Category Archives: real housewives

Feb9

February 8, 2023 – Elizabeth Asks Scotty For Help, VanderBack, Sequel Role, Incident Statement, Please Don’t Leave & Everything

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Ava dreams that Nikolas is in the bed with her, but she says, this isn’t real; he’s dead. He says, she bludgeoned him, and she says, it was an accident. He says, an accident of passion. It’s always been like that with them, and always will be. She tells him to go away, but he says he’s not going anywhere. What’s between them is forever. She wakes, and sees blood on her hand. She pulls back the covers, and the sheets are bloody. She screams, then really wakes up. Her bedroom door opens.

Carly finds Michael in Willow’s room, and asks if he needs anything, but he just wants to see Willow’s face when she meets the baby. She’s been sleeping since the C-section. Carly suggests he take a break, but he says he can’t leave until Willow opens her eyes.

Elizabeth looks at a picture of her boys, and flashes back to Finn telling her to sleep on it before she turns herself in. There’s a knock at the door, and it’s Laura, who asks if she’s heard from Nikolas.

Finn goes to Alexis’s office, and she asks, what’s going on? He says he needs some hypothetical legal advice, but she says she’s not even a hypothetical lawyer. He says, how about some advice about the law from someone who’s good at it? and she asks, what’s up? He asks, what kind of charges someone would be facing if they were an accessory to a felony? He’s asking for a friend.

Nina looks at the baby through the window, and Obrecht joins her. Obrecht says she remembers when Britta was born; she was vocal and disapproving from the start. And as beautiful as Nina’s granddaughter. Nina says, it’s good to see Obrecht here, and Obrecht says, of course (🍷) she’s here; she had to see her grandniece. She asks how Willow is, and Nina says she thinks Willow is sleeping. Willow doesn’t really want anything to do with her. If Willow wants to see her, she’ll be there in a second, but she made a promise to herself not to upset her daughter.

Willow wakes up, and Michael asks if she wants to meet her daughter. She can’t wait to meet Willow. Welcome back. He says he loves her so much, and kisses her forehead. Carly slips out of the room, and in the hallway, she tells Sonny that Willow’s awake. Michael tells Willow that their baby is perfect, and wants to meet her mom. Willow says she needs to see her now, and asks Michael to bring her their baby.

Scotty joins Obrecht and Nina, and asks how the newest member of the family is doing. Obrecht asks if that’s why he’s here, or is he checking up on her? He says, the kid may need a lawyer. It’s never too soon to start suing people. The hardest thing for him about memorials is, people say nice things, then go back to their lives. She says, her Britta’s gone, but her heart rejoices for Nina, and she can’t wait to meet her grandniece. Nina gets a text from Sonny that says, Willow’s awake.

Sonny says, their son has a daughter, and Carly says, now that she’s here, Willow can get the stem cell transplant she needs, and this nightmare will finally be over. He says, babies are miracles. Can she believe their granddaughter is going to save Willow’s life? It’s amazing.

Willow says she remembers them showing her and Michael their baby. Then they took her away. He says, Willow asked him to go with her, and she says, then she remembers… not exactly. Did something happen? He says, from what he was told, Willow started hemorrhaging, and her heart stopped on the operating table. She says, Michael was there, but he says he was in the NICU with their daughter. She says, then he came back, but he tells her that they wouldn’t let him back in. She says she heard his voice, as clear as she’s hearing it now. He told her to come home and live. He tells her that he did say that, but he was in the waiting area, praying as hard as he could for her to come back. She says, and she did.

Finn tells Alexis, someone he knows made a really big mistake, but it’s over. He’s worried confessing will ruin their life without making anything better. She says, so this crime is not ongoing? He says, no, and she says, murder? He says, no, and she says, accidental death? He says, no one got hurt, not really, and she asks if the friend was part of planning the crime. He says, they got roped into helping the person, and chose to protect them rather than going to the police, and she says, so this person might be an accessory to the crime after the fact, which would be a misdemeanor at worst. He says, that doesn’t sound so bad, and she says, or a felony, depending on the details of the crime.

Elizabeth says she hasn’t spoken to Nikolas since they argued at the hospital, and Laura says, it was obvious they were both shaken by it. Is she okay? Elizabeth says, no. She thinks her friendship with Nikolas is over. Laura says, after everything they’ve been through all these years? Doesn’t Elizabeth think it’s possible they just need a little time? She knows it’s not her business, but does Elizabeth know what happened between Spencer and Nikolas? Elizabeth asks her to narrow it down, and Laura says, Spencer wants to sue for custody of Nikolas and Esme’s baby. Elizabeth looks shocked, and Laura says, Spencer said he knew something about Nikolas; something he thinks is unforgivable. Elizabeth asks if Spencer said what it was, but Laura says, he told her it was best she didn’t know, but he insists Nikolas should not be allowed to raise the baby. Elizabeth asks how Nikolas reacted, and Laura says she’s never seen him so devastated. It’s like he really lost everything.

Austin asks if Ava is okay. Does she want to focus on some breathing? She takes some deep breaths, and says, Nikolas, he’s dead. Austin says, he is, and she says, he was going to take Avery. She just wanted to stop him, and she hit him with a statue and he fell. Austin says, he did, and she asks what he’s doing here. He says, she asked him to spend the night and keep an eye on her, and she says, he scared her, walking into her room like that. He says he heard her scream, and was worried about her, and she tells him, get out. He goes to the door, and says, at some point, they’ll have to talk about what happens next. She says, what happens next is, he leaves and forgets he was ever here, and they never speak of this again. He says that works for him, but what is she going to say when people notice Nikolas is missing? She tells him, she’ll say, Nikolas was here and they argued about Windymere. He regretted giving her Spoon Island and wanted it back, but she wouldn’t give it to him, so he stormed off. She doesn’t know what happened to him after that. He says, that’s good. A good lie manages to stay as close as possible to the truth. She asks where he learned that, and he says, his family. She thanks him for not turning her in, but says she meant what she said. He should go and never look back. As far as she’s concerned, he was never here. He says, if only it were that easy, and she asks, what’s hard about it? He says, his cousin Mason. Mason is the reason he stopped by last night. He’s after Ava. She says, Mason’s a thug. Does Austin think she’d let him in her house? Austin says, he came here just in case, and she says, if Mason had shown up instead of him… He says, if Mason had glimpsed her hiding Nikolas’s body, he would have had her for life. She says she’s glad it was him, and he’s right; she’s going to keep it really simple. Nikolas was here, he left, and she doesn’t know anything else. They don’t want the cops focusing on Spoon Island. He asks if Nikolas’s kid is going to be a problem, but she says, Spencer won’t be a problem. Elizabeth might be.

Elizabeth tells Laura, after she ran into Nikolas, Finn came to see her. Laura asks how that went, but Elizabeth says, not well. Laura asks if Elizabeth was angry before she ran into Nikolas, and Elizabeth says, she told Nikolas what her parents had done to her as a teenager, how they hurt and betrayed her. He knew she was struggling because of it. Laura asks what he did, and Elizabeth says, he just made it about himself. He made it seem like he was inconvenienced by her pain. Laura says she’s sorry Nikolas let Elizabeth down, but she also feels sorry for Nikolas because Elizabeth has been such a positive influence in his life. Elizabeth says, not always. She’s not as perfect as Laura thinks she is.

Finn says he’s worried his friend’s life is going to be torn apart because they thought they were doing the right thing, but Alexis says, they weren’t. Clearly, there’s a victim here. Was the victim aware of Elizabeth’s involvement? He says he doesn’t think so. Not yet, unless they figure it out. She says, if there’s a chance it can be figured out, his friend needs to get ahead of it, and come forward voluntarily, and he asks if they’ll still go to prison. She says, probably. Here’s a thought. Would his friend consider testifying against the person who committed the crime in the first place?

Carly and Sonny fawn over the baby, as she’s wheeled past to see Willow. The nurse takes the baby into Willow’s room, and Carly says, she’s so beautiful, and she’s smart. She, Bobbie, and Josslyn went to the NICU to see her. They were blowing kisses and waving, and Carly swears the baby was looking right at her.

Willow holds the baby, and Michael says, she’s so beautiful and awfully big for a preemie.

Laura says, Elizabeth has something more on her mind than just Nikolas. Whatever it is, she’s here for her. Elizabeth says she knows, but she’s come to realize her friendship with Nikolas is bad for both of them. She’s sorry. Laura says she’s sorry it’s come to that, but Elizabeth has to do what’s best for her. Nikolas is spiraling, and she’s worried about him, but saving Nikolas from himself isn’t Elizabeth’s responsibility. Elizabeth says, it’s not Laura’s either, but Laura says she’s his mother. She’ll never give up on him.

Finn isn’t sure if his friend would testify, and Alexis thinks he should try to convince them. Cooperating with the prosecution can go a long way. It could reduce his friend’s sentence. He says, reduced, as in no jail time? but she says she doesn’t know the details of this case; she doesn’t want to know. He thanks her for the advice, and she suggests his friend call Diane or Martin, someone they can give the details to, because his friend is on a slippery slope. He says, that’s what he was afraid of, when there’s a knock at the door. Gregory comes in, and Finn says he’s on his way out. He jets, and Gregory asks if he interrupted something important.

Sonny says, Carly knows she’s dying to go in, but Carly says, Michael and Willow deserve a little time with their daughter before she busts in the room. He says, it reminds him of the first time they saw Donna, and she says, her too. They thought spina bifida was going to limit Donna’s life somehow; that she was going to grow up with extra struggles. He says, but she’s perfect, and Carly says, she is. They’re so lucky. He says, they are.

Michael films Willow with the baby, and she says, Wiley is going to be so excited. He says, no pressure, but he thinks before they introduce their kids, their daughter needs a name. They have to give their daughter a name that’s not Annabelle III or Ashoka. She says, actually, she knew the baby’s name the moment she saw her.

Carly tells Sonny that she’s happy for Michael; he was denied this chance with Wiley. He says he hates to think of the pain Michael went through, and she says, because of Nelle, Nina’s daughter. He says, who Nina never knew (try saying that 3 times real fast).

Scotty steps away to take a call, and Obrecht says she knows every cell in Nina’s body is aching to go to her daughter. Nina says, it’s torture, but it’s what Willow wants, and Obrecht says, for now. Perhaps someday, and soon. It’s not right that Carly gets to share in this moment with Michael and Willow. Carly is no better than they are, but she gets to share in this moment while they’re shunned. She’s forgiven her transgressions, while Nina is considered the transgressor. That is unacceptable. How she’d love to dig Carly’s skeletons out of the closet and into the light. Nina says, come to think of it, there is something Carly’s trying desperately to hide. Obrecht says, tell her more.

Austin says, so Nikolas was holding Esme Prince captive, in a tower no less, and Elizabeth was helping him? He didn’t know she had it in her. Ava says, still waters with that one, but he doesn’t get how Elizabeth is a threat. If she was helping Nikolas, wouldn’t it be in her best interest to keep quiet? She says, of course (🍷) it is, but Elizabeth’s conscience tends to flair up at the most inopportune moments. If her guilt sends her to the cops, Spoon Island will be swarming with police, and they could find the body. He says, we need a plan, but she says, not we; just her. This is her problem. He says, the second he saw her hiding the dead body, her problems became his problems, and she says, that’s noble of him, but nobody would have any idea they had a relationship beyond doctor and patient. No one will ever know he was here. The doorbell rings.

Ava answers the door to find Laura on the porch, and says, Laura wasn’t the person she expected. She invites Laura in, and Laura asks if Ava was expecting her son, but Ava says, definitely not. Laura asks Ava to tell her what happened with Nikolas last night.

Gregory says, it’s not like Finn to rush out like that, and Alexis says, he had a lot on his mind. He says, a nice way of telling him to butt out, and she says she likes his shorthand. He asks how her day is going, and she admits the editorial meeting was a little rough. He asks if there are any new developments in The Hook case, and she says, no, which is why they have to keep the pressure on the PCPD, so they find the lunatic. He asks how she’s going to do that, but she says she’s not sure. He suggests an early lunch and a little brainstorming, but she asks if he doesn’t have classes this morning.

Nina tells Obrecht that she saw Drew hugging Carly, comforting her, and wouldn’t have thought anything about it, but it was clear they were trying to keep their relationship a secret. Obrecht wonders what there is to hide. Even she knows they have a history of friendship. No one would be surprised if it evolved into more, so why would it matter if it had? Nina says she has no idea, and Obrecht suggests she find out.

Ava asks why Laura thinks she saw Nikolas last night, and Laura says, he and Spencer had a horrible argument. Nikolas seems to think Ava sided with Spencer against him. He stormed out, and she assumed he would come here. Ava says, he did. He barged in like he still owned the place. He went on and on about how it  belongs in the family. Austin slips out, and Ava says, in the end, they both said things they can never take back, so it’s just as well they’re divorcing. She wants him out of her life. Laura doesn’t see how that’s possible. Not if Ava is helping Spencer to blackmail him.

Carly asks if she can come in, and Michael says, 14 minutes and 20 seconds; Willow owes him twenty bucks. Carly asks how Willow is feeling, and Willow says, never happier, now that Amelia is here.  Michael says, let’s make it official, and introduces Amelia Grace Corinthos to Carly. Carly says, it’s perfect.

Nina asks if Sonny got to hold the baby, and he says, no, but he saw her on the way in. She says, Willow and Michael must be thrilled, and Sonny’s phone dings. He says, Willow is sending a text from Michael’s phone, and asks if Nina is ready,. He shows her a picture of the baby, and says, their new granddaughter has a name; Amelia. Nina says, Amelia Grace, and hugs Sonny.

Gregory says he doesn’t have a class today, and Alexis says, it’s hard to tell. He asks what she’s getting at, and she says, he never talks about his classes much. He says, of course (🍷) he does… doesn’t he? She says, most professors love talking about their classes; the interesting conversations, the offbeat questions, their students and how they inspire them. He says, here’s an offbeat question for her; what’s her point? She says, maybe he’s not as invested in teaching as he used to be, and he says, because he doesn’t tell her about his classes? She says, it’s possible he’s just over it, and ready for a change.

Ava says, Laura, of all people, can’t condone what Nikolas did, and Laura says she probably wouldn’t if she knew what it was, but Ava and Spencer are holding it over his head, aren’t they? She knows Nikolas treated Ava badly, but does Ava think it’s a good strategy to respond in kind? If they keep tearing into each other, how will that end? Ava flashes back to the argument with Nikolas and whacking him in the head, and tells Laura that she didn’t want this. Laura says, of course (🍷) Ava didn’t, but she’s worried about her son. He’s lost Ava, and apparently had a terrible falling out with Elizabeth. She’s afraid Spencer’s threat to take away his child is going to be the last straw. Whatever secret Ava shares with Spencer, Spencer lorded it over his father last night. Nikolas felt so betrayed, and was so angry. She feels like something horrible is going to happen now and she’s going to lose her son for good.

Finn offers his condolences to Obrecht about Britt, and she thanks him… for his absence at Britta’s memorial. At least he’s not a hypocrite like so many others at this hospital; giving Britta her due only after she’s gone. Since he’s feeling so generous today, perhaps he can do something about his friend Elizabeth.

Elizabeth thanks Scotty for coming over, and he says, she calls, he comes, they are family. She says she’s glad he’s part of the boys’ lives, and he says he’s going to cut to the chase. She sounded funny on the phone, and said she wanted to see him in a professional capacity. Now she’s telling him that she’s happy he’s part of the boys’ lives. What gives? She says she’s in trouble.

Laura says, there’s nothing to stop Nikolas from throwing in with Victor now, and Ava says, Nikolas hates what’s become of his life. He doesn’t think there’s anything for him here in Port Charles. But for what it’s worth (🍷), she doesn’t think he’ll throw in with Victor. Laura hopes Ava is right, but wishes he’d return her calls. She supposes she’ll hear from him eventually. He probably just needs a little time to lick his wounds. She’s probably overreacting. Ava says, she’s reacting as any mother would.

Nina thinks it’s a good sign that Willow sent Sonny the photo, but he says, it’s not the real thing. She says, he’s right, and hugs him.

Carly holds Amelia and says, she’s beautiful. Michael says he thinks some peace and quiet might do the baby some good, and Willow says she knows what he’s trying to do, but she doesn’t want to take her eyes off Amelia. Carly says, Willow has the rest of her life to look at Amelia; she can rest. Willow says, when she puts it that way… and closes her eyes.

Alexis asks if there’s a chance Gregory is no longer interested in teaching, and he says, they already talked about him becoming a journalist. She says, this time, she’s not just talking. She’s offering him a job.

Laura says, if Ava hears from her son, text her, and Ava says, absolutely, but Nikolas made it clear that he never wants to see her again. It’s probably for the best. All they seem to do these days is hurt each other. Laura says she wishes it could have gone differently, and Ava says, so does she, more than anything. Laura leaves, and Ava leans against the door.

Finn asks what Obrecht thinks he needs to do about Elizabeth, and she says she just lost her daughter, but is her Scotty here with her? Obviously, he’s not, because Elizabeth called with yet another life crisis she’s ill-equipped to handle. Since her Scotty is both blessed and cursed with an excessively kind heart, he ran to her aid. Why? What does Elizabeth want with Scotty?

Scotty says, what kind of trouble? but Elizabeth says she’s not exactly sure. He says, she needs a lawyer, but doesn’t know why? and she says she knows what she did. She just doesn’t know how bad it is legally speaking. He says he’ll help her any way possible, so spit it out, and she says she committed a crime. Actually, several crimes.

The nurse wheels Amelia out of Willow’s room, and Michael comes out. Sonny starts to say something, but Michael sees Austin, and runs after him. He asks if there’s any news about the stem cells, and Austin says, Dr. Randolph should be on her way. Michael asks if they can wait for Terry in Willow’s room, Austin says, sure, and follows Michael in. Nina says, it sounds like they harvested the stem cells. Willow is going to get the transplant, right? This whole ordeal is going to be over. Sonny says, she’s going to live a long and happy life, and Nina says, hopefully, she’ll be part of that life.

Carly asks Austin if there’s any news, and he says, there is, but they should wait. Willow says she’s awake, and asks if Austin has met Amelia. He says he has, but wasn’t aware they’d named her. Such a beautiful name for a beautiful girl. Willow says she misses Amelia already, and Michael suggests she get some shuteye. They’ll wake her when Terry gets here. She says, or they can cut to the chase. Have the stem cells been harvested? She’s ready to move forward right away. She wants to get treated, and get out of this hospital as soon as possible. Her children need her. Austin doesn’t say anything, and Michael asks if there’s something wrong.

Tomorrow, Willow says, whatever it is, she can handle it; Elizabeth says she’s decided to turn herself in; and Nina asks what Sonny is thinking, and he says, she’ll see.

Vanderpump Rules

This was pretty much the same old, just with the players moved around. Lala talked about Randall’s mess of a life, and the LA Times article. Among the many sins of Randall listed were, his casting couch, sending assistants to run drugs, and $25 million in lawsuits. In Lala’s interview, she said, the LA Times confirmed what 50 Cent had said; Randall was a little Harvey Weinstein with less money and power. James had a new girlfriend, Ally, who’d already moved in. Raquel told us that James had found her replacement in three weeks. She was surprised when James called Ally the love of his life, since five minutes ago, he’d said the same thing about her. James was also drinking again after over two years of being sober. It was the old I just like a glass of wine with dinner justification, and I wonder how long before he’s the old James again. I’m pretty sure the old James has been lurking just beneath the surface this whole time.

Scheana and Raquel went to some spa to be wrapped in infrared blankets, which the manager said was the same as a cardio workout. If it was, we’d all be doing it. Raquel was going out with Peter, sort of. She told Scheana that she wasn’t trying to date Peter. She just wanted to under James’s skin. She could do worse. He’s certainly the most mature of the bunch. No surprise, James made a comment about Peter’s belly, even though Peter isn’t fat. Why does this twit continually call people fat to insult them? It’s wrong on so many levels, especially in 2023. In Raquel’s interview, she said she thought Ally was in for a rude awakening, and she couldn’t believe what she’d tolerated when she was with James.

Schwartz and Katie were divorced, and Schwartz thought they had a good friendship. It had been a healthy divorce, although he thought divorce was a dramatic word. You should just say, I want to start a happy new beginning… without you. Schwartz had also played pickleball with Randall, and was on Lala’s sh*t list. In Sandoval’s interview, he said, it seemed insane that Lala hadn’t seen what was coming, and we flashed back to some red flags. The girls made plans to go to Hotel Ziggy where James was going to be DJ’ing, and Raquel said she thought it was going to be stressful with Ally plus James plus Peter.

It was Lala’s first time being single and sober, and it freaked her out. Rachel decided to rip the Band-Aid off and get to know Ally. They talked on a couch in the bar lounge, and it was all rainbows and unicorns. Until some weird guy, wearing only a towel, came by, and said it was his couch. His face was blurred, so I’m guessing he thought better of his decision making when sober. But seriously, WTF? Schwartz tried to talk to Lala, and said he couldn’t believe she cut him from her life for hanging out with her ex seven months after the fact. Lala said, if he didn’t want to be on her team, that was fine, but then he wasn’t going to be in her orbit. He said he hadn’t been being malicious, and she sent him a malicious text, making a derogatory comment about his marriage. In Schwartz’s interview, he wondered who the f*** Lala thought she was. He’d been at the lowest point in his life, and Lala hurt his feelings. Cry me a river. I don’t blame her for being pissed. Lala apologized for her timing, and in her interview, she said, it was the year of burning bridges. Either you were with her, or out of her life.

This season, twerking: a girls trip; Vanderpump Paris opens; a Schwartz piñata; Garcelle (!); delays in Schwartz & Sandy’s opening; and Schwartz calls Lala a bootleg Housewife.

🃏 No Joke…

So that’s where Morgan has been all this time.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/bryan-craig-teases-his-role-in-the-joker-sequel

🏋️‍♂️ Dropping the Bar…

It’s not even low anymore. It’s on the ground.

https://people.com/tv/peacock-shares-statement-after-brandi-glanville-caroline-manzo-rhugt-incident/

😭 Say It Ain’t So…

My dream vacation was to cruise on a yacht with Captain Lee driving and Kate as chief stew. Alas, it looks like it will never be. Like I’d have a year’s salary to spend for a few days on a boat. Still, the show won’t be the same. It’s suffered from Kate leaving. This will be the final nail unless they pull one huge rabbit out of a hat.

Why Is Captain Lee Rosbach Leaving Below Deck? Details on the Bravo Star’s Departure After 10 Seasons
https://pagesix.com/2022/12/13/captain-lee-rosbach-leaving-below-deck-over-health-issues/

💃🏽 Whiskey Tango Foxtrotting Out…

Check in tomorrow to find out what’s happening in Port Charles and have some tea. Until then, stay safe, stay not crossing a bridge until you come to it, and stay not believing an infrared blanket is the same as a cardio workout.

Feb8

February 7, 2023 – Felicia Plans a Vigorous Haunting, Same Old Jersey, Calendar Boys, Leaving Port Charles, Everything Grammy & Handsome

Posted on by
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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Laura thanks Eileen for meeting her at Kelly’s. She needed the comfort and coziness of the diner tonight. She asks Eileen to step in for her tomorrow at the sanitation worker’s negotiation meeting. When she attended Britt Westbourne’s memorial, she found out a dear friend of hers died.

Anna says, Valentin and Charlotte had a nice visit, but he says it was too brief. Holding her in his arms made him realize what he was missing. His girl is growing up. Anna says, they have a tendency to do that, and he says, she and Charlotte seem to be getting along. She says, Charlotte is on to them, and she thinks Charlotte approves. Felicia comes in, and Anna asks how it went. Felicia says, as planned. Charlotte is home with Doc at Laura’s. She asks if there’s a problem, and Anna says, other than Victor, no.

Spencer finds Victor in the chapel, and Victor says he was hoping to give Obrecht his condolences, but he’s too late. Spencer says, Britt would have approved of the memorial, and Victor thinks Obrecht will be struck by the irony of the situation. They’re living in the same hell; the hell of losing one’s only child.

At The Savoy, Portia hugs Curtis, thanking him for making everything look so beautiful. Molly asks if TJ is ready for the big day tomorrow, and he says, absolutely. Portia and Curtis should be celebrated. She says, but she can’t help wondering how his mom feels.

Taggert and Jordan have dinner at Kelly’s, and she tells him that he was probably her most successful relationship. He says, he gets her, and tomorrow their exes are going to become partners for life.

Curtis says he knows Portia was disappointed that her mom’s condition prevents her from traveling, and she says, of course (🍷) she’d like to have her family here, but as long as she has him, she’ll be all right. He says he can’t have his beautiful bride disappointed, and turns her around. She sees her father and brother, and hugs them both, squealing with happiness. Marshall asks Trina if that’s her grandfather, and she says, and her Uncle Ezekiel. He asks if her uncle is a doctor too, but she says, Uncle Zeke went his own way.

Elizabeth stands at the doorway of The Savoy, and almost leaves, but Drew says, not so fast. Didn’t she just get here? He’s sorry for blocking her escape, but he’s also sorry for everything she’s going through. She looks at him blankly, and he says, her break-up with Finn. She says, it’s been a rough couple of weeks; for the boys as well. Cameron had a first love break-up, and it’s a unique type of pain. Drew says, he’ll get through it, and he’s sure Cameron knows she’s there for him. She says, but what if she can’t be?

Ava says she can’t let Nikolas take Avery, and he says, don’t worry. He’ll tell Avery that she said goodbye. He turns to leave, and she grabs a statue of a griffon, and whacks him in the back of the head. He drops to the floor, and she goes to him, asking him if he’s all right, and telling him to please answer her. She couldn’t let him take Avery. She just wanted to stop him, so she could reason with him. Please wake up.

Eileen says, Anna Devane is dead? and Laura says, along with her granddaughter’s father, Valentin Cassadine. Valentin tracked Anna to a Paris catacomb, and it collapsed. There were multiple fatalities. Whoever was behind this is responsible for a tremendous loss of life.

Jordan asks if Taggert invited her out to have a pity party, but he says, pity is not their style. Everyone is at The Savoy, celebrating the happy couple and toasting them, so he thought they could share a meal. She says, because she might feel lonely? Jealous? He says, left out, like him, and she says, they were invited. He says, but they declined because it wouldn’t be right, and she says, because he’s not over Portia. He says he’s been over Portia. Jordan isn’t over Curtis. She says she’s not over wanting to protect him, and Taggert asks what that means.

Curtis introduces him self to Portia’s father Sterling, and says he’s glad Sterling and Ezekiel could make it. Ezekiel tells him, it’s Zeke. No one calls him Ezekiel except his mom when she’s mad at him. Portia asks Zeke to tell her everything, and Zeke says, not only did Curtis arrange for their flights at the last minute, he hired a caretaker to look after their mom. Portia says, he’s a keeper.

TJ tells Molly that his mom thought it best to sit this one out, although he’s sure she wishes them well. Molly says, it must be hard to watch Curtis move on, and he says, if they ever split up and Molly committed to someone else he doesn’t know how he’d take it. She says, if they ever split up, she’s joining a nunnery, but he says, that, he can’t imagine. No relationship is infallible. She wonders why they’re talking about this at the rehearsal dinner, and says she’s sorry she mentioned it, but he says, they’re good. He just wants them to stay that way. She asks why they wouldn’t, and he says, because they have something in common with his mom and Taggert.

Trina asks Marshall where Epiphany is, and he says, she’s out of town. Now that she passed her MCATs, she’s checking out a few med schools. She asks if Epiphany is moving, and he says, hopefully not. Why is Trina hanging around him? Doesn’t she have a date tonight, or is he late? She says, Marshall is fun to hang around, and she knew better than to invite Spencer to a family event. He says, good call.

Spencer asks if something happened to Valentin, and Victor says, he died. He drowned in Paris. Spencer asks if Valentin was there on business, and Victor says, his son died putting others ahead of his family. Let that be a lesson to Spencer. Friends may have their appeal, women may have their uses, but in the final analysis, cleave only to his true family. Only a Cassadine can truly understand a Cassadine. Heed these words, lest Spencer suffer the same fate as his son.

Ava tells Nikolas, please wake up. She didn’t mean it. She just wanted to stop him from taking Avery. She wonders if he’s breathing, and listens for a heartbeat, when there’s a knock at the door. Ava hears, open up. It’s Austin.

Laura says, now Eileen knows why she asked her to step in. It’s so upsetting, the loss of innocent life. She believes Anna was innocent and thinks she was framed. Of course (🍷) now she’ll never have the chance to prove that. And Laura’s little granddaughter is just bereft over the loss of her father. She suggests they go over the sanitation workers’ contracts, but Eileen says she’s not feeling very well. Could they tackle this in the morning? She gets up, gathering her things, and Laura says, of course (🍷). Does Eileen think she’ll be up to it? Eileen says she’ll be fine. She’s sorry about Laura’s friends. She leaves, and Laura takes out her phone. She sends a text, and says, mission accomplished.

