Category Archives: Holidays

October 7, 2024 – Lucky Gets Bad News, Table Turning, No Sense, First Sail Of the Season, The Crew, Pop Culture Pets (!) & Scary

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What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

Lucky sees Aiden at the hospital, and Aiden says, hi.

Diane goes to Robert’s office, and he says he wants to run something by her before other people do. Holly is back in town.

On the phone, Holly says, it’s their favorite supplier. Do they have any updates on the ice? As exquisite as these are, she’s in a hurry to part with them. There’s a knock at the door, and she tells them to call the second they hear. It’s Jack with a bottle of wine. He tells her that it’s an excellent vintage.

Tracy asks if Violet is writing her weekly letter to Finn, and Violet says she is. Tracy says she thought Violet liked writing to him, and Violet says, something bad happened at school and she doesn’t know if she should tell him. Some kid called him a drunk and she punched them.

Principal Ford thanks Brook and Chase for coming, and Brook says, Violet is their number one priority. Chase says, she’s never hit anyone before, and Brook says, they told her that it wasn’t an excuse, but the other student provoked her. Ford says, it’s an ongoing issue with the student that they hope to nip in the bud, but hitting is never the answer. Brook says, they told Violet that, and Chase says, she understands. Ford says he thinks they might have to dig deeper, but that’s a great start.

Lucas goes into Bobbie’s, and Willow walks in with Wiley. She says, he’s back. It’s good to see him. He says, her too, and Wiley asks who he is.

Tracy tells Violet that she’s sorry. That kid was extremely rude. Violet probably knows what she’s going to say next. Violet says she probably shouldn’t punch anyone, but she was upset. Tracy says, being upset is acceptable, but getting violent is not. Violet tells her, that’s what Uncle Chase and Brook said, and Tracy says, they’re smart people. Violet wonders if she can ask Tracy a question. When her dad was on the floor sleeping and couldn’t wake up, is that what being a drunk is? Tracy says, her dad has an illness called alcoholism. Some people are fine with alcohol. They can drink it and it’s not a problem, but for her dad, it is. He’s getting help at a special hospital. Violet says, if he knows it’s a problem, why doesn’t he stop? and Tracy says, for some people, it’s not that simple. They have to teach themselves that they can’t have it. Violet says, it’s taking a long time to learn, but she’s glad her dad isn’t home. She wants the lesson to stick. Tracy says her too.

Brook says, Violet is super resilient. She’s still getting excellent grades, and she’s involved in everything at home. Ford says, she’s withdrawn in school, and Brook says, she has a massive support system. Ford says, don’t panic. A big change can cause a shift in behavior. They want to help Violet thrive. Chase asks if she’s not doing that.

Holly says she’d never invite a stranger in, and Jack introduces himself. She lets him in and asks if he’ll do the honors. He says, no trouble, and opens the bottle. She says, as flattered as she is, she can’t imagine what the WSB would want from her, and he says, her expertise. She says, the subject? and he says, Jenz Sidwell and his diamond mine operation in East Africa.

Willow introduces Lucas as Wiley’s great uncle, and says, he’s Grandma Carly’s brother. Wiley introduces himself and they shake hands.

Lucky says he’s sorry he didn’t keep in touch, and Aiden says, Lucky was busy. Lucky says, that’s no excuse, when Elizabeth joins them. She says she was hoping they’d find each other, but she doesn’t think this is the right place for a reunion. Why don’t they go to the breakroom?

Jack asks how Holly and Sidwell met, and she says, they share a taste for the finer things in life. They clink glasses, and she says, they’d find themselves in the same hotels, restaurants, and casinos. Jenz finally introduced himself and the rest is history. He asks what she can tells him about Sidwell’s operation, but she says, their relationship was personal, not business. Jenz kept his business dealings close to the vest. If she’d known what he was up to… He doesn’t believe her. Jack says, she has a reputation for infiltrating difficult to get to places to find difficult to get to people. She did it many times for the WSB. She says, this not that. She only became aware of who Sidwell truly was when Anna and Jason arrived. Then she only focused on helping Lucky get home. He must have ordered the drone strike. He says he can neither confirm nor deny, and she says, they could have all been killed. He says, yet here she is, alive and well. She reminds him of a former agent he’s had the pleasure of knowing. Robert Scorpio.

Robert tells Diane that Holly is back. He wanted her to know because he doesn’t want anything between them. He apologizes for the way he acted last time. She says, any other reason? and he says, she’s his present and future. Holly is his past. She says she feels the same way, and he says he’s sorry about the kiss. It created doubts and he doesn’t want her to have any doubts. She says, as long as his lips only touch hers, she’ll have no doubts, and he suggests they practice. She says, great idea, and they kiss.

Tracy says, Violet’s father loves her very much. He’s determined, and working hard to get well. As for the boy she hit, he shouldn’t talk to her like that. It was wrong, but she gave him what he wanted. Violet says, Garth wanted her to punch him? but Tracy says, he wanted to upset her and hitting him showed him that she was upset. You don’t want to give people like that the satisfaction. Violet asks what she does if it happens again, and Tracy says, take a deep breath, get herself together, and say, je n’ai pas de temps pour toi. Pshh! Violet asks what that means, and Tracy says, I have no time for you. Pshh! in French. Violet says, je n’ai pas de temps pour toi, and Tracy says, perfect. She tells Violet that she has to make a phone call, and in the hallway, she calls Diane.

Wiley tells Lucas that they’re going on a boat ride, when Maxie and Michael walk in. Maxie says, rude. She didn’t know Lucas was home. They hug and Wiley tells Michael that Lucas is his great uncle. Michael says, Lucas is his uncle, but still great. He and Lucas hug, and Michael says, welcome home. Lucas says he hears they’re going on a boat ride, and Willow says, Wiley loves everything about boats. Michael says, he’s the best first mate around, and Wiley asks if Lucas wants to come, but Lucas says he has to run. He forgot this thing he has to do. He’ll see them all later. He leaves, and Maxie says she forgot an appointment that she has too. She hopes they have the best day. She jets, and Willow asks Wiley to go get some cookies. He goes to the counter, and Michael says, that was… She says, Lucas put on a brave face, but that had to be hard.

Gio tells Violet that Tracy is on the phone and she’s not happy. Violet says she thinks it’s about her. She punched a kid who said mean things about her dad. Gio says, his family would cheer her on, but she says, that’s not the way to handle it. You just say, je n’ai pas de temps pour toi – pshh! and walk away.

Elizabeth puts some sodas and snacks on the table, and Lucky thanks her. She leaves, and Lucky says he owes Aiden a huge apology.

There’s a knock at Holly’s door, and she opens it to Felicia. Felicia says, it’s true. Holly is here. They hug, and Felicia says she heard what happened from Anna. What did Holly get herself into? Jack says, that’s what he’d like to know.

Gio tells Violet that she must miss her dad a whole lot. He misses his mom every day. Lois peeks in, but stays outside the door. Violet says she’s sorry. Does it get better? Gio says, it gets easier. The good news is, she’ll see her dad again. In the meantime, she has an incredible family with lots of love to give. He had the Cerullos. She says, it’s not the same, and he says, nothing can ever compare to the love of a parent. In the hallway, Tracy asks if Lois is eavesdropping, and Lois says, no. Tracy says, lurking? and Lois says she’s giving them privacy to talk. Tracy says, her accent is showing, and Lois says, feel free to report her to Miss Finch. She tells Tracy that Brook got a text from the principal, and Tracy says she handled it. Lois asks what she did.

Chase says, Violet was having a harder time than they thought, and Brook wonders if they made a mistake moving her to the Quartermaines. She asks what Ford thinks about a therapist, and he says, therapy is never a bad idea. Violet is still a wonderful, creative, and curious child. She’s experiencing a rough patch, but together, they can get her through it. Chase thanks him, and he says he has every confidence they’ll turn this around. Brook says, they’ll keep him in the loop, and Ford says he’ll do the same. Ford opens the door, and Diane is there. She says she’s here on behalf of her client Violet Finn.

Lucas goes to Bobbie’s grave and says, it seems strange and wrong. He misses her and hopes she’s at peace. He could use some. If she has any extra, send it his way. Maxie shows up, and he says, stalker. She says, runaway, and he asks how she knew where to find him. She says, her Spidey sense, and they hug.

Michael says, Lucas could have made it hard for him to get custody, but he didn’t, and he’s thankful. He knew what it cost Lucas and Lucas made it easy when he didn’t have to. Willow asks if he knows who else didn’t have to. He didn’t have to share Wiley with her when they realized Wiley wasn’t hers and her baby was gone. That could have been the end of her being a mom. She owes it all to him.

Lucky tells Aiden that it’s his fault they haven’t talked. It’s not that he didn’t want to. He was just in places where… It’s no excuse. He should have figured out a way. Aiden says he’s glad Lucky is here now, and Lucky says, it’s important that Aiden knows it’s not because he didn’t want to hear from him, and Aiden admits that he did think that was why Lucky stopped answering him. Lucky says he’s sorry. He had a lot going on. He wanted to talk to Aiden, but they can talk now. Aiden says, there’s something he wants Lucky to know. He doesn’t know how to say it, so he’ll just say it. He didn’t want to write it in an email or say it in a video call. He’s… gay.

Felicia asks what Jack is doing here, and Jack says, WSB business. Felicia says she thinks he’s a jerk, and Jack says, on that charming note, he thanks Holly for her time. He gives her his card and asks her to contact him if she remembers anything she left out. He leaves, and Felicia says she doesn’t like him. Holly says she picked up on that, and Felicia asks if Holly is all right. Holly asks if she doesn’t look all right, and Felicia says, she looks stunning. What happened? How long is she in town? Why isn’t she staying with them? Holly says she saw Mac and he wasn’t exactly thrilled to see her, but Felicia says she is. She missed Holly. Holly says she missed all of them, and they hug. Felicia says, including Robert?

Aiden tells Lucky, say anything, and Lucky says, Aiden told him that he didn’t know how to say it, and he feels the same. Give him a second… Here goes. He’s Aiden’s father and he loves Aiden without exception. If he made Aiden question that because he was gone, he’s sorry. Aiden says he knows Lucky loves him, and Lucky asks, how? It’s hard to explain how much love you have for your kid. It comes from deep inside from the second they’re born. Nothing will ever change the way he feels about Aiden. Aiden thanks him and says he feels like he can breathe. Lucky says, it’ll be okay, and they hug.

Maxie says, Wiley has been Michael’s son for over a year, and Lucas says, that’s why he left. He had to condition himself not to feel like Wiley’s dad. Maxie asks if it worked, and Lucas says, Wiley is Michael’s son. There’s no grey area. Wiley is so big, outgoing, and… Maxie says, adorable, and Lucas says, what struck him the most was how happy and secure Wiley is with two loving parents. What more could he want for Wiley? He knew Michael would give Wiley a wonderful life and he was right.

At the table, Wiley wears headphones, and Willow asks if Michael has ever considered telling Wiley the truth. Michael says he has. He’s just not sure how to explain it. She says, maybe they can figure it out together when he’s ready, and he says he’s ready. Willow takes Wiley’s headphones off and says, there’s something they want to talk to him about. Wiley asks if he’s in trouble, but Michael asks why he thinks that. Wiley says, whenever he is, they start with that, and Michael says he’s not in trouble. Willow says they want to share something about someone, and Michael says, Uncle Lucas.

Brook says, obviously, her grandmother sent Diane, and Diane says, Violet has an impeccable record. to reduce her to single incident is absurd and the appropriate legal action will be taken. Brook says, stop, and tells Ford that she’s sorry. Does he mind giving them a private moment? Ford says, of course (🍷), and they go into the hallway. Brook asks what Diane is doing, and Diane says, Tracy contacted her about the issue, and the best way to be on the offensive is to put the school on the defensive. Make it their problem. Chase says, the school has been great and they’re handling it together, and Diane says, Tracy called her, and she came. She fights hard for the people she cares about. Chase says, luckily, the school cares too and they’re handling it. Diane says, if anything changes… and Brook says, they know who to call.

Brook and Chase go back in the office, and Brook tells Ford that she’s sorry. It won’t happen again. Ford says he’s pleased with their progress. A lot of parents just blame the school and it’s difficult to find common ground. Brook says, they want the best for Violet, and Ford says he thinks Violet will be just fine.

Holly says she hasn’t seen Robert, but she wants to, and Felicia asks, what’s stopping her? Holly says, Mac told her that it’s not fair how she keeps popping up in Robert’s life, and if she couldn’t stay in his life, she had no right. Felicia says she can’t avoid Robert altogether, and Holly says, the last time was so final. Robert said he couldn’t see a future for them. What if he meant it? Felicia says, there’s an ocean of history between them. Don’t make that choice for him. They need to find a way forward together. Holly says, that’s the opposite of what Mac said, and Felicia says she’ll deal with Mac. Holly needs to deal with the other Scorpio brother.

Terry asks how Elizabeth’s day is going, and Elizabeth says she’s totally freaking out. Aiden and Lucky are in the breakroom talking. They have a lot to catch up on. Terry says, like Aiden being gay, and Elizabeth says, he told her? Terry asks if she’s surprised. (Seriously.) Spaces don’t come safer. Does Elizabeth think Aiden will tell Lucky? Elizabeth says, no, but she hopes so. Aiden is so unsure of his relationship with his dad, and she wants Aiden to know how loving, patient, and funny Lucky is. And she wants Lucky to know how incredible Aiden is. Terry says she has to trust they’ll be okay. They got this. Elizabeth’s phone rings, and she says, it’s the lab. Terry asks if it’s Lucky’s test results.

Lucky asks Aiden to fill him on how his life is going, and Aiden says he has a baking business. He does pretty well, and the money is paying his way to Paris where he’s going to study pastry baking. Lucky says, Aiden reminds him of his dad. Wherever they went, he always found a way to make a living. They ran a diner in British Columbia – the Triple L. His dad did the cooking and baking. Aiden says, he’s a legend in Port Charles.

Lucas says, Maxie seems like she’s in a good place, and she says, what about him? He says he’s going to rock the role of uncle. What’s new in her life? She says she’s back with Spinelli, for good and for real, and he says, everything old is new. She seems happy. She says, very, and he says, that’s all he wanted for her. She says, that’s all she wants for him too.

Brook tells Violet that Ford isn’t mad at her. He believes in her. Chase says, but they don’t hit no matter how awful the person is. Gio says, some people do, but Brook says, he’s not helping. Violet has to apologize, and she’s suspended for the rest of the week. They’ll get through this together. All for one, and one for all. They hug.  

Holly stands outside Robert’s office and fixes her hair. She walks in and says, hello, and he says, it’s about time she showed up. She says, he’s been waiting for her? and he says, all his life.

Michael says, there was a time Wiley wasn’t with mommy and daddy. He was with Uncle Lucas. Willow says, Uncle Lucas was someone who did what mommy and daddy do. He fed Wiley and took care of him and played with him. They had a special relationship until the time came for Wiley to go home with them. Michael says, Uncle Lucas is very special to their family, and Wiley asks if they can go to the boat now. (Typical kid. When you think they’re going to react, they shrug it off.) Michael says, sure, and Wiley says, race him. He takes off and Michael follows.

Maxie says, after several relationships that didn’t work out, she thought her heart was closed, but she looked up and Spinelli was there. She’s glad she woke up and opened her eyes to see what was right in front of her. Are his eyes closed? He says, do not set him up or push him toward a relationship. He doesn’t want to deal with that, and he means it. She says, what if the perfect guy falls out of the sky? and he says, the perfect guy doesn’t exist. And if he does, he’ll find him himself. Maxie says, even though Lucas can be a brat, she’s glad he’s home. She missed him. He says, back at her, brat included, and she asks what perfection entails. Rock hard abs had better be on the list. He says, in the top 10, and she says, more like the top 3. He tells her, don’t ever change.  

Elizabeth asks how it’s going, and Lucky says, he and Aiden had a good talk. Aiden says he’s ten minutes late and has to get to Julia’s to play Carjack. He leaves, and Elizabeth asks if Lucky is sticking around. Lucky says, for a little. He won’t leave without letting them know… What is it? It’s bad, isn’t it? She says she’s sorry, but he’s not a viable donor for Lulu.

I’m guessing it’s Lucas.

Tomorrow, Dante tells Rocco that he’s not going to let it happen; Felicia tells Mac that if Robert and Holly want to be together, there’s nothing they can do; and Lucky kicks a bunch of people out of Bobbie’s.

👸🏾 Instead Of Flipping…

Or she could have said, je n’ai pas de temps pour toi – pshh!

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/how-ghs-tabyana-ali-turned-the-tables-on-her-online-attackers

🤷🏻‍♀️ Not To Us Either…

They better have some dynamite storyline to replace her.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/kelly-monaco-says-her-gh-exit-doesnt-make-any-sense

Below Deck Sailing Yacht

Here’s the guy whose last name should have been Yawn. Don’t get me wrong. Captain Glenn is a lovely man, but he’s not all that interesting.

This season, we’re sailing to Ibiza, which captain Glenn says is the party capital of the world. Daisy is back as chief stew and ugh, Gary is back as first mate. In his interview, Chef Cloyce says he’s only 22, but that doesn’t mean he’s an idiot. We’ll see. The deckhands are Keith and Emma, and Davide is the engineer. Stews Diana and Danni round out the crew, and it looks like there will be drinking and tears. In Gary’s interview, he says he wants to work on his leadership skills and keep his emotions under control. Again, we’ll see. We flashed back to how Gary made Daisy’s life a misery last season when she wanted a relationship with the only actual catch on the boat, Colin, who has obviously moved on from Daisy and the franchise.

We flash back to the mess that was the Parseval last season, but Captain Glenn says, they gave it a complete engine overhaul. He tells the crew that he has high expectations. Good luck with that. Daisy says, they’re a team and she doesn’t expect hostility. She thinks it’s important that she and Gary communicate. Good vibes, good season. Maybe it would help if Gary would quit rolling his eyes. I already hate him.

In Daisy’s interview, she says, when she gave ranking, it was a complete disaster, so she’s switched to just keeping the interior as a team. Already, Daisy saying team could be a drinking game. The primaries are Dr. Contessa and Dr. Scott (Dr. Scott!), who are celebrating their anniversary with friends, who are also celebrating theirs. They want a surf and turf dinner, a leather and lace party, and the women want a local dance instructor to teach them sexy moves. Cloyce reads that one of the guests is allergic to shellfish, and says he hopes they live. This goes over like a lead balloon, but I literally lol. Glenn says, they have high profile guests, since his bar is low, and he wants high standards. He wants to give them the experience of a lifetime. Fun fact: Danni worked on a Russian boat that was seized and she thought it was pretty cool to meet the FBI.

Daisy wasn’t having it with Gary and tells him that after she and Colin broke up, she needed a friend, and he ignored her. She says she never held anything against him, but he left her on her own to figure things out. He claims he didn’t want to start more drama, and in his interview, he says he needed to step away, but feels sick to his stomach about being a sh*tty friend. They hug and now I’m sick to my stomach. In Daisy’s interview, she says, Gary isn’t aware that apologizing means doing things different in the future, and she knows he’ll just hurt her again. Um… How about finding a new friend? This guy cannot be friends with a woman.

Cloyce puts on a blindfold to cut an onion. Has he never heard of the matchstick technique? In Cloyce’s interview, he says he started entering cooking competitions when he was ten or eleven and could see over the stove, then began culinary classes in high school. Hey, I can make a very nice capellini and a great egg sandwich.

I find out the pronunciation is I-bith-a, and we get a tour of the revamped Parseval. Dinner orders are taken and one of the guests wants their steak well done. I wonder what’s wrong with them. Daisy makes the mistake of asking guest Mona Lisa (yep, that’s her name) what she’d like as her turf, since she doesn’t eat beef or pork. This starts a chain reaction of everyone wanting something different, when Cloyce had asked specifically for no substitutions. Like that would happen on a superyacht. In Cloyce’s interview, he says, it’s only the most important meal, since it’s the first one. Thanks, Daisy. It’s not like it was her fault. He told her to ask Mona Lisa and the others just jumped in. And if I was paying in the neighborhood of $80K to go sailing, you’d better believe the chef is going to make what I want to eat. At least he doesn’t get visibly pissed off at her.

Captain Glenn raises the sails, which always impresses the guests. Again, at this price point, I should get a sail to take home. As usual, things go flying. We see a dolphin! In Gary’s interview, he says he realizes Emma doesn’t have as much experience as he thought, but he wants to be a captain one day, and that means training people under any circumstances, so he’s down for it.  in Keith’s interview, he says Danni is attractive, but in a work environment, you can banter, but there are lines you can’t cross. Ha-ha-ha! Another good luck with that.

It’s leather and lace night, and the décor is black and silver, with a whip decorating the table. There’s already confusion in the galley, and Cloyce wonders if something was counted wrong. The guest who wants a medium steak gets a well done and I blame the guest who wanted it well done in the first place. In Cloyce’s interview, he says, Daisy took specific orders, when they had a conversation about that. In Daisy’s interview, she says, this is bullsh*t. She takes the guests orders, he cooks it, puts it on a plate, and sends it out. Cloyce guesses he’s just an idiot, and in Glenn’s interview, he says he’s worried.

This season, Daisy and Gary are at odds; there’s a lot of drinking; and there’s a crash. Hopefully not after the drinking.

🛟 Meet the Cast…

The newbies and the old timers sailing this season.

https://www.eonline.com/photos/37281/below-deck-sailing-yacht-season-5-cast-photos

🦛 Make Your Own Kind Of Hippo…

Since they don’t really give much in the way of instructions, I think this is supposed to be a joke, but if you want to give it a shot, go for it. The ideas are pretty amusing.

https://people.com/pop-culture-pet-halloween-costumes-moo-deng-8724551

🧘‍♀️ Hushed October Morning Mild…

Join me tomorrow for soap and Housewives in the City. Until then, stay safe, stay embracing new challenges as the leaves change, and stay never giving the satisfaction to those who want to upset you. Just say, je n’ai pas de temps pour toi. Pshh!

October 4, 2024 – Lucas Comes Home To Port Charles, A Review, Reunited, Her No Good Very Bad Look, VanderWeen, Engaged, First One, Sorry About That, Pet (!) Costumes, OctoQuotes & Thrill This

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What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

Gino plays his violin outside of Bobbie’s, when Trina puts a dollar in his violin case. She asks if he knows any Billy Eilish.

