Category Archives: reality tv

November 9, 2016 – Jax Returns, Little LA’s Reunion Heats Up & Kyle Gets His Drag On

Standard

What I Watched Today
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)

General Hospital

In the church, Carly talks to God. She talks about Sonny raising the kids to believe in heaven and that there’s a better place. She doesn’t know if she believes that, but says Morgan must be there, and asks that he be safe and protected. Sonny is in the doorway and hears her. He says he couldn’t protect Morgan.

Maxie is late getting home, but Nathan has candles going already for a romantic evening. He tells her that the last time they tried this, the Claudette/Charlotte debacle happened. This time, no interruptions. There’s a knock at the door.

Nina goes to the bar. Valentin is there and tries to flirt with her. She tells him that she’s putting together a bachelorette party. She sees a baby picture of Charlotte on his phone and he tells her that’s his daughter.

Finn looks at Hayden’s hands and she asks what she just gave herself. Cool. He’ll have a purpose again.

Michael reads an old letter to Nell. It’s from Morgan when he was away at military school. (!) Michael explains that Carly wanted Morgan to be safe, so she sent him away to a military academy. He talks about how Morgan called him Mikey and he hated it, but would give anything to hear him say it again.

Sonny apologizes to Carly for interrupting. Carly tells him that the funeral is tomorrow. She says Jason is right, Sonny isn’t well, and he has other kids to take care of. Sonny says he will, and they’ll understand. He goes on about his Morgan guilt and Carly tells him not to. Griff pops in and tells Carly there’s something she should know.

There’s a mail delivery for Nathan. It’s a letter from Amelia Beaulieu (Claudette’s last name) in Quebec.

Nina says Valentin never mentioned he’s a father, and he says there are a lot of things she doesn’t know about him. He tells her that Charlotte is his pride and joy. Nina starts to tell him about how she’d thought Charlotte was her niece at first, but he shakes his head and says he’s her father.

As the smoke alarm blares, Alexis takes Danny outside. She tells him if she doesn’t come back in a minute, to get a neighbor to call 911. He counts, but she comes back out by the time he gets to 17.

Finn has Hayden wash her hands. He says she touched the same thing that infected him.

Danny asks about the cookies, but Alexis says they’re lumps of coal now, with fire extinguisher whatever on them. Laura drops by, and Alexis makes something up about needing a new oven timer. Laura asks if Valentin has any legal claim to the estate. Alexis tells her they’ll talk after she puts Danny to bed, and takes him upstairs. Laura sees the wine bottle.

Griff tells Carly that he can’t walk away from what he heard, and Carly says it’s none of his business. Griff tells her that Sonny canceled the hit. She says she knows that Griff means well, but Sonny already told her. She says she believes him; he would never lie to her about something this important, but it was still too late.

Nell says it’s clear how much Morgan loved Michael. Michael talks about their childhood, how they had bodyguards and were sometimes sent to a private island when things got dicey. He tells her that all they had was each other. He wonders if the memories count when there’s no one to share them with. (That’s so sad!) Nell tells him to share them with Avery. He blames himself again, and Nell says it was an accident. Michael says it was a series of bad decisions with Sonny’s being the worst. Sonny could have made different choices, but didn’t . Nell thinks back about looking at the note in Carly’s office.

Finn tells Hayden that the virus isn’t airborne, but enters through an open wound. He asks why she was there, and she says she came to warn him about Brad’s complaints. Finn realizes she has a cut on her finger. He says a cut of any size could be dangerous.

Alexis comes back downstairs, telling Laura they can go over the paperwork now. She sees Laura eyeballing the wine, but Laura asks if she can have a glass. Alexis is visibly relieved. She tells Laura that the documents Nicholas was forced to sign are invalid because they’re not notarized, but the ones from Mikkos are, and they supercede any claim that Nicholas or Spencer had to the Cassadine estate.

Nina asks Valentin if he realizes he’s the third father Charlotte has had in as many weeks. He tells Nina that he has a birth certificate, and he’s getting a DNA test. He wants to talk to her over a drink, but she says no. He says he thought she was a more independent thinker, and Nina gets annoyed when he calls her a sheep.

Nathan reads the letter to Maxie. Amelia writes that Claudette told her that if she doesn’t hear from her in a certain amount of time, to pass the enclosed on to Nathan. Nathan tells Maxie it’s official that something has happened to Claudette.

Sonny tells Griff that the truth sets you free, but if he hadn’t started things, Morgan would be alive. He says maybe the call was too late or they ignored it, but it doesn’t matter. His son is dead, and now God is punishing him for the life he’s been leading for as along as he can remember.

Nell says it’s hard to recognize the point of no return until it’s passed. 20/20 hindsight and all that. Michael says when you drag someone else along with you, then you’d better think about consequences before you do what you can’t take back. Carly comes in, and Michael leaves to talk to Olivia about the reception. Carly joins Nell. She says she’s worried about Michael. Nell says that he’s strong and it helps him to handle things. Carly says that she’s leaving Sonny to grieve alone. Part of her wants to run to him, because he knows the pain she’s feeling, but she’s reminded of what she’s lost when she sees him. Jax appears out of nowhere, and says if she needs someone to lean on, he’ll be there.

Laura wonders why Mikkos’s documents didn’t show up before, and Alexis thinks Mikkos was hiding them from Helena. She says whoever was holding onto it after she died must have thought it was now safe to give it to Valentin. Alexis says Helena is dead for real this time, which makes me think Helena isn’t dead. Laura wonders why Valentin murdered Nicholas, and says that Nicholas died for no reason.

Finn gives Hayden some pills. He doesn’t want to be the reason someone else dies from the virus.

Jax tells Carly that as soon as he got Michael’s message, he came straight to Port Charles. Carly says Josslyn will need him. Nell excuses herself, and Carly explains that Nell is her assistant now. Jax goes down Memory Lane about taking Michael and Morgan to DisneyWorld. He thanks her for sharing Morgan with him. She thanks Jax for loving him and giving him a happy home for a while. She tells him go ahead and say that she’s a fool, thoughtless, reckless, and selfish to have let Sonny back in her life.

Griff tells Sonny that God doesn’t work that way. Sonny says He does in the Old Testament. Griff says that’s why He gave us a New Testament, based on compassion and forgiveness. Sonny says he doesn’t deserve forgiveness, and Griff says it’s not his call. If he’s truly repentant, he’ll be forgiven. Sonny says those around him are always punished, and he’s taking responsibility tomorrow. Griff asks what he means.

Jax asks if Carly really thinks he’s going to say, “I told you so,” and she says not really. He says he loved Morgan and is going to miss him like crazy. In the hallway, Nell tells Michael that Jax is there. Michael says he’s glad that Carly has someone to lean on. Michael tells Nell that they have to get something clear.

Griff tells Sonny whatever he says is in confidence. Sonny says he’s always made up his own rules and code. When you’re like that, you’re always running, and he didn’t know if he could run fast enough. Now his son is dead, and he can’t run anymore. He’s done. Griff asks when he last slept. Sonny says he’ll get rest when it’s over, and no offense, Griff doesn’t look so hot either. Griff says his life has done a 180, and he’s questioning everything. He thought the priesthood was no longer his calling, but recent events caused him to reconsider. He wonders if God is telling him to pick up the collar again

Nathan wonders if someone got to Claudette. Maxie reads the letter. Claudette says if the letter is being read, the truth is out. She’s sorry for the lies, but she was only trying to protect Charlotte from Valentin. She says if Nathan is reading this, something has happened to her, and Valentin probably did it. Claudette writes that if Valentin finds Charlotte, something bad will happen, and to please protect her.

Nina tells Valentine about Maxie’s kidnapping, but he says he wan’t involved. He says what if what everyone is saying isn’t true? He would love to tell her everything, and how he would never let any harm to come to Charlotte or her mother, or she can believe what everyone is saying.

Alexis tells Laura that Nicholas died a hero, and to grieve his death, but don’t think it was meaningless. Laura says she’s right, and thanks her. Alexis apologizes for not having better news. Laura tells Alexis that she’s going to pack; she doesn’t want to be there when Valentin comes back. Laura leaves, and Alexis looks at the wine bottle. She puts “do I have a drinking problem” in Spyder Finder.

Finn tells Hayden that it’s like his wife all over again. She tried to get close to him and protect him. Hayden says she’s not his wife, and she’s not going to die. He wants her to get some tests and be monitored. She says nothing is wrong, and he needs to clean up the spill. He throws cat litter on it. Really? On toxic waste? Suddenly, Hayden is gone. Finn runs after her.

Danny comes downstairs. He’s worried about the smoke and Alexis says she’ll keep him safe.

Carly tells Jax she’s glad he’s there. They hug.

Michael thanks Nell for stepping into the middle of dysfunctional mess. She says she likes his family; dysfunctional or not, they’re good people. They say good night. Nell sees Jax hugging Carly. I get the distinct impression that Nell does not approve.

Sonny asks Griff about the priesthood. Griff says he took vows, and maybe if he keeps them, it will be better for everyone. Sonny wishes him luck, and says his father would be proud of him. He asks Griff to come to the funeral, and Griff says he would be honored. He tells Griff to take care of his family afterward, and leaves. Griff looks after him worriedly. Although that seems to be Griff’s natural expression. One of my dogs is like that. He has a perpetual worried look.

Maxie tells Nathan that Claudette lied for her daughter. She says he’s going to fight Valentin and she’s going to help.

Valentin tells Nina that he wishes Charlotte had a mother. Ding-ding-ding! The magic word. He orders a drink for Nina, and she smiles at him.

Hayden runs into Windemere. She apologizes for startling Laura. Laura tells Hayden about Valentin. She says she’s moving out and suggests that Hayden do the same. Hayden says it’s the least of her problems right now. Laura asks if she’s okay, and she says she just had a bad day at work.

Finn calls Hayden. He leaves a message that if she’s infected, it’s serious – a matter of life or death – and begs her to come back.

Hayden starts feeling warm and begins to hyperventilate. She passes out. The wind blows the window shut and the candles go out.

Tomorrow, Sam asks Alexis if she was drinking while watching Danny, Nell tells Sonny he’s making a mistake, and Elizabeth thinks Finn is an addict.

Little Women: LA – Reunion Part One

Gorgeous dresses a size smaller. I love Elena’s hair – she has blue ombre through the bottom half and it looks smashing. We flash back through the highlights of the season. Babies, lotus blossoms, Christy, Christy, Christy, Plastic, f-yous, fingers in faces. Host Kevin Frazier asks them how they all felt about it. Terra says there were highs and lows, and Briana says they’ve grown.

Kevin tells us that we’re jumping right into it, and brings out Matt. We flash back to Matt’s untrustworthiness and the infamous Plastic. Briana says she trusts Matt now, and Kevin asks stupid questions. He asks if the rest of the group believes Matt and crickets chirp. Christy claims the women asked her for proof and Tonya squashes that. Christy admits to being in contact with Plastic, and Matt says it was ages ago; he doesn’t even have any social media accounts now. He adds that he’d like to see proof that he said he has a fetish.

Christy talks about how she met Plastic through Briana, and Briana says Plastic wanted to ride some coattails onto the show. Christy says that Plastic came to her. Kevin says Plastic is going to join the group, and Briana and Matt walk out.

Plastic enters. Matt and Briana lose their mics and decide to leave. They shut the dressing room door behind them. Plastic tells Kevin that Briana doesn’t have coattails to ride, and she became friends with Briana because she felt sorry for her. She says Briana is desperate for attention and tries to climb the social ladder. Although I’m not sure what kind of social ladder this would be considered. Plastic claims to have a bigger career than Briana, but no one has ever heard of her, including me. She tells them that she and Matt started talking online and he started getting inappropriate. Christy says he’s not to be trusted. Jasmine asks about proof, and Plastic claims that when Matt deleted his account, it all disappeared, but that’s not how any of this works.

Kevin asks if Plastic has apologized to Briana, but she doesn’t think she needs to because Matt instigated things. Tonya brings up the photo shoot, and how she was gracious enough to invite Christy, but then Plastic showed up, yapping about things no one cared about. Within seconds, Plastic, Terra and Tonya are all talking at once. Plastic claims that later on, Tonya called up and insulted her about her transness again, and she’s releasing the recordings. Kevin suggests she break out the recordings right now, but like the losers on the court shows, she left the evidence at home. Terra says no way it was Tonya. Kevin asks what Plastic wants out of this.

Plastic goes on about how badly she was treated. She says she wanted to clear her name, not gain notoriety. Kevin asks if Tonya has a problem with trans people. She says of course not. Christy says that she doesn’t think Tonya was thinking when she spoke, and Tonya texted her later, apologizing. Kevin tells Plastic good-by. Well, that was uneventful.

Briana is back, without Matt. Briana says he’s tired of being harassed about their relationship. Kevin asks about her family thinking that Matt is isolating her. He asks if she can understand their concern, but Briana feels that it’s nobody’s business. Kevin tells her Radar Online is all interested in her now, but she doesn’t want to answer any questions. She says she talked about it in the beginning, but it’s not like she’s giving regular updates. Briana tells them that her family heard about Matt’s past and refused to give him a chance. They didn’t even meet him, but still formed a negative opinion.

Tonya admits the ladies weren’t impressed either. Briana says she feels that the girls were coming from a good place, but not so much her family. She isn’t sure about Christy. Christy admits she’d said that she wasn’t going to get involved, but when she met Plastic, she changed her mind. Tonya says they did tell Christy not to talk to Briana’s family. Christy agrees it wasn’t her place, but adds that they were all worried.

Christy says Briana’s family called her because they were concerned. Kevin brings up a court order that the family got to see Briana’s daughter, and asks if they’ll ever see Maverick. Briana doesn’t know, and says the last time she saw her father, it was when he delivered court papers from her ex-husband. Terra says she can see why Briana would feel the way she does. Me too. Who does that?

We take a trip down Memory Lane with the Terra/Christy fight. Charges, charges dismissed, Christy’s supposed concussion, Christy adding her medical records to the party invitation. Joe and Todd join the women. Joe thinks Terra and Christy should stay away from each other. He talks about how the police report affected their lives. Terra says in letting it go, they don’t need to stay friends. Todd agrees.

Terra asks Todd if he realized when he saw the film, that Christy was first to throw a “deadly weapon.” Joe insults them, and Todd says that before they came out, Joe told him he’s high as a kite. Joe tells Todd that he said it on purpose to see if Todd would repeat it, and calls him “Todd-ler.” Christy does the “we were all” hurt thing, and Joe asks why she’s the only one who’s allowed to pull the bully card. Christy insists she withdrew the police report, but Joe says she’s lying. Todd yaps about the medical records, and Kevin just happens to have a copy. He reads it and it’s basically how Christy claims she felt, along with a three centimeter contusion, but no treatment required.

Joe calls them on canceling the report. Elena tries to interject and starts yelling. She says Christy regretted her actions and tried to reverse them. Terra says it wasn’t Christy that stopped things, it was the DA, who said they had no case. Terra calls Christy stupid, and Christy stomps off to get a tissue. Kevin asks where they go from here, and Christy says forward, but they seem to be stuck in the past. Terra agrees that moving forward is the only way. I think they have two different definitions of what moving forward is though.

Matt is dragged back out. Kevin wants us to decide whether Matt or Christy was the problem, and we flash back to Christy getting involved with Briana’s family. If I’m going by these clips, I’d say Christy is the problem. Briana says she needed her friend to respect her. She says the Plastic thing was the final nail in the coffin. Christy says Briana’s family was asking about it. Kevin asks if Briana will ever forgive her, but she says not that behavior. Kevin asks Matt why he didn’t contact anyone when Briana was in the hospital. Matt tells them everything that was going on there, and it sounds like he had a pretty good excuse. Briana says she didn’t want anyone to know.

They discuss the yacht incident where Christy went crazy with name calling. Todd says he knows Christy stepped over the line and she regrets it deeply. Kevin asks where the comments came from. Christy starts talking about how they’d said she was using drugs. Kevin asks why she called Briana autistic and Christy desperately tries to avoid the question, but then admits that Briana’s sister told her that Briana has autism. There is seriously something wrong with this woman. Why would anyone want to be friends with her? And why does she consider autism an insult?

Everyone starts laughing, so I guess that isn’t true? Kevin tells Christy it’s inappropriate and ignorant. Christy goes on about being an addict and how it’s a disease. Terra says it’s not the same thing; you come out of the womb with autism. Christy says she regretted it immediately. Briana says what if she did have autism? Christy says Briana claimed she was popping pills, but Briana says she was referring to how Christy was behaving. Kevin says it sinks to the lowest common denominator when they have fights.

Somehow we get to Matt asking if he’s offended people. Joe brings up the oompa loompa comment, but he’s laughing. Kevin wonders if anyone can argue without derogatory comments, and suggests they get off that level. Jasmine says not with this group. Ha-ha!

Kevin asks Christy about her sobriety. She says she’s been sober for years. He asks if it’s strictly alcohol and she claims she’s never had pills. She says she was just super stressed. He asks if she’s relapsed. Christy says she’s done and walks off.

Next time, Terra accuses Christy of popping pills, the average-sized child argument rears its ugly head again, and Karla and Rhonnie make an appearance.

Below Deck

The crew gets the boat ready. Kyle informs the other deckhands that he’s not into dudes, but he likes transgender women. He’s been dating a trans woman for two years. Kelley says no judgements.

Kate asks Ben how his date with Emily went. He says they had dinner and went for a walk, and asks if they’re doing a morning tally. In his interview, he says he likes Emily, but doesn’t want to share that with Kate yet.

Emily tells Sierra about Kyle’s transgender girlfriend. They discuss if that makes him gay. Sierra is annoyed that he’s been pursuing her when he’s dating anyone else.

The primary guests are Liza and Lori who are best friends in the fashion business. They’re also bringing some gay male friends. They want a beach picnic, and are having a surprise drag show for Liza’s birthday. Kate says Kyle will be excited. In her interview, Kate says it’s funny how life works out. Kate tells Kelley it will be super fun.

Ben asks Kyle about his girlfriend. We see a couple of pictures and she’s very pretty. In his interview, Kyle says he never felt like he belonged until he met her. Ben asks about the physical transformation when taking hormones. Kyle says he figured if Kate is open, he can be too. Ben says it’s a beautiful thing. He seems genuinely curious and respectful, so I can see why Kyle doesn’t mind his questions. I wonder if I can get Valor shirts from the Bravo website.

Kate FaceTimes with Ro, who is annoyed that they can’t spend more time talking. Kate says she’s not used to being in a relationship where someone needs this much attention. She tells Ro she has to get to work.

The guests arrive and Captain Lee tells the crew that it’s show time. Aww! They have two little dogs with them. Kate gives the tour. The dogs aren’t wearing life vests and I don’t like that. The yacht pulls out and I marvel at the blue water.

One of the guests lets Kate in on some surprises he has for the drag show. She tells him one of the deck members has experience. In the galley, Kate tells Kyle all about the sequin gowns and wigs, and he’s psyched.

It’s beach picnic time. I know the crew always hates those, since there’s a lot of schlepping stuff back and forth. Kate decorates the table with shells and it looks beautiful. The captain calls Kelley to the bridge. Sierra is wearing a tiara (ha-ha!) while she helps Ben.

Kyle has decided Sierra is annoying. Sierra complains about Kyle to Emily. Kate tells Kyle to get the guests to the beach, but Kelley ends up taking them. Kyle complains to Emily and Ben about Sierra. Ben tells him to knock it off and Emily just laughs.

The picnic is amazing which is no surprise. Everything is always amazing. Emily and Ben sneak a little kiss in the kitchen. Kelley wants Sierra and Kyle to get over it and quit talking about each other. He tells Kyle to deal with it. He sends Kyle to the beach. Kate trusts the others with the guests and heads back to the boat. Kyle and Sierra take the giant umbrella down together, and Kelley radios to Kyle that now’s a good time. Kyle babbles and Sierra tells him he’s being dramatic. I’m not sure how she can tell, since I can barely understand what he’s saying. They have subtitles, but I wasn’t looking. Sierra calls Kyle a queen and I laugh. In his interview, he says if she didn’t know about his girlfriend she just would have called him a d*ckhead. In her interview, Sierra says she’s never had so much drama from a guy and wonders if it’s because she didn’t respond to him in the way he wanted. Back at the boat, Kyle whines to Kelley and Sierra whines to Lauren. Lauren wonders why Kelley would be so unprofessional as to interfere?

Ben makes a fabulous dinner. Filet and scallops. In the crew mess, Nico puts on a pink wig. I squee when I see one of the little dogs sleeping in a bed. They should dress the dogs up too. I get so concerned about these dogs not wearing life vests, I write something on Below Deck‘s Facebook page.

Ben tells Emily about his brother coming. She’s excited to meet him. She asks if he’s like Ben, and Ben says yes, but more eccentric. The slide is brought out. One of the guys puts on a Grecian gown and waves from a speedboat. Everyone is kind of doing something different and it all looks like fun. Ben is concerned that the conch is chewy, and Kate says it’s like conch flavored gum. Bleh. She says it’s edible, but not ready yet. Because Emily thinks it’s okay, Ben decides to serve it, but the guests think it’s too chewy. In her interview, Kate says I told you so.

The logistics of the drag show are discussed. The main attraction doesn’t lip sync very well. In his interview, Kyle says he can do something he’s good at, and if he has to wear a dress for it, fine.

Oooh! The table is gorgeous! Ben gives Kyle a taste of sea urchin and Kyle suddenly feels lightheaded. Uh-oh, he’s allergic. He starts getting red and asks for an antihistamine. He says he has to be careful with seafood. Why did he eat that then?

The guests sit down to dinner, but Kyle is passing out. Kate says he’s supposed to be in drag, not drugged, and he’s in a Benadryl coma. Kate does his makeup while he’s half-asleep. Ben gets the food going. Kate puts glitter in Kyle’s beard. Kyle sips a Red Bull. She tells him to keep away from flames. He says he looks like he’s been bombed by a Care Bear. The guests are thrilled with dinner. Kate tells them there are fireworks from the mainland tonight, so they’re having dessert on the main deck. This is a ruse to get them upstairs.

Cue the music. Kate tells the guests the fireworks are about to begin. The main entertainer and Kyle do some lip-syncing while Nico dances back-up. A confetti gun is shot. Glitter is everywhere. Nico says it’s all about the tips. It’s over all too quick. I would have liked to see more of that.

In the morning, Kyle still has glitter in his beard. Nico says it looks like he did nasty things with Tinkerbell. Kate makes a wreath out of a pink boa with little white lights in it and places it on one of the beds as a parting decoration. The guest is tickled pink. BA-DUM-CHH!

Time to go. Bye-bye little vestless dogs. Captain Lee gets the envelope and tells everyone good work. It’s time to gather in the crew mess. In his interview, Kyle says he sees Sierra for who she is now. Please. Captain Lee thought everything was perfect. He says the tip isn’t what they’re used to. At first I think he’s joking and it’s more than they usually get, but no. It’s $1,100 each. He says it happens. He tells them enjoy their night out – after the boat is finished.

Ben says his brother is coming and they’re going to get loose. And there he is. Ben says he’s the more reserved. Kate says she’s known James for a while and likes him better than Ben at this point. Ben introduces James around, and James gifts the crew with hand-rolled cigars. He asks how Ben’s cooking is and Kyle says Ben gave him an allergic reaction five minutes ago. James asks Emily how the date was in front of everyone. In her interview, Emily says Ben is more manly and James is more well groomed.

Ben and James go off for a night out. James tells Ben that the yacht is impressive. James sounds exactly like Ben. If I closed my eyes, I probably couldn’t tell the difference. They go out to dinner. Ben hopes for validation about Emily. James says Ben is doing better than he is.

Lauren and Nico start drinking on the boat. Kyle asks Kate if he can sleep in the master bedroom tonight. It has a big, real bed, and a TV, on which he’s hoping to see boobies. Kate gives the okay.. Lauren and Nico goof around in the room and nearly break something. Nico pours more alcohol into Lauren’s mouth.

Kate, Sierra and Emily hang out and talk. Ben and James are headed back, and Ben drops his pants on the dock. James takes a picture. Ben walks to the boat with no pants on. And I mean half nakey. He sheds the rest of his clothes before they get back on the boat.

Nico chugs fireball. Kate tells the three of them not to make a mess and hopes there isn’t another pizza-on-the-floor incident. Kyle thinks Lauren has no respect for the interior. Ben wanders around wearing a hoodie like a loin cloth. Kyle’s quiet evening of boobies has taken a different turn. Ben breaks something in the bathroom and says they’re screwed.

Next time, an obnoxious repeat guest, the captain confines the crew, and Nico and Kelley butt heads.

November 7, 2016 – Morgan’s Death Poses a Mystery, Vanderpump Rules Again, the OC’s Reunion Claws Come Out & an Atlanta Mention

Standard

What I Watched Today
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)

 

General Hospital

We go back to Jason grilling Pete, and Pete falling to the ground after a shot is fired from somewhere. Jason calls 911. He goes through Pete’s pockets and takes his phone. Curtis appears, saying that’s one way to get rid of evidence. Jason says for all he knows, Curtis is the shooter. Curtis says he has the best alibi in the world, having just gotten his ass handed to him by Jordan. He says Jason was just talking with the only person who could implicate Sonny and now he’s dead.

Carly visits Sonny. She tells him that she found something important. She gives Sonny Morgan’s journal. She shows him how Morgan kept track of taking his medication. Sonny says something isn’t right. Morgan’s handwriting starts to become sloppy, and his thoughts are disjointed. Carly says there must have been something wrong with the medication.

Ava gets a text that someone (the caller ID says “Blocked”) knows what she did to Morgan. Lucy startles her and she says there must be another alleyway she’d like to skulk in. Ava says she’s meeting someone. Lucy says what a coincidence; she’s meeting someone too. Right now. She tells Ava that she saw her and knows what she did to Morgan.

Elizabeth has to ask Franco for a favor. She tells him that he’s inspired her, and she signed up for an art class. She shows him her sketch portfolio, and he says they’re really good. She’s very excited, and wants to make sure she stays in pace with the class. She wants Franco to pose for her.

Lulu shows Dante chocolate hand prints on the shirt that Maxie had to call in favors to get for her. She tells him if he’s going to get “his” son hopped up on sugar, at least teach him to wash his hands. Actually, if she wears that in Manhattan tomorrow, everyone will want one by next week.

Griff tells Valentin to stay away from his daughter. Valentin says it’s a misunderstanding, and Charlotte is his daughter.

Curtis tells Jordan if he’s rolling in the gutter, he’s in good company because she’s there with him. She starts to slap him, but he blocks her hand. Andre comes in and Curtis walks out.

Dante pours some wine for himself and Lulu. She says she was disappointed about not having another baby, but she’s over it. Whenever she sees Rocco, she knows how blessed they are. They have their son and each other. She can’t imagine how Sonny and Carly feel right now.

