Category Archives: Lisa Vanderpump

April 21, 2023 – Drew Finds a Map, Messy Already, VanderShame, Craving Awful, One-Night Accountability, More Dead, Tiny Pet (!), When In Rome VIII Quotes & Wonderful

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Brook lets Cody into the nook. He’s holding a bowl, and says he’s out of cereal. Mama Q said he could just… but she says, don’t bother. She knows why he’s really here. He wants to know if he’s going to get fired.

At Charlie’s, Gladys tells Sasha not to waste a single second feeling sorry for a lying grifter like Cody Bell. Sasha says, Cody’s always been very nice to her. She’s having a hard time seeing him the way Gladys does. Gladys says, that’s because Sasha is a sweet child. Gladys has seen his type before. When she used to go to Atlantic City, sharpies like Cody were a dime a dozen. They flex their muscles and flash their pearly whites, and saunter off before you even realize they’ve made off with your wallet. Sasha says, Gladys paints quite a vivid picture. She can’t wait for Gladys’s memoirs. Gladys says, her point is that you can’t trust someone like Cody. So if he comes around, spouting nonsense… Sasha asks, what kind of nonsense? and Gladys says, who knows? He’d say anything to stay in Sasha’s good graces… and close to her money.

At the hospital, TJ asks if Molly is sure she doesn’t want him to stay. He can get Dr. Michaels to cover for him. She says she’s sure. It’s just a routine follow-up. Dr. Navarro will tell them that they have to keep trying. He tells her, always listen to your doctor’s advice. Can she believe it? This time next year, they may have a baby Lansing-Ashford. She says, or is it a baby Ashford-Lansing? and he says, negotiations set to resume later tonight. They kiss.

Drew brings Curtis to a storage unit containing a bunch of boxes, and Curtis says, this is Kim Nero’s stuff? Drew says, when she moved to Manhattan, Kim kept some of his stuff in case he made it home. He sees a sports cap, and says, this is Oscar’s Browns hat. The only thing he loved more than his music was his favorite football team. He wore this all the time. Kim said this was going to be hard seeing his boy’s things. Losing a child is hard enough, but losing one right after you find out you’re a father… Curtis says, is absolutely his worst nightmare.

Laura sees Alexis at the hospital, and Alexis says she’s in a bit of a fog today. Laura says, the last few days have been pretty surreal. She just came from visiting with Anna; she’s recuperating very nicely. Alexis says, that’s great news. Any word about Spencer and Trina?

Dressed in mismatched sweats and an old cardigan, Trina is tossed into Spencer’s stateroom, and he asks what she’s doing here. What is she wearing? Trina says, stuff from the lost and found. The guard said she could take her pick, but it’s not her personal style or choice. He laughs, and she says, it’s definitely warmer than her ballgown. He says he can’t believe they left her with him. He thought Uncle Victor wanted to keep them separated. She says, maybe that was his original plan, but with all this commotion on deck, she even overheard one of the guards saying they need all hands. He says, they’re consolidating areas to guard. They might be bringing Dr. Obrecht in here next. Trina says she’s scared.

Dex asks Sonny if the Pikeman shipment conflicts with his son’s wedding, but Sonny says he’s not letting anything interfere with Michael and Willow’s big day. Dante knocks at the penthouse door, and asks if he’s interrupting. Sonny says, they were just finishing up some business, and hands Dex a manila envelope. He says, deliver this, and take the rest of the day off. He leaves, and Sonny says he didn’t expect Dante to come by. What’s up? Dante says he wanted to know if Sonny wanted to get lunch with him later, and Sonny asks, why today? Dante says, it’s as good a day as any other. Why? Does Sonny have plans? Sonny says, yeah. He’s going to Dante’s brother’s wedding. Dante says, no, he’s not.

Spencer says, whatever his uncle has planned next, he’d never let Victor hurt Trina. She knows that, right? She says she knows Spencer would do everything he can to stop Victor; he proved that on deck. But what if there’s a reason Spencer can’t help her? What if he hurts both of them? He says, his Uncle Victor is out of his mind right now. He’s drunk on power. He’s emboldened by his own savior complex, but Spencer does believe there’s still a shred of humanity left inside of him. She says she knows he doesn’t want to hear this right now, but they can’t count on that. Right now the only thing they have to rely on is each other. He swears to her, as long as they have each other, there’s nothing they can’t face, and they hug.

Drew says, they’re going to find Trina, and Curtis says he wants to believe Drew, but the longer it’s taking… He just found out Trina might be his daughter. He can’t lose her. Drew says, he’s not going to. They’re going to have lots more time together. Curtis says, his bad, bringing up his stuff in the middle of Oscar’s things. He knows it can’t be easy for Drew to be here, but Drew says he thinks it’s worth it. The key to finding Trina might be in one of these boxes. He gave Oscar some of his things in the hope it might tell Oscar his story. It’s a long shot, but maybe they’ll come across something from his days as a SEAL. Anything that tells them about Project Demeter. He digs through a box, and asks Curtis what he’s got. Curtis says, military stuff. He’s got bedtime stories… music theories… Greek mythology… Drew takes the book, and says he used to tell Oscar how much he loved these stories. Curtis says, it looks like that one’s pretty well thumbed through. He takes out a paper, and Drew says, it’s a map.

Alexis tells Laura that Victor hasn’t included her or her daughters in any of his plans. She’s never been privy to the inner workings of the Cassadines; she’s Cassadine adjacent. Laura says, that’s probably why Alexis is sane. Does she have any childhood memories of Victor? Alexis says, there was always tension between her father and Victor. Her father was a monster – he was into power and greed – and Victor fancied himself having loftier goals. Laura wonders what those goals were.

Dr. Navarro goes in to see Molly, who’s wearing a hospital gown. Molly says she’s a little confused. She thought she was just getting the results of her ultrasound. Dr. Navarro says, after reviewing Molly’s ultrasound, she’d like to get some more thorough testing done. Molly asks, why? What did she see? The doctor says, nothing to be overly concerned about at this stage. Molly has been experiencing irregularity and pain with her monthly cycle. She’d like to get to the bottom of what’s causing it. Molly asks if she wants to do more testing now, and the doctor says, yes, and this time, she’d like to do a biopsy.

Cody asks Brook, why would he be fired?… Okay. He has been a little worried about what they’re thinking since the incident. Brook says, he means the incident where he was arrested, charged, and arraigned, and he says, that’s the one. She takes the bowl out of his hand, puts it on the counter, and says, he should be thanking her. He says, for the cereal? but she says, no, for pleading his case. Her dad wanted to fire him. It wasn’t so easy changing his mind. He’s been in a bad mood with all this ELQ stuff. Cody asks what Mama Q thinks, and Brook says, he’d have to ask her, but if he wants to know Brook’s opinion, she thinks Gladys Corbin is a walking disaster. She’s a mess. She’s always misplacing important things. She wouldn’t be surprised if Gladys left that bracelet lying around backstage at the Nurses Ball. He says he’s glad someone’s on his side, but she says, not quite. How did that bracelet end up in his pocket?

Sam goes into Charlie’s carrying a garment bag. Seeing Gladys, she flashes back to Cody saying, Gladys set him up because he told her that he was going to tell Sasha she’s not to be trusted. Kristina tells Sam, if looks could kill, as Gladys tells Sasha, some people just can’t be trusted. Cody is one of those types, and trying to take advantage of Sasha’s good nature. Sam asks if Kristina ever wished she could know someone’s secrets with a single glance, and Kristina says, it’s probably better for everyone in this town that they can’t. She asks if that’s her dress for the wedding, and Sam hesitates giving it to her, saying, this is her dress for the day. Kristina asks when she’s ever kept anything of Sam’s, and Sam says, her brown leather jacket, those really cool biker boots that have the zipper on the side, and her leather pants.

Sasha says she appreciates Gladys looking out for her, but Cody has had a really rough go in life. Gladys says, so has Sasha, which is why she’s been thinking they could both use a vacation. Sasha says, that’s an abrupt change of topics. What prompted that? Gladys says she thinks they could use a little getaway, and Sash asks if there’s another reason Gladys needs to leave town.

Cody tells Brook, no one was more shocked than him when that bracelet showed up in his tux jacket pocket, which at the time he wasn’t even wearing. He was on stage, taking his clothes off for a worthy cause. Brook asks if he’s been stealing from her family, and he says, no. She says she had to ask. He’s been given free reign in this house. Should she be checking her jewelry case? He says, no offense, but her stuff isn’t exactly his style. No, he’s not a thief; he was framed. He left the tux jacket in the dressing room. That had to be when someone planted it in there. Brook says, let’s say she believes him. Where’s his proof?

Dante says, the way things are with Sonny and Michael, Sonny crashing the wedding is just going to fan the flames. Don’t do that. Sonny says, that’s not what he’s doing. Michael invited him. He’s going to be celebrating with the family tonight. Dante says, that’s great. He knows how much not being there was probably eating Sonny up. He and Nina are making some progress. Sonny says, Nina’s not invited.

Sam says she’s happy the wedding was moved up, and Kristina says, with what Michael and Willow are going through, they deserve one perfect day. Is it giving Sam and Dante any ideas? Sam says she and Dante are good with the way things are right now, and suggests they look at Kristina’s life for a change. Dex walks in, and Kristina says, perfect timing. She needs back-up here. He says he’s actually here for Sonny, and Sam guesses that’s her cue, and steps away. He gives Kristina the envelope, and says, Sonny wanted him to give her this. She takes out some paperwork, and says she can’t believe her dad did this.

Gladys asks why she would need to get out of town, and Sasha says, next month is the two-year anniversary of when she got shot. Gladys says, after Brando refused Cyrus Renault’s order to shoot her. If she hadn’t gotten involved with those shady people, her son wouldn’t have been in that position. She’ll always regret that. Sasha says, but look at how far she’s come. She should be really proud of herself. Some memories are hard to face. She knows that better than anyone. She can’t get away right now, but Gladys should book a trip for herself. Use her credit card. Gladys says, that’s very generous, but Sasha’s paying her a salary. She can pay. Sasha says, then how about if she pays for any upgrades (I would be so upgraded if someone told me that)? and Gladys says, the resort she’s been looking at does have an incredible spa package. Sasha says, then consider herself all pampered. She tells Gladys that she’s got to run, and leaves. Sam looks at Gladys from across the room.

Alexis says she has to tell Laura, this is the first time she wishes she were in the inner circle of the Cassadines. Then she could help. Laura says she knows Alexis is doing as much as she can, and Alexis says, what about Nikolas? Has Laura heard from him? Laura says, the international news picked up this story, so even if Nikolas left the country, he would still be aware of what’s happening here. Alexis says, and still he hasn’t been in touch, and Laura says, no. Nobody’s heard a word from him. It’s fine for him to walk away from her, but from his two sons? For him to be missing in action, knowing how much danger Spencer and Ace are in? Alexis says, what if he doesn’t have a choice?

Curtis asks if this is Oscar’s handwriting on the map, but Drew says, no, it’s his. Curtis says, good. Is this a travel map, or something more? Drew says he doesn’t remember this map at all, or why it’s hidden in this book. So if he had to guess, he’d guess something more. Curtis holds it up, and says, there’s a mark in the corner, and Drew says, that’s the sign for Virgo. Curtis takes a canteen out of the box, and it has the same symbol. He says, first the canteen, then the map. He never realized Drew was so into astrology. Drew says he’s not. He was born in September. Curtis says, on the canteen, it makes sense; it’s Drew’s. But why would it be embossed on a map? Drew says, maybe there’s something else here that can help them, and flips through the book. He says, here you go. The versions of mythology differ, but the most popular cites that Virgo has ties to Demeter, the goddess of fertility and agriculture. Curtis says, Demeter, as in Project Demeter, and Drew says, the assignment Victor was so keen on knowing everything about. This is the link.

Spencer holds Trina, and says he bets she wishes she never followed him on this doomed ghost ship. She says she’s afraid for their lives, and she wishes his baby brother wasn’t at risk. They sit on the bed, and she says she’s glad she’s with him. Any doubts about being with him are gone. He says, that’s a big mistake, Miss Robinson. The man you’re crushing on is a non-reprobate. He’s a convicted felon. She says, oh no, and he says, he’s a spendthrift, an entitled bourgeois, hot tempered, good-for-nothing. She says, that sounds about right… except for one detail. He’s not the man she’s crushing on. He’s so much more than that.

Drew tells Curtis, there’s nothing else in here marked with the symbol for Virgo, but that’s not a coincidence. Virgo, Project Demeter, and a map. Maybe they should take this to the WSB. Curtis says, no. He knows what to do.

Alexis wonders if Nikolas could be one of Victor’s captives, but Laura doesn’t think so. Trina didn’t mention seeing him on the Haunted Star. And if she’s being honest, she hates to admit this, but she thinks her son fled town to avoid his legal problems. Alexis says, Laura knows how much she loves her nephew, and she also knows he’s made a lot of mistakes, but there’s still time for him to do the right thing. Laura says she hopes Alexis is right, but even so, she’s determined to find her grandsons, and bring them home. She wipes some tears away, when TJ comes by, and tells them, his mom is completely focused on finding the Haunted Star. Laura says she knows. He doesn’t have to convince her how hard his mother works. Port Charles is very lucky to have her. Alexis says, Victor is not going to get away with this, and Laura says, no, he is not. She gets up, and says she has some calls she needs to make. Let her know if they hear anything. She leaves, and I notice Alexis’s white sweater looks like a robe. For a moment, I get confused, wondering if I missed something and she’s a patient. She tells TJ that Laura is justifiably worried, and he says he has the feeling Laura isn’t the only one.

Dr. Navarro says, all the symptoms Molly is having, combined what she saw in Molly’s ultrasound, could indicate endometriosis, and Molly says she’s heard of it, but what exactly is it? The doctor says, a condition in which the endometrial tissue grows outside of the uterus. Often it leads to cramping, heavy menstrual flow, and pain during intercourse. Molly asks if it’s rare, but the doctor says, actually, it affects 10% of all women. Molly says, and a biopsy would confirm if she has it, and Dr. Navarro says, it’s more effective than imaging. She’ll scrape off a few cells, send them to the lab, and a technician will look at them under a microscope. Don’t worry. It’s a quick procedure with relatively little discomfort. But they don’t have to do it today if she needs a little time to think about it. Molly says, let’s just get it over with. She needs to know what’s happening in her body. And not just for her sake.

Dante asks how Nina is taking it, and Sonny says, she wanted him to go to the wedding, even though she’s not invited. Dante says, that’s gracious of her, and Sonny says, Nina’s gracious, but he knows it hurts her not to be at her daughter’s wedding. He also believes Michael isn’t the one who wants him there; it’s Willow’s idea.

Kristina spreads the papers out on the bar, and tells Dex that her dad knows she’s been wanting something more for her life, and he found a way to get it to her.

Sam approaches Gladys’s table, and on the phone, Gladys says, you’re right. Unlimited drinks by the beach is important. What’s the differenced in price… You know what? It doesn’t matter. They sold her, and she’ll call them back. Sam says, taking a trip? and Gladys says, sure am. Sam says, it sounds pretty grand, and Gladys says, they all spend on what matters to them. Apparently what matters to Sam is Cody Bell. Did she hear right that Sam bailed him out?

Cody tells Brook, if he had any kind of proof, he could get the charges dropped. All he has is his word, which he knows doesn’t get him very far in this town. Brook says she knows what it’s like not to be trusted. For everyone to assume you have some ulterior motive. But for what it’s worth (🍷), she doesn’t think he’d steal anything. He asks if Sasha thinks so, but Brook says she doesn’t know. Gladys Corbin is her mother-in-law, and they are really close. She’s sure Sasha’s upset. He says he hates this. She’s the last person in the world he wants to hurt. Brook tells him, say he was right, and he was framed. Does he have any idea who set him up? Sasha walks in.

Sam sits with Gladys, and says, yes, she posted Cody’s bail. Gladys asks, why? They had him dead to rights. They found the missing bracelet in his pocket. Sam says, so she heard, and Gladys says, then why bail him out? Sam says, because she’s not sure he did it.

Brook asks if Sasha brought her all the Deception goodies, and Sasha says, yeah, putting a train case on the counter. Brook takes the case, and says she’s getting out of here, and Cody says he really hopes Sasha doesn’t think he did this. Sasha says she doesn’t know what to believe, and he says he didn’t steal anything, especially some bracelet Gladys was wearing. He wouldn’t do that to Sasha; she’s his friend. She says, is she? Or is he just using her? He says, using her for what? and she says, you tell me. He says he’s not going to deny he’s made some mistakes; the way he treated Britt, for one. Which Sasha knows, since he trusted her enough to tell her. She saw how much he regrets what happened with Britt. He’s grown a lot this year. She says she thought he did, and he says, she doesn’t now? She tells him that she’s not sure. Gladys made some good points. He tells her not to listen to anything that woman says, and Sasha asks why she shouldn’t. He says, because she’s the one who set him up.

Kristina tells Dex, these are the properties that can be used as homes for transitional youth. The other day when she went to see her dad, she told him that she was thinking of opening up a restaurant, and he pointed out that it would be so time consuming, it would interfere with her job here and her volunteer time at the youth center. He’s right, but he also knows she’s been searching for a greater sense of purpose and responsibility. Dex looks at a card, and reads, Corinthos-Davis House. Her dad’s opening a charity in her name? She says, he even highlighted the ones that have industrial kitchens. He found a way for her to combine all her interests in one place. Dex says, it’s a very thoughtful gift, and she says, it doesn’t surprise her. Her dad gets her. He sees what’s in her heart, and he protects his own. She just wishes everyone could see the Sonny Corinthos that she does. Dex looks guilty, as he should.

Dante asks if it really matters who invited Sonny, and Sonny says, a little bit, but it’s a good first step. He knows it matters to Nina. Dante says, this could be the last time she gets to celebrate anything with her daughter, and Sonny says, the grandchildren will be at the wedding. She misses seeing Wiley and Amelia. Dante says, it’s going to get tougher the sicker Willow gets too, and Sonny says, it’s really hard for Nina to see her suffer. Dante says, they’re all praying for Willow’s recovery, but whether it’s Michael and Willow raising their kids together, or God forbid Michael doing it on his own, that doesn’t mean Nina is going to be accepted. What is that going to do to Sonny and Nina’s relationship, if he’s back in and she’s left out?

We see Alexis has a pamphlet on ALS, and she tells TJ, it seems they’re all on edge. He sees the pamphlet, and asks if it’s something she wants to talk about. She says, it’s not for her, it’s for a friend, and puts the pamphlet in her bag. He says he’s sorry about her friend, and she says, from what she understands, the progression is brutal. He says, no two patients are the same, but ALS is a rare and devastating neurological disease with no cure. She says, what she’d like to know is, is there any hope?

Curtis and Drew find Laura at the hospital, and Drew says, they may have found something to lead them to the Haunted Star. She asks what it is, and Curtis says, they think it has something to do with Drew’s past… and Victor’s future.

Spencer says, Trina means a lot to him; more than she’ll ever know. He just wishes they’d had this conversation anywhere else. She says, he challenges her, and with him, she wants to experience everything she never has. He says, everything? and she says, everything. They can start new experiences now. He says, this is not how he pictured their first time. He just doesn’t want her to regret it. She says, losing her virginity? and he says, it’s a big deal for her, and it should be special. She says, where she does it and when isn’t what makes it special. What makes it special is that it’s him and her. She kisses him, and says, this could be their only chance to be this close again. They don’t know what tomorrow will bring. They kiss, but I keep thinking, what if someone walks in?

Drew, who always sounds like he’s teaching a class, tells Laura that they were going through some of his old things. They found this book of mythology, and found out that Virgo has ties to Demeter, as in Operation Demeter. Laura says, which is what? and Drew says, which is a black op he was involved in when he was a Navy SEAL, but he doesn’t remember anything about it at all. But in the book of mythology, there was a map hidden in there, and you can see this symbol. He shows her the map, and says, this map is embossed with the symbol of Virgo. Curtis says, obviously, there’s something of value to be found in one of those circled locations, and Laura says, or at each of them. What kind of mysterious treasure could this be?

TJ says, it depends on how Alexis defines hope. He’s sure the neurologist he’s shadowing would be happy to answer questions for her and her friend. He’s incredibly knowledgeable and on the forefront of research on diseases like ALS. Alexis thanks him, and the reception nurse tells him that Dr. Navarro is finishing up with Miss Lansing-Davis. Alexis says, Molly’s seeing Dr. Navarro? Isn’t she an OB? TJ nods.

Dr. Navarro says, she sent Molly’s cells to the lab. They should have the results in a few days. Molly says, it sounds like the doctor thinks it’s just a formality though, and Dr. Navarro says she wants to hold off on an official diagnosis until she sees the results. Molly says, unofficially? and the doctor says, based on Molly’s symptoms, her examination, and the imaging, it’s highly likely Molly does have endometriosis. In less severe cases, it can be treated with hormone therapy and pain management. Molly says, and in more severe cases? and the doctor says, commonly a laparoscopy or laparotomy. Molly says, surgery? but Dr. Navarro tells her not to worry about that right now. They’ll cross that bridge if they come to it. Let’s just take this one step at a time. Molly says she has one more question. How will this diagnosis affect her plans to have a baby with TJ?

Dex says, it’s great that Kristina’s father is doing this for her, and Kristina says, she’s very lucky. Her mom and her sisters are amazing, and love and accept her completely, but no one gets her like her dad. He’s always been her biggest champion. She doesn’t know what she’d do without him. Another guilty look on Dex’s face. Good.

Gladys asks what more proof Sam needs. Cody was caught red-handed. He’s a low-class crook, spinning lies and tall tales, and using the fact that Sasha sees the good in everyone to cozy up to her vulnerable daughter-in-law just when she lost her husband. Sam says, it’s in the hands of the authorities now, but the bracelet wasn’t even Sasha’s, so the real victim here is the jeweler. Gladys says, a crime is a crime, and Sam says, yes, it is, but why is Gladys taking it so personally?

Cody tells Sasha, he was dancing on stage with Magic Milo, and his tux was in the dressing room. That’s when Gladys planted the bracelet on him. Then she led the search backstage. Sasha says, she would never do such a thing, but Cody says, she would, and she did. He’s sorry. He really didn’t want to tell her this way, but Gladys framed him. Sasha asks why on earth she would do that.

Sonny says he’s been seeing a real growth in Nina and Willow’s relationship, and Dante says, that’s great. He’s hoping the same thing for Sonny and Michael. Sonny says, it’s all going to work out. Call him an optimist… Dante says he doesn’t think he can do that, and Sonny says, then call him a realist. He laughs and says, someday, when this is all over – and that includes Nina – they’re going to be a family again.

Outside somewhere on the phone, Dex says, the Pikeman shipment arrives tonight. He’ll call and let them know what he comes up with.

Sasha says, give her one good reason Gladys would frame Cody for stealing that bracelet, and he says he could give her several thousand. She says she’s sorry, but he says, no, he is, because he can’t tell her. He flashes back to telling Sam about informing Gladys that he was going to let Sasha know she wasn’t to be trusted. But he can’t tell Sam exactly why though, because he likes his kneecaps where they are. He says he’s telling Sasha the truth. Please believe him. Sasha says she’s supposed to believe him over her mother-in-law. The woman who held her when she was sobbing over the loss of her child, and stepped up to be her guardian when her husband died. Gladys has been there for her through some of the worst times of her life, and he expects Sasha to take his side over hers? He says, this is all his fault. He should have told her his suspicions weeks ago, but he didn’t want to hurt her feelings. She says, what suspicions? and he says, remember how he told her, with Gladys, you need to trust, but verify? He’s sorry; he was wrong. She can’t even trust Gladys. She says, no, the person she can no longer trust is him, and walks out. Brook comes back and asks if everything is okay, and Cody says, just great, picking up his empty cereal bowl and leaving.

Gladys tells Sam, she was wearing the bracelet. It would have been her responsibility to replace it. As a cop’s girlfriend, Sam should be more discerning. Supporting Cody is a mistake. Sam laughs, and asks if it would be a mistake for her, or for Gladys, and Gladys walks out.

Molly comes out of the elevator, and says, she didn’t expect to see Alexis here. When was she admitted as a patient? TJ asks how it went, and Alexis asks, what’s wrong?

Laura says, if they go by what Trina told them when she was able to call on the satellite phone – Drew says, the Haunted Star’s heading – it would be moving in this direction, right? She points to a spot on the map, and says, just to this one circled location on that very likely course. Curtis says, then they may know where the ship is headed, and Drew says, and stop Victor. Laura says, and get their loved ones back home.

Trina and Spencer get busy, and he asks if she’s okay. She says, what was that? and he asks if she heard that. She says she didn’t hear anything, and he gets up and looks out the window. He says, they’ve docked. They’ve reached land.

On Monday, Michael says he’s getting married today; Robert says he thinks he’s figured out how to find them; Valentin says his attorney will be handling that; and Tracy tells Felicia that she won’t rest until she proved  than man killed Luke.

👠 Reunion Rumbling…

Andy is starting to age like every President during their time in office.

More Louie weirdness.

🍸 You Know You Want It…

Why Howie Mandel indeed. Even Dorinda can’t make this nice.

Subplot.

Victory lap.

🤽🏾‍♂️ Pending Awfulness…

This is just sad. It’s kind of like the zombie apocalypse, but they turn into perpetual whiny teenagers.

💎 So Who Hasn’t…

What does she want, a medal?

⚰️ Latest Spin…

No surprise, more Walking Dead spin-offs keep on coming.

https://movieweb.com/another-new-walking-dead-spin-off-show-announced/

🐶 Tiny But Competitive…

Another precious nugget to gaze upon.

https://people.com/pets/demi-moore-submits-chihuahua-worlds-shortest-dog/

☄️ Quotes of the Week

The most virtuous are those who content themselves with being virtuous without seeking to appear so. – Plato

Confidence comes not from always being right, but from not fearing to be wrong. – Peter McIntyre

Aerodynamically, the bumble bee shouldn’t be able to fly, but the bumble bee doesn’t know it so it goes on flying anyway. – Mary Kay Ash

Even though you may want to move forward in your life, you may have one foot on the brakes. In order to be free, we must learn how to let go. Release the hurt. Release the fear. Refuse to entertain your old pain. The energy it takes to hang onto the past is holding you back from a new life. What is it you would let go of today?Mary Manin Morrissey

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has. – Margaret Mead

Technological progress has merely provided us with more efficient means for going backwards. – Aldous Huxley

How do you use your rage? Is it your superpower or kryptonite? – Kathleen (Leslie Uggams), Nanny

The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other’s life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof. – Richard David Bach

🏞 Don’t Fence Me In…

Join me on Monday really Tuesday for soap, getting off the Deck dock, and that trainwreck of a House I can’t stop watching and loathing. Until then, stay safe, stay looking after your patch of the earth, and stay always listening to your doctor’s advice.

April 20, 2023 – Victor’s Voyage Is Almost Over, Soap Shuffle, Happy Anniversary Twice, Scandoval Scraps, Confirmation, Fat Cat & Landscape

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

On the phone in the nook, Ned says, they have to deal with this right now. Brook walks in, and he says, they have to mitigate the damage as soon as possible. Call him back. Brook says, that sounded bad. What’s going on? He says, if they don’t do something soon, Valentin could destroy ELQ.

Carly looks at the flower girl basket, and flashes back to Ava telling her, time is running out. This might be the last chance for Nina and Willow. She knows Carly is capable of rising above; she did with Ava for Avery’s sake. Won’t she do it with Nina for Willow’s? The doorbell rings, and Carly opens the door to Nina, who asks, what’s she doing here? Where’s Ava? Carly says, she’s not here, and Nina breezes past her into the house. Nina asks where Ava is, and Carly says, she’s out. Nina asks how long she’ll be gone, but Carly doesn’t know. Hopefully, not too long. Is something wrong? Nina says, yeah, her daughter’s dying, and Carly says, they’re trying to support her as best they can. Nina says, of course (🍷) they all are; she shouldn’t have snapped. She really needs to talk to Ava. She asks again what Carly is doing here, and Carly says she was here when Avery had to leave, so she stayed to watch Avery. Nina says she’s here now, and promises not to leave until Ava gets home. She’ll watch Avery. Carly can go. Carly says she doesn’t think so.

Ava knocks at Portia’s office door, and says she just heard; Trina is missing? Portia says, Trina is on the Haunted Star, and Ava says, so it’s true. Victor kidnapped her too. Portia says, you would think that, but she chose to go on that boat. Her daughter is in danger, and this is all Spencer Cassadine’s fault.

Drew sees Curtis at the hospital, and Curtis thanks him for coming right away. They bro hug, and Drew says he just heard Trina is missing. Curtis says, it was just confirmed she’s on the Haunted Star, and Drew says, what the hell. Victor took her along with Spencer, the baby, and Dr. Obrecht. What’s the purpose in kidnapping all of them? Curtis says, Trina wasn’t kidnapped. Victor doesn’t even know she’s on board. He’s just not sure how long she can stay hidden from him and his men.

Victor says he’s so glad Trina could join them, and Trina tells Ambrose to get his hands off of her, shaking him loose. Spencer flies across the room, but Watkins intercepts him, drawing his gun. Trina tells Spencer that she’s okay. Don’t do anything to make them hurt him. Victor says, how touching. He suggests Spencer take her advice and settle down, or he’ll have them take Trina away. Let him officially welcome her on board. She really is a little slip of a thing. No wonder his man missed her when she slipped on board. Trina says she’s not a little slip of a thing, and Victor says, his apologies; poor choice of words. However, it’s too bad Spencer disobeyed orders, and told her where he was going. Trina says, Spencer told her nothing. She had a feeling something was bothering him, and she followed him herself. Victor says, how industrious of her. Has she enjoyed the cruise so far? Obrecht is brought in, and asks where Trina came from. Victor says, allow him to introduce la saboteur, the reason for their delay. The stowaway who’s been scurrying around the ship, causing all kinds of trouble for their engines. Obrecht says she wondered why they’d stopped, and Victor says, it was the sabotage, plus the missing walkie-talkie that made him think they’d had an uninvited guest on board. So he had his men call a fake drill. He figured she would assume Spencer’s cabin was unguarded and make her way there. And voila, here we are. Trina looks at Spencer, who mouths, it’s okay, and Victor says, she shouldn’t feel too badly about it. It’s a common mistake to equate initial success with ongoing effectiveness. One assumes if something worked once, it will go on working indefinitely. Trina’s advantage was surprise. Once she lost that… here we are. But she is clever, he’ll give her that. So perhaps she’ll help him decide what to do with her.

Nina asks Carly, why not leave? She’s here. She’ll watch Avery. Carly says she promised Ava that she’d stay, but Nina says, that’s not the reason. Carly doesn’t trust her alone with Avery. Carly says she promised Ava that she would stay. She wants to be here when Avery wakes up. Draw any conclusion Nina wants. Nina says, that’s ridiculous. Avery is very comfortable with her, and in the past few months, she’s spent a lot more time with her than Carly has. Carly says, if Nina insists on staying, that’s fine, but they shouldn’t talk to each other. It’s a big house. Pick whatever room she wants, just don’t wake up Avery. Nina says she wouldn’t wake up a sleeping child. Carly really thinks the worst of her, doesn’t she? (Nina hasn’t gotten that by now?) Carly shakes her head, and picks up the basket, and Nina says, it was Carly’s idea, wasn’t it? Carly told Michael not to invite her to Willow’s wedding.

Brook asks Ned if ELQ is in trouble. She knows there was a dip in the market recently, but what does that have to do with Valentin? He says, she knows about the ELQ stock drop? and she says, it’s their family business; yes, she keeps up. She knows the stock took a hit when Valentin’s death was announced, but Ned stepped in as CEO, and things stabilized. He’s been the consistent leader he always was. Ned says he demonstrated to the shareholders and the market that ELQ was still strong. Then news came out about Valentin’s death being a ploy, and that’s when the stock took another hit. It appears the market doesn’t like the idea of a conman running the company. She says, but Valentin didn’t fake his own death because of ELQ. It’s not like he was embezzling money and took off. Ned says, it doesn’t matter. With all the craziness and corruption that goes on in Wall Street these days, people are skittish. Once shareholders and financial partners lose faith in a company, that company’s days are numbered.

Ava says, Portia has raised a very intelligent and courageous young woman, but what was Trina thinking sneaking onto that boat like that? Portia says, she wasn’t thinking; she was following. She was following Spencer into some shady situation, like a moth to a flame. She’s so utterly terrified right now, she can’t even tell Ava. She can’t go home because Curtis isn’t there, and it makes it even more lonely. And she can’t work. All she can do is think of all the different ways Trina could be hurting. Ava says she understands, but they need to keep in mind how smart and capable Trina is. Portia says, not when it comes to Spencer. She loses all common sense when it comes to him. How many times has he lied to her? When he first met her, he said his name was Victor, probably because he idolizes his Great Uncle Victor. Ava says, he may have at the time, but he doesn’t any longer.

Drew says, so Trina managed to get a phone call out? and Curtis says, amazingly, she called Portia on a satellite phone she found. Portia came out and flagged down Jordan, Laura, and him to listen in on speaker phone. Trina even managed to give them the ship’s heading with Laura’s help. Drew says, that’s great. The heading narrows things down, but did she say anything about an exact location? Curtis says, the ship’s GPS was disabled, so they were unable to track the ship remotely. Then she said she had to go, so Curtis told her to leave the phone there. He hated telling her to do that, but if Victor knew one of his phone’s was missing, it would alert him that he had a stowaway. Drew says, that was a good call, and Curtis says, maybe, but he hasn’t had any contact from Trina since, and it’s driving him crazy. Laura convinced him not to storm the PCPD, so he’s been staying close here, seeing if Trina can manage another call to Portia. Drew says, Portia’s here? and Curtis says, she’s in her office. Drew says, and Curtis is out here? Curtis says, yeah, and Drew says he’s sorry they can’t be going through this together, but Curtis says, given the situation, it’s probably best. Anyway, he needed to talk to Drew. He called Drew here for a reason. Drew says, whatever he can do, and Curtis says he needs Drew to tell him more about his connection to Victor Cassadine.

Spencer says, leave Trina alone, but Victor says, Spencer’s hardly in a position to protect her. Spencer says, that’s not going to stop him from trying, and Victor asks for a word with Obrecht… now. He asks if Obrecht enjoyed her reading, and she says, the properties, the pathogen are fascinating; very complex, and virtually unstoppable. He asks if she’s saying it’s beyond her capabilities. Is she not capable of producing a vaccine? She says, nein. She’s already produced several protocols that are capable of working. He says he knew she’d rise to the challenge, but she says she hasn’t agreed to help him. He says, yet.

Spencer asks if Trina is sure she’s all right, and Ambrose says, watch his step, but Spencer says, they’re just talking. Watkins says, let them talk. They can’t plan anything with them standing right here. Trina says she’s okay; the guard didn’t try to hurt her. She’s sorry she fell for the trap. She blew it. Spencer says, it’s okay. She ran circles around these morons for 24 hours, and she stopped the ship. That’s all that matters. She says, at least she did that, and he says, it’s okay. She may have saved them. They’re going to get out of this.

