Category Archives: Master Chef

Sep14

September 13, 2017 – Oscar Breaks In, Two Chefs are Out, Some Quotes & Today’s Everyman

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

Michael says just to be clear, Nelle was engaged, he died, and she was investigated for it? She tells him that’s correct. He says for two people who are supposed to trust each other, it’s a lot

Bobbie sees Monica crying in the hallway. She doesn’t know if Jason is coming back.

Anna knocks on Finn’s door. She says that she knows he’s in there; she’s a trained spy. He suggests she uses her training to figure out that he’s not in the mood, but she says she has to talk to him, and she’s breaking in. He opens the door at the same time, and she tumbles inside.

At Carly’s house, Sonny asks Milo how serious the break-in was. Oscar is sitting on the couch, and Milo says that the kid claimed that Josslyn invited him over, but Josslyn is too young to go on dates.

Finn asks if Anna can move her wrist, but she doesn’t want to; it hurts. He checks her out, and says it’s a minor sprain. She asks if he saw Hayden, but he tells her that it was a false alarm. She wonders if Hayden has vanished like her father thought she would.

Bobbie tells Monica that no matter how big or old they get, it never goes away. Monica remembers kissing the booboo to make it go away, and still sees the tiny child. She’s angry, and wonders why it’s happening to their family again. Bobbie says it shouldn’t be. Monica says they’ve both buried children, and it’s not the natural order of things. Bobbie says they’re still carrying on, but Monica wonders where the justice is.

Nelle says that she was afraid to tell Michael. She almost destroyed his parents, and thought there would be no coming back if she told him. Carly was just starting to tolerate her. He asks if she can blame Carly for being concerned. These are huge, life-altering secrets.

Carly tells Milo that it’s Oscar. Sonny asks what happened. Milo says that he came to the front door, and when he found out it was locked, let himself in the back. Carly says she’s told Josslyn to lock the doors, although it doesn’t look like that matters with Milo there. Milo says Oscar tried telling him some story about Josslyn inviting him over. Sonny asks Oscar why he thought it was a good idea to break into his wife’s house.

Bobbie tells Monica that they’ve witnessed medical miracles and the strength of human spirit, and Jason is as tough as they come. She says they’re just not privy to the rest. Monica says they just have to keep on living, and do the best we can for those left behind. Bobbie says that’s what she tells herself too, and lists all the grandchildren.

Michael asks Nelle what happened. She says they were engaged, and had already set a date, but wanted to get away before all the wedding preparations happened. So she planned a trip. They’d kayaked before, but not up north. Zack’s kayak took on water. He was a strong swimmer, but it was too much for him. Michael asks if she went after him. Nelle says she couldn’t. She wasn’t a strong swimmer, and the waves were too strong. They weren’t wearing jackets, which was stupid (yes, it was, and why would you do that?), and she panicked. He asks if she called 911, but she says that they also stupidly left them on shore. Zack did everything he wasn’t supposed to, and couldn’t stay afloat. I’m surprised they made it through any kayaking trips. Michael asks if she didn’t try to save him, and she says she reached out her oar, but he couldn’t get it. She encouraged him to swim, but he couldn’t. She did everything she could, and he came up a few times until he went under. She’s gone over and over it in her mind, wishing she’d done something differently; anything that could have saved him. Michael asks why his parents suspected her, and she tells him that the plug from the kayak was missing. She doesn’t know if it was an accident or someone took it out, but she didn’t sabotage it. It’s not like she wanted him to die.

Sonny says he doesn’t think Oscar would violate anyone’s privacy. Oscar explains that he and Josslyn made plans to meet after school. She’d texted him to come in, since she had headphones on, and might not hear him. He figured he’d try the back, and that’s when Milo grabbed him. Oscar apologizes to Sonny, but Sonny says it’s not his house; it’s Carly’s. Oscar apologizes to Carly, and she says accepted. He also apologizes to Milo. Milo says he’ll forgive him once his story checks out. He wonders why Josslyn isn’t at home, and in perfect soap timing, she walks in. She asks what’s happening, and why Oscar is there. Milo says he told them she invited him, and asks if that’s true.

Finn gets Anna ice and wraps up her wrist. She tells him that he’s being gracious, considering he doesn’t want her there. He asks her to tell him what’s so important, and if it’s about the diamond. She says she got some more intel, and diamond was stolen in a smash and grab that the Bureau believes was planned and executed by a group headed by Valentin, who used the name Theo Hart back then. Finn says maybe she should be breaking into his place. Anna explains that they weren’t able to tie him to it, but the diamonds went to a fence named Cassandra Pierce. She sold them at a profit, and invested in illegal commodities on the dark web. Finn asks if Valentin was involved, but Anna says it’s hard to say. Finn wonders what it has to do with him. He’s trying to pick up the shards of his life, and go back to treating sick people. She says that’s why she’s there.

Josslyn tells them that she’d texted Oscar to meet her at school, but for some reason, it never got sent. She asks Oscar why he didn’t tell them, and he says he tried. Oscar says he owes Sonny an apology too. He should have known who he was before acting like jerk in the park. Sonny says that he seems like a smart kid. He should use his intelligence to think before he acts. Oscar says he’ll work on that, and they shake hands. Josslyn wonders why Milo is guarding the house. She asks about Jason, and Carly tells her that nothing has changed. Sonny wants to talk to Josslyn, and Carly takes Oscar to another room. Milo goes back to work. Sonny tells Josslyn that they’ve done well lately, but even if it means she’ll hate him, he wants to level with her.

Michael tells Nelle that the absent plug raises questions, but everything points to an accident. Why did the police get involved? Nelle says that Zack’s parents didn’t like her. Michael doesn’t think that’s enough to charge anyone with a murder, but she says a few weeks before, Zack had made her the beneficiary of his will. Michael says that changes things. Nelle tells him that she didn’t want the money; it was Zack’s idea. She says it was fun being around them, but it was new to her. He says just like their trip to Morocco, but she says that the biggest trip they took was the one to Maine. They’d planned on traveling after the wedding. He asks how soon she was accused, and she says almost immediately. They’d never thought she was good enough for their son, and they had the clout. The police came after her, but the worst part was that she wasn’t allowed at the funeral. Tears run down her cheeks as she talks. Michael asks if she loved Zack, and she says she thought she did. He’s made her happier than she’d ever been. He was good to her, and she thought that was enough, but she didn’t know what she didn’t know about love.

Anna tells Finn that Cassandra lives in Monaco, and is a virtual recluse who doesn’t socialize. Finn asks how it relates to him. Anna says that she has to make contact, but her sources tell her there’s a zero to no chance on her own. However, Cassandra is a hypochondriac in constant contact with doctors. She’d be responsive to someone of his stature. He says she’s asking him to be a spy, and she says no, a doctor.

Monica tells Bobbie that she loves spending time with grandchildren, but with Jason, she’s had to learn to live and let live. Bobbie says her too, for same reason – Sonny. Monica wonders if she’d pushed harder, if he’d be all right now. Bobbie tells her not to second guess herself, and that they’re both smart cookies. They laugh about some of their past discretions. Monica says that so much has happened, and Bobbie says they’re still standing. They hug.

Nelle asks if Michael thinks she killed Zack. Michael says that it’s getting late. He wants to see Jason, and asks if Nelle will come with him. She says of course. Michael tells her that he doesn’t know if Jason can hear him, but wants to tell him how much he admires him, and could always count on him for hard advice. She asks if he means like now, and he says he knows what Jason would say. He should trust his instincts and do what’s right for himself. He says the answer to the question is no; he doesn’t think that Nelle did it. He takes her hand, and says that he believes her, and believes in her. She thanks him, and says that she was afraid she’d lost him. He says she won’t, and hugs her.

Carly tells Oscar sorry about the misunderstanding, but tensions are running high. He says he should have thought it through; his mom would be pissed if he committed a felony. She asks if his mom knows that he’s spending time with Josslyn, and he says that she knows he has a friend who’s a girl. She wonders if his mom knows her stepdad is Sonny.

Sonny says that Josslyn isn’t a kid anymore. He put something in motion that got out of control. She asks if that’s why Jason got hurt, and Sonny tells her that someone after him and Jason saved his life. She asks if he’s going to be all right, but Sonny says they don’t know. She feels badly for Jason and everyone who loves him, including Sonny. Sonny says that he’s doing everything he can to keep them safe, including extra security. It won’t be forever, but he feels it’s his job to protect the people he loves. Josslyn tells him to be careful too. He says it’s a deal, and they hug.

Anna says that it will be a good opportunity for both she and Finn. He tells her that she said that about visiting Raymond Berlin, and it was a big, fat nothing. She says this time he’ll get to use his doctor talents. He doesn’t want to be put in a situation that will blow up in his face, but she says she’ll be right next to him. He tells her no, and gives her instructions about her wrist while walking her to the door. She tells him she’s grateful, and he says then leave him to his solitude – as of now.

Josslyn and Oscar go to the footbridge. She wonders where the fireflies go when they go, and he says they can google it. She says or they can talk about what happened. She knows it’s a lot to handle. She’s always known what Sonny did, since she was old enough to figure it out, and says sorry he got caught up in it. Oscar tells her that he’s okay, and waves to Milo, who’s at the end of the bridge. He says it’s one thing to know him firsthand, but as of tonight, when it comes to protecting his family, he knows you don’t want to be on Sonny’s bad side. Josslyn says if he wants to call it off, she understands.

Carly tells Sonny that she doesn’t think Oscar told his mother who Josslyn’s parents are. He asks if they should call her, but Carly says not yet. If they continue spending time together though, they’ll have to make the call. She says that she’d be furious if Josslyn was dating some crime lord’s kid, and Sonny is like, what did you just call me? and laughs. She says that’s how his mother will see it. She asks how things with Josslyn went, and Sonny tells her that Josslyn is like her old self with him. They talk about how Michael is cool on the outside, no matter what’s going on inside. Carly says she thinks she made things worse, telling him about Nelle, but it was too important not to.

Michael and Nelle go to the hospital. Michael goes in to visit Jason. Bobbie sees Nelle, and says just perfect; the grieving family fits in with her M.O. Nelle is like, what? Bobbie tells her that they know all about it, and Michael will find out, even if she’s the one who has to tell him. Nelle can continue to skate on thin ice, or take the opportunity to leave town forever. Nelle says that she must be pretty bitter to mess with other people’s happiness, and Bobbie calls her a trailer trash gold-digger. Michael comes out, and Bobbie runs up to him, saying she’s sorry to be the one to tell him, but he interrupts, saying he already knows and he believes Nelle. Bobbie makes noises about her lying to cover it up, and Nelle says that she doesn’t pretend to be perfect. She’s done stupid things, but she didn’t kill Zack. Michael says that at any time, any one of them could end up like Jason or Morgan. He chooses to be with her, and won’t stand there while she’s being attacked. He asks Bobbie to trust him to make his own decisions. She says that she’ll back off, but prays she doesn’t regret it. When she’s gone, Nelle asks if Michael is okay.

Oscar says there’s no way he wants to stop seeing Josslyn. She tells him that Max and Milo have been guarding Sonny since she was born. Oscar says he’s not intimidated, even knowing that his kneecaps could be broken if he messes up. He likes being with her. They kiss. Aww!

Finn tells Roxie that he’s sorry she didn’t get to move into the big house with a new terrarium, but the plans have been put on hold. They have to figure out how to rebuild their lives without Hayden. He says Anna must be out of her mind.

On the phone, Anna tells Robert that she has no intention of giving up. She’s going to get him to cooperate one way or the other.

Monica gives Bobbie some coffee. She says that she was going over Jason’s charts, and couldn’t tear herself away. She asks Bobbie if something happened, and Bobbie tells her that she had a run-in with their mutual grandson, but it’s a story for another day. She wonders how they can watch out for their children when they don’t want help.

Michael tells Nelle that they’ve had their fair share of hard times, but as long as she’s straight with him, he’ll believe her. She says she has to be straight about something else. When she said she loved Zack, she didn’t know what love was. It took Michael to show her. She wants to prove he can trust her, and won’t let him down. She loves him. He tells her that he loves her too, and they embrace.

Carly tells Sonny that Nelle is probably working overtime to convince Michael that the accusations were unfair, and he’ll believe her. Sonny says it’s not like she’s a murderer. Carly is afraid that Nelle will use Jason being in the hospital as a time to strike. Sonny tells her they’re not losing Michael, and they’re not losing Jason. She asks about the business situation, and if it’s stabilized. He tells her not to worry. If anybody makes a move, they won’t live to regret it.

Oscar apologizes to Josslyn. A lot of that going around today. She tells him not to be sorry; she’s not. She says they should be careful though, or Milo will think it’s his duty to report back to her parents. She hopes that Sonny settles things asap, so they can have some privacy. Oscar reaches up, and grabs something. He says it’s the last firefly of the season. He tells Josslyn that if you make a wish and let it go, the wish will come true. She puts her hands around his, and they close their eyes for a moment. Oscar lets the firefly go.

Tomorrow, Maxie says she’s going to have to out Nathan and Amy to get her job back, Griff needs Elizabeth’s help, and Valentin says that they’ve neutralized the key witness – Ava.

🍰 On MasterChef, family members watched as the cooks made dishes inspired by their families, and Cate was the winner. Next, they had to make a “stunning, elegant, and delicious salmon dish. Each contestant got a different amount of time, which Cate dictated. Gordon spit out Yachecia’s salmon (I actually went, oh! out loud.), saying he’d tasted better fish in cat food. Why is he eating cat food? Jeff only had twenty minutes, and the fish was basically raw. Gordon asked if Jeff was trying to poison him, but isn’t salmon often eaten raw? Like with sushi and lox? He tried to say he meant to do that, which didn’t go in his favor. While waiting for the judges’ decision, the cooks got snarky and nasty with each other. Yachecia and Jeff both got the boot. Good. At least I don’t have to type her name anymore, and I think he should have been gone a while ago. Gordon did tell Jeff that they didn’t think they could teach him any more, since he wasn’t prepared to listen. In his exit interview, he called himself Jeff 2.0, which is 2.Out to say.

Flour was in the mystery box, and profiteroles were to be made in 45 minutes. I was confused though, since they looked like cream puffs, and I’d thought they were something else. I guess all this time I didn’t know what a profiterole was. Jason moved on to the finale. Molten cake was the next challenge. I have to mention that I have loved Eboni’s shade of lipstick throughout this season – it’s purple with sparkles, and looks better than that sounds. Dino’s cake was a total mess, since he didn’t get it into the oven quickly enough for it to bake thoroughly. It just looked like a puddle on the plate. Eboni was the winner, and said it’s a long way from the ghetto, telling us about being a single mother in Chicago not long ago. Three cheese soufflés in thirty minutes was the final battle. It was close, but Cate was out, and Dino got the third finalist spot. She predicted Eboni for the win. Her exit was gracious, and she said that she not only learned about cooking, but learned more about herself. She still felt like she won the experience of a lifetime, and so she should. Next time is the two-hour finale.

🙇 Tonight was the Odd Mom Out finale. How long was that season? Like, four episodes?

👯  Reality and Artistry

In theory, we should do the opposite. Exposing people to the sometimes harsh reality of life and history, is truly how you “entertain, educate and enlighten” people. Life isn’t always rosy and handed to you on a silver platter. The sooner people understand that, the better off they’ll be. – Nick Kangadis, TruthChicago  Preach it!

To all of you artists, keep going — we have to support each other. The trick is when you’re in a bar play like you are in a stadium and when you are in a stadium play like you are in a bar. – Lady Gaga  Exactly!

😣  Dude is all of us at one time or another.

http://www.tmz.com/2017/08/27/straight-outta-compton-jason-mitchell-blows-up-on-delta-staff-overbooking/

JasonMitchell

Jason, in Happier Times

 

Sep7

September 6, 2017 – Ava Confronts Griff, a Souffle Saves Three Cooks & Dog Thoughts

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

Lulu places an order at Kelly’s. She runs into Valerie, and tells her she’s planning Rocco’s birthday party. It’s just going to be family.

Michael arrives home. Carly asks if he went by the hospital, and he says he just missed her. He sat with Sam, but she didn’t tell him much, and he didn’t see Jason. Carly tells Michael that he’s in a coma, and they don’t think he’ll regain consciousness.

Sonny prays in the chapel. Dante comes in, and says he has news. Sonny asks if it’s about Jason, but Dante says it’s about him.

Kristina and Molly join Sam. Kristina says they’re going to take the kids for some distractions. An intern brings Sam Jason’s belongings. Sam takes his wedding ring out of the bag, and says today is their anniversary.

Griff didn’t realize Ava was interested in boxing, but she tells him that she’s there because he is.

Sam tells her sisters not to cry or she will. She says Jason will be fine. Molly says of course, and they discuss future anniversaries. Sam thanks them. Kristina leaves, and Sam asks if Molly is okay. She’s concerned about Sam being alone, but Sam says that Jason is with her.

Dante tells Sonny that they’re not pressing charges for the shooting. They’re calling it justifiable homicide. Now that Sonny has had a chance to breathe, he wonders if anything has changed. Where is Sonny going from here?

Lulu tells Valerie that they’ve been avoiding each other for months. Valerie wishes it had worked out differently. Lulu says she practically dragged her into the Spencer clan, and Valerie adds until she slept with Lulu’s husband. Lulu says she almost caused Valerie to be burned to death, so there’s no moral high ground. She says the insanity seems like a lifetime ago. Maybe it’s what she’s going through with Charlotte that made her consider what family means. They should be there for each other even when one of them screws up. (That was a pretty big screw up though.) She asks if they can start over. Maybe they can be the cousins they should have been. Valerie says that would be great. Lulu gives Valerie an invite to Rocco’s party

Griff apologizes to Ava for not being able to talk. He says death is part of the job. Ava says being a priest is more than a job; it’s a vocation, a calling, and he approaches being a doctor the same way. He needs to talk to someone who can listen. He barks at her that he’s fine, and she says, clearly. He thanks her, but says he needs to be alone. She calls him a hypocrite.

Michael asks Carly how Jason was shot. Carly tells him about the meeting of the five families. She says Jason went along with Sonny, and everyone seemed okay and on board. Petro (which Carly pronounces Petrov – is he another Garvey?) came back, and there was a stand-off. Sam walked in on it, and Jason took a bullet for her. She says Sonny killed Petro, but it was clearly self-defense. Physically he’s okay, but he blames himself.

Sonny says that Dante is afraid he’ll retaliate if Jason dies. He says all he knows is that Jason is dying, and all he can do is wait. Dante says they can talk later, but Sonny doesn’t know if he’ll have any answers. Jason is like a brother, and he already almost lost him once.

Sam asks Jason to squeeze her hand. Nothing.

Ava says that Griff tells everyone else to reach out for help, and practically beat down her door. If it wasn’t for him, she’d be downing martinis in the dark, alone at home. Now she has hope – not a lot, but just enough – and sometimes she can face her future. He’s glad he helped, but needs to be alone. She says for what, to wallow? He listened to her, why can’t she listen to him? He says he has nothing to say. It’s a profound sense of loss, and he doesn’t know what to talk about. Ava says empathy is not her strong suit, and wonders how Griff got that way. He says that when he was a boy, things were harsh, and he watched his mom struggle; he had to keep his guard up. He became an altar boy. His priest was a good man, and he felt comfort in God and the church, and began to see beauty in the world. He thought the priesthood would be his life. Ava asks how he became a doctor, and he says he was reading biology as much as theology. He thought his superiors would balk at the idea, but they encouraged him to follow both paths. He discovered he could make a difference. He could ease suffering. Marisol was different. He thought that he could save her, and failed. It brought him back to the harshness, and he should never have let his guard down. Ava says he’s missing the point.

Sonny apologizes for unloading on Dante. He says he prayed so much, he doesn’t know if he can pray anymore. Dante says he’s going to say prayer himself. Sonny leaves to see Jason.

Kristina can’t get Scout to stop crying. Parker comes by. She says she’s an aunt herself, and wants to show her a tip. She rocks the stroller like it’s a jacked up car, and Scout settles down. She asks Kristina about the shooting, and Kristina says it’s her brother-in-law Jason. She’s helping out by taking Scout for the day. Kristina says it was a surprise running into her at The Floating Rib. She’s glad Parker could move on from her divorce, but Parker says she’s not seeing anyone.

Sam says Jason always comes back to her. She knows he can hear her, but can’t answer right now. She tells him how much she and the children love him. They need him. She needs him to fight for her and the kids. She’ll fight with him. She wishes him a happy anniversary.

Ava tells Griff that the world is a harsh place, and life is often lousy. We all face disappointment and loss, and all want things that are out of reach, even when we know better. She takes off her mask, and tells him to look at her. She wants her face back. She wants to look in the mirror and not be reminded of every mistake, crime, sin, and every person she’s ever wronged. She knows it’s vain, but she wants to be beautiful. Griff says she is. She kisses him. He kisses back. Woo-woo.

Griff tells Ava to stop. (Un-woo-woo.) There’s been a misunderstanding. He told her that she’s beautiful, but never wanted to give her that impression. He wanted to help her as a friend. She tells him to shut up. Ha!

Parker tells Kristina that an old friend was showing her around. She hasn’t dated since the divorce. Dating means starting over, but it’s hard to admit the life you wanted wasn’t there. Kristina identifies. Parker says one of the reasons she took the job at PCU was because she wanted to get away from the memories. She’s sorry to burden Kristina after all that happened between them. Kristina says aren’t they past it? If not, it’s time they started. Parker says that she’s sorry she hurt Kristina. Kristina says ditto, and done; let’s just move on. Parker says she’ll follow Kristina’s example. She says Kristina found someone she cares about, and she hopes they value her. Valerie comes out of Kelly’s.

Michael asks why Sonny would blame himself. Carly says he knew it would be hard to retire, if not impossible. He was doing what she asked him to, and this is on her. She talks about the night Kiki was shot, and seeing the crates of guns on the pier, and throwing them in the harbor. She thought she could handle it; it was part of the life she chose, but after that night, she’d been pushing Sonny to find another way. After Morgan died, she told him that if he wanted his family, he’d have to get out of the business. If she hadn’t forced his hand, none of this would have happened.

Sam talks to Jason about their wedding. She’s going to keep those vows. She promises to love and cherish him in sickness and in health. She puts his ring back on his finger.

Sonny asks Sam if there’s any change. She says nothing yet, and he tells her that it will take time. Sam says she talked to Jason, and likes to think he heard her. Sonny says if he hears anyone, it will be her. He goes into Jason’s room. Molly sees Sam. She says Danny wanted her and Jason to come with them to the water park; he wants to see his parents.

Michael tells Carly that it was Sonny’s choice, and she didn’t shoot Jason. Is she just being overly dramatic and making this about her? He suggests they do something that will help, instead of bringing Sam food that she won’t eat and coffee that she won’t drink. Carly says she used to get so wound up, she’d talk herself into doing something crazy, and Jason would talk her out of it. Michael is just like him, or how he used to be. Michael says Jason is the last person who would think she should blame herself.

Lulu goes to the chapel. Dante tells her that Sonny is with Jason. She asks if he’s okay. He says he was thinking about how Sonny looks at Jason like a brother, and he’s just his son. Lulu asks if he wonders if things would be different if they’d known about each other earlier. Dante says he’d like that bond, but doesn’t think it can happen. Lulu says look how much Sonny and Jason’s friendship has cost.

Valerie tells Kristina that she picked up lunch. Parker doesn’t want to interrupt their lunch date. They make small talk. Parker tells Kristina she hopes the family stuff goes okay, and leaves. Valerie says it’s official – Parker is jealous.

