. She says, if someone said they wanted to help her, they could help her do some laps. How about it? He says, how many laps?

Michael asks how Dante is holding up, and Dante says, Laura wants to send Lulu to a long-term care facility, but it feels wrong to him. Michael says he knows it seems that way at first, but moving her to a facility like that is what she needs. His parents were in a similar situation with him, and it broke their hearts, but they made the right choice. He got the special care he needed, and when he woke up from his coma, he was able to leave and lead a normal life. Dante says he gets it, but it feels like they’re giving up on Lulu. Michael says he knows, but they both know Laura well enough to know she’d never give up on Lulu, and he knows Dante won’t either. 

Sam tells Carly, forget what she said, but Carly says, don’t do that. Sam is scared and needs to talk, and Carly is there listening. Sam says she hasn’t been able to catch her breath for the last 24 hours. She’s accepted the violence that goes with Jason’s life, but this is different. Danny almost died. She can’t get used to it. What if next time somebody tries to kill Jason, she, Danny, and Scout are with him? When she first became a mother, she wasn’t involved with Sonny’s world at all. Then she got engaged to Patrick. None of that made her miss Jason less, but for the first time in her life, she wasn’t running a con. She wasn’t married to the mob, or looking over her shoulder. Part of that made her feel normal. She liked Dev.

Eli tells Jason, easy. He doesn’t know what they want. Jason punches him in the stomach, and twists Eli’s arm around behind his back. He says Eli was working last night, and was close enough to hear him say he was going to The Floating Rib. Did he pass it along to Cyrus? Eli says he doesn’t know Cyrus, and Jason says, a guy in a suit with a ponytail. Did Eli tell him that Jason was going to be at The Floating Rib? Eli says, yeah, and Sonny pounds on Eli’s head with his finger, asking if he was paid to do anything else. Eli says, make a call to some guy, and pass on the message to drop off a package at The Floating Rib.

Sasha sees Willow with Michael, and tells Brando, last year at this time, that was her. She says she’s had enough exercise, and wants to go back to her room. Dante apologizes to Laura, saying, he was completely out of line. It’s a lot to process. She says she understands how he feels, and he says she’s right. Of course (🍷) they’ve got to do what’s best for Lulu’s care. He takes Laura’s hands, and says he wants her to know he’ll never stop loving Lulu. Laura says she knows that, and he goes back to Lulu’s room.

Monica asks for a moment. It’s Thanksgiving, but they’re here because a friend, family member, and member of their community is hurting, so she thinks a group prayer is in order. Everyone bows their heads, and Monica says, these last few days have been senseless and tragic. They’ve lost people too quickly, but have to remember to give thanks for what they do have. They have faith that things will get better; they have hope that their wounds will heal. They have the trust and support of those around them, and each other to lean on, and of course (🍷) have faith in God. Amen. Laura hugs Monica, and says she’s so lucky. Ned comes in with a load of pizzas, and Olivia says, it’s not the Thanksgiving dinner she’d promised… and Ned says, but it is keeping with tradition. Laura says, it’s perfect, and thanks them. Tracy walks in, and says, not so fast. First we sing, then we eat. Laura and I cry, and Laura hugs Tracy, thanking her.   

Sam tells Carly, she feels like her loyalty to Jason is in competition with her instincts to be Scout and Danny’s mother. Carly says she’s been there so many times. This life has so many ups and downs. There are good times, but there are dangers; it comes with the territory. Sam says she knows. That’s why she can’t sleep at night.

Eli tells Sonny and Jason, he just thought he was making a few extra bucks. He had no idea the package was a bomb. Jason asks who he called, and he says he doesn’t know; just some guy. Jason tells him to give them the phone, and Sonny takes it. He scrolls through and calls a number back. He hears the outgoing message say he’s reached Julian Jerome. He says, son of a bitch. (Sonny’s go-to curse phrase.)

Julian zips up his bag, when Ava walks in. He says she’s back sooner than he expected. She says, we need to have a talk, big brother. She holds a gun behind her back.

I just have to mention, after months of a mess on his head, Julian’s hair finally looks good. Now he’s leaving.

Tomorrow, Valentin fires Martin, Julian says Ava is choosing Nikolas over her own brother, Sonny says Julian has pushed him too far, and Laura slaps someone.

Below Deck

Shane sleeps while everyone else gets ready for charter. In Eddie’s interview, he says, WTF? It’s like a slap in the face to him and the team. He’s lost all respect for Shane, and he’s not even wasting energy to wake him up or scold him. Francesca warns Rachel that Captain Lee is coming, but I missed the warning system she has. He goes to the galley, and shows them a picture his wife sent of the two of them when they were younger, captioned, your favorite stew, so you don’t forget. He tells them that Maryann was his chief stew, and he got her into yachting. We see another photo of them, and in Rachel’s interview, she says she travels a lot, and understands. The captain says his wife is quite a lady, and Rachel tells Francesca that she misses her dude.

James says he doesn’t even check out Izzy’s ass anymore. Rachel calls boyfriend Vincenzo to say she misses and loves him. He says he misses her too. It’s time for the preference sheet meeting, and the captain says primary Tim is a trial attorney. He’ll be joined by his wife Beth, and three other couples. He’s celebrating his 50th with a multi-course dinner, including beluga caviar and a live steel drum band. (It’s not clear whether they want to listen to the band or eat them.) They want a beach barbecue picnic, and a lot rests on Rachel. In Rachel’s interview, she says, these guests seem refreshing. They’re her spirit animal. We flash back to the last charter, where she served the guests lobster, and they wanted more Jell-O shots. Captain Lee says, the service has to match the menu. They also want the dreaded slide.

In the morning, James puts Nutella and chocolate syrup on his toast. Bleh. For dessert, yeah, but I can’t do that kind of thing in the morning. Eddie tells Shane to clean the waterline, and if he scratches his leg, clean it out good. Francesca wants Elizabeth to organize the pantry, and can’t understand why Elizabeth is so messy. Eddie tells Izzy about Shane claiming he wants to improve, yet he found Shane napping. James admits to being body conscious, and in his interview, says he was quiet as a kid, and felt like a loser. He went to the gym, and cracked jokes because he wanted to be heard. Elizabeth tells him, it’s nice to have someone to talk to about sh*t. Rachel suggests printing wine menus along with the food menus, and goes over the food with Francesca. In Francesca’s interview, she says Rachel’s sense of humor is R rated, and hers is more refined. Whatever it was went over my head, since I don’t know what she’s talking about. James does exercises on deck. Izzy tells Shane, initiative plus drive, and Shane asks Eddie what needs help with. Eddie tells Rachel about Shane wearing a sleep mask (he calls it an eye patch) with do not disturb on it. He says he can’t. He’s at the end of his line.

Rachel says she didn’t know Shane was sleeping and sh*t. Izzy tries to show Shane knots, and in Shane’s interview, he says he’s ready to show the crew that he can do his job, but his head is in a tornado. He tries to remember the rabbit hole story Izzy told him to help remember how to make the knot, and says he’s going to do it a million times tonight. Everyone goes to bed

In Shane’s interview, he says he’s a perfectionist, and Eddie not being happy with him is a bummer. Confidence comes from failure, so he’s pretty confident. The next morning, Shane tells James that he slept with his shammy in his bed. Francesca tells the stews that she wants to work on streamlining service more. Everything looks messy at the moment. She tells Elizabeth that she’d like the pantry done now. She doesn’t want to see a mess; they’ll be able to work better. In Elizabeth’s interview, she says she thinks she can’t please Francesca, and it’s personal. A producer asks if she’s not really messy, and Elizabeth says she’s like a messy artist. Rachel asks Elizabeth, what’s wrong? but she says, nothing. Shane asks Eddie how he can help, and Eddie tells him, the list is on the wall. He says, Shane has told him a few times that he wants to go the distance, and Shane says he does. Eddie is going to see him in action. Eddie says he hopes so.

Elizabeth and Ashling clean the pantry, and in her interview, Ashling says she feels like she’s in between two pieces of bread. It’s so awkward. She can’t pick a side, or sh*t will hit the fan. Eddie tells them, provisions are here, and everything is brought in. Guest face towels are prepared, and Elizabeth shows Ashling the red tiger eye she carries for confidence. In her interview, Ashling supposes everybody’s different. It’s a half hour until the guests’ arrival, and the crew gets into their whites. Izzy frets over her camel toe, and the captain asks if she’s all right. When she explains, he says, alrighty then, having not expected TMI.

The guests arrive. When Izzy introduces herself, Tim says he’s easy too. Captain Lee says they’re going to get the party started quick. Francesca will give them a tour, they’ll get the luggage on board, and get out of Dodge. Francesca gives the tour, and I’m loving the cushion/pillow colors; very 60s with turquoise, green, and gold. Francesca tells the guests, a cheese board is coming, and puts Ashling on laundry. The boat heads out to Five Island Harbour. Francesca tells the guests that they’re going to anchor and have lunch relatively soon. Izzy says she’s so ready to drop anchor, since it’s her first time as deckhand, and Francesca tells Elizabeth to set the table, but not put out the wine glasses yet. Captain Lee tells the guests that this is the most protected area, and they ask if he’ll join them for dinner tomorrow. In Rachel’s interview, she says the guests are awesome in her eyes. They’re into food and wine, and that’s up her alley. She’s making an amazing, marinated snow crab that can’t fail. She plates it weird, in a crescent shape on the plate, and the guests wonder if something is missing. They also think it’s fake crab. In Francesca’s interview, she wonders on what super yacht they would serve fake crab. What an idiot. She tells Rachel, who says, it’s one of the most expensive seafoods you can have. I’d throw the shells at them as proof. 

The water toys are put in, and some of the guests jump off the boat. Primary Tim takes a nap, and Francesca tells Elizabeth, when she’s finished, prep for dinner. In Elizabeth’s interview, she says she’s getting a negative vibe from Francesca. Eddie asks Ashling how day one is, and Ashling says she feels fab. A guest asks if they have a call button, but that’s a no. I can just imagine if they did. Elizabeth calls friend Ana, and says she’s trying to reset. She doesn’t appreciate the way things are said, and Ana tells her, don’t let anyone psych her out. In her interview, Rachel says she’s not happy. The guests didn’t like lunch, so she’s going big for dinner with herb crusted lamb, brioche, and foie gras. It’s dark out, and the guests look at some fish below that might be sharks. One of them wants to jump in and catch one, but as much fun as it would be to see a shark eat him, lucky for him, another guest stops him. In Shane’s interview, he says when he was in high school, he sat in the front, and had all the answers. He’s smart, and doesn’t know why doing this job makes him feel insecure. He’s a perfectionist, so he’s motivated to accomplish the job, but he doesn’t know how to get there. He writes in his journal.

At dinner, a guest is wearing some God-awful pants that look like the American flag. Beth says, it’s amazing, and they’re not going to want to go home. In Rachel’s interview, she says she thought the guests would be refined, but Tim is pretty wasted; it’s embarrassing. Yes it is, because he has to go to bed before dinner even happens. Beth tells him to make sure he comes to his birthday party. Rachel says, the primary hasn’t even touched his food. It’s annoying since she tried to make his food preferences come alive, and he’s done. The tiniest flan in the world is served for dessert, and the guests go to bed. James does crunches in his cabin, and Shane finishes up on deck.        

Eddie finds that Shane left the garage door open, and in his interview, says, it’s basic sh*t. You lock your house when you leave. He keeps repeating, today is a good effing day, while on his way to deal with Shane, but Shane is still in bed. In Francesca’s interview, she says Ashling is thinking like her. She has a go-getter attitude, which is what Francesca needs in a stew – to be more like her. Francesca tells Ashling that she’ll be going to the beach. Eddie says, it’s slide time, and explains the set-up to James. Francesca calls the provisioner, and says they’re having a white party, and need a steel drum band. The slide is the usual pain in the ass to set up, and Francesca tells Elizabeth to do the cabins. Eddie tells Shane that he didn’t close the garage door. In his interview, Eddie says he can’t be too aggressive. He knows the kind of guy Shane is, and his chakras will be out of whack, so Eddie is tiptoeing around him. James tests the slide, and the other toys are put in the water. Francesca tells Tim, happy birthday, and Rachel pushes waffles for breakfast.

Shane outs himself to the captain, telling him about leaving the door open. Captain Lee asks if Shane doesn’t shut the door when he leaves the house. Shane wanders off, and the captain says, dumbass, which about sums it up. Tim skips breakfast, since he doesn’t usually eat in the morning. The crew gets ready for the picnic, and Eddie drives Shane and Ashling over to the beach. In her interview, Rachel says, she’s pressed for time, and has a beach picnic. She loves it. It’s also the primary’s 50th, and he’s requested a multi-course tasting menu. The tender is unloaded at the beach, and they start to set up. Izzy asks if Ashling is single, and she says she is. In Elizabeth’s interview, she says she feels badly about not being part of the beach picnic. She feels like Francesca isn’t happy with her, and Ashling is perfect, and it’s not fair.

Rachel gets the food platters ready for the beach. Francesca radios, asking for two pina coladas, but Rachel says, f*** that. She needs a hand getting stuff in the tender. In her interview, she says the lack of communication with her blows her mind. She doesn’t care what they need do. They need to make sure this sh*t gets schlepped TF out.

Francesca goes with the food, to expedite things. She says she wants to go swimming, but meanwhile, in the galley, Rachel wants to punch someone in the face. Eddie goes back for the guests, and Francesca takes pictures of the table. When the guests arrive, she welcomes Tim to his 50th birthday beach extravaganza. The guests are amazed, and declare food amazing, since this is apparently the only descriptive word they know. Some guests do snorkeling, while others jet ski, and the rest lounge around. Izzy asks if Shane happy, and he says he’s more prepared. In his interview, he says he knows he messed up incredibly, and has to step up his game and work hard. Eddie thinks he’s dumber than he actually is, so it’s frustrating. Ashling radios Eddie, telling him, the guests are ready to be picked up.

Francesca goes over the menu with Rachel, who says she’s going to bed after dinner, and crying. The beach is cleaned up, Shane being sure to scold them for not using paper straws. I have to say, I’m with him on this, since I live near a beach, and it’s horrible how many wash up. Eddie asks Izzy how she’s doing, and she says she’s dirty and messy, but good. Rachel looks for the caviar, and can only find salmon roe. She tells Francesca about it, and in her interview, Rachel says, the primary specifically said something about wanting it, and she’s going to lose her sh*t. Shane asks if she’s okay, and she tells him to keep moving; she’s not joking. She’s going to punch someone in the scrotum.

Alrighty then.

Next time, the captain joins the guests for dinner, Shane’s phone dies, and Captain Lee calls Shane to the bridge for a conversation. Shane looks scared.

🛥 So sorry. A little Deck confusion on my part last night. I thought there wasn’t going to be a new one, so good thing I double-checked. For whatever reason, it was listed, but there was no blurb, and my mind must have registered it as no show. Maybe it was too much Thanksgiving food. That’s my story anyway, and I’m sticking to it.

💍 And the Ring Makes Three…

So it turned out she wouldn’t have had time for that pesky reality show anyway.

https://pagesix.com/2020/11/24/below-deck-alum-hannah-ferrier-announces-engagement-weeks-after-giving-birth/

🌲 Pine Valley Rendezvous…

On December 2nd, at 1 pm, cast members reunite for your virtual pleasure.

💈 Just When He Got His Hair Right…

Port Charles bids Julian goodbye.

🦃 Like an After-Dinner Mint…

See how everyone in the soap world liked their turkey.

👠 Not One In NYC…

The current status of The Real Housewives as real housewives.

https://pagesix.com/article/which-real-housewives-are-currently-wives/

Or not.

https://pagesix.com/article/why-so-many-real-housewives-divorce-their-husbands/

🧗‍♀️ Off To Climb Every Mountain…

Or maybe just finish watching The Haunting of Bly Manor. Although I really should get back to getting rid of the Black-Friday-Small-Business-Saturday-Who-Knows-What-Sunday-Cyber-Monday assault of emails. Seriously, is five a day from every single retailer really necessary? Whether you took advantage of some sales, or looked at it all like a deer in headlights while hitting the delete button, stay safe, stay grounded mentally, and stay not spending your super yacht vacation napping.

November 25, 2020 – Lulu Collapses Mid-Sentence, Shannon Gets Hammered At the Vow Renewal, Heather Showers Her Employees & Thanksgiving With Alice

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

At the hospital, Jason tells Sonny, no sign of Julian at Charlie’s. Sonny says he wants that weasel found, and quick. Cyrus possibly had Brad stabbed for Julian, and he’s going to want to collect big time. Jason says, they need to know what Julian owed Cyrus, and Sonny nods. Jason says he’s on it.

Molly comes downstairs, and tells Sam, Alexis is in the guest room, sleeping it off, and Scout is still sleeping. Sam hopes Danny is doing the same at the Quartermaines, and asks if it’s bad that she wants a drink. Molly says, after the night Sam just had, no. Sam is glad Danny missed the explosion, but she’s also glad he wasn’t there to witness the confrontation they had with Alexis. On one hand, there’s a horrible physical thing that could have happened to him today, and on the other hand, a horrible emotional one. She feels like they can’t win. Molly says, beer? Sam says, in the fridge.

Ava gets to Windymere with Julian, and Nikolas calls to her. Julian sneaks into another room, and Nikolas asks if she was able to convince Julian to leave the country.

Portia tells Sonny that she’s sorry about Dev; Trina was incredibly fond of him. He thanks her, and she says she spoke to Carly. She’s going to break the news to Trina and Josslyn. Sonny says, at least they can lean on each other.

Carly arrives home, and Josslyn hugs her. She wonders what’s going on, and Carly says she’s fine. Josslyn asks, what about everyone else? and Carly says, Cameron is fine; he’s at the hospital. She says, they know there was an explosion tonight at The Floating Rib, and a lot of people were hurt really badly. Josslyn asks about Dev, and Trina says, Cameron didn’t know what happened to him. Carly says she’s so sorry, but Dev was killed.

Laura visits Cameron at the hospital, and gives him a hug. He says, he’s okay. He won’t be able to play soccer for a while, but at least nothing is broken. She asks if there’s been an update on Franco, and Cameron says his mom is going to tell him when Franco is out of surgery. He’s really scared. She hugs him again and says she is too.

Elizabeth tells Franco, she knows he’s tired and probably feels hopeless, but he has to fight. She needs him to be with her and the boys.

Dante yells for help, Lulu in his arms. Portia calls for a gurney, and Sonny asks, what happened? Dante doesn’t know, and says Lulu was talking to him, when she suddenly touched her head and collapsed. Portia looks Lulu over, and says, one of her pupils is blown; they need to get her stabilized. Dante asks what that means, and Doc says they’ll know more after the scan. Dante says, she was just standing there like everything was fine.

Molly tells Sam, it actually turned out to be a good thing that Valentin stuck around. Sam supposes so. Alexis had a glass of tequila instead of a whole bottle of vodka. Molly says, it’s like she can hear Valentin in a way she can’t hear them. Maybe because she’s not afraid of hurting him. Molly tells Sam that she tries so hard to be strong and rational, and remind herself their mom is sick and it’s not her fault. But sometimes she wants to scream, why don’t you love me enough to do this? Sam says Molly feels betrayed, and Molly says it’s written all over her face; Sam’s too. But it’s not on Valentin’s, so maybe that’s why Alexis is more relaxed with him. Sam says she has no idea what’s going to happen. If Valentin is the one to save Alexis, she’s all for it, but she doesn’t think it’s enough. She’s not sure if anything is enough anymore.

Elizabeth says she sees Cameron has a visitor, and Cameron asks how Franco is. She says he’s still being operated on, so they won’t know anything for a while. She asks if she can get Cameron anything from the vending machine, and Laura says she’ll go too; sweet or salty? Cameron says, both, and tells Elizabeth that he’s been texting Dev, but he hasn’t answered. He’d like to see him. Elizabeth says, of course (🍷), and leaves with Laura. In the hallway, Laura tells Elizabeth, she didn’t want to say anything, but people are going to start talking about this, and Cameron should hear it from her. Elizabeth asks, what happened? and Laura says, Dev didn’t make it; he died on the way to the hospital. Elizabeth says, that poor boy. Cameron is going to be devastated. Laura is right though. Cameron should probably hear it from her. Laura’s phone dings, and she says it’s Doc. It sounds urgent. Elizabeth tells her to go.

Trina asks if Carly is sure, and Carly says, Sonny was in the ambulance with Dev when he passed. Josslyn says, he didn’t even make it to the hospital? and Carly says, his injuries were that serious. Trina says, this is so unfair, and Carly says she’s so sorry. She wishes there was something she could say, or an explanation she could give to make it better. It is unfair. It’s horrible and awful. Trina wants to see Cameron, and Carly says she’ll have someone take her. Josslyn wants to go too, but Carly hesitates. Josslyn says she thinks it’s important they’re together right now, and Carly relents. They have a three-way hug.

Elizabeth looks in on Franco, and leans against the wall, devastated. Scotty sees her, and holds her.

Ava says she told Julian about Nikolas’s generous offer. He was most appreciative. Nikolas says he didn’t do it for Julian. He did it for her, so she wouldn’t get dragged into Julian’s next disaster. Doc calls, and asks how soon Nikolas can get to the hospital. Nikolas asks, what happened? and Doc says, Lulu was caught in an explosion at The Floating Rib. They thought she was fine, but she passed out, and she’s been taken to radiology. Nikolas asks if their mother is with her, and Doc says he’s about to tell her, but thinks she could use some extra support. Nikolas says he’s on his way. he tells Ava, Lulu collapsed. She’s at the hospital. Apparently, she was in some kind of explosion. Ava asks if she’s all right, but he says, it sounds like they don’t know. They’re running tests. She asks him to keep her updated, and he leaves. She says, this can’t be happening. Julian comes out, and says, they don’t know anything yet. She says, they know Lulu was in an explosion, and she’s at the hospital. He could have just murdered her husband’s sister.

Scotty goes into Cameron’s room with Elizabeth, and Cameron asks if she was were able to find Dev. She says she’s sorry. She hates to tell him this, but Dev’s injuries were too severe. She’s sorry. Cameron cries, and she holds him.

In the chapel, Sonny lights a candle. Dante says he went halfway around the world to protect Lulu, and when he came back, he was so messed up, he had to leave his family again; this time to protect them from him. He told himself that he was doing the right thing, even though it hurt them. What he should have been doing every day was telling his family, his wife and kids, that he loves them. He never should have left.

Ava tells Julian, innocent people were hurt or they’re dead because of him. He says, it was supposed to be empty. He didn’t know. She says, it’s a restaurant. How the hell was it supposed to be empty? And he did know. Do her the courtesy of not lying to her face. There’s a knock at the door, and Julian hides. It’s Jason.

On the phone, Sonny asks, what kind of explosive device?… Any leads on how it got there?… Okay, thanks. He hangs up, and says, son of a bitch.

Laura sees Doc, and asks, what’s wrong? He says, it’s Lulu. She and Dante were in the chapel, and she lost consciousness. Fortunately, Portia was on duty, and ordered a CT scan. Laura says she was with Lulu earlier, and she seemed fine. He says, according to Dante, they were having a conversation, and Lulu grabbed her head and collapsed. Dante joins them, and Laura asks, what happened? He says, it was like a switch flipped. One moment, they were talking, and the next moment, Lulu was out. Portia comes out, and says she has the test results.

Portia tells them, the tests revealed a cerebral contusion; a traumatic brain injury. It usually occurs when there’s been a blow to the head. Because the body’s inflammatory response sends fluids and nutrients to the primary injury in an attempt to heal it, it’s caused a secondary brain injury of cerebral edema. The skull is immovable, so there’s no room for the brain to swell. It’s currently compressing the ocular motor nerve, and other parts of the brain as well. Dante asks if they can stop the swelling, and Portia says, lifting the skull off the brain will cause the swelling to cease, and hopefully minimize any damage and prevent further damage. Nikolas has joined them, an asks if she’ll recover, but Portia says, their first step is to get her through this procedure. Laura asks if she can see Lulu, but Portia says they had to move quickly, so Lulu is already in surgery. Laura cries.

Ava says if Jason is looking for Nikolas, he’s on his way to the hospital. His sister was injured. Apparently, there was an explosion at The Floating Rib, but she doesn’t have any details. Julian listens in, and Jason says he hadn’t heard about Lulu, but he knows two people were killed. Where’s Julian? He starts to open the door to where Julian is hiding, but his phone rings. Sonny says, anything? and Jason says, nothing yet. Sonny says he spoke to their guy at the PCPD, and it was a bomb. He’s going to have Carl pick up Sam and the kids. Jason says he’ll meet Sonny back at the house, and Sonny asks him to put Ava on. Jason gives Ava the phone, and Sonny says, he needs to talk to her. Somebody blew up The Floating Rib; it could be the start of a war. He’s going to have Avery go with Jason so he can bring her to his place. Ava says she respects what he feels he needs to do for his daughter, but Avery is quite safe there. She’s sleeping. Just let her stay, at least for tonight. He tells her to put Jason on, and she gives Jason the phone. He asks what Jason thinks, and Jason thinks Avery is safe for tonight. Sonny says, okay. Jason tells Ava, if she hears from her brother, call him. After he leaves, Julian comes out.

Molly tells Sam, maybe they can get their mom to rehab, and Sam wonders how they would do that. She’s not going to check herself in, and after tonight, her walls will be up higher than ever. There’s a knock at the door, and Sam opens it to Carl. She asks if something happened to Jason, but he says, Jason’s fine. He was instructed to take them to Sonny’s house. Molly asks if Jason sent him, but he says, Sonny did. Sam says, no one called her, and Carl says Jason just texted, and said he’d explain everything once they got there, but the most important thing is that they move now.

