Category Archives: Holidays

October 4, 2023 – No Soap Or Radio, Sprina’s First, Not Leaving, Surprise, Memories, Reunited Doesn’t Feel Good, Beverly Hills Peek, Back To the 80s, History Lesson, Frightful Décor & Yeah

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

There was no GH today because, baseball, but here’s a little news to keep you going until tomorrow.

😍 Feels Like the Very First Time…

IMO very nicely done.

👠 Not Going Anywhere…

News to me, but I’m not exactly lurking in the soap social circles.

🌌 It Was Just a Dream…

It’s really too bad they killed her off, but if you’ve got to go, you might as well leave a trail of murder and mayhem in your wake.

🧛🏻‍♂️ Light the Corners of My Mind…

It’s such a shame the canceled this. Michael Easton was great as a vampire.

The Real Nauseating Housewives of Orange County

Reunion – Part 1

Oh good God, this has been on for 17 seasons. Andy wants to take us somewhere, and we hit the virtual beach. He asks Tamra how it feels to be unpaused, and she says, great. She was a little nervous. That’s why she drank so much. Already the excuses start. We find out Emily lost 40 pounds, and Andy points out that Heather Fancy Pants is wearing all black. Now an official realtor, Gina says she has two homes in escrow. Jen doesn’t think she did enough meditation to prepare, and when Andy wonders how many pounds of hair Shannon has on her head, she says, not as many as Teresa did at her wedding. I don’t think I like this look on her. It’s like she’s trying to be a teenager from the 1970s. Andy says, Tamra came in hot and burning rubber, literally on a motorcycle, and she wasn’t afraid to burn a few bridges. We flash back, and the first clip is Tamra claiming she’s back with a different perspective. She doesn’t have to call everybody out. Funny how she did nothing but call people out. Andy asks where she and Shannon are and she says, great. They have their ups and downs and are definitely like sisters. He asks, how’s Eddie? and she says he started a supplement company that’s going to be launching soon. I will never be able to reconcile how shrew Tamra landed Eddie, who seems to be a decent guy, but then again, I only see bits and pieces of him. Maybe he’s a freak or a weirdo or both. A viewer asks how Fancy Pants feels about a friendship with Tamra, and Fancy Pants says, Tamra talked against her, and it makes her feel sad. Tamra says, she never did it on purpose, and Fancy Pants says, there wasn’t one episode where Tamra didn’t say something unkind about her. Tamra accuses Fancy Pants of running to Andy with that, but Fancy Pants says she did no such thing. She’s just a tiny cog in the Andy Cohen machine. When she does get a precious minute with him, they’re not talking about Tamra. Andy says, Fancy Pants never brought it up, and Tamra whines that Fancy Pants had said there was no place for her on the show. It’s time to move on, and Andy says, Tamra and Jenn had a friendship so messy, even a flying napkin couldn’t clean it up. We flash back to Tamra being absolutely abusive to Jenn, ending with her screeching that Jenn ruined her whole family, and it annoys me all over again. Andy says he thinks it’s admirable that Jenn has fostered kids, and Jenn says, it fulfilled her. Ever twisting even good things around, Tamra wonders if Jenn was a foster mom because she was lacking love. Gina says, Jenn didn’t destroy her family. Gina had the same situation in her life, and it’s okay to shift family dynamics. Andy says, they invited Ryan to the show, but he declined. Geez, I wonder why. Jenn says, he has a history with Tamra and Eddie, and felt if Tamra goes at him, he’d look like an a-hole going after a woman. It was a no win for him. Agreed. Andy asks if she thinks there’s a proposal in the future, and Emily asks if Jenn thinks he was ring shopping for the show? We flash back to Ryan’s shopping trip, and Jenn says, they’ve talked about marriage a lot. He’s ready, but waiting on her. She knows they all think she was doing all kinds of things she wasn’t, and they rehash the whole Ryan and Jenn thing. Tamra says she wants better for Jenn, and Jenn says, it’s none of her business. She thought Tamra was her friend. Tamra says she was until she found out Jenn cheated. Jenn says, no, you, and they call each other POS cheaters. It didn’t take long for me to hate Tamra all over again. Andy takes a break because I beg him to with a brain wave.

Jenn says, Tamra’s a cheater, and Tamra says she and Eddie have been married 13 years, like this means anything. Jenn says, Tamra is a sh*tty friend, and Andy says, the perception was, the minute Tamra came on, she went for Jenn. Tamra says she gave Jenn advice beforehand to be honest. Tamra rehashes Ryan texting whatever-her-name-was, and Jenn says, for the millionth time, that she’s seen all the texts. Andy asks if Jenn thinks whatshername and Ryan were messing around when they were together, but Jenn says, it was only the one time when they were on a break. Tamra squeals that Ryan texted her for three months, and when asked if she was in a committed relationship. Then later she sent him risqué pic. Jenn says she saw the pic and told him that she wanted this be done. Shannon says she told Tamra that it was too much, and Tamra shoots back that when they were at the pool party, Shannon asked if they could dig up more. Emily agrees Shannon wanted to dig. She said it was so juicy, they had to get it on camera. Shannon insists she didn’t, and Gina suggests they look at Shannon’s track record. Shannon says, no, you, and then the d*ck pic gets rehashed. Jenn wonders why they’re all still talking about it (thank you). It was a personal moment and no one’s business. Gina says, Jenn chose to forgive him, move on, and give it a go, and Jenn says she loves him and she’s happy with him. Gina says she feels like Jenn is being the bigger person. She’s the scapegoat in her own story, and doesn’t chuck anyone under the bus. Tamra says she’s sorry she upset Jenn, but she knew Jenn would protect him and make her out to be a liar. She says sorry again, but that doesn’t sound like an apology. Jenn says, they’ll have to agree to disagree, and Tamra says, Jenn deserves happiness. She’s an amazing person. I guess Tamra ran out of steam.

Taylor comes out, and Fancy Pants whispers to Gina that Taylor’s been sh*tting on her all over the place. Andy says, Taylor is now fighting hard from a different zip code, and asks how it feels to be the first Housewife to cross over? She says, it feels like home and she’s finding friendships. Andy doesn’t spend much time here before he tells us that Fancy Pants has the perfect cure for empty nest syndrome; trade in the nest for 55 million. We flash back to all that, and Andy asks about Terry having a stroke. Fancy Pants says, in front of her, but he didn’t realize it happened, and argued with her about going to the hospital. She literally chased him down with them both in Ubers. She finally got him to go, and the doctor confirmed he’d had a stroke. Andy asks about Taylor being in her first movie, and she says, because of the strike, they haven’t been able to finish. A viewer agrees that Fancy Pants sounds condescending and asks if Taylor thinks she’s unaware of it. Taylor says she thinks it’s just how Fancy Pants talks, and she is unaware. She told Fancy Pants they were filming in Oklahoma, and she asked, where’s Oklahoma? Fancy Pants says she’s not Magellan, and if she offended Taylor, she apologizes. I’m no Magellan either, but I know approximately where Oklahoma is. Fancy Pants says she felt terrible that’s what Taylor thought during the season, but she wasn’t trying to be condescending. Since the pot isn’t stirred enough, Andy points out that Tamra was the one who said Fancy Pants hadn’t worked since the 1900s. Tamra says she wasn’t making fun; she just got her years mixed up. Fancy Pants says, when Tamra and Eddie closed the gym, what if she’d said, they were only in business nine years; it’s not the Equinox. Andy says, Gina warned Taylor that Tamra was two-faced, and Taylor says, Tamra likes to stir the pot. If she had something to say to Fancy Pants about her, she should have said it in front of her. Tamra says she literally followed Fancy Pants to the bathroom while she was talking. Fancy Pants reapplies her lipgloss, and Taylor says, Fancy Pants said she was anti-female, but she works tirelessly for women and children of domestic violence. Heather says, then don’t put down another woman’s career, but Taylor says she thought she was supporting it by suggesting Fancy Pants go for a role in the film. Tamra says, Fancy Pants is the one who ran into a producer and said, get her off this f***ing show. Shannon pipes up that she was there, and Andy asks if Fancy Pants thinks she’s better than them. Shannon says, sometimes, and Fancy says, it was the producer of That’s Life, the series where she was most recently a regular. She wondered if it was a sign, since they’d been trashing her career. She didn’t mean she wanted off the show or was putting it down. She’s grateful for the platform and came back because of it. Emily says, Fancy Pants doesn’t put her down, but she didn’t stick up for Emily when Tamra said she wasn’t an attorney. Tamra says she meant Emily reached out to her as a party planner, but Fancy Pants says, Tamra said, Emily was a party planner, not a real lawyer. We flash back to that, and she kinda, sorta did. Tamra tells her that she said Emily wasn’t a practicing attorney, and Emily says she’s tired of hearing she’s not a real attorney. Gina suggests Fancy Pants is tired of hearing she’s not a real actress, and Emily says she understands. She feels the same way and wishes Fancy Pants either told her at the time or defended her. A viewer says, Fancy Pants said she didn’t want to tell the group about the sale of her home because she was afraid the press would find out. Then she said it was because no one would be happy for her. Which was it? Shannon says, nobody wasn’t happy for her, and Tamra says, they did find out about it from the press. Heather says she didn’t want that to happen. She wanted to tell them in Mexico. Tamra says, they were all happy for her, and Fancy Pants admits that’s true and looks like she’s going to cry. Andy says, Fancy Pants claimed she got picked on because the others are jealous, and wonders if she still feels that way. Fancy Pants says she does think she self-actualizes, and wants to be a better person, human, mom, wife, friend. Shannon says she needs to go to the bathroom badly, and Fancy Pants tells Andy that she doesn’t know; she’s sad. Resident psychologist Emily says she thinks Fancy Pants feel isolated because she’s offended all the time about everything that everyone does. Fancy Pants says she does not, but Emily says she thinks the problem is that Fancy Pants needs to laugh at herself more. Andy asks who thinks Fancy Pants has a sense of humor, and it doesn’t look good, but Gina and Tamra both say she does. Taylor says she’d hoped they’d moved past everything in Tulum, and she’s here for Fancy Pants. Fancy Pants says she thought they’d had a nice conversation, but everything Taylor says about her is punitive. She would like Taylor to stop doing that. Taylor says she’d like to review what things those are in a separate conversation from this one. Andy tells us that it’s time to say goodbye to Taylor, probably because she showed some smarts instead of saying, let’s discuss this right now in an inappropriate venue, and broke Housewife Rule #1. We take a break. Not like Ryan and Jenn’s break though.

To his credit, Andy says, we’re back, instead of welcoming us back like we were the ones who left. He says, Gina’s life was in an upswing, but she had some friendships in need of renovation. We flash back, and when the clip is shown where Shannon brings up Gina’s DUI, I think, they’re going to get mad about this all over again. That’s what I hate about these Reunions. They stir it all up again when I’m over it. Gina says, Matt’s infidelity hurt worse than the domestic violence, and Emily says she thinks it’s because that was an isolated event. Gina says, it wasn’t Matt that night, and she doesn’t look at him like that person. A viewer asks why Fancy Pants had a problem with Gina sharing her problems with Travis, and Fancy Pants says she’s had no boyfriend for almost 30 years. In her day, you didn’t talk about your ex. She wasn’t talking negatively against Travis. Emily says, blended families are different, and Gina says she knew Fancy Pants meant well. She still has to process something that changed the course of her entire life. Andy says, Shannon promised not to talk about Gina’s DUI again, so why did she? Shannon says – wait for it – she didn’t realize she said it. When she made the statement, she wasn’t saying Gina’s kids would be taken away, but if she had been arrested and another adult not there, they wouldn’t have been left alone. Gina asks Shannon what the names of her kids are, and Shannon is hard pressed to get it right. Gina says, never talk about her children. She’s known Shannon for six years, and Shannon doesn’t even know her kids’ names. What she said was completely inaccurate, out of bounds, and wrong. She shouldn’t have anything other than I’m sorry. Shannon tells Gina, yes, what she said was unkind, and Gina says, Shannon is worried about people talking about the same things she’s saying about other people. Shannon is talking about her children. My children! Shannon tells her to keep screaming, and Gina says she will. My children.

Andy asks Shannon what her reaction was to the seeing herself, and she says she was horrified, and she spoke to Gina. Emily says, when she knew she said it, that was an opportunity to say she was wrong, and Shannon says, it was established at the table she’d said it. I don’t know if Shannon is being deliberately dense or she’s stupid, and Gina explains that it would have been an opportunity to be a kind person. Shannon says she could present a list of things she’s done for Gina, and Gina says, Shannon gave her a phone number four and a half years ago. Andy asks if Shannon doesn’t think she’s beaten that one to death, but Shannon repeats she has a list of things she’s done for Gina. Gina says, of course Shannon makes a list, and Shannon says, before Gina met Travis, she invited Gina out, then Gina kept painting her out to be a horrible person. Andy reminds Shannon that she said Gina had been talking about her and John, yet she talked about Travis. We flash back to Shannon’s remark about Travis’s teeny penis, and Shannon says she was repeating something she’d heard three years ago. Emily asks, why bring it up now? and Shannon says, Gina was saying horrible things. Gina says, so instead of coming to her and asking if she’d said those things, Shannon chucked her and Travis under the bus. Shannon only worried about herself. Shannon says she apologized for the Travis comment, and Emily says, there’s nothing more detrimental as mom to hear someone say you’re a bad mom. It feels like Shannon is being defensive instead of saying she was completely wrong and crossed the line. Gina says, she and Shannon went out and had a little fun years ago. Her kids are close to being on social media, and for them to see that about being taken away would hurt them and scare them, and Shannon doesn’t even know names. This wound will stay with her, and she doesn’t know if she can continue to do this. It’s unclear whether she means her friendship with Shannon, the Reunion, or the show.

Next time, the Reunion concludes, Fancy Pants confronts Shannon; Emily says, Fancy Pants has no sense of humor; Fancy Pants says she hasn’t gone against Tamra because she’s scared of her; and Tamra says, Fancy Pants should be scared of her. I guess that baptism just plain wore off.

💎 Trailing the Hills…

The vault has been opened for the new season of RHOBH. I think I’d handle the trips they go on the way my BFF and I handled CYO trips in high school. Take the bus there with everyone, “get lost” somehow, and then conveniently find the bus again when it’s time to go home.

https://ew.com/tv/real-housewives-of-beverly-hills-season-13-trailer/

🛼 Having a Flashback…

I’ll have whatever Donna Mills is having.

https://ew.com/tv/ladies-of-the-80s-lifetime-movie-first-look-photos/

👻 Scary Truth…

Great article on Halloween.

https://www.fatherly.com/entertainment/the-real-history-halloween-in-the-us

🎃 Scaredy Dog…

I had a Golden that was literally scared of his shadow.

https://people.com/golden-retriever-gets-scared-halloween-decorations-watch-8285818

🧋 Pumpkin Spice Up Your Life…

Set a spell tomorrow for soap and questionable Charm. Until then, stay safe, stay taking a mint if someone offers it, and stay not being defensive when you are completely wrong and crossed the line.

While this isn’t exactly a Halloween themed song, the video is pretty weird.

July 5, 2023 – Willow Lets Nina In Her Bubble, OC On the Ranch, Celebrate, Shhh, Drunk Dial, Who’s Out, Deck Food, VanderShade, After, Pets (!) & Sea

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Nina tells Sonny that she has everything she wants; the man she loves, a wedding on the horizon, and barely a cloud in the sky. He says he doesn’t see any clouds, and she says, just one. Willow’s going to be home soon, but without her.

Willow tells Michael that she thinks her bubble should include Nina. She knows how he feels about Nina, but if she can only include a few people each day until her immune system kicks in… He says, she wants her mom to be one of them, and she says, they’ve been given a miracle here. Shouldn’t they share it? Not only with the people who deserve it, like his mom, but also the people who don’t, like her mom.

Sam asks if Carly is thinking of refinancing the house, but Carly says, no. She doesn’t think she could afford the monthly payment, and isn’t sure the bank would even refinance her. Sam says, so they can take the idea of mortgage off the table, and Carly says, absolutely, because she’s selling the house.

Diane meets Tracy at a table by the pool, and Tracy says she appreciates Diane’s punctuality. It’s the little things that engender trust. Diane is glad Tracy finds her trustworthy, but she was on her way to meet a client when she got Tracy’s message. Tracy offers Diane a seat, and Diane asks if Tracy also meets with the Quartermaine legal team poolside, but Tracy says, they don’t have Diane’s ability to think outside the box. Diane thanks her for the flattery, but says, it’s unnecessary. Just tell her what she’d like. Tracy says she’d like to hire Diane, and slides a check across the table.

Mac asks if Cody just said he considers him a friend, and Dante says, Cody is lucky to have a friend like Mac. It’s a wicked world out there, and it’s easy to make the wrong choices.

At the Deception office, Sasha takes one of her prescription pills, when Lucy and Brook come in. Brook asks if it’s true. She heard Cody’s been cleared and the charges have been dropped. Lucy says, Sasha must be absolutely thrilled, but Sasha says she wouldn’t go that far. Lucy says she’s entitled to feel happy for her friend. They’re going to celebrate that as soon as they take care of business. She looks at her phone, and wonders where Maxie is.

Martin leaves his hotel room, and posing as a staff member, Felicia slips inside.

Diane looks at the $40K check, and tells Tracy that it’s an impressive offer, but she already has all the clients she can handle. Tracy is sure Sonny keeps Diane busy, not to mention Carly and all her current legal woes, but she has the feeling once Diane hears what she has to say, Diane is going to want to fire all her clients and work for Tracy exclusively. Diane says she’s neither accepted Tracy’s check nor pushed it back across the table, so please continue. Tracy says she’d like to report a robbery, and Diane says, that’s a matter for the police, but Tracy says she’s not talking about a car or a computer. What she’s talking about is worth a king’s ransom – or if Diane prefers, a queen – and this queen would like the thieves to pay dearly for what they stole. She gives Diane a folder, and Diane admits she’s intrigued. What exactly was stolen? She looks in the folder, and says, The Deceptor?

Brook asks why the meeting is so hush-hush. Are they introducing a new product that’s going to be bigger than The Deceptor? Lucy says, she’ll know soon enough, and tells Sasha, the Twittersphere didn’t have a lot of detail, but how did Cody skate on those charges? Brook asks if Cody was telling the truth, and Gladys put the bracelet in his jacket pocket, but Sasha says, no. It turns out the bracelet was just misplaced, and Gladys made an honest mistake in blaming Cody. Brook says, so Sasha and Gladys are on good terms then? and Sasha says, never better. Lucy says, what about Sasha and Cody?

Cody says, Dante and his wicked world, and tells Mac that when they were in summer camp, Dante would tell stories about mysterious creatures that were half-man, half-monster, who stalked the forest eating lost campers. Dante says, they’re real; they looked like Scotty Baldwin. Mac’s phone rings, and he steps away to take the call. Maxie asks if Felicia is with Mac. Georgie and Baby Lou are with Liesl, but she’s late for a meeting and she has no one to watch James. Mac hears James in the background, and says, it sounds like she needs an entire squad team. Don’t worry. He’s on his way. Dante asks if there’s trouble, and Mac says, just the kind that every parent knows. He congratulates Cody about the charges being dropped, and leaves. On the way out, he sees Martin, and asks if Martin took his advice about Lucy. Martin says, about not keeping things from her. The advice was taken. Mac tells him to have a nice day, and leaves. Martin takes his jacket and shoes off, and lies on a chaise lounge. Tracy watches him.

Willow tells Michael, now that Sonny is planning on marrying Nina, they can’t keep wishing she’ll disappear out of their lives. Like it or not, Sonny and Nina are part of the family. He still backed off on taking down his dad, right? He says he still hasn’t forgiven Sonny for what Sonny did to his mom and their family, but he’s not wasting any more time on a vendetta to make Sonny pay for the pain he caused. She says she’s proud of him for that, but doesn’t want to waste any more time either. She’s missed so much already. Michael says, she came back to them, and Willow says, Nina is part of them. She’s part of Willow, whether she likes it or not. Willow doesn’t expect Michael to forgive Nina, but she spent all those years building a relationship with Harmony despite her many flaws, because Harmony was her mother. Nina is her biological mother. Shouldn’t she give Nina the same consideration? She wants to get to know the mother she never had, and wants her mother to get to know her.

Sonny tells Nina that he could speak to Willow. Now that she’s had this life changing experience, maybe she can see things different. Nina says, that’s exactly what Michael said he didn’t want Sonny doing, and she’s not putting him in that position. To act as a go-between, and plead with Willow… If it came from Willow herself, that’s one thing, but they both know Willow will never give her a chance. He tells her, never say never. She lost Willow before and found her. Then she thought she lost Willow to leukemia, and what happened? Nina asks if he’s saying, where there’s life there’s hope. She never took him as the greeting card type. He says he’s a realist. He’s seen the toughest guys just melt over holding a baby in their arms. He’s also heard about women not even as big as Willow picking up an SUV with an injured child underneath. He believes in miracles. It was a miracle he didn’t die in that river. And where did he end up? Nixon Falls. She says, he’s not only a realist, but he’s a romantic, and she loves that about him. But they have to be honest, there are some people who think them finding each other wasn’t a miracle; more like a catastrophe.

Sam says, Carly can’t mean that, as the moss bowl🎍frets about having to move, and Carly says, it’s not like she wants to, but at the end of the day, it’s just a real estate transaction. This house is too big for her and Donna anyway, and Josslyn will be going to PCU in the fall. She and Trina are moving into an off-campus apartment. This is perfect. Sam says she needs to think this through, and Carly says, it’s not like she grew up in this house, and from the money she makes on the sale, she and Donna will be able to move into a condo on Charles Street and live off the rest. Sam says, that makes a lot of sense, except for one thing. Carly keeps calling this a house when it’s her home.

Sam says she’s talking to Carly as her friend, and asking her to please consider the consequences before she minimizes it down to a real estate transaction. Carly says she doesn’t have the luxury of being sentimental. Look at Drew. He sacrificed himself for her; his freedom. Sacrificing a house seems small in comparison. Sam asks what Carly thinks Drew would say about her selling the house, and Carly says, he wouldn’t like it, but he doesn’t have to know. Please… Sam says, of course (🍷). She wouldn’t say anything to Drew – it’s not her place – but he’s bound to find out. Carly says, by then, it will be too late. It’s her choice. It’s her decision. Sam says, of course (🍷) it’s her choice, but when she puts that for sale sign in the front yard, think about how Donna’s going to feel. She loves this house. Carly says she knows Donna loves it and she’s going to miss it, but she’ll understand. Sam says, she will, but will Carly? When she and Sonny got divorced, the only thing Carly hung on to, the only thing she fought for, was this house. Is she really ready to just let it go?

Sonny says, he and Nina both know they can’t turn back the clock. They can’t undo the hurt they’ve caused in the past. But Nina has to understand, if it wasn’t for her Aunt Liesl, Willow would have never had the bone marrow transplant. Maybe she would have died. Nina did that for her; she gave Willow the gift of her family. If Michael and Willow can’t acknowledge that… Nina’s family saved Willow’s life. Sonny’s phone rings, and he says he was just thinking about them. How’s the patient? Michael says, they just got the all-clear. Willow’s going home.

Nurse Clara says, Willow must be thrilled to be going home, and Willow says she can’t thank Clara enough for all the care she’s given her. Clara says, it’s all part of the job, but Willow says, no. She may not have worked here very long, but Clara went way beyond the call of duty. She’s the one who got Willow to see that this isn’t all about her. Clara says she assumes Willow means being reunited with her little ones, and Willow says, of course (🍷), but also with someone else. Clara says she was right, wasn’t she? A girl needs her mom.

Michael says, before Willow leaves the hospital, there’s something she needs, and Sonny says, of course (🍷). Just name it. Michael says, she needs her mom.

Tracy says, as Diane can see, the file contains a timeline detailing the development of The Deceptor, and the skyrocketing sales once it was released. Diane says, these documents look very confidential. How did Tracy get them? Tracy flashes back to Brook giving her the flashdrive, and Tracy tells Diane, never mind how she got them. How did Deception get them? And don’t tell her that they sprang fully formed from Lucy Coe’s questionable brain. Diane says, of course (🍷) not. A product like this often has years of research and development. And yet… Tracy says, and yet, the timeline confirms they suddenly showed up in Deception’s files as early as last autumn. Diane says, cards on the table. Is Tracy saying The Deceptor is stolen intellectual property? Tracy says she’s not saying it; Diane is.

Sasha says, yes. Cody is her friend, and she’s very glad his name was cleared. Lucy says, no thanks to Gladys, and Brook says, Gladys was pretty useless as her assistant, but she did seem pretty dedicated to nailing Cody. Sasha says, from Gladys’s point of view, Gladys was just looking out for her. Her only crime is caring too much. Brook says she knows Sasha is loyal to Gladys, but she’s still going to push to end the guardianship, right? and Sasha says she’s more determined than ever. And thanks to the help of her psychiatrist, she believes the court will decide she’s ready to be on her own. In fact, she’s going to go celebrate her upcoming freedom with a latte from Perks. She asks them to excuse her, and leaves.

Dante asks what Cody and Scotty were talking about. He bets 10 to 1 the words get rich quick were involved. Cody says, he and Scotty have a connection, remember? and Dante says, Dominique Baldwin. Cody says, not only was she his mom, she was also the love of Scotty’s life at one time. Dante asks why that connection means so much to Cody, when the other connection of Mac being his dad doesn’t mean anything to him, and Cody says, Mac’s better off not knowing. Dante says, Mac’s better off or Cody’s better off? Because it seems like whatever Cody and Scotty have cooking is on the wrong side of the law. He’s the law, right? And if Cody’s in over his head, like he has been ever since he dropped in that pool… Cody says, just drop it, okay? and Dante says, all right. Cody doesn’t want to talk to him, he knows who Cody can talk to.

Mac walks into Maxie’s, and James asks if he can come live with him. He’s tired of being the only boy. Mac tells Maxie to go to her meeting. He’s got this. She asks if he’s sure, and James says, go, mommy. They’ve got this. Maxie opens the door, and Felicia is there. She apologizes for being late, and Maxie says, tell it to the cops. Apparently, they got this. She leaves, and Mac asks, what kept her? She says she took a job, and he asks, what job? She says, the kind she knows best. She’s not just James’s grandma; she’s also, Felicia Scorpio, private eye.

James asks, what’s a private eye? and Felicia says, it means she solves mysteries, like in his Hardy Boys books or his Scooby-Doo cartoons. James asks if she does what grandpa does, and she says, it’s very similar. She’s going to need James’s help. Can he find her one of his mommy’s old sheets? The rattier the better. He says he knows where to look, and runs off. Mac says, if this is about Cody, she can stand down. The charges were dropped. She says, that’s good news, but her case has nothing to do with Cody. She’s doing this for an old friend. He asks if it’s someone he knows, but James comes back with the sheets, and says, that’s private. Remember? She’s a private eye, and private means you don’t talk about it. Felicia says, yeah, grandpa. Now that James is her official sidekick, she needs him to spread the sheet out on the floor, and maybe grumpy grandpa will help him if he feels like it. Mac says he doesn’t know how he feels about that title, but he’ll help. He and James spread out the sheet, and Felicia says, now they get to work and look for clues… by sorting through garbage. She dumps a bunch of trash on the sheet, and James says, awesome.

Cody says, Dante wants him to talk to Mac? Talk about beating a dead horse. Mac is literally the last person he can talk to. Dante says, no. Mac’s literally the person Cody is choosing not to talk to. And he’s Cody’s father. If Scotty’s gotten him into trouble, talk to Mac. Tell him what’s going on. He’ll hear Cody out and maybe help him out of the mess he’s in. Cody asks, what if he doesn’t want out of it? What if he’s the one driving the situation, not Scotty? Did Dante ever consider that?

Maxie says she’s sorry she’s late. What is this big emergency? Lucy says, good. Maxie’s here now. She can break the news. There’s no easy way to say it, so she’s just going to say it. They have a snake in their midst.

Tracy tells Diane, it makes her very happy that a lawyer as sharp as Diane is thinking what she’s thinking, because it makes her believe a judge might agree with Diane. Diane asks if she’s actually accusing Sasha, Lucy, and Maxie – not to mention her own granddaughter – of stealing the idea for The Deceptor, but Tracy says she’s not accusing anybody of anything… yet. Diane says, then what is she doing here? Can Tracy at least tell her who it was stolen from? Tracy says, it’s time for Diane to put her cards on the table. Is she in or is she out?

Carly tells Sam, this house has been her home for a long time, and she’s not going to deny how much it means to her. It’s the only house Donna’s ever known, and after her marriage ended with Sonny, and after she lost the MetroCourt, this house was the one thing outside of her kids that she could hold on to. Even now, she can stand in this room and she can hear every laugh. She can feel every tear, and can even taste every meal they’ve shared. And the memories of Josslyn growing up here, the memories of Morgan, those memories… They’re going to be in her heart forever. Sam asks if she’s really ready to let that all go, and Carly says she doesn’t have a choice. She’s a survivor and she has to adapt. And as hard as it’s going to be to walk out that front door and never come back, that’s what she’s going to have to do.