Taggert asks why Jordan still feels the need to protect Curtis, and she says, just because they divorced their exes doesn’t mean they don’t still care. He says he still cares about Portia, but protecting her is Curtis’s responsibility now. Trina’s a different story. He’s always going to care about his baby girl, no matter what. She says, protecting the people she cares about is second nature; that includes him. He says he doesn’t need protecting any more than Curtis does. Unless there’s something she’s not saying. She says, she and Taggert have always trusted each other, with their lives and with their secrets… Laura comes by, and says she was on her way to the rehearsal dinner,  and she guesses they’re not going. Jordan says she’s not really feeling the moment. Laura’s meeting with Eileen looked intense. Anything she should know about? Laura says, they were just going over contracts for tomorrow’s meeting, then Eileen felt sick, and left kind of suddenly. Jordan hopes she feels better soon, but Laura says she thinks things are likely to get worse for Eileen before they get better. She hopes Stella feels better soon. She heard Stella was too sick to officiate at the wedding.

Zeke says, their mom wanted to be here more than anything, and Portia says, she knows, and asks how she’s doing. Is she having any side affects from the new medication? He says, she’s doing okay. She made him promise not to talk about her health with Portia. Portia says, of course (🍷) she did, and Zeke says, she wants Portia to focus on her wedding. He takes out a jewelry box, and says, she wanted Portia to have this. She opens it to a beautiful rhinestone flower brooch, and says, it’s their great grandmother’s brooch. She can’t accept it; it’s far too valuable. He says, their mom knew Portia would say that, and also said nothing is more priceless than the happiness of her only daughter. And he’s not wearing it, so she’d better. He leaves, and Curtis comes along. Portia hugs him, and says, how can she thank him? It’s going to be perfect tomorrow… What’s wrong? He says, there’s been a slight hedge, but they have guests and can talk about it later. She says, if there’s going to be a problem, she wants to know.

Drew says, Elizabeth can tell him, and she says she’s just hyper-aware that time’s fleeting and tomorrow’s not promised.

Trina tells Marshall that she sees Spencer. He’s sensitive and kind. People just need to keep an open mind and give him a chance. Marshall says, it sounds like her friendship has been good for Spencer. Just make sure the reverse is true.

TJ tells Molly that Curtis and his mom started leading separate lives when they let their careers take their focus. He doesn’t want them to make the same mistake. She says she misses him, but still feels close to him, and he says he feels the same. He asks her to promise they’ll always be vigilant about this, and she promises. In fact, she can’t wait to get closer tonight. They kiss, and Trina says, sorry, but she needs to know, how close is the DA to nailing Esme Prince?

Victor asks Spencer to promise he’s committed to this family, and the future Victor is trying to build for the generations of Cassadines to come. Spencer says he is. He believes there is a better future for the Cassadine line. Victor says he knew he could count on Spencer to do what’s necessary, and Spencer says, he can. Starting with taking full custody of his little brother or sister.

Ava closes the sitting room doors, and opens the front door. She tells Austin that it isn’t a good time, but he says, it will only take a minute. She says, maybe tomorrow? She really wasn’t expecting company this evening. He says, it’s really important. Will she let him in? It’s really cold out here. She tells him to go to the sitting room, upstairs to the right. The staff has the night off, so he’ll have to find it on his own. He heads upstairs, and she goes back to Nikolas. She says, think, Ava. Think.

Jordan says she hadn’t heard about Stella being sick, but she was worried this might happen. Stella has a history of health issues, and was a little off when Jordan saw her earlier. Laura says, at least it’s nothing serious. She should get going. She hopes they have a wonderful evening. She leaves, and Curtis says, whatever it is, it must have really laid Stella out. He can’t imagine her missing her nephew’s big day. Jordan says, maybe she’ll check in on Stella, and he says, it’s good she’s kept up a relationship with Curtis’s family. She says, when there’s a divorce, it doesn’t just affect the two people in the marriage, and he says, he and Portia need to have a relationship for Trina’s sake. Now that Curtis is part of the equation… He’s a good guy. She says, he is, and so is Taggert. Portia is a good woman, but sometimes good people get caught up… He says, hold up. He knows why she feels she has to protect Curtis. It’s because of Portia’s lie.

Portia asks why Curtis didn’t tell her about Stella earlier, and he says, auntie didn’t want to ruin tonight. She feels awful about tomorrow. She says she knows how badly he wanted Stella to officiate, but he says, as long as he gets to marry her tomorrow, nothing else matters.

Marshall asks if Drew has his speech locked down, but Drew says he’s on the fence between funny and sentimental. Marshall says, as long as it’s from the heart, and Drew says he’ll do his best. The gift Curtis is most grateful for is Marshall being at the wedding. Marshall says he just wishes he could give Curtis the one thing he asked for.

Trina guesses she came in kind of hot, but Molly says, it’s totally understandable, given what Esme has put Trina through. But she’s afraid the defense might try to plead it out, argue for lesser penalties or even a dismissal of charges. Trina says, which means Esme will be free to live her life and raise her baby.

Spencer tells Victor that Diane agreed to be his counsel, and even Ava offered to help. He also has the support of his friends. Victor says, Spencer is making this move now, after what he just said about putting others ahead of family? Spencer says, his sibling is a Cassadine too, arguably the only one worth saving. This baby represents the future Victor is so passionate about. Shouldn’t they give the newest Cassadine heir the best chance in life? Can Victor honestly say that would be with his father or Esme? Victor says, Nikolas is desperate to raise this child, but Spencer says he doesn’t care what his father wants. Victor says, neither does he. He knew he was right to put his trust in Spencer. Well played. This custody move is a stroke of genius.

N’neka says, Curtis has an uninvited guest. She told him it was a private event, but he says he needs to have a word. Curtis says he’ll handle it, and goes outside to find Brad. Brad apologizes for intruding, but he told his aunt that he’d stop by. He holds out an envelope, and says, on the occasion of Curtis’s wedding, his aunt sends her warmest compliments.

Ava drags Nikolas to a closet in the stables, and says she’s so sorry. She really did love him. She padlocks the closet door on her way out, and sees Austin watching her.

Valentin says, the authorities confirmed their deaths, but how do they know Victor buys it? and Felicia says, after Victor was contacted by Laura, he verified it with his people. Valentin says, it’s neat, it’s clean; what’s next? Felicia says, as far as Victor knows, he and Anna are deceased. They’re ghosts. And what do ghosts do best? He says, they get three sheets to the wind. It’s not a dad joke; he got it from Charlotte. Felicia says, ghosts do love their boos. They also like to exorcise. Anna says, stop it please, and Felicia asks how ghosts exorcise. With a vigorous haunting.

Curtis asks Brad to tell his auntie that he appreciates the well wishes. He’s welcome to stay for a drink. Brad says, thanks, but he’s not in a celebrating mood, and Curtis says, sorry about his friend. Brad says, congratulations, and leaves. Laura arrives, and hugs Curtis. She asks if he can believe his big day is here already, and asks how he feels. He says, overwhelmed, but happy, when Portia joins them. She and Laura hug, and Curtis says, they have a big favor to ask Laura. Laura says she’d love to officiate their wedding, and he asks if she’s psychic, but she says, no. Stella called her. He says, that’s his auntie; always taking care of business. Portia thanks Laura for taking the weight off their shoulders, and Laura says, her pleasure. Stella wanted them to know how sorry she is. She didn’t sound that bad, but Jordan seemed to think it was coming on all day. Portia says, Jordan said Stella was sick? and Laura asks if something is wrong. Portia says, Stella seemed fine when she saw her last, but Laura says, those bugs can come on suddenly. Curtis suggests they get a drink, but Portia says she wants to take a second with her mother’s gift, and Curtis and Laura go inside.

Spencer says he’s surprised Victor approves of him seeking custody, but he’s glad Victor does. Victor says, he doesn’t just approve; he’s impressed. This is a masterful move, and could be the key to getting Spencer’s father to fall in line. Spencer says, this isn’t about getting his father to fall in line. It’s about getting him out of their lives. Isn’t Victor finished with Nikolas? Victor says, no one’s ever finished with family. This move is seamless. It builds on everything already in motion. It’ll take Nikolas losing everything, including his baby, to force him back into the fold.

Austin asks if Ava is going to explain what’s going on, and she asks if he’s going to the cops. He asks if there’s any reason he wouldn’t, and she says she and Nikolas were arguing, and he threatened to take her daughter. He would use his Uncle Victor’s resources, and she’d never see Avery again. She panicked, grabbing the first thing she could, and she hit him. She just wanted to stop him, but he fell and he wasn’t breathing. Austin says, so she put him in a closet? Can they talk about that? (Ha-ha! Roger Howarth’s delivery.) She says, people will think she killed her husband out of revenge, and he says, did she? She says, no. She just wanted to stop him and talk to him. He threatened to take her daughter. Austin says, she thinks that sounds like a defense, but it sounds like motive, and she says, despite everything, she loved him. Austin says, so Nikolas shows up here late at night, unannounced, uninvited, and threatened to take her daughter. He doesn’t know her track record with the truth, but it rings true. She says, he doesn’t understand. She loved Nikolas and she killed him. It doesn’t matter that she didn’t mean to or what any court may rule. She’ll be condemned and sentenced by Victor Cassadine.

Taggert says, Portia really hurt him, but he’s forgiven her, and Jordan says, but Trina… and he says, of course (🍷) it’s never easy learning your parents aren’t perfect. She was hurt, but understands his behavior was part of it. Jordan asks how any of this was his fault, and he says he was never home. When they were off doing undercover work, his wife was lonely; she felt neglected. He gets why Jordan feels she has to protect Curtis. She feels if Portia was unfaithful before, she could do it again. Jordan says, actually, she’s sure Portia loves Curtis, and would do absolutely anything not to lose him.

Portia leaves a voicemail for Stella, saying, she wanted to check in and see if Stella was okay. If she needs anything, let her know. They miss her. Zeke asks, what’s wrong? and she says, nothing, hopefully. Curtis’s aunt suddenly fell ill. He says, and she’s worried, but she says, not for the reason he might think.

Marshall tells Drew that Curtis asked him to perform at the ceremony, but he doesn’t want to screw up on Curtis’s big day. Drew says, that’s highly unlikely. As a wise man once told him, all that matters is that it comes from the heart.

Trina introduces her grandfather to TJ and Molly, and Sterling says, thank goodness for Molly. They’re a little doctor heavy in this family. Curtis tells Trina, they’re playing our jam, and takes her to the dance floor. TJ tells Molly that he’d like to continue their conversation about getting closer.

At the bar, Laura asks if Elizabeth is okay, and Elizabeth says she just has a lot on her mind. Laura asks if one of those things would be Nikolas. What was going on at the hospital earlier? What were they arguing about?

Felicia says, years ago, her, Sean, and Mac devised a plan to outwit outlast outplay Ryan Chamberlain. She was already dead, so Ryan thought, and she haunted him to get his confession on tape, and it worked. Valentin says, so she thinks since it worked on Ryan, it will be worth trying on Victor? and she says, they have way better technology now, but in a nutshell, the strategy is torment, guilt, compel. Anna asks if it isn’t worth a try. She already recorded a message from the Great Beyond earlier. He says, she knew of this plan? and she says she did. Just hear them out. He says, there’s one minor flaw. Felicia’s plan will never work on his father.

Spencer tells Victor, there’s enough manipulation in this family. This is a baby; this is not leverage. Victor says, everything’s leverage, if used in the right way, but Spencer says, him gaining custody serves a higher purpose; to save his little brother or sister from his father. Victor says, keep telling himself that, but from where he’s standing, he’s seeing a man tapping into his natural born instincts. Before he saw Spencer, he was really quite bereft. Now he has hope again.

Ava asks if there’s anything she can do to get Austin to walk away right now. He can have money. He can have this house. He can have the gallery. She knows they don’t know each other very well, but she thinks they understand some things, and hopes, despite her history, he knows this is not who she is. Not anymore. Just give her some time to leave with her daughter. He says he’s going to stop her right now. There’s nothing she can do to change his mind.

Sterling says, Portia looks way too serious for a blushing bride. It’s not too late to back out. She says, if there’s one thing she’s sure about, it’s Curtis, and Sterling says he likes Curtis. He’s not sure if Curtis deserves her, but he’ll do. She’s done nothing but make him proud. She’s every father’s dream; her and that little granddaughter of his. Everyone goes back to dancing, and Spencer watches Trina from the top of the steps.

Eileen meets Victor in the chapel, and says, since he wouldn’t take her call. Anna and Valentin are dead. He says, news travels fast. Yes, his son was killed. She says, Anna and his son were looking for Lucy Coe. Is she dead as well? He assured her nobody would die. She didn’t sign up for this. Obviously, she did no research before that sign-up. He says, she acts like she has some choice in the matter; she doesn’t. She works for him. She knew there were risks. She says she’s out. She’s no longer at his disposal. He says, that’s not her decision to make. If she crosses him, getting caught will be the least of her worries.

Valentin says, if they hope to get a confession from his father by playing on Victor’s guilt, they’re going to be disappointed. Anna supposes you can’t shame the shameless, and Felicia says, which is why she had to adjust the plan this time. He says, which part? The torment part, the guilt part, or the compel part? She says, that all stays the same. She’s talking target. It’s not Victor.

Eileen gets her really, really nice car, and the radio comes on. There’s nothing but static, and she tries to adjust the dial. She hears Anna’s voice saying, you’re next. You’re next, Eileen. You’re next. You’re next. YOU’RE NEXT!

Austin says he doesn’t believe Ava wanted Nikolas dead, and she asks if he’s saying he’ll wait to report this. He says he has no intention of reporting this at all, and she asks, why not? He says he’s not really clear on that, but it feels right, and she helped him out when she didn’t have to. They’ve talked about this; families are complicated. If Victor is going to kill her if he finds out, then the only solution is for him not to find out. She wonders how to keep it from Laura and Spencer, and he says he’ll help her.

Tomorrow, Elizabeth says she’s not as perfect as Laura thinks she is; Alexis supposes Gregory is over it; and Carly thinks the nightmare will finally be over

The Real Housewives of New Jersey

Getting down to business, there are a couple of new wives, Rachel and Danielle (no, not that Danielle), as well as another Jennifer who’s a friend. We’ll call her Jen to avoid confusion. These Jennifers are getting like the Joes. Throw a rock, hit a Joe or Jennifer. Dolores has new man Paulie in her life, and it looks like Frank isn’t hanging around so much anymore. Although you’d think he wouldn’t want to, since he’s dating Brittany, and Dolores said she had dogs who were older than Brittany. I think she’s exaggerating, but if not, I want to know what she’s feeding them.

Teresa had a destination 50th birthday celebration, where Jennifer #1 broke her toe. In Jennifer’s interview, she said she had the evil eye on her, and her mother did something called a kurşun, which was supposed to remove it. Jennifer didn’t feel it worked, and thought the evil was coming from Dolores. Joe #2 was pissed about Melissa being frozen out of Teresa’s wedding, but Melissa texted Teresa that it was all good. She didn’t hear back, and two months later, Teresa invited Melissa to her birthday. As you can imagine, Melissa RSVP’d a big fat no. Teresa also celebrated her birthday at home with Louie’s family, and said, it was a dream, since apparently, she’d traded her own family for them. Louie’s mom is a therapist, so she must be having a field day. Teresa said it hurt that Joe and Melissa hadn’t come to her party, and thought it was coming from Melissa, and Joe was just following blindly. Louie said Joe was weak and immature, and Melissa was insecure. Teresa’s birthday wish was that the family not fight and love each other. I don’t see how that could fail, considering her fine example. And talk about a follower. Louie is like her bobblehead. Whatever she says, he just agrees.

To kick off Memorial Day weekend, Melissa had an 80s roller skating party, because the 80s was her jam. Everyone except Louie dressed up, and those who’d gone through the 80s (Rachel was born in 1991) had 80s flashbacks. Marge ended up breaking her wrist when she landed on her ass. Not that I’m judging. I’m terrible on skates. In Teresa’s interview, she said she’d been going to therapy, and was learning that she didn’t have to be so reactive, yelling and throwing things. I wonder how much that therapist is charging. I’ll tell her that for half of it. We also found out that her father had been volatile when angry, which makes complete sense. In Danielle’s interview, she said she was a combination of Staten Island and New Jersey. She got her cojones from Staten Island, but her sass from Jersey. Jennifer avoided Dolores like the plague, and Dolores wondered if they were in the schoolyard.

Dolores said, since the charity softball game for breast cancer research was such a success, they were doing a calendar of the husbands. Teresa invited Marge and Joe #3 to have lunch with her and Louie at their house. Marge said she was a little anxious, since last time they met, Teresa had dumped a whole table on her, and we flashed back to that. Teresa wanted to talk it out, and once they got going, Louie told her to stop interrupting Marge. That’s another thing he does, the gentle correction when they’re in public. I think it’s all for show. Teresa blamed Marge for her issues with Melissa, because Melissa didn’t stand up for Louie. Yeah. She’s a real logic queen, a regular Mr. Spock. Teresa said she’d also texted Melissa to tell them not to talk about Louie, and Melissa read the text to the group. Teresa said she was being raw as a cucumber, apologized to Marge, and invited her to the wedding. While I’d like to see Teresa shown the door, I would miss her little bon mots.

The guys gathered with the Wives at Dolores’s house for the calendar shoot. One new husband – I’m not sure which was which – was photographed watering plants (shirtless of course), and the other was a lumberjack. Joe #2 was a chef at the grill, and Joe #3 was on a motorcycle. Evan was a basketball player, and Bill, a sexy doctor. Louie did yoga poses, and Marge said, Teresa could be the fluffer. In Teresa’s interview, a producer asked if she knew what that was, and she thought it was a long stick with a feather at the end. If you don’t know, google it. In Melissa’s interview, she said, Joe #2 was going all Zoolander. Marge told Joe #2 and Melissa about Teresa’s apology, and that she’d said Melissa didn’t back Louie up. Paulie, who’d just gotten over covid, showed up last, and his character was a bartender. He’s not jacked like Frank is, but he seems sweet.

Jennifer babbled about Marge, but Rachel wasn’t having it. She talked to Dolores, who said she didn’t know what she’d done to Jennifer. She said Jennifer was telling everyone else how she felt, but not her. In Dolores’s interview, she said, now she was f***ing mad, and she hunted Jennifer down for a talk. She said Jennifer had been talking about her during the whole party. She’d tried talking to Jennifer at the roller rink, and she’d walked away. Jennifer whined that Dolores had told her, f*** you, the last time they’d talk, and said she didn’t have the decency to say what Marge did wrong. She said she and Jennifer didn’t agree on what a friend is, and Jennifer said she was nice, but Dolores wasn’t. She started yelling that Dolores was never her friend, and was two-faced. Bill steered her out, and she yelled that Dolores looks like an old f***ing handbag.

I don’t think there was a preview, but I imagine it will be more of the same yelling, screaming, and acting ignorant in general.

📅 About That Calendar…

Well, it is for charity, and face it, the husbands are the best part of the show.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/rhonj-see-the-pics-from-the-husbands-charity-calendar-photoshoot

🚢 Aντιο σας, Nikolas…

They probably just wanted someone new to own Windymere. Faison owned it when he first came to Port Charles. It’s about time it changed hands again.

Marcus Coloma Reveals “How Much it Hurt” Leaving GH
Adam Huss Opens up About Taking Over as Nikolas on GH

🏆 For the Gram…my…

The basics. Who won, who didn’t.

https://www.grammy.com/news/2023-grammy-nominations-complete-winners-nominees-list

The performances.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/02/05/grammys-2023-brutally-honest-reviews-every-performance-ranked/11193018002/

https://people.com/music/grammys-2023-best-performances/

The fashion.

https://pagesix.com/2023/02/05/grammys-2023-live-red-carpet-all-the-celebrity-outfits/

https://www.eonline.com/photos/35657/grammys-2023-red-carpet-fashion

https://www.essence.com/gallery/red-carpet-roundup-the-2023-grammy-awards/

https://people.com/style/2023-grammys-standout-style-moments/

https://www.grammy.com/news/lizzo-fashion-2023-grammys-red-carpet-pre-grammy-gala-performance-outfits

And a bunch of odd stuff. Like the untouched food.

https://www.popsugar.com/food/charcuterie-boards-grammys-2023-49079835

Madonna’s new face. I’m more concerned about what she’s wearing, the Pilgrim Wednesday Addams look.

https://pagesix.com/2023/02/05/fans-so-confused-by-madonnas-new-face-at-grammys-2023/

I don’t think they were saying she looked old. Just weird.

https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/madonna-responds-ageism-after-comments-appearance-grammys/story?id=96963896

Controversy! Although I’m sure he was referring to his social status or upbringing or something.

https://apnews.com/article/grammys-2023-harry-styles-album-of-the-year-harry-beyonce-68bfa38b02e797e3300b7c32f00d8b2c

I’m not even sure what to make of this.

https://pagesix.com/2023/02/06/sam-smith-grammys-2023-performance-slammed-as-satantic/

🤓 Hello, I Must Be Going…

Drop by tomorrow for soap and what’s pumping in VanderLand. Until then, stay safe, stay celebrating your progress, no matter how small, and stay hyper-aware that time’s fleeting and tomorrow’s not promised.

Feb4

February 3, 2023 – Elizabeth Tells Finn the Truth, Back Peddle, Guilty, Blackout Blessed, Blame Game, Rumors, Gifting, Blackeye, Godfather On Deck, Farewell Sal, Pup (!) Guide, 3 X 3 Quotes & Cold Night

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Finn asks why Elizabeth lied about being pregnant with Nikolas’s baby.

Josslyn goes to Dex’s apartment, apologizing for just showing up. She throws herself into his arms.

After a performance at The Savoy, Brook compliments Chase and Blaze, and tells them that they’re single keeps climbing the charts. Blaze goes inside the club, and Brook tells Chase that he’s a natural.

Ava holds the door for Austin, and they run into Kelly’s. She calls him the hero of the hour. She heard he helped save Willow’s life, and Willow is important to a dear friend of hers. He says, she should thank Dr. Navarro; he was just part of a team. She wants to buy him supper, and won’t take no for an answer. She’s feeling generous, since her divorce has really paid off.

Nikolas says he appreciates Spencer wanting to be involved in his new sibling’s life, and Laura says, they know Britt’s memorial was hard on him. They’re both very sorry. Nikolas says, he wouldn’t have missed it if something important hadn’t come up, and Spencer says, there’s always something more important than him. Why does he keep coming in second? How many times will Nikolas fail before he ruins the baby’s life? That’s why he’s seeking full custody of Nikolas’s child. Laura says, he’s just angry right now, but Spencer says, it’s not a rash decision made in the heat of the moment. Nikolas says, Spencer has no idea what it take to raise a child, but Spencer says, neither does Nikolas. Laura tells them to stop. She knows they love each other. Spencer says, a long time ago, Nikolas meant the world to him, and Nikolas says Spencer is his world. Maybe the problem is, he spoiled Spencer and didn’t prepare him for life. Spencer says, Nikolas taught him life’s hardest lessons, like, heroes aren’t always who they seem to be, that the people you love can hurt you in unimaginable ways, and the people you trust to protect you can sacrifice you for their selfish interests. Nikolas broke his heart a thousand times, and he refuses to let Nikolas do the same to his sibling. He’s dead serious.

Chase asks if Brook has heard from Michael, because he’s not answering calls or texts, but she says she hasn’t. He says, Sasha texted, and said she saw the baby, but Willow is still in the ICU. She takes his hand, and says, Willow is tough. She’s going to pull through. Have faith. He tells her, they can’t do this anymore.

Elizabeth tells Finn that she was never pregnant. She didn’t have an affair with Nikolas or anyone. She never cheated on him. He wonders why she said she did, and she says, he saw her with those prenatal vitamins. He says he thinks she needs to start from the beginning, and she says, when she came back from California, she felt guilty and couldn’t face him. She wasn’t thinking, and went to Nikolas to get support from her oldest friend. She discovered Nikolas had gotten himself into a bad situation and needed her help. He asks, with what? and she says, Esme.

Josslyn tells Dex that she’s been on overload; so much joy, sadness, and fear at the same time. She’s happy he was home. He asks, what’s going on? and she says, her niece was born, and she’s healthy and perfect. Josslyn, her mom, and grandma visited her in the NICU, introducing her to the matriarchy. Dex says, if Josslyn’s niece is anything like her, she’s going to be amazing, and stubborn. He means that as a compliment. She says, Willow still hasn’t held her baby; she hemorrhaged after the C-section. She’s stable, but not conscious, and Michael is with her in the ICU. She’s so weak from the leukemia. What if she doesn’t wake up? Dex holds her.

Chase says he still wants to keep his promise to take Linc down, and get Brook’s songs back, but the CCRB spring meeting is coming up. If the Review Board votes in his favor, that’s it. He goes back to being a cop full-time, and can’t go after Linc anymore. And face it, they’re no closer to their goal. Brook says, these things take time, and he says, Blaze isn’t interested in turning Linc in for sexual harassment, and he’s not going to pressure her, which leaves them with tempting Linc to buy out the contract; signing Brook’s songs back over to her just in time for him to quit. She says, it’s still a solid plan, and he says, they have to move on it. He has to be done with this by the time the CCRB meets. She asks if he doesn’t mean done with her.

Josslyn tells Dex, the reason her niece was delivered early was so they could use the stem cells from the cord for Willow’s transplant. What no one is saying is, maybe Willow’s too weak, and maybe it’s too late. She feels guilty even saying that. He says she can say anything to him. Sometimes saying something out loud can take away it’s power. Willow has the best medical care money can buy, and she wants to live. Attitude can make a crucial difference. Josslyn says she hopes so. She just feels so powerless. And Britt’s memorial was today. She couldn’t go because of her niece of course (🍷), but she still feels like she should have been there to pay her respects. Britt saved Josslyn’s life, and it killed her.

Elizabeth tells Finn, the night she was on the docks, Nikolas was there too. Esme told her that Nikolas knew she’d been in town for weeks; she’d shown up pregnant with his child. Nikolas thought she was behind The Hook killings, and couldn’t let her hurt anyone else. At the same time, he had to protect his unborn baby. Finn asks what he did, and Elizabeth says, he kept Esme locked in a tower at Windymere. He says, that’s pretty disgusting, even for Nikolas, and she says she wanted to go to the police, but Nikolas convinced her not to. Finn asks, how? and she says, he told her that he wanted to make sure his child was safe from harm, and the people of Port Charles were safe from Esme, so she agreed to help him. That’s when Finn saw the bottle of prenatal vitamins at Windymere; she was providing Esme with medical care. When Finn saw her with the same vitamins at the hospital and asked her about it, she panicked. She said she was pregnant with Nikolas’s baby to keep their secret. She asks Finn to say something.

Austin says, so in the divorce, Ava got the house, and it’s a big house, called Windymere. It suits her. She seems like the lady of the manor. Congratulations. She says, it’s the least she was owed, and he says, when he first came to Port Charles, she was divorcing Nikolas, but they worked it out. She doesn’t want to do that now? She says, different circumstances. At that time, she left Nikolas to protect her daughter. Now she’s leaving to protect herself.

Laura says, Spencer has reason to be angry, but every parent makes mistakes. It doesn’t erase the bond between parent and child. Nikolas says, it’s okay. He owns everything he’s done to Spencer, but is taking his child away what’s best for the baby, or is Spencer getting even with him? Spencer says, this isn’t about revenge. It’s about how unfit Nikolas is to be a father. Not only because of what Nikolas has done to him, but what he’s done to other people as well. Unlike Nikolas, he’s going to do what’s best for the baby. Laura tells Spencer to think about what he’s saying, and he says he’s discussed this with his friends, and discussed his case with Diane Miller. He’ll do everything in his power to make sure Nikolas doesn’t destroy another innocent life. Laura says, he’s still a kid himself. He can’t raise the baby all alone. Nikolas says, she’s right. He loves this child, and he’ll make damn sure he doesn’t repeat… Spencer says, Nikolas is incapable of keeping that promise, and Nikolas says, if Spencer goes down this path, he’ll be forced to fight him, and he’ll use every weapon in his arsenal to make sure he gets custody. Don’t make him do this. Spencer says, it won’t go that far. Nikolas is going to hand him custody of his own free will.

