Category Archives: movies

Aug8

August 7, 2024 – Donna Is Rushed To the ER, Tough Scene, Listing Millions, Her Life, Trying To Move On, Lala Speaks, They’re Contenders, More For the Pool, Giving Them a 10 & Taylor’s August

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Dex and Josslyn wake up, and Josslyn says she forgot for a second about Kristina. Dex says he texted a cadet who was on the nightshift, and Kristina made it through the surgery. He has no information on the baby though. She thanks him for finding out, and he asks what else he can do. She says, he’s already doing it, and they snuggle.

TJ looks at memorial services online, and Molly asks if he’s seen her briefcase. He asks why she’s dressed for work, and she says, her caseload is insane. He says, she can’t go in, but she says she has to. They need her. He says he needs her more.

At the hospital, Portia says, Elizabeth is just the person she wants to see, and Elizabeth asks, what’s up? Portia says, she and Terry looked at Elizabeth’s proposal for the nurses’ schedule change and they love it. She’s doing a fantastic job as head nurse.

In her cell, Ava tells the guard to take the food away. She doesn’t eat slop. (FYI, it does not look like slop or even like jail food. Maybe Denny’s.) Trina comes in and asks if it’s okay that she’s here. Ava asks why it wouldn’t be, and Trina says she didn’t know, considering her statement helped put Ava in a cell. Ava says, the police asked Trina questions, and she answered honestly. It’s all she could do. She’s still reeling from yesterday. It was a terrible, tragic accident. Trina asks, was it an accident or did Ava push Kristina?

Jason asks Carly if things are good, and she says, Avery and Donna are playing with Pilar. He asks if Avery had any questions, but she says, none. She’s here all the time, so it’s nothing out of the ordinary. She’s glad Sonny is okay and took it upon himself to reach out and see Doc. Jason says, that shows how hard it hit, and she asks how Sonny seemed when Jason drove him home. Jason says, he was quiet. He didn’t talk much. She says, but he did ask Jason to drive him, and Jason says, he did. She says, Sonny is coming back to them. She knows he is.

There’s a knock at the penthouse door, and Doc comes in. Sonny says he didn’t know doctors made house calls, and Doc says, touché. He thought he’d come and see how Sonny is feeling. Sonny says his mind is clearer, and Doc says, good. That means the meds are working. To be honest, he’s concerned about Sonny’s emotional state. What does he think about discussing what happened last night?

Carly tells Jason that she’s relieved Sonny realized there was a problem. She was convinced he’d stopped taking his meds, but she saw that she was wrong. She hopes Doc was able to recalibrate them. Jason says, he still has to deal with what happened, and Carly wonders what the hell Kristina was doing in Ava’s room. Jason says he talked to Dante, and Ava had served Kristina with a subpoena for Avery’s custody case. She says, because Kristina saw Sonny beat up Dex. Ava wanted to force her to put it on record. He says, they’re assuming Kristina was served and went to confront Ava, and they argued. She wonders if Ava could push Kristina hard enough to break a window, and he says, they don’t know exactly what happened, but Kristina was there to protect her father.

Dex says he’s going to make coffee. Didn’t Josslyn tell Donna that she’d be with her today? Josslyn says she did, but she’s willing to skip coffee to stay in bed with him. He asks if she’s avoiding the real world, and she says, yes. It’s a horrible, scary place. Only good things happen in this bed. Is it terrible she wants to stay? He says, no, and kisses her. They get busy.

Elizabeth says she’s just doing her job, and Portia says she made a promise to herself that if the staff was doing a good job, she wants them to know it, and Elizabeth is doing a very good job. Elizabeth says she learned from the best, and Portia says, Epiphany. Elizabeth says, Epiphany was the type of nurse she aspired to be. Professional and no-nonsense, but kind and compassionate.

Sonny tells Doc that he was sent to the dark side. He felt responsible for Kristina losing the baby, and his niece Molly told him as much. Doc says, it must have been hard to hear, and Sonny says, Jason and Carly figured out something was off, that he wasn’t thinking clearly, but he didn’t trust them. Doc asks if that isn’t unusual when it comes to Jason and Carly, and Sonny says, it should have been a warning sign, but he didn’t understand. Doc says, Sonny was fine according to himself, and Sonny says, until last night. That’s why he went to Doc’s office. Obviously, his pills need readjusting. Doc says he got the results of Sonny’s blood test. He put a rush on it. There was no lorphenadine or lithium in his system – none. Sonny says, that doesn’t make sense. He takes his medication every day like clockwork. Doc says, and as prescribed? and Sonny says, yeah. Doc says he’d like to schedule some sessions until Sonny’s meds are recalibrated, and they determine a new protocol. How does Sonny feel about this? Sonny says, confused, but relieved he has something physical to blame. Doc says, just a triple check. Sonny never skipped a dose? Sonny says, never. That’s why it makes no sense.

Ava tells Trina that she had nothing to do with Kristina’s fall. Kristina was in a rage, manic, there was no reasoning with her. She tripped on a shoe and fell through the window. It happened so fast, she’s still spinning from it. She would have grabbed Kristina if she could have. Trina asks, if that’s true, why was she arrested? and Ava says, when something this awful happens, people need someone to blame. It can’t be the woman who lost her child. That’s too cruel, so it falls on her. She knows how most of the people here feel about her. It’s easy to make her the scapegoat. Trina asks if that’s really all it is, and Ava says she’s completely innocent.

Molly says she thought TJ’s mom was coming, and he says, she is, along with Aunt Stella and Curtis. They’re going to help pack up the nursery. Doesn’t she want to be here? She says she can’t, and he says he knows how incredibly hard it is. She says, it’s impossible. The nursery is like a time capsule, but instead of the past, it’s the future they’ll never have. She knows she has to let it go and she will, but she can’t physically get rid of what’s in there. Does he understand? He says, yeah, but some things can’t wait. Like a name for their daughter. They still need to plan a funeral. Molly says, they’ll talk later. Pick what he wants. He says, it happened to both of them, when there’s a knock at the door. Molly lets Jordan in, and says she’s got to go to work. Just for an hour or so. She’ll check on the urgent cases and be back. She leaves, and Jordan asks if she’s all right, but he says, how can she be?

Stella tells TJ that she’s so sorry. It’s the most unfair, unfathomable loss. She hugs TJ, and Curtis asks, where’s Molly? but Jordan shakes her head.

Finally. We see what we all need right now – the moss bowl🎍– and Carly tells Josslyn that she just missed Jason. He went to check in on Sonny. Josslyn says, it must have been tough, and Carly says, it was tough on Josslyn too. It’s good to see her. Josslyn says she texted, but Carly says, it’s not the same. She needs eyes on Josslyn to know she’s okay. Josslyn says she’s fine, and Carly says she was so worried about her. She was the lifeguard on duty, and it had to be devastating. Josslyn says she’s happy she knew what to do in that moment, and Carly says, her too. She’s proud of Josslyn and glad she had Trina to be with to decompress. Josslyn says she wasn’t with Trina. She spent the night with Dex.

Molly goes to see Ava, and says, Cadet Heller is here as an impartial witness. The ADA isn’t allowed to speak to a defendant without a third-party present. Ava asks, how’s Kristina? and Molly says, she survived. Her baby did not. That’s one reason Ava is here in a cell. Ava says she’s so sorry. She knows what it’s like to lose a child and it’s unbearable. Molly takes out some papers, and says, it’s the autopsy report. She’d like to take a look at the facts. The patient was a newborn female, 5 pounds, 2 ounces. Death occurred one minute after delivery by emergency C-section. The examination determined the death to be from blunt force trauma to the head and body.

Stella says she’ll make some food, but TJ says he’s not hungry. She says she won’t accept that answer. She’ll scrounge something up. Jordan says she’ll help, and they go to the kitchen. Curtis sees the laptop and asks if that’s what TJ has been doing. TJ says he wanted to bring up the funeral to Molly, but whenever he mentions the baby, she shuts down. Curtis says he knows it can’t be easy, but if it’s any consolation, people deal with grief differently. TJ says he’s worried Molly’s not dealing with it at all.

Jason goes to the penthouse, and Sonny thanks him for bringing him home. Jason says he was happy to, and Sonny says, he’s not going to ask questions? Jason says, no, but he’ll listen to what Sonny wants to tell him, and Sonny says he talked to Alexis. Jason asks how Kristina is, and Sonny says, she’s resting after the surgery. It’s got to be tough on her, not just the injuries, but the emotional toll from losing the baby. Jason says, luckily, she has family and friends to help her through it, and Sonny says, Molly blaming him for the fall hit him hard. She’s not wrong. He always hurts the people he loves. He didn’t want to do that anymore, so he went to the roof. Jason says, of the hospital? and Sonny says he just wanted the pain and suffering to end, and felt it was the only way out. Jason asks, what stopped him? and Sonny says, Morgan.

Trina shows up at Portia’s office and asks if she’s got a minute to talk. Portia says she has infinite minutes for Trina, and hugs her. She asks, what’s wrong? and Trina says she can’t stop thinking about Kristina. She was doing an amazing thing for her sister, and she was almost at the finish line. Now the baby died, and she feels awful for her, Molly, and TJ. They had the baby’s whole life planned out and now it’s over. Portia says, it’s heartbreaking, and Trina asks why some people are taken too soon. Portia says she wishes she knew the answer. This time, Ava shoulders the blame. How could she push Kristina that hard? Trina says, that’s not what happened. Ava told her. Portia says, she went to see Ava in jail? and Trina says, that’s where she just came from.

Molly continues to read, the infant died from internal bleeding and blunt force trauma to the head and body. Because of Ava, her child’s life ended before she had a chance to live. Ava says she could never intentionally hurt a child, and Molly says, that’s why she’s being charged with manslaughter instead of murder. She didn’t plan it, but her actions led to the baby’s death and it’s time for her to take responsibility.

TJ pushes away his plate, and says, it’s delicious, but he can’t eat any more. Stella says she understands, and he says he’s glad someone does. None of this feels real. How can his daughter be gone? Curtis says, they’re all trying to wrap their minds around it, and TJ says, everything was fine. Despite his worrying, Kristina was healthy, and the baby was healthy. It was a standard pregnancy, except for the surrogacy, and she was due in 3 weeks. They finally built the nursery, when Kristina goes to Ava’s hotel about a stupid custody battle. He feels like such an idiot. Jordan asks, why? and he says, out of all the ways he imagined Sonny could endanger his child, not once did he expect this.

Sonny tells Jason that he was convinced his children were better off without him. Then Morgan showed up and kept telling him that his kids needed him and pleaded for him to live. Jason says, maybe it was that part of him that knew something was wrong, his medication was wrong, and Sonny says, when he figured it out, he had to do something. He couldn’t sit in that darkness anymore, so he went to see Doc. Jason says he’s glad Sonny did, and Sonny says, him too. Jason asks what Doc said about Morgan, but Sonny says he didn’t tell Doc. He doesn’t want to talk to Doc about it. Jason is the only one.

Josslyn says she was surprised to realize that Dex was the one person she wanted to see, and Carly says, after her mother and the moss bowl 🎍. Josslyn says, of course (🍷). He makes her feel safe. That’s the only way she can explain it. Carly says, it sounds perfect. Does that mean they’re back together? Donna runs in and says, Josslyn came. Josslyn hugs Donna, and Donna asks if she wants some vitamins. Josslyn asks, what kind? The chewable ones? and Carly asks what she’s talking about. Donna says, daddy’s vitamins, and shows her the bottle of lithium. Carly asks if she took any, and Donna says, she took a bunch, but doesn’t want any more. Her tummy hurts. Carly tells Josslyn to grab her keys. They’re going to see the doctor. (I’m guessing these are the placebos, but Donna seems a little old to be doing something like that and you’d think she would have been told not to touch prescription bottles.)

Stella says, they’ll take the boxes to the shelter and asks if there’s something TJ wants to save. He says, no, but she asks if he’s sure. He says, it hurts to look at it, but she says, someday there might be something he wants to remember his daughter by. He looks in one of the boxes.  

Trina says, Portia knows she and Ava are close, but Portia says, given what just happened, she doesn’t understand what compelled Trina to visit Ava. Trina says she felt guilty, and Portia says, for what? Trina says she told the police that she saw Ava looking down from the window, and Portia says she didn’t know that. Trina says, just because Ava was looking down and standing there doesn’t mean anything. They don’t know what happened. Ava is more than her optics. Everyone always thinks the worst of Ava, but she’s seen another side of her. Ava would never hurt a child on purpose. Ava was there for her when Spencer died, so she doesn’t want to abandon her. Portia asks if Trina believes Ava is innocent, and Trina says she wants to. Portia asks if she’s not sure, and Trina says, deep down, Ava is a good person. She knows she is. Portia says, sometimes good people are capable of doing bad things.  

Molly tells Ava, plead guilty. Do the right thing and save them the pain of a trial. Ava says she did nothing wrong – the opposite. Has Molly asked herself what Kristina was doing in her suite? She didn’t invite Kristina over for a chat. Kristina forced herself in and refused to leave. She lost it, attacked Ava, tripped, and fell. She’s sorry for Molly’s loss, but she needs to face reality. She’s not responsible for the baby’s death. Kristina is. (Did she forget about all those pictures that show her with her hands on Kristina?)

Curtis and Jordan leave with the boxes, and Stella tells TJ to let it out, but he says he doesn’t want to. She says, the only way past pain is through it, but he says he can’t. It’s too much. When he tries to envision his life now, it’s blank. There’s nothing. She says, they say that grief is love with no place to put it. What feels like sadness and anger is actually the love he had for his baby girl that has no place to call home anymore. That’s why it feels so heavy. She’s here to help shoulder the burden and collect the love piece by piece and find a new place to put it. TJ says he’s not ready to let go, and cries. She says, he doesn’t have to. They’ll cross that bridge when they come to it. She hugs him as he cries, and he says he can’t do it.

Carly tells Elizabeth that they need to see a doctor now. Donna may have taken some of Sonny’s lithium. Elizabeth tells a nurse to page Dr. Fernandez and tells Donna and Carly to go to a room. She asks Josslyn to give them a minute, and Josslyn hands her the bottle. Elizabeth says, they’ll do everything they can. She promises.

Sonny says, he was happy that Avery stayed with Carly last night, and Jason says he was just there, and Avery and Donna were having a great time. Sonny’s phone rings, and he sees it’s Josslyn. He says, that’s strange, and answers. Josslyn says, he needs to get to the hospital right now. Donna might have taken some of his lithium pills and they brought her to the ER.  

In the hallway, Jordan cries, and Curtis hugs her. She says she can’t stand to see TJ like this. She’d do anything to take away the pain. He says him too, but all they can do is show up and show their support. Jordan says, just like his domestic partner… She’s sorry. That was bitter and immature. He says, it was human, and she asks, where’s Molly? She should be here. They should be together. Curtis agrees and says he’s sure she’ll be here soon. Jordan hopes it’s sooner rather than later. They need each other. He says he’s sorry for her loss. He knows she had big hopes and dreams for her grandchild. Jordan says, now she’s gone. She wants to be strong for TJ. Curtis says, she is, but she says, it doesn’t feel like it. He says, remember he’s here for TJ and her, and she thanks him. They go back inside, and Stella says she thinks they should leave. Jordan asks if she’s sure. She was planning on staying. TJ thanks them for everything and says he’s grateful for their support, but they have lives to get back to and he could use the alone time. Curtis says, they’re only a phone call or text away, and hugs him. Jordan hugs him and tells him that she loves him, and they leave.

Trina asks if Portia honestly thinks Ava would push a pregnant woman out a window, and Portia says, she didn’t jump. Trina has a big heart and is afraid she’s trusting someone she shouldn’t. She said herself that she’s not sure she believes Ava. Why? Trina says she doesn’t know exactly. Ava did feel off. That being said, Ava just spent the night in jail. She’d be off too. Portia suggests they go a different route. Who’s most likely to lie? Ava or Kristina? Ava has been arrested and is behind bars. The police must have evidence that makes them believe Ava is guilty.

Doc goes to see Ava, who says she’s a popular girl today. She can’t believe this is happening. The incident keeps playing over and over again. It’s like a nightmare she can’t wake up from. She’s worried about Avery. Doc says, she spent the night at Carly’s and she’s fine, but Ava says, she needs her mother. Sonny is out of control and can’t be counted on. She suggests Doc come to her arraignment and speak on her behalf. Tell them that she needs to make bail and get emergency custody of Avery. Avery’s wellbeing depends on her. He says, she can rest easy about Avery, and she says, how? He says, Sonny won’t be a concern. He’s getting treatment.

Sonny and Jason come into the hospital, and Carly tells them that they’re pumping Donna’s stomach. It happened so fast. Sonny asks if Donna is scared, and Carly says, a little. He thanks them for calling him, and Josslyn says, he’s her dad. Sonny asks, what happened? and Carly says, Donna found a bottle of what she thought were daddy’s vitamins in Avery’s overnight bag. How many pills did he have left? Sonny says he’s not sure, and asks what Pilar was doing. Carly says, she was in the playroom with Avery and Donna didn’t want to share. Sonny asks if Donna was still talking, and Carly says, she seemed okay, but said her stomach hurt. Jason says, it’s good they got her here fast, and Carly says, their little girl’s got to be okay.

TJ looks at a pair of baby socks and cries, because we all haven’t wept over this story enough. Molly hears him from outside, and he clutches the socks to his chest. She almost leaves, but then goes in.

On the phone, Portia says, when?… She understands. Thanks for the heads up. She tells Trina that she needs to go. That was Pentenville. Heather Webber is on her way to GH for a follow-up.

Ava asks what Doc means, but he says, that’s going into doctor/patient confidentiality. He’s already said too much. The main thing is Avery is safe and not in danger. Ava says she’s pleased to know Sonny is getting help, when Doc’s phone rings. He says he has to take this, and walks out as he’s talking. He says, what kind of problem with Sonny’s meds? and Ava hears him.

Elizabeth comes out and Carly asks, how’s Donna? Elizabeth says, she’ll be fine, and Josslyn says, thank God. Elizabeth says, she’s still groggy from the anesthesia and her throat will be sore, but she’s doing great. Jason wonders, what’s the problem? and Elizabeth says, the remaining capsules weren’t lithium. Sonny asks, what was it? and she says, nothing. He asks what she means, and she says, there was no medication in the pills. Carly says, she was holding Sonny’s prescription bottle and said she’d taken the pills from the bottle, but Elizabeth says, not only was there no lithium in the pills, there was none in Donna’s system. She would have had different reaction – vomiting, confusion, seizures, a coma. Sonny asks if she’s telling him that he’s been taking a placebo.

Tomorrow, Anna says, the list is long, and someone is about to add their name to it; Heather asks, what’s in it for Scotty; and John tells Ava, Sonny’s days of trampling over people are coming to an end. Hmm… I think it’s John’s trampling days that are coming to an end.

💣 Up On the Roof…

Wow. He did these scenes after he took a break for his own mental health.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-maurice-benard-on-shooting-the-difficult-rooftop-scenes

💰 Welcome To the Market…

Tracy had a listing with a glass bathroom. No. Just no. This time, JoshF’s listing had no dead rat, but there was a rat trap to which the potential buyer said, eww! as we all would. In an ironic twist, JoshA had a listing that JoshF made an offer on for himself, since his childhood dreamhouse turned out to be a bust. To be specific, he had Tracy make the offer, which she told JoshA was going to be lower than [he’s] gonna like.

Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles Season 15, Episode 5 Recap: A Tale of Two Listings

🎉 Fabulous Mid-Life Existential Crisis…

What happened with Whitney this week.

https://www.accessonline.com/videos/my-big-fat-fabulous-life-whitey-says-shes-having-a-mid-life-existential-crisis

Whitney also planned a bachelorette party for her niece and had to explain adult toys to her half-sister.

https://popculture.com/reality-tv/news/my-big-fat-fabulous-life-whitney-way-thore-goes-all-out-bachelorette-party-planning-in-exclusive-sneak-peek/

🌾 Not So Welcome Anymore…

While everyone tries to tie up loose ends, the usual suspects – Ethan and Barry – still hang on by a thread.

https://people.com/welcome-to-plathville-recap-olivia-plath-says-ethan-plath-still-texts-her-8691420

Welcome to Plathville’s Olivia Calls Out Moriah for ‘Burn Book’-Style Song

🍼 Have Some Lala…

She’s ready for single motherhood, round 2.

https://okmagazine.com/p/lala-kent-declares-single-motherhood-suits-best-await-baby-no-2/

I’m with her here. Yeah, the whole thing sucked, but Sandoval was certainly getting ripped a new one from just about everyone, and there could have been a workaround for the show.

Lala Kent Doubles-Down on Ariana Madix Shade, Explains Why She Was “Deeply Offended” as She Talks Vanderpump Rules Pause, If Baby No. 2 Will Appear, and New Amazon Series, Plus Finding a Partner and 3rd Child

🏆 Nom, Nom, Nom…

This year’s nominees.

https://ew.com/2024-mtv-video-music-awards-nominations-full-list-8690719

🦸 Because I Can’t Stop…

All the cameos.

https://ew.com/deadpool-and-wolverine-cameos-8681113

Another good reason to stick out the credits.

https://ew.com/deadpool-and-wolverine-post-credits-scene-chris-evans-dirty-monologue-exclusive-8689972

Puberty sucks sometimes.

https://ew.com/walker-scobell-kidpool-deadpool-and-wolverine-exclusive-8686020

🐳 The Olympics Are For Animals Too…

The only time I ever watched the Olympics was when Tonya Harding was whining over her skate lace, but I would definitely watch these two.

https://people.com/whale-breach-during-paris-olympics-surfing-semifinal-tahiti-8690769

https://people.com/polar-bear-at-alaska-zoo-goes-viral-for-diving-in-exhibit-watch-8687366

Imagine the possibilities. I’m pretty sure all of my dogs would be an Olympic fail. Unless there was cheese involved.

https://tlcfirst.com/news/if-olympic-sports-were-designed-for-pets-a-whimsical-look-at-the-possibilities

You, too, can make an Olympic champion out of your dog!

Doglympics 🔥

🎢 Riding Life’s Rollercoaster…

Join me tomorrow for soap and sitting in the OC shade. Until then, stay safe, stay not being afraid to ask for help when you need it, and stay helping to shoulder someone’s burden, because grief is love with no place to put it, and it feels so heavy.

Aug6

August 5, 2024 – The Aftermath Of Kristina’s Fall, Goddess Birthday On Deck, Best Collaboration Ever & Bye

Posted on by
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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Josslyn knocks at Dex’s door, and he asks if she’s okay. She says, physically, she’s fine, but she’s not okay. He hugs her.

At the hospital, Natalia thinks they should go, but Blaze says, Kristina is her girlfriend and it’s an emergency. Natalia says, it’s not the place for them. Blaze and Kristina have only been seeing each other about six months, and everyone here is related by blood. They’re family and Blaze is not. She thinks the respectful thing to do is let the family hold vigil as a family. They don’t need to get into it here. They leave.

In the interrogation room, Dante says, there are multiple discrepancies in Ava’s story. When Kristina showed up at her hotel room, were the curtains open or closed? It looked like there was a struggle. Outside, Trina watches through the window, and Chase comes by. She asks if he’ll need her statement, and he says, someone will take it shortly. He knows she and Ava are friends, but thinks it’s best if they kept their distance. Trina asks if there’s any news on Kristina.

Molly runs into the hospital and asks TJ, what’s going on? Is Kristina in labor? She’s not due for another 3 weeks. He says, there’s been an accident and Kristina was hurt. They’re giving her an emergency C-section. Molly asks if Kristina and the baby are going to be okay.  

Josslyn tells Dex that she was in the water, but doesn’t remember getting in. She didn’t know who it was, but given how they fell, she thought there was probably a spinal injury, so she was super careful turning them over. She saw it was Kristina, and it was so awful. She cries and says she froze for a second. She was afraid to move Kristina in case it would cause more damage. That second might have made all the difference. He says he’s sure it did. It sounds like she was assessing the situation. Her lifeguard training kicked in and she calmed herself, then she knew what do in the next second. It sounds like she saved Kristina’s life. She’s alive, isn’t she? Josslyn says, as far as she knows, and Dex says, Josslyn got her as far as the paramedics, then it was up to them and the doctors. She says, what if she’s not okay? Or the baby? She has a horrible feeling one of them won’t make it.

Anna meets Chase at the station, and they go into the interrogation room.

Ava says she’s sorry her answers aren’t satisfying Dante. It happened so fast. How is Kristina doing? Anna says, there’s no news, and tells Dante to go to GH. Dante says, Ava’s statement has inconsistencies, but Anna says she’ll fill in the blanks and they’ll compare notes later. He should be with his family. Chase says he’ll take it from here, and Dante leaves. Ava says she appreciates that Dante is distraught and related to Kristina, and he keeps trying to persuade her to confirm his theories instead of letting her explain. Anna says, Chase isn’t distraught, and he’s not related to Kristina. He’ll continue the questioning. She’ll interrogate the witness. She leaves, and Chase asks what Ava remembers from the moment Kristina walked in until she fell. Ava says, first she needs to say it was just a horrible accident.

Alexis says she doesn’t know anything other than Kristina fell out of the north tower in the MetroCourt and into the pool, thank God. Molly asks if she and the baby are alive, and Alexis says, yes. Kristina sustained multiple injuries and they’re doing an emergency C-section to save the baby. TJ wonders what Kristina was doing at the MetroCourt, and Alexis says, she was in Ava’s suite, but she doesn’t know why. Molly says she knows why, and looks at Sonny.

Dr. Park says he’ll notify the family that the baby didn’t make it, when Kristina wakes up. The doctor tells her to lie still, and she asks where her baby is. What happened?

Kristina asks to see the baby, and Dr. Park says, they’re going to give Kristina a mild sedative. She says, tell her what happened with the baby, and he says, they did everything they could, but the injuries were too severe. She didn’t survive. Kristina asks if he’s saying they couldn’t save the baby, and he says he’s sorry. She asks if he’s sure they did everything they could, and he says he’s sorry. She says she had a girl? and he says, she did. She says she had a daughter. She needs her sister. She as to be the one to tell Molly. She cries.  

At the Bistro, Natalia orders a bowl of chicken soup for Blaze. She says, obviously Blaze’s blood sugar was crashing, and Blaze says she counts herself lucky. Most stage mothers starve their daughters. But she’s still angry that Natalia made her leave. Natalia says she didn’t mean to upset Blaze. She was wrong and she’s come to accept that Blaze loves Kristina. Blaze says, Natalia can’t bring herself to say they’re in a relationship, and Natalia says she’s trying. Blaze says, try harder, and Natalia says she wants to understand. Help her do it. She wants Blaze to tell her about she and Kristina.  

Dr. Park tells the family that Kristina is awake. She’s in the ICU asking for her sister Molly. Molly jets, and TJ asks, how’s the baby?

Chase tells Ava to start from the beginning, she says, Kristina showed up at her room. As he knows, her father is Sonny Corinthos, and they’re involved in a custody hearing. Kristina was subpoenaed to testify. Chase asks, on whose behalf? and she says she’d hoped it would be hers. Kristina is aware her father is too volatile to have custody. She witnessed him brutally beating one of their cadets at Chase’s wedding reception. She’s sure Chase is aware of it. Her attorney subpoenaed Kristina to talk about that, and she showed up at Ava’s room. She shares her father’s temper. Maybe she’s bipolar as well, since manic is the only way to describe her. (I literally gasp, since suggesting something like that without being a medical professional is a big no-no.) Chase asks, what happened? and Ava says, Kristina barged in. She was overwrought and not listening to a word Ava said. She tried to calm Kristina down… She flashes back to berating Kristina about her mother and father, but tells Chase that she suggested they sit down and talk it out. She tried to remind Kristina that being upset wasn’t good for the baby, but Kristina kept screaming at her. She wasn’t making any sense. She flashes back to Kristina saying that if Ava forced her to testify against Sonny, she’d tell the court about Ava’s involvement in Morgan’s death and how she murdered Connie. Ava tells Chase that she asked Kristina to go, kindly and politely, but she just wouldn’t leave. Chase asks if Ava attempted to guide or escort her out, but Ava says she would never handle a pregnant woman that way, much less one that was enraged. She never laid a finger on Kristina. Chase asks, then what happened? and Ava says, Kristina came rushing at her. It was terrifying. She got out of the way, but Kristina was in a blind rage and tripped over a shoe. She didn’t see it until after Kristina fell. She could barely believe what happened. She saw Kristina go through the glass and heard it shatter and heard the most awful scream. It happened so fast, she couldn’t do anything to stop it. She prays Kristina and the baby will be all right.

Molly goes to Kristina’s room and asks how she’s doing. The nurse says she’s stable, but she’s lost a lot of blood and needs rest. Molly asks if she should come back, but Kristina weakly says her name. Molly goes over to the bed and says, the doctor told her that Kristina was asking for her. Kristina says, the baby… and Molly starts to cry.

Dr. Park tells the family, Kristina sustained an abruptive placenta in the fall. Despite all their efforts, they couldn’t save the baby. He’s sorry. Everyone looks sad, and Alexis hugs Sonny and cries.

Anna asks when Trina realized something had happened, and Trina says, when she heard the scream. She saw someone land face down in the pool and she froze. Luckily, Joss and Gio got her out of the pool safely. Anna asks if she noticed anything else, and Trina says she looked up, trying to see where Kristina came from – she literally fell from the sky. She saw Ava standing in the broken window, so it must have been her suite. Anna asks what Ava did next, but Trina says, nothing. She stood there, then backed away. Anna says, nothing else? and Trina says, no. Ava closed the drapes and she couldn’t see anything after that.

Dex gives Josslyn some tea, and she says she feels better with him being here and back in her life. She’s grateful he didn’t stay away. He says, she didn’t give him much choice, but she says he could have disappeared again and stayed away. He repeats that he had no other choice, and she says she’s so sorry she was judgmental when they broke up. He says he thinks she was entitled to be judgy, but she says she didn’t try to understand that he was changing. She couldn’t just go through it with him; she had to judge. He says, she held him accountable and pointed out that he wasn’t the man he wanted to be. Look at him now. She says, lucky her. She learned things too. Never take anything for granted, especially after today. The disaster made her realize that good or bad, young or old, all we have is right now. They kiss.  

Molly says, the baby is gone? and Kristina says, their precious little girl is gone. Molly says, it was a girl? and they both cry. (I want to cry.) Kristina says she’s sorry it wasn’t her, but Molly tells her not to say that. She doesn’t have to say anything. Just rest. Kristina says, they lost their baby girl, and Molly holds her hand.

Jordan says she wishes she had the words, and TJ says, him too. He’s not proud of this and probably shouldn’t say it… She tells him to get it off his chest no matter how bad, and he says he was wondering what Kristina was doing there in the first place. He knows it doesn’t matter and only hopes she’ll be okay. It’s all they have left to hope for. Jordan says, he’s suffered a great loss and can feel however he wants. Don’t edit himself with her. He says, his first instinct is to blame Kristina and say, it’s her fault. His mind is screaming that her mom said, I told you so. He feels terrible, but he can’t help it. Their child is gone. His child won’t have the chance to be born, and all his thoughts and anger can’t make that stop.

Dante asks how Kristina and the baby are, and Alexis says, Kristina is awake and stable. She’ll be okay, but they weren’t able to save the baby. She hasn’t called Sam yet. Dante says he will, but she says she has to do it and leaves. Dante tells Sonny that he’s sorry, and Sonny asks if he thinks Ava had something to do with it. Dante tells him that she’s saying it was an accident, and Sonny asks if he believes her. Ava and Jagger are trying to take Avery away from him and tried to take Kristina too. Dante suggests they focus on Kristina, and Sonny says, they will pay.

Dex says, maybe they should slow down, and Josslyn asks, why? He says, she just went through a traumatic event, and he’d never want to take advantage, and she says, that’s one of the many reasons she trusts him. When she walked out of the hospital, all she could think was how much she loves him. She let her pride get in the way of that love. He says he loves her too. Him joining the PCPD and getting his life back on track was something he needed to do for himself, but it’s all part of loving her. She says he doesn’t have to prove anything, but she appreciates that. He says he had to prove it to himself, and she says, that’s between him and him. As for them, love isn’t a job or a to-do list. It doesn’t have to be earned. It just is.