Sonny calls Carly, and tells her, Lulu collapsed; she’s in surgery. Carly asks if she’s going be okay, but he says, they don’t know yet. She says, poor Laura; poor Dante. How is he holding up? He says, Dante is staying strong, but he’s scared. She wonders if this night could get any worse, and he says, the explosion wasn’t an accident; somebody bombed the place. He sent Carl to pick up Sam and the kids. Ava thinks Avery is safe at Windymere, but he doesn’t know. Carly says she let Josslyn and Trina go to the hospital to see Cameron; she sent Trent with them. As they hurry to Cameron’s room, Sonny says he sees them, and she asks if she should get ready to leave. He says, he’s not ready to send her and the kids away, but this was a bomb. It’s no joke. He just wants to keep his family safe, so they stay – for now. He’ll be coming home soon. She tells him, be careful, and he says he loves her. She says she loves him too.

Josslyn and Trina hug Cameron.   

Scotty tells Elizabeth, Cameron is a tough kid. They’ll get through this. Elizabeth doesn’t know how Scotty can be so calm. Ever since she found out about Franco’s tumor… He says, what tumor? and she says she’s so sorry. She thought he knew. She just assumed, since he was talking about Franco being a fighter. He says, Franco is a fighter. He just assumed Franco got banged up in the explosion. She says, Franco’s tumor is back, and it makes treating his injuries more complicated. He says, it makes sense now. Franco was acting crazy about his insurance policies. He thought it was just the dehydration, but there was no dehydration, was there? She says, last night, she found out about the tumor, and that it’s inoperable. He wonders why Franco didn’t tell anybody, but she doesn’t know. He didn’t tell her either, but when he did, she convinced him to get a second opinion. Scotty says, he should, and Elizabeth says, they were in a hopeful place, then tonight happened. Now Franco is really scared. Scotty says, scared he won’t wake up? but she says, scared he’ll wake up a different person.   

Sam tells Carly that she’s surprised Scout fell asleep so quickly. Carly says, it was an eventful night. How is she holding up? Sam says she’s tired of the whirlwind, and her? Carly says she doesn’t know what to do. She knows Sonny and Jason will tell them if it’s too dangerous to stay. Sam asks if that’s okay with her; just pack everything up and go to Puerto Rico. Leave behind her family, friends, and job, everything. Carly says, it’s not okay, and she prays it doesn’t come to that, but this is the life she chose, and by extension, the life she chose for her kids. Sonny never pretended there was no risk. Sam says, neither did Jason. Jason comes in, and Sam hugs him.

Ava tells Julian to give her a good reason not to call Jason back. He says Jason would kill him, and she tells him, she said a good reason. He asks if she wants him dead, and she says she’s been desperate to keep him alive. So desperate, she enabled him to the point he brought a bomb into The Floating Rib, and blew the place up. Jason said two people died. She doesn’t think that would have happened if she hadn’t been running in circles trying to keep him alive. She should have let his actions catch up with him, and let him suffer the consequences. At what point does keeping him alive make her an accomplice?

Jason asks how the kids are, and Sam says, good. Danny is at the Quartermaines, and Scout is asleep upstairs. He says he’s sorry he didn’t call. Carly asks if it’s confirmed that it was a bomb. Jason says they don’t know who planted it, but all signs lead to Cyrus. Carly says, that’s crazy; won’t it bring Federal attention? Jason says, the NSA is  going to be all over it, and it won’t be lost on anyone that it happened within six months of Cyrus moving to Port Charles. She wonders what could possibly be worth taking a risk like that, and Jason says, me.  

Josslyn says, she’s thankful Cameron is okay, and Trina says, her too. If they’d lost him… Josslyn tells her, don’t even say it. It’s horrifying enough about Dev. Trina says, it doesn’t feel real, and Cameron says, it doesn’t. Trina says, Dev is gone. They’re never going to see him again. Cameron says he thought Dev was going to be okay. Franco was hurt, so he went with him, and left Dev to die alone. Josslyn says, Dev wasn’t alone; he had Sonny. Cameron says he can’t stop thinking about it. He keeps running through his mind. It’s so random. Why Dev, and not him? Trina says, that’s not a question that he should ever have to answer. What he needs to ask himself is, he lived, so what does he do with that? How does he not waste the time he has left?

Laura tells Doc, she saw Lulu walk out of the rubble, and she was so relieved. Dustin was dying, Dev was dying, and she thanked God for keeping her daughter safe, but she wasn’t safe. She should have known. Doc says she couldn’t have known; no one could have. Dante comes into the chapel, and sits down.

Lucas tells Elizabeth, the surgery went better than expected. They were able to repair the blood vessel, and loosen the tumor, which will relieve pressure on the brain. There’s still no guarantee what condition Franco will wake up in. Elizabeth says she understands, and asks if she can sit with him. Lucas says, of course (🍷), and she thanks him. She goes into Franco’s room. His head is all bandaged and has electrodes attached to it.   

Portia says, Lulu is out of surgery, and Laura wonders when she’s going to wake up. Portia says, Lulu is in a coma, but that’s to be expected. They won’t know how it went until the swelling has gone down. Laura asks if she’ll wake up, but Portia can’t answer that right now. Dante asks where Lulu is now, and Portia says, she’s in ICU. He asks, can he be with her? If it’s okay with Laura. Laura says, of course (🍷).

Josslyn says, that was super deep, and Cameron says, it was. Trina says they can make fun of her all they want, but Josslyn says Trina is right. Oscar, Dev, Trina’s dad, no one knows how much time they have. Why waste it? They should make the most of it. Cameron says he wants to be more grateful, and Trina says, her too. Not just for the people in her life, but the opportunities they’ve been given. Cameron says, everything. They’ve been given a lot more than most have. Josslyn says she wants to be brave, and Trina says she is brave. Josslyn says, braver then. She wants to be real, and say what she feels, but not in a bad way; she doesn’t want to trample people. She wants the courage to put herself out there. Trina says they could all benefit from doing that more, and Cameron says he definitely could.

Julian says, of course (🍷) Ava feels terrible about Lulu; he feels terrible. She says, does he? and he says, of course (🍷). He never wanted this to happen. All he wanted was for Lucas to keep the son he loved. That’s how this whole thing started. Sonny could have been a reasonable person, and never gone to extremes, but they both know he’s not. So he was in fear for his life. He’s not the bad guy; Sonny is the bad guy. Ava says, every single action Julian took to avoid being killed came at too great a cost. He has just two choices; either go to Sonny and let him finish it, or leave now and don’t look back.

Jason tells Sam and Carly, Cyrus believes to get to Sonny, he’s got to get rid of him. First, there was the motorcycle accident, and it’s what he thinks happened with The Floating Rib. Carly says, because he was there? but he says, he’s just guessing. He thinks Cyrus is having him watched, and arranged to plant the bomb. It was pure luck he was called away before The Rib blew up. The good news is, Cyrus tried to take him out, and it didn’t work. Now Cyrus will have to pull back way. Sonny arrives, and Carly hugs him. He says Josslyn is at the hospital and Trent will being her home. Carly says, so it was a bomb, and it was Cyrus. What now?   

Sam says, maybe they should pack up and go, and Jason says, to Puerto Rico? Sonny tells her, he’s not saying don’t go if it makes her feel better. Carly doesn’t think they’re there yet, but she wants to make sure she and Sonny are on the same page,. He says he doesn’t think so either, and it sends the wrong message.

Cameron says he thinks he should stop fronting, and put himself out there. Trent comes in, and says it’s time to get Josslyn home, and Josslyn says she’ll see them later. She’s really glad Cameron is okay. He says, me too, and Trina says, me three.

Elizabeth tells an unconscious Franco that she had to tell Cameron that Dev didn’t make it. She’s glad he wasn’t there for that. It was awful. How much loss can a kid his age take? It’s not fair. So she’s letting him know, she’s not doing this again. She’s not telling her son that someone he cares about is gone. Franco will have to push through, wake up, and be himself, telling her everything is going to be okay. Franco asks why she’s yelling at him, and she hugs him. As much as you can hug someone in a hospital bed.

Julian asks if Ava wants him to disappear; never see his kids or grandkids again. Ava says, he can stay, and let Sonny kill him, or go, and say goodbye forever. It will take Sonny and Jason 30 seconds to figure it out. He says she doesn’t know that, and she says she doesn’t, but they’re obviously leaning that way, or Jason wouldn’t have come there.  Here’s the deal. She’ll help him one last time. She’ll help him run, but if he chooses to stay, she’s out. Don’t call, don’t text, don’t look to her to save him. She won’t. If he stays, he’s on his own

Dante sits by Lulu, and says, it would be really good if she could wake up. She was in the middle of telling him something important. She was in the middle of a sentence, and he knows how she hates being interrupted. She’s got to wake up, so she can finish what they started.

Lucas tells Laura, they have to talk about Lulu’s condition. Doc says he didn’t realize Lucas was working Lulu’s case, and Laura says, Portia didn’t tell them everything, did she? Lucas says, because he’s family, Portia agreed to let him talk to Lulu’s surgeon. Traumatic brain injuries can be tricky. As in Lulu’s case, there’s often no indication that the person is injured. It’s possible that if a preemptive CT scan had been performed, they could have controlled the damage. Laura says, but it wasn’t, and they couldn’t? He says, Lulu’s brain began to swell the moment she hit her head, and Laura says, so all that time she was talking to Lulu in the ER, her brain was swelling. She should have done more. She should have done something. Nikolas says, Lulu is in a coma; her body is trying to heal. Lucas of all people knows a coma is survivable. Lucas says, they are, but he’s not going to lie. The damage is severe. Recovery will take a long time… if she recovers at all. Laura looks into Lulu’s room, and Dante takes Lulu’s hand.  

Just a side note: Lulu’s injury is similar to what killed Natasha Richardson, so please, if you get whacked in the head, go see a doctor immediately. Go to the ER.

Next week – for Thursday, the guide shows a repeat from 12/23/19; and Friday is College Football – Thanksgiving in Port Charles, Dante asks what the options are, Brando asks if Sasha was scared straight, and Ava wants Julian out by dawn.

The Real Housewives of Orange County

Shannon told Kelly she was reeling, and no surprise, Kelly didn’t understand the meaning of the word, and thought Shannon was talking about reeling in fish. Shannon said she wondered why Kelly didn’t come to her when she thought Shannon was selling water, and clarifies she’s manufacturing a tincture. In her interview, Kelly thought Shannon was beating a dead horse with the tincture thing, but she apologized. In Shannon’s interview, she said this was the Kelly she knew and didn’t always love. The one that comes at her, then wonders what the big deal is. The wedding moved to the bar/dancing area, and Shannon snuck over to her room to drink. Her daughters said the vow renewal was happy in comparison to hers, and Shannon said they couldn’t compare it. She didn’t think Braunwyn and Sean went through a public affair. We flashed back to Shannon’s vow renewal, and in Shannon’s interview, she said she was working on being less reactive. John was helping, and she hoped to mitigate some of the damage she’d caused. Her daughters thought she was blowing things out of proportion.

Kelly asked Braunwyn’s grandmother Mama Jo if she was ready to bang it out. She knew some guys who would love her. Mama Jo said they had to have money. Go grandma. In Braunwyn’s interview, she was impressed with Gina not drinking and showing up for her. In her room, Shannon wanted to make a cocktail for the road. Out of respect, she wasn’t drinking tequila in front of Braunwyn. Shannon and company went back to the reception, where Braunwyn’s friend Sherri was toasting to their 20 years. Braunwyn said she and Sean had to let go of what they thought marriage was, and accept what it is. Elizabeth asked if they were taking questions. Shannon said she had to decompress, and was obviously getting bombed. In her interview, Gina said, on a scale of one to drunk, Shannon is 20 sheets to the wind. Shannon harped on Braunwyn claiming she’d said Gina’s house was sad, but Emily said the only one who should care was Gina. Emily asked Elizabeth if she and Jimmy had sex, and Elizabeth said, no, since she wasn’t divorced yet. In her interview, Elizabeth said it was her business if she bangs them, when, and how. Emily thought there was more to the story, and in Emily’s interview, she said it didn’t make sense. Everyone danced, and Braunwyn and Sean kissed. Shannon told a couple of Braunwyn’s kids that her husband surprised her with a vow renewal, and it didn’t work out, but theirs was upbeat, fun, and good; different from hers. The kids laughed at her, especially when she started gesturing wildly with her hands, and she told them they were blessed. Jacob said it was awkward; she was so effing drunk.

When Shannon asked for three vodka and grapefruits, I wondered if they were all for her, since she decided to make an asshat of herself. Shannon told Kelly, to no water to Shannon’s line. In Kelly’s interview, she said Shannon needed to drink some water, and wondered why Shannon gets like that. Shannon told Kelly that she was getting a negative vibe, and wondered if Kelly still had issues. Kelly asked if Shannon was drunk, and Shannon said she didn’t drink any of the tequila Kelly brought, then insisted it had been Kelly’s idea. We flashed back to Shannon being the first to mention it on the bus, and drinking in her room. In Kelly’s interview, she asked what was worse, walking into the lobby with it, or being drunk at the reception. The cake was cut, and Elizabeth got questioned again about not having sex with Jimmy. She admitted that they’d had it once, but it was before he knew she was married. Then in the next breath, she said he knew she was married. In Gina’s interview, she said Elizabeth didn’t want them to know anything, and that made everyone want to know everything. In Emily’s interview, she said she thought Elizabeth should get away from material things, and work on who she is. In Elizabeth’s interview, she said Jimmy was hesitant about her freezing her eggs, but if she chose to have a child, she was going to have one.

It was agreed Braunwyn was fun sober. Gina asked about Braunwyn’s mom, and Braunwyn said they were nervous around each other. She’d suggested therapy together, and Deb thought they should drop acid. She said the big issue was 42 years of her life, and Emily said that wasn’t going to be fixed overnight. In her interview, Braunwyn said it was easier for Deb to deal with her when she was broken. When she wasn’t, Deb didn’t have as much of a role. Shannon thanked Braunwyn for including her whole family, and said she was there for her. She hoped they were good. She admitted she brought tequila into her room, and in Braunwyn’s interview, she sarcastically said she had no idea Shannon had been drinking. Shannon told Braunwyn that she’d only had one drink, and in her interview, Braunwyn said, she’s hammered. In Emily and Shane’s room, Emily and Gina talked about Elizabeth, and Emily said she was addicted to the lifestyle and the money. The guests cleared out, and in Braunwyn’s interview, she said tonight she’d celebrated the man of her dreams, and the family she’d created. The old Braunwyn would have been passed out already. She was grateful. Back in her room, Shannon picked at food that had been left out for hours, and tried to navigate a recliner. She asked John if there was an after party, but he suggested she just eat some food. She tried talking to the housekeeper in Spanish, and made even less sense than she did in English.

Gina had been going to AA meetings with Braunwyn, and Emily tagged along to one. She wanted to be supportive, and understand Braunwyn’s situation better. She thought everyone deserved a second chance, and Braunwyn was making a life-altering decision. In Braunwyn’s interview, she said she never thought she’d be spilling her secrets to anyone, but girlfriends were ride or die, and probably the best gift she’d been given was the women in her life.

Shannon looked pretty groggy in the morning, and had trouble with her breakfast order. She said she didn’t get any dinner like it was somebody else’s fault. Elizabeth called mom Lyn, and said they were near the house she’d built with her ex-husband, and everything about the house broke her heart. Lyn said she needed to let it go, and Elizabeth wondered why she was so effed up. In her interview, Elizabeth said she’d never had a voice. She told Lyn that people would look at her like a gold-digger when they went to trial, and she needed Botox, since her emotions could be seen.

Kelly told Emily that she and Shannon went up and down, but she wasn’t letting Shannon bother her anymore. Emily said she was proud of Kelly. Elizabeth and Shannon went to the pool, and Elizabeth said Braunwyn’s kids had lice. When Braunwyn joined them, she corrected that to only two of them. Emily asked how Braunwyn’s night had been, regardless of the lice, and Braunwyn said Gina had shown up for her. In her interview, Braunwyn said she thought her kids were just sweaty because it was hot. We saw a clip of one of them scratching his head, and she said she should have known better. Kelly announced there was no toilet paper at Costco, and read about covid online. At the time, there had only been 30 deaths, and she said people died from the flu all the time. Elizabeth thought it would be over in 60 days (yeah, we all thought that), and in her interview, said she thought it was being blown out of proportion. She told the women that her divorce was being finalized soon, so she had a lot of emotion. Shannon said this was where it gets nasty with a settlement, and Elizabeth revealed that she’d texted her ex, saying she was sorry she’d filed for divorce, and that their marriage would be over soon. She was hoping he’s say he was sorry and he loved her, but everyone agreed he was never going to apologize. Elizabeth said he’d hurt her with his behavior; he’d meant the world to her. As a husband, he was supposed to protect her. (Good luck with that.) Emily thought Elizabeth wasn’t ready for another relationship, but Elizabeth said she and Jimmy weren’t sleeping together, so they were like friends. Now I think there’s more to the story.

In their interviews, Emily said, on a level from one to ten, the confusion was a ten, and Gina said she needed a degree to follow it. Gina asked if Elizabeth had enough money without the settlement, and Elizabeth said, enough for forever. Gina said, then walk away. She promised it would kill Elizabeth. Gina walked away with nothing because if she hadn’t walked away it would have killed her, We flashed back to the reunion where Andy asked her about Matt’s domestic violence charges. Gina said she ultimately knew it was time to walk away. Elizabeth said she didn’t want him to win, and Shannon thought Elizabeth liked it. Kelly thought it was exhausting her, and she needed to get it over with. Emily said Elizabeth was upset and emotional, and Gina said she didn’t make sense. Elizabeth agreed she was a disaster, and Gina said she was attached to the material things. Kelly said, let him go. In Kelly’s interview, she told us, they say to let go of someone, you have to get under somebody else. If Elizabeth was getting it every night, she wouldn’t be talking about her ex. As they walked out, Kelly pushed Elizabeth in the pool.

Next time, Elizabeth says Shannon went off on Jimmy, Braunwyn goes to therapy, Shannon is afraid to run out of paper towels, and the schools close.

The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City

Whitney planned to have a party at Prohibition Bar, which was like a real speakeasy, and very cool. Heather had five employees who were all pregnant with boys, which I thought was pretty weird. She wondered if there was something in the water, but I don’t think the water had much to do with it. She prepared to have a group shower, and in her interview, explained that Mormon women were judged by how they raised their children, and kept their husbands happy. It was the social code they went by. That’s what was so hard when she got divorced; that was taken from her. She said she’d given up everything, and her husband gave up on her, since he said he didn’t want to be married to her anymore. She’d only married her husband because he was the perfect Mormon, and believed you should stay married no matter what, but had never really been in love, which was sad.

I wasn’t quite paying attention to why, but Jen kicked her legs up in the air while sitting on the couch at Meredith’s house. Or maybe there wasn’t any particular reason. Meredith’s kids Brooks and Chloe were there, and they didn’t come out and say it, but it sounded like Jen wasn’t wearing underwear, which totally offended them. Later, Brooks called Meredith out on allowing that behavior in their home. Meredith said Jen wanted to do a sleepover after Whitney’s party, but Brooks nixed the idea, saying it was Chloe’s last night before going back to school, or work, or wherever she was on a break from. Meredith and Mary had dinner, and Mary said her son had his first girlfriend, and wasn’t wanting to hang out at home anymore. She said he wasn’t learning anything in school. He just went there because his girlfriend did. In her interview, Mary explained that when her grandmother left everything to her, it was her whole life – her home, money, church, and her second husband. Mary was 22, and her mom had a fit, since she thought she should have been the recipient. She’d had to get to know Robert after they married, but said she couldn’t have chosen better herself. (He did look kind of young for her granddad.) Meredith said she wanted to go to Mary’s church.

Whitney brought dad Steven to Mary’s church, and in her interview, said her dad had finally acknowledged he needed help, and was considering going into sober living. We saw a clip of him saying he’d prayed for rain, and now had to go through the mud. Whitney thought it was a good opportunity for him to feel love and unity, and have more support. It’s what he needed to stay sober. In her interview, Mary said she felt being a pastor was what she was called to do, whether people liked it or not. Meredith was impressed with how Mary connected to her congregation, and Whitney saw her father feel like he was worth his life for the first time.

Jen tested out her look for the 1920’s party the day before. I thought this was a great idea, but she had a team she called the Shah Squad. If I did that myself, I’d never get it to look the same the next day. She said she depended on her team to fill the roll of her family, since she was along a lot of the time. She told them that she was supposed to have a sleepover at Meredith’s house, but had gotten a text from Meredith, cancelling. She didn’t believe Chloe wanted to spend time with her mom.

Heather had a white party shower for her pregnant employees, and in her interview, she said, the girls think they’re going to pop out perfect Gerber babies, sleep train them overnight, and have perfect Instagram lives. In her experience, that wasn’t going to happen. She wanted to let her kids choose their own path, and know that she supported them no matter what. The husband’s were also invited, and they played some cute couples games. Jen was still pissed about Mary and her hospital comment, and in Heather’s interview, she says she thought that should be dead and buried. In Jen’s interview, she said if you’re friends with Mary, you put up with her being in the Twilight Zone every other day, but Mary hurt her. Mary cut her to the core. She knew Jen was close to her aunt. Whitney – who has an irritating cartoonlike voice – told Jen about taking her father to Mary’s church, and how helpful it was. Jen was angry that Meredith had also gone. She thought there was a conflict if Meredith wanted to be friends with both of them, but she wasn’t saying Meredith needed to pick a side. Even though that’s exactly what she was saying.

Whitney got the party started, and Jen started earlier, having a few drinks before the party. When she walked in, the first thing she saw was Meredith talking to Mary.

Next time, Jen confronts Meredith about Mary, and totally pitches a fit; and Meredith says she’s separating from her husband.   

🦃 Turkey Trotting Away…

I might pop in with a spot of tea on Friday, but there are no shows to speak of between now and Dead time. So whether you’re sitting down with friends and/or family in real life, Zooming it, or going it alone, have a flavorful Thanksgiving. We’re doing take-out from Boston Market, which cooks up a surprisingly good turkey, and has a kick-ass cranberry sauce, which lasts forever in your fridge. I know because I like to save that last little bit for a desperate moment. Just remember, stay safe, stay thankful, and stay counting your blessings, no matter how small. We can use all we can get in the year we thought would be ours.

November 10, 2020 – The Aftermath From Alex, Joe’s Reunion, Teresa Touché, New Faces In Utah, Mom To Be, Rock the Costume & Soldier

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

No surprise, I missed the part before the opening credits. Here’s what you need to know. Ned showed up at Alexis’s house, and asked if she’d been drunk the night they slept together. Jordan and Curtis went to an abandoned house that Curtis said had been surrounded by guards just a few weeks ago. Inside, it looked pretty empty, except for some covered furniture. They snooped around. Cyrus approached Lulu at the hospital, and she said she had no time for him. He said she needed to make time, since he was in a position to make her life very difficult. Dante listened in. Robert found Anna in the chapel, and she told him what happened with Alex, and instead of saying, hey, how are you feeling about all that? he asked if she’d found out who Peter’s mother was. Willow arrived at the hospital, and that’s where I came in.

Willow hugs Chase, saying, when she heard the news, she had to see him. She asks how Finn is, and Chase says he’s still in surgery. They have to remove the bullet, and drain the fluid around Finn’s heart. There was more of an explanation, but most of it went over his head. Willow says she’s sorry, and he says, it’s all so crazy. His mom was in town. All this time, he’s wanted Finn to reunite with her, and Finn finally changed his mind. She asks if it went well, and he says, it was awkward at first, but it got better. He could see what his family would look like, and feel Finn letting his guard down. They were talking about introducing Anna and Violet to his mom, and he thought they finally did it. They took the first step to being a family, and maybe they could invite his dad soon. She says she knows it’s been Chase’s goal for a long time, getting his brother and parents in the same room. She’s glad he got to have that one moment. He says, all night long, he kept thinking, what if wasn’t the first time he had his family together? What if it was the last time he ever sees his brother?  

Anna asks if Robert ever stops his relentless obsession with Peter. She just killed her sister. Alex was trying to kill her, but she still ended Alex’s life, and she has to deal with it. She was up all night, holding her breath, hoping Alex didn’t manage to kill Finn, not thinking about who Peter’s mother is. She’s just hoping Finn pulls through. Does he understand? She had enough. He says, she’s right. He’s sorry, for what it’s worth (🍷). She says, it’s not worth much right now, and he says, Finn has made it so far. She has no reason to believe he won’t pull through. Anna takes his hand, and says, the thought of losing Finn… She starts to cry.  

Maxie says she’s loved Peter hanging by her side, but she’s been checked and rechecked. She’s fine. The baby is fine. You know who’s not fine? His mom. He should be with her. Peter says Anna said she’d be better off if he was with Maxie, and Maxie says, typical Anna, putting other’s needs before her own. Anna was incredible rescuing her from Alex. She doesn’t know where she’d be if Anna hadn’t shown up.

Cyrus tells Lulu, her article implies that his motives run counter to what’s best for the hospital, and he has a secret agenda. It’s sheer speculation. She says he’s shutting out employees that have a relationship with the Corinthos family. She got it word for word from her confidential source. Cyrus says he knows she’s baiting him, and asks if she was hoping for an angry outburst. Is she trying to pick a fight with him? Dante appears, and tells Cyrus to back off.  

Willow says, poor Violet, and Chase says, Violet doesn’t know any of this. Willow says she totally understands him thinking about the worst case scenario, but he needs to focus on the good things. How Finn changed after Violet came into his life. He says, Finn is so serious about being a dad. Who talks to their kid like they’re in an office for a consultation? His brother, that’s who. It’s funny; Violet loves it. When Finn shows up for a tea party in a three-piece suit, Violet is in heaven. Willow says, of course (🍷) she is. That’s her dad. Chase says he sees the way Violet looks at Finn. She adores her dad so much. How would he… If it came to that, and he had to be the guy, how would he tell her? Willow says she doesn’t think the worst will happen, but if Finn doesn’t make it, she has no doubt he’ll step up for Violet, the same way he did for her. Grief is grief, no matter how old you are. When she found out her baby was gone, he helped her through it, and she knows he has it in him to do the same for Violet.   

