Category Archives: real housewives

January 17, 2024 – Esme Discovers Nikolas Took Ace, Homeless Not Toothless Strikes Again & Child

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Carly lights a candle in the hospital chapel and says, miss you, mom, so much. Drew comes in and sits next to her, and they hug.

At work, Willow gets a call from Michael, who’s at the Quartermaines. She flashes back to yelling at him on the pier about blackmailing Nina and not letting her make up her own mind. She answers and he tells her that Wiley is putting on a puppet show for Amelia. It’s an epic saga about a family of four who adopts all the puppies at a local shelter. According to Wiley, especially the senior puppies because they deserve homes too. She says, that’s their boy, and he says he was hired to film it for her, so if she receives a mystery video, be prepared for some fine cinema. She says she looks forward to it, and he says, the kids are good, but they were wondering when she’s going to get home. So is he. He misses her.

Finn and Elizabeth go into his office, and he tells her that he appreciates the support, all of it. She says, he’d better, and he says he was thinking maybe it would best if she’s not here when the doctor shows up. He’s breaking a few rules, and it might get dicey. He doesn’t want her associated with any of it. She says, diceyness? and he thanks her for understanding. She says she thinks it’s cute how he wants to protect her, and he says, she’s not going anywhere, is she? She says, they’re in this together, and if this doctor has the information they need to win this lawsuit… There’s a knock at the door, and Finn and Dr. Sawyer introduce themselves. He thanks her for coming, and she says she’s actually here on another case, so the timing is perfect. He introduces Elizabeth and says she’ll be sitting in with them. The doctor asks how she can help. He needs a consult on a patient? He says he does. In fact, her input might be life altering.

Spencer asks how it went in court, and Esme says, he’d know if he’d been there like he promised. Now if he’ll excuse her, she’d like to take her son home. He says he thinks they should talk first, but she says she has nothing to say to him. She starts to go to Ace’s room, but he circumvents her. She says she doesn’t know what’s going on, but she wants her son, and she wants him now. He says, Ace is asleep. He sees no point in waking him up right now. Besides, he thought they should check in. She asks what he wants to know, and he says, why they let her go for starters. She says she’s sure he hoped she’d get sent up the river for the rest of her life, but he says, these days, he has mixed feelings about things like that. She says she doesn’t believe him. If any part of him cared about her, he would have brought Ace to her arraignment like she asked him to. He says, so she could play on the judge’s sympathies? but she says, so if worse came to worse, she could kiss her baby goodbye before they carted her away. But if it softened up the judge, sure, that would have been a nice bonus. He says, there she is, and she asks if he wouldn’t have done the same thing, like anyone would, but he says, it doesn’t matter now. She’s free, but she still hasn’t told him how. Did Ava drop the charges? She says, please. Ava would have brought her own electric chair if she could have gotten it past security. What does he want her to say? She pled guilty. He says he knows, and she asks if he’s surprised. He says, yes, and she tells him that she’s changed as a person. He says, either that or she brokered a deal, and she says, her lawyer and the DA’s office don’t want to clog up the system with a petty crime, and it’s not like she’s ever setting foot in Ava’s drafty castle again. So here she is and here she goes. She’s getting her son and taking him home. He steps in front of her and says, she can’t.

Dr. Sawyer asks to see the patient’s file, and Finn gives it to her, saying, he believes she’s familiar with the patient. Dennis Muldoon. She says she is. She was under the impression Mr. Muldoon had died. Finn says, he did, and she says, if there’s no patient, why does he need a consult? What’s this about? Finn says, Mr. Muldoon died shortly after coming to see him, and now Muldoon’s wife is suing him for malpractice. Dr. Sawyer says she’s sorry to hear that, and he thanks her. He says he was hoping her familiarity with the patient might shed some light, and she says, he’s hoping she can provide some information to assist with his defense? He says, yes, and she says she’s sorry. She can’t help him.

Carly asks how Drew knew where to find her, and he says he came by the house. Pilar told him that she came here to be with Josslyn. Is she all right? Carly says, physically, she’s fine, but she’s had a very emotional night. Josslyn’s been very worried about her friend Adam who has been going through a very difficult time. This afternoon he tried to kill himself. Drew asks if he’s all right, and she says, he’s stable. Apparently, his parents put him under a crazy amount of pressure to succeed. Good grades aren’t enough. If you don’t get 100%, you’re a failure. And apparently Adam snapped and… He says he doesn’t understand how parents can put their kids through that. (Hey, wait…) Obviously, he wants the best for Scout and he’s going to push her to succeed, but mistakes are such an important part of life; that’s what you learn from. She says, it’s the story of her life, and he says, exactly, and look how she turned out. She says she just always tries to strike a balance with her kids. She wants them to excel, but she also wants them to be true to who they are. Michael and Josslyn are achievers. If they see a challenge ahead of them, they’re going to run right for it. He says, they take after her, but she says she doesn’t know about that. Morgan dreamed bigger than his follow-through, and Donna is so young, she hopes she doesn’t mess that kid up. He says, if she screws that up, Donna will let her know, and Carly says, she’s not afraid to speak her opinions. He says, Donna has incredible role models – Josslyn, Michael… She says, Josslyn is an incredible young woman and Michael is her rock. She couldn’t ask for a better son. He says, and he couldn’t ask for a better friend. She hugs him.

Michael asks if he and Willow can talk tonight when she gets home, and Willow sees Nina come out of the elevator, and says, tonight won’t work; maybe tomorrow. Kiss the kids goodnight for her. Nina comes to the reception desk, and Willow says she’s at work. What does Nina want? Nina says, just a few minutes. They haven’t spoken since New Year’s Eve, and there’s still a lot that needs to be said. Willow asks if she’s supposed to thank Nina for stabbing Carly and Drew in the back or for striking a deal with her husband so he would keep quiet about it.

Michael tells Wiley that he’ll come up soon to tuck him in, and Wiley says, mommy too? Michael says, mommy will come up and give him a goodnight kiss when she gets home from work, even if he’s already asleep. He thanks the nanny, and she takes the kids upstairs. Tracy and Ned come in, and Tracy asks if Michael will be joining them for dinner. Leo is insisting they wait for him. Michael asks her to tell Leo that he’s sorry, but he can’t make it. He’s just heading out. She says she hopes Leo lectures him; he’s getting very good at it. Michael says he’s looking forward to it, and asks Ned to return the proxy he gave him. Tracy asks why he’d do that, and Michael says, because the proxy was conditional on no one finding out Nina turned Drew and his mom in to the SEC. Tracy says, but Ned lived up to his end of the bargain. He wasn’t the one who outed Nina. Michael says he may lose what he loves the most over all this. So at the very least, Ned should lose control of ELQ.

Nina says she’s not going to try and justify what she did, and Willow says, that’s a relief. Nina says, but she’d like to explain why she did it. She knows Willow is at work, but just give her a date and a time. There’s just so much they need to say to each other. (I see Nina is going for the ignore-it-and-it-will-go-away approach.) Willow says she has nothing to say to Nina, but Nina says she thinks Willow does. If she were Willow, she’d want to let her have it. They’ve both had a lifetime of pain. If they could just share that with each other and come to a new understanding, she thinks they should do that, even if it’s the last conversation they ever have. Coming down the hall with Drew, Carly says, hasn’t Nina done enough damage? Can’t she leave Willow alone?

Carly asks if Willow is okay, because she’s five, and Willow says she’s fine. Carly asks if she’s sure, and Nina says, she’s a grown woman. Willow has no trouble telling her to get lost. Carly says, but Nina never goes away, despite turning her and Drew in to the SEC. Nina says, for a crime they actually committed, and Carly says, really? Nina is married to Sonny Corinthos. Nina came at her out of spite and others had to suffer. Nina says, not Michael, and Drew asks what that’s supposed to mean. Nina says, Michael hasn’t got around to telling him. She’s sure he’s going to. It’s not like it’s a secret anymore. Drew asks what she’s talking about, and Nina says she did inform the SEC about him and Carly. Everybody knows that now, but the reason it was kept a secret for so long was because Michael knew and said nothing.

Ned says, the proxy will be on Michael’s desk first thing in the morning. Is that soon enough? Michael thanks him, and Ned says, don’t misinterpret his willingness to return it as a victory. Michael says, there’s nothing to interpret. The proxy is his. He leant it to Ned and he wants it back. It’s just a matter of business. Ned says, the real issue is why Michael needed his silence, and that isn’t business. Michael withheld the truth about Nina from Sonny, from Willow, and most importantly from his mother and Drew, the ones most affected by Nina. Why? Michael flashes back to telling Nina that he’s trying to protect his family from her. His father is happy and he’s not going to take that away from him. He’s sure Sonny will be happy until he finds out the kind of woman she really is. She’ll see his family only when he says it’s okay to see them and she’s going to sell his mother her half of the MetroCourt back. Michael tells Ned that he was protecting his family, and Ned says, he’s just like grandfather, at his worst. Tracy tells Michael to disregard his cousin. He has a noble streak, but it only shows up when he wants to take the moral high ground. Ned thanks her for her support, and she says, about this little deal Michael made, Quartermaine to Quartermaine. She has never been prouder.

Finn asks Dr. Sawyer to please just hear him out, but she says she’d rather hear from his attorney. She’d be more than happy to testify in court or by deposition, but without a court order, she can’t violate doctor/patient privilege, even when the patient is deceased, as she’s sure he knows. He says he’s absolutely aware. Perhaps he can provide some context. She says, have his lawyer reach out to her. Until then, she really should be on her way. Elizabeth says, before Dr. Sawyer goes, just hear her out.

Esme says, who is Spencer to tell her that she can’t do anything? Ace is her son and she’s taking him home now. He says he needs to tell her something first, but she says, actually, he doesn’t. Trina already broke the news about her studying at the Sorbonne, and lucky him, he gets to go along for the ride. Now she knows where his priorities lie… He says, she knows nothing about his priorities, and if he didn’t care about Ace… She says, he made his choice. Just own it. He says, she’s right. He has made his choice. She says, and so has she. She’s bringing her son home where he belongs. He says, Ace’s home is not with her. Not anymore.

Carly says, there really is no rock bottom with Nina. Blaming Michael for what she did. Nina says she’s simply just telling them what Michael did. Drew says, it doesn’t make any sense. What reason could Michael possibly have to protect her? Nina says, he wasn’t protecting her. He was holding what she did over her head, using his silence as leverage. He was blackmailing her, forcing her to keep her distance from her daughter. Carly laughs and says she doesn’t know why she bothers listening, because every word out of Nina’s mouth is a lie. Nina says, fine. If Carly doesn’t believe her, ask Michael. Carly says she will because she knows she’ll get the truth from him, and Drew asks Willow if she’s sure she’s okay. Willow says, no, but she will be, and Drew and Carly leave. Willow says, if Nina hadn’t lost her before, she has now.

Dr. Sawyer says, if she’s learned one thing in her career as a physician, it’s to always listen to the nurses, and tells Elizabeth to say what she has to say. Elizabeth thanks her and says she can see Dr. Sawyer wants to help, that she has something to say. She’s not wrong about that, is she? Before Dr. Sawyer makes any decisions, there are a few things she should know about Dr. Finn. Elizabeth is sure she’s aware that he developed a cure for Blackwood’s Disease, but what she can’t know is, the very first person he saved with that cure was Elizabeth’s sister. And when that cure was finalized, Dr. Finn handed over the patent to the hospital, saving it from financial ruin. If this lawsuit prevails, he won’t be able to practice medicine anymore. And there’s no worse feeling that you can save someone, and not being able to. So please, could the doctor just stay and hear what they have to say?

Esme says, where the hell does Spencer get off telling her where Ace’s home is? He is not Ace’s father. Spencer says, no, he’s not. He’s Ace’s brother and he loves him very much. She says, prove it. Don’t go to Paris. Stay here with him… Right. She didn’t think so. She turns to go, and he says, when he told her that Ace’s home wasn’t with her anymore, he didn’t mean it the way she thought. She asks how he meant it, and he says, Ace is gone. She says, gone where? and he says, with our father.

Willow takes Nina into an exam room and says, she wanted to get everything out in the open? Go. Nina says, turning in Carly and Drew was a stupid, impulsive decision, but she was really upset at the thought of losing Willow and she lashed out. Willow says, lashed out? She’s a wrecking ball. Nina says, Willow is right. She’s a lot, but Willow has to understand. She knows Willow knows this, but Carly has kept her from both of her daughters. First Nelle, and then of course (🍷), Willow. Willow says, Nelle was dead by the time Carly figured out she was Nina’s daughter, but Nina says she only has Carly’s word for that. (And that’s not true, right? I think she knew before. There was that whole thing about how she knew Nelle as a kid.) Willow says, well, Nina can take her word for this. Carly didn’t tell her that Nina was her mother because she didn’t want to know. Nina says, she doesn’t mean that, but Willow says she does. After the visitation hearing, she told Carly that she didn’t want to find her birth mother for fear she might turn out to be as awful as Nina was. The joke’s on her because here Nina is, her birth mother. Petty, vindictive, and selfish to the core.

Ned says, since when is Tracy proud of Michael? and Tracy says, since he showed his true colors. What he pulled is definitely worthy of her father. Underneath that mild-mannered baby face, beats the heart of a true Quartermaine. Michael says, if doing right by his family finally makes him a Quartermaine in her eyes, then so be it. But he gave Nina his silence for the sake of his children and Willow, because they are his priority above everything and anyone else. Carly and Drew walk in.

Tracy says she guesses they have a lot to discuss, so why doesn’t Ned join her in the kitchen? She’s suddenly famished. Ned says, yes, treachery always improves one’s appetite, and follows her out. Michael says, so, Nina told them, and Carly says, she did, and she called Nina a liar. But for the first time in Nina’s life, she’s telling the truth. Isn’t she?

Nina says she agrees she’s made mistakes, and Willow says, mistakes? Please. It was all deliberate. Nina thought it through with care. She needed to hurt Drew in order to hurt Carly, and she was proud of what she’d done. Just like she enjoyed causing a rift between Michael and Drew and his mom. Nina says she actually didn’t want to tell them anything, but Willow says she was standing right there. Nina couldn’t wait to throw it in Carly’s face that Michael knew. Nina says, Michael was blackmailing her. He told her the only way he would keep quiet was if she let him decide when she could see Willow and the kids. Nina cries and says she agreed to it because losing Willow a bit at a time was better than losing her all at once. That’s what’s happening now. Willow says, Carly was right. All Nina does is lie to everyone. And the person she’s lying to the most is herself.

Dr. Sawyer asks how they propose doing this without violating confidentiality, and Finn says, very carefully. Off the record, strictly hypotheticals. Elizabeth says, and if Dr. Sawyer says, stop, they stop. Dr. Sawyer says, okay, and they sit down. Finn says, hypothetically, a patient who dies from Stage IV colon cancer, usually has been exhibiting symptoms for quite some time, yes? Dr. Sawyer says, yes, and he says, hypothetically, this patient may have been exhibiting symptoms for two or three months prior. She says, it would be a certainty that a patient in this condition would be symptomatic, and he tells her, say this patient had a history of traveling to remote locations. They exhibit symptoms consistent with colon cancer or any other maladies, and they tested positive for one or more of those maladies. Dr. Sawyer says, personally, she would screen for any and all unknowns to rule them out, and he says, including cancer? She says, correct. And if testing came up positive for cancer, she would certainly refer that patient to an oncologist… hypothetically.

Esme says, Nikolas was here, and Spencer says, yes. That’s why he didn’t bring Ace to court. His father came back, and he wanted to take him and Ace with him. She says, take him where? Where did Nikolas take Ace? Spencer says, Ace is safe, and she says, Ace is safe with her. Did Spencer at least fight him off? Spencer doesn’t have a scratch on him. Did he at least call the police? They have to find out where Nikolas took Ace. He says he doesn’t know where his father took Ace. She needs to accept Ace is gone though. (Spencer is seriously creeping me out, the way he’s talking.) She says, the hell she does. She’s Ace’s mother and his legal guardian. She takes out her phone and says, Nikolas has no right to her son, the son he abandoned. She’s calling the police. He says, put the phone away, and she says, you don’t tell me what to do, Spencer, and he asks if she doesn’t mean Spence. That’s what she used to call him, back when she was busy manipulating people and destroying their property, ruining their lives. He flashes back to her calling him Spence in the interrogation room, and he says, the old Esme, the one who lived to do her father’s bidding.

Elizabeth says, may I? and Dr. Sawyer says, if she has another hypothetical. Elizabeth says, of course (🍷). This is actually more of a procedural question. The doctor says, go ahead, and Elizabeth says, when she refers a patient to an oncologist, or any specialist really, does her office know if that patient made and kept their appointment? Dr. Sawyer says, like most practices, once they make the referral, it’s up to the patient to let them know if they followed up, and Elizabeth says, right. So hypothetically… Dr. Sawyer says, some patients we never hear back from. Soap looks all around.

Esme says, she called him Spence? and Spencer says, she did. She says, so what? and he says he thinks they both know what that means. She says, it means nothing, especially now that her son has been kidnapped. He says, it means that she’s back, the old Esme, the one who destroyed his entire world. She says, that’s a little melodramatic, but he says, no, it isn’t. Look him in his eyes and tell him that she doesn’t remember. Tell him that she doesn’t remember swan diving off of that tower and his father keeping her prisoner up there for months. Tell him that she doesn’t remember tormenting Trina and setting Ava’s car on fire and using him to drive a wedge between Ava and his father. All because her father put her up to it because of his sick obsession with her. Esme says she’s heard those stories, and that is all they are to her, but he says, no, no, no (a million noes). She remembers. She’s the same Esme. She’s the same Esme that targeted him in school, who convinced him that she loved him when she didn’t. And the new Esme – whatever that façade was – became very close to being a decent person and a good mother, but that Esme is gone. She’s back to being a puppet for her psychotic father. That is the Esme Prince he’s talking to right now, isn’t it? She says, oh my God. Nikolas didn’t just take Ace. Spencer gave him away, didn’t he? He gave Nikolas her son. Spencer looks like dark Sonny all of a sudden.

Nina tells Willow, that night at the church was a turning point for her. She confessed her sins. She owned up to everything she was doing, and she realized she was blaming Carly for everything because Carly kept her daughters from her, but the important thing is, she’s going to stop blaming Carly. And she’s definitely going to stop beating herself up for her mistakes. Willow says, on the subject of beatings, Drew was almost beaten to death in prison, and Nina says she feels terrible about that. Willow says, that changes exactly nothing. Nina was desperate to hide what she did from Willow. That’s why she made her deal with Michael. Nina says, no. She agreed to Michael’s terms because, believe it or not, she wasn’t just thinking of herself; she was thinking about Michael. Willow says, oh please, and Nina says she knew that if Willow found out Michael was making a deal with her, that he was willing to blackmail her for the sake of Willow’s happiness, that Willow’s marriage, her family, might have to pay the price. She just wants Willow to be happy. She wants the kids to be happy. She loves Willow. Willow says, Nina may have convinced herself that she had these noble motives, but all she really ended up doing was hurting her and Michael and her children and their other grandmother and Drew, the man who saved her life. It’s enough. She wants nothing more to do with Nina.

Tracy scarfs down some snacks in the pantry and tells Ned that she doesn’t hear any yelling. She wishes she could be a fly on the wall. She comes out into the nook and asks Ned if he wants some carrots and hummus. He says, no. He does not want a carrot or hummus. Does she even care how Michael played fast and loose with her own son? She laughs and says she can’t believe it. After all these years, he still doesn’t get it. She doesn’t care about Michael. He asks if she’s sure, because a minute ago, Michael was the apple of her eye. She says she’s always pleased when a Quartermaine acts like a Quartermaine. And when Michael does it, it is a thing of beauty. The man knows what he wants, and he’s very practical about how he’s going to go and get it. Right now he’s a little distracted with the Nina thing, but at some point, he’s going to turn his attention back to the family business. Ned better be prepared.

Drew asks why Michael would stay silent and protect Nina, but Michael says he wasn’t protecting Nina. He was protecting his family from Nina. Carly asks when he found out, and he says, at the wedding. She says, he didn’t object? but he says, the ceremony was already over. They were already married, and Drew was already in prison. Drew says, that makes it okay not to tell them? and Michael says, the damage was already done. It wouldn’t have gotten Drew out of prison. The only thing exposing Nina would accomplish was hurting his dad and Willow. Drew says, maybe he could have told him and Carly, and they could have decided what needed to be done. Michael says he knows what kind of woman Nina is, the vindictiveness, the total disregard for other people. He had to limit his children’s exposure to them. He had to protect them. He had to protect Willow. Carly says, by keeping information from them, and Michael says he went to tell dad. When he went to Sonny, he was so happy, saying how much he appreciated them accepting Nina into the family, and he couldn’t go through with it. He couldn’t crush Sonny’s happiness. So he went to Nina and blackmailed her instead. Drew says, so Michael put Sonny’s happiness ahead of their friendship, but Michael says he doesn’t see it that way. Drew says, the way he sees it, they were partners, family. He trusted Michael. Michael’s mother trusted him and this is how Michael repays them?

After Dr. Sawyer leaves, Finn asks how Elizabeth did that. Never mind. He thanks her for getting Dr. Sawyer to stay. She really is much better with people than he is, obviously. What she said… that was very kind of her. She says, just calling it as she sees it, and he says he doesn’t think anyone’s ever spoken about him the way she did. She says, they do, just not in front of him, and he asks if they’re afraid it will go to his head. She says, he’d be insufferable, and he says, when she’s right, she’s right. She suggests he stick around and hear one or two more good things, and he says, only one or two? She says, don’t get greedy. She wonders why Mr. Muldoon never mentioned Dr. Sawyer, and Finn says, and the oncologist referral? And why he never followed up on any of the tests Finn recommended. She says she gets why Mrs. Muldoon didn’t say anything, and Finn says, maybe she didn’t know. She says, maybe, but that would mean he hid it from her as well, which doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. Finn says, they have to find that oncologist, and she says, then that’s what they’ll do. He says, it’s right around the corner. The sooner, the better.

Esme says, Spencer is something else. He goes on and on about how rotten and selfish his father is, and it turns out he’s no better. He does what he wants, he takes what he wants, and to hell with everyone else. He says, it wasn’t easy, but she says she doesn’t care if it was easy for him or not; he did it. He says, yes, he did. Because he thinks Ace will have a happier life with his father than with the daughter of Ryan Chamberlain. She says, who cares whose daughter she is? Ace is her son, and he and his father are going back to prison where they belong. He says, speaking of prison, if she goes to the cops with this, he’ll tell them that she got her memory back, and they’ll hold her accountable for everything. She says, because she called him Spence, and he says, that’s right. After she broke into Windymere and revisited the scene of the crime. Definitely suspect behavior, doesn’t she think? Can she really afford to risk it? She leaves, slamming the door behind her.

Tracy says, Ned is all that she cares about, him and Dillon. Let’s face it. Dillon doesn’t really have a head for business. Then there’s Brook. She does have Quartermaine instincts, but she doesn’t have Quartermaine priorities. Tracy is working on her. Then there’s Leo. Ned says, what about Leo? and she says she doesn’t care whose blood he is. That boy is her grandson, and she adores him. He says, and the rest of us? and she says, you and yours, that’s all I care about. Above all else. Is she pleased Michael and Drew are at each other’s throats? Of course (🍷) she is. it strengthens their position. Because the only way you’ll come out on top is if you’re standing on everybody else. Right? He says, she’s got a point.

Willow says she and Nina have nothing more to say to each other – ever. She’s going to get back to work. Nina says she knows that she hurt Willow, but she’s never going to stop hoping Willow forgives her someday. Maybe they can start over as mother and daughter. Willow says, Nina can hope all she wants. She’s done. She opens the door, and Nina says she knows Willow means that now and maybe it’s the end of them, but she’ll always be here if Willow needs her. Always. Willow walks out without looking back.

Michael says, Drew has to understand. By the time he found out… Drew says he does understand. He understands Michael more than ever. He tells Carly, let’s go, but she says she needs to talk to her son. He says, okay, and leaves. Michael says, so, where do we go from here?

Tomorrow, Blaze wonders why it feels like Kristina started moving away; Cyrus asks what makes someone think they can trust him; Carly tells Michael, keeping things buried can have unintended consequences; and Drew tells Anna that he might be on to something.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

God help and forgive me. Help me get through this show and forgive my evil thoughts during it. And maybe for even watching it in the first place, at least after LVP left. I expect nasty from Erika, who gave up fighting with others for Lent in exchange for embarrassing them. Kyle and Dorit are both dimbulbs, although I have a margin of sympathy for Dorit’s PTSD and that dolt of a husband’s reaction to it. I’m honestly starting to wonder if the whole Kyle/Mauricio thing isn’t made up just to keep her relevant. He just seems stoned all the time and she looks like a bad actress. The cherry on the Hills cake though is Annemarie. WTF? over and over. She’s practically incoherent in her arguments and apparently doesn’t have the knowledge google gave her. Vent over. Moving on.

Kyle visits Sutton and snoops in her refrigerator. In Kyle’s interview, she says, Sutton not eating much makes sense after seeing what’s in her refrigerator. In Sutton’s interview, she says, had she known Kyle was going to be nosing around her refrigerator, she would have put more food in there. They discuss the Celebration of Life event the night before, and Sutton asks where Mauricio was. Kyle says, he’s in Mexico City, and in her interview, Sutton says, she’s not accepting that excuse. Unless you’re in the hospital or dead, you show up for your wife and your wife’s dead best friend’s family. Kyle says, he’ll be at the Homeless Not Toothless gala, and we flash back to them all murdering the name. Kyle says she wants them to have a home and teeth, and Sutton wonders why they can’t remember the name. She tells Kyle how Garcelle told her that Annemarie was coming for her last night. She likes Annemarie. Why is Annmarie coming for her? Kyle says, Sutton let Annemarie lick her armpit (yuk), and we flash back to things you can’t unsee. Sutton says, Annemarie needs to shut up about her esophagus, and in her interview, Kyle says she’s seen Sutton get in fights over ridiculous things. We flash back to the ugly leather pants debacle, and Kyle says, maybe she’s met her match. Sutton shows Kyle a picture of the house near Barcelona where they’ll be staying, and in Sutton’s interview, she says, it’s been a tumultuous few months. She wants them to take this trip to have fun and remember they love each other. She tells Kyle that she doesn’t want to invite the nurse/doctor. Annemarie owes her an apology. Kyle says she can’t disinvite Annemarie, and Sutton says she won’t, but Annemarie owes her an apology.  

Crystal calls Garcelle and asks what she thought of Kyle’s event. Garcelle says she thought it was beautiful, and Crystal says she was moved. She texted Kyle and said her friend would be grateful. Garcelle says, it was celebratory without being somber, yet it wasn’t such a party you forgot why you came. Crystal says, Annemarie forgot what the event was about. She implied Sutton had an eating disorder. We flash back to that, and Crystal wonders what Annemarie’s end game is. To shame Sutton? In Garcelle’s interview, she says, Sutton isn’t Annemarie’s patient and Annemarie just met her. Leave Sutton and her esophagus alone. Now she’s the esophagus police. Crystal says, Annemarie said she was a doctor when they met, and in Crystal’s interview, she says, they met at a holiday party. She said she was an anesthesiologist, not a nurse anesthetist. She wonders what else Annemarie is lying about. She tells Garcelle that she googled narrow esophagus and it’s very much a thing. Garcelle says, even in medicine, you can’t say something is true 100% of the time. Crystal says, the first thing that came up was that it’s genetic. Sutton said it ran in her family, so that’s good enough for her. In her interview, Crystal says, Annemarie told them that she couldn’t find anything on it, and it took her a minute to google it. Maybe she’s a doctor.

Dorit and PK go to check out the Hilton where the event is being held. In Dorit’s interview, she says, last year, there was a covid surge, so they had to postpone the gala. We flash back to the previous Homeless Not Toothless gala, and Dorit talks to security. PK tells her to trust her people, and in Dorit’s interview, she says she thinks the therapy session was beneficial. We flash back to Dorit telling PK what she needs from him, and in her interview, she says, he’s more present. He’s been listening more, and she feels more connected to him. She’s grateful for that. Dorit says, they’re expecting 400 people, and PK says, Paula Abdul and William H. Macy will be there, as well as a surprise they haven’t pulled off yet. He critiques the table décor, and says, it feels daytime. In her interview, Dorit says she loves that PK can say things she wouldn’t. Therapy didn’t solve all their problems, but it’s a good start. She’s hopeful that things are going to get better and better.

Crystal meets her brother Jeff for lunch and tells him about the trip to Ojai. She mentions Sutton licking Kyle’s toe, and Jeff wonders, what are they doing? He says, it was nice being back in Asia. He saw his ex, Vivi, and got some things off his chest. He’s wounded, but not mad. Vivi always felt like she wasn’t accepted by Crystal and their mom, and she’s not wrong. In Crystal’s interview, she says, Jeff’s girlfriends have always found her intimidating; she has a lot of strong opinions and expectations. She was trying to be protective, but realizes her approach was wrong. She tells Jeff that, being an only child, Vivi can’t understand, and Jeff says, true, but another woman in his life was always problematic for her and their mom. The woman in his life will have to accept they’re close, but so will Crystal and their mom. In her interview, Crystal says, she and her brother have always been close. When they were kids, people thought they were twins. When she met Rob, she was nervous that she would no longer be Jeff’s sister because she was a wife and mom, but things never changed. Jeff says he’s planning to spend more time in Asia. He’s going to spend half a year in Bangkok. He can do music or DJ. Crystal wonders if she pushed him too far, but he says he’s not trying to distance himself. He’s taking control of his life. In Crystal’s interview, she says she needs to accept her brother and what he wants, or it will create more of a wedge between them and she’ll lose him forever. Jeff says, their mom did a great job as a mom, and she did a great job as his sister. Their work is done. He makes his own decisions, and they need to trust they did a good job. Trust his judgement.

Everyone gets ready for the Homeless Not Toothless event, and the name is the gift that keeps on giving, since everyone is having lots of laughs over it. Rob is going to an event for The Brave Little Toaster, but he says he’ll meet Crystal later. On the way there, Mauricio asks Kyle about the Celebration of Life event, and she says, she wanted everyone to enjoy themselves, but still address the topic. In Kyle’s interview, she says, it would have meant something for Mauricio to show up, since he was close to Lorene also. We flash back to Lorene’s mother asking about him. She tells Mauricio that she’s going to be doing some traveling of her own. After the Barcelona trip, she’s going to Spain for work. In her interview, she says, he got a taste of his own medicine. She forgot tell him and he doesn’t get a heads up, so oops.

In Dorit’s interview, she says, everything is incredible. It’s exactly how she wanted, and she couldn’t have done it without PK. Erika runs into her dentist and he’s more flirtatious with her than I’d be comfortable with. In Kyle’s interview, she says, when she and Mauricio go to an event, there’s a lot of whispering and watching them. It feels strange. They’re analyzing every move and hand gesture. It’s very weird. Sutton arrives and tells the others that she has a magical esophagus. Don’t talk about her body behind her back. It’s not going to go well. They see Annemarie and call her over.

Annemarie introduces husband Marcellus, and when Sutton says, they’re talking now, she sends him to the bar. Sutton says, Annemarie picked the wrong person, but Annemarie won’t let her talk. Sutton says, excuse me, ma’am, and Annemarie tries to out ma’am her. In Erika’s interview, she says, you have to be careful. Where she’s from, this particular no ma’ am could get you slapped. Annemarie tells Sutton not to yell, when she’s not yelling, but when Sutton says she’s not, Annemarie calls her a liar. Annemarie tends to come in hot in a cartoonish way that’s very unattractive and awkward. She also keeps reminding everyone that she’s a board-certified nurse anesthetist. I’ve heard it four times in five seconds now. Sutton says she has a board-certified doctor, and knows what she has, even though Annemarie said she made it up. Annemarie says she didn’t, and Crystal says, she told them that Sutton lied. We flash back to Annemarie saying that, and Annemarie says she told them it was a potential lie. WTF is a potential lie? This woman is unreal. Everything she gets caught on, she changes around. She accuses Crystal of saying Sutton had an eating disorder, and Crystal asks if she’s out of her mind. In Garcelle’s interview, she says, they haven’t even gotten in the ballroom yet and they’re going at it. People are looking at them. It’s like they’re at the zoo looking at animals and they’re the animals. Sutton says, it was inappropriate to bring it up at Kyle’s event, and once again, Annemarie acts like she did no such thing. Crystal says, Annemarie literally talked two hours about it. She and Garcelle had to leave; it was so annoying. We flash back to the multiple times Annemarie discussed it with various groups of women, and Annemarie says, she was trained to be a critical thinker. Maybe Crystal would understand if she’d gone to med school. Crystal says, Annemarie didn’t go to med school, and Annemarie says, Crystal keeps downplaying her profession. Crystal says, she’s such a bitch, and in Annemarie’s interview, she says, Crystal said she wanted to go to med school – we flash back to that – but her husband wouldn’t have waited. She thinks Crystal resents her being in the medical profession. Crystal is taking out what she didn’t get to do on her. Annemarie says she apologizes for being concerned, and in Sutton’s interview, she says she appreciates Annemarie’s non-apology apology. She’ll take it because she doesn’t want to talk about her esophagus anymore.

Kyle tells Dorit that Annemarie and Sutton were arguing. It was heated, worked up, and elevated. Garcelle joins them, and Kyle says she never saw Crystal like that. She never knew Crystal had it in her. In Kyle’s interview, she says, they’ve wanted Crystal to find her voice, but screaming someone’s a bitch at a black-tie event wasn’t exactly what they were talking about. The women look at the stuff up for silent auction, and Dorit makes sure Sutton isn’t sitting by Annemarie. This teeny tiny old woman all in pink – who not surprisingly goes by the name of Pink Lady – says she appreciates Erika, who’s in Barbiecore, and they take photos. As they sit down at the table, Mauricio says he hears Sutton has an esophagus problem, and in her interview, Sutton says, if Mauricio can come to this, but not to the Celebration of Life event for his wife, that’s messed up. Dorit is introduced and she introduces Paula Abdul, who introduces Taylor Dayne. Taylor sings Tell It to My Heart, Erika sings along with her, and everyone acts stupid, getting up, waving, and hooting. This is really irritating since it’s a gala, not a concert. Afterwards, Sutton tells the women that they’ve got to stop this. Garcelle asks what they do, and Sutton says she likes Annemarie, but she didn’t like Annemarie going behind her back. Annemarie – who apparently cannot admit when she’s wrong – says she already explained. Dorit suggests they go home and take a deep breath. Kyle says, they want only positive energy when they go to Spain.

Everyone packs for Barcelona, and Kyle calls Sutton. She asks what the vibe is, and Sutton says, it’s an old city with cobblestone streets. Kyle says, it won’t stop the women from wearing high heels. Barcelona is not ready for them. Sutton says, there’s angst that needs to be worked out. Kyle’s mission is to tell Annemarie not to talk at them. In Kyle’s interview, she says, the fact that she has to mediate the fight about Sutton’s esophagus at this point is upsetting. But she feels like since she brought Annemarie into the group, she should fix things and play peacemaker. Annemarie calls Kyle and says she’s had time to think and reflect. She feels ridiculous and horrible. Kyle says, it was a lot, and for her to say it’s a lot says a lot. Crystal calls Erika, who says, ooh, Crystal called Annemarie a bitch. Crystal says, Annemarie was calling out Sutton for yelling when she was the one yelling. It didn’t make sense. Erika says, people communicate under stress in different ways. Thank God it wasn’t about her. In Garcelle’s interview, she says, Annemarie wants to be right because it’s a medical thing. Kyle tells Annemarie, maybe Spain will be the magic touch, and in her interview, she says, if they can get past their issues, they can have a fun, bonding experience. She’s not holding her breath. Annemarie says, Crystal owes her an apology for mocking her profession, and in her interview, she says she’s proud to be a nurse anesthetist. It’s difficult and challenging. Erika says she’ll be the referee and bring a whistle, and Crystal says, Annemarie might not talk to her. That’s even better. In Erika’s interview, she says, therapy works. It’s expensive, but it works. Kyle tells Annemarie that they don’t want to have these conversations on the plane. They don’t want to be kicked off. Annemarie says she wants to go in happy, positive, and looking forward to the trip.

Annemarie calls Sutton and says she’s coming with her heart in her hands. She’s sorry for her part in everything that happened. Sutton says, her part? and in Sutton’s interview, she says, how about her part being the only part? No ma’am. Annemarie says she’s sorry she pried into something Sutton didn’t want to talk about, but Sutton says she’ll talk about her esophagus all day. Annemarie says she’s sorry she talked… Sutton says, behind her back. She wants Annemarie to come on the trip and she’s looking forward to working it out. Annemarie says she did lick Sutton’s armpit. How many friends can she say that about? (Jeff is right. What are they doing?)

24 hours later. Flashes into the future. Annemarie says, when she met Crystal, Crystal said the women were not intelligent and shallow… Annemarie tells Crystal to bring it down a notch, which doesn’t go over big… Annemarie tells Crystal, thanks for giving her something to talk about and making Crystal’s ass relevant… Sutton says, don’t make the little people come out.

I must admit I’m intrigued about that last one.

To be continued…

❄️ Savoring the Snowflakes…

Hop aboard tomorrow for soap and a Reunion lacking Charm. Until then, stay safe, stay replacing something you borrowed if you broke it or lost it, and stay remembering, therapy is expensive, but it works.

January 16, 2024 – Nina Makes a Deal With Cyrus, Adam’s Dad, A Message, Premature, Icon Of Days, Salty Talk, All About Emmy, Playing Dress-Up & White

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

In Cyrus’s hospital room, Dex prepares a syringe. In the hallway on the phone, Nina talks with a client. She sees Sonny coming out of the elevator, and ducks around the corner. Sonny goes to the reception desk and asks where Cyrus’s room is. Dex is about to put the syringe into Cyrus’s IV, when there’s a knock on the window. Sonny peeks through the blinds that Dex stupidly left open and shakes his head. As Dex steps away, Cyrus grabs his arm. He asks what Dex is trying to do.

