(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
The Walking Dead
Carol wakes. It’s still dark out. She washes her face, and makes some coffee. She packs her knapsack and arms herself. She looks at her gun in the drawer.
Daryl is sitting on the porch smoking I don’t know what. Carol gets some food to-go, and heads out. Daryl comes up behind her, and asks if she’s feeling better. He asks where she’s going she tells him, to look for Negan. He asks if he can come along.
They get to a cliff in the forest, and Daryl asks if she thinks he crossed the border. He can’t see Negan putting on a mask, but she says, stranger things have happened. She takes out binoculars, but Daryl says Negan isn’t going to be wandering around to be spotted. He’s not dumb. She scans the vista, and Daryl asks her to tell him what they’re doing out there. She says, looking for Negan, and he says, tell him what they’re really looking for. She says, the horde. They have to find it and destroy it.
In the infirmary, Dante jokes that a tiny part of Cheryl is thrilled that she’s sick, so she can spend more time with him. She says, oh yeah. She’s puking because she has a crush. He says it’s a textbook case of the butterflies. Emotions manifest themselves in different ways.The heart wants what it wants. He checks her vitals, and she says she’d break him like a twig. Siddiq comes in, wearing Coco in a snuggly, and asks Cheryl how Dante is doing. She says, the jury is still out. Dante acts crushed, and says he thought they were having a moment. Siddiq says, this makes seven, and Dante asks how Rosita is. Siddiq says, same as everyone else. They have to keep everyone hydrated, and wait it out. Dante tells Siddiq to lap up the daddy/daughter sh*t while he can. They grow fast. He reaches to hold the baby, but Siddiq says he has some boundaries. Dante says, his bad, and tells Siddiq, go; have fun. If Siddiq needs him to peek in on Rosita, say the word, and he’ll make sure she’s on the mend. Boundaries again? Siddiq nods, and Dante says, noted.
Carol she’s Daryl a map, and says she’s been tracking them along the border. A small group connected at the jungle area. She thinks they should stake out a spot, and Daryl says they should see where the Whisperers go. They’d need a big place. He points to a spot on the map, and says they wouldn’t be able to sneak in without starting sh*t. They should figure out where they are, and tell the council. He asks why she didn’t say anything, and she says, after what happened with Alpha, she didn’t want to worry him. She asks if he’s sticking around, and he says she’ll need him, but she tells him that she’s picked up a few things over the years. He says they’ll see.
As he walks blindfolded with the Whisperers, Negan says he wants to join; he’s a joiner. Give him a damn application. They’re a class outfit, with their back to nature paleo vibe. And no more being eaten by the dead; that’s the real selling point. They’re a survivor’s wet dream. He asks if they’re going commando under there, and Beta has enough. He turns around, and puts crisscrossed knives against Negan’s neck. Negan calls him the Jolly Green Giant, and tells him to cool his jets. Beta says, no more noise. He’ll slit Negan’s throat and be done. Negan says he’s never properly introduced himself. He’s Negan (as we all are, I add in my head). For the last eight years, he’s been locked up by their enemy. Take him to his leader, and he’ll spill every secret he knows. Beta takes Negan’s blindfold off, and puts it in his mouth as a gag. I laugh.
Eugene thanks Nabila for choosing to assist in the radio relaunch boon. She says she’s happy to be part of the Hilltop AV club. He asks if he can show her the souped up soviet satellite version of the radio, and asks if she can parlez-vous Russian. She says, nyet. That’s all she’s got. He says, you haven’t lived until you’ve bounced a transmitter off the biosphere. She says, it sounds cool, but she’s got to get back to the kids. He tells her, there’s no expiration date on the invite, and she tells him to have fun. When she’s gone, he says, solo trip it is. Let’s see how far you fly. He turns the radio on hears Rosita’s voice. She tells him that she was looking for him. She just wanted to see what he was up to. She jokes that she has a fever, so she could be delirious. He asks what she has, and she says, it’s just a bug; she’ll be fine, and Coco is okay. What’s he up to? He says he’s revamping the radio set-up, but everyone wants a slice of Eugene. She asks if he’s coming back soon, and he says, to be honest, he hadn’t given it much thought, but it’s good to hear her voice. She says, her too. Some sparks fly out of the back of the radio, and he says there’s been a malfunction. Mother of pearl. She asks if he’s okay, and he says, he has to fix the radio proto before it all goes fubar. He’ll call back this afternoon.
Daryl and Carol (why do their names have to rhyme?) take turns throwing acorns at a can, trying to knock it over. Both fail miserably, missing by a mile. Carol says, without his crossbow, his aim isn’t that good. He says, it’s not his thing, and she says it’s not hers. His acorn grazes the can, and he says he wins, but she says he’s got to knock it over, not kiss it. He calls her a sore loser. She finds two acorns fused together, and says she’s got a double-capper. She says it’s good luck, and gives it to him, telling him, maybe it will help with his aim. He tells her to watch her own throws. She asks how Hilltop is, and he says, fine. The king sends his best. She asks how Connie is, and he says, she’s fine too. Carol says she sees, and he says, it’s not like that. She says, why not?There’s not many people left to find, much less good ones. Why not? He asks why it matters, and she says, because it does. They don’t have to be alone. He can’t hide out with Dog forever. Daryl knocks the can over, and says, see? His aim is better already. He says he’s hungry, and asks if she has any food. She takes out the loaf of bread she got for the trip. He glances in her bag, as she breaks off a hunk of bread for him. He looks out, and says, see that? She looks through the binoculars, and a group of zombies comes trickling out of the woods. She gives the binoculars to him, and he says, Whisperers. She smiles.
Beta tells Alpha that Negan cannot be trusted. She looks over at Negan, and says, test him. If he passes, he’s worthy; if not, kill him. Beta says, it’s a mistake, showing him their ways. Alpha says questioning her judgement is becoming a regular occurrence. The Alpha is to be obeyed. He says he was only thinking of their people. She asks if it’s finally time for Beta to be the Alpha, and he kneels before her. Negan watches, as Beta says, never. Negan smiles.
Negan asks Beta if he’s Beta with benefits, and he slides his little omega in on the side. Beta says if Negan says anything about Alpha, he’ll kill him. Negan says, keeping it professional; he respects that. He saw Beta kneeling – not that there’s anything wrong with that. It’s tickled the d*cks of many a fine man. He’s had people kneeling before him, and understands the benefit that sh*t provides. He’s never done it himself, and admires Beta’s self-restraint. And respectfully, the bald head thing tightens his britches.
Siddiq goes to Rosita’s house to grab a change of clothes. He finds her on the couch, and says he thought she was supposed to be in bed. She says she was feeling better, but now she feels worse. He says she’s going on a field trip to the infirmary. She protests that she has so much to do, and sits up. She says, sh*t, and Siddiq says, how about if they all go? He helps her up and out the door.
Eugene sits at the radio, trying to call Hilltop, but only gets static. He plays with the dial, and says, it’s Tater Bug, live over open channels. If anyone is out there, give him a copy.
Continuing to watch the zombies, Carol says, it’s getting bigger, and Daryl says, they’re gathering strays. Carol says the sun is going down. They should see where the zombies go, but they have to get closer. Daryl asks if they were to cross the border, would she? and she says, if that’s what it takes. He asks if she’s sure she doesn’t want to take another shot at Alpha, and she says she didn’t say that. She asks what his problem is, and he says, if they’re going to do this, they have to be smart. They have no back-up. It’s just them in the middle of the night. Carol asks, since when are they not enough? Daryl says if they mess up, everyone else pays. She says, they already did, and they’re going to keep paying, no matter what side of the line they’re on. She tells him that she has to pee, and leaves. When she’s out of sight, he looks in her bag.
When Carol comes back, she asks if he found what he was looking for. He asks if she brought her gun, and she says, no; he took the ammo. He says there’s still ammo in the storage room, and she says she didn’t bring the gun. He can frisk her; go ahead. He says, okay. She asks if they’re enough or not, and he says, all right; he’s still in. It might as well be them. They move ahead.
Negan asks if he’s going to be bathed and reborn into the Whisperers’ image, or will he have a mission or quest? Beta throws a shovel at Negan, and says, dig. Negan says, he can do that. Is there anything in particular Beta is going for, as to size, depth, or width? Beta says, just dig. Negan digs. The background music is a twist-type song, Yo-Yo (see below, yo), as Negan hangs a piece of skin on a branch. It’s not that big and kind of ragged, and Beta hangs a piece next to his that’s a larger, perfect square. Negan is digging up bodies, and he and Beta drag them to a pile. I wonder when Negan got a fade? Is the a hair stylist among the Whisperers?
At the Whisperers’ camp, Beta, a boar hunting expedition is in progress, and Beta gives Negan a pocketknife. A Whisperer shoots a boar with an arrow, and Negan is left to finish it off. It knocks him down, but he still manages to kill it. It’s put in a cooking pit, and covered with dirt.
Siddiq brings Rosita to the infirmary, where a lot of people are waiting. Dante yells out to grab a seat; he’ll be with them in a second. Siddiq asks, what the hell is going on? Dante thinks the illness is spreading faster, and they’re out of antibiotics. Siddiq gets angry, and tells Dante to start crushing herbs, giving him a list of what to put together. It’s going to get worse if they don’t get ahead of it.
Daryl and Carol go to the border. Daryl says, if things go sideways, they head back. If they get split up, this is where they’ll meet. Carol says, be safe, and Daryl says, luck is on their side. They go into the woods.
Negan says he took the bastard down. This is the kind of badass sh*t he’ll do for his new family. Beta says, only those good enough to walk among them may eat. Negan says he helped cook, and kill the damn pig. He at least deserves a piece of bacon. Beta throws him to the ground, and Negan says, whatever you say, boss. He sits with another Whisperer, who gives him something to eat. Well that was nice.
Eugene says, it’s Tater Bug on the open air. Any interested airholes, come on back. Anyone, anywhere, it’s Tater Bug. A woman’s voice says, hello? She receives him loud and clear. He asks if she’s really out there.
The group of zombies moves into a clearing. Carol and Daryl watch. Daryl signals Carol to go another way, but she shakes her head, indicating she wants to stay. He starts to step forward, and his foot crunches some twigs. The zombies have supersonic hearing, and follow the noise. Daryl backs up against a tree, and they go past. He lifts the crossbow, and begins to slink away. A straggler heads in his direction.
Eugene says he would have prepared the proper remark if he’d known he was going to establish first contact. He thought he was wasting his time. He thinks they should exchange questions in order to grease the wheel. He asks where’s her location, how long she’s lived there, and how many people live there? And do they need to continue to say over? Over. The woman doesn’t think she should share that information, but she’s okay with not saying over. He understands. He asks if she’d like to hear his life story. Should he skip ahead? She suggests he start when he was born, and he tells her that he was born in Dallas. She says she’s from Pennsylvania. Stroudsburg. He says he knows it well. As an adolescent, locomotives were his jam, and his parents took him to the railroad museum for his birthday. He mentions the ice cream shop, and she says, the Inside Scoop. She was there all the time. They might have been there on the same day. He says he does have a critical question. Cake cone or waffle cone?
The straggling zombie comes up behind Daryl, and he cracks it’s neck. He slits it open, and pulls out its guts, smearing them on himself. Other zombies come by, but just keep walking. We hear whispering. I think it’s, why are you here?
Siddiq sits by Cheryl’s bedside, and she says it’s been ages since got so much attention from a young man. Siddiq says, it’s kind of his job. She says he’s all gloom and doom. She feels like she’s napping next to the Grim Reaper. He says, sorry; he’s just concerned. She says, in this world, most people don’t get the luxury of drifting off in a comfortable bed. Dante comes in, and Siddiq tells him to get some rest. About what he said… Dante says, no worries. He gets it. They’re stuck with pre-industrialized meds, but they’ll figure it out. Siddiq appreciates his help, and Dante says he should. He’s kind of amazing. They laugh, and Siddiq says, get some rest.
Siddiq checks Rosita’s forehead. Coco cries, and he picks her up. He tells her, it’s okay, and rocks her. He starts to drift off, and hears whispering. He opens his eyes, and he’s on one of the windmills, holding Coco.
Negan continues to travel with the Whisperers and their zombie crew. He says he and Beta are clearly not jiving. He gets it. Beta’s got to be a tough guy to keep everyone in line. He had guys to keep his sh*t tight. Beta says he’s not like Negan, and Negan says, whether Beta likes it or not, he’s joining. They’ll have to find a way to get along. Beta says Negan will never be one of them. He’s too loud, too weak, and too full of ego. He’s a waste. Negan says, cards on the table, he’s not there for Beta. He’s there for Alpha. Throw him, test him, he doesn’t give a sh*t. He ain’t going nowhere. Beta says, finally. Something they can both agree on. Negan won’t be going anywhere. Beta kills a zombie – or a Whisperer, I have no idea. Negan says he was just making a joke. He thinks Beta would be impressed if he wasn’t so pissed off. Negan kills another zombie and/or Whisperer, and the knife breaks. He’s suddenly surrounded.
Daryl finds Carol with a Whisperer she has tied up. Daryl says, what the hell? Carol says he saw them, and she’s taking him back. They can see what he knows. Daryl asks if this was her plan all along, but she says no. He asks, what’s this? indicating the plastic tie around the man’s wrists. She says it was in her bag; he must have missed it. She tells him they have no time to argue.
Still talking over the radio, Eugene says roller rinks make no sense, according to the risk and reward analysis. Along with the combined humiliation, it wasn’t his favorite pastime. He says it’s been a very enjoyable conversation, and at the risk of said humiliation, can they have a real talk? She says, it’s been great, but she doesn’t know him. He might be a threat. He asks what if he shares specifics, and she says, who’s to say she’s not a threat to him? People are dangerous. Eugene says he’s well aware of that, yet he has a twinge in his belly that leans toward the good column in the alignment chart. He does know her. His given name is, Eugene Hermann Porter. He proposes they continue their convos in the hope of building more approval and interest. There’s a moment of silence, and she says, well, okay, Eugene Hermann Porter. She’d like that very much. He says, so they’re in agreement? She says, they are, but they have to keep it between them for now. She wants to trust him, but if she hears anyone else, she’ll know she can’t. He says, okay. Just her and him. Copy that. Over.
The Whisperers work at hanging skins. Beta tells Alpha, he was weak. She says she expected more. Negan comes out of the woods, and says he’s ready for his goddam skim suit. They’ll need an extra-long tape measure for his humongous balls. He walks up to Alpha, and says, he’s Negan. They haven’t formally met, but he sure as hell knows who she is. Whether his reputation precedes him or not – he kneels – he’s all in. Whatever she wants, whatever he’s got, it’s hers. Beta is like, whoa. Alpha looks Negan over, and puts her finger to her lips. She says, shh… and he smiles.
They were definitely speaking my language with this episode. Negan is exactly what the Whisperers needed.
Next time, Carol tells Daryl it’s the only way, Alpha tells her people that she lvoes them, and Siddiq jumps into the water.
💢 Exactly Why I Stopped Watching…
While I never mind the occasional catfight, these girls take it too far.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Sam tends to the guard. Jason shows up, and asks, what happened? Sam tells him, Cassandra escaped.
Cassandra asks if Nikolas is sure he’s not driving in circles. He tells her the trees only look similar; they’ll get where they’re going soon. She suggests perhaps he take a more direct route to the private airport, but he says they could get caught. He tells her, sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride. She says she doesn’t have much choice, and he says, that’s the spirit. Don’t worry. He’s taken care of everything.
There’s a knock on Ava’s door, and she says, go away. Jax comes in, saying the doctor cleared him for a visit. She asks what he’s doing there, and he says he thought he’d check on her. How is she? She says, okay. She’s tired because they gave her a sedative. Her mind is playing tricks on her. He says what happened to her is his fault.
Lulu, Charlotte, and Maxie walk into Kelly’s Charlotte asks if when she finishes her homework, she can check on her pony at Windymere. Lulu is sure Butterscotch is fine, but Charlotte is insistent, and Lulu says she’ll think about it. Charlotte asks if she can sit at the counter so she can concentrate, and Lulu says, of course (🍷). Maxie says she’ll have to remember saying she’ll think about it after the homework, when James is old enough. Lulu says Charlotte loves riding, and she’s glad Charlotte can share that with Nina and Valentin. Although she thinks Valentin bought the pony so Charlotte would spend more time there, and asks if she sounds paranoid. Maxie says, not in the least.
Willow sees Brad sitting at the counter, and asks if he’s okay. He says, it’s been a tough day, but Willow is sure when he gets home, and cuddles with Lucas and Wiley, his bad day will disappear. Brad flashes back to telling Lucas about Julian, and says Julian is falling apart. They can’t let Julian drag them down with them.
Julian goes to the hospital, and tells Bobbie that he’s looking for Lucas, and asks if Lucas is on duty. She suggests he try calling before bothering her. He says Lucas isn’t answering, and he needs to speak to Lucas; it’s very important. She checks the computer.
Lucas is at Tony’s grave. He says he misplaced his trust in Julian, and his husband is lying to him – again. Right now, the one thing he knows for sure is that he could really use Tony’s advice. He says, I miss you dad. I’d give anything to talk to you again. He turns, as someone walks into the cemetery. It’s Tony, who says, hello son. It’s been a while.
Jason tells 911, the guard is semi-conscious, and the paramedics are on the way. She tells him, there was another guard. Chase and another officer show up, and Chase tells Jason and Sam to freeze. Sam says, the guard was hit in the head; she’s in and out. Chase tells the officer to check the guard. He does, and says, her pulse is good, but she’s out of it. Chase says he got a call from 911, and Jason says it was him. Chase says, and there was an escaped prisoner. Sam tells Chase, it was Cassandra Pierce. She hit the guard in the head with a shovel, and took off.
Nikolas tells Cassandra, it will be a few minutes; he thinks they should talk. She says, about what? and he says they had a mutual understanding, until she chose to blackmail him. Cassandra asks what he wanted her to do. Continue rotting in that local penitentiary? He knows how dangerous the environment is to a person with her constitution. The mildew alone is deadly. He says perhaps she should have stayed away from Port Charles altogether. She says, lucky for both of them, she’s on her way out. Just get her to the airport. She’d be happy to continue their partnership with mutually agreed upon terms from a safe distance. He says, that’s the problem. Her actions have dissolved their partnership.
Lucas hugs Tony, and says it’s good see him. Tony says since Lucas conjured him up, it must be important. He sees Lucas is a doctor now, and Lucas says just like his old man. And Tony has a grandson, Wiley. Tony says he’s proud of Lucas, and asks what’s on his mind.
Willow says she didn’t see Brad at the hospital today, and Brad says he switched his schedule around; he had errands to run. She says, in case she wasn’t clear, she doesn’t just think of him as just Wiley’s dad. She thinks of him as a really good friend. He says it’s kind of her to say, and she says, because of him, she has a place in her little boy’s life. He guesses he did do that, and she says he did, so if something is troubling him… He tells her like he said, it’s been a day.
Lulu suggests she and Maxie talk about something more gratifying. Maxie says, as in hot Dustin? but Lulu says, as in Peter. The way Maxie has been smiling, he must have done something wonderful. Maxie says there might soon be a change in their living arrangements. Lulu says, he got the place? but Maxie says, that didn’t work out. He’s moving in with her. Lulu thinks that’s even better, and Maxie says it’s been her home forever; more important, James’s home. Lulu says, it’s about damn time. Maxie says she was afraid, then he was afraid, then they took turns being afraid. They’ve finally accepted that they can be happy together, and the world won’t go up flames.
Ava asks Jax how her vacation from sanity is his fault. He says they should have kept an eye on the message boards after they did… She says, that hatchet job? and he says they were her words. He knew the reaction would be strong, but didn’t expect the rudeness. Ava says, rudeness? It was hatred; a complete lack of humanity and compassion. He says he doesn’t want to provide a platform for trolls. It was brutal, and he should have put a stop to it. Ava says she’s going to be more merciful to him than he was to her. The reason she’s there isn’t his fault. He asks, then why? She says she’s being haunted by restless souls. The line between the living and the dead has become very blurry. She just wanted to reach out to Kiki now… Tell her something. Does he believe they can awaken the dead?
Jax knows Ava has taken some questioning paths to contact Kiki, and Ava says, Kiki wants no part of her. Eternity isn’t even long enough for her to stay away from Ava. She’s being haunted by another lost soul. He was there at the gallery. She had him at gunpoint, and told him to take off his mask – it was Halloween and he had a mask on. When he removed it, there he was; so real, she could have reached out and touched him. Jax asks, who? and she says, Nikolas Cassadine.
Chase tells Sam and Jason, the prisoners are heading back to Pentenville. There will be a second transport for Sam as soon as he gets her statement. Sam asks about the guard, and he tells her, the guard is stable, and she’ll regain consciousness. He asks her to take him through it, and Sam says she was on work detail with Cassandra, and they were assigned to plant a tree. Cassandra had a shovel, and faked a sprained ankle. She hit the guard with the shovel and took off. There was a van parked across the road, and as soon as she saw it, she took the first opportunity. She tried to get the guard’s gun, but Sam stopped her from getting a weapon. Chase says, well done, and asks her to describe the driver. She says, it was pretty far, but the driver was male, and the van was white and not too old. She’s sorry, but that’s all she’s got.
Julian tells Bobbie, he can see the animosity. He’s proved himself to Lucas, and was accepted back into Lucas’s life and Wiley’s. He’s not walking away now, or ever. Bobbie reminds him that, whatever ground he’s gained with Lucas, there’s only one man who will truly be Lucas’s father.
Lucas tells Tony about Wiley running around nakey after his bath, and Tony says Lucas was the same way. He and Bobbie called him the streak. Lucas says it’s brought back so much of his childhood. Things he hadn’t thought about. Tony would be exhausted, coming home from a 36 hour shift, and still sit with Lucas to do homework, or put Lucas on his lap to teach him guitar. He always had time for Lucas. Tony says he never wanted Lucas to think being a parent was a chore or a favor. He wanted Lucas to feel safe and loved. He never wanted Lucas to doubt that he was the most important thing in his life . Lucas says he succeeded, and Tony says, good to know. Lucas wants the same thing for Wiley; to feel as safe and loved as he did when he was a kid. But he thinks he just burned it to the ground.
Cassandra tells Nikolas not to let a couple of tiny misunderstandings and setbacks dismantle an otherwise profitable arrangement. He says she put the entire operation in jeopardy. She admits her time in the claustrophobic confines of Pentenville may have compromised her judgment, and compelled her to misstep. Now they’re back on even ground, and no harm done. Nikolas tells her that she said she could deliver information that could destroy Valentin, and so far she’s come empty-handed. That makes her a liability. She says he’s not taking her to an airport, is he?
Nikolas stops the van. He says she wouldn’t appreciate it if he broke his promise to her. How is he supposed to respond when she breaks her promise to him? She says, it’s just been delayed, and he tells her, good. He hopes she considers this drive as an incentive to honor her obligation. She says as far as incentives go, she doesn’t see them any close to an airport. He says her actions have forced him to make alternate arrangements. She jumps out of the van, and runs.
Maxie asks Lulu if the dance was romantic or nostalgic, but Lulu says, it was a nightmare. On one hand, she was surrounded by teenage angst and ricocheting hormones; it was exhausting. Maxie says, on the other? Lulu says, Dustin was… Maxie says, hot? Sexy? Gorgeous? Lulu says, he was adorable and funny, and surprising. He had the biggest collection of dad jokes. They were so lame, she couldn’t stop laughing. Maxie says it was less romantic than she was hoping for, but Lulu says, it was romantic. Let’s just say, the kids weren’t the only ones hoping to score that night. Maxie is happy to see Lulu caught up with someone again.
Willow tells Brad, she doesn’t mean to pry, but Julian mentioned he was worried about him. She knows it was her idea to keep Julian away from Wiley during the adoption process, but she thinks Julian only wants what’s best for Wiley.
Tony tells Lucas, every parent worth their salt worries that they’re going to ruin their child’s life. But he can’t believe that, even accidently, Lucas would compromise Wiley’s happiness. Lucas says he let his guard down, and Tony says he should with the people he loves. Lucas says the problem is, the person he loves, he doesn’t entirely trust as much as he wants to. He loves Brad so much. Tony says he knows, but tell him about the horrible mistake Lucas made that torpedoed Wiley’s life. Lucas says, long story long, from day one Brad was an anxious parent. It’s been over a year, and he’s only gotten worse. They found out the birth father is a psychopath, but even though Shiloh is dead, Brad didn’t get any better. It was the opposite. Tony asks how Wiley is handling it, and Lucas says, he smiles. One thing they’re good at is hiding their stress from him. They’re experts. They can’t share it with each other either. Tony asks, how can he help? Lucas says he just keeps asking himself, what would his dad do? It made him desperate enough to let Julian back into his life; he wanted a father to lean on so badly. Tony says he was never Julian’s biggest fan, and Lucas says, him neither. Not at first. But he wanted to believe in him so badly, he let Julian get close to his son.
Ava says Jax doesn’t believe her, but he says he does. She says he believes that she believes it; that’s what Laura said. But Nikolas was as real as he is. Jax asks if anybody else saw Nikolas, like Laura or Lulu, but she doesn’t think so. He wonders why Nikolas would come to her first, and she says they formed a special bond in the days before Nikolas was killed. Would it be enough for Nikolas to show his face to her before anyone else? Probably not. Jax says, she seems to be arguing that Nikolas wasn’t really there, and she says, he was definitely there. He wanted to punish her. She was there when he was murdered, and she was going to speak out and tell the court what Valentin did. She’d promised Spencer, but Valentin made her an offer she couldn’t resist. (Thank you for not saying couldn’t refuse.) She’d been terribly scarred in a fire, and he said he could have her face restored in exchange for her silence. In the end, she betrayed Spencer and his father’s memory. Jax says he thinks she made the right call. Valentin would have slipped out of the charges anyway, and she would have been left scarred for life. Ava says they’ll never know, will they? Jax says she doesn’t believe Nikolas came back to haunt her because she chose to live life. She says she doesn’t know what to believe. She doesn’t know what’s real. That’s why she’s there. He asks why she thinks this happened to her now. Did something happen? Did she see someone or something that reminds her of the Cassadines?
On the phone, Chase says they have personnel in civilian clothes watching the airports, bus stations, and train stations, and they have roadblocks and traffic stops at the main roads out of town. He tells Sam, good news; the guard is awake and alert. Sam says, that’s great, and Chase tells her to make sure her lawyer knows. He’ll back her up, and it’s got to help. Jason asks, what’s happening with Cassandra? and Chase says they’re combing the city for the van and Cassandra. But he’d like to know what Jason was doing at the park. And before he says he’s not answering questions about his attorney, they could say Sam was an accessory to Cassandra’s escape. Sam says she tried to stop Cassandra, and Chase says, the more Jason cooperates, the better it looks for Sam. Jason says Sam told him when he visited, she’d be on work detail there, and Chase asks if Jason thought he’d pop over to say hello. She says she wanted to make sure her kids didn’t come there, and Jason says when he got there, the guard was on the ground, and Sam was doing what she could to help. Chase asks if it occurred to her to run, but she says, no. She was helping the guard. Why would she take off, and look guilty when she’s not?
Nikolas slams the van door shut, and says, dammit.
Bobbie sees Julian looking at the wall of staff photos. Bobbie asks what he’s doing, and he says he never thanked Tony. Bobbie says, when Julian was hiding, pretending to be Derek Wells, or is he referring to a more cosmic gesture of gratitude? Julian says Bobbie doesn’t think he’s capable of gratitude, does she? She says, no, and he says he knows he’s done terrible things. His efforts to go legit – and he’s succeeded – are probably too late. She says, there’s no probably about it, and he says he’s still a person; a father and a grandfather, and their son is a good man. She says, no thanks to him. He says he understands she and Tony loved and raised Lucas, and he’ll be grateful for the rest of his life. She says they didn’t do it for him, but he tells her, take the win and the thank you. He’s not trying to fill Tony’s shoes, but wants to carve out a space of his own with his son. He leaves, and Bobbie looks at Tony’s picture, saying, fill his shoes. As if.
Tony tells Lucas, the great thing about being dead is, everyone forgets your faults, or at least forgives them. He wasn’t a perfect parent. Lucas disagrees, and Tony says that’s sweet, but Lucas is proving his point. Lucas says if he wasn’t perfect, he was within the margin of error, and Tony says, so is he. Lucas says it doesn’t feel like it right now, and Tony says that’s because he’s going through a bad patch. Everything is gloom and doom right now. Did he forget the first time saw his baby smile, and realized he could take it personally? You forget the feel of your child’s hand inside yours when you’re going to the post office. He thinks when things get rough – and they did between him and Lucas’s mother – these happy memories, these little gifts, these miracles, are his arsenal of weapons against doubt, uncertainty, and fear. Those same memories will build a foundation for Wiley to lead a happy life. Okay, I’m about to lose it.
Lucas says, say he’s adjusted his outlook. Now what? He still can’t decide what’s worse; that Julian framed Brad for having an affair, or that he believed Julian. That’s the state of his family. Tony thinks Lucas knows who the most important person is in all this. Lucas says, it’sWiley. Now he has to decide who to trust and keep in his life and Wiley’s life. Lucas asks if Tony can’t just tell him what to do, but Tony can’t remember it ever being all that effective. Lucas guesses he’s right, and Tony says when Lucas’s sister died, he didn’t have the strength or motivation to get dressed. He’d pick up his shoes, and just stare. Lucas asks what he did, and Tony says, not a damn thing. It was what Lucas did; does he remember? Lucas says, no, and Tony says, he came into kitchen and Lucas had put out breakfast. He wasn’t old enough to use the stove, so he put all his favorite cereals into a big mixing bowl. Lucas says, it’s starting to ring a bell. Tony says, next to it, Lucas had packed his lunch. It was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, an apple, and a cookie. He’d had no intention of going in that day, but Lucas was having none of it. Lucas asks what he did, and Tony said he crawled next to him on the chair and said, dad, you have to go back to the hospital… Lucas says with him, all those sick people miss you. Lucas finishes, and they need you to make them feel better. Tony says, he remembers. He has a brave heart. All Wiley needs is for him trust it. He takes Lucas’s hand. Lucas’s phone rings. He answers, and I say, don’t go, Tony. It’s Bobbie. She asks if he’s okay, and Lucas says he’s fine. What’s up? Bobbie says Julian is combing the halls in the hospital, hellbent on finding him. He won’t leave. What should she tell him? Lucas says, tell Julian if he wants to see him, he’s with his father. He turns back, and Tony is gone.
Nikolas calls Jax, and tells Jax to call him back. Their situation has been compromised.
Ava thanks Jax. He reminded her of something she hadn’t realized she’d forgotten. He asks, what’s that? and she says she heard Laura call him after she’d seen Nikolas at the gallery. She overheard Laura tell him that he and Hayden shouldn’t ask her about the painting of Helena. Now it makes sense why he’s there extending his sympathy. Jax insists it’s 100% genuine, and Ava says, right. He’s overflowing with sympathy for her; the woman he accused of killing Connie. The only thing he wants to unburden her of is the painting of Helena. Jax says he was going to ask her about it when she… She says, when she what? She sees him; him and his friend the mayor. So kind, thoughtful, and compassionate. Did they think they could take advantage of her? He says that’s not what’s going on, but she says, they’ll take nothing from her. Not now, not ever. She made the mistake of trusting him once, and she won’t make that mistake ever again. He’ll going to take advantage of her.
Maxie tells Lulu, so they spent Halloween with a mob of teenagers. What’s next? Lulu doesn’t know, and Maxie says, please tell her that she said she had a great time with him, and can’t wait to see him again. Lulu thinks she generally conveyed that message, and Maxie asks if she conveyed it with a kiss. Lulu can’t believe Maxie is asking her that, and Maxie says she’ll take that as yes. She looks at Lulu, and Lulu says, what? Maxie says them, having tea and gossiping about themselves and others. Lulu says, are they becoming normal? Maxie wouldn’t go that far, but they can allow themselves one normal night. They toast, tobesties; no drama.
Willow tells Brad that he has an open invitation if he wants to talk about anything. Brad says he’ll remember that. She’s sure he’ll sort it out, and tells him to give Wiley a hug for her. She leaves, and Brad smiles. As she goes out the door, Willow smacks into Cassandra. She asks if Cassandra is okay, and Cassandra says she’s fine. She just needs her evening sugar fix. Willow says, insider tip; they have chocolate chip, and chocolate chip with bacon. Either way, she’s a winner. Cassandra says she’s a lifesaver. Cassandra looks inside, and sees Charlotte at the counter.
Brad leaves a message for Lucas that he’s at Kelly’s, and to let him know if he can bring Lucas anything.
Julian shows up at Tony’s grave. He tells Lucas that his mom said he could find Lucas there. Lucas asks what he wants.
Bobbie looks at Tony’s photo on the wall, and touches it. She wishes he could be there, and see their son becoming a father. He’d be so proud of their boy. She feels Tony behind her, touching her hand. He leans his head on hers, and fades away. She touches her cheek, and smiles.
Jax says he’s sorry Ava misunderstood. He’ll come back when she’s more herself. Ava says, no, he won’t. She won’t let him get his hands on the painting, but have fun searching. She’s stashed that monstrosity in a place no one will ever find it. He tells her, take care, and feel better. Ava says she may be crazy, but she’s not crazy. (If this was a Tarantino movie, that line would be slightly different. There would be another word before the second crazy.)
A guard tells Chase that he’s there to take Sam back to Pentenville. Chase asks him to give Jason and Sam a minute. Jason and Sam hug, and he says he’ll see her soon. Be safe. They exchange I love yous, and the guard takes her. Chase’s phone rings, and he says, put him through. He tells Jason, Cassandra has been spotted.
In the van, Nikolas says he saw the woman they’re looking for. She’s on Telegraph near Parkland. Chase asks him to describe her, and he does. He adds that he can’t be positive, but he’s pretty sure she has a gun. Chase thanks him, and he says he’s just trying to do his civic duty.
Cassandra walks into Kelly’s. Maxie gripes to Lulu about closet space, and Cassandra goes up to Charlotte, sitting next to her. She says, remember her? Charlotte opens her mouth, and Cassandra says, don’t scream or Nina will be in a lot of trouble. Charlotte asks what she means, and Cassandra says, shhh… Charlotte can save her, but she has to do everything Cassandra tells her.
On Monday, Julian asks Lucas not to do this, Obrecht asks Brad what he’s done to cover his tracks, and Cassandra tells Charlotte that no one is going to find them.
A point of view can be a dangerous luxury when substituted for insight and understanding. – Marshall McLuhan
Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it. – William Arthur Ward
I don’t know how I know it. – dude on Cash Cab when surprising himself with his own correct answer
How do you fold egg? It’s impossible. It’s witchcraft. – Carrie Heffernan (Leah Remini), King of Queens
Beauty is only skin deep, but ugly goes clean to the bone. – Dorothy Parker
How are you late for work on a yacht? You have no commute. You roll out of bed, and you’re there. – Kate Chastain, Below Deck
What’s great about this country is that America started the tradition where the richest consumers buy essentially the same things as the poorest. – Andy Warhol
You can’t ride two horses with one ass. – Dr. Phil
Love is a gross exaggeration of the difference between one person and everybody else. – George Bernard Shaw
Don’t compare yourself to others as you never know what others had to or are overcoming. – Emily Liou
The question is not how much time you spend, but how much value you create. – Author Tony Schwartz, talking about energy management over time management.
🍂 Favorite Season, Favorite Place…
See you on the deadside. And don’t forget to thank a veteran.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Jason visits Sam at Pentenville. He asks how she is, and she says, hanging in there. She asks how the kids are, and he says, good. They’re at Monica’s, but he’s spending the weekend with them at home; just the three of them. She’s glad he’s able to spend time with them. She wonders how her mom is taking it that she went with Diane’s legal strategy. Jason tells her that her mom is in the hospital.
Kendra visits Alexis at the hospital. Kendra says she’s glad Alexis is okay; she was worried. Alexis says she’s getting there. Finn is working on a prognosis. Kendra says she’s there to help; what does Alexis need? Alexis doesn’t want Kendra to neglect her other clients, but Kendra says she has a friend subbing for her. She feels like she owes Alexis, since maybe she pushed Alexis too hard and too fast. If she hadn’t been run down, she might have been able to fight her illness. Alexis says Kendra isn’t to blame for her being in the hospital.