Chase says he can’t put his finger on it, but something is different around here, and Brook says, good different or bad different? He says, definitely good. Listen… It’s quiet. She says, the kids are all in school, Tracy is out on a ride, Olivia is at the MetroCourt. Somehow, all of the planets are finally aligned, and they have this entire place to themselves. He says he has the afternoon off work. The planets can’t get any more aligned than that. He kisses her, when her phone rings. He asks her to ignore it, but she says she can’t. She looks at her phone and says, it’s Violet’s school. They’re sending her home.

Ric asks if Ava is suggesting someone at General Hospital altered Heather’s test results, and she says, it wouldn’t be the first time. He asks, who would do that? and she says, somebody who wants Heather kept behind bars. He says, lab tech?… Someone with maybe a little bit more authority. Somebody who could go in and out of any room in the hospital without being stopped. It’s also got to be somebody who is so invested in keeping Heather in prison, they’d be willing to risk anything to keep Heather behind bars.

Lucky knocks on Sonny’s office door and says, sorry to disturb him. He knows it’s been a long time. They hug.

Carly tells Josslyn, the doctors need to do a secondary screening of Lucky’s liver to make sure everything is okay, and then they can move forward with the transplant. Josslyn says, but Lulu’s going to be okay, and Carly says, it’s looking that way.  There’s a knock at the door and Carly opens it to Lucas. They hug, and he says, she’s looking good. She says, he’s home.

On the phone, Brook says, of course (🍷) … Absolutely. They’re on their way. She tells Chase, Violet’s fine. Physically fine. He says, so she’s not sick or hurt? and Brook says, no. He asks why they called, and she says, she hit a boy in her class. He laughs and says, no. Violet wouldn’t do that. She says, her teacher saw her do it, and he says, she got in a fight or something? Brook says she doesn’t know. Violet wouldn’t tell the teacher what happened. He says, since when does Violet not talk about anything? Something’s up. He’s going to go get her. Brook says, they’ll both go. It might take the both of them to get the truth out of her.

Ric asks if there’s someone at the hospital who was attacked by Heather, because that person would definitely want her to stay where she was, and Ava says, Heather and her hook put her in the hospital. So she won’t exactly be shedding any tears if she stays where she is. He says he’s sorry, and she says she’s just saying, the hospital is a big place and there are probably a lot of people who weren’t too excited about the possibility of running into Heather at the supermarket. He says, that’s a fair point, but if he’s going to prove GH’s tests are untrustworthy, connecting it to somebody might be helpful. She tells him to go ahead and prove his grand conspiracy. In the meantime, his client Heather will be rotting in Pentenville. He says, not if he connects the dots real fast, and she says, if he accuses a hospital employee with tampering with the tests, every lawyer GH has is going to come running, and nothing about his case will move fast. He asks if she thinks he should ditch the whole tampering theory, and she says she thinks if he wants things to move quickly, he should give GH an easy out. Just tell them up front that he thinks it’s probably an honest lab mistake. The hospital is sure to agree it’s a faulty test. He asks when she became such an expert in legal strategy, and she says, just giving him an alternative. If he wants to do it his way, do it his way. She doesn’t care. She has no dog in this fight. He says he thinks she does. So who is she protecting?

Lucas and Josslyn hug, and he says he’s missed her so much. He can’t wait to hear all about her life. He wants pictures, videos, all of it, especially the embarrassing stuff. She says, that’s most of it. She’s going to just reschedule with Trina. He says, go be with her friend. They have plenty of time to catch up. She says, it’s going to take a lot of time to get him fully caught up, and he says he’ll block out three hours. She leaves, and Carly says she knows they’ve been talking about him coming back for a while now, but until he texted her that the plane had landed, she just didn’t believe it. He says, it was time, and she suggests they sit down and talk. They go into the living room, and she asks if it was hard leaving Boston, but he says he didn’t have many ties there. Boston’s great, but he was working all the time. It made him a better doctor, but he didn’t want to live like that. He missed the family. She says, they missed him too. She’s so happy he’s here. He can stay as long as he likes, but just be warned. Donna is really into crafts, and he’s going to find beads and glue everywhere. He says he’ll keep an eye out, and she says she’s so glad he’s home. She knows it’s hard for him to be in Port Charles. He says he’s sorry he didn’t stick around after mom’s funeral, but she says, it’s okay. She gets it. He says he knew she would, and she says she just wants him to be okay. He says he’s getting there, and she says she knows he’s excited about the job. It’s just that after everything he’s been through, is he sure he’s up for it?

Sonny says he can’t express how happy he is that Lucky is home safe, and Lucky says he’ll never be able to repay Jason or Anna or Carly for everything they did to get him back here. Sonny says, even though Lucky got all the help, he heard it was hell to get back. He’s sure Lucky’s dad would be very proud that he did this for his sister. Lucky says, his dad might be relieved, but he’s not so sure he’d be proud. Sonny asks, what makes him say that, and Lucky says, because they both know he should have been here all along.

Gio finishes playing, and Trina applauds. He says, thanks, but he still needs to work on that bridge. She says, it sounded perfect to her, and he says he’s glad, but he needs something perfect to both of them. She says, that’s fair. What is he even doing out here? He says, change of pace. It’s a nice vibe. Fresh air, sound of the birds, the wind. Kids laughing, people talking. She says, so he likes to play surrounded by… life, and he says, when he plays outside, he feels like he’s part of this big orchestra that’s always playing, but they forget to listen to it. She says, and here she thought it was just about the acoustics. She’s glad she ran into him. She felt terrible that his performance at the gallery got canceled. He says, it wasn’t her fault, and she says she knows, but she’s been working overtime getting Harriet Nakia’s show back on the book and she finally did. She’d love to rebook him. He thanks her for the offer, but says he has to pass, and she asks, why? He says he knows how much she cares for Ava, but she pushed Uncle Sonny’s pregnant daughter out of a window and killed her baby. He’d never work for that woman now.

Ava says she’s not protecting anyone, and Ric says, she’s right. He doesn’t need to find out who did this. She says, really? Two seconds ago, he was Columbo. Now he’s going to walk away? He says, no. He’s just reevaluating the new information. She asks, what new information? and he says, the fact that she doesn’t want him to know who did this. He’s not going to pressure her into telling him who it is. She says, that would be a waste of time because it isn’t anyone, and he says he thinks he’s gotten to know her pretty well, and he knows she wouldn’t stick her neck out for anybody. So this person must mean a lot to her. He guesses he’s just going to have to figure out Heather’s case with what he’s got. He says he’ll see her later, and leaves.

Lucas asks if she’s questioning his skills as a surgeon, but Carly says, not at all. She just knows it isn’t easy for him to be back in Port Charles. He says, when he saw an opening for a trauma surgeon at GH, he didn’t even think about it; he just applied. She says, if there’s anything she can do for him to make it easier, let her know, and he says, just her being here makes it easier and better. He thinks this job was the universe telling him that he can’t run away forever. He doesn’t want to be that kind of man. She says, a man who runs from difficult situations? and he says he knows he will never be Wiley’s father, but he’d sure like a shot at being uncle. He thinks he could really nail that. (Isn’t Wiley, like, in college by now?) She says she thinks he’ll be a great uncle. Has he talked to Michael? He says he emailed Willow and Michael before he accepted the position. They’re both completely on board. She says she knows it’s going to be difficult to see Wiley, but if anyone can navigate that situation, it’s him. Speaking of navigating a difficult situation, has he been in touch with Brad? He says, no, and he’s not going to be. But while they’re on the subject of past relationships, what is this he hears about her and Sonny?

Sonny says, they all make the best decisions at any particular moment, and Lucky says he can’t help wondering how his dad would feel about him letting Lulu waste away in that bed. Sonny says, if Aiden messed up, would Lucky judge him? and Lucky says, of course (🍷) not. He loves Aiden. Sonny says, there’s his answer, and Lucky says, that’s just part of being a parent. Sonny says, not all parents. Even with him. He made that same mistake with Michael and still regrets it to this day. He can tell Lucky something about his father. He wouldn’t judge Lucky because he loved him. Lucky thanks him for saying that, and Sonny tells him that he’s saying it because it’s true. Don’t beat himself up. He’s here. That’s all that matters. Lucky says he has a lot of work to do, and not just the stuff with Lulu, and Sonny says, then do it. Has he seen Aiden? Lucky says, not yet. He’s been to some of the most dangerous places in the world, and here he is in Port Charles afraid to see his own son.

Trina says, Gio really won’t play at the gallery? and he says he’s sorry. Uncle Sonny’s been good to him. Maybe if Ava gets cleared, he’ll consider it. Trina says, it’s fine. If that’s how he feels about it, she’ll just ask someone else. But don’t worry. She’ll never ask him to play at the gallery again. She goes inside Bobbie’s.

Brook and Chase walk into the nook with Violet, and Chase says he knows Violet didn’t want to tell her teacher about what happened today, but she can tell them anything. Brook says, they love her like crazy, and Violet says she doesn’t want them to get mad. Chase says, she must have been pretty mad to hit that kid. What was his name? Violet says, Garth, and Brook says, what’s the story with Garth? Violet says, he’s a mean bully and he lies, and she hates him, and Chase asks what he lied about. Violet says, her dad, and Chase asks what he said. Violet tells him that Garth said her dad’s a drunk.

Carly says, Lucas is in town all of two hours. How does he know what’s going on with her and Sonny? He says, Joss, and she says she should have known. He says, she really should have. So? She says, so, it’s complicated. Can they just leave it at that? He says, for now. She’s going to tell him eventually. She says, probably, and he says, Joss also told him about Ava and Kristina. Does she think Ava did what they’re accusing her of? She says she doesn’t think Ava is innocent of anything, but to be honest, nobody knows what happened in that hotel room except for Kristina and Ava. And it’s a whole mess right now. Molly and Kristina are… Is he sorry he came back yet? He says, no. He thinks it’s good he came back when he did. He’s sorry if he sounded judgmental about her relationship with Sonny. After the relationship he had with Brad, he has no right to judge anyone. She says she understands, but she also knows he’s not going to let her off the hook that easily, and he says, definitely not. Now while she comes up with her Sonny story, he’s going to GH to fill out some forms and get his new ID. She says she’s happy he’s home. Their family really needs him right now. He says, somebody’s got to keep an eye on her, and leaves.

Lucky says he doesn’t even know if Aiden wants to see him, and Sonny asks why he wouldn’t want to. Lucky says, because he dropped the ball. They used to email and videochat every couple of weeks and he hasn’t made contact in a long time. Sonny says, Aiden still cares what Lucky thinks, but Lucky says he doesn’t know about that. Sonny asks if Lucky cared about what Luke thought about him, and Lucky says, more than anyone. Sonny says, then that’s what’s got to be at the front of his mind. Not what he wants to change, but what Aiden needs from him. Lucky says he doesn’t even know what that is, and Sonny says, he’s not going to get it by sitting here talking to him. He’s just got to show up no matter how tough it is. He’s got to show up. Lucky says, Sonny is right. He’s going to go see Aiden. Sonny says, he’s probably in school, right? and Lucky says, something else he should have known. Sonny says, he’s going to figure it out sooner or later, and when he does, they’ll change the start time of school and change the vacation schedule, and he’ll have to start all over. Lucky says, good to know. He guesses he’ll swing by GH and check up on Lulu and his buddy Isaiah. He thanks Sonny, and Sonny says he’s glad Lucky is back. Lucky says, him too. It’s good. Sonny says, that means he’s supposed to be here, and Lucky leaves.

On the phone in Bobbie’s, Trina says she saw their ad online and she was wondering if they’re still available. Give her a call back and they can talk details.

Outside, Gio puts away his violin, when Josslyn comes into the courtyard. She says she didn’t know he’d be here, and he says he was just rehearsing. She says she was about to head inside and hang out with Trina. Does he want to come? He says, it’s probably not a good idea. Trina isn’t going to want him there. She asks, what happened? and he says, they don’t see eye to eye on something, and neither of them is going to change their mind. She says, that doesn’t sound like Trina. She’s always down to share other people’s points of view. He says, not about Ava Jerome. Trina wanted him to play at the gallery and he said he couldn’t. Not after what Ava did to Kristina. Josslyn says, that’s it. Come with her. He follows her inside.

On the phone in her office, Portia leaves a message for Trina, letting her know she was thinking about her. She hopes school is going well. Trina doesn’t have to call her back. She just wanted to let Trina know that she loves her. There’s a knock at the door, and Ava walks in. Portia asks what she can do for her, and Ava says, as Portia is probably aware, Ric Lansing is representing her in her current legal difficulties. Portia says, okay… and Ava says, he’s also representing Heather Webber. Portia says she did know that, and Ava says, what Portia may not know is, Ric had several blood panels run to test Heather’s cobalt levels, four to be exact. Three were normal. One was not. Does she want to guess which one? Portia says, not really, and Ava says, the one test that showed Heather Webber still had elevated levels of cobalt in her blood was conducted right here at the GH lab. Portia says, their lab is excellent. She’s sure if there’s a problem, they can do another test. No issue at all. Ava says she’s surprised to hear Portia say that, and Portia says, why is that? Ava says, because Ric has come to the conclusion that someone here at GH tampered with those test results. Someone with an interest in keeping Heather in prison. Someone with access. Portia says, someone like her?

Brook asks what Violet thinks Garth meant when he said that about her dad, and Violet says, a drunk is someone who drinks too much. Brook says, it’s not a nice word, and Chase says, her dad has a disease. Brook says, we don’t call people unkind names because they’re sick, and Chase says, that’s right. Violet says she told her friend Jamie her dad couldn’t take her to the pumpkin patch this year because he was in a special hospital, and Brook says, that’s right. Violet tells them that she was saying that her daddy is going on lots of hikes and talking to people. But then, Garth said he wasn’t in a hospital. That he was in rehab because he was… Chase says, got it, and Violet says, then she hit him as hard as she could, but then he poured grape juice all over her shirt. Brook says, her dad bought her that shirt, didn’t he? and Violet says, yeah, and now it’s ruined because of stupid, mean Garth. Chase hugs her and says he’s so sorry any of that happened to her. He thanks her for telling them the truth, and she says she’s sorry she hit Garth. He just made her so mad. She’s sorry about her shirt. Brook says, that’s okay. Why don’t they go upstairs? Violet can change and she’ll throw the shirt in the washing machine. She’s sure she can get the stain out. Violet leaves and Brook follows her.

Isaiah walks around on crutches in his hospital room, when Lucky walks in. He says, not bad. Now pretend the Yankees won the series and jump up and down. Isaiah laughs and says, about time. What did he do, walk from Sidwell’s? Lucky says, looking pretty smooth there, and they shake hands. Isaiah says, this is actually him improved. It’s good to see him. Lucky says, it’s good to see Isaiah too. He guesses he owes Isaiah one. Isaiah says, oh yeah, and one day, he might actually take Lucky up on it. Lucky says he knows Isaiah is joking, but he’s not. They may not be trapped in Sidwell’s compound anymore, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have Isaiah’s back. Isaiah says he knows, and Lucky says, good. Because he does and he always will.

Carly walks into Pozzulo’s, and Sonny says he can make Carly an espresso in 25 seconds. She says, that’s impressive, but that’s okay. She’d feel like she was cheating on his old machine. He says, she doesn’t know what she’s missing, and she says, one more mystery she has to live with. He says, have it her way, and leads her to his office. He says, guess what? Lucky was here earlier. She says, how’d that go? and he says, he’s adjusting to being back in Port Charles. She says she’s sure it’s a lot for him, and he says, he’s a lot like his father. He’s tough. He’s going to be okay. She says she doesn’t know if he’s heard, but Lucas is back. He says he heard. How is he? She says, he’s good. He’s ready to start the next chapter of his life. He’s also concerned that they’re getting back together. Sonny says, this is going to be over soon, and she says, good, because that’s why she’s here.

Terry lets Lucas into her office and says, everyone is excited about him rejoining the staff, and he thanks her for making his transition back so smooth. She says, they’re lucky to have him. She’s sure he had his pick of hospitals. He says, GH was always his first choice. He’s looking forward to a fresh start in his hometown. She says she wants that for him too, but there’s something she thinks he should know.

On the phone, Trina says, if they’re schedule changes, let her know. She turns around to see Josslyn with Gio, and says, whatever they’re trying to do, the answer is no. Josslyn says, Ava is not worth losing a friendship, and neither is Sonny, but Trina says, this is between her and Gio. Josslyn says, they both see good sides to Sonny and Ava. How, she doesn’t know, but it doesn’t matter. She’s not here to waste her time or her energy trying to convince them that they’re wrong. Trina says, the world won’t end if everyone doesn’t have the same opinions, and Josslyn says, she’s right, but they don’t have to fight Sonny and Ava’s battles for them. Let them screw up their own lives, but don’t let them change one thing about theirs.

Portia asks if Ava really thinks she’d risk everything to get back at Heather, and Ava says, what she thinks is, if her daughter were in danger, she’d do everything she could to protect her. Changing a test result? That’s nothing. She’d pull strings, she’d pay bribes, she’d even kill if it meant keeping her child safe. And she’d sleep very well at night. Portia says she guesses they’re different in that way, but Ava says, no, they’re not. But Trina doesn’t know how far Portia would go to protect her. She’s getting her life back together. She’s going back to school. For the first time in a long time, she’s thinking about the future. Portia says, that’s exactly what she’s been praying for, and Ava says, well, it’s happening, and Trina doesn’t need to see her mother’s career crash and burn because of something she did to protect her daughter. Portia says she appreciates Ava coming to speak with her, but she doesn’t know what Ava is talking about. Ava says, come on. It took her all of three minutes to realize it was Portia who messed with those test results. And she won’t be the only one. So like it or not, Portia is going to need her help.

Lucas walks into the lab where Brad is working. He says he heard Brad was working here.

Trina says she understands why Gio feels the way he does about Ava. She was at the pool when Kristina fell. It was horrifying. Gio says, if Josslyn hadn’t done everything exactly right that day, Kristina would have died, and Trina says, that’s why he doesn’t want to do anything with Ava, and if he doesn’t want to perform at the gallery, don’t. He thanks her, and she says she’s just asking as his friend to consider the possibility that the fall was an accident. He says he wasn’t in the room with Kristina and Ava, so he’ll let the judge in the case decide who’s guilty. As far as the gallery gig, he won’t do it for Ava, but he’ll do it for her. She asks how he knows she hasn’t found his replacement.

Brook asks if Chase wants to go beat up Garth with her. She’s kidding… mostly. He asks how Violet is doing, and she says, she’s doing better. She’s upstairs changing her clothes. She’ll be down in a minute. Has he seen her phone? He says, she left it here when she went upstairs, and gives it to her. She checks something, and he asks what she’s doing. She says she’s looking for Garth’s parents’ phone number in the school directory. She’d like to have a little chat with them. He says, that’s probably not the best idea right now, and she says, he’s right. They should drive over there and have the conversation in person. That way, they can get eyes on Garth, see what his story is. He says, that might make things worse. Although there’s nothing stopping him from putting a boot on their car. She says she likes where his head is at on this, and he says, but you know who wouldn’t? Finn. She says she hates it, but he’s right. They need to focus on Violet. He says, there’s always going to be Garths in this world. They need to teach her how to deal with them. Short of her uncle tasing them. She says, that’s a good idea. The teaching, not the tasing. They just need to put their feelings aside and listen. He says he thinks Violet misses Finn more than they realized, and Brook says, it’s her way of crying out for help.

Lucky asks what Isaiah thinks of Port Charles, and Isaiah says, all he’s seen so far is the airport, the side of the street, and inside the hospital. Lucky says, all the hot tourist spots, and Isaiah says he’s also gotten to know some people around here. Lucky says, anyone interesting? and Isaiah says, one or two. Lucky says, sounds like Port Charles is growing on him, and Isaiah says, Lucky never told him much about his life here, which is cool, but now might be the time to tell him anything he needs to know. Lucky says, like what? and Isaiah says, like anything that might keep him from putting his foot in his mouth. Lucky says, Isaiah has met his ex, and Isaiah says, she’s pretty awesome. And he’s looking forward to meeting Lucky’s son. Has Lucky seen him yet? Lucky says, not yet, but he will soon, and Isaiah asks if Aiden knows what Lucky’s been doing. Lucky says he hasn’t given him too many details. He didn’t want to scare him. Isaiah says, he should know that Lucky’s been helping people. Isaiah is happy to tell him that, and more if Lucky wants. Lucky says he might take Isaiah up on that at some point. There are going to be a lot of questions, and he certainly doesn’t have all the answers. Isaiah asks if Lucky is worried how Aiden is going to react, and Lucky says, that, and he’s focused on his sister. He’s waiting to hear if he’s a match. Isaiah asks if he’s concerned about the surgery, and Lucky says, which one? Lulu’s or his?

Brad says, Lucas is back, and Lucas says he is, but not for Brad. They’re both going to be working here, so he thought he’d make some things clear since they’re bound to run into each other. If they speak to one another, it will only be about work. No catching up, no hashing things out. Nothing. The past is the past and that’s not going to change. He’s moving forward with his life and that doesn’t include Brad. Are they clear? Brad says, crystal, and Lucas says, good. Because he wants nothing to do with Brad – ever.

Portia asks why Ava wants to help her. What’s in it for her? Ava says, Trina. She doesn’t deserve to watch her mother lose everything. She’ll think it’s her fault, and she’s been through enough without adding that to it. Portia says she was just trying to protect Trina, and Ava says, keep doing it. Do what Ava tells her to do. No one has to know she’s doing it. Portia says, it’s already too late. Brad Cooper is back working at GH. He’s working in the lab and he’s already suspicious of her. Ava says, lie low. Don’t try to cover her tracks. Don’t try to hide what she’s done. The bigger deal she makes it, the bigger deal it’s going to become. Portia asks what she does about Ric Lansing, and Ava says she’ll handle Ric Lansing. She can certainly keep him away from Portia. Portia says, it’s not going to work. Ric Lansing will get Heather out of prison. They have to stop him.