Blaze tells Natalia that she and Kristina started seeing each other around Christmas. Kristina is beautiful and a force of a personality. She’s so comfortable being who she is, Blaze admired that. She was worried about her career and terrified of being outed. Not because of her fans… Natalia says, because of her, and Blaze says she was afraid Natalia would stop loving her. She wouldn’t be the first parent who wrote off their child for being gay. She and Kristina went to Rice Plaza around the holidays, and they held hands in a public place. It’s a big deal, not just for them, but for a lot of gay people. When some people who knew them saw them and said hello, she pulled her hand away. She didn’t realize it; it was a reflex. Kristina called her on it and said she was hurt. Blaze had gotten so used to hiding who she was, she almost missed out on getting to know Kristina at all. Natalia takes her hand and says she’s sorry Blaze felt that way. She’s sorry for how she reacted finding Kristina in Blaze’s hotel room and for dismissing Blaze’s feelings as a reaction to what a man did.  Blaze says she hopes Natalia gets it now, and Natalia says she got arrogant, giving Blaze what she thought was incredible insight, saying she found safety in women because men were dangerous. There was no way her baby girl had feelings for a woman or could be attracted to a woman because she was a good girl, and good girls don’t behave that way. Blaze asks if part of her still feels that way.

Alexis says, Sam is devastated, and Dante asks if Alexis is okay. She asks if he’s okay, and he says he’s just angry. He wants to be able to do more to help. Alexis says she’s sure he’ll find a way, and he hopes she’s right. Molly comes out crying, and says she guesses they all know. She hugs Alexis, and says, the baby was a girl. Kristina needs her mom. Alexis goes to Kristina’s room, and TJ holds Molly while she cries.

Alexis hugs Kristina, who also cries.

TJ says, they had a daughter, and Molly says, they did. Sonny heads for Kristina’s room, but Molly stands in front of the door and says, he’s not going anywhere near her sister.

Natalia says, it’s hard to shake beliefs you’ve had your whole life. It’s like learning how to write with your left hand when you’ve been forced to use your right hand your whole life. She feels like she should probably thank Ava, and Blaze says she doesn’t have to worry about being outed now. Natalia says she heard her words. She was so sure it was a phase. Blaze says, because gay people aren’t serious, and Natalia says she’s been on the receiving end of Kristina’s outrage. She must be pretty special if Blaze is willing to risk everything. Blaze says, Kristina is the most amazing person she’s ever met. Kristina’s courage, heart, and strength inspire her every day. She cries and says she can’t lose that. Natalia says, they just have to have faith that Kristina has the courage, heart, and strength to pull though this.

Sonny says he wants to see his daughter, but Molly says, he’s the reason Kristina is in the ICU. He’s the reason Kristina almost died. He says he had nothing to do with it, but she says, he had everything to do with it. Does he even know why Kristina was in Ava’s room? She’d subpoenaed Kristina to testify against him at the custody hearing. She wanted Kristina to tell the world that he’s a violent thug who attacked a cadet at a reception and threatened to murder him. He says he knows she’s upset and he’s sorry she lost her daughter. If anything happens to Kristina, he doesn’t know what… She says, Kristina went to see Ava because of him. She almost died because of him. Her daughter is dead because of him. He walks away.

Trina asks if it’s all right if she speaks to Ava, and Anna tells her, go ahead. Chase tells Anna that he took Ava’s statement, and he thinks she’s hiding something. Ava asks if Trina is all right, and Trina says, is she? Ava says, not really. She can’t believe what happened, and she’s sorry Trina got dragged into it. Trina says she was at the pool when Kristina fell, and Chase wanted her statement. Ava asks what she saw, and Trina says, almost nothing. After Kristina fell, she looked up and saw Ava standing at the window. Anna thanks Trina for her help and says, she’s free to go, but they need Ava to stay.

Josslyn and Dex get busy because somebody has to make this day not as sad.

Blaze says she feels better, and Natalia says, it’s the chicken soup, but Blaze says, it’s not just the soup. It’s her. She thanks Natalia for listening and letting her talk about Kristina and their relationship. Natalia didn’t even shudder when she called Kristina her girlfriend. Natalia says she doesn’t shudder, and Blaze says, she didn’t make a disappointed mother look. Not this time. She’ll take it as a win. She thanks Natalia for the soup and the talk, when her phone rings. It’s Jordan, and Blaze asks how Kristina is. Jordan says, she made it through the C-section and is with her mother now. Blaze says, thank God. How’s the baby? Jordan says, unfortunately, they couldn’t save the baby.  

Ava says she’s explained more than once and been nothing but cooperative. She even allowed herself to be subjected to the humiliation of being brought in wearing handcuffs because she knew Dante wasn’t thinking straight. Are they charging her? Anna says, not at this point, and Ava says, then she’ll be going. Anna says, they’d rather she stayed, and Ava asks, why? Chase says, forensics is still in her suite, and Ava says, why? It’s a slip and fall. She hopes Kristina and the baby are all right, but it’s not a crime scene. Anna says, yet to be determined. She needs to transcribe Ava’s statement and might have further questions. It would be better if they knew her whereabouts and won’t have to keep track of her if she doesn’t leave. Ava says, fine, but she’s not saying one more word until her lawyer gets here. She asks them to call Scotty Baldwin right away.

Jordan asks if Dante arrested Ava, and he says, if she was just Deputy Mayor, he might talk about it, but she’s related to the parties involved. She says, so is he, and he says, Chase is taking over so he can be with the family. He’s sorry, but he can’t tell her anything else. She says she understands, and nothing can bring her granddaughter back.  

Molly says she’s sorry she wasn’t here, and TJ says, there was no way for her to know. It wasn’t like she was ignoring phone calls or texts. She was in court, and when he was able to get word to her, she came right away. She says she was too late, but he says, even if she’d been there sooner or been here the whole time, there was nothing she could do. She’s here now and that’s all that matters. She says, they had a baby girl and she’s gone. They hug.

Alexis tells Kristina that she’s so sorry, but they’ll get through this. She promises. Kristina closes her eyes, and alarms start to go off. Alexis yells that they need help.  

Sonny goes up on the roof. He takes his jacket off and puts it on the ledge. He looks down and flashes back to saying Dante’s forsaken him and Dante saying he’s trying to save him. He’s reached his limit and he’s done protecting him. If he commits a crime, now he’s going to face the consequences. He remembers talking to Kristina in the ladies’ room at the wedding reception and her being afraid of him and remembers Josslyn calling him a criminal and a liar, and saying she’ll never forgive him. He flashes back to Anna saying, the days of him thinking he can skate are over, and kicking him out of her office. He hears Molly saying that Kristina went to see Ava because of him and almost died because of him. Her daughter is dead because of him.

Tomorrow, Laura tells Doc that sometimes it pays to be in politics; Anna feels Ava isn’t being truthful; and Sonny stands on the ledge talking to someone in his imagination.

Below Deck Mediterranean

We ended last week with the captain telling Bri and Ellie: Everyone here is replaceable. You’ll be on the ferry going back. You both.

Ist day of charter. Through her tears, Ellie says she’s behaved responsibly and is a good leader and teacher. She’s had no issues or problems with anything. Captain Sandy says, Aesha came to her. Aesha is doing what she can to keep the peace. The last thing she wants is to let them both go, but she has to think about this. Be kind and get through charter. Ellie wipes her eyes and Bri curses in the laundry. The captain calls Aesha to the bridge, and Jono asks Bri to meet him in the galley. In Jono’s interview, he says, you learn baking in culinary school.  He skipped that part of the job. He asks Bri to help him with dessert. Aesha brings food with her to see Captain Sandy, since she hasn’t had a chance to eat. The captain says she had a talk with Bri and Ellie, and they still both… Aesha says, they don’t like each other and at the end of the day, it’s a toxic thing in the workplace. Captain Sandy says, the way it’s going, she’s going to have to let both of them go, but she has to make sure they have a crew. Aesha thanks her, and the captain says, it’s her job.

In Gael’s interview, she says she’s never jumped from one relationship to another this fast. She knows Nathan pretty well, but she doesn’t want to ruin the moment by thinking too far ahead. Aesha tells Ellie to start setting up for the goddess party, and in Aesha’s interview, she says, she feels like it’s always something. If it’s not professional, it’s personal, and if it’s not personal, it’s professional. She feels like she’s failing as chief stew because she doesn’t know what the answer is. In Ellie’s interview, she says her head shouldn’t be anywhere near the chopping block. She’s going to keep her mouth shut and put up with Bri’s bullsh*t. The goddess dinner table is set, and Captain Sandy asks Aesha if Ellie and Bri share a cabin. Aesha says, yes. Can she change that? The captain says, if that’s what she wants, do it. That’s what happens when you’re the boss. Aesha calls Bri and Ellie to meet her in the crew mess. Gael is there, and Aesha says she’s glad because they’re going to swap cabins. Bri will bunk with her, and Ellie will bunk with Gael. Gael jokes that they have to get their sh*t together, and Nathan eats a rib bigger than me. The guests tell primary Coleen, happy birthday, and Aesha tells Bri to do cabins. Seafood pasta food porn is served, with chorizo filling in for the scallops for the non-seafood lover.   Ellie sets up the slumber party and makes tents. Aesha tells Jono that the guests loved the meal, and he dances. Joe plays piano and makes up a song about Bri and Ellie – ♫ I’ve already had one and now it’s time for two ♫ – and Nathan and Iain lose their sh*t laughing. Unfortunately, Ellie is within hearing distance, and when she says she’s enjoying the music, Joe asks if she likes the song. She says, it’s beautiful, but she thinks she heard plenty. He says, it’s just a joke with the boys, and in Ellie’s interview, she says, that motherf***er got attention from her once. Now he thinks he can get whoever he wants, but not her. She’s dried up.  

There’s an ad for Goddess perfume. Coincidence or wise placement?

Ellie tells Aesha that the fort is completed, and Joe practices singing Happy Birthday. At the table, the guests reminisce about Coleen. Aesha brings in the gold cake, while the crew sings Happy Birthday much better than the last time. Aesha thanks Coleen for letting them share her birthday, and Coleen cries. Joe goes on and on about not knowing Ellie was there to anyone who will listen. Aesha tells the guests, it’s pajama party time, and Coleen tells them, get your jammies on, ladies. The set-up is very cute, a large tent with little white lights. Some of the guests ask for porn star martinis, but guest Nikki says she’s not liking the drinks. Aesha asks Ellie what she’s putting in them, and Ellie shows her. In Aesha’s interview, she says, the job of the second stew is cocktails and decorating. Ellie can decorate, but her cocktails suck and she mislabeled Jono’s pants. She never knows what she can rely on with Ellie. Nikki tells Aesha that she’s got to teach Ellie how to make martinis, and Aesha promises she will. On the phone with her friend, Bri says, she and Ellie’s fighting is affecting others and now she has to change cabins. Her friend says, at least she’s not with that bitch. The guests go to bed, and Ellie says she needs this trip to end. Me too.

Guest Stacy is up early in the morning and asks Bri if she can get in the jacuzzi. Bri calls Nathan and he sets it up with Gael. After Stacy is finished with her tub time, Chief Engineer Ionel tells Nathan that there’s no hot water because no one closed the valve. Ionel tells Captain Sandy about it, and she says, mistakes like that shouldn’t happen on charter 5. She calls Nathan and Iain to the bridge and say she doesn’t want to do this after the tip meeting. The jacuzzi valve was open, so there was no hot water. Even though it’s Gael’s responsibility, Nathan cops to it, and the captain says, it’s not a small thing. In Captain Sandy’s interview, she says, thankfully, it didn’t become a guest problem. It’s a leadership problem, which makes it an Iain problem. A lot of little things keep happening that shouldn’t happen by charter 6. We flash back and wow. It’s definitely a lot. She says, it’s a systematic issue. Systems need to be in place, which is something Iain failed to do.

Iain calls Nathan and Joe on deck, and says, it’s his fault even if it’s not his fault. They’ve got to check the valve. In Joe’s interview, he says, he understands why Nathan took the blame, but he doesn’t agree. Coleen tells the captain that the food is phenomenal. The chef kicked butt. Nathan tells Gael about the valve, and says he told the captain that they were both there, even though she turned on the jacuzzi. Gael doesn’t think Nathan should take the blame and wants to take responsibility for it with the captain. She goes to the bridge and tells Captain Sandy that she apologizes. She turned on the jacuzzi. The captain says, Gael’s not in trouble. When she says something, it’s to educate and tell them to try to work on this. Gael thanks her, and in the captain’s interview, she says she loves when people take accountability. It was a mistake. Gael is visibly nervous, and she’s accountable. The captain wishes Iain would do more of it. Nathan says he hates getting sh*t the last day, and Joe says, Gael isn’t a princess; she’s a deckhand. They dock, and the captain says, good pivot. They’re meeting in five minutes to see the guests off.

The guests say goodbye, and Coleen says, it was amazing. They made her birthday memorable. They’re not an easy bunch. She thanks them, give the captain the tip envelope, and the guests leave. The captain says, good job. Now she’s taking the tip envelope shopping. I think she’s joking… She tells the crew to get in their reds and turn the boat around. In Joe’s interview, he says, Ellie has every right to be upset and he’s going to apologize. They clean the boat, and Bri finds a mess in the laundry. She sings, ♫ why this so annoying? ♫ and in her interview, she says she wished everything would be different when she came back. Did she make a mess or did Ellie? She thinks Ellie might be sabotaging her. She tells Ellie, in the future, don’t move the laundry, and Ellie says she’s sorry. Bri says, don’t do laundry. She’ll do it. Ellie says, okay, and when Bri sees Aesha, she says she’s taking full responsibility for the laundry and told Ellie not to do it. Aesha says, they can’t have that, and Bri says she doesn’t want her doing it. Aesha says, it’s not about what Bri wants. She’s running the boat. If Bri is on break and Ellie has a spare moment, she’s not going to not do laundry. Nothing personal.

The crew goes to the salon for the tip meeting, and the captain says, they had great guests. They were pretty awesome. The client loved the food, so she wants Jono to keep doing what he does. It seems to be working. As far as disagreements, she knows how they feel, and their mental status is important. By charter 5, they’re tired and they don’t get much rest. She thinks they need a reset, and the owner has arranged a day out. They’ll start with the Acropolis, followed by a day at a beach club. It’s going to be an awesome time. Aesha yells like Tarzan, and Captain Sandy says, the tip is $21,500, $1790 each or 1500 euros each. Aesha is amazed at the amount for one day. The crew gets ready to go out, but Ellie says she needs sleep. She wants to start fresh. In Ellie’s interview, she says, she’s over the drama with Bri. It’s the same thing over and over, and she’s completely emotionally battered. She doesn’t have it in her to be around other people. She needs to sort herself out. Joe whines that he upset her, since all worlds revolve around him.

In the taxi, Nathan explains what happened with Joe singing, and Jono says, it was a song about who he should choose. We flash back to Joe singing, ♫ I’ve already had one, now it’s time for two ♫, and Ellie hearing. Aesha says, oh my God, and Jono says, how cringe. In Bri’s interview, she says, Ellie triggers her, but hearing someone talking about you and being there, the feeling of your heart sinking… She feels sorry for Ellie. Joe says he’s going to tell Ellie that he’s sorry, but Aesha says, don’t.

The drinking commences, and Aesha says she hopes Bri doesn’t feel she’s hard on her. Bri says, Aesha is the reason she picks herself back up, and Aesha says, if she wants to be on service, she can’t let her lows show. Bri seems surprised that she does, and Aesha says, big time. In Aesha’s interview, she says, Bri is very emotional, but she understands why Bri isn’t being fired. She does cabins well, and when she helps with breakfast service, she does that well. The laundry is her Achille’s heel. If she could do that and get the squabbling sorted out, she could be a great stew… Well, maybe not great, but a good stew… Well, a passable one… Well, maybe just a stew, but not a bad one. Joe tells Gael that she came to him with an aggressive attitude, and she says she had a rough morning. She didn’t want Nathan to take the blame for something she’d done. Joe says, it made him annoyed, and she says she went to the captain. Joe says he didn’t want her to have princess treatment, and she says she’d never take princess treatment. He says he didn’t know that. All he saw was Nathan taking the blame. In Gael’s interview, she says, she’s not entitled. Better fix it up. She says she’s telling him and now he knows. The crew heads back to the boat because, beach day.

Aesha says her two favorite things are history and the beach. Nothing can bring her down today. She’s going to look at old sh*t, then tan. Just let her do that. Bri tells Ellie that she heard about Joe on the piano and she’s sorry. Ellie says he was taking the piss out of both of them. She didn’t want to upset Bri, so she didn’t say anything. She wanted to tell Joe, bitch, I got NFL players in my DMs. The group gathers to leave, and Ellie says she feels like a new person. They go to the Acropolis, and Aesha reads factoids out loud as they walk. They can see the Parthenon from where they are, and in Aesha’s interview, she says, she was picturing herself here, and she acts out a scene about her delivering goods to the Acropolis that the survival of civilization depends on. On the boat, Captain Sandy tells her laptop, download, you mofo, and has never been more relatable. In Ellie’s interview, she says she’d like Joe to take accountability. She has no intention of speaking to him unless he apologizes. His behavior caused the rift that has now threatened her job. Jono asks if Gael is going to say yes or no to Nathan’s proposal, and in Nathan’s interview, he says he hopes he and Gael can do something outside of charter season, just the two of them, and see if they can make this something. Aesha says she’s hungry and wants a cocktail. They move on to the beach club.

They sit in a little tent with a table in it and order drinks. Aesha says, Joe is quiet, and Nathan says, they all have their moments. Nice work, team. Ellie says, when she heard Joe’s song… Nathan says, she wasn’t happy, and she says, it sounded disrespectful. Nathan says he’s just staying quiet, and in his interview, he says he’s not dealing with this. Joe can. He’s gone. He leaves the table, and Joe (aka Mr. Insightful) says, he’s upset her, hasn’t he? There are crickets for a moment, and Ellie says, it was disrespectful. He says, it was just a little song with the boys. It was a playful moment. She says she doesn’t give a sh*t. It was disrespectful. He says he’s sorry he offended her. He knows he’s a pr*ck. She says she doesn’t accept disrespect, and he says, she doesn’t deserve it. He apologizes. She says she appreciates it. It’s kind of him. In Ellie’s interview, she says she can see he means it and has remorse. He’s immature and his ego got carried away. She doesn’t think he was being malicious, so she’s happy to forget about it. Nathan slips back into his chair, and Jono says, no more singing. The server brings what looks like pizza, and everyone dives in. Aesha says she’s proud of everyone, and they chant, Mustique! and clink glasses. Ellie says she’s ready for the beach, and they go to a cabana. Some of them get in the water, and Bri twerks. Aesha says, it’s the first time she’s seen Ellie… Jono says, enjoy herself? Ellie dances and everyone clinks glasses again. Nathan asks if he can kiss Gael, but she says he has to take her on a picnic first. In Gael’s interview, she says, it’s not like she doesn’t want to kiss him, but she hates PDA. (Me too.) They go back to the boat, and Aesha says, they needed today. Jono says, 100%, and Aesha says, it’s nice and early, but he says he still hates to leave. In Ellie’s interview, she says she thinks it’s healthy for her and Bri to part ways. She can start fresh and focus on herself rather than what Bri is doing.  

Zea Marina. 7 hours to charter. Aesha says she hates that Gael is leaving, and Gael says she wants to cry. Captain Sandy says, it’s going to be windy, and she wants to get off the dock early. She tells the crew that they’ll be receiving the provisions and guests on anchor. She calls Aesha, Jono, and Iain for the preference sheet meeting. She says, it’s a short charter with a late arrival. The primary is Mahisha, who founded a natural hair care brand Curls. She’ll be joined by her husband and friends. Jono reads that the guests want every meal to be a culinary masterpiece that rivals any Michelin restaurant. Captain Sandy asks Jono, whatchu gonna do, boo? She asks if they feel good going into the next charter. They’re going to have fun.

The move happens, and in Bri’s interview, she says, you know what they say, that distance makes the heart grow fonder. Captain Sandy tells Iain that they’re going to leave as soon as possible. Otherwise, they’ll be stuck at the dock. Jono says he’s going to make a charcuterie board to welcome the guests. He can make it look more dramatic than it is. In his interview, he says, he doesn’t think any Michelin restaurant has only one chef. He’ll do his best, but he might be f***ed for this one. They go to the Bay of Zea, and the captain says she’s missing a red shirt. The one she was given isn’t hers. She gives it to Bri, and Aesha says, everyone should label their clothes at the beginning so there’s never a mix-up. Bri says she doesn’t know where the other one is, and Aesha wonders how it can go missing. Bri looks for it, and Aesha says, such a sh*tshow. In Aesha’s interview, she says, unfortunately, she can’t fully trust her stews. We flash back to the many laundry issues this season, and she says she needs to be on all the time. It’s not sustainable to maintain this. She hopes this works out. They need to get to the bottom of what’s going on. She tells Ellie to only do rags, napkins, and towels. Then they can see where the problem lies and can prove it. In her interview, she says she had a lightbulb moment. She can go for it in a way where no one can point a finger. She tells Bri that Ellie is allowed to come in the laundry and explains the new system. If something that belongs to a person goes missing, they’ll know it’s 100% her fault, but if she keeps making these mistakes, Aesha will have to consider letting her go.  

This season, Jono serves a guest raw food when it could kill her; Captain Sandy says she has to fire Jono; Athens; guests find the couch an eyesore and want it moved; Bri tells Ellie that Joe is playing both of them; Captain Sandy says something is a fireable offense; Ellie says she’s being made a scapegoat; a new stew arrives: Nathan says, Joe is going for another one; the new stew is a pathological flirt; and a bad storm floods the boat.

🦸‍♂️ Everything and More, Peanut…🐺

How did I love this movie? Let me count the ways. If you only see one thing on the big screen this year, it should be this movie. The jokes come so fast and furious, I would have watched it a second time if I could have. The action? Incredible. The special effects? Magnificent. The cameos? Sublime. And Dogpool? The new love of my life. Deadpool and Wolverine are the best pairing since Romeo and Juliet. Even better, since – spoiler alert – neither of them drinks poison and dies. Although there are deaths a-plenty and more Deadpool variants than you can shake a katana at. I’m hoping this film’s thunder keeps rolling for a long time to come. I’m also hoping this isn’t the last film. Although how can it be, when Disney is going to make Hugh Jackman do this until he’s 90?

https://ew.com/deadpool-wolverine-elektra-blade-gambit-x-23-action-scene-breakdown-exclusive-8687405

Some of the guests.

https://people.com/jennifer-garner-shares-how-she-got-marvel-fit-for-deadpool-and-wolverine-8690592

https://people.com/ryan-reynolds-says-deadpool-wolverine-costar-channing-tatum-was-born-to-play-gambit-8690676

https://ew.com/chris-evans-shares-behind-the-scenes-look-at-his-deadpool-and-wolverine-cameo-8687115

https://people.com/chris-evans-says-ryan-reynolds-offered-him-cue-cards-for-his-surprise-monologue-in-deadpool-and-wolverine-exclusive-8689836

An almost was. How could he turn this down?

https://www.indiewire.com/news/general-news/ryan-reynolds-nicolas-cage-ghost-rider-deadpool-and-wolverine-1235032716/

I always stick it out for the credits, and I have to admit, when I saw Wrangler for Hugh Jackman, I wondered where I could apply for the job.

https://ew.com/ryan-reynolds-daughter-deadpool-and-wolverine-role-on-set-for-hugh-jackman-8684962

All the records broken. Sit on it, Titanic.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/deadpool-and-wolverine-box-office-record-second-weekend-1235965690/

🐚 Seashell Wishes…

Join me tomorrow for soap and Dubai talk. Until then, stay safe, stay creating an alternate weather plan when having a party, and stay remembering, good or bad, young or old, all we have is right now.

Aug1

July 31, 2024 – Sonny Wants To Teach Jagger a Lesson, Her Mom, In LA, Fab Noel, She’s Sued, New City, Revealed Dragons, More Pool, Game To Come, Nope & Dear

Posted on by
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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Molly knocks on Kristina’s door, and Kristina says she still didn’t sign the papers Molly left there. Molly tells her to trash them. Even better, she’ll tear them up herself.

Scotty says, Laura is a compelling witness, but Ava wonders about that, considering the negative press Laura’s gotten lately. Scotty says, Laura was her mother-in-law, and she’s lucky Laura is going to bat for her at all, since she and Nikolas are divorced. It’s weighty, but they need more. Sonny will call Carly, who will lie about what he had for breakfast with conviction. Ava says she’s not worried. Carly won’t be as convincing after she’s convicted of RICO charges. (She’s clearly out of the loop.)

Carly and Michael show up at the pool, where Wiley’s birthday party is still going on. Donna runs to Carly and hugs her.

Dante finds Anna in the interrogation room and says, the arraignment is happening as they speak. Michael and Sonny are there. She says, at least Sonny hasn’t been brought in in handcuffs. They’re ahead of the game. Dante says, it was a close call. Sonny took a swing at Cates, but it didn’t connect, and Molly saw the whole thing. She asks if charges were filed, but he says, not as of yet. She says, that’s a relief, and he says he followed up on Brennan at the hospital. Same deal as Pentenville. There was no record of him. Anna says, he’s at the WSB station in DC. He’s been reinstated, but she doesn’t think he ever lost his status in the first place. John walks in and says he and Anna need to talk in private, and Anna tells Dante that they’ll pick this up later. John tells Dante, a word of advice. Put a leash on his father or his father is going to find himself locked up. Dante leaves.

In his office on the phone, Sonny tells Brick that he needs a location on Jagger… Let him know when he does. Sonny opens a drawer and reaches for a locked box, but there’s a knock at the door. Jason comes in, and Sonny says he has nothing to say to him. Jason says, that’s fine. This time he’ll do all the talking.

Molly asks how Kristina is feeling, and Kristina says, the baby is fine, but Molly says, how is Kristina feeling? Kristina says, her feet and back hurt and she’s sleeping sitting up, but other than that, she’s great. It’s totally worth it. Molly says she doesn’t want Kristina too stressed, but Kristina says, Molly could have fooled her. Molly says she never should have come by with that document, and Kristina wonders if Molly really expected her to sign it. Molly says she got scared when she heard the interview. She was blindsided that Kristina and Blaze looked like the happy expectant couple, and Kristina didn’t say otherwise. Kristina says she explained that, and Molly says she and TJ are the expectant couple. They’re preparing the nursey and she’s working hard so she can get maternity leave. TJ is taking a leave of absence so they can watch the baby Kristina claims is hers. Kristina says she didn’t do that and would never… Molly admits she leapt to conclusions. It’s not a court of law, and she shouldn’t do that with her sister. She shouldn’t assume the worst and sincerely apologizes. Can Kristina forgive her?

Carly says she’s happy to see Donna, and Donna asks where she was. She missed most of the party. Wiley runs over and hugs Carly, and Carly says she’s sorry she’s late. She was trying to explain to Donna that she had a problem, but it’s solved now, and everything is fine. She’s glad to be here. The kids bring her over to the cake, and Carly asks Josslyn to watch the kids for a moment. Josslyn takes the kids, and Willow says, so? Michael says, the charges were dropped, and Maxie asks how that happened. Michael says, lack of evidence. It disappeared. Maxie says, amazing, and Carly says, isn’t it though?  

John says, Anna erased something from the database of the most secure system in the world. The prosecution agreed to the defense motion to dismiss the case and Carly skated. Three years of time and effort handling Jason is down the drain. Anna says she thinks he’s conflating the two situations. Pikeman might not have had a resolution to his liking, but the FBI has enough evidence to shut the company down. The case against Carly had nothing to do with Pikeman. John says, Carly dared him to charge her, and he had enough evidence to convict her. How miraculously convenient that it’s gone, and Anna doesn’t seem surprised or bothered. She made a deal with Jason, didn’t she? He let her boyfriend Valentin get away in return for the disappeared evidence against Carly.

Jason explains what happened after he went to Greece and tells Sonny that he wasn’t offered a phone call or representation. Cates started playing the recording that incriminated Carly and said they had her dead to rights. He made it clear that Jason had to work for him, or Carly would go to prison. Sonny says, so they sat on the evidence for over a year, and Jason says, maybe they were waiting for an opportune moment. Sonny wonders if Jason was asked to give him up, and Jason says, he was, but he refused. That’s when Cates brought up Pikeman. The FBI wanted proof of their illegal arms sales and who was in charge. In exchange for that, they wouldn’t charge Carly. Sonny asks if it’s his fault now, but Jason says he’s just explaining his decision. Sonny asks why Jason didn’t come to him when they asked him to spy on Pikeman. He knows all about Jagger. He’s Jagger’s number one target. He always has been. Jason says, Sonny is right, but Cates didn’t make it obvious until now, and Sonny says, Jason didn’t trust him and went behind his back. Jagger played him, and now he’s got to protect himself. He’s got nobody else to protect him.

Michael tells Willow that he still can’t believe it, and she says, the evidence disappeared? He says he doesn’t know how or who, but he’s grateful. They watch the kids, and he says his mom is the heart of the family. She says, too bad Sonny can’t see this. It’s the perfect opportunity to set aside their differences. He says he tries not to take it personally, but he thinks there are other things going on, and she says, like what? He says, Sonny attacked Dex, and yesterday he had to stop Sonny from punching Cates outside the courtroom. He barely managed to grab Sonny’s arm. Donna is lucky both of her parents are free today.

Anna says, John gives her too much credit. He thinks she disappeared the evidence, but she doesn’t have access to that database and wouldn’t even attempt a breach of that magnitude. He says, the WSB are the only ones with that kind of tech, but she says she’s not WSB. She’s the Police Commissioner of Port Charles. She’s watched him trash her jurisdiction and harass the citizens. Maybe if he was more focused, he could have better handled the evidence. He says, whoever did it tried to frame him by using his credentials, and Anna says, he’s going to have to answer to his superiors for that. He asks, what happened to her? He wants to know. Why did she turn from her promise to protect and serve? She says, that’s what she’s doing, and he says, by literally climbing into bed with the enemy? Valentin escaped and Sonny is going free because of her. Well done. She’s protecting and serving… them. He stomps out. (He’s been doing a lot of that lately.)

Kristina says she rewatched the interview and saw how Molly interpreted her response as coy and suggesting it was her and Blaze having a baby. But just to be clear, that’s not what she meant. Molly says she understands that now. Emotions were raw. Kristina says she just wants it to work out and for the baby to be healthy and grow up safe, happy, and loved. Molly says, she wants that too, but she also wants them as sisters to be okay, and Kristina says she wants that too. The whole reason she agreed to this is because she loves Molly so much. She hates that it’s coming between them. Molly says, it doesn’t have to, when there’s a knock at the door. A guy asks if Kristina is Kristina Corinthos-Davis, and she says she is. He hands her an envelope and says, you’ve been served.

Scotty’s phone rings, and he tells Ava, it was a notification that Kristina has been served. Ava says, Kristina has always been so entitled like her high and mighty mother. She’s going to come crashing down to earth when she has to admit what a brutal lunatic her father is. Scotty says he’s going to enjoy it. It’s the least Sonny deserves after everything he’s done. She says, Kristina might not realize it now, but this is the kindest thing she can do for her little sister, and he says, she’ll fight on the stand. She’s very loyal to her father. Ava says she’s not worried. The odds are when Sonny sees his beloved Kristina take the stand, he’ll have a meltdown.

Sonny says, Jagger is obsessed with him and will keep coming at him unless he puts Jagger down, but Jason says, Cates was damaged in court. He overreached and there are going to be repercussions from the FBI. They can watch him go down in flames. Sonny says, it’s his problem and he’ll deal with it. He doesn’t want Jason involved. End of conversation. Dante comes in and says, sorry to interrupt, but maybe it’s good he did. Jason says he was just leaving. He tells Sonny that last night, Cates offered to let Carly go if he testified against Sonny, but he refused… again, and he leaves.  

