(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
The Walking Dead
Negan sits in his cell in Alexandria. The cell door opens, and he says, as he lives and breathes. It’s Carol, and he says he thought Gabriel was coming down to give him last rights. She asks if he wants forgiveness, but he says he’s done what he’s done, and he’s not getting on his knees. She asks what he wants, and he says, TiVo, a beer, and some rocky road ice cream. What does it matter to her? She says, what if he didn’t have to die? and he says he didn’t know she had a say on the kangaroo council. She says she’s not there for the council, and he says he’s getting that. What he doesn’t get is, why she’s dealing with him instead of lining up the skin queen in her crosshairs? She asks what he thinks this is, and he smiles. He says, damn. Word has it, she’s certainly a badass, but she missed her shot. What happens if he muffs it? It will make things worse for everyone, and despite what people think, he’s not down with that. Carol says they need this done; it will help everyone there. He asks what he gets out of it, and she says he’s been eating whatever sh*t they throw his way, hoping they forget. They won’t. Not unless he does something to make them forget. Bring her Alpha’s head, and that’s what people will remember him for. She’ll make sure of it. He has her word, but do it fast.
Carol puts Alpha’s head on a pike, and steps back to admire her work. Negan says, it’s what she wanted. Alpha’s mouth continues to move, making zombie gurgles, and Negan suggests they get moving. It was their deal; start spreading the news. She asks, what took him so long? and he says, doing her dirty work? He guesses he wanted get out with his head attached. Sh*t like that takes time. He’s held up his end, and he’s asking her to hold up hers. He wants to open a new chapter in the Book of Negan. She says they’re not going back; not yet. He says he can’t go back alone without a noose immediately being tied around his neck, and she says, then wait. She starts to walk, and he asks how long she’s taking. She says he’s free. Now he can do whatever he wants. Wait or don’t; it’s up to him. She says she needs to be alone. Sh*t like that takes time.
Dianne tells Ezekiel that he did good, but he says he got lucky. It doesn’t absolve his failings. Jerry tells him to take it easy on himself, but Ezekiel says, these days mistakes stick easier than trials. He and Jerry hug Magna, and Ezekiel says he’s so sorry. She says she’s okay.
Rosita checks out her wound, and Eugene asks how she feels. She says, all right, and he says they can bring her to see Alex when they find him. She says they don’t have to. He has to go; tell them already. Eugene stands up, and gets everyone’s attention. He says he has something he needs to confess. He’s been communicado on the radio with someone outside of their orbit; a new person. They’ve set up a time to meet. Yumiko asks who it is, and he says, her name is Stephanie. She’s from another community. Jerry asks what it is, and Dianne says, he’s meeting her? Magna says, she could be a spy, and Yumiko asks how long Eugene has been talking to her. Ezekiel says he has some of the same questions, but if Eugene’s instincts are that Stephanie is a new ally, they should hear him out before they jump to conclusions. They’re all on the same side. Eugene says some of them are aware that he relocated to Hilltop to make a metaphorically fresh start. He struggled, burying himself in work and community duties, and the voice in the void became a friend. Some might think he’s foolish, but spare him their derision. After what just happened, he’s willing to be a fool, and believes new good people are worth the risk.
Magna sits outside, and Yumiko joins her. Yumiko says, Magna can and should take her horse and go with them. She’s never wanted to be cooped up. She can go back out on road, and have an adventure. Look forward, not back. Magna says she likes it there. Some routine might be good for her. Someone else can have an adventure and meet new people. It’s okay. Yumiko says she’d be leaving at the worst time, but Magna says, there’s nothing to fix. Go. Yumiko leaves.
Ezekiel gets his horse ready, and Jerry asks if he’s really going. Ezekiel says he is, but Jerry doesn’t think it’s a good idea. Ezekiel says, because he’s sick? Jerry says, because he’ll miss Ezekiel. He can’t stop a man willing to be foolish. Ezekiel says, or a fool willing to believe in future friends. It’s enough for now. He tells Jerry, the Kingdom needs him. Make sure the legacy lives on. Jerry says he’s got it, and they hug.
Alpha’s head moves its mouth as Beta approaches with two Whisperers. One says, he’s the Alpha now, and Beta tells him that Alpha can hear him. Take off his mask (that’s never good), and hear her. He tells the guy to move forward, and asks if he’s listening. What is she saying to him? Beta he pushes him closer, and says, just listen. He pushes the guy’s head near Alpha’s mouth, and she bites his ear, pulling it off. The other guy takes off, as we all would. Beta says, just listen, and I wonder how he’s going to do that with no ear. Beta shoves him aside, and takes down Alpha’s head, cradling it in his arms.
Negan goes to the cabin where Lydia was being held. He sees she’s gone, and says, sh*t. Daryl puts a crossbow in Negan’s face, and asks where Alpha is. Negan says, she’s dead; he killed her. Daryl calls him a liar, but he says he’s not lying. He has something in his pocket; it’s not a weapon. He’s going to do a slow reach. He pulls Alpha’s mask out of his pocket, and shows Daryl. He says the whole reason he threw in with them was to get close enough to slit Alpha’s throat, and silence Alpha. Why else does Daryl think his girlfriend let him out of his cell?
Carol walks through the woods, and hears her name being whispered. She hears it more clearly, and turns to see Alpha. Alpha says she’s always watching.
Beta strolls along with the Whisperer bitten by Alpha, who starts coughing. A zombie comes by, and the guy moves to kill it, but Beta shoves him down. The zombie descends on the guy, and finishes him off. Beta listens to Alpha’s head, that he’s now carrying in a bag. He hears a noise, and moves toward it.
Beta goes inside a hotel, and shoves things aside, even though he doesn’t need to. He puts Alpha’s head down, and picks up a note. He reads, these 2 eyes see 1 truth. He sees a gun on the floor, and looks up at a poster for the band Half Moon. He rips it down, and smashes a nearby guitar.
Alpha tells Carol, she’s lost. So was her boy. She sent him away, and he never came back. He died out there, alone and afraid, just like Sophia. She respects what Carol did. Negan drew the blade, but Carol ended her, like a true Alpha. Carol says, stop it, and Alpha asks if she regrets it. Carol says she doesn’t, and Alpha says people were hurt in the name of vengeance, and now she can’t go back. They don’t accept what she’s done, but maybe they would if she says she’s sorry. Sorry you’re mad; please don’t be mad at me. She tried being on her own before, but they always pull her back. She’s always wanting more; love, motherhood, death. They don’t know what she truly wants. Admit it. What does she want? Say it. A zombie pops out of a tree, and Carol spears it through the throat and into the head. She says she wants to be alone, but Alpha says, that’s not it.
Eugene, Ezekiel, and Yumiko head out on horses. Ezekiel wonders if the new community will be handy, and Yumiko asks what Eugene thinks about that. He says his mother was a pistol, but he remembered something kind she’d done. She used to get him chocolate bunnies at Easter. Biting their heads off made him upset, but he associates it with family. Yumiko says, please don’t tell her that they’re on this journey for chocolate bunnies. Eugene says he’s on the journey for the future hope of mankind, but candy would be nice. He asks if Ezekiel is okay, and Ezekiel says he’s not the best audience at the moment. They ride past a cage with two zombies in it, and Yumiko wonders if it’s a trap. Eugene doesn’t think that’s the modus operandi, but Ezekiel says, they’re not alone. Who would do this? Yumiko suggests they take the time to investigate in case it’s a warning.
Off by himself, Ezekiel gets off his horse. He sees some wandering zombies, and kills them. He coughs and stumbles, as another one comes closer, but he manages to stab it. He sits on a fallen tree. Yumiko says, all clear, and calls to him. He says he’s coming. All clear here.
Negan, his hands bound behind his back, walks in front of Daryl. He says, this follow-the-leader routine is like déjà vu. It’s the same way it went down with Alpha. He tells Daryl to get pissed at his gal pal for not letting him in on the plan. He’s pissed too. The lone wolf isn’t thinking of the pack. Daryl says the children at Hilltop almost died because of Negan. Although I’m not sure how Daryl came to that conclusion.
Beta looks at a record album, Half Moon Live in Concert. He puts on a turntable, and I try not to think about why the turntable works when there’s no electricity, and any batteries in it would have leaked or gone dead by now. The music draws zombies to the hotel.
Carol goes to the cabin, and Alpha says, this is her plan? and calls Carol brainless. She had no peace on the ocean, thinking about Alpha, and wondering where they’re going to land, and looking for sign. Give it up. If Alpha knows the truth, so does she. Hear her. Carol gets up on a stepladder, and fiddles with something on the ceiling, but the whole thing caves in, and she falls, the ceiling and everything surrounding her falling on top of her. Alpha says, she’s stupid too.
Negan leads Daryl to where Alpha’s head was, and tells Daryl, it was right here, on this spike. They can wait there for Carol. Daryl says take him to Lydia, but Negan asks what he’s talking about. Why would he stash her out there unless it was to keep her safe? He used her as bait to get Alpha alone. What’s wrong? He didn’t do it fast enough? It took a minute; he had to get her trust. He wasn’t going off half-cocked on a suicide mission. Daryl says, it was because Negan liked it. They hear the sound of a gun cocking, and some Whisperers step out of the woods, one of them holding a shotgun. Daryl drops his crossbow, and one of them says, Alpha is dead because of Negan. Kneel to the new Alpha. They kneel, and Negan laughs.
The music plays, while zombies gather. Beta stands above them, on the balcony, his arms outstretched. He smiles, something we’ve never seen, and pulls half of his mask off.
Negan tells Daryl, sorry. He’s savoring the moment. Daryl’s wrists are now tied, while Negan is free, and Negan says he’s taking his sweet-ass time. All right, fellas, down to business. Wait one damn minute. He’s the Alpha, right? He’s a bit confused. If he’s the Alpha, why is someone who’s not the Alpha holding the badass shotgun? The Whisperer holding the gun gives it to Negan, who says, that’s what he’s talking about. It feels good. He’s never had a kid of his own, but if he did, he imagines this is what it’s like holding your baby for the first time. But it turns out his baby can kill people by spitting bullets at them. He wants Daryl to kneel to the Alpha, and the Whisperers try to push Daryl down, but he shrugs them off and kneels. Negan says, it’s starting to get real now, ain’t it? Daryl was right when he said Negan liked it. In fact – he points the gun at Daryl – he likes it a lot. Daryl says Negan should probably shoot him, and Negan says, don’t threaten him with a good time. Negan shoots two Whisperers, and stabs the other in the head. When they’re down, Daryl tells Negan, untie me, a-hole, and Negan laughs.
Ezekiel, Eugen, and Yumiko sit by a fire, when Ezekiel’s horse suddenly whinnies and keels over. I had to look away here – that’s right, I can watch a million people get their heads stomped, but I cannot bear for an animal to be hurt. Ezekiel tells his horse, it’s not going to hurt anymore, and puts the horse out of its misery. Yumiko tells him that she’s sorry, and he says he shouldn’t have come. She asks, why? and he says, if he falls, they have to promise to leave him behind. His horse wasn’t strong enough to make the journey. Maybe he’s not either. He’s okay with that, but not with putting them at risk. Yumiko asks if he wants to turn back because of what might happen, and he says, it’s for the best. She says they don’t know what lies ahead; no one does. She had all these plans for her life, and for what? She’s here to find out what’s possible. None of them can predict or imagine what’s ahead, but she knows who they need with them. A man who built a kingdom.
Carol lies under the rubble, as a zombie pulls itself out of the creek nearby. Alpha says, her mom used to say, everything works out the way it’s supposed to, and Carol tells her, shut up already. The zombie crawls toward what’s left of the cabin, and Alpha says, this way, friend. Is Carol ready for them, and to see how this ends? No one is coming to save her. Not Ezekiel, and certainly not Daryl. Not after what she did to Connie. The zombie, who’s pretty well deteriorated, starts pushing through the slats in the wall. Alpha says, no matter what Carol does, she loses people. If she goes back, Daryl could be next. Carol says she won’t let that happen. She knows what she has to do. Alpha says, it could have been anyone, but they chose her. She gets the job done. Carol struggles, and Alpha tells her, look at the flowers like she’s supposed to. One…two… The zombie pushes through, but Carol pulls herself out, takes out her knife, and stabs it in the head. She collapses, and Alpha is gone.
Ezekiel now rides behind Yumiko. They ride down a highway, seeing a city in the distance.
Negan drinks from a canteen, and passes it to Daryl. They sit side by side, each facing a different way. Negan says, not to be a spinning record, but he doesn’t think Carol is coming back. He’s not bullsh*tting Daryl. Daryl says he knows, and Negan tells him, when he said he liked it, that wasn’t part of the act. Daryl says he knows. Negan says, when Daryl’s people locked him up, he lost everything. He spent seven years staring out that little window. It sucked so bad, even his memories have bars painted on them. When Alpha took him in, he admits he liked it. It was nice, feeling like he mattered again, and being respected, but she took it too far. You don’t kill people who don’t deserve it, and you never kill kids. Daryl asks if that’s supposed to make him like Negan, and Negan says, no. Daryl says, good, and Negan asks, what about his winning personality? Daryl gets up, and starts to walk. Negan asks, what about Carol? and follows.
Carol walks to the gate, and Daryl opens it. She walks in, and neither one of them says anything. Daryl closes the gate.
Eugene, Yumiko, and Ezekiel ride into the city. They go past a store, where a zombie in costume is tied to a rocker. The look into a café, where two zombies sit with martinis. Another sits on a delivery cart. It’s like a weird Disney ride, with zombies in various tableaus. They look around, and find one in a car, handcuffed to the steering wheel, while a police zombie is about to give them a ticket. Ezekiel starts to laugh and point. He laughs so hard, he has to wipe tears from his eyes. They see a pile of bones on the ground, wearing a boa, and a voice says, oh my God! Hi! A woman, also wearing a boa, and dressed sort of like Madonna, circa the late 80s, stands in front of them, holding an automatic weapon. (For those who are familiar with the comics, it’s Princess.)
Beta takes out the note, and says, someday we’ll rise. He takes Alpha’s head out of the bag, and says, thank you. He sees now, like she does. He puts a knife through Alpha’s head, and sits nose to nose with her for a moment. Zombies clamor at the hotel door.
Beta opens the hotel door, and walks out. He walks through the crowd of zombies, and they follow him as he walks down the street.
Next time – the last episode before the finale – Alpha says we walk, Judith and Daryl run from zombies, and Aaron and Alden hide to watch Beta.
🐭 On Talking Dead: Home Edition, comedian Ron Funches thought the zombie tableaus were like the ones at Chuck E. Cheese, but not as frightening. I couldn’t agree more.
While I’m by no means downplaying the seriousness of the current world situation, there is good news that most of those who aren’t in a high risk group only experience mild to moderate symptoms.
I’ve never given myself a haircut while drunk, but when I had my first apartment, I did let my next door neighbor cut my hair when we’d been drinking. It wasn’t awful. And it grew out.
While housebound, you can find loads of fun, free things on the internet. Museum and city tours, concerts, Doug the Pug’s workout on Instagram, and Fiona!
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
I missed the first minute or so. Because I had extra time. Why that always happens, I have no clue.
Michael tells Nelle, he had the same condition as Wiley when he was a baby, and the same surgery. Nelle says the last time she checked, he wasn’t Wiley. Doesn’t elective mean he doesn’t need it? Monica says, it doesn’t mean it’s frivolous, and Michael says, Wiley will have a better quality of life. How can Nelle possibly object?
Laura visits Sonny, who asks if she wants coffee, while we’re totally distracted by the moss centerpiece. She says she wishes it was only a social visit, and he asks if he’s talking to the mayor, or is his friend in there? She thinks she can be both. As mayor, she’s there to ask for help; as a friend, she hopes he says yes. He asks what he can do for her, and she says, a new wave of drugs has hit the streets. He says she knows that’s not his business. He has nothing to do with that. She says, but he knows how it happened, doesn’t he?
At Rice Plaza, Chase tells Willow that he forgot his skates in the car. She says, it’s lucky Sasha, Michael, and Wiley aren’t there yet, and he leaves to get them. Willow leaves a message for Sasha, saying she hopes they’re still coming, and to call her back. Jason approaches her, and says he’s glad he ran into her. She says she is too. She wasn’t sure if she should call him. She had breakfast with her mom, and Harmony seemed nervous. And the way she was talking, Willow is worried. Jason says, she should be. Harmony is mixed up in something serious.
Sam asks Delores what she’s doing with Spinelli’s phone. Is he all right? Delores says, he’s in custody, and Sam asks, why? Delores says, before she sends him to lockup, she wants Sam to meet her in Queen’s Point, at a bar on the corner of Third and Main.
After running into Neil at the hospital, Alexis says their situation has been on her mind. Maybe she should find another meeting. Neil says she told him that she felt at home there, but she says, there are meetings all over town, and Neil’s office is there. He says his primary focus is on addiction recovery, which is why she was referred to him. She says, and look at where they are. He says they can handle it, and she says, like they handled meeting at the opera? He says they have to come up with a different strategy. As much as he knew about her, he never pegged her for a opera lover. She says she’s more of an enthusiast. She won’t buy a ticket, but she’ll go if she’s invited. He’s not sure if he believes that, and she says, keep calling her a liar, so it will dampen her regard for him. He says, it makes sense she would like opera, since she has operatic emotions. She asks if he’s calling her a drama queen, and her phone rings. He says, saved by the bell. It’s Sam, who says she needs Alexis’s help. Spinelli has been arrested. Alexis tells Sam to text her the address; she’s on her way. She tells Neil, it looks like she’s going to have to miss her meeting. She leaves, and Doc comes by. He asks Neil if everything is okay.
Sonny says Laura wanted him to clean up the waterfront; he thought they were on the same page. She says, a lot has happened since the shootout, and he says he’s done everything he can to make sure the situation didn’t escalate. She recalls a warehouse explosion, and he says, it housed an operation run by Cyrus. She says she can’t prove that, and Sonny says he’s just as concerned as she is about the drug problem. She says she knows he’s got guys out there, and that he’s reluctant to tell her what he knows. She knows about the code, and understands, but she needs him to understand that it’s not a battle if it becomes a war. If he can’t bring an end to this, she’ll have to step in, and come down hard on crime, and it might include him.
Jason tells Willow, Harmony is involved with some dangerous people. Willow asks, how? but he tells her, just be careful; keep her distance until this is over. She says, until what’s over? and he wonders if her mom has asked her for anything. Willow says it was all she could do to talk Harmony into meeting her for breakfast. Jason says, that’s good; it means Harmony is trying to protect her. She asks, from what? Is she involved in organized crime? He says he’s told her what he can. She says, sorry, but since he obviously knows what’s going on, can he look out for her mom? He says he’ll try.
Nelle says she researched Wiley’s condition on the internet. Sasha wonders if that makes Nelle an expert after five minutes, and Nelle says, Monica is a cardiologist, and can tell her if it’s right or wrong. It’s an elective surgery, which means it’s not necessary, right? Monica says, it means, at this moment, it isn’t an emergency. Michael says it’s a preventative measure to prevent Wiley from suffering more heart damage that could threaten his life. Nelle asks if that’s a fact or theory. It’s a risk she doesn’t think she wants to take.
Monica understands Nelle is scared. No parent welcomes their child having surgery. She says, Michael seems to. He’s ready to let them work on Wiley like a frog in a biology class. Sasha says, it could give Wiley a better quality of life, for the rest of his life. What’s wrong with her? How can she say no? Nelle says, why willingly expose Wiley to the danger of surgery, when he doesn’t need it? Michael says, what if he continues to have trouble breathing? What’s Nelle’s plan then?
Chase comes back, and tells Willow, it got hairy. There was a mother in a van with squabbling kids, who was parked dangerously close to him. He realizes she’s not listening, and asks, what’s going on? She says, Jason was just there. He told her that her mom is into something dangerous, and she should do everything possible to keep her distance. That shouldn’t be too hard, since Harmony has been pushing her away. Jason thinks Harmony is trying to protect her. Chase asks, from what? and she says, Jason knows, but won’t say. It’s freaking her out even more because he’s a mobster, or whatever the legal term is. Chase says, racketeering, and she says Jason has been kind to her, and he’s the one who got through to her mom. Now it sounds like her mom is into something more dangerous than Dawn of Day. He says he knows Willow is trying to see the best in her mom, since she turned her back on Shiloh, but he can see how she fell for Shiloh in the first place. Harmony seems fierce and strong… Willow says, but it’s not the first time she’s been taken in by something dangerous. She doesn’t think it’s about Harmony this time though. She thinks this time, it’s about her.
Sonny tells Laura, the situation is shifting, and Laura asks if he’s set something in motion. He tells her, all he can say is, steps have been taken to end this. His phone rings, and he steps away for a moment, but says, sorry. He thought it was Turning Woods. She asks how Mike is doing, and he says his dad doesn’t remember him half the time, but what he doesn’t let go of is bullets whizzing by his head, and hiding under the table in a pub in Bensonhurst, screaming that he wants it to stop. It’s haunting him. She says she’s sorry, and he says, that’s why this thing with Cyrus is going to end. Jason comes in, and asks if it’s official business. He can come back. Laura says Sonny was just reassuring her about the problem. She asks if Jason has anything to add, and he says he’s sure what Sonny told her is all she needs to know. She says, good answer. She’s surprised Sonny told her as much as he did. She tells Jason, don’t worry; Sonny wasn’t specific.
Neil shows Doc his new office, and Doc says, not bad at all. It’s good to have Neil there. Neil says he’s glad to be on staff, especially after that business with the board. Doc says he heard something was going on, yet here Neil is. It clearly worked out. Neil says, yeah, and Doc says, or not. Neil says Doc doesn’t know why he was under review? Doc says, Neil caught him. He understands Neil was accused of inappropriate behavior with a former patient. Neil says he’s sure Doc knows who it is; the rumor mill travels. Doc has a sneaking suspicion it’s Alexis.
Sam introduces Alexis and Delores, and Delores says, Sam brought her mother? Alexis says she’s not there in a parental capacity, but as Sam and Spinelli’s attorney. She’d like to confer with her client. Delores says, before she does, she wants to make sure Alexis is aware of their attempt to neutralize her. Alexis asks, how? and Delores says Sam sent her friend – Alexis’s client – to spy on her; to dig up dirt to leverage against her. Alexis says, since they have Spinelli in custody, she can only guess it didn’t go well. Delores says, clearly his forte isn’t physical surveillance. Sam asks Spinelli if he’s okay, and he says only his pride is wounded. Alexis asks if Delores is suggesting Sam violated her parole, and Spinelli says he must speak. Sam had nothing to do with it. It was his idea, and she’s an innocent woman. Delores says, right. Whether Sam returns to Pentenville to finish her sentence is entirely up to her
Monica tells Nelle, it’s a simple procedure, but Nelle says, all she sees is Wiley under anesthesia with a tube in his mouth, and that in itself can have complications. Monica says, they have the best pediatric anesthetist in the state, and Nelle says, people can and have died under anesthesia. Monica says, mostly the elderly and the most vulnerable, and Nelle says, Wiley is a baby; he’s vulnerable. Michael says, with the exception of Wiley’s heart condition, he’s strong as an ox. Nelle says, what about contagion? and Monica says, they’ll do their best to keep Wiley safe. Nelle tells her, she’s read about doctors on the internet, who feel they have to prove something to get kickbacks. Monica says, the good news is, no one there has to prove a damn thing. It’s been proven just by them being there. If Nelle wants a second opinion, she has colleagues worldwide who will be glad to take a look, but Nelle says, they’ll just agree with her. Michael says, there’s a reason for that, and Monica says she’ll get Nelle the information anyway, and leaves. Sasha asks if Michael wants her to go, and Nelle says, that would be great, since Wiley is her and Michale’s son, not Sasha’s. Sasha says, she was asking Michael, and walks away. Michael ask Nelle, what the hell is wrong with her? She’s risking Wiley’s health; why? My suggestion: get Nelle off the internet.
Willow tells Chase, her mother said it herself; everything she does is for Willow, and how happy she was that Willow is with someone who can keep her safe. Chase says, he remembers, and she says, the only thing that makes sense is, someone is using her for leverage to make Harmony do things she doesn’t want to. Sasha calls, and Willow says she’s going to tell Sasha that they’re not in the mood for skating anymore. Sasha says she’s sorry; they forgot about the skating. Willow asks if something is wrong, and Sasha is afraid so. Wiley is in the hospital.
Doc says he saw Neil and Alexis earlier, and it looked intense. Neil says, it was; it always is. Doc says Neil had told him that he was having conflicting feelings for a patient. Neil says, and Doc told him not to cross the line, and he didn’t. Alexis stopped being his patient, but they’d run into each other, like at drag Bingo. Doc laughs, and Neil says, there was an impulsive kiss. They didn’t mean for it to go further, but the board got wind of it. Doc says, the two-year rule is for a reason. Neil says, it’s over, but Doc says, it didn’t look over.
Alexis asks what Spinelli was arrested for, and Delores says, unlawful surveillance in the second degree. She cites the code, adding that the victim’s image is taken when in a private moment. Alexis says, the peeping Tom law? and Delores says, it’s six-months in jail, and a fine of $1000. Alexis says, someone can only be arrested for that, if the video or photo catches the victim in the act of disrobing or having sex. So Delores can imagine what her next question is going to be.
Laura says Sonny isn’t going to give her any details, is he? and he says, no. He just wants her to know he’s concerned. She says, it’s not just a public safety concern for him, and he says, all she needs to know is that he’s keeping it under control. She says, okay. She has no choice but to take his word. He walks her to the door, and she leaves. Sonny senses Jason’s disapproval, and says Jason doesn’t think he should have said anything. Jason says he doesn’t understand why Sonny would give even a hint about what’s going on with Cyrus and Jordan.
Delores tells the cops holding Spinelli to go. Alexis says she’s sorry to have to ask, but when Spinelli photographed her, was she in the act of disrobing or sexual activity? Spinelli says it was an extracurricular activity, and they were in the back seat. Alexis says, one more word, and she’ll let him rot. Don’t speak; don’t breathe. She asks Delores, where were they? and Delores says she and the councilman were there to discuss a sensitive legal matter, and didn’t want reporters following them. Spinelli tells Sam that Delores was half-naked. Sam asks if he got a photo, but he says the car was rocking so much, any image was blurred. That’s when Delores and her lover apprehended him. Delores tells Alexis, her client as much as admitted his guilt. She can have him held until his sentencing, and he’ll be separated from his partner and daughter. Sam asks if Delores and Donald aren’t married to other people. If it goes to trial, that will come out, and be pretty embarrassing. Delores tells Alexis, as she sees it, Sam is clearly trying to blackmail her. She thinks if she threatens Delores, Delores will ease up on her parole, and allow her to see Jason. The terms of parole clearly state she can’t associate with a known felon. Alexis asks if there’s any way Delores will consider dropping the charges.
Delores says she might be willing to make this ugly incident disappear, and Alexis asks, in exchange for what? Delores says, Sam and Spinelli keeping silent about her relationship with Councilman Raskin. Sam says, and if she refuses? and Alexis tells her to quit while she’s ahead. Delores says, the councilman will face scandal, but Sam will be in Pentenville, along with Spinelli. Alexis asks Sam if she can do that. Then Delores will forget she was complicit in blackmail and extortion as well. San says, thisis extortion, and Alexis tells her not to make it worse. Shut up and take the deal.
Michael says, Nelle just wants to make him suffer; that’s why she’s refusing to sign. She’s hurting his son to hurt him. She says, not everything she does is about him, and he says she tried to talk Chase into having him killed. She left him do die, and put someone else’s dead baby in his arms, claiming it was his son. Should he keep going? She says, this has nothing to do with him. She’s protecting her son. He’s not going to die any time soon. Give her time. He says she’s not a doctor, and she won’t have a say when she’s excluded in the custody arrangement.
Jason says, when Cyrus is released, Laura is going to realize it’s part of their plan, and when he turns up dead, she’ll suspect their involvement. Sonny says, so will everybody. Even if somebody else gets to him before they do, they’ll be the prime suspects, but no one will be able to prove it’s them.
Sam says, fine. She won’t breath a word. Delores asks if Alexis can guarantee Sam and Spinelli will abide by the agreement, and Alexis says, if they don’t, she’ll personally drop them off at the Queen’s Point PD. Delores says they both know where they stand, and she won’t be intimidated. She’s going to be even more vigilant. Sam says, it’s harassment, and Delores says, it’s law enforcement. Delores leaves, and Spinelli tells Sam that he’s sorry. She says it was her one shot to get out from under Delores’s thumb; now what? Alexis says that’s not the question Sam should asking. Sam should be asking, what the hell was she thinking?
Nelle tells Michael, the law is on her side. Even without full custody, she’s still Wiley’s mother, and has a say. She’s going to visit her son. She stomps off, and Monica asks if Michael made any headway. He says, not even close, and Sasha asks what he’s going to do. He asks what options he has. How much danger is Wiley in? Willow and Chase join them, and Willow asks, what’s going on? How’s Wiley? Michael says, okay at the moment, and Monica says she’s going to check on him. Chase asks, what’s the problem? and Sasha says, like usual – Nelle.