Griff says Charlotte is his daughter, and Valentin says they’ll see. Griff goes back to the table and Anna gives him the paper. Uh-oh. The look on his face isn’t happy. I had the feeling that Valentin was really Charlotte’s father a while ago.

Ava tells Lucy she’s nuts, and Lucy says that Ava is so busted. Lucy says she was in the neighborhood brokering a sale. She looked over and saw Ava and thought something didn’t add up. She wondered what Ava was throwing away. (I forgot about that!) She says that Ava looked guilty as hell while she looked for a trash can, and she just had to know. Imagine her surprise finding medication that belonged to Morgan.

Carly goes through the journal with Sonny. Sonny says it’s normal to go up and down, but not spiral. She shows him an entry about Bobbie’s birthday and another when he stopped himself from popping the guy who bothered Kiki. She says after that, something changes, and he’s obviously depressed. Sonny says he was manic, and she points out that every day he took his pills. She wonders why they weren’t working. Sonny insists he must have stopped taking them.

Jason talks to the cops, telling them he was talking to Pete when he got shot. He says he didn’t know Pete personally, but he used to work for Julian.

Jordan gives a condensed explanation of her conversation with Curtis to Andre. She says they share a lot of history. It’s scratchy at best and painful at worst, and Curtis knows how to push her buttons. Andre says he finds Curtis irritating. He was hoping to steal Jordan away for a quiet dinner. He says he’s going to attend Morgan’s funeral, and there’s a chance that Sonny, Carly, or both will unload on him. Jordan says she’d dreading it, but it’s a necessary evil. He says offering condolences while searching for evidence might seem hypocritical and Jordan says not to call her a hypocrite.

Franco asks if she’s going to share the drawing with her class. Dhe says they critique each other, and asks if he’s shy. He says in the art world, he’s a controversial figure, and the students might know they’re in a relationship if she shows them the sketch. He asks if she’s okay with that.

There’s no DNA match with Charlotte and Griff. Anna says she’s sorry. She says Claudette was obviously trying to protect Charlotte. Valentin approaches, and Charlotte runs to him. He tells her he’s happy to see her. He says he missed her, and she says she missed him too. Anna suggests she work on her drawing while they have an adult conversation. Valentin shows them Charlotte’s birth certificate. He says even though he wasn’t married to Claudette, he wanted Charlotte to have his last name.

Lulu and Dante eat Rocco’s Halloween candy. Lulu says to imagine dealing with the tantrum when Rocco realizes it’s gone. Dante gives her a piece of candy and she unwraps her old engagement ring. He says he wanted to get her another one, but he knows how she is about recycling. She says she doesn’t want another one. He asks her to marry him again.

Elizabeth says it’s okay with her if the class knows they’re in a relationship. Franco asks if she has any spray tan, but she says he can keep his clothes on. She wants to do a portrait. He asks why she was worried to ask him. She says in some ways a portrait is more intimate, and conveys the subject’s innermost thoughts. He says he trusts her even with those.

Jason and Curtis discuss the case. Curtis threatens to tell the cops about Jason taking the phone. Jason doesn’t care. Curtis says he’ll keep his mouth shut if he can look at it.

Lucy tells Ava that she found the lithium prescribed to Morgan. She says Ava took up with Morgan again, and maybe she’s the reason he was in the car. She says that Ava was tossing the evidence, and good luck convincing Carly and Sonny that she wasn’t. She asks what Ava thinks they’d say.

Carly tells Sonny that Morgan had written in a check mark for every day he took his medication. Sonny says that’s no proof. She says Morgan didn’t understand why it wasn’t working. Sonny says maybe he was covering his ass in case somebody read it, but Carly says it was private; there was no reason not to be truthful. Sonny says he’s going to check the medication and goes upstairs. Carly sees the envelope with her name on it. Sonny comes back downstairs and she asks him what’s up with the it.

Anna tells Valentin a birth certificate could be faked. Valentin pokes himself, drawing blood, and gives it to her on a napkin. This guy doesn’t fool around. He says he’s sure Charlotte will be safe with her in the meantime. he apologizes to Griff for the whole thing, and Griff gets testy. Anna says back into your corners until the test is done.

Lulu talks about how she and Dante found their way back to each other. She says even when she was steaming mad at him, she loved him. She tells him that she’ll marry him. Even though they’re already married. They kiss.

Franco poses as Elizabeth draws. He keeps talking and she keeps telling him to shut up. He gets up to look, and she says she knows it’s not good. He tells her she’s hot when she’s wrong, and that it shows vision and intent and boldness. She says she wishes she was bold in her life, and he tells her that she is.

Jordan says she’s tired of people making assumptions; she has a job to do. Andre says he was just kidding, and he hopes she finds something to close the case. She apologizes for overreacting. She says Curtis got to her, and she should know better. Andre says Curtis has an agenda every time he crosses her path, and he doesn’t like how Curtis makes her question herself. She says isn’t it true that only she can make herself feel a certain way? He says he’s not her doctor, but he thinks she’s cool and they kiss.

Ava tells Lucy not to do it, and Lucy says give her one good reason. She says Ava took off with Morgan, and this time it lead to his death.

Sonny blows off the envelope and tells Carly that the lithum is missing. Carly says that was the most important drug he was on.

Franco (who I almost called Todd) is getting antsy. Elizabeth puts her sketch pad down and moves to the couch.

Curtis looks through Pete’s phone. He wonders if any of the numbers are Sonny’s. The cops talk to Jason, and Curtis thinks about calling Jordan.

Andre tells Jordan that even a superwoman needs sustenance, and he wants to take her to a new Thai place. She leaves to get her stuff, and Curtis calls her phone.

Ava tells Lucy she can’t tell them; she’ll only hurt them more. She says they should remember the good times, and not be questioning Morgan’s behavior. She tells Lucy that Kiki is barely getting through, and it could destroy her. Lucy says she should have thought of that before. Ava asks how Lucy would like it if someone hurt her daughter this way.

Carly tells Sonny that it doesn’t make sense. Why carry a whole bottle? Sonny says if Morgan thought it wasn’t working, maybe he threw them away. Carly asks why keep one bottle and not the other?

Anna tells Griff that no matter what, the priority is protecting Charlotte. Valentin leaves.

Lulu admires her engagement ring and says it’s nice to have it back where it belongs. Dante says he was a little worried that she’d turn him down. They kiss some more.

Ditto Elizabeth and Franco.

Curtis starts to leave a message for Jordan, but Andre picks up the phone. He tells Curtis that the best thing he can do for Jordan and himself is to leave her alone.

The cop asks if Jason saw Pete get shot. He says nothing is missing, so they’re ruling out robbery, but wonders about the cell phone. Jason says it will turn up somewhere. I guess it doesn’t occur to Officer Barney Fife that a guy who worked for Julian could have been killed for his phone.

Lucy tells Ava that she won’t squeal about her tossing the meds, but she’s hanging onto the pills for safekeeping. Ava asks if she’s going to use them for blackmail, and Lucy says she hadn’t thought of that, but thanks. Lucy tells Ava that maybe she should consider coming clean, since someone else night have seen her.

Carly tells Sonny something feels off. Sonny says if Morgan thought the meds weren’t working, its the one he would have tossed. Carly says something is missing. Sonny says the medication isn’t why Morgan died. Carly puts on her coat. She says she can leave the journal, but he tells her to take it. She says Morgan loved them – it’s on every page – and wanted badly to make them proud. They should have done better, making sure he knew how much they loved him. Sonny tells her she’s a great mom and never failed. She says she did, but it’s too late because he’s gone. She leaves and Sonny is alone again.

Tomorrow, Elizabeth asks Franco to go upstairs, Diane tells Alexis that Valentin owns the estate, and Finn catches Brad in his lab. (Yay! Brad is back!)

Vanderpump Rules

Giggy! Why does Kristen look like she’s going to throw up in the opening credits?

Arghhh! Tom S. has a man bun. Things are hopping at SUR. Britney is now working there and it looks like that’s working Jax’s last nerve. He feels like his world has closed in. Please.

Scheana and Lala are at odds again, but Scheana is feeling like the rest of them are all working well together. Katie thinks Britney is fitting in, and it’s a better job for her than Hooters. Well, let’s hope the tips are bigger.

Lala has a small part in a Nicholas Cage film. In her interview, she talks about starring in her own porn film, and tries to make the title a play on words, failing miserably. Katie is trying to keep Lala and James out of her life, since they tried to ruin her engagement party. Britney discovers that the girls can’t talk and text at the same time. Peter has gotten a shave and a haircut and looks totally different. I’m not sure I like it.

Kristen is dating a new dude named Carter. She’s happy, since she doesn’t have to pay his bills. Kristen thinks she should wear a fake engagement ring when she goes out, but Stassi suggests that she wants to convince people she’s not a psycho.

Lisa is happy with James’s behavior. He’s been keeping his drinking and temper under control. Since his father moved back to London recently, she’s concerned that he’s going to get emotional and start drinking again. We flash back to some of James’s finer moments in alcoholism.

Jax talks about coming home to Britney and Kristen kissing, and not on the mouth. Tom says there’s no lack of bi-curious Southern girls in West Hollywood, but wonders why those two had to get together. He calls it the LA handshake. Really? This group never ceases to amaze me with their shallowness and lack of ambition. I don’t know if it’s the time period or the coast, but when I was their age, my friends and I were much further along in life. And a billion times smarter.

Lisa tells Jax how well Britney is doing at the restaurant. He agrees, but wishes they weren’t on the same schedule. Tom tells Lisa about Kristen and Britney, and Lisa thinks it’s bizarre even in their world. Jax says something about karma, but Tom says if karma was a real thing, Jax would be dead by now.

The gang gathers at Skybar for the OK! Magazine party. Schwartz feels like there’s a vagina mafia going on where he can’t voice an honest opinion. Kristen is annoyed at Jax for broadcasting things about her and Britney. She talks about how she’s made out with all of the girls. When Britney gets there, she insists it was nothing but kissing, and tells Jax to knock it off. In her interview, Britney talks about moving all the way from Kentucky and missing family and friends, and how she can’t imagine life without this group of girls now. I feel sorry for her if this is the best friend group she can get.

Tom tells Ariana about Kristen and Britney. Ariana says you can’t go to sleep around Kristen or that’s what might happen. She and Tom get ready for the party in the ladies room at SUR.

Schwartz is happy that Jax and Stassi are getting along. Jax says they’ll never be besties, but they have a rapport, and I’m surprised he knows what that means. He tells Stassi about Britney and Kristen. I’m already tired of this story. James and Lala show up. Lala says they always roll as a pair. They finally had sex and are over it, but they’re best friends now. For now.

They try to join the others, and Katie tells them they’re not at the table. James hovers around, taking their liquor. Katie tells Lala it’s not normal to want to hang out with people you’ve been talking smack about. Jax won’t even shake James’s hand, telling them to move along to another table. Lala says no one has been working on their summer bodies and James rudely asks Katie if she’s pregnant. Scheana smacks the glass out of his hand and tells him to get the blip out.

They leave, and Jax takes off after James. This didn’t take long at all. We’re only 23 minutes into the program. Jax doesn’t care if he goes to jail; he just wants to hit James. Stassi thinks Lala and James are aliens who have shape-shifted into humans. I hadn’t thought about that; maybe she’s right. Tom and Ariana arrive, and immediately get the news about the two idiots name calling everyone. Ariana says she just saw them, and they gave no indication of being antagonistic. Schwartz says they’re acquaintances and not friends, so who cares? Katie is annoyed at him for not being supportive. Translation: not wanting to kill them.

James is drunk already, and drinks to Schwartz and Katie. In his interview, Schwartz is tired of Katie expecting him to inherit her grudges, and says she’s backslid since Stassi came back. Tom goes over to James and asks wtf? He says James’s biggest enemy is himself and everyone knows how to push his buttons. Tom says he would have smacked James’s drink out of his hand too. He tells James that he’s like a Tourettes of insults. OMG – is that a pipe cleaner shaping Tom’s man bun? James keeps trying to justify everything. Tom says his parents are divorced too, but he doesn’t use it as an excuse to be a d-bag. James says he thought that his parents were going to get back together and starts crying. For the second time – please.

Katie tells Ariana she has a friend who’s passed along the information that Lala has a sugar daddy who’s married with kids. Ariana says she’ll treat it as a rumor until she knows for sure. Ariana goes over to Lala and says she cares about her. Lala is drunk already too, and basically makes no sense. She says she’s done and starts crying, saying it’s not what she came here for and walks away. If this isn’t what she came here for, why did she start it?

Katie isn’t thrilled with Ariana being friends with Lala. Tom and Ariana leave because Tom can’t deal.

Katie visits Lisa to talk about being her assistant. Lisa wants to start with her working six hours a day. In her interview, Lisa says Katie has been an exemplary employee, and she could use some help. Katie tells her about Lala and James calling her fat, and lets slip that Lala’s boyfriend has a wife and children. She tells Lisa how disgusting James was. She says she’s made a lot of allowances because of his parents and Max, but he’s pushing boundaries.

Jax and Britney have a new place since the studio got kind of tight. They talk about James and Lala. Jax says he’s never had so much hate toward somebody. Britney isn’t happy with Jax talking about her and Kristen. In her interview, she says she and Kristen did not hook up. She tells Jax that she’d better not hear about it again. In her interview, Britney says if he can’t shut his mouth, she’s going back to Kentucky and out of the relationship. Like she can’t do better. About a million times better.

Schwartz tells Katie that even if things don’t work out, they have to stay together for the dogs and the apartment. The girls are coming over, and he wonders if he should be social or go into hermit mode. Stassi tells Katie happy first wedding conversation. She’s brought special bedazzled cups for everyone, and is going to make festive bridal cocktails that she garnered from Pinterest. Katie has pretty much nothing planned except for her dress.

They talk about the previous night and Katie says she thought it was a bad dream. Stassi and Schwartz talk about pooping their pants and how it wasn’t as bad. Did I really just hear that? Everyone is tired of hearing about how James is going through a hard time. Stassi thinks that he and Lala only use 5% of their brain power. Schwartz is concerned that Katie and Stassi being friends again is making Katie a mean girl. He calls it a hater’s ball and says he’s not one of them.

Lala tells James that what happened last night was not okay. Lala talks about Scheana and I tune out. She and James discuss the other girls. Lala says she likes to call Katie “the blob” because she’s “blobbish.” Get that girl a dictionary, stat!

Lisa wants a talk with James. She asks what happened at the party. James acts like he was the soul of tact and friendliness, but Lisa isn’t buying it. He says he’s compelled to be an a-hole because they like to see him crumble. What? Lisa thinks he lashes out when he doesn’t get approval and acceptance, and doesn’t understand there are boundaries in life. She tells him she doesn’t get why he says he doesn’t care about them, but then won’t leave them alone. She asks how she’s supposed to put him back in SUR when he keeps acting like a little a-hole. She says it’s become difficult for her to defend him and make excuses.

Next time, James apologizes to Katie, Schwartz wants a pre-nup and the Britney/Kristen story continues.

The Real Housewives of the OC – The Reunion Part One

Subtitle: Beautiful dresses on ugly people.

I’m not crazy about Meghan’s off-the-shoulder number. While Atlanta sparkles and NJ shines, this group is very monochromatic. Everyone picked a solid color and went with it. The earrings are huge and cool though.

Andy starts with Vicki. He asks if anyone is medicated, but Vicki says she only took a thyroid pill. He talks about Vicki’s apology tour and how in the end, Vicki found herself where she started. We flash back to all that. In thinking about it, I don’t believe Shannon ever really moved on from the cancer thing. In Ireland when they were getting along, they were just drunk. Andy brings up Brooks, and Vicki asks, who? She says she was at a place when she was busy and she didn’t really pay as much attention as she should have. She says he’s a bad guy and she learned a lot. Heather brings up something Vicki said, and Vicki says there was a time when she thought he was her soulmate, and it was just drunk talk in Ireland. Vicki says she’s in a different place now, and they didn’t know Brooks like she did. She admits everyone was right and she was wrong.

Shannon says she’s steadfast in her belief that Vicki knew Brooks was lying. She claims Vicki told her that she had lied, but Vicki says don’t go there. Andy asks Kelly if defending Vicki without knowing her was a mistake, but she says no.

Andy asks why Shannon won’t forgive Vicki. Shannon says she has, but it doesn’t mean they need to be friends. Vicki tells her to get off her show. Ha-ha! Shannon says she had defended Vicki in the beginning, and Vicki says she told Shannon to call ding-dong. None of us, including Shannon, have any idea what or who she’s talking about.

More on Vicki, and how she was out, then in, then out again. Andy asks Shannon if she and Vicki will ever be friends again and Shannon says never. Moving on.

We flash back to Tamra’s training and her relationship with Mia, her trainer and spiritual adviser. Tamra says her halo is crooked, but since her baptism, her life has gotten a lot better. Andy brings up son Ryan and asks if she blames herself for his problems. She says somewhat, since he’s a product of his environment. Andy asks about her daughter. She still lives with her father, and occasionally responds to a text. Tamra is getting along with Simon now, and attributes it to their son moving back in with her. She says since accepting Jesus, her outlook on life is different and she’s more forgiving. She talks about still being imperfect. Kelly isn’t impressed, and says Tamra is two-faced, nice one minute and talking about her the next. Tamra says she was nice, until she couldn’t put up with Kelly’s crap anymore. Kelly says Shannon can’t own anything, although I don’t know how she got in there. Tamra redirects the conversation back, and says she was nice to Kelly until she brought up Tamra’s daughter in Ireland. We flash back to their altercations and when Kelly called Tamra a dumb f***. Kelly excuses that by claiming it was because Tamra didn’t understand what she was saying. Because we always clarify things by calling somebody a rude name.

The talk turns to Meghan’s pregnancy. She isn’t having a C-section and hopes to give birth naturally. The rest of the women aren’t so sure that will happen. We flash back to Meghan’s best IVF moments. Meghan gets emotional watching. They talk about Jim being absent for most of it, but Meghan says he has a job, what was he supposed to do? Andy asks Heather if Terry was more involved, but she says no. Kelly says Michael gave her the shots because she couldn’t do it herself. Heather tells us that her frozen embryos are immortalized in the frosted glass of her lovingly designed window. Andy asks if he can buy one.

They discuss Meghan’s disappointment at not having twins. She says it was hard and she was hormonal, but she’s lucky that she got pregnant at all with a healthy baby. A viewer wonders if Meghan will have the same love for her step-children as she will for her own baby. Meghan says the bond will be different, but she’d throw herself in front of a bus for any of the kids. She’d probably throw Vicki under the bus too. BA-DUM-CHH!

After the commercial, Andy says welcome back like we went somewhere. Next up is Kelly. We flash back to Kelly’s ups and downs with her husband. Andy says he thinks she’s one of the most polarizing Housewives ever. He asks how she thinks she came off. She regrets how she treated Michael, but has no regrets about anyone else. You can hear a pin drop. She talks about how Michael became controlling after their daughter was born. Andy asks what she’s learned seeing her marriage play out on TV, and she thinks it was therapeutic. Andy questions Tamra, who thinks if Michael was diagnosed as a narcissist, it’s impossible for their marriage to improve. Kelly asks if she has a PhD in psychology, and I wonder if the test came from the internet.

Oh yay, we’re covering Shannon’s 70s party. We flash back to Shannon’s friends being excessively nasty to Kelly, and Shannon kicking Kelly out of the party. You! Who? Ha-ha! It was like an Abbot and Costello sketch. Clips of the subsequent bomb of a lunch follow. Shannon makes some excuse for the two idiots she invited. Shannon tells Kelly not to flatter herself that she’d waste time setting Kelly up. Kelly wonders why Shannon would shove drinks down her throat too.

The remark that Vicki made to David is brought up, as well as a discussion on who got in whose face first. While Vicki did walk over to David, he started it. Shannon makes excuses for David, and Meghan doesn’t think he was out of line. She says maybe it’s the millennial in her, but she wants to be treated “like any other man.” No comment. Kelly says that Shannon should have asked her friends to stop harassing her. Andy says it did seem like they were gunning for Kelly and Shannon has to agree. Of course she adds a “but…” Kelly says that Shannon wanted to hear the gossip and did nothing to stop it. We flash back to Shannon digging for the details. Shannon makes more excuses.

A viewer asks if Kelly regrets the low blow about David cheating, and she says no. Shannon says that Kelly doesn’t fight fair, but Kelly says if Shannon wants to fight, she’s going to fight dirty, now that she knows Shannon’s character.

Andy asks why Shannon accused Kelly of cheating. Shannon says there was a rumor that she was with a married man. She says the guy was living with his wife, and Kelly talked about being engaged during her separation from Michael, the guy’s family was damaged. Shannon says she broke up a family by having an affair. Apparently the guy’s wife and Shannon did some talking. Kelly tells her to blame him. In deciphering this, it sounds like the dude told Kelly he was separated, but still living in the same house, which is sadly common nowadays. Kelly certainly wasn’t hiding their relationship.

Shannon asks what she could possibly gain by lying about Kelly, and Kelly says drama. Shannon says she’s opinionated and sometimes that comes with drama, but she doesn’t manufacture it. She say she hopes Kelly is proud of herself. Andy makes annoying faces during this exchange, like he’s chomping at the gossip bit.

Next time, part two, Kelly suggests replacing Heather’s nickname “fancy pants” with “bossy pants,” Briana talks about her lupus diagnosis, Vicki tells Shannon to calm down, Kelly calls Heather hideous, and Andy pounds his scepter on the ground and yells at everyone to stop it.

👠  A short word about The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Since they decided to squeeze this in on my already full Sunday night, I only jotted down a few takeaway points. Kandi has had baby Ace. He’s a real cutie and apparently a good baby. Neither Chateau Sheree nor Moore Manor is finished, although Kenya has moved in to her home. Sadly, she and Matt are having problems, and it sounds like he needs a little anger management. Kenya is also having a “soft opening” housewarming party, and next week, Porsha is showing up as an uninvited guest due to Phaedra’s plus one.

 

November 6, 2016 – Two Cursed Hearts on Once, a Not Yet Broken Daryl on Dead & Continuing Conflicts on the NJ Reunion

Standard

What I Watched Today
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)

Once Upon a Time

A breeze blows through the bedroom as Snow and David sleep. Suddenly, Snow finds herself in the middle of the forest. The Evil Queen asks if she remembers her 15th birthday. She got a pony that was just another loyal subject and she’d said it was her best day ever.. The Evil Queen says Snow’s father always made sure Snow got more than she wanted, and now the queen wants what she’s always wanted – Snow’s heart in her hand. She says since David has half of Snow’s heart, she wants that too.

Snow says there’s a protection spell on both of them. The Evil Queen says they’ll hand their hearts over willingly. She shows Snow something terrible in a bottle. She tells Snow that they have twelve hours to figure it out or the whole town will get a taste of it. The Evil Queen disappears, poof! in a puff of purple smoke, and Snow examines the bottle.

The Evil Queen tells Zelena she’s finally getting her revenge on Snow, and David will be thrown into the bargain too. Zelena asks if Rumpel is helping her. The Evil Queen says they’re old friends.

Back in the day, Snow sells a piece of jewelry because she needs the cash…er, coppers. David looks for his mother’s lost lamb (is his mom’s name Mary?), but can’t find it. She says the way things are going, they’re going to have to admit defeat and sell the farm. David goes off to find a buyer for the farm. He’s going to the same port town that Snow is.

In the forest, Snow tears down a wanted poster with her face on it, and the Blue Fairy warns her to get out of the way. They nearly get creamed by an ax. Snow says it’s the Woodcutter, who is als oa bounty hunter. Snow says the forst is no place for her. She’s sold everything and has just enough to get away from The Evil Queen. She’s heading to the nearest port town.

In Storybrooke, Snow explains the bottle of trouble to the others. Emma’s hand shakes. She tells them that the Oracle said things could change as they went along, but the only certainty is her death. Regina tests what’s in the bottle on a tree. It goes all weird, loses it’s leaves and gets bigger. She says it’s water from the River of Lost Souls, and it proves that the Evil Queen is working with Gold. She says if Snow and David don’t give the queen their hearts, she’ll destroy the whole town. Snow wonders if this is the path to Emma’s death. David tells her not to give up. She says she’ll never do that, but the Evil Queen might have finally gotten them.

David’s dog, Wilby, brings him a cup. Wilby leads him to a tiny carriage. A traveling merchant comes out and says David has his cup. He says he was sleeping there so no one would find him. It turns out they’re going the same way, so the merchant offers David a ride. He’s not really a merchant though.

The Blue Fairy tells Snow that everyone loves her, and that love is the most powerful thing of all. Snow says love doesn’t hold its value and she can’t afford to invest in it. She says what can change her life is a ticket out. The Blue Fairy tells her to be careful, and that danger can seem harmless at first.

Fast forward, and Belle wishes she could help, but she’s looked through all her books at can’t find anything to counteract the water. The Blue Fairy, known as Mother Superior in Storybrooke, joins them and says she has nothing either. She thinks there might be some magic to imprison the Evil Queen in a sapling inspired by true love. She believes it’s lost somewhere in Storybrooke. She tells them that there’s a beckoning spell, but it won’t be invisible to Gold and the Evil Queen, so it will be a race. Regina says there might be more between the queen and Gold than just business. Regina says she’d always had chemistry with Rumpel and they can use it to their advantage.

Zelena gets a note from the Evil Queen to meet her at Gold’s shop. Regina peeks out from around the corner and watches Zelena enter. Zelena sees Gold in the back of the shop making out with the Evil Queen. The Evil Queen tells Gold that they should take it somewhere more comfortable, and Zelena says, yeah, like a bed of lies, and walks out.

The Evil Queen blocks Zelena’s path. She says she didn’t say anything because she knew Zelena would be jealous – the proof being in her green neck. Zelena says she’s tired of the lies. Gold sees the note, and the Evil Queen realizes that Regina wrote it. Gold says they’re being played.

Mother Superior makes a rainbow that shows them the way to the sapling.

Way back when, David and the merchant walk through the forest. David feels woozy after drinking some water, and the merchant tells him he shouldn’t take drinks from strangers. David passes out. Snow comes through the forest and hears something in the shrubs. Wilby comes running out and then she sees the Woodcutter’s ax. The Woodcutter tells her that the dog is good at finding strays, and Snow spits in his face. He says he’s not going to kill her, he’s just taking her the the queen for the reward, and the queen will kill her.

In the present, Snow tells David it’s good to be on an adventure with him again. Regina finds a trap door near a path in the forest. She opens it, asks if they’re ready, and the three of them disappear, poof! in a cloud of purple smoke.

Hook tells Emma that her parents will be fine. They’ll find that baby tree thing and fix it. He reads from Henry’s book. It says David and Snow always found each other, no matter what the Evil Queen did, and even when they couldn’t, Emma made sure they did. Hook says they were born of her love and she can overcome anything. He tells her to remember who she is – the product of true love.