Carly says, Sam told her that Alexis is protecting Kristina by not defending herself, and Sonny says, Alexis isn’t doing herself any favors in this case. Carly says she gets that, but Alexis shouldn’t be punished for a crime she didn’t commit, and he says, that’s why he hired Martin Grey to represent her. He’s already working on her defense. She says, he’s going to let this go to trial? but he says, no. He believes Alexis’s case is going to fall apart. She says, what if it doesn’t? and he says, it will. She says she’s on his side. She always has been and always will be. He asks why she thinks he came to her for an alibi, and she says, why does he think she gave him one? She doesn’t want anyone to go down for Cates’s murder. The world is a better place without him in it. He can’t destroy another life. Sonny says, he won’t, and she says, okay. Then he needs to tell her what they’re going to do to protect Alexis.

Violet comes downstairs, and Brook asks if she feels better. Violet says, yes, and Chase says, Garth shouldn’t have said what he did, but her dad wouldn’t want her to hit someone either. Brook’s phone rings, and she says she has to take this. She steps away, and Violet says, if Garth hadn’t said those mean things about her dad first, she wouldn’t have punched him. Chase says he knows, but he needs her to believe in her dad right now. Can she do that? Violet says she guesses so.

On the phone, someone tells Brook, the principal would like to speak to Violet’s guardian as soon as possible.

Violet says she’s sorry she hit Garth. Does Chase think she’s going to get in trouble? He says, even when you have a good reason for doing something, if you break the rules, there are consequences.

Gio asks if Trina is saying she already got someone to play at the gallery. Where did she find them? Trina says, the internet? and Josslyn says, there’s no way they’re better than him. Gio thanks her, and Trina says she will tell them that the musician she found is a little sketchy, so she’d be very happy if Gio would reconsider her offer and take the job. He says he’d be very happy to accept the offer – for her, and Josslyn says her work here is done. Gio says, if the environmental science degree doesn’t work out, she could always be a talent agent, and Trina says, very true. She could.

Ava says, unfortunately, there’s nothing they can do to stop Ric from trying to get Heather released from prison, but Portia says, there has to be. Ava says, he’s got three tests that prove the GH test was faulty. Heather Webber was affected by cobalt in her system. Portia says she can’t just sit here and do nothing, but Ava says, she can’t be seen anywhere near Heather’s case. Ava’s phone rings, and she says, it’s Ric. Ric says he’s got great news. He filed a summary motion on Heather’s case. He asked that her conviction be overturned immediately, and there’s a good chance it will be. Ava says, congratulations, and he says, don’t worry. Her mystery friend will remain a mystery. She thanks him and says she means it. Can she call him later? He says, no need. He just wanted her to know about the motion. He hangs up, and Ava looks at Portia.

Brad says, Lucas must hate him, and Lucas says, all of this would be easier if he did. He does feel sorry for Brad. He understands all the reasons Brad did what he did. Brad says he still shouldn’t have done it, and Lucas says, Brad was drawn into a nightmare. But Brad pulled him in too, and it’s a nightmare he never wants to think about or experience again. So goodbye, Brad. He walks out.

Isaiah says, so if Lulu’s body accepts Lucky’s liver, it will take her back to her baseline. He’ll have given her the best possible chance to wake up from her coma. Lucky says, don’t kid a kidder. The odds of that are pretty slim. Isaiah says, slim is better than none, and Lucky says he guesses. Isaiah says, Lucky is going to need about a week in the hospital, and another six to eight weeks after than to recover from the surgery. That being said, there are risks. There’s no such thing as a routine transplant surgery. Lucky says, and Isaiah wouldn’t consider… Isaiah says he’ll give advice and offer support, but he’s never going back into surgery. Lucky says, sorry. He never should have asked. Isaiah has done more than his part. Isaiah says, he means the whole risking his life to get Lucky help thing? and Lucky says, without him, he’d still be in the desert. Whatever happens next is on him.

Sonny says, don’t worry about it, and Carly says, he does have a plan to help Alexis, doesn’t he? He says, they can protect Alexis and everybody involved. All they have to do is find the gun Alexis threw away. She says, what if he doesn’t find it? and he says, then he’ll prove Alexis didn’t kill Jagger Cates. She says, how? and he says he’ll turn himself in.

On Monday, Willow says, maybe she and Michael can figure it out together; Robert tells Diane, Holly’s back in town; Terry has Lucky’s test results; and Lucky owes someone a huge apology.

🪥 Brush Up On Your Lucas…

A refresher course or an introduction.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/abc/general-hospital-lucas-jones-ryan-carnes-158930

🎉 Mother and Child Reunion…

Laura’s head is going to explode when Lulu wakes up.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/genie-francis-returns-to-general-hospital-2024

I dunno about him being like Luke. Luke was never that altruistic.

https://ew.com/general-hospital-will-reunite-laura-with-lucky-genie-francis-jonathan-jackson-8723567

🎉 Receipts, Proof, Timelines, Lemons In a Bowl…

I really do feel badly for her, but she seriously needs to curb her drinking.

Confirmation!

🍸 Something About Horror…

It beats the horror of the last two seasons of VPR.

💍 Charming Proposal…

She’s finally moved on from creeper Austen. Good for her.

🥸 That’s a Lot Of Laughs…

Wow. Fifty – 5-0 – seasons.

https://ew.com/how-to-watch-first-snl-episode-after-saturday-night-movie-8722822

💸 Regrettable Millionaire…

This came after the shame of being included in The Dark Side of Reality TV. I kinda, sorta remember it, but I’m not a fan of the finding love shows. I always feel embarrassed for the contestants. No doubt they feel embarrassed for themselves too, after it airs. And it’s rarely love that they find.

https://ew.com/joe-millionaire-producer-regrets-convincing-women-to-do-show-8714985

👻 Get Your Ideas Here…

This article shows costumes you can buy and where you can buy them, but it’s not that hard to DIY some of these ideas. I’m no seamstress, but I’ve handmade dog costumes a few times. You try to find Rocky Horror costumes for dogs.

https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/pets/best-dog-halloween-costumes

Omg, the little football.

https://blog.homesalive.ca/dog-blog/20-funny-creative-outrageous-pet-costumes

💡 Quotes of the Week

The really magical things are the ones that happen right in front of you. A lot of the time you keep looking for beauty, but it is already there. And if you look with a bit more intention, you see it. – Vik Muniz

It is better to remain silent at the risk of being thought a fool, than to talk and remove all doubt of it.Abraham Lincoln

October is the fallen leaf, but it is also a wider horizon more clearly seen. It is the distant hills once more in sight, and the enduring constellations about them once again. – Hal Borland

Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right. – Terry Simpson

Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face. – Mike Tyson

You’re going to come across people in your life who will say all the right words at all the right times. But in the end, it’s always their actions you should judge them by. It’s actions, not words, that matter. – Nicholas Sparks

I said no cilantro. I might as well shove a bar of goddam soap in my mouth. – Oz Cobb (Colin Farrell), The Penguin (Same.)

No one knows what it is, or how it works, but everyone wants to possess it. – Nomad (Michael Berryman), Beastmaster 2: Through the Portal of Time

🍁 Here’s To October…

Get your weekend on, then join me on Monday for soap and seeing what’s on Sail. Until then, stay safe, stay within the parameters of a party (in other words, don’t be nosy about the host’s home), and stay never calling people unkind names because they’re sick.

October 3, 2024 – A Sliver Of Hope For Heather, Pulling Back the Curtain, Another Goodbye, Shannon’s Tea Party Birthday, Steal These Ideas & Mash

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What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

Lucky skulks around Bobbie’s. He looks through the window and sees Elizabeth. He goes inside, and she turns around. He walks toward her.

Molly visits Alexis in Pentenville. When she’s about to hug Alexis, the guard says, no contact with the prisoner, but Molly says she’s exercising her privilege as ADA, and they hug.

Trina walks into the gallery while Ava is on the phone. Ava says she understands, and she’ll be at the gallery all day. Trina asks if it’s about a piece of art, and Ava says she wishes. She’d rather be focused on keeping the gallery in the black than keeping herself out of prison.

Ric goes to see Heather, who says she appreciates that he hasn’t given up on her. She hasn’t either.

Marshall asks what Curtis is doing at The Savoy when he has a big fancy company to run. Curtis says he does, but Marshall going back to keeping secrets distracted him.

Dante brings Portia some donuts for the staff to thank them for taking good care of Lulu. She’s hanging on and it has a lot to do with the people here. She says, they provide the medical care, but he and the family give her something to live for.

Jason sits by Lulu’s bed and says, she’s doing her part, staying strong and hanging in. He’s grateful he and Anna could help.

Lucky says, coffee is going to stunt Elizabeth’s growth, and we flash back to when they met, and they both looked like they were 12. Elizabeth says she thinks it’s cigarettes, but he says, she never gave up coffee and she hasn’t changed a bit. She hugs him.

As Jason leaves Lulu’s room, he runs into Dante coming in.

Elizabeth asks if Lucky slept on the plane, and he says, a little, but sleep has been in short supply lately. He’s hungrier than he is tired. She says, he’s in the right place, and he says he loves the name, but hopes the menu hasn’t changed. She says, Carly would never, and asks a server for a BLT with onion rings and extra pickles. She asks how the flight was, and he says, a few bumps, nothing flying on the WSB’s dime couldn’t fix. She tells him that she’s now head nurse, and he congratulates her and says, there’s nobody better for the job. She says she can think of one or two, and he says, Aunt Bobbie would be proud. She says, Bobbie wouldn’t be proud if she misses her meeting, but he says he was hoping they could talk. She says, her nurses can wait a few minutes, and he says, they have a lot of catching up to do.

Curtis asks how long Marshall was going to hold out on him. He got a phone call congratulating him on his father’s big, national concert tour. The Wynton Marsalis Quartet – that’s big time. Marshall says, it’s something. Who told him? Curtis says, a booker called, wondering why he didn’t promote Marshall, and Marshall says he’s sorry he put Curtis on the spot. Curtis says he’s sorry he ruined Marshall’s surprise, but Marshall says, there’s no surprise. He’s not taking the gig.

Ava tells Trina that John Cates’s death changed nothing. She’s still going to trial for Kristina’s accident, and she’ll need to step back from the gallery. She’d like Trina to run it in her absence. Trina says she doesn’t know if she can swing the gallery and school, and Ava says, she’s going back to PCU? Trina says, it’s time she put Spencer, Esme, and Heather behind her and gets back to her life.

Ric says he’s sorry the tests didn’t corroborate their theory, and Heather says she started envisioning a life without her grandson, but then met her new cellmate, his ex no less. He laughs and asks if Alexis swooped in with her optimism. Heather says, Alexis was accused of killing someone to protect her daughter. The only difference between them is Alexis was of sound mind. If Alexis thinks there’s a chance she’ll beat her charge, why shouldn’t she? Ric says, she can’t compare the two cases. Heather committed multiple murders, and as it stands, her brain chemistry wasn’t altered. Heather says, hogwash. She wasn’t born a serial killer. Something made her one.

Portia talks to Deanna about Lucky’s tests. Her phone dings, and she almost runs into Brad while she’s looking at it.

Alexis tells Molly not to exploit her position on her behalf. She doesn’t want Molly to lose her license. Molly says, fine, but it’s on Alexis now to do everything in her power to defend herself. Alexis says, that’s the plan, but Molly says, not if she allows herself to be put in prison so Sonny won’t be.

Lucky and Elizabeth sit at a table, and he says, he wasn’t at his former camp. She says, which camp? and he says, they’re all basically the same. She asks if he was there by choice, or he was a prisoner? If he treats it like a mystery, so will everyone else, and that won’t fly with some people. One person in particular. He says, his mother? and she says, get used to telling the story. He tells her about Sidwell and how he kidnapped Isaiah, and she says, she met Isaiah. He’s a charmer. He asks if Isaiah talked about him. Did he flirt with her? She says, back to Sidwell, and he says he got snagged trying to bust Isaiah out. She says she gets why they’d want a physician, but why did they want him? He says, it turns out Sidwell is a big gambler, and they played cards, a lot of cards. She asks if there were big stakes, and he says, just lives. Eventually, Anna and Jason showed up and here he is. No big deal. She suggests he make it a big deal to their son. He’d feel better if Lucky was away for a good reason, and that it wasn’t just easier to be there than here.

Dante tells Jason that he’s not going to make it a big thing, but he and Rocco appreciate what he did for Lulu. Jason nods and leaves.  

Alexis says, Molly has spoken to Martin, and wonders if he doesn’t understand attorney/client privilege. Molly says, they’re looking out for her best interests, and Alexis says, his job is to give her the best defense. Molly says she thinks the best thing is for Alexis to go to trial armed with evidence as to who killed John, but Alexis says she thinks her best defense is to find the gun she disposed of. Molly says, neither Sam nor the PCPD have found it, so she’ll have to proceed. Alexis says she gets that Molly wants her to point the finger at Sonny, and Molly says, but if she does, Kristina will speak up or throw herself in the crosshairs. It’s her future she’s putting on the line to protect Kristina and for what? If Kristina hasn’t already ruined her life, she will, and all of Alexis’s efforts will be for nothing.

Trina tells Ava, enough time has passed. She has to get as close to normal as she can. Ava asks if she has to or is she ready to? and Trina says, maybe both. She doesn’t know if she’ll ever be ready. She talked to her mom and Aunt Stella, and they agree. She can’t get accustomed to what feels easy. She has to push past her comfort zone. Ava asks if that’s the gallery, and Trina says she doesn’t want to disappoint Ava, but Ava says, Trina could never disappoint her. Just promise if she needs a change, she’ll honor that. She’d hate if Trina felt pressured. Trina is invaluable to her and she couldn’t run the gallery without her, but Trina is more important to her as a friend.

Heather tells Ric that something was wrong with her, and it was put right when they took out her hip. She feels different and people say she acts different. He says he understands she wants to get out and seek compensation, but she says, it’s not about the money. It’s always been about Ace. One day, he’ll be old enough to understand why she went to prison, and when he does, she wants him to know it’s not because she’s a killer at heart. It can’t be all she amounts to in his eyes. That’s why she refuses to go down without a fight. She’ll take any angle she has to take, but she can’t do it without his help.

Portia asks what Brad is doing here, and he says he works here. She says, he’s not scheduled until later, and he says, somebody called in sick. He’s trying to be a team player and a model employee. She says, they’ll see how long that lasts, and he says she can hate on him all she wants. He doesn’t blame her, but he’s not going to screw this up. He owes that much to Britt. She says, so that’s how he got Terry’s recommendation. He played the dead best friend card.

Ric goes to the gallery and tells Ava that he may have hit on something in her statement that might be able to get her case thrown out. Ava says she likes the sound of that, and he says, now if he can just have that sliver of hope for the rest of his clients. She asks if things aren’t going well with Heather, and he says, having been the town pariah, he thought she’d have some empathy, but she says, not even one bit. He says, Heather has done some horrible things, but she just wants to be treated like a human being. He knows the feeling and imagines Ava does too.

Molly says, if Alexis goes to prison, who’s going to protect Kristina when she messes up? and Alexis says, she hopes Molly and Sam. Molly says she won’t. She can’t have a relationship with Kristina until Kristina can be responsible for her actions. It’s one thing to mess up her own life, but now she’s throwing Alexis under the bus. Alexis says, it was her choice, and if it was Molly, she’d do the same thing. Molly says she would never put Alexis in that position, and Alexis says, Kristina has severe postpartum and severe post-traumatic stress. She’s not in her right mind. She can’t make sane decisions right now. Molly says, what about the terrible decisions she’s made in the past? and Alexis says she’s Kristina’s mother. She has to protect her. She wishes Molly could understand. Molly says, but only a mother could, right? and Alexis says, that’s not what she meant, but Molly gets up and walks away.

Marshall says he needs Curtis’s signature on some papers that have been piling up, and Curtis says he’s at a loss. This is what Marshall always wanted, to play with the best on the biggest stages in the country. What if the opportunity doesn’t come around again? Marshall says, maybe it won’t, but he’s not going to get another son. Curtis asks if Marshall isn’t taking the gig because of him.

Elizabeth says, Lucky doesn’t owe her anything, but Aiden is a different story. He’s growing into a special young man, but he’s not bulletproof, and Lucky needs to handle him with care. Lucky asks how else she thinks he’d handle Aiden, and she says, Lucky doesn’t know him and she knows he didn’t come back for Aiden. He came back for Lulu and that’s fine; she gets it. She’s glad Lulu has hope, but she’s not assuming that means he’s staying, and she doesn’t want Aiden to assume that. he says he won’t make promises he can’t keep. That’s the least he owes her. She asks when he plans on seeing Aiden, and he says, today, but first, he’s due back at the hospital for another test. He doesn’t suppose the head nurse would want to accompany him. She asks if needles still freak him out, and he says, very much.

Jason sees Sam, and she asks if he’s okay. He says, everyone is in one piece, and Sam says she thinks he should talk to Danny. He says, that was his next stop. He’s sorry he didn’t talk to her before he left. She says, it was probably a good idea. She would have overreacted. As a matter of fact, she owes Carly an apology about him going to Africa. She should have known he was going to go. He says, because Carly asked? but she says, because of who he is. He never pretends to be anything else and she’s grateful. So are Dante and Rocco. She thanks him and says, if anyone ever gives him hell for being himself, including her, ignore them. (Um… I think he already does that.)

Outside Bobbie’s, Lucky asks what else Elizabeth can tell him about Aiden, and she suggests he find out for himself. He says, she did a beautiful job on the sign, and she asks if Carly told him that she painted it. He says, no. He’d know her brushstroke anywhere.

Jason says, before he goes, Sam’s not wrong to be upset that he didn’t come to her. She deserved to hear it from him, not Danny. She says, that means a lot, and he says, it means a lot that she understands why he had to go. Elizabeth and Lucky arrive at the hospital.

Curtis says, Marshall is passing on a once in a lifetime opportunity, but Marshall says, it was decided he’d run The Savoy while Curtis concentrated on Aurora. He made a commitment to his son and he’s not about to go off to play his clarinet. He can do that in Port Charles, in this very club. Curtis says, not with Wynton Marsalis. He can get somebody to run the club. Marshall says, if he takes the gig, he leaves tomorrow and he’s gone for four months, and N’neka is in grad school. Curtis says he’ll do it, but Marshall says, that’s impractical at best, and foolhardy at worst. The Savoy is Curtis’s baby and Aurora is his future. He needs to be here so Curtis can pursue his dream. He was a terrible father. Curtis says, Marshall isn’t going to feel guilty about what he can’t change. If he allows Marshall to pass on his shot, he’ll be a terrible son.

Brad says, Britt’s name may have come up. Terry felt bad enough for him to give him another chance. What’s the big deal? Why does Portia care if he works here or not?  

Heather asks how Alexis’s visit was with her daughter, but Alexis says she’s not discussing her family, and her case is a hard no. Heather asks if the weather is off limits too. They might as well make the best of it here. Alexis asks if that’s because they’re going to be in here a while, but Heather says, Alexis is innocent, and she was under the influence of cobalt. They’ll get out sooner or later. But say it’s later. She knows her way around here and Alexis is going to need looking out for. Alexis asks what she wants in return, and Heather says, there is something she wants from Alexis.

Ric says he’s not diminishing Heather’s crimes. He only knows her as his client, but not only does she seem confused as to why she did what she did, she seems genuinely repentant. That doesn’t sound like a typical murderer to him. His phone dings, and he says, she may not be. Ava asks why he thinks that, and he says, because of the tests he had rerun in two independent labs. They contradict the numbers from GH. Ava says she’s guessing that affirms his theory, and he says, in a word, yes.

Elizabeth introduces Deanna to Lucky, and she says, one last test, and he’ll get the green light for the liver donation. He leaves with her, and Jason comes over to Elizabeth. He says, Elizabeth seems like she’s in a good headspace, and she hugs him.

Sam goes to Lulu’s room and asks, how’s the patient? Dante says, hanging tough as usual, and she says, what about him? He says he’s better now that Lucky is here. He owes Jason and Anna big time. He asks if she talked to Jason, and she says, he apologized for not telling her that he was leaving, and she apologized for the way she reacted. He says, an adult conversation. Good. Does that mean they’re turning a corner?

Marshall says he wants to do right by Curtis, and Curtis says, then go show the world what an Ashford can do. Show him, TJ, Trina, and Aunt Stella. There’s no greater reward than seeing someone you love achieve their dreams. Marshall says, so if he goes, that’s his gift to his family? and Curtis says, live his life to the fullest, and he’ll be right there with him.

Heather says, it’s something Alexis can’t give her. It’s something she’s got to earn. Alexis wonders why she feels like she’ll regret asking, and says, what is it? Heather says, someone to believe in her the way Molly believes in Alexis. Ric said Molly is her biggest advocate. Alexis says she’s fortunate, and Heather says she dreams about something like that, having someone to fight for her. Nobody sticks up for someone like her. Why would they? She’s made some big mistakes. Alexis says, they all have, but Heather says, Alexis didn’t give up her kids. Maybe if she’d had someone like Alexis to follow their lead, it would have been different. Alexis did it right.  

Brad says he’s legitimately curious as to why he bothers Portia so much, and she flashes back to changing Heather’s lab results. She says, because she’s Co-Chief of Staff and is responsible for the patients and the employees. He’s demonstrated that he’s not responsible for anyone, much less lab work. He says he’s not trying to cause trouble. He just wants to put in his 8 hours and go home. She says, he has 7 to go. After that, who knows? He’s on probation, right? He says, that’s why he wants to be the perfect employee. He leaves, and Trina comes in. She asks if Portia is okay. (If Portia tries to pin this on Brad, I can’t with her anymore.)

Ava says, so a high reading would show that the hip replacement had no impact, and Heather was of sound mind when she went on her hooking spree, and Ric says, a lower number would show the violence stemmed from her bad hip. The results were only high at GH. If he brings it to trial, he has to account for those results. Ava says, maybe it’s not a mistake at all.

Ric asks if Ava is suggesting someone at GH altered the results, and she says, it wouldn’t be the first time. He asks, who would do that? and she says, somebody who wants Heather kept behind bars.

Portia tells Trina that she’s fine. There’s just a lot going on. What about her? Trina says she talked to Ava about going back to school. The issue now is her remedial art history class at the Sorbonne. It’s messing with her schedule. She asks if that’s Brad, and Portia says, he’s back at the hospital… for now. Trina says, Aunt Stella calls Brad a bad egg, and Portia says, he casts a long shadow. Trian says, like Esme and Heather, and Portia says, yeah, but Esme and Heather are out of their lives for good.