Michael tells Willow that his dad’s attitude toward him has been more volatile lately. His mom thinks Sonny is off his meds, but Sonny insists he’s not. Maybe this is how he is now. He’s sorry. He doesn’t want to get her down. They should go back to the celebration. What did he miss? She says, Wiley was hanging with the kids and having a great time. She’s so blessed that she gets to watch him grow up. Thanks to Michael. Michael says, they’re lucky because they have her in their lives.

Josslyn tells Carly that Donna is having a blast, and Carly says, Donna adores Josslyn. Josslyn says, the feeling is mutual, and Carly says she’s glad they have each other. When she thought she might go to prison, she was making a mental list of things to tell her about Donna in case she wasn’t here. Josslyn says, she doesn’t have to worry about that now, and Carly says she couldn’t bring herself to tell Donna that she was trying to one-up a rogue FBI agent. Josslyn says, she’s too young to understand, and Carly says she’s sorry she put Josslyn through this.

Molly says, whatever that is, she has nothing to do with it, and Kristina takes papers out of the envelope. She says, it’s a subpoena for family court. She’s being summoned to appear at Avery’s custody hearing. Molly asks if it’s for Sonny, but Kristina says, no, Ava. Molly looks at the papers, and Kristina says she can’t testify against her father. Molly says, she has no choice, and Kristina asks what she says. Molly says, tell the truth. Diane will mitigate the damage in her cross examination. Kristina says, Diane can’t spin this. Ava knows she saw her father beat up Dex and knows Kristina can’t stand her. Molly says, Diane will rehearse with her. Keep her answers as brief as possible. Kristina says she can’t be the reason dad loses custody of Avery.

John goes to Ava’s hotel room, and she says, John doesn’t look happy. He says he’s not. Carly walked. The charges were dropped. The audio file mysteriously disappeared from the FBI database. She asks if they don’t have a backup, and he says, of course (🍷), but a copy is inadmissible. They have to prove it’s not faked or tampered with. The chain of custody is essential. Now he has no leverage against Jason and he’s no closer to putting Sonny behind bars where he belongs.

Dante asks what he walked in on, and Sonny says, Jason was explaining how Jagger was forcing him to infiltrate Pikeman, but that’s not what this is about. He’s the target for Jagger. He always has been. Jagger wants to take him down, and everybody says he’s paranoid. Dante says he believes Sonny. Cates crossed the line. The problem is, Sonny can’t cross the line with him. He’s got to stand down.

Ava says, maybe John overreached. Counting on Jason and Carly to give up Sonny was never going to be a reality. They’ll be loyal to the bitter end. John says, no. He had them. He knew they would flip to save each other. Whoever erased the file screwed him. She says, he’ll find another angle to get Sonny, and he says he’s sorry. He knows she’s worried about her case too. He thought if Sonny was locked up, she wouldn’t have to go through with the custody case. She says, there’s still a way for her to get what she wants.  

Molly says, short of a medical emergency, Kristina will have to testify or be held in contempt. Kristina says, what if she doesn’t answer the questions? and Molly says, she’ll get a contempt citation, and perjuring herself is an actual crime. Kristina says, only if they can prove it, and wonders who else was subpoenaed. Molly says, maybe Dex, and he’s a cop now, and Kristina says, there has to be some way out. How can she avoid testifying? Molly says, she doesn’t. She’s sorry. No matter how much Kristina hates getting on the stand, she has to swear to tell the truth about what she saw her father do.

Maxie says, Carly must have been going out of her mind worrying about the kids, and Spinelli says, the evidence was like a dagger over Jason and now he’s finally free. Maxie says, good news all around, and Spinelli says, and a reminder of what can be lost in an instant. She says, he’s usually an optimist, but he says, seeing how this played out made him assess certain priorities and recommit to them. That’s her and the kids, their family.

Carly says, if the evidence hadn’t disappeared, she’d have been sent to prison just because she lost her temper, but Josslyn says, it’s okay. Carly says she literally taunted an FBI agent into arresting her. How stupid. Josslyn says she loves how Carly didn’t let John walk on her, but Carly says she had more to lose than gain. She wants to learn from her mistake. There’s a time to stand up and a time to stand down. She should have thought more about Josslyn and Donna. Josslyn says, Carly might have been impulsive and reckless, but she loves her and she’s happy Carly is free.  

Jason goes to see and Anna, and says, she heard. She says, it’s a good day. The charges against Carly were dropped and the FBI no longer has leverage over him, and it happened in one fell swoop. Jason says he was wondering who to thank. He has it on good authority that even the best hacker couldn’t delete the file. Anna says she wanted to talk to him about that. She owes him. Valentin wouldn’t have gotten away if he hadn’t cooperated. She has a debt to repay. He asks if that’s what happened, but she says she had nothing to do with the audio file disappearing. He says, who did?

Maxie says she knows she and the kids are a priority. Spinelli shows her that every day. But that doesn’t mean she wants him to stop doing what he does, as long as he’s careful. He says he took every precaution, and she says, he hacked the FBI. She realizes how loud she’s talking and lowers her voice, saying, he’s amazing. He says he wants to assure her that before he does anything else impressive, he’ll talk to her first and they’ll weigh the risk. He won’t do it if she doesn’t like it. She says, deal, and Carly says she’s sorry to interrupt, but can she ask Spinelli for a minute? Maxie says she has to check in with the office and leaves. Carly sits down and thanks Spinelli, but he says he didn’t do anything to delete the file.

Anna tells Jason that she found Jack at the WSB in DB. It’s as if the last few months never happened. Jason asks why he did that, and she says, he didn’t confirm it, but her theory is that the WSB wanted to get out from Pikeman. Jack set himself up to get arrested and the WSB laid a trail of breadcrumbs to control the pace, giving them time to sever ties. Jason says, leaving Brennan and the WSB to walk free. What about Valentin? Does she think he was in on this? She says, probably. She doesn’t know to what extent. She thinks they bankrolled his disappearance and hopes he and Charlotte are somewhere safe with new IDs. He says, it makes sense, and she says, except for one thing. Why did Jack help Carly?  

Ava tells John that Kristina was just served with a subpoena to testify against her father. She can try to avoid Scotty’s questions, but she’s going to have to testify that she was a witness to her father’s attack on Dex. John says, that’s good news, and Ava says she predicts a spectacular meltdown in front of everyone. Everyone can see with their own eyes that Sonny isn’t a suitable parent for Avery. He says, assuming Sonny doesn’t have a meltdown before that. He provoked Sonny, and Sonny nearly assaulted him. He’s a ticking time bomb and it’s just a matter of time before he goes off.

Sonny asks why he should sit back and let Jagger come after him. That son of a bitch needs to be taught a lesson. Dante says, if he goes after Cates, he’ll give Cates what he wants. He’s smarter than that, so do the smart thing and step back. Sonny asks if he thinks Jagger will go away. He’s got a lot to prove. Dante says, his case was thrown out. Let his bosses deal with him. Maybe they’ll put him out to pasture, but not yet. If Sonny doesn’t back off, he could open himself up to federal charges.   Sonny says he’s heard this before. The law comes first. Dante’s a cop first and his son second. Why should he listen to what Dante is saying? Dante says, Sonny can only push everybody so far, even him.

Jason asks if Anna thinks Brennan intervened, and she says she does. A while back, he talked about how he enjoyed Carly visiting him. She thinks he meant it. And when she was in Washington, he commented that he wasn’t in the business of ruining good people’s lives. It’s a huge risk to break into the FBI database, which begs the question, why would Jack go to the trouble of saving Carly?

Carly says, Spinelli didn’t get rid of the evidence? and he says, not for lack of trying. He was able to gain access to the account, but couldn’t delete or corrupt the file. She says, if not him, then who? and he says, maybe someone on the inside, but she says, the only person who knows about the file is John, and he didn’t do it. Spinelli says, someone invested in her freedom. She must have a guardian angel.

Molly suggests Kristina sit down and take deep breaths. She’ll make tea and coach Kristina. They’ll prep together. Kristina asks if Molly wants to or does she feel obligated, but Molly says, of course (🍷) she wants to help Kristina. Aside from the incident at the wedding, is there any other reason Ava would want her to testify? Is there something she knows about Sonny that she’s sitting on? Kristina says, the only reason Ava called her was to get her to talk about the wedding, and Molly says she’ll make some calls. She’ll find out what else has been filed. Kristina says, what if she never has to take the stand? What if Ava changes her mind? Molly says, that would be unusual. It can happen, but it’s not going to. Ava has no reason to withdraw the subpoena. Kristina says she supposes not, and Molly goes to the kitchen. Kristina says, unless she gives Ava a reason.

Ava says she thought of something. That little ruckus between John and Sonny. Would John be willing to testify? John says, it would be his pleasure. Don’t forget Michael was there too. Ava says, Kristina and Michael both witnessed their father’s out of control behavior, and he says he just wants one person to rat on that bastard. Ava says she’ll do her best with a little help from her friend, he says, anytime, and they kiss. (Blech.)

Dante asks if Sonny is doing this again. If he’s not with Sonny, he’s against him. He’s not Jagger Cates. He’s trying to help. If Sonny wants to go after Cates, he’ll fall into his trap. Sonny’s phone rings, and Sonny says, sorry. He’s got to get this. It’s private. Dante says he doesn’t want to hear it anyway, and leaves. Sonny asks Brick, where’s Jagger?… With Ava, in the suite. Good. Take a lot of pictures.

Tomorrow, Blaze doesn’t know where she and Natalia go from here; Lois asks if Brook is willing to take on Sonny; and Sonny tells Kristina not to worry. She’s not going to have to testify.

🧴 Adding Soap To Content…

This is actually pretty funny.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/nancy-lee-grahn-and-daughter-kates-hilarious-soap-star-tiktok

💰 Listing Those Millions…

Tracy was still trying to unload the house in the path of an apartment building and a flight pattern. JoshF was given a week to sell a house he thought was overpriced, the seller insisting Josh wasn’t showing it to the right clientele. Although when his assistant found a dead rat in a pool considered a selling feature and he refused to remove it, I thought, maybe it is him. JoshA checked out a property with developer Max that he thought could be listed at $120 to $150 million after being rebuilt – in its own stratosphere. We learned from JoshA, the only thing worse than not finding a property for a client is finding them a property and not being able to put a deal together.

Next time, JoshA finds JoshF a house that he says is just like JoshF- annoying and over the top.

Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles Season 15, Episode 4 Recap: Know When To Walk Away

🎄 Needing a Fabulous Little Christmas…

The best I could find was a recap in video form, but it’s not bad. Kind of like a condensed version of the show.

https://www.accessonline.com/videos/my-big-fat-fabulous-life-whitney-glenn-thore-crash-hunter-karens-date

💸 Brooks Taught Her Nothing… Or Everything…

This isn’t exactly surprising. Vicki has always been about making the buck.

Vicki Gunvalson Sued for Financial Elder Abuse by 74-Year-Old Woman

No surprise either that Teddi jumped in.

Teddi Mellencamp Throws Shade at Vicki Gunvalson Amid Financial Elder Abuse Lawsuit

⚰️ The City That Never Dies…

The latest on Dead City’s Season 2.

https://people.com/the-walking-dead-dead-city-unveils-season-2-teaser-comic-con-2024-8683308

🐉 Leak In the House…

Welcome to the internet.

https://ew.com/house-of-the-dragon-season-2-finale-leaks-tiktok-hbo-responds-8686991

🦸🏻 Pool Floaties…

Their original plan. Which would have been kinda mean.

https://ew.com/deadpool-and-wolverine-almost-showed-bad-fake-movie-in-theaters-as-joke-8683653

He won’t dance. Don’t ask him.

https://people.com/ryan-reynolds-not-dancing-nsync-deadpool-wolverine-8685672

Be sure to check out Hugh Jackman’s reaction to the final battle.

https://comicbookmovie.com/deadpool/deadpool-wolverine/deadpool-and-wolverine-star-ryan-reynolds-shares-video-of-audience-reaction-to-spoiler-a212419#gs.cf621z

The box office.

https://deadline.com/2024/07/deadpool-wolverine-tuesday-box-office-record-1236027253/

🐙 Squid On the Menu…

What’s coming and when it’s ending.

https://comicbook.com/anime/news/squid-game-season-2-release-date-netflix/

https://comicbook.com/anime/news/squid-game-season-3-2025-netflix-final-season/

🐶 TikTok Fail…

Yep. They don’t care who you are. They will embarrass you every time.

https://people.com/courteney-cox-posts-hilarious-video-of-her-dog-failing-hands-in-challenge-8685113

🍦 Follow That Ice Cream Truck…

Join me tomorrow for soap and talk of oranges. Until then, stay safe, stay never diving into the shallow end, and stay knowing that there’s a time to stand up and a time to stand down. 

Jul27

July 26, 2024 – John Gives Jason a Proposition, Warden, Wives For the Date, Star Winner, Just Us Girls, Game Of Game, They’re Here, Video Video, Critic Blast, It’s Snowing, First Look, A Half Dozen Quotes & Hot

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Madison says, Nina’s lunch date is confirmed, the ad copy is on her desk, and her 9 am appointment with Enchantment has been canceled. Nina says, why? You don’t just cancel an appointment with Erica Kane. That woman is notoriously difficult. Erica made her last assistant wear burlap for an entire year just because she booked her a layover on her flight to Beirut. Madison says she didn’t know you could fly direct to Beirut, and Nina says, you can’t. That’s the point. Madison has left her in a difficult position. Why would she cancel a meeting with Erica Kane and risk her wrath? They walk into Nina’s office, and Michael is sitting in her chair. Startled, Madison drops everything in her hands, and he says, because your boss needed to talk to you.

There’s a knock at Kristina’s door and she opens it to Molly. Kristina asks if they had plans and she forgot, but Molly says, no. She just wanted to stop by. Kristina says, perfect timing, because she’s been dying to talk to Molly about the Perez Hilton interview. It’s been great to see how everyone’s been responding with such support. There’s this lesbian influencer who’s super powerful on Instagram, and she said this: Kristina and Blaze clearly love and support each other and are a great example of how to remain true to yourself while negotiating a difficult family situation. Isn’t that so empowering? Molly says, yeah, and Kristina says, so she saw the interview obviously. Wasn’t it great?

Anna opens the PCPD folder on Jack Brennan, and it’s empty. Dante comes in and asks if it’s a bad time, but Anna says, it’s fine. What’s up? He says, Sonny’s downstairs. Did she want to see him? She says she doesn’t have anything to charge him with, so no, and he says, fair enough. He starts to leave, but she calls him back. She tells him to shut the door. She has an update on Jack Brennan. He says, the guy they arrested at Bobbie’s last year, and she says, oh good. She wasn’t imagining him then. He asks what that’s supposed to mean, and she says, he’s disappeared from Pentenville. It’s as if he was never there.

Jason thanks Diane for coming, and she says, of course (🍷). She assumes this is about Carly. She’s doing as well as can be expected. He says he knows her arraignment is in a few hours. She’s pleading not-guilty, right? Diane says, she is, and he says he can help with her defense. She says, fantastic. How does she exonerate Carly? He says, by giving him up in her place.

Carly is brought to the interrogation room where Sonny is waiting. He tells the officer to take the cuffs off. She’s not violent and she’s not going anywhere. The officer says, those were the FBI’s orders. The prisoner is just with the PCPD until she’s transferred to federal holding, so they’ll be put on as soon as they’re done talking. He leaves, and Sonny says, Jagger has gone too far. He’s going to do everything he can to get her off. She says, no. Don’t do anything. Let Diane handle it. Please. How’s Donna? He says, Donna doesn’t know anything yet, and Pilar is there to make sure she doesn’t get upset. Carly says, good, and he asks, what’s going on? He saw her get arrested by Jagger. He wanted to jump in, but Diane said, don’t even think about it. She says, what’s going on? He died and she took his place.

Jason tells Diane that he’ll take responsibility for everything that happened at that meeting. He’ll say he fed Carly every word, that she was just a figurehead, and he was the one making all the decisions. Diane says, it’s a novel idea… and a complete waste of time.

Nina helps Madison pick everything up, and Michael says, sorry to spring this meeting on her at the last minute, but Nina says, it’s fine. As he clearly stated, he’s her boss and she’s at his disposal. He thanks her for being so accommodating, and she says, he did put her in a bit of a bind. When the subject of this sudden cancelation comes up, and it will, she’s going to forward Erica Kane’s calls to him. He says, that’s fair. He’s happy to handle it. She thanks Madison and asks her to hold her calls. And don’t go far. She may need a witness. Madison says she’ll be right outside. She leaves, and Michael says, it’s interesting that she warned her assistant when they struck a truce, and Nina says, they did, but if she’s learned anything, it’s that when they have a meeting together, it could go sideways very quickly. He says he can’t disagree. So he’ll get straight to the point. He needs her help.

Kristina says, Molly isn’t saying anything. Does that mean she disagrees? She doesn’t think it went well? Molly says, no. From what she’s heard, the response has been really good. She’s sure a lot of people found Kristina to be very sympathetic. Kristina says, huh. Interesting choice of words. People, but not her. Molly says, TJ had some thoughts about the interview, and Kristina says, about which part? And why isn’t he the one here talking to her about this? What’s TJ’s problem now? Molly says she’s not going to speak for TJ, but they talked about it last night, and in order to settle his concerns – she takes out a folder – she agreed to bring by these papers for Kristina to sign. Kristina asks what this is about, and Molly says, her giving up her parental rights.

Molly says, Kristina is functioning as a surrogate for her and TJ, but she’s also the egg donor. And as their mother so eloquently pointed out, according to the laws of the State of New York, she’s legally the baby’s mother until she relinquishes her parental rights. Kristina looks through the papers, and says, not relinquish – terminate. That’s what these papers say over and over and over again. Terminate. Molly wants her to terminate her parental rights? Something relinquished can be taken back. Something terminated can’t. That’s a pretty big difference, doesn’t she think? Molly says, in order for her to legally be the baby’s mother, Kristina has to terminate her rights. This is what they agreed to in the beginning. Kristina says, let her get this straight. Molly and TJ saw the interview she did where she poured her heart out to the entire world, and this is their response? Molly says she doesn’t understand what the issue is here. Kristina is about to give birth. She’s going to have to sign these papers at that time to give her and TJ the baby. Why not just sign them now, when things are calm and there’s time? What possible reason could she have not to?

Dante says, when Anna tells him that Brennan disappeared, she means he escaped Pentenville? How? She says, that’s a good question. How do you escape from somewhere when you weren’t there to begin with? He asks what she’s talking about. They arrested this guy. They put him in a car and watched him get taken to Pentenville. She says, and she visited him there more than once. According to Pentenville’s records, Brennan was never in their custody. There’s no digital record of him, no paper trail, no video surveillance. He was never in intake, and he was never assigned a cell. It’s like Brennan’s association with Pentenville has completely vanished. Dante says, there have to be witnesses there who saw him and spoke to him, and she says, you’d think. Maybe she can rustle up a CO or two, an inmate maybe that can place him there. But at the end of the day, it’s not proof. It’s just hearsay. She says she’ll show him the best part, and hands him Brennan’s folder. The PCPD’s records have been purged also, both physically and digitally. He sees the folder is empty, and he says, this is crazy. Who has the power to erase the records of an inmate’s entire existence and buy the silence of that many people?

Michael says he understands Nina has a long-standing connection with Congressman McConkey, and she says, he went to Princeton with her father. She’s known him for her entire life, but Michael’s family also goes way back with him. He says, Tracy and his grandmother do, but he doesn’t want to get Tracy involved in this because she has a tendency to stick her nose into things that are none of her business. And his grandmother isn’t doing well, so he’d rather not ask her. But from what it sounds, Nina’s connection with McConkey is closer. She says, that’s probably true, but he still hasn’t told her what he wants, and he says, an introduction. She asks if he didn’t meet McConkey at the 4th of July party, but he says, it was very brief. All they really did was exchange small talk. What he needs is some face time. She asks, why is that? and he tells her that he’d rather not say. She says, he’s asking her to exploit a decades long family friendship with the congressman for his mysterious purposes? She’s sorry, but she’s going to need a lot more information before she puts McConkey on the spot. He says he needs to ask McConkey for a favor, and she says, is this for ELQ? Is ELQ in trouble? Is it Aurora? Should she be worried about Crimson? He says, no, don’t. They’re both fine. She says, then if it’s not a business matter, it’s personal, and he says he needs McConkey to help his mother.

Carly says, while Nina was keeping Sonny all to herself in Nixon Falls, the rest of them thought he was dead. And the Five Families (spaghetti sauce) were circling, ready to take over his territory. With him gone, they were racing for the opportunity. He says, anyone who would stake a claim on his business would be a target, and she says, that’s right. So she and Jason had to make a show of strength to prove to them that the territory was in safe hands. But Jason was hurt, and he couldn’t make it to the meeting with the Five Families (calzones), so she was the only option. He says he already knows all that. What he wants to know is how the FBI charged her with RICO violations. She says, someone at the meeting was wearing a wire. The FBI has a recording of her announcing that she was taking control of his entire organization. He says, that was a long time ago. Why are they digging in now? She says, because they have another use for the recording. They used it as leverage over Jason. The FBI played the recording for Jason and told him that they would charge her with everything they could unless he worked for them. That’s what Jason’s been doing, keeping her out of jail while working undercover for John Cates. (We see Sonny is starting to track.)

Diane says she was hoping Jason was going to give her documents or witnesses or, best case scenario, proof that the FBI’s recording had been improperly procured. Something she could actually use. He says, just use him, but she says, that’s a non-starter. The FBI’s evidence against Carly is hard. That recording is damning. He tells her, not if he says he coached her, and she says, that’s only going to tack on another conspiracy charge. It’s Carly’s voice on that tape. Carly was at the meeting. There’s no getting around that. He knows taking responsibility is only going to implicate him right alongside her. Who’s that going to benefit? He says, all he’s got to do is convince one juror there’s reasonable doubt and the whole thing’s worth it, and she says she promises that is not how this is going to work out. He won’t save Carly; he’ll condemn himself and strengthen the prosecution’s case against her. She knows he has the best of intentions, and actually, she could use his help in another aspect of this case. He says, what? and she says, her defense strategy will be to spin the story. She’s going to present Carly as a sympathetic defendant. Convince the jury that she lied at that meeting to saved herself and her children from a group of vicious mob bosses suspected in a wide range of crimes, including several brutal murders. That she feared for the lives of her children and herself, and that she literally bluffed to save her life, lying to these people to push them away. Jurors love stories like that. He says, Carly told him that Diane said her chance of acquittal is what? 30%? She says, they can do better than that… not much better.

Nina says, Carly was arrested? and Michael says, his mom was very publicly handcuffed down in the lobby. He thought the news would be all over the building by now. She says, her former MetroCourt employees don’t really have a reason to gossip with her anymore. What was Carly arrested for? He says, the charges don’t really matter. This whole thing is the work of this rogue FBI agent who has a vendetta against Jason and his mother and probably Sonny too. This agent needs to know he’s not above the law himself. She says, which McConkey can give him through congress, and Michael says, yes, exactly. McConkey is on the House selection committee for Intelligence. He could buy influence on his committee, but he feels a personal touch from Nina would be more subtle. She says, and safer. No money trail. It’s all very Watergate sounding, and they all know how that turned out. He says, according to the law, it’s only illegal if money actually changes hands, and she says, and they both know he’d do anything to save Carly. He would hand over that money in a heartbeat. So he’s asking her to potentially commit a crime to cover up Carly’s crime. Now is he ready to be labeled co-conspirator with her?

Sonny says, so Carly was arrested. Things must have broken down between Jagger and Jason. Carly says, Jason was supposed to do one more specific job for Cates, and then Cates was going to cut him loose. Jason kept up his end of the bargain, then Cates double-crossed Jason. He said he was going to send Jason to some prison somewhere to go undercover. He says, lying bastard, and Carly says, she and Jason got in a big fight. He said he’d rather keep working for Cates than see her tried and charged. He says, let him guess. Jason won. She says, he made her promise not to turn herself in, so she agreed, and he says, she lied to him, but she says she didn’t lie to him. She didn’t want to turn herself in, but when she saw Cates there in the MetroCourt, and he made a jab about Jason, she lost it. She couldn’t help it. He says he was there. He saw. She basically dared him to arrest her. She says, right. So here they are. He asks how she found out about this, and she says she found out about the recording about a month ago, and he asks if Diane knows about this. She says, Diane has to know because she has to work on a defense, and he asks what Diane says her chances are. She says, the odds are not in her favor, and he slams his hand down on the table.

Jason says he knows Diane will do her best and her best is better than anybody else’s. He just doesn’t see how Carly’s going to beat this. She says she’s sorry, but short of getting that FBI recording destroyed or having it deemed inadmissible as evidence, Carly will be arraigned and charged this afternoon. With any luck, she’ll be granted bail, and a trial date will be set. Then they prepare to go to war. He asks what she wants him to do, and she says she wants him to slap on a suit and tie and show up every day to that courtroom. Let Carly see him in her corner. He’s calm and he’s steady. Because the prosecution could clinch its case against her by provoking a courtroom meltdown out of her. They don’t want that. Are they clear? He says, they are, and she says, excellent. Now if he’ll excuse her, she has to go over her notes. He says, one more thing. Can they undercut Carly’s case by tarnishing Cates? She says, it could work. It’s worked before. But Cates’s testimony is going to carry a tremendous amount of weight simply because he’s FBI. There’s a presumption of authority and integrity. (Really? In 2024?) They’d have to come up with something substantial in order to make a jury doubt Cates. He says, it may be possible. He knows someone who can get them information on Cates. And she owes him.

Anna says, Brennan’s disappearance has the WSB written all over it, and Dante says he can see that, but to what end? Doesn’t this guy out of a prison cell open up a whole can of worms for the WSB? She says she thought that too, but then she’s wondering if freeing him solves more problems than it creates. He says he guesses so. But if they want to shut him up, he knows something they don’t want him to, why not just put him in a hole in Steinmaur and throw away the hole? She says, it’s possible. The only way of figuring this out is cornering the WSB with proof of their involvement. He says, Brennan was admitted to GH for a stabbing that happened in Pentenville, right? and she says, yeah. He says, the hospital has to have records of him being there, unless the WSB wiped those too, and she says, if he could check on that, that would be awesome. He says he’ll take care of it right now, and she thanks him. He says, this guy is the WSB’s problem, isn’t he? Why does the PCPD care what happens to Brennan?

Kristina says she’s kind of flying blind here, so can Molly just tell her what she said that upset her and TJ so much and gotten them so worried? Wait. This wasn’t because Perez asked her about the baby and she said it was private, was it? Molly says, it’s just common sense. You can’t sit down for an interview with Perez Hilton, be visibly pregnant, and when he asks about it, say, sorry, it’s private. (Um… yes, you can.) Kristina says, the interview wasn’t about the baby. It was about Allie and her and Allie’s mother. It wasn’t about the baby at all. Molly says, don’t act like she didn’t see those questions coming. She can’t be that naïve. Kristina says she’s not naïve. She was trying to protect Molly and TJ. She didn’t want to drag them or this baby into a mess that was really about Allie and her personal private life, and it’s now all over the news. Molly says, she made it seem like this baby was hers and Allie’s, but Kristina says, no, she didn’t. Molly says, there was a simple explanation that would have avoided all confusion. She only had to say that she was acting as a surrogate for her sister and left it at that. Instead, every lesbian on the internet is so excited about her and Blaze being parents, they’re all posting about which onesie they should buy them. Kristina says, that’s insane. That is not what’s happening. She’s shocked. She can’t believe Molly would misinterpret something she said this badly. Molly asks what she’s misinterpreting. It’s what they all heard. Kristina says, fine. Why doesn’t she call Kelly Ripa and tell her that she has an exclusive? Molly, her sister, has endometriosis and she was devastated to find out she can’t bear children, so she’s helping her sister and her partner by helping them become parents. Is that what she wants? Would she have preferred that? Would that make her happy? Because actually, she was just trying to take the attention off of Molly, but hey, if she really wants to become the public face of endometriosis, have at it. Molly says, she’s being ridiculous, and Kristina says, is she? Molly says, all she and TJ wanted was for Kristina to be clear about whose baby she’s carrying. Kristina says, then that’s what Molly should have told her before she did the interview. She’s sorry if anything she said was taken the wrong way, but this wasn’t her intention. This wasn’t her fault. Molly says, of course (🍷) not. Nothing ever is. Kristina didn’t even tell her that she was doing this interview, but they’re talking in circles, and she needs to get to the office. So can Kristina just sign these papers so she can go… Sign the damn papers. Kristina throws them down on the table and says, no.

Molly says, they have an agreement. Kristina has to sign these papers. Kristina asks if they can just talk about this for a minute, and they sit down. She doesn’t think it’s a good idea for her to sign the papers right now. Molly says, yes, it is. Kristina is about to give birth and she can’t legally adopt her baby until Kristina terminates her rights. Kristina says, there’s issues in play right now that weren’t happening when they agreed to this, and Molly says, what issues? Kristina says, her and TJ, and Molly says, what about them? Kristina says, what if they break up? and Kristina says she and TJ aren’t breaking up. That’s not even a question here. Kristina says, maybe Molly is too close to it and doesn’t want to see it, but things have been really rocky lately. Molly says, that’s so condescending of Kristina to think she can tell her about her own relationship, and Kristina says, maybe Molly doesn’t want to see it and she’s sorry to say this, but it’s true. She can’t deny there’s been so much tension between them lately. They can’t stop fighting. Molly says, all they fight about is her. So according to her, now she and TJ are going to break up because they fight? That’s what couples do. They fight and they make up and they wind up stronger for it. But Kristina wouldn’t know anything about that because she has never, not one single time, been able to keep anybody around long enough to form a real relationship. All she has is a string of embarrassingly misguided attempts with men, a crush that drove her teacher out of town, and a messed-up infatuation with a woman who was so ashamed of being gay that she was still in the closet until her mother caused a national uproar by publicly outing her. Look in the mirror. She’s not equipped to be a mother. She can barely take care of herself. (Needless to say, this doesn’t make me like Molly any more than I don’t already.)

Nina says, if this is found out, how does she know Michael won’t shift the blame entirely on her? and he says, nobody’s going to believe Nina cares enough about his mother to do something illegal to help her. Nina says she can’t argue with him there, and he says his mom is facing RICO charges because of the actions she did to protect her family when his father was in Nixon Falls. And that only happened because of Nina. His mother wouldn’t even be in this position if Sonny had been in Port Charles conducting business as usual. She says, so she owes him one? and he says, she owes his family. She can make this right with one phone call. All she has to do is get him a meeting with McConkey, and he’ll persuade McConkey into opening up an official inquiry into this FBI agent’s twisted vendetta against his family. She says, if she agrees to this, are they finally square? and he says he’ll give her something that’s even more important to her. When his mom goes free, he’ll make sure Willow knows all the credit goes to her.

Anna tells Dante that Brennan is also connected to this other case that’s unfolding right now, which is Carly’s. Agent Cates used evidence of Carly’s involvement in Sonny’s business to force Jason to work for the FBI. Dante says, okay. He knew Jason was an informant, and knew Jason was working for the FBI and they got him to flip. He just didn’t know how. It surprised him, but Carly explains it. She says, Agent Cates kind of showed interest in Brennan and implied at one point Brennan might have leverage over him. (I must have missed that, but they do have a tendency to make it up as they go along.) Dante says, and she wants to figure out what that leverage is? and she says, yeah. Either Brennan has committed such terrible crimes that the WSB just doesn’t want him to see daylight ever again, or he means something else to the Bureau entirely, and she wants to know which it is.

Sonny tells Carly that Jagger always had a chip on his shoulder because he took care of his brother Stone when he was dying of AIDS, and Jagger couldn’t show up. Jagger has been trying to take him down for 30 years. And you know why he can’t? Because he doesn’t know how. Now Jagger thinks he’s going to come at him through Carly and Jason? She says, he’s right. Cates is after him. But Sonny isn’t the only reason he’s here. He came to Port Charles for another job, something to do with Pikeman. Sonny says, that was his official reason, but Jagger will never pass up a chance to take him down. Does she know the way he does it? Jagger builds himself up by tearing him down. He started with nothing, he has nothing, and he’s going to die with nothing. He swipes a load of Styrofoam cups off the counter and says, no way in hell is Jagger sending his little girl’s mother to prison.