Alexis tells Sam, of all the insanely stupid things she could have done, it was a terrible choice to blackmail her parole officer. Sam says she was thinking she wanted her family together. Alexis says, she made a decision that almost got Spinelli arrested, and her sent back to Pentenville. Delores is going to be watching now, and will send her back if she so much as drives a car without a seatbelt, and it’s her right to do it. Sam asks if Alexis is agreeing with Delores, and Alexis says Delores is doing her job. When Sam was granted parole, the agreement said she wasn’t to associate with a known felon. Instead of following the rules, she did what she wanted. Did she think of Scout and Danny? Sam says, Jason is Danny’s father, and the closest thing Scout has to one. All she wants is her family put back together. Alexis says, that’s what will happen if she holds out for two years, but Sam says, two years is a long time. Alexis says she knows exactly how long it is, but it’s Sam’s job as a parent to stick it out and suck it up. Do what she needs to get through it. Sam says, of course (🍷) Alexis would say that, and Alexis asks what Sam means.
Michael tells Willow, even though he’s Wiley’s guardian at the moment, both parents need to consent to the surgery because it’s elective. Willow says, if it gets worse, how bad can things get? Michael says, in the worst case, Wiley’s heart will deteriorate, and he’ll need an operation to save his life. Willow says they can’t risk it. Wiley needs to have the surgery now. Sasha says, it’s more important than ever that Michael win sole custody. Nelle is suddenly there, and asks, who says Michael is going to win?
Doc asks Neil, concerning him and Alexis, what did they decide? They can make the conversation confidential by Doc treating Neil as a patient. There’s a knock at the door, and Neil says, hold that thought. Laura comes in, and Neil says if the mayor was looking for her husband, Doc is helping him break in his new office. Laura says, it’s a nice surprise, but she actually came to see him. He asks to what he owes the pleasure, and she says, Port Charles is facing a crisis, and she needs his help.
Sonny tells Jason, there can’t be any evidence; nothing that ties it to them. Jason says, there won’t be, and Sonny says he doesn’t think anyone is going to shed tears about Cyrus’s death; they’ll be relieved. Jason says, and Laura? Sonny says, she wants the problem solved, and they’re solving the problem. He’s going to bring peace back to Port Charles.
Sam says she doesn’t know what the hell happened to Alexis. It’s not the drinking, and it’s not Julian, but Alexis became a pushover who plays by the rules and refuses to fight. Alexis says Sam doesn’t know what she’s been fighting, and Sam says Alexis cooperated with the board when she could have questioned the system, so they would question it too. Alexis says, it’s not that simple, and Sam says, what about Neil?Is there a connection? Does he make Alexis feel good? Then why the hell not fight for him? Alexis says, it wasn’t an option, but Sam says, it’s too difficult. Alexis is afraid she’ll get in trouble. She was never scared before. She used to be persistent. She was Sam’s hero, but now she obeys the rules, and sits back. She doesn’t do anything Sam used to admire. Sam wanted to be like her, and now Sam just feels sorry for her.
Nelle tells Michael, it’s rare for the father to get sole custody, and he says, it’s not common, but it’s not rare. Willow adds, unless the mother is unfit. Nelle says she didn’t give her baby up, and Willow says at least she didn’t hand her baby to someone on the side of the road. Nelle says, as of right now, Wiley is healthy and happy, and she promised to protect him from anyone poking around inside him or harming him. Willow suggests, if Nelle wants that, stay away from him. Nelle says she’s going to do everything in her power to keep her promise, and protect her son. She walks away, and Sasha asks if Michael is okay. He says he’s not letting Nelle into Wiley’s life. She’s done enough to jeopardize his health. Willow says, he doesn’t have a choice. He needs to do whatever it takes to get full custody.
Jason tells Sonny, he ran into Willow, and gave her a heads up about Harmony. Sonny says, good. She helped Kristina, and he doesn’t want her in the line of fire. He doesn’t want anyone traumatized like his father is. Jason asks if Mike hasn’t recovered from what happened in Brooklyn, and Sonny says, the opposite. He’s been worse. Jason says he’s sorry to hear that, and asks if there’s anything he can do. Sonny says, when he was at Turning Woods, Mike was there with Brook, and he was having a great time. Brook said, when things are cloudy, the things he remembers mostly are about Sonny’s family. Not recent things, but old memories; ancient history. That’s what comforts him. Sonny’s phone rings, and he tells Jason, it’s Turning Woods.
Sam tells Alexis, she’s so sorry. She didn’t mean what she said. She’s really angry at Delores. Alexis is right; she was selfish, desperate, and stupid. She asks if Alexis accepts her apology, and Alexis says, of course (🍷). She just needs a little time. Spinelli interjects that the jalapeno poppers are on the way. Sam says, talk to her, and Alexis says she will, but not right now. She just needs space. Sam suggests she and Spinelli go home to their kids; they almost didn’t have them. Alexis says she’ll call Sam tomorrow, and Spinelli says, on behalf of Ellie, Georgie, and himself, he thanks her for her help. They leave, and Alexis stands at the bar. The bartender puts a shot in front of her, and says it looks like she’s having a hard night. He thought she could use a drink.
Neil asks what Laura needs him to do, and she says, Port Charles has a new drug lord in town, who’s flooding the streets with his product. She has to find a way to stay ahead. She’s talked with the heads of GH, and they’re going to open a clinic, his area of expertise. Doc says Neil’s reputation precedes him, but they did ask what he thought. Laura says Doc sang Neil’s praises about a seminar he gave, and Neil asks if he’ll be working with Laura’s husband. She says, that’s up to him, and Doc says, it’s not his specialty, but he’d be happy to help. Neil says, great. They can talk as soon as he puts an idea together for the clinic. He and Doc can catch up later. Doc asks if Neil doesn’t want to continue their discussion, and Laura apologizes for interrupting. Neil says they can catch up any time. He likes to give recovering patients the dignity they deserve. Laura says he’s just he guy she was looking for, and Neil leaves to talk to the head of the department.
Alexis remembers Sam saying she cooperated instead of fighting back, and the meeting with the board at Neil’s review. She thinks about Neil telling her that he doesn’t want to say goodbye to his career, or her, and wondering how they can pretend it never happened. She remembers saying that’s immaterial; he has his practice back. She downs the shot, as I say, nooo.
Tomorrow, Trina talks to Josslyn about Cameron, Carly says she’ll deal with Nelle, and Alexis asks for another drink.
🥙 On Top Chef tonight, there was no quickfire challenge. Instead, the chefs were to explore L.A.’s food scene, using the late food critic Jonathan Gold’s 101 Best Restaurants of L.A. Less a food critic than food lover, Gold was the only food critic to have won a Pulitzer Prize, and his guide includes unique food trucks, mom and pop cafés, and ethnic cuisine. In the elimination challenge, the chefs were instructed to create a dish from anything that inspired them during their exploration – a dish they loved, a story they heard, or food they tasted. At the Union Square train station, they would be serving 200 guests who knew Jonathan personally, along with guest judge Ruth Reichl, a foodie extraordinaire. Tom said Gold wrote about what he loved, and if you cook what you love, you’ll make great food.
After their exploration, the chefs went shopping at Whole Foods, which was probably the last thing they felt like doing after all that eating. Being a close friend of Gold’s, it was an emotional challenge for Padma. Out of the top three – Kevin, Nini, and Bryan – Kevin was tonight’s winner, with a pork and mushroom terrine, involving his granny’s apple butter, which was a major hit with Ruth. He told the judges that he had a personal connection with the challenge, as he had spent a long time battling an illness, and didn’t know if he’d still be cooking, or even be there at all. He proved to himself that his journey wasn’t over. Ruth thought the bottom three – Angelo, Stephanie, and Eric – had forgotten food was supposed to be delicious. Ouch! Angelo had to pack up his knives, since his tuna crudo was overly sweet, and the components never came together. In Angelo’s interview, he said he thought his dish was balanced, but wasn’t letting his circumstances define him, as he moved on to Last Chance Kitchen.
Next time, the chefs visit a museum, and are challenged to interpret a work of art on a plate.
🍽 No Worries Here…
But I’d be remiss not to include a Top Chef’s passing. Please note, he had not only felt ill after traveling overseas, but went to the hospital, which oddly, can be the worst place for a sick person.
I’ve only been to Los Angeles once, for a V convention. Unfortunately, it was a first for the people who put the convention together, and we had little time to go to the bathroom, much less explore the city. But while I didn’t get to experience the food that the Top Chef contestants did tonight, one place I did get to eat at was Clifton’s Cafeteria, probably the weirdest restaurant I’ve ever seen. The food was fantastic, and incredibly cheap, so we ate like kings for a couple of bucks. Sadly, it’s since closed, but forever imbedded in my memory, will be the woodland scenes tucked into every nook and cranny possible, like some weird Disney show that ended up on the Food Network.
While right now, Friday doesn’t exactly have the same connotation it usually does, you’ve made it through week one. No one likes rules, but hopefully, everyone is behaving like adults. New Jersey was just declared a major disaster area, but I’ve been telling people it was for years now.
And now, and explanation on why instructions have to be compulsory.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Nina tells Nelle, welcome toCrimson. Carly walks in, and asks if she just heard that right. Nelle says, her girl got a job.
Monica formally welcomes Portia to General Hospital. She’s glad the board wooed her away from Mercy. Portia says she’s honored to be working there, and Monica says she won’t keep Portia, since she has a lot of paperwork to fill out. Michael and Sasha run in with Wiley, and Michael tells Monica, something’s wrong.
At Kelly’s, Delores says Sam seems to be staying on the straight and narrow, and Sam says, that’s because she is. Delores asks how Sam’s relationship with her ex Jason is going, and Sam says they exchange their son Danny, but they’ve been keeping their distance. (Refraining from a joke here.) She’s been taking Delores’s warnings seriously. They arrange pick-ups at the Quartermaines’. Delores asks if that’s been the full extent of their interaction, but her phone rings, and she tells Sam she has to take the call. She’ll be in touch. Delores goes outside.
Delores asks someone if they’re still on for this afternoon. She laughs, as Spinelli watches. When she leaves, he follows.
Ava makes notes for the auction catalog at the gallery. Trina comes in, and Ava asks what she’s doing there. Trina says she’s been thinking about the catalog, and has some ideas if Ava has time. Ava says, she meant, what is Trina doing at the gallery? She told Trina that she could take time off. Trina says she did, and she’s ready to go back to work. She asks Ava, please take a look. She’s dying for some feedback.
Jordan says, the only way to save TJ is to give Cyrus what he’s wanted all along – his freedom and a full exoneration. Sonny says, that’s exactly what she has to do, and Jordan tells him, don’t be in such a hurry to set Cyrus free. If he’s causing trouble behind bars, just wait until they see what he does on the outside. Sonny says, the guards at Pentenville are better than anyone Cyrus can hire. He’s safe behind bars; they can’t retaliate. Curtis says, once Cyrus is on the outside, Sonny can put an end to this?
Carly tells Nina, she’d love to think Nelle is lying about being hired, but it’s an easy contradiction, and Nina isn’t doing that. Nina says, Nelle will be working as her assistant, and Carly says she can’t believe Nina would make the same mistake twice. Nelle tells Carly, be careful. Carly can ban her from the MetroCourt, but it won’t look good in a custody hearing. She’d be preventing her grandson’s mother from working. Nina suggests Nelle come back tomorrow to fill out the paperwork. She and Carly have some things to discuss. Nelle thanks her for the opportunity, and says she won’t regret it. She can’t wait see Carly every single day. Have a blessed afternoon. She leaves, and Carly says Nina will absolutely regret hiring Nelle. Nina doesn’t think she will.
Michael tells Monica, it’s Wiley’s heart. Brad and Lucas hopes the condition would resolve on its own, but he has labored breathing, like he has a cold. Monica tells him it’s not good to worry until they know what’s going on. She asks Nurse Lynn for an assist; she’s sending Wiley for an EKG. Michael wants to go with him, but Monica doesn’t think that’s a good idea. If he’s nervous or upset, Wiley could pick up on it. She tells him to wait on the fourth floor. Michael hands Wiley off to Lynn, and Monica leaves with them. Sasha tells Michael, Wiley is in good hands. Now they have to do their part, and try to stay calm.
Portia gets a phone call from the school, and asks if they’re certain Trina isn’t there.
Ava says Trina’s research paid off. It’s excellent work. She tells Trina not to worry about finishing the catalog. She just lost her father; there’s no pressure to work. Trina says, thanks, but her parents divorced a long time ago. Her father was a long distance parent, and she had to visit him. In a way, it just feels like he’s gone home. Ava says, except he hasn’t. Trina says she’s fine. Can they just get back to work, and talk about art? Ava says Trina has already discovered something it took her a lot longer to learn; art can be a great solace. The work, but also the pieces themselves. Art is about emotion, and if you find your own emotions are too much to handle, you can step outside yourself, and focus on a piece that speaks to you.
On the phone, Sam tells Spinelli, be careful Delores doesn’t catch him following her. Tracking her is the best way to see what she’s up to. Let her know how it goes. Molly joins her, and Sam asks if she’s heard from TJ. Molly says, it’s been days now. She doesn’t know how Sam and Jason deal with not seeing each other. She’s about to rip her hair out. Sam figured TJ would have contacted Molly by now, and Molly asks, why? Has Sam heard from him? Does she know where he is?
Jordan tells Sonny, she can understand why he wants Cyrus free. He’s easier to eliminate. Sonny says, all he and his people want is for the violence Cyrus brought to Port Charles to end. Jordan says, based on her experience with turf wars, they don’t end; they just evolve. She hates Cyrus more than anyone, but she won’t trigger more violence. Sonny says, whatever happens to Cyrus, his hands are clean, and Jordan says, not because Sonny is innocent, but because he’s an expert in covering his own tracks. If she looks the other way, she’s complicit. Curtis says, whoever’s responsible, releasing Cyrus is effectively signing his death warrant, but by keeping him in jail, they’re signing TJ’s.
Carly says she’s going to give Nina some advice she wishes someone had given her. Nelle is a sociopath. Being near her will cripple Nina in ways she’ll carry the rest of her life. Nina says she gets it, but Carly says she doesn’t, or she wouldn’t have let Nelle in the front door, much less give her a job. She understands why Nina did it. Nina says she doesn’t think Carly does, and Carly says Nelle tugged on Nina’s heartstrings. She gave Nina a song and dance about how she was cruelly kept away from her child, and now Michael and his family want to make that permanent. Nina says, Nelle said that, and Carly says she needs to hear it in context, starting from the night her grandson was born. Nelle tried to kill Michael. Nina says she’s aware, and Carly asks if she’s aware Nelle trapped Michael in a car that was leaking gas. Nelle walked away, hoping the car would explode; hoping the father of her baby would burn to death. And it didn’t stop there. Brad was grieving his son, who’d died from SIDS. Nelle convinced Brad to switch babies with her. Nina says she knows, and Carly says, knowing it and feeling it are two different things. Can she imagine how Michael felt? He thought his baby was dead, and grieved for a year and a half. It’s what Nelle wanted him to do. She took Michael’s empathy, compassion, and generosity, and used them against him, and that’s what she’s going to do to Nina. Nina says, she tried. She said all that. She played on Nina as someone who wanted to be a mother, and said she needed a job on her resume for family court. Carly says Nina gave Nelle what she wanted, and Nina says, now she’s in a perfect position to turn the tables.
Sasha brings Michael some coffee. He wonders what’s taking so long. Sasha says, Wiley has a definite advantage. Michael is on the hospital board, and Wiley’s grandmother is chief-of-staff. He’s been bumped to the front of the line. Michael hates that Wiley is hooked up to machines, but she says the machines will help give an accurate diagnosis. They’ll give the doctors information they need to come up with a treatment plan. He says, Wiley doesn’t know that. He didn’t consider Wiley’s heart condition; it’s been so long since he had an incident. Now that he thinks about it, Wiley’s heart defect is genetic, and neither Shiloh or Willow had a record of it. It still didn’t occur to him that he and Wiley were related. She says, he was lied to and deceived. It’s Brad and Nelle’s fault, not his. He says, all he can think about is that he wants Wiley to be okay.
Sam tells Molly, she hasn’t spoken to TJ, but she and Spinelli tracked TJ through his cell phone. She wanted to go find him, but Jordan insisted on doing it. Molly doesn’t understand. If Jordan has been talking to TJ, why didn’t Jordan tell her?
Trina tells Ava, she wasn’t sure what to write about Franco. His early work still has a huge following. Ava says, his early work is still highly sought after. People have convinced themselves that his genius was a by-product of his brain tumor, and he’s no longer capable of significant work. Trina asks if she doesn’t think so, and Ava says, she thinks the collectors are short-sighted. She thinks Franco’s work has expanded. Portia runs in, saying she’s looking for Trina, and sees Trina is there. She asks why Trina isn’t in school where she belongs. Ava looks at Trina.
Spinelli follows Delores to a bar. He sits down and sees Delores sitting with a man, and says, it can’t be. He takes out his phone, and looks the man up. It’s Councilman Donald Raskin, working for a better Port Charles.
Jordan tells Sonny, okay. So she confesses that she tampered with evidence that sent Cyrus to prison. Cyrus is released, and vanishes in some way that leaves Sonny with his hands clean. Sonny says, Cyrus does business with dangerous people, and lost receipts. They don’t like losing money, and Cyrus has lost millions. What makes her think Cyrus won’t be a target when he gets out? She says, and she sits in prison for twenty years, or less for good behavior. Or more if she also confesses she abused the power of her office to clear the way for Cyrus’s shipment. Curtis says, this is insane. There’s no way he’s condoning her trading her freedom for Cyrus’s. They can forget it. There must be another way to find TJ.
Nina tells Carly, after Nelle filed for custody, Willow wanted her to do a true crime piece on Nelle in Crimson. Carly says she thought Nina and Willow didn’t get along, but Nina says, it’s ancient history. Willow wants to keep Nelle away from Wiley, and do does she. Carly asks, what about the Crimson piece? and Nina says, that’s not going to happen. Nelle isn’t a public figure, she doubts it will drive traffic, and she doesn’t want to open them up to a lawsuit. But that doesn’t mean she can’t help in other ways. She’s sure Carly has heard the old say, keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Carly says, and who better to testify than Nelle’s current employer. Nina says, exactly. She’s in the perfect position to monitor Nelle. Ideally, Nelle will break the law, but if she doesn’t, Nina can testify on her deceitful, manipulative behavior. She pathologically hates Carly’s family, and Carly especially. She just witnessed Nelle trying to goad Carly. She’s going to use Nelle’s tactics against her. She’s going to let Nelle believe she’s playing her, that she’s falling for it. Let her believe they’re friends, and she’s on Nelle’s side. Then, at the hearing… Carly says, Nina will tell the truth, and Nelle will lose Wiley for good. Nina smiles.
Monica tells Michael, unfortunately, the hole in Wiley’s heart hasn’t closed as they’d hoped. He asks what the next step is, and Monica says, surgery. He asks if she’s sure it’s necessary; Wiley is so young. She says, Michael was younger when he had the same surgery, and came through with flying colors. Once the defect was addressed, there was no more trouble. She’s hoping it’s the same for Wiley. Michael asks when it should be scheduled, and Monica says, it’s an elective surgery, but recommends scheduling it immediately.
Portia tells Trina, she had a meeting with the chief-of-staff at GH. Imagine her surprise when she got a call from the school, and found out Trina didn’t show up for chemistry. Trina says, she already got an A in the class. What’s the point of reviewing stuff she already knows, when she could be doing something meaningful? Portia says, Trina’s not an adult. She’s a student, and belongs in school. She was terrified; she thought something happened. Trina says she’s sorry for scaring Portia, but… Portia says, no buts. It’s unacceptable. Ava suggests they take a deep breath, and Portia asks if Ava didn’t find it odd that Trina showed up in the middle of a school day. Ava says she was surprised Trina was back so soon, and Portia says, maybe Ava should have reached out to the school, or Trina’s mother. Ava knows Trina’s father just died. Her judgement might be cloudy. Ava says, obviously Trina could have communicated better, but Trina is clearly safe. Portia says her daughter was already kidnapped once. Her father was murdered. Communicating better isn’t going to cut it. She looks at Trina, and says Trina knows better.
Sam tells Molly, she doesn’t know if Jordan spoke to TJ, but they’ve been texting. Molly says, Jordan told her, but that was two days ago. This is ridiculous. She admits she handled TJ’s proposal all wrong. She should have been sensitive, and done a better job explaining why it doesn’t feel right for her to get married, at least right now. She was defensive, and gave him a lecture. That’s on her, but he’s making it worse hiding out. She asks if Sam can use the tracker, and find out where he is, but Sam isn’t sure that’s a good idea. She’s sure he’ll get in touch. Molly says, she was sure too, but she was wrong. Nothing is going to be fixed until they’re face to face. Sam tells her, calm down, and messes with her phone. She says, TJ’s location is at 485 Paulson Street. Molly says, it doesn’t make any sense. That’s Jordan’s apartment complex.
Curtis asks if Jordan understands the kind of trouble she would face in Pentenville. She’ll be reunited with the criminals she helped put there. Jordan says, it kills her that she’ll be in prison and Cyrus will be free, but if it’s the only way to protect her son… Sonny says she’s doing what Cyrus wants. He wants her to let fear make her choices. She should step back and consider other options. Jason says, Sonny is right. She can exonerate Cyrus without taking the fall.
Sonny says Jason sees where he’s going, right? Jordan says she doesn’t. If it’s going to save her son, and keep her out of prison, tell her. Jason says, she was on a four-person team, and only the four of them knew the evidence against Cyrus was fabricated. Taggert and the other two are dead. She can claim they framed him without her knowledge or cooperation. She can claim she always believed the bust was legit. After Taggert was murdered, she went back over the evidence, and realized something didn’t add up. Sonny says, she can notify the DEA and the Justice Department of the discrepancy, and let them take over. Curtis likes this angle a whole lot better. It will only garner Jordan respect. She says, they’re asking her to throw her team under the bus?
Michael says, if Monica thinks Wiley should have surgery immediately, take the steps to make it happen. Monica is glad he’s on board, and Sasha says she’s there to help. Monica tells her to support her grandson. Once the paperwork is complete, they can prep Wiley for surgery. Monica pauses a moment, and says she just thought of something. Because it is elective and Michael’s custody agreement is agree still pending, both he and Nelle have to sign off on it.
Carly thanks Nina for putting herself out there. She’s sorry she jumped to conclusions. Nina says, it’s okay. She’s been snowed before. Carly just assumed she was being snowed again. Carly says Nelle snowed her. She prides herself on her instincts, and can usually spot someone like Nelle coming from a mile away, but she didn’t. Nina says, maybe Carly’s judgement was clouded because Nelle saved Josslyn. Carly says, but she didn’t. Carly knows Nina is seeing Jax, so this won’t come as a surprise. He’d do anything for his daughter, and he did. Josslyn needed a kidney, and Jax bought one from Nelle’s father. Jax has to live with that, and Carly pities Nelle for that, but Nelle didn’t choose to save Josslyn. She hasn’t chosen to save anyone in her entire life, and Carly can’t believe she didn’t see that. Nina says Carly didn’t want to see it. Like she didn’t want to see that Sasha wasn’t her daughter. She shows Carly the necklace, and says her daughter would have the other half, but Sasha didn’t; she didn’t even know what it was about. Nina was too busy believing her, and maybe Carly was too lost in her gratitude. Carly tells Nina, one thing she can say about herself is, she learns from her mistakes. She’ll never underestimate Nelle again. Nelle is working every angle all the time. She’d be even more dangerous if she wasn’t so crazy. Nina says she has a problem with that word, and Carly says they’ve both dealt with mental issues. They’ve put in the work, and come out the other side, but Nelle can’t. She lies when she doesn’t have to; she steals when she doesn’t need to. Nina gave her a job, and you’d think Nelle would be happy, but she won’t be. She’s going to do something shady. Nina says, and she’ll be there to catch her. Carly says Nina can’t do it alone. She’ll need help, and Carly is all in.
Ava says she’ll give Portia and Trina some space to talk it out, and goes in the back. Trina says she’s sorry she worried Portia, but she thought Portia trusted her to take mental health days when she needed to. Portia says Trina can’t run off like that. She needs to know where Trina is at all times. End of discussion. Trina says Portia used to trust her, but Portia says Trina never cut school before. Trina says, right; it was a dumb move. She couldn’t take the looks. It happened to Josslyn when Oscar died. Ava goes to her desk, and listens. Trina says, it’s like you’re under a microscope. She’s the girl who’s dad was just murdered. It’s like they’re waiting for her to have a meltdown. Portia asks why Trina didn’t tell her, and Trina says her parents got divorced years ago. Portia says, divorcing someone doesn’t mean you stop loving them. She’s always loved Trina’s father. Their marriage didn’t work out, but her father was a good man, an honorable man. He had a brave heart, and the best of intentions, always. Whenever Trina wants to talk about him, or anything else, she’s there. They hug.
Molly tells Sam, she doesn’t understand why TJ’s phone is at Jordan’s. Does Sam think he’s staying there? Sam says, it’s possible, and Molly wonders why Jordan wouldn’t tell her. Sam says, maybe TJ told her not to say anything. If the roles were reversed, their mom would do the same for her. Molly says she’s sick of guessing. She’s going to see what Jordan has to say. She grabs her coat, and jets. Sam’s phone rings, and Spinelli says he’s found something interesting. Sam says she’s listening, and Spinelli says he’s discovered the target of Delores’s phone calls. She’s at a bar, cozying up to city councilman Donald Raskin. Sam says, that is not a good look for a married woman, and Spinelli says, or a married man. He watches Delores and Donald laughing, and says his research indicates Donald has been married for two decades. Sam says, after all the cheating spouse cases they’ve worked on, they finally have something that works in their favor. He says his sentiments exactly. The game is afoot. Delores and Donald get up, and Spinelli says, their meeting at the bar is concluding.One can anticipate they’ll adjourn elsewhere. Sam tells Spinelli to follow them, and see what happens. He says if he can secure proof, it’s the kind of leverage they need to persuade Delores to give Sam more time with Jason, or maybe let him move back in. She thanks him, and tells him, please be careful. He reminds her that he’s a licensed professional in surveillance. She says, nice try. Cyber-surveillance. She’s the one who does the actual footwork. He says, never fear. He shall be stealth personified. Delores and Donald leave, and Spinelli follows.
Carly tells Nina to keep an eye on Nelle at Crimson, and she’ll take care of the rest. She can have security collect footage on Nelle. If she’s true to form, Nelle is already working a scam; she just has to prove it. Nelle will be back in Pentenville, and Michael will get full custody of his son. Nina says there’s only one part of the plan she’s worried about. Carly.
Nelle strides into the hospital, and asks Michael where her son is. He says, Wiley is being evaluated for surgery. Nelle asks what Michael did to him, and Michael says, nothing. Wiley had shortness of breath. Nelle says, because of his heart? How did Michael let it get this bad. Michael says, when Wiley was born, he was diagnosed with a heart condition. They’d hoped it would get better on its own, but it didn’t. He hands Nelle a clipboard, and she asks what it is. Sasha says, it’s a standard consent form, and Nelle says she didn’t ask Sasha. Michael says, as Wiley’s parents, they both have to sign it before he can have surgery.
Trina is glad she and her mother can remember her dad together, and Portia says, ofcourse (🍷). They can talk about anything. Trina says she can’t call her dad, or send him stupid emojis. Porta says Trina is the reason Taggert could text at all, and Trina says he would send her a text out of nowhere, to let her know he was thinking of her. Portia says they had a special relationship. Trina says, now seems weird; normal, but different. It’s not like anything changed, but her dad will never send her a surprise text again. Now she knows how much his texts meant to her; how much it mattered that he was thinking of her. Trina says, she’s not making sense, is she? but Portia says she is. She understands exactly how Trina is feeling, and she misses him too.
Jordan tells Sonny, they were honorable men, who sacrificed everything for their work, including their lives. Their families are grieving, she’s not going to add to their suffering by tarnishing their memories. Curtis says if the tables were turned, what would Taggert do if they had his daughter, and it was a choice between honoring her memory and saving Trina’s life? She says if they go down, she does too. Sonny says, they already made the ultimate sacrifice. The most important thing now is to put a stop to Cyrus, and save her son. Curtis nods.
Sam’s phone rings, and she asks what did Spinelli find? Delores says, something very disappointing. Her friend is in a very compromising position. Two cops hold on to Spinelli at the bar.
Jordan says, okay, she’s committed, and Sonny says she made the right call. She hopes so, and Sonny says they’ll be in touch. He and Jason leave, and Jordan sits on the coffee table, even though she has a perfectly good couch. Curtis sits next to her, and says, TJ will be okay; he’ll be home in no time. She says it’s the only way to justify what she’s done, and he takes her hand.