Sonny and Nina come out of the hospital elevator, and Nina flashes back to telling Ava that when Willow finds out she’s the one who turned in Carly and Drew, any chance that she has of forging a relationship with her is gone. Sonny asks, what’s wrong? and she says she’s not as brave as she thought she was. She’s going to mess this up. She can’t do this.

Clara asks if Nina is Willow’s mom by any chance, and Nina says, yes. Clara says, Willow told her that she’d asked to see Nina. She’s so happy for Nina and her daughter, but she’s going to need to put this on first. She gives Nina a mask, and says, it’s nice meeting her. Instead of saying, likewise, Nina says, okay, and Clara leaves. Michael comes out, and says, Willow’s ready to see her. Nina puts the mask on, and goes into Willow’s room.

Carly says she’s sorry. Sam didn’t come over to hear about her problems. Sam says, don’t be sorry. She asked how Carly was feeling. She’s glad Carly feels close enough to her that Carly can lean on her. It hasn’t always been that way. Carly says, her loss, and Sam says, hers too. She always considered Carly Jason’s friend. She’s glad that’s changed. Carly says she’s not just losing a house; she’s gaining a friend. Sam says, Carly never lost her, and as far as selling the house, she suggests they put a pin in it. They can think things through. See if Carly has other options. Carly says she doesn’t have any other options. And those memories she talked about aren’t bound by four walls and a roof. They’re going to come with her wherever she goes, and they’re going to be the foundation she builds on. Not just the new home she creates, but the new version of herself. Sam says, there’s that fighting spirit, and Carly says she’s done this before. And this time when she’s finished, she’s going to get back everything she’s lost.

Sonny tells Michael that Willow’s amazing. He knew she was tough enough to take on cancer, but to open her heart to Nina was… Michael says, she didn’t open her heart; she just opened a door. It remains to be seen if Nina will make Willow regret it.

Nina says, considering everything Willow’s been through, she looks wonderful. Some color in her cheeks again… and her eyes. Willow says, the staff here have taken excellent care of her, but now it’s time to go home. Nina says, Willow must be anxious to get back to Wiley and Amelia. Is there anything she can do to help? Willow says, as a matter of fact, there is. Once she gets settled in at home, she’d like Nina to come for a visit.

Brook says, a snake? and Lucy says, it all began with what she thought was just going to be a normal routine report from their IT department. But instead, it was anything but routine what they found yesterday – and unauthorized download from their executive shared drive. That download contained data that was highly confidential about The Deceptor. Maxie says, that data is password protected, and Lucy says, it was. Only them. They know the password. Maxie asks if she’s saying one of them logged on to the shared file and stole all the data on The Deceptor, but Lucy says, she’s not saying one of them. She’s saying Maxie stole it.

Diane says if she’s going to take Tracy on as a client, she needs more, and Tracy says, there’s plenty more where that came from, touching the check. Diane says she’s not talking about the money… entirely. She needs to be able to connect the dots, starting with who actually owns the intellectual property rights, and ending with who has them now and how they plan to reproduce the product. Tracy says she’ll get Diane everything she needs to proceed once Diane lets her know she’s truly on board. She reaches for the check, but Diane slides it out from under her hand. Diane tells Tracy, if what she says is true and a judge agrees, then Tracy and whomever she’s working with are going to get a huge payoff. Tracy says she knows, and Diane will be entitled to a quarter of it. Diane says, she’s cute. No. She’ll be entitled to a third. Now if Tracy will excuse her, she needs to go see other clients. She leaves, and Tracy strolls over to Martin. She drips an ice cube over his head, startling him, and she asks if he wasn’t going to say hello.

Mac asks what Felicia is doing with all this garbage, as he and James put on gloves. She says, they’re looking for evidence, and Mac says, if she obtained this garbage illegally… She says, garbage is fair game, but he says, it depends on how she got it. She says, if he must know, she got it from the housekeeper. He looks at her, and she says, it’s the honest truth. James asks, what’s hummingbird cake? and Mac says, it’s cake that’s popular in the South. He asks Felicia, whose garbage is this anyway? and she asks James if he knows what this is, showing him something in a plastic bag. He shakes his head, and she says, this is the jackpot.

Felicia dumps shredded paper out of the bag, and says, looks like someone was in a rush to put their bank statement through the paper shredder. That explains why some of the pieces are larger than others. She suggests they see it as a jigsaw puzzle. All they have to do is put the pieces together. James asks Mac, what is this? and shows him a piece of paper that says, MARTIN GREY, ESQUIRE.

Martin says, long time, no see, and Tracy says, the last time their paths crossed… He says, she was behind bars, and she says, yeah. It was that unfortunate misunderstanding with Alexis. She doesn’t believe she ever properly thanked him for representing her, and he says, come to think of it, she didn’t. Where does he send the bill? She laughs, and tells him to never lose his sense of humor. Is he still with Lucy Coe? He says he is. Why does she ask? She says, chacun a son gout, and he says, come again? She says, to each his own taste. Actually, her dearly departed brother also found Lucy Coe irresistible. Of course (🍷) that was never a match made in heaven. He says, that sounds vaguely like a warning, but she says, it’s a prediction.

Cody asks Dante if it’s really so hard to believe that his old pal could come up with a plan on his own. Not just some harebrained scheme, but an actual way to hit pay dirt? Dante says he thinks Cody’s smart. It’s just Cody’s judgement he questions. Cody says he can’t afford what Dante considers judgement. He doesn’t have a father with the same connections as Dante’s. He doesn’t have a Sam in his life, or kids, or family, or friends. He’s not trying to throw himself a pity party. He’s just saying he’s had to scratch and claw for everything he’s ever gotten. Dante says, by choice. He’s got friends. Cody’s got him, he’s got Sam, he’s got Sasha. He has a family. He’s got a dad. He’s just got to let them in. Or maybe the money is of more value to him.

Maxie says, Lucy thinks she stole from her own company? but Lucy says, no. She doesn’t really think that. She doesn’t want to think that, but IT was very, very clear, the unauthorized download, that data came from Maxie’s computer and her computer only. Maxie says she accesses the shared file all the time. She was looking around in it yesterday, but she definitely didn’t download anything. Brook can back her up. Brook was with her. Remember? She was surprised to see Brook on her day off. Brook says, of course (🍷) she remembers that, and Lucy says, fine. Does Brook remember seeing Maxie download anything, or anybody at all download anything from Maxie’s computer?

Willow tells Nina that her immune system is still going to be compromised for a little while. The hardest part will be keeping Wiley and Amelia at a distance for a few weeks. It also means allowing a small bubble of friends and family to be in the same room with her. Nina says, Willow is including her in this bubble? and Willow says she wants to be very clear that Carly will be part of it too. She asked Nina this once before when she thought she was dying, but it’s even more important to her now when she has so much to live for. Feuding and the need for vengeance have to stop immediately. If Nina wants to be part of her life, she has to make peace with Carly.

Walking into Sonny’s old kitchen and admiring the moss bowl🎍, Diane apologizes for being late. She ran into Tracy Quartermaine. Carly says, enough said, but her timing’s perfect, and Sam guesses that’s her cue to go. Carly’s in good hands. She leaves, and Carly says, Diane made sure she got this house when she and Sonny divorced. Now she needs Diane to make sure she’ll get top dollar when she puts this house on the market. Diane asks if she’s seriously thinking of selling, and Carly says, please don’t try to talk her out of it. She just went through that with Sam, and this is the only chance she has. There’s nothing else she can do. Diane says, how Carly underestimates her.

Maxie says, her computer may have been the entry point, but why would she want to download files she already has access to? What would be her reason for doing that? Lucy says, that is curious. She’s right. But if Maxie didn’t do it, who did?

Martin says, doubtless, Tracy has her own history with Lucy. Fortunately, his lady love and he share a great many things in common, including an unshakable faith in each other. She says, that’s adorable, but she was wondering if he would be interested in a little proposition.

Cody says, Dante can think what he wants, but he’s learned not to count on anyone but himself. Dante asks how that’s working out for him, and leaves.

Mac says, it’s a quarterly bank statement, and Felicia says, look at that. $50,000 is automatically deposited every month. James says, this puzzle isn’t any fun. All the pieces are the same. He’s getting a cookie. Mac asks James to get one for him too, please, and James goes to the kitchen. Felicia says, odds are those monthly deposits were made by Martin’s biggest client Valentin, and Mac says, but why aren’t the checks drawn from a bank here in Port Charles? She says, he’s right. They come from a town in Pennsylvania… Pine Valley.

Nina gives Willow her word. Her feud with Carly is officially over. Michael knocks at the door and comes in with Sonny. Sonny asks if Nina is okay, and coming out from the isolation area, Nina says she’s better than okay. Willow invited her into her bubble of friends and family. Sonny hugs Nina, and Willow asks if Michael is upset with her decision. He says, no, never. If she wants Nina included in her circle, he’s not going to stand in her way. Because her happiness means everything to him. Everything

Carly tells Diane that she doesn’t understand. All the equity she has is in the house. It’s all she has. Unless she sells it, she won’t be able to afford anything. Diane asks, who’s the lawyer here? At least let her make her case. She starts to show Carly something in a booklet.

I would have ended with the Pine Valley reveal, but okay.

Tomorrow, Tracy is prepared to offer someone a challenge; Marshall asks if he’s going to see Curtis at home tonight; Finn says, there will be no more romantic evenings for him and Elizabeth in the future; and Brook says, they have a problem.

🍊 RHOC This…

Why The Real Housewives of Orange County go on trips together is beyond me. Any Housewives trip is usually proof positive that the wrong people have all the money and get to take amazing vacations. And while this trip was indeed amazing, it wasn’t exactly Dubai. These women for sure don’t belong on a ranch. So even more puzzling.

Fancy Pants Heather was upset because Taylor had been belittling her career to Tamra. Taylor and Tamra were both equally guilty of making a little fun of Fancy Pants, but no surprise, Tamra pointed her finger at Taylor, and in her interview, Fancy Pants said she thought it would be disappointing if Tamra wasn’t supportive of her career, and felt she had no choice but to believe her. Clearly she doesn’t know Tamra, although Gina wondered why they were pretending Tamra was a saint. Also no surprise, Fancy Pants made a bigger deal of it than it was, and I’m sure there will be no end to it. Taylor thought she and Tamra had a tighter bond than that. Another one who clearly doesn’t know Tamra. Emily was spot-on in her interview, saying, Tamra would throw anyone under the bus, then drive the bus over them, and burn the bus so there would be no evidence.

There were all kinds of apologies between Tamra and Shannon, and in her interview, Fancy Pants said she was glad Tamra and Shannon were getting along, but hoped she didn’t end up being odd man out. Give it time. Like five minutes and a few tequilas.

Then there was the topic that wouldn’t die, Tamra yapping about new girl Jen’s infidelity or whatever, and how her boyfriend Ryan had claimed he wanted to do Tamra before he was doing Jen, even though he knew Tamra was married. Tamra ended up announcing this around the campfire, and Jen tried to explain that she hadn’t even held Ryan’s hand before she told her husband it was over. Fancy Pants whispered to Gina that she thought emotional affairs were worse, which just added fuel to Gina’s already emo fire. She wanted to call Travis and vent, but Fancy Pants warned her against it, saying, if she kept bringing up how she gets triggered, Travis would start thinking their relationship wasn’t solid. Gina still had some work to do, and he wasn’t her therapist or brother. Much as I hate to admit it, Fancy Pants was not wrong here. In Fancy Pants’s interview, she said, if Gina was still getting upset with something that happened years ago, maybe she wasn’t over it.

They drove tractors, roped, and shoveled poop, Fancy Pants wondering if Chanel made a shovel. Shannon wore overalls with one buckle undone, and… just no.

On the home front, Emily had gotten Annabelle signed with a modeling agency. She thought Annabelle needed some professionalism in her life, as they called her their feral child since she acted like they’d picked her up in the woods. We found out that Emily had modeled for department store ads when she was younger, and Shane had a talk show when he was a senior in high school on public access. Emily mused about it being in Annabelle’s DNA.

My vote for common denominator: Tamra.

Next time, rafting; Gina doesn’t listen to Fancy Pants, and talks to Travis anyway; Tamra tells Eddie about Ryan wanting to hit that; and Ryan insists it didn’t happen.

🎆 What They Did…

Probably not much different than what everyone else did.

💎 Keeping Quiet…

They might have read a little too much into this.

☎️ Prank Call, Prank Call…

You know how it is when you have a sleepover.

👠 Off With Their Heads…

Bravo keeps rewarding bad behavior, and won’t be happy until they end up with a lawsuit because of Teresa.

https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/8520777/rhonj-melissa-gorga-chopping-block-teresa-giudice-not-fired/

🥩 Chefs Outdone…

One of my favorite parts of any Deck in the franchise – food p*rn.

💸 No Villa For You…

I love the bit of amateur psychoanalysis at the end.

https://screenrant.com/vanderpump-rules-tom-schwartz-shady-tom-sandoval-vanderpump-villa/

🍸 Next Rules…

Probably not much you really need to know.

🦔 Ending With a Smile…

Lotsa cute pets here.

https://honey.nine.com.au/pets/celebrity-pets/daad8159-e6e9-497d-9f42-ca1c18069679

🌪 Monday Holiday Day Confusion…

Make a return trip tomorrow for soap and random cups of tea. Until then, stay safe, stay not expecting someone else to clean up after you, and stay knowing your memories aren’t bound by four walls and a roof. They come with you wherever you go.

July 4, 2023 – Big Oops, Yesterday’s GH, Together Or Not, Morgan May Spin, No Dracarys Here, Today & America

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

My bad. I swear I read the soaps weren’t on Monday, and since most people were off Monday, it made sense. Oops. So here’s a quick(er) recap of yesterday’s GH. Tomorrow, we’ll be back to our regularly scheduled more information than you need.

General Hospital

Sam goes to see Carly and the moss bowl🎍. Sam tells Carly about Drew having to say goodbye to Scout, then having to console Scout afterward. Scout’s devastated. She lost her dad once, and now she did again.

Drew drops by Sonny’s penthouse, and tells him that he’s leaving for Pentenville today. Sonny wonders why he’s here instead of with his family, and Drew says, unfinished business.

Dante stops by Mac’s office, and Mac says, something interesting crossed his desk that he thinks Dante should see.

Sasha has an appointment with Dr. Montague, and Gladys tells her not to push herself too hard. Gladys knows she wants to end the guardianship, but she can’t rush mental health. Sasha says she just got an email from Gelhorn Jewelers. They’ve dropped the larceny charges against Cody. Gladys is sure they have their reasons, and Sasha has the feeling Gladys knows what they are.

At the pool, Scotty asks Cody to sign an affidavit so they can do business with the WSB. He has the feeling they’re going to play hardball. Cody asks if he’s going to be investigated, and Scotty tells him that the S in WSB stands for Security. Is that going to be a problem?

Michael tells Willow that Dr. Randolph isn’t meeting with them today, but sending someone familiar with the case. They have to believe it’s good news. TJ comes in and asks how Willow is feeling. She says anxious, and asks if he has the results. He says he asked Terry if he could deliver the news; it’s life changing. As a friend, he felt it might be better coming from him. From all accounts, the bone marrow transplant was a success.

Mac tells Dante that Gelhorn Jewelers dropped the charges against Cody after determining the clasp on Glady’s bracelet was faulty. A witness came forward. Dante reads that a waiter discovered the bracelet on the floor, and thought it belonged to the jacket above it. That’s weird. Mac says the waiter slipped the bracelet into Cody’s pocket, leading him to slip handcuffs on Cody. He imagined himself Cody’s father, not his arresting officer. Dante flashes back to finding out Mac is Cody’s father, and Mac says he wants to deliver the news himself.

Cody tells Scotty that the charges about the bracelet won’t stick. All it cost him was a new friend.

Sasha says, Gladys didn’t seem surprised or upset, and Gladys explains about the waiter finding the bracelet and putting it in Cody’s pocket. Sasha asks if Gladys is ready to admit the truth that she was wrong about Cody.

Drew tells Sonny that he’s said most of his goodbyes, and spent time with Scout. At least it’s not forever. Drew brought a guitar with him for Ned/Eddie. He’s hoping Ned’s favorite guitar will help bring back some memories. Sonny says, Ned took off, but he’s got his eye on Ned, and he’s not the only one.

Carly asks Sam to be honest about how she feels, and Sam says she’s unhappy and pretty angry. She wishes Drew would have made a different choice, and Carly says she does too. Sam says, Drew deserves peace and happiness, and sacrificed it again because of Carly. Carly doesn’t blame Sam for feeling the way she does, and wants to fix it for Drew, and Sam says, but Drew wants to fix it for Carly, which speaks volumes about how much he cares.

Sonny says he knows Drew was made an offer to flip on him. Drew could have given them damaging information and didn’t. Drew says, Carly would never turn Sonny in and neither would he. Besides it’s his debt to pay. Sonny says he’s not going to forget what Drew did for him and Carly. He has eyes in Pentenville who will look out for Drew. Drew says he appreciates it, but doesn’t think he’ll need it. Sonny tells him, keep your eyes open and your chin up.

Gladys says she was wrong about Cody, but he was wrong about her too. She’s not some diabolical mother-in-law. Sasha asks why Gladys didn’t tell her before she got the email, and Gladys says she didn’t want to distract Sasha before her appointment. She also thought Sasha would be angry because she’d blamed Sasha’s friend, but Sasha says, it was just a big misunderstanding. But the person Gladys should apologize to is Cody. Dr. Montague is ready for Sasha, and Gladys says she hopes she didn’t cause problems for Sasha and Cody, but Sasha says, there is no her and Cody.

Scotty says, after Cody signs the affidavit, he’ll have plenty of friends, and they’ll all look like Benjamin Franklin. It should prove he’s Leopold Taub’s son. Taub had no living relatives, so no one is going to contest it. This, and his birth certificate, will do the trick, unless the WSB decides to exhume Taub’s body. Can Cody cry on cue? The WSB were stupid and careless in losing the necklace, and Cody will suffer when they dig up dear old dad. They should push for it. Cody says, please don’t.

TJ says, they need six months to a year to know if Willow is for sure in remission, but they’re encouraged; there are no visible leukemia cells in the blood or bone. Willow can go home. Her immune system is still compromised, so they’ll have to make consideration for that. Willow wonders if it’s a dream, but TJ says, once she gets her meds and instructions, she can go home. Michael says he doesn’t think it’s a good idea. The gatehouse isn’t ready. Willow suggests they stay somewhere else temporarily, but Michael wonders if it’s safe. The kids carry germs; they can’t risk infection. TJ says, exposure to illness like chicken pox could be deadly because all her immunizations were wiped out, but they’ll go over it before she leaves. She says, it sounds like she’ll still be in isolation.

Sam says she realized Drew and Carly were a couple before Carly did. She’s happy for them, and if there was no other way out, she’s glad Drew stepped up for Carly. Her family needs her. Carly says she misses him already, and asks if Sam wants coffee. Sam says she hasn’t had coffee today because the kitchen is Dante’s domain, and tells Carly that they need to talk about all that Carly’s lost.

Gladys goes to Sonny’s, and asks if he talked to Sasha about not ending the guardianship. He says he did, and doesn’t blame Gladys for being concerned.

Sasha tells Dr. Montague that things are back on track, and he says he doesn’t want her to view the sessions as vehicles to prove herself to him. His purpose is to see if the guardianship should be ended, but he’s also here to help, and needs her to be honest. She says she is, but he says, she seemed troubled since she walked in. Does she want to tell him what’s making her so anxious?

Mac and Dante go to the pool, and tell Cody that they have news. Mac says the jeweler’s insurance company dropped the charges, and Cody says, that’s great. Dante says, Cody gets more excited about a chicken parmesan, and Cody says, to be fair. Mama Q’s chicken parm is perfection, but he knew he was innocent. What changed their minds? Mac says, a witness came forward and said they put the bracelet in Cody’s pocket, and Scotty says, the truth prevailed. He leaves to file the affidavit, and Mac asks to talk to Cody. Before Scotty can jet, Dante asks him what he and Cody are up to.

Drew hands over his possessions and gets frisked. There’s a song part while he does the equivalent of checking in; fingerprinting, photo, that sort of thing. A guard takes him to his cell, and from the hallway Cyrus says, it’s certainly not the MetroCourt, but it may be a step up from a leaky makeshift prison on a Greek island.

Mac tells Cody that he’s glad the charges were dropped but he had to do it, and Cody says he won’t hold it against Mac. Mac says he’s glad to see Cody and Scotty are on good terms, considering Cody punched Scotty when he first got to Port Charles. So Cody trusts Scotty? Careful with that.

Dante asks what the letter was about that Cody was signing, but Scotty says he’s not at liberty to talk about that. Dante wonders if Scotty is representing Cody in another matter, but Scotty says, Dante knows about lawyer/client privilege. Why is he concerned? Dante says he’s concerned that Cody is being scammed by Scotty.

Sasha says, what isn’t making her anxious these days? She guesses she feels the pressure of getting this right. He says, it sounds normal, and understandable. Has she tried meditation? She says she prefers yoga, but he asks her to try an app he recommends. She says she would like to feel more centered, and he says he has something else for her.

TJ says, Michaels concerns are valid. At first, Willow can only have physical contact with immediate family and a small number of friends, It’s crucial she avoids close contact with anyone’s who’s sick, and recommends they all wear masks. A nurse will be by with the information and medication. Willow says, he’s been invaluable as a doctor and friend, and he says he has to leave before he blushes. Michael says, the nightmare’s over, and she says, maybe they’ll get their happily ever after.

Carly tells Sam that it’s hard for her to wrap her head around all she’s lost in the past two years. Her husband, Jason, her hotel, now Drew. The $5 million SEC fine pales in comparison. Sam asks if she has it, but Carly says, even if she secures a loan, she still can’t afford it. She’s sick thinking about Drew in prison, and what she’s going to face out here. She doesn’t know what she’s going to do. What really pisses her off is that they’re in this position because of spite.

Drew says, Cyrus knows him, but who’s he? and Cyrus says he’s Drew’s brother in Christ. Blessed are ye who weep now, for ye shall laugh. He’s glad Drew isn’t weeping over his circumstances, and Drew says he’s learned time passes either way. Cyrus says his group would benefit from Drew’s outlook. They meet twice weekly in the library. Their brotherhood is founded on shared values, not on prejudice or partisanship. The minute he heard Drew was headed to Pentenville, he knew Drew’s place was with them.

Michael says, the gatehouse will be immaculate for Willow’s arrival, and he has no problem gatekeeping. Her health is all that matters. She promises to be good, and he asks who she wants to see. Sasha, Chase? She says, yes to both, but there might be someone else she wants to add.

Sam says, Carly has people who will help, but Carly says she’s not going to take a handout. Sam asks, what about Donna? and Carly says, thankfully, she’ll always be taken care of by her father. Sam says, what about Donna’s mother? but Carly says she’s handled setbacks before. The MetroCourt was a real blow, but she handled it and she’ll handle this. She just doesn’t know how yet. Sam admires her grit, and Carly says, they have that in common. Sam says, something she’s learned in the past few years is, it’s okay to ask for help and push your foolish pride aside.

Sonny tells Gladys that Sasha admitted she was nervous about ending the guardianship, and Gladys says, see? She’s not ready. Sonny says, it seems realistic to him. Nothing Sasha said indicated she’s not ready. So if she’s ready and the doctor and judge say yes, they’re going to stay out of her way.

The doctor gives Sasha a prescription bottle, and tells her to take five milligrams three times daily; it’s a mild sedative. It will help manage her anxiety and is often prescribed in conjunction with antidepressants. She asks if it’s habit-forming, and he says he’ll be monitoring her intake. He’s confident it won’t be a problem… unless she doesn’t feel in control. She says she does feel in control – totally.

Dante says he doesn’t want to see Cody getting in any more trouble, but Scotty says, everything they’re working on is aboveboard. There’s no scheme here.

Cody says, it seems Mac is always warning him against someone, and Mac says he’s not putting Scotty in Selina’s category, but he wants Cody to be careful around her. He promised not to interfere, and he won’t. Cody says, Scotty’s his legal counsel, and Mac apologizes. He’s prying. They might not be related, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t want what’s best for Cody.

Drew asks why all the interest in him, and Cyrus tells him, don’t be so modest. His story is well known. Business mogul, prominent family, philanthropist. Navy SEAL hero turned prisoner, turned free man. Drew says, turned prisoner again, and Cyrus says, yet one more chapter in Drew’s fascinating story. Far from the end. It’s easy to lose faith behind bars, and he believes Drew’s presence at their meeting will help restore faith to some of their brothers. He thinks Drew will find great comfort in this book of prayers. He hands Drew a Bible, and Drew says he didn’t catch Cyrus’s name. Cyrus says, just call him Brother Cy, and Drew says, as in Cyrus? Cyrus says, Renault, and Drew says, Laura’s brother? Cyrus asks how his dear sister is, and Drew says, the Cyrus Renault whose drug trafficking caused overdoses and nearly killed Sasha Gilmore? Cyrus says his past is lamentable, and Drew says, he tried to kill Britt Westbourne. Cyrus says, thank God he wasn’t successful, and Drew says, Cyrus can thank his late brother Jason Morgan for that. He hands back the Bible, and says, and God help Cyrus, if Cyrus ever approaches him again.

TJ says, it’s official. Willow’s discharge is being processed. She can stay as long as she wants, but she’s free to leave once she’s reviewed all of her medication and instructions. He can’t stress enough that they need to protect her immune system, and not see people outside of her limited bubble. Michael says, they’ve got it, and they thank TJ. He says he’s so happy for them, and leaves. Willow says, he’s been a godsend, and Michael asks if she wants to add TJ to her bubble. She says, yes, but she was thinking of someone else, and he might not be happy. He says, whatever she wants, and she says she thinks her bubble should include Nina.

Carly tells Sam, maybe she’s being prideful, but it’s her mess. She has to clean it up, but she’s risen from the ashes before. Sam trusts Carly will get the clarity she needs. As long as she keeps her iron will, a roof over her head, and her freedom, she’ll think of something. Carly says, Sam’s right, and thanks to Sam, she’s figured out a way to use all three.

Gladys tells Sonny that Sasha has no idea of how stressful it will be to be on her own, having responsibility for her finances… having to make decisions where Deception is concerned. She might buckle under the weight. Sonny says, she’s made her point, but she has to understand something. It’s not up to her anymore. Give it up. Gladys leaves.

Dr. Montague says, Sasha is doing good, and if it continues, he’ll be able to give the judge a positive report. She thanks him for listening. It means everything. He says, they all need support. Talk therapy, meditation, and the prescription are all parts of a consistent wellness plan. He’ll see her next week. He goes into his office and calls Gladys. She asks if he did it, and he says, her daughter-in-law is on a new prescription regimen. It’s only a matter of time. If Gladys having second thoughts, he can invent an excuse for Sasha to bring back the medication. Gladys says, no. Let’s move forward. It’s the only move she has left.

Dante wants Scotty’s assurance nothing shady is going on, and Cody’s not going to get burned by what he just signed. Scotty asks what kind of a lawyer Dante takes him for, and Dante says, a sketchy one with a bag of tricks. Scotty says, this time it’s torts, not tricks. And just for his information, all lawyers have a sketchy bag of tricks. Dante says, tort? Like a civil lawsuit? Scotty tells him not to worry about Cody, and leaves.

Cody says he doesn’t mind Mac looking out of him. It’s unnerving, but nice. Mac says, don’t think of him as a cop, but a friend, and Cody says he already does.

Cyrus says, unlike them, the word of the Lord is free; no strings attached. Drew says, forgive him if he doesn’t believe that, and Cyrus says he does. He’s a big believer in the power of forgiveness, as he is in second chances. Take the book and don’t throw it away until he peruses its pages. He’ll find its lessons very useful. Drew takes it, and Cyrus leaves. Drew opens the Bible, and finds it’s hollowed out with a screwdriver inside.

Tomorrow, Cody asks Dante, what if he doesn’t want out of it; Lucy tells Maxie that there’s a snake in their midst; Sonny tells Nina, never say never; and Tracy asks someone if they’re in or they’re out.

🔁 It’s On, It’s Off, It’s Confusing…

Take your pick. Although even if Allison Dubois was right (which was actually the first thing I thought of), it doesn’t make her any less of an a-hole.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/other/the-real-housewives-of-beverly-hills-couple-kyle-richards-mauricio-umansky-split-report-medium-allison-dubois-reacts/ar-AA1dntq5

https://ew.com/tv/real-housewives-of-beverly-hills-kyle-richards-mauricio-umansky-separated/

⚰️ Spinning Into the Spin…

I can take or leave Rick, but I wouldn’t mind seeing Morgan again. I miss him already.

https://ew.com/tv/fear-the-walking-dead-lennie-james-morgan-rick-reunion/

🐉 She Knows Something, Jon Snow…

I doubt anyone thought otherwise, but who knows with this show?

https://ew.com/tv/emilia-clarke-wont-be-in-jon-snow-spin-off-game-of-thrones/

🎆 Declare This…

The facts of the day.

https://www.loc.gov/item/today-in-history/july-04/

😔 It’s Not Really the Hardest Word…

Sorry again. I was actually going to double-check yesterday, but I was all wrapped up in Netflixland. For real, there’s no new Deck tonight; just never before seen nonsense and nobody needs to see more than we have already. Join me tomorrow for soap and OC smack talk. Until then, stay safe, stay leaving the fireworks to the professionals, and stay forming brotherhoods on shared values, not on prejudice or partisanship.