Josslyn runs into the hospital and asks Willow if her friend Adam Wright has been brought in. Willow says he has, and he’s with a doctor in exam room one, but she can’t go in there. Josslyn says she just wants to be nearby.

Finn examines Adam and tries to rouse him, while Elizabeth checks his vitals. A nurse shows Finn the pill packets and says, they may have been mixed with vodka. He says, that combo could do it. This kid meant business. He rubs Adam’s chest vigorously, telling him to wake up. Josslyn watches through the window.

Willow calls Carly and asks her to come to the hospital; Joss is here. Carly asks if she’s okay (maybe Willow should have led with that), and Willow says, she is, but she thinks Josslyn needs Carly. Carly says she’ll be right there.

Trina says, Esme must be relieved, and Esme says, yeah. Has Trina seen Spencer? He was supposed to bring Ace here. Trina says she hasn’t seen them, but it looks like Esme didn’t need that adorable baby boy to sway the judge’s opinion. She must be thrilled. Esme says, Trina must be disappointed in her sentence. She can understand why. Trina tells Esme not to presume knowing anything about her, but Esme says, come on. The revenge porn of Cameron and Josslyn, framing Trina for the crime. If the allegations were true and she was in Trina’s position, she wouldn’t be done with her until she was locked up forever.

Spencer tells Nikolas that he’s not leaving Port Charles. His life is here. His grandmother is here. Trina is here. Aunt Alexis is here and he’s not throwing that away. He’s not going to abandon everyone and everything just so he can go on the run with Nikolas. Nikolas says he knows he’s asking for a lot, but Spencer says, he’s not just asking for a lot; he’s asking for everything. Nikolas says, it’s the only option, at least for now, but Spencer says, it’s Nikolas’s only option, not his. Ace isn’t going with him, and neither is he. Nikolas says, it’s the only way for them to be together as a family. Spencer has to trust him on this. Spencer says, the thing is, he doesn’t trust Nikolas, and he’s not running away because he’s not like Nikolas. Nikolas says, doesn’t Spencer realize his brother is in danger if he stays here?

Elizabeth says, Adam’s blood pressure is dropping, and Finn asks if he’s had any history of substance abuse. Elizabeth says, he’s on dextroamphetamine, and Finn says, for ADHD? She says, correct, and he says, anything else? She says, he was brought in for a panic attack previously. Josslyn Jax brought him in, and she checked him in. Finn asks her to find out if he’s taken anything else, and she leaves.

In the hallway, Josslyn asks if Adam is all right, and Elizabeth says, they’re doing everything they can to help him, but she needs more information. Josslyn says she was there when he passed out. She called 911. Elizabeth asks if she’s the one who found the pills, and Josslyn says, yeah. She found them at the park. He was drinking and the pills had fallen out of his pocket. Elizabeth asks if Josslyn knows if he took them, and Josslyn says, no, but he couldn’t have taken them that long before she found him. Maybe an hour ago? Elizabeth says, it’s important they know as much about his medical history as possible. So has Adam used drugs in the past? Josslyn says, he has ADHD, so he’s taking something for that, and Elizabeth says, dextroamphetamine. Josslyn says, that’s it, and Elizabeth says, anything else? Josslyn says, not that she’s aware of, and Elizabeth says, what about the drinking? Josslyn says, Adam got really drunk New Year’s Eve, but other than that, she’s never seen him drunk. Elizabeth says, she’s been very helpful and thanks her for the info. Josslyn says, of course (🍷), and Elizabeth goes back into the exam room. Willow asks how Josslyn is holding up, and Josslyn says, Adam has been struggling for months. How did she not see it coming?

Sonny goes into Cyrus’s room and says he’s sorry. He didn’t mean to interrupt. Can he have a word with Mr. Renault? Dex asks if that’s okay with Cyrus, and Cyrus says, it’s fine with him. Mr. Corinthos’ timing is positively providential. Sonny asks, why is that? and Cyrus says he has some news that will uplift Sonny’s spirits.

Trina says her parents raised her to know right from wrong, and Esme says, her parents didn’t raise her. Not that she could even remember if they did. Trina says her point is, she believes in the justice system, and for it to work, it has to be fair. So does she want Esme to pay for the horrible things she did to Joss, Cam, and her? Of course (🍷) she does. Because Esme broke the law multiple times and deserves to be punished for her crimes. That’s only fair. But she doesn’t deserve to spend time in prison for some petty breaking and entering where no one got hurt. As much as she dislikes Esme, she found herself agreeing with the judge. Esme says she’s surprised Trina can be so rational about this, and Trina says she wants to live her life looking ahead. She’s leaving Port Charles soon, and she doesn’t want her very justified anger toward Esme to hold her back. Esme says, she’s leaving town… Trina says, don’t get too excited. It’s only for one semester, but she was accepted to study at the Sorbonne in Paris. Esme says, congratulations. That seems like an amazing opportunity. Trina says, it is, and Esme says, but she knows Spencer is going to miss Trina like crazy when she’s gone. Trina says, he might, if he wasn’t coming with her.

Finn says some medical stuff to Elizabeth, and the other nurse asks if they shouldn’t get approval from one of the Co-Chiefs of Staff. Finn says he has no time for waiting. Let’s go. Elizabeth tells the nurse that Finn knows what he’s doing, and the nurse jets.

Willow says, it’s not Josslyn’s fault, but Josslyn says, all the signs were there. She knew Adam was in trouble. Willow says, but she’s not a mind reader. She couldn’t have predicted Adam was going to try and take his own life. Did he ever talk about suicide with her? Josslyn says, no. He never used that word. But more than once, he talked about how the pressure was never-ending. She was so worried about him that she told the RA what was going on with him. Willow says, it sounds like she did the right thing. She tried to get Adam help. Josslyn says, but it didn’t work. She thinks that’s what pushed Adam over the edge. Carly comes out of the elevator, and Josslyn hugs her. She says, Adam tried to kill himself. She found him in the park. Carly tells Willow, thank you.

Spencer asks, what makes Nikolas think Ace is in danger? He liked it better when Ace and Esme were both living here with his grandmother, but still. Nikolas says, as long as Ace is in Esme’s care, his brother is in danger, and Spencer says he knows Nikolas hasn’t been around, so he might not know this, but Esme is actually a very good mother to Ace. Nikolas says, she’s playing a part. Showing people what they want to see. But at the core, Esme is still the same viper that caused destruction in both of their lives… Spencer says he actually does believe this version of Esme loves her son, and Nikolas says, whatever love Esme has for Ace is outweighed by her curiosity about her former life. Doesn’t he get it? Esme wants to remember. That’s why she’s searching for her past. That’s why she went to Windymere and broke in. Spencer asks how Nikolas would know about that, and Nikolas says he told Spencer; he’s been watching things. Whatever stories Esme makes up about her reasons for going there, they both know better. Spencer says he’s wondered about Esme at times, and who’s to say whether she’s gotten her memories back, but how can they know that for sure? They don’t have any proof. They don’t have any evidence to back it up. Nikolas says, they both know what her true nature is. Esme’s still the same person who tormented both of them and relished watching their family in pain. She’ll cause more pain than running away with Ace, or worse.

Sonny says, they’re going to be fine in here, aren’t they? and Cyrus says he thinks they will. Dex leaves, and Cyrus says, believe it or not, he’s happy to see Sonny again, calling him Mr. Corinthos. Sonny says, the nurse is gone. He can stop with the Mr. Corinthos nonsense. If he’s got something to say, say it quick.

Nina sees Dex and asks why he’s dressed like that. Was he just in Cyrus Renault’s room? Dex says, she shouldn’t be here, and she asks if Sonny is in with Cyrus right now. She moves toward the room, but he stops her, saying, he’s sorry, but she can’t go in there right now. She says, so he is in there.

Cyrus says, what Sonny needs to know is, he’s a sinner, and Sonny says, that’s not news. Cyrus says he knows he’ll never be able to fully repent for his past. He begs for forgiveness from God every day, but he doesn’t know that the gates of heaven will open for him after the things he’s done. Sonny says, that’s an awful big wind-up. Can he just get to the point? Cyrus says, this is why he now has to live a fully penitent life. He’ll continue to try and atone for his sins and accept his punishment with grace. Sonny says, tick… tock, and Cyrus says, Sonny doesn’t need to send anyone else to do his dirty work. Sonny asks, why is that? and Cyrus says he won’t be pressing charges against Sonny. The case will be closed.

Trina heads for the door, but Esme says, wait. What does Trina mean, she’s going to Paris? She can’t believe Spencer would abandon his brother like that. Trina says, Esme moved out of Laura and Doc’s place. She made the decision that Spencer would see a whole lot less of Ace. Besides, this is a really great opportunity. Esme says, for Trina. What about Spencer? Isn’t this really selfish of her? Trina asks Esme to let her finish. She was going to say, Spencer didn’t want to leave her either. Besides, it’s not like he has a job or anything that ties him down here. Esme says, what about his grandmother? and Trina says, Laura spent a summer in Europe trying to track down Spencer’s dad. She thinks Laura can handle Spencer being away for one semester. Esme says, Laura will probably be okay with this, but what about Ace? What about her? Trina says, what about you, Esme?

Spencer says he knows what the old Esme is capable of, but there’s got to be a better way than taking off with her child, and Nikolas says, if there was a way he could stay in Port Charles and fight for custody, he’d do that. But if he stays, he’ll go to prison. Spencer says, the way he did, but Nikolas says, Spencer’s sentence was fairly brief. In his case, he doesn’t know when he’d be free again, and that does Ace no good. Spencer says, but he does have to face the consequences of his actions at some point, right? He has a family and one of his kids is a baby, so at some point it has to stop being all about him. Nikolas says he’s doing this for Ace. For all his flaws and failings, this isn’t a choice between him and a better man. It’s a choice between him and Esme. Spencer says, what if Esme wasn’t a factor? and Nikolas asks how that would even be possible. Spencer says, his grandmother convinced Esme to turn herself in to the PCPD for breaking into Windymere, and as the current owner of the property, Ava has decided to press charges. In fact, her hearing is being held right now. (I guess Nikolas wasn’t watching that closely.) If Ava gets her way, Esme’s going to be spending some time in prison. That will give Nikolas a window of opportunity to squash any legal problems he might have and file for custody of Ace. Nikolas says, even if Esme does go to prison, she still has rights. She won’t just roll over. Spencer says, but Nikolas is the father. He has just as much a right of claim as she does, right? Spencer’s phone rings and he says, it’s his grandmother. Maybe she has an update. Hey, are you at the courthouse with Esme?… Yes… Okay, thank you for telling me. Nikolas says, well? and Spencer says, she pled guilty. She’s not going to have to serve any time. She got six months probation. So Esme’s basically a free woman.

Josslyn tells Carly that she found Adam in the park. He was just sitting there trying to play his guitar, drinking from a bottle of vodka. Carly takes Josslyn’s hand and says, thank God she went to look for him. He tried to take his life. Josslyn says she can’t believe he took it this far, when Finn and Elizabeth come out. Josslyn asks Finn, how is he? and Finn says he understands Josslyn found Adam and called the ambulance, and they thank her for that. But they can really only speak to family. All he can say is, they pumped his stomach. Elizabeth says, he’s in stable condition – Josslyn says, thank God – thanks to her quick thinking. Finn says, he should make a full recovery, and Josslyn thanks them. Carly says, she did the right thing, and Finn says, they do need to speak to Adam’s parents though. Elizabeth says, they have Adam’s parents’ contact information, but Josslyn says, please do not call his parents. Carly says, they have to, but Josslyn says, she doesn’t understand. His parents are the reason he tried to kill himself.

Sonny tells Cyrus, in the state of New York, the victim doesn’t need to press charges. For assault, the state can pursue the case without him. Cyrus says, while that may be true, he wonders how much effort the DA will want to invest when the key witness says they were the one who provoked the assault. Sonny had gone to a church, trying to commune with God and search for answers. He came upon Sonny, and instead of responding with kindness, he responded with hostility and bitterness, maybe even malice. In other words, Cyrus sinned against him. So if the DA takes the case to trial and he’s called to testify, he’ll repent and beg for forgiveness. Sonny says, that’s the exact opposite of what he told the cops. What was the change of heart? Cyrus says he doesn’t understand, and Sonny asks what Cyrus did. Because if he can reverse his position just like that, there has to be something in it for him. So what does he want in return? That’s what he’s asking. Cyrus says, nothing. He’s aware a man in Sonny’s position might just want to finish the job he started. And since getting out of Pentenville, he’s really come to appreciate his freedom. His life might be really small now, but he cherishes it and he’d like to keep living it. Is that so hard to understand? Sonny says, for an average person, maybe, but for Cyrus, he doesn’t believe a word Cyrus is shoveling at him. Cyrus laughs and asks if Sonny would believe another person helped him see the error of his ways, and Sonny asks, who got to him? Cyrus says, the person asked him not to say, but Sonny says, who? Cyrus says, let him keep his word. It’s the only thing he has left.

Nina tells Dex, ever since Sonny found out what she did, he hasn’t been thinking clearly. She’s worried about him. If anything happens to him… Dex says, if Sonny wants her to know something, he’ll tell her himself. He’s genuinely sorry that it’s come to this. She says, her too. She’s not giving up on Sonny. She’s not going to stop loving him. She’ll do anything for the man that she loves. She walks away.

Josslyn tells Finn, Adam doesn’t have a good relationship with his parents. He would not want them to be involved. And he’s not a minor; he’s over 18. That has to count for something, right? Finn says, he’s currently unconscious and his parents are next of kin. They have to be notified. He’s really sorry, but that’s hospital procedure. Elizabeth says she knows Josslyn and knows her heart is in the right place, but if that was Cameron in there, doesn’t Josslyn think she should be notified? Josslyn says, it’s not the same thing. Adam’s parents are the problem. He’s terrified of them. He got an A-minus on a test, and they considered that a failure. Finn says he understands, but legally, Adam’s parents need to be notified. Carly thanks him and says, do what he needs to do. Finn and Elizabeth leave, and Carly sits down with Josslyn. Josslyn asks if they can’t at least wait until Adam wakes up and ask him if he wants his parents to know, and Carly says, she’s heard a lot about Adam’s parents this semester, hasn’t she? Josslyn says, it’s crazy the amount of pressure they put on him. The way he talks, they don’t even see him. It’s just about him getting the best grades to get into the right med school. Carly says, he seems to be leaning a lot on Josslyn too, and Josslyn says, yes. She thought she was helping. Clearly not. Carly says, she didn’t do anything wrong. Adam is lucky to have a friend like her. Josslyn says, when Adam’s parents find out what he did, Adam is never going to forgive her.

Esme tells Trina that she’s Ace’s mother and she thought Spencer wanted to be a part of his little brother’s life. Trina says, Spencer will always be part of Ace’s life. He’s just giving Esme the space that she said she wanted. Esme tells Trina that she said she wanted space. She didn’t say she wanted Ace’s brother on another continent. Trina says, it’s not like they’re not coming back to Port Charles. They’re going to be in Paris for one semester. (IKR? Again, everyone is acting like this is forever.) Esme says, what if they love living there and that one semester extends into the summer, and they decide to live there for another year? Spencer can party his way through Europe, leaving his brother totally behind. Trina says, Spencer is not going to do that. He’s way to loyal to Ace. Esme says, Trina is in love with Spencer. Of course (🍷) she’s going to say that. Trina says she can’t believe she has to defend Spencer to Esme, of all people. What has he done except help her and Ace? Esme says, Ace loves his brother. He lights up every time Spencer walks into the room, and Ace is too little to understand the difference between a parent and a brother. How is Ace going to understand Spencer hasn’t just completely abandoned him.\?

Spencer tells Nikolas that he doesn’t understand how this could have happened. Esme gets six months probation and no time in jail? Nikolas says, Esme wasn’t on trial for the revenge porn of Josslyn and Cam, or for framing Trina. This case was just about breaking and entering into Windymere. Like he said, Esme wouldn’t have broken into Windymere unless she thought it would help her get her memories back. Spencer flashes back to the interrogation room and realizing that Esme remembers. Nikolas says, if Esme was truly committed to starting a new life with Ace as his devoted mother, wouldn’t she want to avoid Windymere at all costs? Spencer remembers Esme calling him Spence, and Nikolas asks what he’s thinking. Spencer says he doesn’t know anything for sure. It’s really more so just a feeling. Nikolas says, a feeling about what? and Spencer says, Esme may not be telling the whole truth about why she broke into Windymere. She said something. It was a really, really small thing, so it might not mean anything. Nikolas asks what she said, and Spencer says, she called me Spence. That was the name she called him the whole time they were together, and she hasn’t called him that since she lost her memory. But then, earlier today at the PCPD, she called him Spence. It wasn’t just what she said, it was how she said it. It was the same tone, it was the same inflection, everything. It could just be a coincidence. Nikolas says, he knows better. It’s proof that Esme’s lying. She must have gotten her memories back. Spencer asks how they know that for sure, and Nikolas says, they can’t as long as she denies it, but is he really willing to trust her? Does he want to risk his brother’s life for Esme?

Willow says she’s got a call in to PCU requesting Adam’s parents’ contact information, and Finn says, after a psyche consult, he’s sure Adam will be put on a 72-hour hold. Maybe this will be a wake-up call for his parents to start taking better care of their son. Willow says, maybe.

Carly tells Josslyn, the situation with Adam’s parents sounds terrible. She can’t imagine putting that kind of pressure on her kid, but he tried to kill himself. This is really serious. Now his parents will be able to give him the support he needs. Adam’s clearly crying out for help. Josslyn says she just wishes she’d done something sooner.

Dex puts the wrapped syringe in a trashcan and sees Sonny in the hallway. He asks if Sonny changed his mind about Renault, and Sonny says, Cyrus is still poison in Port Charles. They’ve got to deal with him. They’ve just got to figure out another way. Dex says, what about the assault charge against Sonny? and Sonny says, somebody convinced Cyrus not to testify. Dex says, without the victim’s testimony… and Sonny says, Scorpio isn’t going to risk embarrassment losing a weak case. He’s just trying to figure out who convinced Cyrus to drop the charges. Dex says he might know, and Sonny says, who? Dex says, Cyrus wasn’t alone when he got here. There was someone in his room with him. Sonny says, who? and Dex looks down the hall at Nina.

Trina says, with Spencer out of the country, this could be Esme’s chance to prove she can go it alone as Ace’s mom. And yes, Spencer has helped out a lot, but it’s time for him to take a step back. Esme made the same point when she moved out of Laura’s place. Esme asks if she’s supposed to thank Trina now, like Trina is doing her this big favor, and Trina says, Esme can look at it however she wants, but she wants Esme to know that not for one second did they question her abilities as a mom. They were only thinking about Ace. She and Spencer don’t think about Esme at all. She has to go. She tells Esme, congratulations. She got what she wanted. Trina walks out.

Nikolas asks when Esme will be back for Ace, and Spencer says, the hearing is over. She’s a free woman, so any minute now. Nikolas says, they’re running out of time. If Spencer won’t come with him, Spencer has to give him Ace to get him out of Esme’s grasp. This is their only chance. Spencer says, when Ace was born, he was certain Nikolas was going to come back, and when he didn’t, he was furious with Nikolas. He swore he was going to make sure Ace had a stable childhood no matter what. Nikolas says he knows and he’s sorry. He shouldn’t have left. It wasn’t fair for him to leave Spencer to pick up the pieces. He knows it looks like he’s running away again, he swears this time it’s different. He’s not running away to escape punishment. He’s running away to protect his son. Let him be a father to Ace. And to Spencer. Let him do the right thing for their family. Let him save his son.

Elizabeth says, as awful as that was, it was nice seeing Finn back in his element. He thanks her for backing him up with the nurse. He realizes she was just following procedure. She says, yes, but he was making the right call.

Carly says, Josslyn tried to help Adam and he pushed her away. Then when he really needed her help, she was there for him and did the right thing. He’s going to understand. She’s so proud of Josslyn. Willow comes out and says she’s sorry to interrupt, but she thought Josslyn would want to know Adam is stabilized now, in case she wants to see him. Josslyn says she does. She just needs to grab something from her car. Carly stops her and says, or they could give him a night to absorb what happened and see him tomorrow. Josslyn says, no. She needs to see him today. Besides, she has something that belongs to him. She’ll be right back. She leaves, and Willow asks if Josslyn realizes she saved Adam’s life, but Carly says, no. She feels like she should have known what he was going to try.

On the phone, Nina says she needs confirmation first thing tomorrow, when Sonny comes up behind her. He asks what she did. What did she promise Cyrus? She says, nothing she couldn’t afford to part with. His freedom is that important to her. He asks, what made her think it was a good idea to strike a deal with Cyrus? and she says, Cyrus is going to drop all the charges against him, a fight that she caused. Sonny wouldn’t have attacked Cyrus if he wasn’t so upset with her. She’s caused a lot of trouble and made some mistakes. Everything is falling apart, and if she could go back in time, she would. She would change how she handled things, but that’s not a possibility. What is a possibility is her making a deal with Cyrus. All she’s trying to do is clean up the mess she made. He says, next time she gets the urge to help him, don’t. He starts to walk away, but she calls to him and he stops. She says she has to do something, and he says, this is his life. Stay away from his business. As a matter of fact, stay away from him. He stalks off, all dark Sonny like.

Elizabeth says, Adam is really lucky Finn cared more about saving his life than getting someone to sign off on his diagnosis. In life or death, there’s just no time to second guess. He says, they all made a difference in helping that kid. His life depended on making a split-second decision. It reminded him of why he loves being a doctor. It also reminded him of what he stands to lose if he can’t be one.

Carly tells Willow, on one hand, she’s very proud of Josslyn, of how she handled the situation. Willow says, on the other hand? and Carly says she hates how Josslyn feels responsible for him. We just want to protect our kids, right? Willow says, until life gets in the way. Josslyn comes back and says she’s ready to see Adam. If they don’t mind, she’d prefer to go in alone. Carly says, okay. They’ll be right here if she needs them. Josslyn thanks them and goes to the exam room.

Josslyn sees Adam unconscious and hooked up to oxygen. She sets down her stuff and his guitar and goes over to the bed. She says, it’s me, Josslyn, and sits down. She says she brought his guitar from the park. She knows how much he loves it. She takes his hand and says she’s going to stay with him until he wakes up. Because he’s not alone.

Nikolas says, Spencer has to know that taking Ace away with him is the best option for his brother, and Spencer says, the points he’s making about Esme are valid. If she does get her memories back, she has zero incentive to be honest about it. Nikolas says, so Spencer will let him take Ace with him? and Spencer says, yes. Nikolas says, he’s making the right decision, and Spencer says, his blankie is in his room. Nikolas goes to Ace’s room – even though he would have no clue where it is and the apartment has more than one floor – and Spencer says he really hopes he gets to see Ace again so he can keep reminding Ace how much he loves him. He bounces and kisses Ace and says, when he first learned about Ace, he wasn’t sure how to feel. And then he saw Ace and all he had was pure love for him. All he ever wanted for Ace was happiness and safety and love. Nikolas stands in the doorway, and Spencer says he doesn’t know what he’s doing, but he thinks he’s making the right decision. He hopes Ace remembers always that he has an older brother who loves him very much. Nikolas comes out, and Spencer says, if he ever hurts Ace, if he ever abandons him… Nikolas says, never, but Spencer says, listen to him. If he ever hurts Ace, he will find Nikolas and he will make him pay. Nikolas says he knows that.

Spencer says, he likes grapes, but they need to be cut into quarters, so he doesn’t choke. And as Nikolas can see, he’s a very good sleeper. (Ace has basically been passed out through this whole scene.) He likes to be read bedtime stories before bed; it helps him calm down. Nikolas says, got it. He asks Spencer to please come with them. The transition would be so much easier on his little brother, and honestly, he’d love it too. Spencer can’t know how much he’s missed him. Spencer says he’s glad he’s been able to play the role he has in Ace’s life. He has a life with Trina now, so he can’t. Nikolas says he understands, but he promises that one day, they’ll both be back. Spencer tells him not to make promises he can’t keep. Not to him, not to Ace. Nikolas says he swears they will, and Spencer says, just make sure that he’s looked after. That’s what’s most important. He hands Ace to Nikolas, and Ace barely opens an eye. And in perhaps the stupidest move Spencer has ever made, he opens the door, and Nikolas leaves with Ace.

Elizabeth tells Finn, good news. The doctor Muldoon saw in Beechers Corners is in Port Charles and she’s willing to meet with them. This could be his best chance to beat the malpractice suit.

Carly says she told Josslyn that Adam’s parents will only want the best for him. She sincerely hopes that’s true. Willow says, parents can have all the good intentions in the world, and they can still let their children down.

Nina says she talked to the station. Cyrus has his time slot as soon as Sonny’s case is officially thrown out. Then he can start spreading the Good Word. He says, praise the Lord, and she tells him, sure. Whatever you say. He smiles.

Sonny is in the elevator with Dex, and says, Dex impressed him today. Dex says he didn’t do anything, but Sonny says, the fact Dex was going to follow his orders lets him know he can count on Dex. Dex thanks him, and Sonny says, any questions? Dex says, just one. What are they going to do about Cyrus? Sonny says he’s going to make that bastard wish he hadn’t stopped Dex from putting him out of his misery.

Trina bursts into the exam room, and Josslyn thanks her for coming, hugging her. Trina says, of course (🍷). She dropped everything as soon as she got Josslyn’s text. How’s Adam? Josslyn says, the good news is, she found him, so the paramedics got him to the hospital in time. But she has no idea what she’s going to say to him when he wakes up.

Spencer leans on the mantel and notices Ace’s pillow (I think) got left behind. He scoops it up and opens the door. Esme is there.

Tomorrow, Esme says she’s taking Ace home, but Spencer says, she can’t; Nina says, if they don’t believe her, ask Michael; and Willow wants nothing more to do with someone. I’m hoping it’s Michael, but I’m guessing it’s Nina.

🏥 Meet the Parent…

He’s probably going to yell at Adam for not doing it right.

Steve Mize Cast as Adam’s Father on GENERAL HOSPITAL

🩺 Good To Be Home…

Looks like he’s hoping to make it a permanent address. I wouldn’t hate that.

🥀 Gone Too Soon…

This is just too sad.

ALL MY CHILDREN’s Alec Musser Dead at 50

💫 Losing a Legend…

The soap world loses another great one.

🧂 Throwing It Over My Shoulder…

They were at the point where everyone was talking over everyone, so A) no one was listening to anyone, and B) we couldn’t hear what anyone was saying clearly. Mary joined the group, and it was established that she’s not a backstabber. She’ll tell you to your face.

Pick your poison.

https://ew.com/the-real-housewives-of-salt-lake-city-season-4-reunion-part-2-8430550

https://people.com/rhoslc-recap-monica-garcia-explains-using-4-different-last-names-reunion-part-2-8430604

🏆 Emmy Cornucopia…

The winners.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2024/01/15/emmys-2024-complete-winners-list/72102243007/

Memories.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/2024-primetime-emmy-awards-top-ten-memorable-moments-niecy-nash-betts-elton-john/

The red carpet and more.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/emmy-awards-2024-red-carpet/

And most important, fashion and beauty.

https://www.essence.com/gallery/beauty-75th-emmy-awards-2024/

https://www.hellomagazine.com/hfm/fashion-trends/511295/best-dressed-stars-emmys-2024/

I agree with most, but not all of these choices. I thought Niecy Nash-Betts looked very old-world Hollywood glam.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-12966691/Emmy-Awards-WORST-dressed.html

Something random. This sounds like me – watch my purse, Carson.

https://people.com/ayo-edebiri-asks-carson-daly-to-hold-her-purse-after-emmys-awards-2023-win-8426544

🐩 Dress ‘Em Up, Show ‘Em Off…

These dogs are too cute.

https://people.com/courteney-cox-dresses-up-dogs-lily-bear-in-hilarious-video-8426672

I don’t know how old this article is, but it doesn’t matter. Cute pets are cute pets.

https://www.rover.com/blog/favorite-celebrity-pets/

🦹🏽‍♀️ Winding Up the Masquerade…

Join me tomorrow for soap and the never-ending season of Beverly Hills awfulness. Until then, stay safe, stay doing a periodic social media audit, and stay living your life looking ahead.

January 12, 2024 – Sonny Tests Dex’s Loyalty, Return Reveal, Supporters, A Legend Remembered, Absurd, Competent, No Drama, Next Us, The Ones, After, Bowling Pups, X Quotes & Dry

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Ava walks into the gallery and Nikolas says, good morning. She says, not anymore, it isn’t, and he asks if she’s sent out the invites to her little party yet. She says, nope, and he says, they agreed she’d throw a party and invite Esme. Ava says, Esme’s partying days are over. At least for now. She’s in jail. You’re welcome.

Spencer meets Esme in the interrogation room, and she asks if Ace is okay. Did he miss her? Did he sleep? Spencer says, Ace is okay. Of course (🍷) he missed her, but they were able to keep him preoccupied until he fell asleep. He’s comfortable at Laura’s place. After all, it was his first home. She says she doesn’t want him upset, but he says, it seems like she’s the one who’s upset right now. Did she sleep? She says, of course (🍷) not. She was too keyed up about the hearing today. He says he gets it. Facing prison time is frightening. She says, of course (🍷) he gets it; he’s done this himself. She’s not worried so much about her. She’s just worried about what will happen to her son.

Portia is snoozing with her head on Curtis’s hospital bed, when Curtis wakes up. He asks how he did, and she says, flying colors. One for the record books. Stella comes in with coffee and says, look who’s up… again. Curtis says he was up before? and Stella says, yes, and he promised to buy her a new car. He says he has no recollection of that, and Portia says, nice try. He’s been in and out, but that’s to be expected, and he seems fully conscious now. He says he’s slept enough and he’s ready to take on the day. Stella says, time to spread the good news.

Josslyn asks where Trina is off to, and Trina says, GH to see about Curtis. Is she okay? What’s going on? Josslyn says she’s just second-guessing herself. She told the RA about Adam. He was just so drunk on New Year’s Eve and so upset about his parents possibly pulling him out of PCU. She just wants to help. Trina says, Josslyn doesn’t have to justify it to her. Josslyn says, Dex thinks Adam’s emotional problems are too big for her to handle by herself. She agrees, but she still feels like she ratted him out. Trina’s phone rings, and she asks Stella if everything is okay… Really?… Okay. She’s on her way. Josslyn asks, is everything okay? and Trina says, everything’s great. Curtis is awake.

Diane meets Robert at the PC Grill, and he says he’s so sorry about last night, but she says she completely understands. She’s just curious as to who or what was enticing enough to lure him away from what would have been a wonderful evening. He says, Sonny Corinthos.

Sonny and Dex walk into Sonny’s office at Pozzulo’s, and Sonny says, anything? Frank says, crib’s clean, and runs a device over Dex. Dex asks, what’s wrong? Did they find a bug? Sonny says he’s just being careful, and Frank says, he’s clean. Frank leaves, and Sonny says, he and Dex need to have a conversation. Once they do, it does not leave this office. They sit down, and Dex says, understood. Sonny says he needs Dex to do something important for him. It’s sort of a crucial test, and once Dex does this for him, there’s no looking back.

Josslyn hugs Trina and says she’s so glad Curtis is awake. Trina must be so relieved. Trina says, Josslyn has no idea. Is she going to be okay, or does she need to talk some more? Josslyn says she’s good. Go see Curtis… Trina’s dad she means. Trina laughs and says, that’s okay. She trips up all the time. (Hey, what happened to Taggert anyway?) Trina tells Josslyn not to beat herself up for talking to Kylie. Adam is really lucky to have a friend who cares so much. Josslyn says, thanks, and Trina opens the door. Adam is there, and she says she was just on her way out. She leaves, and Josslyn invites Adam in. He says he was surprised to get her text. He figured after New Year’s, she wouldn’t want to talk to him again. He was wrecked. It turns out frat parties aren’t his vibe. She says she was really worried about him. Has he heard from his parents, or have they said anything more about him leaving school? He says, they really want him back home, but he’d rather be anywhere but there. She says she knows problems with parents can be tough, but they’re not insurmountable. He says he gets that she’s being kind and tactful. He knows he should stand up for himself, but he’s just not strong enough.

Deanna tells Curtis that everything looks good. Just buzz if he needs anything. They all thank her, she says, of course (🍷), and leaves. Portia says, Dr. Martel came by earlier and should be back a little bit later, but he said the surgery went very well. No surprises, no complications, and he says it’s looking very positive. Curtis says, that’s good to hear. Now they just wait for the swelling to go down and maybe he can dunk a ball again. Stella says, big talk. She’s glad she’s here and not TJ. She knows he’d have something to say about that. Does Curtis want them to call his dad and tell him that he’s awake? Portia says, they probably should, right? but Curtis says, not if it means waking him up. Let him rest. Portia should get some rest too. Portia says she’s fine. She’s fresh as a daisy. He says, and twice as beautiful.

Esme asks if Spencer saw Ace this morning. She normally feeds him and gets him ready for daycare. Spencer says he fed Ace, and she says, he’s going to be so confused. His whole schedule is off. Spencer says, he’s fine, but she says, he won’t be if she disappears from his life. Growing up without a mother is awful. Isn’t that what Spencer told her? He says, Ace isn’t growing up without her. He’s not. She’s a good mother. She says, does he really mean that? and he says, yes, but he’s got to ask. Why would she sacrifice his safety and security so she could break into Windymere of all places? Why did she go there on Christmas?

Nikolas says, why insist on pressing charges against Esme? and Ava says, because the opportunity to right a wrong presented itself. Esme should already be serving a very long sentence for what she did to Trina and to Josslyn and to Cameron. In an hour, she’s going down to the courthouse and watch their judicial system in action. He says, so Esme’s hearing is today, and she say she wishes she could bring popcorn. Nikolas suddenly jets, and Nina calls Ava’s name. She comes in the back way and asks if Ava is with a customer. She thought she heard her talking to someone. Ava says she was on the phone. She’s been trying to reach Nina. What happened after New Year’s Eve? How did Sonny find out it was her who went to the SEC? Nina says, Sonny told Ava, but Ava says, he hasn’t said a word, and she thought it best to just stay out of his way. When Sonny feels betrayed, he’s downright dangerous.

Sonny says, Dex is aware of his legal troubles. Cyrus brought cops into a situation that should just have been between them. He seriously miscalculated. Dex says, in what way? and Sonny says, the only thing Dex needs to know is, things are going to change around here. He needs to go back to focusing on the business. He hasn’t been doing that lately. Cyrus was released from prison, and now he’s causing trouble – again. Dex asks if Sonny wants to suspend business until after his trial, but Sonny says, there’s not going to be a trial. That’s where Dex comes in. Dex has to take care of Cyrus for him. Dex says, to keep him from testifying? Does Sonny want him to scare Cyrus? Sonny says, to death.

Josslyn hands Adam something to drink, and he says, thanks, but she didn’t ask him over here to check his hydration, did she? She says, he’s right. She didn’t. And what he said about not being strong enough to talk to his parents? She thinks he can. He needs to tell them what’s going on with him. But when she said that he should talk to someone, she didn’t mean just her. There’s a knock at the door, and she says she went to someone for help. She opens the door to RA Kylie, and Adam says, she’s a snitch.

Nina says she’s guessing Sonny doesn’t know that Ava’s the one who encouraged her to turn in Carly and Drew, and Ava says, what? They’ve been over this. She did not encourage Nina and Nina knows it. She was just calling Nina’s bluff to make her see reason. She wasn’t supposed to actually go through with it, which Nina did without her knowledge and involvement. But Sonny doesn’t know she knew it was Nina. She doesn’t think she’d be staying at his penthouse if he did. She and Sonny have reached a place where they can almost trust each other for Avery’s sake. Nina says, don’t worry. She’s not going to put Ava in the middle of this. She’s afraid Sonny hates her now and she’s just going to have to deal with it on her own. Ava says she doesn’t think Sonny hates Nina. He just goes to a dark place when he’s hurt. And you know what they say; hurt people hurt people. Nina says her earth shattered when Sonny slammed the door in her face, and Ava says she’s sure it was painful, but she’s talking about Cyrus Renault. Nina says, what about him? and Ava says, she doesn’t know? Cyrus is in the hospital. Sonny beat him almost to death.

Trina says she’s so happy to see Curtis and runs to the bed to hug him. He says he’s happy for the same, and she says, how is he? How is he feeling? He’s not in any pain, right? He says, no. Her beautiful mom and his doctor have his pain management under control. Enough about him. How about her? She’s back in school. Did she get the classes she wanted? Portia says, that and then some, and Trina gives her a look. Curtis says, okay, what did he miss? and Trina says she was accepted to study at the Sorbonne for a semester abroad. He says, that’s great. Paris, that’s wonderful, the Louvre, all the artwork. She’s going to be in heaven. Plus, Paris is beautiful in the fall. She says, the thing is, she was accepted to study for the spring semester, and he says, as in this spring? Why hasn’t she said anything? She says she found out over the holidays and thought she wasn’t going to go. Portia says, it’s just such a wonderful opportunity, and Stella says, the chance of a lifetime. Curtis says, it absolutely is. Why wouldn’t she? Trina says she just thought that right now wouldn’t be the right moment to be so far away, and he says, for him? She says, if he’d rather she stay, she totally understands. She wants to. He asks if Portia and Stella mind if he talks to his child, Stella says, absolutely, and she and Portia leave.