In the hallway, Sonny asks if Jason thinks Jordan will see it through. Jason says, she’d do anything for her son. Sonny says, him too. That’s good news, because their friend will be on the outside where they can get to him. Molly comes out of another hallway, and has obviously heard them.
Portia tells Trina, it’s perfectly reasonable to want space. She needs time to process what she’s gone through. When the school called, her mind went to the worst place. She thought Trina had been kidnapped again. Ava continues to listen, and Trina says she’s sorry that she made Portia think that. She really means it. Portia says, Trina is so important to her; Trina is her whole world. Ava starts to tear up, and Portia says she’ll let Trina experience her life. At least until she’s eighteen, and Portia can’t tell her what to do. Trina says, then she’s on her own? Portia says, oh yeah. She’s kicking Trina to the curb. They leave, and Ava dabs at her eyes.
Nina tells Carly that she and Nelle have too much history for Carly to be effective. Just the opposite. Nelle is going to goad Carly as much as she can, and if Carly takes the bait, Nelle will use it against Michael at the trial. Carly says several people have already pointed that out, and Nina says the further away Carly stays, the better. Let Nelle think she’s working Nina. Nina will be friendly, sympathetic, a shoulder to cry on. Maybe she’ll let Nelle complain about Michael, and who knows what might let slip? Carly says she really can’t help? and Nina says, yeah. By staying away. No offense. Carly says, none taken. It’s Nina’s plan, and they’ll do it her way, but Nelle is going to lash out at Carly, and when she does, Carly will have to defend herself. Nina asks if Carly really thinks Nelle will do that, with everything she has at stake. Carly says Nelle can’t help herself. It’s a means to an end. Nelle came to Port Charles to destroy Carly, and she’s not going to stop until Carly stops her.
Nelle wants to know why she’s just finding this out now, and Sasha says, Michael just found out Wiley is his son. Nelle says she didn’t ask Sasha. Why should she consent to a dangerous procedure, when it might not be necessary? He says, Wiley needs this, but Nelle says she disagrees. There are too many risks. There are lifestyle changes that could resolve the issue. He says, surgery can resolve the issue. She says she wants something non-invasive that doesn’t involve cutting open her toddler son. He says, Monica recommended it, and she says, of course (🍷). Monica is a surgeon. He says, don’t do this, and she says, what? Exercise her parental right? She’s not signing off on this.
Tomorrow, Alexis asks if Delores will consider dropping the charges, Laura goes to see Neil, and Willow thinks this time it’s about her.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
The Walking Dead
Michonne walks through the woods with two chained, armless, mouthless zombie buddies. She whacks a non-buddy and picks up some bullets from the ground. She sees Andrea running through the woods, with some zombies following her. Andrea hits one in the head with a rock, and stabs another, but she falls. She tries to scramble away from a third, as Michonne watches and does nothing, then turns away.
Michonne unlocks the chains binding Virgil to the boat. He says she could have done that five hours ago, but she asks why would she? They walk through the trees to a field, and she says she needs to get back. Virgil picks some flower blossoms, and says he can’t show up empty handed. His wife wouldn’t like it. He explains that he’s picking herbs. They’re good for everything; pain, nerves, and sleep. Michonne asks where the munition depot is, and he says, the old lab has structural damage. It’s best to stay away. They walk to a building where a sign says restricted area. Virgil tells her that his little boy seems to think a sailor left buried treasure in one of the grain silos. It’s hard to keep him from going inside. He’s just like his mom; when he decides to do something, there’s nothing you can do to stop him. Michonne whips around with her katana, and tells him, stop the bullsh*t. Where the hell is his family? He says he told her that he was coming home to his family, and he meant it.
Virgil stops in front of three open graves. He says he promised his wife when they got married, he’d bring her flowers every day. Michonne says he waited until now to tell her? and he says, the words don’t come easy, and neither does trust. He promised to help her, and he will. The island isn’t clear. It was until the others came and brought violence. The sickness came with it, and killed his family. He never got good at doing what she does. She’s good with a sword. She wonders what he’s asking, and he says his family is still in there; his wife and his babies. That’s why he asked her to come. He needed her to come.
They approach a building, where a zombie waits just inside the door. Michonne busts in, kills the zombie, and walks forward. Virgil closes the door behind them. A zombie is stuck inside a hallway that’s been partially blocked by a refrigerator. Michonne pierces it’s head, and kills it. Virgil drags it out of the way, as Michonne opens the next door. On his way back, Virgil knocks over some stacked furniture, and blocks the passage. He says, sorry, which hardly seems adequate. A small crowd of zombies is gathered in a room further on. The door is locked, and Michonne tells Virgil, stay close, and thunders in, rushing the zombies, holding a cot in front of her. There are about ten to fifteen of them, and she gives Virgil the cot, telling him to get behind it. She stabs and slashes, slicing off the tops of two zombies’ heads. Virgil is pushed back, and blocks himself in. Wow. Michonne is fast. The zombies all down, Virgil thanks her.
She opens the door to yet one more room. Zombies hang from ceiling, still moving. Virgil looks around, and sees a woman’s shoe. He picks it up, and gently puts it back on a zombie’s foot. This is depressing, and I wonder where Negan is when I need him.
As they walk past some chairs and stacks of books, Virgil says he wanted give them something his daughter loved to take with them, and she loved that book. Michonne says she knows how hard it is, but she’s sorry. She’s got to get back. He says he had a hard time, and his wife talked him through it. Without her, he doesn’t know who he is. She says, it’s not too late to find out. He thanks her again, and she tells him to show her what she came for, so she can go. He says, it’s late. The tide is low, and he’s not sure the boat will go through the channel. He suggests she stay night, and not risk it. They’ll need to hole up. She says she kept her end of the bargain; he needs to keep his. He says, it’s getting dark. Some of the buildings aren’t safe. They can do it in the morning. She says, first thing.
Michonne tries her radio, but gets nothing. She walks to another building, and shines her flashlight around. She sees wooden crates, and looks inside them, but none of them have guns. She sees a group of cages with dead rats in them, some just skeletons. She quietly walks through into another room, and hears a voice say, everyone be quiet. Virgil shuts her inside, and tells her, wait until morning; it’s not safe. He trusted her, and now she ruined it. She tells him, open the damn door, but he walks away.
Michonne bangs on the door to no avail. She sits, sword at the ready. A faucet drips, and she says, sh*t. She sees a food tray, and bangs on the door again. She hears someone say, calm down. They’ve been trying to talk to her. She asks how long she’s been in there, and a man’s voice says, a day maybe. We see two men and a woman in the next room. She asks why they didn’t answer when she was calling out, and the man says, Virgil blows up. He gets in a mood. The woman says, when he’s angry, it’s best to be quiet. The man says, don’t bother to try to escape; it’s boobytrapped. Virgil comes there as little as possible; he doesn’t like to see them. They were researchers together. They wrote papers, and had a life there. Michonne says, they knew each other? and he says, they were friends. She asks, what went wrong? and the woman says, stragglers came by boat, and they took them all in. One night, the food supply ran low, and a fight broke out over rations when Virgil was late. A stranger pulled a knife, and was killed. When Virgil came back, he panicked, and locked all the doors. But he didn’t know… Michonne says, what? and the woman says, his wife and kids were inside. He snapped. The man says, he was never the same, and the woman says they’ve been there ever since. The man asks if Michonne is okay, and she says she will be. She’s not staying there long. The man says she can’t kill if she doesn’t have the strength, and suggests she eat. He asks her name. Michonne bites into an apple, and says, Michonne. Virgil looks in, and says he’s glad she ate. She tells him, open the damn door, but he says he can’t do that. She says, why the hell not? and he says she’ll kill him. She says, we reap what we sow, a-hole, and he says he doesn’t want to fight. Michonne feels weird, and starts to hallucinate. Virgil says, Violet has a gift. It can help Michonne the way it helped him. She sees a woman, but then the woman disappears. She asks what Virgil did.
The room spins, and she asks, what did he do? He says, it makes a nice tea. He wants her to see. She’s in pain, like he is. She needs peace, like he does. She realizes he’s drugged her, and Michonne says she doesn’t drug people and toss them in a cell. He needs to hear her. Think about his daughter and son. He tells her that he said that too; no one listened. Everything he did was to protect his family. She laughs, and says she’s sure they’re proud of him now. He says, she’s no angel. She falls onto her side, and he says, picture the sun. She sees Siddiq, and he says she was supposed to protect them. She says she did her best, and he says she let him die. This is how it feels to be her family. She touches him, and sees blood on her hands. When she looks at him again, he’s a zombie. She yells, make it stop! The faucet continues to drip, and she gets up. Virgil tells her, stop fighting it. Suddenly, there are chains around her wrists, and she’s pulled forward.
In the woods, Michonne relives seeing Andrea crawling away from the zombie, and turns away. She goes back to Andrea’s body, and takes Andrea’s knife, wiping the blood off it. She also takes Andrea’s canteen. She goes to the road, where a car is going past. She tries to flag it down, but they keep going. The car slows, and stops. Daryl gets out, gets something from the trunk. Although Michonne yells for help, Daryl ignores her, and says, come on; let’s go. The car takes off, and Michonne runs after it. She goes back into the woods, and kills a zombie. Negan comes toward her, along with a few other people, and says, look what we have here. She takes a swing at him with her sword, but misses, and he knocks her down with Lucille. He says, this chick has cajones. She says she doesn’t want trouble, and he says she shouldn’t take a swing at him then. He picks up her sword, and says he’s not much on saving people on the road, especially those who try to take his head off, but he likes her and her massive lady nuts. Besides, it would be a waste for her to have a nice sword without the strength to use it. A woman tosses her an apple, and he says, the name’s Negan.
Glenn comes into the room where Michonne is, and suddenly, she’s back at the Sanctuary with Rick and the Alexandrians (good name for a group!), who are shooting the place up. She shoots Glenn and Heath. Negan whistles, and we’re back to when Negan had them all on their knees in the woods, and he’s choosing who he’s going to kill. He points Lucille at each one, saying, eenie, meenie, miney, mo. He stops in front of Daryl, then says, just kidding, a-hole. He was going to do the next part himself, but his right hand gal Michonne is on a wicked-ass tear these days. Who the hell is he to stand in her way? He takes her sword, and holds it in one hand and the Lucille in the other. She chooses Lucille. She says, the Alexandrians didn’t know who they were or where they were from. They didn’t know sh*t about them, but they came in the dead of night and slaughtered them anyway. She faces Rick, and says, like a coward. Remember. They did this. What happens next – she points the bat – is their fault. Welcome to the new world. She swings. Well, I hate to say it, but point well made.
Michonne is running through the woods, and is shot with an arrow. She drops to her knees, and Daryl walks over and kicks her down. She grabs for her sword, but he steps on her hand. Rick cocks his gun, and shoots.
Michonne throws up into a bucket. Virgil asks if she feels better. He says she will, and gives her some water. She stabs him with a fork. They struggle, but he takes off, and she follows. The woman in the next room calls to Michonne not to leave them. Michonne runs out of the building, and the people run out behind her. They run to the shore, but the boat is on fire. Well, that sucks.
They run through woods, and Michonne knocks Virgil down. Virgil says he wanted help. He wanted to let them go, but he wanted her to be there, so they wouldn’t kill him. Then he knew she’d kill him too. He’s sorry. One of the men says, sorry doesn’t cut it. Virgil says his wife always did the right thing. When she was gone, he didn’t know what to do. The guy tells Michonne that she has as much reason to kill the a-hole as they do. She says, she does, and he says, do it, or move. She says, look at him. He owes them more than can ever make right. In taking his life, they loose more of themselves. Their mercy gives them something; they get something. The woman asks, what? and she says, peace. They mull this over, and one of the guys slugs Virgil.
Now Virgil is in a locked a room. He sits up, and Michonne says, there’s nothing there. She checked every building, even the ones he said had structural damage. There’s not a goddam thing. He says he never lied about the weapons. He never saw them, but told her that he could show her the spots. She says he’s got to do better, but he says, sorry; he can’t. Sometimes he finds a stray shell; nothing more. She says she’s not going back empty handed. He tells her to take what she wants, and clear his debt with Oceanside. She took the risk. She says she had no choice. She had to find out. There’s no tea, so don’t even ask. She asks what he sees when he’s tripping anyway. He says, Violet with her damn camera pointed at everyone. His babies, and daughter sitting by the fire with that damn book, asking questions about a world she’d never know. Him and his son looking at stars; at heaven. He wanted, hoped, that she would see that too. She says he took her family from her, and she saw hell. He says he’s sorry. The only world he ever wanted, was the one they were in. He doesn’t know how to do without them. She says, he tries, like the rest of them. Now how about if he tries to find her stuff?
They look around, Michonne carrying the flashlight. She sees a pair of boots. She looks them over, and cries. She grabs Virgil, and asks where the hell did he get these?
There’s a large ship right off the shore. Inside, Michonne pushes Virgil into the captain’s quarters, and he says the boots washed up. He doesn’t know where they came from. She looks through the captain’s log, and whatever papers are there. She sees a dead cell phone, and realizes there’s a picture of herself and Judith etched into the glass, along with Rick and some figures. Virgil says, holy sh*t; it’s her and the kid? She says he knew. He came to find them at Oceanside. He asks why he’d do that, and she says, because of this. He says he’s never seen it, and she asks what it’s doing there. He says how would he know? and she says he knew the boat was there. He says, the world ended, boats wash up. She grabs him, and says he knew there were no munitions. He was setting a trap, and laid a trap for him. What did Virgil do to him? Virgil asks who she’s talking about, and she presses her sword lengthwise against his throat. She slowly releases him, and looks at the phone. He says he doesn’t know what she thinks he has, or who she’s looking for, but maybe it wasn’t an accident that they met. If the others help, he thinks he can get the engine working again. If the person was on this boat, maybe she can find him again.
Next to the road, Michonne caresses Rick’s boots. Virgil pulls a wagon, and the three people take their stuff from it. She says, it’s going to take some time, and Virgil says they’re out of time. She says they’re willing to let him come. There’s only one boat left. Either he leaves now, or doesn’t leave. He says, after everything, he can’t believe they’d want him to come, and she says, sometimes the most injured are the most forgiving. They’re good people. They’re giving him a chance; a way off the island. He says he promised her flowers every day.
The boat moves off. Michonne looks at Virgil, standing on shore.
Michonne cries as she looks at the phone. She takes out her radio, and says, Jojo, are you there? It’s Danto. Anyone? There’s dead air for a moment, and then crackling. Judith says she’s there. She’s been trying to get Michonne. Michonne says she’s sorry; she’s here now. Judith asks if she’s still with Virgil, and Michonne says, no, but she found three people she’s bringing back. She missed Judith and her brother so much. RJ says, mama? and she says, hey baby, and tells him to talk in code for safety. She asks how he is, and says she loves her little brave man. She asks Judith how she’s doing, and Judith guesses okay; better now. Michonne asks, how’s home? Anything with the Whisperers? Judith says they got them. Alpha can’t hurt them anymore. Michonne cries, and says she found something. It’s something really important to all of them. Judith asks, what does she mean? and Michonne says she found something that belonged to the brave man. It points to where he might have been recently. She doesn’t know what it means, or if means anything at all. Judith asks if he’s alive, but Michonne doesn’t know. Judith says if Michonne thinks he’s alive, she’s got to find him. Michonne says, not now. Judith and her brother need her with everything that’s going on in Alexandria. Judith says Michonne has to go. She has to. They’re okay. What if he needs her more? What if he’s trying come home and no one will help? Michonne says, if she goes, and Judith interrupts, saying, when she goes. Michonne says when she goes and finds the brave man… One of the men says, they’re at the coast, and Michonne says she has to go. Judith says, she knows. Listen to Uncle Daryl. Michonne says she’s going to try. She’s heading north. She’ll call every morning for as long as she can. Judith says she’ll take the walkie with her everywhere. Michonne says she loves Judith and her brother so much. Judith says they love her too. Go get him. Over and out. Michonne heaves a huge sigh.
Michonne cuts the arms and mouths off two zombies, and ties them to her. She walks through the woods, and sees a man and woman, stumbling through an overgrown field. They ask if she can help; they’ll leave without them. She asks, who? and looks out over the cliff, seeing a crowd of people forming a square. The woman says, please. They won’t wait.
Michonne remembers how Rick let her into the prison. The man asks who she is, and she swipes her sword across the necks of her zombie buddies, slicing their heads off. The couple is afraid as she comes toward them, but she holds out her hand, saying, come on, and helps them up.
The camera pans out to show several blocks of people in formation in the distance.
Next time, Alpha’s head on a pike, Negan tells Carol to hold up her end of the bargain, carol says she’s not coming back, Eugene is willing to be the fool, and Beta gathers the Whisperers.
⭐️ Best quote of the night: Sometimes the most injured are the most forgiving.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Michael goes to the ELQ office, and asks to see Ned. Brook says, sorry. She doesn’t see him on the calendar, but she’ll see if she can find some time for him. Michael says she’s really good at this. She says if she’s going to spend the next five years waiting out her hella contract, she’s going to be the best assistant ELQ has had.
Carly tells Sonny, Nelle is so predictable. She did exactly what Carly said she was going to. She had her court appointed visit with Wiley, took a selfie to prove it, and came straight to the MetroCourt to wave it in Carly’s face. Sonny says, and…? and Carly says, nothing. She didn’t hit Nelle, or pull her hair out by the roots, although God knows she wanted to. Jason comes in, and Carly tells him, congratulate her. He asks, why? and Sonny says, Nelle tried to provoke her, but Carly didn’t take the bait. Jason says, good work; keep that up. Carly says, she’ll try, and asks if he’s there on business. She says she’ll leave them to it, but first, how’s it going with Brando?
At the gym, Brando hits the bag, and Spinelli asks if he minds if he cuts in.
Nina tells Jax, that’s it? Just no? He says, there are several reasons, and she says she’s not asking him to buy the Empire State Building. When she was otherwise occupied, Maxie stepped up. She went above and beyond for Crimson, and deserves a raise and recognition. Why can’t he give her the money she deserves?
Anna comes up behind Finn at the hospital, puts her arms around him, and says, hi, fiancé. He says he hopes that’s her, and she laughs. He asks how her appointment was, and she says her bloodwork is perfect. She thought she’d celebrate by going to the gym. He says, sounds terrible, and she says she wanted to talk to him about Violet’s birthday party. Has he done any preparations? He says he keeps making lists and gets stuck. How can he make sure his little girl’s birthday is perfect, when her mom’s not there to celebrate? Anna says just concentrate on her, her favorite things, her favorite color. She asks what that is, and he says, purple, obviously. Anna puts it in her phone and says she’ll order purple party decorations; nothing understated, the full swag.
Lulu says Maxie isn’t going to believe what Brook just posted on Facebook. Skootch. They sit closer together, and Lulu says, Brook just posted a video of her desk at ELQ. Maxie says they do that at Crimson for promotional stuff. It’s kind of cute Brook is excited. Lulu says, forget the cuteness. Look. Maxie gasps.
Peter comes in, and Robert says, working late? Peter says he is, and Robert says he figures Peter’s always got time for him. Sit a spell. He insists.
Carly asks Sonny how Brando likes the garage. Sonny says, he likes it okay. He wants to go back to Chicago, but understands he has to stay. She says, maybe once he settles in, and makes the garage his own, he’ll see Port Charles isn’t so bad. She’s taking a snack upstairs, where Josslyn and Avery are showing Donna The Little Mermaid; apparently, you’re never too young to start watching. Sonny asks Jason if he was right about Brando accepting that he has to stay there.
Brando instructs Spinelli, telling him, try to target his punches. Spinelli apologies, saying, despite his glove and attire, his skills are better served behind a computer. Brando says he can’t let his aggression out on a computer. (God knows I’ve wanted to.) Spinelli says, too true, and confesses he knows Brando, even though there’s no way Brando could know him. He introduces himself to Brando, saying, Damien Spinelli at his service. He says he’s good friends with the Corinthos family and Jason, and he’s aware Brando saved Carly’s life. He’s deeply grateful. It must feel empowering to charge in to the rescue, guns blazing. Brando asks if Spinelli knows someone who needs rescuing, and Spinelli says, as a matter-of-fact, he does, but they refuse to be rescued. Hitting something makes him feel less helpless. He punches the bag again, sort of.
Maxie asks Lulu if that’s a confidential deal memo under the paperweight. Lulu says, you can actually read the fine print. It’s a merger between an ELQ owned company and Mertin Med Tech. One of the deal points is closing a local facility in Port Charles. According to Brook’s story, she’s the only one who has viewed this so far. Maxie tells her, a good person would call Brook before anyone else sees it, and Lulu says, what about a good reporter?
Ned gives Brook some things to file, and sees Michael. He says it’s a nice surprise, and asks if Michael misses work that badly. Michael says he was running errands, and thought he’d bring Wiley by and give him a tour. Brook tells Wiley, if he takes over the company in the future, pay more attention to the aesthetics, and update the hold music. Ned tells Michael, Brook isn’t a fan of the music, and she asks if Michael has ever been on hold. The music is great for insomniacs. Michael says he never noticed, but maybe he can take care of it when he comes back from leave. She says maybe she’ll get to first. She tells Michael, better watch out. He’s not going to recognize the place when he gets back. Ned says it’s nice to have the whole family back in business at ELQ.
Robert approaches Peter at the MetroCourt bar, but Peter says he doesn’t have much time to talk; he has a deadline. Robert says, it must be nice to be able to work anywhere, like in an upscale restaurant. Peter says, it has its perks. Robert wonders what Peter is going to order, and says, there’s nothing like the taste of freedom. Peter asks Robert what his point is, and Robert says he just came from a meeting with Obrecht. Peter asks if she’s still claiming she’s innocent, and Robert tells him, she says Peter is the one who’s responsible for killing Drew, and sending the assassin after Andre and Franco. Peter says, it’s so sad, the lengths Obrecht will go to destroy him. Robert says he thought they had a truce, and Peter says, so did he. That’s why he hired her to write a column for The Invader. She had him fooled. She must have been trying to get him to lower his guard. Robert says, imagine if she’d framed Peter for her crimes. That means Obrecht would be sitting there tonight.
Anna goes over things for Violet’s birthday party with Finn; the guest list, balloons, games, party favors. Finn says he thought showering Violet with gifts would be enough. Anna says if he thinks this is too much, wait until they plan their wedding. He says, right, the wedding. She says it’s been almost a year since he gave her the ring, and they don’t have a date. It’s fine, but she feels like they’re dancing around the subject. She knows she’s been gone a while, and that didn’t make it any easier, but she’s here now. She’s happy he and Violet have moved back in. Finn says they’re happy too, and she says she was wondering if the three of them will be moving forward together. He says he thought that’s what they were doing, and she says, it is, but are they moving forward like they are now, or as a married couple?
Peter tells Robert, it looks like justice prevailed, and Robert says, it depends on your definition of justice. Olivia asks if Robert is harassing her customers again. He says only because it encourages her to come by and stop him. Peter says he has to get to work, and gets up to move to a table. Robert tells him, enjoy his meal. Olivia asks what she interrupted, and Robert says, it’s nothing to worry about. She asks if he has time for her, and he says, absolutely. What’s on her mind? She says, it’s been a month since she’s heard from the WSB. Does he have any news about Dante?
Nina tells Jax, Aurora has millions. How hard can it be to pad the budget to keep her best employee happy? Jax says he thought the reason of Crimson’s autonomy was to keep him away it the first place. She says, okay, Mr. CEO. Give her the money she wants, and she’ll leave him alone. He asks if that’s what it boils down to, and she asks what he means. He says, the reason he can’t give her the money is her.
Maxie tells Lulu, she’s not a fan of Brook’s, but reporting this could mess things up. Lulu asks why she should feel bad about that, and Maxie says, she wouldn’t just be messing things up for Brook, but for ELQ and the Quartermaines, some of whom are Lulu’s former in-laws. Lulu says, technically, she’s not doing anything wrong by reporting a data breach. Brook took the video, and if she didn’t want it to go viral, she shouldn’t have hit post. Maxie says, a lot of people they love work for and with ELQ, but Lulu says, none of them are Brook. Maxie says, it’s Lulu’s call. Lulu looks over at Peter’s table, and says, actually, it’s Peter’s. She’ll be right back.
Brook answers the phone, and says, Mr. Quartermaine is in a meeting. Can she take a message? She says she’ll totally squeeze them in asap. She plays with Wiley, who’s sitting in his stroller.
Michael asks if Ned has heard anything, and Ned says the contract was prepared, and sent out for Llewellyn’s signature. They’re keeping the merger quiet until it’s finalized. Michael says he doesn’t envy Ned when it goes public. Nobody is going to like the anticipated layoffs. Ned says he’ll spin it. It will be great news for the shareholders. Michael thanks Ned for picking up the slack. He obviously left the company in good hands.
Spinelli tells Brando, a woman near and dear to his heart has moved in with a dangerous man. Brando asks, how dangerous? and Spinelli says, he’s done despicable things, both in the past and the present. While the lady involved believes his criminal past is behind him, Spinelli knows he’s in as deep as ever. Brando asks if Spinelli has proof, but Spinelli says, he’s a master of deceit. Spinelli doesn’t know if he should respect her wishes, and leave them alone, or fight to protect her from harm and heartbreak.
Jason tells Sonny, Brando’s not happy, but he knows he’s not going anywhere. He had his first customer while Jason was there. Willow’s mom Harmony said she needed work on her car; a 2019 model, fresh off the lot. Sonny asks if he’s concerned, and Jason says he checked with Willow. Harmony is living in a halfway house, and working as an aid at Turning Woods. Sonny says, no way she could afford a new car. Jason says, at first Harmony was friendly, but then she got nervous. She said she was going to take the car back to the dealer, but he suggested she let Brando take a look. Brando said there was nothing wrong with car.
Lulu tells Peter, she knows finance isn’t her usual beat, but a deal between ELQ and Med Tech? It’s important to the local economy. Not to mention The Invader would be first with the scoop. He tell her, go for it. His phone rings, and he says, yes, of course (🍷). He’ll be right there. He tells Lulu, nice job.
Robert wishes he could help Olivia, but he doesn’t know Dante’s status or location. She says it breaks her heart that her son feels he has to lock himself away from people he loves to keep them safe. They never got a chance to hug him. Does Robert still want to help? Some people have forgotten him already.
Finn tells Anna, he’d like get to married, if she still wants to. She says, of course (🍷), with all her heart. He asks how she wants to do it? A big church wedding, or something simple?Paris? A county clerk? She says, mmm, Paris. Although with a county clerk, she can wear a suit and carry a spray of flowers; no fuss or anxiety is appealing, but she doesn’t think it would work for Violet. He supposes Violet would like something big and sparkly, and Anna says she might like that too. He says, then that’s what they’ll do. They kiss, and Anna asks if Finn has any idea how happy he’s made her. He says, if it’s anything like how happy she’s made him, he has a good guess. They kiss again.
Robert tells Olivia, he can try reaching out to a couple of friends; strictly off the record. She thanks him, saying she’d be so grateful. He says, don’t thank him yet. It could come to nothing. She looks at her phone, and says, Mary, mother of God. He says, bad news? and she says, you might say that. She has to take care of something.
Lulu goes back to her table, and suggests they talk about Maxie’s big news; her well-deserved promotion. It took Nina long enough. Maxie says she’s gone above and beyond for Crimson, and it’s nice to finally be compensated for it. Lulu says she deserves all this and more, and Maxie thanks Lulu for encouraging her to do it. She can’t stop thinking about all the projects, and the photo shoots she’ll get to arrange. Lulu says it calls for a celebration, but Maxie asks if it can wait. She has an idea to run by Nina. Lulu says, now? and Maxie says, no time like the present. Order the champagne, and she’ll be right back to drink it.
Sonny asks if Jason thinks Harmony brought the car to Brando because Brando is connected to him. Jason thinks it’s possible. Sonny owned the property for years. Sonny asks if she asked about him, and Jason says, she mentioned them, but it made sense, since Jason was there when she showed up. But there’s something he doesn’t like about it, so he went to talk to Willow, who said Harmony was distancing herself. His guess is, Harmony is into something shady. Maybe doesn’t want Willow to know, but whatever it is it’s connected to Sonny. Or he could be overthinking it, and Harmony got a loan for a car she couldn’t afford, and is hiding it from her daughter. Sonny tells him, keep looking. He needs to know one way or the other.
Brando says, it’s obvious Spinelli cares for his friend, and Spinelli says, more than words can express. Brando says, if Spinelli thinks this guy can hurt his friend, he should follow his gut. Spinelli says it could create conflict which might be a negative in his domestic harmony. Brando says, not as negative as someone dying, and Spinelli says, this individual thinks nothing of eliminating anyone who stands in his way. Brando tells Spinelli, he’s got to step up. Better she no longer talks to him, than no longer talks period. Brando’s phone rings, and he says he has to take it.