June 30, 2023 – Curtis Confronts Jordan, Returning, New Gig, Copy Cannoli, Shams Now, Runway, Vander This, Real Bonkers, Midyear Roll Call, Pick a Trailer, Winning, Mixed Quotes, Pet (!) Safety & Carry On

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Spencer leaves a message for Trina to call him, when Esme walks in with an ice pack. He screams at her to get out.

Finn says he’s sorry, and Elizabeth asks what he’s apologizing for. He says he’s not sure, but he thought he should, and she says, he has nothing to be sorry for. Tonight was really… Violet runs in, calling, daddy! and Finn asks, what’s wrong? She says, Aunt Elizabeth can’t leave; not yet.

Sonny thanks Sasha for coming by, and she says, of course (🍷). She always loves spending time with him. He asks if he can get her anything, but she says she’s good. She’s curious as to what he wanted to talk about, and he says, her future.

In Portia’s office, Trina hears Spencer yell at Esme to get out, and he says, sorry. He’ll call her later. Portia comes in and apologizes for keeping her waiting; she wanted to talk to Trina. Trina says she wanted to talk to Portia too, and Portia says, about Spencer? Trina says, no, about Curtis. She knows what he did.

Zeke calls Jordan and says he knows it’s late notice, but is she free for dinner tonight? She says she’s free, but she has no interest in spending time with him, and he asks if she doesn’t think they should clear the air. She says, as far as she’s concerned, the air is crystal clear; they’re done. There’s a knock at her office door, and she tells Zeke to hold on. She says, yes? and Curtis walks in.

Austin kisses Ava, and she pushes him away. But then she changes her mind and kisses him. Suddenly, they’re in the bedroom getting busy. Alrighty then.

Elizabeth asks if Violet had a bad dream, and Violet nods. Finn asks if it was the shadow again, and she says, it was. It was scary. She tried to find Finn, but she couldn’t. Aunt Elizabeth was gone too. He says, they’re both right here for her, and Elizabeth says, her dad has been here the whole time. They’ve both been here. Violet says, what if she falls asleep again? What if the shadow comes back, and she can’t find either of them again? Finn kisses the top of her head and tells her, it’s okay.

Sasha says, that wasn’t at all what she expected Sonny to say, and he tells her that he and Gladys were talking. She told him that Sasha was ready to end the guardianship. Sasha says, that is true. She’ll forever be grateful to Gladys for everything she’s done, but she doesn’t want to be a burden on her anymore. Sonny says, she’s not a burden to anyone. They just care about her and want to see her get on her own two feet. She says, that means a lot, but her decision is just partly about Gladys. She just thinks it’s time. He says, what if he told her that Gladys thinks she’s not ready, and she asks if Gladys came to see him about her. Sonny says, Gladys thinks she’s rushing things and she’s worried, and Sasha says, so is she.

Spencer says he told Esme that he was fine; now go. She says she’s not going anywhere. He could have a broken rib or internal bleeding. He says he has neither, and she says, because of all the medical expertise he has? What happened to him anyway? Did someone attack him? He says, we just got in a little fight, and she asks, who is we? Someone he knows or did he get in a fight with a complete stranger? He asks if it would matter. What does she care? She throws the ice bag, hitting him, and he yells, ow! She asks if he thought about what it would mean if he got hurt or arrested. Did he even stop and think what it would mean? He says, it happened kind of fast, and she says, then they answer is no. He didn’t think.  

Jordan tells Zeke that she’s sorry, but she can’t talk right now, and hangs up. She says she can guess what Curtis is here about, and he says, it’s not to get in an argument if that’s what she’s thinking. She says, good. He shouldn’t be angry. Not at her anyway. He says he just can’t understand why she’d tell Portia about their kiss when they agreed that it was best they keep it to themselves. If she changed her mind, why didn’t she talk to him first? She says she tried to warn him, and he says, right. Then she decided she knew what was best, and telling Portia couldn’t wait. She says she didn’t say a thing to Portia about their kiss. She never wanted Portia to find out at all. He says, if she didn’t tell Portia, who did?

Portia tells Trina, obviously, she’s very hurt. She and Curtis both made mistakes. Trina asks why Portia wants to let him off the hook that easy, but Portia says she’s not letting him off the hook. This is complicated. Trina says, he kissed another woman – his ex-wife. Why isn’t she angry at him? Portia asks why Trinia is getting all riled up about this? And Trina says, it was wrong. Is Portia really going to roll over and let him treat her like this? Portia says, this has nothing to do with Trina.

Like the Burger King employee who starts cleaning around your table while you’re still eating, Ava makes the bed around Austin. He asks if she’s really making the bed now; he’s still in it. She picks up his clothes, and wonders where his other sock is, and he says, on the sconce. She retrieves it, and he says, this is weird. Is this her thing? Is this like a post-coital clean-up thing? He’s okay with it, but it’s a little neurotic. She says she’s not neurotic, and he says, she’s orderly? She’s neat? She’s tidy, right? Is she coming back to bed? She looks at him, and he says, all right. Not too long ago, they were almost yelling at each other and were at each other’s throats, and they decided to do something else. Is that something they need to talk about? Ava says, they’re done talking, and she’s not coming back to bed. He’s leaving – she tosses his clothes at him – now.

Finn says he’ll be here if Violet needs him for anything, and she asks if Aunt Elizabeth can come in with him. He says, Aunt Elizabeth has to go home to her kids, but he promises she’ll come in and say goodnight before she leaves. She says she likes it when Aunt Elizabeth is here. Doesn’t he?

Jordan says she’s not getting in the middle of this. This is between Curtis and Portia. He asks if she’s respecting boundaries after the damage is already done, and she says, he can believe her or not. He says, she obviously knew it was coming. Otherwise, why would she try to warn him? If she didn’t tell Portia, who did? N’neka? She was at the club that night. Jordan asks if he really thinks N’neka saw them kissing and then went running to tell Portia, and he asks what he’s supposed to think. Who else could it have been? She says, it was his brother-in-law. Zeke is the one who told Portia.

Trina asks why Portia is trying to protect her. She’s not a child anymore. Portia says, Trina is always going to be her child. And she’s not protecting Trina in the way Trina thinks. Trust her. This is her attempt at being fair. She’s a grown woman and needs to figure out her relationship with Curtis on her own. Trina says, why? She’s right here. Portia can tell her anything. Portia says she appreciates Trina for saying that, but she doesn’t want Trina involved in any issues that she has, with Curtis or with her marriage. She doesn’t want Trina to have to think about that. She doesn’t want her to have baggage when she’s dealing with Curtis. Trina shouldn’t have to be taking sides or keeping secrets or any of that. She doesn’t want Trina to worry about any of this. Trina’s phone rings, and Trina looks at it and puts it back down, saying, it’s just Spencer. Portia says, she usually can’t pick up the phone fast enough for Spencer. Is she feeling okay? Did they have a fight? Trina says, no, they didn’t, but Spencer did.

Esme comes back into Spencer’s room, reading from her phone that rib fractures can have short term consequences, such as severe pain while breathing, pneumonia, or death. He says he thought she didn’t want to be around him, and she says, long term consequences are also possible, such as, decreased lung function and chronic pain. How is he going to yell at people if his lungs are damaged. Did he ever think of that? He says he didn’t realize she cared so much, and she says she’s calling a doctor, but he says, don’t do that. He doesn’t have a broken rib. She says, he might not know that until symptoms develop later, and he says, if they do, he’ll contact a doctor at that time. Please stop worrying about him. She tells him, who says she’s worried? She just doesn’t want to have to take him to the emergency room in the middle of the night. It would throw off Ace’s whole sleep schedule. He says, his mistake. It’s not about him, which makes sense, because in her eyes, he’s not worth worrying about. To her, he’s always going to be his father’s son.

Ava tries to toss Austin his keys, but misses, and they end up on the floor. She says, take a hint, will you? and he says, she’s throwing him out. She says, nothing gets by him, and he says, except his keys. They laugh, and she says, they both know this was a mistake, but they’re adults and can skillfully pretend it didn’t happen. Now get a move on. His shoes are next, and she’ll have much better aim. He says, she doesn’t need to do that. He doesn’t want to stay somewhere he’s not wanted. But just so she knows, he feels what went on here wasn’t a mistake. She says, if it weren’t for Nikolas’s accidental death, they wouldn’t even be here. They would hardly know each other. He says, but they do know each other, and they are here. And he thinks there are actual literal scratches on his back that let him know she thinks there are worse ways to spend an evening.

Finn says, yes, he likes when Elizabeth is here, but doesn’t Violet think her cousins would miss Elizabeth if she was here all the time? She says, they could come too, or she and Finn could go there, and he says, oh boy. Elizabeth comes out of the kitchen, and asks how Violet would like some of her special sleepy time magic milk. Finn asks how she knew about that, and she says, all the moms know. Violet asks if she put in the secret ingredient, and Elizabeth says, of course (🍷). It wouldn’t be magic without it. Violet takes a sip, and says, it tastes different than when daddy makes it. Aunt Elizabeth’s is better… but his is good too.

Sasha says she thinks she’s doing the right thing by ending her guardianship, but she wishes she was sure, and Sonny asks what doubts she’s having. She says, some days she feels strong and confident and healthy, and other days are just so-so; everything feels off. It feels like she’s just pretending to hold it together. Those don’t bother her so much. She’s used to those. He says, they all have so-so days, and she says, those aren’t the days that scare her. The days that terrify her are the bad days; the days when the darkness just comes back, because it will happen for no reason at all. She’ll be putting sugar in her coffee, then suddenly she’ll remember when she was pregnant and couldn’t have caffeine. It was the worst, but it was totally worth it. She loved her baby so much, and couldn’t wait to meet him. Then she’s remembering her baby is gone, and the sadness just takes over, and it just feels like a weight pressing down on her heart, and it scares her. She doesn’t know, was that a memory or was it just a delusion? Did she somehow think she was pregnant again? He says, they both know what grief does. It plays tricks on your mind, and messes with your sense of time. Sasha says, that’s what she thinks too. The next day might be so-so again, and the day after that might be good. So does it scare her thinking about being on her own again and making her own decisions? Yes, but something inside of her is telling her that she’s ready, and she thinks it’s time she starts listening to that voice. Maybe she’s making a mistake. What does he think? Does he think she’s doing the wrong thing in trusting herself?

Austin says he can see that Ava doesn’t want to discuss their relationship, and she says, they don’t even have a relationship. They’re being blackmailed together; that’s it. He says he does enjoy her company, and she says, they were yelling at each other just a while ago. He says, almost. They were trying to release some of the pressure, and clearly some tension… She says, he’s really sure of himself, but he says, not at all. It’s just really difficult for him to let people in. He doesn’t want to speak for her, but it’s hard to make a human connection. He’s just saying, let’s be honest, and admit to one another they just had a profound physical connection. She says, he lied to her. He kidnapped her daughter, and how he’s saying she owes him honesty? He says he can see where she’s going with this. Under certain terms… She says, a little advice for him. Don’t ever pull a stunt like that again. Because if he does, the next body she dumps in the stables is going to be his.

Esme tells Spencer that she doesn’t know much about Nikolas, except he kept her locked in a tower because he wanted to keep her baby away from her. She knows if given the chance, Spencer would do the same. Spencer flashes back to looking at the fake evidence and saying, just in case. He says he just wants to take care of his brother, and she says, that’s the difference between him and Nikolas. At least he’s here. Nikolas isn’t, and since they moved into Spencer’s grandmother’s, he’s been pretty reliable. Up until now. What happened tonight? He says he got into a fight with Josslyn’s new boyfriend. She says, why? and he says, because he was angry. Because he doesn’t like him. He doesn’t like what he did. Josslyn was dating Cameron when she met Dex, and she was still seeing him when Josslyn and Dex got together for the first time. She asks why he’s mad at Dex. Isn’t it Josslyn… He says, she wouldn’t understand; there’s more to it than that. He doesn’t understand why they’re talking about this, because she’s literally the last person he wants to confide in. She says, well, that’s dumb. Because she might be the only person who actually understands. He says, why is that? and she says, because she does it too. She gets angry. She lashes out. She makes choices she regrets. She makes mistakes, and the worst part is that when she does, everyone is just looking around judging her, like, oh look, here she goes again to her old lying ways. I knew she couldn’t be trusted. He says, and you’ve confirmed all of their worst suspicions about you, and she says, and they have no idea the entire time you were just trying to do the right thing.

Trina says, last night, she went to the Highsider, and Portia says, the biker bar where Oz Haggerty worked? Trina says, they were looking for evidence to prove Esme is guilty, and Portia says, let her guess. This little excursion was Spencer’s idea? Trina says, not exactly, and Portia says she doesn’t even care whose idea it was. She doesn’t like Trina going to that place. Trina says she wasn’t going to that place. Anyway, Joss had the same idea. She brought Dex, and Spencer picked a fight again. Portia says, so it looks like Spencer is back to his old ways, and Trina says, yes. She doesn’t even recognize him anymore. Portia says, really? Because she can. To her, he will always be the boy who lied to her daughter and put her in harm’s way.

Curtis asks how Zeke knew what happened between him and Jordan, and she says she told him. Curtis asks why she did that, and she says she didn’t know who he was. She just found out Curtis was moving back in with Portia, and needed someone to talk to. Zeke was just a friendly stranger with a sympathetic ear. They met at the MetroCourt, and she started venting. She didn’t use any names. She just told him that she’d kissed her ex, but it wasn’t going anywhere. He says, if she didn’t use any names, how did he figure it out? and she says, Portia introduced them. It didn’t take Zeke long to put two and two together. She told him to keep it to himself, but he said he had to tell her. Curtis doesn’t understand how she could tell a perfect stranger something so personal about them. It’s just not like her. She says she needed someone to confide in. He had Portia, and she was all alone. There’s a knock at the door, and she says, now that he knows, she doesn’t see what else there is to talk about. She opens the door, and Zeke is there. No surprise.

Jordan says, she didn’t have time to talk to Zeke on the phone. What made him think she had time for him to come by her office. He says he didn’t know Curtis was going to be here. Didn’t Curtis tell his sister that it was over between him and Jordan? Curtis says, that’s none of his business. Doesn’t he think he’s caused enough problems between him and Portia? Zeke says he wouldn’t have gotten involved if Curtis had just been honest with Portia from the beginning, and Curtis says he bets Zeke just can’t wait to run back to Portia and tell her that he was here. Zeke says, after what Curtis put his sister through, what does he expect? and Curtis says he expects Zeke to keep his damn mouth shut, or he and Curtis are going to have a problem.

Trina says she remembers how Spencer treated her, but he’s changed, and Portia says, has he though? Because the fight Trina’s describing makes her think he’s still working on it. Trina says, Portia thinks she’s being naïve, but Portia tells her that she didn’t say that. Portia tells Trina that she sees what Trina’s saying with Spencer. He has made significant strides in growing up since Trina’s met him. Largely because of Trina. Trina says, yes, he has, and Portia says, he’s more mature now, asking for help when he needs it… and he seems like he’s really taking the responsibility of Ace seriously with Esme. And Esme’s even seriously open to taking a parenting class with Spencer, which goes to show his responsibility, right? That’s a good sign. But by the look on Trina’s face, maybe it’s not a good sign? Trina says she’s glad Spencer is being responsible toward Ace, and Portia says, but what? Trina says, it’s nothing, but Portia says she’s Trina’s mom; she knows Trina. Trina can talk to her. Trina says she doesn’t care about the class. She can’t stand the thought of Spencer spending even one extra second with Esme.

Spencer says, sounds like they’re both trying to be better people, and Esme says, he’s just now figuring that out? Yes. Obviously, she’s been trying to be better. She takes the ice, and puts it on his side, and he holds it there. He says, it’s possible he hasn’t been giving her much of a chance, but she says, it’s not a big deal. She sits on the bed, and says she actually gets why it might be hard for him. He says, for him, why? and she says, he actually remembers the terrible person he was. She has to be told about herself over and over. He says, that’s hard, and she says, constantly hearing what a terrible person you are from everyone. He’s the only one who never talks about their history. They dated in boarding school, right? He sits on the other end of the bed, and says, for like a year. He doesn’t like to remember that time. She says, understandable. But tell her, were they really these awful people, destroying everything they touched? He laughs and says, no, not always. He was very unhappy when they met. He was estranged from his father and had a big chip on his shoulder because of that. He didn’t have any friends; just people who wanted to get close to him because he had money. So he was a bit of a jerk because of that. She says, him? A jerk? No way. He says he met her, and she really listened to him, and she took an interest in his life and didn’t just tell him what he wanted to hear because he’s a Cassadine. He started to depend on her, more than he thinks she knew, but none of it was real. She was manipulating him the entire time. She was his first love, and she was just using him.

Elizabeth asks how Violet is, and Finn says, finally asleep. Apparently, her milk is more magical than his. She says, cinnamon, and he says he can’t thank her enough. She’s really good with Violet. Elizabeth says she’s glad he feels that way. She was hoping she wasn’t overstepping with her magic milk. He says, not at all, and she says her boys are growing up. With Cameron all the way in California, she’s just been feeling it lately. He says, they’ll always need her, and she says she knows, but not in the same way. She guesses she has to let them grow up at some point; at least she’s been told. He says, Violet’s always here if her momage gets too strong. Violet always loves seeing her. She says, be careful. She’ll be over here every night making magic milk… She’s kidding. He says he knows, and they both get up and start talking at the same time. He says, she needs to get home to the boys, and she says she should. Even though they won’t be nearly as happy to see her as Violet was. He says, Violet, and him.

Sonny tells Sasha, know what he thinks? She didn’t tell him that she’s fine, she doesn’t need anybody, and she’s all better. She says she only wishes she were that confident, but he says, that’s a good thing. If she would have said that, he’d say she needed to spend a few more months with Gladys. In his experience, people who say everything’s great all the time usually aren’t. You can’t be great all the time, especially after what she’s gone through. She can handle a lot more than she thinks. That’s why he thinks it’s time for her to be on her own.

Zeke tells Curtis not to get mad at him because he kissed Jordan. He had to tell Portia. Curtis would have done the same thing if he’d been in Zeke’s position. Curtis says, that’s not what he’s talking about. Zeke told Trina – right after he found out Trina was his daughter – to steer clear of him? Zeke says he didn’t even get into any specifics with Curtis’s daughter, and Curtis says, that’s even worse, because he let her imagination run wild. She was just beginning to trust him. Zeke says, maybe she shouldn’t, and Jordan says, neither one of them should be trusted. Curtis asks her to remind him just how she and Zeke met in the first place.

Esme says she’s starting to see why Spencer’s so angry with her, but he says he’s angrier with himself for letting himself be manipulated by her. Esme tells him, sure, the old Esme was calculating, but she seriously doubts someone could fake a relationship for a whole year. He asks who she’s trying to make feel better, him or her? and she says, maybe both? She gets up, and says she thinks the old Esme must have really liked him… just a little. He says, it’s doubtful… Although… No. She says, what? and he says, there was this one time, he was trying to figure out what to get her for her birthday, so he was asking around. He asked the same friends who were leeching off him for money, and they told him that he should get her jewelry. Something expensive, which makes sense. So he did – she says, generous – but then there was this snow globe he got when he was a kid, and he’d taken it with him to school. It was so cheesy; two skiers on top of a mountain with a log cabin and fir trees. It was hideous. He doesn’t know why she liked it, but she did. She played with it every single time she came into his room. He couldn’t for the life of him figure out why. So at the last minute, he grabbed that as well. She says, instead of the jewelry? but he says he gave her both, just to be safe. Don’t get him wrong; she loved the jewelry. But her face when she saw the snow globe, the expression was pure joy. He’d never seen anything like it. He still can’t figure out why someone would have liked a regifted snow globe so much. She laughs and says she can. The old Esme really liked him.

Trina tells Portia, it wouldn’t bother her so much if it was anyone other than Esme. After what Esme did to her, Joss, and Cam, the thought of Esme being with Spencer makes her sick. Portia says, Esme needs to pay for her crimes, and hopefully, the evidence can be found to bring her to justice, but the PCPD have been down this road already, and they came up empty. Maybe they’ll never find anything. Hold on. Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t they have evidence, and a collective decision was made to hold off on that? Trina says, then what? Esme will just be in her life forever? Portia says, no one can predict the future, but if Spencer’s in Trina’s life and Ace is in his, then Esme will be in hers.

Esme says, if Spencer wants to get some rest, she can take the night shift with Ace, and he says, that would be great, thanking her. She walks to the door, and says, oh. Would he be willing to take a parenting class with her at the hospital? She wouldn’t ask, but Dr. Robinson thought it would be helpful… He says, it’s for Ace, right? and she says, exactly. He says, just let him know, and she thanks him, telling him to keep the ice on for another ten minutes. She leaves, and in the hallway, she smiles.

Trina says she can’t accept that Esme is going to be in her life. She wants to be with Spencer… At least she thought she did. Just not like this, spending all of his time with Esme, or raising a child on his own. Portia says, that’s what she’s been trying to get Trina to see. She has to have her own life. She’s smart and beautiful, and has so many opportunities. She has this whole big world she hasn’t tapped into yet. Please don’t make it smaller. Not when she doesn’t have to.

Curtis says he sees what’s going on here, and Zeke tells him, back off. It’s none of his business. Jordan says she can handle her own ex-husband, thank you. But Zeke’s right. Stay out of it. Curtis says, what happens between Jordan and Zeke is none of his business, but what happens with his daughter is. Zeke better think twice before he interferes again. Curtis walks out, and Zeke says, that was awkward. Now that he’s gone, they should talk. She says, there’s nothing to discuss. He knows the way out. He leaves.

Sasha says she’s glad they had this talk. She wasn’t sure she was making the right decision. He says, you never know if it’s the right decision, but she’s on the right track. She’s on her own, but he’s always here to back her, and he thinks Gladys is too. They hug, and he tells her to get out of here and live her life. She thanks him.

Elizabeth says she had a good time too, and Finn says, what she got was an eight-year-old’s version of the perfect date. He can’t thank her enough for letting Violet do that. She says, it was fun, and he says he’d drive her home, but… She says, his baby’s asleep, and she drove herself here. They say goodnight, and she leaves.

Austin says, if he leaves now he has to wake the boat launching guy. Wouldn’t it be better if he spent the night? She says, he could swim, as she hustles him out the door, but he says he’s exhausted, and he thinks she knows why. In fact, he’s willing to bet she’s going to sleep pretty soundly tonight. She closes the door in his face, and smiles.

Tomorrow, Sasha asks when Gladys is going to admit the truth; Mac tells Dante that something interesting crossed his desk; Sonny tells Drew to keep his eyes open and his chin up; and Cyrus says, Drew’s place is with them.

💣 Bible Thumping Bad Guy…

The second I heard Pentenville, I knew it.

💰 A Little Typecasting…

Except this time, he’ll be playing a real-life entitled brat.

👩🏻‍🍳 Anything But the Cannoli…

Everyone involved has too much time on their hands.

💳 Gone But Not Forgotten…

I loved this show, although the fight between MJ and Reza was brutal.

👗 Ruling the Runway…

This week’s Project Runway. This site’s recaps are the best. It’s odd I would like this show so much, since I can’t sew worth a damn. In the same vein, there are endless cooking shows I also enjoy. I guess those who can’t do, watch other people doing.

🍸 VanderStuff…

The fans aren’t having it.

I have no doubt the producers pump (no pun intended) up the drama, although I find the editing tactics more off-putting. Especially the thing about the galaxy lights. This site and I don’t see eye to eye on who the bad guys are on several shows either.

Heaven forbid this should ever happen, but they’re spot-on with their choices.

🐻 Out There…

I don’t remember most of these, and didn’t watch much of the ones I remember. It’s probably just as well.

🥀 So Far This Year…

Only six months in, and it’s already an unbelievably long list. I was sad to hear Alan Arkin passed today. If you’ve never seen The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, you’re missing a classic and an amazing performance by him.

https://ew.com/celebrity/stars-we-lost-in-2023-celebrity-deaths/

📽 Trailer Yourself…

You know I love the Barbie one.

https://ew.com/movies/best-movie-trailers-2023-golden-trailer-awards/

🐕 So Ugly They’re Cute…

There are no ugly dogs, but if there were, these would win. Please note there was a Pekingese finalist this year.

https://people.com/photos-2023-ugliest-dog-contest-winners-7553615

🐡 Quotes of the Week

The ability to discipline yourself to delay gratification in the short term in order to enjoy greater rewards in the long term, is the indispensable prerequisite for success. – Brian Tracy

Never stop just because you feel defeated. The journey to the other side is attainable only after great suffering. – Santosh Kalwar

When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love – then make that day count!Steve Maraboli

I’m a dirt person. I trust the dirt. I don’t trust diamonds and gold.Eartha Kitt

The best revenge is to be unlike those who performed the injury. – Marcus Aurelius

Having a cat is exactly like not having a cat except sometimes you see a cat.@uberjnet, Twitter

No man is great enough or wise enough for any of us to surrender our destiny to. The only way in which anyone can lead us is to restore to us the belief in our own guidance. – Henry Miller

The truth is, everyone is going to hurt you. You just got to find the ones worth suffering for. – Bob Marley

They’re filming this, Kevin. Shut up. – a hoarder to her husband on Hoarding: Buried Alive

That’s the trouble with your whole MTV, microwave dinner generation. You want it all now. You think you deserve it just because you want it? It doesn’t work like that. You have to earn it, you have to take it, you have to make it yours. but before you do that, Guy, you need to decide what it is you really want. – Buddy Ackerman (Kevin Spacey), Swimming with Sharks

🎆 Declaring My Independence…

There’s no soap or Deck on Monday, and I have no clue about Tuesday, since that’s the actual 4th, so see you whenever the soap falls next. Until then, stay safe, stay enjoying your 4th of July weekend, and stay not saying you’re great all the time if you really aren’t.

June 16, 2023 – Ned Is Brought Out of Twilight Sleep, School’s Out, Not Too Late, Something, Après Rules, Messy Lou, Almost Here, Pets (!) Of the Famous, 3 Squared Quotes & Parade

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Finn plays a solo game of Backgammon in the breakroom, when Elizabeth walks in and asks if he’s playing against himself. He asks what she wants to hear, and she asks if he has no friends. He says, Tracy’s back in town, so he’s practicing. He can’t let her beat him. She’s impossible to deal with under normal circumstances. If she got a win… He’s got to stay on his toes. Elizabeth says, maybe she can help, and sits across from him.

Diane and Alexis find seats at the Bistro, and Diane says she keeps forgetting this place serves Earl Grey by default. She’s not a fan. Alexis says, take it back and get something else, but Diane says she can’t. Alexis calls her a martyr, and asks why she’s so cranky. Somebody on her mind? Diane says, if she’s referring to DA Scorpio, no. Holly left town; Robert told her himself. Alexis says, that sounds good… isn’t it? but Diane says, he couldn’t say if or when she was going to return. Alexis says, sounds like a win to her. She’s gone; he’s here. So is Diane.

On the phone, Cody says he knows they have a lot going on right now, but he wouldn’t call if it wasn’t important. Sam asks if he got arrested again, and he says, no, but he does need her help. She says, with what? and he says, exposing Gladys Corbin.

Sasha comes into Willow’s room, apologizing for being late, but Willow says she imagines it take time to get all suited up. Sasha says, that’s not what distracted her. She got hung up by an email. Willow says she has no concept of time in this room. She’s just glad Sasha’s here. Sasha says, Willow looks so much better, and Willow thanks her. She says she doesn’t want to sound insensitive, but Sasha’s eyes look red. Has she been crying? Sasha says, time to rethink Deception’s concealer formula (well, I would hope you don’t put it in your eyes), and Willow asks, what’s going on? Sasha says she was crying because of Nina.

On the phone, Michael asks Dex if there’s any news from the Pikeman camp… Keep him posted. It’s important Sonny thinks things are status quo. He doesn’t want Sonny to know they had any connection. Chase comes along and asks how Willow is doing. Michael says, she’s holding her own. Sasha’s in with her right now. Chase says, no more phones? and Michael says, they still have to wear masks and gowns to keep the room sterile, but she’s only allowed one visitor at a time. Chase says, that’s great. He’s sure she appreciates the human contact. Michael says, what about him? and Chase says he’s actually trying to avoid human contact. Everybody’s on the 10th floor, waiting for news about Ned, and he doesn’t want to get in the way of… Michael says, Brook’s sweet Granny Tracy?

TJ checks Ned’s vitals, as Olivia stands by nervously. Tracy and Brook come in, and Brook asks how he is. Olivia tells them, the doctor said, it’s time to bring Ned out of his twilight sleep. Brook says, sounds hopeful, and Tracy asks TJ, is it hopeful?