Finn says, Elizabeth is now an accomplice to a kidnapping, but Elizabeth says she thought she was doing the right thing. She was protecting an innocent baby, and Esme couldn’t kill anyone as long as she was locked up. He says, Esme was the number one suspect in The Hook attacks. How long was Elizabeth going to let the police keep thinking that, when she knew Esme wasn’t the murderer? She says, it wasn’t until Officer Cabrera was killed that she knew she’d made a huge mistake. He has no idea how badly she wanted to say something, but at that point, she’d already given up everything to help Nikolas. She put herself in legal jeopardy, which would affect her kids, and threw away her relationship with him. She’s beaten herself up every single day for this, but she couldn’t see a way out. Then Esme escaped. When she was found, everything Elizabeth did, and everything she gave up, was all for nothing.

Josslyn says, Dex warned her about survivor’s guilt, and he was right. She wakes up in the middle of the night with her head spinning, wondering if she’d done something different, would Britt still be alive? He says he’s the one who got her to leave before the police showed up, and she says, his argument made sense. She knows it woudn’t have made a difference if they’d stayed, but she still feels guilty. It’s the same thing with Cam. She knew the right thing was to break up with him, and feels guilty about that too. Dex says he really messed up her life.

Chase says, that’s not what he meant, but Brook says, that doesn’t mean it isn’t true. He says he doesn’t want to be a pop star; it’s not his passion. He wants his badge back. She says, they might not even reinstate him, and he says, then he’ll have to figure out what’s next, but music isn’t his future. She says, translation, he doesn’t want to be around her, and he asks her to stop putting words in his mouth. It’s time to finish what they started. She says she gets that she screwed up by not writing the letter when Dante asked her to, and ruined any chance of them having a relationship, even a professional one. Is she wrong?

Nikolas says, like hell he’s going to grant Spencer custody, but Spencer says, Nikolas doesn’t have a choice. One way or another, Nikolas is going to be out of his child’s life. Laura tells them, stop it right now. They’re father and son, and should be able to work out their differences. Spencer says, Nikolas had every opportunity to work out their difference, but he couldn’t… or wouldn’t. Nikolas asks if Spencer thinks guilting him over his shortcomings is going to motivate him to sign his child over, and Spencer says, motivate. What a good word. The motive; revenge, justice, guilt. Take your pick. Laura says, but Spencer told them this wasn’t about revenge, and Nikolas flashes back to Ava recording his confession, and him saying, the motive; revenge, justice, guilt. Take your pick. Again using Nikolas’s words, Spencer says, any chance of reconciling with him is ruined, and Nikolas says, this isn’t a game. Spencer says, honestly, his only regret is not doing it sooner, and Nikolas flashes back to using those words Spencer says, this, I solemnly swear, and Laura asks, what’s happening right now? What aren’t they telling her? Nikolas says, this is Ava’s doing. She’s thrown in with Spencer, hasn’t she? Spencer says, it sure would be a shame for other people to find out what he knows, like Commissioner Ashford. Nikolas says, he wouldn’t, and Spencer says, not if Nikolas relinquishes his parental rights. Laura says, stop right here. Nothing that’s been said or done up to this point can’t be taken back. Nikolas says, there’s no coming back from this. His son is truly gone.

Finn says he knows Elizabeth and Nikolas are friends, but going along with something like this doesn’t seem like her at all. Elizabeth says, at times she didn’t recognize herself. He saw her when she came back from California, after finding out she’d killed his wife. He says, it wasn’t like that at all, but she says she was responsible and will feel guilty about that for the rest of her life. Everything was compounded by the way she hurt him. She’ll never forget the look on his face, and how he walked out of here. She was rapidly losing her grip, and there was nothing left to hold on to. He says he never should have walked out like that, but she says, his reaction was normal. Hers on the other hand… there’s no excuse. She should have remembered what really matters, and hung on for dear life to her boys and him. Instead, she shut out everything good in her life. He says, Nikolas bears responsibility here too, but she says she’s not letting him off the hook, especially now that he’s gone too far. Finn asks how that’s even possible.

Chase says he and Brook were friends first, and he’d be lying if he said he didn’t miss that, but she put her wants and needs ahead of his. He can’t forget that. So they’re going to take Linc down, get her songs back, and have that squared away before the CCRB meeting. She says, understood. There won’t be anything left between them by them. She excuses herself, and goes into the club. Blaze comes out, and asks where Brook is off to. Chase says, beats him, and she says, it looks like she came back just in time. She hands him a beer, and says she proposes a toast to the gig they just knocked out of the park, their adoring audience, and their new single, which drops next week, and she guarantees will be a smash. Or how about the unlikely partnership between the ex-cop and would-be folk singer? May it be long and profitable. She lifts her glass, but he doesn’t, and she asks, what’s wrong? He says he told Brook that he wants out, and she says, he can’t quit.

Austin says, if Ava is standing up for herself, good for her. It seems to be something she’s good at, since he saw it first hand with his cousin. She asks if Mason has given him any more trouble, but he says, it’s been quiet on that front. She asks if he’d tell her if it wasn’t, and he says, 100% no, because it’s not her problem, and he’s a grown person who can look after his own life. She says, there was a time Ava Jerome would have gone in for the kill – metaphorically speaking – anytime anyone crossed her. He asks, what changed? and she says she became Ava Cassadine, who made excuses in the name of true love, but she’s gone. He says, in his experience, when people are in relationships like the one she’s had with Nikolas, it doesn’t just end with a signature. She says, maybe not, but she did something today that should make it clear to Nikolas where they stand. And what could come of crossing her.

Nikolas asks if Ava isn’t Spencer’s sworn enemy. Does Spencer hate him this much? Spencer says, if he hated Nikolas, he wouldn’t be giving Nikolas this chance. For redemption. They both know what would happen if he went to the police with this information. Laura, who looks like her head is about to explode, says, what information? Spencer says he could have gone directly to Commissioner Ashford, who was standing right here at Britt’s memorial, but he didn’t. He came to Nikolas because he wanted to give Nikolas the choice. He can sign away his parental rights, and go on living his life, or face what happened when Spencer goes to the police. Nikolas grabs him by the shirt, and asks if this is what Spencer means by being his own man. He’s every bit a Cassadine. Nikolas walks out, Laura looks at Spencer, and follows.

Nikolas beelines for the exit, and Laura says, if he goes out that door, he’s making a big mistake.

Elizabeth tells Finn that Nikolas promised to keep her out of it if he got caught, although she’s not sure she really believed it. Then Esme was found, and it became clear that there was nothing Nikolas could do to protect her if Esme regains her memory. He did find a way to keep his promise, which ironically made her realize she could never trust him again. Finn asks what Nikolas did now, and she says, he brought her mother to town. He wanted her to do to Esme what she did to Elizabeth; make sure she never remembers, so she can never implicate either one of them, no matter the damage it did to Esme like it did to her. That’s all of it. He has no idea how many times she wanted to tell him the truth, but she didn’t for a lot of reasons. She didn’t want to make Finn an accessory. She wanted to protect Nikolas and herself. It went too far, and she lost everything, but couldn’t stay silent anymore.

Josslyn says, Dex didn’t mess up her life. He saved her life. As grateful as she is to Britt, The Hook had Britt cornered when he showed up. He says, a lot of awful things have happened to Josslyn, as a direct or indirect result of knowing him. She’s been an accessory after the fact, left the scene of a crime, and even broke up with her boyfriend. She says, obviously he’s influenced her choices, but they’re still her choices. That includes breaking up with Cameron. If things had been perfect between them, she woudn’t have looked twice at Dex. He asks if she’s sure about that, because he was definitely looking at her, and she says, when the video of her and Cam came out, things were never the same, and she could feel them growing apart. More and more, Cameron felt like someone she used to be close with; someone she cared about, but didn’t connect with. She didn’t say any of that because she didn’t want to hurt him, but in the end, she ended up hurting him even worse. The break-up was bad, but when he found her and Dex together… He asks if she regrets it, and she says, of course (🍷) she regrets Cam walking in on them. He asks if she regrets being with him.

Blaze says, Chase is hugely talented, and it would be a waste for him to walk away, and he says, the music industry and performing isn’t him, but he had a nice time collaborating with her. She says, her too, and he says, let’s face it, he’s just holding her back. She says, even if that were true, she woudn’t care. Working with him has reminded her of her love of singing and performing, and why she got into the business in the first place. Before he came along, she was thinking of quitting. He asks, why? and she says she signed a contract with Linc, and working with Linc has made her question why she’s doing this. She thought her love of music could get her through anything, but singing with Chase is the only thing making this bearable. Linc comes out, and says, there’s his hot new star. He puts his arm around Blaze, apologizing for being late, and asks if she couldn’t have worn another outfit. Chase says, show’s over. There’s no need for Linc to be here. Linc says, cool it, Mr. No Longer a Detective. He’s actually looking for Brook. Chase says he’ll let Brook know Linc is in the building, but Linc says, there’s no need. He’ll tell her himself. He goes back inside, and Chase asks if Blaze is okay.

Linc finds Brook at the bar, and asks, how’s his favorite ex-nightingale? She says she’s so not in the mood to deal with him tonight, but he says, tonight’s her lucky night. She’s finally getting rid of him for good. She says she’s heard that before, and he says, this time, it’s true. Don’t tell him that she’s forgotten their deal.

Laura tells Nikolas that she doesn’t know what just happened, but he can’t leave things like that. He asks if she shouldn’t be lecturing her grandson on the evils of blackmail, but she says, Nikolas is the adult. He has to go face his son. He says he doesn’t know who that person is anymore, and she says, it’s still Spencer, the same little boy he loved and cared for. They’ve both done horrible things to each other, and she doesn’t know what that was about, but she knows the worst thing Nikolas can do is play into what Spencer has done. He says, Spencer threw in with his ex-wife, intending to destroy him. It wasn’t enough for Ava to divorce him and take his home (um… did he divorce her?), she had to take his son too? Laura says she’s so sorry. She’s as blindsided as he is, but take a moment to calm down. He needs to go back into that chapel and face his son, because Spencer is now at the precipice. He’s about to make a decision he’ll regret for the rest of his life. Don’t turn his back on Spencer now. Spencer needs him.

Austin says, so that moment with Mason wasn’t just a fluke, and Ava says, it was nothing. She just likes to know where someone’s weak spots are. He says, that’s her thing. How’s that working for her? She says she supposes she hasn’t met her match yet. She thought she had. He says he’s really sorry, but she says, it’s no matter. She’s used to taking care of herself, and intends to keep doing that. She puts on her coat, and says she’s off to her new castle. Enjoy his evening. He says, her too, and she leaves. By the looks of it, Port Charles is having the same cold weather we’re having. Mason walks out of the darkness, and into Kelly’s courtyard.

Nikolas hugs Laura, saying, she’s the best mother he could ever have. He’ll always love her. He leaves the hospital, and she starts to cry.

Linc says, Brook signs a non-disclosure agreement, while burnishing his reputation with the media. In exchange, he returns all the rights to her songs, except for the ones that were already sold of course (🍷). She says she remembers, but it’s been so long, she thought he forgot. He says he never forgets the terms of a deal, and his lawyers are meticulous. She says she’s aware, and he says he must admit, his financial advisors balked at this deal; her catalog is a goldmine. She says, he must be scared to walk away from all that money, and he says, this is what she always wanted, isn’t it, to get all her songs back, and him out of her hair? She says, among other things, and he says, perfect. He takes a document and pen out of his coat pocket, and says, all she has to do is sign on the dotted line.

Chase says, Blaze doesn’t have to put up with Linc. Walk away, and find  a manager who respects her. She says, the problem is, her contract is ironclad; her career would be over after she’s worked so hard for it. She’s trapped. It’s not like she has a support system. Excuse the pity party, but when Chase leaves the business, she’ll be all alone. She looks at Linc sitting inside, and says, well, not alone. Chase sees Linc put his hand on Brook’s knee. Is it déjà vu all over again?

Josslyn tells Dex that she should have let Cam know her feelings had changed. Everyone says it’s better to be honest, and now that she’s lived it, she knows it’s true. She should have told Cam how she felt. She won’t make that mistake with Dex. He asks how she feels, and she says, scared, but the good kind of scared. A small part of her wants to hide, but most of her wants to run right into it. He says he likes how she runs toward what scares her. If it’s any help, she scares him too. He kisses her.

Elizabeth says she knows what she has to do now. She just wanted to tell Finn first. She didn’t want there to be any more lies between them before she… He asks what she’s going to do, and she says, turn herself in.

Ava walks into Windymere, dropping her coat and bag on the settee. A fire roars in the fireplace, and she strolls around the living room or sitting room or whatever it is.

On the phone, Mason says it was Ava Jerome who gave him such a hard time the other day… He’ll report back. He turns around and sees Austin in Kelly’s doorway, looking like he could kill.

Spencer comes out, and asks Laura where his father went. She says she doesn’t know. What has Spencer done?

There’s a knock at the door at Windymere, and Ava opens it to find Nikolas there.

On Monday, Linc asks if Brook is in or out; Chase asks, what if he doesn’t want out just yet; Austin tells Mason to give it his best shot; and Laura asks what Spencer is holding over his father’s head.

🛥 Black Sheep Drama…

Sure they plied her with alcohol. Producers: Want a drink? Camille: Give me a double!

Camille Lamb Walks Back Diss Against Below Deck Co-Star And Producer Amid Firing Drama

💎 No Surprises Here…

Like we thought it would be otherwise. So where did those earrings end up anyway?

https://people.com/tv/tom-girardi-estranged-husband-rhobh-star-erika-girardi-indicted-on-fraud-charges/

🗽 I’m Happy If She’s Happy…

So should we congratulate her, or…?

https://pagesix.com/2023/02/03/leah-mcsweeney-im-blessed-to-have-blacked-out-with-rhony-legends/

👠 Claws Out…

Let the finger pointing begin.

The Real Housewives Of New York City Cast Are Allegedly Blaming Each Other For RHONY Legacy Falling Apart

☎️ What a Spread…

I only watch this peripherally, but I do like The Marge.

https://pagesix.com/2023/02/03/margaret-josephs-jennifer-aydin-spread-gorga-cheating-rumors/

🛍 What’s Inside…

I’m fascinated with these. Instead of, it’s an honor to just be nominated, I’d say, it’s an honor just to get the gift bag.

https://pagesix.com/2023/02/03/inside-grammys-2023-gift-bag-liposuction-skincare-and-more/

🧂 Who Dun It…

True story. I once gave myself a black eye. And no, I wasn’t in a blackout, but I had taken allergy medication. I had my legs wrapped around the chair I was sitting in at the kitchen table. The phone rang, and I got up to answer it, but forgot to unwrap my legs first. I went headlong into another chair. My husband had been out with the dogs, and when he came back in, he found me sitting on the floor with tweety birds flying around my head. He said, I can’t leave you alone for five minutes, can I?

Lala Kent Claims Heather Gay Got Black Eye From RHOSLC Co-Star, Talks Encounter With Vicki and Shades Kardashians, Plus Says Jen Didn’t Think of Kids

👶🏼 Baby Goddaddy…

No. If anyone on Deck should be the godfather of Kate’s baby, it’s Josiah. Who could forget the shame cocoon?

Below Deck’s Fraser Olender Wants To Be The Godfather Of Kate Chastain’s Baby

👄 Goodbye, Dear Pioneer…

While this happened in January, I’d be remiss not to include it. We weren’t close, but I knew Sal back in the day, and he included me in his first Creatures of the Night book. RIRHPS.

http://www.back2stonewall.com/2023/01/sal-piro-father-of-the-rocky-horror-picture-show-floorshow-passes-away-at-71.html#comment-465851

🐕 Almost Pup Time…

The definitive Puppy Bowl guide.

https://www.cbsnews.com/essentials/how-to-watch-the-2023-puppy-bowl/

🌩 Quotes of the Week

Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young. – Henry Ford

If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door. – Milton Berle (Or kick one through a wall.)

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

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

A mother should be someone who inspires you, not someone you have to survive. – Liesl Obrecht (Kathleen Gati), General Hospital

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

That’s not funny *** No, it’s not, but I’m going to keep drinking until it is. – Ma’Dere (Loretta Devine) and Kelly (Sharon Leal) respectively, This Christmas

I suppose there are two views about everything, said Mark. Eh? Two views? There are a dozen views about everything until you know the answer. Then there’s never more than one. – C.S. Lewis, That Hideous Strength, compiled in Words to Live By

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

📻 Finding the Frequency For Kenneth…

See you on Monday really Tuesday for soap and a sure to be appalling Deck. Until then, stay safe, stay being open to compromise, and stay saying what you need to out loud. Sometimes that can take away it’s power.

Feb3

February 2, 2023 – Memorial For Britt, Renewed, Tea Time In Canada, Salty Friend, Same Old, Gotta Wait, You Get a Puppy (!) & Air

Posted on by
Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Sam and Dante meet Sasha, Maxie, and Cody at Kelly’s before Britt’s memorial, and Maxie says she could use some good news. Sam says, Willow had her baby.

Nina and Sonny look at the baby, and Nina says, look at her, not a care in the world. She has no idea she almost lost her mother. She was so scared. Sonny says, everything’s okay now, and Nina says, we have a granddaughter.

A custodian is about to take the name plate down next to Britt’s office, when Scotty and Obrecht come along. Scotty tells him that Obrecht is Britt’s mother, and asks if he can give them a minute. They go into Britt’s office, and Obrecht says, there’s nothing left. No sign Britta worked 18 hour days, that she gave people the best – and worst – news of their lives, that she gave this hospital everything, and everything to its patients. He suggests they go to the chapel, but Obrecht says, she’ll be beset by people telling her how sorry they are. As if their words change anything, or could numb this pain in her heart.

Austin tells TJ about Willow hemorrhaging after giving birth, and says, they have her stabilized now. Checking the computer, Terry says, it looks like the stem cells are being analyzed at the lab, so things are looking up.

Laura stops by Finn’s office, and says she and Doc are taking Jake and Aiden ice skating Saturday. Elizabeth thought Violet might want to join them. He says, Elizabeth ran into Violet the other day, and sensed she was upset. Just like her to try and make a bad situation better.

Nikolas says he’s there to support Spencer at Britt’s memorial, and Elizabeth says she just saw her mother. He pretends he didn’t know Carolyn was in town, and asks if she was there to see Elizabeth, but Elizabeth says, Carolyn came to see him, which shouldn’t surprise him since he asked her to come.

Esme peruses the papers Nikolas gave her, and Heather grabs them. She looks at them, and tells Esme, not so fast.

Spencer asks, what happens to the baby if Esme gives birth in prison? and Jordan says, that would be up to social services. An advocate would be assigned to the child to determine what’s best; placing the child with the father or another relative. He asks, what if the father is also in prison? and she asks why Nikolas would be in prison.

Obrecht tells Scotty, it’s a mistake to have the memorial at GH. Public displays of grief are unseemly. He says, having it at GH is a good way to honor Britt’s 18 hour days saving lives. She died saving a life. It’s good those people want to acknowledge that. Brad walks in, and says he didn’t know anyone was there. He starts to leave, but Obrecht asks why he’s here. He says he wanted to leave something, but it’s stupid. Scotty asks what he has in the bag he’s carrying, and Brad says he realized Britt spent more time here than anywhere else. He helped her fill out her Society Set-Ups profile here. Obrecht says, while it pains her to give Brad a compliment, he was a good friend to her Britta. Brad says, she was his best friend. They had a lot of good talks here, a lot of laughs, a few tears – his, not hers. He doesn’t think he ever saw Britt cry. She’s the one person he could be completely honest with. He only wishes she’d felt the same. Obrecht wonders how he can say that. He was as dear to Britt as she was to him. He asks why Britt didn’t tell him she was sick.

Esme asks for the papers back, but Heather says, it looks like she was about to sign away her baby. She asks where Esme got this, and Esme says, from the baby’s father. Heather looks at the papers again, and says, Nikolas Cassadine. Everyone knows the Cassadine family; they’re very rick, very influential, and ruthless. She can’t sign this. Esme says, it’s her own decision, and Heather says, of course (🍷) it is. She just wants to make sure Esme is doing what’s best for her and her baby before she signs away her rights forever. She asks if Esme read this, because that’s exactly what Nikolas is doing. Esme tells her that Nikolas said it would only be temporary until her legal issues are resolved. Ryan is wheeled in, and Heather says, from one mother to another, men lie all the time, and you can’t trust a single one of them. Ryan listens in.

Jordan asks why Nikolas would be in prison, and Spencer says, wishful thinking. She asks if he has any evidence Nikolas committed a crime, but he says, if he did, she’d be the first to know. She says she can’t imagine how angry he is with Nikolas, and he says, having a child with his ex-girlfriend? He’s not sure what bothers him more; the betrayal or how tacky it all is. She asks why it can’t be both, when her phone rings, and she leaves to take the call.

Laura says she’s sorry things didn’t work out between Finn and Elizabeth, and he says, him too. She says, he was such a rock for Elizabeth and the boys when they were struggling, and he says he was glad he could be there for them. They were good together until they weren’t. Laura says she’s glad they remained friendly for Violet’s sake, and he says, of course (🍷), but he doesn’t know if he’d call it friendship. It’s more like a cross between politeness and detente. She says she hopes they can be friends again; Elizabeth could use a friend like him right now. He asks if something is wrong.

Elizabeth brings Nikolas to an empty exam room, and he says he doesn’t know what Carolyn told her. She says, her mother said Nikolas flew her to Port Charles to make sure Esme would never regain her memory. He promises he didn’t trust Carolyn with Elizabeth’s secrets, but she says he’s missing the point. She confided in him, and he saw what she went through trying to regain her memories, and then he turns around and asks her mother to do the same thing to Esme. Thank God she refused. He says, he and Elizabeth agreed the best possible outcome would be if Esme never remembers, but Elizabeth says, she never said to hire her mom to block Esme’s memories. How could he think she’d ever want anyone else to go through what her parents did to her? He tells her, that’s not what she said before. Does she want to go to prison?

Sonny asks if Trina is here for Britt’s memorial, and she says she’s here to support Spencer. She tells Nina that Curtis sends his apologies; he had an emergency at The Savoy. Sonny asks if she’s seen Spencer, and Trina says she left him in the chapel. Sonny says he’s going to find Spencer, and Nina says she’s going to wait for Obrecht. She wonders where Obrecht is.

Finn asks if Laura is worried about Elizabeth, and asks if Elizabeth’s dad is bothering her again. She says she doesn’t think Jeff has contacted Elizabeth since he left Port Charles, and he asks what Nikolas has done this time. Whatever this thing is between Nikolas and Elizabeth doesn’t make a lot of sense to him. Laura says, they’ve known each other since they were… He says, teenagers. He’s heard. She says, bonds like those between Nikolas and Elizabeth are hard to break.

Elizabeth says, of course (🍷) she doesn’t want to go to prison. That’s why she prays every day Esme doesn’t remember. Nikolas apologizes for not relying on prayer. He had to take action to protect them both. She asks why he didn’t let her in on his plans then, and he says he knew she didn’t want to see her mother. Nice try, but lame. She says, he wasn’t protecting her feelings. He hid it from her because he knew she wouldn’t go along with it. He says, what’s done is done. No matter what happens, they’re in this together. She says, not anymore.

Brad says, Britt helped him through everything; losing a child, losing his marriage, prison. He wanted to be there for her like she was for him. Obrecht says, if Britt had told him about her illness, he might have become concerned and caring, and probably would have tried to take care of her. He says, of course (🍷) he would have… Oh. She says, Britt didn’t need him fawning over her, and giving her pillows. She needed him to make cruel observations about unsuspecting bystanders; to fetch her another cocktail that did her no good medically, but made her happy in the moment; to lament about his love life, so she’d know someone had a bed more desolate than her own. But more than anything, she needed someone to laugh with. He says he can live with that, and Scotty says, they have to get going. Obrecht says, there’s nothing left to see here anyway, and Brad says, he’ll catch up with them there. They leave, and he takes a pint of ice cream and two spoons out of the bag. He eats a spoonful, and says he knows Britt wasn’t planning on heaven, but it’s probably where she ended up. He hopes there’s a hot guy there, a wardrobe malfunction or two, angel feathers getting caught in harp strings. She could make a GIF of it. They must have GIFs in heaven. Surely God wouldn’t deprive them of simple pleasures. He misses her, and promises he’ll never eat ice cream, check out unattainable men, or do a single thing without thinking of her. He closes the container, and puts it back in the bag along with his spoon, leaving the other spoon on the desk. I want to cry looking at that spoon.

Spencer listens to Nikolas’s confession again in the chapel, when Sonny walks in. Sonny says he knows it’s a tough day, and Spencer says, Britt meant a lot to him. He appreciates Sonny being here, although he knows it’s mostly for Nina. Sonny says, he’s here for Spencer, and Spencer thanks him. Sonny asks if Nikolas is coming, but Spencer says he doubts it. Sonny asks if Spencer is still going for custody of Esme’s baby, and Spencer says he’s more convinced than ever that his father shouldn’t be anywhere near that child.

Dante and Sam get the hospital, and Dante tells Jordan that he and Sam are leaving soon to check out Maggie Fitzgerald’s last known address. Jordan asks, how much of this will end up in The Invader? and Sam says she and Alexis discussed it. Alexis wants The Hook stopped, so any information they gather will be for police use only. Unfortunately, the last known address they have is at least five years old. Dante hopes Esme’s nanny is still alive, and Jordan says, the more she thinks about it, the more she believes The Hook attacks are someone’s way of punishing Esme’s enemies.

Esme sees Ryan, and asks if that’s Doc. What happened to him? Heather says, it’s Doc’s twin Ryan Chamberlain, and Esme asks why he’s staring at her like that. Heather says, don’t worry, it’s all he can do, and Esme says, Heather told her to stay away from Ryan. Now Heather’s telling her not to worry? Heather says she told Esme to keep her distance, which is easy. She steers Esme to another table, and says, problem solved. He can’t see her. He can’t do anything to her because he can’t move. He’s almost completely paralyzed. All he can move is his eyes. Esme says, that’s awful, but Heather tells her not to worry about Ryan. His mind is as sharp as ever. He’s the last person who needs her sympathy.

People start to file into the chapel for the memorial, and Spencer tells Trina that he’s decided to keep his father’s confession a family matter. For now.

Elizabeth says she’s forgiven Nikolas over and over again. When he let his family believe he was dead, when he slept with his son’s girlfriend, and so many other things. She’s done being pulled into his lies, like when he said they were together at the Quartermaine picnic. He says he was giving her an alibi, but she says she didn’t need one. It’s always an excuse with him for all the lying and scheming. This isn’t who she wants to be. He says he never forced her to do anything, and she says, he’s right; she made her own bad choices. The way her mother told her the truth, and he didn’t; her mother has proven to be more trustworthy than he is. It’s made her realize she can’t be around him anymore. He says he was only trying to protect them both, but she says the only thing she needs protecting from is him, and leaves. Nikolas follows her, grabbing her arm, and says, they’re not done talking. Laura and Finn come by, and Finn tells Nikolas to get his hands off Elizabeth.

Nina goes to the front of the chapel, and says, Obrecht asked her to speak. On behalf of the family, she thanks everyone for being here. Usually, a favorite passage or a poem would be read in remembrance of the one they’ve lost, but Britt only read medical journals, so she’s out of luck. She started thinking about Britt, how she lived and who she was, and it became really clear. Sun Tzu writes in The Art of War, let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt. That was Britt, at her worst, and at her best. Unexpected and unforgettable. She didn’t know Britt nearly long enough, but she’s proud to have Britt as a part of her family. She looks up, and says, Britt, you will be missed, but you will never, ever be forgotten.

Brad says he met Britt at GH ten years ago. Neither of them was particularly popular, and back then, she had a nickname – The Britch – which she earned; she wouldn’t want him to lie. She was mean, selfish, a bully. One time, she set a little girl’s doll on fire, but by all reports, it was a total accident. When it came to people, Britt left destruction in her wake. Then one day, she was just gone, on the run, a fugitive until her luck ran out. She did her time, and when she came back, she was determined to prove she’d changed. Was she successful? All of them are here, but to him personally, she didn’t change at all. Britt Westbourne was, and always will be, his best friend.

Heather says, Esme isn’t really thinking about giving away her baby, is she? and Esme says, Nikolas made a convincing case, and genuinely seems to care about the baby. Heather says, seems being the operative word. How long has he given Esme to sign the papers? Esme says, he told her that he’d be back tomorrow, and Heather asks, what’s the rush? She’s still weeks away from her due date, isn’t she? Why is she so eager to give up this baby? Esme says she isn’t. The baby is the only thing she has in the entire world. She goes to bed and feels the baby kicking, and knows she’s not alone. Heather says, that’s beautiful, and exactly why she can’t sign those papers. She’ll never get over it if she gives up her child.