Wilby licks David’s face (true love’s kiss? ha-ha!) and he wakes up. David runs to the carriage. Snow is trapped inside. She tells David that the Woodcutter will be back any second and he needs to go. David starts banging at the lock.

Back to the future, Snow, David and Regina find the sapling. Snow and David uproot it and flash back to all of their adventures. Regina hurries them along, but the Evil Queen arrives. She steals the sapling and Snow says it won’t work for her. She breaks it in half and it turns to dust. She tells them to hand their hearts over, but David says they still have time. The Evil Queen says she’ll see them at the cemetery soon enough – it’s a good place for endings.

Back home, Snow tells David that they can’t let the town die. He wishes they could have saved the sapling. They talk about a shared memory where each thinks the other wasn’t there.

In the Enchanted Forest, the Woodcutter finds David trying to break the lock. They fight. Snow grabs the Woodcutter’s arm through a hole in the door and they’re able to kill him. David wants to free Snow, but she says she’s made some enemies. If he sees her face, he’ll have a target on his back. He says he’ll leave, and she can free herself. He asks what she’s doing alone out in the woods. She tells him that she’s trying to survive and not doing a good job of it. He thinks she’s resourceful, and tells her about having to sell the farm. She says she has money and wants to give it to him. He tells her that she needs it herself, but she says maybe she is resourceful, and makes plans to rob a corrupt nobleman. She tells David that knowing he believes in her makes her not alone. She gives him the money, and a little glowing thing happens. The sapling is born.

The Evil Queen tells the townspeople she’s glad they accepted her invitation. If Snow doesn’t show up in five minutes, she’s going to give them some water from the River of Lost souls. Zelena makes a snide remark to Belle about Rumpel making a deal with the queen.

Snow and David arrive. The Evil Queen says she knew they’d show up, even without the sapling. Snow says they know their love is more powerful than anything she has. They’re willing to make the sacrifice. Snow says their paths always go back to each other, and then to Emma. David has Regina remove the protection spell.

Snow and David stand before the Evil Queen holding hands. She’s all happy. She takes their hearts out and the townspeople let out a collective gasp. The Evil Queen says she’s dreamt of this moment forever. She wants to give Snow her pain. the pain of being alone. Since she couldn’t kill her, she’s come up with something more cruel. S returns their hearts. Snow falls to the ground, and disappears, poof! in a cloud of purple smoke. The Evil Queen tells David that since he always finds Snow, start looking and see what happens when he does.

Belle visits Gold’s shop. She tells him that Zelena told her about him and the Evil Queen. She says she doesn’t care what he does and who he does it with, but she does care about the shears. She says Gold intends to use him on their son, but he doesn’t get to tamper with their son’s life just to keep him from hating his father. She says she knows he’s better than that, and he does feel love and could be a good man. If he wants his son’s love, don’t take it, be worthy of it. Gold asks what if he fails. Belle says that’s him all over – fear of failing, which is worse than being evil; he’s too weak to be good. She leaves, and Gold is mighty pissed at Zelena.

David drives to the woods to look for Snow. Emma follows in the VW. David finds Snow in a case made of branches. He removes the top. Regina has come along, and says she doesn’t think it will work this time. David kisses Snow and she wakes up. They remember the first time this happened, and David falls over.

Regina says that the queen put a sleeping curse on Snow’s heart, so they share the curse. When one is awake the other will be asleep. Snow says they’ll never be together. Yeah, but they’ll never argue either.

Next time, Snow tries to break the curse, and Regina thinks they can trap the Evil Queen  behind the mirror, but she and Emma get trapped instead.

The Walking Dead

I would love watching King Ezekiel every week, but it doesn’t look like that’s the deal tonight.

Dwight is watching Who’s the Boss reruns, while he does shots with his girl, Sherry. Alrighty then. Dwight carves chess pieces. Bread is baked. Bartering is done. Negan kicks someone’s ass. Dwight writes down the number 39. He seems to have contraband pickles and condiments. Somehow, a chicken sandwich is born.

Dwight eats while watching some guys play weird games with the zombies. One zombie is stuck to a flagpole and just keeps sliding up and down. I guess the chicken has run out because Dwight makes a dog food sandwich. Oh wait. That’s for Daryl. Well, at least it’s probably loaded with nutrition. Daryl is also naked and I get a little distracted.

Alone in a small, dark cell, Daryl hears a way-too-loud song and I turn down the TV. Dwight brings another sandwich. He watches as Daryl eats. Daryl starts to sleep and the song starts up again. Dwight pops in with a sandwich. How many does he get a day? Daryl is all shaky and weird. Dwight brings in his crossbow and drags Daryl out.

Dammit! They gave Daryl clothes. They look like scrubs with an anarchy symbol on the shirt. Dwight take Daryl into a building to a Dr. Carson. Well, maybe he’s not a doctor, but he’s playing one. Sherry is there and recognizes Daryl, but Dwight says not to talk to him. Sherry tells Dwight it’s negative, and he says maybe next time. She tells Daryl to just do whatever they say.

The doctor checks Daryl out. He says Daryl will get better, and Negan will take care of him. Dwight smirks. Negan sees them in the hall. He wants to talk to Dwight. Daryl sits in the hallway until Dwight drags him out again.

Daryl watches the reindeer zombie games. Dwight tells Daryl that’s him unless he’s smart. He can be like them, or Dwight, or the zombies. He tells Daryl to make it easy on himself, and throws him back in the dark. He tells Daryl that he was rebellious at first too. The song plays again and I start laughing this time. It’s something called Easy Street and it’s very peppy.

Negan tells Dwight that Daryl is going apesh*t and some people are harder to break than others. Negan says since Dwight is doing a great job, pick who he wants as long as she says yes. (Well that’s good of him.) Dwight says he’ll pass and Negan is shocked. Dwight says he hasn’t earned it yet. A voice comes over the radio, saying they have an orange situation. A thief named Gordon has gotten away, and Dwight responds that he’ll meet them at the gate. Negan says he doesn’t have to do grunt work, but Dwight says he likes it. Dwight is so up to something, I wonder how Negan doesn’t see it.

They need to stop the torture, because I start laughing every time I hear that song now. Dwight is off on Daryl’s bike, so some other dude brings his sandwich. Along with another play of the song. OMG – stop it – hahahahahaha! I can’t take it anymore. It reminds me of the time a friend of mine put a token into a jukebox by accident. For whatever reason, it played the opposite side of the song we wanted and it wouldn’t stop. We would be talking, and every time the song would end, we’d wait…and then it would play again and we’d laugh hysterically. Finally, someone went over to the jukebox and kicked it a good one, and it moved on.

While I’m cracking up, Daryl manages to sneak out. I guess he stuck something over the door lock. Cool! Dwight comes across zombies with limbs cracking off as they try to crawl. Dwight pushes the bike along railroad tracks and past an accident. He takes it all in, and almost gets crowned by a zombie falling from the bridge above, then ends up nearly getting bitten by another one.

Back at Neganville or whatever it’s called, Daryl is confronted by Sherry. She tells him that he won’t get away, and when you’re bad, Negan will be worse. Daryl goes to the outside door and sees a line of bikes. He makes a run for them. Uh-oh. Caught. Surrounded. And here comes the man of the hour with his baseball bat. He asks if Daryl is pissing his pants yet. No, but I’m going to from laughing if he puts that song back on again.

No surprise, Negan is all smiley. He asks each man who they are and they all say Negan. He tells Daryl that he’s everywhere, and it was his last shot at realizing that fundamental truth. It sucks, because his life was about to get easier. He doesn’t think that Daryl gets it. Daryl has three choices: you work for Negan as a dead man; work for him and wish you were dead;or work for him, get a brand new pair of shoes, and live like a king. There’s no door number four; it’s the only way.

Negan almost hits Daryl with the bat, but Daryl puts his hand up to block it. Negan says he loves how Daryl doesn’t scare easy, but it pisses Lucille off; she finds it disrespectful. Lucky for him, she isn’t feeling thirsty today, but Negan is definitely getting a drink. He walks off whistling as the guys beat the crap out of Daryl.

Dwight continues on with a flat. He sees a zombie in the distance attacking someone. It’s Gordon. Dwight drops the bike, dispatches the zombie, and whacks Gordon.

Someone says Daryl’s name, It’s Sherry. She says, in the woods after they took his stuff, she said she was sorry. He’d told her she was going to be, and now she is.

Dwight asks Gordon if it was worth it. Gordon says just let him go, and Dwight says he can’t. Gordon asks why, since they used to be friendly, and Dwight keeps telling him to shut up.It’s revealed that Sherry was Dwight’s wife, although Dwight says not anymore. He tells Gordon to keep walking, that there’s nowhere to go anymore – everything is Negan’s or will be. Gordon says it’s okay if Dwight shoots him; he wants him to. Gordon says he can’t go back. Dwight says it’s the only way. Gordon says that’s what Negan wants them to believe. There’s only one of him, so why are they giving up?  Dwight says they were losing. Gordon says when they got there, they thought it would be okay and they could fight the monsters . He drops to his knees and Dwight tells him to get up, and that he’ll dig up Gordon’s dead wife and feed her to the crows if he doesn’t. Gordon says that Dwight won, but there’s nothing left. Gordon gets up and they start to walk again. Dwight shoots him in the back.

Sherry is having a smoke in the stairwell. Dwight asks her for a cigarette. Where are they getting those? Are they growing tobacco? He asks if Negan is good to her, and she says yes. She asks if Dwight is happy, and he says yes, but doesn’t sound like it. He says he did the right thing, and it’s better than being dead. Better than being a zombie maybe.

Oh no here it comes again. ♫ Easy street…da-da-da-da ♫ Daryl gets his sandwich. Dwight tells Daryl that he got his friend killed and he got Tina killed, so don’t pretend he doesn’t know the score. He should be dead, but Negan took a shine to him, and he shouldn’t forget he’s lucky. Dwight sticks a picture on the wall. and says don’t forget. Daryl swipes it down but then looks at it. It’s kind of dark and I can’t really see it, but I think it’s Glenn’s smashed in head.

Thank God. They finally play something different. Roy Orbison‘s Crying. Both Daryl and Dwight lsiten on opposite sides of the door. Daryl weeps. Dwight leaves before he starts.

Dwight brings Daryl to Negan. Negan tells Daryl he looks awful and they’ll have Carson fix him up. He says Dwight hustles and he likes hustle, but things weren’t always cool between them. He says Dwight’s sis fell behind on points because she needed lots of medication. Negan had wanted to marry her and take care of her because he’s a stand-up guy, but while he was thinking about it, Dwight stole the meds and took off with the girls. He couldn’t let something like that stand; there are rules. It cost him a lot going after Dwight, and he still got away, but he saw the light and came back to ask forgiveness. Negan was okay with it, but Lucille is a stickler for the rules. Dwight begged him not to kill Sherry, so he was just going to kill Dwight, but Sherry said she’d marry him instead. It was a start, but not enough, so Dwight got the iron, and then Negan married Sherry. After all that, Dwight still got on board. Negan says he’s a top guy, and they’re totally cool. He tells Daryl that he’s ready to be that guy.

All Daryl has to do is answer a simple question. Who are you? Daryl is quiet, and Negan asks if he’s overwhelmed by the awesomeness? Negan asks him again, while brandishing Lucille, who are you? Daryl answers, “Daryl.”

Negan smiles and tells Dwight that it’s cool. Daryl made his choice; it’s not his problem if it’s a dumbass choice. Daryl is thrown back into his cell, and Dwight says he’s going to wind up in that room or hanging on the fence. Daryl says he gets it. He understands why Dwight took it; he was thinking about someone else, which is why Daryl can’t.

Dwight ponders things outside, while watching the zombie Olympics or whatever that is going on. I almost feel sorry for him. He sees Gordon as a zombie, and it looks like Gordon recognizes him.

Next time, Rick sees Negan again, Michonne is ready to fight, and Rick tells the group that he’s not in charge anymore.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey – Reunion Part One

Beautiful dresses and Teresa looks stunning in a black strapless number. Andy asks about Joe #1, and Teresa says he’s working on his GED and wants to go to college when he gets back. Andy talks about the last reunion she attended, and he wondered at the time if she would be back. She says she’s surprised Jacqueline is there, and Jacqueline says she loves confrontation. As evidenced by her running away from every single one

Jacqueline talks about getting along with Dolores and Siggy. Siggy says she loves everyone. They talk about Dolores’s growth and how she became an independent woman this year. We flash back on how heavily she was counting on Frank, the best ex-husband in the universe. A viewer asks if Frank wasn’t in a relationship, if they’d get back together, but it’s a no. They talk about her son Frankie being hot, and her new management of the gym. They discuss Dina, and who she’s friends with now. Dolores talks about being friends with Caroline, and how it might have contributed to her and Dina no longer being close.

We flash back to the ups and downs with Jacqueline and Teresa this season. How do I detest Jacqueline? Let me count the ways. Andy asks if Jacqueline thinks Teresa has changed, and Jacqueline gives a vague “in some ways” answer. Siggy says Jacqueline’s intentions are good, but her delivery is horrible, and that Teresa is the opposite with no filter. They talk about Jacqueline calling Joe #2 and dragging him into things between her and Teresa. Andy asks if Jacqueline thought Melissa was threatened by the friendship? It doesn’t take long before the three of them are all talking at once. We flash back to Jacqueline’s criticism of Teresa buying a car after she got out of prison. Teresa says they paid back their restitution, and leasing a Lexus isn’t that much, which I’m sure is a matter of perspective. The bottom line for me is that unless someone is paying my bills, they have no business talking about my financial decisions.

Commercial break with important information. Below Deck is on Wednesday this week.

Apparently, Teresa had tweeted that she would like Danielle Staub back on the show. She thinks Danielle would be a great enemy for Jacqueline. Danielle had asked on Facebook if Teresa understands now how it felt to be called names in front of her children. We’re treated to a flash back of Teresa calling Danielle a “prostitution whore,” and flipping the table.

They talk about Siggy and Dolores’s friendship. They’ve known each other the least amount of time, but seem closest. We flash back to a bunch of Siggy stuff. Siggy talks about her family’s move to Israel when she was in high school, and how she came back to America for her senior year.

Jacqueline’s family life is discussed – Ashlee’s engagement, Nicholas’s breakthroughs, and Jacqueline becoming a “glamma.” Jacqueline talks about her new grandson. Teresa and Melissa are whispering and Andy breaks it up. Teresa says Jacqueline talks all about family, and then allows her daughter to say nasty things on Twitter. We see a tweet from Ashlee about Teresa, calling her an ape. Huh? Teresa tells Jacqueline that her daughter needs to learn respect. Jacqueline tries to drag Gia into it, and Teresa tells her to compare what Ashlee puts online to what Gia does. Ashlee has been crazy rude over the years, and I’d hazard a guess that Gia is a nun in comparison.

Joe #2 joins the ladies. Andy talks about what great mothers all the women are, and we flash back to various scenes with the various kids. It’s amazing that most of these kids turned out halfway normal. Andy asks if Teresa gets Jacqueline’s position better after being with Nicholas, and Teresa says she realizes it’s difficult. They talk about Milania, who can be a real loudmouth, but also very sweet. Jacqueline gives her props for how wonderful she is with Nicholas.

We go back in time, watching how Melissa developed her business and the conflicts she had with Joe #2. Andy talks about Joe’s crumb comment being sexist, and Joe says he was raised a certain way. He talks about Melissa giving him sloppy Joes from the can when they were first married. Melissa says that he’s definitely evolved. A fan points out that Melissa had been arrested for shoplifting twenty years ago (when she was a teenager? really? someone’s bringing this up?), and she talks about going through a rebellious period. Derek has quit Envy, but Melissa says it had nothing to do with him selling stories. They talk about Kim D and who told who not to shop where or go to whose events.

Jacqueline acts like Kim D isn’t that bad, but we flash back to her gossiping about Teresa right to Jacqueline. A viewer asks about Teresa not liking that Jacqueline asked her about tabloid rumors, but it not bothering Teresa when Siggy did. Teresa says she didn’t know Siggy. Andy doesn’t get it, but I do. What she saying is that Jacqueline should have known better than asking if something was true, but Siggy wouldn’t have known that, so it was an innocent question when she asked.

Andy says it’s nice to see Teresa and Melissa getting along, and they agree. We flash back to Teresa coming home. It’s such a beautiful, human moment, not matter how you might feel about these two, they’re still people and they’re still a family who love each other. We flash back to Joe #1 leaving. Teresa talks about being away from her daughters. Andy asks them about visiting Joe #1 and Melissa says she most likely won’t. She talks to him on the phone and he has a huge family who all want to see him. We learn that Joe #2 lost his virginity at the age of nine and Teresa walked in on it. Thank you for that visual.

Because Teresa and Melissa are getting along so well, Jacqueline brings up the sprinkle cookies from ten Christmases ago. We flash back to the history of discord between them. Melissa asks why Jacqueline likes to examine their family problems. Jacqueline says they keep implying that she was involved in Strippergate, and Jacqueline says let’s talk about the facts. Teresa infers that it was Jacqueline who did some stripping. I’d also like to know why Jacqueline feels the need to be so involved with the interpersonal relationships of people she’s not related to.

After Teresa insisting that Jacqueline is the one who was once a stripper and Jacqueline saying she wasn’t, we flash back to when that club guy claimed Melissa worked for him (she was a bartender). Now that they’ve jogged my memory, Jacqueline stirred the pot during that whole thing. Melissa tells Jacqueline her hands aren’t clean. Teresa says Jacqueline and Kim D have been tight since day one. Jacqueline says they play dirty and does Melissa think she’d really do that to her? Melissa says she’s not in denial about Teresa, but Jacqueline didn’t show up to the reunion, running away from any responsibility. Melissa says she thinks Jacqueline felt guilty and didn’t want to face her. She says the number one person who caused it was Kim D, but Jacqueline likes situations to happen to other people, taking the attention off of herself. Andy says Joe #2 is the real stripper and Joe wants to know what’s wrong with strippers.

Jacqueline talks about who was going to be at the reunion and how it was toxic, so she avoided it. Teresa says Jacqueline has done numerous things to hurt her and her family. She says that Jacqueline is the one who gave the tabloids a story about Joe #1 cheating. It’s interesting – we flash back to see Jacqueline asking Teresa leading questions and Teresa basically saying she’d kill Joe if she caught him cheating. Jacqueline tells Teresa she’s crazy. Teresa says she’d never put up with it and Joe #2 backs her up. Teresa says Jacqueline’s first husband cheated on her, and somehow it gets to Dolores not having liked Jacqueline for a long time prior to this season, which Dolores denies.

Teresa says Jacqueline is a liar, and Jacqueline says that Teresa went to jail for lying. Teresa says she pled guilty, but Jacqueline set her up. Teresa says Jacqueline and Caroline were behind everything, even calling the government. Siggy says Jacqueline truly loved Teresa at one time. Jacqueline is aghast, but Teresa says she’s glad she got it off her chest and believes it in her gut. Jacqueline says no wonder Teresa is so angry at her.

Next time, extra housewife Chris wants Teresa, Joe #2, or both to take responsibility; Melissa tells Jacqueline she has crazy eyes; Siggy tries to be peacemaker – no doubt unsuccessfully; and Dolores says to light a candle, because that thing is dead. She could be referring to quite a few things here.

November 2, 2016 – GH Reopens, Little LA Goes Land Sailing & a Little on Little Dallas

Standard

What I Watched Today
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)

General Hospital

Franco tells Elizabeth he’s thrilled that GH is reopening. Elizabeth tells him to thank his mother again. Time to get back to work.

Monica makes a speech next to Steve Hardy’s portrait. She wants everyone to reflect on what’s happened and celebrate the hospital’s victory. She thanks everyone for their patience and stubborn determination. She wants to point out someone without whose help they couldn’t have done it – Tracy. Franco is just a tad disappointed.

Curtis is sitting at the bar. Valerie comes in and asks him what he’s doing there.

Jason calls to check on Sonny. He’s made it through another night. Sam wakes up and asks if the baby is going to be okay.

Griff says Charlotte is getting along great with Emma, and it’s distracting her from asking where her mom is. Anna says Emma has always wanted a younger sibling. She thinks it’s safer for them to stay with her until they find out what kind of threat Valentin poses.

Alexis comes downstairs wondering what happened. Pillows and bottles and glasses are everywhere. She sees the liquor box and says that happened. She adds that Valentin also happened, like she needed another reason to drink. She starts cleaning up and the doorbell rings. She thinks it’s the cleaning lady, but it’s Valentin.

Curtis says he’s there to see Valerie because she always comes there after spin class for her green drink. She asks what he’s working on, and he tells her cheating spouse stuff. She agrees they both have job things they can’t share. She’s glad he’s not working for Julian anymore though.

Jason tells Sam that she and the baby are fine. He calls what happened something I don’t catch, but it’s nothing serious. He says she’s not allowed to do anything strenuous, but everything else is back to normal. She says what’s normal for other people isn’t normal for them, and he says they’re working on the new normal.

Franco is like, what? Tracy says they’ve gotten a victory, but still have to win the battle to stay open and solid. There are still board members who want to sell, and they have to convince them otherwise by doing their best work. Elizabeth tells Franco that he’s the real person responsible. Hayden overhears and says she has it backward. Franco’s nutjob mother is the reason GH closed in the first place. Elizabeth says Franco had nothing to do with the crimes, and he works here, unlike Hayden. Hayden tells her she’s the hospitals new financial manager.

Dante comes by Anna’s place and tells them that the house is being guarded. Griff thanks them for everything and goes to work. Anna tells Dante that she’s sorry about Morgan. He says if they’d nailed Julian for killing Duke, Morgan would be alive. He feels like a failure as a cop and a brother. Anna says it’s not his fault that so much went wrong with the case, and if he needs anything to let her know. She asks him to tell her everything he knows about Valentin.

Valentin apologizes to Alexis for his unannounced visit. She threatens to call the police. He says whether she likes it or not, they’re family, and he wants to offer her a job.

Griff and Finn welcome each other back. Griff says Finn looks a lot better. Tracy says Dr. Finn made her aware of his issues, and it’s a private matter that won’t affect the patients. Griff moves on, and Finn tells Tracy not to stick her neck out for him. When his drug supply runs out, he’ll be sick again. She says by then he’ll find a cure. He asks about her unusual optimism. She says it’s funny how that happens when you have something to live for, and then looks at Hayden.

Hayden tells Elizabeth that she learned a lot from her father. No surprise, Elizabeth makes a snide comment. Hayden says the hospital was hemmoraging money, and she needs to figure out how to keep it open. She says she hopes they don’t have to cut the nursing staff. Touche.

Curtis tells Valerie she still looks incredibly sexy after a workout. She says more like sweaty, and usually gets her shakes to go. He takes a selfie with her and she threatens him with his life if he puts it on social media. He goes to get himself a coffee and Valerie her green stuff. Valerie deletes the picture, and the next one is a shot from Morgan’s case file. Seriously though, how dare she mess with his phone?

Sam tells Jason she thought they were waiting to move, but Jason says he’s close to an answer that will wrap things up. Sam asks about Alexis and he tells her that he’s left messages, but she hasn’t gotten back to him. Sam thinks that’s odd.

Valentin wants to hire Alexis as a consultant. Even if Nicholas is alive, he’s the legitimate owner of the Cassadine assets. Alexis says Valentin killed Nicholas and she isn’t amused by his charm. I am.  She says she’s a Cassadine, remember? He tells her they’re more alike than she cares to admit, and he knows she committed multiple ethics violations. He says they’re both the bastard children of Mikkos. Helena could put Medea to shame, and they never got what was rightfully theirs. Helena even tracked down Alexis’s mother and murdered her. He calls Alexis “Natasha,” and tells her that they deserve to inherit everything. Now I want to call him “Boris,” and have a cartoon in my head of them dressed up and holding one of those round, black bombs.

Finn acts ignorant, and Tracy asks if denial is his best defense. She says she sees the looks between them, although she doesn’t know what he sees in Hayden. He says there’s nothing between them and never will be. Tracy apologizes for suggesting differently. Finn thinks it’s ironic that Tracy hired Hayden for GH and not ELQ. Tracy says she thought he’d want her to be close by, but maybe her radar was off.

Valerie asks Curtis for an explanation. She says he’s been lying to her and never stopped working for Julian.

Obrecht asks Franco why he’s not working, and he says no patients yet. He wonders why she’s so chipper, and says he thought schadenfreude was her favorite emotion. She says she almost has a sense of…what’s the word? He says, empathy? but she’s like, hell no. He says he single-handedly saved the hospital, but he’s pretty much the pariah of upstate New York. He wants to know how he can get past that, and Obrecht tells him the biggest obstacle in his relationship with Elizabeth is himself.

Elizabeth tells Griff that she and Robin are good friends, and asks about him staying with Anna. He says they’re going above and beyond for him, but say he’s family. Elizabeth talks about how he contributed when her house blew up and he didn’t even know her.

Anna brings out coffee and tells Dante about being the WSB agent on the case. She says if he has info on Valentin, she’d appreciate hearing it. Dante tells her that Valentin is the bastard son of Mikkos, and explains what happened on the island. Anna says if he did kidnap Claudette, she doesn’t have a clue where he’d take her. Dante says he does recall one thing.

Alexis tells Valentin no thanks. She has no stake or interest in the estate. Their father was an unrepentant misogynist and women inherited nothing. Valentin says all she has to do is prove his share is legal. She says what if research shows Spencer owns it? He says if she makes a good faith effort and he’s not the heir, he’ll leave and never bother them again. I hope after paying her.

Sam and Jason enter. Jason immediately gets in Valentin’s face.

Finn congratulates Hayden on her new job. She can’t believe Tracy pushed the board to hire her. She says because Tracy thinks Finn walks on water, she got the job. Finn says it was her own talent that got her hired, and it’s good to have her on board. She says she owes him an aplogy.

Curtis says he never meant to deceive Valerie. He meant what he said. Valerie says he took advantage of her to access a file. He reminds her that she left it on the desk. She asks if he saw dollar signs or wanted to impress Julian? He says it was an accident; it fell and opened up, and he thought there was no harm in snapping a few pictures. She says it was rookie mistake, but he didn’t have the decency to look away. She could have lost her job if Jordan walked in. She says he’s everything Jordan warned her about.

Valentin tells Jason that he’s family. Alexis says it’s not worth it. Valentin tells Alexis to think about the offer. He gives her his card. Before he leaves, he says he’s sorry about the wine delivery. He didn’t know she wasn’t drinking anymore. OMG – he is so smooth! You just know she has to be at least a little grateful for that save.

Anna tells Dante that Valentin must have enough money for bribes or has the ear of enough powerful people to make things happen. She hasn’t gotten anywhere with questioning anyone.

Griff apologizes to Elizabeth for the weirdness with Franco. She says Franco is just being Franco and is a little territorial.