Marshall says, Curtis wins. He’ll accept the offer on two conditions. Curtis and the family come and hear him play… Curtis says, they expect the best seats in the house, and Marshall says, done. And two. The second Curtis’s juggling here and Aurora becomes too much, call him and he’ll come running. Curtis says he will, but Marshall won’t have to. Now can he offer his dad congratulations? Marshall says, bring it in, and Curtis says he’s so proud of Marhsall. They hug, do fancy handshakes, make noises, and yell, Wynton Marsalis! over and over.  so proud hug my dad his son

Alexis asks what Ric said, and Heather tells her that Ric said her cobalt test numbers weren’t down, and currently don’t support that theory. Alexis asks if he used the term currently, and Heather asks why it matters. Alexis says, Ric might be hedging his bets. Heather needs to have more tests run. Maybe they’ll paint another picture. Technology isn’t foolproof. Heather says she knows what that is… hope.

Sam tells Dante that she’s trying to shift her perspective. It’s a work in progress. She realizes Jason did a good thing. He took a risk for Lulu and her family, for Dante and Rocco. She’s okay with that. All she wants is for Lulu to make it. Dante says him too, but it’s important for him that Sam knows the person he needs and the person he’d be lost without is her.

Jason tells Elizabeth that he’s glad he could help. Now all they need is for Lulu to pull through. Lucky comes out, and Jason says he’ll see them later and leaves. Elizabeth asks, how’d it go? and he says he didn’t faint and got a juice box. She says, so he didn’t need her, and he says, let’s not go overboard. She says she has to start work, and he says he’ll see her later. She asks if he’s going to see Aiden first, and he says, yeah. He thanks her for everything and says he has a good feeling about this. She says, so does she, and leaves.

Tomorrow, Brook tells Chase that it might take the both of them to get the truth out of her; Rick asks who Ava is protecting; and Lucky tells Sonny that they both know he should have been here all along.

🔥 Behind the Explosion…

Take a look behind the scenes with Jason, Anna, and Sidwell. Carlo Rota seems like he’d be fun to work with.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/go-backstage-at-gh-with-steve-burton-and-finola-hughes

🥀 A Hale Farewell…

Sadly, the old Mike has left the old Kelly’s for the last time.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/soap-star-ron-hale-dead-at-78

🍊 Johnny J. and the Oranges…

After Tamra ruined Katie’s dinner party by overreacting, we found out that the Ryan/FBI insinuation was regarding illegal gambling and Ryan’s business partner Matt using Ryan’s address as his business address. It seemed like the issue was really with Matt, who’s a professional gambler. Tamra said it was disgusting and Ryan was a horrible human being. Wow. She sets the bar pretty low for disgusting and horrible. How about thirsty middle-aged women who get baptized for screen time, then never act like a Christian again? Katie summed it up best when she said, what a f***ing night.

Emily went over to Gina’s new place and checked out the kids’ room. They each took turns spinning on the fireman’s pole, and in Gina’s interview, she said she wouldn’t be worthy of a stripper name because that sh*t is too much work. I concur. I can just imagine landing on my ass while trying to spin on a pole. In Fancy Pants Heather’s interview, she said she would have liked the opportunity to talk to Emily about the size issue. Here’s where I looked at the camera like Jim in The Office because she did have the opportunity. It was even in the flashback from last week. Emily started to tell Fancy Pants that she just wanted to have a conversation, when Fancy Pants interrupted her and asked her to be quiet for a minute. Oh wait. Fancy Pants meant a one-sided conversation. Otherwise known as a lecture.

Katie was discovering her Korean roots, which she wished she’d been introduced to as a child. Same with my Lithuanian/Native American roots. In her interview, she said, the only Korean phrase she knew was, f*** your mother, but the text said that she was actually speaking Mandarin, so apparently, she doesn’t even know that. I understand though. I took two years of French and all I can do is tell you how to pack a suitcase and curse you out.

Shannon had a 60th birthday age-appropriate tea. She laughed about being a spinster, but I have no doubt she’s not laughing on the inside. No surprise, Fancy Pants suddenly wanted to talk to Emily at the tea, and when Emily said she’s already tried that, Fancy Pants said, I wasn’t in the moment at the time. Because it’s all about her. Gina hit the nail on the head in her interview when she said that Fancy Pants always needed to remove herself, step away, and come up with the perfect thing to say. I think that’s because she wants to control all situations, whether they involve her or not. Alexis sent a flower arrangement with an olive branch in it, but Shannon said it was too late. She had no interest in being friendly. I can’t say as I blame her, and I agree with Emily, who said in her interview that Alexis had been making Shannon’s life hell. Shannon said, Alexis’s coach, aka Johnny J., was telling her to be nice now, and in Tamra’s interview, she scoffed and rolled her eyes, but I tend to agree with Shannon. Alexis isn’t smart enough to devise this kind of hate campaign. Shannon said she was hosting a trip to London for the group, but Alexis wasn’t invited. Everyone shared their favorite memory of Shannon, and they all involved a lot of laughter, which is something I wish we saw more of on this show. Exhausted was the word of the episode.

Katie and Jenn paid a visit to Alexis in order to gently let her down about the trip. After hopping around and flailing her arms, Alexis said she just wanted peace in the group. Katie told her to check her phone, and there was a text from Shannon saying she wasn’t interested in an olive branch. Johnny J. showed up in Alexis’s interview and said his hands had been tied, as the statute of limitations was nearly up for a loan lawsuit. Even though Katie wanted to be Asian Switzerland, she admitted in her interview that she thought Alexis had leaked the lawsuit to People.

Next time, the OC invades London.

🐕 Dress Like the Stars….

IMO, the Beanie tag is cute, but lazy.

👟 Blame It On the Boogie…

Calling it an early (for me) night, but join me tomorrow for soap and a Friday frolic in entertainment. Until then, stay safe; stay springing for the good individually wrapped and sealed candy; and stay not getting accustomed to what feels easy and push past your comfort zone.

October 2, 2024 – Baseball Day 2, Scrubbing Up, Salt Lake Invades Milwaukee, A Note, A Fact, Pigeons, Last Talk, Mrs. Gaga, Two Coming Up, It’s Started & Season

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What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

Still batting runs in today, but I think GH is on tomorrow… I think.

🧼 Soap Dish…

I’ll bet she’s a blast.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/gallery/general-hospital/an-evening-with-soap-star-rena-sofer-see-the-pics

Omg, they look like babies.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/jonathan-jackson-opens-up-about-liz-and-luckys-reunion-on-gh

It sounds like maybe she wanted a quid pro quo with the pay cut. Like maybe some changes for her character.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-kelly-monaco-promises-a-proper-statement

🧂 There’s Salt In My Lake…

While I don’t know new Housewife Bronwyn at all, kudos to her fashion sense. Just remember, it’s fashion, not a costume. In Heather’s interview, she confused Alice Cooper with Gene Simmons, and said, honest mistake. Aren’t all actual mistakes honest? And does that really apply here? More like a you-don’t-know-your-rock-legends mistake. In a Housewives first, there was a girls’ trip to Milwaukee. A suite at the Bucks game seemed like the usual, but not so much a trip to the Bobblehead Museum. We flashed back to Mary calling Whitney a bobblehead, but in Mary’s interview, she said Whitney had passed the bobblehead baton to someone else. Do tell.

Bronwyn was upset over Lisa not coming to her defense during last week’s gang-up on her, but she said she wasn’t throwing Lisa under the bus… yet. However, she was turning the bus on. Whitney, Bronwyn, Mary and new Wife Meili went to the museum, where there were over 10,000 bobbleheads, and they were given a scavenger hunt. The collection was quite impressive. Nearly everyone even moderately famous has been made into a bobblehead. There was also a casino close by where the rest of the group gambled. Apparently, there are rumors swirling on social media that Whitney resells jewelry she gets from Alibaba, which is not a good look.

The suite was amazing and the buffet even more so. Heather said she was as happy as a puppy with two peters over the lobster corndogs, which sounds like something Captain Lee would say. Brittani found out that her boyfriend was hitting on Angie’s brow girl, and I’m not sure how much of the game was actually watched. After alerting Brittani, Angie hoped Brittani wouldn’t be pissed at her, which she shouldn’t be, but probably will be. Bronwyn confronted Lisa for not having her back and Heather for her needing her back covered in the first place. In Bronwyn’s interview, she said she wasn’t going to stop until they all realized that all of them talked about each other. She said she wasn’t part of the problem, but she was the best dressed part of the problem. I concur.

Next time, a dance-off, a curling game, and dinner table screaming. In other words, the usual.

🎵 Side note: I’m not loving Heather these days. I think she lost a few other things along with that weight, like her appeal and decency. Her ego must have gotten even bigger when she was on Watch What Happens Live tonight with Sarah Paulson. Sarah scolded her for not coming backstage when she saw Sarah on Broadway in Appropriate. Apparently, Sarah had alerted the entire cast, who’d been very excited about Heather’s presence. Is there really such a meager choice of amusement in the stage world?

Fun Fact: Mary Cosby’s father once lived a street away from Jeffrey Dahmer and wondered where a funky smell was coming from. A week later, Dahmer was arrested, and he saw the whole thing go down. Of course, Mary could be making it up, but that’s pretty random. Six degrees from my part, I once met a guy who was a counselor of Dahmer’s when he (Dahmer, not the guy I met) was in prison. He said that Dahmer was a really nice guy when he was on his medication, but you didn’t want to be near him when he wasn’t. Take from that what you will.

🗽 Rats With Wings…

It wouldn’t be NYC without them. Although there is the eternal question… Why don’t we ever see baby pigeons?

https://extratv.com/2024/10/01/rhony-stars-sai-de-silva-and-ubah-hassan-tease-drama-with-messy-pigeons-exclusive/

🌁 Best On Last…

Hey, we take what we can get until 2025.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/the-last-of-us-season-2-trailer-1236013278/

https://ew.com/the-last-of-us-season-2-kaitlyn-dever-abby-first-look-teaser-8718711

For the gamers.

https://www.eurogamer.net/the-last-of-us-tv-trailer-remade-with-gameplay-footage-gets-neil-druckmann-seal-of-approval

https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/the-last-of-us-naughty-dog-secret/

🦄 Putting the Modern In Bride…

I don’t know about you, but I’m there for the unicorns. We can still have Chinese food though, right?

https://extratv.com/2024/10/02/lady-gaga-talks-wedding-ideas-courthouse-and-chinese-food/

🎬 Waiting To Watch…

This drops on Shudder tomorrow and I can’t wait to see it. Tusk was one of the best films I’ve ever seen, so I have high hopes for Justin Long’s work on this.

https://ew.com/justin-long-vhs-beyond-tusk-like-fur-babies-brother-christian-exclusive-8716575

This looks very promising as well. The trailer gave me Lovecraft Country vibes. This one is a wait though. It comes to theaters on March 7th, 2025.

https://collider.com/sinners-michael-b-jordan-ryan-coogler/

🐩 Never Too Early For Dress Up…

Get those pets used to wearing a hat now and they’ll have it down by Halloween. Maybe. If they feel like it.

📢 Calling Each Vagabond By Name…

Come by tomorrow for (hopefully) soap and the OC nightmare before Halloween. Until then, stay safe; stay erring on the side of caution and professionalism at office costume parties; and stay never being part of the problem, but being the best dressed part of the problem.

October 1, 2024 – Batter Up, Speculation, Back In the NY Groove, Plathville Revelation, Real Parody, WWDD, From This Week, Fairwell To a Trail Blazer, It’s Showtime, Have Some Pilaf & Hey There

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What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

The Mets won, and it looks like there will be a game on Thursday as well. <heaving Jason sigh>

🧴 No Body Not Dead…

He’s not telling us anything we don’t know already, but the odds of him returning as Spencer are nil to none.

https://ew.com/nicholas-alexander-chavez-speculates-return-of-his-general-hospital-character-8720972

🗽 Cooking With Gas…

Brynn was moving to a bigger place, since she’d gotten a puppy, and I could identify with her feeling that moving in the city was its own hell. But 16 boxes of thongs? Brynn does laundry less than I do. A lot of the episode revolved around things said about Jenna. Are these women jealous or something. Jenna is the least likely to say anything about anybody. Why are the playing telephone using her name? Rebecca Minkoff made an appearance, and I really like her. That makes two out of the whole cast. It’s not that I dislike them, but I can’t imagine being friends with any of them, even if I had the money to travel in the same circles. And I find Brynn especially annoying, right down to her tween hairbows. Although, TBH, I did go through a butterfly clip phase – and I don’t mean the clip style, I mean little butterflies – for a while when I was probably too old for it. Right now, I’m liking new Housewife Racquel, but the jury is still out. Jessel might not have been too keen on husband Pavit’s trip to Chinatown for his food influencing side gig, but where else are you going to get a decent dumpling? That’s another thing. Most of this group takes snobbery to a new level.

https://people.com/rhony-premiere-recap-one-housewife-is-called-a-gaslighting-narcissist-8721690

🏡 Welcome To Redundancy…

I’m not satisfied with her answer either.

https://people.com/welcome-to-plathville-recap-moriah-reveals-she-is-back-with-her-ex-ethan-is-furious-8721671

🦹‍♀️ Real Housewives Of Marvel…

It’s funny, but it would be funnier if Deadpool was one of the Housewives.

https://ew.com/marvel-heroes-get-a-real-housewives-parody-8721676

⚰️ Going By the Book…

This sounds awesome.

https://ew.com/walking-dead-daryl-dixon-bioluminescent-zombies-exclusive-8715574

Warning: spoilers. I haven’t actually seen this yet. I was doing something else or watching something else, maybe both, and then ran out of time. So I spoiled it for myself, but I don’t care. If you haven’t seen it yet and you do care, don’t read this.

https://collider.com/walking-dead-daryl-dixon-season-2-premiere-recap/

Fewer spoilers, but still spoilers. They obviously weren’t as enamored of the first season as I was.

https://www.avclub.com/the-walking-dead-daryl-dixon-season-2-premiere-recap

A spoiler or two, but nothing major. It’s mostly about Carol as a character.

https://www.cbr.com/twd-daryl-dixon-carol-peletier-evolution/

New guy in Dixonland.

https://collider.com/the-walking-dead-daryl-dixon-season-3-stephen-merchant/

Holy! Talk about rushing the season. They just started Season 2.

https://screenrant.com/the-walking-dead-daryl-dixon-season-3-explained/

🌳 My Favorite Watch…

Is there anything he felt was genuinely terrifying? How about the whole premise?

https://www.cbr.com/from-tv-season3-ricky-he-interview/

Warning: spoilers ahead.

I like Boyd/Harold Perrineau/From so much, I decided to give Lost another go too.

https://collider.com/from-tv-show-survival-horror/

🪽 His Soul Has Soared…

Wow. I haven’t seen one article that mentioned The Beastmaster, and it wasn’t like he had a minor role in that film.

https://ew.com/john-amos-dead-good-times-roots-actor-84-8721443

THE BEASTMASTER, Tanya Roberts, Josh Milrad, John Amos, Marc Singer, 1982, © MGM

🎃 Big Screen Halloween…

For your Halloween viewing pleasure.

https://ew.com/hocus-pocus-nightmare-before-christmas-showtimes-halloween-2024-8721093

🐶 World’s Tiniest Model…

This dog is so unbelievably cute. Of course she stole the Instagram show. You can tell she loves that little nugget too.

https://www.instyle.com/demi-moore-pilaf-instagram-8721650

https://www.instyle.com/demi-moore-parachute-pants-blazer-outfit-matching-dog-8718926

🌒 When the Night Wind Howls…

Join me tomorrow for baseball a dip into Salt Lake and who knows what else. Until then, stay safe, stay respecting those who don’t celebrate Halloween, and stay not being a restaurant snob. The best food is found in the most unlikely places.

September 25, 2024 – Sidwell Makes It More Interesting, On Call, Salty Talk, Returning Sisters, She Had Input, Squid Nouveau, Films To Scare You, Double Launch & Blame

Standard

What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

Carly tells Lulu to hang in there. Jason is going to bring Lucky home and get her what she needs. She sees Sam in the hallway, and says, Dante just left. Sam says, Dante told her that Carly was here, and Carly asks, what’s up? Sam says she needs Carly’s help. Help her save her mother.  

Martin says he doesn’t think Alexis is taking this seriously, and she says, if she gave him that impression, she apologizes. He needs to keep Kristina out of this. He tells her, if that’s what she wants, let him do the next best thing, and she says, point them in the direction of another suspect. He says, the perfect suspect – Sonny Corinthos.

Sonny goes to Kristina’s apartment and tells her that Diane said she needed help. She said Chase was here. Did he force her to answer any questions? Kristina says, no, but she may have screwed up anyway, and he asks if she said she had the gun. She says she knows better than that, but he asked her how she got around that night and she thinks she might have said too much. He says, that’s why you can’t talk to the police without an attorney, and Kristina says, all that matters is that he knows the truth. All of it.

Jordan brings Isaiah a donut for breakfast, and says she expects a five-star review. He says she and the staff are taking good care of him, and she says, when he’s allowed to leave, there’s a lot more of Port Charles for him to explore. Has he been given a discharge date? He says, not yet. He’s getting stronger every day, but her son might have a different assessment. Her phone rings, and she steps away to take the call. She asks if they’ve double checked that it’s the correct spelling… She’ll make pickup arrangements. She thanks them, and Isaiah says, important package? She says, it is, and he asks if she wants to talk, but she says, talking won’t help.

Holly says she hopes Anna and Jason are comfortable, and Anna says, when Sidwell and Holly invited them back to their camp… Sidwell asks if she thought they’d sit by the fire in the dirt drinking boiled water out of animal skins, and she says she guesses this is a step up. Holly asks if she should order drinks or something to eat while they prepare for their game, but Sidwell says, it’s not necessary. First, they have to find out why Anna and Jason are really here.

While Lucky is picking the lock, he hears someone and hides the penknife he’s using.

Alexis says, going with the-other-guy-did-it defense sounds like Martin wants to take it to trial, and he says, he wants the prosecution looking at Sonny. He’ll use every arrow in his quiver to exonerate her. She says, he can’t take it to trial. Kristina is going to be in the courtroom. He asks what’s wrong with her? Her license was just reinstated. The jury wants to see family in the courtroom. She says, it’s another chance for Kristina to incriminate herself and she will. If she sees it’s going badly, she’ll stand up and do what it takes to protect her mother at her own peril. He says, unless Alexis is willing to take a deal, which won’t be generous, their only option is going to trial and pointing the suspicion in Sonny’s direction.

Carly asks what she can do, and Sam says, tell the truth. She said she was Sonny’s alibi when Cates was killed. Carly says she gave her statement, but Sam says, there’s no way in hell she and Sonny slept together in Tracy’s bed. Carly says, we all have moments were not proud of, and Sam says, if it wasn’t so ludicrous, it would be funny. There’s no way she and Sonny are getting back together. She’s begging Carly to come clean and clear her mom.

Kristina says she didn’t tell Sonny everything. She went to the Quartermaines that night. He asks, why? and she says, to kill John Cates.  

Isaiah says, Jordan helped him, and he’d like to return the favor. She says she wishes talking would help, and he asks if she can think of a time it didn’t help a situation. He understands if she can’t discuss work. She says, it’s not work, and he says he doesn’t want to overstep, but he’s not used to not doing anything. She says, he’s healing, and he says, doctors make the worst patients, but they’re great listeners. She says, her son and his partner were having a baby by a surrogate. There was an altercation, and the surrogate fell out a hotel window. The baby didn’t survive. He asks, how far along was she? and Jordan says, a week away. It was a girl. He says, her granddaughter was stillborn. He’s so sorry. She says, the call was about the headstone. It’s ready. He says, is she ready? and she says, TJ and Molly are suffering. She’s just helping them pick up the pieces. She’s only the grandmother. This is their loss. He says, that’s not true. It’s hers too.

A guard brings Lucky some food, and Lucky wonders if it’s steak, lobster, or surf and turf. He asks if the guard wants to join him. The food and beatings are pretty good here. The guard says, Lucky deserved it, and Lucky says he usually does. Should he psych himself up for another all-night card game? If the answer is yes, he wants to start praying now. The guard says, his prayers were answered tonight. Sidwell came back with some fancy guests. Lucky says, fancier than you and me? He asks if the guard can smuggle him a scotch and a few canapés, but the guard walks away. Lucky says he knows they’re friends, but he can’t read the guard’s silences yet. Fancy guests means there’s one vehicle on the site at least, and he only needs one to get out. He gets the knife that came with his food, and picks at the lock. (Kind of strange that they gave him a knife, but okay.)

Sidwell asks if Anna and Jason are in the habit of accepting invitations from strangers, and Anna says, the company is nice, and although it wasn’t her preferred mode of transport, any good business transaction requires a certain degree of sacrifice. He asks what business she’s in, and she says, platinum, gold, diamonds. They have that in common. He says, possibly, and she says, good. She wants in.

Alexis tells Martin, it’s not as simple as pointing a finger at Sonny. If he targets Sonny, Kristina will defend him too. He says, Kristina only has one parent in prison. He’s trying to do his job, but she’s tying his hands. She says she’s sorry. She knows she’s making it a challenge, but Kristina will defend both of her parents, and she’ll do it in a way that will ruin her life. He says, Kristina is an adult, and she can’t control herself or be controlled in a courtroom? and Alexis says, yeah. He asks if she has any plans for a defense, and she says, trust the system. She’s innocent. The truth will prevail. He says, the whole truth or half of it? If she doesn’t come forward and say what Kristina was doing the night of the murder, it’s not an arrow in their quiver. She says, how about the fact that John Cates was hated by everyone? His list of enemies is impressive. Find one and point his finger. It’s not that hard.  

Sonny says he knows where Kristina’s head was at. John Cates was harassing her and tormenting her for weeks. Her feelings were all over the place. She probably felt like the only way to stop the pain was to end Jagger’s life. She was going through a mental health crisis. Not a lot of people understand, but he does.

Sam and Carly go to Lulu’s room, and Carly says she’s sorry for Sam and Alexis. She knows Sam’s family is going through hell, but Alexis tossed the gun. Alexis made a choice and got herself in this situation. She and Sonny didn’t. She gets that it’s easy to blame Sonny, but this time it’s not Sonny’s fault. Sam says she doesn’t believe that, and Carly says she believes Alexis is a good lawyer and can get herself out of this. Sam says, Alexis loves and wants to protect her children at all costs. Carly would do the same for her kids. Carly says, absolutely, and Sam says, then show some empathy. It won’t clear Alexis, but the truth will. Sonny is a professional with resources. His people will get him out. She knows he and Carly share history. So much, that protecting him is like breathing to her. She gets it, but the alibi isn’t only keeping Sonny out of prison. It’s keeping her mother in.