Spencer tells Esme, look at that. Coffee, something to eat. He puts it in front of her and says, the coffee’s terrible though. She says she’ll take the terrible coffee. She’s not hungry. She pushes the plate aside, and he says, she should eat something. She has a big day ahead of her. He sits down and asks if she’s going to tell him what she was thinking; why she broke into Windymere. She says she was lonely. They had Ace and she was confused about her life. Windymere was the last place she was before she lost her memory. He says, it sounds to him like she went looking for her old memories, and she says, so she can be the most hated person in Port Charles again? Sure. Why doesn’t she go back to a time when everyone was against her? He says, that’s really interesting because the old Esme had a persecution complex as well. Maybe she’s closer to her than she thinks. She says she doesn’t have to imagine much. Everyone has already told her how terrible the old Esme was. You know what they say about first impressions. Her first impression of her former self has been a lasting one. She really wants to be a good person, but he has no idea how hard it is. He says he gets it. He knows what it’s like to have people judge you for your past actions, but the bottom line is, he doesn’t want her to go to prison. He thinks that Ace is going to be a lot happier if she doesn’t go away. She asks if he’ll bring Ace to the courthouse. She already misses him so much. She needs to see her baby. Please. Will he do that for her?

In the hallway, Portia asks Stella if she just blew it, bringing up that news about Trina. He just woke up from his surgery… Stella says, take a breath. She wanted to give him some good news and this is good news. Portia says, it is good news, but she’s tired. She’s really not thinking straight. She just should have waited, that’s all. Stella says, it’s no wonder. They’ve all gone home to sleep, and she’s been by Curtis’s side since he went into surgery. She has to take care of herself. Curtis still has a long road ahead of him, and he’s going to need her to support him.

Curtis asks if Trina has accepted yet, and she says, not yet, but the deadline is approaching. She knows he’s going to tell her to go, but when she thinks about not being here when he gets back on his feet… He says, there’s no guarantee he will walk again, but she says she has faith. He’s one of the strongest people she knows, and she knows he’s going to do anything to get back on his feet. He says, whether he does or doesn’t, it’s not helping if she passes on this amazing opportunity. She should go. He’ll be here when she gets back. Not right here, but he’ll be here. Who knows? Maybe he’ll be on his feet in time to see her there in Paris. Unless he’d be cramping her style. Because he doesn’t want to interfere with her solo adventure. She says, actually, she won’t be solo. Spencer’s coming with her.

Nina asks if Cyrus went to Sonny, but Ava says she thinks it was a case of wrong place, wrong time. Sonny found out about Nina, he went to the church, and Cyrus showed up and said something that triggered him, and Sonny lost it. Nina says, at the church? It was Cyrus who told Sonny that she was the one who tipped off the SEC. Ava asks, how the hell did Cyrus know? and Nina says, because she was in church. She was confessing her sins to a priest, but it wasn’t a priest. It was Cyrus Renault. He knows everything. Ava says, he knew before Sonny knew. She can see why that might push Sonny over the edge. Nina says, bragging to Sonny when Sonny was at his lowest, he deserved whatever happened to him. At least now Cyrus doesn’t have anything that he’s holding over either one of them. Ava says, Cyrus went to the cops. Sonny is facing assault charges. Nina says, he was arrested? and Ava says, he’s out now, but he’s going to have to go to trial. Nina says, Diane will get him off, right? and Ava says, Diane is a very good lawyer, but Cyrus hates Sonny. He’s not going to let this go. And the PCPD has been trying to put Sonny behind bars for decades. They’re not going to miss this chance.

Diane says, Robert doesn’t want to appear overconfident. That’s going to make it all the more disappointing when her client walks, yet again. Robert says, these charges aren’t business as usual. Whatever it was that set Sonny off, he almost killed a man with his bare hands. He’s simply here to see that Sonny pays for it. She says, he’s unusually and unprofessionally gleeful about this, but she is a professional, so she’ll remind him that her client is innocent until proven guilty. This community loves Sonny Corinthos, an exceptional businessman, a wonderful father. Cyrus Renault on the other hand, is a career criminal with a rap sheet that stretches across Texas. She doesn’t know why he’s bothering to bring this to trial. Who’s the more credible witness here? He says, Cyrus Renault, he’s a criminal. Then again, so is Sonny. Diane says, well… and Robert says, the thing is, they now have DNA that puts Sonny at the scene of the crime, which is actually going to put him away, and there’s not a thing she can do about that.

Sonny says, Dex has always come through for him when he’s asked. Dex has proven his loyalty. Sonny thinks there’s just one final step. Dex does this for him, they’ll always have his back. He won’t have to ask for anything. He’ll always be there for Dex. Cyrus is an old man. Nobody’s going to be surprised when his heart gives out on him. Dex says he guesses that makes sense, and Sonny asks what he means. Does he have something on his mind? Dex says, it’s not his place, and Sonny says, it’s not, but it’s a big ask. So if Dex has something on his mind, go ahead and spit it out. Dex says, killing Cyrus Renault gets rid of the man, but it doesn’t necessarily get rid of the charges against Sonny. The DA might even up the charges from assault to manslaughter, saying that Renault died as a result of his injuries. Sonny says, Robert Scorpio can do whatever he wants, but his case is going to fall apart if Cyrus isn’t there. Nobody saw him at All Saints. There are no witnesses to testify against him. There are no cameras in the church. He wants to send a message – nobody crosses Sonny Corinthos. He wants people to remember that. Dex says he’s sure they will, but he’s concerned about Sonny. There’s DNA. He wasn’t wearing gloves; his knuckles are proof. Sonny says, that’s what he pays Diane for, because she can discredit any DNA evidence if she has to. Dex gets up, and Sonny asks if he’s satisfied, or does he have something else? Dex looks at Sonny and Sonny says, disappointing. He gets up and says, if he can’t ask Dex to do something for him, that means Dex doesn’t trust him, which means he can’t rely on Dex. He told Dex from the beginning that he needs loyal men by his side. Is he loyal or not?

Curtis says, Spencer cares a great deal about Trina. He’s going to give her his two cents. Spend it how she likes. He thinks Paris should be about her. It should be about figuring out who she is, and the woman she wants to become. It’s only a semester, right? And Spencer will be here when she gets back. Won’t he?

Spencer tells Esme, don’t worry. He’ll bring Ace to the courthouse. She thanks him and says she still doesn’t know what she’s going to do. Ava’s intent on throwing the book at her for what she supposedly did to Trina. He says, supposedly? and she says she doesn’t remember any of it. She’s not denying the things people have said the old Esme has done, but to go to jail for something she doesn’t remember doing, when she’s no longer that person? Even Trina didn’t want that. He says, that’s correct. Trina convinced them all that it wasn’t fair and that’s why Esme wasn’t charged. Esme says, and Trina said she did it for Ace, and she appreciates that, but Ava doesn’t see it that way. Why can’t she just let it go? Spencer says, Esme broke into Ava’s home and actions have consequences, and she tells him, says the person who’s skirted consequences his entire life. He says, she remembers, doesn’t she?

Adam says he can’t believe Josslyn would do this to him. How can she get him in trouble like this? She says she was just trying to get him some help, and Kylie says, he’s not in trouble. Josslyn did the right thing coming to her. It’s okay. They want to help him. Adam tells Josslyn that she had no right to say anything, but she says she knows he’s unhappy. All he does is study and push himself. He barely even goes out. He says, that’s because it’s all he’s got, okay? Or that he had. Kylie says, school can be a lot of pressure, and Josslyn’s just being a friend. She’s already spoken to Health Services, and someone can speak to him today. The counselor sent a form to his student portal. He asks why she’d do that. His parents are going to see it.

Nina tells Ava that Sonny could go to prison because of her. It’s all her fault. Does she know where he is? Ava says, in his office maybe? and Nina says she has to help him. She has to do something. Ava says, no. She doesn’t think Sonny wants Nina’s help right now. Nina says, he’s still her husband and she loves him. She has to try. Ava says, okay. Good luck. Call me. Nina leaves, and Nikolas comes back in. He says, so Sonny’s not so untouchable after all. It’s about time that sanctimonious hypocrite was taken down a peg or two. Ava says, he’s still here, huh? and he says, so Esme’s hearing is definitely today? She says, uh-huh, and he says he supposes his mother and Spencer will be there. She says, that’s very likely. Like she said, you’re welcome. He says, what for? and she says, once Esme is behind bars, he won’t have to worry about sweet little Ace. He’ll be safe and sound with Laura. He says, then he guesses this is goodbye.

Diane says, Robert wouldn’t be the first public servant to get giddy at the thought of taking down Sonny Corinthos. So allow her to point out a few things that others have learned at great cost. He says, that sounds like a threat, but she says, don’t be silly. She’s simply observing that if he were to bring this to trial, the defendant is going to be far more appealing than the alleged victim. Does he even think he can impanel twelve jurors who will find Cyrus Renault more credible than Sonny Corinthos? Even if he was able to prove that Sonny attacked Cyrus, no one’s going to shed any tears at the fact that Cyrus finally got a taste of his own medicine. Robert asks if there’s nothing to be said for redemption here, and she laughs. He says, Cyrus Renault is now a man of God, beaten within an inch of his life in a church. What does she think the jury’s going to make of that?

Dex says he is loyal to Sonny. It’s his job to protect Sonny and protect his interests. And that includes speaking up when he sees potential problems. Sonny says he knows. He hears what Dex is saying, but this is something Dex needs to know. He’s going to make this happen and he thought Dex was up to the job. It’s just a shame Dex is going to fall short of his expectations, but it’s better he’s hearing about this now than hearing about it later. So let’s just erase any doubts we have here. Is Dex with him?

Adam says, his parents will go crazy if they think he’s out partying. They’ll think he has a drinking problem. Kylie says, no. His student portal is confidential. He says, she doesn’t get it. His parents forced him to give them his password when they found out he lied about having an internship. Kylie says she’s sure the counselor will be willing to talk to his parents. Don’t worry. Everything will be confidential. There are so many students going through tough times these days. It’s not that uncommon. Josslyn says, please, just listen to Kylie. She thinks talking to the counselor is a good idea, and it could really help him. She’ll even go with him if he wants. Kylie says, they can go over to Health Services right now, and Josslyn says, come on, Adam, please.

Ava says, goodbye? and Nikolas says, it’s time for him to leave Port Charles. He’s a wanted man. He held Esme captive and it’s too soon to make almonds amends with Spencer and his mother. He doesn’t have a place in Port Charles right now. She asks if he’ll be back, and he says he’s not sure as to when. She guesses this is goodbye then, and he turns to leave, but she calls him back. She says she’s really glad she didn’t kill him, and he tells her that she says the sweetest things. He touches her face and tells her to take care of herself. She says, him too, and he leaves.

Sonny says, Dex told him that he wanted to advance. He said he wanted to do something for the organization. The way he sees it, this is how Dex does it. Dex says he agrees that Cyrus is dangerous, and Sonny says he has no doubt that Cyrus is going to come after the people closest to him. His kids, his grandkids, Sasha, Carly – he puts his hand on Dex’s shoulder – Josslyn. They’re all in danger and he doesn’t want them to live like this forever. Dex says, what about Mrs. Corinthos? Is she being protected? Sonny says he will deal with Nina. Dex deals with Cyrus. Dex asks when Sonny wants him to do it, and Sonny says, immediately. Cyrus is weak. He’s exposed. Anything can happen in a hospital. Dex says, okay. How do they make that happen?

Portia and Stella go back into Curtis’s room, and Curtis asks if Trina is going to the hearing. Portia says, Trina told him about Esme breaking into Windymere, and he says, he’s guessing she’s sitting with Ava. Trina says she thought about it, but she wanted to be here with him. He says, don’t worry about him. He’s not going anywhere. Besides, she needs to see this through. This could mean Esme’s finally out of her life. He’s glad Ava pressed charges. Trina says, her too, and he asks what Esme was doing at Windymere anyway. It just seems strange. Trina says, no clue, and Stella says she still doesn’t trust her. Trina says, neither does she, but she does feel bad for Ace. If Esme goes to prison, he’ll have no parents.

Spencer asks if Esme is starting to remember, but she says, no. She’s just going off everything she’s learned of his past from Laura and Doc. An officer tells Esme that her lawyer’s here. He’ll take her back to get dressed for court. She thanks him and says, Spencer is still bringing Ace to court, right? He says he is, and she thanks him for coming. She says, I really need you on my side, Spence, and leaves, and he flashes back to her calling him Spence, and saying, he’s even more pathetic than when she first met him. He says, Spence.

Trina leaves, and Portia asks if she told Curtis everything about Paris. He says, she did, and Portia says, he knows she doesn’t like the idea of Spencer going to Paris with Trina. He says, neither does he, but hopefully, they won’t have to worry about that. Stella says, why is that? and Curtis says, if Esme goes to prison, Spencer’s not going to want his brother to be alone. He’s going to stay right here in Port Charles and raise Ace. Portia says, fingers crossed.

Robert says, Diane hasn’t touched her food. She doesn’t like it? She says, no. She just seems to have lost her appetite. Clearly, Robert doesn’t want to litigate this case on its merits. He’s just someone else who wants to take down Sonny. He says, anything at all to rid this town of Corinthos. Although he will miss Sonny’s coffee. She folds her arms, and he says, come on. Think of all the extra time she’ll have on her hands now that her biggest client is going away for the rest of his life. Whatever will she do? She says, oh golly. She’s sure she can find someone or something to keep her busy. She gets up and says, she’ll tell him this though, she won’t be busy with him. She walks out and he looks perplexed.

In his office, Sonny looks at his bruised knuckles, then puts the picture of Nina on his desk face down. There’s a knock at the door, and he says, come in. Frank brings him the mail and asks if there’s anything else he can get Sonny. Sonny says, no. He thinks he’s got everything under control.

At the hospital, Dex makes a call and says, come on, Joss, pick up.

Josslyn ignores Dex’s call, and Adam says he’s not going to Health Services, and they can’t make him. This is none of their business. Josslyn asks him to just please calm down, but he says she doesn’t want to hear this. Both of them, just leave him alone. And take the damn counselor off his portal. He storms out, and Josslyn asks Kylie, now what?

Leaving a message, Dex says, Josslyn doesn’t have to call him back. he just wanted to hear her voice and tell her how important she is to him. And let her know that no matter what happens with them, he loves her, and he always will. He sees a text from Unknown that says: Room 1002. He says, gotta go, and walks down the hall, noticing Nina at the reception desk.

Nina asks what room Cyrus Renault is in, as Dex listens from around the corner.

Spencer tells the sitter to enjoy the rest of her day. He’ll be taking Ace to see his mother in court. She thanks him and says she hopes everything works out for him. He says he’s sure it will, and she leaves. He says, one way or another, and flashes back to Esme saying, no deal, Spence. He says, she was lying. She remembers everything. There’s a knock at the door and he opens it. Nikolas is there.

On Monday, Ava asks Laura why she would do that; Kristina says, this is exactly where she needs to be right now; Nina says, if Cyrus is truly sorry, prove it; and the judge asks how Esme pleads.

💝 Bringing the Surprise Twist…

I hadn’t realized the woman playing BJ was the child who played BJ. Very clever!

🌷 Bobbie’s Last Save…

I swear they didn’t address Famke by name, but I might have blinked and missed it.

👩‍⚕️ Memorializing a GH Icon…

Taking everything into consideration, it was worth the wait. It must have been tough on the actors though, pretending she was still alive. Obviously, there was going to be no recast.

The Why.

The How.

GENERAL HOSPITAL Spoilers: Remembering Bobbie

Memories.

🪙 In Random Stupid News…

This is one of the most ridiculous things I’ve ever heard.

https://people.com/eminem-opposes-deposition-seeks-protective-order-against-gizelle-bryant-robyn-dixon-shady-trademark-dispute-case-8420744

⚖️ You’re All Out Of Order…

Who knows? It probably wouldn’t change the outcome anyway.

https://people.com/tom-girardi-deemed-competent-to-stand-trial-by-judge-reports-8421562

💤 For Those Who Still Care…

Teresa and Jennifer are so volatile, the rest of them can finally relax.

🌁 News Of the Last…

What’s happened up until now. (First the earth cooled, then the dinosaurs came…)

https://www.gamesradar.com/the-last-of-us-season-2-release-date-cast/

I don’t think it’s necessary either. It was a great episode, but a spinoff would just be depressing knowing the ending.

https://www.themarysue.com/will-there-be-a-bill-and-frank-the-last-of-us-spinoff-explained/

⚰️ Next Dead Up…

This looks like another winner. In all these spinoffs, it’s like they finally got the idea that Walking Dead was too stagnant.

https://ew.com/walking-dead-the-ones-who-live-trailer-rick-grimes-action-8424639

https://ew.com/walking-dead-the-ones-who-live-terry-o-quinn-character-8421730

https://ew.com/walking-dead-the-ones-who-live-exclusive-first-look-pollyanna-mcintosh-jadis-8413410

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/the-walking-dead-rick-and-michonne-jadis-pollyanna-mcintosh-the-ones-who-live/

🎉 Not Letting Go Yet…

The overtime is probably pretty good.

https://www.justjared.com/2024/01/01/how-long-does-it-take-up-to-clean-times-square-after-new-years-eve-clean-up-details-revealed/

🐕‍🦺 Love the Players and the Game…

Who’s competing in this year’s Puppy Bowl.

https://www.discovery.com/shows/puppy-bowl/see/meet-the-players-of-puppy-bowl-xx

Mr. Bean!

https://people.com/puppy-bowl-2024-puppy-players-with-special-needs-8424973

🫦 Quotes of the Week

If you’re trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I’ve had them; everybody has had them. But obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. – Michael Jordan (Or kick it down.)

Integrity is telling myself the truth. And honesty is telling the truth to other people.Spencer Johnson

It is better to be hated for what you are than loved for what you are not. – Andre Gide

It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something. – Franklin D. Roosevelt

Your dream is a reality that is waiting for you to materialize. Today is a new day! Don’t let your history interfere with your destiny! Learn from your past so that it can empower your present and propel you to greatness. – Steve Maraboli

In our daily lives, we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but the gratefulness that makes us happy. – Albert Clarke

I challenge you to let every day be a Friday. Permit yourself to be happy every day. – Joel Osteen

Pursue some path, however narrow and crooked, in which you can walk with love and reverence. – Henry David Thoreau

You don’t have to be great at something to start but you have to start to be great at something. – Zig Ziglar

I’d say he was lying through his teeth, but he ain’t got none. – Amy Slaton referring to Glenn, 1000-Lb. Sisters

😐 Feeling Mediocre…

Return to this spot on Monday really Tuesday for soap and the final Med charter. Until then, stay safe, stay making time every day to do a small thing that brings you joy, and stay having faith even when there are no guarantees.

January 10, 2024 – Memorial For an Angel On Earth, Two Celebrations In Beverly Hills, Salty Reunion & Don’t

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Carly looks at a photo of Bobbie from the Nurses Ball, and elsewhere, Felicia does the same. Lucas arrives and Josslyn hugs him. She says, they’re so glad he’s here, and Michael says he’s so sorry. He hugs Lucas, who says, him too.

Maxie says, it was really nice of Cody to ask James to help him in the stables today. Promise her that when he gets home, no fighting with his sister. He promises, and Felicia comes in with Anna. Maxie hugs them both, and Felicia cries.

At the hospital memorial wall, Laura kisses her hand and touches Bobbie’s photo. Spencer comes along and they hug.

Dante and Sam meet Sonny in the apartment building hallway, and they get in the elevator together.

Carly hugs Lucas and asks how they’re going to do this. He says he doesn’t know, but they will. Carly’s phone rings, and she answers it.

Carly goes to Kelly’s where Elizabeth is waiting. Elizabeth says she didn’t want Carly to come. She just wanted her to know what happened. Carly asks, what did happen? and Elizabeth shows her the broken Kelly’s sign. She says, last night’s storm must have knocked it down. (How did they know it was going to storm last night?) Carly says, her mom told her that Aunt Ruby had this made. It was hand painted. This thing’s lasted for decades. Elizabeth says she can handle this. The funeral is soon. Carly should go be with her family. Carly says, today of all days, and Elizabeth says she can paint a new sign. It can be something similar or Carly can pick something new. (This is kind of weird, since the sign isn’t smashed to bits, and could be fixed.) Carly says, Elizabeth doesn’t have to do that, but Elizabeth says she’d be honored. Kelly’s means so much to this community, just like Bobbie did. Just like she always will.

Carly arrives at the church, telling Josslyn, sorry. She had to take care of something. Josslyn asks if everything is all right, and Carly says, it will be. Michael asks how she’s doing, and she says she’s taking it minute by minute. Lucas tells her to take it second by second if she has to. He knows he is. Carly asks if she told him how good it is to see him, and Lucas says, once or twice. Drew says he’s going to check in with the priest and make sure everything’s set. He leaves, and Michael asks if Carly is ready, but she says, no. Josslyn says, they’re here for her, and Carly says she’s here for Josslyn too, for all of them. They go into the church, where Bobbie’s photo is prominently displayed.

We see Bobbie in the credits one last time.

Drew says, everything is set, and Lucas thanks him. Drew says he wishes he could do more… for all of them. Sam, Dante, and Sonny come in, and Sam hugs Carly, saying, she’s so sorry. Carly thanks her and Dante asks how she’s doing. Carly makes a face, and he says, sorry. Pretty dumb question to ask. Her mom was an incredible person. He knows Lulu thought pretty highly of her. Carly says, her mom felt the same about Lulu and thanks them for coming. Sam says, where else would they be? and sits with Dante. Carly takes Sonny’s hand, and he asks how she’s holding up. He knows it’s a dumb question (a lot of that going around). She says, hanging in there, and he says he loved Bobbie. He’s going to miss her. She says, her too.

Felicia, Anna, and Maxie look at some memorial photos, and Felicia says, Bobbie’s with Barbara Jean and Tony now. She knows that should give her comfort. Anna says, but she wishes Bobbie were here, and Felicia says, so much. Maxie tells them, Bobbie always said she felt like BJ and Tony were her guardian angels. She feels that way too, especially with BJ. Sometimes she has what she feels is a memory, but she knows it can’t be. She wasn’t even conscious. Anna asks, what kind of memory? and Maxie says, being in the hospital. Uncle Tony listening to BJ’s heart in her chest. It feels so real. She can even feel the weight of his head on her chest. Felicia says she thinks Maxie does remember, and Maxie says, how? Anna says, doctors and nurses tell them this all the time, don’t they? She’s sure Bobbie would have agreed that even if the patient is out, they’re not unaware of their surroundings. Felicia says, that’s why they encourage us to talk to them. Tony did listen to that beautiful heart of hers. What a blessing that she carries that moment with her. Anna asks if they should go in, and they do. Maxie notices an unknown woman sitting in the back.

Willow walks in and tells Michael, sorry she’s late. Monica wasn’t feeling well, and it took her minute to convince Monica to stay home. He says he’s glad she’s here, and she says, of course (🍷) she’s here. She loved Bobbie very much and she knows he loved her even more.

Laura takes Carly’s hands and says she’s going to miss Carly’s mother so very much. They hug, and Carly thanks her for offering to give the eulogy. It means so much to them. Laura says, Bobbie was like a sister to her. She just hopes she can do Bobbie justice. Doc says, she will, and Carly agrees.

Trina hugs Josslyn and says she’s so sorry about Josslyn’s grandmother. Josslyn thanks her, and Spencer says, they weren’t technically related, but Bobbie was always good to him. Josslyn says, Bobbie was good to everyone, unless you got on her bad side, then watch out. Spencer says, loyal to the core, and Trina says, sounds like somebody else she knows. She and Josslyn hug again.

Tracy says she’s so sorry for Carly’s loss. It’s Port Charles’s loss really. Carly thanks her and says she’s really glad Tracy was helping her mom handle Luke’s affairs. Tracy says she doesn’t think Carly’s mom thought it was helping. She thought it was just getting in the way. Carly says she’s really glad Tracy was there, and Tracy says, then she is too. Her mother was a force to be reckoned with. She was loyal to the people she loved, Luke especially. Her voice breaking, Tracy says she admired Bobbie immensely for that, and walks over to the memorial photos, where Lucy is standing.

Lucy says she’s not getting into it with Tracy. Not here, not today. Tracy says, that’s not why she approached Lucy. Whatever’s going on between them, Bobbie transcends that. Lucy says, yes, she does, and Tracy says, Luke loved his sister. Lucy says, she was his rock, ride or die, and Tracy says, and he was hers. So how about if just for today, they hold a truce for Bobbie. Lucy says, for Bobbie.

Alexis lights a candle, and Sam says she never pegged Alexis as the religious type. Alexis says she’s not. She’s honoring Bobbie’s spirit, which was incandescent. She was an angel on this earth. Kristina says, the way Bobbie helped her with all that Keifer stuff. It was a nightmare, and she wouldn’t have gotten through it without her. Alexis says, that makes both of them, and flashes back to Bobbie saying her father physically abused her. Eventually, she pulled herself out of that pit, and she became a nurse and got married. And it was respectable, except her husband beat her too. Alexis says she’s sorry, and Bobbie says, it became a pattern, and she didn’t recognize it. Alexis says, how could she possibly have not known that? and Bobbie says, we all do the best we can. However, Alexis’s daughter needs that smart, positive, independent woman to look up to. In the present, Alexis says, it’s a good lesson for all of them. Pay it forward.

Laura asks what Scotty is up to, and he says he was trying to jot something down to say. He speaks for a living and he wants to ask Laura something. Why is it that someone he cared so much about, he’s just coming up empty? She takes his hand.

Maxie asks if Anna knows that woman, but Anna says, no. She doesn’t recognize her at all. It’s not really a surprise though, is it, given the amount of patients and people Bobbie helped over the years. Maxie looks at the woman again.

The casket is brought in, and everyone stands. The priest says, God, we are gathered her today as friends and family of our loved one, who departed from this world recently and came into Your presence. Let the love You showered upon Bobbie in her life fill this service. Help us to learn how to love others unconditionally, as Bobbie did when she was with us here on earth. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Laura says, when she first met Bobbie, she was just a candy striper and Bobbie was a nurse at General Hospital. Over the years, they went through an awful lot together. They were not just sisters-in-law, they were friends. Real friends, the kind that would always show up for each other. And getting to know Bobbie, getting to be in her orbit, was truly an honor, because she touched so many lives. Laura can feel the love in the room Bobbie shared with them. She thinks it’s fair to say Bobbie Spencer was someone who led with her heart, and she loved without the obstruction of skepticism. She also believes that Bobbie was the most unfailingly optimistic (Felix is here!) person she ever met in her life. She always had a smile on, right? For everyone, no matter what kind of day she was having. Also, she was not afraid to fight for the things she believed in. She thinks when they were young, Bobbie had more of a tendency to fight with people, but that changed as Bobbie got older, and she began to fight for people. She had the knack of seeing the good in absolutely everyone, even if she had to dig really deep to find it. Do they know how special that is? How rare that is? And they all got to experience it; they all got to experience her. And Bobbie Spencer was an experience. One that she’ll truly miss.

Scotty says he’s at a loss for words, which is rare for him. How do you memorialize someone as complicated as Bobbie? Hell, look at her friends. The Aztec princess over there – we see Felicia – a ragtag lawyer like him, and fitness guru Richard Simmons. Bobbie was the best of everything. She was kind, she was sweet, generous. She was a nurse. He loved her. It’s only today he realized they were meant to be best friends. She did that. He puts his hand on the casket and says he’s going to miss her, with everything he’s got.

Elizabeth says, it’s no secret that Bobbie grew up with a lot of trauma. But instead of letting that break her or hold her back, she harnessed it. She took all of that negative energy and turned it into strength and wisdom and ultimately into something healing, because that’s who Bobbie was. She was a healer. Bobbie helped her through some really difficult times, and she knows for a fact she’s not the only one. They can ask anyone at the hospital. They can ask anyone in this church. If you were new, or lost, or just struggling to find your path, who was the first person to offer their hand to help? Everyone says, Bobbie, and Elizabeth says, right, Bobbie. It’s a legacy she’ll do her very best to continue. And she hopes to make Bobbie proud.

Carly thanks everyone for being here today. Her mom was a wonderful woman. They had a very unique relationship in that they didn’t meet until they were adults. Don’t get her wrong, her mom was a wonderful mother, but she wasn’t the mother who raised her. She wasn’t the mother to check for monsters under the bed. She was the mother who mentored her and understood her. Who made room in her heart for Carly and taught Carly how to make room in hers. When Carly came to Port Charles, she was a mess. She was a schemer and not in a good place. There were two people who changed that in her. Bobbie was one of them. She didn’t realize how powerful true acceptance was. Bobbie gave her forgiveness, but acceptance… Bobbie said Carly was her daughter and that she was a Spencer, and that she was going to love Carly and that she’d believe in Carly no matter what. She said she was never going to take Carly’s crap, but she was always going to be by Carly’s side, and she was. She knows on the surface they were very different, but you didn’t have to scratch too deep to see they were very much alike. And she sees Bobbie every time she sees her kids. The way they stand up for themselves. The way they accept and care about the people around them. How they try so hard not to go after the bad, but they go after the good. I’m still working on that one, but I’m going to keep trying, mom. She looks up, then looks at Bobbie’s picture and says, I love you, Bobbie Jean Spencer. The world’s a very different place without you.

After the service, Maxie asks Felicia if they should head out, but Felicia says she’d like to stay a little bit longer if that’s okay. Maxie tells her to take all the time she needs. She’ll be right back. Maxie follows the unknown woman out to the vestibule, and says, hi. She saw her in the back of the chapel. Was she friends with Bobbie? The woman says, more like they worked together. Angela Brighton. She’s a reporter for the AP. She’s doing a story on Maxie’s friend. Maxie asks, what kind of story?

Lucas lights a candle, as Felix approaches. They hug, and Felix says he’s so sorry. Lucas thanks him, and Felix says, Lucas’s mother was one of the best people he ever met. Lucas says, she was pretty great, and Felix says, she was more than great. He keeps thinking about the Nurses Ball. How much fun he had performing with her every year. Bobbie was tireless. The choreographer would physically leave the building, and she’d be like, we don’t need him. Let’s do it one more time. Lucas says he’s sure they loved that, and Felix says, they did, because she wasn’t annoying or obnoxious about it. She was just her usual upbeat and energetic self. Lucas says, she wanted everybody to be their best, and Felix says, every year, something would inevitably go wrong, convincing them it wasn’t going to work this time. But Bobbie would insist that it would, and of course (🍷) it did. A real team player, Lucas’s mom. He’s really going to miss her. They all are. Lucas says, yeah, and thanks Felix for sharing that with him. Felix says, thank you for sharing her with us, and puts his hand on Lucas’s shoulder.

Felicia says, it was a beautiful service, and Carly thanks her. She thanks Felicia for being such a great friend to her mom. She was really lucky to have Felicia. Felicia says she’s the lucky one, and Maxie says she’s sorry to interrupt. Felicia says, Maxie never interrupts, and Angela tells Carly that she’s sorry for Carly’s loss. Carly asks if Angela was a friend of her mom, and Maxie says, yes, and they have something important to tell her.

At Kelly’s, Carly says she doesn’t mean to offend Angela, but she doesn’t want the press making a mockery of her mother’s death. Angela says she totally understands that, and Maxie says, just hear her out. Trust her. Carly says, okay, and Angela says, first off, Bobbie told her a lot about Carly. Felicia says, back up. How does she know Bobbie? Angela says she was recently stationed at the AP Bureau in Amsterdam. That’s when she started writing the profile on Bobbie and the work she was doing there. Carly says, the work she was doing there? She was helping settle her brother’s affairs. Angela says, she was doing that, but she was also devoting herself to charity work at the organization. Felicia asks, what kind of organization? and Angela says, a rescue one. Carly’s mother was helping young women escape human trafficking.

Carly says, human trafficking? That’s dangerous. How did her mother get involved in this? Angela says, don’t worry. She was volunteering at a non-profit. She wasn’t out on the front lines, but she did use her time and resources to help women all over Europe travel to the states and apply for asylum. Carly says, to get a better life, and Felicia says, just like Bobbie did. Angela says, Carly’s mother did confide in her about her teenage years, and Carly says, when she was a prostitute. Angela says she also knows Bobbie was too young to make that choice. Bobbie herself was trafficked. Of course (🍷) they weren’t calling it that back then, but it’s finally being acknowledged for the abuse it was. Bobbie told her that she had her reckoning with her past, and she played a pivotal role in helping those women escape, which is why Angela wanted to write the article. Carly says, so her mother agreed to speak with Angela? and Angela says, unfortunately, she couldn’t say much without risking exposing the victims and her contact. There was a point person with an organization that aided in the actual journey to the US. However, right before she passed, Bobbie did tell her that she was in the process of arranging asylum for someone. Maxie asks if that’s usually very complicated, and Angela says, normally, no. She would just find a safe place for them to stay while the paperwork was being completed, but in this case, she was really worried for the girl’s safety. People were looking for her, so Bobbie was trying to find a way to get her to the states sooner. Carly asks if Angela knows if the woman got here, and Angela says she wishes she knew. Carly says she’s sorry. She needs some air. She goes outside and Felicia follows her. She asks if Carly is okay, and Carly says she knew something was going on. Why would it take so long for her mom to settle Luke’s affairs? Why? Felicia says, leave it to Bobbie to save the world as her side gig.

Back home, Carly thanks Tracy for coming. She knows it’s been a long day. Tracy says, especially for Carly. It was a lovely tribute to Carly’s mother, and she hopes Carly found some peace in it. Carly says she did. She’s really glad Tracy was there. Tracy says, Luke thought the world of Carly’s mother and she wouldn’t have missed it, and Carly says, at least they’re together now. Tracy laughs and says she’d like to think so. So what’s this about? Carly says she needs Tracy’s help.

Outside Kelly’s, Felicia flashes back to telling Bobbie that there’s no way she can make this easy for her, but she loves Bobbie so much. They hug, and Felicia says, if Maxie makes it through this, she and Frisco have Bobbie and Tony to thank. In the present, Felicia cries, and Maxie comes out of Kelly’s with Angela. Maxie asks what Felicia is doing out in the cold, and Felicia says she was just thinking about Bobbie and how Bobbie was always there for her and never expected anything in return. She hopes Bobbie knows that she would have done anything for her. Angela says she’s sure she did, and Maxie says she knows she did. Felicia says, Angela has really kind eyes. Has anyone ever told her that? Angela says, empathy is part of the job, and Felicia says she’s going to walk home. Handing Felicia her bag, Maxie asks if she’s sure. She can give Felicia a ride. Felicia says she just wants to spend some time by herself, and Maxie says, text her when she gets there. Felicia hugs Maxie and says she loves her. Maxie says she loves Felicia too, and Felicia says, Maxie is her everything good, just like Georgie and James and Baily Lou are Maxie’s. Maxie says she knows, and Felicia says, nice to meet Angela. Angela says, her as well, and Felicia leaves. Angela says, Maxie and her mother have a really special bond, and Maxie says, yeah. She’s the best. Angela says she feels the same way about hers.

Tracy tells Carly, wow. Here she thought she was taking something off Bobbie’s plate by going to Amsterdam. Little did she know, Bobbie had a whole other platter. Human trafficking? Carly says, it makes sense, given her mom’s history and her complicated relationship with Ruby and Luke. Tracy says, Luke loved Carly’s mother, and Carly says she knows. Tracy says, he went above and beyond to always protect her, and Carly says, yes. He protected her in his own way, but come on. He didn’t go to the police. He could have stopped it. Tracy says, back then, the person who would have gotten into trouble is Carly’s mother. They didn’t know better back then. Carly says, they did deep down, and if they didn’t, they sure as hell should have, and Tracy says she can’t argue with Carly there. Carly says she just wants to know the woman her mother was trying to help is safe, and Tracy says she can see this is important to Carly. Carly says, it is, because she didn’t get to say goodbye to her mom. She just wants to finish what Bobbie started. Tracy asks what she can do to help, and Carly says, Tracy was with Bobbie for a month. Did she mention her contact at this organization? Tracy says she told Carly, she knew nothing about this other life Bobbie was leading, and Carly asks if a name kept popping up, something she just passed off as other business. Tracy says, she didn’t confide anything. She did mention some cabin in Ontario that Luke had, but really, Bobbie just couldn’t wait to get rid of her. Now she knows why. Carly asks if she went off on her own a lot, and Tracy says, she did, all the time. Actually, she followed Bobbie, and she was at a café up the street from Luke’s. She thinks Bobbie went there often. Carly asks, what was the name of the café?

Drew says, Carly is going to Amsterdam? and she says, uh-huh. He says, tonight? and she says, yeah. Josslyn says, grandma’s funeral was just a few hours ago. Isn’t she exhausted? Carly says, if she gets on the overnight flight, she can sleep on the plane, and get there early tomorrow. Drew says, sounds like she’s made up her mind about this, and she says she has. He says he’s going with her, but she says, no. He says, it could be dangerous, and she says she’s only going there so she can find her mom’s contact at the organization. (I guess a phone call is out of the question.) She’s also going to need Josslyn to look out for Donna and Avery too. Josslyn says, of course (🍷), but does she really need to do this? Carly says, come on. Her mom’s upbringing was less than ideal. There was a lot of pain, a lot of abuse, and she worked really hard to break the cycle, but clearly, she was looking for peace. If Carly can help her find that, even in death… Josslyn hugs her and says she’s so proud of Carly. Drew says he’s proud of her too, but no one would be prouder than Bobbie.

At Kelly’s, Maxie says, Angela came all this way to finish her article on Bobbie, and Angela says, it was totally worth the trip. After hearing the tributes at the funeral, and listening to Maxie and her mom talk about Bobbie, she has a more complete picture of who she was. Maxie says she can do better than that, and Angela says, how so? Maxie says, there are countless people in Port Charles who Bobbie has helped. She thinks Angela should talk to some of them. Angela says she would love to talk to anyone who would share their memories of Bobbie with her, and Maxie asks how long she’s here for. Angela says, her flight’s supposed to leave tomorrow night, and Maxie says, come back here tomorrow morning, and she promises Angela won’t be disappointed.