Robert goes to see Cassandra, and she asks what this is about. She’s not talking to him without her attorney present. He says her attorney remains indisposed, and she asks why she should speak to him without legal representation. He says he’ll be perfectly happy to wait until Alexis’s health improves, but the offer he’s bringing her has an expiration date.
Hayden brings Violet over to Finn, and tells him that Violet has something she wanted to tell him. Violet thanks him for making her feel better, and he says she’s very welcome. She asks Hayden if she can go draw, and Hayden tells her to stay where she can be seen. Hayden wants to thank Finn too. She knows he’s still mad. He says that doesn’t begin to describe how he feels. She says she understands. They’ll work it out. He says, yeah; they will.
Elizabeth opens the door to find Kim, and asks what Kim is doing there. Kim says she wanted to give Elizabeth some space after the hearing, but they’re long overdue for this. Unless it’s Elizabeth punching Kim in the face, I can’t imagine what’s overdue.
At Oscar’s Meadow, Franco thanks Scotty for coming. He has something to tell Scotty. Scotty says he has something to tell Franco too. Franco says before Scotty says anything, he wants Scotty to hear it from him, not anyone else. He and Kim are leaving town.
There’s a knock at Jax’s door. Nikolas gets up, and hears Laura ask if Jax is there. She needs to talk to him. She almost leaves, and Nikolas touches the door. She turns back.
Sam asks Jason, what’s happening with her mom? He says Molly found her at home on Halloween. She was weak, dizzy, and nauseous. Finn is treating her. Sam asks, for what? What’s the prognosis? He says, they don’t know yet. Finn is still running tests.
Alexis tells Kendra that she has the best doctor at GH, scrambling to come up with whatever it is. She’s sure it’s nothing, and wants Kendra to stop with the guilt. Kendra says Alexis isn’t just a client. Over the two months they’ve known each other, she thinks of Alexis as a friend too. Alexis says, same there. Julian pops in, and asks if Alexis is up for another visitor. He has a huge bouquet, and Kendra says she’ll go find a vase. Alexis says, good job; he scared Kendra away. Julian says he was under the impression that Alexis wanted to be alone, but Alexis says he was mistaken. He gives her the flowers, saying he was sure her shrink would have brought some. She says Neil brought her a book on Russian aristocracy. Julian asks if they’ve figured out what’s wrong. She says, not yet, but Finn is on the job.
Hayden tells Finn that she spoke to Elizabeth, who says she and Violet are welcome to stay as long as they want. He asks how long that is, and she says until she finds a place to rent or buy. It’s important that Violet be in Port Charles with her mother and father. If he’s interested. Violet comes back, and asks if she can come visit Roxie. Finn says he’d like that very much, and Roxie will really like it. Hayden tells Violet, soon, and Violet says she’ll bring lettuce. Finn says, that’s Roxie’s favorite. He has to see a patient, and tells Violet to take care of herself. Violet says, okay, and they wave to each other as he leaves.
Cassandra tells Robert that she’ll have to decline any offer. The last she heard, his case was in jeopardy, since Sasha was exposed as a fraud. He laughs, and says, it’s embarrassing when your star witness is brought into question. His office is moving in another, more promising, direction. Alexis’s petition for Cassandra’s extradition to be delayed has been denied, so his office is now disinclined to want to pursue it. Sometime next week, Cassandra is going to be on a plane to the Hague. He’s not entirely helpless though. She says, he could have fooled her, but he says he can still pull some strings at the Bureau. He can get her a private cell, and an endless supply of hand sanitizer. She says, in exchange for what? and he asks who broke her out of WSB custody last year?
Laura asks if someone is there. Nikolas puts his hand on the doorknob, and she touches the door.
Kim tells Elizabeth that she wanted to check and see how she was doing. Despite the unpleasantness between them (unpleasantness? is that what she calls it?), she still considers Elizabeth a friend. Elizabeth can’t say the same. She’s been hurt too badly. Kim says she wants to try and make peace, and Elizabeth says, how? By showing up there, when Kim is responsible for her grief? Kim says she’s not doing this. Drew… Elizabeth says, Franco. Maybe Kim didn’t force him, but Kim slept with her husband. Yes, he’s still her husband. Until the divorce papers are signed, they’re still married, no matter who he thinks he is.
Scotty says being there must bring Franco closer to Oscar. He knows what it’s like, grieving a child you didn’t raise. Now that Franco has won the hearing, he can add him to the list. Franco says he didn’t realize Scotty had lost a child, and Scotty says, two. Franco says, sorry. He had no idea. Scotty says maybe that’s why he and Franco were so close. They both lived lives full of tragedy.
Kendra brings water for the flowers, and Alexis says, isn’t she the best? Julian says, she seems to be. Kendra asks how his face is, and he says, recovered. Alexis asks, what happened? and he says Kendra witnessed an altercation between him and Kim at Charlie’s. Kim slapped him good. He’d disclosed personal information about her to Scotty.
Cassandra tells Robert, the last time she didn’t supply any information on the party who liberated her. What makes him think it’s different now? Robert says he doesn’t give a rat’s ass what happens to her when she gets to Steinmauer, but wants her to know, they sleep twenty to a room. Unless you have a private cell. She says why doesn’t he give her suggestions, and she’ll say yes or no. He says, Valentin, but she says he wouldn’t life a finger to help her. He says what about someone close to Valentin? Peter. She tells him that he’s barking up the wrong tree. He tells her to guide him to the right tree. She says she doesn’t want to talk until her attorney is present and a proper deal is on the table. He says the only deal she’s going to get, runs out at midnight.
Jax walks up behind Laura, startling her. She asks if someone is staying with him, but he says it’s just him; why? She says she thought she heard somebody inside. He tells her, if an intruder was there, his security system would be blowing up his phone with alerts, and it’s not. He assumes she came see him, and she says she did. She went to visit Ava. He asks how Ava is, and Laura says, there’s a lot to tell. Should they go in? Jax says he has nothing in his cupboards, and suggests he take Laura out for coffee. She says, that would be great. She looks at the door again before following him. Inside, Nikolas ponders.
Alexis wonders how Kendra got dragged into Julian’s drama, and he says he ran into her in the alley by Charlie’s. Finn walks in, and says, someone is popular. Alexis jokes that she needs some security for her room. Finn hates to spoil the fun, but has to run some tests. Julian and Kendra leave, and Alexis asks Finn to tell her that he found a miraculous diagnosis, and an even better cure. He says he wishes. He wants to redo the pressure test to check her pain levels. She asks if that isn’t below his pay grade, but he says, not when it comes to friends. He squeezes her palm, and asks if it’s better or worse. She says she’s ready, but he says he already started. She doesn’t feel anything? She says she feels him touching her, but doesn’t notice any pressure. He says, now? and presses again. She says, no. What’s happening to her?
Jason tells Sam, he should get word soon, and he’ll update her on Alexis. Sam hates not knowing what’s going on. That’s the worst part; that, and her cellmate, Cassandra Pierce. Jason says he’ll call Diane. Cassandra might have a grudge against Sam, and Diane can petition the court that she be moved. Sam says she wants no special treatment or any attention. She just wants to keep her head low until her trial.
Kim says she’d hoped Elizabeth was better, but Elizabeth says how, with Kim stealing her husband? Kim says she and Drew love each other, and Elizabeth says, when Cameron saw Kim kissing Franco, she told him not to get angry because Kim was grieving. He’s a kid, but he’s not here. She’s furious. Her husband came by to say he was leaving with Kim tomorrow. She thought she’d have more time. Kim says to trash their relationship and tear it apart? She tells Elizabeth not to act like that’s not in her wheelhouse. Julian told Scotty how she drugged Drew to try and get pregnant, and dredged it up in court to make her look crazy. Elizabeth says she doesn’t think Kim is crazy, but thinks she needs help. She lost Oscar, and it takes time to get over a trauma like that. She knows; she lost a child. Kim tells her not to say she understands. Jake came back; Oscar never will.
Franco tells Scotty that he’s sorry Scotty is losing a son, but he’s not there to relitigate the hearing. Scotty says that’s not what he’s there for. He just wants to tell Franco something important. Hopefully, it will be enough to convince him to do the right thing of his own free will.
Violet literally runs into Robert, and Hayden asks what she said about running ahead, calling her Violet Barnes. Robert says she didn’t know Hayden had a daughter. Violet introduces herself, and Robert says she’s sweet. She asks if he knows her mama, and he says, yes, but he’s not sure he knows her daddy. Robert. Really? Saying that to a kid?
Finn tells Alexis, it’s a good sign that she can still feel something; she hasn’t completely lost sensation. Alexis asks if that’s going to happen, but he can’t say for sure. She asks what he can say, and he tells her that he’ll have more accurate information after more tests, and a better chance at diagnosis, so he can prescribe treatment. He asks her to revisit the day she started experiencing symptoms. She says she exercised, went to Kelly’s with Kendra, and went home to work on Sam’s case. Neil came by with takeout, but she couldn’t eat because Jason showed up to talk about Sam. That’s when she felt strange. She got the chills, and thought it was the flu. She didn’t feel like eating, and asked Neil to go home. She went upstairs to bed, and the next morning, she felt achy, and passed out on the couch. Finn asks if there was anything out of the ordinary preceding it. Any change in her diet? She says she’s been taking a supplement for the past two weeks, but she took it to her GP, who said it was safe.
Kendra asks if Julian is going back to see Alexis after her tests, but he says he has to go. She says she’ll stick around; she doesn’t want to leave Alexis alone. She thinks Alexis feels more scared than she’s letting on. Julian says he does too, and asks her to keep him in the loop. He doesn’t want to hover. Kendra puts her number in his phone, and says maybe he can return the favor. He brought up seeing her in Charlie’s earlier, but she’d prefer he not mention he’s seen her there. He asks, why? and she says the food and drink there is criminally good, but doesn’t fall into her fitness plan for her clients. They need to think she practices what she preaches. They don’t need to know what she eats when she’s off the clock. Has she seen The Rock’s cheat day menu?
At the little café, Laura thanks Jax for the tea, saying it’s a nice pick-my-up after the morning she had. He asks if Ava isn’t doing well, and she says she brought Scotty to cheer her up, but Ava’s in a bad place. She’s probably adjusting to the meds. Laura had no opportunity to talk about the painting. Jax asks how long Ava is going to be in Shadybrook, but Laura doesn’t know. However long it takes for her to stop seeing ghosts.
Nikolas wanders around Jax’s house. His phone rings. He answers, and the operator says there’s a collect call from an inmate in Pentenville. Does he accept the charges? (Wrong answer sound. They would tell him who was calling.) He accepts, and asks what they want. Cassandra says, now, now. Is that any way to great an old friend?
Violet tells Robert that she doesn’t have a daddy – or a puppy. Not a real one, but she has a stuffed one. He’s guessing she’d like a real one all her own. She says she would. Or a Pegasus, or a dragon. Dr. Finn has a dragon named Roxie. Finn joins them and says Violet has a playdate with Roxie. He tells Hayden that Violet’s doctor wants to do one more test before she’s discharged; they’re waiting upstairs. Violet tells Robert, goodbye, and goes with Hayden. Robert says, she’s quite the charmer. If they weren’t in a public place, he’d happily kick Finn’s butt to the moon for keeping his daughter from Anna.
Nikolas says he told Cassandra never to call him directly, but she says Robert just paid her a visit. Their timetable has been moved up. Nikolas says they’re not a team. She’s been a means to an end; that’s it. She tells him that she’s about to be extradited. He has to stop it, or she’ll give him up to Robert. She’ll tell Robert that he hired those goons last year to extract her from the WSB, and kidnapped Anna and Finn, coercing them into reviving her.
Jax knows how painful it must be for Laura, with Ava insisting that she saw Nikolas. Laura says, it’s upsetting, but Ava can’t help it. Jax suggests Laura visit later in the week, when Ava has adjusted more to her meds. Then she can ask if Ave remembers the painting. She says they don’t know if Ava has it. For all they know, it’s been sold. Jax doesn’t think portraits of Helena are in high demand, and it’s their best lead. Laura says, okay. She’ll try to talk to Ava about it. Jax says he has to speak to his Tokyo office, and left his notes. He leaves, and she finishes her tea.
Finn tells Robert that until two days ago, he had no idea. Robert says he’ll have some adjustments to make. Does Anna know? Finn says he hasn’t told her, and Robert asks what the plan is. Is he going to let Anna run into Violet like he did? Finn says he wants to tell Anna in person, so he’d appreciate Robert keeping it quiet until he has the opportunity. Robert says, it might be months before he sees Anna. So he’s going to perpetuate the lie for that period of time? Because that’s what it is – a lie by omission.
Jason tells Sam that Cassandra wanted to do business with Sonny, and he turned her down. That could go against her. Sam says Cassandra seemed more interested in her connection to the Cassadines, and Jason says, that seems random, but Sam says, it’s probably because of Valentin. She thinks he and Cassandra worked together at some point. The guard says, time’s up, and Sam tells Jason that she has to go. She asks him not to bring the kids for anything. She doesn’t want them to see her like this. She says, tell Danny and Scout that she loves them, and he says he loves her. She says she loves him too, and they put their hands against the glass. Sam looks back at him one more time before she leaves with the guard.
Scotty asks if Franco remembers living with Betsy Frank. Franco says, vaguely. He was really little when she gave him away to the state. Scotty asks if he remembers what Betsy called him. Franco says, Andy, and she called Franco Bobby. The two of them spent a lot of time together. Scotty asks if he remembers Betsy’s boyfriend Jim Harvey. Franco says, he used to babysit, and Scotty says, he shared special attention with Bobby; they went off together. Franco asks what he’s getting at, and Scotty says, Jim Harvey sexually abused Franco. Then he started setting his sights on Drew. Franco tried to protect Drew by putting him in the basement, but he fell down the stairs. Betsy thought Franco was trouble, and sent Drew away for his own protection. Franco was not so lucky. Franco says, Bobby was just trying to save him, and Scotty says, he did save him. He saved him, then stifled the memories of abuse for many years. When he was able to process it, and live a life – a happy life of his own – then he was robbed of that. He’s living it in Franco’s place.
Kim says Elizabeth has no empathy for her, but she can’t begin to know how Kim feels. Oscar is gone, and Drew miraculously came back; the Drew she loved. Elizabeth can’t blame her for fighting for him. Elizabeth says she blames Kim for refusing to acknowledge that Franco had a life first. Kim says the judge ruled in Drew’s favor, and she hopes Elizabeth can accept that, and make peace. Elizabeth says Kim just wants to ease her conscience for stealing her husband. She can’t give him to Kim; she won’t. Kim says she should go, and Elizabeth says, great idea. She opens the door. Kim says Elizabeth was her rock when Oscar was sick. She can’t repay her for that, but wants Elizabeth to know she’ll always be grateful for their friendship during that time. She says, goodbye. Elizabeth closes the door, and leans against it.
Robert asks Finn if Anna is going to have a fiancé by the time she gets back. He’s seen the looks Finn and Hayden have shared, and noticed Finn is angling to be a family. Hayden comes out, and thanks Finn, telling him, Violet is with Epiphany. She asks if he and Robert are okay. Robert says he’s fine. He’s not too sure about her ex. He leaves, and Hayden says she’s so sorry. She didn’t mean for him to find out. Finn says, too late, and she asks if Robert is telling Anna. Finn says let him deal with that, and Hayden says she’s available when he wants to talk. They need to figure things out. She tells him to check his phone, and he sees a picture of her and Violet when the baby was just born. She says she doesn’t know if it will make up for lost time, but maybe it’s a start.
Laura sees Robert at the hospital, and they hug. She says she was hoping to find him there. She’s trying to locate a portrait of Helena. He says, the nude? and she says, God no. It was done more recently, before she died. She left it to Nikolas, and it was hanging in Windymere. Valentin got rid of it, and it turns out it could be very useful. He asks, how so? and she says, as a weapon against Valentin.
Cassandra tells Nikolas that she’s been more than patient. It’s time for him to hold up his end of the bargain. Break her out tonight. Nikolas says she’s the one who insisted on coming to Port Charles, against his instructions. She got herself into this situation, and she’s in no position to make demands. She says he’s wasting time he doesn’t have. Break her out or she’ll blow his cover. She hangs up, and Nikolas makes a call. He says, it’s me. We have a problem with Cassandra. Take care of it.
Robert says, a weapon against Valentin? and asks Laura to tell him more. She wishes she had the time. An enemy may want to acquire it. Any idea who? He says, Spencer, the clan Cassadine; Cassandra is locked up, awaiting extradition. He asks her if everything is all right, and she says, nothing is all right. She had the weirdest sensation earlier, and she’s spent the day trying to shake it. He asks, what kind of sensation? and she says, it’s kind of hard to describe. It’s ethereal. Like someone walked on her grave.
Franco thanks Scotty for sharing, but what does he want Franco to do. Scotty says, the right thing. Franco asks if Scotty wants him to sacrifice his life for Franco. Franco saved his life when they were kids; it’s not his fault. Scotty says, or Franco’s fault. Just ask himself, is his second chance at life worth Scotty’s son’s first chance?
Hayden and Violet arrive at Elizabeth’s house, and Hayden introduces Violet to her aunt. Elizabeth says, it’s so nice to meet her, and Violet asks if she can have a hug. Elizabeth says she would love that. It’s exactly what she needs right now.
Finn sits down, and takes out his phone. He looks at the picture of Hayden and Violet.
Kendra goes back to Alexis’s room, and Alexis asks if Julian is still there. Kendra says he had to take off, but she’s there to provide a distraction. It must be maddening, not knowing what’s going on. Alexis says she’s going stir crazy, and Kendra suggests they go for a walk. Alexis says she doesn’t think she’s ready to be seen in public. She looks worse than she feels. Kendra gives her a mirror and brush, telling her to put herself together. She’s going to tell the nurse that they’re taking her IV pole for a walk. Alexis asks what she did to deserve Kendra.
Julian puts something into the dumpster, and a dead rat falls out. Surprise!
Alexis brushes her hair, and discovers it’s falling out.
Jax goes back home, and Nikolas asks how his mother is. Jax says, how does he think? She went to see Ava, and had to listen to her ramble about how she saw him. Nikolas says, another reason Jax shouldn’t have involved his mother. Nikolas says he can thank Hayden for that. She’s the one who brought Curtis and his mother in without his knowledge or consent. Not that it matters. Laura is a part of it now, but the longer he stays, the greater the chance of her finding out. Unless that’s what Nikolas wants. Nikolas says he can’t show himself until Valentin is neutralized.
Cassandra and Sam are brought into the hall, and Cassandra asks, what’s going on? Sam tells her, it’swork detail, but Cassandra says, these hands don’t do that. The guard says, they do now. She has work detail. Cassandra says, no one told her. The guard texts, it’s handled, to an unknown number. Sam guesses it’s Cassandra’s lucky day, and Cassandra says she supposes it is.
Tomorrow, Valentin tells Nina that he’s bothered by Jax, Carly tells Sasha that owning it goes a long way with her, and Nikolas says the chances of him getting recognized are non-existent.
The Real Housewives of Dallas
We backtrack a little. LeeAnne’s cousin Katie says LeeAnne’s mother isn’t there yet. Rich gets ready to go in, and says he’s walking the green mile. Katie calls LeeAnne’s mom. LeeAnne dabs at her eyes with a hanky.
Mom Margaret squeaks in at the last minute. LeeAnne smiles. The music from Ordinary People (otherwise known as Canon in D major, by Johann Pachelbel) plays. Rich’s daughter walks down, bringing the ring pillow, and Rich follows. The curtains part, revealing LeeAnne. The traditional wedding march plays. We flash back to Tiffany telling Rich that LeeAnne has to do it before she’s fifty, and him saying she told him she was thirty, so… Tiffany says, just give her a ring. We also see clips of D’Andra harassing LeeAnne about Rich cheating, and how they’re never going to set a date. I’m glad she’s not there. Margaret cries.
The pastor says blah-blah-blah be kind to one another. When Rich says, I do, LeeAnne goes, whew! Everyone laughs, and the pastor says he hates to tell her, but there are several more opportunities. They share the vows they wrote, and Rich says LeeAnne taught him true love and total acceptance. They’ve both said they come from the land of misfit toys, but they’ve managed to help fix each other, and will continue to do that for the rest of their lives. He promises to love, serve, and protect LeeAnne like a SWAT officer should. He says she’s scary smart and hilarious. It’s like he’s marrying five women at one time. She says, just five? LeeAnne says she never felt loved, wanted, or accepted. Rich made her feel those things. He’s shown her how to love deeper than she thought possible. She promises she’ll be reminding him to do that for the rest of their lives. She tells him how special he is, and says her heart belongs to him always. The pastor has them repeat a promise to see the other’s innocence in their eyes, and Rich says, his eye. Everyone laughs, and they exchange rings. The pastor declares them married. As they walk down the aisle, Rich’s tag changes from fiancé to husband. In her interview, Kameron says, LeeAnne has waited so many years. It’s a real fairytale, and gives her the warm fuzzies.
In the hallway, Steve hugs Rich and LeeAnne. Margaret says LeeAnne is a great kid, but she wishes LeeAnne would come to the realization that she was loved as a child. I say it doesn’t matter what Margaret thinks, if LeeAnne didn’t feel it. Kameron says, it was the most amazing ceremony. In Kameron’s interview, she says she’s never seen such a big crown as the one LeeAnne is wearing. She thinks the break in between the ceremony and reception is a nuisance. Who wants to wear the dress they’ve been sweating in for five hours? (Just a thought, but, bring one to change into?) In LeeAnne’s interview, she says the purpose of a five-hour break is because she wants to shtup her husband. When I was a kid, I went to a lot of Lithuanian and Polish weddings, and it was traditional to have a wedding breakfast after the ceremony, and then hang out at someone’s house until the reception in the evening. I was actually surprised the first time I went to a wedding that didn’t have all that.
In the limo, LeeAnne tells Rich that she wants a footlong, and he says she’s already getting one. They get some fast food at a drive-through (Sonic?), and LeeAnne says, best wedding ever. Rich tells the person at the window not to tell anyone they’ve seen him. LeeAnne wants to eat in the car, and promises not to mess up her dress, but Rich is more worried about the car. When they get to the hotel, Rich lies down, and LeeAnne calls him lazy. He says he married her; that’s not lazy. She wolfs down a chili dog.
There are all kinds of acrobats, cowgirls on saddle swings, people in costumes made of mirrors, and living lamps with sequined bodies and lights on their heads. Kameron says, it’s amazing. Kary says, LeeAnne is back to the carnival. She wanted to relive the childhood she hated so much. I don’t think LeeAnne ever said she hated the carnival. LeeAnne copies me by having a castle as a cake topper. Friends made mine for me, since we could find one nowhere. In Stephanie’s interview, she says it’s everything she thought it would be. It’s like she took drugs; she doesn’t even know where to look. Where did LeeAnne find these people?
D’Andra and Jeremy are doing a cooking competition; a seafood challenge. Jeremy brings out shrimp, halibut, and softshell crab. In D’Andra’s interview, she says food is the most important thing in her life. She loves to cook. Jeremy says he’s going to work on the images for the website over the weekend. D’Andra is glad they’re not at the wedding. Who would have thought, eight years ago, they wouldn’t be there? In D’Andra’s interview, she says she looks back, and thinks it was a fun time. She and LeeAnne were close, but she’s lost hope for the future of their friendship. Celebrating her own marriage by she and Jeremy doing something together is just as satisfying.
LeeAnne changes to a different gown that’s more festive and sparkly. She and Rich are introduced as a couple, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Whatever-His-Last-Name-Is. Margaret complains that she can’t get close enough. LeeAnne isn’t unfriendly to her, but there’s a definite chill. Pictures are taken, and Margaret says she’s glad Rich has taken LeeAnne off her hands. Like LeeAnne is even around her much. Margaret leaves, and the dancing commences.
The drink glasses look like disco balls. Travis asks Rich if they’re still married, and Rich says, so far. LeeAnne removes the skirt from her outfit, and it turns into a jumpsuit. Cary, Kary, and Kameron pose on one of the saddle swings, and get their picture taken. Kameron says they’re a bad influence on her, and Cary says, the K/Carys are a bad influence. Stephanie complains that there’s not enough food, and says she’s glad she ate beforehand. I dunno. It’s not a dinner situation, but it looks like there’s plenty in the way of charcuterie trays and such. I prefer picking around myself.
In her interview, D’Andra says the cooking competition takes her mind off serious business, like saving the company. Jeremy says, let the ass whoopin’ begin. D’Andra keeps asking him for ingredients while they’re cooking. They sit to taste the dishes, and Jeremy says, 100% honesty. D’Andra thinks Jeremy’s dish tastes like sandpaper, and she gets one point for her shrimp.
Kameron tells Kary, they ran out of water at the bar, and she had to get it from the bathroom. Kary wonders, where’s the food? In Stephanie’s interview, she says she’s been to a lot of weddings where there’s been just cake and nuts, but at least they had nuts. In Kameron’s interview, she says any event after 7 pm is required to serve a meal.
D’Andra has two points, and Jeremy gets one for his halibut. He tells her, since it’s the main dish, he should get two points, but she’s taking full victory. She tells Jeremy that she’s getting dessert. At the reception, the cake is cut. LeeAnne is happy, and says, it felt perfect. In her interview, she says the wedding was filled with nothing but love and joy. It’s the happiest day of her life. She and Rich get in the limo, and she says, baby, come to mama.
Brandi and Travis go out to lunch, bringing Bruin. Bruin sees a balloon up by the ceiling, and freaks. Brian asks Brandi why no daycare today, and she says they were snuggling. Brian says, because she needed sleep? He asks if she had fun in Nashville; he did. She says she has no regrets about missing the wedding. In her interview, she says she had a fantastic time with her husband, got wasted, and had sex. Brian asks if she has any details on Bruin’s potential sibling, but she says, not yet. Once you get to three or four, it’s no big deal. That reminds me of when I said, what’s one more dog? Brian says he grew up with four. She says they’ve got to move anyway. Brian says, with six, they’ll need a third bedroom. In Brandi’s interview, she says her heart is telling her that she needs and wants to adopt the baby. It’s Bruin’s sibling; his blood. How can she say no to that? Brian asks why she feels so strongly. She says, it make sense. They’ll always have each other. Bruin is making a humongous mess, and Brandi says she’ll clean it up. Um… they might possibly need a rug shampooer. In her interview, she says, to get Brian on board, she has to convince him that she can handle it all. She can never complain. She’ll be sucking it up and miserable, She can do this. Brian says, two at once will be a handful. What if Bruin’s mother has another one? It’s hard as it is, and Brandi wants to take on a newborn baby. She says she feels like it will be worth it in the end. She’s not worried about love; they have that. She just worries about handling it. Brian say he remembers being the oldest was hard. His parents had to give so much attention to the babies. He felt like his mom was busy with the babies, and worries about Brooklyn in particular, We flash back to Brooklyn being a mini bitch. Brian says, she’s close to being a teenager, and already acts like one. He remembers his sisters. In Brandi’s interview, she says maybe Brian is right that having another child will add more stress, with her being pulled in another direction. Brandi says, it’s especially worse when they’re in diapers. With four, everything will be doubled.
Everyone gets back to their regular lives. Travis relaxes in the hot tub, and Stephanie asks how it’s going with his party. What do they need to do before his magical day? In Stephanie’s interview, she says Travis is going to be 50, and the theme is his life now – a midlife crisis. We flash back to Stephanie popping out of his cake. She says Travis wanted her to private message John Legend to sing at his party, but one, she doesn’t know him; and two, it’s insane and stalkerish. I’ll bet he’d do it though. He and Chrissy love Bravo. Travis says he has no idea how many people he invited. They have the DJ, the band, the liquor, the caterer, the lights, and the yard has been redone. She asks if his dad is coming. In her interview, she says Travis’s dad travels between Thailand and Viet Nam a lot of the time, because he has friends there. Travis doesn’t think his dad is taking his meds, so he’s going to Thailand in a couple of weeks. In Stephanie’s interview, she says that Travis’s dad tends to stop taking his meds, and then has a hard time. He’s traveling, and Travis is concerned because he can’t get ahold of him. Travis says if Stephanie wants to come, this is probably the year to do it. Stephanie doesn’t want to be by herself if Travis is working, and suggests she bring her friends. She tells him, it seems like Kameron gets mad, and kind of blows up, spins, then they’re fine. In her interview, Stephanie says a few months ago, they were fine, and now they haven’t been able to get back on track. If she takes Kameron to Thailand to see an elephant, Kameron will like her again. Travis talks about ping pong shows, and Stephanie asks if they play ping pong. He says, not with their hands. She’s puzzled, and says, with their mouths? He says, lower. The lightbulb comes on, and she gets it, and she says, gross.
Stephanie calls everyone about the trip to Bangkok. LeeAnne is in right away. When Stephanie tells Brandi about the ping pong shows, Brandi asks if she’s planning on doing this. D’Andra says she doesn’t want to eat alone, and Stephanie will have to be an adventurous eater. Kameron says she’s going to need a long time to pack. In Kameron’s interview, she says she’s super shocked that Stephanie invited her. Is it her way of saying they’re good? Stephanie tells her, it will take at least a week, considering how much stuff she brings. It’s ridiculous.
Kary gets Stephanie’s call while going out to dinner with Eduardo, and asks if she’s serious. Eduardo says he’s jealous, and Kary tells him that she’s psyched. In Kary’s interview, she says she’s been to Thailand twice. She loves the food, the massages, and the culture. Me too, even though I’ve never been there, and it’s doubtful I’ll ever go. Kary flashes back to telling D’Andra about the wedding, and how there was no food, only platters of cheese and whatnot. D’Andra says LeeAnne probably couldn’t get it donated. Eduardo thinks the food situation was strange. If there’s not enough food, people get sh*t-faced. They order, and Kary tells him that she’s excited about Thailand. She wants to go to the same store where she got pearls for her jewelry line, so she’ll be doing a little work. Eduardo thinks she should definitely visit a temple they were at. She points out that she’s wearing new earrings she just made (love them, also pearl). Because they’re having two different conversations, Eduardo starts talking about his mother’s walking program. Kary says she doesn’t care. In her interview, she says, it’s important to her to talk about her business, and he’s changing the subject to talk about his mom’s walking trip. She could give a sh*t. Eduardo say if she’s going to be like that, it can kill the mood.
Kary says, it doesn’t matter. They eat in silence for a while, and Kary finally asks what Eduardo is wearing to Travis’s birthday party. He says he hasn’t thought about it, and Kary says it will be there before they know it. In Kary’s interview, she says, Eduardo isn’t good at communication. It’s one of their biggest issues. She likes to talk, and he’s the opposite; he doesn’t want to talk at all. Kary asks if he doesn’t want to talk anymore, and he says she just wants to talk about what she wants to talk about. She says she doesn’t want to talk about his mom’s trip, and he says he’s turned off. Kary says he’s just going on and on about it (not really), and he cut her off when she was talking about her jewelry. He changed the subject, and it’s something huge going on in her life. He’s not asking questions, or showing more interest. He says they’re having a nice dinner. It’s not just about one thing. He’s been supportive the whole time. She says when Eduardo started his business, he talked non-stop about it. He says they’re both trying to catch each other up. Kary asks, what else is going on? and Eduardo asks what she wants to talk about. She says she’s been trying to tell him that she’s excited to go.
In Kary’s interview, she says she thinks it’s a power struggle between them, built on control. Eduardo can’t control her. The finances are the only thing he has over her. Eduardo asks how many girls trips she’s been on, and Kary says, a lot. She loves her girls trips. He asks if she can’t live without them, and she says can’t. it’s like her therapy.
Next time, Travis is knighted at Medieval Times, Stephanie feels like she’s never enough, Travis’s birthday party happens, and LeeAnne isn’t enjoying watching D’Andra getting drunk over and over, and making an ass of herself.
🍷 8 pm is too early for watching Wives, and I’m all about this season’s American Horror Story: 1984 at 10, so The Real Housewives of New Jersey has gotten a little abandoned. No recap, but here were the highlights and feels.
🍝 Dolores still lives with Frank, Frank Jr. is modeling, including romance book covers. Is he the new Fabio? David is more on the scene, and everyone is one big happy family. More power to them. I wish I had a Frank – a dude who will do everything for me, and expects nothing in return except my scintillating company.
The Marge is looking good, as is Marge Sr. who’s taken a bookkeeping job in Manhattan, and is reliving her youth. Go OG Marge! Not loving Jennifer at all. She’s obnoxious, and it often seems like she’s being dramatic on purpose to get camera time. Giving her props though, for looking well put together, even though a lot of it is via plastic surgery, being the face (or other body parts, as it were) of her husband’s practice. She caused a rift with Jackie when she did an impression of Jackie (i.e. made fun of) in a restaurant, while Teresa filmed and put it on social media. When Jackie called her out on it during a Bring Your Booty Back event, Jennifer claimed it was just a joke. Then followed Jackie around the party, screeching at her.
Melissa defended Teresa for encouraging Jennifer’s dumbass behavior and stepping out on Juicy Joe with a dude so young he wears a backpack. She claimed he was just a friend. Uh-huh, I always hold hands with my male friends. Teresa was done with restitution, and putting in a pool. Joe #1 was detained on ICE indefinitely, awaiting the judge’s ruling on his appeal. If he went to Italy, he wouldn’t be allowed back in the country, and Gina had given him an old tomato ultimatum – if he went to Italy, he couldn’t have a relationship with her. Joe – who now looks like a mini version of Mike Sorrentino aka The Situation – felt he was wasting his life there. Well, we already know how that turns out.
Marge gave us the best quote of the night: cake fixes everything.
This season, hair pulling, a trip to Jamaica, skydiving, Melissa wants another baby, Danielle blames Marge for her divorce, the news that Joe #1 is getting deported, glass throwing, and the best of friends become the worst of enemas enemies.
💎 When Did It Become Citrine…?
Brush with greatness moment. One time I was at the same Christmas party as FredSchneider. They had karaoke, and I was singing Carrie Underwood‘s Before He Cheats. Fred walked by, and told me, nothing said Christmas like that song.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
I missed the beginning. I always think I’ll have time later to look at it real fast On Demand, but I never do. I live in denial. It was just a minute or two, so you’ll figure it out. Moving on…
Nikolas says he’s back to take what was stolen from him, and burn Valentin’s life to ashes.
Jax doesn’t understand; Nikolas was supposed to keep himself concealed. Ava saw him. Nikolas says, Ava is unhinged; just not as much as she thinks. If she keeps insisting he’s alive, she’ll get herself involuntarily committed. He’s dead, and that’s how he’s going to stay until the time is right. Jax says Nikolas was supposed to remain incognito on the other side of the world. Now he’s mingling with family and friends. How long before he gets caught?
The nurse tells Laura and Scotty that Ava is sedated, but it might take a while for it to fully affect her. Scotty says, she looks pretty out of it. The nurse says she was agitated, and claims she saw someone who’s not there.
Josslyn goes out on the terrace, and asks Lucas if he wants to talk about it. He says, her first. He heard she got drunk for the first time. Judging from her lack of a hangover, she must have already thrown most of it up. She says it’s the sickest she’s ever been, and he asks if her parents put the hammer down yet. She says, they’re having a summit about it now, and they’re talking about it later. Does he have any advice? He says, sorry. If Wiley got drunk, he’d be in lockdown. Josslyn says Carly told her that Lucas was the good kid. He doesn’t know what it’s like to mess up. He says she’d be surprised.
Brad goes to see Julian one more time. He tells Julian there’s no reason to destroy his family. Julian says Brad is a walking black hole, and destroys everything that he’s around. Lucas will have friends and family to see him through. Julian says it’s not about himself; it’s about him protecting Lucas and Wiley. If Brad loves them, he should understand, and make his exit. Brad says his leaving won’t solve the problems with Nelle and Obrecht. Julian says he’ll take care of them. The sooner Brad is gone, the better. Lucas will find someone else who won’t drag him down. Brad asks, what about their son? and Julian says Wiley is young. He won’t remember Brad. It will be like he never existed.