Obrecht tells Franco he’s concealing his true self and bottling his emotions. Franco says he really likes Elizabeth. Obrecht asks him how long before the ticking time bomb in his head explodes. It’s that one Boris is holding.

Franco says he’s trying to be a better person for Elizabeth. Obrecht says they’re all heros in their own story. Franco says he doens’t need to be a villain in everyone else’s. She tells him that there’s no becoming better, and he needs to find someone who loves him for him. Franco claims he won’t be jealous anymore. Obrecht tells him that Elizabeth is talking to Griff right now, and makes a remark about his strudel. Franco jets over to Elizabeth, putting his arm around her and saying hi.

Curtis tells Valerie that Jordan’s opinion is tainted, and he’s not the same man. She says what he just did proves otherwise and she has thinking to do. He asks her, about us? and she says there is no “us” anymore. They’re done. She has to think if she should turn him in for stealing evidence.

Alexis asks Jason if Sam and the baby are okay. He says it’s an easy to treat minor condition. Jason says he called, and Alexis tells him that her phone died. Jason leaves to check on Carly. He says if Valentin comes back, to call him. Sam asks what Valentin offered her.

Finn says Hayden doesn’t owe him an apology. Hayden says she said some harsh things, especially about his wife. She was out of line to tell him he should move on. She doesn’t know that kind of love, and had no business telling him to get over it when it’s convenient for her. Finn says if she needs a lunch buddy, he’s here. She says he misunderstood. She doesn’t want to be buddies.

Elizabeth tells Franco that they were talking about Griff’s daughter. Franco says he has a bit of a jealous streak, and it reared it’s head, but asks for a second chance. He says that he and Griff will be working together, and keeps shoving candy in his mouth as he’s talking. He steers Griff off down the hall so they can get acquainted.

Obrecht is watching all of this, and Monica tells her that an ambulance is coming in, so she might want to get to the ER. Obrecht says she thought she was banished to the records department. Monica says it’s a new era, and if she follows the rules and keeps her nose clean, things will change. Obrecht practically skips out.

Hayden tells Finn that she’s not doing that to herself. He understands and she suggests they keep it professional. They shake hands. Oh come on. Not even in the friend zone?

Tracy asks if Finn is still trying to make her believe that he doesn’t have feelings for Hayden.

On the phone, Curtis says the cops are breathing down his neck and he has to talk to someone asap. Jason comes in and says talk to him.

Sam takes the card, but Alexis wants it back. She says if she can prove that Valentin can’t lay claim to the estate, he’ll leave. Sam doesn’t believe it.

Anna approaches Valentin’s hotel room door. He comes up behind her and says he’s been expecting her.

Tomorrow, Curtis connects Sonny to the bomb, Nathan says someone has been asking questions about Charlotte, and Anna asks Valentin if they’ve met before.

Little Women: LA

Elena and Preston check out a toy train place. Elena says it seems like lately no one is having any fun. In her interview, she talks about the disaster that was the survival retreat. We flash back to the highlights of Terra and Briana still not getting along with Christy. Elena says she’s friends with all of them and wants to invite them to celebrations, but she’s worried that they’ll make everything a downer. She wants to bring them together with something that will bring back the old days and remind them of why they became friends in the first place. Preston suggests she take it outside of LA.

Todd and Christy go out to lunch. Autumn’s health issues are leveling off, but Todd is still worried about Christy’s dad. Christy says the stress has been exhausting. Todd asks if the survival retreat was about the conditions or the people, and Chisty says both. Christy thinks Terra faked apology, and for some reason, is under the misconception that Briana accepted hers.

Terra, Tonya, Elena and Briana take a self-defense class. In her interview, Tonya is concerned about Briana wanting a gun. She says she wants to prove even if you’re 3‘8“, you can be a powerhouse. The girls do pretty well, but are also laughing through the whole thing. Terra says she feels like a warrior.

Afterward they talk about the survival retreat. Terra just wants everything with Christy behind her. She doesn’t want the rest of them to have to pick between friends, and wants them to be able to share the same environment without fighting. Elena hopes she can stick to her word, and asks everyone to remember how they used to have fun. She’s bringing the girls out to the desert to do land sailing. Briana says she’ll be cordial, even though Christy’s apology was bogus. Elena is like, what is it that you want? and thinks Briana is playing hardball, but they’ll be friends again one day.

One of Tonya’s eyes is weaker than the other. She’s eventually having surgery to strengthen it, but in the meantime is getting Lasik surgery. She’s terrified and I don’t blame her. It looks scary. It’s over quickly though. Preston says this beat the dog psychic that Angelique brought in a few weeks ago. We flash back to Tonya and Preston grilling her about dating. Tonya says that Angelique’s new boyfriend is her old boyfriend, Reggie, who Preston hasn’t met. He’d previously broken it off because he didn’t have a job, and she’s concerned he doesn’t want to meet Preston because he still doesn’t have it together.

Matt and Briana discuss Maverick at lunch. He has acid reflux and the doctor has said all they can do is give him drops for gas. Briana tells Matt about the self-defense class and explains the moves they learned. She says it made her think about Christy, and Matt asks if she’s coming to Thanksgiving. Ha-ha! Briana says Elena thinks Terra has a reason not to forgive, but Briana doesn’t and is just following in Terra’s footsteps. Matt says they’re in the same boat. Briana says she knows what Terra feels. Christy wants to be miserable and she doesn’t. Matt says if people are going to hang out as friends, it would be nice if there was a time with no drama. Briana tells him about the land sailing trip. He tells her to please come home in one piece.

Terra is rehearsing for Dancing with the Stars. Tonya and Elena come to watch. Terra says Sasha keeps telling her to tuck her derriere, but it’s tough being a little person with her shape. They go through their dance and it looks great. Tonya tears up because she’s so proud of Terra’s accomplishments. She thinks Terra has a shot at winning. Terra says Sasha looks past her being a little person, but at the same time, acknowledges it, and she loves that.

Terra tells the girls that this is hard on her body. She also thinks the other people don’t look at her like competition. She feels like they’re dismissing her. She hates that, and doesn’t want Sasha to feel like they’re not real competitors. She says she didn’t feel like the underdog until she heard other people talking about everyone else except her. She says they all think she can’t do it. In her interview, she says you get this all the time as a little person. She wants to show the world they can do anything. Tonya says she can’t let the others bring her down. Elena says she’s sacrificed a lot to be on the show, and Terra says it’s hard never being home. In her interview, Elena says Terra has the weight of all the little people on her shoulders and doesn’t want her to focus on that. Terra asks them to come to the first show.

Angelique has agreed to bring Reggie home to meet her father. Tonya says if she thinks they’re going easy on her, he’s getting the same treatment she got when Kerwin moved in. Angelique and Reggie arrive. Kerwin asks if they’re having sex. Tonya says if they are, are they using protection, and moves immediately to what their future plans are. Not too overwhelming and awkward. Reggie says marriage is ultimately the goal. He says Kerwin called him “son,” but Kerwin explains that was because of the age difference, not indicating his place in the family. They joke around and things go well. Tonya makes a toast to the future.

Jasmine says the best thing about being a little person is that she can actually play on the playground while the other moms have to watch. It’s one of those indoor things where you can only weigh so much. She meets Briana, and tells her what the other girls said at the class. Jasmine says she was disappointed in Briana and Terra for not being able to put their differences aside; it was like high school. Briana says at least she tried, but in her interview, Jasmine says she should have just stayed home. She tells Briana that Christy isn’t taken seriously, and she’s heard her say she’s sorry multiple times. Briana says she gets it and she’s moving forward. She respects how Jasmine feels, but hopes she doesn’t get hurt.

Kerwin and Tonya do some mini-golfing. She says on days like this, she falls in love with him all over again. They are pretty funny together. He tells her she did good, and likes that they’re spending time together. She talks about rebuilding her relationship with the girls, and he asks what about them. He says he misses Texas, but he’s enjoying being together. Tonya says it’s not as abd as she thought it was going to be. She says part of her wanted it and part of her was scared, but now she’s good. He suggests getting a house together, one that’s theirs. Tonya is excited to do something more permanent.

The girls meet at the land sailing place. The instructor explains how the “land yacht” works. You steer with your feet. Jasmine is a little miffed because she’s pregnant and no one seems to care. Christy acts all smiley. In her interview, she says she’s there for Briana, thinking they made amends. In her interview, Terra says she doesn’t want a relationship with Christy, but doesn’t want the girls to feel weird. She tells the girls that she doesn’t want Motocross take two, and we flash back to her biking mishap. The instructor tells them there are no brakes, and to be careful because you can flip over easily. Jasmine opts out of the sailing.

The yachts are set up. In her interview, Terra says Sasha had advised her against this venture, and she tells everyone she loves them in case she doesn’t come back. It looks awesome, but they go really fast. Terra says she doesn’t know what she was worried about because it’s easy and fun. Tonya gets stuck, but no one volunteers to help. She says that in times like this, you can count on your friends to stand in the shade and yell advice while you struggle. She finally gets going again, and then gets stuck again. Elena is having a ball.

Terra wants to talk to Christy and make sure they’re standing on neutral ground. Terra approaches Christy and says they haven’t talked in forever. Christy just stares at her. In her interview, Terra says it’s dry like the desert, and she hadn’t expected such a lack of response.

Terra says neither one of them are innocent. Christy gives her a blank stank face. She tells Christy that everyone is tired of the drama. She doesn’t want to fight anymore and hopefully they can just…she doesn’t even know what to say. In her interview, Christy says she doesn’t know what to believe. Terra says nice chat, and goes back to the group. For someone who keeps claiming they want to set things right, I dunno about Christy.

Even though she couldn’t participate, Jasmine is glad they came. She says even though they’re not all friendly, at least they’re not fighting. Tonya asks how everyone felt about the retreat, but no one is very positive. Jasmine says she thinks Terra and Briana are being childish. She wanted them to mend fences and came out with nothing. Terra suggests she’s more concerned about their relationships than they are. Good point.

Tonya says it took time to get that way and it will take time to get back. Briana agrees that it wouldn’t be real to just say everything is fine again. Terra says she looks forward to more days like this. Elena says they’re blessed to have each other and suggests they watch the sunset.

In her interview, Elena says friendship like this is worth fighting for. As the sun sets, there’s a group hug and I love yous.

This was the finale. The only interesting blurb was that Christy still doesn’t have Briana’s new phone number. I didn’t think she would.

Next time, the reunion. Duck, just not as far, and run. Plastic will be joining them.

👢 I checked out Little Women: Dallas and it looks like it has possibilities. I had abandoned the Atlanta branch of the franchise – too much twerking and fighting – but Dallas looks like it’s kinder, gentler, and more interesting. So far. Emily and Bri, otherwise known as The Cheeks (Right and Left) have moved from Atlanta back to their home state. They did seem to be the most normal of the Atlanta bunch. Sadly, Emily lost her baby at three months, but is still with her squeeze, Wooda (shoulda, coulda). The clothes are cute, and I like the cowgirl spin on things. We’ll see how it goes and if I can stick it out.

November 1, 2016 – Valentin Rocks PC, Eddie Rocks Things at the Hospital & Kyle Rocks Below Deck

Standard

What I Watched Today
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)

General Hospital

Nell is in Carly’s office. She pulls out a note from (what I assume is) her purse. Michael pops in, asking if she’s okay. She shoves the note back in the bag.

Anna and Robin ate all of the candy geared for Emma, and Anna thinks they should post her reaction on the internet. I vote yes. Robin says Port Charles is home, and Anna says she’s glad Robin is there. She wants to discuss some things face to face. The doorbell rings. It’s Griff with Charlotte. He says they need Anna’s help.

Julian meets Ava at the bar. He wonders if he’ll have to duck a swing from Carly. Ava tells him he has no idea what “he” did to them. Julian wonders what the blip she’s talking about.

At Alexis’s house, Sam asks her if what Valentin said is true. Jason joins them, and Sam tells him Valentin is in Port Charles.

Valentin comes to the Crimson office. He tells Nina he told her she’d see him again, and here he is. Love to hate Valentin.

Griff introduces Charlotte to Robin. Well, kind of. She’s sleeping on Griff’s shoulder. He deposits her upstairs. Robin asks if this is what Anna wanted to talk to her about and Anna says yes. Griff explains that Charlotte is his daughter; a daughter he just found out about two days ago. Griff tells Anna that Valentin is legally free and Dante confirmed it. Anna calls Dante to see what she can find out. Robin tells Griff that if Valentin is as dangerous as the rest of the family, he’s right to seek Anna’s help.

Ava tells Julian that Valentin is in town, and apparently the owner of Windemere. She doesn’t know how that happened, but she’s the only witness to Nicholas’s murder. Valentin is a cold-blooded killer and who is the next logical person on his list? Julian says she has nothing to worry about, and doesn’t she think if Valentin was going to kill her he would have done it before he showed up in Port Charles? He tells Ava he’ll protect her regardless.

Nina asks if Valentin isn’t supposed to be in prison. He says he’s been exonerated. He tells her that he shot Nicholas in self-defense and shot Doc by accident. He shows her the papers, and she asks what about the attempted kidnapping of Spencer, reminding him that she’s the one who turned him in. He says she’s too beautiful to hold a grudge against.

Sam explains to Jason what happened at Windemere, and how Valentin revealed himself. She says he checked into a hotel to give them a few days to adjust. Alexis says her half-brother is confident Port Charles will be his permanent address.

Nell tells Michael she’s just distracted and she’s finishing up some work for Carly who went home. Michael says he’s not there to talk to Carly; he came there to find her. He wants to thank her for looking after Avery and his dad. He also thanks her for what she told him on the bridge. She helped him see what his father is going through. He was so busy blaming him, he didn’t see that Sonny is a wreck too.

Jason doesn’t understand how Valentin ended up walking away. Alexis says there were lapses with the Greek police. Sam reminds him of how wound up Valentin was on Cassadine Island, and says that now he’s relaxed because he knows they can’t touch him. Sam suddenly doubles over.

Robin tells Griff about when she was held prisoner on Cassadine Island, but says she’s never heard of Valentin. Anna comes back. She says the good news is, Charlotte’s name hasn’t come up. Griff explains the connection between Charlotte and Valentin to Robin. Griff thinks it’s no coincidence that Valentin showed up when Claudette disappeared. Anna agrees.

Nina tells Valentin that he has a lot of nerve and asks what he wants. He assures her he’s sane, and apologizes for not being as forthcoming as he should have been when they met. He says even as he was being led off to prison, he couldn’t stop thinking about her. Nina says he must have heard Spencer was sent away and is pursuing him, but decided to stop by and see if she still buys his lines. She doesn’t. He says he has no interest in Spencer; he came back to see her.

Sam tells Jason something is wrong. Alexis says the ambulance is on its way. Jason carries Sam outside.

Ava tells Julian that she wonders if things would be different if she’d made different choices. If Nicholas had lived, she might have fallen in love with him and chosen differently about a lot of things. Julian says she seems scared, like she’s torturing herself about something in the past. She says it doesn’t matter; she can’t change it and they all have their secrets. She tells Julian that he should be worried about Sonny. Sonny almost strangled Scotty, and his hatred for Scotty is a drop in the bucket compared to his hatred for Julian. Julian says he’s not concerned.

Griff tells Robin that he has to take what Claudette said about Valentin to heart, even though she’s lied about everything else. He thinks the timing is too close to be a coincidence. Anna says she thinks Claudette believes the safest place for Charlotte is with him. Anna tells Robin that Claudette boarded a flight to Canada, but never entered the country, so is probably traveling under an assumed name. Griff wonders if Valentin thinks he can get what he wants by targeting Charlotte, and thinks that he might even have Claudette.

Valentin tells Nina that she’s very compelling. He tells her about his family, and says they weren’t exactly welcoming. She says she’s not into him at all, and doesn’t want to see him again. He tells her she’s a beautiful woman, but a terrible liar.

Jason and Alexis wait at the hospital. The doctor says there are no signs of distress to the baby or evidence of miscarriage. Alexis tells Jason to go in to see Sam and call to let her know what’s going on. She needs to get back to her wine. She doesn’t say that last part, but… Jason goes into Sam’s room and tells her that he’s sorry. She asks why.

Michael tells Nell that he needs to focus on his mom. Nell asks if that means he can’t be with Sonny too. He says Carly isn’t trying to keep him away from Sonny, but she can’t stand to be in the same room with him. He knows if Sonny had acted differently, Morgan would still be alive. (The theme for today: If things had gone differently.) Nell says she shouldn’t have given him any advice, since she has no concept of what they’re going through. Michael tells her that if she could find reasons to stop by the house, he’d appreciate it. Just showing up might make a difference. Nell says she likes Avery and his father, but doesn’t know how much good she can do. He asks to return the favor and says whatever it is, he can listen.

Griff checks on Charlotte. Anna says he’s been a father for a minute and he’s had to be all-consumed with keeping her safe. Robin wonders if he really understands what he’s dealing with.

Valentin tells Nina that he knows he’s not the only one who thinks about that night. She says that’s when he was sweet Theo. She wonders how she could be so wrong about him. She asks again what he wants. He comes there out of the blue, thinking something between them was important and meant something, when it was just a hook up. She says she’s moving on, and he says he can change her mind. She says she doesn’t want to see him, let alone sleep with him. She tells him that if he thinks he can get through this town being charming, he has a rude awakening coming.

Jason tells Sam everything is okay. He apologizes for losing his temper. Sam says with Valentin back in the picture, she feels like she’s dealing with Julian all over again. Jason says Valentin isn’t worth going after, and doesn’t care what he does, as long as it doesn’t affect them.

Alexis gets home and zeros in on the liquor delivery box. She calls Molly and leaves a message to call back. She messes around on her laptop. She leaves a message for Kristina to call her back.The box beckons. She wanders around, drinks water, goes through the mail. The box keeps calling. She finally opens it and pulls out a bottle. She pours some into one of the biggest wine glasses I’ve ever seen – although not as big as Amy Schumer’s – and takes a drink.

Julian tells Ava to trust him. She says ordinarily she’d laugh, but nothing about this is funny. He says Sonny isn’t going to make a move on him. Ava wonders if Jason has been filled in. She thinks he might be useful in dealing with Valentin. Julian asks if Alexis was there when Valentin showed up.

Alexis is in full party mode. Now she’s guzzling the wine and gets up to open another bottle.

Sam is going to be monitored through the night as a precaution. Jason says he’ll stay with her. He says all she has to do is sleep. She drifts off.

Griff brings Charlotte downstairs and asks if Anna minds if she stays on the couch, since he wants to keep an eye on her. He says until a few weeks ago, he didn’t know she existed; until a few days ago, he didn’t know he was a father; and now he just wants to protect her and give her what she needs.

Valentin asks if Nina is having a baby. She says the books on her desk are for article research. Valentin says children make for an interesting story, and looks forward to reading it

Anna says Valentin is a mercenary with powerful friends. Robin asks if Anna knows what the next step is. Anna says she knows what she has to do.

Nell tells Michael that she already feels close to the family. She sees the pain they’re in, and how huge it was to lose Morgan. Michael says it’s late and asks if she wants him to walk her out. Nell says she has work to finish up and he leaves. She takes the note back out. We don’t see the whole thing, but it’s signed, “your father.”

Ava is surprised that the bloom isn’t off the rose with Alexis, especially after everything that happened. Julian says he’s not ready to let their chance go yet. He’s concerned about Alexis, but Ava says Valentin has other fish to fry. Julian tells her that he has other concerns about Alexis.

Jason tries calling Alexis, but she doesn’t answer. He leaves a message and says he’ll be with Sam at the hospital. Alexis doesn’t answer because she’s passed out.

Griff prays, asking God to help him and strengthen Charlotte. He asks for help to be a good father and to protect her.

Anna talks to Robert on the phone about Valentin. She says this is the case she wants to work on, and wants to start officially asap.

Nina asks Valentin to leave; he’s boring her. He says he’s never boring. As he leaves, he tells her to look on page 302 if she’s interested. After he’s gone, she looks in the baby name book, seeing his name. It means strong, vigorous and healthy. It’s also associated with a fertility festival that connects it to Valentine’ Day and love. She holds the book to her chest.

Tomorrow, Obrecht gives Franco relationship advice, Tracy is optimistic, and Valentin visits Alexis.

If Loving You is Wrong

Eddie asks Pete how he’s doing. Pete can barely speak. Eddie might be ridiculous, but he’s also scarey. He smacks Pete, telling him to wake up. Eddie tells him that the hospital says he’s going to pull through. The question is, is that a good thing? Pete says it is. He tells Eddie he should leave (insert Family Feud wrong answer sound here), and Eddie says he’ll leave when he’s ready.

He says Pete has his tape. Pete pretends like he’s never even heard of the invention of video. He asks how Eddie got in and Eddie says even the FBI has to pee. He says he’ll leave when Pete answers him. He asks if he gave the captain the tape, but Pete says he can’t remember. Eddie tells him to keep acting like he doesn’t remember. Maybe it will be to his advantage, maybe not. He asks what Pete did with the copy; he knows Pete must have made one. He starts manhandling Pete, pressing on his wounds. Pete tries not to scream and Eddie says to tell him what he knows. Eddie is the worst.

Pete tells Eddie he doesn’t know. Eddie seems to accept this. Ew! His hand is all bloody. He tells Pete to get some rest. Now Pete is babbling. Eddie shoots something into one of Pete’s tubes. Ben stops the FBI guy in the hallway,and Eddie sneaks out behind him. Pete pulls the tube out. Outside the door, Ben acts like an idiot, praising the FBI guy and saying how great the organization is. Pete passes out. Why didn’t he try to press a button or something?

Andrew has found Alex’s wrecked car, but no Alex. He thinks she must have walked away. On the phone, Steven tells him to check the area and to be careful, since it’s out of his jurisdiction. Andrew asks if he should call the local sheriff. Steven says it’s already done and gets testy when Andrew asks if he should follow that up.

Andrew calls Lushion, who is still at the hospital with Natalie. Lushion tells him it’s not a good time, but Andrew says they found Alex’s car and it’s a wreck, but no Alex. He tells Lushion that Steven sent him out there and he doesn’t have a good feeling; he thinks he should go to internal affairs. Lushion keeps telling him it’s not a good time, but Andrew is starting to panic. Lushion tells Andrew that his son has been shot. He says if Andrew has a bad feeling to go back; he should trust his feelings. Andrew says he’s got this, and Lushion should go back to his family. If everything goes to the Eddie side, half the cast will be dead by the end of the episode.

Lushion calls Esperanza. He asks what’s going on, and what’s up with the kidnapping. She says she doesn’t have a lot of details and she hadn’t wanted to bother him. He wonders about Randal’s mother being guarded at the hospital. Esperanza explains that Randal’s mom said Brad did it. Lushion says that must be why Ben and Eddie are there. Esperanza tells Lushion that Ben is an idiot and Lushion should keep an eye on things. Lushion says he has his hands full, so Esperanza says she’ll call the captain. Lushion says he’ll take care of it and call a friend of his who’s an ex-cop. I just have to interject that Louise had said it was “the man next door,” which Esperanza pointed out last week. Consistency, people!

She tells Lushion there’s stuff going on at the station that doesn’t make any sense. They have to talk at some point, but not on the phone. Lushion tells her not to share anything she knows with Eddie. She realizes Lushion is confirming that Eddie is a dirty cop. Like he’s not obvious about it.

Ben is nodding out, sitting next to Louise. Eddie comes in and sees Eddie has been screwing with Louise’s morphine and taking some for himself. He tells Ben he’s going to another place, and asks if Ben is nuts, shooting up an IV drug in a hospital. Ben apologizes and Eddie tells him to stay out of his way. He looks at Louise and says, so this is the thing that gave the world Randal. He smacks her face. He wants to find out what she knows about Brad. Eddie says it’s sad, and Eddie makes fun of him, calling him a junkie. He says he’s tired of hearing his sappy ass. He tells Ben when Louise wakes up to get him. Ben says the captain told him to call Steven and he’ll get in trouble. Eddie tells him to understand the world he lives in and he’s trouble.

Ben says he wouldn’t need the medicine if Eddie hadn’t shot his hand off. Eddie asks what’s wrong with him. While they’re arguing, the nurse comes in and says she was looking for Ben. Ben says he had to use the bathroom, and she says it’s down the hall. She has Marcie with her and asks if she’s on the approved visitor list. Eddie says yes, and he’ll stay while she’s there.

Eddie tells Marcie he’s sorry about Randal. She says tell someone who cares. He says he didn’t want him see killed, and she asks if he’s dead. Eddie says that’s the status; they’re looking for a dead body. He says she must be glad, since they made her a laughing stock. She says it’s not a happy situation and he calls her a weak ass bitch. She slaps him and I laugh. Then Eddie laughs, and it’s slap, laugh, repeat a few times. He says something inside must make her happy that Randal got what’s coming to him.

He suggests she stick with Brad and that Brad really likes her. Then he switches gears and says that maybe they cooked this up together. He says this puts a new spin on things, and because he’s an officer of the law she has to answer all of his questions. She says she’s not afraid of him, and he can call her lawyer. She tells him to get out, and he says for now, but she’ll be seeing him and his invetstigation team soon enough. She says he’s disgusting, and he leaves.

Lousie seconds that. She tells Marcie that Alex’s parents are going to kill Randal. Marcie asks if Louise has called the police. Louise says she’s been pretending to be asleep. She says that Ben took her drugs and Eddie is talking about killing someone and slapped her three times. She tells Marcie that what’s happening is a federal offense and to call the FBI. Marcie doesn’t know how to do it. I guess she’s never heard of Google. Louise tells her to find her purse at the house and get her phone. She gives Marcie the password, telling her to look through the phonebook and call Gary Henderson, her cousin. He’ll kow what to do. She tells Marcie to help Randal. Marcie says she will, and she’ll be back.

Oh crap. Ben looks in. Louise pretends to be asleep again.

Eddie approaches Lushion. He says Lushion has a lot to worry about. Lushion says he’ll just worry about Eddie. Eddie leaves, telling Lushion to watch himself. Lushion sees Marcie and asks if she’s there to see Natalie. She says no, she’s there to see Louise. Marcie tells Lushion what Louise told her about Alex’s parents kidnapping Randal. She wants him to call the FBI. He says there are problems at the police station, but they don’t include him. He says Eddie is at the center, but he’s good guy and on her side. Marcie says she needs to get Louise’s purse and asks him to keep watch. He says it’s difficult right now and Marcie tells him about Ben stealing the morphine and how Louise is pretending to be asleep. Lushion says he’ll make sure she’s safe. They’re certainly making this call to the FBI more complicated than it needs to be.