Nina says, it’s her fault? but Jax says he’s not saying it’s her fault. He’s saying if he gives money to Crimson, how will it look to the other departments? She says, because they’re sleeping together? He says, it would look like favoritism, and he doesn’t want anyone to thinking it’s a quid pro quo. She says, Maxie is a deserving employee, and he says if he could help, he would, but they have to keep their boundaries straight. Work is work, and fun is fun. She says, in that case, he needs to go. He asks if they’re fighting, and she says, oh yes, no, I don’t know. He needs to go, so she can figure out how to tell Maxie she’s not getting the raise she deserves.
Brook and Wiley are eating cookies when Ned and Michael come out. Brook tells Wiley they’re busted; she found them in the diaper bag. Ned asks, who’s answering the phone? and Brook says she can snack and answer the phone at the same time. She gives him a list of phone calls he needs to return, in order of importance. Michael tells Ned to keep him posted on the deal, and Brook tells Michael that Wiley is a wonderful assistant. Ned says, speak of the devil. Llewellyn is on the phone. He asks if Llewellyn got the contract, then says they didn’t post anything online… The Invader? He doesn’t know what Llewellyn is talking about. Michael’s phone dings, and Ned says he can’t hear Llewellyn. Olivia barges in, and asks Brook what she’s done.
Lulu calls ELQ, saying she’s from The Invader, and working on a follow-up to her post about the ELQ merger. She’d love to get Ned’s comments – or his daughter’s.
Ned asks how Brook could be so careless. That document represented millions to ELQ. Now that deal and the profits are gone. She says she was trying to give the company a little social media buzz, and he says, by posting confidential documents on the web? She says it was on her personal Facebook page. She never thought it would go viral. Michael says, it was an honest mistake; there was nothing malicious. Olivia says, that honest mistake cost ELQ millions of dollars. Brook says, tell her how to fix it, but Ned says, she’s done enough. They have to talk damage control – in private. Ned and Olivia go into Ned’s office, and Michael tells Brook that he’s blown his fair share of deals. She tells him not to try and make it better, but he says, Ned will take care of it. Tell Ned that he had to take Wiley home. Brook says she’ll watch Wiley. She’d consider it a personal favor if he cleaned up this mess for her. He hands her Wiley, and goes into Ned’s office.
Sonny gives Brando some coffee, and Brando thanks him for the garage set-up. It’s a nice shop. Sonny says Jason told him that Brando had his first customer. What did he think? Brando says if Jason filled Sonny in, he has nothing more to tell him. Sonny says he got Jason’s point-of-view, but he’d like Brando’s. Brando says, it was a new car, and there was nothing wrong with it. Sonny asks if Brando thinks she came to ask about him, and Brando says, it’s possible. He didn’t tell her anything. Sonny says he didn’t think Brando would, and Brando says he has nothing to tell. He knows Sonny set him up to keep him in Port Charles, and it wasn’t supposed to have anything to do with Sonny’s business. Yet Sonny’s business found him anyway.
Carly says she got Jax’s text that he needed to talk to her. What’s up? He asks if Josslyn mentioned their recent conversation, and she says, no; why? He says he offered Josslyn an extended vacation in Australia, and Carly says she suggested the same thing, but Josslyn doesn’t want to go. Jax says maybe they should reconsider. It might be a good idea for Josslyn to be on the other side of the planet for a while. Far away from the dangerous situation in Port Charles. She says he means far away from Sonny, and he says, yes.
Maxie goes to Nina’s office, and Nina says, perfect timing. She was just thinking about texting Maxie. Maxie says she has a great idea, and Nina says, that’s fantastic, but please sit down. Maxie sits, and Nina congratulates her, saying, as of tomorrow, her new title is Crimson’s senior vice president of creative marketing. She’s going to fly all over the world, meet fashion figures, oversee fashion shoots, and approve articles. Maxie says, and finally get the salary she deserves. Jax approved everything, right? Nina says, not in so many words.
Anna sees Spinelli at the gym, and asks about Ellie and Georgie. She asks how Ellie’s new job is, and he says she loves it, and Georgie loves her school. She’s made more friends already than he has in a lifetime. Anna suggests them getting together with Violet, and Spinelli says, if she’s suggesting a playdate, that’s a resounding yes. She says she’s planning a family get-together, and Maxie and Peter will be there. Jason comes in, and Anna says, perfect. She’d like to talk to both of them about Peter
Robert sees Finn at the hospital, and says, just the man he’s looking for. Finn asks to what he owes the pleasure, and Robert congratulates him on moving back in with Anna. Finn says, news travels fast, and Robert says he’s more concerned about Peter. Finn says he’ll always be concerned when it comes to protecting his daughter, but this was important to Anna, and evidence suggests Obrecht was behind Drew’s death and the attempts on Andre and Franco’s lives. Robert says, nice and neat, and wrapped up. He’d like Finn to do him a favor. Stay on guard when he sees Peter around Anna. Finn asks if Robert is asking him to spy on Anna.
Anna tells Spinelli and Jason, Peter and Maxie are living together, and Georgie is going to be spending time there. Children are susceptible to an undercurrent of emotion, so for Georgie’s sake, she wishes they would accept the fact that Peter has been exonerated. Dislike him if they want, but don’t treat him like a criminal. He’s not. Spinelli says he already had a conversation with Maxie on this topic, and he told her he’s doing his best to live and let live. Spinelli’s phone rings, and he excuses himself. He sees two unanswered voicemails from Maxie.
Nina tells Maxie that Jax can’t find money in the budget, and there’s no room to pay her what she deserves. It might be available next year, but in the meantime, she can give Maxie more vacation days, days to work at home, so she can spend more time with James and Georgie… Maxie says, but no money for a raise. Nina says she’s sorry, and Maxie says she doesn’t understand. She’s done so much for Nina and Crimson. She’s covered for Nina so many times, and missed out on time with James. Nina says she understands, and understands Maxie deserves a raise. Maxie says, understanding it and making it happen are two different things, and walks out, Nina calling after her.
Lulu reads, Brook Lynn must be the most incompetent secretary in the history of secretaries – Clint Buchanan. She says, you got that right, Mr. B.
Coming out of the office, Michael says, Olivia will handle the press contacts, and Olivia says ELQ regrets the accidental publication of confidential documents, and is investigating the matter. Ned says he’ll get in touch with Llewellyn and smooth things over. Michael says they know where to find him. He thanks Brook for looking after Wiley, and she says, Wiley is a lot less judgy than some other family members. Ned tells Brook to get his PR team on the line. Never mind; he’ll do it. Hold his calls and order dinner. It’s going to be a long night. On second thought, he’ll order dinner. Go home and hunker down. She says she knows how to order dinner. She wonders what The Invader is doing on her Facebook page, and says, of course (🍷). Lulu Spencer. Why is she not surprised?
Brando tells Sonny, his mother lied, but he’s been transparent. He did prison time, but he’s cleaned up his act and made a good life. Anyone coming after Sonny, stands between him and that life. Sonny says if this is Brando’s way of asking how long he has to stay in Port Charles, he can’t answer that. It could be a day or a year, or somewhere in between. Brando says Sonny knows his history. If there’s anything he can do to help sort things out so they can move on with their lives, say the word.
Carly tells Jax, Josslyn agreed to be home schooled. She hired Josslyn’s favorite teacher as a tutor, and Josslyn can still be on the volleyball team. Jax says, with bodyguards, and Carly says, unfortunately yes. He says, she wouldn’t need a bodyguard in Australia, but Carly says, she doesn’t want to go. Jax asks if they can get real, and actually parent, and agree their daughter isn’t safe there. Carly says, it’s not perfect, but it works, and he tells her, stop putting a spin on it. This is no way for their daughter to grow up. She needs a normal life somewhere. Carly says, this is normal for Josslyn, but Jax asks if Carly hears herself. She already lost Morgan to mob violence. He’s not losing Josslyn to it.
Sonny says he thought Brando didn’t want to be involved in his business, and Brando says he doesn’t, but he seems to be involved one way or the other. If Sonny’s enemies come back looking for information, wouldn’t it be helpful if Brando tells them what Sonny wants? Sonny appreciates the offer, but thinks it’s best for all of them if Brando stays away from his business. Brando says he guesses that’s it then, and Sonny says, he’s afraid so. Brando says he’s going back to work. He’s got to earn his keep somehow.
Carly says how dare Jax use Morgan’s death to manipulate her; they’re done here. He apologizes, saying he was insensitive. He just wants to keep Josslyn safe. She asks if he thinks she doesn’t, and he says he knows it’s hard for her too. He doesn’t want to take Josslyn from Port Charles; he has plenty of reason to stay himself. But no reason is more important than their daughter’s safety. Can they talk as parents about how to keep their daughter safe? Carly says she wants things to stay the way they are, with them both monitoring the situation. They can figure out any changes they need to make together. If that means going to Australia, great. If it means staying here, great. But they need to make decisions for Josslyn together.
On the phone, Nina says, it could have gone better. Maxie didn’t take it well, and she could really use a friend.
Lulu asks Maxie how it went, and Maxie says, horrible. Lulu says she thought the promotion and raise was a done deal. She ordered champagne. Maxie says Lulu will have to drink it without her. She just got denied, and she’s going to get even.
Spinelli says, over his dead body, and jets. Anna says she knows Jason and Spinelli are good friends, and Jason has a tremendous influence over Spinelli; he admires Jason. She was wondering if Jason could soften Spinelli’s attitude toward Peter, but Jason says, he’s sorry. He can’t lie. He can’t pretend to believe something he doesn’t.
Robert says he wants Finn to stay on guard; nothing more. Finn says he wants to talk about Violet’s upcoming birthday party, and Robert says, he’s invited of course (🍷). Finn says, yeah, okay, but Anna also invited Peter. He wonders if Robert thinks he can be cordial for a couple of hours. Robert says he’ll try, but can’t promise anything. He tells Finn, eyes open.
Brook storms into the MetroCourt, and finds Lulu. She says, you bitch, and Lulu says she was just enjoying Brook’s Facebook post. Brook asks, how could she? and Lulu says she just reports news; Brook makes it. Publicly posting ELQ’s most top secret business plan? For a has-been, Brook sure knows how to stay relevant.
Tomorrow, Peter says he and Maxie are getting married, Nina asks if Maxie is entertaining other offers, and Anna asks Jason what it will take to convince him that he’s wrong.
👨🏻🍳 Top Chef returned tonight, and the chefs were in Hawaii for redemption. This season, previous contestants are returning to see how they’ve progressed since their last competition. The quickfire challenge was in three parts. First, the chefs had to break down an artichoke, and the fastest chef who did it correctly, moved on. The rest had to peel and separate and orange, with the fastest again moving on, and the last group had to shell twenty almonds perfectly – without a nutcracker. They then proceeded to split into three teams, with the three fastest chefs being captains, and were required to make two different dishes with the prepped ingredients. The one thing I learned, was that PFTS stands for, I got people for that sh*t, which one of the chefs said as he tried to break down an artichoke. I don’t, which is why I don’t make artichokes. Moving on to the elimination challenge, the chefs had to make a seafood feast on the beach, with no electricity or appliances – just their knives and their talent. They were to make three cohesive dishes, family style. Restauranteur Jeremiah Tower was guest judge, and pronounced Chef Gregory technically perfect as he got the winning spot. But poor handlebar mustache Joe (who I actually remember from a previous season) was out. As usual, all the food looked impressive to me, and I was craving blackened swordfish by the end. At this point in the game, there are too many people for me to even keep track of their names, but once they’re weeded out, I’ll be more detailed. It looks like a fun season, with the chefs going to Europe for the finale.
😭 Because Life Isn’t Sad Enough…
GH SPOILER ALERT. If you don’t want to know, don’t even look at this link.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Since it’s week two from hell, I missed the very beginning again, but also again, nothing crucial to the plot.
Nina tells Jax, in regard to Obrecht getting arrested, is she disappointed? Yeah. Is she surprised? No, but what she is, is done.
Jordan puts on her gun, when there’s a knock at her office door. She opens it, and Harmony is there. She tells Harmony she has no time, but Harmony says she’ll want to make time. It’s important. Jordan says, sorry. Police business, and walks past her. Harmony looks miffed.
At the MetroCourt, Curtis tells Portia that he wants to talk about Trina. He has questions, and thought she might be ready to give him answers.
Cameron and Trina kiss. They break apart, and Cameron stammers. Trina says, she never thought… Josslyn comes out, and says, one good thing about going to school online is, she can reschedule her tutorial. She sees them several feet apart, looking weird, and asks what she missed.
On the phone, Ned says the documents are sensitive, and he wants to stick to a hard copy. He sees a great future with this company. He’ll send a courier. He calls to Brook, but hears a her desk phone ringing. He looks out, and she’s not there.
She’s at the MetroCourt, having a drink, and surrounded by shopping bags. Maxie and Lulu come in, and Lulu says, someone did some shopping. Did Brook charge it to the family account or use her trust fund? Either way, it must be nice.
Sasha tells Chase, Michael’s best shot when petitioning the court, is to show he can provide a better stepmother than Nelle will ever be a mother. Michael says they already went over why marrying her won’t work. The doorbell rings, and Michael opens it to Willow. She says Chase told her about Nelle. What can she do to help? He says they were just strategizing, and all ideas are welcome. Chase hugs her, and says he’s glad she made it. She says she’s guessing Nelle had her visit and left, and Michael says she’s lucky. She says, no argument there, and Sasha says, everything is okay. Or It will be, thanks to Willow. Willow asks what they want her to do, and Sasha says, marry Michael.
Brook tells Lulu that Nikolas would buy her anything she wants. Or did he fail to live up to her moral standards, like Dante? They both disappointed her. It must be lonely being up on the pedestal by herself. Lulu moves toward Brook, but Maxie gets in between them. She says, amusing as this is – and it is entertaining – their table is ready.
Portia says she remembers that Curtis was always straight to the point. So instead of him asking questions, she’ll just give him answers. He’s clearly done the math. Trina is the correct age to be his daughter, but she’s not. Taggert is Trina’s father.
Jordan approaches the warehouse, and sees a phone on the ground. She picks it up, and recognize it’s TJ’s. She hears someone, and wheels around, her gun ready. Harmony asks if she really thought her son would be there.
Brook gets a call from Ned, asking where she is. She says, lunch, and he tells her, come back now. She says, calm down, and tells the bartender to put her order on the ELQ account. She leaves, and Lulu wonders if the diva is in trouble. Maxie says, she could be, but she doesn’t care; she was talking. As she was saying, she needs some super serious life-altering advice. Lulu asks, what’s up? and Maxie says she loves her job, but some days, she wants Nina’s job, and some days – some weeks – she’s doing Nina’s job. You’d think Nina would thank her, or at least notice. She was gone for about thirteen weeks, and who was there to pick the pieces up? Her. It’s not that she doesn’t love Nina, or doesn’t want to help, but there’s nothing wrong with hearing job well done. Lulu says Nina probably has no idea how dissatisfied she is. She needs to talk to Nina. Maxie says, she will, tomorrow, but Lulu says right now, before she talks herself out of it. Maxie says she needs to prepare what she’s going to say, and Lulu asks how worried she is about rocking the boat. Maxie says Nina is James’s aunt, and now that Obrecht is in jail, his closest relative on his father’s side. Lulu asks what the problem is, and Maxie says she doesn’t want work to come between them. Lulu says, it already has. She has to push her thoughts out of the way, and talk to Nina. It’s the only way she’s going to know where she stands.
Nina tells Jax, she feels sorry for Obrecht, but she did it to herself; unlike Michael or Willow. She didn’t get along with Willow, but now, when she thinks about what Willow is going through… He says, Nelle has a lot to answer for, and she asks how Josslyn is dealing with all of this. Jax says, she’s doing fine. Wiley’s situation hasn’t affected her, but being under house arrest is another story. Carly is home schooling her until Sonny figures out what to do about the latest threat against his territory. Josslyn has less than a year and a half before she goes to college, and he didn’t want it like this. Nina takes it that he has a contingency plan, and he says he does. He’ll tell her about it, after he speaks to his daughter.
Chase says he doesn’t want to speak for Willow, but she tells him to go ahead. He says, absolutely not. Willow says Michael, and Sasha are together. Why would he marry her? Sasha says, Michael has to marry the right person, and Willow took on the world for Wiley. At every turn, she put Wiley first. She went to jail, and has spent Wiley’s life so far acting as his mother. Why stop now?
Portia tells Curtis, she became pregnant after Taggert came back from an undercover assignment. Curtis says, Trina is a wonderful young woman, and Portia says, but he’s relieved she’s not his? He asks if that makes him horrible, but she says, it’s understandable. He says he didn’t really know Taggert, but one thing was clear; he and Trina loved each other. Portia says, they absolutely did. Taggert was a terrific father, even after the divorce. She was in a bad place when she met Curtis. It’s no excuse. She shouldn’t have let him believe she was single, and doesn’t blame Curtis for breaking it off after he found out the truth. He says it was messed up the way he did it. He should have been kinder, and regrets that. She appreciates it, but says, a clean break, no matter how painful, was the best way. It was such a long time ago, and he found his way to the right person, so there’s that. Curtis says, Jordan is a remarkable woman.
Harmony asks if Jordan can point her gun somewhere else, and Jordan says, where’s her son? Harmony says, they moved him hours ago. Did she think Cyrus would allow her to find him so easy? Jordan says Harmony is right; she wasn’t thinking. Harmony says she wasn’t. She was thinking like a mother, not a cop. Jordan asks if Harmony can at least tell her if TJ is okay. Harmony says, as far as she knows, he’s safe – for now – but she wants to tell Jordan what Cyrus wants in exchange for her son’s life. Jordan points her gun at Harmony again, and says maybe Harmony will take her to her son in exchange for hers.
Chase says he knows Sasha’s heart is in the right place, but does she hear herself? Sasha says, it makes sense. Chase says Michael is with Sasha, and everyone will know he and Willow aren’t together. Sasha says, it wouldn’t be first platonic marriage for the sake of a child. Willow asks where she would live. Would she move in there? Sasha says Wiley has to have a stable home environment, and Michael asks if Sasha would move out. She says there would be a change in their situations until it’s over. Michael says that could take months, and Chase says, or years. Nelle isn’t going to give up. It won’t work.
Maxie goes back to the office, and Nina says, her timing is great. She needs an article from the July issue, and asks Maxie to get it for her. Maxie says, no. She can’t get the article for Nina. That’s something her assistant needs to do. Nina says her assistant is out on an errand, and Maxie is the creative director. Maxie says, it’s not her job to fetch for Nina. Nina says, she didn’t mean… and Maxie says, but she’s been doing it anyway, for years. She did it when Nina was in Tunisia, and when her life fell apart because of Valentin. Maxie literally lived there. She had a cot and a toothbrush in the office. She spent nights away from her son. Nina says she had no idea, and Maxie says, of course (🍷) she didn’t. By the time Nina got home, the magazine came out on time and under budget, but it was on Maxie’s back. Nina says she can’t imagine doing it without Maxie. That’s why she’s the creative director. It’s under editor-in-chief, with no space in between. Maxie asks why she does so many jobs and just gets paid for one? Something has to give, and it can’t be her. Not anymore.
Josslyn leads Cameron and Trina in a study about A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and says, compare Helena to Hermia. Anybody? She gets silence, and says she’ll start. They’re both women in love who are willing to risk their reputations by running away with the men they love. Cameron and Trina don’t say anything, and Josslyn asks, how are they different?Trina? Trina says, Hermia has more confidence, and Helena is more… Or is it the other way around? Their names both start with H and end in A, so… Josslyn says, Cam? and he says, one of them is tall, and the other one is short. Josslyn says, what is it? What’s going on? Clue her in. Something is obviously wrong. Cameron says, nothing is wrong. He just doesn’t feel like English. Trina says, her neither. She’s going. Josslyn says, don’t leave. They can pick something else, all right? Cameron says, whatever she wants, but Trina says she needs to be alone, grabs her stuff, and heads for the door. Jax is there, and asks if she’s okay. She says she’s fine, and jets. He says Trina doesn’t appear fine, and Josslyn says, she’s going through a lot. Jax asks, how about Cameron? He and Trina went through quite an ordeal. How is he coping?
Harmony tells Jordan, she doesn’t know where TJ is. Cyrus will only tell her if he wants Jordan to know. Jordan can kill her, but it will just be an inconvenience to Cyrus for a hot five minutes, and he’ll send a replacement. Jordan suggests they team up, and work together to finish Cyrus, but Harmony asks, how? Jordan says, play along until the find a moment, and take it. Harmony says it’s very cinematic, but she loves Willow too much to risk it. She’s begging Jordan for both their sakes, do what Cyrus asks. It’s the only way she’ll see her son again.
Harmony says, Cyrus has an important shipment coming in. It’s going to enter the city limits around 11 o’clock. Jordan says, and he wants her to look the other way. Harmony says he wants her to divert police attention elsewhere, so they get through with no trouble. Jordan says that’s what she thought, and Harmony says he’s not asking her to kill a witness; it’s just traffic. It means seeing her son alive and well. Don’t wait too long to give him an answer. Harmony walks away.
Brook goes back to the office, and tells Ned she’s there; what’s the emergency? He says, it’s hard to concentrate on a meeting when the phone is ringing off the hook. She tells him, that’s what voicemail is for, and he says, that’s what an administrative assistant is for. Clients prefer a human voice. She says she needed to get lunch, and he tells her not to leave her desk unmanned. He has an important conference, and has documents he wants treated with great care. He doesn’t want some temp to see them; that’s why he hired her. She says she gets it, and he tells her that he wants them signed, sealed, and delivered by courier. They’re for her eyes only. Can she do that? She says, of course (🍷). He gives her the documents, and goes back in his office. She says, well, desk, since we’ll be spending more time together, it’s a new day; come my way. She fixes up her desk, including putting out a fancy paperweight from one of the shopping bags, does her makeup, and says, voila!
Lulu talks to herself, saying, okay. Brook’s career is shot, and she knows Brook can’t have a job, so let’s see what she’s up to on Facebook.
Curtis says Portia has her career on track, and she says she’s thinking of transferring to GH from Mercy. They’re looking for a new GP. He says, GH is a great hospital, but maybe he’s biased. Trina walks in, and says, what the hell is this? Portia tells Trina, lower her voice. Trina says her father is dead, and her mother is having coffee with the guy who didn’t save his life. Curtis thinks maybe it’s a good time to get going, and Trina says, that’s what cowards do – they run. Portia apologizes, and Curtis says, it was good catching up; he’ll see her around. When he’s gone, Portia say she knows Trina is upset, but being in pain doesn’t give her the right to give other people pain. Trina says she doesn’t want to hurt other people. Just Curtis.
Cameron says Josslyn is super supportive, and he and Trina have been leaning on each other. Josslyn says it doesn’t feel like it’s actually helping, and Jax says, sometimes the only way out is through. Think about when she lost Oscar. Josslyn says, they were there for her, every step of the way. She wants to be there for them now. Jax says they need a safe place to grieve. That’s what friends are for. Cameron says he might have kissed Trina’s safe space goodbye, and Josslyn asks what he means. He says, nothing; it’s stupid. He’s got to go. He leaves, and Jax asks if Josslyn wants to go after him, and she says she thinks that’s the opposite of what Cameron wants. Sometimes you need to be alone to think about what you need.
Maxie says she loves Nina, but she can’t continue to allow Nina to take her for granted. Nina says Maxie is 100% right. Maxie is her parachute, her backbone, her savior. Maxie trained her. When she started, all she knew was what looked good on her. Maxie is the reason Crimson is thriving, and it’s shameful that she hasn’t acknowledged it before this. She suggests they put their heads together and reexamine Maxie’s role. She wants to give Maxie a new title, and a salary equal to what she contributes. Maxie says Nina would do that? and Nina says Maxie deserves a raise, a promotion, and a new title. She deserves everything and anything she wants. Let’s make it happen.
Jax tells Josslyn, it takes a while to process trauma and heal. Josslyn says, Trina and Cameron will get there, but he says he was referring to her. How would she like to go to a place where she doesn’t have to worry about dodging bullets? She says, yes please. Where is he thinking? He says, Lady Jane’s house. They haven’t been there in a while. She says, Australia is on fire, but he says, not everywhere, and they’re contained. Maybe they can help out with animal rescue, or volunteer at a shelter. She asks if he talked to her mom. She swears they’re having the same conversation as she and Carly had. Carly asked if she wanted to go to Australia, and part of her does, but the bigger part wants to stay there. It’s her home. Her family and her life are there, at least until she goes to college. She doesn’t think he wants to leave either. If she can choose, she chooses to stay there for lot of reasons.
Brook makes a video, and says, hey, fans and followers. She’s on a small hiatus from her performing career, and thought she’d show them the other half of her life with an up close and personal tour of her desk. It’s a tastefully corporate, visually stunning dive into the family business. First, see the efficient, sleek company phone. It’s standard for an office, but she intends to update the hold music, and maybe get something more ergonomic. Organizing is a big skill of hers, and when she does have papers on her desk, they’re held beneath this fun and stylish paperweight. (You know what’s going to happen, right?)
Willow says she loves Sasha, but her idea… Chase thinks the word she’s looking for is insane. Sasha says, Wiley needs all their help, and Michael says, Nelle created the lie that started all this first. They can’t lie to rectify it. Sasha says, it’s not the same thing, but he says, close enough. They promised to do everything to protect Wiley, but they didn’t promise to do anything dishonest. Sasha says she’s sorry Willow lost her son, but her bond with Wiley is real. Wiley loves her like a mother, and she thinks Willow loves Wiley the same way. Willow says she does, and she’d do anything to protect Wiley, if she thought it would work. Sasha says, it can, but Chase says, it’s too much to ask. He’s sorry he came down hard on Sasha, but it’s not happening. Michael says he’s sorry he can’t ask Willow to marry him, but he can offer a consolation prize; a visit with Wiley. Willow says she’ll gladly take him up on it. Michael says Sasha is welcome to join them, but Sasha says her phone has been blowing up; she thinks it’s Lucy. Chase says he’s got to get back to the station. He’ll see Willow at home. Michael and Willow go to the nursery, and Chase asks Sasha, what the hell was that? She says, the best way to keep Wiley safe. They agreed. He says they agreed to lean on each other, not come up with the craziest idea he’s ever heard. She asks if he’s got anything better. He stammers, and says, Willow can’t marry Michael. She loves him. She says, you know who else Willow loves? Wiley.
Jax goes back to Crimson, and Nina asks how Josslyn is. He says, good. He offered for her to go to Australia for a few months, but she made it clear that her life is there in Port Charles. It would have just been temporary until Sonny’s mob war is over. She says she wants Josslyn to be safe, but she’s glad he’s not going anywhere. He says, him too, and they kiss. He asks if she’s ready to wrap it up, and she says, almost. There’s something she’d like to discuss with him. She thinks he’ll love it.
When Jordan gets back to her office, Curtis is there. He says she doesn’t seem happy to see him. She says she’s always happy to see him, but a drug lord is starting a war in her city, and she doesn’t know how to stop it. He asks if that’s why she’s amped up; she couldn’t make it better? She says she needs to stop it, and he says she will. He knows his wife, and she’ll get this done. She says she’s glad he’s there, and he says, of course (🍷). He’s kind of wonderful. She says he is, but it’s pretty obvious he didn’t stop by just to check on her, and he says he can’t put anything past her. He knows she has questions about his connection to Portia, and he wants to give her answers.
Ned asks if Brook got the documents sent off; they haven’t gotten them yet. She says she handled it as entrusted, and he asks what she means. She says she handled it, but when he’s gone, she puts the documents in an envelope.
Portia tells Trina, take a deep breath. Trina does, and Portia says, there you go. Does she know why she can do that? Why she can breathe at all? Trina says, because Curtis saved her life? Portia says she knows it’s easier to be mad at Curtis than angry at her father for dying. Curtis was honoring her father’s request to keep her safe. Trina says, so everything she does from now on, it’s because of Curtis? and Portia says, it is. That’s why she should reconsider the way she’s treating him. Trina asks why Portia cares if she hates him, and Porta says, for one thing, it’s not good to hate; Portia doesn’t want that for her, and her father wouldn’t either. Trina wonders if Portia wants her to forgive Curtis for her father’s sake, but Portia says, there’s nothing to forgive. She and Curtis were friends before Trina was born, and he’s an honorable man. More than she knows.
Curtis tells Jordan that he and Portia were involved seventeen years ago. She didn’t tell him that she was married, and when he found out, he got out. Maybe not as kindly as he could have. He hadn’t seen her until Taggert’s sendoff. She says, Trina is just the right age to be… and he says that’s exactly why he went to see Portia; to get answers. Jordan wanted the truth, and Trina is not his daughter. Jordan says, thank God. Trina is a great kid, but… Curtis says he hears her. Even before he went to see Portia, he made a deal with himself to tell her the truth, no matter what he found out. It’s what they promised. No more secrets. She says she loves him, and appreciates him telling the truth. Her phone dings, and she says, sorry. He says, go save the city, and she says she’ll do her best.
