Category Archives: Lisa Vanderpump

February 14, 2025 – GH Weekdays, Sidwell Meets an Ex-Wife, Soap Suds, Reality Corner, Weekend Watching, Coming Soon, Next Fallout, Winning, 10 Whole Quotes & Endless

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What I Watched Today

(The whole GH enchilada & entertainment minutiae on Fridays)

General Hospital

Monday:

While Cyrus stared at Elizabeth, Ric came into the hospital bringing her flowers. At the Grill, Felicia said Cody owed someone an apology. Carly told Nina that she’d do anything to help Wiley and Amelia, but was concerned about pushing Drew and Willow closer together. Maybe the best thing to do was nothing. Sasha wondered if Willow had moved in with Drew, and Tracy asked Jason about his newest baby mama.

Ric told Elizabeth Cyrus’s parole terms and asked her to take a walk with him to pay him for his legal expertise. She said the last time they walked, they saw Alexis toss a gun off the bridge and they would ignore any crimes in progress. Josslyn asked Kristina to take the girls to the park because she had something to do that was now or never. Ava and Trina took a walk, and Ava said Trina was spending a lot of time at the gallery. Why wasn’t she at the hospital?

Tracy told Jason about Carly confronting Drew and Drew’s announcement that Jason slept with their cook and impregnated her. Willow told Sasha to mind her own business. Sasha hunted down Cody and said, thanks to him, she was the town’s topic of conversation. Felicia asked her to join them. Nina wondered if the kids would call Drew daddy, and Carly said they had to do something, but Drew couldn’t see them coming.

Trina said Kai’s injury crushed his dreams and she’d split his focus pushing him to do the project. She’d overstepped at the hospital and Kai told her to back off. Kai showed up and Ava made herself scarce. Nina said Maxie would be their way into Drew’s new house, and Carly asked how far Nina was willing to go. Nina said, as far as necessary. Martin reminded Willow that they hadn’t responded to the divorce petition. Did she really want a divorce or to work toward reconciliation? Cody admitted it wasn’t his place, and Sasha added, or sharing his conclusions. He said he cared about her and wanted the father to step up. Jason said he owed Tracy no explanations and she thought that meant the baby was his. It wasn’t fair to stonewall his mother and son.

Kai said he owed Trina an apology. She had been the only bright spot even when she was bossing him around. He was grateful their paths had crossed and wanted to know her better. Felicia said Cody was misguided, but cared about Sasha. Sasha said he was showing concern in the wrong way, and she wanted to raise the baby on her own. Respecting her choices was the best way to show he cared. Carly said she and Nina had to define their goals. She didn’t want Drew to be factor or obstacle in Michael and Willow figuring things out. Nina said Drew was the worst thing to happen to Willow. She knew Willow genuinely loved Michael. Carly said Michael loved her and their family, and Nina said, one other variable needed to be dealt with, but Carly was the only one who could deal with it. Elizabeth told Ric that the hospital was the safest place for her since Cyrus had been banned, but promised to keep her eyes open. She wasn’t on her own, but had Lucky. Cyrus went to Bobbie’s and Josslyn apologized to him. Ava saw Avery at the park. She asked if Avery wanted to see her new apartment.

Josslyn said she wanted justice for Dex, and it had clouded her judgment. The police didn’t think Cyrus was the killer and she was letting the professionals handle it. Cyrus got so flustered, he left. Trina said she’d fight her impulse to fix things and not micromanage. Kai said he didn’t know how many people cared about him if he couldn’t play. Willow said her marriage was definitely over, and Martin said he’d file a response asking for full custody, alimony, and full spousal and child support. Her custodial position wasn’t secure, but Diane would fight it. Nina joined them and was concerned about making things messier. Felicia said they were family and to stay united, they had to forgive. Jason walked in. Tracy started to leave a message for Diane, but Carly hung up the phone and said they needed to have a chat. Kristina said the girls had a project to finish and homework, but Avery asked if she could go with her mom, then Donna wanted to go too. Ava said Donna needed her mother’s permission, when Rick and Elizabeth showed up. Ric asked for a word with Ava.

Jason wanted to talk to Sasha, and Felicia suggested he sit down. Carly said confronting Drew was a mistake, and it just pushed him and Willow closer together. Tracy was just as guilty and if she continued to interfere, they might never see the kids again. Nina asked Martin to stall, but Martin said Michael had hit hard and they needed to respond. Nina said it could be handled in a calmer, more civil way when Michael came back. Don’t aggravate the Quartermaines more than they already had. Collette went to Bobbie’s with an envelope for Josslyn from Jack. Ric told Ava that Avery was under Sonny’s care and her desperation would cost her everything. Kristina told Elizabeth, first Ava killed her baby, then tried to make off with her little sister. If Kristina didn’t get to have her baby, Ava couldn’t have hers.

Collette told Josslyn that the address in the envelope was the location of a property Austin Gaitlin-Holt bought one month after Cyrus was released. Trina said she was sorry if she contributed to Kai getting hurt, but he told her that he’d been playing his best game ever and had never been more focused. Trina said social media had played with her head, and he suggested they go somewhere warm. Ava said she couldn’t lose Avery and Ric said, the only way was to go to court. Ava said she couldn’t afford to, and he said he’d take her case pro bono. Her best and only chance was to get out of her own way and let him do it. Ava kissed him and it looked like they were going to get busy. Carly said, going after Drew got them the opposite of what they wanted. They should trust that Michael was going to come home and get custody. Willow would feel guilty, see Drew for who he really was, and they’d find a way to compromise. Tracy said, wherever Drew goes, chaos follows, and Carly said leave Drew to her. Tracy told her, play it her way, but just make it hurt.

Martin said Willow wasn’t on equal footing with Michael. It wasn’t about money, but ammunition. Willow had cheated and Michael hadn’t. If it got nasty and the video was shown, it could impact her position. They needed to find something to use as leverage against Michael. Sasha said Cody started all this. Cody said Jason and his brother were entitled bastards and loudly told the room that Jason needed to step up, take responsibility, and say Sasha’s baby is his.

Tuesday:

Trina brought Kai to Charlie’s and introduced him to Emma and Gio. Sasha threw a drink in Cody’s face, said the conversation was over, and stay out of her life. Willow said, unlike Jason and Sasha’s relationship, Drew actually loved her, and she didn’t think anything could be found to use against Michael. Cyrus interrupted, saying he needed Martin’s help. Kristina told Lucky that Elizabeth stopped Ava from kidnapping Avery. Ric and Elizabeth showed up at the right moment. Thanks to her, Sonny might beat Ava at her own game. Sonny told Natalia that he didn’t need a pacemaker, but would need surgery to repair damage from the bullet wound in three months. Kristina called while he was on the plane. Emma told Kai about the benefit SAAC was hosting and she wanted him to join the committee. Isaiah talked to Lucky about Sidwell, and Lucky suggested they steer clear. Isaiah said not everybody was going to take that advice. Curtis asked Jordan if there was news about the esplanade, and she said there might be an 11th hour rescue. Martin said Lulu was afraid of her and Martin said he must have done something. Cyrus wanted Martin to go with him to talk to Lucky. Nina suggested Willow be discreet until the divorce was settled. Michael would be humiliated. Martin said he had to leave, but wouldn’t respond to the divorce petition yet. Willow thought the best thing she could do was be open and honest about Drew.

Jordan introduced Curtis to Sidwell. Sidwell said he could help bring things back on track with the esplanade. Sasha went to see Jason at the boathouse and asked about Michael. Jason said so far the treatment was working and Michael was determined to come home. Sasha said they had to let everyone believe Jason was her baby’s father. Isaiah said everyone was glad Elizabeth was back at the hospital an no one believed she’d done any wrong. Martin and Cyrus walked into Charlie’s. Kristina whined to Sonny about Ava, and Sonny suggested they talk when he landed.

Nina said people lied to protect themselves and the people they love but they end up serving the lie rather than living their lives. Cody talked to Felicia about Sasha. Sasha said if it came out that Michael was the father, it wouldn’t be good for the custody hearing. Jason said he was willing to go along with it for Michael and the kids. Sonny said even if he won, he couldn’t cut Ava out of Avery’s life, and Natalia reminded him that he needed to avoid stress. Lucky told Kristina to let Cyrus stay. Elizabeth said not many doctors were as brave as Isaiah, and he said it was like solving a mystery. Kai agreed to help Emma and took a photo, tagging it #savePCUFurryFriends. Danny pumped Rocco for information on Cyrus, and Rocco told him that he couldn’t do anything about Cyrus. He saw Kai’s photo with Cyrus in the background and said he knew where Cyrus was.

Jason agreed to Sasha’s plan, but said he wouldn’t let Danny think he was the father. Martin asked what Cyrus thought he was doing, saying he was in charge of Lulu’s medical care, and Cyrus said no one else was there for her. Isaiah introduced himself to Kristina who thanked him for saving her brother. Sidwell said they should move the esplanade to Pier 55 and Curtis said he had to get Drew involved. Sidwell said Drew was good with using eminent domain. When Sidwell stepped away to take a call, Curtis told Jordan, whatever Sidwell wanted, just say no.

Willow said if she’d been honest, everything would be different. She could be honest with Drew because she knew he’d be honest with her. Cody said he’d been on a tear lately, and Felicia said he was mostly hurting himself. He said he still wanted to be Sasha’s hero. Curtis said Sidwell was in bed with Drew and must have an angle. It was asking for trouble with Sonny. Jason wondered where Danny was, and Rocco said he told Danny about Cyrus. He went to confront Cyrus and wouldn’t listen that he was a dangerous guy. Jason took off for Charlie’s. Kai asked if Trina was down to save some bunnies. Cyrus said his actions had been misinterpreted. Danny came into Charlie’s.

Cody said he’d step back and let Sasha live her life and Felicia thought it was for the best.  She asked if he could be someone else’s hero. Nina said she understood how Willow fell for Drew because she… Sidwell wanted to set up a meeting with Aurora, and Curtis said call his office. He left and Sidwell was impressed with how Jordan and Curtis got along. Natalia suggested Sonny use his advantage over Ava to compromise. Do it for his kids before he couldn’t. He wasn’t sure that was possible. Rocco was worried, but Sasha said Jason was good at what he does. Danny confronted Cyrus, who assured him he had nothing to do with Sam’s death. Danny said he knew Cyrus killed his mother and Cyrus wanted to pray with him. He put his hand on Danny’s shoulder, when Jason came in and told him to take his hand off his son.

Wednesday:

Jason said if Cyrus touched his son again, he’d kill Cyrus, and they’d never find his body. Lulu saw Josslyn working at Bobbie’s and was surprised to see a Spencer behind the counter. Tracy saw Willow with Nina at the Grill, and said Willow living with Nina was all the better to commit adultery. Lucas and Maxie went to Charlie’s, and so did Carly and Jack.

Maxie asked if it wasn’t time that Lucas got back on the horse and Jack wondered why Lucas was giving him the stink eye. Carly said what Jack had done for her was above and beyond, and she liked that his softer side was all hers. Tracy ordered Willow to take off her mother’s ring, but Alexis walked in and ran interference. Chase told Anna that Cyrus had a visitor – a blonde in her 20s – and Anna told him to bring in Josslyn. She was going to get herself killed. Jason took Danny home, and Trina filled Gio in on Cyrus. Kai told Cyrus to go before there was another incident and Cyrus left with Martin.

Nina told Willow not to let Tracy get to her; it made her too happy. All of this would pass. Willow said it was hard not to think of herself as a horrible person. Chase asked Josslyn to come to the station and Lulu said she could cover Josslyn’s shift. It would give her a chance to have the Bobbie’s experience. Outside, After Emma changed the topic to her fundraiser, Gio told her to read the room and be less self-involved. Martin told Cyrus to file a complaint against Jason, but Cyrus said he was choosing peace.

Jason said confronting Cyrus was reckless, and Danny thanked him for showing up. He needed to know why Cyrus hurt his mom. Sasha came in and Jason wanted them to talk to Danny together. Lucas said he had a family and one great love, and Maxie said he could have it again. She wanted to set him up with a model from Deception. Jack said if there was something or someone he wanted, little could stop him, and Lucas asked for a word with Carly. Nina said everyone made mistakes and not to let anyone change the way Willow thought of herself. Hold her head up high. Alexis told Tracy to back off. Tracy said she was trying, and Alexis said try harder. She wanted what was left of her family to stay together. Tracy owed her and she needed to collect. Anna asked Josslyn about volunteering at the mission. Kristina told Isaiah that Elizabeth saved her from punching out her sister’s mother. Ava had caused the accident that made her lose her daughter. Isaiah said any friend of Lucky’s was someone he wanted to know. Emma said she redirected because Trina didn’t want to relive her trauma situation and Gio apologized. Kai asked how Trina could be calm, and she said she didn’t want to let the bad things define her. Lucky was worried about Cyrus knowing who was onto him.

Dante saw Lulu struggling and asked if she needed help. She said maybe a little and he pitched in. Sasha told Danny that Jason wasn’t the father of her baby, but Jason said a lot of people assumed he was. For certain reasons, he wanted people to continue to believe that. Danny asked, who was the real dad? Chase said the custodian ID’d a photo of Josslyn and Anna told her the game she was playing could cost her life.

Alexis said the only reason Tracy wasn’t in prison was because she didn’t pursue it and she didn’t want Tracy pursuing Drew and Willow. Tracy said she’d keep her observations to herself and her passions in check. Willow said she felt like she truly had a mother for the first time. She couldn’t have gotten through this without her mom. Maxie said she had something to discuss with Jack and Carly told Lucas not to worry about her and Jack. Lucas said it was Jack’s literal job to lie and don’t lie to herself. Lulu burned the toast and she and Dante laughed about her ineptitude. He said he hadn’t been able to laugh since Sam died and he felt guilty. Lulu said he’d always miss Sam and always grieve her, but Sam wouldn’t want him to wallow in it forever. Kristina told Isaiah that she didn’t know what she’d do without Sonny. Trina told Kai that she couldn’t control the actions of other people, but she could control how she reacted. She was taking back control. Kai said those were good words to live by. Lucky and Elizabeth were afraid Cyrus would skate, and Lucky thought they should go to Anna. Anna said Josslyn placed herself in Cyrus’s crosshairs and he was dangerous when cornered. She was arresting Josslyn for trespassing for her own good. Sasha said she had to respect the father’s privacy, but he was supporting her choice. Danny went to find Rocco and Sasha told Jason to stay away from Cyrus. it was the worst thing he could do for his son.

Willow thought Nina was seeing Drew the way she did, and Nina said that was it. Willow gave her blessing for Martin to look for dirt on Michael. Alexis said she’d figure something out and Maxie told Jack to stay away from Carly. It wasn’t fair for him to get involved with anyone when his job wouldn’t allow it. Carly told Lucas to wait for disaster before panicking and he told Maxie to set him up. Carly told Jack that he’d passed her test. Emma and Gio passed out flyers at Bobbie’s. Martin told Anna about Jason, but wanted to talk to someone else. Chase said they’d make Cyrus pay asap, but Dex wouldn’t want Josslyn to put herself in harm’s way. Let them handle it. Sasha said Danny idolized Jason and if he killed Cyrus, Jason would throw that away. Ask himself, what was more important, revenge or his son’s love and respect? After Charlie’s closed, their song came on and Lucky suggested he and Elizabeth finish their dance. Cyrus watched through the window.

Thursday:

Sasha ran into Elaine and Mavis outside Bobbie’s, and Elaine said Mavis was drawn to pregnant women. Ric came by the hospital to check on Elizabeth after the park incident, but she said it had been no big deal. Ric said Kristina would use it in the custody hearing. At Bobbie’s, Sonny updated Jason on his condition. Molly picked up some documents that the DA’s office requested at the hospital and ran into Cody. Kristina went to Alexis’s office and said Danny found out who killed Sam. Anna told Dante to get out of the station.

Sasha admitted she was pregnant and was due July 23rd. Sasha saw Jason and Sonny inside, but sat elsewhere. Jason didn’t want Sonny to wait on his surgery, but Sonny said the cardiologist said it was okay if he took his meds and avoided stress. (Hell, I can’t even avoid stress and he’s a mob boss.) Sonny said, like Natalia told him, something’s got to give. Felicia met Sasha, who told her about Mavis. Felicia told Sasha that Elaine was a P.I. and probably working on a case. Nina saw Ava’s new apartment and thought it was great. Ava said it was a shoebox that could fit in Nina’s bathroom, and she forgot they were having breakfast. (The apartment is actually very nice and spacious.) Anna said Dante was put on leave for a reason. He asked what she would do if someone she loved was murdered and she said if he wanted a job to come back to, he needed to leave. She wasn’t going to compromise the case. Chase said he’d told Dante that Cyrus was a suspect. Kristina told Alexis what happened at Charlie’s and how Jason threatened Cyrus. Chase said he thought Danny knew also and must have heard them. He told her what happened at Charlie’s. She said she couldn’t afford to lose another detective and she needed Cyrus to be alive to arrest him. Dante joined Alexis and Kristina and Dante admitted Cyrus was a suspect, but there was no proof or motive. He said Danny found out from him. Felicia said Elaine didn’t reply on technology and had a notebook. She used Mavis as a distraction. Martin met Elaine in the park. Nina told Ava that they were looking for dirt on Michael. Ava said there was something Nina could do to make Willow see the light, and Nina said she’d almost told Willow about sleeping with Drew, but Willow said she couldn’t have gotten through without her. Their relationship wouldn’t recover. Ava said willow needed Nina more than the truth. Elizabeth told Ric that Kristina was blowing things out of proportion, and she wouldn’t be testifying at the hearing – it wouldn’t help either side. Jason said Chase wanted to see him at the station, but he didn’t need Diane. He had Sonny’s back.

Cody apologized to Molly, and she accepted. Elaine said she’d found nothing on Michael, but he’d asked for Sasha in the hospital and Sasha was pregnant. Martin said it was Jason’s problem, and she said Sasha may have heard Quartermaine dirt. It was always the long shot that paid off big. Ric showed up to talk to Ava and Nina left. Ava asked if Ric didn’t want anyone to know about them. Dante told Alexis and Kristina that he’d pressured a friend to tell him who the suspect was. Kristina said Jason had threatened to kill Cyrus and she’d be surprised if he lasted a week. Anna called Jason to the station and said she hoped Martin was exaggerating about Jason’s threat. Jason had nothing to say. Cody found Molly on the roof, and he said clearly she was freaked out about something, but she asked him to leave her alone. He tried to leave, but the roof door was locked.

Molly’s phone battery was dead, so they were stuck. Sasha called Elaine’s office and pretended she was meeting her but forgot where. Ric said if anyone found out about them, it could compromise Ava’s case. He said Elizabeth wouldn’t confirm she’d tried to kidnap Avery, and he’d show Sonny to be an unfit parent. Nina joined Sonny at Bobbie’s and said he and Michael were in her prayers. He wanted to let her know what was going on, but everybody she was close to, he was up against.

Molly admitted the door was already locked, but she didn’t know it. Sasha found Elaine, when Martin called her. When Elaine stepped away, Sasha eyed her purse. Chase asked Elizabeth if she saw or heard Jason threaten Cyrus. Anna said Jason should let them handle it, but Jason said he wanted to make sure Cyrus knew not to come near his son again. He would protect his son no matter what.

Molly said she’d used the DA’s influence to get documents from GH and hadn’t wanted to draw attention to herself. Ava told Ric about the trip to Puerto Rico where Sonny was shot at and how Avery was there. Ric said he’d get Sonny to admit he felt guilty about Michael, and he’d break Sonny. Sonny knocked at the door. Elizabeth said she couldn’t hear, but Chase said other people did. She suggested he talk to them. Alexis said she’d talk to Jason, and Anna said they had information not released to the public. She needed the suspect to be alive, so she arrested him for threatening Cyrus’s life. Mavis got away from Sasha and Elaine chased after her. Sasha started digging in Elaine’s purse and heard tires screeching.

FYI, the preview shows Mavis as being okay. Who cares about Elaine?

Friday’s Enchilada:

Sonny yells for Ava to open up. They need to talk – now. Ava wonders what Sonny is doing here, and Ric says, he can’t know about them. She says, not if she wants to keep him as her lawyer and win custody, and Sonny knocks again. He says he’s not going to leave until she opens up.

At the hospital, Sasha tells Mavis that she’s so sorry. Truly she is, but she needed to look in Elaine’s bag. She didn’t want anyone to get hurt. She’s so sorry. Mavis barks.

On the phone, Maxie says, no ego issues… Yes. He’s very hot and kind and sweet. She’ll see if he’s available. Brook comes in and Maxie asks if Brook is ready for the meeting. Brook says she is. Natalia is on the phone and Lucy is coming up, but guess who’s not ready? Maxie says, who? and Brook says, Lulu is late again.

Kristina hears someone come into Charlie’s and says, we’re closed. She turns and sees it’s Lulu, who says, hi. Lucky mentioned Kristina was working, and she hopes it’s okay that she dropped by. The place looks amazing. Kristina thanks her and says, she looks great too. It’s so good to see her. Lulu says, her too. She would have come by sooner, but she’s been working up the nerve. She’s been trying to figure out the kindest way possible to thank Kristina and say she’s sorry. Kristina’s sister saved her life at the cost of her own.

Cody says, let him get this straight. He and Molly are trapped on the roof, freezing their butts off and Tracy is probably ready to fire him because of some documents? Papers with words on them? Molly says she’s not supposed to have them, and he says, they’ll probably bring back the electric chair for this. She says, it’s not just paperwork. It’s a murder victim autopsy, her sister’s. Is he happy now?

Jason is taken to the interrogation room and asks what Alexis is doing here. Alexis says she’d like a moment alone with her client, without handcuffs. The officer takes Jason’s cuffs off and tells him to sit. He leaves and Jason asks, where’s Diane? Alexis says she lied. She’s not here as his lawyer. She’s here as Sam’s mother.

Ava asks what Sonny wants. She’s in a meeting with Ric. Sonny asks if he can come in, and Ric tells him, whatever he has to say can wait for the courtroom. Sonny says he’s come to make her an offer concerning Avery. She can deal with it now or lose in court. It’s up to her.

Elaine comes out wearing a neck brace, and Sasha says, oh my God. Are you okay? Elaine says, one can only hope. The car just came speeding out of nowhere. She could have been roadkill. Sasha says, thank God she’s not. Other than missing her, Mavis is fine. Elaine says, Sasha doesn’t know her. Mavis may be hiding it well, but she can tell Mavis is traumatized. (Mavis does not look traumatized.)

Maxie suggests maybe Lulu needs an adjustment period. Their schedule isn’t easy. Brook asks if she’s going to defend Lulu forever. Does she need an adjustment period too? Maxie says, if Brook has a problem with Lulu, take it up with Lulu, when Natalia comes in. She asks if they got her report on the LA trip, and Maxie says, so many west coasters are on board with Deception. Brook says, and their new overnight rejuvenating cream… if they ever get it out. Maxie says, production and marketing cost money. So does the rare mineral in it. Brook says, it is rare, and they’ll need a lot to mass produce the cream. Lucy walks in and says, never fear. Their pesky problem was solved by none other than yours truly.

In an examining room, Lucas asks when Sidwell found the tick, and Sidwell says, 5 hours and 23 minutes ago. Lucas says, he’s precise. As was his job removing the tick and cleaning it out. Sidwell says, when you travel to the remote places he does, survival hinges on expertise and diligence. He hasn’t experienced any body, muscle, or joint aches. Lucas asks if he’s had the chills, a headache, or fever, and Sidwell says, no. And he’s taken his temperature every five minutes since he discovered the tick. Lucas says, he’s vigilant, and Sidwell asks if Lucas is going to test for Lyme. Lucas says, it’s highly unlikely he has it due to the short window the tick was present, but he’ll prescribe some antibiotics to be on the safe side. Sidwell asks if he should take any other preventative measures, and Lucas says, don’t walk in tall grasses. It’s winter, but the ticks are still out there. Sidwell says, sadly, his property is full of tall grasses. He’d have it sprayed, but Spoon Island is larger than it looks. Lucas asks if he lives at Windymere, and Sidwell says he’s just getting settled. Lucas says, he lived there as a child. It’s been in and out as a family property for years.  

Sonny tells Ava, it’s now or never. Take it or leave it. Ric says, the offer is one of Sonny’s intimidation tactics. Don’t fall for it. Sonny says he’s talking to Ava, and Ava says, Sonny took the time to come by. She’d like to hear what he has to say. Ric says, listening to him is a mistake, and Sonny says, Ava knows he doesn’t trust her. He never will. Ava says, the feeling is mutual, and he says, as far as Avery goes, they’ll put their differences aside. He knows Ava loves Avery and would do anything to make sure she’s not hurt. Ava says, of course (🍷) she would. She would die for Avery. He says, so would he. He knows Avery misses her, She needs both her parents and he’s willing to make her an offer. He’ll abide by their original agreement of shared custody. This fighting has to end today. Ric says he thinks that’s supposed to make them believe Sonny is a nice, reasonable guy. It doesn’t. It makes him think that Sonny knows Ava’s case is better than he’d like it to be, and he knows they’ve got a legit shot at full custody. Sonny says, he’s not even close, and Ric says he can do better. Send Sonny packing and they’ll take him to court. Sonny says, if they do that and he walks away, Ava will get nothing.

Lulu says she thinks of Sam and Sam’s family when she wakes up every morning. The fact she can do that is because of Kristina’s sister, who will never be able… She doesn’t know how they’re getting through it. She can’t think about Kristina’s poor mom. She’s losing her mind without Charlotte. Kristina says, it’s hard, and Lulu says she prays for Sam and Charlotte every day. She pictures Sam this badass guardian angel, looking down and keeping an eye on the people she loves. She never expected Sam… Kristina says, they never had to. Sam never hesitated. If she had the chance to help someone, she did. Lulu says, taking that chance cost her, and Kristina says she sees what happened to Sam and what she did for Lulu as completely separate. One had nothing to do with the other. Lulu says, it’s hard for her to reconcile that. Every day she’s reminded of how much so many lost. She sees it in Scout, in Danny, in Rocco, and Dante too.

Alexis says she heard about the incident at Charlie’s between Danny and Cyrus, and Jason says he ended the conversation and got Danny home. Alexis says, Danny confronted Cyrus. He believes Cyrus killed his mother. Does Jason believe that? Jason says he does, and she asks, what makes him so sure? He says, Anna. She’s focused solely on Cyrus, and he trusts her instincts. He never believed Cyrus’s redemption act. Alexis asks if Anna is close to an arrest, and he says he doesn’t know, but he knows Cyrus wouldn’t think twice about hurting Danny if he could get away with it. Until he’s arrested, he wanted to let Cyrus know he wouldn’t think twice about hurting him. Alexis wonders why he’d kill Sam. They barely had an interaction. He says he doesn’t know, and like he told Danny, knowing why doesn’t bring Sam back. Alexis says, Jason wants Cyrus dead, right? So does she.

Isaiah holds Mavis, and Elaine asks if Sasha minds staying with Mavis and keeping Mavis company while she gets her prescription. She doesn’t want Mavis to be alone at a time like this. She tells Mavis, be a good girl, kisses her, and leaves.

Cody says, of course (🍷) he’s not happy. He’d say he’s sorry, but he and Molly both know how much she loves his apologies. She asks if he wants to look at the documents. It’s her own sister. He says, no, and she says, the only reason she took it is because she needs to figure out what happened and find the person who did it. Cody says, please don’t hate him more than she already does, but what does she think she can do that he cops and everyone else can’t? She says, nothing. Sam was the P.I., not her. All she managed to do was take a file, risk her job, and get stuck on the roof to freeze to death. What made her think this was a good idea? What’s wrong with her? He says, absolutely nothing. When you’ve lost someone you loved, there’s no seeing it clearly or thinking it through. He doesn’t care what anyone says. She says, it’s obvious this is the universe’s way of telling her to stay in her lane, and he says, or it’s the universe’s way of telling GH’s maintenance department that they need a new lock on this door. Or maybe the universe was too busy and took a pass and there’s no message. Getting stuck was just an accident. She’s being way too hard on herself.

Alexis tells Jason that when she wakes up and remembers her baby is dead, she’s filled with so much rage, she feels like she can’t go on. Then finding out she was murdered in the hospital… It’s just too much. He says, it’s hard to reconcile, and she says, her beautiful, gentle girl was murdered after saving someone’s life. It’s just not fair. He agrees, and she says, when she lost her law license, she worked like hell to get it back because she loves the law. She believes in it. She believes the system works, most of time. He says, what about the other times? and she says she’s not willing to take the chance that it’s one of those times. She wants him dead and wants to be the one to kill him. She wants her face to be the last face he sees before he leaves this earth. Jason says, she can’t kill Cyrus. That’s not who she is. She says, no. That’s who he is.

Kristina tells Lulu, everyone is struggling with Sam’s death, especially Dante. They really loved each other. Lulu says she’s glad Sam made him happy. It’s all she wanted for Dante. From what she’s heard, their love was pretty epic. Kristina says, it was her favorite love story. She’d be happy to share it with Lulu if she ever wants to hear it, but she doesn’t want to cause unnecessary hurt. Lulu says she appreciates that, but she feels like she won’t be honoring Sam properly without knowing what everyone lost when she died. The last thing she wants to do is impose on Dante, because he can barely say Sam’s name around her. Kristina says, okay, and they sit. She says, where to begin… Sam had her kids and Dante had Rocco, but when they first met, they were essentially alone and hurting. She thinks because they each knew what the other was going through, that made it hurt less, and they spent more time together. They confided in each other and built each other up. In the beginning, it was a sweet, quiet love. They had eventually figured it out. Lulu’s phone dings and she says she’s late for a meeting. She’s sorry. She’s got to run. Thanks. She jets. (That’s not the way I remember Sam and Dante. They couldn’t stand each other in the beginning, and she flattened his tire when he was following her.)

Lucas tells Sidwell that he’s all set. The pharmacy is on the 7th floor. Sidwell wonders if he can ask a personal question. He understands that Windymere belonged to the Cassadines. How did Lucas live there? Lucas says his mother married a Cassadine. They were long time residents of Spoon Island. Sidwell says, small world, and Lucas asks if Sidwell is liking it there. When he was a kid, it creeped him out. Sidwell says he’s hoping to change that and make it more welcoming. He’s working with a local gallerist to give it a refresh – the Jerome Gallery. Lucas says, the world gets smaller yet. Ava Jerome is his aunt. She has a great eye. Sidwell says, she does, and Lucas has an excellent bedside manner. He thanks Lucas for seeing him.

Ava says she’s glad Sonny realizes how much she loves their daughter. She appreciates him offering to share, but he’s already trampled on the agreement they have by keeping Avery away from her. What’s to stop him from doing it again? Ric says, exactly. That’s why he’s telling her to fight. Avery isn’t even staying with Sonny. She’s staying with Carly while Sonny deals with the penthouse firebomb. It’s not safe for Avery to be with him any more than it was for his son. The judge knows that and so does Sonny. Sonny says, Ric doesn’t know about it. All he does is yap a lot. All he wants is to get Sonny on the stand so he can come for him, but the thing is, Diane will come at Ava. Ric says, don’t try to intimidate his client, but Sonny says he’s not. He’s telling the truth. Somebody has to. It’s not about them. It’s about Avery. Ava says, it only ever has been, and Sonny says, if Ava loves Avery the way she says she does, she’ll act in Avery’s best interest.

Sidwell walks into Deception’s meeting in Maxie’s office and says he hopes Lucy doesn’t mind that he let himself in. His schedule is tight. Lucy says, not at all. Welcome. She introduces him, and Lulu says, did she say, Jenz Sidwell? Sidwell asks if they’ve met, and she says, no, but she’s sure he knows her brother, Lucky Spencer.  

Sonny says he and Ava need to be honest with themselves. Their little girl isn’t little anymore. She’s intuitive and can feel the animosity between them. The other day, Avery came to him and asked, how come him and her mom can’t be in the same room? He didn’t know what to say, He felt bad, but if the custody battle continues, it will get ugly. The therapist will keep asking their daughter questions she’ll have to answer and it’s not fair. Ric asks if Sonny is sure it’s not about protecting Kristina from testifying, and Ava tells him, please. Sonny says he doesn’t want any of his children to be forced to testify. He’ll agree to 60/40. Ava says, 50/50, and Ric says, Ava! Sonny says, okay. He’ll have Diane write up the paperwork. He leaves.  

Alexis says she appreciates Jason not calling her a hypocrite, especially after she’s judged him for the violent way he lives his life. Jason says, they’re different people, and Alexis says, they’re not as different as she wants to believe. She wants retribution. She wants retribution for the life Sam would have had and wants it for Sam’s children who won’t have a mother. She wants it for Dante and wants it for herself. He says, now she understands how he feels, and she says she does. She wants vengeance so bad, she can taste it. If she didn’t have to think about the consequences, she’d put the gun in his hand. Now he knows how she feels, but she’s not going to hand him the gun. It doesn’t matter how she feels or what she wants or what he wants. The only thing that matters is what Sam wants. He says, Sam was supposed to be here to tell them, and she says, Sam isn’t. It’s up to them to do the right thing, what Sam would want. She would want Danny to heal over the loss someday, but he’ll never be able to do that if Jason kills Cyrus.

Molly says she appreciates Cody trying to make her feel better, but he says, it’s the truth. It’s too cold to think of anything to make her feel better. She says, thanks anyway, and he says, it’s human to want to find answers, find the evil person who killed Sam. When all is said and done, what Molly did was human. Don’t beat herself up about it. He would have done the same thing if he was her.

Sasha tells Elaine to get some rest, and Elaine thanks her. Sasha says she’d be happy to give Elaine and Mavis a ride home, and Elaine says, Mavis goes out 3 or 4 times a day. She’s so stiff and achy, she doesn’t know how she’s going to do that. Sasha suggests Elaine let her take care of Mavis while she’s recuperating, and Elaine says, it would be such a relief. And Sasha and Mavis have already bonded. Sasha says, they have, and starts to head out, but Elaine says, wait. She thinks this has gone on long enough. She thinks it’s time they were honest with each other.

Ric asks why on earth Ava would believe anything coming out of Sonny’s mouth, and Ava says she wanted her child. Ric just want to tear his brother apart. Ric says, that’s not fair. No matter his personal feelings, he wouldn’t jeopardize her getting her daughter back. He knows he could have done better. She says, for whom? Not Avery. She needs her father. And Sonny admitted for the first time that Avery needs her too. Ric says, so she didn’t need him, but she says, that’s not true. She was solely focused on getting her daughter back before he came along, and hurting Sonny as much and however she could, using John Cates and Kristina to do it. She’s ashamed of that. He says, she never told him that, and she says, it’s not something she’s proud to admit. She’s past it, especially since Ric was able to prove in court what happened to Kristina’s baby was an accident. He was the first person to believe her. And whatever Kristina believes, she doesn’t want Kristina to have to get on the stand and relive it. Ric says, she’s actually more generous than people give her credit for.

Sonny goes into Charlie’s and says, it looks amazing. Is Kristina up for a visitor? She says, of course (🍷). If it’s him, anytime. He says he has news, and she asks if it’s about Michael. Is he okay? He says, Michael is as good as he can be. It’s about her sister. She doesn’t have to testify at Ava’s custody hearing. She says, he doesn’t have to worry. She’s not afraid of Ava and Ric. He says, there’s no trial. They’ve settled the custody arrangement with Avery.

Lucas says, Sasha got a dog, and Isaiah says, show some respect. Her name is Mavis. Lucas apologizes and says he got a guy who got a tick bite on Spoon Island. Isaiah asks if he said Spoon Island, and Lucas says, he lives in Windymere, the big mansion. Isaiah says, a friend told him that Windymere’s most recent occupant is Jenz Sidwell. Bald with an accent. Lucas confirms it was Sidwell and asks how Isaiah knows him. Isaiah says, Lucas might want to ask Lucky about his experience with Sidwell, and Lucas says, it sounds like Isaiah had his own experience. Isaiah says, yeah. Sidwell is the bastard who kidnapped him in Africa and tried to kill him in the hospital when he escaped. He’s not a good man.

Molly says, just when she was starting to think Cody was halfway decent and being supportive. The guy who drinks too much and punches his way through his problems thinks she did the right thing. What does that say about her? He says, okay Little Miss Not-So-Perfect, it happened twice. She made a mistake, and he didn’t judge. She says, he’s got no moral code and she’s trying to hang onto hers, and he says he was trying to be nice. It’s not worth it. He starts to take his pants off, and when she protests, he says he has long johns on. She asks why he’s taking his pants off, and he says, because it’s cold and windy. He ties the legs of his jeans together and balls them up, walking to the edge of the roof. He says, there are people down there and they’ve got enough wind for the pants to make it down. It’s his version of a flare. If it doesn’t work, he’ll throw himself off. He tosses the pants.

Isaiah tells Lucky, watch out! and they step aside as Cody’s pants hit the sidewalk. Lucas says, is that a pair of jeans? and Isaiah says he thinks it’s a cry for help. They look up, and Molly and Cody yell for help.

Alexis says, if Jason kills Cyrus, he’ll make Danny complicit, but Jason says he’d never compromise Danny morally. Alexis says, it will make Danny feel responsible. They’re adults and know that he’s not. He’s a teenage boy. Don’t make him carry the burden of Cyrus’s death with him for the rest of his life.

Kristina says she would have bet money Ava would battle to the death before she gave up custody of Avery. Congratulations to Sonny and her sister. Sonny says, she didn’t just give up. They settled – a 50/50 split. She asks why he’d do that, and he says, Avery misses her mother. She needs both of them. Kristina says, Ava just tried to kidnap Avery, and they know what she’s capable of, and Sonny says he knows how she feels. It’s not fair that Ava is getting access to Avery, especially after Kristina lost Adella. They’ve both been through way too much, so it’s settled. She says, okay then, and goes behind the bar. She says, funny. She never thought she’d see her father take the easy way out.