Epiphany tells Anna, the surgery is over. They removed the bullet, and drained the fluid, with no further complications. Finn is still critical, but stable. Anna thanks her, and says she knows Epiphany is in administration now, and hopes she doesn’t get in trouble. Epiphany says, let Cyrus and Britt come after her. She’s not about to push papers around when her friend is fighting for his life – not in her hospital. She says Anna should be able to see Finn soon, and leaves. Robert says he knows he’s famous for putting his foot in his mouth, but there’s nothing wrong with his shoulder. It’s there for her to lean on. She hugs him.

Willow bets it would make Chase feel better to know how Violet is, and he agrees. Anna joins them, and tells Chase that Finn is out of surgery. He got through the worst. They hug, and Anna takes Willow’s hand with her free one.

Olivia arrives at the hospital, and sees Robert. She says, thank God he’s okay. She asks how Anna is, and he says Finn is out of surgery. It looks like he’s going to make a complete recovery. Anna can finally relax. He needs to work on his timing though. She asks, why? What happened? and he says, if Olivia had turned up sooner, she would have saved him from making a mess with Anna. Olivia says, what did he do?

Ned tells Alexis, he was so wrapped up in his own problems, he didn’t notice what was going on with her. He never put two and two together, and realized it was vodka in her glass. She tells him, stop. The last thing she needs is another well-intentioned gatekeeper. He says, tell him what to do. She’s his friend, and if she’s in trouble, he’s not going to walk away. She says she wishes he would. She doesn’t want help. He says she’s an alcoholic who’s drinking again. He’s worried about her. She asks if he’s worried about her drinking, or worried she’ll slip and tell Olivia that they had sex.

Jordan takes the cover off of a sofa, and Curtis says he found this, showing her an oxygen tank. It was upstairs. He found this too. He shows her some medicine vials, and he says, the bedroom was like a makeshift hospital. She says she’ll see if they can find traces of whatever drug was in the vials. He says, a formerly well-guarded house, with a designated hospital room. They need to find out who the patient was. She says, if that’s what they were. It’s possible they were drugged.

Lulu asks what Dante is doing there, and Cyrus says he heard Dante was back in town. Dante says, good news travels fast, and Cyrus says Lulu must be thrilled to have her husband back. Lulu says Dante is her ex-husband, and Cyrus says, his mistake. And it just so happens that Dante is Sonny’s son, which means Sonny and the mayor share grandchildren. Lulu asks what his point is, and he says, maybe it’s not his relationship with the Corinthos family she should be worried about. Maybe it’s the mayor’s relationship with them. He wonders how the average voter would feel, and if they’d reconsider their support if they knew how close the mayor was with Sonny. Food for thought. He walks off, and Dante asks if Lulu is okay. She asks if he’s kidding. She’s furious – with him. What did he think he was doing?   

Finn opens his eyes, and Anna says, there you are. She was waiting for him. Finn says, then they’re even. She takes his hand and kisses it. He sighs.

Anna tells Finn that Maxie is at the hospital, but it’s just a precaution. She’s fine and the baby is too. He says, what about Alex? and Anna says she caught up with Alex. She was headed for open water, and a rendezvous with someone. They exchanged fire, and she hit Alex. She followed Alex out to the deck, there was more gunfire, and she hit Alex again, but when she turned her back, Alex threw herself into the water. He says, so she’s dead? and Anna says, yes. Everyone is safe. He asks where Violet is, and she says, Violet is with Alexis. She didn’t tell Violet that he was hurt. She just thinks he’s working. She can’t wait to bring him home. She looks at his vitals, and he asks if he’s going to need another surgery. She says she doesn’t think so, and he struggles to sit up. He asks what she isn’t telling him.   

Maxie says, no one ever hung onto hope harder than Anna did last night. The worst is over. She tells Peter, she’s so lucky. It’s crazy to think Alex could have taken everything, and she has no idea why. Peter flashes back to talking to Alex posing as Anna in Charlie’s. He remembers Alex telling him, they may blend in, but they’re ambitious, and need greater than what the world is capable of offering. Normal and every day don’t apply to him. Trust her to help him become the man he was destined to be. Maxie says, earth to Peter. Other than Anna, is there any other connection between him and Alex? He says, other than being his aunt, they have nothing in common.

Chase asks Epiphany if his brother is really okay. Anna said he was, but she’s not a doctor. Epiphany says, neither is she, but Chase says she is a medical professional. She says his brother is going to be okay, but she bets he’d welcome a visit from Chase. He thanks her, and tells Willow, all he could think about was the things he and Finn would never get to do, and Willow says, sounds like he has a new plan. He says he and Finn or so different. Finn won’t want to go ice fishing with him, or do things like that. She says, you never know until you ask. He got a second chance. It’s probably best not to waste it. He says, it’s not often people get a second chance.

Lulu says, that’s the second time Dante has interfered with her job. He asks if he’s supposed to stand back and do nothing, and she says, yes. She doesn’t want him sweeping in, trying to protect her. He gave her everything she needed, but wouldn’t let her keep it. There’s nothing to protect her from that could possibly hurt more than what he did to her. She walks away.

Anna tells Finn, it’s just everything. When she saw him lying on the ground after Alex shot him, and when Alex left her to die with Valentin in the warehouse. She realized, not for the first time, that life is fleeting. She wants to spend hers with him. She’d like to be his wife, and have him be her husband. It’s just that Violet thinks a big fancy wedding with all the trimmings is the thing to do. She doesn’t think so. Why are they waiting? Why not dodge the hoopla, and get married? Isn’t that the lesson he wants to teach Violet? Love isn’t an expensive gown, or how you decorate the church, or a big cake. Although she does think they should have cake. Their love is what they have, and they don’t need over-the-top trimmings to make it special. She starts to cry, and says when she was walking around outside, waiting for him to get out of surgery last night, she had to face the real fact that she could lose him. Finn says he loves her, and she says she loves him too. He says, she just wants to marry as fast as humanly possible, and Anna says, in a heartbeat

Willow says, it’s probably best if Chase hears it from her. She and Michael are getting an annulment. He says he thought they were happy together, and she says, they are, but they got married to protect Wiley. Now Nelle is no longer a threat, so they agreed to annul the marriage. He asks if she’s still going to act as Wiley’s mother, and she says she’s filling out the paperwork to adopt Wiley. He wonders what that means for her and Michael moving forward. Anna comes by, and says, sorry to interrupt, but Chase’s brother would like to him. He thanks Willow for being there, and she says he’s more than welcome. Give Finn her best. Chase leaves, and Anna says, it’s nice of her to be there for Chase. She wasn’t good company last night. Willow says it’s understandable Anna would be scared, and she thought Chase could use a friend. Anna says, life sometimes has a way of taking the people we love out from under us, but that doesn’t mean we have to agree to let them go.

Robert tells Olivia, he ran into Anna in the chapel while Finn was in surgery. He asked about her sister, and she told him, then he got stuck. He fell back on one of his single-minded issues; one of his old acts. Olivia says she’s shocked, and Robert says he knows it’s hard to imagine. Anna let him have it. She says, he and Anna started sparring a long time ago, but he says, this time was different. Anna was really hurting, and he wasn’t paying attention. She says it sounds like he did Anna a favor, and he says, how so? She says, Anna has a lot to be angry about; her sister trying to kill her; Alex shooting her fiancé, and kidnapping Maxie. She has all this anger rolling around inside, and she knows he loves her, so he’s a safe place to vent. Anna knows he won’t run away. He doesn’t know if Anna sees that way, but Olivia says, it doesn’t matter. Robert gave her a gift, whether what happened was his intention or not. He’s a good friend. He says Olivia is too.  

Curtis looks around, and sees a paper sticking out of a baseboard. He pulls it out, looks at it, and crumples it. Jordan comes downstairs, and says, they’ve searched, and there’s not one piece of information to connect Cyrus to whoever lived there. Someone was thorough in covering their tracks. He says, they can’t give up. There’s got to be something. He looks in the fireplace (I’m shocked that wasn’t one of the first places he looked), and says he’s got something. A postcard. The name is burned off, but he can still read the message. Thinking of them every day. Hoping their health is improving, and that they’ll be better by the time he gets there. He promises a plan is in play, and it won’t be much longer before he’s there. Hang in there, and remember I love you. Cyrus. Jordan says, his Achille’s heel. She wonders who Cyrus sent the postcard to, if they’re alive, and if they can find them.

Lulu visits Maxie, and says she’s so happy the baby is okay. Dante waves from the doorway, but stays in the hallway. Peter approaches him, and says, once Lulu goes home, Maxie is going to take a nap. She’s been through one hell of an ordeal. Dante says he’s glad to see she’s doing well. He keeps walking, and Maxie calls to Peter, telling him that she’s having a craving. She’s thinking chips from the vending machine, and asks if he’d mind getting them. He leaves, and Maxie says, okay. Peter is in hover mode, so the clock is ticking. It’s time for Lulu to tell her what’s going on with her and Dante. Lulu says, forget Dante. She wants to talk baby shower. Maxie says she wants yellow. Now that’s been decided. Let’s talk Dante. Lulu says, there’s nothing to tell, and Maxie says, right. Okay, sure. Lulu says, Dante’s intentions are good, but he has a hero streak that’s been in overdrive mode since he came back. He’s been showing up, and getting in the way of her work. He’s interfered twice. Maxie says, outrageous, and Lulu says, she told him to cut it out. She doesn’t need him. Maxie says, what if he needs her?

Dante joins Olivia and Robert, and Olivia asks if Maxie and the baby are okay. Dante says they’re doing fine, and Olivia says, from the look on his face, she thought something was wrong. Dante says, it’s work stuff, and she says he didn’t tell her that Jordan had hired him back. He says he’s not actually with the PCPD. He’s working for The Invader, doing security. That’s where he’s headed. She says she’ll see him later, and they hug. Olivia tells Robert, it feels like a dream. Her son is back in Port Charles. He’s going to work, and living his life. He’s home, and he’s safe, all because Robert gave him back to her.

Ned says he’s not afraid of what Alexis might say to Olivia. He’s genuinely concerned about her drinking. Alexis says, let her make it perfectly clear. She has no intention of telling Olivia. If and when Ned decides to, it’s up to him. He says, it’s not like it’s going to happen again. They’re not having an affair. It was a one-time thing. Olivia never has to know. Alexis says he’ll probably tell her, but she’ll get over it. She loves Ned. Ned says he’s not going to hurt Olivia in order to clear his conscience, and Alexis says, take it from her, it’s soul crushing to find out the person you love has a secret. Make damn sure Olivia doesn’t find out from someone else.

Willow asks if Epiphany has a minute, and Epiphany says she doesn’t have any more information on Finn. Willow says, it’s not about that. The hospital cut back her teaching hours, and she misses the kids. She’s considering applying to the nurse’s program. She can still work with kids, and translate her experience with her former job. Epiphany says, the world needs good nurses, but Willow will have to go back and start from scratch. Willow says she didn’t think there was a shortcut. She’s at a crossroad. She loves teaching; it’s fulfilling. Epiphany says she can understand Willow’s attraction to the program, and if she wants to talk, Willow knows where to find her. She goes back to work, and Willow looks through the room window at Chase and Finn.

Finn sees Chase by his bed, and says he’s not as pretty as Anna. Chase says Anna was really worried last night. He kind of was too. He sits down, and asks what’s with Finn acting like a superhero. Leave that to the professionals. And just because he’s emotional doesn’t change the fact that Finn is a gigantic pain in the ass. Finn says, back at him, and Chase says, before they met, he wanted to know what Finn was like. He used to have idiotic fantasies about brother bonding. Finn says, then they met, and he let Chase down. Chase says he was extremely disappointed. He thought Finn was cold and arrogant. Finn says he’s heard that before, and Chase says, he was no fun. He didn’t like camping or football, none of the brother stuff he thought they’d do. Finn says he’s sorry he wasn’t the big brother Chase dreamed about, but Chase says, don’t be sorry. Once he let go of the brother he imagined, and started to know the brother he actually has, Finn exceeded expectations. He’s a phenomenal doctor, and any time Chase is down, there’s that annoying knock on the door. He’s seen Finn with Violet, and it makes him excited to be a dad one day. As far as brothers go, Finn’s not so bad. Finn says Chase is growing on him too.

Anna sees Peter, and he asks if she’s there to see Maxie, but she says she wants to see him. Can they talk? He says she sounds serious, and she says, kind of. It’s about Alex.   

Epiphany goes to Finn’s room, and he says he thought Epiphany had been moved to administration, and she says, they don’t see her, right? Chase says, no ma’am; they don’t. Finn thanks her, but she says, again, she’s not there, and he’s welcome. She wouldn’t be anywhere else, but she should probably get back to work. Chase says, one more thing. Does she know why ants never get sick? (*Answer below.) She says, really? She’s been up all night, don’t tell her a bad joke that was kicking around for decades before he was born. He says he thought his dad made it up, and she says, his brother doesn’t need to be laughing in his condition. No more jokes. She tells someone in the hall that she took Finn’s vitals; they can go in. Finn asks what they’re doing there. (*They have anty bodies.)

Dante goes to Peter’s office, and sneaks around. He looks through a folder on Peter’s desk.

Peter asks what Anna needs to tell him about Alex. She says she wanted to reassure him of the promise she made last night. Alex is no longer a threat to anyone. Not him, Maxie, or the baby; they’re all safe now. He says there’s something he has to admit. The longer Alex had Maxie, the more his dark impulses were pounding in his head. If Anna hadn’t rescued Maxie, he doesn’t know what he would have been capable of.

Jordan tells Curtis, she’ll see if they can ID who it is. They weren’t a prisoner. Someone has gone to ta lot of trouble to protect someone. The front doorknob jiggles, and they hide. When the door opens, Jordan and Curtis jump out, guns drawn. It’s Laura.  

Tomorrow, Franco asks if Scotty is going to help him or not, Valentin tells Anna that she can’t tell Finn, and Sonny asks Cyrus if something is going on with the hospital that he doesn’t want public.

🍡 The Kids Are All Right…

I’m glad his kids get to see him. For their sake.

https://pagesix.com/2020/11/06/joe-giudice-reunites-daughters-gia-and-milania-in-italy/

👠 One Page Six Deserves Another…

Although they’ll never be quite even.

https://pagesix.com/2020/11/09/teresa-giudice-is-very-happy-dating-businessman-louie-ruelas/

Hopefully, she gets a pre-nup if she makes another trip to the alter.

🩺 Mormons Do It Too…

I love when someone says they’ve had no work done, when they so obviously have. The neck is often a dead giveaway.

https://pagesix.com/2020/11/06/rhoslc-star-jen-shah-on-the-plastic-surgery-scene-in-utah/

🍼 Dream Come True…

I’m honestly glad for Scheana, although I can’t help thinking, now she’ll have a captive audience.

https://people.com/parents/scheana-shay-pregnant-expecting-first-child-after-miscarriage-exclusive/

🎃 Memories…

You didn’t think I’d let go that easy, did you?

https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9476372/celebrity-2020-halloween-costumes-roundup

And you can vote for your favorite.

https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/lifestyle/9476663/best-halloween-costume-2020-poll/

 🛌🏽 I See Sleep In My Future…

But maybe not until the next life. While we’re still in this one, stay safe, stay on top of your to-do list, and stay leaving being a superhero to the professionals.

November 4, 2020 – Alex Wants Anna’s Life, Rain On Shannon’s Amazing Day, a Blessing, a Friend, Yet More Costumes, Gaga’s Message, Ice Story, What’s On & Icy

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Chase is in the shower when the phone rings. He answers and says, great. Leave a hard copy on his desk, and send Detective Spencer an email. He’ll be at the station in a couple of hours. He has an important meeting first.

Portia tells Jordan, she can’t believe she didn’t see it before. Jordan isn’t the best cop like Taggert said; she’s a dirty cop. Why else would she stop a legal protest? Jordan says she told Portia why, but Portia says she’s protecting Cyrus because she works for him.   

Cyrus admits he’s intrigued, considering Julian rebuffed his offer several times. Julian asks if he’s not interested anymore, and Cyrus says he’s skeptical of Julian’s change of heart, but thinks Julian finally realized he needs him.

Ava goes to Pentenville to see Ryan, but the guard tells her, not today. She says she’s been cleared to visit, and it’s vital she speak with him.

Ryan tells Sonny, the information he has will have an impact on Sonny’s family. Sonny says, let him give a word of advice. Actually, he’s going to state a fact. When it comes to games, he doesn’t play them.

Peter runs into the examining room where Maxie is. He asks if he missed the appointment, and she says, office hours were ending; she couldn’t stall any longer. He says he can’t believe he didn’t get there in time, but Maxie says she has souvenirs. He asks if she has the sonogram pictures, and she says, of course (🍷). She also knows he loves to listen to the baby’s heartbeat. She plays it for him on her phone.

At Charlie’s, Jackie tells Finn, Chase is on his way. Finn is surprised Chase wasn’t camped out in front, and Jackie says, he was looking forward to it. Finn wonders what’s keeping Anna.  

In her basement, Anna yells for help, and says she’s downstairs. Valentin ask if that’s her, and she says she’s in the basement. He says he’s coming, but Alex sneaks up on him, and plunges a syringe in his neck. He grimaces, and she says, it looks like it stings. It seems he was expecting her. Valentin falls, and Alex says, that would be the drop kick. Anna yells, what has Alex done? but Alex says, he’s not dead. Valentin says, Anna, and Alex says, poor Valentin. He never gets to play hero to the woman of his dreams. Soon, he’ll be too doped up to think clearly, so while he’s still lucid, where is her son?

Jordan says Portia has no idea what she’s talking about, and Portia say she knows what she sees and hears. Jordan has defended Cyrus at every turn. She claims she’s helping the people of Port Charles, but the only one she’s helping is Cyrus. Jordan says she’s protecting the city and the hospital, and Portia says, it was her press conference that brought Cyrus to the Board’s attention. She practically rolled out the red carpet for him to make the place unrecognizable. Jordan says the hospital saved her life, and employs her son, and Portia says, that’s what makes it more of a mystery. With the Commissioner’s stamp of approval, Cyrus can do what he wants to who wants, and not have to pay for it. Jordan says, if he doesn’t, people are going to get hurt.

Jackie says Finn was never good at waiting, and he says she was never good at keeping track of time. Jackie asks if he’s implying she kept him waiting, and he asks if she’s denying it, but she says, no. Chase arrives, and he and Jackie hug. Finn says he wants a full report about his girl; how was trick-or-treating? Chase says he got the cutest picture of Violet, and Jackie asks to see it. He shows her, and she says, wow; she’s adorable. Chase says when and if they meet, she’ll see Violet’s personality matches her face. Jackie says she’d love to meet Violet, whenever Finn is comfortable with it. Finn says he’s sure Violet would love it.

Julian says, the deal has to happen immediately, or there is no deal. Cyrus says Julian is in no position for setting terms. Julian asks if Cyrus wants his services or not. Cyrus says Julian is established in Port Charles, supposedly reformed, and related to a lot of people. Julian says he can go places Cyrus can’t, and Cyrus says, not Sonny’s compound, but Julian is welcome in other arenas. Julian says, so they’re good? and Cyrus says Julian hasn’t told him what’s requested on his end. Julian says, required, and Cyrus says, they’ll see. Julian says Ryan has information that he wants sent out of Pentenville, and needs to be stopped. Cyrus asks, what information? Julian can’t expect Cyrus to act on his behalf without proper details. Julian says, it’s about Sonny Corinthos, and Cyrus says, now things just got interesting.

Ava tells the guard, it’s a misunderstanding. She’d hate for this snafu to get him into trouble with the warden. Let her see Ryan, and they can forget this happened. The guard says, Ryan already has a visitor; last minute.

Ryan says Sonny seems underwhelmed. It’s a disappointment. He can assure Sonny, it’s not a game. He’s deadly serious. Sonny says Ryan is going to shut up now, but Ryan says the person could hurt Sonny’s family and get away with it. Sonny doesn’t want that, does he?

Sonny says, Ryan made a point to reach out to his family, which means they’re in his radar. That can’t happen. It was easier to just have a conversation with him, than going through the effort of getting rid of him. Don’t think it won’t happen if Ryan contacts him again. Ryan says, okay; threat taken. But what Sonny needs to understand is that what he has is extremely important, and he has physical proof. They hear Ava saying she’s allowed to be there. The guard asks her to keep her voice down, but she says she won’t. Ryan says, on cue. Ava is dying to get in here. Hear how desperate she sounds? Why does Sonny think that is? Ava says, let her in or she’ll report him to the warden. Sonny opens the door, and asks what she’s doing there.

Cyrus asks if Julian knew from the jump, but Julian says, not from the jump, but early on. Cyrus says, denying Sonny his grandson is a bold move. Julian says Cyrus could enjoy it a little less, but Cyrus doesn’t think so. What else? That can’t be the end of the tangled web. Julian says, Brad was losing his mind with guilt, and he thought Brad was going to blow it. So he rigged Brad’s car to crash. It went great, but Lucas was in the car, and his son got hurt. Cyrus says, Julian is responsible for his son almost dying? and Julian says, Nelle knew, and got him to marry her. She also for him to help her kidnap Wiley. In his defense, he changed his mind, and tried to stop her at the end. Cyrus says, truly heroic. So Nelle wrote it all out, and sent it to Ryan, and now Ryan is threatening to tell Sonny. Julian says he thinks Ryan is about to make good on his threat, and he needs Cyrus to keep that from happening.

Portia asks what Jordan means by people could get hurt? and Jordan says Portia has to trust her. Portia says she doesn’t think so. She thinks she’ll call the mayor, or better yet the Feds, and tell them the Commissioner is on a drug trafficker’s payroll. Jordan follows Portia into her office, and says she can’t do this. Portia says Jordan let the man go free who kidnapped her daughter. Cyrus is guilty as sin, and she knows it. Jordan says Portia is right, but tell her how far she’d go if her child’s life was on the line.

Maxie tells Peter, the baby is strong, and Peter has been there in all the ways that count. She says she knows he loves them, but Peter says he doesn’t want his child to feel like he did; small and unimportant. She says, that’s not going to happen, and he asks how she knows. She says, by the way he’s reacting. The baby feels more loved already than Peter did his whole childhood. He says he thinks the baby is going to change his life, and she says she hopes he doesn’t enjoy sleeping or eating, or going to the bathroom by himself. Those days are over. He says he’ll finally be the man he always wanted to be.

Valentin says, screw him for not snapping Alex’s neck when he had the chance. She says Peter is still her son, and she plans to protect him. She got him away from his father’s reach, but Valentin couldn’t let it be. He says she has nowhere to hide, so she’s taking over Anna’s life, like a parasite. It won’t work. People will see through it; people like him. She says, conveniently, he’ll be leaving this mortal coil with Anna. Anna’s phone rings, and I wonder why Anna isn’t up the stairs ten minutes ago. It’s Finn, who asks where she is. He asks if she forgot they were meeting Jackie and Chase. She says she was on the way out, when Valentin dropped by. Carry on without her. He says, okay, but he’s worried about her. Did she get the test results back? Does she know who Peter’s mother is? She says, not yet, and he suggests he come home, but she says she feels bad enough. She doesn’t want to ruin the reunion. He says, okay, and tells her that he loves her. She says she’ll see him later, and she loves him too.   

Finn goes back to the table, and Chase asks if everything is okay. Finn says, Anna won’t be joining them, and Chase says, bummer. He wants Jackie to get to know Anna better. He knows they’d like each other. Finn says, Anna got tied up.

Valentin says, as soon as Anna suggested it, he knew Alex was Peter’s mother. Only she would sleep with Faison, have his child, and walk away. Alex says she put him in a good place, but he says that doesn’t excuse what she did, shouldering her sister with guilt. She’s downright lethal. She says, he’s about find out, when finally, Anna comes up from the basement with her gun drawn.  

Alex holds a knife to Valentin’s throat, and Anna tells Alex to let him go. Valentin says he always knew it wouldn’t end well, and Alex tells him that he has no self-respect. Anna says, that’s enough, and Alex says, for once they agree. Drop the gun.

Portia tells Jordan, it was TJ. Cyrus was using her son against her. Jordan says Portia was on call when TJ was left for dead at the hospital. Cyrus had him abducted, and tortured him. She was sent pictures of her son, bloody and bettered, knowing there wasn’t a damn thing she could do about it. Portia says, that’s when she came out with the evidence that released Cyrus from prison. Now she knows why all these months Jordan has been doing Cyrus’s bidding. Jordan was afraid Cyrus would target TJ again. Jordan says she knows he will. Whenever she’s pushed back, Cyrus evoked TJ’s name as a reminder of what’s at stake. She’s hated every minute of this, but she’d do it again in a heartbeat. Portia says she would have done the exact same thing.

Cyrus asks Julian if he wants to drink to their new arrangement, and Julian says as soon as he’s sure Cyrus is handling his end. Cyrus says, that’s fair. He’ll be in touch, but when he calls, Julian needs to answer.

Ava tells Sonny, she knew she hadn’t convinced him, and he tells her, calm down. She says, not until she gets him out of there. He needs to stop talking to that monster; no good will come of it. He has to trust her. Ryan will mess with his mind to the point where Sonny thinks he’s in control, but he’s not. Ryan is always the one pulling the strings. It’s the most terrifying feeling in the world; to not trust yourself or the world around you. Not being able to trust anything. She doesn’t want Ryan to do that to Sonny, and asks him to please leave with her. Sonny says he gets that this is real. Ryan hurt Ava, and she’s doing backflips to get him not to go in. That makes him want to talk to Ryan even more. He goes back in, with Ava behind him, and asks what Ryan’s got to say. Ryan slumps over, a knife in his back. I go, oooh! The guard comes in, and asks, what happened? Sonny says he came in to talk to Ryan, and he has a knife in his back. Ava asks if he’s dead, but Sonny can’t tell.