Carly says, and Nina wonders why she didn’t want to leave Avery with her. She’s delusional. If Michael and Willow didn’t invite her to their wedding, it’s because they didn’t want her there. Nina says, be honest with her. When Carly found out Michael was going to invite Sonny to the wedding, Carly didn’t encourage Willow to shut her out? Carly says, Michael invited Sonny? and Nina says, Michael and Willow didn’t ask Carly’s permission for Michael to invite his own father to his wedding? Will wonders never cease. Carly says she gets it. Michael invited Sonny, and not Nina, and Sonny accepted, even though Nina was excluded. Nina says she wanted Sonny to go to the wedding because she knows how much his relationship with his son means to him. Carly says, maybe more than she thought. It sounds like Sonny has finally gotten his priorities straight. She doesn’t give a damn what Sonny does anymore, but he is Michael and Donna’s father. And it just makes her glad that Sonny is finally choosing to put his family ahead of Nina.

Curtis tells Drew that he and Laura were talking about Esme, and how tricky her memory situation is. Then he remembered Drew telling him that Victor used the tarot card on him to trigger his memory. Drew says, it didn’t work. Where is Curtis going with this? Curtis says, Victor was hellbent on getting Drew to remember something. According to Drew, he went to a lot of trouble. Drew says he thinks that’s the reason Victor put up with Peter August as long as he did, because Peter was promising to deliver something he was supposed to remember. Curtis wonders if it’s something that could lead them to where Victor’s headed, and Drew says he gets why Curtis is going down this road – Trina might be his daughter – but he’s grasping at straws. Curtis says he’ll take a straw, and Drew says, all he knows is, Victor wanted information about something called Operation Demeter. Curtis says, it means nothing to Drew? and Drew says he’s reasonably certain that it’s a black op he was involved in when he was a Navy SEAL, but he has huge gaps about that time in his life. He tried to remember. He tried to do everything. He sat for hours going over his service records, although most of it was redacted. He tried to piece together everything that was listed there, but he just couldn’t remember; he’s got nothing. Curtis says, okay. Drew was involved in the plot to overthrow Victor with Valentin and Anna, right? Drew says, just at the very end, but yeah, and Curtis says he needs Drew to tell him everything he knows about Victor Cassadine.

Portia tells Ava that Spencer has caused Trina non-stop heartache, but now she’s vulnerable. Did Trina tell Ava what happened after the wedding? Ava says she knows Curtis might be Trina’s father, and Portia asks if Trina told her that they’ve been estranged ever since. The same thing with Curtis. She messed up. She kept the truth from all of them because she wanted to give Trina the best life she possibly could. At least that’s what she told herself anyway. Ava says, the lies seem to catch up with them, don’t they? She knows all about making mistakes in the name of doing what’s best for your child. Portia was just being the best mom she could be. Portia thanks her for that, but says, the damage is already done. Trina thinks Spencer is the only one she can count on, so she followed him into danger. Portia wishes Trina had never met him. If Trina survives this, Portia promises she’ll make sure Trina never sees Spencer again.

Victor has Spencer and Trina brought out on the deck, and Spencer asks what they’re doing out here. Victor says he’s getting tired of Spencer’s shortsightedness, and Spencer says, there’s nothing they can see by darkness. Victor says, and even more tired of his games. He’s giving Spencer one last chance to join him. He’s not just offering Spencer part of his legacy, he’s offering Spencer a front row seat. To be a part of the glorious future of our planet unburdened by overpopulation. He already has Ace to carry on the Cassadine name, but he was hoping to have Spencer by his side. Spencer says, by his side when he reduces the world’s population. It’s sick. Victor says, hard choices have to be made to balance the ratio of people to natural resources on this planet. Without antibiotics and modern medicine, population attrition would have already happened naturally. (Not necessarily but go on.) He’s just trying to right the scale. Spencer says he can’t be a part of this, but Victor tell him not to fool himself. There is steel in that spine. Spencer took his father’s son from him, and drove him out. He certainly possesses that clarity of mind and purpose to do whatever’s necessary. Spencer is a Cassadine. Trina says, Spencer is nothing like Victor. He has a good heart, despite what his family wants him to be. He told her about Victor and Helena, and he will never be that person. Victor says, Spencer is way too smart to throw away his legacy for a pretty face, but Spencer says, Trina is so much more than that. She’s the bravest person he knows. She never shies away from the truth, and she knows right from wrong. Thanks to her, he’s starting to figure that out for himself. He doesn’t share Victor’s vision, and he’ll never join Victor, no matter what Victor does to him. Victor says, Spencer breaks his heart. Throw her over the side. Watkins picks Trina up, and another guard holds Spencer back. Obrecht almost runs to them, but gets a grip.

Ava tells Portia that she knows Spencer pretty well, and it’s true he was once reckless and vindictive, entitled, petty, but now… Portia says, don’t tell her that he’s a changed man, but Ava says, since he met Trina, there’s been a shift in him. Portia says, Trina shouldn’t have to be Spencer Cassadine’s conscience, and Ava says, no argument there. But this change since he’s come back to Port Charles can be directly tied to Trina. Portia says, and any pain Trina had can be tied directly back to Spencer, and Ava says she can’t argue that, but Trina chooses to be with Spencer, and she thinks they need to respect that. Portia and Trina will never reconcile if Portia keeps badmouthing him. Portia says, and that may be a moot point. They may never reconcile if Trina doesn’t make it back.

Brook says, no disrespect, but doesn’t Ned think he might be overreacting? ELQ has had downturns in the past, and always come out stronger. Ned says he doesn’t overreact; the market does. A good investor lives for this. Their stock drops, and shareholders get nervous and start selling. Next thing you know, in come the corporate raiders. First sign of weakness, and the sharks start circling. He’s going to have to make some tough decisions to streamline and cut costs, but he really doesn’t want to have to fire thousands of employees to do it. Brook says, it’s that bad, huh? What can we do? He says, they have to reassure the market that ELQ is stable, strong. Valentin hasn’t even talked yet to the press and explain his actions. Brook says, that’s because Anna’s been in ICU, and Ned says he’s not asking Valentin to hold a press conference. He could make a written statement. The longer he stays silent, the worse it looks. Valentin won’t return his phone calls. Brook says, it’s not the first thing on his mind, but Ned says, it should be. Anna’s being well taken care of at GH. Valentin is their CEO. The health and well-being of this company is his responsibility, and Ned thought he knew that. The Quartermaines have always understood. Whether it’s grandfather, him, or Michael, they understand that to keep ELQ strong and stable, you need committed leadership. (Really? Michael understood that?) Ned is starting to regret siding with Valentin when Michael and Drew wanted him ousted.

Nina tells Carly that she’s never asked Sonny to choose between her and his family, and never will. She wanted him to go to that wedding, even if it’s without her. Carly says, that’s very noble. She’s sure Sonny appreciates the sacrifice. (Hmm… She doesn’t sound sarcastic…) Nina says, she’s not just missing her daughter’s wedding; she’s missing what could be her last days. The daughter she’s never really been able to know, and that’s Carly’s fault. Carly says, Nina and Willow have known each other for years. Nina was unfair to Willow when she was Charlotte’s teacher. She attacked Michael and Willow in open court. The list goes on and on and on. It’s no wonder Willow doesn’t like her. Nina says, that was before they knew they were mother and daughter, and Carly says, exactly. It was all right for Nina to be a bitch to Willow when she wasn’t a relative, and the only thing that’s different now, is Nina knows Willow is her daughter. Then suddenly, Willow is wonderful. Willow has been wonderful all along, but Nina couldn’t see it. (This is one of the things that pisses me off about Carly. Like she doesn’t turn a blind eye to her own children’s faults and treat them differently than strangers.) Nina still doesn’t see it. Willow is a person, with wants and needs in her level of comfort. But Nina doesn’t care. The only thing she cares about is that Willow is hers. Her possession; her daughter. No wonder Willow doesn’t want to be with Nina or around her. Instead of facing that fact, Nina wants to blame it all on her. Nina says she’s made mistakes, but it’s Carly’s fault she doesn’t have a chance to earn Willow’s forgiveness because they’re running out of time because her daughter’s dying. It is Carly’s fault.

Drew tells Curtis, since Victor came back to Port Charles, he’s been focused on locating a code that’s etched in one of the diamonds I the Ice Princess necklace. Curtis says, so all of the killings – Luke Spencer, the Deputy Mayor; Anna, Lucy, Valentin going missing – that was all over a necklace? Drew says, Valentin learned that the code is actually a set of coordinates indicating a bunker Victor’s brother Mikkos hid something in that Victor wants. Curtis says, so now Victor has the necklace? and Drew says, he acquired it the night of the Nurses Ball. Curtis says, the same night he left on the Haunted Star, and Drew says, yeah. (What a pair of rocket scientists, eh?) Presumably he has the location of Mikkos’s bunker, and that’s where he’s headed. Curtis says, and Victor thought Drew knew the location of the bunker? and Drew says, yeah. Curtis says, then Drew needs to remember. Somehow, whatever it takes. Trina’s life depends on it.

Victor says, hold, and everything stops. He asks if Spencer will do as he says, and Spencer says he’ll go along with whatever Victor wants, whatever he says, as long as Trina doesn’t get hurt. Victor says, so he’ll stop resisting, and Spencer says, yes, as long as Trina’s safe. Please. He’ll go along with Victor’s plan. He’ll be by Victor’s side to shape the world. Victor tells Watkins to release Trina, and the other guard lets go of Spencer. Trina runs to Spencer, and he holds her, saying, that’s all right; people are coming. Victor says, that’s where he’s wrong. No one can save them. Spencer says he just told Victor that he’d do whatever Victor wants, and Victor asks if Spencer thinks he’s stupid enough to believe anything Spencer says. He was looking for a partner; someone to share his vision. Instead, he got an ungrateful, duplicitous whelp ready to stab him in the back at a moment’s notice. (Take that RHONJ.) Fine. Spencer and Trina can both drown. The guards grab Trina and Spencer again.

Brook hopes Ned isn’t thinking of asking Michael and Drew for help with ousting Valentin, because the last time he did that, Ned double-crossed them, and their relationship hasn’t been the same since. Ned says, it wasn’t a double-cross; it was a tactical adjustment. And he did what was best for ELQ. She says, he did what was best for himself, and he says he did think his position at ELQ would be stronger if Valentin remained CEO, but let’s be clear, at the time, ELQ was thriving under Valentin’s leadership. There was no reason to vote him out. She says, but now circumstances have changed, and Ned says, yes. Because Valentin is all wrapped up in his family’s business, while ELQ suffers. He understands what Valentin is going through right now on a personal level, but it won’t change his business decision. Valentin has to go.

Carly says she didn’t give Willow leukemia, and she didn’t kidnap Liesl to delay the bone marrow transplant, and Nina says, of course (🍷) not. But if Carly had told the truth about that DNA test, Willow would have gotten that bone marrow transplant months ago, and she’d already be cancer free. Carly says, they didn’t know about Willow’s diagnosis months ago, and Nina asks if she doesn’t understand. If Willow had known she was her mother – whether Willow accepted her or not – when the possibility of a bone marrow transplant came up, Willow would have come to her immediately, instead of waiting months and months through that farce that Drew put everyone through looking for her birth parents. She was here all along. Carly says she told Nina, the second she found out Willow had leukemia and needed a bone marrow transplant, she told Nina that she wasn’t a match. Nina says, but Liesl was a match, and she would have gotten tested immediately, and this whole nightmare would have been done and over with.

Portia tells Ava that she’s so sorry. She didn’t realize she had any more tears to cry. Ava says, please don’t be sorry. She gets it; she’s a mom too. Portia hopes it’s not too late for her and Trina, and Ava says, it’s not. She knows that because Trina called Portia. When she was in danger and scared, she called her mom. Portia says, and Trina told her that she loved her. She didn’t think she’d hear those words again from Trina, but now she wonders if it’s going to be the last time. She starts to cry again, and Ava says, those will be the first words Trina says when she sees Portia again. Believe it. Ava says she should get home to Avery, and Portia thanks her. Ava says, if she hears anything… Portia says, of course (🍷) she’ll keep Ava updated, and Ava says, when Trina comes home, they have all the time they need to work things out. She tells Portia, everything is going to work out, and leaves.

Spencer says, Victor wants to kill him? Is that what Victor did to his father? Victor says he doesn’t know where Nikolas ran off to, and doesn’t really care. Spencer is just as much of a disappointment. At least he has Ace and can raise him as he pleases. Spencer says, please, Ace needs him, and Victor says, goodbye, Spencer. He starts to walk away, but Obrecht steps in front of him, and says, stop this nonsense. He asks if she wants to join them, but she says, no. She wants to use them.

Carly says, if Nina wants to know the cold, hard truth, she kept the DNA results a secret for Willow’s sake. Willow told her that she didn’t want to find her birth mother because she was afraid she’d turn out to be someone like Nina. Nina disrespected Willow at every turn. She accused Willow of having an affair. She bothered Willow over and over again when Nina knew she was having a difficult pregnancy. She knew it would devastate Willow to find out a woman she hated was her mother. So don’t look at her as the cause of the non-relationship with her daughter. Take a look in the mirror. The blame lies solely on Nina.  Nina says she should have the rest of Willow’s life to make it up to her, but she doesn’t because Willow’s life is measured in days, and that’s Carly. She stole that time from them. She did that. Nina walks out.

Drew says, if he knew anything that could lead them to Victor, he’d tell Curtis in a heartbeat, but he just can’t remember. Curtis says he’s sorry for pushing Drew for information he doesn’t have, and Drew says, Trina managed to get her hands on a satellite phone once; maybe she can do it again. Curtis says, maybe. Even before he realized Trina might be his daughter, he just loved her to pieces. She’s so fun and so bright, and she definitely keeps him on his toes. And she’s principled; he likes that. She’s an amazing young woman. So imagine her keeping it together under those circumstances; so focused and so brave. She had to be terrified. Drew asks if Curtis knows who he sounds like. He sounds like a proud father, and Trina sounds just like Curtis, unable to sit back without doing anything. Curtis sees Portia, and jets over to her. He asks if Trina called again, but she says, no. She didn’t even realize he was still here. He says he couldn’t leave, not while Trina’s out there somewhere in danger.

Victor tells his guys to wait, and Obrecht asks why he’d toss Trina and Spencer overboard when they can still be of use. She needs subjects to test any vaccine she develops. Victor asks if she’s saying she’s on board (no pun intended?), and she’ll join his cause, and she says she thinks his cause is madness. But she sees he’s committed to it, and doesn’t want to die, so out of self-preservation. He asks if she’s sure that’s all it is, and she says she certainly doesn’t have any personal feelings for him, if that’s what he’s implying. However, the science has merit. The research. She’s intrigued by creating a vaccine to combat such a complex pathogen. It will be a singular achievement. He says, there’s nothing else like it, and she says, if it fails, it’s of no consequence to her. She’s been living a half-life since Britta’s death, but this challenge has awakened her. She feels alive again. It might even keep her going.

Spencer tells Trina that he’s so sorry. This is all his fault. She says, she followed him, but he says, if he’d left her alone, she’d still be safe now. She says, then he’d be alone, but he says he’d know she was okay. She says, but then she’d wonder if he was. At least this way they’re together. He says he has to find a way to save her and his brother, and Trina says, someone will come and save them. They just need a little time. He says, maybe Dr. Obrecht will give them just that. He just wishes he knew what she was thinking. Trina says she hates the idea of being a test subject, and he says, so does he, but if Obrecht can convince his uncle that she needs them alive, maybe it will buy them more time to figure out a solution before they’re turned into human guinea pigs.

Brook says, Michael and Drew are going to know something’s up the moment Ned tries to reconcile with them, and he says, with all that’s going on with Willow, he’s already made overtures to Michael. Michael knows it’s from his heart. As far as him and Drew, he sees a path there. Drew’s a reasonable guy. This is worth pursuing. She says, huh, and he says he thought she’d be thrilled; the possibility of some Quartermaine family unity for a change. She says she is, it’s just… blindsiding Valentin and ousting (WOTD) him when his life is in upheaval and his guard is down, and Ned says, it’s business. Valentin’s a businessman. She says, he’s also a Cassadine. Valentin isn’t someone Ned wants as his enemy.

Drew tells Curtis and Portia that he wishes he could help. The only thing he knows about Operation Demeter is the name. Curtis wonders if they could pressure the Navy to unseal the records. What about Robert’s connection with the WSB? Drew says, the Navy won’t answer to the WSB. They won’t even acknowledge the op existed. Portia says she can’t believe in this whole wide world there isn’t someone who can tell them what Operation Demeter was. Drew says, wait a minute. Maybe there is.

Ava comes back to Windymere, and thanks Carly for keeping an eye on Avery. Carly asks if there’s any word on Trina, but Ava says, unfortunately, it’s still a waiting game. Carly says, Avery’s fine; she never woke up. Ava says, good, and asks if everything is okay. Carly says, Nina was here, and Ava asks how it went. Carly tells Ava, if she ever feels compelled to give her advice – don’t – and walks out.  

Nina gets in her car, and flashes back to Carly telling her the cold, hard truth; that Willow didn’t want to find her birth mother for fear she’d turn out to be someone like Nina, and to look in the mirror. Nina calls Carly a bitch, and says, nothing is ever your fault, is it? She flashes back to Ava telling her, if Carly bought Aurora stock knowing a merger was on the horizon, that’s insider trading, and Carly and Drew would be open to prosecution. Nina says, it might be time for Carly to face some consequences of her own, and drives away.

Watkins says, copy that, and tells Victor, Ambrose says the engine should be repaired within the hour. Victor says, that’s good news, and tells Trina, it seems she didn’t cost them that much time. Spencer asks what he’s going to do with them, but Victor says, Spencer doesn’t get to ask questions. He tells a guard to take them and lock them up, and Trina says, he’s not going to kill them? Victor tells her, as Dr. Obrecht said, they’re still useful to him, and when that’s no longer so, he’ll dispose of them. Obrecht says, a wise choice, but she’ll need healthy subjects to work on the vaccine. He must feed and water them like any lab rat, so the tests are uncompromised. Spencer tells Trina that they’re going to make it out of this, but Victor says he doesn’t see how that’s possible. The voyage is almost over. Despite the delay, they should arrive at Mikkos’s bunker by morning. Then Liesl can get to work.

Tomorrow, Cody tells Brook that someone is the last person in the world he wants to hurt; Sasha asks if there’s some other reason Gladys wants to leave town; and Alexis asks TJ if there’s any hope.

🙋🏽‍♀️ Goodbye Hello…

Two leaving, one coming, a return, and an anniversary. Victor, we loved hating you.

💐 Anniversary Times Two…

Today – April 21st! Although that’s just if you want to watch it live. I’m sure it will remain on YouTube in perpetuity. This guy does a good interview.

🍸 Random Tidbits…

More on those red flags from yesterday’s Vanderpump Rules.

https://jezebel.com/scandoval-sandoval-leviss-vanderpump-rules-episode-1850356425

Ariana’s new man. Good for her.

https://www.tmz.com/2023/04/16/ariana-madix-cozy-new-man-coachella-scandoval/

No, Billie Lee. You most definitely have to pick sides. Sandoval was a scumbag, and Ariana got the short end of the stick. End of story. You do look good though.

💎 Now That the Rat’s Away…

It’s not like she joined the cast, but she might make it more palatable.

https://www.etonline.com/denise-richards-confirms-shes-returning-to-real-housewives-of-beverly-hills-203079

🐈‍⬛ Here Kitty, Kitty…Wow…

This was on the news here tonight. That’s one big cat.

https://people.com/pets/patches-40-pound-fat-cat-adopted-in-richmond/

👀 Looking For Waldo…

Slide into my blog tomorrow for soap, a choice tea selection, words I’ve heard, and music befitting the occasion. Until then, stay safe, stay smoking them if you’ve got them, and stay not equating initial success with ongoing effectiveness.

April 19, 2023 – Michael Invites Sonny To the Wedding, Raquel Is Shocked That Oliver Misled Her Because She’s Hella Stupid, Five, Twinsies & Convenient

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Esme checks out of the hospital, and Elizabeth says, she’s had a head injury. She wants Esme to call if she has any of these symptoms. Is there anything else she can do for her? Esme says she needs to speak with Dr. Gatlin-Holt. It could be a matter of life and death.

Laura asks if Portia’s heard any more from Trina, and Curtis says, no, but Jordan has IT monitoring Portia’s phone in case she calls again. But it’s not enough. He’s going down to the PCPD and find out what’s taking so long to find the Haunted Star. Laura tells him that he can’t do that. It’s not going to help anyone; least of all Trina.

Trina sneaks back into Spencer’s stateroom, and he hugs her, saying, he was going crazy. He asks if she’s okay, and she says she’s fine. She’s sorry his uncle is denying him food. She can try to get him something… He says, it’s not worth the risk, and she says, they’ll leave soon enough. It worked. He says, she made contact in the communications room? She says she did, and more. She holds up the walkie.

Watkins tells Victor, the nurse says the baby is sleepless and constantly crying, and Victor asks what he’s supposed to do about it. Ambrose walks in, and Victor asks what he’s doing here. He’s supposed to be guarding Spencer’s room. Ambrose says, the deadbolt’s locked, and Victor says he’s heard that before. Why did Ambrose leave his post? Ambrose says, there’s a walkie-talkie unaccounted for. It’s most likely misplaced, but… Victor asks why he’s being bothered with these mundane details. Ambrose is supposed to be guarding his nephew, not counting inventory. Now get back to doing just that. Unlocked doors, mislaid equipment, inept nurserymaids. What is he running here, some kind of sloppy clown show? It’s unacceptable. He runs a tight ship. This carelessness will not be tolerated. They might have walked on as crew, but he can see to it they’re carried off as cargo.

At Windymere, Avery does a jigsaw puzzle, while Ava supervises. Ava says, well done, and Avery yawns. Ava says, it’s past Avery’s bedtime, but Avery says she can’t go to sleep yet. If she does, then Ava will be lonely. She hopes Daddy Nikolas comes back soon. Ava says, all she needs is Avery. How about if they read a bedtime story to each other? Avery says, yeah, and hugs her. The doorbell rings, and Carly says she knows Ava’s home. Avery says, that’s Mama Carly, and I say, pretty impatient since this is a 46 room house. Ava opens the door, and Avery runs over to hug Carly, saying, she’s so happy to see her.

Sonny and Nina go into the chapel, and Nina asks if it’s more bad news about Willow, but he says, no; nothing has changed about her health. Brook told him that Michael and Willow are moving up the wedding, and they’re getting married tomorrow. That’s a good thing, right? They have a baby, and deserve to be happy. She says she wishes she could see it that way, but there’s nothing to celebrate about this wedding. It’s the beginning of the end.

Carly asks if Avery has grown another inch, and Avery starts dragging her to the living room to look at her puzzle, but Ava suggests she work on it some more. They’ll be right in. Avery runs to the living room, and Ava asks, what’s going on? Carly says, Willow’s moved her and Michael’s wedding up. They’re getting married tomorrow. Ava says, why the rush?… Oh, she sees. She’s so sorry. Carly says, Willow would like Avery to be part of the wedding party. She’d like it to be a family affair.

Sonny asks why Nina says this wedding is the end, and she says, doesn’t he see why they’re doing this? He says, they love each other, they just had a baby… She says, and they’re running out of time. He says, giving your life to another person is a beautiful expression of love, and Nina agrees, even if that life is nearly over. Saying I do might be the last thing that Willow does. His phone rings, and she tells him to get it. It’s Michael, who asks, where is he? and Sonny says, the hospital chapel. Is everything okay? Michael says he needs to see Sonny, and Sonny asks if he’s at the gatehouse. Sonny will come to him. Michael says, Willow is resting with the baby. He’ll come to Sonny. Sonny says he’ll be here, and tells Nina that Michael’s coming here. Does she have any idea what that’s about?

Carly looks at the puzzle, and says, Avery is almost done. Avery asks what’s in the bag Carly is carrying, and Carly says she’s glad Avery asked. She takes out a white basket adorned with ribbons, and asks if Avery knows what this is. Avery says, it’s so pretty, and Carly tells her, it’s so pretty because it’s special. Ava says, only for flower girls, and Carly says, Donna has one too. And this could be Avery’s if she accepts a very important job. It’s for Michael and Willow’s wedding. Avery says, yes. She’s always wanted to be a flower girl.

Laura tells Curtis, the crime is taking place in international waters, way beyond the scope of the PCPD. They’ve reached out to the appropriate authorities, and also managed to freeze Victor’s assets, which should make it a little more difficult for him to operate. Curtis says, that doesn’t get them any closer to finding the Haunted Star, but she tells him to think about this for a moment. Jordan is being pulled in every direction imaginable; with Anna being shot, Laura’s grandsons being kidnapped, Esme being attacked, and Trina a stowaway. If Curtis goes marching down to the PCPD demanding answers… He says, then he’ll just be another distraction, and she says, exactly. She suggests they put their heads together and come up with a way to help where they’re not getting in the way.

Austin says he hears Esme suffered a head injury. How is she feeling? Esme says, never mind her. She’s fine, but her baby isn’t.

Trina tells Spencer, her mom, his grandmother, Jordan, and Curtis know they’re on the boat, and Laura was familiar with this boat and the communications room. Laura talked her through so she could find the heading on the radar screen. Spencer wonders if there’s anything his grandmother can’t do, and Trina says she just hopes she gave them enough so they can find them. He asks why she took the walkie, and she says, so they can know what the guards do. So now they just have to sit tight and wait to be rescued. He says he hopes they can find them in time, and she asks what he means. He says, while she was gone, he found out a few things himself. He always knew his Uncle Victor was a very powerful man with all kinds of connections, and knew he could be ruthless. But that man is more dangerous than he ever could have imagined. He has this plan that could endanger millions of lives, and if they don’t stop him before they make landfall, it will be too late for all of them.

Trina says, Spencer’s uncle wants to reduce the global population? and he says, yes. His uncle has made this his life’s mission, like some maniacal zealot. He only intends to clear out half the world’s population. The Cassadines are excepted, of course (🍷), so he can convince them to come over to the dark side. He wonders if Esme and his dad found out about this, and his uncle did something with them. Trina tells him, they can’t say that for sure, but they do know his uncle is insane. No one can engineer the future of humanity. He asks if she wants to be the one to tell him that. The captain talks on the radio, and she says, they can’t be allowed to reach wherever they’re headed. This might be her only chance. She knows where the engine room is. He says, she’s taken enough risks already, and she says, but what if their families don’t find them in time to stop Victor? She can buy them some time, so they can catch up to them. He says he knows that she’s smart and brave, but be careful. Promise him that she’s not going to take any unnecessary risks because he doesn’t know what he’ll do. She promises, and says she wants to come back to him. He kisses her, and she says, this is about more than just them now. They have no choice. They have to do something. It’s up to them. She peeks outside, locks the deadbolt, and jets. I have a vision of Victor tied up, saying, those meddling kids!

Esme says, her baby’s been kidnapped, and Austin says he knows. It’s terrifying. He hopes it’s some comfort to her, but he was once close to someone who had a baby kidnapped too. She was told to stay strong and keep it together. He thinks it’s really important that in moments like this they remain hopeful that Ace is going to be fine, and he’ll be back in her arms really soon. She asks if his friend got her baby back, and he says, she did. Elizabeth says, the PCPD is on it, and they’re going to find her baby, but Esme says, Ace’s cholic isn’t being treated. The stuff Austin gave her was in his diaper bag, and the kidnapper just left it. Austin says, if she’s concerned Ace’s cholic is going to turn into a serious health crisis, she doesn’t need to be. It’s not life threatening, and will probably just resolve itself. Elizabeth says, Ace isn’t going to suffer any lasting harm from cholic, but Esme says she hates the idea of him suffering at all. Austin says he knows, but these things have a way of working out. She says, but who’s rocking him to sleep at night? How does she know he’s eating properly if she’s not there to do it? Elizabeth says she heard that Spencer was also kidnapped, so they’re probably together. She knows Spencer will do whatever he can to comfort his baby brother and protect him. Esme asks if Elizabeth is saying she shouldn’t worry because her baby doesn’t need her.

Carly thanks Ava for letting her tuck Avery in, and Ava says, it was the only way they were going to pry the basket out of her hands. Carly says she should have known Avery would want to practice her flower girl duties, and Ava says she’s sure it will be a lovely ceremony. Carly says, aside from the fact that the bride may be dying, and Ava says, no one can predict the future. Her current feelings about love and marriage aside, she thinks this wedding is a great idea; life affirming even. Carly agrees, and says, celebrating with family and friends is the perfect medicine for Willow. She tells Ava that she’ll see herself out, and Ava says she wants to be clear on something. Carly said earlier that the wedding was going to be a family affair. She’s just curious. Does that include Nina and Sonny?

Sonny tells Nina, they’re moving up the wedding because of Willow’s condition, but that’s not the only reason. They’re saying to the world that they love each other, and that love should be celebrated, despite any situation. She says, he’s right, and despite her differences with Michael, she has to admit, his son loves her daughter. He says, more than anything, and she says, they’ll celebrate them getting married even though they can’t be there with them. Michael walks in.

Ambrose opens Spencer’s door, and Victor comes in carrying Ace, and looking like he’s never carried a baby before. Spencer says, Victor brought him. Is he okay? Victor hands Spencer the baby, and says, he’s fussy and restless, and he thought a visit with his brother would do them both some good.

The engine room guard gets called to the deck, and Trina runs inside.

Elizabeth says she wasn’t suggesting Esme’s son doesn’t need her, but Esme says, please, people have been lined up to take Ace away from her since the moment he was born. Austin says, she’s Ace’s mom, and from what he’s observed, she’s a conscientious and loving parent, so give herself a break. Don’t let people get in her head. She says she’s sorry, but he says, she doesn’t need to apologize. They’re all just really hopeful that Ace returns safely. She says, they’ve both been a great comfort, thanks them, and leaves. Elizabeth says, he handled that well, and he says, she did too, so thanks for that. Elizabeth says she didn’t want to get into that with Esme, but she’s lived through that trauma. Everything turned out okay, but when she didn’t know what was happening to her child… it’s indescribable terror. He says he’s glad she came through it okay, and he hopes Esme gets through it okay. She’s been through a lot, and he really feels for her. She tells him that she never thought she’d say this, but so does she.

Laura tells Curtis that she and Doc have a friend who’s a brigadier general, and he may be able to assist the coastguard. Curtis says, and he still has some contacts from his law enforcement and P.I. days. He wants to get a bead on Victor’s support personnel. From the description of the safehouse takeover, they sound like paramilitary. She says, that’s a very good point. He’s got a lot of resources. Esme joins them, and says she’s officially been released… although some may say she doesn’t deserve to be.

Carly says, the guest list is up to Michael and Willow, and Ava says she’s sure they took her feelings into consideration. Carly says, if Nina and Sonny aren’t invited, it’s not because of her, and Ava says she just knows Michael and Willow love Carly, and want her to be comfortable. And that might dictate who they include, and who they choose not to include. Carly says, Michael and Willow have their reasons for who they choose to invite and who they choose to exclude, and Ava says, of course (🍷). She just thinks a health crisis of this magnitude would bring them all together, and not make a bigger divide. Carly asks, what’s it to Ava? Why does she care? Ava says, Nina. Nina’s her friend, and she’s devastated about Willow, the daughter Carly kept from her. So she can’t ask if her friend has been invited to her daughter’s big day? Carly asks why Ava and Nina are friends. What could they possibly have in common? Besides hating her.

Nina says she hears congratulations are in order, and wishes Michael and Willow the best on their big day. Michael barely nods, and Nina excuses herself. Michael asks how Nina… and Sonny says, Brook. Michael says he’ll have to thank her for saving him the trouble, and Sonny says, Brook felt terrible for letting it slip, but he’s glad she did. He’s really happy for Michael and Willow. Give Willow his best wishes. Michael says, or Sonny could do it himself, and Sonny asks what that means. Michael asks if Sonny would like to attend their wedding. He and Willow want this to be a family affair, so that includes Sonny. Sonny says, there’s nothing he wouldn’t do for Michael or Willow, and Michael says, Willow wants to keep it simple, so it’s going to be intimate. The guest list is going to be small. Sonny says he’s even more honored to be included, and Michael says he hopes Sonny understands this invitation is for him alone. Sonny says, so Michael wants him to come to his wedding, but doesn’t want Nina to come, and Michael turns to see Nina in the doorway. Technically, I can see both sides. Not everybody gets a plus one, and Sonny isn’t engaged to Nina.

Ava says she doesn’t hate Carly, and Carly says, her friend Nina sure does. And here Ava is, doing her bidding. How is this so-called friendship even possible? The woman immobilized Ava, and forced her to give birth to Avery. Ava says, Nina has definitely benefited from forgiveness and grace, and Carly asks if Ava is telling her that when she looks at Nina, she doesn’t see what Nina did to her. All is forgiven and forgotten? Ava says, to be honest, she tries not to think about it; and when she looks at Nina, she doesn’t see the disturbed woman she used to be. She sees the woman who has gotten help; who has turned her life around, and yeah, she and Nina have become friends, as unlikely as that is. It feels a lot better than harboring bitterness and resentment. Carly thanks Ava for the inspirational talk, and says, next time, she’ll make sure to wear beads and bring a candle. Ava says she’s not trying to get into it with Carly. She just wants Carly to see how much power she has here. She’s on the inside, and that gives her the perfect opportunity to broker peace. Carly says, since when did Ava become an authority on peace? and Ava says she gets a lot of quiet in this old house, but no peace. She’s just trying to spare Carly her regrets. Carly says, what regrets?

Elizabeth thanks Austin for dropping everything to be with Esme, but he says he was happy to help. Amy glances at Austin, and when he looks at her, she turns away. Austin quietly asks if Elizabeth can tell him why Amy is looking at him like that; she’s been doing it all day. Elizabeth asks Amy if there’s something Austin can help her with, and I miss something here, but the gist of it is, Amy tells Austin to watch out for Ava.

Carly asks if there’s anything else Ava needs to say to her; any more insight into her behavior? Ava says, just one more thing. This may be the last chance for Nina and Willow. She knows Carly is capable of rising above; she’s seen Carly do it with her for Avery’s sake. Won’t she do it with Nina for Willow’s? Carly says, it’s not her call. It’s Willow’s choice to make. Whatever boundaries she’s set with Nina, it’s what she’s comfortable with. Ava says, she tried, and walks to the door. Carly says, maybe she’s trying so hard to fix Nina because she can’t fix Trina, and Ava says, what about Trina? Did something happen?

Laura introduces Curtis to Esme, and Esme says she recognizes the name, but… He says, they’ve met before, but he’s sure she doesn’t recall, and she says, something tells her it’s best she doesn’t. It’s nice meeting him again. She tells Laura that she’s going to grab a drink from the cafeteria, and leaves. Curtis says he doesn’t know how Laura does it. He doesn’t know how she has Esme under her roof. Laura says, Esme is the mother of her grandson. He can relate to this. Family is everything, right?

Victor says, cholic? and Spencer says, it’s a condition where perfectly healthy babies will sometimes cry for hours. It seems Ace is a little bit fussy right now. He’s surprised Victor’s nanny didn’t know this. Victor says, that’s why he brought the little tyke to Spencer, and Spencer says he’s happy Victor did. He’s happy to help. Ace can stay here with him. Victor tells him not to press his luck, and Spencer says, Victor may not believe him, but babies, especially infants, need routine and familiarity. Victor says he wouldn’t know anything about that. He hasn’t had any interaction with babies; not with Valentin, or any child. Spencer asks if that’s what this is about. Did losing Valentin finally push him over the edge? Victor says, this has been his plan all along. He did include his treacherous son, but it’s his loss. Spencer says, Victor said is. Is he saying Valentin is still alive? Victor says, the incident in Paris was just a ruse. It worked for a while. He was distracted with grief for a son who was alive and well. Meanwhile, Valentin and his allies were conspiring to keep him from the one thing he needed to complete his mission. Valentin betrayed him, and very nearly condemned this planet. Valentin’s alive, but when all is said and done, he’ll wish he was dead. As will anyone who stands in his way.