Ava is like, misunderstanding and wrong idea? She asks Griff how anyone can be so clueless and shut off from their emotions. She wonders which is more foolish, him not knowing how he made her feel or her thinking he could feel that way? She asks when the last time was that he practiced what he preached?  He says he does every day, and she says every day he clings to a white collar, using it to shield him from emotions. Ava says that he tells her that she’s hiding out, but he’s hiding in plain sight from living. Even if he gave up the collar, there would be one tight around his neck, keeping him from anything but friendship. He’s afraid to feel emotion and passion, and afraid to let anyone touch him.

Griff says that Ava couldn’t be more wrong; he feels too much. She says take it from an art dealer, he’s no more human than a painting or sculpture. He’s a depiction of a man. She’s sorry she wasted her time with his pity and false compassion. She’s done. She turns to leave, and Griff grabs her hand.

Kristina tells Valerie that she knows she should say she’s over it and it’s meaningless. Valerie asks what the truth is, but Kristina doesn’t know what she wants.

Lulu asks if Dante thinks that Sonny will stay in the mob, and he says that he’s concerned about it. Lulu thinks if Sonny wants help, he’ll make it happen. If not, Dante has her, Rocco, and Charlotte. He says he’s the world’s luckiest man, and they kiss.

Sam wonders how many times the kids can hear that one of their parents are hurt, and she doesn’t know what to say. Carly and Michael ask if they can do anything. Sam says that she doesn’t know what to say to Danny. Michael says he needs a distraction. Molly says she tried that, and Michael says maybe he can change Danny’s mind. Carly says she’s going to take Sam home, where she’s going to shower, get some food, and try to sleep. Then she can come back and be strong for Jason.

Sonny tells Jason that he’s sorry for all of it. He knows it’s too little too late, but also knows what needs to be done.

Tomorrow, Curtis tells Jordan that they make a good team, Danny asks if his dad is okay, and Sonny says there’s no getting out of this life for him.

🍆 🍚 On MasterChef, chopsticks were in the mystery box, and the cooks had to make an Asian inspired dish with their own twist. Dino won, which officially put him in the top six. The elimination test was making pasta from scratch. Both Gabriel and Yachecia got the full Gordon, with him telling Gabriel his dish was a disaster and looked horrible, and informing Yachecia that hers was the worst performing dish in the game, adding that the filling looked like cat food, and the broth like something from the bottom of a dish washer. Ouch! I wondered why mint ends up in everything. I don’t even like mint gum, and the second I hear it’s an ingredient, I’m like, no. Eboni ended up the winner, and Gabriel was out. However, he got a huge consolation prize. Gordon will be paying his way through culinary school, after which he’ll have a job waiting for him with Aaron. It was kind of like when Jennifer Hudson lost on American Idol, but then sang with Barry Manilow the next day, and went on to win an Oscar. Sometimes losing isn’t losing.

In the second hour, Jason was captain of the red team, and Eboni captain of the blue, when the cooks worked a pop-up restaurant in a vineyard. They created two appetizers – a scallop dish and lobster capellini – and two entrees – duck breast and filet mignon. I actually learned something about how to make a capellini nest by twisting it around on a spoon. Eboni tried to do Jeff a favor by picking him for her team, hoping to break his challenge curse. It backfired, and they lost. But instead of taking it graciously, or even making a joke of it, Eboni blamed the loss on Jeff, Jeff, and more Jeff, saying that he really was cursed. Jeff fired back, and the whole thing was embarrassing. Third team member Cate wisely stayed out of the argument. The pressure test was a chocolate soufflé. Somehow, even Jeff created perfection on a plate, and all three were moved to the next round, Gordon saying everything was so good, they couldn’t eliminate anybody. All was forgiven and everyone hugged. Next time, raw fish, but not on purpose.

🔪 A new Gordon Ramsay effort, Hell’s Kitchen All Stars, will be airing starting Friday, September 29th, at 9 pm. That’s the same start date for Z Nation, which I’m hoping is on at 10.

Why They’re Better Than People

Dogs are our link to paradise. They don’t know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring – it was peace. – Milan Kundera

JulietSpring2017

My Little Old Girl

 

Aug31

August 30, 2017 – Nina Gets a Surprise, the NYC Reunion Wraps Up & a Little Bit of Chef

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

Maxie slaps Nathan. She asks Amy if what she wanted all along was for Maxie to share her husband, and says she can share this with him, and slaps her too.

Felicia tells Bobbie that Nelle’s real name is Janelle, which is why she couldn’t find anything on her. Felicia really needs a new line of work. She stinks at being a detective. She shows Bobbie a newspaper article about Nelle being a suspect in her fiancé’s death.

Dillon wants to know what Nina wants in the photos, but Nelle says she’s at tea with some official who wouldn’t take no for an answer.

The official is Valentin, who thinks champagne is more appropriate.

Carly meets Josslyn at the MetroCourt, and asks Josslyn if Oscar put the smile on her face. Josslyn says they were just texting about school, and Carly tells her to relax; she said Josslyn could see him. Josslyn asks if she’s in trouble, but Carly wants to talk to her about Sonny.

Petro moves to shoot Sam, but Jason intervenes and gets himself shot instead. Max tosses Sonny’s gun to him, and Sonny shoots Petro. Sam tells Jason she loves him, and to stay with her. Well, you shouldn’t have followed him and burst in unannounced then.

Nina tells Valentin that she’s supposed to meet with the Minister of Culture. Valentin says it’s him. He says she stood him up last night, and now’s the time to keep her promise. She says she’s working. She has an answer for him, but the photo shoot is crucial. Valentin doesn’t give a damn, all he can think about is having her in his arms again.

Nelle tells Dillon about some of the things Nina wants in the photos. She mentions Michael, and Dillon grumbles about flying solo. She says Michael had to work too. Dillon thinks it’s convenient that Michael had a business trip in Morocco at the same time. Nelle says she’s not complaining.

Felicia explains to Bobbie that Nelle’s fiancé, Zach, died before the wedding. They went sea kayaking, and a storm came up. They were in separate kayaks, and his capsized. He wasn’t wearing a life vest and drowned. Nelle claimed she tried, but couldn’t get to him in time. Bobbie says it could have been an accident, but Felicia says the police and his family don’t think so.

Nathan shoves Maxie into the room. Amy says she’s so caught up in her own drama, she doesn’t see what’s in front of her. They were having a business meeting. Maxie wonders what business they could have. Amy tells Nathan to let her throw her tantrum, since it’s all she cares about. Maxie asks if Man Landers told Nathan to love the one he’s with. She sees the cutout, and asks what freaky stuff they’re into, but then says she doesn’t want to know. Nathan says they’re not having an affair, but he did lie to her

Josslyn wonders if Carly said she could see Oscar because she wants to get back together with Sonny.  Carly says no; she just realized that she can’t keep Josslyn in a cocoon. Josslyn says she’s working on her honesty, and Carly says if she wants Josslyn to be honest, she has to be too. She wants them to move back in with Sonny and Avery.

Max calls for help, while Sonny gets out the first aid kit. He tells Sam to keep Jason awake, and he’ll try to stop the blood.

Valentin toasts to being Nina’s husband again, and never betraying her. She says one toast does not a reconciliation make, no matter how beautiful the setting. He says he’s just showing off, but if she takes him back, he’ll prove he knows what real love is, and how much she means to him.

The jewelry for the shoot is all tangled. Dillon says he has the lighting right, and wonders how long it will take to fix it. Nelle says she’ll get the jewelry straight, and has the assistant get the models. She opens a case that has a gorgeous blue necklace in it – huge blue sapphires, each surrounded by diamonds – and says, wow.

Amy tells Maxie that she didn’t want the secret to ruin Nathan’s marriage. Maxie says it’s her marriage too, and Amy says she’ll butt out. Nathan explains about Chet. Maxie is surprised he’s a veteran, since she thought he’d be with the NFL. Amy tells her how he hurt his knee, and ended up in Afghanistan, where he sustained wounds, and now needs constant medical attention. Maxie says she didn’t know, and Amy says that Chet didn’t want anyone to know. She tells Maxie about how she needed money to keep his medical care going after her mother died. She talks about the Man Landers blog taking off, and how she got Nathan involved. Maxie is like, it’s you???

Carly tells Josslyn that while Sonny had Jax deported, he also got the deportation lifted, and hopes Josslyn can forgive him. She says Avery misses them too, and just wants her family back together. Because Avery is that articulate, even though she’s a toddler. Carly says that’s what she and Sonny want too.

Jason is losing blood. Sonny tells Sam keep talking to him. She tells him the kids need their father, and please open his eyes. He does. We hear the sirens in the distance.

Nathan says that Amy really gives the advice. Amy explains about how she read another blog, and people liked her comments. She started her own blog, and soon people wanted to know who Man Landers was. Nathan says it was supposed to be a one-time thing, but then there was a book deal and podcast. Amy tells Maxie that Nathan has been a champ for her and her brother. He’s not just devoted, but the most honest guy around, and he loves Maxie so much. Nathan asks if it’s going to come between them.

Nina asks Valentin how she can trust him. He says he’ll prove it day by day, over the rest of her life, if she’ll have him. She says she’s made up her mind, and kisses him. I hope that’s a yes. She tells him that she loves him, and wants to be with him. They kiss some more.

Nelle puts the necklace on. Dillon comes in and says, busted, and asks how it feels to have a small fortune of sapphires around her neck. She says she’s taking it off, but he suggests they do test shots. She agrees, but only because she’s willing to go above and beyond to help.

Bobbie asks Felicia why they think Nelle was involved. She says the kayak was missing, and Bobbie wonders if that’s not on the rental company, but Felicia says he owned it, and it was the best. He was the son of wealthy parents, like Michael, and he made Nelle the beneficiary of his will. It was millions.

Josslyn tells Carly that she’s still mad, but doesn’t hate Sonny. She felt terrible, thinking about how good he’s been to her. Carly says he loves her. Josslyn gets he was grieving for Morgan and lashing out; she’s been doing that too, and wants to stop. It’s time for some happiness. Carly agrees, and wants to be a family again.

The paramedics arrive. Sam tells Jason to breathe. The EMTs begin to work on him.

Josslyn wonders how Bobbie will take the news. Carly says she’ll find out soon, since Bobbie asked to meet her. Josslyn says she has to go to the library and work on her syllabus. Carly is like, hmm… and Josslyn says Oscar is on vacation; she can show her pictures. Carly says she’s into believing everyone mode, even Nelle.

The paramedic says that they have to stabilize Jason first. No one cares about Petro, who just lies there. They don’t even check for a pulse. Dante arrives, and Sonny says that Petro tried to kill him, but he shot him dead with a single shot. Dante asks Max what happened, and Sonny says don’t talk without a lawyer, but changes his mind when Dante says it’s off the record. Max explains how Petro got him outside, and said he’d kill him if he didn’t cooperate. Jason is conscious, and Sam tells him to stay with her.

Maxie says she understands. It was sneaky and underhanded, but for good cause. She forgives him, but says he has a lot of explaining to do. Amy is like, I’m outta here. She says if she’s not pressing her luck, maybe Maxie will rethink her plan to unmask Man Landers. Maxie says she will, and Amy says maybe she’s not so snarky after all. Maxie asks if she gave the advice to spice up the marriage to Mac and Felicia, and Amy says that was Nathan; he went rogue during the podcast. She adds that he didn’t suggest getting busy in the bushes though. Maxie asks if it was Nathan who suggested giving up everything for love. Nathan says that was Amy, and Maxie says it was excellent advice. Amy leaves, and Maxie tells Nathan she understands their secrecy, but wonders why he didn’t tell her.

Felicia tells Bobbie that Nelle planned the trip after Zach had signed everything over to her. Bobbie says she’s a manipulator, but that doesn’t make her a killer. Felicia says that Nelle swore she tried to save him, but could barely stay afloat herself, and had left her phone on shore. He disappeared under the waves. His family wanted her brought up on murder charges, but there wasn’t enough evidence. They tied the will up in probate, so she got nothing, and want to see her in prison for life.

Dillon looks at the pictures, and tells Nelle they don’t need models; they should put her on the cover. She tells him to delete them, but he thinks she shows a lot of facets of herself in the pictures. In some she looks like an ice queen, and in others, she looks like she’s a kid playing dress-up. She says that’s what it feels like. She can’t believe it, and wonders whose life she’s living. He wishes he could share her enthusiasm for travel. When he was younger, he was shuttled from country to country, and his mom compensated for her time with material things. Nelle says it’s a matter of perspective. She moved a lot because her father was always in debt. She thinks that’s why she resented Carly at first. To her, Carly had everything, while she had nothing. Dillon says everything comes with a price. Sounds Stephen King-ish.

Valentin tells Nina it was worth the eight-hour flight and the waiting. Nina says she wanted to make sure her eyes were open. She wants to be with him; she misses everything about it. Valentin doesn’t know what would have done if she said no. He’d never love another woman, because no one compares to her. He takes out her ring set, saying that he broke into her office. He puts them back on her finger, and asks her to make him the happiest man in world and not divorce him. She says yes. They both look like they’ve been to the Bahamas; they’re as tan as Sonny. Valentin says he’ll love her always. He picks her up and carries her to the bed, and you guessed it, a song part. Um… Nina, did you forget you’re at work? Yes she did. They get busy.

Dillon tells Nelle that money can’t buy happiness. Ask any Quartermaine. The assistant needs Dillon for something, and Nelle looks at the necklace.

Bobbie hates being the messenger. Carly comes in, and Felicia leaves. Bobbie tells her that Felicia found something, but Carly says she’s done meddling, and everyone is happy. She has something to tell Bobbie about Sonny, but Bobbie says it will have to wait. She’s afraid for Michael. It’s not about meddling; it’s life or death.

Max continues to talk to Dante, and Sonny tells him about how Jason got shot, and that he shot Petro in self-defense. Sam tells Jason that he came back to her once before, so come back again.

Maxie asks why the secrets? Nathan apologizes, saying that the timing never seemed right. He should have just moved to Portland. He’s proud of her devotion to her career and her daughter. Amy is going to have to tell the truth eventually, so he’s moving. Maxie says he could do that, but she won’t be there. She quit her job, and got a one way ticket back. He asks about Georgie, and Maxie says she’ll still see her, and she can find another job, but never another love of her life. They kiss.

Felicia sees Amy, and says she seems calm. She tells Amy that she told Maxie about her and Nathan. Amy says it’s not what she thinks. She isn’t at liberty to say what’s going on, but Maxie accepts it. Felicia is like, what?!

Nina doesn’t want to leave. Her phone rings, and she ignores it, but it rings again. There’s a problem at the photo shoot. The sapphire necklace missing. Oh, come on, Nelle is going to be responsible for the Chicago fire soon.

Dillon looks at the shots. Nelle says she told him to delete them, but he says he’s an artist and never deletes his work. Nelle goes on about what more could she ask for, and how happy she is. She still thinks he should delete the photos though.

Carly asks Bobbie if she’s not exaggerating. Bobbie says she has proof that Nelle is dangerous. Carly says okay, let’s hear it. Bobbie tells her to brace herself.

The EMTs take Jason out to the ambulance, and Sam goes with them. Sonny looks at the blood on the floor.

Tomorrow, Nelle tells Michael that they have to go now, Carly says she’s not losing another son, and Sam tells Monica about Jason.

The Real Housewives of NYC

We start with some talk about body parts, what we do with them, and grooming them. ♫ LA-LA-LA! ♫ Andy asks if the booze made Tinsley open up (omg – and he didn’t even say that on purpose) about a certain sexual act. She explains that she thought it was a cute story. Um… cute is not the adjective I’d ascribe to that.  I’m no prude by any stretch of the imagination – I lived in NYC in the 70s and 80s for God’s sake – but there are some things I don’t want to know, and this is most of them. Ramona explains that she grew up Catholic, and didn’t think oral sex was sex. Moving on, but not fast enough.

Andy brings up how Ramona asked Bethenny if her daughter is aware of her nakey past. Which isn’t really very nakey. We flash back to that, and also the argument they had in Vermont. Then the non-invite/invite to Mexico, and wrap it up with the pool apology. Maybe Ramona just shouldn’t drink. A viewer asks why Ramona chose to bring it up after a million years. Ramona says she’d been sent an article mentioning it. We also go back to the first reunion where Ramona walked off when Alex mentioned she’d done art photos. Ramona says she’s not as uptight now. Yeah, we’ve noticed. She says she probably needs delivery lessons, and I second that. She didn’t know how to make it right, and she made it worse. Another viewer asks why Bethenny made a big deal about it. I can answer that. Because Ramona is a huge a-hole and Bethenny had enough. Bethenny says the article was already out there, and she’d even written about it, but Ramona approaching her under the guise of being worried about Brynn finding out, was the wrong thing. Ramona insists it was out of concern, but Bethenny says not one person believes that, nor did any other mother ever voice their “concern.” She’d even said in an interview that she wanted to hurt Bethenny. Ramona says Bethenny makes her nervous. Bethenny says when she was going through a bad personal time, she never came at Ramona, even though Ramona attacked her right and left. Ramona says who can embarrass her anyway? because she’s an insensitive dolt. Ramona says she’s been there for Bethenny, and she owns what she does. Bethenny asks what she’s ever done to Ramona, but Ramona doesn’t answer because there is no answer.

Another viewer wonders why, since Bethenny called LuAnn every name in the book, she wasn’t more forgiving. LuAnn jumps in and says it was about the kids. It gets put out there that maybe Ramona is jealous about Bethenny’s success the way Jill Zarin is. After listing about a thousand ways that Ramona has been obnoxious, if not downright nasty to her, Bethenny says that Ramona can’t be happy for other people, and it shows. Ramona says that Bethenny is projecting, but apparently she doesn’t know what the word means. Bethenny points out that everyone is shaking their heads. LuAnn says the idea is to learn from mistakes and not make them again. Andy asks if the rest of them would be forgiving. LuAnn says it takes a while for the burn to go away. Dorinda tells them that when she watched how angry Ramona was versus Bethenny being quiet, she doesn’t think Ramona realizes how intense she was being. Andy asks if she’d taken anything like Xanax, but Ramona insists she was just drinking. Andy asks why Bethenny ended up inviting her to Mexico. Bethenny says she didn’t want to exclude her. She doesn’t want to be close, but she doesn’t “not not like” her.

We discuss Sonja Morgan’s Home for Wayward It Girls. I note that LuAnn’s necklace looks like the one that’s missing on General Hospital. When was the last time she was in Morocco? We see clips of Tinsley’s new life – fun with Sonja, fun without Sonja, arguments with Sonja, the Page Six debacle, and her eventual move. We also flash back to the thank you party, and that amazing cake. Andy asks about the best and worst of living with Sonja. Tinsley says it was the worst time of her life, and she’ll forever be grateful, but the downside was the criticism. Sonja admits that she should have laid off in front of the other girls, but says then Tinsley aired the dirty laundry. Andy asks LuAnn for her opinion, since she’d also lived with Sonja. LuAnn thinks Sonja was like an overbearing mama and hard on Tinsley. Sonja agrees she was, but thought Tinsley needed guidance. She says that Tinsley falls in love quickly, and she wanted the best for her. She’d said she wanted to get married and have children, so Sonja tried to help. Tinsley says she’s not an intern, but a friend, and had every intention of giving her something when she left. Sonja gripes about not getting a birthday card, reminding me about the card sitting here for someone whose birthday was three days ago.

Andy asks if Sonja went to Page Six about Tinsley being ungrateful, but she insists she didn’t. He asks if Tinsley confirmed it. She says she wouldn’t know how to do that, but Sonja had just been complaining about the exact same thing, and she felt betrayed. Sonja says she didn’t come to her first. Carole says they were the exact words Sonja said. Andy asks if it was a thank you or f-you party, but Tinsley says she planned it before all that happened. Bethenny thinks they should call it a thuck you party. Ha-ha! Sonja says she thought the glitz was just for show, but when Tinsley gave her speech, she knew it was sincere. That five grand gift certificate for Bergdorf’s probably didn’t hurt either. Tinsley is sorry they fought, and admits she wasn’t the perfect house guest, but they’re good now.

We move on to the Mexico trip, and get to relive it through clips. First, the great room hunt by Ramona and Sonja. What a couple of ungrateful idiots. We revisit LuAnn’s fall into the bushes – HAHAHAHAHA! – her subsequent fall (which wasn’t quite as funny), tequila day, Dorinda stabbing herself, and end with the rose and thorn dinner. It’s fun to watch their reactions. It’s so good, we see the clips of LuAnn falling again. Andy says in ten years, he’s never seen her drunk like that. LuAnn says she never gets out of control, but it was a long drinking day and she hadn’t eaten. Andy says Bethenny brought them to the epicenter of alcohol.

Andy asks why Ramona thought she should get the best room, considering how she stood with Bethenny? Ramona doesn’t know what she was thinking. I’m not so sure Ramona does think, and Dorinda reads my mind, saying she wasn’t. Andy brings up Sonja making out with the ladies, and taking it to a new level. Sonja says now that LuAnn is married, she had to find new victims. Carole thinks Sonja might have given her a hickey. Andy asks how Dorinda cut herself, and Bethenny calls her a gangster. Dorinda says she didn’t feel a thing. She saw the blood in the morning, and thought she had her period. Andy asks Bethenny whey she didn’t want to be psychoanalyzed by Dorinda. Bethenny says that Dorinda saying she was controlling was like saying H2O is water.

Bethenny tells Andy that everyone was great on the trip, but she feels self-conscious about her success. She wanted the trip to be perfect, because the main event centered around her business. She says this season was the funniest of all of them. They talk about the pool apology again, and how funny it was that Bethenny and Ramona had barely spoken in weeks, and then ended up hugging nakey, separated by a pool noodle.

Andy asks what everyone’s rose and thorn for the season was. LuAnn’s rose was getting married, and her thorn was hearing all the stuff about Tom, although she appreciates everyone having her back. I cringe again, thinking she would soon be divorcing. Dorinda says that daughter Hannah starting her new life was her rose, and her thorn was arguing with Bethenny. For Tinsley, moving back to NYC and meeting Scott were roses, but fighting with Sonja was pretty thorny. Sonja’s rose was making up with Dorinda (who said there’s always next season), but for her thorn, felt she gave Tinsley too much tough love, and should have backed off. No surprise that Carole’s thorn was the election results, but she had a rose in going to Washington DC for the Women’s March. Ramona has both a rose and thorn in Bethenny, with acting out toward her, then making up with her. Bethenny says her rose was a sense of personal freedom after the Vermont trip, and she didn’t have a thorn. Andy wonders what about her struggle with Ramona, and she says it might have been both, but she had other stuff going on.

We end with a shot of tequila. Toast to strong drink and strong women.

👰 🚫 Next Wednesday, Andy will be interviewing LuAnn one-on-one at 11 pm.

🍴 On MasterChef, the first half was a Mexican-themed tag team challenge, and a mystery box revealing Nutella, with which they made a breakfast. My stomach doesn’t like the idea of Nutella for breakfast, unless it’s spread on toast. Jason won, and got to pick the teams for the tag team. Cate and Dino were the winners there, and Caitlin got sent home. The contestants then went to Big Bear Lake where rainbow trout was featured, and the guests being served were Gordon, Christina, and Aaron. Dino headed up the blue team, and Cate was the red team captain. Note to self: Never put cornmeal on rainbow trout. If nothing else, you will piss off Gordon. The teams picked the one dish they wanted each judge to taste. Christina got some fish bones from the red team, but they still won the challenge. Jeff acted like a huge baby because the red team got to have fun on the water while the blue team awaited their fate. Back at the MasterChef kitchen, the pressure test was to make truffles. The candy kind. Yachecia’s were a mess, prompting Gordon to ask if she’d bitten into one. She was also missing some, although Gordon praised the two that actually looked like truffles. I was pretty sure she was going home, but Daniel had a chunk of chocolate in one of his. Apparently, this is a cardinal sin in truffle-making, and he got the old heave-ho.