Nina tells Jax that Maxie has been doing heavy lifting lately. She’s been running the magazine when Nina hasn’t been around. With everything she’s been going through, it’s been several months. Jax says, Maxie has made a considerable contribution, but Nina says, that’s an understatement. Maxie has gotten no credit, from Nina or in print. She doesn’t know that Nina appreciates her, because Nina’s been taking her for granted. Maxie is the heartbeat of Crimson, and she needs to make it right. Jax asks what Nina proposes, and she says she knows the budget for this year is locked in, but she did some figuring. If he approves the amount, she can give Maxie what she wants; a raise, a promotion, and a title apropos to what she does. Nina can adjust it with the budget for next year. Jax says he hates to disappoint her, but no.
Maxie tells Lulu that she totally underestimated Nina. She was amazing, and completely understood. Lulu is glad, but says, you never know with Nina, and Maxie asks if she’s suggesting Nina is unpredictable. She said she’d do everything in her power to get Maxie a higher salary, and her own office; she needs her own space, and deserves it. Lulu’s phone dings, and she says, oh my God. Maxie is never going to believe what Brook posted on Facebook.
Michael thanks Willow, and asks if she’s okay. She says, is he? Sasha is his girlfriend, and she just told Willow to marry him. Michael says they were tossing ideas around. It’s an insane idea, but he gives Sasha credit for originality. Willow tells him, they keep saying they’d do anything to protect Wiley. Marrying him would certainly do that, and he says it’s okay if she doesn’t want to. He doesn’t either. She says he’s so sweet to say that. He says he and Wiley know she’ll be there when they need her.
Jordan calls Mac, and says she wants to move the team around. They can’t get complacent. She wants him to pull the team to cross points on the west side; spread their eyes around. Let her know when he’s done it. She hangs up, and looks at TJ’s picture on her phone.
Tomorrow, Jax explains to Nina why he can’t give Maxie the money, Sonny tells Jason to keep looking, and Brando meets Spinelli.
The Real Housewives of New Jersey – The Reunion: Part Three
Or as I like to call it, thank God it’s over.
Marty arrived, to be supportive of Danielle. He thought she was ganged up on last year. I empathized with Danielle when she had to give Fendi liquid medicine, as I’ve dealt with many a lock-jawed dog.
Delores wondered if Juicy Joe was speaking better to Teresa, and Teresa said he was. A viewer asked how much money he cost Teresa in legal fees and back taxes, and we found out it was over a million. He also said if it wasn’t for the show, all of this wouldn’t have happened. Apparently, he’s still not taking responsibility for his own actions. Melissa said he looks at it like Teresa ruined his life. Teresa didn’t think Joe was going to ask for spousal support, and Melissa agreed, but said her husband was of the opposite opinion. Joe #2 joined the group again, and said he thought Teresa should sign the divorce papers immediately. He’d looked the other way regarding Joe #1’s treatment of Teresa during there marriage, saying he didn’t think it was his place to interfere, unless there was physical abuse. Teresa said she wanted more for herself too, and Melissa said Joe #1 was still arrogant, and she was livid over his treatment of Teresa in Italy. Teresa shrugged it off, saying she was used to him. Andy said, if ICE saw his attitude, why would they help him? and Joe #2 thought he should be more humble. Teresa said she felt bad for him, since he only knows one way to express himself; the hard way. Joe #2 said he’d basically stayed out of it because Teresa didn’t want him to interfere. He said he might not like Joe #1, but still feels bad for him.
We went down the Memory Lane of Joe #1’s case, ending with him going to Italy. Andy wondered what the chances were of Joe winning his appeal, and Teresa said, not a lot, and it breaks her heart for her daughters. Milania was probably the most affected, but Gia is also seeing a therapist. She said she and Joe #1 could get through anything – they’re adults – but she hated that the kids had to. Punishing the kids wasn’t fair. Agreed. She told Andy that Joe was in Mexico on a guys fishing trip, and he was also working. Joe #2 thought Joe #1 was going to go after Teresa’s money, and if Teresa found the perfect guy, it would trigger him to be spiteful. Melissa looked sick during this discussion. Teresa admitted Joe #1 wanted to have sex with her in Italy (which seemed pretty clear when we saw that episode), but Adriana wanted to sleep with her, and was a good c*ck block. She said everything changed after she lost mom; she was resentful. Joe #2 thought the convictions played a part in their mom’s death because of the stress. Delores told Teresa to let someone else do her dirty work, and just sign the divorce papers. Andy believed Teresa had a great love waiting for her.
Danielle refused to come out unless she sat next to Andy, and said she didn’t have to come. Andy came back to the dressing room, and she said she needed to be heard. He said that’s why she was there, and she said she wanted to sit next to him because the last time, she couldn’t hear. Every time he said her name, no one would shut up. He said Teresa and Marge were on either side of him, and he wasn’t putting her next to Teresa, since the last time, he got pushed. We flashed back to that, and he said he wasn’t putting her next to Marge either because of the hair pulling. She said she deserved the same respect leaving as she got when she came. She wanted to make sure she could speak, and Andy told her that she could do that no matter where she was sitting. It was her call, and he hoped she decided to join them. On stage, Marge said Danielle was such an a-hole. She could feel the Danielle drama. Danielle told Marty that she was sorry she brought him into this, and Andy told the others to try not to interrupt too much, which I was sure would be an impossibility. He said he wanted Danielle to leave feeling she was able to have her say. The executive producer told Danielle, if she was ready, she had to go out now.
Andy welcomed us back, and Danielle decided to join them. Andy told Marge that he’d been surprised that she got into it with Teresa, and Marge said she was disappointed and devastated that Teresa kept defending Danielle. Teresa said she felt like she was being asked by everybody to make a choice. They were all telling her to stay away from Danielle, and she’s a grown woman who can make her own decisions. Well, we see how well that’s worked out. Danielle hadn’t done anything to her. Marge said they were judging Danielle by her behavior toward everyone else. She judges people by their character. She doesn’t like Jennifer, but knows Jennifer has a heart of gold. At the core, they’re all good people. Teresa said, when her mom was sick, Danielle called every day. Andy asked where Teresa and Danielle stand now, and Teresa said they hadn’t spoken since going to the Shore. Andy asked Danielle how the cooking thing was going, and she said it was an emotional rescue for her. We found out she’s still living with Marty, while she’s working on buying him out. Andy brought up her engagement to Oliver, and said he was hoping she’d be a duchess, but Danielle said Oliver wasn’t well, and in the end, she had to take care of herself, and not other people.
Andy asked if Danielle and Marty were hooking up, but Danielle said they were just really good friends. Andy reminded her that she’d said Marty had been abusive, and she said abuse was a broad term, and she wasn’t willing to talk about it in a group that didn’t care. He asked how Danielle figured Marge was the cause of their divorce, and Danielle told him, had Marge not said the things she did, they might have worked things out. She said, Marge felt entitled to get involved, but Marge said Marty reached out to Joe #3. A viewer asked if Teresa regretted defending Danielle, and Teresa stammered for a while, then said Danielle proved everyone right. Danielle insisted she didn’t, and we flashed back to the ponytail pulling at the boutique, and Teresa’s subsequent tantrum. A viewer asked if Marge didn’t provoke Danielle, and Marge said she didn’t think something like that would happen. Danielle said anytime she did anything toward Marge, it was because she was reacting to something Marge did to her. Andy asked if Danielle had no remorse, and Danielle said Marge had been coming at her for two and a half years. She continually called Danielle a prostitute, and knew the name Beverly was hurtful. She doesn’t get to call Danielle a loose cannon and leave it at that. Andy questioned Teresa about encouraging Danielle’s hair pulling behavior, and she said she was caught up in the moment, as well as drunk. Andy read a tweet from Jacqueline, who said Danielle had wanted to prosecute her daughter for pulling Danielle’s weave a million years ago. We flashed back to that, and Danielle said she’d really been hurt, and ended up in the hospital. The circumstances were different. She didn’t provoke Ashley, but Marge had provoked her. Teresa claimed she hadn’t seen how bad it was, and wouldn’t have stood up for Danielle if she had. Marge said she’d never said a bad word about Teresa, and Teresa said she never meant to hurt Marge. Jennifer thought Teresa was mad because Danielle told on her, and Teresa said Danielle wasn’t a loyal friend for doing that. Danielle broke Teresa’s trust. Danielle said she didn’t think it would be a reason to end their friendship after all they’d been through. So in other words, it was all good for Teresa, and she would have remained friends with Danielle, if Danielle hadn’t mentioned Teresa’s part in it. Got it. Marge said, in re-watching it, she realized how violent it was, and it upset her all over again. Teresa told Marge she was sorry, and went over to hug her. She said she loved Marge, who had been there for her, and when she saw the show, she was horrified. She made a bad judgment call, and had gotten caught up in the moment. It was like what she tells her daughters; if you hang out with the wrong person, you do wrong things. Danielle said she was the same person who called Teresa when her mom was sick. Teresa stood up for her, then stabbed her in the heart. She’s been an OG, having started with the show, something Marge could never hope to be. Andy asked what she wanted to say on her way out, and she said she was graciously thankful for the fans. She learned that if you don’t fit in with a group, you should leave, but she’d thought over time it would work. She’d thought she was doing well, but apparently she wasn’t. Now she needed to figure out what makes her happy, and she couldn’t do it with these people, who don’t like her. Andy complimented her on having the strength to come to that realization. He had the feeling it wasn’t the end of them seeing her, and she said, probably not.
Andy said it had been ten long years, and how things had changed; the hair, the fashion, even their set. We saw clips from throughout the seasons, and Andy said Jersey girls get better with age. We flashed back to more clips – Rosie! – ending with, you’re husband’s in the pool. He asked if it was what any of them thought it would be when they signed up, and everyone said, no. To celebrate, they were creating a time capsule, and everyone brought an object that was dear to them to represent New Jersey. He intended to open it in another ten years.
Dolores brought a romance novel – Ex Without the Sex – that had a picture of her and Frank on the cover. Jennifer contributed her Sorry Not Sorry T-shirt, saying it was representative of New Jersey. Marge donated a pigtail wig, and Jackie brought a box of donuts, since everyone thought she didn’t eat. They each took one before she put the rest in the capsule, and Andy pronounced his choice, a gorgeous effing donut. Those should be pretty disgusting ten years from now. Melissa brought flash cards of Jerseyisms, like fuggedaboutit, down the shore, and you’s. Teresa put in a family portrait that included her mother. Andy sealed the capsule, and they toasted to what he hoped would be another ten years. He said, to family and Jersey, and finding Teresa a Jewish man.
And we’re out.
😴 Send Sleep Now…
Help. I’m being held prisoner in another dreadful week.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Brad asks what Sonny is going to do to him, and Sonny says, it depends on what he says in the courtroom. Brad brought a lot of pain to Sonny’s family. He let Michael believe his son was dead. Brad says, and Sonny wants him to pay. Sonny grabs Brad by the collar and pulls him up. He says, they buried a child that Michael grieved for months. No amount of punishment will satisfy him, but he’ll spare Brad’s life if he goes into the courtroom and pleads guilty.
In the hallway, Scotty tells Julian, Brad needs more convincing. Julian was smart to hire him.
Brook finishes singing at Turning Woods, and Mike yells, encore! She says this is her man Mike. If he wants another song, she’ll be happy to sing it.
Molly and Sam come into Jordan’s office, and Molly says, TJ didn’t come home again last night. Jordan says he texted her, and Molly asks what TJ said. Jordan says maybe Molly should wait to hear from him herself.
Dr. Crouse says, to be clear, other than one impromptu night at bingo, Neil and Alexis have had no relationship of a personal nature after that night. Alexis says Neil made it clear that they couldn’t pursue a personal relationship. Dr. Crouse asks Neil to take the witness seat. They have his statement, and they’ve heard Alexis’s testimony. Can he corroborate they’ve had no personal relationship?
Brad tells Sonny that he agreed not to plead guilty, so Scotty could request less time. Sonny says his son will not go through a trial. Michael needs to get on with his life, and make up for the time he lost with his son. Brad says, his son, and Sonny says, Wiley was never Brad’s son, and he knows it. If Brad wants to take another breath, he’ll walk into the courtroom and plead guilty. Sonny walks out, and Brad whimpers.
Neil ponders, and flashes back to night before. He says, everything they need to know is in his statement. Dr. Crouse says, duly noted, but they need him to verbally and specifically confirm or deny. He says other than that one instance, his relationship with Alexis has been strictly professional. Dr. Crouse says, if there are no other questions, the board is going to confer in private as to whether Neil will retain his medical license. The board leaves the room, which is odd, since you’d think they’d ask Neil and Alexis to leave. Neil says, he lied to the board, and Alexis says they forced him to. He shouldn’t have his license taken away for one night. It’s not right, and wasn’t worth it. He says, what if he thinks it is?
Jordan tells Molly that TJ is taking time to think things over, and Molly asks if he said nothing about them. Jordan says she’s sorry, but Molly shouldn’t worry. Sam thanks Jordan for her time, and letting them know about TJ. Jordan says, for what it’s worth, she really is sorry. They leave, and Jordan tells Curtis she feels bad for Molly and TJ. And the more she thinks about the text, the more worried she gets.
Brad comes into the courtroom, where Lucas already sits. The bailiff says, all rise;Judge Lasser presiding. The judge says it’s the People of New York versus Bradley Cooper. Jennifer Arden introduces herself as DA, and Scotty and Brad introduce themselves. Judge Lasser says Brad is charged with an A-1 felony of kidnapping a minor, with the intent to pass him off as his own; and fraud, since he perpetuated this deceit for nineteen months. She asks how he pleads.
Alexis says, Neil can’t throw everything away and derail his career. All she could think about when she was talking, was how good he is at what he does. His patients need him. He says he needs her, and she tells him, he’s saying that now, but he might resent it tomorrow. She can’t let him throw it all away to be with her. He asks if that isn’t what last night was about. To hell with everyone who says they can’t be together.
Jordan tells Curtis, TJ is in medical school; he can’t afford the luxury of taking time off. Curtis says, maybe it was the better option. TJ and Molly have been together since high school. Finding out they don’t want the same things is a lot to process. He has to deal with frustration, anger, and self-pity. Maybe it’s better than messing up at the hospital. Laura shows up, and says she was just checking in. She asks what Jordan’s plan is about Cyrus, and Jordan says she has officers on the street, some of them undercover. She plans to intercept any shipments. Laura asks if she thinks it’s that simple, and Jordan says, since he’s in solitary, Cyrus has no contact with the outside world. Laura says, that’s the first step. The way to stop him is to use his own tactics against him.
Brook thanks her audience for letting her perform, and says she feels blessed. Mike says he and Adela were still together when that song came out. The first time they heard it, they were having dinner; meatballs and… He took Adela’s hand, and they danced. Sonny danced with them, his mouth still stuffed with meatballs. Brook says he’s in luck. She just happened to bring Olivia’s meatballs with sauce. He says, for him? and she tells him, stay there, and she’ll heat them up. When she gets back, he can tell her more stories.
The judge says they’re waiting, and Brad pleads guilty. Scotty says, hang on. That’s not what he and his client discussed. Brad is confused, and under pressure. The judge asks if Brad has weighed his Constitutional rights, and Scotty says, no, he hasn’t. Brad says he’s waiving his rights, and the judge advises him that he can be subject to numerous fines and prison time. He says he’s aware, but wants the court to know for the record, he’s not solely responsible. The birth mother was lying when she said he stole her baby when she was unconscious. It was her idea to switch babies. The baby he and his husband adopted had just died. He was taking the baby to the hospital, when he saw Nelle with a healthy infant in her arms, and she convinced him to switch babies. Judge Lasser says, those are serious allegations, and won’t mitigate his sentence. He says he wanted to give his husband the family they’d always dreamed of, and took Nelle’s offer. It was better than telling Lucas their dream had died. The judge says, before Brad is remanded to Pentenville to await sentencing, they need to prepare a waiver that stipulates he entered his plea knowingly and voluntarily, in case he changes his mind. Brad says he won’t, and she says, in that case, he’ll remain under guard until the waiver is prepared and signed. She tells him that he can have visitors, and court is adjourned.
Jordan asks if Laura wants her to stop what the police are doing, and Laura says, of course (🍷) not. But they need to look at who Cyrus has made contact with before he went into solitary. She also wants to know if any guards are driving a new sportscar, moved to a better part of town, or made any big purchases. Jordan says she’ll make that happen, and Laura says, even someone like Cyrus has people they care about. Does he have a wife, child, or a mother? She wants to know who’s important to him.
At the café, Molly tells Sam, seven years of shared dreams, supporting one another, crying on each other’s shoulders, and laughing like lunatics, and he’s ghosting her. How did this happen? He’s not at the hospital or gym, and he hasn’t moved back with Jordan and Curtis. Was her turning him down that life changing? Obviously it was.If he doesn’t want to work it out, fine. Let him go find himself. Who needs him? She pauses, and says he’s the only boyfriend she’s ever had. Why is he doing this?
Brook sees Sonny in the hallway, and says she just heated up some meatballs for Mike. It’s the least she can do. Mike and his friends are a terrific audience, and her ego likes the applause. Sonny tells her not to sell herself short.
Scotty asks Brad, what the hell is he thinking? He thought Brad was on board with pleading not guilty. Brad says, he’ll get fifteen years if he’s lucky… Forty if he’s not. Scotty says, he kidnapped an infant; they’re going to throw the book at him. He’s going to spend the rest of his life in a cage. Lucas tells Scotty, stop badgering Brad. Brad thanks Lucas for coming back, and Scotty tells Lucas, talk some sense into him. Brad says he wants to be alone with his husband.
Alexis asks if Neil had been questioned first, would he have lied? Neil says, probably not, but when she did, he felt he had to go along with it. He couldn’t betray her. She says, maybe he would have been betraying himself. They’re just two people; his work is bigger and more important than them. He thinks that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but she disagrees, given what he did for her daughter. The truth is, they did tell the truth in the first place. It happened after he treated her. Neil asks, what if the board sees though their lie, and he loses his license? She says he sounds like he almost wants that to happen. Neil says, the truth is, he doesn’t know what he wants except her. The board comes back, and Dr. Crouse says they’ve made a decision.
Dr. Crouse says there’s no question that Neil and Alexis’s impromptu evening was improper, even though she was no longer his patient. It just stopped short of being unethical. Neil doesn’t disagree, and says he’s questioned himself about that many times. Dr. Crouse says, however, according to both of their statements, their relationship has been strictly professional. Furthermore, the complaint was from a third party, not Alexis. In light of the fact that it’s the first complaint in an exemplary professional career, they’re not revoking Neil’s license, and he may continue to practice without limits or sanction.
Jordan says there’s no mention of a wife or children in Cyrus’s file, but Laura says, that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. Curtis suggests Jordan talk to Cyrus, and she says, that could work. She developed a rapport with him when she was working undercover. Laura says he knows she’s the one who put him behind bars now. She doubts he’ll open up. Jordan says she can try, and she can also talk to the warden. Curtis says, just stay safe, and Jordan leaves. Laura asks Curtis, please don’t think of going rogue, but he says sitting at home twiddling his thumbs isn’t how he rolls. Laura says he’s a civilian and a witness; don’t do anything to interfere with the police investigation. He says he’ll leave that to her and Jordan. She thanks him, but he says he should be thanking her, pushing him to attend Taggert’s sendoff. It turned out to be a disaster, but that’s not her fault. Laura says she’s sorry, but tells him to remember what she said. When it counted most, and Taggert needed him the most, he was Taggert’s partner. He says, unfortunately, Taggert’s daughter doesn’t see it that way.
Brook asks if Mike isn’t hungry. She says, the meatballs are hard to spear with a fork, and asks if he wants help. She feeds him, and says she wants to tell him a secret. She loves meatballs so much, if one falls to the floor, she’ll pick it up and put it in her mouth anyway. She calls it, the no second rule. He says she’s funny, and she says she wishes more people appreciated her sense of humor. Sonny joins them, and Mike says, look at the incredible feast Lois brought for him. She’s something else. Sonny says, she is.
Alone with Lucas, Brad says he’s so sorry. Lucas tells him not to say he did it for him; he did it for himself. Brad says he did it for them. All he wanted was to make Lucas happy. Lucas asks, how did that turn out?
Brad says Lucas can’t possibly hate him more than he hates himself. Lucas wishes he could hate Brad. It would make it a lot easier. He can’t believe how little Brad knew him, and how little he knew Brad. What happened to them? Brad asks if he’s ever going to see Lucas again. Lucas puts his wedding ring on the table, and says, the truth is, he doesn’t know if they’ll ever see each other again. Brad says Lucas knows where to find him if he changes his mind. Lucas laughs, and says Brad is joking until the bitter end. (That was pretty funny.) Brad says Lucas should move on; find someone better than him. Lucas starts to cry, and they hug. They both cry, and I almost cry. Lucas stumbles out of the courtroom, leaving Brad crying alone.
Mike wishes Sonny had heard Lois. She was better than the band. He remembers they loved that song, and Sonny says, Hooked on a Feeling. Mike says they would dance when it came on the radio. It came out just before Sonny’s birthday, and they bought him the record. Sonny says Mike played it more than he did, and Mike says they danced to it all the time. Sonny tells Brook about Mike giving his mother a birthday present. It was a big wrapped box, and inside of it, was another, and another. There was wrapping paper all over the place, and the last box was flat. Brook asks, what was in it? and Mike says, concert tickets. They got Sonny a T-shirt. He was five-years-old, and wore it for a month. He wouldn’t even take it off so his mom could wash it. Sonny says, good memories, and Mike says, small ones are so important. In the end, it’s family. It’s all they’ve got.
Neil says, it doesn’t seem right, getting his license back based on a lie. Alexis says, it doesn’t seem right that his career could be jeopardized by a third party with an ax to grind. He’s not happy that she perjured herself, but Alexis says she did the right thing, and would do it again. No one knew they slept together. He tells her, the walls have ears, and she says refuses to be paranoid. As long as they play by the rules, they’ll be safe. Neil says, which means they can’t see each other romantically for a very long time.
Sam tells Molly that TJ is probably just talking things over with a friend; it’s not a big deal. She and Jason have done it. Molly says, but it’s not like them. TJ talks. He spills emotionally; they communicate. Sam says, until he popped the question. Molly says, without talking to her first, and Sam says, maybe he wanted to surprise her; make it romantic. Molly wonders if the only way TJ was going to stay is if she agreed to marry him, and Sam says she doesn’t know. She wishes she had the answer. Molly says, the only one who can tell them how TJ feels, is TJ. He has to come home.
Curtis says, Trina has a lot on her plate. She doesn’t need to carry unnecessary anger. Laura says Curtis is a good guy, and eventually Trina is going to realize he’s not responsible; the responsibility rests solely on Cyrus and his associates. He says, Trina needs someone to blame who’s right in front of her, and she says, she’s mourning. Portia seems like a capable woman. She’s sure Portia will make Trina see the truth. He says Portia is good at making people face the truth about themselves.
Cyrus is reading when Jordan comes in. She says, Machiavelli. Could he be more obvious? He says, it’s worth rereading, and solitary is so lonely. She asks if he expected a party. Kidnapping two children, and a daughter watching her father die. He says he doesn’t know what she’s talking about. She says she was in the ER when Taggert died, and his daughter… She would say he could imagine but that would require feelings of sadness and empathy. He says, contrary to popular belief, he does have feelings, and he loves children. They’re the brilliant next generation who will bring equality, heal the planet, and make medical discoveries they can only dream about.
Julian asks Brad why he changed his plea, and Brad asks why Julian thinks he did. Sonny paid him a visit. Julian says, and? Brad says, and what? and Julian asks what they talked about. Anything else besides changing his plea? Brad tells him, relax. He kept quiet; not for Julian, but for Lucas. He’s the reason Lucas lost his son. He won’t be the reason Lucas loses his father. Julian says he made the right decision, and Brad says, on second thought, don’t relax. Sonny didn’t have much to say, but it was all over his face. Sonny is going to have Brad killed, and he’s going to do the same to Julian if he figures it out. Julian asks why he would, and Brad says he’s going to be in prison soon. It’s over. Julian says he’d better hope so, and Brad says he hopes Julian covered his tracks. Speaking of which, what is he still doing there? Sonny might get suspicious. Julian leaves, and Brad sits alone.
Sonny asks Mike if he’s all right, and Brook says her aunt loved when Brook sang to her. She seemed more focused afterwards. She did some research, and found out music helps Alzheimer patients with their cognizant function. Sonny thanks her, and she says, no biggie. Mike and his friends appreciate her music. Sonny says, no one ever said it was easy. She’s smart enough to know that if her dream comes true, and she becomes a singing sensation, what matters in life and what counts is family. Even though his dad’s mind is cloudy, what he remembers is family. Brook says thanks him, and says she needed to hear that. She tells Mike that she’s got to get going, and it was good to see him. He thanks her for coming by, calling her Lois. She leaves, and Mike says he wishes Sonny could have heard her. He knows how much Sonny likes that song. Sonny says, it’s a great song. He remembers Mike getting the record for his birthday. Sonny asks if he remembers the swim trunks Mike got him. They were blue, and they went swimming. Mike stood, holding his arms out, and as Sonny swam toward him, he kept backing up. Mike says, then Sonny went under, and swallowed water. Sonny’s mom was so mad at him. Sonny says, at least he learned to swim, and Mike says, he sure did.
Brook calls Ned, and asks when take your daughter to work day is at ELQ. She’s ready to be part of the business.
Alexis tells Neil that she doesn’t want to say goodbye, and Neil says, last night was good. He wanted to tell the truth, but it would have ended both of their careers. Alexis wonders how happy they’d be if they couldn’t do the work they love. She says she wishes there was another solution, and Neil says if she comes up with something, let him know. They hug, and she leaves. Neil stands there alone.
Brad holds his head. Britt walks in, and says, it sure looks like he could use a friend.
Sam tells Molly, she’s the one on parole, and can’t see her guy. Molly says she seems to have no choice, but Sam says, of course (🍷) she has a choice. Her big sister is a P.I. She finds people for a living. Molly says, even if they don’t want to be found? and Sam says, especially if they don’t want to found. She’ll find TJ, and bring him back. Molly says, only if that’s what he wants, and Sam says, he will. That’s what big sisters are for.
Laura asks how Curtis knows Portia, and he says they knew each other back in the day, but haven’t seen each other in years. He had no idea Trina was her daughter. Laura says, hopefully, Portia can help him and Trina make peace, but he says, the best thing to do for Trina is to take down Cyrus, and make sure the man who killed Trina’s father is brought to justice.
Jordan says, now Cyrus is an expert on children? Aside from getting them hooked on drugs. He asks if that’s a problem in Port Charles. He wouldn’t know. He’s in solitary, cut off from the world. She tells him, if he has something to say, just say it. He says, no locked windowless room, no mayor, no Commissioner, no one can keep a very determined man from doing what’s necessary to get what he wants. She asks if he has her son.
Tomorrow, Stella asks what Curtis has gotten himself into, Chase tells Michael that they need to have a conversation about Nelle, Britt tells Brad they’re not going to let Nelle win, and Jordan says if Cyrus has her son, prove it.
The Real Housewives of New Jersey – Reunion – Part Two
Melissa called Jennifer an a-hole, and told her not to throw objects, or she’d walk with Danielle. (Not quite as bad as sleeping with the fishes.) Jennifer once again argued that she was throwing the fork and plate toward Melissa, not at her. Even Andy didn’t see much difference. A viewer asked why Teresa was so adamant about Melissa having her back, when she didn’t have Melissa’s. Melissa said if Marge threw something at Teresa, and then she left with Marge, Teresa would be pissed. Teresa went around that by saying she’s let a lot of things go that Melissa has done. Jennifer made a bunch of excuses, and said she’d been upset because Melissa said Jackie’s kids would be set-up for life, and hers wouldn’t be, which was not exactly what Melissa had said. Melissa said Jennifer just wanted attention, and the women made a pact to quit throwing things, Andy adding that it included tables. Keep in mind, these women are all way past adulthood.
They talked about the Superbowl ad Teresa did with Caroline, and Andy asked if Teresa still believed that Caroline was a rat who called the Feds on her and Joe #1. Teresa said she’d put it the wrong way, but thought Caroline had said things that contributed to their arrests. Andy asked if there was any chance of them rekindling their friendship, but Teresa gave that a hard no, and said Caroline wasn’t a good person. Andy said, now that Teresa had officially announced her separation from Joe, how were the girls taking it? She said they didn’t love the idea, but understood. We flashed back to Joe’s nasty phone calls, the group discussing his cheating, and the Italy trip. Teresa said the girls always stick up for Joe, but she’s happy they love their father. She said Joe was a great father, but she wanted to find a guy who put her on a pedestal, including when they were in public. Marge thought Joe was insecure, and wanted to keep Teresa down, so she wouldn’t leave. Teresa claimed Joe only spoke to her like that on the show, because he wanted to act like a macho guy. Melissa begged to differ, saying his frustration was noticed more on the show, but he hadn’t treated Teresa well even in private. Teresa insisted it was a good marriage, and Melissa said she could do better.