Victor says he’ll take the baby back to his nurse. Hopefully, she’ll know how to deal with this cholic. Spencer says, Victor didn’t give up on his father. Why should he give up on his own son? It’s not too late for him to put this plan of his on ice, and reconcile with Valentin. Victor says, nice try. Don’t make him regret allowing this visit. There’s a knock at the door, and Watkins asks to speak with Victor privately. In the hallway, Watkins says, there’s trouble with the engine. The electrical cable that supplies power to the motors is badly damaged. The engineer says, if he can’t fix it, he may have to call for an emergency tow vessel. Victor says to tell the engineer he’d better damn well fix it, or Victor will scuttle this ship with him on board.

Curtis asks if Laura really believes Esme doesn’t remember who she is – or what – and Laura says she hasn’t seen any signs that she does. But she can understand his reservations. What she did to Trina was a pretty serious thing. Honestly, she doesn’t feel like that person anymore. Even Trina argued for her to be released. He says, but what about when her memory returns? and Laura says, even if she does recover her memory, that doesn’t mean she’s going to revert back to who she was. She’s had so many conversations with Doc about this, and he’s made it clear to her that the mind and memory is an incredibly complicated thing. She witnessed that herself with Elizabeth. And what about Drew? He says, Drew. That’s right. She says, what’s right? The human mind is an incredibly complicated thing? He says, exactly. She just gave him an idea on how to find the ship.

Elizabeth says, that’s highly inappropriate, and Amy says she’s sorry, but she saw how chummy Austin was with Ava Jerome at the Nurses Ball. Austin asks if that’s an issue, and Elizabeth asks, what business is it of Amy’s? Amy says she just thinks he needs to know that Ava Jerome is someone to be careful around. She looks around, lowers her voice, and says, rumor is, she and her ex just went through a bitter divorce. Now he’s disappeared.

Ava asks if Carly is sure Victor has Trina, and Carly says, all she knows is, she was at Josslyn’s dorm when Dante wanted to ask Trina some questions. They all realized no one had seen Trina since the Nurses Ball. Josslyn said Trina was worried about Spencer, and they’re all just assuming Trina was with Spencer when Victor took him. Ava says, that son of a bitch. She has to go see Portia. She might have an update, and Ava should offer her support. Would Carly mind staying with Avery? Carly says she’d be happy to, Ava thanks her and runs out the door.

Victor asks, when exactly was the electrical cable damaged? and Watkins says, the engineer was alerted about 15 minutes ago. Everything was fine this morning. Spencer listens in, and Victor says, and Watkins recruited the engine room guard to look for the missing walkie? They hear the baby cry, and Spencer moves away from the door. He tells Ace, it will be okay, and Watkins says, when the guard was searching, the engine room wasn’t left unattended for more than ten minutes. Victor says, that’s plenty of time, and tells Watkins to listen carefully and follow his directions to the letter.

Nina says she forgot her purse, and as she goes to get it, Sonny says, Michael invited him to the wedding. She says, how wonderful, but Sonny says, he can’t do it. She says, no. Weddings are to be celebrated. She’s really glad he can be there to witness it. He says he wishes it was different, and she says, her too. Starting with Aunt Liesl. Nina wishes she was able to go through with the transplant, and Michael says he’s sorry about Liesl. Nina asks, how’s Willow? and he says, she’s weak, but planning the wedding has given her renewed energy. Nina says she’s sure there’s no shortage of people to help her. She’s glad Willow has people to support her. She definitely deserves that. Sonny says, everybody does, and Nina’s voice breaks as she says, just tell Willow that she’s thinking about her. Nina leaves, and Michael says, for a moment there, it sounded like Sonny was about to decline his invitation. Sonny says, that depends. Is this invite from the both of them, or just Willow? Does Michael really want him to be there?

Michael says he wants what’s best for his family, and that means having Sonny there. He also knows this could cause some issues with Nina, so no harm, no foul if Sonny chooses not to attend. Sonny says he also wants what’s best for his family, and Michael tells him, think about it and let him know. Sonny says he already made his decision. He’ll be there.

Amy says, Austin is a good doctor, and a good guy. Maybe he doesn’t know about Ava Jerome… Elizabeth says, that’s enough. Doesn’t she have charts she’s supposed to file? Amy says, no, and Elizabeth says, she does now. Amy jets, and Austin says he guesses it’s true. They say Elizabeth is going to make a great head nurse. She says, that’s not a done deal, but Epiphany wouldn’t allow this gossip mongering and neither will she. She’s really sorry about that. She doesn’t know what got into Amy. She apologizes for her. Austin says, it’s really okay. Amy just must have seen them at the Nurses Ball. She’s just jumping to conclusions. He sees Ava come in, and says, he can say for sure, things are not always what they seem.

Ambrose hears, all hands on deck, over the radio, and heads upstairs. Trina slips into Spencer’s room.

Carly picks up the basket, and flashes back to Ava saying, time is running out. This may be the last chance for Nina and Willow. She knows Carly is capable of rising above; she’s seen Carly do it with her for Avery’s sake. Won’t she do it for Nina with Willow’s? The doorbell rings, and Carly opens the door. It’s Nina.

Laura says she seems to have inspired an ah-ha moment. Does Curtis want to fill her in? He says, the human memory is complicated. It’s something he learned as a cop questioning witnesses. People remember more than they realize. Esme says she’s sorry to interrupt, and gives Laura some coffee. Laura says, that was thoughtful of her, and Esme says, Curtis is Trina Robinson’s stepfather, right? He says, right, and she says, she just had to tell him that Trina’s been very kind to her when from what she’s heard, Trina had every right not to be. She hopes he finds her soon. He thanks her, and says, same to her baby. He tells Laura that he’ll let her know what he learns, and leaves. Laura asks if Esme is ready to go, but Esme says she’s not sure. Laura asks if she’s afraid to go back to the apartment. Does she feel unsafe there? The city has beefed up our security, and Doc has made sure… Esme says, it’s not that. She’s sure Laura will protect her. Laura asks why she doesn’t want to go then, and Esme says, because Ace won’t be there, and Laura hugs her.

Watkins brings Spencer, still carrying Ace, to the main salon or whatever it is, and he asks what he’s doing here. Victor says he thought Spencer would enjoy a break from his close quarters, and tells Watkins to take Ace to the baby nurse. Spencer tells Watkins to be careful with him, and Watkins takes the baby. Victor says he decided to let Spencer eat after all, and Spencer asks, what changed his mind? Victor says, Spencer no longer has reason to pull those diversionary stunts of his. Victor holds all the cards. Spencer says he doesn’t know what Victor is talking about, and Victor says, no? He sees their dinner guest has arrived. Ambrose strongarms Trina into the room.

Tomorrow, Curtis says, Trina’s life depends on Drew remembering; Spencer says, Trina may have saved them; Victor says he knew Obrecht would rise to the challenge (and she looks like she might bite him); and Carly tells Nina that Sonny is finally choosing to put his family in front of her.

Vanderpump Rules

Get out your magnifying glasses and Sherlock Holmes hats.

Brock and Scheana do thank you cards, mostly Scheana. Ally asks if James has talked to Schwartz, and he says he can picture Schwartz and Raquel continuing to date, but she doesn’t see it. Raquel pretends to let Charli take photos for her Hinge profile. Katie visits Schwartz to pick up the dogs, and he tells her that he’s stressed out. They don’t have a kitchen staff, and they’re supposed to open. In Katie’s interview, she says, it’s liberating to know she doesn’t have to deal with this anymore. This mess isn’t her mess. She says, see you, and jets with the pets. Schwartz calls Sandoval during his interview, and says he and Katie usually catch up when they exchange the dogs, but Katie was only there 30 seconds. He did nothing wrong. Sandoval says, Schwartz is a single guy; they broke up. He was on vacation. In Schwartz’s interview, he thinks Katie is blowing this kiss out of proportion more than anything she’s exaggerated in the history of their relationship. He feels like he cheated. He thinks she’s more upset than he would be if the shoe was on the other foot. He says, if Sandoval and Katie got married, he would support that, and Sandoval says, funny he should say that… (🚩) Schwartz says, shut up, dude.

Charli and Raquel sit in the park after their photo session, and Charli says, Katie invited her to brunch, but she was disappointed with the information she was given. We see a clip of Katie telling her about the crowd cheering Raquel and Schwartz’s kiss, and Charli says, that they cheered was distasteful. It also happened to be Katie’s wedding anniversary. Raquel says, they’re not together anymore, and Katie chose to go on the trip when she wasn’t invited. Charli says she wouldn’t do that to her worst enemy, and would have respect for their 12 year relationship. She would have expected better from Raquel than that. (Wow. Just wait.) Not that she wouldn’t be friends with Raquel, but it’s not a cool thing to do. Well, kudos to Charli. I haven’t liked her very much, but that was definitely women supporting women. Raquel says, it’s not like they’re going to be dating, and in her interview, she says, if Schwartz showed interest, she would date him, but she’s not trying to be Debbie Desperado. She tells Charli that she’s going on a date with Oliver; he’s picking a spot. Charli says, that sounds like so much fun.

In Schwartz’s interview, he says he has a newfound sense of optimism and determination, even though he knows they’re not going to open. We flash back to Lisa calling them when they were at the wedding, and he says, it was tough; a jagged, bitter pill to swallow. They were trying to speak August 31st into existence. They were putting in the work, and had momentum, but now it’s not happening. General manager Brett meets with them, and tells them, the booth guy quit. A machine cut pieces for it, and they didn’t fit. The machine broke, and the guy quit. I have no idea what he’s talking about, but it seems like just one more thing to add to their pile. Sandoval asks if Brett tried offering him more money, but Brett says, absolutely f***ing not. They’re spending too much on things like this. Sandoval asks what they  besides kitchen staff, and Brett says, that’s most important. He feels like he was pushed into hiring the kitchen manager, and he’s letting him go. He’d had to perfect some dishes, and didn’t cut it. The dishes fell short; he’s not the right fit. Schwartz tells Sandoval, saying they have to open is pointless, and Sandoval says, they either open or they’re f***ed. If they have to serve potato chips, they’re going to do it. If they don’t, they’ll lose this place. In Sandoval’s interview, he says, they’ve invested a million dollars. He could lose his house and his mom’s retirement. Schwartz and Greg don’t have those stakes. Brett says, he’s worried about a guy who can’t make anything. It’s not his fault. Let the Toms work with them. In his interview, Sandoval says, he loves Brett, but at this point perfectionism is death, but he’ll be happy with a B+. Nobody ever performs at A+ level. Schwartz says he thinks their opening is closer than they think.

Katie goes to Ariana’s house bearing a basket of weird cheeses, since they’re going to make sandwiches. Sandoval tells them, congratulations, and Katie says, they paid the rent deposit, and bought out the previous owner’s setup. In Sandoval’s interview, he says he’s stoked for them, but he’s jealous of the low rent. It’s small, contained, easy, and no partners. He’s envious. Katie says, when she went to Schwartz’s to get the dogs, he was saying how Schwartz & Sandy’s wouldn’t be able to open, and he was stressed. She said, sounds awful; see ya later. They’re not friends. Sandoval asks if this is because of Schwartz making out with Raquel, and she says, it is. Sandoval says he doesn’t think it’s a big deal. They’re two single people who are decent looking (why this has anything to do with it, I don’t know) in Mexico who decided to make out. Katie says, they had multiple conversations about it, and Schwartz said it would never happen. It’s too close to home. Ariana says, it would be different if Raquel wasn’t in the friend group, and Katie calls her a whore. She says, Schwartz has the habit of sticking his tongue where it doesn’t belong, so it shouldn’t surprise her. Sandoval says, they’re not together, so if Schwartz wants to do something stupid… (🚩) Ariana says, he and Katie made a deal, and Katie says, he doesn’t see her hopping on his friends. In Katie’s interview, she said, they agreed and had an understanding. She could try to forgive, but she’s not betraying herself. She says she’s been respectful in her dealings with Schwartz, and Sandoval says, Schwartz has had no other girlfriend, and when his friend Jo stayed with him, she called crying that Katie was leaving her messages. It isn’t crossing line for him to have a female roommate. Katie said he’d never mentioned it, and Ariana says, he was being oddly secretive. In her interview, Katie says, Jo was Kristen Doute’s crazy friend, which says a lot about her. Jo texted her after the divorce, and said she’d always love and respect Katie, then moved in with her ex two seconds later. She’s that kind of bitch. Sandoval says, they need a healthy separation, and Katie says, it was something they decided together. Sandoval says, she decided, and Schwartz agreed. Ariana says, Schwartz wanted to be friends, and Katie says, and if he’s f***ing their friends, she’s not going to be his friend. If someone doesn’t understand that, she hopes it never happens to them.

James tells Lisa about the kiss heard round the world, and wonders, who’s next from the SUR crowd? Lisa says she thinks he’s jealous, but he says, definitely not. In James’s interview, he says he doesn’t care who Raquel makes out with. She made out with sweaty Peter after a six hour shift and move on to Schwartz. He’s over it. The Toms meet Lisa at SUR, and Schwartz says he’s relearning to communicate; he used to have a brain. Lisa asks what they’re snooping around here for, and Raquel comes over to the table as a server. She and Schwartz high-five, and she says they haven’t seen each other since Mexico. In Schwartz’s interview, he says he wouldn’t mind kissing Raquel again, but he doesn’t want another relationship after 12 years . He wants minimal feelings and all fun. Sandoval says he talked to Katie today, and she wasn’t happy. She called Raquel a f***ing whore. In Raquel’s interview, she says, Katie is so rude and bitchy. She’s trying to grow and be a better version of who she was. Lisa asks why Sandoval told her that, and Raquel says, now kissing people makes you a whore. In her interview, Raquel says, it’s a big roadblock for her, trying be liked. She gets all weepy, and says, people either charge or drain her battery, and she doesn’t want have the battery drainers in her life. Raquel wonders why Katie assumes they’re f***ing, and leaves with their orders. Lisa says, she’s probably upset. Nobody wants to hear that. Sandoval calls Raquel back, and she says she doesn’t appreciate being slut shamed; it’s not cool. In Sandoval’s interview, he says he didn’t anticipate Raquel being upset. He thought she’d shrug it off, and she’d want to know what people are saying. He tells Lisa, to him, it’s an eyeroll and a laugh, and Lisa tells him to take responsibility. In his interview, Sandoval says he feels like not many people are in Raquel’s corner. She’s a sweet girl, and there’s not a bad bone in her body. (🚩)

Ally, Kristina, and Katie visit Lala, who says, her upcoming birthday is a special birthday. It’s a completely new chapter for her. In Lala’s interview, she says, she’d rather live in this apartment for the rest of her life, feeling safe and surrounded by people she loves, than the house in Bel Air, which more like a torture chamber. She tells the girls that she’s invited everybody except Raquel, Schwartz, and Charli. Katie says she’s bringing a guy. In Katie’s interview, she says, Satchel is a sweet guy she met when she was out with Kristina. She tells the others that he was named after Satchel Page, and in her interview, she says, she just thought this could be fun. She didn’t anticipate staying. She came for the D, and stayed for the conversation. Katie says, no one’s met him, and Kristina says Katie has been living her life being too sensitive about others with her actions. Lala tells her to do what she wants. It is what it is.

It’s Villa Rosa time. Ponies! Swans! Puffy! It’s a sad time though, as pony Rosé has died. The Toms visit, and Lisa tells them that she’s very upset. Rosé was only six. They got her as a baby, and she never had a day’s illness in her life. In Lisa’s interview, she says, suddenly, Rosé was lying down, and in pain. Ken put her in the truck, and took her to the vet, but she died before they got there. The Toms give her flowers, and they toast to Rosé. Lisa says she feels emotionally depleted, but they need to talk. She assumes they’re not opening, and it’s giving her anxiety. Sandoval tells her that Brett and Greg fired the chef, so now they’ve lost all their kitchen staff. They’re tired of being nickel and dimed, and want to just f***ing open. Schwartz says, Sandoval huffs and puffs, but it doesn’t matter how loud he is if it isn’t backed up with action and effort. Lisa says, that’s a big accusation, and Schwartz says, when they were supposed to submit a menu, he was at band practice, and was late for the meeting because he was getting his nails done. In Sandoval’s interview, he says, band practice had been scheduled weeks in advance, and he’s not walking around with grubby-ass nails. (He has priorities, people!) Lisa says, it’s giving her terrible anxiety, and Sandoval says, one person is pulling the brakes. Schwartz says, they’re not ready, and Sandoval says, they’ll never be ready.

Sandoval tells Ariana that he’s starting his cleanse, and they talk about him making his deposit. In Ariana’s interview, she says, two years ago she froze her eggs, and has 26 that are viable. Good job, ovaries. She reads from a list, and says, don’t drink or smoke for five days, and in her interview, she says, her stance on all this being pregnant hasn’t changed, but she doesn’t like the idea of a biological clock running things. She tells Sandoval, manage stress, and he says he’s at peak anxiety. They were supposed to open on the 31st. She tells him that he can only do what he’s in control of, and in Sandoval’s interview, he says, last year, Ariana asked him to fertilize her eggs, and he was excited. We flash back to the Reunion when they’d discussed it, but he wonders why he wants to fertilize eggs when they might or might not have kids, if Ariana decides. He’s not thrilled about not drinking, and Ariana says, he needs to work on more healthy coping mechanisms. Not taking a shot isn’t hard. Sandoval says, it’s tough to talk to her, since she never agrees with him, and she says she agrees plenty, but he says, this summer especially. He says, if he explains a situation or point-of-view, he feels like she’s quick to take the other side. He doesn’t want anyone to have his back unconditionally, but he feels like she questions his intelligence. Ariana says she wouldn’t be with an idiot, and if she thought he was an idiot, she’d be nice to him all the time, poor thing. Tom says he feels like he annoys her, and Ariana says, he does it on purpose. They’ve been together a long time. She can only imagine how annoying she is.

Garcelle and Oliver meet Lisa at PUMP, and Lisa says, she gets worried when someone asks her to give their son a job, but in this case, she lucked out. They order drinks, and Garcelle says, Lisa’s rosé beats everyone else’s. In Lisa’s interview, she says, her rosé is much better than any rose your friends might try to create. This makes me want to try it, even though I’m not a fan of rosé se all day. Lisa says, the last time she saw Oliver, he was hanging around the girls, and Garcelle says she saw the photo and wondered if she should be worried. Oliver says, it was an eventful night, and Garcelle wonders if she should be here. Lisa says, Oliver had a snog, and Garcelle says, it sounds dirty, but Lisa says, it’s a kiss; a make-out. Oliver says, it was nothing serious, and Lisa says, the girls were all like, take me, take me. Oliver says, Raquel was super sweet, and they had a great time. They’re having a little rendezvous tonight. Lisa asks if he split up with his wife, and Oliver says, they’ve been separated for months now. They’re working on co-parenting in a healthy way. She’s a great mom, and her kids are fantastic. They’ll always be family. Garcelle says she thinks her ex-husband Michael modeled what a stepdad does.

James tells Ally that he’s been invited to a lot of Lala’s birthday parties, and disinvited to a lot of Lala’s birthday parties. Ally says, she’s scared she started something, and in her interview, she says she mentioned to the girls that she’d seen Sandoval and Raquel dancing at The Abbey after See You Next Tuesday at 1 am. (🚩) Personally, she wouldn’t be comfortable if her boyfriend was out with someone else at 1 am. James says he noticed Raquel was hanging out more with both Toms (🚩), but he wouldn’t put too much into it. Kristina brings Lala flowers, and in her interview, Lala says, it’s her motherf***ing birthday. She’s having the best day. It’s the first birthday she’s celebrate single in a very long time. She’s feeling like she also wants to end the night with birthday sex. Whoever is ready and willing, come to her bed. Kristina says she has so much to tell Lala. Oliver’s wife saw a picture he’d posted of him and the girls in Vegas, and he’d said he and Raquel made out and he was coming out for a date. Raquel knows none of this. Meanwhile, Raquel visits Scheana and Brock, and says, apparently, Oliver isn’t separated from his wife. His wife posted that he was cheating on her with multiple women, specifically Raquel. Scheana says, no way he’s not separated, and Raquel says, the way he was making out with her in Vegas, they definitely seemed separated. Huh. Maybe she is a dummy. She says she’s going to confront him about it, and Scheana suggests Raquel talk to his ex. Raquel agrees to do it, and say she’s terrified, and Brock says he doesn’t want be here. Raquel tells maybe ex, Samantha, that she’s so sorry. She read Samantha’s posts, and had no idea Oliver was still committed to her. In Raquel’s interview, she says, he made it seem like they were at least going through a divorce, and she tells Samantha that it was f***ed up of him to do this, and now he put her in this position. In her interview, Raquel says she’s pissed off. He was talking to Samantha like he’d made promises to work on their marriage, and they’re living in the same apartment. It seems manipulative and selfish. I laugh, and Raquel says she hates being in this position. Raquel tells Brock and Scheana that Oliver went home and slept with his wife after making out with her. Scheana says, now Raquel will be labeled the other woman, and it never goes away. <snort> Lala tells Kristina, it’s what’s called a mistress.

They meet at I don’t know what restaurant because I had a problem with my computer for a moment. Katie has brought her new squeeze, and in her interview, she says, it’s hanging out with Satchel, who’s sweet and shows her affection. It’s a nice change. We flash back to her misery with Schwartz, and she says she won’t be complaining about how his d*ck doesn’t work either. In Scheana’s interview, she says, it’s weird seeing Katie with this mactor shaggy dog motherf***er who looks like he just got groomed at Vanderpump Dogs. James asks if Schwartz is coming, and we see Schwartz wishing for a cup holder while soaking in the tub. They discuss the latest headlines about Oliver cheating with Raquel, among others, and Lala says she thinks they’re on a date tonight..

Oliver and Raquel meet at a restaurant, and Oliver says he’s sure Raquel knows there’s a lot of stuff going on in his life. His son’s mom put him on blast, and it’s been a rough day. Raquel says she felt she owed it to him to hear his side of the story. She had a conversation with Samantha, who said he cheated with multiple women, and she’s one of them. It was shocking the way he made it seem like they were separated completely. He says, they have been. He’s had his own place for 8 months. Sometimes he still sees her. Things happen, and sometimes people feel lonely. This is new, and he also wants to be around his son. He’s not excusing it, just putting it on the table. They’re getting divorced. Raquel asks where he stayed the night they kissed, and he says, at his own house, by himself. Raquel says, Samantha told her that they had sex, but he says, they didn’t that night, but maybe a few days later. She asks if he doesn’t think that’s confusing, and he says he’s sorry. This is messy and he brought her into it. That wasn’t his intention, and he feels horrible. She says she appreciates the apology, but it doesn’t make up for the bashing she’s getting on social media. People are saying she’s seeing a married guy, and it wasn’t presented to her that way. It’s unfair. He says he understands if she’s mad, and she says she is. He says he doesn’t blame her. It’s super messy, and wasn’t the foot he wanted to start out on. In Raquel’s interview, she says she’s furious. This made her look a certain way that’s not representative of her. It make her think he wants his wife to feel that. She tells him that they would have had a great time if he was divorced, and leaves. I’d cheer if it wasn’t Raquel, who is possibly the biggest hypocrite ever in this moment.  

Raquel calls Scheana, and says she needs to talk to Lala. Scheana asks if she isn’t on a date, and not knowing who Scheana is talking to, Lala says she wouldn’t be so quick to throw daggers. She bets Raquel’s mom is proud. Kristina says, it’s Raquel they’re talking about. Why would they expect her to make a wise choice? Raquel sends Lala a text, asking to meet her outside. Scheana goes out to see Raquel, who tells her that Oliver didn’t even stand when she left the table. They go back in, and Raquel approaches the table. Lala says, what’s up, mistress? and in Lala’s interview, she says, she’s not surprised. Of course Raquel would show up on her birthday. Raquel says she’d love to chat if Lala would hear her out. They go outside, and Sandoval says, it looks like Katie is getting joy from this. In his interview, he says, she’s proactively vindictive. It’s like she’s savoring the best piece of wagyu steak.

Outside, Raquel tells Lala, happy birthday, and Lala says, Raquel gave her the best gift already. Raquel says she wants to apologize for calling Lala a mistress. Her world turned upside down today. She had no idea Oliver was still with his wife. Lala says, Raquel should have asked how long it had been. She asked Randall, but he lied. Raquel says, that’s why she’s apologizing. She didn’t realize how easily a man could mislead a woman, saying it one way, and it’s the opposite. Yep. She is both dumb and dumber. Lala says, now Raquel knows how it feels. And he’ll get away squeaky clean while the woman takes the brunt. She suggest this be a learning experience for both of them. Lala doesn’t want beef with Raquel, and Raquel says, neither does she. Lala says she’s been called a homewrecking whore and a mistress, and they rise above because they know the truth. Raquel says, they were misled, but know their worth now. In her interview, Raquel says, she’s single for the first time in her adult life. She’s allowed time to reflect on who she is as a person. In the past, she’s limited herself, basing her worth on how other people valued her. Now she’s ready to break that. Lala says, Raquel’s not a mistress, and don’t let anyone say she is. I’m sure Lala is banging her head against the wall if she’s watching this. They hug, and Raquel says she’s really sorry. Lala says she forgives and forgets, and they go their separate ways. Inside, Ally is talking about seeing Raquel and Sandoval dancing at The Abbey.

Next time, James says, it sounds like Katie is saying Ariana and Sandoval are in an open relationship; Sandoval says, Ariana is always at him; James tells Schwartz to take a look at his own life, and throws a drink on him.

📺 On Watch What Happens Live, the Watch What Happens 5 segment was the top 5 cringeworthy Scandoval moments in tonight’s episode. They were adequate, but I think they missed some better ones.  

🍹 It happened. They were showing a rerun of Southern Hospitality, and I got confused for a moment, thinking I was watching Vanderpump Rules. My allegiance will always lie with VPR though, because, LVP.

👟  Taking Off My Blue Suede Shoes…

Swing back tomorrow for more soap and a dip in the teapot. Until then, stay safe, stay learning from your mistakes, and stay celebrating love, despite any situation.

April 14, 2023 – Trina Calls For Help, New Gig, NYC Morph, Never Again, Wrong City, Scandoval Stuff, Another Prequel, Oblivious, Two Pups (!), Not Eleven Quotes & Clean Water

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

At the gym (not Sonny’s), Finn spots while Chase lifts weights, and he asks if Chase wants to take a break, but Chase says, no. Gregory tells Chase, go easy. The last time he overdid it, he ended up in the hospital with a bum shoulder. Finn says, half of that was Chase’s fault; the other half was Brook.

On the phone, Brook says she’s watching Wiley and Amelia while Willow rests upstairs. Drop everything and get over here… She doesn’t care if they’re at the hair salon. She has a critical mission for them, and they have to accept it.

On the phone in her office, Alexis says, Allison has an in with the coastguard, so she needs Allison to find out whatever she can about the Haunted Star. Sam walks in, and Alexis says, same thing with government leaks, If they’re credible, find them. Sam says, this is actually why she’s here. Dante’s been working hard on the investigation, but hasn’t said anything about Victor. Has Alexis heard anything? Alexis says, the Haunted Star is gone from its mooring, there’s no accounting for it. They believe there’s three hostages, but that’s all she knows. Sam says, if anything new comes in, will Alexis please keep her updated? and Alexis says she will, if Sam does the same for her. She heard Sam was in court this morning. What’s up?

Curtis says, Trina is coming home, even if he has to bring her home himself, and Portia thanks him for being here and wanting to help find Trina. He says he can’t just sit around, knowing all the danger that faces his daughter… her daughter.

Jordan says, she and Laura are friends as well as colleagues. This plan she’s been working on with Felicia and Robert to take Victor down, what is it? And why didn’t Laura tell her about it? Laura says, Anna was a fugitive at the time. If she’d involved Jordan, Laura would have compromised her. They all talked about it, and decided the smart thing to do would be continue with the plan until they could find proof that it was Victor who was behind Luke’s death. Jordan asks how that worked out for her, and Laura says she knew she was dealing with a dangerous man. She didn’t know he’d disappear on the Haunted Star, and make her grandsons and Dr. Obrecht and Trina Robinson all disappear with him.

Obrecht says, if Victor thinks she’s going to help him, he’s truly lost his geist (mind), and Victor says he does love it when she speaks German to him. But let’s be honest, she has done worse, and if she chooses not to cooperate, he promises the consequences will be dire. Spencer jumps up, grabs Obrecht in a headlock, and drags her out of her chair, putting a knife to her throat. Victor asks what he’s doing, and Spencer says, he needs Obrecht to protect his family? No Obrecht, no plan. Watkins holds a gun on him, and Obrecht says, do something. Victor sits back, sips his coffee, and says, have at it. Is he from New Jersey?

Trina hides outside the communications room, and says, what’s taking so long with the diversion, Spencer? She bumps into the fire extinguisher, and one of Victor’s goons says, what was that?

Sam says, Alexis had a reporter at the courthouse, and Alexis tells her, he said Cody Bell was arrested for grand larceny, and Sam bailed him out. Why? Sam says, because Cody is Dante’s friend, and he needed help, and Alexis asks why Dante didn’t help him. Sam says, because he’s busy searching for Victor, and Alexis says, so Sam thought she’d just step in? Sam says, if Alexis wants to hear the whole story, she’ll tell her. Sasha Gilmore had a very expensive bracelet on loan, and Gladys Corbin was wearing it at the time. Gladys, who’s not the most reliable narrator, said the bracelet just magically disappeared off her wrist, and said bracelet appeared in the pocket of Cody’s jacket, which he was not wearing at the time. Alexis says, that doesn’t mean he’s innocent, and Sam asks, what happened to her mother the lawyer, who believed all defendants were innocent until proven guilty? and Alexis says, she got disbarred. She was under the impression Sam didn’t trust Cody. Sam says she told Alexis that she’s handling this. Alexis has enough to deal with. Alexis says, fine. She’s not going to interfere where she’s not wanted. Sam asks if she really means that, and Alexis says she’s trying. If Sam really doesn’t want her involved in this business with Cody, she won’t be involved. Sam asks if she’s been hit in the head, but Alexis says she’s just been told off. Sam says, by Gregory, and Alexis nods.

Chase says, if he’s pushing it, it’s because of his nerves. The CCRB meets later today. Gregory says, Finn told him that Brook had something to do with him getting a second chance, and Chase says, Brook got the Board to take another look at his case. Gregory says, that’s good news, right? and Chase says, maybe. Or maybe he wouldn’t have needed a second chance if Brook submitted her letter the first time the Board met.

Maxie walks into the gatehouse with her new darker hair, and says, this better be good. She had to skip the conditioning treatment. Brook says, her hair looks amazing (I like it), but they’ll talk about that another time. How are James and Georgie doing? Maxie says she had to tell them that their oma disappeared because she wanted to make their magic act a success. Georgie didn’t buy it, but James believes it, so Georgie is pretending to believe it too. Brook says she’s so sorry about Liesl. She knows how much Maxie cares about her, and it must be driving her nuts. Maxie says she can’t believe it’s happening. She keeps telling herself that Mac and the PCPD will leave no stone unturned, and if anyone can take care of themselves, it’s Liesl. Brook says, she’s a formidable woman, and Maxie says, but still, Victor Cassadine is a scary guy, and how long can Willow wait for the bone marrow transplant? Brook says, speaking of Willow, Maxie is going to plan her wedding to Michael.

Portia says, Curtis always cared for Trina, and he says, Trina is a remarkable young woman, and he was looking forward to being a part of her family, officially. Portia says, he is a part of her family. She and Trina are very lucky they have him on their side. He asks if she’ll be okay, and she says she refuses to fall apart, but she’s far from okay. He says he feels her, and leaves. She heaves a sigh, and says, please, please, please.

Victor’s goons draw their guns, but they hear their radio say, all units come to the main cabin. They keep moving, and Trina slips into the communications office.

Spencer tells Victor not to underestimate him. He’ll do anything to save his brother from Victor. Victor says, doesn’t he understand? If he kills Dr. Obrecht, he simply seals his baby brother’s fate.

Maxie tells Brook, back up. Michael and Willow rescheduled their wedding until after the bone marrow transplant. They’re getting married in July. Brook says, because Willow’s bone marrow transplant was supposed to be today, and Maxie says, oh my God. She doesn’t think she’s going to make it until Liesl gets home. Brook says, no one knows when Liesl is going to be found… and Maxie says, or if she will, but Brook tells her, stay positive. Liesl will be found, but she understands Willow’s concern. She and Michael want to be married. They don’t want to risk waiting, so they moved the date up. Maxie says she’ll help in any way she can. What are they thinking, end of the month? Brook says, tomorrow, and Maxie says, I’m sorry, what? Brook says, too soon, she knows, but everybody is pitching in, and they need her. Maxie says, to plan a wedding? In less than 24 hours? Brook says, Maxie planned the Nurses Ball in record time, and Maxie asks if she should count all the ways it went wrong. Brook says, count all the ways it went right. Compared to the Nurses Ball’s 60th anniversary, planning a wedding in less than 24 hours is a literal piece of cake. Maxie says, brew some coffee, and make it strong. She’ll plan this wedding… Brook interrupts her with a hug and runs to the kitchen.

Gregory says he’s sorry he brought up Brook, and Chase says, forget it. Who wants to do more reps? Finn says, no thanks, and Gregory tells him, what his brother said. Chase says, Gregory has barely broken a sweat today, and Gregory says, because he doesn’t actively need to avoid his feelings. Chase wonders why Gregory cares so much about him and Brook, and Finn says, maybe because Gregory loves him? Gregory says he loves both his boys, and wants them both to be happy. So sue him. Chase says, Brook did make him happy. She also hurt and disappointed him. She held off on writing her letter of support because she didn’t want him to get his badge back. She wanted him to focus on music. Supposedly, the plan was to expose her manager as a predator, so he couldn’t extort or harass any other women; and for Brook to get her songs back. Instead, she signed a non-disclosure agreement with Linc. He gave her songs back, and she agreed to keep quiet. Brook sold out. Finn says, that’s pretty tough to get past, and Gregory says, from what he understands, Brook more than redeemed herself at the Nurses Ball. She broke the non-disclosure agreement, and outed this Linc Brown as a serial harasser. Chase says, she did, and he respects that, but as long as he’s known her, Brook has always put her own interests first, and apologized afterward. And no matter how he feels about her, he can’t trust her.

Alexis says she and Gregory had a run-in, and Sam says, another one? Alexis says, that, compounded with the mess she made the first time when she went to Gregory’s boss behind his back, and Sam says, maybe she shouldn’t have called his boss, but that’s what a good friend would do. Alexis says, speaking of, let’s go back to Cody and Dante. He seems to know as much about Cody as he doesn’t know. Sam says she told Alexis that she’s dealing with this; they’re talking about Gregory now. Whatever happened? Does he have a drinking problem? Alexis says, Gregory doesn’t have a drinking problem, and Sam says she knows Alexis has been concerned about him. If not a drinking problem, then what is it?