Franco apologizes for showing up at Elizabeth’s house unannounced, and asks if it’s a bad time. She says school mornings are never good, but invites him in. He asks if the other kids are there, and she says Bobbie took Aiden and Jake out for breakfast. Cameron is on home study. She tells Cameron to get to it, but he doesn’t budge. Franco says Cameron doesn’t want to leave her alone with him. He has good instincts; it’s a credit to her. She tells Cameron, she’ll be fine; go study. Franco says he doesn’t mean to throw a wrench in their day, and tells Cameron, don’t go. He has something to say that won’t take long, and they both need to hear it. Elizabeth says if he’s in a hurry, they can do it another time, but he says that doesn’t work for him. Cameron wonders what plans Franco could have, and Franco flashes back to seeing Kim in the park by Oscar’s memorial. He mentions he was there, and Elizabeth says, it’s a beautiful memorial to Oscar. Cameron volunteers for the upkeep. Franco says, that’s great. It’s good to know someone will be there to do right by Oscar when… Elizabeth says, when what? and Cameron says, when he’s gone. He’s leaving Port Charles, isn’t he?
Laura goes into Ava’s room at Shadybrook, and says, there’s somebody else who came to say hello. Ava says she doesn’t want to see anybody. Scotty says, but they have a special relationship where she abuses him, and he keeps coming back for more. Ava says he shouldn’t have come when she’s like this. He says she looks like a million bucks, instead of two million like usual. He puts a bag on the bed, and says he stopped by her apartment and got her some stuff from her vanity. Laura is surprised Scotty has a key to the penthouse, but he says, the doorman is on the take. Ava owes him twenty bucks. He’ll collect when she’s out. Ava asks if Laura told him that she’s crazy. She saw Nikolas.
Jax tells Nikolas it was a stupid risk to go to the MetroCourt. Nikolas says it’s been years since he’s shown his face to his mother, sister, and son. Jax says, if Valentin finds out, he’ll consolidate his position or eliminate him. Nikolas says the reason he’s there is because Jax invited his mother and Curtis to his hunting party. Jax says, Curtis is a professional, and doesn’t Nikolas trust his mother? Nikolas says he doesn’t trust Valentin. One wrong word… He wants Jax to go to Ava’s gallery, but Jax says he’s not going unless he’s sure the portrait is there. He’ll get to Ava; it’s second on his list. Family comes first. Nikolas asks if his mother seems well, and Jax says he heard she had a rough year, but she came out stronger on the other side. Nikolas says, imagine how much better she’ll feel when she sees him again.
Lucas tells Josslyn that he’s no paragon. She says Brad used to be bad, but it’s in the past tense now. Lucas is lucky to have him and Wiley. Wiley is lucky to have both dads, so many of her friends have parents who are separated or divorced. Lucas asks if she thinks life would have been better if her parents had stayed together, and Josslyn says she loves Sonny. He says that’s not what he asked. He’s just curious if she thinks her life would have been different. She says she used to fantasize about it when she was younger, but that was before she knew better, and realized some things just aren’t meant to be. That doesn’t mean the things that replaced them can’t be good; it’s just different. She asks if he’s ever wishes that grandma and grandpa Tony hadn’t divorced, and he says, yeah. Lots of times.
Brad says Julian is inhuman. Yeah, really; I’m not liking this at all. Julian says he’s just a father protecting his son. Brad says by destroying his marriage, and creating false evidence that Brad is cheating when he never has? Julian says so he’s innocent for once? Given time, Brad would do something bad to drive Lucas away. He’s just speeding up the timeline. Consider it a mercy. Brad has his youth. He can pick up the pieces and start over, far away. Brad says he’s nothing without his family, and Julian says, not his problem. Brad is going to tell Lucas that he’s having an affair, and make it believable. Say his goodbyes and go count his blessings. Brad asks Julian thinks he’s doing him a favor. He’s making a mistake. Julian says he knows how to make it stick. Brad needs to leave before Lucas loses his son because of him. I say, don’t do it, Brad, and Brad goes outside.
Nikolas looks at information about Laura online. Like he hasn’t seen a computer before today.
Scotty says, Nikolas, huh? and Ava says he was wearing a mask. He says, a Halloween mask? and she asks if he’s being patronizing. He says, no. Hallucinations can freak you out. Laura says, Nikolas passed away. Remember? Ava was there, and saw Valentin kill him. Ava says, Valentin shot him. Nikolas fell out the window, and was swept out to sea. She can see it so clearly, but then last night, she saw him. How can both things be true? Laura says, they can’t be, and Ava says, then why can’t he be alive? Wouldn’t Laura rather she be wrong about Greece than wrong about right now. Laura says asks if it’s the first time Ava has seen someone who isn’t there, and Ava says she can’t trust her own eyes.
Cameron says that’s what Franco is doing. He’s there to say he’s leaving Port Charles. Franco says Kim’s stuff is in storage. They’re leaving tomorrow. Cameron says, just like that, and Franco says Elizabeth asked him not to leave without saying goodbye. He wanted to wait, and let things settle, but the longer he takes, the worse it is for everyone. He’s sorry it has to be this way. He doesn’t mean to hurt anyone. Cameron says, then don’t. He knows he’s been tough on Franco, and Franco doesn’t have to see him again, but just stay. Franco says that’s not the reason he’s leaving, and Cameron says, then why? Franco flashes back to finding Kim in the park. He says if he’d known Kim was coming, they could have come together. Kim asks, why? So he could witness more of her messiness, like at the hearing? He already thinks she’s broken. He says he thinks she’s beautiful and in pain, and he thinks she needs help. Kim tells him, so he said. She holds up her hands to keep him from coming closer, and says she’s thought about it a lot. She’s turned it over in her head, and he’s right. She needs help, but she can’t get it there in Port Charles. In the present, Franco says, staying there is hurtful for Kim, and she’s the only person left there that he knows. Cameron tells Franco, leaving will hurt everyone who knows him. Sitting on the couch, Elizabeth closes her eyes.
Carly tells Jax, she’d rather be doing anything else than telling Josslyn that she screwed up. She was in no shape to go to the dance. Jax asks how Carly would have known that, and she says, Josslyn lost the watch Oscar gave her, and she was so upset. Not just because she lost it, but it was three days before she missed it, and she felt guilty. It makes sense that she wanted to stop feeling and reached for a quick fix. Jax says, it’s just her way of growing up. Their job is to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Carly says, united front, and he agrees.
Lucas tells Josslyn that he used to think they didn’t try hard enough to make things work. That if it was important, you fight for it. That’s what a kid thinks, but he’s old enough now to know better. Some things you can’t get over. She guesses he’s right, and Jax pops out, saying, it’s time to face the music. Lucas says, whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, and Josslyn says she’ll keep that in mind. She goes inside, and Jax asks how she’s feeling. She asks, what’s beyond embarrassed? and he says, mortified? She says, yeah, that’s it. He tells her, take a seat, and Carly says they’re going to talk about what happened, and make sure it doesn’t happen again.
Brad comes up to the terrace, and tells Lucas the guard said he could come up. He supposes he should be grateful Carly hasn’t banned him from the property. He asks where Wiley is, and Lucas says, upstairs. Lucas tells Brad that he didn’t sleep well last night, and Brad says, neither did he. Lucas says he has to go to work, and Brad suggests he call in and say he’ll be late. Lucas asks, why? He has no intention of hearing Brad’s story. Brad says he didn’t cheat, but that’s what Lucas’s father wants him to believe. Julian set him up. My mouth actually falls open.
Carly wants to start by saying they’re incredibly grateful Josslyn is okay. They understand she’s upset about the lost watch, but she should have come to them, and not handled it by getting drunk at a school function. Jax says she could have fallen overboard, and Carly says, thank God she didn’t, but she knows the rules. Jax says she knows she’s too young to drink. Plus, she’s had a kidney transplant, and has to be even more careful. Carly says, when Josslyn is old enough to make that decision, she’ll have to weigh the risks, but she’s got years for that. Jax says it’s hard to trust her now.
Lucas says Brad has lost it, but Brad says, it’s true. Lucas can’t believe it. Every time Brad lies, his solution is a bigger lie. He tells Brad, don’t. He’s done. Brad says Julian sent the flowers. He convinced Brad to change his password, and had a guy send the photos. He admitted it. He saw Julian last night, and Julian told him everything. He’d gone to Julian to ask him for help proving he didn’t do anything, and Julian said, don’t bother. Lucas says Julian is Brad’s biggest supporter, and Brad says he thought so. But he wants them to break up, and made it happen. Lucas asks if he made Brad call out Michael’s name, and Brad says, no, but dreams are dreams. He did everything else. Julian gave him today to say he’s leaving town and never coming back. He set Brad up. Lucas asks why would his father want to break them up? and Brad says, because he found out about something Brad did.
Scotty tells Ava that he scooped up everything. She has three eye creams. She says he can use them if he likes. Laura excuses herself, and finds Julian in the waiting area. He asks how Ava is, and Laura says, right now, she’s calm. She’s sedated, and will probably be asleep soon. He asks if she said anything about last night, and Laura says, it was pretty much the same. She said she saw Nikolas, but today, she’s less sure. He says, good. The sooner she forgets that fantasy, the better. Ava tells Scotty that he’s always climbing out on a limb for her, and what does he get in return? Scotty says, out on a limb is where the fruit is. He enjoys her company. Ava says she knows she was insensitive when he told her what happened with Franco. Scotty says she was a little brutal. He’d lost his son, and she said she envied Franco’s second chance. She says she was wrong to say it. It was faulty logic. She thought Franco was getting something she wanted; a new chance, and a clean slate. But she was wrong. Franco didn’t need it. He’d already changed, and everybody knows. Scotty says she’s right, and also wrong. He did good before he did bad, but not everybody knows. Maybe it’s time to change that.
Franco says none of them asked for any of this. He’s doing the best he can. Cameron says, it really helps to know Franco is doing his best to blow up their family. He’ll be sure to tell Aiden and Jake that he’s out living his life, and the life they welcomed him into means nothing. Cameron slams out the door, and Franco says, he’ll be all right, right? Elizabeth says if she said no, would it change his mind? Franco flashes back to the park. He asks if Kim thinks uprooting her life is the best way to go, and she says, there’s nothing left to uproot. What’s the point? She has nothing left there. All that’s left are the memories of Oscar, and she’ll take those with her everywhere. Wherever she lands. He says she’s leaving with or without him? and she says, it’s not an ultimatum. If he wants to stay; if he feels he owes it to Elizabeth, she can’t blame him. She hopes he chooses to come, but if he doesn’t, he’s already given her more than she can repay. He gave her Oscar. Her once in a lifetime child. He puts his arm around her and she cries. In the present, Franco tells Elizabeth that he’s truly sorry for her and her family. They don’t deserve it. She says, neither does Franco. He says he’ll see her around, and she tells him to wait. She looks into his eyes, and kisses him. I say please, oh please, let it be like Sleeping Beauty and he wakes up. He’s not exactly not kissing her back.
Elizabeth looks at him, and says, Franco. She knows he’s still in there. Hear her. She’s done everything she knows to do. He needs to fight. He needs to do the rest, and come back like he promised. Franco says, he’s just not there. He wants to tell her different, but he can’t. He’s not the guy she wants him to be. Franco is gone. He leaves, and we all want to cry.
Julian says he was thinking about what Laura said, that she thinks this might be tied to a painting; the portrait of Helena she mentioned. She thinks if it’s there, it definitely has a bad influence on Ava. Scotty comes out, and says Ava would like a visit from Julian. Julian tells Laura that he’ll be in touch, and goes in. Laura asks how it went, and Scotty says better than he thought it would. She asks, how so? He gets a text from Franco, saying, I need to see you. Scotty says he’s got to deal with something, and he’ll catch her later. She says she has to be someplace anyway. Scotty calls Elizabeth, who tells him, Franco was just there. Scotty says Franco just texted him. He wants to get together. She says, to say goodbye. Franco said he’s leaving tomorrow with Kim. Scotty says, not if he has anything to say about it.
Lucas says, Brad did something bad? How bad? Brad says Obrecht made him use his position at the lab when Finn ordered another test for Sasha when she was sick. Obrecht thought the test would show Sasha wasn’t Nina’s daughter. Lucas asks Brad to tell him how Obrecht could make him do something. Brad says Obrecht saw he was wound up, and offered to get him anti-anxiety meds. He needed a hand, she was offering, and since she’s Britt’s mom, he never thought anything of it. Lucas says, he couldn’t wait? Brad says he tried. It took forever to get the appointment with Neil. Lucas says he risked his job, and prison to get drugs. Brad says Lucas has to believe him, but Lucas says he doesn’t have to believe anything. It sounds like Brad’s same old lies. He can’t believe his father would do something like this. Brad hits play on his phone, and they hear his conversation with Julian. Brad ask if Lucas believes him now.
Carly tells Josslyn that they need to know she’ll be making good decisions in the future. Her decisions don’t just affect her. Her sisters worship her. Avery and Donna will take their cues from her. Josslyn says she knows, and she’s sorry. She knows she messed up, and she’ll do better. Jax says, forgive them if they don’t take her word for it. Carly says, maybe after she’s grounded for two weeks, they’ll trust her. Jax takes her phone, giving her a flip phone, and Carly says she’ll use her computer downstairs to do her homework, there or in the kitchen, and the lock is coming off her door. Josslyn is surprised they’re doing all this over a few drinks at a dance, but Jax says, no more arguments. The more she argues, the more they think she doesn’t understand how serious this is. Josslyn says, they’re right; she’s sorry. Carly says they don’t like doubting her, but they’ll work together to regain trust. Josslyn asks if she can take a walk. She won’t leave the grounds, and needs time to think. Jax says, fine, and asks her passcode, but she’s gone. She opens the door, and Cameron is there.
Jax thinks they scared Josslyn straight, and Carly says she thought of another consequence. Jax thinks they came down hard enough, but she says, it’s not a punishment. Just a way to change Josslyn’s perspective. He says he’s all for that, and she says, good, because it involves him. She suggests Josslyn alternate between there and Jax’s new house. One week with her, and one with him.
Nikolas looks up Ava and the gallery online.
On the phone, Elizabeth asks Scotty if Franco is there yet. Scotty says, no. He’s in Oscar’s Meadow, but there’s no sign of Franco. She asks how he’s going to convince Franco to stay, and he says he’s going to fill in the blanks. Elizabeth says, what blanks? Does Scotty have a plan or not? Elizabeth’s doorbell rings, and she asks him to just tell her what he’s going to do. He says, if it works, it works, and if it doesn’t, what’s the point? Elizabeth opens the door to find Kim. I’d slam it in her face. Obviously, I don’t care about Kim’s pain.
Franco thanks Scotty for meeting him. He has something to tell Scotty. Scotty says he has something to tell Franco too. I can’t wait to find out what that is.
Lucas asks what that’s supposed to be, and Brad says, proof that Julian framed him. He went to see Julian, giving him once last chance to let them be, but set his phone to record, just in case. Julian wouldn’t listen to reason. He said because Brad lied for Obrecht, so he couldn’t be trusted, and would wind up hurting Lucas and Wiley. He wanted to force Brad to leave, so Lucas would blame him and move on. Lucas asks why his dad wants to hurt him, and Brad says he thinks Julian is suffering. It’s affected his judgement. He’s lost Kim, and had to watch Ava slowly unravel. Julian is falling apart himself, but they can’t let him drag them down with him.
Julian tells Ava that he’s checking in to see how she’s doing. She says, don’t let anyone else in. She looks a fright. He says, Avery wouldn’t mind, and she says, like Sonny would let Avery within a mile of her. He tells her, don’t worry; he took care of it, and she says he’s the best brother in the world.
Cameron asks if Josslyn’s parents are home. He feels like he should apologize. Josslyn says, this is so not the time. In the other room, Jax says Carly wants Josslyn to move in. Carly thinks the more face time he has with Josslyn, he might catch what she misses. Jax thinks they should table the idea for now, and she asks if he doesn’t want Josslyn to live with him. He says he does, but thinks they should focus on what got Josslyn to drink, and her grief over losing Oscar. She refused therapy, but he thinks now is the time to bring in professional help. When they get Josslyn through that, then they can talk about her moving in.
Nikolas is looking at the laptop, and the doorbell rings.
Julian says he’ll be back, and tells Ava to sleep. She asks him to look under bed before he leaves. He does, and says, just dust bunnies. She thanks him, and asks if he’s really there. He says she’s not dreaming; he’s real. She says, sometimes it’s hard to tell. He tells her that he loves her, and to rest. Everything will be okay.
Jax’s doorbell continues to ring. Nikolas walks toward the door, and Laura asks if Jax is there. They need to talk.
Tomorrow, Hayden tells Finn that they’ll work it out, Kim tells Elizabeth it’s long overdue, and Robert tells Cassandra it’s the only deal she’s going to get.
The Real Housewives of Orange County
Riding together in the car, Shannon tells Tamra that she’s still recovering. She went out with Braunwyn and Gina after the party. Tamra says she’s leaving at 6 am for Scottsdale. Shannon asks how Kelly is feeling, but Tamra hasn’t talked to her. Shannon says if someone said they’d love to attend her funeral or Tamra’s, she’d be crying like Vicki did. We flash back to Vicki’s reaction at hearing Kelly would like to attend her funeral. Tamra says that’s just how Kelly talks, but Shannon feels like Kelly is given a pass for that. She’s a smart girl, and knows she shouldn’t say certain things. Tamra says Vicki telling the world that Kelly is a coke addict and pulled a train is life altering. She’d also said David beat Shannon, so they’ve been on the other side. In Shannon’s interview, she says she’s frustrated, because it’s been up and down with Tamra. In Tamra’s interview, she thinks she’s more compassionate than Shannon. Shannon sees everything in black and white, while Tamra gives them the benefit of the doubt. She tells Shannon, it’s hard to pick a side.
Kelly can’t find the dog food, and gives her two dogs chicken soup. Jolie protests that it’s people food, but Kelly says, it’s organic. And I actually agree with her on this one. IMO, most people food is fine, as long as it’s clean and not processed. In Kelly’s interview, she says it’s hard taking care of geriatric dogs by herself. She has to take them for quite a few walks a day, and give them pills. She knows what Steve must feel like taking care of Vicki. I literally lol. Kelly says she’s going to dinner with Shannon and Tamra; there was drama again with the women. We flash back to Kelly being on the phone with Braunwyn. Kelly tells Jolie that she doesn’t like Vicki, so she didn’t want to go to her birthday party. Does that make her bad? Jolie says, no; she wouldn’t do it. Someone in her class that no one likes just invited her to a party. In her interview, Kelly says she feels like she’s back in childhood. There’s more to life than talking about Kelly. Kelly suggests Jolie decline the invite on Monday, since no one likes Monday.
Tamra asks what Shannon wants to come out of a discussion with Kelly. Shannon wants to tell Kelly that it’s not a good look. People are commenting. Tamra suggests approaching her as a friend who wants to help her. Shannon asks if Tamra thinks Kelly will get mad, and Tamra says, she’s going to explode.
Gina goes to see therapist Lynnette. Gina says she’s doing good. She’s surprised she pulled it together with Matt, but they went to dinner. She hadn’t seen him in forever, and one thing led to another. She slept with her husband. Lynette asks if Gina is feeling positive about that. I have to stop and mention Gina’s hair. She has her hair piled on her head, and since she did this platinum thing, it looks like she has grey roots. No. Just no. It was no before, and it’s still no. Gina says part of her feels that she wants to get it together. Matt has guilt, and he’s eager to repair the damage. Lynette asks if her fear is that it’s just for her kids. Gina wonders what if Matt does it again and stops showing up? In Gina’s interview, she says the problem is, she doesn’t know if it’s better for her or the kids if she’s with Matt or not. She’s scared to leave, but she’s scared to stay in a relationship that doesn’t work. She tells Lynette that Matt tries to make her feel guilty. He thinks he can float right back into their lives. Lynette says Gina thinks she’s selfish if she doesn’t want to do it for her family, but divorces doesn’t have to hurt the kids. Her daughter had a sensory meltdown because of the emotional overload. We flash back to Gina taking her daughter to the therapist. Gina says she’s going to Palm Springs for the weekend, and doesn’t want to hurt Matt or make him angry. Lynette says Gina was hurt by lies, so it’s important to her not to lie. Gina says Matt runs hot, and she’s always nervous about his reactions. He always gives her a hard time about seeing someone else, and gets in her head. It’s complicated.
Tamra and Shannon meet Kelly for lunch at Driftwood Kitchen. Tamra wonders if Kelly will be in a feisty mood. She and Shannon arrive first, and order drinks, then Kelly joins them. Kelly tells Shannon that she looks pretty, and Shannon says, this is what a hangover looks like. Omg, my good days don’t look that good. Did she get an IV? Kelly says she heard that Tamra was talking sh*t about her. Braunwyn called her after the party. Tamra doesn’t understand Braunwyn’s motivation to call. Kelly says Tamra claimed Braunwyn was talking smack about her. Tamra says there was a lot of chatter about Kelly not being there, and Braunwyn was the ringleader. Shannon tells Kelly that Braunwyn brought up the fight she and Brian had. Kelly says Brian showed her a text at an inappropriate time, she told him it was inappropriate, and they immediately left because they didn’t want to fight in front of the kids. Tamra says Braunwyn made it sound like they fought in front of the kids. We flash back to that, and apparently, Tamra is making it up as she goes along, since Braunwyn said no such thing. Kelly wants to call Braunwyn. She does, and immediately launches into saying she was told Braunwyn brought up the Brian thing, and acted like Kelly didn’t leave with him. Braunwyn says she didn’t bring it up, and Tamra gets on the phone, saying Braunwyn brought up the situation at Vicki’s party. Braunwyn repeats that she didn’t bring it up. Shannon says Emily asked if Kelly and Brian broke up, and Braunwyn said they got into a fight. We flash back to the party again. Braunwyn says she always has Kelly’s back, but Kelly says Braunwyn shouldn’t have brought up her business to anyone. Braunwyn insists she didn’t, but Tamra says Braunwyn can’t say she didn’t say what she said. Braunwyn says she did say that, but she didn’t bring it up. That’s two different things; she didn’t start the conversation. Braunwyn refuses to get steamrolled, and Tamra says she’s not. The truth is the truth is the truth. Please. Tamra wouldn’t know the truth if it bit her in the ass. In Braunwyn’s interview, she says she thought she’d explain the fight, because it was less bad than the story going around. She was attempting to make it better, and once again, made it worse. Kelly says she’s never said anything bad about Braunwyn to anyone, and Tamra tells her, hang up. Braunwyn tells them, she’s not saying a word from now on, and Kelly says, okay, and hangs up. Tamra says it started with Braunwyn, then Emily, Gina, and Vicki were talking. She walked away and called Kelly. She felt uncomfortable, but everyone was talking about how Kelly had been acting. Sometimes her delivery is hard. Kelly says she’s been bashed for situations she’s joking about. She was joking about Vicki. Shannon says she got upset, and Kelly says she was being facetious. It’s asinine. Shannon doesn’t think death should be joked about, and Kelly says, it was a play on words. Um… does she know what that is? In Kelly’s interview, she says none of the women get her humor. You have to be smart to get… what’s the word? Sarcasm. You also have to be smart to understand Kelly’s alternate use of commonplace terms. Shannon says Tamra told everyone about a where Kelly broke someone’s hand. Kelly tells her, STFU. It’s a lawsuit waiting to happen. Why was it brought up? Shannon says, Tamra brought it up, and we flash back to that. Tamra says she told Shannon, but Shannon brought it up at the table. Kelly says she told Tamra in confidence. In Kelly’s interview, she says she and a girl who’s a friend of Brian’s got in an altercation at a bar, and she defended herself. The girl invaded Kelly’s personal space, so she threw the girl’s hand off. Shannon says she’s Kelly’s friend, but Kelly says she’s not, and she’s sick of everyone attacking her. She starts to cry, and Shannon says she understands. Kelly was there for her when she was lashing out. We see a clip of Shannon telling Kelly that David says she’s selfish, worthless, and fat; and Kelly saying she’s none of those things. Shannon knows Kelly has a loving, caring kind heart, and wants everyone to see that. Tamra tells Kelly not to feel they’re against her, and Shannon says they want to see the best version of Kelly. In Kelly’s interview, she says she doesn’t know who to trust. She’s constantly questioning their friendship. Shannon has to go, because her kids have a play.
Braunwyn meets Emily for paddle boarding. She encourages Emily to try standing, and at first, that’s a no. Braunwyn tells her, just try it, but run into the cheap boats. Braunwyn says she needs to keep a sturdy core, and Emily says that’s the problem, and she keeps running into stuff. Braunwyn tells her, it’s hard to steer the first few times. She says she and her family spend the summers in Hawaii, and they’re members at the beach club she and Emily are at. Braunwyn mem there tells her about the phone call, and Emily wonders why bring up the fight? Braunwyn says she didn’t; Tamra is a liar. Emily says Braunwyn did say something because Kelly wasn’t there, but Emily felt like Braunwyn was trying to mitigate the situation. Braunwyn says she’s not used to a group of women who take what you say, and twist it to make it seem malicious, like you did something wrong. Emily says Braunwyn has to know the truth and who she is. If she doesn’t stand up just to avoid conflict, they’ll eat her alive. In Braunwyn’s interview, she says it’s easy to stand up for the people she cares about. Standing up for herself is hard, but she doesn’t want to lose her friendship with Kelly because she’s too shy or uncomfortable to stand up for herself. Emily says she remembers who said what. Braunwyn say she wants to do dinner with them. In her interview, Braunwyn says, Emily is a lawyer and she was sober. She knows what happened. The rest of them are cloudy.
Shannon cooks, and hangs out with Sophie in the kitchen. Adeline and Bella join them. In Shannon’s interview, she says it’s hard having one week on and one off with the kids. It’s a huge adjustment from seeing the kids every day, but compared to last year, they’re in a good place. Adeline whines about the random drug tests Shannon does, but Shannon says it gives her an out. If kids offer her drugs, she can just say her crazy mom tests her. In her interview, Shannon says these are the years to watch the kids like a hawk. She feels that she’s stricter than David. Hopefully, someday they’ll understand that she was tough because she loves them. She tells Adeline that she has a breathalyzer too. She just hasn’t used it yet.
Gina take her kids to haircuts. In her interview, she says it’s scary, raising three small children alone, and having the major role of primary parent. It’s exhausting. She can’t get sick or take a break; there’s no time off. She hasn’t had a nap in eight years. She feels sad for her kids. Her parents had a great marriage, as did Matt’s. It’s all they’ve seen or known. She asks them if they’re like it if mommy and daddy were back together (I hear the wrong answer buzz – why is she doing that?). Of course they say they would, and in her interview, Gina says she feels guilty that she’s not giving them that. She wanted to be great wife and mom, and feels like a failure. In the parking lot, one of the kids gets looney, and she tells him that he’s being disrespectful. She won’t have it.
Emily and Shane go out to dinner, and she asks if he’s excited to be on date night. He says he’s thinking, because he can’t say anything that’s not sarcastic or a joke, and finally says, yes. In Emily’s interview, she says Shane made an effort in Vegas, and she appreciated that. They had a good time, but when they came home, they had the same problems with their marriage. The fundamental issue isn’t going to be fixed by a surprise trip. He teases her with the bread bowl, saying he’s going to tempt her, and I want to smack him. In her interview, she says, everything is a joke to him. This is a serious issue. She’s gained a lot of weight. We see a clip of her telling a trainer that she’s gained twenty pounds in eight months. She wants to be able to play with her kids, and not feel like crap. Shane orders French fries just to bug Emily. Emily says she doesn’t need jokes; she needs support. She wants to do more family things. There’s a lot of separation. Shane agrees, but says that includes her. She can’t be saying she’s hung up with her friends. She says she rarely does that, and adds they need to fight less in front of the kids. Shane says they should fight zero. Emily says she was thinking they should go back to couples therapy, but he says, no. She says they went before, and went consistently. Shane says she didn’t want go, so he went by himself. Why now? Emily tells him that he keeps saying she’s not nice, and he says they can save the therapy money; just be nice. In her interview, Emily says she quit going because there was no self-awareness or change on Shane’s part. Shane says she has to show commitment, then he’ll join her. She asks why it has to be 100% on her, and he says last time, she stopped showing up or she would cancel. Emily says she understands she has anger, and lashes out a lot of the time, but he says things that push her there. He comes off as condescending. Shane says if she thinks it’s worthwhile, no one is stopping her, but she says she wants to do it together. He says he’s done. In Emily’s interview, she says for the last ten years, she’s had a problem with the way Shane talks to her. it’s what she’s dealing with every day. She cries, and says she has little kids. This is hard. She doesn’t know what to do.
The women meet for lunch, minus Tamra and Gina (and Vicki, but she’s just a friend now). In Braunwyn’s interview, she says she’s a pleaser. She’s trying please everyone to her own detriment. She was called a liar, and that is not okay; she’s pissed. Shannon points out there’s one handsome man at the bar, and Kelly says it’s like Shannon has radar. In Shannon’s interview, she says she doesn’t hunt men at the bar. She’ll have a conversation with someone who comes up to her, but she won’t be <air quotes> the man in the situation. Kelly tells Braunwyn that she told the women that she and Brian had a fight in front of the kids. Emily says Braunwyn didn’t say that. Kelly says Braunwyn made it sound like she stayed and partied while Brian and the kids left. Shannon say she did give the impression that Kelly wanted to stay. Emily says the topic came up because Kelly wasn’t there, and she’d asked if Kelly and Brian were okay. She’d seen on Instagram that Kelly had removed a picture, and that’s how it got brought up. Braunwyn says she was there, and saw that Kelly avoided an altercation because Brian’s son was there, and she didn’t want to do that in front of him. We see more clips from Vicki’s party. Braunwyn says she thought she’d make the situation better. Kelly sees now that Braunwyn was sticking up for her. In Kelly’s interview, she says she feels bad that she yelled at Braunwyn. She should been the bigger person, and come with love, not daggers. I see she’s Kahlil Gibran now. Kelly thinks it’s part of Tamra’s pattern. She likes to throw little bombs and walk away. Emily wonders why it even came up that Braunwyn was saying bad things. Kelly says Braunwyn called her and said people were bashing her, and Tamra said it was Braunwyn bashing Kelly. Braunwyn says, it was Tamra who said the word train. We flash back to when Vicki said there was a rumor, and Tamra reminded her of what that rumor was – at a table full of people. In her interview, Kelly says, Tamra was the one who was actually spreading the train rumor. She had no idea. She thought it was Vicki. She’s completely shocked and disappointed, and it makes her sick to her stomach that she trusted Tamra. Tamra acted like she was best friends with Emily, when Gina was mad at her, and Tamra talked smack to Gina, instead of facilitating a positive outcome. Emily says Tamra causes a problem, then acts like she has clean hands. Braunwyn says, Tamra is trying to come between them. She’s manipulating them, so they’re fighting among themselves. Kelly says Tamra has been talking smack about Shannon too. Shannon doesn’t believe it. In Shannon’s interview, she says Tamra is one of her best friends, and she’s not comfortable with people saying negative things. She doesn’t want anything negative in her life. Kelly tells Shannon that she doesn’t think Tamra has her back 100%. She’s had hours of conversation with Tamra about Shannon. Shannon asks if Kelly is serious, and Kelly nods.
We see clips of Tamra talking about Shannon. Shannon asks again if Kelly is serious; it’s negative? Kelly says Tamra claims Shannon is always kissing every guy at the bar. She suggested that she, Kelly, and Gina just room together on the next trip, and when Kelly bonked Shannon on the head, Tamra said there was nothing wrong with her. She’s constantly judging, and saying Shannon put on weight again. In Shannon’s interview, she says she feels like the wind has been knocked out of her. She has gained weight, and talked to Tamra about it. How would Kelly know? Tamra really must be talking about her. Braunwyn says Tamra is supposed to be Shannon’s best friend. Shannon says she is, even though last year they went to hell and back. We see clips of Tamra berating Shannon, and in Shannon’s interview, she says when she hears these comments, it opens up old wounds. Emily says Shannon told Tamra in confidence, and trusted her. Shannon says, not anymore. Kelly says, Tamra is two-faced. Shannon wants to cry, and everyone tells her, don’t. Shannon says they talk ten times a day. She feels like she needs to talk to Tamra, and Kelly asks what she’s going to do. She and Tamra talked last year. Did anything change? We see a clip from the reunion, where Tamra is saying Shannon is all about herself, and claims to be victim. Shannon says there will be an excuse, a reason, she’ll deny it, she doesn’t remember. In Kelly’s interview, she says she knew damn well who Tamra was, and didn’t go with her gut. Tamra is a snake. She sneaks around, pumping her venom into people. Vicki is a pig, and Tamra is a snake. Shannon says she’s fighting it; she’s not crying anymore. What Tamra is saying hurts.
Emily asks where they go from here. Shannon says she needs to have a conversation with Tamra, and Kelly says she would want to, but she knows the outcome. Emily says, it’s not going to stop. It’s who she is.
Next time, Gina talks to Tamra about Shannon, Kelly wants Jolie to see her grandma, Emily says Kelly needs to have a conversation with her mother, Tamra wonders what’s up with Kelly, and thinks Shannon is behind it. I’ll tell you what I think. Tamra isn’t a Christian; she’s more like Satan’s sister. She encourages someone to be an a-hole, then points her finger, saying, look at what you did. She infuriates me, and I’m glad we don’t live on the same coast.
💅 Get Ready…
Who knows if Teresa will be flipping tables, dancing on them, or turning them.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
The Walking Dead
Kelly is out in the woods. We see tattered rags on a clothesline, and a wild boar. Kelly gets her slingshot ready, but she’s having trouble hearing. The boar is down, but not dead, and she has to stab it. A zombie sneaks up on her, and she stabs that too. Zombies fall on the boar, devouring it, so Kelly has to abandon that idea. She runs, and a zombie follows. She tumbles down a hill. She’s hurt, and crawls forward. She leans against a tree, and a seriously creepy-looking zombie reaches for her from behind.
Negan looks at his reflection in the creek, and splashes water on his face. He debates drinking some, but decides not to. A voice says, gotcha. Don’t try anything. Negan turns around to see Brandon, who says, the look on his face. He was just messing with Negan. Brandon tosses him a canteen, and says Negan is fast. It took forever to catch up to him. Negan smiles. Damn he’s handsome.
Yumiko and a couple of others are still working on killing straggling zombies outside the wall. Yumiko goes inside to check in with Eugene. Aiden says Eugene has come up with a zero waste plan, and Eugene says, it seems as good a time as any to master the Pueblo art of basket weaving. On the side, Aiden suggests to Yumiko that they make weapons and catapults. She thinks it’s a good idea, just not now. Things are too complicated. Yumiko moves on, and Earl tells Aiden, the Whisperers toppled their wall with a tree, and now they’re throwing walkers at them, but they’re twiddling their thumbs. Breanna tells Yumiko that Connie was in the root cellar again in the middle of the night. Yumiko asks, who was on watch?
Yumiko goes inside her house to find Magna listening to music and reading. Yumiko shuts off the gramophone. She tells Magna that someone stole the crate of fish they got from Oceanside. Breanna said it was gone from the root cellar. Magna says, everything is strange at the moment. Yumiko says it would help if they stuck to the jobs they were given. Magna turns the music back up, and goes back to her book.
Ezekiel leans against a fence and ponders. Daryl rides in on his bike, and Siddiq follows behind on a horse. Connie waves, and signs talk later to Daryl. Ezekiel says, no sign of Negan? and Siddiq says they searched day and night, thinking about what he took from them, and they didn’t take from him. Ezekiel says they could use a hand in the infirmary, and Siddiq says they were planning on leaving tomorrow, but of course he’ll help.
A group of hunters comes back, and Connie writes, Kelly? Aiden says, she’s not there? She was tracking something, and said she’d meet them back at Hilltop. She should be back by now.
Negan cuts little sucker branches off of a big branch. Brandon whistles, and asks Negan if he got it. His dad used to tells him how the Saviors whistled back and forth. He asks how Negan got out of the cell, but Negan doesn’t say anything. Brandon says at least tell him what they’re looking for, but Negan says he wants to play it safe. Brandon says he heard how badass the Sanctuary was. Then Rick comes along, and talk about a hypocrite. He kills their parents, drags them to Alexandria, and gives them a lecture on community. He heard Negan made Rick cut his own kid’s hand off, and then killed him. Negan says he never did that. Carl was… He would never kill a kid. Brandon says they’re both Negan. Negan starts walking again. Brandon follows.