Elaine tells Sasha that she’s a P.I. They didn’t meet by chance. She set Sasha up. The party she’s working with is investigating Sasha. Sasha says, why her? Who would do this? Elaine says she can’t break client confidentiality, but Sasha has been so kind to her and Mavis, she feels like she needs to warn Sasha. Watch her back. Somebody is looking into her. Sasha thanks Elaine for telling her, and Elaine says, she’s welcome. In her line of work, she doesn’t make many new friends. She tells Mavis, right? and Mavis barks. Elaine says, that’s right.

Isaiah and Lucas come out to the roof, and both Cody and Molly yell, don’t close that door! Cody says he thought he’d freeze, and Isaiah tosses his pants to him. Molly tells Cody that she can’t believe she’s uttering these words. Thank you for taking off your pants. You might just have saved our lives. Cody says he thinks she should just admit he’s right, and they all leave.

Sidwell says, she must be Lulu. A pleasure. He’s met her mother. He extends his hand, but she doesn’t take it. She says, if he met her mother, he knows her brother Lucky is the one he held hostage. Lucy apologizes and says, obviously, there must be a mistake. Lulu says, because Jenz Sidwell is such a common name, and Sidwell says, he has indeed met Lucky and found him aptly named. He doesn’t need to remind her that there are two sides to every story. He tells Lucy, the last thing he wants to do is create discord among her staff, and she says, Lulu is inconsequential. She doesn’t count. The one who counts is her beautiful partner, Maxie Jones. He tells Maxie, a pleasure. However, he feels he should take his leave. If after discussing it internally, they find his involvement too disruptive, call him. Lucy says she’ll keep the phone by her side and tells Lulu, he’s the one person who can throw a lifeline to Deception and she chased him off. Brook asks if it couldn’t wait until after the meeting, and Lulu says she’s sorry she wasn’t more polite to the man who tried to kill her brother. Lucy tells her that she doesn’t have a say, and Maxie says she does. And she wants to know everything about that guy before taking him on. Lucy says she’s seen his finances. She’s just going to tell him that these things happen, and they want to talk more. This was an aberration, and she guarantees it will not happen again. She leaves.

Alexis says, it’s Jason’s job to make sure Danny gets the future Sam would want him to have and he deserves without the burden of guilt. Which means – as much as she hates it – they have to leave Cyrus to the police. Jason says he understands, and she says she knows he does.

In the parking lot, Natalia asks a man if he has a cigarette. He says he doesn’t and gets in his car. Sidwell says he thought she gave up that filthy habit years ago. She says she gave up a lot of things that were bad for her back then, and he says, including him? Seeing how she slipped out of the meeting, he takes it she hasn’t told them that they were married once upon a time.

Ric says he’s going to grab the paperwork so he can approve the language. He’s got to get going. It’s going to take forever. Ava says he doesn’t have to rush to the office right this second, does he? and he says he supposes it will take Diane some time to get the paperwork together. She says she’s sure of it, and they move closer. She asks, however shall we pass the time? and he drops his bag. They kiss.

Kristina says, obviously, Sonny is trying to do the right thing, but Ava must have forced him. He asks if she thinks he’d let her. They have a difference of opinion and that’s fine, but he’s doing this for Avery. She needs her mother and father like Kristina does, like Donna does. She says, Ava’s not mom and she’s not Carly. She’ll never be a good role model. He says, okay, maybe not, but does she know how many years they’ve been fighting over Avery’s living arrangements? And who pays the price? Avery. He knows she doesn’t understand his decision, but he hopes one day she’ll figure out why he did it. He leaves and Kristina takes out her phone. She looks at the photo taken through the hotel room window that shows Ava with her hand on Kristina’s shoulder.  

On Monday, Anna tells Mac that she feels they’re getting closer; Elizabeth tells Jason that she thinks they found the evidence to put Cyrus away; and Carly asks if Sonny is going to tell her what’s really going on.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

First, the sad news. I don’t know why I thought she was older. Probably because she’s been around forever. I hope they don’t wait as long as they did for Bobbie’s memorial. That got weird.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/leslie-charlesons-cause-of-death-revealed

And the happy news. Well, roll me up and call me curly. I didn’t know he was married.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/gh-alum-anthony-geary-celebrates-his-anniversary

A flashback from the 80s.

https://people.com/john-stamos-and-demi-moore-have-general-hospital-reunion-9732736

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Down Under

I thought about watching this, but got sucked into a TLC rabbit hole.

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Sutton’s visit to her mother continued. We flashed back to Sutton telling Garcelle that she never felt her mother was proud of her. Garcelle tried to impart this wisdom to Reba, but Reba told her to mind her own business. Garcelle took it with grace, and in her interview, she said Reba had been hurt somewhere along the way and thought there was jealousy because Sutton had been a daddy’s girl. In Sutton’s interview, she said there may have been some pent-up resentment on her part, since her mother had been home when her father shot himself. It wasn’t something they talked about.

Erika must be doing okay since she was spending over $60K on a decorator. She said she was slowly getting back to a person she recognized. As part of her healing journey about her father, Sutton went with Garcelle and Kyle to the house where she grew up, and the new owners were gracious enough to allow her as much time as she needed. Sutton wanted the last years of her mother’s life to be happy and peaceful, which I guess included accepting her mother’s denial of pretty much everything. It was quite emotional. Boz talked to her daughter Lael about Keely and having another baby, and Lael was incredibly thoughtful and mature for age 15. Kyle had to remind Kathy not to put the phone to her ear when they were FaceTiming. I sometimes wonder how Kathy exists in the world, but I guess she pays people to do that for her.

In her ever-continuing apology tour.

And in the too little too late and no one cares category.

Summer House

Apparently, West broke up with Ceara through a New York Times article. More shocking was how desperate the Times must be for readers. Or maybe they forgot they’re not the Star. Many of the housemates made a big deal of two newbies being younger at 26 and 27, but when everyone acts 14, who cares?

It ended with Carl’s arrival, and it would be the first time he’d seen Lindsay since finding out she was pregnant.

Southern Charm

It was time to go to the Bahamas, and no surprise there were ads for Bahamian tourism during the commercial breaks. Once they got there, Shep called Sienna who said she’d meet them at the hotel. Craig acted like big baby Ramona when he didn’t want to share a room in an amazing suite. Craig lived in the Bahamas for two years? Surprise to me. In Craig’s interview, he got the vibe Sienna wasn’t really into Shep. I got that vibe too. She didn’t greet him like someone she hadn’t seen for months and missed. She also didn’t want alone time with him, which says everything.

Next time Shep tells Sienna that he’s wildly in love with her and Craig wonders why Austen hates him so much.

Southern Hospitality

While I can’t stomach the middle school antics on this show, I do like watching Maddi’s career as a DJ evolve. It’s also refreshing to see a boyfriend being as supportive as Joe is. Maddi is for sure living her best life. And soberly, no less. No surprise, Emmy had another weepfest at a dinner. I wouldn’t believe Will either, but I do feel sorry for her. Group dinners are a bad idea all around. Reality casts either want to start a fight about something at this inappropriate time or they want to play a game no one should ever play, involving negative comments about the others. Tonight, it was, who is the person at the table you trust the least? Like Heather’s worst texts about someone else on RHOSLC, no good can come from a game like this.

Random Items

VanderTease.

Is there any amount of money this guy can’t make? Admittedly, he does work hard for it.

The world has become her oyster.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Apple Cider Vinegar. Netflix. This is a kinda sorta true-ish miniseries. There are three intersecting stories about different forays into natural cancer treatment. One woman fakes having cancer and cons the world into thinking she’s found the answer in a healthy diet. Another woman actually diagnosed with cancer finds a real cure in a healthy diet, also becoming a guru of sorts, only to find it wasn’t such a cure after all. A third woman is a cancer patient in search of a cure. A lot of food for thought – no pun intended.

https://www.techradar.com/streaming/netflix/netflixs-new-crime-drama-apple-cider-vinegar-is-the-latest-female-fraudster-series-that-i-cant-get-enough-of

Baylon Out Loud. TLC. I like this show more every time I watch it. It shows there are still decent people in the world

https://collider.com/baylen-out-loud-tic-con/

These two. I’m rooting for their relationship to win.

https://people.com/tiktoker-baylen-dupree-is-engaged-to-colin-dooley-exclusive-8789450

⌚️ Upcoming Watches…

SNL50: The Anniversary Special, February 16th on NBC, E!, and Peacock, the red carpet beginning at 7 pm ET.

https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/snl-50-days-of-fandom-events-specials-episodes

This looks intriguing. Premiering February 23rd at 10 pm on NBC and streaming on Peacock February 24th.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/nbc-s-grosse-pointe-garden-society-reminds-us-of-wisteria-lane-review/ar-AA1yuVSx

And at the cinema, coming this July. Dinosaurs! Flying dinosaurs! Dinosaurs popping out of the water like a prehistoric Jaws! What more do you need?

https://www.jurassicworld.com/

🎰 Vegas Here We Come…

Walton Goggins talks Fallout’s new season.

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/fallout-season-2-new-vegas-walton-goggins

🐕 And the Winners Are…

The Puppy Bowl.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10154197-puppy-bowl-2025-recap-mvp-highlights-and-twitter-reaction

The Westminster Dog Show.

https://people.com/westminster-dog-show-2025-best-in-show-winner-8789581

🥁 Quotes of the Week

The plan is to fan this spark into a flame. – Lin-Manuel Miranda

If you get up one more time than you fall, you will make it through. –Chinese proverb

A champion is someone who gets up when he can’t. – Jack Dempsey (Apparently, I’m a champion every morning.)

There will be obstacles. There will be doubters. There will be mistakes. But with hard work, there are no limits. – Michael Phelps

A house is not a home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as the body. – Benjamin Franklin

My size is tedious. – Juan, My 600-Lb. Life

No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world. – Robin Williams

Reading butts. – a job requirement to keep the Puppy Bowl dogs calm and the field accident-free

That wasn’t karaoke. It was you, a jukebox, and a bar full of angry people. – Mike (Billy Gardell), Mike & Molly

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. – 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

💖 Valentine Mode Activated…

Until next time, stay safe; stay being your own Valentine; and stay not hesitating. If you have the chance to help someone, do it.

February 7, 2025 – GH Weekdays, Cyrus Finds a New Target, Soap Suds, This Week’s Reality, Weekend Watch, Rebirth, Coming Soon(ish), Nixed, Wins, Two Different Bowls, A Half-Dozen Quotes & Dust

Standard

What I Watched Today

(The whole GH enchilada & entertainment minutiae on Fridays)

General Hospital

Monday:

Laura told Jordan that Sidwell was charming and cordial and was going to be a big problem for her and the city. Elizabeth and Lucky discovered a Turning Woods patient who had dementia, but was otherwise healthy, had died of heart attack. Lulu said Dante owed her no explanations and he told her about Anna not letting him near Sam’s case.

Laura was worried about Lucky going after Sidwell and told Jordan that Anna thought Sidwell was behind the fire. At the Surf Lodge, Maxie gave Emma advice on living with Anna, but when Sasha came in, she told Emma to find another table. Alexis told Sonny that nothing helped, but pain helped fuel her rage of injustice over Sam’s death.

Trina asked for Curtis’s help in talking to Kai, and Kai told his friend/ teammate Quinn that he wouldn’t be coming back. Lulu apologized to Dante for what she did in Prague and for seeming ungrateful for Sam’s sacrifice. She said he could talk to her about anything. He said he felt badly about not being home much in the weeks before Sam died, and Lulu said it was because he’d been by her bedside. Laura told Lucky about Sidwell being in Port Charles, and Jordan told Isaiah. Emma eavesdropped on Maxie and Sasha. Maxie said some people thought Jason was Sasha’s baby daddy.

Kai asked Quinn to step up because he could lead. Brook met with Lois and said the last thing Dante needed was to find out he’d fathered a child in high school. She wondered if the child even knew they were adopted. Dante told Lulu about proposing to Sam. Sonny said he was there for Alexis, and they hugged.

Sasha wondered why people couldn’t just leave her alone to live her own damn life, and it was no one’s business but hers who the father was. Emma told Gio about what she’d overheard, and Quinn blamed Trina for splitting Kai’s focus. Curtis told Kai his story and said Kai had to live his. He was never going to know if he could fully recover unless he went through the process. Lulu said she was happy Dante had a love like Sam, and he said he didn’t blame her for anything.

Trina told Quinn to check himself. Looking for something to blame wasn’t going to help Kai, and maybe he was the one giving up. Kai said everything he’d planned for was gone and Curtis said Kai’s bravery against the defensive blitz told him who Kai was as a person, and it extended beyond the field. Laura asked what Alexis knew about Sidwell, who showed up at the MetroCourt. Jordan introduced herself and asked what brought him to Port Charles and what he planned to do there. Elizabeth asked Lucky what it was like to be Sidwell’s prisoner, and he said, it was hell.

Curtis suggested Kai accept help and Kai said he couldn’t face the disappointment of his family. Curtis said, focus on healing his body and mind, and Kai said Curtis had given him a lot to think about. Curtis left his number and Kai texted Trina to come by. Emma wanted to tell Anna that Jason was the baby’s dad and Gio had a bad feeling. Maxie said, the more Sasha stonewalled, the more people would talk, but Sasha said she owed no one any explanations. Laura filled Alexis in on Sidwell and said Anna had opened an investigation about Sam. Sidwell told Jordan that he was an importer of gems and rare earths. He knew how to find things of value. Lulu said she got why she couldn’t be the person Dante turned to right now, but if that changed, he knew where to find her.

Tuesday:

NuJack (Pfft! He looks like Nathan Lane and has no accent – very disappointing) and Carly took a private plane back to Port Charles. Anna called Josslyn into her office. Drew got busy with Willow after jumping the fence to get to the gatehouse, and he said nothing could keep him from seeing her. Cody continued to pay off his debt to Selina and she told him she had a proposition for him. Lucky told Elizabeth that he’d stopped Jason from killing Sidwell in Somalia, and Isaiah went to the MetroCourt and saw Sidwell with Jordan. He asked if Sidwell was back to kill him personally. Brook set up a table at the MetroCourt for a Deception meeting.

Sidwell said he and Isaiah had an unfortunate misunderstanding while working together, but Isaiah said, it was no misunderstanding, and Sidwell had sent someone to kill him in Port Charles. Jordan said Isaiah was interrupting and Isaiah told her about Lucky being held prisoner. Lucy came over, having sensed tension, and asked if they all couldn’t get along. Drew said he and Willow shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to see each other, and Willow said everyone was just biting their tongues, but she didn’t want to cause more pain. Selina said she was setting up a high stakes poker game and wanted Cody to play with house money. She would also cancel his remaining debt. He asked for a cut of the winnings and reminded her that Mac was his father. She said anything could be negotiated and his discretion would be honored. He said he’d think about it. Lucky told Elizabeth that Jason killing Sidwell would have been purely about revenge, and he didn’t want to carry that burden. Anna told Josslyn about Dex and Sam being murdered, and that Dex had listed only Josslyn as family. Josslyn asked if Anna said they suspected Cyrus. Collette called Jack on the plane and said there was something he needed to see when he got back.

Lucky told Elizabeth about the poker game and how it had unlocked something in Sidwell, who became fixated on beating him. He’d been infuriated that Isaiah escaped, and when Lucky lost, he would die. Anna told Josslyn that they didn’t have proof, but Portia had banned Cyrus from the hospital. She knew Josslyn wanted justice, but to get it, they’d need evidence. Willow told Drew that she wanted to make things work. The kids adored Monica and this was their home. She also still cared about Michael and thought this would help his recovery, but the toughest person to deal with had been Sasha. Even though she was pregnant by a random guy, Willow felt constantly judged. Drew left, but forgot his tie on the couch. Sasha met Felicia at the MetroCourt, and Isaiah told Jordan, whatever money Sidwell brought in was blood money. Jordan told him to handle the conflict on his own time. Lucy joined the Deception meeting, and Jordan asked what Isaiah’s issue was with Sidwell.

Sidwell said that Isaiah had been his personal physician, but didn’t like the conditions and departed. He wanted to buy Jordan dinner to make up for interruption, and she said, call her office. He left and she texted Isaiah to meet her. Brook told Tracy that Natalia and Sonny went to LA to handle financing. The sales had dropped because of Lois losing her accent. Drew went to see Selina and asked about her previous association with Curtis. He asked if she was a silent partner in the club. She said she could provide interesting insight, providing their exchange was mutually beneficial. Cody came back and asked if Drew got lost helping blind orphans, Seeing Drew there confirmed that Drew was exactly who Cody thought he was.

Lucky told Elizabeth it had been like his dad was guiding him during the poker game, and Elizabeth had helped him too. Josslyn told Anna that she’d volunteered at Turning Woods and Cyrus had everyone there fooled. Anna told her that she was interfering with the investigation and don’t go back. Carly visited Willow, bearing gifts for the kids from Germany. She told Willow that Michael started treatment and wanted the kids to know he loved them. He also wanted to thank Willow. Willow asked if Carly wanted tea and Carly said she did, but when Willow went to the kitchen, Carly found Drew’s tie sticking out of the couch cushion.  

Selina said it was none of Cody’s business, and Drew said he was addressing a constituent’s concern. Cody asked if Willow knew and said Drew and his brother were alike. Drew was sleeping with his nephew’s wife and Jason got Sasha pregnant. Selina told Cody to get out and had her bodyguard escort him.  

Collette showed Jack a cabin where Cyrus had been hiding out, but she hadn’t wanted to go inside without his authorization. Josslyn told Anna that she’d do whatever it took to stop Cyrus and get justice for Dex, but Anna said, the more Josslyn entangled herself in the investigation, the more likely Cyrus was to get away. They needed proof and he already knew he was being watched. If he found out, he’d cover his tracks. She told Josslyn to let the PCPD take it from there. Jordan met Isaiah at the Surf Lodge. He said Sidwell was dangerous and hired assassins to take out those who crossed him.

Lucky told Elizabeth that he’d been close to escaping, but guards caught him and worked him over. He thought it was the end, then he saw her, and she told him that he shouldn’t quit. He should get up off the floor and fight. Jordan said, it was like Sidwell’s crimes had never happened, and Isaiah said it was because he’d committed them in war torn regions where there were no laws. She said she was going to spend time with Sidwell and find evidence to put him away. She’d had experience going undercover and Sidwell was interested in her, so she’d take the opportunity. When Willow came back, Carly was gone, and so was Drew’s tie. Drew went to the MetroCourt to meet with Anna, who had a wish list from the PCPD for federal support. Drew said he’d be happy to suggest funding as long as organized crime was the top priority – i.e. arresting Sonny and Jason. Carly came in and called out Drew for leaving his tie while he was having sex with Michael’s wife.

Jack said they’d tail Cyrus, and Collette asked if he wasn’t curious about the cabin. She wanted to insure their special project wasn’t put at risk. He said it wasn’t their objective to catch a killer, but to see what action Josslyn would take if she found the cabin. Lucky said, Elizabeth had gotten him through a lot, and she said she was glad, but she couldn’t be anybody’s angel. He said he just needed her to be her. He told her about a song he’d heard on a jukebox in Mogadishu that reminded him of dancing with her at Luke’s. He played it on his phone, and they danced.

Isaiah said he thought Jordan liked the rush better than pushing papers, and she said she’d need his help. He’d have to stay away from her because Sidwell couldn’t know about their connection. He said, no way in hell was he staying clear of her. Their connection would also go undercover. Willow left a message for Michael, saying, the kids loved him and talked about him all the time. They couldn’t wait for him to get home.

To add insult to injury, Carly said she’d bought the tie for Drew and found it in the couch. He wanted to talk privately, but she said, no. His nephew was fighting for his life while Drew was sleeping with his wife on property he’d been banned from. She wanted everyone to know he was pathetic. He wasn’t half the man Jason was. Drew said the joke was on her. Jason had knocked up Sasha – the family cook. Wow. He’s outdone himself at being an ass on so many levels.

Wednesday:

Brad confronted Cyrus at the hospital. He said Cyrus was trying to convince the world he was a changed man, but was considered a danger to the patients. Josslyn convinced the custodian at Turning Woods to let her in Cyrus’s room. Willow told Nina about Carly disappearing on her. At the MetroCourt, Sasha told Drew to make a disaster of his own and Willow’s life, but leave her and her baby out of it.

Ric told Elizabeth that she was back to work immediately. Carly told Drew that he had no right to get involved with Sasha’s private life. Tracy said she was going to warn Willow that if it Drew showed up again, she’d be out on the street without her children, but Brook said she’d convince Willow to do what was best for everyone. Anna told Drew that it was inappropriate for him to influence a case against Sonny and Jason. Kristina wanted to wait to tell Danny that Sam was murdered, but Alexis said if he found out from someone else, they risked losing him. Cody told Molly that he was sorry to hear about Sam and that he and Sam were kindred spirits, and she took Danny to see Alexis. Cody told Dante that he should be there for Danny since Danny’s dad was worthless, when Sasha walked in.

Brook told Willow about what happened at the MetroCourt and asked what she was thinking. Lucy said she didn’t see it coming that Jason was Sasha’s baby daddy, but didn’t hate it. She loved spectacles when she wasn’t at the center of them. Drew asked to talk to Maxie. Lucky asked Ric to find out Cyrus’s parole terms and Elizabeth said it would be a personal favor to her, so he agreed – on the house. At the hospital, Lucas told Carly that Jack had been there as his patient and asked if she was dating him. She said, maybe, and he asked if she’d slept with him, but she said they hadn’t crossed that line yet. Valentin had tried to kill Jack, and she’d saved his life. Sasha asked where Cody got off telling everyone Jason was the father and Cody asked if he wasn’t. Josslyn searched Cyrus’s room and noticed a pressed flower in his Bible. The custodian came back, and she said she found what she was looking for.

Sasha said it was none of Cody’s business and asked where he got the idea. He said after seeing them at the boathouse, and she told him to let it go. Brook asked, why wave a red flag at Tracy? and Willow said this was her home, but it was an easy fix, and asked to move back in with Nina. Drew asked Maxie to share her opinion, and she said she felt sorry for Michael. She didn’t think it was cool for him to pull Sasha into the drama. He said he needed a mother’s advice. Lucy pumped Felicia for information, and Lulu asked Anna where Jack was. Lucas said Carly didn’t want to be with somebody who didn’t tell her the truth.

After Ric left, Lucky said, if they got specifics, he could find a way to get Cyrus busted, and Elizabeth said he meant frame Cyrus. Tracy said everything was Sasha’s call. She could fight and would with Tracy’s support. Brook told Willow to take a step back and that Drew was the problem. When she got involved with him, her life fell apart. Nina suggested Willow take some time alone to figure out the direction of her life. Drew asked Maxie to speak to a decorator about his new house. She said he sounded like a great dad, and she’d help him. Anna suggested Lulu call Jack’s office. Lulu said she already had with no luck, but she’d get Carly to intervene. She asked if Anna had heard anything about Charlotte.

Tracy said every woman had the right to live life on their own terms and she’d do her best to watch out for Sasha. Sasha needed to have a game plan. Nina said Willow could stay with her as long as she needed, but Brook said that wasn’t the agreement. Willow said she didn’t care. Anna said she didn’t know where Charlotte was and neither did the WSB. Lulu said Jack was lying because of some spy reason and a lot of people would be sorry when she got her daughter back. Carly said Jack wasn’t like Sonny, but Lucas told her to walk away while she could. It was Jack’s literal job to keep secrets, and she shouldn’t make the same mistake twice. Elizabeth said Cyrus needed to be stopped no matter what. If they had to frame him, so be it. Cyrus noticed his Bible had been touched and the pressed flower was moved.

Thursday:

Brad asked to leave early, and Portia said okay, but Curtis wondered what was up with that. Brad showed off his muscles, and Lucas said, whatever training program he was on was clearly working. Jack met with Josslyn at Bobbie’s, and she said that she was going to prove Cyrus killed Dex. Lois went to see Martin and told him that she really needed a lawyer. Willow told Nina that deep down, she knew Brook was right. She shouldn’t have been in the gatehouse with Drew. Alexis told Danny that the authorities believed his mom’s death wasn’t an accident.

Brook blamed herself for Willow leaving. Willow said when Drew left, all she could think about was Michael, and Nina said the accident robbed her of closure. She could now focus on her next steps. Then like a bad penny, Drew showed up. Portia told Curtis that Stella seemed to like Brad, so she was willing to give him a second chance, and Curtis thought it was time for him to have a chat with Brad. Josslyn told Jack about getting into Cyrus’s apartment, but not finding anything. He said that might indicate Cyrus had a second location. While Rocco listened in, Dante asked Chase who the person of interest was, but Chase wasn’t talking. Alexis told Danny that the police and hospital believed Sam was murdered.

Molly said, Sam wasn’t the only victim, but it was being kept quiet to not alert suspects. Chase made Dante promise not to do anything reckless and told him the suspect was Cyrus. Jack said, even the best criminal left a trail and evidence would surface, and Josslyn asked him not to tell her mom, when Carly and Lucas walked in. Gio told Brook not to blame herself for the actions of others. Tracy showed up and Brook told her it didn’t go as planned. Tracy said it was time to call the lawyers.

Curtis asked if Brad was still working with Selina, but Brad said they’d cut all ties. He would never do anything to jeopardize Portia and Terry’s faith in him. Carly and Jack shared a table, and he asked her not to tell Josslyn about them. Lois told Martin that Brook had a baby with Dante and she needed to make sure no one found out. Danny agreed Scout shouldn’t know about Sam being murdered and asked if his dad knew. Chase said, circumstantial evidence pointed to Cyrus, but Dante said it made no sense. Tracy interrupted and asked Chase and Dante to check for security flaws on the property, and Rocco snuck away. Nina said Drew had put Willow in a position to lose her children, and suggested he move to DC, but he said he’d take Willow and the kids with him. Nina said if he wanted a fight, she was ready to oblige.

Alexis said it wasn’t their job to get involved in the investigation. When Danny left, Alexis said she found it unsettling that he’d brought up his father. Lucas said it looked like Jack and Carly were getting close, and Josslyn said, as long as it wasn’t Sonny, she was on board. She asked if Lucas had ever heard of Austin Gatlin-Holt. Lois told Martin that the baby had been placed with a member of her extended family, but Brook didn’t know. (Is it Gio???) She asked if Brook could find out, when Tracy knocked at the door. She asked why Lois was there.

Stella told Curtis that she believed Brad had turned a corner. Brad asked if Curtis knew about their arrangement, but Portia said, no and don’t tell him. Josslyn said Austin had testified for Cyrus at his parole hearing, and Lucas told her to stay out of it. Lois told Tracy that she’d heard what happened with Willow and that was why she was seeing Martin. Martin said the deal wasn’t legally binding and the blame lay with Tracy. Lois suggested they leave. Brook told Chase and Dante that Willow moved out. Nina told Drew that Willow still cared about Michael and Willow told Drew it was a mistake for them to meet at the gatehouse. She was still processing the end of her marriage. Drew said it would be unfair to deny their feelings, but they were free to be together since it had been made public – if that’s what she wanted.

Willow said of course (🍷) she did. They kissed and Nina saw them. Alexis was worried that Jason would seek vengeance, and Kristina said, some people didn’t look at vengeance the way Alexis did. Rocco talked with Danny and told him that Cyrus was a suspect. When Carly took a call, Josslyn asked Jack to help her find out if Austin had leased or bought a place nearby. Nina called Carly and said they had to end a problem once and for all. After seeing Tracy to her car, Lois came back to see Martin again. He said there were two ways the truth could come out. If the child came of age and requested their birth certificate… Lois said there was no way they knew they were adopted, and he said, also, if Brook met with whoever handled the adoption and asked to meet her child. Lois said it would blow his world apart, and Martin asked if she was in contact with them. She said, Brook’s son was her grandson Gio. (Ha! I was right.)  

Friday’s Enchilada:

Lulu thanks Laura for meeting her at Bobbie’s and Laura says she’s always happy to meet her beautiful daughter, but what’s so urgent? Lulu says she met with Jack Brennan, and she has news, and Laura asks if Charlotte and Valentin have been found. Lulu says, no. Valentin surfaced briefly in Germany, but disappeared before they could track him. Jack wouldn’t give her any other details. Laura says, of course (🍷) not. It’s Jack and it’s classified. Lulu says she’s got to find Charlotte soon. She knows something bad will happen if she’s with Valentin. Laura says she’ll do what she can, but Lulu says, there may be another path she can follow.

Carly brings a folder to Lucas at the hospital because he left it at home, and he says he’s glad she didn’t come to him for dating advice. He sticks by his assessment that dating a spy is a bad proposition. She says she has more important things to deal with than taking the time to point out Lucas’s questionable taste in men. Nina called and wants to see her. She needs him to convince her that it’s not a good idea to work with Nina.

Nina gives Maxie two tickets to the NYC Winter Fashion Formal and tells her that she can take who she wants. Maxie asks what Nina wants, and Nina asks what she means. Maxie says, Nina only gives her stuff when she wants something, but Nina says, that’s not true. Maxie says, Nina gave her Chanel boots when she wanted Maxie to get a million Christmas gifts for Wiley, and Nina says, fine. She needs help. It might sound crazy, but she needs advice on how to convince Carly to work with her. Maxie asks what she wants to work on, and Nina says, breaking up Drew and Willow.

Willow tells Elizabeth, happy first day back, and hugs her. She says, the doctors and nurses missed her and every one of her patients asked about her. Elizabeth says, it feels good to be back and be missed more than she should admit. Portia joins them and welcomes Elizabeth back. Elizabeth says, it’s good to be back, and Portia asks to speak to her before her shift. Portia heads for her office and Elizabeth makes a face at Willow.

At the Grill, Sidwell thanks Drew for meeting him, even if he’s interrupting Drew’s breakfast. Drew says he’s happy for the company and to welcome a new constituent to Port Charles, and Sidwell says, this constituent doesn’t want to waste more of his time than necessary, so he’ll get to it. Drew may not know, but he imports rare gems from around the world. One of the reasons he chose Port Charles was the pending development of the esplanade. He asks what the status is on its progress, and Drew says, unfortunately, it’s being held off because of environmental concerns. Sidwell says, forgive him for being blunt, but did Sonny Corinthos have anything to do with the delay?

At a hospital in Los Angeles, Sonny says he doesn’t like waiting, and Natalia says, it shouldn’t be much longer. Sonny says he owes her for coming to California with him, and she says she was just thinking, how is Sonny going to pay her back?  

Jordan asks if Anna remembers the microdot recorders she bought for the department, and Anna says, they’ve used them successfully already. Jordan says she needs to borrow one, and Anna asks, who will be wearing the device? Jordan says she will.

In her office, Portia says, as Co-Chief of Staff, she wanted to apologize to Elizabeth for suspending her, and Elizabeth thanks her for saying that. She admits it was a relief, and Portia says she never believed Elizabeth would harm her patients. Elizabeth says she knows Portia had to follow protocol, and Portia says she did, but she hated it. As much as she’s not a fan of Ric’s, in watching him fight for Elizabeth, she never realized he was such a good lawyer. He didn’t give the hospital lawyer half a chance and she came to win. Elizabeth says she’s grateful for everything Ric’s done for her, and wonders if she’s allowed to ask the status of the hospital investigation. Portia says, Elizabeth can, but she doesn’t have any new information. Everything they had on the three, almost four, deaths was turned over to the police. It’s officially a criminal investigation. Elizabeth asks if she’s sure it was only three, and Portia says, they had the lab techs go over all the deaths in the last few months and didn’t find any others. Elizabeth says, that’s good to hear. Does Portia know if the police have a suspect? Portia says she hasn’t touched base with them, but prays they catch whoever is responsible, so they don’t destroy any more lives.

Nina says, it’s ridiculous for Drew to be sneaking in behind everyone’s backs, but Maxie says, Willow is an adult. Even if they think her choices are stupid, she has the right to make them. Besides, she doesn’t think Drew would do something to hurt her. Nina says, sorry. She didn’t realize Maxie was a fan of Drew’s. Maxie says, she’s neutral. She’s Switzerland. Nina asks how she can be when Drew’s over-the-top romantic gestures and horrible advice drive Willow to make disastrous decisions? Like moving out of the gatehouse and back in with her. Maxie says she thought Nina would be happy having Willow and the kids living with her, and Nina says, of course (🍷) she wants them with her, but if the entire Quartermaine security staff can’t keep Drew and Willow apart, how can she? Maxie says, she probably can’t, and Nina says, if Drew didn’t live in a hotel room, he’d probably have Willow and the kids move in with him, and that would be a disaster… What’s wrong? Maxie says she has the feeling Drew won’t be in the hotel much longer, and Nina says, because…? Maxie says, because he’s in escrow on a new house… and she told him that she would help him find a decorator. Nina says, Drew is buying a new house and Maxie is helping him with it?

Lucas asks why Carly is considering working with Nina, and Carly says, to break up Willow and Drew. Drew wants to keep Willow to himself, and his schemes are so obvious, even Nina noticed. Jason brokered a living arrangement with Willow and the Quartermaines, and Drew blew it up. He asks, how? and Carly says she visited Willow at the gatehouse and when Willow went to the kitchen, she saw a tie she’d given Drew sticking out of the couch. Part of the arrangement was that Drew wasn’t allowed on the property, and he snuck in like they were star-crossed lovers. Of course (🍷) she loudly confronted him in public at the MetroCourt. He says, of course (🍷). He guesses it didn’t go well. She says, it was a disaster, and Lucas says he can’t talk about being on the moral high ground. He lit into Willow at Christmas, and it was a disaster. Ava had to talk him down. She says, clearly, they’re people who act first and think later, and he says, maybe it’s time they learn from their mistakes.

Natalia asks if Sonny is worried about what the doctor is going to tell him, but Sonny says he tries not to think about it. He hopes it’s not serious, but right now he has to focus on finding who put the firebomb in the penthouse.

Lulu says, it occurred to her to search in a different way, and Laura says, how so? Lulu says she and Rocco were talking about how Charlotte loved riding, and she knows Valentin let Charlotte have a phone. So she started following popular equestrians on social media. It’s a longshot, but she might find a follower with an account that belongs to Charlotte. Laura says, so her focus has changed from where Valentin could be to where Charlotte would want to go, and Lulu says she’s also looking at the best stables and riding facilities in Europe. Valentin wants Charlotte to be happy, so maybe he’ll let her take lessons. Laura says, it sounds promising. She might get a real lead. Laura’s phone rings, and she says, tell her that she got a meeting with Congressman Quartermaine… Ugh. Okay… They’re saying they think he’s there now?… Good job. She thanks them and tells Lulu that she’s got to get to a very important meeting, but keep her in the loop. Lulu says she promises. Fingers crossed it works. Laura says she’s proud of Lulu. She’s smart. Good job. Lulu thanks her, and Laura leaves.

Elizabeth calls Nurse Gail at Turning Woods and thanks her for her help when she and Lucky were there. She hopes she didn’t get Gail in trouble with her boss. Gail says, not at all. Director Furner had no issue with it. Besides, she knows the head nurse at GH wouldn’t ask her a favor if it wasn’t important. Elizabeth says she knew Gail would understand, and Gail says, they’ll talk soon. Cyrus walks in and asks how Gail is. She says, fine, and himself? He says, the same. He was about to visit Mrs. Brown. How is she doing? Gail says, the same, and he says, the poor dear. He’s going to pray with her. Gail says she’s sorry, but he can’t see patients. Not until he talks to Director Furner.

Furner thanks Cyrus for his help and says, they’re grateful for the time he’s devoted to the patients, but feel its best he not visit them going forward. Cyrus says, the decision is sudden, and Furner says, there was a complaint lodged by Mayor Collins about him misrepresenting himself as Lulu Spencer’s medical proxy. Cyrus says he couldn’t help overhearing Nurse Gail talking to Elizabeth Baldwin earlier. Might she have influenced his ban? Furner says, all he knows is Miss Baldwin was here with Lulu’s brother Lucky, and they were upset about his access to Lulu. He was also informed that Cyrus has been barred from volunteering at GH. Cyrus says, it’s a big misunderstanding, but Furner says, that’s not what he heard. Cyrus says, from whom? He’d like to know who’s spreading these lies. Is the source Elizabeth Baldwin? Furner says, Turning Woods is a private facility, and they have the right to decide who they allow to see patients, but Cyrus says, the patients need him. He refuses to abandon them. Furner says, sorry. He’s afraid they’ll have to make do without him, and Cyrus leaves.

Lucas says, the reason he let Wiley go was to make peace and he knew Michael would be a great father, but when Willow took him away from Michael, he had to confront Willow. Carly says she understands that kind of anger. When she found the tie, she lost it. It was in the house Michael shared with Willow and the kids, and it was like a slap in the face. Drew was there having sex with Willow, and she felt she needed to speak up for him. Lucas says he gets it, but don’t do anything to give Drew an excuse to come swooping in like Willow’s knight in shining armor. Carly says she can’t stand that Willow thinks he’s her hero. She’s sure her confronting him just solidified their us against the world thing. He says, they need to stop making an already bad situation worse, and Carly asks what she should do about Nina. He says, if her goal is to stop escalating the conflict with Willow and Drew by working with Nina, do the opposite of that.