Carly walks outside with her suitcase, when Felicia walks up with her suitcase and asks if Carly has room for one more. She was talking to Drew, and he said she had a lead on Bobbie’s contact in Amsterdam. She’d like to come with Carly. Carly says, that won’t be necessary, and Felicia asks, what’s her plan? To camp out at the café and ask every person who enters if they know who Bobbie’s associate is? Carly says she hasn’t gotten that far yet, and Felicia says, let her help. She knows she’s been out of the P.I. game for a minute and she and Carly have never been particularly close. But Bobbie’s life gave her meaning and Bobbie literally gave life to her daughter. She owes Bobbie everything, and she’d really like to give her this one last gift. Carly says, they’d better get going.

Tomorrow, Maxie feels like it’s something she can actually do; Lucy says she’s one very lucky woman; Felicia thinks they might have just found Bobbie’s contact; and Carly says, there was a side to her mother that she didn’t know anything about. I hope we get more flashbacks with Bobbie. It’s not like they haven’t had the time to get them together.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Kyle has arranged for a day in Ojai for Annemarie’s birthday. In Kyle’s interview, she says, whenever Annemarie is around, it’s been chaos. We flash back to that, and Kyle says she thought they could have a day trip, a girls day with no arguing. They all meet at Kyle’s house, and Garcelle and Sutton ride over together. Garcelle says she and Dorit hashed things out, and in Garcelle’s interview, she says she hopes everybody is good and they can put it behind them and enjoy themselves. She tells Sutton that she’s moving past it. Erika is absent due to covid, but they call her. It’s boring. They drink in the limo bus, and in Annemarie’s interview, she says, she and Sutton got off to a rocky start, but she’ll see how the day goes. Sutton tells everyone that she has very exciting news. She went on date. He’s cute, has a job, and likes karaoke. And he asked her out on a second date. We flash back to the first one, and I actually think they look good together. I’m rooting for this coupling. In Sutton’s interview, she says she’s excited. Steve has been texting her and she thinks he likes her. Kyle says, they’re going to a wine tasting, but there will be tequila and vodka there as well, and Sutton says she brought her own vodka. I think she’s joking, but I’d bring my own if I went somewhere with this group.

They do some shopping, and it’s determined that Kyle is the biggest shopper. In Kyle’s interview, she says she buys something every day. How much money do they have??? They go to Casa Locé Farm and Winery, and oh man, the food porn at this place. Sommelier Blane describes the wines as they taste. In her interview, Kyle says she loves L.A., but doesn’t feel as connected to it as she used to. When Portia goes to school, she wants to move to a place more conducive to making her happy. Kyle announces they’re playing a table topics game, and the first card is an instruction to lick someone’s toe. I’m out, but Sutton volunteers and licks Kyle’s toe. In her interview, Sutton says she regrets nothing. In Garcelle’s interview, she says, everyone is having a good time. It’s fun. Can they keep it like this? My guess is, no. The question of what’s appropriate for husbands and other women on social media comes up, and Kyle says, she doesn’t like it at all. In her interview, she says, Mauricio gets a lot of DMs from women, and they’re the aggressor. There are a lot of a-holes out there. A birthday cake is brought out, and Kyle asks if anyone would ever date a woman. In Dorit’s interview, she asks, where the hell did that come from? and in Sutton’s interview, she says, that’s a weird question to ask randomly. My cousin is a lesbian. Garcelle says she’s thought about it, and Kyle says she would. In her interview, Garcelle says, years ago, Kyle was shocked about threesomes. She doesn’t know much, but she thinks a country song is somewhere in there. Kyle demonstrates scissoring with Dorit, and it just looks awkward. Garcelle says she’s not impressed with these moves. In her interview, Sutton says, they get to the point where they’re having so much fun, they remember they like each other. I might point out, Erika is not on this trip. Just sayin’. Kyle reminds everyone about the Celebration of Life event that she’s having for her friend Lorene who recently committed suicide. She feels like it’s the right way to honor her.

Garcelle makes lasagna for Jaid and Jax, and says she’s got a confession to make. They’re 15, but she’s feeling like they’re going to be gone soon and doing their own thing, and it makes her sad. She wonders what she’s going to do with herself. In Garcelle’s interview, she says, her window with the boys is small. They’re about to fly the coop and she doesn’t know how to handle it. Jaid wants Ashlyn to sleep over, and Garcelle starts talking about sex, which causes the twins much embarrassment. In her interview, she says, seeing them giggle and squirm reminds her that they’re still little boys. Jax says, sounds like health class, and Garcelle says, no means no; yes means, everybody agrees; and she doesn’t want to be a grandma anytime soon. Talk over.

Dorit asks PK to be open and focused for therapist Sarah’s house call, and in her interview, she says, she’s happy he’s agreeable. Her biggest issue after the home invasion is that PK hasn’t been there for her, physically or emotionally. We flash back to some instances of that, and Dorit says, her patience is used up. It’s time for PK to show up. She tells Sarah that she feels like he doesn’t understand the severity of her PTSD, largely in part to the surprise element. She tried to explain it to him, but he had a defensive reaction. PK asks if it requires a discussion then and there, and Sarah asks if he’s saying Dorit’s timing is off. PK says, no husband would have taken kindly to what Dorit said after what he did. It felt like a f*** you.

Sarah says, PTSD is born in anxiety and catches you off guard. Your instinct is to be ready for something horrible to happen all the time. She asks if she’s got it right, and Dorit says, perfection. I agree. PK says he considers some things just obnoxious and not PTSD. When does high maintenance blend with PTSD? In Dorit’s interview, she says, when she met PK, he could let go of things easily, but now he’s more harsh with her. He gets mean. In PK’s interview, he says, Dorit used to be a bubbly, enthusiastic girl, and not as high maintenance as she is now. I’m not a huge fan of Dorit’s, but seriously? She’s a mother now, she’s older, she survived a gun to her head. WTF does this guy expect? Dorit says she’s a totally new person and can’t do anything about it. Does he have any idea what that’s like to live with? Sarah asks what she wants PK to do, and Dorit says, if she tells him that she’s not good, understand she’s having an episode and comfort his wife. In her interview, Dorit says, it’s times like this that test the relationship. And when she needs PK, not the other way around, he’s coming up short. In his interview, PK says, the pressure of a career, a job, traveling, and a wife is a challenge. Maybe he’s not balancing it as well as he should or could, but it’s not one sided. They both need to be wrong sometime, and that’s a challenge to Dorit. PK says, of course he wants to understand, but Dorit needs to articulate it in a calmer, less irritating manner. In Dorit’s interview, she says, what she needs is for PK not only to better grasp the situation, but to want to be there for her. If they do that together, they can succeed. If they can’t, she doesn’t know what the future holds. PK tells her that she takes a long time to say something, but she’s sweet when she’s asleep, and they laugh.

Everyone gets ready for Kyle’s Celebration of Life, and Kyle gets there first, bringing Teddi (ugh) and Morgan. In Kyle’s interview, she says she talks to Teddi and Morgan every day, and they discuss everything. She was drawn to Morgan by her music. Her lyrics are raw, open, and honest. She’s putting it all out there, and Kyle admires that, since she’s struggled with that herself. Teddi tells Garcelle, the gnat’s here, and in Garcelle’s interview, she says, not only is Teddi annoying, she refers to herself as a gnat. We flash back to Garcelle saying Teddi is annoying like a gnat. Kyle’s daughters join her, and in her interview, she says, her daughters are her best friends. They give her the best advice, they’re there for her, and listen to her. She doesn’t know what she’d do without them. After raising them, it’s good to lean on them. Mauricio is out of town on business, but two years ago, she would have relied on him to get through the evening. In Garcelle’s interview, she says, Kyle coming alone says a lot about where her relationship is. Maybe she’s not trying to hide it after all. Crystal, Garcelle, and Annemarie talk about Garcelle’s sons for a hot minute before Annemarie brings up Sutton’s small esophagus. She says she feels like she’s beating a dead horse, and Garcelle asks why she cares. In her interview, Garcelle says she doesn’t think esophagus is Beverly Hills talk. They talk about someone’s jewelry, bags, and ex-husbands, but not their esophagus. Plastic surgery is also okay to talk about. Annemarie says she scoured her medical books, and the professionals she’s talked to said, you could present that to a layperson, but if you said that to a medical professional, you’d sound stupid. She says, if you have an eating disorder or acid reflux, it could cause scar tissue, and Crystal tells her to get off the eating disorder platform. Annemarie insists she didn’t say that, even though we all heard it two seconds ago. In Crystal’s interview, she says, Annemarie is the biggest gaslighter, and she doesn’t need to look up gaslighting in a medical book. Annemarie says, it’s not a diagnosis, and Garcelle says she’s getting a drink. She asks if they need anything, and Crystal says, a bottle of tequila. I might point out that Sutton didn’t say it was a diagnosis; she said it was a symptom. Sutton tells Dorit that her family never addressed her father’s suicide, and in her interview, she says her father was 62 and she’s lived with the guilt. She’s tried to figure out why. They had him hospitalized twice. She needs to learn to let that go. Garcelle tells Sutton that Annemarie is coming for her small esophagus, and Sutton says, not tonight. In Dorit’s interview, she says, Garcelle likes to strike a match, throw it on the flames, and walk away. Um… Isn’t the match used to start the flames? Sutton says she’s an ambassador for NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness, also a sponsor of the event), and Annemarie better stay the f*** away from her. Not tonight.

In Dorit’s interview, she says she met Morgan before Kyle did. She came to a dinner for Mauricio’s birthday, and she stuck out like a sore thumb. Dorit didn’t understand the connection between Morgan and Kyle, but why not? Now that she thinks about it, it was the last time they were together as a couple. Kyle and Morgan eat fruit off a stick, and in her interview, Dorit says, this is exactly how rumors start.

Kyle takes the mic and says, they’re here to honor her best friend Lorene Shay on the one-year anniversary of her death. Nobody wants to talk about suicide, and she wants those struggling to know there are resources to help them. In Sutton’s interview, she says, she was supposed to be home when her father shot himself. She misses him and misses him not seeing her children. But he is proud of her because he’s still with them. Kyle talks about her and Lorene meeting at age seven, and not getting along at first. In her interview, Kyle says, neither one of them could ever apologize, so when they had an argument, they came up with the word babalu instead of sorry. She’d talked to Lorene two days before, and Lorene told her that she should always appreciate her marriage. She said she would. We see photos of Lorene and Kyle together, and Kyle says, now she and Mauricio are having a hard time, and she thinks she’s letting Lorene down. In Dorit’s interview, she says she’s overcome with emotion. She knows how devastated Kyle is and it’s important Kyle knows she’s here for her. Morgan plays a ballad about lovers, which doesn’t seem like the best choice for this event. In Kyle’s interview, she says, since Lorene died, she thinks life is too short. She’s trying to be happy and live her life and doesn’t want to waste a day spending time with people she doesn’t want to or who don’t appreciate her. In Garcelle’s interview, she says, when her mom passed, knowing she’d never see, hear, or hug her again was the hardest part. In her interview, Kyle says, as hard as it was, people wanted to celebrate Lorene, hear the stories, and lean on each other. It’s all we can do. Lorene’s mom, Sugar, says, she should be here, and Kyle says, she is.

This was the kind of episode I like to see, but it’s a shame half of it had to surround a death to get these women to behave. That being said, again I point out Erika wasn’t there, and Annemarie just couldn’t help herself by bringing up Sutton’s esophagus at the most inappropriate time ever. Thirsty much?

Next time, Erika begins dance rehearsal; Crystal tells Garcelle that Annemarie claimed to be a doctor when they met; Sutton grills Annemarie; and Crystal calls Annemarie a bitch.

🧂 Rubbing Salt In the Wound…

That salty bunch reunites to scream over each other and bring… Receipts! Proof! Timelines! Screenshots!

🪣 Wringing Out the Old…

Join me tomorrow for soap and what is sure to be a not-so Charming Reunion. Until then, stay safe, stay anticipating major accomplishments in the new year, and stay paying it forward. For Bobbie.

January 5, 2024 – Sonny Packs Nina’s Bags, He’s Back, Two More, AMC Gallery, Salty Talk, Even Saltier, Scammed, She Does, Last One, Globing It, Midnight, Puppy Bowl (!), Quotes For a New Year & Future

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

By the memorial wall at GH, Felicia talks to Maxie on the phone. Felicia thanks Maxie for the offer, but declines, and Maxie says, if she changes her mind, let her know. She knows how much Bobbie meant to her. Felicia says she knows how much Bobbie meant to Maxie. Is she sure she doesn’t want to take the day off? Maxie says she needs to keep busy. She can’t believe Bobbie is gone. Felicia says, neither can she. She’ll call Maxie when they’re finished. Anna comes along, and she and Felicia hug and cry.

Cody comes to Maxie’s office and says, greetings, I was… What’s wrong? Maxie says, everything.

Sam hugs Drew and says, it’s good to see him. She invites him in and asks, how’s Carly? He says, she’s staying strong and missing her mom, and Sam says she didn’t know Bobbie that well, but she did always admire her. He suggests she give Carly a call, and she says, of course () she will. He says, not just about that. About some other news that came out that he doesn’t really want to get into right now. She says she’s sure Carly will catch her up to speed, and he says he came by to pick up Scout to get her new uniform. He’s sorry; he should have called first. She says she wishes he had called. She could have saved him a trip. He asks if Scout is okay, and she says, Scout’s fine. He says, if this morning doesn’t work, it will have to be this afternoon. He doesn’t mean to rush her, but Scout is starting at Westwood Academy on Monday… Sam says, about that. Scout won’t be going to Westwood Academy.

On the phone at Sasha’s, Nina leaves a message for Willow, saying, it’s her again. She knows she’s probably the last person Willow wants to talk to right now, but she’s begging Willow to please let her explain. She knows Willow is probably sick of hearing her say that, but call her please. She sees Sasha and says, she’s not going to call, is she? Sasha says, give her time, and Nina says, why should Willow call her? There’s no explanation, there’s no excuse for her doing what she did. Sasha says, that’s probably how Willow feels, and Nina thanks her for her honesty. She also thanks Sasha for putting her up last night. She really didn’t want to be alone. Sasha says, anytime. And when she does finally speak to Willow, she’ll find the words.

Dante rouses Laura, who’s snoozing in a chair in Cyrus’s hospital room. He asks if she spent the night here, but she says she didn’t. Doc insisted she go home, but then she couldn’t sleep, so she came back first thing. She must have dozed off. He says he takes it Cyrus hasn’t regained consciousness, and she says she doesn’t think so. Not yet anyway. But since her brother isn’t talking, perhaps Dante can fill her in. Does the PCPD know who attacked her brother?

Sonny opens the penthouse door, and Frank says he’s sorry. He told her that Sonny said no visitors. Lois says she told him that Sonny would make an exception, and Sonny nods. Frank tells her to go in, and Sonny says, make it fast. Ava’s at the gallery and the kids are at Carly’s and he just wants to be alone. She says, he will be once she leaves. Has the cleaning crew been here already? He asks, why? and she says, because she knows him, of all people, wouldn’t take his new wife’s betrayal lying down, yet she sees no sign of a rampage and not a shattered glass in sight. He says, people change, but she says, not that much. Ah! She sees luggage. Is he taking this act on the road? He says he’s not going anywhere. Nina is.

Felicia says she’s really glad Anna is here, and Anna says, there’s nowhere else she’d rather be. Bobbie wouldn’t want Felicia to do this alone. Felicia thanks her and cries a little, and Anna asks if she’s ready. Felicia says she doesn’t know if she’ll ever be ready.

Maxie says, Bobbie Spencer died, and Cody says he’s so sorry. He only met her briefly at the Nurses Ball, but he’s really sorry she lost her friend. She says, it was more than that. When she was a kid, Bobbie was married to her Uncle Tony. Her cousin BJ was Bobbie’s stepdaughter first, then she sealed the deal and adopted BJ. Long story short, BJ died when a drunk driver plowed into their school bus, and she was gone. She was seven years old. He says, that’s awful, and Maxie says she was six at the time and she’d been waiting on a heart for her heart transplant that she thought would never come, and the heart that’s in her body right now is from Bobbie’s daughter, because Bobbie and her Uncle Tony gave it to her. He says, Bobbie sounds like an incredibly strong and generous woman, and Maxie says she could go to Bobbie for anything, especially all those years her mom wasn’t around. Now she couldn’t get rid of her mom if she tried, but back then, Bobbie was her go-to. She was everyone’s go-to. She lived to help people. She wasn’t sentimental about it. She did not mince her words. If you did something wrong or made a mistake, she told you, but she did it because she cared about people. And now she can’t imagine Port Charles without Bobbie Spencer.

Sam tells Drew, Scout has been tied up in knots about this. She has nightmares. She’s a nervous wreck. He says, then he’ll go talk to her, but she says, Scout isn’t here. Rocco took her out to breakfast. (How old is Rocco now? He drives? He pays for breakfast?) Drew says he sees, and she says, he sees what? He says, she’s got her appetite back, so he’s assuming Sam told her it’s okay she’s not going to Westwood. She says, he doesn’t understand. She was so anxious. He says, so Sam just made this decision unilaterally. There was no phone call, no texting him, no discussion… She says, actually, she had to make a choice. She could reassure their daughter right away or wait until she spoke to him, and she chose peace. She figured they’d talk about it when he got here. He says, after Sam told her it was okay. Isn’t that a little backwards? She agrees she should have spoken to him, and he thanks her. He says he’s glad they agree on that much, and she says, just like he should have come to her before he pitched the idea to Scout in the first place. (Booya!)

In the hallway, Dante tells Laura that they have their people canvassing the area outside the church and checking all the traffic cameras, but so far, there is no suspect in Cyrus’s attack. Laura says, it’s not like he has any shortage of enemies either. He’s done a lot of damage in this community. He says, and yet, here she is sitting vigil, and she says she guesses whether she likes it or not, he’s still a member of her family. And what she’s learned from her son Nikolas is, although she may not like the way he behaves sometimes, she still has the need to let them try to do better. Dante says he appreciates her sticking to her principles, even though Cyrus has never given her a reason to, and she looks in the room window. She says she thinks he’s waking up, and they go back in.

Laura asks if Cyrus can hear her (FYI, his bruised face makeup is amazing), and he says, an angel with the face of his sister. She says, no angels here. He’s still very much among the living. He says, so he sees, and she says she’s going to try and get his doctor. She leaves, and Dante asks if Cyrus can tell him what happened. Cyrus says, someone seems to have brought him to General Hospital. This is the second time the good people here have snatched his life back from the jaws of death. Dante says, he’s a very lucky man, and Cyrus says, not lucky, blessed. Dante says, right. He’s the victim of a brutal assault. Why doesn’t Cyrus help him lock up whoever did this to him? Cyrus says, like the local constabulary cares, and Dante says, try him. Give him a name and he’ll haul them down to the precinct by the end of the day.

Lois says she’s not surprised Sonny is evicting Nina. The last thing she expected was two neatly packed suitcases. She figured he’d just throw her stuff over the balcony. He asks what she’s doing here, and she says, checking up on a friend. He says, she checked up on him. She can go ahead and go. She tells him that she needed to say she didn’t mean to blow up his life. She just thought he deserved to know the truth. He says he appreciates it. He wishes the other people in his life were as honest as her. She asks where he’s banishing Nina to. Outer Mongolia? An ice floe? Buffalo? He says, she owns the hotel. She can stay there for now. Lois says, for now? Does that mean he’s not done with her for good?

Felicia asks if Anna is ready, and Anna says, whenever Felicia is. Felicia unlocks Bobbie’s office, and they go inside. Felicia picks up Bobbie’s stethoscope and looks at it, and we see all the photos on the credenza. Felicia says, look at all these, and picks one up. This was from Anna’s wedding to Robert. Anna says, she was loved by so many people, and Felicia says, because she loved them. She was always the first to show up for people, the first to extend a hand. She was the anchor for her family, and for this hospital. Felicia cries and Anna puts her arm around Felicia’s shoulders and says, these photos tell the story of a life well-lived.

Drew says, so this isn’t about Scout not going to Westwood Academy. It’s about Sam getting back at him because he didn’t consult her about Scout? Sam says, no, of course (🍷) not. She’s just pointing out the fact that he put her on the spot when he announced Scout was going to Westwood in front of their daughter. He says, she’s right. He did blindside her. She says, exactly. All she’s saying is they can both do better. Of course (🍷) if she could do it over, she would come to him first. He says, then why didn’t she? Scout has been feeling this way for a while. She says she thought Scout might change her mind. At least she hoped Scout would. But the closer it got, the more she seemed to dread it, and her immediate concern was for Scout’s well-being. He says, and his isn’t? but she says, that’s not what she’s saying. He says, really? Because it sure sound like what he says and what he wants doesn’t matter at all. She thinks she gets the final word when it comes to what’s best for their daughter? (Will someone please smack this guy?)

Dante says, the doctor is in with Cyrus now, and Laura says, great. Was he able to identify his attacker? Dante says, probably, but he’s not, and she says, why not? He was the victim. Dante tells her that Cyrus said – and he quotes – as I await my eternal reward, so to shall law enforcement await my cooperation. She says she thinks she liked him better before his conversion, and they laugh. Did he say anything else? Dante says, Cyrus told him that his attacker was not to be blamed, that his so-called frailty was the reason his injuries were so bad. She asks what he can do with that, and he says, nothing really. Without a name and without any evidence, they can investigate, but it’s not going to go anywhere. She says, without an account from the victim or an eyewitness, he can’t bring a case, can he? Dante says, if only there was someone he trusted that he could tell the truth to, like say… his sister?

Nina says she shouldn’t be here. She’s putting Sasha in a really odd, awkward position. She’s friends with Michael and Willow, and on good terms with Carly. And Sonny still thinks of her as family. Sasha says, every one of those people knows she considers Nina family too, and Nina thanks her. Sasha says, Nina’s not a fugitive. It’s not a crime for her to be here, so stop acting like it is. Nina says, okay. Once again, she’s managed to make herself Public Enemy #1. Sasha says, who cares what people think? Nina still has friends.

Sonny asks what Lois wants from him, and she sees his hand and says, whoa. It looks like he did break something after all. What was it this time, a wall? Somebody’s face? He says, a lot of things were broken yesterday, and she says, as she recalls, one of those things was his marriage, but he is still wearing his wedding ring. He says, so what? and she says, when Brenda betrayed him, he thought she was dead to him dead. Yet still wearing that ring indicates he’s not done with Nina yet, suitcases or not. He says he gave up a lot to be with Nina. It felt like the whole world was against them. Lois says she sees. So if he takes off that ring and throws it in the river, he’s proving all the naysayers, right? He says he doesn’t care what people think, and she says, true that. Who cares what they think? What does he think? He says he thought he fell in love with someone who made mistakes, owned up to them, and learned from them. But now, he finds out Nina is a traitor. She went against his family for months and lied to him. He won’t forget that.

Laura goes back in Cyrus’s room, and he tells her, the doctor says he’ll live, thanks to the grace of God. She says, it wasn’t God who put him in this hospital bed though. Why doesn’t he just tell her what happened? He wonders if she’s asking as the mayor or as his family, and she says, both. What kind of relationship are they going to have if he can’t tell her who beat him within an inch of his life? He says, once she knows the answer, she may well be sorry she asked.

Laura says, Sonny Corinthos did this to him? and Cyrus says, why the shock? She says, because she doesn’t think Sonny’s that easily provoked, and he asks if they know the same Sonny Corinthos. She says she knows he has a temper. He yells. He throws things. He breaks things. Cyrus laughs and says, he’s been known to break more than things, and she says, still, it would be highly unusual for Sonny to beat someone up himself, and randomly, to the point of putting them in the hospital. He says, wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous… Proverbs. Sonny is a deeply unhappy man. He took his feelings of hurt and betrayal out on a convenient target – me. She says, why though? What did Cyrus do to betray him? He says, not him. Sonny was sinned against by his spouse. She asks if he’s talking about Nina, and he says he was merely in the wrong place at the wrong time, so Sonny unleashed his frustrations on him.

Sasha says, Nina must have assumed Carly and Drew would end up in prison. Carly’s daughter Donna is what? Five? Six? Drew’s daughter Scout is a few years older. However angry Nina was at the parents, it’s unlike her to do something cruel to those girls. Nina says, it is. She wasn’t thinking. She had tunnel vision and could only think about her pain, nobody else’s, so why would anyone forgive her? Sasha says, after what she did to Nina, Nina should have never spoken to her again, and look at them. Here they are. And if Nina could forgive her, give others a chance to do the same for her. Nina says, that’s what she wants, and Sasha says, then let it happen. Don’t force it like every instinct in her body is screaming to do. Let it be and she might get what she wants. Nina says, what she wants may be very different than what she deserves.

Sonny tells Lois, Nina tried to get Carly locked up, separated from her children. Donna is just a little girl. Lois says, not only that, but Nina profited from Carly’s misfortune, right? Nina ended up with Carly’s half of the MetroCourt. That snake is lining her pockets with his ex’s misery. She’s never had much to say about Carly, but she didn’t deserve this. He says, Nina crossed the line, too many lines, and she says, if Nina could do something so reprehensible to the mother of his children, what else is she capable of? Does he believe he can ever trust her again? Then again, love doesn’t just disappear overnight.

Maxie asks if there are any issues with Cody’s pay, but he says, no. If he knew he could make this much money without rigging poker games, he would have become a spokesmodel a long time ago. She says, what about a poker game? but he says, that’s all part of his checkered past. Doesn’t she want to know how he’s going to spend his honest living? She says, okay, how? and he says, real estate. She says, oh, and he asks if she doesn’t think it’s a good idea. She says she was just surprised. She sees why he’d want to move out of the Quartermaine stable… He says, hell no. Those stables are better than some people’s homes, and he’s a long way from giving up on Mama Q’s cooking. She says she hears that, and he says he’s thinking about an investment property. She asks if he has a place in mind, because Lucy, with all of her many professions, is also a real estate agent. He says, maybe on the next one, but for now he’s going to start with Serenity. She says, that sounds like a commune, but he says, it’s the estate he grew up on. She says she thought he told them that he had a tough childhood, and he says, it was the worst. They treated him like the hired help. She asks why he’d want to buy the property then, and he says, it would bring everything full circle. His mother was the original owner. She says, right, and because Dominique was his mother, he’s the rightful heir to Leopold Taub’s fortune.

Anna and Felicia pack up Bobbie’s things, and Felicia says, a mug? Anna looks at it and says, a vase maybe, or a pen holder? Felicia takes out Bobbie’s first hospital ID and cries. She says, look. She kept it all this time. Anna says, so young, and Felicia picks up a nurse’s cap. She asks if Anna ever saw pictures of Bobbie in her first uniform, and Anna says she did. Those hats, the things the nurses wore back then. Felicia says, she pulled it off, and Anna says she doesn’t know how that hat stayed on with all that mane of red hair. Felicia says, they all had the hair, and they laugh. Felicia says, she just realized, she’ll never get to laugh with Bobbie again. She cries and Anna hugs her.

Anna says, it’s a lot. Looking back over someone else’s life, you realize what people saw in them, what you saw in them. She thinks there’s beauty in that though, and Felicia agrees. She says, doing this with Anna made all the difference, and Anna says, it was an honor to help. Felicia tells her, Bobbie once said, grief is more bearable when you can help someone else. And the way we honor the ones that we’ve lost – she cries – is to embrace the living. Her phone rings, and she says, yes, this is Felicia Scorpio… The results are ready? She’ll be right there. Anna asks what that’s about, and Felicia says, the living.

Laura says, so according to Cyrus, the confrontation was completely personal, not business related at all, and Dante says, it’s not like Sonny to settle old scores like that. She says she knows. Cyrus was apparently privy to some information about Sonny’s marriage, something Sonny didn’t know. Did his father say anything to him? He says, not a word.

Sam tells Drew that she’s not trying to impose anything on Scout, and she’s not trying to get back at him. She’s just saying, they need to be on the same page when they make such a huge change in their daughter’s life. He says, she’s right and he’s sorry. He doesn’t know why he picked a fight with her. She says, then why did he? They don’t fight, especially over how they raise their daughter. Does he want to tell her what’s really going on? He says he guesses he felt hurt that Scout didn’t let on how she felt about Westwood Academy. He thought they formed a really good bond since he’s been back. She says, of course (🍷) they have, and he says, then why did Scout tell her and not him. She doesn’t feel she can come to him? She says she thinks Scout saw how excited he was and didn’t want to disappoint him. Scout loves him. She loves being close to him. She doesn’t want that to change. He asks what kept Sam from coming to him, and she says she knows how much he hated missing out on being Scout’s dad, not being able to be her father all those years Victor had him locked up in Greece. He says, and now, he lost even more time, because of Nina.

Nina tells Sasha, everyone told Sonny, Nina, she’s a liar. Nina, she can’t be trusted. It’s like she went out of her way to prove them right. She’s not equipped or qualified to be someone’s mother, or a grandmother, or a wife. Sasha says, that couldn’t be further from the truth, and Nina says, truth or not, it’s what everyone believes. Sasha says, not everyone. Kristina and Dante supported their relationship. Nina says, Kristina and Dante supported it as long as she was making their father happy, which is definitely not the case anymore. Dante will probably stay out of the fray, but Kristina? Kristina will gladly rain hellfire down on her every chance she gets. Sasha says, what about the kids? They all love her. Nina says, they do love her, and she loves them. But that doesn’t matter anymore; that’s all over. Carly will make sure of that. Sasha says, that’s not entirely Carly’s decision, and Nina says, Michael hates her. Willow and Sonny… Sasha says she wouldn’t completely count out Willow, but Nina says, Sasha didn’t see her face when Willow found out what she did. She recoiled, literally. Who blames her? Her own daughter did that. Sasha say she’s so sorry, but Nina says she has no one to blame but herself. Sasha says, what’s done is done. Nina has accepted it; that’s great. She’s owned up to it; that’s even better. Now she just has to ask herself, what can she do to fix it?

Sam tells Drew that she’s had Nina’s number since she came to Port Charles ten years ago, and she knows firsthand what that woman is capable of when she gets scorned. Wow. No wonder he came in hot today. He thanks her for giving him and out, but to be honest, their issues have nothing to do with Nina. He made decisions about Scout’s life without including Sam, and that’s not fair. She thanks him for saying that, and he says, she’s gone so far out of her way to include him in every aspect of Scout’s life. She says, that’s why she didn’t want to undercut the whole Westwood thing, and he says, even if she didn’t think it was a good idea? She tells him, that’s not what she said. Actually, she thinks Westwood is a fantastic school. Molly and Kristina loved it, and she thinks Scout might love it one day too. Give her some time and maybe just a little space. He says, and not uproot her in the middle of a school year. He sees her point. Finally. She says she thinks this is their first difference of opinion in raising their daughter. She doesn’t know what to do. Where do they go from here?

Lois says, Sonny is right and she’s sorry. He tells her that he didn’t say anything, and she says, he didn’t have to. his face said it all, then his shoulders seconded it. She gets it. It’s none of her business. She doesn’t have a right to say how he should live his life. He says, she doesn’t judge him, does she? and she says, of course (🍷) she doesn’t. That is not what friends do. Now go get her some rubbing alcohol so she can tend to his knuckles. Go. He leaves, and there’s a knock at the door. She says, what? The bodyguard’s on a coffee break? She opens the door, and Dante is there. She tells him, come in, and he asks if his father is here. She says, he is, and she’s so glad Dante is here because Sonny’s had a really rough morning. He’s going to be so happy to see his son is here. Dante says, not today he won’t.

Maxie says, Cody buying the estate to get his childhood revenge seems hollow, and he says, in what way? She says, like Bobbie and her brother Luke. They had a very tough upbringing too, and she asked Bobbie one time how she was able to move past it. She said, nursing gave her a sense of purpose. So what she wants to ask is, what is Cody’s purpose? He says he’s not sure. He doesn’t even know if he has a purpose. Felicia walks in and says, nonsense. They all do.

Cody tells Felicia, hello, and she says, sorry for eavesdropping. Occupational hazard. Maxie says, that’s not still her occupation, and Cody says, actually, he’s glad she overheard them, because she’s done a whole bunch of things, right? She says, and then some, and he says, so maybe she could give him some insight on finding his. She says she sure can. First, you start by being honest with yourself, and then you extend that honesty to others. He says, all right, that sounds easy enough, and she says, for instance, he could start with being honest about having his DNA tested to determine if he’s Mac’s son. Maxie tells her, stop. She asked Felicia to drop this. Felicia says she knows, but she didn’t, and Cody tells her, it’s like he said; the test came up negative. She says, not that test. That was last year’s test. He says, then what is she talking about? and she says she’s talking about the new test she ran on him behind his back.

Drew says he guesses he and Sam are just going to have to figure out a way to navigate this, and she say she’s sure they will. He says, then maybe they can revisit the whole Westwood Academy thing next year… if Scout wants it. She says, a lot can happen in a year, and he says, doesn’t he know it. He hates the fact that Scout was worried about disappointing him. She says, that’s just kids. Most of them anyway. He says, when he sees her, he’s going to make sure she knows that no matter what she does or says, he’ll always be her biggest fan. Sam says, well, she’s his, and he says, still? She says, always, and he says, that’s something. Sam says she knows he’s a had a really, really tough year. Scout’s not the only one who cares about him. So if he ever needs to talk, she’s here. He thanks her and leaves.

Laura says she told Dante, and Cyrus says, that couldn’t have been easy, especially given the high esteem in which she holds Sonny. She says, this is not about her and Sonny. It’s about him, first and last. He says, she flatters him. Fortunately, the sins of pride have long since lost their allure. She says, what about sins of omission, because it’s clear to her that he’s holding back a lot here, and he says, what’s clear is that she’ll always be inclined to defend her friend Corinthos, even after he’s attacked her own brother. She says she’s known Sonny for decades – decades. She’s known him a lot less. He says, as he’s told her on several occasions, Sonny Corinthos is no better than the man he used to be, and she says, he knows what her terms are with him if he wants to be a member of her family. He says, more than anything, and she says, so he needs to prove to her that he’s worthy of her trust. And that doesn’t mean running around quoting the Bible all the time. It means proving it to her through his actions. He says, whatever she requires of him, he shall do.

Sasha says she told Willow that she noticed Willow and Nina had one common virtue, and Nina says, it’s nice to know she has a virtue right now. What is it? Sasha says, they both have a great capacity for forgiving, and Nina says she hopes Sasha is right. She prays her daughter will forgive her, especially since her husband never will.

Lois tells Dante that she’s sorry, but whatever this is, is going to have to wait. He says, she needs her to back off and let him do his job, when Sonny comes out. Lois says, looks who’s here, and Sonny hands her the alcohol and a towel. He says he guesses bad news travels fast, and Dante says he just heard about Nina. He’s sorry. Sonny says he appreciates it, and Dante says he also apologizes in advance for this. He goes to the door, and says, Officer Carter…  Carter comes in, and Lois says, he’s Dante’s own father, but Sonny says, that’s all right. It wouldn’t be the first time for either of them. Lois says, not another word until Sonny’s lawyer is present. What is going on? Dante says he just came from seeing Cyrus Renault at GH. He really wishes he didn’t have to do this, but he does. Carter says, Michael Sonny Corinthos, I’m placing you under arrest for the second-degree assault of Cyrus Renault. He puts the cuffs on Sonny and gives Sonny his rights.

On Monday, Cody tells Felicia, it looks like deception runs in the family; Lucy asks Scotty to swear it will never leave this table; Carly says, this is exactly what she needed; and Sonny asks if this can be off the record.

🧊 Stone Cold Coming In…

If you don’t know, now you know.

I can’t believe I missed the special, although I’m sure it’s not disappearing from HULU any time soon.

This includes Jason’s history. Read it if you want your head to explode. It’s one thing watching on the daily, but seeing it all at once is a lot.

What Happened to Jason on GENERAL HOSPITAL

🏥 Many Happy Returns…

A blast from the past.

And the not-so-distant past. IMO, the most Nikolas of the Nikolases.

🌲 Pine Valley Lookbook…

All My Children through the decades.

🧂 Salt Encrusted Ricochet…

Jen claims Heather is a liar in Gucci and she’s going to sue everyone.

https://people.com/jen-shah-responds-heather-gay-claim-gave-her-black-eye-rhoslc-8421629

In probably the most truthful moment, Andy says, if they’d gotten that money shot, they would have used it.

👠 Needs More Salt…

I think all scenes from the Housewives franchise should be reenacted by drag queens.

In the final twist, production pleads ignorance. They also admit they would have told the others. Isn’t that cheating?

💸 Don’t Let This Be You…

Seriously though? There are a few red flags here, but a good rule of thumb is, if you didn’t initiate the call, don’t give out the information. If you think it might be legit, call the bank or credit card company yourself and verify.

https://people.com/andy-cohen-says-he-was-scammed-out-of-a-lot-of-money-8421079

⚓️ Here Comes the Captain…

Captain Sandy is tying the nautical knot.

🧛🏻‍♂️ Fading Shadows…

I think this show is too funny.

https://ew.com/what-we-do-in-the-shadows-to-end-season-six-8418335

🏆 Going For the Globes…

Sunday, January 7th, 8 pm EST, on CBS or Paramount+.

🎊 After the Ball Is Over…

Relive the moment. Or live it if you missed it.

https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/live-new-years-eve-times-square-ball-drop-2024/

🐶 It’s Never Too Early…

Get ready for those Bowling puppies.

https://www.chiff.com/articles/puppy-bowl.htm

📌 Quotes of the Week

Whoever you are, whatever your dream, you have to be strong in your head and strong in your heart. Be strong. There’s no quitting in the person who wants it bad enough. – Carly Patterson

The setback will be the set up. – Carrie Bernans

If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present. – Lao Tzu

Google me, bitch. – Angie Katsanevas, The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City

To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

The beautiful thing about learning is no one can take it away from you. – BB King

The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. – Dr. Phil

Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man. – Benjamin Franklin

Everyone’s talking about it, especially those who weren’t invited. – Mamie Fish (Ashlie Atkinson), The Gilded Age

Youth is when you’re allowed to stay up late on New Year’s Eve. Middle age is when you’re forced to. – Bill Vaughan

Celebrate endings, for they precede new beginnings. – Jonathan Lockwood Huie

I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re doing something. – Neil Gaiman

🛹 Sliding Into the New Year Like…

Join me on Monday really Tuesday for soap and getting back on Deck. Until then, stay safe, stay being more focused on what’s on the inside than what the outside looks like, and stay honoring the ones you’ve lost by embracing the living.