Kristina says, wow. Is that what Molly really thinks of her? Molly says she would feel infinitely better if Kristina would just sign the papers, but Kristina says, no. She can’t sign those papers right now. There’s too much uncertainty. If Molly and TJ break up, then she and TJ are the only ones with legal claim to this child. She has to be sure they’re going to make it before she signs those. Molly asks when that’s going to be. What’s the test? What criteria of commitment do she and TJ need to meet for her? Kristina says she doesn’t know, and Molly says she thinks when they do, Kristina is just going to come up with another reason not to sign the papers. This isn’t about her and TJ. This is about Kristina. She’s been lying to them this entire time and the truth is now coming out. She wants to keep this baby, doesn’t she? Kristina says she does wonder sometimes if maybe she and Allie would make better parents for this baby right now. Maybe they would be able to provide a more stable home than her and TJ. That’s all. Molly laughs, when there’s a knock at the door. Kristina says, let her get rid of them, but Molly says, don’t bother. This is going nowhere, and she needs to get to work. Kristina opens the door to Natalia, who asks if this is a bad time. She should have called first. Molly says, don’t worry. She was just leaving. Kristina says, wait. She thinks Molly forgot something. She indicates the papers, but Molly walks out without them.

Nina says, Michael sure knows how to sweeten a deal, and he asks if that’s a yes. She says, everyone knows that she’ll do just about anything to make sure her relationship with Willow is on track for good, but if she agrees to do this, it has to include peace with him as well. She’s sick of the ugliness between them. They have to put it behind them, in the past. He says, her getting him a meeting with McConkey will be a good start, and she says, if this is found out, it may or may not be bad for them. She doesn’t know, but does he know who it’s going to be bad for? Drew. Can he imagine the uproar if the media finds out that the nephew of McConkey’s handpicked successor leaned on him to tip the scales in his mother’s favor? It would be the end of McConkey’s legacy and the end of Drew’s campaign. He says, all he’s doing is bringing the acts of a rogue agent to McConkey’s attention. He’s sure he’ll be able to avoid even the slightest hint of impropriety. Drew will be fine. She says, he sounds confident about that, and he says, it’s just a conversation. One that will work to all of their benefit. So what does she say? Do they have a deal?

Kristina folds the papers and asks what she can do for Natalia. Natalia asks if Allison is here, but Kristina says, no. She’s out with Brook. Natalia says, that’s unfortunate. She was hoping to talk to them both together, but she can come back another time. Kristina says, no, don’t. She’s already here, and Kristina would rather they just have it out now. What is this about? Natalia says she came by because she wanted to… Saying thank you falls very short.

Carly says she knows Sonny is angry, but he can’t get arrested too. The officer comes in and asks, what’s going on here? Sonny says, Jagger is going to regret ever messing with him, and walks out. Carly tries to follow, but the officer says, she’s not going anywhere. It’s time to get her back to her cell. She says, not yet. He’s got to call Dante Falconari and have him come down here. She needs to talk to him.

Jason opens the door to John and says, he made a big mistake coming here. John says, what is he going to do? Beat him up? Jason says he was thinking more along the lines of reporting him for witness tampering, but John says, he still doesn’t get it. Jason is his witness. And when Carly’s trial starts, the US Attorney is going to put him on the stand, and they’ll produce a piece of paper with Jason’s signature on it, showing that they made a deal. Then the attorney will ask Jason why he agreed to work with the FBI. He can stonewall all he wants, but eventually, they’re going to get him to admit the truth, that he did it for Carly because he knows she’s guilty. Carly dug her own grave, but Jason is going to be the one who buries her in it. (I don’t see how this is going to make the FBI look any kind of good.) But there is still one way he can stop that from happening.

Natalia says she saw the interview Kristina and Allie did with Perez Hilton, and they were both very, very generous towards her. They were much more generous than she deserved. Kristina says she doesn’t really believe it’s right to police people’s speech or their perspectives, and Natalia says, that’s very big of her. Kristina says, don’t get her wrong. If someone refused to hire her or rent her an apartment just because she’s gay, she’d be livid, and honestly consider suing because that’s discrimination and that’s not okay. But someone just not approving of her or not agreeing with her lifestyle, she just doesn’t let it affect her because everyone is entitled to their own opinions. Natalia says she honestly doesn’t know what she believes anymore from one hour to the next, and it’s pretty disconcerting. But she has to say, Kristina’s live and let live attitude is a value she holds dear. She just needs to do better at living it. She’s just glad they can talk, and they can be honest with each other. Kristina says, okay, yeah. Just to be clear, she believes Natalia is entitled to her own thoughts and opinions, but she doesn’t have to like them, and she doesn’t. Natalia says, fair, and to be clear on her end, she admires Kristina’s principles and respects what she said.

Michael says he has McConkey’s office number pulled up. Do he and Nina have a deal? Nina says, he’s going about this the wrong way, and he asks if she’s turning him down. She asks if she said that. If Michael calls McConkey’s office, he’ll have to get through his bulldog of an assistant. He should call McConkey’s cell. Deal with him personally. She takes out her phone and calls McConkey. She says she’s calling because she’s going to be in DC next week and she thought they could go to that Italian place they both love… No. She insists that this time she’s paying… Okay, great. And she’s going to bring a friend. He’s a great guy, very interesting, very influential. You’re going to love him.

Dante says, Carly wanted to see him? and she says, Sonny’s lost it. He’s out of control. He asks what she’s talking about. What happened? She says, there isn’t time. He’s got to find Sonny. He says, where did he go? and she says she doesn’t know. But if Dante finds John Cates, he’s going to find Sonny. Sonny went after Cates, and God knows what will happen if Sonny finds him.

In his office on the phone, Sonny tells Brick to get him a location on Jagger Cates now… No. He’s not at the MetroCourt anymore. Carly kicked him out. He opens a locked box with a gun inside, and says, yeah, he’s sure. He loads the gun and says, do whatever you have to do. Find Cates for him. He practice aims the gun.

John says he has a proposition for Jason, but Jason says, no. John failed to honor their deal. He’s not taking any new assignment from him. John says, he doesn’t have to go undercover. He doesn’t even have to leave Port Charles. And in the end, he can run back to his beloved Carly, who will be out from under the threat of prosecution for good. All Jason has to do is deliver Sonny to him.

On Monday, Kristina tells Alexis that if she’s going to make a move, it has to be now; Ava says she needs to know that she can trust someone; Carly says, there’s something important she needs Michael to do; and Sonny tells Dante, just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you. (Truth!)

🔐 Going Dutch…

I’ll have to look for him the next time I watch The Devil Wears Prada.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/thats-dutch-johnson-playing-warden-hayes-on-general-hospital

👠 Another Kind Of Scary Island…

This just sounds embarrassing. Hopefully they don’t keep the title Love Hotel. That just makes it sound worse.

Real Housewives Dating Show Headed to Peacock, Featuring Shannon Beador, Luann de Lesseps, and Ashley Darby

🥂 For the Food Win…

I didn’t really keep up with this, although there’s always Hulu. An extra congrats to LVP.

Why Jess Druey Was Destined To Win Gordon Ramsay’s Food Stars

🍸 Speaking Of…

Maybe having kids knocks the voice of reason into your head. She and Lala have made more sense than anyone else lately.

Scheana Shay Says She ‘Doesn’t See How We Can Continue’ Vanderpump Rules ‘With Everyone’

👑 Back In the Game…

Maybe he knows a little something by now. The ad is really cute.

https://people.com/kit-harington-ad-for-game-of-thrones-mobile-game-8684224

🦸🏻‍♂️ At a Theater Near You…

It’s here and apparently doesn’t disappoint. I probably won’t go this weekend, but I’m not letting this one wait for streaming.

https://www.thedowneypatriot.com/articles/review-deadpool-amp-wolverine-is-exactly-that-and-its-awesome

Getting in the pool.

https://ew.com/chris-evans-deadpool-and-wolverine-johnny-storm-interview-exclusive-8684326

Missing the boat.

https://comicbookmovie.com/deadpool/deadpool-wolverine/deadpool-and-wolverine-bts-photo-reveals-one-cameo-that-didnt-make-the-cut—spoilers-a212334

The soundtracks have all been good. Since popular music isn’t often included on a soundtrack album, probably because of royalties, it’s great that we can just make our own now. Even better that someone compiled the titles.

https://www.thewrap.com/deadpool-and-wolverine-soundtrack-all-the-songs/

And last, but not least for the producers, the climbing box office.

https://deadline.com/2024/07/box-office-deadpool-wolverine-1236022761/

💥 From Gamer Screen To Big Screen…

Apparently, we’ve run out of original plot ideas, and are once again turning to video games. I haven’t hated it so far though, and this looks like another winner.

https://ew.com/borderlands-movie-adaptation-comic-con-2024-cover-story-8676778

https://ew.com/borderlands-cast-nothing-meaner-than-unhappy-gamer-comic-con-2024-exclusive-8684739

https://www.cbr.com/borderlands-final-trailer/

Just the facts, Jack.

https://www.space.com/borderlands-movie-release-date-plot-cast

🎬 Hardest Working Man In Hollywood…

I’d fight someone who put Tyler Perry down. I love his films, but nobody writes nighttime soap like he does. And he’s an angel to those who work for him.

https://ew.com/tyler-perry-blasts-highbrow-critics-of-his-movies-8683311

🦛 And You Get a Snow Day…

It’s kind of like a Christmas in July sale.

https://people.com/arizona-zoo-holds-summer-snow-day-for-animals-8682491

Pekingese In Snow

🐶 As It Should Be…

This is too precious. His wife is a definite keeper.

https://people.com/groom-surprised-by-dog-during-first-look-ahead-of-wedding-8680685

📢 Quotes of the Week

My past has not defined me, destroyed me, deterred me, or defeated me; it has only strengthened me. – Steve Maraboli

Fear imprisons, faith liberates; fear paralyzes, faith empowers; fear disheartens, faith encourages; fear sickens, faith heals; fear makes useless, faith makes serviceable – and, most of all, fear puts hopelessness at the heart of life, while faith rejoices in its God. – Henry Emerson Fosdick

Ever since I was a child I have had this instinctive urge for expansion and growth. To me, the function and duty of a quality human being is the sincere and honest development of one’s potential. – Bruce Lee

For most of us the problem isn’t that we aim too high and fail – it’s just the opposite – we aim too low and succeed. – Sir Ken Robinson

I did come for the flying squirrel, but I want to stay for something more. – Whitney Thore, My Big Fat Fabulous Life

There is only one question to ask yourself: What would you do if you were not afraid? – Unknown

🚶🏽‍♀️ On the Beaten Path…

Enjoy your weekend, whether in the sun or in the air con, then join me on Monday for soap and a cringeworthy Deck. Until then, stay safe, stay using sunscreen (yeah, I’ve said it before and I’m saying it again), and stay not policing people’s speech or perspectives, but fighting against discrimination.

Jul26

July 25, 2024 – Carly Tells John To Come & Get Her, Ric’s Return, Her Experience, Sutton Stops By the OC, They’re Here, InstaNepo & Soak

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Anna goes to visit Jack at Pentenville, but the warden tells her, there’s no prisoner here by that name.

Carly tells desk clerk Rick that she doesn’t want John’s luggage cluttering up the lobby. If he doesn’t them within the hour, put them in the street.  

Diane meets Sonny at the MetroCourt, and she says she wishes she had better news. Ava has a court order for visitation. As soon as Sonny filed for custody, she filed a counter motion, which allows her visitation. He says, so Ava can see Avery anytime and they can’t stop it? and she says, that’s it.

Ava tells John, it’s not that she doesn’t want to see Sonny brought to justice, but others have tried and failed. What makes him think he’d win? He says he has what he needs, a linchpin witness, someone who knows everything. They’re refusing to testify, but they’re about to change their mind because he’s sending them as far away from Port Charles as possible.

At the bus station, an announcement comes over the loudspeaker that the bus to Alexandria leaves in a half hour. (Which is funny, since yesterday, it was 15 minutes.) Jason looks at his ticket, when Danny walks in. (Told you.)

TJ finds Molly in an empty courtroom, and she asks if they have plans that she forgot about, but he says, no. They need to talk. She asks, what’s wrong with Kristina? and he says, Kristina and the baby are fine, physically at least. Did she know Kristina and Blaze were doing an interview with Perez Hilton? She asks, when? and he says, this morning. It’s already happened. She asks what Kristina did, and he tells her, see for herself.  

Sonny asks if they can stall and get supervised visits, but Diane says she recommends against it. Her advice is to cooperate with the court, lest Sonny appear to be punishing Ava by keeping her away from her child. He says his objective is to keep Avery safe, but she says, the court takes a dim view of using a child for leverage. He asks if she doesn’t think Ava is going to use Avery. She’s going to fill Avery’s head with lies about him. She says, they have to take the high road or Ava will play the victim, and he says, Ava is playing the damsel in distress for John Cates.

Ava asks how John sending his witness away is good news, and he says, they don’t want to leave Port Charles, and he’s giving them a compelling reason to stay. With the leverage he has, odds are, the witness is going to break and give him what he needs. Just sending him away will knock Sonny off-kilter and make him more unstable. (Apparently, John is a stupid, stupid man who doesn’t do his homework.) Ava says she likes the sound of that, and he says, Sonny won’t be able to control himself and will show the court that he’s unfit as a human and a parent. She says she can’t thank him enough. Who would have thought they’d go from their first meeting to this? He says, a lot has changed, and she laughs. She says she’s remembering him bursting in, all self-righteous, barking orders, and giving her the third degree. He says, she was quite the stonewall and lied to his face. Unless she does like Texas Hold ‘Em. She says, like she told him, she plays every chance she can get, and they kiss. (My stomach literally turns over.)

Jason asks how Danny found him, and Danny says he heard the announcement about the bus departure, and thought it was his best bet. Jason says, he’s a good detective, and asks if Dante drove him. Danny says, Yuri did. He’s outside. Is Jason mad that he’s here? Jason says he’d never be mad at Danny. He’s glad to see him, but he can’t tell Danny where he’s going. Danny asks if Jason can tell him how long he’ll be gone.  

Anna asks where Brannan was transferred to, but the warden says, there’s no record of him ever being here, but she says, that’s impossible. She has the dates. She checks her phone and says, December 9th, 2023, Brennan was sent to Pentenville. That’s here. He says he knows where he is, and she says, January 30th was her first visit. On April 5th, there was an altercation, and Brennan was transferred to GH because he was injured. On May 17th, she saw him there, and on June 11th, he was transferred from GH back to here. The warden says, his apologies, but their records don’t match. She says, this is insane. What if she subpoenas the guards and the inmate who stabbed Jack? Are they going to say she’s fighting a ghost? He says, she’s free to ask, but they may or may not remember. She says she’s going out on a limb here and saying, probably not, and he says, there are no supporting documents. According to their records, the guy was never here.

Sasha gives Violet a dish of Ants on a Log, and Violet says she doesn’t eat ants. Sasha explains that it’s celery, peanut butter, and raisins, and tells her to try it. Violet takes a bite and says, delicious. Maybe she does like ants. Sasha says, it was one of her favorite after school snacks, and Violet asks if her mom made it for her. Sasha says she lived with her grandmother. She was an amazing cook who taught her a lot. Violet says she doesn’t have a grandma. Sasha says, lots of people don’t, and Violet says, or a grandpa anymore. Sasha says she’s so sorry. She must miss him. Violet says, and her dad. Why does everybody have to leave?

Drew sees Willow with Wiley at the boathouse and says he didn’t mean to sneak up on them. He went in for a quick dip before he goes to Sawyer for a town hall event. Willow says, it’s really happening, and he says he’s nervous no one will show up. She asks, what’s the topic? And he says, an increase in funding for the libraries. She says, that’s important, and Wiley says he and his friends love the library. Drew says he wants to highlight that libraries foster communities and there’s more that unites us than divides us. Michael arrives, and I feel awkwardness in the air.

Ava says, this is a celebration that calls for a real cocktail. Martini? John says he’s a scotch guy, but she says she only has vodka. She offers to call downstairs, but he says he has a bottle in his room, and leaves. Ava sips her martini and says, really? An FBI agent? At least she keeps things interesting.

Jason says he doesn’t know when he’ll be back, and Danny says he believes Jason. He doesn’t just say things to say them. Jason says he wishes he could tell Danny everything. Remember when Danny found him in the boathouse and he said he needed help, but didn’t want Danny to tell anyone? Since then, they’ve gotten closer and spent time together. He’s grateful for that, but doesn’t want Danny involved in that part of his life. Danny asks if Jason is still in trouble, and Jason says he is. He made choices before Danny was born that are still affecting his life. Danny asks if he regrets them, and Jason says, in some ways, yes, in some ways, no. He regrets that he was taken away from Danny and wishes he could stay and be the father Danny deserves, but he can’t and that’s on him. He sighs.

John’s keycard doesn’t work. He tries it a bunch of times, then stomps off.

In the MetroCourt lobby, Josslyn thanks Gio for the ride. He sees Sonny with Diane and asks if she knows the woman Uncle Sonny is with. She says, that’s his lawyer Diane Miller. He says, they look serious, and she says, under normal circumstances, she’d tell him to go say hi, and he says, but not today. Got it.

Diane says she doesn’t like the sound of that, an FBI agent on Ava’s side who’s willing to testify against Sonny. Sonny says, John would love nothing more than to tear his family apart.

Josslyn tells Carly that she’s about to head out. Is she okay? Carly says, no. Physically, she’s fine, but she got bad news and she’s having a hard time dealing with it. They’ll talk at home. Josslyn says, now please, and they sit down. Carly says, Jason has to leave again. He doesn’t want to and she’s having a hard time. She’s sad and angry, but there’s nothing she can do. She has to deal with it.

Diane says, if the agent is willing to testify, he can tip the scales in Ava’s favor, and Sonny says, they can’t let that happen. She says she has no intention of it, and he says, speak of the devil. (I don’t get how John could testify on Ava’s behalf when he’s known her all of five minutes and hasn’t seen Sonny in 30 years.)

John tells Rick that his key card stopped working, and Rick says he’ll issue John a new one. Carly tells Josslyn to stay there, and goes over to the desk. She tells Rick that she’ll take care of it and to take a break. She tells John that his key doesn’t need reprogramming. He’s no longer a guest at the hotel. Take his luggage and get the hell out.

Michael says he got their note, and Wiley says he drew the pictures. Michael says, they’re almost professional, and Willow says, Amelia is asleep in her stroller. He sees the table is set, and asks, what is this? Willow says, a surprise picnic, and he says he loves it. Wiley asks if Drew wants to stay, but Drew says he’s got to get to Sawyer. Enjoy it, but save him a cookie. Wiley says he makes no promises. Willow tells Drew good luck, and Drew leaves. Michael asks, what’s in Sawyer? and Willow says, a campaign event. He says, so it begins, and she says she feels bad for Drew. He’s worried no one will show up. Wiley drags her over to the lake to look at minnows, and Michael gets on the phone. He says he’s going to need a favor.  

Molly tells TJ, when Perez mentioned Kristina’s bump and said, congratulations, she didn’t say the baby wasn’t hers. She said, thank you, and that it was a part of her, and Blaze’s lives that they wanted to keep private. The perfect couple committed to each other and the baby. TJ says, she just claimed their child on live TV. (I must accept this show is just going to annoy the hell out of me today. In addition to John and Ava, now these two, who overreact to pretty much everything and fill in the blanks with their own fantasy scenarios.)

Danny asks if Jason can call him once in a while, but Jason says he can’t. He’s sorry. But he’ll think about Danny and do his best to get back as soon as he can. Danny says, okay, and Jason says he hates this too. Danny says, they already did this, and he doesn’t want to again, and Jason says he knows. At least they can say goodbye this time. Even though Danny won’t know where he is, Danny knows he’ll be out there. Danny says, it’s better than nothing, and Jason says, this isn’t his choice. Danny asks, whose choice is it?

John asks if Carly is kicking him out, and she says she’s evicting him. He asks if someone complained, and she says, no. He asks, on what grounds she’s evicting him, and she says she’s co-owner of the hotel. She has the right to refuse service to anyone she likes… or hates. He says he thought they were friends, but she says, not so much. Sonny asks Diane if Carly is kicking John out, and she says, she sure is. John suggests Carly call her buddy Jason. He’s sure Jason will tell her to be accommodating. She says he doesn’t speak for Jason, and he says, she’d be surprised. She says, at this moment he has zero leverage over her. Does he think he can charge her with RICO violations because she’s a big bad mob boss? Here she is. Come and get her.

Sasha says, it must be a very confusing time for Violet, and probably scary and lonely. Violet says, it doesn’t make sense. So many people live here. Sasha says, but not the one person she’s missing the most. Violet says she can’t wait to see her dad, and Sasha asks if she’s keeping track of what she’s doing so she can tell him. Violet says she’s been writing in her diary every day, and Sasha says she lived for her diary when she was Violet’s age. Violet says she can’t let him read it because there are secrets there too, and Sasha says, as it should be. Does she feel lighter after she writes? Violet says, sometimes, but sometimes she’s more sad. Sasha says, it’s normal to have ups and downs, good days and bad days, and Violet says, Brook and Chase tell her the same thing. They told her that she can talk to them about anything. Sasha says, she can, and can talk to her too. The house is filled with people who love her and want the best for her. Violet says, that makes her pretty lucky, and Sasha says, the luckiest.

Willow says, rose and thorn, and Michael explains to Wiley that it’s the worst and best part of the day. Willow says, her rose was planning and setting up the picnic with Wiley. Her thorn was stepping in goose poop on their hunt for minnows. Wiley says, his thorn was a bug bite, and his rose was coming here. What about Michael? Michael says he has no thorn today, and Wiley says, boring. Michael says, waking up to his alarm was rough. His rose is this. Being with family is the best most important thing always. He takes Willow’s hand, and they kiss. Drew walks past.  

Molly says, Kristina led the public to believe the baby is hers and Blaze’s. She didn’t come out and say it, but she didn’t say it wasn’t. It’s out there now and as public as ever. TJ says, that was the goal, right? and she says she’s sorry. It’s what he’s been afraid of. She was afraid too, but didn’t want to admit it. Now it’s actually happening. She never believed her sister could actually do this. TJ says he didn’t want to believe it either. It’s not Molly’s fault. This is on Kristina. Molly says, she wants their baby to be hers, and now the whole world thinks it is.

Jason says he can’t tell Danny who’s calling the shots, and Danny says, but if not for this person, he wouldn’t be leaving. If he knew who it was, at least he’d have someone to be mad at. Jason says he doesn’t want Danny to be mad be. He wants him to be a kid, go to school, hang out with his friends. Danny says, Jason wants him to be distracted from missing him, and Jason asks if he’s wrong. Danny says, no, but it might be impossible. Jason says he’ll miss Danny too – he puts his hand on Danny’s shoulder – more than Danny knows.

John says, Carly doesn’t want to do this, and she asks if he’s speaking for her now. She’s not a mobster, isn’t involved in criminal conspiracy, and has nothing to do with RICO violations. She’ll be happy to prove it. Diane tells Sonny that she should intervene, but he says they should see what Carly has up her sleeve. Gio asks Josslyn if everything is okay, but Josslyn says, definitely not. John tells Carly, stand down, and she says she’s been standing down. She’s been biting her tongue, but she’s done. He’s a vindictive bastard with an ax to grind. He says, tell him how she really feels. If she wants it, he’s placing her under arrest. She holds out her wrists, and he reads her rights.

Drew says he’s sorry to interrupt. He hopes he left his watch here. Otherwise, it’s lost for good. Willow finds it, and their hands touch as she hands it to him. He thanks her and she says, of course (🍷). Michael says, Willow told him about town hall, and Drew says he’s hoping people show up. Michael says he wouldn’t worry. ELQ has manufacturing plants in Sawyer. Drew says, so? and Michael says he may have talked to the plant supervisors, asked them to spread the word, and instruct everyone to bring friends. Drew says, Michael has gone above and beyond. He appreciates it. Michael says he may have brought people to fill the seats, but Drew has to win them over. Drew thanks him again and leaves. Willow says, that was kind of him, but Michael says he didn’t do it for Drew.  

Molly says she knows her sister better than anyone. She has a flair for the dramatic. She loves the idea of being a mom, but has no appreciation for how to be one. She was asked a question about expecting, and she leaned in. She can’t resist the attention. If she’s not joining a cult, she’s having a baby. It’s not a trophy or an important cause. It’s a lifelong commitment. Kristina has gone too far. (Maybe it’s the water and everyone has gone insane.)

Carly says, go ahead and make sure he puts the cuffs on tight. John handcuffs her, and Sonny says, someone’s got to stop this. Diane says, let her handle it, and Josslyn says, what the hell? Carly says, it’s fine, and Diane asks, what’s going on? John says he thought it was obvious. Carly is under arrest for running a criminal enterprise. Josslyn says, she can’t go to prison. What about Donna? Carly says, Josslyn needs to find Jason. He’s at the bus station. Don’t let him leave. Josslyn asks Gio how fast he can drive, and he says, they’ll find out. They leave, and Anna walks in. She asks, what happened? and Sonny says he should have known she was in with Jagger. She says, just the opposite, and he says, coming at him is fine, but don’t come at him through his ex-wife. Anna says she’s not on board with that, and he says, then stop it.

Jason says he knows Danny is too young to ride his bike, but the key is in his room and Carly can give it to him. Danny says, the last time, his mom took care of the bike, and Jason says, it’s going to be Danny’s someday. Does Danny think he can maintain it while he’s away? Danny says he’s on it, and Jason says, maybe mom will take him out for a ride. Wear a helmet. Danny says, like mom would let him ride without one. Jason never wears one. Is this a do as I say, not as I do thing? Jason says, always, no matter what, and Danny promises, but says he thinks he’ll wait until Jason gets back to ride. He’d rather ride with him. The loudspeaker says, the bus to Alexandria leaves in five minutes and is now boarding. Danny asks if that’s Jason, and Jason nods and sighs.

Violet thanks Sasha, who says, next time, she’ll make Fish in a Stream with hummus and goldfish crackers. Maybe Violet could help her in the kitchen some. Violet says she could be Sasha’s apprentice, and Sasha says she can teach Violet some simple snacks and maybe a few meals. They can make a recipe book and leave some blank pages for Violet to fill in when she’s older. Violet says, Sasha can be like the cool grandma and teach her everything, but Sasha asks if she can’t be the cool aunt instead. Violet says, deal

Michael says he called in a favor for Willow. He knows how much Drew’s candidacy means to her, and she says, of course (🍷) she wants Drew to be successful. He says, a happy, lit up Willow is his favorite kind of Willow, and she says she lights up for him too. She loves him so much and family means everything to her too. Wiley says, Amelia is awake, and Michael asks if it’s a happy or grumpy awake. Wiley says he thinks happy. He gave her a cookie. Michael suggests they head back to the gatehouse, and Willow says she takes it back. This is her rose, the four of them heading home together. It’s everything she cherishes under one roof.

TJ says, Molly’s not going to talk to Kristina? but Molly says she knows what will happen. Kristina will get defensive and tell them that their assumption is way off. There’s only one way to handle this, through the law. (Wonderful. Open that can of worms and see where you land.)

Diane says, the time to drop this is now before it blows up in John’s face, and she assures him it will. Anna says, Carly isn’t a mobster, and it’s ridiculous to suggest otherwise. Diane asks if John was always this smug, and Carly and Anna say, yes, in unison. He says, Carly’s jail cell awaits, and Diane says she’ll see Carly there. It won’t stick. John says, want a bet? and on their way out, he locks eyes with Sonny. He says, let’s go, and he and Carly leave.  

Jason tells Danny to take care of himself, and Danny says, if Jason does too. Jason says he will, and Danny hugs him, trying not to cry. Jason tells him that he said it before, but he’s proud of him. The way he conducts himself is going to serve him. Danny says, he did it again, and Jason says, what? Danny says, he’s acting like it’s the last time they’re going to see each other. There will be a next time. Say it. Jason says, there will be a next time, and Danny tells Jason, you don’t just say things to say them. Jason picks up his bag, and Josslyn runs in. She says he can’t go, and he asks what she’s doing here. She says, Agent Cates just arrested mom.

Tomorrow, Dante asks Anna why the PCPD cares about Brennan; Sonny says, there’s no way in hell they’re sending his little girl’s mother to prison; and Jason asks Diane if they can undercut Carly’s case.

⚖️ Daddy’s Home…

My guess is that he’s going to be Molly’s counsel regarding the surrogacy.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/rick-hearst-returns-to-general-hospital

A refresher course, or just a course if you’re new to Ric.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ric-lansing

💔 Haters Gonna Hate…

It’s disgusting that a gorgeous, talented young woman has to deal with this kind of lunacy. I don’t know if she’ll be successful in turning minds around, but not engaging is wise.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-tabyana-ali-opens-up-about-the-online-racism-she-experienced

🍊 Single Orange Female…

The best part was Sutton meeting with new Housewife Katie and Gina. Katie was on the fence about Heather, and Sutton said she wouldn’t go up against Heather. She’d hide under the table. Well, if Sutton feels that way about someone, I’d listen. In her interview, Gina also pointed out that Sutton did way better in her divorce than she did. Sutton did better in her divorce than all of them put together, and maybe even Heather if she got divorced. We should all have such generous exes.

Real Housewives of Orange County Season 18 Episode 3 Recap: There’s No Crying in Flag Football

https://people.com/rhoc-recap-shannon-beador-calls-out-alexis-bellino-eerily-similar-relationship-with-john-janssen-8684059

🦸🏻‍♂️ The Futurepool Is Now…

No surprise, it’s already a box office smash.

https://deadline.com/2024/07/box-office-deadpool-wolverine-1236022761/

It’s always nice to have supportive friends, and it doesn’t hurt if they’re Taylor Swift either.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/taylor-swift-praises-ryan-reynolds-deadpool-wolverine-blake-lively-1235958388/

All the extra stuff.

https://www.ign.com/articles/deadpool-wolverine-every-marvel-easter-egg-cameo-reference-mcu

What to watch in preparation. The first two Deadpool films should go without saying.

https://www.thewrap.com/deadpool-3-what-to-watch-before-deadpool-and-wolverine-movies-shows/

🐕 It’s Not What They Know…

Ha-ha! Nepo pets. Claudia Schiffer’s cat carrier is everything.

https://nypost.com/2024/01/25/lifestyle/meet-the-nepo-pets-who-reached-celeb-status-thanks-to-their-famous-owners/

This never gets old.

https://www.eonline.com/photos/19657/celebrity-pets-on-instagram

🎣 Watching the Tide Roll Away…

Come and unwind from the week tomorrow with soap, what’s watchable (or not), quotable quotes, and a tune. Until then, stay safe, stay keeping the peace on social media, and stay not just saying things to say them.

Jul24

July 23, 2024 – Ava Snares John In Her Web, Soap Bubbles, Best Doc Ever, Meanwhile In Dubai, Almost Here, Latest Dragons, Old Throne, The Cutest & Shining

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

At the stable, Tracy hears someone behind her. She says, stop right there. She’s sleep deprived, hasn’t had her second cup of coffee, and Hades bit her and she’s in a bad mood, so consider themselves fully warned. Ned says, those are pretty good odds.

Kristina meets Michael at Bobbie’s, and he says, pregnancy looks good on her. She says she should be savoring every moment. There are some great aspects of pregnancy. It’s a life enriching experience, but if this baby is one day late, she’s inducing. She senses he didn’t want to meet to discuss her birthing plan, and he says he wanted to see how she was doing, how she’s feeling. She says she’s known him long enough to know that she wants to ask her something and he’s hesitating, and he says, the last thing he wants to do is increase her blood pressure, but she says, it’s just going to make her more stressed. Just tell her. He says he thinks they have a problem, and she says, with dad?  

Carly goes to the penthouse and tells Sonny that they need to talk. He says he guesses she’s already talked to Michael, and she asks, what happened? He says, stay out of it, and she says she’d love to stay out of his problems, but all of his troubles land in her lap. She’s here to let him know that Cates wants to take him down.

Ava opens the door to John, and says, what a lovely surprise. He asks if she has a moment. It’s about Sonny. She says, of course (🍷), and invites him in.