Truffles

Truffles

Truffles2

Also Truffles

Aug17

August 16, 2017 – Jared is Foiled Again, Round One of NYC’s Reunion & a Little Bit of Chefs in My Life

Posted on by
Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

Griff calls Ava a miracle worker. He says the bee sting feels better already. Ava lingers over putting it on him, and I have to laugh.

Kristina approaches Parker at the concert, and asks if she’d like company. Parker says sure, and Kristina sits with her.

Jared meets Obrecht, who thought their business was concluded. He wants to chat about the plan she concocted. He says his money never showed up. Hayden screwed him over – again. Good. Go away.

Curtis finds Finn at Hayden’s office. He wants to stop Finn from chasing her, and says he has to give her time. Finn asks why, and Curtis says she could be anywhere. She’s gone until she decides to come back. He says be glad Monica didn’t press charges, and Finn says maybe she should have.

Elizabeth calls Hayden’s mother looking for her, saying that she and Finn had a lover’s spat. Like Hayden would be going to her mother. Elizabeth literally runs into Franco outside of Kelly’s. They kiss.

Ava apologizes for embarrassing Griff, and he says no need for apologies. She says that’s the first time anyone has ever said that to her. He tells her the remedy worked like a charm. She hopes it will give her less time in purgatory, and asks him what it’s like being perfect. He says he doesn’t consider himself perfect. She says pride is a sin, but false modesty should be too. (It kind of is, according to Paul in Romans.) She calls him beautiful, and asks how he’s not led into temptation. He asks her who says he’s not tempted?

Kristina tells Parker that she loves her mother, but she’s an adult. She wants to know the real reason Parker is there. Tenure isn’t good enough? Parker tells Kristina that if it works out, she might get a senior position. She says she didn’t think Kristina would be there, but would be out seeing the world and forging her own path. Kristina says she’s doing that in Port Charles, and going to business school. Parker says she always knew Kristina would be successful, but needed to find her passion.

Obrecht tells Jared that even if Hayden put the money back, it’s still a felony. Jared says something went wrong; she got cold feet, or got caught, or kept it for herself. She owes him for all the years he spent in prison, and he’s going to collect.

Franco tells Elizabeth that he’s under cover. He’s on a secret mission for brownies, but don’t tell anyone, because it’s a surprise for her. He asks her to tell him how much she missed him. She says she’s incapable of banter because she’s so happy, and they kiss some more. She asks him about New York. He says he’ll have to sell paintings for the settlement, but the rest were returned. I have no clue what he’s talking about, and feel very much out of the loop here. Obviously, I didn’t pay attention to something. Elizabeth says that everyone can move on now, but Franco says they’ll talk about it later. She says she has to get to work, but he doesn’t want to let her go. He says she’s dangerous to the patients because she’s a contagion. He can tell something is up, and asks her what’s wrong.

Curtis asks Finn if he wants Hayden convicted, and Finn says he wants her found. He appreciates what Curtis is trying to do, but he doesn’t need a sponsor. He’s not coming unglued. Curtis is like, okay, and says maybe he’s not as together as he thinks. Finn goes over the last time he saw Hayden, and when he heard her using her old name on the phone. Curtis says it’s rough when you find out what people are capable of – it shakes your foundation. Finn says instead of coming to him, she thought stealing was a better solution. She got defensive and walked out, and he had no idea that was the last time he’d see her. Curtis says he’s not going to want to hear this, but needs to admit to something he’s afraid of –he’s still in love with her. Well, of course, it’s not like it’s been years. More like a few hours.

Griff tells Ava that he’s hardly a saint. Ava says they don’t start that way, and asks if one of them didn’t say, give me chastity, but not yet. He tells her that Saint Augustine sort of said that. He tells her that he has given into temptation, and she mentions Claudette. He says he nearly walked away from the priesthood to raise a family. For a long while, he’d hoped something wonderful would come from his fall from grace. He could have been Charlotte’s father. Ava thanks him for letting her see this side of him.

Kristina asks if Parker’s wife came along, but she didn’t want to leave her patients. She asks if Parker’s wife (who apparently doesn’t have a name) will be joining her later. Parker wants to keep things less personal because, boundaries. She asks about business school, and where Kristina wants to go with it. Kristina says that Parker left her a note and she had to track her down. Parker says sorry. Kristina feels entitled to know how it worked out. Parker says they gave it their all, but her marriage is over.

Elizabeth tells Franco about Hayden being MIA before her wedding. He’s shocked that after all she and Finn went through, she pulled a vanishing act. He suggests consoling Elizabeth, but she says she has to get back to work. He complains that she’s picking sick strangers over him, and she says she’ll make it worthwhile later. Obrecht walks in, and says it warms the heart to see him. Elizabeth says it’s not like she has one. Oh, snap!

Finn tells Curtis that he just wants to make sure Hayden is okay. Curtis asks if he can get past the mistake she made. Finn says he’s as much to blame as she is. When he was detoxing, he told her that she couldn’t be trusted. He wanted her to hurt inside the way he did, and it left a scar. Why would she have faith in him? Curtis says Hayden knew it was the detox talking, and stayed by him. Finn insists that in her mind, he couldn’t return the loyalty. Curtis says that the only thing worse than blaming her, is blaming himself. Idiot Jared walks in, and Finn slams him up against the wall, asking where Hayden is.

Griff tells Ava that there’s no sin in wanting to love and be loved, and feeling the touch of another human. She says it’s getting a little esoteric. She’s getting tired, and still trying to get her stamina back. He reserves the right to lecture her again, or at least go on another outing where there aren’t any bees. He thanks her for coming out with him, and she thanks him, saying that she enjoyed it. He leaves, and she bangs her head against the door. She pours a martini and downs it.

Kristina says that Parker told her she was recommitting to the marriage. Parker says that was the plan. She didn’t mean to take advantage, and Kristina says she didn’t. Kristina tells her that she was never more clear about anything in her life.

Franco suggests Elizabeth and Obrecht remain in neutral corners. Elizabeth leaves for the hospital. Obrecht says she never thought of Franco as the sentimental type, and he says he never thought she’d play three-card monte with urine samples. She asks if she can buy him a donut, so they can discuss what else Elizabeth said about her. Franco wonders why she thinks they’d be talking about her, and she says there isn’t a more scintillating subject. He tells her that Elizabeth is worried about her sister. Obrecht says she’d be worried too, if someone she cared about was hauled off to jail. Franco asks what makes her think that Hayden is in jail?

Jared says he’ll have Finn arrested for assault, and Finn says he’ll have Jared up on blackmail charges. Jared says Hayden owes him; it’s not his fault she lied about her past. Finn says he threatened to expose her, and Jared says he did him a favor, and calls Hayden a bitch. Finn goes after him again, but Curtis stops him, saying he needs his hands for doctoring. Curtis lays Jared out with a punch.

Parker tells Kristina that she and her wife became perfect strangers. Through it all she discovered something about herself, especially when she was with Kristina. Through all the crossed lines and mistakes that she made, she still felt brave for following her heart. Kristina suggests she’s like Anna Karenina, but without the kid or train. Parker says she doesn’t intend to get in Kristina’s way. She hurt her once, and doesn’t want to see her unhappy again. She starts to go, but Kristina stops her.

Obrecht is surprised that Hayden hasn’t been arrested. Franco says that they don’t arrest you for being a runaway bride. She says Finn must be heartbroken. She asks again if Hayden isn’t in jail, and Franco wonders why she keeps asking. She says he just came home from an excursion to a filthy city with a dying Broadway empire (my note: that’s because it’s so freaking expensive); he doesn’t need the stress. Franco questions whether she knows anything about what’s going on, and she says whatever happens to them, they more than deserve it.

Curtis sits Jared down. He tells Jared that Hayden is his friend. He blackmailed her, and caused her to leave town. Now he needs to make it right, and tell him where to find her. Jared says he doesn’t know. Finn tells Curtis how proud Jared is of his tennis skills, and Curtis says it would be a shame if his arm was messed up. Jared tells them that she promised to pay him for taking the fall, and he gave her a divorce. Where is his settlement? He says that she ran out on both of them, but she’s Raymond Berlin’s daughter, and learned to lie and cheat at her daddy’s knee.

Parker says Kristina has grown up a lot, and Kristina says losing a brother will do that. Parker heard about Morgan on the news, and says how sorry she is. Kristina tells her that losing people you love teaches you something about yourself. Parker asks what she’s learned, and Kristina says not to waste time, and not to get caught up in what doesn’t matter, but focus on the things that do. She tells Parker that she’s glad to see her, and Parker says her too.

Ava keeps drinking. She looks in the mirror, and sees herself whole. Griff is there, and tells her that miracles do happen. She asks what she did to deserve this, and he says that grace is not being loved for what you’ve done, but for who you are. He touches her face, and she says that she’s not a freak anymore. He tells her that she’s beautiful, and always was. He kisses her. Her glass drops out of her hand. She’s back in her chair, and gets up to check the mirror. Nope. Still the same.

Ava’s phone rings. It’s Valentin. She says she still has his card. She tells him that she remembers what he said. There’s just one problem – she doesn’t believe in miracles. She hangs up and rips up the card.

Franco brings brownies to Elizabeth at the hospital. He thinks she should blow off the rest of her shift. She takes one, and tells him to take them home to the boys, and she’ll be there as soon as she can. He tells her that maybe she should check the jail for Hayden.

Realizing he’s of no use, Curtis pushes Jared out the door.  He tells Finn that Jared doesn’t know where Hayden is. Finn asks if he’s just supposed to let her disappear with their baby.

Parker wants to start preparing for her classes, and Kristina needs to hit the books. She thanks Parker for sharing, and Parker thanks her for the company, telling her that she can sit in on her class any time.

Ava smells the lavender bottle. She takes it along with her bag into the other room.

Finn says that Rachel vanished and resurfaced as Hayden, but Jared still tracked her down. Curtis suggests she might have learned from her mistakes. Finn says it would take someone pretty savvy to track her down; someone who knows how her mind works.   Could that someone be Curtis?

Franco tells Elizabeth that Obrecht seemed surprised that Hayden hadn’t been arrested, and thinks there’s more to the story. Elizabeth says a lot more. Franco asks why Obrecht would be convinced that Hayden was in jail. Elizabeth says there’s only one reason she can think of – she was in on it. Obrecht approaches them.

Tomorrow, Mac toasts to a new member of the family, Maxie recruits Spinelli, and Nathan and Amy discuss the future of Man Landers.

The Real Housewives of New York City – Reunion Part One

Ohh, nice set. It’s the oldest synagogue in NYC. Ooh, the dresses! My favorite is Tinsley’s, which is a cross between a fairy princess and an 80s prom. Andy is astounded about Carole training for the marathon, since she’s known to be averse to exercise. She said she realized she had to get more fit, but needed a goal. She says it’s strange because she loves it. We find out that Tinsley and Scott are still seeing each other. Sonja has found a three-bedroom that she loves, but hasn’t put her townhouse on the market yet. Andy grills Ramona on her love life. She’s dating someone, but not the guy she met on Love Connection. BTW, this was filmed before Luann’s divorce announcement. I honestly think she waited because she didn’t want it brought up at the reunion. I don’t blame her.

Ramona is up first, and we flash back to how selfish she is. And her birthday party. Andy asks how it was watching the show, and she says that she had a bad year. She didn’t see it the way the ladies did at the time, but when she watched it, she wondered who she was. As she talks, she plays with her hair like she’s fourteen. We all agree that she gives 60 a whole new look, and she talks about the work she has done, saying that she never puts her face in the sun. I’ve been a huge advocate of sunscreen since I was in my twenties, and it makes a major difference. I live in a beach town, and there are people in their thirties who look older than I do.

A viewer wants to know why Ramona made light of trashing Dorinda’s home. She apologizes, but thinks Dorinda looks at it differently. Dorinda says she doesn’t; that’s how it was. Ramona vandalized her house. Ramona admits to being drunk, saying she knew she pulled the lights down (it was apparently something used in production), but didn’t notice that she’d messed up the wall. Dorinda says that Ramona tries to get around what she does wrong, and should just say sorry and ask how she can make it better. Ramona says it’s hard for her, and Carole says that she doesn’t see herself as a bad houseguest. Bethenny tells a story about how Ramona didn’t even acknowledge her staff in the elevator when she’s known them for years. She says that even when she and Luann were in a war, Luann was always pleasant to them. Ramona insists she goes into a zone, and didn’t notice them. Bethenny suggests she go live in a commune in a padded room. Ramona asks why they didn’t say hello to her, and Bethenny says maybe they were intimidated. She calls Ramona a horror show, and Ramona says she is what she is. Bethenny tells her to enjoy that. The way Ramona treated the staff in Mexico is discussed. They also talk about Jill Zaren’s assessment, and Ramona says that Jill doesn’t know her. A viewer asks if Bethenny is interested in reopening a friendship with Jill, and she wonders how many years have to go by before Andy stops asking. Another viewer suggests that Ramona is in the second stage of grief – anger. Ramona says disappointed is more like it. She thought she could control the outcome with her marriage, and it didn’t happen. Bethenny thinks scared people lash out.

Ramona’s party is covered. Andy asks if her wishes came true, and she says that she’s in better place. She’s more settled, and Avery graduated from college with high marks. Bethenny asks if marriage is in the cards, and Ramona says she’d like a partner in life. When asked if it’s the guy she’s dating now, she just smiles, and eventually says she’s in heavy like. Bethenny points out that she’s the only one not in a relationship.

Sonja learned the hard way that when Dorinda comes for you, she doesn’t make it nice. We see clips of Sonja badmouthing Dorinda, and Dorinda saying she has a mole giving her information. We see Dorinda confronting Sonja at dinner. Then at another dinner Clip! Andy thanks her for that, and Dorinda says someone said it to her at Citibank the other day. She explains that she couldn’t stop the verbal waterboarding, and it just came out. They start to talk about Sonja’s love life, but Dorinda is annoyed about Sonja calling her a fraud. Dorinda says she never talks to the press, and she didn’t want to start the season with a bunch of baloney. Sonja defends herself, but Dorinda says she read this stuff for months. Sonja says that by the time she saw Dorinda, she was over it, and had moved on (oh, okay), but still insists that she doesn’t talk to the press. Andy asks about Dorinda’s mole friends, but she’s not talking. Sonja’s sobriety is called into question. She insists she didn’t drink for ten months, but Andy thinks her math is off. A viewer asks about her wearing Dorinda’s PJs, and she says she felt terrible when she found out they were a gift from Dorinda’s late husband. Carole says she didn’t even apologize. Dorinda wants to move forward, and Sonja keeps saying sorry. Dorinda says don’t touch other people’s stuff, and when you do, clean it and return it nicely. Andy is loving this like the antichrist he is.

Congrats all around to Luann. She loves being married, having a partner in crime, and loves Tom. Andy asks about giving up her title, and she says she likes the Mrs. title she has now. Andy talks about how no roadblock was stopping them, even an intervention. We see clips from the whole sad story, including Missy saying she walked in on them, and that’s why she’s not seeing Tom anymore. Luann says she’s a hopeless romantic (and I desperately want to say, no, you’re just hopeless), and being with Tom was like finding home. Yeah, the home for wayward husbands. The final clip in the reel is Tom acting like he hardly knows Missy, as he introduces them. Andy asks why the wedding was so big and so white for a second wedding, plus a shower and a bachelorette party. Luann says she didn’t get that the first time around, and it was also Tom’s 50th birthday. She wanted it big and beautiful. Andy asks if Sonja still clinging to the illusion that she was invited. Luann says she did send a save-the-date card to Sonja, and Bethenny says now they have a smoking gun. Luann explains that Sonja had been talking badly about them to the press she doesn’t talk to. We see the clip of Luann’s friend, Barbara, saying that Luann was only going through with it to save face. Carole says it was out of genuine concern, and Ramona seconds that. Luann says she gets it. Andy asks what up with Ramona bugging Luann about the bridal shower. We flash back to the last reunion, where Bethenny thought Ramona knew something. Ramona says Luann is happy now, but Tom kissed the same girl from the Regency again. Bethenny says she’s heard he was annoyed that Luann was thirsty for press. Andy asks what Ramona knew.

Ramona asks if it’s important, and Luann says no, because there was nothing there. Bethenny says she’d heard that he had gone to the woman’s hotel room in Philly, and told her that he and Luann had an open relationship, but nothing happened. Ramona agrees that’s’ what happened – nothing happened. Andy stirs the pot, asking if anyone else has heard anything. Bethenny says whatever the situation is, Luann isn’t an idiot. She thinks the group is being respectful now that they’re married. They all hear things, and Luann said she didn’t want to know. Luann says not true, but roll the tape.

Luann says that Ramona kept calling Tom’s exes, trying to find out dirt about Tom. Bethenny says that her delivery is bad, but the content is true. He seems like the kind of person who goes into a bar with one person, and leaves with another. We flash back to his dog-with-a-collar comment about his wedding ring. Luann makes like it’s just his sense of humor being off. Andy asks if it’s alarming that they’ve all heard things. Bethenny says that they only care about her happiness Andy asks if Luann has an open relationship, and she tells him that she wouldn’t be married if she wanted that. Like she would say yes even if it was. He asks what she’d do if Tom cheated, and she says leave. Mic drop, and silence all around. Even I start to get uncomfortable. Dorinda says she’d kill him. Well, that settles that. Andy brings up Luann’s relationship with Count Alex, and she says they were separated and she didn’t want anyone to know.

We see the final Missy clip, where Tom takes his mic off. Luann says she hadn’t seen it until now, so she has to interrogate talk to him about it. Andy says it comes on the heels of Tom being flirty with Missy. Bethenny thinks maybe he flirts to get attention, but that there’s no ulterior motive for him marrying her. What would it be? Putting his life up for public scrutiny? She tells Luann that she puts her Countess shield up, and that if she had seen her partner saying that stuff, she’d be crying in the bathroom. Luann asks why Bethenny thinks she spent the night at a hotel last night.

Poking Luann with his pitchfork, Andy asks how she feels watching it. She sees it as Tom trying to be funny, and needs to smack him silly talk to him about how he’s making her feel. A viewer asks if other friends or family came to her with concerns, and Luann says the family situation has been tough, especially with her son, Noel. It was hard for him to accept Tom in the beginning, and he’s protective, but stands by her relationship. She says no one would have anything to gain from stepping out with Tom, and these girls he’s making out with meeting for lunch are just his friends. She has to accept him for who he is; she can’t change him. He’s a grown man who’s lived a certain way. She points out that she’s friends with Jacques, but Bethenny says she doesn’t make out with him. Luann says the only reason he sees Missy is that Ramona brings her to parties. Ramona says that’s not true.

Next time, Ramona says Tom is sleeping around. Sonja claims Tinsley’s party for her was just for show, Ramona talks about her divorce, and Tinsley’s drinking is brought up.

🍜 On MasterChef, the contestants split into two teams, with Dino in charge of the red team, and Daniel in charge of the blue team. The challenge was to cook dinner for VIPs at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. Ribeye steak was the focus. I had to feed the dogs, and when I left the room, it looked like Dino’s team was tanking. They’d cut up the ribeye in a way that Gordon was not pleased with. But when I came back, they were picking two cooks from Daniel’s team to be on the chopping block. Newton and Yachecia got the pressure test – champagne poached oysters, which Christina called “Las Vegas on a plate.” I don’t know about that, but these things looked phenomenal. A little tower of delicious with a foundation of capellini, and a caviar top. They also had to make the capellini from scratch. Yechecia’s caviar fell off, but Newton struggled with the top of the jar, costing him precious time and leaving out two ingredients. I gotta say, Yachecia’s dish did not look pretty (which would not stop me from enjoying it, I’m sure), but her oysters were declared perfect. And then they did the thing I hate the most, we have to wait until next week to find out who goes home. Thanks. Next time, crawfish skills are put to the test, and a previous winner is a guest.

🍍 Tonight was The f Word finale, and I hope you caught the show. I never did catch up, but still hope to, while it’s still On Demand. It’s one of my favorite shows on BBC America, and I was thrilled that it’s been brought to the states. It’s the lighter side of Gordon, and it being aired live makes it even more fun.

🦀 It was prettier than this, but…

Oysters

Champagne Poached Oysters

 

Aug10

August 9, 2017 – Jared Text Stalks Hayden, Tinsley Has a Party & Some Gordon

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

Jordan tells Nathan that she’ll let him know if she finds out anything about Julian’s trial. Maxie calls, saying she has another layover on her way back from Paris.

Kiki is excited about having been recruited for a medical emergency. Dr. Bench asks to speak with her.

Finn says they’re on their way tomorrow; no turning back. Idiot Jared sends his clock GIF to Hayden again. Finn says there will be a short guest list, and asks if she has any second thoughts. He says she seems distracted, and asks if she’s okay.

In the park, Stella asks Curtis to get a BLT from Kelly’s for her. What the blip is in those sandwiches that everyone loves them so much? He asks if she’ll be okay by herself. She says she’ll have her cell phone, and he tells her not to get in any trouble. After he leaves, she hears something, and looks through the bushes. She’s like OMG. Valerie comes jogging past.

The doctor tells Kiki she went way beyond her responsibilities and took liberties. She says she’s sorry if she did anything wrong, but he says he was impressed and her efforts didn’t go unnoticed. He asks if she’s considered going to medical school.

Stella wonders aloud what’s going on in the world. Valerie asks if she’s okay. She wants to call the police, and Valerie says she’s an off-duty officer. Max and Felicia come out putting on their clothes, and Stella tells Valerie that they were having relations.

Maxie has to leave in two hours. Nathan asks if she can leave tomorrow, but she wants to get back for Georgie’s camp presentation. She appreciates his understanding. He tells her that if she has any concerns, she can talk to him. She suggests a romantic picnic lunch in the park. She says he can finish what he started to say the last time they saw each other.

Stella tells Mac and Felicia that it’s not the place to act like farm animals, and if she wanted to see porno she’d have expanded her cable. Felicia says Valerie knows them; they’ve been married a long time, and were just spicing things up. Valerie says that Stella has a point, and she could arrest them. Mac is like no harm no foul, but Stella insists that Valerie write them up. She says no one is above the law. Felicia says their son-in-law is Detective Nathan West, and he can straighten things out.

Nathan tells Maxie that he doesn’t remember what he was going to say. His phone rings. It’s police business, and he has to see what it is. Maxie says she’ll come along. She doesn’t have that much time, and doesn’t want to let him out of her sight.

Hayden tells Finn that so much still has to be done. The license was easy, but pulling everything together in 24-hours isn’t easy. Finn tells her the Quartermaines have something they don’t – staff. Curtis joins them, and asks when it’s going down, Hayden tells him that it’s tomorrow, and he says his invite must have gotten lost in the mail. Hayden tells him that he’s the first guest they’re inviting, and he’d better be there, and wear a tie. Hayden’s phone rings, and she says she has to attend to some details; some things have to be kept secret from the groom. She jets. Her phone keeps ringing as she’s walking. Jared texts that he won’t be ignored. I guess when he says a week, he means five minutes.