January 3, 2024 – To Bobbie On New Year’s Eve, Clueless Dorit Gets a Lesson On Word Choices & Stars

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

At the PC Grill bar, Lucy asks if Scotty has started sweeping Tracy off her feet yet, and he says he has Tracy right where he wants her. At a nearby table, Laura says, it looks like Lucy got waylaid by Scotty, but Martin says he’s not bothered. He’s already given Lucy plenty of reason to tear his ticket ever since that nonsense with the alimony. Doc says, the ex-wife from hell? and Martin says, none of them is particularly gentle or easy going, but #3 really puts the other two to shame, hence the imbroglio with the alimony payments. But at the end of the day, his lovely Lucy decided to trust him. She believes in him, and he thinks he should extend the same grace to her when it comes to her exes. No? Doc says, he could…

Tracy comes into the living room and says she was watching the countdown and heard shouting. What happened? Brook says, her mom and Olivia got into it, and Tracy says, that’s terrible. Does that mean her mother will be leaving town as a result? Brook says, subtle, and Tracy’s phone dings several times. Brook says, she’s blowing up. Who’s texting her? Tracy says, no one, and it dings again. Brook says, obviously someone, but Tracy says, it’s not important. Brook asks why she’s being so cagey, and picks up Tracy’s phone. Tracy says, give her that, but Brook scrolls through the texts and says, Scott Baldwin? What business does she have with that guy?

An assistant helps Ava with some paintings in the gallery back room, and says, some fundraiser she organized. Ava says, it’s always good to have something to do on New Year’s Eve, isn’t it? and thanks the assistant for her help. She asks Sonny’s guard to walk the assistant to her car. She’s going to put these away, so there will be less for Trina to do tomorrow. The assistant offers to stay, but Ava says, it’s late. She should go. The guard asks if Ava doesn’t want to go home too, but she says she likes to keep busy. And she doubts Sonny and Nina want her back at the house anytime soon. The assistant leaves with the guard, while someone walks through the alley behind the gallery.

At The Savoy, Sonny asks Michael, who is it? as Nina and Willow come down the stairs. Sonny asks, who turned Michael’s mother in to the SEC? and Michael says, it was Nina. Sonny turns around, and Willow asks, what’s going on? Michael suggests they give Nina and his dad some privacy, but Sonny asks, why? It’s all out in the open. It was her? Nina is the one who went to the SEC and ratted on Carly and Drew?

Carly looks at a photo of her and Bobbie, and flashes back to telling Bobbie that she’s taking the last name of Spencer if it’s okay with her, and Bobbie saying, it’s more than okay. It’s as it should be. Drew comes in on the phone, and says, let him know if there’s anything he can do… He certainly will. He asks how Carly is holding up, and she says she can’t believe Bobbie is gone. She can’t believe she’s never going to see her mom again.

Brook says she wouldn’t have pegged Scott Baldwin and Tracy as texting buddies, and Tracy says, stop doing that. Brook says, what? and Tracy says, using his full name. Brook says, sorry. What’s the deal with the two of them? Tracy says, there is no deal. He texted her the other day, out of the blue, to ask her about her New Year’s plans. Naturally, she assumed it was for someone else. Then he texted her again, then she responded, and now the floodgates are open apparently. Brook says, if she doesn’t want to hear from him, just tell him to back off. Or better yet, why doesn’t she block him? Unless Lucy was right and she really is lonely. Tracy says, Lucy Coe is never right about anything ever, but Brook says, it’s no big deal to have a friend you text with every now and then. She scrolls some more and says, this is a lot more than now and then. Wow. Scotty texts her a lot. Tracy says, see what she means? Floodgates. Brook laughs, and Tracy wonders what she’s laughing at. Brook says, granny, Scotty’s flirting with you.

Scotty tells Lucy that he’s been texting with Tracy since he ran into her at the Home & Heart show. It’s been going very well. He thinks he’s actually flirting with her. Lucy asks if he’s not going a little bit fast, and he says he thought she’d be happy. She says, yeah, but they kind of agreed to go slow. Woo her slowly, so she’s not suspicious, and build into the suggestion of going to Vegas. Because he wants to entertain her with the lights and the water fountains and the gondola ride through the Venetian, and then maybe a really elegant dinner and then a nightcap. Then shots, edibles, and the next thing you know, Elvis is officiating, and what’s hers is ours. He says, Luke Spencer tricked Tracy into marrying him during a drunken weekend in Las Vegas. He doubts Tracy is going to fall for that again. Lucy says she’s known Tracy for decades, and she has the habit of making the same mistakes. Scotty says, then he guesses they have that in common.

Drew holds Carly as she cries, and she asks, how’s Lucas? Drew says, he’s shocked and devastated, like her. He told Lucas that he’d use his contacts to bring her mom back with as little red tape as possible. She thanks him, and he says he just wishes there was more he could do. She says, oh my God. Her mom always hated to fly. She almost never did it by herself, and now she’s going to be alone. No one is going to be there to hold her hand when the plane hits bumps, right? She puts her face in her hands and cries. She tells Drew that she keeps saying her, but that body coming home to them, that’s not her mom anymore, is it? Okay, they can stop stomping on my heart any time now. Like, just hit us with all of it when we already have the post-holiday blues.

Nina says she’s so, so sorry, and Sonny says, at least she’s not denying it. She says, what’s the point? and Willow says, wait. This is actually true? She’s the one who turned in Carly and Drew? She’s the one who put this whole nightmare in motion? Nina says she can explain. At least she can try to… Willow says, don’t come near her, and Nina says, okay. She tells Sonny that she needs him to understand that she was on her way here to… He says he doesn’t want to hear any excuses. He just wants to know why. Does Nina hate the mother of his children so much that she would want to send her to prison out of spite?

Nina says she didn’t tip off the SEC out of pure spite. That was part of the reason, but not fully. Does he remember how sick Willow was last spring when all of this happened? They almost lost her, and the whole time, Carly knew she was Willow’s mother, and if she would have come forward sooner, Aunt Liesl would have been able to donate her bone marrow… Willow tells Nina, don’t dare make this about her, but Nina says, the fact is, she spent years – years – searching for her daughter. And at that moment, she thought she was losing Willow when she first found her. Sonny says, and that made her angry. He gets it, but it doesn’t explain why she roped Michael and Ned into this situation. (Um… didn’t they rope themselves into it?) Willow says, what? and Sonny says he’s sorry, but Michael says, it’s okay. Willow says, he knew? and he says, yeah. She says, for how long? and he says he found out when they were Puerto Rico for the wedding. She says, that was months ago, and he said nothing. She can’t. She walks out and Michael follows her. Nina starts to go too, but Sonny says, she’s done more than enough damage, doesn’t she think?

Drew says, Carly’s mom’s not in her body anymore. She’s everywhere. She’s always going to be with the people she loved. Carly says she has to call Michael and Josslyn before they hear it from someone else. She picks up her phone and says, they’re going to be so upset. He says, they’re going to be upset. They’re going to be devastated, but they’re going to have her to help them get through it. And she’s going to have them. As far as letting them know, when he spoke to her brother, he said he’s only going to let family know now and will tell everybody that she hasn’t had a chance to reach her kids yet. So if she wants to take some time to let everything, what she’s feeling, let it process… She says she doesn’t even know what that is, and he says, that’s okay. It’s going to take time to let it all sink in. She says she doesn’t want it to sink in, and he says he’s so sorry. She says, her mind just keeps racing, and she keeps thinking about the past few months, questioning everything. He says, like what? and she says, what if she had done something different, anything different, that her mom would still be here with them.

Brook opens the door to Chase, and says, yay. He’s back. She kisses him and says, he can finish that bottle of champagne with her. Or they could even open another one. He says, they can just stick with the first one, and she asks if everything is okay. They called him in on New Year’s Eve. He says, the senior detective on duty had to go out on a call. They needed someone to fill in. All he did was sit in the squad room filling out paperwork. She says she wishes she’d tagged along with him instead of staying here, and he says, it was that bad? She heaves a huge sigh and says she loves her mom. She’s awesome, but she’s not perfect. He says, awesome and perfect are two different things, and she says, her mom gets caught up in being right sometimes and it crosses the line into being righteous. That happened twice tonight. He asks if Brook could have stopped her, and she says, no. She didn’t even find out about both situations until after, but let’s face it, the only reason her mom is here is because of her. He says, here’s what he knows about her mother; nobody tells Lois Cerullo what to do. She makes her own choices and her own mistakes. It seems like she made one or two of those tonight, but that’s on her, not Brook. Brook says she knows. She just feels bad. He asks if it would make her feel better if they snuggled on the couch and finished off that bottle of champagne, and she says, definitely. He says, let’s do it. He’s not on call for a couple of days. She says, wait. Granny’s in there flirting with Scott Baldwin. He says, Baldwin’s here? and she says, flirting by text. They go into the living room and Tracy says, Scotty is not flirting with her. Brook snatches the phone from her and gives it to Chase, saying, read these. Tracy says, that’s the second time tonight. Is there no privacy?

Ava hears someone come in and says, that was quick. She’s almost done here. She turns around and gasps. A man puts his hand over her mouth.

Ava asks what Nikolas is doing here, and he says, surprised? He imagines she would be, given the last time they saw each other, she knocked him unconscious and left him for dead. She says she knew from Laura that he was alive and well, depositing and withdrawing all over Europe. Good trip? He says, she sounds angry, and she says she’s so far beyond angry. He says, her? He’s the one she almost killed that night. If anyone has a right to be livid, it’s him. She tells him that Sonny’s guard is right outside that door. If he tries to get his revenge, or whatever the hell he’s doing here, she’ll scream. He says, let ‘er rip. No one will hear her.

Brook asks what Chase thinks, and Chase says, he’s flirting. Brook thanks him, and Tracy asks how he knows. He says, it’s the exclamation points. There’s too many too often. Brook says, Scotty B’s got a thing for Tracy, and laughs. Tracy says, the only thing Scotty B’s got a thing for is a money clip, and Brook asks if she didn’t hear they had a romance back in the day. Tracy says, if by romance she means a brief regrettable dalliance, then yes. It was one for the ages. She fans herself, and Chase says, they can all agree Scotty is an acquired taste. Tracy says, understatement, and Chase suggests they just say for the sake of argument, he’s interested in her. Would she be interested back? Tracy says her standards are exponentially higher than Scott Baldwin, and Brook says, oh yeah. Mitch, Gino, Paul, Anthony, Luke… Tracy says, do not mention Luke’s name in conjunction with those other men, and Brook says, despite her and Tracy’s differences – Tracy says, of which there are many – she really does want Tracy to be happy. She’s not saying Tracy should lower her standards, but it wouldn’t kill her to get out there a little bit and have some fun once in a while. Tracy tells her, sez who?

Lucy says, is Scotty kidding her? Didn’t she tell him about exclamation points? He’s supposed to be playing it cool. Act interested, but not too interested. Available… He says, but not too available, and she says, exactly. He doesn’t want to appear desperate. What else has he been texting Tracy? She looks through his phone.

Laura suggests they take a picture, and Doc says, his wife is into selfies. Who knew? She says, Jordan was telling her that she should up her social media presence, so how about a picture with her husband and favorite brother? Martin says, only if she gets his good side, and she tells them, squeeze in. Doc takes the photo, and Scotty and Lucy are clearly in the background. Laura looks at it and says, nice. She’d say that’s perfectly postable. Martin says, they’ll have to forgive him. He warned Lucy that he has to make a business call. He has a client in Singapore where it’s already tomorrow, so he’s saying good evening and happy New Year. He blows Lucy a kiss and leaves. Doc says, it’s never a good sign when Lucy and Scotty have their heads together, and Laura’s phone rings. She says, Lucas Jones? That’s strange. She answers, and says, why? What’s wrong?…

Lucy asks if Scotty doesn’t know what that means, and he says he thought it was just a colorful emoji. She says, he’s absolutely hopeless, and they both turn to see Laura on the phone. They get up and go to the table, hearing Laura thank Lucas for letting her know. And again, she’s so sorry. Scotty asks if something is wrong, and Laura says, yes. That was Lucas Jones. She tells Scotty that she’s so sorry, but Bobbie died.

Carly says she knows this is going to sound ridiculous, but Drew says, tell him anyway. She says, when her mom told her that she was going to leave, it was right after Michael and Willow’s wedding. She can’t explain it, but she just knew Bobbie shouldn’t be going to handle Luke’s affairs on her own. She has a medical condition. But he knows her mom; she always talks with such confidence. Drew says, and Carly believed her when she said she was okay, and Carly says, everything was okay for a while. She was happy when Tracy showed up to help her, but then she kept coming up with excuses to stay. Her mom was gone for months, and she just accepted it. She should have told her to come home. She should have told her that her family needed her. He says, Bobbie died peacefully in her sleep. She had no pain. She died knowing she was loved. Carly shouldn’t have any regrets. Carly says, but she does.

Sonny says, Willow’s going to be fine, and Nina says, will he? When she found out about the insider trading and tipped off the SEC, she regretted it immediately. He says, before or after she got Carly arrested? Donna’s mother could have been sent to prison. Scout’s father went to prison. She got her father back and Nina ripped her father away from her again. Nina says she wasn’t thinking about all that, and he says, she wasn’t thinking. Drew almost died. He got beaten up. She says she knows, and he says, an innocent man. She says, hold on a second. What she did was wrong, no question about that, but Carly and Drew did commit a crime. (I’ve said that all along, but now probably isn’t the time to be bringing it up.) They weren’t innocent. Anyone could have reported them. He says, anyone didn’t. She did. She says she knows. She did and it’s a lot for him to process, but like she said before, she was on her way here to tell him everything. He says he doesn’t believe her.

At Pier 54, Michael asks Willow to just give him a chance to explain, and she says, explain what? That he knew her own mother was lying to everyone, and he decided not to tell her? Not only that, he let Ned take the fall for what she did. How could he? He says he was trying to protect her, and she says, he’s as bad as Nina. Stop making this about her. He says, it’s true, and she says, guess what? She doesn’t need his protection. She’s not in isolation anymore. She’s not some wilting flower he needs to shield from the world. She’s healthy and strong and deserves his honesty, no matter how difficult it is to hear. He should have told her the truth right from the start. He says, like she told him the truth about her cancer diagnosis? She punches him in the face. Not really, but that would have been good.

Sonny guesses it doesn’t matter, because Nina did what she did and ruined people’s lives in the process. Nina says, everyone’s fine, and he says, physically, but not mentally. When Drew came back from Pentenville, he wasn’t the same. How could he be? She says she didn’t mean for that to happen, and he says, she keeps telling him that. He can’t even look at her right now. She reaches for him, but he tells her not to touch him. She said she’d never lie to him. He knows never is a long time, but she cracked pretty quick. She says she hated every second she kept him in the dark, but he says, not enough to come clean, right? She tells him not to throw away their life together because of one stupid mistake. She’s so sorry… He tells her to stop saying she’s sorry, and she says, but she is sorry. Deeply. Truly. He says, that’s all well and good, but he’s not the one who needs to hear it.

Drew asks Carly when she last talked to her mom, and she says, Christmas Eve. She called to wish her a merry Christmas, but they were late for the GH party, so she’s sure she rushed her mom off the phone so she could get out the door. He asks how she ended the call. When she got off the phone, what did she say? Carly says she told her mom to hurry back so they could ring in the New Year together, and he says, and before that? She says, Donna told Bobbie that she loved her, and she said that goes ditto for her. He says, that sounds like a beautiful phone call. He’s sure Bobbie left it knowing she was valued, knowing she was loved. Carly says, but if she’d known that was the last time she was going to talk to her, she would have told Bobbie how much she meant to her. She would have told Bobbie how much she respected her and looked up to her and would have told Bobbie how much her love and acceptance changed her. He says, she knew, and Carly says, if she had known, she’d have never gotten off the call. She would have stayed on that phone forever. He holds her as she cries.

Scotty says he just doesn’t believe it, and Laura wipes tears from her eyes and says, Lucas called her because he was trying to get Lucky’s phone number. She probably shouldn’t have said anything because she promised Lucas that she would let Carly tell her kids first. Scotty says, don’t worry. He won’t say anything. Lucy says she promises not to say anything. She and Bobbie might have had their differences, but Bobbie loved her family and Lucy always respected her for that. Lucy flashes back to after BJ died, and asking if she can give Bobbie a hug and maybe get one back, and them hugging. Laura says, she and Bobbie had their differences too – way, way back in the beginning. But then out of that, something really kind of special grew. Something she’ll cherish forever. She flashes back to thanking Bobbie and hugging her, and Bobbie saying, they’re family and always will be. She says, Bobbie was a sister to her, Luke or no Luke, and she loved her. Scotty says he loved her too. He still does.

Nikolas says, this room is soundproofed. Ava’s the one who told him that. He’s not here to hurt her. She says, stealing her daughter wouldn’t hurt her? and he says he was angry. She sided with Spencer and gave Spencer leverage to take his child. He wanted her to know what that felt like. She knows he wouldn’t have gone through with it. She says, does she? and he says he’d like to think so. They’ve both been through the wringer since that night. She says, he’s been keeping tabs on her, and he says, of course (🍷) he has. He’s sorry Austin lied to her. She asks if he killed Austin, and he says, what? She tells him, don’t look so surprised. They both know he’s adept at eliminating threats. So tell her, did he kill Austin? He says, no, and she asks if he was behind the notes and the gun and the offer on Windymere, but he says he doesn’t know what she’s talking about. She says, shockingly, she believes him. So why did he come back? He says, when he heard Austin was dead and Mason was in prison, it dawned on him that she wasn’t being watched anymore and he could approach her. She says, another grand plan to get what’s his? and he admits he has an ulterior motive, but it’s a sincere one. They haven’t had a chance to hash things out since the truth came to light. He wanted to tell her that he’s sorry. He caused her a lot of hurt and pain and he regrets it. She asks why she feels like there’s a massive but coming, and he says, but she has to admit, they were both played by Austin. She says, and sadly, that wasn’t the first time they were played.

Ava says, like most things in her life, it can all go back to Ryan, and Nikolas says, it makes him sick what Ryan did to them. Sending his daughter to seduce and manipulate Spencer. Ryan used his son to hurt the woman he loved, and he did love her. She says she loved him too, but even though Ryan and Esme were playing mind games with them, their real problems had nothing to do with them. He says, so she doesn’t think they’d still be together if Ryan and Esme hadn’t interfered? and she says she thinks they were always headed for heartbreak. Maybe sooner, maybe later, but she thinks it was inevitable. He says he disagrees, and she says, they lied to each other. He cheated on her. He says, because of them, what they did, and she says, could he please take some responsibility? Then he did the unforgivable. He threatened to take her daughter from her. There’s no coming back from that – ever. So yeah, they loved each other, but it was a sick and toxic love that never stood a chance because it was rotten at its core.

Tracy asks what Brook is doing to her phone, and Brook says she’s downloading the Gram onto it. Chase says, great idea, and Tracy says, the Gram? Oh yes, of course (🍷). She’s gone this long without succumbing to social media. Best she starts now. Brook says, that’s the spirit, and Tracy says she was being facetious. Brook says, so was she. See? She followed some people Tracy knows. Alexis, Felicia, Laura… Look at their posts. They’re all out having fun New Year’s Eve, while Tracy’s watching the ball drop at home. Chase says, alone, and Tracy says, we do not besmirch the memory of Dick Clark in this house, grabbing her phone back. Brook says she wasn’t besmirching anyone, and Chase tells Tracy that he thinks what Brook is trying to say is, it might be a good idea to get out more. Tracy says, you know what would be a good idea? If they get out of this house, her house. Brook says, it’s Monica’s house. Alan… Tracy says, stop. Don’t. Brook says she gets it, and tells Chase that she’s tired. She asks if he wants to go home, and she hugs Tracy, telling her, happy New Year. Tracy wishes Brook a happy New Year, and Brook says, they don’t know how much time they have left, any of them. They might as well use the time they have left to live a little. She and Chase leave.

Lucy says, they all loved Bobbie. Actually, even her. Scotty says, not the way he did. All those starts and stops. When they were great, they were really great. He just couldn’t make it last. He flashes back to being out to dinner with Bobbie and them agreeing they haven’t had so much fun since they can’t remember when. He says, maybe it was a love that wasn’t supposed to last, and Laura says, or maybe it was something deeper than that, a bond that can’t quite be put into words. Lucy says, his forever friend, and Scotty says, my forever friend. Doc says, that sounds like Bobbie, and Scotty agrees, it does.

Carly says she told her mom that she loved her all the time, but was it enough? and Drew asks, what else is there? She says she put her mom through hell. She came to town just to destroy her life. He says, she more than made up for it, and she says, her mom had every reason to never speak to her again, but she forgave her. He says, because Carly earned that forgiveness, but she says, it was Bobbie. She just loved unconditionally. He says, and that is very powerful, and she says, her mom taught her so much. She taught her how to be a good mom and how to be a good person and how to love and be loved. He takes her hand and says, then he owes Bobbie everything. She leans her head on his shoulder and looks at the photo.

Nina says she knows she owes Willow an apology, but Sonny says he’s not talking about Willow. And Nina does owe her an apology. He’s talking about Carly and Drew. He knows Drew is away, but Carly’s home. She says, he’s not suggesting she go to Carly’s right now, and he says, why not? She says, because it’s the middle of the night, and he says, so what? She says she sees, and he says, she sees what? She says, he doesn’t want her to go charging over to Carly’s because it’s the right thing to do. He wants her to go over there because he knows Carly will have no qualms about tearing into her because he can’t bring himself to do it, because he still loves her. He says, don’t tell him how to feel, and she says she knows she’s right. He says he’s not going to do this right now, and starts to leave. She says, this isn’t the end of them, and he turns. She says she won’t let it be, and he leaves.

Sonny goes to the church and kneels before the candles to pray.

Willow says she can’t believe Michael would throw that in her face, and he says he didn’t mean it like that. She says, well, that’s how it came off, and he says he’s sorry. What he’s trying to say is, he didn’t tell her about Nina because he was trying to protect her, the same way she was trying to protect him about her diagnosis. She says, he can’t even compare the two, but he says he can from the perspective that they were trying to prevent each other from being hurt. Now that she’s gotten closer to Nina, he knew it would hurt her more to find out what she did. He guesses he was just trying to spare her. She says, except she’s not a porcelain doll. In fact, she’s survived more than most people. He says, she’s right, and she says, he’s acting like she and Nina were snuggled up with all this mommy/daughter time. They didn’t get all that close. They couldn’t with him constantly canceling plans and avoiding family trips. Half the time, Nina couldn’t get close enough and half the time, she couldn’t be bothered. And every time her name would come up, he would get that look on his face. Not angry, just cold and unreadable. Because this wasn’t just about protecting her. There’s another reason he kept Nina’s secret, isn’t there?

Nikolas says he wishes things were different, and Ava says, so does she. He says he’s sorry he was so easily manipulated, and she says she’s sorry too, but unfortunately, they’re the only ones left to blame. Ryan is dead, and Esme is here physically, but her memory is not… What is he thinking? He says, Ryan Chamberlain got what he deserved, and she says, did he ever. He says, so what if they make sure Esme does too?

Tracy looks at the photo Laura took and says, what do we have here? She makes it bigger, sees Lucy and Scotty in the background, and smiles. She says, gotcha.

Scotty says, to Barbara Jean Spencer, the heart of Port Charles, and they lift their glasses. Doc says, heaven got a little more special tonight, and Scotty says, until I see you again, Bobbie. Laura says, to Bobbie, and they all repeat, to Bobbie. They clink glasses.

Drew says he’s going to call the embassy about bringing Bobbie home, and Carly thanks him. He leaves, and she looks at the photo again. There’s a knock at the door, and Carly opens it to Nina.

Tomorrow, Portia says she’s got big plans for 2024; Ava asks what Nikolas is planning to do to Esme; Laura tells Esme that she’s going to have to turn herself in; Nina say she has to tell Carly and Drew something; and Sonny says, tonight is not the night to be pushing him.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

After the first 10 minutes, I don’t think I can stomach this show again for another season. I love Garcelle, Sutton, and Crystal, who has shown more growth than all the other Housewives put together, but the others have worked my last nerve. Erika because she’s the meanest of the mean girls, Kyle because she’s a dimbulb who thinks she knows it all, and Dorit because she’s right behind Kyle in the dimbulb category. Any sympathy I had for the latter two was outweighed by their thoughtlessness and stupidity. Newbie Annemarie didn’t even give it a beat before coming in knowing it all, when she very clearly knows nothing. I’d hoped with LisaR gone and Erika having eaten some humble pie, things might change, but nope.

Moving on…

After Dorit displays her ignorance to Garcelle, she deflects by asking if Denise cleared things up with Erika, and then jets. Erika asks why Denise is upset, and Denice says, Erika insinuating her 14-year-old understood threesomes was beyond inappropriate. Erika says, children who have phones have access to everything, and Denise says, but Erika was talking about her kids. Erika says, Denise’s oldest daughter is on OnlyFans. Does Denise think she doesn’t know what it is? Denise says, that’s a low blow, and Erika asks if Denise thought she wouldn’t mention it and that she’d play nice. Denise says, she’s a mean woman, and Erika says, Denise asked for it. She shouldn’t act like a bitch. Denise says, Erika was the bitch, and Erika says, that was four years ago. Besides, she thinks it’s great. But she’s curious who’s more profitable, Densie or Sami? Denise says, Erika is unbelievable, and Erika agrees. In Kyle’s interview, she says, apparently, Lent is over. Denise says she didn’t want to fight, and Garcelle asks what she does want. Denise wonders what Erika got out of talking about her kids, and Erika says, when they were at Denise’s barbecue, they were all talking about sex stuff. Denise talked about her husband’s big d*ck. Denise says, not with kids at the next table, and in Sutton’s interview, she says she was there. We flash back and sad to say, Erika is right here, but Erika repeats that she’s right like 10,000 times. She says, they were all talking, but Denise singled her out. We flash back to Erika apologizing, and Erika tells Denise that she already apologized. Denise says, Erika is the one who brought it up, and Erika says she has nothing left for Denise. Denise can be and feel how she wants, but Erika has nothing left to say. They sip their tea and Erika says she didn’t want this fight, but Denise says, she did. She used it to deflect like she always does. She tells Erika to stop being condescending, and Erika says, there’s been no deflection when it comes to her life. Denise says, Erika didn’t know $20 million had been deposited into her account? and Erika says, it wasn’t. The government proved that. Let me just interject here. That in itself might be a deflection. Erika may be telling the truth about that $20 million, but she doesn’t strike me as a dummy who couldn’t have possibly known her husband wasn’t dirty dealing. Kim, who looks like she might fly out a window, can’t leave fast enough, and Denise says, Erika hit below the belt. Erika says, Denise had her chance, failed, then failed again. The conversation is over. In Erika’s interview, she says, don’t come for her when you’re on OnlyFans for $7. She does want to know what Denise makes though. Erika leaves, and Kyle says, family should be off-limits, Garcelle asks why she didn’t say that when Erika brought up Denise’s daughter? and Kyle makes the lame excuse that she was letting them talk it out, then says, why didn’t anyone stand up for her when she was questioned about her ring? Kind of like comparing apples and diamonds, but in Kyle’s interview, she says, where has anyone been when she needed them? If it’s every man for himself, they’re going to play that way across the board. In Garcelle’s interview, she says she didn’t defend Kyle when Sutton questioned her because she was also curious about Kyle’s marriage. It seems like a lifestyle change. It’s weird. Garcelle and Denise leave, and in Crystal’s interview, she says she thought Erika changed, but seeing her talk like this, it’s the old Erika coming back. You can’t say stuff like that. Talking about the kids is going too far. As Sutton leaves, Kyle tells her not to make out with her driver.

Sutton talks to her fish, Avi Jr., and says she sounds like a crazy person, but I’m pretty sure most of us talk to our pets. Dorit consults daughter Phoenix on accessories, and Erika comes by. Dorit asks, what happened after she left? and Erika says, the Denise of it all. She went on about her children and how she’s mad about something from four years ago. So Erika asked, who made more money on OnlyFans, her or her daughter? Dorit laughs, which irritates the f*** out of me, and in Erika’s interview, she says, Denise wanted a fight and picked a fight. Here it is. And then, oh my God, she’s evil. She laughs and says, and Denise is dumb. She asks Dorit what she and Garcelle got heated over.

Garcelle calls Sutton, who says she’s an emotional person and didn’t like seeing Garcelle’s face the other night. Garcelle says she was messed up after that. She cried herself to sleep and woke up not any better after Dorit said she’d attacked her. In Garcelle’s interview, she says she’d hoped those in her group would know better, and tells Sutton that she didn’t lunge at or grab Dorit. She did nothing that would be considered attacking. In her interview, Garcelle says, Dorit doesn’t get her or know her world and doesn’t care to. She’s in her bubble with rainbows and unicorns everywhere. Sutton says she loves how Garcelle went after Dorit’s privilege. She lives in a bubble.

Dorit tells Erika that she needs time to process, and in Dorit’s interview, she says she didn’t mean any connotation or to trigger or offend. She wonders how to approach this, and tells Erika that for every step forward, she and Garcelle take a step back. In Erika’s interview, she says she doesn’t think Dorit is malicious. When she knows better, she does better. She’s sure Dorit feels terrible. Erika tells Dorit to talk to Garcelle.

Alessandra visits Sutton, who’s waiting for her report card from her date. Alessandra says, Sutton got good feedback from Sal, and asks how it went. Sutton says, it started slow, then loosened up. They talked about his mother. We flash back to Sal going on and on about his mom, and Alessandra says, Sal generally had a great time. When asked about Sutton’s positive qualities, he said she seemed like a great mom. Alessandra is all, aww! and Sutton says, this is the worst thing she’s ever done. She’s literally dying. Alessandra says, when asked if he was captivated, bored, or somewhere in between, Sal said, captivated. When asked if Sutton made him laugh, he said, she didn’t come across as someone who made a lot of jokes. Sutton says, he didn’t see her funny side, and Alessandra says, he probably thought she wasn’t into him (and he’d be right). She suggests they go over indicators of interest and asks if Sutton is comfortable giving a compliment. In Sutton’s interview, she says, men are flattered by anything. They’re like big babies that walk around the earth. And now that she’s said that, she’ll never get a date. Alessandra says, Bachelor S is a VP of sales. She could set Sutton up with billionaires, but they’re insane. Sutton says, a billionaire would suit her just fine, but Alessandra insists she’ll have an amazing time.

Kim visits Kyle and notices her hummingbird necklace. In Kyle’s interview, she says, after their mom passed away, she had weird incidents with hummingbirds. When she and Kim had that big fight back in the limo – we flash back to that – the next day, she went into the kitchen of her old house and found a hummingbird on the floor. She started crying and asked her mom what to do. Was the bird dead? If so, did it come back to life? This is unclear. She gives Kim the necklace, and they discuss Whitney and Farrah’s weddings. Kim says she doesn’t want anyone at Whitney’s wedding who’s not in a good place, and Kyle asks if Kim thinks she’s wrong about Kathy. In her interview, Kyle says, when Kathy apologized for Aspen – we flash back to that – she wanted to accept it and move on, but it was her behavior afterward. We flash back to their weird interaction at the Reunion, and Kim says she loves both of them and wants it to work, especially since they have the weddings coming up. In Kyle’s interview, she says, if Kathy took accountability and was genuine, she’d be open to it, but she’s not willing to be mistreated. She tells Kim that Kathy can’t have a conversation. Kathy gets mean, and she can’t handle that. We flash back to the Reunion again, and Kyle tells Kim that it freaked her out when she was little. Kim says she doesn’t like it either, and in her interview, Kyle says she doesn’t do well in chaos. Growing up, it felt like chaos. There were big personalities. Her mom was great, but had a fiery Irish Aries temper. That’s why her home is peaceful and calm. There’s no fighting or yelling ever. And here I thought it was all the weed. Kim says, if Kyle doesn’t try… and Kyle asks why Kathy doesn’t try. She created the disaster. Kim says she doesn’t know who wants to try, but she thinks it’s silly and mom never wanted this kind of stuff. She was about sticking together. People come and go, but family stays. After Kim worked on herself, she understood why their mom did the things she did. She lived her life for them. Kim cries and says she loves mom. She didn’t know how angry she was growing up. She thinks Kyle and Kathy love each other, and Kyle should think about why Kathy does certain things. Maybe there’s something underlying. Kyle says she’s scared to let Kathy back in, and Kim says, she’s setting boundaries. When she asked Kathy about it, Kathy asked what Kyle had to say. She thinks they both have to want it. Well, yeah. That one didn’t take a rocket scientist.

As usual, Crystal is cooking, this time for Passover seder. Rob has the kids explain seder, and in Crystal’s interview, she says, Chinese and Jewish cultures are very similar. They prioritize family, getting together, traditions, and holidays. She and Rob melded their cultures at their wedding, and they love to celebrate each other’s culture. The kids go off to play after dinner, and Crystal tells Rob that she’s been told, don’t engage and don’t speak out. We flash back to Crystal saying, the group wants her to scream all the time, and Rob says, she has strong opinions and needs to share them. Crystal says, on the other side, the girls are all so skinny, sometimes she can’t focus because she’s comparing herself to them. In her interview, Crystal says, L.A. is obsessed with beauty and bodies. She works hard to feel comfortable in the groups she’s in. She was finally feeling relaxed, and now she’s back to severe distraction. She’s triggered in a way no one understands, and it’s affecting her a lot. She tells Rob that she’s distracted because she’s self-conscious, but she’s working on it. She says, Jeff is coming, and in her interview, she says that she thinks her brother still resents her being part of his break-up. She tells Rob that she doesn’t know when it happened, but she shifted to being his mom. She’s treated him like her son. It comes from a good place, but she shouldn’t have put pressure on him. In her interview, she says she’s been too controlling of her brother and what she wants for him. She needs to check herself, take a step back, and let him be.

On date night, it’s pouring out, and Sutton thinks God is telling her something. In Sutton’s interview, she says she’s going to be delightful and cheery, and give more compliments. She meets good looking silver fox Steve at the restaurant, and he asks what she’s looking for in a potential partner, besides being dashingly handsome. She says she’d like someone outgoing who can keep up with her, who likes to travel and laugh. They find out they both like true crime, and Steve says he once played a dead guy. They also both love karaoke, and Steve shows her the list of 300 songs on his phone. I’m impressed! I just have little pieces of paper in my going-to-the-bar bag. In her interview, Sutton says she may have had it wrong about Alessandra. She’s quirky and told Sutton to do weird things, but she’s starting to trust the process. Steve might be a winner. Steve says he’d like to talk more, and Sutton says, for sure. She’s a talker. He tells her that he’s a listener, and she gives him her number. In her interview, she says she’s broken the one date wonder curse.

Garcelle meets Dorit for lunch, and there’s awkward silence as they peruse the menu. After they order, Dorit says she’s leaving the floor to Garcelle. She wants to make sure she hears Garcelle, and that Garcelle feels like she did. Garcelle says, the word attack hit her in the wrong place, and we flash back to that. Garcelle says, certain words pointed at her have a different impact than at Dorit. Aggressive, attack, and angry are labeling to Black women. She’s not here to educate Dorit. It’s not her job and she doesn’t have the bandwidth. But Dorit needs to be aware of who she’s talking to and what she’s saying. Dorit says, they’ve heard the word in their group hundreds of times, and we flash back to some of those. Garcelle asks if it was ever directed toward her (not any of the examples they showed), but Dorit says she doesn’t know. Her intention wasn’t to offend Garcelle. Garcelle says she was emotional for two days. She was absolutely triggered. Dorit asks if Garcelle thinks she said it with bad intentions, and Garcelle says, yeah. Why else would she say it? Dorit says she wants Garcelle to get it all out before she replies, because some of the things Garcelle is saying are wrong and incredibly hurtful. In Garcelle’s interview, she says, this is why Dorit gets under her skin. She’s always on the defense, and not listening. She tells Dorit that she feels like there’s a pattern she’s not sure Dorit is aware of. She’s being blunt, but thinks Dorit has unconscious Karen behavior.

In Dorit’s interview, she says, this is a serious and dangerous accusation. It’s hurtful and holds a lot of implication. She’s not comfortable at all. Garcelle says, two years ago, Dorit was talking about how she has people of color working for her. We flash back to Dorit listing the nationalities who work for them and how her mom’s best friend is Black. Garcelle asks if there has been any growth, and Dorit asks why she keeps raising this issue. Garcelle says, it feels to her… Dorit says, racist? but Garcelle says, not racist. Dorit says, if this is about a word she said, she apologizes, but it sounds like it’s something more. Garcelle does realize she’s Jewish, doesn’t she? Garcelle wonders what that has to do with it, and Dorit says, Garcelle reduced her privilege. Garcelle says, Dorit is very privileged, and Dorit says, they all have a privileged life. Garcelle wonders why worldly Dorit doesn’t understand that being in her shoes is different than Dorit’s shoes, and Dorit says she never suggested otherwise, but being from marginalized groups, she thought they had more common ground than differences. She feels like everything is on her right now. Garcelle wonders why Dorit is saying her name so much, which is actually something that bothers me too. I think maybe it can make you feel like you’re being scolded. Dorit says, it’s just what she does, and Garcelle says she doesn’t want Dorit to walk on eggshells, but Dorit says, Garcelle is making her feel that way. Garcelle says, Dorit is getting under her skin, and she thinks it’s the things Dorit says and how she says them. The last straw was her saying Garcelle attacked her. She doesn’t know how they’re going to move forward, but she’s going to try. Dorit says she’s sorry she triggered and hurt Garcelle and means it genuinely. She’d never want to hurt anyone intentionally. Garcelle says she thinks Dorit realizes her word choice was horrible, and in Dorit’s interview, she says, this was a lesson for her. She was unaware and knows now that she needs to be more aware of what she’s saying and who she’s saying it to. Garcelle tells her, they’re going to be good.