Andy moved on to Teresa’s rumored sex life that made the headlines. He asked about the kids’ reactions, and Teresa said the girls don’t go online (which I find hard to believe), and Gia found out from Joe’s brother. Andy asked Marge if her comment about the 21-year-old rum was a dig, and Marge stuck to saying she just wasn’t thinking, and wanted Teresa to be with a doctor or a lawyer. Andy asked if Joe’s move to Italy gave Teresa the green light to have fun, and she said it did. He rudely asked if she’d been with anyone yet, but she said, no, and that she was tired of the old-school Italian dudes. She wanted something different, like a Jewish guy. She heard they make nice husbands, and she wanted to still try for a baby boy. Andy asked Jennifer if Teresa wasn’t too self-absorbed to have a baby, and Jennifer said, unlike Melissa, it would be a new experience for Teresa. For one thing, she’d be with someone new, and she’d never had a boy. Melissa wondered if she had to want a baby with someone else not to be self-absorbed.
The husbands, and Frank, joined the semi-circle, Jennifer’s Bill carried in on their shoulders. We found out that Frank had a new woman in his life, and Andy asked if she slept over. Dolores said she had a curfew, since she’s apparently in her mid-twenties. When asked about the house renovation, Marge said Joe #3 finally allowed other contractors to do some work. Joe said he had to approve of them, and they were all friends of his. We saw clips of what the men of New Jersey do when the women aren’t watching, and saw their poker game, Joe #2 telling Bill he needs to bang his wife more, and Bill having to be put to bed by the others, when he was too drunk to walk. Andy asked what the women thought about the guys watching Danielle’s sex tape, and there was a collective, ew! Joe #2 said, if one of the husbands had a sex tape, they’d all be watching. A viewer asked when Frank was going to kick David to the curb, and re-propose, but Frank said he respected David and Dolores’s relationship. Dolores said she had the best of both worlds, and Andy said, it is what it is for right now. Jackie’s lowkey kids’ party was brought up, and Bill said he didn’t criticize. Not missing a beat, pot-stirrer Andy said Bill left that to his wife. Andy said the guys had turned Bill into a Guido, and Jennifer said Bill was fully-loaded while Joe #2 was shooting blanks. Joe said he might only have three sperm, but he could get Andy pregnant from where he was sitting. (Call Ripley’s!) Andy said he thought that might be an HR violation. Jennifer said Olivia was finally out of their bed, and they were trying to have sex once a week now. Joe #2 held that up as proof he was a motivator.
Continuing on the topic of sex, Melissa confirmed she and Joe #2 did it at least five times a week. Andy said he heard Evan got an outpouring of sympathy when Jennifer said she refused to give BJs. Evan said he got offers, and Andy asked what it was like at work with his life being made so public. Evan said he thought they were embarrassed to talk about it. Andy said viewers didn’t believe that Frank and Dolores weren’t getting busy, and Frank said he was sticking with what Dolores said. Joe #2 predicted they’d get back together. Andy asked, if they weren’t married to their current spouse, which of the other spouses they’d want to be with, but there were no takers on that question. With the exception of Dolores and Joe #3, who are evidently each other’s BFFs. Looking at Teresa, Jennifer said there was only one Jewish guy.
Meanwhile, Danielle arrived, putting pup Fendi in a stroller.
Andy told us that the most notorious Housewife was there, and Marge said Satan had arrived in the building. Andy said, sometimes imitation wasn’t the sincerest form of flattery, referring to Jennifer’s imitation of Jackie that was posted online. Maureen from Ontario thought Jennifer was trying to impress Teresa with the video, but Jennifer said she just loved making people laugh. Maggie from Bedford said she’d never seen anything as hypocritical, since Jennifer’s daughter had been bullied, and we saw clips from Jennifer’s apology tour. Jennifer said she thought Jackie was boring, and very vanilla. When Jennifer said, who? Me? Jennifer asked if she stuttered. This was the kind of behavior she exhibited pretty much throughout the whole thing, along with talking over everyone non-stop. She said money couldn’t buy Jennifer a personality, and to her credit, she did tell Teresa to think about it before she hit send. Teresa said she thought it was funny. Jackie said, had she been there, it would have been different, and she might have laughed along. There was a difference between laughing at and laughing with someone. Jennifer wondered why Teresa wasn’t being held accountable, and said everyone was tiptoeing around her.
Andy asked why Dolores always defended Jennifer, but Dolores said it wasn’t always, and when she did, it’s because she knew Jennifer didn’t mean to hurt anyone. A viewer asked if Jackie’s party wasn’t to Jennifer’s taste, why didn’t she just shut up? (Is that possible?) Jennifer said she’d said something in a private conversation with Marge, and Marge was the one who brought it up. A viewer wondered if Jackie had it, why not spend it? and Jackie said they also gave the kids experiences, and talked about their yearly pilgrimage to see the Denver Nuggets. She said she just didn’t show it off. Jennifer, who couldn’t pass up a chance to contribute, said she was a thrifty shopper, with the exception of Chanel. Jackie said she had nothing against extravagance, as long as children were taught the right values, and that wealth isn’t all that matters.
A viewer asked why Jennifer couldn’t just apologize, and leave it alone. While Jennifer babbled, Melissa told Marge that Jennifer was desperate for attention. Marge said she was thirsty, and Jennifer yelled at them to shut up. Melissa pointed out that Jennifer didn’t like it when people talked over her. Andy threw Jennifer’s Sorry-Not-Sorry shirt into the conversation, and Jennifer said if her apology isn’t accepted, she takes it back. Which I think negates the apology, rendering it insincere, so no surprise. Jackie said she didn’t want a friendship with Jennifer, and didn’t like being around her. Jennifer said, ditto.
Backstage, Danielle said she needed to be heard, while Fendi ran around in a little ruffled dress. Danielle then demanded to sit next to Andy.
Next time, the intense conclusion. Andy asks if Teresa thinks Joe #1 is going for spousal support, Marge forgives Teresa, and Danielle won’t come out unless she’s assured she’s sitting next to Andy.
🥽 On Watch What Happens Live, Dolores talked about Frank’s recent accident, where he dislocated both knees and tore both quadriceps in a fall. He’s now living with David, in a house apart from her, and won’t be able to walk for four months. Apparently, David is taking good care of Frank, and getting up in the wee hours of the night to administer medication. Where does she find these guys?
🏖 Update on Summer House: They’re still awful people. And it still boggles my mind that these are professional people who should be too old to 1) be acting this childish, and 2) be summering together in the Hamptons. I’d rather eat glass than live with even one of the people on this show. This season, good friends Kyle and Amanda had decided to give romance a go. Acting like a normal boyfriend was just too hard for Kyle, so they put a stop to things. Kyle immediately asked another girl out in front of Amanda, and then invited her to stay at the house. Insensitive much? Again, there is no real update. The climate remains awful.
🎢 You’re More Than…
We are officially on the downhill slide to the weekend in this hellaciously long week.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
New York City. On the phone, Alexis thanks Diane. She says she hasn’t been to an opera in a long time. The usher tells her she has a box seat, and she goes in. She sees someone else sitting in the box, and says she doesn’t think it matters, but… She realizes it’s Neil.
Jordan says TJ mentioned he was taking Molly out for a special dinner, and Molly says that’s what she wanted to talk about. TJ never came home. She went to the hospital, and found out he never showed up for work either. Jordan asks if Molly is sure he’s not there; maybe she missed him. Molly says the registry confirmed it. She figure he needed space after what happened. Jordan says Molly needs to be complete honest. What happened? Molly says she thinks she broke TJ’s heart.
Cameron asks if Trina wants a cookie, but she says, no thanks. He says their parents are conferring, and they could be there a while. Trina says, on second thought, sure. They clink cookies. In the living room, Portia thanks Elizabeth for taking care of Trina. Elizabeth says Trina is incredibly brave, and Portia says she should never have gone to the medical conference; she should have been there last night. Elizabeth says she was there, and Cameron was still kidnapped. They had no way of knowing what was going to happen. Portia says, Taggert never warned them.
At Crimson, Maxie is on the phone with Sasha. She says Sasha is a natural, and to send over the agreement so Nina can sign off on it. Nina’s plane was early, but she probably won’t be there until tomorrow. Nina walks in, and sets her coffee on Maxie’s paperwork, spilling some on it. Nina says, the shoot in Tunisia was fantastic; the beaches were phenomenal. She asks Maxie for the post-production budget, and Maxie says she’ll call Sasha back. She starts to leave the office, and runs into Jax coming in. He says he was looking for Nina, and Nina comes out, saying, you found her.
On the phone at the MetroCourt, Peter says, tell Davis to stay at the courthouse, and keep him posted. Sitting at a table, Violet tells Finn about the animals she’s learned about in school. Finn asks if she wants a snack, and asks the waitress for milk and shortbread cookies. Violet says, no. Tea and scones, and Finn laughs. He sees Peter, and barely nods.
As Obrecht leaves the courtroom, Anna opens the door and blocks her way. She says Obrecht thought she got away with it. She thought wrong. Obrecht asks what brings Anna to the courthouse, and Anna tells her to save the pleasantries; she’s neither pleasant nor rehabilitated, and has no place in Maxie and James’s lives. Obrecht asks why she’d say that, and Anna says. It’s over; the lies and deceit. Obrecht said she’d changed, but she hasn’t. She’s been carrying on Faison’s legacy, and Anna is going to make her pay for everything she’s done.
Nina tells Jax that she should have taken the day, but she couldn’t wait to get back and work on the next issue. She missed the office. He asks if that’s all she missed, and she says she supposes not. Maxie brings in the budget Nina asked for, and Nina wonders how to get out of the document Maxie left on her screen. Maxie says, it’s the agreement for the ad campaign, and Nina should take a look at Deception’s layout; it’s brilliant. Nina says she’ll get to it later, and Jax says he’ll take a look. Maxie says they can focus on that, while she handles everything else – as usual. She leaves, and Jax asks Nina if Maxie is okay, but Nina says, she’s just being Maxie. He asks if she’s given any thought to taking him along on her next business trip. She’s surprised he wants to take such a public step, and he says he just got an email from HR about them.
Obrecht says he has no clue what brought on Anna’s attack of righteousness. Faison is dead, and burning in hell like he deserves, and his legacy died with him. She wasted the better part of what should have been a brilliant medical career, and found a way to go on. She has a respectable job, and she’s close with Maxie and her grandson. She’s trying to rebuild her relationship with Nina, and doesn’t take her second chance for granted. Anna says Obrecht had to get rid of her witnesses.
Peter stops by Finn’s table, and tells Violet, hello… or cheerio. She says, like in Mary Poppins, and he says Anna was asking about her. Finn says to tell Anna they said hello, and cheerio to him. Peter sees Maxie fly in, and asks if she’s looking for someone. She says she feels ignored and taken for granted. She does all the heavy lifting while Nina jet sets and goes out for coffee. He asks if she wants to tell him about it.
Cameron pours some milk, and Trina says, milk and cookies? He says, it beats oatmeal. He didn’t tell her, but when he was on his trip visiting colleges, the coach made them eat oatmeal every morning because it’s high in fiber or something. Each college had amazing dining halls – French toast, pancakes, anything you wanted – but they had to have oatmeal. I remember visiting those dining halls too, and it’s no wonder students gain a freshman fifteen. Trina says, it seems like a million years ago, and last night seems like it was another life. In a way, it was. It was the end of her father’s life.
Portia tells Elizabeth that Taggert was good with the divorce. He didn’t want anything, and gave her no argument about custody. He understood the stress of his work, the danger and uncertain hours, and knew it was no way to raise a child. He didn’t want Trina exposed to the worry. She can’t understand why he would show up in Port Charles when he knew his daughter was there, and he was a target.
Molly tells Jordan that TJ proposed, and she said no. Jordan is surprised, and Molly says, it’s not because she doesn’t love him or want to be with him; she does. But from what she’s seen of marriage, it causes more problems than it solves, and she doesn’t want their relationship to change. Jordan says she gets it. Molly doesn’t want marriage right now. Molly says, or ever, and Jordan says, ever is a long time, but they love each other, and that’s all that matters. They’ll figure out a way. Molly says she thinks she really hurt TJ. He even left her at the restaurant.
Alexis asks Neil if Diane put him up to this, but he says he bought a ticket at the last minute. He thought he’d decompress with his favorite opera before the hearing. She says, weird. She thinks Diane had a client who wasn’t using their ticket, and she’s never seen Aida. Neil says the box is all hers; he’ll find another seat, or maybe another show. She says, stay… please.
Nina tells Jax, if they’re get pushback from HR, she’s going to be annoyed with her lawyers, but Jax says HR signed off on them. They’re documented, and free to see each other. (Huh? Is this like parental permission?) He’s confident they can maintain a distance between their personal and professional relationship. She’s glad he’s confident. The Tunisia shoot was incredible, but she kept thinking how it would be a nicer experience to be seeing the beaches with him. He says, there will be more shoots, more adventures. All in good time. She likes the sound of that, and plans on enjoying every moment. They kiss.
Neil says, Alexis wants him to stay? and she says, it’s not like they’ve done anything wrong. It’s a crazy random fluke. Nine million people in New York; what are the odds? A gazillion to one, so have a seat and enjoy it. He thinks there are other seats, but she thinks it’s sold out. They don’t have to talk. They’re just spectators in the dark, watching a tragic tale of forbidden love. The orchestra begins to tune up, and the lights dim. They sit.
Molly tells Jordan, when TJ didn’t come home, she thought he was crashing in the on-call room, or maybe with a friend. She wishes he’d text back. Jordan says maybe they should exchange text messages, and figure out a timeline. Molly says TJ last texted her at 8:47, and Jordan says she’s gotten texts since then. She thinks maybe TJ is just getting some space. Molly says, he was really upset. In retrospect, she should have gone after him. Jordan says, it would have just made things worse, and Molly says, they’ve always talked things through. How can they do that if he’s not around? Jordan says, give him time to process. She knows him, and he’ll calm down and come to his senses. Unfortunately, she has to get back to work. Molly says she’s honored that TJ proposed. She would love to have Jordan as a mother-in-law. It’s just about the institution of marriage. She wishes she had explained it better. Jordan says, don’t worry. Whatever happens, happens. Molly will be her first call if she hears from him.
Trina bets Cameron wishes he’d gone to the dance without her, and he says, what about her? She would have been stuck with Hunter. She says seeing her dad and the guys shooting at him, and Curtis grabbing her away… She tells herself it’s a nightmare, but then remembers it’s real.
Elizabeth tells Portia that she knew Taggert when he lived in Port Charles. She was friends with his sister Gia. He was a good man. Portia says, he was a good father. Committed and supportive, but he was in law enforcement before they met. There was no way he was going to quit. Little by little, she started noticing that he rarely came home. He was at a late night stakeout or combing through files at the office. She told him that he cared more about drug dealers than his own family. It was only a matter of time before his worries caught up with him. She guesses she was right.
Violet asks if stuffed owl Otto would like more tea. Finn wonders what she’s been doing in school, and she hands him some drawings. He looks at drawings of Otto, Roxie, and Anna’s bulldog. Violet asks if she can show Anna the picture, and he says, they’ll see, a favorite phrase of all parents everywhere. Robert comes by, and says, tea for three? Violet asks if he wants to join them, and he says he’d love to. Finn says, yeah, sure, and Robert pulls a chair over to the table. He asks who the owl is, and Violet says, Otto. Robert says Otto kind of looks like her dad. Put some funny glasses and a furry coat on him, and you couldn’t tell them apart.
Obrecht asks what Anna is babbling about. How can there be witness to something that doesn’t exist? She’s fully reformed; Anna has seen it. Anna asks if Obrecht thinks she forgot how she said she lost her son and was going to take Anna’s from her. Obrecht says, this is about Peter? and Anna says it’s about how she framed Peter every step of the way, up until he tried to kill Franco. Obrecht says Franco is her best friend. She could never try to kill him. Anna says she can and did, and she has proof.
Trina wonders what she could have done differently to distract the gunmen, so her dad could get away, and Cameron tells her, stop doing that. He did the same thing with Franco, thinking he could have fought harder and run away. It’s no good blame herself. She says, Franco came back; her dad is gone forever.
Outside of Elizabeth’s house, Jordan leaves a message for TJ, saying, whatever happened, Molly doesn’t deserve the silent treatment. He needs to call Molly, and her. She adds that she loves him, and knocks on the door. She apologizes for showing up announced; she was just checking in. Portia says, Jordan? and Elizabeth introduces them. Jordan says she’s so sorry for Portia’s loss. She hates this. They’re finally meeting, but it’s under these circumstances. Portia agrees, and says she’s heard a lot about Jordan.
Alexis and Neil watch the opera. Alexis looks at Neil, then turns away, and he looks at her. She looks back, and they smile.
Jax‘s phone dings, and Nina says they should probably both get back to work. He says, it’s not work; it’s Joss. Two of her friends were involved in a kidnapping, and her friend’s dad died. She’s kind of freaked out. Nina says, oh my God, and Jax sends a text back, telling Nina, he’s glad they’re in the same time zone so he can be there for her. Nina is glad Josslyn has a great dad, and Jax says he’s lucky he’s got a great kid.
Maxie tells Peter, she’s steamed, and needed to walk it off. Nina breezed in, bragging about the photo shoot, and spilled her macchiato on the files Maxie was working on. She doesn’t think Nina even noticed or cared. She’s been running things while Nina is off planning fake weddings, going to beautiful beaches, and romancing the CEO. Peter reminds her that Lucy made an offer to bring her on board at Deception. She might want to consider it. Maxie says, if Nina keeps this up, she’d rather unbox stock at Saks.
Obrecht tells Anna, she has no time for this nonsense. If Anna has uncovered any wrongdoing, look no further than her son. Ask Robert. He knows the truth about Henrik, and she suspects Anna does too. Anna says that’s all Peter will ever be to her; Henrik. Obrecht says he persuaded Nathan to do an interview that he knew would make Faison come running, and Jason would kill him. Nathan was collateral damage, and it destroyed her, but she accepted and handled it. Anna says Obrecht is an excellent liar, but Obrecht says the only liar is Anna, lying to herself. Henrik is up to his neck in Faison’s crimes. Anna says all the evidence points to Obrecht. She’s hardly surprised, considering Obrecht’s extensive criminal record. Two men come in, and Obrecht says, whatever proof Anna has, she’s wrong. She has nothing to do with this. Anna tells her she’s under arrest for murder and attempted murder. Obrecht says, it’s a miscarriage of justice, as the men take her away.
Alexis tells Neil, she didn’t expect to be so emotional, but he says, don’t feel bad; it’s one of the greats. She says she can’t imagine why she’d find it difficult to see a conflict between love and a sense of duty. Neil says, it’s just his opinion, but perhaps she’s projecting. He asks which character she identifies with most, and she says she’s a Cassadine, so she’s almost like a princess. He says that would make him Radames, although he’d make a good general. She says she might too, because she’s a Cassadine. We like blood. He says she terrifies him sometimes, and she says, don’t be afraid. He tells her that he’s going to get some water, and asks if she’d like something. She asks him for the same, and when he leaves, the usher asks if she’s enjoying the show. Alexis says, it’s so good, it’s affecting her. The usher says Alexis and her husband are adorable, but Alexis says, he’s just a friend. The usher – who I don’t trust – says, sure.
Nina says, obviously, Josslyn is going through lot, so if Jax wants to slow it down until she gets used to the idea… Jax says Josslyn is too busy being a new aunt to worry about his personal life. Nina says she’s missed a lot. Who had a baby?
Peter looks at his phone, and frowns. He says, what the hell? He tells Maxie he sent a reporter to the courthouse to cover Nelle’s arraignment, and he just got a message that Obrecht was arrested by the WSB for the attempted murder of Andre and Franco.
Robert tells Violet about a dog who knew left from right. Finn asks Violet if she would mind asking the waitress for more tea for the table, and she leaves. Robert says Anna won’t tell him why Finn moved out. If he ever wants to talk… Finn thanks him, but says he’s fine. He just hopes it gets easier. Robert says, parenthood? and Finn says, only the part about keeping his daughter safe.
Cameron tells Trina that he’s not trying compare the situations. He’s trying to say he understands some of what she’s going through, and he’s there for her. She says she knows, and she’s sorry; she’s just mad at everything, especially the fact that she didn’t get more time with her dad. Her parents were divorced most of her life, and she never got to ask about him about the stupid stuff he and her mom did. Cameron wonders why she doesn’t ask her mom, but she says her mom doesn’t talk about that stuff. She thought she and her dad would finally have a chance to know each other. Cameron gets that, and wishes he’d known his father.
Jordan tells Portia that they’re investigating the person behind the kidnapping, as well as Taggert’s murder. Portia says, Cyrus Renault? and Jordan asks how she knows that name. Portia says, when Taggert told her that he was going to Port Charles, he said he was following up on a case from years ago; sending Cyrus to prison.
Cameron tells Trina, his biological father died before he was born. His mom told him some stuff, but not a lot. It was pretty messed up with his father’s crimes. He still has a lot of questions. His mom loved his dad once; there must have been some good in him. Sometimes he wonders what life would be like if his dad had lived. Maybe he would have turned his life around, and Cameron would know what it was like to have a father in his life to show him how to do stuff, like shave. She says, he shaves? and he says it’s his dumb way of saying that he’s glad she had her father for as long as she did, but he wishes she didn’t have to wonder about the questions she has.
Jordan tells Portia, Cyrus is still in prison, but they think he’s running a shadow network to get back at those wronged him. The evidence points to him for the kidnapping and Taggert’s murder. Elizabeth asks if Trina was used to lure Taggert, but Jordan says they don’t know if she was the target, but Cameron was collateral damage. Portia says, when Taggert left, he told her to stay safe. He was always paranoid, so she didn’t think anything of it, but now it makes sense.
Maxie tells Peter, as far as they knew. Obrecht had nothing to do with the memory mapping, but what if she was involved somehow, and she was tying up loose ends so nothing ruined her new life? Andre said if Franco didn’t get his memory back, Drew’s memories could intensify, but why would Obrecht try to kill Franco? He’s practically her only friend. She thinks a moment, and says, Obrecht probably has contact with Faison’s associates, and she works at the hospital, and can get in and out. She could have sent an assassin if she wanted to. How could she do this to all of them, especially James? How is she supposed to tell him that he’s never going to see his oma again, because she’s spending the rest of her life in prison? Peter hugs her. I can’t even express how pissed I am that they decided to make Peter a bad guy. And not even a fun bad guy, like Obrecht, or Faison. If nothing else, Maxie deserved better than this storyline.
Robert tells Finn, the world is a dangerous place; more so when you’re a parent. Finn says, so he’s seeing, and Robert asks what in particular bothers him, if anything? Violet comes back, dragging Anna with her. She says look who she found, and Anna says she thought she found Violet. She tells Robert and Finn that she has major news for both of them.
Nina tells Jax, she had no idea the extent of Nelle’s insanity. She’s glad she got Charlotte away from Nelle when she did, and hopes she’s prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. It’s heartening that Michael was reunited with his son though. Jax says, Michael’s joy came at Lucas’s expense. Nina says, losing a child he came to love as his own, and Willow coming to grips with the fact that Wiley isn’t her child, and the death of her own child. There’s no love lost between her and Willow, but she must be in unspeakable pain. Jax asks if she’s okay, and she says she has a magazine to run. Vamoose. They can become official when there’s less to do. He asks, what about dinner tonight? and she says, absolutely. She’ll call him. He says, not if he calls her first, and they go back and forth until Nina says she’s already calling him. He leaves, and she looks at some papers, but puts them back down. She takes out the heart necklace.
The theater fills with applause, and Neil and Alexis give a standing ovation. Neil asks what Alexis thought, and she asks if the pile of tissues tells him anything. He says, nothing like a good tragic love story, and she says, at least they were together in the end. He says, it was a beautiful fantasy. Not the dying part, but the opera. He’s glad he saw it with her, and she says, her too. She hopes the review board doesn’t lock him in a crypt, and he says he won’t be singing about it if they do. He asks if she wants to share a cab, and she says she’s staying at the Columbia; she can walk. He says that’s where he’s staying; they can walk together, and get coffee in the lobby bar. She says she’d like that, but does he think it’s risky? He says they just did this, and they’ll be doing that. He thinks they can handle it. They walk out together, and the usher watches. I trust her even less now.
Trina thanks Elizabeth for her hospitality, and Porta thanks her for everything. Trina holds Cameron’s hand for a moment, and leaves. Jordan tells Elizabeth, she’ll be in touch, and goes out with them. Elizabeth hugs Cameron. Outside, Portia asks Trina to wait in the car. Jordan wants Portia to know she’s sending officers to keep an eye on her and Trina. Portia says, if she thinks it’s necessary, of course (🍷), but it should be fine. Cyrus got what he wanted; Taggert is dead.
Maxie asks Peter how she could not see this. She believed Obrecht had changed. Now she’s now been arrested for… Oh my God. If Obrecht really crashed Drew’s plane, how is she going to face Sam again? She knows she should be hating Obrecht, but all she can think about his how much she and James are going to miss her. She hugs Peter, and says, at least she has him. Thank God she can trust him.
Anna tells Finn and Robert, Obrecht was behind all of it; the plane crash, the murder attempt, all of it.The evidence points to her trying to cover her own crimes by saying it was Peter. Robert says he’s going to make a call to the Bureau. He leaves, and Anna says now Finn sees why she believed in Peter; he’s innocent. She doesn’t blame Finn for wanting to make sure, but now that Peter is in the clear, does he think he wants to come home?
On Monday, Nina tells Sasha that they’re on the brink of something exciting, Maxie wonders how she didn’t see what was right in front of her, and Spinelli tells Jason that Peter framed Obrecht.
I’m still annoyed about them killing off Taggert. It sounds like it was a bit of a surprise for him too, since in, like, five minutes, he went from this:
At first, they’ll only dislike what you say, but the more correct you start sounding the more they’ll dislike you. – Criss Jami
I’m telling you a lie in a vicious effort that you will repeat my lie over and over until it becomes true. – Lady Gaga
What I’m looking for is not out there, it is in me. – Helen Keller
There is no other way to guard yourself against flattery than by making men understand that telling you the truth will not offend you. – Niccolò Machiavelli
Our ability to adapt is amazing. Our ability to change isn’t quite as spectacular. – Lisa Lutz
A trophy carries dust. Memories last forever. – Mary Lou Retton
Love is not what you say; love is what you do. – John Hagee
🎡 It’s On…
See you when walking is not just for the living anymore.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Preparing for the arraignment, Nelle practices saying she’s going to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help her God. Carly walks in, and says Nelle should probably try not to attract God’s attention. Nelle addresses Carly as the grandmother of her child, and says it’s wonderful to see her. Carly says, enjoy it while it lasts. She’ll be back in Pentenville to stay soon.
On the phone, Michael tells someone to reach out if there’s anything he needs to know about. He should only be gone a month. Sasha wonders what’s going on, and Michael says he’s taking a leave of absence to be a fulltime father. She says, good for him, and he says he doesn’t want her to think he’s a slacker. She says he’s happy, and happiness is hot. They kiss.
Willow sits in Rice Plaza, and a little boy drops his hot chocolate. She runs over to him, telling him it’s going to be okay. His father comes over, and Willow explains what happened, even though it’s obvious. The father says, thanks for… I guess he’s not sure what, because then he hustles his kid back to the hot chocolate cart. Willow goes back to the bench, and Chase comes by. He asks if she’s okay, and she hugs him.
Valentin has a drink at the MetroCourt bar, and Olivia tells him, Nina is on a photoshoot. Valentin says that’s Nina’s business, not his, and she asks who he’s stalking instead. He says he’s not. He’s just enjoying a cocktail and watching people.
Linc tells Brook, sorry; he needed to take a call. He told Miguel, it’s not retro; it’s just backward. (Making mental note of that one for future reference.) Brook suggests he try to grab Miguel’s ass, and Linc calls her a spitfire. It’s clear their partnership isn’t working, and she says extortion and sexual harassment aren’t working for her. What about him? He says he told her she’s free, and can assume full control of her career. All she has to do is sign over her shares of ELQ.
On the phone, Jordan says she was aware Taggert had a kid, but didn’t know Trina was in Port Charles until recently. It’s been a while since they’ve been in touch. No. That doesn’t make it hurt any less. Mac comes in, and sets up two shot glasses. Still on the phone, Jordan says they have no proof Cyrus was behind it yet, but her people are working non-stop. Mac pours the shots and hands her one.