Jason goes to Anna’s office, and she says, Carly was here. He asks what Carly told her, and she says, Carly told her that John paid him a visit and she believes it had something to do with Sonny. Jason says, she was half right.

Tracy says, if Ned has wife drama, ex-wife drama, or ex-lover in-law drama, she doesn’t want to hear it. She took a ride to clear her head and wants to hold on to the feeling for as long as she can, so spare her the agita. He says, everyone at the house is getting along fine, and asks where Hades bit her. She says, it was just a nip. He has a mean streak. He asks if she bit him back, and she says, it’s really her fault. Ned gets the first aid kit, and she says she didn’t read him right. Hades wanted to run, and she was going too slow for him. Ned takes out an ice pack and puts it on her, and she tells him to be careful of her wrist. He says she should have it looked at. Or he could call the local glue factory. She says, he’d better not touch Hades, or she’ll make glue out of him. The kids know better than to go near him without Cody. What is it this time? He says he came check on her. She can ride as far as she wants, but she can’t escape it. He knows what today means just as much as she does.

Michael says he’s assuming Kristina knows it’s tense between dad and Ava, and she says, of course (🍷). Ava got her mother disbarred, then maliciously leaked Natalia’s recording to The Invader. He says, dad told him and he’s sorry. She says, Ava baited Natalia into expressing her homophobia, then like the coward she is, extracted her own audio and turned it over to The Invader. Now their dad is out for her blood and filed for sole custody of Avery. He says, if the blow-up he just had with Sonny is any indication, he’s not going to win. He’ll be lucky if he walks away without a restraining order keeping him away from Avery.

Carly tells Sonny that Cates is on the warpath. She thinks Sonny has been his main objective all along. He has something on Jason. Sonny says, Jason is an informant, but she says she was there when Cates showed up and dragged Jason away from Danny to have a private conversation. She thinks it was about Sonny. He says, if Cates doesn’t know to keep his nose out of other people’s business. It’s about time somebody beat that lesson into him.

Jason says, the FBI lost Valentin, and Anna says, in one day. He says, Valentin is still gone, and asks if that isn’t what she wanted. She says she wanted to give him a head start, so he had a chance to disappear and make a new life with Charlotte. The FBI will mount a search that could last years. They won’t give up and declare him untraceable after one day. Jason says, it’s been long enough for Cates. According to Cates, he failed to meet the terms of their agreement, and he’s been given a new assignment out of town.

John says he thought he’d stop in and see how Ava is, and she says, that’s thoughtful of him. The last couple days has been difficult. She’s used to Avery being with her and it’s not easy being alone. She’s glad he stopped by. She and Scotty have been strategizing on how to fight Sonny’s petition for sole custody. He says, that’s no mean feat. Sonny is powerful, corrupt, and violent, and he’s convinced a legion of otherwise intelligent people that he’s just misunderstood. He’s automatically right, and anyone who opposes him is automatically wrong. Ava says, and they’re willing to take up arms on his behalf. It’s terrifying going up against Sonny, and she feels alone. He says, she’s not alone now.

Ned says, Tracy has been extra spicy and standoffish all day, and she says, hence her desire for solitude. He says, it’s Luke’s birthday. It was on Monica’s calendar. She says, he always had a soft spot for Monica. He’d be pleased she remembered. He says, Olivia and Lois’s too, and she says she guesses he had a soft spot for most women. He says, it’s on his calendar too, and Luke had no soft spot for him, nor he for Luke, but he does have a soft spot for his mother, so he knows to keep his eye on her on this particular day. He and Luke had their differences, and he definitely had reservations about their quasi-legal marriage. She says, legal or not, her marriage – or more accurately, marriages – to Luke marked a significant turning point in her life. They knew each other for years and after they each went through their separate misadventures, suddenly, they were together. And from that moment on, she realized… Ned says, he was the love of her life.

Jason says he has an assignment to infiltrate a gang in a federal prison at Lompoc. He was supposed deliver Pikeman and failed to deliver. Anna says, she gave him a phone with records of illegal arms deals and proof Valentin was in charge, but he says, as far as Cates is concerned, he delayed handing over the evidence, and he aided and abetted Valentin’s escape. Anna says, Jason was coerced by the FBI into helping and now they’re breaking their word. Go public and let the world know. It will shame them into backing down. He says, then what happens to Carly? They’ll use the recording to convict her. If he goes public, Carly will be seeing her family from behind bars for the rest of her life.

Michael says, Sonny asked to see him in the hope he’d testify on Sonny’s behalf in family court, and Kristina asks if he declined. He says, they didn’t get that far. He had to point out the problems they’ve had and the public blow-ups that could be used to Ava’s advantage, and that he could cause more harm than good. Kristina asks, what’s the problem? and he says, Sonny took it the wrong way, and said it was proof of his disloyalty. Sonny is as angry at him now as he ever was. He wants to help, but if he gets on the stand and uses the wrong word and it sets Sonny off, imagine what it will do if he loses it in front of a judge. She says she keeps hoping Sonny and Michael will mend fences, but he says he’s getting used to this kind of treatment. Obviously, it hurts sometimes. Kristina says, no matter how old you get, you never stop craving the love of your parents. And they both know, it’s good to stay on Sonny’s good side. He says, Avery is the one they have to protect. All of Sonny’s failings pale in comparison to Ava’s. She says, no question, and he says, Sonny needs someone who can testify, and if he can’t do it, who can?

Ava tells John that she appreciates having someone to talk to about this. She has to pay for her other support. Taking Sonny to court is going to cost a pretty penny. John says he’s sure she has enough. Or has she already blown through her Cassadine divorce settlement? She says he’s been looking into her finances, but he says he’s been looking into her, like any potential witness or suspect. She asks which one she is, and he says, the jury’s still out. She asks what he’s learned so far, and he says, she and Sonny are more alike than he thought. She says, if she’s like Sonny, why is he working with her? and he says, she’s turned a corner Sonny never did. He still victimizes every woman who crosses his path, and those who don’t bow down at his feet, he crushes, but she’s broken that mold. She says, she and Sonny were never a match made in heaven. Avery is a miracle born out of a moment of poor judgment. He says, they managed to co-exist until recently, and she says she had to fight tooth and nail for a truce. He says, she was living with Sonny, and she says, Sonny made her believe he respected her and considered her a friend. It felt real at the time. Maybe because she was so vulnerable, she needed to believe it. He says, maybe Sonny is that good of a liar, and she says, Sonny become so erratic and volatile. She doesn’t think he realizes what he’s doing from one moment to the next.

Carly tells Sonny not to go after Cates like last time, but he says, there was no last time. She asks if he expects her to believe it was just a coincidence that John was beat up one block from the coffee warehouse, and he says, she thinks he ordered a hit on a federal agent? She says she thinks he’s smart enough not to have it linked to him. He’d better hope John doesn’t find out about Dex. He says, that’s doesn’t fall in the FBI’s jurisdiction, and he made peace with Dex. Dex isn’t going to talk to Jagger. She asks if anybody else knows about the beating, and he says, Ava.

Tracy says, they take so much for granted in the moment. The sheer depth of happiness isn’t appreciated until later on. She feels that when she thinks about her time with Luke. She misses the buoyancy Luke created. He was so resilient and managed to stay afloat. He improvised and adapted. Without him, she feels like she’s barely keeping her head above water. Stop her please. This is getting maudlin. He says, and miss a chance for her to share her feelings? It’s as rare as a comet. She tells him to set his clock for another 75 year wait, and he says, she can go on like this anytime she likes. He won’t think less of her for being human. He’s never thought less of her for choosing Luke. He saw how happy Luke made her and he likes seeing her happy, even more than he hates seeing her sad. He asks if there’s anything he can do, but she says, no. He already has. She tries to leave, but he grabs her arm and says, come here. He hugs her, and she thanks him.

Anna says, there has to be a way to block John, and Jason asks if there’s anybody in her contacts that she thinks can rein him in. She says, sometimes interfering with an FBI investigation can backfire, and he says he’s asking a lot, like she asked him to wait two hours to turn the phone in. She says she didn’t mean for this to happen, and he says, it doesn’t matter what she meant. He’s supposed to be on a bus to Quantico tonight.

John says, the only thing he’d like more than removing Sonny from Ava and Avery’s life is removing Sonny from society and locking him up in Pentenville once and for all. Imagine the ramifications to Avery’s custody battle if it was revealed sonny was under an FBI investigation. She asks if he is, but John says, not yet. He needs something more substantial to work with. She says she has no information to give him, but he says, she was living with Sonny for months and they spent extended periods of time together. Does she mean to tell him that she has no prosecutable intel? She has to help him first before he can help her. She says she’s in a delicate situation. Put himself in her shoes. Sonny’s not happy about the custody suit, but he’d be relentless and remorseless if he saw her as a threat. He says, Sonny won’t lay a hand on her if he’s charged, but she says, what if the charges don’t stick? He murdered a Quartermaine and was pardoned. He’ll retaliate and take Avery someplace she can’t reach. Or worse, get rid of her.

Sonny says he made a mistake telling Ava about Dex, and Carly says, Ava must have told Cates by now. She wonders when they hooked up, and Sonny says, he and Ava were having an argument in Ava’s suite when Jagger walked by and came in to defend Ava. He left and he’s sure she threw herself on Jagger’s mercy. She says, it’s typical for Ava to play the damsel in distress, and he says, Jagger loves playing the hero. Carly says, if Jagger takes Ava’s side in the custody hearing, it will be a major problem for Sonny. He needs all the witnesses he can get. He says he’s already messed up with Ava. He had a meeting with Michael. He wanted Michael to be a character witness. It didn’t go well. They fought and he blew up and said things he regrets. He was wondering if maybe she could talk to Michael on his behalf and smooth things over.

Kristina asks if Carly would stand up for Sonny, and Michael says, especially if the alternative is Ava getting full custody of Avery. But her testimony could end up working against him. When they were together, there was a lot of tragedy and danger. Scotty will take anything that happened when they were together as fair game. She says, what about Brook or Dante? and he says, there’s only so much Brook can say, and Scotty will have Dante show the judge the scar from when his own father shot him. Sonny needs someone who sees the best in him, and can’t point out the ways he’s a good, loving, generous father. That person is her.

Anna says she’ll use every resource to make sure this doesn’t happen, but there are no guarantees, and Jason says he needs to know there’s a real chance of success, or Carly will take things into her own hands. Anna says, tell Carly that she’ll get him out of this. What else can she do? He says, clean up the mess she made. He ignored his own instincts and let her warn Valentin because she asked him to, and it was important to her. She asks if he thinks he’d have done a better job going it alone, and he says, if he had, and it fell apart, he’d have nobody to blame but himself. She says she did warn Valentin, which put Jason at risk. That’s on her and she’s sorry. But what’s on him and Carly? What responsibility do they bear for the decisions they’ve made that have led them here? They decided to live outside the lines, and she thinks they’re suffering the consequences of that. He says, she’s right. They did this to themselves, but he can’t change what happened and has to work with what he has now. He’s asking her to give him the same consideration she gave to Valentin. She says she will fix this, one way or another. She swears. She won’t rest until he’s out from under the FBI. He says he knows she’ll do her best, but there’s no guarantees like she said. He leaves, slamming the door.

Michael says, Sonny has the strongest, warmest relationship with Kristina, but she says, it wasn’t always like that. He says, Sonny has always been in her corner. He didn’t even bat an eye when she came out. They worked through the hard stuff when she was young, so when the court asks if he was a good father, Diane can call on her as proof. She says, what if they ask if she witnessed dad beating up Dex at the wedding? He’ll not only lose custody, he could lose his freedom. She wants to help him as much as Michael does, but she’s as much of a liability on the stand as he is. He says, that may leave dad on his own.

Carly says, it’s not up to her to fix things between Sonny and Michael. That’s Sonny’s job. He says, Michael doesn’t listen to him. He knows he said things he shouldn’t have said, but as long as she gets them in the same room, he knows they can fix this. She asks what he’s going to do. Yell at Michael again? Call him a traitor? Disown Michael as his son? Sonny says he lost his temper; he’s stressed. Michael will understand. He’s a father and this is about Avery. She says, it’s not. This is about Sonny behaving like everyone in his life is disposable. They only matter when he wants something. Everyone he hasn’t pushed away is walking away. Name one single person who will defend him who isn’t one of his children or an employee, one friend who will stand beside him no matter what. He says, her, and she says she stood in this very room, and he called her a traitor. Their years and their kids together meant nothing. It’s the way he wanted it and it’s the way it is. She’s not cleaning up his mess. He’s on his own. With tears in her eyes, she leaves

Ava says she’ll fight Sonny for Avery, but delivering him to the FBI is something she can’t do. John says he has a child too, and she doesn’t have to explain it to him. There are plenty of other people that he can get enough evidence to get Sonny another way, and when he does, she can be damn sure he’ll never see Avery again. She asks if he means that. Does he think it’s possible? He says, she seems surprised, and she says, it’s been a long time. She works up some tears, and says she forgot what it feels like to receive a kind gesture. He says he has a code too, but unlike Sonny, he sticks to his. He’s not going to let that poor excuse for a man push her around anymore. She says she almost believes him, and he asks what it would take to get her all the way there, and kisses her. (Ugh, a thousand times.)  

Anna calls someone named Jim and says she doesn’t have time to chat. She needs him to to arrange a face to face with one of the agents in his jurisdiction… John Cates. He’s out of control, and if the FBI doesn’t reel him in, she’s going to be forced to.

Michael wonders if he was being naïve, thinking there might be a way back for him and Sonny, but Kristina says, he’s not being naïve. He’s being courageous. He’d be well within his rights to write Sonny off completely, but he keeps trying and that’s admirable. Michael says he’s given a lot of thought to ignoring dad’s past and maintaining a superficial connection, but when will it get to be too much for him? He thinks about his mom and AJ and the price they paid for the lifelong grudges they held. He doesn’t want that for his kids. He wants Wiley and Amelia to know it’s okay to hold people accountable for their actions, but holding onto bitterness stunts you. She says, that’s very perceptive, and he says he learned it from Willow. She’s giving Nina another chance and it appears to be paying off. If she can do that for her mother, it’s the least he can do for his dad, She says, even if Sonny doesn’t extend the same courtesy to him? and he says, what’s happening now doesn’t erase what’s happened before. He raised, loved, and protected Michael. For him to be a good father to his kids, he needs to know he tried his best. She says, after Sonny beat up Dex, she couldn’t see him for a while. It still scares her, but like Michael said, it doesn’t outweigh the years of love. Carly comes in and says, sorry to interrupt. She heard Michael had a run-in with his father… Jason comes in and tells Carly, sorry to interrupt, but he needs to talk to her. She says, yeah, and they step aside.

Tracy finds Sonny somewhere unfamiliar outside and stands next to him. She says, Luke’s club was across the street. Is he indulging in a little walk down Memory Lane? He says, maybe it’s the day for it, and she says, it’s his birthday. He says, you were never on your own with a friend like Luke, and she says, finally, something they can agree upon. Sonny says, they didn’t just celebrate by drinking tequila. One time he woke up in a barn with hay in his hair and a horse in his face. She says, it was her house. It was a gift from Luke for her birthday. He says, Luke was very generous. He was big on gestures. She says, and he never passed up an opportunity to celebrate. He always said, if somebody was going to buy him drinks, why not accept? Sonny says, that’s the thing he loved about Luke. He always enjoyed himself. She says she thinks it’s because some of his life was just not enjoyable.

John’s phone rings, and he tells Ava that he has to take it. He says, Agent Cates… No, he wasn’t… Yes, loud and clear… Okay. He’s on it. He tells Ava that he has to go, and she asks if there’s trouble, but he says, there are a few provincial egos that need massaging. He asks if they can pick this up where they left off, and she says, they most definitely can, and soon she hopes. He leaves and she smiles.

Jason and Carly go to his room, and she asks, what happened with Cates? He says, Cates is sending him on another assignment. He leaves for Quantico tonight.

Tracy says, Luke made up his mind at a very young age that he was going to go for every opportunity that presented itself. She thinks it was her favorite thing about him. Sonny says, the last time he saw Luke was at the waterfront. They were saying their goodbyes and Luke walked off into the sunset, which she knows was Amsterdam. She says she’ll deny it until her last breath that she went to Amsterdam in search of him. She happened upon him in a little café. How could she consider that anything but fate? The time they had together, as Luke would say, they had an absolute blast. He says, Luke was always a good time, and she says, he was the best.

Kristina says, someday Avery is going to go through what she and Michael are going through with dad, and he says, she’ll find out everything there is to know about him. And just like them, they’ll see if it changes the way she feels about him and if she wants him in her life. Kristina says, that has to be Avery’s choice. Ava can’t decide for her.

On the phone, Ava asks, how much will it help her case if Sonny is busted by the FBI?

Cates bursts into Anna’s office and says, she’s been talking to his boss. She says, whatever she needs to do. Set Jason free now or she swears she’ll bury him.

Carly says, Jason’s not leaving, but he says, it’s already been decided. She says, he did what Cates wanted, and he says, she has to listen. There’s a way he can still beat Cates. There’s a way around this. But she has to stay patient and calm. She says, while Cates whisks him away to some other dangerous job where he’ll be killed? She doesn’t think so. She’s turning herself in and there’s nothing he can say to stop her.  

Tomorrow, Nina tells Ava to be thankful if the worst Sonny does is take sole custody of Avery; Carly says, Jason is out of his mind if he thinks she’s going to stand by while Cates takes him away again; and Anna says she’s going to do everything in her power to stop John.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

We should all have off days this good.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/giovanni-mazza-opens-up-about-his-disastrous-gh-audition

Love this. Style and fashion for all.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-tabyana-ali-has-a-spectacular-new-project

It’s sweet that they’re keeping in touch.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/michael-easton-reunites-with-gregory-harrison-see-the-photo

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, he was the best Nikolas.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/adam-huss-reaches-out-to-his-gh-fans

Another loss to the soap world.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/all-my-children/amc-stars-remember-esta-terblanche

And while we’re at it, the mid-year roll call.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/gallery/abc/remembering-the-soap-stars-we-lost-this-year

👺 Best Of the Worst…

Last weekend, I was finishing Season 2 of Outer Range, and since I was on Amazon, I consulted an article I’d read about the best documentaries on Prime. I chose to watch Best Worst Movie and it’s one of the best things I’ve seen lately. In 1989, a film called Troll 2 came out. It has nothing to do with the Norwegian film Troll or the film Troll with June Lockhart. Actually, it has nothing to do with trolls at all. Written by an Italian film director and his wife, it’s original title was Gremlins, but we see how that could be confusing in the USA.

Years later, when the film was shown on late night TV and cable, a cult began to form around it. Little conventions, late night showings, and watch parties sprang up, and documentary is mainly about that. I couldn’t stop smiling throughout the whole thing because, although it’s not my movie, it’s their movie, and I get it. I’ve been that person who watches something 10,000 times and just wants to watch it again. Of course I had to watch the actual film afterward, and it’s bad. So bad. Not even Ed Wood bad. But I get that too. The fans see something in it that others don’t. Been there, and I hope they never lose that. It can keep you sane.

The cast of Troll 2 is also involved, and it’s an interesting tributary to see how it affected each of their lives. For some it was a blessing, for some a curse, and one actress doesn’t want anything more to do with it, although she reenacts one of the scenes from the movie with two of her co-stars. The only one who doesn’t realize the film is bad is the director, who thinks he made an artistic masterpiece, and the actors are a bunch of whiney egoists.

So give it a whirl. I hope it brings you as much joy as it did me.  

Review: BEST WORST MOVIE

https://theindependentcritic.com/_best_worst_movie__review

🐪 Eat, Pray, Camel…

Taleen wants you to know that she did not beg to be on the show.

Real Housewives of Dubai Season 2, Episode 8 Recap: Eat, Pray, Dissent

🦸🏻‍♂️ A Few More Days…

I probably won’t go the first weekend if it’s crowded, but I can’t wait to see it on a big screen. A selection of everything Deadpool & Wolverine. The finances.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/deadpool-wolverine-box-ofice-1235955857/

The fashion.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/timlammers/2024/07/23/deadpool–wolverine-scenes-from-the-red-carpet-premiere/

The reviews.

https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/deadpool-wolverine-first-reviews/

The kudos.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/deadpool-and-wolverine-is-kick-in-the-nuts-the-mcu-needs

The not-so kudos.

https://ew.com/deadpool-wolverine-review-relentlessly-irritating-cheap-jokes-instead-stakes-8682433

The music.

https://ew.com/deadpool-and-wolverine-soundtrack-the-greatest-showman-song-8679476

The cutest couple.

https://www.purewow.com/news/blake-lively-ryan-reynolds-movie-releases

🐉 Dragons In the House…

Possible spoilers if you didn’t see the last episode.

https://ew.com/house-of-the-dragon-season-2-paddy-considine-viserys-cameo-harrenhal-daemon-8681112

Netflix competition.

https://www.unilad.com/film-and-tv/netflix/netflix-the-last-kingdom-game-of-thrones-364207-20240723

👑 Original Game…

We know one of them is not doing a Jon Snow spinoff.

https://ew.com/game-of-thrones-cast-where-are-they-now-8677595

🐶 Rescued By Killer Miller…

Good for her. My rescue chihuahua El Wray has issues, which he’s slowly overcoming, but I’ve never regretted adopting him.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-carolyn-hennesy-adopted-the-cutest-dog

✈️ Flight Now Boarding…

Join me tomorrow for soap, Listings talk, and whatever else is entertaining. Until then, stay safe, stay not overdoing your fragrance, and stay holding people accountable for their actions, but not holding onto bitterness.

Dec16

December 15, 2023 – Donna Wishes On a Star, PC Special, An Original, Nominee Fashion, Salty Talk, Boomerang In the House, And Stay Out, Theft Off Deck, Top 20, Holidays Are For Pets (!), Long Dozen Of Quotes & Wrapping

Posted on by
Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Alexis says she has Jordan on record and the article will come out later in the week. Jordan thanks her and says, before she goes, she wanted to talk to Alexis about something else. This time off the record.

There’s a knock at Kristina’s door and she opens it to Blaze. Blaze asks, what’s her big news? and Kristina says, huh? obviously just waking up.

Brook brings Maxie some caffeine to start her day, and Maxie thanks her, but says, Lucy is going to lose it if she finds Brook here. Why is she stopping by so early? Brook says she’s not just stopping by. She’s coming back to work at Deception.

 At the stables, Cody finds a wrapped gift with a card that says, Merry Christmas Cody. He says, Santa? Is this from you? It’s a little early for Christmas. Sasha hides around the corner.

At the café, Diane does paperwork as she and Robert have coffee. Robert says, that bad, huh? and Diane says, what are they talking about? He says, their first time together and here she is, barely taking a second breath, and with her face in her work already. It’s hardly what you’d call a ringing endorsement. She swipes her work to the floor and says, he was magnificent.

Martin says, he’ll keep this brief because he knows Laura is a very busy civil servant, but he’s wondering if there are any updates in the Austin Gatlin-Holt murder investigation. She says, if he’s asking if their brother is still a suspect, he is.

Sonny tells Donna, that’s a big list, and she says, they’ve got a big family. He says, they do, but you know what’s great? She’s so generous in wanting to buy everyone something. She asks what he wants for Christmas, and he says he’s got everything he wants. She says she’s getting him a special present anyway, and he suggests they focus on other people right now. They’ve got a lot of shopping to do. She asks if Grandpa Mike took him Christmas shopping when he was little, and Sonny says, he did, all the time. Donna asks if she can see his picture, and Sonny shows her a picture of Mike on his phone. She asks if he misses him, and he says, every day. Every single day.

Donna asks, what kind of hat is that? and Sonny says, it’s called a cap. She says, that’s not a baseball cap, and he says, it’s a different kind of cap. His dad loved that cap, and after her grandfather died, he kept it. She asks if she can see it, but he says, it got lost. He kept looking for it, and even asked Donna’s mom if it was in her house, but she said, it’s gone. There’s a knock at the door, and Sonny says he bets that’s her brother. They go to the door, and Sonny opens it to Michael. Sonny thanks him for coming, and Michael says, of course (🍷). He heard they’re doing a little Christmas shopping. Sonny says, she’s got a big list of people she wants to buy presents for; he’ll text it to Michael. Donna asks if he won’t come with them, and Sonny says he wishes he could, but he’s got an important appointment. But go with Michael, and he’ll meet her there. Is that good? She nods and says, it’s a deal. They high-five, since apparently, Donna loves a good high-five. I have to say, she is one super cute kid.

Robert helps Diane pick up her paperwork, and says he really loves the grand gesture, but they’re not in school. He doesn’t need a pat on the head. He just needs to know that she enjoyed herself. She says, they’ve been around each other long enough now for him to know she doesn’t sugarcoat anything. He says he figured that one, and she says, and she’s perfectly capable of asking for exactly what she wants. He says he learned that last night, and she says, yes, he did, and laughs. For the record, she only exaggerates in court. He says, well then, let the record show, counselor, we both enjoyed ourself. He takes her in his arms, and they kiss.

Martin says, Cyrus told him that Laura came to see him, and she says she did. It was a very unsettling meeting. His passion and commitment for his family… Well, to their family… He says, it makes you want to believe in him, and she asks if that happens to him. He says, more often than he cares to admit. Their brother’s a very complicated man. He’s ruthless and manipulative, but he is doggedly loyal. He always goes about it the wrong way, but he’ll never give up on family. Which is something Cyrus has in common with her. She says, it’s true. She doesn’t give up on family, but she doesn’t turn a blind eye either. If Cyrus killed Dr. Gatlin-Holt, he must be prosecuted. Martin says, indeed. Far be it from him to give old Cy the benefit of the doubt, but there’s nothing on this earth Cyrus values more than Laura’s opinion. He got himself released from prison and has a chance to prove himself to her. Why would he throw that away?

Jordan tells Alexis that TJ stopped by her office last night to tell her that he and Molly are trying for another baby; this time with Kristina as the surrogate. She assumes Alexis already knew. Alexis says, the girls told her about it yesterday, and Jordan says she’ll be honest. She doesn’t know how she feels about this. Obviously, she’s excited about the possibility of having a grandchild, and she imagines Alexis is as well. Alexis says, very much, and Jordan says, this all came just a little bit out of the blue for her. She talked to TJ about it, so she knows how he feels, and she’s sure Alexis knows how Molly feels, but she wants to know how Alexis feels about this.

Blaze says, Kristina sent her a cryptic text saying she had big news, then went completely silent. Kristina didn’t answer any of her texts or calls. Kristina says she’s sorry. She should have answered Blaze. Blaze says, it’s okay. She was just worried something happened to Kristina. Kristina says, the day just got away from her, and it wasn’t something she wanted to talk about in text, or even on the phone really. Blaze says she’s here now. It can be in person. What’s her big news? Kristina says she’s going to have a baby.

Cody says, last chance to identify yourself. Otherwise, he’s going to have to assume they’re a secret admirer – he wanders around as he talks, but Sasha stays a step ahead of him – who doesn’t want him to know who they are. He almost catches her, but she dashes out of sight. He says, or they’re one of his many enemies and this present is somehow boobytrapped, and he will be forced to destroy it. Sasha comes out laughing, and he says he knew that would get her. She says, he may have a secret admirer, but the gift is from her, and no, it’s not boobytrapped. He asks if he can open it now or does he have to wait until Christmas? She says, it’s up to him.

Maxie says, Brook is coming back to Deception? Why? Brook says she has her reasons, and Maxie says, please clue her in. The first time Brook came to work at Deception, it was so Maxie could be closer to Baby Lu… Thanks for that, by the way; she’s still super grateful. Brook says, she’s welcome, and Maxie says, the second time, was to spy for Tracy. Not really a high point in their friendship, but she’s moving past it. Brook is a music manager now and she loves that job. Why come back to Deception? Brook says, so she can gain control of the company and give it to Maxie.

Cody tears the paper off the gift, uncovering a book, and says, oh wow. Monument Valley. This is great. He sits down and opens it, and she says she’s glad he likes it. He says, look at that sunset. Can she believe colors like this actually exist in nature? She says, she thought the same thing. It’s funny. She sits next to him, and he says he’s wanted to go here ever since he saw it in one of those old Westerns. It’s pretty ironic that his first trip there will be a photoshoot. The last thing he ever thought he’d be is a model. She tells him not to sell himself short. He’s really getting the hang of it. He says, she’s the expert, but he thinks he and these rock formations will just be a backdrop for her beauty.

Laura thanks Sonny for coming to her office. She knows it was a very last-minute invitation. He says he knew when she asked to see him, it was important. He doesn’t know if it’s a very good idea to do it here. She says she’s been to his office. It only seems fair to welcome him to hers. He says, it’s the public perception of what she does, but she says, if she’s learned one thing since becoming mayor, it’s that people are going to talk about her, regardless. He says he gets it, but they both know he has a reputation in this town, and her inviting him to her office opens her up to allegations of corruption. She says, if somebody wants to investigate her for something, she doesn’t care. She has nothing to hide. He says he just doesn’t want anything to happen to her job. This city needs her. The last thing he wants is for her to be investigated or thrown out of her office, especially because of him. She says, please don’t worry about that. She has no intentions of losing her office, but speaking of investigations, that’s why she asked him here. She’d like to talk to him about the Austin Gatlin-Holt murder case.

Donna looks out the window, and Michael says, they’d better get going. If she wants to get all the presents on her list, they have to get started. Donna asks, if you wish on a star, does your wish come true? and he says, that’s what he’s heard. She says, but there are no stars to wish on, and he says, there’s always stars. You can see them better at night, when it’s dark outside, but there’s stars in the daytime too. She asks if you have to see a star to wish on it, and he says, no. The star knows you’ve made a wish whether you see it or not. She says she’s going to make a wish, and he says, go for it. She looks out again and says, star, it’s me, Donna Corinthos. I can’t see you, but my brother says you’ll know I made this wish. I wish on you that I could find Grandpa Mike’s cap for daddy. This kid is killing me with her cuteness.

Alexis says she’s very happy at the thought of Molly and TJ having a baby, and Jordan says, they’re in agreement on this. Alexis says, then she started to make a list of everything that could go wrong, and how this could potentially end in tragedy. Then she spoke with a friend of hers and he shifted her perspective into a more positive place, tried to calm her down, and boy, being a parent is challenging, isn’t it? Jordan says, it’s been the hardest and best thing she’s ever done, and Alexis says, same. She’s proud of her three girls. She loves being a parent and wants Molly and TJ to have that experience. And Kristina wants to give it to them. Jordan says she agrees. She thinks it’s an amazing gift Kristina is offering them, but does it have to happen right now?

Kristina tells Blaze that Molly and TJ decided to have a baby, and they were super excited about it, but Molly found out she can’t physically carry a child of her own. It was awful. It completely blindsided her. Blaze says, that’s terrible. Of course (🍷) it did. Kristina says, they started exploring their options and felt really good about surrogacy. They found this woman they both really liked and she got pregnant, but then she lost the baby. It was devastating. Blaze says she can only imagine. She’s so sorry. Kristina says she was walking through the park and saw her sister, her super controlled Type-A sister, just absolutely bawling in a public place, not caring who was there or who saw. It just broke her heart. She’s assuming Blaze might know where she’s going with this, and Blaze says she does. Kristina says, it just became really clear to her, she genuinely wants to do this. She wants to give Molly and TJ the thing they want more than anything in this whole world. She can’t really tell what Blaze is thinking right now. Is Blaze about to tell her that she’s crazy for doing this? Blaze says, crazy? No. She takes Kristina’s hand and says she’s thinking Kristina is wonderful and generous, and anyone would be lucky to have a sister like her, but she’s talked a lot about being able to give Molly what she wants. What about what Kristina wants?

Cody thanks Sasha for the perfect gift, and says he feels terrible that he doesn’t have something for her. She says, he already saved her life and her sanity. He’s given her the best gift she could have asked for. He tells her, stop. Don’t say that.