They come across a mess of barbed wire, and Brandon asks, who would do this? Negan says, the skin freaks. Brandon asks if they should cross. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Negan says, no, and a zombie comes out of nowhere, knocking Negan down. He holds it off with his newly fashioned stick, pushes it off of him. and uses the barbed wire to cut three-quarters of its head off through the mouth. Then he smashes the head with his foot. He says, thanks for the help, and Brandon says, sorry. He needed a second to wrap Negan’s gift. He holds out Lucille, wrapped in barbed wire. He says he swiped it from Alexandria, and was waiting for the right time to surprise Negan. He takes Negan’s leather jacket out of his backpack, and says, it took forever to find it. It was in the back of an old storage garage. His dad said he never saw Negan without it. Negan tells Brandon to put it in his backpack. He doesn’t want to be recognized. Brandon asks if he likes it though, and Negan says it’s a big hit.
Aaron looks around on the bridge, and hears something. He goes into the woods, and watches Gamma dispatch a zombie. She cuts it open, and blood flows into the creek. She shoves the body into the water; its entrails popping out.
Negan and Brandon stare at some zombies meandering around, and Brandon tells Negan that he’d say she’s a seven. Negan just looks at him, and he asks if this isn’t this kind of stuff the Saviors did to kill time. Negan tells Brandon that he can’t say he remembers rating walkers on their hotness. And she’s clearly a three. They hear screaming, and Negan takes off, Brandon following. Negan runs to a bus, where the screaming is coming from, and slams a zombie against the side of it. He breaks the knife in the process of stabbing it in the head. He looks at the handle, and says, you’ve got to be kidding me. He goes inside the bus, where he finds a woman screaming and fending off several zombies. Negan kills one, and she takes down another. Negan smashes the third zombies head in the bus door until there’s nothing left. A little boy peeks out from behind one of the seats. Brandon says, damn. Classic Negan.
Connie and Daryl search the woods for Kelly. Daryl says it’s not her fault, but Kelly signs that she should have gone with Kelly. Daryl asks if he’s told her about his brother Merle. One time Merle took him fishing on a big lake that was private property, in a boat that was stolen. Merle was drinking and fishing, and fell in the lake. Daryl had to swim back to shore while holding onto Merle. He saved Merle’s life, and know what he says? He writes, Dummy, go get the beer. Connie laughs, and he says, idiot, right? He tells her it’s going to be all right, and Dog barks. I always get nervous when dog is on screen
They see the rock from Kelly’s slingshot, and the remains of the boar. Daryl almost shoots Magna, who comes from another direction. Kelly gives Magna a questioning look, and Magna shakes her head.
Yumiko says she should be out there with them, and Aiden says if she was lost in the woods, who would she want to find her? Somebody has to come back with her. Killjoy Earl asks if Aiden really thinks Kelly is okay, and Aiden says he hopes so. Earl says, what about them? The tree didn’t fall on its own. He thinks they might be coming back with something worse. Isn’t Aiden thinking about them at all? Aiden says, after what happened to his family, he thinks night and day about them. Earl says, don’t stop.
Ezekiel tells Siddiq, they took a quarter of the medical supplies. Ezekiel holds a metal tiger, and Siddiq says he’s sorry. Ezekiel says Henry forged it during his apprenticeship. He has a sudden coughing fit, and Siddiq says, that doesn’t sound good, but Ezekiel says, it’s nothing. The regular slings and arrows. Siddiq says it could be from smoke inhalation, and reaches out to touch Ezekiel, who slaps his hand away. Ezekiel tells Siddiq that he said he was fine. After a moment, Ezekiel pulls down his sweater to reveal a protrusion on his neck, saying, it’s grown. Siddiq touches Ezekiel’s neck, and says, it could be a lot of things, but Ezekiel says he knows what it is. Siddiq says, without a test, he can’t be sure, but Ezekiel says he knows. Siddiq sits, and Ezekiel says when he was growing up, his grandmother had it, and so did his father. The pain, the coughing, and swelling; he watched them fight it and win. There was 98% survival rate for thyroid cancer with the treatments that were out there. Now, they both know what it means. Siddiq says, it can be managed; acupuncture, hypnosis… He’s struggling with own condition. He can’t stand how everyone looks to him for some kind of answers. Maybe Ezekiel can’t get away from it, but they can talk about it. What are they there for if not for each other?
Amelia, the woman on the bus, tells Negan that she and Milo have been walking for weeks, since the Whisperers scattered everyone from their camp to the four winds. They went back to what it was before, and what it is in the end, moving from place to place, surviving. Brandon says he’s been there. Amelia asks if Milo wants to walk, and Brandon says, be safe. When they’re gone, Brandon says he knows what Negan is thinking. Negan says, people are a resource, but Brandon says, not them. He starts to go after them, and Negan grabs him, shoving him into a seat. He says he appreciates what Brandon has done for him since he left Alexandria, but it’s only going to get more dangerous from there. It’s best for him to go on alone, and Brandon should go home. Brandon says, okay, but if he goes back, everyone will want know where he’s been. What is he supposed to say? He’s never been a great liar. Negan laughs, and asks if Brandon planned that. He can go wherever the hell he wants. Brandon can go back to Alexandria and tell the whole world exactly where he is. He doesn’t give a sh*t, as long as doesn’t have to see that creepy pasty-ass face of Brandon’s again. Brandon says Negan is just like all the others. He grabs his bag, and gets off the bus.
Alpha watches as a Whisperer slices the face of off a zombie. She says, the ears are tricky. (I find out later on Talking Dead, that this is actually the zombie Kelly killed in the beginning scene.) Gamma approaches, and Alpha touches her face, saying she has something for Gamma. Gamma says she just came back from the creek, and Beta says, another one lost. Alpha says, strategy takes time. If they treat the water, and build a dam of zombies, it will crush them. A Whisperer wants to talk to Alpha, and Beta grumbles, but Alpha tells him to speak his piece. He says instead of what she’s doing, why not cut their enemies down all at once? Alpha asks if anyone agrees, and gets silence. She says, there’s democracy for you, and slices his hamstring. The Whisperer falls to his knees, and she says, the human body is fragile. All it takes to collapse it are a few nicks in the right spot. He makes a feeble attempt to stab her, and she slices his arm. She says, the strong ones know where to come to be safe, and hands Beta her knife. Beta slits the Whisperer’s throat, and Alpha says Gamma wanted another guardian.
Milo plays with a toy plane, and Negan asks how he is, telling Milo that he doesn’t bite. Milo’s mom it packing, so he has time to kill. Milo asks where Brandon is, and Negan says, he went looking for supplies. He tells Milo that he’s going to be rea; he told Brandon to get lost. It turns out he’s not the best co-pilot, if Milo catches his drift. He says Brandon doesn’t, does he? He’s never been on a plane. It’s not Milo’s fault that God turned the world into an ass pit before he was born. It feels like you’ve been sitting on the runway forever, and suddenly you hear a groan. The plane creeps along, moving faster and faster, until everything out the window turns into a blur. The wheels come up, and you’re flying, like voodoo magic. Up and up, higher and higher, until it’s like you’re floating on top of the world. The houses and cars look like toys. The food is a no. He was served beef stroganoff that looked like baby sh*t. There’s so much Milo is going to miss growing up in a screwed up world. Driving his first set of wheels, video games, nut tapping. He explains that you catch a guy off-guard. Keep your wrist loose, and snap your fingers on their nuts. You can’t go too low or too high, or you’ll get nothing but d*ck. He has Milo demonstrate the technique, and says he’s a natural. If nut tapping was a sport, Milo would be in the hall of fame. He tells Milo a fire isn’t happening without wood. Is he packed? Milo says he is, and Negan says he knows it sucks, but tells him mom that Negan knows a place where they’ll probably take them in. It has high walls, farmland, and has a mansion in the middle. They can’t tell who brought them there, but he’ll get them as close as he can. There’s one condition. Milo has to keep his fingers holstered when Negan’s nuts are around. Deal? Milo says, deal, and they high-five.
Gamma walks with the new zombie to the creek. She stabs him again and again, remembering throwing her sister into the zombie horde, and seeing Alpha kill the Whisperer. She’s stabbing so aggressively, she ends up cutting herself, and dropping the knife in the water. Aaron sees, and tosses her a bandage wrap. He says, it’s okay; it’s for her hand. He tells her that his name is Aaron. He knows they don’t do names anymore, but she’s got to be from somewhere. He’s from Vermont. Gamma jets, and he says, you’re welcome.
Connie and Daryl continue to search. Dog barks, and they find Kelly passed out, leaning against the tree. Connie wakes her up, and asks if she’s okay. Kelly signs that she couldn’t hear before, but she’s fine now. Magna gives Kelly some water, but she chokes on it. Connie signs that they have to get back to Hilltop. Daryl thinks they need to find somewhere closer. Connie walks over to a brush pile, and uncovers a big box of supplies. Daryl asks if she knew about this, and Connie takes a medical kit out of the box. She signs something to Magna, and Daryl asks what she said. Magna tells him that Connie doesn’t trust her. Daryl says Hilltop took them in. They have sick children and mouths to feed, and she steals from them. All she’s good for is talking sh*t. Connie writes not to tell them. Let her handle it.
Negan carries a small pile of wood in his arms. He hears whistling, and sees Brandon. Brandon says, that’s it, right? Negan drops the wood, and sees that Amelia and Milo are dead; their bodies next to the bus. Brandon says he remembers Negan kicked people out, but he was messing with them; keeping them in line. He realized this was a test. Negan said it was going to get a lot more dangerous, because he wanted to make sure Brandon had the balls to do what had to be done. Brandon looks at the bodies, and says, what does he think? Negan picks up a big rock, and Brandon turns around, saying, I passed. I am Negan. Negan slams the rock into Brandon’s head, and pounds his head to a pulp. He takes Lucille and his jacket, and walks.
Daryl returns with Connie, Kelly, and Magna. Yumiko runs to them, and asks, what happened? Connie signs that she’ll explain later.
Dante jokes to Siddiq on the radio. He says either Siddiq’s mic is out or he’s laughing balls off. He says he’s still there, and asks how Rosita is. Dante says he didn’t want to tell Siddiq, but she got a bump. She’ll be fine. Siddiq says he’ll leave for home tonight. He asks if Carol is around, and Dante says he’ll grab her. Ezekiel takes Siddiq’s place at the mic. He touches the metal tiger, and listens to Carol’s footsteps coming toward the radio. He shuts the radio off. Not that it’s ever in a happy place, but this show is just heartbreaking tonight.
Yumiko tells Magna it’s scary to think, but they probably wouldn’t have made it if they hadn’t found that stash. It sounds like they were far off the main road. Magna tells her, say it. Yumiko thinks she stole the supplies and hid them out there. Yumiko says, it wouldn’t be the first time, and Magna says Yumiko has thought she was selfish and stupid for the past thirteen years. That’s how she looked at Magna the day she showed up in her fancy suit. Yumiko says she was thinking, here’s an innocent person locked up for a crime she didn’t commit, and she’s never trusted anyone because no one trusted her. She was mad at everyone. Magna says her cousin was a little girl who had to go on living life when nobody came for him. So she did it. There it is. (For clarification: A man sexually assaulted Magna’s young cousin, and she killed him.) Magna tells Yumiko, they’ve both killed how many? and still that look.
Gamma approaches Alpha, and shows Alpha her bandaged hand. She says, the man with the metal arm gave to her. Seated on the ground, Alpha says, shh, and Gamma sits next to her. Alpha takes Gamma’s mask off, saying, different masks for different times. It’s kind of a sacrifice, like Gamma sacrificed her sister. Gamma says Alpha’s sacrifice was much greater, and Alpha says, the man with the metal arm could be useful. Gamma might just have to wear a new mask.
Connie walks through the stables, and hangs up a lantern. Daryl is there with his bike, and she asks if he’s leaving. He says he has to go back, and asks if Kelly is okay. Connie smiles and nods. She writes, sorry about Magna and Kelly asking him to lie for them. Daryl makes the sign for family, and Connie smiles. He gets on his bike, and she signs goodbye. He rolls out, whistling for Dog to follow.
Negan walks through the woods, wearing his jacket, and carrying Lucille. He walks past the barbed wire, and says, hey, sacks of sh*t, what does he have to do to get something to eat? Are they all scared of the big bad wolf? Little pigs, little pigs, let me in. (Which is what he also said when he first went to Alexandria.) He sees some zombies and says, there they are. He’s done talking. He whacks one with Lucille, and says he’s gonna blow their asses all the way home. He wallops a few more, and gets knocked down by Beta, who’s there with some Whisperers. I say, oh sh*t, and Negan says, all right, you big ass freak. Let’s do this.
Next time, Carol takes her gun and goes out walking, Alpha wants to test Negan, and Negan says he wants to join the Whisperers. They’re a survivor’s wet dream.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
The Halloween party has started at the MetroCourt. Dressed as Cruella de Vil checks her purse for her gun. Laura startles her. I’m not sure what Laura is, either a queen of some kind or the Virgin Mary. Sasha – some kind of version of Wonder Woman? – and Michael – a combination of Jon Snow and Aquaman – come in, and Sasha wonders if it’s a good idea. She’s the town pariah. Michael says she’s his pariah. She made a mistake. She says it was a big one, but he says she owned up to it and apologized repeatedly. Give him one good reason why she shouldn’t enjoy herself. She sees Valentin and Nina walk in as Cleopatra and Marc Antony.
Captain America TJ joins Jordan and Curtis, who’s dressed as Sherlock Holmes. Jordan – I have no idea who she’s supposed to be, but she looks hot – is glad TJ put the books down. She asks where Molly is, and Molly says she had to stop by the apartment first.
Elizabeth straightens up the living room. She looks at a family photo with Franco in it. Cameron comes down, and she says she was just cleaning up the Halloween tornado his brothers left. Cameron asks how she does that; act like everything is okay. He gets her doing it with Jake and Aiden, but not him. He gets how much it hurts. They hug.
Finn tells Violet about Roxie. He says, she likes to eat orchids, and they both go, eww! He says maybe they shouldn’t knock it until they’ve tried it. She asks if she can meet Roxie, and he says nothing would make him happier.
Jason tells Carly that Avery couldn’t wait to go trick-or-treating. She says, thank God for Brad and Lucas, and he says her cousin Rocco couldn’t wait to show her the ropes. Carly is sure he’ll be helping her eat the candy, and Jason says, that too. She tells him, Donna is asleep, and they have an hour before she’s screaming for food. He asks how she’s doing, and she says, tired, but happy her little girl is thriving. How about him? How’s Sam? He says, she’s not doing that great. She opted for a bench trial. Diane gave her the options, but she chose it because it has a quicker turnaround. Carly says, and no jury, and he says, no Dawn of Day members can be selected. Which I think would recuse them anyway, but okay. Carly says she knows how hard it is, and he says, it will be okay, but Alexis is having a hard time.
Molly, dressed as Ruth Bader Ginsburg, stops by Alexis’s place. She knocks, but there’s no answer. She sees the lights are on, and knocks again. We see Alexis passed out on the couch, and she knocks louder.
Carly says, let her guess. Alexis wanted to defend Sam, but she went with Diane. Alexis doesn’t want to make it more stressful, so she’s hanging back, but privately prepping the case in her living room. Jason says, yes to all of it. He agrees Diane is the better choice, and thinks Alexis sees where Sam is coming from. Carly says, but it’s hard to relinquish control when it’s your own kid. She thinks Jason should go to the party in a superhero costume, but he says she knows how he doesn’t like to dress for Halloween. She begs him to do it for her. Josslyn comes running downstairs, and says she can’t find the watch Oscar gave her. She thinks she lost it.
Trina shows up at Elizabeth’s house, carrying a garment bag. She sees Cameron isn’t dressed up, and says she had a feeling that he’d bag the dance. She figured her and Josslyn could throw something together at Josslyn’s place. Cameron says he’s in, unless Elizabeth would rather he stay home. It’s not a big deal. Elizabeth tells him to go. She has to work anyway, and tells him to go have fun with his friends. Trina tells him, let’s go. She’s glad he’s coming. She wasn’t sure if he was up for it.
Finn tells Violet that people think he’s weird because he had a bearded dragon for a friend. She’s really cool when you get to know her; she’s the best listener. Hayden comes in, and notices a bar of chocolate on the bed. Violet says Finn brought it, and he thanks her for selling him out. He tells Hayden that he just gave Violet one piece. Okay, two. Violet is stuck there on Halloween. Hayden thanks him, and asks Violet if she said thank you. Just because we’re sick doesn’t mean we forget our manners. Finn says she thanked with her killer smile. He says he’ll come back and see her soon, Hayden gives Violet her phone, and says, just one show. If her eyes get heavy, let herself sleep.
Out in the hallway, Hayden asks if Finn has heard from Dr. Mulvari. Is Violet going to be okay? He says he did hear back.
Ava asks if Laura makes a habit of startling people. Laura tells her, she just wanted to say hello. She wasn’t sure Ava was going to come. Ava says it’s for a good cause; she wanted to contribute. Laura says last year was horrific, but Ava would rather not talk about Ryan. Is there an open bar? Laura tells her to knock herself out.
Valentin says, who needs a costume party? and wants to go, but Nina says, like hell. She’s not leaving a party for a worthy cause. Just stay close. Valentin says, always.
Molly knocks more fervently, but still no answer. She opens the door with her key, and sees Alexis. She says, oh my God, and shakes her. She tells Alexis to wake up, but gets no reaction.
Josslyn tells Carly that she asked everyone. She even checked Avery’s room, but it’s nowhere. She lost it. Carly says Josslyn doesn’t know that. it could have slipped behind the dresser, or be in a pocket. Josslyn says, no. She lost it. She took it off at the exhibition match. She was worried it might get broken, so she put it in her backpack, but didn’t zip it up. She was so caught up in the game, she completely forgot. Carly says they’ll drive to Mayfair tomorrow, and check the lost and found. Or it could be in the gym. Josslyn says, the match was on Monday, three days ago. She lost the watch Oscar gave her, and didn’t even miss it.
TJ says it’s an awkward moment, and Curtis says he knows that. He’s in the same family. TJ asks if Jordan still has the engagement ring his dad gave her. She says she still has it; why? Curtis says, TJ is thinking of asking Molly to marry him.
Alexis finally wakes up, and Molly says, thank God. Alexis asks what she’s doing there, and why does Molly look like Ruth Bader Ginsburg? Molly says she’s been trying to get ahold of Alexis all day, but she didn’t answer her phone or Molly’s texts. Her office said she wasn’t in, so Molly got worried. Alexis sits up, obviously still groggy. She says, it hurts, and asks, what time is it? Molly says she’s really sorry, but she has to ask. Has Alexis been drinking? Alexis says, no. No alcohol has touched her lips. Molly asks, what happened? but Alexis doesn’t know. She didn’t feel well. Neil brought food over, and she was obviously not feeling well, since she sent him home. She says she’ll be fine, but needs coffee. Molly says what she needs is to go to the hospital, and that’s where Molly is taking her.
Finn tells Hayden that Violet will make a full recovery. She’ll be fine. He’d still like to keep her for observation, and Hayden says, whatever he thinks is best. She tells him, she’s so grateful, but he says he didn’t do anything. She says he’s been amzing with Violet. She didn’t know… He says, how he’d be with his own daughter? He imagined it, but seeing her in person is a different story. He takes Hayden aside, and says he’s still having a hard time understanding why she kept Violet from him for so long. He asks if she would do it the same again, but she’s not so sure. If she could go back and tell him… She doesn’t know. Finn says, the only thing that matters is, Violet will recover. They’ll talk when she’s out of the hospital. Hayden asks what that’s going to look like, now that he knows about Violet. He says he’ll be in it for life .
Carly explains to Jason that when Oscar was still well enough to go anywhere, he took Josslyn to the footbridge, and gave her the watch. He’d heard a legend that when the time was at 11:11, he could reach out after death and she would feel it. Jason says he can go to Mayfair and take a look around, but Carly says, they’re closed now, and the gym is locked. It’s not worth it. Even if the watch was there, what really has Josslyn upset is that it was three days before she noticed it was gone. Jason says, she doesn’t know how to act in the situation, which is a good thing. Carly says, Josslyn is getting on with life. It’s what Carly wanted, but not this way. She wanted Josslyn to take off the watch when she was ready. In losing it, she feels guilty and like she’s betraying Oscar.
Laura tells Jax, dressed as Mr. Incredible, happy Halloween. He says, it’s better than last year, and she says, anything would be better than last year. Doc is sitting this one out, and she can’t blame him. She knows they’re off the clock, but she wants to fill him in on the brainstorm she and Curtis had. When Helena said she kept the codicil close, maybe it wasn’t physically close. Maybe she meant close to her likeness. Jax asks if she means it might be part of the portrait itself.
Hayden tells Finn she knows she messed up. That’s not the right word. He says, that’s two words, and she says, it’s unconscionable. She was hoping… Elizabeth sees her, and says she was trying to reach Hayden last night. Where has she been? Hayden says, something crazy came up, and Finn says they have a lot to talk about. He and Hayden will finish their conversation later. Elizabeth wonders what that’s about.
Nina wants more champagne, and takes Valentin to the bar. Sasha and Michael are there, and Nina says she thought Michael would be interested that she received a call from the DA. He’s reviewing her testimony. The case against Cassandra has to be airtight, since their star witness is now unreliable. Sasha says she’s so sorry, but Nina says, there’s no apology necessary. She just wants Sasha to know, if that bitch goes free, Nina is holding her personally responsible. She drags Valentin away.
Cameron and Trina get to Sonny’s, and Cameron asks Josslyn, her too? Did she think he’d bail. Josslyn admits it crossed her mind, but she’s glad he’s there. She sees he has no costume, and Trina says he’s a typical guy, and expects them to dress him up. Trina goes upstairs to check on Dev’s costume. Cameron says he’s fine, but Josslyn says she knows he’s hurting, and the last thing he feels like doing is getting dressed up. Cameron says, actually, he’s fired up. For real. If he didn’t go, he’d be sitting at home by himself, with his life in a dumpster fire. He thinks he can find a way to make it fun. He goes into the living room, where Carly is on the couch. She says she’s been thinking about him and his family. How’s he doing? He says, it helps having great friends, but obviously, it’s hard. Josslyn and Trina come down, and Josslyn asks if he’s ready, and Cameron says, just one second. He goes out on the terrace, where he sees Jason. He asks if Jason has a second, and Jason asks, what’s up? Cameron says he owes Jason an apology.
Cameron says he jumped down Jason’s throat, and he shouldn’t have. He’s sorry. Jason says she doesn’t need to apologize. Cameron says he wanted this for his mom, and he thought his testimony would do that; make the judge see the real Franco wants to come back. Jason say the judge understood, and Cameron says, not enough. What he said should have been more clear, or better. Jason says she knows the truth, but it doesn’t matter what anyone said. What mattered is what Doc said. it’s great that she heard them, but in the end, it didn’t tip the scales. It couldn’t. He’s sorry. Cameron asks what he does now. How does he cut himself off from this crappy feeling? Just say, this is it what the judge decided? Jason says he can tell himself that when all was said and done, the judge gave the choice to Franco. Cameron says, he’s not Franco, and Jason says, whoever that man is, can make the choice. They don’t have to like it – they can hate it – but they can’t change it. Cameron has two choices. He can walk around angry all the time, or learn to live with it, and help the people he loves pick up the pieces. Jason goes back inside.
Elizabeth can’t believe Hayden had a daughter. They look through the window at Violet. Hayden says, Elizabeth’s niece. Elizabeth asks why Hayden didn’t tell her, but Hayden says she doesn’t know. She lied so much, it felt like she couldn’t tell the truth. She’s sorry. Elizabeth says, she’s beautiful, and helluva surprise. Hayden says, that’s what the consensus seems to be. She has a lot of regrets about the choices she’s made, but the truth is out now. Violet is here, and she’s the most fun Hayden has ever had.
Molly brings Alexis to the hospital. Alexis says she’s sure it’s just the flu. Molly says, maybe, but she still wants Alexis checked out. Finn comes out, and asks if everything is okay. Molly says, no, and Alexis says, yeah. He says, cleared that up. Alexis thought Finn went out of his way not to be there on Halloween, but he says he has a special case. He asks, what’s going on? and Alexis says she feels out of it. Molly says she’s been sick for 24-hours, and passed out. She had to shake Alexis awake. She’s worried. Alexis says she’s been prepping Sam’s case, and Finn asks if Alexis is her lawyer. Molly says, no, and Alexis says she’s been working out a lot, and feels run down. Finn says they’ll find out for sure, and they go to an examining room.
Curtis asks if he’s right. Is TJ going to pop the question. TJ tells him, relax. He’s thinking about it. Curtis says it must be serious if he’s asking about a ring, and laying the groundwork. TJ says, Molly will want something with sentimental value, and a family heirloom is perfect. Curtis asks, when? and TJ says he’s just thinking about it. He just knows that Molly is the person he wants to be with forever. Curtis tells him, congratulations. He’s making grown man moves. Why is he getting the vibe Jordan isn’t into it? Jordan says, because she’s not.
Laura tells Jax that they could be wrong, but Helena left Nikolas the painting knowing Valentin was out there. She thinks Helena armed Nikolas with something that would neutralize Valentin. Jax says, so she thinks it’s part of the painting itself, and she says, in the frame, or underneath. The real problem is that Valentin disposed of it, and they have no idea where it is. Valentin comes by, and asks if she’s still talking about that. Why is she obsessed with the portrait of Helena?
Valentin say, after everything Helena has done to Laura and her family, he thought she’d be thrilled he got rid of the painting. Laura says, Helena left Nikolas the portrait, and it belongs to Spencer – the rightful heir. Nina says Spencer had told her about everything he claimed Valentin stole, but never once said anything about the portrait. If he cared, he would have said something. Laura says Spencer had a fondness for his late grandmother, but that wouldn’t matter to Valentin, would it? She walks away.
At Sonny’s, Cameron pours liquor into a soda bottle when no one is looking.
Elizabeth tells Hayden, you love your kids so much, you want to make it right, but you know you can’t. Hayden says Elizabeth is the best mom. Elizabeth assumes Finn knows. What does it mean for the two of them? Hayden says, it’s not about them; it’s about Finn and Violet. It’s not fair that she dumped a new reality in his lap, and Elizabeth asks if Finn has had any contact with Violet. Hayden says, Violet only knows him as a doctor, but they’ve talked a little, and Finn snuck her in some chocolate. It’s insane. From the minute she found out she was pregnant, she dreamed about Finn and their child. Now she’s finally seen it. Elizabeth says, and? Hayden says, he was perfect.
Alexis tells Finn that she thought she was tired from her workout, but it moved to her stomach. Finn says, nausea, but she says, pain. Molly says she got sick on the way over. He says he’ll get her set up with an IV. She wonders if it’s the flu, and he asks if she’s gotten a shot. She says it’s October, and he tells her it’s the time of year they suggest getting vaccinated. Molly says she’s running late, and starts to leave. Finn tells her to set up a flu shot appointment before she goes, and she says she already got one. Okay, okay. We get it. They want us to get our flu shots. Alexis says, of course (🍷). She wants to be Molly when she grows up. Finn notices a rash on her palms, and asks how long she’s had it, but she doesn’t know.
TJ says he thought Jordan liked Molly. She says she does. Molly is everything she’d want for him in a partner, and she’s practically family. He asks, what’s the problem? and she says they’ve been together since high school. He’s never dated anyone else. He says he didn’t want to, and they’ve proven it will last. She says they come from the same town, and both go to a local college. Has he considered that he’s limiting his options? He asks if Jordan wants him to date other people, and she says she thinks they should both explore more of life before making a lifetime commitment. Molly calls, and TJ steps away. Curtis looks at Jordan, who says, oh look. The comptroller. She needs to say hello. I guess that was like a how about them Mets? subject changer.
Sasha tells Michael, if Cassandra walks, it’s her fault. No one takes what she says seriously anymore. Michael says, he does, and she can’t believe he still trusts her after what happened. He says he trusts her more. She says she doesn’t deserve it. He asks if she wants to go, and she says she’d like another club soda. Michael heads for the bar, and literally runs into Ava. She drops her purse, and he sees the gun in her bag.
Curtis asks Jordan if the comptroller is keeping Port Charles afloat, and she says, so far, so good. She asks where TJ went, and Curtis says Alexis is at the hospital. Molly thinks she has the flu, but she wanted to be sure. So does she want to talk about it? The bomb TJ just dropped, and how she treated it like she’s in denial. She says when they transitioned form high school sweethearts to college roommates, it was easy. She never considered where it was heading. Curtis says it never occurred to her that TJ might want to marry Molly?
Alexis says she’s being embarrassed further by a med student observing? Molly says he’s there as a supportive boyfriend. Alexis asks if she really asked TJ to leave the party, and Molly says he decided to. TJ says, family shows up for each other. Alexis says, isn’t that the sweetest? and Finn says, pretty sweet, yes. Alexis asks how much longer until she’s not feeling crappy? and Finn says, soon. By the time she goes home tomorrow. He wants her to stay overnight; that’s his professional opinion. She asks, why? What does he think is wrong?
Hayden apologizes, telling Elizabeth she forgot to ask about the trial. What happened? Elizabeth says, Franco won, and Hayden is so sorry. Elizabeth says, it’s really rough on the boys. Hayden ask if they know, and Elizbeth says, Cameron does; he was there. Hayden ask how he is, and Elizabeth says, pretending he’s fine, but she knows he’s beating himself up. She hates all of it, and hates that it’s out of her control. Only one thing makes sense in all of this. Why Hayden came back, and why she’s so good with the boys. She’s part of the club now. Elizabeth hugs her, and Hayden says she guesses she is.
Jason brings Carly some tea. She says she’s worried about Josslyn is covering. She had the alternative to stay home. Some people would gut it out to prove they can be strong. Jason says, she is strong, and she says she hates seeing Josslyn hurt. She wants to jump in, but she can’t. Jason knows, and says she has to let Josslyn find her way. She says she’ll remind of that years down the road with his kids. He says he’ll need help, and she says like he’s there to help her. They hug.
Josslyn says for someone who claims not to care about Halloween, Dev is obsessing about his costume. Trina thinks they did a good job; she’s proud of them. She knows Josslyn and Cameron are going through a hard time, and Josslyn says they’ll just go to the stupid dance, and try to have fun. Cameron doesn’t think they have to try. He looks at the bottle in his coat pocket.
Michael says, what the hell? and Ava says she has a permit. He says that doesn’t mean she should bring a gun to his mom’s hotel. She can’t believe he’s saying that with a straight face. Sonny and Jason have never been there without carrying a gun. He says they have special privileges, and she says after what she’s been through, she’s learned you can never be too careful.
Laura tells Jax, that was close. They need to stay off the clock in public. Jax says, agreed. If Valentin still thinks the painting is worthless, he won’t look to reclaim it.
At the bar, Nina asks what Valentin thought about Jax’s conversation with Laura. He says it’s probably nothing, but he’s beginning to think the portrait is more valuable than he realized. Ava overhears.
Tomorrow, Finn asks Hayden what part he plays in Violet’s life, Doc has a confession to make, and Sam gets her cellmate back.
🎃 I am still behind with Halloween, and suddenly, it’s tomorrow. I’m also in desperate need for some sleep tonight, so this is a quicker RHOD than usual. The worst thing? It all might get rained out. But you know as well as I do, if I don’t make up a billion candy bags, that’s when I’ll get six busloads of kids at once. One year, I thought I started rifling through my cupboards, but I didn’t think instant oatmeal would be the treat anyone was looking for. Luckily, I ended up with three goody bags left.
The Real Housewives of Dallas
Kary, Brandi D’Andra meet for lunch. D’Andra acts like she’s shocked about Kameron’s lack of manners, and they talk about how awful it is to bring someone uninvited to a bar. Kary once again compares it to a wedding. I guess she thinks her girls nights are that special.
LeeAnne goes for her final fitting with designer Nardos. Tiffany, Stephanie, and Kameron are along for the ride, along with some friends we don’t pay attention to. Kameron says when the quartet trio played at the shower, it became real. Stephanie is annoyed that Kameron is holding on to a petty thing. In her interview, she says she doesn’t need a third six-foot tall child.
Brandi says she’s not going to the wedding. A typed invitation ten days before the wedding is tacky. Says the woman who wore a hat decorated with plastic turds to a society party. She says she’s not dropping already made plans, and if she doesn’t have any, she’ll make some. I added that last part. D’Andra says her invitation must have gotten lost in the mail.
LeeAnne models her dress. I’m loving the lace sleeves and back, but not so much the skirt part, which has a giant extra ruffle that makes it look weirdly unfinished. Nardos says it brings the child inside LeeAnne to life. LeeAnne wants to be worthy. She didn’t get that as a child, and struggles as an adult. Kameron loves being a part of her fairy tale, and Stephanie hopes the feeling makes LeeAnne a softer person.
Kary flashes back to LeeAnne being a downer. D’Andra doesn’t understand why Kary is going. Kary says she and LeeAnne are figuring out their friendship. In Kary’s interview, she says it’s a nice way to extend an olive branch, and she doesn’t want to give LeeAnne a reason to be negative. She tells D’Andra and Brandi that her next girls night is going to be in an undisclosed location.
Kary tells us that daughter Olivia’s prom is in two days. Olivia is working on her dress. Olivia is interning with designer Mackenzie Brittingham. In her interview, Kary says growing up, Olivia always wore interesting things. She thought she’d miss Olivia when she went to college, but Olivia has been such a pill, she’s looking forward to it. Olivia wants to go to fashion design camp in London, but can’t afford it. Eduardo is loaded, but shot it down. In Kary’s interview, she says Eduardo has been a good step-father to her kids, but as they get older, their financial needs are bigger, and she doesn’t get support from her ex anymore. She hates that Eduardo has the financial power. Geez, how stingy is Eduardo? It’s not like Olivia is asking for a party on a yacht. Kary tells Olivia about her plans for getting her own money. Olivia wishes Kary still had her prom dress and she could mess with it. She sounds like Molly Ringwald in Pretty in Pink.
Brandi is pissed that Brooklyn is riding her scooter in the street. Brooklyn insists the sidewalks are more dangerous. Probably, but just for the people walking on them when she comes along. In Brandi’s interview, she says she’s been making the effort to give Brooklyn more time, but when she’s not getting attention, it backfires, and feels like Brooklyn is purposely pissing her off. Brooklyn argues over wearing a helmet. This kid is beyond obnoxious, but that’s not surprising. Brandi is afraid Brooklyn is going to resent it if she disciplines her, and push her away. Um… that’s called part of parenting. She says sometimes it feels like she’s failed.
Jeremy and D’Andra pick out clothes for a family dinner. In her interview, D’Andra says her family is small, and they don’t see each other often, so it’s important when they do. Jeremy asks how it went with Mama Dee, and D’Andra says her mom says mean things. D’Andra has taken a pay cut, moved the office to the house, and Jeremy’s been an employee. In her interview, she says now Jeremy understands how the business works. Her mother has made no effort to help, and just makes her feel bad. She tells Jeremy that she wants to show Mama Dee a united front. In D’Andra’s interview, she says her mother left the company in bad shape, and needs to take responsibility for the fact that she caused this. She tells Jeremy that they’ll both ask questions.
LeeAnne and Rich go out for sushi. LeeAnne tells Rich that everyone keeps telling her it’s x amount of days until the wedding. She told them, no math. He says, it’s not regular math; it’s a countdown. She says the wedding is in 72 hours, and he says, don’t threaten him. She says her mom is staying in a hotel. In her interview, LeeAnne says they haven’t spoken in two years. When they went to therapy, her mother said what she needed to look good, and lied. If they can’t find a place of truth in their conversations, LeeAnne doesn’t need to have them. She had a tough time deciding if she should include her mother. Rich says she only gets one. LeeAnne suggests letting her participate in lighting the unity candle. In LeeAnne’s interview, she tells us, in the South, you honor your mother, but in reality she wasn’t. LeeAnne’s mother didn’t raise her. Her grandmother did. She tells Rich that her mother tends to make things about her, and cause drama. She wants a mostly drama free wedding, and really wants to see her grandmother. Rich says, she’ll be there,so happy up. He says he hates when women cry, and will do a lot to prevent it. She says that’s why she’s with him. They toast to their future as husband and wife.