Portia tells Jordan, she was completely off base. She’s sorry. Jordan says, Portia is right. She is under Cyrus’s thumb. Portia says, but not for the reason she thought. It was all about Taggert. He was on Cyrus’s radar because he framed Cyrus. Jordan says, he didn’t act alone. For Portia to truly understand what’s at stake, she needs to know everything. She only told Portia part of the truth. There was a conspiracy to frame Cyrus, but what she left out is that she was in it too. They all were. They were undercover for nearly two years, watching Cyrus commit crime after crime to build his empire. It was too much; Cyrus was too careful. So they made a decision that the pain had to stop, and fabricated evidence, planning to put Cyrus away for good. But his reach was too long, even in prison. When he found out their identities, he came after Bob and Mark, and killed them. Portia says, and he used Trina to lure Taggert to the warehouse. Jordan says, Cyrus doesn’t bluff. She had no doubt he’d kill her son to get what he wanted, and Portia says, so Jordan had him exonerated. Jordan says, she was the lucky one. Instead of killing her, Cyrus thought it would be more useful to have her in his pocket. Portia says, so Jordan threw Taggert under the bus. It was either that, or lose her son.

Peter tells Maxie that he’s taking the pictures to show Anna how much the baby is growing. She says, how a grown man can be reduced to a pile of mush is so sweet, and he says he doesn’t know how to explain it. He has a feeling of redemption, like the baby is his do-over. Isn’t that what it’s supposed to be when you bring life into the world? Not for him and Anna, but for Anna and Robin, and Valentin and Charlotte. This is his chance. Maxie says, she used to tell herself that; less with Georgie, but with James for sure. She thought having him would make her the perfect person she’d dreamed of being. The perfect friend, the perfect employee, the perfect wife and mother. She had it all. He says, he’s sensing a but, and she says she hates to break it to him, but that’s not how it works. It changes you in monumental ways, but Peter will still be him, and she’s happy about that. He says he loves her, and she says, now she feels a but coming. He says he loves her, but he respectfully disagrees. This baby is his new lease on life. Just watch. She asks if he plans on changing all the diapers, and heat baby bottles in his sleep. She’ll help every once in a while.

Valentin tells Anna, take the shot, and Alex says, such a gentleman; sacrificing all over the place. He says, take the damn shot, but Anna lowers the gun. Alex tells her, now drop the gun, and Anna puts it down. Alex says, now the cuffs, and Anna puts the handcuffs on herself. Alex says, good girl, and picks up the gun, holding it on Anna, who says, for now. Alex says she thinks it’s time for a second location, and hits Anna with the gun, knocking her out. She says, everybody okay?  

Portia tells Jordan, she understands Trina is hurt and angry, but she’s not missing like TJ was. She wishes she could take Trina’s pain, but Trina is here, alive and thriving. It’s all she can ask for. Jordan appreciates Portia’s understanding, and Portia says she’s a mother like Jordan, and like Jordan, she would move heaven and earth for her child. She’s sorry Jordan had to shoulder this alone. Jordan says she has Curtis, but Portia says, it’s an awful way to exist. Jordan says, it doesn’t mean she’s surrendered. She’s working against Cyrus, but has to find a way to bring him down without her son getting hurt. Everywhere she turns, he’s boxing her in tighter. Portia says, let her help, but Jordan says she’d be an accessory. Portia says she’s already made herself an accessory. Jordan needs back-up. Portia was married to law enforcement a long time, and Jordan doesn’t understand what she’s capable of. What they’re capable of if they work together.

On the phone, Julian tells Ava to call when she gets this. He has a plan in place.

Jackie doesn’t know what’s more delicious; the cookies or Violet. Chase says when he babysits, Violet always wants warm milk and cookies before bed. They reminisce about when Chase was little, and his father gave him piggyback rides upstairs. Chase says, they were epic, and Jackie says she never understood the benefit of him bouncing around before bed. Chase says he loves watching Violet and Finn horsing around; it reminds him of his dad. Finn says, see? He’s fun. Chase says, only with Violet. Finn’s phone dings, and he quickly looks at it. Chase asks if he’s worried about Anna. Finn asks if it’s that obvious, and Chase says he’s an easy read. Get out. Go see his fiancé. Finn says they’ll do this again sometime, and Jackie says, sounds good. He tells them, goodnight, and leaves. Chase says, that went well, doesn’t she think? and she says, better than expected. Her phone dings, and she says, son of a bitch. Chase asks if it’s breaking story, and she asks how he knew. He says, his eighth birthday, the state playoffs, the pre-party before the prom. Although he’s grateful she didn’t show up for that. She says she’s the worst mother, but he says she’s a great mother, and a great reporter. How soon does she leave? She says, tonight.

Anna comes to, and she’s tied back-to-back with Valentin. She asks where they are, and Alex says, the soon to be site of a terrible accident. Anna says, Alex thinks she wants to kill her, but she doesn’t. Their lives are intertwined; they’re too connected. Alex agrees, but adds that she’s not one who likes sharing. She wants a wonderful life. Anna say she’s not going to get it by pretending to be her, and Alex says, enough. She’s disabled the safety mechanism on a pressure cooker. In an hour, it will reach maximum pressure and explode. By that time, the whole place will be full of gas. If they haven’t been asphyxiated, they’ll be incinerated. If any remains are found, people will think it’s her. She takes Anna’s wedding ring, and Anna calls her a total bitch. Alex puts it on, and says, it’s not her style, but it will have to do. Anna says, it won’t take Finn long to realize. Then what? Alex says, poor Finn, headed for heartbreak. She should have killed him too, but then it would have been too obvious. Anna’s phone dings, and she says, it’s a text from Peter. Maxie’s latest sonogram. The baby looks like her. She says she’ll meet them at the hospital, and Anna says, don’t you dare. Alex says, why? It’s kind of ironic. Her new life is beginning, and Anna’s is just about to end. She’s really sorry it had to be like this. She leaves, and Anna tells Valentin, wake up.

On the phone, Jackie says, if they want her on the story, she wants the best. Meet her on arrival. She’s not flying halfway around the world to stand in a line. She’ll call when she’s on the plane. She hangs up, and Chase asks how many producers she’s driven to a nervous breakdown. She says, zero. She doesn’t mean to be impossible, but if they want her to do the story, they want the best. He suggests she finesse something in the Bay area so they can have an honest to God family reunion. She says, about that. There’s something she needs to tell him. She knows it’s been his dream to get the family together, including Finn, and he says, for as long as he can remember. She says she wishes it had happened sooner, and he says she’s scaring him. What’s wrong? She says she and his father are getting divorced.

Sonny and Ava arrive at the hospital. Ava says, Ryan is a liar. Whatever he said, Sonny can’t believe him. Sonny says Ryan told him that he had something important to say, and wound up with a knife in his back. Does she think it’s a coincidence? He walks away, and Ava digs in her bag for her phone. She calls Julian, and tells him that he’s not going to believe what just happened. She tried to circumvent Sonny, but he was already in with Ryan when she got there. Julian says, dammit, but she says, hold on. Before Ryan could say anything, he got a knife in his back. He keeled over right in front of them, like some kind of miracle. Julian asks if he’s dead, but she doesn’t know. He says, not quite a miracle… yet.

At the hospital, Cyrus asks Jordan, what’s going on? She looks tired. She says she’s fine, and he asks why he’s there. He’s not a fan of being summoned. She says he should rethink the way he’s managing the staff. The protest is picking up steam. He tells her to handle it, but she says, it’s still free a country. He doesn’t control everything. She suddenly drops to the floor, and Cyrus calls for help. Portia runs to Jordan, asking if Jordan can hear her, and checking Jordan’s pulse. Cyrus looks genuinely concerned.

Peter tells Maxie, Anna is on her way. Alex comes out of the elevator, and sees Maxie and Peter. She tells Peter to hand over the sono pictures, and Peter says, that’s her grandchild. She pretends to fawn over the pictures, and says she can’t wait to meet him or her, and spend the rest of her life spoiling them rotten. Peter suggests she have some boundaries, but she says she’s the baby’s grandma. No promises. Maxie says, it’s her prerogative, and Alex stares at Peter.

Finn gets home, and calls to Anna, but sees the house is empty.

The pressure cooker ticks away. Valentin wakes up, and he and Anna both start coughing. Valentin says he’ll give her sister this much, she’s thorough. Anna says, they’re not going die. Not today. Not like this.

Tomorrow, Epiphany toasts to new beginnings, Robert asks what Valentin has to do with it, and Anna tells Valentin not to quit on her.

The Real Housewives of Orange County

Gina got in Braunwyn’s face at Shannon’s party, calling her a sloppy chihuahua – whatever that means – and accusing her of being wasted all the time. As usual, Gina was five beats behind, and Braunwyn said, I’ve been sober for thirty days, bitch, and walked out, tossing her glass of pretend drink in the pool. Sean stayed behind and stood up for her, which offended Gina, who continued to act like an a-hole. Everyone acted like Braunwyn throwing the glass in the pool was the worst thing anyone could possibly do. In Emily’s interview, she says she was glad she wasn’t the one crying and throwing things. It was someone else’s turn now, and she passed the torch. We flashed back to her altercation with Kelly at somebody’s party. I forget whose. Sean hunted Braunwyn down, and said she needed to pull Gina aside and talk. Braunwyn told Sean that none of them could handle the truth, and he suggested a one-on-one conversation. Gina complained that she didn’t like a man schooling her, which annoyed me. These women want to be equals, but God forbid a man argues with them. Then, all of a sudden, men shouldn’t get involved, even if they dragged him into it. In Gina’s interview, she said she was disgusted when a man’s response was to get in her face, which annoyed me further. Gina had certainly gotten in Braunwyn’s face, finger wagging, but Sean didn’t even raise his voice. And I thought it was kind of cool that he defended his wife. Sean thought Braunwyn needed support. Everyone ate some weird noodles from plastic cups, and Elizabeth told Gina that she was a better woman than this. Sean asked Gina to have a conversation outside with Braunwyn, and Gina finally deigned to grace Braunwyn with her presence. They apologized to each other, and discussed the text from Sean to Gina, which got dicey. Gina thought it was inappropriate, and Braunwyn asked why Gina hadn’t brought it up to her, rather than Emily. Gina said Emily was her best friend, so too bad. In her interview, Gina said she felt compassion for Braunwyn, but she was still pissed.

Braunwyn asked to talk to Kelly in private, and told Kelly that she’d hit bottom. She was 30 days sober, but wanted a drink so effing bad it hurt. Kelly joked around, saying in her interview that she thought laughter was the best medicine. They talked about Sean being an enabler, and Kelly told Braunwyn to shake it off. Taylor Swift played in my head. Sean told Elizabeth that he was there when Shannon called Gina’s place sad. In Shannon’s interview, she said all Braunwyn did was rain down on what was supposed to be an amazing day. Get TF out. On the way home, Braunwyn told Sean she thought she’d be stronger. She shared too much with 17 year old daughter Rowan when she got home, telling her all about the party. She said she’d been raging, and had never raged in her life. Rowan was like, oh really? and we flashed back to Braunwyn getting pretty angry about a hypothetical situation in front of the kids. Back at the party, Shannon toasted to good friends, and continued blessings for everyone.

Getting on the treadmill, Braunwyn told Sean that she was mortified by her behavior. She wondered when she’d stop feeling effing crazy, and Sean sagely said, time. Shannon gave everyone a tour of the house, and in Gina’s interview, she said Shannon’s house was neither sad nor small. She was glad to have friends with big bougie houses, so she could reap the benefits. I know the feeling. I keep hoping one of my neighbors will put in a pool. The gym room housed a ginormous painting of a photo of Shannon, and in Elizabeth’s interview, she said she was no therapist, but guessed self-love was good. If someone gave that to her, she’d say thanks, and put it in the garage. Braunwyn and Sean headed for an open AA meeting, while at the party, Kelly got intrusive about Shannon’s dad’s sex life. In her interview, she said Rick was 60, and she wanted to make sure all the parts would be moving when he got to that age. John’s daughter fished the glass out of the pool with a net, and you would have thought she was the second coming.  

In her interview, Kelly explained that Rick was trying to get transferred to the L.A. division of FOX News. they were addicted to each other, and she was excited to move in together. Gina talked to mom Susan about mediation with Matt. She said Matt had been prickly about her seeing someone, but he had a girlfriend now, and had eased up. Matt didn’t seem like much of a catch to her, with domestic violence charges under his belt, but new girlfriend Britt was kind to the kids, and got Matt off her back. She also lived in Gina’s community, and could pick up the kids in a pinch. Kelly and Elizabeth went shopping, and Elizabeth said her divorce trial was coming up. Kelly asked if it was worth it, and Elizabeth said she wasn’t allowed to mention numbers, but it was worth it. In Kelly’s interview, she said she spent $150,000 on her divorce settlement. She would settle it, take the money, and run. In Emily’s interview, she announced that pigs were flying, and hell had officially frozen over. Shannon put her on a group text. She knew Emily’s name and phone number. Emily thought she should have gotten a badge or a trophy.

Gina told Elizabeth that her dad was an alcoholic; sober 9 years now. Elizabeth asked for explanation of what happened at party, and in her interview, said addiction and alcoholism run rampant in her family. If Braunwyn was willing to have an honest conversation, she’d be supportive. Later, while visiting Emily, Gina said she’d gotten a text from Braunwyn. She’d said she wasn’t proud of how she acted, and asked Gina to go to an AA meeting with her, and out for coffee afterward. In Gina’s interview, she said she knew something was off. Braunwyn was detoxing. She realized that Braunwyn doing everything sober must be challenging. Emily thought Shannon wasn’t making a dig about Gina’s place, but Braunwyn equated small with sad, and believed she was. Kelly thought it was rude of Braunwyn to throw Shannon under the bus, but believed Shannon did say Gina’s house was sad. Elizabeth said Braunwyn didn’t know about being poor, but she had survived, so she understood. In her interview, she said growing up, they lived in trailers and abandoned hotels, and they would get expired food from Walmart’s garbage. She understood the struggles.

In Braunwyn’s interview, she said she and Sean decided to renew their vows every 10 years. She was drunk at their 10 year renewal, and wanted to do it again sober, and make it a new start. She called Shannon, and there was a big silence after she said it was her. She told Shannon that she still really wanted Shannon, John, and the kids to be at the ceremony, but if Shannon didn’t want to come, she’d understand. Shannon cared more about Braunwyn putting words in her mouth than the vow renewal, and Braunwyn insisted she’d heard Shannon say it. If Dr. Phil had been there, he would have asked them if they wanted to be happy or wanted to be right. Braunwyn said if they were going to move forward, they had to find a middle ground. Shannon said she’d been trying to help Braunwyn, and Braunwyn said she had to own her truth. Shannon asked if Braunwyn was going to continue her crusade, which sounded stupid, and made me think of Braunwyn dressed as a knight on a horse. Braunwyn said there was no crusade; she was focused on potty training a baby and staying sober. Shannon said she called on of the servers lemonade boy, and it was John’s son. Braunwyn said she didn’t know that, but hadn’t said it in a disparaging way; his shirt had lemons on it. Shannon said she didn’t want to be the a-hole who’s not supportive. By the time the call was over, there was nothing resolved, and Braunwyn told Sean that she thought Shannon really believed she hadn’t said what she did. In Braunwyn’s interview, she said Shannon would go to her deathbed to protect her image. She was Stepford Shannon. Funny, Kelly called her that last week. Braunwyn told Sean, the fact that people believed it, said more about them than her.

Emily dropped by Kelly’s, and Kelly said it was a revolving door there. She was getting used to suburbia again. When she lived on the beach, no one came over. She took a sip of Emily’s drink by mistake, and swore she didn’t have corona virus. In Kelly’s interview, she said she didn’t understand people freaking out over it. The swine flu, the Spanish flu; things like that happen from time to time. Emily thought Braunwyn was using her alcohol problem as a weapon to make Gina feel guilty, and Braunwyn called while they were talking about her. Kelly told her that they were discussing how freaky deaky she is off the sauce. They invited Braunwyn to join them.

Sean biked Braunwyn over to Kelly’s, and they gave her a mezuzah. I have one of those that was in my old apartment. You hang it by the door to bless your home – see below for a full description. In Kelly’s interview she said she could make matzo ball soup and potato latkes. Braunwyn told Emily and Kelly that she had thrown a tantrum at the party, and Emily said Gina didn’t want to go to Palm Springs for the vow renewal. She didn’t think Braunwyn wanted her there. We saw a clip of Gina telling Emily that at the party, and Emily saying Gina and Braunwyn needed to get to the point where they were cordial. Braunwyn said all she could do was be honest.

Shannon told John that her integrity meant everything to her, and Braunwyn had a selective memory. In Shannon’s interview, she said that Braunwyn appeared to have an agenda (huh?), and she was trying to figure out what it was. She thought Braunwyn should focus on her sobriety rather than continually telling people Shannon did something she didn’t. She told John that she doesn’t move on from people saying she’s a liar.

Next time, Braunwyn shops for her vow renewal dress, Gina meets with Braunwyn, and Gina gets weepy about Matt coming to Sienna’s birthday party.

🏡 Get Your Mezuz-on…

All about the mezuzah.

💎It’s Official…

Kathy Hilton will be a friend of on the next season of RHOBH.

https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/1583241/rhobh-kyle-richards-sister-kathy-hilton-cast-season-11-bravo/

🎃 Because I Still Can’t Let Go…

Halloween was kind of a bust this year, but we can still look at pictures of the rich and costumed.

https://www.instyle.com/celebrity/celebrity-halloween-costumes-2020

This is actually kind of eerie. My personal favorite: Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka as the Olsen twins.

https://www.eonline.com/photos/25889/celebrities-who-dressed-up-as-other-celebrities-for-halloween

🥩 Meat Repeat…

I hope it’s fresh meat. A sentence I never thought I’d say.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1203772/lady-gaga-brings-back-her-infamous-meat-dress-for-must-see-voting-message

🧊 Resilient As Hell…

You have to admit, he writes a catchy chorus.

https://www.theringer.com/music/2020/10/6/21494291/vanilla-ice-to-the-extreme-ice-ice-baby-history-30th-anniversary

🍂 What November Brings…

What’s happening on screens this month.

🚶🏽‍♀️ I’m Walkin’…

Once again, we’ve all made it past the hump, or that day that used to be in the middle of the week for those whose days have officially all blurred together. It’s back to Charlotte for some Charm tomorrow, or later today if you want to play semantics. Until that moment, stay safe, stay charitable, and stay aware of what’s behind you when rescuing someone from a basement situation.

November 3, 2020 – Valentin To the Rescue, Will Lulu Go-Go, Halloween Spill-Over, Sad Day In Beverly Hills & Bad

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

I missed the beginning, but here are your takeaway points. Cyrus saw Portia at the hospital, and asked how Trina was. Portia told him not to talk about Trina, since she was none of his business, and he said Taggert was his business, and whined about being a victim. TJ ran into Jordan, and told her he needed her help with some police business. Peter met with Valentin at Charlie’s, and said he’d gotten a call from the mother from hell. Valentin assumed he meant Obrecht, but Peter said he was talking about Helena. Sonny called Ava to come over and get something Avery had made for her. When Ava got there, she asked if there wasn’t another reason Sonny called, and Sonny said he had questions about Ryan. Alex had Anna tied up in the basement, and claimed Peter as hers. You’re officially up to speed.

Portia tells Cyrus, don’t talk to her about Taggert. Franco gets off the elevator with Elizabeth, and says, it looks like Uncle Cyrus is on another PR run. He’s going to make himself scarce. Elizabeth says she thought Franco and Cyrus were buddies, but Franco says he doesn’t think so, since Cyrus saw him keel over at The Rib. Portia says, as far as she’s concerned, she’s not responsible for her ex-husband’s actions. Cyrus says he doesn’t hold her responsible for Taggert’s lies, harmful as they were. His goal is for her to be happy at GH. She says she’d be happy to have as little interaction with him as possible. He says he’s fairly new to being Chairman of the Board, and thinks it’s important to get to know his staff, as they get to know him. He was hoping they could at least be cordial. She says she’s all about cordial, but she doesn’t allow intimidation. If that’s what he wants to do, just fire her now for insubordination.

TJ tells Jordan, Cyrus fired Monica, and replaced her with Britt. He fired Bobbie, and put Epiphany on administrative duty, then cut the hours of the dedicated staff, like Elizabeth. Morale is at an all-time low, and he they don’t trust Cyrus. Jordan says, he’s still Chairman, and TJ says, exactly. The public needs to know what’s happening. He’s studying to be a doctor, and wants to put the patients first, but Cyrus isn’t doing that, so he’s fighting the right way. He went to the PCPD to get a permit, and was turned down for no good reason. He hates asking for special favors, but she’s the Commissioner, and it’s important. She says she’s the one who denied his application.

Alex calls Anna resourceful. Anna realized Peter had a genetic marker she didn’t have, or Faison. So he must have gotten it from moi. Anna says Alex might want to consult a specialist, and Alex says she’ll take it under advisement, after she gets reacquainted with her son. It was an inconvenience, Anna blundering around after her because she lied about the memories given to Anna. Anna says, what a shock; Alex lied to her. Alex says she realized Faison was obsessed with Anna, and thought she could get secrets if she became Anna. It was just her luck she got preggers. She did what she could to provide for her son. Now it’s time to take her place as his mother, and a doting grandmother. Anna says, not even Alex can pull it off. Alex never wanted to be a mother, and most certainly not a grandmother. Why is she really there?

Valentin tells Peter, he didn’t hear Helena; she’s dead. Peter says he knows her voice. She threatened to expose him for abducting Drew. Valentin says, someone is trying to get Peter to reveal something using the voice of a dead woman who conveniently knows his secrets. Peter asks, who? and Valentin says, Spinelli. He slipped up the other night, telling Valentin that he didn’t want Peter to marry Maxie. Peter says, Spinelli wouldn’t break Maxie’s heart, but Valentin thinks he would, if it would spare her greater heartbreak down the road. Spinelli is a computer expert, and could use a program to modulate his own voice into Helena’s. It’s a trap; don’t admit anything. Peter says, Spinelli is going to regret that.

Julian sends Ava a text, saying, tell him what’s happening. Why isn’t she answering any of his messages?

Ava asks Sonny what Ryan had to say, and he says, not much. She says Ryan is an inmate in maximum security. It wasn’t a random call. He wanted something. Sonny says Ryan wanted him to come and visit. He said it would be worth Sonny’s while. He wanted to let her know, and asks if she has any idea why Ryan would reach out to him. She says, Ryan is sick, twisted, and probably bored. The only thing that brings him any happiness is watching people squirm. Sonny asks, why talk to him? and Ava says, maybe because he’s Avery’s father, and trying to make him squirm will make her squirm even more. Ryan is still fixated on her. He called her, and she tried to ignore it or pretend it didn’t happen, but he got to her. She went to see him, and she regrets engaging with him. It’s just another game. Tell her that he’s not going to see that man.

Franco knocks on Doc’s office door, then walks in. Doc says he needs to leave. He barged in without an appointment. Franco says, he knocked, and Doc says, he knocked, then barged in. Franco says, it’s an emergency, and Doc says, then Franco had better tell him about it. Franco says the brain tumor that warped his personality and made him kill people is back.  

TJ asks why Jordan denied him the permit. He followed the rules. She says she’s aware that he doesn’t like Cyrus’s management style, and passionate about his beliefs. He’s going to come up against superiors who don’t see things the way he does, and a public protest won’t change anything.

Sonny says, Ryan is reaching out to him, and he needs to know why. She says, Ryan is literally a psychopath. He’s just baiting Sonny, and Sonny has no reason to get pulled into Ryan’s warped mind game. He says, Ryan messing with her is bad for Avery. He needs to see Ryan face-to-face to find out his end game. Ava tells him, don’t. Nothing good can come of it. She believes it’s a trap. He asks if she’s sure she doesn’t know why Ryan wants to see him.  

At Charlie’s, Julian paces.

Valentin says Peter always does this. Don’t lash out at Spinelli. Jason is like a brother to him, and if Peter acts on Spinelli, Jason will kill him and get away with it. Peter will never know his child because he’ll be dead. Next time Helena calls, don’t answer the phone. He’s building a good life with Maxie and the baby. Let Spinelli choke on it. Peter asks if Valentin thinks he can be a good man, and Valentin says he knows Peter can. Peter says people think he’s hardwired after his father, but Anna cancels that out. His mother is his saving grace. Valentin says, she’s great. Good luck to him. Valentin flies out the door like he can’t leave fast enough.

Anna says Alex is such a liar. She didn’t come reconnect. This isn’t about Peter. What trouble is she in? Alex says she is in a bit of hot water; quite a lot actually. People are coming at her from all sides, and she has no place to hide. Her only choice is to become Anna. It’s going to be a challenge, especially with her grumpy, but quite handsome fiancé, and doting on Peter and the baby. But it’s preferable to Steinmaur or worse. The only problem is, there can’t be two of them.