Next time, Kyle says she would date a women; Garcelle wants to have the talk with her sons; PK says some of Dorit’s PTSD symptoms aren’t PTSD, they’re just obnoxious; and Annemarie is once again obsessed with Sutton’s small esophagus.

☃️ Hoping For a Winter Wonderland…

Back to the old reality grind, so join me tomorrow for soap and uncertain Charm. Until then, stay safe, stay making small changes rather than big resolutions, and stay being aware of what you’re saying and who you’re saying it to.

January 2, 2024 – It Can’t Get Worse, TempSam, His Fave, Soapy New Year, Salty Talk, Worst In Real, Upcoming Vampire, Roll Calls, Star Celebrations, Furry Resolutions & 2525

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

In bed with Drew, Carly says, she thought this was going to be a horrible New Year’s Eve, that she was going to be spending it all by herself, but here he is. She must be dreaming. He says, it’s no dream; it’s real. She says, no way. She must still be asleep. This is too good to be true. He says, let him convince her that he’s really here, and they kiss.

TempSam (see below) and Dante stand on the terrace watching the fireworks. Dante says, and just like that, it is 2024, and Sam says, time goes so fast. She’s sorry their plans got stalled tonight. He says, is she kidding? It wouldn’t be any fun at The Savoy knowing Scout’s at home sick with a sitter. Besides, does she really want to get dressed up and celebrate with a bunch of people? Because he doesn’t. He’d rather celebrate it right here. She says, he really doesn’t mind? and he says he really doesn’t. He’s right where he wants to be. She says she is too, and they kiss. He picks her up and carries her inside.

Brook and Chase go into the Quartermaine mansion, and Brook says, let’s make it quick. Get in and get out. They make a beeline for the living room.

At Pier 54, Michael’s phone rings. He asks Willow if everything’s okay. She’s supposed to be here for the fireworks. She says, everything’s fine, but she got held up, and asks where he is now. He says he’s at the pier. The fireworks are almost over. Does she want to meet at The Savoy? She says, sounds good. She’ll see him there. Ned and Olivia arrive at the pier, and Olivia asks Michael if Sonny’s here, but Michael says he hasn’t seen Sonny. Olivia says, Lois didn’t make it back here either, and Ned says, maybe they’re still at the club. Olivia says, they have to get back there – now.

In her office, Nina fingers her engagement ring, and flashes back to marrying Sonny. She remembers him telling her that he loves her and always will. She says she has to tell Sonny, and gathers up her stuff. She opens the door and Willow is there.

Sonny asks, who’s lying to him? and Lois says she’s sorry she has to be the one to tell him, because they’ve been friends for a really long… He says, she hasn’t told him anything yet, and she says she knows who really ratted out Carly and Drew to the SEC. And his family knows too.

Carrying in a bottle of champagne, Brook tells Chase that they’re going to ring in the new year with the good stuff. He says, all right. Come on. Let’s go. He heads for the door, but she sits down, and he asks what she’s doing. He thought their plan was to get it and get out before anybody else shows up. She pops the cork and says, too late. The cork’s out of the bottle. He knows her motto: It’s better to ask for forgiveness than ask for permission. He says, or they could not get on Ned’s bad side, and she says, look at him, trying to score points with his future father-in-law. Trust her. Dad will get over it. He says, there was champagne at the club, and she says, it was great to see Blaze perform, but that place was a dive bar. It is a well-respected dive bar where many a future rock star has appeared. It was a solid booking. He says, and Blaze did amazing, and Brook says, she did, but that champagne was swill. He says he wouldn’t know; he stuck to the ginger ale. She says, good for him. She has to cleanse her palate. And tonight is their first New Year’s Eve as an engaged couple. What’s a more special occasion than that? His phone dings, he looks at it, and says, whoa.

Dante and Sam kiss, when Scout walks in. She says she had a bad dream.

Drew and Carly clink champagne glasses and kiss. She says, if this is any indication of what’s going to happen in 2024, this is going to be a damn good year, and he tells her that he couldn’t have said it better himself. She says, he just got off a plan from Australia. Isn’t he jet lagged? He asks if he seems jet lagged. He is a little hungry though. She says she has tons of food in the kitchen. She can make him something. He says, if she doesn’t mind, he’ll take the lead on that. He knows how she is in the kitchen. She tells him that her kids say she makes the best brownies on the planet, and he says, those brownies from the box are really good, and they get out of bed.

Nina invites Willow in, and Willow says she took a chance that Nina would still be here. She remembers Nina mentioning she had to work New Year’s Eve. She’s sorry. Did she catch Nina on her way out? Nina says, she’s just in time, but she thought Willow would be at the New Year’s Eve party at The Savoy with Michael. Willow says, that was the plan, but then it hit a snag… Really. She shows Nina a rip in her dress, and says she got dressed at the hospital. She decided to check on a patient before she left, and her dress got caught on the door. She thought Nina could maybe help her out. Nina says, of course (🍷) she can.

Sonny says he doesn’t know why Lois is making a big deal about this. He knows Ned turned Carly and Drew in to the SEC. So what? She says, it wasn’t Ned. He’s been letting everyone believe it was him because it works to his advantage. He says, why would it work to Ned’s advantage? Why would he take the fall? Maybe she misunderstood what she heard. She says, no. Trust her. She’s the only one with her head on straight. If he doesn’t believe her, ask his son. Michael comes in with Ned and Olivia.

Chase says, it’s his dad, and Brook says, oh no. Did he get hurt? Is he at the hospital? He says, just the opposite. His dad sent photos of him skydiving. She says, what? and he says, how crazy is this? showing her the photos. She says, look at Gregory smiling; he’s so happy. Chase says, he really is. The way he looks in this photo is how his dad is to him. That’s who he was when Chase was growing up. He thought when his dad started using a cane, he’d never see him like this again. He’s really happy that his dad can jump out of an airplane. She asks, what’s wrong? and he says, it’s just that, before the ALS, it would never have occurred to his dad to go skydiving. He’s really making the most of the time he has left.

Dante hands Scout a glass, and says, when he was little and not feeling well, his mom always gave him ginger ale and that did the trick. Sam asks if Scout wants to tell her about the dream, and Scout says she had a dream about going to her new school. The teacher was a monster. She tried to get away, but she couldn’t. It was too fast. Sam holds her and says, it’s okay. She doesn’t have to go to that school if she doesn’t want to. Scout says, daddy will get mad at her, but Sam promises he won’t. Because she and Scout’s father just want what’s best for her. Scout says she thought they told her that school was the best, and Sam says, it’s a good school, but the best school is the one where Scout feels comfortable, and she enjoys learning. Scout says, so she doesn’t have to go? and Sam asks if that’s what she wants. Scout nods and says she wants to stay with her friends. Sam says, then no, she doesn’t have to go, and Scout thanks her.

Drew says, that hit the spot. Carly has to thank Josslyn for the leftovers. Carly asks what he’s talking about. Her name wasn’t on that box. He asks if they were hers, and she says, no. He says, Donna’s? The moss bowl’s🎍? and she says, no. He says he rests his case. If she complains about it, tell her that he owes her a yummy meal. She says, okay, and hands him a glass of champagne. He asks if they’re toasting the New Year, but she says, no. They already did that. They’re toasting his return. They clink glasses and kiss, and Carly asks, what happened? She thought he was extending his stay so he could negotiate more joint ventures. He says he got a little impatient with some of the board members in the company he was dealing with. He wasn’t quite as skillful as he thought he’d be. He figured it would be best to let a colleague finish the deal. She says, Drew Cain lost his patience, and he says, it was more like he kind of got out of there before he lost his patience and blew up the deal altogether. She says, wow. That’s not like him at all.

Michael asks, what’s going on? and Sonny says, that’s what he’d like to know. Lois says she told Sonny that it wasn’t Ned who pointed the SEC at Drew and Carly, and Olivia says, stop it. Lois says, he deserved to know. Michael, Olivia, and Ned (who Lois seems to think is Sonny’s whole family) know who’s really responsible. Olivia looks like she has a migraine, and Ned says, Lois is right. He didn’t go to the SEC. He wouldn’t hurt Carly that way. Sonny says, what about Drew? and Ned says, he and Drew have had their issues, but he’d never expose Drew to Federal scrutiny. Olivia says, Ned is telling the truth. He’s not the one who tipped off the SEC. Sonny says, Michael is very quiet over there. Is what Lois is saying true? Did Michael keep this from him? Michael flashes back to almost telling Sonny, but deciding not to, and Sonny saying, Michael can come to him with anything. Michael says, yeah. He did.

Chase tells Brook that he’s not going to keep bringing their whole night down. He’s not a doctor. His dad could be around for a long time. Brook says, okay, and hands him a glass of champagne. To her incredible fiancé, the best man she knows. They clink glasses and drink, then kiss. She says, okay, it’s his turn to toast something amazing about her. He says he doesn’t know what he’d toast about her, and she says, thank you. He says, there’s just so much. He wouldn’t know where to start. But he’ll start with her beauty, her kind heart, and her generous spirit. She’s wildly talented, and the way she makes him feel like he can do anything. So he’s toasting to all of the above. He loves her. She says she loves him too, and they’re about to kiss when his phone rings. She says, he really has to turn that off, but he answers, Detective Chase… No, they were right to call him. He’ll be right there. He says he’s sorry; he has to go. She asks if everything is all right, and he says, police business. He kisses her and leaves. She drinks down her champagne and picks up his glass, saying, no sense in wasting good champagne.

Sam says she just checked on Scout, and she’s out like a light. Dante says, poor kid. She’s really stressed out about this school. She says, it’s heartbreaking to be so afraid of changing schools and feel like she couldn’t say anything about it. He agrees and asks what she’s going to do, but she says she doesn’t know. She didn’t press the issue with Drew because she thought Scout was warming up to the idea of going to Westwood. Really, she was just saying what she thought he wanted to hear. Dante says, it’s tough. You want to get them out of their comfort zone so they can grow, but at the same time, you’ve got to respect their feelings. She says, yes, and that’s what she’s doing now. When Drew first brought the idea of Scout going to Westwood to her, she was totally worried about Scout going there; transferring her away from her friends at her current school, and right in the middle of the school year. Now that she sees how upset Scout is, she’s not going to make her go. He says he respects her position and her decision, but how does she think Drew’s going to react?

Drew asks if Carly thinks there’s something about the New Year that makes you want to make changes in your life, but she says she’s not good at New Year’s resolutions. If she makes a big, sweeping change, it usually blows up in her face and she backslides by February. The moss bowl🎍considers all the resolutions Carly has broken, and Drew says he just had a lot of time to think about things when he was in Australia. Some things he’s happy with, and some things he’s not. She says, like what? and he says he just kind of fell into a role he’s not comfortable with. He was just so grateful to be home after being held overseas that he fell into this role of peacekeeper with the Quartermaines. He felt it was his duty to get along with everybody, to calm the waters at ELQ, and that’s just not working for him anymore. Where was Ned’s loyalty to him? Ned’s the reason he got sent back to prison. She says she understands what he’s saying about Ned, and she agrees with him, but the rest… She loves how kind and generous and forgiving he is. He tells her that he’s just saying he’s not a choirboy. He’s a grown man and he’s got his limits. And he’s got an extended family that knows how to play dirty. Where has that forgiving nature got him other than months in Pentenville?

Sonny says, Michael knew? and Olivia says she thinks they’ve done enough damage for one night, looking at Lois. Lois says she hopes Sonny knows she only wanted to help, and Ned suggests they give Sonny and Michael some privacy. He leaves with Olivia and Lois, and Michael says he’s sorry, but Sonny says he doesn’t want to hear Michael’s apologies. Why didn’t Michael come to him as soon as he found out who turned Carly and Drew in? Michael says, there’s no clear-cut answer… and Sonny says, it’s very simple. Just tell him the truth. Michael says, it was best for everyone involved if Ned took the fall, and in the end, Ned agreed. Sonny asks why he would do that, and Michael says, because they made a business arrangement that worked out in Ned’s favor. Sonny says, it works out for Ned, yeah. He wheeled and dealed, and Michael kept his mom in the dark? Michael says he thought it best for everyone, including Sonny, and Sonny asks how lying is best for him. Michael says, because sometimes the truth can do more damage than a lie, and Sonny asks how long he’s known. Michael says, since October. He found out right after Sonny and Nina got married.

Willow comes out in a new dress – black, sparkly, sleeveless, and low cut – and Nina says, she looks lovely. Willow says, Nina’s Crimson closet of dresses sure came in handy. What does Nina think? Is this a good look for New Year’s Eve? Nina says, it’s almost perfect. She needs a necklace. Nina takes off the one she’s wearing and says, take hers, putting it on Willow. Yes. Much better. Willow says, this is so generous. Thank you. Nina says, anything for her, and Willow takes Nina’s hand, saying, she knew she could count on Nina. Nina’s eyes fill up with tears, and Willow asks, what’s wrong?

Sam tells Dante that Drew is just going to have to accept the fact Scout isn’t going to Westwood Academy, because this is about what’s best for their daughter, not what he wants. Dante says, he’s a reasonable guy. He’s going to understand Sam’s decision, and if he doesn’t, he’ll come around to it when he hears her side. She says she knows. He’s a terrific dad. She just thinks she’s going about this all wrong. He says, how so? and she says, isn’t she doing what Drew did? Making a unilateral decision without consulting the other parent? He saw how upset Scout was. She doesn’t know what else she’s supposed to do.

Carly says, they haven’t talked much about Drew’s time in Pentenville, and he asks, what is there to talk about? She says, for one thing, he’s different. She noticed a change when he got out. He’s coming down much harder on Ned, whereas before, he would have tried to keep peace in the family. He asks if that’s unreasonable, but she tells him that she didn’t say unreasonable; she said different. There’s the whole situation with Scout’s school. He asks if Sam told her that he got Scout into Westwood Academy, and she says, Sam told her that he announced it to her and Scout, without any discussion. He says, she’s going to have a lot more opportunities at that school than the one she’s at now, and Carly tells him that she’s not saying if it’s good or bad if Scout goes to that school. He asks what she is saying, and she tells him that she’s saying she loves him, and she’s concerned about him. He says, because he wants his daughter to go to an excellent school? and she says, because he went through hell, and it’s changed him. She just wants him to know that whatever he’s going through, he doesn’t have to carry it alone. She’s here.

Nina says, it’s nothing, and Willow says she knows they’re still figuring out their relationship, but she hopes one day they get to the point where they’re able to tell each other anything. Nina says she does too. She needs to tell Willow something… Looking at Willow, she’s reminded how they were robbed of the moments they didn’t get. Brushing Willow’s hair before school, looking at a million pictures from Willow’s prom, and helping her pick out her wedding dress. The list goes on. She was so happy when she found out she was pregnant, and she dreamed about all the things she would do if she had a daughter, and she had a daughter. But they never got to do those things. Willow says, the important thing is that they have each other now – she takes Nina’s hands – and there will be many more moments for them in the future.

I don’t know about you, but I feel sick.

Brook is about to leave, when Ned, Olivia, and Lois come in. Olivia asks what she’s doing here, and Brook says she was picking something up. Ned asks, how was Blaze’s show? and Brook says, it was great. She was phenomenal. Everybody loved her. She’s going to be a star. Lois says she thought Brook was spending tonight with her fiancé, and Brook says, they were. Chase got called into work. How was their night? Olivia says, Brook can direct that question to her mother, and Brook asks Lois if something happened. Lois says she’s sorry, but she and Olivia need to talk, privately. She steers Olivia into the living room and closes the door. Brook says, obviously, something happened, and asks Ned to tell her everything.

Lois says she knows Olivia is upset, and Olivia says, damn right she’s upset. What the hell was Lois thinking? Lois says she was thinking that Sonny is her good friend, and Olivia says, well, congratulations. She just ruined her good friend Sonny’s life.

Sonny says, Michael has known for over two months who tipped off the SEC about Carly and Drew? and Michael says, yeah. Sonny says, so Michael is telling him that he found out after his wedding. Michael knew how important it was for Sonny to have him at the wedding. So the whole reconciliation is a lie? Michael says, he loves Sonny. That’s not it… Sonny says, Michael loves him. So why didn’t Michael tell him the truth? Michael says he tried. He went to Sonny to tell him, and Sonny was just so happy, the happiest he’s seen Sonny in a long time, and Michael didn’t want to take that away from him. He also thought if he told Sonny the truth, something might be broken, maybe between them. Sonny says, Michael knows he loves him. He would never let anything be broken between them. Michael says that he knew if the truth came out, it would hurt Sonny more than anyone else.

Carly takes Drew’s hand and says, if he wants to leave what happened at Pentenville in the past, that’s fine. She just wants him to know that she loves him. She’s here for him, and if he ever needs her, all he has to do is ask. He says he just wants her to know that he hears her and appreciates her. He hugs her and tells her that he appreciates everything she’s saying so much. Just knowing she loves him and is here for him is all he needs. She says, if he changes his mind, ever, that’s okay, and he promises if he ever needs any support, he’ll come to her. Now what does she say he gets in the living room and makes a nice fire? They can finish that bottle of champagne and make some New Year’s resolutions they can actually keep. She says, like what? and he says, like taking long walks together. Like leaving their phones at home. She says she could do that, and he says, like Saturday morning donuts, and she says she could really do that. He says, like spending way less time with business when they could be in bed, and she says, these are some resolutions she can definitely get behind. They kiss, and he says he’s going to get started on that fire. He leaves, and she says, he’s definitely going to be okay. Her phone rings, and since the moss bowl🎍doesn’t answer phones, she picks it up.

Sam tells Dante that this is all relatively new to her. She’s basically been a single parent to both Scout and Danny, and she’s used to making all the big decisions on her own. He tells her that he’d say she’s done an awesome job because she has two awesome kids, and she thanks him. She says, when Drew first came back to Port Charles, they were basically in lockstep on how to parent Scout, until he came back from Pentenville. Dante says, maybe he’s just trying to put it behind him too fast. He knows he did the same thing. Drew probably wants to prove to himself and to Scout that he’s a good dad. What better way to prove that than to get your kid into some elite school? She says, but why not come to her first, so they could talk it over and see if it was appropriate for her? She knows Westwood is just one decision, but it’s a big one, and there are going to be so many more, bigger decisions the older she gets. He says, right. That’s why they have to get on the same page now, so down the line, they can make these decisions together. She says, right, but she just told Scout that she didn’t have to go to the school, without including Drew in the conversation. Did she just make a big mistake?

Lois says, Olivia can’t guilt her. Sonny had a right to know. Olivia says, but she told Lois in confidence, but Lois says, Olivia didn’t tell her anything. She figured it out on her own. Olivia says, whatever. She begged Lois not to say anything because this affects so many more people than just Sonny. Lois says, it affects Ned’s deal with Michael to get control of ELQ, and Olivia says, but it affects more people than just Ned. Since they’re on the subject of Ned, why don’t they talk about Ned? ELQ is his family company. He loves it. It means something to him. Just because Lois can’t stand it, she had no right to mess this up for him. Lois tells Olivia, what can she say? If she sees something, she says something. You know something funny? Olivia used to be the exact same way. Olivia says she thought Lois was her friend, and Lois says, she is Olivia’s friend, but she’s also Sonny’s friend. Olivia says she can’t even trust Lois now. She begged Lois not to say anything, but she had to go run her mouth and ruin everybody’s life. Lois says, the way she sees it, Olivia knows better than anyone what it means to keep secrets from Sonny. Olivia says, wow, and Lois says, Livvy… Olivia says, Lois said what she said because Olivia kept it a secret from Sonny that her child was his son? So that when Dante grows up and becomes a cop and goes undercover, he doesn’t realize he’s going after his father? That when Sonny finds out and doesn’t realize the cop that he’s shooting is his own son? Is that what Lois is talking about? No. Is that what Lois is throwing in her face right now? Her good friend?

Michael says he didn’t want to hurt Sonny, especially after getting him back, but Sonny says, the only way this would hurt him is if the person who turned Carly and Drew in to the SEC is someone he cares about. He knows Michael didn’t do it because Michael wouldn’t do that to his mother. Michael says, it wasn’t him, and Sonny says, so he must have good reason to withhold this information from Carly and Drew. What is it? Michael says, the informant wasn’t close to his mom or Drew, but exposing them would hurt someone else he loves very much. Sonny says, Willow, and Michael nods.

Willow tells Nina, it’s New Year’s Eve. How did they get talking on such a heavy topic? Tonight is all about new beginnings, right? Nina tells her, that’s what people say, and Willow suggests they head over to The Savoy. She thinks they’ve kept their husbands waiting long enough. Nina says, okay, and they get their bags. Willow says she’s not sure what to do with her dress, and Nina says, Crimson has a person that does alterations on the model’s dresses. She can make sure that is as good as new. Willow thanks her and says, that would be amazing. It’s a brand-new dress. She was going to wear it for the first time tonight. It would be great if it didn’t go to waste. Nina says, it just occurred to her that Willow could have gone to the Quartermaines to change, but she came here. Willow says, the Quartermaine house is so far away. Why go all the way home when she has a mother who works in fashion? She thanks Nina again for loaning her the new dress and fixing the old one. It really means a lot to her. Willow hugs Nina, and says, shall we? Nina says, after you, and follows Willow out. She closes the office door and leans against it for a moment, wishing she could cry, then leaves.

Dante says, it seems to him, the only mistake Sam would be making is forcing Scout to go to a school she strongly doesn’t want to go to. Sam says she knows Drew didn’t mean to put her in a rough spot, but Scout did feel like she has to change schools because it’s what he wants. Dante says he thinks Drew is a great dad, but he did put Scout in a rough spot and also put Sam in a tough spot. He thinks Sam should trust her instincts and try to make it right. She thanks him for having her back, and he says, she always has his. That’s what makes them so good together. They kiss, wish each other a Happy New Year, and get busy.

Brook says, let her see if she has this straight. Ned let everyone think it was him who tipped off the SEC about Carly and Drew’s insider trading? He says, actually, he was on his way to tell Drew who was really to blame when he slipped and fell and lost his memory. She says, them when he got his memory back, he made an agreement with Michael to keep quiet in exchange for Michael’s stock proxy? He says, that’s right, and she says, and people wonder why this family scares her sometimes. Olivia bursts out of the living room, and Lois begs her to wait. Olivia asks if Lois has some more helpful advice. Someone else’s secrets that she feels entitled to announce to the entire world? Lois says she went too far, and she knows it, and Olivia cries and says, the night Sonny shot Dante was her worst nightmare coming true. That moment haunts every quiet corner in her mind. Just tell her. How long has Lois had that locked and loaded and ready to throw in her face? Olivia runs outside, and Lois calls after her. Ned follows Olivia out, and Brook asks Lois, what did she do? Lois says she opened her big mouth, and she may have started the new year by losing her oldest friend.

Sonny says, what about Willow? and Michael says, Drew’s out of Pentenville. Mom’s happy running Kelly’s. She and Drew are happy together. Please, let this go. Sonny says he doesn’t want to hear that. Who is it? Nina and Willow come down the stairs, and Sonny asks again, who is it? Who turned his mom and Drew in to the SEC? Michael says, it was Nina, and Sonny turns around to see her.

Carly looks stunned, when Drew comes back and says, the fire’s lit… She stares at her phone, and he goes over to her, asking, what is it? She says, it was the embassy in Amsterdam. My mom’s dead.

Geez, can this day in Port Charles get any worse?

There was no preview. Just the full credits with Deck the Halls sung in the background. Which seems weird since we’re past New Year’s Day.

🚑 Sliding Into GH Like…

The latest in quick change artists.

🧮 Except For the Wig…

This was a favorite of mine too. And I’m with him on the wig. They’re annoying.

Easton Rocket Sweda Reveals His Favorite GH Episode of 2023

🥂 Soap Celebrations…

Like Christmas, it’s probably not much different from what we all do.

🧂 Salt This…

Biggest revelation – if we want to call it that – Jen gave Heather the black eye. But there weren’t any details. I want details. I kind of liked Monica after half-watching this season, and don’t think she’s necessarily the bad guy. She just suffers from the same boredom and lust for screen time that all the other Housewives do. And here’s a thought. If things are dark, dirty, and scandalous, don’t do them. Because Monica was right about one thing, nothing stays in the dark forever. Not in today’s society.

While I don’t do resolutions, I’m honestly rethinking watching any of the Housewives more than peripherally. They seem to start off with promise, but slide downhill faster than my local K-Mart did when it was new. I had the Salt Lakers on while I was doing something else, and there were so many bleeps I couldn’t even hear the conversation. While I was raised by a sailor and enjoy a colorful adjective, come on. These are adults with children and jobs… sort of. It just boggles my mind that they act like age five to middle school on any given day. Dropping huge bombs and grilling people on personal issues at parties or group dinners, who does that? And the mean girl ganging up that happens, like on RHOBH. While that behavior should never be acceptable, if you’re doing it after college, what are you doing? Go sit in the corner. I’ll get off the soapbox now, but they all might be reduced to a link next season. Here’s the salt.

https://people.com/rhoslc-recap-monica-garcia-trolling-account-exposed-season-4-finale-8421154

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/rhoslc-season-4-finale-recap-cast-updates-reunion-details

📺 Worst Of the Worst…

I can’t understand how they missed The Littlest Groom. I watched about half of one episode and couldn’t stomach the voyeuristic nature of the show. Since it was yanked off the air pretty quickly, I’m guessing other viewers felt the same.

https://ew.com/gallery/worst-reality-tv-shows-ever/

⚰️ Interview Times Two…

Season One was pretty impressive, so I’m sure it’s worth a watch.

https://ew.com/interview-with-the-vampire-season-2-jacob-anderson-interview-8417770

🌠 Stars That Dimmed…

Andrea Evans, Jackie Zeman and Treat Williams were big shockers for me. Norman Lear, not so much. I couldn’t believe when I saw the headline Cause of Death Revealed. At 101, what do you think it would be?

https://www.avclub.com/remembering-the-stars-we-lost-in-2023-1849997910

🎊 Ringing It In…

What the stars did for New Year’s Eve. Some of these celebrities are just like us; others, not even close.

https://extratv.com/photos/image_jpg_20240102_9942c23e11d14fc5be4388de302d5d12/

https://www.eonline.com/photos/36751/stars-celebrating-new-years-eve-2023

And some stars didn’t have such a great New Year’s Eve. I have no doubt he got slammed for this, and maybe even had his reasons, but why did he leave the car when his daughter was in it?

https://people.com/ian-ziering-thankful-to-be-unscathed-attack-bikers-8421158

🐕 Resolutions Aren’t Fur Everybody…

I didn’t see any resolutions mentioning cats. I assume cats just refuse to make them.

https://www.thewildest.com/dog-lifestyle/dog-new-years-resolutions

🍾 Not Forgetting Auld Acquaintances…

Come on by tomorrow for soap and cringing through Beverly Hills. Until then, stay safe, stay looking forward to the days ahead, and stay never feeling entitled to announce anyone’s secrets to the entire world.

December 29, 2023 – New Year’s Eve In Port Charles, A Return, On Or No, Real Top, Dead Talk, He Can Dance, Eve TV, Something For Everyone, Zoo Baby, Pets (!) Of the Gram, 12 Quotes For 12 Months & Another

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

At the Port Charles Heliport, jump instructor Denice tells Gregory that they have to get going before the sun goes down. Otherwise, they’ll have to cancel the jump. Is she coming? People cancel all the time. Gregory says, she’ll be here, and a man says, they’re losing daylight, when Alexis comes running up. She says she’s here, and the man asks if they’re doing this. She says, yes. She’s a woman of her word. She’s doing it. Even if it kills her.

Spencer knocks on Trina’s dorm room door, and she answers wearing a robe. He says, she’s not dressed for a party, and she brings him in, kissing him. He says, good point. What party? She says, they’re going. She just needs two more minutes. He says, that’s a big ask, and she says she’s sure he’ll be fine. Entertain himself. He picks up a magazine and flips through it, then sees a letter that’s been opened. Trina asks if he can zip her up, and he says, of course (🍷). If he must. She turns around, and he says, she looks perfect. So who is writing her from the Sorbonne? She says, he wasn’t supposed to see that.

Esme waits in the visitor room at Pentenville (?). Heather – our New Year’s gift! – joins her and says she knew Esme would be back.

Sonny goes to Nina’s office, and says, the party’s about to start, but she says she has to get these end-of-the-year bonuses done. She’s so sorry. It’s just a magazine; business is very difficult. Their team managed to keep their numbers up with online revenue, and she needs to show them that she appreciates them. He says, they’re lucky to have a kind-hearted boss, and she says she thinks he’s a teensy bit biased in her favor. He says he’s finding out what it means to be married to a generous, thoughtful woman, even though he’s not sure what her priority is tonight.

On the phone at The Savoy, Carly tells Sam, it’s okay. The flu is going around. Just give her love to Scout, and she and Dante take care. And happy New Year. Michael joins her, apologizing for being late, but she says, that’s okay. Where’s Willow? He says, she got stuck covering at GH. There’s a lot of callouts. Carly says, it’s the flu. Sam just called. Scout has it, and she and Dante can’t make it. He says, that’s unfortunate. So… She says, it looks like it’s just the two of them.

Olivia comes in with Lois and Ned, and she asks if it reminds Lois… What’s that place in the city they used to sneak in… Lois says, Area on Barrett Street. She can see the resemblance. Ned tells them to get a table while he gets the drinks. What would they like? Olivia says she’s a Cosmo girl tonight, and Lois says, champagne for her.

Carly says, it’s already New Year’s in Australia, and Michael says, it’s a shame Drew’s trip got extended. She should be celebrating with Drew, not him. She says, what about him? Willow’s at work. He’s spending New Year’s with his mother. They’re a pathetic pair, huh? He asks if she wants more champagne, and she says, yes, so he leaves to get it. She gets up and calls, make it a prosecco, please, when Ned passes by. She says she’s been waiting to talk to him, but he says he really doesn’t have time for this. She asks if he’s been busy since he got his memory back. Because ever since he pointed the SEC at her and Drew, and Drew went to prison, she’s been meaning to ask him a question. How would he like her to return the favor?

Nina says, Sonny is her priority – always. She promises she’ll hurry up and meet him way before midnight. He says, don’t worry about it. He was just being sentimental. She says, of course (🍷). It’s their first New Year’s Eve together as husband and wife. She wants to be with him too. She’ll leave this here and come in early tomorrow. He says, no. She’s going to wrap that up and she’s going to meet him at The Savoy. They’re going to have a midnight kiss… They’re going to have so many New Year’s Eves together. She says she likes the sound of that, and they kiss.

Heather says she knew Esme wouldn’t be able to stay away from her forever, but why is it today? Doesn’t she have plans for New Year’s Eve? Esme says, not really, and Heather says, there’s something different about her. Did she change her hair? Esme says, no, and Heather says, well, something’s different. Anyway, how’s her little grandbaby Ace? Baby’s first Christmas. She bets he got loaded up with presents from all those rich people, right? Esme says, probably. She doesn’t know. He spent the holidays with Spencer and Trina. Heather says, she’s always been cagey on the details when it comes to Ace. Now Esme is telling her that she let him spend his first Christmas without her? And that look just now on her face when she said Trina’s name. That’s not remorse. That was contempt… Oh, she remembers, doesn’t she?

Trina tells Spencer that one of her professors told her about this art program at the Sorbonne, and she just applied on a whim. She got waitlisted, then she got accepted. Let her just grab her bag. He says, wait a minute. This is a massive opportunity for her. She says she knows, but she can’t go. Not with Curtis about to start his treatment, and she’s really excited about her spring classes, and then there’s him. She’d miss him so much. He says, he’s going to miss her too (um… it’s not like he has a job; he could go), and she says she can travel when she graduates. Paris will always be there. She can wait. He says, this opportunity at the Sorbonne won’t be. She has to go. She has to do this.

Denice says, since this is a tandem dive, Gregory and Alexis will each share a harness with their instructor, and the instructor will release the parachute. Any questions so far? They need to get going. Alexis says she has a question. Did Gregory tell them about his recent stay in the hospital? Gregory says he did, and his doctor signed off on this. It was pure dehydration, that’s all. Alexis tells Denice that she’s done an extensive search on Denice’s safety records with this organization. Alexis knows pretty much all there is to know about her, but she doesn’t know much about the harness. Is it safe, and when was the plane last serviced? Denice promises to answer those questions on the way to the plane, but Alexis tells her that she just wants to say, the gentleman who showed her how to do everything seems very nice and very capable, and she thinks she’ll be safe enough with him. Denice says, that was Dan. He’s gone for the day. Alexis will be fine with Falcon. There he is. Falcon looks like the drummer in a rock band, and Alexis says, no. Gregory says, why don’t they switch? She’s already familiar with Denice. They’ll be fine. Alexis says, no. She’s sorry. Every molecule in her being is telling her not to jump out of that plane. Please forgive her. She said she could do it, but she can’t. She just can’t.

There’s a knock at Nina’s office door, and she says, come on, Sonny. She needs more time than that. She’s not a miracle worker. Cyrus walks in, and says, oh ye of little faith.

Olivia asks Lois, what was the name of that Russian place in Brighton Beach? Talk about dicey. Good vodka though. Hello? Is she talking to herself over here? Lois says, Olivia might have a problem, and Olivia tells her to forget about the secret and just have some fun, but Lois says, no. Look. They see Ned and Carly arguing.

Ned says, Carly wants to send him to prison? Take her best shot. Except he didn’t actually commit a crime, unlike her and Drew. She says, Drew was nearly beaten to death in prison, because of Ned. Ned has to live with that, but if he doesn’t care about that, maybe he cares about his precious company. Valentin Cassadine is MIA. Ned had amnesia, thinking he was some faded rock star. Maybe ELQ deserves a visit from the SEC. He says he doesn’t have to take this. She wants the truth? He’ll tell her exactly why Drew was sent to Pentenville. Michael arrives with the drinks.

Esme asks how Heather could tell just like that, and Heather says she’s been studying Esme since the first moment she laid eyes on her in Spring Ridge. She knows Esme’s face. She knows Esme’s mannerisms. Esme used to look so lost, but just now, she saw something in Esme’s eyes, a glint, a sense of purpose. It’s nice to meet the real Esme. She pats Esme’s hand, and Esme flinches. Heather says she didn’t mean to upset her. It’s a good thing. Esme says she’s just glad to be able to talk to someone about it, and Heather says, Esme has her. Trust her. Pour her heart out. Esme cries a little and says, it’s like she’s two different people. She doesn’t know what to do or what to think. Is she this horrible person who did these things to Spencer and Trina, or is she this mom who loves her son more than anything in the world? And she doesn’t know how she can be both. Heather says, everything’s going to be okay. Does Esme know how she knows? Because Esme did the right thing. She came to see her mother.

Spencer says, there’s so much for Trina to do in Paris when she’s not studying at the Sorbonne. It’s one of his all-time favorite cities, and the best part is that she’s in close proximity to so many other great cities. She’s next to Berlin, Copenhagen, Barcelona… It’s a train ride for her. She says, yeah, but she doesn’t have a command of the language, and he says, it’s not going to be a thing after the first semester. She’s going to be the toast of the town. Every guy is going to falling head over heels for her. Is she kidding him? As a matter of fact, why is he encouraging her to do this? Maybe she should stay. Never mind. Bad idea. She says, you know what could work? He could come with her.

Nina asks what Cyrus is doing here. Does he need something? He says, it’s not what he needs. He’s here to help her. She says she’s fine, and she’s very busy, so if he needs to talk to her for some reason, he should talk to her assistant, and she’ll set up… He picks up a magazine and says, isn’t it amazing how they distract themselves with the mundane in order not to ponder the great mysteries of life? Taking the magazine, Nina says, if they just sat around pondering that, they wouldn’t get anything done. So like she said, she’s busy. He says, very well. He’ll leave her to her work, but remember, she doesn’t walk alone. She flashes back to being in the confessional, and the priest saying, and remember, she doesn’t walk alone. God is always with her. Cyrus says, so, has she set herself free? and Nina looks like she might have a stroke.

Michael asks Ned, so what is the truth? Why exactly did he get himself involved, and more importantly, what exactly did he get out of it? Ned flashes back to Michael giving him the voting proxy on half of Michael’s ELQ shares for keeping his silence about Nina. At the table, Lois looks at Olivia, when Sonny walks in. Ned says, only the satisfaction of being a good citizen. He was looking out for the little guy. Carly says, come on. He was looking out for himself. He wanted power, and he didn’t care who he had to hurt to get it. Ned asks Carly, if he’s such a menace, why is she provoking him? and Michael says, watch it, but Carly says, don’t stop him. What is he going to do to her? Sonny walks up and asks if Ned doesn’t think he’s caused enough damage.

Lois says, great, now Sonny’s involved, and Olivia says, Lois told her that she wanted to stay out of the Quartermaine’s affairs, so why doesn’t she do that? Lois says, because she hates seeing Ned being called out in public for something he didn’t do, and Olivia says, it’s complicated. Lois doesn’t understand. Ned is doing what he thinks he has to do for the family. Could she please just accept that and move on?

Ned says, Sonny is going to lecture him about damage? The man who’s left a swath of broken lives and destruction in his wake? Michael says, this isn’t the time or place. They don’t want to make a scene. Can they all agree on that? Sonny says he’s good, and Michael suggests he and Ned talk in private. They leave, and Sonny asks if Carly is okay. She says she was. Now she’s not so sure.

Lois asks if that looks like positive momentum to Olivia? How is it that another war between the Corinthos and Quartermaine families better than the truth?