Jeremy and D’Andra meet Mama Dee, her brother James, and some of Dee’s friends for dinner. That’s the family? Dee toasts to their wonderful family and friends. In D’Andra’s interview, she says Dee and James have always had a tumultuous relationship. James was born when Dee was fifteen, and she sometimes treats him like a son. They argue a lot. Dee applauds Jeremy working with D’Andra, and Jeremy tells her about the new website, saying it’s going to spell out what the company means to D’Andra. Dee says, a mission statement, and D’Andra says she couldn’t find one on the old site. Dee doesn’t think she ever had one, but they were on TV. We see an old clip of D’Andra and Dee doing an infomercial. Jeremy says that’s where they were nailing it, but the market’s not there anymore. Dee says she built it for herself, and now D’Andra has the opportunity to go her own way, and start at ground level. D’Andra says she’s never been in that position. In Dee’s interview, she says she’d never put money into the company because she has no faith that it will come back and boom. Jeremy says, nothing has been invested in it for a long time. D’Andra says everything should have been in place. If she’d known, she would have been happy to cut her salary, but Dee wouldn’t let her see anything. Dee says D’Andra doesn’t understand the financial side. Only the owners and CPA see the numbers. Who made up that rule? I was in accounting for a long time, and never heard that before. D’Andra says she came in not knowing anything. James says her father was the expert. Oh ho. I think I see what happened. The father didn’t let Mama Dee see the books, and when he died, everything went south. Jeremy asks if Mama Dee has any regrets, but she says, no. She’s glad D’Andra has the company. D’Andra says if the switch had been made three years ago, she wouldn’t be in this position. Mama Dee says she has no regrets. In her interview, Dee says she never felt that she did anything wrong, and has no guilt. It’s not her responsibility. Dee rambles for a while, and says they can’t keep going back to this. She says if D’Andra thinks she did it deliberately, she needs to see a doctor. I guess I do too. D’Andra says nothing upsets Dee and she has no regrets. Why did Dee put her in this position? Dee says she thought D’Andra would be there 9 to 5, but she’d show up at 4:30 when everyone was leaving at 5. She thought D’Andra would be more attentive to the company. It doesn’t sound like Dee encouraged that much. She says she refuses to talk about it anymore.
Brandi and Stephanie get ready for their podcast, A Weekly Dose of B.S. In case we didn’t get it, Stephanie explains in her interview, it stands for their names, not bullsh*t. She says it’s the most fun she’s had in her life. In Brandi’s interview, she says it’s really an hour of them catching up. Brandi decides to call Kary, pretending to be the gardener from next door, and telling her a spilly spider has gotten loose, and went into her house. They want to come and get it out. It’s dangerous, and can eat her pets. A friend of Kary’s gets on the phone, and asks what address they’re calling about. When Brandi hesitates, the friend says, eff off. Brandi and Stephanie die laughing, and Stephanie tells Kary it’s a prank call. She’s on their podcast. Afterward, Brandi tells Stephanie that Bruin’s biological mother is pregnant again, and already planning to give it to the state. She and Brian would be the first people asked to adopt the baby. Stephanie says it’s insane. She knows a couple with six children because the biological mother wouldn’t stop having them. Brandi doesn’t know if she can handle another baby. In Stephanie’s interview, she says Brandi would need full-time help if she took on another baby. She worries that Brandi needs help as it is.
LeeAnne and Rich arrive at the church. In LeeAnne’s interview, she says she knows it’s tradition for the groom not to see the bride before the wedding, but he’s been married a few times. it’s her first, and her MF’ing rules. She says no more normal life, and he asks when it was normal. LeeAnne tells Steve the final count is 350, but might be more.
Stephanie and Cary note that there’s a window of five hours in between the wedding and the reception. Stephanie thinks it’s brilliant that LeeAnne has a whole day celebrating her, and they have five hours to figure out what to do with their kids.
Kary and Kameron get their makeup done together. Kameron calls LeeAnne, and asks if she’s excited. LeeAnne says she was at the Round Up late. Court brings the ladies some food. In Kary’s interview, she says Eduardo would be expecting her to make him a sandwich while she got her makeup done. He sounds more and more like a real gem. Kameron shows Kary her photo book of mommy porn. It’s pictures of Court doing various chores around the house, including taken a dish out of the dishwasher that has his face on it. It’s very cute, and I have to say, has more imagination than I would have given him credit for. Kameron says, the sexiest thing is a man with a vacuum cleaner. In Kary’s interview, she thinks Kameron must have a golden vagina because of the things Court does for her. Kameron says, helping a mom out is a turn-on.
Cousin Katy tells LeeAnne that her mom is late. Tiffany goes through some positive affirmations with LeeAnne. In LeeAnne’s interview, she says her mom being late triggers he little girl who feels abandoned. Once the church door is shut, nobody is walking in, and ruining or distracting from her moment.
Next time, there’s no food at the wedding, Brian tells Brandi that two babies is a handful, and Eduardo says Kary only wants to talk about what she wants to talk about.
🌌 FYI, the Sy – we can’t spell – Fy channel has been rerunning Channel Zero. Since it’s been canceled <sob!>, catch it while you can.
🐈 They Don’t All Look Grey In the Dark…
I just thought this was cute, and appropriate for the season. He’s sort of black.
But not the symptom. Yes, I threw the first confetti. See Sal Piro‘s book, Creatures of the Night. Believe me, it’s not something I would make up. You’re welcome, or I’m sorry, depending on where you stand on that.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Alexis tells Neil this puts a new spin on meal delivery. He says he knows she’s working, and she says she’s doing research. He says she needs sustenance to concentrate, and she says he’s right. She worked out, and deserves it. Her trainer is mean, and today’s workout literally made her dizzy. Neil unpacks some take-out, and says, have at it. He’ll let her get back to work. She says, it’s a lot of food, and asks if he wants to join her. He says he would, but there’s a knock at the door. It’s Jason, and Alexis tells Neil, it’s Sam’s significant other, so it can’t be good. She lets Jason in, and asks, what’s wrong?
Elizabeth leaves a message for Cameron. She knows he’s upset, but he can’t run off like this. She asks him to call her back right away. Cameron walks in as she’s hanging up. She says she’s not mad about him running out of court, but when he didn’t answer his phone, she worried. He says he turned it off. All kinds of reporters were calling him. She says, her too. Now that he’s home, she can put it on silent. She asks where he was, and he says Trina hauled him to the gym. He took his frustrations out on a punching bag, and the bag won.
Sonny hears someone come into the gym, and says, they’re closed. Scotty says he’s not there to fight. Sonny owes him, and he’s there to collect. Sonny says Cameron was just there, so he guesses the hearing didn’t go the way they wanted. Scotty tells him, he might say that. Sonny is sorry for Scotty, Elizabeth, and her family. Scotty says he doesn’t want sympathy. He wants Sonny to make it right.
Kim’s phone rings, and Franco asks if she’s going to get that. She says she knows who’s calling; Julian. She doesn’t care what he has to say. All that matters is what he thinks. He’s free, and there’s nothing stopping them from getting on a plane, going back to San Diego, and picking up where they left off. Franco says, actually there is.
Franco says he wants nothing more than to spend the rest of his life with her. She says he scared her. She thought Elizabeth got to him, when she asked him to say goodbye to their family. He doesn’t owe them anything. Not after what they did to him; what they put him through. It’s just him and her. He says, it’s not that simple. They can’t just pick up where they left off. She asks, why not? She thought that’s what he wanted when he came to her apartment. There’s nothing keeping them there. He says he hadn’t processed everything she went through. She had a son – their son. She lost their son less than a year ago, and he doesn’t think you get over something like that in a matter of months, if you do at all. He’s worried that she hasn’t been given the proper time to heal. She says he was ready to go before Elizabeth and Scotty got in the way, and now that he’s overcome that, he’s pumping the brakes. What he heard when she testified about how she drugged Drew, and tried to conceive another child, she can’t begin to explain how she regrets it. She felt horrible. She wasn’t well at the time, but nothing justifies it. She was wrong, but Scotty brought it up to use as a weapon, and make her look bad. He had no way of knowing, unless Julian deliberately told him. Franco says, from what he’s seen, Julian has nothing but her complete well-being at heart. Kim says he’s furious that she chose Drew. He’ll do anything to break them apart, and he’s letting Julian do it. Kim is starting to become a little unhinged.
Julian leaves a message for Kim. He heard about the ruling. Call him.
Kendra goes to the dumpster at Charlies, and takes the remaining supplement container out of her backpack. She flashes back to being at Kiefer’s grave, saying she’ll always miss him, but getting justice for his death will lighten the load. We see her putting something in the supplement, and then she remembers giving it to Alexis at Charlie’s. She puts the container in the dumpster. Julian comes out with some garbage, and asks if he can help her. I’m already done with this storyline.
Jason tells Alexis, sorry to interrupt. Alexis ask Neil to give them a minute, and he goes to the kitchen to get plates. She assumes it’s about Sam, and Jason says Sam decided go with a bench trial. Alexis asks what Diane was thinking.
Peter tells Maxie sorry to keep her waiting. She says she’s tired of being the third wheel with him and his phone. There’s a table waiting upstairs, and she’s taking it. She’s going to enjoy the meal she was hoping to share with him, and then going home to the place she lives with James, which is not where he lives. He made it clear he doesn’t want to live anywhere with them, and she doesn’t want to focus on what he doesn’t want. He says, it’s nothing like that. He’s waiting for news on the hearing so The Invader can get the scoop. The hearing ended an hour ago, and he’s heard nothing. Maybe there’s a dispute. He wonders if Maxie could check with Mac; maybe he knows something. She can’t believe he asked her to do that, and asks if The Invader is in financial trouble, and the story is going to make or break them. She doesn’t understand why he cares if Franco stays being Drew.
Cameron tells Elizabeth, their family has been blown apart, and he can’t help but feel partly responsible. What if he’d run from Shiloh? She says Shiloh literally held him hostage at gun point. None of it is his fault. Blaming himself isn’t going to change anything, and it’s certainly not going to help. No matter what, they’re a family, and nothing is going to change that.
Scotty tells Sonny that he and Elizabeth did what they could legally. They were making headway, but Doc tanked the case. He blew it. Sonny says, so Scotty wants an alternative solution. Scotty says, what they talked about; one father to another. He wants Sonny to step up and save his son. Sonny remembers the conversation, but doesn’t remember making any promises. Scotty says they’re talking about his son. He’s going to leave town, and they’ll never see him again. Sonny needs to do what needs to be done. Grab Franco and put him somewhere until Andre can fix him. Sonny says he’s talking about forcible restraint and assault. Kidnapping. It’s a major felony. Scotty says, like Sonny has never done that before.
Sonny says, what if he does what Scotty is asking? What makes him so sure Andre can bring back his son? Scotty says, it’s Andre’s research, and Andre’s mess. Sonny says what if Franco comes out as a weird combination? and I think of The Fly. Scotty says, it doesn’t matter. His son is gone already. If Sonny was in his place, wouldn’t he do the same?
Elizabeth wraps Cameron’s hand, and tells him to keep it wrapped, then ice it. One more thing… He says she can’t kiss his booboo and make it better, but she says she’s doing it for herself, and kisses the top of his head. The doorbell rings, and Cameron says, it’s probably Scotty. He can’t talk about it anymore. But it’s Bobbie, looking for Scotty. He’s not picking up, and there’s been no word on the hearing. She thought maybe he was there with Franco. Elizabeth says he probably knows why he’s not answering his phone. The hearing… they lost. Bobbie hugs her, and says she’s so sorry.
Peter tells Maxie that he’s not invested in the outcome one way or the other. He didn’t know Drew well, and didn’t know Franco at all. She says, it seems important, and he says he’s been accused of focusing on numbers too much. Maybe now is one of those times. Either way, The Invader wins, as long as he gets the jump on the story. Looking at the phone, he says his reporter got back to him. He looks at Maxie. She asks, what happened? and he says, everything turned out for best in the end.
Jason tells Alexis that Diane presented Sam with options, but Sam chose the bench trial. Alexis says maybe Diane didn’t explain it, but Jason says she did. It was a faster option. The Feds think Sam is a flight risk, and she wants to be home with the kids. Alexis asks if he’s okay with this, but he says he’s not comfortable with Sam putting her future in the hands of one person, but it’s Sam’s choice. Alexis looks at her phone, and says she heard from the court clerk. The judge ruled in Franco’s favor. Jason feels badly for Elizabeth, and says he has to go. Alexis asks him to keep her posted. She has to stay there in case Sam needs her. She closes the door, and looks like she has a headache.
Kendra tells Julian she’s not stealing secrets. She parked nearby, and thought it was a shortcut. Julian asks if steps aren’t a way of life for a personal trainer. She says she prefers life coach, but she has cheat days built into her regimen. He tells her to follow him through the kitchen. We see the container in the dumpster.
Franco says they don’t know how Scotty got the information. Maybe it was Julian, but how it came out isn’t as important as the fact she was grieving. She was grieving, out of control, and not thinking. Kim says he heard her confession. He heard her say she felt terrible. It was the worst mistake of her life, but does she have to pay by losing him? He says he’s not talking about her losing him; he’s talking about what’s best for her. She says, he’s what’s best for her. She’s bordering on hysteria, and says before he showed up she was barely surviving . Then he kissed her, and her heart started beating again. She knows she’s still grieving Oscar’s death, and made a terrible decision, but that doesn’t mean she’s so broken they can’t have a life together. Unless he’s changed his mind. Maybe now that he’s been granted his freedom, he wants to be free of her too.
She starts walk out, and he says he loves her, and wants to spend the rest of his life with her, but the only way is if they do it right; responsibly and slowly. Kim asks what that looks like to him. Staying in Port Charles? Weeks? Months? He says, as long as it takes for her to heal. He’s not in a hurry anymore. He’s not running. They can stop, assess, and stay cool; make a plan. Kim says, okay. She’d made a plan. Her apartment didn’t sell, so she’s leasing it. Should she call it off? What about work? She hasn’t been reinstated, and after what came out, she doesn’t think she will be. And what about him? Is he going to look for a job? Apply to the Navy reserves. She laughs, and says his medical records won’t match what’s on file. Tell her what do, because nothing in this scenario is normal. Um… wouldn’t they have to ask these same questions wherever they went? Franco says, nothing will ever be normal about them. He just wants to take the time to figure it out. He knows that’s not the answer she wants, but the answer she has is that he wants to be with her. She says, just not now. She’s got it. Not until she’s fixed. No pressure. No time table. No promises. She walks out.
Maxie tells Peter that he has to run the story, and he says he already has. In ten minutes, he wants to hear every phone in Port Charles ringing. Maxie congratulates him on getting the scoop. What does the ruling mean? Peter says, Andre can’t tamper with Franco’s brain. He gets to keep what he remembers, and what he doesn’t, stays gone. Franco can make his own decisions and do what he wants, and they can’t impose a risky treatment on him. Maxie says, Elizabeth and the kids are probably devastated. She has unpleasant memories about Franco before the tumor was removed. He wasn’t her favorite person, but he clearly made Elizabeth happy, and now he’s gone, under bizarre circumstances. She’s not close to Scotty, but he’s a dad who just lost his son. She wants Peter to promise that reporters won’t be hounding them for a response. Peter says he’ll make sure they’re off limits. He promises they won’t forget the toll on the families. The whole thing has given him a new found perspective on what’s important. She asks, what’s that? and he says, her and James. He wants them to spend every moment they can together. He doesn’t want just dinner, or taking James to the park. He wants more than a few mornings. He wants every morning. He wants to move forward with their plan to move in together.
Bobbie asks Elizabeth if there’s something she can do. Elizabeth says Bobbie has always been there for her, and Bobbie says Elizabeth is a survivor. She’s come through every challenge, no matter how difficult. She’s stronger than ever, and will make though this. Elizabeth says her boys will get her through, but Scotty should be comforted. Bobbie says she can’t reach him, and Elizabeth says his phone is probably blowing up. Bobbie is sure he’s headed for a bar. She doesn’t blame him; she just has to figure out which one. Elizabeth tells her to give Scotty her love. Bobbie says, she will. She tells Elizabeth, call if she needs anything, or wants to talk. They hug, and Bobbie leaves.
Scotty says Sonny is willing to fly across the world to save his son, but won’t lift a finger for Scotty’s. Franco got Sonny’s wife out of the looney bin, and now he doesn’t exist, but Sonny doesn’t care. Sonny says he didn’t say that. Scotty says, the judge did. No blood, no investigation, no nothing; just legally gone. Sonny tells Scotty, he didn’t say he wouldn’t help him, but Scotty says he didn’t say yes, and walks out.
Cameron opens the door to Jason, and asks why he’s there. Jason asks if he can come in? Cameron guesses he can. Jason says he wanted to talk to Cameron’s mom, but Cameron says he should have called first; she’s resting. Jason says he’s right. He’ll text her. He starts to leave, and Cameron says he’s already there. Give him the message. He might as well. Jason says he knows the judge ruled in Franco’s favor. He wanted to check in on Jake. Cameron says Jake is at their grandma’s, but he doesn’t think Jason should be around when Jake finds out. Elizabeth listens in on the conversation.
Cameron says Jake knows Jason hates Franco. Everybody does. Jason has made it hard, going against Franco. Jason made sure he helped, so Franco didn’t come back. Elizabeth comes out, and says, it’s not Jason’s fault. The deciding factor was Doc’s testimony. He said Franco was competent to make his own choices. Cameron tells her, that’s what Jason said, thatFranco could answer the question himself. Jason made the most sense of anyone until Doc got up, and the judge listened to him. Maybe they sounded crazy, and maybe they were, but they loved Franco. Jason just wanted to get rid of him. Elizabeth says, enough, and tells Cameron to go upstairs. She wants to speak to Jason alone. Cameron leaves, and she says he’s angry at the world, not just Jason. Jason gets it, and admires Cameron’s loyalty to his family. He wishes he hadn’t been called to testify. Elizabeth does too.
Bobbie finds Scotty at Charlie’s. Kendra sits at a table, and Julian says Alexis has been raving about her workouts. Does she have any openings? She says she’ll check, and he tells her they don’t have kale smoothies. She orders a Manhattan with three cherries. She doesn’t mess around on her cheat days. Kim comes storming up to Julian, and cracks him hard across the face.
Alexis tells Neil that Sam elected to have a bench trial. It might have sounded good from Sam’s perspective, but not from hers. She’s not Sam’s attorney, but she can’t let it go. Kendra claims it throws off her mind/body balance when she’s being a micromanager, and Alexis can’t argue. Neil says maybe she should rest. A workout shouldn’t leave her light headed. Alexis says her body needs to adjust.
Maxie tells Peter, she’s getting a weird déjà vu. She was under the impression he was having second thoughts. That’s why he passed on the apartment. Peter confesses he’s superstitious about a good thing. He’s afraid to ask for more, or he might lose everything. Maxie tells him that he’s just as deserving of a good life as anyone else. Their phones ring, and they both look. Peter smiles, and looks at The Invader headline: Judge to Franco: You’re Drew.
Franco walks into the gym. He asks if he knows Sonny. Sonny says, no, but he knows Franco.
Maxie asks Peter, what made him decide? He says, her. She changed everything for him. Her love, compassion, and faith; she believed in him, and challenged him. She changed his life. He never believed in life before; it was unimaginable. Now there’s a real future, with her, him, and James. Maxie says what made him believe this now? and he says they were talking about Franco, and everything Elizabeth lost. It made him realize how much he could lose if he lets the past overshadow the present. He doesn’t want the past to interfere. From this day forward, it stays where it belongs – in the past. They kiss.
Elizabeth tells Jason, Cameron is mad at the world, but that doesn’t mean he’s wrong. Jake loves Franco, and it’s going to be a huge heartbreak. Jason says he doesn’t want to make it worse for Jake or her. Whatever she wants him to do, he will. She thinks it’s best if he stays away, and lets Jake find out from them. Let them deal with their grief as a family.
Kim tells Julian, how dare he? He tells Kendra, excuse them, and tells Kim, calm down. She says, after his betrayal? Scotty’s shameful secret weapon he used against her. How could Julian be that resentful? She’ll never forgive him for using it against her. He tells her vent and rant all she wants. Hate him, but he didn’t do it to hurt her. He wants her to get the help she needs.
Scotty tells Bobbie, he thought he could win, and Bobbie says, maybe something he said resonated with Franco, and he’ll change his mind. Scotty says, maybe. The court failed him, and he did something. He never thought he’d be so desperate, but he went to her son-in-law. She says, Sonny? and he says he begged Sonny, and does she know what Sonny did? Turned his back on him.
Franco tells Sonny, it’s been a helluva day. He was looking to hit the bag. Sonny says he’s not dressed for it, and they’re closed, but he has a few minutes. Franco takes his jacket, shirt and tie off, and hangs them over the ring ropes. Sonny says from what he hears, the day didn’t go like everyone wanted it to. Welcome to Port Charles. He asks if Franco needs a spotter, and wraps Franco’s hands. Franco says he’s generous. Is he always that way? Sonny says, only to friends, and Franco asks if they’re friends. Sonny says Franco has the memories of somebody who meant a lot to him, and the face of someone he never wants to see again. Franco says, it must be tricky for him. He says imagine his reaction when Franco’s father came in and asked for his help.
Peter tells Maxie, let’s go upstairs for dinner, but she says, why wait to call Lucy?
Scotty says he doesn’t know what he was thinking, but Bobbie says she does. He did what he thought he had to for his son. He says his son needed him to win. It was the only way to get him back. Bobbie knows he’s resourceful, and he’ll come up with something. He’s not giving up on Franco any more than Lee and Gail gave up on him. He says he doesn’t see a way out, but she says he’ll come up with one.
Julian tells Kim that she’s trying to reclaim something that’s over. She’s pinning her hopes on someone who’s not real. She says he went behind her back, and the details of her life were broadcast to people who care nothing about her. Julian says he thought by Franco getting help, it would free her up to get the help she needs. She says they won in spite of it. Now they can get back to their lives. All he did was destroy any part of her that still cared about him. She stomps out.
Sonny tells Franco that he didn’t say he’d help, but he owes Franco one. If he needs help, let him know. Franco likes that Sonny is being straight with him. People have been telling him what he wants, but it’s really what they want. Sonny asks what he wants, and Franco says, right now, he wants to hit something. Sonny gets on the other side of the bag, and says, go for it. Franco begins to hit the bag.
Elizabeth knows if Jason pretends, it won’t help Jake. Emotional dishonesty resonates, and in the end, it destroys trust. He’s always been truthful with Jake. He says he’s sorry, and she says, everyone is sorry, except for Kim. She’s probably thrilled. Elizabeth says she probably shouldn’t be as angry as she is. Kim is still grieving, and not thinking, but she got what she wanted. Elizabeth still has to get through tonight, and the nights after that. She doesn’t know how to do that.
Neil tells Alexis to drink water if she’s working out, and Alexis says she does. She doesn’t feel good, and asks if they can do it another night. He says, if he may be so bold, she should skip the research, and go straight to bed. She says, deal, and Neil says to tell her life coach to dial it back a notch. Get some rest. He leaves, and she practically falls asleep before she closes the door. She goes upstairs. On the coffee table, her phone lights up. It’s Kendra calling.
Kendra is back in the alley, and leaves Alexis a message, saying it was a good session. It will be even better next time. She looks forward to it. She looks at the dumpster, and we see the container again. I can’t believe this is how they ended today. Pfft!
Tomorrow, Josslyn tells Carly that she thinks she’s lost it, Alexis won’t wake up, Valentin wants to know why Laura is obsessed with Helena’s portrait, and Hayden asks if Finn wants to be part of Violet’s life.
The Real Housewives of Orange County
Vicki is in the car with Tamra, and asks where they’re going. Tamra says, a costume shop where Shannon wants to go, but Shannon is going to be late. In Tamra’s interview, she says she’s wanted to have a tea party, so why not for Vicki’s birthday? She thought it would be fun if they dressed up. Queen Victoria; Vicki thinks she’s the queen of everything. She tells Vicki that a friend of hers sent her a picture of Gina and Matt making out in a bar. Vicki says, they still love each other, and Tamra says, he’s acheater. Vicki says she obviously wants to take him back, but Tamra says, Gina told her the opposite. She told Gina, don’t drink. In her interview, Tamra says, Gina was finally in a place where she was moving on, and this is going to set her back.
Braunwyn tells Sean that she’s finally found a gluten-free, nut-free, vegan recipe. In her interview, she says she has to make three or four dinners every night. It’s impossible. She wonders when Bella is getting back from Florida. She’s in Miami and each child is a part of her heart. When one leaves, her heart is a little empty. At the dinner table, they talk about the college admissions scandal, and Sean says those parents aren’t letting their kids fail. Rowan talks about working on applications for NYC colleges. In Braunwyn’s interview, she says the last time Rowan was in NYC, her eating issues kicked into high gear. Rowan has a dream, and it’s her role to support that dream, no matter what. Braunwyn asks if Rowan isn’t worried she’ll miss them, and Braunwyn says she will, but she’s going to have fun. Braunwyn says they might get old, but they’ll never be boring. Rowan says, like Mama Deb, aka BetseyJohnson’s evil twin.
Tamra and Vicki go to the Gasoline Alley costume shop. Tamra explains what they’re looking for to the clerk. In her interview, Vicki says she’s going to be queen for day, and her girlfriends are going to bow down to her. Tamra says they want to get the good stuff before the others get there. In Tamra’s interview, she says she loves having parties with Vicki, and we flash back to some of them. She says the best party ever was the 80s bunko party, and we flash back to Vicki screaming at Gretchen. Vicki knows how to party. Shannon arrives, coming in screeching. Probably something about the Tres Amigas. They all hug. Shannon says it’s her favorite store. In her interview, she says, if there’s a theme, and she can be dressed up to the point of almost obnoxious, she’s in. Tamra tells Shannon about her girlfriend sending her the picture. She said Gina and Matt were all over each other. Tamra shuts up just in time, because Gina comes in the door, apologizing for being late. Shannon suggests a Mad Hatter look for her, and Gina is good with that. Tamra says, you, and Gina insists nothing happened. Tamra says, no alcohol and no touching. They were wasted and making out. Gina asks, who said? and Vicki says, they have photos. Tamra says a good friend was sitting right across from them. In Gina’s interview, she says it’s such a small town, she can’t even make out with her own damn husband without getting caught. They should have gotten take-out. Gina says, it was a setback, but Shannon says, it’s not. If Gina is trying to repair her family, great, but it brings up lot for her. That didn’t work with her marriage. Gina thinks she and Matt are good together, but she can’t trust him. Shannon says it didn’t work with her, and in her interview, Gina says, all roads lead back to Shannon. Vicki says it’s not about them; it’s about her. She wants to be called Queen Victoria.
During the commercial break, there’s a very cool ad for the new Terminator movie, where Tamra and Shannon are incorporated into a scene with Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton). It actually works well.
Gina brings daughter Sienna to therapist Julie, who tells Sienna that she’s playing with her today. In Gina’s interview, she says, Sienna has regressed in school. Her teacher isn’t confident that she’ll be where she needs to be when she goes to kindergarten. Good Lord, it’s competitive before you even get to kindergarten now. She tells Sienna that Sienna has always had coordination issues, and would just fall over. Sienna explains that the sensory integration processes how the body receives information from the environment. It affects attention span, emotional concentration, listening, and following directions. Something like the tag on her shirt could be distracting. She tells Gina that sensory integration therapy will help. Gina is in the right place, doing the right thing. In her interview, Gina thinks Sienna feels a little neglected in transition. Matt not being around effected all the kids. We flash back to the kids being obnoxious. Julie tells Sienna to follow the pen with only her eyes, and even I see she looks away for a second in the middle of the exercise. Julie does various other sensory exercises, and in Gina’s interview, she says it feels like it’s her fault. Like she did something wrong; like she failed to see something. Julie recommends therapy, saying Sienna will benefit greatly from it. In her interview, Gina says there’s a lot going on at home. It’s one of the reasons she feels like she should be trying to get Matt back. Things are slipping, and she’s not enough for everybody. Things are hard. Sienna has some real playtime, and Gina says. she’s no stranger to fun.
While she’s getting her makeup done, Tamra says, Vicki is going to die when she sees the wig. She FaceTimes with Kelly, and tells Kelly that she doesn’t want to miss this, but Kelly says she’s on her way to L.A. to take back some dresses. She asks if they’re dressing up in hats and stuff. She says, sorry, but she’s not celebrating Vicki’s birthday. The only celebration she’s having with Vicki is going to her funeral. Tamra tells her, just pretend, but Kelly says she has no time. She thanks Tamra for the invitation. In her interview, Kelly says just because she can move forward with Vicki, doesn’t mean she’s getting Vicki a birthday gift or they’re going to be best friends. Hell no. Tamra googles Queen Victoria.
Vicki comes in, and asks where her princesses are. Tamra tells the makeup people that she doesn’t want Vicki to look ugly, but wants her to look the part. Tamra says she’s been awaiting Vicki’s arrival, and shows Vicki her dress. Shannon comes in next, and asks if Tamra has her curtsey down. Tamra tells Shannon that the makeup people are making Vicki up, but not letting her see. She shows Shannon a picture, and they both nearly wet their pants laughing. In Shannon’s interview, she says Vicki has to look like Marie Antoinette, since there’s a cake in that wig. Let them eat cake. Off with her head. She asks if Marie Antoinette said that, and the producer says he thinks that’s the Queen of Hearts. Yep. And she didn’t exactly say, let them eat cake, either.
Shannon doesn’t understand. Kelly and Vicki sat next each other at the last dinner. Tamra says Kelly told her that she’s not ready celebrate, even though Tamra told her to go anyway. In Shannon’s interview, she says these are the things that frustrate her; the one step forward, and three steps back. She doesn’t get it. Vicki asks why they look elegant. Shannon says Vicki has this wig, and it’s everything.
Gina is the first to arrive at the tea party, and says when she and Tamra scouted the venue, she thought it was all pinkies up. She never thought she’d show up looking like a hooker Mad Hatter. She’s wearing a purple wig and something that looks like Steampunk, but in bright colors. She says she’ll still put her pinky up. Emily joins her, saying she didn’t recognize Gina. In Emily’s interview, she says, Gina reminds her of Pretty Woman. Gina asks if she looks like a stripper, and Emily says, a little. Like a hot tea party stripper. In her interview, Emily says she’s confused by the costume. Are there other prostitutes coming? Braunwyn is next, and says she’s underdressed. Emily isn’t wearing a costume either, and says she didn’t get the memo. The waiter takes their drink orders, and Braunwyn says she can’t drink wine or champagne; she’s allergic, and it makes her puffy. She says she’ll stick to tea, and asks for coconut milk with that. In Gina’s interview, she says, Braunwyn has pain-in-the-ass-itis. Common in Orange County. There’s no known cure. Gina says she went out with Dr. Hottie, but she’s in a place where she doesn’t know what do. She went out to dinner with Matt, and may have slept with him. Don’t make her feel bad. In Emily’s interview, she says, Gina took a step back. She was just in the position to control her own life. When sex becomes involved, it becomes a mess. Emily says Gina was never good on it being a clear break. Braunwyn says, good for her, making bad choices. Gina says, it’s the year of bad choices, and Braunwyn says it makes her feel less alone. Shannon calls Gina, who says she’s missing high tea. Shannon tells her to bring everyone to the parking lot, and Gina tells them, they’re being summoned.
In costume, Vicki, Tamra, and Shannon ride in a Cinderella type carriage, drawn by horses. They’ve decided the queen drinks shots of tequila. Emily wonders if she should go home and put a ball gown on. In her interview, Vicki says being queen has always been her thing. She likes being bowed down to, so it’s definitely her role. Shannon and Tamra unroll a red carpet, and announce the royal Queen Victoria. In Braunwyn’s interview, she says, Queen Victoria was austere. Vicki is Marie Antoinette. She has a birdhouse on her head. Shannon says, pinkies up, and Braunwyn thanks her for the invite. Vicki says She was almost off the list. Shannon asks when they last saw each other, and Braunwyn says, the fashion show. Emily asks how that went, and Braunwyn tells her about Kathy whacking Kelly with the microphone. Emily says Kelly told her that she called the woman ugly, and Shannon says, you can’t say things like that. We flash back to that, and Braunwyn says she thinks Kelly meant the woman’s personality. How Kelly reigned it back, she thanked Kelly afterward. In her interview, Braunwyn says people say this or that about Kelly, but she’s going on her own judgement. Tamra tells them that Kelly got in a bar fight.
Tamra says Kelly was fighting with a girl, went to the bathroom, and came back to find the girl with her arm around Brian. She grabbed the girl’s hand, and now the girl is saying Kelly fractured it. Braunwyn says Brian and Kelly got in a fight at a bar, but separated for the night, then got back together. As Braunwyn talks, Shannon and Tamra leave to use the bathroom. In her interview, Braunwyn says she feels like she needs to defend Kelly in these situations. The girls like to take little tidbits, and blow them up. Tamra tells Shannon that she’s not going to sit there, while they’re bashing Kelly. I’m confused. I don’t think there was any real bashing here, but it was Tamra who brought Kelly up, and Shannon who criticized her behavior. Tamra says if she wanted to be a bitch, she’d tell Vicki that Kelly wanted to celebrate her death. Shannon says you should never wish someone dead; that’s karma. She loves Kelly, but she’s not loving her when she hears this sh*t. She’s not happy with Kelly right now. Tamra brings Kelly up on FaceTime, and shows Kelly their costumes. She thinks Kelly should come, but Kelly thinks she’s sick and might have strep throat. In Tamra’s interview, she says she thought Kelly was in L.A. Braunwyn pretends she has to go to the bathroom so she can see what’s going on. Vicki wonders where everyone went. In her interview, Emily says, Vicki can sure clear a room. Emily doesn’t leave a birthday party, explaining if you do, you might miss the cake. Tamra says she’s not comfortable talking about Kelly when she’s not at the table. Kelly says, sorry, but she’s not coming. Vicki asks what’s going on, and in her interview, says she wanted the day to be about her. Shannon curtseys, and says, her apologies, addressing Vicki as Queen Victoria. Vicki says, it’s not ladylike.
The waiter serves a traditional tea plate, with tiny sandwiches. Gina takes a call about her daughter, and when she gets back to the table, explains that she thinks Sienna’s motor skills are behind. Braunwyn says, as long as Gina is on it, she should be fine. She asks if Gina does public school, but Gina says they’re not in school yet. Braunwyn says, public schools really have your back. In Gina’s interview, she says it’s a scary moment, and she finds Braunwyn’s comment insensitive. I’m lost as to why. Gina tells Braunwyn she’s kind of a snob, and Braunwyn says, that’s mean. Gina tells her, the bottom line is, she doesn’t care about schools, and Braunwyn sounds like an a-hole. She’s done with it. In Braunwyn’s interview, she says Gina is being mean, and she doesn’t know why. She’s not sure why Gina is attacking her. She listened to Gina go on about her divorce, and gave her advice about her kids. Braunwyn tells Gina, all she meant is that public schools had back more than private schools. Gina says if she won the lottery, she’d get the best private school. Vicki says, it’s a charter school. Shannon asks if you don’t have to audition, and Vicki asks if Braunwyn didn’t contribute to the school, if her kids would be going. Braunwyn says, the kids like the school, and so do they, and that’s why she contributes. She starts to tear up, and says, she likes supporting the arts. She was only trying to give an homage to public schools, since they were very supportive. Gina says she’s not dealing with crying, and Tamra says, it’s the way Braunwyn said it. Braunwyn says, sorry she doesn’t want to drink directly out of a bottle. This was something earlier in this bizarre argument, and I didn’t think it would be important. Gina says, it’s not about that. She’s not talking about Braunwyn’s kids. It’s not about her. If she wins the lottery, it won’t be about her. Braunwyn says, pinkies up. Shannon says, happy birthday, Queen Victoria. My vote is in. Gina is effing annoying.
Braunwyn leaves the table. Gina says she is the Mad Hatter. She’s sorry. It was too much. Everything goes back to Braunwyn. She feels terrible, but she’s opened up more to them than anyone, and needs support. When kids have problems, being poor is better. That’s how she took it. Oh, okay. It just went from me not understanding to thinking this is stupid. I do get Gina’s annoyance at Braunwyn making it about herself, although I do think she’s just trying to be helpful. I don’t think she’s being elitist. That’s ShepRose’s department. In Emily’s interview, she says she’s trying to think of something Braunwyn can say, but whatever she says, Gina is going to be annoyed. She’s been annoyed by Braunwyn’s pretentiousness for a long time. We flash back to Braunwyn calling Gina their little sister, and laughing like a dolphin. Emily says, it doesn’t matter what Braunwyn does or says, Gina is at maximum Braunwyn capacity.Braunwyn could tell Gina that she’s pretty, and Gina will jump across the table and bite her head off. Vicki wonders why she can’t have a nice birthday lunch.