Maxie tells Nina that she’s jumping the gun. Drew hasn’t even purchased one piece of furniture yet. Nina says, she’s right. They still have time. Maxie needs to do what she needs to do to delay Drew moving in. Pretend she can’t find a decorator or distract him with terrible color swatches. It will give her time to come up with something to keep them apart. Maxie says she’s not going to be Nina’s underhanded minion on this one. She doesn’t like what Willow and Drew did because it hurt Michael, but they’re adults and they can do what they want, questionable choices and all. Nina says she’s not going to sit by and watch Drew take advantage of her vulnerable daughter, and Maxie asks if she’s doing it because she thinks Drew is bad for Willow or because Willow is now with the man Nina once wanted for herself?

Drew says, Sonny has no sway in the decision. It has to do with his constituents. Sidwell asks if Sonny Corinthos isn’t one of his constituents, and Drew says he could argue that Sonny is a resident, but his business doesn’t necessarily help make Port Charles better. Sidwell asks if he’s considered Pier 55 and the surrounding area as a new location, and Drew says, Sonny owns the building there and has a legal coffee company. Sidwell asks if that isn’t what Eminent Domain is for. (Don’t even get me started on that, Jenz.) Can’t the government claim land if it’s to help revitalize the city? Drew says he’s explored moving the location, but it costs money and time, and Sidwell says, as a future businessman and tenant, he’d be willing to make a large financial commitment if it solves the funding issue. Drew says he’ll keep it in mind, when Laura walks in. She says, just the man she was looking for, and Sidwell says, how nice to see her again.

Anna asks why Jordan wants to wear a wire, and she says she met Jenz Sidwell a few days ago. Anna says, lucky you, and Jordan says, Laura was talking to her about how dangerous he is and not long afterward, he walked into the MetroCourt, so she introduced herself. They talked, and she got the idea he was interested in her, interested in a way she could use to her advantage. Anna says she’s sure Sidwell is interested in Jordan, and Jordan says, apart from what Anna’s already told her, does she have any information that would be useful to get closer to him? Anna says she doesn’t and asks what outcome Jordan is looking for. Jordan says, no law enforcement agency can connect him to his crimes, and Anna says, unfortunately, that’s true. He’s clever and has resources. He was running a small army in Somalia. Jordan says she needs to figure out why he came to Port Charles and what he plans to do, and Anna says, no one has established a real reason. Jordan says, if she can get close… and Anna says, she’ll find a way to catch him.   

Nina says she had an ill-advised short-lived fling after getting caught up in the spell Drew wove over his admiring constituents. That’s all it was. Maxie says, so Nina is really over him, and Nina says, absolutely. 100%. She saw the terrible effect he’s had on Willow, and she’s done. Willow is kind, gentle, and sweet, but with Drew’s help, she’s made one bad decision after another. Drew has a talent of bringing out the worst in people. He did with her. Maxie says she never thought she’d hear Nina say that, and Nina says she should have listened to Maxie. It was a horrible idea, trying to distract Drew from Willow by sleeping with him. Maxie tells Nina that she hates to say I told you so, but Nina tells her, say it. Maxie says, it’s not as much fun when Nina agrees. There’s only one real reason Willow is so out of character and crazy. She’s in love with Drew. Nina says she keeps telling herself it’s infatuation or hero worship thing, but she thinks Maxie is right. It’s something deeper. Maxie says, in all fairness, they’re not in a position to judge what someone will do for a person they love. Nina did stupid stuff when she loved Sonny. How is it any different with Willow and Drew? Carly stands in the doorway.

Drew says, it’s nice to see Laura, and starts to introduce her to Sidwell, but Laura says, they’ve met before. Drew says he didn’t realize they knew each other, and Laura says, that must mean Sidwell didn’t tell Drew that he held her son captive and nearly killed him in Somalia. Drew says, is that true? and Sidwell says, once again, he has to point out that his version of events differs greatly. Laura says, her son has no reason to lie about the man Sidwell really is, and Sidwell says, a more sensitive person might react to the mayor making negative accusations in public with a defamation suit, which would be terribly costly to the city. Thankfully, they have cooler heads, don’t they? Laura says she hears the threat, and Drew suggests it might not be the time or place to discuss it. Sidwell says, nonsense. He’s sure if the mayor joins them, she’ll have plenty to add to their conversation. He’d love to show her that his goal is to contribute to her fair city.

Cyrus walks over to Lulu’s table at Bobbie’s and says, it’s truly a miracle to see her back on her feet. He knew she’d woken up, but to see it for himself fills him with great joy. His prayers have been answered. She says, God does work in mysterious ways, and he asks if she’s fully recovered. She says, nothing about her is any of his business, and he says he didn’t mean to upset her. He just came in for a bite to eat. She says she doesn’t care why he’s here. Her family has a restraining order against him, and if he takes one step closer, she’ll call the cops.

Carly says, Maxie poses a good question, and Maxie thanks her and says she thinks she’ll go now. Please don’t break anything. She leaves, and Nina says, Carly will probably think she’s a hypocrite and she wouldn’t blame her. Carly says she wants to sit for this, and Nina says, watching Drew bulldoze his way into Willow’s marriage was incredibly eye opening. Because it’s what she did to Carly with her marriage to Sonny. Carly says she never thought she’d hear Nina admit she did wrong, and Nina says she did. She can’t go back and change what’s done, but at the end of the day, she’s just a mother like Carly. And like Carly, she loves her child with everything she has. She can’t sit by and watch her daughter destroy her life for a man who’s not worthy of her.

Willow asks if Lucas needed a nurse, and he says he needs to order tests, and he’d appreciate it if she’d deliver the folders. And if they could rush the results, that would be great. She says she’ll see what she can do, and Lucas says, wait. He needs to say something. She says, if it’s about Drew or her relationship with the kids, she’d rather they keep things professional. He says, actually he wants to apologize for what he said the last time they saw each other. He had no business judging her choices or telling her how to live her life. He’s very sorry. She thanks him, and he says, if she or her kids need anything, he’s here for her. No strings attached. He promises. She says she appreciates that very much, and leaves.

Laura says, actually, she’d love to hear what they were discussing, and Drew says, in light of the environmental concerns, Mr. Sidwell proposed they relocate the esplanade to Pier 55. Sidwell says, transforming a blighted area to an esplanade full of shops, restaurants, and new housing developments would be beneficial to Port Charles. Laura says, if he has a proposal, submit it to her office. She’s sure he’s only concerned with what’s best for Port Charles. Drew says he’s looking forward to working toward that end, and she says, that’s part of the reason she voted for him. He says he’s thrilled to know he earned her vote. He’ll do everything in his power to justify her faith. She says, good, because he should know that she doesn’t believe a partnership with Sidwell is the solution to making Port Charles a better place. Sidwell mimes clutching his pearls, and she says, the drama, and leaves. (Sidwell is always a good time, but I want my husband Jack back.)

Anna says she never told Jordan the full extent of what happened when she and Jason were in Somalia to rescue Lucky. Jordan says she knows they barely got out alive, and Anna says, they were almost killed. It’s clear how dangerous Sidwell is, because she believes he’s behind the firebomb at Sonny’s apartment. Jordan says, so she believes Sidwell’s arrival in Port Charles so close to the attack on Sonny is too much of a coincidence not to mean something, and Anna says, exactly. Jordan says, Anna isn’t going to lecture her on how she’s no longer a cop and using a wire undercover isn’t in her job description as Deputy Mayor? Anna says, no. She’s giving Jordan the equipment. If she needs to go undercover to bring Sidwell down, Jordan has her full support. Anna leaves to get the recorder.

Natalia asks if Sonny is going to tell his kids, but he says, they’ve been through too much already. Kristina and Dante are still mourning Sam. Michael is in Germany fighting for his life. He doesn’t want to worry them. She says she understands, and Sonny says, if his business rivals hear about it, it will give them an invitation to come after him and his family. That can’t happen. The nurse says, the doctor is ready for Sonny, and Natalia asks if he wants her to go with him. He holds out his hand, she takes it, and they walk in together.

Maxie tells Willow that she needs help with her son, and Willow asks if he’s sick. Maxie says, no. He’s great, but he’s driving her nuts. He wants her to plan a playdate with Wiley. Willow says she would love that, and Wiley would too. She’ll check her schedule, and they’ll make it happen, Maxie says, it will get James off her back. Nina told her that Willow and the kids moved back in with her. How is Willow doing?

Carly says, the only reason she’s here is because Nina convinced Willow to let her and Sonny see Michael in the hospital. Nina says she thinks they need to work together to keep Willow and Drew apart, and Carly says, okay. Don’t get her wrong. She despises them as a couple, but she doesn’t see how tearing them apart will help. The damage is done. If they find out, Willow will never let them see the kids again. Nina says she thought about that, but thinks it’s a risk worth taking. If they do nothing, that’s a worse option. Carly says she’s not sure about that. She confronted Drew in public at the MetroCourt about how he snuck onto the Quartermaine property to see Willow. It didn’t go over well. Nina says, Willow moved back in with her. At least when Willow was at the Quartermaine’s, Drew didn’t have free reign. Now that Willow is back, she can’t keep them apart. She needs help. Carly asks if they won’t be making a bad situation worse, and Nina says, worse than Drew moving Willow and the kids in with him? How would Carly feel then?

Elizabeth tells Lucas that she talked to Portia about the investigation, but she never said anything about Cyrus. That means Lucas never said anything to Portia about Cyrus being a suspect. He says he didn’t, but Cyrus was banned from volunteering at Turning Woods, and Elizabeth says she did hear that. She was wondering if his name was off the suspect list. He says he doesn’t know, but he does know they want him caught. Some people have lost too much because of him. Elizabeth says, some more than others. She and Lucky are close to finding something that will prove him guilty.  

Lulu says, Cyrus is violating the restraining order. Stay away from her. Cyrus says, it pains him that her family jumped to terrible conclusions about him. This is all a misunderstanding that’s kept him from doing his good work at Turning Woods. She says, the place where he lied about having power over her medical care, and he says, she was alone, and he cared for her. She says, when she woke up, she didn’t hear him caring. She heard him talking to the doctor about transferring her to another state where she’d be far away from the people who love her and truly alone. He says, she’s confused, but for good reason. He’s not the man he used to be. She missed his transformation from his past circumstances. He wants only the best for her. She says she sees him clearly when she opened her eyes at Turning Woods. He’s the reason she had to run away while she was still weak and recovering. She knew she had to get away from him and his sick plan for her. Cyrus says he sat by her hospital bedside. He read the Bible to her and prayed for her. She has no concept of the devotion he showed her. No one has done for her what he has. Lulu starts digging in her bag for her phone and calls Anna’s office. She says she’d like to speak to the Commissioner. Her family has a restraining order on… She looks around and Cyrus is gone.

Natalia says, getting a pacemaker and on a medical regime is no small thing. Sonny needs to do this. Why put it off? Sonny says he needs to find who put the bomb in the penthouse. It’s all he can focus on right now. He doesn’t find out who’s responsible, his family isn’t safe. After that, he can focus better. She says she hopes he can do it in the next three months. She can come with him for support when he gets it done. He says he’d appreciate the company. It has to be done. She suggests they get out, and they leave. A guy in the waiting room follows and, in the hallway, he takes out his phone. It’s the man who tried to kill Isaiah at the hospital.

Nina says, Drew is in escrow for a new house and wants there to be enough room for Willow and the kids, and Carly says, no. Even if he did, that doesn’t mean he would ask Willow to move in already. Nina says she wouldn’t put it past him, but Carly says, no. Nina says, whether they like it or not they’re connected because they’re Wiley and Amelia’s grandparents and want what’s best for them. Michael is out of the country receiving medical treatment, so for now, Carly is his proxy. As much as she loves Willow, she’s not blind to how easily Willow was convinced to go along with Drew. Carly asks what she suggests, and Nina says, what if she told Carly that they could have access to Drew’s new house. It could be useful. So what does she think? Is she in or out? Will she help do whatever it takes to protect their grandchildren?

Willow says, Maxie is one of the only people to ask how she’s doing. She’s getting lectures on her relationship with Drew and Maxie isn’t judging. She didn’t realize until now how lonely it’s been. Maxie says, they’ll schedule a playdate, and the boys can run around while they catch up, and Willow says, it will be nice. Maxie asks, who’s place? and Willow says, Maxie’s. Nina’s isn’t the best play space for kids. Maxie says she hopes the kids exhaust themselves to the point where they pass out, and Willow says, it sounds amazing. She’s grateful having a place to stay, but she needs to look for her own place with a kid friendly backyard.

Sidwell says he has no control over how people choose to see him, but hopes Drew sees him as an ally. His phone rings and he says he should take it. Drew says he’s got to get going anyway. Sidwell has given him a lot to think about. Sidwell says, that’s all he can ask, and Drew leaves. Answering the phone, Sidwell says, so? The man at the doctor’s office says he followed Natalia to a medical office. The man who she’s with is seeing a cariologist. Sidwell asks, who would that be? and the man says, Sonny Corinthos. (Rut-roh.)

Lulu goes to Anna’s office and says, Anna’s not going to believe what she saw. Cyrus was at Bobbie’s and violated the restraining order by talking to her. Anna asks Lulu to tell her exactly what happened, and Lulu says, he claimed he was just there to get a bite to eat. She was told he was banned from volunteering at Turning Woods, and she told him to leave her alone, but he just kept talking. Anna asks what he said, and Lulu says, he told her that he spent a lot of time with her when she was in a coma. It really freaked her out. Then he said, no one has done for her what he has. What does he mean? What does that lunatic want from her?

Elizabeth tells Lucas, if they find irrefutable evidence against Cyrus, they’ll hand it over to the police. Until then, it’s important that as few people as possible know he’s a suspect. Lucas says, Cyrus already knows. Josslyn ran into him at the PCPD and accused him of killing Dex. Anna must be aware or at least suspicious about Dex’s death. Elizabeth says she knows it sounds easier said than done, but he needs to keep Josslyn away from Cyrus. If he feels cornered, he’ll get more dangerous. Cyrus walks into the hospital and sees Elizabeth talking to Lucas. He flashes back to finding the flower in the Bible moved and gives Elizabeth a nasty look.

On Monday, Kristina asks Ava where she thinks she’s going; Martin asks if Willow really wants a divorce; Jason asks why Tracy would believe anything Drew says; and Carly asks how far Nina is willing to go to get Drew out of the picture.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

I would never put down Chris McKenna’s acting skills, but he’s no Jack Brennan. If it was a matter of money, they should have given Charles Mesure whatever it took to keep him. And really, not even an accent? Come on. They could have done better here.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/gh-recast-shocker-mesure-out-mckenna-in-as-brennan

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/laura-wright-on-ghs-brennan-recast

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/chris-mckenna-opens-up-about-taking-over-as-brennan-on-gh

This is for the G’s and this is for the Hustlas.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/donnell-turner-on-snoop-dogg-guesting-on-gh

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Down Under

I didn’t watch this since I’m Below Deck-ed out, but here you go.

Deck OG Kate parlays her Traitors money into real estate.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/kate-chastain-new-florida-house-exclusive-photos-interview-details

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Sutton asked Garcelle to go with her to Agusta to visit her mother, and Mauricio took Kyle to a shooting range. She cried because everything was different, and in her interview, she said she was grieving the loss of someone who was still here. Kyle joined Sutton and Garcelle, while Boz, Erika, and Dorit went to Kathy’s for dinner. Kathy called PK PJ which was pretty funny. Erika told Dorit that she had to be proactive. If she didn’t make decisions, life would make them for her. Everything Dorit had told them indicated that PK didn’t want her back.

The Real Housewives of New York City

While on break, Brynn told Jenna that everyone hated her, and she was afraid of everyone. Janna said she was apologizing but not acknowledging what she’d done. Rebacca joined the group, and Brynn said she didn’t share her real life the way the others did. Erin said Rebecca was the most self-involved human she’d ever met. The topic of Scientology was bandied about, and we flashed back to Brynn basically calling Rebecca a snake oil salesman. I don’t know what they have against Rebecca. I like her and I actually thought the prank was funny. For being New Yorkers, this is one sensitive bunch. The Brynn/Ubah situation was rehashed and it’s another drain I didn’t think had to be circled so hard. To quote Erin, it was f***ed up, but Brynn corrected herself pretty quickly. Ubah said she forgave Brynn, but they would never be what they were. Two seconds later though, they were hugging it out, so who knows? These girls hate and love each other in the same breath. If I had to pick a best dressed – they’re all beautiful, even Jenna in her robe, turban, and sunglasses – it would be Racquel. Andy said he hoped it was the first step forward. Yeah. Until next season.

Apparently, Rebecca has had enough.

Real Housewives of Salt Lake City

Britani joined the Reunion Part 3000. She’d been wearing the same dress as Angie, but graciously changed. She probably didn’t want to be included in a Who Wore It Better? list. She said she’d broken up with Jared, who sounds like a real piece of work. After their break-up, he’d gotten on social media and talked quite a bit of smack about the women. He called Bronwyn a low vibrational human being, whatever that means. Britani followed that topic with saying Bronwyn’s flying monkeys spread smack about her to her estranged daughters and Bronwyn had things to pay for.

Andy said he never thought he’d be talking about slut shaming at a Bat Mitzvah, and there was much ado (again) about Britani bringing the wine to Angie’s prayer meeting. I honestly thought it was more of a place and time thing, but I guess not. It was about the Mormon rule of not drinking alcohol. So then why does Angie say she stays pretty sober. (See below.) What does that mean? Just a glass of champagne at weddings? Just weed? So much is just overreaction. Bronwyn’s dog bite was revisited, and not only did she not sue over it – it was a rescue whose owner she knew in a dog park – she paid for the dog to be checked out. There had been a medical issue, and he was now healthy and living where he has room to run. Having dealt with this issue myself, not only do I commend Bronwyn, I suggest anyone who has an overly aggressive dog have it thoroughly checked out by a vet. End of PSA. There was a lot of talking over each other. At the end, they all said nice things about each other and toasted with Mary’s favorite, Miller High Life.

Southern Charm

Venita told Leva about JT having a girlfriend, and Leva said he was a jerk. Agreed. Craig wanted to be a farmer, but his community wouldn’t allow chickens, so he went for the next best thing – bees. FYI: Bee suits are white because dark colors remind bees of a bear. How anyone knows what bees are reminded of is beyond me, but I wouldn’t test that theory. They went to a bee ranch or whatever it’s called, and Craig was pumped. Paige was not as thrilled, but said, if he liked it, she loved it. They checked out the goats and Craig fantasized about living on a farm. Paige said she loved making up fake scenarios in her head – she was a girl – but she had a realistic streak and Craig was more sentimental. She told him that she was only 31, but he sometimes made her feel like she was 75. Yeah, she’s a New Yorker and not ready for waving from the porch in a rocking chair. I honestly think Paige just needs someone closer to home, although Craig might have moved if she’d stuck it out. Throughout the conversation, it really seemed like she was unhappy, but didn’t want to admit it. Shep was still insecure about Sienna and expressed concern in his interview that she was on a higher level than him. Aw, poor Shep. It must be tough being on the receiving end for once.

Patricia had the annual gentlemen’s dinner. Whitney’s hair looked like he’d stuck his finger in a light socket, and he didn’t find it amusing that Patricia had taken the car out with Shep when she hadn’t driven in 40 years. She told the guys that they were using Napoleonic china and Craig said he shouldn’t touch any of it. We flashed back to his previous mishaps, like spilling red wine on a white sofa. She suggested Craig propose, and in Patricia’s interview, she said, in her day, you met, dated, got engaged, and got married. With these guys, it seemed very murky, and they had a schedule with no end to things. The back broke on Whitney’s chair, and Patricia said they never had a dinner where a chair didn’t get broken. And no matter what theme she chose, the dinners turned into arguments, accusations, and breakage. Whitney said the overriding issue with Sienna was that Shep wasn’t rich enough, he was boring, and not famous enough. Ouch. Craig said it was like having dinner with your granddad who had no filter.

The JT plot thickens.

Aww! She’s ready to show her bump. As much as I’ve disliked Madison, I do like Brett, and they deserve some happy news.

Southern Hospitality

I tried to pay attention, but only a few things stood out. They went to Vegas for Maddi’s DJ gig and her face was on the side of a building, which both freaked her out and pumped her up. I’m not sure if it’s because of the cameras, but reality stars seem to get overexcited about hotel rooms. Like they’ve been living in huts and never seen one before. Except for Ramona (RHONY OG), who always complains. This group is obsessed with Will’s cheating and looks like there’s more crying from Emmy to come.

Random Reality

The two Lisas have spoken.

I really hope this works out for her. I loved It’s Complicated.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

I’m still losing myself in Lost, plus doing a Swedish I’m-Not-Dead-Yet house cleaning, so the only extra thing I watched was The Menu on Netflix. It was horror, it was humor, it was surprise after surprise. A group of wealthy diners is taken to a remote island to have a meal at one of the most exclusive restaurants on earth, paying $1200+ a person. Each course becomes increasingly odd, and the final course is a nightmare. It’s detailed – a text describing each course pops up on the side – and was like nothing I’d ever seen before.

In simple terms.

A review without spoilers.

https://www.purewow.com/entertainment/the-menu-netflix-review

The particulars.

https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/the-menu-release-date-news

Obviously major spoilers.

https://ew.com/the-menu-ending-explained-8783965

🦕 Can’t Wait To Watch…

I never care about the plotlines. I just come for the dinosaurs.

https://people.com/jurassic-world-rebirth-trailer-scarlett-johansson-8712343

🦥 Awaiting New Seasons…

Coming February 16th.

https://www.cbr.com/yellowjackets-season-3-release-date-and-delay-reason/

Coming in April.

https://ew.com/the-last-of-us-creators-set-stage-dense-episodes-season-2-exclusive-8783868

https://ew.com/the-last-of-us-season-2-premiere-month-2025-8769682

Remember them? Coming this spring.

https://undeadwalking.com/walking-dead-dead-city-season-2-features-the-return-characters-villainous-ways

No date set yet.

https://www.cbr.com/everything-we-know-about-walking-dead-daryl-dixon-season-3/

Coming never.

https://winteriscoming.net/agatha-all-along-won-t-get-a-second-season

🚫 Boo Hiss…

Mean parole officer. She should still host. I haven’t watched it in years – too busy streaming – but I’d watch that one.

https://ew.com/martha-stewart-reveals-snl-hosting-opportunity-was-nixed-by-parole-officer-8781521

🏆 For the Win…

The full Grammy winners list.

https://www.grammy.com/news/2025-grammys-nominations-full-winners-nominees-list

The best, worst, and WTF? moments. Note to Rolling Stone: Not everything has to be political. Maybe people are poliweary right now.

The fashion.

https://www.eonline.com/photos/37508/grammys-2025-red-carpet-fashion

🏈 Bring On the Bowl…

Who’s performing.

https://people.com/all-about-the-2025-super-bowl-performers-8784892

Breakout shark.

https://people.com/left-shark-from-katy-perry-super-bowl-halftime-reflects-on-performance-exclusive-8779782

The commercials.

https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/best-super-bowl-commercials-2025

🐕 A Bowl Of Puppies…

Everything you need to know.

https://people.com/everything-to-know-puppy-bowl-2025-8785179

Everything you need to know and more.

https://www.discovery.com/shows/puppy-bowl

☄️ Quotes of the Week

Happy accidents are real gifts, and they can open the door to a future that didn’t even exist. It’s kind of nice sometimes to set up something to encourage or allow happy accidents to happen. – David Lynch

If you want to succeed, double your failure rate. – Thomas Watson

You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending. – C.S. Lewis

Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all. – Dale Carnegie

Advice is like snow – the softer it falls, the longer it dwells upon, and the deeper it sinks into the mind. – Samuel Taylor Coleridge

You can roll manure in powdered sugar, but it still ain’t a jelly donut. – Berta (Conchata Ferrell), Two and a Half Men

🧉 Sticking To the Punchbowl…

Until next Friday, stay safe; stay remembering, it’s just a game (unless you bet money on it, then cry if you lose); and stay not acting first and thinking later.

January 24, 2025 – Sidwell Meets Laura, Soap Suds, Not My Reality, Weekend Watching, Nom-Noms, Animal Endeavors, 10 Concise Quotes & Freeze-Out

Standard

What I Watched Today

(The whole GH enchilada & entertainment minutiae on Fridays)

General Hospital

Monday:

No soap, inauguration.

Tuesday:

Kristina waited at the launch with Alexis who was going to Spoon Island to meet with Sidwell about Windymere. Drew wanted to charge Tracy with kidnapping because she wouldn’t tell them where the children were even though Martin had a court order. Anna looked like she had a headache when Tracy feigned innocence, and Tracy asked if she looked like a nanny, but Anna said, only one in a Grimm’s fairytale. Tracy told her that Yuri had taken the children and nanny out for the day. Maxie met with Natalia about a new testing facility for Deception. She wanted the closing pushed back to give Sonny time to be with Michael and told Natalia that it wasn’t safe to be in Sonny’s orbit.

Michael was brought to consciousness and told Carly that he wanted to go to Germany. He also wanted to see Sasha. Drew horned in on Anna talking to Tracy, and Jack showed up at the station with info about the incendiary device. Ava was also going to Spoon Island to see Sidwell and badgered Alexis about the settlement money.

Jason went to track Sasha down and Carly told the others that Michael wanted to go to Germany, but Willow wanted to speak to him to confirm and apologize. Tracy claimed they were taking the kids from Monica, but Drew said it killed Tracy that Alan gave the house to Monica, and it was just a power play. Jack told Anna that the WSB was familiar with the device, and it had probably been developed for black ops. She asked if he ever used it and if he was the one who planted it.

Willow went in to see Michael and confirmed he wanted to go to Germany. She apologized for everything, and said the kids missed and loved him and he had to get better for them. She said she’d always love him, and he suddenly clutched in pain.

Ava said her daughter wasn’t safe with a man whose enemies tried to incinerate him and wanted Kristina to testify at the custody hearing. Alexis told Ava to stay away from her daughter or Ava would answer to her. Jack told Anna that he’d be more discreet than setting a luxury high rise on fire. She said the attack was sophisticated and not a usual mob hit.

Carly freaked out about Michael, when Jason arrived with Sasha, but Portia had to sedate Michael again to ease the stress on his system. Carly blamed Willow, but Jason told her not to take out her anger on Willow and focus on Michael. Carly said she’d be going to Germany with him, and Anna called Jason, telling him to get to the station.

Alexis said that Ava didn’t ask, but taunted and badgered. She wondered if Ava would want anyone treat Avery the way she treated Kristina, and Ava left since the truth is hard for her to hear. At the station, Anna told Jason that it was his family, so deal with them. Sasha told Maxie that she’d had a prenatal checkup and thought of Liam. Drew horned in at the hospital and told Willow that he thought Carly had finessed the situation. Sonny advised him to leave, but Willow wanted to talk to him.

Sidwell met Alexis at the dock, and she said she didn’t need to see Windymere again. The Cassadines weren’t known to be sentimental. Maxie offered to go to appointments with Sasha, who said she wasn’t ready to tell the world, but she was glad Maxie and Felicia were there for her to talk to. Maxie asked if Sasha was allowing herself to be happy.

Drew told Willow that he’d had Tracy arrested, but they didn’t know where the kids were, and they didn’t have Michael to use as leverage this time. Willow didn’t like the thought of using Michael as leverage, but was worried she’d messed up in cooperating with Sonny and Carly.

Tracy didn’t want Drew near the kids, but Jason said it was Willow’s call. Tracy said, Willow no longer had a mind of her own and was Drew’s puppet, but Jason said, Michael would want them with their mother. Tracy told him that she wouldn’t go to jail because she had too much money. Ava went to see Sonny and said if Avery had been where Michael was standing, she would have been killed.

Anna said she didn’t have time for the Quartermaines’ petty feuds and had real crimes to deal with. Alexis gave Sidwell the title to Spoon Island and told him that if isolation and excess were what he was looking for, he found his perfect dungeon. He said valued his privacy. Carly thanked Jack for getting Michael into the clinic and arranging for a medical jet. He told her to focus on her son and he’d take care of everything else. Anna told an officer to take Tracy to booking and told Tracy that sometimes the best way to win was to bend.

Drew convinced Willow that Sonny and Carly had been manipulating her. As he chatted her up in the chapel, Jason walked in. Sonny said he wouldn’t let Ava poison his daughter against him, and she said she was going to show the judge the charred remains of the penthouse and photos of Michael’s burns and she was going to get her daughter back permanently. She left and Sonny tried to take his heart meds, but keeled over.

Wednesday:

Charlie’s was reopening and Kristina and Lucky toasted to their dads who were great partners back in the day. Natalia found Sonny, got some medication in him, and called 911. Jason thought there was a compromise if Willow stayed in the gatehouse with the kids and Monica could have access. Lulu wanted to speak to Tracy, but Dante said, no. Lulu said she was fluent in Tracy Quartermaine and asked to have a crack at her.

Spinelli said they might have lost a gastropub, but gained the essence of cool in the new Charlie’s. Willow said if Jason could get Tracy to agree, she’d move back to the gatehouse, even though Drew told her not to negotiate. She had all the power she needed. Felicia told Sasha that the q’s thrived on toxic shenanigans and not to get caught up in it. Lucky told Elizabeth that he may have found a lead in their case.

Brick hit on Jordan going into Charlie’s, but she was meeting Isaiah. Kristina told Brick that him being there officially made it the coolest place in town. Sonny came to while Natalia was on the phone with 911, but he insisted no help. Jason asked to speak to Tracy who asked what the catch was. Drew said Tracy was using Monica to bully Willow. She said her kids were traumatized enough and she wanted to bring the kids back to their home. Jason said it was Tracy’s only chance to make a deal that would keep the kids close to Monica, and Lulu agreed he was right. Would Tracy rather be right or free? It was her turn to be strategic and play the long game. Be smart and take the win.

Sonny asked Natalia to call Isaiah and ruined his date with Jordan, but Brick took his place. Lucky told Elizabeth to follow his lead. Sasha told Felicia that she didn’t even recognize Willow anymore and she’d used Michael as leverage. Felicia suggested they show her some grace. Cody acted like an ass at Charlie’s and told Spinelli that if he wanted to stay out of prison because of Society Set-Ups (which none of us even remember anymore), he’d pony up some $75K. Brick asked if he should be jealous. Isaiah went to Sonny’s, and Sonny explained what had happened with Ava. Isaiah said the pills were just a stop gap measure and Sonny needed to see a cardiologist. Drew tried to talk Willow out of living at the gatehouse, no doubt for his own selfish gains, but Willow wasn’t having it. He said if the Quartermaines saw a way to get her children, they’d do it. Tracy agreed to take the deal.

Lucky talked to Martin about Cyrus, who said it was their mother who inspired Cyrus’s vocation. Isaiah said Sonny couldn’t be there for those he cared about if he didn’t take care of himself. Natalia said she’d stay with Sonny. Jason let Willow know that the kids were waiting at the gatehouse. Martin’s mother said if it had been up to Cyrus, she would be gone, but Cyrus just hadn’t wanted her to suffer. Lucky said they were still missing something because neither Dex nor Sam were terminal. Spinelli said Cody was the same sketchy grifter he’d always been. Lucky told him to take a walk, and Cody told Lucky to take a nap and punched him. Brick intervened, and Maxie thought she’d have to save Cody from himself.

Drew told Martin that Willow needed to be freed from the Quartermaines and Martin asked if Drew meant free to be with him. Drew said he’d do anything to protect Willow. Cody was brought into the station as Tracy was being released. Kristina said bar brawls weren’t the vibe she was going for. Willow came home and all was right with the world. For now.

Thursday:

Both Cody and Lucky were arrested, and Elizabeth tended to Lucky’s wounds in the interrogation room. Mac wondered what the hell was going on with Cody. The more he tried to get through, the more Cody pushed him away. Molly went to see Cody, who thought Lucky should have to pay for damages too, since he’d also been arrested. Molly said he was the only one throwing punches. Ava went to see Laura and Brick went to see Sonny. Kristina told Alexis about the fight, and Jordan said Brick had to step in to stop the fight, but the police thought Lucky was involved. Laura told Ava that a lot had changed and she couldn’t be Ava’s character witness. It was better if she wasn’t involved.

Josslyn told Lucas that she knew Cyrus had stabbed Dex and how she’d messed up at the station. Lucy brought Sidwell to Charlie’s and the thought it was distinctive and inviting. Lucy paved the way for a meeting with Laura.

Molly said no charges would be filed if Cody paid for the damages, but he said he had no money. Mac asked what the hell was wrong with him. Mac asked if Cody’s drunken fights were part of a bigger problem. Ric showed Ava an apartment since she had to establish a permanent residence, but she thought the square footage was lacking. Natalia told Brick what was going on with Sonny’s health, and Sonny filled him in on the rest. Brick said they had to make sure a close call like this never happened again.

Sidwell had to jet. Kristina said he seemed nice, and Alexis said nice and peculiar, since he thought Windymere was charming. Jordan went to see Laura and told her about Sidwell being in town. Cody promised he was done with booze and bar crawling. Mac said Cody was in a spiral that was getting worse, and he wanted to know why. Molly told Felicia that Cody was being a five-star ass. Lucky wanted to talk to Felicia about Cyrus, and Lucky discussed Cyrus with Josslyn. He said all they had were theories and suppositions and they needed evidence.

Lucky and Elizabeth talked to Felicia who said she thought it was the right choice to ban Cyrus from the hospital. Cody told Mac it wasn’t about Sasha. He trashed things when they were good. Mac said he had a family to rely on now and couldn’t push them away. Natalia went to Charlie’s and told Kristina that Sonny and Brick were discussing business. Brick arranged for Sonny to see the best cardiologist in the country in Los Angeles, to keep the diagnosis from the Five Families (marinara sauce). Ric said Ava didn’t have the means for a long-haul custody battle.

Kristina said she was worried about Sonny as she’d gotten a new date for the custody case. Anna said there were no outstanding warrants on Sidwell and even Interpol’s tag had been dropped. Laura got notice of the meeting and said it might be time to give Sidwell what he wants. Ava told Ric that Laura backed out of being a character witness and he told her to never doubt he was on her side, then they kissed. Josslyn said she was going to find the tie between Cyrus and the murders.

Mac left Cody in jail to think. Ava agreed to take the apartment. Laura called Sidwell and made a date to meet. Molly said, as long as people like Cody were saved from the consequences of their actions, there would always be a next time. Lucky wanted to talk to the Turning Woods staff and check their records, but Elizabeth said he’d stepped on a lot of toes there, so he agreed to let her do the talking. Lucas asked Josslyn to promise she’d stay away from Cyrus.

Friday’s Enchilada:

Baden-Baden, Germany. Carly goes into her hotel suite breathing heavy. She almost throws a bottle, but decides against it. Instead, she sits down and cries.

Willow leaves a message for Drew telling him that she’s back at the gatehouse and just wanted to hear his voice. There’s a knock at the door, and Nina says she brought breakfast. She asks how it is being back, and Willow says she’s afraid she made a huge mistake.

Drew asks if Curtis has a second to talk, but Curtis says he doesn’t know what Drew could say that he’d want to hear.

Trina sees Josslyn at the hospital and asks what she’s doing here. Josslyn says she’s trying to stop a murder.

Stella visits Kai, who’s watching a game tape. She says she came to check on him and see if there are any more flowers or gifts that he wants her to distribute. He says, the volunteers took care of it, and she asks if he’s sure he doesn’t want to keep some of it. He says he won’t be here long enough to enjoy it. He’s getting out soon.

Lulu goes to Maxie’s office, but Maxie’s not there. The phone rings, and she answers it. Maxie comes in and mouths, who is it? and Lulu mouths back, Blair Cramer. Maxie says, no, and Lulu asks if she can have Maxie return the call. Maxie says, Lulu has improved since she worked at Crimson, but she’s overqualified for the Deception job and wouldn’t be happy. Lulu says, happiness is overrated, but Maxie says, Lulu isn’t into beauty or cosmetics and needs to be challenged to keep her interested. Lulu says she just wants to earn her own money on her own terms and not rely on what Tracy and her mom decide, but Maxie says, she’d be miserable if she took the job. Lulu asks, what’s going on? Is Maxie trying to get her to withdraw her application, so she doesn’t have to turn her down? Brook walks in and asks what Lulu is doing here. Didn’t Maxie tell Lulu that they’re not hiring her?

Sidwell knocks on Laura’s office door and tells her that he’s looking forward to their meeting. Laura invites him in, and says she thinks he knows Anna. Anna certainly knows him. Anna says she and Sidwell met when he tried to have her killed while she was in Africa. He also tried to have Laura’s son killed.  

There’s a knock at Carly’s door, and she opens it to Jack.

Sidwell says he feels terrible about the situation with Lucky in Africa, and Laura asks if by situation he means holding Lucky captive and forcing him to play poker in order to stay alive. Anna says, he tried to execute her and Jason, but he says, the incident differs vastly from his perspective. His business was threatened. Anna and Jason lied about who they were, as did Laura’s son, and Holly stole from him. Laura asks if that justified holding them captive and torturing them, and he says, when his livelihood was threatened, he took any steps the law of the land allowed to protect it. He was in a country that had no law and nothing he did was illegal. Anna says, they have a fairly strong law here. He abducted Sasha, held her for ransom, and blew up a building – a trifecta of illegality. Sidwell asks if someone accused him. Is there a witness or evidence? He has no idea what she’s talking about. Anna says, they have nothing at this time, and he asks them to allow him to explain why he asked for a meeting. He’s an exporter based in Europe, but wants to expand to the North American market. Laura asks, why Port Charles? Llanview, Pine Valley, or even New York City would be a better choice. To be clear, they don’t want him in Port Charles.