Brook says she knows everything that happened because of her grandmother put Maxie in a bad placed financially. Maxie says she can’t deny that, but Tracy forced Brook to do it, so it really wasn’t her fault. Brook says, Tracy told her the reason why she got control of Deception was to give it to her. At first, she rejected Tracy’s offer, but she just told Tracy that she changed her mind. So the plan is, she’ll start working here again and she’ll convince Tracy that she’s grateful for the opportunity. Then… Maxie says, what then? What is she plotting? Brook says, the next part of the plan is still a work in progress, but she’ll either convince Tracy into signing over control to her or she’ll blackmail her into doing it. Either way, she won’t stop until Deception belongs to Maxie. So what does she think? Lucy walks in and says, who let the spy back in?

Kristina thinks Blaze isn’t so sure she should do this, but Blaze tells her, that’s not what she’s saying. But there’s a big difference between wanting to help her sister and wanting to be pregnant for nine months and give birth to a child. One is seeing Molly hurting and generously wanting to help. The second is a huge commitment and life-changing event. Kristina says she knows no one is going to know for sure how their body will handle a pregnancy, but she’s in great health and the odds are never going to be higher for her than right now to get pregnant and deliver a healthy baby successfully. She knows it sounds so weird to say this, but she knows in her gut that she’s supposed to do this. So Blaze is right that she’s doing this for Molly and for TJ, but she’s also doing this for herself.

Diane asks how they’re going to refer to each other moving forward, and he asks what she means. She says, when she gossips about last night with Alexis – and FYI, she’s gonna – he says, noted – how should she refer to him? Is he her boyfriend? He says, boyfriend, grey hair, long in the tooth, no. He doesn’t feel like he’s anyone’s boyfriend. She says, okay, lover, and he says, absolutely not. She laughs and says, okay, suitor. Main squeeze. How about this? Adult companion. He says, that seems to indicate that money may have changed hands somewhere along the line, and she chokes on her coffee, laughing. He asks if they can’t just say they’re involved, but she says she’d like it to be a little more definitive. How about, they’re just dating? That is, after all, what they’re doing. He says, dating’s good, and she says, good… Are they dating exclusively? He sits back in his chair. I’m laughing because it is a weird thing. Boyfriend sounds like you’re in high school, lover is corny and TMI. I like significant other, but it’s kind of long. So where do you go?

Laura says she knows Sonny is aware that Dante is assisting the Pautuck PD in its investigation of the murder, and he says he and Dante agreed a long time ago for the sake of their relationship, not to discuss Dante’s work. She says, or his, and he says, right. They try to avoid any conflict of interest. Laura says, except she does know he spoke to Dante at some point about Austin, and he asks, why is that? She says, because she asked Dante to give her an update about the murder investigation, and he told her, a reliable and confidential source had informed him that Austin and his cousin Mason were working for her brother Cyrus. He says, really, and she says, his son wouldn’t give up his source, but she knows it’s him.

Lucy says, Brook has some nerve stepping foot back in Deception. She should have Brook arrested for industrial espionage, or maybe intellectual property theft. Maxie says, it’s okay. Brook is here… Lucy says, because why? Does she want to sniff around some more to find out some proprietary information that she can steal from them? Brook says, it’s not stealing if you have a controlling interest in the company, which her grandmother does. Lucy says, Tracy doesn’t care about this company. Tracy doesn’t care about Deception, but she does, and Tracy needs to keep her filthy hands away from here, and Brook needs to stay away from here too. Brook says, it doesn’t matter what Lucy thinks. Tracy’s 51% says she has more of a right to be here than Lucy. Lucy moves toward Brook, but Maxie says, okay, putting her hand in between them.

Cody says, Sasha doesn’t need to thank him. He’s happy that for once he was able to get out of his own way and do the right thing. Trust him. That isn’t always the case. She says she doesn’t care what happened in his past. She’s just thankful for the man he is now, and she’s so grateful that he was able to come to her rescue. He says he doesn’t want her gratitude… What he means to say is, there’s a fine line between feeling grateful to someone, and feeling an obligation to someone. He doesn’t want her to owe him; he wants her to like him. She says, he already knows she does. He heard her say it to Maxie. He says he also heard her say she’s not ready to move on yet. She’s still grieving over the loss of her husband and child. The last thing that would be okay for him is for her to rush through that process because she’s trying to give him something she thinks he wants.

As they walk through Rice Plaza, Michael says, Donna got a lot of presents. Is she ready to take a break? She says, but they don’t have all the presents yet, and he says, they got a lot. Doesn’t she want to save something to buy with her dad? She says, what about daddy’s presents? What does she give him if her wish doesn’t come true? He says, sometimes wishes don’t come true exactly the way you expect, because wishes are magic, and magic is unpredictable. So how about if they buy a back-up gift just in case? She says, look! and runs over to a bench. She picks up a cap that looks just like Mike’s.

Laura says she didn’t ask Sonny here to put him on the spot. She asked him here because she trusts him. She needs to know. Did Cyrus kill Dr. Gatlin-Holt? He says he thinks that’s for the police to figure out, and she says, oh come on. He’s in a position to know things before other people do. She’s asking him, is her brother a murderer? He says, her brother Cyrus has murdered in the past, and he doesn’t for one second believe Cyrus’s religious reformation. But he doesn’t think Cyrus killed Austin Gatlin-Holt. She says, except Dante said Dr. Gatlin-Holt went to see him the night he was killed, and he was prepared to give up the name of his boss. Sonny asks if he gave up that name, but she says, no, he didn’t. He left to go gather proof. Sonny asks if she thinks Cyrus had Austin killed to shut him up, and she says, doesn’t he?

Robert tells Diane that he likes his women. He likes commitment. One woman at a time. She says she’s well-aware of that. She’s well-aware of his exceptional commitment to the women in his life. She’s witnessed it firsthand. Anytime Holly or Anna needed him, he was there. He says, they have a lot of history together. He can’t change that. They would do the same for him. She says she gets it. However, moving forward, if she’s to be exclusive with him, she needs to know that she’s his number one priority.

Sonny tells Laura that he doesn’t see how Cyrus would have known Austin was talking to Dante. Cyrus has no money. He has no manpower to keep Austin under surveillance. And he doesn’t think for a second Dante leaked out the information. Laura says, he wouldn’t do that, and Sonny says, if he doesn’t know, Cyrus has no motive to kill Austin. As a matter of fact, it’s the opposite because Austin helped him get out of prison. So he sees Austin as an asset. She says, that makes sense, and he says, if Cyrus thought Austin was a problem, there are other ways to deal with him. Murder is too risky. With all due respect, he despises her brother, but he’s not stupid. He just got out of prison and he’s going to do everything he can not to go back. She thanks him, and says, it’s really been weighing on her, the kind of man her brother is. It’s a huge relief to know that Sonny doesn’t think he killed Dr. Gatlin-Holt.

Blaze says, listening to Kristina talk about her decision is really inspiring. She doesn’t know if she’s ever done anything this selfless. It’s profound. Kristina says, Blaze is making her sound like a saint. Billions of women have given birth successfully, and she’s sure it’s as big and scary as it seems, but she feels like she’s got this. Blaze says, she might not feel the same way when she’s in labor, and Kristina says she plans on being in excellent physical condition and plan for every scenario. And when she goes into labor… she plans to ask for all the drugs. Blaze laughs, and Kristina thanks her for being so supportive. She knows this isn’t traditional. Blaze tells Kristina that she meant what she said. She’s in awe of Kristina for wanting to do this. Kristina says she really appreciates Blaze being so understanding about this, because she’s really committed to this pregnancy and it’s a big change in her life. And for me and you… If there is me and you.

Alexis tells Jordan, in a perfect world, yes. It would be better for them to wait six months or a year or longer for Kristina to become a surrogate. Jordan says, so they’re on the same page then, and Alexis says, yes, but the timeline becomes problematic, because they’re assuming Kristina gets pregnant right away. And they both know it doesn’t always happen like that. Jordan says, true. None of this is a perfect science. Alexis says, Kristina’s very committed to doing this, but it’s not fair to ask her to put her life on hold for another year or longer waiting to get pregnant. Jordan says she can’t argue with that, and Alexis says, the bottom line is, she and Jordan don’t get a vote on this. All three of them are adults, Molly and TJ want this baby, and they want this baby as soon as possible. They don’t get to just tell them to wait.

Lucy says, Brook doesn’t know half of the horrible, horrible things Tracy has done. She’s blackmailed so many people, she could fill out an entire punch card. Brook says, like Lucy is so perfect. She’s been known to scam rich men out of their money, and also secretly plotted to help Valentin gain control of ELQ. And how many times has she cheated on the loves of her life, huh? Lucy says, lots. Enjoyed it all. She’s made mistakes. She never said she didn’t. The fact of the matter is, she created Deception, and her vision is what made Deception successful. Brook says, and she almost ran it into the ground, almost bankrupt it, and Maxie too… Lucy says, because of Brook, and Brook says, Maxie is nothing but loyal and hardworking. Lucy shouldn’t be mad at Tracy. She should be thanking Tracy for stepping in and saving her and Deception.

Cody tells Sasha to take as much time as she needs. She’s dealing with enough in her life without him putting any pressure on her. And hey, if they’re never anything more than just friends and co-models, that’s good with him too. She says, really? and he says he promises. She says, okay. As her friend, he’s obligated to listen to her. He says, oh, is he? and she says, absolutely. He needs to stop being so hard on himself. He’s not nearly as bad as he wants to believe. As a matter of fact, most of the time he’s pretty great.

Lucy says she doesn’t owe Brook’s grandmother Tracy for anything. Never thank you. Certainly not. Because guess what? What matters is Maxie. And she knows the big sacrifice Lucy made when she took Tracy’s deal to keep Deception solvent. Maxie says she does. And Lucy knows she appreciates that. She’s so grateful for her job. Brook says, since Tracy owns this company and her grandmother wants her here, she’s staying. Lucy says, yippee. Super swell. This is Maxie’s problem now, because she will never ever, ever deal with someone who flat-out lied to her face and spied on her. She walks out, and Brook says she wasn’t expecting it to go well, but she certainly wasn’t expecting that. Maxie says, that was a lot, but Brook says, it’s okay. She’s a big girl and can handle it. Let Lucy go take it up with Tracy. They both know her grandmother will flatten Lucy. Maxie says she doesn’t understand. Why would Brook want that? Before Lucy came in here, Brook was telling her about how she was going to get the company back for them. Brook says she’s getting the company back for Maxie. Only Maxie. Promise her, when she finally gets this done, Maxie will have sole control of the company. Brook wants Maxie to be able to run this company the way she wants. Away from all of Lucy’s crazy shenanigans. Maxie says she thinks they’re getting a little bit ahead of themselves. Why don’t they get control of the company, then they’ll figure out how to divide it up? Brook says, they’ll get control of this company. Maxie knows she’s right. Because when the two of them join forces, they are unstoppable.

Cody says he actually bought Sasha a gift a few weeks ago. The first time in his life he’s planned ahead, but when he saw it, he knew he had to get it for her. She says she’s intrigued, and he says, as she should be. They promised it would be here before Christmas. He’s waiting for them to come through. She asks if she ever told him that she’s very bad at waiting for something she’s excited about, and he says, she’ll just have to be patient. She says, that’s not her strong suit, and she struggles with her coat. Cody tries to help her, and they end up close, face to face. She says she should get going. She’ll see him later. He says, see ya, and she leaves. He sits down, picks up the book, and opens it. It says: To my friend Cody, Thanks for coming to my rescue. Sasha.

Kristina says she likes Blaze, and she doesn’t want this to end. She knows this is early, so if Blaze wants to bail out now before she gets the size of a house, feel free. Blaze says she thinks Kristina will look amazing when she’s pregnant, but she always thinks Kristina looks amazing. Including right now. She takes Kristina’s hand and says she likes Kristina. She likes what’s happening between them, and she doesn’t want to cut it short before it has a chance to become something. She still wants to see where this goes. Kristina says she likes Blaze too, and they kiss. She tells Blaze, and now she’s really actually glad Blaze woke her up early. Blaze says, it’s not early. Kristina does realize she’s a musician and even she’s been up for hours. Kristina says, just her luck. She finds herself a singer who’s an early riser. Blaze says, this singer is about to be late for a run-through with her choreographer, but let’s touch base. Maybe they’ll meet up later? They need to celebrate Kristina’s decision with some wine before she has to give up alcohol. Kristina says, nooo, and Blaze says, for nine months. Kristina says she’d love that. Sounds perfect. They kiss and Blaze leaves.

Alexis tells Jordan, the kids are going to be fantastic parents. They’ll love the hell out of that baby and that baby’s lucky to have them. Jordan says she knows, and she can’t wait to see them holding her first grandchild. So she’ll try to adjust her thinking and be on board like Alexis. If this is what they want – and they are adamant that it is – then she’ll do her best to support it.

Robert tells Diane, Holly came to town largely to save Ethan’s life. It would have been remiss of him not to step in and help her. Not to mention, honor Luke’s memory. She says she gets it. That was a special circumstance. She’ll never appreciate the way Holly went about it, but Holly was desperate, and she understands. What about Anna? He says he and Anna are connected through Robin and the grandkids. That’s never going to change; they’re family. That hasn’t stopped him from getting closer to Diane and enjoying every minute of it. She says she’s enjoyed every minute of it too. All that aside, she needs to know that the next time Holly drops into Port Charles because of an emergency or Anna calls when they’re together, things will be different. He says, understood. The next time one of his exes needs assistance, he’ll have to point out that she’s his priority. She says, then here’s to our well-negotiated, hard-earned agreement, Mr. Scorpio, and lifts her coffee cup. He says, you are worth it, and she says, that’s right. They clink coffee cups.

Martin knocks at Laura’s office door and says, it’s him again. She says, back so soon? Please tell her it’s with some sort of proof of their brother’s innocence. He asks if she wants to run that by him again, how she wants Cyrus to be exonerated, and she says she guesses she does. He asks, what happened? and she says, Sonny Corinthos was just here, at her invitation, and she asked him straight up if he thought Cyrus murdered Dr. Gatlin-Holt. He said he didn’t think so, and right at that moment, she could feel the knot in her chest sort of melt away. She guesses it’s surprising for her to realize how much she doesn’t want him to be guilty. She does want him to turn his life around. Does Martin think it’s possible? Martin says, a hell of a lot more possible now that he has Laura to look up to.

Sonny finds Donna and Michael in Rice Plaza and asks Donna how the shopping is going. She says she didn’t shop for his present; she wished for it. He says, really, and Michael tells her, show him. She brings out the cap and says, this is for him. Sonny takes it, looks it over, and says, this is Mike’s. Angels We Have Heard on High plays in the background, and Michael says, Donna found it. It was sitting over there like someone left it. Sonny says, really? and Michael says, yeah. Sonny says he can’t believe that, and Michael says, neither could he. They were going to ask around and see if anyone lost a hat, but he checked it and it’s actually Mike’s cap. Sonny says he wonders where it came from, and Donna says she told him. She wished for it. On a star. Her wish came true! It’s magic! Sonny says, let him tell her something about her granddad. He believed in magic and wishes. He’d be very proud of her. She says, merry Christmas, daddy, and hugs him. Sonny says, merry Christmas, sweetheart, and looks at Michael. He looks up and says, merry Christmas, dad.

On Monday, Brook says, there’s one thing she and Violet agree on; Kristina tells Dr. Navarro that she’d like to get started as soon as possible; Anna tells Dante, don’t say she didn’t warn him; and Brennan says he’d like to get to know Carly better.

🏥 Port Charles Memory Lane…

January 4th, 10 pm, EST on ABC.

Don’t Miss the GENERAL HOSPITAL Anniversary Primetime Special!

🎼 Adam’s Song…

While he doesn’t have Sonny’s dimples, he’s got the smiley eyes. It’s great how they give actors an opportunity to shine using their non-soap talents.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/adams-song-on-general-hospital-was-a-joshua-benard-original

👗 Fashionably Soap…

Wow. There’s way too much black. Spoiler: Dex looks the same.

2023 Daytime Emmys Nominee Reception Fashion Gallery

🧂 Needs Salt…

I didn’t really understand the desire for a pirate themed party. Did they confuse themselves with Below Deck?

Real Housewives of Salt Lake City Season 4, Episode 14 Recap: Queen Monica’s Bermudan Beach Birthday

I guess all losers was out of the question.

The Winners and Losers of RHOSLC Season 4

⛸ Back In the House…

Schwartz is welcomed back. After a week away. Seriously, I can’t.

Winter House Season 3, Episode 8 Recap: Roasted and Toasted

🗽 She Who Won’t Be Uninvited…

No surprise here. She loves showing up where she’s not wanted. No doubt Brandi will follow suit, because ditto.

REPORT: Ramona Singer “Crashed” RHONY Legacy Premiere Party & Wasn’t Invited as Brandi Glanville Reacts

🛥 Worst Guests Ever…

Where do they find these people?

https://ew.com/below-deck-guests-accused-stealing-cast-identities-opioid-scheme-8416388

🎄 Filming Christmas…

All good choices, but not one traditional A Christmas Carol  movie? Really?

https://ew.com/movies/20-top-christmas-movies-ever/

🐶 Pets + Holidays…

The practical.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/11/health/pets-holiday-danger-wellness/index.html

The famous.

https://finance.yahoo.com/photos/12-celebrity-pets-totally-bringing-191259687/-photo-191409825.html

The rest of us.

https://www.cbc.ca/kids/articles/a-gallery-of-cute-pets-dressed-up-for-the-holidays

The DIY. I want the hat with the elf ears.

10 Ridiculous Ways To Dress Up Your Dog For The Holidays

🥠 Quotes of the Week

Leaders who win the respect of others are the ones who deliver more than they promise, not the ones who promise more than they can deliver. – Mark A. Clement

The way to achieve your own success is to be willing to help somebody else get it first. – Iyanla Vanzant

Happiness is for dogs and Americans. – Dr. Liesl Obrecht (Kathleen Gati), General Hospital

Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new. – Albert Einstein

It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye. – Antoine de Saint-Exupery

That food you eat can be either the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison. – Ann Wigmore

Anger and intolerance are the enemies of correct understanding. – Mahatma Gandhi

A man is whatever room he’s in. – Japanese saying

No matter what this study suggests, the best time to exercise is the time you will actually do it. – Keri Gans, M.S., R.D.

Persons of high self-esteem are not driven to make themselves superior to others; they do not seek to prove their value by measuring themselves against a comparative standard. Their joy is being who they are, not in being better than someone else. – Nathaniel Branden

It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit. – Harry S Truman

Nothing frightens me more than a person unwilling to learn, even at their own expense. That is a darkness I will never understand. – G.H. (Mahershala Ali), Leave the World Behind

He looks like a giant red flag. – Shekinah Garner, 90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way

🪄 Tinseling Up…

Take a break on Monday really Tuesday for soap and Med absurdity. Until then, stay safe, stay focused on what you can control and let go of everything else, and stay remembering, sometimes wishes don’t come true exactly the way you expect.

Oct25

October 24, 2023 – Cyrus Gives Mason a Reprimand, A Doubly Awful House, Real Gripes, Deep Dig, That Movie, Furry Halloween & This

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

At the MetroCourt with Scotty, Lucy says she’s about to sign over 51% of her company to Tracy Quartermaine, and he says, sign it. Otherwise, things are only going to get worse. She says she really doesn’t know how they could get worse, when Laura comes in and says, Scott. Lucy says she didn’t know Laura was back in town, and they greet each other. Laura says she needs to talk to Scotty now, and marches out. He follows, and asks, how was her trip? She says, what was he thinking? but he says he’s not following. She says, what compelled him to help her brother get out of prison?

Cyrus is still lingering around the hospital, and Austin pulls him into a supply closet, holding a scalpel to Cyrus’s face. He says he knew Cyrus would come back here. He did everything Cyrus asked him to do. Cyrus is walking around a free man because of him, and still, he tries to kill Ava?

Portia walks in the door, and Curtis says he thought she was working late. Is everything okay?

Lois and Brook go into the solarium, and Yuri asks if there’s anything else he can get them, and Brook says, thanks, but they just had lunch. Lois says she’d love a plate of those little cookies and a pitcher of lemonade, and Yuri leaves to get it. Lois says, he’s cute (he is!). She can’t believe Monica lets him work here. Brook says, she’s the one who hired him. And what’s with the little cookies? Lois just said she was stuffed from lunch. Now she wants little cookies? Lois says, no, but maybe Chase does.

At the penthouse, Sonny kisses Nina, and she says she knows he’s super busy, but she wanted to show him this. She takes a frame out of a bag and says, she bought this frame and put in some pictures. Wiley from the wedding for Michael and Willow, and Donna for Carly. She thinks they’re going to love it. Right? He says, yeah, and she says, Carly too.

Michael listens to the recording of Martin outing Nina for turning Drew and Carly in to the SEC, and he says, time to let his father know exactly the kind of woman he married. Martin comes in and says, he’d think twice before doing that if he were Michael.

Scotty says, it’s not like he broke Cyrus out of Pentenville, and Laura says, he may as well have, because Cyrus is out walking the streets right now. Scotty says he knows. He just saw Cyrus in the dining room. He made it clear to Cyrus that he’s not on retainer; it was a one-shot deal. But Cyrus was very pleased with his work. She says she bets he was, and he says, believe him. He just got an earful from Mac Scorpio. She asks if he can blame Mac. He’s the Police Commissioner, and on top of everything else, he has to worry about Cyrus Renault being free. Scotty says, he’s Laura’s brother, and she says she knows that. She doesn’t need to be reminded. When Cyrus was in the hospital, he told Martin to give away all his money and Martin did, so tell her something. How did Scotty get paid?

Cyrus tells Austin that he’s very impressed. He never would have thought that little boy he watched grow up had this in him. Austin says, it’s no big deal really. It’s not difficult to overpower a man that’s – now he’s quoting – weak and incapable of hurting other people. Cyrus says, Austin got his moment, and he’s going to forgive this clumsy transgression, because it’s clear Austin has very strong feelings for Ava Jerome. First Austin will take his hands off him, and then Austin will find a way to get him into that room with his cousin Mason.

Mason jerks his arm, trying to get free of the handcuffs holding him to the bed, when TJ comes in. Mason says, what now? and TJ says he just wanted Mason to know that all his tests and bloodwork look good after his surgery. His vitals are stable. There’s no reason he shouldn’t make a full recovery. Mason says, whoopee, and TJ says he’s glad it makes Mason happy. Mason says he’s thrilled. He won’t be cuffed to this damn bed anymore. TJ says, no. He’ll likely be behind bars. Mason says, don’t count your chickens, doc. He’s gotten out of worse spots many times before. TJ leaves without another word.

Portia tells Curtis, everything’s fine. She just took a late lunch and decided she’d come home and spend it with her baby. It looks like he’s going over the books. He says he was, but it’s such a beautiful day outside, he wanted to take advantage of it. So he spent some time looking at the trees and the leaves. Then he spent some time looking at the pictures of Trina’s trip to New York, and there’s a lot of pictures of her with Spencer. She says, awesome. Let her see. He asks if she’s sure, and she says, of course (🍷) she’s sure. Let her look at the pictures. He hands her his phone, and she says, they really got around, huh? He says, she seems to be okay with that. Does she want to tell him what’s going on? She says, Trina cares about Spencer, and it seems Spencer genuinely cares about Trina. She’s old enough to make her own decisions without her mom possibly butting in.

Nina tells Sonny that she already wrapped one for Michael and Willow, and one for Carly, and he thanks her. She says she wishes she had one of Avery at the wedding, and he says, they’re going to make it up to her big time. She says she’s just glad Avery and Ava are okay, and he says he’s going to make sure they stay that way. Nina says, good, and he says he just can’t stop staring at Wiley. She says she’s thinking, and h asks if she’s thinking about the time she lied, and she says she plans on making that up. It’s nobody’s fault. He says, some of it was Carly’s.

Michael says, Martin has already done his part, but Martin tells him not to go patting himself on the back. If Michael thinks he’s surprised at the recording, he’s sadly mistaken. Even if that was admissible in a court of law, which it isn’t, this isn’t about court. It’s about Michael, trying to destroy Nina Reeves. Michael says, she’s done that herself, and Martin says, Michael sees it that way; Nina won’t. Michael says he doesn’t give a damn how she sees it. She destroyed his mom’s life and got Drew sent to prison. Now if Martin will excuse him, he has work to do. He goes to his desk, and Martin says he always makes it a point to do extensive research on the life of anybody who asks him to represent them. In his line of work, it’s kind of important. He knows he doesn’t have to remind Michael of the kind of things Nina has done in the past. Michael says he’s not concerned about her past. He’s concerned about what she’s done lately and the future. Martin says, that’s the rub, isn’t it? Because the future is exactly what Michael should be concerned about. Since he knows what kind of things she’s done, what she’s capable of, and the kind of things she will do when he takes away what matters to her.

Scotty says, Cyrus did mention some kind of a fund that helps prisoners reform… Laura says, that’s the fund? Leave it to Cyrus to find a way to use that money to help himself. Scotty says, he is pretty resourceful, and she says, he is nothing if not resourceful. Did Scotty ever believe her brother actually deserved to be released, or was it just a payday for him? He asks what kind of lawyer she thinks he is, and she says, does he want her to answer that? He says he knows Lee would probably be disappointed in him like she is, but it was a high-profile case and he’s trying to keep his practice going. Does she want him to be chasing ambulances for the rest of his life? She says she’s heard enough. She’s just asking him, when he was at the hearing and saw her brother there, did Scotty believe he deserved to be released? He says, he did seem like a different guy, and the doctor spoke on his behalf, and the warden. And eventually, the judge signed off for his release. When he saw Cyrus earlier, in his suede jacket and everything, he did look pretty healthy. She tells him, that’s exactly what she said when she saw him in the prison, and her phone dings. She looks at it and says she’s got to go.

Laura walks out, and Scotty goes back to the table. Lucy isn’t there, but he sees the contract and says, she didn’t sign.

Austin brings Cyrus to Mason’s room, and closes the door and blinds. Cyrus sits next to the bed and says, hello, Mason.

Lois says she thought they were coming back here and going over Brook’s plans for Blaze, and Chase might want to join them. It turns out he has a couple of hours off, and he said he’d love to spend time with them… With Brook, because he’s been working such long hours. Brook says, Lois is not going to do this, and Lois says, do what? Arrange for her daughter to spend time with her gorgeous boyfriend? Brook says she knows exactly how Lois thinks. She thinks she’s going to bring Chase over here, and Tracy’s offer is just going to happen to come up in the conversation, and he’s going to help Lois change her mind. Lois says, how dare Brook accuse her of such a thing? And if Tracy’s offer happened to come up in conversation, then maybe… Brook says she swears, if Tracy’s offer does come up, Lois will regret it. She’s going to put Lois in the same box she put Tracy, and she will never talk to Lois again. Does she understand? Yuri comes back with the little cookies and lemonade, and says, Mr. Chase is here to see them. Brook turns around smiling, and Lois waves her fingers at Chase.

Nina says, she and Carly both made a lot of mistakes, and Sonny says he supposes, but Carly and Drew are both paying big time for the one they made. She asks if Drew is back in Pentenville, and Sonny says, yeah. The doctor says he’s healthy enough to go back. He’s doing everything he can to keep Drew protected in there, and Carly is trying to get him out. She says she hopes Carly does, and he says, she amazes him. She says, the feeling is mutual, husband. She likes that word. He says he likes wifey too. She can’t get rid of him. They kiss, and Nina says, they both have a lot of work to do, so she’s going to go. She loves him. He says he loves her too, and thanks her for the photos. She says, he’s welcome, and leaves.

Michael says, let’s be honest. Martin is concerned about what Nina will do to him. She’s not going to be happy when she finds out Martin broke her confidence and told him that she’s the reason Drew’s in prison. Martin says, absolutely true. See how he’s scared to death of what Nina could do to him? And he’s not the only person with skin in this game, is he? He’s talking about the woman who induced Ava’s labor just so she could kidnap Michael’s baby sister. The same woman that made them all think Sonny was dead. Now she owns the MetroCourt and a very powerful intellectual magazine. Michael could be right. Given the circumstances and Nina’s feelings for Michael’s father, she might be a shrinking violet. She might just take her medicine and walk away. But Michael lets that genie out of the lamp, and she’s a wounded animal. She’s going to take that power and that influence, and she’s going to make it her mission to make Michael’s life hell, and the life of anybody he cares about. That is something to think about before he pulls the trigger. Just make sure he digs two graves. He walks out, and Michael goes to his desk to ponder this.

In the hallway on the phone, Scotty says, all right. That makes sense. He might make a lot of money off of this… No, he’s not getting too excited, so just calm down. He’ll call them back when he gets the chance. Goodbye. He gets to the table and sees that Lucy and all her belongings are gone. He says, she took my pen.

Lois says she’s so glad Chase could make it, and he says he’s kind of surprised they wanted to meet here. Brook says, Tracy is spending the day in New York City, and Lois says, speaking of Tracy… Brook stomps on her foot, and Lois yells, ow! Brook says she’s so sorry, and Lois says she knows Brook is, but accidents, they happen. Brook says, no, really. Does Lois understand just how sorry she is? Lois says she does, and she knows it will never happen again. Brook says, no, it won’t, and Lois tells Chase that Brook wanted to show her some of the music she picked out for Blaze. He says he’d love to see it, and Lois says, Brook told her that Chase and Blaze used to work together, and he might know best what would fit her voice. He says, Brook’s really the expert on that, but Brook says she doesn’t know… Lois says, Brook has musical genius running through her veins, thank you very much, but seeing a song on paper is totally different than hearing it out loud. Would Brook mind playing the song for them? Brook says, sure, and takes the sheet music to the piano. Lois asks if Chase would mind singing along with it, but Brook says, he doesn’t have to do that. He doesn’t sing anymore; he’s a detective. He says, yeah, but he’ll always sing for her.

On the patio, Curtis asks how Portia enjoyed her lunch, and she says, it was delicious. It was just what she needed. The new Co-Chief of Staff needs to keep her energy up. She flips her hair, and they laugh. Her phone dings, and he says he guesses she has to get back. She says, yeah, sorry, and he says, no problem. She says, but she’s glad they had this time together. She’ll be late tonight. He says he understands, and she hugs him from behind, kissing his cheek. She says she loves him, and he says he loves her too.

Portia leaves, when Laura comes up on the porch. She thanks Portia, but Portia says, no, thank you. She knows Laura has been wanting to see Curtis, and she thinks now is a really good time. He’s right outside on the patio. Laura says, just in case Portia didn’t know already, her brother Cyrus is out of prison, and Portia says she did know that. Could Laura do her a favor and not mention it to Curtis just yet? He’s got a lot on his plate. Laura says, of course (🍷), and Portia says, he’s going to be really happy to see Laura. She leaves, and Laura goes inside. She sees Curtis on the patio, looking out to the trees, and she looks like she might cry.

Cyrus tells Mason, don’t try to move. Those handcuffs will dig into his wrists. How is he feeling? Mason says, pain, a lot of pain, and Cyrus says he can only imagine. Does Mason see his cousin Austin is with him? He arranged this visit. That was very nice of him, wasn’t it? Mason says, yeah, and Cyrus says, when he got here, Austin let it be known that he was extremely upset with him. Does Mason know why? It’s kind of amusing actually. Austin was under the impression he gave Mason the order to kill Ava Jerome, a woman he cares very deeply about. He made a deal with Austin. He gave Austin his word, so to speak, that if Austin helped him get out of prison, he would see to it Miss Jerome was brought home safely. As Mason can see, he is out of prison, and has Mason ever known him to go back on his word? Mason says, no, and Cyrus says, exactly, looking at Austin. Cyrus says, Mason has worked for him for a very long time, hasn’t he? and Mason says, yes. Cyrus says he wants Mason to tell his cousin precisely the exact words he said to Mason on the night he was with Ava. Mason says, take her home, and Cyrus says, and Mason disobeyed him, didn’t he?

Michael goes to Sonny’s office at Pozzulo’s, and Sonny is on the phone. He says, it’s got to be special, for the perfect woman… He laughs and says, yeah. He’s the happiest he’s ever been in his life. He thanks them and sends best wishes to them and their family. Michael walks in, and Sonny says he hasn’t seen Michael since the wedding. He just kind of lied to Sal. It was a kind of a white lie, because the best time he’s had was getting married to Nina and they were all there to watch it. Michael says, there’s something he needs to talk to Sonny about.

Brook plays piano, and Chase sings. Yuri peeks in, then leaves.