Finn tells Elizabeth that backgammon dates back 5000 years, and she says she didn’t realize she was in for a history lesson. Elizabeth makes a good move, and Finn says, that was lucky. Gilgamesh, the Mesopotamian king who wanted immortality, would play. She says she guesses he had to do something if he was going to live forever, and Finn says, big time player? Cleopatra. Elizabeth says, wow, and Finn says, maybe the best of all; Lucille Ball. She and Sammy Davis would just sit down at parties and start playing backgammon. She asks if he’s trying to distract her with this amazing information and his dazzling charm, and he says, the dazzling charm comes naturally. The backgammon history is a bonus. She says, so he’s a charmer and a nerd; it’s a winning combination. He asks if she just called him a nerd, and she makes a winning move, saying, she thinks she likes this game.

Diane tells Alexis, Robert said his complicated life just got less complicated. Isn’t that attractive? Then their uncomplicated conversation became more complicated after Olivia Quartermaine came over and started pressing Robert for inside information on the SEC case, and was there a possible deal on the table where her client Carly could give up her client Sonny. Alexis says, and Diane was all ears, and Diane says, of course (🍷) she was. Robert didn’t seem to appreciate that. She just doesn’t know if they’re compatible. Alexis says, Diane really likes those bad boy clients, doesn’t she? and Diane says, she likes the bad boy clients? She coughs, saying, Jerry Jax…. cough, cough… Julian Jerome. Alexis says, stop. Everyone to their corners. Diane says, that’s not what she wanted to talk about anyway. She’s consulting on a new case, and she needs Alexis’s great wisdom. Has she ever heard of Bidz Secure? With a Z. It’s crypto currency. Alexis says she doesn’t do that, and Diane says, neither does she. Just stay with her. It’s a digital currency security start-up. Their client is the CFO who’s been accused of stealing the keys to a big wallet which has somehow gone missing. Alexis says, a big wallet? and Diane says, it’s not a real wallet. It’s a digital wallet. He says he’s being framed by the CEO, who’s apparently a real crypto bro, according to her associate. Alexis says, that’s a he said/he said, and Diane says, the wife of the crypto bro CEO says she actually witnessed their client downloading funds, so it’s a he said/she said/he said. Alexis says, it sounds like Diane doesn’t believe what she said. Does she have any evidence? Diane says, no. The security is all in the digital ether, so there’s no paper trail. It’s keystrokes and clicks, and no, she doesn’t believe her. According to Diane’s associate, her husband is a real shark. Alexis says, so where does the shark swim? What does the shark eat? Diane asks if Alexis is having a stroke. What is she talking about? Alexis says, hunger. She may not know anything about tech bros, but she knows something about bros, and if it were her, she would be looking into the proclivities and the extracurricular activities of this certain CEO, and Diane might find something that his wife doesn’t like. If she’s going out on a limb for a lying cheater, or worse, she might think twice. Diane says, Alexis Davis, you are yummy and brilliant and devious, and Alexis says, all’s fair in love and law.

Cody tells Sam that he’ll fill her in when she gets here. He’s at the stables. He thanks her, and flashes back to talking to Brook saying he has the support of her entire family, granny aside. He says, Comet would miss him. Wouldn’t you boy? He puts his forehead against the horse, and says, apparently, there’s a few people out there who would. Don’t worry. Gladys won’t get rid of him that easily.

TJ says, his hope is that the sedation allowed Ned’s brain to rest, preventing any further swelling and maybe decreasing it. Tracy says, hope; that’s carefully worded. He says, medical professionals are discouraged from giving blanket assurances, but he can tell them that Ned’s medical team is cautiously optimistic. Brook thanks him, and asks, what’s next? TJ says, they’ll wake him up and assess his cognitive state, and Olivia says she was told there was a slight chance of lasting effects. Tracy says, like what? and he says, they’re getting ahead of themselves. Instead of rattling off a list of possible complications, they’ll start with removing Ned’s IV sedation, and work from there.

Diane says, Alexis misses being a lawyer; she can hear it. Alexis says, miss it? Being a lawyer is like voluntarily signing up to go into battle with an army of paperwork and legal jargon. It’s like navigating a perverse maze of precedents and cases that have no mercy. Diane says, but cracking the case. Wiping the smug grin off the face of opposing counsel. That was never done to her of course (🍷), but then there’s winning, winning, winning. Alexis says, pages and pages and pages of statutory law that you have to memorize, only to find out that it’s just been revised, and Diane says, it’s like putting together a giant puzzle. Alexis says, you get no sleep, you have no life, because you know you have to be in court for the next 20 days in a row, and Diane says, that’s why we have caffeine. Alexis says, to watch an innocent person get exonerated and order restored to a chaotic world. God, she misses it so much. It’s like losing a limb. She misses arguing in court; she loved arguing. And the thrill of advocating for justice. It’s who she is. She can’t just stand on the sidelines and watch. Diane says, like a reporter?

Sam arrives at the stables, and tells Cody, this better be important. She’s got to go back to the hospital. He asks, how’s Ned? Leo and Brook were here earlier. So was Tracy. Sam says, so he met Tracy, and he says, it was quite the experience. She’s a mother who’s worried about her son. They’re all worried. Sam says she and Dante are at the hospital supporting Dante’s mother, so if Cody wouldn’t mind being brief; what’s his plan? He says, that’s what he needs her help with, and she says she thought he needed help executing the plan, not brainstorming the whole damn thing. He’s never had problems executing his own schemes before. He says, way harsh. Besides, she has proximity to the Corinthos family. She can gain inside knowledge on Gladys a helluva lot easier than he could. Besides, she’s the only one who knows the whole story and believes him. She says she doesn’t know the whole story. He never told her Gladys’s motive for framing him. He says, she does believe him, right?

Willow says, Nina made Sasha cry? What has she done now? Sasha says, it’s not what Willow thinks. These are tears of joy. Willow asks if they’re in a parallel universe. Nina sparked joy? Sasha says, very funny. Willow must be feeling better. Willow says she’s just trying to process, and Sasha says she knows Willow’s relationship with Nina has been… Willow says, disastrous… fraught, and Sasha says, and this is all her fault. There was a time when she and Nina were at odds, remember? Willow says, now Sasha will tell her again how that’s all changed, and Sasha says, it has changed. Nina just wrote her the most wonderful letter of commendation to end her guardianship. Willow says, that’s great. She’s so proud of Sasha. Sasha thanks her, and says she’s finally ready to move forward. How about Willow?

Michael says, so Tracy is putting Chase through the paces, and Chase says, oh yeah. Now he knows how Comet feels. Michael says, she’s not as bad as she seems. When the chips are down, she loves her family, and she’s extremely loyal. Maybe too loyal, but she loves Brook. They have this whole love/hate thing going on. Chase says, but Brook can hold her own. It’s actually kind of fun to watch. Michael says, looks like someone is getting desensitized to the Quartermaine ways, and Chase asks how Michael is holding up through all this. Michael says, it’s a roller coaster. But they’ll get to the other side. He’s just really thankful for the nanny, because with Wiley’s endless energy and keeping Amelia on track is a non-stop juggling act. Chase says he can’t imagine that. It’s got to take a lot of strength and patience, especially while worrying about Willow.

Tracy asks, how long is this going to take? and Brook asks if she has a pickleball championship. Why doesn’t she wait outside with Dante? Olivia says, TJ told them, it could be twenty minutes; it could be a few hours. Tracy is acting like a six-year-old on a road trip. Stop. Tracy says, where is the doctor? Can’t they be doing more? What happened to the Quartermaine name? Monica left them… Olivia says, seriously? Tracy can’t sit in her own son’s ICU room without complaining about everything? Tracy says, he’s used to it. It’s like home. Ned moves his head, and Tracy says she rests her case. Olivia says, they’re here, and Ned opens his eyes, the three of them coming into focus. He closes his eyes again, as we all would.

Elizabeth sets up another game, and Finn says, today’s the last day of being just Nurse Baldwin. How does it feel? She says, it feels good. She’s happy to have been chosen for this position. She hopes she can do some good. Maybe bring some healing to this hospital. Lord knows they could use it after losing Epiphany. He says he thinks she’s the right person to bring back the humanity they need, and she thanks him. She says she keeps telling herself, this isn’t about her. It’s about her service to the patients and the staff who work so hard. She’s been linked to this hospital her entire life. One of her grandfathers was Dr. Hardy, the symbol of virtue, the true hero of General Hospital. I find myself nodding. It’s in this place she’s had her highest highs and her lowest lows. This place has put her back together more times than she’d like to count. Let’s not forget all the legends of the nurses station; Jessie Brewer, Bobbie Spencer, and Epiphany. Sometimes she wonders if she’s strong enough to be like them. Finn says, she is strong. In the end, she might be the strongest of them all.

Sam says she bailed Cody out. If she’d thought he was a thief, she wouldn’t have bothered. He thanks her, and she says, maybe it’s best if he does this legally. Why doesn’t he ask Dante for help? He says he doesn’t want to compromise Dante, and she laughs, and says, but he’s compromising her? He says he could just skip town, but she’d be out her bail money, and she says she’d find him in a heartbeat. He says he has no doubt, and feeds Comet some carrots. He says, it kills him that Sasha doesn’t know who Gladys really is, and Sam says, which is why they need to prove that the bracelet was planted. He says, Sasha needs to know that Gladys can’t be trusted. So does Port Charles. Sam suggests they just focus on keeping him out of jail, and not bite off more than they can chew. Feeding Comet more carrots, Cody tells her, Comet says, why limit ourselves?

Michael tells Chase that his heart breaks every time there’s a moment with Amelia, and Willow’s not there to experience it. The other day, Amelia looked up at him and smiled at him for the first time, like she really saw him. It was incredible, but Willow wasn’t there; she was here. He tries to record what he can on his phone, but it’s not the same. Willow needs to be there, experiencing it firsthand, to see the look on Amelia’s face when she lights up. It’s time she’ll never get back. Chase says, she’ll be able to watch those videos forever, and she’ll treasure every single one of them. Even more because she’ll know Michael took the time to record, even though he was going through his own hell.

Sasha tells Willow that she just met with Dr. Montague. He’s the psychiatrist the court appointed to evaluate her. Willow asks, how’d it go? and Sasha says, pretty good? She thinks. It’s hard to know for sure. Willow is sure Dr. Montague was very impressed. Why wouldn’t he be? Sasha has survived things that would have broken anyone else. Sasha says, Willow’s one to talk, and Willow says, having the support of family and friends has made all the difference. Sasha says, same, and Nina was a very big part of that for her. Nina was there for her when she gave Nina every reason to hate her. She pretended to be the thing Nina wanted more than anything. Nina was searching for her daughter, and what she and Valentin did was horrible, but Nina somehow found the strength and love to forgive her. That could not have been easy. Willow says she sees what Sasha is doing, but Nina has put her and the family she loves through the wringer. Some things can’t be forgiven.

Finn says, maybe it’s time for a Hardy to be in charge again. Elizabeth’s Gram was a legend in her own right. It’s kind of her destiny. Elizabeth says, those are some big shoes to fill, and he says, the shoe fits, Cinderella. He’s sorry he couldn’t join her celebration last night. She says, couldn’t or wouldn’t? She realizes girls night out isn’t for everyone, but we missed you. He says, we? and she says, I missed you. He says, hopefully, there will be many more celebrations, but he knew she needed a night out with her best friends. She says she’d like to think he’s one of them, and he says, no doubt about it.

Olivia says, thank God. She’s been praying so hard. She knew he’d wake up. Tracy tells her, back off. His brain’s been deprived of enough oxygen. She tells Ned, say something, but Brook says, don’t rush him. Ned says, water, and Brook gets a glass, Olivia putting the straw in his mouth. TJ comes in, and says, that was fast. Tracy says she wouldn’t expect any less, and TJ tells Ned, welcome back. Does he know why he’s in the hospital?

Alexis says, Diane’s not the only one she complains to about her job. While Diane was chatting it up at The Savoy with Robert’s ex, she was complaining to Felicia about her job. Diane says, her, complain? and Alexis says she believes in free press. She believes in reporters. And maybe that passion for complaining just fuels that commitment… She just wishes she were more fulfilled at The Invader. Diane says, but? and Alexis says she sometimes makes a difference. She sometimes shines a light on a story that’s important, but those stories hardly ever happen. For every impactful story, it’s like there’s a zillion mundane, stupid ones, like celebrity gossip or fashion. It’s like finding a needle of significance in a haystack of triviality. Diane says, it’s not exactly Woodward and Bernstein, and Alexis says, maybe she’s just spreading herself too thin, and needs to take advantage of her support team, and do some serious outreach. Diane says, yes, her support team. That now includes – she clears her throat – the wonderful Esme Prince.

Michael says, Chase is right. He needs to focus on the future. Once Willow is released, they’ll have the rest of their lives to make more moments together. Chase says, and they will, but until then, don’t forget to send a flare up when things get tough. His friends are here, and they want to help. Michael thanks him, and says, despite all the angst and craziness with the kids, he wouldn’t trade being a father for anything. Chase says he can see that, and Michael asks if Chase ever thinks about children. Chase says, talk about turning the tables, and Michael asks if it’s a touchy subject. Chase says, no, of course (🍷) not. He grew up in a great family. His dad was always there. His mom was kind of busy, but they both loved him. Michael says, so how about it? and Chase says, let him put it this way. He definitely loves kids, and he and Brook are back together, but as for his own, that’s a long way off in the future. Michael says, the future kind of has a habit of catching up to you sooner than you think.

Sasha says, Willow’s relationship with Nina is complicated, but so is hers. She lied to Nina, she conned her, she broke Nina’s heart. And she put Brando through hell with her addiction. Both times, she was the recipient of grace; forgiven. And recently, she wrongfully accused a friend of something. Willow says, and she was forgiven? but Sasha says, he doesn’t hold it against her, but he’s not sure he can be her friend. Willow says she’s sorry, and Sasha says, so is she. It’s painful wanting to connect to someone you’ve wronged, even if they don’t owe you a thing.

Sam says, Cody’s innocence is going to be a lot easier to prove than Gladys’s guilt, and Cody says, tell it to his lawyer. She says, what lawyer? and he says, Scott Baldwin. She asks why Scotty isn’t dealing with this, and he says, Scotty is working on something else for him. She says, bigger than a conviction for grand larceny? They have to prove Gladys was in his pants the night of the Nurses Ball. He says, she was in his jacket, thank you very much, and the PCPD already looked into all this. There was no surveillance footage. She says, there are other ways.

Finn asks if Elizabeth wants to play, and she says, yeah, she wants to play. He asks if they’re still talking about backgammon, and she laughs, saying, yes, they’re talking about backgammon. He says, just checking, and they sit back at the board. He says he’s a little afraid. He thinks she cheats. She says she wants that cup, and he hands her the cup with the dice. She shakes them up, and spills them onto the board. They play another game, and she beats him again.

Alexis says, Esme Prince, the latest entrant into the Cassadine family Squid Game, and Diane laughs. Alexis says she did that as a favor to Laura, and Diane says, that’s some favor. Esme is a… not nice person… snake. That’s mild. Is Alexis sure that’s wise? Alexis says, since when has she done anything that’s wise? and Diane says, Alexis is one of the wisest people she knows. Occasionally, she’s led astray by her passion and idealism. Alexis says, in this case, she was just trying to provide Esme with some stability, so she doesn’t run off with Laura’s grandchild in tow. Diane says, it’s generous of her, and Alexis says, actually, she has a soft spot for Esme. Alexis knows firsthand what it’s like to have a psychotic parent, and Esme’s got two. And Gregory actually keeps her calm. Diane says, Gregory? and Alexis says, he’s agreed to join the editorial board. Diane says she thought Alexis was persona non grata when she went over his head and called the dean, but Alexis says, they have an understanding now. She can be his friend and care about him; she just can’t meddle. And the editorial board is actually happy to have him, and he’s happy to be in his erudite element. Diane says, so all’s well that ends well, and Alexis says, to quote the Bard.

Sasha asks if she can read Willow something, and Willow says, sure. Sasha reads: Sasha Gilmore is not defined by her past. No matter our mistakes, shortcomings, or circumstances, everyone deserves another chance to build a life that once seemed impossible. Willow says, that’s what Nina wrote about Sasha, isn’t it? and Sasha nods. Willow says, she writes well, and Sasha says, she writes from her heart. But maybe she was also writing about herself. Maybe it’s a prayer of sorts. All she knows is that Nina’s capacity for forgiveness is massive. Something tells her, it might be hereditary.

In the elevator, Michael says he’s glad Chase and Brook are back together. They’re good for each other. Chase says, there’s never a dull moment, that’s for sure. Last weekend, she took him to the Beecher’s Corners flea market. She said she had a surprise for him, and whisked him away on this whirlwind tour. It was like she was possessed; like she had this sixth sense for finding vintage clothing. They leave the elevator, and Michael says, Brook is usually all over the place, but Chase grounds her. She can be her own worst enemy. Chase is like a moral compass for her. It’s important each person bring something to the relationship, so they can complement each other. That’s what Willow does for him. She really helped him focus on what really matters, and Chase does that for Brook. Chase asks what Brook does for him, but Michael says, you tell me.

Ned says, his head… hurts, and TJ says, he has a head injury. They’ll get him a drip to manage the pain. Does he know how he hurt his head? Ned says, did he fall? and Tracy says, yes, at the MetroCourt pool. Ned says, pool… and Olivia says, hopefully, he won’t sue the owner. Tracy says, what she wants to know is why he came barreling out like he had some earthshattering news to tell Drew. What got him all fired up?

Diane says, she and Alexis need to exercise together, and Alexis asks, what’s wrong with her? Diane says, come on, but Alexis says, no. Diane says she’s going to take Alexis to her trapeze class. It is such a good workout. Alexis says, she knows a girl who broke her foot playing pickleball (WOTD), and Diane says, then they’ll do yoga. It’s nice, it’s safe, it’s close to the ground. All that stretching and core. Alexis says, it sounds hard, and Diane says, you are impossible. Alexis says, but consistent, giving Diane a thumbs up before she leaves.

Finn says he thinks the tide is turning, and Elizabeth says, we’ll see. She rolls the dice, and he says, ouch. That’s got to hurt a little bit. She calls him Genghis Khan, and he says, Genghis Khan playing backgammon? Is she sure? She says, if he did, she’s sure this world would be a much different place. He says he’s sure it would, and she rolls again. She says she doesn’t like this game anymore, and she has to get back to work. She doesn’t want that head nurse breathing down her neck. He says, she’s okay; I’ve heard some good things about her. She says she hopes it stays that way, and he says he’s sure it will. She bids him goodnight and leaves. He sighs and rolls the dice, getting snake eyes. He says, the tide is turning, and moves his pieces.

Sam calls Spinelli, and Cody says, no, wait, but she doesn’t pay attention to him. She tells Spinelli that she’s got a job for him, making a shushing motion to Cody.

Willow asks if Sasha thinks she’s been too hard on Nina, but Sasha says she didn’t say that. There’s been real harm done. All she’s saying is, the story doesn’t have to end there. Willow says she told Wiley, new beginnings are always possible, and Sasha flashes back to Cody telling her that Gladys framed him. He says, even if she doesn’t believe that, at least she believes he’s not a thief, and he hopes someday she knows he’s the one telling her the truth. She tells Willow, he’s got a wise mommy, and Willow blows her a kiss.

Chase tells Michael that he’s going to check in on Brook, and see how Ned’s doing… or he could just text her, and avoid Tracy. Michael says, that’s not really Chase’s style though, is it? and Chase says, no. He has to face things head-on. He just doesn’t want Brook to have to run interference with Tracy. Then again, it might give her something to do to take her mind off her dad. Michael asks how Ned is doing, and Chase says, they were waiting for Dr. Ashford to wake him up from the induced coma. Brook brought Leo in to sit with him earlier. Michael says, tell Brook that he’s thinking about her, and Chase says, and send Willow his love. Michael says, for what it’s worth (🍷), he thinks Chase would be a great dad. Chase heads for the elevator.

Ned says, this is all a bit fuzzy, and TJ says, totally normal. Let’s start with this. What year is it? Ned says, 2023, and TJ asks where they are. Ned says, Port Charles, New York, and everyone gets all happy. TJ says, seems like you’re on your way to recovery, Ned. He gave them a scare though. Ned says, his name is not Ned. And he and I say it together… My name is Eddie Maine. The happiness gets sucked out of the room.

On Monday, Austin tells Ava, it might be time for a new nanny; Brook tells someone that they need to step up; Ned wonders what they’re talking about; and Nina tells Sonny, once you know, there’s no going back.

🎓 They Made It…

It’s matriculation time.

🏆 How To See Them…

You can still watch the Daytime Emmys even if you missed them tonight.

🥪 Magical Sandwiches…

Stassi gives us a tour of Something About Her.

🍸 VanderHits Still Coming…

A million times hotter than Sandoval, who looks like a leftover beatnik from the 60s.

https://okmagazine.com/p/ariana-madix-new-boyfriend-daniel-wai-instagram-official-scandoval/

Again, when Jax is the voice of reason, we are living in Bizarro World.

https://okmagazine.com/p/jax-taylor-trolls-tom-sandoval-apart-inviting-brittany-cartwright-concert/

Eww.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/relationships/raquel-leviss-blasted-for-2013-post-about-making-your-ex-feel-uncomfortable-after-tom-sandoval-affair-not-much-has-changed/ar-AA1crJR1

At first I gave Schwartz credit.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1377111/where-tom-schwartz-stands-with-tom-sandoval-after-incredibly-messed-up-affair-with-raquel-leviss

And then I didn’t.

More about those not-so-secret revelations.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2023/06/14/vanderpump-rules-secrets-revealed-recap-tom-sandoval-raquel-leviss-lies-ariana-madix/70321716007/

Yeah, yeah. Hindsight is 20/20. I wouldn’t be so quick shame anyone for wanting a paycheck either. Still not loving Charli.

🍕 Just Another Juicy Joe…

I don’t believe for one second this guy’s on the up and up.

This time she didn’t understand the question.

🎉 Juneteenth Is Bustin’ Out All Over…

Read all about it.

https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/historical-legacy-juneteenth

Juneteenth.com

🐖 Latest In Celebrity Fashion…

Pets never go out of style.

https://parade.com/celebrities/celebrity-pets-on-instagram

🐳 Quotes of the Week

I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order. – John Burroughs

Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful.Annette Funicello

For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness. – Ralph Waldo Emerson (Uh-oh.)

Happiness depends to some extent upon external conditions, but chiefly upon mental attitudes. – Paramahansa Yogananda

We all make mistakes, have struggles, and even regret things in our past. But you are not your mistakes, you are not your struggles, and you are here NOW with the power to shape your day and your future. – Steve Maraboli

Judge each day not by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant. — Robert Louis Stevenson

Sometimes you make the right decision, and sometimes you have to make the decision right. – Dr. Phil

There’s a difference between undercooked and raw. – TomColicchio, Top Chef

There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest. – Elie Wiesel

📼 Made You a Mixtape…

If you still believe in weekends, do something outside of your usual routine. Then meet me on Sunday for a little Dead and/or on Monday for the usual soap and a lotta Deck. Until then, stay safe, stay using your time wisely, since there’s a limited supply, and stay believing new beginnings are always possible.

March 17, 2023 – Diane Makes Robert’s Day, Softball In Jersey, VanderAwful, Season 2 Buzz, Non-Reaction, Festival News, Pets (!), O’Quotes & Decide

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Valentin jumps several of Lucy’s men in checkers, and says, king me. She says she’d like to crown him. Fine. Here’s his king me crown. She slaps her checker on top of his, and he says he thinks they have Parchisi. Someone knocks at the door, and Lucy slips into the back. Laura says, it’s her, and he opens the door. Lucy runs out and hugs her, and Laura says, it’s good to see her. Lucy says, tell her there’s an end to this nightmare in sight. Please.

Eileen tells Robert, it’s too risky. She could end up dead. He says, that’s what happens when you bunk in with a Cassadine. There’s a knock on his office door, and Diane comes in. She says she knows she’s interrupting, but he’ll be glad she did. He asks why specifically he’s glad to see her, and she says, because she’s about to make his day.

Dr. I-Don’t-Know-His-Name brings Victor to an exam room, and says he can understand why Victor wants his issue resolved quickly. Victor says, any man would, and the doctor says he read Finn’s report. Unfortunately, he agrees with Finn’s assessment. Victor’s condition is likely irreversible. I laaaugh, and Victor flashes back to confronting Laura. She says, when his life falls apart – and it will – he’ll have more than her to blame, and he says, but she’ll the one who will pay most dearly. He tells the doctor, it means everything to him. He recently lost his son, and the rest of the family’s in crisis. He can’t afford to be distracted right now. He has to focus. He needs to ensure his family’s survival. Nothing can jeopardize that.

On the phone, Nina tells Maxie, of course (🍷). Crimson always supports the Nurses Ball. If she needs anything, just ask. She tells Maxie that she loves her and to give James a big hug from his Aunt Nina. She looks at a picture of her and Sonny, and flashes back to telling Sonny that she didn’t think she wanted to know about his business, but now she’s not so sure. There’s a knock at the door, and Nina opens it to Phyllis. Nina says, you’re back, and they hug.

Carly brings Donna to Sonny’s, and sees the guards outside. She asks Frank how it’s going, and he says, it’s going well. He lets her in, and Sonny says, look who it is. Donna runs to him, and he says he wasn’t expecting her. Carly asks, who was he expecting?

Laura says she does have an update, and Lucy says, please tell her it involves the word Victor and incarcerated, incapacitated, or dead. Laura asks, where’s Anna? and Valentin says, she’s in the bedroom trying to crack the Ice Princess codes. Does Laura want him to get her? Laura says, he can bring Anna up to speed later, and Lucy asks if this means she can go home, but Laura says, no; she’s sorry. Lucy says she really is grateful for being rescued and just being alive, but tick-tock, people, come on. Laura says, on the bright side, she thinks they’re starting to get to Victor, and Valentin asks, how? She says she ran into his father last night at the MetroCourt, and he was seething with rage. He said he knew what she’d done. Valentin asks if he got more specific, and she says, no, but he said she was stripping him of his power, and she was determined to rob him of his dignity in the process. Lucy says, it sounds like what they’re doing is working, so just keep doing what’s working, and Laura says, Victor is definitely fraying. He believes they’re all dead, and has no idea where Nikolas is. Spencer is actually defying him by going to live with his Uncle Sonny, so he’s lost control of his family, and it seems he’s having some kind of a medical issue. The kind that makes a man realize he’s not as powerful as he used to be. She doesn’t think it will be much longer before they bring Victor down for good, so Lucy doesn’t have to be patient much longer. Lucy says she doesn’t do patient, and the world right now needs Lucy Coe.

Robert asks how Diane is going to make his day, and she says, by offering this office the chance to save time and effort, and the chance to save the taxpayers of New York considerable expense. Eileen takes photos of a folder with her phone like there’s no way Diane would notice, and Diane says she knows Robert is intent on streamlining this office, so he’s going to want to hear her offer. Of course (🍷) if this is a bad time, she can come back… He says he and the Deputy Mayor are done, and Eileen agrees, adding, for now. She leaves, and in the hallway, she texts Victor: Need to meet. Urgent. She flashes back to offering Victor a copy of the unredacted file on Holly’s accident, and saying, it contains useful information on the necklace.

Carly tells Sonny that Donna’s ear drops are in her bag if she needs them, when Dex comes out. Donna asks, who are you? and Sonny says, he works for daddy, and introduces them. Dex shakes her tiny hand, and says hello to Carly. Donna asks if he lives here, but he says, no; he’s just visiting. Sonny says, they’re getting some work done, and Dex is going to be staying a couple of days. Dex says he was just going out to grab some things and he’ll be back soon. He leaves, and Sonny says he guesses Carly didn’t get his message. She says, no, she didn’t. What’s going on?

Lucy tells Laura, the Nurses Ball is always the event, but this year, it happens to coincide with General Hospital’s 60th anniversary. Laura says she knows, but it’s going to be televised this year, so Lucy can watch it, but Lucy says she doesn’t want to watch it. She is the Nurses Ball. She’s chaired every single Nurses Ball that ever was. Laura says, and every single one of them was magnificent, and Lucy thanks her, but says, she wants this one to be magnificent. It takes a certain type of expertise; there’s no substitute. Laura assures her that Maxie has everything under control, and Lucy says, define everything. Spare no details. Laura says she knows Maxie’s got financing from ELQ and Aurora, and Lucy says, super, but those are Quartermaine companies, and the family lives for the hospital, so really, they couldn’t refuse. Laura says, she’s meeting with more sponsors tonight, and Lucy says, super, but she might run into a snag because those sponsors can be pretty prickly. Valentin says, she can handle it. He hopes the sponsors do give her a hard time. She’ll squeeze them for every cent, and they’ll thank her for it. He just wishes he could be there to see it. Lucy says she needs to be there to see it, but Valentin says, no, she doesn’t. If she were, Victor would know what they were up to. He would make them all pay dearly, so what she needs to do is, settle down and accept the situation, because there’s nothing she can do about it. She blows a raspberry at him, and plops on the sofa. Laura says she knows how hard this must be for her, but fortunately, she has something that might make her feel better.