Lulu says, this isn’t about the job, and Brook says she’ll handle it. She’s an officer of the company and has an interest in its success. The job at Deception is to be her assistant. Lulu says, they already established that, and Brook says, given a choice, she wouldn’t choose to work with Lulu. She’s uncomfortable to have around and it makes for a difficult work environment. Lulu says she gets that Brook doesn’t like her, but doesn’t understand why. She’s not the one who came between Brook and her boyfriend. Brook was the one who did that to her.

Willow tells Nina that she didn’t think moving back to the gatehouse would be that big a deal. She’s lived here for years, and it was great, but that was before this ugliness. Tracy walks in, looks at Nina, and asks why she’s not surprised. Nina says, nice to see her too, and Tracy says she saw Wiley getting on the bus to school and Amelia is out for a walk with the nanny. She thought it was the perfect time to go over new ground rules.  

Drew says he didn’t like the way he and Curtis left off. They’ve been friends for a long time, and he didn’t intend to double-cross Curtis. He thought he was doing right by him and Michael, but he failed. He should have handled it differently. Curtis says, ya think? and Drew says, things are different now. Michael is out of the picture, and they can use the opportunity to pivot from his mistake and do something that will work for them both. Curtis says, given what Drew’s done, whatever he’s thinking isn’t going to work, and Drew says he had that coming. He understands why Curtis is angry, but he never meant for it to come to this point. They’ve known each other a long time and go way back. They’ve been through so much together. He’s just asking Curtis to hear him out.

Josslyn tells Trina that she’s trying to see if anybody has any information on Dex, but she’s not getting anywhere. Trina says she gets that Josslyn wants answers and doesn’t blame her for being frustrated, and Josslyn says she had to do something to honor Dex’s memory. She asks if Trina is here to see her mother, but Trina says she’s here to see Kai.

Kai tells Stella that he’s had an MRI and every scan possible. He wishes they’d hurry with the results. The sooner they do, the sooner he’s back on his feet. She says she knows patients who would enjoy a break from enormous men chasing and tackling them, but Kai says he loves football and wants to get back as soon as possible. She says, he still has a lot of work ahead, but first he needs the paperwork. He thanks her for taking care of everything, and him, and she says she’s happy to, but he doesn’t want to push too much too soon, or he’ll set his recovery back. Listen to his doctor. He says he’s not going to do anything to jeopardize his full recovery. He wants to be back for next season.

Carly asks what Jack is doing here, and he says he had a meeting in London. He swung by to see how she’s doing. She says, normally, she’d ask him to wait downstairs so she can pull herself together, and he says he’ll wait wherever she wants. Or if she’s not up to a visit, he can leave. She tells him, come in, and asks if they can order room service. He says, yeah.

Nina says, Tracy can’t barge into her daughter’s house, but Tracy says, it’s Monica’s house because Alan gave it to her and Monica wants her great-grandchildren close by. It’s for her sake Tracy agreed to Willow living here. Willow says she agreed to the compromise because of the kids and Monica, not Tracy. Tracy doesn’t even like her kids. She kidnapped them and kept them from their mother, convincing herself that it was in their best interest, but it wasn’t. Willow withdrew the charge because it hurt too many people, but she could easily change her mind and have the charge reinstated.  

Curtis says, because of the friendship he and Drew used to have, he’ll hear Drew out, and Drew thanks him. He sits down and says he doesn’t like that he’s not in control of a company he started, and he wants it back. He suggests they set up a stock sale so he can get that back. He’s not going to throw his weight around. All he wants is ownership of his own company back. Curtis says, Michael is out because he’s recovering from third degree burns, but Drew tells him that he’s not saying that. Curtis says, it sure as hell sounded like it, and Drew says, Michael has wealth beyond belief. Curtis has a contract to be CEO for five years and he’ll honor that. Curtis says, he’s suggesting the orchestrate a stock sale, Drew gets controlling interest, then steps back and lets him run it without interference. Drew says, Michael did what he did to get back at him for Willow. It had nothing to do with the business. He’s seen the incredible things Curtis is doing and knows he cares about Aurora. Curtis says, of course (🍷) he does, and Drew says, as a courtesy, he wants it acknowledged that he founded the company and it’s running successfully. It makes sense since he’d be the majority shareholder. Curtis says, Drew makes good points, but he’d rather resign than take the deal.

Trina says, she wants Kai to know, if there’s anything she can do, he can count on her, and Josslyn says, it must be rough for him. She thinks it’s good for him to see Trina. Kai’s identity and everything in his life revolves around football. She’s not in that world and brings a different perspective to the conversation. She’s a good friend. She asks, what’s in the bag? and Trina says she went to the wellness center and got power bars and electrolyte water. (I drink that!) It’s good to stay hydrated while in the hospital. It was no big deal. Josslyn says, Trina could have done it later, but Trina says, sometimes later is taken away. They both know that. Josslyn says, that’s why they’re best friends. They get each other. Trina says, they really do, and Josslyn says she’s heading out. They hug, and Josslyn says, let her know how it goes with Kai.

Stella tells Kai to take time to heal. He has his whole life ahead of him and needs more than an arm and shoulder to throw a football. He says, ironically, he’d been debating whether to enlist in the draft or play his senior year. The decision’s been made and he’s glad he has another season at PCU. Stella says, that’s a good way to look at it. And she has one more season to watch him. He asks if she likes football, and she says she loves it. This season was the first time she followed PCU. Their quarterback is a phenomenon. He says, if she wants tickets, just say the word, and that goes for when he’s in the NFL. She says she’s always wanted to go to the Superbowl, and he says he likes the way she thinks. They laugh, when the doctor comes in. He asks if now is a good time to talk, and Kai says, perfect. Stella leaves, and Kai says, so what’s the good news?  

Brook says she feels like Lulu is just waiting for her to mess up and it’s stressful. Nothing kills creativity more than criticism. Lulu says she doesn’t sound critical all the time, but Maxie says, they both do it. Lulu says she doesn’t intend to be critical, and Maxie says, maybe it’s a habit, but it’s not fun to be around and she doesn’t like it. She loves them, but she’s just being honest. Deception has had a lot of ups and downs. Hiring her to work as Brook’s assistant when it’s obvious they don’t like each other seems like there would be complications.

Jack asks how things are with Michael, and Carly says, the doctors at the clinic say he’s doing fine, but they won’t let her see him. She understands that it’s cutting edge and intense. He needs to be isolated because he’s injured and in a lot of pain. But they’re in a foreign country and she has no control. He says, she can leave and go to Johns Hopkins where she’d be allowed to visit, but she says, Michael needs to be here. She’s hoping he comes out like Ava and won’t need surgery or skin grafts. She gets it. He needs to be here. Jack says, even if it means following their rules? and she says, it’s what Michael needs and what she wants. It’s the first offer of hope, and she wants that for Michael. More important, Michael wants that for himself.  

Curtis tells Drew that he wouldn’t betray Michael if he was completely healthy and down the hall in his office. He’s not going to do it while Michael is recovering. Drew says, he had no problem seizing the company Drew co-founded, but Curtis tells him not to rewrite history. Michael gave him the score about Drew double-crossing him. Drew asks why Curtis doesn’t see it from his perspective, and Curtis laughs. He says he’s not going to try and explain it to the man used to know. This Drew in front of him, he doesn’t recognize him. What the hell happened to him?  

Tracy asks if Willow was so dazzled by Drew’s faux hero persona that she had to have him at any cost or was she more conniving than Tracy gave her credit for. Was she trading up from Michael to Drew when he went to congress? Willow says, that’s not what she was doing, but Tracy says, either way, she’s proved untrustworthy. She thinks Willow is little more like Nelle than she realized.

Jack says he respects Carly’s decision to leave Michael where he is, and she says, it’s the right call. She’s been emotional since she got here. He says, if there was ever a time, this would be it, and she says she feels like it’s her fault. He says, she’s Michael’s mother and it’s normal to feel responsible, but she says, it’s more than that. Michael was burned because he was at Sonny’s, and it was her decision to bring Sonny into Michael’s life.

Stella sees Trina and says, what an unexpected treat, and Trina says she came to see Kai. How is he doing? Stella says, he’s in good spirits and getting ready for next season, and Trina says, he’s staying at PCU and she’s not sad about it. Stella says she doesn’t think Kai is sad either. He’s missing out on the draft, and she’s impressed with his attitude. It will get him through tough times. Trina says, Kai surprised her. She prides herself on not making snap judgements and she did with him. He wasn’t what she thought. Stella asks what she thought, and Trina says she thought he was a shallow arrogant jerk who only cared about football. Stella says she’s glad to know that. She’s really liked him ever since his terrible downward dog in yoga class. Trina being in his corner will do him a world of good.

Lulu says, the last thing she wants is to cause complications at Deception. She’s sorry she imposed on her and Maxie’s friendship. It won’t happen again. Brook says she knows they’ve all been through hell. Being in a coma for four years and having liver failure must be a complete nightmare. Maxie says, they wanted to do anything if it would help Lulu get better. They were all tested for compatibility, even Chase and Brook. Lulu says she didn’t know, and Brook says, there are a lot of things she doesn’t know. While all of that was happening, Maxie was running Deception and managing Lucy, which is a full-time job, and dealing with the lawsuit that almost took them down. Lulu asks who sued them, and Brook says, her grandmother. Lulu says, Tracy? and Brook says, the details don’t matter. Her point is, Deception survived in large part because of Maxie’s creativity and hard work. Lulu has no idea how much Deception means to Maxie.

Sidwell says he didn’t choose Port Charles randomly. He’s invested in property. Laura says, he’s an intelligent guy. He must know she’s going to keep a close eye on the man who hurt her son. Anna says she’d think he’d cut his losses and leave, but he says he prefers to prove that he’s a law-abiding citizen, and Laura and Anna laugh. He says he’s sure Anna and the PCPD will be checking up on him on a regular basis, and Anna says, he can count on it. And they’re not the only agency who will be keeping tabs on him. He says he welcomes all the attention and knows in time they’ll decide he’s an asset to this fair city this. He thanks Laura for the meeting, and she says, he may find it difficult to do business in a town where he’s not welcome. He says he looks forward to proving them wrong, and leaves.  

Drew tells Curtis that when he was given the opportunity to go to congress, he thought he’d have a chance to achieve something he didn’t believe possible. The more he was around politics, the more he wanted it. At the time, he and Willow’s relationship changed. Curtis says, Willow is his nephew’s wife, and Drew says he knows. It just happened. They weren’t trying to hurt Michael. Willow saw what he was trying to achieve, and they developed a connection. One she doesn’t have with Michael. Curtis says, whatever he has to tell himself to feel better, and Drew says he’s not the first person to be in this position. Not all marriages last forever. His didn’t and neither did Curtis’s.

Nina tells Tracy, enough. It’s not right for her to use Nelle’s name. Tracy says, Nelle cut a wide swath of damage and that one is the same. If she sees the opportunity, she’ll step in on the children’s behalf. Willow asks what she means, and Tracy says, act responsibly or she’ll lose them. Nina says, they belong with their mother, and Willow says she’s made a genuine effort to compromise. If that doesn’t work, she’ll take the kids back to her mother’s apartment and Tracy can explain to Monica and the rest of the family why they’re gone. Tracy says, fine. However, there’s one condition and it’s non-negotiable. Willow’s boyfriend may not visit on the property. If she’s compelled to look into Drew’s lying eyes, she’ll have to do someplace else. Drew is banned from the property permanently. She leaves.

Carly tells Jack that she and Michael’s biological father didn’t get along… except once. He laughs, and she says, his family, the Quartermaines, didn’t like her very much. She had feelings for Sonny at the time, and he helped her get custody of Michael. She got what she wanted and ignored the very real danger of making Michael a part of Sonny’s life. Their kids have been paying ever since. Jack says, she’s being too hard on herself. Michael is strong and capable and an excellent businessman. Carly says, he wouldn’t have been at Sonny’s except for her choices, and he says she can’t let herself think that way. Hindsight is always 20/20. There’s no point in dwelling on past mistakes. That way, madness lies.

Lulu says she would never do anything to hurt Maxie. Maxie is one of the most important people in her life and she loves her. Maxie says she knows and loves Lulu too, and Brook says she knows how much Lulu cares about Maxie, but she needs to realize what Maxie has been through and how far she’s come. Lulu says she knows things have changed and she’s got a lot to catch up on. She’s trying as fast as she can. She’s been focused on getting a job, so she can gain independence and search for Charlotte on her own terms, but she’s only been seeing things from her perspective. She didn’t take a second to look at it from Maxie’s. It’s not fair and she’s sorry.

Jack tells Carly that early in his career a mission went wrong and an agent, a friend, was killed. One colleague left the WSB and wallowed in guilt. It destroyed his marriage. Jack didn’t outwardly react, so people assumed he didn’t care. Carly says she’s sorry for what he went through, and he says he lost a good friend that day. He tears up and says, there’s nothing he could do to change that. The only way forward was to learn from what went wrong. You can’t life according to what if. You never know what a different decision would have brought. She says, you can’t change the past. She’s been down that road when she lost her son Morgan, and it leads nowhere good. He says, it never does.

Drew tells Curtis, what happened with Michael’s marriage and his injuries are two very different things. He didn’t cause Michael’s burns, and he didn’t help push Willow away. Curtis says, right, and only the doctors can help Michael’s physical injuries. Drew says he made a mistake in placating Michael because he felt guilty. He knows what’s best for Aurora, and if he’d stuck by Curtis, they’d be in a different place. Curtis says, Drew had to do what was best for himself. So does he. When Michael recovers – and he will – he’ll actually respect Michael’s business sense, maybe better than Drew’s. Drew says, wow, and Curtis says, if Drew’s ultimate success is in stealing Willow from his nephew, he’ll have got what he wanted and will find a way of life for himself.

Nina says she’s proud of Willow. Few people can say they stood up to Tracy Quartermaine. Willow says she couldn’t have done it without her mom by her side, and Nina says, it’s where she belongs. Willow says, Drew is right. The Quartermaines treated Michael terribly. She saw how they hate Drew. She should probably do what Drew said and move back in with Nina. (What is wrong with this woman?)

Lulu says she knows Maxie and Brook got close over the past four years and she guesses she felt threatened. She saw the opportunity to have Maxie on her side. Maxie says she doesn’t want side either one of them. They’re both her friends. She can’t force them to like each other, but she does reserve the right to love them both. Brook says she’s worked hard not to be the person she was. Part of her issue is that Lulu reminds her of her past regrets. Lulu says she’s not alone. They all have regrets. Tracy walks in saying, she’s had a bad day, so don’t… Lulu! What is she doing here?

Anna tells Laura, according to her search, Sidwell has no outstanding warrants, and the property transaction was legal. Laura says, what if Anna, Lucky, and Jason submitted an international complaint to the court? but Anna says, that’s no good. Sidwell was doing business in an area that’s completely lawless with zero authority to back them up. Laura says, what about Sasha’s kidnapping? Maybe she can tell them something they can use against Sidwell. Anna says, unfortunately, for various reasons, it wasn’t reported. There’s nothing on the books and nothing tying Sidwell to the property that blew up. Laura says, a man like Sidwell doesn’t change overnight, and Anna agrees. Laura asks what Anna is thinking, and Anna says, Sidwell’s arrival coincided with the fire in Sonny’s apartment. Laura asks if Anna thinks Sidwell was behind the fire, but Anna says she doesn’t know. It’s too soon to say. She’ll have the CID check the warehouse that blew up after Sasha’s abduction. If there’s a match, they might be able to pin it on Sidwell.

Drew tells Curtis that a freshman in congress is a good friend to have, but he has no reason to help the company succeed. Curtis says, he’d rather sink his own company that see it succeed without him, and Drew says, Curtis has one final chance to reconsider his offer. Curtis says his answer stands and opens the door. Now get the hell out. Drew leaves and Curtis slams the door.

Nina says she saw Willow stand up for herself in a way she hasn’t seen before. She compromised with Carly and Sonny because it was the right thing to do. She could tell Willow was more at ease. She has to continue to trust herself and her instincts. The Quartermaines and Monica appreciate the effort she’s put into the kids and Michael will appreciate it when he gets back. Willow says she hopes so. She doesn’t want to hurt Michael more than she already has. Nina says, the effort she’s making is a huge step toward an amicable resolution for them both in the future. Willow wonders if she should stay here. She’s going to miss Nina. Nina says, not a chance. She’ll be here all the time. Willow says, good, and they hug.

Maxie says, Lulu was thinking about applying for the assistant position, and Tracy says, she’s hired. Lulu says, they were just talking and she’s not sure she’s a good fit, but Tracy says, of course (🍷) she is. Lucy says the company is run on beauty and creativity, and Lulu has a boatload of both. Lulu says she thinks she’ll go see if Carly will hire her at the MetroCourt, but Tracy says, absolutely not. She’s the majority shareholder and the final decision is hers. She wants Lulu here. Lulu says, that’s nice of her and thanks, but she’s good. Tracy says she’ll pay Lulu double what the last assistant made, and both Maxie and Brook say, what?! Tracy says, Lulu is worth twice what Gladys Corbin was, and Brook says, Wade was her last assistant. Tracy says, Lulu is worth double what Wade was making. What does she say. Lulu says, it’s a great environment and it would give her a chance to work with people she respects and loves. She guesses she has to accept it. Tracy says, woohoo! Welcome to Deception. The phone rings and Tracy asks what Lulu is waiting for. Lulu answers the phone. Maxie Jones’ office…  

Trina goes into Kai’s room and says her Aunt Stella told her that he was impatient for rehabilitation. She brought him some power bars and electrolyte water. He thanks her, but his tone is flat, and she says she knows it’s silly. He probably has tons. He says, it’s not that, and she asks if something is wrong. He says he saw the orthopedist and he’s never going to play football again.  

At Turning Woods, Josslyn tells the reception nurse that she has a light load this semester and was looking to do something more meaningful with her time. She was hoping there were extra slots for volunteers. The nurse checks and says, there’s one slot not covered. It’s all hers if she wants it. Josslyn says, absolutely. Sign her up.

Jack asks if Carly wants him to find out why she’s being denied access to Michael, but she says she can handle it herself. He says he’s disappointed that she doesn’t need him, but not surprised, and she says she’ll get in to see her son whether they like it or not. He says he doesn’t doubt it for a second, and she says, but she would like a ride. He says, done. Consider him her chauffeur.

(Mrs. Jack Brennan… 💘)

On Monday, Laura says, Lulu might be headed for trouble; Drew tells Martin that they have another thing coming if they think he’s not seeing Willow; Kristina asks if Sonny thinks it’s really the best time for him to be traveling right now; and Jason needs Anna to do something more for someone now.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

Good news! And a reminder that mental illness and addiction don’t discriminate.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/vinessa-antoine-shares-her-brothers-been-found

She must get tired of fielding this question.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/is-carly-leaving-general-hospital-laura-wright-speaks-out

So did he take the subway? Nothing says NYC like that smell.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/steve-burtons-weekend-to-remember-in-nyc

Too bad they didn’t get much of a final scene.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-katelyn-macmullen-says-goodbye-to-chad-duell

This is a better tour than you get from the adults.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/gallery/general-hospital/go-backstage-at-general-hospital-with-gary-james-fuller

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Sailing Yacht

Gary acted like someone held a gun to his head to drink so much, when Captain Glenn was being nice. The punishment was forfeiting 500 euros of the tip, which was $23K, so they still got $2055. Gary apologized, and he and the captain hugged it out. The charter was 8 women, all with a different food restrictions, which made Cloyce’s head explode. Next time, the finale.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Boz told Dorit that she thought there were more than memes between PK and Kyle, but Erika told her that it was nothing. When cornered into sharing her text with PK with the group, Kyle read it and then stormed out saying, I’m done! Memegate lives on.

Yeah, I never thought for a moment LVP was coming back to RHOBH. She’s a busy woman what with all her restaurants, a hotel, and single-handedly ridding the world of the dog meat trade.

The Real Housewives of New York City

Ubah is a real disappointment, suggesting Brynn slept her way into the Housewives. That in itself is an insult. If I was going to sleep my way into something, it would not be this show. This is where the big kerfuffle happened. The women were all upset, since Ubah saying such a thing was beyond insensitive given Brynn’s history. Then Ubah got super upset and claimed she never knew Brynn’s history, or she never would have said it. The fourth wall was broken all over the place – although I did question whether or not that was some kind of ratings Hail Mary pass – and Brynn suddenly wasn’t sure if Ubah actually knew her history. It literally took me the rest of the show to follow this, so don’t feel bad if you’re lost. Apparently, this was some kind of friendship breaking point, but TBH, I didn’t think it was all as big of a deal as they were making it, especially since the only two people involved should have been Ubah and Brynn.

Real Housewives of Salt Lake City

It was the Reunion and literally ten minutes in, everybody was talking over each other and Andy was yelling. However, kudos to the women for their gorgeous outfits – the ladies in shades of red. Whitney said Bronwyn didn’t claim her publicly as a friend, which I thought was really weird. Do we need to confirm friendships on Instagram now? A viewer suggested Heather had become a mean girl when she lost weight, but I don’t think that’s quite it. Heather was always a mean girl (to which she concurred), but IMO, she lost her authenticity along with the weight and becoming a Housewives clone, like Jen in RHONJ. It ended with Todd and John looking like they might get into a battle royale.

Southern Charm

Whitney said the coffeemaker was so complicated, you needed a Ph.D. in astrophysics to run it. Highly doubtful. You probably just need to not have a hangover. It was much of the same, the usual if you’re friends with them, you can’t be friends with me. Austen was sour grapes over Craig wanting to move on from their friendship and podcast, but hey, sometimes it just isn’t forever. I have plenty of friends I’m no longer friends with for various reasons, but that just means we went in different directions. It’s not an insult. I think if Paige had really wanted to make it work with Craig, she could have been bi-state or however you put it. But again, sometimes it just doesn’t work out. Shep wanted to be Jimmy Buffet without the guitar, living in the Bahamas with Sienna, and in his interview, he said, you don’t have those fantasies if you’re not serious about it. I dunno about that. Molly is the MVP so far, playing the euphonium – i.e. tuba – in the Charleston Concert Band, coincidentally directed by her high school band teacher. Imagine. An actual interesting person with an interesting focus. Or even any real focus. She said, music changes you, as all art should. She also thought tantric sex was too much work. Same. JT tried to tell Taylor some truths about Gaston, but she wasn’t having it. I get covering her ears and going, la-la-la, but I’d want to know. JT wasn’t understanding that there’s a time and place and that wasn’t it.

Southern Hospitality

Emmy had another breakdown and I’m over it. Although she did bring Tammy Faye raccoon eyes, which I applaud.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch

SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night on Peacock. This is an interesting foray into what goes on behind the scenes of a sketch comedy show that’s been on since the beginning of time. Or at least the mid-70s. A four-part miniseries, it’s not the most exciting thing in the world, but it’s interesting to see how a show with that kind of longevity works. Personally, I think I’ll enjoy Saturday Night – which I’m hoping to catch this weekend – more, but this still held my interest. I’m there for a documentary, and the third episode focusing only on the More Cowbell sketch is well worth it.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/snl-50-beyond-saturday-night-secrets-cast-writers-cowbell-1236110501/

https://www.thewrap.com/snl-50-beyond-saturday-night-ep-morgan-neville-interview-peacock/

Wicked at the movies. Yes, I actually ventured out in the world to see it, since I’d won a ticket in some instant win internet contest. There was no way I was battling children for a seat, so I skipped the first weekends after it opened. Then I got whatever was going around as a Christmas gift, but I managed to squeak in before it was gone entirely. I’m glad I did, since this really should be seen on a big screen. As I’m sure you already know, it’s magnificent. I’d never seen the Broadway play and the score isn’t my favorite, but the story is bittersweet, the casting is perfection, and it’s beyond lavish with the special effects. One of my favorite parts was the reunion of Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, the original Elphaba and Glinda on Broadway, and I wondered how it felt after all those years. My only question was, in a world where there are bears who are nannies, a goat who’s a professor, Munchkins, peacocks who wear hats, flying monkeys, and a place literally called Emerald City, why is a green woman considered strange?

https://collider.com/wicked-oscar-nominations-best-original-score-john-powell/

https://deadline.com/2025/01/cynthia-erivo-best-actress-wicked-oscar-nomination-interview-1236266022/

https://deadline.com/2025/01/ariana-grande-best-supporting-actress-oscars-interview-1236265006/

🏆 Awards Corner…

It’s that time again. The Academy Awards will be airing March 2nd.

https://www.aol.com/lifestyle/2025-oscar-nominations-see-full-130201914.html

🦁 Four-Legged News…

🦛 Yet another pygmy hippo influencer.

https://people.com/how-to-watch-pygmy-hippo-poppy-livestream-8773741

🐩 I never thought about this. It’s kind of weird.

https://www.cuteness.com/1737908/dog-breeds-dont-exist-why/

🐶 Best Bowl in town.

https://people.com/puppy-bowl-2025-record-breaking-142-puppies-8772392

🐕 I love a special needs pup.

https://people.com/11-puppies-with-special-needs-puppy-bowl-2025-8772912

🥠 Quotes of the Week

We become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams. – Jimmy Carter

Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment. – Jim Rohn

When someone tells me no, it doesn’t mean I can’t do it, it simply means I can’t do it with them. – Karen E. Quinones Miller

Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time. – Thomas Edison

He has all the integrity of a coat rack. – Tracy Quartermaine (Jane Elliot), General Hospital

All progress takes place outside the comfort zone. – Michael John Bobak

It is far better to light the candle than to curse the darkness. – William L. Watkinson

I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions. – Stephen Covey

The art and science of asking questions is the source of all knowledge. – Thomas Berger

Don’t be a Gino. – Jasmine Pineda, 90 Day Fiancé: The Last Resort

🐻 Hibernation Mode…

Until next week, stay safe; stay driving extra carefully in weather you’re unfamiliar with; and stay not waiting for later, since sometimes later is taken away.

December 27, 2024 – Lulu Meets Charlotte In Prague, He’s Back, In 2025, Bay Tribute, VanderBaby, What To Watch, Her Top Ten, 3 Suared Quotes & My Year

Standard

What I Watched Today

(The whole GH enchilada on Fridays; the other days, who knows?)

General Hospital

Jason sits at the counter at Bobbie’s while Josslyn cleans up. She knocks over the salt and pepper and tells him that she’s clumsy. He says he thinks her mom would be okay if she took some time off, but she says she’s fine. It’s a good distraction. He says, if she needs anything, let him know, and she says she needs to find out who stabbed Dex.

Trina and Ava are at a table in the MetroCourt, and Ava says, there’s something she wants to talk to Trina about. Trina asks if she messed up something at work, but Ava says, everything she does at the gallery is impeccable. It’s about her annual bonus. She gives Trina a wrapped package and says, it’s not what she’s expecting or deserves.

Emma comes in, and Anna says, she was up early. Emma says she went to the gym, ran some errands, and got a smoothie. She got one for Anna too. She hopes Anna still likes pomegranate/mango. Anna says she’s impressed by all Emma has achieved and it’s not even lunch, and Emma says she’s not a fan of sleeping in. Anna says, that’s even more impressive, since she wasn’t home until 4 am.

Maxie and Sasha are at the beauty salon, and Maxie says, the holidays are fun. Sasha says, they’re a lot of work, and Maxie says she needs a vacation. Sasha says, hopefully, a mani/pedi will do the trick, and Maxie looks at her phone. She says, Deception’s tinted lip balm is a must have for 2025. It’s going to be a good year. She can feel it, especially with their extended family. She asks if Sasha is looking at houses, and Sasha says, yes, but not here. Maxie asks what she means, and Sasha says she’s decided to leave Port Charles.

Michael goes to see Diane, who asks what she can do for him. He says, represent him if his wife files for divorce.

Alexis goes to Laura’s office, and Laura says, Martin’s not here yet, but Alexis says she doesn’t mind. She wanted a moment alone with Laura to thank her for the donation to GH in Sam’s name. It was really generous. Laura says, it’s the least she can do. She’s grateful for the opportunity to honor Sam. Alexis says, the family appreciates it, and Laura says she’s glad. How is Alexis holding up? Alexis says, that depends what minute of the day it is. It’s unreal. Maybe it will always feel that way. The phone rings and she thinks it’s Sam and the feelings flood back. She’s sad, but also proud of Sam. Laura says, she should be. Sam’s legacy lives on, not just in her children, but in Lulu. Martin arrives, and says he appreciates them taking the time to meet with him. Alexis says, the question is, why?

Lulu waits at a table in a café and checks her phone. A man walks by, and she says, this is Café Serendipity, right? He nods, and Charlotte looks in the window. Lulu sees her and smiles.

Maxie asks if Sasha didn’t have a good time with the family, and Sasha says she did, but there’s too much history here. She’s moving back to the Hamptons and starting fresh with the baby. Maxie says, all of them are going to hate it, but it’s Sasha’s life and she should do what she wants. Can she at least tell the rest of the family about the baby? Sasha says she can’t. The more people who know, the harder it will be to leave.

Diane tells Michael that she’s sorry things have escalated. Of course (🍷) she’ll represent him. He thanks her, and she asks for the lay of the land. He says, Willow cheated on him with Drew, and she says, Drew… Drew Cain turned Quartermaine? His Uncle Drew? Michael says, that’s the guy, and she says, that’s just… Willow had an extramarital affair, which begs the question, why isn’t he the one filing?

Anna says she heard Emma come in, and Emma says she had trouble sleeping… jet lag. She was up a couple of times. She’s sorry she woke Anna. Anna says, Emma is lying to a Police Commissioner with decades of experience in surveillance. Try again. Emma says she went out, and Anna asks why she didn’t just say that. Emma says she didn’t want to worry Anna. She knows Anna is stressed from work and the search for Charlotte. Anna says, that’s considerate, but Emma doesn’t have to tiptoe around her. She suggests Emma call her mom to touch base, and Emma says she just got off the phone with her. She says hi. Anna says, interesting, since she just got off the phone with her as well, and she had no idea Emma transferred to PCU. Emma says she didn’t want to tell them until she figured things out. They’re proud of her going to Berkeley and would try to talk her out of transferring. Anna says, in order to transfer, you have to be a student, but Emma isn’t since she got expelled.

Josslyn says, the police still don’t know if Dex was targeted or it was random, and Jason asks what she thinks. She says, at first, she thought Sonny did it, and he says, because of what happened at Chase and Brook’s wedding? She says, yeah, but she talked to him, and she doesn’t think it was him. Jason says, it wasn’t, and she says, what if it was one of his guys trying to impress him? Jason says he doubts it, but he’ll look into it. She says she didn’t expect him to say that. She expected him to tell her to let it go and let the police do their job. He says, people need closure. If this is her way to get it, he’ll do anything to help. She thanks him, he says he’ll keep her posted, and leaves.

Charlotte comes into the café and says, hi, mom. They hug, and Lulu says, she’s so grown up.

Martin says, it so happens he’s been in contact with legal counsel in Greece… Alexis says, Cassadine alert. She’s got to go. Martin says he trusts she’ll want to hear the rest, and Laura asks, what is it? He says, a new heir has been named to the Cassadine fortune. It’s Laura’s grandson Ace. Laura says, no, and Alexis says, don’t look in her direction. Martin says, you, my lovely and lucky friend, get the role of trustee of the Cassadine estate, and she shakes her head.  

Trina unwraps a painting, and Ava says she knows Trina loves it and she wanted her to have it. It’s representative of her stellar performance. Normally, she should get a big check, but thanks to the Cassadines, her bonus looks different this year. Trina says, they can’t take all of Ava’s money, and Ava says, God willing, her fortunes will be reversed, but for now, she’ll wait and make do. Trina says, this would make a great sale. She’s not going to let Ava give it away.

Charlotte sits down, and Lulu says she can’t begin to tell Charlotte how wonderful it is to see her. Charlotte says she knows the feeling, and Lulu asks, how is she? Charlotte says, nervous. She can’t stay long. Lulu says she knows Charlotte’s father would be upset to know she snuck out to meet her. She’ll keep it brief. Is Charlotte safe and happy? Charlotte says she’s okay. What about Lulu? Lulu says she’s become skilled at getting her beauty rest, and Charlotte asks how she woke up. Lulu says she needed a liver transplant, and after the surgery, she woke up. Charlotte says, amazing. She’s been praying for Lulu to wake up. Lulu says she’s been looking for Charlotte from the moment she did, and Charlotte says she’s sorry she wasn’t there to welcome Lulu home. Papa needed her and she couldn’t let him down.

Emma asks how Anna found out, and Anna asks how she thinks. Emma says, it stinks having a superspy for a grandmother. She assumes Anna told her parents and they’re furious. Anna says, they are, and Emma says, it’s not her fault, she swears. Anna says she heard the university’s version of events. How about hers? Emma says she threw a little party in her room, and Anna says, how little? Emma says, maybe ten people. Then half the dorm showed up and it spilled out into the hallway and common rooms. Then somebody set off a sprinkler. Anna says, it caused major damage, and Emma says, it wasn’t her. She threw a party, people came over, and things got out of hand. They’re all guilty. Anna says, she displaced over 200 students, but Emma says, the sprinkler did. Anna says, and it happened on Halloween. That was two months ago. What has she been doing? How has she managed? She’s surprised the school didn’t reach out to her parents. Emma says, they did. She may have given them her number instead of her mom’s and pretended to be her. It’s fine. Anna asks how any of this is fine, and Emma says she’s registered at PCU and has a place to live. It’s fine. Her party throwing days are over. Anna says, they most certainly are over. Emma is staying here with her.

Sasha asks if Maxie is mad, and Maxie says, yes, because she’s going to miss Sasha. Sasha says, it’s easier this way, and Maxie says, not for them. And not for Sasha. Being a single mom is hard enough with help. Without help… What about the father? Sasha hasn’t told her anything about him. Why?

Michael says he doesn’t want a divorce. If he had his way, they’d work it out. Diane asks if he thinks Willow feels differently, and he says he didn’t at first. Then he got this paperwork. Diane looks at it and says, Martin Grey. Of course (🍷). How long has this been going on? When did he find out? He says, it was the 4th of July the first time anything physical happened. Willow and Drew kissed. She says, so six months, give or take, and he says, there was a second kiss, and then he found out they were sleeping together. She asks if Willow told him, but he says, he saw it on a video from a nannycam. She says, a nannycam? Where did Willow and Drew… He says, they were in the kids’ playroom at the Quartermaines’. She says, that’s just… icky. Did he confront her? He says he was quiet for a few weeks, and she asks, why? He says he wanted to process and figure out what he wanted to do. He was going to tell Willow everything after the holidays, then Tracy accidentally streamed the video on the TV during the Quartermaine Christmas party. Diane says, Tracy has never been good with technology. Reactions? Michael says, Willow was angry and accused him of holding onto the video for blackmail. Then his mom caught Nina and willow sneaking the kids out of the gatehouse to go to Nina’s. Eventually, he gave in for the kids’ sake. She says she would have strongly advised against it, and he says he heard it already from his mom. She asks how his mom took it, and he says, she’s very worried. He wants to reconcile or at least have an amicable divorce, but he feels like Willow is gearing up for battle.

Jack comes into Bobbie’s, and Josslyn asks what she can get him. He says, a cheeseburger, medium rare, and she asks if he wants fries with it. He asks if people ever order a burger without them, and she says, not sane people. He says he’ll have a club soda with it. He had a nice time with her family last night. She says her too. She’s glad he could join them. She was actually thinking about something they talked about. It’s about Dex. When she asked how he knew about it, he said all the agencies share information. He asks why that’s of interest to her, and she says she has a huge favor to ask.

Laura says she doesn’t want Ace to get any part of the Cassadine fortune. It wreaked havoc on Nikolas and didn’t help Spencer. Ace doesn’t need the money. He’s well taken care of. Alexis says she’s jumping on the bandwagon. If she never hears Cassadine estate again, she’d be happy. Since she’s the trustee, she suggests the funds go to charity, and tells Laura, pick one. Laura says, yes. She wants to give away every dark, twisted penny as soon as possible.

Ava tells Trina, take the painting, and Trina says, okay. But as soon as Ava needs it, it’s hers. Ava says, deal, and Trina thanks Ava. She sees Kai walk in, but he doesn’t even look at her as he walks past her table to the bar.  

Lulu asks if Charlotte has been in Prague the whole time or have they moved around, and Charlotte says, the live in a remote villa outside the city, but they travel a lot. Papa says he wants her to see the world, but she thinks it’s to throw off whoever’s following them. How’s Rocco and grandma? Lulu says, Rocco is great, and her mom is too, and Lucky is back. Charlotte says, in time for Christmas. She’s sorry Lulu missed spending time with the family. She knows how much Lulu loves having dinner and opening gifts. Lulu says she was given the only gift she wanted, seeing Charlotte, and Charlotte says she couldn’t believe when Rocco sent her Lulu’s picture. It gave her such happiness. Lulu says she felt the same way when she heard Charlotte’s voice. They all love her so much and they’re worried about her. Charlotte says she’s fine, and Lulu says, so is she. That’s why she wants and needs Charlotte to come home.

Trina walks over to Kai at the bar, and he asks if he walked past her. She says, he was focused on his destination, and he says he was avoiding eye contact. Not with her. She says, with rogue and adoring fans? and he says he would have left out adoring. She asks what he’s doing by himself, and he says he’s hiding.

Emma says she’s in college. She can’t live with her grandmother. Anna says, she can, and she will, but Emma says she has a place near campus. Anna says, what about the dorm? Or is that another lie? Emma says, it’s a fallback plan. She signed a lease. She can’t break it. Anna says, she can, and she will, and she’ll be living here. Her grades better be damn near perfect. No buts. It’s this or she puts Emma on a plane back to California. Emma says, fine. Can she get coffee, or is that off limits? Anna says, it doesn’t mean she’s Emma’s keeper, but Emma says, it feels like that, TBH. TBH means… Anna says she knows what it means. She’s not that out of touch. As Emma leaves, Jason comes in, and Emma says, good luck. She’s in a mood. Anna asks what he wants.