Curtis meets Jason and Sonny near the coffee warehouse, and Jason thanks him for coming. Curtis says Jason told him that he wanted to meet, but didn’t mention he was bringing Sonny. Sonny says, Cyrus is a problem for all of them. They have to find a solution.
Jordan says, to Taggert, and Mac says, a damn fine cop, and they clink glasses. Mac asks if she’d like another, but she says, no. She needs to save something for the wake. Mac says he didn’t pop in just to raise a glass. He has a lead that he’s been holding off pursuing until he gets her take on it. She asks, why? What lead? and he says, her husband.
Sonny says Jason told him what happened, and it’s his understanding that Curtis did everything possible. Curtis says, except save Taggert. Jason says they had to get Trina out, and Sonny says, Taggert agreed it was the right call. Curtis says, it doesn’t feel that way.
Brook asks Linc why he wants the shares, and he says, dividends. He’s investing in his future. She asks if he even knows what ELQ does, and he says, does she? She throws some financial terms at him, and asks if he understands them. He says he doesn’t have to take a quiz, and she wonders why she’s going from recording contract hell, and being offered freedom for a company Linc knows nothing about. What’s he doing there, and what is he really after?
Olivia says, Carly might be okay with letting Valentin in there, but she’s co-owner, and reserves the right to throw him out. She might exercise that privilege now. He says he bears no ill will against the Quartermaines. Valentin flashes back to saying Michael doesn’t want him as an enemy, and tells Olivia, in fact, he thinks they have quite a lot in common.
Michael tells Sasha, he thinks it’s important that he be a fulltime father for a month or so. Wiley is going to miss Lucas and Brad. He asks if she and Willow had a chance to talk, and Sasha says, some. She knows Willow said she can’t see Wiley anymore. Michael says, Willow is worried Wiley will pick up on her sadness, and Sasha says, she’s not necessarily wrong. Michael says he respects Willow’s decision, but he practically begged her to stay in Wiley’s life. He can’t help but feel they both need each other. Willow might not be Wiley’s biological mother, but Wiley is a son to her in her heart, and infinitely better than his birth mom.
Willow tells Chase that she thought she’d watch the skaters. She didn’t mean to ruin their day. He says being there for her makes him feel useful, and she says she watched a boy drop something, and swooped in to make it better. The crying lady in the park. She’d run from herself too, if she could. So would Michael if he had any sense, but he insisted it was the opposite. She told him that she can’t be around Wiley, and he asked her to try and find a way. The more she thinks about it, the more she wants to.
Carly tells Nelle, she called it. She said it was only going to be a matter of time before Nelle screwed up and was sent back to prison. Zara tells Carly to stop antagonizing her client. Nelle introduces Carly to Zara, saying Carly is the grandmother to her child. Zara says she thought she recognized Carly; she met Carly’s husband. Carly says Sonny was impressed with her; not so much her client. Zara says, Shiloh was her client, and Carly says, not anymore. Zara says he was a man full of contradictions, and Carly says, they’re called lies. He was a rapist and conman, and the world is better off without him. Zara says, those are harsh words to say in front of his grieving widow. Carly laughs, and says Nelle just married him to get his ELQ shares. Nelle asks why Carly is being cruel, and Carly says Nelle tried to kill her son. She left him in a car she thought was going to explode, and gave Brad a child that he convinced Michael was his dead son. Zara says, of all people, Carly must be familiar with the word alleged, and Carly says, Nelle gave birth to Wiley, but she’s only ever allegedly been his mother.
Chase asks if Michael asked Willow to keep being Wiley’s nanny, but she says, it wasn’t like that. Wiley lost Lucas and Brad, and Michael thinks she can be a consistent presence in his life. Nothing has changed from Wiley’s perspective. She’s the nice lady who reads stories to him and babysits sometimes. Chase says, it’s changed from her perspective, but she says it shouldn’t change her and Wiley’s relationship. He’s not the child she gave birth to, but she’s been a part of his life. It’s like what Michael was going through. He didn’t know Wiley was his child, but loved him anyway. She knows Wiley’s not hers, but she doesn’t love him any less in her heart. He says that’s not how she felt last night, but she says she misses Wiley so much, Chase suggests, before she makes a decision, take a breath. She says, of course (🍷), and he says he knows Michael is thinking about what’s best for Wiley, but he’s thinking about what’s best for her.
Michael tells Sasha, part of him feels guilty, but another part hopes Willow can work it out. Sasha says, what if she doesn’t? Will he be able to accept it? He hopes so. He’s afraid he’s going to keep asking. Sasha says, most of the time, Michael compulsively does the right thing. So if this is selfish, why keep doing it? He says he’s convinced if Willow and Wiley stay apart, it’s not good for either one of them. Michael’s phone dings. He looks at it, and says, Willow’s not going to decide before Nelle’s arraignment. Sasha asks if he’s going, and he says he can’t miss it. Sasha says she has a meeting with Lucy, but she can reschedule. Michael says, no. Nelle is going to turn it into a circus. Why give her more of an audience? She wonders what Nelle can do at this point, and he says she’d be surprised.
Nelle asks again, how Carly can be so cruel. They’re connected be her little boy. Carly says, they wouldn’t be, if Nelle had kidnapped Wiley and smuggled him out of the country. Zara starts to interrupt, but Nelle says they have to act as a family, and not be at each other’s throats. Carly says Nelle is going back to Pentenville, and she’s not going to see her boy again unless she makes the right choice. Zara asks, what choice would that be? and Carly says, one day, Wiley will understand Nelle’s alleged crimes. Nelle is sure Carly will fill his head with lies, but Carly says she’s not going to breathe a word. That’s what the internet is for. When Wiley reads about her, in the middle of the mug shots and headlines, will be a full account of what she does today. Nelle asks what she’s doing today, and Carly says, admitting everything she’s done. If she throws herself on the mercy of the court, and the record shows she regrets what she did, at least Wiley will know she’s sorry.
Jordan says, Mac’s lead is Curtis? Mac says, Taggert didn’t go alone; Curtis went with him. Curtis got Trina out, while Taggert drew their fire. Jordan says, that ultimately killed him, and Mac says, Jason came late, and saved Cameron. Once the kids were safe, he and Curtis went back in. Jordan says Curtis’s statement will reflect that, and Mac says, once Curtis provides one. They’re still canvasing the crime scene, so he won’t get to Curtis until later. He wants her to pass the word along, so when they talk, Curtis has a clear head. She says she’ll deliver his message. He starts to leave, and she says he forgot his bottle. He says, no; he didn’t.
Sonny tells Curtis that he and Taggert had their issues, but in the end, Taggert was a brave man. This plan was doomed from the start. Curtis asks what they know about the plan, and Jason says, it’s not hard to figure out. Cyrus grabbed Taggert’s daughter, and Taggert couldn’t risk Cyrus making good on his threats by calling the cops, so he contacted Curtis. Curtis asks what they’re saying, and Sonny says, no one wants Curtis taking the heat for anything he did that crossed the line. Jason says they’re just trying to understand. What was Cyrus’s beef with Taggert? Did Taggert share it with him or Jordan? Curtis doesn’t say anything, and Sonny says, listen to him. They all have secrets. The threat of Cyrus is touching all of them, and now isn’t the time to keep quiet. That’s over. Curtis says, good talk. Be seeing you. He walks off, and Jason looks at Sonny.
Carly tells Nelle, put Wiley first for once, and Nelle says, that’s what she’s doing. She’s fighting to stay with her son. Willow walks in, and Nelle says, there wouldn’t be this mess, if another woman hadn’t given up her child. Carly says she’s sorry Willow had to hear that, but Willow says, it’s fine. That narcissistic sociopath can’t help herself. Carly says Willow doesn’t have to be there, but Willow says she wants to see Nelle sent back to prison with her own eyes. Michael arrives, and Willow says she’ll talk to him later. Nelle asks Michael how their son is, and if he told Wiley that she loves him. Michael tells Willow, about last night… but the bailiff says, all rise. Court is in session, and the Honorable Judge Pierce is presiding.
On the phone, Sasha tells Lucy, there’s nothing to worry about. Nina is on board with the partnership between Crimson and Deception, and would be even if she wasn’t.Maxie is on board, and she’s the Nina whisperer. She says she’ll call Lucy back later. Chase asks if he can come in, and Sasha asks if everything is okay. He says the housekeeper said he could find Michael there, but she says, he just left for Nelle’s arraignment.What’s wrong? He says, Michael is messing with Willow’s head and it needs to stop.
Linc tells Brook, he has no ulterior motive. He’s just getting the best deal. She wonders what good it is to him to invest in a company that’s not even publicly traded. The shares are only worth what someone is willing to pay. He says, three albums in five years is what he’s willing to pay, and asks if her independence is worth it to her. She says she’s willing to wait, and he says five years is a long time in their business. She says, after five years, she’s going to look and sound better than ever. He says, by that time she’ll be crooning to lounge lizards if she’s lucky. Olivia stops at their table, and asks if there’s a problem. Linc says, no problems; just a solution. He goes, leaving the paperwork with Brook.
The judge says, it’s the people versus Nelle Benson. He asks what she pleads in the charge of assault, and possession of forged documents, and she says, not guilty. He asks about bail, and the Assistant DA says, the people want bail denied altogether. Nelle was apprehended when she was breaking parole, and preparing to leave the country with a stolen baby and a forged passport. She’s a flight risk. Zara agrees bail shouldn’t be an issue, and makes a motion to dismiss all charges.
Sonny asks if Jason saw that, and Jason says, how uncomfortable Curtis was? Sonny wonders what’s going on, and Jason says, whatever Cyrus is after, it’s not just personal, and Jordan is in deep. Sonny says, interesting theory, but they don’t have a lot to act on.
Curtis goes to Jordan’s office. He sees the liquor bottle, and Jordan says, Mac brought it by. Mac is going to come looking for him. He says Mac wants his statement, and she says, and wants to ask him some questions. Curtis says he’s surprised Mac didn’t hunt him down sooner, and she says, Mac was holding off. Curtis says his story is straight, but she says she doesn’t want him to give a story. She wants him to tell the truth. He says, he will, as much as he can, and she says, it’s okay. She’s ready for this to come out. She shows him some papers, and says, it’s her resignation and confession. She’s turning herself in.
Curtis says he was hoping Jordan changed her mind, but instead she upped the ante with a confession. She says she has to, and he asks how they’re going to change anything if Cyrus is released from prison, is free to do what he wants, and she’s in prison? She says she has a choice between that, and saving lives, but Curtis says Cyrus is piling them up from prison, and the body count will be higher when he’s out. And she’ll be powerless to stop him.
Jason says Taggert and Jordan were in the operative that took Cyrus down, but why the secrecy? Mac comes along, and says they must be discussing coffee business. Sonny tells him, sorry about Taggert, and Mac says, Jason saved Cameron, and subsequently helped Curtis take down Cyrus’s men. Jason tells Mac, he has nothing to say without his attorney present, and Mac says, some things never change. He didn’t come to grill them. He was hoping Taggert said something before he passed that might give Trina some peace. Jason tells Mac, he said Trina was the only thing he cared about. Mac thanks him, and says, one more thing. He has a message for Sonny.
Chase tells Sasha that Willow came there to tell Michael that she wanted no contact with Wiley. Of all people, he’d think Michael would understand what she’s going through, and respect that she needs time and distance to heal. Instead, he pushed her to change her mind. She’s grieving, and being around Wiley makes it worse. Sasha says, Michael would never do anything to hurt Willow, and Chase says, not intentionally. He wouldn’t be there to speak for her if he didn’t think she wasn’t in the right headspace to advocate for herself. She’s the strongest person he knows. Right now, she’s falling apart, and Michael is speeding it along.
Zara says her client was charged because of one woman’s account that’s riddled with inconsistencies. The Assistant DA asks if Zara saying the victim is unreliable because of a head injury the defendant caused. That’s a new level of victim blaming. Zara says Willow let the defendant in, and the Assistant DA says Willow’s statement says she tried to close the door, and prevent Nelle from coming in, but was unable to do so. The judge asks if there’s evidence that Willow sustained an assault, and the Assistant DA says they have the medical records from that night. The judge asks, what else? and she says they have Chase’s statement. Zara says he’s Willow’s boyfriend and the alleged attack took place in his apartment; there’s conflict of interest. The judge dismisses the assault charge without prejudice. Zara says the prosecution failed to hand over the so-called forged documents, and Robert says there was a mix-up. The PCPD misplaced the documents. Valentin slips into the courtroom.
Sasha tells Chase that she’s sorry about what Willow is going through, and Chase says he knows Michael is too, but he’s got to let Willow get through it at her own pace. Sasha says she has a confession. When Willow was there last night, they talked, and she backed Michael up. Chase says, dammit, and Sasha says she got the impression that Willow really wanted a relationship with Wiley. He says, Willow needs distance and perspective to make that decision. Sasha says she isn’t sure Michael has it either, but maybe they do.
Judge Pierce asks if the charge isn’t possession of forged documents, and Robert says it is, but they’re not in possession of the alleged documents. Nelle flashes back to Valentin giving her the passports and birth certificates. The Assistant DA says she’s certain they can be located, and the judge says to get back to him when they do. Until then, if there’s no evidence, there’s no charge. Motion to dismiss granted. Nelle asks Zara what this means, and Zara says she’s free to go. Nelle hugs her, and Valentin smiles. Carly says Robert is still charging Brad, right? and Robert says, absolutely. They’re still building a case. The Assistant DA says, Brad’s statement is in direct opposition to Nelle’s, and Robert says, they can’t nail her without a hammer, and they don’t have one.
Sonny asks Mac if it’s a message or a warning, and Mac says, it’s a courtesy. Laura has instructed all city agencies to come down hard on businesses like his. They can expect a visit from the health department. Jason says they’re ready, and Sonny asks what Mac wants in return. Mac says, consider it a favor in case he needs Sonny’s thoughts about Cyrus. Sonny wonders why Mac would listen him, and Mac says, a cop is dead, the mayor was caught in a crossfire, and he won’t stand for it. Sonny says the mayor took a bullet for his son, and Cyrus came close to killing his wife. It’s different this time. Mac says he doesn’t miss their little chats, and Sonny says, neither does he. Mac leaves, and Sonny shakes his head.
Curtis tells Jordan, when Cyrus gets out, it will put literally every case against him in question. Jordan says, they’re rock solid, but Curtis says, they won’t be if she does this. Cyrus will walk, and have the freedom to operate. On top of it, he’ll be given the gift of being a man wronged by the government. Legally speaking, he’ll be a victim because she went rogue to put him away. She says, innocent people almost died. She doesn’t know what else to do to stop Cyrus. He says he’s got an idea, but she ain’t gonna like it.
Brook thanks Olivia for chasing Linc off, but she’s not in the mood for a lecture. Olivia asks why Brook is hanging out with that creepy slimeball who muzzled her. Brook says they’re negotiating unmuzzling. Olivia asks how that’s going. Is there an actual offer? Brook says, yes, but it looks like the cost isn’t in dollars. Olivia says if Linc is trying to get in Brook’s pants, she’ll have Sonny break his legs. Brook asks if she thinks Sonny would do that, and Olivia says, absolutely. Brook says she’ll keep that in her back pocket, but what if sex isn’t what he wants? Olivia asks what she’s talking about, and Brook says, her dignity. Olivia laughs, and says Brook is a Quartermaine. Hasn’t she bought and sold that already ten times over?
Olivia tells Brook, look at her family. There are books written about what a cad her great-grandfather was, including his own memoir. The Quartermaines thrive on scandal; she’s never seen anything like it. Brook says they’re a colorful clan. Olivia says, if the price of her freedom is eating crow, grab a bib, and chow down. Brook says, if she does what Linc is asking, she’s afraid her family will never look at her the same way. Olivia says, tell her what the thing actually is, and Brook looks down. Olivia says she’s got to ask herself what outcome is best for her, and if she can live with what she has to do to get there. If she can’t, don’t do it, and start thinking of herself as something other than a singer.
Sasha tells Chase, Michael and Willow are so close to the situation, and hell bent on protecting Wiley, they might not realize they’re hurting themselves. She and Chase can keep an eye out, and have an open line of communication. Chase says, spying on them, and Sasha says, no; supporting them. If Willow has a problem, let her know, and she’ll work hard on her end to do the same. Chase says he doesn’t like going behind their backs, and Sasha asks if it’s any different than him coming there now. He says, yes. He didn’t come with a plan or strategy. She says he makes it sound like a conspiracy. It’s more like a safety net; friends relying on each other. Chase says, it wouldn’t be forever, and Sasha says, of course (🍷) not. Chase says, eventually, things will get better.
Zara says Nelle is prone to gloating – don’t. They got lucky, extraordinarily so. Nelle says she’s always had to make her own luck, but Zara says, they can refile at any time. They’re not going to let go easily. She tells Nelle not to leave town, and Nelle says she’s not leaving anytime soon. Nelle’s phone rings, and Valentin tells her, congratulations. She says she supposes she owes it all to him, and he says she’s welcome. She’s had a helluva reversal of fortune. Make the most of it. She says she plans to. She asks how single life is treating him, and does he want to grab a drink some time? Valentin says, goodbye, and hangs up. Nelle looks at her phone, and says, whatever.
In the hallway, Willow wonders what just happened. The woman who knocked her unconscious and gave her a concussion is getting away with it. Michael says, it was dismissed without prejudice. That means she can be recharged when they locate the evidence. (I already knew this term from watching court shows. The more you know…) She says, what if it never happens? but Carly says, this is far from over. They’re going to prove Nelle gave Wiley to Brad. Willow says, it’s Nelle’s word against Brad’s, and for some reason, judges believe Nelle. Nelle walks up to Michael, and says she’s glad he’s there; it saves her a trip. She hands him an envelope, and says she’s suing him. He’s unjustly kept her child from her long enough. She’s filing for full sole custody.
Sonny and Jason are in Jordan’s office, along with Curtis. Sonny says he knows it’s a complicated situation, and respects Jordan for reaching out. She says, it wasn’t her idea. Curtis will explain what they’re doing there. Curtis says, let’s call it a meeting of like minds. They need to set aside their differences, and come together for the common good. They need to take down Cyrus Renault.
Tomorrow, Obrecht asks Spinelli what he thinks he’s doing, Carly asks if Nelle wants to go to war with her family, and Jason asks if Cyrus has something on Jordan.
The Real Housewives of New Jersey – The Reunion – Part One
Andy started the show by saying he wanted full Jersey hair – ten inches. That was not to be, but the fashion was excessively sparkly, and Teresa even had marabou feathers on the bottom of her sequined number. She also had some rhinestone hair ornaments that I seriously coveted.
Jennifer started things off well by saying Melissa couldn’t really be considering having another baby, because she’s too self-absorbed. Jennifer accused her of making a mockery of people who really wanted children. This, coming from the most self-absorbed person on stage (which is saying a lot), and someone I hope her children don’t emulate. They talked about their plastic surgery – zzzz – and Marge’s relationship with Marge Sr. Andy asked about Marge’s father, and she said her mother had left him after a year and a half of marriage. Andy pointed out that the age difference between Marge and her first husband (twenty years) is the same as the difference between her and Marge Sr., and wondered if she’d looked at him as a parent figure. Marge explained that he’d had custody of his three children, and although she had a son on her own, it was the family she never had. Andy said she didn’t seem emotional about her dad, but Marge said, you can’t miss what you never had. Teresa said her mom was also like that, and her mother’s father had left when she was little.
Moving on to Dolores, Andy said everyone always asks about Frank, and wonder why they don’t just get back together. Are they kidding? Frank is the perfect non-husband. He does everything for Dolores, and wants nothing but her scintillating company. She said she and Frank hadn’t had sex since Frankie was conceived, and we all fell out of our chairs. She didn’t say why, but I assume that’s when she found out he cheated. She thanked the viewers who love them together, but said it wasn’t happening. Andy asked about having it all without the ring, and Dolores said she was good without the commitment. Andy asked, what changed? and Dolores said David had many opportunities, and should have taken them. Jennifer suggested Dolores was settling, but Marge disagreed. Jennifer babbled about the reasons why she thought that, while Dolores tried to get a word in edgewise, trying to answer the question she was asked. Marge told Jennifer, shut it, and Dolores said she and David had good chemistry, and she’d wanted to give him a chance to meet her halfway. She was pretty pissed because she considers herself an effing good catch. She said she doesn’t ask for a lot. Andy wanted to take a group vote on who thought Dolores should kick Frank to the curb, but there were no takers. Marge did admit she thinks Dolores should move on.
Andy switched gears, asking if Jackie got offend too easy, but Jackie said she thought people who didn’t acknowledge their emotions are the angriest inside; it’s healthy to let them out. They rehashed Dolores saying she wasn’t friends with Jackie. Andy said he thought there was more going on than Dolores having been raised old school, but Jackie said it was true they’d been raised differently, and she was more liberal. Dolores said liberal was okay, and she was getting there. Andy told her that a lot of people considered her comments anti-Semitic, which Dolores said couldn’t be further from the truth. She’d probably been with more Jewish men than Jackie. She said she and Jackie were friends now, but she likes to get to know someone before considering them a friend. I hear this, since I’m kind of the same way. She said Jackie made an effort to get to know her after that, and they like each other. Melissa asked why Jennifer was making a face, and Jennifer said she thought that was corny. A viewer asked Jackie her opinion on who’s an excellent parent, and Jackie diplomatically (and wisely) said, they were all great parents in their own way. What they all have in common is that they’re mothers, and how they parent makes them different. We see clips of that, including Gia’s prom, and Andy said, the most asked question about Frankie is if he’s single or with Gia. Delores said he was single, and interviewing for a job as an investment banker. He felt with the long hours, he couldn’t give anyone the time they deserve. Andy said Dolores is always saying she doesn’t want Frankie to have a girlfriend, and asked if she’d make an exception for Gia. She said she would, and we already knew Teresa wouldn’t mind. Andy asked Teresa how it was going with Gia out of the house, and Teresa said she was living vicariously, since she hadn’t been allowed to go away to college. Delores said she had to be home at 11 when she was getting married – ask Frank. Andy asked how Marge’s relationship with her step-kids was going, and she said it was better, but not where she wanted it to be. A viewer reminded everyone about how Jennifer said she didn’t know what kind of a parent Marge had been, and Marge said she was a working mom who raised someone else’s children, along with her son. By the time she divorced, the kids were grown, and all the children are tight with each other. She said Jennifer was far from the poster child for stay-at-home-moms. Jennifer said she did it on her own – with only one woman and a babysitter, and a nanny when she had her fourth child. Melissa said, from Jennifer’s social media, it looked like she was never home, but Jennifer called her postings InstaSham, because that’s what people do. Marge said she only posts about her real life.
Andy asked if Jackie’s father understood her eating disorder now, and she said his mind couldn’t imagine what had really happened. Marge said Jackie looked emaciated in her wedding photos. A photo was shown, and Marge was right. Jackie’s arms looked like broomsticks. Jackie said she would shut down anyone who brought it up, and Dolores asked if thinking of food still consumed Jackie. Jackie said it didn’t consume her, but it was still a struggle. Andy asked Jackie why she kept the fact she had a lot of money a secret, and she said it wasn’t a secret, but it wasn’t what defined her. Andy went on to Jennifer’s old world family facing present day issues, and they discussed her daughter Gaby being bullied, and her brother being gay. Jennifer said her mom was learning, and Marge said she thought Jennifer had handled it beautifully. Jennifer said it was a hard discussion to have with her mom.
The rip-roaring fights of the season were the next topic, and Melissa told Jennifer that she says dumb sh*t. Jennifer said Melissa’s husband says a lot of dumb sh*t, but Melissa finds that funny. Jennifer and Marge bickered over who says stupid sh*t, and Andy said there were no winners at the dinner where Jennifer threw a plate and fork at Melissa. We flashed back to that, and Jennifer told Andy that she automatically says what comes to mind, and it gets her in trouble. It’s not like she was touching anyone. Melissa said maybe not, but the flying dinnerware could have hurt someone. Marge suggested they make a pact not to throw things. A viewer thought Jennifer lost control easily when she was angry, but Jennifer insisted she has the patience of Job, until she’s pushed too far. Marge said she goes from zero to ten quickly, but Melissa hit the nail on the head when she said Jennifer was an effing a-hole, and she thinks Jennifer is starved for attention. Marge said they would never judge Jennifer by her cover, but inside, she was sh*t. Great start for Part Two.
Next time – Part Two – Juicy Joe’s cheating is brought up, the husbands (and Frank) join the group, and Danielle arrives, demanding to sit next to Andy.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Carly asks Sonny how Dev is, and Sonny says he and Josslyn are arguing about whose turn it is to pick a movie. Carly says, so they’re back to normal, and Brando says, speaking of which… Sonny says, normal depends on what you’re used to. He wants Brando and Dev to stay under his protection, and Brando says, the kid can stay. He’s not going to.
Michael tells Willow, she can still be her; wonderful, sweet, loving, and caring her. Wiley needs this, and to be honest, so does he. She says she loves Wiley so, so much. That’s why she has to let him go.
At the hospital, Elizabeth wonders what’s taking so long, but Franco says Curtis told them Cameron wasn’t hurt. She says she knows that in her head, but won’t know it in her heart until she sees him. Cameron and Trina comes out, and Cameron hugs Elizabeth, who says, thank God. Trina says she has to find her father. Jason tells Epiphany that Trina is Taggert’s daughter, and Epiphany says, they’re stabilizing him, and prepping him for surgery. She asks Trina to come with her. Jordan runs in and hugs Curtis. She asks if he’s all right, and he says, he’s fine. It’s her buddy Taggert who’s hurt. She says she knows; they’re working on him. She asks, what happened? and he says, it was crazy. She says, crazy is right. Both of them, and the kids, could have died. Never mind that she’s his wife. She’s the Police Commissioner; she should have been his first call. Instead, he and Taggert cowboyed their way in, guns blazing, on their own. They could have been killed.
Curtis tells Jordan, he wanted to call and fill her in, but Trina’s not his daughter, and she was caught in the crossfire. Taggert was told if he involved the cops, Trina would be killed. Jordan says Curtis knows better. The best thing to do in a kidnapping, is to call the police first. She would have made sure Taggert was protected. He says, maybe that’s what Taggert was afraid of. She’d try to save them both, and Trina would pay the price.
Willow says she appreciates Michael wanting her to be in Wiley’s life, but he isn’t hers; he never was. Now, knowing the truth about her son – that he died, that Nelle used him as a weapon to hurt Michael, and that Nelle and Brad treated her baby boy like a prop – it’s all she can think about, especially when she sees Wiley. Michael says he’s sorry she’s going through this. And here he is… She says, he’s thinking about his son. She’d love to stay a part of Wiley’s life, but children are sensitive to the people around them. She doesn’t want Wiley picking up on her feelings. It’s not good for either one of them. Michael wishes him getting his son back didn’t mean Willow losing hers all over again.
Jason asks Curtis how he got involved, and Curtis says, he was helping a friend. Jason tells him, Taggert wanted to team up with Sonny to take Cyrus down. Whatever is going on between Cyrus and Taggert isn’t just business; it’s personal. Where does Curtis fit in? Curtis says, he told Jason. He was helping a friend.
Epiphany says Taggert is stable, and will be in surgery soon, but Trina can stay with him. Jordan asks if Curtis squared everything with Jason, but Curtis says, not really. He wanted to know about Taggert’s personal connection with Cyrus. Jordan says she’s sorry she came at Curtis like that. He says he knows it’s not him, and she says, it is, but not just him. She’s mad at a lot of people, and at the whole situation. Taggert is fighting for his life because someone leaked the names of the original task force to Cyrus. Curtis says that’s not on her, but she says, they knew it was coming. If she can’t keep one man safe, how is she going to protect a whole city? Laura comes in, and says she was briefed. She asks how Taggert is, and Jordan says, he’s being prepped for surgery. Laura asks if it was Cyrus, but Jordan says she doesn’t know. Laura asks if the gunmen acted on Cyrus’s orders, and Jordan says, yes.
Carly tells Brando, he has to stay in Port Charles. Sonny says, like it or not, he’s a part of it. Brando says, if anyone asks, tell them that he’s out of town on a job. As for his son, he’s finishing the school year there. Sonny asks, what’s in Chicago that’s so important? and Brando says, just his job, his home, and his life. Carly asks, who says he can’t have that there? and Sonny says he’ll set Brando up. Brand asks if Sonny is going to put in a word to someone at a garage, and Sonny says Brando can open his own shop. Anything he needs, Sonny will get. Brando says, what if he needs to leave? and Sonny says, anything except that.
Cameron tells Elizabeth, the driver took him and Trina to a warehouse, where there were four other guys waiting. Trina’s dad showed up, and it was obvious they weren’t going to let any of them go. He started to fight, and so did Trina. Guns were drawn, Curtis came in, and there was gunfire; it was crazy. He broke away, and Taggert told him to run, so he did. He doesn’t think he ever ran faster in his life. One guy came after him, and he tripped. The guy was standing over him with a gun, and he thought the guy was going to kill him. He heard a gunshot, and the guy dropped. He looked up, and saw Jason. Elizabeth says, thank God Jason got there, and Cameron says, Jason saved him, but the guy… He was a bad guy, but he’s dead. Elizabeth says she’s sorry he had to go through that, and that it happened to him, but he’s there and safe. She hugs him.