The doctor says, they can try to treat Victor’s symptoms, but it’s not guaranteed to work. Victor says, anything worth trying. He’s ready and willing to put up a fight. The doctor says, they’ll start with a prescription. He’ll get it from the hospital pharmacy himself. He leaves, and there’s a knock at the door. Victor lets Eileen in, and she thanks him for replying to her text. He asks, what couldn’t wait? and she says she has reason to believe Laura and Robert think she’s connected to him. He says, what better way of disabusing them of that notion than to come looking for him in a well-populated, brightly lit building with security cameras around every corner? She says she’s often at the hospital in the course of her official duties, and he says, good for her, but don’t contact him again unless she has something he can use against Laura… Unless that’s why she’s here. She says she doesn’t have anything about that, but she does have this. She shows him her phone.

Nina shows Phyllis a picture of Amelia, and Phyllis says, isn’t she a beauty. Nina says she loves Amelia already, even though she’s not allowed to be around her, and Phyllis asks if Willow is still keeping Nina at arm’s length. Nina says, not exactly. As it turns out, her Aunt Liesl is a viable bone marrow match to be a donor, and convinced Willow to keep Nina updated on her health issues. It’s a start. Every other subject is off-limits, including Wiley and Amelia. Phyllis says, if Willow sees Nina made an effort to respect her wishes, when she’s better – and Phyllis does mean when – she’ll let Nina in. She asks what Sonny’s take is on this, and Nina says, he told her pretty much the same thing, but she thinks Sonny is trying to convince himself too, because his son Michael doesn’t want to be around him. Their children have formed a united front against them. Phyllis says, it’s a shame when families shut each other out. In the meantime, it’s wonderful Nina can rely on Sonny… can’t she?

Sonny tells Carly that Donna’s in her room. The reason he called her was about Donna staying tonight. She says she’s sorry she missed his call. She was at the Quartermaines’ helping plan the Nurses Ball with Maxie, Willow, and Michael. He asks how Michael and Willow are holding up, and she says, worried, but they’re holding it together. What’s going on? Why does he have two bodyguards and Dex for protection? He says, Dex isn’t protecting him; he’s keeping an eye on Dex. She asks, why? and he flashes back to the shootout. He says, there was an incident.

At his apartment, Dex hears something and draws his gun, when Josslyn walks in. He says, she can’t just show up here without letting him know. He could have hurt her. She says she doesn’t know whether or not to text him; whether Sonny will see it or not. Why is he staying there? He says he was going to reach out, but hadn’t gotten the chance yet. She asks how he hurt himself. What the hell is going on?

Nina brings out some wine and charcuterie, and tells Phyllis, in regard to her relationship with Sonny, she’s reevaluating things. Phyllis says she thought things were good with Nina and Sonny, and Nina says, they are. It’s just that she thought she could separate Sonny’s livelihood from their relationship. Now she’s wondering if she was just fooling herself. Phyllis says, Nina knew who Sonny was when she encountered him in Nixon Falls. She knew before he did. Nina says she heard all the stories about Sonny Corinthos by reputation and in the news; that he was fearsome, and he was a violent man. Then she got to know Mike, and fell in love with Mike. Then when Sonny regained his memory, it seemed like he really changed. Phyllis says she doesn’t think Nina’s wrong about that, and Nina says, even when they went back to Port Charles, all the violence she was worried about and the reality of Sonny’s world seemed theoretical. So it was easy for her to move forward with Sonny. Phyllis asks, what’s changed? and Nina says, it turns out, peace was only temporary. And now that peace has broken.

Sonny says he doesn’t think it’s a good idea for Donna to stay here for a while, and Carly asks, how bad is it? He says, he and Dex went to the warehouse; they weren’t alone. She asks if he’s okay, and he says he’s fine. Dex got a little banged up. Nothing serious. He just wants to keep Dex close while he’s on the mend. She asks who it is this time, and he says, she’s out of this now. She says, really? Because she feels like she’s right back in it.

Diane tells Robert that she’s spoken to Trina about the criminal charges against Esme Prince, and he says, she can assure Trina that they’re doing their best to build an airtight case. She asks if he’s certain of a conviction, and he asks why he wouldn’t be. She says, Esme now presents as a very sympathetic defendant, and he laughs, saying, she’s about as sympathetic as an alligator chasing a pup. Diane says, not anymore. Now she’s a young mother who nearly died escaping captivity after literally being locked in a tower. Of course (🍷) she’s professing traumatic memory loss. Esme is something like six or seven fairytale princesses all rolled into one. Rapunzel… Snow White… Anyway, all she has left in the world is this innocent little baby. So now Esme is a traumatized, frightened young woman, and a caring mother. He asks what she suggests he do, and she says, drop the charges.

Lucy says, unless Laura has a time machine that can take her back to before she got involved with this, she doesn’t think there’s much Laura can do for her. Laura says, is that so? taking an envelope out of her bag. She says she guesses Lucy wouldn’t want this letter from Martin after all, and Lucy snatches it out of her hand, kissing it. She says she misses him so much, and Laura says she thinks the feeling is mutual. Lucy thanks Laura, and says she’s going to take her letter, run a very hot bath, grab her glass of wine, and read every single word a thousand times that her beloved wrote to her. Ta. She leaves, and Laura says she’s welcome. She asks how Valentin is, really, and he says he’s fine. Lucy’s alive, even when you’re not trapped in a confined space with her. He does have Anna, and he’d endure anything to get rid of Victor Cassadine. She says, it’s not going to be much longer. She can bring Charlotte for a visit… but he says, no. That’s the last thing he wants.

Victor wants to see what Eileen found, but she says she needs his assurance this will all be over before it blows back on her. He says, once again, she forgets how their arrangement works, and she says she found it in the DA’s office. Use it to achieve his goal quickly, so she can end her involvement before she pays for this alliance with her freedom – she hands him the phone – or with her life. He looks at it, and says, so the necklace made from the Ice Princess still exists, and Robert has it.

Valentin says, given his father’s current agitated state… Laura says, he doesn’t want to take the risk. He says, it was great when Felicia brought her by, but he’s sure Victor is watching her. It would do him a world of good to see her. Laura says, it would do them both good. Charlotte misses him terribly. He says he misses her right back, and asks Laura to make sure she tells Charlotte that. She says, of course (🍷) she will, and he says he’s grateful to her and Doc for everything they did to get Charlotte away from Victor. She says she’d do anything for Charlotte, and he says he knows she would, even if it means by extension helping him. She says, life is full of surprises.

Dex says he was with Sonny, when they were ambushed, and Josslyn says, he got shot? but he says, just creased. She says she can’t stand that word, and he says, it’s not like last time. It bled a lot, but he didn’t even need stitches. Sonny just wants Dex to stay with him until he’s healed up, but her mom and Donna came by, and he figured he’d give them some space. He just came by to grab some things. He’s sorry he didn’t tell her sooner… Please say something. She tells him to take off his shirt.

Sonny says he knows Carly is worried about the kids, and she says she’s worried about him too. He says, she saw security. He’s going to take care of it. She asks, how’s that? and he says he has a good team. She knows most of them. Dex is new, but he’s doing excellent work. Sonny is going to find out what’s going on, and he’s going to stop it. She says she’d loved to believe that, but they both know he can’t make that promise.

Nina tells Phyllis, all of a sudden, Sonny is on high alert. He assigned protection to all of his loved ones, including her. Phyllis asks if she feels safer with a bodyguard, but Nina says, oddly enough, no. She’s glad someone is there to protect her, but she’s constantly on guard that something’s going to happen. Phyllis says she can see why they would be unsettling; not just in the day to day, but in Nina’s relationship too. Nina says, to be fair to Sonny, he’s never lied or tried to hide the realities of his work, but if she didn’t know, it would be a buffer between their relationship and his… organization. Phyllis says, now Nina’s realizing there is no buffer, and Nina says, there are sides of Sonny she didn’t know that are starting to emerge. Phyllis says, now that Nina’s seeing these sides, she has to be honest with herself. Is this a relationship she can sustain?

Valentin says, Laura watching over Charlotte and taking care of her is everything to him. He couldn’t do any of this without her. He thanks her, and she says, Charlotte’s safety and future is one of the biggest reasons they have to stop Victor. He says, his father’s obsessed with his family; enriching it, controlling it. Has she heard from Nikolas? She says, no. He vanished without a trace, and she’s assuming it was intentional. She doesn’t really know, but Victor doesn’t seem to know. Valentin says he’s sorry. No matter how old they are, there’s no hell like worrying about your child. She thanks him, and says, what’s even more worrisome is that Victor seems to be focusing more on Spencer, and on Spencer’s baby brother. He says, they’ve got the name; they’re Cassadine heirs. That means they factor into Victor’s plans, whatever they are. Victor’s plans are kind of like Sonny’s mob boss job, or what the Chrisleys did for a living. If anything.

Victor says, so Robert managed to retrieve the necklace from the fire, and he’s been covering it up this whole time. Eileen says, he went through a lot of trouble to make sure no one knew it survived, and Victor says, it’s almost as if Robert knew he was looking for it. She says, that was her impression. Robert was convinced Victor needed something from the Ice Princess, and that’s why he was keeping its recovery a secret. Victor says, he and Holly were always thick as thieves. He wonders what else is in the file, but she says she doesn’t know. Robert was still in the room when she snapped the picture. She couldn’t sit there and read it in front of him, but she does know the necklace is being stored in a secure evidence locker in the PCPD. He says he has to commend her; excellent work. He hands back her phone, and she says she can’t wait to finally be done with all this, and he says, why on earth would she be done? She says, because he has everything he needs to send his men into the PCPD to retrieve the diamond, and he chuckles, saying, if only it were that simple. If he were to send his men in to storm the PCPD, it’d be a tip off. He’s afraid she’s going to have to retrieve the necklace for him. She asks how she’s supposed to get in the evidence locker, and he says, as Deputy Mayor, he’s sure she has connections who can find a graceful way to get in and retrieve the necklace. If she wants this to be done with, she’ll bring him the necklace. Don’t fail him. He opens the door, she says, understood, and leaves.

Robert asks Diane why they would they drop the charges against Esme Prince? They can prove everything they’re going after her for. She asks if the jury is going to care. Because if Martin Grey can work up enough sympathy for acquittal, Robert will lose his one and only chance to bring Esme to justice for her crimes. He asks why she’s bringing this to him now. What’s in it for her? She says she’s crushed… Okay. In addition to Trina, she also represents Spencer Cassadine. Esme is determined to keep her baby with her in prison, and Spencer doesn’t want that for his little brother; neither does Trina. He says he doesn’t give a damn what Spencer wants, and he respects Trina, but she isn’t even in the video. What does he tell Esme’s other victims? She says, Josslyn and Cameron both agree with Trina. Right now, they’re only thinking of the baby. Of course (🍷) they want justice, but some say, justice delayed is justice denied. The worst-case scenario would be to let Esme walk away Scot-Free, but justice delayed… Bring the charges, try her, when she can no longer claim traumatic memory loss. He says she might be right, but he’s not convinced, and she says, remember, she defended Trina. That young woman was dangerously close to going to prison because Esme Prince is a nasty piece of business. So as excited as she is to bring this proposal to him, it galls her to have to make it to him. Like she’s sure it galls him to have to consider it. He says, still, it might be best for all involved, and she says, he’s a smart man. He says, just because they put the charges aside doesn’t mean they take their eyes off little Esme for one second.

Dex takes off his shirt, hands it to Josslyn, and says, all yours. Does she want him to autograph it? She says, shut up. Let her see the wound. She looks under the bandage, and says, Sonny’s doctor did a much better job than she did. She gives him back his shirt, and he puts it on. He takes her hands, and says, Sonny’s doctor may have skills, but he doesn’t have her bedside manner. They kiss, and she says she should thank the doctor for bringing him back to her in one piece, but he says, the man she should thank is Sonny.

Nina says she loves Sonny, and Phyllis says she knows. Nina says, he’s been her rock. She doesn’t know if she could have gotten through this past year without him. Phyllis says she’s sure he feels the same about Nina, and Nina says, they’re good together. Phyllis says, she knows. Nina doesn’t have to convince her. She’s seen them together; both as Mike and Nina, and as Nina and Sonny. Nina says, there’s a huge part of her that thinks love is everything. She has a daughter now, and a granddaughter – grandchildren. It’s more than just her now. She’s not sure she can wrap her head around the idea of us being in constant danger. Phyllis takes her hand and says, not everyone was built for Sonny’s world, and everything that comes along with loving him. Nina says, like Carly was?

Sonny tells Carly that he doesn’t know what she wants him to say. She knows how his world is. She says she does, better than most, and he says, then she knows he’ll do everything he can to protect the family. She says, his family needs more than his protection; they need him. He says he’s not going anywhere, and she says, he doesn’t want to go anywhere. She remembers the last time she had to tell Donna and Avery that their daddy wasn’t coming home. She can’t go through that again.

Robert tells Diane, you win. As usual. She laughs, and he says he’ll drop the charges, as long as he can talk to all the victims and get them on board. She says she knows this isn’t an easy decision to make, and he says, she made a compelling argument. They can always refile the charges should evil Esme resurface. And he gets to keep his conviction record. She says, everybody wins. For what it’s worth (🍷), she has every faith that one day the justice system will hold Esme accountable. He says he hopes she’s right, and she says, in the meantime, she knows a way they can both work off their frustration. He asks what she has in mind, and she says, has he ever thrown a hatchet? He says, only in anger, and she says, why doesn’t he join her at the hatchet range? He can show her what he’s got, but she’s equally as lethal with an ax as she is with a brief. He says, Killer Miller strikes again, she laughs, and walks out.

On the phone at the MetroCourt bar, Victor tells someone that he needs them to check on Miss Sutton. He wants to know how far along she is on her road to recovery.

Robert says, back so soon? and Eileen says, not fast enough. He says, did Victor buy it? and she says, every word. He did have questions about the night Holly Sutton and the necklace supposedly went up in flames. He says he anticipated that, and notified the appropriate parties. Let’s move on to Phase Two.

Valentin tells Laura, there was a time not that long ago, if someone had told him that he and Laura would be having a conversation like this… She laughs, and says, united for a common cause. He says, if they can form an alliance… She says, then anything’s possible.  He says, Victor has no idea what he’s up against. He, Lucy, and Anna are alive and working against him, and he hopes Laura is right, and things are working against Victor. She says, now that Eileen is working for them, they finally have the upper hand, and he says, it won’t be long now.

Victor looks at his drink, sniffs it, and takes a sip. Lucy walks out of the elevator, looking like a frumpy librarian from the 1930s, and sees Victor at the bar.

Josslyn asks why she’d thank Sonny, when he’s the one who got Dex shot, and Dex says, they were checking the warehouse; getting ready for the Pikeman shipment. There was an ambush; a sniper. He saw movement before the shot was fired, and he got Sonny out of the way. She says, so he saved Sonny, and he says, they were pinned down, and Tony… She knows Tony. She says, he’s Sonny’s most experienced bodyguard, and Dex says, he gave covering fire from the entrance so Sonny could get away. Josslyn says, Sonny left him? and he says, Sonny was the target. Once he was gone, the shooter should have left. She says, obviously, he didn’t, and Dex says, the sniper took a shot at him, creased him, and he took cover, but he wasn’t going to last long with a handgun against a rifle. So he made a run for it, and that’s when Sonny came back and shot the sniper. Sonny probably saved his life… What? She says, nothing. It just almost sounds like Dex admires him.

Sonny says he knows it was hell for Carly, and for the girls, and she says, it was hell for everybody. He says he’s not going to put her through that again, and she says, a bridge went out from under him. He didn’t choose that; it just happened. Things happen. He can’t control everything. He says, he knows that. If he could control this, it wouldn’t be happening. The only thing he can do is take things as they come. As it is, he’s going to find out what’s going on and put a stop to it. She asks if there’s anything she can do, and he says, she can just stay out of it. He can deal with anything as long as she and the girls are safe. Okay? She says, okay, when Nina walks in.

On Monday, Valentin says, Anna screwed up and can’t own up to it; Josslyn says, Dex will be signing his own death warrant; and Sonny tells Nina, his children won’t be visiting him, and neither will she.

⚾️ Playing Ball…

Up close and personal at the RHONJ charity softball game.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/rhonj-charity-softball-game-behind-the-scenes-moments-pics-recap

🍸 #Scandoval…

Like Andy, I’m girding my loins for the Reunion.

LVP wouldn’t have to ask me to move in twice.

https://www.etonline.com/kristen-doute-says-tom-sandoval-still-refuses-to-leave-home-he-shares-with-ariana-madix-201104

Kelly Clarkson be damned.

https://www.etonline.com/ariana-madix-releases-first-statement-on-tom-sandoval-raquel-leviss-affair-what-doesnt-kill-me

I always appreciate a timeline.

https://www.etonline.com/tom-sandoval-and-raquel-leviss-a-timeline-of-the-vanderpump-rules-stars-cheating-scandal-200333

More proof Sandoval is an awful human being. If Jax shames you, you know it’s bad.

It’s even better than The Slap. Although TBH, I can’t imagine Scheana giving anyone a black eye. Not to mention, that’s a pretty odd-looking shiner. I agree with the opinion that it’s to remove herself from the Reunion.

https://www.etonline.com/scheana-shay-slams-raquel-leviss-restraining-order-filing-amid-vanderpump-rules-drama-200621

🐝 Don’t Get Stung…

I binged season one not long ago. I can’t wait.

https://mashable.com/article/yellowjackets-season-2-review-showtime

🐲 He Knows Nothing…

His reaction? He talks about everything but.

https://extratv.com/2023/03/15/kit-harington-reacts-to-possible-jon-snow-game-of-thrones-spin-off-series-exclusive/

🎸 If You Palooza…

The latest info on Lollapalooza. You can get tickets at a lot of websites. I’m not endorsing getting them through this one. They just had some good, basic intel.

https://www.songkick.com/festivals/1235-lollapalooza/id/40682629-lollapalooza-2023

🐕 Neverending Cuteness…

Adorable pets. Who cares who owns them?

🍻 Quotes of the Irish

This week, I’m taking the easy way out. Moving info, downloading programs, whatever needs to be done on a new device is a real pita. If it was the only thing I had to do, it wouldn’t be as much of a headache, but it’s not. And I keep going, oh yeah, that too. So rather than going quote hunting, I found a link that’s apropos for the week.

https://ottawacitizen.com/life/life-story/top-50-irish-proverbs-and-sayings-you-should-know-for-st-patricks-day

🍀May the wind always be at your back & may you be at the gates of heaven an hour 🍀🍀before the devil knows you’re dead.🍀

🩰 Riverdancing Away…

Make a return trip on Monday for soap and the St. David’s final charter. Until then, stay safe, stay challenging the status quo, and stay knowing things happen. You can’t control everything, but life is full of surprises.

March 16, 2023 – Obrecht Gets Good News and Bad News, Happy Returns, Guesting, They’re the Top, Everything Academy, Holiday & Unicorn

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Spencer asks why Dex is staying at Sonny’s, but Sonny says he doesn’t have to explain anything to Spencer. They’re both his guests. Dex leaves the room, and Spencer says he can’t deal with Dex right now. Sonny says he knows Spencer has a lot going on, but he has to watch his tone. Sonny’s not his enemy; he’s here for Spencer. Sonny says he appreciates that and he’s sorry, but he’s a bit of a mad mood right now, and Dex is the last person he needed to see.

Josslyn says she doesn’t want to fight with Cameron, but Cameron says he’s asking her to listen to him. She told him so many times that she hated living her life around Sonny’s business. All the times she was in lockdown or had bodyguards trailing after her, that’s her future with this man. She flashes back to Dex telling her that he was hired to work his way into Sonny’s inner circle to gather evidence his employer can use against Sonny. She tells Cameron, Dex is different than Sonny. She doesn’t want him to worry about her. She wants him to go to Stanford and be the star that he is. She’ll be fine. He asks if she promises, and she says she does.

Esme comes back to the rec room with Ace, looking for his binkie, when Trina says, looking for this? and holds it out to her. Esme says, she’s Spencer’s friend, and Trina says, that’s right; she’s Trina. Esme says, Trina Robinson. She knows who Trina is.

Alexis cleans up the drink Gregory spilled when he stumbled, and asks if he’s all right. He says he just lost his footing. Isht no big deal. She asks if he’s been drinking, and he says, it’s 11 am. She says, it never stopped her, and he says, it’s orange juice; period. He had a momentary attack of clutch… klutziness. She says, he’s slurring his words. Drinking just orange juice doesn’t do that.

Nina lets Obrecht in to her apartment, and asks if she’s heard from Terry, but Obrecht says, not yet. She’s waiting on the results of the last round of tests. The lab ran much faster when she was in charge. Nina says, they already know she’s a match. She doesn’t understand the hold-up. Obrecht says, they can’t take chances for Willow’s sake. They have to be patient. Nina says she feels like she’s unraveling, and feels guilty because Willow is the one going through this. Her body is shutting down. How long is she going to be able to hold on?

Carly comes into the Quartermaine sitting room with Amelia, and Maxie says, next on their list is vendors. Did Carly send her the list of vendors who have donated to the Nurses Ball in the past? Carly snuggles Amelia, and Maxie says, hello? Willow tells her, give it up. It’s a fight she won’t win.

Brook comes downstairs when the doorbell rings. She opens the door to Chase. He asks if she’s seen Willow and Michael, then says, who is he kidding? He came to get a peek at Amelia. Brook tells him, get in here. She’s the cutest little thing. She reminds Brook of Bailey when she was that age.

Maxie suggests they take a break. She can’t compete with all that cuteness. She’ll go check on Olivia, and then it will be back to business… Right? She goes over to Carly and Amelia, and Carly asks if Amelia isn’t the cutest.

Brook says she can’t believe Chase didn’t realize he’d shampooed with Bailey’s bubble bath, and he asks if he doesn’t always smell like lavender and chamomile. Besides, it was an honest mistake. Between her and Bailey, there were 50 bottles on the bathtub. Maxie comes out and asks if she’s interrupting, but Chase says he came to see Willow and the baby. Maxie says, the lovefest is in there, and he goes in. She tells Brook, it looks like there was a lovefest going on out here too.

Sonny asks, what’s going on? and Spencer says, Cam’s leaving. He got a scholarship to Stanford to play soccer, and they want him there spring quarter. Sonny says he knows Spencer is going to miss him, and Spencer says, for sure. Cameron’s been there for him despite their stupid rivalries, and now he’s leaving, and Dex is staying here? Sonny asks what this has to do with Dex, and Spencer says, because Joss broke up with Cam to get with Dex.

Alexis leads Gregory to a private area, and says, this is a nice spot. Nobody can see or hear them. Why doesn’t he talk to her? If he’s not drunk, why is he slurring his words? He says he wasn’t aware he was slurring, but he can assure her, he hasn’t been drinking. She says, well, there’s something off with him, and she’d like him to talk to her because she’s his friend. This is a safe space, and she’ll understand. He says, this is ridiculous, and insulting. He’s not drunk. She asks if they can just sit down and talk about this, but he says, no. He has an appointment. She says she’ll drive him. Why doesn’t he just give her his car keys? She holds out her hand.

Obrecht tells Nina, when Britta revealed her diagnosis, she had to sit by and watch her deal with the symptoms, even when Britt pretended not to have them. It was hard, but she had to follow Britta’s lead and respect her choices, and give her the support she needed whenever she needed it. Nina says, of course (🍷) Obrecht is right. She’s so sorry. Obrecht’s phone rings, she looks at it, and puts it down. She says, it’s Scotty; the tenth call today. Why won’t he get the hint? Nina says, Scotty loves her, and Obrecht loves him, but Obrecht says, if he loved her, he would have told her about Elizabeth’s role in harboring Esme Prince. Her silence made the police waste too much time believing Esme was The Hook, instead of looking for the real killer. Her Britta paid with her life. Nina says, Scotty only knew after the fact, but Obrecht says, it doesn’t matter. He helped Elizabeth get away with it. He chose Elizabeth over Obrecht and her family. Nina says, Obrecht just got done giving her some sound advice, so allow her to return the favor. Don’t shut out people who love her. Scotty can support her during this time she’s dealing with Britt’s death. Life is so fragile. They need to spend the little time they have with the people they love.

Sonny says, Josslyn broke up with Cameron, that’s her decision, and Spencer says, maybe he just wants someone to be mad at, and Dex is a convenient target. Sonny asks why Spencer needs a target, and Spencer says, because Cam is leaving, Britt is dead, and his little brother’s in prison bonding with Esme when he should be bonding with his real family. Is that long enough of a laundry list for Sonny? Sonny says, Spencer has Diane working her magic. She’ll get him custody of his baby brother. Spencer says, it can’t happen soon enough, and Sonny puts on his coat. Spencer asks if he’s leaving, and Sonny says he’s going to see Nina. Lay off Dex. Spencer asks how long Dex is staying, but Sonny says he doesn’t know. It’s open-ended, but he wants both of them to co-exist peacefully. Got it? Spencer says he’s got it, Sonny says, good, and leaves.

Trina says, Esme knows who she is? and Esme says, Trina’s one of the people she did terrible things to. Trina says, so she remembers? but Esme says, not even a little. Her lawyers told her about the charges she’s facing, and the people she’s hurt. Trina says, Esme framed her, and she almost went to prison, and Esme asks why she hated Trina so much. Trina asks if Esme is admitting she’s guilty, and Esme tells her, she can’t say that, but people told her about the person she was before. Everybody says she was a terrible excuse for a human being. Trina asks what Esme thinks, and Esme says, if she really did what she’s accused of, she thinks they’re right. But it’s like they’re talking about someone else, someone who terrifies her, and she’s glad she doesn’t have to think what that person thinks or feel what they feel anymore, and she prays to God she never has to. She doesn’t want to hurt anyone. She just wants to be free so she can raise Ace. Trina says, Spencer’s baby brother; he’s a real cutie. Esme says, he’s her baby, not Spencer’s. Spencer can’t have him. She asks if Spencer sent Trina. Is he outside? Trina tells her to chill. Spencer isn’t outside. He doesn’t even know she’s here. Esme asks if Trina’s his girlfriend, and Trina says, they’re friends. Esme says, if Spencer didn’t send Trina, what is she doing here? and Trina says she wanted to see how Esme and the baby were doing for herself. Esme asks why she cares, and Trina says, they all want what’s best for the baby. Esme says, his name is Ace. Doesn’t she think it’s best for a baby to stay with its mother? Trina says she thinks Esme is really lucky that Spring Ridge is letting her have him with her, but is it really the best place for Ace to be raised in a prison? Esme says, of course (🍷) not, but she’s not giving up her baby. He needs her, and she needs him. She can hardly believed he’s hers, but he is, and she can’t imagine life without him. She loves him so much. Trina says she can see that, and Esme says she’s sorry for everything she did to Trina and her friends, but she’s not that person. She doesn’t even remember who that person was, so to go to prison now for something she doesn’t even remember doing, it doesn’t seem fair, to her or Ace. Trina says she wishes they could all forget that too, and Esme says her parents were insane, and her lawyer says she’s not responsible because her dad was influencing her. Trina says, no one forced Esme to drug her, or to record Joss and Cam having sex, and Esme asks if she knows that for sure.

Gregory says, Alexis wants his car keys? and she says, if he doesn’t want to talk about it, that’s on him, but she doesn’t think he’s in any condition to drive. He says, for the last time, he’s not drunk, and she tells him, which is what she said every time she was drunk. He says, not everyone is a drunk like her, and she says she’s not trying to embarrass him or cause a scene… and he says, but she will, won’t she? Because Alexis Davis never admits when she’s wrong. He gives her his keys, and says, he’ll call a car. She says, they’ll be in her office when he wants to pick them up, but he says, leave them with the concierge. He never wants to see her again. He walks out.

Dex asks if Sonny left, and Spencer says, yeah. He asks where Sonny went, and Spencer says, Dex is off duty; it’s not his problem. Dex says he won’t get in Spencer’s way again, but Spencer says, don’t worry. He promised Sonny that he’d play nice. Dex says he’s not worried, and Spencer says, then why is Dex lying to his uncle.

Chase says, Amelia is so beautiful; she looks just like Willow. He’s so happy for her. She’s so lucky… He’s sorry. Willow says, don’t be. She is lucky. She has so much love in her life. Two beautiful healthy children, a family that’s embraced her, good friends and co-workers wishing her well, and a team of doctors doing everything they can. The least she can do is do her part and keep the faith. They should know today if Dr. Randolph approves using Liesl Obrecht as a stem cell donor.

Nina lets Sonny in, and they hug. Obrecht says, before he asks, there’s no word yet. Would he like some tea? He says he’s more of a coffee guy. Corinthos Coffee. Nina asks why there are two bodyguards outside, and he says, they’ll talk about that later. Has Obrecht seen Michael or Willow? Obrecht says, not recently; nothing to report. Obrecht’s phone rings, and Nina says, she’s going to have to talk to Scotty sooner or later. Pick up the phone. Obrecht looks at it, and says, it’s not Scotty; it’s the hospital.