Nathan thinks it was a couple of teens in the bushes, but Valerie says not exactly. Valerie tells him that Stella wants to charge them with indecent exposure, and technically, she’s correct. Maxie enters the picture, bearing to-go drinks, and asks if Mac and Felicia got mugged. Stella says it’s public indecency. Maxie says those are her parents, and Stella asks what they’re teaching their daughter. Felicia says Maxie turned out just fine, and Stella adds despite her freaky parents. Nathan tells Stella they can take it from here, and she reluctantly leaves. Nathan asks if it’s their first offense, and tells Valerie they need to know when justice is blind or needs to squint. Valerie says that she’s off duty anyway, and doesn’t really want to do paperwork. She tells Felicia and Mac to consider it a warning. Felicia is embarrassed, and says she’ll make it up to Nathan and Maxie, but Maxie says forget about it. She just has one question – wth?

Dr. Bench tells Kiki that she should apply to the fast track program. Kiki asks why, since he doesn’t know her. He says that he saw her in action. She was focused, cool-headed, and took care of business. He’s heard nothing but good things about her, and is firm believer in talent. They need people like her. Jordan comes out of the elevator, and asks to talk to him. He tells Kiki to think about it.

Finn tells Curtis that he doesn’t really have any friends in town since Tracy is gone, but Curtis stepped up and was there when he was recovering. Curtis asks if Finn is asking him to be best man. Finn says that he can’t think of anyone he’d like better, and Curtis says he’d be honored.

In the park, Jared comes up behind Hayden, scaring her. She asks why he’s stalking her with texts, and he asks where the wire transfer is. She tells him that there’s a problem, and he says she has a problem.

Kiki calls Dillon. She has news, but will tell him when she sees him.

Maxie tells Mac that when she was in high school, he wouldn’t even let her wear low rise jeans, and now he’s getting busy in a public park. Mac says they’re healthy, breathing, living adults. Felicia says they’re also empty nesters, trying to redefine their relationship. Maxie asks why they don’t just go on a river cruise like normal parents. Mac says he got professional advice. Maxie thinks he means a marriage counselor, but he says it was from Man Landers. Maxie asks if he suggested al fresco sex, and he says Man Landers kicked his marriage into high gear.

At the hospital, Finn approaches Elizabeth, and asks if she’s talked to Hayden. She hasn’t, so Finn tells her about the engagement. She congratulates him, and he says the wedding is tomorrow. She wonders why so soon, and thinks it’s because of the baby. Finn asks if she can be there. He knows Hayden would want that; she’s family. Elizabeth says that she wouldn’t miss it.

Jared asks Hayden if this is some kind of ploy, and does he have to tell her what the consequences will be – saying bye-bye to Finn, Finn’s sobriety, and her new life with the baby. She tells him that GH is a non-profit, and the books are closely monitored. To get money, she has to do it in a way that doesn’t arouse suspicion. She’s set up a dummy company that she’ll buy products from. In the end, she’ll look like a dupe who got suckered. She may get fired, but she’ll have her life back. She gives him the company information and a card to access the account. She tells him it will be there tomorrow. Curtis sees them.

Maxie wonders how Mac could fall for that overrated hack. Nathan is like, hey, and she says he turned down her magazine and isn’t an expert in anything since he has no degrees. Nathan says that there’s something to be said for street smarts. Maxie tells him Man Landers almost got her parents arrested, but he says it’s not fair to blame it all on blog. She asks why he’s defending Man Landers.

Kiki tells Dillon about what Dr. Bench said. She says a year ago, she wasn’t even thinking of working there, so medical school is a leap. Dillon says that Dr. Jerome has a ring to it. Kiki is like, no, and he tells her to say it out loud. She says that she appreciates the support, but what if she doesn’t have what it takes?

Jordan asks Dr. Bench about an altercation on the second floor, and he wonders if he should be alarmed. She thinks it was probably a ruse to get Jason into a patient’s room. Dr. Bench says oh, the G-man, Garvey Sullivan, shocking me that the Garvster has a last name. The doctor says he feels like he’s in a 40s gangster flick. Jordan talks about James Cagney, saying she grew up on his movies, and Dr. Bench asks if that’s why she became a cop. He tells her that they’re showing The Roaring 20s, and asks if she’d like to join him

Stella sees Valerie at Kelly’s. She says needs to catch her breath, and Valerie tells her to sit down. She asks her not to judge Port Charles by the unusual scene in the park, but it was a little entertaining. Stella says she’s looking for her nephew. They were supposed to meet at the park, but he was going to get sandwiches, and she must have missed him. Valerie suggests texting him. Stella finds out Valerie is single. She’s shocked and asks why she wants to be alone. Valerie says it is what it is right now, and Stella tells her that maybe there’s something they can do about that.

Curtis thought Hayden was out planning the big day. She acts like she just ran into Jared, and introduces him as someone from college. Curtis asks if he’s there for the big day tomorrow, and Jared is like, tomorrow? Hayden says that she didn’t have time to tell him, and understands if he can’t make it. He says he wouldn’t miss it. After he’s gone, Curtis asks what’s going on? He asks if the text she got was from Jared, and says that she was acting funny just now. Hayden says that she was just surprised to see him.  Curtis says she can tell him anything, and asks if she’s in trouble.

Curtis asks if he looks like a fool. The last time she was that sketchy, she was hiding her father’s diamonds. She says that her past is haunting her, and Curtis asks if Jared is blackmailing her. He tells her that he can do something about that, but she says she can’t risk it. Jared had nothing to lose, and the power to blow up her life. She made a huge mistake a long time ago, and doesn’t want it to destroy her future. Curtis asks what’s going to stop him from being greedy, but Hayden says that’s the risk she has to take. He says he’s not one to judge, but knows about regretting the past. The best thing he did was own his mistakes, so he doesn’t have to look over his shoulder all the time, waiting to be exposed. She needs to listen to him and not be a victim. He tells her to talk to Finn; take Jared’s leverage away before she’s in too deep.

Valerie wonders if Stella is about to set her up. Stella says she’s in town visiting her nephew, and thinks they’d hit it off – as friends; you can’t have too many friends. Valerie says she’s not into blind dates, especially being set up by someone she doesn’t know. Stella questions her trusting a dating app, and says she was just suggesting coffee with the three of them. If Valerie doesn’t like it, she can always arrest her. She has nothing to lose. Valerie says maybe she’s right.

Maxie says she knows what’s going on – Nathan is a fan and reads the blog. He admits that he reads it sometimes, and blames Mac for raising a super sleuth daughter. Mac asks Maxie not to be mad, and he and Felicia leave. Maxie is like, omg, and Nathan says he thinks they learned their lesson. Maxie says she’s more upset that this is how she spent her layover. Nathan misses her, and she says that not seeing him is hard, but knowing she might not see him for a while is harder. She asks him to come to Portland – for good. She knows he has reasons to stay, but it’s good for her there. The only thing missing is him. She wants them to leave on a good note, but wants him to think about it. He wanders off and she sits down to make a phone call. She says she has a great story, and what do they think about unmasking Man Landers’s identity?

Kiki tells Dillon that it’s not realistic. Med students are always studying and get straight A’s; she doesn’t think she’s up for it. Dillon tells her believe in herself. He believes that she can do whatever she puts her mind to, but he’ll support whatever decision she makes. They kiss, and he says the one question she has to ask herself is if she wants to be a doctor.

Jordan tells Dr. Bench that she doesn’t think dating a witness is good idea. He says that he saw nothing, and isn’t a very good witness. She tells him that she just got out of a relationship, and isn’t looking right now. He says he’s just asking for a movie and a drink. She thanks him, but says no, not there yet. He tells her that you’re not ready until you’re ready. Another Port Charles philosopher.

Stella gives Valerie her number, and says she’ll set thing up for tomorrow. They introduce themselves, and Stella says they’ll get the dating apps off her phone yet. Stella finds Curtis outside Kelly’s. He says he almost called the hospital, and she tells him that she thought she could catch him before he left. He asks how she enjoyed her day. She says it was unnerving, but mostly wonderful, and more productive than he thinks.

Hayden comes to the hospital. Finn says that he told Elizabeth the news. Hayden needs to talk to him, but his phone goes off with an ICU emergency. He says he’ll call her when he’s done. Elizabeth asks Hayden what’s wrong. Hayden says Elizabeth was right about her when she met her. She was someone who got out of paying consequences at all costs, but she’s changed. She’s not the same person, and asks if Elizabeth sees that. Elizabeth says that they all do, and wonders where this is coming from. Hayden says that she just wants the wedding to go off without hitch, and doesn’t want anyone or anything to ruin it. Elizabeth tells her that if she needs help, she’ll do whatever is needed. She wants to make sure nothing spoils Hayden’s big day. Hayden asks her to be maid of honor, and they hug.

On the phone, Jared leaves a message for Hayden not to think of screwing him over. He says that she knows what’s at stake if she does, and calls her Rachel. Finn meets Hayden, who tells him that she asked Elizabeth to be maid of honor. Finn tells her that he asked Curtis to be best man, and asks what she wanted to talk about. Elizabeth interrupts, saying that there’s been suspicious activity with the hospital account, and they need to speak with Hayden.

Tomorrow, Julian asks Scotty if he’s trying to harm his case, Ava goes out to lunch and gets pointed at, and Jared looks for Hayden at the hospital.

The Real Housewives of NYC

Bethenny visits Carole. Carole has become an official cat lady, and can’t open the windows because she doesn’t have screens. Bethenny says it’s like a cat sauna. Carole asks Bethenny about her new place. She tells Carole that her architect has never had as many problems with a building, and they won’t let him self-certify, which is a usual procedure. Carole says she had a great time in Mexico. Bethenny says she couldn’t have been happier – even if they’d taken acid, the trip couldn’t have been better. They talk about Tinsley’s new love, Scott. Carole thinks Ramona should move into Sonja’s. It’s haunted in a good way.

Tom and Luann play tennis. She says they’re still in their honeymoon phase, and it makes me feel weird knowing they’re already divorcing. She says they’re evenly matched at tennis, unlike how Ramona and Mario were. We flash back to Mario yelling at Ramona on the court. She says she taught Tom how to play, and now he’s beating her. She tells him about Tinsley’s party. She thinks everybody is happy for them now, and in her interview, says that she was on a mission to make it work, and she did. Now I feel really uncomfortable.

Ramona visits Sonja, who’s redecorated. She didn’t want to change anything until her daughter was stable, and now it’s sexier. Whatever that means. More pillows? She’s happy that Frenchie is back, since long distance relationships rarely work out. She tells Ramona that Tinsley moved out. We see a clip of Tinsley packing. Ramona wants to move in next, since both Tinsley and Luann found partners after living there. She’s glad everyone is on a good page, and they walked away in harmony from the Mexico trip. They talk about how she and Bethenny made up. She tells Sonja about Tinsley wanting to throw her a party. Sonja says that Tinsley wanted to start fresh, and she was screaming at her on the trip. Ramona says that was bad. In her interview, Sonja thinks it’s just a public statement. Ramona calls Tinsley self-absorbed. I look at the TV like… 😕

Bethenny is having lunch in her new place with a nice-looking hockey player who’s missing a front tooth. She says she’s been a serial monogamist, and isn’t used to dating. Hockey guy has some kind of bridge that he takes out to eat, but doesn’t want a permanent tooth, because hockey. Dorinda comes in, and is wowed by the apartment. She’s also impressed by hockey guy’s butt. Bethenny gives a tour, and tells them how it’s going to be renovated. She tells us that renovations are therapeutic. She could make money by flipping it, but wants to live there.

Tinsley calls about the party cake. She’s living in a hotel, because she wasn’t ready for a commitment to an apartment. She wants the NYC skyline around the tiers on the cake, and tells us that she wants the party to be special. There’s a knock at the door – it’s Carole. Geez, like Carole says, she landed nice. This hotel room is like a small apartment. Carole regifts her something from Dorinda. I think it’s a candle. She says now Tinsley and Sonja can be friends. Tinsley says in Mexico, they’d had enough of each other. She says that she’s expecting fifty people, and it was just a joke when she said it was an f-u party. Carole says it should be her happy-as-a-lark party.

John comes to Dorinda’s place. It’s their first dinner together in a while. Dorinda says now that Hannah has moved out, she can do the homemaker thing again. John has brought a replica of a Beyonce gown that Dorinda had admired. It looks like a wedding dress, and Dorinda says take it a step at a time. In her interview, she says if they ever got married, it would city hall and an Armenian diner afterward. Everyone thinks he’s moving in, but they both enjoy their separate time. She doesn’t get lonely; she calls it freedom. She says he’d softened Hannah up with his dry-cleaning abilities, and they’re in a better place.

Adam walks Carole’s dog with her. She says his moving out has made the relationship stronger. He says he never really moved in. She likes being in relationships, but it’s not a need. Living with someone is stressful for her, and she feels at her most authentic when she’s free. She’s trying to find a balance.

A glam squad comes to help Tinsley get ready for the party. Scott calls and asks if she’s excited, and she says she’ll be happy when it’s over. She says it makes her nervous to make a toast.

Sonja complains to Frenchie that it’s freezing. He has to go back to Burgundy to renovate his hotel. She’s going to be staying there for ten days prior to the renovation. She says the things she does for love – and a croissant. She’s feeling good about it, and will be meeting his parents, but she not letting go of Rocco, just in case. Sonja washed Frenchie’s business cards that were in his jeans, and he says they look more vintage. She says that the party is duplicitous, and she’s not interested in being a part of that.

Tinsley gets to the venue. The cake is amazing, black and white with the NYC skyline around each tier, and tchotchkes, like a small Statue of Liberty, on it. Tinsley gives the workers Thank You, Sonja T-shirts to wear, with XOXO, Tinsley on the back. Carole asks one of the waiters if he slept with Luann, but I’m not sure why. The view is incredible. Scott thanks Carole for introducing him to Tinsley. She says she fixed Tinsley up with her dentist first before she thought of him. Everyone starts to wonder if Sonja is coming. Dorinda says after hearing her badmouth TInsley so much, she wouldn’t be throwing a thank you party, but burning the house down.

Ramona drags a couple of friends along. She doesn’t know if Sonja is showing up, since she was in bed when Ramona called, and didn’t feel like getting ready. She thinks it’s an f-u party. Tinsley is starting to panic that Sonja isn’t going to show. Bethenny says that she has a bad attitude about the party, comparing it to Ramona’s new beginnings party. She wonders why they just can’t have a plain, old party. Ramona tries to call Sonja, but gets voicemail. She thinks it would be insulting for her not to show, and hopes Sonja does the right thing. Tinsley’s sister comes in, and they look and act almost like twins. Tom’s ex, Missy, is also in attendance.

The guest of honor finally arrives, with gay friend Tyler. I guess Frenchie left already. Ramona asks who told her about Tinsley saying it was and f-u party, and she says it was Carole. Tinsley gives Sonja a hug and kiss, and shows her the cake. In her interview, she says thank you is everywhere, but Sonja isn’t seeing it that way. Sonja complains about the Sonjatinis that Tinsley had created, claiming there’s house liquor in them. Tinsley is happy she’s there, but it’s awkward, and Sonja keeps knocking her. She wanted it to be something special. Harry is there, looking old. Sonja tells him Frenchie tossed her like a salad before he left. Ramona says Scott seems like a normal nice guy, and that’s what Tinsley needs.

Ramona tells Bethenny that she wishes she had a partner in life. Bethenny says she pretends everything is okay. In her interview, Bethenny says that she thinks Ramona not having anyone to take care of her is setting in, and she has compassion. Bethenny tells her that it will come. Ramona says she’s waiting for someone special.

Scott tells Tinsley she’s doing great. Sonja finds out her favorite vodka is in the cocktails, and I hope she feels really stupid. Missy asks Tom if he’s fine, and he says he gets choked up seeing her. Missy says ditto. He refers to the last time he saw her, which I believe is when she walked in on him and Luann while she was dating him. Some third party wants to hear his side of the story, and he removes his mic. Bad, bad Tom. Bethenny finds out that Frenchie’s last name is Vaudeville, and says it’s perfect for Sonja. Seriously. Bethenny thinks Tinsley has been passive aggressive with Sonja, and gets where she’s coming from. Sonja says that Tinsley plays damsel in distress, and likes to be the victim. In her interview, Bethenny says that she gives Sonja credit for not airing Tinsley’s dirty laundry. She thinks that Tinsley has to work her stuff out, and not drink vodka at 8 am. Luann’s son, Noel, shows up, and the ladies go crazy over him.

Tinsley says that she wants to give Sonja a present and a toast. Sonja says she doesn’t want a present or a toast, and I’m wishing someone would give her a swift kick already. Tinsley does it anyway. She says that Sonja reached out when she was at low point, and invited Tinsley into her home. She asks everyone to raise a glass to Sonja, and says she’s like a sister and a true friend. Sonja feels that the whole thing seemed fake up until now. She thinks that Tinsley does appreciate her, and wants to cry, since she came in “hot.” Tinsley gives Sonja a framed photo of the two of them. Luann laughs about the shot that Tinsley chose, since Tinsley is in the forefront, and the top of Sonja’s head is cut off. To make up for that, Tinsley also gives her a $5000 gift card for Bergdorf’s. All is forgiven.

It’s time to cut the cake, but Sonja just dives in, shoving some in her mouth. It’s the finale, and we’re told that Scott is moving to NYC to move in with Tinsley; Carole is training for he NYC marathon, despite her aversion to exercise; Bethenny – who says she got her smile and humor back – has taken the old apartment off the market, while waiting on the renovation of the new one; Dorinda – who just likes being Dorinda now – has allowed John to spend the night, but that’s it; Luann, well, we all know what happened; Ramona is cordial with Mario, and endured sharing their daughter’s graduation with him; Sonja went to France, and is still with Frenchie, but is also still keeping Rocco on the back burner.

Next time, part one of the reunion.

🍴 I missed some of MasterChef because I had to feed the dogs, but reigning champ, Shaun O’Neale, was a guest judge and also did some cooking. I didn’t see the first round of dishes, but Cate must have done well, since she was allowed to pick what kind of dish – sweet or savory – each cook would make with coconut. She basically tried to give each competitor what she thought they were weakest at. The cowboy dude (I forget his name) told Gordon he’d made a “deconstructed” something-or-other. Gordon said he was tired of the word deconstructed, and that it means covering up the mess. I agree. Like, who made that one up? Reba went home – her sweet dish was way too much sweet. Gordon praised her work ethic, and said they’d really miss her. She told everyone to keep their dreams alive, and that anything is possible, making everyone cry. She told us that she was going home to the best thing in the world – her family. I love a gracious exit. Next time, it’s the 50th anniversary of Caesar’s Palace, and even Gordon is nervous.

A Little Bit of Gordon in My Life

https://www.thrillist.com/news/nation/gordon-ramsays-scrambled-eggs-chef-reveals-recipe-in-new-video

GordonRamsayEggs

 

Aug3

August 2 – Sam Wakes Up, the Mexico Trip Winds Down & Brien is Sunk by a Cannoli

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

Calling from Nelle’s place, Michael wants Sonny’s people searching along the river front. Nelle asks if he’s okay, and he says he’s climbing the walls. She asks if there’s news, but he says nothing since Dante updated them. He doesn’t think his dad is dead, but maybe hurt or trapped, and the longer it takes to find him the worse it will get.

Jason talks to an unconscious Sam about Danny feeling Scout kick, and thinking it was a magic trick. He talks about when they brought Scout home. He told Scouthow lucky she is to have Sam as a mother because she’s tough. He asks her not to make a liar out of him.

Josslyn opens the front door, and Oscar falls over on the porch.

Tracy has sent Finn something for Hayden. It looks like a Tiffany bag, and he says something about gemology, so I assume it’s a ring. Hayden shows up at the hospital since she missed him. She asks if he wants breakfast, but he says he has something to do first. Deanna tells him that he has a patient waiting, and Hayden has someone waiting with an invoice question.

Except it’s Jared. She asks what he’s doing there. He asks if she can fix his broken heart. Please. Where’s Danny Trejo with some latte?

Josslyn tells Oscar that she was getting the newspaper and didn’t mean to scare him. He apologizes for creeping up like a stalker. Josslyn says that Carly gave her stamp of approval, and Oscar insists that’s because of the tie. It always works with parents. She tells him he can use the doorbell, but he says that he didn’t want to intrude; he was just going to leave something for her. She says it’s less bad with him there.

Nelle gives Michael some coffee. He says he’s freaking out. She says he has an instinctive need to handle every situation. He tells her that he became a compulsive fixer as a child, holding everything together. Nelle says she’ll take a personal day and help him look for his dad. He’s her priority today.

Jared tells Hayden that they have business, and Hayden asks if they have to do it at her place of business. She says that she never asked him to cover for her, and he says that she didn’t exactly say no. They have a bond that goes past marriage. She can deal with him, or he deals with Finn. She asks for a half hour, but she doesn’t want him waiting there. She reminds him that if Finn finds out, he loses his leverage. He says he knows the perfect spot.

Finn asks what Griff thinks of the ring. Griff doesn’t know the 4 C’s, but says it’s got them all. Deanna says that Hayden will love it. Hayden walks up behind Finn, asking love what? and everyone disappears. She asks why they took off so fast, and what is Finn hiding behind his back? He didn’t realize he was doing this right now, but shows her the ring, saying that he wants to make it proper.

Jason talks to Danny on the phone. He says Sam misses him, but is doing okay, and needs more time to rest. He asks Danny to be good for his grandma, and tells him that he loves him. Sam opens her eyes.

Josslyn tells Oscar that Carly is out looking for Sonny. Oscar says they can go search if she wants, but Josslyn wouldn’t know where to start. She asks to talk about something else. He thought maybe it was bothering her, but she says it’s okay. She tells him that she’s not sure when she found out that Sonny was a mobster. He was just Uncle Sonny, who her mother was married to once, and gradually she figured it out. For a while she thought it was cool to be close to someone so powerful, but she was stupid not to see the other side of it. The guards were there to protect them, but sometimes they can’t. This time, they weren’t there to protect Sonny. She’s been furious at Sonny, but her mom loves him, and Josslyn has known him her whole life. She doesn’t want anything to happen to him.

Deanna tells Sam to breath slowly and deeply. Sam asks what happened, and Jason tells her that she collapsed in the penthouse, but she’s not sure she remembers. Deanna leaves to get the doctors. Jason says everything is going to be okay.

Finn thinks that Hayden doesn’t like the ring, and tells her that Tracy picked it out. Hayden is impressed that Tracy a diamond delivered to him before breakfast. He tells her a story about a guy owing Tracy a favor. When she asks what he did, Finn says the point of blackmail is not to disclose the actions that caused it to happen. She says he already gave her a ring, and he asks if she wants to keep the onion ring. She hugs him, and by the elevator behind him, Jared points to his watch. Hayden tells Finn that she’s going to get it sized right now, and they kiss.

Michael thanks Nelle for letting him crash there. She says as far as personal debt goes, he’s way ahead. She says that if she doesn’t have to help someone, she dwells on the past. Everything is going right, and she gets nervous; she has a phobia about being happy. He says he’ll do everything he can to change that.

Hayden finds Jared at the house. I just don’t see these two together, even in her old life. For one thing, he seems too old. Not necessarily in age, but the way he presents himself. Maybe she was marrying her father. Jared asks if she made an offer on the house. He says if she didn’t, she can still back out, and he starts telling her about mold on the tennis court. She tells him to save the act and cut to the chase. He says they don’t have to be at each other’s throats. If it were up to him – she says what? They’d still be married? She tells him that he spent more time in other women’s beds than their own, and now he’s blackmailing her. There’s no future. She asks how he wants to resolve it, and he says the only way to get rid of him is to make restitution.