Finn tells Nikolas again to let Elizabeth go, and Nikolas says, fine, but it’s none of his business. Laura says, Nikolas! and asks if Elizabeth is all right. Elizabeth says she’s fine, and Nikolas asks if they really think he’d hurt Elizabeth. Laura says, not if he’s in control of himself, and Elizabeth says she didn’t want to cause a scene, but Finn says, she didn’t. Elizabeth asks if she and Finn can talk, and they head for his office. Laura says she and Nikolas need to talk now, and he says he knows what she’s going to say. She says, really? Because she’s at a complete loss as to how to reach her son. She walks off, and Nikolas follows.

Scotty says he’s not sure what Britt would make of all of this fuss. She was a very private person; just like her mother. He got to know both of them very well, and fell in love with her mother. Strong women; gotta love ‘em. Britt’s big secret. Now they know. She had a big heart. The world has lost a very special person.

Terry says, Britt was a fierce advocate for her patients. She sees many of them remember how fierce she was. Britt was an excellent doctor, and a smart administrator. It was a privilege to know her, to work beside her, and become her friend. Terry’s voice breaks, and she says, her life and work deserve to be honored by this hospital and this community. She asks everyone to follow her, and they file out of the chapel.

They all stand before the memorial wall of staff photos, and Terry says, this wall commemorates those who dedicated their lives to General Hospital and the people of Port Charles. It’s only fitting therefore, that Dr. Britt Westbourne be added to this wall. Nina tells Obrecht, Britt would love this, and Dante asks Sonny, where’s Spencer?

Trina asks if Spencer doesn’t want to see Terry’s big surprise, but he says he’s sure he’ll see it later. His father was engaged to Britt, and didn’t even show up. She says, they did break up when Spencer was a child, and sits next to him. She says, this, today, isn’t about his father, and it’s not about him; today’s about Britt. Just let it be that. He says, she’s right; he’ll try. He and Britt were friends, and even though he was a kid, she never talked down to him. He appreciated that about her, and doesn’t know as he’ll ever meet someone who connects with him like that ever again. She understood. Trina says, she sounds like a pretty great person, and he says, she was.

Esme promises not to make any decisions until at least tomorrow, and Heather says, now that that’s settled, she has to talk to Ryan. Esme says, Heather told her… and Heather tells Esme that she said Ryan was dangerous to her; Heather can handle him. Stay put. She goes over to Ryan, and asks, how about a little chat? picking up the alphabet board. She lowers her voice, and says, listen up. She assumes he’s known all along about Nikolas and Esme, which pisses her off. Now Nikolas is trying to steal their grandchild, and what’s worse, the cops are on to Ryan.

Nikolas asks why Laura is so scared, and she says she feels like she’s losing him. Victor has some kind of hold over him, and he won’t tell her what it is, so she can’t help him. He’s divorcing Ava, manhandling Elizabeth, and making excuses for all of it. She’d like to say he’s not acting like himself, but she’s afraid this is who he’s become; a man who is careening from one bad decision to the next, and hurting anyone who tries to help him. He says he’s sorry he’s not the son she wanted, but she says, stop it. The son she wants is inside him, and she’s seen him. She’s seen him be the man she’s proud of. A man who woudn’t give up on his own son, no matter how hard Spencer tried to push him away. A man who defied Helena Cassadine, when she tried to groom him to be the next Cassadine heir. He says he’s not sure where that man went, and she tells him to start looking, down deep into that core of goodness and strength she knows is there, that’s somehow eluded him. She needs to believe it’s not too late.

Elizabeth tells Finn that she feels like she’s lost her best friend, but she shouldn’t be talking to him about Nikolas. He says, even though they didn’t work out, he’d be lying if he said he didn’t still care about her. She says, after everything she put him through? He’s a good person, and he deserves the truth.

Nikolas says he thinks maybe it’s not too late, and Laura says she’s glad to hear him say that. Now tell her why. He says, because after everything that’s happened, he’s done listening to Uncle Victor. Instead, he’s going to focus on being a good father to this new baby, and to Spencer… if Spencer ever speaks to him again. Laura says she thinks he will, and he says he wanted to be at Britt’s memorial for Spencer. She says, maybe it’s not completely over, and they head for the chapel.

Finn asks what truth he needs to know, and Elizabeth says she lied to him. She was never pregnant with Nikolas’s baby.

Scotty asks if Brad is okay, and Brad says he will be. Otherwise her ghost will never let him hear the end of it. How is Britt’s mutter? Scotty says, she wanted to be alone.

Obrecht touches Britt’s picture on the memorial wall, and says, auf wiedersehen, mein kind. She kisses her fingers, touches the photo, and looks up.

Sonny, Nina, Sasha, and Maxie look at the new baby, and Maxie says, this was a really good idea. She needed this. Sasha says, her too. She wasn’t sure at first, but there’s no place she’d rather be. Nina says, her neither. Just look at her. Sonny says, say hello to the future.

Laura and Nikolas go into the chapel, and Laura says, oh no. She’s so sorry they missed this. She hugs Spencer, who says he knows she would have been there if she could. Besides, he thinks he knows whose fault it was. Nikolas says he really wanted to be here, but Spencer says, stop it. He asks if Trina would mind giving them the chapel; family business. Trina leaves, and Nikolas says he really did intend to be here. Spencer says, somehow, Nikolas has managed to disappoint him more than he already has, and Nikolas asks if he’s done. Spencer says, not even remotely. Because of the damage Nikolas has done to him, he’s going to make sure Nikolas can’t damage his little brother or sister the same way.

Sam tells Jordan, now that that’s over, they’re off to find Maggie Fitzgerald. Jordan says, keep her posted. Good luck. Hopefully, Maggie will finally lead them to Esme’s father.

Heather tells Ryan, Sam and Dante were here. They’re looking for an old nanny… Maggie something. She’s guessing from his stare that Maggie knows about him. He blinks once, and she says, there’s really only one thing left they can do. They’ve got to bust out of here. He glances at Esme, and Heather says, Esme? Don’t be silly. Of course (🍷) she’s coming with us.

Tomorrow, Dex says he really messed up Josslyn’s life; Spencer asks why he keeps coming in second; and Chase tells Brook that he has to be done with this, and she asks if he means done with her.

🦹🏽 Alum Makes Good…

Glad to hear the ex-Port Charles native is doing well.

GH Alum Sydney Mikayla’s TV Series Renewed for Season Two!

🍵 Some Real Tea…

For the Y&R fans – June 4th in Toronto, Canada.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/the-young-the-restless/kate-linder-invites-you-to-tea-with-yr-stars

🏆 Off the Soap Grid…

Looks like there are a few GH faves here.

Soap Stars Nominated For Indie Series Awards

🧂 Thank You For Being a Friend…

She is pretty interesting, but I’m surprised after she ditched the Reunion. Isn’t that a mortal Housewives sin?

Mary M. Cosby Is Returning To Real Housewives Of Salt Lake City As A Friend For Season 4

💎 Ho-Hum…

So what else is new?

https://pagesix.com/2023/02/02/kyle-richards-is-not-on-speaking-terms-with-sister-kathy-hilton/

⚰️ Buffering…

Personally, I can’t wait for the Negan/Maggie combo.

The Walking Dead Fans Will Have to Wait Longer for Rick and Michonne’s Return

🐶 All Your Own…

You, too, can have your own personal Puppy Bowl.

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/puppy-bowl-xix-adopt-watch-2023-b2273064.html

🚧 Taking It Nowhere Near the Streets…

Stop in tomorrow for soap, tea, quotes, and perhaps an earworm. Until then, stay safe, stay not overthinking things, and stay falling like a thunderbolt when you move.

Feb2

February 1, 2023 – Willow Goes To Heaven, Moonlighting, One Season Wife, New Judge, No Consent, Dead Reviews Last, Adoption Help & Good

Posted on by
Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Sonny and Nina wait for news on Willow. Nina wonders why she’s still in the OR, but Sonny says, the good news is, Willow’s having a healthy baby girl; their shared grandchild. (Weird how that worked out.) Curtis comes by, and he and Nina hug. He says, Drew just told him about Nina and Willow, and Nina says, Curtis, more than anyone, knows the disappointments she’s had searching for her daughter. Now her new daughter has a new daughter, and this miracle is a long time coming. He says he’s thrilled for her, and they hug again.

Stella tells Jordan that she’s not just Curtis’s aunt; she’s the officiant at his wedding to Portia. How can she stand before the Almighty, and ask Him to bless a marriage, when she knows the bride is lying to the groom? How can she be solid when she knows Portia hasn’t told Curtis that Trina might be his daughter? Portia walks in.

Spencer tells Trina that Ava was right; this changes everything. His father actually confessed on record that he thought he killed Esme. Trina says, there had to be a reason he confessed, but Spencer asks if it matters. He plays the confession again.

Esme says, her boyfriend’s father is also her baby’s father, and Nikolas says, it’s a complicated situation. He’ll answer her questions as best he can, but she has to know that she can trust him.

Elizabeth says, there’s nothing Carolyn can do for her, but Carolyn is right that she’s exhausted, and she’s too tired to listen. Carolyn says, Elizabeth won’t have to worry about seeing her again, since she’s flying back to California and out of Elizabeth’s life for as long as Elizabeth likes. Elizabeth asks if she wasn’t consulting on a case, but Carolyn says, now that she’s met the patient, she’s decided she wants nothing to do with the case, or the person who requested her help. And neither should Elizabeth.

Michael tells Josslyn, despite everything, his daughter is healthy and happy, when Carly runs in, asking, where’s her favorite new person on the planet? They all look at the new baby through the window.

Austin runs into the ER, asking, what’s going on? and Dr. Navarro says, Willow’s still hemorrhaging. Willow drifts out of herself, and sees Harmony in the clouds. Harmony holds out her arms, and tells Willow not to worry; mama is here.

Nina tells Curtis that Willow is still in the OR, and he says, Drew told him how Willow risked everything to have the baby. She has one brave daughter. Nina says, sometimes it takes more than bravery; look at Britt. He says, part of the reason he’s here is to support Nina at Britt’s memorial, and she says, he knows what a long, strange journey it’s been for her. He says he still regrets letting Valentin play them about Sasha, but she says, that’s water under the bridge. Sasha’s not her daughter, but she still considers Sasha family. Sonny says, almost a daughter. Curtis is going to know what that’s like one day. Curtis says, from his lips, but first there’s a wedding, and he’s counting on them to be in attendance.

Jordan says she knows Portia and Stella are picking up Stella’s dress, and hopes all goes well. She tells them that she should get going to Britt’s memorial, and Portia says to give Britt’s friends and family her condolences. She would have been there, but things with the wedding got backed up. Portia and Stella leave.

Spencer says, his father actually tried to kill Esme, and Trina says, so Spencer is going to use the confession to force his father to drop any claim to Esme’s baby, and let Spencer have custody. Spencer says, absolutely, and she says, what if he refuses? but Spencer says, how can he? This confession is evidence of a crime. Not only did his father seduce his ex-girlfriend, he tried to murder her. This isn’t just an accusation, but his father’s own incriminating words. He’s not the one who threw Esme off the parapet; his father did. She says, they both know Esme is a monster, and the way his father described it, it wasn’t premeditated, but a fit of rage. He says, that makes it okay? and she says, of course (🍷) not, but if he goes down that path, he’ll be deliberately destroying his father’s life; using his own words to take his child away. He asks what she’s suggesting; that he does nothing, and lets his father get away with it?

Esme says, Nikolas paid for her defense, and brought in a psychiatrist to consult on her case, who within ten minutes, just takes off. Now he informs her that she made this baby with him, her boyfriend’s father, and she’s supposed to trust him? He says, before her memory loss, she trusted him, and said there was a connection between them that they couldn’t deny. They were both in extremely vulnerable situations; Spencer had just broken up with her, and he thought his marriage was over. What they did was wrong, but they couldn’t resist. She says, if he’s the father, why would Spencer say he is?

Michael says his baby is gorgeous, and Carly says, of course (🍷) she is; it runs in the family. He says he can’t wait for Willow to see her. He wonders why he hasn’t heard from the OR, but Carly says, he’ll hear soon. Josslyn asks if he has a name for the baby, but he says, they hadn’t settled on one yet. Wiley suggested Ashoka, and he and Willow called the baby Walnut because of how she looked on the first sonogram. Josslyn says, Ashoka Walnut Corinthos is an option, but Carly is sure Michael and Willow have some alternatives in mind. Bobbie comes out, and asks Michael to come with her to meet his daughter.

Willow says, Harmony isn’t her mother, and Harmony – who’s dressed in black, which I find a weird color choice for heaven – says, in life no, but it wasn’t all a lie. No one loved Willow more than she did. Willow says, she knows what love is and isn’t, and Harmony asks if she thinks Nina loves her. Nina loves only Nina, but Harmony was there for her. When they moved from one temporary home to another, and it seemed impossible to make new friends. When Willow got lost, who found her? Who did their best to dry her tears? She calls Willow Kali, but Willow tells Harmony that her name is Willow. We see the staff in the OR working on her, and Harmony says, Willow is still her Kali.

Curtis says he’ll see Nina at the memorial, and she thanks him for his good wishes. He says, of course (🍷), and leaves. Nina thinks there should have been an update by now, but Sonny says, when Willow is in recovery, they’ll be told.

Trina says she’s not defending Nikolas, or suggesting he get away with attempted murder, but before Spencer uses the confession, ask himself why Nikolas confessed in the first place. His father’s not a fool; he must have had a reason. She loves Ava, but Ava wants Nikolas to pay for breaking her heart. This confession might not even be true. It might be another game between the two of them, and if Spencer uses this confession as leverage, he could get caught in the middle. He says, if it saves his little brother or sister, he doesn’t mind, and she says, he might not mind, but she does.

Elizabeth says, Nikolas brought Carolyn to town? and Carolyn says, he told her it was on Elizabeth’s behalf. He said she was in trouble. Elizabeth asks why Carolyn didn’t say anything when they ran into each other, and Carolyn says, Nikolas told her it was imperative Elizabeth not know. From her perspective, she was flying blind, and wanted all the facts before she went to Elizabeth. Once she’d spent time with him, it became clear that any trouble Elizabeth was in, started with Nikolas. Elizabeth asks what Nikolas told her, and Carolyn says, enough to sense that what Nikolas roped Elizabeth into doing was wrong, maybe even illegal. He said Carolyn could atone for any harm she’d done to Elizabeth in the past. He said she could use those same skills to keep someone else from remembering something that would end up hurting Elizabeth and her boys. Elizabeth says, and that someone is Esme Prince, right? and Carolyn says, yes.

Bobbie brings out the baby for Michael to hold, and Carly and Josslyn watch. They remark how little she is, but she really isn’t, so it’s weird. Michael tells the baby he’d give her anything. There’s so many people who want to meet her, starting with her mommy.

Sonny calls Carly, who tells him that they’re in the NICU visiting with the new baby. He asks if Michael is with her, and she says, he’s holding the baby; why? Sonny says, the doctors in the OR are looking for Michael, and she asks, what happened?

Willow says that she’s Willow, Michael’s fiancé, the mother of his children, but Harmony says, where they’re going, names don’t matter. There’s nothing to tie you to the past. Don’t be afraid. Come with her. Harmony holds out her hand, and I yell, go into the light, Carol Anne Willow!

On the phone, Jordan says she thinks she should attend Britt’s memorial herself. She wants Britt’s family to understand that Britt’s sacrifice won’t be in vain. Curtis says he couldn’t help but overhear. It takes a lot of courage to face Britt’s family on a day like today. She says, they deserve answers. She just wishes she had better ones to give them. He says, Obrecht has a temper, and he’d hate to see her take incoming fire, but she says, it goes with the badge. If she’d lost a child, she’d feel the same way. Curtis says, so would he.

A woman leads Stella and Portia to the dress viewing area (I have no idea what it’s called), and Portia says she’s a grown woman with a daughter in college, and her butterflies have butterflies. She suggests they start with Stella’s dress, and the woman leaves to get it. Stella wonders if there’s a reason Portia is so nervous, and Portia says, the last time she got married, she was in her 20s. She asks how many weddings Stella has been a part of, and Stella says, enough to know they’re not all the same. They all start off beautifully, with the dress, the cake, the music of course (🍷)… Portia says, it seems like something is on Stella’s mind, but she’s not saying it, which is unlike her. She seemed cheerful and supportive of the wedding until now. Has something changed?

Trina tells Spencer that she cares about that baby too. That poor thing never asked to be born, let alone have Esme and his dad as parents. He says, then she understands why he can’t just turn the other way, and why he needs to fight using any weapon he can find. His father can’t afford for this information to become public, and a judge or the police will want answers. That’s why his father is going to bow out and give him custody. She says, if that’s really his endgame, why leverage his dad? Why not go straight to the cops?

Esme asks why it isn’t possible that Spencer is the father of her baby, and Nikolas says, timing-wise makes it impossible. Esme says, Spencer disagrees, but Nikolas says, because she has no way to know he was lying. His son has a good heart, but sometimes he ends up hurting the people he wants to help. He’ll deal with his son, but right now they need to focus on the baby. Esme has other challenges she’s facing, like her precarious legal situation. The reason he brought Carolyn to see her is because he wanted to take one of those burdens off her hands. He takes out a document, and says, all she has to do is sign it, and he’ll make sure her baby is waiting, until she’s free once more.

Carly thinks she should be with Michael, but Bobbie says, Willow is getting the best care. Josslyn says, Michael can’t lose her, and they have a three-way hug.

Michael asks Sonny, what’s going on? and Sonny says, Willow’s in the OR; they’re waiting for an update. All he knows is, Willow’s a fighter, and that kind of runs in the family.

Willow’s blood pressure continues to drop, and she asks where Harmony is taking her. Harmony says, to a better place; the kind of place they’ve been searching for. A place of peace and tranquility. A place of love. Take her hand. Willow says, what about her family? but Harmony says she’s Willow’s family. Trust her. Willow takes her hand, and Harmony says, that’s my girl.

Jordan says she ran into Curtis’s Aunt Stella. She and Portia are on their way to the bridal boutique. He says, everyone’s excited. Between Aunt Stella and his father, you’d think they were going to be at the top of the cake. He apologizes, and says he didn’t mean to sound insensitive, but Jordan says she wants him to be happy. That’s why… nothing. She starts to walk away, but he says he knows her. If it’s not about the wedding, what’s wrong?

Stella says she’s going to stand before God, and Portia’s family and friends, but Portia says, our family. She used to think all she needed was her medical degree and Trina, but then Curtis came back into he life. They went from separate homes to this beautiful home of their own that they share with Trina, and were able to welcome Curtis’s dad, Stella, TJ, and Molly. She feels the more they give, the more they have. The more love, more joy, more everything. That’s why she feels this wedding isn’t just about the two of them; it’s about all of them. She gives Stella a jewelry box, and says, it’s for her. Stella opens it to find  a beautiful bracelet, and Portia says, it’s been in her family for generations. She wants Stella to wear it to the wedding, but Stella says she can’t accept this, and Portia asks, why not?

Elizabeth says, Carolyn visited Esme at Spring Ridge? and Carolyn says, Nikolas insisted. The moment she saw Esme was pregnant, and realized he wanted to silence Esme for some selfish reason, she couldn’t go along with it. She refuses to ruin someone else’s life. She knows Nikolas has been in Elizabeth’s life since high school, and been around for important events that she and Elizabeth’s dad missed out on, but trust her, Nikolas is not her friend. She doesn’t believe he has Elizabeth’s best interests at heart. She wishes she’d realized it sooner, and been straight with Elizabeth the moment she got to town. She wishes so many things. All she can say in her defense is, she’s still learning. She hopes one day she earns Elizabeth’s forgiveness. Elizabeth thanks Carolyn for telling her, and Carolyn says, you’re very welcome, Elizabeth. Elizabeth thanks Carolyn for calling her Elizabeth instead of Lizzie, and Carolyn tells her, like she said, she’s still learning.

Carly wants to be with Michael, but Bobbie says, Sonny is up there, and Josslyn points out that Nina will be there too. What’s worse, Michael facing them on his own, or them going up there, and a fight breaking out? He told them to stay with the baby. Bobbie gives them scrubs, and tells them to put smiles on their faces. They’re going in to see the baby.

Sonny tells Nina to have faith. He doesn’t think God would bring her daughter into her life to take her away. Nina says, please don’t let Willow die. Please. She has two children that need their mom. Please let Willow live.

Harmony tells Willow, just one more step, and she’ll find perfect peace.

Curtis says he knows he and Jordan are past losing the divorce papers, so what is it? She says she meant what she said. She genuinely hopes there’s a happy ending for him and Portia, and Trina. She leaves, but I don’t think Curtis is convinced she’s telling him everything.

Stella says, Portia should save the family heirloom and give it to Trina for her own wedding, but Portia says, Stella can pay it forward and give it to Trina then. Please say she’ll wear it to the wedding. Stella says, the last thing she wants to do is spoil Portia’s happiness. Portia’s right. When she marries Curtis, she marries his family, flaws and all. Portia says, Stella is flawless, but Stella says, hardly. Think of what she kept from Curtis all those years; letting him and his brother think their father was dead. Portia says, Stella thought she was doing right by her sister, and asks if she’d make the same choice if she had it to do over again. Stella says she honestly doesn’t know, and no one can make that decision for you. The woman brings Stella’s dress in, and says, showtime.

Spencer and Trina go into the chapel, and he says, if he brings the video directly to the police, it becomes a legal matter. If he takes it directly to his father, then his father backs off, it stays between them, and he becomes responsible for Esme’s baby. She says, it sounds like he has it all figured out, even though they know he’s doing this for another reason. By keeping this from the police, he’s not completely shutting the door on his dad. Part of Spencer still loves him, and knows if he uses that confession, he’ll lose his father forever.

Nikolas gives Esme the papers along with a pen, and she asks if she shouldn’t have a lawyer look at it. He says, this is a mere formality, and she says she appreciates him looking out for her and her baby, but this is all overwhelming. She’s gone from thinking Spencer is the father of her baby to finding out it’s really him, and it’s a lot to process. He says, of course (🍷). He’ll leave the paper with her and come back tomorrow. She needs to be at her best so she can clear her name and come back to her… their baby. He leaves, and Esme wonders if she can really trust him.

Josslyn, Carly, and Bobbie visit with the baby, and Bobbie says, she thinks Willow’s name is perfect. Willow trees are strong. A big, strong wind can knock down a giant oak tree, but willows can weather any storm.

Michael says, if Willow can hear him right now, she has to know how much they need her. Not just him; Wiley and their new daughter. They’re waiting for her. Waiting to take her home.

Willow hears Michael say, home. We’re waiting for you. Come back to us. Harmony says, they’re almost there, but Willow turns around.

Austin comes out, and Michael asks if Willow is okay.

Trina says, Spencer has suffered some horrible losses, but he’s also lived a pretty privileged life. Remember that. Jordan walks in, but says she can wait in the hall if they want privacy. Trina says, that’s okay. She’ll give them some time alone. She thinks Spencer and Jordan have something to discuss. Nice blindside, Trina. WTH? She leaves, and Jordan says, they do?

Stella comes out, and the dress is gorgeous, but I wonder why it’s black. I get that she’s the officiant, but maybe a dark blue would have been a better choice. Portia gets all excited, and says, now all Stella needs is some sparkle – even though the dress has white lace with rhinestone accents – and puts the bracelet on her, saying, bling it up. She says, now she knows everything is going to be perfect for her wedding day, and they look in the mirror.

Curtis sees Trina outside the chapel, and asks if everything is okay.

Jordan asks what Spencer wants to talk to her about. He holds his phone with the video on it behind his back.

Elizabeth sees Nikolas come out of the elevator, and doubles back. She looks at him like she might possibly kill him.

Esme looks at the papers, playing with the pen, and wondering why she doesn’t want to sign it. Like she said before, she lost her memory, but she’s not stupid.

Austin says, it was touch and go for a while, but Willow came through just great. Nina says she can’t believe how close they came to losing her daughter, and Michael asks if he can see her. Austin says, absolutely, she’s in ICU, Michael hugs Austin, and Michael leaves. Sonny thanks Austin, and Nina thanks him for saving Willow’s life, but Austin says he can’t take credit for something Willow’s done. Clearly, she doesn’t want to leave them just yet.

Carly says, look at them. They’re so lucky. Four generations of Spencer women. Josslyn says, it’s enough to start their own sorority, and Bobbie says, Sigma Spencer Phi. Carly gets a text that Willow is in recovery, and Josslyn tells the baby that she’s a lucky girl to be born into such an amazing sisterhood, but Carly thinks they’re the lucky ones. This little angel may not have a name yet, but hopefully she has the gift that can give her mother life.

Michael takes Willow’s hand, and says he held their beautiful baby girl. Willow did the hardest part. She carried her, kept her safe, and brought her into this world. Now all she has to do is wake up, so they can give their little girl a name.

Tomorrow, Elizabeth says, the only thing she needs protecting from is Nikolas; Spencer tells sonny that his father shouldn’t be anywhere near that child; and Heather tells Esme, not so fast.

🎥 Extra Gig…

Mama Q takes it outside Port Charles.

GH’s Lisa LoCicero Teases Her Exciting New Role!

🐪 One and Done…

Except they didn’t do their homework. She is not the only one to exit after her freshman year. Hello? Kim Fields, Carlton Gebbia, et al.

Nina Ali Announces Exit From Real Housewives Of Dubai After One Season

Resting my case.

https://collider.com/real-housewives-only-lasted-one-season/#carlton-gebbia-amp-joyce-giraud-de-ohoven-mdash-lsquo-real-housewives-of-beverly-hills-rsquo-season-4

👩🏽‍⚖️ That’s Judge Eboni To You…

I’ll bet she brings down a mean gavel.

Eboni K. Williams Gets New Gig as Judge of Court Show ‘Equal Justice,’ Plus Fans Slam Jen Shah Over Her Reaction to RHONY Alum’s Show

👠 And They’re Out…

Apparently, Brandi still doesn’t grasp boundaries. Why do they still entertain the antics of this lush?

Source Shares Details of Brandi Glanville & Caroline Manzo’s RHUGT Fight and Early Exits Following RHOBH Star’s Alleged Non-Consensual Kisses, Plus Vicki Reacts

⚰️ Strange Crossover…

But is there pudding?

https://screenrant.com/the-last-of-us-reviewed-walking-dead-carl/

🐕 She Needs Your Help…

IMO, two of the most important things: veterans and dogs.

https://people.com/pets/air-force-sergeant-needs-help-adopting-dog-from-deployment/

🎸 Off To Get the Band Back Together…

Take a load off tomorrow for some soap and tea. Until then, stay safe, stay gentle as a dove, but wise as a serpent, and stay not going into the light if someone wearing all black comes to meet you.

⚠️ Warning: Words that could be considered bad to some.

Feb1

January 31, 2023 – Ava Gives Spencer Ammunition, No More Temping, Two Goodbyes, Her 21st, Losing the Legacy, Fear’s End, About the Last, Puppy (!) Bowl & Stars

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Ava finds Spencer alone in the chapel before Britt’s memorial begins. She asks if he talked to Trina about fighting his father for custody of Esme’s baby. He says he did, and she asks if Trina convinced him to abandon this highly risky scheme.

Josslyn runs into Trina, who says she’s going to the memorial. Josslyn says she owes Britt for helping Willow with her cancer diagnosis, but she didn’t realize Trina knew Britt very well. Trina says she’s just there to support Spencer, and Josslyn says she’s bringing her family some food. They’re about to get one person bigger.

NuNikolas brings Carolyn to see Esme at Spring Ridge, but Carolyn makes it clear she’s not on board with his plan. She’s just there to evaluate Esme, nothing more. He says if she helps him, she helps Elizabeth, because Esme is a very real and dangerous threat to them both.

Jordan brings Stella to an empty office to talk, and Stella asks why Jordan was asking about the DNA tests she and Trina took. Jordan says, it’s pertinent to a case, and Stella asks if she’s investigating the genealogy website for unethical practices, but Jordan says, it’s nothing like that. She just fact finding. Stella says she thought Jordan knew her well enough not to play her for a fool.

Drew meets Curtis for a tux fitting, and says he’s looking forward to fulfilling his best man duties. Curtis says, that’s why Drew is his best man, especially with everything going on in Drew’s family, and he asks how Willow is.

Austin puts scrubs on Michael, and Michael says, this wasn’t how he pictured the birth of the new baby. Austin asks if Michael didn’t imagine he’d be dressed up like a big marshmallow, and tells him that they’re taking extra precautions. Michael asks if Austin is sure he’s not putting Willow at risk by being there, but Austin says, the only way he’d be putting Willow at risk is if he’s not there. He asks if Michael would mind if he’s in the OR too.