Brando says he did as Sonny asked, and backed Sonny’s story, but that’s as far as he goes. Sonny says they’re family, and Brando says they’ve been family for five minutes. Sonny says, they’ve always been family, even though they just met, and family takes care of family. Donna cries, and Carly goes upstairs. Sonny says, five minutes or not, what Brando did at the warehouse, saving Carly, makes him a target. He’s not leaving Brando unprotected. Sonny’s phone rings. It’s Jason, who tells him, Cyrus used Taggert’s Daughter and Cameron as bait. They’re okay, and safe, but Taggert is going into surgery. Sonny says, keep him posted, but Jason says, there’s something else. The Commissioner and Taggert are connected somehow. Sonny says he’s on his way.
Elizabeth sees Jason, and asks if he has a minute. He asks how Cameron is, and she says, all things considered, he’s okay with just having had a brush with death. He told her that Jason saved him, and she can’t thank him enough. He thanks her for calling him. She says she needs to know; is Cameron safe? Jason says, they were after Taggert. Cameron was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. She asks, whoever is doing this, what do they want with Taggert? Jason’s phone rings.
Jordan tells Laura, the PCPD is running with everything they have. Laura says she has every faith in them, but what Jordan is describing are pretty straightforward police tactics. It’s clear Cyrus is capable of working around their methods. Jordan says, shootings, explosives, kidnappings; he’s leaving a trail. Laura says, he is, but his next attack won’t be conventional. They need to think of a better plan of attack.
Willow tells Michael, since she never knew her son was gone, she never mourned him, and it haunts her. Part of her feels like she should have known. The mother in her should have looked at Wiley, and known he wasn’t her child, but she didn’t know the difference. What kind of mother doesn’t know her own child? Michael says, what kind of father doesn’t? They were lied to; it’s not their fault. She loved Wiley the best she could, and he loved Wiley the same. He grieved her son as his own, and she fought to protect his son as her own. It kind of makes them brothers. He asks her, please don’t shut Wiley out. If anyone deserves a place in Wiley’s life, it’s her.
Trina says Taggert is waking up. Lucas and Epiphany run in, and Epiphany tells Trina that the police need to speak to her father. She can see him again before surgery. Jordan promises they won’t be long. Outside the room, Curtis says he’s going to tell Trina’s dad how brave she was, and Trina says he wouldn’t have gotten shot to being with if they hadn’t ditched him in the first place. Lucas comes out, and says they can go in now. Jason watches.
Jordan asks if Taggert can talk, and he says he guesses he’s in trouble. She says, not as long as he’s breathing. If he’d gotten himself killed, he would have been. Taggert thanks Curtis for making sure Trina got out okay. Curtis says, at least someone appreciates him. Taggert asks who’s been giving him a hard time, his wife or Trina, and Curtis says, all of the above. Taggert says Trina is everything to him, and he can’t repay Curtis for making sure she’s safe. Curtis says he was happy to help. Jordan asks what the hell he was thinking, going into the situation without backup. Taggert says he couldn’t involve the police, but Jordan says he could have involved her. Cops or not, she could have worked with him. He says his one thought was getting Trina out, and she says, two attacks, back to back, and he’s still alive. Be ready for the third. From now on, no exceptions. They work together as a team, and finish this together.
Cameron thanks Jason for saving his life, and Jason says he’s just glad Cameron is safe. Sonny says, Cameron told him what happened, and he’s glad Cameron is in one piece. Cameron thanks him, and says he’s sure Sonny and Jason have a lot to talk about. Sonny asks where Taggert is, and sees Curtis and Jordan come out of the room. He goes in, and asks if Taggert is up for a visit. Taggert says he’s still breathing; sorry to disappoint Sonny. Sonny says Trina’s life was on the line, but if their arrangement is going to work, Sonny has to be his first call. Taggert asks if they’re working together. Sonny never answered. Sonny says, this once. Don’t make a habit of it. Taggert says, it’s definitely a one-time thing. Sonny says, so Trina is his daughter. He never took Taggert to be a family man. Taggert says he got lucky, and Sonny says, Trina is the best. She’s smart, and always there for Josslyn. Always. Taggert beckons Sonny closer, and says he knows this isn’t over. Look out for Trina. Sonny says, that goes without saying.
Sasha walks in on Michael and Willow’s conversation, and says, sorry. She knows they have a lot to talk about. Michael says they’re not necessarily finished, but is everything okay? Sasha asks if he remembers their conversation earlier about training Wiley to sleep through the night. She’s a pushover. Wiley woke up crying, and she went in. She turned off the monitor, thinking she could get him back down, but she’s having trouble. Michael tells Willow that he’ll support whatever choice she makes to help herself heal, but she’ll always have a place in his family. He goes to tend to Wiley, and Sasha asks if Willow is okay. Willow says, not really, but she’s better than she was. It looks like Michael is adapting quickly. Sasha says, don’t let him fool her. He’s constantly doubting the transition from fun uncle to dad. Willow doesn’t think that should be a problem, and Sasha says neither does she, but it’s adorable watching him think it is. Willow says Michael will be a great father, and she’s glad he has Sasha in his life. Sasha thanks her, but as much as she can cheer Michael on, and pitch in to help with Wiley, she’s not his mother. Willow says, it turns out neither was she. Sasha says Willow is more of a mother than a lot of real, biological moms. The two greatest mothers Sasha has seen in Port Charles are Nina with Charlotte, and Willow with Wiley. No biology, and all the love. Willow says it’s kind of Sasha to say, but Sasha says she’s calling it as she sees it. Since she’s gone that far, she might as well go all way. Wiley isn’t the only one who needs Willow; Michael does too.
Jordan leaves a message for TJ, saying she’s checking in. She wonders how his big night went, and asks him to call her. Curtis asks Jordan if everything is okay. Jordan hopes so. If Cyrus is willing to kidnap Trina, he might do the same to TJ. Laura is right. Cyrus isn’t going to be stopped with them going by the book. He asks what she’s going to do, and she says, for starters, tell Laura the truth.
Sonny asks if Laura is okay, and she says it’s lucky Jason showed up to save the kids. Lucas tells Trina that Taggert is waiting to see her, and Trina runs in. Laura tells Sonny, she couldn’t help but notice that he visited Taggert. Was it about burying the hatchet, or more like an the enemy of my enemy kind of thing? He says, a little of the first, but mostly the second. She says, Cameron almost died. She’s grateful to Jason for saving him, but it’s a temporary fix. This guy is dangerous. If Sonny retaliates, God only knows what he’ll do next. As the mayor of this town, Cyrus is now her problem.
Trina says she was so scared she was going to lose him, and Taggert says, he knows. He’s sorry. She says, now that he’s there, maybe he can stay in Port Charles longer. She wants her friends to meet him. He says he’d like that, and bets she already has an itinerary for him. She says she has a debate this week, and a track meet next week. Maybe he could come. He says he’ll do his best. He tells her that he feels like having some malted milk balls, and she says, they’re gross, like candy chalk. He asks, who’s the one in the hospital bed? and she says he can choose the candy this time. He says she knows how much he loves her, right? She says, of course (🍷) she does, and kisses his cheek, saying she loves him too. She leaves, and he says he loves that kid.
Carly asks Brando where Sonny is, and Brando says, he had to take off after he got a call. She says it will give them a chance to talk. Brando wonders what’s left to say, and she says she always has more say. He says he’s getting that impression, and she tells him, Sonny offering him a garage isn’t a bribe. Maybe a little, but it’s a way of letting Brando know he understands the sacrifice of Brando leaving his life to stay there. Brando says he hasn’t changed his mind, and she asks what the real problem is. He says he doesn’t want to be beholden to Sonny.
Jordan tells Laura, she and Taggert worked on the DEA team to bring down Cyrus. There were four of them, and now two have turned up dead; murdered, and it was made to look like an OD. The attacker got away, and when the ambush failed, Cyrus went after Taggert’s daughter. Everyone is fair game. Laura asks if Jordan thinks Cyrus orchestrated everything from behind bars. Jordan says, he’s got people working on the outside, and Laura says, not if he can’t get in touch with them. Jordan says, the warden won’t move Cyrus to solitary without cause, and Laura says she’ll give him cause.
Trina tells Cameron that they need to stock the vending machines better. She had to go to the cafeteria to get malted milk balls. Cameron says, that matters because… She says her dad asked for them. He’s awake and talking, and promised to stay in Port Charles indefinitely. She and Cameron hug.
Alarms go off in Taggert’s room. Lucas runs in, and Epiphany follows. Everyone watches, holding their collective breath.
Carly says if Brando is afraid to be beholden to Sonny, he has it all wrong. Brando saved her life. If not for him, Donna would be growing up without a mom. If anything, they’re beholden to him. Brando says Donna is beautiful.
Willow tells Sasha, as much as she loves Wiley, it’s too painful. It’s not good for her, and she doesn’t think it’s good for Wiley either. Sasha wants to level with her, and says, after all Willow has done to fight for Wiley to have the best life possible, why stop? He deserves someone as fierce and selfless as Willow in his life. Willow thanks her, but says she can’t. Sasha asks how she knows if she hasn’t tried. Isn’t it important enough to try? Willow has so much love to give children. Anyone can see that; even Charlotte came around. And when Willow thought she was pregnant, it was profound. She doesn’t mean to strongarm Willow… Willow says she does, and Sasha says, okay, she is. Willow says, it’s okay. Sasha is looking out for Michael and Wiley. She’s glad there’s someone in their lives who cares about them.
Lucas comes out, and tells Jordan, he’s sorry. She says, no. He’s told them Taggert was stabilized. Lucas says they’ll do an autopsy, but it appears there was a blood clot.
Trina tells Cameron that it’s unrealistic to think her dad will make the debate, but he can probably come to her track meet. Cameron says, awesome. They turn the corner, and everyone turns and looks at them. Elizabeth asks Trina if they can talk, and Trina asks, why? What’s wrong? Elizabeth says she’s sorry, but Trina’s dad is gone. Trina asks what she’s talking about; they were taking him to surgery. She asks Lucas to tell her that her dad is going to be okay. Lucas said he’d be okay. Lucas says, sometimes with gunshot wounds, and blood clot is formed quickly, and goes to the brain. They did what they could, and he’s sorry. Trina collapses onto Elizabeth, weeping. Elizabeth holds her.
Jordan goes into Taggert’s room, where Trina sits next to him. She tells Trina that she doesn’t know how much her dad told her, but she had the privilege of working with him a long time ago. Trina says she didn’t know that, and Jordan says, sometimes on a job, you spend a lot of time doing nothing but waiting. Besides football, all he ever talked about was his little girl. He was proud of her. Trina says she was proud of him too, and Jordan says, she should be. He was the best agent she ever worked with.
Jason tells Sonny, when he asked Curtis what he was doing at the warehouse, Curtis said he was helping a friend. He barely knows Taggert. Sonny wonders what the connection is, and Jason says, Jordan. The whole time they were talking, Curtis was looking at her. Sonny says she’s Curtis’s wife, and Jason says, it turns out Jordan and Taggert have a DEA connection. Sonny says he knew Taggert didn’t come to Port Charles on business. Jason says, it was personal reasons. There were two attempts on Taggert’s life in the same day. This vendetta is as personal as it gets, but what if it doesn’t end with Taggert?
Sasha tells Willow, shutting Wiley out may be what she needs right now, but it’s going to hurt people. Not just Michael and Wiley, but her. They all deserve better. Willow says she hears what Sasha is saying, but sorry, she can’t. She jets, and Michael comes in with Wiley. He asks if Willow is gone, and tells Wiley, sorry, buddy, but look on the bright side. Michael brought him downstairs. Sasha asks, what happened with getting Wiley back to sleep? and laughs, saying, she couldn’t resist either. Willow watches them through the window.
Laura and the warden walk to Cyrus’s cell. The warden goes inside, and Laura gets a text saying Taggert died from his wounds. Cyrus tells the warden, he asked not to be disturbed, but the warden says he has a visitor. Laura goes in, and says she doesn’t think they’ve been properly introduced. Cyrus says she’s Laura Collins, the mayor of the great city of Port Charles. She says, correct, and he says she’s looking well after her recent ordeal on the docks. He asks if they ever found the gunman, but she says she doesn’t have the patience for a game of cat and mouse. A friend of hers died tonight. He says he’s so sorry, and Laura says, he was a good man. He was a good cop, and left behind a daughter. Cyrus says, how tragic. She must be devastated. She says he has no idea how she feels.
Carly tells Brando, to be honest, she’s scared. She doesn’t want him to be a target because he risked his life to save her. Is she clear enough? He says, if it’s that important, he guesses he’ll stay. Carly says he’s learned an important lesson. Don’t waste time arguing with her. When she wants something, she gets it. She takes Donna back upstairs, and Brando kind of smiles. I think he has a crush on Carly.
Trina holds Taggert’s hand, and Epiphany comes in. Trina puts the candy box on Taggert’s chest, and walks out. Jordan tells Taggert that she’s going to protect his daughter and make this right. She leaves, and outside, Trina walks past Curtis without saying anything. She tells Elizabeth, when they were kidnapped, their phones were thrown out. She needs to call her mom. Has Elizabeth been able to reach her? Elizabeth says she hasn’t, but in the meantime, Trina can wait at their house for her to call. Franco asks if Cameron is okay, and Cameron says, yeah. He was just thinking… When he thought they were going to lose Franco, Trina was there for him. He couldn’t shake her. She said there was always hope to hang on to, and Franco would come back, and here he is. Trina’s dad is gone, and there is no hope. He’s not coming back. Franco says, now is Cameron’s chance to be there for Trina. Cameron says he will. He just hopes he can be as good a friend as she was to him. Curtis comes by, and Franco shakes his hand. Curtis touches Cameron’s shoulder. Jordan tells Curtis that they’ll talk later. TJ is safe, and she knows what she has to do to keep him that way. Disappear. She’s going to resign.
Laura tells Cyrus that she and the warden were talking, and she persuaded him that part of rehabilitation is the ability to enjoy the solitude of one’s own thoughts. Cyrus says they can’t send him to solitary without cause; it’s a violation of his rights. She says there’s evidence potentially linking him to several violent crimes, the most recent one tonight. They can no longer afford him to have opportunity to contact the outside. He asks how he could possibly do that, and she says, give orders from behind bars? Let her count the ways. His attorney, visitors, other inmates and their attorneys, via code, and cell phones smuggled in. He says, if only she had proof, and she tells him to look around him. He’s in prison, not a court of law. She doesn’t need proof. He says, abuse of power on her part won’t stand. She says, if he doesn’t like it, file a complaint. He says, by the way, about her friend, he is sorry for her loss. She says, no, he’s not, but he will be. Cyrus is taken away.
Tomorrow, Anna asks Finn what he told Jason exactly; Maxie says if she and Peter don’t tell each other everything, there’s no relationship; Julian says Brook is bluffing, and Brook says, try her.
😥 This was not fair. Although it seemed like Taggert was dead at the end of Friday’s episode, the preview hinted that he would live, and so he did. Only to die of a blood clot. They lifted us up, just to bring us down. It was heart wrenching, especially when Trina left the candy with him. I’d already been calculating him into the cast equation. Was this really necessary?
Below Deck Sailing Yacht
Jenna tells Adam about Georgia being slow on turndowns, and acting disrespectful. He says, break her down to a pulp. He would can her ass personally. In Georgia’s interview, she says Jenna talking behind her back is becoming a bit of a pattern. It’s unfortunate she came across as disrespectful, and she’s going to have to watch her back. Adam says it’s good Jenna held her ground.
Some of the guests go to the beach for the campfire picnic. Madison says it would be nice to know where she’s going beforehand. Jenna and Georgia have one job; she has five. Paget takes the guests to the beach, where Madison is waiting. She welcomes them to their private beach. In Georgia’s interview, she says, face to face she thinks she and Madison are on the same team, but she doesn’t know if she can trust Madison at this point.
The beach looks so pretty in the firelight. The guests roast marshmallows, make s’mores and drink wine. One of the dudes says he hates sandy feet and wet kneecaps. I’m wondering why he wants to go to a beach then. After finding out he’s a 34, Georgia tells Paget that she doesn’t think he’s fat; he’s the manliest man on the boat. He jokes that she always upsets him, so he’s going. He leaves to bring the guests back. Jenna asks how the beach was, and all of the guests are happy. Ciara tells Paget that she’ll clean up, and he can go to bed. In her interview, she says they’ve been bickering a lot, and she doesn’t want to deal with it. There’s not that much stuff on the beach, so she can do it on her own. When she was little, her nickname was, I Do It. She just wants some space right now.
Jenna cleans up, and Georgia tells Madison that she hates to be the bearer of bad news, but the laundry isn’t finished. In Madison’s interview, she says, laundry is Georgia’s job. Either she’s bad at it, or Jenna is bad at giving instructions. This mystery needs to be solved. Madison is finally in bed at 4:30 am, saying, it’s been a long day. Some of the crew are getting up, and I once again despise the sound of their alarm clock, since it sounds like mine. I want to smash it.
Parker tries putting new covers on the tender cushions. Jenna asks how the guests slept, and tells them breakfast will be between 9 and 10. In Georgia’s interview, she says the laundry hasn’t been completed, and she has enough problems with Jenna. She doesn’t want to lose her job on the premise of someone else’s mistake. In Adam’s interview, he says he’s enjoying the flirtatious banter with Jenna, but he knows how quickly and easily he can be infatuated. We flash back to one of those infatuations, and he says, if it goes belly-up, it could be a disaster. He asks Jenna if it’s warm in there.
Breakfast is served. Jenna says, there are pastries galore (and there are!), and guest Adam says he’s going to need a major diet after this. Paget tells Parker that he needs to change into his polo shirt while they’re sailing. He doesn’t want Parker to look bad in front of the guests. In Parker’s interview, he doesn’t think the guests care if he’s wearing a polo shirt or T-shirt. They just care what they’re getting for breakfast. Georgia whines that Madison didn’t help her with laundry last night, and Madison says she understands what it’s like, and it’s frustrating. She’s doing the best she can, but even though she’s the middle person, Georgia needs to watch how she speaks to her.
Parker suggests to Parker that they wear ascots. Jenna tells the guests that Paget is going to take them cliff jumping, and Captain Glenn plans on doing some sailing later. Along with Ciara, Paget takes the guests on the tender to a beautiful little island with an old lighthouse on it. Georgia tells Jenna that she can get the cabins done, but has to do it uninterrupted, and in her interview, she says she doesn’t care who gets the gold star, she just wants to get through the day with no complaints. Jenna isn’t trustworthy. Byron asks what Jenna is bitching about. Jenna says she wasn’t bitching, and he jokes that he saw her lips moving.
The guests come back, and guest Adam says, it was solid. Captain Glenn notes the wind is 22 knots, more than was forecast. In the captain’s interview, he says he has to be cognizant of the guests’ safety, especially with a baby. As captain, he’s always a little worried, but they should be fine. Fingers crossed. The sails go up, and in Paget’s interview, he says, once the sails go up, they’re in the hands of the gods, so to speak. They sail a while, the guests marvel at how big the sails are, and anchor is dropped. In Parker’s interview, he says, there are endless things to learn, and he wants to learn them all. He’s a visual learner. Lunch is served, and primary Sylvia asks Captain Glenn to join them for dinner. She tells him that he has a great life. In his interview, the captain says, in the yachting industry, it’s hard to be in a relationship. He’s fine with it, and not having a partner to do things with doesn’t stop him from doing anything. The crew eats, and when Ciara sits down, Parker tells her that Paget wants one of them on deck. If she wants, he’ll go. In Ciara’s interview, she wonders why Parker is telling her what her boyfriend wants her to do. If Paget wants her to do something, he’ll tell her. Parker says, it’s a precaution to always have a person on deck. She gets up, and heads upstairs, saying, he’s the boss.
In her interview, Ciara says she’s pissed. She’s Paget’s number two. She doesn’t take orders from a deckhand. Adam flirts with Jenna in front of Madison. Ciara tells Parker that they have to put the covers on the tender cushions, and he says he did that already. She checks the tender, and says, they’re still wet. She wants to wring them out, and put them in the dryer, so they’re fresh. In Parker’s interview, he says he knows he’s green, but he knows what she’s talking about, Ciara thinks because she’s Paget’s girlfriend, she can boss him around. The guests see a little shore town, and ask if they can go inland for a drink. Paget tells Georgia that he loves hearing her voice; it’s sensual. In Georgia’s interview, she says she dates emotional unhealthy guys, and likely psychopaths that will leave her for her best friend.
Ciara asks Paget if they can talk. She’s pissed that Parker is telling her what to do and how to do it. And he doesn’t listen. The guests prepare to leave. Paget tells Parker to take Ciara’s lead. Parker says he and Ciara were eating at the same time. Paget says he wants one of them on deck. Parker says he was just telling her what Paget said, and asks if she thinks that’s undermining her. Ciara says, don’t tell her what to do; just tell her what he’s doing. Ciara asks Jenna to stall, while she puts the covers back on. Paget tells Parker that speaking directly to other people about what he wants them to do gets their back up. They’re adults, and have to work together and be a team. Parker says they’re on the same page; he’s not disagreeing. In Parker’s interview, he says, working for a couple, he can’t win. He did everything that was asked, and he’s still the one getting scolded. He tells Paget that Ciara put the covers back in the dryer when he said not to, and Ciara tells Paget, they were soaking wet.
The guests get on the tender with baby Angelica. In the crew mess, Parker asks if he can have some club soda, and Jenna says it didn’t come with the last provisions, and she needs to make sure they have it for the guests. Parker points out that Byron has one, and Jenna says Parker’s attitude is heavy. If he wants something, put it on the list. He adds it on the dry-erase board, and says he’s not trying to piss her off; he just wanted a club soda. Jenna says, if she tells him, no, let that be the end of it. His commentary puts people off. She says she’ll give him an example, but he says, that’s okay, and jets. Adam says, clearly, it went in one ear and out the other.
Paget picks up the guests, Adam makes dinner, and the table is set. Madison starts turndowns before dinner, and Jenna isn’t happy. In Jenna’s interview, she says they don’t start until the guests sit down to dinner. You need to be a magical fairy, who cleans the rooms, but the guests never see. In his interview, Captain Glenn says, dressing up for a fancy dinner is not his forte. He’s more of a burger, ribs, and pizza kind of guy. Jenna tells Madison that she should have waited, but Madison says there were no guests there. The captain says, wish him luck, and joins the guests for dinner. Madison goes to help with turndowns, and Georgia tells Madison that she should have waited until the guests were sitting down to dinner. Madison tells her, no one was there, and Georgia snarks that Madison is the boss. Madison says, no, she’s not; she’s trying to be proactive. Jenna radios for Madison to be on service. In Madison’s interview, she says, if you want respect, don’t flirt with the chef when you should be working. Jenna asks Ciara for help with service.
Captain Glenn tells Sylvia that he bought a sailboat in ’92. In his interview, he says he feels awkward, but he has to do his best to keep it going. It might be a nice rapport, but he doesn’t like being the center of attention. It makes him feel self-conscious. Dinner is served, Mmm… yellowtail… seared… Captain Glenn says he loves Adam’s food, and the guests agree. They discuss cooking, and Angelica cries. Jenna tells Adam that she likes the way he’s spreading the strawberries on the dessert, and he says he’s good at spreading things out. Jenna says, they’ll see, and in Madison’s interview, she says something like, errggh. Sylvia toasts to a great trip, and Angelica.
The captain says he’ll see them in the morning, and everyone goes to bed. If I was shelling out the kind of money it takes to go on a trip like this, I’d be up 24/however many days the trip was. Jenna tells Adam, it’s a calm charter, and Madison tells Georgia to go to bed; she’ll finish. Georgia says she needs to be up to make sure the laundry is done, and Madison asks if that’s a jab at her. Georgia tells her, stop making drama, but Madison says she’s not. Don’t say she has to get the job done as a jab at her. Jenna tells Adam that she’s going to bed, and he massages her shoulders. Madison tells Georgia, just let her know where the laundry is at. Georgia tells Madison that she started the drying cycle, and wrote down what’s needed. She goes to bed, and Madison mumbles they’ll have to work on that. Captain Glenn asks Georgia if everything is okay, and she says, it’s always good.
In the morning, there’s a glorious sunrise. Georgia sees that she finally got some help, and says, thank God. She did it. Paget’s hair is slicked back, and she tells him, she likes his wet look. Breakfast is served. Mmm… eggs benedict… with a crab cake underneath… The captain tells the crew, ETA, five minutes. In Paget’s interview, he says he and Parker have been butting heads the whole charter, and the last docking was a disaster. One screw up can cost tens of thousands of dollars in damage. They dock uneventfully.
The guests say goodbye. Sylvia says Captain Glenn is their favorite captain. They did a great job; the crew kept their rooms up, and the food was amazing. She gives him a fat envelope, the captain blows the horn, and everyone waves goodbye. Adam says they nailed it. The crew cleans up the boat, and Captain Glenn calls for a charter debrief. He says he thinks it was another great charter. The tip is $14,000 or $1550 each. In Paget’s interview, he says, the tip is the icing on the cake. Knowing the guests had a great time is what counts. Ha-ha-ha! I’m so sure I believe that. Captain Glenn says they’re on a roll, but he’s starting to see a grinding of the gears. It’s a lot of pressure, and they’re working long hours in small spaces. In his interview, he says the crew is starting to get on each other’s nerves. It’s like running a floating foster home. He needs to alleviate the tension before it blows up.
In Jenna’s interview, she says she’s excited to go out. She’s getting along great with Adam, but since the hot tub debacle, she’s going to let him make the first move. She tells him, she can’t wait to get out of there. The crew gets ready to go out. In Madison’s interview, she says she and Georgia are like sisters, but more like bro’s. They’re ready to kill each other, and the next moment, they’re bro’ing out. The crew goes to shore.
Why do so many cafés and bars have swings? Do people bring kids? I don’t think the option of a swing is a great choice where people are drinking. They eat at a table right next to the water. In Ciara’s interview, she says she hasn’t connected that well with the other girls. When she was younger, they moved a lot, and there wasn’t much of a chance to make friends. She’s very self-sufficient, but it’s lonely at times. After dinner, the crew moves on to a bar. Ciara doesn’t feel like drinking, but Jenna wildly swings her ponytail in a way that might be some kind of mating ritual. Paget asks if Ciara is going to be wiggling her butt, but she’s not having it. Adam and Jenna flirt, and in Madison’s interview, she says, she’s an awkward flirt. If she’s awkward and weird, she’s flirting, but Parker hasn’t noticed. He probably thinks she’s having a seizure or something. In Ciara’s interview, she says all she needs is a little alone time with Paget. Ciara tells Paget that she doesn’t want to be there; she’s tired. He asks if she’s crying, but she says she doesn’t want to talk. She’s not having fun, and just wants to sleep.
Ciara puts her head in her hands, and Paget walks away. Madison wiggles around next to Ciara, and Ciara asks what she’s doing, and laughs. Madison says Ciara isn’t going to cry; she’s going to laugh. She puts her boobs in Ciara’s face. In Madison’s interview, she says she wants everyone to be happy if it kills her. The crew goes back to the boat. In Parker’s interview, he says he’s aware that Madison might have a crush on him, but falling in love takes a very long time for Parker (he literally talks about himself in the third person). Adam and Jenna sit in captain’s chair, and curl up together. Adam says, it’s the best seat in the house. He likes her; she makes him laugh. She makes his day easier. She says she could tell he liked her, and he says, it’s not every day he’s attracted to his chief stew. She says, sh*t happens. Why question it? They kiss. In Adam’s interview, he says, the texual shension [sic] is high. Jenna says she really likes him, and Adam asks if she wants to go on a road trip. She says, yeah, and in her interview, Jenna says she can’t think of a better night. Adam says, round two, and they go to bed. Separately; not with each other.
Adam comes up behind Jenna while she makes juice, and they hug. Georgia sings as she does the laundry. There seems to be something about doing laundry on boats that inspires song. It happens a lot. Captain Glenn tells Madison that he’s going off the boat, and she tells him to enjoy his time. He leaves for who-knows-where. Ciara looks out, and notices the boat is hitting the dock. She calls for Paget, and then Byron, but no one is around. The boat continues to scrape the dock, and she runs through the boat, looking for anyone. She says she doesn’t know where he f*** anyone is.
Next time, Adam wants to take it slow, the guests are chest bumping Long Island dudes (looks promising!), Captain Glenn says hitting the dock is a big deal, and Madison says it’s absolute insanity on the boat.
🕶 Remember Her…?
No reason you should. I didn’t. I think she’s the one with the eating disorder.
What I Watched - TV With Theresa 