Jack says he’s intrigued. What kind of favor? Josslyn says, now that there’s a WSB office in Port Charles, they must have surveillance, and Jack says, they do, satellite. She asks if there’s any chance they captured Dex’s stabbing in Rice Plaza. She thinks it would help the police investigation to find out who did this. She hopes he understands why she had to ask. He says he does, and he admires her dedication to finding answers. Unfortunately, he can’t help. She says she figured, and he says, it’s not that the footage is classified or a spy thing or anything like that, but the satellite footage is only available for 48 hours. Then it’s deleted. Josslyn asks, why? and he says, even though they use the technology, they do live surveillance, so there’s no need to hold on to old footage. She says, that’s okay, and he says he’s sorry to disappoint her. She says she knew it was a long shot, but thanks him anyway.

Charlotte says she can’t go home with Lulu, but Lulu says she has to. Charlotte says, as much as she loves Lulu, she can’t leave papa here. He’d be devastated. Lulu says she understands that Charlotte doesn’t want to hurt her father. She swears she’s not saying this to guilt trip Charlotte, but being separated from Charlotte is killing her. When she woke up and found out Charlotte was gone, her heart broke. Charlotte says she hates that, but Lulu has so many people back home and papa has no one. He needs her. Lulu says, her father can take care of himself, but Charlotte says, he’ll be alone. Lulu says, he’s a fugitive. What kind of life is that for her?

Emma walks into Bobbie’s and says, Josslyn? Josslyn says she didn’t know Emma was in town, and they hug. Emma asks if Josslyn works here, and Josslyn says her family owns the place. Emma says, wow. Cool. She loves the new name. Josslyn says her too. Can she get Emma anything? Emma says, a medium cold brew, with a splash of oat milk, no sugar. To go… originally. But now that she sees Josslyn is here… She takes her coat off and sits down.

Diane asks if Michael has spoken to Willow since he received the papers, but he says, no. She says she’d love to know if this was Willow’s idea or Nina’s, and he says, it doesn’t seem like a Willow move. She says, it seems like a Nina move. For a long time now, Nina has wanted to nurture Willow and her grandchildren. Now they’re on her turf. He says, Nina has no incentive for them to get back together, and she says, unfortunately, Nina has the resources to drag this out. He asks what they’re looking at realistically, and she says, Willow is their mother and for the moment has custody, and they have two tough hurdles to clear. Michael says, the video, and she says, it’s a thorn in their side, but he says, it proves she cheated. She says, they could make a case that he withheld a private video, and showing it publicly, accident or not, shows willful vengeance. It can malign his character. She knows he’s a good man and a good father and a good husband. She’s so ready for this fight. He says, fight. He wonders how it got to this point. She says, that’s not the question. The question is, how far is he willing to go? He says he wants his family back, and if that’s not possible, he doesn’t want to take the kids from Willow. They need their mother. They also need their father, and he’ll do what it takes to stay in their lives. Diane says she’s glad to hear it.

Sasha tells Maxie that wanting to leave has nothing to do with the father. The decision wasn’t easy. Maxie says she knows, and Sasha says, Maxie made it a little easier. Maxie says, that’s not usually her M.O., making things easier, and Sasha says, she knows.

Martin says, it’s not that easy. If Ace chooses not to avail himself of the estate, so be it, when he’s of age. Until then, they can’t disburse it. Laura says, Ace is a little boy and should have absolutely nothing to do with it, and Martin says, if she doesn’t want to access the money on his behalf, that’s her prerogative, but the money will be waiting for him. Alexis says, when he’s old enough, and Laura says, at least they get to kick it down the road. She doesn’t want Ace to have the same experience that Spencer and Nikolas did. Alexis says she’ll do what she can to avoid that, and Laura says she’s grateful Alexis is the trustee. Alexis says she won’t begrudge Ace, and Laura says, it’s good to know Alexis is on Ace’s side.

Trina asks who Kai is hiding from, and he says his teammates, coach, donors, pretty much everyone. There’s a reception downstairs given by their booster club. She says, it’s not his scene, and he says, it’s his least favorite part. She says she thought he loved everything about football, and he says, the practice, playing, and the strategy. The events are more exhausting than the last ten minutes of the fourth quarter of the game. She says she’s surprised. When she sees him on campus, it seems like he loves to network and socialize. Kai says he loves it… A man says, so this is where he ran off to. He brought his son, and they were hoping for a picture. Kai tells Trina, this is Mr. Thomas, and Mr. Thomas takes a photo of Kai and his young son.  

Jason asks if Anna is okay, and she says she’s getting used to her new roommate. It’s challenging. He says he’s sorry. He got news he thought she’d like to know about Charlotte. She asks if Charlotte has been located, and he says, Lulu found her. She asks, how? and he says, Charlotte contacted Rocco on Christmas Eve. Lulu spoke to her, and she said she’d only give her location if Lulu came alone. Dante tracked her to Prague and he’s right behind her. Anna says, Lulu doesn’t realize what she’s done.

Charlotte tells Lulu that she has a great life. She’s keeping up with her studies and learning about the world. She and papa eat every meal together. She’s taken care of. The only thing that was hard was not knowing how Lulu was doing. That she’s awake and healthy is all that matters. Lulu says she’s grateful that Charlotte and her dad are having a wonderful time. It sounds like a great life. If Charlotte is happy, she’s happy. She suggests Charlotte go to the counter and get something they can share. When Charlotte leaves, Lulu takes out a tracking device and puts it in Charlotte’s bag.

Alexis signs the paperwork, and Martin says, two more and initial here. Alexis says, there’s a mistake. It says Windymere and its proceeds are part of the estate. He says, the Cassadines got it back, but she says, it belongs to Ava. He says, not anymore, and she says, he should have led with that. She finishes signing.

Mr. Thomas says, the people with the big checkbooks are in the ballroom to see Kai, but Trina says she needs to borrow Kai for a few minutes. They’re doing a project and it’s important. Mr. Thomas says, nothing is more important than football. He’ll see Kai down there. Kai says he’ll be right behind Mr. Thomas, and starts leaving, but Trina grabs his arm. She says, no, he won’t, and he asks what she’s doing. She says, saving him. Let’s go. Her best friend’s mom owns the place, and she knows where the service elevator is. He says he guesses not all heroes wear capes, and she says, sometimes they wear cute dresses they got on sale at Wyndham’s.

Michael signs a document, and Diane says she’ll call Martin and arrange an interim custody schedule. He says he appreciates her taking the case, and she says she wants full transparency. If he has anything else to say, say it now or risk her wrath down the line. He says he has to make a quick call, and steps away. Sasha’s phone rings, and Maxie asks if Sasha wants her to get it. Her nails are dry. Sasha sees that it’s Michael, and says, no thanks. She’s got it. She asks Michael, what’s up? and Michael asks if they can meet later. It’s important.

Emma says she saw that Cam came home for Christmas. Did Josslyn see him? Josslyn says, yeah. He was here. She saw him. Emma says, Stanford and Berkeley aren’t far apart. They see each other all the time. Josslyn says, awesome, and Emma says, it’s a comfort to see a piece of home when you’re away at school. Josslyn says, except California is Emma’s home, and Emma says, she meant for Cameron. Josslyn says, of course (🍷). He must have been grateful to have her. Emma asks if she met Gretchen, and Josslyn says she did. Emma says, how amazing is she? and Josslyn says, amazing. Emma says she introduced them. She knew they’d be perfect for each other. Does Josslyn remember when they were both into Cam and had a little rivalry? (I don’t. And isn’t Josslyn older?) Josslyn says, how could she forget, when Jack thanks her for the excellent burger and service. She introduces Emma to Jack, saying, she’s Anna’s granddaughter. He says, it’s nice to meet her, and Josslyn says, Jack and Anna used to work together. Jack says, many, many moons ago. Have a nice day, ladies. He goes outside. (Writing Mrs. Jack Brennan on my notepad…)

In the courtyard, Jack makes a call. He says, it’s him. Get back on the server and pull up Port Charles on Saturday, December 10th. Pull all the images of Rice Plaza. (Mrs. Jack Brennan… over and over.)

Anna says, Lulu has been subtle as a freight train since she came back. If she meets Charlotte, she’ll probably blow their cover and endanger everyone involved. Valentin’s enemies are following him. She wonders if Lulu even thought of this. She’ll lead them right to him. She’s not sure what’s worse. If Valentin finds out Lulu is on his trail, he could take Charlotte and disappear permanently. Either way, Charlotte will lose one of her parents for good.  

Charlotte tells Lulu that she comes here to read sometimes. She sees moms and daughters together sharing pasties and never thought she’d be able to do that too. Lulu says she’s sorry for all the time she’s missed and the years she wasn’t there to give Charlotte advice on friends, boys, and fashion. Although from the looks of it, Charlotte should be the one giving her advice. Charlotte says, it’s not Lulu’s fault she was in a coma, and Lulu says, Charlotte is at an important age when she needs her mother in her life. Charlotte says, Lulu is here now, and Lulu says she is. Charlotte looks out the window, and Lulu turns around to look. Valentin is looking in from outside and he doesn’t look happy.  

On Monday, Valentin asks if Charlotte is enjoying the visit with her mother; Kristina tells Lucas that something is unbelievably disrespectful to Sam’s memory; Sonny says, it’s going to be an all-out war; and Ava says she didn’t know who else to turn to, and she’s hoping Laura can help her.

💣 The Spy Who Loved Anna…

I’m hoping he stays, but I can’t figure out a logical storyline where that would happen. Of course, logic means nothing in the land of soap, so maybe.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/james-patrick-stuart-returns-to-general-hospital

🏥 Coming Next Year…

What’s happening in Port Charles circa 2025.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/general-hospital-2025-preview

🧼 Honoring One Of the Greats…

Sadly, one of the few channels I don’t get. It’s on Roku, Apple TV, and Vizio TV. This sounds like a great show too.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/jacklyn-zeman-honored-with-special-episode-of-the-bay

🍼 All In the VanderFamily…

Not exactly new news, but I’d feel remiss without including it. Another baby, sans fur, for Lisa to spoil.

https://people.com/lisa-vanderpump-daughter-expecting-her-second-child-exclusive-8746670

👀 Last Week’s Watch…

A few things I saw over the weekend and on Christmas. I don’t know if Afraid is genius, but it was kinda fun. Technology is evil is one of my favorite horror subgenres, after zombie apocalypse, zombies, and apocalypse. A family tries out a device that’s supposed to make their lives easier, but ends up causing chaos. Much like every computer I’ve ever had. I’ve also always suspected that Alexa was a bitch.

Spoilers ahead.

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/afraid-film-review

Another M. Night Shama-lama-ding-dong film, full of twists and turns. A Trap is set for a serial killer who leads a double life. He’s a doting father and husband who keeps victims in a basement, their fate controlled on his phone. While the entire cast pulled their weight, Josh Hartnett was pretty impressive as the killer about to be trapped… or is he?

Spoilers abound.

https://www.cinemablend.com/movies/i-finally-watched-trap-streaming-and-the-big-twist-wasnt-even-the-best-part

Fun cameo.

https://www.them.us/story/trap-m-night-shyamalan-kid-cudi-cameo-horror-film

I started watching The Garden: Commune or Cult? on TLC by accident. I thought one of the many 90 Day Fiancé spinoffs was on, and about five minutes in, I said, this isn’t 90 Day Fiancé. What is this? At first, I thought it was a bit boring, but as time went on and conflicts happened, it got more interesting. I don’t think it’s a commune or a cult. It’s more like a bunch of people – preppers, apocalypse theorists, hippies, and one guy who believes a zombie apocalypse could happen – who really aren’t sure what they want except to be off the grid. While that actually sounds good on some days, when people are involved, there are always issues. While they claim there’s no leader and everyone has an equal say, I didn’t find that to be the case at all.

🎇 Not So Wicked…

She might not entirely be a good witch, she’s got a good heart.

https://moderndogmagazine.com/articles/ariana-grande-has-10-yes-10-rescue-dogs/

📢 Quotes of the Week

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6, NLT

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

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

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

What I’ve experienced is that I can’t know the future. I can’t know if anything that I do will change what happens tomorrow. I can’t know with certainty, but what I do know is if I do nothing, nothing will change. – James Orbinski (Now if I can just figure out what the something is.)

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

You shouldn’t burn bridges if your ass can’t swim. – Amanda Halterman, 1000-Lb. Sisters

Why is it when you open a bag of cotton balls there isn’t a giant pill on top? – Ezra (Birkett Turton), Earth Abides (I actually thought that was pretty funny.)

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

🌟 Following Yonder Star…

Enjoy the weekend, along with the knowledge that it’s now staying light out a little later each day, and join me on Monday for soap and shenanigans on Deck. Until then, stay safe; stay being hyper aware of amateur drinkers on the road on New Year’s Eve (or better yet, don’t drive at all); and stay never trying to lie to a Police Commissioner with decades of experience in surveillance.

December 5, 2024 – Carly Plants a Bug At the WSB, Soap Suds, Salty Talk, Resumed Charm, Just Bickering, VanderNews, Happy Ending & If

Standard

What I Watched Today

(The whole GH enchilada on Fridays; the other days, who knows?)

General Hospital

Dante is waiting for Sonny in his office. He says he didn’t know where else to go. He had no one else to talk to about Lulu waking up.

Isaiah looks into Jordan’s office and says he must be in the wrong place. She tells him, says who?

Kristina goes to Deception, and Natalia says, Maxie is gone for the day. Kristina says she’s not here to see Maxie. She’s here to see Natalia.

TJ thanks Curtis for coming over, and Curtis asks, what’s up? TJ says, see for himself, and Curtis comes in. He says, Molly moved out? and TJ says, she’s gone.

Molly tells Alexis that she has a car full of boxes to unload and wants to get it done, but Alexis says, Molly doesn’t want to think about her heartbreak. Molly says, some people don’t think she has a heart, and Alexis says, she has a beautiful heart that’s breaking. Molly says she doesn’t want to think, and Alexis says, she’s grieving and should take a break, but Molly says, if she stops moving, she’ll fall apart.

Jack discusses some WSB business with Colette, when Jason comes to his office. Jack says, the answer to their prayers just walked in.

Anna asks if Spinelli is nervous, and Spinelli says he’s bracing for impact. Does she think this is wise? She says, which part? and he says, the entire operation. They want the same thing, to find Charlotte. Anna says, Lulu has been separated from her daughter for too long, when there’s a knock at the door. Carly asks why she’s here. Why is Spinelli here? Anna says, they need to step up the search. They have to bring Charlotte back. Carly says she’s not sure how she can help, and Anna asks if she’s willing. Carly says, of course (🍷). She’d do anything to help. Anna says, including planting a bug on Jack Brennan?

Isaiah asks what floor he’s on, and Jordan says, five. He says he’s looking for the notary, and she says, it’s three doors down to the left. There’s no sign, just a sticker with a surfboard on it. He says, that screams notary, and she asks if he’s on GH business. He asks how she knows, and she says her son works there and she recognizes the header on the stationery. He says, it’s his employment agreement, and she says, so he’s decided to accept the offer. He says, it looks like he’ll be sticking around, but she says she can’t let him sign that contract.

Sonny says, Lulu was determined to get out, and Dante says, Cyrus was hanging around. Sonny says, she has good instincts, worthy of the Spencer name, and Dante says, Luke would be proud. Sonny asks how Dante is doing now that Lulu is awake, and Dante says he’s trying to figure out what life looks like now. He was already trying and now Lulu is back. Sonny is the king of blending families. He’s got kids from different relationships, and he kept them together. How did he balance it? Rocco is over the moon, and Danny and Scout are grief stricken.

Jack introduces Jason to his Deputy Chief, Colette. He hopes Jason is taking him up on his offer. They were just discussing how the WSB needs new blood. Jason says he’s not here about that, and Jack asks Colette to give him and Jason a moment. Colette leaves, and Jack says, Jason has his attention. Jason says he’s not sure if Jack heard, but Lulu Spencer woke up. Jack says, the family must be thrilled, and Jason says, Charlotte needs to come home and see her mother. Jack says he swears he doesn’t know where Valentin is, and Jason tells him, stop lying.

Carly says, Anna is out of her mind. Why does Anna think she can get near Jack? Anna says, she’s one of the few he trusts, and Carly asks Spinelli to tell Anna that she’s crazy, but Spinelli says, she has a point. The man has taken a shine to her. Carly asks why they think Jack knows where Valentin is, and Anna says, Spinelli has been looking for him. Spinelli says, it’s like Valentin vanished into thin air, and Anna says, no one disappears that smoothly unless they’re getting help from a powerful man like Brennan. Carly asks if she’s saying Jack helped Valentin escape, and Anna says, Valentin and the WSB have ties to Pikeman and it’s motivation to keep Valentin gone. Carly wonders if she’s asked Jack, and Anna says, Jack claims he doesn’t know where Valentin is. Carly says, Jack is a friend and he’s done more than one favor for her. He saved all of them. Anna says, he can be charming and useful when he decides to be, but make no mistake, favors and information are his currency. Spinelli says, if Georgie was forced to go on the run, he would do what it takes to find her. He’s sure Carly would do the same if it was Josslyn or Donna. Carly says, of course (🍷). Fine. She’ll do it. Give her the bug. But just so they’re clear, she’s doing it to prove Anna wrong. Anna says, understood.

Kristina says she wants to thank Natalia for her help in the courtroom. She knows that she swerved into Natalia’s lane. If a jury heard what really happened, it would have helped the defense. She knows Natalia committed perjury. Natalia says she told the truth as she remembered it, and Kristina says, let her be grateful. Thanks. Natalia says she’s so, so welcome. (I absolutely love Kristina’s coat and can’t take my eyes off of it. I often get distracted by the wardrobe choices.)

TJ tells Curtis that he came home, and Molly was packing. She said she was staying at her mom’s now. She cleared out in the neatest, most orderly, efficient way. He wishes he was surprised. Molly’s not grieving at all. It’s like when Irene died. She mourned at the funeral and moved on. She calmly packed up and left. Curtis says he’s sorry, but TJ says he’s not being fair. Curtis says, maybe not, but it’s how he feels.

Alexis says she gets it. Molly is doing whatever and keeps doing it, so she feels like her life isn’t spinning out of control. Molly says, if she stays in motion, she can gradually pick up the pieces. Alexis says she does the same thing. She’s Molly’s mom and will support her no matter what. She loves Molly, but Molly also needs to hear none of this is her fault. Molly says she hears it, but she doesn’t know if she believes it.

Jason tells Jack that Charlotte’s family will do whatever it takes to bring her home. Lulu is awake and desperate to see her daughter. The Spencers will weaponize everything at their disposal to locate Valentin. Jack said, if Anna found him, it would not go well for her. He wants Jack to get in touch with Valentin. He’ll meet Valentin wherever he wants, Valentin gives him Charlotte, and he’ll bring her home. It’s not a trick. He won’t even touch Valentin. He’ll bring Charlotte to her mother and Valentin can go free. He’s offering Jack an out. Take it. There’s a knock at the door, and Colette reminds Jack that they have a meeting. Jack tells Jason, always a pleasure, and Jason says, think about what he said. He leaves, and Jack says, Colette’s timing is impeccable. She asks if Jack got anything useful out of Jason, and Jack says he did. Now he has to figure out how to play it.

Jordan says she can’t let Isaiah accept the offer until she looks it over. She knows contracts and knows GH. She has access to other information. He asks if she’s using her position to help a civilian, and she says, unofficially, she can tell him that the hospital is due a windfall of federal money when the development plan gets the go ahead. She looks through the papers and says she also knows GH can afford to pay up, but they can’t afford to lose a surgeon like him. He asks why she’s doing this, and she says, maybe she likes the idea of him sticking around. He says, maybe? and she says, maybe she feels like she owes him one.

Sonny asks what it’s like, all three of them together, and Dante says, it’s like the pieces of a puzzle fitting back together. It’s an old one, but everything is different. Things have changed. Danny and Scout are a big part of Rocco’s life. Sonny asks if he thinks they resent Rocco, and Dante says, Rocco is worried they do. Sonny says, it’s tough to balance happiness and grief, and Dante says, Lulu will be spending time at the Quartermaines and he doesn’t know how to broach it when she’ll want Rocco to spend nights with her. Sonny says, he can’t solve everything at once. He’ll lose his mind. Dante says he feels like that’s already happened.

When Carly arrives at Jack’s office, Colette is sitting in his chair. She introduces herself as his second in command, and they shake hands. Carly asks, where’s Jack? and Colette says, he’s finishing a meeting in the war room. Is she here to cause problems or help solve them? Carly says she’s here as a friend. Jack comes back and tells Colette that he’d like a moment with Carly. She tells him not to allow himself to get distracted for too long, and leaves. Jack asks, to what does he owe the pleasure? and she says she came to talk about Lulu. He says, it’s wonderful that she’s awake. Jason stopped by to inform him. She says, then Jason probably asked him the same thing she’s about ask, and he says, the answer is the same. He doesn’t know where Valentin Cassadine is.

Jason goes to Anna’s place and tells her that he went to see Jack. He told Jack that all he wants is Charlotte. Whatever Valentin does after that is none of his business. Spinelli comes out from another room and says, the equipment is a go. Jason asks, what equipment? and Spinelli says he was setting up a server. Jason says, she called Spinelli for that? and Anna admits he’s helping to set up a bug in Brennan’s office. Jason says, Brennan is probably the hardest person to bug, and Anna says, that’s why she asked Carly. Jack likes and trusts her. Jason asks why she put Carly in a dangerous situation, and Anna says, she was married to Sonny and Carly is a grown woman with a mind of her own. Spinelli says, they’re on the same side, in pursuit of the same thing – bringing Charlotte home to her mom.  

Curtis says, they always wind up mad at the people they care about. The way TJ feels is normal. Don’t judge himself and don’t get trapped in it. Eventually, he’ll remember who Molly is. TJ says he doesn’t want to feel indifferent to Molly. She’s been his world for so long. Is he not supposed to care anymore? Curtis says, not at all. He and TJ’s mother reached a place where he thinks they’re friends who can talk to and lean on one another. TJ says, they’re family. They have to get along. Curtis says, there are plenty of families who can’t be in the same room. They made a conscious decision to be friends. Maybe he and Molly will too. Or if they decide it’s temporary and belong together… TJ says he doesn’t think that’s happening, and Curtis says, don’t let his anger put him in a box he can’t get out of.

Molly tells Alexis that she shouldn’t have told Kristina not to see Ava. Kristina always does the opposite of what she tells her. Alexis says, Kristina is responsible for her own actions, and Molly says she’s holding herself responsible for hers. The last time she saw Sam, she was fighting with Kristina instead of telling Sam how much she loved her and how proud she was that Sam was Lulu’s donor. It’s her fault she and TJ are breaking up. She couldn’t grieve the baby the way he needed her to. She was too focused on controlling her emotions and throwing herself into work. She couldn’t be there for the boy she’s loved since she was 16, the man she was going to spend her entire life with. It’s her fault.

Kristina tells Natalia that she knows what they both said and asks if they agree on what happened the night of the accident. Are they on the same page? Natalia asks why it matters, and Kristina says she needs to know that what she remembers is accurate. If it’s not, then she’s not remembering what happened at Ava’s hotel suite. She got on the stand and swore Ava caused her to fall out the window. She needs to know what happened and needs to know Ava is lying. Natalia says, they just want justice for Kristina’s child, and she admires Kristina for telling her story. Ric was just waiting for her to take the stand and testify. It was a beautiful act of maternal courage. There’s no way she would let Ric undercut Kristina’s testimony. A, who hasn’t cried while they’re driving? and B, the whole nightmare started with her horrible recording. Kristina says, exactly. Ava recorded her. Natalia says, it wouldn’t have happened if she hadn’t said those words. She’d do anything to take it back. The things she said were horrible about anyone, let alone her own daughter and the woman she loves. She’ll literally regret it until the day she dies.

Jack says he would help Carly if he could, and she asks if she could have some water. He says, of course (🍷), and while he’s getting it, she looks around and puts the bug under his desk. He gives her the glass and says he has to be careful bending the rules. She says she’s the one he’s bent them for the most. It’s been a day. She doesn’t know how to face Lulu. Waking up after all those years, it’s like a long nightmare, and now she’s slammed with another one. He says, she has family support, and Carly says, when the explosion happened, she and Lulu hadn’t been close in a long time. She’s hoping to change that. He asks if that’s why she’s desperate to fix things, to make up for lost time, and she asks if he’s a therapist now. He says, reading people is a requirement of his job, and she says she’s sorry for asking so much. He always makes the impossible possible and she wants him to know that she appreciates him. He’s a good man. She thanks him and leaves. Jack says, if only he was as good a man as she believes. (Mrs. Jack Brennan… Mrs. J. Brennan… Mrs. Brennan… Theresa Brennan… 💘)

Anna says, it’s not like she held a gun to Carly’s head. Spinelli was here. Spinelli says, Anna was straightforward, and Carly was willing to tackle the assignment. Jason says, she thinks Jack is telling the truth. That’s why they should have left her out of it. She believes Jack is someone she can trust and they all know he’s not. Anna says, she’s not in danger, and Jason says, not yet, but what happens when Jack finds out she planted the bug?  

Jordan says, the woman whose life Isaiah saved is the ex-wife of a detective she used to work with. He says he met Dante when the PCPD was trying to find out who tried to kill him, and she says, Lulu’s absence was tough on the family. They were scared they were going to lose her, and because of him, they didn’t. He asks if this is her way of saying thanks, and she says, it’s the least he’s owed. He says, she saved his life, and she says, it’s her job to serve the community. He says his job is to serve patients his, and she says she guesses they’re both good at what they do.

Alexis tells Molly that no one could have stopped Kristina from confronting Ava, and they had no control over how Ava would react. They may never know what really happened, but whatever it was, they couldn’t have stopped it, so let it go. Molly says, it’s hard, and Alexis says, it’s especially hard because she grew up watching her mother try to control the world. Look how that turned out, at the bottom of a bottle. Molly says, Alexis climbed her way out, and Alexis says, so will she. She understands Molly’s last words to Sam weren’t what she wanted, and she’s sorry Molly has to carry that. Know that Kristina holds a lot of blame for the rift between them. She tried to do what she could to help them both, but when she asks Molly to make peace, she’s not saying Kristina is right. Does Molly understand? Molly says she does.

TJ says he’s upset, but Curtis is right, and Curtis says, later on, he’ll see even more clearly and figure out what he really wants. In the meantime, he thinks they should hook this place up. TJ asks if he means move things around, and Curtis says, they could start with a chair. They can go shopping. It will be great. TJ has seen his place. Does he think it was all Portia? Curtis picks one of Molly’s journals up off the floor and asks if it’s TJ’s. TJ says, it’s Molly’s old journal, and Curtis says he’s got matches… He’s just messing with TJ. They can drop it off at Alexis’s house and leave. Whatever TJ Is comfortable with.

Dante says, it feels wrong to be the slightest bit happy, and Sonny says he gets it. Dante says, Rocco is on cloud nine, and Sonny says, they’ve been given a miracle. Dante wonders how he can help Rocco navigate when he has no idea how to deal with it himself, and Sonny says, two things can be true at once, joy and grief. Dante and the kids need to allow themselves to feel it, but also know it can change on any given day. He remembers family dinners… Dante says, where Sonny did the cooking, and he pretended to help. He’d hide so he didn’t have to chop onions. Sonny says, Dante should have his own version with Rocco, Danny, and Scout. Not just dinner, but being together. Dante asks if he thinks there’s a world where Lulu fits into that, and Sonny says he does. Just because he’s welcoming Lulu back into their lives doesn’t mean he won’t miss Sam. Dante says, sometimes Sonny gives not terrible advice, and Sonny says, he has his moments, and they hug.  

Carly comes back and says, mission accomplished… What’s wrong? Anna says, Jason isn’t happy about the bugging, and Spinelli says, bugging. It sounds like a horror movie… I’m not helping. Jason tells Carly, stay away from Jack, especially if he finds out about the bug. Carly says, he’s not going to find the bug, but Jason says, it’s the WSB. They sweep for them all the time. Anna says, it’s standard procedure, and Carly says, it can’t be traced back to them, can it? Spinelli says, it’s a very low probability, and Carly says, Jack isn’t the monster they think he is. She knows him. Jason says, nobody does. Spinelli searched for him and what did he come up with? Spinelli says, the man is a ghost, and Jason says, that’s how lethal Jack is, to cover his tracks to that extent. The last thing any of them need is for him to know they had anything to do with planting the bug.

Isaiah tells Jordan that medicine is his passion. Helping people is what he loves doing. It feels wrong negotiating for more money to provide a basic human right. She says, that’s why writers and athletes have agents. So they’re paid to do something they’d do for free. He’s helping, but it’s a job he does well and should be compensated for. He says, now that he’s stateside, he’s back to life’s amenities, and she says, her job is to size up clients. In this case, she’s doing it for a friend. He says he heard friends go out to dinner from time to time. Maybe they should try it. She says, maybe they should.

Alexis says, Molly and TJ had a lot of years invested in their relationship. She thinks it’s too soon to know for sure if it’s ended, but if it has, Molly needs to take the time to grieve it and remember there was so much good about it. It’s not her fault it didn’t work. It takes two. Molly says she wants TJ to be happy and have a place he’s not afraid to come home to and live a life he loves. Alexis says, it’s okay for her to want that for herself too, and Molly says she does. She doesn’t know what that looks like, but she believes it’s out there. Alexis says she knows it is, when there’s a knock at the door. Molly answers it, and invites TJ in. He gives her the journal and says, she dropped this. He figured she’d want it. She thanks him and says she could have picked it up. He says he didn’t read it, and she says she knows. That’s not who he is. He says he’s glad she feels that she still knows him, and she says she thinks she’ll always know who he is and she will always love him. He says he’ll always love her too. Take care of herself. She says, him too, and he leaves. She watches through the window, then cries. Alexis puts her arm around Molly.

Natalia says she’d do anything to take back her words, but all she can do is learn from it. She’s not that person anymore. She grew to be better. Kristina says she certainly knows what that’s like to wish you could go back. She wishes every day that she didn’t go to Ava’s room or that Ava didn’t answer the door or that a fire alarm went off or anything. She was starting to think the baby was hers. Not just hers, but hers and Allie’s. They were envisioning a whole future life with their baby girl. Natalia says, that would have made the baby her granddaughter, and she laughs. She says, believe it or not, she would have loved that. Kristina says she believes her, when Kristina’s phone rings. She answers and says, thanks for letting her know. She tells Natalia, the jury is back.

Colette says, so that’s Carly, and Jack says, she’s a spitfire. Colette says, she’s a distraction. His duty is to the Bureau, not to the citizens of Port Charles. He says he’s aware, and she says, the drone strike and the explosion suggest otherwise. Not to mention what’s happening with Sidwell. Are there any updates? He says, it’s above her clearance level, and she says, he’s a brilliant agent and she’s lucky to be working with him… He says, but? and she says, be careful. Using his power for personal matters is the quickest way to get burned. He asks if that’s all, and she leaves. He makes a call and says, it’s me.

Spinelli says, Brennan is making a call, and they hear Jack say, Lulu’s awake. He has an offer to bring the child back. What do they want him to do?

Tomorrow, Brook tells Maxie that she has to bring out the big guns; Kai asks how he can make it up to Trina; Lucas thinks something might be a bad idea; Stella says, Portia just made a big mistake; and the verdict is in.

🫧 Blowing Soap Bubbles…

Will they or won’t they get back together?

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/kristen-vaganos-opens-up-about-molly-and-tjs-future-on-gh

Nepo baby birthday. I’ll bet he’s a great dad.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/maurice-benards-birthday-message-to-his-son-joshua

I’ll take anybody’s fitness secrets. At this point, my only solution is to not eat from now to Christmas.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/kirsten-storms-shares-her-fitness-secrets

This is too funny!

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-james-patrick-stuart-cant-escape-memories-of-anna

🧂 Adding More Salt…

In case you want even more of Angie getting the boot. I’d liked her, too, but Lisa was right, she skips over her instigation.

Yeah, yeah. What I just said. That woman was winding up.

Moving on.

👒 Charming Once More…

The usual suspects are back, but I guess no one told the digital TV guide people that Kathryn Dennis is no longer on the show. A lot of it centered around a big party for a horse race called the Carolina Cup. In Venita’s interview, she said, the Carolina Cup was technically a horserace, but it was really a Lilly Pulitzer fashion show. She said she had no memories of it because she’d been too lit. Alrighty then.

The best part of tonight’s episode was Shep trying to make conversation with Taylor at the party and Taylor being polite, but not having it. Or setting boundaries as she put it. He was hella uncomfortable. She has a new boyfriend now and I’m glad she’s moved on. Shep treated her horribly. There was a lot of whining on Shep’s part because he’d been to some kind of psychedelic therapy retreat, and the other guys had hurt his feelings. Whitney was nowhere to be found in this episode, but Patricia made an appearance, and it made me sad to think about Michael. Hopefully, he’s now the one being served martinis. Angelic martinis of course.

As of this posting, there were no recaps, but there was this. It seems all the guys had been working on themselves over Charm’s hiatus. Except for JT, which is probably why he quit mid-season.

Newcomer Molly was definitely a breath of fresh air. In her interview, she talked about how a thyroid condition caused her weight to fluctuate. When she gained 45 pounds, she lost her modeling career, and it had been a mind f***.  She looked absolutely perfect, so I guess she must be in a good space right now.

👠 Straight From the Marge’s Mouth…

Apparently, it was just bickering amongst Housewives.

🍸 The Latest On the Rules…

Unless you live in a bank vault, you probably knew this. It’s going to be a whole new day on VPR.

You can’t fire her. She quits.

Andy approves.

She’d better not exit and it would not be a good thing. What LVP needs is a new brood to take under her wing, and I’m thinking this might be that. I wasn’t that thrilled with Vanderpump Villa – too much of a distasteful cast and not enough Lisa – but I might give it another go since Stassi has signed on.

Pretty much everyone saw this coming. Except for Sandoval, who was probably looking in the mirror practicing real tears. You’d think in the wake of this, they might have gotten on their game, but it looks like they just gave up. I am no good with a slow bartender. The slower you are, the lower your tip gets.

🪃 Karma Happens…

Sometimes we actually get to see the reaping what we sow principle in action.

https://nypost.com/2024/12/05/us-news/florida-dog-trooper-tied-to-fence-during-hurricane-milton-finds-his-forever-home-while-cruel-ex-owner-awaits-court-date/

❄️ Let It Snow…

Come on by tomorrow for soap and Friday’s free-for-all. Until then, stay safe; stay considering volunteering during the holiday season; and stay knowing two things can be true joy and grief and allowing yourself to feel it.

November 8, 2024 – Jason Brings Sidwell the Diamonds, Salty Talk, Hills Chat, On Pause, Returning, Down Not Out, Visiting, Monsterverse, Nom-Nom-Nom, Animal Happenings, Not 8 Or 10 Quotes & Autumn

Standard

What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

On the phone, Anna says she asked Jack to keep her informed, so if he insists on avoiding her phone calls, she’ll be forced to come down to his fancy, high-tech office to get answers. She did agree to deniability. She didn’t agree to a full-on information blackout. So if he’s going to take action to bring Sasha back, he’s going to have to give her a heads up, yeah? Thank you. Ric walks in and asks if it’s a bad time.

Olivia answers the door and it’s Alexis. She says, me again, and Olivia hugs her. Alexis says she told Scout that she would come back and say goodnight to her, and Olivia says, of course (🍷). She knows where Scout’s room is, right? Alexis thanks her and goes upstairs.

Brook finds Dante on the patio and asks if he’s all right. He’s been out here for a while. He says he came out to clear his head a little bit, but she says, he could do that inside where there’s heat. He says he’s all right, but she asks if he’s not a little cold. Dante says, honestly, he doesn’t know what he is right now.

Tracy walks into the stables, where Cody is shoveling hay. She says she has a house full of hungry children who are being forced to subsist on stale crackers and boxed beverages, and he says he has some leftover pizza in the fridge upstairs, but he doubts it’s enough for the army she keeps at the house. She says, just point her in the direction of his irresponsible and unreliable girlfriend, and he says, Sasha? She says, who else? She was willing to keep an open mind and give her a second chance, but this is how Sasha repays her, by disappearing. He says, if Sasha took off, he’s sorry, but he’s the last person she would tell.

Holly wonders why there’s not any news yet. Chief Brennan and Jason left ages ago. Robert says, these operations take time, and she says, it’s been 24 hours since Jenz abducted Sasha. If he’s touched a single hair on her head… He says, knowing Brennan and Jason Morgan, there’s not going to be anything left of this guy to kick. She says she’s going to get some air, but he asks her to stay with him. Relax. She says, that’s not going to happen no matter what she does, and he says, then be all twirly up beside him. Stay. She asks, why? So he can make sure she doesn’t do something to make things worse? Tell her the truth. Is that what she is to him? A problem?

In a warehouse stairwell, Jack radios for his men to hold their position. Nobody move without my go.

Jason walks into the warehouse, and Sidwell says he told Holly to bring them herself. Jason says, Sidwell wanted the diamonds, so here he is, and Sidwell says, apparently, Sasha was right. Her mother really doesn’t care if she lives or dies. He’s just sorry he won’t see Holly’s lovely face when she finds out her daughter’s dead.