In the OR, Elizabeth asks if Willow is excited to meet her daughter, and Willow says she is, but she’d be lying if she said she wasn’t anxious. Elizabeth says, Dr. Navarro will be here soon, but she can answer any questions, and Willow asks if the doctor has done many C-sections. Elizabeth says, they’re pretty routine, and Willow asks if she’s ever seen one performed on a patient with Stage IV leukemia. Elizabeth says, it’s the first in her career, but Willow knows and has worked in this hospital. She has the most prepared and proficient team to get her through this. Michael and Austin come in, and Elizabeth adds, and the best support system. Michael asks how Willow is, and she says, hanging in there. Austin says, Michael is cool as a cucumber, when Dr. Adler comes in, and Elizabeth introduces him as Willows anesthesiologist. Dr. Adler explains the procedure.

Stella says, Jordan was oddly interested in her DNA test, even sending it to her friend in forensics. Jordan says, she and Curtis were just trying to help. The markers indicated Stella had a close relative in town. Stella says, which was a glitch in the website. They discovered it, after she found out she had a cousin in London. Jordan says, TJ always felt the chances of a glitch were low, and she agrees. Stella wonders why Jordan won’t let this go, and asks if Jordan believes she has a secret love child in Port Charles. Hold on… Is Jordan implying someone else has a child out there, and that person is related to her?

Trina asks why Josslyn didn’t tell her how bad things had gotten with Willow, and Josslyn says, things have been crazy. Trina says she wishes she’d been there to support Josslyn. Cam told her about the break-up. Josslyn says, it’s been rough, but she’s okay, and Trina says, Josslyn must have felt like there was no other option. Josslyn says she wishes Cam could understand that, and Trina says, Spencer thinks there was more to their break-up than drifting apart, and Josslyn says, Spencer’s not wrong.

Spencer tells Ava that Trina has reservations about him seeking custody, but she’s supportive, and Ava says, Trina is as loyal as they come. He says, Trina’s a good friend. She’s meeting him here soon. Ava says, he used the F-word. He and Trina are friends after all. He says, for now. So Ava thinks his scheme is risky? She tells him that she said highly risky, but that doesn’t mean she’s against it. She asks if Diane didn’t tell him the odds of him winning custody are slim. What if she could increase his chances exponentially, without him having to set foot in a courtroom?

Nikolas introduces himself to Esme, and she says, he’s Spencer’s father. He says he also arranged for her legal representation and she thanks him, saying, it’s nice to know someone is looking out for her, even if they’re being paid to do it. He says, Dr. Webber is also here to help, and Carolyn says she understands Esme is experiencing some memory loss. Esme says, not just some; she can’t remember anything about who she is. Carolyn says, they’ll try to get to the root of it, and see if they can’t restore her memory, and Nikolas says, or determine if her condition is permanent.

Austin explains C-section recovery to Willow, but she says she’s not like most patients. He says he’s delivered his share of babies, and Elizabeth says, including one in the woods. He says, it never ceases to amaze him how mothers and babies thrive under the most dire circumstances. Dr. Adler asks what Willow is feeling, and Willow says, almost nothing. Dr. Navarro says, good, and asks if she’s ready to meet her daughter.

Jordan says, Stella is right. There’s no point in rehashing a test years old. Stella says, Jordan asked about Trina’s test too, and obviously did it for a reason. This isn’t about a case. Jordan says, she and TJ thought it was strange that Stella had a match in town that vanished. She called the company, and a match can only disappear if a profile is withdrawn from the website. Stella tells her that Trina said she deleted her account after finding out she had a close match in Port Charles. She asks if Jordan thinks Curtis and Portia are related to each other.

Curtis asks why Drew isn’t at the hospital, and Drew says, Willow has plenty of people looking out for her, including her mother – who is Nina. Nina gave birth to twins, Nelle and Willow, and Nina’s mother gave Willow to Harmony to raise. Curtis says, years ago, Nina hired him to track down her missing child. That’s when he tracked down Phyllis. Nina was crushed when she found out Nelle was her daughter, especially after Nelle died. She thought she’d blown her only chance at becoming a mother; turns out she didn’t. He asks if Drew was the one who uncovered the truth, but Drew says, it was Carly. When Harmony was dying, she told Carly that Nina was Willow’s mother. Curtis says, Carly waited all this time to reveal the truth?

Trina asks if Josslyn didn’t break up with Cameron because they grew apart, but Josslyn says, mostly. She’s sorry she didn’t tell Trina, and that Trina had to hear it from Cam. She thinks she was scared because she didn’t feel great about how it went down. It’s too much to get into now, but she promises she’ll tell Trina, and Trina says, she better. Josslyn asks what’s going on with Spencer, and Trina says, they’re friends again, for real this time. Josslyn asks if Trina trusts Spencer, and Trina says, he’s changed. Josslyn asks if Trina really believes that.

Spencer tells Ava, avoiding court sounds ideal. How? She says, leverage, and he says, blackmail. She says, potato, potahto. There’s one thing in this world Nikolas doesn’t want coming to light, and this is it. He asks if Nikolas could go to jail, and she says, if he doesn’t, it will irreparably harm his reputation. She takes a paper out of her pocket, and he asks what it is. She says, dynamite, and if he uses it, it will clear any and all obstacles in his path.

Trina says, Josslyn and Cameron forgave Spencer a thousand times; why can’t she? Josslyn says she and Cameron never had feelings for Spencer that went beyond friendship, and Trina wonders if Josslyn and Cameron will stay friends. Josslyn says she wants Cameron in her life, but ultimately, it’s up to Cam. Her phone dings, and she tells Trina that her niece is on the way. They’ll continue this later. They hug, and Josslyn says, Britt was a really brave woman. Tell Spencer that she’s sorry.

Ava says, there’s a web address on here. Go to the site, and he’ll find a video. He says, of what? and she says, something that will give him power over Nikolas. He asks why she’s helping him, since his father already gave her what she wanted, but she says, all the Windymeres in the world wouldn’t make up for his betrayal. She warns him that he can’t unsee this, and if he chooses to use it, his father will be his sworn enemy. Is he ready for that? Spencer says he can’t let Nikolas parent another child, and asks if she’s having second thoughts. Nikolas will resent her too, assuming he knows where Spencer got it. She says, he’ll know, but she’s an expert at watching her back. She gives him the paper as Trina walks into the chapel.

Carolyn assumes Esme has had cognitive and diagnostic tests at General Hospital, and Esme says, it felt like they ran every test under the sun. Carolyn says, no sign of a brain injury? and Esme tells her, that’s what they say. Carolyn asks, what’s her earliest memory? and Esme says, seeing Spencer and his friend on the ship before she collapsed. Carolyn says she’s leaning toward dissociative amnesia. It’s when someone is unable to recall important personal information, as opposed to not remembering a few hours or days. Esme can’t remember her identity, and this kind of amnesia is usually brought on by trauma or stress. Esme asks if it’s fixable, and Carolyn says, psycho and cognitive therapies have proved helpful. Esme asks if Carolyn can help her regain her memory, and Nikolas says, there’s also cognitive hypnosis, and Dr. Webber is an expert in the field. Esme says, if hypnosis can help, she’s all in. She needs to remember who she is, so she can raise his grandchild right.

Dr. Navarro tells Willow that she’s going in to get the baby, and wow, she is some magician because the baby is crying two seconds after she says that.

Stella asks if Curtis is about to marry his own kin, and Jordan says, Curtis and Portia are not related. Stella says, thank God. She was worried whatever this is would interfere with the wedding. She asks what Jordan isn’t telling her, and Jordan says, it’s Stella’s family matter; not hers. Stella says, this is about her and Trina. If they were a match, is she a distant relative of Trina’s father? That can’t be right. The indicator said it was a closer relation. If she’s not related to Portia or Taggert, how could she possibly… Unless Taggert isn’t Trina’s father, and Curtis is. Ding-ding-ding! We have a winner!

Elizabeth shows Willow the baby, and asks if they have a name, but Willow says, they were afraid to make plans. Michael says, everyone has been so supportive. He and Willow can’t thank them enough. They made an incredibly difficult situation more tolerable. Willow thanks them, and includes Britt, saying, they couldn’t have gotten through without her. Dr. Navarro suggests they get Willow to recovery, so she can hold her daughter. Elizabeth will go with the baby to the NICU for a routine exam. Willow asks Michael to go with Elizabeth, and he says he’s so incredibly grateful. Willow says she is too.

Ava says she’s missed Trina. They should have dinner soon. Maybe in her new home. Trina asks if Ava is moving, and Ava says, back to Windymere. Trina says she thought Ava said no, but Ava says, it’s hers and hers alone. They’ll talk soon. She leaves, and Trina says, she’s confused. Spencer’s father sold Windymere to Ava? He says, his father gave it to her, and she asks what Ava gave Spencer. When she walked in, Ava was giving him a slip of paper… Never mind. He doesn’t have to tell her. He says, no more secrets between them, and tells her, it’s a link to a video. Evidence of his father at his worst, and just what he needs to beat Nikolas out of custody of Esme’s baby. She says, that sounds sketchy at best, and he asks if she doesn’t trust Ava. She says she does, but she also has no illusions about Ava. Is he sure he wants to use what’s on the video?

Carolyn says it was nice meeting Esme, and wishes her nothing but the best. She gets up, and beats a path to the door. Nikolas follows, and in the hall, Carolyn asks, what’s wrong with him? He never mentioned Esme was pregnant. He’s asking her to influence and exploit someone carrying his grandchild. He says, it’s not his grandchild, and she says, then why did Esme… She doesn’t care. This is unethical and he knows it. He says, and she’s never done anything unethical. Why don’t they call her daughter and ask her? She says, God help him, and walks out. He says, if only.

Curtis says, Drew and Carly are good friends, and she never let on about Nina and Willow? Drew says he wishes she had. Then Nina would have known sooner that she was Willow’s mom. Curtis asks if Carly wasn’t helping with Drew’s search for Willow’s birth parents, but Drew says, it turns out she was impeding the progress so the truth wouldn’t come to light. Curtis says, tell him Drew didn’t let that go.

Stella asks how long Jordan has known, but Jordan says she doesn’t know anything for sure. Stella says, but she suspected? and Jordan says, yes. Stella says, Curtis and Portia’s affair would line up with how old Trina is. Why didn’t Curtis tell her?… Oh my God, he doesn’t know. Jordan says, none of them do, not even Trina, and Stella asks if Jordan and Portia have discussed this. Jordan says she urged Portia to tell Curtis, and told Portia that a marriage with secrets was doomed to fail like hers did. Stella says, maybe Portia talked to Curtis, but Jordan asks if Stella thinks Curtis would go through with the wedding knowing Portia had kept that from him. Stella says, he’d need time to work through this, and even that wouldn’t suffice. So what do they do now? Jordan’s gathered the evidence. Is she going to tell Curtis? Jordan says, it’s not her business to tell, and Stella says, if Jordan won’t tell Curtis, she will.

Trina says, Spencer has come such a long way since he came to Port Charles and pulled all that crap, and he says, fun times. She tells him, if he’s serious about getting custody – he says he is – then shouldn’t he go about it the right way? He says, in an idea world, yes, but the right way isn’t going to work, and she says she’s been telling people he’s changed. He says he has changed. He’s not saying he’s going to use what’s in the video for sure, but he needs to know. He could have lied to her, but he told her because he trusts her. She says she appreciates that, but what if she’s not on board with him fighting dirty? He says, even if it saves his sibling? and she says, who’s going to save him? He says he thought that was her job. For once, this isn’t about him; it’s about protecting an innocent life. He’s going to do what he has to, starting with watching that video. She says, fine, but he’s not watching it alone.

Drew tells Curtis that he’s not okay with what Carly did, and Carly is well aware of that. He checks out his tux jacket, and asks if the wedding feels real. Curtis says, it’s about as real as it gets, and he’s jazzed to have Drew by his side. Drew says, it’s a privilege, and he’ll always stand by Curtis, like Curtis has stood by him. Curtis says, the way he’ll always stand by Nina, and Drew says, and we’re back. Curtis says he doesn’t appreciate what Carly did to Nina and to Drew, and Drew says, for what it’s worth (🍷), Carly truly regrets lying to him. Curtis says, but not to Nina. Carly’s gonna do what Carly’s gonna do, but he’s really glad she and Drew never got together. D’oh!

Jordan tells Stella, hold on, but Stella says, Jordan isn’t talking her out of this. Jordan says, stop and think. What will she accomplish by telling Curtis something that will blow up his life? Stella says, she’ll be providing him with the truth, but Jordan says, she’ll be sharing an unproven theory. She agrees Curtis has a right to know, but shouldn’t he hear it from Portia, his fiancé and possible mother of his child? And don’t forget, Stella has a history of meddling. Stella says she meddles out of love, and Jordan says she knows that, but Curtis could perceive it differently, especially if it turns out they’re wrong. Stella says, then let’s find out before Curtis walks down that aisle.

Spencer and Trina find a private place off the main staircase, and sit on a bench. He takes out his phone, and she asks if he’s sure. He brings up the video, and says, last chance to bail. She says, they’re in this together, and we see Nikolas confess that he’s responsible for the disappearance of Esme Prince.

Esme asks Nikolas if Carolyn is upset. She wonders if she said something wrong, but he says, she said nothing wrong, but one part did confuse him. What gave her the impression Spencer is the father of her baby?

Dr. Navarro tells Willow that the process to get the cord blood only took about ten minutes, and Willow asks if Michael is with the baby. The doctor says, he’s with their daughter in the NICU, and Willow says, they can’t let Jonah slip away again. Dr. Navarro asks her today’s date, and Willow says, the fourth of July. A nurse says, her BP is dropping, and another nurse says, she’s hemorrhaging. The doctor shouts instructions, and tells Willow to stay with her.

Drew says, that’s a bold statement, and Curtis asks if he doesn’t agree. Drew says, that’s it’s a good thing he and Carly never got together? Curtis says, lies are hard to get past, and Drew reminds Curtis that he said he’d never forgive his father, and now look at the two of them. Curtis says, fair point, and Drew says he hears a but coming. Curtis says, it was for his dad; that was family. Marshall’s lies were to protect him. Drew says, in Carly’s mind, she was protecting her family, but Curtis says, at the expense of someone else’s. If Drew wants to be friends with Carly, that’s on him, but if someone had kept a life-altering secret from him, there’s no getting past that.

Jordan tells Stella, the only way to be sure is a DNA test, but they can’t do that without Curtis and Trina’s consent. Stella asks if Jordan is saying her hands are tied, and Jordan tells her, she’s saying it’s not their place. Stella says she doesn’t accept that. Is she supposed to officiate the wedding like everything is fine and dandy? Jordan says, yes. Because that’s what Curtis and Portia asked her to do. Stella says, that’s insane. She won’t watch the woman lying to her nephew’s face walk down the aisle and marry him. No way, no how.

Spencer watches Nikolas talk about Esme ruining his life, and how he pushed her to her death in a fit of rage. His only regret is not doing it sooner to spare the people he loves the pain he’s caused them. This he solemnly swears.

Esme says, when Spencer came to see her in the hospital, he said he might be the baby’s father, but Nikolas says he’s sorry. Spencer isn’t the father. She says she was really hoping she’d found her baby’s family, and he says, she has. That baby is more loved and wanted than she can imagine. She asks how he knows that, and he says, because it’s his.

Carolyn sees Elizabeth, and says she looks exhausted, calling her Lizzie. Elizabeth tells her, it’s Elizabeth, and asks what she can do for Carolyn. Carolyn says, nothing, but she hopes to do something for Elizabeth.

Ava sees Austin, and tells him that she made an appointment with the plastic surgeon he recommended. Pretty soon her scar will be a thing of the past. He says he’s sorry she walked in on that scene in his office and wants to apologize, but she tells him, if anyone understands complicated family dynamics, he’s looking at her. He says, if only all scars were so easily fixed, when he gets a page. He tells her that it’s an emergency, and jets.

Michael looks at the new baby, who looks anything but premature. He says, she has no idea how loved she is, but she will, when Josslyn joins him. She says, that’s a promise, and asks if that’s her niece. He says, in all her glory, and she congratulates him. She asks if the surgery went okay, and he says, it did. She says she might be biased, but she can’t handle how beautiful the baby is, and he says, just like her mother.

Willow is unconscious, and everyone runs around doing medical stuff. Dr. Navarro tells Willow to stay with her, but she flatlines, and the doctor says, they need to defibrillate. She uses the defibrillator, and goes for a second time, when we see a bright light. Harmony tells Willow not to be afraid. She’s not alone. Harmony holds out her arms.

Tomorrow, Elizabeth asks what Nikolas told Carolyn; Trina suggests she and Spencer go to the cops; Curtis asks Jordan, what’s wrong; and Sonny says, the doctors are looking for Michael.

🤵🏻 Back Again…

Apparently, for good this time.

https://daytimeconfidential.com/2023/01/31/adam-huss-returns-as-general-hospitals-nikolas

🥀 Taken Too Soon…

The Wednesday bar was set with her.
https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/as-the-world-turns/as-the-world-turns-vet-lisa-loring-dead-at-64

I don’t remember her on GH, but I don’t think I was watching at the time.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/general-hospital-alum-annie-wersching-dead-at-45

🎂 She’s Legal…

Is that a fanny pack on Taggert?

https://www.soapsindepth.com/gallery/general-hospital/ghs-tabyana-ali-celebrates-her-21st-birthday-see-the-party-pics

🗽 Dumped Legacy…

The finger pointing starts.

https://pagesix.com/2023/01/31/real-housewives-of-new-york-cast-blames-each-other-for-legacy-collapse/

The Countess remains hopeful.

https://people.com/tv/luann-de-lesseps-rhony-legacy-contracts-have-stalled-never-say-never-on-return/

⚰️ Another Dead End…

No surprise, they’re going to string out the last season.

https://www.tvinsider.com/1076325/fear-the-walking-dead-ending-season-8-release-schedule/

🛣 More Than Game…

This show is great. Pedro Pascal was one of my favorites on Game of Thrones. Until The Mountain squashed his head like a grape. Here’s hoping he does better in a post-apocalyptic world.

https://www.hbo.com/the-last-of-us

🐶 Almost Bowl Time…

I can hear the yips now.

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

👜 Taking a Sentimental Journey…

Stop in tomorrow for soap and a tea leaf or two. Until then, stay safe, stay hanging onto your sanity in an insane world, and stay not keeping life-altering secrets from anyone, lest there’s no getting past that.

Jan28

January 27, 2023 – Terry Gives Willow Another Option, She’s Fine, Paris Meeting, Messy On Deck, Last Return, Early Roll Call, AniPug, Quotes Of Ten & Borderline

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Carly wakes up and asks why Drew is smiling. He  tells her that when she sleeps her nose wrinkles.

On the phone at the MetroCourt, Victor says, give him the latest. Have  they determined the cause of the flooding? A man with a French accent says, the water main under the building burst, and Victor says he’s aware the pipes are old, but it’s inconceivable that they should happen to burst on the very night Valentin and Anna come to retrieve his guest. Have they found  his son? The man says, not yet. Or Miss Devane or Miss Coe. Victor says that’s not the answer he was looking for, and asks, what’s the hold-up? The man says, the adjoining catacombs collapsed; it’s too unstable. Victor says he doesn’t care how dangerous it is. He wants a team down there right now looking for his son.

Martin goes into the elevator, and flashes back to the first time he met Lucy when he was dressed as Santa, and their subsequent romantic encounter. He looks at a photo of her on his phone, and says, my dear sweet Lucy, where are you? The elevator stops, and the door opens. He sees someone there, and says, they’ve been ignoring his calls, which he doesn’t appreciate. Now what the hell… He’s grabbed by the lapels and pulled out.

Victor says he’ll pay triple the rate. His son might be trapped in those catacombs; he could be injured. He sees Alexis sitting at one of the tables in the restaurant. He says, just find him, when Alexis comes over. He asks if she’s having breakfast with her daughters; he’d love to see them. She says, he never gives up, and he says, family is worth every effort. She says she’s sorry to disappoint him, but she’s here to see the mayor, not her children. Victor says, that’s a pity, and excuses himself, going over to the bar. Alexis follows him, and asks how everything is going with Nikolas. He says he assumes she’s referring to his utter and total disappointment in his nephew. Fathering Esme’s child is just… She says, so unseemly. She guesses things are a little tense at Windymere, and he says, they would be. He’s taken a suite here at the MetroCourt. Not that it has anything to do with the conflict with his nephew. She asks, then why? and he says he thought Nikolas would have told her. He’s handed Spoon Island over to Ava as part of the divorce settlement.

Ava is looking at the settlement papers, when Nina comes out. Ava says, Britt’s memorial is today, isn’t it? At General Hospital? Nina says, they’re honoring her work as Co-Chief of Staff. She thinks Britt would really like it. Practicing medicine was important to her. Ava asks how Nina is holding up, and Nina says she’s fine. Her job right now is to be strong for Aunt Liesl, and that’s what she’s going to do. Ava says she was referring to the Willow situation. They haven’t had a chance to talk about that yet. Ava can’t believe it. Willow is Nina’s daughter? Nina says, a fact she wouldn’t know if that bitch Carly had her way.

Michael tells Willow, good morning, and she says, is it morning? It’s always so hard to tell in here. Did he get any sleep? He says, a few hours, and takes her hand. She asks him to promise he won’t let go, and he says he promises.

Ava says, what Carly did was unconscionable, and Nina says, first with Nelle; now it’s Willow. Ava says, to be fair, Carly didn’t know Nelle was Nina’s daughter until after Nelle died. Nina says, and that makes it okay? but Ava says, of course (🍷) not. She’s not defending Carly. Nina says she hopes not, since there is no defense. Of Course (🍷) St. Carly will be forgiven, because she was protecting Willow from evil Nina, who no one would ever want as a mother. And now that she’s not a bone marrow match, there’s no foul, no harm. She knows that’s what Carly is going to say, and people will buy it. She doesn’t care if the whole world forgives Carly; she’s not – ever. She’s not going to rest until that woman pays for what she did to her.

Drew says, it’s so incredible being alone with Carly. Does she have any idea how hard it is pretending to be just friends? She says, really? She thought it was easy. She’d see him across the room, and think, there’s Drew. Whatever. She’s kidding. When she would see him across the room, like at the Quartermaines’ on Christmas, he has no idea how bad she wanted to come across the room and kiss him. He says, if she’s feeling the urge… and kisses her. Wake me when this is over. She thanks him for sticking with her. He had every reason to bail. She’s really glad he didn’t. He says he is too, and she says, any regrets? He says, except for the fact they can’t go public? and she says, it’s so frustrating because the Aurora/ELQ merger didn’t even happen. She doesn’t know why there’s this issue with insider trading. He says he guesses it helps on some level, but someone could still report it to the SEC, and she asks if they can talk about something else. He says, please, and she tells him to start. He says he loves waking up with her, and she says she loves waking up with him. Is there anything else he likes doing with her? He says he can think of a few things, and she says, tell her more. He says he’d rather show her, and they get busy. Zzzzz….

Terry comes into Willow’s room, and asks how she’s doing. Michael says, she’s in some pain, and suggests upping her medication, but Willow says she doesn’t want that. If she gets more medication, she’ll just sleep, and she refuses to waste… She asks if Terry is here to discuss treatment since Nina isn’t a viable bone marrow match, and Terry says, the donor registry could still come through. Michael says, they can’t count on that though, and Terry says she woudn’t advise it. Michael says, so what now? and Terry says, there is another option. As they know, when bone marrow is taken from a donor, stem cells are harvested, and Willow’s body can use those healthy stem cells to fight leukemia. But bone marrow isn’t the only source. They can also find stem cells in cord blood from the umbilical cord and placenta. Willow says, if Terry is talking about taking something away from the baby to help her, the answer is no, and I wonder how she passed nursing school. Michael says, if there’s an option that can save both Willow and their daughter, they need to hear the doctor out.

Alexis finds it hard to believe Nikolas would give up Windymere, and Victor says, perhaps he felt he owed it to Ava for sleeping with his son’s ex-girlfriend. She says, when he puts it that way… It still seems out of character for her nephew. Laura joins them, and says she hopes Victor is happy. Victor says he doesn’t know; is he? She says he’s gone too far this time, and he asks what on earth she’s talking about. She says she was just contacted by the Paris authorities. Valentin is dead. Alexis says, Valentin is dead? and Laura says she’s sorry. A portion of the Paris catacombs collapsed last night. Alexis says, how? Why? Laura says, it flooded when the water main broke. Rescue efforts are ongoing, but they’ve already recovered three bodies. One of them has been identified as Valentin. Alexis says, what about Anna? Wasn’t she traveling with him? Laura says, Martin told her that he saw them leave Ireland together, so yes, and Alexis asks, what about the other body? Laura says, a woman, but she hasn’t been identified yet. Alexis says she can’t believe Valentin is gone, and Laura says, it’s just horrible. All she can think about is Charlotte. She’s going to be completely devastated. Alexis says, and Robin, but Laura says, they don’t know about that yet. As bleak as it may look, there’s always the possibility that Anna survived somehow.

Martin walks through the woods, blindfolded, and asks if it’s necessary. Clearly, he’s cooperating. Robert and Felicia are with him, and Felicia says, it’s best for all of them, him included, if he doesn’t know where they are. Martin says, mission accomplished, and Felicia knocks on the door of a small house. Anna opens the door, and tells them to get inside. She and Felicia hug, and Felicia says, it’s good to see her safe. Anna says, and breathing, and Felicia says, well, there’s that. Robert says, good to see her, and Martin asks if he can please take this thing off. Robert says, so sorry, and undoes the blindfold. Lucy runs out, saying, Marty, Marty, Marty, and throws herself into his arms. He tells her that she’s a sight for weary eyes, and she says, take it all in, and then kiss her this instant. He says, if she insists, and he does. He says, the nightmare is over, but Valentin comes out, and says, not quite. There’s the small matter of his death.

Basking in the afterglow with Drew, Carly says she wants to stay right here forever. Is that too much to ask? He says he’s got to admit, hiding out sounds pretty damn perfect right now, and she says she doesn’t want to go back to the real world. It’s where Willow has cancer, Wiley might lose his mom, and Michael… She sits up, and grabs her phone, saying, she promised Michael that she would take Wiley to visit Willow. Drew says, Michael asking her to bring Wiley is promising that things are going to be okay between them, and she says she’s lucky Michael has a big heart. Her phone rings, and she says, it’s Sonny. It’s probably news about Nina. She says, hello?… No… Are they sure?… Okay. Thanks for calling. Drew says, Nina’s not a match? and she says, no. He says he’s so sorry, and she says, Willow is so sick. What if they don’t find a donor in time? She leans back in his arms.

Nina tells Ava that she could strangle Carly for trying to keep her daughter away from her. Who does she think she is? Ava tells her, stop it, and Nina asks if Ava is saying she doesn’t have the right to hate Carly. Ava says, of course (🍷) she does, but Carly isn’t what’s important right now, and Nina says she’s not going to let it go. She can’t let it go. Ava says she knows. Because it’s easier to be angry with Carly that facing the pain and fear of losing another child. Willow is Nina’s daughter, and she’s very sick. Nina says, she can’t save her. She can’t.

Willow says she won’t do anything to jeopardize the baby’s health, and Terry says she understands, but the baby won’t be affected in any way, other than being delivered by C-section a few weeks early. Willow says she knows she agreed to have the baby early to prepare for the marrow transplant, but she was never comfortable; she’s still not. Their daughter will be born when she’s ready. Terry says she’s consulted with Dr. Navarro, and she’s confirmed that this late in the pregnancy, the risks to the baby are minimal. 99% of babies born at this stage not only survive, but thrive, and after the birth, the umbilical cord and placenta are no longer serving a purpose. It’s possible to harvest stem cells from the blood. Michael asks, what’s the success rate of this type of transplant? and Terry says, nothing’s 100%, but it’s the best chance they have. Because the stem cells are coming from Willow’s baby, they only need about half the HLA markers to match, which is less than bone marrow stem cells. Michael says, that’s incredible, and we finally agree on something. It is pretty amazing. Terry says, in her medical opinion, this is by far Willow’s best option. Will she give it a shot?

Robert asks if there’s any reason they needed to bring Martin here, and Valentin says, it was vital. Anna says, otherwise, Lucy would have driven them crazy. Felicia says, when Anna called this morning, saying they brought Lucy back, she doesn’t remember the last time she was so relieved. And Anna’s life as a fugitive is over. Robert asks if they’re forgetting the fact that the PCPD has a videotape of someone looking a lot like Anna putting a bullet in Lucy point blank, and Felicia says, Lucy will just say the shooter wasn’t Anna. Charges dropped, right? Anna says she doesn’t know as she’s ready to reveal herself just yet; not since they’ve gone to the trouble of convincing Victor that Valentin is dead. Robert says, any plan that puts Valentin six feet under is fine with him, and Felicia says, they really need to think about this. There are people other than Victor who will be very upset. Are they willing to have that on their conscience?