Gregory tells Alexis that he’s sorry. He thought this would be fun. She shouldn’t feel obligated to do something she doesn’t want to do. He tells the instructors, thanks. He appreciates the prep and the time, but he’s calling off the jump. Falcon says, it’s all right, but Alexis says, no, it’s not all right. Hold on. Don’t go anywhere. She tells Gregory that she’s all over the place. It’s not even just the jump. It’s the girls. She’s worried. She just has a lot on her mind. Does he think they could talk by themselves, just for a minute? Gregory asks if they can be given one more minute and gets the okay signal from Falcon. Gregory asks, what’s going on? and Alexis says, it’s the girls. She’s worried. There’s been a new development. Sam is savvy. If Alexis dies, she’ll be fine, but Kristina and Molly, no. They cannot exist without her. They need their mother. They need her to protect them. He says, so she wants to protect her kids and keep them from getting hurt if they jump, but they’re adults. And as adults, they can choose when and if they jump, and if they do, they’re going to have to pull their own ripcords. She says, did he just do a skydiving analogy? It was good. He says, letting their kids go is the ultimate test. He tried to shield Chase from his illness with disastrous results. Remember? But Chase forgave him. Their kids are full of surprises. They never know what they’ll become or what they’re capable of. He has to believe his kids are going to grow and learn and thrive and make mistakes, but survive. And that belief, that faith, gives him great comfort, and great courage. Alexis says, Denice, Marlon… Gregory says, Falcon, and she says, Falcon, let’s get a move on. Gregory asks if she’s sure, and Alexis says she’s sure… No, she’s not sure, but she said she was going to jump out of the damn plane, so she’s going to jump out of the damn plane. Damn it. They head to the damn plane.

Heather asks if anyone else knows about Esme’s memory coming back, and Esme says, not really. She tried telling… Heather says, but she didn’t, and Esme says, no, but… Heather says, absolutely not. Zip it and keep it zipped. Esme asks how she can go one pretending that she doesn’t remember anything, and Heather says, she inherited the familial talent for misdirection. Besides, she’s done it before. Esme says, but not like this. Pretending she’s sorry for all the bad things the old Esme did. Heather says, and she really doesn’t feel bad about it, and Esme says she did. When she didn’t remember any of it, it was horrifying. But now that she remembers why she did it and felt so justified, it’s because it was justified. Heather says, exactly. So just keep telling them exactly what they want to hear. She’s made a fresh start and now she’s a different person. Esme asks where that gets her. She’s still a single mom, Alexis Davis’s drudge, and a witness to Spencer and Trina’s insipid happily ever after. And she’s unable to do a thing about it. Heather smiles. (Just for the record, although I’m thrilled with the visit to Heather, I’m not loving Esme’s 180. Or is it really a 360?)

Trina says she knows Spencer can’t come with her, but when she opened it, she started daydreaming about how amazing it would be if they could be together. But she knows he can’t leave Ace, so just forget she said it. He says, she knows how much he loves her, and he’d never want her to think he’s prioritizing Ace over her. She says she doesn’t, and he says, but Esme’s moved out and she’s Ace’s primary caregiver. Maybe they can find a way. He can fly back on weekends as long as Esme will let him see Ace. She says, wait a minute. What is he saying? He tells her that he’s saying, when the woman you love invites you to go to Paris, you say yes. They kiss.

Nina says, Cyrus was at All Saints. That’s just so wrong. He’s not a priest. She doesn’t know what he thinks he heard… He says, more than enough. He and Drew Cain became friendly when they were Pentenville. Drew saved his life actually, and after Drew was attacked, he was able to return the favor. Drew had a very hard time inside. All he wanted to do was get back to the woman he loved, the woman he sacrificed his freedom for. Carly Spencer, formerly Carly Corinthos, her husband’s ex-wife, the mother of his children. She says, he’s a hypocrite. He listened to her confession? How could he be so dishonest? She thought she was talking to a man of God. He says, she was. Just as she is now. So how can he help her?

Sonny asks if Carly wants to tell him what that was all about, and Carly says she told Ned what she thought about him, for obvious reasons. Sonny says, good. Now it’s his turn. Carly stops him, and says, he’s not worth it. And she needs something stronger than this. She picks up her champagne glass and heads for the bar.

In the hallway, Ned tells Michael, it’s New Year’s Eve. He doesn’t want to talk about it. Sonny comes by and tells Ned, it’s not over between them, then disappears. Michael says, they had an agreement.

Lois tells Olivia, if Sonny thinks Ned harmed Carly, he’s not going to let it go. He’s going to finish it. Now what’s going on with those two? They look over to see Michael and Ned talking, and Olivia says, probably talking about ELQ. Lois says she thought Michael was trying to push Ned out, but Olivia says, quite the opposite. Ned has been taking on more responsibility. Michael’s even given him his proxy. It’s all good. Lois says, wait a second. Michael handed over his control of ELQ? Why would he do that? Olivia asks why she cares. She swears Lois always does this. She gets something in her head, and she can’t leave it alone. Like the time Lois’s mother was planning a surprise party for her for months and she ruined it. Lois says, okay. Let her think. Did Michael do this to keep Ned quiet? Because it must be something big… Ooh. Oh my God. Did Michael turn his own mother in to the SEC?

Sonny tells Carly that he’s sorry. He had to interfere. He just doesn’t like Ned treating her like that. He knows she can hold her own, but… She says, that’s okay. She needed the distraction. It stopped her from throwing her drink in Ned’s face. That would have been a perfect ending to a perfect year, right? He says, the night’s still young, and she says, not for her. She’s going to go. Will he tell Michael that she left and have a happy New Year? He says, she’s not going to stay for the countdown? Come on. She says, it’s going to make her miss Drew even more, so have a happy New Year. She leaves.

Olivia tells Lois, no. Michael did not turn his own mother in to the SEC. Lois says, then make it make sense. Why would Michael hand over control of ELQ to Ned? Does Tracy have something on Michael? Or are Ned and Tracy planning something? Olivia says, stop this. Stop overthinking it. Just let it go. Lois says she can’t, because it stinks to high heaven. But Olivia was right about one thing. She is overthinking this. She thinks the answer is right here in front of her face. And here’s what she thinks. She thinks Ned has something on Michael, and Michael is paying off Ned to keep him quiet. Is she right?

Nina asks what Cyrus wants. Money? He laughs and says, of course (🍷). No, he doesn’t need money. He has the riches of the kingdom of God. What he wants is for her to confess. Not to a priest in a cubicle, but to the people she hurt. She says, what good would that do? Drew is free, Carly is moving on, the Corinthos family is coming together. What good would it do dredging up the past? He says, did she or did she not send a good man to prison? Where he was beaten to a pulp. Did she or did she not try to separate a mother from her children and separate a man from his child, all out of spite and wickedness. She tells him, cut the sermon. Please. He’s more a man of the orange jumpsuit than a man of the cloth (ha-ha-ha!). He’s a criminal, a blackmailer, so what’s his angle? What is he planning to do with what he knows?

Basking in the afterglow, Spencer says, there’s a church over there that he and Trina should go to. It’s got a little walled-off garden next to it, then down the street, there’s this really quaint and cute restaurant. It makes the best crepes she’s ever had in her life. They’re simple, but they’re very delicious. He thinks she’ll like them. She says, sounds like heaven, but it’s one thing to daydream and another to live in reality. Maybe he should think about this. He says, no. They’re doing this. This is happening. He’s not letting them back out of this. She says, okay, and he says, because he was in Europe once and when he was, it was very, very lonely and depressing. So hopefully, this will give him a new opportunity or new chance to experience it with fresh eyes with someone he loves. So he doesn’t need any time to think about it. He knows exactly what he wants. He wants to be in Paris with her. She kisses him, and he says, fireworks. She says, he got that right… but he says, no, the real ones up there. They can make it if they hurry. He jumps out of bed.

Heather tells Esme, forget those twerps. She was always way too good for Spencer anyway. She won. She got Ace, and that’s everything. She’s still got the upper hand, so don’t blow it by admitting she got her memory back. She’s a really good mother to Ace, right? Esme says, yeah, she is, and Heather says, then just keep up the charade, for his sake. And be sure to practice a little self-care. Esme says, what? Like a spa day? Heather says, no. Like she’s young. She’s beautiful. Smart as a friggin’ whip. Go put on a party dress and get out there. Maybe she’ll meet somebody new. It’s New Year’s Eve. Meet somebody who’s worthy of her. Come and see her mother again. She’ll help Esme keep her head on straight. Keep her memories to herself. As much as she’d like to see more of Esme, she has way too bright of a future to squander it in this place. Esme takes Heather’s hands and says she will, and thanks her. Heather says, anytime. It was a pleasure to finally meet her daughter… all of her.

Ned says he and Michael may need to revisit the terms of their agreement if Carly’s going to start harassing him in public. Michael says, Ned is being well-compensated for his trouble. Michael’s proxy gives him controlling interest of ELQ. If that’s not good enough for him, he’ll go get Willow. Because she deserves to hear the truth about Nina before Ned announces it to the entire world. Ned says, you’re bluffing, and Michael says, try me.

Lois says, what on earth could Ned have on Michael that would make him give up control of ELQ? and Olivia shushes her and says, stop it. She calls over to Sonny, and he joins them. He says, you ladies look marvelous, and Lois thanks him. They hug, and Sonny kisses Olivia on the cheek. She says, he’s looking handsome as always. Where’s Nina this evening? He says, she’s working. She said she’ll be here by midnight. Lois says, no. He has to get her here, because the person you kiss at midnight is the person you’ll be with for the rest of the year.😱 He says, in that case, he should call and see what’s going on. He excuses himself, and leaves. Lois says, ho-ho. Like she said. Right in front of her face. It was never about Drew getting in trouble with the Feds. The intended target was always Carly. Olivia says, Lois… Lois says, Carly, who acted on inside information. So whoever tipped off the SEC had to believe that Carly would be the one who would wind up in prison. And who had the incentive of getting rid of Carly. How about the person who is currently married to her ex-husband? Nina. Nina’s the one who tipped off the SEC. Olivia looks worn-out, but Lois breathes a sigh of relief and drinks some champagne.

Out in the middle of somewhere, Alexis tells Falcon that her heart is still beating outside her chest. Will it stop? Will it be regulated? Or did she live so that she can die now? He says, probably. Pretty rad, huh? They do a fancy handshake, and Falcon starts to walk away. She asks, where’s Gregory? Did he jump? Is he dead? Falcon leaves, and Alexis calls to Gregory. Gregory says he’s here. Sorry he’s late. Traffic. She hugs him, and he says, easy does it. She says she loved it, and he laughs. She says, it was amazing. Soaring through the sky and the perspective that she saw of the world looking down. It was so beautiful. It was amazing. It was extraordinary. It was transformative. It was probably the most transformative moment of her… He kisses her. Then she kisses him.

Carly walks into Sonny’s old kitchen and throws her bag on the counter, knowing she’s never alone when the moss bowl🎍is there. She goes to the sink and is startled by an air horn. She moves toward the door, when Drew comes in. He says, happy New Year, and she runs into his arms. She says, it is now, and they kiss.

Nina asks what Cyrus is planning to do with this information, but he says, nothing. She says, so he doesn’t want anything in exchange for him keeping quiet, and he says he’ll settle for her redemption. She asks if he knows that Carly and Drew aren’t the only injured parties here. She almost lost the only daughter she had left before she even knew she was her daughter. He tells her, look at what a tangled web she’s woven. Did she really think it would never unravel? The guilt is already weighing on her and pulling her down closer to the gates of hell. Hell is a state of mind. It robs you of your peace and your chance to experience real joy. All this bartering and deal making to avoid telling the truth. She asks why he’s here. He doesn’t know her. He doesn’t give a damn about her. He says he’s been her. He’s justified his lies, and it only makes for more lies and moving further away from everything that matters. That’s why he tries only to tell the truth now. She tells him, so this is his way of saying, if she doesn’t confess, he will, and he says, karma, fate, providence, they all point to the same thing. That is, your actions determine your life’s destiny. Just think of all the hurt she can undo with just a few simple words. All the clarity she can give to Carly and Drew and her husband, Sonny Corinthos. Nina’s phone rings and she sees it’s Sonny. She picks up the phone, looking pained.

Olivia says she’s begging Lois, please do not say a word about this to anyone. Lois says, how could she not have told Sonny this? Nina, his wife, called the cops on Carly and Drew. Why hasn’t Ned said anything? Olivia says, because he knows how many people would be hurt if he did. Sonny is happy with Nina. Nina and Carly have a truce off sorts. Drew is out of prison and his life is back to normal. What good could it possibly do to dredge all this up again? Ned comes back and asks if Olivia is ready to go. Olivia says, they’re in the middle of a conversation here, and Ned says, let’s take that conversation on their way to the docks. They’ve got fireworks. Lois says she’ll meet them out there. She’s going to powder her nose. Ned says, see her over there, and steers Olivia out. Sonny comes over to Lois and says, he left a message for Nina. She’s going to meet them. Does Lois want to walk with him over to the docks? She say she’s sorry, but he’s going to miss the fireworks this year.

Drew and Carly kiss their way into the bedroom as the fireworks go off. The real ones, outside. They get busy.

Gregory and Alexis smile at each other and look up at the sky. She puts her head on his shoulder.

Spencer and Trina watch from the rooftop. He says he’d follow her anywhere. Esme watches from behind them, her hand balled into a fist.

Cyrus says, Nina didn’t answer her call, and she says she should have handed him the phone. It was Sonny. He says he won’t tell Sonny. He wouldn’t want to rob her for her chance at salvation. She has to confess; no one can do it for her. She says she didn’t want him to know. It’s going to hurt him. She prayed that he would never, never know. He says, try praying for the truth to set her free, and she says, if anyone should tell Sonny, it should be her. He says, that’s right. That’s good. That’s all he wanted to hear. New year, new beginnings. He says he has faith that she’ll do the right thing. Until then, he won’t be far.

Sonny asks if Lois has something on her mind, and she says, he has a right to know what’s going on. He says, get to the point, and she says, they’re lying to him. He says, who? and she says, his family. They’re all lying to him.

Next week, Carly says, this is gonna be a good year; Olivia tells Ned, get back there, now; Brook tells Chase, better to ask for forgiveness than ask for permission; Willow asks for Nina’s help; and Lois tells Sonny that she knows who really ratted Carly and Drew out to the SEC.

🥜 Sometimes She Feels Like a Nut…

She’s back and brought her crazy with her.

🧼 Who’s Ringing It In…

Spoiler: GH is not on.

🎪 Matter Of Opinion…

And were there really any top moments?

🪦 What’s Up With the Dead…

Coming in February.

https://undeadwalking.com/posts/is-the-rick-michonne-series-the-walking-dead-the-ones-who-live-a-limited-series

It’s coming. They just don’t know when.

https://undeadwalking.com/2023/12/10/walking-dead-city-season-2-whats-coming/

Sometime in 2024.

https://undeadwalking.com/2023/12/18/walking-dead-daryl-dixon-season-2-premiere-2024/

https://undeadwalking.com/posts/the-walking-dead-daryl-dixon-wraps-season-2-cast-post-images

And the rest.

https://undeadwalking.com/posts/the-walking-dead-universe-what-s-to-come-in-2024

🩰 Something Random…

You can’t blame her for taking a shot at relevance.

https://ew.com/dance-moms-abby-lee-miller-travis-kelce-better-dancer-taylor-swift-8418858

📺 Give Me the Remote…

Coming to a small screen near you on New Year’s Eve.

https://nypost.com/2023/12/29/entertainment/how-to-watch-the-ball-drop-on-new-years-eve-a-guide-to-all-the-tv-specials/

🎊 All About Eve…

If you’re going to a party or giving one.

https://www.southernliving.com/holidays-occasions/new-years/new-years-eve-party-guest

https://bestlifeonline.com/new-years-eve-party-etiquette/

For party goers or not.

https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/holidays-celebrations/g42099986/things-to-do-new-years-eve/

But I’m not going around the block with an empty suitcase.

https://www.womansday.com/life/g34886062/things-to-do-on-new-years-eve/

https://www.popsugar.com/smart-living/fun-ways-to-celebrate-new-years-eve-at-home-48052534

If you’re spending it alone.

https://www.verywellmind.com/how-do-i-cope-when-i-am-alone-on-new-years-eve-3024303

Keeping it stress free for the pets.

https://www.four-paws.org/our-stories/publications-guides/new-years-eve-minimising-your-pets-stress

https://barkio.com/en/blog/article/how-to-spend-a-stress-free-new-year-s-eve-celebration-with-your-pet

🦏 Born On Christmas Day…

Unbelievably cute. Those little ears!

https://people.com/zoo-atlanta-welcomes-first-white-rhino-calf-ever-on-christmas-eve-8420147

🐩 Slide Into Their DMs…

Pets are influencers too.

https://people.com/celebrity-pets-with-their-own-instagram-accounts-7567698

https://influencers.feedspot.com/pet_instagram_influencers/

🦜 Quotes of the Week

A good education is not so much one which prepares a man to succeed in the world, as one which enables him to sustain a failure. – Bernard Iddings Bell

You need to be aware of what others are doing, applaud their efforts, acknowledge their successes, and encourage them in their pursuits. When we all help one another, everybody wins. – Jim Stovall

If you don’t sleep, you go loco. – Max Salvador, Below Deck Mediterranean

In our world, old friendships are hereditary. – Agnes van Rhijn (Christine Baranski), The Gilded Age.

If you hear a voice within you say, you cannot paint, then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced. – Vincent Van Gogh

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. – Robert Brault

There’s not much to see actually. We’re inside a Chinese dragon. – Howard (Ryan O’Neal), What’s Up, Doc?

Maintain composure in times of heightened emotion, reacting only when thoughts are calm and clear. Being sensible will open doors for solutions and creativity. – Jaren L. Davis

You know how to stop this? Stop it. – Dr. Phil

Life is a dream for the wise, a game for the fool, a comedy for the rich, a tragedy for the poor. – Sholem Aleichem

I don’t want to be a man. I want my cereal – Jordan Thomkins (Jeremy Suarez), The Bernie Mac Show

Sometimes a person has to go a very long distance out of his way to come back a short distance correctly. – Jerry, The Zoo Story by Edward Albee

El Wray sez: Happy New Year!

🥂 Auld Lang Syne-ing Off…

Wishing you all good things in the New Year and no pressure on the Eve beforehand. Make a resolution, don’t make a resolution; party, don’t party. You do you. Join me for going back to the old soap grind after New Year’s Day. Dare I say it? See you next year. Until then, stay safe, stay following your own path, and stay remembering, your actions determine your life’s destiny.

December 28, 2023 – Lucy Begins Step One Of Her Plan, Jake 2.0, Salty Talk, VanderChat, Another Roll Call, Traditions, Times Square, New Year Pets (!) & Loved

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

At the Home & Heart set, Maxie asks if they think it’s too much or not enough, and Brook says, if her mom were here, she’d say, there’s never too much. Tracy says, the viewers may not agree, and Maxie asks if she thinks they should ease up on the cowboy props. Tracy says she’s all for a little Western flair, but she doesn’t want it to evolve into kitsch. Brook asks what Sasha thinks, and Sasha says she thinks the art department did a great job. It’s a little over the top, but isn’t that the point? They’re selling a fantasy, right? Brook says, if you’re lucky enough, sometimes fantasies come true, and Tracy says, usually with a lot of hard work and some money. Not that Lucy Coe would have any idea about that. She’s a spendthrift with the attention span of a gnat. Maxie says, her fantasy is Tracy and Lucy not going at each other’s throats, and Sasha says she’s just glad she missed the fireworks… Although she’s so sorry she was late. Maxie says, that’s okay. She was there for most of the meeting. Brook says, Sasha never told them where she was, and Sasha says she was with Cody. They lost track of time. Maxie says, really? Has something changed between the two of them? Cody walks in, and probably wonders why everyone is looking at him.

Elizabeth goes over some hospital things on the phone, and watches as Finn gets in the elevator.

Lois walks into the nook and says, something smells so good. Olivia says she finally got around to making that post-Christmas turkey soup, and Lois says she told Olivia that she wanted to help with that. Olivia says she’s sorry. It totally slipped her mind. But what’s done is done. She’s got to make sure it’s on the low burner… Lois asks, why does it feel like Olivia’s been avoiding her since Christmas? but Olivia says, no. She’s happy to have Lois in the house. Lois says, if she’s done anything to upset Olivia, she wants to know, but Olivia says, it’s not that. It’s not Lois; it’s her. Lois says, what about her? and Olivia says, it’s nothing. It’s not a thing. She really has to check the soup. Lois says, not until Olivia tells her what’s going on with her, and Olivia asks if she betrayed Lois when she married Ned.

Alexis goes to the penthouse, and Sonny asks what brings her by. She says she’s there to ask a favor, and he says, she never asks for a favor, but she says, this is an exception. She needs Sonny to tell her that she’s wrong.

Kristina is reading What To Expect When You’re Expecting, and there’s a knock at the door. She puts the book behind a couch pillow and opens the door to TJ. She says, Molly’s not with him? but he says, it’s just him. She asks him to come in, and he says, this is actually Molly’s idea. She thought it would be better if they talked privately. Kristina says, that sounds ominous. Is Molly okay? He says, her sister’s fine. She told him about the conversation they had with Alexis. Kristina says, it was more like a lecture on legal ramifications and some obscure law that only applies to surrogacy with a donor egg. He says, it made him realize they have to set some things straight, and she asks if he’s changed his mind about her.

Behind the scenes at Home & Heart, Lucy says, Scotty remembers the plan, right? and he says, yes. He picks a fight with Lucy and Tracy overhears, but it’s not much of a plan as far as he’s concerned. She says, it’s just step one, and he asks to circle back to the part where he marries Tracy. What’s in it for him? She tells him to keep his voice down and focus on the task at hand. They have to make Tracy believe they’ve had this huge falling out, so she sees Scotty as an ally, and he has a chance to charm her pants off. He says, wait a minute. He’s not Sir Lawrence Olivier here, and she says, he’s not, but just focus on the goal. And the goal is their satisfaction in knocking Tracy down to size and taking her for everything she’s worth. He says he loves when she gets into scheming mode, and she says, then get ready, because she’s just getting started.

Sonny says he and Alexis have known each other a long time. He doesn’t think she’s ever asked him to disagree with her, but he’ll give it his best shot. She says, don’t get used to it, and he says he assumes this is about Kristina. She asks if he’s aware Kristina is now going to be the egg donor as well as the surrogate, and he says, Kristina filled him in. She says, that’s it? That’s the reaction? How can he be so calm? Doesn’t he see how this can tear the girls apart? He says, how so? and she says, for starters, there is no contract between TJ, Molly, and Kristina that’s legally binding, which means that Kristina, at any given point, can change her mind after she becomes pregnant. And there’s no legal remedy because it’s her biological child. He says he talked to Kristina. She’s thought long and hard about it and knows it’s a huge responsibility. Does Alexis think otherwise? Alexis says she does, because Kristina’s never been pregnant before. She doesn’t know what it’s like, and Alexis is concerned it will be harder than Kristina expects. He says, like it was hard for her to give up Sam? and she says, that was vastly different circumstances, but yes. So this could not only be problematic for Kristina and Molly, but for the entire family, because it would put them in a position where they have to pick sides, which is impossible. This could be a nightmare. He asks if this is where she wants him to tell her that she’s wrong, and she says, yes. She’s underestimated Kristina in the past, so tell her. Is she doing it again?

There’s a knock at Finn’s office door, and Elizabeth says, hey. He says, enter at your own risk, and she says she saw him coming out of the OR. He seemed to be in a mood. Did something happen in surgery? He says, no. Everything was by the numbers, no complications. She says, then why the mood? and he says, because Dr. Warris had to waste her valuable time watching over him. She didn’t assist him. She just stood there watching, because apparently, after 25 years of doing this, he can’t operate without having someone supervise him. And he guesses he’s just tired of having this lawsuit hanging over him. She says she knows. It’s beyond frustrating having your every move monitored. He says he’s dedicated his entire professional life to medicine, to healing people. Amy just told him that three of his patients would like their files transferred to other doctors. He hasn’t gotten a chance to defend himself, and already his reputation is taking a hit. She tells him to remember that Monica and the GH board are behind him, and he says he appreciates that. If he loses this case, insurance will pay out the damages, but they’ll drop him as a client. If that happens, he’ll be unable to get malpractice insurance elsewhere, and at that point, the hospital will have no choice but to let him go. (Wow. That’s a bigger racket than health, homeowners, and flood insurance combined.) She says, he needs to remember he did nothing wrong, and he says, how do they make the jury believe that?

Scotty loudly tells Lucy, come on. This is just a sales appearance. She doesn’t need the Deception lawyer here. Besides, he’s very important. He’s got a lot of high-end clients. Lucy says, he’s so important. Look at him. She pays him a lot of money, and he comes showing up in an outfit like that, all scruffy? He asks, what’s wrong with this outfit? and she says, it’s kind of like business wrinkled. He says, it’s not… Tracy runs over and says, please. Zip it. If they have to talk, modulate their voices. Try to act like professionals.

Julie says she can take Sasha and Cody to their dressing rooms now, and they follow her. Felicia comes in, and Maxie asks what she’s doing here. Wait, she has to answer this email really quick. Cody glances back at Felicia, and Felicia watches Cody as he goes to the dressing room.

Lois asks, where on earth did that come from? and Olivia tells her that she’s just saying. She knew Ned was Lois’s husband when she came to Port Charles, but she fell for him anyway. Lois says, that was like, six years ago. Olivia and Ned have been married most of that time. They broke up, they got back together… Why is this coming up right now? Oliva flashes back to Tracy asking if it doesn’t bother Lois that Olivia married her former husband, and Olivia says she knows Lois came to Port Charles because Lois read the article about Brook being fired from Deception and she’s Lois’s daughter; that’s her priority. Lois says, of course (🍷) she is, and Olivia says, but Lois has been here since before Thanksgiving. That’s a long time and she’s Olivia’s best friend. They never talked about her marrying Lois’s ex-husband, and she’s got to wonder, is there a reason for that? Lois wonders if Olivia is asking if she has thoughts about her best friend marrying her ex-husband, and Olivia says, yes. Lois says, you bet I do.

Sonny says, is Alexis underestimating their daughter? Maybe, maybe not, but the way he sees it, he’s proud that their daughter is willing to carry her sister’s baby. And he thinks Kristina’s proud. That’s even more important. All those years they saw her struggling with her self-esteem… It makes sense, because she has parents who are driven and successful. He always felt that Kristina was kind of lost, personally and professionally, and he thinks things have changed now. She says, he may be right. She’s noticed since Kristina started developing the youth center, she’s more focused and more mature. Sonny says, she’s gotten past the self-doubt that’s been holding her back in the past, and Alexis says she thinks it’s wonderful that Kristina has this new-found confidence, and she knows Kristina’s intentions are good. But sometimes life has a way of upending your intentions. Look at them. It’s not like they planned on having a baby together. He says, plans change, and she says, that’s her point though. When Kristina said she wanted to be the surrogate, Alexis was concerned, but thought, that’s doable. But now that the baby is going to be biologically hers, it makes it all more complicated. He asks if she can imagine a life without Kristina, regardless of how she got here, and she says, no. Of course (🍷) she can’t. He asks if she knows why. Because babies change everything.

Kristina says, this is exactly what she was afraid of, because TJ never really wanted her to be the surrogate. He only went along with it because it’s what Molly wanted, and now that her mother has announced there’s no legally binding contract, he’s having second thoughts. He asks if she can stop telling him what he thinks long enough for him to actually talk, and she says, yes. Sorry. He says, part of him loves the fact that if they use her egg, both he and Molly will be biologically related to the baby. On top of that, it’s a huge relief that she and Molly have reconciled and gotten past their differences. It makes him happy to see Molly this happy. Kristina says, so what’s the problem? and he says, in many ways, she’s the ideal egg donor, but Alexis is right about the legal situation. So he needs to hear for himself from her lips that he and Molly will be the parents of this baby and Kristina will be the aunt. Nothing more, nothing less. Can Kristina actually live with that?

Tracy says, Brook has been distracted since she got that call from Chase, and Brook says, he was with Gregory at the hospital. Tracy asks, what happened? and Brook tells her, Chase said he took a hot yoga class, so they’re hoping it was just dehydration. Tracy says, maybe it’s his ALS, and Brook says, he was admitted to the hospital for the night, and they’re going to check everything and make sure he’s okay. She sees Julie and asks if Julie can give the director a note from the Deception team. When the models come out on stage, can she tell him to make sure the products are all featured at every camera angle? She knows Sasha and Cody are both very good-looking people, but they’re selling products, not models. Julie leaves, and Tracy says, good note. Very astute.

Maxie says she appreciates the support, but she also knows Felicia doesn’t stop by her work for no reason. Is she still on the Cody-is-Mac’s-son train? Felicia says she’s really proud of Maxie. She thinks it’s great that Home & Heart booked Deception as a repeat performance so soon after the last one. Maxie says, their last appearance here, they sold out in 20 minutes, and she has the feeling this is going to be just as good, if not better. She thinks it’s safe to say, Deception is back. They hug.

Cody and Sasha come back out, and Cody says, Felicia is only hanging around because she’s suspicious of him. She says, or he could see it as Felicia wanting the husband she loves to know he has a son. He says he already told her why that can’t happen. Not only does Mac deserve a better son than him, but he already signed a document saying he’s Taub’s son. It’s fraud and perjury. He can’t risk that coming out. She says, try not to worry. She promises she’ll help him keep an eye on Felicia. The hairstylist says she’s ready to work on Cody’s hair, and Cody sits in the chair at her station. Felicia gives him the side-eye.

Elizabeth says, Finn and Dennis Muldoon were chatting at a school function. He mentioned he was having some symptoms, and Finn suggested Muldoon come see him as a patient. Finn says, Mr. Muldoon had been a patient here at General Hospital for several years. He thinks they were in network for his insurance, and before he came to see Finn, Finn went over his entire history. Over all, in pretty good health. She says, the man had Stage IV colon cancer. He must have had some symptoms. He says, they both know people who have ignored symptoms for months. Sometimes it’s people who are too busy to see a doctor; sometimes they’re too afraid to see a doctor. Unless Muldoon saw a doctor out of network. She asks if he means like when he was overseas, and he says, it’s possible. He was thinking something closer to home. He remembers Muldoon mentioning something about having a vacation home in Beechers Corners. He used to try to juggle his schedule so he could spend at least a month there in May or June. She asks if Finn thinks he could have seen a doctor there, and he says, if he did, he would have paid for it out of pocket. That wouldn’t show up in his file at GH. And if he did see a doctor within two or three months of seeing Finn for the first time, it’s another doctor who didn’t detect the cancer either.

Sonny tells Alexis, this isn’t a closed adoption where Kristina isn’t going to know what happened to the baby. She’s always going to be in the child’s life as the aunt. She’s going to watch that baby grow and thrive with terrific parents like TJ and Molly and Alexis and Jordan. Alexis asks if he doesn’t think that could make things worse possibly. How hard does he think it will be for Kristina to stand on the sidelines and watch someone else raise her biological child? What if she doesn’t like the way Molly and TJ are parenting? He says, like how? and she says, Molly’s a vegan. Kristina is not. How long does he think it will be before she slips the kid a cheeseburger at Charlie’s? He says, what if he slipped the kid a cheeseburger. He’s the grandfather biologically, right? She says, no, he’s not. That’s just her point. He’s not the grandfather. He’d be the great-uncle because he’s Molly’s uncle. Does he see how confusing this is? If it’s confusing for her and Sonny, think how confusing it will be for them. This could tear the whole family apart.

Olivia and Lois have some wine, and Lois says she loves Ned. He’s the father of her child. They’ve been through so much together, but she is not in love with Ned. She hasn’t been in love with Ned for years and years and years, and she only wants what’s best for him. And Olivia is the best. It does her heart good to see how happy they are together. Olivia says, it does? and Lois says, of course (🍷) it does. Olivia says, thank God, and Lois says she doesn’t get it. Olivia thought she’d have a problem with her being married to Ned? That she, Lois Cerullo, who Olivia has known her whole life, would sit on her feelings? Come on. Does that even sound like her? Olivia says she doesn’t know what she was thinking. She was a big dummy. Lois says, okay, so what happened at Christmas that got her so freaked out? and Olivia says, Tracy. Lois says, of course (🍷) it was Tracy. What did Tracy say? Olivia tells her, it’s not so much what she said. Tracy insinuated that she should be very eager for Lois to leave because of her history with Ned. Lois laughs and says, think about it. Of course (🍷) Tracy wants her out of this house, because like oil and water, they do not mix. And they both have major differences of opinion on what’s best for Brook. Olivia says she knows. She’s sorry. She can’t believe she fell for Tracy’s nonsense. Lois tells her not to beat herself up about it. Tracy excels at getting into people’s heads. It’s a typical Quartermaine trait. Olivia says, for what it’s worth (🍷), she’s so happy to have Lois here. And not just for Brook’s sake, but for her own too. Lois says, Olivia can just think of it as payback. Back in the day, growing up in the neighborhood, Olivia was the coolest chick she knew, and when all of those mean girls started coming after her, Olivia was the one who had her back. Olivia says, that’s not exactly the way she remembers it. She remembers Lois being very tough and learning pretty quickly how to take care of herself. Lois says, that is true, but Olivia’s always been way tougher than she’s been. This proves it. She’s living with the Quartermaines. She couldn’t do it, but Olivia can. They clink glasses.

Maxie asks if she can talk to Sasha for a second, and Sasha asks, what’s up? Maxie says she just wanted to see how it’s going working with Cody. They look great together on camera, but she knows it’s probably a strain working with him because Sasha has feelings for him. Sasha says, Cody has been great. She really enjoys working with him. Maybe too much. Maxie says, that’s good. She knows Sasha has had a tough year. Sasha says she trusted the wrong people. One more reason she really needs to work on herself before she can even think of starting a new relationship. But that’s for her and Cody to figure out; professionally, they’re great. Maxie says, that’s good, because they’re becoming one of Deception’s biggest assets. Sasha looks around and wonders where Maxie’s mom went.

Felicia watches as the hairstylist finishes with Cody. He goes to the set, and Felicia tells the hairstylist that she heard the producer was looking for her. She leaves, and Felicia takes a tissue and puts the hair from the brush into a plastic bag.

Sasha tells Cody that she’s sorry. She lost track of Felicia.

Maxie says she needs to take care of something right now, and leaves the set. Tracy tells Sasha and Cody that they’re ready for their spokesmodels, and Lucy says, by the way, they look awesome, but something’s missing. Something’s not quite right. She looks around and says she’s got it. She takes a cowboy hat off a prop cactus and says, they’ll place that on Cody’s head… and look at that. He’s definitely a romantic, rugged cowboy. Just the image they need. Tracy says, it’s all wrong, and takes the hat off Cody’s head. It casts a shadow on his face and you can’t see his beautiful eyes. Scotty says he thinks Tracy’s right about the cowboy hat, and Lucy says, did she ask for his input? He asks if she’s the only one who’s allowed to have an opinion around here, and she says, he’s an attorney. What does he know about fashion? Obviously. He says he’s just trying to give her a guy’s point of view here, and she says, obviously, he doesn’t know the female perspective. No wonder Liesl dumped him. Everyone looks somewhere else, anywhere but at Scotty.

Elizabeth says, so if another doctor, maybe even multiple doctors missed Muldoon’s colon cancer, that could be good for Finn’s case. Finn says he gets why it’s difficult for juries to understand medical complexities in a malpractice suits. From a jury’s standpoint, this man came in with a simple stomach ailment, and is somehow dying of cancer, leaving the family behind, because Finn found the tapeworm, but didn’t discover the cancer until later. They assume that must be negligence on his part. She says, so if they can prove to the jury that another doctor missed the cancer… He says, it might help them to understand how difficult it is to make a diagnosis based on Muldoon’s symptoms. He doesn’t know. What does she think? She says she thinks it’s going to work.

Kristina says she gets why TJ is asking these questions. She does have a well-earned reputation for leaping before she looks, but she can assure him, she’s really done a lot of soul searching about this, and she doesn’t want children of her own. At least right now at this point in her life. He asks if she’s sure, and she says, pretty sure. And she’s excited to be pregnant and go on this journey of course (🍷). She’s going to love this baby, and it’s a little bit more intense now that they’re using her egg of course (🍷), but it’s going to be special. And maybe she will even have a special connection to it, but once this baby is born, she’s more than content to step back and let him and Molly be parents, so she can just keep being that cool aunt. He says she has no idea how good it feels to hear her say that, and she says she’s happy to help him and Molly finally have a baby. She’s also happy, after the baby’s born, to focus on running her center. She promises she knows what she’s getting herself into.

Scotty says he knows Lucy can fight dirty, but this is an all-time low. You know what? He’s not going to be her lawyer anymore. Find herself another top-drawer attorney. He quits. He walks off, and Lucy says, fine. She’s glad he quits. She’s just going to find another attorney tomorrow. So about the hat… Tracy says she hasn’t changed her mind about the hat, and Lucy says, neither has she, picking it up. Cody says, if they don’t mind hearing from one of the models, he has an idea that might make Lucy and Tracy both happy. Brook asks, what’s his idea? and he says, how about – he takes the hat from Lucy and puts it on – they start off with the hat on, then they take it off. He takes it off with a flourish, and Lucy says, okey-dokey. She guesses that might work. Tracy says, let’s try it. (He’s a genius!)

Felicia puts the bag in an envelope and seals it. Apparently, no one cares that she doesn’t belong there and is taking something from the hairstylist’s station. Sasha comes along and asks if she’s enjoying herself, and Felicia says, yes. Being backstage is always so fascinating. So much goes into making a TV show. Sasha says, rehearsal is starting. Does she want to watch? Felicia says, absolutely, and heads for the stage. Sasha notices the hairbrushes lined up on the station table.