Jordan says she knows better than anyone that the best of intentions can have unforeseen results, and while she’s not thrilled Laura chose not to involve the PCPD, she does understand. But things have changed, and she needs Laura to keep her in the loop. Laura says, Felicia is tracking someone down who may be able to help them find Victor, and Jordan asks, who is it, and does she need back-up? Laura says, not yet. Jordan will be the first one to know if they do. All hands on deck. Curtis comes along, and says, if that’s the case, count him in.

Spencer says, without Liesl, Victor’s plan is a non-starter. If she’s not around to make a vaccine, Victor risks his own life, as well as that of Spencer and his little brother. Victor says, it’s a sacrifice he’s willing to make. All that matters is, the world is set to right, so go ahead, kill Liesl. Is Spencer wiling to risk his baby brother will survive what’s coming next? His blood will be on Spencer’s hands. Spencer sees Watkins and Ambrose have their guns on him, and begins to drag Obrecht toward the exit. The other two guards run in, and Victor tells them, cover the exits. Your move, Spencer. Spencer lets Obrecht go, and she says, Cassadines are demented; one has her abducted, the other holds her at knifepoint. Steinmaur’s too good for the pair of them. Victor says he knew Spencer would see reason. Get rid of him.

Trina looks around, and finds a radio, but gets nothing but static. She picks up a portable phone from the 80s, and begs it to work. Apparently, the equipment hasn’t been updated since Luke and Laura’s wedding.

On the phone, Maxie thanks Leah, and says, let’s do that. She’ll be in touch. She tells Brook, it’s a little early, but she has peonies. She’ll make all the flower arrangements, and the rose petals for the flower girl. Brook says, flower girls, plural; Donna and Avery. The only family member slated not to participate in the wedding is Amelia. Maxie asks if Olivia is going to bake the cake, and Brook says, try and stop her. She is determined to cook all the food for this wedding. Maxie is sure it will all be delicious, and says, they need something to elevate the occasion; make it special. Does Brook think it’s too late to get monogrammed napkins for Portugal? Brook suggests they take some of the pressure off this thing. All Willow really wants is a joyful and happy day with her friends and family. Maxie says she’s got it. A special song just for them. Brook could write it; Chase could perform it. Brook says she’d be happy to write a song for Willow and Michael, but she doesn’t think Chase would perform it. Maxie asks, why not? It’s for Willow. Brook says, but that would mean he’d have to work with her.

Gregory says, Brook might have the capacity to change. History has shown them… Finn says, please, no lectures, but Gregory tells Chase, all he’s saying is, Brook made a huge personal sacrifice when she exposed Linc. She put other people ahead of herself when she ignored the NDA and outed him. Doesn’t that show she’s changed? Chase says, Brook has a big heart, no question. That’s why he fell in love with her, but she has a habit of acting on her worst impulses and hurting everyone around her. Gregory says, it sounds like Chase has made up his mind about her, and Chase says, don’t make him sound like the bad guy. Gregory says he thought he taught his sons to be open to second chances, and Finn says, he did. So when does Alexis get hers?

Alexis says, Gregory told her on no uncertain terms that his life is none of her business, and that whatever he’s going through, he’s determined to go through it alone, and Sam says, sometimes people need to figure things out for themselves. Maybe the best thing Alexis can do right now is offer Gregory her support, and trust he’ll reach out to her if he needs her. Alexis says, he won’t, and Sam says, it drives Alexis crazy, doesn’t it, because she sees someone who needs help and wants to help them. Alexis says, it’s a curse. It’s why she became a lawyer. Sam says, he doesn’t need a lawyer, and he doesn’t need Alexis’s help, so why can’t she just let this go? Alexis says, because it doesn’t matter what he says, he does need her help. As far as she knows, she’s the only one who knows that he has a problem. So what is she supposed to do? Just sit back and do nothing?

Curtis says he’ll do anything to make sure Trina gets home safely, when Laura’s phone rings. She steps away, and Jordan says she appreciates the offer. He says, but? and she says, Victor Cassadine is dangerous. Curtis says, and he has Trina. Believe him. Victor won’t see him coming. Jordan says, just trust that they have every available resource looking for Victor and his hostages. If there’s something he can do, she’ll let him know. The truth is, there’s not a lot any of them can do right now. They don’t even know where to look for the Haunted Star, so for now it’s best that he just sit tight. He says, not while Trina’s in trouble. If she won’t let him help the PCPD, there are others he can turn to. She says, he means like Sonny Corinthos? Or Selina Wu?

In her office, Portia tries to record some patient details, but throws down the recorder, and puts her head in her hands. She cries, looking at a photo of her and Trina, when her phone rings, saying, unknown caller. She puts it down, but picks it up again when it continues to ring. Trina says, it’s her, and Portia says, thank God. Where is she? They’ve been so worried about her. Trina peeks out the door, and says she’s on the Haunted Star. Victor took Spencer, the baby, and Dr. Obrecht. He’s taking them somewhere. Portia says, and he took her too. Is she okay? How is Trina calling her right now? Trina says, he doesn’t know she’s here. She followed Spencer and got stuck on board. She doesn’t know where they are. She needs Portia’s help. Portia tells her, hang on. Help is on the way. She runs out of her office.

Maxie says she doesn’t understand. Brook outed that creep Linc at the Nurses Ball. Brook asks what that has to do with her and Chase, and Maxie says she saw the look on Chase’s face when Brook laid into that skeevy manager. He was so proud of her. She assumed when it was all over, Chase would sweep Brook into his arms, and say, all is forgiven. Brook says she didn’t break her NDA and expose Linc to get back together with Chase. She did it because she couldn’t keep quiet for another second and let that creep exploit another woman. Maxie says, and that’s a side of her that Chase hasn’t seen before. She knows Brook didn’t out Linc for Chase, but it is what Chase wanted. And maybe now he realizes his life is empty without Brook, and they can live happily ever after. Brook says she’s done it too many times. Chase thinks she’s selfish. Maxie says, Brook is selfish, and Brook tells her, says the pot calling the kettle black, but Maxie says, selfish with good intentions. She always does the right thing in the end. She just makes some questionable decisions along the way. Chase knew that. He fell in love with her anyway. He will again. Brook says she doubts it. The CCRB meeting is today, and Chase will get his life back; a life she’s not a part of.

Chase says he thinks Finn has a good point, but Gregory says, Chase’s situation with Brook is completely different from his with Alexis. Finn says, of course (🍷). Of course (🍷) it is. How? Gregory says, because his situation with Alexis was never romantic. Love doesn’t come around often. He’d hate to see Chase throw it away. Chase says, love is more complicated than friendship. It requires complete vulnerability to trust another person with your heart. He doesn’t know what Alexis did that was so bad Gregory can’t be friends with her anymore. Gregory flashes back to telling Alexis that he quit his job, and her begging to help him. He says, Alexis overstepped. Chase claims Brook violated his trust, while Alexis did the same to him. Finn says he really doesn’t want to get in the middle of this, and Gregory says, but he will because Alexis is his friend. Finn says, Alexis oversteps because she is who she is. She won’t be deterred if she thinks she’s doing the right thing. But he thinks she’s also proved that she can respect boundaries. Gregory says, that hasn’t been his experience, and Finn asks if he’s not going to give her the chance to show him that she can.

Sam tells Alexis, sometimes that’s what a good friend is all about; just waiting for them to come to you. Alexis says she’s not very good at waiting for people to come to her. It just doesn’t feel natural. She doesn’t have a lot of good friends, but the ones she has, she has this connection with, and she and Gregory have a connection. They have common interests and ethics, common worldviews, and he’s been very supportive of her. She wanted to return the favor, and when she did, she sort of destroyed any connection they did have. So maybe they didn’t have as solid a connection as she thought.

Curtis asks if Jordan is accusing him of something, when Laura comes back, and says, they’re all on the same side, right? He says, right, and Jordan says she promises he’ll be the first to tell if he can help, but she’s asking him for now to back off before he gets himself in too deep. If something were to happen to him… Jordan runs to them, and says, it’s Trina. She has Trina on the phone. Curtis asks, where is she? and Portia says, she’s on the Haunted Star, like they were afraid of. Laura tells Portia to put Trina on speaker, and she does. Jordan tells Trina, this is Commissioner Ashford. She’s here with Curtis and Mayor Collins. Trina says she’s so glad her mom found Jordan. She’s calling from a satellite phone. They’re in open water. She doesn’t know where they are or where Victor’s taking them. Curtis asks if she’s okay. Are Spencer and Ace okay? Trina says, yes. Victor doesn’t know she’s on the ship, and he has Spencer and Dr. Obrecht under armed guard. Jordan says she’ll call IT to pinpoint the location of Trina’s phone, and steps away. Trina says she’s not sure how long she has before the guards come back, and Laura tells her to only stay on the phone as long as she safely can. Trina says, she was trying to find a radio to call for help, but it doesn’t seem to be working, and Laura asks if she’s in the communications room now. Trina says she thinks so. There’s a lot of equipment here, but she doesn’t know what it does. Curtis says, but Laura does, doesn’t she? and Laura says, that ship was her wedding gift.

Spencer and Obrecht are seated in chairs with their hands tied behind their backs, and Obrecht says she wants to know the meaning of this. She didn’t do anything. Victor says, his great nephew reminded him that one can’t be too careful. Spencer disappointed him. Spencer says, the feeling is mutual. He trusted Victor, and then Victor tricked him into meeting on this ship. He’s abducted Spencer’s baby brother, and abducted Britt’s mother. What’s worse is, Victor wants to unleash hell on humanity, including the people Spencer loves. Victor says, tsk, tsk. He’d hoped Spencer had the stomach for this. It turns out, Spencer’s just as weak as his father. Spencer says he’s not weak, but there has to be another way. Victor said it himself, Dr. Obrecht is brilliant, and he thinks between the three of them, they can come up with a solution that will be amicable to everyone here. Victor asks, just why would he believe anything Spencer had to say now? He puts his face a few inches from Spencer’s and says, Spencer betrayed him, and he has to face the consequences.

Victor tells Ambrose to take Dr. Obrecht back to her cabin. He prefers to deal with his family in private. As Obrecht is taken away, Victor says, he’ll have all the information he’s collected on the pathogen sent to her cabin, so she can see he’s right. He tells Spencer, this gives him no pleasure, and Spencer says, forgive him for not believing Victor. Victor asks why Spencer can’t understand that love of family has always been his driving force. It really hurts him that Spencer can’t see that he’s not doing this to him; he’s doing it for him and his brother. Spencer says, let’s work together, but Victor says, it’s way too late for that now. Spencer left him no choice. Spencer says, Victor can’t kill him. Whether Victor likes it or not, he needs Spencer as much as he needs Liesl. With his father and Valentin out of the picture, he is Victor’s heir. Victor says, Spencer is half right. He does have an heir and a spare. He’s allowed his love of family to cloud his judgement too long. All of them have forgotten what it is to be a Cassadine. But it’s not too late for the baby. Victor will raise him and educate him – as a Cassadine. Spencer says, over his dead body, which is probably a poor choice of words, and Victor says, that can be arranged.

Laura tells Trina that she hasn’t been in the communications room in years, but from what she remembers, there was a radar screen. It shows a round circle in the center, and there will be some lines. Can she see something like that? Trina says she sees it, and goes over to the screen. Laura says, in the upper right hand corner of the screen, there will be some numbers. Does she see something that looks like coordinates? Trina says she does, and reads them, but Curtis says, that could be the coordinates from the GPS device Victor tied to the buoy. Jordan asks if Trina can find the heading, and Laura says, it’s the numbers right at the very top. Trina says, 29.369 degrees, and Jordan says she’ll update IT. Trina hears, all units return to posts, and says she’s got to go; she’ll call them back. Curtis asks if that’s the only satellite phone there, and Trina says she thinks so. He says, they’ll notice it’s missing. Whatever she does, do not take it with her. Trina says, got it, and Portia says, it’s gonna be okay. They’re going to find her. Trina tells Portia that she loves her, and Portia says she loves Trina too. Now please just be very, very careful. Trina says she will, and she puts the phone back where she found it. She looks to make sure the hallway is clear, but then looks back and decides to take a radio. Because they won’t notice that’s missing. She checks the hallway again, and jets. The two goons come back.

Sam tells Alexis, if a friend truly knows you, eventually they’re going to realize you have good intentions, and they’ll come back to you. Alexis says she’s not sure it matters what Gregory thinks about her; she’s worried about him regardless. She wishes he’d talk to his sons about whatever this is. And if he’d listen to her, she’d tell him, if you cut your children out of your life, it just causes you more misery. Sam says, Gregory told her what’s really going on, didn’t he? Alexis doesn’t say anything, and Sam says, maybe he’s going to come around, but Alexis says she doubts highly she’s going to see him again. Sam says she’s so sorry. Is Alexis going to be okay? Alexis says, it’s going to take more than this to keep her down.

Finn says he’s taking a shower and picking up Violet, and tells Chase, good luck at the meeting. He’s rooting for him. Chase thanks him, and Finn leaves. Gregory says he’s sorry he pushed Chase, but Brook was good for him. Chase says he knows. He thought Alexis was good for Gregory. Gregory says he just wishes things were different, and Chase says he’s going to hit the showers. He doesn’t want to be late for the CCRB. He just realized, if all goes well, he’s going to be the one seeing more of Alexis, and Gregory asks, how so? Chase says, not only is she a journalist, the PCPD’s biggest case is tracking down her Uncle Victor, who kidnapped her nephews, and Gregory says he heard. Chase says he’s sure Alexis is anxious to hear news of her family, and leaves.

Brook tells Maxie that she and Chase were friends, but didn’t get close until after he was suspended… because of her. Maxie says, Brook didn’t ask him to punch a civilian, let alone two. Brook says, with Linc and Valentin she was in a situation of her own making, and Chase stepped in to defend her. Maxie says, because he cares, and Brook says, his caring cost him a lot. Now he has the chance to be a detective again; reclaim his old life and everything he had in it before she came along. Maxie says, but what she and Chase had was real, and Brook says, until she messed it up – more than once. Maxie says, Brook tried to make it up to him. She wrote that letter to the CCRB. So why is she giving up now? Brook says she shouldn’t even be thinking about getting back together with Chase. What she really owes him is helping him get his badge back. Maxie says she thinks Brook’s done all she can do there, but Brook says, maybe she could do more. Maxie says, then what is she waiting for? Go to that meeting. She’ll stay here with Willow and Amelia; work on wedding prep until Michael gets back. Brook says, there’s one more thing. What if she’s the last person Chase wants to see?

Portia, Curtis, and Laura sit in the waiting area, when Jordan comes back, and says, IT’s working on the coordinates Trina gave them. Portia asks if Jordan has any idea how long it will take to find her daughter, and Laura takes her hands and says, Trina can do this. The fact that she has evaded Victor for this long, actually gives her and Spencer a little bit of an advantage here. Curtis says, think about this. Trina snuck onto the Haunted Star without even being noticed. That’s brave. And it’s that level of courage that will carry her through. Portia says she just prays this nightmare will be over soon, and Laura holds her as she cries.

Victor tells Watkins to double the guards outside Dr. Obrecht’s room. She’s a brilliant woman and not easily intimidated. She’s bound to try and escape. He tells Spencer, time to go, and Spencer says, if Victor wanted him dead, Victor would have killed him already. Victor says, of course (🍷) he doesn’t want Spencer dead. It would pain him no end to harm family. Call him sentimental, but he can’t allow Spencer’s transgressions to go unpunished. So from now on, consider himself Victor’s prisoner. Spencer asks what he’s been up to this point, and Victor says, he’ll no longer be afforded the privileges of family, including food. Spencer says, Victor is going to starve him? and Victor says, believe him. This won’t hurt Spencer nearly as much as Spencer has hurt him. He tells Watkins to take Spencer to his cabin, and Watkins takes an obvious bite of a strawberry before taking Spencer by the arm and leading him out. Spencer turns as Trina peeks out, watching Victor take a sip of those inadequate martinis he makes. He should have brought a bartender.

One of the goons sees the radio is missing, and tells his fellow goon, get in here. Goon #2 takes a look, and asks if one of the walkies is missing.

Alexis flashes back to Gregory telling her that he’s sick, and then goes back to work. There’s a knock at her door, and she says, come in. Gregory walks in, and they soap stare at each other.

Chase straightens his jacket and tie as he waits for the meeting to start. Brook runs in, and says, right on time. He smiles.

On Monday, Gregory says he’s hoping Alexis is feeling the same way; Josslyn tells Michael that Sonny knows about her and Dex; and Sonny says, if he tells Nina, she can’t unknow it.

🦚 Needs To Pay the Mortgage…

Jason goes beyond Salem.

🗽 Start Spreading the News…

Another makeover for RHONY.

💞 Outside the Love Bubble…

I can’t say I blame her. She does seem almost sane.

https://people.com/tv/caroline-manzo-vows-to-never-join-real-housewives-again/

🎷 Borrowed Background…

I haven’t watched this one in a while, but I’m just wondering why they’re using a background from the Chicago when this is about Atlanta.

🍸 Here It Comes…

Because I’ve been sucked into the Scandoval void. Queen Lisa speaks.

https://extratv.com/2023/04/13/lisa-vanderpump-calls-vanderpump-rules-finale-astounding/

I would never judge someone for getting mental health help, and I have no doubt Sandoval was manipulative. He’s always seemed a little slick to me, and I would never date, much less live with, a man who took up more mirror time than me. But she had to know what she was doing was wrong, so it just seems kind of convenient that now she’s concerned about her unhealthy relationship choices.

https://www.etonline.com/vanderpump-rules-star-raquel-leviss-checks-into-facility-for-mental-health-treatment-exclusive

Scheana weighs in… on a lot of things.

It must be love if you have matching necklaces. And eww! the FaceTime thing.

https://www.etonline.com/kristen-doute-reveals-when-ariana-madix-discovered-tom-sandovals-affair-with-raquel-leviss-200541#taboola_organic

While I’ve vowed to never lay eyes on the worst human being in the world again, I might make an exception. He’s perfect for this.

I didn’t hear this interview, but Andy is right. I write questions for celebrity interviews, and do a lot of homework. I can’t stand when it’s obvious that an interviewer doesn’t know their subject at all. So unprofessional

https://www.etonline.com/andy-cohen-roasts-howie-mandel-for-tom-sandoval-interview-says-he-didnt-watch-vanderpump-rules

Howie tries to stay relevant.

🐉 More Thrones Please…

Even though I have yet to watch all the Dragon episodes, but I’m here for this.

https://ew.com/tv/game-of-thrones-prequel-knight-of-the-seven-kingdoms-the-hedge-knight-series-order/

✈️ Little Did He Know…

This is too funny.

https://people.com/travel/rainn-wilson-video-seatmate-watching-the-office-next-to-him-on-flight/

🐕 The Latest In God’s Best Invention…

She doesn’t look real. Animation come to life.

https://people.com/pets/snoopy-look-alike-bayley-mini-sheepadoodle/

I would be terrified to own this little nugget, but I sure would love to hold her for a hot minute.

https://people.com/pets/pearl-chihuahua-named-worlds-shortest-dog-guinness-world-records/

🐦 Quotes of the Week

The elevator to success is out of order. You’ll have to use the stairs… one step at a time.Joe Girard

Learning is the only thing the mind never exhausts, never fears, and never regrets. – Leonardo Da Vinci

The most effective way to do it is to do it. – Amelia Earhart

Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity. – Henry van Dyke

Opinion is the medium between knowledge and ignorance. – Plato

That’s what technology does. It means well, then it ruins your life. – Jen (Krista Marie Yu), Last Man Standing

Honesty is the 1st chapter in the book of wisdom. – Thomas Jefferson

If you have made mistakes, there is always another chance for you. You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing we call ‘failure’ is not the falling down, but the staying down. – Mary Pickford

You’re voted guilty, sh*thead. – Margaret Josephs, The Real Housewives of New Jersey

In a world where you can be anything, be kind. – Jennifer Dukes Lee

Not the Weakest Link…

Join me again on Monday really Tuesday for soap, some Sailing, and the House that won’t go away. Until then, stay safe, stay fighting for the underdog, and stay being a good friend by sometimes letting them come to you.

April 13, 2023 – Victor (Finally) Explains His Plan, His Kid, Déjà Ball, New Girl, Celebrations, First Time, VanderTalk, Chilling Addition & Lost

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Portia says she can’t reach her daughter, but Curtis says, she might have her phone off. Portia says, that would explain the voicemail, but not the texts. The texts should still be going through, but they’re not. He says, she might be out of range, when Jordan and Dante come along. Portia says, no, no, no. Not Trina. Jordan says, they hate to bother her at work, but they have some questions about an ongoing investigation, and Portia asks, what kind of questions? Curtis says, has something happened to Trina?

Spencer says, this can’t be the last of him and Trina; they’re just getting started. Trina says, they’re on the same page, and he tells her, be careful. She promises she will, and says, they’ve got this, but first, they’ve got to call for help. He says, without his escort discovering her, and she says, any ideas?

Sonny comes out of the hospital elevator looking like he has a headache, and Laura asks if he’s here to check on Anna. He asks how Anna is doing, and Laura says, she’s out of surgery. They just moved her to ICU. He says he’ll take any good news where he can get it, and she says she takes it he doesn’t have any leads on Spencer. He says, or Victor, but don’t worry. When he finds Victor, he’s going to pay more than he’s ever paid before.

Michael wonders why he has the feeling he’s about to get ganged up on, and Brook says, that’s a little extreme. Sasha says, Willow has something she wants to tell him, that’s all, and Willow says she just needs him to really listen. He says he always listens to her. What’s wrong? She says she wants to get married, and he says, good, so does he. She says, today.

Valentin raises his head, and sees Anna looking at him. He says, if that’s not the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen. Welcome back.

Michael says, Willow wants to get married today? and she says, tomorrow at the latest. Brook says, it makes sense, now that the transplant’s been postponed, and Sasha says, and who knows for how long, since Liesl is still missing. Willow says she doesn’t want to wait… She can’t wait. Time is running out. She wants to marry him as soon as possible, so they can have as long as possible together as husband and wife. Please consider it. He says, there’s nothing to consider. He’ll marry her whenever, wherever she wants.

While Victor eats breakfast, a guard brings Obrecht in. Victor says, there she is, and may he say, she looks divine. She says, no, he may not, and he says he does appreciate her joining him on such short notice. Breakfast? She says, it looks more like a funeral. All they need now is a body.

Valentin asks the doctor how Anna is, and she says, still at risk for post-op complications, but she was lucky. She’s on track to make a full recovery. Anna thanks her, and tearfully says she’s grateful. The doctor says she’ll be back to check on Anna, and leaves. Valentin says he doesn’t think luck had anything to do with it. God is an Anna Devane fan. He thought he’d lost her. She says she thinks he saved her life, but he says he’s the reason she got shot in the first place. She tells him, don’t do that, and he says, Victor wanted to hurt him, and was willing to take her away from all of them to do it. She says, he didn’t, and Valentin says, thank God he didn’t. She starts to cry, and says, right before she blacked out, she saw something. It was a wall of faces of all the people she loves. She saw Robin, and Emma, and Noah, and him. That’s what helped her fight because she’s not ready to leave any of them just yet. She thinks he’s stuck with her. He says he’ll hold her to that, and kisses her.

Portia says, Jordan needs to tell her what’s going on right now, and Jordan asks if they can go to her office. Curtis says, if this is about Trina, he needs to come too, and they head for Portia’s office. Dante asks Laura if there’s any word on Anna, and Laura says, she’s out of surgery; she’s going to make it. Dante says, that’s a relief. Unfortunately, it sounds like Victor’s list of victims is growing.

Trina says, there’s no reason for the guard to latch the door when Spencer’s not here, right? It’ll work. Spencer says, it better, and she says, they can do this. Know how she knows? Because they make a good team. She will be the definition of stealth, while he creates the perfect diversion. He says, listen to him. His uncle can’t catch her. She says, he won’t, and they hear footsteps. She says, no turning back now.

In her office, Portia asks Jordan to please tell her what’s going on before she loses her mind, and Curtis asks, what happened to Trina? Jordan says, they don’t know for sure, but they have reason to believe she’s with Spencer Cassadine and his Great Uncle Victor.

Ambrose opens Spencer’s stateroom door, and Spencer says, it’s about time; he’s starving. He blows past Ambrose, and asks if they’re going or what. Ambrose closes the door, and Trina comes out. She slips into the hallway, and jets.

Anna asks, what’s happening? but Valentin says he doesn’t think they should talk about that. She says she wants to talk about him, and he says, she should be resting. She says she is; she’s in a bed. Tell her. He asks, what’s the last thing she remembers? and she says, it’s a bit of a blur. She knows he gave the necklace to Victor, didn’t he? He says, Victor was going to hurt her, and she says she would have done the same thing. Did Lucy get out okay? He says, she did. In fact, he thinks she made a grand entrance at the Nurses Ball. Anna laughs and says, of course (🍷) she did. Where is his father? Do they know? He says he knows Victor escaped on the Haunted Star. So far, the location of the boat is a mystery. She asks how that’s possible, and he says he doesn’t know, but it is. She should know, the necklace isn’t the only thing he escaped with.

Watkins brings some orange juice, since he wears many hats, and Victor says he’d hoped they could play nice, but Obrecht is greeting him with threats. If she’s thinking of causing any trouble, she should know he has guards all over this ship, ready to descend at a moment’s notice. Ambrose brings Spencer in, and Victor says, welcome, my boy. Obrecht says, and then there were three, and Spencer asks, what is this? Victor says he thinks Spencer’s already met Dr. Liesl Obrecht, and Spencer asks where his brother is. Victor said he’d be here. Obrecht says, make that four, and Victor says, he’ll see his brother after breakfast. Please, both of them, come sit. They sit down, and Victor says, isn’t this nice? Before we begin, let’s raise a glass to new beginnings. He raises his glass of juice, and Spencer asks how long Victor thinks he can string them along. Victor promised him answers, and he intends to collect.

Sonny says, so Trina is also one of Victor’s hostages? and Dante says, it’s looking like that. Laura wonders, how much damage can one man do in one night? and Dante says, they’re probably as tired of hearing it as he is of saying it, but they’re doing everything they can to find them. Laura says she knows and appreciates that, but this was exactly what she was afraid of when Victor came back to Port Charles. She tried to warn Spencer, more than once. She tried to protect him. Sonny says, she still protected him. They’re going to find him and bring him home. Dante says, that’s the plan, when Laura’s phone rings. She steps away to take the call, and Sonny asks, how’s Michael and Willow? Dante says he hasn’t talked to them. He hasn’t sat down since this whole thing started. (IKR? Of all the guys to ask.) Sonny says, there’s got to be a way to find Victor and bring Liesl home, and Dante says, they still have the guy who tried to kill Lucy in custody, but he’s not talking to anyone. Sonny says, not to the cops, but maybe the guy will talk to him.

Brook says, they can totally do today, but if Michael and Willow are willing to wait until tomorrow, things might be less frantic. Willow says, they’ll do tomorrow, and Brook says, awesome. Everything is going to come together, she just knows it. Sasha says, it will be the best wedding this town has ever seen, and Brook says, well, duh. We’re the Quartermaines. Amelia cries, and Michael asks if Brook and Sasha can put her down for a nap. They take Amelia upstairs, and Willow says, be honest. Is this really what he wants? He says he want’s to be her husband. Of course (🍷) this is what he wants. Did she really think he was going to fight her on this? She says she thought he’d think she was giving up, and he says, is she? With Liesl MIA right now, he knows things are scary. He wouldn’t blame her if she felt frustrated and hopeless. She says, frustrated, yes, and angry, and afraid. But she hasn’t given up hope. She’s praying with every fiber of her being that Liesl is found, and soon. He says, they have every reason to believe she will be, right? She hasn’t even been missing a full day. Willow says, it feels like the days count more than they used to, and Michael agrees. She says, so they need to be realistic. Dr. Randolph told them that she doesn’t have much time left, and she doesn’t want to gamble with what could be her final days. She hates the words as much as he does, but ignoring them doesn’t do them any good. If this is the end, she wants it to be filled with as much joy and love as possible. And so, just like she insisted on pushing up the wedding until after the transplant, now she wants to get married right away. She asks if she’s driving him crazy, and he says, the good kind of crazy. Let’s do it. They don’t know what the future holds, and their time may be limited, but their wedding is an act of faith that they’ll have many more years together, with a family their love created. She says she likes the sound of that, and he says, so does he, and they kiss.

Dante says he can’t let Sonny talk to the perp. Besides, Sonny already took a crack at him. Sonny says he doesn’t know what Dante’s implying, and Dante asks if Sonny thinks he doesn’t know the reason the guy has Diane for an attorney. That’s the only person he’s spoken to. The only lead they have is because of Sonny. Sonny says, the Haunted Star’s untraceable; they have to find a different angle. Dante says, they will. He has people working on it; Sonny’s got feelers out there too. They’re not going to quit, and he doesn’t think Sonny should either. Sonny says he doesn’t want to be put in this position again, where someone that he loves is dying, and he can’t do a damn thing about it.

Portia says, no. This can’t be happening. She cries, and Jordan asks, when was the last time she saw or spoke to Trina? Portia says, it was at the Nurses Ball, and Portia went to her dorm afterward, but she never showed up. Jordan says, what about Curtis? and he says, same. What is going on? Jordan says, they have evidence that Victor Cassadine abducted Liesl Obrecht, along with Esme Prince’s baby. They also have reason to believe Spencer Cassadine is with them as well. Given Trina was last seen with Spencer, who they believe was taken by his great uncle… Curtis says, her theory is that somehow Trina got caught up in it. Jordan says, yeah, and he asks what her department is doing about it. Jordan says, they have a lead, but unfortunately, following it won’t be easy.

Anna says, Valentin’s father has hostages? Who? Valentin says, nothing is certain, but the police suspect he has Spencer and Baby Ace, as well as Liesl Obrecht. Anna wonders what he wants with Liesl, but Valentin says he doesn’t know. Maybe they have value has hostages, maybe they’re part of his master plan whatever that is. Maybe it’s both.

Spencer says, Victor keeps talking about new beginnings, but he still hasn’t told them where he’s going, or why. And from the way she’s glaring at Victor, he’s betting Dr. Obrecht isn’t exactly here because she wants to be. Victor says he knows this whole situation must be very disconcerting to both of them, but Spencer has always shown willingness to protect their family at any cost. He’s counting on Spencer and his brother to ensure the future prosperity of the Cassadines. Obrecht says, as disturbing as that explanation was, she supposes she can understand him kidnapping his own kin, but she certainly doesn’t care about the Cassadine legacy. He chuckles and says, this goes much further than the family legacy. When his plan comes to fruition, they’ll be ushering in a new era of humanity.

Sonny tells Dante that when his father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s there was a damn thing he could do about it. There was no lead he could take. It was this awful disease that was happening to them. Dante says, same thing with Stone, and Sonny says, all he could do was just stand by there and watch him slip away. And no matter how ugly it is with him and Michael, he doesn’t wish that on anyone. Dante says, the way he heard it, Sonny didn’t just stand by there and do nothing. He cared for Mike. He loved him. He made sure Mike’s last days, weeks, and months on this earth were good ones. He did the same thing with Stone. Sonny couldn’t save him – no one could – but Sonny did them a world of good. Sonny thanks him for saying that, and Dante says, it’s the truth. He can do the same thing for Michael and Willow. Sonny says he’d love to, but Michael won’t let him. Dante says he wouldn’t be so sure about that.

Michael asks if everything is good with Amelia because man, that kid needed a nap, and Brook says, clearly they have the magic touch. Now what do they have to do to get this wedding off the ground? Willow says, almost everything is planned already, but they do need to contact the vendors, and tell them that they’re moving up the date. Sasha says, on it. Send her the list. Willow says she will, thanks Sasha, and hugs her. Michael says he’ll walk her out, and they leave. Brook says, what else? And Willow asks if she’d mind… Brook says, checking on Michael? and Willow says she knows this is hard on him, so if Brook can…

Jordan says, they believe Victor left Port Charles on the Haunted Star, and Curtis asks if that ship doesn’t have a GPS tracker. Jordan says, it did, but they found it tied to a buoy in the harbor, and Portia says, so they could be anywhere. Jordan says, the coastguard is working to locate them via satellite, but so far, no luck, and Portia says, this is a living nightmare. Jordan says, they’re utilizing all resources, she promises. The goal is to bring Trina, Spencer, and whoever else is on that boat home safely. Curtis thanks her, and Jordan says, obviously, she’ll be in touch. She leaves, and Portia says, her baby girl. She must be so scared right now. Curtis says, it’s okay; he’s got her. It’ll be okay. He holds her as she cries.

Anna says she doesn’t think Valentin’s father is motivated by money, so it’s not a ransom, and he says, no. Victor could be using Liesl, Spencer, and the baby as human shields. She says she imagines Victor sees Spencer as the only family he has left, but Liesl… Does he need something from her? Remember, they don’t know what the code on the Ice Princess means; they don’t know if it leads somewhere. Valentin says, Victor has everything he needs to put his plan in motion, and he could strike at any minute. She says, oh God. How do they, or anybody… How do they stop him?

Obrecht says, once again Victor has fallen prey to his bloated sense of self-importance, but Victor says he’s merely stating a fact. Someone has to do what needs to be done. She says, and that is? and Spencer says, issuing in a new era; what does that mean? Victor says he was horrified by the damage we were doing to our planet, and Spencer says, we? Victor says, we, us, people, humanity. Their greed and short-sightedness. Carelessly consuming the resources we need to survive. Left unchecked, there will be nothing left for future generations. Once upon a time, his brother Mikkos shared these views, and they developed a technology to reverse mankind’s mistakes. Obrecht says, a device used to control the climate. Do remind them how that turned out. Victor admits allying with Mikkos was a mistake. He soon showed himself to be a mere opportunist, using their innovation for extortion. His greed was not only disgusting, it was their undoing. Obrecht says, his greed, along with Luke and Laura, and Victor says he won’t make the same mistake twice. There are other ways of accomplishing what he set out to do years ago. Spencer asks, how? and Victor says, he and Mikkos developed another set of tools to save the world; tools they could fall back on if their first plan was a failure. Obrecht says, now there’s an understatement, and Victor says, for security reasons, they placed these tools in bunkers, the location of which only Mikkos knew. He engraved a code on the Ice Princess, which when deciphered would give the coordinates of those locations. Spencer says, the Ice Princess as in the diamond, and Victor says, that is correct. Spencer says he assumes they’re headed for one of those bunkers, and Obrecht asks if that’s why he killed Luke Spencer; so he could get his hands on that diamond? Victor says, sometimes sacrifices have to be made for the greater good, and there’s plenty of people out there who agree with him. While he was working on his plan, he gathered a great number of true believers willing to give their life for the cause. Obrecht says, before this is over, how many unwilling people are going to perish? and Victor says, humanity has all but ensured its own annihilation. The only way to reverse the damage is to take extreme measures, and take them now. Spencer says, define extreme, and Victor says, for forty years after Mikkos’s folly, do they realize the population of the planet has almost doubled? Eight billion people. Think of the strain on their resources and space. There’s no way it can be sustained, but it can be fixed. Obrecht asks, how? and he says, a pathogen stored in one of his brother’s bunkers. Once released, it will reduce the population to manageable levels. Obrecht says, his plan is to release an unknown pathogen into the world? and he says, unknown? He and Mikkos cultivated it to very specific specifications (ha-ha! say that five times real fast). She says, four decades ago. Who knows how that pathogen has morphed in that time. Victor says, the survivors will usher in a new age of man, and Spencer says, to hell with all the innocent people who will die, as long as Victor’s family remains intact. Who appointed him judge, jury, and executioner? Victor says he knows it seems heartless, but to bring about true change involves sacrifice, and Spencer says, sacrifice from everybody else. Victor says, someone has to have the courage to make the hard choices, and Spencer says, there’s no way he’s going to let Victor get away with this. Victor says he’s been working toward this his whole life. Nobody is going to stop him now. Not even Spencer.