Shannon asks Braunwyn, what’s going on? Braunwyn tells Shannon, maybe she said too much, and maybe shared more than she should have. In Shannon’s interview, she thinks it’s a complete misunderstanding. Braunwyn tried to offer helpful advice, but it’s not coming across that way. She tells Braunwyn that they’re both open, but Gina never talks. When she finally speaks about important stuff, it’s new to her. In her interview, Shannon says a little mistake can set someone off when they’re going through stress. We flash back to Shannon getting loud over nothing when she was going through her divorce. She says, that’s where Gina is today. She suggests Braunwyn tell Gina that she admires her for being open and honest, since she struggles with that, and she’s sorry she spoke about herself. Braunwyn goes back to the table, and apologizes for taking away from Gina’s moment. Gina says she wasn’t having a moment, and Braunwyn says when kids are involved, she feels the need to chime in. Gina says getting to a place where she can open up is hard for her. Braunwyn doesn’t know what it’s like for her when she does finally talk. She feels that if people don’t tiptoe around her, it will set her off. Any commentary is not okay. It’s not necessarily Braunwyn’s fault, but it’s not working for her. It’s a lot for her. Which I guess is a long way of saying, she’s overly sensitive at this time. Braunwyn says she doesn’t mind being called out, but that’s not the way she meant it. Maybe she is a snobby bitch, but her comment wasn’t. Gina says it hit her wrong. Braunwyn says, pinkies up, and Vicki says, happy birthday to her. Gina takes her wig off, and Vicki does too. I forgot to mention, that wig is everything. It’s a giant white confection with flowers of different sizes, placed in a random pattern. The cake comes; a traditional layer cake, covered in flowers in all colors. They sing, Vicki blows kisses, and Tamra films. In Braunwyn’s interview, she says she doesn’t drink wine, champagne, or dairy. She’s not going to mention that she doesn’t eat cake. It might send Gina over the edge. Tamra tries to feed Vicki while she’s on the phone, and Vicki ends up with cake all over her face. The entire restaurant is watching by now. Vicki says, it’s embarrassing, then asks if anyone wants to lick her face.
Kelly is coughing. Jolie tells her, Braunwyn called. Kelly tells her, Tamra and Shannon said the girls were talking bad about her. In Kelly’s interview, she says, once again, the girls are talking about her. Shocking. Don’t they have anything else to talk about, like solving world problems? She calls Braunwyn back, and asks what they’re saying bad about her this time. Braunwyn says they didn’t say anything bad, but they were talking about Kelly and Brian’s fight. She told them it was no big deal. She missed Kelly being there. Kelly says, sorry. She didn’t want to go. Why would she celebrate Vicki’s birthday?
Shannon holds a parasol over Vicki as they walk to the car. She says, Queen Victoria. She’s royalty through and through, and Shannon will never think of her otherwise. Vicki gets in, covered with cake. Ugh. I hate things like food fights, or couples who smush cake on each other’s faces at receptions. Vicki tells Tamra, thanks a lot, and Tamra says she wanted to change the end of the party. Shannon asks if Tamra think Kelly is really sick, and Tamra says Kelly told her that she was on her way to L.A., when she said she’d rather go to Vicki’s funeral. Oops. This is exactly why I can’t stand Tamra. That was no oops. Vicki says, who talks like that? Keep Kelly away from her. Oh come on, they know Kelly uses a nasty mouth as a defense. Vicki says Kelly’s not welcome at her funeral.
Kelly tells Brian, the women were talking about their fight. Brian asks what they were saying, and Kelly tells him, they were fighting, broke up, and got back together; it was on Instagram. It’s not true. They laugh, and Brian says they’re not the first couple to break up and get back together. It happens. Kelly’s emotions run deep. She loves deeply, and when she’s angry, she feels it deeply. There’s nothing in between. That’s who she is.
Shannon says someone needs to teach Kelly what’s funny, and what’s not. Tamra says sorry Vicki heard that. Vicki says she’s never heard anyone talk like Kelly does. Kelly has called her a pig, and called Steve a POS. Shannon says Vicki has said plenty too, but Vicki says she didn’t talk about Kelly’s looks, or her family, or that Kelly pushed her mother down the stairs; now she is. Actually, I think she has before. Tamra says Kelly pushed her mom down the stairs. Vicki says, it’s already out. Vicki says she keeps allowing it to happen, and Kelly’s not going to change. Shannon suggests she sit down with Vicki and Kelly. Tamra says, you can take the girl out of the hood, but you can’t take the hood out of the girl. Does Tamra even know what a hood is? Or if Kelly is from one?
Next time, paddle boarding, Gina tells her therapist that she slept with her husband. Emily thinks she and Shane should go back to therapy, and Braunwyn says Tamra is manipulating them so they fight among themselves.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
I missed the very beginning, but it’s all self-explanatory today, except for Julian asking Willow what she’s doing at Charlie’s with Wiley.
At Kelly’s Alexis tells Kendra that she felt better post-workout than before. Is that possible? I’m confused at her confusion, since I thought that was normal. Kendra says, anything is possible if you put your heart and soul in it. Alexis says, and your glutes. Kendra says she’s proud of Alexis. She’s Kendra’s most improved most improved client. Alexis says, thanks to her. If Kendra hadn’t taken her on, she would have gone from fad to fad. She pauses, and says she’s lying. She wouldn’t be doing anything. Kendra says she can’t take credit. Alexis is doing all the work. If she follows the routine, she’ll achieve results she never expected. Alexis says, speaking of that… She takes the jar of her supplement out, and says she carries it with her now. Kendra says, it’s great stuff, isn’t it? and flashes back to putting whatever into Alexis’s supplement. She tells Alexis that she swears by it.
Michael and Chase spar at the gym. Michael says the situation with Sasha is driving him crazy. He comes there to let off steam, so he can be a rational person. Chase asks if it works. Michael knocks him down, and says, yeah.
Willow tells Julian that she’s babysitting, but she’d be happy to take Wiley elsewhere. Julian thinks it’s a strange choice to ask her to babysit, but she says if Brad and Lucas want her to be part of Wiley’s life, it’s their business. She won’t apologize for taking them up on it. Julian asks where they are, and Willow says, they had a doctor’s appointment. Julian says, both of them? Dammit! Therapy.
Neil asks about things between Brad and Lucas, and Lucas says, if it’s a difficult subject, Brad tends to deflect. Things between them are dreadful. Brad says Lucas pushes, and Lucas tells Brad that he’s worried. The doctor must be too, or he wouldn’t have asked Lucas to come. Neil asks Lucas to tell him, in his own words, why he came, and Lucas says Brad has always been sensitive, but since Wiley came to live with them, he hasn’t been normal. Brad asks if it isn’t normal for new parents to be neurotic. Plus, Wiley was kidnapped. Lucas says Brad was like this before the kidnapping; an insomniac tending to overreact, and with frayed nerves. He’d thought it was a new father thing, and let it go, but it’s not. Neil asks if Lucas had a hunch, and Lucas says he does think Brad is keeping something from him
Sonny tells Laura that personally he hopes Franco stays with Drew’s personality, and starts over on the west coast, but it has nothing to do with him. Scotty reached out, and wants him to get involved. He’s not asking her whether he should or not, but wants a sense of what’s going on. He respects her judgement. Laura laughs, and says she knows. She’s wouldn’t say this to Scotty or Elizabeth, but she feels sympathy toward the man who calls himself Drew, who desires more agency over his life, and the power to make his own decisions. Sonny says, but… and she says her heart breaks for Elizabeth, her grandchildren, and Scotty. Franco is hugely important to all of them, and now he’s just gone.
Judge Lasser tells the courtroom, while the witnesses had a positive effect, they have no bearing on the legal matter. The court’s riddle is not who the plaintiff is or who he should be, but whether he has the capacity to answer questions himself, and whether he has the autonomy to make a decision that could cost him his own life. Thus, there’s only one opinion that’s of concern. The medical witness has testified to the soundness of the plaintiff’s faculties, and she has no choice but to rule in favor of the plaintiff.
Elizabeth looks stunned, but tells Cameron, it will be okay. Cameron gets up, and says the judge can’t do this; it’s wrong. Judge Lasser understands they’re disappointed, but an outburst in court won’t be tolerated. Scotty tells Cameron to sit down, and look at him. It’s not over. The judge says she hereby releases the plaintiff from Shadybrook, and Elizabeth’s power of attorney is voided. Franco thanks her, and asks if he’s free to go. She says, court is adjourned. He goes to Kim, who welcomes him to the rest of his life, but he doesn’t really look too happy about it.
Julian ask Willow if that’s it; therapy? She says they just left a number. He tells her to give it to him, but she wonders how it’s his concern. Julian apologizes, saying he just needs to know where they are. Willow gets her phone, and gives the number to Julian. He calls, and says, dammit. They’re in Neil’s office. Willow asks what the big deal is, and he says he told Brad that he shouldn’t bring a shrink into their issues. Willow says, if they have issues, that’s the perfect person to bring them to.
Neil asks why Lucas doesn’t think Brad is being honest, and Lucas says Brad lied about where he’d been recently. Then mysterious flowers showed up. Brad says, oh my God. He has no idea who sent them, and he already explained why he went to see Nelle. Lucas said he’d let it go. Lucas says he spoke too soon. Nelle did horrific things to his family, and Brad insists on being friends with her. Neil asks how it makes Lucas feel, and Lucas says, abandoned, betrayed, and like his family doesn’t matter; he’s an afterthought. Brad says Lucas and Wiley have always been number one. Everything he does is for family. Lucas asks, then why would Brad speak at Nelle’s parole hearing? Brad says everyone deserves a second chance, like he had. Lucas says Brad wasn’t murdering people. Neil asks what Brad was doing, and Lucas says, lying to save himself, and keeping things from everyone. Brad says Lucas thinks he’s reverting to form. Ditching being a good guy, and starting to be bad Brad again.
Sonny tells Laura that he feels bad for Elizabeth. Laura says, it’s a confusing time, and he says love makes you desperate. She jokes that they wouldn’t know anything about that. Sonny says, who? Them? Laura says you don’t think rationally, and don’t make the wisest choices. She asks him not to blame her for using the friend card. She knows there’s no love lost between him and Scotty, and he says, that’s putting it mildly. She says, Scotty is a dad, scared for his son. As a father, she thinks Sonny might find some small measure of compassion. Sonny says, comparison for Scotty? Laura says she knows it doesn’t exist, but Sonny says, for her, he’ll try, and they hug.
Alexis shows Kendra that she’s carrying the supplement with her. Kendra says it’s good she’s making it last; it’s not easy to come by. She suggests Alexis think about being a distributor, and Alexis says she should probably take Kendra up on that; it would be cheaper than a therapist. She shares some supplement with Kendra, who says she can’t imagine Alexis needing a therapist; she seems so well put together; successful, beautiful, a career, a loving family. Alexis says, it didn’t happen overnight, or without sacrifice. Kendra says, no pain, no gain; she gets that. She recently suffered a major family loss. Alexis says she’s sorry; she didn’t know. Kendra says she doesn’t talk much about her brother. He was taken far too soon, and too young.
Alexis says she’s sorry for Kendra’s loss. Sonny comes by, and she introduces him to Kendra as Kristina’s father, and introduces Kendra to Sonny as her trainer. Sonny asks if Alexis can talk for a second, and Kendra excuses herself to give them a minute. Sonny says, trainer? and Alexis says he should be glad. Exercise keeps her from freaking out about Sam. He says, Diane has it covered, and Alexis says it’s a challenge not to be involved professionally. She has no idea what’s going on with Sam in prison.
Michael and Chase both lie on the matt. Michael asks if Chase is alive, and Chase says he’s not sure he’d call it alive. How’s Michael’s face? Michael says, it’s still there. Chase says he’s surprised; he didn’t expect Michael to be such a good boxer. Michael tells Chase not to let the nice guy fool him. He practically grew up in the ring. Chase can see that, or more accurately feel it. Michael says he took the Sasha stuff out on him. Chase says he’s the one who asked to spar; it’s okay. Falling in love? He knows the feeling. But just so it’s clear, he did let Michael win. Michael says, lies, and Chase says he’s just playing.
Julian tells Willow he thinks Brad and Lucas are making s mistake seeing a shrink. She asks, why? and he says, Brad’s been acting erratic lately. It’s starting to effect his relationship with Lucas. Willow says, then it’s good they’re getting help, but Julian says it’s never a good idea give a shrink access into your head. Just ask his sister. Willow says, Ava was seeing a madman not a therapist. Julian asks if there’s a difference.
Brad says Lucas thinks he’s regressing, but Lucas says, no. Brad says Lucas just thinks he’s the same as he’s always been, and Lucas tells him, that’s not what he said. He believes in Brad, but also believes Brad is keeping secrets. He thinks somewhere Brad lost faith in him, in them. He wants things back like they used to be. Brad says he wants that too, and Lucas says, does he? Neil says, his two cents. They began the session talking around and at each other. Now they’re talking to each other. It’s not pretty, but it’s real. Like it or not, it’s called progress.
Franco asks Martin, now what? There’s something he has to do. Martin says he can do anything he cares to. He’s his own man; free to be whoever he wants. Martin tells him, good luck, and they shake hands. Kim thanks Martin, and he says, it was his pleasure. Now he’s going to get some friend chicken. Just kidding. He starts to leave, and tells Scotty, that was fun. Until they meet again. Scotty says he’d better hope they don’t. I call Martin a creep. Cameron says, Franco is gone, and Scotty says he’s golng to be off like a jack rabbit. They’re never going to see him again. Cameron tells Scotty that he can handle it, but he doesn’t know if his mom can. Elizabeth says he doesn’t have to take care of her, and Scotty says they’ll figure it out. Cameron asks, how? Scotty says he’ll figure out how. Doc understands it hurts, but his hands were tied. Scotty says, not his, and punches Doc. Laura walks in.
Laura asks if Doc is all right, and Doc says he’s fine. She asks Scotty, what’s wrong with him? and Scotty says, Doc took his case. He had the one chance to save them, and he blew it. Doc says he had to tell the truth. and Laura says she was just defending Scotty, saying he should be treated with compassion. Hit Doc again, and he’ll get none from her. She tells Doc to sit; he’s bleeding. Franco tells Elizbeth, Cameron, and Scotty, this the way things are now. They need to accept it. Cameron runs out of the courtroom, and Trina follows him. Scotty says he thought Ryan had the lock on destroying families, but his twin is just as skilled at it. Franco looks at Elizabeth.
Chase tells Michael that he’s going to have to reschedule his date for an ice bath. Michael says tell Willow that he’s sorry, and adds, it’s getting serious. Chase says, living together will do that. The other day, they were watching Wiley, and Willow blew him away, seeing her with her son. He couldn’t help think… one day, maybe. A part of him is saying it’s too soon, but he told that voice to shut up, and enjoy the ride. Michael says as an incredibly wise beat up man once said, he knows the feeling, and he’s happy to say it.
Lucas and Brad arrive at Charlie’s, and Willow says she told Wiley that his daddies would be back. Lucas takes Wiley, and Willow says, he was an angel. Julian asks how the appointment was, and Lucas says, fine. Willow needs to make a phone call, and Lucas needs to change Wiley, and they step away. Julian says Brad and Lucas went to therapy after all, and Brad says they’re making progress. He said he’d handle it, and he did. He looks at his phone, and says, dammit. Obrecht was forcing him to do something, and now she wants him to undo what he shouldn’t have done in the first place. This day keeps getting better. Julian suggests Brad change his password while he’s at it, in case she got into his phone.
Alexis tells Sonny that Jason always has Sam’s best interest at heart, but he always makes the situation worse. Something terrible happens, and Sam end up in the hospital, or in handcuffs. She knows the only way for her to help is to not help. In which case, she’s still helping. Sonny thinks it’s good Alexis has a workout regimen. Kendra dumps half of her water bottle out in a tub of dishes, and peeks out from around the corner. Doesn’t anyone notice her lurking?
Sonny leaves, and Kendra comes back. She thinks it’s cool that Alexis and Kristina’s father are so close. Alexis says they’re a good match on Kristina’s behalf. Kendra loves how they come together for their daughter’s sake. Alexis says, when push comes to shove, they do, and there’s been one push and shove too many. She thinks those days are over, since Kristina seems to be doing well. Alexis checks her phone, and has to go. She tells Kendra that she’ll see her later.
Julian tells Brad that Willow was asking questions about him and Lucas. Nothing major, but maybe he wants to chat her up, and let her know thing between him and Lucas are copacetic. Brad says, even if they’re not? and Julian tells him, just go. Lucas comes back with Wiley, and Julian says he meant to ask Lucas about the florist he used to get Brad the flowers. Lucas says he’ll have to ask Brad. Julian says he didn’t realize it was a sore subject, and Lucas says Brad didn’t know who they were from. Julian suggests Lucas make a video; he and Wiley were practicing for the Nurses Ball. Lucas asks if it isn’t a little early, and Julian says, it’s never too early; ask Lucy. Lucas says he’d rather not. He picks up Brad’s phone, but can’t unlock it. Julian says Brad changed his password, and Lucas wonders why.
Sonny goes to the gym, and tells Michael to let him know if he needs help with Valentin. Michael says Sonny is strictly back-up. Michael leaves, and Sonny is about to close up, but Cameron and Trina come in. Sonny says they can stay, but tells Cameron to go light on the heavy bag. Cameron tells Trina he was thinking about Oscar. As much as he feels horrible, and wants to scream, and punch people, he knows if Oscar was there, he’d feel the same about his mom. They’re both ripped apart. Trina says it’s not simple. There are no bad guys… except that sleazebag lawyer. Cameron says, and the people who did this in the first place. Trina is sorry, and wishes she could make it better. Cameron says she can hold the bag.
Laura finds Elizabeth in the hallway. Elizabeth says she needs a minute, and Laura says she’ll stay with her. She doesn’t want to go home to the boys in that state. Doc tells Laura, he almost lied. He almost said what Scotty wanted, but if he had to hurt someone, it might as well be with the truth. Laura says he did the right thing. He leaves, and Laura goes to Elizabeth. She suggests they get out of there, and clear their heads, but Elizabeth says there’s just one thing she needs to do first.
Kim tells Franco it was hard with Cameron. Is he okay? He says, it was just a lot. Elizabeth comes in, and says you can’t leave. Kim says court is over, but Elizabeth says she’s not talking to Kim. She’s talking to the man who took her husband’s place. He can’t leave without saying goodbye to their family. If he does that, she’ll let him go. She walks out.
Chase joins Willow, and Willow asks Brad if everything is okay. Brad says it’s never been better. Sometimes you need an outside perspective. As Brad goes back to Lucas, Chase says he thought his brother was tightly wound. Willow says, so it’s not just her, and he says, no.
Julian tells Lucas that people change their passwords all the time. Lucas says not when they’re married with a baby. You grab the nearest phone. Julian says he doesn’t think about that stuff, but he’s sure Brad had a reason. Elizabeth and Laura come in, and Julian hands Wiley back to Lucas, leaving to wait on them. Brad joins Lucas, and Lucas hands Brad his phone, saying he forgot it. He asks why Brad changed his password. He went to shoot a video, and couldn’t get into the phone. Brad says he read about spyware and keyloggers, and it freaked him out. They should all be worried about personal information. Lucas says, personal, or secret?
Kendra dumps out the rest of her water bottle, and switches Alexis’s supplement container with one from her backpack.
Outside Kelly’s, Alexis calls Neil, and says she just finished. He says he just said goodbye to his last client. Does she want to meet up? She says she would, but she has some legal research. They agree on another time. Kendra comes out, and says Alexis forgot her supplements. Alexis says, heaven forbid. It helps her a lot, and she has a lot of work to do.
Julian asks Elizabeth how it went, and she says, it was all for nothing. They ended up losing Franco. Julian says he’s sorry, and she says, her too.
Kim thinks she and nuDrew should go and celebrate, but he doesn’t feel like celebrating. Kim tells him, it’s not a betrayal to be happy. It doesn’t make him a bad person to want to start the rest of his life. Franco asks, what life? He got everything he was asking for. Now what does he do with it?
Cameron hits the heavy bag, as Trina holds it. He starts to go nuts, hitting it harder and harder. Then he starts to cry. Trina goes to him, and they hug. Sonny watches.
Laura takes Elizabeth’s hand. She tells Elizabeth that she doesn’t have to go through this alone. Elizabeth says she keeps trying to think what would Franco tell her? What advice would he give her? But it’s getting harder and harder to hear him. It’s really happened. Franco is gone.
Kim tells Franco, they’ll figure it out together. Start fresh. Go somewhere far away. He asks if she wants to leave Port Charles, and she says there’s nothing left for her there. Is there something left for him?
Sonny hears someone come into the gym, and says they’re closed. Scotty says he’s not there to fight. Sonny owes him, and he has to collect.
Tomorrow, Maxie asks Peter what’s going on, Jason isn’t comfortable putting Sam’s life in the hands of one person, Kim tells Franco that he’s what’s best for her, and Scotty wants Sonny to make it right.
Below Deck
Still at the beach picnic, Helen says Brandy is impacting her time; it’s her vacation. Kate calls Captain Lee to confirm they’re getting Brandy to the boat as soon as possible. He tells her, affirmative. They put Brandy in some kind of stretcher, and Brian says he’s freaking out because it’s not safe. They tell Brandy that it’s okay; they’re getting her back. In her interview, Kate says this is why she loves guests like this. Their friend is being carried off because of a medical emergency, and they’re just not letting it ruin their vibe. One of the guests says Brandy will be okay in a few hours. Obviously, they’ve been at this rodeo before. Helen asks Kate to take a picture of her and her girl squad.
Captain Lee says he’s getting a medic to the boat. Kevin assumes he has one less for dinner. In the captain’s interview, he doesn’t know what’s wrong. He’s seen a lot of situations, and if you hesitate, someone could die. He sits at Brandy’s bedside like he’s her dad. The picnic breaks up, and the guests get ready to head back.
In her interview, Simone says she used to get bullied, so when Kevin said her job wasn’t rocket science, she felt hurt. Kate understands, but keeping her away from service could be worse, Courtney radios Kate, who’s still at the beach, saying she’s been with Brandy. She asks if Simone can switch places with her now that the guests are coming back. The captain says, the medic is on his way. In his interview, he says he’s responsible for every swinging d*ck on board. Like it or not, it’s his responsibility. He has to keep everyone safe. If he has to call a professional to do it, there’s no doubt that’s what he’ll do.
Kate cleans up on the beach with Tanner. Abbi and Brian bring the supplies back, and the captain notices Abbi’s hair isn’t tied back. Tanner asks if Kate would like to split a bottle of wine after work tomorrow. In Tanner’s interview, he says, Kate is like a friend/aunt. She’s sexy and beautiful, and you never know. You have to roll the dice. Helen tells Kevin, lunch was fabulous. In his interview, he says he wants to make the dinner on their last night special, since the seafood extravaganza turned out to be just fish. His standards are high for himself. It can’t be midcore. He’s stepping it up for tonight’s dinner.
The picnic supplies are unloaded, and the captain tells Ashton to remind Abbi to put her hair up. He does, and she says she gave her elastic to Brandy. Ashton suggests she have more than one, and I’m thinking, is she kidding? She couldn’t find something else? She doesn’t seem to grasp that her hair could get caught in something. Like gears. Courtney serves the guests drinks while they’re in the hot tub. Captain Lee tells Brandi the medic is there to look at her. The doctor asks how she is. He asks her a few questions, and she claims she’s feels fine now. Kate is just glad she’s breathing. It’s all she can hope for. The doctor asks if Brandy has been drinking, and she says only been drinking champagne for the last two weeks. If I’d had coffee in my mouth, I’d have done a spit-take. He tells her to only drink juice now, and she agrees, but I believe it if you believe it. The doctor’s diagnosis is that Brandy has had too much alcohol, and Brandy goes back to sleep.
Tanner tells Simone that he and Brian were in the water all day, and he has a rescue under his belt. He says he’s getting hammered tomorrow after work. Ashton tells Tanner to help Brian bring in the water toys. Brian tries to use a pulley to bring up the slide, but it gets stuck. There are a lot of bleeps, so I’m guessing this is a really bad thing. Brian says he screwed up the davit, and the captain is going to be pissed. He goes to the bridge to talk to Captain Lee, while Tanner pulls up the slide manually. Brian says he wanted to tell the captain face-to-face. He messed up the cable on the davit. He wasn’t thinking. The captain says let him guess. He was lifting the slide, and the cable came out of the roller. He says, it’s not going to be easy to fix. It’s a lot of work, and expensive. Brian takes full responsibility. In Captain Lee’s interview, he says, this is a major screw up with a $60K piece of equipment. Once is a mistake; twice is a pattern. He appreciates Brian coming to him, but the screw up is on Ashton’s shoulders. It’s his department; make it run right.
Kate says Brandi is all right; she’s sleeping. In Kate’s interview, she wishes every guest on every charter would sleep for the entire charter. She could do that forever. Kevin tells Kate, there are seven showing up for dinner, plus the captain. He’s going to do some Asian sh*t first. He was digging around in the freezer, and found some fresh fish, along with local prawns. Simone is back on laundry duty, and the captain calls Ashton to the wheelhouse. He tells Ashton about the massive screw up, and that Brian tried to use the davit to pull up the slide, and broke it. It’s difficult and expensive to repair. To Brian’s credit, he came and told him, but he should have told Ashton, his supervisor. Captain Lee says he doesn’t tolerate fools. Kate sets the table for seven people.
Abbi hates the uniforms, saying, that’s not what boating is; it’s bullsh*t. Ashton tells Brian about Captain Lee calling him out. He had no idea Brian was using the davit to pull up the slide. Again, there’s a lot of bleeping, and Brian says he doesn’t normally screw up. In Brian’s interview, he says he’s had enough experience to know he should have gone to Ashton, but the adrenaline was pumping through him, and he wasn’t even thinking. Kate jokes about Courtney’s radio voice. The guests pick out which Rolex to wear tonight.
The captain calls Kevin to the wheelhouse. In his interview, Captain Lee says he doesn’t like to babysit, but when the chef is being vindictive with the interior, and Kate brings it to his attention, he knows it’s serious. He tells Kevin that he understands there was a dust-up in the galley. Enlighten him. Kevin says he got flustered when he had to call Simone for service. He told her that he was sorry, and they hugged it out. In his interview, he says it was between him and Simone, and they’d sorted it out. That Kate told Captain Lee about the incident pisses him off. At least he knows where he stands. They don’t like each other. Grow the eff up. Kevin tells the captain that he tried sort it put as quickly as possible. They’ve got to have a happy boat. Kevin turns and walks out, and in his interview, Captain Lee can’t believe Kevin had the balls to turn his back on him, and walk out. Kevin doesn’t have to like him, but he has to respect the rank. He’ll own Kevin’s ass in a heartbeat. Will we end up seeing Ben on this show too?
Ashton tells the deckhands, it’s been a challenging day. They’re becoming adapt at overcoming them. He tells Brian not to feel bad, but if something goes wrong, tell him first. In Ashton’s interview, he says, there seem to be a lot of little mistakes happening. We flash back to the stuck tender, Abbi’s radio issue, and the davit. Ashton says he’s in a leadership role. He knows the captain is watching and it sucks.
Brandy sleeps on. Kevin says he’s making Thai street food on a classy level. I don’t even know what that means, except he leaves the heads on the prawns. Everyone seems to like it, and I guess they’re drunk enough to eat a whole prawn head. Kevin tastes the next course – a piece of fish wrapped in a leaf or something – eating the whole thing. Kate asks where the seventh dish is, and Kevin looks confused. He says, fu-u-udge, but he doesn’t say fudge. He tells Kate that the captain isn’t getting one. Courtney says, they just don’t give him one? In Kate’s interview, she says, Kevin forgot an entire main dish for the captain. For a chef so particular, he served his mistake to his boss on a silver platter. I say, or not, to Kate. Helen says, it’s like a piece jewelry on a plate. She must be really drunk. In his interview, Captain Lee says Kevin pissed him off, and now he’s not going to feed him? He’s not in a good mood. Kevin tells Ashton that he ate one to taste it, and Ashton is like, are you kidding? Kevin says he used the rest for the extravaganza yesterday. Ashton leaves the galley, making a face like he might die laughing any moment.
Oh man this is one of the most amusing episodes in like, forever. Since the foam party.
The captain ends up eating a garnish, and in his interview, asks if he looks like a rabbit. He will have Kevin’s ass for this. Kate can’t believe Kevin didn’t try to fake something. Brian tells Courtney, Tanner is going to be sipping wine with Kate, just the two of them. Tanner says he suggested they split a bottle, and Kate said, how about two? Well, she did say that, but I translated it to mean she wanted her own bottle. She jokes around with him, but no way would Kate sleep with this dude. Kevin cleans up the kitchen, and says goodnight, no doubt hoping to avoid the captain. The captain lingers over a drink at the table, and Kate asks about dinner. Captain Lee says he’s not completely full. Kate says, everyone had a full meal except for him, and he says then Kevin acted like it’s what he wanted, patting him on the shoulder. He calls Kevin a condescending little pr*ck. In his interview, the captain says, if you’re going to be an arrogant pr*ck, don’t piss off the boss. He asks Kate, what would he have served if Brandy showed? It’s piss poor planning. Kate tells the stews that they did a good job. I’m loving Abbi’s nightgown or robe or whatever it is. Very boho. In Simone’s interview, she says she’s disappointed to be back on laundry. She doesn’t want to be the laundry girl. Abbi suggests Simone tell Kate that she wants to practice service, and ask if Courtney can do laundry.
Kevin sneaks around. Courtney and Kate look at Tanner’s Instagram, which is filled with photos of Tanner showing off his physique. In Courtney’s interview, she says that kind of body is a negative for her. She doesn’t like people who work out that much. That means they don’t have time for her, and they’re not cuddly. Kate says, if he would just… Courtney says, not do that? They call him an a-hole.
Uh-oh. Brandy is up and moving. She wanders around, and asks Courtney for juice. She wonders where everyone is, and Courtney says, no one is up. Brandy asks what time it is, and Courtney tells her, 12:30. Brandy says, at night? In Courtney’s interview, she says she wants to scream. Brandi asks for champagne with the juice, and Courtney asks if she wants a mimosa. In her interview, she says she’s only serving, not making judgement calls. She’s not going to correct someone who had an exorcism earlier today. Brandy flops down on a couch and makes a phone call, yelling at the person on the other end. Courtney tells Kate, already in bed, that Brandy is in the main salon and wants a mimosa. She wonders if she should just put sparkling water in the juice. Kate pulls some clothes on, and goes back with Courtney. Brandy asks why Kate is up. She looks tired. Brandy starts yelling into the phone again. Kate tells Courtney, this is not real life. In her interview, Courtney wonders what is going on right now. Brandy wanders off again. Kate says, she’s asleep, and she and Courtney run to bed.
The guests wake up to a buffet. The captain says, let’s get out of here. The anchor is in the pocket, and they’re moving. Simone tells Kate that she’s getting the hang of it. In Kate’s interview, she says, the great thing about Simone is, she’s trying. Her intentions are to improve, and Kate can work with that.
Kevin goes to the wheelhouse, and asks the captain how the dinner went down. Keeping his eyes on the horizon, and not looking at Kevin, Captain Lee says, it was okay. Kevin says, sorry about missing out on the fish. Still not turning to Kevin, the captain asks how it happened. Kevin says he thought he had eight plates, and could test drive one. Captain Lee says, good thing the other guest didn’t show up. They’d have been screwed. It’s a helluva way to run a railroad. Kevin has an unlimited budget, and instead of having more than enough, it seems like Kevin has just barely enough. There’s silence, and Kevin slips out. In Kevin’s interview, he says he messed up, but he didn’t expect the captain not to address him or look at him. That the captain thinks he didn’t do a good job got in his head.
Tanner asks Kate if she’s down for wine action after work, and she says, always. Helena hands Kevin a little velvet pouch with panties and pearls in it. She wants him to put on the panties, take a selfie, and send it to her. Kevin is confused. Kevin reads that it’s an erotic self-love kit. They debate what the pearls are for. Courtney doesn’t think they go inside anywhere, and Kevin asks what she thinks they’re for. She says she’s leaving. The panties look like something lacey from Victoria’s Secret, and he doesn’t know what to do.
Everyone packs. Brandy says, YOLO. They dock, and Brandy is still drinking. Ashton tells Courtney that Brandy’s suitcase is heavy, and she says, there must be a lot of deep emotional problems in there. I literally lol. Helena gives Captain Lee an envelope, saying it’s a reflection of how amazing they are. Richard says they can handle anything now. After the guests leave, the captain says, they’re gone; get after it, and they do.
At the tip meeting, the captain says the have number two in the books. He’d said he was waiting for the other shoe to fall, and it dropped. He compliments Ashton for coming through on the tender. He looks at Kevin for a moment, and moves on, telling Kate, good job with service. In Kevin’s interview, he says the captain made a point of indicating he’s not doing a good job. The tip is $20,000, or $1800 each. Abbi’s never held this much money, and says she feels like a baller. Captain Lee tells them to have fun. Simone tells Courtney about Tanner having a date with Kate. She’s gotten good FBI skills from working in the laundry. In Courtney’s interview, she says she’s into it; she’s nosy. She wants to know all about it. Kevin comes out to help the crew. Ashton says he likes Courtney, but she’s not his type of girl. He likes to banter. In his interview, he says she’s a stunning girl, but not open. He wants to know what’s going on inside. He says, there’s always a possibility. Never rule it out. Ashton tells the deckhands, when he drinks, there’s an Ashton inside that wants to get out.
Kate gets her to-do list done. Courtney says she heard Kate might have a date with Tanner. Kate tells her that she said she’d share some wine with him, but Courtney says, he thinks it’s a date. In her interview, Kate says a glass of wine at the bar is now a date. Tanner is adorable, but before she agrees to a date, he has to have the balls to call it one. She tells Courtney that she’ll wear her new uniform.
Tanner paces while Kate gets ready. In her interview, she says he’s adorable, but if it’s a choice between Tanner and washing her hair, she’s going to wash her hair. The crew does shots. Ashton laughs because Tanner can’t find Kate. She finally comes down, and says she washed her hair. She can’t do that in the bar, but she can have wine with Tanner there. They head out in a party bus. Ashton says he loves Courtney; she’s a team player. In Abbi’s interview, she says, the charter was long and terrible. She’s ready to get hammered.
They go to The Kee in Phucket. It’s getting harder to refrain from making jokes. Ashton toasts to a challenging charter. Brian says he learned his lesson last time, and we flash back to him bugging Courtney about smiling more. He says he’ll do shots, but not as many as last time. Kevin just wants to drink. In his interview, he says he cares about the captain’s approval – seriously? – but it is what it is. He’s ready to drink this one away. In Kate’s interview, she says a sober Tanner is super cute, but a sober Tanner is never out with them. Tanner reminds Kate about their wine date, and she tells him that she said she’d have wine with him. In her interview, she says he has to be more sober, or she has to be more drunk. Brian asks if Tanner is all right, and he says, nope. Ashton tells Courtney that she’s beautiful and an old soul. He wants to learn more about her. He asks what her two biggest flaws are, and she says, that’s a dumb question. In Courtney’s interview, she asks if this is a job interview at McDonald’s. She hopes he doesn’t think he’s romantic.
Simone dances. Brian, who’s suddenly wearing a red and white sailor shirt, asks if Courtney wants to have a drink with him. Kate loves that Brian is being hardcore in a sailor shirt. Kate tells Ashton that she likes them together, and Ashton is bummed. Someone says, let’s bounce, and Ashton almost gets left in the elevator on the way down. Everyone is half asleep going back in a taxi. Courtney asks Brian to carry her to the boat. Kevin has his head in Kate’s lap. Walking down the dock, Abbi tells Simone that she was serious about her drinking. She falls down, but bounces right back, saying she loves to sail, and they’re heading back to a motorboat. Everyone goes to bed, but Abbi stays in the galley, eating everything in sight, saying, she loves meat. She finally goes to bed.
It’s another day until charter. Brian wishes he could have kept the shirt. Ashton had fun, but wishes he could remember everything. Abbi tells Simone that she can’t get up; she tried. In Simone’s interview, she says, it’s like Abbi is on her deathbed. This is why Simone doesn’t like drinking a lot. Walking on the dock, Kevin thinks the captain’s comments are getting to his head. He’s definitely not a quitter, and doesn’t want to make this the first time. It would be a bad move, but he could hop off here, and they can cook for themselves.