Josslyn tells Oscar that she’s been smack talking Sonny, and now she’s concerned about him. Oscar must think she’s nuts. Oscar says it makes her human. People are more than one thing, and he thinks she sees Sonny more clearly than the people who think he’s either all good or all bad. Josslyn says most people believe he’s either a total criminal, or he’s misunderstood, but the truth is, he’s a little of both. He can be kind and generous, or awful, like what he did to her father. Oscar calls her perceptive, and she says not always – she was a brat about Sonny. He doesn’t think she’s a brat, and he gives her a necklace that he made from the bullet casing. Or as he says, the piece of metal they found. I find it hard to believe that with all the history he knows about, Oscar wouldn’t know what it is.

Finn says that Sam is on the on road to recovery. She asks what happened, and Griff asks what’s the last thing she remembers? She says she was at home with Jason, Sonny came over, and she left. She feels like she’s been dreaming. Griff says that’s common for people with this illness. Finn explains what she has, and that Scout is okay. He tells her about the treatment, and knows it sounds scary, but she’s out of the woods.

In the hallway, Jason thanks Finn and Griff. He says he owes them, but they both say it’s just their job. Finn leaves, and Jason asks Griff about Sam’s memory. He tells Jason to give it time. She’ll probably remember, but don’t push it.

Josslyn tells Oscar that the necklace is perfect. Oscar says his stuff isn’t for everyone, but I’m thinking he could make a bundle at flea markets. He says she doesn’t have to wear it, but she wants to. He puts it on her, and says it looks amazing.

Hayden says she knows that Jared wants money, but he says he wants redress. He sacrificed his time and good name. Hayden tells him that he can’t sacrifice something never had, and he tells her that a little appreciation might buy her some good will. She says she does appreciate it, and is willing to do what she can. She tells him that she can get him an interview at ELQ. They’ll listen to her, and he’ll be in the inner circle. He says he’s not looking for a job, but a payout, and she says it will be better in the long term. Jared doubts they’d hire someone with his record, but she’ll find out what that’s like when he exposes her. He wants money, but Hayden says that she doesn’t have it. She wishes she could honor promise, but has nothing to give. He grabs her hand, and says she’s got that, meaning her ring.

Jason updates Alexis on the phone. Sam tries to get out of bed. She wants to stretch, and Deanna says once around the floor. Jason helps her, and she asks him to fill her in.

Finn talks to his dead wife, Reiko, while he looks at a letter from her. He says he met someone, and it’s serious. He should have told her sooner, but thought he didn’t deserve to be happy. Maybe he was punishing himself for being alive, and not being able to save her. He tried to drive Hayden away, and she wouldn’t go. The more he screwed up, the more she stood by him. He says he has a baby coming, and they’re getting married. He doesn’t know how he got so lucky twice, but isn’t questioning it. He’s betting everything on Hayden. Dammit. I don’t know why Hayden doesn’t just talk to him.

Hayden tells Jared that it’s her engagement ring, and he can’t have it. He tells her to hock it, give him the cash, and she can get it back later. Like she’s going to get much for it. Hayden tells him that they’ll have to pry it from her cold dead hand. He says she’s afraid of what to say to Finn, and to just tell him that she lost it. She says it wouldn’t clear her debt to him anyway, but he says it’s an incentive to keep his mouth shut while she works off the rest. He tells her that once Finn finds out that she put a little girl in a wheelchair, how long will it be before he dumps her? Hayden knows that she ruined Jared’s life, and asks him not to ruin hers too. He says he’ll do her a solid, and give her a way to get what she owes at no cost to her.

Nelle says Michael must drive his family crazy. They’re impulsive, and think they’re winning arguments, while he sits there quietly and then changes everything. Josslyn arrives. She had to tell someone about the amazing thing that happened. She thinks she’s interrupting, but Michael tells her that they’re just getting ready to join the search. Josslyn shows Nelle the necklace, and Nelle says it’s definitely striking. She looks at Josslyn in a weird way, and Josslyn says the necklace is unique. Nelle says definitely again, and shows it to Michael. Josslyn asks if something is wrong, and Michael says he doesn’t think she realizes that it’s made from a bullet casing.

Jared says giving up the ring will cause more problems than it solves, and there’s a simpler solution. She can embezzle it; it’s her specialty. She says that she’s not an embezzler, and he says no, just a drunk driver. He wants her to steal the money from the hospital.

Finn says that a year ago, if anyone had suggested he’d be married and have a baby, he’d have punched them in the face; he thought he’d be dead. Reiko told him to fight and he did. He feels like he has a second chance at life, and wants to make the most of his time. He has a future and a family with Hayden. He wishes he could have all that, and keep Reiko around, but he can’t. She’d tell him the same thing. He sets the letter on fire, and cries a little. He wants her to know he’ll love her forever.

Jared says that Hayden is the CFO, and has the means and opportunity. He says it’s not like she’s hurting anyone, and she tells him it’s a hospital and there to heal the sick. He says it’s big business (truth!); how hard can it be to skim something off? Hayden says it’s impossible, and Jared tells her not to sell herself short. She says she worked hard to keep them in the black, and she won’t do it. He says Finn is in for a rude awakening when he finds out that the mother of his child isn’t the angel he thought she was. Her future with him is about to vanish unless she comes up with the money. She has one week.

Sam tells Jason not to treat her like a delicate flower. She sees the Garvman being wheeled by on a gurney, and he looks at her. Jason asks what’s wrong

Tomorrow, Sam thinks there’s something important she’s not remembering, Valentin has something that belongs to someone else, and it’s twenty minutes to demolition where Sonny is trapped.

The Real Housewives of NYC

Sonja insists that Ramona isn’t happy, but Ramona thinks Sonja is the one who’s not happy. Bethenny describes the group as a hangover meets the Golden Girls, and says wine tasting is for wimps; they go straight to tequila. Ramona says she misses her old life, but she’s embraced the life she has now. Bethenny calls Sonja an emotional buzzkill. In her interview, Tinsley says that Sonja hasn’t been drinking that much, but now she’s letting it loose. Everyone piles on a lounging sofa by the pool. Sonja shouts that she loves tequila – and Luann. In her interview, Luann says that Sonja tends to go bipolar when she’s drinking. Sonja wants to see everyone’s boobs. Bethenny gets nakey and jumps in the pool. Carole and Tinsley say their boobs are real, but they’re not showing anyone anything. Carole says she’ll bare hers for art, while the rest will bare them for tequila. Sonja tries to drink straight from the margarita pitcher, but Luann takes it out of her hands, saying, no, no, no. Sonja gets nakey and joins Bethenny in the pool. Dorinda says she doesn’t even go nakey in her own house.

In the pool, Bethenny talks to Ramona, saying she’s been mean. She says a friend would never have said the things she did about Bethenny’s past and her daughter. Ramona says she didn’t say anything about that, but roll the tape. Yep, there it is. Ramona asks why Bethenny is putting this all on her. Bethenny says because she did it. In her interview, she says Ramona keeps saying she didn’t mean to, but she did.  Ramona says she’s a miserable person. Dorinda tries to put Sonja’s bathing suit back on her, and says it’s like putting a bikini on a piece of spaghetti, and she’ll have to live with that sight for the rest of her life. Ramona tells Bethenny that she’s sorry she did what she did and hurt her. By now, they’re both crying. Ramona says that she doesn’t want to be that person, and Bethenny says that she doesn’t want her to be. Ramona is bawling, and keeps saying I don’t know. Bethenny hugs her, and says she’s not an evil or bad person. In her interview, Ramons says she’s embarrassed about what happened, and it’s not who she is. I hate when people say that. It is you, part of you anyway; you’re the one who did it. She tells us that she says things unedited, but she’s not coming from a place of mean, and there was no valid reason for her being that way. Holy! Is that actually sincere contrition coming from Ramona? She feels like a weight has been lifted off. Bethenny wants them to be respectful and not feel the anger. She says it’s closure. Luann suggests they get ready for dinner. Bethenny says her best reconciliations happen when she’s nakey, and realizes Sonja is wearing her bathing suit. Sonja tries to kiss Bethenny, and in her interview, Bethenny says she’s barking up the wrong vagina. They hug, and say I love yous. I’m glad I hate tequila.

Good thing it’s dinner at the villa. I don’t think this crew could make it very far. As usual, Bethenny is the first one at the table. Dorinda says it’s vacation time; they can do what they want. She says that Bethenny’s aggression is scaring he, and Bethenny says it’s an act. Dorinda starts doing her drunk thing with her hands waving around, and Bethenny imitates her. In her interview, Bethenny says that Dorinda is the weakest link in the drinking chain and a loose cannon. Somehow, Dorinda stabs herself in the hand trying to make a point. Bethenny feels responsible for everyone, and says now blood and a knife is involved. Dorinda tells Bethenny not to pressure herself to be perfect, and asks if it’s overwhelming to be correct all the time. She says that Bethenny is a lot of fun, but wants to be a super human on this trip. She tells Bethenny to let it go. Carole tries to say that Dorinda just meant they should be flexible, but Bethenny says an hour and a half of waiting is flexible. Sonja is sleeping. Tinsley apologizes to Ramona for telling her to shut up. She realizes that it was Sonja who leaked the info to the press. The girls hear fireworks, and go outside to watch. Bethenny tells Dorinda not to psychoanalyze her. Dorinda says she’s a mean bitch. Bethenny says that Dorinda has been harboring feelings, and now it’s coming out. Dorinda says she’s stuck up for Bethenny plenty of times, and leaves. Bethenny says f-u, but adds that Dorinda won’t remember it in the morning. In her interview, Bethenny says it was hurtful. She knows who she is, doesn’t need to be reminded, and it’s probably not going to change. Carole says that Bethenny is being hyper-sensitive. Tinsley says that Dorinda adores her, but Bethenny says she doesn’t think so. Dorinda does owe her an apology though.

In the morning, Ramona decides to try some yoga. She tells Luann she missed so much. Luann says that she talked to Tom and fell asleep. Ramona explains that she talked with Bethenny, and they bared their souls. Luann says that’s great until she screws it up again. Everyone gathers as the instructor waits. Luann asks if everyone is okay, but in her interview, Dorinda says she doesn’t really remember what the argument was about. She tells Bethenny all she was trying to say is that Bethenny is a great person, and she should relax. Bethenny asks if this is how she communicates with her friends. Dorinda says she has no hard feelings, and Bethenny says she doesn’t need to. Dorinda tells us that the only person who never sees her nasty side is her mother. Bethenny says Dorinda doesn’t know how to apologize.

In their room, Dorinda tells Carole that she feels badly, but doesn’t like when Bethenny calls her a nasty person. Instead of dealing with her feelings, she gets aggressive, and needs to deal with that. In her interview, Carole says that she wants Dorinda to know she has her back, since it isn’t fun to realize you were fighting with a friend when you were drunk. Dorinda thinks there’s a mouse in the room and freaks. In her interview, she talks about how much she hates them. True mouse story – after we were flooded during Hurricane Sandy, a mouse took up residence with us for a short time. I knew he was around, the dogs kept noticing something, and then we finally ran into each other one night in the kitchen. We locked eyes, and he was so tiny, and looked so frightened, it broke my heart. I wondered what he must have thought happened, and there was no way to explain it to him. I told him that I wasn’t going to hurt him, but he’d have to move on when all the chaos was over. I didn’t, and he did. I can never understand how anyone can be frightened of such a timid little thing. He looked like something off of a Hallmark card. How can you hate that?

Sonja calls Frenchie. She shows him her swimsuit, and looks like she’s using a TSA wand, going up and down her body with the phone. She says she doesn’t like sexting, but likes to flash. She thinks he should be more worried about the women than her picking up a man. The yoga instructor’s tagline is, the way you treat me is your path; the way I react, is mine. Pretty good. Sonja says she’s exhausted from being happy.

Dorinda and Bethenny talk. Dorinda says when her perception is that she’s being attacked, she attacks, and she reacted poorly. She had a beautiful day, and she was wrong. Nicely and simply put. Bethenny says she wants to make everyone feel good, but doesn’t want to gloat over her accomplishments. They hug it out, and I’m glad. They talk about the distillery, and Dorinda says it was amazing. She’s glad they got past their disagreement fast. Bethenny says she has an emotional hangover, and now she’s the one crying all the time

Tinsley, Ramona, and Carole go yachting with Captain Fred.

Bethenny asks if Tinsley is going to marry this guy (I assume she means the Miami date; I’ve forgotten his name already), and Sonja says that she wants to marry every guy she meets. On the boat, Tinsley gets a text, and says that she’s going to Vegas tomorrow. Carole says that Ramona is next, and suggests she move in with Sonja. Tinsley has been planning a thank you party since before Mexico, but now it’s a thank you party with a sprinkle of f-u.

Sonja says that Tinsley thinks they’re all great – until they’re not. Sonja says that Tinsley might have written a book on Southern charm, but thinks the party thing is just for show.

Carole excels in fishing, and sits in one of those fisherman’s chairs. She tells us that you need to be quiet and have patience to catch a fish, so clearly she’s the only one in the group who can do it. Two whales cavort in the water, and Carole dives in for a swim. I’m so jealous. Tinsley wonders what if a whale bites her, and Carole says maybe it will be a sperm whale. What? They don’t catch anything, so they’re buying a fish and saying they caught it.

Carole tells the others to keep their mouths shut. She thinks she’s the only one who can manage it though. She gives the fish to the chef. We flash to a clip of Carole holding the fish at the market like she caught it. In her interview, Luann thinks the captain of the boat probably caught the fish.

Bethenny thinks they’re getting along too well, and someone needs to be in a body bag before they leave. Dorinda thinks that Ramona is Benjamin Button and aging backwards. They go out for dinner, and toast to their last night. Dorinda says, they laughed, they cried, and no one ended up in jail. Luann says making out, falling down, helicopters – it was fabulous. Bethenny asks for the thorn and the rose, the best and worst things for them on the trip. Dorinda says of course her thorn was their disagreement. Carole says her thorn was seeing Dorinda upset, but her rose was rooming with Dorinda. Sonja says the helicopter ride was her rose, and Tinsley says she never felt more baller. Bethenny thinks that Tinsley is more wasted than Dorinda. Luann suggests that Tinsley not drop the f-bomb so much, since they’re in a restaurant. Tinsley tells Luann that she says Palm Beach too much when she means West Palm, and Luann is like, yeah, but that’s not offensive. Tinsley says there’s a huge difference. Luann asks where she lives in Palm Beach, with her mother? Bethenny says it’s a social nucleus, and suggests they put a pin in it, but not Dorinda, since she’s already had an accident. Ramona says that she and Bethenny’s time in the pool together was her rose, but her thorn was when she hadn’t been invited. She felt like she was in Mean Girls. In her interview, she says we grow as people and aren’t perfect. She’s so deep. Dorinda tells them that her rose was the horse dancing to the mariachi band, and their argument was her thorn. Bethenny agrees. Luann starts to say that her husband is her rose, and everyone is like, enough already. Bethenny makes fun of her saying Palm Beach, dah-ling.

Next time, John shows Dorinda a wedding dress (she’s like, whoa, Nellie!); Tinsley throws her party, but Sonja is a no-show, and Tom takes his mic off to talk about Missy.

🍗 The cooks on MasterChef  fed local merchants, from bee keepers to artisan butchers (whatever those are), using their products. The blue team made fish, while the red team made a pork chop dish. As usual, everything looked fantastic to me, because I never would have made it past the first round. Scratch that, I wouldn’t have made it to the first round. The red team ended up with the pressure test, except for Yachecia, who made the polenta. The test was to make six perfect cannolis. A couple of the chefs couldn’t count, and put less than six in the box. Honestly though, I’m like, who cares what they look like, or how many there are, give me one of those. Gordon told Newton that his cannolis were rough around the edges, but had great filling, much like old Newt himself. Brien went home because he doesn’t know how to spell his name, and his cannolis were a mess. He left his apron graciously, and said he’s taking this as a learning experience. Next time, the MasterChef reigning master champ will be conjuring up a mystery box, and a mysterious ingredient pushes some cooks to their breaking point. I can’t even imagine.

CamelWednesday

Jul27

July 26, 2017 – Spencer Tells All, Ramona Worms Her Way In, a Bit of Chef & an Odd Quote

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Nina asks Spencer to say Valentin had nothing to do with kidnapping him. Spencer insists it was him.

Hayden visits Elizabeth.

Finn gets Griff a thank you lunch. Griff says he was just doing his job, but Finn says it’s at least lunch worthy; he went above and beyond. Griff says that Finn has been reinstated, and wants to go back to being colleagues and friends. Obrecht enters the restaurant, and tells them Guten tag.

Sam keeps telling Jason it’s over and she made sure.

Sonny lies bleeding and unconscious. I can never get over how good Maurice Benard looks, since we basically grew up together. He has some amazing genetics.

Valentin says that Spencer is mistaken or lying, and liars get found out. Dante asks what happened. Spencer says that he, a defenseless child, was at the park and a bag was placed over his head by someone with impressive upper body strength and no manners. Dante tells him to stick to the facts. He says he was put in the trunk of a car and taken to a basement, with no food or water. Will I die here? he asked himself. No, he wouldn’t. He escaped his captor despite breaking his glasses. Dante says based on his account – Spencer interrupts, finishing that Dante will be sending Valentin up the river – he didn’t see who it was. How does he know it was Valentin? Spencer says he can prove it because of his shoes. He was wearing them when he kidnapped him.

Obrecht wonders why Griff isn’t on call. He says that he’s picking up lunch. Obrecht can’t blame him for following the herd like lemmings. She’s sure that Finn will make an excellent contribution to the hospital now that he’s back. He says he wishes she’d felt that way before. She says that all she wanted what was best for GH, but who is she to argue if they want a drug addled doctor? He says he’s gotten treatment, but there’s no cure for what she has. She says now that she made the break, her future prospects have improved. As he’s leaving, Finn says thank God it’s over. Obrecht says, not nearly over.

Jason checks Sam for a fever. She says they’re safe and she did what she had to do. Jason says they’re going to the hospital, and carries her out.

Sonny is like wth? He sits up and drags himself over to the wall. He remembers Sam and the gun going off, and calls out her name, saying to get him out of there.

Spencer says not many people can afford $3000 shoes, much less wear them on the grass. Dante takes Spencer to a private room. Valentin asks Nina if she realizes that Spencer is lying.

Hayden tells Elizabeth that she enjoyed her time with Jake. Most important, she wanted to thank Elizabeth for helping her at The Floating Rib. It was terrifying, embarrassing, and ultimately educational. Elizabeth says every pregnant woman has to learn the hard way. She asks why Hayden is really there. Hayden pulls out a bunch of baby care books, and says she’s doing everything wrong.

Jared meets Obrecht. He says he’s intrigued. She says that she knows Port Charles is out of his parole officer’s jurisdiction. She’s been doing research, and has learned a wealth of information on him and someone else. He asks what she wants, and she says to get what they both truly deserve.

Finn and Griff finish lunch, and I want ribs now. Griff says Obrecht doesn’t look like she’s leaving town. Finn tells him, live and let live. He says he came to Port Charles to treat Tracy, got offered a position, and thought he had everything he needed. He didn’t have to think about anyone, except for his late wife. Then he met Hayden, and there was no going back. Griff calls her a force of nature. Finn says she’s been there for him in ways he thought no one except his wife could be. He’s finally getting a second chance at happiness.

Jason runs into the hospital with Sam.

Sonny keeps calling for anyone. His leg is bleeding, and he rips his shirt to make a tourniquet. He’s wearing a bullet-proof vest, which explains why Wavy Garvey didn’t kill him.

Valentin says the only thing missing from Spencer’s recitation was organ music. Nina says when they first met, he was after Spencer. He asks why she posted bail. She wants to believe him, but doesn’t know whether to trust him or admit she made a mistake and he’s been playing her the whole time.

Dante’s phone rings. He tells Spencer that he’ll be back. Laura sits down. She says what happened was horrible, and she’s glad he’s okay. She tells him that what Valentin did to his father was unconscionable, but somehow, someday he’ll pay for it. Spencer says, carpe diem, let today be the day, but Laura says only if he’s guilty. If Spencer is accusing him of something he didn’t do, instead of him being Valentin’s victim, Valentin would be his victim. Spencer wonders if he doesn’t deserve to be, but Laura says what they want is justice. If Spencer isn’t totally telling the truth, everything they’ve been fighting for will be in jeopardy. He’ll use it in court and win, and the worst part is that he’d be right. Spencer says nothing would be worse, but what if he did it; it’s possible. Laura says he has to be certain. Spencer says there are degrees of certainly, and she tells him that she is certain if Valentin didn’t do it, then the kidnapper is still out there. What if he kidnaps someone not as smart or resourceful? He wouldn’t want that to happen. Spencer guesses he wouldn’t, and Laura asks again if he’s 100% certain.

Jared says he’s not one for mysteries. He’s giving Obrecht ten minutes; five if she’s boring. She assures him that she’s never been boring. She says before he went to prison, he was married to Rachel Berlin, and there are so many puzzling questions. She brings up the night they had a fight at the country club, and Jared says he’s done. She assures him not. She has a suspicion that he might want to locate her. He says that he can do that on his own, but Obrecht says she’s just a few miles away, living under a different name, and preparing to have child with new love of her life.

Hayden says Elizabeth is the best resource she’s got. Elizabeth asks before all these books, what were her thoughts about having kids? Hayden tells her that she was raised believing material things and wealth were paramount, but doesn’t want to instill those values in her offspring. She says that she was married before, but it was over before the scandal broke. They lived well, and talked about having kids, but not seriously. This is the first time she’s taken the subject seriously, and that’s because she’s pregnant. Elizabeth takes the books away. Hayden asks what she did to be such a good mom.

Sonny fixes the tourniquet on his leg. He knocks over a crate and steps onto it, pulling himself up. We focus on his shoes, and I wonder why.

Jason tells Finn that Sam has been babbling about being safe. Griff puts a rush on some tests. Jason tells Sam he’ll be right back and she’ll be fine. He leaves, and in her head, Sam sees Sonny, who asks if she’s happy now. She killed him.

Nina knows that Valentin’s version of events in the past has sounded truthful, but sometimes wasn’t. He asks if she believes he loves her, and she says yes, in the way he knows how. She tells him that sometimes ruthless strategy and heartfelt declaration are hard to tell apart, and she’s not sure she’ll ever be able to.

Laura asks Spencer about the shoes, and if he really saw them. He says technically, no. Laura says he has to stop. She loves him, but right now he’s being as vengeful and spiteful as Valentin, and she needs for him to be something better, and tell Dante the truth – no more no less. Dante comes in. He asks if Spencer has anything to add.

Elizabeth says Hayden is being kind. Hayden asks when Elizabeth has known her to be kind for the sake of being kind, and Elizabeth says never. Hayden tells her that she’s observed Elizabeth’s mothering skills. Elizabeth insists she’ll have them too, but Hayden says that in her other life, she wasn’t a good person. In the second grade, she extorted a candy bracelet from a classmate. She has a lot to regret.

Jared tells Obrecht good for Rachel. He says they’re divorced, and he has no reason to track her. Obrecht asks what about his prison sentence? At the time, Rachel was wealthy. Jared says she had a talent for making money, and obviously, Obrecht knows what happened. Obrecht says knowing Rachel as she does, he went to prison for her, and she wants to help him.

Sonny falls. He rests for a moment.

Fantasy Sonny tells Sam that it’s not over just because she killed him; it will never be over. Sam sits up and yells. Jason comes in. Sam wants to go home, but Jason tells Griff that she’s not making sense. She keeps talking about being safe.