Jordan tells Isaiah that she was most excited about seeing her son with her granddaughter. He’d be an amazing father, and she wanted to see that. Isaiah asks if she’s talked to anyone, and she says she’s talking to him. He says he’s flattered, but she’s dealing with something so big, it can be hard to find her way through it. She says, and find closure? and he says, if it exists. She says, maybe she should try, and thanks him.

Holly asks if the evening is going to descend into business chatter. It was supposed to be fun. Sidwell gave her his word. Sidwell says, they’ll return to the fun, and Holly says, while he hammers out whatever, she’s going to freshen up. She leaves, and Sidwell says, assuming they have business interests in common, what does Anna know about that? She says she knows he sells his materials in Dubai, but the market there for precious metals and jewels is inundated. He tells her to make her pitch, and she says she’s in a position to help him move his materials through Switzerland, where he’ll get a substantially higher return on his investment. He asks what Jason moves, and Jason says, her. Anna says, he’s her security, and Sidwell asks about the cuddling at the club. Anna says, there’s always perks. He can secure a profit in a Swiss bank, which has more flexible and transactional speed than a bank in the Caymans. He says, this might be his lucky day… or maybe something else entirely. Give him a reference.

Anna gives Sidwell a number to call and give her information, and says, then maybe they can get back to the evening as planned. A guard makes the call, and Sidwell says, Jason is quieter than he was at the poker table. Would Jason like to have a drink to accidently soak him with? Jason says he’ll have what Anna is having, when the guard comes back and whispers something to Sidwell. Sidwell says, Anna’s references checked out. He thinks doing business with her would be both profitable and interesting. She asks if he would have preferred the alternative, and he says, no. He would have preferred something less convenient.  

Lucky hears the lock click, and says, baby, we are out of here. He runs into Holly outside the cell, and she says, perfect timing. She’s come to rescue him.

Kristina says she spoke to Felicia who referred her to a counselor and a support group, and Sonny says he’s extremely proud of her. A lot of people are afraid and ashamed of what people think, but you gotta do what you need to do to take care of business. She says she knows. Someone she respects, admires, and loves very much gave her an example to follow. He puts his arm around her, and she puts her head on his shoulder.

Carly says she can’t give Sam what she wants, and Sam asks if Carly is going to let her mother go to prison, maybe for the rest of her life, for a crime she didn’t commit. She’s that loyal to Sonny. She can warn Sonny and let him and Diane get their ducks in a row, as long as she comes clean. Carly says her cousin is fighting for her life. That’s the only thing she cares about, saving Lulu’s life. Sam says she’s not sure what Carly is doing to save Lulu, and Carly says, Sam needs to leave. Sam says, Carly is doing what she always does. Nothing. Jason is the one saving Lulu, risking his life going to Africa to find Lucky, but Carly already knew that, right? Because she asked him to.

Jordan goes to see Alexis, and Alexis asks if she’s visiting as Deputy Mayor. Jordan says she’s here as a grandmother, and Alexis says, anything new? Jordan says, Irene’s headstone is finished, and they’ll be placing it soon, and Alexis says, maybe it will be some closure for TJ and Molly. Jordan says, and them, and Alexis says, they were going to spoil their grandchild together until everything happened. Jordan says, that covers a lot. They both haven’t had much time to deal with the loss. Alexis says, Kristina has been in crisis since she went out that window, and Molly isn’t far behind. Her feelings are inconsequential. Jordan might be the only one who knows how she feels. Jordan says, TJ told her that Kristina was going to sue for custody and was planning to take Irene away from him. Was Alexis going to help?

Martin meets Molly in an unidentified restaurant, and she says she saw him listed as her mother’s attorney and thought they should meet. He says he doesn’t think they can ignore the obvious potential for a conflict of interest, but she says she’s not here as an ADA. She’s here as a concerned daughter. He says he’s not sure the court will see the difference, but she says, only he needs to see it. She was wondering who hired him. He says he can’t give her that information, and she says she’s guessing it was Uncle Sonny. She already knew before they he sat down. He says, then why ask to meet with him? and she says, his misgivings about Sonny’s involvement in this case, and Sonny hiring him proves she was right to worry.

Sonny says, no matter what you’re dealing with, killing someone is never the answer, and Kristina says, never? He says, when you make the decision to kill someone, even if it’s a piece of garbage like John Cates, it marks you and you carry that burden for the rest of your life. He doesn’t want that for her. She says, what about for him? Is he carrying that burden?

Carly says, Lucky is their best chance at saving Lulu, so yes, she asked Jason to find him and bring him home. She’s not apologizing. Sam says she doesn’t expect Carly to apologize for anything. She’s just asking Carly to think about somebody else’s family besides her own. Danny couldn’t be prouder that his father went to find lucky. Carly asks if Sam is proud, and Sam says she’s terrified for Jason. She prays he comes home safe, and she doesn’t have to tell her son for the second time that his father is dead. She prays Jason is as invincible as Danny thinks. Carly says, what happened to Lulu is killing Dante and Rocco, but Sam says, that’s not the point. Carly asked her son’s father to risk his life again, so she’s asking for something in return. Please recant her statement. She’s not asking Carly to lie or frame anyone. She’s just asking her to tell the truth. Carly says she knows the right thing to do, and leaves.

Holly tells Lucky that the guests can’t stall Sidwell for long, and he asks if those are the fancy guests. She says, come on, and he asks if it’s the WSB. Do they have a vehicle? He won’t even need keys. She says, they have to grab the guests. They can’t let them twist, but Lucky says he doesn’t care who twists. Holly says, trust her, and grabs his hand, but Sidwell and a guard arrive. (I literally gasp out loud.) He says, oh my darling English, how you’ve disappointed me.

Alexis says, when Kristina drew up the petition, she told Kristina to keep her out of it. She didn’t want to be in a position to choose. Jordan says, there are no winners there, and Alexis says, Kristina still came to her for advice. Jordan asks if Alexis gave it to her, but Alexis says, no. She took the petition and hung onto it. That’s how Molly found it. Jordan asks, why hold on to it? and Alexis says she believed when the hormones and emotions calmed down and Kristina saw how happy TJ and Molly were… Jordan says, she was hoping Kristina would change her mind, and Alexis says she never thought Kristina would go through with it. Jordan says, what if she had? but Alexis says she can’t answer that now. All she knows is they had a granddaughter who is now gone. Jordan says she was looking forward to meeting her, and Alexis says, her too. She was looking forward to being a grandmother with Jordan.

Molly says, the best way to free her mom is to turn the indictment on Sonny, and Martin says, hypothetically, one could see the merits of it, but hypothetically, it could be a conflict of interest that Sonny paid to retain him. He’s going to give her mother the best possible legal defense. Molly says, the best chance he has at defending her mother is to point the finger at Sonny and prove he killed Cates.

Sonny says, Jagger would have continued to punish Kristina to get to him. That’s no longer a problem. Kristina says, because of him, and he says, she knows how much she means to him. She says, yes, and he says, that’s all that matters. She says, what about mom? and he says, let him worry about that. She’s going to be okay. Kristina has got to trust him.

Carly asks if Isaiah is up for some good news, and he asks if Lucky was freed. She says, if everything goes as planned, it could happen any minute, but he says, Sidwell has a way of making things go wrong. She says she believes Lucky is coming home, and if anyone can do that, Jason can. Isaiah says, when she told him Lucky was being rescued, he thought she meant by a SEAL team or the WSB. One guy can’t bring Lucky home.  

Holly is brought into the game room where Anna and Jason are handcuffed. She says, the handcuffs are chafing her and he promised her a diamond bracelet. Sidwell asks how she knows them and what’s her connection to Lucky? She says she was bringing him to the game. She knows Sidwell loves a challenge. Sidwell says, it was going so well. All she had to do was amuse him. She says, it’s a simple misunderstanding, but he says, don’t insult him. They were all made at the club in Nairobi. How is she connected to Anna? Holly says, Anna is a horrible woman. She’s the ex-wife of Holly’s ex-husband. She was happily married to a handsome man – she clearly has a type – and Anna did what she could to ruin her marriage and her life. Anna says she’s horrible, yet Holly is the ex, and Holly says she saw Sidwell catch Anna’s eye and thought Anna was doing it again, that it was history repeating itself. Sidwell asks why she didn’t say something, and she says she presumed he knew who she was and he was trying to make her jealous. He vets anyone and everyone around him. She didn’t think she knew something he didn’t. He asks what her connection to Lucky is, and she says she already told him. He says, tell him again or they’ll beat it out of her. Lucky says, she was just being nice. All he wanted was to work for Sidwell, and Sidwell threw him in a cell. He didn’t do anything and neither did Holly. Sidwell says, that remains to be seen. Does Lucky know what’s going on with Jason and Anna? Lucky says, they’re trying to take hm for everything he’s got.  

Jordan says, some days, she’s almost okay. She has a lot of sadness, but doesn’t want to show it, especially in front of TJ and Molly. They’re grief isn’t bringing them closer. If they break up, it’s another tragedy. Alexis says, they’ve grown up loving each other, and Jordan says, they could lose that. Alexis says, or get to the other side together and be better for it, and Jordan says, no matter what, TJ and Molly will always have them. Alexis says, always. She’s loved TJ forever. Jordan says, when they got together, she knew TJ was happy, and he has been, and Alexis says, so has Molly. If something does happen, and she prays it doesn’t, know that she’ll always love TJ. He’ll always be a son to her. Jordan says, and Molly will always be a daughter to her.

Sonny says, Kristina’s mom will be fine. Concentrate on her treatment and don’t worry. She asks if he can make her a promise, and he says, anything. She says, promise mom won’t go to prison for a crime she didn’t commit. He says he gives her his word as her father. Her mom is going to get out of this. They all will.

Molly says, there’s got to be a weak link around Sonny. Martin has to find it and exploit it. Martin asks if she has any idea where to start… hypothetically. She says, he can cross Jason and Michael off the list, and Kristina obviously. But Carly could be something. If Sonny is guilty and she’s been lying about his alibi… Martin says, target the alibi, and Molly says, target Carly.

Carly tells Isaiah that Anna is with Jason. She’s a former WSB agent and Police Commissioner. He says, it’s crazy. Two people against an army of security. She says, the WSB can’t assist in an official capacity, but they have eyes on the ground and are helping unofficially. As it turns out, Anna and Jason didn’t have to infiltrate Sidwell’s compound. They were invited in. He says he’s not sure that matters. Her friends had better be as capable as Carly is saying. If they’re not, they’re going end up dead, right beside Lucky.

Sidwell says, it would be so easy to kill all of them, but it would be more interesting to give them a chance to keep breathing. Jason asks, what’s the game? and Sidwell says, three plays. If Jason wins, he and Anna get to live another day. If Lucky’s name proves to be accurate, he and Holly live. If he wins, they all die. Lucky looks at Holly.

Tomorrow, Tracy says, if Stella doesn’t agree, they might have to rethink their arrangement; from behind bars, Anna says she needs to ask a favor of someone; Willow says she needs creeper Drew to leave her alone; and Jason says lucky has to get home as soon as possible.

⚾️ Put Him In, Coach…

As much as I like him, I once dated somebody who wanted to be NYC’s baseball commissioner (whatever the hell that is), and I’ve had enough of baseball to last me a lifetime. We went to every single home game of the Mets and Yankees that year, including an endless Mets game where every inning was the same and I swear we were the last people in the stands.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-adam-huss-shares-a-sneak-peek-at-his-new-series

🧂 Passing the Salt…

A lot of the episode was focused on newbie Bronwyn making a remark about Whitney, and Heather waiting until a group dinner to call her out. I was more interested in Bronwyn, Heather, and Lisa going to Wendy’s. Apparently, Lisa has a partnership with them, and they were also featured in this season’s first episode. I love Wendy’s burgers, but their buns are the worst. They’re cheap and fall apart easily. Can I call Lisa about this? And why was weird Omen music playing in the background when Lisa went to meet Angie? What I was more interested in was Whitney hosting a drag night at Trixie Mattel’s bar in Milwaukee. She invited (I think) everyone, and they’re going by private jet. I’d give my bouffant and heels for an invite like that. But I suppose the closest I’ll get is next week’s episode.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/rhoslc-episode-2-recap-everyones-fighting-with-lisa-barlow

👯‍♂️ More To Lose…

Kudos and more kudos to Tammy for her 500 pound weight loss. I’m struggling with 15. While I don’t clear my schedule to watch it, I’m kind of fascinated with this show. More with the family dynamic than anything else, but I’m always down for a massive weight loss tale. I’m also a fan of My 600-lb Life. I love Dr. Nowzaradan. He’s so cranky, yet quirky funny. The new season of Sisters premieres October 8th.

https://people.com/tammy-slaton-skin-removal-surgery-new-season-1000-lb-sisters-exclusive-8707174

It’s amazing how many times she’s been knocked down, and has gotten back up again.

https://parade.com/news/1000-lb-sisters-tammy-slaton-inspiring-message-mental-battle-instagram

⚰️ Let’s Hear It For the Girl…

There was never any question in my mind that both co-stars had a lot of say. After all, it is their show.

https://ew.com/melissa-mcbride-input-walking-dead-daryl-dixon-book-of-carol-8716833

🐙 Ready For the Game…

The basics.

https://blackstarnews.com/squid-game-season-2-release-date/

The poster.

https://gizmodo.com/squid-game-season-2-new-poster-netflix-release-date-2000500294

A tease.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/squid-game-season-2-trailer-lee-jung-jae-1236007425/

The director speaks.

https://ew.com/squid-game-season-2-details-director-hwang-dong-hyuk-star-lee-jung-jae-exclusive-8714251

🎃 Movies To Get You In the Mood…

Not a bad list of scary movies to stream. My take on their list: Nightmare on Elm Street – a classic; The Amityville Horror – good, but a lot of lost opportunities to be better; American Werewolf in London – I love, love, love this movie; Arsenic and Old Lace – old films aren’t usually my jam, but this one is funny; The Babadook – I am the only person on earth who was disappointed, but you do you; Beetlejuice – the detail is amazing and how can you not love him; Bell, Book and Candle – love the 50s NYC vibe; Bodies Bodies Bodies – very funny with an unexpected ending; The Cabin in the Woods – one of the best horror films ever made and I was astonished at the special effects; The Conjuring – maybe I’m jaded, but meh; The Craft – great female ensemble film, like Jawbreaker, but with magic; Death Becomes Her – two great actresses and broad comedy; Evil Dead 2 – love Bruce Campbell, but all of the Evil Dead films have run together in my mind at this point; Frankenweenie – kind of precious; Halloween – another classic; Halloweentown – surprisingly, I never saw it; Hocus Pocus – more fun than a barrel of newts, and nothing is better than Bette Midler singing I Put a Spell on You; Kiki’s Delivery Service – never saw it, but not so surprising since I’m not that into animated films; Late Night With the Devil – I loved the premise, but wasn’t thrilled with the ending; The Night of the Living Dead – hail to the beginning of zombie greatness; The Nightmare Before Christmas – absolutely magnificent and I love Zero so much; The Return of the Living Dead – a helluva lot better than you’d think from the title; Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark – I haven’t seen it, but it looks intriguing; Scream – so much fun; Tigers Are Not Afraid – I haven’t seen it, but if it’s going to make me cry, I’m not sure I want to; Us – Jordan Peele is a genius master of horror; The Wailing – haven’t seen it, but putting it on my short list; and The Witch – I loved it as a period piece, but wanted something more. I’m not sure what, but something.

https://ew.com/best-halloween-movies-streaming-now-8718114

🐕 Clydeo To the Rescue…

She’s a woman of many talents. I love her motivation for writing her book series too.

https://people.com/jennifer-aniston-launches-fund-to-help-animals-exclusive-8717723

🍂 Falling Into a New Season…

Join me tomorrow for soap and some OC shade. Until then, stay safe, stay savoring seasonal flavors (like those Trader Joe’s roasted vegetables they dole out like methadone during the autumn months); and stay doing what you need to do to take care of business, and don’t be afraid or ashamed of what people think.

July 3, 2024 – Adrian Outs Ava Everywhere, Overjoyed, Bonsai In Dubai, Kim Talks Jersey, Still Missing, Dragon Eggs, BET Awards, A Farewell, Just Married, History Lesson, Another Pet (!) PSA & Anybody

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What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

On the phone, Carly says she knows if anyone can keep her from prison it’s Diane, and thanks her for the update. Josslyn says, don’t make her ask, and Carly says she wants to protect Josslyn, and wishes she was still little. Here’s the deal. The only way to get Jason out from under the FBI is her risking going to prison.

Maxie says she agrees with Lucy. Deception needs to be clear that they don’t stand with Natalia’s views, but not fire Blaze. Keeping her on shows the world that they stand with a person’s right to define themselves and come out on their own terms in their own time. Lois says she agrees 100%, and Lucy says, she’s a spokesperson, not a partner. Lois says, then make that 200%, and Lucy says, Maxie is right. She’s been thinking like a corporation, not a person. Scotty says, now that they’re on the same page, they need to talk damage control. Nina comes in and says she heard about the disaster. She feels horrible for Blaze and Kristina. Maxie says she thinks they need to discuss damage control, and Nina says, then she got here just in time.

Kristina tells Blaze to stop blaming herself. People are garbage. Blaze says she’s a coward. She wanted to come out and tell the world about them. She’s a grown woman, a badass rock star, and she let her mom pressure her into staying in the closet. Now her weakness ended up hurting Kristina. Kristina tells her to stop apologizing and listen to her.

Alexis tells Ava that they need to have a conversation. One that won’t be recorded. Ava tries closing the door, but Alexis breezes past her. Ava says, Alexis already scolded her for telling the truth about Alexis perjuring herself, but Alexis says, DeWitt gave Ava up when she threatened him with a lawsuit that would leave him destitute. She knows Ava turned over the recording to The Invader. Hurting her is one thing. Hurting her daughter is another, and a big mistake.

Natalia tells Sonny that she thought it was a private conversation. Ava edited out her part. Ava used her words to ruin Blaze and Kristina’s careers. Sonny says, Kristina created her foundation, and because of what Natalia said, the activists don’t want her near what she created. They think she’s ashamed to be gay. Natalia says she’s so sorry, and Sonny tells her that she said the words, but Ava delivered the recording. Now she’s going to pay for it.

Kristina says, Blaze’s life is her own. She’s not obligated to share her personal business. She owes her fans great songs and great shows, nothing else beyond that. Neither does she. The public doesn’t have to know who she’s dating. People think she’s unworthy to run the center she built from the ground up and are saying she’s a hypocrite. They’re the ones in the wrong. She and Blaze have nothing to be ashamed of. The person who should be ashamed is the one who violated their privacy and leaked the recording. Blaze struggles with her words and says, she knows that, but still wishes she’d come out the minute she knew it was real between them. Kristina says, she didn’t. Now they can only move forward. There’s a knock at the door, and Blaze wonders if it’s a reporter.

Nina says, Crimson has a two-page ad featuring Blaze. She can’t imagine they want that on the newsstand this week. Maxie says, they 100% support Blaze, but she’s right. It would be a disaster and draw more outrage. Lucy says, they support Blaze, but it will take away from the products, which is what the spread is about. Nina wonders what they should run instead, and Lucy suggests a brief history of Deception. Of course (🍷) she’d be more than willing to give an interview. Maxie says she’s surprised Lucy isn’t suggesting a two-page transcript of her Home & Heart appearance, and Lucy says she was so good that day, but Maxie says, she was a walking test pattern. Lois says, the lowly employee has a suggestion.

Ava says she heard the recording. The internet is abuzz, but she had nothing to do with it. Alexis asks why Adrian would lie, and Ava tells her to connect the dots. Nina decided she hates her and is conspiring with Adrian to frame her. Alexis says, prove it. She’ll subpoena Ava’s cellphone provider. She’s sure the audio file is hefty. Ava says, subpoena it based on what? Alexis has been gone so long, she forgot how this works. Alexis says, nobody told Ava. She got her license back. Ava asks, how long before she hangs out her shingle? and Alexis says she’ll be working with Diane, but she has no clients yet. Ava says, baby steps, and Alexis says she’ll be so busy with a big case, a huge, brutal bloodbath. Does Ava care to guess what it is?

Carly explains that Agent Cates and his superiors took two and a half years from Jason because they have a recording of her. When Sonny was in Nixon Falls and they thought he was dead, she went to a meeting and announced she was running Sonny’s organization. Josslyn says, tell her that she didn’t.

Sasha says she’d ask if it’s a bad time, but that’s why she’s here. The reporters and paparazzi are outside, and they recognized her, but not before their doorman did. He’s doing an amazing job. How are they doing? Kristina says, better, and Blaze says, but not great, and Sasha says she gets that they’re not in the mood for company. She’s just doing a drive by. She was out shopping for the Quartermaines when the story hit. As someone whose life was blown up by the press, she wants to give them the benefit of her hard-won experience.

Lois says, instead, why don’t they do a feature on Blaze and have her give a statement, get her truth out? Maxie says she likes the spirit, but Nina says, the timing’s not ideal. Lucy says, they’re supposed to sell products, not be wading into scandal, and Nina says, they have no time for an elaborate photo shoot. The magazine needs to go to print. Maybe they have some old shots of Sasha… Maxie says, they don’t want it to look like they’re dropping Blaze. A single message in bold type – no one cancels love – with Deception’s logo underneath. A black page with white lettering, nothing else. Nina says, it’s perfect, and Lucy says, it’s genius, if she does say so herself. Lois says she doesn’t like it… she loves it. It takes the pressure off and turns the conversation in the right direction. Maxie thought of everything. She’s on it. Lois leaves, and Scotty asks, what’s next? but Nina says, who’s next? Adrian has to answer for what he’s done.

Natalia says, when she brought Sonny the scotch, Ava invited her in. That should have been her first clue. They made small talk, and she told Ava about Brook’s wedding. Then Ava talked about Kristina, and how comfortable Sonny was with Kristina’s sexuality. She admitted she was struggling with Allison’s, which they talked about. She should have known better than to talk to a relative stranger, but how would she know Ava was recording it? Who does that? Sonny says, there are no limits to how far Ava will go. He should have told her. Natalia says she should have trusted her gut instinct. To be honest, she thinks she was too arrogant. She was sure she could handle anything anyone threw at her until this morning. She doesn’t know why Ava would do this. Sonny says, he never thought she’d come after his daughter like this.