Alexis tells Olivia, Scout was fast asleep. She envies her. Olivia asks if she can get Alexis anything, but Alexis says, no. Please thank Monica for letting the kids stay here. Olivia says, she’s their grandmother. This is their house too. Alexis too. If she wants to stick around close by… Alexis says, if she’s going to stay up all night, it’s best that she does it in her own bed, and Olivia says, just know that the door is always open. There’s a lot of beds in this place. Alexis says she thinks that Scout and Danny should live with her. She knows that Scout’s father lives here, but if he gets elected, he’ll live in Washington DC a good deal of the time. Olivia says she guesses that’s probably true, and Alexis says she’s not sure Jason is prepared to raise a teenager. Olivia says, who is? But she thought things between Jason and Danny were good. Alexis says, Sam was worried about Jason’s influence on Danny, and Olivia says, right. She thought Dante said things were good on the Sam and Jason front. Alexis says she doesn’t think Sam would want Jason to raise Danny alone, and Olivia says she sees Alexis’s point. Alexis says, so she thinks the sooner they stabilize them at her place, it will be best for them.

Brook thanks Dante for taking pity on her and coming inside. Does he want something to eat? He says, they just had dinner, and she says, they had dinner, but he didn’t eat anything. He says, with everything going on in this house, how does she know what he’s doing? and she says she knows his secrets. He forgets, when they were kids, he taught her to hide the peas under the mashed potatoes. He says, sometimes he forgets how long they’ve known each other, and she says her too, but she can still tell when he’s hiding his feelings. He asks if she wants him to fall apart in front of the kids, and she says, good thing there are no kids around right now. Tell her, what is he thinking and feeling? He says he’s thinking he doesn’t know how he’s going to take care of their family on his own without Sam.

Tracy says, Cody hasn’t heard from Sasha? and he says, nope, and he doesn’t expect to. She says, what did he do? (ha-ha! again someone assumes it must be him) and he says, for once, he didn’t mess anything up. Turns out he and Sasha are cousins. First cousins. Tracy laughs and says, how? He says, Sasha just found out that Robert Scorpio’s her father, and she says, Robert? Wow… wow. She guesses she can still be surprised. So if Robert’s her father, who’s her… He says, Holly Sutton, and she says, wow. That’s not surprising. Disturbing, but not surprising. Did Holly raise Sasha? Cody says, no. Sasha’s grandmother did, but Holly was around. She says, as upsetting as this is, consider himself lucky that he dodged a bullet.

Anna tells Ric, it’s late. She’s busy. He says, this won’t take long. Ava Jerome’s trial is coming up soon. Despite recent tragic events, he still has a duty to defend his client to the best of his ability. She says, then why is he here speaking to her instead of anywhere else talking to his client? He says, it seems Ava’s arrest is based solely on some photographs from unknown origin that were taken at the time of Kristina’s accident. And basic rules of discovery require the state to provide the defense with all known evidence. She says, he should have been provided with copies of those photos. She can check with the DA’s office. He says he has his copies. What he wants to know is, where did she get them?

Holly says she should have taken those diamonds to Sidwell herself. That’s what he wanted. Robert says, Sidwell’s demand that she bring him those diamonds was a trap, but she says, they don’t know that. He says, they’re going to find out, and she says she thought he didn’t trust Jack Brennan. He says he and Jack have had their differences over the years, but he’s always known Jack to be a good man to have on your side. She asks if he’s on Sasha’s side, and he says, as is Jason Morgan. She says, so many things can go wrong, and he says, as difficult as this is, they have to trust that Brennan and Jason can bring Sasha back to them.

Sasha tries the door again, then looks around the room. She sees there’s a vent in the wall, and rifles through drawers until she finds a letter opener.

Jason says he has the diamonds. Does Sidwell want them or not? Sidwell says he should kill Jason now, and Jason says, he can try. Sidwell says, let him see them, and Jason tosses one to him, Sidwell catching it like he’s an MLB player. He looks at it and asks, where are the rest? Jason says, show him Sasha, and he’ll show Sidwell the diamonds. Where is she? Sidwell says, she’s close by, but she doesn’t have much time. So the rest of the diamonds – now.

Cody says he thought things were getting better between Tracy and Sasha, and Tracy says, they were. Then she found out Holly Sutton was Sasha’s mother. He says, Sasha’s not her mom, but she says, please. Whatever parent you don’t want to emulate, that’s the one you become most like. (Oh great.) Her mother was a wonderful woman. You know what she got? Her eyelashes. He says, they’re very nice, and she thanks him. She says, even if he and Sasha weren’t cousins, their relationship was doomed to fail, and he says, she doesn’t know Sasha like he does. She’s nothing like her parents. She says, that’s the nature versus nurture debate. Is someone born untrustworthy, or do they learn to be that way? He says, Tracy has admitted to some underhanded stuff in her life too, but she says she’s not marrying herself and she’s not suggesting anybody else does. He says he’s not going to let her make Sasha out to be the bad guy. Even if she did pull a few cons, that just makes her more perfect for him. Tracy laughs and asks how he can say that. He says, because he’s been conning people his whole life. There was a long time when his entire focus was seeing what he could get out of this world. She says, he’s not that person anymore, but he tells her that she wouldn’t say that if she knew what he pulled the other day.

Brook says, Dante doesn’t have to make any big decisions right now. And he and the kids can stay here as long as he likes. Everyone loves having them here, even Tracy. He laughs and says, now he knows she’s lying. It just doesn’t feel like they can be a family without Sam. She says, they already are a family. He just has to keep being the amazing dad he already is. He says, she didn’t turn out so bad herself, and she says, obviously, when Chase walks in. He tells Dante, if there’s anything he needs or wants… Dante thanks him, and Chase tells Brook that he’s sorry he missed dinner. He got hung up at the station. She says, he’s here now. That’s all that matters. He asks if there are any leftovers, and she says, lots. She’ll make him a plate. They leave as Dante sadly watches.

Alexis asks if Dante has said anything about where he and Rocco are going to live, and Olivia says she thinks right now, he’s just trying to put one foot in front of the other. He loved Sam so much. Alexis says, she loved him right back, and Olivia says, she loved Rocco as her own. It’s not always that way. You hear stories. They never referred to themselves as a blended family. They were just a family. Alexis says, Sam was her wild child. She certainly never expected Sam to settle down with a family and be the anchor in it. Olivia starts to cry and says she can’t believe Sam’s gone, and Alexis says, what they say about how mothers aren’t supposed to outlive their children is true.

Ric says, Anna’s name was listed as the officer that logged the photos into evidence. That means she was the one to receive them. She says, that’s true, and he says, great. So where did she get them? She tells him, as she said in her statement, during the course of their preliminary investigation, the photos were brought to her attention depicting a physical altercation between Ava Jerome and Kristina Corinthos-Davis. He says he read it. It’s a terrific statement, by the way. She thanks him, and he says, what he wants to know is, who took those incredibly convenient photos? She says, it’s interesting he thinks they were convenient. They do make his client look rather guilty. He says, the providence of those photos matters and is at best dubious. It’s just one more example of the PCPD’s mishandling of Ava Jerome’s case and another reason her case should be thrown out.

Jack asks if there’s any movement in the rear of the building, and jets down a staircase.

Jason says he’ll hand over the diamonds after he gets proof of life, and Sidwell says, fine. He shows Jason his phone and we see Sasha messing with the vent. Sidwell says, you really do have to admire someone who doesn’t just wait for fate to fall in their lap. It’s really to bad she won’t have enough time to get out. Jason says, where is she? and Sidwell says, somewhere on the five floors. There are 30 offices in this building. Give him the diamonds; avoid the scavenger hunt. Jason says he’s good at finding things, but Sidwell says he’s not sure Jason will have time to disarm the bomb in the room with her before, boom! It goes off. Once he sets the timer, Sasha only has five minutes to live. He really does find a timer increases efficiency and cooperation. He sets the timer, shows Jason his phone, and says, your move, Mr. Morgan.

Sasha hears the beeping and starts looking around.

Jason hands Sidwell the diamonds, and says, where is she? Sidwell says, room 533, and Jason takes off. Sidwell calls, good luck. He’ll have to be very good at finding things.

Sasha opens a cupboard in the desk and sees the bomb.

Tracy asks what horrible thing Cody has done, and he says he agreed to keep quiet about what a sleaze Drew is. She asks why he’d do that, and he says, because Drew paid him $50,000. She says, he’s a politician. He paid for Cody’s silence. Cody says, Drew paid him to keep something quiet he doesn’t want the voters to know, and she says, that he made out with Willow and was banging her mom? He says, how…? and she says, the whole family knows. They actually paid someone to make sure the bar incident doesn’t go viral. He says, so they know he punched Drew, and she says, he needs to be much smarter going forward. He says he knows he shouldn’t have gotten drunk and he shouldn’t have gone after Drew, but she says, no. He should have held out for $100,000. (A woman after my own heart, but he should have held out for $6 million.)

Chase asks, how’s Rocco doing? and Dante says, he’s quiet. He and Danny are just trying to support Scout. Brook says, it’s the best thing those kids can do. Draw strength from each other. Chase says, Rocco was just so happy when he saw them at the Surf Lodge. He seemed more excited about the engagement than Dante was. Brook says, Dante and Sam were engaged? and Dante says he asked her when she woke up from her surgery. Brook says she’s so sorry and hugs him, and Dante says he’s going to go check on Rocco, and leaves. Brook says she just managed to make a heartbreaking situation even worse, and Chase says, there’s no worse for Dante right now. She says, it just keeps getting sadder, and they hug.

Ric says, there were several grievous lapses in procedure leading up to Ava’s arrest, and Anna says, enlighten her. He says, for one, she was initially interviewed by Detective Dante Falconari, the brother of the alleged victim, and Anna says, correct. Detective Falconari was first on the scene and was unaware that the room from which Kristina fell was, in fact, Miss Jerome’s. Then when Miss Jerome was brought in for custody, Detective Chase took over the questioning. He says, there was no reason for them to hold Ava, but then Jason Morgan shows up and Ava gets arrested. She asks what he’s implying, cause and effect? but he says, no. He’s asking her flat out. Was Jason the one that provided her with the photos in question? She says, the photos were taken by a private investigator by the name of Demitri Putnam. Mr. Putnam was hired by Sonny Corinthos regarding an ongoing custody case involving his… He asks if Sonny gave her those pictures, but she says, no. Sonny was at GH finding out if his daughter was going to live or die. He says, so Jason was Sonny’s errand boy as per usual, and Anna says she thinks he’s using this case to stick it to Sonny, the brother he hates, as per usual. He says he doesn’t know of any other Police Commissioner who would believe a known criminal. For the life of him, he can’t think of one. She says, he might want to sleep on it or think about it somewhere else, and he says, the fact that she’s willing to believe Jason Morgan says one of two things. Either personal malice towards his client or incredible naïveté on her part. Which is it, Commissioner?

Jason runs through the building trying doors and yelling Sasha’s name. She says she’s here, and he says, get away from the door. She says, he’s clear, and he kicks it in. She runs past him and says, 47 seconds. He runs out behind her.

On the stairs, Jack says he needs an update, dammit.

Sasha and Jason tear through the building, and we see there’s about 5 seconds left.

Jack says, come on, when the building explodes. Jack is tossed back.

Brook says she’s sorry it’s been such a sad homecoming, but Chase says, it’s part of being together, through the good times and the bad. She says she missed him every second he was in Seattle. She doesn’t sleep well if he’s not next to her. His snoring soothes her. He says he does not snore, and she laughs. He says he hopes she knows how much he loves their life together, and he never wants her to think he’d take it or her for granted. She says she loves him too. She always knew how lucky they were, but now… He says he knows, and kisses her.

Tracy says, Cody knows that Drew owns Aurora and a boatload of ELQ stock, and he settled for $50,000, but he says he had no intention of going to the press. She says, he just thought it was important for the bar patrons to know, but not the general public, and he says he was drunk. She says, that much was clear, and he says he’d love to show the people what’s under that perfect politician’s smile Drew is always flashing around, but he doesn’t want to hurt Willow or Michael. They have kids. He’d never blow up a family. She says she wishes Drew felt the same way, and he says, Drew just waltzed in here. Drew didn’t even ask what he intended on doing. Drew just assumed he could be bought. She says she thinks Drew assumes most people can be bought and he’s not wrong. He says he found it insulting, and she says she thinks this situation proves Drew is a real Quartermaine.

Alexis hands Olivia Sam’s engagement ring and says she didn’t know if Olivia had a chance to see it. Through her tears, Olivia says, he came running over here just as soon as he bought it. He was so excited to share his big plans. It’s a beautiful ring. Alexis says, it really is, and Olivia says she knows it sounds crazy, but some part of her is happy that her son got to propose to the woman he loved more than anything and have her say yes. Alexis says, she was so happy… and Olivia says she hopes this doesn’t come out the wrong way, but she’s actually glad Alexis was there with Sam. Alexis wipes her tears away and says her too. Olivia hands the ring back to Alexis.

Anna says, if Ric is done haranguing her, he can leave, and he says, Robin is close to Jason Morgan and Sonny Corinthos. That’s not really a question. Everybody knows it. She says, since he doesn’t need her for this conversation, please have it somewhere else, and he says he thinks she’s too close to known criminals and as a result, she’s willing to bend the rules for them. She says, that’s quite an accusation. For the record – for his record anyway – she’s done nothing wrong. He says, so she’s willing to believe Jason Morgan wouldn’t lie to her. Okay. He guesses they’ve got their answer. Naïve it is. Her phone rings, and she tells him to see himself out. She answers and says, yes… Where?

On the phone, Robert says, what?… A bomb?… The warehouse blew up? Holly says, did Sasha get out? and Robert says, what about their daughter? Is she alive? Holly says she can’t stand this. She’s going to find Sasha. She dashes out, and Robert follows.

Brook tells Chase that things have been so crazy and sad, they’ve barely had a minute to themselves. She wants to hear about everything that happened in Seattle. Every detail, preferably the happy ones. Chase says, for starters, it was so good to see Finn acting like his old self again, and she says, Violet must have been so happy to be with him again. He says, as soon as they landed, she couldn’t stop smiling, and she says she knows Violet belongs with her dad, but she really, really misses her. He says, Brook was a great mom to her while she was here. Violet wanted him to give her a message. She asks if Violet forgot something, and he says, a two-page list, but that’s not the message. Violet wanted him to remind her that she still wants a cousin, and in her words, she doesn’t want to wait forever. She says, then they’d better take this thing seriously, and he says, they weren’t taking it seriously before? She says she means, if they want to have a baby, there are things they can do to make that happen (um… like having sex?), and he says, she means something like this? and kisses her.

Cody says, Tracy sounds like she’s proud of Drew for going after his nephew’s wife, but she says, not at all. It’s just that there’s a Quartermaine trait that all of the family men have in common. He says, they cheat? and she says, eventually, even her dearly beloved father. Of course (🍷) not Jason. Although he doesn’t remember the first twenty years of his life, so he’s not off the hook yet. Cody says, it’s a great family legacy she’s got there. He’s sure she could go on for hours at the club just bragging about it. She says she doesn’t have to. Everybody knows. But it’s the nature/nurture conversation again. Philandering is definitely in the family DNA, but Drew didn’t grow up in the family. But there you have it. His roots are finally starting to show.

Dante and Alexis hug and he says he didn’t know she was here. She says she came to say goodnight to Scout, and Olivia leaves to check on the kids. Dante says, Scout was sleeping pretty good, and Alexis says, Scout was sleeping when she checked on her too. He says he guesses grief is pretty exhausting, and she says, yep. She’s been trying to work on necessary funeral arrangements. She’s pretty sure he doesn’t want to… He says, whatever she decides is best. He sees the plastic bag with the ring in it and takes the ring out. She says she brought that over for him because she didn’t know if he wanted to keep it or have Sam wear it. He says, it feels like he bought this ages ago, and he flashes back to showing it to Olivia, who tells him, it’s beautiful, and hugs him. He tells Olivia, let’s hope Sam feels the same way.

Jack – who has miraculously survived even though we don’t know how – brings Sasha and Jason to his office and says, wait here. He leaves, and Jason asks if Sasha is okay. She says she thinks so. She’s still breathing. She thanks him for the rescue, and he says, sure. She asks how he got dragged into this. They barely know each other. He says, Carly was there when Sidwell grabbed her and he was in Africa with Holly. She asks if he knew Holly made off with Sidwell’s diamonds, but he says, not until a few days ago. She asks where the diamonds are now, and he says, with Sidwell. Her mom gave up the diamonds to save her.

Anna arrives at the warehouse, where firefighters are running around, and she asks Dex what they’ve got. He says he and his partner responded to reports of an explosion. When they arrived, no other parties were on the scene. She says, inside? and he says, it’s supposed to be vacant, but they won’t know until the fire is put out. She says, forensics? and he says, standing by. She asks if they talked to anyone, and he says, canvassing the area, they turned up some third shift workers. They heard the explosion, but they didn’t see anything. They did find this though. He shows her an evidence bag, and she says, it doesn’t prove anything, but she’s pretty sure of whose it is. (It’s unclear what’s in the bag.)

Jack brings Holly and Robert to his office, and Holly runs to Sasha, hugging her and saying, thank God. Is she okay? Sasha says she’s alive, and Holly says she’s never been more pleased to see her. Robert thanks Jason, and Jack says, no worries, mate. You’re welcome. Robert asks if Sidwell got out, but Jack says, they never saw him or the diamonds after the explosion. Robert says, he got away? and Jack says, looks like it. Robert asks Sasha if she’s okay. Should they call a doctor? Sasha says she’s fine. She’s sorry Sidwell got away. He says, she’s here. That’s all that matters. He moves awkwardly toward her, and she hugs him. She thanks him for saving her.

Brook says, there are things they can do to improve their chances, and Chase says, she’s not going to stand on her head after, but she says she’s not talking about that. She’s been doing some reading herself. There’s a system they can try, like tracking her cycle and taking her temperature. Maybe they can get one of those ovulation predictors. He says he’s willing to do whatever it takes, but he doesn’t want to lose them being spontaneous, and she says, never. He says, tonight, they’ll do it the old-fashioned way, and tomorrow, they’ll get her a calendar and everything she needs. She says, it’s a deal. However it happens, she can’t wait to make a baby with him. He says, that makes two of us.

Tracy asks where Cody’s ill-gotten gains are now, and he says, his checking account? She laughs and he says he never had enough money for a savings account. She says she’s going to teach him how to invest, and he says, cool. She says, and while he’s living on these grounds, he’s going to keep his eyes on Drew. And when he strays, which he will, they’ll be waiting. He says, the two of them? and she says, the two of them. They’re in this together now. He says, anything that involves bringing down Drew, count him in. (Me too!)

Alexis tells Dante that she doesn’t want to rush into things, but she wants to give the kids as much stability as she can. He says him too, and she says she knows he’s hurting, but she wants to talk to him about something. He says, okay, and she says she thinks Danny and Scout should live with her. She’s sorry. She doesn’t know if he had other plans. He says he just thought they’d all live together here. Just for the time being. She says, for now it’s good. It’s familiar and there are a lot of people around. It will keep them from feeling lonely and alone without their mom. He says he really thought they would grow old together, and she says, that was the way it was supposed to be. He says he can’t imagine his life without her, and they hug.

A firefighter tells Anna, no signs that anyone was in the building when it went up, and she asks him to let her know when they find the origin of the explosion. He says, will do, and she thanks him. She asks an officer to tell the bomb squad that she wants to know what kind of incendiary device was used. And find out who owns this warehouse. The officer leaves, and Anna tells Dex that she wants them to do another canvas of the area. There has to be an eyewitness out there and she wants him talking to them. Surveillance footage, do they have it. Streetcams, everything. She wants him to get it.

Sasha says she couldn’t leave the room, but Jason got in. He saved her. Holly says she’s not sure she can ever thank him enough, and he says he’s just glad it all worked out. His phone rings, and he steps out to take the call. Holly says, he just goes on and on, doesn’t he?

In the hallway, Jason says, yeah, and Anna says she’s at a crime scene, an explosion at a warehouse. Meet her in her office in twenty. She wants some answers.

Sasha asks if Holly really gave up the diamonds for her or were they fake? but Holly says, they were real. She wasn’t going to risk Jenz thinking he’d been tricked. Robert says, they were real. No question. Sasha says, why, mother? and Holly says, because like those diamonds, the love she feels for Sasha is real. And whether Sasha believes it or not, there’s nothing more important in this world to her than Sasha.

On Monday, Willow says she thought she and Drew were on the same page; Felicia tells Sasha to give her mother a second chance before it’s too late; Mac wants to know what Holly’s pulled Robert into; and Anna asks how long Jason has been lying to her.

🧂 A Dash Of Salt…

I’m so over these Housewives lawsuits.

💎 Clutching Their Diamonds…

The new season starts November 19th. A lot of Kyle angst in the trailer. I’m over that too.

https://www.justjared.com/2024/11/07/real-housewives-of-beverly-hills-trailer-teases-explosive-season-14-amid-3-cast-exits-plus-premiere-date-revealed/

Does DIRECTV still exist? Do you know anyone with DIRECTV? I had a neighbor who had it for like, five minutes, and didn’t recommend it. Although I came very close to signing up when they took on Passions after it’s CBS cancelation. I’m glad I didn’t because the show was gone in a matter of months.

I only included this because, LVP mention. It’s not all that interesting.

🐪 But I Came For the Camels…

I’m sorry to hear this. I thought these women were a little different than the Housewives norm. And I love Stanbury.

🪃 Two Returns…

The karate kids of Cobra Kai are back on November 15th.  

https://ew.com/cobra-kai-season-6-part-2-exclusive-preview-clip-tory-iron-dragons-8735211

As a post-Christmas gift, Squid Game returns December 26th.

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/squid-game-season-2-trailer-official

📢 She Stopped the Insanity…

This is just sad and I have no doubt it happens all the time.

https://ew.com/stop-the-insanity-fitness-icon-susan-powter-lost-millions-after-90s-fame-8732791

It’s no surprise she got involved in this. There’s nobody more authentic. I am surprised she never got a movie made about Susan though. She would have been perfect for the role.

https://ew.com/jamie-lee-curtis-susan-powter-documentary-preview-8737729

🛸 Guilty Pleasure Then and Now…

One of my favorite series ever. Mostly because Marc Singer is in it.

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/v-the-series-sci-fi-1984-retrospective

The sad story of the reboot. By the time they brought Marc in, it was already too late.

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/v-2009-15-year-anniversary

🦖 King Of the Monsters…

I loved Godzilla Minus One. I hope the sequel does it justice.

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/godzilla-minus-one-sequel-in-works

In the beginning.

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/godzilla-70-year-anniversary

🏆 Making the Cut…

The simple list of Grammy nominations.

https://people.com/grammys-2025-nominations-full-list-8742150

Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about the Grammys. Just keep scrolling down; it’s endless.

https://www.grammy.com/news/2025-grammys-nominations-full-winners-nominees-list

Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about this year’s Grammys. Ditto.

https://www.grammy.com/news/2025-grammys-nominations-best-african-music-performance

🐾 It’s Not Always About the Dog…

🦛 Moo Deng has some competition.

https://people.com/a-new-moo-deng-enters-the-chat-pygmy-hippo-named-haggis-born-at-edinburgh-zoo-8739678

🐛 Wow. Just wow. Check out the Instagram.

https://people.com/deep-sea-explorers-find-worm-looks-like-sassy-sparkler-8741792

🦊 Aww! a million times over. Feel free to squee.

https://people.com/red-panda-triplets-born-at-childrens-zoo-in-nebraska-8742059

🐶 And sometimes it is about the dog. Old news, but no less cute.

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

🐘 Quotes of the Week

Leaders who win the respect of others are the ones who deliver more than they promise, not the ones who promise more than they can deliver. – Mark A. Clement

No man can tell whether he is rich or poor by turning to his ledger. It is the heart that makes a man rich. He is rich according to what he is, not according to what he has. – Henry Ward Beecher

Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring. – Marilyn Monroe

Infinitely more important than sharing one’s material wealth is sharing the wealth of ourselves—our time and energy, our passion and commitment, and, above all, our love.  – William E. Simon (But a little cash never hurts.)

Happiness depends to some extent upon external conditions, but chiefly upon mental attitudes. – Paramahansa Yogananda

If you’re going to be able to look back on something and laugh about it, you might as well laugh about it now. – Marie Osmond (Preach!)

Make the choice to embrace this day. Do not let your today be stolen by the ghost of yesterday or the To-Do list of tomorrow! It’s inspiring to see all the wonderfully amazing things that can happen in a day in which you participate.Steve Maraboli

I’m naturally adorable. If you have a problem with that, take it up with God. – Geneviève Delatour (Susan Lucci), Devious Maids

Counting to ten only makes it premeditated. – seen on a T-shirt

🌚 All the Fall Feels…

Chuck your comfort zone this weekend and do something different. Or at least stream outside of your usual waters. Then join me on Veteran’s Day for soap and chicanery on Deck. Until then, stay safe, stay thanking veterans for their service, and stay not hiding your peas under your mashed potatoes. Or hiding your feelings.

September 18, 2024 – Ric Gives Heather Bad News, Return From Nowhere, Salt This, A Saint, Not Allowed, Surprised, VanderFilming, Two To Watch, Runaway Capybara & Night

Standard

What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

Judge Otis says he’s made his decision. The defendant is to be held without bail and remanded to Pentenville to await trial. Alexis says, given the nature of the charges, it’s not unusual to deny bail, but there are other options for incarceration. Noah says, it’s not her first time in Pentenville, but she says she was transferred from Pentenville to a minimum-security facility. Noah says, the charge is the murder of an FBI agent, and it’s the only appropriate course of action. The US government asks that the judge stand by his decision. Alexis says, it’s cruel and extreme, and the judge says they can address the charges at trial, but his decision stands. Kirstina jumps up and says, he can’t do this.

On the phone, Sonny tells Brick that he doesn’t care. Just get him here. There’s a knock at the door, and Natalia asks if it’s a bad time. He says, it’s been a day, and she comes in carrying a bottle of champagne. She says she thought they should take a moment to celebrate.

At the hospital, Portia asks Elizabeth, why do they want to be in charge again? and Elizabeth says, she seems to be in a good mood. Portia says she’s having dinner with Trina after work, and Elizabeth tells her to give Trina a hug and enjoy their time together.  

Ric visits Heather, and she asks how her handsome attorney is today. He asks how it’s going, and she says, the sandwich sitch isn’t great, but it won’t be much longer, right? He says, sorry, but she’s never getting out of here.

Heather asks, why? and Ric says he received the results of her blood test and there need to be significant differences before and after surgery. According to the results, the difference is negligible. Heather asks how that’s possible. It’s not like she’s sucking cobalt lollipops all day. He says, she can ask the health experts there, and she says, they have one lame doctor and a couple of nurses. Maybe they’re feeding her cobalt rich food. Her bacon did look a little blue. He says, her previous hip didn’t poison her. She committed the crimes of her own accord.

Kristina says, this is a huge mistake, and Judge Otis tells Alexis to get her daughter under control. Alexis says she’s so sorry. Her daughter has been through a series of traumatic events. The judge says he’s sympathetic, but he won’t tolerate disruptions in the court. His ruling stands. Pentenville, no bail. Court is adjourned.

Sonny asks what they’re celebrating, and Natalia says she thought he’d like an update on his investment. She just closed a 3-year deal with Goddess Gleam Beauty that will generate more than 10 million dollars minimum. She wonders why he’s not more excited, and he says he’s got a lot on his mind. She says she knows Alexis’s arraignment is today, and honestly, she was trying to take his mind off of it. He says he can’t focus when he knows Alexis is facing time for a crime she didn’t commit, and she says, he seems sure. He says, she’s not capable of it. She will defend and protect her daughter, but that, no. She says, they need to just have some faith, and he says he’s not on good terms with the Almighty. She says she’s talking about the legal system. If Alexis is innocent, the authorities will figure it out and find the actual murderer. (She clearly hasn’t been in Port Charles very long.)

Sonny says, Alexis is Kristina’s mother, and they don’t always see eye to eye, but they’d both do anything for their daughter. Natalia is impressed that he’s still communicating with some of his exes, and he says, for better or worse. She says, Ava is the worst. She can’t stand to be in the same room with Ava for more than ten minutes. He says, sometimes two, and she says, they can drink to that, when Sonny’s phone rings.

Kristina hugs Alexis, and Sam joins her. Molly stands to the side, but Alexis brings her in for a three-way hug.  

Heather says, what she needs help with understanding is, her former lawyer was sure this was a solid case. He convinced her to pursue it. Ric says, they both should have managed her expectations better, but the case had a lot of potential. She says, it makes no sense. She’s been better since the hip replacement. Her dark thoughts have stopped, and she can make no sense of her actions before that. He says, maybe she anticipated feeling that way even if her condition had nothing to do with it, but she says, no. She doesn’t think she’s different, she is different. She’s never been an angel, but when she was consumed with hatred and revenge, something was off, and she’s so much better now. He says he can’t see a path forward with the case, and she says, that’s just it? He says he’s sorry, and she says, thanks for trying. It’s not his fault or what he wanted. It would have been a big payday. He says, that was the hope, and she says, for a lawyer, he’s honest. There’s value in that. It was never about the money for her, but it would have been great. It would have allowed her to be a better grandma to Ace. It would have allowed her to be a grandma at all… He just lost a grandchild, didn’t he? She takes his hand and says she’s so sorry. There’s nothing worse than losing someone who’s supposed to outlive you. After losing Esme and Franco, this was her last shot at having a family. He says he’s sorry, but he’s afraid he has to go.

Alexis is handcuffed and the guard leads her out. At the door, she smiles and nods at her girls.  

At the hospital, Sam tells Kristina to sit, and Kristina says, they should be helping. Sam wonders how, like breaking Alexis out? Kristina says, if she could, she would, and Sam says, they’re helping now. Kristina asks, how? and Sam says, Kristina is getting the help she needs. She fell out a window and nearly died. She lost a baby… Kristina says, and a sister, and Sam says, and everything Cates put her through. Kristina says she wishes she’d killed him, but Sam says, it’s not right to take a life out of revenge. Kristina says, Jason and her dad would agree, and Sam says she’s not a professional, but after everything Kristina has experienced, it had to cause PTSD. Kristina says she feels like she’ll never be the same. It’s like she’s… broken. Sam says, she’s not broken. She’s getting professional help because she can’t do it on her own. Kristina suggests they call her dad. He knows what to do in situations like this. He always has a good idea. Sam tells her, stay put and talk to the professional. She’ll be right back. Stay here. She leaves and Kristina takes out her phone.

Sonny’s phone rings again, and Natalia says, Mr. Popular. He asks, what’s going on? and Kristina says, the arraignment is over. Her mom was denied bail and sent to Pentenville to await trial. Sonny says, she’s no danger to the community, and Kristina says, it was the murder of an FBI agent, and they sent a Fed to prosecute her. There’s no death penalty in the state of New York, but there is in a federal case. He tells her, just breathe. Where is she at? She says, GH. Sam took her here. Sam thinks she needs help. He says, Sam did the right thing. She can’t handle this herself, none of them can. Let him take care of her mom’s situation. The best thing she can do is help herself. She tells him that Sam said the same thing, and he says, when she’s right, she’s right. They exchange I love yous, and Natalia says, that didn’t sound like it went well. He says, no bail and Alexis was remanded to Pentenville. She says she’s sorry. It’s crazy. Is there a trial date set? Sonny says he’s going to do everything he can so that Alexis doesn’t spend one more second than she has to in Pentenville.

Alexis’s mug shot is taken. She puts her jewelry in a bag and has her fingerprints taken. (No ink needed anymore!) The guard searches her and gives her a uniform. (Do they not get underwear?) She hands her clothes to the guard and changes.

Elizabeth asks Ric what he’s doing at the hospital, and he says, saying hi to his favorite ex-wife. She says she’s probably the only one who doesn’t want to kill him, and he says, and she’s probably the one who should want to the most. She says, that almost sounds like an apology. What’s the real reason he’s here? He says, to confirm test results. It was going good for a while, but now it’s all over for Heather.

Felicia says she’s glad Kristina is here. She’s amazed Kristina is still standing. Kristina says, so is she, and Felicia says, they have a wide array of support resources and services, and suggests they go to the conference room where it’s more private. Sam promises to stay, and Kristina leaves with Felicia. Dante comes by and Sam hugs him.

In the conference room, Felicia says she’s here solely on Kristina’s behalf. She can speak openly and honestly. Kristina says she doesn’t usually hold back, but lately she doesn’t know where to start. Felicia asks how she’s doing right now, and Kristina says she’s upset and angry. She feels sad and guilty and feels like a failure. She feels empty. She cries and Felicia says, what she’s feeling is normal after going through what she experienced. Kristina tells her that Sam said she had PTSD, but Felicia says she’ll let the professionals decide. Losing a child is devastating. Kristina says, when she was pregnant, she had all the fears of what could happen to her child, but she never imagined they actually would. Even when she was in the hospital, she never let herself think Adela could… She’s sorry. Felicia says, don’t apologize, and Kristina says she guesses it’s true that grief comes in waves. Lately, it’s been tsunami after tsunami. Felicia says, she’s been through a number of traumas. She just fell out a window. Kristina says she keeps replaying it in her mind, and Felicia says, to add to her injury and loss is her relationship with her sister. Krisina says, it’s a lot to process, and Felicia says, most women in her situation have postpartum depression, hormonal changes, and PTSD. As her advocate, she’ll walk Kristina through the mental health resources, but as a mother, one who lost her own child, she wants to help Kristina get through it. She’s not alone. She knows what it feels like. Kristina asks, what’s next? and Felicia says, that’s up to her. She can connect Kristina with the hospital’s psychiatrist who’s a specialist in postpartum depression, and there are grief support groups that meet weekly. Kristina says, no offense, but she hates that idea, and Felicia says, bereft mothers find connecting with each other to be invaluable. Kristina says, okay, but she has to tell Sam. She knows if someone doesn’t hold her accountable, she’ll never go. Felicia says, it may not feel like it right now, but if she does the work, the pain will be significantly less.

Elizabeth asks if Ric will still be staying in Port Charles, and he asks if she wants him to. She says, idle curiosity, and he says he’ll be staying for a while. Molly needs him since Alexis was remanded to Pentenville. They were all blindsided. Ric’s phone rings and he steps away.

Sam tells Dante that she wonders how things got this bad. Kristina being Molly’s surrogate was a terrible idea, but no one could have predicted this insanity. Dante says, it’s tragic, and Sam says, even before that, Kristina was thinking about keeping the baby and Molly felt betrayed. She understands both sides. Dante says, Kristina made a promise that was impossible to keep, and Sam says, it’s all anger and blaming, and they haven’t even begun to grieve. Dante says, then Cates openly went after Kristina, and Sam says she’s glad he’s gone. He says he doesn’t think many people are going to miss him, but he’s like a roadblock to her family grieving. Where’s Molly? Sam says, probably somewhere being upset because the focus is still on Kristina, and he says, Kristina is needier? Sam says she thinks Kristina doesn’t remember that Molly also lost a child, and he wonders how neither one of them cannot understand the other’s grief and loss. She says, they’re not dealing with it head on and making it about each other. She’s terrified about what’s going to happen to her family.

Sonny opens the door to Martin, who says, Sonny’s communications director is very persuasive… Mr. Brick. Sonny says, just Brick, and Martin says, of course (🍷). Sonny asks if Brick explained why he needed to see Martin, and Martin says he’s got the gist. If Sonny wants him to step in for Diane, he’ll be more than happy to act as Sonny’s counsel. Sonny says, Diane is his attorney, and with all due respect, she’s the best. Martin isn’t here to represent him. He wants Martin to represent Alexis Davis.

Alexis is walked to her cell.

Kristina thanks Felicia, who tells her to reach out with any questions. She hopes she didn’t overwhelm her with information. Kristina says, it’s not that. She feels behind in her grief. There are already so many things she should have been doing. Felicia tells her, you know what they say about planting trees, and Kristina says she’s not exactly a gardener. Felicia says, the best time to plant is 20 years ago. The second-best time to plant is right now. There’s no timetable for life. She’s here getting help right now. Kristina says, what if it’s not enough? She knows she won’t get over it, but she thinks she can learn to carry it. Felicia says, it’s possible. Believe her. She knows. Kristina says, what she thinks she doesn’t know is how. How does she carry her guilt? Felicia says, for what? and Kristina says her baby died because of a fall that happened because she was somewhere she shouldn’t have been. Felicia says, one thing she’s learned about guilt is, it does no good and doesn’t help, and Kristina says, it could have been different if she never went to Ava’s hotel room. Her sister Molly blames her for what happened to the baby and her biggest fear… is that Molly is right. She is responsible. Felicia says, Kristina didn’t jump out the window, but Kristina says she created the circumstances for the accident to happen. Felicia says, the accident. Sometimes terrible things happen and it’s nobody’s fault. Kristina says, even if it’s nobody’s fault, there’s always someone accountable, right? Losing the baby, the rift with her sister, and everything that’s happening with her mom is all because of her. Felicia says, what if it is? What is she going to do with it? What if it isn’t? How is she going to deal with that? Kristina says she guesses that’s what she’s here to figure out, and Felicia says, the best thing for her to do for her mom is to work on herself and her mental health. That’s what she’s doing and it’s a great first step. Kristina cries and Felicia holds her.  

Sonny tells Martin that Diane can’t handle Alexis’s case because she’s representing him in the same case. Martin asks how Sonny is involved, and Sonny says he was a person of interest before Alexis. Martin asks who her current attorney is, and Sonny says, she’s representing herself. Martin says, she’s making a mistake. It’s a fool’s errand. Scotty would be better. Sonny says, Alexis likes doing things her way, but Martin says, she can’t. She should know that. Sonny says, that’s why Martin is here. He needs somebody to represent Alexis who can beat these charges. Martin says he’d be a fool to not be interested. The murder of a federal agent? That is huge. You can’t buy that publicity. Sonny says he needs somebody who’s doing it for the right reason and would do anything to win, and Martin says he certainly has no intention of losing. Sonny holds out his hand and asks if they have a deal. Martin shakes it, and says, they have a deal.