Spencer tells Dante that maybe he’s being over-dramatic, and not as accurate as he first thought. Dante asks if he’s certain Valentin is the one. Spencer is certain he could have been, but not actually certain he did it. Dante asks about the shoes, and Spencer says now that he thinks about it, he never saw them. He had a bag over his head, and didn’t see anything. Dante asks if there’s anything else, and Spencer tells him that he doesn’t know who did it. He doesn’t remember or know anything. Dante thanks him. Laura tells Spencer, good job. Spencer says he still hates Valentin. Laura doesn’t blame him, and wants him to know they’ll never stop fighting for justice for his father.

Dante tells Valentin that he’s free to go, but don’t leave town. He says that Spencer admitted he wasn’t sure, and ha no idea who took him. Valentin looks at Nina.

Elizabeth says that Hayden has come a long way from being Rachel. She stuck by Finn, and she thinks they’ve made progress as sisters. She tells Hayden that by the time her shower rolls around, she’ll have it down pat. Hayden says she has no friends; who would throw her a shower? Elizabeth tells her that’s what sisters are for and they hug.

Jared finds out from Obrecht that Rachel is now calling herself Hayden, even though everyone knows who she really is. Obrecht tells him that Hayden’s current lover ruined her life. Until recently, she was a highly regarded physician, and he was hellbent on his own destruction. She tried to save hospital from him, but Hayden saved him instead. She wants to pay him back in kind. Jared asks again what she wants. She says the time he spent in prison was to what end? He’s entitled to more, but if he isn’t interested in getting the recompense he deserves, there’s the door. It will take him to the rest of his unfulfilled life.

Sonny sits down. He sees his shattered phone.

Jason says Sam needs rest. She tells him not to worry, and he says he’s not; the doctors will find out what’s going on. Sam says she did it, and he asks what she means; what did she do?

Nina says she doesn’t know Valentin’s heart. He says she knows it better than anyone because it belongs to her. He went without love his entire life until her, and he doesn’t want to give it up. She has reason to doubt him, but he wants to be a better man. Nina says that’s why she posted bail, and jokes about getting her money back. She has to get to work, and leaves the station. Valentin smiles.

Spencer comes out, and tells Valentin not to think he’s going soft. He’ll do what it takes to make him pay. Valentin says actions have consequnces, and assuming someone kidnapped him, they’re getting away. Laura tells Spencer that she’s taking him home, but he insists Windemere is his home, and Valentin stole it. Spencer tells Valentin, My name is Spencer Cassadine; you killed my father; prepare to die, referring to dialogue from The Princess Bride. I die laughing.

Hayden leaves Elizabeth’s place, almost forgetting her bag.

Jared tells Obrecht that maybe Rachel promised him something, but it was a long time ago, before she lost everything. Obrecht asks if he got nothing, and Jared says just divorce papers in his jail cell. She says he was cast aside, and she knows what it’s like to be discarded, and Rachel/Hayden has a flair for that. What she did to him personally was done to Obrecht professionally. It’s up to them to fire back. Jared says, or move on like grown-ups. Obrecht doesn’t think they have the right to do what they did. Jared doesn’t either. Obrecht suggests that if they work together, they can acquire recompense and retribution.

Griff looks at the test results. Finn thinks he has an idea of what they’re dealing with. More brain worms?

Sonny throws the phone. That always helps. He struggles to get up again, and looks up at the wall.

Jason tells Sam to try and sleep. She says she already did it, and he tells her that he loves her, but for now, just rest. She convulses, and the alarm goes off.

Tomorrow, Sonny continues to call for help, Jordan has news about Dante’s father, and Stella asks Curtis when he and Jordan decided to call it quits.

The Real Housewives of NYC

Dorinda goes to yoga. The instructor tells her to do the egg salad position. I swear that’s what he said. Luann tells us how wasted she got the night before, like we didn’t notice. Bethenny says she’s tough; she’d be praying to the toilet bowl right now. I’d at least be in bed. At breakfast, everyone wonders how Luann is even functioning. A major floral arrangement comes for Tinsley. The card says it’s for the best and longest first date ever. She wonders how he knew where to send them. Um… he asked Adam? Carole says it’s a match made in heaven. Bethenny suggests surfing, but Tinsley and Luann want to shop.

Ramona apologizes to Bethenny for her idiocy, saying it just snowballed somehow. She doesn’t know why she embarrasses herself all the time. In her interview, she says she just wants it to stop, and will say anything. Bethenny tells her she wants a smooth day at the distillery, and Ramona should just stay and chill. Ramona thinks Bethenny might change her mind. Bethenny says she’s never seen anything like it, and it goes back for ten years. She doesn’t want to hurt Ramona, but thinks it’s not in her best interest to go. She says Ramona doesn’t like her, but Ramona says, I don’t not not like you [sic]. Whatever that means. Ramona randomly mentions an article about Bethenny in the Wall Street Journal.

Ramona and Sonja have breakfast. Sonja says that Tinsley’s childlike behavior is being enabled. She talks about Tinsley’s five-day date, and asks who does that? Jealous much? Ramona says she’ll never win with Bethenny. When she’s healthy, she snaps like a turtle. Bethenny suggests going surfing. Dorinda has never surfed, but is willing to give it a try. Better her than me.

Tinsley thinks Sonja doesn’t understand, and asks why she isn’t more protective with the press. In her interview, Tinsley says she would have immediately squashed anything about a friend of hers. Sonja says that Tinsley has to deal with it herself, and that she should have brought it up in private. Her friends just made it worse by enabling her behavior. Apparently, Sonja’s root word-of-the-day is enable.

Luann gets whacked with a surfboard in the elbow, which I’m sure takes her mind off of her hangover. Dorinda says surfing is like birth. Bethenny is very good, but not so much Carole, who wonders why she’s doing this. Afterward, everyone high fives the instructor. Bethenny says they missed Ramona’s floatation devices (i.e. her boobs).

Sonja screeches at Tinsley that she didn’t do it. Tinsley says it came from her. Sonja insists they didn’t talk to her. Tinsley thinks Sonja is being aggressive and bitchy, and had something to do with it.

Bethenny wants an early dinner so they can be fresh in the morning. Dorinda says Ramona hates to be by herself, and thinks she still might end up coming. In her interview, Dorinda thinks Bethenny is going to relent. The girls go to an outside market. I would go absolutely wild there. Ramona has decided to act like nothing is wrong. Bethenny points out an amazing embroidered kimono-sleeved dress. Her card is blocked since her assistant didn’t do something or other with it, and Ramona springs for the dress, much to Bethenny’s dismay. Tinsley says she’s winning. Bethenny says she ultimately can’t be mean, and Sonja says you can’t get rid of Singer. Ramona buys straw tote bags for everyone, but Luann has to lend her money, which she doesn’t expect to see again. Bethenny wonders how much it will cost for Ramona to get herself an invite. She’s saying no, but all signs are pointing to yes.

Back at the ranch villa, some of the girls get in the hot tub. Bethenny asks Sonja how Ramona’s headspace is. She doesn’t want to have a Hallmark moment in inviting her along, but says if Ramona does anything wrong, she’ll have to kill her. Sonja tells them that Ramona was happy in her marriage. She’s fronting, and it’s making her act out. Ramona jogs on the beach, which they all find weird. Carole thinks there’s a hot guy at the end of the beach, or maybe just a guy.

Sonja tells Ramona about how Bethenny didn’t want to exclude her. Ramona says she understands that Bethenny’s feelings were hurt. She f-ed up with what she said, and it wasn’t her intention to hurt her. Bethenny is wearing the cutest dress ever. It looks like something from the 70s – a mini with longish full sleeves that have open shoulders, and it has drawstrings everywhere. Ramona says she has to accept only bringing up what Bethenny wants to. Sonja says they’re growing. Please. Dorinda thinks she’s sore from yoga until Carole reminds her that she went surfing.

At dinner, Bethenny says it can’t be a blackout night. Tinsley sees the Page Six item got published; she was hoping Sonja would negate the story. Bethenny says it mentions Sonja and Ramona too. Tinsley insists it started from Sonja. Sonja says she’s blowing it out of proportion, but Carole backs Tinsley up, and says that Sonja tells total strangers Tinsley is a bad houseguest. Sonja says it was a friendship issue, but Tinsley says she complained so much, it got in the press. Sonja says you don’t stay for five months if you’re unhappy. In her interview, Carole says that Sonja never met an article with her name in it that she didn’t love. Luann tells Sonja to apologize, and she does the sorry, but thing. Bethenny says it’s like a circle jerk, and Carole has to explain what that means. I won’t be doing that. Google it if you don’t know. Dorinda gives out cute and funny gifts. Is there a Spencer’s in Mexico?

Bethenny says that she’s blessed and fortunate to take them on an alcoholic field trip; she just has to get them there. She explains how to dress. Bethenny tells Ramona she doesn’t know how she feels anymore, and begs her to behave at the distillery. She says it’s her life and livelihood, and she doesn’t want it ruined. If Ramona has nothing nice to say, don’t say it. Ramona insists she wouldn’t do that. Bethenny tells Ramona to try to be someone people tolerate, and they hug it out.

Sonja claims she hasn’t had a drink in ten months. I believe it if you do. Ramona cracks her head getting into the helicopter (good) because she has a bandana over her face to protect her baby skin. She’s happy to be included, and thinks they’re on a path to something better. Bethenny says it’s been a rough couple of years, but now it’s overwhelming. Olas all around. A guy blows a conch shell, and there’s drumming. Dorinda thinks Ramona looks like a bad MTV commercial from the 80s, and this time she does not want her MTV.

Raphael is the tour guide. SkinnyGirl margaritas are given out. People in native costume dance. Carole says she’s never seen anything like it – except in Vegas. They’re shown the agave plants, and how they’re harvested. They take a trolley to the distillery. Everyone thanks Bethenny, who says she’s happy they’re all there. Dorinda can’t bear watching Ramona kiss Bethenny’s ass. At the distillery, the girls put on hard hats, and the process is explained. They get old-fashioned powder horns, which is the original way tequila was drunk. It’s 130 proof; 65% alcohol. Oh. No. Everyone drinks from their horns. Luann tells us it’s smooth but strong. Dorinda compares it to drinking smoke.

There’s a dancing horse outside, and a little boy giving out roses. Dorinda says it’s like Disneyland in Mexico with tequila. A tent has been set up for lunch. Bethenny passes out little drinking buddies, tiny plastic guys in bathing suits that sit on the glasses, and the tequila tasting menu commences. Tinsley wants to take a kid home, and Carole calls her the Angelina Jolie of Mexico.

Dorinda isn’t sure they’re going to make it home, but it’s back to the helicopter. Probably the only way you’d get me in it is after a day of booze. When they get back, Carole says they have to keep drinking. Bethenny says light a match and the house will go up in flames. She dances on the table. Everyone goes out by the pool, and Sonja tries to make out with Luann. Some of the girls take advantage of the infinity pool and rope swing.

Ramona tells Sonja about Mario leaving his ring at home, and how she knew something was changing. Sonja says when they start wearing skinny jeans and tight T-shirts, they’re cheating. She doesn’t believe Ramona is happy, since she was having sex every night when she was married. Bethenny says no one does it every night. Sonja says she was there (!), and Ramona says it was three or four times a week. She misses what they had, but has to go on. Sonja wails about how hard it must be, and Bethenny tells Sonja to knock it off. In her interview, she says you know if she’s defending Ramona, it’s bad. Ramona starts to argue with Sonja.

Next time, a fishing trip where whales show up, more tequila is swilled, there are fireworks, and Dorinda injures her hand.

🍴 On MasterChef, after Daisy the Cow was paraded around, the mystery box was revealed to have cow parts. That’s just wrong. One chef wasn’t sure what to do with the kidneys, and I’m reminded of the depression food my father cooked when I was a child. (His neck bone soup still stands as one of the best things I’ve ever eaten.) Angus steak and asparagus were in the pressure test, and Nico went home. Gordon told him he was talented, but couldn’t grasp his fundamental errors. Truth! He could not grasp the reasons his dish went wrong. Next time, the chefs have to cook for the backbone of culinary world, and use their products. We also learn ricotta and halibut don’t go together.

It’s Back…

odd_mom-29-May-2017

🍨 Whatever doesn’t kill us, makes us thinner. – Devon, Odd Mom Out

 

Jul22

July 21, 2017 – Laura Loses It, a Brave Chef Wins & Wisdom from Reddit

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

Ava tosses out her beauty products, saying good-by to each of them. She sips a martini, and says so long to her friends. There isn’t anything that can cover her new face.

Bobbie asks Carly if there’s been any progress with finding Spencer. Carly says no, but they’ll find him. Bobbie asks if she’s seen Laura, and Carly tells her about Laura asking Sonny for help. When Bobbie asks how she feels about that, Carly says they’re in agreement about using his connections to bring Spencer home.

Fantasy Sonny tells Sam that he knows he’s made things difficult for her, but he knows what’s best for her family. She says it’s always what’s best for him. Sonny says that Jason gets results, and Sam says she does too. Jason asks who she’s talking to.

Real Sonny tells Laura she has to take care of herself. She says that will be difficult until Spencer is home, and asks if his guys have found anything.

On the phone, Nina says she knows there are penalties for withdrawing money, but she’s interested in the short term.

Nathan tells Valentin that life expectancy in jail for people who hurt kids is short. He asks if there’s anything Valentin wants to tell him.

Ava calls for a vodka delivery. A case of Voox. She says she’s having a party, and asks them to be quick. Yeah, a party of one.

Sam tells Jason that she was talking to herself. She has a phone app that connects to the baby’s room. (Wouldn’t she be talking to the baby then?) Jason says he has nothing for today, and is escorting her to her follow-up appointment. She says she thinks she’s feeling better and was considering cancelling, but knew how he would feel. He says no one hates doctors and hospitals more than him, but they have to be sure she’s fine. There’s nothing they can’t handle. Imaginary Sonny winks at her.

Carly tells Bobbie that if there was a lead, Sonny would let her know, since Josslyn is drowning in guilt because it happened on her watch. She tells Bobbie that Josslyn internalizes everything. Bobbie is like, teenagers, but Carly says that Josslyn sees herself as an adult; drinking hanging out with boys. Now Oscar is a lifeguard at Lila’s Kids, so they’re working together. Bobbie says she remembers summer romance. Carly says it’s not a romance – is it? Geez, you’d think Oscar was some kind of serial killer, when he was nothing but nice and respectful. Does Carly have any idea of what’s really out there?

Sonny tells Laura they haven’t found anything, but they will. Valentin didn’t do this alone, and people who snatch kids in his town are few and far between. Laura says that Valentin is in lock-up, but he’ll probably make bail. Sonny says no matter what, he’ll get him, so he doesn’t want her doing anything rash. BTW, Genie Francis looks fantastic, and it doesn’t seem like she’s had any work done either.

Valentin tells Nathan that he has nothing to do with Spencer’s disappearance. An officer comes in, and says that Valentin’s bail has been posted. Nathan says it was off the charts, and asks if he had his lawyers post it. Nina walks in and says no, she did.

Nathan uncuffs Valentin, telling him that he’d better stay on the straight and narrow. Valentin tells Nina she didn’t have to do that. His lawyers are on it, and are probably wiring money right now. She wants everyone to know she believes in him. He says he’s used to handling these things by himself. She says not anymore, but that doesn’t mean she’s coming back to him.

Ava thinks about the fire. The delivery arrives, and she asks them to leave it outside. The guy says she has to sign for it. She tells him to slip the receipt under the door, but he has to see who’s signing. She answers the door, and says, boo! For Pete’s sake, she’s really not that bad.

Carly says she’s not ready for this, and Bobbie says he’s just a boy. Carly wants to know how to not screw it up. Bobbie tells her that she survived parenting and adolescent behavior, but she was so thrown when Carly’s brother came out, she didn’t listen. Carly says it worked out though. Bobbie promises Carly will get through it.

There’s a knock at Jason and Sam’s door. It’s Sonny. Real Sonny. Sam wants to return a blanket that Molly left, and says she’ll be right back. Sonny asks Jason if she’s okay, but Jason says he doesn’t know.

Sonny asks if it’s a vibe he’s getting or is it just him? Jason says Sam is going through some things. He doesn’t think it’s serious, but it requires some tests. Jason figures what Sonny wants must be important. Sonny says Spencer is missing, and Nina posted Valentin’s bail. Jason asks if there are any leads. Sonny says not yet, but Valentin needs to be stopped. Jason asks if Sonny wants him to do it. Sam listens at the door.

Carly wants to be Josslyn’s best friend, but she can’t; limits have to be set. Bobbie tells her to do what she failed to do. Keep lines of communication open and give her chances to tell the truth; be her safe place. Bobbie says not to worry so much. Her best advice is to remember when she was fourteen. Carly says that doesn’t help. Josslyn walks in, and asks if they were talking about her. She wonders if it’s about Spencer.

Valentin asks Nina for a chance. She says not today, and he says, someday? She says they’ve both made mistakes, and he tells her not to blame herself for anything. She says everyone is running around like chickens with their heads cut off, and they can’t do the same. She tells him to go home and take a shower, but he says it’s not a home without her and Charlotte. She says never say never, and he tells her he’d never do that when it comes to them. He signs the paperwork. Laura walks in and stares daggers at him.

Sam goes to Ava’s townhouse. She’s sleeping on the couch, and Sam wakes her up. She asks what Sam is doing there. Sam says Ava has been drinking, like Ava didn’t know, and Ava says yes she has. Sam tries to clean up, and Ava says she doesn’t have to. Ava asks what she wants to see Julian about. Sam says she has a proposal, but she’ll have to take care of it herself. Ava goes to get her some coffee.

Sonny tells Jason that the cops are all over the place, so it has to be low key. Jason says he’s in. The timing could be better, but he has it. Sonny says that Spencer is important to him, and Jason says that he’ll do what he can do. Sonny asks if he’s sure Sam will be okay with it. Jason says he’s looking for a little kid who she’s related too; she’ll be fine.

Sam is surprised that Julian left Ava alone, and Ava says she’s not five. She asks if Sam wants some vodka in her to-go cup, but that’s a no. Ava tells her that Julian is probably at his office, but Sam says if he can’t be there for Ava, he’s useless. Ava says she told him to leave. Sam wonders why Ava isn’t wearing the mask that the hospital gave her. Ava tells her what’s the point? and Sam says Avery needs her mother. Ava says that Avery doesn’t see a mother, but a monster. She tells Sam that Avery will have to make due with Sonny, but Sam gives her an emphatic no.

Carly says they’ll find him. Josslyn asks what they’re talking about, saying it sounds kind of serious. I miss the rest of the scene because the sound goes out on my TV. I’ve been wrestling with a problematic connector for a few days now, and have to mess with it several times a day.

Nina tells Laura that she bailed Valentin out. Laura says that her grandson has been missing for twenty-four hours with no communication. She doesn’t know if he’s dead or alive. Nina says she’s sorry, and Laura tells her that if she was, she’d do the right thing, since Valentin has time not accounted for. Nina says she understands Laura’s frustration, but Valentin didn’t kidnap Spencer – she knows him. Laura says she does too. He killed her son, and now he’s after her grandson. Nina tries to say something, and Laura tells her to shut up, adding that she’s just as guilty as Valentin. Nathan says they’ll be watching him, and Laura starts to freak out on Nathan. She says Valentin knows he’ll be watching, so he’ll hire someone else to do his dirty work. Nina says that Laura is spiraling out of control.

Josslyn tells Carly that she and Oscar are just friends. Carly asks if she wants it to be more, and Josslyn says that she doesn’t know him. Carly says she can’t stop her from seeing him, but it bothers her that Oscar pressured her into drinking. Josslyn says he didn’t pressure her into anything, but Carly thinks it sounds like she wanted to impress him, and she only needs to impress herself. Josslyn suggests that judging someone she doesn’t know is the same thing Nelle did to her. Carly says she’s right. She can’t make a call on someone she hasn’t met, and she wants to change that.

Laura sees Valentin on the docks. She starts yelling at him, and putting her finger in his face, and he backs up. She says she’ll get Spencer to drop the lawsuit; she can even get him to leave Port Charles. Valentin says that he can’t give her what he doesn’t have. She says what if it was Charlotte. He says he’d be frantic, which is why he understands, but she’s wasting time; he had nothing to do with it. Laura grabs his lapels, and says she wants the truth. He tells her that her time would be better spent looking for who took Spencer. Laura says he won; he got everything, and Spencer is no threat to him. Valentin says she’s making his point for him. Spencer isn’t a threat, so why would he take him? She doesn’t believe one word he says, and he tells he that he’s sorry. She says that he’s not sorry about anything. She knows now why Helena thought he was the worst Cassadine of all; he’s smart and doesn’t care about anyone. She starts getting physical with him, and he breaks away. She whacks him in the back of the head with something, and he falls to the ground. Holy!

Nina says she’s fine, but Nathan says the dance she’s doing with Valentin isn’t fine. She says that she didn’t go home with him; doesn’t that count? Nathan says she’s making him jump through hoops first, so she’ll feel better when she does take him back. Nina suggests giving advice as Man Landers is rubbing off on him, and he thinks he knows everything. He says that he knows her. She thinks Valentin will give her what the others haven’t, but he’s not capable of it, and reels her in every time. Nina asks if this is how he feels about her, like she’s a pathetic, ignorant teenager. Nathan says he always has her back, but he can’t do it anymore. He tells her that if she goes back to Valentin and he breaks her heart, she’ll have to find someone else to help her pick up the pieces.

Ava says she would have thought Sam wanted her out of Avery’s life. Sam says she’s been thinking, and believes that children should be with their mothers. Ava says, mothers like her? Sam says that Ava isn’t a monster, and Ava asks if her actions don’t make her one. Sam says what do Sonny’s actions make him? Ava wonders where this is coming from, and Sam says that she’s been thinking about karma – Ava has had to pay the price for her actions, but Sonny hasn’t. Doesn’t she want to be around when he does? She can close herself off to the world and concede victory to Sonny, or she can have what she wants and reclaim her life the way she wants. Sam puts the mask on Ava, and takes her to the mirror. Now she looks like a character from one of the Purge movies.

Josslyn asks why Carly wants to meet Oscar, and says no way. Carly asks if Josslyn is afraid she’ll embarrass her, and Josslyn says yes. Carly says she thought she was a hip mom, and Josslyn tells her not to say “hip.” Carly tells Josslyn that the teenage years are hard, but they’ll get through it with talking and respecting each other, and Josslyn says she’ll try. Carly insists on knowing what Oscar is about if Josslyn wants to hang out with him. She promises not to embarrass Josslyn that much.

Valentin gets back on his feet, and asks if Laura is insane. She tells him to give her back her grandson. He says she doesn’t want to end up seeing him from behind bars in jail. Jason comes up behind him, and puts him in a headlock. Geez, nothing like some serious overreaction on everyone’s part except Valentin’s.

Sam comes back to an empty place. She sees a note from Jason that says he’ll be back in time for her appointment. In her head, Sonny says it appears that she was wrong about who would have Jason for how long. Sam gets her gun from the closet and leaves.

Carly calls Sonny, hoping for an update. He says that he expects good news soon. She asks why, and he tells her he brought in someone else – Jason is on it.

Valentin is back on the ground again, and Laura asks how Jason knew. He tells Laura that she can’t raise a kid from a prison cell. If Valentin has Spencer, he promises he’ll get him back.

Sonny tells Carly he’ll update when he can, and he loves her. A picture of Spencer in a basement appears on his phone.