Portia says hi to TJ, but he walks past her. She tries to get his attention, and he says he’s sorry. What? She asks if everything’s fine, and he says, everything’s good. She says, something else is going on, so… He insists everything’s fine, but she says she knows him. It’s okay; he can talk to her. He says, there’s this patient. There’s just something about him. She says, okay, which patient? and he says, his name is Mason Gatlin. She says, the one who tried to kill Ava.

Cyrus says he asked Mason a simple question. He wants an answer. Mason says, he disobeyed Cyrus, and Cyrus laughs and says he’s so glad they cleared that up. He’s not happy at all that Mason disobeyed him, but Miss Jerome is safe at home, so he dodged a bullet there. At least he dodged a fatal one. And they’ve already established Mason thinks he’s a man of his word, yeah? Mason says, yes, and Cyrus says he gives Mason his word in front of Almighty God and Mason’s cousin, that the pain Mason felt when he was shot, any pain he’s felt during his entire life, will pale in comparison to the pain He will feel during his long, excruciating journey to death if Mason ever betrays him again. Does he understand and believe that? Mason hesitates, and Cyrus yells, say it! making Mason and Austin jump. Mason says he understands and believes it, and Cyrus says he thinks Mason does. He slams his hand down on Mason and says, Godspeed. He asks if he and Austin understand each other now? and Austin says, they do. Cyrus says, good, and Austin leaves. Cyrus stares at Mason. I love Cyrus even though he’s the worst. There’s no story without a good villain.

Laura tells Curtis, hello. She hopes it’s all right that she came. He says he’s so glad she did, and takes her hands.

Martin sees Scotty at the bar and says he’s supposed to meet Lucy here today. Has he seen her? Scotty says, she was here, but she left like a thief in the night. Now he’s got other fish to fry. Martin says he’s sure, and Scotty says, if Martin does see her, tell her to give him back his pen.

Sonny says, Michael seems upset. Are Willow and the kids okay? Michael says, they’re fine, and Sonny says, Carly? Michael says, yeah, and Sonny says, before they get into it, can he just show Michael one thing? Michael says, but dad… and Sonny says he knows Michael is going to like this a lot. He hands Michael the picture frame and says, Nina came by this morning, and he knows he’s spoiling the surprise, but she’s going to give the one of Wiley to him and Willow. Isn’t that great? Michael can’t have too many pictures of his son. He used to do the same thing with Michael and Morgan around that age. Nina has one of Donna that she’s going to give to Carly. Michael’s not going to say anything, right? Michael says he promises, handing the frame back, and Sonny says, it is very thoughtful, right? Michael says, yeah, and Sonny says he knows Michael knows what that means. He and Willow haven’t been married that long, but Michael knows what it’s like to love somebody so much that it hurts. Nina has changed his life. Nothing against Michael’s mother. She’s happy in her own way now with Drew, especially once he gets out of that hellhole. Michael says, that’s kind of what he came to talk to Sonny about.

Laura says she’s sorry she was away so long, but Curtis says he knows she was looking for her son. Any luck? She says, they just missed him. He doesn’t want to be found, but really it made her feel relieved to know he’s okay. Curtis says he’s sure. It’s kind of ironic. They were just in Greenland, dodging bullets, only for him to come back to good old Port Charles and be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Laura says she wants him to know that Mac and Dante are doing absolutely everything in their power to find the shooter. And she’s making sure they have all the resources to do so. She also knows that’s little solace to him now. He says he’s just trying to focus on the future. It’s quite possible he could be in this chair for the rest of his life. So if that’s the case, he’ll damn well make the best of it.

Chase finishes singing, and Lois says, that was absolutely perfect. Chase says he doesn’t know about that, but Brook says, for once her mom is right. It was perfect. He says, Blaze will sound great singing that song, and Lois says she wishes she could have heard the two of them singing together. She really likes this song too. Would he sing it as well? She hands Brook another piece of music, when Lucy storms in saying, where is she? with Yuri following her. She sees Brook and says, oh, you. Where is she? Where is the Wicked Witch of the West, the East, the North, and the South?

Martin leaves Lucy a message that he hopes she’ll be there soon. Nina comes in on the phone and says she doesn’t understand how this could have happened. If they would just let her… She hangs up and goes over to Martin. She says, Trish told her that he was here. What has he done?

Sonny asks if there’s any news on Drew’s appeal, but Michael says, no. He says, Sonny knows how happy Drew and his mom were, and Sonny says, yeah. Michael says, when Drew got sent to Pentenville, it destroyed his mom. She thought it was her fault. Sonny says, Carly always thinks it’s her fault. Drew doesn’t blame her, so he’s good for her. Michael says, he would be if he wasn’t in Pentenville, and Sonny says, then let’s get him out. Michael says, they might not be able to make that happen, but… Sonny says, wait, wait, wait. Nina made it a point when she was here to say she was happy for Carly and Drew. She wanted them to be happy, and that she wanted Drew out of Pentenville. Crimson is a very important magazine. She owns it. She can use the magazine to help. Michael says he doesn’t think… and Sonny says, Michael doesn’t understand. Nina can be strong, and she can put the heat on. He’s going to call her right now. Michael says, no, dad, wait.

Portia asks TJ if there’s something he sensed about this guy when he met him before, and TJ says, nothing specific, but it didn’t seem like Austin liked him coming around much. She says she thinks the best thing for TJ to do is just steer clear of him altogether, and he says, yeah. Mason probably just reminds him of some other creep. TJ goes back to work.

Cyrus comes out of the elevator and sees Portia. However, this time he has a clue, and doesn’t bother her. He walks out of the hospital.  

Laura says she thought about calling Curtis so many times, and he says he knows. Portia told him Laura reached out to her to check on him. She says, it’s just that she didn’t think she could adequately express on a phone call how much he means to her, and he says, they’ve been through some tough times, huh? She says, he’s a hero, but he says, no, and she says, just accept it. It’s not just because he’s saved so many lives, two of them being her grandsons, but she has a special place in her heart for him from a long time ago. He says, it’s funny how that works. Sometimes you just make a connection with someone; it’s unexplainable. She says, and it’s unbreakable, and he wheels closer. They join hands, and Laura says, and nothing will ever change that.

Lois says, hiya, Lucy, and Lucy waves to her and says, hi. Don’t change the subject. Where is she? Where’s Tracy? Brook says, she went to New York City for the day, and Lucy says, of course (🍷) she did. She went out of town because she didn’t want to be here for the dirty deed to get done. But Brook’s here, isn’t she? And she’s just as responsible for all of this as Tracy is. Chase says, now wait a minute, and Lois asks why Yuri didn’t stop Lucy. He says he doesn’t touch women… He means, like that, and Brook says, just let Lucy talk. Lucy says she has plenty to talk about Chase’s girlfriend and Lois’s daughter. How about her insincere camaraderie? How about her unending lying and the fact that she actually outright stole from them? Chase starts to move forward, but Brook stops him and says, she has every right to be furious. Lucy says she is furious. She’s so furious, but you know what? She really wanted Brook’s evil grandmother to be here to witness the spoils of her vicious attack. She looks for somewhere to sign the contract, and tells Yuri, come over here, big man. She turns him around and signs it, using his back as a desk. She throws it at them, and says, there. Are you happy? She hopes Brook is so satisfied, and please tell her grandmother she can kiss… Nope. She’s too much of a lady. She walks out. Yuri asks if he should lock the door, but Lois says, it’s a little late for that.

Martin says he’s so desperately sorry. Nina has to believe him. Nothing like this ever happened before. His clients are his first priority. That’s why he’s so ashamed of letting her down like that. He just hopes she can find it in her heart to… Nina says, it’s not the end of the world. It’s just, she wanted those contracts with Estron to be filed before they could change their mind and pull their ads. He says, Estron, and she says, he was supposed to file them by end of business yesterday. Martin says he knows, which is why he’s so utterly ashamed to have let her down like he has. He knows he can make it right. He has a great relationship with the CEO, so he promises no damage will come to Crimson. She says, see that there isn’t, and leaves. He knocks back his drink.

Sonny says he really believes Nina can help, and Michael says, that’s not a good idea. Sonny asks, why? What does he mean? Michael stammers and says, Sonny just got married. He should be celebrating. Don’t put this on her plate right now. Sonny says, he’s right. They did just get married. He doesn’t want to spring this on her, although he knows she’d probably be fine with it because that’s who she is. He’s so happy Michael got to be at the wedding. He fell for her and wants this to last forever, like Michael and Willow. Michael says, yeah. He should get to work. Sonny says he’s sorry. Michael had to tell him something? Michael says he realized it’s something he can handle on his own. He appreciates that, and thanks Sonny. Sonny says, Michael knows he can come to him for anything, right? He loves Michael; Michael is his son. Michael hugs Sonny, and says he loves him too. Michael leaves, looking pretty miserable. In the hallway, he takes out his phone and makes a call. He asks if Nina Reeves is in… No. No message. Are they expecting her back soon?… Good. He’ll speak to her when he sees her. He leaves Pozzulo’s.

Tomorrow, Dante says he doesn’t want Mac to find out Cody is his kid; Carly would like to speak to the warden; and Nina wonders where someone got something. I know that’s vague, but that’s what they gave me to work with.

☃️ Winter Trainwreck…

This season, there are even more awful people than ever before, with crossovers from Vanderpump Rules and Below Deck Med. And more examples of the wrong people having the money. Reality TV, where awful people get well-paying jobs.

Old news, but a refresher on what you’ll be up against.

https://people.com/winter-house-season-3-trailer-7969301

You know it’s bad when the already awful old cast members want to distance themselves.

https://people.com/winter-house-season-3-premire-danielle-olivera-doesnt-want-tom-schwartz-scandoval-drama-exclusive-8364821

What happened in the premiere.

Alex Propson Shoots His Shot With 2 Girls on ‘Winter House’ Season Premiere

When awful people nearly collide. Did they really expect it to be a happy reunion?

https://pagesix.com/2023/10/24/entertainment/carl-radke-lindsay-hubbard-openly-avoid-each-other-at-winter-house-premiere-2-months-after-split/

The one they wanted to get away.

Winter House Season 3 Will Confront Tom Sandoval’s Absence

👄 Forces Of Reality Nature…

It was bound to happen. Now that they’ve made their money, sour grapes arise.

Bethenny Frankel and NeNe Leakes Announce Limited Series

👠 Investigation Housewife…

This might be worth reading. Vanity Fair isn’t a slouch when it comes to writing.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-12651523/Vanity-Fair-release-investigation-Bravo-Housewives-stars.html

🎃 Spawning a Thousand Sequels…

A Halloween movie so definitive, it’s called Halloween.

https://halloweenmovies.com/

👻 Gone To the Dogs… and Cats…

Halloween movies with pets in them.

https://be.chewy.com/top-7-halloween-movies-with-pets/

Halloween movies to watch with your dog.

10 Halloween Dog Movies to Watch with your Dog

🐺 Howling At the Moon…

Join me tomorrow for soap and whatever I can stomach of RHOBH. Until then, stay safe, stay out of the candy bowl until trick-or-treating is over (unless you are a trick-or-treater), and stay not stealing anyone’s pen.

Aug1

July 31, 2023 – Drew Intervenes For Cyrus, IRL, NYC SOS, Aspen Girlfriend, Caught, Tyrone, Collie & Goodbye

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

On the phone, Sonny says he needs them to find out everything they can on a Gordon Stevens. He did a little time in Pentenville. He took two bullets outside of GH, and Sonny wants to find out who’s responsible. He goes to the MetroCourt rooftop seating and finds Anna. He asks if this seat is taken, and she says, it is now. He sits across from her, and says he’s glad he found her. He was a worried about her the last time he saw her. She seemed a bit off. She says she got tired of hiding out at home. She got tired of eating cereal for dinner. She’s not very good in the kitchen, and with Valentin gone, it’s possible she could starve. Apparently, she’s never heard of Door Dash. Sonny says he’s surprised Valentin hasn’t come home from his trip, especially with what’s going on with her, but she says she’s fine on her own. She doesn’t need Valentin to protect her. He says, Anna might not need Valentin, but does Valentin know the WSB is trying to kill her?

Gregory gets in the elevator at the MetroCourt, and Tracy yells for him to hold it. He does, and she gets in. He says, you’re welcome.

Alexis lets herself into Molly’s apartment, and asks, how’s the patient? Molly says, she’s making way too much of this. She’s more embarrassed than she is hurt. Alexis tells her, that boot says otherwise. Alexis is her mommy, so let Alexis take care of her, for no other reason than to make Alexis feel better. Molly says she just wishes she could go back to work, but Alexis says, she needs to take a minute. Does she need anything? Molly says she’s good. Sam came by and made sure the fridge was full; Krissy offered to shop for her. Alexis says, good. It’s good of the girls to bring her groceries. Molly says, Krissy didn’t exactly bring her food. She came with something much better. Molly shows her Valiant, and Alexis takes him, saying, aww.

Michael says, Kristina wants to know why he’s so hard on Nina, but she tells him, that’s not what she said. She asked why he’s being such a bastard to her. He says, let him ask her a question. Why is she always so damn nice to Nina? She says she knows their family was hurt by what happened between dad and Nina, but they’re engaged. They’re a part of their family now, so he has to get over it.

Sitting in the prison library, Cyrus reads out loud, peace I leave with you; My peace I give unto you. Not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled. Better let it be afraid… Book slams the Bible shut, and Cyrus says, Lord, let me be a channel of Your peace. Book grabs him and lifts him out of his chair, and slams him up against the wall. He says, there’s no one to help you, old man. No warden, no guards. He’s all alone. There’s no one to help him now. Drew says, but he can. Get the hell away from him. Um… I feel like I missed something with Cyrus becoming this weaker character.

Meeting for drinks, Felicia asks if things are hectic at Deception, and Lucy says, that’s an understatement. She feels like she’s swamped. They’re all scrambling to do massive damage control. Felicia says she feels terrible for poor Sasha, and Cody. She’s just glad he’s going to be okay. It could have been a lot worse. Lucy says, she’s right. They just don’t know what happened. It was so sudden. Sasha’s life was on track. She was doing fine. She was happy. She was looking forward to doing the interview. Then she just lost it – boom. Sasha’s meltdown could have tanked Deception completely. It sent their stock tumbling, but thankfully, they have the Deceptor. The sales are incredible, and she thinks it’s going to save the company. Felicia says, at least that’s good news, and Lucy says, it should be. Felicia says, it’s not, and Lucy says, it’s just… she can’t help it. She discusses and brings up the Deceptor, and all she can think about is Martin was the inspiration for her to create it. Felicia says, and the problem with that would be? and Lucy says she can’t stop thinking about how he gets $50,000 in alimony a month from ex-wife number three. Why didn’t he tell her that? Why keep that a secret? And what else could he be hiding from her?

Tracy says, he’s welcome for what exactly? and Gregory says he held the door for her. The polite response would be, thank you. She says, I’m so sorry, Emily Post. She didn’t realize he expected to be thanked for a basic courtesy. Her phone rings, and he says, so she is familiar with the concept of basic courtesy. Tracy answers, and tells Monica that she’s in the elevator on her way to the restaurant. Although she wishes she’d taken the stairs… She’s canceling? Could Monica have given her a warning?… It is always a medical emergency with her… No, she wasn’t aware Monica was a doctor. She’ll see Monica at home. The door opens, and Gregory says, ladies first. She thanks him, and gets out.

Anna tells Sonny that she doesn’t want to worry Valentin at all. He has his hands full with Laura and Doc and whatever he’s doing. Besides, she doesn’t believe for one second that the Bureau has a hit out on her. Sonny asks if she’s sure about that, because they both know the gun was traced back to the WSB. Anna says, the easiest explanation is that the gun was stolen and sold on the black market. He says, and the shooter? and she says she doesn’t know. A rogue agent? At worst, maybe someone whose family was hurt by her actions. It’s a long time ago, but maybe they want payback. He asks if she’s still planning on using herself as bait to draw them out.

Alexis asks Molly, where on earth did Kristina find Valiant? Where was he hiding? Molly says, Kristina was going through stuff in Alexis’s attic, looking for stuff to sell at the fundraiser. She opened a box, and guess who was sitting there? Alexis says, Kristina used to brush his tail and braid it every night. Then she’d sleep with him in the crook of her neck, and Alexis had to put out carrots in case he got hungry in the middle of the night. Molly says she forgot about the carrots, and Alexis says, Valiant was a very special pony, and Valiant was the only one who could sleep on the bed, where the other stuffed animals were relegated to the floor. Because Molly believed that Valiant was special and needed a place of prominence. Molly asks if she really used that word, and Alexis says, of course (🍷) she did. She had a very big vocabulary at six; she still does. This pony went with her into every important moment of her life when she was little. Molly doesn’t know this, but Alexis actually heard her having a conversation with Valiant when she was getting ready for junior prom. She actually took Valiant with her when she took her SATs. Alexis didn’t know you could do that, but Kristina did. It was a second ago that Kristina was a little girl and had a stuffed pony, and now she’s Alexis’s big girl. She’s practicing law. Kristina says she may be all grown up, but she still needs her mom.

Michael says he doesn’t want to get into this with Kristina. Nina has caused enough stress in his life. The last thing he wants to do is fight about Nina with her. Kristina says, good. She’s not looking for a fight. She’s just offering Michael a simple solution. He asks if she’s giving him advice, and she says she is. He can be Mr. Big Shot Business Guy here, but they all know she has a sixth sense when it comes to people. He asks what her sixth sense is telling her, and she says, that he should drop this grudge and just give Nina a chance. He says, that’s just it. He’s given Nina chance after chance, and she keeps crossing the line. Kristina says, he shouldn’t even be drawing a line. Make peace. If not for his sake, do it for Willow. He says, if he just does what she’s telling him, everybody will be happy, and she says, yeah, basically. He says, it’s not about him. This is about Willow. When it comes to Nina, whatever Willow decides, he’ll support. She says, wow. How does he do that? He has to teach her. He says, teach her what?

Book says, this has nothing to do with Drew. So why doesn’t he just walk away and pretend he didn’t see anything? Drew says he can’t do that, and Book says, if he gets involved, he’ll pay the price. Is this codger really worth it to him? I wonder who uses words like codger, and Cyrus says, he’s making a mistake, but Book says, Cyrus is the one making a mistake. He thinks he has power here? That everyone’s still in his pocket? He doesn’t have any more allies; those days are gone. Cyrus starts looking uncomfortable and rubbing his chest, and Drew says, he told Book to leave him alone. Book says he’s giving Drew one more chance to get the hell out of here and forget he saw this. Cyrus starts to breath heavily, and Drew says he really doesn’t want any trouble here. Book tells Cyrus, you’re getting weak, old man. (What is Cyrus? Like 50?) We all see it. Drew decks Book, who falls to the floor. Cyrus crouches down, clutching his chest.

Michael asks what skill Kristina wants him to teach her, and more important, why? She says, he never actually committed to giving Nina a second chance, and he didn’t even say he’d try to get along with her. What he did say was he would leave it up to Willow. He says he still doesn’t follow because he’s stupid, and she says, it’s a classic move out of the Michael Corinthos playbook. Keep everything close to the vest, don’t give anything away, always keep your options open. It’s very admirable. Meanwhile, she’s over here like an open book. Leaping before she looks, impulsive. It doesn’t always bode well for her professionally or personally. He says, she’s giving him too much credit. Yes, he’s very analytical and thinks about everything, but she’s open, honest, and a free spirit. She goes where her heart tells her to go, and that’s not always a bad thing. Plus, she genuinely wants to help people. He admires her for that. She thanks him, and says she’s glad he sees them as good qualities, because honestly, it doesn’t always get the job done.

Anna tells Sonny that she’s got a few ideas, but it will take more investigating before she puts a plan in motion. Sonny says, let him know if she needs help. He doesn’t like that she’s alone in that house when there are threats coming. She says she really appreciates Sonny looking out for her, but can he call his watchdog off? She sees him parked outside her house, and she doesn’t need that kind of protection. She just doesn’t want it. He says he gets it. She wants him to stay out of it. She says, he has enough on his plate. He doesn’t need to add her to his long list of problems. He says he’s got a lot going on, but he always has time for her.

Molly says, when Alexis talks about memories from when she was little, now it’s bittersweet. It’s something she might never get to experience. Will she ever get to make memories like that with a child of her own someday? It’s something she really wants. Alexis asks if TJ feels the same way, and Molly says, he does. Alexis asks if they’ve talked about options, and Kristina says, when they committed to each other, they always thought kids were something in the future. They wanted to establish their careers first, but deep down, she wanted to be a mom. They were both so disappointed when they found out she wasn’t pregnant. For a few short hours before she took the home pregnancy test, they were just excited about the thought of being parents. Then they got hit with the endometriosis news, and she couldn’t accept that she couldn’t have a baby. It leaves them with a lot to think about. Alexis says she’s certain Molly and TJ will make the right decision, because it’s certainly their decision to make. Molly says, they definitely want a baby, but how do they make that happen?

The hostess says, table for two? and Tracy says, no, but Gregory says, yes. Come on. Live a little. Her dinner date canceled. Tracy says, it wasn’t a date; it was her former sister-in-law. He says, just join him for dinner. Please. She says, well, since he said please… Table for two. The hostess says, right this way. She’ll send their waitress right over. Gregory holds Tracy’s chair for her, and she says, thank you, kind sir. I love courtesy, but I have to admit, chair holding makes me nervous. I’m always afraid I’ll end up just half on the chair or on the floor. He says, she’s welcome. See? They’re making progress. She asks if this is going to be a running theme. He does his best Cary Grant, holding elevators and pulling out chairs, and she’s supposed to say thank you every time? What’s next? Throwing his jacket over a puddle? He asks if that would be so bad, and she says, torture. They open their menus.

Drew asks if Book has allies or he’s working on his own, and bent over and panting, Cyrus says, allies. Drew asks, how many? And Cyrus says something indecipherable. Drew says, they have to get him out of here. Can he walk? Cyrus shakes his head, and Drew says, they’re going to get him to the infirmary. Book comes to and gets up. He takes a shiv out of his sock, and runs toward Drew.

Molly says, their first choice was IVF, and Alexis says, understandable. IVF is very common now. Molly says, exactly. She thought it was simple. Use her eggs and TJ sperm. An embryo would be carried by a gestational surrogate. Now they know that can’t happen because her eggs aren’t viable. So the next option would be using someone else’s eggs, and that could be from the donor or the surrogate. Alexis says, she has a lot to process, and Molly says she knows. She just can’t help but think using Kristina might be the best solution.

Michael and Kristina sit down, and Michael asks, what job needs to get done? Is this about the foundation she’s starting? She says, the shelter, yeah. She’s setting up a shelter for LGBTQIA+ teens that are at risk. Dad found the site and set up all the funding. He says, that’s good, right? and she says, it’s amazing. She has to get everything off the ground; contractors and architects, and securing building permits. She has to learn all these new tax codes for non-profit. It’s a lot, and she’s just realizing how in over her head she is. He asks how he can help, and she says she thought he’d never ask.

Sonny says he hates what that bastard Victor did to Anna. Exposing her past is cruel. She says, the Cassadines can be a cruel bunch sometimes, and he says, but there is a collateral to this. They’re not on opposite sides. They don’t have to pretend they’re not friends. She says she never pretended, and they laugh. He says, so all this time she’s been judging him and digging him for his criminal activity, she’s meant it? and she says, absolutely. But if she’s being honest, she has to admit, even when she was doing her duty to uphold the law and bring him to justice, there was part of her that really admired how he was able to… He says, get away with it, and she says, okay, and laughs.

Felicia tells Lucy not to jump to conclusions. They don’t know for sure that those payments are alimony. Lucy says, come on. You don’t have to be a lawyer to figure it out. She gets up and says, your honor, exhibit A; Mr. Grey is receiving $50,000 every single month from a company in Pine Valley called Maquillage. That said company is owned by his horrible, greedy ex-wife number three. She looks at Felicia, and Felicia says, what? Lucy says, it just occurred to her. They only have Marty’s word that ex-wife number three is so horrible and greedy. She’s the one that’s shelling out all that alimony. What if it’s Marty? What if he’s the one who’s so greedy? Felicia says she doesn’t think… and Lucy says, wait a second. That’s the reason he couldn’t marry her. Because he would lose all that money. She digs in her bag, and Felicia asks what she’s looking for. Lucy says she’s looking for any gummi, even if it’s stale, and Felicia says she thought Lucy told her that wasn’t working for her. Martin walks in, and says, lookee here. Two of his favorite ladies. It must be his lucky night. Can he join them?

Book rushes Drew, as Cyrus remains doubled over and breathing heavily. Drew and Book circle each other, and Drew gives Book a kick, sending him flying into the shelves. Book picks up a book (ha-ha), and tries to hit Drew with it, but Drew dodges it and knocks Book down. He picks Book back up, and is punching the hell out of him, when the guards walk in. Two of them grab Drew and Book, and the third says, solitary for the both of them. Cyrus slides to the floor.

Anna says, there was always a part of her that admired Sonny’s ability to compartmentalize. On the one hand, he’s a loving father, going to dance recitals, soccer matches, whatever. On the other hand, he’s head of a criminal enterprise. It’s an interesting dichotomy, doesn’t he think? The doting father, then the commitment to running his business. He says, it’s a good thing, right? and she laughs, saying, yeah. It’s a good thing. But as an agent, she didn’t have the luxury of admiring the person she was trying to take down, because then it’s her personal feelings affecting her work. It compromises the whole situation. And if she’s being honest, that’s exactly what happened early on in her career, and she was determined that wasn’t going to happen with him. Now her reputation is kind of tarnished. She can say with 100% certainty, she never turned a blind eye to him or his organization. He says, that’s for damn sure. When she was Police commissioner, she was all over him, and he’s sure she was like that with any agent she was up against. She says, yes, she was, and he looks down. She asks if she hurt his feelings, but he says, no… What if it wasn’t Victor?

Kristina says, all foundations have a Board of Directors. She wants Michael to join. He says, who else is on the Board? and she says, no one, yet, but that’s only because he’s her first and only choice. She knows how busy he is here, but not just here; he has a lot going on everywhere. She knows he’s covering for Drew while he’s away, and at home, he has things going on with Willow and the kids. The last thing she wants to do is add to that, but he’s the smartest person she knows. Please? What does he say?

Gregory tells Tracy that his friend was in a bind and asked him to watch his dog. He said Astro wouldn’t be a problem. He just didn’t like to be left alone, so of course (🍷), he had to take Astro to class with him. So he’s in the middle of this passionate lecture about freedom of the press, and he hears tittering in the class. He’s a little offended, so he stops and says, does anybody have any questions? One student raises his hand and says, Professor, did you forget to walk your dog this morning? That’s when he realized Astro was relieving himself in the middle of the classroom. Tracy laughs, and he says, the moral of the story is don’t ever bring a pet to class. They will upstage you every time. She says, that was surprisingly charming, and he says, thank you… I think.

Molly says she must sound like a hypocrite after her reaction when Kristina first brought up the idea, but Alexis says, absolutely not. Her reaction was completely appropriate. Kristina’s timing, however, was not. There’s a lot to weigh with Kristina’s offer. Molly says she went ballistic when she overheard Kristina talking about being the egg donor and surrogate, but the more she thinks about it, it could be a good option. She and Krissy share DNA, so the baby would technically be a part of her. And it’s not like they’re using some stranger who could have a questionable lifestyle. They know Kristina’s medical history and her social habits. That’s a good thing, right? Alexis says, Molly sounds like she’s trying to talk herself into it. Is she? Molly says, she’s pointing out that Kristina seems to check all the boxes, which means she could be the perfect choice to carry their baby. What does Alexis think?

Lucy says, funny. She was just singing Martin’s praises. She was telling Felicia that the sales for The Deceptor are skyrocketing, thank goodness, and she owes it all to him because he was the inspiration for it. Martin says, they all know The Deceptor is 100% Lucy’s baby. There’s no reason to bring him into it. Lucy looks at Felicia, and Martin asks how their trip went. Felicia says, it was a fun getaway, and he asks where they went. Felicia says, they went to the spa… and Lucy says, in Llanview. Who knew? It was just beautiful. Felicia says, it was a real girls trip; wine, facials, and spa treatments. It’s getting late. She needs to check in with Mac and relieve him of his babysitting duties. A grandmother’s work is never done. She jets, and Martin asks Lucy if Felicia is okay.

A guard examines Cyrus, and Drew says he thinks Cyrus is having a heart attack. Please just get him out of here. The guard tells him to shut up and tells the others to take Drew and Book out of here. Book is hauled out, but Drew says he was in the military. Please. Just let him help Cyrus. The guard says, fine. Let him go. Drew runs to Cyrus and starts checking him out like he knows what he’s doing.

Tracy tells the waitress, separate checks, but Gregory says he’s got it. Tracy says she can pay for herself, and he says he’s not questioning her finances, but he insisted she join him, so his treat. She says, he’s definitely more entertaining than her sister-in-law, and he says, that’s not exactly a stellar review, but he’ll take it. Next time, she can grab the check. She says, next time? Who says there will be a next time? He just smiles.

Cyrus is on his back on the floor, and Drew blots his face with water. He tells Cyrus, try to relax. Take deep breaths. It’s very important. Take deep breaths in through his nose and out through his mouth. He tells the guards that they have to call the infirmary again, and the main guard tells the other to find out what’s taking so long. Drew tells Cyrus, hang in there. You got this.

Alexis says, it’s such a personal decision for Molly; she doesn’t want to influence her. Molly asks if Alexis can at least help her weigh the options. Try and sit back and talk to her as a former lawyer, not her mother. Alexis says, on the positive side, Kristina is in good health and she’s at a good age, but there are so many other things to consider. She knows Molly wants this to be the perfect solution because Kristina is her sister and she loves her, and because the baby would share her DNA; but on the minus side, most surrogates don’t have a relationship with the baby after it’s born, and Kristina would have a relationship with the baby forever. Molly says, but she already knows Kristina is an amazing aunt, and she’d be the same for… and Alexis says, that’s just it. She wouldn’t really be the baby’s aunt. She would be the baby’s biological mother, and that just buys Molly a whole lot of really complex issues that could come down the line. She just wants Molly to think about it and be prepared. Molly asks if she’s saying Kristina wouldn’t accept the role of aunt, and she’d want to be more, but Alexis says she doesn’t know that. Molly doesn’t know that. Kristina doesn’t know that. She’s never been pregnant before, and nobody knows if she’d be able to detach or not. Molly says, Alexis is freaking her out, but Alexis says she’s not trying to. She’s just trying to make Molly think. This is a huge commitment for Kristina. Molly says she realizes that, but she’s not sure Kristina does.

Michael says he’d be honored to have a seat on the Board, and Kristina thanks him, hugging him. She says she knew she could count on him, and he says he knows she’s going to make this youth center a huge success. She says she hopes so. She wishes she had that confidence. She feels like with her running things, it’s only going to last six months. He says, she has to believe in herself, and she tells him, funny he should say that. Molly was literally saying that to her the other day. She thinks her big fear is that she’s going to make huge mess out of everything – again – and then dad’s going to have to clean up after her. And mom is going to be totally disappointed with her again. And ultimately, she’ll prove everyone right, that she can’t do anything and follow through with something. He tells her to stop being so hard on herself, and she says, dad really gave her a great head start with this foundation. She just knows if she doesn’t succeed, she’s going to let him down. He says he can’t believe he’s saying this, but she underestimates dad.

Sonny says, all this information about Anna being a double agent that got to the press. He’s sure the WSB sealed the records. Why expose her now? She says, the timing isn’t a coincidence. Even in death, Victor is the gift that keeps on giving. It all just came out when his will was being read. The lawyer played this taped message from Victor, saying he was leaving her with the truth. She wasn’t sure what that meant, then less than an hour later, she was here, remember? And she was arrested by Agent Hursley. Then the whole media blitz started. Her face was plastered on every newspaper: Anna Devane, Double Agent. He says, so Cassadine exposing her past was all about payback? His final act of revenge? She says she thinks so. What else could it be?