Victor asks, who contacted Laura, and why did they call her and not him? Laura says, because Charlotte is Valentin’s next of kin, and Alexis says, poor Charlotte. Victor asks how they know the body is Valentin’s, and Laura tells him not to pretend he cares. He says, of course (🍷) he cares; Valentin is his son. Laura says, who he tried to control by threatening Valentin’s little girl, and Victor says, Charlotte was never in any danger, but Laura says, face it. Victor only values family when it works to his advantage. He says he needs to make some calls, and leaves.

Nina tells Ava that she’s filled with regret; what they missed out on and what could have been. Ava says, stop talking in the past tense. Willow is not gone. There’s still hope. Nina says she was Willow’s hope. She was supposed to be the game changer. Her bone marrow was supposed to save Willow’s life, and then Willow would forgive her and love her, but Willow doesn’t want to be her daughter. She doesn’t want anything to do with Nina. Ava says she’s been there, and knows how much it hurts, and Nina says she can’t breathe. She just feels the pain going through her body with every heartbeat. Now she has to go to the hospital, and say goodbye to her cousin when she knows her daughter is there fighting for her life, and there’s not a damn thing she can do about it. She won’t survive losing Willow. Ava hugs her.

Michael asks what Willow thinks, when Carly peeks in, and asks if it’s a good time. Michael says, of course (🍷). Bring him in. Terry says she’ll give them some time to consider their options, and leaves as Wiley runs in. Michael lifts Wiley onto the bed, telling him to be careful, but Willow says she wants the biggest, strongest hug she can get. She hugs him, and says she’s missed him so much, and he says he’s missed her too.

On the phone, Victor says he wants to know exactly what the Paris police know, down to the last detail. This is unacceptable. His son was never supposed to be harmed. He wants answers and he wants them immediately.

Alexis and Laura sit at a table, and Alexis says, Victor seemed really shaken up. Laura says, did he ever, and Alexis says, well done, Madame Mayor; she was very convincing. Laura says, you this better work.

Anna says, Laura and Alexis know the truth. They brought them in on it. Felicia says, what about Charlotte? Valentin can’t be okay with letting her believe he’s dead. Valentin says, there’s a plan in place. Laura knows exactly what to say to Charlotte. Anna says, and if everything has gone according to plan, Laura should have broken the news to Victor right about now. Robert is sure their illustrious mayor is right on schedule. He laughs, and says, sometimes he just can’t believe that little Laura, on the run from Frank Smith, holding the Cassadines at bay with a machine gun. Now here they are, the epitome of law and order. Felicia says, look who’s talking, Mr. District Attorney, and he says, my, how the mighty have fallen.

In the bedroom, Martin asks Lucy to swear to him she’s all right, and she says she’s fine. He says, they didn’t hurt her or touch her in any way? and she slips off his jacket, asking if she doesn’t feel all right. He says she feels incredible, and kisses her. He says, still, it had to be awful being Victor’s prisoner, and she says she did spend every minute of every hour of every day praying to get out of there, and did manage to concoct a few escape plans. He says, that’s his girl, and she says, surprisingly, physically they treated her okay… except for the part where she was chained in the basement. Literally. She thinks it was all part of the plan to get Anna and Valentin… He says he could just kill that smug son of a bitch, and she says, the worst part, she actually had to swim through the catacombs, and it was disgusting and icky. Okay. Deep breath. She breathes, and says, that is all in the past, and she’s back and home safe with him. He kisses her, and says, yes, she is. He  thanks God for that, but watching her get shot, that drone footage… She says she knows, and rubber bullets are really not rubbery, but they hurt. He says, it’s not funny. It was one of the worst moments of his life. She says, her poor baby. She’s so sorry he had to go through all of this. He asks if it’s just him, or does this not feel real? She says, it’s real, and she knows just how to convince him. They get busy.

Ava says, Nina has to hold on to hope, and Nina asks if there is any. Ava says, of course (🍷) there is. As long as Willow is alive, there’s always a chance to reconcile, but Nina says, if she beats this cancer, the possibilities of that are remote. Ava says, look at it this way. Nina’s feelings changed the second she learned Willow was her daughter. She immediately saw Willow in a different light. Nina says, but that wasn’t the case for Willow. She’s made that abundantly clear. Ava says, still early days, and Nina says, she tried to remember the first time she saw Willow – it may have been the park or the classroom – when she was only Miss Tate, and giving Charlotte a hard time. She couldn’t stand Willow. Ava says, because Nina thought Willow was picking on her kid, and Nina says, turns out Willow was her kid too. It makes sense that they didn’t get along; Willow is a lot like her, never running from a fight. Willow’s always been really strong. Ava says, now it’s Nina’s turn. Don’t let Willow push her away. Nina asks what Ava wants her to do. Should she force herself into Willow’s hospital room? Ava says, that might be going a little too far, and Nina says, Ava is a really good friend. Ava says, don’t give up, and Nina says, no giving up. Ava says, that’s more like it, and they shake pinkies.

Willow talks bagels with Wiley, and he asks when she’s coming home. She says she’s not exactly sure, but the second the doctors say she can, she’s running straight to the gatehouse. He says, in a hospital gown? and she says, if she has too. Carly says she’d like to see that, and Michael says, him too. Carly takes a handmade card out of her purse, and tells Wiley to give mommy the card he made her. Willow opens it, and it says Get Well Mommy on the inside. She says, he didn’t make this, but he says he did. She says, these pictures are amazing. They must have been drawn by a professional artist. He says he’s the artist, and she says she loves it. Michael and Carly slip out of the room, and Willow says she’s putting the card next to her pillow, so it’s the first thing she sees when she wakes up. In the hallway, Michael thanks Carly for bringing Wiley, and she says, seeing Willow’s face light up when she saw him was everything. He says, it means the world to Willow, and she says, it meant the world to her that he asked. She hopes this means they’re okay. He says, they are… At least they will be eventually. She asks what Terry had to say, and he tells her, it was actually good news. There may be a way to save Willow.

Alexis says she was relieved to get Laura’s call this morning; she was starting to lose hope. Laura says she was too, but it’s true. Anna, Valentin, and Lucy are safe, and back in the U.S. Alexis says, good, and asks if she thinks Valentin’s supposed death will hold up under Victor’s scrutiny. Laura says, she thinks so; at least in the short term. She thanks Alexis for her help, and Alexis says, The Invader will print an official story that the French authorities say Valentin was caught in an underground flood in Paris. He’s been declared dead. Laura says, excellent. She has to get going. Britt Westbourne’s memorial is going to start very soon. Alexis says she’s so sorry. What happened to Britt is tragic. Laura says, she did die a hero, and Alexis says, if only all of them could say the same thing. Laura says, they’re good? and Alexis says she’s got it from here. Laura thanks her, and leaves.

Lucy comes up for air, and says she has to tell Martin something.  You know how they say when you’re about to die, your life flashes before your eyes? He says, it must have taken a while, and she smacks his arm. He says, that’s not what he meant; she’s the definition of ageless beauty. He was thinking his Lucy is a woman who’s lived one heck of a life. Lucy says she sure has, and he says he loves that about her. She lives each day to the fullest and then some. She says, her last conscious thought before she hit the water was that she didn’t want it to be over, and he has a lot to do with that. There’s so much she still wants to do, and there’s so much life left to live. She’d kind of like it if he’d do it with her, and be by her side. He kisses her, and thanks her for coming back to him. She says, any time, and he says he means it. He doesn’t know what he would have done if she hadn’t. She says, he knows she would never, ever let Victor Cassadine get the best of her. Never. He kisses her.

Anna asks if Robert has heard from Holly, and he says, no, but he doesn’t expect to. At least not until she finds Ethan. She asks, what about those pieces of the Ice Princess that Victor was looking for? and he says, Victor thinks that was destroyed in the explosion. She says, they’re getting closer and closer to Victor paying for what he’s done to Luke.

Felicia says, it’s good to have the gang back together, isn’t it? and Valentin asks if he’s part of the gang. She says, he did okay in Paris. He managed not to slow Anna down. He says, that’s high praise, and she says, how about this? As long as Anna trusts him, she’ll give him the benefit of the doubt. But the second he steps out of line… He says, message received.

Carly tells Michael, this is incredible. It’s the answer they’ve been looking for. He tells her not to get too excited; Willow hasn’t agreed to it yet. Carly asks, why woudn’t she? and he says, Carly has seen how protective Willow is over the baby; she’s going to say no. Carly says, that’s insane. They have to convince her to do this. He says he’ll do his best, but ultimately, it’s Willow’s decision. They go back into Willow’s room, and Wiley is saying, okay, baby, it’s time to come out. We’re ready for you. Willow says, Wiley’s right; it’s time. They’d better call Dr. Navarro. They’re having a baby. He kisses her, and says he loves her. She says she loves him too, and he asks if Wiley is excited.

Victor looks at his phone, and Alexis says she’s sorry to intrude. Has he been able to find out anything? He says, not yet, and she sits down. She says, it’s absolutely unfathomable that Valentin is gone. They got off to a rocky start, but they ended up in a good place. She so sorry for his loss. He says, don’t be. Screw these reports. He refuses to believe his son is dead.

On the phone, Valentin thanks Laura, and says he’ll pass along that update. He tells the others, Victor bought it, and Anna says, that’s great. Felicia says, they finally have him off-balance, and Robert asks, what’s the next part of the plan? Anna says, they exploit Victor’s guilt. Maybe he’ll admit to something in his grief stricken state. Robert says, ramp up the pressure, and Valentin says, big time. Anna says, ideas? and Felicia says, don’t worry. She’s got plenty.

Carly cries in the hallway, and Drew sees her. He asks if Willow had a setback, but she says, just the opposite. She thinks Willow’s going to be okay. He says, that’s incredible, and they hug. Nina walks out, sees them, and moonwalks back out of sight.

On the phone, Ava tells Demetrius that she wants Nikolas out of Windymere by tomorrow… No, this is not a negotiation. The house is hers; she wants him out… Good… No. She doesn’t plan on moving in right away. She’s staying here for the time being.

A nurse tells Michael that she’ll have Terry paged right away, and Wiley asks if she has any apple juice, confusing the nurse with a waitress. Michael says, sorry about that, but the nurse says, no problem, and tells Wiley that she thinks they can scrounge up some juice. He asks what scrounge means, and she says, let’s find out. They leave, and Michael says, Willow means it? She’s going through with the cord blood transplant? She says, yes. She’s going to trust the doctors that their daughter won’t be hurt. He says, she won’t. She’s strong just like her mother. Willow says she can’t wait to meet her, and he says, neither can he, and someday they can tell her how she saved her mother’s life.

On Monday, Curtis says, this is great news, and Marshall says, but what if it isn’t; Stella has a surprise for the bride-to-be; and Nina says, aren’t you two cozy.

🗽 Sure She Is…

The more she keeps saying how happy she is, the less I think that’s the case.

Ramona Singer Dishes On Retirement From The Real Housewives Of New York City; Says She’s “Never Been Happier”

💎 Allez les Filles…

Maybe they were celebrating LisaR making her exit.

Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills Star Sutton Stracke Hangs Out With Lisa Vanderpump In Paris

⚓️ Out Like a Lamb…

I’m with Captain Lee on this one. All she had to do was give him a quick call, which she apparently had time to do after the fact.

Below Deck’s Captain Lee Calls Out Captain Sandy for Not Informing Him of Camille’s Firing, Suggests She Lacks “Respect” as Fans React

Passive aggressive much?

Captain Sandy Yawn Seemingly Responds to Captain Lee Criticizing Her For “Lack of Procedure and Respect” Following Camille Lamb Firing

While we’re at it, none of these people are a prize.

The Below Deck Mid-Season Trailer Is Here!

🤯 Already…

They didn’t waste any time. I’m not surprised. It’s very engaging, and the creatures are pretty cool.

The Last of Us Renewed for Season 2

🥀 Dropping Like Flies…

Already the roll call is forming.

https://www.distractify.com/p/lance-kerwin-cause-of-death

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

🐶 Double the Doug…

If anyone deserves it, Doug does.

https://people.com/pets/doug-the-pug-working-on-animated-show/

🎬 Quotes of the Week

The only reason for time is so that everything doesn’t happen at once. – Albert Einstein

When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life in such a manner that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice. – Indian Proverb

We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars. – Oscar Wilde

Faced with the choice between changing one’s mind and proving that there is no need to do so, almost everyone gets busy on the proof. – John Kenneth Galbraith

Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young. – Henry Ford

Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence. – Vince Lombardi

Success or failure depends more upon attitude than upon capacity… successful men act as though they have accomplished or are enjoying something. Soon it becomes reality. Act, look, feel successful, conduct yourself accordingly, and you will be amazed at the positive results. – DuPree Jordan, Jr. (Getting out my tiara…)

Sometimes you have to do what you don’t want to do to maintain the life you’ve created. – Judge Lynn Toler, explaining to a man why he has to work to feed his children (sigh)

Man is the only animal for whom his own existence is a problem which he has to solve. – Erich Fromm

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

☁️ In the Cloud…

If you’re still hanging in with me, hang out on Monday really Tuesday for soap and what’s happening on Deck. Until then, stay safe, stay resilient, and stay not sleeping with your son’s ex-girlfriend. It’s unseemly.

Jan27

January 26, 2023 – Nina Gets the Lab Results, a Thought, Heartfelt Tribute, Looking Ahead, How She Wants, About That Black Eye, Golden Pets (!) & Looks Like

Posted on by
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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Sonny tells Nina that she has to eat, and she slices some cheese from the platter in front of her. She says, it’s no use. She can’t sit here waiting for the results of her bloodwork. Not when her daughter’s life depends on her. She picks up her phone, but he tells her, it’s all going to work out. She says she appreciates him trying to distract her, but she needs to get to the hospital right now. Nina goes into bedroom, when there’s a knock at the door. Sonny lets Sasha in, and tells her that Nina will be out shortly. Nina comes out, and asks what Sasha’s doing here, and Sasha says, someone told her that Nina could use a friend. Nina looks at Sonny, and he smiles.

Willow puts down the Crimson magazine she’s reading, and tells Michael, the good news is, pashminas are still in style for 2023. All is right with the world. He says, talk to him, and she says, this waiting is torture. She’s scared. He says he’s scared too.

Brook yells for someone to hold the elevator, and Ned puts his hand on the door. She asks him what he’s doing at the hospital.

At The Savoy, Selina tells N’neka to add Cody’s drink to her tab. He says, generous, and she says, he was very effective in the game tonight. He says, that’s what she pays him for, and she says, money well spent. She wasn’t sure he would show given recent events; her condolences. He asks why the murder of his almost girlfriend would keep him from fulfilling his obligations, when Felicia and Mac walk in. Felicia asks if they should grab a table. He sees Cody with Selina, and says, he warned Cody about that woman. She asks why he cares what happens to Cody.

Nikolas approaches Ava at the MetroCourt bar, and she tells him, please don’t ruin the moment. She’s unwinding from the day. What does he want? He says he’s here because of what she wants. He puts a manila envelope on the bar, and says, the divorce settlement agreement. Congratulations. She’s getting everything she asked for, and he’s losing the one thing he treasures.

Trina says, Spencer’s father might not be the best option to raise the baby, but he’s the only option. Spencer says, not necessarily. What about him? She says she’s sure he’ll be a good father someday in the far off future, and he says, what if the future wasn’t so distant? She asks if he’s saying his father may not be able to raise the baby, and he says he’s planning on making sure of it. He’s going for custody.

Carly says she just came to check on Wiley, but Drew says, she just missed him. He went up to the main house with Olivia for a sleepover. She says, perfect distraction for him, and Drew says he just stuck around to lock up. Carly says she’ll leave him to it, but he tells her, don’t go.

Nina asks if Sonny told Sasha, and Sasha says, Sonny was kind enough to invite her over, but it was Willow who told her. Nina asks what Willow said about her. It’s okay; Sasha doesn’t have to spare her feelings. Sasha says, Willow is reeling, same as Nina. Sasha thinks they’re both struggling to reconcile their history with the news their mother and daughter. Sonny tells them to talk; he has to make a phone call. He goes in the bedroom, and Sasha asks if she’s keeping Nina from leaving. It looked like she was going somewhere. Nina says she was going to GH. She had a test to determine if she was a bone marrow match for Willow, and there’s a chance the lab will have the results tonight. Sasha says, the odds are really good Nina is a match, right? and Nina says, a sibling is the best match, but Nelle is gone. Sasha says, let’s hope you’re a match, and Nina says she doesn’t want to think about what will happen if she’s not.

Brook asks Ned to promise her one thing; be nice. He says he’s always nice, and she says, be nicer.

Ava says, Nikolas gave her everything she asked for; Spoon Island and everything on it. He says, Windymere and all the contents in it. She left him with nothing. Not even his pride. She says, welcome to her world. the whole city knows he knocked up a girl who can’t even legally drink this martini. He says, it wasn’t his plan, and she says, it’s never his fault, is it? He lost his son, his wife, his house. He says he’s owning his mistakes, starting with the document in front of her. He gave her everything without a fight. She says, it’s easier to own your mistakes when your hand’s being forced, isn’t it? He’s so weak. She can’t believe there was time she didn’t see it. He says, she saw him and loved him regardless, just like he saw her. They beat the odds again and again. After everything they survived, can she really say the love is gone?

Trina says, Spencer is going to try to get full custody of his baby brother or sister? What about his father? What about Esme? He says, Esme doesn’t know how to parent a child. She doesn’t even know who she is. Trina says, she might remember, and Spencer says, that’s even worse. Neither of this baby’s parents are moral, upstanding citizens; far from it. She says, neither is he, and he says, his father has a proven history of selfishness, amorality, and neglect. Diane Miller thinks he may have a chance. She says, it sounds like he has his mind made up, and he says he wants to do whatever it takes to protect this baby.

Mac stares at Selina and Cody, and Felicia says, he’s looking at them again. She knows him. He cares about Cody. He says, he’s Dominique’s son. She’d want him to look after Cody, whether Cody was his or not. She says, he can’t kid a kidder. He’s such a good man, and there’s always room in his heart for more. She’s not just talking about Robin and the girls, but all those rookies who he took under his wing on the force; giving them guidance and counsel. She knows how much Dante appreciates him; Cody might too. He says, Cody’s made it clear that he’s not interested in that. He just wants to make sure Cody doesn’t get mixed up with the wrong people, and Selina Wu is definitely the wrong people.

Cody says he knows Selina wasn’t a fan of Britt, but she says, she and Dr. Westbourne came to an understanding. Her nephew’s quite devastated by Britt’s loss, as she’s sure Cody is. She has sympathy for those grieving. He says he’s sure she’s all choked up, and she says, people express emotions in different ways. She excuses herself, and walks over to where Gladys is sitting. She says, if it isn’t her old friend Gladys.

Carly wonders if Wiley asked about his mom, and Drew says, there were questions. It was kind of tricky. He didn’t want to say more than Michael and Willow wanted him to share, but Wiley’s a smart kid. He did the best he could. She says she’s sure he did great. It’s a fine line. It’s tough to know what to tell him at this age. He says, it’s a delicate balance for sure. Ultimately, honesty is the way to go. She says she really thought she was protecting Willow. She knows Sonny and Nina want to believe she was hellbent on revenge against Nina. Drew came to her defense earlier with Sonny, but other than that, he’s been really quiet on the subject. What does he think?

Trina tells Spencer, if anyone knows what an incredible lawyer Diane is, it’s her, but his dad has plenty of resources. He’s not going to give up custody of his child without a fight. Spencer says he knows, but he has a secret weapon. Ava agrees with him; she’s going to help. Trina says, he’s telling her that Ava supports this? and he says, yes. For the first time they’re in agreement; neither his father nor Esme are fit to parent this child. Trina says, that’s really something, and he asks if Trina’s surprised that he and Ava agree, or does she not agree? She says, it’s not really her place to weigh in, but he says he’s asking because he’s curious what her thoughts are, and her opinion matters to him. She says, since he asked, she doesn’t think he’s ready to be a father.

Mac and Felicia approach Cody, and Mac asks how it’s going. Cody says, date night? but Felicia says, just unwinding. Mac says, sorry to hear about Britt. How’s he doing? Cody says he’s hanging in, and thanks Mac. He says, it’s strange to have people ask how he’s doing. He and Britt didn’t really know each other that long. Felicia says, that doesn’t mean Cody didn’t care about her, and Cody says he did. He thanks Mac for sending Felicia to tell him, and Mac says he thought it might soften the blow. Cody says, Mac thought right, and he appreciates it. Mac says, hearing you lost someone is hard. Living with it is even harder.

Gladys says she knows she should have come to Selina immediately after the game, but she had to run to the restroom and collect herself. Selina says, tough night, huh? and Gladys says, win some, lose some. Selina says, seems like Gladys is losing more and more, and it’s time to cover her debts.

Nina tells Sasha that she feels like the rug keeps getting pulled out from underneath her. First she had to let go of the idea Sasha was her daughter, but thank God they’re friends now. Then she found out Nelle was her daughter after she died, and Willow is her child, but she might be too late to have a relationship with her. Sasha tells her not to say, it’s too late, but Nina says, Willow hates her. Sasha says, Willow is alive, and so is Nina. It’s not too late. Show up for Willow the way she showed up for her. Show her the Nina that Sasha grew to love. And no matter how long or short the time together, it’s precious, and it’s so worth it. Nina says she wants that with all her heart, but Willow’s made it very, very clear she doesn’t. Sonny comes in, and Nina says, Willow and Michael seem hellbent on punishing her… and Sonny.

Brook gives Willow some flowers, and says she hopes Willow likes them. Ned says, they won’t stay long. He’s sure she’s had lots of visitors. Willow says, everyone has been incredibly kind. Chase and Sasha stopped by earlier. She tells Brook, sorry, and Brook says, for what? Ned asks if anyone wants anything from the cafeteria, Michael says he’ll join Ned, and they leave without waiting for an answer. Brook sits next to the bed, and says, they can sure clear out a room. Willow says she didn’t mean to bring up a sore subject, but Brook says, it’s fine. Willow asks how Brook is coping with the break-up, and Brook says, great… mostly.

Michael thanks Ned for coming, and Ned says, they love Willow, but he didn’t come here just for her.

Drew says, Carly doesn’t have to explain. She was trying to protect Willow. She didn’t think Willow would want to know Nina was her mother. Carly says, but it wasn’t her secret to keep. She told Willow and Michael how sorry she is. He says, it’s good to make almonds amends, and she says, but there’s another apology she owes, and that’s to him. She should have said it sooner. She’s so sorry she went behind his back and lied to him, because the last thing she wants is for him not to trust her. He thanks her, and she says, if the circumstances were different, and Willow’s life wasn’t on the line, she doesn’t know if she’d regret keeping the truth from Nina. She’s still processing all the pain Nina caused her family, especially Michael and Willow. He says he never thought she was obligated to tell Nina; that was always Willow’s call to make. She says she sees that now, and she’s so grateful Willow has forgiven her. She’s just wondering, hoping, can he?

Sonny says, Willow may change her mind and Michael may still want to take him down, but Willow did ask him if he’d reconcile with Michael, and Nina says, he didn’t tell her that. He says, a lot was going on, but he thinks the situation has motivated Willow to make almonds amends. Sasha says, if Willow thinks Michael and Sonny can reconnect, there’s hope Willow can do the same with Nina. Maybe things are falling into perspective for her. Nina says, especially if she can give Willow the bone marrow she needs. She wants to show Willow that she’ll do anything for her, and Sasha says, of course (🍷) she will. Nina’s phone rings, and Nina says, it’s the lab. She answers, thanking them for getting back to her.

Brook says she and Chase are in a better place these days, and Willow says, that’s good to know, even if it’s not what she asked. How does Brook feel? Brook says, only Willow would be in a hospital bed asking how someone else is doing, and Willow says, Chase is a hard man to forget. Brook says, impossible. What does she do? Should she hold out hope, or just move on? Willow says, so much of her life these days is about holding out hope, keeping the faith, believing the impossible is possible. Brook says, her situation is different. Her and Chase’s relationship isn’t life or death. Willow says, feels that way though, huh? She puts her hand on Brook’s, and says, if Brook can’t picture her life without Chase, don’t give up. Miracles happen every day.

Ned says he knows things are tense between him and Michael, but he doesn’t like them being at odds. Michael says, none of that matters now, and Ned says, agreed. What’s important is seeing Michael and Willow through this, which is why he’s here. Because no matter what happens in business, they’re first, foremost, and forever family.

Felicia suggests Cody join her and Mac, but Cody says he should be hitting the hay; it was a long night. Mac asks what Cody’s been doing these days, and Cody says, this and that. Anything to keep his mind off of… they know. Felicia asks if they’ll see him at Britt’s memorial tomorrow.

Gladys says she knows her assets aren’t very liquid at the moment, but if Selina will stake her again, she’ll break this losing streak. Selina says, Gladys has exhausted her line of credit. She owes the house $175,000. Gladys says, a hundred and seventy-five grand? Is Selina sure? Selina says, very sure; she’s got an MBA in finance. When can she expect payment?

Ava tells Nikolas that she holds their love in the same esteem he held her dignity. She looks through the papers, and he asks if everything is in order. She says, seems so. What’s the catch? He says, there’s no catch. He just wants to do right by her. She says, no counter? Nothing he wants from her? He says, just one thing, and she says, of course (🍷). He’s forgetting she owes him nothing; he owes her. He says he grants her that, but since she seems to prefer going to his Uncle Victor these days, this might be the one last time he gets to speak to her directly. She says, unless he can tell her that he really didn’t sleep with Esme and Elizabeth, there isn’t much to talk about, and he says, things aren’t exactly as they seem.

Trina says she doesn’t think Spencer is really equipped for this. Financially, maybe, but emotionally? Raising a child takes an insane amount of responsibility, more than they can imagine. He says, his Uncle Sonny said something similar, but how is he supposed to become a more responsible person without taking on more responsibility? She says, he’d be learning at the expense of the baby, and he says, that is literally how all first time parents learn. She asks if he’s thought about what this will do with his social life. He’s still young. Being an insta-father will affect his friendships and put a definite crimp in his future relationships. He asks if she’s saying people won’t want to be his friend or be his girlfriend if he’s raising a baby, and she tells him, she’s not saying it’s one way or the other; some might. He says, what about her? Would she want to be with a man who’s raising a baby? She says she woudn’t know the answer to that. She’d have to be in the situation. He says, what about the situation she’s in with him? Is him going after custody of this child going to impact whatever it is that’s going on between them? She asks what he means, and he says, he means what they’ve been doing. They’re trying to catch the killer by pretending to be friends, potentially more. She says, it worked, didn’t it? Esme showed up, and now she’s locked away. She may not be the killer… He asks what she’s feeling though. Are they playing the game, or is the game playing them? Be real. They’re hanging out, there’s no cameras around. They text each other constantly, but they don’t publicize it. It’s a lot of behind-the-scenes effort for pretense, doesn’t she think? She says, it may not just be play acting for her.

Cody says he hasn’t decided about the memorial, and Felicia says, it may be helpful for closure. He says he’s not sure he really believes in closure, and Mac says, Felicia means, facing what you’re feeling sometimes sets you free. Cody says, sometimes it just reminds you of all the ways you screwed up. He tells them to have a nice evening, and goes to the bar.

Gladys says she doesn’t have that kind of cash on hand, and Selina says, then they have a problem. Gladys says, what about instead of cash, Selina takes her son’s garage, and Selina asks if she’s the owner of the property. Cody listens from the bar, and Gladys says, depends on what she means by owner.

Drew says, everybody makes mistakes, but Carly says, not him; he’s damn near perfect. He says he makes mistakes all the time. He used to blow through town with a chip on his shoulder. All anybody can hope for is forgiveness and the chance to make things right. She says, that’s all she wants. She just wants to make this right somehow. He says, she did the right thing by telling Nina and urging her to get tested. Maybe it will make the difference. Carly says she prays it does, but what about them? Where do they stand? He says he can’t do this again. He knows he seems like an easygoing guy, but he’s got limits. She says she understands, and she’s really sorry. She heads for the door, and he says, in the future, they can’t lie to each other anymore. She says, you said future, and he says he wants one with her. He can’t promise it’s going to be easy. She says she’s willing to try, and he says he’s ready and willing and able, and they kiss. She asks him to come home with her. Ugh. Why does Carly never have any consequences for her actions?

Gladys says, technically, the garage belongs to her daughter-in-law, but they’re in the process of selling it, so she’ll just cut out the middleman and sign it over to Selina. Sonny says, it’s worth a pretty penny. Selina says, her daughter-in-law will consent to this? and Gladys says she has the power to make these decisions for her. Cody flashes back to Sasha telling him about the guardianship, and recognizing the name Gladys. Gladys says, her daughter-in-law will be fine with this, especially when she wins it back. Do they have a deal? She holds out her hand, and Selina shakes it as Cody watches.