Ashton tries to call Abbi, but she’s not responding. Tanner says she sent a group text that she doesn’t know if she’ll be up by nine, and needs to be near a toilet. In Ashton’s interview, he says, she’s there to be a deckhand, not have a good time. Where does she get off? He tells Tanner, he was on deck at nine, no matter how hard it was.
Next time, a girls trip charter, Tanner gets sick, Ashton feels like the wheels falling under the bus, and Captain Lee says if Kevin doesn’t step up, he’s going to be fired.
👦👦 Two Todds In One…
My absolute favorite talks about playing a dual role inside the same person.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Donna is ready to go home, and Sonny can’t wait. Carly tells him they just need to do the last of the paperwork, and their girl will be ready for her first car ride. Bobbie says Donna is ready to take on the world. And she’s beautiful. Sonny says, like mother like mother like daughter.
Michael is having trouble putting up a welcome home banner. Josslyn watches, and he asks if she’s just going to stand there. She says, no. She’s going to take a picture of his disastrous attempt. She says she can’t wait for Donna to get there. She sees a fancy sippy cup in a box, and takes it out. She says, it’s beautiful, but there’s no card, and Michael says it’s from him; it’s a regift. He hopes Donna won’t mind. He got for Jonah, but wants Donna to have it.
Jason is at Kelly’s with Danny, looking at a model car Danny put together. Jason says, it’s amazing, and asks if he did it by himself. Danny says he did, but it took forever. Jason compliments him on sticking with it and his attention to detail. Danny wants to put together a motorcycle next, and suggests he study Jason’s bike, and maybe take a ride on it. Jason says Danny’s mom will have to sign off on that. Danny wants to get a cupcake for Scout, and Jason says he’s a good brother. Danny says Jason told him that they’re supposed to take care of each other until their mom gets home. When does he think that will be?
Outside the courtroom, Martin tells Kim and Franco that it will get emotional. They’ll be doing everything to pull at the heartstrings, so stay calm and stick to the facts. Inside, Scotty tells Cameron to keep his cool, and pay no attention to what that lawyer says. Martin walks in with Kim and Franco, and everyone faces each other.
Finn tells Hayden to repeat that. The patient in that room… She says, is her daughter. She’s his daughter too.
Elizabeth tells Franco, it’s not too late to stop this, and he says he could say the same to her. Martin says, the decision is in Judge Lasser’s hands now. Let’s keep the last minute tricks out of it. Scotty asks if he means tricks like dressing his client up in a Halloween costume. Elizabeth says, her husband is a brave man, but he was never in the Navy. Franco has no right to wear that uniform. Martin says her husband isn’t his client; Drew Cane is, and he has every right to wear that uniform. He understands it’s an emotional time for her – he calls her Miss Webber, and she says, Mrs. Webber-Baldwin – but it’s an equally emotional time for his client. Elizabeth tells Kim that she’s sorry it’s gone this far. She wishes there had been another way. Kim says she does too. The judge is introduced, and she reminds them that it’s not a trial; it’s a competency hearing. Grandstanding is a waste of her time, and will not be tolerated. They’re here to determine the competency of the individual known as Franco Baldwin, who now calls himself Drew Cane.
Jason asks if Danny is sure he’s okay with staying the rest of the week at Grandma Monica’s. Danny says if they do, their mom isn’t coming home, and Jason says he’s a sharp kid, so he’s going to be straight. His mom has to be in Pentenville for a while. Danny asks, how long a while is, and Jason says, it depends. If he can find evidence and get the charges dropped, she’ll be home soon. Danny asks what if he doesn’t, and Jason says, then she’ll have to stay until her trial, probably a couple of weeks. It’s hard to tell. Danny doesn’t get why this happened, and Jason says, someone lied. They said Sam did something she didn’t do, and he’s going to prove it. Monica comes in, and Jason says he was just talking to Danny about him and Scout spending the rest of the week with her. Monica says she’d love it, and Danny says they’re good. She says she’s in the mood for coffee and a donut, and Danny offers to get for her. She tells him to pick out donuts for the both of them, and sits. Jason thanks her for letting the kids stay. She says, no problem. She loves having the house fill up with a whole new generation. She supposes he knows they found the black box from Drew’s plane. Jason says he’s sorry; he knows how close they were. Monica knows there was friction between Jason and Drew. She was hoping they’d get closer after Oscar died. Jason says they’d started. Oscar wanted them to build the treehouse together, and it’s in progress. Monica says there’s so much she doesn’t know about Drew’s life. That’s why she wants to spend more time with the person who can give her insight on his childhood, and adolescence. Jason says she means Franco.
Michael says he was at Wyndham’s before Jonah was born, and almost passed it up, thinking it was too extravagant. It reeked of privilege. Then he got stuck on the idea of a tradition. Something Jonah could pass down. This way, the tradition can go on. It can be passed down with Donna. Josslyn wonders how he can come up with something so generous, and not be stuck in his grief. He tells her not to give him too much credit. He’s done a lot of grieving, and had counseling to get to this point. It helps to be around people he cares about, and who care about him. Josslyn tells him that Dustin said the same thing, and Michael says if her teacher said it, then he must know what he’s talking about. Josslyn hopes he knows he can always count on her, like she can always count on him. Michael says then she can go up the stairs, and help him hang the banner before Donna walks in. Josslyn says, she’s walking already? That kid is amazing.
Sonny tells Donna that she’s had big challenges, but she’s come shining through, and Carly says her daddy is right. She can’t wait for Donna to meet everyone. Bobbie tells them there’s one more form, but Sonny can sign it. He leaves, and Bobbie tells Carly that she’s sure the doctor told her that Donna is still going to need some series of follow-ups. Carly says she’s scheduled that already. If she has any questions, it’s good there’s a nurse in the family. Bobbie asks how Carly is doing, and Carly says, the incision is healing perfectly. Bobbie says that’s not what she meant. How is Carly feeling? Any sadness, or fears, or mood swings? Carly thanks her for checking in, but says there have been no signs of postpartum depression. She’s excited and nervous, but whatever the unknowns, she’s never been more prepared to face them. They hug, and Sonny asks if Carly is ready.
Finn looks stunned, and Hayden says she knows it’s a lot to process, but the most important thing is their child is sick. Finn says their child. The sick little girl is their daughter. They’ll deal with everything else later. He goes into the room. Epiphany is there, and the little girl in the bed looks at Finn. Epiphany says their patent is being very brave. Her fever seems to have spiked. Finn tells her to ask Dr. Navari from pediatrics to join them, but Epiphany says she already did that and the doctor is with another patient. He thanks her, and says, hi, Violet. He’s Dr. Finn. They shake hands. In case you didn’t guess, she’s very cute. He says he’s going to do everything he can to make her feel better.
Scotty tells the judge that he represents Elizabeth, Franco’s wife, and also represents her son, Cameron, and her other two boys, Aiden and Jake. He’s representing the whole family, but he’s also representing himself. Martin objects, and Judge Lasser tells him, there’s no need for theatrics, but urges Scotty to get to the point. Scotty says, the point is, Franco is all decked out in a uniform. This is a lie, and a delusion that he’s living.
Martin says his client has the training, will, and memories of a decorated Navy SEAL, Chief Petty Officer Andrew Cane. That’s who he is now. He’s rescued soldiers and civilians, achieving hero status. They’re here to prove that he’s more than capable of making his own decisions.
Finn asks Violet if he can take her pulse, and Epiphany tells him that Violet’s temperature is 102. Finn tells Violet that’s making her feel warm, and not so good, but they’ll get her fever down soon, and that will make her feel better. Hayden walks in, and says they’re going to make her feel better. Epiphany says Violet is a pretty name, and Finn says, a pretty name for a pretty girl. Violets are his favorite flower, and a florist told him that they represent love and faithfulness. Hayden looks a little guilty.
Monica says Danny reminds her of Jason; single-minded, confident, a risk taker. It’s probably karmic payback for the sleepless nights he gave her and Alan. Jason hopes he’s as good at parenting as they were, and Monica says they were dreadful parents. They tried to mold him into what they wanted him to be. She’s afraid they would have done the same with Drew if they’d raised him. He gets why Monica wants to know about Drew’s childhood, but doesn’t think a relationship with Franco is going to give her what she wants. She says, he isn’t Franco. He has Drew’s memories and history. Jason says he knows. He stopped by Shadybrook to see if Drew remembered something from Afghanistan. She says then Jason knows he’s not Franco. Maybe he isn’t Drew either, but that’s why she wants to go to the hearing. To speak up, so he has the right to be himself.
Carly loves the banner, and Josslyn says she had to step in and help Michael. But there’s more. Carly was so good about eating healthy, she picked up some cookies from Eckert’s. Carly says, it’s the best gift ever. Sonny tells Donna that he’s her daddy, this is her house, and this is her family. Josslyn looks at her phone, and steps away. Carly sees the cup, and says, this was for Jonah. Michael says he wanted Donna to have it. From Jonah to Donna with love. Carly hugs him, and says she loves him.
Scotty shows the judge Franco’s passport, social security card, driver’s license, and hospital ID, as well as family photos. He says Franco was just married, and having a great life, but then he sacrificed himself for his stepson. Looking at Franco, he says, Franco doesn’t need some sort of military costume. He was already a hero. Martin objects, and asks that counsel not address client. Scotty says he has a lab report on Martin’s client’s DNA. It’s Franco Baldwin’s DNA, just like his, since he’s Franco’s father. So not only is his family fighting for Franco’s life, so is he. Martin gets up and says, he’s not disputing any physical evidence. The documents are real. But while he’s sympathetic to the family’s attempt to hold on to their loved one, the simple fact is, Franco Baldwin no longer exits. Andrew Cane now inhabits this body. While there’s no ID card for that, the reality is in the courtroom. He’s not a collection of cells or DNA.The man before them is his own person. Ready, willing, and able to take charge of his own destiny.
Jordan takes the stand. Scotty asks if she recognizes the guy sitting next to Martin, and she says, absolutely. He’s Franco Baldwin. Scotty says, yet Martin says that’s not who he is. Martin says, point of clarification. He doesn’t object to who people think his client is. He only objects to them forcing his client to be who they want him to be. The judge says, noted. Scotty asks Jordan, who is Franco Baldwin? Who does she know him to be? She says the Franco she’s come to know is one of the bravest people she’s ever met. Not in a flashy, self-serving way, but with humility; a repentant man who had something to prove. Scotty asks her to elaborate, and she says he helped unmask Ryan Chamberlain, a serial killer who was terrorizing their community. He allowed himself to be wrongly identified as the killer, and almost died for his trouble. Ryan attacked, and almost killed him. Scotty asks if she’d say Franco is a hero, and she says, unquestionably. He proved it again when he sacrificed himself to save his stepson’s life. He acted selflessly at great personal risk.
Finn asks Hayden how long Violet has had a fever. Hayden says she’s not with Violet every day, but she’s pretty sure it been 48 hours. Finn needs to examine Violet, and asks Hayden to leave the room. Epiphany will be there with him. Hayden tells Violet she’ll be right outside, and the nice nurse and doctor will take good care of her. She leaves, and Finn tells Violet that he’s going to figure out how to make her feel better. Does she think she can help him? She says, yeah, and he says, awesome answer. They high-five.
Sonny says Donna is the cutest thing. Everyone takes pictures, and Michal tells Carly, Donna will have to get used to a lot of action if she’s going to hang with this family. He can’t wait for Avery to wake up from her nap. It’s all she’s been talking about. Carly says, it’s all she’s been talking about all month. She asks where Sasha is, and he says he invited her, but she thought there should be private time for the family. She can’t wait to meet Donna. Josslyn wants to journal about it, and says she’d love to get some amazing quotes from everyone on what it means to welcome a new addition to the family. Michael says he has something he has to do first. Carly asks Josslyn if the journal is for school, but Josslyn says it’s just for her. Dustin suggested it as a way to make sense of everything, and he was right. It’s a good thing, and she likes doing it. Carly says she’s happy to see Josslyn smiling again.
Jason tells Monica that they both want know about the gaps in Drew’s life. Maybe he can tell Jason something that can help Sam, but he can accomplish that without going to court for Franco. Monica says, it’s not about Franco, or who Franco was. It’s about who he is today and going forward. Maybe they can have a chance to keep part of Drew with them in the family. Jason says, he’s not Alan’s biological son. Franco is not the Drew she loved. He’s not Drew at all. He might not even be Franco anymore, and be someone new. But if she wants a relationship with him, it’s her business. She says he thinks it’s a bad idea, and he says he does. He doesn’t want her hurt more than she already has been.
Scotty tells Judge Lasser that the hero word has been bandied about, and he thinks it’s time to hear from the young man who witnessed the horror that took place when his stepfather took his place to save his life. An eyewitness to the event that compromised Franco Baldwin’s identity.
Hayden waits, and Finn lets Violet listen through his stethoscope. He tells her that’s his heart. Hers is doing the same thing. Right now it’s beating good and strong. He asks if she wants to play with the stethoscope, and she takes it. He says he knows hospitals can be a scary place, but they’re all there to make her feel at home. Epiphany says it’s her specialty. He says he’ll come back to see her soon, and calls her honeybun. I think Epiphany knows something is up. He comes out, and Hayden asks, what’s wrong with her? Finn says her fever is under control, but he has to leave the diagnosis to Dr. Navari. He’s tops in pediatrics. She asks, what about him? but he says, there are strict rules about parents treating their own children.
Avery comes downstairs, and Josslyn says Donna is sleeping, but if she’s quiet, Avery can see her. Like she told Avery, big sisters have to stick together. She brings Avery over to Donna, and Michael tells Avery to meet her baby sister. Josslyn tells Donna to meet her big sister Avery.
Danny brings Monica coffee and a pumpkin spice donut, and Monica tells him to keep the change. She asks if she’ll see him later, and he says Olivia is making lasagna. Monica says, of course (🍷) she is. She leaves, and Danny tells Jason the cupcakes are being boxed; he got one for everybody. Jason says, nice job, and Danny says he wishes he could give one to his mom. Jason says, so does he.
Scotty asks how Cameron is doing, and Cameron says, okay mostly. Scotty says, there’s no need to be nervous. Tell the court about the little conversation they had the other day. Martin asks if it was a conversation Scotty had while he was coaching Cameron. Scotty says he warned Cameron about Martin’s bag of tricks. The judge tells Martin that she already warned him about grandstanding, and he apologizes. Scotty says Cameron didn’t want his mother to marry Franco. What changed? Cameron says, Franco changed. He saw how much Franco loved his mom , and Franco proved how much he cared about his brothers. Franco always stood up for Aiden, and was there for Jake. They were super close. Scotty asks, what about him? What changed? Cameron says he changed his mind when Franco gave himself up to that freak scientist and that bastard Shiloh. Franco let them mess with his brain instead of Cameron’s. Scotty says, before they messed with Franco’s mind, what did he say? What were Franco’s last words? Cameron says Franco told him to tell his mom that he loved her, and tell her that he’d be back. Franco kept his eyes on Cameron until he couldn’t anymore. Cameron cries a little, and Scotty says he did good. Martin says he knows Cameron feels badly about his stepfather saving him. Would he do anything to make it up to his mother? Cameron says he wishes he could, and Martin says, of course (🍷) he would. He would even lie about the last words his stepfather allegedly said. Scotty objects, saying Martin is badgering. Cameron says he didn’t lie. Franco said to tell her he’d be back. Martin says what’s one more lie if it helps ease his guilty conscience. Franco stands up, and says, that’s enough.
Hayden is sure Finn has a lot of questions. He says, there will be time for that later. He’s interested in the time frame. It’s probably in the last two weeks the patient… Hayden says, she’s got a name, and he says he knows. He’s needs to know how she’s been living and who she’s come in contact with. Hayden says she’s been in Beecher’s Corners with her nanny. Does think she has what Sasha did? He doesn’t think so, since her fever is under control, but if it is contagious, they need to contact whoever she’s been around. Hayden says she’ll give him all the info. He tells her to give the info to Tiffany, and she asks him not to shut her out. He says he needs to consult with Dr. Navari, and walks away.
Avery says, Donna is so little. Carly says Donna is tough, and proved that. Sonny says Avery will have to teach Donna how to throw a ball, and ride a bike. Josslyn says, and tell her stories, and Michael adds, teach her to blow out her birthday candles. Avery says she knows how to do that. Carly has a present for Avery, and gives her a baby doll. She says Avery can take care of her own baby while Carly is taking care of Donna. Bobbie takes a family photo.
Franco appreciates what Martin is doing, but none of it should be at Cameron’s expense. He’s a good kid, and clearly loves his stepfather. He tells Cameron that he has no recollection of what Franco said, but from what the police and Cameron told him, he can say with certainty, none of this is Cameron’s fault. He sits, and Cameron holds back tears.
Elizabeth takes the stand, and Scotty ask why she’s here. Why does she want her husband committed to Shadybrook? Why does she want his memory restored? Elizabeth says she doesn’t want to be there. She doesn’t want any of this nightmare. She just wants her family back, with her husband and her boys. When she and Franco got married, she made a vow to love him in good times and bad, sickness and health. She loves him so much, she’d walk to hell and back, and she intends to keep that vow no matter what.
Martin calls Elizabeth Miss Webber again, and she says, Mrs. Webber-Baldwin. He says it’s clear she loved her husband, and still loves him, but he’s not the first man she’s loved. Scotty says, what the Sam Hill does that have to do with it? Martin says, it speaks to her intensions. She’s made a dramatic statement about standing by her man, but he’s not the first man she loved, is he?She’s fighting for his identity, which is just what she did with Drew when the two of them were engaged to be married.
Hayden watches Violet sleep. Epiphany says she’s not going anywhere, and suggests Hayden stretch her legs while she can. Hayden leaves, and finds Finn in the hallway. She gives him his stethoscope back, and starts telling Finn about Violet’s favorite stuffed toys. He asks why this is the first time he’s meeting his daughter.
Jason arrives at Sonny’s, apologizing for being late. Carly says his timing is perfect. Sonny says he just uncorked the champagne. Avery leads him to Donna, and he says she’s lucky to have a big sister like Avery. Avery says, she knows. Jason’s phone rings, and he steps aside. He says, what? and frowns at the phone. Michael asks if it’s about Sam, but he says, they want someone to testify at Franco’s medical hearing.
Scotty objects, saying they’re not here to discuss Elizabeth’s past business. Martin says she’s questioning his client’s capacity to make his own decisions, and wants to assume custody, forcing him to undergo a dangerous medical procedure. She claims she’s acting out of love for his client, but she’s done this before to someone else she claimed to love. The judge tells him, proceed. He says, she attempted to keep Drew from learning his true identity. She says, it wasn’t his true identity. Everyone thought he was Jason, but she knew he wasn’t. Martin says she knew he wasn’t Jake Doe, yes or no? and she says, yes. He says she suspected he was Jason, yes or no? and she says, yes. She withheld that information from him, yes or no? She says, yes, and he says, even though she had reason to believe he’d want to know. He had a different wife and child, but she didn’t take them into consideration. She wanted to marry Jake Doe, so she withheld information about his identity to protect herself. Yes or no? Elizabeth says, it was a mistake, and has nothing to do with Franco. Martin repeats, yes or no? and she says, yes. She withheld information. He asks if she isn’t trying to do something similar with his client. Trying to deny him his rights and identity, all in the name of love?
Tomorrow, Curtis has an idea, Ava gets the portrait of Helena, Monica says DNA does not define a person, and Finn confronts Hayden.
The Real Housewives of Dallas
Stephanie and family pull up to Brandi’s house. Stephanie tells everyone to be respectful. It’s a hard day for Brian. Brian says he wasn’t going to drink, but he might have to. Everyone is dressed in black, and a small coffin is carried from the house. Brandi says, dearly beloved. They’re here to remember the life of Playboy Bun-Bun Redmond. In her interview, Brandi explains that she didn’t know if she wanted to stuff or bury Bun-Bun, and has kept her in the freezer for the last six months. She was a huge part of the family, so they need to have a proper funeral. She tells everyone to close their eyes, and imagine Bun-Bun hopping away in heaven. She thanks God for the time with Bun-Bun, and we see clips of Bun-Bun doing… whatever rabbits do, mostly hopping around. Brandi says Bun-Bun was beautiful, and she feels bad that Bun-Bun came from a pet store. She asks God to open the pearly gates, and let Bun-Bun hop into the heavenly mansion. Travis jokes to Stephanie about a bunny mansion. Afterwards, Stephanie says, it was a beautiful service. In her interview, she says, it’s ridiculous to have a funeral for a bunny. A human in a bunny costume arrives, carrying white balloons. In her interview, Stephanie wonders if she’s losing her mind. She’s risen! Everyone takes a balloon, and they let them go in honor of Bun-Bun. Well, for a bunch of pet lovers, they just killed ten dolphins.
LeeAnne’s dog Chief wears the cone of shame. In her interview, she says he scratched his eye, but they don’t know how (been there, dealt with that), and got an ulcer. She’s still dealing with Rich not having dual vison, now both of her boys have one eye. She and Rich discuss the couples shower. Since Rich has never met Kary, and they don’t know her and Eduardo as a couple, LeeAnne didn’t invite her. Both Stephanie and Brandi are coming with their husbands. LeeAnne asks Rich if he wants to be magnanimous, and give Brandi an invite to the wedding when she comes to the shower. He says he can tell her right now that he’s giving her one. Kameron stops by dressed for tennis, and fusses over Chief. She brought him some CBD treats, saying they’re the hottest thing for dogs because it calms them. In LeeAnne’s interview, she says Kameron is dealing drugs to her dog. Why not her? If Kameron is going to be a friend, be a friend. In Kameron’s interview, she says her mother-in-law Jimmy helped her plan the couples shower. She’s the queen of party planning. It’s going to top all the other parties for LeeAnne.
Stephanie tells Brandi they have to get together more. Unfortunately, the bunny funeral is a big night for them. She says she can’t go to LeeAnne’s shower because it’s the same day as a school program for one of her kids.
Kameron tells LeeAnne that Stephanie can’t make it, even though she RSVP’d yes. and turned in the menu option.
Stephanie tells Brandi that she can’t make it, but Kameron was good about it, and LeeAnne never cares about that stuff. In her interview, she says she’s celebrated LeeAnne’s wedding more than her own wedding, so she doesn’t feel too bad.
Kameron tells LeeAnne that Brandi can’t go either, and LeeAnne says she was going to give Brandi an invitation to the wedding at the shower. She can’t believe neither one of them reached out to her. Kameron says they’ll be missing four people at an intimate luncheon, and canceling at the last minute is not proper etiquette.
D’Andra visits Mama Dee. Dee asks if D’Andra has been traveling, and D’Andra says she went to Mexico with the group, and they stayed at Kary’s house. It was nice to get away from the stress at work. She tells Dee that she made the decision to move the business into the house last week. She had everything ready to make the move, but can’t get out of the lease. Dee says she’ll have to pay it off, and she still has a year. She suggests D’Andra take herself off salary; it’s draining the company. D’Andra says she can’t live without a salary. She’d have to get another job, since she doesn’t have a husband to bring it in. In D’Andra’s interview, she says she gets the message that her mother wanted her to marry a rich man, but she married for love. She doesn’t have a husband to write a check to get her out of a hot situation. She tells Dee, the immediate solution would be to take a loan. Dee says she didn’t know they gave loans to people with no money. In her interview, D’Andra says if she told her mother what she really wants to say, she’d lose everything, since she’s executor of the trust. She’s at rock bottom, and can’t afford to lose another thing. Dee says D’Andra needs to make her own way. Dee was brought up that way, and learned a long time ago to only invest in herself because she knows what she’s capable of. D’Andra ask if she isn’t an extension of Dee, and Dee says she is, but they’ve been down this road too many times. D’Andra says when she took over, the company wasn’t in a good position. Dee says D’Andra begged her for it. In Dee’s interview, she says she knew the company wasn’t at its peak, and wanted to see if D’Andra could turn it around. D’Andra says she’s trying to figure out what to do, and Dee says she’s a closer; she doesn’t make loans. If she gave D’Andra $100K, she still wouldn’t make it because of the way she spends. She always spends whatever she makes. In her interview, Dee says we all have gifts in life, and D’Andra’s best gift is asking for money. She doesn’t feel like she owes D’Andra anything. See tells D’Andra there are no handouts in this world. D’Andra says Dee raised her. She had 275 dresses and 200 pairs of shoes when she was five years old. Get real. Dee says she doesn’t know how to budget. In D’Andra’s interview, she says she only gets a small stipend of $5K a month from the trust, and she can’t live on $60K a year. Even if she wants to sell her home, she can’t. Mama Dee owns it. She tells Dee that she has a little stock left, and Dee says she knows how much D’Andra has. D’Andra says Dee shouldn’t be looking at her account. When D’Andra’s dad passed, she knew what was in the trust; now she has no idea how much is there. Dee says the conversation isn’t going anywhere. They both have their way of living, and D’Andra needs to work it out. In her interview, D’Andra says she feels a sense of betrayal, the way her mother handed over the company to her knowing it was in bad shape. The more Dee tells her that she can’t do something, the more spirit D’Andra has to prove herself right and Dee wrong. Dee says she’s been D’Andra’s bank, and she’s never been one to make loans. It’s not going to happen. I might not be on board with a lot of things D’Andra does, but I’m really starting to hate Mama Dee. D’Andra is right about the 275 dresses. She was raised this way, and now this Dee-bag handed her a failing company, not making her as aware of that as she should have, and is saying good luck with that when she’s freaking loaded. (Post script: Dee insisted she didn’t do it on purpose on Watch What Happens Live tonight.)
Kameron and Court go to dinner. Court asks if Kameron is ready for the shower, and wonders which couples are coming. Kameron tells him Cary and Mark, Tiffany and Aaron, and Stephanie and Brandi were supposed to come. Court tells Kameron, they’ve been married eleven years, and she’s even more beautiful now, although she’s more high maintenance. She says she wasn’t until she met him. In her interview, she says before she met Court, she was Nature Barbie, but he doesn’t camp, so she became Couture Barbie. He says he created a monster. She says she coordinated dates for the shower months ago, and Brandi’s kid suddenly has an Easter party. Stephanie also canceled with the same response. Court says, two days before? and Kameron says she has vendors and a photographer coming. Court asks how LeeAnne is taking it; she’s had a lot of parties. Kameron says, it’s tradition. She and Court had five showers, and she had a bachelorette and a lingerie shower. In her interview, Kameron says, it’s nothing. She even had a welcoming party before the rehearsal dinner, several sushi parties, and a goodbye party. We see pictures. She tells Court, they’re still celebrating
Travis gets home from work, and pours wine for himself and Stephanie. He says, tonight is special because of what happened eleven years ago. He bought her something. In her interview, she says she’s lived eleven years with him being type-A and cranky. Whatever he got her is well-deserved. Last year, she had a beautiful vow renewal, and got a diamond ring. We flash back to the vow renewal, and Brandi helping Travis pick out the ring. Stephanie opens the box, and it’s a bunch of drugstore health and beauty aids. He says it’s everything she’s wanted that she takes from him all the time, including his toothbrush. He tells her not to use his anymore (yuk!). He doesn’t like waking up to a wet toothbrush (double yuk!). Included, is a thousand dollars in a stack of five dollar bills. She says it’s the worst gift she’s ever received; it’s an a-hole present. He tells her, give the thousand back, but she says it’s the only thing she’ll enjoy. She asks how his dad is doing, and Travis says they haven’t talked in two weeks. He’s in Bangkok, and stopped taking most of his medication. Travis thinks it’s dangerous for his father to be off of them, since he has a pacemaker, stents, and Parkinson’s. In Stephanie’s interview, she says Travis’s parents got divorced years ago, and his dad has a lot of friends in Thailand. Travis can’t get ahold of him, and when he does, his dad is ill. It stresses him out. He has to go to Thailand, and bring his father back to go to the hospital. After a few months, when he’s feeling better, he goes back to Thailand. Travis says his father has always pushed the limits.
It’s pouring out the day of the couples shower. The venue looks gorgeous, gold, white, and crystal, with lots of white balloons. In her interview, Kameron says LeeAnne’s personal taste is different from hers. LeeAnne would want Cardi B singing, but she wanted LeeAnne to look back on something timeless. She says she loves a good quartet, and we see a string trio warming up. A producer points that out, and Kameron says, again? We flash back to another time when she hired a trio thinking it was a quartet. Kameron says LeeAnne is using metallic colors in her wedding, so she incorporated those in the décor. She also has a signature cocktail – the Carnie Cocktail, with cotton candy that melts in the glass. She tells Jimmy, it was obnoxious of Stephanie and Brandi to cancel at the last minute. Jimmy agrees, and says Kameron spent time, money, and energy on it. Kameron says, why do people do that? They remove the place settings for Stephanie, Travis, Brandi, and Brian. Court walks in, and says it looks great.
LeeAnne is impressed. Kameron hugs her, and Rich says it’s stunning. A dude comes up to Rich, and says, it’s really happening. Rich says, it looks like it. Tiffany says LeeAnne doesn’t have to give BJs anymore. LeeAnne says she likes that, but Rich won’t. It’s time to sit for the meal, and LeeAnne tells everyone to take note that Rich is pulling out her chair.
LeeAnne tells Kameron, the wedding won’t be this pretty. In Kameron’s interview, she says she spent a lot, but a true southern lady never drops price tags. Kameron toasts to their friendship, and says she’s glad she got to know the real LeeAnne. She’s happy LeeAnne found her Prince Charming with the happily ever after. Tiffany wishes them blessings, happiness, fun, and bliss. Steve toasts to Kameron and Court. Kameron asks if LeeAnne got a text from Cary to go out for drinks. LeeAnne says, no, and Kameron says Kary texted her, but she didn’t know who was invited. LeeAnne says she invited Kary to the wedding, and Kary can’t invite her for drinks? LeeAnne asks Cary (Lord, that Kary/Cary thing is confusing) if she got a text, and Cary says, no. Kameron says she figured they’d all got invited. She wonders who was, and Cary says, Brandi, Stephanie, and D’Andra. In LeeAnne’s interview, she says she’s shocked since she’d invited Kary to most of her parties. If Kary want’s to play favorites, don’t come to her parties. LeeAnne asks Kameron what time she’s meeting them, and where. Cary says, that’s not the way to fix it. Kameron says, 5:15, and LeeAnne says, that’s not a girls night out; it’s a geriatric dinner. Cary asks if it’s not desperate and weird looking to show up uninvited, but Kameron says it’s confronting shadiness. In Kameron’s interview, she admits it’s not proper etiquette, but she’s so annoyed that Brandi and Stephanie aren’t attending the lunch, they’re going to bust this happy hour.
The gold and white cake comes out. LeeAnne and Rich get up to cut it, and LeeAnne says she’s good with knives. Rich tells her, take it easy, and tells everyone, that’s how this happened, indicating his eye patch. In LeeAnne’s interview, she says she thinks the couples shower was beautiful, and beyond her wildest dreams. It’s the most elegant party anyone has thrown for her, and probably ever will be.
Kary gets to the bar first, and Stephanie arrives shortly after. Kary says her daughter is leaving for college. Stephanie wants her kids to all go to the same college, and she’ll buy a place nearby. Kary wants a condo that’s all hers, even their home isn’t in her name. She wants something in case anything happens. In her interview, she says she keeps telling Eduardo to put both their names on the house, or do an investment together, but he’s not willing. It’s frustrating. I think it’s sketchy. Brandi joins them. It’s a rooftop bar, and it’s very windy. Brandi is wearing pants, and Stephanie says she’s in charge of keeping their skirts down. Please tell me why they’re even out there in the wind. Brandi says she didn’t go to the shower; her kids had things going on. Stephanie asks if Brandi is going to the wedding, and Brandi says LeeAnne sent her a text invitation. In her interview, Brandi says reads from the text that she’s been formally invited, and says LeeAnne thinks she’s like Willy Wonka giving her a golden ticket. Kary says she also got a text, and Stephanie asks why she didn’t invite LeeAnne for drinks, and Kary says she feels like there’s something with her. She doesn’t know what it is. D’Andra arrives, and Brandi tells her about the text invite. In her interview, D’Andra is at a loss for words. Even for someone brought up in a carnival, it’s a stretch. Brandi says she didn’t respond. It’s not a formal invitation, and ten days before is tacky. I guess it’s okay to cancel two days before though.
LeeAnne, Cary, and Kameron ride together in a limo. Kameron says she’s all about being inclusive. LeeAnne still can’t believe Stephanie and Brandi didn’t call to tell her they weren’t coming to the shower. Kameron says, they’re not missing girls night.
D’Andra says LeeAnne has no manners. You’re supposed to send a wedding invitation six to eight weeks before the event, and you don’t send them late. Kary says LeeAnne told her 30% of the mail gets lost. In Brandi’s interview, she says, 30% of the time, LeeAnne is telling the truth. The other 80%, she’s full of it. Kameron looks at her phone, and sees that Stephanie posted a picture on Instagram of herself with her son in a dinosaur costume. In her interview, she says Stephanie said her little boy was performing in an Easter pageant. Easter and dinosaurs do not add up. Don’t post on social media and out yourself. They’re going to bust this happy hour.
They get drinks, and go out to the rooftop area. Kary is pretty startled, and Kameron says she invited them. They didn’t know about it, and she figured everyone was invited. In Kary’s interview, she says she wanted to invite fun friends, and not have any negativity. Kameron is the last person she’d expect to bring uninvited guests, since she’s so big on etiquette. For God’s sake, it’s a bar, not a sit-down dinner. LeeAnne asks if Kary is offended, and Kary says, no, but she didn’t expect them to show up and ruin girls night. Would LeeAnne like it if D’Andra showed up to her wedding uninvited? LeeAnne thinks the situation between her and D’Andra is different. And again, this is drinks in a public place, not a reception. Kary looks at Cary, and says she has no respect for them ruining girls night out, and Cary shrugs. LeeAnne says they didn’t come to ruin anything.
Kameron asks if Stephanie and Brandi even texted about not coming to the shower. Brandi says she texted Kameron, and reads the text. Kameron says she never saw it, and Brandi didn’t send it until Monday, even though she RSVP’d about her menu choice. In Brandi’s interview, she says she just thought someone was wondering which she preferred, chicken or fish. What an a-hole. Kameron asks why Stephanie said her kid was in an Easter pageant, when he was in a dinosaur costume. LeeAnne tells Kary that she didn’t come to ruin anything. In D’Andra’s interview, she says, it’s like a tennis match. She doesn’t know where to look. LeeAnne and Kary are fighting… LeeAnne says she’s not attacking anyone. Kameron and Brandi are fighting about the shower, and Kameron and Stephanie are fighting. D’Andra eats popcorn as she talks about this. She can find it ridiculous because none of it involves her. Brandi tells Kameron to think whatever she wants to. She’s going to support her child before going to a shower. LeeAnne says when she didn’t hear from them, she thought maybe she’d done something. Stephanie says she’s sorry. She just wasn’t thinking. Kameron says she and Stephanie talked about moving forward. If she’s not open and honest, Kameron doesn’t know how they can have more than a surface friendship. When she found out Brandi wasn’t attending, she knew Stephanie was next. She had to rearrange everything because of their absence. Stephanie says Kameron obviously doesn’t believe her. Kameron thinks Stephanie is using her kid as an excuse. Stephanie says, it’s not an excuse; it’s life. Kameron says Stephanie could have just said she didn’t want to come. Stephanie insists she said she didn’t know.
Kary asks why LeeAnne came, bringing this problem with her. LeeAnne says Kary claimed she didn’t know her, but if she doesn’t invite her places, she won’t. Kary says they need to figure out what they have in common, and LeeAnne says the only way to do that is to spend time together. Kary says, it was nothing personal. Oh, come on. Stephanie tells Kameron that she’s not organized, and she’s sorry. Kameron says, it was rude. In Stephanie’s interview, she says Kameron is saying she called her a surface friend, but she didn’t say that. She said they had a surface friendship. Stephanie says they’ve never had meaningful talks, and she feels like she’s being judged. Wait. Didn’t they go over all that when they went to lunch? Kameron says that’s Stephanie’s insecurity. Stephanie whines that Kameron never asks how she’s doing; it’s always all about her. Kameron says Stephanie is always the victim, and Stephanie says Kameron is full of it. In Kameron’s interview, she says Stephanie is taking no ownership. Sorry, but she’s extremely offended. Stephanie needs to put in some effort. If she doesn’t, it will always be a surface relationship. In Stephanie’s interview, she says she doesn’t want spend precious hours fighting with Kameron. She’s getting off the Kameron hamster wheel. She’s done with this conversation.