Trina Stealth Robinson sneaks around the boat, evading the guards who go into the office.

Portia tells Curtis, Victor has Trina on some ship for God knows what reason. They have no idea where they are. What if Trina is hurt? Curtis says, they’ll find them, but Portia asks, how? Her daughter needs protecting, and she’s not there to protect her. What is she supposed to do? He says he’s seen how Trina handles herself in threatening situations. She’s tough; she’s level-headed. If she’s with Victor and Spencer, she’s finding a way out of it. Portia asks if he really thinks so, and he says he knows so.

Laura sees Jordan, and says, Dante just told her that Trina might be one of Victor’s hostages? and Jordan says, it’s a theory for now, but it’s seeming more and more likely. She just broke the news to Portia and Curtis. Laura says, she must be going out of her mind, and Jordan says, not the most fun conversation she’s ever had. Laura says, they’ve got to find those kids and bring them back home. Her office is at Jordan’s disposal. Don’t hesitate to ask for anything. Jordan thanks her, and says, actually, there is something Laura can do.

Sonny says, last time he checked, Michael didn’t want anything to do with him, unless Dante knows something different. Dante says he thinks in hard times, people’s perspectives change; you reevaluate what’s important. He just thinks Michael’s feelings will change as the situation evolves. Sonny says, when Willow got leukemia, there was a moment when he thought he and Michael were going to fix things, but last time they talked, it got heated. He knows Michael doesn’t want to see him at all. Dante says, maybe not today or tomorrow, maybe not next week, but who knows? What if one day he wakes up needing his father? Sonny isn’t going to turn him away, right? Sonny says, no matter how angry he is with Michael, if Michael reached out, he’d be there, and Dante says, so do that. It will give him something to do. He tells Sonny that he’s got to go, they hug, and Sonny thanks him for the talk.

Brook goes outside, and Michael wipes his eyes. He says, she caught him having a moment, and she tells him to have as many as he needs. He says, they seem to be happening a lot more lately, and she says, but not in front of Willow. He says, she has enough on her plate. He doesn’t want to add to it. She asks if she can say something. If he thinks she’s overstepping… He says he’ll tell her, and she says, maybe it’s time he and Willow shared a plate; shared their feelings about what’s really going on. The truth is, this is happening to both of them. She loves him, and she’s here for whatever he needs. He thanks her and says he loves her too, when his phone rings. Brook says, let her go. She misses the days of rocking Bailey to sleep. She goes inside, and he looks at his phone. We see it’s a call from Sonny. He says, now is not a good time, and Sonny says, it’ll be quick. Michael doesn’t even have to respond. Just let him say his piece. Michael says he doesn’t know. He’s got to go. Sonny says, okay, and Michael says, but… I hear you.

Valentin tells Anna, one thing is certain. We won’t be doing anything. We will stay in bed and we will recover. Anna says, okay, but just because she’s in this bed, it doesn’t render her useless. He says, of course (🍷) she’s not useless. He needs her. If he’s going to bring Victor down, he needs her desperately. But he’s not going to jeopardize her health to do it. Not much scares him… He starts to cry, and says, but when he watched her… She strokes his face, and he says, when he held her in his arms, straight away, that terrified him. He doesn’t want to be without her. She cries too, and says, he won’t be. He says, so she promises him that she won’t do anything to put herself at risk? and she says, okay. She promises. He kisses her hand, and then she kisses his.

Jordan says she knows Laura’s been working to take down Victor ever since he returned to Port Charles. She’s made allusions in the past, and Robert and Felicia confirmed it yesterday. Laura says she has a long history with the Cassadines. They’ve terrorized her and her family countless times, countless ways. No more. Jordan says she’s not blaming Laura, but Laura’s kept her out of the loop for way too long. She wants in. Their best chance of taking down Victor is working together; all of them.

Portia says her mind keeps going to all the scariest places, but Curtis says, she has to try not to let it. She says, they both know the Cassadines, how vindictive and evil and lethal they are, and he says, Jordan has the entire PCPD on their tail. She says, what if they’re not on time? but he says, Trina is coming home, even if he has to bring her home himself.

Trina peeks into the office, but the guards are still hanging around. She says, come on, Spencer. Where’s the diversion?

Victor says, come on, Spencer, think about it. This is the only way he and his brother will have a world to grow up in. Spencer says, assuming they don’t fall victim to the pathogen’s effects, and he says, that is where the lovely Dr. Obrecht comes in. Her expertise will assure his heirs are properly inoculated. He puts his hands on Obrecht’s shoulders, and she says, thus ensuring his precious legacy. If he thinks she’s going to help him, he’s truly lost his verstand (mind). He says he does love it when she talks German, but if she doesn’t comply with his wishes, he guarantees the consequences will be dire. Spencer jumps up, gets Obrecht in a headlock, pulling her from her chair, and holds a knife to her throat.

So… Victor is a secret unhinged environmentalist?

Tomorrow, Brook tells someone that she has a critical mission for them, and they have to accept it; Sam asks why Alexis can’t just let this go; Curtis tells Jordan that they won’t see him coming; Portia says, help is on the way; and Spencer tells Victor, no Obrecht, no plan.

🩰 That Explains It…

Eagle-eyed viewers? The only way to miss her would have been if you were in the bathroom or making a sandwich in the kitchen. In other words, not in the room.

💃🏾 In Case You Missed It…

Welcome to the Nurses Ball… again.

👧🏼 Revolving Charlottes…

All about this week’s Charlotte. IMO she was kind of bland.

🐇 In Their Easter Bonnets…

I’m glad some of them remembered what the holiday is about.

🔎 He’s Been the Good, He’s Been the Bad…

Here’s one for eagle-eyed viewers. I don’t know if I would have recognized him.

🍸 The Smell of Victory…

Ariana gets to dance, and Raquel has to pack her model walk and go. It’s a good week in VanderLand.

👹 Now That’s Scary…

I guess there’s been weirder casting. Maybe.

https://people.com/tv/kim-kardashian-joins-new-season-of-american-horror-story-with-emma-roberts/

🏀 Following the Bouncing Ball…

Punch in again tomorrow for soap, random leaves of tea, words that speak to you, and music befitting the occasion. Until then, stay safe, stay not waiting until the last minute to do your taxes… next year, and stay reevaluating what’s important before hard times force you to change your perspective.

April 12, 2023 – Trina Finds a Way Off the Ship, Scheana Gets Married As We Look For Clues & Fast

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Carly comes to Josslyn’s dorm room, and apologizes for not calling first. Josslyn says she was on her way to see Michael; she promised she’d babysit when Willow’s having her transplant. Carly says she’s glad she caught Josslyn before she left. Willow’s not having the transplant.

Sasha knocks at the gatehouse, and Brook lets her in. She asks how Willow is doing, and Willow says, hanging in there. Sasha asks if it’s a good time, and Willow says, it’s a perfect time. Michael says, they want to just chill out at home while they can. Once the police find Liesl Obrecht – which they hope will be soon – they’ll be back and forth to the hospital again. First chemo, then the transplant, then happily ever after.

At the station, Jordan asks, any word from the coastguard? and Dante says, they got a reading on the ship’s transponder, but by the time they got to it, all they found was a transponder sitting on a buoy. She says, the Haunted Star didn’t just disappear. Somebody must have seen something. He says, Victor wanted to make sure the boat can’t be found, when Gladys walks in. She says she’s here to give her statement. She had a very expensive piece of jewelry taken from her person last night. Maybe Dante can help her? He asks if she can come back later, and she says she’d be happy to, except Gillborn jewelers lent the bracelet to Sasha, and they’re not letting it go until Cody Bell pays for his crime. Jordan suggests they not get ahead of themselves, and Dante says, innocent until proven guilty, remember? Dante excuses himself, and Gladys asks if she gives Jordan her statement. Dante goes into the interrogation room and asks Cody if he ever plans on growing up.

Valentin says, nothing? No word on Anna? Felicia says, the surgeon said it could take some time, and he says, they’ve been here all night and not even an update. He walks away, and Felicia tells Laura that he’s feeling helpless. They all do. Laura says, right now she’s not just worried about Anna. Victor has two of her grandsons. She’d give anything to know where they are. All they can do is wait and pray.

Valentin sees Portia, and says, they’ve been waiting all night for word on Anna Devane. She says, someone from Anna’s team will be down shortly, but he says, that’s not good enough. There’s got to be a reason for this extended silence. Something’s gone wrong, hasn’t it?

Trina slips into Spencer’s room, and he says, thank God she’s safe, hugging her. He asks why she risked coming back here, and she says, some risks are worth taking. She thinks she found a way off this ship.

Valentin says he needs to know about Anna, but Portia says, as she stated, Anna’s not her patient. He says, Anna’s not her responsibility, so she’s not Portia’s problem? but Portia tells him, she didn’t say that. He says, she’s not saying much about anything. If she could just not give him a bunch of hospital policy, not give him a bunch of excuses, and just give him some answers. Curtis comes along, and tells Valentin, that’s enough, or Valentin will have to answer to him. Portia smiles a little.

Josslyn says, when Dr. Obrecht didn’t reappear in the magic act, that was real? and Carly says, it looks like someone kidnapped her. Sonny sent Dex to check, and he found this charm that looked like it belonged to a bracelet. She knows it belonged to Britt, and he found it in the crawlspace beneath the stage. Josslyn says, actually, she needs to talk to Carly about Dex, and Carly says, Sonny told her that he knows about them. Josslyn says, Sonny caught them, and told them that he’s known about them for months, and that he was just disappointed in Dex for lying to him. Thank God Dex saved his life. Carly asks what she means; when? Josslyn says, they went to a warehouse, and someone was taking shots at Sonny, when Dex stepped in and saved Sonny. He got grazed on the arm. Carly says she knew Dex was injured, but didn’t know he was shot. Why didn’t Josslyn tell her? Josslyn says she didn’t even know until the day after. And Carly knew something was going on with Sonny; he wouldn’t even let the girls up to the penthouse. Carly says, Sonny’s security issues are one thing, but when her daughter’s seeing a guy who gets shot, she wants to know about it. Like Carly wouldn’t guess Dex might get shot, especially after the talk she had with Josslyn about what to expect. Josslyn says she’s sorry. She should have told Carly, but she’s okay, really. She’s going to be more than thrilled when this whole thing is over, but right now, Spencer, his little brother, and Dr. Obrecht are all missing. And if Dr. Obrecht is missing, that means Willow can’t get the transplant. Carly says, the police are looking for Obrecht, and she prays they find her, but they’re going to have to prepare themselves.

Michael says he’s going to call Dante and see if there’s an update. He leaves, and Brook says, he’s really holding it together. Willow says, he’s been her rock, and Brook says, but…? Willow says, nothing, sorry. She fades in and out sometimes. Sasha says, they know she and Michael are being strong for each other, and Brook says, but everyone needs to vent sometimes, even Willow. So whatever she’s feeling, just say it. Willow says she knows Michael believes everything is going to be okay, because that’s what he has to believe, but at some point, they have to face facts. And the fact is, the PCPD may not find Dr. Obrecht. At least not in time to save her.

Dante asks if Cody called a lawyer, but Cody says he can’t afford one. A public defender is just going to try and get him to plead out, which he’s not going to do because he’s innocent. Dante tells him, the evidence says otherwise, and Cody says, Dante knows him. Even if he did try to steal that bracelet, does Dante think he’d hide it in his jacket pocket? Dante says he doesn’t know, but he has three missing people, and doesn’t have time to help Cody. Cody says he hears Dante. He’s going to sort this mess out himself. Dante asks, how? From a jail cell? Why doesn’t he call Mac? Cody says, Mac’s the one who arrested him, and Dante says, maybe Cody should have told Mac that he’s his son. Cody says, then what? He has the pleasure of putting his son in the slammer? It doesn’t really matter. He already made his one phone call; help’s on the way. Sam walks in, and says, good morning.

Spencer asks how they’re going to escape at sea. They have no way of communicating with anybody. Trina says, maybe they do. She was in the utility closet, and there were all these maps of the ship, so she got to studying them. He says, of course (🍷) she did, and she says, it showed the communications room on the map. It’s located at the front of the ship. Spencer says, the bow, and she says, whatever. She snuck out, and did some snooping, and managed to find the room. There has to be a radio there, right? There was somebody coming, so she had to get out of there as soon as she could, but if there is a radio, she could call for help. He says, she’ll have to find a way to sneak back in the room without someone noticing her. If his uncle finds her, he doesn’t need her as a hostage; he’ll throw her overboard. She says, it’s their only option. So here’s the plan…

Trina tells Spencer that she stayed in the closet until about 2 or 3 in the morning. She figured Victor would only have a skeleton crew on lookout, and she was right. He only had two on the left, and three on the other side, and they have zero visibility of the communications room. They all go on a smoke break at the same time. He asks how she’s going to get back, and she says she’ll stay out of sight until tonight, then make a break for the office and radio for help. They hear Victor coming, and Spencer says, hide. She says, where?

Josslyn says, Willow finally has a donor and she’s gone? and Carly says, it’s crazy. She can’t believe Victor took all three of them; he took Spencer, the baby, and Obrecht. She knows the police are going to follow every lead and talk to every witness, but she prays they find Obrecht. Josslyn wonders how long that’s going to take, because Willow gets weaker every time she sees her. Just like with Oscar. You try to stay positive, and you pray for a miracle, but what if that miracle never comes? Carly hugs Josslyn, and says, she knows.

Jordan asks Gladys to have a seat in the waiting area, and Gladys says she’s sure whatever everybody’s buzzing about around here is important, but she’s here about a very expensive bracelet. Jordan says, someone will take her statement, but they’re very busy. Perhaps Gladys should come back later. Gladys says, aren’t cops supposed to take statements from victims while the details are fresh? Who knows what she might forget about Cody’s crime?

Dante asks what Sam is doing here, and she says, Cody called her. He said he had no one to turn to. She hugs Dante, and Cody says he didn’t sound that desperate. She says, those were his exact words, but he says he doesn’t think she accurately captured his tone. She says she’s here, so how can she help? and Dante says, maybe Sam could convince Cody to hire a cheap lawyer. Cody says he believes she was asking what he needed, and Dante says he believes Cody has the right to remain silent. Sam says she’s got this. Go out and find Victor and those hostages. Dante kisses her and leaves. Cody thanks Sam for coming, and she asks how she can help. He says he needs her to bail him out, but she says she can’t just post bail. He has to see a judge first. He says he knows; he’s been arraigned before. He promises he’s good for the bail money, and won’t go anywhere, and she tells him, says the guy with the hot bracelet? He says, that was a frame. He doesn’t care what she heard; he’s being set up. She tells him, said every thief ever. Hell, she’s even said it she doesn’t know how many times, and she was guilty every single one of them. He says, allow him to be the exception that proves the rule. Someone planted that bracelet on him.

Gladys tells an officer, and that’s when Sasha noticed the bracelet was missing. At the desk, Jordan says, it’s like Victor, the ship, and the hostages all vanished into thin air, and Dante says he thinks he knows someone who might be able to help them. (Spinelli?)

Valentin says, this is a private conversation, and doesn’t concern Curtis, but Curtis says, it does when it concerns his wife. Show her some respect. Portia says, let her see what she can find out, and Valentin thanks her. Portia leaves, and Curtis follows her.

Victor says he wants Ambrose to keep a close eye on Spenc… He sees the deadbolt is open, and goes inside the stateroom. It’s empty, and he tells Ambrose to search the ship. Spencer comes out of the bathroom, wearing a towel, and we can see he’s been working on his summer body. He asks Victor if something is wrong, and we see Trina hiding under the bed.

Willow says she knows there’s a chance they’ll find Dr. Obrecht, and the transplant will happen, she’ll recover, and get to see her kids grow up. She wants that more than anything, and she’s holding out hope. But at the same time… Sasha says, in her experience, blind hope can get in the way of saying goodbye, and Willow says, exactly. She doesn’t want Michael’s last memories to be of her waiting desperately for the phone to ring. She wants him to remember them as a loving family. Brook says, of course (🍷) he will, and Willow says, Amelia won’t remember her at all, and Wiley’s so young. She wants Michael to be able to show the kids her picture, and say, that’s your mom. Amelia chooses this time to pitch a mini fit, and Willow says, and she loved us all so much, and always will. Sasha says, they can make sure that happens, and Brook says something I can’t hear because Amelia is making a loud fuss. Willow says, that’s why they can’t wait to throw some big wedding. They’re out of time.

Laura asks, when was the last time Curtis saw Trina? and he says, last night. He takes out his phone, and says, maybe she knows something that can help them track down Spencer. Portia joins them, and says she has news. Anna is just out of surgery, and they’re getting her set up in the ICU room as they speak. Valentin asks if he can see her, and Portia says, after a surgery like this, it may take a while before she wakes up, but yes, he can. Felicia tells Valentin to go in first, and he says he’ll let them know how she is. He apologizes to Portia, and says he shouldn’t have spoken to her that way. She says, apology accepted. Go see Anna. He leaves, and Portia says, let her know if there’s anything else she can do. Curtis asks if she can wait for a second, and goes over to her. She asks, what’s up? and he says he’s sure it’s probably nothing, but has she heard from Trina lately?

Carly says, Josslyn is going over to Michael and Willow’s. She thinks the more family the better. It’s good for them, so why doesn’t she go too? Josslyn says she’d like that, when there’s a knock at the door. Josslyn opens it to find Dante, who asks if they’ve seen Trina. Josslyn says, she’s not here, but come in. Carly asks, what’s going on? and Dante says, actually, he’s looking for Spencer. Josslyn says she thought Victor Cassadine had Spencer and his little brother, but Dante says, they don’t know that Victor has Spencer, but Trina and Spencer were together at the Ball, and probably hung out after the Ball. Maybe Trina could give them a timeline of his whereabouts. Josslyn says she hasn’t seen Trina since the Ball, and Dante says, but she’s staying at the dorms, right? Josslyn says, she was supposed to come back here; they were going to a party together. But she was worried about Spencer, so she went to check on him and see if she could help him out. Dante says, she hasn’t seen Trina since? and Josslyn says, no. Her mom came by here looking for her yesterday, but like she said, Trina wasn’t here. He says, so no one’s seen Trina since the Ball, and Josslyn says, not that she knows of.

Victor says, so Spencer’s been enjoying the sea air? but Spencer says he wouldn’t know. He’s been locked up in this stateroom. Victor says, an unfortunate, but necessary precaution until Spencer realizes everything he’s done is for Spencer’s own good. Spencer laughs, and says, that’s why Victor kidnapped him and his brother, for their own good? Victor says he didn’t kidnap Spencer; he invited Spencer here, and he accepted. Spencer says, Victor asked him to join him on the ship, and when he did, Victor stole the boat out of the harbor without asking him if he wanted to come. Victor says, he is the head of this family. He doesn’t need to ask anyone anything. And besides, even if he’d given Spencer a choice, the outcome would have been the same. Spencer wants to be where his brother is, and Victor needs Spencer’s brother with him, so here they all are. Spencer says, the point of bringing him along was so he could spend time with his brother, so why doesn’t Victor let Spencer see him? Victor says, all in good time, and Spencer says, he doesn’t work for Victor, and sure as hell doesn’t take orders from him. Victor says he suggests Spencer change that attitude. His son knows what he’s capable of when crossed. He hopes Spencer doesn’t have to learn the same lesson, the hard way. We see that, yep, Trina’s still under the bed.

Valentin looks through Anna’s room window, and sees her unconscious, all hooked up to machines.

Sam says, Gladys set him up? and Cody says, yes. Sam says, she’s a piece of work, and he says, so she believes him? She says she wouldn’t put it past Gladys, but why? and he says he told Gladys that he was going to tell Sasha that she – Gladys – wasn’t to be trusted. Sam asks, what did Gladys do that he needs to warn Sasha? but he says he can’t tell her. She says, why not? and he says, because he likes his kneecaps exactly where they are. They help him walk, kneel, and stay on a horse. She says, he’s being threatened, and he says, no. He’s not the one being threatened. Let’s just say, Sasha needs to be really careful about whose hands she puts her life in.

Sasha says, of course (🍷) Willow doesn’t want to wait to marry Michael. This is her family. She wants them to know forever and ever how much she loves them. Brook says, the best part is, Willow doesn’t have to do a thing. They’ll make sure this wedding happens. Willow thanks them, but says she hasn’t even discussed rescheduling the wedding with Michael. He would have married her at the hospital months ago, but she was the one who insisted on coming home, and getting married at the main house. Then they found out Dr. Obrecht was a match. She told him that she wanted to wait until after the transplant to dance at her wedding and celebrate. Of course (🍷) he agreed, and now she’s changed her mind again, and wants to get married immediately. Isn’t that the same as telling him that she’s given up hope?

Deanna comes out of Anna’s room, and sees Valentin. He asks if he can speak with Anna’s surgeon, but Deanna says, the procedure was very long. She won’t be available for several hours. He asks if there’s anyone else he can talk to, and she says, the doctor instructed her to inform him that she was able to remove the bullet. It missed the major organs and arteries. However, Miss Devane lost a considerable amount of blood. About an hour into surgery, she went into cardiac arrest. He says, again? She coded in the ambulance. Deanna says, fortunately, the team was able to get her heart back in sinus rhythm, and complete the surgery, and he asks, how long before she wakes up? Deanna says, there’s no way to predict. She was under a long time. Valentin says, so she should be awake by now… but she isn’t. He looks in the window again.

Felicia asks how Laura is feeling, and Laura says, uneasy, unsettled. It’s like everything that’s happening right now is strangely familiar. When she was a kid – we flash back to that – the Cassadines had her trapped on that boat, only back then, it was called The Titan. Is history repeating itself with her grandsons?

Portia tells Curtis that she had an extremely strained moment with Trina at the Nurses Ball, and he says, and after that? She says she stopped by Trina’s dorm room to check on her, but she wasn’t there and never showed up. He says, she didn’t call or leave a text? and Portia says, no, but Trina didn’t know she was going to be there. And it’s not like she’s calling or texting that much nowadays anyway. Why all the questions? What’s going on? He says, it’s probably nothing… and she says, he keeps saying that, but it’s clearly something. He can’t ask her questions about Trina and not expect her to ask why. He says he doesn’t want to worry her, but she says, it’s too late for that.

Josslyn says she texted Trina last night, but her mom was here, so maybe that’s why she never came back. She checks her phone, and Dante says he doesn’t want to worry them. There’s no reason to believe Trina’s in any danger. Carly says, him looking for Trina isn’t really giving off that vibe, and Josslyn hands Dante her phone, saying, look at these pics. He tells her, it says they weren’t delivered, and asks if he can call her. Josslyn says, he can. She didn’t notice last night that they weren’t delivered. It’s not that she didn’t respond; she never got them. Dante says, it’s going straight to voicemail. He has to get out of here. Carly says, he has to tell them what’s going on, but he says he’s literally told them everything he knows. Josslyn says, Victor Cassadine has Spencer, Ace, and Dr. Obrecht. Does he have Trina too?

Spencer says he knows exactly what Victor is capable of, and he’s seen the damage Victor has done. Trina sees her bag sticking out from under the bed, and reaches for it, but then pulls back when Victor gets too close. Spencer says, Victor kidnapped him… Relocated him without his consent because the only way he can have a relationship with another human being is if he’s in total complete control. For God’s sake, he abducted an infant. Victor suggests he send for breakfast. He’s sure Spencer will think more clearly on a full stomach. They can discuss the future, and he’ll answer any and all questions. Spencer says, not here, and Victor says, another complaint about his accommodations? This is a stateroom. Spencer says he’s been cooped up in it all night. They’re surrounded by open water, and he thinks Victor knows he’s not going anywhere without his baby brother. So Victor can trust him as far as the dining room. Victor says, perhaps for lunch, and Spencer says, Victor claims he’s destined for greater things, yet keeps him locked up in here. He can only think of one reason that might be. He thinks Victor is afraid of him. Is he right? Is Victor afraid of what he might do?

Valentin goes into Anna’s room, and walks to the bed. He tells Anna that she’s a fighter. She can do this. He needs her to do this. Deanna says she’ll give them some privacy, and leaves. Valentin sits next to the bed, and takes Anna’s hand. He says, wherever you are, come back to me.

Brook says, Michael’s been through a lot, but he’s survived all of it, and right now, he’s surviving this, out of love for Willow, Wiley, and Amelia. He loves them more than anything. Willow thanks her, and says, that’s why… Brook cuts her off, and says, Michael, as they all know, is a multitasker. So he can believe with all his heart that Obrecht will get back in time for Willow’s transplant and lead a long life. But at the same time, he can understand Willow needs to… Sasha says, Willow needs to tell Michael, Wiley, and Amelia how much she loves them. How much she’ll always love them. Willow says, even if she’s gone?

Sam says, assuming Cody’s story is true, she needs to know all the players. Who’s threatening Gladys Corbin? He says, she doesn’t want to know. Dante really doesn’t want to know. The cops cannot be involved. Sam says, here’s where she doesn’t understand what’s going on here. Cody is being threatened by some low life, and he’d rather skip town than ask his friends for help. He doesn’t have to do this alone. Just give her a name. He says, this isn’t about him, but she says, he’s the one in custody. He says, it’s about Sasha. Gladys is in trouble, and it can blow back on Sasha. She says, not that he shouldn’t, but why does he care what happens to Sasha? He says, they’re kind of friends. Please let him handle this his way. He knows these people and how they operate. All he needs to do is get out of this police station and he can help his friend. He promises he won’t go on the run. An officer comes in, and says, it’s time for Cody’s arraignment. He cuffs Cody, and Cody asks Sam to please back him up with the judge. Sam says, he’s literally given her no reason to trust him, but he says, there’s exactly one reason – Dante trusts him. He does, doesn’t he?

Dante says if he has any more questions, or Carly and Josslyn have any more information to share with him, they can call him, but he really has to get going. Josslyn stops him and asks where Trina could be. She didn’t just disappear. Dante says he doesn’t know what to tell them other than, when he knows something, they’ll know something. In the meantime, he wants Josslyn to keep her phone on, and if she hears anything, let him know. He leaves, and Josslyn says, what if she was with Spencer when Victor grabbed him?

In the hallway, on the phone, Dante says, no sign of Trina, and Jordan asks if he has anything else. Any physical evidence to connect her to Spencer’s or Victor’s disappearance? He says, nothing yet. He’s going to talk to Portia. He’s heading to the hospital now. She says she’ll meet him there.

Curtis tells Portia, as it turns out, Spencer went missing last night, along with his little brother. Since Trina was with him at the Ball, she may have been the last person to see him. Portia says she’s got to call Trina. She calls, and says, it’s going straight to voicemail; maybe she’s got her phone off. She leaves a message that she’s checking to see if Trina is okay. Give her a call. She says she’s going to text Trina too, and Curtis says he’ll call the university, and have them do a safety check. She says, the texts aren’t going through; they’re going undelivered. What does she do now? She can’t reach her daughter?

Laura says she has the feeling the answer to all of this lies in the past; a part of her history she hasn’t been able to connect with yet. Felicia says, let’s break it down. Victor finally has everything he’s after. He’s got the Ice Princess necklace and the decryption key. He’s got Spencer and Ace. Where would he go? Laura says, someplace isolated where he can protect himself if someone were to come after him. Felicia says, so if someone did come after him… Laura says she guesses it would have to be someplace where he has some kind of hold with the authorities, and Felicia says, exactly. So, thoughts? Laura says, a lot of the old Cassadine haunts come to mind. They’re all similar. They’re fortresses and compounds, and islands. They’re places where Victor could go and just do whatever he wanted. Felicia says, think. Where would the Haunted Star sail? Laura says she knows the Cassadines had some hideouts in Panama, Ecuador… There was one on the coast of Venezuela, and that one was completely isolated. It was cut off from everything by miles and miles of tropical rainforests. In fact, you couldn’t even get to it except by boat. Felicia says, they might have a lead.

Victor asks what Spencer might do, and Spencer says, anything if it meant being free. Wouldn’t Victor feel the same in his position? Victor says, Spencer makes a good point, but freedom is not a right; freedom must be earned. Spencer says, all he’s asking for is breakfast in the dining room and to see his baby brother, and Victor says he doesn’t suppose there’s any harm in Spencer getting a little air and nourishment, since they’re in the middle of the ocean. Spencer says, believe him, the sweet release of drowning isn’t the freedom he longs for, and Victor says, very well; breakfast in the dining room. It will take a while to make arrangements. Can he bear his confinement a moment longer? Spencer says he’ll survive. He always does. Victor says he’ll send for Spencer shortly. Outside, Victor locks the deadbolt, and tells Ambrose, if he finds this deadbolt unlatched again, Ambrose is going to find himself in some very deep, cold water, attached to a very heavy weight. Trina grabs her bag, and crawls out from under the bed. Spencer helps her up, and asks if she’s all right. She says, yeah. He was right. They’re so trapped here. He says, no, they’re not. His Uncle Victor thinks he has him all figured out, but he just made a terrible mistake.

Curtis tells Portia that Trina is one of the most practical, level-headed people they know, but she says, not when it comes to Spencer Cassadine though. That’s the problem. He says, maybe her phone is dead, and Portia says, that would explain the voicemail, but not the texts not going through. He says, maybe it’s just out of range, when Jordan and Dante walk up. Portia says, no, no, no. Not Trina.

Sam goes into the squad room, and seeing Cody in handcuffs, Gladys says she always knew Cody couldn’t be trusted. He’s spent time behind bars before. Sam says, maybe he has, but not today. He’ll make bail. Gladys says, she’s buying his act? Is she nuts? Sam keeps walking, and Gladys watches as the officer leads Cody out.

Brook says, a celebration is really all Willow’s asking for. So her advice is to just rip off the Band-Aid because Willow can really tell Michael anything. Sasha says, Brook is right. Michael will understand. Michael returns, and says, understand what?

Laura says, what they have is a theory, with no real evidence to back it up and show to the authorities, and Felicia says, they have to find something. Laura says, but how? They’re not going to be able to infiltrate that compound. Venezuela has a very different boundary now; it’s tough to get in to. More important, it’s tough to get out of. Felicia says, not to worry. She knows exactly who can help them.

Josslyn says, Trina is important to Spencer, and Carly says, and Victor would use Trina as leverage against Spencer. Josslyn says, in a heartbeat, but why would he have to do that? Spencer will do anything Victor tells him to do. Carly says, maybe he doesn’t have her then, and Josslyn says, then where is she? Carly says she doesn’t know, but she does know Dante has the entire Port Charles police department searching for her. At the very least, wherever she is, maybe she’s not alone.

Spencer asks if Trina is ready, and she suggests they go over it one more time anyway. He says he’s going to cause a diversion with his uncle, and that’s going to draw attention away from the deck. She says, then she’ll go in the communication office and radio for help. This better work. He says he thinks this diversion is going to be epic. She doesn’t have to worry. He’s had lots of practice at causing a scene. They laugh, and he takes her hands, telling her, in case he doesn’t get another chance to say this, he wants her to know that she’s the best thing that’s ever happened… She kisses him, and says, it’s not the end for them. They’ve got this.

Valentin says he’s been negotiating… maybe with God. Maybe the universe; maybe with himself. He’s been making a lot of promises in his head. One promise he can make her; his father will pay for this. He promises her, no matter what it takes, he’s going to put his father down. But right now, I need you to wake up, darling. He puts his head down on the bed and cries, saying, he just wants her to wake up. Slowly, Anna opens her eyes.

Tomorrow, Valentin says, Anna’s come back; Victor tells Obrecht, sometimes sacrifices have to be made; Sonny tells Laura that Victor is going to pay more than he’s ever paid before; and Willow tells Michael that she wants to get married today.

Vanderpump Rules

Get your baskets ready for egg collection. It was an extra long episode too.

Schwartz tells Raquel that the kiss was anticlimactic, and she says she thought it was pretty nice, and they should go somewhere private. They step away, while Katie and her dinner companions head for a bar, not knowing what just happened. Raquel and Schwartz kiss some more, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen less chemistry between two people. In Raquel’s interview, she says, Schwartz’s lips are soft, and they were sweet, delicate kisses. She feels giddy, happy, and excited. Maybe this could be something. Schwartz says, the moment’s passed. It feels illegal. Raquel calls him the kissing bandit, and says, Katie already hates her, so they might as well. He says he’s not telling Katie, but Raquel says, everyone knows. Lala, Kristina, Katie, Ally, and James gather in Lala’s room, and Scheana calls Lala. Lala puts it on speaker, and asks, what’s up? Scheana asks, what happened? Lala never showed up for the party, and Lala says, she had dinner and came back to her room. Scheana says, they’ll talk about it tomorrow, and says she saw where Lala was having dinner. Did she see Schwartz and Raquel make out? She heard about it, but didn’t personally see it. Lala asks where she’s hearing it from, and Scheana says, Brock’s friend Clint. She heard people cheering, but she thought there was more entertainment. Lala suggests she find out what really happened, and when she hangs up, James says, Schwartz and Raquel are finally going to bump peepees tonight. Well done. Because he doesn’t know the correct names for body parts. In Katie’s interview, she says she feels like she was punched in the gut, and kicked in the face. The people  who were cheering them on aren’t people who care about her. Scheana calls Lala back, and asks Brock if Schwartz and Raquel made out. He says, they did, and she asks if he saw it, because she didn’t. He says, they all saw it, and Lala asks why they were cheering. He says, they wanted to see Schwartz happy, and Lala says, Katie did nothing to them to deserve this, and Raquel is a disgusting swamp creature. Scheana says she’s not going there, and she’s bummed that Lala missed some special moments today. Katie says she’s going bed, and in her interview, she says she feels so much hate inside of her. She hates them both, but hates Schwarz more. F*** Raquel, but Schwartz owes her more. James says he’s known Schwartz had the hots for Raquel; who doesn’t? Lala says, James’s ex-fiancé is a f***ing whore; a cheap broke-down hoe. James says, Schwartz wants to f*** the sh*t out of Raquel, and Lala says, he’s disgusting. He and Ally leave.

There’s a party in Scheana and Brock’s room, and Sandoval chants, Raquel, Raquel, Raquel. Ariana asks why he’s being an a-hole, and oh my God, you can see it right there, the way Raquel and Sandoval – let me just say it, the overused buzzword – vibe. Raquel says she and Schwartz just had a moment, and the others cheered. In Ariana’s interview, she says, just when she thought it was safe. Katie was on her side of the resort, James and Raquel seemed cool, now this happened. They’re back where they started, 10 feet underground. Sandoval tries to give Schwartz’s room key to Raquel, but Ariana grabs it and throws it back. Some of the guests jump in the pool, many of them stripping off their clothes, but Raquel goes in wearing her party dress. Lala gets in bed with Katie and Kristina, and Katie says she has hate for Schwartz and Raquel unlike anything she could imagine. If he needed a date or a hook-up, there are a million other girls. They just got divorced after 12 years together, and are unpacking a lot. She hopes it was worth it.