Esme asks Trina, what if her father really was threatening her? He’s dead, and she can’t remember anything. How will they ever know the truth? Trina says, without Esme’s memories, it’s definitely a complicated situation. Esme says, it’s time for Ace’s nap, and Trina says she’ll go. Esme asks if she passed the test, and Trina says, what test? Esme says she may have lost her memories, but she’s not stupid. (She also said that to Doc, but it’s still just as amusing.) Trina came here to see if she was lying, didn’t she? Trina says, Esme’s always been an excellent liar, and she’s never been stupid, and neither has Trina. So yes. She came here to judge Esme for herself. Esme says she appreciates Trina’s honesty, and hopes Trina can appreciate hers. She’s not lying. She doesn’t have any memory of her life before this, and doesn’t think she ever will. She’s not wrong. I’ve read amnesiacs usually recover their memories quickly or not at all. Esme leaves with Ace.

Cameron says he should get back to work, and Josslyn says she should leave. They look at each other for a moment, and he says, awkward. She says she’s getting middle school flashbacks. She asks if they’re good, and he says, be happy. She says, him too, and her phone rings. It’s Trina, who asks, is she still with Cam? Josslyn says, he’s finishing up his shift, and she’s about to leave. What’s up? Trina says she has something important to tell Josslyn, Cam, and Spencer. Spencer said they could come to Sonny’s place. Can they meet her there? Josslyn asks, what’s going on? and Trina says she’ll tell Josslyn when she sees her, then hangs up.

Maxie tells Brook, everyone’s got their assignments, so she’s going to head out, and Brook says, they’ll talk tomorrow. Maxie says, one quick question before she goes. Why isn’t Brook in the sitting room? Brook says she just wanted to give Chase a little alone time with everyone, and Maxie says, this isn’t residual weirdness about him and Sasha, because she thought they cleared that up. Brook says, sort of. She knows nothing was going on; she talked to Sasha. Maxie says, not Chase? Why doesn’t Brook just be honest with him? Chase comes out, Maxie says, here’s her chance, and jets. Chase says, Brook is still here, and she says she wants him.

Willow is asleep on the sofa, and Carly tells Michael, mother and baby are down for a nap. How is he? He tells her not to worry about him, but she says she does worry about him. She knows it’s not easy playing the waiting game, or watching Willow struggle to do the simplest things. It’s got to be heartbreaking. He says, sometimes he has to leave the room, just for a moment, long enough to get himself back under control, so he can be the partner Willow needs him to be. She says, he is, and he says he can’t lose her. They can’t lose her. She has to be okay. Carly hugs him, and says, it’s going to be okay.

Dex asks what Spencer thinks he’s lying to Sonny about, and Spencer says, Joss for starters. He was told to stay away from her, correct? But as soon as he heard she broke up with Cam, there he was, moving right on in. Dex asks where he’s getting his information, and Spencer says, he’s denying it? and Dex says, yeah. Spencer says, so Dex hasn’t been sneaking around with Joss, and Dex says, Spencer’s known Josslyn a long time. Spencer says, that’s correct, and Dex asks if she seems like the type to sneak around. Spencer says, no, and Dex says, there’s his answer. There’s a knock at the door, and Dex opens it to Josslyn and Cameron.

Obrecht is still on the phone, and Nina asks how long it takes to say you can donate or you can’t. Sonny says, Liesl’s a doctor; she’ll want to know the details. Obrecht thanks Terry for calling her personally, and she has a really serious face. I don’t love Willow all that much, but I want Obrecht to saved the day, and Nina doesn’t need any more daughter heartache. Nina says, well? and Obrecht says, she’s going to be Willow’s stem cell donor. (Yay!) Nina squeals and says, oh thank God, grabbing Sonny’s hand. Obrecht says, but (uh-oh) there’s a problem.

Alexis tosses Gregory’s keys on the table, and Sam asks, whose are those? Alexis says she took Gregory’s car keys, and Sam says, Alexis doesn’t want him driving? Alexis says she doesn’t think it’s a good idea when you’re intoxicated, and Sam asks if he was over the legal limit. Alexis says she doesn’t know; she doesn’t have a breathalyzer with her. He was slurring his words, and he was unstable on his feet. I hate to tell her, but that could be any number of things from a diabetic attack to a stroke. Sam asks if Alexis smelled alcohol, and Alexis says, no, but she didn’t think he was in any condition to drive. Sam asks if she’s seen him like this before, and Alexis says, never. It’s completely out of character. Sam says, maybe Alexis is seeing another side, and Alexis says, maybe she never knew him in the first place.

Josslyn asks why there are so many guards here. Is Sonny in? Dex says, no, he’s out, and in a regal voice, Spencer says, don’t just stand there. Show his guests inside. Dex moves his arm, and winces, and Josslyn almost says something, but doesn’t. She asks if Trina is here, and Spencer says, she texted; she’s on her way. He asks Dex to give them some privacy, and Dex says he’ll be in his room. Spencer asks if they know what this is about, but Cameron says, no clue. Is Dex living here now? Josslyn looks like she has a headache, and Spencer says, yeah, unfortunately. Sonny invited him; can they believe it? Josslyn tells him, Trina said she had something important to tell all three of them, but she hung up before Josslyn could find out what it was. Spencer says, when she texted, he assumed she was still at Kelly’s with them, but Cameron says, she took off right after Spencer left. Spencer asks if she said where she was going, and Cameron says, no. Spencer says, did she sound okay? when there’s a knock at the door, Spencer opens the door, and asks if Trina’s okay. Trina strides in, and says she’s fine. She went to see Esme. Josslyn asks, why? and Trina says she wanted to see the new and improved version for herself. Spencer says, a delight, he’s sure. Is his baby brother okay? Trina says, he’s adorable. She’s holding him, and rocking him, and loving him. Spencer says, she makes a big show of that, doesn’t she? and Trina says, he doesn’t believe she loves her baby? He asks what she thinks, and Trina says she thinks it’s amazing how differently Esme acts now. He says, acts being the operative word? and Trina says, if Esme is acting, she’s very convincing. Which is why she wants to go to the DA, and asks him to drop the charges against her.

Chase says, Brook wants him? and she says, for the Nurses Ball. She’s organizing the musical acts, and she wants him and Blaze to perform for free. He says, of course (🍷). He can only speak for himself, but he’s in, with or without Blaze. The Nurses Ball is a great cause. She says, and he’s a great guy, when the doorbell rings. It’s Obrecht, and Brook invites her in. She says she has to speak with Willow, and Brook says she’s in the living room. I was calling it a sitting room. There’s no TV that I can see, so how can it be a living room? Obrecht goes in, and says she’s sorry to disturb them, but Michael says, not at all. Willow sits up, and asks if it’s good news. Obrecht says, yes. Dr. Randolph has cleared her to donate. However, they can’t harvest her stem cells right away. The transplant has been put on hold. Willow asks, for how long? and Michael takes her hand.

Sonny tells Nina, the good news is, Willow still has a donor. It’s huge. Nina agrees, but says, every second counts, and now they have to wait for Aunt Liesl’s medication to get out of her system. She didn’t even know Obrecht was taking anti-coagulants. He says, the doctors are taking her off of it, but it’s not safe to donate until it’s completely out of her system. Nina says, they’re running out of time. Her daughter needs a transplant now. They can’t afford to wait.

Alexis tells Sam that Gregory is furious with her. He accused her of being self-righteous and not being able to admit when she’s wrong… which is not wrong. He said she was projecting her alcoholism on everyone else because she’s one. Sam says, she doesn’t do that, and Alexis admits she does. She’s hyper sensitive about problem drinking for obvious reasons. Maybe she just went too far. Sam says, he did seem unstable, but one day of day drinking doesn’t mean you’re an alcoholic. Alexis says she knows, but something’s not right. What triggered her instinct was how he reacted when she asked if he’d been drinking. He was immediately hostile and defensive. That’s a classic alcoholic trick; self-righteousness, then a stormy exit. Sam says she knows it well, and Alexis says she’s sorry. Given her history, she’s telling Sam, he’s hiding something.

Josslyn tells Trina, the DA isn’t just going to drop the charges against Esme because they asked. He certainly didn’t drop them against Trina when they asked. Trina says, as long as Esme’s in prison, so is Ace. They have to do something. Spencer says he is doing something, and it doesn’t include dropping the charges against Esme. She needs to pay for what she did to all of them. Trina says, that’s exactly why she can’t be charged right now.

Esme sits down to read in the rec room, and a guard hands her a letter, saying, she’s got mail. Esme sees it’s from Heather in D’Archam, and literally drops it like it’s hot.

Nina tells Sonny that she wishes she could talk to Willow. Don’t worry; she’s not going to. Willow doesn’t want to talk to her, and she’s not going to upset her. She asks if Sonny wants to tell her why there’s two bodyguards out front, and he says he’s adding extra security. She asks, why? and he says, they can talk about it later. She says, they can talk about it now, and he says, there was an incident last night, and she asks if he’s hurt. He says, she can see he’s not, and she asks, what happened? He says, she’s the one who said she didn’t want to know anything about his business.

Cameron says, Trina lost him, and Josslyn says she’s in no way anxious to sit through a trial, but she’ll happily do it. Esme needs to face justice. Trina says, what if justice is impossible right now? Think about it. Esme is this poor, young, single mother who doesn’t remember anything about her crimes or the person she used to be. What if the jury feels sorry for her, and lets her off? And if that happens, and Esme goes back to being the old Esme one day, she can’t be tried for the same crimes a second time. Josslyn says she gets it. If the DA holds off on prosecuting Esme, Esme will still have her old crimes hanging over her head. One slip-up that shows her memory is back, she can be tried and convicted. Trina says, exactly. Prosecuting her right now is too big of a risk. Besides, there’s Ace to think about. Esme could be stuck in Spring Ridge until the trial starts, and that could be months from now. Spencer says, months of his brother being raised by security guards and surrounded by criminals. Is Trina sure she wouldn’t mind seeing Esme walking around free? Trina says she’s sure, and asks what Cam and Joss think. It’s their call too. Cameron says he’s in, and Josslyn says, her too. For Ace’s sake, Esme needs to go free.

Brook says, Dr. Obrecht didn’t seem so happy, and Chase says, does she ever? Brook says she hopes it’s not bad news. Willow and Michael couldn’t take another disappointment. He takes her hand.

Obrecht says, when her medication is out of her system, they can proceed. Willow says, but is it safe for her to donate? and Obrecht says, once her blood can clot again normally, there’s no danger to her. She’s so sorry for the delay. Willow says, don’t apologize. She already owes Obrecht so much. Michael thanks her for coming by in person, and Obrecht says, full transparency. She was with Nina and Sonny when she got the news; they know. Willow says, that’s okay. She agreed to keep Nina in the loop about her health. Obrecht says, Nina is very grateful, and gets up. Carly asks if Willow wants to go to the gatehouse and get some rest, but Willow wants to wait until Amelia wakes up. Carly says she’ll walk Obrecht out, and Willow asks Carly to fill everyone in. Carly says, of course (🍷), and Obrecht says she’ll be in touch. They leave, and Michael asks how Willow really feels. Willow says, fine, really, and Amelia makes a cute sound. Michael goes over to the bassinette.

Brook walks Chase out, and he says he’ll let her know what Blaze says about the Nurses Ball. Is she okay? She says, sure. Him? He says, take it easy, and leaves. She looks at him longingly.

Carly asks if Willow wants her to take Amelia, but Willow says, she’s enjoying having Amelia with her. Could she bring Wiley down from the playroom? Carly says, that’s a great idea, and Michael asks if she needs help, but she says she’s pretty good at bribing little boys away from their toys. She’s also good at listening. If he’s ready to talk, she’s here. She leaves, and Michael watches Willow with Amelia.

Sam tells Alexis that she talked to Trish, and she said, Gregory was served no alcohol here today. Alexis says she doesn’t know what it is. Maybe it’s pills… something. He’s hiding something. Sam says, it’s true he lied to her about not working at PCU anymore, and Alexis says, that’s what addicts do. They lie – a lot. Must. Have. Alexis’s. Plaid. Duster.

Trina thanks someone on the phone, and she tells the others that Diane has time right now. Spencer says, let’s do it, and thanks her for trying to help his baby brother. He and Trina gaze at each other, and Josslyn tells them, when Diane says now, she means now. Trina says she’ll meet them in the lobby, and Spencer tells Cameron not to think for a second he’s leaving without a goodbye party. Cameron and Josslyn leave, and Spencer tells Trina, he can’t believe he’s doing this for his brother’s sake, but prison is no place for an infant. She says, at least from what she can tell, Esme’s not a threat to anyone, and he says he sure hopes she’s right.

Esme looks at the letter on the floor, approaches it cautiously, and picks it up. She tears it open, and reads it.

Michael tells Willow that his mom said Wiley needed a quick clean-up; he was fingerpainting. Willow says, that’s all right. This is nice. She meant what she said about keeping the faith. She’ll hang around as long as necessary. Her family gives her strength.

Nina says, something happened that worried Sonny enough to increase his security, and he says, he’s not worried; he’s handling it. She says, if she knew the details, would she be worried? and he doesn’t look at her. She says she takes that as a yes, and he reminds her, she said she didn’t want to know. She says she didn’t think she did. Now she’s not so sure.

Tomorrow, Laura says, life is full of surprises; Diane is about to make someone’s day; Phyllis asks Nina if this is a relationship she can sustain; and Carly tells Sonny, they both know he can’t make that promise.

🐑 Return To the Soap Fold…

If there was ever a time for the heads of GH fans to explode, it’s now.

🚑 After the Hospital…

They just missed Britt.

🔪 Bringing Their Knives…

The latest season of Top Chef started last week, but it’s not too late to ketchup.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/top-chef-season-20-cast-premiere-date-trailer

https://parade.com/tv/top-chef-season-20

🏆 All About Oscar…

Better late than never. The winners.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/12/entertainment/oscar-winners-2023/index.html

The best and worst moments. I’m sure it’s debatable. There seemed to be a bunch of flack about Lady Gaga singing the song from Top Gun with too much passion for a song about a plane. Maybe it means something different to her.

https://mashable.com/article/oscars-2023-best-worst-moments

The parties.

https://ew.com/oscars/oscars-2023-after-party-photos/

https://deadline.com/gallery/2023-oscars-parties-photos/

And of course, the fashion.

https://people.com/style/every-must-see-outfit-change-from-the-2023-oscars-photos/

🍀 Top O’ the Mornin’…

All about St. Patrick’s Day. When I worked in NYC, I hated it. Not just because the parade would block 5th Avenue for half the day, but teenagers would be sitting on the curb getting drunk sick at 11 am. I think they’ve put an end to a lot of that, but I still get flashbacks.

https://www.history.com/topics/st-patricks-day/history-of-st-patricks-day

🍺 Making My O’Exit…

On the menu tomorrow is soap, tea, words of the wise (or not), and the joy of music. Until then, stay safe, stay in the eye of the hurricane mentally, and stay remembering that life is fragile, and you need to spend the little time you have with the people you love.

January 4, 2023 –Bad Endings In the New Year, PSA For Pet Owners, New Year Soap, Andy’s Shots, Roll Call 2022, Best In Chic, What They Did & Better

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Laura thanks Ava for letting her stop by; she knows it’s late. Ava says, Laura told her it’s important, and invites her in. She asks, what’s up? and Laura says she’s worried. She has to find a way to help Nikolas. Ava says, and Laura came to her? and Laura says, Ava probably knows him better than anyone else now. She’s hoping Ava can shed some light on why Nikolas is afraid. What does Victor have on her son?

Dante says, Miss Prince? and introduces himself. He says, they’ve met before. Can she tell him what happened to her? She looks around, and asks, what happened? He says, she’s being treated for hypothermia, and she asks, why? He says he was hoping she could tell him. And also where she’s been hiding out the last six months.

Spencer says he knows Nikolas claims he’s there out of concern for him, but he always has an ulterior motive. What is it? Nikolas says his motive is his family, and Spencer says, right. He tells Trina, if she doesn’t mind, he’d like a moment alone with his father. They step away, and Trina tells Elizabeth, that seemed intense.

Nikolas says, finding Esme like that must have been a shock, and Spencer asks Nikolas to level with him for once. Is his psycho ex-girlfriend carrying Nikolas’s kid?

Cameron is closing up Kelly’s, when Scotty comes in, and asks what he’s doing here. Cameron says, working, and Scotty asks why he’s not out and doing what young people do on New Year’s Eve. Cameron says, technically, it’s January 1st, and Scotty says, his point exactly. Why isn’t he out with that beautiful girlfriend, bringing the New Year in with a bang?

Dex and Josslyn bask in the afterglow on the couch, and Dex asks how she is. She says, from one to ten, eleven, and he says, him too, and kisses her. He says he meant what happened on the dock. Someone tried to kill her tonight. She says, oh, that. She feels lucky and uneasy, but somehow here with him, she feels safe. He says, she is, and kisses her.

Obrecht says, Britt’s dress is torn. Is she bleeding. Britt starts to walk, and drops to the floor. Obrecht asks, what’s wrong? and Britt says she guesses she had more to drink than she realized. Obrecht says she’s calling for help, but Britt says, don’t. Obrecht says, obviously, something is wrong, and Britt says, it’s too late.

Josslyn says, this wasn’t the plan, and Dex says, it’s not like he never thought of it. She says she’d just try to push those thoughts down, and he asks, why? She says, he works for Sonny, and she’s never going to be okay with that. All those lies she used tell herself, that Sonny was actually an honorable man and his behavior was justified? She’s never going to tell herself those lies again. Her phone dings, and Dex hands it to her. She sees a text from Cameron: NYE re-do when I’m off work? Can’t wait to see you.

Cameron says, it’s Scotty’s lucky day; it’s the last one. He puts a plate in front of Scotty who says, a brownie. He’s not going to touch it yet. He texted his schnitzel to come join him. Cameron says, he didn’t ring in the new year with Dr. Obrecht? and Scotty says he was at Britt’s birthday party, but got a call from a client, and had to go. Cameron asks if someone spilled champagne, fell, and broke their hip, and Scotty says, collarbone. Cameron says, and they’re suing? and Scotty says, it will keep him in brownies until 2024. Cameron says, sounds like he should work for Scotty, and Scotty says, if Cameron every needs any money or anything… Cameron says he’s fine, but Scotty says, Cameron has to squeeze in some fun. It’s true what they say; life is short.

Obrecht tells Britt not to be defeatist. It’s not a good look on anyone, especially her. It’s only a scratch. How did this happen? Obrecht cleans the wound, and Britt says, Obrecht knows her; two left feet. Obrecht says, the Huntington’s? and Britt says, it definitely doesn’t help. She suggests getting Britt home, cleaned up, and in bed. No MetroCourt. She wants Britt to stay with her. Britt says, Obrecht never made a toast, but Obrecht says she thinks Britt’s had enough for tonight. She can barely keep her eyes open. Britt says, humor her. It’s her birthday. Obrecht picks up a glass, and says, to many more nights like this, draining the glass. She says she’s been thinking a lot about wasted time lately, and Britt says, her too. Obrecht says she wasn’t affectionate enough; too focused on molding Britt. Too focused to appreciate her, and Britt was unable to see the plain truth. Britt’s life was a miracle, and she robbed them both. She never held Britt enough, and never held her brother at all because she gave him up. She didn’t even get to hold him at the end. Britt coughs up blood, and Obrecht says, Britt’s not drunk, and this isn’t Huntington’s. What’s happening to her?

Laura tells Ava, Nikolas led her to believe he was in pretty big trouble. He wouldn’t tell her what it was, but he did say his Uncle Victor could either save him or ruin him. Does Ava have any idea what he was referring to? Ava flashes back to Esme falling off the parapet, and says she wishes she could tell Laura, but as they both know, Nikolas doesn’t tell her everything. Laura says she’s sorry Nikolas hurt Ava. What he did to her was unforgiveable, but she remembers a time when the two of them shared everything. Ava says she thought so too, but now she’s questioning everything, even the happy moments, and Laura says, she knows for a fact Nikolas regrets his choices. If she’s being perfectly honest, she has a few regrets too.

Nikolas tells Spencer to keep his voice down, and Spencer says, Nikolas thinks he can keep this a secret. When Esme wakes up, she’s going to blow Nikolas out of the water. He doesn’t know how pregnant she is, but he knows it’s definitely not his, which leaves Nikolas. They see a nurse go into Esme’s room, and Trina wonders if that means she’s awake.

The nurse tells Esme that she’s paged the doctor, and he should be here soon. Esme asks for water, but the nurse says she’s not cleared for that yet, and Dante says, stop stalling. Esme says she’s not stalling; she’s freezing. The nurse says she’ll get another blanket, and leaves. Dante asks if Esme wants him to repeat the question, calling her Miss Prince. Esme asks why he keeps calling her that.

Nikolas sees TJ headed for Esme’s room, and asks how she is. TJ says, that’s what he’s about to find out, and goes inside. Nikolas tells Elizabeth, this is unacceptable. What’s the point of being on the Board if no one tells him anything? Elizabeth tells him to come with her, and they leave. Trina says, Spencer’s dad is really invested in Esme, and Spencer says, she has no idea. She asks what they were talking about, but he says, nothing important. She says, it didn’t seem that way, and he says, that’s the thing about Cassadines. Our conversations always seem fraught. It’s part of the mystique. They should be celebrating; their plan worked. They lured The Hook out of hiding by pretending to be together. She says she’s not so sure they did.

TJ says, any nausea or headache? but a shivering Esme shakes her head. He says, what about tenderness? and she says, no. TJ asks the nurse to order him a fetal heart monitor, and an OB consult with an ultrasound. Esme asks why he’d need that, and he asks, when was the last time she felt the baby move? She says, baby? and looks under the blanket. She says, oh my God. I’m pregnant?

Ava asks what regrets Laura could have, and Laura says she hates that her son couldn’t be a better husband to Ava. Ava says, that’s his fault, not Laura’s, and Laura says, maybe. But looking back, she repeatedly encouraged Ava to stay with Nikolas. Maybe she shouldn’t have done that. Ava asks how Laura could have known that. Nikolas, and Nikolas alone, is at fault for the demise of their marriage. So she doesn’t want to hear about regrets; not Laura’s anyway. Laura says she doesn’t like to think of herself as naïve, but she thought Nikolas’s relationship with Ava could make him a better man. Ava says she thought so too, and for a while she thought it did. She guesses they’re both naïve.

Josslyn hurries to get dressed, and Dex tells her to slow down, but she says she can’t. She has to talk to Cameron. He says, it’s after midnight, but she says she can’t let Cameron go into the new year thinking they’re something they’re not. It’s not fair. He asks if she regrets it, and she says, this? No. But it was wrong for her to give in to her feelings for Dex while she was still with someone else. She owes Cam the respect of a conversation. He’s not just her boyfriend, he’s… Dex says, her best friend. He gets it. She says she’s about to break Cameron’s heart, and Dex starts getting dressed. She asks what he’s doing, and he says, there’s a killer on the loose, and she’s out for Josslyn. He can’t let her go by herself. She says, Cam can’t see him, but he promises to stay out of sight. She almost died tonight. She’s not going anywhere alone.

Cameron asks if Scotty saw Josslyn at Britt’s party, and Scotty says he didn’t, but he told Cameron that he had to leave early. Cameron says, it’s just that he texted her, and hasn’t heard anything back, and Scotty says, they’re good, right? Cameron says, yeah. They’ve just been super busy; him with soccer, her with volleyball. Now that it’s winter break, they’re going to be spending a lot of time together. As soon as he’s done here, he’s going to do a New Year’s do-over. Scotty asks what he’s doing? Go grab her.

On the phone, Obrecht says, please hurry. She’s having an anaphylactic reaction of some kind. Obrecht goes back to Britt, and says, because of the holiday, the closest ambulance is ten minutes out, but they’ll be here. Britt says she was coming back for Obrecht, and Obrecht asks if she’s in pain. Britt shakes her head, and says she wanted more time with all of them. Obrecht says she’ll have more time. She’s just having some sort of immune response. Britt says she didn’t want to die alone, so she came back. Now it’s close. Obrecht says, she’s not making sense, and Britt coughs. Obrecht says she’ll drive Britt to the hospital herself, but Britt says, they won’t make it. Obrecht asks what she means. The hospital is a few blocks away, and she’s an excellent driver. Britt says, the scratch is from a hook. She’s been poisoned. Obrecht can’t save her.

Outside Kelly’s, Dex says he’ll be here if Josslyn needs him, and she says she doesn’t know how she’s going to do this. Inside, Scotty tells Cameron to seize the day, and Cameron says he’s going to do it. Seize the day. He starts to leave, when Josslyn walks in. He says he literally was just about to look for her, and she says, they need to talk. Ugh. No guy ever wants to hear those words.

Ava laughs, and says she was thinking how horrified Laura was when she discovered Ava was her new daughter-in-law. Laura says, Ava wouldn’t be her first choice, and Ava says, who could blame her? Laura’s his mom. Laura says, Nikolas doesn’t see it that way. He thinks she oversteps and judges too harshly. Maybe he’s right. Ava says she wishes she’d been the kind of mother Laura is. If she had been able to set aside her anger and sadness, and had been there for Kiki… Laura says, no. Don’t do this to herself. Look how much she’s there for Avery. She’s setting a great example by showing Avery that she’s not accepting less than she deserves. Ava thanks her, and not just for saying that, but for always being so kind to her, despite all the bumps in this very tumultuous road. Laura says, being with Ava is the happiest she’s seen Nikolas. The fact that it fell apart… Ava says, it feels like a failure, and Laura says, divorce always does; it’s like a death. How is Ava dealing with that? Ava says, vodka helps. She’s not going to lie. She’s mad as hell at Laura’s son. Laura asks what she intends to do about that.

Nikolas says he should have put the Cassadine Island plan in motion earlier, and Elizabeth tells him, stop. That ship has sailed. Esme could be in there telling the police where she’s been all this time. Do they need to call Scotty? Should she call her boys and tell them she’s about to be arrested? He says he won’t let that happen, and she asks, how? He’s going to be in the police van next to her. He says he needs to make a call, and walks off.

TJ asks if Esme knows what day it is, and she asks, what’s happening to her? He says, she’s safe. Everything is okay, and she’s going to be fine. Does she know where she is? She looks at Dante, and tells TJ, he said this was a hospital. TJ says, it’s normal to be confused after a medical event, so why doesn’t she start by telling him her name? She says she can’t.

Spencer says he thought Trina would be thrilled they don’t have to pretend anymore, and she says, assuming Esme is The Hook. He says, not this Ryan Chamberlain theory again, but she says, think about it. Esme is pregnant; like pregnant pregnant. Can he really see her out there, attacking people, getting the best of someone like Rory or Ava? He says he doesn’t know, but he does know he’s not going to stand here while Esme ruins both of their lives. Dante comes out, and Elizabeth asks, how’s Esme? Spencer asks if she’s talking, and Trina asks if she’s awake. Dante says, she’s awake, and Spencer asks if she confessed. Dante says, she’s not saying much of anything, and Spencer says, of course (🍷). She’s probably already lawyered up, but Trina says she doesn’t think that’s it. Why isn’t Esme talking? Dante says, she claims she doesn’t remember anything.

Obrecht tell Britt that they have to move, but Britt says she can’t. Obrecht says, she has to try; the hospital will have an antidote. Britt says, no time, and coughs. She says she’s glad she came back. She’s glad she’s with Obrecht. In the beginning, and in the end. Obrecht says, this is not the end. There must be something she can do. Britt says, hold her like she wanted to hold Nathan, and Obrecht gets down on the floor, taking Britt in her arms. She cries as she says, Britt could talk before she could walk. So intelligent, so brave. Into everything. She remembers one evening she looked away for two minutes, and Britt managed to open her briefcase pulled out the contents. Fine motor skills that should have been beyond her. Britt had gotten hold of a pen and drawn all over herself. She was annoyed, but she should have kissed Britt, and smiled at how silly and wonderful she looked. She should have picked Britt up, and kissed her and kissed her, instead of scrubbing her up, and putting her to bed. Britt is starting to fade, and Obrecht says, all those kisses she never gave Britt. All those nights she put Britt to bed, and never once rocked her to sleep, her precious girl. My schone tochter. She realizes Britt is gone, and kisses the top of her head, and says, I love you, sweetheart. Mama loves you.

Scotty tells Josslyn and Cameron to have a good New Year’s, and leaves. Josslyn asks if they can sit, and Cameron says, of course (🍷). They sit down, and he asks, what’s going on? She says she really doesn’t want to do this, and he says, do what? She cries, and says, things have changed between them, and she really can’t ignore it anymore.