Michael tells Kristina, despite his feelings about dad, he can be objective. He’s always been a savvy businessman. He wouldn’t invest time and money in Kristina if he thought she’d fail. If she needs Sonny’s guidance, just reach out to him. He’ll surround her with professionals who know how to get the job done. She says, that’s what she thought too, but once they got the funding set up, he completely backed off. Michael says, probably because he doesn’t want to overstep and make it seem like he’s keeping tabs on her. Dad is her biggest fan, and he’ll give her all the tools she needs to succeed. All she has to do is reach out to him. She says, it’s annoying how right he is sometimes. Michael’s got to admit, he still loves dad. Otherwise, Michael wouldn’t have this much faith in him. Michael says she should get out of here, and hugs her. Her new Board member needs to get to work. She thanks him and leaves.

Anna says, clearly someone else from the WSB could have reason to leak those confidential files, and Sonny says, she was a damn good agent. He’s sure she was a threat to somebody in the organization who thought they could shut her out. She says, could be. Her ego would really like to believe that’s true, but she has no way of knowing. She doesn’t even know if that bullet was meant for her at the pool. It could have just as easily been meant for him. He says he considered that. He’s been working with a high-powered security firm lately. Has she heard of Pikeman? She says, yes, she’s heard of Pikeman. Trust her. He doesn’t want anything to do with them.

Tracy guesses Gregory doesn’t miss lecturing, since he does so much of it outside the classroom, and he laughs. He notices his hand shaking and steadies it with his other hand. She asks if he’s okay, and he says he’s fine. Too many years of writing on a blackboard. Teachers don’t have to worry about that anymore; everything’s electronic. He’s sorry, but he has to run. He promised Alexis that he’d look over an article for her before it goes to press. They say goodnight, and he heads for the elevator, steadying himself for a moment along the way. Tracy watches him, and takes out her phone.

Molly thanks Alexis, and says, Alexis has given her a lot to think about. She wasn’t looking at it from Kristina’s viewpoint, and that’s something she and TJ have to consider. Alexis says she knows this is hard, and she’s sorry, but she knows Molly is brave and can handle it. And like she’s said, sometimes the most difficult things in life… Molly joins her in saying, can be the most rewarding. Alexis gives Molly a kiss, and says, Molly’s her favorite. Molly says, she tells all of them that, and Alexis says she does. The good news is, Molly isn’t doing this alone. Alexis did it alone twice, and it’s hard. But Molly has TJ, and that little guy; she points to the horse. Molly thanks her, and asks what she’d do without her. Alexis says, hopefully, she won’t have to know for a very long time. See ya, Valiant. She leaves, and in the hallway, her phone rings. She asks what she can do for Tracy, and Tracy says she just had dinner with a friend of Alexis’s, Gregory Chase. Alexis asks what Tracy was having dinner with Gregory for, and Tracy says, it’s not important. She wants to know if something’s wrong with him. Alexis says, in what way? and Tracy says, his health.

Lucy asks if Martin has checked in with his mother today, and he says he does every day; she knows that. If he doesn’t call, mama calls the neighbors. She says, so how is his mother today? and he says, she’s as vivacious as ever. He thanks her for asking, and says, as a matter of fact, she was trying on a new lipstick when they spoke. It’s Bingo night, and she’s vying for the affections of one Mr. Brewster, the most eligible bachelor there. Lucy says, clearly, she seems to be enjoying herself at the retirement home. It’s good, right? They take good care of her. She hears those places are very, very expensive. It makes her think he has such a huge financial burden; his mom and paying all that alimony to his ex-wives, three of them. He says, they’re a rather unique set of rapacious creatures, to be sure, especially number three. She’s a real piece of work. A vulture. Picks at your bones until there’s nothing left. Lucy says, she just sounds awful, and he says, she is, but he manages somehow for mama. He has to. It’s not like Cyrus can provide for her.

On the radio, the guard asks, where the hell’s that doctor? They need him here now. Drew tells Cyrus to stay with him, while he continues to blot Cyrus’s forehead. He says, hang on. Help is on the way. Stay with him. Come on. Stay with me. Cyrus sees a bright white light.

I’m no paramedic, but shouldn’t Drew be doing… something more?

Tomorrow, Anna asks how involved Sonny is with them; Carly accuses Ava of being up to her old tricks; and Dante asks, what happens if his old man’s theory is right?

🌱 Celebration Of Life…

The real-life memorial for Jacklyn Zeman. Still no word on how GH will be handling this. I don’t blame them. We haven’t recovered from Sonja Eddy yet.

Celebrating the Life of GH’s Jacklyn Zeman

🗽 What Happens In NYC…

Recapping the same old in younger packaging. So disappointing.

RHONY Recap: Jenna is Called Out for Leaving Erin’s Home as Brynn Accuses Erin of Double Standard and the Ladies Grill Jessel Over Her Incessant Complaining

💎 Latest Edition…

So is this the best and final? What’s up with this woman?

Bravo Alum Claims Kyle Richards and Morgan Wade Are “Clearly Together” & “Definitely a Couple” as RHOBH Star and Morgan Are Pictured in Aspen Together, See the Pic

🤢 Ptooey…

Eww. I’ll bet she’s thrilled to hear this.

VIDEO: Tom Sandoval is Caught Checking Out Ariana Amid Filming on Vanderpump Rules, Watch as She Refuses to Acknowledge Him After Near-Run-in at $2 Million Home

⚗️ Watch This…

I watched this movie last weekend, and I loved it. Very funny and at times even poignant. It should also get an Oscar nod for costumes.

Review: A pusher, pimp and prostitute walk into Netflix for sci-fi comedy ‘They Cloned Tyrone’

https://www.salon.com/2023/07/30/jamie-foxx-they-cloned-tyrone/

🐕 Don’t Dream It, Be It…

This is one of the coolest things I’ve seen in a while. Maybe it’s weird, but more power to him for living his dream. And he’s bringing happiness to people. A real life Sam from True Blood. I always thought Sam would make the perfect boyfriend. When he became tiresome, he could turn into a dog.

https://people.com/japanese-man-steps-out-in-usd14k-custom-made-border-collie-costume-for-the-first-time-7567864

https://nypost.com/2023/07/28/toco-the-human-border-collie-steps-out-for-first-ever-walk-in-public/

☃️ Get Out the Parkas…

Join me tomorrow for soap and tea. Until then, stay safe, stay holding the elevator door if someone asks, and stay remembering that sometimes the most difficult things in life can be the most rewarding.

Jul22

July 21, 2023 – Sonny Sizes Up Austin, New Nanny, Will He, Transformed, Dueling Deckhands, New Chef, Dead Stuff, She’s Here, Robfusal, Sea Dog, Just Five Quotes & Her World

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Sonny says, to protecting our own, and clinks glasses with Nina and Ava. He asks Austin, what’s wrong? Does he have a problem with the toast?

As the doctor pokes at Curtis’s legs, TJ asks what he feels, but Curtis says he doesn’t feel a thing. He can’t feel anything. None of them seem surprised that he can’t feel his legs. Will somebody tell him what the hell is going on? He shouts, what’s going on?!

Diane walks into the hospital on the phone, and says she’s literally walking in the door… Don’t worry. She’ll find Sasha and take care of everything. Leaning on the counter, Robert says, everything? That’s a tall order, even for Killer Miller.

Sasha is wheeled out of the elevator, and Gladys says, she’s going to get better. She knows it doesn’t look like it, but she promises to do everything she can to get Sasha all the help she needs. Dr. Montague comes out and says he knows how upsetting this must be for Gladys, but he’s here now. He asks if Sasha remembers him. He’s Dr. Montague, and he’s here to help her. She says, help her? and he says, she’s not herself right now, but he promises she will be soon. He’ll make sure of that. He asks the officer to take Sasha to the exam room, and the officer leaves with Sasha. Gladys says, he never told her that Sasha would get this bad, but Montague says, her daughter-in-law is much worse off than she led him to believe. Gladys asks what he gave her. She hurt somebody. It’s lucky she didn’t kill him. And she’s in so much pain now. She never meant for Sasha to suffer… He says, shut up. They both know what she meant to happen. She did her part; now he’ll do his. He goes into the exam room, and closes the door. Gladys looks at Sasha through the window, and Montague closes the blinds.

Carly visits Drew in Pentenville, and says she knows she promised she wouldn’t visit so soon, but he says he’s glad she did. She says she knows he wanted to feel more settled, but she had to see him. She misses him so much. He says he misses her, and she says, here she is. He says, she looks so beautiful, even in a place like this, and she says, she talked to Sam. Scout’s determined to visit him ASAP. He says, she knows how Scout is when she sets her mind to something; you can’t change it. The last time he was locked in a cell, he etched her name in the wall, and that’s what kept him alive, but now he has so much more to live for. She says, this place is better than Crete, right? and he flashes back to Cyrus giving him a Bible with a screwdriver in it. Carly asks, what’s wrong?

At the pool, Dex tells Josslyn, other people were at the pool when the shooting happened. Anna Devane for one, and the police are even certain Curtis wasn’t the target. She says she’s certain. Curtis was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The bullet was meant for Sonny. It could have been Dex. He says, no, but she says, he already got shot working for Sonny. What’s to say it won’t happen again? He says, because now he has more to live for. He’s never loved anyone as much as he loves her. He’s not going to give that up. They kiss.

TJ says, Curtis has every right to be concerned, and Portia says, TJ is right, but he doesn’t want to put too much stress on himself right now. That’s going to make it… Curtis says, stop. He can’t feel his legs. He needs them to stop talking to him like family. They’re doctors and he’s a patient. Why can’t he feel his legs? Dr. Barnsdall says he understands why Curtis is so concerned, but he’s just come through very extensive spinal surgery. Curtis is lucky to be alive. The bullet fragments he removed were lodged very close to Curtis’s spine. He was under very heavy sedation during the procedure. Every patient’s body reacts differently when that wears off. Curtis says, so the anesthesia is why he can’t feel his legs? and the doctor says, that’s one of the possibilities. Curtis says, cut it to him straight. What are the other possibilities? Dr. Barnsdall says he still needs to look at some of the other tests and scans they took after the surgery, and then he’ll better be able to answer some of Curtis’s questions. He’ll leave Curtis with his family now. The doctor leaves with the nurse, and TJ asks if Curtis heard what Dr. Barnsdall said. Very few people would have even survived that surgery. Portia says, if Aunt Stella were here, she thinks Stella would call it a miracle, and Curtis says, a miracle.

Diane tells Robert that she’s here to see her client Sasha Gilmore. Yes, she knows Sasha was recently represented by Martin Grey, but he asked her to take over when he was called away. He asks if Martin is going to be back, and she says, he is, but Maxie felt Sasha needed… He says, a killer shark, but she says, compassion and complete dedication. She will take care of everything. She knows why he’s here, and no, he won’t interrogate her client in her current state.

Gladys tells the guard that her daughter-in-law is not a criminal. He saw how gentle she was. She just needs a little psychological help, that’s all. He looks straight ahead like a guard at Buckingham Palace, and she says, oh God, and walks away.

Sasha says she knows he’s Dr. Montague, and he says, very good. Does she know why she’s here? She says, for more of those pills he gave her? but he says, no. Those pills would have helped her, but he warned her not to take too many. She says she only took three pills a day like he told her, and as he prepares a syringe, she notices blood on her clothes. He says, soon, all of her questions will be answered, and she sees the syringe. She asks, what’s that? No. He gives her the shot.

Austin says he really respects Sonny. Sonny is a powerful man and puts such a high value on family. Sonny says, nothing more important than family, and Austin says, absolutely. Let him try to put Sonny’s mind at ease. He hasn’t spent a lot of time with Avery, but the little time he’s spent with her, she’s lovely. He thinks she looks at him and sees him as not just her mom’s friend, but maybe her friend as well. Sonny says, Avery sees the good in everybody, and Austin says, that’s wonderful. He wonders if she got that from Ava, or is it a trait she inherited from Sonny? Sonny says he always gives people another chance, and Austin says, just the one? What happens when people disappoint him? Sonny asks, what happens when Austin loses a patient? and Austin says he thinks he can speak for every doctor in the world when he says, it’s hard to lose a patient. Sonny says, you’ve just got to move forward. It’s sad, but some people are beyond helping. You’ve just got to move on.

Portia says, please talk to them, and Curtis says he understands what the doctor was saying. He’s lucky to be alive, and he’s grateful for everything everyone at the hospital has done for him. But he wants to walk out of the hospital on his own, and that’s not going to happen. TJ tells him, that’s not what Dr. Barnsdall said, and Curtis says, yet. Portia says, no one can walk right after spinal surgery, and TJ says, Portia’s right. People going through the same kind of surgery, it can take weeks before they can walk. Curtis asks, how long before they can feel their legs again? when TJ gets paged, and Curtis tells him to go. He knows TJ has a job to do. TJ says he’ll be back as soon as he can, and leaves. Portia takes Curtis’s hand, and says, it’s going to be okay, and he says, yes, it will. As soon as he gets his life back. All of it.

Robert says he takes no pleasure in Sasha’s current predicament, but Cody Bell’s the real victim here, and Diane says, come on. They both know there was no intent. Sasha never meant to hurt the guy. He says, she stabbed him with a paring knife, and Diane says, it’s well-documented that Sasha hasn’t been herself since losing her baby and her husband. And might she point out, Heather Webber killed Sasha’s husband and came perilously close to killing yours truly, so she would think he’d have more… He says he’s not there to persecute her client, and she says, good. Why is he here? He says, after Maxie spoke to her, she called her Uncle Robert. She says, so Maxie asked him to look out for Sasha to make sure she was treated fairly, and he says, who’d have thunk it? Her and him on the same team. They get into the elevator together, and bump shoulders.

Sasha scrubs at the blood, and says she can’t get this off, but Montague says, don’t worry about that. He sets up a recorder, and says, they’ll take care of that later. Now tell him what she remembers. She says, there was a pool, and he says, what happened at the pool? She says, Gladys was there… and he grabbed her by the wrist. She flashes back to seeing Cyrus grab Gladys, and tells Montague, she saw him. He tried to ruin her life. He gave her drugs. Montague asks who she thinks she saw at the pool, and she says she knows she saw him. He grabbed Gladys and she knew she had to stop him. She had to stop Cyrus Renault.

Carly says she doesn’t understand. Cyrus is a murderer. She assumed Drew would be separated from people like him. Where did Drew run into him? Drew says, Cyrus found him. Cyrus wants to make him a fisher of men. She says, Cyrus Renault? and he says, what good is a messiah complex without disciples he’s recruiting? She asks if he told Cyrus to go to hell. Better yet, he has to tell the guards. They don’t know what kind of sick game Cyrus is playing, but Drew has to stay away from him. Drew doesn’t want to get on his bad side. He says she doesn’t have to worry about him, but she says, he just told her some maniac has him in their sights, and he doesn’t want her worrying about him? He says he’s got this; he can take care of himself. Cyrus knows not to make a move on him. She says she knows all the training he’s had, but he doesn’t know how many men Cyrus has under his control. He can’t fight everyone. He says, it’s okay, but she says, it’s not okay. He says, it’s taken care of, and she says, how, and by whom? He says, her ex-husband.

Ava says, Sonny is incorrigible, and tells Austin that his bark is far worse than his bite. Sonny says, the doctor knows he was joking, right? and they all laugh. Austin’s phone rings, and he asks them to excuse him. Sonny asks if there’s a problem, but Austin says, occupational hazard. He’ll be right back. He leaves, and Ava says, all right. Nina says, don’t get her wrong. Austin is awkward, but very nice and there’s some kind of chemistry there, but as a couple, she doesn’t really see it. I’m glad she said it, since I’ve been thinking it.

Outside on the phone, Austin tells someone, you could say that. It was super awkward. A lunatic walks into a restaurant and he’s with Sonny Corinthos. Not great. He guesses the question is, what’s Mason going to do about it?

TJ asks if Dr. Barnsdall reviewed all of Curtis’s latest test results, and the doctor says he did, and the final scans they took after Curtis’s surgery. TJ says, will his uncle ever be able to walk again?

Carly says, Sonny has people watching Drew’s back, and Drew says, she doesn’t sound completely surprised. She says, vintage Sonny, and Drew says, to protect him? She says, Sonny knows he’s a good guy, and deep down he knows Drew is good for her. She and Sonny will always be family, and at the end of the day, nothing’s more important to Sonny than family. He asks if this is Sonny’s way of welcoming him into the family, and she laughs, saying, she wouldn’t go that far. She just wants him to come home. Nothing’s more important. He says he’s working on it. So what else is going on? She says, Willow came home, and he says, that’s great. She says, the only reason Willow is okay is because he rescued Liesl. The only reason Willow’s okay is because of him. He says he’s just happy she’s home where she belongs. Are they planning a big party at the house for her already?… What’s going on? Carly says, nothing, but he says he knows her. He loves her. Tell him what it is.

Portia says, what Curtis needs right now is rest, and she’ll be right back. He doesn’t let go of her hand, and says, what he needs is her here. He also needs to tell her something before the doctor gets back. She says, they’ll have plenty of time to talk later, but he says, she’s wrong. Time is the one thing we’re never sure we have. When he came to find her at the pool, he’d just had a conversation with Sam, and she said something he didn’t think was important at the time. And now, he can’t forget it. Portia asks what she said, and he tells her, she said, you never have enough time with the people you love, and she’s right. He realized how much time he was wasting and came to find her. He’s not sorry he went to the pool looking for her, but he’s sorry he didn’t get to say what he wanted to say.

Robert and Diane come out of the elevator, and Gladys says, her daughter-in-law is in no condition to be hounded by lawyers right now. Diane says, Gladys might be Sasha’s guardian, but she’s not Sasha’s gatekeeper. She’s assuming Sasha is in the exam room. Gladys says, she’s getting the treatment she needs from her shrink, and Robert says, he’ll handle this. He goes over to the guard, and Gladys says she’s sure Diane means well, but Sasha is in pretty bad shape. If Diane makes her more upset, she swears she’ll… Diane asks, what will she do? Word to the wise; never, ever threaten her. Robert tells Diane, ten minutes max, and Diane asks Gladys to excuse her.

Sasha says, he was going to hurt Gladys like he hurt her, and she couldn’t let that happen. So she saw the knife, and… Diane walks in, and says, Sasha, stop right there. Not one more word. And you – she looks at Montague – turn off that recording device right now. He grabs it and shuts it off.

Ava says, she and Austin have only had a few dates. Of course (🍷) Nina doesn’t see them as a couple. Nina says, on the plus side, he’s nothing like Nikolas, and Ava says, that’s for sure. He is very… Nina says, alive, and Ava says, what? Nina says, don’t get her wrong. Ava and Nikolas had some connection and chemistry, but Nikolas always seemed like he was brooding. He was always serious all the time to her. At least Austin is mysteriously… expressive. Ava says, he’s definitely more alive, and Sonny says, he’s very attentive to his patients, because earlier, that guy Gordon was hostile. Austin could have blown him off, but he took the time to deal with the problem. Nina asks, what happened when Sonny went out after him? and Sonny says he’s pretty sure that Austin’s patient understands the situation. Austin comes back, and Ava says, Sonny was just complementing his bedside manner. Sonny’s phone rings, and he tells Gladys that he’s in the middle of something. Gladys says, it’s Sasha. She’s been arrested. Sonny asks, what the hell for? and Gladys says, she’s getting a psyche evaluation at GH right now. Sonny says he’ll be right there, and Nina asks, what’s going on? He says, Sasha’s in trouble. He has to go to GH. Nina says she’s going with him, and tells Ava and Austin that she’s so sorry. Ava says, no, go, and Sonny and Nina leave. Ava says, disaster averted, for now, and eats her martini olives off the stirrer.

Josslyn puts suntan lotion (I think… I hope) on Dex, when his phone rings. She says, don’t answer it, but he says, she knows he has to. Sonny says he knows it’s Dex’s day off. Something came up. Dex asks what he needs and Sonny says, surveillance. Port Charles Grill. Austin Gatlin-Holt.

Portia says she loves the sentiment, she really does, but is Curtis saying if he hadn’t spoken to Sam, he wouldn’t… He says, it’s done. They’re here. And what he wants her to know right now is, whatever happens, his feelings for her won’t change. And once he’s back on his feet… She says, and he will be, but she needs him to listen to his doctors… and his wife. She just wants him to relax and let his body heal as long as possible. He says he’s feeling stronger by the minute, and she says, good. That’s what she likes to hear. She has to check on a patient really quickly, but she promises she’ll be right back. She leaves, and cries in the hallway. Curtis pinches his leg, and sighs.

Dr. Barnsdall shows TJ his tablet, and says, they were successful in removing the bullet and every fragment. TJ says, Dr. Barnsdall always does good work, but was it enough?

Carly says, there’s nothing for Drew to worry about, but he says, something is going on. Is it the financial penalty from the SEC? She says she can handle it. She doesn’t want him to even think about it. He says he doesn’t want her thinking about it. That was a huge fine. He doesn’t want this weighing her down along with everything else. It’s really simple. He can sell Aurora. She says, no, he can’t. Diane made it crystal clear that she can’t accept anything from him, Michael, or Sonny. She could be hit with an even bigger fine, or worse. He says, Diane knows what she’s talking about. Did she come up with a Plan B? Carly says, she did, and Diane told her it’s going to take a while, but it doesn’t matter because she has resources. He says, tell him she’s not selling the house, and she says, the house is too big for them. He says, it’s not just the house, it’s the moss bowl’s🎍 her home, and she says, the home she had with Sonny. She has a lot of great memories of the kids growing up there, but those memories aren’t going away because she sells the house. She wants to focus on the future, and getting him out of here and sharing that future with him. No piece of real estate is going to change that. Life is too fragile to wait around. You think you have everything under control, and think the people you love are safe, then just like that… He says, what happened?

Dex puts his shirt on, and Josslyn asks if he really has to go. It’s his day off. What could be so important? He says, it’s no big deal. Nothing dangerous. Just a little surveillance. He kisses her, and she says, if it’s not important, why can’t they go back to his place right now? and he says, it’s not that he doesn’t want that. He made a choice when he decided to work for Sonny. She says she thought she was the choice he made, and he says, the best ever; the most important ever. But now he needs to go to work, and she – he takes a book out of their beach bag – needs to finish that mystery. The minute this job is done, he promises… She kisses him, and he says he promises. I gotta say it. I think she’s too immature for him.

Austin says he can’t tell. Did Sonny think he was okay, or does Sonny hate him? Ava shrugs and says she doesn’t know, but when he decides, believe her, Austin will know. He asks how she thinks it went, but she says she doesn’t know. Sonny plays things so close to the vest, but when it comes to Avery, he’s not going to take any chances. Austin says, Sonny has nothing to worry about with him and Avery. He loves kids. Ava says, that’s good, because Sonny said something he really meant; family is everything. He lives by that. Austin asks if he’s like that with all her lovers.

Gladys thanks Sonny for coming, and Sonny asks Robert, where’s Sasha? Robert says, she’s in there, indicating the exam room. Diane’s with her.

Montague says, how dare Diane barge in here and interrupt while he’s evaluating a patient. Get out! Diane says she’s not going anywhere. She’s Diane Miller, and she’s Sasha’s attorney. And that trumps his title any day of the week, and don’t turn that recorder on again. She gently asks if Sasha remembers her, and Sasha says, Diane. Diane says she’s Sasha’s attorney. She helped Sasha once before, and she’s going to help her again. Sasha tells her, Dr. Montague said… but Diane says, no. She doesn’t need to pay any attention to Dr. Montague. Just look right at her and she doesn’t say one more word. Montague says, unfortunately, Diane is a little too late. Sasha already told him more than enough.

Nina tells Gladys, this doesn’t make any sense. Why would Sasha stab Cody Bell? Gladys says, it was obvious she wasn’t herself. She would never hurt anyone. Something made her do it. Sonny says, like what? What made her do it?

Alone in the office, TJ yells, dammit! and pounds the desk with his fist. Portia walks in and says, no. He walks over to her, and she tells him, please don’t say it. She cries as he hugs her.

Gladys says she’s not a shrink. How would she know what’s wrong with Sasha? First there was the shoplifting, now she stabs Cody? Nina’s own journalist was there; she saw the whole thing. Nina says she talked to Alyse. She said it came out of nowhere. It doesn’t make any sense. When she was on Home & Heart, and someone did that horrible mind game on her, she handled it. Sonny says he saw her a few weeks ago and told her that she was ready to be on her own; to end Gladys’s guardianship. What changed?

Montague and Diane step away from Sasha, and he says, the police brought Miss Gilmore in for a psyche evaluation. As her lawyer, he’s sure Diane knows what that entails, what his responsibilities are. He’s sorry, but at this point, his hands are tied.

Robert tells Gladys, Sonny, and Nina that he just got off a call from Judge Palmer… Diane joins them and says, please, let her tell them. Sasha needs help. She’s being sent to Ferncliff Hospital for the Criminally Insane. Oh yeah, Ferncliff. We haven’t seen that place for a while.

Ava says she needs to make something very clear, she and Austin aren’t a couple, and they’re definitely not lovers. He says, what happened at Windymere… She says, means nothing. They’re nothing. She had a little moment of weakness. She’s regretted it ever since. He says he’s only regretted they haven’t done it again, and she says, he has an inflated opinion – he rubs her leg under the table – of his sexual prowess. And she assumes as a doctor – she picks up her knife – he has a need for that hand creeping up her thigh. He says, she wouldn’t, and she just looks at him. He removes his hand, and says, she didn’t answer his question. Sonny is a jealous guy? She says, Sonny doesn’t care who she sleeps with, as long as it doesn’t negatively impact Avery. He says, good to know. He assumes she sang his praises when he was away from the table, and she says, what praises might those be? His gymnastics in bed. He says, thank you, and she says, his willingness to help bury dead husbands? She told Sonny as little as possible about him; only what she thought he’d actually believe. He says, then how come he didn’t buy it?

Drew asks, what happened? and Carly says, Curtis was shot. Drew says, is he… She says, no. He’s in the hospital. He asks, how bad was it? and she says, it was touch and go. She heard this morning he’s out of surgery, he’s in recovery, but she doesn’t know his condition. Drew says, who shot him? and she says, they don’t know. It was at the MetroCourt pool. He asks if anyone else was hurt, and she says, no, luckily. He says he doesn’t get it. Who would want to kill Curtis? She says, the PCPD isn’t sure he was the target.

Curtis unsuccessfully tries to move his legs. In the hallway, Portia wipes the tears from her cheeks and puts on a smile. She goes into his room, and says, told him that she wouldn’t be long. He says he’s glad she’s back. Could she make sure they schedule a therapy session for him as soon as possible? She says, it’s way too soon for something like that, but he says, it’s never too soon. He’s not going to sit here in this bed and wait for another miracle. He knows it’s going to take hard work, but he’s here for it. Because no matter what it takes, he’s going to walk and stand up on his own two legs. Who knows? Someday, he might take her in his arms and they can dance the night away again. What does she think about that? She says she absolutely loves it. There’s something she wants to tell him. He asks, what’s wrong? and she says, Dr. Barnsdall got the latest tests and scans back and he consulted with three other surgeons, and none of them think he’ll be able to walk again.

Carly says she’s sorry. As soon as she gets any information about Curtis, she’ll get it to Drew. He thanks her, and says, she told him Portia was with Curtis. Does she know who else was out there? She says, his attorney Zeke, Jordan Ashford… Dante, Anna, and Sonny. He says, Curtis is such a good man. They’d better find out who did this. A guard says, time’s up, and Carly says she’ll come back as soon as she can. Seeing him makes everything better. He says he loves her, and she says she loves him, and leaves after taking a last look.

Portia says, doctors have been wrong before, and this isn’t a death sentence. They almost lost him for good, and Dr. Barnsdall said there’s no reason he can’t live an absolutely… Curtis says, stop. Just stop. She says, but they all love him. No matter what. He says he needs some time, and she says, of course (🍷). Of course (🍷) he does. He says, alone, and she says she understands. She leaves, and stands in the hallway crying, when TJ sees her. In his room, Curtis looks lonely.

Josslyn reads her book, when her phone rings. She says, hello?… This is Josslyn Jax. Who’s this?… Excuse me?… What are you talking about?

Ava says, Sonny rarely makes snap judgements, but when he does, look out, and Austin says, so she doesn’t think Sonny’s judged him yet. She says, probably not, but she thinks she managed to convince him that he has nothing to worry about with Austin spending time around Avery. Austin says, he’s not the only one who can read people. And he gets the distinct feeling Sonny is on to them. Dex listens from the bar.

Cyrus sits on a couch reading, and looks up to see Drew.

Sasha is wheeled out, and Nina says, it’s horrible. Diane promises Nina that she’ll fight this tooth and nail. Gladys says, she’s going to a good place, right? and Montague says, that’s exactly where her daughter-in-law should be. She’ll get all the help she needs. Isn’t that what they all want? He gets in the elevator, and Sonny asks the guard for a moment. He asks if Sasha can hear him. He knows she’s in there. Listen to him. She’s not alone. Does she understand? She’s not alone. She thanks him, and the guard wheels her into the elevator.

On Monday, Carly tells Josslyn that she’s been entrusted with their family institution; Austin tells someone that everything will be okay; and Sonny tells Dex, stay with him. See what he can find out.

🧸 Bye Pilar…

The nanny Mason wants.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ella-lentini-cast-as-betty-rutherford-on-general-hospital

⚖️ Come On Back, Jack…

I feel ripped off. I was hoping he was going to be a regular.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/will-jackson-montgomery-return-to-gh-walt-willey-speaks-out

👩🏻‍⚕️ Spreading Her Wings…

Now if they’d just give her a love life. Chad was great, but it’s been a minute… or two… or three…

GH’s Cassandra James Opens Up About Her “Transformational Year”

⚓️ Two Stooges On Deck…

He needs to mansplain.

‘I Am Not a Cheater’: Colin MacRae Clarifies Below Deck Sailing Yacht Reunion Bombshells

He’s got work to do, he’s just not sure what.

Gary King Admits He Has ‘A Lot of Work to Do’ After Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 4

🥗 She’s the Top…

No one can replace Padma, but the show must go on.

Bravo Announces Padma Lakshmi’s ‘Top Chef’ Replacement

⚰️ Let’s Talk About Dead…

Wow. Daryl hasn’t even had his first season yet.

https://www.avclub.com/amc-is-already-tossing-new-seasons-at-its-latest-walkin-1850665927

And coming up behind Daryl.

https://people.com/the-walking-dead-rick-michonne-spinoff-title-teaser-andrew-lincoln-danai-gurira-7564287

City recap.

https://www.cbr.com/the-walking-dead-dead-city-season1-episode5-recap-spoilers/

🩰 Time To Shine…

Barbie in review.

https://www.avclub.com/barbie-movie-review-margot-robbie-greta-gerwig-1850646537

I love this song!

https://slate.com/culture/2023/07/barbie-girl-song-movie-aqua-nicki-minaj-ice-spice.html

When and where you can see it.

https://www.barbie-themovie.com/

📸 Meanie Meanie Jellybeanie…

I included this only because I thought it was odd and kind of funny.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/entertainment/news/abby-lee-miller-slams-rob-lowe-for-refusing-to-take-a-picture-with-her-at-elton-johns-oscar-party-he-was-mean/ar-AA1e5DmS

🐶 The Old Man and The Sea, and The Dog…

I’ll bet he was glad for the company, and it’s a good pet parent who recognizes their dog would be happier in another home.

https://people.com/dog-lost-at-sea-with-sailor-adopted-by-crew-member-rescued-them-7563071

💫 Quotes of the Week

Today is a new day. Hiding from your history only shackles you to it. We can’t undo a single thing we have ever done, but we can make decisions today that propel us to the life we want and towards the healing we need. – Steve Maraboli

It isn’t what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about. – Dale Carnegie

To be nobody but yourself — in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else — means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting. – e.e. cummings

You are not called to be a canary in a cage. You are called to be an eagle, and to fly sun to sun, over continents. – Henry Ward Beecher

I’m fast, cheap, but average. – Director Higurashi (Takayuki Hamatsu), One Cut of the Dead

🩱 Life In Plastic…

Meet me here on Monday really Tuesday for soap, and who knows what, since I can’t watch one more Deck. Until then, stay safe, stay making your own kind of music, and stay keeping in mind, time is the one thing we’re never sure we have.