Natalia tells Sonny that she was blindsided. Her private thoughts were out there, and then to see the pain, shock, and betrayal on her daughter’s face, and the realization of what she’d done. How she ruined her daughter’s career. All their hard work up in flames. Sonny asks if she thought about how Blaze felt about the recording, and she says, of course (🍷). She never wanted her discomfort to ever distract or hurt her daughter, so she kept it to herself. Sonny says he went through something. Kristina saw something she wasn’t supposed to see. A side of him he never wanted her to see. He was terrified he’d never see her again. Natalia says, exactly.

Adrian comes into Maxie’s office, and says, Nina and ladies of Deception. It’s gratifying to see how the web traffic has picked up. He assumes that’s what this tête-à-tête is all about. Nina says she’s not pleased, and Adrian says he’s not sure this is the appropriate venue to air The Invader’s dirty laundry, but Nina says, it’s the perfect place. His absence of judgement will affect the bottom line of Crimson’s favorite ad sponsors. They deserve an answer. He asks what the question is, and she asks where he got the recording and why did he run it without consulting her? He says, she’s been a champion of his society journalism, but she says, it was inflammatory and doctored. Adrian says, it was edited. Only Natalia’s part of the conversation was relevant. Nina says, what about Kristina and Blaze? She’s sure he knows Kristina is Sonny Corinthos’s daughter and Sonny is her ex-husband. Did it occur to him that running a hit piece that was detrimental will make it look like she was using the paper to lash out at her ex? Adrian says he assumed her reputation was above reproach, and Nina says, even she knows it’s far from sterling. And he didn’t answer her first question. Where did he get this recording? Tell her this instant or he can clear out the office he hasn’t even occupied for 24 hours. He says, Ava Jerome. (Ha-ha-ha! He’s just singing like a canary all over the place.)

Ava says, even if she did it, it’s not illegal for one person to record another, and Alexis agrees, it’s not. Ava says, it’s an open and shut case then, but Alexis says, not really. Has Ava heard of reasonable expectation of privacy? Blaze is a public figure, so hers is limited, but Natalia is not a public figure. Ava says, it’s still not illegal, and Alexis says, that’s the fun part of the challenge. Case law is made based on judicial rule and opinion. She’ll be going on intention of malice, and Ava tampered with the recording, negating all legal protection. Ava says she’d think it was a public service exposing Blaze’s mother as a bigot. People deserve to know. Alexis says she never pictured Ava as a homophobe, and Ava says she’s not. She’s encouraging the truth. Alexis says, good. She looks forward to Ava’s confession of a certain murder.

Carly tells Josslyn that she didn’t really run the organization, but she had to convince them she was to maintain the balance of power. If they’d been seen as weak, the other families would have tried to expand into Port Charles, and she would have been seen as a threat, as well as Michael. She couldn’t take the risk. Someone at the meeting was wearing a wire, and apparently, she was convincing. If the FBI chooses to charge her, there’s a good chance she’ll go to prison.

Lucy thanks Scotty in advance for washing his hands of Ava. He’s going to drop the court case that Ava wants him for. Maxie asks Nina what Lucy is talking about, and Nina says, Ava is trying to take Avery away from Sonny. Scotty says he told Lucy in confidence, and Maxie says, like Ava told him. Adrian says, the people deserve to know, but Nina says she doesn’t think shoes come in designer cement. Adrian says he supposes the parties involved have reasonable expectation of privacy, and Lucy says she reasonably expects Scotty to drop Ava. Or no you know what with you know who. Maxie suggests they take it out of the office, and on their way out, Scotty says he doubts Lucy can hold out. Lucy says she doubts Scotty is going to be holding anything, and they leave. Maxie says she can’t believe her life, and Nina says she’s so sorry. By the way, Adrian is fired. Adrian says he told her who his source was, and she says, no good journalist would do that. Pack his things and get out. Maxie says, wait.

Natalia says she’s never seen her daughter that upset, and Sonny says, they both know how difficult it is to watch their children suffer. They have a tough road ahead. She says she wants him to know, despite what she said, she does think Kristina is a lovely young lady, and he says if she treats Kristina with respect and courtesy, that’s all that matters. Natalia thanks him, and says, as for what Ava did, she knows Ava wasn’t standing up for gay rights, so why? Sonny says, Ava knows he loves his daughter and wants to protect her. She did it to hurt him and get back at him. Natalia and Blaze are just collateral damage. Natalie asks what they do now, and he says, she doesn’t do anything. He’ll take care of Ava.

Ava says she never killed anyone, but Alexis says, Connie Falconari’s relatives might not agree. Ava hurt her daughter to get back at her. Ava says, Alexis thinks everything is about her, and Alexis says, speaking of daughters, where’s Avery? Not here. Ava says, she’ll be here soon, where she belongs permanently, and Alexis says, Ava shouldn’t put her one remaining egg in her empty basket. She’s alone with no friends. She wreaks havoc, but never considered the life she would ruin was her own. Ava says, it’s time for Alexis to leave, and Alexis agrees. She got what she came for, and she’s sure their conversation will prove useful in court. Ava says, she recorded it? and Alexis says, it’s not illegal. Ava says, it won’t help her, and Alexis says, she’s right. That’s why she didn’t record it. Or did she? Alexis leaves.

Sasha says she’s so sorry Blaze was outed. At least there are no viral videos of three public breakdowns, one where she vandalized a car. Not that she’s saying that’s worse, but it was more embarrassing. Blaze has nothing to be ashamed of. Kristina thanks her, and Sasha says, her advice is to stay in tonight. Don’t go online. Don’t pay attention to the angry mob with torches and pitchforks. It feels like forever, and then, poof! It’s gone. Blaze says she hopes Sasha is right, and Kristina says, they’ll try to remember. Sasha says, as loud as the haters are, they have a lot of people on their side.

Josslyn asks what they have on Jason, but Carly says, it’s all evidence against her. Josslyn says, it makes perfect sense. Jason went to prison for Michael, then gives up his freedom to save Carly. Carly says, when she found out, she wanted to turn herself in, but Josslyn says, she can’t go to prison. Carly says she doesn’t want to, but if she turns herself in, Jason would be free, and Diane could help get her out of the charges. Josslyn asks what Jason thinks, and Carly says, he’s furious. He said if she does that, he’ll have wasted his time. Josslyn says, he’s correct. If she does this, he’ll have given up his freedom for nothing. Carly says, there’s a possibility Jason can do whatever the FBI wants, and they’ll still prosecute her.

Carly says she and Diane are trying to come up with a defense strategy, but it’s not going well. Josslyn says, it’s not worth the risk, but Carly says she can’t stand that Jason is doing this. Josslyn says she understands how Carly is feeling. Carly and Jason have known each other longer than anyone else and been through things together that no one else understands. If she was Carly’s youngest child, she’d probably say, do what you need to do, but she’s not, and Carly doesn’t want to leave Donna in Sonny’s care. Carly says, it’s something Jason doesn’t want her to do. That’s why she’s stuck. Josslyn says she did the same thing. She asked Anna not to let Dex join the PCPD, but Anna didn’t listen. Now she’s glad.  

Maxie says she doesn’t think it’s best for Nina to fire Adrien. He still has so much to offer. Adrian says, indeed, and Maxie says, complete obedience. If Nina keeps Adrian on, he has to print what she wants. And if he disobeys her, everyone will find out his role in this horror show. When they know he lacks ethics, he won’t get a job with a supermarket circular. Nina says, sounds like a plan.

Scotty goes to Ava’s room, and says he just met with Nina. Ava says she hopes he told Alexis that she didn’t break any laws and a lawsuit is a waste of time and money, mainly Alexis’s. She and Scotty are friends, right? He says he hasn’t talked to Alexis in years. He’s a practicing attorney. Alexis Davis, Esquire isn’t. Ava says, so she’s not the last to hear. Alexis claims she’s getting her license back. He says, that’s not good.

Alexis comes into the restaurant, and Natalia says she doesn’t suppose there’s anything she can say. Alexis says, there’s isn’t. She’s surprised to see them together. Sonny tells her, Natalia said what she said. She thought it was a private conversation. Alexis asks if that justifies bigotry, and Natalia says she regrets that everyone heard her, but she can’t help how she feels. Alexis says she thinks Natalia can. Perhaps by opening her mind. Sonny reminds Alexis that Natalia is his guest, and Alexis says she could come back, but it was important they talk now. Natalia says she’ll get going, but Sonny says she doesn’t have to. Natalia says she does, and leaves. Sonny says he knows what Natalia said and hates it, but she’s not the one who released the recording. Ava did. Alexis says, so he knows that. That’s why she came to talk to him, to make sure he knew. The question is, what are we going to do about it?

Carly says, Josslyn was upset about what Dex was willing to do for Sonny, and Josslyn says, she’s not excusing that, but Dex has changed. Carly asks, what changed? and Josslyn says, they just started and now they’re here. Carly asks, where’s here? and Josslyn says she doesn’t know, but things are different now and she likes it. They’re close and they’re friends. They’re at the point where they decide what they mean to each other, instead of thinking about everybody else. Carly says, she seems happy, and Josslyn says she is. Carly says she’s happy for her.

Natalie leaves a message for Blaze to call her back. She wants to be able to explain.  

Kristina thanks Sasha for coming by, when Nina knocks on the door. She says she thought she’d stop by to check in, and as publisher of The Invader, she needs to apologize to them. Kristina asks, what happened? and Nina says, to be clear, she just found out. She was appalled about the recording. Her recently promoted Editor-in-Chief got ahold of it and thought it would make good clickbait. It never should have happened and she’s absolutely furious. Blaze asks where he got the recording, and Kristina wants to know who edited out their own voice like a coward. Nina says, Ava Jerome. (Adrian was right. Ava Jerome is the answer to every question.)

Ava asks, what’s the difference if Alexis is back to being a practicing attorney? and Scotty says, she’s a tough opponent. Ava says, he’s supposed to be tougher. That’s why she’s paying him to build a case against Sonny. He says he hates to break the news, but it isn’t going to make getting custody any easier with the stunt Ava pulled. She says she exposed the truth about a bigot. Sonny has done worse, beating Cyrus within an inch of his life. Scotty says, that’s ancient history. It was on the local news. The public outing of Kristina and Blaze is out there everywhere. Ava says she didn’t intend for that to happen. What are they going to do? She won’t let Sonny take her daughter. He says, she’s kind of screwed unless Sonny kills somebody on camera. She says, that’s not going to happen, and he says, or has a nervous breakdown in public.

Sonny says he’s going to get revenge on Ava by taking her to court. If anybody can make Ava suffer in court, Diane can. Natalia says she’ll settle for Ava’s reputation being decimated, and Sonny says, just so she knows, he’s not going to settle. She says, dare she ask? and he says he’s going to make Ava’s life not worth living. And Diane will make sure Ava never lays eyes on Avery again.  

No GH tomorrow. On Friday, Jordan tells Drew, it’s a unique opportunity for both of them; Kristina tells Natalia that she’s never been so serious about anything in her entire life; and Dante tells Sonny that if he goes after Ava, he’ll lose Avery.

🍀 She’s Feeling Lucky…

It’s going to be quite the summer of reunions.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/genie-francis-is-overjoyed-about-jonathan-jacksons-gh-return

🐪 They’d Walk a Mile For a Camel…

Stanbury’s new house is beyond amazing, especially the giant bonsai tree they had lowered in with a crane. I’m enjoying this one because, while I don’t mind a bit of cattiness, they don’t throw things at each other, curse each other out at top volume, or fist fight because, Dubai. I also don’t mind seeing how the 1% lives, and I’m pretty sure most of them live here.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-13594605/caroline-stanbury-sergio-carrallo-fertility-doctor-rhod.html

Caroline’s house… and the tree.

https://www.harpersbazaararabia.com/culture/interiors/caroline-stanbury-al-barari

👠 The One With the Square…

Striving to be relevant since 2010.

https://okmagazine.com/p/kim-depaola-rhonj-reboot-season-15/

https://okmagazine.com/p/kim-depaola-rhonj-my-life-with-the-big-boys-book/

🪣 There’s a Hole In His Bucket…

Well, he got Cher and Mariah Carey, so who knows?

https://okmagazine.com/p/andy-cohen-celebs-bucket-list-watch-what-happens-live/

🐉 Eggs Of the Dragon…

Isn’t the whole thing really a big Easter egg?

https://ew.com/house-of-the-dragon-director-confirms-game-of-thrones-easter-egg-in-episode-3-8672332

https://ew.com/house-of-the-dragon-season-2-milly-alcock-harrenhal-cameo-exclusive-8670246

🏆 Simply the Best…

The BET Awards winners.

https://ew.com/bet-awards-2024-winners-list-8669253

Moments in time.

https://ew.com/bet-awards-2024-top-5-moments-usher-lauryn-hill-keke-palmer-8671843

And of course, the fashion.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1404438/2024-bet-awards-see-all-the-celebrity-fashion-on-the-red-carpet

🥀 Goodbye Russell…

While I’m late in posting this, I’ll miss him. With sitcoms, he was literally everywhere all at once.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/martin-mull-dead-funnyman-fernwood-2-night-star-1235935445/

👰🏻‍♀️ There Went the Bride…

She looks amazing in that dress. I wish they’d bring The Culpo Sisters back, one of the kinder, gentler reality shows.

https://people.com/olivia-culpo-christian-mccaffrey-married-8553355

📜 Not a Moment But a Movement…

All about our Day of Independence.

https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/july-4th

https://www.mcall.com/2024/07/03/facts-about-july-fourth/

🐶 Harping On It…

More pets get lost on the 4th of July than any other time. Don’t let yours be one of them.

https://people.com/how-to-keep-your-pet-safe-on-the-fourth-of-july-8672745

🎆 Baby, You’re a Roman Candle…

Tomorrow’s a free day, but join me on Friday for the usual soap, tea, tidbits, and quotes. Until then, stay extra safe; stay enjoying the celebration, but remembering why we celebrate; and stay standing with a person’s right to define themselves, and come out on their own terms in their own time.

July 2, 2024 – Natalia Causes a Backlash Tsunami, Lots About Soap, Just Caroline, Stirring the Jersey Pot, New New York, Deck Doings, Keep Them Safe & Party

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What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

I missed the very beginning, but that’s usually just a rehash anyway. So…

Diane tells Sonny that it’s her job to plead his case and provide counsel. It’s steep hill he’s going to have to climb. Avery isn’t a baby anymore, and if she sees him trying to take her from her mother, it could permanently alter her relationship with him. He says he’d rather she hate her father than become her mother, and Diane says, it’s his call. She records some notes for herself on her phone, and her phone beeps. He asks, what’s the problem? and she says, it’s a big one. Does he mind if she makes a phone call?

Alexis says, Kristina is in the homestretch of her pregnancy. The last part is challenging, physically and emotionally, and she wants Kristina to know she’s here for her no matter what. Kristina says she knows, but it never hurts to hear. Alexis’s phone rings, and Diane says she saw The Invader alert. What is Alexis doing? Alexis says she’s with Kristina celebrating quitting her job. She’s left the tabloid life behind. She doesn’t know what’s in The Invader, unless they’re running a picture of her face on a dartboard. Diane says, it’s not about her, but it’s bad. Go to the website now. Alexis asks what she’s looking for, and Diane says, she’ll know when she sees it. And turn up the audio. Alexis and Kristina listen to the file from The Face of Deception’s Daughter, and Diane says tell Kristina that she’s sorry.

Sonny asks if everything is okay, and Diane plays the audio file for him.

Everyone in Maxie’s office listens to the audio file, which includes Natalia talking about her fear that someone will take a picture of Blaze and Kristina holding hands. She’s scared it will be sold to the tabloids and there will be a scandal. Blaze glares at Natalia and says, don’t hold back. Tell us how you really feel.

Alexis and Kristina listen, and Kristina says, turn it off. She gets the gist. Alexis asks if she’s okay. Her blood is boiling, so she can’t imagine how Kristina feels. Kristina says she’s not the one who was just outed. Blaze was discriminated against by her own mother in public. She’s angry, but she’ll be fine. Alexis wonders if Kristina has heard from Blaze, and Kristina says, they usually text constantly, but no. Alexis says, maybe she hasn’t seen it, but Kristina says she doubts it. Deception is probably coming up with PR strategy for a response. She’ll call when she can. Alexis says she doesn’t understand how a mother could talk about her own daughter that way, and Kristina says, that’s why she’s grateful. She can forget about maternal leave from the center. After this, they won’t let her in the front door.

Ava says, her phone is blowing up, and Adrian asks if she wants to celebrate with him. She calls him a little worm and tells him to forget he knows her. Her name isn’t to cross his lips, not anytime to anyone, especially not Nina. Adrian says, sounds like a story. Does she care to dish? She says, she’ll see to it that he’s typing with his toes. Men have killed for her for a lot less. They’ve never met. They’ve never spoken. Take down the recording. There’s no reason for it to be online anymore. He says he can’t do that. It will just draw more attention to it and people will ask questions, to which every answer would be Ava Jerome. Besides, wire service has already picked it up. It’s everywhere and there’s no going back now.

Natalia says she doesn’t know what that was, and Lucy asks if Natalia is denying that’s her voice, but Natalia says, it’s obviously her. Scotty asks if Deception doesn’t have a PR master, but Lucy says she let them go when they had to save money. Lois says, that wasn’t a good idea, but Lucy says she had no idea this would happen. Scotty says he knows a guy… but Maxie says, stop. She tells Lucy to talk to the regular PR people. She’ll coordinate with Brook and have her lock down the social media. No comments. And she wants Scotty to guard the door from Tracy, who will be there soon, because the stock is going to take a nosedive. She asks Natalia where this took place, but Natalia says she never spoke to a reporter and doesn’t remember who she said it to. Blaze wonders if it’s because she says things like that so often.  

Sonny says he knew Natalia was uncomfortable with her daughter being gay, but didn’t think she’d spew that kind of garbage. He asks Diane if it could be fake, and she says, possibly, but she doubts The Invader would run it without authentication. They’d be opening themselves up to a huge lawsuit. Sonny says, it makes no sense, but she says, he’d be surprised how easily some people hide their ugliness in polite company. He says he thought she’d be smart enough not to talk to somebody who was recording it, and Diane says, sometimes hated gets the better of people. He wonders why Alexis would run such a thing, but Diane says, Alexis didn’t. She quit this morning. Sonny says, whoever did this hurt his daughter, and that means there’s a target on their back

Diane tells Sonny to take this lesson seriously. Even things said in privacy behind closed doors run the risk of exposure. Sonny says he knows the danger, and she tells him, things said in anger can work against him in a custody fight. The court needs to see him as a reliable and stand-up parent who they can trust. He asks how he can be a good parent if he doesn’t do anything about the garbage being said about his daughter? Diane says, activists on social media are calling for Kristina to resign from the center she founded. They don’t think she should be running an outreach if she’s dating someone who’s in the closet. They’re saying she has too much internalized homophobia to be trusted. People get worked up about things they know nothing about. Sonny throws his phone against the door.

Alexis tells Kristina not to jump to the worst case, and Kristina says, people are already saying ugly things. Alexis says, Natalia robbed Blaze of coming out on her own terms. She’s not going to interfere between Blaze and her mother, but she is going after the person who made this public. Alexis leaves.  

Ava says she didn’t set out to hurt Kristina, Blaze, or herself. Adrian will keep his mouth shut and she’ll have plausible deniability. If anybody asks him to identify where he got the audio file… He says, it came via the anonymous tip line. Ava tells him, get out, and he heads for the door. She asks if he’s learned nothing, and she checks the hallway. She says, okay. Go.  

Natalia says she keeps going over it in her mind, but has no memory of saying that to anyone. Maybe her phone was tapped. Lois says, it doesn’t sound like a bad connection. It sounds like it was in person, but she doesn’t think that’s the real issue. Lucy says, it’s not about the how and why. It’s about, what the hell do we do now? Blaze says she’ll need to respond. Not so much because she’s the Face of Deception, but there’s so much more. It’s going to impact her music career. Natalia says, they’ll put together a joint statement and give it to a friendly outlet, but Blaze asks why she’d publicly associate with Natalia when the whole world heard what Natalia thinks of her. Natalia says, it wasn’t specifically about her. It was more a generalization. Blaze says, Natalia mentioned both her and Kristina, but would it matter if she’d left their names out? Which gays are disturbing and offensive to her fragile sensibilities? Do drag queens on a Pride float make her angry? Do her and Kristina holding hands make Natalia sick to her stomach? Or is the problem that any two women in love disgust her? She’s quiet now. She has nothing to say now that they’re in private. Why? The whole world has heard her words by now. She should have known something like this would happen. She talks about gay people dismissively or with pity, reducing them to how they look and talk, and who they love. They’re not real people, herself included. Lucy says, it’s ironic that the same person who locked Blaze in the closet is the same person who just outed her, and Maxie tells her that she’s not helping. Natalia says she’s the victim. She was used to damage her daughter’s career. Blaze says, Natalia hasn’t heard what she said. She let Natalia convince her to portray a straight person, and now Natalia’s words are going to destroy any hope for her future life in music. Blaze walks out.

Natalia says she’s sorry. Her daughter is emotional. Lois says, she has a right to be. Does Natalia want to go after her? Natalia says she doesn’t think it would do any good, not when Blaze is in this frame of mind. She knows her daughter. Maxie says, does she? and Scotty says he has nothing more to contribute. He’s going to leave. Maxie tells him to stay. They might need legal advice. Lucy says she thinks a lawyer should be here to finalize the last addendum to Blaze’s contract, and she rips it up. Natalia says, she can’t do that. Blaze is known everywhere as the Face of Deception. If they try to get rid of her, they risk backlash in the press and in court. Maxie says she thinks they’re within their rights to change their relationship with Blaze.

Blaze knocks at Kristina’s door, and when there’s no answer, she lets herself in. Kristina is on the sofa, looking at her phone, and Blaze asks if Kristina didn’t hear her knocking. Kristina says, sorry. She was zoned out on her phone. Blaze says she’s guessing Kristina read The Invader article. She was hoping Kristina hadn’t seen it, but then she’d be the one giving the bad news. Kristina says she’s definitely seen it. The comments are awful. Instagram is particularly brutal. It looks like she’s canceled. Blaze says she thinks they both are.