Laura gets her coat, and tells Ava, just for the record, she knows Ava owes Nikolas nothing. Ava says, less than that, and Laura says, but if Ava thinks of something that could help Nikolas get out from under Victor’s thumb, could Ava just tell her? Ava’s phone rings, and she says, Laura’s son has impeccable timing. She asks what Nikolas wants, and he says, what Ava wants; not to be implicated in a crime. Esme is at General Hospital. Ava asks if anyone knows she’s there, and he says, the PCPD for starters. They’re questioning her as they speak. They need to get their story straight about what happened that night on the parapet. Ava says she’s leaving now, and Laura asks, what happened? Ava says, Esme Prince has been apprehended.

Trina says, this is crazy. Esme is suffering from memory loss? Dante tells her, that’s what Esme is saying, and Spencer says, that is a load of… crap. She’s lying. Dante says he has to the update station, and steps away. Nikolas joins them, and asks what Dante said. Elizabeth says she’ll fill him in, and leads him away. She tells him, Esme claims she doesn’t remember anything, and Nikolas says, anything about the last few weeks? but she says, sounds like about anything at all, and Nikolas wonders, what the hell is her angle now?

Trina wonders if Esme could really not remember who she is, but Spencer says, no way. It’s just one more in a long line of Esme’s tricks. She says, but what if it’s not? and he says, believe him, it is.

Esme tells TJ that she’s scared.

Cameron says he doesn’t understand, and Josslyn says, they’re growing apart. He says he knows he hasn’t been around a lot. He’s just been busy with soccer, his brothers, and work. She says, it’s not that, and he says, then they’ll spend more time together, but she says, it’s not about physical distance. It’s about her, and what she feels. He asks if that’s changed, and she says, yes. He says, relationships evolve, right? They grow, and they’ve been through so much in the last year. She says she kept telling herself that too. And that if they cared about each other enough, they can recapture what they used to have. He says, haven’t they? He’s sorry; he’s confused. He thought things were fine. She says, things aren’t fine. They’ve been struggling. He knows this; they talked about this. He says he knows they talked about it, and then they… She says, they had sex. She thought it would fix things, but it didn’t. He says he thinks they need to talk about this. Think it through, and figure out a way to get back to where they were. She says, no, they can’t, and he says, that sounds final. She says, it is, and he says he sees. She didn’t come here to fix things. She came here to break up with him.

On the phone, Dante says he hasn’t figured out yet where Esme was when Britt Westbourne was attacked, but he has her personal belongings… He’ll bring them to the lab to be analyzed. It’s a bag of her personal belongings; clothes mostly, and a Christmas ornament. See if CSI can do something with it. Spencer walks over, and Dante says he’ll call them back with any updates. Spencer asks Dante, please tell him that he isn’t falling for this.

Ava comes out of the elevator, and sees Trina. She asks if there’s any news on Esme. She heard Esme was here with the cops. Trina says, she claims she doesn’t remember anything, and Ava says, nothing? Trina says, apparently. She’s surprised to see Ava here. Ava says, Nikolas called her, and Trina says she thought he would. But if Ava doesn’t suspect Esme of being The Hook, why come?

Nikolas says, there’s no way Esme has amnesia after everything she’s pulled, but Elizabeth says she doesn’t think Esme is faking it. He asks how she can say that, and she says, her best defense against The Hook allegations is that she was being held captive at Windymere all this time. She could send the police over there right now; there’s evidence all over the north tower. The truth is her alibi. Laura comes along, and says, what’s this about an alibi?

Cameron says, so that’s it? He and Josslyn are done? He gets zero say in the matter? She says she’s trying to be fair. She wants them both to be happy. He says he is happy. He thought she was too; clearly, he was wrong. He’s such an idiot. He gets up, and she follows, saying, he’s not. He says, he’s been going through life thinking everything was fine; meanwhile, his girlfriend’s miserable? She says she was never miserable. She could just feel them going in different directions, without that not same connection used to have. She starts to cry, and says she’s sorry, so sorry. She should have come to him sooner, but she’s so scared. The thought of losing him terrifies her. He says, and the thought of staying with him is worse? Does she still love him? She says she’ll always love him. She’s just not in love with him anymore. She knows that this changes things… He tells her, don’t say it. Don’t think for a second that they can be friends after this. She says, but she wants to. Please. He asks how they can do that when he’s still in love with her. He can’t just go back. Not now, and maybe not ever.

Scotty sees Obrecht on a bench at the hospital, and asks if she’s all right. She says she’s alone. She tried to protect them, and she’s still all alone. He says, she’s not alone. He’s right here. What happened? She tells him, she said she came back for me. What’s that mean? If she hadn’t come back… He asks, who? Look at him. If who hadn’t come back? She says, her Britta. She’s gone. Her little girl is gone.

Nikolas tells Laura that they were just wondering how Esme was going to talk her way out of this, and Elizabeth says, Nikolas told her that he’d talked to Laura about them. It must have been a shock. Laura says, actually, she’s mostly concerned about her grandchild; she’s concerned about all of her grandsons. She asks why Nikolas is here. Aside from being Spencer’s ex-girlfriend, she didn’t think he knew Esme all that well. He says, Esme’s action affected so many people In Port Charles… Elizabeth says, they just want to see Esme pay for what she’s done.

Ava tells Trina, Esme terrorized her. Esme set her car on fire, and left Kiki’s hospital ID next to it. Not to mention what she did to Trina. How could she not be here? Trina doesn’t think Ava will be as heated when she sees Esme, and Ava asks what that means. The nurse brings TJ the fetal heart monitor he wanted, and says she ordered the OB consult. Trina tells Ava, Esme is pregnant.

Cameron says he has to get back to work, and Josslyn grabs his arm. He tells her, don’t make this harder than it already is. Goodnight. He goes to the counter, turning his back to her, and she says, goodnight. She lingers at the door a moment, then leaves. Cameron cries, and outside, Dex asks if Josslyn is doing okay. She shakes her head, and he says he’ll take her home. Inside, Cameron yells in frustration.

Ava says, Esme is pregnant? and Trina says, and get this. Spencer doesn’t think the baby is his. Ava says, Spencer’s right, and walks over to Dante. Dante tells Spencer that what he believes is irrelevant, and Spencer says, Esme needs to go to prison whether she remembers what she did or not. Ava strides over, Trina following, and asks how far along Esme is, but Dante says he can’t give her that information. Trina asks if TJ said whether Esme was capable of physical violence, and Dante says,  that’s also privileged information that he can’t give them. Ava says, so a  wanted criminal’s right to privacy is greater than public safety? and Dante asks what she wants. Esme is being held and questioned. Ava says, she also heard Esme is saying she doesn’t remember anything. Dante had better take everything she says with a grain of salt. Does he hear her? He says he thinks the whole hospital hears her, and she says, at best, Esme is a conniving liar, who terrorizes people and torches cars. Trina says, and films people without their knowledge, and Spencer says, and frames innocent people for it. Ava says, at worst, she’s a murderer, responsible for a spree of brutal attacks, of which she’s a victim. Dante says, he gets everyone’s concern and interest, but he can’t give them answers yet. Nikolas asks if he and Ava can talk in private, and she asks when Esme conceived. He suggests they go somewhere quiet, but she says she’s fine where she is, and she asked him a question. Laura asks, what’s going on? and Ava asks if he isn’t going to answer his mother. Elizabeth says, now is not the time, and Ava asks if she hasn’t stood up for Nikolas enough. The baby Esme is carrying, it’s his, isn’t it? He says, yes, and she smacks him across the face, and says, that’s all she needed to know.

Scotty calls Nina, and tells her that he has horrible news.

Alone with Britt, Obrecht says, five years ago this month, she lost Britt’s brother. Now Britt has left her too. She can’t fathom it. A world without Britt’s brilliance, her humor, her utter determination. A world without her… Where does that energy go? It can’t just disappear. Their time together was far too short. She’s so proud to have been Britt’s mutter. To have witnessed the woman Britt grew up to be. Give Nathan a message for her. She whispers something in Britt’s ear, and kisses her forehead. She pets Britt’s hair, and says, Godspeed, Britta. Until we are all reunited.

Tomorrow, Nina knows something Maxie and Brad don’t; Ryan tells Heather to confess, so their daughter goes free; and Esme recognizes someone.

🐶 First, a PSA For Pet Owners…

This is hard to read, but it would feel wrong not to pass this info along. I’m really careful about treats I give my dogs.

🧼 Onto Soap Business…

Those we lost.

GH Year in Review.

How the soap stars celebrated the New Year.

Things in soap history that happened on January 1st.

🥃 And the Beef Goes On…

I’ll bet they got wasted afterward.

This is so stupid.

🥀 Roll Call…

Celebrities we lost in 2022.

https://ew.com/celebrity/stars-we-lost-in-2022/

https://people.com/celebrity/celebrities-whove-died-in-2022/

👠 Fashion Fabulousness…

The best in movies.

https://ew.com/movies/best-fashion-moments-movies-2022/

The best in music.

🎉 Gonna Have a Good Time Tonight…

How the stars celebrated.

https://www.eonline.com/photos/35521/stars-celebrating-new-years-eve-2022

🤸 Rolling Into the New Year Like…

Tomorrow, join me to find out what’s happening in Port Charles, and for more new year tea. Until then, stay safe, stay giving grace to yourself as well as others, and stay seizing the day, because life is short.

November 30, 2022 – The Necklace Changes Hands, the Real Ka-Boom, Carly’s First Day, Where’s the Exit, Her Opinion, the Tree & Traditions

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

On the bullhorn, Jordan tells Holly that it’s her last chance and to give herself up. Inside the cabin, a woman grabs the briefcase, knocking the lantern over and starting a fire – we can’t see her face. Jordan says she doesn’t like this, and tells Mac to give the order to move, but Robert says, give her a chance to do the right thing. Jordan says, she’s had a chance, multiple ones. Time’s up. There’s an explosion inside the cabin, and debris blows everywhere. Robert says he has to get in there, but Mac holds him back.

Curtis and Portia struggle over a piece of pie, and Curtis says he promised N’neka, but Porta says, N’neka gets plenty of pies and other things from her Savoy suitors. This pie is for Terry. It’s praise-worthy pie. He says he knows; he baked it. She says, with her sweet potato pie recipe, and he says he’ll surrender that piece of pie in exchange for something just as sweet. They kiss, and Trina slips out the back door. On the patio, Marshall says, sneaking out?

Brook tells Chase that she’s starving, and Olivia will kill them if they hold things up. She starts to leave, but he says, look at him. Was she ever going to tell him about the CCRB letter she never wrote? She acts like she’s not sure what he’s talking about, and he says, the letter she told Dante that she’d write; the one that might give him a fighting chance to get his badge back.

Britt goes up to the bar at The Savoy, bumping Ava as she sits down. She orders a Cosmo, tells Ava, her bad, and asks how Ava’s Thanksgiving was. Ava says, it was great; she had Avery. Britt tells N’neka to put Ava’s drinks on her tab, and Ava says, not necessary, but very nice. She asks how Britt’s Thanksgiving was, and Britt says, amazing. It had highs, lows, my mother, cranberry from a can. It was very traditional. Now it’s time for her to get her groove on. Cody walks in, and Britt says, one more box to check. Ava says, which is? and Britt says, a little somethin’ somethin’, when Nikolas walks in, and catches Ava’s eye.

Also at The Savoy, Victor sits alone at a table, and Selina tells him, happy Thanksgiving. He says, and to her, and she asks if he enjoyed a family celebration earlier. He gestures for her to sit, and says, just with his nephew. Sadly, he couldn’t gather the other Cassadines for a celebration of turkey and conviviality. His phone dings, and Selina says she’s sorry, but he tells her not to shed any tears on his account. That’s all going to be changing going forward. He sees a text from Gavin (no doubt the guy I’ve been calling Johann): Have approx. location on Holly. En route. Victor texts back: Necklace top priority. Holly expendable. He tells Selina, he hopes soon to have the incentive he needs to bring his family together.

The woman in the cabin, now consumed by fire, runs out and flails around the yard before finally falling down. Robert screams, Holly! and breaks away from Mac, grabbing a blanket and throwing it over her. Mac runs over, and Robert looks under the blanket, and yells, no! I guess it must be her. Jordan tells an officer to cordon off the area. Canvas the cabin, and find out if anyone within a one-mile radius saw or heard anything. The paramedics tend to Holly, and Mac pulls Robert away. Robert says, she needs him, and one of the paramedics says, they need to move her, or she’s not going to make it.

Selina tells Victor, family can be so troublesome, and ungrateful. She’s been tempted to disavow herself of the whole lot. He laughs, and says, not so easily done. Biological imperative compels us to protect our clan, no matter how sorry a bunch they might be. She says, it seems they have much in common, and asks if she can call him Victor. He says, if he can call her Selina, and she says she’d like to continue their conversation. Perhaps they can compare notes. He raises his glass to her.

Ava tells Britt that she never associated Thanksgiving with trysts. Most people just want a nap. Britt says, when you’re in her position, you carpe diem and carpe dictum, and Ava asks, what position is that? Britt says, hard up. She’s been without since Jason, and before him, there was one forgettable wham-bam with Jax, then a fling thing with Ava’s brother. She hasn’t had relationship sex since… wow… 2014. Nikolas joins them, and Britt adds, with Ava’s husband.

Obrecht stomps over to Cody and says, you – with me, and he follows her out.

Curtis asks what Portia thinks about their first family Thanksgiving, and she says, definitely deserving of high marks. And the food was fantastic. She even overheard his father telling Stella that his son’s turkey was so good. It’s true; she’ll give him that. Curtis says, he’s just so grateful that he has a father to fuss with. Tommy never got that chance, and he intends to make the most of his, just in case this disease tries to take his father away again. What are the chances it rears back up? I’m guessing none, since I don’t think Marshall has schizophrenia.

Trina asks if Marshall pulled guard duty, and he says he’s just minding his own business, cleaning his clarinet. She wraps a blanket around herself, and asks if he isn’t cold. He says he’s wearing a sweater. Curtis busted his chops, and highly suggested he could keep Trina company. He figured boredom would drive her out here sooner or later. She says, here she thought she and Curtis were making progress, and Marshall says, he means well. She says she knows, but it’s not like she’s out here asking to be attacked by a freak with a hook. She just needs to breathe. She’s climbing the walls being shut up most of the time. He says he knows the feeling. Been there; done that.

Brook says, Dante told Chase about the letter? and he says, Dante assumed he knew; that Brook had looped him in. He figured she just hadn’t had the time to write it yet, what with making music and scamming Linc. She says, they’ve been crazy busy, right? Every day, all day, she’s hustling for every number Chase performs, setting up interviews and promos. She can barely breathe. He says, it’s a lot of work, and she’s thrown herself into it, and she says, letting all her responsibilities at Deception slide… He says, so maybe she wanted to and just didn’t find the  time. Maybe she thought she did tell him, or maybe she drafted the letter, and didn’t want to spring it on him until it was perfect. He’d understand anything; just tell him. When was she going to let him know Dante asked her to write a letter to the Civilian Complaint Review Board, recommending he get his badge back? She doesn’t say anything, and he says, never? She says she meant to tell him once they got Linc, but he says, that’s not a sure thing. She says, neither is her letter, but he says, Dante told him that her account of his run-ins with Valentin and Linc would go a long way in getting him right with the Board. She says, what’s to stop Linc from having his say? That liar could deny everything. Chase’s best shot at getting his badge back is after they beat Linc, and expose him for the skeeze that he is. She takes Chase’s hands, and says, once they prove Linc has no credibility, is when he can march into the CCRB with her letter, and prove he never gave up on law and order, just because law and order gave up on him. He says, that timetable doesn’t work; which he could have told her if she’d let him in on what was happening. But she didn’t. He can’t think of a single reason why she wouldn’t just tell him. She says, there is only one good reason; the only reason she needed. Us.

Trina says she didn’t mean compare being shut up with family with what Marshall went through when he was hospitalized, and Marshall says, let’s see. You can’t leave when you want to. Your mother and Curtis watch your every move. You can’t see the man in your life, Officer Cabrera. They share enough similarities to make them understand one another. She says she doesn’t think she could ever really understand what he went through, and he says he hopes she never does. She says, he doesn’t talk much about it… you know… He says, having schizophrenia. Why dwell on yesterday, when today’s so rich, and tomorrow’s so bright.

Portia says she can’t tell Curtis if Marshall is going to have another schizophrenic episode. She’s not a psychiatrist; she’s not even up on the latest science. He tells her, Marshall said he never had an episode, not since the arrest that institutionalized in the first place. Maybe Marshall caught a break, like he did, dodging his father’s genetic markers.

Ava and Nikolas gaze into each other’s eyes, and Britt says, they’re so cute. Look at them; coupled up, wedded bliss. Ava says, aren’t they though? and Nikolas says he saw Britt’s mother over there. Britt tells him, her mother says marriage is for the bourgeois. Britt thinks it would be nice if her significant other knew what toppings she likes on her hot dog, or took the wine glass out of her hand when she fell asleep on the couch. Someone who would throw her a birthday party and serve her favorite cake… or just say happy birthday. Ava says, Britt never had a birthday party? and Britt says, no birthday party, no husband. Nikolas says, she still has time, and Britt says, ain’t it the truth? She asks N’neka to get her and her friends another round.

Selina says, Victor’s nephew appears to be occupied with his wife, and Victor says, soon to be ex-wife. Selina says she’s sorry to hear that, but he says, don’t be. It was an imprudent match to begin with; harmful to both of them. It was never meant to last. Selina says, love never is, but that alone never stopped anyone from fighting for it.

Robert goes with Holly to the ambulance, saying, he loves her; hang in there. Mac stops a paramedic, and asks about Holly’s condition, and the paramedic tells him, on observation, it looks like she has burns over 75% of her body. GH is good, but she needs better, so they’re taking her to a burn unit. They’ve radioed for a medivac. Robert says he’s going with her, but Mac says, he’ll just get in the way of the paramedics. He’ll drive Robert to the airfield. Robert tells Mac to get out of his way before he belts him one, when Jordan interrupts, saying, this is a crime scene. She needs her Chief of Detectives. She tells Robert to move, and he leaves.

Portia says, Curtis and his father are lucky, no matter what the reason is. She hopes some of that luck rubs off on Trina. She can’t wait for Esme to be brought to justice. Speaking of Trina, where is she? They look outside, and see her on the patio with Marshall.

Trina says, Marshall has a way of putting things into perspective, and he says, everybody has their burdens. But no one carries it with grace such as hers. Curtis comes out, carrying the piece of pie, Portia behind him. He tells Marshall, the game is on, and Marshall gets up. He says he guesses Portia is going to watch the game with him, and she says she’ll definitely be watching. Enjoy the pie. Marshall asks if that’s the last piece of pie; he doesn’t believe this. He and Portia go inside, and Curtis puts down the pie near Trina, and sits down. She pushes it away, and he says, okay, her loss. He thought it would take the edge off after being caught in his net.

Chase says, Brook took away his best chance at getting his badge back for them? She says she’s never had this before. She’s been with other guys – she’s not exactly Snow White – but true intimacy? Not once. She was starting to think she wasn’t capable of a true connection, but then he came along. She realized, not only was intimacy possible, but it’s here, between them. Since they started working together, it’s only gotten deeper and stronger. If she never gets Linc, if she never gets her songs back, if she never exposes Linc for the creep that he is, she’d be okay. She’s be frustrated and disappointed, but she’d still be okay. Because the true gift is, every minute, she gets closer to him. She thought he felt the same way. He says he does, and she says, that’s why she didn’t tell him about the letter. She thought everything they were doing together was better than anything they’ve done alone. She thought, given enough time, he’d forget about the badge, and what he really wanted would be here with her. Just tell her she’s right.

Outside The Savoy, Cody says he thought he and Obrecht were getting along better. Is he still in the hole for punching Scotty? She says she was moved by his apology, as well as Britt’s endorsement of him. Her feelings are immaterial; only Britta’s matter. She’s a fundamentally lonely person, yearning for what she’s never had; someone to rely on. Now is no time to look for a substitute. Britt can’t do with a romantic distraction; she needs her mother. They both know Britt is headstrong, and behaves contrary to wisdom, and Cody is persistent. So… If it’s money he wants, then it’s money he shall have.

Britt asks Nikolas to be her wingman, and help scope out the sponge-worthy. She stumbles a little, and he asks if she’s okay. Ava suggests she sit down, when Selina comes over with Victor, and asks if there’s a problem. Britt says she just slipped, and Selina asks if she’s been overserved. Britt says she just had one drink, and Selina says, come with her. She tries to take Britt’s arm, but Britt throws Selina’s hand off, and almost falls again. Victor comes on the other side of her, putting her drink on the bar, and he and Selina head for a table with her.

The ambulance stops in the middle of nowhere, and the paramedics get out. Dressed as one of them, Felicia opens the back, and says, all clear. Holly sits up, and takes her head covering off. Robert asks if she’s all right, and she says, right as rain. She’s all fired up. Wow. I really thought it must be someone else, since we couldn’t see who she was. Well done.

Chase tells Brook, singing’s been a pleasant surprise. He had more fun than he thought he would. And it’s not just the performing or celebrity; it’s her. He would have never tried to be Chase the singer with anyone but her. She says, he’s got her, so there’s no problem, but he says, the problem is, he’s not Chase the singer. That’s just some face he was wearing that’s not his. She says, but it could be. She’s seen him when he gets up on stage; he comes alive. He’s so in the moment when he sings. He says, and right when he’s done, he’s checking his newsfeed. He has this fantasy that he’s the one who finds Brando’s killer; that he could still do some good at the PCPD. She says, he can. She never expected him to give up the cop forever; just put him on mute for a while. He says, until he forgets the sound of his voice altogether? Maybe she’s right. He can forget he’s a cop, and focus all his energy on singing, given enough time. But it has to be his choice. Does she get that? And she took that away from him.

Trina says she thought she and Curtis had an understanding after their discussion on boundaries, and he says he thought he’d given her a wide berth. She says, it doesn’t feel that way, and he says, they agreed he wouldn’t go behind her back and butt into her life. He did that. He even refrained from butting in from the front. He’s up for a Nobel Peace Prize. She says, which he’ll lose after assigning his father to guard her, but he says, all he did was set up a watch to keep eyes out for Esme Prince. A man is allowed to protect his castle, and all who reside in it.  

Marshall tells Portia, Trina’s not going anywhere. She’s just feeling hemmed in. She thanks him for talking to Trina, and helping her get some of that out, and asks if he’d mind possibly playing for them tonight. He says, sure, and she asks if his illness ever gets in the way of him playing. She’s sorry… He says, no, that’s okay. No one’s ever asked. The only way schizophrenia got between him and his music was when he had to go underground to protect his family from the stigma. She says, so it never inhibited his performance? and he says, just his ambitions. Why all the questions?

Mac asks Jordan if there’s any idea what caused the explosion, and she says, the theory is a faulty stove. She has to get her people inside. Hopefully there’s some evidence to explain Holly’s strange behavior. He hands her an evidence bag, and says, maybe this will help. The firefighters pulled it out. She asks what it is, and he says, the remains of Robert’s briefcase; the one he put the necklace in. She says, so where’s the necklace?

Holly thanks Felicia for the clothes, and Felicia says she’s happy she got the sizes right. She has Holly’s new passport and her international driver’s license. Does she feel better? Holly says, just a little singed around the edges. Robert joins them, and says, that was something. Holly says she’s just sorry he and Mac had to see it; she can’t imagine what it looked like. Felicia says, the danger was minimal. She and Holly worked it out to a tee. Holly tells her, thank you for that… We see Felicia meeting Holly, and Holly says, Felicia was waiting for me when I arrived at the cabin last night. They go inside, and Felicia gives Holly some things out of a duffel bag. Holly says, with fireproof garments, and fire retardant gel to make the ruse look real. Felicia tells her to put it on her face, and Holly says, we went over the instructions on how to rig the stove at the appointed time. Back at the ambulance, Felicia says, Holly flambé. She can’t believe Holly was able to work it out in time. Robert says, they had no choice, and Holly says, they were operating on Victor’s timetable. She couldn’t just hand over the necklace. Robert says, she couldn’t defy Victor either, and Holly says, or Ethan would have paid the price. She and Robert faked Robert’s drugging, so she’d have the opportunity to steal the necklace, and lay a trail to the cabin for the PCPD to find. Robert says, it only works if they have a credible witness to Holly’s injuries, and Holly says, because Ethan’s only chance of survival is if Victor believes she’s of no more use to him.

Cody says, Obrecht’s willing to pay him to stay away from Britt? and she says she’s prepared to give him six figures. He says he doesn’t want her money. He just wants what, by rights, should belong to him. She says, Dominique’s inheritance, and he says, yeah, and he wanted something else; not something, someone. She says, her daughter, and he says he thought he could have both. Boy, did he misjudge that situation. Now it looks like he can’t have either, but maybe all he wanted was Britt. Obrecht will be happy to know, he blew it big time. Her daughter wants nothing to do with him. She says, perhaps Britta’s learned some wisdom after all, and he says, she can tell Britt that he can take no for an answer, and he can take living hand to mouth. So Obrecht can keep her money, and not worry about him dogging Britt. He doesn’t want to go where he’s not wanted. Obrecht says she’ll make sure Britt knows, and he says he’s sure she will. One more thing. What’s wrong with Britt? Why is Obrecht willing to go broke just to keep him away from her? Obrecht says, sorry. Answers were never on offer.

Britt shakes off Victor and Selina as they get to the table, and Victor says he’s going to get her mother. Britt says, leave her mother out of this, and leave her alone. Selina says she’s getting Britt a cab, but Britt says, this is ridiculous. She had one drink. Victor says, not counting the drinks she had on the way over, and Britt says she can handle her liquor. Selina says, but she can’t even stand up straight unaided, and Victor says, wait. This isn’t alcohol, is it? Britt’s sick.

Ava says, Victor won’t be very pleased, seeing Nikolas consorting with the enemy, and Nikolas says he has no intention of divorcing her. She says she had no intention of becoming bait for the PCPD, but sometimes, one never knows what the day may bring. He asks what she’s talking about, and she says, Mac Scorpio thinks Ryan Chamberlain can lead them to Esme if she convinces him to.

Victor says, Faison’s legacy, and Britt says, shut up about that, when Obrecht flies in between them. She slaps Victor, and says, touch her daughter, and she’ll kill him. Selina says, everyone, calm down, and Cody hustles Victor off, suggesting they take a walk. Britt says, he’s going to tell people, but Obrecht says, he wouldn’t dare. There’s a special place in hell for men like that. Selina says, the Ninth Circle… I’ve heard it said.  

Robert gives Holly some keys, and says, the car’s untraceable. Drive it over the border to Canada, and with her new ID, she can disappear. She says, Victor will follow up, but he says, witnesses will recall there was a woman placed in a medivac. Felicia says, yours truly. She’ll be dropped off outside Port Charles, and flight plans will indicate Holly Sutton was transferred to a plane transporting her to a burn clinic halfway across the world. Robert says, very private, very secure, and Felicia says, reports will have her comatose with a long, difficult recovery. Robert says, and Victor will probably lose interest, leaving her free to rescue her son. Holly says she won’t squander their efforts, and Felicia says she knows that. Holly thanks them for everything they’ve done on her behalf and her son’s. She just wishes they didn’t have to leave Mac in the dark, but Felicia says, this way, Mac can’t lie to Jordan about Holly. Besides, he’d be the first to agree she’s worth it. Holly wonders how she can ever repay them, and Felicia hugs her, saying, get her son back, and get Victor. Holly says she’s working on it. She remembers…

Selina holds up a diamond, and says, interesting. Holly says, satisfied? and Selina says, she’d prefer the entire necklace, but Holly says, that’s all that’s available, and only in exchange for the guarantee that Victor Cassadine ingests this. She holds up a vial, and asks if it can be done. Selina says she sees Victor at The Savoy on occasion, but she can’t have the club associated with a death. Holly says, if she wanted Victor dead, he’d be dead. He’ll only feel the effects of this drug if the circumstances arise… or don’t. Selina asks, what did Victor do to earn Holly’s animosity? and Holly says, Victor fancies himself a family man, whilst he’s holding her son hostage. She’ll never get Ethan back if Victor is dead. In the meantime, a dose of this will pay him back in kind. Selina says, there’s a special place in hell for such men, and Holly says, the Ninth Circle. Will she do it? Selina says, Holly has her word, and takes the vial.

N’neka brings Victor another drink, and he raises his glass to Selina, who looks at the vial in her hand. She says, and my word is my bond.

Curtis says, Trina’s not a prisoner. He just wants to make sure she’s safe and sound while she’s here. If she doesn’t like his rules, they’re only temporary. But he does need her to respect them, just as he respects her boundaries. And while he hopes this doesn’t compromise the friendship they decided to try out, he’ll understand if it does. She says, two steps forward, one step back is still progress. Fork? He gives her the fork, and she snatches the pie away, telling him, don’t squander that progress. He says he made that pie, and she says, from her mom’s recipe. He throws up his hands in surrender.

Portia says she guesses she’s just curious that none of Marshall’s doctors ever suggested genetic counseling or screening like Curtis had. He says, things like that weren’t around back when he was in the hospital, but she says, those things are commonplace nowadays. Has he ever considered it? and he says, what’s the point? He already has a diagnosis. What would genetic counseling tell him that he doesn’t already know? Um… what I said before.