Anna says, Alex is such a bully. They look alike, but they’re nothing alike. People won’t believe it. Valentin will see right through her like he did before, as will Robert. Alex says, know who won’t suspect? Peter. Anna never even gave him an idea that she might be his mother. She called him, and hung up. Anna says, it’s not news you want to leave on a voicemail. The doorbell rings, and Alex asks if Anna is expecting anybody. Anna says, yes. The Army, Navy, and Marines are coming for afternoon tea. She yells for help, and Alex duct tapes her mouth, The doorbell gets insistent, and Alex says they sound eager to see her. Don’t go anywhere; she’ll be right back. She goes upstairs, and someone is alternating knocking and ringing the bell. She opens the door to Valentin, who says, hell’s bells. Where has she been? He’s been calling, and she hasn’t returned any of his texts. Alex pretending to be Anna says, sorry to worry him. Does he have news? He says his associate tracked Alex from Berlin to Paris, where she fell off the grid. They don’t know where she is. She could be in Port Charles any minute, and trying to contact Peter. She says she appreciates the warning; he’s a good friend. He says, apparently, Alex is in trouble. She’s being pursued from all sides, and she’s desperate. Desperate people do desperate things. She says she’ll consider this a full alert, and he asks if she’s all right. She says she’s fine, and he says he knows she hasn’t spoken to Peter. He still doesn’t know Alex is his mother. She says, it’s not voicemail news, and Valentin says, they’ve already talked about it. He suggests they tell Peter together – right now. I’m not sure how Alex thinks she could fool anybody, since even I can tell the difference, and the actress is literally the same person. Alex always gets saccharine sweet, and that might be the opposite of her personality, but it’s not Anna.

Peter looks out Charlie’s window, and Spinelli walks in. He says he got Peter’s text. He said they needed to talk about Maxie. Is something amiss? Is it about the baby? She seemed perfectly healthy last night. Peter says he knew if he mentioned Maxie, it would get Spinelli there. Spinelli says, Peter deceived him, but Peter says, not completely. In a way, it has to do with Maxie. He loves Maxie, and he loves the baby she’s carrying, and he’ll do everything he can so that nothing affects his future with them. Spinelli says he was reluctant at first, but sees now that Peter wants what’s best for Maxie. He asks if Peter enjoyed Maxie’s birthday celebration last night, and Peter says, it would have a perfect night had he not received a call from the presumably dead Helena. 

Cyrus tells Portia, he has no intention of letting her go. She’s a valuable asset to GH, and that’s how he intends to treat her. She says if he truly means what he’s saying, never ever mention her daughter or ex-husband ex again. She walks to the elevator. Cyrus laughs to himself, and Elizabeth watches as he gets in elevator with Portia.

Jordan says she respects TJ’s position, but compromise is the smart thing to do. He has to trust it’s for the greater good. He says, whose good? Cyrus’s? She says, whether he likes it or not, Monica and Bobbie were fired for a valid reason. If he pushes back, he can’t be naïve enough to think Cyrus and the Board will buckle under the pressure of a protest. He says she can’t be so cynical to believe a protest can’t create change. She’s told him to stand up, and let his voice be heard. What happened? Cyrus and Portia get out of the elevator nearby, and Jordan says, TJ believes he can subvert the so-called rules and change them, but he asks what harm a peaceful protest can be? Cyrus is subverting GH, and going to undermine everything the hospital stood for. He’s getting the chance to do what she preached to him growing up. Why is she preventing that? Portia says she’d like to know too, and Jordan says, it’s a private conversation. Cyrus says it sounds like a public indictment of him.

Ava tells Sonny, she has no idea why Ryan called, but she does know what he wanted. To get under Sonny’s skin, and play mind games. That’s what he did to her. He’ll find Sonny’s Achilles heel and squeeze it. Don’t play into his hands. The best way to handle it is, not to pay any attention to him. Sonny says he’ll think about it; no promises. Ava says she certainly hopes he makes the right decision. If he doesn’t, it’s his problem, not hers. She says she should be going, and Sonny reminds her to take the picture Avery drew.

Doc asks if Franco has discussed treatment options, but Franco says he stopped listening when he heard his tumor was back and it was inoperable. Doc asks if he’s sure Terry said inoperable, and Franco says, Terry is conscientious to a fault. She wouldn’t say it if it wasn’t true. Doc says, that doesn’t rule out non-surgical treatment. Franco just received a life threatening diagnosis. He needs time to assess it, and regain control. Take a look at what can be affective. Franco says he’s not freaking out because he could die. He can’t get his mind around not having the magical life he’s carved out, but that’s not why he’s freaking out. He’s worried the symptoms might return; one in particular – a shift in personality.

Cyrus says, TJ doesn’t agree with his policies, so he organized a protest against the Board, mainly him, even if his mother made sure it’s not approved. He’s fully aware of TJ’s feelings. As he told TJ before, he admires TJ’s passion; it reminds him of TJ’s mother’s passion. As TJ might remember, she was the one who freed him. She realized he’d been framed wrongly and imprisoned; that’s true injustice. This is a misunderstanding. TJ isn’t in management; that’s not his field of expertise. His primary purpose is to save lives. Cyrus’s is to be on the Board. Leave him to deal with the business. He’s happy that TJ’s mother agrees that there’s no need to protest. He thanks Jordan, and walks away. Portia says, Jordan is protecting Cyrus now?  

Ava arrives at Charlie’s, and Julian says, what the hell? Why hasn’t she answered his calls? She says she was with Sonny. Ryan reached out, and wants Sonny to visit. He said he’d make it worth Sonny’s while. She tried to convince Sonny that it was just more mind games, but she’s not sure it worked. He says, what she should have done is divorce Nikolas for real. Now Julian is a dead man. She says she thinks he’s out of options. He may need to take Nikolas up on his offer, and disappear.

Spinelli says, whoever called, it wasn’t Helena; she’s dead. Peter says, it was her voice. She threatened him, saying if he didn’t agree to meet with her, there would be consequences. Spinelli says no wonder he was distracted last night, and Peter says, a telephone call from a dead woman could definitely be distracting. Spinelli says, it makes no sense, and Peter says like Spinelli’s’ sudden about-face makes no sense. He put two and two together, and it was nothing more than a scheme cooked up by Spinelli.

Alex as Anna tells Valentin, it’s so kind of him to offer to help break the news, but it’s something she should do herself. He says, do it now. Alex could be in Port Charles any minute. With all of Anna’s good intentions, she did a helluva job setting Alex up. Alex will paint herself as the injured party, so she can control the narrative, and turn Peter against them both. She’s manipulated Anna her entire adult life, not just with the memory swap. Besides compounding Anna’s guilt at being a double-agent, she made Anna think she was Peter’s mother. If she doesn’t tell Peter, he will. She tells him, she’ll always try to do the best for her son. He says, what? and she says, do what’s best for Peter. He tells her, she said best for her son.

Anna struggles to get free from the tie on her hands.

Doc says, as he understands, a personality shift is a potential side effect in some patients with Franco’s condition, but there’s no certainly it will happen. Franco says, it was a barren, boring existence. No imagination, no joy in life, nothing could fill him or make him happy, except the adrenalin rush at getting away with something. When the tumor was removed, that went away. He’s not a perfect dude, but he can be a friend, and he can be a father; he is a husband. He feels love, and it’s a privilege to watch the evolution of the boys. All of that will go away again. No operation; no magic reset button. Doc asks if he has any reason to believe he’s experiencing side effects. Has he had a shift in sight or smell? Any periods of time lost? Franco says, it’s hard to say. He’s an artist. When he’s working, like when he painted Ava’s portrait, he’d work for 20 minutes, and find 3 hours had gone by. Doc says he has the same experience painting (and me, in the garden), but it’s not the same as finding yourself in Rice Plaza with no idea how you got there. Has he had any instances like that? Franco doesn’t know. He’s not a reliable narrator for his own life. Doc says he’ll support Franco, but thinks Franco should tell the ones who love him. Franco said, or tell the ones who hate him.

Jordan says it’s none of Portia’s business what she does as a mother or Police Commissioner, and TJ asks, why is she siding with Cyrus? Jordan says she’s siding with him. When he graduates medical school, who’ll want to hire a troublemaker who questions management? TJ says he’ll worry about his own future. It’s his Constitutional right to protest. Portia says, what about her? Is Jordan going to deny her rights too? Jordan say she doesn’t think it’s a good idea, and Portia say she didn’t think investigating Brando was a good idea either. She was there when Jordan told Chase to drop it. And there’s no new information on Taggert’s murder. Another case that led straight to Cyrus. Jordan had said she would make sure Taggert’s killer didn’t walk free. It doesn’t seem like she feels the same way now.

Alex says, of course (🍷) Valentin is right, but she’s been treating Peter like her son for over a year. It’s not an easy habit to break. She loves him like a son. She can’t drop her feelings. Valentin says he understands. It must be difficult. He tells he his throat is suddenly scratchy, and asks for some water. She says, where are her manners? She should have offered it to him straight away. (See? Anna would never talk like that to Valentin.) Alex goes into the kitchen, and he looks around. He looks up the stairs, and seems like he might go up them. Anna breaks free, and pulls the tape off her mouth. She yells for help, and Valentin hears. She yells that she’s downstairs.

Spinelli says Peter can’t believe he can replicate Helena’s distinctive tone, and Peter says Spinelli’s computer expertise is legendary. He could have done a deep fake. Spinelli says he was with Peter when he got the call. He’s not a magician. He can’t be in two places at once. Peter asks, who said Spinelli did it alone? Spinelli asks if Peter has speculated on his accomplice, and Peter says he doesn’t want to make this more complicated than it needs to be. He thinks Spinelli dreamed this up, now he needs to back the hell off. Spinelli says this is all speculation, and Peter says he chose to accept Spinelli’s olive branch for Maxie’s sake. He’s giving Spinelli a last chance. Stay out of his life. Spinelli asks if that’s a threat, and Peter says, it certainly is. He can crush Spinelli, and if Spinelli pushes him, he will.

Ava says, it’s not like Julian hasn’t disappeared before. He was in the witness protection program. He says, in a strange town with a fake name, away from everything that mattered to him. She asks if Julian wants her to fight his battles; run around circumventing Ryan, and trying to cover up Julian’s bad choices. He says all he wanted her to do was neutralize Ryan by divorcing Nikolas, and she says, even if it meant she lost everything. He says, everything except him. He’ll call Nikolas and take his offer of a new life, so she can live hers.

Sonny picks up the visitor phone at Pentenville. Ryan says, it’s common knowledge he doesn’t visit just any inmate. He’s speechless. It’s an honor and a privilege. Sonny asks what he wants.

Ava says, of course (🍷) she doesn’t want Julian to disappear. She loves him. There’s no one who knows her better, and aside from Avery, he’s her only family. She tells him, don’t call Nikolas just yet. She’ll try to get to Ryan before Sonny does, and stop him from giving Julian up. He asks, how? and she says she’ll figure it out on the way over.

Ryan says he thinks Sonny misinterpreted him. He doesn’t want anything from Sonny. On the contrary. He has something he thinks Sonny wants. Sonny says he’s listening, and Ryan says he recently came into some information that’s going to rock Sonny’s world.

Cyrus walks into Charlie’s, and Julian says, hello. Cyrus asks, to what does he owe the pleasure of the surprisingly warm welcome? Julian says Cyrus is exactly the person he wants to see. Cyrus asks, why? and Julian says he’s ready to make a deal with him.

Jordan says she doesn’t like it any more than Portia, and Portia says, then why stop her son from protesting? Jordan says she’s protecting him, and in a way, protecting Portia. Why antagonize their boss, and make life harder? Please. Let it go. Portia says, wow. She’d love to know what’s going on between Jordan and Cyrus.   

Peter says it’s no secret that he’s been no angel in the past; quite the opposite. But he has a new life with Maxie and the baby, and to protect that life, he can revert to his old self like that. If Spinelli ever tries anything like this again, he will. Do they understand each other? Spinelli nods, and Peter says, good.

Valentin hears Anna say she’s in the basement. He tells her that he’s coming, but before he can open the door, Alex comes up behind him with a syringe.

Tomorrow, Maxie tells Peter, that’s not how it works; Finn wonders what’s keeping Anna; Jackie says there’s something she needs to tell Chase; Sonny tells Ryan, he doesn’t play games; and Cyrus says, now that’s something interesting.

👍 I Vote Going…

She couldn’t get more vague, but I think if she was staying, she’d have said so.

🎃 The Party Is Never Over…

Halloween may have passed, but you can still look at pictures.

💎 Whoa…

News of the day. Erika from RHOBH is getting a divorce. While truthfully, it’s none of my business, I’m disappointed.

https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/housewives-erika-girardi-divorce-tom-girardi

https://people.com/tv/rhobh-star-erika-girardi-files-for-divorce-tom-girardi/

But I’m not surprised Brandi inserted herself.

https://theblast.com/146940/rhobh-brandi-glanville-cashes-in-on-erika-jayne-divorce

💺 Leaving On Not-a-Jet Plane…

As the dust from Halloween settles, I still have to clean up the glitter from my floors. I hope you voted, and hope, whoever wins, everyone behaves themselves. It hasn’t been a good look lately. In the post-election haze, stay safe, stay fair, and stay away from your workplace when discussing plans to protest your boss.

November 2, 2020 – Josslyn Visits Family, a New Crew On Deck, Cast List, Unexpected Goodbye, TV Shake Up, Snubbing Rock, Lots O’ Costumes & Right On

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Josslyn comes into the living room where Bobbie and Carly are sitting. Carly says, one, two, three… and yell, happy birthday! Josslyn takes her earbuds out, and asks if they said something. Bobbie tells her, they said, happy birthday, and Josslyn says, almost a clean getaway. Carly says she can’t believe her baby is 18, and hugs her. Bobbie says she can’t believe it either. Her granddaughter has grown into a beautiful young woman. Josslyn thanks her, and asks if she smells pancakes. Carly says they can be turned into birthday pancakes if Josslyn goes to the kitchen. Josslyn says she’d love to, but she’s meeting Trina at the gallery. They’re having an exhibit, and they get extra credit if they write a report about it. Carly asks if she’ll be home early, and Josslyn promises to be there for whatever birthday dinner she’s cooking up. Carly says Josslyn forgot. Today is her first election day.

The gallery is presenting a celebration of 100 years of women’s suffrage. Trina checks out the displays, and says, wow. She sees Portia and says, Ava told her the Historical Society was putting up and exhibit on women’s suffrage, but she didn’t expect all this. Jordan walks over, and says she saw Ava at the polls. Portia is glad she went earlier, and suggests Trina go now. Jordan says, that’s right; Trina is 18. She remembers how excited TJ was about his first election, and asks if Trina is excited. Trina says she’s especially excited to be voting down ballot. She thinks it’s important to elect the right people who will select their public officials. Like the Police Commissioner for example.

Carly says Josslyn is voting, right? and Josslyn says if she has time .Carly asks what she means, and Bobbie says she’s surprised at Josslyn’s cavalier attitude. She’s always been civic minded. Carly says Josslyn has helped with the food bank and coat drive, and she and Oscar organized a dance to support their transgender friends who were being bullied. Josslyn says, when she makes a difference. She’s one vote. Does it really matter? Carly says she understands Josslyn being overwhelmed with what’s going on in the world today, but she still has a responsibility to do her civic duty and vote. Every vote matters. She leaves to get the polling information, and Josslyn says she’s sorry she disappointed Bobbie. Bobbie says, she’s just shocked, and bets Josslyn’s great-great grandmother would be too. Beatrice Eckert. She was a suffragist and played a vital role in women getting and keeping their right to vote in New York state. Josslyn asks what she means by keeping. Wasn’t it the law? Bobbie says, yes, but 1920 was the first time women voted in a Presidential election, but not everyone was happy about it. There were anti-suffragist contingents led by people who thought a woman’s place was in the home and out of politics. A lot of them were women. Josslyn asks if they didn’t realize that the suffragists were fighting for them too, and Bobbie says, they wanted things to stay the same. During the 1920 election, she wouldn’t believe the pushback to keep women from voting. Who knows what would have happened in Port Charles if Beatrice hadn’t been there to rally the women to vote. Carly comes back in, and says, talk about someone who made a difference. She gives Josslyn the information, and wonders what Beatrice would think about Josslyn being too busy to vote. Josslyn says, message received. She’ll find the time. Josslyn leaves, and Bobbie says, sadly, she has the feeling a lot of young people feel the same way; disenchanted and ambivalent. Carly says she didn’t think Josslyn was one of them, and hopes she got through.   

At the gallery, Lucy unpacks a box, and Monica tells her the exhibit is fine the way it is. Lucy says, it’s supposed to be historically accurate. She takes out some candles, saying, she hates the electric candles. She’s going to put some of these around. They’re from the museum, and she’s sure it’s fine. Monica says she’s sure Ava will be comforted to hear her gallery burned down due to historically accurate candles.

Trina is looking at the exhibit, when Josslyn comes in. Trina says, hi there, birthday girl. Congratulations on the big 1-8. Josslyn says she had no idea it would be this cool. Trina picks up a group photo, and tells Josslyn, check this out. She looks just like Josslyn’s mom; Beatrice Eckert. Josslyn says, that’s her; her great-great grandma. Her grandma was telling her about Beatrice’s part in the women’s suffrage movement in Port Charles. Trina says she had a great-great aunt who was part of an African America sorority, who fought for women’s rights back in the day. Josslyn says she guesses it made a difference back then, and Trina says, don’t joke. People put their lives on the line for the right to vote. Those women, legendary civil rights leaders, and ordinary citizens fought long and hard for their right to vote. She’s not letting them down, especially now. Josslyn asks when Trina got so political, and Trina says it’s one of those moments when Josslyn needs to come out of her bubble. Josslyn says, it feels like nothing changes, but Trina says, not voting guarantees things won’t change. She walks up to a voting booth, and wonders how they felt stepping into it. They must have felt so empowered, knowing they’d won the right to vote. She and Josslyn go into the booth, and Lucy takes out a candle that says TIME on the bottom. Josslyn says, it’s kind of rinky-dink, and Trina says, but powerful. Josslyn calls her a nerd, and Trina says, takes one to know one. Josslyn says, just them and the machine, and Trina says, making their choices, and making their voices heard. They hit the lever that opens the curtain, and…

Josslyn and Trina are in old-timey clothes outside, and Josslyn says, what the…? Trina says, where are we?

Josslyn wonders if the booth was some kind of virtual exhibit, and Trina tells her look at what she’s wearing. Look at what I’m wearing. Josslyn says, this is way too creepy. People can’t just go back in time. She pinches Trina, who says, ow! What was that for? and Josslyn says, this is real. Carly/Beatrice comes by, and asks if they need help. Josslyn says, mom. Beatrice says, sorry? and Josslyn says Beatrice looks a lot like her mom, but she can’t be. Beatrice says they look confused. Do they need help? Trina says they have no idea what’s happening, and Josslyn says, or where they are. Beatrice says, Wellington Square in Port Charles, New York. They do know where that is, correct? Trina says, it’s not like the Port Charles they know. They see a poster that says Vote November 2, 1920.  Josslyn says, the poster… the date, and Beatrice says, it’s election day. Josslyn says, in 1920, and Beatrice asks if they’ve had an accident. Perhaps she should take them to a doctor. Trina says they’re fine, and pulls Josslyn aside, and says, no more questions. She’s looking at them funny. Josslyn says, it’s insane. It can’t be 1920. Trina says, whatever’s happening, they need to pull it together quick, or Beatrice will think they’re crazy, and send them to the hospital. Josslyn says, and mental hospitals in the 1920s were hideous. Beatrice calls to another woman, saying, Dr. Johnson, a moment? Portia/Dr. Johnson comes over, and Beatrice says, these young ladies seem disoriented. Perhaps she could examine them. Dr. Johnson says, of course (🍷) she can. She introduces herself as Dr. Priscilla Johnson, and Josslyn introduces herself and Trina. Priscilla says it’s lovely to meet them both. She’ll start by taking a pulse. Trina says, she’s still a doctor, and Priscilla says, rest assured, she is. Josslyn says Beatrice is Beatrice Eckert, the suffragette. Beatrice says she is and she isn’t. She’s Beatrice Eckert, the suffragist. Suffragette is a petty term meant to diminish the movement, coined by a petty man who didn’t like what they were doing. Sadly, his followers adapted it. Josslyn stands corrected, and Priscilla says, now her. She says Josslyn is a pretty name, and asks if it’s her mother’s name, but Josslyn says, her mother’s name is… Caroline. She looks at Beatrice, and Priscilla says, another beautiful name. Both of them have an elevated pulse, but it’s nothing serious. Have they eaten today? Josslyn says, just a granola bar, and Trina says she had a muffin and a latte. Beatrice says, give them a moment, and steps aside with Priscilla. Josslyn tells Trina, that woman is Beatrice Eckert, her great-great grandmother. That’s why she looks like her mom. Trina says, whatever is happening, they have to be careful. They don’t want to mess with the space/time continuum. Josslyn says she got that from a movie, but Trina says, it’s all she has to go on. They’re not supposed to be there, and if they’re not careful, they could screw up the future. Josslyn says Trina is scaring her, and Trina says, there’s a lot riding on this election, and they don’t want to effect it, or the Port Charles they know might be changed forever.

Josslyn says Beatrice really doesn’t need stay with her. She knows Beatrice is extremely busy; a suffragist on election day. Beatrice says, a very historic election day. It’s the first Presidential election where women will finally be able to give voice in how the country is run. What about Josslyn? Is she visiting family? Josslyn says she seems to be. Trina asks Beatrice if she’s excited to vote for the first time, but Beatrice says, it’s her third time voting. Is Trina not from New York? The state granted women voting rights in 1917. Trina says she just thought there might be problems for African Americans. Priscilla says she’s not familiar with that term, and Trina says, right; they’re negroes. Priscilla asks if she’s sure she’s well, and Trina promises she’s fine. She’s so impressed Priscilla is a doctor. It’s something she should be proud of. Priscilla thanks her, and says her mother always told her, when one path closes, go out and trailblaze another. She was one of the first few women to go to Howard Medical School. Her sister formed the first suffragist movement in Chicago at a sorority. She asks if Trina is planning on going to college, and Trina says she is. Priscilla says, that’s wonderful. They must all strive to get ahead. Trina says, it still must be difficult for her, and Priscilla says, they haven’t always been embraced by society, or by the suffrage movement. She asks if Trina is familiar with the march in Washington. It was more like a battle. They were attacked by spectators, and the few police that were there, stood by and let it happen. They were hospitalized and jailed, but still continued to march forward. Their struggle as women of color is tied to their struggle as people. Trina says, the struggle is real, and Priscilla says, all too true. Some people still can’t vote because they don’t have the money for the registration fee. Trina says, she heard about that. Extra poll taxes and literacy tests. It’s voter suppression, and it’s bogus. Priscilla says, yes; bogus. The 15th and 19th amendments are on the books, but sadly, that doesn’t mean it changes people’s hearts and minds. But it doesn’t mean stop fighting, does it? Trina says, no ma’am, and Priscilla says she needs to get off to the women’s polling station. Trina says, they have a separate place for women? and Priscilla says the town council thought it was more seemly if the women voted separately from the men. Trina says, bogus. Josslyn tells Beatrice, it’s a lot to take in, and Beatrice says, they’ve come a long way, and they’re still making progress. Maybe one day there will even be a woman elected President. Josslyn says, wouldn’t that be something? and Beatrice says here’s someone who helped show them the way. She calls to Alice, and Anna/Alice comes over to her, asking Beatrice if she’s excited for this day. Josslyn says she’s British. She can’t vote in their election, but Alice says she’s there to celebrate with her American sisters. Beatrice thanks her for her unwavering assistance, but Alice says, it’s states like New York that led the way. Josslyn says she thought women could vote in England in 1918, and Alice says, only those 30 years of age and older, a matter she’s going to attend to on her way home. Elizabeth/Eliza joins them, and says they have a problem. It seems no women will be voting today.

Jordan/Josephine says, the polling place is closed, and Alice says, that’s preposterous. They had everything ready to go yesterday. Josephine says, the building has been padlocked shut, and Beatrice says, this is outrageous. Josslyn pulls Trina aside, and says, something isn’t right. They know these women voted in 1920. Is this happening because of them? Alice says, it’s another ploy keeping them from their right to vote, and Priscilla says, it’s voter suppression. Isn’t that what Trina called it? Alice says she’s going there now, and Josephine says she’ll go with her; perhaps she can find a crowbar. Beatrice tells them to be careful. Josslyn asks if this is out of the norm. Who would do something like this? Britt/Bertha arrives, and says, she would, and Eliza says, Bertha Halifax, what did you do? Bertha says, her job. She told her boss the mortgage was in arrears. The bank foreclosed, which it has every right to do. She appreciates rights, doesn’t she? Eliza says Bertha’s boss owns the bank, and has tried to get the rights of women to vote repealed several times. To no avail. Beatrice says it’s just another attempt to stop them, but they won’t be stopped. They’ll never give up. Bertha says they won’t be voting in Port Charles today, and Josslyn asks why she won’t help them. They’re fighting for her rights too. Bertha asks who she is, then says, no matter, and leaves. Ava/Ada approaches them, and says, finally, some good news. Maybe people can finally put this women’s rights upheaval to rest. Trina says she can’t possibly believe that, and Josslyn says, Ava always says ignorant things. Even here. Ada asks, who are these rude women? and Beatrice says, they’re new in town. Ada says she’ll have them know she’s Ada Hook. Her family came over on the Mayflower. Beatrice says, no one cares. They’re all here now. They’re all American citizens with the right to vote. How can she think it’s beneath her? It’s women like her standing in the way of fairness and equality. Ada says, it’s women like Beatrice slumming in politics, who are demeaning decent women everywhere. She should be ashamed. Beatrice says, it’s Ada’s fault she’s stuck in a loveless marriage. Don’t blame the rest of them because she’s unhappy. Ada stomps toward Beatrice, who pushes her back, and Ada falls on her behind. She says Beatrice will pay for this, and Beatrice tells her, take her best shot.

Obrecht/Miss Oberlay locks Beatrice in a cell, and says, arrested again. How many times does this make? Beatrice says she’ll be out of there in a matter of hours. She’d like to skip the formalities; she has important business to attend to. Oberlay says, that’s for a judge to decide. The courts are backed up, and there’s no telling when she’ll get a hearing. Beatrice says, but it’s election day. Oberlay says, not for her.