Lushion sees Ben nodding in the chair. He asks what’s going on and if there were any visitors. At first Ben says no one, but then says Marcie. Lushion asks about officers and Ben says no. Lushion says he saw Eddie a while ago, and asks if he came by. Ben says he hasn’t seen him. Lushion says Ben seems smart, but then wants to play stupid. Ben says he didn’t see him, and Lushion smacks him. (Lots of smacking going on tonight.) Ben says okay, he stopped by. Lushion wonders how he forgot so quickly. He asks how long Ben has been on drugs. He pushes up Ben’s sleeve and sees the track marks.

He asks what Eddie was doing there, and smacks Ben again. Ben says he just wanted to know if Louise was awake. Lushion says and what else, and Ben tells him Eddie was looking for information about the kidnapping. Eddie wants a call when she wakes up. Lushion asks why he’s not calling the captain, and says the moment she opens her eyes, Ben is to call him too. He tells Ben to stop swaying before he smacks him again. Then he tells him to sit down and make sure no one goes in.

Lushion goes into Louise’s room. He says he spoke to Marcie and she doesn’t have to pretend. Louise stays asleep. He says okay, he’ll tell her about himself. He believes in upholding the law, and he’s here to help her and help find her son. He says Brad is at the station and they’re spending a lot of time that could be spent finding Randal. He says he knows it’s hard to trust, but if she can, he believes he can help find him. Still nothing. He says she doesn’t have to trust him, but don’t trust the idiot outside her door or any other officer.

She opens her eyes. He says if she feels comfortable, maybe she can tell him the last time she saw Randal and who was there. He says he’s not in a rush, but time is of the essence. He leaves his card and says call him any time. She can ask Marcie; he’s on the right side. He tells her to remember not to talk to any of the officers. He leaves and she looks at his card.

Ben asks Lushion what happened, and Lushion tells him to sit his ass down. Nobody in or out. Ben nods out again. Lushion calls Lamont. He says he needs another officer at St. Andrews for Louise. He says it’s getting crazy there.

Alex walks down a dark road. She sees a car and tries to flag it down. It’s a cop car. It’s Andrew. He tells her that he’s from Maxine, and she asks if he’s alone and if Eddie is with him. He says they have to go to the station and gets out of the car. She says her son is in danger and he’s at her parents’ house. When he asks how she knows, she says she just does. He tries to get her into the car and she tells him that she saw them take the baby. She refuses to get in the car unless he’s taking her there. He tells her that he has to call it in, to get in the front seat, and that she’s safe. Alex gets in and Andrew follows on the driver’s side.

Lushion yells at the FBI guy and tells him to find him, but I missed who. Did Pete disappear? Is he talking about Eddie? Dammit!

Marcie calls Kelly. She says Brad didn’t do it. Louise told her it was Alex’s parents. Kelly is like, thank God, but Marcie says they’re still out there. Marcie says she’s coming home and then says she doesn’t feel so good. Kelly says it’s just everything that’s going on. Marcie says Louise wants her to call the FBI. She drops to the ground and Kelly calls to her, but there’s no answer.

Rusty and company take Randal out of the box. They drag him through the woods and toward a building.

Next time, Esperanza tells Brad about Alex’s parents, Kelly tells Lushion that Marcie is in trouble, Alex calls Esperanza, and Travis threatens Kelly.

Below Deck

Captain Lee and Kate on Watch What Happens Live tonight – can’t wait!

Kate recalls how rude Nico and Lauren were the drunken night before. Ben and Emily giggle over their first date. Kyle is moody, saying that if Sierra comes to London, he’s leaving town. Kelley is pissed because he got called on the carpet.

Sierra talks to Emily about Kelley going off on her because he was jealous of Emily’s date with Ben. She’s also having to deal with Kyle, who’s feelings are hurt because she put him in the friend zone.

The captain talks to Kelley about the pizza on the floor, saying not that long ago, he had to reprimand them about a take-out sushi mess. He says if he has to address the issue one more time, they’ll be confined. Respecting the boat is a carved-in-stone rule.

Kate tells Ben about Kelley yelling at Sierra. She says he’s used to being the guy all the girls want and the best deckhand, and he’s on a spiral bender. Kelley joins them and asks if Kate wants to talk. She says too many things have happened in too short an amount of time. In his interveiw, Kelley says he’ll kiss Kate’s ass until they leave.

Ben tells Kelley he had already sent Emily flowers, and Kelley says he wouldn’t have gotten involved had he known that. Ben says sorry and it’s all cool.

Emily calls her family. She tells her dad about going on the date with Ben and he calls her a naughty girl and uses the pet name “rabbit.” They sound cute.

The captain calls Kate, Ben and Kelley to the crew mess. The primary is Rebecca, a psychic medium who contacts the dead. Kelley calls her a whacko immediately, and Kate thinks only stupid people aren’t open to the supernatural. They require a spiritual yoga session and a psychic dinner party. Other psychics will be with them and some dudes. Kate jokes around, explaining gluten to Ben.

Kelley has a powwow with Nico and Lauren about the pizza thing. He says he talked with the captain about disrespecting the boat, and they’re on their third strike. He tells them that they’ll have to be psychic themselves and be extra careful this charter. No doubt Lauren and Nico are rolling their eyes in their minds.

The crew puts on their happy faces for the guests’ arrival. Rebecca thinks there’s something familiar about the boat. OMG – it’s the guys from The People’s Couch – Scott, Emerson and Blake. When is that show back on anyway? Kate does the boat tour and Kelley discusses activities with the guests. AND THERE’S LUNCH. It’s some kind of curried lobster and I’m dying. I had vegetable soup for dinner. Everyone loves the food and Ben says they must be quasi-human.

The water toys are brought out. While the guests are doing something else, the pool starts to float away. Nico wonders why they can’t just be a functional deck crew. Captain Lee says a very expensive piece of equipment is floating into the sunset in front of the guests.

It’s time for the psychic dinner party. I always love their table settings. This one is all stars and planets and such, with faux crystal balls at each place. And Captain Lee is totally dressed up in his formal uniform. Ha-ha! They have the same salad tongs we used to use for our RHPS reenactments back in the day. Rebecca tells the captain that his mother is there, but she hasn’t passed away. This is way too funny. Rebecca gets flustered. In his interview, Captain Lee says it’s a crock. Rebecca keeps trying, saying he’s always been in love with the sea. He never even saw it until he was 35. She bats a thousand.

Scott gives his seat to Kate for a reading. Rebecca tells her that she’ll have a dog one day. What? Rebecca talks about a man being close to her. HAHAHA! Tall, dark and handsome. I didn’t know they actually said that. Ben wonders if she’s talking about him. In her interview, Kate says she is dating someone tall and dark, but they’re lesbians. This psychic is not good at her job at all.

For whatever reason, Emily thinks Rebecca is talking about Ben, and he makes sure they’re good. He tells her that he does love Kate, but not that way. It’s way windy – why didn’t the psychic predict this? – so the captain moves on. A lot of the guests get seasick. Kelley leaves to pick up the yoga instructor. She’s tiny with a Minnie Mouse voice. Some of the guests do yoga and a few opt for some food. I’m in the latter group. I would have Ben cooking the entire time.

Ben wants to know what the first meal of the day is called because he needs structure. He demands to know if it’s brunch or breakfast. Kate says the primary is sick and she’s not interrupting the yoga class. There’s a mini-argument.

The captain calls Kelley to the wheelhouse. He wants to know what happened with the pool. Kelley throws Kyle under the bus for not attaching a line. In his interview, Captain Lee says the deck crew isn’t living up to expectation.

Ben says it would be nice if someone knew when they guests were eating, incluing the guests. The captain radios them to hold it down, since he can hear them on the bridge, which means the guests can too. Emerson and Blake make jokes about mommy and daddy fighting. Ben pops his head in and says sorry. They tell him that as long as the drinks keep coming, they’re fine. Truth!

Ben apologizes to Emily for fighting with Kate, since it’s not a good look, and then apologizes to Kate. It’s dinner time. At least I think it’s called dinner. It’s filet mignon anyway. Rebecca talks about her vast experience. She thinks her mother is leaving phone messages and God is telling her she’s right. After dinner, one of the psychics sits down for a reading with Emily. Ben horns in and asks if he and Emily have a future. She’s hesitant and says she doesn’t know everything. In her interview, Lauren thinks he’s being unprofessional and Emily thinks it’s inappropriate.

Ben asks the psychic if he and Emily will work out, and the psychic says no. So he asks Emily for a date. She says okay, but in her interview says that she doesn’t like the circumstances, and feels under pressure and out of sorts. Ben says he’ll see them both in the morning, and the psychic asks him not to poison her coffee. Not too awkward. I have to mention that Emily has rainbow earrings that match her headband and I totally approve.

Sierra tells Ben it was an intense and interesting night. She wonders why Emily said she was out of sorts. When Ben explains, Sierra tells him he was stupid. He tells her to get lost, and she asks if it went well. When he says no, she repeats that it was stupid. In his interview, Ben says he thought you’re supposed to challenge psychics. I dunno about that. They never receive it well when they’re wrong. I’ve seen John Edward have a few hissy fits when challenged.

It’s time for the guests to leave. Ben apologizes to Emily again. Rebecca tells Ben there’s still some good stuff going on, and they were the best crew ever. She thanks them for being open. Afterward, Emily asks who she was looking at when she said that to Ben, and Sierra says it was Emily and that Ben really likes her.

Ben calls older brother James, and asks him to come for a visit. When he asks why, Ben says he misses him and it would be a good time.

The tips is $15,000, $1350 each. Captain Lee chastises the deck crew for not being able to get it together with the pool. Nico implies it was Kelley’s fault. The captain doesn’t care what prompted it, and tells them just don’t let it happen again. He tells them to enjoy their afternoon, but remember tomorrow is a hard work day.

Nico and Kyle make fun of Kelley. Everyone gets ready to go out.

Ben and Emily go to dinner. They’re glad to be away from the crazies. Lauren and Nico check out the full moon from the boat. Kate uses her facial cleansing brush while talking to Ro.

Ben is ticked about what the psychic said, and Emily tells him to forget about it. She says to just look at it as a shared experience. He suggests they go for a stroll. They go to a really pretty tiki-ish beach place. Emily thinks he’s a true gentleman. She gets the hiccups. He says he knows a cure, and kisses her. She says it worked.

Ben and Emily sit and talk back at the boat. In her interview, Kate says they’re on a cloud of happiness. Kyle and Kate join them, and Kyle shows them videos of himself “doing stupid stuff.” We see one of him dancing on stage and he says he came out to his dad with this song, confusing everyone.

He talks about having a trans woman girlfriend at the time. He says when he was younger, he was hanging out at bars and hooked up with a trans woman by accident, and realized it was his preference. In his interview, he says at first he thought he was bi-sexual, but it was more specific. Ben says he’s fond of Kyle and doesn’t want to pry, but has no knowledge of these things. We see pics of Kyle with his girlfriend. Ben says he’s full of surprises and Kate says she knew she liked him. I like him too, but why was he so miffed about Sierra then?

Next time, Kyle discusses his sexuality, there’s a surprise drag show, and a chewy conch.

Side note: The movie Trolls looks great, but I’m getting tired of little trolls dancing at the bottom of the screen while I’m trying to watch the show.

October 30, 2016 – Captain Nemo Finds Storybrooke, Carol Finds a King & Siggy Finds No Closure

Standard

What I Watched Today
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)

Once Upon a Time

Long ago, on the Jolly Roger, Hook yells at the crew for being slow. One of the men says they’re tired and Hook asks who dares defy him?. It’s a stowaway who says he’s no one and wants to ask him a simple question. He asks if taking revenge on the Dark One has been worth the time and effort. Hook says he’ll have to settle for him first, but suddenly sees what he thinks is a sea monster. The stowaway tells him there isn’t one, and he’s saving Hook’s life. He pushes him into the water and dives in after him.

In Storybrooke, Regina hunts down the Evil Queen for a little chat. The Queen insults her lack of entrance flair. Zelena joins them. Regina says that her masquerade as a cricket therapist didn’t work.

Snow and David are inside Zelena’s house. Snow lets Jiminy Cricket out of his cage. I’ll say it again – he’s so cute! I want one.

The Evil Queen says she’s not there just to gloat, she’s there for something else. Zelena runs inside where David and Snow are. The Evil Queen says the real fun can begin and Regina appears in between them, poof! in a puff of purple smoke. She tells the Evil Queen to bring it on.

At Granny’s, Jasmine tells Aladdin they haven’t talked about Agribah – they still need his help. He doesn’t want to hear about it and leaves the diner.

Hook joins Henry and Emma for breakfast, but Emma gets a text from Jasmine that she doesn’t know where Aladdin is. Emma and leaves to help find him. Hook tosses Henry’s Pop Tarts in the trash and says he’s going to make him a pirate’s breakfast of grapefruit and mackerel. I have to admit, it’s a lot healthier. God only knows what’s in a Pop Tart. I won’t touch them. Henry takes the trash out.

The Evil Queen is waiting outside, and asks Henry if his new father is bothering him. Henry says Hook isn’t his father, but she says he may be soon. She says she knows what it’s like to be that person, and Henry says Hook isn’t like her. She shows him a box that Hook was fooling around with, and he finds the shears. The one thing that can take away what makes Emma special. She says Hook doesn’t care about Henry or Emma, and he needs to asks himself what he’s going to do about it.She disappears, poof! in a cloud of purple smoke. Copycat.

Emma catches Aladdin breaking into a car. He says it’s his, and she says they need to talk. He says he knows Jasmine sent her.

Hook looks for Henry. He sees that the shears are gone.

Back in the day, Hook comes to on a submarine. A man with a harpoon tells Hook welcome aboard. Hook punches him out and asks where he is. He asks what magic this is, and a captain welcomes him to the Nautilus, saying to call him Nemo. Hook asks what he wants. Nemo says the ship is a second chance. Hook says he’s not staying. Nemo says he knows Hook’s heart is full of hatred and seeking revenge, and he finds people like him. The one thing missing in his life is family. Hook says no one will replace what the Dark One took. Nemo says he knows how it feels. He lost a family too, brutally murdered while he was at sea. He spent decades hunting the murderers down. When he was finished, all he was left with was an empty heart and a blood-stained harpoon.

Hook wants out, but Nemo needs his help with a mission. He tell Hook that when it’s done, he’ll see this ship is where he belongs.

Hook finds Henry at the docks and asks what he’s doing there. Henry says what his mom wanted Hook to do. Hook says he’s trying to protect Emma. They see something rise out of the water and start to run, but their path is blocked by a guy who says the captain wants to see Hook.

Henry and Hook are taken on to the Nautilus. Hook opens the window shade and it’s super cool under the water. The ship is pretty amazing too.

Snow and David meet at the hospital. Another refugee from the Land of Untold Stories has been brought in. David is going to go to the station to see if he’s been reported missing. Snow sees Belle in the waiting room. She’s getting her first ultrasound. She doesn’t want Rumpel to be a part of anything, but doesn’t know how to deal with it. Snow says she doesn’t have to deal with it for three trimesters.

Henry wonders what would happen if Hook had just gotten rid of the shears. He says he’s saving her life. Henry says her being the Savior is what brought them together, and Hook doesn’t get to make decisions since he not part of the family. Henry says they’re just going to be fish food now anyway. Hook says the captain isn’t someone he’s going to want to meet.

Way back when, Nemo and Hook are in old-fashioned diving suits with those big round helmets. Nemo tells him stay on the path. They go through a cavern. Another diver says he’d give his life for Nemo. His family was taken for him and he grew up on the docks, vowing revenge, and Nemo saved his life. Hook asks if he found those who wronged him. They guy says no, and Hook says he shouldn’t give up so easily.

They come across a huge treasure chest. Nemo says there’s more than gold and jewels in it. Hook tries to back away and a giant squid grabs him. Nemo said stay on the path, dude. The squid is awesome, all tentacles and teeth. Nemo harpoons it. Good-by giant squid! Nemo says Hook is stubborn, but he hasn’t given up on him. He’s part of the family.

Rumpel as Gold visits the Evil Queen. She says she’s driving a wedge through the Charming clan and asks if he’d care to join her. He asks if she remembers her lessons. Never take what’s his being the most important one. He says the shears are gone, and he can smell her magic all over it. The Evil Queen realizes he wants to use them on Belle so he can change the fate of his family. She tells him like everyone he’s ever loved, the shears are long gone. He tells her to be careful who she crosses; she might need an ally. She says you don’t need allies when you win, and she’s doing fine without him.

Emma drives Aladdin out to the woods. She shows him the Welcome to Storybrooke sign. She shows him the base where a car hit it. She says she hit it after Henry tried to convince her she was the Savior. She says it wasn’t the only time. Yesterday when he gave her the shears, she was worried she might use them. She imagines her family having to watch her die. She says she ran, but came back to face the people she disappointed, and tried to make up for her mistakes. He says he doesn’t know how to fix things in Argribah. She tells him finding out what happened is a good place to start.

Hook tells Henry he killed his own father. When he did it, he didn’t just take his life. He had a son, named Liam after Hook’s older brother, and he left an innocent boy an orphan.

In the past, Nemo shows Hook a key. He says all they do is sail with no place to call home. This key opens the gateway to the Mysterious Island, where you can start over. He tells Hook this is his chance. Hook says he can’t give up now. Nemo says Hook has lost people he loves and doesn’t want to open his heart, but the island is a place where he never has to lose anyone again. He asks Hook to join his crew. Hook asks where he got the key, and Nemo says it belongs to his first mate. He was a young boy when his father was murdered. He tells Hook his first mate’s name is Liam.

Fast forwarding, Henry thinks Hook is trying to make up for Liam with him. He says Hook can’t do that, but maybe he can, and shows him the shears. He says, first rule of kidnapping is they never search the kid. Hook gives Henry a diving suit. He says there’s only one helmet, so he’s not going. He says if only one of them can go back to Emma, it’s Henry. Henry dives into the water.

Back in time, Liam approaches, calling Hook “brother.” He says he’s been waiting a long time for this and produces a weapon.

Hook runs farther into the submarine. He sees Nemo who tells him that running from Liam won’t solve anything. Liam is like a son to him and gave up seeking vengeance. Liam enters, saying he was a son to someone else once too. Nemo says killing Hook won’t quench the fire inside him. Liam tells Nemo that’s easy for him to say; he got his revenge. Nemo says they were so close to finding a home. Liam says his heart is no stronger than the captain’s. Nemo gets in between Hook and Liam, and Liam stabs Nemo accidentally. Hook says Liam deserves better, and hopes he finds it. He jumps into the water.

In the present, Liam tells Hook he’s taken everything, his father and Nemo. Hook realizes the Mysterious Island is the Land of Untold Stories, and Nemo is in Storybrooke. Liam says that Hyde took Nemo, and he’s dead because of Hook. Henry returns and tells Liam to stop. While he’s distracted, Hook knocks him out. Hook says he told Henry to leave, and Henry says if he had Hook would be dead. Hook says he couldn’t see another family ruined, and Henry says neither could he.

Hook says he won’t use the shears if Henry doens’t want him to. They’ll find another way to save Emma; the decisions don’t have to come true. He puts the shears in a chest and it sinks into the water.

Aladdin approaches Jasmine. He apologizes. She says she knows he feels guilty, but there’s more he needs to know. He says he might not be the Savior anymore, but if they go back to Agribah, he might be able to help. Jasmine says she went to a neighboring kingdom seeking an alliance. She got caught in a sandstorm on the way back, and when she got there, Agribah was gone. Way to end their storyline.

Belle asks Snow about the patient that was brought in. Snow says he’s in surgery, but the doctor thinks he has a chance. Belle has two copies of the sonogram. Snow asks if she’s giving one to Gold. Belle doesn’t know if he can ever repair things. She does know the son in her dream looked at him with hatred. She wishes things could turn out differently.

The patient is Liam. Hook sits next to the bed and tells him he’s in the hospital. He’s surprised Hook didn’t kill him, but Hook says he has something to live for now. Liam realized if he killed Hook in front of Henry, he’d be creating another boy filled with hate. He wishes Nemo could see them.

Nemo is wheeled in. He was found this morning, and was the patient in surgery. He and Liam join hands and Hook goes to the waiting room. Emma is confused as to what happened. Hook says he’ll fill her in, and Henry jets. He says everything that happened was his fault. Henry was looking to right a wrong. He didn’t dispose of the shears, thinking it might help save her even if she hated him for it. He says Henry made him see the error of his ways, and they’re at the bottom of the ocean. She says she would have done the same thing. They embrace.

Gold looks at a huge book. He says the pirates and the son worked things out in the end. The Evil Queen tells him that they’re an insipid bunch, too forgiving of each other. She says she’s come to make amends, and has been going about it all wrong. She forgot the most important lesson – know what you want and go after it with everything you have. He asks what she wants. She kisses him. Hmm…

Belle comes to Gold’s shop. She sees it’s closed and slips the sonogram picture under the door.

Gold asks if the Evil Queen wants him. She says something else, but she needs his help. He asks what makes her think he would help her. The Evil Queen says fortunately for him, there are still a few underwater creatures who owe her a favor. She has the shears. He asks what she needs his help with. She tells him that the one thing she’s always wanted is Snow White’s heart and smiles

Next time, the contents of a bottle could destroy Storybrooke, they have 12 hours to figure it out, danger lurks around every corner, and the Evil Queen thinks the cemetery is a good place for endings.

The Walking Dead

Carol is being hauled in a wagon by two guys on horseback that look like knights. Morgan follows.

Zombies attack and Carol falls off. Morgan and the others fight them off. Carol thinks she sees someone she knows, but it’s a zombie. She staggers away while the guys are still fighting. She comes to a house and sees a lady beckon from the window, but it’s a zombie. She slumps against a fence. A zombie is headed toward her and gets it’s face sliced off. Nice one. A bunch of people on horseback come in and dispatch the rest. I’m going with this crowd.

A guy named Daniel says they’ve been looking for Morgan, but it looks like he found some people himself. Morgan fiddles with a mailbox because maybe that zombie mailman from Z Nation is coming along.

Carol sleeps while Morgan sits next to the bed. She wakes to the sound of makeshift wind chimes. She asks how long she’s been asleep and he tells her two days. I always think that would be freaky to wake up and so much time has gone by. But it’s better than American Werewolf in London where he was out for three weeks. She asks where they are.

Morgan wheels her through the town. He says their weapons will be with held until they leave. In about a week, they can go back to Alexandria. The town is called The Kindgom. Morgan says they were helping Carol, so he helped them. It’s beautiful, lots of plants and animals, and Renaissance Faire clothing. Morgan explains the story he gave the man in charge, whose name is King Ezekiel.

Morgan wheels Carol into a building. He tells her Ezekiel does his own thing. They go into an auditorium where Ezekiel sits on a throne with his pet tiger next to him. I like him already. He could possibly save this show for me. I’m getting to the point where I’m tired of it being depressing and more depressing.

Ezekiel tells the tiger to settle down; these are their guests. He says if she’s a friend of Morgan, she’s considered a friend of the realm unless proven otherwise. He introduces himself and welcomes her to The Kingdom. He asks if he detects skepticism, and if she thinks he’s mad. He asks what she thinks of The Kingdom and King. She tells him that she thinks he’s amazing, the place is amazing, and Shiva the tiger is amazing. She says she doesn‘t know what’s going on in the most wonderful way. He says he let’s everyone take what they want as long as they contribute. Drink from the well, replenish the well.

He has one of his men give her some fruit. She says she doesn’t want to be any trouble and she’s not a fruit person. He says if there’s anything she wants or needs, just ask, and mentions they have a great musician. She says more rest and maybe a hairbrush; no one told her she was meeting royalty. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her smile like this, but I don’t know if she’s faking it. They both say it’s a pleasure, and Morgan wheels her out.

Carol is like, what the what? She tells Morgan that this is make believe and she can’t do this. Freakin’ spoilsport. Morgan tries to talk to her. She says when he’s not there to stop her, she’ll go. He says he’ll stop her, but she says it’s not up to him. He says he won’t let her die out there. She says it doesn’t matter what he does.

Is she kidding? This place is awesome!

Ezekiel and company hunt some wild pigs. They drive them to a place where a zombie is hanging from the ceiling, because they want the pigs’ bellies full of rot. I don’t get that, but okay. Some zombies wander up and one of the guys, Benjamin, is learning how to kill them. He doesn’t quite get it, so Ezekiel finishes the zombie off. Morgan is told that no one back at The Kingdom needs to know about any of this. Ezekiel yells to the zombies that one day they will be released from the curse and in the meantime, they live in their place. I’m fascinated.

Back at The Kingdom, Ezekiel asks Morgan how he acquired his skills with the staff. Morgan says from a cheese-maker. Ezekiel says Benjamin’s path is in need of adjustment, and asks if Morgan will train him. Morgan says the staff could have saved the man he shot to save Carol. Ezekiel says like it saved Morgan. He needs Benjamin to live because he’ll be an important member of his staff. Morgan agrees, and Ezekiel says The Kingdom is favored by his presence again.

Carol sits in her room. Shiva suns herself and an acapella choir sings It’s All Right. Morgan shows Benjamin how to use the staff. Watching Benjamin reminds me of one of my martial arts workout DVDs. Carol wheels around the place, faking it, acting all nice to a guy and pretending to be over the moon about some cobbler. She pretends to tear up about how great the town is, and asks for a tissue. She steals some clothing when they guy has his back turned. She’s pissing me off.

Benjamin asks about Morgan’s book. Morgan tells him it’s philosophy. Benjamin says he’s read all the books there several times, and air conditioning manuals are boring. Morgan gives him the book. Ezekiel tells them they have matters of import to attend to.

He says the swine are slaughtered far from the kindgom. It’s a secret and secrets are burdens that come with a cost. A bunch of guys get out of cars and meet them. They belong to the Saviors (not to be confused with Emma and Aladdin in the previous show). Ezekiel says their arrangement is important. Oooh, I think I’m getting this. One of the guys says the pigs look bigger than last time, and Ezekiel’s man, Richard, says they were well fed. The man asks for help loading them into the truck. A woman starts to quietly tell Morgan they’re from another group, but Morgan says he knows who they are. Apparently, Ezekiel is trying to poison the Saviors or turn them into zombies.

The guys load the truck. One of the Saviors tells them they’ve gotten off easy. Richard says maybe he has it backwards. They start to fight. Guns are drawn. Ezekiel says to lower their weapons and tells Richard to let him go; this isn’t what they do. The guy gets in a few more punches until he’s made to stop. He’s a real a-hole. Ezekiel tells Richard they’ll discuss it. The Savior says it’s produce week next week, so they’d better produce or Richard is going first.

Ezekial asks if the man Morgan killed to save Carol was one of them. Morgan says yes, and asks if that’s why Ezekiel wanted him here, because he could do it again? Ezekiel says the opposite.

It’s movie night! Everyone is finishing up dinner and Benjamin and Morgan talk. Benjamin is raising a little boy. He says Ezekiel was tight with his father, who was a good fighter. He was sent out to clear a building, but there wasn’t enough back-up and eight men didn’t make it out. His father was one of them. He says Ezekiel is more careful now. He’s keeping his deal with the Saviors because they want to fight, but don’t want to lose people. Morgan asks if Benjamin agrees, but he says he doesn’t know enough to know.