Next time, Oscar has information about Spencer, Jason interrogates Valentin, Mac tells Nathan that he can’t tell anyone, especially Maxie.

🍴 I  caught MasterChef tonight, and the contestants had to create a five-star hotel breakfast at the Beverly Restaurant in the Peninsula Hotel. Scrambled eggs reared their ugly heads again, and the blue team was subject to a pressure test. Team captain Yachecia was given a nearly Sophie’s choice – either save herself, or save six of her teammates. She had the confidence to save the six, and was pitted against Jennifer in making fish and chips. Jennifer ended up going home, but got a major consolation prize when Aaron Sanchez told her that the doors to his NOLA restaurant were open for her to work there. In her exit interview, she said she was going to take him up on it. Gordon said she was going home way too early, but she really didn’t seem like the competition type, getting overly emotional over almost everything. I’m not picking on her, just sayin’ that maybe that kind of stress isn’t for her. Next time, steaks are at the forefront. After they introduce Daisy the cow, which seems rather cruel. Something shocking happens to render the judges speechless.

🌟 Both Empire and Star will be premiering back-to-back on Wednesday, September 27th, starting at 8 pm.

Quotes of the Week Via Reddit from TheHustle.co

🐸 The best part of a cucumber tastes like the worst part of a watermelon.

🐸 I have seen more of the surface of the Moon with my own eyes than I have of Earth.

🐸 Fidget spinners have made me question whether I’m too old to understand a trend, or old enough to know it’s stupid.

🐸 I can’t believe that they didn’t make a James Bond film in 2007…

 🐸 My cat must think I’m an idiot when I walk around in the dark and can’t see anything.

GroovyWeekend2

Jul13

July 12, 2017 – Valentin Makes the Rounds, Ramona Invites Herself to Mexico & Lotsa Lamb

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

At the hospital, Bobbie asks Carly how the wedding was. Carly says it was amazing, and the happy couple is… happy. Bobbie says, a good time was had by all, but Carly tells her not all. Michael brought Nelle as his date.

Nelle tells Nina she has a visitor in her office. Nina assumes it’s Valentin, but it’s Julian. He says he has news for her; the party is over.

Valentin is right behind him though, and walks into the reception area. Nelle thought he was out of the country. He says he’s back, and asks if Nina is in.

Laura tells Doc that she wishes Spencer would take interest in more activities, but right now he’s just interested in the play.

Spencer practices Hamlet in the park. Josslyn sees him, and says it’s a depressing play. At a certain point, she stopped feeling sorry for Hamlet, because he was always feeling sorry for himself. Spencer says there’s no nobler mission than to avenge a father’s death.

Jason and Sonny talk about the wedding. Sonny wants to discuss business. He has something that he thinks will benefit both of them. In her head, Sonny tells Sam that they’re doing business like old times.

Laura asks Doc if she’s doing the right thing. He says that Spencer needs structure and to be with kids his own age. She’s concerned that she can’t distract him from his vendetta, but Doc thinks it’s just a way to keep his father in his life. He thinks they should give him as many opportunities to talk about Nicholas as possible, and maybe they can find better/healthier ways for him to connect to his father.

Josslyn says that Spencer would make a great Rum Tum Tugger (from Cats – which would be even more ambitious than Hamlet for a children’s camp), but he says that he’s better in darker roles; it’s complex, demanding, and takes total focus. She suggests he take a break and do some other activities, but Spencer says that he doesn’t have time for making lanyards and roasting marshmallows.

Carly tells Bobbie about Sonny apologizing to Josslyn, and her not having it. Bobbie says it’s understandable. Carly shouldn’t tolerate disrespect, but Josslyn is allowed her feelings. Carly says that Bobbie is no fan of Sonny’s either. Bobbie tells her that she doesn’t doubt Carly’s love for him, but something always gets in the way.

Mirage Sonny tells Sam that the closer Jason is to him, the farther he is from her and the kids, and the closer he is to death. Jason asks if she’s okay, and she makes something up. She says she has to be somewhere, and asks him to watch the kids.

Nina asks Julian what he’s doing in her office. He says checking on his holdings. He tells her that Crimson is doing well under her leadership. She thanks him, and says not so much the rest of his subsidiaries. He’d better get on it before there’s a hostile takeover.

Nelle tells Valentin that Nina is in a meeting, and he says he’ll wait. He asks about her health and if she’d like to come back as Charlotte’s nanny. She says she just started at Crimson, and he says that as long as she’s working for Nina, she’ll still be in Charlotte’s life. Julian leaves, and Nina sees Valentin.

Doc tells Laura that he’s more worried about her than Spencer. He sees her being strong and meeting Spencer’s needs, but he’s not sure that she’s taking care of her own. He thinks she’s afraid that if she eases up, the loss will overcome her. Laura says she supposes there are consequences for dating a psychiatrist, but Doc says he’s speaking as a partner who loves her. She says they’re coming to the one year anniversary of Nicholas’s death. He asks if it helps that Valentin is gone. Julian pops in out of nowhere, and says Valentin is in Port Charles; he just saw him.

Oscar joins Josslyn, and she introduces him to Spencer. Oscar says it must have been cool to go to a school overseas, but Spencer says he prefers being closer to home; better to reclaim what’s his.

Valentin asks if Nina will see him, and she says let’s get it over with. She asks what he wants, and he says he spent a lot of time imagining her face and smile, and wanted to see her in person. She tells him that she doesn’t have time for this, but he says that he wants to buy an ad for his new non-profit. It offers a safe haven for racehorses that would otherwise be destroyed. He’s named the rescue after her.

Sonny tells Jason that he’s sure Sam is dealing with him getting shot. Jason says she was never like that before, but Sonny says things change. He asks if Jason would like to partner with him in a completely legit business venture.

Carly tells Bobbie that she wants to focus on Michael and why he’s with Nelle. He has good judgement, but feels compassionate toward her, and gave her opening she needed. She says she asked Nelle if it was about revenge. Bobbie asks if Carly caused a scene. Carly says no, but she didn’t do herself any favors; Michael told her to butt out. Bobbie asks if she’s going to listen to him, and Carly says hell no. Nelle is a train wreck waiting to happen, and will end up hurting Michael if she doesn’t do something about it.

Julian explains to Doc and Laura about seeing Valentin at Nina’s office. Doc wonders how it’s possible. Laura says she has to call Lulu.

Valentin tells Nina about how he bought a farm for the horses, and will have children and veterans help rehabilitate them. Covering all the bases, I see. She says it’s beautiful, but transparent; he’s trying to lure her back. He says not lure, but he is trying to get on her good side. She says it doesn’t cancel out what he’s done, and the people he’s hurt, like Spencer. She tells him it’s not about the inheritance, but that he killed Spencer’s father. Valentin says that Nicholas faked his own death, and the rest is open to interpretation.

Spencer tells Oscar that his sinister uncle stole his inheritance, but a peasant like him wouldn’t understand. Josslyn is like, hey! and says she thought he stopped calling people peasants. She tells him that Oscar is a good guy. Oscar wants to get snacks, but Spencer wants to continue practicing for the play. Oscar misunderstands, saying oh, that’s what he was talking about, and that it sounded like he was saying it actually happened. Spencer says it did, and that’s why he’s qualified to play the Dane prince. His real uncle murdered his real father, and stole his inheritance. Josslyn says maybe that’s not the way to go, since Hamlet ended up destroying himself. Spencer says he’s smarter than that.

Carly tells Bobbie that ideally, Nelle will be serving time, and Michael will realize who she really is. Bobbie says Michael has his own life, but Carly says he’s the only son she has left. Bobbie tells her she’s going to lose him.

Sonny tells Jason about a property that he scored when the developer ran out of money. He wants to create a mixed retail and office space. He says it’s a big job, and he needs a partner.

Sam flies into the MetroCourt. Julian is at the bar, and she tells him that she has to talk to him. He thought that she was never speaking to him again, but she says that depends on how the conversation goes. She tells him that Sonny says he’s going legit. Julian says that’s never going to happen, but all she cares about is keeping Jason out of it. If Julian wants a relationship with her and the kids, he’d better care too. Julian thinks he missed something, since Jason has been out of the business for a while. Sam says that Jason dropped everything to warn Sonny about Marvy Garvy. Julian says that doesn’t mean he’s thinking about going back, but Sam says that Jason has loyalty toward Sonny, and she’ll do anything to prevent him getting involved. She asks what he would do. He says if she’s looking for a guarantee, there’s only one option – get rid of Sonny.

Jason tells Sonny that it’s not for him. Sonny says it’s a legit opportunity, and he doesn’t need money, just participation. Jason tells him that there are a lot of great people out there. Sonny says it’s above board, vanilla and mainstream as it comes, but Jason says that people will think it’s a front, and that he’s taking over. He can’t risk it.

Bobbie says she knows that Carly wants to protect Michael, but he made the decision to forgive Nelle. She doesn’t want to back him into a corner. If she does things her way, she could lose him for good, but if she doesn’t, Nelle will take him away. Carly says either way she loses, and Bobbie asks if she honestly didn’t think she wouldn’t come up with a third option.

Nina tells Nelle to warn her next time Julian comes around. She says he’s a liar and a criminal, and tried to undermine the magazine; she can’t trust him. She was going to say she couldn’t trust Valentin either, but there hasn’t been an ounce of proof that he’s committed any crime or broken any law. Nelle asks if she’s happy that he’s back, and Nina says no, they’re divorced. It doesn’t matter; it’s over. Nelle just nods and goes, uh-huh, like she doesn’t believe it. Me neither.

Laura tells Doc that Lulu had a run in with Valentin last night. She asks Doc to come with her to the camp. She wants to get Spencer home before Valentin can get near him.

Spencer continues to practice in the park. Valentin steps out, and applauds. He says that he absolutely believes Spencer could kill a man. He tells Spencer that he wants to talk; things between them are unresolved and they are family. He says he brought a peace offering, and shows Spencer a ring that Mikkos gave to all of his sons to bring them good luck. He wants to pass it on to Spencer. Spencer says that Valentin killed his father. If he thinks that a ring will make them even, he couldn’t be more wrong – dead wrong.

Julian tells Sam that it’s not easy to walk away from the business; it’s almost impossible. Sonny knows too much, and he’d have to turn the territory over to someone he trusts. Sam says that would be Jason, and she’ll lose the family peace that she’s cultivated. Hallucination Sonny tells her that there’s only one way, and too bad she doesn’t have the guts to do it. She says that she has to finish what she started, and tells Julian not to tell anyone about their conversation, not even her mother. He asks if she’s okay, and she says obviously not, since she came to him for help. Outside, she calls someone and asks if they’re still in business. She’d like to make a purchase. Too bad she missed Amazon Prime day.

Jason tells Sonny that it’s not personal. Sonny says he can’t argue it, and Jason says he has faith that Sonny will get out. He asks if they’re cool, and Sonny says they are. He’s going to talk to Michael about a joint venture. He tells Jason to hang on to the papers, so he can give Michael an honest second opinion. Jason thinks he can make it work. Sonny gets a call and has to go.

On the phone in the hallway, Sonny asks Diane to tell him something good. He says, okay, he’ll tell her the good news right away.

Oscar tells Josslyn that Spencer is interesting. She says they’re kind of related. She knows he can be a lot, but there’s a reason. His mom died when he was a baby, so he was close with his dad who was killed last summer. He was supposedly murdered, but no one knows what really happened. The guy was never charged because there wasn’t enough evidence. Oscar says she has a dramatic family, and Josslyn says tell her about it.

Carly says Bobbie just gave her a lecture on sucking it up. Bobbie says that’s not what she said; she told Carly that her plan would backfire and drive Michael away, but it’s not the only way. They need to gather facts about Nelle and arrange for Michael to find out. Carly says he already knows she has a shady past, but Bobbie asks if she thinks it ends there. One secret leads to one hundred secrets.

Carly likes the plan, but says it only works if Nelle has skeletons and if they can find them. Bobbie says it will only work if she keeps her distance. Bobbie calls Felicia, and asks her to find out the rest of Nelle’s story.

Nina tells Nelle that she’s glad Valentin is back for Charlotte’s sake, and the horses at Windemere. And the racehorses at the non-profit he’s put in her name. Nelle is impressed, but Nina says it’s just a gesture and doesn’t change anything. Nelle doesn’t want to overstep, but points out that obviously Nina still loves him. Nina says love isn’t enough, and Nelle asks what it would take. She says to see the future, and know that the future is more important to him than the demons of the past.

Valentin tells Spencer that maybe there’s something he could do to even the scales. He holds out the ring, but Laura and Doc show up. Laura tells him to stay away from her grandson. Spencer tells him to keep the ring; he’ll make his own luck. Valentin can see if the ring helps him when it’s buried with him.

Sam comes home. She asks Jason about the papers, and he explains about Sonny’s project. She says if Jason isn’t going to be involved, why leave the paperwork? Imaginary Sonny says that’s a good question. Jason tells her that Sonny wants Jason to look them over for Michael. She asks what if it’s an excuse, and Sonny thinks he’ll change his mind? Jason promises he’s not going back. Scout cries, and Jason goes upstairs. Not Real Sonny asks if she believes it. Sam says it doesn’t matter; she’s going to make sure it’s not an option, and points a gun at him.

Josslyn tells Oscar that her dad might be away, but he’s alive and well, and her mom is with her. It was selfish and shallow to complain. Oscar says when they start complaining, they should have a special code word they can say to put a lid on it. Josslyn asks if they’re never supposed to complain, but he says there should be a limit. He says the word should be something meaningful to both of them. I swear they say, “bird’s nest,” but that can’t be right. Could it?

At the park, Sonny shows up and asks to talk to Josslyn. She says she has to get back to work; her break is over. He promises that it’s good news, but she’s not interested. Oscar steps in and says she doesn’t want to talk. Sonny says he seems like a good kid, but it doesn’t involve him. Oscar says to leave her alone or he’ll have a problem.

Tomorrow, Carly says she’ll outplay Nelle, Felicia tells Nathan that Maxie thinks he’s keeping something from her, and Lucy visits Scotty with something that can’t wait.

The Real Housewives of NYC

Bethenny goes over the Mexico trip with her director, Joanne. She’ll feel personally responsible if everything isn’t perfect. Omg, more tequila. It’s like tequila week. Bethenny wants to see how the sausage gets made, so they’re going to the distillery, and having a tasting. She says she hasn’t invited Ramona, but since she’ll show up anyway, Bethenny is trying to make sure she arrives later.

Luann and Ramona meet for coffee. Luann asks if Ramona is coming. Ramona says she didn’t get an official invite, but thinks she will.

Carole visits Bethenny at her office. She says she went to court with Adam to get his security deposit back from his last apartment. She was channeling her political angst in another direction, but the landlord never showed up, so Adam won by default. In her interview, Bethenny says Carole is the one person who would want to do jury duty. Not if she lived in Queens. Carole tells Bethenny about getting a text from Ramona. Bethenny says she did too, saying that Ramona is sorry for what she’s going through.

Ramona tells Luann about the text, and remarks on how terrible suckerfish Jason Hoppy is. She says that she was wrong in what she said to Bethenny in Vermont, and Luann says to blame it on the booze. In her interview, Ramona says she has to reach out in a non-confrontational way, or she’ll lose the friendship, and she doesn’t want that to happen. Ramona wonders if Bethenny will exclude her. My Lord, for someone who fears being excluded so much, Ramona certainly acts like a monumental idiot.

Carole tells Bethenny that Ramona is hard to break up with. Ha-ha! Bethenny tells her about the trip schedule, and how she doesn’t want Ramona to ruin the day that she celebrates her business. Ramona won’t be coming when they go to the distillery. Bethenny doesn’t trust her.

Sonja goes to a hair removal salon. She says everyone is hairless except her, and she wants to deal with it before Mexico. I’m not repeating everything else she says. TMI. Way too much. She talks about missing Edgar (Frenchie). Then we get TMI about the men who come into the salon.

Dorinda is throwing a pre-Mexico, post-Vermont dinner at a steakhouse. Carole says she has the perfect guy for Tinsley, and they have a date on Saturday. Dorinda thinks that Tinsley should cut her hair. In her interview, she says long hair on an older woman can make her the Lyceum from the back, and a museum from the front. Tinsley is excited about the upcoming date, and they all look at his picture on Carole’s phone. She says he’s an internet entrepreneur, and creates promo codes for websites. Bethenny arrives. In an incredible new haircut, as though she’d heard Dorinda’s words. No museum for her. In her interview, Ramona says Bethenny greeted everyone except her, but she’s not going to be ruffled. Carole and Dorinda talk about a strip club steakhouse. Luann gets there last, and asks if she can bring anything for the trip. In her interview, she says that she’s only at the dinner to find out if Ramona is coming to Mexico. She tells Bethenny that she’s going to be coming on the same day as everyone else, and in her interview, Bethenny says thanks – in some cases, size does matter. Luann asks Bethenny if she’s inviting Ramona, but Bethenny says she doesn’t want her coming to the distillery. She’s barely adjusting to being at the same table.

Tinsley says she’s moving to a hotel, and plans on being there for two months. Her stuff is still in Florida, and she’s always wanted to be Eloise. Sonja’s newly darkened eyebrows are discussed. Sonja seems to be confused about Tinsley’s move. She wonders why Tinsley would stay with her to get a fresh start, and then go to a hotel. Um… because she’s tired of living with you? Tinsley tells her not to act like she’s blindsided, and don’t be mad at her.

Luann tells Bethenny to just do it, and Bethenny says she’ll have to just rip the bandage off. She sits next to Ramona, and tells her that it’s an uncomfortable situation. She doesn’t want to exclude Ramona, but she’s uncomfortable because of how Ramona has treated her, and doesn’t know how to deal with the situation. Bethenny notices that Tinsley is listening, and tells her MYOB. Bethenny says Ramona tries to make her feel like a failure, and Ramona justifies her remarks. Ramona says that Bethenny has said negative things about her too. In her interview, Ramona doesn’t like how Bethenny is trying to make up, but criticizing her at the same time. Ramona goes blah-blah-blah about her divorce, saying that she was married a billion years, and Bethenny was only married for two. Like being married to wannabe Hoppy for five minutes wouldn’t seem like a billion years. She tells Bethenny not to compare their lives, and to have more respect and sympathy for her. Bethenny says that she’s changed her mind; she doesn’t want Ramona to come on the trip. Ramona says that it’s a group trip and she’s coming, but won’t go to the distillery. This is the most horrific part of Ramona. She suddenly goes off like a rocket – no, into another stratosphere – about something irrational and/or irrelevant, and then acts like she didn’t just do that. And what is it with these reality show people who invite themselves to things they are intentionally not invited to? Sonja thinks Ramona should just let Bethenny speak her mind. Ramona starts crying, and Bethenny says she’s not interested in the waterworks. Ramona says it’s not always about her. Of course not. It’s always about Ramona. Carole thinks this is way too intense for what it is. Because everyone should react like her. In her interview, Bethenny says that Ramona is afraid of being rejected, and when she doesn’t get response she wants, she gets bitchy. Ramona calls Bethenny superficial. Bethenny brings up Ramona saying that she had sex to get where she is, but Ramona conveniently doesn’t remember saying that. In her interview, Dorinda says that Ramona should just be opportunistic, and get the invitation (IKR?); it’s not the place to be assertive and combative. Ramona says people fight and get over it, and she doesn’t need negative energy. She’s the mothering type, and realizes that Bethenny doesn’t want that. Ramona says they’re like oil and vinegar, and Bethenny corrects that to oil and water. Bethenny says that there’s nothing left to say. I swear, even if I’d been in the middle of that argument, I’d have literally LOL’d when Ramona said oil and vinegar.

Sonja tells Ramona that she handled it wrong. Ramona says she’s coming, but not to the distillery. Bethenny is like, hello? I’m sitting right here. That’s another thing. These women will be within two feet of each other and talk like the other one isn’t there. That’s how into themselves they are. In her interview, Sonja says she’s not excusing Ramona’s behavior, but she doesn’t like seeing Bethenny steamroll her, and says it’s Game of Thrones bad. Well, not quite. No one has been flayed alive…yet. Ramona says it wasn’t her intention to hurt Bethenny, and doesn’t know how to fix it. Bethenny says Ramona has done nasty and malicious things to her. Ramona insists that she wasn’t nasty in Vermont. Bethenny, having had enough, suggests they make a pact not to be mean, and just move forward. In her interview, Bethenny says she just agreed to a big bag of BS.

Ramona leaves, and Bethenny apologizes for snapping at Tinsley. Sonja asks if Ramona is coming on the trip, and Bethenny says she didn’t have a choice. She told Ramona that she didn’t want her to come, and she said she was coming. Ramona is like a cockroach that won’t die.

Ramona goes to work with her trainer, Kerry. In her interview, she says it’s good news to be invited to Mexico, but bad news about the truce. She’s not so sure it will happen. Well, it won’t if Ramona drinks, that’s for sure. She says that she has to work off the calories because she’s not giving up her wine. There goes that then. She blabs to Kerry about some guy she met, who said he didn’t mind watching her with another man. In her interview, she says dating is a mine field, where you have to navigate between bombs and goods. Yeah, I’m glad I don’t have to be out there. I don’t think I could be out there.

Carole and Adam join Scott to meet Tinsley. Tinsley is pleasantly surprised, saying he’s cuter in person, and he’s obviously happy. He loves Tito’s vodka, and Tinsley says he’s her man. They high-five. She’s wearing fishnet tights, and his eyes nearly fall out of his head. Carole talks about Scott having a place in Las Vegas, and Tinsley says that she had her 30th birthday there. It turns out Tinsley, Carole, and Scott were all born in August. They talk about Tinsley getting married secretly when she was a senior in high school.

In her interview, Carole says rule number one is don’t talk about your ex. She thinks Scott is a nice guy. and playing along, and that Tinsley needs a genuine nice guy. Carole says he’s never been married, and they talk about him moving away from the company and traveling more. He says that he’s a computer nerd and boring. Instead of surfing, he likes to hang by the pool. Tinsley says that’s right up her alley. In her interview, Carole says she knew they’d get along, and if they get married, she’ll be a hero. Tinsley says that she doesn’t like the taste of alcohol, but it makes her feel more like herself. That’s Carole’s second rule. She thinks Tinsley’s been talking too much about her ex and drinking, and needs a time out to get the date back on track. She drags Tinsley aside, under the guise of using the bathroom.

Carole asks what Tinsley thinks, and Tinsley says she likes him. Carole tells her maybe don’t talk about the alcohol so much, but we can see she’s already drunk. Carole says no on the ex too. Tinsley says this is new to her, and she’s glad Carole is there to keep her in check. Back at the table, Tinsley takes off her wedding ring, that she’s been wearing on her pinkie, and Carole says that it’s a step in the right direction. Scott hugs Tinsley, and she lays a massive kiss on him. He asks what else they can get rid of.

The girls get ready for the trip. Ramona talks to Dorinda, who says to go with a positive attitude, and who knows? By the end of the trip, they might be singing Kumbaya and braiding each other’s hair. Dorinda has never been to Mexico, and asks what to pack. Ramona lists all the stuff she’s bringing, and Dorinda realizes that she forgot to pack bathing suits. This is getting to be a habit with her.

Next time, beautiful Mexico, Ramona complains about her room, skinny(girl) dipping, Luann takes a spill, and no surprise, lots of fighting.

🍴 I need to get to bed early, so I had to skip The f Word (sniff… it’s one of my favorites), but I’ll catch it On Demand over the weekend. I might as well. All the money I pay for FIOS, and they think no one watches TV on the weekend until Sunday night. Then everything is on all at once. Looking forward to Game of Thrones.