Sam tells Dante, no one is thinking clearly. All the sanity is up to her. He says, that’s a scary thought. They have to focus to help her mom. Sam says she did have a chat with Michael about that. He said they should focus less on who killed Cates, and more on finding the evidence to clear her mom. Dante says, it makes sense. The only thing involved is the gun. She says, it’s not the gun that killed Cates, and he says, ballistics will prove it, but it’s still in the river. The police divers can’t find it. She says she wishes they knew an expert diver… She is. He says, the water is choppy, but she says she can handle an undercurrent. (so does everyone who drowns here due to one every summer.) He says he’s not loving the sound of this, but assumes there’s no talking her out of it. She says, waste of breath, and he says, so what’s next? She says she’s going to find the gun her mom tossed off the bridge and end this nightmare for her family.

Elizabeth says she sees Ric is still here, and he says he was wondering if he could ask her a question involving a medical issue. She says, as long as it’s not violating a patient’s privacy, and he shows her some paperwork. He says, the results from both labs are from the same blood same taken at the same time. Shouldn’t they be redundant? She says, the test results are wrong. They’re not even close. The level from the outside lab is much lower. The tests should be done again. Something is seriously wrong.

Alexis sighs, and a guard comes by. She says she was told she has a cellmate, but she’d like to lie down and doesn’t know which bunk… The guard keeps walking, and another guard arrives. She unlocks the cell, and Heather walks in. Alexis sighs again. (I’m dying laughing.)

Cyrus sats, somehow, he will help someone; Ric says, Elizabeth is the one person he’d do anything for; Dante says he wants Rocco to be prepared; and Jason guesses he and Anna caught a break.

🧴 Blink and You Missed It…

I’m not sure if you can return if you’re not really gone, but okay. I’m also not sure if Drew and Nina posing as a power couple is going to help his campaign, but double okay because I’d rather he be with Nina than creeping on Willow.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/cameron-mathison-returns-to-general-hospital

🧂 Salt On the Snowflakes…

My bad yesterday. I forgot Million Dollar Listing LA was over and has no Reunion. So on to Salt Lake.

During the gorgeous opening shots, I was immediately reminded of how much I love and miss snow. While it’s not like I live in the south, near the ocean, the winters are often mild, and nowadays, we’re lucky if we get one good blast during the entire winter. But I digress.

After Mary told her that she looked thin, Heather made the disturbing comment in her interview that she finally cracked the code. She lost 25 pounds, and Mary loves her. She does look great, but it’s sad how much being liked is tied to appearance, whether it’s a real thing or just perception. Although Mary did get Angie an invite to Kathy Hilton’s Christmas party, so maybe it’s wise to be on her good side, no matter what that entails.

New Housewife Bronwyn (no, not that one) has six dogs, so she’s okay by me. They all look like Boxers too, so I doff my cap. Those dogs can be a handful. What I didn’t like about Bronwyn was her anecdote about meeting Lisa (whose coattails she rode in on). She and Lisa first met at an upscale department store and when Lisa complimented her on what she was buying, Bronwyn brushed her off because she was wearing sweats. Bronwyn said she didn’t remember it – it was what Lisa had told her – but it sounded like something she would do. As the Countess would say, don’t be all uncool.

And what’s up with Angie and Mary in the Burger King crowns?

🍊 And In a Shocking Twist…

Maybe he should have stayed with the devil he knew.

🚫 No Friends For You…

Gina stuck herself in the middle with Fancy Pants and Katie. And who said she’s not allowed to be friends with Katie? Bowling for Soup was right, high school never ends.

🃏 Maybe She Is Just Stupid…

Has she watched herself? Was shutting up about Johnny J. and his blackmail Ring tapes not an option?

🍸 Only Andy Knows For Sure…

Is it a spinoff? Is it a reboot? Is it something completely different? Does anybody really care? Okay, I might if LVP is involved.

💻 What Else To Watch…

I wasn’t sure how I felt about this film, other than the enjoyment of seeing Jason Momoa shirtless through most of it, but had I known it was a meditative art film wrapped in a bloody genre blanket, buried deep in a scorching sci-fi desert, I might have put more thought into it. While I didn’t pick up all the nuances this reviewer did, no one enjoys an apocalypse more than I do (okay, maybe Murphy from Z Nation), and I still appreciated the hell out of it. This review is years old (from when the movie actually came out), but the film remains the same and is now on Netflix. Warning: Major spoilers ahead.  

https://www.rogerebert.com/features/why-the-bad-batch-is-one-of-the-best-films-of-2017

I’d been waiting a while for this one to stream, since I love an animal/human hybrid theme. This is no Sweet Tooth, but it still contains the element of people fearing what they don’t understand and ridding the world of those who are different. I would have liked to see more of the animal/human hybrids, but it was a fascinating watch all the same. I also would have preferred a different ending, but that doesn’t make it bad. Actual animal, the main character’s dog Albert, added a touch of realism since he was no Lassie, and ran off in the face of danger as my dogs would. You can stream this on Hulu or Disney+ – in French with subtitles. Minor warning: A few small spoilers, but they don’t give the whole film away.

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-animal-kingdom-film-review-2024

🦔 Where In the World Is Cinnamon…

Capybaras are one of my favorite animals. They’re kept as pets in some places and seem pretty chill, so I’m wondering why she’s so hellbent on not going back, especially since her capybara family is there. I hope it’s just because she has an adventurous soul.

https://people.com/cinnamon-capybara-runs-away-from-zoo-found-in-nearby-field-8714849

🦥 Dreaming Through September…

Join me tomorrow for soap and the OC for sure. Until then, stay safe, stay not sacrificing comfort (or safety) for style, and stay not carrying guilt. It does no good and doesn’t help.

September 17, 2024 – Alexis Is Arraigned, Soap Suds, Goodbye Dubai, VanderNew, Canceled Vows, Pieces Of Emmy, Watch These, Different Strokes & Skyline

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What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

Trina meets Stella at the Surf Lodge, and Stella tells her about a secret menu for the nightclubbers, so they can restore themselves before crawling home. She suggests Trina memorize it for when she’s out all night, but Trina says, that’s not going to happen. Stella says, she might be surprised.

Nina discusses a catering job with Sasha, a fashion event for Drew’s campaign with high dollar donors. She’ll pay for the staff to help. Sasha says, Tracy is unhappy with her right now, and she thinks she should keep her head down and be available for the family. Nina says, Drew is a Quartermaine, and she thinks he’s going to make a fantastic congressman. Sasha says, Nina has turned into an ardent supporter, and Nina says, Drew has made quite an impression on her.

Willow is doing yoga outside the boathouse, when a shirtless Drew comes by. She almost falls, and he catches her. (Please.)

Michael lets Sam into his office, and asks, what brings her by? She says, their sister Kristina, and he says, what about? Sam asks him to tell her Kristina’s whereabouts and actions the night John was killed, but he says he wasn’t with her. Why would Sam think he knows? She says, because they’ve been joined at the hip since Cates’s murder, and he says, she’s been struggling. Sam says she thinks he knows what Kristina’s been struggling with. Did she kill Cates? he says, of course (🍷) not, and she says he seems pretty sure. Is that because he knows who did?

On the phone, Sonny says, Alexis needs help and whatever it costs, he’ll pay it. There’s a knock at the door, and he tells them to just take care of the situation. He opens the door to Molly, and says he’ll call back. He invites her in and asks if it’s an official visit or personal. She says, her mother is being arraigned today, and he says he knows. He’s going there to support her. Molly says, that’s absolutely the worst thing he could do.

Kristina comes into the interrogation room, and Alexis asks what she’s doing here. They hug, and Kristina says she’s sorry. Alexis says she’s fine, but Kristina says, nothing about this is fine. Alexis asks again why Kristina is here, and Kristina says she’s going to do what she should have done when they brought Alexis in. She’s going to confess.

Molly says, if Sonny is in the courtroom, he’ll tank Alexis by association. He says he’s going to pay her bail, but Molly says, that’s not necessary. He says he knows he’s not her favorite person, and he and Alexis have had their ups and downs, but they come together when it comes to Kristina. They both want to be there for her. Molly says, this is for her mother, and he says, Kristina needs to see that her father shows up for her mother. Molly says, it’s not about Kristina. It’s about their mother.

Alexis asks what Kristina has to confess, and Kristina says, she got home, and when Alexis went to the kitchen, she took Alexis’s keys and took her car. Then she went to her dad’s and got his gun. She’d overheard John telling Anna that he was going to the Quartermaines, and she went to kill him. She pulled into the driveway and sat. She couldn’t get herself out of the car. She couldn’t do it, so she went to Adela’s grave. Alexis knows the rest. She wishes Alexis hadn’t found the gun, but if she tells the police, they can retrace her movements. Alexis says, she can’t do that, but Kristina says, it will let Alexis off the hook. Alexis tells her, it will do the opposite. It will make her look guiltier.

Nina tells Sasha that she admits Drew surprised her. She thinks he’d be great and thinks he can actually win this. Sasha says, with Nina in his corner, she doesn’t see how he can’t, and Nina says, Sasha can make up and amazing menu and supervise the catering. If Tracy has a hard time with it, she’ll talk to her, or Tracy can take it up with Drew. He’ll convince her. He can charm the pants off of anyone. (Interesting choice of words.) Sasha says, they’ve really come far, but Nina says, not far enough.

Willow says, the yoga centers her before work, and Drew asks, how’s it going? She says she’s busy, good busy. She loves being back at the hospital. Then there was the back-to-school flurry, which is thankfully over. She should get going. She drops her water bottle, and when Drew reaches for it, she says she’s got it. She retrieves her bottle and jets.

Michael says he’s not a cop and doesn’t know any more than anyone else, but Sam says she’s been putting the pieces together. Kristina had a messy night. Cates charged her in the death of her own child, and she was a wreck, emotionally driven with the potential to be unstable. And she was probably mad as hell. He knows how impulsive she is, and she’s worried their mother is protecting her, so she framed herself for a murder she didn’t commit. Michael asks if anyone would believe Alexis would kill someone, and Sam says, the evidence has been piling up and a lot of convictions are based on circumstantial evidence. The one way to free Alexis is to find the person who killed Cates and bring them forward. Michael says he just found body, and she says, they both know Sonny killed Cates or paid for it. Which one is it?

Stella says, it’s clear Trina has an eye for art and the passion to go with it, and Trina says, it’s coming back. Stella says, don’t let it blind her to the bigger picture. Her appreciation for art is impressive and she’s great at sales, but she can’t live her life in the gallery. She needs to get her butt back to school.

Sasha asks if Nina and Drew are seeing each other on the downlow, but Nina says, it’s not about romance. They’re focusing on the campaign. Sasha says, all those long hours into the night? Nina is invested. Nina says she’s dedicated to getting him elected, but Sasha says, there’s more to it, isn’t there? Nina says she feels they could definitely pick things up after Drew wins. Willow hears them from outside on the patio.

Michael tells Sam that Sonny wouldn’t discuss that with him. Her mother is an exceptional attorney. Outside of Diane, there’s no one better, and she’s innocent. Cates hasn’t been dead long, and evidence will surface. If the gun is still in the water, the police will do a ballistics check. She says, they haven’t found it, and he says, they need the gun to prove their case. Trying to track down the guilty party isn’t the way to go. They need to find evidence that clears Alexis. Everything else is a waste of time.

Sonny says he knows what Alexis is facing, and Molly says, then focus on her. Sonny says, the truth can’t change the fact that Kristina went through something horrible. He needs to be there to support his child. She says, Alexis is not his child, and his support drove Kristina all the way to Ava’s suite.

Alexis says, it will look like Kristina is crafting a story to cover for her, but Kristina says she can’t let Alexis take the risk. If they come forward together, they can make it right. Alexis says, they need to let it play out. Neither one of them killed Cates, but if Kristina comes forward it will either make her look guiltier or Kristina will inadvertently incriminate herself. She doesn’t have an alibi, she stole the gun, took Alexis’s car, and went to the Quartermaines. She had the means, motive, and opportunity. Kristina asks how the police can do an investigation if they don’t know the truth, and Alexis says, it’s their job. Kristina’s job is to not incriminate either one of them. She said she hated Cates and wanted to kill him. Don’t let anyone else hear her say that. Kristina says she just wants to help, and Alexis says she’s begging her, do not take this further.

Willow comes in and says she could smell Sasha’s scones, and Nina says she hasn’t seen Willow for a while and misses her. Willow says she’s getting back to her routine, but thinks she has time for tea. Sasha goes to get the tea, and Willow asks why Nina is here. Nina says she asked Sasha to cater a donor event for Drew, and Willow says she saw him at the boathouse. Nina says she’ll try to catch him. She wanted to say how proud she is about everything Willow is doing at GH, but they need to make time to see each other. Willow says she would love that and will get back to her. Nina leaves, and Sasha comes back. She asks where Nina went, and Willow says, she left to find Drew at the boathouse. Congratulations on her catering job. Sasha says, Nina just offered it to her, but she’s still unsure. Willow says, there’s a lot of that going around, and Sasha asks if she’s okay.

Alexis tells Kristina to promise her, when Dex comes in and says, Alexis will be leaving for her arraignment soon. He leaves, and Alexis asks Kristina if they have an understanding. This probably won’t go to trial. The police will find real evidence and the charges will be dropped. She has an arraignment to work on and can’t be worrying about Kristina. When she makes bail, she’ll come home, and they’ll talk about it. Kristina says she’s sorry about everything she’s put Alexis through, and Alexis says, she wasn’t thinking clearly. Now let her fight the battle for both of them. She’s a mother and that’s what they do. Kristina would do the same thing.

Sonny says, there’s no way Kristina could have known what would happen, but Molly says, she went to Ava looking for fight. Sonny says, Kristina wanted to persuade Ava not to make her testify, but did she think she’d lose her child’s life? No. Molly says, if Kristina hadn’t gone at all, her child would still be alive, and he says, she knows Kristina is suffering. She says, what about her and TJ? and he says, they’re all suffering, but it’s Ava’s fault, not Kristina’s. She says, Kristina should have known there was no way she was going to change Ava’s mind. She was reckless and impulsive like always. She was there when Kristina got the subpoena and coached her through it, but Kristina wouldn’t listen. They need their mom to make bail more than seeing him offer support. That’s what’s best for his child. He says, she’s made her point. He won’t go. She thanks him, and he says, one more thing. Since he can’t be there for Kristina, he needs Molly to be there for her. He knows Molly is hurting, but she needs to put her anger away for her sister and be there. He doesn’t think Kristina can handle it otherwise. She says she can’t make any promises, and leaves.  

Michael says he’s not losing sleep over Cates’s death. Is Sam? Sam says she’s glad he’s gone, and Michael says he’s sure the Feds aren’t shedding any tears. She says, even though he went rogue, he’s still an agent and they’ll close ranks to catch the killer. She hopes they find evidence to clear her mom, but if they don’t, will he let an innocent woman go to prison? She leaves.

Stella says, it looks like Trina is maintaining, but she thinks Trina is stalling. Trina says, maybe that’s all she can manage, and Stella suggests she’s afraid taking the next step will mean losing Spencer. She said if she stopped grieving, she would lose him, but he wouldn’t want her to put her life on hold forever. It’s time to take the next step and reach for her dreams. Trina says, the last time she reached for her dreams, she went to Paris and Spencer died, and Stella says, but she didn’t. She still has her whole life ahead of her. How is she going to spend it? Hiding at the gallery or is there something bigger she wants to accomplish?

Nina knocks at the boathouse and tells Drew that Willow said he was here. She was talking to Sasha about the fashion fundraiser. It’s not the celery and carrot stick crowd. They’re serious foodies. Drew says, this is not working for him.

Willow says she’s finding a balance with her schedule, and Sasha says, Willow doesn’t have to talk to her, and if Willow tells her to mind her own business, she will. When she was cleaning up during the 4th of July celebration, she saw them kissing. She’s not judging, but she gets the sense that what happened is weighing on Willow, especially with what she just said. If Willow ever needs to talk to someone, she’s here. Willow says, there’s nothing to talk about. It was just a kiss. They got caught up in the moment. Sasha says, no big deal, and Willow says, it wasn’t… then it… happened again.

Michael asks if Sonny was able to dispose of the gun that killed John, and Sonny says, Jason handled it. Michael says, Alexis is being arraigned today, and Sonny says, Molly was here, but he knew already. Michael says, Sam came to see him. Does he think it was coordinated? Sonny says he thinks they’re worried about their mother. Molly was adamant about him not going to the arraignment. She made some good points, so he’s not going. Michael says he thinks it’s for the best. Sam is suspicious. She’s got no proof, but she’s doing the math. Sonny asks if Michael thinks she’s going to push this, and Michael says, she’ll do what it takes to clear Alexis. He encouraged her to find evidence that Alexis didn’t do it instead of focusing on who did. The problem is, Kristina has time not accounted for. Sonny says he knows. If Kristina talks, it won’t be good for either of them. Michael says, if things start going bad, Kristina won’t let her mother take the fall, and Sonny says, they need to do something that can ensure that won’t happen.

Sam and Kristina meet outside the courtroom, and Sam asks how Alexis seems. Kristina says, she’s confident that she’ll make bail, and the case will be dropped before it goes to trial. Has she seen dad? She thought he’d be here. Molly joins them and says, he won’t be. It’s for the best. Kristina says, Molly told him not to come, didn’t she?

Molly says she spoke to Sonny. He’s doing what’s best for their mom, and Kristina should too. Kristina goes into the courtroom, and Sam and Molly follow. Sam sits with Kristina, and Molly sits behind them. A man walks in, and Sam asks if Molly knows him, but Molly says, no. Alexis is brought in and the guard takes off her handcuffs. She nods to her girls and sits down. The bailiff says, all rise. The Honorable Henry Otis presiding. The judge tells them be seated. He’s unfamiliar with the man who walked in and asks him to present his credentials. The man introduces himself as Noah Reynolds, representing the FBI. He’ll be prosecuting the murder of one of their own.  

Willow tells Sasha that she doesn’t want to have feelings for Drew, but she does. Sasha knows she loves Michael, their kids, and the life they’ve built together. How could she do something so reckless? Sasha says she’s sure Willow’s feelings for Drew didn’t happen in a vacuum. Maybe something isn’t working with her and Michael? Willow says, no. They’re happy and they will be as long as she keeps her distance. Sasha says, Drew isn’t pressuring her? and Willow says, not in the least. He respects Michael and understands how important family is to both of them. Sasha asks how she’s going to keep her distance when they both live here. They’re bound to run into one another, like at the boathouse. Willow says she supposes they could move out, but if Drew is elected, he’ll spend most of his time in DC. She’s doing everything she can to keep away from him. She even went back to her job at GH, so she didn’t have to work with him. She thought that would make her remember what matters most and stop her before she stupidly destroys her life, the life she dreamed of and fought hard to have. She feels out of control and wonders what’s wrong with her. Sasha hugs her and she cries.

Drew wonders if he’s uprooting his life and putting everything on the line for his ego, and Nina says, he wanted to get into politics to do good. He asks if it’s worth it. His private life is a mess and he’s four points down in the polls. Nina says, there’s a four-point margin of error, and Drew says his opponent is a mom with a husband and kids she totes around. She’s got the family values thing locked down. He can’t compete. She says, he has Scout, and he says he thought about it, but he can’t use Scout as a prop. Nina says, then use me.

Sonny says he doesn’t regret killing Jagger. The bastard deserved to die, but he didn’t want Michael to witness it. He didn’t want Michael to carry the weight of the secret and lie or cover for him. Michael says, Sonny never asked him to, and Sonny says, the night he killed Jagger and saw Michael standing there, for a split second he thought, he’s got me. Killing a federal agent point blank is going to put him away forever. Michael says, but he didn’t, and Sonny asks, what stopped him?

Judge Otis says he understands Alexis is defending herself, and she says she’s a fully accredited attorney. He says if she thinks she’s laying the groundwork for an appeal or mistrial, she’s not. She says, that’s not her intention, and he says, she’s being charged with a felony count of murder in the first degree. How does she plead. She says, not guilty. She asks that bail be set, and because she’s an officer of the court, be released on her own recognizance. Noah asks that the request be denied. Alexis has proven she’s a danger and threat to the community, and the prosecution requests she remain in custody.

Stella says, Trina used to talk about being an art curator or an art professor. Has she given those up? Trina says, not really, and Stella asks what kind of degree she’d need. Trina says, a Bachelor’s, an MSA, and eventually a doctorate, and Stella asks if there’s anything else she’s interested in. Going back to school will broaden her options. She can just take a few classes to start moving forward. Trina says she doesn’t know if she’s ready. It scares her. Stella says, it feels scary now, but don’t do it for herself today. Do it for herself ten years from now. Give herself some options and opportunities, so she doesn’t have to remain stuck. She has the day off, so they’re heading to campus to get Trina registered for the fall semester. Trina says, Stella seems sure registration is still open, and Stella says she may have called and asked. Trina says she’s not surprised. Okay. Let’s do it. Let’s get unstick. They hug.

Sasha says she can see how Willow would have feelings for Drew. He saved her life. Willow says, that’s gratitude. These feelings snuck up on her. Sasha asks if she’s clear that she loves Michael, and Willow says, yes. It never went further than a kiss. Sasha says, so it was a mistake. They all make mistakes. Willow says, that goes for Drew too. He’s not a sleaze. He loves Michael too, and doesn’t want to hurt him. Sasha says again, everyone makes mistakes, and Willow thanks her for not judging. Sasha says she’s far from perfect. So what is Willow going to do about this? Willow says she doesn’t know what to do.

Nina says, if she and Drew are together, they can push the campaign over the top. If she’s front and center on his arm supporting him, people will jump to conclusions about their status. He asks if they’re supposed to do the no comment thing, and she says, there’s nothing wrong with potential voters perceiving that they’re the country’s newest power couple. He says, she’d do that for him? and she says she thinks she owes him one. He says, she kind of does.

Sonny tells Michael that he killed Jagger for the family. He came after Kristina and kept coming after her at the worst time of her life. He knew Jagger wasn’t going to stop and Jagger would go after all the people close to him because of his stupid vendetta. He had to be stopped. Michael asks why Sonny is telling him this, and Sonny says he never wants to put Michael or any of his children in a position to cover for him. Michael says, all that matters is protecting Kristina, and Sonny says, if Michael had called the cops, he wouldn’t have stopped him. Michael had all the power in that moment and chose him. He’ll never forget that. He touches Michael’s chest and says he loves him. Michael says he loves Sonny too, and he will always choose their family. They hug.

Noah says, it’s not the first time the defense was sent to prison for a serious assault, but Alexis says, that has no bearing on this case. Noah says, she procured a firearm, and multiple witnesses saw her illegally dispose of it, and Alexis says, alleged disposal. She thought this was a bail hearing, not a trial. Noah says, she’s a flight risk, and Alexis says, he’s reaching. Noah says, the defendant shares a child with Sonny Corinthos, who has unlimited resources, and Judge Otis says, enough. Does Alexis have anything to say on her behalf? Alexis says, plenty. The prosecution’s laundry list is rife with innuendo, speculation, and condemnation. She’s not perfect, but she’s not a cold-blooded killer. Beyond the courtroom, which she holds in the highest esteem, she’s a mother. She has three adult children and grandchildren who need her. She’s not going to risk that. She served her time honorably and with humility, and it’s with humility she asks that bail be set. The judge says he appreciates her impassioned response. She’s a gifted and talented lawyer, but he’s made his decision. The defendant is to be held without bail and remanded to Pentenville while awaiting trial.

Tomorrow, Elizabeth tells Ric that it almost sounded like an apology; Heather says, it’s a compromise she’s not going to have to make much longer; and Natalia tells Sonny that they’re going to find the actual murderer.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

Apparently, Lindsay Hartley (Temp Sam) filmed this week’s scenes at the same time she filmed Irene/Adela’s funeral scenes.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/lindsay-hartley-fills-in-for-kelly-monaco-on-gh-again

His untimely death was so sad, but I have to ask. Were they an item?

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/kelly-monaco-remembers-billy-miller

There’s not too much information here. So do they get together on the regular?

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/jophielle-love-reunites-with-her-gh-parents

Our Southern gentleman returns. I love him in this role.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/michael-e-knight-returns-to-general-hospital

🐪 Two Camels and a Priest Walk Into a Bar…

As Reunions go, this one was pretty mild. While there was plenty of finger pointing, some lackluster receipts, and Lesa calling Stanbury the Wicked Witch of the Middle East, the women managed to stay seated, not fling any Solo cups, and no one called anyone a see you next Tuesday. The best part was when Andy ran a video compilation of the group’s lack of athleticism. It was especially fun to revisit the golf game.

The question of Sergio wanting a baby came up, and we found out that Sergio had never googled dealbreaker, so he didn’t actually understand what Stanbury mean when she asked if not having a baby would be one. Andy suggested Sara be a surrogate, and said it would be a Housewives first, as we could hear the cash register ringing in his head.

At the end, there was a weird gift exchange where Brooks acted like a total a-hole, refusing to open Taleen’s gift or card. Maybe she smelled the one worthy receipt of the night. The card was a copy of a Twitter post – excuse me X (can Elon Musk not spell or something?) – that Brooks made, saying, said blah-blah-blah, Taleen had a crappy wardrobe, and she wanted Taleen to show her one article of clothing that Taleen had lent to her. Inside the box was a dress of Taleen’s that Brooks had worn for sure, since Taleen also produced a photo of her in it. D’oh! Lesa made Stanbury the president of her fan club, gifting her with a starter pack, the ID showing a photo of Stanbury post facelift surgery. Stanbury took her gift with her usual good British humor. She can dish it out and she can take it. Andy said these were like gifts at a red wedding, yet no swords were really drawn.

Sara closed things out by saying if they didn’t have empathy for each other, what were they even doing here? Good question.

I hate to admit it, but I might miss this show. I don’t think Bravo has technically renewed it, but I can’t imagine them not.

🍸 VanderSpinning…

Presumably, this is a spinoff, not a reboot, but who knows? Maybe the old cast should be the ones who do a spinoff. No Rules For You.

🛟 Yachtie To the Core…

Chef Ben cannot be tied down.

🏆 Just One More…

I never watch awards shows. Rather than sit through hours of mind-numbing monotony, I’d rather just read stuff like this afterward.

https://ew.com/emmys-2024-best-and-worst-moments-8712955

💻 Last Weekend’s Watches…

I love nothing more than a dystopian post-apocalyptic film, and Uglies delivers. It’s a shame it wasn’t on the big screen though, since the action and special effects sequences are big. Another streaming selection taken from a YA novel series, there were moments when it seemed like an After School Special, but overall, I loved it. Of course, now I’m reading the books.

https://people.com/joey-king-uglies-trailer-8692521

Definite spoilers here.

https://people.com/uglies-ending-explained-8713501

The Dark Side of… is a great series, and reality TV is as dark as it gets. I never watched The Swan, as I found the premise of a plastic surgery competition disturbing. I did see a couple episodes of Kid Nation, but it just didn’t seem like a situation children should be in. Sure enough, I was right.

https://ew.com/chicago-fire-actor-daniel-kyri-recalls-drinking-bleach-on-kid-nation-8707380

🐕 They’ve Got the Look…

By God, they’re right.

https://www.dailypaws.com/pet-news-entertainment/celebrities/goldendoodle-layla-looks-like-will-ferrell-goes-viral-on-twitter

Normally, I prefer pets to have human names, but Milkshake is perfect for this one.

https://www.dailypaws.com/pet-news-entertainment/celebrities/milkshake-the-pink-pug

However, her life is never a drag.

https://www.dailypaws.com/pet-news-entertainment/feel-good-stories/meet-miss-pickles-the-drag-pug

🧘‍♀️ Of Crickets, Crows, and Retrospects…

Come by tomorrow for soap and what’s Listing in LA. Until then, stay safe, stay continuing to wear sunglasses even during the colder months, and stay giving yourself options and opportunities, so you don’t remain stuck.

August 13, 2024 – Blaze Makes Two Decisions, New Heather, Old Friends, Next Chapter, Dubai Swings In Bali, Watch Party With Awful People, VanderSales & Sugar

Standard

What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

I was busy with something else at the beginning, but my main takeaway point was Tracy having a tea party for Violet and her stuffed animals. And Ava, John, and Scotty showed up…

At the MetroCourt, Carly says she doesn’t understand why Ava is here and not in jail, and Ava says she pled not guilty and made bail. Carly says, Kristina could die and her baby did die, and Ava sails in here like she doesn’t give a damn. She’s not capable of shame. Ava says, Kristinka’s fall was an accident, and Scotty tells her to hold her peace until the trial. Ava says she wants to collect her things, but Carly tells her, good luck. Her room is a crime scene. Ava says, that’s ridiculous. Nothing happened. Carly says, she’ll also have to find other accommodations. They’re booked. Ava says, of course (🍷), and Carly tells her to contact the PCPD for her things. John asks if they can have a table, and Carly says she’ll send someone over.  

Anna wonders what Jack wants with Carly, and he asks if the table and the wine don’t give it away. She says, a romantic dinner for two? and he says, exactly. Valentin must have used that tactic on her. She asks why he’s using it on Carly, and he says he enjoys Carly’s company. She wonders if he’s incapable of giving a straight answer, and he asks if it’s difficult to believe he’s intrigued by a woman, enjoys her company, and wants to see where it leads. She says, yeah. Something big is definitely in the works. Why else would the WSB open an office here? Jack admits that the WSB never does anything without an ulterior motive.

Kristina says, Blaze worked her whole life for a break like this. Her mother is right. She has to go. Blaze asks why Kristina is pushing her away. Yes, she focused on her career at the expense of everything else. Love, happiness, and belonging were things she was afraid to hope for because she was afraid to lose her mother and family’s love. Then Kristina happened and became her everything else. Now Kristina wants to push her away. Go ahead, but she’s not leaving Kristina alone to deal with her grief because she loves her. Kristina says, she really does, and Blaze says, so much. Kristina says, then she really has to leave.

Sonny tells Jason that Ava will say anything to save her skin, and Jason says, they’d still have to prove or disprove what she says. If it wasn’t her, who was it? Sonny says, she had easy access, and Jason wonders, what if the switch didn’t happen here? Sonny says, then it’s the pharmacy. Jason needs to go and find out who’s filling his prescription and see what they have to say, and Jason says, copy that. Sonny’s phone rings, and he tells Jason that it’s good news. Ava made bail. Jason asks why he wants Ava out of jail, and Sonny says, it’s easier to even the score.

Ava says, John being there made all the difference. Who knew she was being called to testify as a material witness in an ongoing FBI investigation? Carly approaches the table and asks, what kind of investigation? If she contacts the FBI, how surprised will they be that there’s an investigation? Ava asks what she’s implying, and Carly says, the FBI isn’t interested in Sonny, but that’s all Cates cares about. John says, it’s his job to arrest criminals, and Carly says, he’s using Ava like he used her and Jason. The only thing he cares about is sending Sonny to prison.

Anna says, something else is going on, and Jack says, absolutely yes, but he has no idea what. The WSB’s hidden agenda remains hidden. She says, he expects her to believe he has no inkling, and he says he’s been demoted to lowly station chief. She sits down and tells him to level with her. She’s already figured out his arrest and Valentin being revealed as the head of Pikeman was a charade. John asks, how many syllables? (BA-DUM-CHH!) and she asks if Valentin is really on the run. She imagines he’s cozied up with Charlotte in a chalet in Switzerland courtesy of the WSB. He says, Valentin was allowed to flee their jurisdiction, and asks whose side Anna is on. Anna says, whose side indeed, when her phone rings. She answers and tells them, thank you. She tells Jack, it’s been fun, and he says, either jaywalking or a parking violation. She says, trespassing. Enjoy what’s left of his evening. The wine is really good. She leaves.

Violet asks if Tracy’s mother liked tea parties, and Tracy says, she loved them. She was a proper Englishwoman and had tea every afternoon. Violet says, there are a lot of pictures of her all over. She was pretty. Tracy says, she was a beauty, and Violet says, she seemed nice. Tracy says, she was the nicest and down to earth. She could put someone in their place and still be kind. She was impossible to argue with. Violet asks, if she was so nice, why argue with her? and Tracy says she doesn’t know. Sometimes families argue and the Quartermaines do it more than most.

Kristina tells Blaze that she loved the baby so much and had so much hope, but all her hope and love went with her. She’s empty and has nothing left to give, even to Blaze. Blaze asks if Kristina is saying she doesn’t love her anymore, but Kristina tells her that she’s saying she can’t love anything or anyone, and it’s not fair for Blaze to give up something that could make her life great, when Kristina will make her life miserable. Blaze says, what if it’s the grief talking? What if they can navigate it and Blaze can see her through this hell, and they find heaven on the other side? Kristina says, it sounds beautiful. It seems like it belongs in a song. Maybe Blaze can sing it on tour. What if, in the best-case scenario, they get through this, then what? What if every time Blaze sees someone performing and living the life she could have had, Blaze hates her, or worse resents her? She’ll leave anyway and they’ll be where they are now. Is Blaze telling her that some part of her doesn’t want to get on the plane to Hong Kong and open for Miguel Morez? Blaze says, of course (🍷) she wants to go, but why is Kristina making her feel like she has to choose her career over her? Kristina says, because she has to live her best life right now and Blaze’s best life is not here with her.

Jason says, Kristina is strong. She’s made it through so far, and she’ll make through this. Sonny says, Jason didn’t see her eyes when she asked him to make Ava pay. Jason says, of course (🍷) she was angry. She should be, but when she calms down… Sonny says, Kristina didn’t know that kind of hate, but he understands because he has the same hate. Ask Alexis. She walked in and asked him not to kill Ava. Jason says, she believes in the law and thinks that’s the way to get justice, and Sonny says, she thinks if Ava dies, Kristina will think it’s because of her and not be able to live with herself. But if she goes through a long trial and Ava walks or worse… Kristina deserves peace. Jason asks what he’s going to do. 

John says, how dare Carly question his integrity? She just squirmed out from under RICO charges because the evidence conveniently disappeared. She escaped justice. Carly says, John was using her. He doesn’t care about justice or the law or his son. John gets all ruffled, and she asks if he’s been in the city where his son lives or where Sonny lives. It’s only a matter of time before the FBI finds out what he’s been doing. She leaves and Scotty says, some celebration. He’s going to split. He leaves, and Ava thanks John. She tells him not to let it get to him. Carly is naturally abrasive, and Sonny brainwashed her for decades. John asks, then why doesn’t she let Donna stay with him? and Ava says, only Carly can judge Sonny. Speaking of Sonny, there’s something she’s been meaning to tell him. When she was in lockup, Sonny sent Jason to intimidate her. She’s afraid her life is in danger.

Sonny says he can’t make a move now, especially with Jagger here. He’s going to bide his time. Jason asks, what about Kristina? Is she willing to sit back and not take matters into her own hands? Sonny says, Kristina doesn’t have it in her on her own to kill Ava. There’s a knock at the door, and Frank says, the Police Commissioner is here. Anna comes in and says, it’s like old times. She learned Ava made bail. Sonny asks what that has to do with him, and she says, nothing and it needs to stay that way. If Ava so much as skins her knee, she’s going to come down on him with full force. Do not touch a hair on Ava’s head.

Tracy says, no argument with her mother lasted long. Everybody adored her. She was the perfect combination of fun and elegant. Violet asks if elegant is the same as fancy, and Tracy says, yes and no. It can also mean tacky, which is the opposite of elegant. When you’re elegant, everything is just right – your words, your voice, the way you carry yourself. Her mother made it look effortless. Violet asks if Tracy is elegant, and Tracy says, on occasion. Violet asks if she is, and Tracy says, for a nine-year-old, very elegant. Keep at it. It takes work. Strive to be elegant and avoid animal prints. Violet says, but she loves animals.

Kristina says, Blaze wants to do what’s best for her and them. She can’t stay here just to be with her or feel like she has to or because she thinks she loves Kristina. All she’ll think about is the tour. Blaze says, if she goes on tour, all she’ll think about is Kristina, and Kristina says, Blaze can be living her dream or living Kristina’s nightmare wishing she was living her dream, and Blaze says, fine. She’ll go, but she’s just a phone call away if Kristina needs anything. After the tour ends… Kristina says, stop. They can’t make promises. They don’t know what they’ll be doing or who they’ll be after the tour. Blaze says she knows she’ll still love Kristina, but Kristina says she can’t put a timeline on grief and healing. She can’t guess what her life will be like. Blaze asks if they can at least check in and see how the other is doing, and Kristina says, deal.  Blaze says, finally, a win, and Kristina says she just wants Blaze to be happy and free to live her life. Blaze says she can’t if Kristina isn’t there, but Kristina says, she’d be surprised. Blaze says, great. Another surprise. She cries and takes Kristina’s hand. She says she’s going to miss Kristina so much, and Kristina says, she’s going to be doing the thing she was born to do. Watching Blaze soar will make her happy. She’ll be so proud. Blaze kisses her and leaves, and Kristina cries.

Anna tells Sonny, stay away from Ava, and he agrees. He says, she’s not a priority. He has Donna, Avery, and Kristina to worry about and no time to worry about Ava. Anna says, see it stays that way. The same for Jason. Sonny says he knows he’s been out of line. He went through some stuff and wants her to know he’s handling it. She says she’s glad he’s doing better, and he thanks her. She says, but she has a job to do, and he says, to serve and protect. Even Ava? She says, even Ava, and he says, she doesn’t have to worry. It’s good seeing her. She leaves.