Benjamin asks about an inscription in the book about not killing. Morgan says he didn’t write it, but it’s not about what he thinks. People can point you in the right direction, but can’t show you the way. You have to find that for yourself. He says he’s just fumbling through, and sometimes we change our minds. He leaves to talk to Carol.

Carol is gone. Good. She was no fun anyway. Morgan sits on the bed and smiles.

Carol limps around to the apple tree. Ezekiel tells her to help herself. The garden is his favorite place, and he’s glad she saw it before she left . She apologizes, but asks what good she is there. Ezekiel tells her to never bullsh*t a bullsh*tter. He says the sweet and innocent act is clever. Blend in, get people to trust her, get what she needs, and disappear. He says the gun she has belongs to the Saviors, and she did more than put up a fight – she won. She says by ending up here? and he asks if it’s funny. She tells him that this place is a joke, and out there it’s real. She says he’s selling people a fairy tale. He says maybe they need one. She asks if having his ass kissed is a perk.

Ezekiel sits with her. He says people want someone to follow; it’s human nature. They want someone to make them feel safe, and people who feel safe are less dangerous and more productive. They see a dude with a tiger and make him larger than life, a hero. Who is he to burst their bubble? They needed someone to follow, so he faked it until he made it. He was a zoo keeper and Shiva fell into a moat. There was no medical assistance, and she was hurt and going to bleed out. He knew the risk, but she was in pain, so he saved her life. After that she never even showed a tooth in his direction. She could do a lot of damage, but she hasn’t and won’t. He lost a lot like everyone else. When it started to end, he came back to the zoo. Shiva was alone, hungry, and trapped, like him. She was the last thing left in the world he loved. She protected him, got him here, and made him larger than life. He used to act in community theater and played some kings. He says his name is really Ezekiel though. Cards on the table, nothing up his sleeve, but appreciates it if she keeps it between them, at least for now.

Carol says she doesn’t care. Do what he wants. She’s going to go. He asks where? She says away. He says he’s sorry for whatever bad she’s been through. There’s too much of it out there. It feels like it’s all bad, especially when you’re alone, but it’s not all bad. Where there’s life, there’s hope, heroism, grace, and love. He hopes that she’s not walking away from life. He made his own world. He found a way to embrace the contradiction, by being over-the-top good. He says maybe he’s crazy, but maybe he can help if she lets him. She asks why he cares, and he says it makes him feel good. He says she can go or not go, see if he’s on to something or it’s more bullsh*t.

Morgan and Carol ride down a road. Morgan asks if she’s sure this is what she wants. She does. They stop at the house where Morgan was fixing the mailbox. He says she’s his favorite person he ever knocked down, or at least in the top two or three. He tells her to take care of herself. She says always watching, always ready. He gets back on his horse and she goes in the gate. He puts the mailbox flag down.

Carol sees the zombie in the house and goes inside brandishing her weapon. She buries the now dead zombie in the yard. She builds a fire and there’s a knock at the door. She hears the tiger. It’s Ezekiel with an apple. He tells her she has to try one. She gives him a real smile. Almost.

Next time, more Negan (sigh), Daryl gets shoved around, and Negan likes it that he doesn’t scare easy.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey

It’s time for Melissa’s fashion show. Siggy and Dolores discuss Jacqueline in the car. Dolores thinks Jacqueline overreacted to her text. She’s been going around saying Dolores set her up to look like a no show.

Preparing for the show, Melissa feels abandoned, since her partner is in the Bahamas. She says she doesn’t know what she’s doing and didn’t sleep last night. The models practice their walks.

Jacqueline is on the couch hacking and coughing. She tells Chris that she wouldn’t have gone to the fashion show even if she wasn’t sick. Chris thinks that some of her friends aren’t really her friends. He thinks she should get to the bottom of why Dolores asked if she was coming to the fashion show when she knew Jacqueline was sick. Um…maybe she forgot or was just making conversation. The overreaction is trickling down.
The Wakiles and Teresa cross paths at the bar, and it’s awkward. In her interview, Teresa says she’s done with her cousins and there’s no confusion about that. She doesn’t wish anyone ill will, she just wants to be left alone. Joe #2 and Richie talk. Teresa tells Melissa she wants to be there for her, but she feels sad. It’s her first event without Joe #1.

Siggy and Dolores arrive. Dolores tells Kathy about calling Jacqueline and that Jacqueline is paranoid that she was being set up. I’m not getting this. Does Jacqueline think Dolores was trying to catch her in a lie about being sick? Kathy asks if Dolores is open to talking to Jacqueline, but Dolores says she’s too angry right now. She shows Kathy the text. Teresa joins them. She says she wishes Jacqueline the best, but she’s evil. Kathy insists she’s not.

Melissa gets the models ready. She’s nervous and gets a glass of wine. Teresa tells Siggy that she walked into something with Kathy and Dolores. Siggy says Jacqueline got weird with Dolores. In her interview, Teresa says Jacqueline is sweet at first, but then you get to know her.

Backstage, things are crazy. The music starts. The models begin to walk the runway. Melissa runs around like a nut, telling everyone they need to move faster. All of a sudden, no one is on stage and she doesn’t know what to do. Melissa starts to freak, but everything falls back into place. The clothes are really cute.

Melissa makes a speech, thanking everyone at Envy and her family. Joe #2 is proud of her. She turned a crumb into a cake. She talks about feeling a tug on her pillow the night before and no one being there, but she had “a feeling.” That morning, her mother reminded her that it was the anniversary of her father’s death and she feels like he’s there.

Siggy asks Melissa to lunch on Friday. She’s invited everyone because she wants closure. She says Jacqueline is fighting with Dolores now, and she wants everyone to say their peace without fighting and walk away like ladies. Good luck with that. In her interview, Siggy says she wants everyone to move forward and shut up. She’s hoping Jacqueline comes.

Dolores meets Frank for lunch. She tells him he said the kitchen would never get done and it happened. She adds that he won’t be getting a bill because she’s on a payment plan with the contractor. Frank is the best ex-husband in the world. Next to Bruce Willis. He jokes that she’s breaking up with him, and she says she’s just taking the pressure off. In her interview, Dolores says Frank is in another relationship, but they have a bond that can’t be broken. He feels concerned that she doesn’t want help anymore. She says he’s like a part of her, and it’s just the financial help she doesn’t need.

Frank tells Dolores that her father took him aside when the problems started, and said sh*t happens, but you never turn your back on your family and children, and he’ll always be a part of the family. She wants to get the check. He says he likes the new Dolores, but she tells him don’t get used to it.

Teresa’s lawyer, Jim, comes over. He says he’s gotten a few emails from Joe #1 and she says she missed his call because she was doing yoga. She’s getting certified and needs to put in a certain amount of hours. Jim asks about finances. Teresa says after they got married Joe did everything, but it’s going back to the way it was before that, and she might have to sell the house. She says the kids have been through enough, but she’ll do what it takes to keep things afloat, since Gia is almost college bound. She shows him a framed cover of her new book that the publisher sent. She has one of the last book, and says she’s definitely a different person now and proud of who she is. She can’t wait for Joe to get home. Jim says to never feel like she’s by herelf.

Dolores and her mother are doing some cooking. Siggy comes by, loud as ever, with her own mother, and all of them put together a meal. Siggy thinks their moms are too selfless and should do more for themselves. They sit down to eat, and she toasts to their mothers being wonderful. Siggy says she’ll always take care of her mother the way her mother has taken care of her, and Dolores says her too. Siggy tells them there has to be a way to get the friends back together, but Dolores doesn’t think so.

Melissa comes home to Joe #2 cooking dinner and roses on the table. He tells her to sit down. He’s made chicken cordon bleu. They talk about Melissa’s sales, which are thriving. In her interview, she’s afraid he wants her to scale back. He apologizes for saying she made crumbs where he made cake. He says he loves her and stands by her and he’s a lucky man. He brings out parfaits for dessert. She asks if they’re having cappuccino with candy sticks, and he says he got the kind she likes. She says she’d like his candy stick after dinner and he picks her up out of the chair. These two are so cute.

Siggy is bringing the girls together because she wants Vermont laid to rest. She’s having the lunch at a restaurant because she doesn’t want a repet performance in her house. She removes the knives from the table. She hasn’t heard from Jacqueline, so she doesn’t know if she’s coming, but she’s hired security. She tells some bald guy in a black jacket what the score is.

Melissa tells Teresa that Jacqueline is super paranoid and doesn’t like them together. Teresa says she’s a cuckoo. Melissa is hoping for closure, but the most Teresa thinks she’s getting is a nice lunch.

Jacqueline shows up first. Siggy gets all teary. Jacqueline says she came for Siggy because she knows what it’s like to be in the middle. She says she said horrible things to Teresa in Vermont. She claims Melissa didn’t like her and Teresa being friends. She says she couldn’t even sit down before everyone tried to talk for each other. In her interview, Jacqueline says she wants to make it more comfortable for everyone and is glad to explain where she was coming from. Whatever that insane place might be. Siggy says Dolores loves her. Jacqueline says she knows Dolores explodes, but then gets over it. She wants to get to the bottom of the animosity with Teresa, but has no interest in Melissa.

Dolores joins them and Siggy starts crying again. What is wrong with her? Dolores apologizes to Jacqueline. Jacqueline gives some half-assed explanation about her paranoia. She says she knows Dolores’s heart. She wants to talk to Teresa and Melissa one on one. Siggy tells Jacqueline that Teresa was sincere, but Jacqueline wonders why she took the first opportunity to disband the friendship. This woman is so delusional. The first time she saw Teresa after she got home, she took the opportunity to be insulting, and she did all that finger-in-the-face stuff in Vermont.

The second Teresa and Melissa get in the room, Jacqueline demands that Teresa sit across from her and Melissa leave the room. She wants to talk one on one. She has a ride waiting if they refuse. She says it’s the way she likes to do things. Teresa says she doesn’t call the shots, and she says she is today. Teresa calls her “teacher,” and Jacqueline doesn’t like it. Teresa asks if Miss Teacher is better, and Jacqueline asks if bitch is better. Teresa asks if a word I’m not going to type is better. Jacqueline tells Melissa to leave the room again. Siggy says she’s giving them orders, and no one wants to be spoken to like a child. Teresa says she thinks Jacqueline is evil to the core. Jacqueline wants everyone to leave. I don’t think evil is the word I’d use, but she’s something abnormal. Dolores suggests everyone try something new and speak softly. Jacqueline asks if Teresa needs a back up, and Teresa says yes, she does. She wants everyone to see what’s going on. Joacqueline says call her when she can talk one on one (which will be never) and leaves. In the other room, Jacqueline apologizes to Dolores. In her interview, Jacqueline calls Teresa and Melissa animals. WTF?

Teresa says Jacqueline is a coward. Melissa says when Jacqueline is in a situation where she isn’t controlling things, it’s run, Forest, run. Agreed. Which is why I find her tagline so amusing. Teresa says she’s conniving and twisted. Siggy asks Dolores if she thinks Jacqueline handled things wrong. Dolores does, and they go out to find her. Jacqueline definitely sees them. The car slows down and she sticks her head out the door, but then they drive away. Why don’t they dump this chick?

Dolores says on a good day you don’t speak to an Italian like that. Teresa says Jacqueline wants them out of the room so no one else can tell her she’s wrong. Melissa says if you have nothing to hide, you don’t run. Teresa tells them that Jacqueline is dead to her. Melissa adds that she took off her mask. Dolores thinks no one was mentally prepared for the meeting. Huh?

Teresa says she’s been home three months and it feels like she never left. She thanks them for being supportive.

It’s the finale, so they have the little blurbs about what everyone is doing. It’s all boring. Until we get to Teresa – whose yoga partner is now Danielle Staub. I don’t even know what to say.

Next time, the reunion. Duck and run.

October 26, 2014 – GH’s Carly Strikes Back & Little LA’s Christy Strikes Out

Standard

What I Watched Today
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)

General Hospital

Griff thanks Anna for helping him. She tells him there’s no manual for being a parent. He says it was just him and now he’s plus one. Anna reminds him that God doesn’t give you more than you can handle. Maxie storms in wondering where “that witch” is. She says it’s Claudette’s fault she was kidnapped. Anna says she’s gone. Nathan asks where, but Griff says they don’t know.

Curtis meets Jordan at the station. She thinks he’s working for Sonny.

Alexis tells Julian the bomb was payback for all the horrible things he’s done. Now Morgan is dead because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and he was just a kid. Julian says he was a grown man and Alexis starts getting loud. She asks everyone if they wouldn’t throw a parade if Julian was gone. Julian says she’s drunk. Maybe so, but that doesn’t make it any less true.

Michael is on the bridge and Nell comes along. She says it’s a great view and he says it’s a good place to think. She offers to leave, but he tells her to stay. He says he’s not going to find what he’s looking for anyway – his little brother.

Jason interrupts Sonny trying to strangle Scotty.

Griff says he tried to stop Claudette, and Maxie says he did a bang up job. He says he thought he was getting through. He turned his back for a second, and she knocked him out. Anna asks if Claudette knew about the kidnapping. Nathan says they were together when he found Maxie’s bracelet. Anna says Claudette probably thought she was next.

Curtis says he’s a licensed PI, and it’s none of Jordan’s business who he works for. She tells him to stay out of her investigation, because when she goes after Sonny, she might go after him too.

Nell and Michael talk about the history of the bridge. Michael remembers how he and Morgan played there as children. Nell says them, and the body guards, and tells him it’s an intense way to grow up. Michael says they spent half the time with their mom and half with Sonny. He talks about how Morgan loved penguins because the family stays together. He says Morgan was the definition of homebody. Nell wonders how he’d feel about no one sticking by his father.

Scotty says he still dreams about a child he lost and Sonny is going to dream about a child he murdered.

Alexis says she’s not drunk, but she’s working on it. She tells Julian to shut up, and tells him that everyone knows he’s a murderer. He says he didn’t kill Morgan, but she says he might as well have. He says Morgan mixed his meds with alcohol, and it’s lucky he didn’t take other people down with him. He starts talking about Carly and Sonny being bad parents. Carly comes out of nowhere and whacks him good. I laugh and so does Alexis.

Griff asks if Maxie is sure The Beard was Valentin’s emissary. She says he never said it, but she’s sure. Anna says she’ll get an investigation going. Nathan says the PCPD is working with the Coast Guard.

Curtis says Jordan wants to tell him where he can and can’t work, and now she wants to arrest him. She says he’s interfering with the investigation. She tells Curtis that Sonny killed his own son instead of Julian, and if he wants justice, he should turn himself in. Suddenly, it dawns on Jordan that Curtis is working for Julian.

Carly says Julian came into her restaurant and now he’s talking trash about her son. Julian tries to tell her to calm down, but she just gets louder. She says he’s a liar and a murderer. She tells him to come on try to put a knife to her throat, then throws him out.

Ava tells Scotty that she’s sorry about his daughter. She says Sonny is dangerous, and now he’s grieving, so Scotty shouldn’t provoke him. Scotty says Jason is the only reason Sonny let him go, and Ava says he’s welcome; she texted him. Scotty wants to call the police, but Ava stops him.

Sonny tells Jason if it wasn’t for Scotty getting Julian off, Morgan would still be alive. Sonny says he wouldn’t have ordered the car bomb in a million years and the guy refused to do the job, but now his son is dead. Jason asks if he’s blaming him.

Nathan finds out which flight Claudette took and says the Canadian police will be waiting. Anna wants her to know that Charlotte is okay and they can protect them. Nathan says it doesn’t matter that he’s not her father, he’s going to do his job to protect and serve.

Jordan says she wondered why Sonny would hire an outsider, especially one who has connections to the police. She asks what Curtis has, and says it’s his obligation to tell her. He says she refused him entry into the police force, so he worked hard to make it on his own, and now she wants his information. She says she’s trying to stop a war. If he proves that Sonny planted the bomb, there will be retaliation. Curtis says Julian doesn’t want Sonny dead; he wants to put Sonny in prison.

Alexis asks Carly if she wants her to call someone. Carly says no, and Alexis doesn’t look like she’s doing so great herself. Alexis is surprised Carly is at work, and Carly says she doesn’t want to be home because Morgan isn’t coming through the door. Alexis says she’s sorry, and Carly says she hates that phrase. No matter how sorry anyone is it won’t bring Morgan back.

Ava tells Scotty that the first person Sonny will call is Diane, and she’ll want to know what led up to the altercation. She’s afraid she’ll be exposed. Sonny already knows the symptoms of being bi-polar. He’ll remember how he found her in Morgan’s room and put the pieces of the puzzle together. She says how long would she live after that? He’s her attorney and they need to just step back and keep cool. Scotty adds, and let Sonny self destruct.

Nell tells Michael that when you meet Sonny, it’s easy to know he’s in charge, but lately he’s been drinking and seems to have a delayed reactions. She says he’s fine with Avery, but she shouldn’t be responsible for his happiness. She says if he’s left alone to grieve, she’s not sure he’s going to make it.

Sonny tells Jason to leave, but he doesn’t want Sonny to be alone. Sonny says Jason made his choice not to work with him and he honored that. He says they’ve always been honest with each other. Jason could have eliminated Julian, and Morgan would still be alive. He can’t count on Jason anymore.

Curtis says he’s paid to provide a service and Julian knows he’s up to the task. He thinks Jordan is jealous of how he’s better at it than she is. He says she can’t afford to have him beat her to the punch, and thinks she’s threatened by him. He asks what it is about him that she’s afraid of.

Anna says it’s unlikely that Charlotte is the target. Valentin is obsessed with Claudette, and since she left, the target has moved. Griff gives Claudette credit for being a decent mother.

Alexis says they’ve had their differences, but in the end, she and Carly are both mothers who would lay down their lives for their children. She can’t comprehend what Carly is going through. Carly says she doesn’t know what comes next. The thought of life without Morgan terrifies her. Alexis says she could lose one of her daughter just as easily, and if it happened to Carly, it could happen to her.

Sonny swears he didn’t do it. Jason says Sonny made the best decision given the situation, and to let him find out who screwed it up. Sonny says he set it in motion. Carly begged him not to and he didn’t listen because he believed it was right. Now Carly and Michael are gone, and Morgan is dead; he has nothing left. Jason says he’s still there, but Sonny says he lost Jason a long time ago.

Curtis says either Jordan has a problem letting him win or she likes him getting to her. Andre calls, but Jordan asks to call him back. She tells Curtis to go. He has Julian’s bidding to do, which he’ll mess up since he messes up everything he touches. He leaves and his phone rings. Its Julian.

Julian tells Curtis that he wants Sonny in prison and wants Sonny’s wife to stop making him look bad in front of Alexis. He wants proof and wants it now.

Maxie doesn’t feel like eating. She tells Nathan that she’s worried about Charlotte, but Nathan says she has a new life and she’ll adjust. Maxie says as much as she hates Claudette, she doesn’t want her harmed. She says The Beard will come after Claudette like he did with her.

Anna says Griff won’t become a father overnight, but he can be a guardian in the meantime. Griff wonders if Charlotte will ask for her mommy. He says he wasn’t Claudette’s best option’ he was the only the one she had left.

Carly says Julian is arrogant and does what he wants to do. She’s going to her office and tells Alexis if Julian comes back to stay out of it. Alexis says she tried to stop Julian, and all she did was get misery. Carly says she’s miserable too, and wouldn’t mind a fight.

Michael tells Nell all he can think about is his little brother. He talks about how special Morgan was. and now he’s gone because of their dad. He doesn’t know how he can forgive that. Nell says she’s not saying forgive, but someone is in the same pain that he is. She tells Michael that if he thinks there’s anything salvageable in the relationship, think twice about abandoning Sonny.

Alexis calls Michael. She thinks Carly could use some support. Michael tells Nell he has to go. Nell says she hopes she didn’t overstep, but he says she’s just being truthful, kind and cute. Or kind of cute. I’m not sure. He asks if she’ll stay with Avery until they can figure something out.

Sonny says since Jason got his memory back, he’s been distant. It’s not going to work out the way it used to. Jason asks if they’re not friends, and Sonny says he’s on his own now. Jason says he’s blaming himself and punishing himself by pushing everyone away, but he’s not going anywhere. Sonny says when he looks at Jason, all he can think about is what he lost. He doesn’t want him there or his help; he just wants his son. Jason says can’t bring Morgan back, but he’s not giving up on Sonny. Sonny says he gave up a while ago, and don’t try him because he’s got nothing left to lose. He tells Jason to get out and Jason leaves. Sonny does not look good.

Anna tells Griff that things will be clearer in the morning. He says things are clear now, and it’s no wonder Claudette went to Nathan. He’s failed every test he’s had, and Charlotte deserves better. He doesn’t think he can be a father to her. Anna says he’ll have to give her up then.

Nathan tells Maxie that Claudette wasn’t on the plane.

Curtis sneaks into Sonny’s place.

Ave talks to herself, saying she hopes Nicholas and Morgan are at peace, wherever they are. That’s a good question. Where are they? Ava’s phone rings. She asks who it is and then, as though he read our minds, she says, “Nicholas?”

Jordan calls Andre, apologizing for blowing him off. She says it was a work thing, but nothing consequential.

Curtis goes through drawers. Jason finds him and he suggests maybe they can work together.

Michael comes to the hotel. Carly realizes that Alexis must have called him. He says he ran into Nell and Sonny isn’t doing well.

Sonny goes to the bridge. He looks like crap. He relives his last argument with Morgan, telling Carly Morgan is dead, and Carly blaming him. He takes out a gun and says he’s sorry to Morgan. He looks confused and starts to cry.

Tomorrow, Jason asks Curtis who he’s working for, Jordan tells Valerie that Curtis is dirty (and not in a good way), and Sonny sees Robin on the bridge. She spends more time in Port Charles as a vision than she does in actuality.

Little Women: LA

The girls’ night at the casino isn’t going too well. Christy’s friend Rhonnie gets into it with Tonya, and her other friend Karla chimes in, cursing Tonya out. Lovely. Tonya tells Christy she was just the messenger in telling her why Terra didn’t want to be there. In her interview, Christy says she keeps trying to fix things and it gets screwed up. We flash back to all the times she’s tried to prove she’s right, which is what she calls fixing things. Elena tells Rhonnie that they weren’t involved, so it’s none of their business, and Christy had claimed that she wanted them to get together to apologize. In her interview, Elena is disappointed that instead of an apology, they got medical records and Christy’s nasty friends.

Christy apologizes to Tonya. Tonya says that’s why she came. Jasmine says Christy’s problem is Terra and Briana, and asks what she’s going to do to fix that. Christy is up for ideas, but nobody has anything.

Terra meets Tonya for lunch. Tonya is impressed with Terra’s shoes. Terra says she’s breaking in her heels because they’re the first dancing shoes she’s using on Dancing with the Stars. Tonya says she’s always wanted to do the show, but she’s excited for Terra. She suggests Terra use her activewear for rehearsals.

Tonya tells Terra about how Christy brought her posse with her to casino night. Terra says she wants to meet privately and talk to Christy about moving on. Tonya doesn’t have any suggestions for that, but she wants all the girls to go on a survival retreat. In her interview, she says the team building exercises will help them build relationships or the girls will kill each other off one by one. Either way, it’s good.

In her interview, Christy talks about coming up to her seventh anniversary of being sober. She’s upset that Briana was spreading rumors about her popping pills. Christy meets with her “sober sister” to discuss life events. Christy tells her about the retreat and Sis says that Christy can’t make someone be friends with her. Christy says she’s going to apologize one more time to Briana and Terra. Whether they accept it or not is on them.

Commercial break. In the Little Women: Atlanta‘s Reunion Part Two, it looks like there are a lot of soap opera faces and mouths hanging open. I’m passing on this one, even though Juicy’s umbrella trimmed in marabou feathers looks interesting.

In her interview, Briana says being moms has brought her and Terra closer together and they’ve been able to let past things go. The two couples get together. Terra makes her announcement about Dancing with the Stars. In her interview, Briana claims she was supposed to be on it a couple of seasons ago, but had to pass. Terra brings up girls’ night. Matt says no way they want to be around Christy, since she got all up in their legal business. In her interview, Briana says she doesn’t want to get stabbed in the back again.

Terra tells Briana about the retreat. Briana says that there’s no way she can be friends with Christy again, and Terra says there won’t be any kumbaya moment on her end.

Jasmine and Elena go camping shopping. Elena checks out a switchblade. Elena says it’s obvious they don’t know what they’re doing, and hopes they survive the survival shebang. Jasmine asks if this is the worst it’s ever been with Christy. Elena says it is, and she’s tired of trying to help fix Christy’s relationships, but it’s about second chances, so they should give her another one.

In her interview, Terra says she has no idea who her dancing partner is going to be. She’s nervous about their reaction to her being a little person. Tonya and Joe are there for support. I don’t know any of the Dancing with the Stars people. I only watched it once when Mel B was competing, and as soon as she was cut, I was out. It’s Sasha. Terra is excited to be dancing with him. She says he danced with Snookie a few seasons back, and although she’s super short, it won’t be the same. She asks Sasha if he’s scared, but he says he’s brimming with ideas. Tonya thinks the biggest hurdle will be getting everyone over their preconceived notions of what a little person can do.

Terra brings up having just had a C-section, and Sasha says her health is a priority. If she has any pain or feels any weirdness, let him know immediately. He seems like a really nice guy.

Christy runs on the treadmill while Todd watches. In her interview, Christy says a little person’s stomach is the same size as an average sized person’s, so dieting is hard. She wants to buy a treadmill for the house in hopes that Todd will use it too. It scares her that she’s never seen an old little person. Really? I’m pretty sure a lot of them get old.

She tells Todd about the retreat. Todd thinks Christy should back away from Briana since she’s obviously more invested in the relationship than Briana is. Christy says she’s known them a long time and wants ot make things right. She stands her ground about Terra having given her a concussion, and Todd tells her just don’t stand so close she gets burned. Whatever that means.

Tonya says they used to lean on each other for support against an average sized world, but now their group has fallen apart. As soon as Terra sees Christy, she suggests taking out the bug spray, so we’re off to a good start. Instructor Joel shows up, and Elena suggests a last trip to the nice bathroom before they leave. In her interview, Terra says if Christy gets out of hand, it might turn into a real survival situation.

Joel asks what they’re hoping to get out of it. Elena talks about rebuilding the group, and he says that team exercises are good for that. He starts with shelter building and asks Tonya to pick the two groups. He asks who is uncomfortable with who, and Terra says because of legal issues, she refuses to be paired with Christy. So it’s Elena, Christy and Jasmine, and Tonya, Terra and Briana. Jasmine says Christy is on the wrong team for rebuilding relationships.