Back outside, Josslyn says, this is a disaster, and Trina says, completely. Alexis/Lexi asks if they’re unwell. Have they been laid low by the evils of drink? Josslyn says, no; they haven’t been drinking, and Lexi says she’s pleased to hear that. She introduces herself as Lexi Brighton, head of the Port Charles chapter of the Women’s Temperance Union. She asks why they’re sitting slumped over, and Trina says Beatrice has been arrested and they need to get her out. Lexi says she was wondering why the polling place was locked, and Josslyn says, the bank foreclosed on the building overnight, and Beatrice got in a fight with Ada. Ada had Beatrice arrested, and now they can’t get her out. Trina says, and it’s election day. The clock is literally ticking. Lexi tells them, say no more. She’s worked with some elected officials. She might know someone who can help.

A small crowd gathers, and Lexi says, it’s Assemblywoman, Mary Butler. Trina says, impressive, and they join the crowd. Terry/Tilly says, the assemblywoman doesn’t have time to speak to any more constituents, but Lexi gets her attention, and says, she’s sure Mary can find the time. Tilly says Mary is supposed to be at the women’s polling center at noon, and Lexi says, there won’t be a polling center if these ladies don’t speak to Mary. Monica/Mary asks what this is about, and Lexi says, these lovely ladies will explain it to her. Mary tells Tilly that she’ll make the time, and asks them to sit.

Josslyn tells Mary, now Beatrice is locked up, and so is the polling center. Mary understands why they came to her. She’s well-known at the local jail. Her no account husband has had run-ins with the law many times. He finally ran off for good, thank the lucky stars. She has a fortuitous acquaintance with the Police Commissioner. She tells Tilly that she needs to talk to Commissioner Cromwell.

Josslyn and Trina go back to Beatrice’s cell, and Josslyn tells her that she’s being released. Beatrice asks how they managed it, and Oberlay says, corruption. All this talk of voting, as if anything will change. Powerful people will always have the last say. Ada comes in, and says she wants the satisfaction of seeing Beatrice in the hoosgow with her own eyes. Trina says, Mrs. Hooker? and Ada says, it’s Hook. Trina says she’s sorry for starting the altercation between Ada and Beatrice, but Ada’s fall was an accident. Ada says, people laughed. She has a reputation to consider. Trina says, a great woman can survive a few snickers. Today is more important than her squabble with Beatrice. Ada asks if Trina believes in all that voting nonsense, and Trina says, absolutely. They need to have their voices heard. Ada says, women should stay out of politics. Her husband will vote for them both. Trina asks if she trusts her husband completely. He’s never lied to her, or told her what she wanted to hear? Ada calls her insolent, and Trina says she just can’t believe a strong smart woman like Ada would sit back and let someone else run her life. Ada says no one runs her life, and Trina asks, then why is she throwing away her vote?

Beatrice, now out of her cell, tells Josslyn that they need to get to the polling place. Oberlay says they’d better hurry, and quit cluttering up the halls. Ada comes out, and Oberlay asks if Ada is there to make sure Beatrice doesn’t escape justice. Ada says, no. Trina helped her realize that there are some things more important than petty personal squabbles. She tells Trina that she expects great things from her. Beatrice thanks Ada, and Oberlay tells them to go. Schnell.

At the polling place, Bertha hammers a foreclosure sign to the door. She tells the crowd, no voting today. Go home to their husbands and children. Their kitchens await. Alice tells them not to listen. Stay to vote. The door will be opened if they have to storm it themselves. Bertha asks if they want to end up in jail like Beatrice. Think of their families. Beatrice gets on a literal soapbox, and says, yes. Think of their families. Think of their daughters, who need their example. Think of their mothers and grandmothers. She’s Beatrice Eckert, the suffragist, their friend and neighbor. Three years ago, they were able to secure voting rights in their state. It’s a proud moment, made even prouder by the 19th amendment. Now women all over the state get to cast their vote for the next President of the United States. There will be detractors, people who want to silence them because of their fear, or complacency with the status quo, but they needn’t be afraid or daunted. They don’t want to take anything from them. They want to include everyone in the promise America has to offer. Ada has joined the crowd, and everyone is enthusiastic. Bertha says, women don’t belong in politics, but Beatrice says, women belong everywhere. In kitchens, hospitals, and classrooms, and in voting booths. They’re going to vote today, and in every election to come. The future in America is brighter because of them. Who’s with her? Everyone chants, yes! but Bertha says they can’t get in. Josephine picks up a hammer, and says they won’t be denied  their rights as citizens, and breaks the lock. They all go inside.

Trina sees Ada, and says, she’s here. Ada says she wanted to see if Beatrice could pull it off. Since she’s there, she might as well vote. She doesn’t need a man to speak for her. It was a pleasure meeting her, Trina…. Trina says, Robinson, and Ada says, a name destined for greatness. Josslyn says Beatrice did it, but Beatrice says, they all did it. They all made sacrifices and suffered persecution, but look around. Generations to come will reap the benefits of their suffering. Josslyn says she understands now. Voting isn’t just a right; it’s a privilege. It’s the least and most they can do as citizens. Beatrice calls Josslyn her fellow suffragist.

Oberlay comes in, and asks Josslyn and Trina what they’re gawking at. She’s exercising her right to vote, and they better hope they never end up in her jail. She has her eye on them. She closes the curtain, and Trina tells Josslyn, she doesn’t understand why they’re still there. They fixed everything. Beatrice made her speech, and women are voting. Josslyn says, that’s it. They were in a voting booth before they got here. Trina says she’s right. Maybe if they pull the lever again… Beatrice comes out of a booth, and says she did it; she casted her vote. She asks what Josslyn and Trina are still doing there. Clearly they’re not 21, and not registered there. Josslyn says they were just taking a look inside. That warden lady was just here. Beatrice says, Miss Oberlay? Excellent. Trina says, but she might vote the wrong way, but Beatrice says, there is no wrong way. She wants every woman, every citizen to vote, even people she doesn’t agree with. Josslyn says it’s been a great honor to meet her. She’ll try to follow her example and encourage those around her to stay involved, so they can have the government they want. Beatrice says, the honor is hers. She sees great things in Josslyn’s future. Alice calls to her, and Beatrice says she has to go.

A booth is open, and there’s no one around, and Trina says now’s their chance. They go inside, closing the curtain, and Trina says, let’s do this. Josslyn says, please let this work. They pull the lever, and the curtain opens to the gallery.

Trina says they did it, and Josslyn says, thank God. Lucy asks if they blew out her candle, and picks it up. She says, time? Oh boy, wrong candle. Very wrong. No, no, no. Oh dear. She asks how they’re feeling. Do they feel okay? Josslyn says she doesn’t know. Something strange happened. Trina says, beyond strange. Lucy says she lit the wrong candle. It’s a special candle that doesn’t have normal properties. It has special properties, and has to be handled carefully, which she didn’t. Sometimes it allows you to open your inner eye, and see things that… aren’t usual. Josslyn asks if she means things that aren’t there, and Lucy says, it’s possible. She takes the box, and says she’s just going to go carry on. Josslyn asks Trina if they had a weird psychedelic trip because Lucy lit a weird candle. Trina says, it makes more sense than time travel. Time travel isn’t real… right? Josslyn says, totally, and Trina says she thinks the election just got in their heads, and they went back to the first election where women could vote. Josslyn says, whatever it was, it was awesome, and Trina says they’re going to slay their history project. Josslyn says, first, they have something more important to do. Vote.

Terry and Elizabeth see Britt outside the polling place, and Elizabeth says, don’t worry. They took an early lunch, and got in and out. She hopes Britt doesn’t experience any delays herself, and Terry says, it’s picking up again. Bobbie and Carly get there in time to see Josslyn and Trina come out. Everyone applauds, and they bow. Trina sees Ava, and asks if she voted. Ava says, of course (🍷). Did Trina really think she wouldn’t? Trina says, no. She knows what kind of woman Ava is. Carly asks Josslyn how it felt voting for the first time, and Josslyn says, very gratifying, empowering, and humbling. Carly says, nice, and Josslyn says she thought about Beatrice, and her, and grandma, and how all the women had done so much for their generation. She wasn’t about to let them down. Carly says Josslyn is so grown up. But she still has a curfew. Bobbie tells her, congratulations. She’s just done something women in their family have been doing for 100 years. Josslyn says, 103 years. Women in New York state have been voting since 1917. Carly says she got a lot out of the research paper, and Josslyn smiles at Trina. She says, you have no idea.

We see the gallery displays, and hear the women from the past talking. Lucy comes in and stops at a group photo of the suffragists, and does a doubletake. She keeps moving, and we see Josslyn and Trina in the photo. We hear Josslyn say she understands now. It’s not just a right. It’s a privilege, and the least, and most, we can do as citizens.

I gotta say, I loved this. When it started, I thought it might be boring, but I was surprised at how good it was. And it spurred me to vote early. I also wondered, was that a left over candle from the Superstition arc in Port Charles? A friend noticed it also said Barrington on the box.

Tomorrow, Sonny wants to know why Ryan is reaching out to Ava, TJ says he needs Jordan’s help with police business, and Portia asks why Cyrus doesn’t just fire her for insubordination.

Below Deck

This was tough because it was a new crew, and two of the guys looked the same. One also wasn’t on any online cast list. You’ll see why later.

Eddie is back as bosun, but he’s the only familiar face. Besides Captain Lee. And the boat. My Seanna is back. Chef Rachel said she was laser focused on her work, but out of the galley, she’s not quiet. New chief stew Francesca said she thrives on attention to detail, but sometimes thinks they don’t pay her enough for this crap. Deckhand James is an admitted player; deckhand Avery a Jack of all trades, who’d done just about every job on a boat, including interior and driving it; and deckhand Shane is from SoCal and a surfer. He said when people meet him, they expect a stoner, but they’re wrong. He’s an environmentalist, who believes the body is a temple, and the earth is our temple as people. As for the interior, stew Elizabeth likes to get in touch with her mystical side using meditation, yoga, and crystals; stew Izzy (Isabel) said she was the walking definition of too much information, and no topic was taboo for her.

Antigua. February 11, 2020. Eddie tells us that he’s been in Baltimore, where he runs a harbor tug, and docks massive ships. He’s getting away for the winter, and going back to yachting. He gets to the My Seanna, and hunts for Captain Lee, but the boat seems empty. He thinks something must be wrong, and calls the captain. Captain Lee says he’s at the hospital. He’s embarrassed to say it, but he fell in the shower and busted some ribs. He might need surgery, and the season might be over before it starts for him. He tells Eddie to get familiar with the boat. The first charter starts tomorrow at noon. In Eddie’s interview, he says Captain Lee has been his mentor since the day they met, and it’s terrifying for him. If the captain doesn’t show up, the charter won’t be happening, so it’s very concerning

Francesca arrives next, and checks the boat out. She meets Eddie, and in her interview, says she takes her job too seriously sometimes. She wants to think like a guest. Attention to detail is everything, and she likes everything meticulously placed. Eddie explains that Captain Lee is at the hospital. Avery is next, then Elizabeth, and James. As Eddie goes about his duties, he says, come back and work on the yacht, Eddie. It will be fun, they said. He thinks he feels an aneurysm coming on. In James’s interview, he says he wouldn’t kick Francesca out of bed. Alrighty then, but is he detail oriented? Shane thinks the boat is gnarly, and in Avery’s interview, he says he was on a rocky road in a dark place, and found yachting by accident.

Francesca and Eddie meet with their respective teams. Eddie tells the deckhands, they have to unf*** stuff today. In his interview, he says he’s trying to stay composed and professional, but deep down, he’s panicking. The first charter is less than 24 hours away, and there’s a lot on the line.

In her interview, Izzy says she’s been around boats her whole life. She was too cheap to pay for a holiday, so she started working on boats. As long as she’s working, and living life to the fullest, she’s up for a challenge. Shane intrudes on the interior meeting, and Francesca wonders why he’s there before he wanders off again. In Shane’s interview, he says he’s new to yachting, and has less than a year under his belt. He’s been on boats his whole life, but never vessels over 150 feet. Eddie hunts for Shane, and tells him that they’re bunking together. Shane says he’s from a white glove world, and Eddie says if he doesn’t know what to do, ask. His only problem is if someone says they know how to do something, and they don’t. In his interview, Eddie says he thinks he’s going to be screwed with this one. He tells Shane, just absorb.

Francesca tells the stews to get the cabins guest ready, and familiarize themselves with where things are. In Francesca’s interview, she says she tries to find balance between being patient, and being a hard-on. That’s how she rolls. Elizabeth says she’s used to working with militant chief stews, and thinks Francesca has pure intentions, In Eddie’s interview, he says Avery seems knowledgeable and organized. With a new crew and the captain injured, he’s got a lot to do to get ready, and needs someone he can depend on. Elizabeth struggles with making beds, and Izzy gets hit in the face with bidet water. James asks about the girls on the boat. In his interview, he says he doesn’t think yachting is much of a career, He just wants to get some sun, party, and flirt.

Chef Rachel arrives, and says she had her purse stolen. She was in a store, and left her purse in the cart (you all know not to do that, right?), and it was stolen. It was upsetting and overwhelming, and she’s not in the state she should be in mentally, and it sucks. The deckhands wash down and clean up. Francesca asks Elizabeth to do laundry detail. In Rachel’s interview, she says, normally, she’d reorganize the galley, but she needs to hit the ground running, suck it up, and get it done with a smile. Provisions come in, and Eddie tries calling Captain Lee again.

Captain Lee finally makes it to the boat, and everyone is like, yay! He tells Eddie, no hugs. In his interview, the captain says his ribs are killing him, but only when he moves and breathes. Other than that, it’s fine. He’s glad he didn’t damage any vital organs, but feels like he’s been wrapped up in a bedsheet and beaten with a bat. Suck it up, creampuff. He radios for everyone to come to the Sky Lounge. He apologizes for leaving them high and dry, but it couldn’t be helped; it’s under control now. He introduces Mario and Zack, the engineers, and first officer John. He gives the crew his rules – don’t embarrass the boat or themselves. In his interview, he says he doesn’t want a repeat of last season. No physical intimidation. We flash back to drunk Ashton. He says, they got away with it last year. If they don’t respect each other this season, they’re gone. We flash back to the captain slamming the door after he tells Kate and Ashton not to be slamming doors. He tells the crew, if anyone thinks he won’t fire someone mid-charter, they don’t know him. In Izzy’s interview, he says he’s like a sweet grandpa who will spank you if you do something wrong. Captain Lee says a quick way to get a one-way ticket is to be without a radio.

The captain meets with Francesca, and tells her that he doesn’t like to micromanage. He asks her to go to whoever is having the issue first, and try to resolve it. If she can’t, bring him a straight, unbiased version. He tells her, laundry is his pet peeve. There’s the bar, and his bar, which is way the f*** up there. In his interview, he says he’s had the same chief stew for the last six years, and we flash back to Kate. He says, it  takes a long time to develop the level of trust he and Kate shared. Francesca has huge shoes to fill. Francesca tells him that she wants the guests to have one-of-a-kind, unique experiences. In the captain’s interview, he says Francesca seems competent, and seems to know her stuff, but she has a lot on her plate. He explains how he wants the crease in the front of his pants, not on the side, and in his interview, he says Francesca doesn’t know what a d*ck he can be. Francesca gives Elizabeth the skinny on the captain’s pants.

It’s time for the first preference sheet meeting, and the captain radios Eddie, Francesca, and Rachel. He tells them he’s had Charley on board before. He’s a fun guy, with a propensity for living on the edge. We flash back to Charley being kind of an a-hole. Charley is bringing his boyfriend Carlos, and a couple of friends. The captain says the menu will include vegan and keto, and they want an international themed dinner the first night. In Rachel’s interview, she says when she’s not doing yachting, she’s a private Ayurvedic chef. She studied in India for three years. She’s got this. Captain Lee says they want a neon carnival themed party on the second day, which is also guest Lexy’s birthday. He says, Charley knows what to expect. Never let him see you sweat. In his interview, Captain Lee says, Charley is a handful. He demands a lot, and doesn’t mind paying for it, but to get to the pot at the end of the rainbow, you’ve got to create the rainbow. The crew calls it a night.

Shane says he likes to meditate when he wakes up. It sets the precedent for the entire day. Izzy is tasked with the captain’s breakfast, but Francesca thinks a snail could make breakfast faster, and it doesn’t even have hands. She doesn’t think it does anyway. Eddie tells the captain, Avery is solid, but Shane has green growing pains. The captain says he was doing good until he rolled over. In Captain Lee’s interview, he says, last season, he had no bosun he could count on and depend on . We flash back to several inferior bosuns, and the captain says, when you have a new crew, you’ve got to have a stabilizing factor. Eddie brings that to the table. Elizabeth radios James to come and get a bag of garbage. He comes down wearing shorter than short shorts. In Elizabeth’s interview, she says she hopes this is the first yacht she doesn’t fall in love on. It’s a half hour to charter, and Avery says, it’s a never ending battle to clean things that will never be clean. Eddie tells them, it’s showtime.

Charley and friends arrive, and the captain welcomes them. He tells them Francesca will give them the grand tour, and they’ll get started. Charley says, it’s good to be home. He points out a bathroom where one of his friends may have passed out, and tells his party, don’t do that. The luggage is brought on board, and the railings come in. A guest flirts with James. Apparently, she and Elizabeth are seeing something I don’t. In his interview, Eddie says, docking and undocking are a spectator sport. People love to watch. All  the lines are clear, and they head out. The guests want espresso martinis, and Izzy begs the espresso machine to work. Francesca wonders how long it takes to make espressos, and says, Izzy is so slow. They have two machines; use them both. She brings up some vegan delights appetizers to the guests, and in her interview, says, being chief stew is all about problem solving. She helps make espresso shots for the martinis. Carlos loves it, so all is well.

Francesca asks Elizabeth to unpack the master, and shows Izzy how to make the martini. She just needs it to happen. Looking at all the stuff Charley brought, Elizabeth says it’s a lot of sh*t for three days. Anchor is dropped at Morris Bay. Charley tells his guests, until the crew figures out what’s going on, what do they need? He takes orders for an espresso martini, an Aperol spritz, and sunscreen. He gets behind bar, and tells Izzy that he’s helping out. Izzy is like, no, and he tells her to get the sunscreen, and he’ll make the drinks. Izzy tells Francesca, the primary senses everyone is overwhelmed, and is making drinks. Francesca says they need to step up their game. In Izzy’s interview, she says she’s questioning her decision to work there. Why did she do this to herself? Francesca tells Charley that she’ll take care of it; it’s her domain. Carlos says, the crew needs to step it up. In Francesca’s interview, she says they’re supposed to be 7 star service. Charley tells her, call today a learning curve, and call tomorrow, get it right. He understands for 24 hours.

Eddie wants to sit and cry. Francesca asks Elizabeth to take over bartending. In her interview, Francesca says Elizabeth is adapting, and doing what she’s told. Thank God, since Izzy isn’t happening. Francesca says she comes from a large yacht, and had stews with experience. With the guests full-on, she needs stews who know what they’re doing. She confers with Rachel about dinner. The captain asks Izzy how it’s going, and she says she’s a little overwhelmed. In his interview, he says that’s not what he wants to hear. James checks out guest Lexy, and says he likes older chicks, and the birthday girl is hot. In Rachel’s interview, she says, food is multi-dimensional. There’s the visual, the scent, the texture, and the taste. She loves it. It’s like a fun puzzle she puts together. She apologizes for being a nerd.

Shane replaces the plastic bar straws with paper ones that have a nautical theme. He says he always brings his own straws. We have one planet, and if we destroy the earth where will humans go? The moon? Charley loves the table setting, and Francesca starts to bring out the food. The guests think it looks incredible. Rachel brings up a dish, and the deckhands put the jet skis in the water. There’s silence while the guests eat, and Charley says them being quiet is a good sign. He loves the avocado reduction, and declares it could double as a facial mask. Eddie says he and Avery are two peas in a pod, and killing it. The guests go out on the jet skis, and circle around the boat. Captain Lee asks Francesca if things are smoothing out. She says, as much as they can. Izzy is doing what she can, but she needs training. The captain says, this isn’t where one should be learning, and Francesca says, it just makes things worse. Avery gets a text from his mother that his grandmother is getting worse, and they’re not sure how much time she has. Avery asks what he should do, and his mother says, it’s up to him. He cries.

Some of the guests start pushing each other into the water from the boat, while Charley is still out on the jet ski. The captain says it’s making him nervous; it’s too dangerous. Eddie tells them, too close; there are people in the water. Charley and whoever he’s riding with fall off. Avery asks Captain Lee if he has a second, and tells the captain that he has bad news about his grandma. He has to leave as soon as possible. The captain says he’s sorry to hear it, and Avery says, they thought it was the flu, but he guesses it wasn’t. And you know what we’re all thinking. He says he’s sorry. It’s the last thing he wants to do. Captain Lee says he understands; family first, always. Not a problem. Avery leaves, and the captain is like, ugh, sitting with his head in his hands.   

Eddie says, the guests are an absolute sh*t show. Charley says they failed the jet ski experiment. The captain asks to talk to Eddie, and Francesca brings the guests snacks. Captain Lee tells Eddie, they just lost a guy. Avery’s grandma is dying, and might not make it through the night. Get him packed and out. Eddie says, it’s an f-ing mess. He asks Avery, what’s happening? and Avery says this is the last thing he wants to do, but Eddie says, don’t worry about them. Go and be with his family. In Avery’s interview, he says, he feels bad leaving, but he feels he has to. He thanks Captain Lee, who says he’s so sorry. The captain hugs Avery, and tells him to take care of himself. Stay strong. Eddie says his best deckhand has to leave for a family emergency. They’re a man down, they have thirsty, high maintenance charter guests, and a new crew. The future doesn’t look bright. They’re screwed. In Avery’s interview, he says the last thing he wants to do is leave, but it’s a decision he had to make. He can’t imagine doing anything different. No matter what’s going on, he’s going to make sure his career is successful. He wants to be just like Captain Lee.  

Eddie says, day one.

This season, Captain Lee says, Antigua has a beach for every day of the year – how incredible is that? Hot tub hijinks; sushi on a nakey woman; Captain Lee says, there’s no crying in yachting; caviar isn’t delivered when the guests specifically requested it; Francesca says, Rachel is a time bomb; James wants to get to know Elizabeth; Shane doesn’t answer his radio, and consistently doesn’t wear a shirt, annoying the captain; Francesca calls out Elizabeth; the Corona virus begins; Captain Lee says, the effing world is going to hell in an effing handbasket; Rachel says she’s out; Eddie says he needs help; and the captain says, let the firings begin.

🛥 Meet the New Cast…

Avery not included.

https://www.bravotv.com/below-deck/about

😔 Idol Gone Too Soon…

The best I can say is, at least it wasn’t suicide or covid.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/01/us/nikki-mckibbin-american-idol-death-trnd/index.html

🌪 Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On…

And it doesn’t just kill people.

https://nypost.com/2020/10/30/how-covid-shook-up-tv-casts-from-9-1-1-lone-star-to-witcher/

🎸 If You’ve Ever Wondered Why…

An explanation of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame snubs.

https://pagesix.com/article/rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-snubs/

🎃 2020 Costume Parade…

Celebrity Halloween costumes.

https://www.essence.com/beauty/our-favorite-celebrity-halloween-costume-2020/

More celebrity Halloween costumes.

https://pagesix.com/slideshow/best-celebrity-halloween-costumes/

If you can’t get enough of celebrity Halloween costumes.

https://people.com/celebrity/star-tracks-sunday-november-1-2020/

Kelly and Mark in Halloween costumes.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1204067/why-kelly-ripa-censored-her-and-mark-consuelos-halloween-photos

And Heidi’s Halloween effort for this miserable year.

https://www.today.com/popculture/heidi-klum-debuts-sinister-short-film-about-halloween-2020-t196830

📇 Another Monday Shredded…

It’s officially election day for the Big Kahuna, so if you haven’t done it yet, get out there and vote. Just don’t touch anything while you’re there. And don’t forget to stay safe, stay peaceful, and stay knowing it’s not a right, it’s a privilege.

October 30, 2020 – A Stormy Halloween In Port Charles, a RHONY First, Northern Steal, Turning Points, For Your Halloween Viewing, Entertaining Costumes, Watching Them Watch, a Pumpkin Full Of Quotes & Nightmare

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Jason meets Sonny at the gym, and Sonny says Sasha’s been meeting with Cyrus, and Carly seems to think she’s using drugs. If she is, he broke the damn truce.

Julian tussles with Darth Vader at an otherwise empty Charlie’s. Darth’s mask comes off, and it’s Taggert. Julian says, You. I know you.

Ryan comes into the visiting room. They pick up the phones. He says he’s surprised to see her on this stormy Halloween night. Is this a trick, or a treat? She says, a treat, and he asks if she did what he said. She says she did. She divorced Nikolas.

Elizabeth tells Nikolas, when he and Ava were playing Franco and her, they were playing him and Ava. She was the one blackmailing him.

Franco asks Terry if Elizabeth asked her to check on him, but she says Elizabeth doesn’t know she’s there. He asks what’s going on, and if she’s seeing a bunch of kids today. She says as much as she’d love to hang out, she’s there in a professional capacity.

Peter asks who it is on the phone, and a female voice asks if he doesn’t recognize her. It’s his old friend, Helena Cassadine. He’s stunned, and tells Maxie and Spinelli, work emergency. He jets to the hallway, and says she’s dead. She says, is she? Then she’s certain chosen the perfect night to deal with some unfinished business. And they have much unsettled between them.

Valentin asks if Anna has an answer, and she says, Faison doesn’t have the genetic marker for rheumatoid arthritis. Which means she’s not Peter’s mother. Alex is.