Going into Willow’s room, Nina says, sorry. She didn’t mean to disrupt Willow’s visit with Brook, but she thought Willow would want to know tonight. The lab called her. The results of her bloodwork are in. Willow says, and? and Nina says she’s not a match. Despite their familial DNA, she doesn’t have the right markers to be Willow’s donor. She’s so sorry. She thought she’d be able to end this nightmare for Willow. Willow says she’s not sure anyone can, and turns on her side, away from Nina. Nina almost touches Willow to comfort her, but thinks better of it.

Michael says, after all that, Nina isn’t even a match? but Sasha says, they can’t give up hope. Sonny says he’s sorry, but it’s going to be fine.

Nikolas says he knows he hurt Ava. He betrayed their trust and destroyed their marriage. He’s going to have to live with that. One day she’s going to realize their marriage was undermined by outside sources. She says, sources whose names both begin with the letter E? but he says, she’s got it wrong. Once the truth is known, he’s confident she’ll feel differently. She asks what he means, and he tells her, all he can say is, there’s more to this story. He knows he hasn’t given her any reason to believe him, but he loved her, and he still does, with all his heart. So take everything he has, and one day, all those possessions he’s granted her will be theirs again. They’re going to be married and living in Windymere, and they’ll be in love, in lust, and happy. She asks how he can be sure, and he says, because their story isn’t over. One day she’s going to realize all the sacrifices he made, and when that day comes, he’ll be waiting for her.

Trina says, for the last few weeks, she’s started to see Spencer in a certain light, and he says, same here. Why didn’t she say anything? She says, because he burned her, and she’s a little sensitive. He says, fair enough. He hopes she knows he’s never going to hurt her again, and she says she does, which is why she told her mom how she really feels about him. He asks how she took it, and Trina says, her mother was concerned, but she told her that Spencer has grown up; he’s changed. He says, it’s very nice of her to have noticed, and she says she told her mom she can make her own choices when it comes to him; that he’s her friend, and her mother doesn’t have a decision in the matter. So they don’t have to pretend anymore or hide their friendship. He says, friends, and she tells him that she knows she said they weren’t friends, but she was just really hurt. So much has changed, and he’s really been there for her. He says, trusty and steadfast, like a Golden Retriever. She says, not quite; dogs are obedient. She really hopes he feels the same way, and he says, she has no idea.

Carly and Drew walk into her bedroom, and she says she’s wanted this for months. He says, him too, and she says, part of her wanted to guard her heart; play it safe, so she didn’t risk the pain of losing him. But a part of her knew she couldn’t waste this chance. He says he knows her. She’s not afraid to take a chance, and neither is he. They start to get busy.

Spencer says he hopes a baby doesn’t change things between them. By that, he means Joss and Cam, him, and Trina. She says, her too, and he asks her to do him a favor and keep everything he told her confidential. He thinks Diane wants him to keep things quiet for now. She says, of course (🍷). So he’s determined to do this. He says, with or without anyone’s approval, but it would mean the world to him to have her support. She says she does have her reservations about him taking on this level of responsibility, but she’s proud of him for stepping up. He thanks her, and says, she hasn’t seen anything yet, but she will. He’s not like his father. When he makes a committeemen to someone, he sticks to it. And he’s ready to do just that.

Carly and Drew continue to get busy, and there’s a musical interlude.

Brook and Sasha sit on a bench, and Brook says, Willow was in such good spirits. They were teasing each other like always, now this. Sasha says, it’s more than one person should have to bear, and Brook wonders why devastating things are happening to all the good people in her life. They both cry, and Sasha says, Willow has so much to live for. She has so many people who love and support her. Brook says, Chase has to be updated, and Sasha says, it’s going to kill him. They both say, I should call him.

Cody says, the woman Selina was talking to just now, the one he took to the cleaners tonight, what’s her last name? Selina wonders why he asks, and he says he thinks he and Gladys might have a mutual acquaintance. If so, he’d like to keep his distance. Selina says, Corbin, Gladys Corbin. She’s also involved with Deception. She walks away, and Cody says, so it would seem.

Ava says, for a minute there, Nikolas almost had her; she almost believed him. She gets off the barstool, and says she nearly fell for his lies again. But believe her when she tells him, she’ll never let that happen again. She takes her wedding set off, puts it on the bar, and leaves.

Michael goes into Willow’s room, and she says, he heard? He says he did, and she says, that’s it. They’re out of options. He gets in the bed next to her, putting his arm around her, and says, she’s wrong. They can do this. They can find her a donor. She asks, how?

Nina runs out of the hospital, as Sonny follows. She drops something from her purse, then throws the purse down, yelling, damn it! He holds her, and says, tell him what she needs. She says she won’t survive losing another child.

Tomorrow, Felicia asks if Robert is willing to have that on his conscience; Victor says he wants answers, and wants them immediately; and Nina tells Ava that she’s not going to rest until that woman pays for what she did.

💡 Hmm… I wonder if it’s Sonny who’s going to be the match?

🥀 Forever Her Fan…

A lovely farewell from Tony Geary.

Anthony Geary Pays Heartfelt Tribute to the Late Sonya Eddy

🎱 Magic Eightball Says…

Looking toward the year to come.

GH Faves Look Ahead To 2023

🤰🏼 Doing It Her Way…

She’ll have that kid fetching her drinks in no time.

https://people.com/parents/pregnant-kate-chastain-on-raising-her-baby-solo-ill-be-able-to-do-this-exactly-how-i-want/

🧂 She Knows Nothing…

It’s funny how there are never cameras around when you really need them.

https://people.com/tv/rhoslc-heather-gay-admits-truth-about-black-eye/

🦔 Winning Companions…

I don’t know as I’d give a chimpanzee whiskey. Especially after seeing Nope.

https://celebritypets.net/the-2023-golden-globe-award-winners-and-their-pets/

🎣 Gone Ice Fishing…

Pop in tomorrow for soap, tea, quotable quotes, and a better musical interlude than GH came up with. Until then, stay safe, stay being as decent a human being as you can, and stay facing what you’re feeling. It sometimes sets you free. Or reminds you of all the ways you screwed up. Take a chance.

Jan26

January 25, 2023 – Renee Reveals Her True Intentions, Behind the Cataphile, Why She Left, Crystal Reads the Room, New Pump, WeHo Friends, TikTok Emu & Snow

Posted on by
Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Spencer and Trina see Laura coming out of Kelly’s, and Laura says, it’s nice to see them. She thinks Cameron needs friends tonight, and Spencer says, they’ll look after him and make sure he’s okay. Laura leaves, and Trina asks if he knows what going on with Cam. He says, Joss stabbed him in the back.

In her dorm room, Josslyn flashes back to Cameron saying he’ll keep her secret, but not to thank him for being a better person than she is. Unlike her, he doesn’t betray the people he cares about. There’s a knock at the door, and Josslyn opens it to Carly, who says she got Josslyn’s message. What’s wrong? Josslyn says she screwed up, and grabs Carly in a hug.

Drew is arm wrestling with Wiley, and asks if Wiley’s been lifting weights. Wiley says, no, and Drew lets him win, saying, then he’s definitely been eating spinach. Look what just happened. Wiley says he’s strong, and Drew says he demands a do-over. Wiley wants to tell grandma, and Drew flashes back to being on the beach with Carly and kissing her.

On the phone in a private area of the MetroCourt, Victor says he’s perfectly aware the accommodations aren’t as luxurious as their guests would wish, but they’ll have to do for the time being. Keep him apprised of any developments. She might just be his best hope of bringing his son back to him.

Anna asks if Lucy can hear them, and says, it’s her and Valentin. Valentin tells her, nod her head yes or no; is she hurt? Lucy yells a bunch of stuff, but she’s not understandable through the gag. We see she’s handcuffed to a pipe, and Anna says, they’re going to get her.

Drew says, Wiley can tell grandma about his epic win later. Right now, it’s time for bed. There’s a knock at the gatehouse door, and Drew opens it to Olivia, who has a foil covered platter in her hands. Wiley says, hi, Mama Q, and Olivia says she told him, it’s Auntie Olivia. He tells her, Cody said, it’s Mama Q, and asks if Annabelle is with her. Olivia says, Annabelle is sleeping because she’s tired out from playing with him, and Drew tells Wiley, it’s PJ time; time for bed. Olivia says, that’s why she’s here. Wiley is officially invited to a slumber party up at the main house. Drew asks how that sounds, and Wiley says, yay! Olivia tells him to pick out his favorite PJs and two toys, and Wiley runs upstairs. Olivia says, cutest kid ever… other than Leo of course (🍷). Drew says, of course (🍷), and it’s sweet of her to invite him up to the main house. She says she figured they could use a break. He’s doing a good job of hiding his feelings, but she can tell Drew is worried about Willow. He says, aren’t they all? He’s definitely gotten closer to Willow and Michael over this past year. She’s such an incredible woman, it kills him that she’s going through this right now. She says, at least now there’s hope for a donor. She assumes he knows that Nina is Willow’s mother, and he says he guesses news travels fast. She says, whatever her feelings are for Nina, she just hopes Nina is a good match, and Willow’s going to be okay. Drew says, Willow could be okay already. She could already have her bone marrow transplant, and on her way to recovery if… Olivia says, if what? What isn’t he telling her, and why does she get the distinct impression it has something to do with Carly?

Carly asks, what happened? and Josslyn asks, how’s Willow? Carly says, she’s the same, waiting to see if Nina’s a bone marrow match, and Josslyn says she should have stayed. Carly asks, what’s going on? Josslyn didn’t leave a lot of detail in her message. Josslyn says she hurt Cam all over again. She lost him as a friend. They’ve known each other forever, and she blew it. Carly asks why she says that, and Josslyn says, Cam came over here tonight, and she wasn’t alone.

Walking into Kelly’s, Trina says, Spencer has to explain it to her. What does he mean by Joss stabbed Cam in the back? Cameron looks up from the counter, and Spencer says he can’t believe Trina’s best friend didn’t tell her. Trina says, tell her what? What’s going on? Cameron says, she really doesn’t know? and Spencer says he kept his mouth shut for once. Trina says, about what? If something’s gone wrong with Cameron and Joss, she needs to know. Spencer asks if Cameron wants to tell her, or should he.

Laura brings Charlotte into the MetroCourt restaurant, and they walk over to Martin at the bar. He wonders how he could be so lucky that the two most attractive ladies in the room are paying attention to him, and Laura says, Doc is working late. She and Charlotte decided to have a girls night out. Charlotte asks if he’d like to join them, and Martin says, it’s official. She’s as well-mannered as she is beautiful, but he’d never intrude on a girls night out. Laura suggests Charlotte wash up before dinner, and Charlotte asks Martin to think about having dinner with them. He looks like he could use a friend. She leaves, and he says, out of the mouths of babes. Laura says, she’s very observant, and she’s right. He should have dinner with them. If nothing else, they’ll provide a distraction.

Still on the phone, Victor says, he wants frequent updates and a speedy resolution, when he turns to see Charlotte on her way to the bathroom. He says, hold it right there, granddaughter.

Martin tells Laura to enjoy her girls night out. He has no reason to subject his brand new niece to a serious case of low spirits. She says, he’s got to have faith. She believes Anna and Valentin are going to find Lucy, and bring her home. He says, amen to that. Truth be told, he was sitting here stewing about how he could tip things in their favor. Speaking of, has she ever pondered what was said at Pentenville when they had that little tête-à-tête with their dear incarcerated brother? She asks if he means when Cyrus suggested they work together to bring Victor down. He’s not actually considering that, is he?

In the catacombs, Renee says, she knows the way, follow her, but Anna says, wait. There’s a door right there. Is that the only entrance? Renee says, oui, and Anna says, it’s going to be guarded obviously. Is Renee sure there’s no other point of entry? Valentin says he thinks they’re looking at one. These joints are so rusted, he thinks they can yank this grate right off. He and Anna pull at the grate.

Drew says, Carly has known Nina was Willow’s mother since Harmony died, and didn’t say anything. Olivia says, she what? and he says, she thought she was protecting Willow. As soon as she found out Willow was sick, she did tell the truth. Olivia says, but in the meantime, she kept that information from everyone, including Drew, and he says, but that wasn’t the only lie. Carly was so determined that the truth didn’t come out, she actively sabotaged his search for Willow’s birth family. Olivia asks how he found out about all of this, and he says, Carly confessed once he told her that Willow had leukemia. She says, he’s dealing with some really heavy stuff here, and he says, Willow collapsing and being rushed to the hospital is heavy stuff. They have to show up for her, and that’s all that matters right now. She says, of course (🍷) that’s what matters most, but his relationship with Carly matters too. Does he think their friendship can survive this?

Josslyn tells Carly that she talked to Michael a little bit, but he was totally focused on Willow of course (🍷). She was just sitting around the hospital, and didn’t want to run into Sonny or Nina. Dex showed up, and they  rode in the elevator together. She brought him back here, and it really helped to talk with him and be with him. They decided to order food, and Dex was only in his pants. She wasn’t in much more, and when they went to answer the door, it was Cam. She cries, and says, the look on his face… Carly sits next to her on the bed, kisses her forehead, and says she’s so sorry. Josslyn says, so is she. She’s not sorry she was with Dex, but she’s so sorry she hurt Cam like that.

Trina says, Joss broke up with Cameron on New Year’s, and she’s just hearing about this now? Why didn’t Josslyn tell her? Cameron says he doesn’t know; maybe she was embarrassed. Spencer says he’d be embarrassed to break up with Cam, and I laugh, while Cameron looks like he wants to. Trina asks why Josslyn broke up with him in the first place, and Cameron tells her, she said they grew apart. Spencer says, allegedly, and Trina says, he doesn’t believe her? He says he already told Cam that he thinks there’s more going on than Josslyn’s lame reason, and judging by the look on Cam’s face, he’s guessing he’s right.

Laura says, Martin knows as well as she does that Cyrus’s good intentions also come with an agenda. He says he guesses she’s right, but don’t worry. He’s not seriously considering working with Cyrus, but he did bump into Victor earlier when he was at the hospital. It was a harsh in-your-face reminder why he’s not sitting here having dinner with Lucy tonight. She says she believes Anna and Valentin are going to bring Lucy home; she promises him. He asks how she’s in a position to promise him that, and she says, Valentin sent her a message on Christmas. He asks why she didn’t tell him sooner. Did he say anything about Lucy? She says, he didn’t, but he did say things were going well, and they’re making headway. He asks what the hell that means. They both know, the longer it takes to find Lucy, the less her chances for survival. He’s sick and tired of sitting around, putting all of his eggs in alternate baskets. He’s going to find another way to get to Mr. Victor Cassadine. She says, by representing Esme Prince?

Victor says, Charlotte, how lovely. He’s been meaning to visit her for ages now, but her grandmother has other ideas. He and Laura have their differences, but he was hoping they could put them aside where their shared family is concerned. Oh well. So how is she doing? Charlotte says she’d be a lot better if she knew where her father was.

Valentin and Anna get the grate off, and Anna runs inside. She removes Lucy’s gag, and asks if she’s all right. Lucy says, Anna saved her… after Anna tried to kill her. She doesn’t understand. What the hell is going on? Anna says, it was a set-up; she was framed. They don’t have time to explain. She works on Lucy’s handcuffs, when Renee takes out a gun and says she’s sorry, but Lucy’s not leaving, and neither are they.

Josslyn tells Carly that she asked Dex to leave. He didn’t want to, but he did, and the second she and Cam were alone, he asked her straight out if she’d slept with Dex before they broke up. She didn’t even need to say anything; he could see the truth on her face. Carly asks, what is the truth? and Josslyn says, she and Dex have been sleeping together since New Year’s. So now Cam thinks she’s a liar and a cheater, and she broke up with him for Dex, but she didn’t. Carly says, two things can be true. Her feelings for Cam could have changed at the same time she was starting to connect with Dex. Josslyn says she should have broken up with Cameron weeks ago, but she kept putting it off. Part of that is legit, because they had a lot going on. But another part of her didn’t want to hurt him, and she ended up hurting him even worse. It’s not even that he just walked in here. She had to ask him not to say anything about her and Dex. Sonny told Dex to stay away from her. If he finds out Dex disobeyed him, he could kill him. Carly says, she’s right. Dex is risking his life by being with her, but he’s also risking his life by working for Sonny. That doesn’t seem to bother Dex; does it bother her? Josslyn says she doesn’t know what Carly is asking, and Carly says she was about Josslyn’s age when she met Jason. He also didn’t have a problem with risking his life. In fact, she thinks he liked it, and she liked that he liked it; that he was dangerous, but made her feel safe. Jason would take these crazy chances, but she always knew he’d be there for her. Is that how Dex makes Josslyn feel? Josslyn says, yes, and Carly says, then she’s going down a really difficult road, and needs to be sure this is what she really wants.

Drew tells Olivia, Carly lied to him when she told him that Nina wasn’t Willow’s mother, but he had no reason to doubt her. He certainly didn’t think she’d go to such lengths to cover up the truth. Olivia says, he’s angry, and he says, she’s damn right he’s angry. On Willow’s behalf, knowing what she’s going through, and his; he trusted Carly. Olivia says she and Drew have a lot in common. They’re both straightforward people. They don’t like lies and secrets. They want everything out on the table so they can deal with it. It’s been a real challenge for her dealing with the Quartermaines, and it’s going to be a challenge for Drew dealing with Carly. She can understand why Drew is upset with her. He says, on some level, he gets why Carly lied to him. She found out about Willow’s DNA results during Wiley’s visitation hearing, and he remembers how hard it was on Willow, how furious she was at Nina. He stood up for Carly when her family was laying into her a little bit for telling the truth. Olivia says, clearly, he still cares a little bit about Carly, and he says, of course (🍷) he cares about her, but that doesn’t change the fact she lied to him.

Cameron says, Trina would have to ask Joss. He only knows what she told him. Trina says, they’re going through a rough patch (another phrase I’ve never heard anyone say IRL) right now, but they always seemed meant to be. She thinks they can work through it. Cameron tells her, drop it. He and Joss are done. He gets up, and Spencer says, go easy. Cameron asks what Spencer and Trina are even doing together right now. Esme’s been found; they can stop pretending. Isn’t there enough BS to go around already? He goes in the back, and Spencer says, wow. Sorry about that. Trina says, it’s fine. Cam’s just hurting, so maybe they should give him a break. It was nice of Spencer to stick up for her though. He says, anytime, and she asks if anyone is in his corner tomorrow for Dr. Westbourne’s memorial service. He says he can’t believe she’s gone. He doesn’t know if he’s ready to say goodbye. She asks if it would help if she tagged along, and he says, it would. She says, then it’s a lock, and he says, cool, and thanks her. He says, Cam’s right though, and she says, about what? He says, there’s no reason for them to keep pretending they’re closer than they really are.

Laura asks how Martin could take Esme’s case, and he says, number one, he didn’t have much of a choice. Number two, don’t you dare. If he had to wait around for her approval of all of his clients, he’d never work again. He seems to remember her having a really dim view of him representing Peter August, and look how that turned out. She says, Esme is no Peter August, but she did horrible things to Laura’s family – his family too. He says, which her son made abundantly clear to him when Nikolas had him assigned to this case pro bono. And just so she knows, he tried to remove himself, but Nikolas promised him triple his rate to remain her attorney. He’s been up all night. Even if Nikolas is hiding something up his sleeve, two can play at that game. Her boy and his beloved uncle have been thick as thieves lately. She says, please tell her that he’s not going to use a pregnant girl, who has traumatic memory loss as leverage, and he says, a little. He’s not a monster. They both know the information is power, and if something lands in his lap that will free Lucy, he’s damn well going to take advantage of it. She says she supposes she understands that, but consider this a warning. If he tries to out maneuver Victor, he’s only going to end up in trouble.

Victor asks Esme to join him for a bit. Can he get her a soda? She says, no, and he asks why she’d think he’d do anything to her father. She says she’s not naïve. Victor sent her to boarding school in Switzerland to keep her away from him. He says he thought she was enjoying her new school, but she says she didn’t enjoy not being able to leave or not seeing her papa. Now Victor has done something to get him out of Port Charles. Victor says, her father makes his own choices. He’s very sorry if those choices keep him away for too long, but he fully intends to bring them all back together again soon. Laura appears, and says, they’ll be skipping that reunion. She tells Charlotte, let’s go.

Renee tells Anna, step away from Lucy, and Anna backs away, holding up her hands. Renee says, Anna Devane, always looking escape plan, but there’s no escaping this. In French, she yells for Jean-Claude and Gavin to come here, and they come in. Gavin tells Valentin and Anna to kneel and put their hands behind their heads, and Valentin asks who paid Renee to sell him out. She says she needed the money; she had no choice. Valentin says, she had a choice. She just made the wrong one. Renee says, that depends on where you’re standing, or kneeling, as the case may be. Lucy says, you’re not going to kill us, are you?

Victor says, sorry for interrupting. He was just… Laura says, Charlotte, and steers Charlotte out. Victor’s phone rings, and he says, what? Gavin says, everything’s set. Would he like to speak to everyone? Victor says, put him on speaker, and asks Valentin and Anna how the reunion is going. He’s sorry it’ll be short lived.

Trina tells Spencer, the cops don’t think Esme’s the killer, which means the real Hook is out there, still attacking people who are connected to her. Which means keeping up this charade is their best bet for luring her out from whatever rock she’s hiding under. He says, so they’re agreed; they keep pretending to be a couple. She says, yes, even though her mom called her out for letting him back into her life. He says he can’t say he’s surprised. She had a strong reaction to them. Trina’s mother hates him, and he probably deserves it. She says, it doesn’t matter. She stood up to her mother; told her who she hangs out with is her business. He says, sorry to cause problems between her and her family, but she says she keeps telling them that they need to learn boundaries; that she can make her own choices. He says, her family just cares about her. A lot of people do.

Carly says she can’t tell Josslyn how to live her life. Josslyn is just like her. No one can tell her anything; she has to figure it out for herself. But Carly’s life can be divided by what happened before she met Jason, and everything that happened after. It’s going to be the same for Josslyn if she stays with Dex. That person who puts you in danger, and gets you out of it. That person who makes you want to take crazy chances. The person you want to lie for, even when he doesn’t want you to. As Josslyn’s mother, Carly doesn’t want that for her. Does Josslyn want that? Because it isn’t just some other guy. This will change her life. Josslyn says she can’t un-meet him, and she can’t un-care about him. What’s going to happen between her and Dex has already started, and she doesn’t want it to stop.

Olivia tells Drew, she understands that no one likes to be lied to, but Carly kept the truth from Willow because she was trying to protect her. Her motives could not have been further from selfish. He says, understanding Carly’s motives and trusting her are two different things, and Olivia says she’s willing to bet he was drawn to Carly for all of these traits he’s grappling with right now. Her open heart, and her determination to protect her family at all costs, even when she sometimes hurts the people closest to her. His eyes are open. There’s no pretense about who Carly is, about the things she’s done, and he chose her anyway.

Valentin asks if Victor is going to kill them while he’s half a world away. He never pegged Victor as a coward. Victor asks if Valentin thinks he could dispose of him that easily. He can’t make Charlotte an orphan. Besides, he still has hope for their relationship… Although it probably never stood a chance with her influence. Valentin asks, whose influence? and Victor says, just know that he’ll always be Victor’s son. He’ll never give up on Valentin. Gavin knows where to take Miss Coe and his son. Get rid of Miss Devane. Valentin jumps up, and says, he’ll kill Victor himself.

Drew says, Olivia is right. He wanted to be with Carly for everything she is. Olivia says she knows better than anybody that Carly sometimes goes about things in a backwards way, especially when she’s trying to protect her family. She and Carly have had some epic arguments about their sons, but Carly has also come through for her many times. He says he cares about Carly a lot, but he just doesn’t see kind of future they can have moving forward. Olivia asks if he thinks it was easy for Carly to lie about this. She and Carly have been friends a long time. Carly feels things very deeply, and she’s willing to bet Carly was at war with herself about this. Wanting to be honest with him, wanting to protect her family, not wanting to lay another secret on him. He says, she was so adamant she did right thing, and Olivia says, who knows? Maybe she did based on what she knew and didn’t know. Carly will protect the people she loves at all costs, and damn if that’s not the person she wants to have in her corner. He says, bottom line, they can’t be in relationship where lying is okay, and she says she gets that. Only Drew can decide what’s okay and not okay in his relationship. He’s got to make that decision for himself. She’s going to wrangle Wiley. She heads upstairs, asking him to lock up before he leaves.

Carly tells Josslyn that she said Dex is going to be the person Josslyn lies for, but don’t lie to her. She won’t always approve of what Josslyn’s doing or agree with everything, but she’ll always have Josslyn’s back, and needs to know Josslyn will always come to her when there’s something wrong. Josslyn says, Carly has her own problems and her own life, but Carly says, nothing is more important than being Josslyn’s mother. Josslyn says, okay, she’ll come to Carly, and Carly says, she better. Josslyn asks if Carly misses Jason, and Carly says, every day. Josslyn says, but Drew helps, and Carly says, he did. Josslyn asks if they broke up, and Carly says, not yet. Josslyn asks, what happened? and Carly says she found out Nina was Willow’s mother and didn’t say anything, and he feels betrayed. She kept things from him; she lied to him. Josslyn says, she’s just going to give up? and Carly says she’s holding onto hope they can work through this, but she does understand how he feels. Josslyn says she knows why Carly kept Nina and Willow’s relationship a secret. The same reason she kept her feelings for Dex a secret from Cam. Why inflict unnecessary hurt? Carly says, but Willow and Cam got hurt despite their best intentions, and Josslyn says, because they can’t control how other people feel. They can’t control other people’s reactions to their decisions. That’s why it’s better to tell the truth. It’s less painful than defending a lie. Carly wonders how Josslyn got so wise, but Josslyn says she’s not sure, and they hug.

Trina asks if Spencer has spoken to his father since… Spencer says, since his father got his ex-girlfriend pregnant? No. He’s tried to avoid his father as much as he possibly can, and plans to keep doing so. His father has hurt him again and again. He hates his father for it, and wants nothing to do with him. She says she gets the impulse, but it may not be feasible. Spencer’s about to have a new sibling. Is he really going to let his feelings for his father prevent him from having a relationship with his new baby sister or brother?

At a table with Martin and Laura, Charlotte asks if Laura knows where her papa is. Laura says, they know he’s safe because he sent them a message on Christmas, but Charlotte says, that’s not the same as knowing where he is, and what he’s doing. What if Grandfather Victor has done something to make him disappear, and they never see him again?  

Lucy is released, and Gavin says, let’s go. Renee wonders, what’s this? It was in Anna’s bag. She holds what looks like a tube of some kind, as Anna presses a button she’s had hidden in her sleeve. They hear an explosion, and Anna says, that would be the something-or-other she attached to the watermain. In about one minute, this whole chamber is going to be flooded. Valentin says, Anna was onto Renee from the very beginning, and Anna says, Renee changed her appearance when she left their hotel room, so she had to figure maybe Renee was more than just a cataphile. Valentin says, and he does everything Anna says. Anna and Valentin jump up, and Valentin takes care of Gavin and Jean-Claude. Anna punches Renee, knocking her out, and says she hopes Renee can swim or breathe under water.

Carly knocks at the gatehouse door, and Drew opens it.

Spencer tells Trina, of course (🍷) he’s not going to turn his back on his sibling, but his father is toxic, and he needs to make sure he doesn’t get the chance to hurt his sibling and treat them the way he treated Spencer. The best thing to do would be ensure his father doesn’t get to raise the child. She says, obviously that would be best, but Esme’s not much of an improvement. Besides, Esme’s facing criminal charges, and may be sent to prison. So his father may not be the best option, but he’s the only option. Spencer says, not necessarily. What about him?

Laura says, one thing she knows about Charlotte’s father is he would move heaven and earth to get back to her. Martin says, and the rest of them will be here for her until he does. Charlotte thanks them, and Laura says, it’s her turn to wash her hands. She’ll be right back.

Laura walks over to Victor, and says, leave Charlotte alone. He says, she can try to turn his family against him, but she won’t succeed. Charlotte will come around, if she ever wants to see her father again.

Valentin, Anna, and Lucy run out of the catacombs, coughing and gasping for air. Valentin says he doesn’t think Anna has ever been more beautiful than when she punched Renee in the mouth, and Anna says, he’s so romantic. She asks if Lucy is all right, but Lucy says she doesn’t know. Thank God for Anna, or she would have ended up like Renee and those guards. She’s not going to miss them, but seeing their dead bodies is not a sight she can get out of her mind. Anna says, it’s tragic, but it was Lucy or them. Valentin says, they’ve got to move, but Lucy says she doesn’t want to go yet. Do they have a phone that’s still working? She needs to call Marty. Anna says, she can’t, and Lucy asks, why not? Valentin says, because as far as the rest of the world knows, they’re all dead, and Anna says, and we have to stay that way.