In her interview, Christy says if Terra and Briana don’t want to be on her team, they’re being childish. Tonya asks Briana and Terra what it would take for them to forgive Christy. Terra says pay her legal bills for one. Since Christy messed with her family, she hates her, and she knows that’s a strong word. Briana says Christy got way out of line with her, and she just can’t be friends again. Tonya heaves a huge sigh. Huge.

With shelter building completed, Sean moves on to fire. He wants them to put mud from the creek on their faces. Elena says the only mud going on her face is from the spa and Jasmine passes because she’s pregnant. Jasmine helps put mud on Terra’s face. She says the team building isn’t working very well.

Joel thinks it would be beneficial if they write down what’s bothering them. Later, they’ll read them and put the problems to rest. Everyone hesitates and Tonya makes me laugh, saying don’t everybody run for the pencils at once. Joel takes them to the fire pit and makes fire in like two seconds. Jasmine thinks it looks easy. I think it’s probably like watching Gene Kelly dance – it looks effortless, but you try it. Jasmine wonders if they’re struggling because they’re little people. Nice try. Two hours later, Terra has success.

They sit around the campfire and Joel says they’re there to rekindle, so get on with the letters. Tonya goes first, telling them to stop being sensitive and stay in their lanes. Everyone claps and she throws it in the fire. Christy tells Briana that there was a lot of name calling and mistrust, but it’s not in her character. She talks about her father having cancer and her daughter being ill, and says that’s why she’s been acting so crazy. In her interview Briana says Christy is rehashing what happened, but no apology came forth. Briana tells Christy that she was on her deathbed, and Christy made a snowball effect that’s irreparable, adding that she still didn’t get an apology. Christy says she can’t control Briana’s family being a-holes. Elena says Christy is side-stepping her part, and Briana feels like she can’t trust Christy anymore.

Christy says she gave Briana’s parents an update because she cares about her. Briana says she’s had death threats and is now looking into getting a gun. She says it’s about overstepping boundaries. Christy claims she’s alone and needs support, and Briana felt the same way. Christy apologizes. Briana says she’s moving forward with the positive in her own life, but she’s done with Christy. Elena thinks she should forgive. Tonya says it’s going to take time, and brings up Terra. Terra says that she was going to apologize to Christy for the iced tea fight, and then found out she needed to lawyer up because Christy filed a police report. Christy says they were both hurt. She goes on about how she’s had concussions before, but she had a recent one and has the medical records to prove it.

Christy says she’s sick of talking sh*t and wants to move forward. Terra says she does too, but Jasmine tells her that she’s not exactly moving on. Elena says it doesn’t look like forgiveness is going to happen on Terra’s part. Terra says she is sorry she refused to be in a group with Christy. She says she’s sorry she responded immaturely. She’s done fighting, but wants everyone to respect that some things cant be fixed. If she’s the broken link in the chain of their group, she wants them to accept it. Tonya says when someone breaks your heart, it can take a long time to mend. In her interview, Terra says the girls need to accept she doesn’t want to be friends with Christy. Terra tells the group that she doesn’t want to prevent them doing things together, but she still doesn’t want to be friends and doesn’t want it brought up again. She feels that it’s something that can’t be fixed.

Next time, the ladies take a defense class, Tonya has Lasik eye surgery, Angelique brings her boyfriend home, and Dancing with the Stars rehearsal begins.

October 25, 2016 – GH’s Franco is a Hospital Hero, ILYIW’s Eddie is Still an Idiot, & Below Deck’s Kelley Gets in Everyone’s Business

Standard

What I Watched Today
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)

General Hospital

Elizabeth and Franco are at the police station. Franco says he has the last piece of evidence and tells Elizabeth they can seal the deal. Jordan asks what this is about, and Franco tells her they can close the case.

Julian thanks Nina for not judging him, but she tells him not to be too sure about that.

Outside the bar, Alexis tells Sonny how sorry she is about Morgan. As she sips some wine.

Jason is still looking for the broker, but he only has a name and the guy is hard to find. Max says it doesn’t make sense. He tells Jason that Carly went back to her own place and says Jason has to take care of things.

Scotty meets Ava at the bar. He’s wondering if she was just being a drama queen, saying she was in a situation where she might not come out alive. She says she got Morgan’s medication and Scotty says good, she covered her tracks. She says she killed Morgan, and he tells her that she’s being melodramatic. She says she set the events in motion that killed him, and Sonny will kill her if he finds out. In true soap opera fashion, Sonny comes up behind her and says, finds out what?

Franco tells Jordan it’s a pleasure being there and not being in cuffs. She tells him the night is still young. Elizabeth tells her that Franco knows who tried to kill Bobbie and Lucas. He gives Jordan a recording of Heather’s confession. He says they should all be getting back to work since idle hands are the devil’s workshop.

Finn and Hayden are getting busy and there’s a knock at the door. Finn says they don’t need any towels, but it’s Tracy. She asks if that’s any way to treat her after he asked her for a huge favor. Hayden tells him to ignore it, but he can’t. Tracy asks what he was doing and then sees Hayden. She says last night’s social engagement took an unexpected social turn, and asks if he ended up jousting for her hand.

Alexis is on the phone telling someone that she’s with the girls, but she’s really swilling wine.

Nina says Julian stole the fruit basket and Julian tells her that he delivered it personally to Sonny. She’s surprised he’s still breathing.

Max tells Jason that he needs to stop Sonny now, before he starts to spiral. Sam comes in with Danny in a pirate costume. Max leaves, telling Jason to think about what he said. Sam steers Danny to cookies in the kitchen, and asks Jason why Max was there. Jason says Max is worried about Sonny and he is too.

Sonny wants to know what Ava was talking about. He asks what she knows that he doesn’t. She says she knows something about Morgan that she hasn’t told him.

Jordan tells Franco she’ll look into the possibility, but does he really expect her to believe Heather escaped from prison and came back? Franco says its his mother they’re talking about, but Jordan says the tape doesn’t prove anything.

Tracy says she told Finn to stay out of it, but obviously he didn’t listen. She asks if he hit Hayden’s date with a club and dragged her back by the hair. Hayden says she doesn’t need saving, and Tracy says that’s what she told Finn. Tracy asks if Hayden seduced him and if she expects her job back because they’re all lovey-dovey. She says she’d have had more respect for Hayden if she’d just asked.

Scotty suggests the only one responsible is Sonny. Ava says Morgan thought Kiki was breaking up with him; he was drinking and obviously out of control. She says she tried to reason with him and stop him, but he wouldn’t listen. She was one of the last people to see Morgan alive, and can’t stop thinking about what she should have done. She says his death isn’t entirely Sonny’s fault. Sonny walks away, and Scotty tells Ava that was good. She screeches at him that he’s the one who stopped her from going after Morgan.

Alexis says she’s spending quality time together with the girls and acts like she has to go. She hangs up and runs into Sonny. He hands her a drink. He says the last time he saw Morgan, he was so angry that he couldn’t even look at him. Sonny says he should have told Morgan that it was okay and he would always be there for him. Alexis says there’s no way he could have known what was going to happen. Sonny says that Morgan was drowning and hurting, but he told Morgan that he was disappointed in him and let him go out the door. Alexis puts her arm around him.

Jason talks about when Sonny’s first wife Lily died, and how he just did whatever Sonny needed until he came out of it, but the second time, Sonny was diagnosed as bi-polar and got medication, which finally leveled him out. Sam wonders if Sonny is going to break down again. Jason says he has to stop it, and asks about their plans to move. Sam says it can wait. Their family needs them. She’s never seen Sonny break down, but losing Morgan, especially if he had a hand in it, has to be the worst pain of his life.

Tracy says so Hayden just happened to spend the night and she gets a call from Finn? Hayden doesn’t know anything about it. Finn says Hayden is great at ELQ and Tracy is letting their history interfere. Hayden thinks he did this to get rid of her.

Jordan is going to look for actual proof, but as it stands, she can’t close the case. Franco has figured out which guard helped Heather, and produces a canceled check made out to a guard named Rob who bought a condo recently. He shows Jordan a car rental agreement for Heather, and also has a confession from low level drug dealer who sold the drug to the guard. Elizabeth can’t believe he did all this. He says he wouldn’t know what he’d do without her if she moves to Rochester.

Sam says it won’t bring Morgan back if Jason finds the broker. Jason says it might calm down Sonny though.

Ava says she was worried about Morgan and Scotty stopped her. Scotty says she’s the one who switched the meds because she wanted Morgan and Kiki to break up, and she succeeded. She says she told Morgan that Kiki was with Dillon, and she set him up to be jealous. All she was trying to do was protect her daughter. She starts to cry and Scotty awkwardly hugs her.

Julian asks if Nina would miss him. She says she doesn’t like him, but she doesn’t wish him dead. He didn’t destroy her life, he only dismantled the magazine. He says he has a long way to go before working his way back to Alexis. Nina says try never. He says Alexis means everything to him, and if he can redeem himself to his children, things might change.

Alexis tells Sonny that she can’t imagine what he’s going through. She says all the cousins were close growing up, and Sonny was a big part in bringing them together. She says he gave Morgan a good life. Sonny says Carly doesn’t think so, and tells Alexis that she left. He says Michael blames him too, and Dante is looking for evidence against him. Alexis says Kristina blames Julian, and Sonny asks what about her?

Tracy says she was considering rehiring Hayden, but now she wouldn’t have her clean floors. She tells Finn the next time he wants a favor, try something simple, like smuggling drugs. After she leaves, Hayden says Finn should have just asked her to get out of his life.

Franco asks Jordan if its the final piece of the puzzle.

Danny brings out a book and Sam says it’s a grown-up book. She explains mommy and daddy are having a baby and he’s going to have a little brother or sister. Danny says it’s way better than a puppy and asks if they can name the baby Scout.

Scotty tells Ava that she has to live with what she did. He’s her lawyer and her friend, and doesn’t want her stuck. He says they all have regrets.

Alexis tells Sonny that this all started because of the mess she made. If she’d done her job, Julian would be in prison and this wouldn’t have happened. Sonny says Julian offered a truce because he’s afraid Sonny is going to kill him. Alexis asks if he is, and Sonny asks if she wants another drink. She says she has to go home. She says what happened to Morgan is a tragedy, but not one single person is to blame, not even Sonny. She kisses his forehead and leaves.

Ava and Scotty come outside. Sonny says, there’s the reason his son is dead.

Finn tells Hayden to explain how him asking Tracy to give her a job is getting rid of her. She says he’s pushing her away in the kindest way possible. Finn says he doesn’t want to be her cause. She says he can’t let himself feel anything for any woman except his wife.

Tracy asks Jordan if there’s been any progress. Jordan tells Tracy about Heather.

Elizabeth tells Franco he’s a good man; he gave her back her health and her livlihood. She asks how he got he drug dealer to talk. He says at the risk of alienating her, there are times when he can appear reverted to his old ways and the bad man thought he was badder. He asks if that bothers her.

Nina tells Julian that Alexis was on trial for a murder he committed and then he tried to kill her. He says Alexis loves him. Nina sees Alexis at the bar and says she doesn’t look like a woman in love. She tells Julian to leave Alexis alone for once.

Scotty tells Ava not to listen, but Sonny says he’s talking to him. If Julian hadn’t walked, his son will be alive. Scotty says it’s karma. Scotty’s daughter lost her life, and now Sonny’s son is gone in return.

Finn says he watched Hayden as she slept and he felt happier and more alive since any day after his wife died. It did scare him, and maybe he thought he was betraying his wife, but he wanted to give Hayden something better to focus on than him. He says when she woke up and kissed him, he wasn’t thinking about anything except her. She says his wife keeps him in limbo, so he doesn’t have to give himself to anyone, including her. She leaves.

Tracy wants to know when she can open the hospital again. Jordan says she’ll let her know as soon as possible. Tracy asks what detective she should thank, but Jordan says it wasn’t anyone from the police department. When Tracy asks what civic-minded civilian gave them back the hospital, Jordan tells her to thank Franco.

Elizabeth says she knows how Franco was, and who he could still be. He tells her about overhearing her with Laura and she asks if he heard her say that she was falling for him. He tells her that he fell for her a long time ago. They kiss.

Julian walks up to Alexis. He says he was unsure how to approach her, and tells her that he was almost killed, like she doesn’t know. Alexis says Morgan was in the wrong place at the wrong time and is dead because of him.

Danny tells his parents that babies don’t do much. Sam says at first, but later he can build pillow forts with Scout. Jason says Danny can help them keep baby safe, and Sam says that’s what families do. Danny runs off to make a picture for Scout. Ava texts Jason, saying that Sonny is in trouble.

Sonny says Scotty hates him because he can’t hate anyone else, and has to put it somewhere. Scotty says that Sonny’s son was collateral damage, and he needs to look in the mirror. Sonny goes for Scotty’s throat.

Tomorrow, Maxie looks for Claudette, Nell tells Michael that Sonny might not make it, and Jason stops Sonny from strangling Scotty.

If Loving You is Wrong

I tune in a little late. Steven is questioning Brad. Steven shoves a picture of a baby at Brad, who claims he killed the baby. Then he says he doesn’t know where the baby and Alex are. He talks about Iraq and following orders. He says Randal is the reason he’s there, but he didn’t kidnap Randal or the baby. Steven thinks it’s weird that he hasn’t asked about Alex. He says she’s missing, and Brad asks if she’s been kidnapped too. Steven says she’s not kidnapped but she’s looking for her lover and baby. Brad reaches across the table and grabs Steven. Steven says that’s the Brad he’s looking for.

Brad says this has to stop. Steven says Brad’s wife running around with the guy next door must make him mad. Brad says he’s not saying anymore, but Steven says keep talking, confession is good for the soul. Brad tells Steven if he wants to put him in cuffs, go ahead. Steven brings up that Randal is Black and Brad wonders why that should matter. Steven says he knows plenty of guys who wouldn’t blame Brad for bashing Randal’s head in. Brad says he’s not saying another word until he gets a lawyer. Steven says if he’d talked, it would have gone a long way with the DA. Outside, Steven tells an officer to just go in and stand next to Brad and see if he’ll say something. The officer is Black and Steven hints around that Brad is a racist.

Esperanza tells Marcie and Kelly that Brad just asked for a lawyer. Kelly says if he was innocent he wouldn’t asks for one, but Esperanza says that’s exactly why he should have one. Otherwise he could get railroaded by the system. Marcie asks if she thinks he’s innocent, and Esperanza says she has other thoughts. Marcie says she keeps vacillating back and forth. She wonders how she could be so wrong about two men that she loves. Kelly asks if she loves Brad and she says yes. She didn’t realize it until tonight and asks them not to judge her. Marcie says Brad couldn’t have done this and asks how two people could create all this hell. Two people, one choice, and look where they are. Kelly says they all have blame in this. Marcie slept with Brad, and she and Esperanza wouldn’t get invovled. Marcie says their world has been thrown upside down and she wants it to stop. She wishes she could go back in time. Kelly tells them her mother used to say the wages of sin is death and she finally gets it. When things like this happen, the good things around us die.

Marcie gets upset about leading the police to Brad and insists he didn’t do it. Esperanza asks who did. Marcie says someone who hates the situation as much as they do. Esperanza says be careful or she’ll incriminate herself. She says the cops are like dogs digging up old bones when they want someone to blame. Marcie wants to do something and not just sit around. She wants to see Louise. Kelly says they will, but stay put right now. Esperanza wants to go to the station and see what else she can find out. She asks Kelly to walk her to the car.

Seriously, where is Randal? Did the actor leave the show or something?

On the porch, Esperanza tells Kelly she doesn’t think that Brad did it. Kelly says who then? Esperanza suggests Alex’s parents. For one, they’re racists. She says Miss Louise said it was the man next door; she didn’t specify Brad. She reminds Kelly about how they mixed up her and Alex when someone said “the woman next door.” She thinks Alex called her parents out of desperation. Kelly tells her to let the police know, but Esperanza wants to be sure. Kelly insists she should say something. Esperanza says if Alex called her parents, it could make her an accessory and she could get in a lot of trouble. She says people who are desperate do crazy things, but if Alex didn’t do it, the police will try to charge her anyway, so she can’t just go in with accusations. She says she’ll try to get more information, and she’ll talk to the captain if she can’t find out anything.

Eddie is still sitting in his car. He tells Esperanza that he’s keeping his eye on the only witness. Esperanza wants to know how to get to Alex’s parents and he tells her to take a left on Hillbilly Road. She tells him there’s a baby involved and he’s acting like an idiot. She points out that the people involved are his relatives. He asks how she would know that. She says she has a feeling. Eddie says most of the time the police go on facts. She asks if he’s going to help her or not. He asks how he’s suppsoed to know anything? He says he knew Uncle Rusty would work his way in there somewhere and this just gets better and better. Esperanza says if this baby dies, it’s all his fault and she hopes his conscience eats him alive. What conscience? He says it would be Alex and Randal’s fault for committing adultery. Esperanza says he cheated a lot when he was married, but he says he was cheating with her. She says she’s paying for it and she’ll get the real police to help her.

Esperanza tells Kelly that Eddie won’t tell her where Alex’s parents live. Kelly asks what’s wrong with him, and Esperanza says everything. Kelly tells Eddie he’s sick and Eddie makes remarks about the men in Kelly’s life. Esperanza gets in her car and Eddie leaves.

The truck driver drops Alex off, asking if she’s sure he doesn’t want her to call someone. She says she’ll be fine.

Pete tries to get up, but the nurse tells him to lie down. She says if he doesn’t, she’ll have to restrain him. He asks why there’s a guy sitting outside and she says he has protection because he was shot. He asks by who, and she says he’ll have to ask an officer. She leaves and Pete dreams about what happened before he got shot and how Ben was nowhere when he needed help. He jerks awake and reaches for the phone.

Lushion’s phone rings. It’s Pete. Lushion says it’s not a good time. Pete says he knows who shot him. It was a gang of guys and Ben just watched. Lushion asks what else he remembers and Pete says he has to get out of there. He says the guy outside of his room is working for the gang, but Lushion says he’s okay; he’s FBI. Pete asks how Lushion knows, and Lushion says somebody put him there for Pete. He asks Pete what he remembers about the tape from the convenience store. Pete says he saw Eddie shooting Ben’s hand off. Lushion asks what he did with the tape, and Pete says he gave it to Natalie and gave the copies to the captain who said he’d take care of it. After that, he was moved to the south side and got shot. He says he’s scared, but Lushion says, don’t be. He has to take care of something and then he’ll come check on him. Lushion goes back to Natalie.

The nurse tells Pete that he needs to rest. She gives Pete something to help him sleep, and he keeps saying he can’t sleep and she doesn’t understand. She tells him goodnight. He says he’s not going to sleep, but she says she bets he will.

Natalie tells Lushion that the pill is wearing off and she needs to know what’s happening with Joey. She’s losing patience. A doctor approaches them, introducing himself as Dr. Norton. He says Joey isn’t in the best condition. He has less than a 12% chance of making it. Natalie says there is hope, but the doctor says his heart and liver are damaged. Lushion asks if they’ve done everything they can, and he says yes; the only thing they can do is wait. He says if Joey recovers, it could take months. If he makes it through the night, his chances will improve, but the doctor doesn’t think it’s going to happen.

The doctor wants to ask Lushion something but Lushion blows him off. Natalie wants to know what the question is and Lushion says he’s going to ask about organ donation. The doctor says they have 12 people waiting for organs and Joey could save a lot of people. Natalie asks if they’re Black, but the doctor says he’s not sure. She wants to know if he’s just saving organs for some rich kid at the expense of hers. Lushion tells her not to take it out on the doctor. He says they shouldn’t think they’re going to lose Joey, but they have to consider organ donation. Natalie says she doesn’t want her son to die. She wants to ask the doctor if they can see him. I’m sure he’ll want to do her a favor after she just insulted him and practically called him a racist and a liar.

Pete asks the nurse what she gave him. She says a sedative. He keeps saying he can’t sleep, as he falls asleep. The door opens. Oh crap, it’s Eddie. I thought Lushion said that was an FBI guy outside. Eddie tells Pete to rest. Pete mumbles something and Eddie says it’s okay.

It’s Randal in a box! He hears the baby crying and hollers like a banshee. The box is moved and dropped. He pounds at it, and someone opens it and punches him. Hmm…I wonder if this is like when Suzanne Sommers had a beef with Three’s Company and her only scenes were brief and alone.

Next time, Alex’s car is found, Lushion questions the FBI guy, and Marcie passes out.

Below Deck

Captain Lee radios Kelley. He says the fiasco with the pool was an embarrassment. He says it’s not rocket science. He doesn’t want Kelley doing what he thinks is right, but what he’s told to. He says they don’t always have the luxury of extra time.

Ben makes the usual fabulous breakfast. Emily is seeing Ben in a different light and noticing the sweet side. Kate says she’s never seen Ben so nervous around a girl as Emily. The crew sets up the dreaded slide. Nico feels like Captain Lee is boring holes in them while watching.

Kate prepares for the guests’ party. She tells Ben she’s doing a Vegas theme and asks if he’d be Elvis. He’s not too receptive. Kelley asks primary guest Steve if he still wants to do some golfing. He does, so the captain tells Kelley how to set up the mat on deck. He’s getting irritated that he has to instruct Kelley about everything. Lauren says she understands why the captain is on Kelley’s ass, but since she’s been in that postion, she feels sorry for him. Steve golfs with one of the other guests.

Kate asks Nico to be Elvis. She radios Kelley, asking him to be the Chippendale. The guests are impressed with the table setting. Emily hasn’t told Kelley that she’s going out with Ben since she doesn’t want to wreck their friendship. I’m thinking it might wreck their friendship unless she does tell him.

Dinner is equally as fabulous as breakfast. Afterward, Kate directs the guests to the dance party. Elvis gets them in the mood. The guests do some dancing and everyone looks like they’re having a great time. In his interview, Ben says Emily has him rattled and he can’t wait for their date. Emily tells Kate pretty much the same thing.

Wow. Another breakfast is happening. All we do on this trip is eat. Steve says he’s glad his new fiance has tiny fingers since the ring looks bigger. Kyle talks to Kate and Ben in the galley about how he was a starving artist at one time. Well, a juggler who followed a girl to London, but then she left him for a rich doctor. In her interview, Kate says she loves when people have no apologies for who they are. I agree. Not everybody is going to like you regardless, so you might as well live honestly.

Kate tells Sierra she should give Kyle a chance. She says the lengths he went to for love are mind blowing. Sierra suggests Kate go out with him, but she says she loves Ro. Wasn’t Sierra here last week?

The guests were thrilled with the trip and Steve lays a fat envelope on Captain Lee. Kelley is psyched to go out, thinking he’s going to spend time with Emily. The crew gathers in the mess for tip time. Kelley keeps leaning on Emily, and in her interview, Emily says that clearly Kelley hasn’t gotten the memo that she’s going out with Ben because he’s lounging on her. The captain tells them that interior nailed it, but there were a few hiccups with the crew, and uses the word “proactive” again. The take is $15,000, $1350 each. Sierra says not too shabby for approximately fifteen hours of work. The captain expects Kyle and Sierra to make up the fishing trip time, but the crew is off for the evening.

Oh, I see. This isn’t a fishing trip like I was thinking. It’s a chartered boat where Kyle and Sierra are having cocktails. He talks about dinner later. Nico asks Emily if she has plans for tonight and she says she’s going to dinner with Ben. In her interview, Lauren says Kelley is going to flip and she’s staying out of it.

Kyle and Sierra sit in the fishing chair together. In her interview, Sierra says that Kyle is aggressive with his flirting, but she still wants to get to know him.

In his interview, Nico points out that Ben rooms with Kelley and it’s a bad situation. Ben asks Kyle how the date went, and he says Sierra kept texting a male friend. I know she didn’t want him to think it was a date, but that’s pretty rude. Kate is the one who ends up telling Kelley that Emily is going out with Ben. When they meet for dinner, Ben tells Emily that her dress is snazzy. Kelley gossips about Ben to Kyle, saying he has a different girl every season. Kyle tells him about Sierra’s texting and Kelley thinks he’s foolish to take her to dinner and manages to talk him out of it. What I think is that Kelley is worried he’s going to end up with Nico and Lauren all night. No girl for you!

The town is beautiful. Ben and Emily go to a fancy restaurant. Ben says he doesn’t like dill and I’m shocked. I love dill. Sierra talks about her family and how independent she was at a young age. Ben says his family was glad to get him out of the country. Ha-ha! In her interview, Emily says she enjoys Ben’s company; it’s easy and natural

Kelley insists to Lauren and Kyle that Sierra has a boyfriend. Lauren relays the information to Sierra about Kyle and Kelley’s gripes. Sierra asks Kelley if he’s upset with her. He says she didn’t tell Kyle the truth about wanting to just be friends, and he’s upset because she played Kyle. She says he absolutely knew how she felt. Kelley starts walking away and Sierra says she isn’t done. She decides not to go to dinner with them because Kelley wants to cause drama. Kate asks what the problem is and tells Kelley its none of his business. Sierra says she’s only been nice to him. Kate tells Sierra he’s taking his jealousy out on her because Emily went out with Ben. In her interview, Kate says Kelley hasn’t mastered the art of handling rejection.

Emily tells Ben it was a breath of fresh air to have him ask her out and she’s glad he did. Ben says he’s glad he’s sitting there and not Kelley. Emily says her too. They toast to Kelley…not being there.

Kate tells Sierra that Kelley is acting like a junior high school girl. The go to the bar where the rest of the crew is, and Ben and Emily show up. Kelley wanders off with Lauren. Sierra talks about how overbearing Kelley is. Kyle tells Sierra that he thinks she’s amazing, but she hurt him, so let’s call it a day now and get on with our lives. In his interview, Nico says it’s super awkward and he’s stuck in the middle of a bunch of emotions. He gets a pizza to go. Sierra tells Kyle she’s sorry and they hug it out. In his interview, Kyle says if Sierra ever comes knocking, the door is closed.

Nico, Kelley and Lauren go back to the boat with the pizza. Ben comes back to the table to find only Emily.

Captain Lee tells Kate that he has an issue with the pizza trail on the way to his quarters. He says he expects Kate will deal with it accordingly. She says things are out of control.

Nico finds the sandwich make on and smoking in the galley. He runs upstairs and out on deck with it wrapped in a towel. Captain Lee wonders what’s going on and Nico says someone left the toaster on and it’s smoking.. Kate says she just got the captain calmed down. She asks Nico what’s going on and he says he found it that way and has no idea who left it on.

Lauren is squinty drunk and tries to talk to Nico. Kelley thinks he’s being thrown under the bus, since he got accused of leaving the sandwich maker on by default.

Ben and Emily talk to each other in French. In her interview, Emily thinks there are real feelings. Ben says they have chemistry and hopes they can continue this.

Lauren sings on deck. Kate talks to Kelley and says the sandwich maker was a sadety issue and they’ll talk in the morning when everyone is clear headed.