Adrian goes to the pool and asks for a margarita pitcher and the guac trio, extra salty chips. And put it on Nina Reeves’s tab. He lies on a chaise lounge and closes his eyes. Someone approaches his chair, and he says, they’re in his sun. Alexis says, it’s better than being all up in his business. Which she will be if he doesn’t agree to play ball. She had to harass his assistant until he cracked to find out where Adrian was. Adrian says, note to self, fire assistant, and tells her, whatever it is will have to wait until tomorrow. She’s intruding on his hard-earned afternoon off. She says, good, since he published that loathsome recording in The Invader, and intruded on her daughter and her girlfriend. He asks if that’s what’s snapping her brassiere (really? have we been transported to the 1950s?), and she says, it will be fun to sue him and him and The Invader into oblivion.

Natalia asks if they’re saying her daughter is no longer good enough to be the Face of Deception since she’s been outed. She can’t sell their products because she’s gay? Maxie tells her that she’s saying the exact opposite. What they can’t afford to have is someone ashamed to be gay. They have a diverse clientele that they’re proud of, a lot of whom are gay and have a large social media presence. What they can’t do is align themselves with someone who’s ashamed. They’re proud to be a gay friendly company, so they need Natalia and Blaze to either get with the program or kick rocks. Lois says, they’re all parents and love their kids. A difficult situation is evolving, but it’s less about a contract than about a mother and daughter finding their way back to each other. They should be a little careful with hurtful words. Maxie says she’s telling the truth, and Lucy says, they love Blaze, but they can’t sacrifice their reputation for her. Lois agrees, but thinks they should put the negative aside for now and work on their PR response. Give Natalia a chance to try and make peace with her daughter. Natalia says, her relationship with her daughter is none of their business, but when it comes to Blaze’s contract, if they do anything to hurt Blaze, they’ll deal with her. Natalia leaves.

Blaze says she’s so sorry. People are saying horrible things and it’s her fault. Kristina says, it’s not. It’s her mother’s fault. Blaze says, they wouldn’t be having this conversation if she’d been truthful, but Kristina says, Blaze did what she thought best. Blaze says she did what was easiest. She didn’t want to rock the boat and tried to have it both ways. Now it might cost her everything, including Kristina. She knows how much the center means to her, and if Kristina can’t forgive the damage that she and her mom caused, she understands. They can go their separate ways and no hard feelings. Kristina doesn’t have to decide now. She’ll leave and let her figure it out. Kristina says, don’t you dare. She’s not going anywhere. She’s hadn’t caused any damage in Kristina’s life. She was already planning on handing over the reins of the center. The only thing she lost was the title of undercover girlfriend. She was already out and had nothing to hide. Blaze says, there might be nothing left to salvage. What if she loses everything? She hid, and people hate liars. Kristina says, Blaze is breaking her heart. She’s beating herself up when it’s not her fault. It’s going to be okay. They’re going to be okay. They’ll get through this. She has faith in them. Does Blaze still feel the same way? Blaze says she’s sorry, but she doesn’t.

Adrian tells Alexis to do her worst and laughs. If her legal skill is on par with her ability to publish a newspaper, he’ll be just fine. He has the Bill of Rights on his side. Alexis says, even the Bill of Rights has its limits. She remembers warning him to be cautious about how deploys secret recordings. He says, if Natalia didn’t know she was being recorded that’s too bad. New York is a one-party consent state. Perhaps Alexis should consult her law books before returning to court. She says, perhaps he should seek legal counsel. Nina is going to cut the tightrope he’s walking on when she finds out. There’s reasonable expectation of privacy. Adrian says, Blaze is the Face of Deception and a famous singer. Public figures don’t get to claim privacy. She says, Blaze’s mother isn’t, and he monetized and commercialized a private citizen without consent. He left a big softball hanging left for her hit out of the park. He says he wants to consult a lawyer, and Alexis says, he has one right here. She’ll even waive the retainer. She’ll make it go away in exchange for one small thing. She wants him to name the person who supplied him with the recording.

Natalia gets in her car, crying, and breathing heavily. She listens to the recording on her phone, and wonders who she was talking to. Why the hell did they record it and send it to the media? Suddenly, the lightbulb comes on.

Maxie wonders, what’s next? and Lois thinks she should cool her appearances, but Lucy says, they need her. She’s the only Face they have left. They need to show they have nothing to hide or be embarrassed about. Scotty says, Lucy is right. They have to deal with it head on. Lucy says, this might not be a popular opinion, but they can’t afford another stumble. They can’t put out that they’re not going to associate with Blaze. Maxie says she didn’t mean that part. She just said it to prompt Natalia to sacrifice herself. She underestimated Natalia’s self-absorption. Lois suggests they take a day to think, but Lucy says, they have no time. They need to make sure the public knows that’s not how they feel, or they could be inundated with candlelight vigils and marches and be canceled on social media. Scotty asks if he should draw up a statement. Is Blaze in or out?

Blaze tells Kristina that she’s not saying they should break up, but she doesn’t see a way to move forward. Kristina says she does. She’ll guide both of them. Blaze says, it’s a huge responsibility, but Kristina says she doesn’t care. Blaze is worth it, and she loves her. She refuses to accept that Blaze’s enormous talent can’t override the ugly things being said. She’s not saying that out of love, but out of love she’ll continue to say it until Blaze believes it.

Sonny tells Diane that they’ll talk again after she comes up with a strategy, when Natalia walks in. Sonny turns his back to her, and Diane says she’ll be in touch. She leaves and Natalia says she can tell Sonny heard the recording. He says he has, and she says she knows he’s pretty upset and doesn’t have a high opinion of her. He says, obviously, and she says she’s not going to force her presence on him. She’ll go, but first, she wanted him to know where the recording came from. He says, she insulted his daughter, and she says, unfortunately, those are her words, but they were said to someone close to him who secretly recorded her. He says, who? and she says, it actually took a while for her to remember who she had that regrettable conversation with. She realized the person who edited out their part is the same person who supplied the recording to The InvaderAva Jerome.

On the phone, Ava wonders where her room service is. There’s a knock at the door, and she says, there it is now. She opens the door, and Alexis is there. Alexis says, they need to have a conversion. One that won’t be recorded.

And I laaaugh because Adrian folded like a cheap suit.

Tomorrow, Sasha wants Blaze and Kristina to benefit from her hard-won experience; Lois has a suggestion; Sonny says, there are no limits to how far Ava will go; and Carly tells Josslyn there’s a good chance she could go to prison.

🧼 All  the Soap News Fit To Print…

Blaze and Kristina’s storyline today brought tears to my eyes. It almost softened the blow of Finn’s departure. Almost.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-jacqueline-grace-lopez-shares-why-representation-matters

Life imitating art.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-kin-shriner-is-recovering-from-surgery

He’s got a better perspective on his being let go than I do.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/michael-easton-puts-his-gh-exit-into-perspective

I’ll have what he’s having.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-chad-duell-shares-an-important-message-with-fans

So cool how they stay in touch. Soap stars are a different breed of actor.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-kimberly-mccullough-and-brooklyn-rae-silzer-reunite

GH won’t be on July 4th. You get the whole day off.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/abc/soap-opera-soaps-holiday-schedule

🐪 No Camel For You…

Sorry. As of this posting, there was no recap for Real Housewives of Dubai. Stay tuned for it tomorrow, and in the meantime, there’s this. Discuss amongst yourselves.

https://www.realitytea.com/2024/07/02/caroline-stanbury-sergio-carrallo-might-not-make-it-rhodubai/

👠 What Happens In Jersey…

What happened.

What’s going to happen.

And what the Marge hopes will happen.

🗽 If They Can’t Make It There…

RHONY used to be my favorite of the franchise because, NYC, but I found the new cast to be mind-numbing, city or no city. Maybe the latest additions will make a difference. Or not.

🛟 Random Topics On Deck…

The perfect guest.

The feud.

And the fans.

🐕 Knowing the Drill…

It’s that time again. Actually, that time started here on Sunday night when I was wearing my chihuahua on my head after he heard the first firecracker.

https://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/article/10-easy-tips-happy-safe-pets-july-4th

⛲️ Summer Mood: On…

Join me tomorrow for soap, tea, and entertainment news. Until then, stay safe, stay wearing sunscreen whether you think you need to or not, and stay never reducing anyone to how they look and talk, and who they love.

June 27, 2024 – Finn Says Goodbye To Violet, Words From His Co-Workers, Just No, Better For You, Riders, Pet (!) Safety & Wake Me

Standard

What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

Carly thanks Diane for coming over so quickly, and Diane says, it sounded urgent. Carly says she needs Diane to keep her out of prison.

At the new apartment, Josslyn opens the door to Dex.

Violet runs to Finn, and he asks if she had fun sleeping over. She asks, how is he? Is he feeling better?

Sam comes home, and tells Dante that Scout was nervous in the car, but when they got there, she couldn’t wait for the sleepover. She wants to make sure Danny won’t hear their conversation, and starts to check on him upstairs, but Dante says, Jason came and picked Danny up. She asks where they went.

Walking into the garage, Jason says, sorry the gym was closed, but Danny says, this is way better than working out. They go over to Jason’s bike, and Jason asks if Danny is sure he’s ready do this. Danny says, oh yeah.

Dante tells Sam that Jason was taking Danny to the gym, and Danny was stoked. He thought it would be okay with her. Was he wrong? She says, yes, but he couldn’t have known what was going on. He asks what he’s missing, and she says, Spinelli found out what the FBI is holding over Jason. Jason stayed away all this time because the Feds have evidence against Carly.

Jason says, the most important thing is safety. Not just for kids, for everybody. If he needs to know something, ask. He tells Danny that he does his own maintenance. It’s important in case you get stuck. Danny says, especially if someone is after you. Did Jason’s father teach him? Jason says, Alan? Not that he recalls. He fixed people, not machines. Danny asks when he learned, and Jason says, after his accident.

Carly tells Diane, when Sonny was in Nixon Falls and everyone but Nina thought he was dead, she went meeting with the Five Families and claimed to be head of Sonny’s organization. Diane says, no judgement, but why did she do that? and Carly says, Cyrus was trying to take over Sonny’s territory so he could pass a highly addictive narcotic through Port Charles. It was the same drug Sasha got hooked on. Diane says, it wasn’t just civic altruism, and Carly says, there was a threat to her family that was business related. Someone at the meeting was wearing a wire, and the FBI has an audio file of her committing RICO violations. Diane asks how she became aware of it, and Carly says, a reliable source hacked into their database and retrieved the file. Diane says, good. Another felony. She doesn’t want to know the source, but asks why they were doing a deep dive into the database in the first place.

Finn tells Violet not to ever worry about him, and she asks how his cut is. Did he have to go to the hospital? He says his hand is fine. He just needed a bandage. She says, there was a lot of blood, and he says he knows, but it looked worse than it was. Violet asks if they can go home now, and he says he’d love to, but she’s going to stay with Uncle Chase for a while longer. She says she wants to come home, and he says, that’s what he wants too, but he’s not going home. He’s going away. She says, he has to take her with him, but he says, it’s just for a little while. She says she doesn’t care and wants to come, but he says, she can’t go where he’s going. Daddy is sick. His hand is better, but his head and heart… He cries and says he was so sad after grandpa died, he started drinking alcohol and never should done that. That’s why he fell asleep on the floor. Violet says, can’t he stop? and he says, some people can stop. He thought he was one of them, but he was wrong. He needs to go to a special hospital where they’re going to help him stop for good. She asks, how long he’ll be gone, and he says, the doctor says three months. She says, that’s a long time. Does he really have to go? He says he does, and she says, but she can help him stop.

Josslyn asks what Dex is doing here, and he says he wanted to look at her new place. She asks how he found it, and he says he used his sharp detective skills. She said it was above the Quartermaines’ garage, so he followed that lead. She says, hidden in plain sight. She wonders how he got past the gate, and he says, it was open. He thinks someone is visiting. She tells him that he needs better detective skills, and he says he’s still learning. He knows moving is a pain, so he brought provisions. He holds up a bag from Bobbie’s, and says he brought enough for Trina. She says, Trina is taking care of her Aunt Stella, who is sick, and he asks if she needs help. She says, yes, and asks him to come in. She’s finished cleaning, but needs help moving something that’s not heavy, but awkward. Dex says, it’s nice to have another set of hands, and they move a box that not awkward at all and looks like she could have moved it herself.

Violet says, if she helps Finn, he can stay with her, and Finn says he doesn’t want to leave her ever, but if he doesn’t go, he won’t get better. What happened can never happen again. He’s sorry. She must have been afraid when she found him. She says she thought he was dead like grandpa, and he says he’s sorry. He’s proud of her for calling Tracy and getting help. It was the absolutely right thing to do. Violet cries and says she wants to take care of him, but he says, that’s not the way it’s supposed to be. He should be taking care of her. She says, they can take care of each other, and he says, they’re good at that, but he has to be able to, and right now he’s not. That’s why he has to go away, so he can come back and be the best dad, a dad she deserves. He made a terrible mistake and none of it is her fault. She’s perfect and he loves her so much, more than life itself. They hug and everyone in the room is crying.

Jason tells Danny that he was worried about AJ drinking and driving, so he got in the car with him. The car crashed, and the next thing he knew… the first thing he knew was, he didn’t know anybody. Not his family, his name, nothing. Danny says, that must have been hard, and Jason asks if he knows what TBI is. Danny says, traumatic brain injury, and Jason says, that’s what he had. Danny says, mom told him that Jason is drawn to danger and that’s why he does dangerous jobs. Jason says, he’s done dangerous work that he can’t talk about, but mom doesn’t want Danny to get hurt. He suggests they get back to the bike, and Danny asks if it’s hard to learn to ride. Jason says he wasn’t a natural, but it wasn’t hard to learn. He loved it from the start.

Carly tells Diane that she wasn’t involved with getting the file. Someone brought it to her. Diane asks if she’s being blackmailed, but Carly says she’s not. Jason is. It’s the reason he lost 3 years with his family. The FBI threatened to charge her if he didn’t become an informant, and she has it on good authority that they won’t honor the deal. Diane asks if she’s sure the authority is legit, and Carly says, if anyone would know, he would, and he said when Jason was no longer of use to the FBI, they’ll charge her anyway. Diane says she can’t disagree, and Carly says, why should Jason spend one more day under the FBI’s thumb. She wants to call their bluff. Let them charge her and they’ll fight it in court. She needs to know, what are her chances of being acquitted?

Diane asks if Carly actually conducted mob business. Did she make any illegal money transfers? Did she launder money? Did she transfer illegal or stolen goods? Carly says, no, to all of it, and Diane asks if her name is on any incriminating documents. Carly says she doesn’t think so, and Diane asks if anyone at the meeting would be willing to testify against her. Who was at the meeting? Carly says, Cyrus Renault and Selina Wu. Vincent Novak and Charles Buscema are dead. If anyone testified, they wouldn’t be long for this world. Diane asks if the FBI has the sole audio file, and Carly asks what she’s thinking. Diane says, in this age of deep fakes and digital trickery, the chain of custody of the evidence is essential. The FBI would have to produce the original file to prove it’s not altered. Carly says, her source said the file couldn’t be altered or deleted. Where does that leave her? Diane says, given her and Sonny’s long history with the Feds and her recent dust up with the SEC, she thinks the FBI might have a strong case.

Josslyn asks what Dex learned in school today, and he says, they’re doing de-escalation training. He bets that make civilian courses. She asks if he’s suggesting she take one, but he says, no. He loves how she never backs down from a fight. Don’t lose that. She asks what he learned, and he says, each situation is different. It’s a judgement call every time. Sometimes you have to rush in and act fast, but most of the time, you’re better served to take a step back and see what happens before you do something you can’t take back. She says she’s learning that herself. She’s done a few things recently that she wishes she could take back. He says him too.

Danny thanks Jason for letting him help change the oil, but Jason says, he helped Danny. Danny did the work. Danny asks when Jason is going to teach him to ride.

Sam tells Dante about the recording of Carly meeting with the Five Families, and how it’s being held over Jason’s head. He asks if she realizes what she’s done. Forget Carly. She breached and FBI file; it’s a federal crime. If she’s caught, she’ll go to prison. Sam says, the hack was bulletproof, but Dante asks if she doesn’t think they can trace it back to Spinelli. Who else knows? She says, Spinelli, Carly, and now him, and he says, now he’s an accessory. She can’t tell anyone. If the FBI finds out about Spinelli hacking their database at her request, she’ll be taken away from her kids.

Chase says, they should get going, and Finn says, Violet is going to have so much fun. He’ll be back before she knows it. She says she’ll miss him, and he says he’ll miss her. She tries to put a friendship bracelet on him, but it doesn’t fit, so he puts it in his shirt pocket and says he’s going to put it next to his heart and keep it there always. He loves her. She says she loves him too, and he and Chase go to the door. Chase opens it, and Finn blows Violet a kiss. She catches it, and they leave. Violet cries, and Brook hugs her.

Dex says, it’s a great place, and Josslyn says she lucked out. He says he used to think about someday helping her move out of the dorm and into his place, and she says, her too. He says he enjoyed dinner, and she says her too. He says, hypothetically of course (🍷), what would it take for them to get back to where they were before? and she says, before what? He says, before he told her that he was willing to kill someone for Sonny.

Chase pulls up to Sky Meadow Lodge, and Finn thanks him for letting him say goodbye to Violet. He knows it went against the restraining order. Chase says, what he did wasn’t about the restraining order. Finn needed to see Violet before he left. Finn says he’s sorry about the things he said to Chase and Brook. The things he said to Elizabeth, he can’t forgive himself, and the worst of it was that he passed out and scared his little girl. Chase says, it could have been worse, and Finn says, only Chase could find a silver lining in this. Chase says, a lot of people take a restraining order as a challenge and show up anyway. The number of domestic disturbances he’s had to break up… Kids see knock down drag outs with their parents, and he’s seen the looks on their faces as the parents are taken away. He thanks Finn for not putting Violet in the middle and making it worse for his daughter. Finn says he heard Violet thought he was dead and left her forever. How could he do that to her? Chase says, because he has an illness. That’s why he’s going away, to get well. Finn says, his kid brother, and Chase says he’s been grown up for a while now. Finn says, this is different. Now Chase is coming to his rescue. Chase says that’s just because he’s a nice guy, and Finn thanks him for taking care of his little girl. Chase says he’s Finn’s brother, and Finn says, he did the right thing. He knows Chase was trying to protect Violet, and he’ll always be grateful for that.

Danny says he hears it’s easier than riding a bike, but Jason says, they’ll have to ask his mom first. Danny says, he was just kidding, yet kinda hoping, and Jason says, maybe next time, if mom agrees. Danny says he doesn’t see that happening, and Jason says, there are other things to do. Danny says, like what? and Jason says, they’ll figure it out. He’s seen Danny can do anything he sets his mind to. Danny says, tell that to his algebra teacher, and Jason asks if he needs help with math. Danny asks if Jason is good at math, and Jason says he uses it in his job. Danny asks if Jason shoots hoops, but Jason says he hasn’t for a while.  

Sam says, Spinelli covered their tracks flawlessly, but Dante says, Cates knows Spinelli after what happened when he was shot. Sam says, it would be impossible to prove, and Dante says, they broke federal laws. That’s exactly why he didn’t want her to get involved. She says she needed to know what they had on Jason, and he asks if she’d rather stay with her kids or have them visit her in prison. She says, stay with her kids, and he says, then she’s got to leave it alone. Talk to no one, and whatever she found out, leave it alone, act like it never happened, and hope it doesn’t come out.

Chase tells Finn not to worry. He and Brook will take great care of Violet. Finn says he knows. Tell her every day that he loves her, and he’ll be back as soon as he can. Chase says, that’s what they all want, but no shortcuts. Don’t convince himself he’s got it handled or just had a slip. Finn says, it’s not his first rodeo, and Chase says, if he’s in doubt, think of how devastated Violet would be to be put through this again, and stop. Finn says, he’ll do it for Violet, but it’s not easy, and Chase says, the best thing he can do is get well for his child. Finn says, Chase is a good cop, and Chase wonders what that has to do with it. Finn says he knows Chase has seen stuff, and Chase says, it comes with the job. Finn says, but he still wants to help. It’s a quality he admires.

Brook brings Violet a snack, but she says she’s not hungry, so Brook puts it on the coffee table. She asks if Violet has any questions, and Violet says, her dad is going to a hospital. Will he be in bed? Will he be able to watch TV? Will people be nice to him? Brook says, it’s beautiful there. He won’t want to stay in bed or watch TV. He’s going to hike and swim, and the people there are kind. They’re going to help him learn how not to drink. Violet asks if it’s like camp, and Brook says, kinda like camp. Violet says, camp is fun. If her dad is away, what is she going to do? Brook says, there’s so much to do here. Name it. Violet says she’d like to go swimming, and Brook says, Uncle Chase said he’d teach her to ride a bike. Violet says, and he told her that she’s almost ready to ditch her training wheels. She’d also like to go horse riding. Brook says, coincidentally, they have a whole stable of horses. Violet knows some of them, but Brook knows the rest will love to meet her.

Josslyn tells Dex that she doesn’t know how they can put it behind them. There are people she cares about who have crossed that line, but what’s important is that he didn’t. When she told him at dinner that he didn’t have to prove anything, that he’d done good enough to redeem himself, she meant it. She thought he’d joined the PCPD for her – she knows how to make about her – but she sees he did it for himself. The longer he’s there, the more she sees that’s where he wants to be. Did she get it right? He says, 100%, and she says, then she’s happy for him. He says, to be clear, if being a cop impressed or pleased her, he’s good with that.

Dante says, Sam knows He’s right. He’s just trying to help. She says, knowing that Jason did this to save Carly… She’d thought that maybe for once he’d put his kids first, but Carly is his first priority. Always has been and always will be. Nothing else matters. If Danny knew that, it would break his heart. Dante says, she needs to make sure he never knows.

Diane says, the FBI’s case rests solely on Carly’s admission that she was head of the Corinthos organization. Even if it was just as a figurehead, it will land her in hot water, but she had a compelling reason. She walked into a room of known crime figures, pretending to be one of them, to protect her children. Carly says she was terrified, and Diane says she knows from experience how compelling Carly is as a witness and how she can play to a jury. Even with Diane’s skills, knowledge of the law, and tricky tricks, she thinks the best they can hope for is a 30% chance of acquittal. Carly says, that means there’s a 70% chance of her going to federal prison, and Diane says she doesn’t like those odds, for Carly or for Donna.