Scheana, Raquel, Ariana, and Scheana’s sister Cortney go to a spa. Scheana says she’s disappointed that Lala didn’t come to the biggest event. She didn’t even say hi. It’s not a good look. At this point, she’s wondering if Lala is going to show up for the wedding. Raquel wonders, what if she walked down the aisle with Schwartz instead of Joey? and Scheana thinks that’s a great idea. Raquel calls Schwartz, and asks for his thoughts, and he says he’d love to. In Ariana’s interview, she says she thinks Raquel is starting to think she has feelings for Schwartz. Raquel thinks she’s living in a romcom, but she’s the only one in it.  They laugh, and Scheana hopes Katie has a good view. These people suck. James calls Ally Bubba, and I think, WTF? Is this an L.A. Thing? Is this Southern Charm? Schwartz comes over to sit with James and Ally, and James says, Schwartz made out with Raquel, but Schwartz says, they don’t have a thing. James says, it’s offensive, but go on, and Schwartz says, Katie forbid him to make out with her, and it was like middle school. He felt like he was sticking it to the man. Now Katie is livid. In Schwartz’s interview, he says, it’s like The Princess and the Toad. He’d never felt less desirable, and Raquel is a total princess. He thought the kiss would snap him out of it. A producer asks if it did, and Schwartz says he thinks so. They ask if making out with Raquel made him happy, and he says, temporarily. James says he’s not picking sides, but wonders if digging at Katie with his ex-fiancé is warranted. Schwartz asks Ally to back him up. James says, Schwartz doesn’t need to be asking his current girlfriend to back up him kissing James’s ex-fiancé.  

We get a Villa Rosa break. Swans! Ponies! Smootchie! Greg visits Lisa, and in her interview, she says she was worried about reaching out to Greg, that he might think she was overstepping the boundaries, but he was pretty amenable to meeting. He has to know what he’s doing, but does he know what he’s doing with the Toms. She asks if Greg thinks they’ll be ready to open on the 31st, but he says, no. They’re still working on the menu, and there’s still no drink menu. They have a list of drinks, but there’s no bar menu, no bar bible, no procedures, and no training. His role was to teach and mentor them, and explain how it works, but they haven’t listened to a single thing. Lisa says she gets that they bring something unique, and if they open, it will be a fun experience. In Lisa’s interview, she says, they wanted to partner with the Toms because they bring excitement and energy, but she doesn’t think Greg has it. She tells Greg that she’ll kick the Toms asses to get things done, but Greg has to promise if she does, they’ll open on the 31st. He says he can’t make that promise, and she says, open, right or wrong, but he says he doesn’t know.

Schwartz brings Tom a morning pina colada, and tries to get him up, telling him, the wedding started five minutes ago. He had a weird dream that he was wasted and made out with Raquel in the pool. Lala goes to Scheana’s room, and Scheana asks if Lala is coming to dinner, but Lala says, no. She’s going off the property for dinner. She can’t after what happened last night. Her life is intense, and she wants to be surrounded by women who rally around, support, and build-up each other. Raquel reminds her of the girls who would be with Randall; the dirtiness of it. Scheana says she’s wrong, but Lala says, no one can convince her otherwise. In Lala’s interview, she says, there’s a certain caliber of chicks who don’t think about anybody but their insecure selves. She tells Scheana that it takes her back to a place where she was disrespected, and in her interview, she says, they made Katie feel the way those bitches made her feel. She tells Scheana that she was triggered, and Scheana says, it’s not Katie’s vacation; it’s her wedding.  Lala says, everyone has things going on besides Scheana’s wedding. It might be the most important thing to her, but it’s not to everyone. In Scheana’s interview, she says she thinks she’s been a chill bride, and it’s not too much to ask Lala to spend three days making it about her. Lala says, they’ll all be at the wedding supporting Scheana, but can she imagine if she was separated, and someone in the friends group was hooking up with her ex? Scheana says, they’ll have to agree to disagree because her head might explode if she thinks of anything real. Lisa calls the Toms, and tells them that she and Greg had a sit down. Greg said there was no way they could open, and they didn’t even have a drink menu. Sandoval insists they gave him one, and in his interview, he says, they were looking forward to making their own decisions, and not being under Lisa. Greg talking to Lisa about the business and questioning them is defeating the purpose. She tells them to have fun, and give Scheana her love. She asks if everything’s been okay, and they say, uhhh… She asks what that means, and Sandoval calls her dude, mistaking her for a peer.  

Everyone gets ready for the rehearsal dinner, and somehow Raquel ends up seated between the Toms. Lala meets Katie and Kristina for drinks before dinner, and says, it’s been a weird day. She thinks it will be good to get off the property. At the dinner, James says, Raquel has made out with Peter and Schwartz, and asks if there’s anyone else in the friend group she’s made out with. She says she’s just living a little, and he suggests she get her own people. She says, those are the people around her, and he says he thinks she’s lost, but that has nothing to do with him. Since there’s obviously chemistry, she and Schwartz should stop lying to themselves and have the balls to have a relationship. In Raquel’s interview, she says she thought there was chemistry, but now Schwartz is minimizing it, and giving her high-fives. It’s a little heartbreaking. Yeah, she’s heartbroken the beard thing isn’t working out so well. James says, they were together for five years, but he doesn’t think he was ever in love, since now he is. Ally says she wants to say goodbye to Lala and Kristina, since they’re about to leave for dinner, and in her interview, she says, James needs to work on reading the room. She’s ready for the drama with Raquel to be over. She sits with Lala, Katie, and Kristina, and at the dinner, Scheana wants to have a quick run through, and an early night so they look good in the morning. James brings Ally her food, and they get ready to leave for dinner. Lala sees Schwartz, and goes over to him, telling him that making out with Raquel is not just some silly thing. He can’t get away from her scrutiny fast enough, and Lala tells Katie that he looks like a sweaty pig, while she looks smash.

James and Ally decide to go to dinner with the girls, and they go to this super cool restaurant inside a cave, lit up in multicolored lights. Lala welcomes James to girls night. After their seated, Katie says she wants to light both Schwartz and Raquel on f***ing fire. Lala says, they’ve crossed every line, and there’s no coming back. Katie says, she sat them both down, tears in her eyes, and we flash back to Raquel saying Schwartz respected Katie’s boundaries and Katie wondering why Raquel isn’t. We also go back to Katie meeting with Schwartz and saying just not in the friend group and how that would be painful. Katie says, it was just one request. They’re a pair of drunk imbeciles. James says, 100, and Lala talks about The Don, and how he was here last week. She tells them that she’s been d*cks-combobulated.  

Back at the resort, Scheana has the girls in her room, and says she and Brock have been married for a while. In her interview, she says, it was so hard not to tell everyone. Brock’s investors visa changed and she wanted him to get a green card, since they have a baby. She says, it’s actually their anniversary this week, and Ariana says, so many women want to get married because they want a wedding, but Scheana’s been living marriage. The wedding is icing on the cake. In Scheana’s interview, she says, they got married for themselves. They wanted a life together, and they have a baby. It didn’t matter if there were 100 or 4 people. Brock walks in, and Scheana says, they’ll have a group chat in the morning. Raquel asks if Scheana minds that she doesn’t want to walk with Schwartz anymore, and in Raquel’s interview, she says, as a pageant girl and model, any runway walk is important. Schwartz is so awkward, she immediately regretted her decision. Joey is a good walker. The girls leave, and Scheana asks if Brock is ready to do this tomorrow. He says he was born ready, and I realize I like Brock more than Scheana.

As they’re getting ready, Scheana suggests having a drink to take the edge off. In Scheana’s interview, she says, at her first wedding, she had a massive pit in her stomach, and we flash back to that. She says she thought that was normal, but now she knows this is what it’s supposed to feel like. She feels so lucky that she gets to be this happy. The guys drink out of their shoes, which makes me feel a little sick. In her interview, Scheana says she got so much sh*t for her crop top dress in 2014. We flash back to that, and she says she decided to go for more elegant, but it’s still sexy and see through. She loves her dress. It is beautiful, and much better than whatever that was the first time around. No surprise, Katie and Kristina’s balcony has a bird’s eye view, and Katie says, they’re going to be sweating their nuts off. Kristina says, if Scheana’s smart, she has a good seating chart. They decide to take a quick peek and realize Raquel is walking with Joey instead of Schwartz. I dunno. It doesn’t look like any special walk to me. Summer Moon is the flower girl, and looks like a little doll. When Scheana gets to the front, she has to take off her veil because of the wind, and in her interview, she says, with her first wedding, she was hyper-focused on every detail and what was going wrong. She didn’t realize the marriage itself was wrong. This time, it could be in the back alley behind SUR on Gay Pride Day, and she wouldn’t care. They read their own vows, and Brock says, she’s his true north. His cup overflows, and when he holds her, the world fades away. Zzzz…. She says, he’s her best friend, and even though she has a lot of those, he and Summer are number one. Katie agrees it was a beautiful wedding. She loves weddings. Just not that one.

Lala says, James said he’d marry Ally tomorrow, and asks if James still wants to get married in Palm Springs. He says he’s not into Palm Springs anymore, and in his interview, he says, Lala’s stupid questions are triggering him. Schwartz tells Raquel that he got into trouble with Katie, and we see some I hate you!!! texts. She said she never wanted to see him or talk to him again, but he hopes she doesn’t mean it. Raquel says, it’s not like they’re a couple, and she hopes there are no hard feelings about the last-minute switch. His walking skills aren’t up to her standards. Schwartz says he almost wants to meet up with Katie, and in Raquel’s interview, she says she thought there might be more, but the way Schwartz is playing it makes her curious as to why he made out with her to begin with. She says, he kissed her, but he says, no, you, and accuses her of revisionist history. The bridal party comes into the reception, and there are cheers as Brock dips Scheana. They have their first dance, and in Scheana’s interview, she says, everyone she wants is here witnessing this moment. It can’t be more perfect. Brock lifts her like Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing, and then brings out Summer. In her interview, Scheana says she doesn’t know what word describes her feeling. She’s so f***ing happy.

Kristina and Katie are having dinner, when Schwartz comes in, creeping around to their table. Katie just stares at him, and Kristina asks why he’s not at the wedding. He says he thought he’d come and say hi. He doesn’t want any weird tension. Katie says, they’re way past that, and he asks, how far? She says, the point of no return, and he says, they’ve been divorced for seven months. She says, he embarrassed her in a humiliating public way, and Schwartz insists he didn’t know anyone was watching. Kristina wonders how, since he was at a big party, and Katie says she hopes it was worth it. Schwartz says he was drunk, and Katie says, they’re done; there’s no friendship. In Katie’s interview, she says she has zero desire to talk to this shell of a man she used to love. She tells him that she thought he genuinely cared about her and her feelings, and they were keeping it amicable. He says, her feelings are exhausting, and in her interview, she says, he didn’t just burn his bridges, he nuked them; it’s vapor. She tells him that he’s a pathetic drunk and a loser, and in Schwartz’s interview, he says, after the kiss, something happened; a finality. He feels divorced. He tells Katie that she needs humility, and Kristina tells him that he should go. When he leaves, Katie says, WTF was that?

Ally catches the bouquet, selfies are taken, fireworks go off, and there’s dancing. Raquel asks to talk to Lala, and in Schwartz’s interview, he says, he’s realizing it’s not healthy to hang out with your ex after a divorce. It’s a good idea to take a healthy break. Raquel tells Lala that she feels bad about the comment she made at the party, and we flash back to her saying, Lala is giving off mistress bimbo vibes. Lala says she thought they had fun in Vegas, and a beautiful moment in the car. She’s not sure where the disconnect happened. Raquel says, they homed in on her, and Lala says she doesn’t think Raquel remembers Vegas very well. No one was judging her, and she was all over the place. Raquel says she felt attacked, and in Raquel’s interview, says she doesn’t know if Lala has a bad memory or she thinks this mean girl behavior is normal, but this gaslighting is exhausting. Raquel suggests they get a hobby besides talking about her, and Lala says she doesn’t care how Raquel feels; Raquel’s actions affected her friend. Raquel says she’s prepared to take accountability for making out with Schwartz, and Lala says, Raquel’s self-worth relies on the approval of a man. She thinks Raquel has a mental breakdown coming, and she’ll need love and support. Raquel says she always need’s love and support, and appreciates the people who give it to her. Lala says, Raquel appreciates people who bob their heads and tell her, it’s going to be okay. Raquel can’t compete with even the most minor complex thought, and says, nuh-uh, and they part company.

Katie and Kristina go to a bar, and Katie says she wants to get wine drunk. They look at Scheana’s Instagram, and Katie realizes the same guy that married Scheana and Brock also officiated at Scheana’s first wedding, and says, that’s f***ing odd. Agreed. Kristina says, since Schwartz is 100% out of Katie’s life, what’s next? Katie says, herself. Her healing’s been sped up. She needs a cute boy with emotional intelligence. In Katie’s interview, she says she’s slept with two guys since her divorce, and one is a casual ongoing thing. He’s 25 and she’s 36. Since she’s too young to be a cougar, she’s a puma. She wonders why they don’t have similar names for men, but I think they do. They’re just not as flattering. She tells Kristina that she’d been worried about bringing anyone around, but she doesn’t care about Schwartz’s feelings anymore.

Next time, Katie brings Satchel to meet the group; Sandoval says they have to open or they’ll lose the place; Lala invites everyone but Raquel, Schwartz, and Charli to her birthday; Garcelle and Oliver make an appearance; Raquel finds out Oliver wasn’t separated from his wife; and Lala says, that’s called a mistress.

🥡 Spring Rolling…

Come set a spell tomorrow for soap and a pot of sweet (or not) tea. Until then, stay safe, stay listening to others and not just waiting for your cue to speak, and stay knowing that some risks are worth taking.

April 7, 2023 – A Surprise Guest Crashes the Ball, New Life, Bad Cop, Joisey Tawk, Daisy’s Pick, House Spin, VanderChatter, Happy Place, Exactly Eleven Quotes & Sun

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Valentin brings Victor the necklace, and Victor says, finally; that’s more like it. He whips out his jeweler’s loupe and checks it out, saying, to think they could have done this together, father and son. Instead, he’s had to choose another heir to carry on the Cassadine name. Valentin’s betrayal broke his heart, so he thinks it’s only fair he return the favor. He shoots Anna, who slumps to the floor.

The audience applauds the magic act, even though Obrecht disappeared and never came back. Molly says, Georgie and James were so adorable, but where did Obrecht go?

Esme watches the Nurses Ball at Laura’s apartment, bouncing Ace on her knee.

Backstage, Nina asks Maxie where Georgie and James are, and Maxie says, in the dressing room. Georgie is trying to figure out what went wrong, and James keeps insisting magic is real. Nina asks, what happened? Did Aunt Liesl get stuck or something? Maxie says, that’s the mystery. Liesl vanished from the vanishing cabinet.

Bobbie tells the audience not to go anywhere. The next act is the act they’ve all been waiting for, and they don’t want to miss it. The audience applauds, and the bracelet bodyguard asks Sasha where Gladys is. Sasha says, she was here a second ago. Maybe she went to the ladies room? We see Gladys sneaking around backstage, sans bracelet.

Josslyn asks if Trina is still upset that Spencer talked to Dex like that, and Trina says, Josslyn was pretty annoyed with him too. Josslyn says she’s still furious, but she’s not dating him.

Sam says, Spencer is brooding at the bar. Is he just being a Cassadine, or did something actually happen? He says he blew it with Trina – again.

Gladys comes back to the ballroom, and Sasha says, the bodyguard was looking for her. Gladys wonders if a lady can’t powder her nose in peace, when Sasha asks, where’s the bracelet?

Victor leaves with his goons, and Valentin runs to Anna. She tells him to go after Victor.

Gladys says, a bazillion dollar piece of jewelry has just been stolen, but Sasha says, it probably just fell off. Look around. The bodyguard comes back while they’re looking, and asks, what’s wrong? Where’s the bracelet? Gladys says, that’s what she’s trying to tell Sasha; somebody stole it. Sasha says, maybe it’s just missing. Maybe the clasp broke. The bodyguard asks, when was the last time she thought she had it? and Gladys flashes back to putting it in Cody’s tux pocket backstage. She says she doesn’t remember, and just prays they find it soon.

Trina tells Josslyn, it’s not just the way Spencer spoke to Dex. It’s like he went out of his way to pick a fight. Josslyn says, maybe he’s just being an entitled jerk. He’s overcompensating for his own insecurities by lording his imaginary status over those who actually work for a living. Trina says, but he wanted to do better. She really believes that. Spencer was lashing out, and Dex was the nearest target. Something’s going on with him. Josslyn says, like what? and Trina says she doesn’t know, but she’s going to find out. She’s not letting Spencer hide this from her anymore.

Obviously in pain, Anna struggles to breathe. She tells Valentin, if his father gets away, they’ll never find him, but Valentin says he’s got to get her to a hospital. He calls 9-1-1.

Walking into the Haunted Star, Victor tells Watkins, that was nice work with Miss Devane. Watkins provided just enough incentive to get his son to talk. Watkins says, it’s Victor’s new strategy, and Victor says, and an effective one, if he does say so himself. He asks if Watkins has followed up on Holly Sutton, and Watkins says, she’s still listed as a patient in the Swiss burn unit, but she’s not there. She doesn’t have a room, she’s not being treated. There’s no patient there matching her description, so she’s not using an alias. Victor says, all the more proof that fire was a ruse. Miss Sutton has been looking for her son when she should have been recovering. Watkins asks if Victor wants them to move him, and Victor says, in a manner of speaking. It’s time to offload Ethan Lovett… at a profit. Victor’s phone rings, and he says, when it rains… taking it out of his pocket. He asks if they’ve found Lucy Coe… He wants her home, the PCPD, and the MetroCourt under constant surveillance. That’s probably where she’s going to run to. She’s one of their remaining loose ends – he messes with the necklace as he talks – he needs to have tied up, now that he has everything he wants.

Gladys wonders who would steal the bracelet, and at a charity even no less, but Sasha suggests Gladys retrace her steps. Did she leave the ballroom, other than going to the bathroom? Gladys says, she’s been here the whole… wait… she went backstage to tell Maxie what a great job she’s doing. The bodyguard asks if she talked to anyone else when she went backstage, and Gladys says, now that he mentions it, she did see Cody Bell.

From the stage, Maxie asks for everyone’s attention. They have another anniversary to celebrate. Ten years ago today, at the 2013 Nurses Ball, there was a performance that not only brought down the house, it set this place on fire. It’s been a few years since we’ve seen them, but they are now back. She’s so happy to introduce The Magic Wands. The Magic Wands, including Milo, and is that Yuri? dance to Devil in Disguise, going out into the audience and back, and ending with showing the audience Nurses Ball 2023 on their behinds. The dancing is pretty good, with some unknown dudes doing a lot of flips and old school break dancing.

Backstage, Maxie tells Milo, once again, he blew the room away. He says, the guys were really good, but she says, every football team needs a quarterback, and every heart-stopping, jaw dropping all male review needs a centerpiece, and that’s obviously him. Some little girl runs through, nearly colliding with them, and Milo says, break a leg. She looks at him, and he says, that means good luck. She gives him a thumbs up. I can see no conceivable reason for this scene, so I’m wondering, who is this kid related to? Maxie says, her performance is going to be darling, which reminds her, she has to tend to the performers. She thanks Milo for coming, and he thanks her for having him. He leaves, and she says, now if she could only find Liesl. Nina walks in, and Maxie asks if she’s seen Liesl. Nina says, no, and this is ridiculous. She knows she has a bone marrow harvest tomorrow.

Laura comes home, and asks if the Nurses Ball is still on. Is Esme enjoying the show? Esme says, there’s certainly a lot of local talent on display. She asks if it happens every year, and Laura says, almost. She loves how their community comes together to raise money for a good cause. Esme says, it certainly seems like everybody… yes, and Laura says, Ace looks a little bit tired. She reaches for him, and Esme says, don’t touch him.

Sonny comes backstage, and Nina tells him that they can’t find Obrecht. Maxie says, they questioned Georgie, James, the stage managers, but everybody says the same thing. Liesl stepped inside the disappearing cabinet, and never stepped out. Sonny asks how it works, and as he looks it over, Maxie says, there’s a false back that the assistant hides behind to disappear. Then they slide back to reappear. He says, there’s a trapdoor at the bottom? Is there a trap door on the stage? Nina says she’s not sure, and Maxie says she’ll text the stage manager. Nina says, maybe she fell through the trap door. Aunt Liesl could be hurt. They all walk out.

Spencer asks Trina to tell him that he hasn’t screwed up the best thing that’s happened to him. Can they talk please? She says, okay. Tell her, what is going on with him?

Felicia fans herself, and Robert asks what she thought of Magic Milo. Mac says, those Magic Wands have her all flustered, and she says she’s not apologizing for enjoying the act, but the one who always gets her flustered is her Mac. Robert says his brother’s a very fortunate man, and Mac says, doesn’t he know it.

TJ comes back to the table after getting out of his Magic Wand skivvies, and Molly says, he was so good. He says, the things he does for charity, and she says, what about her sacrifice? She had to share him with a ballroom of thirsty women. He says, okay, the things she does for charity, and they kiss.

The bodyguard says, the bracelet’s been found, and Gladys asks, where was it? The bodyguard says, one of the people in wardrobe found it when she was moving some clothes. It fell out of a tux pocket. Gladys says she told them it was stolen, and Sasha says she can’t believe someone would actually do this. Who was it? Cody comes in and asks if anyone’s seen his… What’s going on?

Victor’s messenger, now dressed in sweats, comes onto the Haunted Star, and tells Victor, everything went fine on his end. Victor says, excellent. Now he wants messenger guy to check the state rooms; make sure they’re appropriately prepared for their guests. He asks if Tobias is back, but messenger guy says, there’s been a complication.

Valentin tells Anna, please stay awake, and she says, if anything happens… He says, nothing is going to happen, but she says she’s glad they found each other. He says he doesn’t know how he got so lucky, and she says, he’s a good man. He says he doesn’t know about that. He thinks there are plenty who would disagree with her. She says, they don’t know him like she does. They don’t know his heart like she does. He says, she knows him better than anyone, and she says she loves him. He says, and he loves her, and he hears the sirens in the distance. She starts to fade, and he calls her name.

Esme says she’s sorry. She didn’t mean to snap at Laura like that. Laura says, that’s okay. Esme knows she’d never hurt the baby, right? Esme says, of course (🍷) she knows that. Did Laura ever hate leaving her kids out of her sight for even a second? Laura says she has, and Esme says she feels like everyone is making some claim on Ace, and he’s all she’s got. Laura says she understands, but babies pick up on the emotions of people around them. How does Esme think her constant anxiety is going to affect him? Esme says she’d never hurt her son, and Laura says she knows that; that’s not what she meant. Laura’s phone rings, and she says she has to get this. She answers, Laura Collins…  Oh my God… Where is she?… Okay, she’ll be right there. She tells Esme that she’s sorry, but she has to go right now. They’ll talk later. She rushes out.

Spencer says he’s sorry about what happened with Dex, and Trina says, sorry because he treated Dex like dirt, or sorry because she’s disappointed? He says he’s sorry he upset her. That’s the last thing he wants to do. She says, he does know that’s the wrong answer, and he says, Dex is not a good guy. Whatever is going on with him and Josslyn… She says, is none of his business. He says, Cam is his best friend, so it is his business, but she says, Cam is in California, living his dream, and that is not the reason he went after Dex. Spencer was spoiling for a fight, and Dex was there. And Spencer knew Dex works for his uncle and wasn’t going to fight back. That is the definition of a coward. He says, she’s right. He’s sorry. He’s trying to do better. She asks if he means that, and he says, of course (🍷) he does. She says, good. Apologize to Dex. His phone rings, and he sees it’s Victor. She asks if he’s really going to answer the phone right now.

Robert’s phone rings, and he says he’ll meet them at the hospital.

The bodyguard asks if that’s Cody Bell, and Gladys says, that’s him. Cody says, or the guy could just ask him, and the bodyguard asks if this is his jacket. Cody says, all tuxes look the same, and the bodyguard asks, so where’s Cody’s? Cody says, it went missing when he was on stage, so it may or may not be his. What’s going on? Sasha asks, did he maybe find a bracelet on the floor, and put it in his pocket for safekeeping so he could return it later? Cody says, no, and the bodyguard asks, then why was it found in his pocket? Gladys says, because he stole it, but Cody says, if it was in his pocket, it’s because someone else put it there. Maxie blows through, and asks them to take this conversation elsewhere. She’s trying to put on a show. Sasha says she’s sure they can clear this up, but Cody says, there’s nothing to clear up. He has nothing to do with the bracelet, but the bracelet’s back, so no harm no foul. He starts to walk away, but the bodyguard stops him, and Mac walks in. Mac asks, what’s going on here? and the bodyguard tells Mac, arrest this man.

Dex and Josslyn make eyes at each other, when Sonny calls Dex over. Dex asks, what’s up? and Sonny says, they have a problem.

Cody says this is a mistake, and the bodyguard says, a million-dollar bracelet was found in his jacket pocket. Cody says, but he didn’t steal it. Mac has to believe him. Mac says he’s just following the evidence, and Cody says, Sasha please. Gladys says, this guy’s been hanging around her all night, insinuating himself with her daughter-in-law. Following her, and apparently casing her so he could strike at the perfect moment. Does Cody deny following her in here? Cody says he doesn’t deny it, and Mac says, so he admits to following Gladys.

Trina says, they’re right in the middle of something, but Spencer says he’s sorry. It’s his Uncle Victor. He has to. He steps away, and says, yes, uncle? Victor says, it took him long enough, and Spencer says, sorry about that. Now’s not a good time. Victor says, it doesn’t matter. Does Spencer want to get his brother away from Esme? Spencer says, Victor knows he does, and Victor says, then come to the Haunted Star immediately, and tell no one.

Laura walks into the hospital, and asks Valentin, where’s Anna? He says, she’s in there, pointing, and Laura asks, what happened? He says, Victor shot Anna in the abdomen. Robert comes out of the elevator, and Valentin says, the bullet’s still inside of her. She coded in the ambulance – he starts to cry – but they were able to bring her back. Laura says, Anna is very strong; she will make it through this. Robert asks where Victor is now, but Valentin says he doesn’t know. He got away. Laura asks, what about Lucy? Where is she? Valentin says, she was able to get out of the house, but he doesn’t know where she is now.

Slipping into the Ball backstage area, Lucy says, if she can just find Mac and tell him that Victor found the safehouse. A muscley dude comes up behind her with a gun, and says, don’t move. She turns around, and muscle man says, if she screams, he’ll shoot her. She says she’d really rather he didn’t, and he says, good. Let’s go. She says, this is just a whole case of mistaken identity… Actually, it’s not, but she’s not a spy. She doesn’t know how to decode anything… He tries to grab her arm, and she says, one thing she does know how to do its this, and kneecaps him. He doubles over, holding his knee, and she runs.

Robert tells Laura, when Valentin called from the ambulance, he said Anna had been shot. Did he offer any other details? She says, Valentin didn’t call her; the hospital did. Robert says, when? He was under the impression Anna and Valentin arrived at the hospital… She says, right before her. She asks Valentin if Victor gave any clue as to what his next move might be, and Valentin says, he only said he’d chosen a new heir. Robert wonders what he meant by that, when the doctor comes out. Valentin asks, how’s Anna?

Accompanied by messenger guy, Spencer walks into the Haunted Star, and says, so this is where Victor is staying. Victor says, it suits his current needs. Did Spencer tell anyone he was coming here? Spencer says, no. He followed Victor’s instructions to the letter. So tell him, what’s happening with Ace? Is everything all right? Victor asks why it wouldn’t be, and Spencer says, when they spoke this afternoon, Victor told him to sit tight. Has something changed? Is there something Victor needs him to do?

Nina tells Sonny that Obrecht’s bag is still in the dressing room, her car is still in the garage, and no one’s seen her. Dex comes in, and says, no sign of Dr. Obrecht, and Nina says, she’s scheduled to have that stem cell transplant tomorrow. Willow cannot wait, and if Aunt Liesl is missing, or if she’s hurt somewhere… Sonny says, they’re going to find her Aunt Liesl, and everything’s going to be fine, and he holds Nina.

Mac says, so Cody admits to following Gladys tonight, and Cody says, yes, he followed her, but not to steal some bracelet. Mac asks what reason he’d have. How does Cody even know Gladys? Cody says he and Gladys have crossed paths a few times, and Gladys says, there’s no big mystery here. Cody saw that bracelet on her wrist, and thought it was an easy payday. Mac asks if Cody has anything else to say, and Cody says, he didn’t steal the bracelet. He guarantees his fingerprints aren’t on it. Gladys says, that doesn’t prove anything. You can wipe off fingerprints, and I oughtta know. Mac puts handcuffs on Cody, and tells him his rights.

Jordan says she knows TJ and Molly are still in the trying stage, but can she probably expect a grandchild within the year? TJ says, they’re still in the seltzer solidarity stage. They have a long way to go. Jordan says, they’re two of the most efficient people she knows. It probably won’t take too long. Her phone rings, and she says, ugh. It’s the station. She steps away to take the call.

On the phone, Jordan says, Anna Devane’s at GH?

The doctor says, they’ve prepped Miss Devane for surgery to remove the bullet, and Robert asks, how bad? The doctor says, she’s critical, but they’re trying to keep her blood pressure up enough to affect her organs, including her brain. Gunshots can create considerable damage from the bullet fragmenting. They won’t know the extent of the damage until they’re inside, and can assess what they’re dealing with. He leaves, and Laura says she has to make a call. She goes down the hall, and says, come on, Esme, pick up.

Felicia runs into the hospital, and asks Valentin what the doctors said. Robert says, this is your fault, Cassadine. She wouldn’t be in this state if it wasn’t for you. Felicia says, stop it. Did Valentin shoot Anna or did Victor? Don’t take this out on Valentin. Valentin says, Robert’s right. Victor shot Anna to hurt him. This is all his fault.

Lucy tries a door on the next landing, but it’s locked. She squeals, and turns around, but muscle man is there, and says, it looks like she has nowhere to go. She says, he has great big muscles, and a tiny little gun… but she has this. She pulls down a boa from a costume box, and starts smacking him with it. As he’s dodging the feathers, Sonny comes up behind him, hitting him with a large cane. He drops, and Sonny says, a boa? Really? Lucy shrugs.

Mac asks if Cody understands his rights, and Cody says he always does. Mac starts to take him away, when Sam runs in, and asks, what’s going on? Cody says, it’s a frame-up. This time, he’s innocent. Mac leads him away, with the bodyguard following.

Carly takes the stage, introduces herself, and says she doesn’t work at GH, but her mother is an integral part of the hospital. She asks Bobbie to come out, and everyone cheers. Bobbie says, for the few who don’t know her, this is Barbara Jean Spencer; she’s nursing officer at General Hospital. More cheers, and Carly says, they’re not just celebrating General Hospital’s 60th year, they’re celebrating Bobbie. This beautiful woman has been helping people and saving their lives for the past 45 years. What makes General Hospital so special is its people; the passion and tradition of helping communities and making the world a better place. No one embodies that more than her mother, Nurse Bobbie Spencer. More applause and cheers, and Bobbie flashes back to when she was practically a baby nurse; telling Monica her cancer prognosis; giving BJ’s heart to Maxie – I remember that, and even though I had no investment in the storyline, it made me cry anyway; with Laura; giving Elizabeth the morning after pill when she was raped, even though she wasn’t authorized to do it; threatening to bitch slap Tracy to the Canadian border; making peace with Carly. Carly says, she is a consummate healer, infinitely kind and loyal to those she loves, and equally fierce to her adversaries. Carly should know; she’s been both. Bobbie found Carly when she was at her worst, and loved her until she was her best. And she’s not the only one.  That’s what she does to anyone whose life she touches. That’s what Nurse Bobbie Spencer does for General Hospital. Bobbie is given a standing ovation.

Sonny asks if Lucy is okay, and she says she’s not dead. He says he can see that. Good for her. She says, thanks to him, and he says he does what he can. How can he help her? He holds out his hand, and she steps over muscle man. She tells Sonny that she has this really important errand, but what does she do with… She looks at muscle man, and Sonny says he’ll take care of it. She thanks him, kisses him on the cheek, says, ta! and dashes out.

Victor says, Spencer’s already done his part. He called on Spencer, and voila! Here he is. Spencer says, so now… what? He hears something, and asks, what’s that? Victor asks if he doesn’t recognize the sound of ship’s engines, and Spencer asks, what’s going on?

Laura sees a pacifier in the hallway outside her apartment, and picks it up. She lets herself in, and the place has been tossed. Esme lies unconscious on the floor, and there’s no Ace. Laura says, oh my God.

Jordan says, she was told Valentin died in Paris, and Valentin says, the reports of his death are… exaggerated. She says, clearly. Here he is. Meanwhile, she has reports of multiple shots fired at a house in a quiet suburban neighborhood, and now one of her best friends is fighting for her life. So why doesn’t he tell her what the hell is going on. He says his father shot Anna, and she asks, where is Victor? Valentin says he doesn’t know, but he does know, whatever insane plot Victor is hatching is going to be unleashed on them very soon. They have to stop him.

Bobbie thanks Carly for the beautiful and unexpected tribute. It’s an honor. And it’s also an honor to be involved with General Hospital’s first 60 years. She’s also been given another honor this evening; the chance to speak about Lucy Coe. The curtains part, and there’s a giant photo of Lucy. Bobbie says, it might seem counterintuitive that she’s up here, because she and Lucy were never friends. She and Lucy were tearing each other’s hair out – Lucy arrives backstage, and listens – long before the word frenemies was even invented. Lucy came to town dressed as a librarian, and seduced the man Bobbie loved. That was only the beginning. Lucy lied. Lucy cheated. She even married a Quartermaine. Backstage, Lucy says, Bobbie’s one to talk. She started off by lying to Laura that she slept with Scotty. Lucy heads up the stairs to the stage, and Bobbie says, somewhere along the way, in 1994 to be exact, Lucy shocked everyone, especially her, by discovering a passion for giving. Lucy finagled herself a place as Mistress of Ceremonies at the very first Nurses Ball, and it transformed her. All of that willfulness, all of that guile, the conniving, the deceit, the vanity… In the wings, Lucy says, vanity? Bobbie’s red hair hasn’t been natural for a hundred years. Bobbie says, Lucy cajoled, she arm twisted, she blackmailed to get all of them there, either onstage or in the audience the first year, and many years thereafter. From 1994 to the early 2000s, and 2013 to the present, the General Hospital Nurses Ball has raised millions of dollars for HIV and AIDS related charities. She turns to the photo, and says, and Lucy Coe was the leader, the inspiration, and yes, the relentless nag that made it all happen. Lucy Coe isn’t here tonight, but none of us would be here… Lucy stomps toward the stage, but slips on something on the floor, and busts right through her photo, faceplanting. Everyone is shocked, and Lucy gets up. She says, what the hell did Bobbie call her? Bobbie says, she’s alive, and Lucy says she’s back. Deal with it. Bobbie says, welcome home, and moves to hug Lucy, but Lucy backs away. The audience gives Lucy a standing ovation, which is only fair.