Valentin tells Anna to sit; it’s a lot to process. She asks how he felt when he found out his whole life was lie. When he found out Mikkos wasn’t his father, and Helena was his mother. He says, like the bottom dropped out of the world, and she says she kind of feels like that. He tells her, take a minute. There’s no more shame; no more guilt. She didn’t sleep with Faison. She didn’t have pregnancy, or give Peter up for adoption. She says, it still feels real, and he says, it isn’t. She says she blamed herself for sleep with Faison and giving away his child. She put herself through hell, and for what? It’s nothing but lies.

Peter asks who is she really, and why is she doing this? Helena says, they both know she’s eluded death before. Why should now be any different? He says because she contacted him. What about Nikolas? Or Spencer? Or her son Valentin? She says she needs him, not them. He asks, why? and she says she needs someone to help her stay dead until she’s ready to reveal herself. Nikolas and Valentin can’t be trusted, but she has leverage over Peter. She can expose his role in abducting Drew in Afghanistan. He says he doesn’t know what she’s talking about, and she says she has documentation to spark his memory. He asks what she wants, and she says, a meeting. Call when he’s ready to talk. If she doesn’t hear from him, there will be consequences. Maxie and Spinelli join him, and Maxie asks if he’s okay. Spinelli says he looks like he’s seen a ghost.

Jason tells Sonny, a lot more patients have been admitted to the hospital for ODs. Sonny says it’s not uncommon in the country overall, but Jason says it’s uncommon in Port Charles. He wonders if the opiates Neil OD’d on came from Cyrus. If Cyrus is bringing drugs into Port Charles, he found the ultimate way and the ultimate route. Sonny says, the hospital.

Julian says he knows Taggert from the pier. He was there when Julian was trying to stop Nelle from taking Wiley. Taggert says he doesn’t know what Julian is talking about. He’s not that guy. Julian apologizes, and says let him make it up. What’s his poison? On the house. Taggert takes off, and Julian runs after him.

Ryan says Nikolas was never her Prince Charming, and she says he thinks he is? He says he knows he is. She can’t expect him to take her word; he needs proof. She takes out the fake papers, and holds them up against the glass, saying, signed, seal, and delivered. She flashes back to telling Nikolas that they’ll have to do something about the divorce papers, and he says, it doesn’t matter. She didn’t think he’d risk everything, did she? Ava tells Ryan, it’s what he asked for; her divorce papers. Signed by both her and Nikolas, sealed by the state of New York, and delivered to him. She’s officially single, without a title, and the Cassadine fortune, all for him. He says it wasn’t for him. She did it to save her brother’s life. She says, if he thinks so. Now it’s his turn. Give her Nelle’s letter.

Nikolas asks Elizabeth if she’s covering for Franco. Was Franco having him followed? She says she led him on with Franco’s knowledge and support, and he asks, why? She says, the night of the Nurses Ball, she overheard Ava telling Nina that she was trying to push them together, because if Nikolas cheated, the post-nup would kick in. Everything started to make sense. She’d felt like she and Franco were drifting apart, but they were being pulled apart him by him. He admits he pushed Ava toward Franco, and she says he played a game with her marriage and her happiness, when he swore he wanted their friendship back. He says he’s sorry, but she says he can’t apologize for using her. He says he didn’t use her; the feelings were genuine. She says she loves Franco, but for some reason, he can’t accept that. When Scotty suggested they blackmail him and Ava, she was all in. She thought they would be taught a lesson, and she could take back her life and marriage. 

Franco says, propensity doesn’t sound great, and asks Terry where Portia is. Terry says Portia asked her to review his CT scan, and he says, start with the good news. She says she confirmed Portia’s finding that there’s a malignant growth in his frontal lobe, and he says his brain tumor is back.

Jason asks if Sonny wants him to get Brando out of Cyrus’s organization before it blows up, but Sonny says, nothing has blown up yet, especially not the hospital. Jason says he knows the drugs are run through legitimate pharmacy companies, but Sonny says if they get on that, the Feds will come in, and they don’t need the attention. Jason says the hospital makes Cyrus look legitimate, and he knows they won’t put innocent people in harm’s way. Sonny says, they need to take their time getting Cyrus’s drug operation out of Port Charles. The lights go out.

Valentin tells Anna not to pick up the glass with her hands, and asks if she has a dustpan. She says, in the kitchen, when the lights go out. She says, oh no, but he says, it’s all right; they can pick up it up later when the lights come back on. He asks if she needs to check on Violet, but she says Violet is out trick-or-treating with Chase, and then has a sleepover. He asks if she has a flashlight, and she says she’s not going break, but he says she’s not unbreakable. She’s been through a shock, and needs to feel it. She says, it’s not just that Peter isn’t her son. Alex is probably laughing at her. He says she’s laughing at him too. She knows he gave Peter to Faison, thinking he was Anna’s son, and knew the shame he felt. He wanted to be connected to the boy, and she knew the resentment he felt toward the only woman he cared about. She knew there was nothing he could do, and she was laughing at both of them. Anna says, maybe they didn’t deserve that kind of pain, but they’re better equipped to deal with it than Peter. She’s terrified what it’s going to do to Peter, and that he’ll lose faith in himself and his life. Valentin says, Peter is a big boy. They need to find Alex, and eliminate the threat. Anna says, Alex knows Maxie is carrying her grandchild, and they need to be prepared.

Peter tells Maxie that he wanted to go live with a story, and time was of the essence. Now the server is down. Maxie asks if Spinelli can fix it, but Peter says, IT is on it. She says she thought he might leave her stranded on her birthday. The storm probably canceled Georgie’s plans for trick-or-treating, and she was hoping for pictures. Spinelli says, Georgie does make a beautiful Elsa. Maxie says she’s going to check on Georgie, even though Georgie is with her mom. Spinelli says he hopes she only gets the happiness she deserves, and Maxie says she will.   

Franco says, so his tumor is back, and Terry tells him, it seems to have reoccurred in the same area. She’s sorry. He says he doesn’t have any symptoms, and he’s nothing like the person he was last time. She asks if he’s had any vivid dreams or nightmares. Besides fainting, has anything unusual or unexpected happened? He flashes back to his nightmare about Ava, and thinks about when Ava’s painting was defaced. He says, none; just fainting. She says, the symptoms are likely to increase as the tumor progresses, and the preliminary findings show that the tumor is inoperable.    

Nikolas tells Elizabeth, he paid Scotty by check, but it was never cashed. Did she change her mind about blackmailing him? She says she realized she went too far, and Nikolas says, she can try as hard as she can, but she can’t beat him. And he’s very grateful for that.

Ryan asks, what letter? and she says he promised to give her Nelle’s letter when she divorced Nikolas. He says Nelle wrote him so many letters. One describing her beautiful new house, and a very sad one where she said how much she loved her son, and was going to be devastated if she didn’t get custody. And one telling him that Julian knew about Brad replacing Willow’s poor deceased newborn with Sonny’s grandson. She says he knows that’s the one she means. He tells the guard, be a pal and get Mrs. Cass… Sorry. Get Miss Jerome the letter he gave him earlier. Ava says he has the guards doing him favors, and he says, considering he doesn’t know when he’ll see the outside world again, it helps to pay certain people to do certain things. The guard gives Ava an envelope that’s been opened, and Ryan asks if it’s what she wanted. She says he knows it is, and I wonder why she isn’t checking to make sure it is. She tells him, take a good long look. it’s the last one he’s ever going to get. She hangs up the phone, and takes out the letter. It says, do you think I’m stupid? Ryan says, oops. What did I just say? I can’t believe Ava is that stupid.

Franco wonders why the tumor can’t be removed, and Terry says her preliminary assessment is that they can’t remove it, but it’s just the first step in a complex process. They need to take more tests; a biopsy, and a PET scan. They have to get all the viable information before discussing options. Franco says, if they do all that, and still can’t operate, what happens to him?

Nikolas tells Elizabeth, he was hell bent on winning back the Cassadine fortune. He didn’t care what he did or who he did it to. That’s how he got in this mess in the first place. She said both of them were blackmailed. Does that mean there are compromising pictures of Franco and Ava?

Ryan asks if Ava really thought she could fool him with fake divorce papers and no wedding ring. His cellmate was a forger, and taught him all the tricks of the trade. Ava insists it’s not a forgery, but he says she can’t convince him it’s real, or that she’s divorced that cloying puppy dog. He starts yelling that the women he’s loved are all alike. She thinks she can use him because he loves her. The guard grabs him, and he yells that she’s a liar and traitor. She’ll pay. He screams her name as the guard drags him out.

Julian sees Taggert’s mask on the floor, and picks it up, saying, who the hell are you, buddy? He sees the phone, and looks at the picture of Taggert and Trina.

Sonny tells Jason to get a flashlight, and Jason says he’ll check on the generator. Jason leaves, and someone comes up behind Sonny. Without turning around, Sonny asks, who are you? He turns around, drawing his gun, and sees it’s Taggert.

Valentin tells Anna, he left a message with an associate who’s an excellent tracker. No more delays or second thoughts. They need to find Alex. Anna asks if they’re going back to their original plan to lure Alex to Port Charles, but Valentin says, that’s not enough. They need to neutralize her. She asks if it’s strategy or revenge because Alex hurt him, and he says he doesn’t think that’s relevant. Alex was prepared to kill her, and still wants her dead. She thinks he should go now, but he says, when he’s gone, nothing changes. It’s a question of who lives; her or Alex. He’s playing the game too, and chooses her.   

Maxie tells Peter, the storm is moving. Georgie and James will still get in some trick-or-treating. Can they get in some more birthday celebration, or does he need to check the server? He says his phone is off. He has it on silent. He’s all hers. She says, sooner or later, the storm will clear up, and he says, it certainly will. We see an incoming call to Peter from Anna.

Spinelli sneaks down an office corridor, and goes into a room. Sam is sitting at a computer, and startles him. He apologizes for keeping her in suspense; he wanted to check on his daughter’s Halloween plans. She says, did it work? and he says, like a charm. She smiles.

Anna gets Peter’s voicemail, and says, damn you, Alex.

Peter asks what Maxie is thinking, and she says, not only does Peter make a handsome groom, he’s going to make an equally handsome groomsman at Anna’s wedding. He says she’ll be an equally beautiful bridesmaid, and a stunning bride. She says, that has a nice ring. She meant what she said about the wedding and the baby. They have a lot to forward to next year.

Sam thanks Spinelli, saying, it’s brilliant. Once they got real usable audio, they were able to generate a duplicate voice, and all the rest fell into place. Peter thinks Helena is alive and well. Spinelli says, it’s reasonable to assume Helena was aware of Drew’s abduction in Afghanistan, and most likely recruited Peter to facilitate the order in the first place. Sam says, anyone who’s found out about it, ends up dead. Peter’s tied off a lot of loose ends. Spinelli says, if he thinks Helena is a threat, he’ll want to tie her off permanently. Then they can show Maxie who her fiancé really is.

Sonny tells Taggert, nice of him to dress up, and Taggert says, happy Halloween. Sonny asks if he isn’t too old for trick-or-treating. Jason comes back, and Sonny tells him, check the building security; make sure no one is lurking around. He asks Taggert why he came back, and Taggert says he heard what’s been going on. How many have to die before they do something about Cyrus? Sonny says he can’t abracadabra and make Cyrus disappear. Even if he could, they don’t know Cyrus is responsible for Neil’s OD. Taggert says, the body count keeps rising, and he’s not watching while his daughter gets caught in the crossfire again next time.

Julian looks at the phone and asks himself, what’s the connection? Is there a connection? Ava comes in, and he says, that doesn’t look like a happy face. She says she doesn’t have happy news. She needs a double vodka straight. He asks, what happened with Ryan? and she says, Ryan saw right through the phony papers. He’s not happy. She chugs the vodka.

Nikolas says he and Elizabeth have been friends for so long, he can read every expression. What happened with Franco and Ava? She says, they kissed, and he says, spontaneous combustion? She says he manipulated them like she did him. The plan worked. Both he and Ava broke the contract, so neither one of them can use it against the other. He’ll have to find another way to end his marriage… if that’s what he’s going to do. He has to go, and she says, don’t tell her that he’s sorry; show her.    

Terry tells Franco, the side effects will increase as the tumor grows. His sense of taste and smell; he might lose time, or have a personality shift. He asks if there’s a time limit, but she says, not until they run all the tests. She knows it’s a lot to take in. She’ll give him some time to talk to Elizabeth. He asks her not to tell Elizabeth about it; not yet. She says Elizabeth is his wife, and it’s going to impact her life. She has the right to know. He says Terry thinks he doesn’t know that? He needs her to promise him that she won’t say anything to Elizabeth about this.

Terry asks how he can’t tell Elizabeth? They’re potentially talking life and death. He says, please. He just needs a little time. She says the doctors and nurses will do everything in their power to help him, but he has to meet them halfway. Let his family go through it with him. He says he doesn’t want it at all. Cameron is looking at college; Aiden is his little sous chef; and he helped Jake with his costume. Jake wants to be Jack Sparrow; that’s where his head is at. They have beautiful, loving hearts, and he doesn’t want them to worry or be sad. He’s asking her to not tell Elizabeth for a little while. There are things he needs to work out first. Elizabeth comes in, and says, sorry it took her so long. She asks what Terry is doing there.

Ava slides her glass down the bar for a refill. Julian asks how Ryan saw through her deception, and she says, he claimed his cell mate was a forger. She thinks he was expecting a double-cross, and he’s furious. He was making threats that he’s going to tell Sonny. Nikolas walks in, and she says, as usual, Julian is complaining about unreliable liquor distributors. Nikolas says, as usual, she’s lying to him. She says she went to Pentenville, and brought the phony papers to convince Ryan that they were divorced. He asks if it worked, and she says, what does he think? It doesn’t matter. Ryan can’t hurt her; not physically anyway. But he can do damage to her family. Nikolas says, Julian, and she says she doesn’t suppose Nikolas will take pity on her and divorce her for real.

Sonny says the point of Taggert playing dead was to protect Trina; Cyrus would have no leverage. If someone sees him, Trina will be in more danger than ever. He needs to stay gone. Sonny promised he’d protect her. Taggert says, he doesn’t doubt that, but if there’s a full-scale war, Sonny might not be able to keep his promise. Sonny asks if that means Taggert is staying, and Taggert says he’s just giving Sonny a heads up that he’s going to protect his daughter. Sonny says, it has to be on his terms. He’s going to stash Taggert where he and his people can keep an eye on him.

Valentin calls Anna, and says, Alex used Berlin as a starting point. She was there, and must have left a trail. Anna says, that was weeks ago; she could be anywhere now. He says he’s afraid so, and she thanks him for the update. She says she’ll be in touch. The lights come back on, and when Anna turns around, Alex is there in the black witch costume. She says, happy Halloween, sister, and knocks Anna out.

Franco tells Elizabeth that Terry stopped by to make sure he’s all right. Elizabeth thanks Terry, and Franco says, the technical diagnosis was that he’s dehydrated and exhausted. She hopes Terry read him the riot act, and Terry says, Elizabeth knows her; always looking out for Biz. Elizabeth says they have to get going. Violet is spending the night, and they’re going to have a full house. Franco says if a bunch of kids are going to be there, that means he can eat all the candy.

Nikolas tells Ava, sorry. He sees she’s taken off her ring, and she says, it was just for Ryan. She’s not ready to divorce him. He says, sorry it didn’t work, but he’ll find another way to get Ryan off her brother’s back; he promises. Julian approaches their table, and says, isn’t this the cutest? Maybe they could take their eyes off each other, and make an actual plan. Nikolas says, as soon as Julian tells him what Nelle said. He gets silence, and says he didn’t think so. He says he has calls to return, and steps away from the table. Julian tells Ava, there’s nothing to stop Ryan from showing the letter to Sonny, and Ava says, as soon as he does, he’ll have no power over her. Julian says, Ava betrayed Ryan, and he’s going to want to punish her. Sonny is the perfect revenge.

Sonny excuses himself to take a call privately. He answers, and it’s a collect call from Ryan in Pentenville.   

Taggert wonders if Sonny is going to put him in a safe house, but Jason says, safe houses can be compromised, especially if someone is staying there a while. Taggert asks where he’s going, and Jason says, Sonny bought Kate Howard’s old place. It’s adjacent to Sonny’s house, so Sonny can keep him there without alerting the rest of the family. Taggert says he’ll be Sonny’s neighbor. 2020 has been a helluva ride. He ain’t kiddin’ there.

Maxie tells Peter, she can’t wait to see pictures. She knows she’s biased, but Georgie and James are the most adorable kids on the planet. Peter says, and soon to be joined by another most adorable kid on the planet. Maxie says she’ll be right back. She gets up, and says she knows Peter is worried about work, but whatever problems he’s having, he’ll find a way around them. She leaves.

Sam tells Spinelli that Peter never confirmed his involvement when he spoke to Helena. Spinelli says, Peter is too cagey for a direct admission. That will come when he reacts to Helena’s call. Sam says, speak of the devil, and hooks the computer into a phone. Peter is calling.

Sam and Spinelli listen in as Peter tells faux Helena, if she is who she says she is, they need to meet. Tomorrow night. Sam and Spinelli fist bump.

Alex answers the door to the trick-or-treaters, and says, don’t you look to die for? She passes out candy, while Anna lies unconscious in the basement.

On Monday, Carly tells Josslyn, today is her first election; a mock election involving woman’s suffrage is held; and Trina tells Josslyn, they’re making choices and making their voices heard.

🗽 Rookie Season…

What it’s like to be new girl on the RHONY block.

https://pagesix.com/2020/10/27/eboni-k-williams-on-being-the-first-black-rhony-cast-member/

❄️Corbett Exposure…

I loved this show.

https://pagesix.com/2020/10/27/john-corbett-stole-a-20k-moose-head-from-the-set-of-northern-exposure/

⚰️ Definitive Dead…

The episodes that shook us.

https://tv.avclub.com/10-episodes-that-show-how-the-walking-dead-turned-into-1845335889

📽 More Brains Movies…

I listed a few of my favorites yesterday, but also adding Cabin In the Woods today. It’s a relentless masterpiece. I’d read the book before I saw the film, and remember thinking, there’s no way they could get the grand finale on film, much less make it look believable. Yet, they did.

https://www.purewow.com/entertainment/best-halloween-movies

👑 Let the Dressing Up Begin…

Celebrities, they’re just like us. With several million more dollars.

https://guestofaguest.com/new-york/halloween/the-best-celebrity-halloween-costumes-for-some-last-minute-inspiration

And the Consistently Outstanding Award goes to…

https://www.purewow.com/news/heidi-klum-halloween-costume

It’s a tie.

https://www.purewow.com/news/neil-patrick-harris-halloween-costume

👠 Watching Them Watch…

They might be in drag, but Trixie and Katya are never a drag. And they have a lot to say about some horror film classics.

🦇 Halloween Quotes of the Week

It’s as much fun to scare as to be scared. – Vincent Price

Darkness falls across the land, The Midnight Hour is close at hand. – Rodney Lynn Temperton

Believe nothing you hear, and only one half that you see. – Edgar Allan Poe (And I’d always thought it was an old Navy saying.)

The universe is full of magical things patiently waiting for out wits to grow sharper. – Eden Phillpots

Villainy wears many masks, none so dangerous as the mask of virtue. – Ichabod Crane (Tom Mison), Sleepy Hollow

I’ve seen enough horror movies to know that any weirdo wearing a mask is never friendly. – Elizabeth (Nancy McLoughlin), Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives

We make up horrors to help us cope with the real ones. – Stephen King

A person should always choose a costume which is in direct contrast to her own personality. – Lucy Van Pelt, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

Halloween is not only about putting on a costume, but it’s about finding the imagination and costume within ourselves. – Elvis Duran

If human beings had genuine courage, they’d wear their costumes every day of the year, not just on Halloween. – Douglas Coupland

Nothing on Earth so beautiful as the final haul on Halloween night.Steve Almond

I’ll stop wearing black when they make a darker color. – Wednesday Addams (Christina Ricci), The Addams Family

Where there is no imagination there is no horror. – Arthur Conan Doyle

The moon has awoken with the sleep of the sun, the light has been broken; the spell has begun. – Midgard Morningstar

When the witches go riding, and black cats are seen, the moon laughs and whispers ’tis near Halloween.Unknown

Werewolves howl. Phantoms prowl. Halloween’s upon us now. – Richelle E. Goodrich

Every day is Halloween, isn’t it? For some of us. – Tim Burton

I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers. – L. M. Montgomery

When black cats prowl and pumpkins gleam, may luck be yours on Halloween. – Unknown

Clothes make a statement. Costumes tell a story. – Mason Cooley

On Halloween you get to become anything that you want to be.Ava Dellaria

There is a child in every one of us who is still a trick-or-treater looking for a brightly-lit front porch. – Robert Brault

The farther we’ve gotten from the magic and mystery of our past, the more we’ve come to need Halloween. – Paula Guran

🎃 It’s Here, Charlie Brown…

It might not be the same this year, but don’t let the pandemic bring down your Halloween spirit. Play by the rules, but by all means, do some playing this weekend. Zoom your Halloween, TikTok a Halloween dance, enjoy the wide array of horror films available, carve a pumpkin or make a pie with it, eat all the candy if you have no trick-or-treaters, but be smart about passing out candy if you do.  Stay safe, stay responsible, and stay conjuring up the kid in you, and being creative on this most creative of holidays. Most of all, have a Happy Halloween!

October 29, 2020 – Darth Vader Is Unmasked, a Return From the Dead, Back To Charm, a Tease, Craig Speaks, Bad Guest, New Atlanta, Runway Baby, Sanderson Sequel, Flicks For the ‘Ween & Moon

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Ava visits Franco in the hospital. She asks what he’s got in his hand, and he shows her a can of spray paint. She says, the other hand, and he shows her a bloody knife. Franco wakes up, and he really is in the hospital.   

On the phone, Carly leaves a message for Sasha. She says the Do Not Disturb sign is still on Sasha’s door, and housekeeping can’t get in to clean her room. If Sasha doesn’t call back, she’s coming up and using her passkey. Cyrus comes in, and says he needs a table for two.

At one of the lounge tables, Sonny says it’s good Spinelli came to see him. What’s troubling him? Spinelli says he knows Sonny has more important matters to attend to than his personal issues, but he’s in desperate need of Sonny’s astute advice. Sonny says he’ll do the best he can, and Spinelli asks, how do you stand back and do nothing when someone you love is about to ruin their life?

At Anna’s, Anna, Peter, Finn, and Maxie toast. Maxie says she shouldn’t gloat, but she has so much to celebrate. An incredible career, James is healthy, Georgie is back in Port Charles, she has a baby on the way, and a loving, handsome fiancé on her arm. What more can she ask for?

Portia tells someone on the phone that she has correspondence needing immediate delivery. Ava comes into the hospital, and Portia asks if everything is okay. Ava says she doesn’t know. She’s looking for Franco. She heard he was admitted.  

Elizabeth stops by Franco’s room with Cameron. She asks if Franco is okay, and he says he thinks he had too much Jell-O; it gave him nightmares. He asks if Cameron shouldn’t be somewhere else, but Cameron says, it’s just a lame party. Franco says, dude, I’m fine, and Cameron says, dude, you fainted. Franco insists he’s fine; it’s a total overreaction. Elizabeth says now that Cameron has seen Franco for himself, he can go to the party. Franco tells Cameron to save some TP. Windymere is long overdue for a good trick.

Nikolas walks into Charlie’s, and Julian says, if it isn’t the Prince of Darkness himself. Nikolas says Julian has no time for wisecracks. Whatever scheme he’s dragging Ava into, drop it. Julian says he doesn’t know what Nikolas is talking about, and Nikolas says Julian is obviously in trouble. Lucky for Julian, he’s going to save his sorry ass.

Portia tells Ava that Elizabeth and Cameron are in with Franco right now. Anything else she can help with? Ava says, actually, she wanted to thank Portia for allowing Trina to continue working at the gallery. She trusts Trina is keeping up her grades. She’s been stressing the importance, and she’s all about the GPA. Portia says she did want to talk to Ava about something that’s come to her attention. Trina is trying to rehabilitate her father’s reputation, and she heard the whole thing was Ava’s idea. Ava says, she was just trying to… and Portia says she’s wanted Trina to have a goal; something to focus her concentration on, instead of feeding her sorrow and anger. She wishes she’d thought of it herself, but she’s glad Ava did, and thanks her.

Trina, dressed as Princess Leia, meets Josslyn, dressed as a cheerleader, outside of Charlie’s. She says it’s no surprise Cameron is late, and Josslyn says she’ll text him to hurry up. They go inside, and Trina says they have important business to discuss about her dad. They sit, and someone in a Darth Vader mask watches them through the window.   

Elizabeth makes an excuse to leave, and Franco asks Cameron, what’s going on? Cameron says, it’s just a stupid party. Franco tells him, don’t blame the party because he’s interested in two girls, and can’t settle on one. Cameron says he and Trina figured it out, and they’re staying in the friendzone. He’s good with it. Franco says, and Josslyn? and Cameron says, the same. It’s senior year, and he doesn’t want any obligations. Franco says he should never say that about someone he cares about. Cameron says Josslyn isn’t interested, and Franco asks if she said so. Cameron says not in so many words, and Franco asks how he knows then. Cameron says, trust him; he knows. Franco says if Cameron wants to talk, they can do it any time. Now go have fun. Good talk. Cameron says, good talk, and leaves. Elizabeth comes back, and wonders how Franco got Cameron to go to the party, and Franco says they have an understanding.  

Julian tells Nikolas, he’s fine, thanks, and Nikolas says, Ryan called Ava out of the blue, and she drops everything to visit him. Why? Julian says he doesn’t know what Ava is thinking, and Nikolas says, when she came back, she was jumpy and anxious. She seemed desperate, and said lives depend on it. He was wondering whose lives matter to her, and boiled it down to Julian. What did he do this time, and who wants to kill him because of it?