Sam leaves a message for Spinelli, and tells him, the case they’re working on, don’t do anything until he hears back from her. Danny and Jason come in, and Dante asks, how was the gym? Danny says, it was closed. They went to the garage instead and tuned up Jason’s bike. He changed the oil. Dante says, those are awesome skills to have, and Jason says he should get going. He leaves, and Sam says, it sounds like Danny had a good time. Danny says, he did. Jason is the best. He tells Dante, no offense, and Dante says, none taken. Danny goes upstairs, and Dante hugs Sam.  

Carly tells Diane that she doesn’t know how she can leave Donna with the way Sonny is acting. But it’s not fair for Jason to be under the FBI’s thumb. Diane says, Jason doesn’t need saving. Let him do whatever he’s doing, He’s capable and strategy is his thing. If Carly’s got a plan to rush in and save him, historically, how has that worked? Whatever arrangement he has going, has kept her out of prison so far. Carly says she doesn’t know for how much longer and wants to be prepared. Can they work on a defense just in case? Diane says she can work on one. She tells Carly to sit tight, and leaves.

Dex tells Josslyn that he has an early morning. Her? Josslyn says she lucked out. she has nothing tomorrow morning. Are the cadets running in the park? He says, always, and she says, maybe she’ll see him there. They leave together.

Violet says, it’s a big house, and Brook asks if she just noticed. Violet says, it’s different when she stays over. She could get lost. Brook is lucky she used to live here. Brook says, the best part is the people who live here, her family. And the greatest part of family is that when you’re sick or in trouble, the rest step up and help out. Violet says, like they’re helping her dad, and Brook says, Violet is helping him too. She’s being very brave. Violet says, it’s easy when you’ve got help, and Brook says, they’re glad to help. That’s what family is for. Violet says she’s glad they’re family, and Brook says her too. She hugs Violet.

Finn says, it’s time to do this, and Chase says, he’ll walk Finn in, but Finn says he’s got it from here. It’s not like he can make a break for it. Chase says he’s not worried, and Finn says, Chase is a lousy liar. Promise to look after Violet, give her a kiss, and tell her that he loves her. Chase says, she knows that, but he will, and Finn says he loves Chase. Chase says he loves Finn too, and Finn says, dad would be proud. Chase says, dad would be proud of Finn taking this step, and Finn says, there’s no point in stalling any longer. Chase says, on the count of three, and Finn says, one… Chase says, two… and with tears in his eyes, Finn gets out of the car. Chase watches him as he goes to the door, hesitates, then walks inside. Chase pounds on the steering wheel, puts on his seatbelt, and drives away.

Tomorrow, Brook asks what Chase thinks of Tracy’s idea; Blaze asks if Kristina is saying she’s going after custody of the baby; and Jason says, everything he did to protect Carly means nothing.

🧂 Rubbing Salt In the Wound…

I still can’t believe this. It’s an outrage.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/gh-stars-say-goodbye-to-michael-easton

👠 If You Have the Stomach For It…

Honestly, I don’t think we need this. Not that I wouldn’t want to smash a glass on most of their heads, but because of disloyalty to hairstylists? What?

https://people.com/rhonj-danielle-cabral-condemns-violence-does-not-apologize-for-smashing-cup-on-jennifer-aydin-8385973

On the upside.

💐 A Healthier Reality…

I’m not sure how fabulous her life is, but she travels more than I do. This is a kinder, gentler, but still very real, reality show.

https://www.etonline.com/my-big-fat-fabulous-life-first-look-whitney-meets-the-man-she-thinks-shell-marry-exclusive-227160

This one is kind of weird, but I can’t turn away. There’s a lot of angst, but no throwing of Solo cups.

https://www.etonline.com/welcome-to-plathville-season-6-trailer-shows-ethan-and-olivia-plath-dating-other-people-after

🚴 Get On Your Bike and Ride…

This seems like a film worth seeing. Very grindhouse.

https://www.cinemablend.com/movies/norman-reedus-filthy-the-bikeriders-specifically-related-walking-dead-daryl-dixon

https://www.themarysue.com/jeff-nichols-interview-the-bikeriders/

🎆 It’s Almost Here…

✈️ Touching the Sky…

Join me tomorrow for soap and the usual Friday festivities. Until then, stay safe, stay not assuming everyone speaks English when traveling to faraway places, and stay knowing when you have to act fast or when you’re better served to take a step back before doing something you can’t take back.

June 20, 2024 – Spinelli Finds the Prize, Get Your Own, She’s a Tease, Sold, It’s Them Not Her, New Traitors, A Farewell, Posteenth, The Cutest & Don’t

Standard

What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

At the coffee warehouse, Carly asks Jason if he’s busy, and he says he’s working. She suggests he check in with Drew. What Drew is doing might affect him.

Terry asks if Elizabeth wants to grab coffee, but Elizabeth says she can’t. She has paperwork. She doesn’t how Epiphany did it. Terry says, they’ll call it a meeting. They do have catching up to do. Elizabeth says, that sounds ominous, and asks if something happened with Terry and Yuri. Terry says, it’s about Elizabeth and Finn.

Finn tells Violet that everything she needs for a pool day with Georgie is in her bag, but Violet thinks it would be more fun if they had a take your daughter to work day. Finn says, they’ll do that another day. He has to arrange it in advance. She tells him that he said there were surprises at work all the time, and Finn asks if there’s some reason she doesn’t want to go to the pool. She says she doesn’t want to leave him here alone.

Mac and Felicia make out on the sofa, and Felicia says, before they get caught up with their reunion, this isn’t their house. Mac says, the kids are out with Maxie and won’t be back for a while, and Bailey Lou is fast asleep. The babysitters have the run of the place. Felicia reminds him that Spinelli lives here now, but Mac says, Spinelli said he had a rendezvous. Mac wants that to remain a mystery.

Sam goes to Spinelli’s gamer den, and he tells her that he found something. She asks him to please not tell her that the FBI is onto him, and he says, her lack of faith in his ability wounds him. Cates still doesn’t know they’re using his credentials. She says, they can’t get sloppy, or they’ll get caught, but he says, that’s not the issue. He found their prize, but now they have a new problem.

Finn says he’d rather hang out with Violet than go to work, but his patients need to see him. He’ll probably be so busy, he won’t miss her. He wants her to go have fun and not worry about her dad. He’s fine. Georgie arrives to get Violet, and Finn tells Violet to have lots of fun. If she needs anything, call him. They hug, and he says he loves her so much.

Terry says she doesn’t want to pry, just check-in, and Elizabeth says, obviously, she’s hurt and confused. She loves Finn and wishes she could be angry and write him off, but she can’t. She knows he’s a good man, but he’s sick and needs help. Terry says, they’re both medical professionals, and have seen this more times than they can count. No one can force Finn to get help. He’ll have to ask for it. Elizabeth says, it’s hard enough to watch Finn spiral, but she’s worried about the toll it will take on her boys. They built a beautiful relationship with Finn, and she’s afraid it will create a void. Terry says, it’s tough, but she’s a great mom and will get them through it. Elizabeth says, but what about Violet? How is she going to get through it?

Finn takes out a bottle and glass, and looks at his hospital ID. He puts the bottle and glass back, and leaves.

Jason wonders what Drew has going on besides running Aurora, and Carly says, there’s no reason his and Drew’s relationship should be as messy as the one he had with AJ. Drew broke up with her because he knew she’d put Jason first. She thinks he was hoping she’d deny it. Jason says he’s sorry, but she says she and Drew are fine. Drew seemed good at Willow’s surprise party. Jason should have come. He would have heard the announcement. His brother is running for congress.

Mac tells Felicia that he’s glad to be home. He missed her. She says, good, and he says he’ll never take off without her again. It drove home how lucky he is. Frisco gave an honest accounting of his mistakes with her and the girls and didn’t whitewash his behavior. (Hmm… Could Frisco be coming back? Is Morgan a red herring?) Felicia says, it must have been awkward, and Mac says, it was, but it was liberating. Frisco was grateful and thanked Mac for being a father to the girls when he wasn’t. He thinks Frisco understands how much he missed out on in leaving Port Charles. He made damn sure Frisco understood how extraordinary the three women he left behind are. She says, they’re lucky to have him in their lives. He made sacrifices for her girls, and she’s sure he felt it would have been easier to take off and start his own family. He says, never. They’re family and he never wanted anything else. There’s a knock at the door, and Mac says, whoever it is has godawful timing. Felicia opens the door to Anna and Robert, who says, there’s a rumor the old man has returned. Anna says she’s here to arrest her brother-in-law for an unlawful absence, and she and Robert hug Mac.

Finn tells Elizabeth that he doesn’t want it to be strange or awkward, and asks if she wants to check his blood alcohol content. She asks if she needs to, and he says, she doesn’t need to do anything, but they have to work together. That’s it. She says she knows he’s hurting, and she still loves him. He’s still family. He says, she’s Violet’s aunt, and before she asks, Violet is at the pool with Georgie and Maxie is supervising. Elizabeth steps away, and Portia greets Finn. He thanks her for the time off and says he’s eager to get back to work. He wants to check his patient files before rounds. Portia says she and Terry would like a word, and he says, lead the way, following her to Terry’s office.

At the pool, Gio tells James that Josslyn is the lifeguard today, and asks what that means. James says, no cannonballs, and Gio says, they can still have fun. If they follow the rules, maybe he can hook them up with ices later. Georgie says, James has to listen to her, but James says, she’s not the boss of him. Maxie says, correct, and tells Georgie and Violet to go in the pool. James missed a spot with his sunscreen. Nina comes along, and says, like father like son, and James says, Mac is putting in a treehouse for him with Cody. Nina says she hopes she’s invited to the housewarming. Or are girls not allowed? He says, she is, but not Georgie. Maxie lets James go into the pool and tells Nina that she handled Natalia’s complaints. Nina says, good. She trusts Maxie. Maxie is surprised she didn’t hear complaints from Nina about Natalia, but Nina says, she went to Willow’s surprise party and she’s walking on air. Maxie says, they must be getting along better than she thought, but Nina says she had to find Drew and ended up invited. Maxie asks if Nina expects her to believe she was just looking for Drew because of business, and not planning to attend the party. She wasn’t born yesterday.

Carly tells Jason that McConkey is retiring and convinced Drew to run for his seat. Jason says he thinks Drew would make a good congressman. She doesn’t agree? Carly says she thinks Drew has great qualities for a politician. He’s photogenic, he can talk to people, and has a great life story. (Apparently, she doesn’t expect a lot from a political candidate.) Jason asks why she has a problem with him then, and she says, there will be public scrutiny. It will take zero minutes to pick apart Drew’s story and they’ll dig for dirt. With the Quartermaines, there’s plenty to find. AJ’s drunk driving, Jason working for Sonny, all the way to Dante’s shooting, and Jason can’t afford scrutiny

Spinelli tells Sam that he can’t corrupt or delete the file. It’s accessible, but not assailable. Unfortunately, the FBI will be holding onto it. Sam asks what he means by accessible but not assailable, and he said it’s like a real-only file, but they can only listen to it. They can play it, but not delete it. Sam tells him to just play it. Maybe knowing what it is will help them find a way to neutralize it.

Terry tells Finn that his patients are under capable supervision, and Portia says, this conversation can’t wait. They want to discuss Finn’s responsibility to GH and his patients. He says he’s anxious to see how his patients are doing. They can find a time that works for all of them and circle back. Terry says, there’s no need, and Portia says, they’ve cleared his calendar for the day. Terry says, they’re here as his colleagues, but also his friends, and Finn says, the last time they had a meeting like this, he was told to have a lawyer present, but Terry says, they want to keep it informal. Finn asks what this is really about, and Portia says, his drinking.

Josslyn says, Trina is the nicest person she knows, and asks how Gio got in trouble with her. He says, it was just a misunderstanding. They’re fine now. Josslyn tells him that Trina has been going through a lot, but she’s too close to get an accurate reading. It’s been a rough year for Trina. Her boyfriend died unexpectedly in February. Gio says, Trina told him that she’d lost someone close. He’s sorry for her loss and he’ll tread carefully. She thanks him and says she doesn’t mean to tell him what to do. He says he’s used to it. She’s kind of bossy, but nothing compared to his aunts and some of his uncles. Dex walks in wearing his uniform.

Anna says she’s happy Mac is back. She could use his advice and they have a lot of catching up to do. He congratulates her on becoming Commissioner. With respect to Jordan, he always thought she was the best person for the position. Felicia says, Mac was no slouch, and Robert says he raised the bar for everyone. Anna says she tries daily to live up to his high standards, and Robert says, at least he didn’t have Cates breathing down his neck. Mac asks if he means Jagger Cates. Is he back in Port Charles? It will be good to see him. Anna says, he goes by John now and he’s not the sweet young kid Mac remembers.

Carly says, the people who love and care about Jason can be hurt. How does he think Monica would want to see the front page splashed with all of that? Or Danny and Jake reading it? He’ll be thrust in the spotlight against his will. Jason says he’s been through worse.

Sam says, it explains so much, and Spinelli says he thought Jason would rather go to prison than he an informant. He was acting out of love. Sam says, for Carly. That son of a bitch.

Finn asks, who said he was drinking? and Portia says, they were approached by a concerned party. Finn says, Elizabeth. They’re taking the word of his ex as proof of a problem. Terry asks if he’s denying using alcohol, but Finn says he’s denying nothing. He’s seen them drink. Have they ever seen him be impaired at work? He’ll submit to a blood test if they think he’s drunk. Portia says, everyone is different. Finn has a narcotics addiction. Terry says, they can’t risk him treating patients, and Portia says, he can treat them supervised, but has to submit to the physician’s health plan. He’ll have to go to meetings, they’ll monitor his attendance, and he’ll have to authorize his sponsor to give them updates, as well as get drug testing on a regular basis. Finn asks, what if he says no? and Terry says, it will have to go before the Executive Committee, which will make it official. Then the committee will have to notify the Medical Board, which will make it public. They’ll give him a choice of seeing patients under supervision or he could lose his license altogether.

Trina joins Josslyn, and says, Dex is looking official. She tells Gio that there are no more towels, and he says, duty calls. Trina says she’s going with him, and they leave. Josslyn tells Dex, nice uniform. It suits him.

Nina says, possibly Drew arranged for her to show up, and Maxie says, uninvited. Nina says, once she was there, Willow invited her, and Maxie wonders what would have happened had Nina been asked to leave. Nina says, of course (🍷) she would honor Willow’s wishes, and Maxie says, Nina and Willow’s relationship was happening naturally. If Nina hurries and manipulates it, she risks it being worse than before. Nina says, it’s different from her earlier misfires… Her lies, schemes, and cringeworthy sucking up. Now she has Drew on her side and Willow thinks he walks on water.

Finn tells Portia and Terry that they’re smearing his reputation. If he determines there’s slander, be warned. He knows everything about this place. He saved the hospital from going under. If not for him, neither of them would have jobs. GH exists today because he signed his patent to the Blackwood’s cure. Terry says, no one is denying his contribution, and Portia says, they want him to remain to build on it. Finn says, they’re not being friends. They’re bureaucrats and hypocrites. Portia says, they’re looking at him like a valued member of the staff and as a friend, but he says, friends don’t blindside him and threaten to take away something he loves. He’ll save them the trouble. He quits. He walks out.

Carly says, Drew gets to live a great life while Jason slaves at the warehouse, lives in a room above Bobbie’s, and Sonny tells everyone that he’s a traitor. (Um… Isn’t Jason loaded? It sounds like his choice.) Jason says, let Drew have his life. He doesn’t want it. Carly says, it’s not about what Drew has; it’s about what Jason doesn’t. Jason says, it’s not Drew’s fault, and Carly says, it was two years Jason could have spent with his family and that his family spent grieving. Why? What was so important that it was worth him losing that time?

Sam tells Spinelli that Jason lied to her. He’d said he had no choice, but everything he did was because of Carly. Cates has evidence about Carly running Sonny’s organization, and Jason put her welfare above everyone, including his children. Carly always comes first. Spinelli says, it must have been the hardest decision Jason ever had to make. There’s some nobility… She tells him, don’t you dare. There’s no nobility in abandoning his kids so a grown woman can escape the consequences of the life she chose. Anyone who says otherwise never heard a son crying for his father because he’s dead. She asks if Spinelli can make a copy, and he says he can. Why? She says, just do it.

Jason says, there’s an important job he has to do. Otherwise, he never would have left his sons and his family. Once the job is finished, he’ll take his life back. It’s the only life he wants. Carly says she hopes Drew’s campaign doesn’t get in the way. She’ll do everything in her power to defend him. She knows he’d do the same for her. Jason says, okay, and she says she’s glad he agrees. She hugs him and says she’ll see him soon. She leaves and Jason gets an audio file from The Jackal.

Spinelli tells Sam not to do anything hasty, but she says she’s going to do the one thing a good mother does – protect her children at all costs. No matter what it takes. She leaves.

Mac says, maybe he can talk to Jagger and get him to back off, but Felicia says she thinks Anna can handle Cates. Anna says she’d prefer he keep out of it, when her phone dings. She tells them that she has to deal with something, but she expects Mac back at his desk at 5 am sharp. No excuses.

Maxie tells Nina, be careful. Willow’s opinion of both her and Drew could change if she finds out about their affair, and how they hate each other, but can’t keep their hands off each other. Nina says she could keep her hands off Drew if she wanted to. They’re consenting adults, and he got plenty. Because of her connections and advice, he’s running for congress and Willow is his biggest supporter. She’s going to make sure he’s elected. Willow will be grateful, Drew will owe her, and they’ll all be happy. Everyone wins.

Finn sees Elizabeth when he comes out of the elevator and asks if she’s happy now. She got her revenge. She wanted him out, so he’s out. He just quit. She reported him before he had a chance to explain, with no concern how it would hurt him, his patients, or Violet. The only thing that mattered was getting back at him. She says she did turn him in, but she did it for his patients, Violet, and most of all, him. He’s jeopardizing everything good in his life, and it was the way to get back the Finn she knows and loves. The compassionate, brilliant, loving man who would never put anyone in harm’s way. Finn asks if she knows how many lives he’s saved. Of course (🍷) she doesn’t, because she doesn’t know him at all. Maybe she never did. He doesn’t want her near Violet. Don’t call her, don’t see her, and don’t spend time with her. She says, he agreed… but he says, that was his mistake. He thought he knew her, but he was wrong. Stay away from him and Violet.

Gio says, that’s the second time Trina ran interference for Josslyn and Dex, and asks if they’re back together. Trina says, not yet, but maybe they’ll figure things out. She’s trying to give them room to talk things out. He says he likes seeing her look out for Josslyn. She cares about her friends as much as they care about her.

Dex says he could use Josslyn’s help. The department is having beach volleyball. It’s not his game, but he volunteered to break the ice with the other cops. Tom Cruise, he’s not. Josslyn says she’d love to help, but she can’t this weekend. She and Trina are moving to a new place. He says he’s glad for them, but sorry to lose her expertise. She says, He has to learn to negotiate. She’ll give him some pointers if he helps her move. He says, deal, but he would help regardless. It’s the PCPD’s motto to protect and serve.

Portia thanks Elizabeth and says she was right. She saw the way Finn was, and Elizabeth absolutely did the right thing. Elizabeth thanks her and says, when Finn sobers up, he’s going to realize what he threw away. She hopes someday, somehow, he can pick himself back up, but what is it costing Violet?

The kids go back to Maxie’s after the pool, and James wants to talk about the treehouse, but Mac says, Cody needs to be here. Georgie says, Violet’s done some camping and has ideas, and James asks if Violet can stay over. They can camp out. Violet says, her dad won’t let her, but James says, she hasn’t asked. Maxie says, another night. Violet’s dad is expecting her.  

Finn comes home after a hard day of being a jerk. He takes out the bottle and glass and takes a drink. He pours another and drinks that too.

Anna goes to the coffee warehouse, and Jason asks if she’s made any more progress with Valentin. She says she’s going slow and treading carefully, and he says, Cates is getting impatient and wants results. Drew is running for congress and it’s going put him in the public eye. The spotlight will be on him, and if his profile is too high, he’ll be useless to the FBI. He didn’t go through all this for Cates to arrest Carly. He knows Anna wants to do this her way, but he’s running out of time. Cates will get what he wants, and he’ll bust Valentin.

Sam finds Carly, and says, there’s something she needs to hear.

Tomorrow, Cates promises to make it worth Carly’s while; Chase wants to know why Violet is with Tracy; and Jason says, he’s not letting this thing go to waste.

🏊 Must Have…

Well, I’m definitely getting one of these. Although I’d rather have the actual pool.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/get-your-own-gh-metro-court-pool-towel

🍊 New Slice Of the Orange…

Premieres July 11th.

👰🏼‍♀️ Love For Sale…

Dresses. Plural. I had one. Great charity choice though.

https://people.com/summer-house-star-lindsay-hubbard-selling-wedding-dresses-after-broken-engagement-carl-radke-8666037

👠 Never Her Fault…

Yeah, that must be it.

https://ew.com/teresa-giudice-says-feds-targeted-her-because-rhonj-producers-had-her-pay-cash-in-scene-8666098

🚬 Twirling Their Mustaches…

This season’s Traitors.

https://extratv.com/2024/06/05/the-traitors-tom-sandoval-sam-asghari-and-more-join-season-3-cast/

She’ll make it nice.

📓 Goodbye Professor…

All the great movies he made, and yet, whenever I hear his name, I think of Animal House.

https://ew.com/donald-sutherland-dead-mash-actor-was-88-8666623

🎉 Celebrations…

How the stars celebrated Juneteenth.

https://extratv.com/2024/06/18/stars-reflect-on-juneteenth-celebrate-the-freedom/

🐶 Mine For the Win…

You can try though.

https://people.com/worlds-cutest-rescue-dog-contest-2024-submissions-8666051

El Wray sez: I iz a shoo in.

🩱 Got My Suit Damp…

Join me tomorrow for soap and a pre-weekend kiki. Until then, stay safe, stay having a back-up plan when hosting an outdoor party, and stay asking for help if you need it, whether it’s with moving or something bigger.