On Monday, Portia thinks something wasn’t such a great idea; Victor says he’s not abducting Spencer, he’s saving Spencer; and Carly asks Nina where the hell Obrecht is.

✈️ From Across the Pond…

She took a big step, but we only regret the things we don’t do. Or so  they say.

🚓 At Least He’s Honest…

I wouldn’t want to be a patient at the hospital either. The security there leaves a lot to be desired.

👠 Really, We’re Good…

This sounds like as good of an explanation as any.

So, are we good?

⛵️ Green Is Not His Color…

Gary wouldn’t have been just a step down from Colin. More like several stories.

🏖 Desire To Be Awful…

Actually, it remains to be seen whether this show will rival the Hamptons in immaturity, but I trust nothing after seeing a 40-year-old in a mullet.

🍸 Don’t Leave Home Without It…

Reunion prep.

I don’t know about must see. I doubt it will get the show any new viewers, but for those already watching, it adds a fresh level of interest.

https://www.avclub.com/scandoval-has-made-vanderpump-rules-must-see-tv-1850280936

And how is LVP friends with this guy?

https://www.aol.com/entertainment/steve-o-calls-scandoval-greatest-215315189.html

Schwartz’s word salad.

https://jezebel.com/andy-cohen-tom-schwartz-tom-sandoval-raquel-leviss-scan-1850306803

🦩 And In This Corner…

What more do we need when we have pets and Barbie?

https://people.com/pets/drew-barrymore-loves-7-pets-4-cats-exclusive/

I so can’t wait for this film.

https://ew.com/movies/dua-lipa-joins-barbie-movie-posters/

🐣 Quotes of the Week

You have the need and the right to spend part of your life caring for your soul. It is not easy…To be a soulful person means to go against all the pervasive, prove-yourself values of our culture and instead treasure what is unique and internal and valuable in yourself and your own personal evolution. – Jean Shinoda Bolen

For those who fight for it, life has a flavor the sheltered will never know. –Wise Man (Scott Glenn), Sucker Punch

Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant. – Robert Louis Stevenson

On Love: Even while we kill and punish we must try to feel about the enemy as we feel about ourselves—to wish that he were not bad, to hope that he may, in this world or another, be cured: in fact, to wish his good. That is what is meant in the Bible by loving him: wishing his good, not feeling fond of him nor saying he is nice when he is not. – C.S. Lewis, from Mere Christianity

A river cuts through a rock not because of its power but its persistence. – Jim Watkins

Accept me, Lord, as I am, and make me such as thou wouldst have me to be. – Mary Livingstone, African missionary

Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes. – Oscar Wilde

Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.Arthur Ashe

Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present. – Marcus Aurelius

A wise man can learn more from a foolish question than a fool can learn from a wise answer. – Bruce Lee

Though force can protect in emergency, only justice, fairness, consideration, and cooperation can finally lead men to the dawn of eternal peace. – Dwight D. Eisenhower

🐇 Hippity Hopping Down the Bunny Trail…

A Happy Holiday to all celebrating both Passover and Easter (aka Resurrection Sunday). After the festivities, stop in on Monday really Tuesday for soap, setting sail, and the original awful Housemates. Until then, stay safe; stay taking a spring break, even if it’s only in your mind; and stay never overcompensating for your insecurities by lording your imaginary status over those who actually work for a living. In other words, don’t be an entitled jerk.

April 6, 2023 – Victor Demands the Real Necklace, Extras, Why She’s Back, Billboard, Emmy News, Jersey Mess, VanderBacklash, Admission, Pets (!) & Someone

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Valentin runs back into the safehouse, and tells Lucy and Anna to get down. Another shot is fired through the window.

Linc tells Josslyn that she was born to be a performer. She just needs the right person to guide her. Brook stomps over, and pretends to bump into Linc, spilling her drink all over him.

Mac says, Maxie and Bobbie are doing a fantastic job. The show is going off without a hitch. Bobbie says, the trick is to make it look effortless, which Maxie is doing effortlessly. Good thing no one knows what goes on behind the scenes. Felicia can’t wait for the big act coming up, but Maxie says, there are a lot of great ones before that. Which reminds her, she has to check on them. She excuses herself, and Felicia says, Maxie was younger than Georgie at the first Nurses Ball. Now look at her; she’s running the show. Bobbie says, time sure flies, doesn’t it? One thing she knows for sure, if the Nurses Ball could have all of its unexpected acts happen, including Mac’s surprise acts over the years, it could handle anything. Felicia says she remembers her first performance. She was absolutely petrified. Everything was a big blur. We get a little flashback of Felicia in a clown costume, and she says, when it was over, one thing she knew for sure; she was better off in the audience. Mac says, he remembers being furious at Robin and Stone’s Romeo and Juliet scene. He was so mad at Doc and the kids, his stand-up became a tirade. Felicia says, they can laugh about it now, and Bobbie says, what about her act? At least their situation with Robin didn’t end up in an out-and-out brawl. Mac says, they had no idea what the Nurses Ball would come to mean to Robin, and the whole community. Bobbie says, with all of its traditions and the loved ones lost, she’s really proud of what they started in those days. And she’s even more proud of continuing it on tonight.

Brook tells Linc she’s so sorry, and stomps on his foot as she tries to wipe him off. She says, Josslyn’s mother is looking for her, and Josslyn asks if Brook is okay. Brook says she’s fine. She and Linc have some business to discuss. Josslyn leaves, and Linc grabs Brook’s arm, asking, what the hell was that?

Valentin sets up the coffee table as a barricade, and tells Lucy and Anna, the house is surrounded, front and back. Lucy says, they’re trapped, but Anna tells her to remember the window she climbed out of, and Lucy says, right. They can all go out that way. Valentin tells them to leave now, but Anna says, no, and Lucy says she’s not leaving Anna. Anna tells her, go, and Lucy says, all right. She’ll get help. She slips into the back, and Valentin says, it’s Anna’s last chance to get out, but she says she’s not leaving him. He says, they’re going to be in here any minute, and she says, they won’t like what the find. Victor’s goons bust through the front door. Shots are fired back and forth.

Cody gives Sasha a glass of champagne, and she thanks him, but says, he really doesn’t have to wait on her. He says, it gives him a chance to escape the muckety-mucks and an excuse to talk with her, but she says, they’re not all muckety-mucks, and he never needs an excuse to talk to her. He says, good to know, and asks how things are with Gladys. She says she’s not sure what he means. He spoke to Gladys earlier; she seemed fine. He says, Gladys is having a great time. He was talking about her. When Gladys sold her husband’s garage, Sasha was pretty upset. She says, actually, it still bothers her, but Gladys had good reasons. Gladys walks in, and Sasha says, it had to be a painful reminder for Gladys to deal with that every day; paperwork, constantly seeing Brando’s name… She sold it to give them both closure. He asks if Gladys even went over the details of the sale with her. Does she know who the new owner is? Sasha says, actually, she doesn’t think so. Why is he…? Gladys comes over, and says she wondered where Sasha disappeared to.

Anna and Valentin are on their knees with their hands up, Victor’s men behind them, and Watkins comes in, saying, clear. Victor walks in, and says, Valentin, you’re alive. The question is, for how long?

Gladys looks at the bracelet on her wrist, and says she must be the luckiest mother-in-law in the world. Sasha thanks her, and says she loves seeing Gladys enjoying herself. Gladys says she almost forgot. Dante was asking for Cody; it sounded important. Cody thanks her, and says he’ll go check it out. He leaves, and Gladys looks at Sasha, who says, what? Gladys asks if she’s all right, and Sasha asks why she wouldn’t be. Gladys says, that Cody fella. She’s heard things about him. He’s not a reliable character.

Jordan asks if Mac has time to talk shop, and he says, about the late Deputy Mayor? She says, yeah. She got a call on the red carpet. The preliminary autopsy indicates there was no air in her lungs. Eileen Ashby didn’t drown. She was killed by a fall. He says, so she either jumped, she slipped, or… Jordan says, they pushed her. He says, they need to check her known associates, and Jordan says, start with Victor Cassadine.

Linc says, what Brook did just now, interrupting him when he was recruiting new talent… comes perilously close to violating their agreement. I don’t know how he figures that, but okay. Brook says she mentioned nothing to Josslyn about him being a sleazebag, and he says he paid well for her silence. She got her songs back. Sometimes he thinks he overpaid; those songs were good. Who would believe what she had to say about him anyway? He’s going to track down Josslyn Jax. I wonder why Brook didn’t mention that Sonny’s her stepfather.

Cody sits with Sam and Dante, and asks if he’s told Sam how beautiful she looks. She thanks him, and says, he looks handsome himself. He thanks her, and asks why Dante needed to see him. Dante asks what he’s talking about, and Cody says, Gladys Corbin said Dante was looking for him. Dante says he tries to avoid Gladys as much as possible. You know. The whole not being able to choose your relatives thing. Sam asks if Gladys really said Dante was looking for Cody, and Cody says, I kid you not. Sam wonders why she’d do something like that.

Portia asks if she can sit with Elizabeth and Finn, and Elizabeth asks if everything is okay. Portia says, Trina’s having such a good time. It’s all she can do not to go over and talk to her, but she doesn’t want to put a damper on Trina’s evening. Elizabeth says, it’s not always going to be like this, and Portia says, that’s what she keeps telling herself. Finn says, for what it’s worth (🍷), he and his dad were estranged for a lot of years, but his dad never gave up on him. And he doesn’t think it’s going to take Trina nearly as long to realize she needs Portia.

Deanna takes the stage, and introduces herself. She says, tonight, she has the pleasure of introducing a phenomenal talent. This amazing artist was already established and accomplished in her career as a public defender. She stepped out of her comfort zone to pursue her dream of touching people with her God given talent, and they should all be grateful she did. She asks everyone to welcome, Danielle Ponder. Danielle comes out and sings Someone Like You. Luckily, she has her own band and doesn’t have to rely on the invisible musicians and back-up singers that everyone else does. She’s good. Macy Gray-ish. I also love the dress she’s wearing.

Victor asks if there’s any sign of Lucy, but Watkins says, no. There’s an open bedroom window. Victor says, so the bird has flown. No matter. He’ll deal with that later. Valentin says, he wasn’t exactly subtle taking the house. Someone from the neighborhood will have contacted law enforcement. He’s sure they’re on their way. Victor says, is that so? and Valentin says, it’s the suburbs. If Victor doesn’t want a lengthy gun battle with the police, he thinks Victor should probably leave. Victor asks if Valentin thinks he’s just going to turn around and walk away after going through all this trouble to track Valentin and Anna down. He’s not going anywhere until he gets what he came for, and Valentin is going to give it to him.

Backstage, Maxie thanks Danielle for performing, and Danielle says, the Nurses Ball does important work, and she’s happy to lend her voice to the cause. Maxie says, she did more than lend her voice; she blew everyone away. They’d still be applauding if the curtains hadn’t closed.  Carly runs in, and shakes Danielle’s hand, introducing herself. She says her mom is Maxie’s co-chair, and she shamelessly used her connections to come back and meet her. She was so amazing. Of course (🍷) for her incredible voice and lyrics, but just as much for leaving her law career and following her dream. How did she have the courage to do that? Danielle says, it got to the point where she knew she couldn’t do both, and she couldn’t leave behind music, so she completely surrendered. Carly says, she followed her instincts, and Danielle says, it sounds like Carly knows something about that. Maxie says, Carly is kind of known for following her instincts… no matter where they lead. Carly says she’s never regretted it, and Danielle says, neither has she. They high-five.

Gladys says, apparently, Cody was dating Dr. Britt Westbourne, the late, may she rest, and Sasha says she knows that. Gladys says, but she overheard Maxie saying that Britt found out he was no good, and broke things off; something to do with a necklace. She doesn’t know the details, but it concerns her. Sasha is just getting her life back on track. She’d hate to see it derail by somebody trying to work her for her money.

Dex asks for a shot of tequila at the bar, and ever putting his nose where it doesn’t belong, Spencer asks if his uncle knows Dex is drinking on the job. Dex says he doesn’t know. Maybe Spencer should run and tell him. Spencer says, Dex is here to work, not suck down tequila shots and pretend he belongs. Ugh. I hate when Spencer does this stuff. Dex says he’s got a ticket like everybody else, when Trina and Josslyn walk in. Spencer says, a ticket his Uncle Sonny bought Dex. He’s an employee, so how about if he gets back to work? Trina asks Spencer what he’s doing.

Bobbie is checking things off a list backstage, when Sonny comes in, and says, the Ball’s going great. She asks if he needs something, and he says he was thinking about starting up an Epiphany Johnson scholarship fund for the nursing students, so he wanted to add to his donation in the name of Stone Cates. He gives her an envelope, and she looks at the check inside. She says she’s never been okay with the way he treated her daughter, but he’s always been very generous when it comes the to the Nurses Ball. And the way he took care of Stone was nothing short of heroic. He says, Stone was a special person. They did everything they could for Stone, and when Stone lost his fight with AIDS, Sonny vowed to continue in his memory. Giving the Nurses Ball donation for AIDS/HIV research is the least he can do. She says, damn him. He has his moments, and this is definitely one of them. He laughs, giving us dimples, and she says, Stone would be very proud of him.

Victor says, he wants the Ice Princess necklace; the real one. Valentin says, last he heard, it was destroyed by fire, and Victor says, this is Valentin’s very last chance. He wasn’t able to claim Valentin as a child, but he watched over Valentin all along, smoothing the way for him. He’s the one who got Valentin into the WSB. That turned out to be a bad mistake, since that’s when Valentin first became fixated with Miss Devane. Valentin says he proved himself worthy of the WSB on his own merit, and Victor says he’s sure Valentin would like to believe so, and it’s true, Valentin was a brilliant analyst. But this life he’s so proud of building for himself was built with Victor’s influence. Valentin did nothing without his help. So imagine his disappointment after stepping forward to claim Valentin, after acknowledging Valentin as his child, Valentin rejecting him. Valentin lied, he manipulated Victor, he sided with Victor’s enemies. Valentin even faked his own death, for God’s sake. Victor spent weeks arguing with French bureaucrats trying to claim Valentin’s body. Weeks consumed with guilt, mourning his son, who wasn’t even dead. He should kill Valentin right now and be done with it. But he won’t. He’ll give Valentin one more chance to redeem himself, to step up as a Cassadine. Do what’s right for his family, and give him the necklace.

Dex says, if they’ll excuse him, he’s due backstage. He leaves, and Trina asks Spencer, what was that, calling Dex an employee? Spencer says, that’s what he is. He’s supposed to be protecting Spencer’s Uncle Sonny, not drinking tequila shots. Trina tells him, stop. She can’t believe this. He says, listen… but she says, you listen. She hates when he acts like this (we high-five in my head); like some ugly, entitled jerk, lording his privilege around. She thought he was done doing that. She guesses she was wrong. She hates that she’s always wrong about him. She flounces out, and Spencer says, wait. Josslyn says, nice work, Spencer. Once again, he’s hurt Trina. He says, like she does with Cam, and she says, like he’s in any position to judge. Ever since he got back to Port Charles – bringing the lovely Esme with him – he’s caused nothing but misery. Why doesn’t he do them all a favor, especially Trina, and go back to Europe and stay there.

Dex asks how Dante’s table is doing, and Dante suggests he pull up a chair. Dex thanks him, but says he can’t. He tells Cody, it’s time, and Jordan asks, time for what? Cody says, she’ll see, and leaves with Dex. Gladys fingers the bracelet.

Finn tells Elizabeth to wish him luck, and she asks why he needs it. he says, let’s just say, there are things you’d do for your family that you wouldn’t do for anyone else. He goes onto the stage, and Maxie gives him the mic. He says, when he joined the staff at GH seven years ago, he was amazed at the way the city of Port Charles shows up for the hospital, the way they’re all showing up tonight. He says, one of their next two performers is very dear to his heart, and asks them to welcome to the stage, Harrison Chase and the fabulous Blaze. Blaze and Chase sing a song that the closed captions say is Arrest Me, but I think they might be screwing with me, since that phrase isn’t in the lyrics. It’s good, but nothing will ever beat Chase’s rendition of Feel it Still.

Everyone cheers, and Blaze says, their new single drops Wednesday. Don’t forget to download it. Linc grabs a microphone, and says, weren’t they great? He puts his arm around Blaze, and kisses her cheek. Brook runs up on stage, and tells him to get his hands off of Blaze, calling him a disgusting creep.

Valentin says, Victor has been very upfront about his life and accomplishments. Does Victor mind if he returns the favor? Victor says he’d rather Valentin return the necklace, but Valentin says, it was never Victor’s necklace. Victor says, he is head of the Cassadine family. The Ice Princess, by rights, belongs to their family. Valentin says, Victor has a tendency to equate his megalomania with the family. Whatever his grand plan, no other Cassadine cares. Not Spencer, not Nikolas – wherever he is – not Alexis or her daughters. And certainly not him. This is just a giant waste of time. He doesn’t have the necklace. Victor says, Valentin is going to make things difficult. He’d have expected nothing less. He has to admit, he’s going to enjoy the next part. Watkins grabs Anna, lifting her up by her neck, while one of Victor’s goons holds back Valentin. Victor says, unless Valentin gives him the necklace, Watkins will break the lovely Anna’s neck, and leaves her paralyzed. Valentin says he doesn’t have the damn necklace, and Anna gasps, Valentin… no… necklace… Victor says he thought of killing Anna, then he thought, what is the fun in that? He wonders how long Anna’s boyfriend will go on loving her when she can no longer stand. Wow. He doesn’t give Valentin much credit for being a decent human.

Brook says, this man deserves no credit for Chase and Blaze’s appearance here tonight, nor for their talent. He calls himself a manager; he’s a parasite. Linc tells her to watch herself, and she says, he latches himself onto young talent and exploits them, both financially and sexually. Ned gets up, but Olivia holds him back. Brook says, Linc told her that he’d kill her career if she didn’t sleep with him, which he tried to do. He held all her songs, and the only way she could get them back was to sign a non-disclosure agreement. But she’s breaking that agreement here tonight. She refuses to remain silent about whom and what Linc Brown is – a sexual predator. Linc snatches the mic back, and says, these are obvious lies. No one will corroborate a word.

A man tells Spencer that he’s here to deliver a message. His uncle will be contacting him soon. Be ready when he does, and do as he’s told. The man leaves.

Linc says, Brook could have been a star, but now she’s just a jealous has-been, making up stories to try and keep herself relevant. Maxie says, it’s time to clear the stage, but Blaze grabs the mic, and says, she’s not lying. Everything Brook said has happened to her. She cries, and says, Linc Brown is a predator, and he’s been holding her career hostage. Gladys slips out, and Blaze says, but she didn’t sign a non-disclosure agreement, and she’s going on the record tonight. Linc says, don’t get caught up in her hysteria, and Blaze says, go to hell. Chase puts his hand on Linc’s arm, and says, it’s time to clear the stage, but Linc shakes him off, saying, Chase isn’t a cop anymore. Dante says he’s a cop – he walks up on stage – and Linc is creating a public disturbance. Let’s go. He takes Linc’s arm, and walks Linc out to applause. Ned stands up as Dante goes past, and Chase looks at Brook.

Spencer comes back, and sits with Sonny. On stage, Nina says, it’s a great night, isn’t it? She thanks them for being here, and says, as co-owner of the MetroCourt – Carly and Olivia roll eyes at each other – she’s happy to be able to be able to use this ballroom for a worthy cause. It also affords her the privilege of announcing the next two performers. Please welcome to the stage, Georgie Spinelli, James West, and their oma, Liesl. Obrecht comes out with James and Georgie, and Georgie says, ladies and gentlemen, tonight you’ve seen singers and dancers… James says, llamas, and Georgie says, and now it’s time for some real magic. Tonight, with the help of their incredible assistant… James says, they’ll perform wizardry to surprise and delight them. Georgie says, now for their first illusion, and Obrecht picks up a large tube. James says, they have an empty tube, and puts his hand through it. They can see there’s nothing inside or outside. But they add a little bit of magic… He and Georgie touch the tube with their wands, and he pulls out a long strip of material in different colors, which I suspect is coming from Obrecht’s sleeve. There’s applause, and Obrecht drapes it around her neck. James says, for their next illusion, they’ll make water disappear. Obrecht wheels over a cart with a pitcher and two Solo cups on it. Georgie says, they have a pitcher of water; nothing unusual. She pours some water into one of the cups, and says, before they make the water disappear, what’s Obrecht’s favorite color? Obrecht looks at the colors around her neck, and says, blue. Georgie tells James, a little magic please, and he taps the cup with his wand. She pours the water into the other cup, and it’s blue. James says, now to make the water disappear. They need some more magic. Georgie taps the second cup, he turns it over, and it’s empty. The audience applauds, and they bow. Georgie says, for their next illusion, they will make their assistant disappear. Obrecht feigns surprise, and wheels over a large cabinet. Georgie opens it, and Obrecht gets in, waving to the audience as the door closes.

Gladys sneaks around backstage, and ducks behind the costumes. Walking past, Dex says, he’s seen combat, but this seems scarier, and Cody says he’s fallen off a bull and a whole bunch of stupid other stuff. When they’re gone, Gladys finds a hanger with Cody’s name on it, and slips the bracelet into his jacket pocket.

Georgie opens the cabinet, and it’s empty. James says, now they will bring their assistant back. Georgie closes the door again, and James taps on the cabinet with his wand. Georgie opens the cabinet, but all that’s there is the material from the first magic trick. Everyone laughs because they think the kids just messed up the act.

Obrecht lies in the trunk of a car, out cold. Victor’s messenger closes the trunk, and walks away.

Valentin comes out with the necklace, and Victor says, finally. That’s more like it. He whips out his jeweler’s loupe, and checks it out. He says, release her, and Watkins lets go of Anna. Victor says he and Valentin could have done this together, father and son. Instead, he’s had to choose another heir to carry on the Cassadine name. Valentin’s betrayal broke his heart. So it’s only fair he returns the favor. He takes out a gun, and shoots Anna. Maybe.

Tomorrow, Bobbie says, the next act is the one they’ve all been waiting for; Victor says, make sure things are prepared for their guests; Trina tells Spencer, that’s the wrong answer; and Sasha asks where Gladys’s bracelet is.

💃🏾 Behind the Ball…

Amy with the behind the scenes gossip.

And all those sequins.

🕶 A Visit From Granny…

Ha-ha! Her hair in the 70s, or 80s, or whenever that was.

🗽 Fanatics For Sprina…

I would definitely stop and look at it, but not if I had to wait an hour.

🏆 Daytime’s Due…

June 16th, 9 pm ET, CBS. Be there or be a rectangle.

🤼‍♀️ What Happens In Jersey…

The main thing this clarifies is, there are awful people in New Jersey.

https://www.distractify.com/p/dolores-dina-manzo-feud-explained

🍸 Not a Day Goes By…

Buffoonery. I love it.

He had to see it in hindsight to know he handled it wrong?

🐔 Madder Than a Pissed On Chicken…

No doubt the insurance companies were involved as well, but I hope to see my Boat Daddy sail the seas again.

🐶 Squee Time…

Pets cuter than the celebrities who own them.

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

🍶 Potent Potables For 200, Alex…

Take a break here tomorrow for some soap, the latest in tea, random quotes, and specific music. Until then, stay safe, stay leading by example, and stay following your instincts, wherever they may lead.

April 5, 2023 – Victor Is Taking Someone With Him, Schwartz Picks Forbidden Fruit & Radioactive

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Maxie asks if the opening number is ready. Is everyone seated? She asks Bobbie to make sure everyone’s together for the opening number, when Nina walks backstage and looks askance at the llama. It occurs to me that we have no idea what the llama does, much like Sonny and Victor. Nina tells everyone that they look great, and Maxie says, when it’s all over, she’ll think it was worth it. Nina says, and now? and Brook says, the llama is one of their more professional artists. We see the llama eating from the snack table, and Maxie says she’s sorry, but they really have things to do. Nina tells her, save the drama for your llama. She just came back to say good… Brook makes a silence motion… break a leg. Nina leaves, and Maxie asks if Brook is just going to stand there or help her.

Linc walks into the dressing room, and Blaze asks if he doesn’t knock. He asks, what’s the fun of that? and she says she has to get changed. He tells her not to let him stop her.

Watkins tells Victor that the car picked Lucy up at Marigold and Chestnut. They’re checking the houses nearby. Victor says, discreetly? and Watkins says, of course (🍷). Victor says, where Lucy is, there Anna and Valentin shall be, along with what’s left of the Ice Princess, and the key to saving the world.

Lucy squeals as she picks up the remote, and Anna and Valentin run in. Anna asks if she’s okay, and Lucy says, the Ball… is about to begin.

Bobbie and Maxie come out and introduce themselves. They tell the audience, welcome to the Nurses Ball, and there’s more applause than there are people. Bobbie thanks them for coming out to support HIV/AIDS research and patient services, so they may soon eradicate this virus and disease for good. Maxie says, this year, they’ve turned things up a notch in order to celebrate the 60th anniversary of General Hospital. Bobbie says, anything can happen at the Nurses Ball… and Maxie says, and usually does. Tonight is full of surprises. So let’s get on with the show. The nurses come out to do the opening number, TJ, Amy, and Deanna singing lead, with the rest of the nurses as the back-up dancers they really are.

Sonny asks where Gladys got her bracelet, and Sasha says, it’s on loan. Deception used it in a photo shoot, and she made arrangements for Gladys to wear it tonight. Gladys says, it even comes with its own bodyguard, and nods to a serious looking guy. She tells Sasha, with the dress and bracelet, Sasha has really made her first Nurses Ball special. Sasha says she’s really grateful to everyone who helped her when she was struggling, and no one’s helped her more than Gladys. Sonny asks if Sasha isn’t struggling anymore, but Sasha says, she has her days, but she’s ready to get back out into the world and live life again. Sonny says he guesses that means the court will revoke Gladys’s guardianship. Sasha will be standing on her own two feet in no time.

Cody wonders, who pays for all this? and Sam says, the vendors donate all the products and services, and the money that’s raised goes to a charity that supports HIV and AIDS research. She’s really impressed Cody agreed to perform. Cody says, every once in a while, he does the right thing, and looks over at Gladys.

Chase tells Elizabeth that she looks absolutely stunning, and she thanks him, and says he looks good himself. She can’t wait for the big duet. She thanks Finn for walking the red carpet with her, and he says he’s just glad he could be there. She tells him to enjoy the Ball.

Finn and Chase go over to the bar and order drinks, and Finn tells Chase, don’t. Chase says, but… and Finn makes a zipping motion across his lips, and says, don’t.

Brook knocks at Blaze’s dressing room door, and Blaze says, come in. Brook sees Linc leaning against the makeup table, and he asks, how’s his favorite former songbird? Isn’t this the room where that psycho slashed her? Brook says, yeah. It fills her with nostalgia. Where’s Blaze? Blaze comes out, and Linc says, just look at her. Isn’t she just… Brook says, get out, and he says, Blaze needed help with her zipper. Brook says, not from him. She’ll help Blaze with whatever she needs. Linc says he’s her manager, but Brook says, right now he’s leaving. Go. He leaves, and Brook asks what the hell he’s doing in here… Did Linc try something?… Is she okay?

Lucy, Valentin, and Anna sit on the sofa, and Lucy says she’s just so proud of everybody. It’s breaking her heart she can’t be there. Valentin says he’s devastated. If only their lives didn’t depend on staying away from the Nurses Ball. Lucy says she knows. He’s made that very clear. So if they’ll excuse her, she’s just going to finish the Ball in the bedroom. She leaves, and Valentin says he’s sorry. He knows this is difficult for Anna too. Anna says, being there makes her feel close to Robin, but she understands it jeopardizes everyone’s safety. She wonders if Victor just left town, but Valentin says, he wants to get his hands on the Ice Princess necklace, and he’s not going to give up until he finds it.

Watkins says, they checked all the houses in a three-block radius. No sign of them. Victor says, of course (🍷) Lucy Coe is savvy enough not to be caught right outside the house she, Valentin, and Anna are hiding out in, along with his necklace. Widen the search; again, discreetly. Watkins says, of course (🍷), and Victor says, when he finds the house, no one is to approach without his direct order.

Nina says she couldn’t help notice Curtis’s little traffic jam, with him, Portia, and Jordan. How’s he doing? He says, she looks stunning, and she says, way to get off the subject. As does he. He suggests they make a deal. Neither one of them will ask the other how they’re doing. Just sit back and enjoy the festivities. She says, deal.

Mac says, Felicia was always the prettiest girl at the party, and at another table, Austin gets up. Ava asks what he’s doing, and he says he thought Mac should see them. She pulls him back down, and says, they just want to give the cops an opportunity to notice them. He asks how they do that, and she says, very easy. They act like they’re having fun. He says, ha-ha-ha-ha! Like that? and she says, perfect.

Trina orders a club soda at the bar, when Spencer approaches her. He stares at her, and she tells him, stop it. He says, stop what? and she says, looking at her like she’s… He says, beautiful? He’s sorry; he can’t help it. He’s still kicking himself for letting Sydney Val Jean tell her how beautiful she looked before he could. She says, he got there eventually, and he says, the only reason he hesitated was because he was speechless. He should have offered to escort her, so he could have arrived with her on his arm. She says, as an accessory? but he says, she’s no one’s accessory. He thought she might want to arrive with him because… just because. She wonders why he didn’t, and he says, she told Sydney Val Jean that they were just friends. Trina reminds him that he said the same thing. They were on live TV with a microphone in their face. What were they going to say? He asks if she meant it, and she says, did he? Sonny joins them, and says, Trina looks amazing. She thanks him, and says he looks very stylish himself. He asks if she’d mind if he has a second with his nephew, and Spencer says, actually, they were just… Trina says, getting a drink, but hers just came, so she’ll let them talk. She leaves, and Sonny wonders if he can ask Spencer a question. He needs Spencer to answer honestly. Spencer says, all right, and Sonny says, where’s Victor?

Gladys is walking with the bodyguard, when Cody calls to her. She asks what he wants, and he asks where she’s going. She says, like it’s any of his business. She’s headed to the ladies room. He asks if she’s sure she’s not headed to a pawn shop to see how much she could get for that bracelet, and she says, this bracelet is on loan from the jeweler’s; it’s not hers. He says, Brando’s garage wasn’t hers either, and she sold that.

Spencer says he thought Victor would be in attendance tonight, but he hasn’t seen him, and Sonny asks, when was the last time he talked to Victor? Spencer says, a few hours ago, and Sonny asks, where? Spencer says, what’s going on? and Sonny asks if Victor told Spencer that he checked out of the MetroCourt. Spencer says, no, and Sonny asks if Victor said anything about leaving town. Spencer says, not a word.

Valentin walks in with a toy piano, and Anna asks what he’s got. He says, a piano. He found it in the attic, and tidied it up a bit. It might have been Morgan’s or Michael’s. She says, a very baby grand, and asks what he intends to do with it. He says, they can’t be at the Nurses Ball this year, but they can have their own. She asks if he’s going to sing for her, and he says, from the tiny piano on the floor to her, the one he adores. He plays the tiny piano as he sings, although I suspect there’s some musical help in the background. They imagine themselves all dressed up, and dancing in a room filled with candelabras and fancy floor lamps. They kiss at the end.

Josslyn goes over to Dex at the bar, and he says, she looks amazing. She thanks him, and he says, they shouldn’t be seen together. She says, they’re not together; they’re just two people waiting for the bartender. He says, it could be a while, and they surreptitiously touch hands. She says, she’ll have to talk to management, and he puts his hand on hers.

Jordan says, here’s to TJ; he was great up there. Molly says, cheers to that, and they clink glasses. Jordan asks if TJ is on call, and he says, no; why? She says, that’s not his usual beverage… or Molly’s, and he says he and Molly are obtaining from alcohol. Jordan says, any particular reason? and he puts his arm around Molly, saying, they’re going to try and get pregnant. Jordan asks if they’re giving her a grandchild, taking Molly’s hands, and Molly says, that’s the plan.

Sasha is looking around, and Sam asks if she lost something. Sasha says, her mother-in-law.

Gladys says, first of all, jackass, how she handles her business is none of his, so stay out of it, and Cody says he’ll stay out of it if she tells Sasha the truth. She says, and if she doesn’t? and he says he’ll tell Sasha that she can’t stay away from the poker tables, and she’s using Sasha’s assets to settle her debts.

Chase approaches Finn, who’s wearing earbuds, and asks, what exactly happened between him and Elizabeth at Cameron’s goodbye party? He asks why Finn is ignoring him, and turns Finn around. Finn asks, what’s going on with Chase? and Chase asks, what’s going on with Finn? Finn says, wait, and takes out the earbuds, and Chase says, earplugs? Really? Finn says he’s listening to a message from Violet. Why is Chase sneaking up on him? Chase says he wants to get in Finn’s business. Finn asks if he didn’t tell Chase not to, and Chase says, he and Elizabeth seemed pretty… you know. Finn puts his earbuds back in, and says, go ahead. Chase says, good talk, and leaves. Elizabeth and Finn smile at each other.

Blaze says she’ll be fine, and Brook asks if she’s sure. Blaze says she’s handling this, but Brook says she can help. Let her accompany Blaze to any and all meetings with Linc, especially the ones not public. Blaze says she appreciates that, but Linc is her manager; how would that work? Brook says, Blaze and Chase are collaborating, and she’s Chase’s manager. She has a legit interest. Blaze says, that’s a stretch, but Brook says, it’s better than going it alone. What does she say? Blaze says she’ll think about it, when Chase knocks at the door. Blaze nods to Brook, who opens it, and he asks if everything is okay. Blaze says, fine. She tells them that she has to make a call and leaves. Chase says, she was obviously upset, but Brook says, Blaze will be fine; just leave her alone. He asks if she wants Blaze to live her life the way she does; everyone for themselves.

On the phone, Victor asks if someone has gained access to the backstage area… Then he takes it, it’s done… Good. Oh my God, he’s not kidnapping the llama, is he? He says, now it’s just a matter of time, and Watkins asks if he sent Ambrose to the MetroCourt, but Victor says, he’s on a special errand. When Victor leaves Port Charles, he’s taking someone with him.

Maxie introduces Elizabeth, who says, many of you know, a few days ago, we lost a beloved member of our GH family, Nurse Epiphany Johnson. The curtains open and there’s a giant photo of Epiphany, and Elizabeth says, Epiphany did everything with her heart and soul. She was most passionate nursing, healing people, saving them when she could. She also had a gift for music; a gift she shared with them through her many spectacular performances right here at the Nurses Ball. So tonight, we dedicate this Ball to our friend. Epiphany, we love you, we miss you, you will never be forgotten. Everyone is all somber.

Dante says, that was a nice tribute to Epiphany, and Sonny says, losing Epiphany was a blow. She could put anybody in their place; him, Jason, even Carly. He’s going to miss her. Dante says, Sonny’s going through a lot right now, and losing a friend on top of it… Sonny says, don’t worry about him; he’s good. Dante tells Sonny that he’s said it before, and he’ll say it again. He’s Sonny’s son, and he’s here for him. They hug.

Backstage, Maxie tells a man that they need to be extra careful about people walking off with their body mics. Tackle them if he has to. Amy gives Maxie some water, and says, Maxie is doing a wonderful job with… Maxie says, wait a minute. There were three chainsaws there a few minutes ago. Now there are only two. She hears the buzz of a chainsaw, says, oh no, and runs off. Amy asks the llama if he heard that.