Chase tells Brook, the only way he’d want to become a singer is if he decides himself, but she never gave him that option. She says she thought he wanted it as much as she did, and he says, to take down Linc? Sure, but she knew how bad he wanted to return to the PCPD. So when Dante asked her to write the letter, she didn’t tell him because she knew he’d be all for it. She says she never thought of it like that, and he says he’s been where she is, making decisions for others, and personal experience showed him just how wrong it was. He did it with Willow. She says, so that’s it? He’s hanging up the mic? She gets it. He says, she doesn’t. It’s not just the mic; it’s us. His singing career is over, and so are they.

Nikolas tells Ava that she can’t be in Ryan’s presence; it’s too dangerous. She says, Ryan is a  turnip, and any danger would be worth it to protect Trina. Esme is out there killing people, and she has to do what she can to stop her, even if it means she pays the price for Esme going over the parapet… or he does.

Marshall asks, what would be the benefit after all these years, to get confirmation of what he already knows? when Trina and Curtis come back in. Portia says, somebody enjoyed the pie, and Curtis says, the pie that he barely got to taste. Is Marshall ready for some football? Marshall says, let’s do this, and puts on the TV.

Brook tells Chase to think about what he’s saying, and he says, she’s the most exciting person he’s ever met. She made him feel like the luckiest guy alive. She says, he made her feel the same way, and he says, but then they went in on this plan to expose Linc, and it muddied things up for the both of them. They should have set boundaries; either working together as singer and manager, or two people who can’t get enough of each other. But not both, because now they don’t work as anything. She tells him, don’t say that. That’s not true. They can work this out. He says, she lied to him. She kept him from the thing that makes him who he is. There’s nothing to work out. It’s over. He leaves, and she cries.

Britt tells Obrecht, everything was fine. She could swallow her drink, then suddenly, her feet fell out from under her. Obrecht says she’s so sorry. Let’s go home. Britt asks why Obrecht’s never thrown her a birthday party, and Obrecht says she must have some time, but Britt says, she didn’t. She’s going to throw herself a birthday party to end all parties. If she’s going down, she’s going down dancing, even if she’s dancing on her own. Obrecht helps Britt out of the club, as Cody watches.

Holly tells Robert, so this is goodbye. She’s sorry for everything. Most of all, she’s sorry for coming back to him only to leave again. If there was any other way… He says, there isn’t, and she says, this isn’t their moment. He says, it never is, but she says she recalls a certain… Goodbye, Robert. He asks if she isn’t forgetting something, and she kisses him, but he says he actually meant something else. She says, oh? and he says, the necklace.

Mac says, the firefighters didn’t see a necklace, and Jordan says, call CSU. They need to conduct their own search. They need to make sure nobody walked out with it. He says, it’s possible Holly ditched the necklace, or handed it off to Victor before holing up, and Jordan says, or she had it on her when she left with the paramedics. He says he’ll check with Robert. It’s possible it got destroyed in the fire. She says, a diamond necklace? and he says, a hot enough fire can turn diamond to ash. It might be gone for good. She says, the WSB is going to be pissed

Victor swirls his drink, and drains his glass. His phone dings, and a text from Gavin says: Holly disabled. Necklace missing. Victor shatters his glass on the table.

Holly tells Robert, oh, the necklace. She almost forgot. They laugh, and she takes it out of her pocket, giving it to him. She asks why Victor wanted it so badly. What’s so special about it? He says, it came from the Ice Princess itself. He thinks it has something to do with the diamonds. She says, the Ice Princess has a bad habit of destroying those who covet it. Be careful. He says he’s always careful, and she says, except with his heart, touching his chest. He says, be seeing you, and she slowly walks away. She turns, blows him a kiss, and walks into the mist.

Tomorrow, Sasha tells Chase, in her heart, Brook was doing it for them both; Nina says she hopes Willow can help out a friend; Carly asks Josslyn if Dex is a factor in her decision; and Sonny says, if something is too good to be true, it usually is.

🔥 Like a DVD Extra…

It was pretty impressive.

🚑 Entering the Hospital…

The final (TBD) Carly recalls her beginnings on GH.

🥱 More Old News…

Blah-blah-blah, Ramona, blah-blah-blah, Andy.

🚂 She Thinks They Can…

Why is Teddi weighing in on this? Is she a relationship coach now? Apparently, this site likes her, but still not a fan.

🎄 Light It Already…

Yeah, yeah. Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton are cute, but it was like, come on and flip the switch. Not as bad as waiting for the Best Picture Oscar though.

https://www.rockefellercenter.com/holidays/rockefeller-center-christmas-tree-lighting/

🤸‍♀️ Holly Jollying…

Tomorrow, soap and another episode of that horrifying House. And I’m not talking about The Watcher. Come suffer with me. Until then, stay safe, stay serene in a stormy world, and stay not dwelling on yesterday, when today’s so rich, and tomorrow’s so bright.

⚠️ Warning: Some words not for sensitive ears:

November 29, 2022 – A Quartermaine Thanksgiving Or Mr. Wattles Man Of the Hour, Her Takeover, Most Hated, Soapgiving, Family Holidays, LA Return, Celeb Celebrations & Caught

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What I Watched Today

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

🥳 Welcome to a bigger font.

General Hospital

As Leo helps her prepare Thanksgiving dinner, Olivia scolds Ned for taking a bite of potatoes, but he says he prefers to look at it as quality control. She says she told him to stay out of the kitchen. It’s almost time to eat. He asks if he should rally the troops, but she tells him that she said, almost. Besides, they’re still waiting on the man of the hour.

Dante thanks Sam for going to Sonny’s, and she says, of course (🦃). He says, they’ll have a drink and maybe one or two appetizers, and she says, Sonny is his family, which means he’s her family too. They’re a package deal, remember? He says he doesn’t forget anything when it comes to her, and they kiss.

Inside the penthouse, Nina says, that tahini sauce smells like heaven, and Sonny says, not like Thanksgiving? She says, Thanksgiving is what we make it, and he says he’s switching gears this year. He asks if she can grab the watch out of his pocket, and she asks when he lost the feeling in his hands. She reaches into his pocket and takes out a jewelry box. She hands it to him, but he tells her to open it. She says, it’s for her? and opens it, revealing a pair of earrings. He says, no, it’s for him; he’s trying out a new look. He just wants to thank her for being here and changing his life. She says, he could have just said that, but he says he wanted to show her. She thanks him, and says, they’re beautiful; she loves them. He says, and he loves her, and they kiss.

Carly finds Drew making a drink in the Quartermaine sitting room, and he says, she looks beautiful. She says, he’s not so bad himself, and he says, she smells amazing too. Does she have any idea how much he’d like to drag her out of here, and kiss her until she can’t breathe? She says she’s game if he is, when Michael walks in with Willow, and says, happy Thanksgiving.

Brook lets Chase in, and he gives her a bottle of wine. She says, no pie? but he says, they were sold out. She thanks him for the wine, and he asks if she has anything for him.

Laura comes into the station, and asks Jordan if there are any updates. Jordan says, Laura should be resting after the night she had, but Laura says she’s fine. Holly didn’t hurt her, and even called Doc so she’d be found quickly. Ashby appears, and says, how considerate, but Holly does get demerits for holding Laura at gunpoint. Laura says, Ashby didn’t have to give up her holiday to be here, but Ashby says she’d like to be kept in the loop. Robert says, what an understatement, when Alexis walks in. She says, Jordan summoned her? What could Jordan possibly need from her on Thanksgiving? Jordan says, a reason not to arrest her.

In a cabin, Holly listens to a newscaster say, the police are actively looking for a suspect who kidnapped Mayor Collins last night. She’s in possession of valuable jewels, and considered armed and dangerous. She takes out the necklace, and looks at it, saying, it looks like they have something in common; they’re both damn near indestructible. She holds it up to her neck. I really wish they would remember to make the necklace seem heavier than it is IRL.

Alexis says, arrest her for what? and Jordan says, obstruction. Materially compromising this investigation by printing sensitive information in today’s Invader. Alexis says she gave Jordan a chance to comment before publication, but Jordan says, Alexis had no business naming Esme Prince as an official suspect in the Hook slayings. Alexis says, Jordan promised her an exclusive and didn’t deliver.

Mac says, they’re tracking the GPS on the mayor’s car, and Ashby asks if he knows where Holly is headed. Laura says she got a call today from the County Administrator. They wanted a status report, and she hasn’t been able to call him back. Could Ashby handle that for her? Ashby says, certainly, and leaves. Robert asks, how much longer do they have to tolerate that traitorous individual in their midst? and Laura says, long enough for her to be useful in helping them incriminate Victor. Now tell her where he thinks Holly is.

Holly is now wearing the necklace, and rubs her arms to get warm. She checks out the little stove, and (I think) a space heater.

Leo asks if it’s someone they know, or a stranger, and Ned says, or is it someone they know of; a celebrity. Olivia says, they’re so off-base, and Ned says, then just tell them who this mystery guest is. She says, and essentially, completely ruin the surprise, and Ned and Leo both say, yes. She asks, where’s the excitement in that? but Ned says, don’t worry. This holiday is never short of excitement. Leo says, something always happens on Thanksgiving, but Olivia says, not this time. No siree. She’s taken every precaution. Leo tells her that she says that every year, and she says, mark her words; this Thanksgiving is going off exactly according to plan.

Michael thanks Carly for doing this. He knows the last place she wants to be is anywhere near Ned right now. Carly says, Wiley wants her here, so she’s here, and Willow says, she’s such a wonderful grandma… Not that she looks like a grandma. Carly says she loves the flattery, but Willow says she speaks the truth. Michael asks if Josslyn is coming, but Carly says, she and Trina are volunteering at a soup kitchen, she she’ll have to pass on pizza this year. Drew says, don’t let Olivia hear her say that. She’s determined to serve a turkey this year. Michael says, Olivia should know that’s impossible, but Carly says she admires Olivia’s optimism. Although she thinks the kids would prefer pizza. Where are they? Drew says, upstairs in the family room; there’s a major arts and crafts thing going on. Michael says he’s glad this Thanksgiving will hold better memories for Drew, and Drew says, him too. Carly asks if it’s really been a year, and Drew says, since he came back, yeah, and broke the news about Jason.

Brook tells Chase, this day is really about giving, not receiving, but she has something for him. She kisses him, and he flashes back to Dante telling him about the letter Brook said she’d write to the Civilian Complaint Review Board, and saying that she hadn’t done it yet. He says, that’s it? and she says, mind out of the gutter, mister. This is a family event. They’ll get to the rest later.

Nina puts on the earrings, and tells Sonny that she loves them. He says, they look beautiful, and she thanks him. She asks how he is, really. It must be hard for him to be away from his girls. He says he spent time with them last night. Their faces lighting up when they saw the parade balloons, and their eyes got all big. She says, but what about him? His old house and old traditions? Doesn’t he miss them? He says, this is his house, and with her in it, that makes it his home. So what does she say? Does she want to make some new traditions with him? She says she’d love nothing more, and they kiss.

Jordan tells Alexis, she had every intention of holding up her end of the agreement, but not at the expense of a sensitive investigation, and it doesn’t get more sensitive than this. Lives are at stake. Alexis says, which is why she brought the letter to Jordan’s attention in the first place. They both have a duty to the city, and she’s not apologizing for fulfilling hers. She’s sorry Jordan has to work tonight, but she has a Thanksgiving dinner she needs to go to. She flounces out.

Laura points to the screen, and says, so her car is somewhere in this vicinity? There’s not much out there. Robert says, the theory is, she abandoned the car outside the woods, then continued on foot, and Laura says, she could be anywhere. Mac says he has officers on the scene in Baylor Woods. One of them found a well with drinking water. Laura says, then there must be a house or building nearby, and Mac says, that’s the assumption. Ashby messes with her phone, and sees there’s a residence in Baylor Woods. Laura walks over, and asks if she managed to get in touch with the County Administrator. Ashby says she relayed the relevant information, which answers that question not at all, and it looks like Laura knows it.

Sonny thanks Sam and Dante for stopping by, and Sam says, of course (🦃). They wanted to see him. Dante says, the walk down the hall is pretty grueling. Maybe Sonny could move closer. Sasha and Gladys arrive, and Sonny says he’s glad they came by. Gladys says, as if she’d miss a traditional Thanksgiving, but Sonny says he’s doing things different this year. Gladys says, she can tell, and Sasha says she’s sure it will be delicious. Nina says she’s glad Dante and Sam could make it. Is their friend Cody coming? Dante says he didn’t invite Cody. He’s not into social gatherings. Nina says, he’s not alone in that, and excuses herself. Dante tells Sam, out with it, and she says, out with what? He says, whatever’s going on in that beautiful head of hers, and she says she’s just wondering if it’s social gatherings Cody doesn’t like, or questions. He asks where this is coming from, but she tells him, forget she said anything. He says he can’t now. It’s not the first time she’s thrown shade Cody’s way. Dante thought she thought Cody was a good guy. What changed?

Carly looks out the window, and Drew asks if she’s okay. She says, she was just thinking about Jason, and everything that’s happened since. He says, it’s been quite a year, and she says, that’s an understatement. He says, but she made it, and she says, if someone had told her she’d have to go through what she went through, and do it without Jason, she would have said it was impossible. He says, but look at her now. Not only is she still standing, she’s thriving, and stronger than ever. She says, no small thanks to him.

Brook goes into the sitting room, and asks, what’s with the mood in here? Michael says, there’s no mood, but she says she’s sensing a mood. Carly says, they were just talking about the anniversary of Drew’s homecoming, and Willow says, a blessing to everybody. Michael says, a moment to remember for sure, and Brook says, especially Drew at the door holding pizzas. It was quite an eventful Thanksgiving. Remember? Chase clocking Valentin? Chase says, the first time he lost his badge.

Ned says, they won’t stop asking, and Leo says, or guessing. Olivia says, all right. She ordered a turkey from Dinde Vivante. It’s a French company with a local farm. They have only the finest, most organic turkeys; fresh as they come. And get this. It comes completely roasted, ready to eat. What could be better than that? Ned tells her, it almost sounds too good to be true, but Olivia says, that’s the point. It is not too good to be true; it is true. She’s not taking any chances this year. Ned says, so a turkey is the man of the hour? How does she even know it’s a male bird? Leo says, male turkeys are bald, and Olivia says, male turkeys are also bigger than female turkeys, which makes it exactly perfect to feed this whole big crazy family of ours. Ned says, Drew and Michael can eat the giblets, but Olivia says, they’re not doing any of that this year. Everyone is going to get along. Everyone is going to sing Kumbaya. Because she wants… she needs this Thanksgiving to be perfect. Ned says, then perfect it is, and kisses her. Accompanied by Michael, a man walks in, wheeling a covered crate, gobbling sounds coming from it, and Michael asks where they want it. Olivia asks, what’s that smell? and Leo says, what’s that sound? Michael says, that’s our dinner. Ned says, this is as fresh as they come, and Olivia tells the man that she most definitely didn’t order a live turkey from Dinde Vivante. He says, the company name literally means turkey alive, and she looks at the paperwork on his clipboard. She says, it’s all in French; you need a translator to read this stupid thing. Michael says, too bad Valentin’s not here, and Olivia tells the man that he needs to march this turkey right back to the farm, but he says he just delivers. No backsies. Michael says he’ll show the man out, and they leave. Olivia gets on her phone, and Ned asks if he should fire up the grill. She asks if he’s seriously making jokes right now.  

Brook tells Chase, she’s sorry for bringing up Valentin; she wasn’t thinking. She knows he’s sensitive about losing his badge. He says he misses being a cop every day, and she says she knows. He says, that doesn’t mean he’s not grateful for everything she’s done for him. He is. He’s just really praying the department gives him a second chance. She says she wants what he wants, and he says, does she really?

Willow asks if Carly ended up confronting Nina, and Drew asks what she’s talking about. Carly says, now that Nina’s run out of homes to wreck, she’s taken up idle gossip. And she sure as hell did.

Sasha says, a casino buffet? Does Gladys mean a buffet at an actual casino? Gladys says she knows it sounds cheesy, but she and Mike loved it. They would get Brando all dressed up, and told him that he could eat as much as he wanted. One year, she hit it big, and they upgraded to the surf and turf. Sonny says, sounds like they had a great time, and Gladys says, they did… or maybe that’s just the way she remembers it. Maybe Brando hated being there. All the sounds and the lights and the smoke. He probably wanted to be in regular restaurant. Sasha says, Gladys did the best she could, when there’s a knock at the door. Nina goes to answer it, and Sonny says, that’s all any of them can do. Nina opens the door to Alexis, who says, sorry she’s late. She was busy defending the First Amendment. Nina says, as one does on Thanksgiving, and invites her in.

Dante and Sam kiss, and he asks if she’s trying to distract him. She asks if it’s working, and he says, maybe. She says, clearly she’s lost her touch, and he asks, what’s her problem with Cody? She says she doesn’t know. She guesses she didn’t like his reaction to her investigating Britt’s necklace. Dante says, that necklace might be Cody’s inheritance. That kid grew up nothing. He was on that estate, looking out at everything he couldn’t have. She says he’s defending his friend, and she loves him for that, but what if Cody doesn’t deserve it? I love how they act like Cody grew up so horribly. He worked in the stables, which he loves, and he even got sent to camp, so really? Oh horrors, he didn’t have designer sneakers.

Olivia says she’s going to call the chef at the MetroCourt. Maybe he can help them out. She yells to Leo not to touch that thing; it could be diseased. Leo says, only animals get rabies, and she says, it could have bird flu or something; who knows? Ned says, and she wanted to serve it to them for dinner? She looks at him, and he says, sorry; not helping. She says, one more remark from him, and she’ll stuff him in that crate with the turkey. Turning her attention back to the phone, she says, it’s Olivia. They have a little situation here, and she’s hoping he can help them out. Leo tells the turkey, they want to cook you, but don’t worry, Mr. Wattles. I won’t let that happen. The turkey gobbles, and he smiles.

Jordan asks, where’s Laura? and Mac says, getting the Deputy Mayor out of her hair. Felicia walks in with an officer, both of them carrying trays of food. She says, she knows none of them can make it to their Thanksgiving dinners, so she brought dinner to them. Mac says, she’s the best, and she says she can’t have her guy and his colleagues starving on turkey day. Laura comes back, and asks if Felicia is the Thanksgiving fairy. Mac says, his officers located a trapper’s cabin in the northwest corner of Baylor Woods, not far from the Canadian border. Robert says, footprints? and Mac says, fresh, but no vehicle. Jordan says, it’s her. She’ll call for back-up along the way. Considering Holly’s still armed… Laura says she’ll wait with Felicia for the news. And make sure this ends peacefully. Robert says, that’s the goal, and they leave. Felicia says, here we go, and Laura says, yep.

Johann walks out of the woods where the stakeout tent is, and an officer says, PCPD; state your business. Johann says, just walking off the meal. Is there an issue? The officer says, it’s off-limits, and Johann says, he heard there’s a manhunt for a jewel thief… Never mind; he’ll head back. Stay safe. He walks back into the woods, like two feet away, and takes out his phone.

Holly looks at a map, then looks out the cabin window.

Sam tells Dante, she may or may not have done some digging, and he says, and? She says, Cody has a juvenile arrest record, and he asks if she knows what for, but she says, the files are sealed. Dante says, Cody got into trouble as a kid; so did he. So what? She asks if they got into trouble together, and he says, they were wild kids. That’s why they ended up at camp. They both needed structure. She says she’s not judging anyone. She’s done her fair share of shady things, and your past definitely should not define you… He says, that’s like the biggest but he’s ever heard, and she says, however… He says, that’s the same thing, and she asks if it’s possible Cody’s issues are not as in the past as Dante thought. They hear Gladys yell, how could you? and go back to the other room. Gladys says, Alexis printed information about Brando’s killer before his family even knew. Who does that? Nina says, Gladys wasn’t informed that the PCPD consider Esme Prince they’re prime suspect? and Gladys says she sure as hell wasn’t. Dante says, that’s because they don’t have a prime suspect. That’s why they don’t want the press releasing information prematurely. It’s never a good idea.

At the tent, Jordan says, one suspect inside, and Mac says he has officers at the exits. Jordan says, the suspect is armed, and tells him to keep their people away from any windows. Mac tries to give Robert a vest, but Robert says he doesn’t need it. Mac says, put it on, and Robert says, Holly wouldn’t hurt him, but Mac asks if she hasn’t hurt him already. Holly looks out, locks the door, closes the curtains, and walks over to the space heater. Johann watches from a distance. Jordan says, Robert knows Holly best. Is she willing to die for a diamond necklace? Robert says, no, but she’d risk everything for freedom. Mac gives a bullhorn to Jordan, but Robert says, it should be him.

Brook says, something’s bothering Chase, and he says he’d like to think they’re honest with each other. She says, aren’t they? and he says, you tell me. Is there anything that’s happened recently that she hasn’t filled him in on? She says, if this is about Linc… but he says, it’s about them. He wants to be in a relationship where they have each other’s backs; where they support each other, even when it’s hard. Otherwise, what is the point?

Still on the phone, Olivia says she understands, and thanks them. Ned says, well? and she says she offered the new chef triple his normal pay to wring that turkey’s… to ready the beautiful bird. No dice. Michael asks, how hard can it be to ready a bird? and Ned says, people have been doing it since the dawn of time. He’s willing to try if Michael is. Olivia says, that’s what she’s talking about. That’s the spirit. Now it’s starting to feel like Thanksgiving. Michael says he’ll grab Drew and Chase, but Leo says, there will be no turkey today. Olivia tells him, don’t say that. She promises there will be turkey; don’t worry. Leo says he’s not worried. Now neither is Mr. Wattles. Mr. Wattles walks around on the window seat, takes a poop on it (I kid you not), and wanders off into the mansion. This is pretty funny.

Carly asks how Willow is feeling, and Willow asks what she means. Carly says, with her pregnancy, and Drew asks if Willow just forgot she’s pregnant. Willow says, sometimes she could with how amazing this little one is. It’s been a dream so far. Drew says he bets she’ll be relieved to find her birth parents. Getting as much medical history as possible is great for the baby’s sake. Willow says, that’s exactly why she’s looking for them, and he says, on that note, a reporter he knows tracked down some members of the commune to the Mohave Desert. Willow says she told him it would be a struggle, but he says, the good news is, somebody offered to help. Willow asks, who? and Carly says, me.

Brook says, she thought she and Chase supported each other, but he says, she supports the life she wants for him; not the life he actually wants. Leo runs past, telling them, there’s a turkey on the loose.

Felicia tells Laura, spill. She’s had a helluva 24 hours. How is she? Laura says she’s fine; she’s far more worried about Robert. This was the last thing he needed. He was already worried sick about Anna. Felicia says she can’t believe Holly would go this far over a necklace, but Laura says, it might be more complicated than that. Felicia says she’s sure it is, She just can’t stand it. She gets up, and walks out.

Holly loads a gun, and hears Robert say, it’s him. The place is surrounded. It’s over. There’s no escape this time. Mac says, they’ve got to go in, but Robert says, not yet. Holly calls to Robert, asking if Laura is all right. Robert says, she’s fine, and Holly asks him to apologize to her. She never wanted anyone to get hurt, especially him. He says he doesn’t want her getting hurt, and wants her to come out of there unscathed. She knows what she has to do to make that happen.

Inside the cabin, a woman puts a gun down, but I’m not so sure it’s Holly.

Sonny asks if they can all take a breath. Today is supposed to be about family and food… Gladys says, Brando was her family; her only child. He was murdered, and now Alexis is helping the killer get away with it. Alexis says, actually, she intended for the opposite to be true. She’s truly sorry Gladys was caught off-guard. She thought Gladys would be aware of Esme. Gladys says she was not, and Sasha says, at least the police have a credible lead. Dante says, they’ll get justice for Brando, and Sonny says, whatever it takes. She has his word.

From outside the house, everyone looks into the Nook, where Mr. Wattles has taken over and is tearing up the place. Ned says, behold. The pièce de resistance. Olivia says she can’t believe this is happening, and Willow asks, what is happening? Michael says, Olivia ordered a turkey for Thanksgiving, and it arrived alive and well. Chase says, and strong, as Mr. Wattles jumps onto the table. Carly says, this dinner is for the birds, and Olivia says she’s glad they find it so amusing. She’s not laughing. Another Thanksgiving totally ruined. Brook says she gives Olivia a lot of credit. Many have tried in the past, not the least great grandmother Lila, but at some point, you’ve just got to accept it’s tradition. Drew says, Monica is going to love this story, and Ned says, at least there’s still pie. Carly says, and stuffing, and Michael says, and cranberry sauce. Mr. Wattles pulls the tablecloth off the table, things crashing to the floor, and Olivia says, but they need a main course. Ned says, there is an easy fix, and everyone says, Luigi’s. Mr. Wattles steps through the wreckage, and moves on.

Brook wonders why they can’t have a normal Thanksgiving for once, and Chase says he needs to ask her something, and he needs an honest answer. Leo comes in, says, pizza’s here, and runs out again. Brook says she’s starving, and starts to leave, but Chase stops her, and asks, was she ever going to tell him about the CCRB letter she never wrote?

Olivia walks into the sitting room with the pizza, and asks where Brook and Chase are. The pizza is going to get cold. Leo says he told them, but they were talking close. Everyone goes, ooh, and Ned says, to be young and in love. Olivia says, watch it. They are still both of those things. He says, now and forever, and Drew looks at Carly. Michael reaches for a slice, but Olivia says, he knows the rules. They all say, first we sing, then we eat, and Olivia says, they’re going to get one thing right this Thanksgiving, so help her. Drew reaches behind him, and takes Carly’s hand so no one sees.

Sam says, her mom couldn’t get out fast enough, and Dante says, can Sam blame her? She says, not the most festive Thanksgiving, but he says, it’s his favorite one yet. She asks, why? and he says, he gets to spend it with the person he loves, who he shares his home and life with. She says, and his toiletries. She can’t believe how good his new hand lotion smells. He tells her to keep her hands off his stuff, and she says, all his stuff? but he says, actually she has full access to all his stuff. She says, that’s what she thought, and they kiss. She asks if he’s ready for some pizza, and he says he wouldn’t put it past his mother to have made a turkey. Sam says she wants some pepperoni.

Sasha looks out the window, remembering when she married Brando. Sonny asks how she’s holding up, and she says she’s okay. Another first in the books. She got through a whole year after Liam, and now she gets to do it all over again with Brando. He says, she doesn’t have to do it alone, and she says she knows, and she’s so grateful. Gladys says she’s got to make a phone call; she’ll be right back. Sasha tells Sonny that she knows Brando would want her to embrace life, even when it hurts; maybe especially then. He’d want her to be with family. Nina listens from the doorway, and Sonny says, Sasha is welcome here. As far as Gladys, is she still hands-on? What’s going on? Sasha says, always for her benefit. She feels like she and Gladys finally understand each other.

On her phone, pacing in the hallway, Gladys looks at the card Selina gave her. She says she’s having a rough day and could use a little fun. When is the next game?… Great. Count her in for a seat at the table.

We hear the Quartermaines sing We Gather Together, while the family interacts in the sitting room, laughing and hugging. Carly finds a big feather, shows it to Olivia, and they hug. They eat, and Drew and Carly exchange glances.

A woman picks up a briefcase in the cabin, leaving the gun, and knocking over a lantern. On the bullhorn, Jordan says, Holly Sutton, this is your last chance. Come out with your hands visible. The lantern starts a fire inside, and Jordan says she doesn’t like this. She tells Mac to give the order to move in, but Robert says, give her a chance. Jordan says, she’s had multiple chances. Time’s up. There’s an explosion inside the cabin, sending debris everywhere. The cabin burns, and Robert says he has to get in, but Mac holds him back. Robert says, Holly could be hurt, and a woman runs out of the cabin, totally on fire. She falls on her face, and Robert cries, no!  

I have my doubts it’s Holly. I’m thinking Ashby, and that briefcase is empty.

Tomorrow, Ava tells Nikolas, sometimes, one never knows what the day may bring; Britt says, one more box to check; and Selina says, it’s seems she and Victor have much in common.

🔪 Being Heather…

She’s a great Heather. You can tell she’s having a good time.

💣 But Is He Single…?

I kinda sorta remember him.

🥧 Soap Gratitude…

How the soap stars did Thanksgiving.

🎊 Who’d You Rather…?

After holidays with some of these people, your own family might start to look good.

💰 Meanwhile, In LA…

They’re back, and more expensive than ever.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/million-dollar-listing-los-angeles-season-14-trailer-watch

🍗 Celebrity Turkey…

How the stars celebrated.

Someone please tell me how the hell the Winter House cast is at the top of the page? Once again, I live in Bizarro World.

🎅 Rushing the Season…

Half my neighborhood has their Christmas decorations up, and I’m trying not to feel alternately annoyed and inadequate. Join me tomorrow for another round of soap and tea. Until then, stay safe, stay setting your own pace during the holiday season, and stay keeping old traditions, making new ones, or both. It’s all good.