John asks if Jason threatened Ava, but she says, he’s not much for talking, but he got the point across. He asks what Jason said, and she says, he accused her of replacing Sonny’s medication with the placeboes. She said she didn’t do it, which is true. The point is… He says he knows. The pharmacist is safe and out of Sonny’s reach. She can finally tell him who paid Clement to sabotage Sonny’s mental health. She says she doesn’t know, but don’t tell Sonny. Jack walks in, and John says, unbelievable. Ava asks, who’s that? and John says, somebody who’s supposed to be in prison. At the bar, Trish asks if she can help Jack, and he asks if Carly is still around.

Tracy says she likes animals as much as the next person, and Violet says, she doesn’t like Annabelle II. Tracy says, Annabelle II has one virtue – she’s housebroken. Other than that, she’s ill-mannered and ill-trained. The house is full of antiques, and they might as well put them on the lawn and make an obstacle course. Violet asks if they can ask Monica’s permission, but Tracy says, no. She’d probably say yes, and she’s not turning the house into a canine obstacle course. Violet says, it’s Monica’s house. Alan gave it to her. Tracy says, Alan was too generous for his own good.

Kristina hugs her blanket when there’s a knock at the door. Molly asks how she is. Is she in pain? Kristina says, not so much. She’s able to come home in a couple days. She asks how Molly is doing, and Molly says she was just with TJ at Woodlawn Cemetery. She went to see Ava in jail. Kristina asks, why? and Molly says she wanted Ava to know she’s not getting away with it. Kristina says, she won’t, and Molly says she wishes she was so sure. Kristina says she is sure. She promises Ava is going to pay for what she did. Molly says she doesn’t know how strong a case they have, and Kristina says, there are photos. Has Molly seen them? Molly says she found a note in the case folder, but she hasn’t, and Kristina says she had Michael send them to her. Everyone, including the jury, will see that Ava is the reason she went through that window. She shows Molly the photos on her phone.

In the car at the airport, Natalia tells Blaze that the tour manger will be waiting for her. She’s got to snap out of it. She hasn’t said a word. Blaze looks at her, and Natalia says she knows leaving is hard. She knows leaving Kristina behind in pain is hard, but Blaze must know that the tour is going to boost her career. Opening for Miguel Morez on an international stage in front of millions is not something to pass up. Blaze says, it’s not like she had a choice, and Natalia says, of course (🍷) she did. She can go and be a huge success or stay… Blaze says, and wind up a failure, but Natalia says, it will just take longer. Blaze says she agreed. Natalia doesn’t need to sell it, and she isn’t coming. Natalia says she has to tie up some things in Port Charles and will meet Blaze in Europe, but Blaze says she meant Natalia isn’t joining her at all. She got what she wanted. Kristina broke up with her. Now she’s breaking up with Natalia. You’re fired.

Ava asks what Jack did to get John so spooked, but John says he’s just surprised to see him here.

Carly asks if Jack and Anna got things settled, and he apologizes for the interruption. He suggests she come back and finish the bottle of wine, but she says she doesn’t think that’s a good idea. He says, if he buys her a drink here, is it a better idea? and she says she thinks that would be okay.

John tells Ava not to worry. Sonny won’t get his hands on Clement. Not yet. Ava asks what he means, and he says, when the time is right, he’ll lead Sonny right to him.  

Jason says, Anna doesn’t make empty threats, but Sonny says, nothing is going to happen to Ava. They have other problems. He doesn’t want Avery being influenced by Ava. He’s going to let the court handle it, but don’t forget he has pictures of Ava putting her hands on Kristina. It’s Ava’s fault Kristina went through the window and the baby died. Ava is going down and he’s getting full custody of Avery. Ava is going to prison. Jason wonders what happens once Ava is in prison, and Sonny says, bad things happen in prison.

Violet asks how someone could be too generous for their own good, and Tracy says, her brother was a good man, but sometimes he gave too much of himself. He liked to make others happy, and that side of generosity can be exhausting. Violet says, there are a lot of pictures of him too. Sometimes he looks happy and sometimes he looks serious. Monica said he was a doctor, and they were very much in love. Tracy says, they were a perfect match and loved each other, but it took a while for them to realize it. She thinks Alan giving Monica the house was a stretch. Violet says, they wouldn’t have a place to live or have tea parties, and Tracy says she can’t argue with that. Who was it who told her to say, this is Monica’s house, and Alan gave it to her? Violet says, everybody, and Tracy laughs and says she’s not surprised.

Blaze says she’s firing Natalia, and Natalia says, she doesn’t mean that. Blaze says, doesn’t she? Natalia is always dismissing her. Nothing she wants or feels matters. Natalia is her parent, but as a business manager, Natalia works for her. This is happening whether she wants it to or not. You… are… fired. Now she’s done. She gets out of the car.

Kristina says, the pictures show what happened, and Molly agrees. Kristina says she asked Ava to withdraw the subpoena, and Ava went after their family. She said, their mother was a pathetic drunk and her father was a violent thug not fit to be around a child. Kristina said she’d testify that Ava was the reason Morgan died and that she shot Connie in cold blood and got away with it. She’d tell the court everything she knows about Ava. That’s when Ava grabbed her.

Jack toasts, to new friends, and Carly asks if that’s what they are. He asks if there’s some other zone she prefers, and she says, pals. They clink glasses and she asks why he’s in Port Charles. He says, like she heard him tell Anna, the WSB opened an office here. She says, the real reason, and he admits he didn’t tell Anna everything. She asks what he held back, and he says he was given a choice of positions, here or Bali. She says, and he chose Port Charles? Why? He says, once you’ve seen one tropical paradise, you’ve seen them all, and because she’s here. Carly says, that’s a line, but he says he always speaks the truth.

Ava says, sorry, she doesn’t think she heard right. John wants Sonny to find Clement? John says he’s using Clement as bait. When Sonny goes after him, he’ll be there to arrest Sonny. Ava says, in order for John to do that, doesn’t Sonny have to do something to Clement first? John says he’ll make sure Clement survives to testify. He’s going to use Sonny’s relentless pursuit of vengeance to take him down once and for all.

Jason says, either Ava is lying and she got to the pharmacist, or she’s telling the truth and it’s someone else. Either way, there will be a trail. Sonny wonders if there’s anybody out there who’s actively coming at him, and Jason asks, what about Ava? Sonny says he’ll wait as long as it takes. Kristina doesn’t know that the last words Ava is going to hear will be, this is for Kristina and her baby.

Tomorrow, Tracy says she’s planning on taking Cody for a ride; and Sonny asks, what if he gives Natalia another reason to stick around?

⛓️‍💥 Change Of Heart…

Portia’s head is going to explode.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/alley-mills-on-the-new-heather-on-general-hospital

🎊 Double the Fun…

Lucky and Stone Cold, together again.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-steve-burton-jonathan-jackson-reunite

📺 Grotesque Return…

Doubtful he’s ever coming back to GH. He was using it as a springboard. I’m not sad about it though. Gio is a much better match for Trina. Spencer was too loud and talked too fast. If they decide to bring Spencer back, they should recast.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/nicholas-chavez-teases-his-return-to-tv

🐪 Dollar Stores In Dubai…

This was the end of the trip to Bali, and I had mixed emotions. The women who griped about wearing the traditional dresses decided that, rather than be seen in these beautiful creations, they just wouldn’t show up. Nice. I was disappointed in Stanbury. Being British, you’d think she’d have more manners than that. She evened it out by making up with Ayan and afterward, they got on a Bali Swing (see below). It looked absolutely terrifying, so better them than me. The episode ended on an all-around positive note, when Ayan announced that the group was like sisters who fought and made up. She’s not wrong, even if that’s because it’s against the law to publicly display your anger at others.

Apparently, these swings are a thing in Bali.

https://www.walkmyworld.com/posts/the-bali-swing

There was also a palm reader who told Stanbury that she’d have a boy. It was unclear whether she meant a baby or just that Stanbury would remain married to Sergio. It looks like there’s a possibility of both happening.

👠 Unreunion In Jersey…

This was kind of weird, but not entirely an awful premise. The group was split in two and had watch parties for the last awful episode. They consisted of Teresa, JenniferA, and Jackie in one room, and Danielle, Rachel, Marge, and JennF in another. According to the recap, Delores played Switzerland and switched between the two rooms, but it seemed like she was mostly with the former group. Admittedly, I wasn’t totally paying attention, but I don’t think she spent much time with the latter. JennF was a bit of a tie breaker, since she was late and chose her own room. Although that might just be a sign that production didn’t care. At the very end, the women gave individual thoughts on their feelings about the season – a need for change seemed to be the universal theme – and Rachel announced to her group that she was pregnant.

Looks like Rachel wasn’t buying what Teresa’s group was selling.

And there are still questions. I, too, was somewhat disappointed, although I don’t know why. Maybe because I decided to watch it in the first place.

👕 Something About Merch…

I’m surprised they bothered opening. That’s some chunk of change for T-shirts and whatnot.

🌇 Left a Mediocre Job In the City…

Come on by tomorrow for soap and the LA art of the deal. Until then, stay safe: stay standing up to rude behavior, but not losing your cool; and stay striving to be elegant and avoiding animal prints.

August 9, 2024 – Sonny Says Ava Is His Problem, VanderDeux, Miami Fanning, WWDD, Negan In the City, Coming Last, Stream This, Stuck, Furry Reunions, Twice 4 Quotes & Beach

Standard

What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

Elizabeth says, Heather is looking good. She predicts Heather’s tests are going to come back great and she won’t need to stay at GH as long as they thought. Heather says, oh… joy. She’ll be back in Pentenville in time for Mah Jong. Elizabeth says she’ll check on Heather in a bit. Did she get enough lunch? Is there anything else she can bring Heather? Heather says, hospital food is like five-star dining compared to prison fare. Does Elizabeth think she could square her up with some vanilla pudding? Elizabeth says she’ll see what she can do, and Heather says, she’s an angel. Elizabeth leaves and goes to the reception desk.

Laura comes out of the elevator, while Elizabeth is on the phone asking for a lunch tray. She tells them to just bring it up to the 10th floor and she’ll take it in. She asks what brings Laura here, and Laura says she had a free hour and thought she’d spend it with her husband, but he’s not in his office. Has she seen him around? Elizabeth says she hasn’t. He’s probably with a patient. She assumed Laura was here to see Heather. Laura says, she’s here? She didn’t know that. What room is she in? She’ll visit her. Elizabeth says she doesn’t want to speak out of turn, but Laura might want to visit her another day.

At the MetroCourt, Nina thanks Michael for the working lunch, and he says, Crimson’s budget is on track. It was a good call to increase the print run on the latest issue. She says, he’s not going to regret it. This latest issue is going to fly off the racks. (I drift off for a moment, wishing ABC would actually publish a real issue of Crimson.) He says he has to admit, he’s not much of a Crimson reader himself, but Willow is, and he’s sure she’ll enjoy it. He asks if he can get her another cappuccino, but she says she’s still working on the one she has. She’s always loved the coffee here. It was one of the perks when she owned… She never thought he’d agree to her request so easily. She appreciates it. He says, nobody knows more about Crimson than she does. He wants to make sure she has everything she needs to be successful. Plus, he wants to show his appreciation for everything she’s done for Willow.

Willow gets in the elevator, but as the doors close, Drew stops them and gets in with her. He asks if she has room for one more.

On the phone with Sam, Alexis says she thinks Sam should go to Scout’s softball game. She’s got everything covered at the hospital… Kristina is improving. Why doesn’t she just fill Sam in on everything later. She calls Molly and leaves a message that she just wants Molly to know she’s thinking about her every minute, and she loves her.

Sonny says, Kristina doesn’t have to worry about Ava. He’s got it handled. She’s not going to get away with this. She asks what he’s going to do, and he says, she has to rest. That’s all she’s got to concentrate on. Just rest. Understand? She says she’s resting. It’s not like she’s going to feel better. There is no better from here. She needs Sonny to promise her that he won’t let Ava take another life like Ava took her daughter’s.

Heather is officially in the opening credits!

Laura asks, what’s going on with Heather? and Elizabeth says, she was brought in for a standard follow-up and some tests. They’re waiting on the results. Physically, she seems fine. It’s her mental state. Laura says, what about it? and Elizabeth says, she seems really down, like there was a switch in her mood and demeanor. She’s not her usual chaotic self. She’ll see if a psychiatrist can chat with her. Laura says, let her talk with Heather first. She thinks she can cheer Heather up.

Michael says, thanks to Nina’s coaching, Willow is more confident in her role as spokeswoman for the New Tomorrow Institute. Nina says, she’s knocking those PSAs out of the park. He doesn’t need her to tell him this, but Willow’s got a lot going for her. She’s intelligent, she’s approachable, she’s kind and strong and fearless and relatable. He says, everyone at the Institute is thrilled with her, and she says, they should be. She puts an alluring face on a very daunting issue. She’s living proof that donations save lives. Michael says, she’s a living miracle and they’re forever thankful. And the kids love their mom’s new job because she’s around more often. He’s really got to hand it to Drew for giving Willow this opportunity.

Drew asks Willow – who can’t meet his eyes – what brings her to the MetroCourt? Is she here to see Michael? She says, actually, she’s going to Crimson. Nina left a few outfit choices for her upcoming meeting with New Tomorrow’s board. He says, that reminds him. He wanted to speak with her. He just spoke with them, and he’s got some really good news for her. The elevator makes a buzzing sound and jerks to a stop, and he says, that didn’t sound very good.

Sonny says he knows Kristina is upset and he wants to make Ava pay too, but there’s a time and place for… She says, think about everything Ava has done to this family. How she shot Connie in cold blood. How she switched Morgan’s meds. He never would have been in that car if not for Ava. She is the reason that he died. And with Mike. She used Mike’s Alzheimer’s to blackmail Sonny into sharing custody of Avery. When is Ava finally going to pay for everything she has done? Her baby is dead because of Ava. Please. He has to do something so Ava can’t hurt anyone else in their family. (She left out destroying Alexis’s career for a good couple of years.)

On his phone, Drew tells Olivia that they’re both fine, but how long is it going to take to fix this thing?… No. He understands… Absolutely. They don’t really have any choice but to wait it out. Just keep him updated, okay? He tells Willow, the elevator company is on their way, but they’re going to be a while. She’s not claustrophobic, right? She says, no. Is he? He says, no, but he’s a little warm. Would she mind if he took his pants jacket off? She shakes her head, and he takes his jacket off and loosens his tie. She says, so what was the good news he was about to mention? and he says, the Institute’s director called about the PSAs. They’re getting a great response, and they owe it all to her. She says, that’s nice of them to say, but she gives some of the credit to Nina. Well, a lot actually. Since she’s been working with Nina, Nina has made her a lot more comfortable in front of the camera. He says, Nina’s been great, but she’s a natural at this. And he’s sure they were planning on bringing this up at the board meeting, but everybody at the Institute loves her and the director wants to fly them out to LA for the big annual fundraiser. She says, us, as in you and me? In LA?

Nina says she knows Drew sat in on Willow’s earlier rehearsals, but she imagines he’s super busy now with his own campaign. Michael says, he did agree on focusing on expanding the donor pool because of his late son Oscar, so he makes the time. He and Willow are working really closely together. She says, he really needs to focus in on his own campaign now. Go full throttle. And if he gets elected, his base will be in DC. He says, they all get that. Willow didn’t say anything, but he thinks she’s really going to miss Drew when he’s gone.

Drew says, it’ll be a quick trip, but the fundraiser sounds really impressive. They’ve got a celebrity host, celebrity presenters, Tamron Hall wants to get an interview with Willow. They rented out the Getty villa in Malibu. It’s a magical spot. Willow says she can’t.

Heather looks at a picture of Ace, and Laura says, he’s such a cut-up, right? Heather says, he’s got quite the little personality. She wonders where he gets it from. Laura says she supposes both Nikolas and Esme had a certain kind of charisma, and Spencer was every bit the prankster when he was young. Heather thanks her for including Esme in that assessment. She loved that little boy so much. If she ever gave her best self to anybody, it was him. Laura says she saw that. She was a really good mom. Laura shows her another picture, and Heather says she thinks he’s beginning to look a little like her in this one. Does Laura think so? Laura says, that’s interesting. Tell her something. How is she feeling? Heather says, everybody keeps asking her that around here (well, it is a hospital). She’s sorry. She doesn’t mean to be cranky, but she’s feeling sort of discombobulated. She had a visit from Trina Robinson earlier today. Laura asks how it went, and Heather says, Trina listened to her apology, but in the end, she didn’t accept it. She can’t blame her, and at least she listened, which is more than her mother is ever going to do. Not that she blames her either though. That’s the thing. Laura says she’s so sorry. She thinks it’s admirable the way Heather wants to take responsibility for the things she’s done and try to make amends. Heather says, like in AA, except without the perks of boozing it up first. Not that being an alcoholic is like a perk exactly. She meant that it’s not so serious… She doesn’t even know what she’s talking about. She doesn’t know if she’s coming or going right now. Being here is totally giving her the heebie-jeebies. She’s been thinking a lot about her future. Laura says she thinks she understands. She wants to put Heather’s mind at ease about her sentencing. Heather says, that’s what she’s been thinking about, and Laura says, the last time they talked, Heather made it really clear that she wanted to stay in prison and serve out her whole sentence. She just wants Heather to know that she heard her, and when Heather asked her to drop it, she did. Heather tells Laura that she knows she said that… Laura says, it’s over. She promises she’ll never bring it up again. Heather has her word on that.

Sonny says he knows how Kristina is feeling because he’s been there. She’s in a place of emotional distress, grief, but she’s going to feel differently when this passes. Kristina says, no. She’s going to feel differently when she knows Ava can’t hurt anyone else. He asks if she thinks payback is the answer. It wasn’t for him and Morgan. He did everything he could to Ava. It didn’t bring Morgan back. She says, at least Ava would have been out of the picture and her baby would still be alive. Now all she can do is get justice for her child. He says, she’s not going to get peace because in the end, she’ll have grief, but she says, please spare her the conversation on grief right now. He’s wasting his time. He says, there’s a time and place for everything. Hear him out. He doesn’t know how or when, but Ava is going to pay. She says, she didn’t pay for Connie. She didn’t pay for Morgan. They died and nothing happened. Ava just went on living her life and she’s going to do the exact same thing again. He says he has proof that Ava laid hands on her. Brick had her under surveillance and one of his guys took photos. She says, let her see them, and he says, she will, but she asks if he has them now. Are they on his phone? Let her see them. If he wants to make her feel better, show her. Please let her see them. He takes out his phone, and she scrolls through the photos. He says he wants her to know, those are at the PCPD and Ava is in custody. She’s not walking away from this. He’s going to make sure.

Laura tells Heather that she and Ace aren’t going anywhere, but in the meantime, she’ll print up the photos and drop them off the next time she visits. Heather says, Laura knows where to find her, and Laura tells her to take care of herself, and leaves.

Doc tells Alexis that he happened to be seeing someone else on this floor, so he inquired about Kristina. Things seem to be improving. Alexis says, they are, and he says his guess is, she’s been by her daughters’ sides since Kristina came out of surgery, scared to death. She’s been the chief communicator between friends, family, and medical staff. She hasn’t slept. She probably hasn’t eaten, and yet she’s done it with composure and a game face. How is he doing? She says, pretty good. She’s been doing it here alone. She’s been holding down the fort, making calls. She’s testing, making sure everybody’s okay, dealing with all the conflicting emotions, which for her most recently is rage. He says, which is understandable. It isn’t easy to be caregiver to a loved one who’s hospitalized, even with lots of support. His advice is to let anyone who offers to help, help, and make herself a priority. She can’t do it all alone, even if she is a pillar of strength. It’s times like this that it’s really okay to take your comfort where you can get it. She says, Sonny’s in there with Kristina now, and he says, good. Then she gets a bit of a break. And his door’s always open if she ever wants to talk. She says she might just take him up on that.

Kristina says, maybe Ava will get convicted and go to prison. Maybe she’ll be there for the rest of her godforsaken life, but Ava will still be alive, and her baby will still be dead. It’s not fair. Sonny says he doesn’t want her to think that way. She’s got her whole life ahead of her. She has a family that loves her, and he knows it doesn’t feel like it right now, but she’s going to be okay. She says she won’t be okay until she knows Ava Jerome is no longer breathing. He hugs her and says, listen to him. She doesn’t have to worry. He’s going to take care of Ava. Alexis walks in and says, take care of Ava how exactly?

Willow says she can’t go to a fundraiser in LA with Drew. Wiley starts school soon and he’s transitioning to full days, which will be a big adjustment. And they’re talking about taking a little family vacation before school starts. He says he’s sorry. He didn’t mean to spring this on her. He just kind of thought she’d be interested. She says, no. She’s sorry. If these kinds of business trips are expected of her, she doesn’t know. Maybe this isn’t the right position for her after all. He says, hold on. She’s really the perfect person for this position. He was just telling her how much everybody loves her in this role. It’s completely fine if she doesn’t want to go. She says, really? and he says, of course (🍷). They know she has two young kids. They want to make this work for her, not the other way around. She says she’s sorry. She overreacted. It’s just the wrong time. Not that she wouldn’t have loved a trip to California. It all sounds great, but… He says, if he’s the reason she doesn’t want to go, that’s something they should talk about.

Nina wonders what’s taking the elevator so long. You’d think Carly… someone would look into this… They probably are.

Willow says, there’s nothing to talk about. They’ve gotten past what happened on the 4th and it’s never going to happen again. He says he’s sorry. He’d never forgive himself if he ruined this chance for her. She says, he hasn’t. She’s so thankful to him for giving her this opportunity and she’s enjoyed working with him. He says he’s enjoyed working with her too, and he supports her no matter what she does.

Michael says he wants to check on Kristina at the hospital before he goes to the office, so he thinks he’s just going to take the stairs. He’ll see Nina at the office. She thanks him again for lunch, and he says, his pleasure, and leaves.

The elevator starts up, and Drew says he guesses they’re back in business. She should go to the benefit. He’ll stay in Port Charles. She says, but he’ll miss out, and he says, that’s not important. She’s one of his favorite people, and all he wants is for her to be happy. They gaze at each other, when the elevator door opens, and Nina is there.

Nina asks if Willow is okay, and Willow says she’s just anxious to get on with her day. How did Nina know they were stuck? Nina says she didn’t. She just knew that the elevator was slow. She and Michael were having a business lunch. Willow says, Michael’s here? but Nina says, no. He just left. He took the stairs. He said he was going to the hospital. Willow says she should go, and Drew says, didn’t she tell him that she had some outfits to pick up? Nina says, they could go to her office and get them, or she could have Madison pick them up. Is Willow hungry? She could keep Willow company. Willow says, thanks, but she can’t stay. She’ll pick up the outfits later. She leaves, and Nina asks Drew, what did you do now? (I laugh.)

Willow’s phone rings and she sees it’s Michael. She says she just missed him.

Kristina says she just wants to make sure she has her day in court, and that Ava will pay for what she’s done to her and her daughter. Alexis asks if she can speak to Sonny outside for a moment. They’ll be right back. Sonny winks at Kristina on his way out.

In the hallway, Alexis says, please tell her that Kristina didn’t ask him to do what she thinks she did, and Sonny says, don’t worry about it. She says she’s worried about it, because if Kristina is seeking revenge… He says, he doesn’t think they should be having this conversation right here. Can they go somewhere in private?

Portia sees Laura and asks if she can speak to her for just a moment, and Laura says, of course (🍷). Portia says, Trina told her that Laura’s given up trying to reopen Heather’s case and she wanted to thank her. She just knows Trina will be safer with Heather remaining behind bars. Laura says, don’t thank her. She didn’t do it because Portia put pressure on her to do so. Heather had a sudden change of heart and asked her to let it go and she has.

Elizabeth brings Heather some lunch and says, sorry for the wait. She brought Heather some soup and crackers… and vanilla pudding. Heather says she’s not hungry anymore. She’s sorry Elizabeth went to all that trouble. Why is everybody so busy trying to get her in tip-top shape just so she can go live out the rest of her life behind bars? What does it even really matter? Elizabeth says, of course (🍷) it matters, and Heather says she knows. It’s probably all for the best. She did terrible things, there’s no getting around that. People are dead because of her, because she killed them. But is it really all on her? Is justice really going to be served if she’s the only one who pays? (She’s not wrong.)

Sonny and Alexis go to the chapel, and Alexis says, this is much better. It’s the perfect place to discuss murder. He says, no one’s getting murdered, and she asks if he’s telling her that their daughter didn’t ask him for help. Sonny says, she asked, and Alexis says, listen to her. She has lethal thoughts about Ava too, after what Ava did to her family, her career, and the agony that her daughters are in because of her. It’s unbearable. He asks if she’s at a breaking point, and she says, not yet, but sadly, Kristina is. So she’s asking him, this request of Kristina’s, he isn’t going to do it, is he?

Michael goes to see Kristina and says he’s so, so sorry. He wishes there was something he could say, something he could do. He knows this pain, and he would do anything he could to take it away from her. She says, he got a happy ending. Wiley is still alive. Did he see the photos Brick had taken? He says, yeah. Did she see them? How? She says, dad told her there was proof Ava pushed her, there were photos. So she made him show them to her. Does he have them too? He says he does, and she says, send them to her. He asks if she really needs that right now, and she tells him that he said he would do anything to help her. She needs those pictures.

Portia says, Laura can see her concern. As a mother, her very real fear that Laura’s questions would gain momentum and Heather’s sentence might be reduced or she might be set free. Either way, she’s relieved. She’s grateful it’s not going to happen. Laura says she understands and wants Portia to know that she treasures Trina. Trina is a very special young woman. She had a profound effect on Spencer. She made him a better man. Portia says, Trina loved Spencer very much. Trina thinks the world of Laura as well. Laura says she hopes now they can put their differences behind them and move forward in a more positive way, and Portia says she’s all for that. (Until she isn’t.)

Heather says, the truth is, she wouldn’t have done any of those horrible things if that medical supply company hadn’t given her a radioactive hip. So really, shouldn’t one of their fancy executives be in a jail cell right next to hers? Elizabeth says she sees Heather’s point, and she’s appalled at the lack of quality control. Heather says, they probably knew all about this and they just hushed it up. That’s what they do. (Again, not wrong.) She took responsibility, but it wasn’t all on her. So why should she have to spend the rest of her life without her grandson in a prison cell? It isn’t fair to Ace to have his grandma in the slammer. Elizabeth says she knows Heather misses him, and Heather says she does. The other thing is, she’s never been compensated at all for their negligence. Isn’t she really entitled? She doesn’t want anything astronomical. Just something to make her comfortable. Maybe a little house with room for Ace, a little garden with petunias. She loves petunias. Elizabeth says she’s going to just take the tray right now. Use her call button if she wants it back or if she wants anything else. Heather asks her to wait. By any chance has she seen Scott Baldwin around?

Nina asks if Drew saw how quickly Willow left. She couldn’t wait to get away from him. He says he didn’t do anything, and she tells him to give her a break. She’s probably running down the stairs two steps at a time. What is wrong with him? She loves Michael. She doesn’t want to lose him. She doesn’t want to hurt her kids or blow up her life. He says he doesn’t want that either, and she says, then leave her alone. Just get over whatever this is, this hero complex of his and cut her loose before he destroys her life. He says, it was one kiss. He’s not trying to defend it, but he already told Nina that they got caught up in the moment and it’s not going to happen again. His phone rings and he says, it’s McConkey. He has to take this. He steps away and asks what he can do for the congressman… He understands and he’ll take care of that… He looks at the phone and says, suddenly being stuck in an elevator doesn’t sound so bad. Nina says, dare she ask? and Drew says, McConkey doesn’t think he’s making enough progress with the school board, that he’s not being proactive enough to get their support. She asks what he’s doing tonight, and straightens his tie. He asks, why? and she says, because she might be able to help.

Laura goes to Doc’s office, and he says, hey, wife. It’s good to see her, if only for a few minutes. It’s been a busy day. She hugs him and says, it has been. She came to see him, but he wasn’t here, so she visited Heather. He says, she’s in the building? He didn’t know that. She says, yeah. Elizabeth said she was kind of depressed, so she tried to cheer Heather up. He says, with pictures of Ace, and she says, yes, and some reassurance that she stopped looking into Heather’s sentencing. He asks if that did the trick, but she says, not really. Heather seems concerned that she’s going to abandon her and will stop visiting her. He says, that sounds like reality is setting in. Her emotions will be all over the place. She says she tried to reassure Heather that she’ll keep visiting just as she has been, and she’ll keep Ace in her life with photos. She perked up just a little bit, but she thinks the reality of Pentenville is weighing on Heather. He says, trips to the hospital can be a mixed blessing. It’s a break from prison, but then she has glimpses into a life she can no longer have. Laura says, make no mistake. She knows who Heather is. She knows the things Heather has done pre and post metallosis, but there’s always been this sort of tragic, poignant thing about Heather. But the horror she became is something altogether different. He asks what she thinks now that she’s taken a step back, and she says she has mixed feelings, but she’s relieved to have made the decision to put it behind her and she knows Portia’s relieved too. He says, she spoke to Portia? and she says she ran into Portia here. Portia wanted to thank her for dropping Heather’s case.

Kristina looks at the photos and tells Michael, that bump. That’s her. That’s the last time the baby was with her, safe and protected. Why did she go in there? What was she thinking? Why didn’t she just leave Ava alone? He says, it doesn’t help going down that path, and she says, he’s never asked himself what if? What if I had made some different choices would everything be different? He says, many times, but it doesn’t change anything. It’s just another way to beat yourself up. She doesn’t need that. She says she wishes she could go back in time. Just walk out that door. Turn around and leave. Then her baby would still be here. Her baby would still be with her. She would still be alive.

Alexis says, Kristina is traumatized, and while she and Sonny are lucky she’s alive, her baby didn’t make it. And she still doesn’t know if she’ll be able to have a child again. Sonny says he didn’t know that, and she says, that’s why they’ve been monitoring her so closely, because they’re trying to avoid a hysterectomy. She is so fragile right now. He says, she thinks he didn’t see that when he walked into the room? It broke his heart. She says, good. Then he realizes Kristina doesn’t know what she’s asking. He says he knows what she’s saying, but this is between him and Kristina, and she says, no. They’re not doing this again. She’s Kristina’s mother and she’s telling him that he can’t do what she asked. Because if Ava dies or disappears or whatever euphemism applies here, he’ll leave a forever mark on Kristina’s soul.

Doc says he’s glad Laura and Portia were able to mend fences, and she says her too. She’s always liked Portia and she adores Trina. And she does understand where Portia was coming from. As a mother, if you perceive a threat to your child, you do anything you can to stop it. Ironically, that’s what Heather was doing too. He says he admires her for asking the questions, and for her sense of fairness and decency, and for overlooking what’s popular and politically expedient. Come to think of it, he admires himself. She laughs and says, really, and he says, for having the good sense to marry her. She hugs him and says, he’s not so bad himself. She doesn’t regret raising the questions she raised, but she thinks in the end, it’s best Heather remains in prison.

Elizabeth says she hasn’t seen Scotty today, and Heather says, he was in here earlier. Could Elizabeth ask him to come back in and see her in her room? Elizabeth says she doesn’t know if he’s going to be back by the time Heather is discharged, and Heather asks if she can just make a teeny-weeny phone call. Elizabeth says, Heather knows she’s not supposed to call from unmonitored lines, but Heather says, it’s really important. It’s actually kind of urgent. Could she ask Elizabeth to call on her own phone? Elizabeth says she doesn’t think she wants to get involved, but Heather says, just leave a message. Just two words, that’s all. Simple. Heather’s in.

Drew says, after reading him the riot act, Nina is offering to help him? and she says she promised she was going to help him get elected and she really needs him to be elected. And McConkey is counting on Drew, and she doesn’t want to let him down. So why doesn’t he just come by her place tonight and they’ll order dinner. He asks if she’s sure about this, and she says, if she wasn’t sure, she wouldn’t have offered. See him tonight. She leaves.

Willow finds Michael and hugs him, and he says he’s glad to see her. She says she’s glad he called. How’s Kristina? He says, she’s not good. Physically, she’s on the mend, but emotionally she’s in a dark place. She’s hurt and she doesn’t see an end in sight. Willow says she understands that. He does too. Michael says he was thinking, if she’s willing, Kristina could really benefit from someone who’s carried and lost a child. He knows it’s a big ask, and she can obviously say no, but would Willow be willing to talk to Kristina?

Kristina looks at the photos and says, you will always be with me. We were a part of each other, and I pray you knew just how loved you were. How loved you still are. You changed my life, baby girl. You taught me the power of a mother’s love, and that is something Ava can never take away from me… like she has everything else.

Alexis says, their daughter is surging with grief right now, and if Sonny takes any action against Ava, she will feel responsible. He says, everything she’s saying, he already knows. He loves his daughter. He’d do anything for his daughter to protect her, but Ava is his problem, and he will take it from here.

On Monday, Maxie says, this is an unexpected turn of events; Anna says, ruining someone’s evening is the only thing she’s happy about; Jack tells Carly, an experience like this shouldn’t be rushed; and Brook tells Blaze that she has to grab the chance.

🐪 Coveted Seating…

IMO, Chanel and Stanbury should have gotten the seats next to Andy.

🍸 Second VanderChapter…

I thought, instead of firing Stassi for something she did years before, it would have been better to watch her grow from it. But she grew anyway and has obviously moved on. However, the LVP connection remains. I started watching Vanderpump Villa, but drifted away. Maybe I’ll give it another shot.

🌴 They’ve Got Style…

In theory, a Bravo FanFest sounds like a good idea, but it’s probably hot, crowded, and ultimately annoying.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/bravo-fan-fest-miami-2024

⚰️ The Next Chapters…

It will be interesting to see how they top themselves after that stellar first season.

https://undeadwalking.com/posts/melissa-mcbride-and-norman-reedus-talk-about-carol-and-daryl-s-time-to-shine-01j45se86fkn

Ah for the days of more than a handful of episodes in a season.

https://undeadwalking.com/posts/the-walking-dead-daryl-dixon-how-many-episodes-per-season-01j4j9whkv7k

Hola, Daryl!

https://undeadwalking.com/posts/daryl-dixon-season-3-confirmed-with-story-moving-to-spain-here-s-everything-we-know-01j3x6ppyak7

🗽 City To Come…

I never knew his last name was Smith. Come to think of it, I never knew he had a last name.

https://undeadwalking.com/posts/walking-dead-did-negan-s-redemption-arc-reveal-his-true-nature-or-just-a-path-to-survival-01j4pdzwvt8b

Geez. A little benefit of the doubt would be nice.

https://undeadwalking.com/posts/dead-city-negan-s-motivation-to-squander-the-second-chance-given-to-him-by-rick-grimes-01j44ztttajb

I’m including this mostly because I saw Frozen Empire a few weeks ago. It was a lot of fun, and the little Stay Puft marshmallow guys were adorable, but I would have liked more of the frozen part.

https://undeadwalking.com/posts/watch-dead-city-actor-logan-kim-in-ghostbusters-frozen-empire-now-streaming-on-netflix-01j3j9fjy50d

🌁 The Latest On Last…

It seems like it’s been forever already.

https://www.etonline.com/media/videos/the-last-of-us-season-2-first-look-catherine-ohara-joels-rescue-aftermath-and-more

https://deadline.com/feature/the-last-of-us-season-2-cast-release-date-everything-to-know-1235940502/

🦄 IF You’re Streaming…

This is on Paramount+ right now. Saw it. Loved it. It rides that fine line of being sentimental without taking a trip to the cornfield. Kind of like a sweeter version of Drop Dead Fred.   

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/if-cast-imaginary-friends-voice-actor-guide/

🦫 Is It Me Or…

It would probably be my luck that when I finally got a prize from one of those stupid machines, it would be a groundhog.

https://people.com/penn-officials-rescue-groundhog-stuck-in-claw-machine-at-mini-golf-course-an-unusual-prize-8693471

🐶 Only a Tail Wag Away…

I was gone like, four hours the other day, and according to my dogs, it was four years. Nothing like a pup to make you feel wanted.

https://paradepets.com/pet-news/chihuahua-best-reaction-being-reunited-with-mom

https://paradepets.com/pet-news/dog-reunites-with-girlfriend

https://paradepets.com/pet-news/australian-shepherd-reunites-with-mom-after-month

🦜 Quotes of the Week

Let others lead small lives, but not you. Let others argue over small things, but not you. Let others cry over small hurts, but not you. Let others leave their future in someone else’s hands, but not you. – Jim Rohn

So let me get this hetero-straight. So you’s a vampire, that can come out in the daytime?… Oh there goes the damn neighborhood. – Lafayette Reynolds (Nelsan Ellis), True Blood

Life is a succession of lessons, which must be lived to be understood. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Tact is the knack of making a point without making an enemy. – Howard W. Newton

Each day we are given the opportunity to choose between that which is easy and fast and that which is more difficult and slow. The fast and easy track is attractive, but doesn’t bear fruit. The slow and hard track is intimidating, but has the most potential. – Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein

Critical thinking and curiosity are the key to creativity. – Amala Akkineni

His self-awareness makes him almost invincible. – Chris Evans in reference to Ryan Reynolds

Don’t make us die. – girls going parasailing to the boat captain, Customer Wars

🌈 If You Want the Rainbow…

Do something fabulous this weekend, or at least watch something fabulous. Then come back again on Monday for soap and mischief on Deck. Until then, stay safe, stay doing what you’re afraid to do, and stay not going down the path of what if. It doesn’t change anything.