Anna thanks Valentin, and he says he’s written several songs for her. He can’t believe he got to sing her one. She asks how he makes earnest appreciation seem sexy, and he says, considering who he’s appreciating, he thinks the question answers itself. Her phone dings, and she says, it’s Sonny. He said, Spencer saw Victor at the MetroCourt, and he checked out. Lucy says, knock, knock, and asks if it’s safe, and Anna tells her to come in. Lucy says she wasn’t overhearing on purpose, but Valentin’s song was beautiful. She didn’t want her extreme need for snacks to ruin an intimate moment. They thank her, and Anna asks if Maxie is following Lucy’s micromanaging. Lucy says, so far, so good, but they should have seen the chaos this morning. It was madness. An army is only as good as its general. Anna asks, what chaos? and Valentin asks how she would know what was happening at the MetroCourt. Lucy says, maybe she did a little bit more than just text Maxie.

Brook tells Chase that she’s not an everyone for themselves kind of person. She doesn’t want to be alone, but sometimes life just works out that way, obviously. He says he’s sorry, and she says she is too. She’s sorry she ever signed that NDA with Linc to get her songs back. She knew it was selfish, but she did it anyway. The worst part is that she let down all the women who’ll have to deal with Linc, but she let down Chase too. That’s what hurts her the most. He says, what hurts him the most is that she let herself down. Blaze comes back, and thanks him for waiting. She thinks they should run through their steps one more time, and he says, sure. Brook says, let her know if they need anything before they go on, and leaves.

Spencer says he’s sorry he and Trina got interrupted before. He was going to bring up their kiss. He takes it that’s something they’re both in favor of doing again, and she says, yes. He says, that’s great; great choice. She laughs, and he says, so for clarity’s sake, that would mean that they… that she is… that they’re together. She says, yes, together, and they move closer, when Josslyn calls to Trina. Spencer says, she has the worst timing, and she says, they have to get backstage. They’re almost up. Spencer says, to be continued, Trina says, definitely, and leaves with Josslyn.

Bobbie says she’s proud to introduce the next act. She’s known one of the performers since the day she was born, but they’re both in every way exceptional. She presents Trina Robinson, and her very own granddaughter, Josslyn Jax. Trina and Josslyn do a song and dance number, accompanied by unknown nurses. What’s interesting is how they start off with handheld microphones, and lose them at some point and switch to secret ones. The crowd goes wild, Spencer and Dex among them.

Victor says, Ambrose is in position at the MetroCourt, and Watkins says, Minerva is at the house where Valentin, Anna, and Lucy are holed up. Victor says, instruct them to surround the house. They move on his signal. Watkins says, rules of engagement? and Victor says he needs his son and Anna Devane alive. Lucy Coe is just a nuisance. Eliminate her.

Elizabeth says, Trina was so wonderful, and Portia says, she was. She’s so proud of Trina. Elizabeth asks if Portia has made any progress with Trina, and Portia says, just a little bit. Elizabeth says, she’ll come around, and Portia says, she will eventually, because she’s never giving up on her daughter.

Bobbie says, Josslyn was fantastic, and Josslyn thanks her, and says, they were, weren’t they? Bobbie says, good for her. False modesty always makes her want to grind her teeth. She says she has to get back to her hosting duties, and tells Josslyn that she’s a star. Linc slithers in as Bobbie leaves, and says, she’s right. He knows talent, and Josslyn definitely has it. In his hands, she can go way over the top.

Lucy says she could see Maxie was in way over her head, and she had to act. So yes, she went to the MetroCourt, but she promises nobody recognized her. She tries to walk out, but Anna grabs her and says, wait. She went to the MetroCourt? Lucy says, just to the lobby, no further. She got there, solved that problem, then made it back here quick as a little bunny. Valentin asks how she got there, and she says, don’t worry. She didn’t give the car service her exact address. She walked half a mile down, and coming back, she had them drop her at the far corner way down the street. Everything’s fine. Anna says, we have to leave now.

Sasha asks if Cody is ready for the spotlight, and he says, he and the spotlight are old friends. Gladys joins them, and asks what they’re talking about. Cody says, old friends.

Nina walks in, and she and Sonny smile at one another. Spencer tells Trina that she was amazing. She was so much better than Josslyn. They hug, and she says, he’s being biased, but he says, not at all. Carly runs up, and hugs Trina, saying, she was amazing. Spencer says he was just telling her the same thing, and Carly asks, where’s Joss?

Josslyn thanks Linc, but says she’s not interested in a music career. He tells hernot to say no to something before she hears all the reasons to say yes, when Brook walks in. She looks like she might possibly kill Linc.

On the phone, Victor says, excellent… Thank you. He tells Watkins, now.

Valentin says, come on, let’s go. As they pull on their coats, Anna tells Lucy that her trip to the MetroCourt cost them their location, so Victor can find them easily. Lucy says she doesn’t want to go. The Nurses Ball isn’t even on a break yet. Valentin says, if they don’t get going now, they’re dead for real this time. Got it? Lucy asks if she can just get some snacks, and Valentin says, hurry up. Anna drags Lucy out of the house, and sees a red dot on Valentin’s chest. She tells him, move! and we hear a gunshot.

To Be Continued…

Tomorrow, Josslyn tells Spencer that he’s caused nothing but misery; Victor says he’s not going anywhere until he gets what he came for; and Linc asks Brook, what the hell was that?

Vanderpump Rules

First, my bad, Kristina did sit at the table at Scheana’s dinner. Lala asked her to come, unaware it was a wedding dinner. Or so she says.

Ally has wisely walked out, and James says, she’s probably upset because she’s not used to confrontation. Kung Fu Sandoval says, sometimes having real power is having the power to do something and not using it, and Lala says, James has a lot to lose. She doesn’t want to see him react that way. In Ally’s interview, she says, it’s hard to watch the way James is acting, and the way he’s screaming. Scheana goes to make the rounds, and Schwartz heads for the restaurant, where he has reservations for Bubba, and feels the need to explain the name to the staff. Katie arrives, and he says he’ll use the more platonic Bub. In Schwartz’s interview, he says, Bubba has lost some meaning, but he still feels like they’re both Bubbas. Schwartz tells the server that they’re celebrating, and the server asks if it’s an anniversary, but Schwarz says, they’re divorced. The server is like, that’s nice? and Schwartz says, they just sold their house. The server seems confused, and Schwartz tells Katie that he’s not going for romance. In Katie’s interview, she says, romance isn’t Schwartz’s strong suit. We flash back to the ring on a string, and other times Schwartz missed the romance mark. She says, if he couldn’t romance her when they were married, she doesn’t think he’s going to romance her now. Schwartz toasts to getting back on the hedonic treadmill, and Katie says, how about the closing on the house as bittersweet as it is? And to all the memories, and to them. Schwartz says he wants to maintain a good friendship, and doesn’t want to ruin the moment, but he feels guilty not going to Brock and Scheana’s dinner.

James asks if he and Ariana can hug it out, and they do. Katie tells Schwartz that she feels bad, but he says, this is on him. He wanted to celebrate with her. After their divorce, he’s more apt to defend her. She says, no, he’s not. He pulled the groomsman card and defended Scheana’s ass. We flash back to him asking Katie to switch resorts, and he says, she pulled the wife/husband card. She abused it. he was a great f***ing husband. In her interview, Katie says, what? She asks when Schwartz has defended her honor, and he says, toward the end he didn’t because she’d abused that early on. In Katie’s interview, a producer asks why she thinks Schwartz never takes her side. She says, the only thing she could come up with is, he doesn’t like her. He might have loved her, but he never liked her. She tells Schwartz not to gaslight her, and he says, that’s her favorite term. Katie wonders where they go from here. Does he not want to be friends? Does he want to be friends with Brock and not her? She tells him to be real, and the server brings their meals. Schwartz says he didn’t want to ruin dinner, and Katie starts to cry. She says, he’s being great friends to the people surrounding him, when they’re being awful to her. He tries to protest, and she tells him, save it. He says, she was a provocateur in many of those situations, and she says, all right, gets up, and walks out. The server asks if he should take her dishes away, but ball-less Schwartz says he thinks she’s just going to the bathroom. The server leaves, and Schwartz says he’s finishing his steak. This was a bad idea.

James says, the group is used to intense group conversations, but Ally isn’t. Ally comes back with Brock, and asks if they’re safe. Scheana invites Ally to her bachelorette party, and James wonders why Lala isn’t going, since it’s a group event. What could Raquel do to make her not feel safe? Scheana is confused – her stance on most things – and Sandoval suggests going to some bar for drinks. Scheana says she’s going back to her room, and Lala tells James, that wasn’t his place; Scheana didn’t know how she felt. She was going to sit Scheana down. She follows Scheana outside, and tells her that it wasn’t James’s place to bring that up. She wants the energy to be amazing for Scheana, and was going to have a conversation about it. It’s where she’s at; she’s not great at being in fight mode right now.  Scheana asks why Kristina is there, and Lala says she didn’t know it was a wedding dinner. Scheana says, Lala should have asked her, and in Lala’s interview, she says, Scheana wanted things to be drama free, and she’s trying to give Scheana what she asked for. She’d rather hang out with her crew than being stuck on a boat at sea with Raquel. She’s going go on the boat, but they’re going to be screaming, bitch overboard, and it ain’t going to be her. Scheana says she’s going to put Summer down, then go to the bar.

Katie texts Kristina about meeting Schwartz, and Schwartz calls Katie, asking her to come back. He wants to end things on a positive note. She hangs up.

Kristina asks, what happened? and Katie says, it started off good. She was excited, but once again, Schwartz will defend literally anyone except her. Whoever she’s having an issue with, he’ll side with them. Kristina says, it’s a reminder of why Katie isn’t with him, when there’s a knock at the door. Katie looks out the peephole, and says, it’s Raquel. Raquel asks to come in for a quick second, and Katie asks why she’s here. Raquel says, Scheana wanted her to come over and tell them, because they didn’t book their room through the hotel’s preferred something-or-other, they have no access to the preferred pool. We see a clip of Scheana asking which bridesmaid is going to let Katie know that she’s not allowed in the preferred area. Raquel says, they can’t be in the area when the rest of them are there for wedding festivities, and Kristina and Katie laugh. In Katie’s interview, she says, so Raquel is going to tell her not to do something. Self-awareness is so lacking all over this place. Raquel says, it’s the only pool with a swim up bar. Kristina wonders if it’s her too, or just Katie, and Raquel says, Scheana was uncomfortable when Kristina was at dinner. Katie says, she’s a bitch, and Raquel says, to be blatantly honest, they don’t want either of them around. Kristina says she’d like to have a conversation with Scheana. There are 600 rooms, and she’s supposed to not go somewhere? She’s not being a prisoner. Raquel says, so they’re going to do it anyway? and Katie says, yeah. Kristina says, they won’t swim up to the bar, and Katie says, although she might be too drunk not too. Raquel leaves, and Katie says, what a dumbass.

Raquel reports back to Scheana, and says she told Katie and Kristina about not being allowed in the preferred areas; point blank, so it was black and white, and there was no confusion. In Scheana’s interview, she says, her telling Raquel to tell them they weren’t allowed in the preferred areas was a joke, but that Raquel actually listened is savage, and she’s here for it. Scheana says she’s going to bed. The car will be arriving at 9:30 for the bachelorette party, and the guys are having a party at the resort.

The girls leave for the bachelorette, and in James’s interview, he says, the thought of Brock and his friends… I’m a barbarian. Let’s take some Viagra and f*** a couple kangaroos here. The guys swill liquor and have what looks like a frat party for guys too old to be pledging. Katie and Kristina go to the – gasp! – preferred pool, and Katie says she held her breath a little giving her room number, but no problem. She has a do-not-disturb sign on her forehead now. They get in the water and swim up to the bar. At the bachelorette, Scheana says she’s in her happy place; on a boat with her favorite people. Scheana thanks the girls for coming, and toasts to the next fun few days. In his interview, James says he considers himself a man of the world, and he’s all for different cultures, but he’s never been the type to smack another guy’s ass in a speedo. Brock’s speedo has a face on it – Scheana’s? – and it’s creepy looking. Schwartz says he loves this place, and eyeballs one of the girls in the pool. He wonders why he feels it’s illegal to check girls out. Tom says he checks out girls all the time, and the viewers check a red flag on their playing cards. While Lala talks to Ally, Raquel tells the other girls that Lala was afraid they’d get in a fight, and she’d be stranded in the ocean. She claimed she didn’t feel safe. Raquel says she could have been a bitch, and say she didn’t want Lala on the catamaran, but that’s not who she is. Apparently, no one told her this also is not her wedding, and she says, she’s not giving off Lala energy. Ally asks Lala how she feels, and Lala says she had a moment, but she’s good. She says she doesn’t want what happened to her to happen to Ally. Ally needs to retain her power. Last night was tame. She needs to learn to tune James out, and know she’s not responsible for how he acts. In Lala’s interview, she says, you could be the smartest bitch in the world, but if you fall under someone like James, he’ll make a whirlwind of your life, and you’ll come out wondering how it happened. She tells Ally that she has her whole life ahead. She feels the need to protect Ally; she has a good heart. In her interview, Lala says, look at her and Raquel. Red flags were flying, and they had tunnel-vision because this persona was amazing at creating the illusion. Well, I don’t see it, but maybe you had to  be there. James just seems annoying and rude to me.

In Sandoval’s interview, he says, Schwartz needs to put himself out there. He’ll get over his marriage faster. Sandoval introduces Schwartz to the girl he was eyeing, and Schwartz tells her that she’s got great eyebrows. In his interview, Sandoval says, when Schwartz moved to L.A., he was awkward, but he got in the stride, and could be cool at times. He thinks Schwartz is out of practice. It’s been so long, he believes Schwartz thought he would never have to deal with this again. Schwartz says he’s going to make out with so many people tonight.

Meanwhile, at Villa Rosa, Lisa and Ken are expecting Pandora, Jason, and Baby Teddy for dinner. Lisa says, Scheana texted that they’re having a blast. Puffy! She says, Greg is probably going to criticize the boys for going off, but they grew up with Scheana, so they’re not sitting here while everyone else is celebrating her wedding. She asks if Ken likes Greg, and Ken says, Greg clearly doesn’t understand who he’s in bed with. The boys have no clue about the business. Lisa thinks the Toms should meet with Greg. They want to open in ten days, and don’t have a kitchen staff. She thinks they’re weeks away from opening. In Lisa’s interview, she says, the Toms want to open on August 31st, and have no path forward. Where’s the plan? She doesn’t see it. We to her last meeting with the Toms, and she says she wants to help them, but she’s not sure she wouldn’t be treading on Greg’s toes. She tells Ken that she’d go in like a steamroller, and he says, as she’s done before. The boys never had experience. He asks what she’s thinking, and she says, what she’s been thinking a thousand times. She doesn’t think they know what they need to open. Greg needs to pull his finger out of his ass and get it done.  

In Scheana’s interview, she says, tonight is the welcome white party. She’s zen and happy, and not letting Katie and Kristina ruin anything. James tells Ally about the guys’ party, and makes fun of them. She says she talked to Lala, and he asks what Lala said. Ally says, Lala just wanted to check on her after last night, and James suggests Lala take a look at her own life. In James’s interview, he says, Lala was engaged to a fat man, and they haven’t seen each other in ages. She did it for a pickleball court. Okay. I looked it up. James is 31, and while there’s never an excuse for fat-shaming, he’s too old for this to be his go-to insult. He tells Ally that he’s never loved anyone as much as he loves her. She’s kind and caring, but has a spark in her butt. Is she gaseous?

There are tons of people at the white party, Peter among them. Peter tells Schwartz that he had no idea Katie wasn’t invited, and Scheana says, she came anyway. Lala meets Kristina and Katie for dinner, in an adjoining pavilion. In Lala’s interview, she says she knows she’s here for Scheana’s wedding, but there’s a lot of sh*t happening; they don’t need to be meeting for dinner. Like the catamaran, spa day, the breakfast, the dinner, the dinner before the dinner, the rehearsal dinner to rehearse for the rehearsal dinner… They see Scheana, and Katie says, maybe the resort is smaller than she thought. In Katie’s interview, she says, they chose the restaurant because the menu looked good. She didn’t know they’d be next to Scheana’s party. Scheana thinks she did this to spite her, which she didn’t. Katie smiles. Scheana grumbles that they didn’t need to have dinner there, and in Raquel’s interview, she says, Kristina and Katie are like those two old guys on The Muppets. She then proceeds to use her sleeves, cuffed in marabou feathers, like puppets. I have no words, except she can’t pull off that dress anyway, so why not? Katie says she’s not bringing bad energy. The only bad energy is coming from Scheana’s guests. In her interview, Raquel uses her sleeve puppets, and says, I hate love. Bah, humbug.

Instead of the standard photo op, there’s some weird camera that projects them spinning on a big screen. It seems like something Scheana would have. Kristina says she had a conversation with Scheana, and we see a clip of her telling Scheana, at the end of the day, she’s never done anything to Scheana, but Scheana has never given her a chance. Katie sighs, and Kristina says, they’re getting the benefit of the entertainment. There are fire dancers, and drummers playing on weird lit up drums that are partially filled with water on top. It kind of looks like a fountain with colored lights when they’re hit. Ariana, Sandoval, Brock, and Scheana sit at a table in the water, and Ariana says, it’s the best party ever. There are also swings and other tables in the water. I can see the swings, but why I would want to sit at a table in the water is beyond me. Scheana says, not once was there drama or bad energy. Inside, Lala asks what Katie and Kristina are doing later, and Katie says, drinking. She wants to turn up. Lala doesn’t know if she has the energy to go to the white party. There are so many people, she doubts Scheana will notice she’s gone.

Ariana wonders where Lala is, and Scheana points out that she’s having dinner with Kristina and Katie. Brock says, her loss, and Ariana says, Lala told them she didn’t want to come to anything intimate, but this is the biggest party. We flash back to Lala saying she’ll come to anything with a larger group. Sandoval says, when Schwartz went to dinner with Katie, they got in a fight, and Ariana calls Schwartz over. Scheana asks if he’s making out with anyone tonight, and in Ariana’s interview, she says, Raquel’s ears perked up when she heard Schwartz making out. Scheana asks why he went to dinner with Katie, and he says, closure. Ariana asks, how many more closures? and he says, Katie is still his girl. Scheana says, she’s not his Bubba anymore, but Schwartz says, it’s Bub, the platonic version. Scheana says, Katie’s not his Bub or Bubba. She’s his ex-wife. In Schwartz’s interview, he says, being single, he didn’t think people would tell him how to think and feel, and now he’s feeling attacked. Sandoval says, no offense, but he doesn’t want Katie around, and in his interview, Schwartz says, he’s still allowed to care. He’s not ready to let Bub go.  

Kristina asks if Lala has talked to the Don, and Lala says, all the time. She’s skeptical about people, especially men, and when she asked if he was a good dude, he asked if she hadn’t gotten his background check back. She told him she hadn’t done one yet, but she does them because she has a lot at stake. Schwartz comes to the table, and says he has a favor to ask Katie. He tells the others, earmuffs, and Lala says, she loves him, but she’s not earmuffing. He asks if Katie will trim his armpit hair, and in his interview, he says, it grows alarmingly fast. Maybe he’s being too clingy. He needs to create separation, and do self-empowerment. Katie tells him to have Brock do it, and Schwartz says he’ll just cut his own hair. He leaves, and Lala asks if he really came over here to ask that. Katie says, he’s drunk. He’s in pest mode. Lala says she doesn’t like that he sh*ts on Katie, then acts like everything is fine, but she kind of feels bad for him right now. Katie says, no one feels bad for her, but Lala says she’s protective of Katie. Katie is never going to win them over.

Raquel and Schwartz go to a small table in the pool and sit. Seriously, it even looks stupid. Katie tells Lala and Kristina that she and Schwartz get in a fight every time they talk. Their dinner was supposed to be a celebration for selling their house and anniversary stuff, but it turned into a fight. Brock yells, make out! to Schwartz and Raquel. Schwartz says, the others trying to coerce them into making out makes him kind of want to. She asks when he came to this realization, and in Schwartz’s interview, he says he feels he’s been a good divorcee; super sweet and supportive. Schwartz says, now it’s forbidden fruit, and Raquel says, Katie made it a thing. In his interview, Schwartz complains that Katie imposed arbitrary restrictions on what he can and can’t do. Um… No, she didn’t. She said, no one in the friend group, and L.A. is a big place. Raquel says, now she can’t stop thinking about it, and in her interview, she says, there are lots of reasons she’s attracted to Schwartz. He’s sweet and kind, and she loves his sense of humor. Her attraction to Schwartz outweighs her desire to be friends with Katie. They kiss, and the crowd cheers, and we know now this is bullsh*t.

To be continued…

👣 Reducing My Carbon Footprint…

Drop in tomorrow for more Nurses Ball and a cup or two of tea. Until then, stay safe, stay not setting thirst traps, and stay not saying no to something before you hear all the reasons to say yes. Hey, even snakes have good advice once in a while.

April 4, 2023 – How Dare They, Teresa Has a Meditation Moment, Drama Detail, A Pawn, CMA Stuff, Barbie, Over 90 & Taxi

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Since this happened…

https://abc7ny.com/general-hospital-schedule-change-preempted-abc/13084825/

…let’s go directly to the awful.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey

In Dolores’s interview, she says, Paulie is recovering well, but has a different idea of what a nurse should be, since he wants her to dress up in a hot nurse outfit. She tells him about her conversation with Frank at the luau, and how he took it personally that she didn’t stay at his house. Paul says, Frank needs to grow up. He and Dolores had a good relationship, but now it’s gone. In her interview, Dolores says, Paulie has a good relationship with his ex-wife, but she and Frank are closer. Paulie wonders if Frank realizes he made a mistake, but in her interview, Dolores says, Frank realized he made a mistake before he walked out the door. It’s about change, not a personal attachment. She tells Paulie that she’s having lunch with Jennifer, and we flash back to their whatever-it-is, and in Dolores’s interview, she says, it’s like being in a hamster wheel. She feels like enough time has passed, and they can have a real conversation. She tells Paulie that Jennifer needs to stay in her lane, and he says, meet Paterson Dolores. I’ve never been to Paterson, so I’m not sure exactly what that means. I assume it’s a tough, earrings off town.

I think Rachel should escape this show, and possibly New Jersey, immediately. In her interview, she says she’s a perfectionist. She comes from a corporate background, while her husband comes from the streets; that’s why she’s handling buying the school supplies. Why? Would he just give the kid a stick and a rock? She tells John that she wants another baby, but stepson Jaiden isn’t crazy about the idea. In Rachel’s interview, she says, Jaiden is going off to college in a few years, and it’s scary. She reminds John about wanting to adopt Jaiden, and he says, there’s a process they have to go through. Jaiden’s biological mother would still have to sign off, even though he has full custody, and he doesn’t feel like dealing with her. In her interview, Rachel says, her few interactions with Jaiden’s mother were uncomfortable since Rachel is parenting her child. To have to tell somebody’s birth mother about their kid’s life is sad. She knows the best thing is for his birth mother not to be in Jaiden’s life, and she wants to protect Jaiden and their family, so she feels like she’s earned the title. John suggests they sit with an attorney.

Dolores meets Jennifer, and it’s all how are you and you look cute. In Jennifer’s interview, she says she thought they were good friends, but didn’t receive their recent interactions that way. Fighting got her nowhere, so she can find another way forward or not be friends with Dolores. Dolores says, Paulie likes Jennifer, and felt bad when they were fighting, and Jennifer says, what broke the camel’s back last year, and made it hard, was Dolores becoming close with Marge. She felt like Dolores wasn’t defending her, and joining their ship. Little things bothered her. I double check, and Jennifer is 45; a little old for high school. Dolores tells Jennifer that she should have said something, and in her interview, Jennifer says she let her anger get the best of her, but she doesn’t want to keep fighting. Dolores suggests they call a truce, and promises to watch how she speaks to Jennifer in the future. In her interview, Dolores says, if Jennifer had told her instead of just getting angry, she would have curbed herself. Jennifer talks about raising the kids, and how Bill thinks therapy is unnecessary. She says, even when he’s home, he’s not home. When he does have free time, he’s still not choosing to spend it with the family. Dolores says, she and Frank weren’t married when she raised the kids, and lived separately, so it wasn’t an issue. In her interview, Dolores says she remembers hitting the breaking point. She was tired of catering to Frank, when he thought his job was more important than hers. Jennifer says she avoided Marge at the luau, and Dolores says, the fighting is getting bad amongst all of us. Jennifer says she knows a woman who reads Turkish coffee cups, and she was thinking of getting the girls together for a reading. She wants to invite everyone, but doesn’t want Marge at her house. Dolores suggests doing it at her house, since it’s neutral territory.

Melissa and Antonia go to the new house, where Joe #2 is working. In Melissa’s interview, she says she feels like she’s finally seeing what the house will look like. She’s sick of living in Disney princess houses, and she’s ready for something more sophisticated and classy… like her personality. She laughs. She suggests Joe send the molding back to 1999, where it belongs, but he tells her to let the builder build, and stick to fashion. She says she’s doing a pop-up at Envy for Danielle’s children’s line. She sees herself in Danielle, having little kids and wanting to get into business. If she can help, she wants to.

Danielle calls Teresa, who’s sick. Teresa says, her immune system is low from dealing with Melissa, and Danielle asks ,what happened at the luau after she left? Teresa says, it was terrible. Louie wanted Melissa’s mother’s phone number so he could invite her to the wedding, and Melissa refused to talk to him. I don’t think it went quite that way, but moving on. Teresa tells Danielle that Joe said she was miserable, and she said, he and Melissa were miserable, then Joe and Melissa left. Louie went out to talk to them, and came back crying. Louie always comes back crying. He and James Kennedy could have a cry-off. And I’m by no means making fun of anyone having feelings, but these two are drama kings. We see a clip of Louie bawling and saying, he feels Joe and Melissa’s pain, and it sucks. Teresa says she feels bad for Louie.

At the house, Melissa tells Joe that Marge said, Louie was sobbing after they left. Joe says, Louie only needs to fix one person – himself. He’s two-faced with that kumbaya stuff; it’s fake. Then it came out in the press that Teresa had a falling out with Dina. We see a headline about Dina’s husband having beef with Louie over business, and in his interview, Joe says, Dina’s husband David called him because they’re friends. It was Pizzagate, part two. Louie f***ed up another relationship in Teresa’s life. He tells Melissa, Louie says he wants everyone to be nice, but he needs to be real. He comes in like he’s God.

Theresa tells Danielle, that’s the only family she has, and they’re being mean to Louie. Louie needs to draw a line in the sand. Danielle says, Teresa has a built-in excuse not to go to the coffee reading, so she’ll bring Teresa’s feelings along with her own, and unleash for both of them. She tells Teresa, Rachel told Marge what she’d said, but she was only talking about what she heard other people say. Why was she the bad guy? Rachel was just as catty. It became her against Marge and Rachel. In Danielle’s interview, she says, she was bullied in high school because she was an athlete and hung out with the guys. The girls bullied her, and she has a lot of trauma from not being accepted (she’s 37, BTW). She tells Teresa that Rachel caused this and messed her up. Then the women were gossiping about her and her brother, saying there must be another side to the story. She doesn’t like to leave a situation, so it’s been bothering her. In her interview, she says she’s worked hard not to let people affect her, and she’s pissed that she let it. She’s not letting them get away with it. Teresa says, they’re all showing their true colors. I dunno. Is it me? Teresa whines that Joe is her only family, yet she continually bashes Joe and Melissa, and excludes them. Danielle decides to repeat something negative that may or may not be true about Marge, then gets pissed because it’s repeated to Marge. Is this Bizarro New Jersey?

Dolores tells the caterers, if things start going crazy, pretend it’s not happening, which is probably the best advice I’ve ever heard on this show. In Jennifer’s interview, she says, Angie saw N in her coffee reading, and Bill’s real name is Nebil. What better way to bring the women together than telling their futures? Jen walks into Dolores’s house, and in her interview, she says she’s trying not be jealous, but it’s Fifty Shades of Grey, and she’s desperate to find the red room. In Melissa’s interview, she says, Dolores is doing something right. Frank built her a house. David built her a house. Now she’s sitting pretty in this house. If they were playing Monopoly, Dolores would be winning. Melissa asks why Dolores and Jennifer are throwing a party together, and Dolores says she suggested a truce, and Jennifer wanted to have a party, but didn’t think everyone would come to her house. Yeah. That’s believable. In Marge’s interview, she says, she knows Dolores doesn’t want any negativity, but does she really like Jennifer? Does anybody really like Jennifer? They talk about Danielle leaving the luau, and in Jennifer’s interview, she says, if someone is in pain, she’s not going to play Inspector Gadget. My mind boggles. Maybe she has short term memory loss. Jennifer says she never would have wondered what Danielle did to deserve it, and Marge says, nobody thought that. Danielle shouldn’t have said she had an arsenal. Jennifer says, she just repeated stuff she’d heard, and Marge says, don’t be seeding this around. Danielle arrives, and in her interview, she says she’s happy to be here. She actually lost sleep over leaving the luau. It’s her vindication day. Dolores tells everyone that Teresa has covid and won’t be attending, but while she was meditating on her wedding, she pictured Dolores and Jennifer being in the wedding party. We see a clip of Teresa asking them to be bridesmaids. Marge drops that Dina is out, and Melissa says, Dolores wasn’t even invited to the engagement party. Again my mind boggles, wondering who is really the most awful in reality TV when there are so many candidates.

In Dolores’s interview, a producer asks if she thinks she wasn’t invited to the engagement party because Dina was, but Dolores says she’s not talking about Dina – ever. (She later changed her mind, saying on Watch What Happens Live, that were no problems between her and Dina, and they just grew apart.) In Melissa’s interview, she says, Dina’s husband and Louie argued over business, and now Dina isn’t Teresa’s friend or bridesmaid. The meditation moment is convenient. They sit to eat, and Danielle is seated next to Marge. In her interview, Danielle says, she’s uncomfortable right now, but they were seating themselves, and she’s not glued to the chair. She tells Marge, it’s awkward, and Marge says, Danielle stormed out of the luau. In Danielle’s interview, she says, Marge is lucky she needs energy before she rips heads off. Geez. Maybe she was ostracized in school for some other reason. Dolores says she thinks they’ve all been under stress, and they haven’t been away in a long time as a group. She went to Ireland with Paulie for Valentine’s Day, and came back a different person. She’d like for them all to go. In Dolores’s interview, she says, since she’s going to be a bridesmaid, she wants to plan a trip for Teresa, and put the other stuff behind them. They should do something different to bring different energy into the group. She tells them, it’s also the bachelorette party capital, and I’m pretty sure that’s Las Vegas and she’s making that up. Cup reader Angie arrives, and in Jen’s interview, she says she’s been to psychics, but they’re not often looking into a cup of Nescafe. Angie says, Dolores’s reading is short and sweet; a ring is coming soon. In Melissa’s interview, she says she thinks marrying Paulie would make Dolores happy, but Frank would be sad. Paulie isn’t going to suggest going on playdates. Angie tells Rachel that she’ll have a big victory in the next three months or three years. Something significant is going to happen. Rachel says she wants to adopt her stepson, and Angie says, she’ll win at the end. In Marge’s interview, she says, that’s the way she feels about her kids. They needed her because their mom didn’t live here. She needed a family to love, and someone to love her. Angie tells Marge that she’s sees something about a close friend Marge grew up with. She’s seeing the letter L, and seeing a knife in Marge’s back. In her interview, Marge says, how convenient, when Jennifer has been talking non-stop about Laura. Angie says, they went from friendship to fighting, and in Jen’s interview, she says she’s gullible, but not that gullible.

Angie says, the friendship is going to be rekindled, but Marge says, never. In Jackie’s interview, she says she knows she’s cynical, but come on. Jennifer is next, and asks Angie if there’s anything about her life with her husband. He’s been putting a lot of pressure on her, and she’s struggling. Angie says, he loves her a lot, and she sees Jennifer is all about family. She sees people offering Jennifer endorsements, and we flash back to Jennifer at Jen’s house, saying she was more in demand than Marge, and Marge asking what endorsements she had. Jennifer then tells Marge that she turned them down because her family is her endorsement. In Marge’s interview, she says she’s never seen such a set-up in her life. In Melissa’s interview, she says she’s embarrassed for Jennifer. Angie says, when Jennifer’s youngest is older, the endorsements will start coming her way, and in her interview, Marge says, no one’s endorsing Jennifer. Maybe Charmin, since she has 16 bathrooms and is full of sh*t. Jackie says, that felt obvious, but Jennifer insists she barely knows Angie. In Jennifer’s interview, she says, it’s ridiculous. They’re just mad that somebody is saying she’ll have good vibes in the future. Angie says, not everyone believes, and that’s fine, which annoys me. She says, in Danielle’s cup, she sees a conflict between Danielle and her brother. She sees him in a wedding, but doesn’t see her. This hurt Danielle, and they both cry about it, but there will come a day his anger goes away. It gets better, and they make a connection. Danielle says she didn’t like everybody questioning her about this, like she must have done something, but Rachel says, that wasn’t it at all. Jackie says, they just felt there was something missing in the story, and Jen says, she didn’t understand it. Danielle says she doesn’t get it herself, and it should be done. Period. In Melissa’s interview, she says, it’s enough. Leave her alone. Danielle says she doesn’t like to walk away from situations, but she felt blindsided, especially after Rachel made it sound like she was sabotaging Marge. Rachel says, that’s not what she was doing, but Danielle says, Rachel threw her under the bus. In her interview, Marge says she was upset at Danielle repeating negative things, when she’d never been anything but good to her. Rachel says she doesn’t care, and Danielle says she does, nearly launching herself over the table. Everyone is like, whoa, and Rachel says, just because she repeated it, doesn’t mean she was using it against Danielle. In Rachel’s interview, she says, she didn’t take anything out of context, and she wanted Marge to know what was being said. Danielle says she learned she can’t talk to Rachel that way, and in her interview, she says, guilty, insecure bitches aren’t capable of apologizing. If you want to be on your high horse, go ahead. I hope you fall off. Dolores says, I love you all but… get out.  

Next time, Danielle calls Rachel a rat; look out Ireland; Danielle asks Jennifer what Laura told her that she won’t repeat; and Jennifer says it’s about someone they all know.

🍕 Break It Down…

A blow-by-blow of Pizzagate, part two, although there’s still not much detail about what the business was.

🍸 The Plot Thickens…

Peter had to get in here somewhere. I don’t blame him for being pissed though. Raquel used him as a beard.

🐎 A Little Bit Country…

CMA winners.

https://people.com/country/cmt-awards-2023-complete-winners-list/

And the fashion. Maybe some of these looked better in person?

https://www.etonline.com/gallery/2023-cmt-music-awards-red-carpet-arrivals-201768

🩰 In a Barbie World…

The latest Barbie trailer. I can’t wait. I love Barbie. Those tiny shoes…

https://www.avclub.com/watch-margot-robbie-ryan-gosling-in-the-barbie-trailer-1850209634

🎭 Holding Up Well…

National treasures, all of them.

📺 Please Don’t Be Televised…

See you tomorrow for (hopefully) soap and hunting for VanderEggs. Until then, stay safe, stay balancing productivity with some fun stuff, and stay not getting involved in business dealings with Louie.