Tomorrow, Sasha tells Nina to show up for Willow the way she showed up for her; Selina tells Gladys, it’s time to cover her debts; and Carly asks Drew where they stand.

🔦 C’est Une Cataphielle…

Two and a Half Men is my guilty (very guilty) pleasure, and although I don’t remember her, I assume she’s one of the girls Charlie dated.

Renee on GENERAL HOSPITAL — Everything You Need To Know

🏥 Real Reason…

This must have been hard for him to hear.

Alicia Leigh Willis Reveals the Real Reason She Left GENERAL HOSPITAL

💎 Casual Observer…

Crystal gets the Voice of Reason award for last season.

https://pagesix.com/2023/01/21/rhobh-star-crystal-kung-minkoff-on-lisa-rinna-drama/

🗣 Not the Real Reason…

Again, are we watching the same show?

https://pagesix.com/2023/01/23/harry-hamlin-spills-real-reason-why-lisa-rinna-left-rhobh/

🍸 Pump Your Tinis…

What’s Garcelle doing there? Starts February 8th.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/vanderpump-rules-season-10-cast-premiere-date-trailer

👨‍👨‍👦‍👦 About Those Friends…

If you missed the premiere, you can watch it on YouTube.

https://www.popsugar.com/entertainment/real-friends-of-weho-49055137

The drama before the drama.

https://www.distractify.com/p/todrick-hall-controversy

📲 New Emu In Town…

Looks like LiMu has some competition.

https://people.com/pets/emmanuel-tiktok-famous-emu/

🤺 Moving Like Jagger…

Come join me tomorrow for soap and a cornucopia of tea. Until then, stay safe, stay not sitting on the fence, and stay telling the truth. It’s less painful than defending a lie.

Jan25

January 24, 2023 – Josslyn Begs Cameron To Stay Silent About Dex, Kristina’s Pal, Opening Up, Anniversary Watch Party, No Snooki, Academy Picks & the City

Posted on by
Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Dex goes in to see Sonny, and says, sorry for interrupting. Sonny says, as long as Dex knows, it’s always family first, and Dex says he does. Sonny asks what Dex has to tell him, and Dex says, Sonny told him to stay away from Josslyn, but he couldn’t.

Josslyn asks Cameron not to tell anybody about her and Dex, and he says, excuse me? Josslyn dumps him for Dex, and expects him to keep his mouth shut? She says, please, it has to stay a secret, and he asks, why? Because she’s ashamed of what she did? She says, no, because she’s afraid of what Sonny could do if he finds out.

Sam meets Maxie at The Savoy, and apologizes for being late. Maxie says she’s just glad Sam is there. It’s important for them to make time for each other when they can. Sam says, Maxie’s thinking of Britt, and Maxie says, yeah, and all the times she wanted to text Britt to just hang out or go shopping. But Britt was really busy, so there were a lot of texts never sent. When Sam’s name came up in her phone, she thought she’d really like to see her friend. Sam says, it’s good to see Maxie too.

Laura says, tell her what’s going on, and Elizabeth says, her mother is in town. Laura asks, why? Does Elizabeth think she wants to make almonds amends? Elizabeth says, apparently, that’s just a bonus. She’s here to consult on a patient. Laura says, and Elizabeth doesn’t believe her, but Elizabeth says she doesn’t know. After everything her mom and her dad have done, can she risk trusting her? Laura asks if her mom deliberately tried to get in touch with her, and Elizabeth says she thinks Carolyn just ran into her by accident. When they talked, she seemed sincere about wanting to make up for all the harm she caused, the lost time… It’s just that… Laura says, it’s just that with their history, it’s hard for Elizabeth to trust her, and Elizabeth says, exactly. Laura says she’s sorry. Unfortunately, she’s starting to feel that way about Nikolas.

Carolyn says she came all the way from Monterey because Nikolas said her daughter was in trouble and needs her help. Nikolas says, it’s true. He trusts she hasn’t told anybody about her trip, especially Elizabeth, and she says she hadn’t, but she ran into her daughter at Kelly’s. He asks what Elizabeth said, and Carolyn says she did as he asked and didn’t tell Lizzie about his phone call; just that she was here to consult on a case. He says he knew he could count on her discretion, and asks if she’d like a drink. She tells him, no thank you, but he could answer her question. What’s going on with Lizzie? What kind of trouble is her daughter in?

Paris, France. Valentin and Anna go into a monastery, and a monk asks if he can help them. Anna apologizes for it being late, and says, they’ve been reading about this ancient monastery, and the history is fascinating. Anna tells the monk that they’re going to pray, and she and Valentin kneel down by the altar. The monk leaves, and Anna says, if Valentin’s friend Renee doesn’t show, they’ll have to pray for a miracle. They’re running out of time to find Lucy before it’s too late.

Elizabeth asks what Nikolas did this time, and Laura says, he wants her to side with him when he sues Esme for full custody of her baby. She asks if it’s hard for Elizabeth to hear this stuff when she was recently involved with him, but Elizabeth says, no. What happened was… It ended as quickly as it began. They’re back to being friends. Laura says she’s glad to hear that. Nikolas needs all the friends he can get right now. Elizabeth says she knows the feeling, and Laura says she’s glad Elizabeth reached out to her. Would Elizabeth like her to talk to Carolyn; find out why she showed up suddenly after all these years, especially after Elizabeth told her that she didn’t want anything to do with her or Jeff? Elizabeth thanks her, but says, her mom is an expert at mind games. She played them on Elizabeth as a teenager, and she’s still dealing with the consequences. Laura says, Elizabeth knows she’s a part of her family too, right? and Elizabeth says, Laura is the mom she always wished she had. Laura takes her hand, and Elizabeth says, her birth mom wants back into her life, and she keeps asking herself, should she give Carolyn another chance?

Nikolas tells Carolyn, Elizabeth’s troubles started long before she came to Port Charles. Or does he have to remind Carolyn how young her daughter was when she and Jeff cut her loose to save their marriage? She asks if that’s what Elizabeth told him, and he says, yes. He and Elizabeth have been good friends; they tell each other everything. Elizabeth told him all about her dad’s unfortunate affair when he was supposed to be serving humanity out there in the Pacific. She says, Jeff’s not perfect, and neither is she, and Nikolas says, Elizabeth also told him about the unintended consequences that led to the death of Hamilton Finn’s wife Reiko. And how Carolyn used her skills as a psychiatrist to suppress Elizabeth’s memory of the incident. If she really wants to help her daughter, she’ll stop asking him questions, and do exactly as he says.

Maxie tells Sam, everything is set for Britt’s memorial. She’s sure if it were up to Britt, it would be another bash like her birthday. Sam says she heard it was legendary, and Maxie says, beyond. The drag emcee and shirtless waiters were just the beginning. She realizes now that Britt meant for it to be a goodbye party. Britt was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease. She knew she was terminal… She should have had more time, years more. Sam hopes it’s some consolation that Britt died saving someone’s life, but Maxie says, the only consolation will be when the police identify The Hook, and send them to jail for the rest of time. Which got her thinking, has Dante shared any details from the police investigation with Sam? Sam asks if Mac has shared any details of the investigation with Maxie, and Maxie says, Mac never shares any details of police investigations with her… but she’s sure he shares them with her mom, because they’re a couple and he trusts her. And with a high stress job like that, you need someone to confide in. Sam and Dante are a couple, which gets her thinking… Sam says, most of the time, Maxie would be wrong, and Maxie says, and this time? Sam says, Maxie’s right. She and Dante are working together.

Anna tells Valentin, they can’t wait any longer. If the entrance to the catacombs is somewhere here, they have to find it themselves. He says, they have to wait for Renee. She’s not that late; she’ll be here. She’s a cataphile. She knows the catacombs better than anyone he’s ever met. Anna asks, what is it about her? Is it her knowledge of the catacombs that fascinates him, or is it the history they share? He says he was another man; that was another life. He took huge risks, and made large amounts of money illegally for a lot of people, including Renee. He can’t say he regrets that time in his life because it was a lot better than the one he had previously. She says, and now he’s revisiting it, when Renee says, there they are. Have they brought everything they need? Anna says, everything they need is in that backpack, and in French, Renee asks Valentin if he has everything he needs. The monk comes back, and Renee says, they won’t be long; she promises. She takes Valentin’s arm, and says, they may have to find their way in the dark.

Sonny asks Dex to explain why he couldn’t stay away from Josslyn, and Dex says, on New Year’s Eve, he was crossing Pier 55, and heard the signs of a struggle. He went to check it out, and found Josslyn on the ground, and a woman who turned out to be Britt Westbourne struggling with The Hook. Sonny says, go on, and Dex says he took a shot. It was a bad angle, and he didn’t want to risk hitting Dr. Westbourne, but the attacker dropped her weapon and took off. He went to check on Josslyn; she was shaken up, but not injured. Dr. Westbourne said she was okay. She must not have realized she’d been hit. Sonny says, so this happened New Year’s Eve. Why is he just hearing about it now?

Josslyn tells Cameron that Sonny told Dex to keep his distance from her. If Sonny finds out they’ve been seeing each other… Sonny prides himself on having his own code. If you break that code, you pay with your life. Cameron asks if what she’s saying is, she wants him to keep his mouth shut to save the neck of her new boyfriend, but she says she’s asking him to save a life. It’s Dex’s life, and she understands, but she knows Cameron. He would never deliberately hurt somebody else just for the sake of payback. He says, maybe she doesn’t know him as well as she thinks.

Carolyn says she won’t allow Nikolas to question her motives. She came all the way across the country to help her daughter; nothing more, nothing less. She knew there was a chance that Lizzie wouldn’t even talk to her, but that’s between her daughter and her. He says, first of all, no one in Elizabeth’s life calls her Lizzie; no one. And second, Elizabeth’s fate and his are intertwined. They’ve played a pivotal role in each other’s lives for decades. Can Carolyn say that? She says she has the feeling if he and Elizabeth are having a problem, he’s the one to blame, not her daughter. He says he’s not going to deny that, because she’s right, but he and Elizabeth are well past the place of pointing fingers. They’re both in trouble. End of story. Unless Carolyn chooses to act, and she acts now. Or was she just lying when she said she wanted to help? She asks what he wants her to do, and he says, years ago, she went to great lengths to protect Elizabeth, or so she said. Use those same skills to save her daughter before it’s too late.

Elizabeth tells Laura that Carolyn seems to genuinely regret the choices she made. It’s not like Elizabeth has never crossed a line or done something she’s regretted. Laura says, welcome to the club. It’s called being human. The important thing is, you just can’t let your past mistakes determine your future. Elizabeth asks if that same standard shouldn’t apply to her mom, and Laura says, yeah. Let’s start by assuming her mother is sincere and just wants a fresh start with her. Does Elizabeth think she could meet her halfway, and begin the healing process? Elizabeth says she’s always dreamed of her boys knowing their grandparents, and Laura asks, what stops her? Elizabeth says, at what point can she let go of the past, and actually forgive her parents?

Josslyn tells Cameron that she understands. She didn’t handle this situation the right way. She’s given him every reason to hate her, but she can’t believe he’d stand around and let Sonny blame it all on Dex. He says, she is so selfish. She totally broke his heart, but he thought, at least she’s being honest with him. It turns out, she was lying. It wasn’t because they grew apart. She dumped him because she found a new guy, and she wants him to help Dex? The answer is no. He’s not doing a favor for her and her new boyfriend. She says, don’t call him that, and he says, he is, isn’t he? But what goes around, comes around. She got with Dex by cheating on him, and he’s looking forward to the day Dex cheats on her, because that’s what she deserves. She got Dex, but at a cost, which is their friendship, now dead and buried. Let him be perfectly clear, it was her who ended it, not him. She says, absolutely. She gets it. She waited to long to tell him how she felt, so blame her, don’t blame Dex. He says, she made her choices. He has his too, and he’ll be damned if he keeps Dex’s secret for him.

Dex says, right after New Year’s, Miss Reeves found out her daughter has leukemia, and Sonny’s been focused on that. That’s why he came here today. He’d already left it too long, and knew Sonny needed to know. Sonny says, so he took a shot at The Hook, The Hook ran off, then what? Dex says, Dr. Westbourne wanted to call the police, but he knew if he was there, they would confiscate the gun, and trace it. Since he didn’t know where Sonny got it, he didn’t want to risk the scrutiny, but he didn’t want to leave Josslyn alone; she was pretty shaken up. Sonny says, so Dex took Josslyn with him, and Dex says, he explained to her why he couldn’t stick around for the cops, and gave her a choice. She chose to come with him. Sonny says, he just left Britt there, and Dex says, she agreed to cover for them. None of them saw The Hook’s face; she was wearing some kind of mask. None of them had any other information to offer. There was nothing to be gained by him or Josslyn talking to the cops; it would have only caused complications. Sonny says, so Dex and Josslyn left the pier. Where did they go? Dex says, back to his apartment, and Sonny says, Dex took Josslyn back to his place. Dex says, she didn’t want to go to her mom’s, and didn’t feel safe at her place. She was still shaken up, and he didn’t feel she should be alone. Sonny asks how long Josslyn stayed with him, and Dex flashes back to them getting busy. He says, a couple hours. Then she asked to go to Kelly’s, and he took her back to her mom’s. Sonny says, Carly knows? and Dex says, yes, sir. Sonny says, but Dex waited until now to tell him? and Dex says, only because of Miss Reeves. She needed Sonny, and Sonny was focused on her. He figured that was more important. Sonny says he appreciates the gesture, but it doesn’t let Dex off the hook, no pun intended.

Josslyn says, Cameron is right. He doesn’t owe Dex anything, but she’s not asking for his sake. She’s asking for the sake of what they’ve meant to each other. He says, what is that exactly? It’s clear to him that she didn’t give a crap about him. She says, that’s not true. She does care about him. She’s talking about before they broke up. He says, before she slept with Dex, and she says she hates seeing him this hurt; that’s on her, she knows.  She knew what her feelings were, and didn’t say anything. She was trying to shield him, and made everything worse. She’s sorry. He’s a good guy. They’ve been friends forever, so she’s asking for the sake of those two friends who shared everything, the good and the bad. He asks if Dex means that much and him so little that she’s willing to compromise herself, and expect him to do the same.

Sam says, the reason she was late is that she just got back from Spring Ridge, and Maxie asks who she was visiting. Sam says, Esme Prince, and Maxie says, ugh. Because? Sam says, there’s a connection between Esme and the victims of The Hook attacks, and Maxie says she read all about it in The Invader. Sam’s mom’s coverage is must read journalism. Sam says, her mom is actually the reason she went to Spring Ridge. She wants Sam to track down Esme’s nanny. Maxie says, that’s not random or anything, and Sam says, it’s kind of a convoluted story, and the details are part of the investigation and privileged, so she can’t share them. But she can share that the nanny raised Esme after Esme’s adoptive parents died. The nanny Maggie Fitzgerald could potentially have information about a suspect in The Hook attacks. Maxie says, that’s a lot of mights and potentials, and Sam says she knows it’s a long shot. Maxie asks where Dante fits in, and Sam says, the police are on a parallel track. She and Dante are going to London to track down the last known address…  Maxie asks when Sam was going to tell her about this, and Sam says she was just telling her. Maxie says she knows. They’re going to track down the nanny who might have information, blah-blah-blah, but Sam and the man she loves are going to England. It’s exciting. Sam says, yes, actually. It’s really exciting.

Laura says she’s not suggesting Elizabeth give her mother a free pass, but she thinks Elizabeth might regret it if she doesn’t at least try to work things out with her mom. Ultimately, it’s Elizabeth’s decision, and she’s here for Elizabeth, no matter what she decides. Elizabeth says, Laura doesn’t play fair, all this appealing to her better angels. She’ll do her best. Laura says, it’s all any of them can do.

Nikolas says, there’s a young woman currently being held in a minimum security prison known as Spring Ridge, and Carolyn says, it’s where Ryan Chamberlain is being held, correct? He says, yes. He’s the most infamous inmate, but the young girl he mentioned is fascinating in her own way. Carolyn asks, how so? and he says, before she was sent to Spring Ridge, she showed up at GH very pregnant, with no clue how she got that way. She asks if he’s saying the girl has memory loss, and he says, so it seems; she’s a total blank slate. But more important, she has to stay that way. She says, important to who? Him? He says, and Elizabeth, and she asks, what exactly doesn’t he want this poor young woman to remember? He says, it’s better if she doesn’t know, and it’s better for her daughter if this poor young woman never gets her memory back.

The monk closes the doors, and Valentin says, the coast is clear. Where’s the entrance to the catacombs? Renee asks if he can feel it too, and he says, feel what? She says, the thrill, the rush, just like it used to be it. It can be that way again, and he says, she knows him; first, they finish the job. She says, and then? Anna joins them with the backpack, and asks what they’re waiting for. They go inside the catacombs.  

Carolyn says, Nikolas is asking her to medically manipulate an already damaged young woman to serve his needs? He says he’s asking her to use her expertise for the greater good, while serving Elizabeth’s needs. She says, if her daughter agreed to that, Elizabeth would have asked herself, and he says, Elizabeth has a good heart; that’s partly why she’s in this mess. She needs her mom to help her out, using her skills and training to suppress Esme’s painful memories like she once did for Elizabeth. She says, when did that procedure on Lizzie, she was thinking about her emotional well-being, but Nikolas says he doesn’t think Elizabeth thought it was in her best interest. They both know how much she’s suffered since then. Isn’t that what lured Carolyn back here, the opportunity to make it right? Carolyn says, and Nikolas calls himself a friend, and he says he’s a better friend than she is a parent, but she has the chance to atone for that. He’s offering her one last chance.

Josslyn says, their friendship is something she cherished, and Cameron says, stop pretending she has any respect for him. All this crap about how they couldn’t make it as a couple didn’t mean anything because she didn’t want to make it work; she found someone else. And now she wants him to keep her dirty little secret. She says, Dex works for Sonny; that complicates things. What she did hurt Cameron, and she hates that. If their friendship has to take a time out because of that, that’s fine; she understands. But she wants their friendship to have a future, somehow somewhere down the road. She wants him to want that too. He says, what if he doesn’t want that? What if he can’t ever find it in himself to forgive her? What then? She says, then she has to tell Dex before this gets back to Sonny.

Dex tells Sonny that he picked up the casing, so there’s nothing to tie the gun to what happened on New Year’s. He puts the casing and gun on the table, and says he understands if Sonny doesn’t trust him with it anymore. Sonny says, keep it, but he wants Dex to spend more time at the shooting range, because he doesn’t want Dex to miss next time. As long as Dex can look him in the eyes and swear he’s telling him everything.

Valentin says, the smell brings back memories, and Renee says, the smell in the catacombs is very memorable. He says, and not in a good way. They’ve been walking for a while now; how far have they gone? She says, they’ve gone at least one mile underground, and he asks if they’re getting closer to the compound where Victor is holding Lucy. She says, it can’t be far now, and he calls to Anna. He says, Anna was right behind them, and Renee says, it’s easy for people to get lost, especially when it’s their first time. He says, they have to go back and look for her, and Renee says, or they could celebrate that it’s just the two of them now.

Dex says he’s told Sonny everything. He can ask Josslyn. Sonny says he plans to, but he does appreciate Dex showing him respect, especially with what’s going on with Michael and Willow; they’re going through a tough time. Dex says, if Sonny doesn’t mind him asking, how are they doing? and Sonny says, they’re waiting to see if Nina’s a match so she can be a marrow donor for Willow. Dex says he hopes everything works out, and Sonny thanks him for looking out for Josslyn that night. He’s not officially her stepfather anymore. She wants nothing to do with him and he has no say, but she’s still important to him. Dex says, it goes with the job, right? Protecting everyone who’s important to Sonny. Sonny says, that’s the same thing he used to say when he was young, and had to prove himself. Dex is doing good. The sky’s the limit for him.

Cameron tells Josslyn, all this talk about cherishing their friendship is just BS. She just wants to  butter him up so he’ll stay quiet about her wannabe mobster boy toy. She says she hurt Cameron, and now he wants to hurt her; maybe she deserves that. But that doesn’t change the fact that if Sonny finds out she slept with Dex, he could turn on Dex. He might even have Dex killed. Does Cameron get that? He tells her, don’t dare try to make this his fault. She screwed him over, and he doesn’t owe her a damn thing. He walks to the door, and she asks where he’s going. He says, to Kelly’s, to go to his normal, boring, non-mafia job, and she asks what he’s going to do. He says, what does she think? Does she really believe he’s going to go on the internet and tell everyone his girlfriend left him for some stupid criminal? Her secret is safe with him. She thanks him, but he says, don’t dare thank him for being a better person than she is. Unlike her, he doesn’t betray the people he cares about. He leaves.

Laura says, it’s pretty clear there’s something else weighing on Elizabeth. Does she want to talk about it? Elizabeth says she doesn’t want to involve Laura in any more of her troubles. As much as she’d love to blame her parents, she’s not that 15 year old girl they shipped off. She’s a grown woman with three kids of her own. At some point, she needs to take responsibility for her own decisions. Laura says, that’s something they all need to do, but if what Elizabeth is struggling with involves Nikolas, she’s already involved. He’s her son, and she loves him. She always will, but she knows how persuasive he can be. Nikolas can make a bad idea seem reasonable. Elizabeth says she knows, and Laura asks if he’s imposed on their friendship. Elizabeth says, he talks a good game, but the choices she’s made are the choices she’s made, and she has to live with them. Laura says, she can always change her mind. Whatever it is, Elizabeth can tell her.

Maxie says she’s happy Sam found love again. To have been hurt so badly and grieve, then risk her heart again? She really admires Sam. Sam says, falling in love with Dante wasn’t some courageous act. It was actually the easiest most natural thing she’s ever done. They were friends, and she liked him; then she was like, wow, I love him. He told her that he loved her, and it just felt right. Don’t get her wrong. There have been plenty of bumps in the road along the way. Maybe she could have taken the pressure off with the whole moving in situation. Maxie says, because it was so important, she might screw it up? Like moving in together might be the beginning of the end? Sam says, pretty much, but moving in together wound up being wonderful. They fit really well together as a family. Maxie says, that’s awesome… and dangerous.

Nikolas says, what does Carolyn say? Does she want to put her psychiatric skills to use to help her daughter? She says, go to hell. All those years ago, when she used her skills so Elizabeth could forget that traumatic experience, she told herself that she was doing what was best for her daughter, but that wasn’t true. She was taking the easy way out for her and her husband, and she’s spent a lifetime wishing she could undo that mistake. The one and only reason she came to Port Charles was to make it right with Elizabeth. She’s not going to compound her mistake at the expense of another poor, young, innocent woman. Nikolas says, the woman in question is hardly innocent, and Carolyn says, the trouble is, she doesn’t trust him. And she absolutely will not use her knowledge of the human mind to play God with someone else’s life. She made that mistake decades ago, and it’s a mistake she’ll always regret. She picks up her stuff, and walks to the door. Nikolas says, maybe this time, Elizabeth will regret it, and Carolyn stops, turning around.

Valentin says, Renee is right. It is just her and him, and that’s a problem for him. They have to turn around and find Anna. Renee asks, what’s the rush? If Anna is as resourceful as he’s been telling her, doesn’t he think she’ll catch up… eventually, that is. She knows he can feel the heat between them. Those old feelings don’t just evaporate. She can still remember those wild times they had. She doesn’t think it’s possible to forget them. It can be like that again – she moves closer, about to kiss him – only better, if you play your cards right. A flashlight shines toward them, and Anna says, there they are. She took a wrong turn and thought she lost them… Did something happen while she was gone?

Carolyn says she can’t believe Nikolas calls himself her daughter’s friend, and he says, when Elizabeth graduated high school, he was there. Where was she? When Elizabeth graduated nursing school, he was there. Where was she? When the three boys were born, when Franco died, for all those times, he was there to hold Elizabeth’s hand, to wipe her tears away, to celebrate her victories. He was there for all of it. She was there for none of it, so don’t take that sanctimonious tone with him, because that flag won’t fly. She says, what she and Jeff did to Elizabeth all those years ago, broke their hearts, but at least they were able to tell themselves that Elizabeth had her grandmother to look out for her when they couldn’t. And her friends. Or so they thought. Now she sees how wrong they were. He says, they can agree on one thing, Audrey was a saint. She took great care of Elizabeth, and so did her friends, including him. If Elizabeth needs anything, day or night, all she has to do is call, and he’ll be there. Carolyn says, please. He’s just out to save himself. He says, she’s partially right. He does want to save himself, but he wants to save Elizabeth  too. Can Carolyn say that? She walks out.

Elizabeth tells Laura, it started off simply. She just wanted to repay a friend. Nikolas was there when her life went sideways when Franco got killed, and the more she got involved in his plan… Cameron walks in, and says, it’s great to see Laura. He hugs Laura, and says he didn’t think Elizabeth would still be here. She wasn’t waiting for him, was she? Elizabeth says, no. Laura came to meet her and they got to talking. She asks if he’s okay, and he says he’s fine; never better. In fact, he’s so fine, he wants to treat them to a special dessert. Elizabeth says, he doesn’t have to, but he says he wants to. It’s on him; on the house. He goes in the back, and Elizabeth asks if he’s trying too hard. Laura says, in a word, yes.

Maxie says, Sam and Dante really are the picture of domestic bliss. Two jobs, four kids; all they need is a dog. But all that domesticity can get in the way of romance. Tell her if this sounds familiar. Between Sam’s job and Dante’s job, making dinner, helping kids with their homework, by the time they’re alone together, they’re already in bed. It’s inevitable one of them is asleep before they turn out the light. Sam says, occasionally that happens, and Maxie says, but in London, Sam and Dante will be alone together, away from their daily lives. Yes, they’ll be investigating, but maybe they’ll have time to take a stroll through Kensington Gardens, or have a candlelit dinner, or room service in bed. Sam says she hopes they get the chance, but even if they don’t, Maxie’s right. She and Dante are going to be alone together, and this is going to be their first trip as a couple. She’s really excited about it. Maxie says she bets Dante is too. Cheers to Sam and Dante in London. Sam says, cheerio, and they clink glasses.

Sonny says he’s glad they had this talk, and Dex says, goodnight, boss. In the hallway, Dex’s phone rings, and he says, what’s up? Sitting on her dorm room floor, Josslyn says she just had a horrible conversation with Cam. He said some pretty harsh things about her. Dex says, she doesn’t sound good, and she says, she just lost her oldest friend. He asks if they’re in trouble, but she says she doesn’t think so. Cam said he wouldn’t say anything. Dex says he just told Sonny about the night Dr. Westbourne was killed, and he took Josslyn back to his place. She asks how much he told Sonny, and he says, he believes nothing happened between them. They’re all good.

On the phone, Sonny says he needs someone (probably Brick) to check on Dex Heller.

Valentin says, thank God Anna’s okay. He was afraid she’d gotten lost. They were about to circle back for her. Weren’t they? In French, Renee says, Valentin was beside himself with worry, and Anna answers in French, I understand. So what do they have here? It looks like a dead end. Valentin says he’s not so sure, and they walk over to some iron bars. He says, hang on, and they look inside with flashlights. He says, oh my God, and we see Lucy, bound and gagged.  

Tomorrow, Laura says, Martin isn’t actually considering that, is he; Olivia asks Drew why she gets the impression it has something to do with Carly; Carly says, Josslyn needs to be sure this is what she really wants; and Lucy’s rescue mission proceeds.

👯‍♂️ That’s What Friends Are For…

Not sure where I’d be without mine. Dogs help too.

GH’s Kristina Wagner Thanks Pal Finola Hughes for her Support

🔥 Blazing Her Trail…

But what happens when he goes back to being a cop?

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/jacqueline-grace-lopez-opens-up-about-blaze-and-chase-on-gh

🔦 Look Into the Light…

If you’re a Guiding Light fan, this is Wednesday, January 25th, like five minutes from now.

Don’t Miss a Very Special GUIDING LIGHT Anniversary Watch Party

👎🏽 No, Just No…

Ugh. I can’t believe these people are middle aged and still drinking until they get tossed out of a restaurant. The Jersey Housewives don’t need any help being idiots.

Andy Cohen Shares Why He Said Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi Will Never Be On Real Housewives Of New Jersey

🏆 The Moment You’ve Been Waiting For…

The Oscar noms.

https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2023

🛒 Getting In the Express Lane…

Stop in tomorrow for soap and whatever I can dig up. FYI, the RHOSLC Reunion starts tomorrow. Until then, stay safe, stay optimistic, but practical, and stay not letting your past mistakes determine your future.