Spinelli asks Sonny to pardon his presumption, but Sonny doesn’t seem like he’d stand idly by while someone he loves risks their future because of an unenlightened decision. Should he step in? Sonny says, don’t get involved in somebody’s personal life. It could backfire in his face, and in Sonny’s experience, it usually does. Spinelli says Sonny isn’t the first to caution him. The superspy from down under went so far as to tell him to play the role of supportive friend. He doesn’t think he can convincingly pull it off. Sonny says, stop trying so hard. Don’t pretend. Give honest support. Spinelli says he has no choice, and Sonny says, just because Spinelli can’t do something, doesn’t mean someone can’t do something in his place.

Carly says she’ll have a waitress seat Cyrus, but he says he doesn’t mind seating himself. He asks how her mother is, when Sasha comes out of the elevator. He says, there’s his dining companion now. They can seat themselves, but he’d appreciate her sending over a server; he’d like a drink. Sasha says hi to Carly, who’s obviously displeased, and they sit.

Spinelli is on the phone, but sees Cyrus and Sasha. He says he’ll text when he gets there, and literally runs into Valentin. Valentin says he’d like to talk about a collaboration. Word is on the street that Spinelli is spectacular at hacking. Spinelli says he wouldn’t consider working for Valentin any more than he’d support Maxie getting married… in polka dots. Valentin thinks they should get to know one another. Peter is Anna’s son, and he guesses that makes that makes Spinelli family if he marries Maxie. Spinelli says he has somewhere to be, and jets.

Maxie opens a gift from Anna, and squeals over a new bag, while Finn talks to Peter on the side. Finn says if Peter has a request, name it. Anna tells Maxie that she’s proud of her, as a creative trailblazer, a mother, and wife-to-be. She thinks it’s Maxie’s time right now. Maxie says Anna is going to make her cry, and Anna knows she’s hormonal. She hopes she can balance work and parenthood as good as Anna does, and Anna says she thinks Maxie will do better. Finn tells Peter, it may require a cummerbund. He’ll keep the party nonsense to a minimum. It means the world to Anna, but he doesn’t want Peter to feel pressured. Peter says he’s honored to be part of the family. Maxie tells Peter, they have to go if they want to make their reservation. They thank Anna, and leave.  

Julian tells Nikolas to keep his nose out of Ava’s business, but Nikolas says, Ava’s business is his business. Julian seems on the defensive. One reason could be his late wife Nelle. Nelle and Ryan had some dealings with each other in prison. Julian says, Ryan stabbed her, and Nikolas says he was wondering how Nelle survived. Julian says, maybe she got lucky, and Nikolas says, what if it was planned? He’s willing to bet Ryan and Nelle got to know each other pretty well. Well enough that she left some leverage against Julian, and the possibility of it being shared with someone makes Julian nervous. How’s he doing?  

Ava goes to Franco’s room, and asks how he’s doing. He asks how she knew he was there, and she says she stopped at the art therapy room. She ran into Epiphany, who told her that he’d been admitted. She’s worried… He says he’s stopping her now. Whatever she wants, he won’t say yes until she comes clean. What has she done? She asks if he’s delirious, but he says he’s in a hospital bad, it’s given him time to have a clear focus. Ava says she tried to push Nikolas and Elizabeth together, so she could divorce Nikolas and keep the money. He says, and…? and she says, it was a lousy thing to do, and she’s sorry. She hopes he can forgive her. Now it’s his turn. He says he doesn’t know what she’s talking about. Whatever he did was in response to what they did. She says she knew it. Not only did he and Elizabeth get Scotty to blackmail her, but they blackmailed Nikolas as well.

Josslyn starts to text Cameron again, when Darth Vader walks in. Trina looks outside, and says, the guys are here. She asks if it’s going to be weird, and Josslyn asks why it would be. Trina says she only has one thing on her mind, and Dev and Cameron join them; Dev dressed as a vampire, and Cameron, a sailor (he looks like the one on the Cracker Jack box). Dev says he didn’t know they were having a planning session before the party, and Josslyn suggests they skip the party, and use the time to help Trina with her dad. Unless someone has other plans. Cameron asks why she’s looking at him, and she says she knows he might be too busy for a big commitment.  

Portia asks Elizabeth how Franco is, and she says, hungry and grumbling about the food. She thinks he’s back to normal. Portia says, maybe a visit from a friend will lift his mood. Ava came by.  

Ava tells Franco, admit it, but he insists he doesn’t know what she’s talking about. She says she saw them after Scotty handed over the money. He had a check from Nikolas as well. What did Nikolas and Elizabeth do? If Nikolas cheated, and Franco has proof, she needs to see it. Franco says, so she can get her greedy paws on the Cassadine millions, and she says, also to save a life. He asks her to leave, and she says, this is real. If he ever gave a damn about her, give her proof that Nikolas cheated.

Nikolas tells Julian, this doesn’t have to end badly. Julian can disappear. Nikolas has the money for him to go somewhere else and start a new life. Julian asks why Nikolas thinks he would run, and Nikolas says because his life is in Ryan’s hands, and Ryan isn’t known for his kindness and mercy. Julian says he’ll do things his way. When his sister comes to Nikolas for a divorce, give it to her.

Anna looks at two different witch costumes, one white and one black. Finn says he has bad news. There’s an emergency at the hospital, and he has to go in. She says, he’s not trick-or-treating with Violet? but he says Violet understands, and still wants to go to the sleepover at Elizabeth’s. She says, he’s leaving her on solo candy duty? and he says, she has the special skill set for it, and can handle it. She asks which costume he likes, and he asks if this is a test. She says she wants his opinion, and he says he likes what she likes. She says, normally, she’d let that slide, but she can’t decide. He says she’ll look just as beautiful in either, and she says, good job covering. She’s got a lot on her mind, waiting for the test results. He says, you wouldn’t know it, and she says, her training. He says, the WSB? and she says, no; the British. Stiff upper lip. Keep smiling and they won’t know you’re dying inside. He tells her, no matter what the tests say, Peter is still family. She says she knows. She’s not getting ahead of herself, just waiting for the results. She’ll try not to climb the walls or eat too much candy. He says he has to go, but for what it’s worth (🍷), he thinks he likes the light one.  

At the MetroCourt, Peter says he loves how Maxie is so open about enjoying her birthday. She says, of course (🍷) she loves her birthday. She loves the presents and attention, but also how much she has to be thankful for. They’re about to kiss, and suddenly, Spinelli is between them.  

Carly watches Cyrus and Sasha from the bar. Cyrus asks if Sasha is ready for another drink, but she says, to be honest, she’s not sure what she’s doing there. He says she’s having dinner with a new friend, and she asks if that’s what they are; friends. He says he’d like them to be, but supposes if he never makes it beyond concerned bystander, he’ll be fine. She says she doesn’t mean to be rude. She appreciated his kindness last night. She was in a bad place. He asks if he can be blunt. She doesn’t seem to be much improved. Would it help if she confided in someone? She says, someone like him? He says he is right there.

Sonny comes in, and tells Carly, sorry he’s late. He was talking to Spinelli. He asks, what’s wrong? and she says, that. He looks at Cyrus and Sasha, and Carly shakes her head

Ava tells Franco, give her proof that Elizabeth was with Nikolas, and she can get a divorce. He says, and save someone’s life. Whose life? She says she wants to tell him, but she can’t; it’s too dangerous. He says, just stop. He’s over being her pawn. She sits next to the bed, and says, he’s angry; she gets it. He has every reason to be. Franco says he does. She tried to drive a wedge between him and the woman he loves more than air. She says she won’t leave Nikolas without getting the money, and he says, she and Nikolas are both addicted to the game they’re playing. They deserve one another.

The doorbell rings, and Anna comes out as a witch in white. It’s Valentin, who says, trick-or-treat. She asks, what’s up? and he comes in. He says he thinks Peter has a Damien Spinelli problem, and Anna says, Spinelli is never going to accept that Maxie is getting married to Peter. He needs to get over it, like Robert. Valentin says, where Spinelli goes, Jason tends to follow. 

Maxie tells Spinelli, she and Peter are one a date; it’s her birthday dinner. Spinelli says he couldn’t help overhearing, and wanted to wish her many happy returns. He asks if she got his gift, and she says, The Beginner’s Guide to Dungeons & Dragons; so thoughtful. Spinelli says, the nature of the game lends itself to her imagination, and he begins to babble about it, saying how it can be a family effort. She says she has no idea what he’s talking about. Georgie is too young to play. Spinelli says, she won’t always be, and he thinks it could be great family fun.

Nikolas goes to the hospital, and tells Elizabeth, they need to talk. She asks, what’s wrong? and he says, everything with him and Ava. She says she can’t do this, but he says if he doesn’t get some honest advice from someone he respects, he’s going to lose his wife.   

Sonny wonders what Cyrus is doing with Sasha, and Carly says, his guess is as good as hers. She’s been trying to get in touch with Sasha. Sonny asks if she thinks Cyrus has something on her, and Carly says she doesn’t know, but she’s worried. Sasha was at Nina’s apartment last night, and didn’t look good. She hates to say it, but she thinks Sasha is using drugs.

Sasha says Cyrus doesn’t seem like the listening type, and he says, that’s fair. If he makes a mess of it, there’s nothing stopping her from walking away. He promises not to hold it against her, but admits he’d be disappointed. She seems like a friend worth having. She says, he had to help her to her room last night, and just now, he basically said she was a mess. Why would he want to be her friend? He says he enjoys spending time with her. She has a generous heart, given all the things she told him last night before they parted ways. Besides, he has a knack for reading people, and he’s confident their friendship could be mutually beneficial.

Carly tells Sonny, she spent 15 minutes trying to clean Sasha up; fix her hair and makeup. She tried to get Sasha to talk… Sonny says, and…? She says, the way Sasha was acting… and Sonny says, and now she’s having drinks with a drug trafficker.  

Cameron and Josslyn go back to the table, and Trina asks, what’s going on? Cameron tells her, he said he’d be there for her and he will. Trina asks, who wants hot chocolate? and Josslyn says she’ll get it; her treat. Cameron says she’ll probably need help, and follows her. Dev wonders what that’s about, while Darth Vader continues to watch them.  

Cameron asks what Josslyn means, he’s too busy for commitments? She asks if that isn’t what he said, but he says he’s not too busy to help a friend. If that’s what she thinks he implied, she’s misinterpreting it. Dev asks Trina if she thinks they’re okay. Cameron seems tense. She says, everyone is tense. They should just go to the party. They have time to figure it out. Halloween is just one night, and a party awaits.

Portia gets Franco’s chart from a nurse, and looks at a scan.

Nikolas tells Elizabeth, he thinks he screwed things up with Ava. It’s a convoluted and dysfunctional mess. Elizabeth is the only person he trusts to help him figure it out. She says, sorry, but he can’t trust her either.

Ava runs into Julian outside of Charlie’s, and says she came to get a drink. Where is he going? He says, to get some air, and clear his head. Nikolas was there. She asks what Nikolas wanted, and he says Nikolas suspects what Ava is up to with Ryan. He doesn’t know exactly, but he’s close. He wants to send Julian packing on his dime, and give him a shiny new life. She wonders why Nikolas would do that, and Julian says, because of her. If he’s alive, she’s happy, and if she’s happy, Nikolas is happy. Julian thought Ava had hooked Nikolas just to take advantage of him. She says she doesn’t know what to think or believe about Nikolas anymore, but she still has the fake divorce papers; she can use them on Ryan. He asks if she thinks Ryan will go for the papers being real, and she says, they were done by an expert forger. She wouldn’t have known they were fake if Nikolas hadn’t told her. She can convince Ryan for long enough to get the letter back. She’ll be back later, when she really needs a drink. 

Maxie tells Spinelli that she’s happy he suggested a family game. Olive branch accepted. She’ll make time to teach Georgie, but they need to start with something simple, like charades. She says she needs to powder her nose, and leaves. Peter says Spinelli’s about face isn’t lost on him either. He appreciates Spinelli making an effort, but hopes it’s on the level.

Valentin tells Anna, he offered Spinelli work, and Anna says, and Spinelli turned him down. He says, it was the way Spinelli turned him down. He said he’d no sooner work with him than approve of Maxie marrying Peter. Anna says, of course (🍷) Spinelli feels that way, but that doesn’t mean Jason is involved. He says she knows Jason better than he does. Tell him. If Jason thought Peter was a threat… Anna says, Peter’s not a threat. He was exonerated. Obrecht framed him and Jason knows that. They have an arrangement. She told Jason to back off, and he has. She doesn’t think they need to worry about Jason. The doorbell rings, and it’s a registered envelope. Anna signs for it, and comes back in,. Valentin says he hopes she doesn’t mind. He took the liberty of opening a bottle… He looks at her, and says, good Lord. Is she all right? She says, it’s the test results. If Faison had the marker, then it’s over. She’ll never know for certain if Peter is Alex’s son or hers.

Trina wants to take a picture with Darth Vader, her Star Wars long lost family connection. If he doesn’t mind. Darth poses with her, and Cameron takes the photo. Dev is worried they’re going to be late, and Trina tells him, chill. They start to leave, and she turns around to tell Darth, may the force be with you. She’s forgotten her phone on the bar, and it rings. Darth picks it up. He sees a call coming in from Portia, and looks at a picture of Taggert and Trina.   

Franco toddles out to the reception desk, and asks Portia if she’s seen his wife. She says she’ll track Elizabeth down; go back to his room, please. She goes back to the phone, and says, sorry, Terry. The schedule says she’s on call. Is she in the building? She asks if Terry can meet her. She’s in need of an oncology consult.

Nikolas asks why he can’t trust Elizabeth. She’s the only person he can talk to. She says she has no idea what they did with this whole stupid post-nup thing, but when Nikolas and Ava were playing her and Franco, they were playing him and Ava.

At Pentenville, the guard tells Ava that Ryan will be there shortly. Have a seat. She sits on her side of the glass.

Julian grabs Darth Vader, who says he just found the phone. Julian wonders if he’s interested in the phone or the girl it belongs to. He’ll make sure she gets it. He tells Darth to beat it before he calls the cops. Darth says he hasn’t done anything, and Julian says, let’s keep it that way. Get out. They struggle, and the mask comes off. Its Taggert.

Sonny asks Carly if Michael knows about Sasha’s possible habit. She doesn’t think so, and feels she should tell him. She knows Sasha has made mistakes, but she’s a good person. Sonny asks, why get involved? They know what Cyrus really is, and what he wants is to get information.

Sasha tells Cyrus, she’s sorry, but she has to take off. She has an early day tomorrow. He says, it’s okay. Clearly, she has trepidation about him. He imagines she’s heard gossip about him from Michael’s parents. He’ll settle up. She has his number. If she need  someone to talk to, or anything, call him day or night. He always has her well-being in mind. She says, he’s very generous, and goes to the elevator. A man comes out, and hands her a purple envelope, saying, she dropped this. She says she didn’t, but he says, sure she did, and puts it in her hands. He jets, and she looks inside. There’s a baggie of coke in it. The elevator doors close.

Anna tells Valentin, Doc asked about her history with Faison, and she told him how reckless she’d been. He says, maybe she wasn’t, and Faison was with Alex the whole time. She says Valentin is desperate to exonerate her, and he says, she was a double agent. She has blood on her hands, as they all do. He thinks she’s wasted years feeling guilty about something she didn’t do. He doesn’t need proof, but he thinks she does.

Spinelli says that Peter is skeptical of his good intentions is understandable. He assures Peter, he’s doing his best to support Maxie with the utmost sincerity. His perfect wish for her is to have a happy, stable life. Peter says he’s going to do everything in his power to fulfill that wish. Forgive him for doubting. Since he has a new life, a life he never dreamed possible, it’s hard to shake the notion that something, or someone, is waiting to take it away. Maxie comes back, and says, maybe Jenga. Giant Jenga. Peter’s phone rings, and a female voice says, hello, Peter.

Anna takes the results out of the envelope, and says, she has an answer.  

Peter asks, who is this? She says, he doesn’t recognize the voice of his old friend Helena Cassadine? 

Tomorrow, Anna says, it’s nothing but lies; Franco wonders what’s happening to him; Ava tells Ryan what he wanted is delivered; and Jason suggests Cyrus has found an alternate route.

🧟‍♀️ She’s Alive…

I told you she’s not dead. Helena will never die. Neither will Faison. He’ll figure out some way to come back without a brain. Or it was his eviler twin who died.

Southern Charm

It’s a new season, and Cameron (as well as Naomie and Chelsea) has left the show, so no more narration. We started off with different scenes showing various things that happened when the pandemic started. Then…

Six months earlier. Shep’s pup Craig is a little dog now, and the cutest thing. Michael gave Patricia some dog apparel to go through, and she chose a tutu for her new Pomeranian pup Peaches. Human Craig told us he’d been living in a professionally decorated house, and felt like an adult, but a pipe blew, and asbestos went everywhere. Now he’s living with Austen until the house is cleaned up. His pillow company is doing well, and he’s making over 1000 pillows a month. Not him personally, but a manufacturer. I actually love his pillows, although I doubt he would have gotten very far with them without the advantage of being on the show. Austen marveled that a plant Madison had given him was still alive. I identified since I’m terrible with houseplants.

Austen explained that he and Madison had decided to take a break, which IMO means broken up, but they came back together after six months or so. They checked out Instagram, and heard Thomas in the background of one of Kathryn’s posts. Kensie and Saint are getting big, and Kathryn told us, custody has been settled at 50/50 after three years. She said she and Thomas were getting along, and she’s hoping it sticks. Thomas, who made a briefer than brief appearance, looked fat. No judgement, just an observation. In her interview, Kathryn admitted she was staying at his house (see yesterday’s post links – she’s having her townhouse renovated), but they’re not back together. I didn’t think she was that much of an idiot. We flashed back to Kathryn wondering how she was going to explain it to the kids if Thomas went to jail. In her interview, she said her grandmother passed away after a battle, a reprieve, and a final battle with breast cancer, and she thought her grandmother had a lot of guilt in not preparing her for the world – i.e. Thomas. Kathryn wished she could have given her closure.

Madison said she was glad to have a son, since a mini version of her would be a nightmare. Hudson is quite the little man, and she also co-parents with her ex. She said having a child had pushed her to be successful. I wondered, why is she dating Austen then? and apparently, I wasn’t alone in that thought. In her interview, Madison said everyone asked if she’s out of her effing mind, but they just can’t stop. I guess she can’t quit him.

Patricia told Michael that Shep was coming over, and she wondered if they had enough liquor in the house. She tolf Shep that she had a new watchdog, Peaches, and Michael brought out a tiny white cloud of a pup. He told Patricia that he was having a life-is-good party, and wanted it to be nice, but funky; no fox trots. He was considering a Dumb and Dumber theme, and Patricia thought that would be appropriate. He said he was inviting everyone, and Patricia would get to meet new girlfriend Taylor. Patricia asked if he was inviting Madison, and he said, of course. Shep said it didn’t give him joy to have strife in his life, and Patricia said it was a modest start. In Shep’s interview, he said you could fight the elephant in the room, or dance with it. He was going to dance with it. We flashed back to Shep being combative last season, and he admitted he can take things too far. He wanted to slow the process of becoming an angry old man, since he was showing the signs, and started seeing a therapist.

Shep settled on a Dumb and Dumber Formal, and Craig suggested he invite Cameron. In Shep’s interview, he said Cameron hadn’t been hanging around with any of them, since last year left a bad taste in her mouth. He didn’t blame her. Craig and Kathryn met for lunch, and Kathryn ordered a bourbon and Coca Cola. In Kathryn’s interview, she said she went to rehab for weed, and that’s it. She’s at the point now, if she wants a drink, she’ll order one, and it’s nobody’s business. They talked about Shep’s upcoming party, and Kathryn asked about Taylor since they hadn’t met. Craig said he’d cut Shep off for months; Shep was being an a-hole. Kathryn said he’d be a d*ck to her, then act like nothing happened. Craig said, between Taylor and a therapist, Shep was a better person. But not wonderful, since he’s still Shep. In his interview, Craig said Shep is happy when he’s with Taylor, and not a lonely, miserable POS. He said he’d been trying to get Cameron to come out, but she gets mom guilt. Kathryn said she heard Jason was having an affair, but Craig said that was absurd and not true. He said he loved gossiping, but this was out of line.

Taylor and Shep gave dog Craig a bath. Shep explained that he and Taylor had met in a bar. She lied, saying she was a marine biologist and her specialty was shark sex. He grilled her since he knew about shark sex. He didn’t elaborate, and I don’t think I really want to know anyway. They saw each other a little bit here and there, then it became more, and now she’s at his house five nights a week. He says he’d been so single-minded, and single, for so long, it was hard to change. but she was making it easy. She’s blond and cute, and looks like most of the other girls he’s dated. Shep definitely has a type.

While they got ready for the party, Austen asked if Madison was nervous, but she said Shep should be the one who’s nervous. In Madison’s interview, she said if she could forgive a threesome video, she could forgive someone calling her white trash.

Craig met with new cast member Leva, who’s one of Cameron’s best friends. He told Leva about what Kathryn said, but Leva said, no way would Jason have an affair; it was a miserable Kathryn move. WTF? She told Craig, back in the day, Cameron wasn’t so nice to Kathryn – we flashed back to that – and it was Kathryn’s way of getting back at Cameron. She thought there also might be some jealousy, or maybe Kathryn felt alive in the middle of drama. I’d thought it was all good at the end of the last reunion, but who knows what happened between then and now.

I wasn’t sure how Dumb and Dumber was supposed to factor in, but I guess it was the attire. Austen wore a powder blue top hat, and Shep had a matching ruffled tuxedo shirt. Madison wore black and white striped pants with orange suspenders, which I thought was closer to Beetlejuice, but I don’t really know Dumb and Dumber that well. I saw it, but it was like, a million years ago. Shep also invited a guy named Peter, who apparently slept with Madison at some point. Somehow this ended up in the conversation, and Peter’s girlfriend Liz wasn’t too pleased.  In Shep’s interview, the producer asked if he’d invited them to screw with Madison, but he said he didn’t even know they’d slept together until it came out at the party. Shep admitted to having planned things like that in the past, and we flashed back to when he invited Austen’s threesome girls to a party Austen and Madison were at. He told the producer, it hadn’t crossed his mind that it would be a problem. In Madison’s interview, she said when she saw Peter and Liz, she knew Shep hadn’t changed, and that bitch was trying to set her up. Entertaining a one-night stand she’d had when she was single, was on him. Whitney escorted Patricia, who she said she’d thought Shep had been kidding about Dumb and Dumber. We met new cast member John, who has two sons in San Diego, and just moved back to Charleston. He’s a nice looking dude; a little shaggy, but I like it.

Patricia wondered where the food was, and in her interview, said you can’t have a party and serve liquor without serving something to eat. It was a typical Shep party; not her kind of party. I wondered where the seats were too, since I saw zero pieces of furniture other than the bar and a couple of tables. In Patricia’s interview, she said Madison acted like a grown-up, and Austen was a child. She thought Madison needed someone successful and ambitious. Not a frat boy. John made the rounds, and we saw a clip of him playing guitar and singing. His attractiveness rating went up a few points since he’s pretty good.

Kathryn told Craig that Cameron had texted her regarding what she’d said about Jason. Craig admitted he’d told Cameron that Kathryn said rumor had it, Jason was having an affair, even though he’d promised not to say anything. Kathryn said she was glad he was being honest, although I can’t imagine she didn’t want to thump him in the head. In her interview, Kathryn told us that Cameron said, give her a break, and be a good human. Kathryn said she was, but she doesn’t give a flying what Cameron thinks. Cameron had hurt her to the core, and Cameron’s an a-hole.

This season, Madison breaks up with Austen; Leva wants to see change in this town; Thomas gets a girl pregnant, and ♫ she’s havin’ his baby ♫; Leva confronts Kathryn about her white privilege; Madison and Kathryn argue; covid hits; and the monkey emoji is addressed.

😉 What a Tease…

Craig talks about what’s ahead this season.

📡 Breaking Craig…

Saying, I don’t know what happened, but something happened, is hardly opening up.

‘Southern Charm’: Craig Conover Finally Breaks His Silence After Naomie Olindo, Chelsea Meissner Quit

👰🏻 Don’t Be Their Guest…

I’m sure there are worse guests than Shep.

🍑 The Peach Is Back…

RHOA is back for another round.

👶 Project Baby…

My first thought was, but how will this affect the next Project Runway? Will it be a special pregnancy edition?

https://people.com/parents/karlie-kloss-pregnant-expecting-first-child-josh-kushner/

🧹 They’re Ba-a-ack…

The Sanderson sisters return.

https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2091416031119/bette-midler-confirms-original-hocus-pocus-cast-will-return-for-sequel

🎃 Classically Halloween…

I wouldn’t call all of them classic, but here’s Purewow’s list of very decent horror films. Since I love the genre, some of my personal favorites are Reeker (an unfortunate title for a good movie), Ravenous, Quentin Tarantino’s Grindhouse: Death Proof/Planet Terror (each is good on their own as well), The (original) Howling, American Werewolf in London, and 13 Ghosts (the remake with Tony Shalhoub). My all-time favorite film to watch on Halloween is The Midnight Hour, but it’s a little difficult to get your hands on. It was a TV movie from the 70s, starring LeVar Burton and Shari Belafonte, and I had to buy a bootleg DVD since I had zero luck finding it. It’s not exactly scary, although it has a couple of moments, but it epitomizes Halloween for me.

https://www.purewow.com/entertainment/classic-scary-movies

👻 Counting the Hours…

The trick-or-treating seems to be an iffy proposition at this moment, but regardless, the dogs and I will be dressing up, and eating our traditional Halloween meal of Taco Bell’s Nachos BellGrande. Whether you’re counting down or not, stay safe, stay inventive, and stay not getting involved in someone’s personal life. Have someone else do it for you.