🍜 I did catch MasterChef though. Gordon taught the contestants how to cut lamb chops. Geez. That made me think of Shari Lewis and Lamb Chop (google it), and I’ll end up being a vegetarian yet. Come to think of it though, whose brilliant idea was it to name a cute puppet after a cut of meat? It’s kind of cruel. Reba told Gordon she had never had lamb before, and he asked about her hunting skills. One of the things she hunts and cooks up is squirrel. Did you know that the brains are “succulent and delicious?” Me neither. And I never will. Yep, veganism, here I come. It was all about the lamb in the challenge too. Gordon told Sam that his dish was an “insult to the cut.” Ouch! Jennifer was called out for being a basket case before Gordon even took a bite, and he told her to stay composed and not show her weakness. Her lamb was fine, but I’m surprised they haven’t let her go on emotional level alone. At the end, it was between Sam and Newton, whose lamb was undercooked and Christina wasn’t too happy with the breading. Gordon asked one of them to take their apron off, and Sam bowed out. Gordon said he wasn’t ready yet, and Sam made a gracious exit, saying that the criticism made him stronger. Newton appreciated Sam taking a bullet for him, and said he’ll have to rise to the occasion. Next time, the contestants put together a 5-star restaurant, and a breakfast, with scrambled eggs back to haunt them again. There’s also going to be a fish and chips pressure test.

shari-lewis-and-lamb-chop-at-the-childrens-museum

Shari Lewis & Lamb Chop at the Children’s Museum

Jun29

June 28, 2017 – A Return from Puerto Rico, NYC Goes to Vermont, a Few Cooking Quickies & Observations

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

Bobbie calls Dante and tells him that Ava has improved. He says he’ll be by for an interview.

Ava refuses to drink her breakfast smoothie. Julian tells the nurse that she’d prefer a dry martini, but he’ll get her to drink it. He says things are looking up for the both of them.

Laura and Spencer meet with Alexis at Kelly’s. Spencer asks Alexis to be his attorney, but she doesn’t think she’s the right one. She says his father is her nephew, and whether she likes it or not, Valentin is her cousin, and it’s a conflict of interest. Spencer thinks it’s actually an advantage, and says the three of them will be unstoppable. The only thing Valentin will be left with is his name.

Lulu and Dante take Charlotte to the Quartermaine mansion. She says it reminds her of the place she lived with papa and Nina. Lulu says she knows Charlotte misses him. Charlotte says doesn’t want him just in her heart and asks when he’s coming home.

Sonny tells Carly he’s going to make it happen, and she says she almost believes it. They exchange I love yous and kiss. Zzzzz…

On the phone with Trina, Josslyn says for all she knows, her grandmother told her mom. Carly comes in, and says she has to talk to Josslyn about something. Josslyn flashes back to Bobbie breaking up the party, and says grandma must have told Carly what she did.

Lulu says they just don’t have the answers to Charlotte’s questions right now. She tells Charlotte that Olivia-F has a surprise for her. Charlotte asks if her papa is ever coming home.

Laura thought it might be better for Spencer to hear directly from a lawyer, and he wanted to see Alexis first thing in the morning, rather than going to camp. Spencer has no interest in participating in camp – it’s Daybreak with Dad today. He says it’s trite. Any activity with his father was fun, but it would only remind him of what Valentin stole. Alexis says she’s sorry, but Spencer refuses to wallow in self-pity. He’s going to take action against the man who murdered his father.

Julian makes Ava take a sip. She wonders what he meant by things looking up. Julian says Olivia let him see Leo, and he’s starting to make up for lost time. Ava says Leo probably won’t remember him not being there. He says he also saw Alexis last night. Ava thinks whatever happens with Leo and Alexis, it might not matter, and asks if he knows something she doesn’t. He says he’s going to fight, and thinks she should too.

Josslyn tells Carly that grandma is making a big deal out of nothing. Carly says she hasn’t talked to her yet, and Josslyn says never mind; she has to go. She says it was just a misunderstanding. Carly asks what kind, and Josslyn makes something up about not calling Bobbie when she was supposed to. She goes upstairs, and Carly finds a bottle under the table. Yellow Sun? What is that? I’m pretty sure it’s nothing I’d drink.

Spencer tells Alexis that they need to find a legal way to wrest Windemere from its current owner, and give it back to its rightful proprietor – him. Alexis says she thought they could, but they can’t.

Lulu asks why Charlotte would think Valentin isn’t coming back, and Charlotte says they blow her off every time she asks about her papa. Lulu says she’s smart, and they have been avoiding the subject. Her papa is going to be gone a long time, but they don’t know how long. Dante says the bride is coming in, and Olivia enters in a bridal gown and veil. I love it, but she says it’s a disaster. It’s a family heirloom, and four Falconari women wore it, but she’s refusing. Charlotte says she looks like a fairy godmother. Olivia says she’s not, but close; she’s Leo’s mother and Rocco’s grandmother. Charlotte says she’s too young to be a grandmother, which endears her to Olivia’s heart forever. Lulu says Olivia is also Charlotte’s step-grandmother, and. Olivia says to call her Nona.

Ava says if Julian thinks he can fight his way to an acquittal, great, but she has no interest in fighting against what she deserves. He says right now she’s bummed because she’s not well. She says she’s hurt so many people. Kiki is torn between loving and hating her, and can’t walk away while she’s like this. It would be easier if she was in prison and Kiki could forget. As long as she’s there, Kiki will feel obligated. Julian says she’s not an obligation to anyone, and eventually Kiki will understand and forgive her. He tells her to think about Avery.

Josslyn comes back downstairs. Carly stops her and asks what the bottle was doing under the couch, and if it’s what she thought was no big deal. Josslyn tries to pretend it was Bobbie’s, but Carly says to show her some respect, and asks what happened in the house. She says otherwise, she’ll call Bobbie, then drag Josslyn back home from camp. Josslyn says she kind of had a party, but it was tiny and hardly anyone was there. Carly asks if it included boys, and Josslyn says yes. Carly asks about alcohol, and Josslyn admits there were wine coolers.

Alexis tells Spencer that she’s gone over all the documents, but everything was left to Valentin. Spencer says it should be taken away from him. Laura says they have to abide by the court’s decision. Spencer tells her that Alexis is the best attorney in the country, and they need to buck the system. He asks if she can’t find a loophole, but she says Valentin owns it all until he dies. Spencer asks what happens when Valentin meets his mortal coil? Does Charlotte get his home? Alexis says, probably.

Olivia says she needs all the help she can get. She needs to find a new dress, and asks if Charlotte and Lulu can help. Charlotte asks if her grandparents won’t be disappointed. Olivia says they’re in heaven, but will be happy with whatever she chooses. Lulu reminds her about Charlotte’s surprise, and Olivia says don’t move. So far, Charlotte is impressed with Olivia.

Josslyn tells Carly that it wasn’t a big deal. She didn’t plan on it. Trina showed up, and brought people from school and alcohol, and before she knew it, the kids were in the hot tub. She wasn’t the one who wanted it, and almost called it off. She says that she stayed inside, and Carly asks if she was alone. Josslyn says not exactly. She stayed inside, but not by herself. Carly asks if she was with a boy.

Bobbie sees Sonny at the hospital. She asks if he and Carly got things straightened out. Sonny says there were a few surprises, but it’s been taken care of. Bobbie says so his only business with her daughter now is finalizing the divorce.

Julian tells Ava that Avery needs her mother, but Ava says she’s the last thing Avery needs. She’s going to confess. She’s going to spare Kiki the unwanted publicity and pain of testifying, and accept whatever punishment she gets.

Charlotte marvels at how many relatives she has. Olivia comes back in street clothes, and fusses over Charlotte some more. She tells Charlotte that Leo and Rocco are going to be ringbearers, and asks if she’d like to be the flower girl. Charlotte says she’d love to.

Spencer says, so when Valentin dies, Windemere becomes Charlotte’s? Alexis hasn’t seen his will, but assumes so. Spencer says there’s got to be something they can do. Alexis says if he dies, she might be able to argue that Spencer’s claim supersedes Charlotte’s, but it’s a long shot. Spencer has faith in her, but says Valentin isn’t that old… unless he meets an untimely death in prison. He asks how is it that he has to wait so long for something he shared with his father?

Josslyn tells Carly that she was with a boy, but they were only talking. He’s sensitive, sweet, and understanding – the opposite of Sonny. Carly asks if they were drinking, and Josslyn says she just had a few sips when Bobbie came in and shut things down. She repeats that it wasn’t a big deal, and Carly tells her to stop saying that. What if someone got hurt or someone called the police? Josslyn says they didn’t, and Carly says there are going to be serious consequences to her bad choices. Josslyn asks what about Carly’s?

Bobbie asks Sonny if they’re still going through with the divorce, and Sonny tells her to talk to Carly. She says that she will.

Julian tells Ava that he felt just like her, but it’s the easy way out. She asks what he thinks she should do, and he says make amends with everyone she hurt, but don’t confess. She says either way, she’s going to prison. Julian asks what they have on her, and she says Lucy’s testimony. He says she’s not reliable, and Ava says there’s Scotty too; he knows everything. Julian says he’s also her lawyer and can’t testify against her. She tells Julian that nothing he says can change her mind.

Sonny walks in, and Julian asks what he’s doing there. Sonny says he’s seeing Ava, and Julian says he thought there might be some gratitude for the warning he gave to Jason. Sonny says thanks for the heads up, and Julian tells him not to go overboard. Sonny says he’s had a change made in the custody order.

Alexis’s phone rings and she steps away to take the call. Laura tells Spencer that she’s sorry. He wants to go home – to Windemere. He misses pizza on the parapet. He says it’s not the same; he’s lost so much. Laura says it hurts, but it’s just a house. His dad doesn’t live there anymore, but lives in their hearts. Spencer is the very best of his father. If he listens closely, he’ll still be able to hear his voice. He can even ask questions and hear the answers. His father will never be gone because he lives on inside of him.

Chandler from Windemere comes in. He’s taking second job as Spencer’s driver. Laura says had to close Spencer’s Uber account, thinking it was better to have a driver who knows where he can go and where he should be. Spencer decides to go to camp. He says he’s fine now, thanks to Laura. He leaves with Chandler. Alexis comes back to the table, and asks if Spencer is all right.

Spencer asks Chandler if they can make a quick stop.

Carly tells Josslyn not to make it worse. Josslyn asks if she’s being punished for speaking the truth, and asks if Carly and Sonny were getting back together all along. Carly says she’s the one who had party and lied. Josslyn tells Carly that maybe she wanted to get her mind off of her dysfunctional family. Carly is like, come on, but Josslyn says everything is so screwed up between Carly, Sonny, and Morgan; maybe she wanted to forget about it. Carly says having a party isn’t the way to deal with it, and tells her to go upstairs until she figures out how to handle it. She makes Josslyn hand over her phone.

Bobbie comes in, and Carly yells at her for not saying anything. Bobbie says she didn’t know they were back until she saw Sonny, and then she came home immediately. Carly asks how bad it was and if Josslyn was drunk. Bobbie says no, and Oscar seemed harmless, unlike Trina’s friends, who she thinks are inappropriate. Carly says no more sleepovers. She didn’t know how upset Josslyn was, and had no idea she’d act out like that. Omg, you’d think she shot heroin.

Sonny is asking for full custody with Avery. Julian calls him a piece of work. Sonny says Ava took advantage of their agreement when he was in the wheelchair, and he’s returning the favor. He says he can’t bring Morgan back, but he can protect Avery. Julian says the silver lining is that Sonny is getting a divorce, and Carly won’t be part of her life anymore. Sonny tells him wrong again; they’re staying together, and Carly will be the only mother Avery knows. Julian tells Sonny to get out. Sonny leaves the paperwork.

Julian tells Ava that he’s sorry, and Ava says it’s not his fault. He says that doesn’t mean she should stop fighting. She asks him to leave her alone for a while, and he tells her not to give up. Whoa. Wait a second. Why is Sonny allowed to leave and unsterile folder with papers there? They also seem a little loosey-goosey about how much the visitors are covered-up.

Alexis tells Laura that she’s sorry all she could offer was a dead end. Laura says Spencer needed to hear it from her, and thanks her for meeting with them. She says she can’t shake the feeling that Spencer won’t give up, but Alexis says there’s nothing they can do. Laura says they know that, but does Spencer?

Dante comes to Ava’s room. He asks how she is, but she tells him that pleasantries aren’t necessary. He says he has questions to ask her about his brother’s death.

Spencer meets Sonny at Puzzulo’s. He has a business matter to discuss. Sonny asks what kind, and he says he wants Sonny to eliminate Valentin Cassadine.

Bobbie tells Carly that Sonny wouldn’t talk about the trip, and said to ask her, so she’s asking. Carly says it was more than business. She and Sonny have decided to get back together. Bobbie sits there, open-mouthed, and Josslyn overhears.

Tomorrow, Sonny asks Spencer if he knows what he’s asking, Scotty asks if Ava sent him down the river, and Bobbie wants justice.

The Real Housewives of New York City  

Bethenny is meeting the ladies at an Italian restaurant in the Bronx. She wants to break them out of Manhattan. She says it feels like 1950, and told them to dress accordingly. Dorinda says it feels like home. She’s hungover, but thinks a big bowl of Bolognese is the answer. She orders a bloody Mary and says keep them coming, and Luann says it’s noon somewhere. Bethenny calls it a salty broad kind of area. In her interview, she says Tinsley sticks out like a sore thumb, but Carole is a close second, looking like a zookeeper. She tells us that the only one who got the memo was Dorinda, who showed up wasted. Omg, the pizza looks incredible.

Bethenny wants the group to go on a ski trip to Vermont. Sonja says she used to be a good skier, but she hasn’t gone in a long time, and wants an instructor. They talk about Ramona (who’s not there), and we flash back to her last altercation with Bethenny. Bethenny tells them that it said so much about Ramona. Dorinda thinks she was drunk, and Bethenny says it’s like truth serum. We flash back to Ramona talking smack about Sonja. Dorinda talks about Ramona’s business partner, who has apparently lied to a lot of people. Sonja pulls out her phone, and goes over some old texts that alluded to Dorinda wanting a Tipsy Girl brand. Dorinda says as usual, Sonja has to go backward. Dorinda gets loud, and Carole says this is her favorite part. Everyone is turning around and looking. Sonja insists that Dorinda wanted to do Tipsy Girl first, and Dorinda wants her to take it back. She walks around the table, imitating Sonja. After she sits back down, she does this thing with her hand, and keeps saying clip! There’s a question mark over my head, and Bethenny isn’t sure what that means either, but thinks it means STFU.

Dorinda says Sonja has no right to speak on her behalf. Bethenny says in all fairness, it was Ramona who belittled her. Dorinda starts getting teary, and Sonja brings up the Berkshires. Dorinda calls her an asswipe, and I laugh, since I don’t know if I’ve ever heard that term from an adult. Luann suggests having calamari. What no eggs a la Française? Bethenny apologizes to the other diners. One of them says Carole looks like Melania Trump. Luann tells him that’s a huge compliment because Carole loves Trump, and steers her away before she kills someone.

Tinsley sees her therapist. She says her biggest problem is that she can’t sleep, and when she does, she dreams of all the crap. She talks about her alcoholic father, who turned to drink after losing a business. She says after he died, she looked at things differently; he was a southern gentleman who didn’t deserve what he got in life. She says every guy she’s ever been close to is like her father, but they don’t understand the real world, and can sometimes end up like him. She isn’t an alcoholic, but is drinking too much to fall asleep. The therapist asks about her dreams. She talks about the fear of dying when she was arrested, and the character assassination afterward. In her interview, she says even though the charges were dropped, she still has to deal with it. She wants to feel like herself again, and the therapist suggests aiming for a better version of herself. He thinks she should set some goals, and tells her that if she can’t find innate value in herself, it’s going to be more challenging. Challenging being the new word for difficult to the point of being a real pita.

Luann meets Ramona and Sonja at a restaurant. She tells Ramona the Tipsy Girl thing came out at dinner. In her interview, Ramona says Sonja is stuck in the past. Interesting, since Ramona seems stuck in Bethenny’s past. Luann tells her about the Vermont trip, and asks if she’s in. In her interview, she says she usually only skis in Aspen. Oh, excuse me. Luann thinks Ramona is trying too hard, and should let Bethenny come to her. Which will be never. Sonja hopes she and Dorinda are okay. She talks about how Luann has known Dorinda longer, jokingly adding that they’re not so close they slept with the same guy, referring to her and Tom. No surprise, Luann doesn’t take it well, and reminds Sonja that Tom is her husband. Sonja says she thought she had “creative license,” whatever that means, and Luann says it’s been real. In her interview, she says she’s tired of apologizing for being herself. Luann tells her it’s not cool, which I guess makes it all, like, uncool.

Minions are dancing at the bottom of my TV screen. What the…? Advertising has gotten totally out of hand. And I thought the point of paying for cable was less advertising. The girls arrive at what Bethenny calls a Lincoln Log house. It’s huge, beautiful, and polished looking. She says she got a text from Ramona, who as usual is all over the place, saying blah-blah-blah about communication. Bethenny texted back that she really doesn’t want to be friends, but they can be cordial. Dorinda tells Bethenny that she thinks Ramona has regrets, and Bethenny says it’s too many things in too short of a time.

Bethenny wants to put the Mexico trip back on the schedule, and we flash back to when they almost went before she got sick. Hey, it’s Jules! Dorinda and Carole want to pick rooms before the others get there, and Dorinda realizes she forgot her luggage. Everything is still sitting in front of her house. In her interview, Carole says Dorinda is the gift that keeps on giving. Dorinda wants to call an Uber to pick up her stuff and take it from NYC to Vermont. I wonder what that costs. She spreads the everything in her purse on one of the beds to lay claim.

We hear Ramona before she even comes in, since she forgot to wear her snow boots. Oh Lord, it was a five-hour drive. I’d have walked before going with Ramona. Carole calls camel toe on Ramona, who asks what she wants after that long in the car. In her interview, Ramona says it’s awkward with Bethenny. I’ll bet.

The rest of the women pick out their bedrooms. Ramona starts complaining before she even sees anything. In her interview, Ramona says she and Sonja have a history, and they always share a room. Tinsley thinks they’re acting like it’s summer camp, and they need the best bunk. Sonja and Ramona talk about stealing Dorinda’s room, and Sonja says maybe she’ll forget which one she picked if she’s drinking.

Luann gets there last. Ramona grills Carole on why she didn’t suggest Dorinda take another room, like that was her job. She wails that Dorinda’s room has a double-sink. Ugh! I hate a double-sink. I have one in the upstairs bathroom, and it’s been nothing but a headache from day one. Luann has to take the last room downstairs, and feels like she’s being punished. Dorinda hears Ramona, and says if she’d gotten there earlier, she would have gotten the room she wanted. Sonja feels like Luann always wants her to kiss the ring.

Jan, the executive chef, arrives. Luann and Ramona play ping-pong, and Ramona bitches about Bethenny. Ramona insists that she would never be malicious, but Luann won’t go that far. We flash back to Ramona criticizing Luann to no end. Back in her room, Ramona orders Sonja to get her water. Sonja puts tap water in a bottle, and pretends it’s Evian, but Ramona says she’d rather have mountain water, since it tastes better. Sonja says she’ll get it then, waits a beat, then gives her the water she had in the first place.

Tinsley tells Bethenny she’s kind of boy crazy. Bethenny says she’s spent too much time in the Hamptons around gay men, but she’s dating again. Tinsley says she’s over WASPy guys. She also wants to figure out when she’s moving.

Dinner is served. Luann wakes Dorinda. Bethenny tells Luann about the trip to Mexico. Luann complains about her room. Her bathroom is down the hall. Oh, horrors! She thinks it should have been nicer because she just got married. Huh? She says she thinks the chef was using her bathroom, and in her interview, Carole jokes that Luann usually loves finding a random man in the bathroom.

The food looks amazing. I have to get some of this food I keep seeing on TV. Luann goes on and on about being married, and wants to get someone else in the group to get married. Tinsley volunteers. Luann says she definitely needs to find a man, but Sonja thinks she should get an apartment first. She says men want to see independent women. In her interview, Sonja claims that Tinsley’s biggest concern was her reputation, and going right to another guy looks like she’s repeating her mistakes. Dorinda tells Sonja just because someone lives with you doesn’t give you the right to run their life. Tinsley can’t believe Sonja is talking about her like she’s not there. Dorinda says that’s not a friend.

Tinsley says she thought she was sixteen, and now she’s five. She says she’s not needy, but she just came from an unhealthy relationship. She’s 41, and doesn’t have kids. Luann says she needs to love herself first. Tinsley feels pressured, and says everyone is telling her to get over it, but no one is giving her a chance. She talks about them going back to the past, but Dorinda says they don’t understand what chaos happens in the townhouse. Bethenny compares it to Tinsley’s last abusive relationship, saying that now she’s letting Sonja tell her what to do. In her interview, Bethenny says if you don’t like the rules, move out. Tinsley says it was a traumatic experience being in a physically and mentally abusive relationship. Bethenny says she went through the same thing, and Tinsley says it’s not the same thing because it wasn’t so public. After everyone picks their jaws up off the ground, Bethenny tells her to google it. In her interview, Tinsley insists no one understands.

Next time, the ladies do some skiing, John’s Johnson is discussed, Luann says she just got married, and suckerfish Jason Hoppy is arrested for stalksing.

🍳 MasterChef quickie. There was a shellfish mystery box, and the dishes all looked extraordinary and delicious. The elimination challenge was scrambled eggs. Gordon’s are a little creamy for my taste, but I did learn something about making them. You can too, along with the other thirty million people, on YouTube. One contestant said they’d never scrambled an egg before, so I felt proud of myself for half a second. Being under-seasoned was the main culprit of those who didn’t make it to the balcony, but those remaining got a do-over. Oddly enough, Heather went home for being too heavy-handed with the pepper. It must have hurt to be beaten by an egg (BA-DUM-CHH!), but it’s always the simplest things that can hang you up. It’s the little foxes who spoil the vine.

🍴 On The f Word, it was The Lords of the Lake – a bunch of friends who share a lake house – vs Miracle in the Kitchen – a family whose patriarch was the last one saved from the Miracle on the Hudson. Their task was making fried chicken, yam hash, and collard greens. The winners were Miracle in the Kitchen, by a small percentage. Gordon made tacos with Jaimie Alexander, and it was the first time a guest’s dish was preferred. Matt Jones got the record for fastest watermelon slicing (18 seconds and making uniform cubes), and got a certificate from the Guinness adjudicator, who looked amusingly serious.

Gordon also broke out his alter-ego, James, and went in disguise to a focus group about The f Word. One guy nearly outed Gordon, recognizing something about him, but everyone else exhibited the appropriate surprise. Rachel Bilson and Gordon had a race to see how many ice cream scoops they could get on a cone in 45 seconds, with Joe Manganiello timing them. Joe admitted his guilty pleasure was jelly beans, and he’s a foodie who enjoys chicken and waffles. He also played a food guessing game. When Gordon unveiled a Scottish mystery dish, I already knew it had to be haggis. It’s always haggis.

A Coupla Tidbits

🏝 Lydia McLaughlin is returning to The Real Housewives of the OC. I hope she brings along her weed smoking mother again. She’s a million times more interesting than Lydia.

💃 I half-watched Little Women: LA, and it looked like Briana was finally going to ditch that skeevy husband of hers. Then she didn’t.

🗺 I was going to post a picture of haggis, and I just couldn’t do it. So here’s a pretty picture of Scotland instead.

Scotland