Next time LeeAnne has a wedding dress fitting, D’Aandra tells Dee the company should have been sustainable, Brandi finds out Bruin’s biological mother is giving up another baby, and LeeAnne’s wedding happens.
💎 A Forgotten Tiffany…
I didn’t even remember she had been on the show before.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Jason sees Doc and Laura at the MetroCourt. He says he needs Doc’s help, and asks if Doc can get him in to see Ryan.
At another table, Finn is on the phone. He asks if he and Hayden are still on for breakfast. Hayden says she’s going to check on Elizabeth, and head over. He says he’s looking forward to it. Robert comes by, and says that’s mighty cosmopolitan of Finn. Finn asks how? and Robert says Finn has his ex in town to keep him warm, while his fiancé off doing something. Who said you can’t have your cake and eat it too?
After a restless night, Ava gets up and drinks a glass of water. She hears the front door knob jiggle. The door opens, but the chain is on it. Ava gets her gun.
At the high school, Josslyn says they’re counting on Dustin to be a chaperone at the Halloween dance. He says he’s sure they have some ideas, and Trina gives him several teacher’s names. He says he senses a pattern. Can’t they think of a faculty member not born in the 1980s? Josslyn says it will be embarrassing to see them dancing to Donna Summer. Dustin says maybe the chaperones will be happy dancing to Donna Summer, and they can learn a little about pop history. Cameron walks in wearing a suit, and Dustin asks, what’s the occasion? Trina says, it’s his court outfit, and Josslyn asks if it has something to do with his community service. Trina says, Franco’s hearing is today, and Cameron says he’s going to see if he can save Franco instead of Franco saving him.
At the hospital, Elizabeth tells Hayden that she’s meeting Scotty at Kelly’s to firm up their strategy. Hayden asks how she’s doing, and Elizabeth says she’s going to court to fight for a husband whose memory was taken, and he thinks he’s someone else. It’s like that. They hug, and Hayden says, Franco’s lawyer has no idea what he’s up against.
Martin goes to Franco’s room, carrying a garment bag. Franco asks if he brought a suit, and Martin says, better. He shows Franco (we don’t see it), and Franco says, wow. Even he’s impressed by himself. Martin says if they’re going to battle, he’d better be dressed for it. Ooh. I’ll bet it’s his Navy blues.
Julian tells Ava, open up, and she lets him in. She says he scared the hell out of her. He says, bringing her breakfast? What was she planning on doing? Shooting first, and asking questions later? He takes the gun from her, and she says he can’t blame her for taking precautions. He says she’s got the door locked, bolted, and chained; she’s got the windows locked and covered; and all kinds of security cameras and alarms. For a guy who’s currently incarcerated in a secure facility. Ava says he’s watching her. She can feel it. Julian sees she’s been drinking, and tells her, don’t get mad, but is it possible her paranoia is fueled by drinking? She says, if anything, drinking is the only thing helping her. She knows he doesn’t believe it, but she can feel Ryan’s breath on her neck like he’s standing next to her. He’s watching… always watching.
Jason tells Doc that he went to visit Brice, and he was ready to name the person who paid him to frame Sam. Laura says, but he was killed first. Jason nods, and says now he doesn’t have enough to clear Sam, and he wants to find out if Brice mentioned the name to Ryan. Doc tells him that he’s wasting his time. He’d be better off calling Brice’s attorney. Jason says he reached out, but now that Brice is dead, the lawyer has no incentive to return his call. Ryan is in solitary, and the warden won’t let him have access. Laura is surprised he’d take Ryan’s word on anything, and Jason says he has a theory, and Brice confirmed it. Laura asks who it is, but Jason says he needs more proof. It would help if he could find out what Ryan knows. Laura says she can’t promise anything, but she can put in a word. Doc says his brother doesn’t help people. He likes to watch them chase their tails. He’ll negotiate and stall, hoping they come back to confront him. Jason would be better off going elsewhere. Jason thanks Doc for his advice, and says he needs to follow up on every lead. Laura says she’ll call him if she hears anything.
Robert sits down, and signals the waitress for coffee. Finn tells him not to make himself comfortable. He’s not staying. Robert asks if Finn doesn’t want a witness to his brekkie with Hayden. Finn says there’s nothing to worry about, and Robert says, the first thing you learn in the spy game is how to spot a lie. Finn reeks of it.
At the hospital, Hayden runs into Curtis. She asks if everything is okay, and he says he’s there for a case. She asks if it’s a good one, or can’t he talk about it? He says since he’s also kind of a client, he can. He’s there for backup on Sasha’s DNA test. She asks why he’s a client, and he says he had Sasha take not one, but two DNA tests, to confirm she was Nina’s daughter. He doesn’t take kindly to being used to hurt a friend or by a friend. She says he’s a great friend. He deserves to be treated like one. Curtis is glad she feels that way, and tells her that he’s a good listener. If she has anything on her mind…
Elizabeth walks into Kelly’s, where Scotty is scarfing pancakes. He offers to order her a stack, saying, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. She says she can’t eat when her stomach is in a knot. Scotty asks the waitress for coffee, telling Elizabeth, caffeine is good. She says she was up all night, going over everything. Scotty asks, what for? What is she looking for? She says the one thing they missed. The one thing that could make the difference between saving Franco and losing him.
Doc asks if Laura is really going to call the warden. Laura says Jason stopped Ryan from dragging Ava over the bridge in Canada. It’s the least she could do. She tells Doc that she’s dreading the hearing. Poor Elizabeth, and the boys. They love him. Aiden and Jake are waiting for hm to come home, and Cameron is determined to repay Franco for saving his life. She asks if Franco was rational when Doc saw him, and Doc says he can tell her what she already knows. For all intents and purposes, Franco presents a man who believes he’s Drew Cane.
I was right. Franco is dressed in his Navy blues with decorations. Martin asks how he feels, and Franco says, like himself, Chief Andrew Cane. Martin tells him, move around and get used to them. He’s going to do some last minute preparation. Franco asks if that means Martin isn’t properly prepared. Martin says there’s always last minute preparation. Opposing counsel will use his appearance to show he’s incompetent, and unable to recognize himself, which means he’s incapable of acting in his own behalf. It’s Franco’s job to prove otherwise. Martin tells him to keep asking who Drew Cane is, and how he knows who he is. Answer honestly, and even Scott Baldwin will have a hard time proving he’s not who he is. Franco says, Chief Petty Officer, Andrew Cane.
Josslyn thanks Dustin, and says, the journaling helps. It turns out she had a lot bottled up. It felt good to let it out. He’s glad the process is working for her, and asks how much time she spends on it. She says, a couple hours a day, maybe more, maybe less. He says, that’s a lot, and she asks if there’s such a thing as too much. He says, not necessarily, but as gratifying as it is to get it on paper, it’s not a substitute for real friends.
Sitting nearby, Cameron tells Trina that he was a jerk to Franco. Trina says, if he’s unnecessarily torturing himself, she wants in. In the beginning, Franco was unfair about how Cameron related to his brothers. Cameron says Franco apologized, and she says, that’s all anyone can do. He thanks her, and she says she’s not done. When Franco does come back, he’s going to want to make up for lost time. Cameron says, that he will, and he can’t wait.
Finn says it’s been swell talking to Robert, but he generally doesn’t spend time with people who call him a liar to his face. Robert says Anna is on a mission and Finn is playing house with his ex. Finn says he and Anna talk every day, especially after what happened last time when he was texting with imposters. Robert says he was there. He tolerates Finn because Anna loves him, but his tolerance disappears when Finn goes behind her back. Finn says he wouldn’t tolerate that either. That’s why he texted Anna this morning, and said he was having breakfast with Hayden to sort out a few things. Robert asks what Anna said, and Finn says he hasn’t heard back yet. She’s busy with the aforementioned mission. Robert says he believes Finn. Finn says, thanks, but Robert adds, to a point. He thinks Finn is lying about something. Not about Anna, but Hayden.
Finn says Robert is the mother of Anna’s child, so he humors him, but Robert needs to get off his back. Hayden has no connection to him. Whatever is going on, it’s none of Robert’s business. Robert says something is going on between Finn and Hayden. Finn says he loves Anna. Good. Don’t let anything get in the way of that. He thanks Finn for the coffee, and leaves.
Hayden says there’s nothing she needs to talk through at the moment, and tells Curtis to stay focused on their other project. She has to run; Finn invited her to breakfast. Curtis asks if Finn said why, but Hayden says he didn’t mention any particulars. Does he know something she doesn’t? Curtis says Finn didn’t say anything to him, but they have a history, Hayden says, they do. She’ll let him know if she needs to unburden herself of anything after breakfast. He says he’ll catch her later.
Laura tells Doc that when he was speaking with Jason, it was the most grounded she’s seen him talking about his brother. Doc says he’s working on it. She wishes Ava would. It sounds like she’s unraveling. Ryan has been writing her letters, and she decided to take them back to return them. Doc says, she only made it worse. Laura says, Ava seems to think people are watching her constantly, and Doc says, it’s not uncommon in victims of PTSD. She asks if he thinks that’s what Ava has, and he says he can’t be certain, but it’s likely. When he thinks about the terrible things Ryan did to him – and he does think about them – he doesn’t think Ryan is going to give up on loving Ava until he destroys her.
Julian puts Ava’s gun away. He thought she was doing better, but clearly, she’s not. Ava says it’s her home. If she wants to cover the windows she will, and it’s safer that way. He says she has the right to be upset, but holing up in the dark, drinking herself into oblivion, and imagining shadows? She’s better than this; stronger than this. He tells her not to let Ryan defeat her like this. Maybe she should go back to the hospital. She says she’s not the one who can’t face reality. It’s him, and every other person who insists the world is a safe place.
Elizabeth tells Scotty, for two people who just want a simple life together, she and Franco have faced some challenges, but through it all, there’s love. Scotty says they definitely love each other. She says it’s come down to this, the two most important days in their lives. The day they got married with jail cell bars between them, and today, when a judge decides if they’ll be kept apart. Scotty says, at the wedding reception, Bobbie was pressing him to make a toast, but Obrecht fell into the drink and goofed everything up. He was saving it for their 1st anniversary, but he thinks she needs to hear what he had to say now.
Jason visits Franco, and asks if he has a minute. Franco says he does, unless Jason is there to convince him not to undergo the procedure. Jason says he’s there to ask him if he remembers something. Franco says, as Franco? but Jason says, it’s something Drew Cane might remember.
Trina tells Cameron she doesn’t know why Cameron doesn’t like a certain teacher for chaperone. He says they’ll be dancing to rock dirges. Josslyn asks Dustin if that’s not the point of journaling. She doesn’t want to censure what she says or feel like she’s expected to feel a certain way. He asks if she feels she has to do that with her friends, and she says, doesn’t everyone act differently around different friends? He says she’s right, and it is important to have a safe, private place to be yourself.
Trina can’t believe Cameron used the word dirge, and asks if he even knows what it means. He says the Halloween dance will turn into a bubblegum pop nightmare. Dustin tells Josslyn, it’s important to spend time with people who care, and she says she sees them at school. He says, what about after? and she admits maybe she has been spending less time with them. He tells her it’s a trade-off. If she spends more time with them, she’ll have more to write about. She guesses he’s right.
Scotty tells Elizabeth, marriage is not for the faint of heart. She and Franco have had so many obstacles and tragedies to get where they are. He calls it love, but that’s not giving it justice. Everyone should be so lucky to approach love the way they do with tenacity and faith.
Jason tells Franco that Brice broke Shiloh out of custody, and Sam killed Shiloh defending him. That should have been the end, but Brice ID’d Sam as his employer. Franco says, and that’s not true, and Jason says, the Feds think it is though. They’re saying she got Shiloh free so she could kill him, and they’re charging her with murder. Jason says that’s why he’s there. Andre ID’d his attacker as Brice. Whoever Brice is working for, wanted Andre dead. Franco says, before Andre could help restore his memory. Jason says Brice’s employer might have also arranged Drew’s plane crash, and Franco asks if he thinks they’re all connected. Jason thinks he knows how they tie together, and Franco might be able to confirm it. He shows Franco a picture of Peter, and asks if he recognizes this guy.
Ava tells Julian, stop hovering; she’s fine. Doc knocks at the door, and Ava says, they have the same voice. Doc shows proof of ID by showing her both hands. Julian never thought he’d say this, but thank God Doc is there. Ava asks if her brother asked Doc to come over, and Doc says, no. Laura thought it would be a good idea to talk to her. Ava says tell Laura thank you, and adds it was less complicated when Laura hated her. Doc asks how she’s doing, and Ava say she’s perfectly fine. She was just telling Julian that she’s not interested in psychiatric care, but he says he’s not there as a shrink. He’s there as a survivor. Julian thinks they have a lot to discuss, and says he’ll give them some privacy. He can be back in a flash if Ava needs him, but she doesn’t think it will be necessary. Julian leaves, and Doc says, so about Ryan…
Martin goes to Kelly’s for take-out coffee. I only include this because I note the to-go cup is a camouflage design, and wonder if that’s on purpose. He approaches Elizabeth, and says he realizes the difficult situation she and her family are in. Scotty asks if Martin doesn’t realizes that he shouldn’t be talking to his client. Martin says his client bears no ill will, and wishes he could spare her any pain. Elizabeth says if that was true, he wouldn’t be representing Franco at all. Scotty says, what’s that he hears? An ambulance? He tells Martin, go catch it, and I almost fall off my chair laughing. Elizabeth says she’ll see him in court, and Martin says, indeed she shall.
Robert sees Laura, and she invites him to join her. She asks how he is. She thought she’d see more of him now that he’s working downtown, not less. Robert says, the law is a relentless taskmaster. She asks how the transition is going, and he says he gets to work with his baby brother, and other dear friends. However, should he ever choose to settle down, Port Charles is in the list of the top 100 places he wants to do it. She laughs.
Finn checks his phone, but still nothing from Anna. He texts Hayden, asking if he can order her coffee the way she likes it. She smiles, and is about to text back, but the phone rings. She asks, what’s up? She says, oh my God, and jets.
Doc tells Ava that Ryan is 100% locked up, but she’s dealing with the ramifications. They can manifest in a number of ways. PTSD can last a long time, sometimes a lifetime. You can’t turn off the fear, but have to face it.Fight without feeding into it. She says, Julian suggested the same thing. Is he sure they’re not in cahoots? He laughs, and says, no. The art world, she loves it It’s not just a front. She says she does, a lot; the spirit and imagination it takes to create. The money is good too, don’t get her wrong. He says, there are a lot of ways to make money. Why did she choose art? She says it speaks to her. It gives her a purpose. He tells her, choose that purpose, the sense of fulfillment when the darkness is chasing her. What Ryan did to her, and for her, isn’t going anywhere, but moving past it and severing every tie, can. That’s the road to freedom.
Laura asks when was the last time Robert stayed anywhere long enough to put down roots. Or maybe found the right person to settle down with. She asks if he’s thinking of running for office, and he says he is. She says they last she checked, he’d be running uncontested. He says, no one wants to be DA where Sonny operates. She’s glad Robert isn’t one to back down. She asks if he won’t make his temporary job permanent. The single ladies of Port Charles are dying to know. He says when she puts it like that, how can he say no?
At the MetroCourt, Curtis tells Finn that he ran into Hayden, and she told him that she was meeting Finn there for breakfast. Finn says she never showed, and Curtis says that might be his fault. Finn asks what Curtis did, and he says when they met, his poker face left the building. He might have tipped her off that something’s up. Finn says, but he wasn’t specific? Finn’s phone rings, and he says, uh-huh. He sees. He tells Curtis, he has to go. If Curtis sees Hayden, make sure she doesn’t skip town.
Doc tells Ava that the process won’t come quickly or easily, but the moment she stops looking over her shoulder, she’ll be free. Ava says, in her experience, that’s the moment Ryan shows up with a butcher knife. Doc says, the last time, Ava stuck it in his back. Ava says that was quite a motivational speech he’s got going on, and he says, Ryan is stuck where he is. Not just physically. He’ll never change or evolve, but if she moves forward with her life, Ryan will never catch up. She says, good point he’s making. He asks if she’s saying he’s right, and she tells him that she’s saying she’s late for work. She’s going to get dressed and go to the gallery. Doc says, baby steps. Don’t expect too much too soon. She says she hates half-measures, but she’ll try. She tells him to thank Laura for her, but do her a favor, and make it sound like it was hard for her to say. She doesn’t want Laura to thinks she’s gone softer than she has. He leaves, and she puts the vodka and martini glass away. Looking at herself in the mirror, she says, you didn’t beat me, Ryan, and you never will. Ava Jerome is very much alive.
Franco tells Jason that he knows this guy. He bought Franco a beer at The Floating Rib. Jason says, this was before, but not in Port Charles. Before that. Franco asks what his name is, and Jason says, Peter August. Franco says, when he saw Peter, he was just out of the hospital. He had a feeling that was less of a memory, and more like déjà vu. Jason asks if Franco has any idea where he saw Peter before.
Julian comes into Kelly’s as Elizabeth and Scotty are leaving. Scotty says there’s some dry toast left if Julian would like it. Julian says, Franco’s hearing is today. How is Elizabeth holding up? Scotty says, solid as a rock. Elizabeth says Julian should know that after she spoke to him, she saw Kim. She tried to reason with her, but Kim insisted on testifying that Franco is now Drew. Julian says he thought she might, and Elizabeth says she knows what it’s like to lose a child. As much as she understands, and doesn’t want to hurt Kim, Scotty is going to do everything to discredit her. Scotty says, to save his son, and Julian says he’d do the same for his kids or a person he loved. Kim needs help, and she’ll never get it. He tells Elizabeth, do what she needs to. She has his blessings. He starts to leave, but says, since they’re talking, there’s something he needs to tell them about Kim.
Laura goes to Dustin’s classroom, and he assumes she’s there to pick up Cameron. She says he could use some support, and he says to give Elizabeth his best. If there’s anything they can do at the school, let him know. She tells Cameron, it’s time to go, and he says, here goes everything. Trina says she’ll call later, and pokes Josslyn, who isn’t paying attention. Josslyn tells him, good luck in court, and he leaves with Laura. Trina asks Josslyn what’s up with her, and Josslyn says, what? She wished Cameron good luck. Trina tells her, that’s all she said. She’s completely checked out, and needs to get over herself after all Cameron did for her and Oscar. The road doesn’t only go one way. Trina leaves, and Josslyn ponders this.
Ava’s windows are now uncovered. She goes out on the terrace, and looks around. She says, here I am, you son of a bitch. Come and get me.
Julian picks up his take-out, and Elizabeth says she can’t imagine it’s easy for him. She thanks him, and he says he just wants Kim to get the help she needs. Elizabeth sees how much Julian still loves Kim, and says she’s sorry Kim isn’t in a place to return the feelings. He says, him too, and she watches him leave.
Franco tells Jason that he feels like he should remember, but sorry, he doesn’t. Jason thanks him for trying. Martin asks if he’s interrupting, and Jason says he was just leaving. Martin asks if that wasn’t Franco’s twin, and Franco says Jason is his brother, but he doubts very much that Jason considers them twins. Martin asks why Jason was there, and Franco says Jason wanted help with him remembering something. Martin asks if he wanted Franco’s help or Drew’s help, and Franco says, his; Drew’s. Martin says, interesting
Scotty tells Elizabeth that he’s feeling good about their chances. She asks if it’s because of what Julian said, and he says he thinks Julian might have just handed them a win.
Finn races to the hospital. He sees Hayden, but says he can’t talk. He has a very sick patient. Hayden says his patient is her daughter.
Tomorrow, Carly says she’s never been more prepared to face the unknown. Elizabeth tells Kim that she wishes there were another way, and Martin tells the court that Franco Baldwin no longer exists.
The Real Housewives of Orange County
Kelly and Braunwyn ride electric bikes. Riding bikes is Kelly and Jolie’s jam, and Kelly is thinking of getting a bike for Brian, now that he’s part of the family. It’s her and Jolie’s fun as a family. She and Braunwyn ride on a tandem bike, with Braunwyn in the back. In her interview, Kelly says she knows they have assistance, but you still have to pedal a little bit. They turn a corner, Braunwyn screams, and a car horn blares. In Kelly’s interview, she says she wants to get Brian a bike for his birthday, but didn’t know she’d almost die in the process. If that doesn’t show love and commitment, what does? They go into the bike store, and Kelly checks one out. Owner/founder Don tells her that it’s $12,000. How can you put a price on fun? Kelly says she can, and he says it’s really $4,400. Braunwyn tells Kelly about her sister coming in for fashion week, and Kelly says she’ll be there. Braunwyn is excited for Rowan. It’s an amazing opportunity that not many people get. If she can knock this out of the park, there’s no telling where she can go. In her interview, Kelly says she likes Braunwyn. She’s a ride or die kind of chick, like her. Kelly is loyal, and when people are loyal to her, they have a friend for life. She appreciates Braunwyn being the same way with her. Braunwyn screams some more on the way back.
Tamra and Ryan go to a laser specialist. Ryan is wearing an American flag shirt and hat, and Tamra finds it comical. She asks when he became so patriotic, and Ryan says, America is always in style. In her interview, Tamra says she never liked Trump as a person, and doesn’t like a lot of the things he does, but she can’t judge her son by his love of Trump. She asks why Ryan got the tattoo he’s having removed; a dollar sign behind his ear. Ryan doesn’t know; money on his mind? He was going through a phase. The older he gets, he wants them covered. In Tamra’s interview, she says she told him this day would come, and he would regret some of the tattoos. She doesn’t know why kids can’t listen to their mothers. The doctor does a laser treatment that doesn’t take much time. Tamra asks if Ryan is okay, and he says his life is up and down. In his interview, Ryan says he never got the building blocks for life. No one set him up for the future. Tamra says she doesn’t want him to end up like she did. It took her a long time to deal with her feelings. In Tamra’s interview, she says she thinks Ryan wanting to remove the tattoos is a sign of growth, but he needs help. She tells him that he has to put himself out there a little, and he says when he’s ready, he will.
Gina thinks it’s time for a change, and stylist Andrea works on Gina’s hair. Andrea says it’s a new phase, and Gina will be ready for Dr. Hottie. Gina tells Andrea that he slid into her DMs. In Gina’s interview, she says it makes her laugh. She’s horrified that she responded, but she’s had a rough year. She needs a date. She tells Andrea that dating is against the rules when you’re married. Someone should have told Matt. In her interview, she says Dr. Hottie is a brain surgeon. He’s smart, witty, and not Matt. He’s good for her right now. Andrea asks if she’s telling Matt, but Gina says he doesn’t know. He’ll be upset, since he wants to get back together. In Gina’s interview, she says she suggested he see a therapist. She’s stuck her toe into the dating world, and wants to explore more. When Andrea finishes, Gina is platinum blonde with very straight hair. I’m not loving it, but she thinks it’s pretty, and that’s what matters.
At Braunwyn’s house, champagne is popped open. In her interview, Braunwyn says, the family supports each other’s highs and lows, and it’s a high today. She’s glad everyone is there. Rowan has been working hard for years on her fashion line, and it’s a big deal. She thanks everyone for flying in from all over the country. She toasts to the coolest effing family ever.
Shannon has her hair and makeup done at home. She thinks Adeline should practice walking; she’s never walked in anything before. She tells the makeup guy that Adeline used to put on her heels when she was still in diapers, and he says, she was made for this. Shannon tells Adeline, more hips. In Shannon’s interview, she says if her kids want to accomplish something, she’s going to help them. Her mother wasn’t hard on her, so she was hard on herself. She was a self-starter, and wants the same for her own children.
Braunwyn gets ready for the fashion show. In her interview, she says she loves fashion. Some of her clothes are cutting edge, but she dresses for herself. Tonight, her look is like a high end big bird. I’d say more Swan Lake. Her skirt is made of white feathers, and the top of the dress is sheer with pearls in strategic places, as well as scattered in a random pattern. In her interview, Braunwyn says she had no clue how depressed Rowan was. OCD manifests in different ways. Dancing put Rowan’s body under a microscope, and she’s either all in or out, so she decided not to eat. She tells Sean that she’d never been so afraid. Sean says when the kids are doing well, he puts more pressure on them. Life is full of ups and failures. Rowan comes in, and Braunwyn says they were talking about how far she’s come. She asks what the hardest part was, and Rowan says losing the part of herself that took so long to come back. Sean says, it’s a big deal. Rowan is dressed in black, and says she and Braunwyn look like an angel and devil. In his interview, Sean thinks this epitomizes their daughter’s success emotionally.
Shannon wants Adeline to practice her runway walk before the show. Rowan is excited, but nervous, and Braunwyn says she’s going to be taking five zillion photos. The look at the pieces in Rowan’s collection, and Braunwyn says they’re mommy approved. Shannon sits with Sophie, and they watch Adeline practice walk. Sophie says, she’s so good, but Shannon isn’t happy, and tells her, get it down. She barks orders at Adeline, telling her to stop smiling, and pop her hip. In Sophie’s interview, she says she thinks Adeline is killing it, and if her mother doesn’t shut her mouth, Sophie is going to shut it for her. Shannon tells Adeline, too fast, and Adeline tells her to stop screaming at her. Shannon says she’s Adeline’s momager, and Adeline needs more pop. Adeline goofs around, making exaggerated moves.
Everyone starts arriving, and it gets crowded pretty fast. Eddie asks Braunwyn if she and Tamra made out. Braunwyn asks him to define making out, and he asks if there was tongue. We flash back to that, and Braunwyn makes a sign indicating a little. I’d hate to see what she considers big. Eddie asks if he can watch, and she says, anytime. Sean explains how the show works, and that they’ll be going to different levels. Dr. Deb asks if Rowan is nervous, and he says, Rowan is so excited, she’s on a high. He’s more nervous than she is. Braunwyn says, Adeline is the youngest model, and Rowan is the youngest designer. Gina shows up, and Braunwyn says she didn’t recognize her. Gina tells Kelly that she needed a change. In her interview, Kelly says, when you’re going through a divorce, ladies, don’t change your hair. Because of low self-esteem, you try to make yourself feel better, and end up making yourself look ugly. Case in point – Gina. I guess I’m not the only one who’s not a fan of Gina’s new ‘do. I’m really not liking her whole look. Dr. Deb suggests Adderall, and Gina says she’ll take anything Deb’s got.
President of OC fashion week, Kathy, gives instructions to everyone. Braunwyn shows the others the row reserved for them. Gina tells Emily that Matt now claims to be heartbroken, and is calling her selfish because she doesn’t want to try again. Emily says she understands as a mother, but if it happens, it should be something that happens down the road. In Emily’s interview, she says, Matt is messing with Gina’s emotions. Emily doesn’t want her to get in a place where she’s not happy and healthy. She tells Gina that Matt was involved with someone else for a long time. It’s not like he met her a couple of weeks ago. Gina says he wants to sweep it under the rug, like everything else.
The show is starting, and everyone moves upstairs for the finale walk. Co-host Crystal tells Braunwyn they can be seated early. Deb needs to use the bathroom, and a security guy grabs her arm, and asks where she’s going. She tells him not to touch her, and the dude argues with her. She tells him, don’t grab her, and don’t disrespect his elders. I’m surprised he didn’t think she was Betsey Johnson. It’s a fashion show for God’s sake. He continues to be stupid, and Kelly’s business partner, Zack, intervenes. Deb tells Kathy what’s going on, and these people must have taken idiot pills because Kathy gets snarky with her. She says, they don’t know who you are, sweetheart. Deb tells Kathy, don’t call her sweetheart. In her interview, Deb says what Kathy meant was bitch. Deb tells Braunwyn about the dude grabbing her on her way to the bathroom, and says then Kathy came after her. Braunwyn asks if Kathy apologized, but Deb says, no, and Braunwyn stomps off to find Kathy. She tells Kathy to apologize, saying, if she doesn’t, it’s going to be a bad night. Kathy tells her to have Deb talk to her, and then she’ll apologize. Braunwyn says, don’t screw up her daughter’s night by attacking her mother. Kathy thinks they don’t have clear communication, and that’s how mistakes get made. She starts getting loud, saying they need to know in advance who’s there. She gets so loud, her voice starts getting squeaky. Kelly comes over and asks why there’s yelling. Kathy says she can be as loud as she wants to. Kelly says Kathy is working, and to be professional. Kathy talks into the mic, saying that she’s working, and can be as loud as she wants, then shoves the mic into Kelly and Braunwyn’s faces. I don’t even know what to think. Is this woman high? Kelly calls her a psycho and a dumbass. Kathy says, defamation, and bumps Kelly’s mouth when putting the mic back in her face. In Braunwyn’s interview, she says she thought it was some kind of misunderstanding. She had no idea this woman would go off the rails. She tells Sean that if she had her way, she’d be in jail, because she’d throw Kathy off the boat. Kelly says Kathy hit her in the face with the mic. Her kneejerk reaction was to slap the sh*t out of her, but there are children around. Kathy says, bitch, as she walks past Kelly, and Kelly says Kathy hit her in the face. Kathy wanders around, talking into the mic, saying she’s sick and tired of things not being true. Braunwyn says, this is why they can’t have nice things. Continuing to speak into the mic, Kathy says starts yapping about one of the designers working against bullying. She says if anyone has ever been abused, they can put hashtag anti-bully on their Instagram feed. Kelly says, hashtag assault, and Kathy says, some people laugh, and make a mockery of it. If anyone has been a witness to verbal abuse, put hashtag anti-bully. Co-host Crystal grabs a mic, and asks if they shouldn’t get to the collection. Everyone applauds, and the first line come out. She introduces Rowan’s line, and everyone cheers. The models walk, and Rowan looks thrilled. The only thing I can figure is, this is a two-bit operation run by wannabes. Not to minimize Rowan’s success, but who ever heard of OC fashion week anyway? It’s a testament to Kelly that she didn’t cause a commotion. She had every right to. There could have possibly been a touch of jealousy on Kathy’s part too, since Braunwyn and family all look fabulous, and she… well, not even close.
Adeline comes out next, and Sophie says she’s going to cry. In Shannon’s interview, she says, watching Adeline walk, stop, and own it, it’s like seeing a different child. Proud doesn’t even describe how she feels. Adeline nailed it. Bam! They walk out together. In her interview, Rowan says it’s the proudest moment of her entire life. Braunwyn says Rowan put her mind to it, and did it. She got lots of congratulations after such a great job. Emily says she gives credit to a sixteen-year-old who not only has a vision, but executes it.
Braunwyn and family get in their limo. Braunwyn tells them about Kathy wanting to fight, and says she tried to kick them off the boat. Rowan is shocked, and Braunwyn says, you don’t mess with her kids. That’s the only thing, and it’s her trigger. Don’t f**k with her family. She repeats that several times. In her interview, she says she didn’t have that kind of protection growing up. There was no one who came to her rescue. She tells them she’s glad she has them all, and says, team Wyndham-Burke!
Emily meets Braunwyn for horseback riding. She tells Braunwyn that she’s been around horses her whole life. Her mother owned a breeding business, and riding as a calming effect. She wants to get back into it. They saunter down a path through the woods, with trainer Brenda in the lead. Emily thinks Annabelle would like riding and they could bond. Braunwyn says it was dance for her and Rowan. Whatever dreams her children have, she supports them. She didn’t have that as a kid. Emily says she didn’t either. She likes that Annabelle is close to Shane. In her interview, Emily says, not having a dad in her life, made her achieve things, so she didn’t have to depend on a man. Braunwyn says they both picked amazing fathers, and Emily says she’s proud of herself. Braunwyn can’t imagine a father figure. In Braunwyn’s interview, she says her father was a bigwig surfer in Hawaii, and a functional alcoholic. Her mom was angry, and made it harder for him to be in her life. As she got older, she realized it’s not okay. Emily says she had a dad, and knew who he was, but her parents divorced when she was six. They talked every six months or so, but there was no father/daughter connection, and she grew up angry. She knows she has anger issues and she’s reactive. She always goes to anger. Braunwyn says her issues are more about abandonment, and doesn’t let people get too close. It took fifteen years for her to let Sean love her, but she knew when she met him that he’d be an amazing dad. Emily says she gave her kids a dad who adores them and is there for them. In her interview, she says, is Shane a good husband? Sometimes. But she puts the needs of her children before her own needs, and she’s okay with that.
Gina uses a curling iron on her hair, while she FaceTimes with Tamra. She says she’s doing all this for therapy with her ex. In Gina’s interview, she says she and Matt are going to therapy for co-parenting. They have a lot of issues, and it’s better to discuss them in a safe environment, so they don’t fight and work it out. She tells Tamra that she wants to look super-hot, but not too hot. She doesn’t want to invite that in. Matt texted her a million times, and then she got snarky and blocked him. Then he called 12,000 times from another number. When she didn’t pick up, he came to the house. Tamra says, unannounced? and Gina says, at 1 am. Tamra says, she didn’t answer, did she? and Gina says she hadn’t locked the door. She was on the phone with Dr. Hottie, and Matt came upstairs. She didn’t know he was in the house, and it was scary. In Tamra’s interview, she says, it’s beyond comprehendible. Gina tells her that Matt said he’s looking for a job in OC. Tamra asks if Matt gets his sh*t together, would Gina attempt to try again? and Gina says she’s not there at all, but doesn’t want regrets because of her kids. Tamra says it will screw with her head. Gina thinks they’ll find out that they’re not supposed to be together, but in an amicable way. Tamra says the ball is in Gina’s court, and Gina says that makes her stressed. Tamra says Gina didn’t do this, Matt did. In Gina’s interview, she says it’s alarming that Matt walked in, but to be honest, it feels good that he cares about her. Her heart wants it, but her brain says don’t fall for the romance novel situation. She thinks she’ll ultimately regret it if she doesn’t follow her heart, even if it’s not the smartest move.
Ryan and Tamra meet for coffee. She asks what he’s been doing, and he says, a whole lot of nothing. In Tamra’s interview, she says she’s worried about Ryan, and wants him to know she’s there. She asks if he’s dating anyone, but he says he’s been secluding himself. He doesn’t want to do anything, and doesn’t find interest in anything. He has zero feeling. Tamra asks what he thinks will make him happy. He says he’s not playing the victim role, but some people had better opportunities to springboard off of. Growing up, his priorities were different because of the situation. Tamra asks if he means Simon. He says when other people were wondering which college to go to, he just wanted out of there. In his interview, he says he was a trial run. No one prepped him for life as an adult. At age eighteen, that was it. We flash back to the Simon days, and Simon telling Ryan those are the rules, and the rules are based on his past. Ryan tells us that they made their mistakes with him, and everyone else got the good stuff. Tamra asks if he got her email, and he says he didn’t read it yet. She says she sent him info about Dr. Machala. If it makes him more comfortable, they can call her a life coach. Ryan says he’s not unhappy, just in a funk. She says it’s hard to see him like this. In her interview, Tamra says, this is really serious, and she’s scared for him. She’s afraid something bad will happen, and this is her last ditch effort to get him to see a professional therapist. She tells Ryan that he’s treading water, and barely staying afloat. It’s no way of life. He says he’s down to talk. Maybe she’ll open his eyes to something he’s not seeing. She tells him to just be as honest as he can, and he says he’s always honest.
Next time, Gina hooks up with someone, Vicki has a tea party, and Gina tells Braunwyn that it’s not about her.
If you haven’t seen it yet, new Bravo series, In a Man’s World, is excellent. Each week, a woman is made up as a man, and sets out to prove gender bias in a different situation. And when I say they’re made up, I mean by professionals, and they’re also coached on movement and voice. There’s no way you’d know it was the same person. So far, they’ve presented Le’Dor, running for city council; Sabrina, who wants to preach from a pulpit; and Shital, who’s Indian culture has caused her own father to treat her like a second class citizen. In Le’Dor’s case, being a mom seemed to work against her, but as a man, having a family was a plus. With Sabrina, it took longer for a congregation to warm up to her as a woman, but she got a better result from the collection basket at the end, which she attributed to her anointing. Shital compared her own birthday dinner, where her father pretty much ignored her, to a dinner where Raj was a guest of her sister (who was in on it), and her father was very interested in talking to him. Her situation made me sad, but in the end, she and her father had a better relationship. I didn’t expect to like this show as much as I did, and can’t wait to see who’s next.
What I Watched - TV With Theresa 