Olivia says, life here is definitely more difficult with Tracy in the house, and Lois says, Olivia tells her that like Tracy is the exception. Quartermaines have been bickering about everything all the time, even her own Brookie. Don’t tell her that she said that. Olivia says, Lois’s secret is safe. Ned can be reasonable. Lois says, unless he’s going against Drew and Michael, right? and Olivia says, true. Lois says, to be clear, all of the Quartermaines have their good points individually. She just hates to see what it does to Ned when he’s around his family. Olivia says, Lois is talking about the old days. Ned has changed. He’s really become his own man now. Lois says she knows Ned is Olivia’s husband and she has to defend him, but can she really say Ned is his own man when he ratted out his own cousin to the SEC? Olivia asks what she said, and Lois says, Ned turned his own family in to the SEC. Olivia says, Lois doesn’t understand, but Lois says she understands Drew is Ned’s cousin and Carly is Michael’s mother. If somebody turned her mother in to the SEC, she’d never forgive them. So Michael should forgive Ned? No way. Olivia says, Ned is not a rat. Ned is allowing everyone to think the worst of him for the sake of the family.

Scotty approaches Tracy and says he’s glad she’s here. She says she thought he quit, and he says he did, but he wanted to apologize to her for the other night, those horrible things he said about Luke. He knows she really loved Luke and it was very disrespectful of him. She thanks him… she guesses. Why the change of heart? He says, that stuff Lucy said about his ex-girlfriend Liesl really hurt him. So he thought he probably did the same thing to her and that’s why she threw that martini in his face. She says, apology accepted, but if he does it again, she’ll do it again. He says, never. And she was right about that cowboy hat. He doesn’t think Lucy pays attention to all the little details. She says, not a good trait for the head of a company, and he says, no, but Tracy’s here to keep her in line. He’ll catch her later. He leaves, and Tracy looks perplexed.

Alexis tells Sonny, say something, and he says, she raised two strong, intelligent women, not to mention compassionate. She says, but she wants them to stay that way. If Kristina isn’t able to keep her promise to Molly, Molly will be devastated. And on the other hand, watching somebody raise your biological child may be too painful for Kristina and maybe she’ll just have to leave town. He says, if this were court, she knows the judge would have to overrule her speculation, and she says she knows she’s worrying about things that haven’t happened yet. Tell her that she’s wrong. He tells her that he’s not going to say she’s wrong. He’s a little worried too. Alexis looks like she has a headache.

Brook asks if everything has to be a battle with Tracy, and Lucy puts her fingers in her ears, singing, la-la-la-la. She doesn’t take behavior tips from a traitor. Brook says, fine, and walks away. Maxie tells Lucy, this has to stop. She can’t take the constant fighting. Lucy says she’s sorry. She’ll do better, she promises. She probably did overreact a little bit. For Maxie, she’ll be better with Tracy. Maxie says, good. Because none of them like it, but right now, Tracy is their cross to bear. Lucy says, yep. She can’t wait for Tracy to get what’s coming to her.

Lois asks if Olivia is saying Ned wasn’t the one who turned Carly and Drew in to the SEC, but Olivia says, don’t listen to her. She misspoke. It’s not a thing, and it’s… Lois says, so why is everyone saying it’s Ned? and Olivia says, Ned denied all the accusations at first. Then he had his accident and he turned into Eddie, and Eddie couldn’t have cared less. Eddie didn’t have any of Ned’s memories and Eddie couldn’t be bothered. Lois asks if she’s saying when Ned got his memory back, he also remembered that he wasn’t the one who turned in Carly and Drew to the SEC. Does he know who the real rat is? Why is he taking the rap for somebody else’s bad deeds? There’s got to be a reason. Olivia says, Lois has to remember, Carly is her second-best friend, but she did commit insider trading. She bought up all the Aurora stock when Michale told her that ELQ and Aurora were going to merge. Lois says, but they didn’t merge, and the SEC would have never gone after Carly unless someone else provoked them. Olivia says, let it go. Just let the sleeping dogs lie. Lois says, so who turned in Carly and Drew to the SEC? Who is Olivia protecting, and why?

Olivia says she’s not going to tell Lois who the real rat is, and Lois says she doesn’t understand why Olivia won’t. Olivia says, because it was Ned’s choice, and Lois says, and she’s not going to explain why? Olivia says, the only thing she can tell Lois is that she and Ned agreed it was best for the whole family if they both kept the identity of the rat a secret. What could be more loyal than that? Lois asks, what happened to telling it like it is? and Olivia says she would have thought by now the two of them would have learned, sometimes it’s best to keep their big mouths shut. Sometimes the truth can hurt, and right now, it would hurt some of the people they care most about. And they’ve been through enough these past three years. She just doesn’t want another disaster. Not right now when there’s finally hope for a little bit of joy. Please promise she’s not going to say anything. Lois says she doesn’t know anything. But fine. She learned long ago to stay out of Quartermaine business.

Alexis asks why the hell Sonny was pushing back so hard if he agreed with her, and he says, she asked him to talk her off the ledge and he did his best. She says, all of a sudden, he’s being cooperative? and he says, it’s hard for him to accept not being the grandfather. Can she imagine how hard it is for Kristina to accept not being the baby’s mother? She says, yeah… So what are they going to do about it? He says, there’s nothing they can do. Kristina says she knows what she’s doing; he’s going to take her word for it. Alexis says she doesn’t think Kristina is lying to them. She’s just worried Kristina is lying to herself. He says, she’s worried, he gets it, but ultimately, it’s Kristina’s decision, and they’re going to have to stand by and love her no matter what. Alexis says, and she’s so good at standing by, and Sonny says, she did the right thing by not going to Kristina and venting, and instead coming to him and talking to him. She thanks him and thanks him for being here so he could listen. He says, always.

TJ says he appreciates Kristina talking this out, and she says, he wouldn’t be a good dad if he didn’t ask the tough questions. She can already tell he’s going to be a fantastic father. He thanks her, and she thanks him for loving her sister and for supporting her through all of this. She admires both of them. He says, it’s mutual, because they both admire the hell out of her for doing this. She’s making his and Molly’s dream of becoming parents come true. She says she loves that she’s stepping up for Molly. Molly has done it for her countless times. She can’t wait to see who their child grows up to be.

Elizabeth asks if Finn’s dad is up for dinner with them in his room, and Finn says, he pulled the old, I don’t want to be a burden, but he slowly came around. She asks if he’s concerned about Violet seeing him in the hospital, and he says he’s been thinking about that. He thinks he’s going to tell her the literal truth, that grandpa overdid it in hot yoga – he never thought he’d say those words – and that he is staying overnight so the doctors and nurses can keep an eye on him. She says, perfect explanation, and while they’re there, they can celebrate. He says, celebrate what? and she says she reached out to a couple nurses she knows in Beechers Corners. It turns out Muldoon did see a doctor there, about a month before he came to see Finn.

Maxie asks how it is being the male Face of Deception, and Cody says he still thinks he’s an odd choice for a spokesmodel, but if it makes Sasha happy, he’ll muddle through. She says, they make a great team, and he says he thinks so too.

Felicia hands a man the envelope and thanks him for getting here so quickly. She tells him, make sure this goes straight to the lab, expedited testing. He leaves, and we see Sasha watching.

Tomorrow, Olivia tells Lois to please accept that and move on; Alexis asks Gregory to forgive her; Nina asks what Cyrus plans to do with what he knows; and Heather says, Esme remembers.

🎨 Circling Back…

At least he didn’t go upstairs and polish his skis for 20 years.

🧂 Just a Pinch…

It wouldn’t be the first time Andy had to scream at a bunch of Housewives.

Canceling the whole panel at BravoCon? It must have been one ugly fight.

🍸 Teasing the Rules…

Well, what did they expect? Everyone forgot?

This must have been a tough choice since there are so many.

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/vanderpump-rules-stars-dumbest-moments-211741813.html

🥀 2023’s Losses…

I’m obsessed with these lists.

https://people.com/celebrity/celebrity-deaths-2023/

🎉 Keeping It Traditional…

New Year’s traditions and celebrations.

https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/holidays-celebrations/g34787153/new-years-traditions/

https://www.countryliving.com/life/g5075/new-years-eve-traditions/

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/parenting/g25360543/new-year-traditions/

https://www.tlc.com/life—relationships/new-year-s-eve-traditions-across-cultures

🗽 Dropping the Ball…

Most expensive Olive Garden buffet ever.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/new-years-eve-parties-inside-times-square-carry-hefty-price-tag-over-12k-to-ring-in-2024

Trust me. It’s better to watch the webcast. I never went there personally, but my best friend did and said it was a nightmare. Not only was it beyond crowded, but someone also spilled beer on her, and someone peed on her shoe. Not the same person, but still, no thanks.

https://www.timessquarenyc.org/times-square-new-years-eve

🐶 Let Auld Pets Not Be Forgot…

Keeping it safe and fun.

Dressing up. I’m not too sure about the pantyhose though.

https://www.rover.com/blog/new-years-looks-dog/

🪩 BYO Disco Ball…

Join me for the last blog of the year tomorrow and celebrate the changing of the calendars, keeping in mind, we don’t need no stinkin’ resolutions. Until then, stay safe; stay not overdoing it on New Year’s Eve, but not pressuring yourself if you don’t want to do it at all; and stay not worrying about things that haven’t happened yet.

December 27, 2023 – Brook Comes To Tracy’s Defense, TempMaxie, Soap Roll Call, Her Future, But Is He, Almost Quit, News Of Us, What’s On the Eve, Holiday Pet (!) Mix & Party

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Kristina and Molly show up at Alexis’s house, and Alexis says, there they are, my pride, and most of the time, my joy. She thanks them for coming and says she knows it’s early. She asks if they want coffee, but they both say they’ve reached their limit. (I didn’t know there was a limit.) Molly asks, what’s so important she needed to see them before work? and Kristina says, her voice sounded really tense on the phone. Alexis invites them to sit down, and says she’s sorry TJ couldn’t make it, but it’s probably best they speak first, just the three of them. Molly wonders why she feels like they’ve been called to the principal’s office, but Alexis says, they’re not in any trouble… yet.

At Deception, Lucy rifles through photos and papers on her desk, mumbling, and Tracy asks if she can’t do anything quietly. TempMaxie (see below) asks if they want coffee before the senior leadership meeting, but Lucy suggests they just dive right in. Oh wait. They can’t, because the leader of their leadership meeting isn’t here. Maxie says she’s sure Brook will be here any second, and Lucy asks what kind of company Tracy and her granddaughter are running. Tracy says she lightened Lucy’s workload by 51%, which means Lucy should have 51% more time to rifle (coincidence!) through photo proofs and wrangle her spokesmodel. Lucy says, Tracy shouldn’t even be in this office, never mind breathing their rarified Deception air. Tracy says, and yet, here she is, and Lucy says, as if she could miss Tracy, but she sure would love to try.

Brook says, if her grandmother finds out she’s late for the meeting because she can’t find her… Chase says, her bag’s over there, and she thanks him. She says she’s just going to grab a coffee on the way, and he says, brewed, in her travel mug, holding it out to her. She asks if he’s psychic, and he says he doesn’t have to be; he knows her routine. She says, he’s the best. What does he have planned for his day off? He says he’s trying to find wedding venues that accommodate guests with mobility issues, and she sits next to him. He says he wants his dad to have the time of his life at their wedding, and Brook flashes back to Gregory saying that time isn’t on his side. His Christmas wish is to see his son get married to the love of his life. She tells Chase, you and me both.

Finn dashes into an exam room, where Gregory is sitting, and says he was told Gregory was in here. Does Gregory want to tell him what happened? Gregory says he’s fine. He just got a bit overheated. Finn looks at the IV bag and says, this is for aggressive fluid replacement. They don’t just give it to people who are a bit overheated. Does Gregory want to tell him what’s going on?

At Kelly’s with Felicia, Robert orders coffee, and Felicia says, nothing to eat? Is he feeling okay? He says he’s not hungry, and she says, he’s probably full because he already ate with Diane. He says, she didn’t bring him here to discuss his personal life, and she says she didn’t know that was an option, but he’s right. She’s sorry. They need to talk family. He asks if something happened with Mac, but she says, Mac is fine. There’s a mystery she wants solved before he comes back, and she needs Robert’s help.

Sasha finds Cody at the stables and says, it looks like he’s having a busy morning. He says he was just hammering out one of Comet’s old horseshoes, but he always has time for her. What’s up? She says she wasn’t sure if she could beat Comet in a contest for his attention, and he says, totally. Nobody else. What brings her by? She says she came to warn him. He’s in trouble.

Scotty goes to the counter at Kelly’s and tells the server that he hears some people try to eat their feelings. He thinks he’s going to be that guy, because he has a lot of feelings. She gives him a menu and asks what she can get him. He says, everything… from the left side of the menu. And a cup of coffee. He’ll be at his table.

Robert asks why Felicia is still on about this Cody Bell thing, and she says her instincts tell her that Cody lied about those DNA test results. He says, if that’s the case, why is his brother saddled with this jerk? and she says, Mac has a right to know if Cody is his son. She knows Cody is no choirboy, and Robert says, ya think? He hadn’t been in town five minutes, and he almost drowned Britt Westbourne. She says, there wasn’t supposed to be somebody in that pool when he parachuted into it (there wasn’t; she was near the pool and he knocked her in), and Robert tells her, let’s say for instance, he came through the front door and offered his hand and said hi, like a normal person would do. She says, it was a publicity stunt, a job he was contracted and paid for, but Robert says, it was reckless endangerment and he got arrested. She says, he apologized to Britt, and she got over it. Why can’t Robert? He says, because he knows a con man when he smells one, and she says, which proves the exact point she was trying to make. Cody came to their house over the holiday and brought all these gifts for all of them. The kids adore him, and he fit right in. Robert asks if he brought receipts for the presents, and Felicia says, he cares about their family. She can feel it. She can see it. And there’s this undeniable bond between him and Mac and James. He tells her, let’s say he believes her. If she’s right, why would Cody lie about being a part of a family he cares about?

Cody wonders how he’s in trouble, and Sasha says, after Spinelli made him leave Mac and Felicia’s on Christmas… Cody says, Spinelli didn’t make him leave, but Sasha says, Spinelli was rude, out of line, and just completely wrong. After he left, Felicia said she hates not knowing the truth about him and Mac. He says, she knows the truth… a truth. She was at the hospital when he got the DNA results. Sasha says, but he never showed Felicia the printout and she thought that was strange, and he says, Felicia is pretty invested with him being a part of the family. He guesses it makes sense that she wouldn’t accept the results. Sasha says she thinks it’s more than a case of just being disappointed. She thinks Felicia is genuinely skeptical. He says, she was a P.I. and she’s married to a cop. She’s kind of conditioned to be suspicious. She says, Maxie didn’t buy her theory, but they know she’s right. He did lie about the DNA results; he is Mac’s son. And now Felicia is wondering why he’d pretend to be the son of Leopold Taub.

Brook closes the laptop and says, about the wedding… Chase says, she hasn’t changed her mind, has she? and she says, not on your life, kissing him. He says, then what’s up? and she says, if they’re going to do everything in their power to make sure his dad has the best time on their special day, it’s going to need to happen a little faster than they anticipated.

Gregory says he was doing hot yoga on an empty stomach. Dumb idea. Finn says, yes, very dumb. Since when is he doing hot yoga? Gregory says, Finn doesn’t need to hover; the fluids are already working. Dr. Matt comes in and asks what daredevil stunt Gregory was up to this time, and Gregory says, hot yoga. They don’t call it hot for nothing. But he already has his next quest lined up. Matt says he can’t wait to hear about it and asks how Finn is. Finn says he’s fine. He’s just making sure his dad’s okay. Matt says he’s about to examine Gregory right now, if Finn will excuse them, and Finn says, of course (🍷). He’ll be right outside. Gregory says, no need, he’s fine, and Finn reluctantly leaves. In the hallway, a woman comes up to Finn and asks if Gregory is okay. Finn says, he’s fine, and asks how she knows his dad. She says she’s the yoga instructor. She’s so glad he’s all right. She’s never had anyone collapse in her class before.

Molly says she can’t take any more bad news. It’s been a rough few months. Alexis says she knows Molly’s been through a lot, and this isn’t necessarily bad news. She’s happy for Molly and TJ, that they’re soldiering on through this journey to have a baby. She knows that’s what Molly really, really wants. And Kristina, giving her the most extraordinary, generous gift. Molly says, and Kristina knows how grateful she is. Kristina says, of course (🍷). She’s honored. Alexis says she just wishes the commitment they made to each other was legally binding, but it’s not. Their surrogacy arrangement presents what could be a really big legal problem.

Chase says he thought he and Brook agreed on a summer wedding. It’s not too far away, but it still gives them time to plan. She says, too much planning’s overrated. Who says they need this whole elaborate production? He says, she said that, but she tells him, what does she know? He says, Lois told him that she used to sketch her wedding gown in her school notebook, but she says, dreams change. He says he doesn’t want to rush this. He had a quickie wedding once, and they all know how that turned out. She says, they both know why he had that quickie wedding with Willow, and those reasons have nothing to do with why they want to be together. He says he knows, but he’s only doing this one more time, and he’s doing it with her. He wants it to be special. What’s going on? She says, when his dad pulled her aside on Christmas Eve, he said his Christmas wish was to see them get married.

Gregory says, well, doc? and Matt says, at the moment, his vitals look good. Gregory says he’s not surprised. He’s feeling better already. Matt says he’s already recovering from the dehydration, and Gregory says he’s guessing Matt’s prescription for recovery is lots of rest and plenty of fluids. Matt says, it is, and he’d like to admit Gregory for observation.

Alexis says she knows Molly and Kristina have done their homework on the medical side of things and they’re clear about that. She just doesn’t know that they’re clear on the legal implications. Kristina says, well, this baby’s mother is a brilliant lawyer, and Alexis says, she is, but she’s not a specialist in family law. Molly says, true, but she can draw up a contract, and Kristina says, and she can sign it. So lawyer/contract, they’re good. Alexis says she’s not sure that’s entirely true, because there is no binding agreement that she can sign that would make that baby Molly’s.

Maxie says, everyone needs time to adjust to their new corporate reality, and Tracy says, reality, Lucy. The opposite of what’s going on in your head. Maxie says, but they do have to be professional, and Tracy says, why start now? Lucy says she knows blackmail is Tracy’s go-to, but technically, blackmail is not professional, and Maxie says, this is a critical time for Deception. A lot is at stake for everyone who works here. For people who have rent and kids and have to grocery shopping on the way home. Bottom line, they need to make this work. Lucy says, Maxie is so right, but you know what’s not working? Tracy’s powers of manipulation. Judging from the fact Brook isn’t here, her powers are a big, fat flop. Tracy says, Lucy is well-acquainted with big, fat flops, from her marriages to business ventures. She just can’t seem to stick the landing. Lucy says she knows where she’d like to stick… and Maxie says, that’s enough. She can’t believe she has to talk to them like she does her children, but five minutes of silence, both of them. This lasts about three seconds, when Lucy says, Tracy doesn’t really care about Deception at all. She’s just bored and needs a distraction. Maxie says, it doesn’t work on her kids either, and Tracy says she can think of a thousand distractions more appealing than listening to Lucy, and Lucy says, but none of them would distract Tracy from the fact she has nothing to live for since Luke died. (Ouch! That was mean.)

Sasha says she knows the whole Taub necklace scam wasn’t the only reason Cody lied about the DNA results, and he says, Mac’s a good guy. Mac doesn’t deserve a son like him. She says, that couldn’t be further from the truth, but Felicia is a good P.I., and she’s going to dig and keep digging until she discovers the truth, and the fallout from that could be massive in ways he couldn’t expect. Trust her. She speaks from personal experience. He says, that whole Nina Reeves thing, right? and she says her situation was the complete opposite from his. She was hired by Valentin Cassadine to claim she was Nina’s daughter, but looking back, she realizes she could have mitigated a lot of damage if she’d just come clean. The fact that she stayed silent and got busted made the fallout so much worse. He says, maybe he should just move to Bolivia or some other county that doesn’t extradite Americans. Coming clean is not an option, and if Felicia finds out he’s Mac’s son, he’s going to Pentenville.

Felicia says she was hoping Robert and his extraordinary skill set could help her figure out why Cody would lie about those test results, because he’s right. It doesn’t make any sense. He says, take some advice from the man with the extraordinary skill set, and leave it. She says, if he thinks she can do that, he understands her even less than he understands Cody, and he says he understood all too well what kind of a grifter Cody was when he walked into Britt’s office and found them fighting over Taub’s necklace. She asks, what about Leopold Taub? and he says, this time last year, he went to seize Taub’s necklace, the one that Victor wanted. He goes into Britt’s office and they’re both there fighting over the necklace, both claiming ownership. She asks if they ever got it sorted out, but he says he doesn’t think so. Not since it was destroyed. She wonders if Cody ever contested any of Taub’s other assets, and he says, that would be a good question for a lawyer. She looks over at Scotty and says, indeed it would.

Chase tells Brook that he can understand his dad talking about his stamina, but worrying about his death seems seriously premature. Brook says she’s just telling him what Gregory told her; he doesn’t want them waiting too long. He asks if she thinks Gregory is holding something back, but she says she doesn’t know. She’s not going to the meeting; she’s calling the office. He says she doesn’t have to do that; he’ll be fine. She should go to her meeting. The last thing they need is Tracy coming around here looking for her. She says, that’s a good point, and hugs him. They’re going to make sure they do what’s best for everyone, okay? He says, whatever that is, and she gathers up her stuff and leaves. Chase’s phone rings, and he says he’s glad Finn called. Brook just told him something… Finn says, dad’s here at the hospital. He’s okay, but he took a fall. Chase says he’s on his way.

Alexis says she should have known Molly would have done research on the child/parent security act, and Molly says she’s familiar. She hasn’t studied it. Alexis says, because it’s new, which means it can be easily challenged, and Molly says she’s aware, but it does allow for surrogacy in New York. Alexis says, it does, but the surrogate has to be using a third-party egg donor, and Kristina asks if it really makes a difference. Molly says, a big difference actually, and Alexis says, in her case, she’s not using a third-party egg donor. She’s the donor and the surrogate. In this case, it’s called a genetic surrogacy, and the contract for a genetic surrogacy is not enforceable in the state of New York. Kristina says, okay, but if genetic surrogacy isn’t enforceable in the state of New York, they’ll just get pregnant in a different state. They’ll find some other workaround. Alexis says, there are always loopholes, because Molly will tell her, regulations exist because there are precedents. Kristina says, precedents and regulations and loopholes. She’s talking to them like they’re her court case, not her children. Alexis says she’s talking to them this way because they are her children, and she wants to make sure their best interests are protected. Kristina asks if it’s their best interests, or is Alexis really just trying to protect Molly from her?

Tracy tells Lucy not to say Luke’s name ever again, but Lucy says, Tracy doesn’t own Luke’s name, just like she never owned Luke. Tracy says, don’t, and Lucy says, Luke had many, many women in his life, and Tracy was just one of them. She barely cracked the top ten. Maxie says, don’t go there, but Lucy says, why? Why can’t she just tell the truth right to Tracy’s face? Luke was the great, true love of Tracy’s life, but does she know who the great, true love of Luke’s life was? Laura. (People who don’t even watch GH know that.) In fact, Tracy is probably just an also-ran to Holly. Tracy asks where she did her research, Wikipedia? Are they just naming exes now, because two can play that game. The great love of Lucy’s life, Doc, is so happily settled down with Laura. She guesses he doesn’t miss being burned by Lucy. Lucy says she happens to be in love with Martin now. She’s with Martin, and none of her loves married her to extort her. They didn’t stay married and try to escape from her all the time. The fact is, Tracy and Luke were in totally different countries when he died. She needs to know why Tracy did all this. Why did she steal Deception? Is it because she has more to look back on than to look forward to? Is it because her family just barely tolerates her, and when she stands looking around, she has nothing and nobody? She doesn’t see anything, is that it? She can keep doing it. She can keep scheming and using sarcasm as a distraction – Brook walks in – but you know what? Tracy is going to die just like she lived – unloved and completely unlovable. Brook says, who is Lucy to speak to her grandmother that way?

Chase says, hot yoga? Hot yoga is a challenge for people in the best of health. He did it once and it almost killed him, but Finn thinks there’s more to the story? Finn says, the instructor came with him to the hospital. She said he wasn’t just a little woozy. It seemed like he lost consciousness.

Gregory says he knows he overdid it, but is a hospital stay really necessary? and Matt says, his collapse may be the result of a temporary fluid loss… Gregory says, or? and Matt says, or this may be a new symptom of the disease.

Sasha says, even if Mac could arrest Cody for lying about the DNA results, she doesn’t believe he would, but Cody says, he wouldn’t have a choice, thanks to the lawsuit Scotty cooked up. Legally, he’s on the hook. She asks if Cody was suing the WSB for the value of Taub’s necklace? She thought he dropped that lawsuit. He says he did, but only after he was deposed and signed an affidavit saying he was Taub’s son. She says, and that is considered fraud? but he says, worse. It’s perjury. He’ll have to do time for that. She says, he may not. He broke the law for her and it turned out okay. He says he was willing to risk himself, but he doesn’t want to risk Mac. The potential scandal could impact his reputation on the force. Mac’s a good guy. He doesn’t deserve what Cody would do to his life. She asks what Cody thinks Mac would want for his life if he knew he was Cody’s father.

Felicia tells Scotty, sorry to interrupt. Does he have a minute? He says, yes. Sit down. She says, his breakfast companions might not feel the same, but he says, what breakfast companions? He’s alone again as usual. She asks if he tried again with Liesl, and he says he did. He presented his heart to her, and she threw it right against the wall. So they’re done, finished. She says she’s sorry. She respects him for trying. She thinks it’s really brave of him to put himself out there. He says he won’t be making that mistake again. He doesn’t know what went wrong with Liesl, but it was the last nail in the coffin of love for him. She says she’s really sorry to hear that. She just wanted to ask him a question, and then she’ll leave him to… whatever this is. He says, it’s breakfast, and what is her question? She says, Cody Bell, but he says, don’t bring up his name. She says, why? She thought they had a great relationship. He says he doesn’t have a problem with Cody. Cody just kind of goofed up his chances of getting back with Leisl a little bit. She asks, how so? and he says, Cody cost him a big payday.

Alexis says she’s trying to look out for both her daughter’s best interests, and Kristina says, really? She’s just focusing on the contract part of this because she thinks someone is going to violate it, that someone being her. Does Alexis just not trust she’ll abide by the terms? Alexis says, of course (🍷) she trusts Kristina. She’s just trying to look at all possible outcomes. Kristina says she appreciates Alexis advising them of the current statutes, but her concern isn’t really necessary. Alexis says she’s done research, and Molly says, she didn’t really have to go to the trouble, but Alexis says, it was no trouble really. She looks at some papers and says, do they know they can avoid any potential legal conflict between them by establishing parenthood after birth via adoption? (That’s what I was thinking.) Molly says she’ll look into it, but Alexis says, Molly doesn’t have to; she’s already done it. The first step is for Kristina to stipulate that she has no parental proprietary interest… Kristina says, Molly told her that she’d look into it, but Alexis says she can go over this. It’ll be really quick. Kristina says, no. Not for nothing, but Molly is the lawyer here, not her. (Another ouch.)

Cody says he has no idea what Mac would want when it comes to him, and Sasha says she could guess. Mac is a good guy, and she can’t see any world where Mac wouldn’t forgive him. And he’d never do anything to jeopardize Cody’s future. Cody says, what about Mac’s brother, Robert Scorpio, the DA? Not a fan. She says, that’s because Robert doesn’t know what she knows, and he says, what’s that? She says, how much has changed since he signed that affidavit. He put himself on the line for her, and she knows he hates to hear this, but she’ll forever be grateful. He says, they’ve been over this. Gratitude, no; friendship, yes. She says, speaking of friendships, he’s been a really good one. Dante and Sam… He says, they’ve been better to him, and she says, Maxie and all her kids, especially James. That little boy hero worships him. Cody says, he’s too young to know any better, but she says, maybe he knows Cody better than Cody knows himself. Cody has changed a lot, and the only way to prove that is to come clean. Today.

Felicia says, so Scotty and Cody were going to sue the WSB over Taub’s necklace? and Scotty says, yeah, but hush-hush. Nobody really knows about this, and he’s hoping Cody changes his mind. She says, so it was Cody who decided not to move forward, and he says, yes. After all the legal depositions and the filings, all the dirty work was done. She asks, why? and he says he doesn’t know why exactly, but the WSB blew up Cody’s asset and he felt Cody should be compensated. She says, so being Taub’s son would pay off big for Cody, and he says, huge, huge windfall. Why does she ask?

Brook says, Lucy knows nothing about her grandmother, which is insulting, because not only did she take Deception, she’s running it way better than Lucy ever did. And by the way, Lucy is sadly misinformed. Tracy Angelica Quartermaine is greatly loved by her whole family. A love Lucy couldn’t possibly understand how they express, because she’s nothing but a gold-digging outsider who managed to trap Brook’s great uncle into marriage for what, ten seconds? She’s been hanging around for years trading on her single share of ELQ, which Brook’s grandmother managed to get from Lucy, by the way. So now she’s out on the street, exactly where she belongs. Lucy says, Brook really has nothing to say… and Brook tells her, and by the way, Luke Spencer was the love of her grandmother’s life. She accepted him for exactly who he was, fought for him with everything she had, and stuck by him until the very end. Meanwhile, Lucy has thrown away every man who’s ever loved her, with both hands. So do not lecture her grandmother on love, because she understands it way better than Lucy ever will. Tracy looks at Brook proudly, and Lucy says, they can hold this meeting without her. She walks out, closing the door behind her, and Tracy tells Brook, thank you. Brook says she meant every word, and Tracy says, well, she’s still late. So what was more important than the meeting they had scheduled? Brook says, something happened with Chase’s father.

Matt says he wants to run some tests overnight. It could be that Gregory is no longer getting nutrients from food and water intake alone, or the collapse could have been because of his lung intake level falling below 50%, which the tests will show. If it has fallen below 50%, they’ll have to discuss options. Gregory says he’ll give Matt 24 hours to do anything he needs, but he has plans on New Year’s Eve, and nothing is going to stop him from making good on them.

Chase tells Finn, the yoga instructor isn’t a doctor. They don’t know what actually happened. Finn says he thought Chase should know. He left Chase out of the loop once before, and he promised not to let it happen again. Chase says, if dad believes he overdid it, doesn’t Finn think they should trust that? Finn says, dad’s not a doctor either, and Chase says he gets that. And he gets that facts are important, but so is faith. Finn says he doesn’t remember seeing that on the curriculum at med school, and Chase asks, doesn’t a patient’s state of mind effect their health? Finn says, of course (🍷) it does, and Chase says, then a little positivity can’t hurt. Matt comes out and asks why they don’t come in with him and their dad. He has an update.

Alexis says, when Kristina’s right, she’s right. It’s tough to know when to take off her legal hat and put on her mom hat, but either way, she’ll defend her daughters with everything she’s got, and that includes Kristina. Kristina says she’s sorry. She didn’t mean to dismiss Alexis’s legal expertise or her concern for her daughters. Alexis says, but Kristina thinks she’s overstepping, and Molly says, it’s just that, for her and TJ, this whole journey has been about hope. Now with Kristina as their surrogate, it’s also one of implicit trust. The bond between her and Krissy is stronger than all the legal protections in the world. Kristina says, they’re sisters. Nothing is ever going to make them forget that. Alexis still looks worried.

Molly and Kristina put on their coats, and Alexis says, so it looks like her concern for her daughters has been outmatched by their belief in each other. Well done. Congratulations. Kristina says, it’s the truth, and Alexis tells them that she’s not going to say another word about it. What she did say isn’t because she doesn’t believe in them, because she does with all her heart. And she’s very proud of the way they stuck up for each other, even against her. She loves them both, and she loves the way they love each other. They have a three-way hug, and Kristina and Molly leave.

Gregory asks what Chase is doing here, and Chase says, Finn called and said Gregory was in the hospital. Where else would he be? Gregory says, Finn didn’t need to call Chase; he’s fine. Finn asks Matt, is he? and Gregory says, they’re going to admit him. They’re going to run some tests. 24-hours, that’s it, then he’s out of here. He asks Matt to tell his boys not to worry, and Matt says, an overnight stay is just a precaution. Chase says, precautions are good. He’s all for precautions. Matt says, good. He’ll go take a look at Gregory’s intake paperwork. He heads for the door, and Chase thanks him and says, and take good care of his dad. His dad promised his bride a dance at his wedding this spring. Matt leaves, and Gregory says, they decided on a date? Chase says, they did, and Gregory says he didn’t think it would happen so soon. Chase says, he and Brook decided they didn’t want to wait another minute to make it official in front of the whole family. He can’t wait to marry Brook. Gregory says he’s so happy for Chase, and Chase thanks him. Chase says he just has to… follow her orders and stay out of her way, and Gregory laughs.

Felicia goes back to the table, and Robert says he got a call from the office. He’s got to go. He asks if her conversation with Baldwin was of use, and she says, and how. He asks if she still thinks Cody is Mac’s son, and she says, more than ever. He says he’s not asking for any details, but if Cody chose not to be the son of a man like Mac Scorpio, does Mac need to know? She says, Mac has a right to know, and he says, so what’s the plan? Is she going to get Cody to ‘fess up to lying about the DNA results? She says, he’s held on to this secret for a long time, so no. Robert says he’d move on. It’s going to be hell to prove. He leaves, and she says, not for me.

Cody says he can’t just come clean, and Sasha says she guesses that’s ultimately up to him, but if he does decide to admit he’s Mac’s son, she’ll be right by his side. And if he doesn’t, she’ll keep his secret forever. He thanks her, and she says, that doesn’t mean the truth won’t come out, but it won’t come from her. She looks at her phone and says she’s got to go. She’s beyond late. He thanks her for being such a good friend, and she says, he deserves nothing less, and leaves.

Tracy asks if Gregory’s all right, and Brook says, yes. Things were just complicated. Tracy says, given the circumstances, that’s an acceptable excuse for Brook’s tardiness, but if she’s going to take the helm here, she has to follow Tracy’s example and act like a leader. If Tracy is going to give her this company, she needs to start taking it seriously. Brook says, oh, I am, granny. Very seriously.

Scotty puts more syrup on his pancakes, and Lucy says, keep that up and he won’t make it through the year. He says, who cares? and she says, oh come on. Buck up. She sits down and says she has a way for both of them to end up on top. He says, that sounds physically impossible, but he’s willing to give it a shot. She says, stop, focus, and not on these plates of food please. What is this all about? He asks what she wants, and she says she’s proposing a plan where she’s restored all she’s lost, and Scotty could land a big, fat chunk of change. He says he’s listening, and she says, they’re going to be big winners in 2024. Big winners. And Tracy Quartermaine is going to lose big time. He asks how he fits in, and she says, as a groom. He asks if she could repeat that. Did she just say the word groom? She says, yes, she did. He’s going to marry Tracy and they’re going to take her for everything she’s got.

Tomorrow, TJ says he and Kristina have to set some things straight; Lucy tells Scotty to get ready, because she’s just getting started; and Sonny asks if this is where Alexis wants him to tell her that she’s wrong.

☎️ Today the Role Of…

Since regular Maxie was in the preview, I’m guessing it was nothing major.

That’s Nicole Paggi as the Temporary Maxie Recast on GH!

🥀 Our Loss Is Heaven’s Gain…

This made me miss Passions all over again.

🗽 Model Of Legacy…

Some of the forgotten Wives. I met Kristen at a radio station cocktail party years ago. It was after the season where Ramona threw the glass at her. She seemed like a nice person, and I think she should run from any facet of this franchise.

🛟 Toxicity On Deck…

I just don’t see it this way. I thought Natalya was one of the worst human beings ever, but Kyle? Kyle is just gossipy and emotional, so don’t tell him anything you don’t want anyone to know. Problem solved, and hopefully, he’ll grow out of it. Whereas Natalya was deliberately mean, Kyle just gets all in his emotions and lashes out. Captain Sandy also thought he was the root of the problem, but I’ve disagreed with her before.

🥇 But At the Time…

It’s like Jerry said in Edward Albee’s Zoo Story, sometimes it’s necessary to go a long distance out of the way in order to come back a short distance correctly. But geez, don’t mention his stellar final season of Fear the Walking Dead or anything.

https://people.com/colman-domingo-nearly-left-acting-after-losing-big-break-role-8420368

🌁 And the Last Shall Be Divisive…

They seem to be focusing an awful lot on it being parallel to the game, but I don’t think this stuff is confirmed. What is confirmed is it not being aired until 2025… sigh…

https://screenrant.com/the-last-of-us-season-2-divisive-story-reason/

https://www.tomsguide.com/opinion/i-cant-wait-for-the-last-of-us-season-2-to-air-but-im-also-dreading-it-heres-why

There’s a blink-and-you-miss-it teaser for The Last of Us, but mostly what HBO/Max has in store for 2024.

https://gizmodo.com/last-of-us-season-2-release-it-prequel-trailer-hbo-max-1851078003

🥂 To Rock Your Eve…

Stuff to watch if you don’t want to brave the night. Like me. Been there, done that, I’m good. Dick Clark might be gone, but he’ll never be forgotten on New Year’s Eve.

https://people.com/new-years-eve-specials-2023-everything-to-know-8420122

🐕 Holiday Assortment…

Good advice all year round.

https://people.com/how-to-keep-your-pet-safe-around-the-holidays-8417416

I don’t know how I missed this, but it’s very cute.

https://people.com/pets/adoptable-animals-model-halloween-costumes/

No one can say I don’t include cats. They’re not keen on costumes though, as a general rule.

https://people.com/mandy-moore-includes-cats-in-holiday-traditions-8418338

And last, but never least, the InstaDogs of Christmas.

🍇 12 Grapes For 12 Months…

Boomerang back tomorrow for soap and some New Year amusement. Until then, stay safe, stay being on time, but not early to a party, and stay not eating the entire left side of the menu if you have a lot of feelings.