Still to come this season, Kyle does drag and might be transgender, Ben calls Emily “the jewel of he Caribbean,” Nico butts heads with Kate, a hated guest returns, Kate has long distance relationship issues, Kelley and Sierra have it out, Kelley and Nico have it out, and Kelley and Captain Lee have it out.

October 24, 2016 – GH’s Valentin has a Long Reach, the OC’s Tamra has a Big Win & I have a Film Recommend

Standard

What I Watched Today
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)

General Hospital

Sonny asks Carly to come home with him, saying they need each other now more than ever. They almost kiss and the doorbell rings. It’s Dante. He was at the crash site. Carly asks if he found any trace of Morgan. He pulls out an evidence bag.

Finn watches Hayden sleep. He tells her it’s time to wake up; it’s the afternoon. She jumps up in fighting mode.

Anna looks at Valentin’s dossier. Griff asks if she knows him. She says no, but something is familiar. She’s never met him, but she recognizes something about his face. Laura approaches, having overheard them. Anna introduces her to Griff. Charlotte comes over to the table, and Anna explains to Laura that there’s a connection between Valentin and Claudette’s mother. Laura says from her experience, Valentin will stop at nothing to get what he wants.

Claudette insists to Nathan that the room had been ransacked. Nathan picks up a bracelet. It’s Maxie’s. He asks what the hell is going on and where is Maxie?

Maxie talks to herself, saying it’s not her fault The Beard is incompetent and took her by mistake. She says this isn’t the way it’s going to end. She’s the daughter of Frisco and Felicia Jones and there’s got to be a way out.

Dante takes the jade necklace that Carly gave Morgan out of the bag. He tells Carly to keep it since they don’t need it as evidence. She tells them how she’d told him that it promotes peace and wisdom. (Well, that didn’t work.) Sonny asks if Dante has any evidence that might show Morgan is still alive. Carly asks if that’s possible, but Dante says they have nothing, although they’re continuing to canvas the area. He says they’re going to bring whoever did this to justice, and asks if Carly needs any help with the funeral. Carly wonders if there’s going to be enough time for them to get something they can actually bury.

Hayden asks what Finn is doing there. He says technically he lives there. She apologizes, saying when she wakes up in a strange room, her first instinct is to defend herself. He gives her some aspirin and says she should feel better in about a half hour. I dunno about that. She tells Finn that he’s a prince among men and I’m surprised he doesn’t make a joke about Nicholas. She says she’s a little fuzzy about last night and he shows her the check, asking if it rings any bells.

Laura tells Griff that regardless of the situation, they’ve been given the best gift anyone can receive, meaning a child. Doc arrives and she excuses herself. He tells her she looks great, but she thinks she dressed for dinner, not lunch. He says if all goes well, maybe they can have dinner next time. I was thinking if it goes well, lunch could turn into dinner. Lots of missed dialogue opportunities today.

Griff wonders why Valentin seems familiar to Anna. She says there’s something about his eyes, but since he’s been accused of just about everything, she’d remember if she had met him. She says he’s a mercenary, lethal, and smart, since up until Cassadine Island, he flew under the radar. Griff feels badly about Claudette, and blames himself for her turning to Valentin.

Nathan asks Claudette how Maxie’s bracelet ended up there, but she has no clue. She says she’s been busy introducing Charlotte to her father, and Nathan says, which one? BA-DUM-CHH! Nathan puts two and two together, and realizes that someone must have kidnapped Maxie thinking she was Claudette.

Maxie gets out of the duct tape and runs upstairs. The door is locked. She needs to pick the lock and looks for something to use. Did she turn that furnace off? That would be my first move. She finds a cell phone that has power.

Nathan calls the hotel office to get security footage. He explains that Maxie is missing and the hotel was her last known location. Dante shows up and says Maxie’s car is still in the parking lot. Maxie calls Nathan’s phone.

Doc makes up something crazy on the menu to see if Laura is listening. She tells him sorry; she heard Anna talking about Valentin and it’s distracted her.

Griff fills Anna in on what happened between him, Claudette and Nathan. He wonders how their lives would be different if he’d been supportive of her. Anna wonders why Claudette didn’t tell him that she was pregnant.

Nathan asks whose phone she’s using, but she doesn’t know. He says he’ll come and get her, but she doesn’t know where she is either. She says she’s in a basement with no windows, and the door is locked. He asks her if she noticed anything on the drive, and she says she was in the trunk of the car. Nathan tells her they’ll trace the call, but she says she doesn’t think she can wait. The Beard broke something and gas is leaking into the room. I still can’t believe the daughter of Frisco and Felicia Jones can’t figure out something to do there. There’s a lot of stuff on those shelves. She should be MacGyvering this.

Hayden tells Finn that scamming is in her blood…or not. She has to keep reminding herself she’s Jeff Webber’s daughter, not Raymond Berlin’s. She asks what Finn is going to use the money for and how many test tubes it will buy. He says he can’t accept the check.

Sonny tells Carly he was wrong and he knows it, and he’d change it if he could, but it doesn’t mean they can’t honor their son’s memory together. Carly says a burned necklace is all they have to bury, and unless he can go back in time, she can’t help him. She has nothing for him and can’t grieve with him or even look at him.

Kiki enters with what is sure to be bad timing. She’s sorry about Morgan, but also about all the times she hurt him, and every stupid argument they ever had. Most of all she hates that before Morgan died, he was in pain because of her. She wants them to know that she loved him and always will. Carly asks what she meant by causing him pain on his last night. She wants to know her son’s final moments.

Hayden is shocked Finn doesn’t want to accept the check after all she went through to get it. He says it was an impressive feat, but Evan wrote the check because he thought he slept with her. He asks what if Evan comes back for seconds, or worse, realizes she tricked him. She says men are easy to fool, and he’s probably bragging to his buddies right now. She says the last thing she expected was Finn breaking down the door and it was pretty awesome. She remembers accusing Finn of wanting to sleep with her himself.

Laura doesn’t want to think about Valentin. She says he’s in prison and Spencer is safe in school. She wants to concentrate on what really matters, their date. Doc says that works for him.

Charlotte interrupts Anna and Griff, saying she wants her mommy. Griff wonders what’s taking so long.

Nathan tries to get Maxie to remember anything about the drive – how long it was and if they drove over anything like train tracks. She says it was smooth the entire way, but recalls hearing “that annoying song.” She tells Nathan it’s a place they drive past where he always wants to get hot dogs. The phone goes dead.

Sonny asks what Carly is doing, and she says she needs to know. Kiki says Morgan thought there was something going on between her and Dillon. He thought he saw them having sex, and even though she’s never had sex with Dillon, it set him off. Carly says she saw them kiss in the park and asks if Kiki was sneaking around. Kiki admits she was going to break up with Morgan. Carly makes her say it louder. Kiki says she went to their house to do it face to face, but Morgan wasn’t home. Carly says she can’t blame herself for his death, but she can blame herself for not being there for him in his hour of need, and for doing the one thing that Carly asked her not to. I hate to point this out to Carly, but Kiki might have been there for him if he’d bothered answering his phone or was at home instead of the bar. Carly says that Kiki swore she loved Morgan and would stand by him. She insults Kiki and slaps her. She says she wants Kiki out. Sonny gathers Kiki into his arms and hugs her.

Hayden says she can’t believe she suggested that Finn wanted to sleep with her. Finn says alcohol lowers inhibitions, and he can’t count the times he’s woken up and wanted to be put out of his misery. She says go ahead and tell her he’s not interested.

Laura tells Doc that there’s only one thing they can do – schedule another date. They have to keep doing it until they get it right. Aw, I’m glad she’s trying with him again.

Griff wonders where Claudette is and says he’ll go check. Anna plays a game on her phone with Charlotte.

Maxie is passed out, but Nathan arrives in time and brings her upstairs.

Claudette is packing. Griff knocks at the door. She hides the suitcase and answers. She says she thought someone was following her, but it was a false alarm. He wants her to go back downstairs; Charlotte is wondering what happened. She says Charlotte will be fine. Griff is a wonderful father who will take good care of her. He asks if she’ going to leave her daughter and run.

Nathan tells Maxie to come around for Georgie’s sake.

Kiki says everything Carly says is true. Sonny says Carly’s pain is bigger than anything Kiki has done or could do. Kiki says she screwed up, but she loved Morgan. Sonny says she cared for him more than he cared for himself. He’s happy that Morgan experienced that kind of love.

Griff asks how Claudette can abandon her daughter? She says it’s the only way to keep her safe, and that Valentin’s reach is long, even in jail. Griff says he got Anna to help them and asks Claudette to trust him. She says okay, she will. He says let’s go and she goes to get her purse. While he’s looking elsewhere, she smacks Griff over the head with a paperweight and grabs her stuff. She says she’s sorry and take care of Charlotte. She leaves him there unconscious.

Finn says to be clear, Hayden just asked him to confirm he has no romantic interest in her. She says she can take it; she’s the type who likes the band-aid ripped off fast. He says he is interested, very interested, but it doesn’t change that the two of them pursuing a relationship is a bad idea, because he won’t be around. She says she just got him a big check, but he says it doesn’t work that way. (That’s not how any of this works!) Hayden tells him that she knows she’s taking a risk, but in case he didn’t notice, she likes taking risks. They kiss.

Sonny says Morgan wanted the best for Kiki and would want her to move on. She thanks him and leaves. Carly asks Sonny if he thinks she wasn’t being fair. He says he knows she’s grieving, but Kiki did lead Morgan on and quit on him. He adds that she’s a kid though, and it does no good to tear her down. He says they know who she’s really mad at. She says she’s mad at everyone, right down to PCU expelling Morgan without giving him a chance to explain (because the rules don’t apply to him). It changes nothing though – she won’t get to hear him laugh anymore, or get to hold her baby anymore. She says she can’t do this with Sonny, because when she looks at him, she sees the man who killed her son. She tells him to go. Dammit!

Hayden says she had Finn all wrong. He’s willing to take risks too. He says she ain’t seen nuthin’ yet. They get busy.

Griff comes to. He realizes what happened.

Anna asks Charlotte if they should check on Griff.

Nathan cancels the ambulance, but wants Maxie to be checked out. Dante goes to help find the perp. Maxie asks how Nathan found her, and he says via the hot dog place.

Griff calls the hotel office and asks for the surveillance camera to be checked . They’re being kept very busy today. Anna comes to the door, and Griff says he guesses Claudette is skipping town.

Claudette gets on a plane. The seat next to her is empty. You know what’s going to happen, right?

Doc says he’s been thinking about something that Laura said when she got the key. If she pursued it or not, it would haunt her. Laura says Helena is dead, Valentin is in jail, and no one can touch her. After all these years, apparently Laura still lives in a fool’s paradise.

Claudette hears someone singing softly. Valentin sits next to her. He says she has something she stole from him. (Hmm…could Charlotte be his?)

Tomorrow, Nina is surprised Julian is still alive, Alexis apologizes to Sonny, and Ava is concerned about being killed.

The Real Housewives of the OC

I’ve pretty much decided I don’t like anyone on this show. I don’t mind Kelly, but she needs to stay away from alcohol. She’s a big girl and shouldn’t feel pressured by the others to drink. Not that it excuses them from being the d-bags they were last week. Vicki is harmless, but I don’t know what her problem is that she sleepwalks through the drama and pretends it doesn’t exist. The both of them seem like they mean well, even if ultimately they cause a ruckus. I can’t say that about the others.

On the bus to the airport, Heather says, I’m rubber you’re glue. Actually, she declares that nothing Kelly says can hurt her, because Kelly is trash. In her interview, Meghan says she sees how Kelly has become an easy target for the women to prod and see what they can get out of her. OMG – Meghan is suddenly the wise one. She wants to stand up for Kelly, but doesn’t know exactly what happened. Shannon starts screeching at Vicki for not contributing to the conversation, if that’s what we’re calling it. Kelly feels that Vicki abandoned her and Kelly lets fly some things that Vicki told her about Shannon, one of them being that Vicki is afraid of David because he beats his wife.

Heather gets up like the schoolteacher she is, finger wagging, and says that’s enough. Shannon stars bawling and saying he does not. Apparently this is the secret that Vicki was holding onto a couple of episodes ago. Tamra jumps in, saying Vicky has said things about Eddie, and literally screams F-U in Vicki’s face, like two inches away. Tamra claims that Vicki said Eddie is gay. I don’t remember her ever saying that, but now that she mentions it…just kidding. I think. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. In her interview, Heather says Vicki shouldn’t have told Kelly anything, even though Kelly is the one that blurted it out. In her interview, Meghan says she’s disappointed in Heather, who’s deflecting her own role in the situation. I know the feeling.

Back in the OC, Shannon is unpacking. She’s upset that one of the best trips of her life was ruined on the airport bus. I feel sorry for her if that was one of the best trips of her life even before then. Tamra comes by the new house. She has to concentrate on the competition and doesn’t know if she’s ready. She told her mom about what went on during the trip. Shannon asks what her status with Vicki is. Tamra says Eddie just laughed it off, but she feels like Vicki wants to present her as being in a bad marriage. Shannon is like, ditto. She says Vicki wants to “attack their men” because of Brooks.

Vicki tells Briana that it was a great trip and they all got along well (!). I’m not sure if Vicki is on medication or has some ability to be in a different dimension. She tells Briana about Tamra thinking she said Eddie is gay, but doesn’t remember saying anything like that. In her interview, Briana says her mother is a dirty fighter. Briana tells Vicki that when other people are hurting, she only focuses on it for a minute, and then turns things back to herself. Vicki says she wants peace, and Briana says she needs to acknowledge it when she hurts someone’s feelings, but Vicki is tired of apologizing. It’s like they’re having two different conversations.

Tamra says she’s putting Vicki out of her mind. Shannon says she has nothing to say to Vicki. If she sees her, she’s leaving the room. Oooh, there’s a threat.

Kelly talks to Michael about the women provoking her on the way to the airport. She says Heather is the puppet and everyone is the master, but Willy Wonka would tell her to strike that and reverse it. She says she was pushed and repeated what Vicki told her about David beating the crap out of Shannon. Michael is like, whoa, and asks if it’s true, but Kelly says she doesn’t know and it’s none of her business. Good one. She says she stuck by Vicki when the rest of the women put her through crap, but then Vicki was silent when she needed support. Michael says maybe Kelly should take baby steps and mend things with Vicki. He says every relationship is different and she’ll have to have a different plan for each. For once, he actually makes sense. It’s like the bizarro OC.

Tamra gets her competition outfits – a bejeweled turquoise bikini, and a pink and black leather bikini bottom and crop top. She tells Mia about what happened on the trip with Kelly, leaving out a lot of her own part in it. In her interview, she says enough is enough with Vicki. Mia tells her that she has to forgive as many times as it takes. We flash back to Tamra and Vicki apologizing to one another at various times. Tamra says she wants to forgive Vicki about as much as she wants to put on the tiny clothing. Which is not at all.

Kelly meets Meghan, who is wearing an awesome faux fur vest. Meghan asks how she’s been doing since the trip. In her interview, Meghan says Kelly’s behavior wasn’t acceptable, but she’s not going to ditch her. Kelly wonders what she did, and Meghan says she wasn’t exactly tactful. Kelly asks if Meghan thinks what the others said to her was okay. Meghan says no, but the power is in Kelly’s hands to move on. She tells Kelly that she should have just ridden it out. Kelly wants to talk to Tamra first, since she’s reached out before, and is trying to be a better person. Meghan tells Kelly she’ll always be there to support her.

Kelly invites Vicki over. Vicki says she thought they had an amazing trip (sound of cuckoo clock in my head). Kelly says she felt like Vicki wasn’t the same. She’s defended Vicki, but Vicki didn’t return the favor. Vicki says she wanted to stay neutral and let Kelly to fight her own battle. How nice of her. She says if she took Kelly’s side, the other women would turn on her, but if she took their side, she was abandoning Kelly. They talk about Shannon and Tamra encouraging Kelly to drink. Vicki says she told Kelly not to drink, but we flash back and that isn’t the case at all. Quite the opposite. Kelly talks about Heather putting in her two cents and how she was the puppet master. Vicki says not with her, but Kelly isn’t buying it. Kelly says Vicki went through it, so why didn’t she say something when they ganged up on her? She says she was backed into a corner and no one was defending her. Vicki says she was mending fences and she doesn’t want to be excluded or have Kelly excluded. In her interview, Vicki admits she was wrong. She apologizes to Kelly and says she was just recovering from her own hell. In her interview, Kelly says she doesn’t like what Vicki did, but she understands her position.

Vicki calls Tamra. Tamra remarks that the trip ended badly. Vicki thinks alcohol fueled a lot of it, and that Shannon was out of line. Tamra says Shannon was hurt, and Vicki says they all were. Ugh! It’s one of those “we were all drinking” excuses. Vicki asks if it’s okay if she comes to Tamra’s competition and the eating party afterward. In her interview, Tamra says she knows the Christian thing is to forgive, and decides Vicki can come.

Tamra meets Kelly for lunch. A lettuce leaf and a glass of water. In her interview, Tamra wants to move on with Kelly, but needs to know where her heart is. They talk about the competition and Tamra’s preparation. Kelly tells Tamra that she was 100% wrong. Tamra says when Kelly talked about her daughter, it put her in a bad place. Kelly says she didn’t want to hurt Tamra and apologizes. Tamra says she’s disappointed in herself, and had she not been drinking, she wouldn’t have pushed Kelly. They talk about forgiveness. The food comes, looking surprisingly more substantial than a lettuce leaf. Kelly tells Tamra that Vicki really loves her. Tamra says she’s over it. Kelly wonders why Shannon is so upset, and Tamra says Shannon once confided in Vicki, and Vicki needs to keep her mouth shut. Kelly talks about Shannon pressing the alcohol on her, but Tamra thinks she should apologize for repeating what Vicki said. Kelly is torn about Shannon, but says she’s tired of Heather being the puppetmaster and everyone seeming scared of her. Tamra tells Kelly they’re all going to be at the competition and she doesn’t want any drama. Kelly says she doesn’t want to screw anything up for Tamra. She tells Tamra to remember that if you’re not first, you’re last, which is what she tells her daughter. No wonder Kelly is messed up. That’s terrible to say, but she probably heard it herself growing up.

Tamra calls Shannon. She says Vicki called her and wants to go to the competition. She says Vicki told her that alcohol was the only thing that messed up the trip. Shannon says that Vicki needs to stop concocting stories. Even though I don’t think that was the whole problem, alcohol certainly contributed. Tamra says Vicki thinks they’re all hurt, but offered no apologies. She tells Shannon they should confront Vicki at the party. Shannon is down with that. Tamra moves on to telling her about lunch with Kelly. Shannon says if Tamra is working past it and wants Kelly at the party, no problem, but she’s not going to hang out with her.

Tamra reads her good luck texts on the way to the competition. She’s in the bikini division. Mia tells her to ask Jesus for strength and that she’s there to inspire other women. We flash back to the accident and Tamra’s recovery. Tamra says she’s worked so hard, she can’t let anything get in her way. She gets a final spray tan before the event starts. The girls arrive and it’s stupid how they’re all saying hello to Briana, but pretty much ignoring Vicki and Kelly. In her interview, Shannon says she’s keeping it to herself (whatever it is) because it’s Tamra’s night.

Tamra looks amazing. Eddie takes pictures and David’s eyes bug out of his head. We see a few of the other contestants. Shannon says since she’s met Tamra, she’s done a complete transformation. The other girls praise her, but my ears are still ringing from her hollering on the bus. Tamra should apologize to me. It’s down to Tamra and another girl. Tamra prays. We go to a commercial.

Tamra wins! She gets her trophy, and Eddie comes up on stage and hugs her. In her interview, Tamra says with all the things she can’t control in her life, she wanted to do something for herself. Everyone congratulates her and they take pictures. Tamra just wants a hamburger and some pizza. Vicki and Kelly come up for pictures, and Shannon walks away. Kelly says Shannon is ignoring her and Heather is icing her out.

Next time, the finale – Shannon has a party, a pile of donuts falls to the ground and Tamra eats them anyway (I made up the Tamra part), Meghan tries to talk to Heather, and Shannon confronts Vicki.

🎭 Recommended: Hamilton’s America in rotation on PBS. This is like seeing two documentaries in one. Lin-Manuel Miranda captured his musical’s journey from start to Tony Awards, and this is interspersed with historical discussion. There are interviews with everyone from historians to Hamilton cast members. And there are enough scenes from the play, that you won’t even need to see it. This is definitely worth a look, or two, or three. Fastest 82 minutes ever.

October 23, 2016 – Once Upon Aladdin, Walking Dead Reveal & NJ’s Dolores’s Kitchen Gets Warmed

Standard

What I Watched Today
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)

Once Upon a Time

In the capital of Agribah, the market is busy and Jafar pushes people around. He corrals three guys, telling them that the Sultan doesn’t tolerate thieves and neither does he. He zaps them and poof! they turn into rats in a cloud of red smoke. Maybe dusty rose is closer.

Jasmine comes to Aladdin’s rug shop. She’s there to hire him. He wonder if she shouldn’t be in a palace, but she’s unhappy there. She wants Aladdin to help her defeat Jafar. He’s not interested, but she tells him look in his pocket. He finds a royal scarab as payment. When he tries to give it back, she screams, “thief!” and he says he’ll help just to shut her up. She wants him to steal a weapon called the Diamond in the Rough.

Emma’s visions are still haunting her. She and Archie walk through the forest. They find the Oracle, but she keels over dead. So much for her part. A girl runs past them. Emma runs after her and the girl falls. It’s Shireen.

Emma and David talk to Shireen. Emma asks what her story is and says maybe they can help. Shireen explains that she’s really Princess Jasmine, but says she didn’t kill the Oracle and doesn’t know who did. The Oracle was helping her find Aladdin. She says he was special and the Savior.

The Evil Queen shows up at Archie’s office. She wants to talk about Emma. She says Hyde told her that the Oracle gave Emma visions of her future, and Archie realizes the Evil Queen is the one who killed the Oracle. She asks him to team up for old time’s sake. He tells her no way, and she turns herself into his clone. She says if he won’t help, she’ll ask Emma herself.

Zelena tends to her baby, and finds Archie  in her kitchen tied up. He wants her to untie him, but she says her sister must have her reasons. He tries using psychology to trick her into setting him free, but it doesn’t work.

The Evil Queen sees Emma, who sees her as Archie. “Archie” says they have more to explore, but Emma says the plans have changed. She says Aladdin is another Savior and she has to help find him. She drives off in her yellow VW bug.

In the old world, Jasmine takes Aladdin to the Cave of Wonders. She says he’ll learn everything he needs from there. He jokes around, but she tells him it’s serious. Rather than living a life of comfort, she wants to save the world. He says she can’t blame Jafar for everything though. It’s been bad for a while, and only when her own family was persecuted did she get involved. He tells her that she’s selfish. He juggles an apple and gives it to her, making her smile.

They approach the cave. The closed entrance stumps Aladdin she wonders how hard a little breaking and entering can be for a thief. He says “Open Sezme!.” Nothing happens. But then the door slowly opens. He says, after her.

The Storybrooke group gathers at Emma’s place. David says they’re not giving up on finding Aladdin, but it doesn’t look good. The Evil Queen as Archie enters. He says Emma has a secret, encouraging her to tell her family. Emma says she’s been having visions of what she thinks is her future. She says all of the Saviors died, but she thought if she found Aladdin alive, he could help her avoid her fate. As they argue, Archie leaves and turns back to the Evil Queen outside.

Emma says Regina isn’t there in the vision. Regina wonders if she’s dead or if she’s the hooded figure. She says they’ll find another way to track down Aladdin and tells them meet in her vault in an hour. Jasmine wonders if Aladdin is dead.

The Cave of Wonders definitely is. Lots of gold and treasure and a booby trapped rough diamond. Aladdin sees a gold monkey and uses it as a weight so he can take the diamond. It turns to dust in his hands and the cave starts to shake. He covers Jasmine. When it’s over, she says he’s magic. He asks if she knew that would happen, and she says she suspected. The actual gem wasn’t the Diamond in the Rough; he is. He can challenge Jafar and defeat him and be the Savior of Agribah.

In today’s Storybrooke, Jasmine is sitting in Henry’s room and he tells her that she can play his X-Box or whatever helps. She feels like she’s intruding, but he says he knows it’s hard on her. She says the worst part is knowing that being a Savior is a death sentence, and back in Agribah, she’s the one who encouraged Aladdin. Henry says he did the same thing with his mother, but maybe Hyde is wrong. Jasmine hopes so, for both their sakes.

Snow says Emma should have been honest. Emma says she didn’t lie, she was just scared. David gets a message from Leroy. He had an appointment with Archie, but Archie never showed.

The Evil Queen pops into Zelena’s place and says thanks for watching Archie. She tells Zelena to come with her and let Archie babysit. She says Zelena’s little sister is going to make everything better.

Zelena and the Evil Queen go to the spa and gossip. The Evil Queen asks if this isn’t what Zelena always wanted, a family that supports her? She says the rest want Zelena to squelch her gifts. She says she lied to Henry for years, but she never gave him a chance to accept the real her. She tells Zelena that she’s strong, powerful, and wicked, and that her daughter might turn out as wonderfully wicked as she is.

Regina concocts a potion. It’s a locator spell. She says there’s one thing Aladdin didn’t steal – his magic. If he’s alive, it’s still with him. She tells Emma to drink it and they’ll go find him.

Back in the day, Aladdin asks why Jasmine didn’t tell him, but she says he wouldn’t have believed her. She says that the scarab was a gift to her family for freeing the kingdom from darkness. Now it’s his. Even if he doesn’t believe in himself, she believes in him. She leaves Aladdin in the cave.

Jafar appears, asking how it feels to be a Savior. He asks if Aladdin wants to see what happens, and produces an Oracle bird that looks an awful lot like a cardinal. The bird’s eyes glow and Aladdin sees death. Jafar says that death is the fate of all Saviors, but there’s a way to alter his destiny. He shows Aladdin a pair of gold shears that can sever the ties. He’ll live a long, prosperous, happy life, paid for by the treasures in the cave, and no longer be Savior. Jafar asks if prince doesn’t sound more appealing than dead Savior.

In Agribah, Jasmine finds her father. She wants to get him somewhere safe; a great battle is coming. She says Jafar has torn the kingdom apart, but she’s found a Savior to defeat him. Jafar appears and says that sounds like treason. She tells Jafar a Savior is coming. He says her Savior had a heart for gold rather than a heart of gold, and the only thing between Aladdin and the throne is her. Jafar puts Jasmine inside of a huge hourglass. The sand begins to pile up around her.

Aladdin swoops in on a flying carpet and tells Jafar not to be so sure. He breaks the glass, releasing Jasmine, who is about to be covered in sand. Jafar says Aladdin has never had to pay a price for anything, but someday he will, and he’ll know this was no victory.

Jasmine thought Aladdin abandoned them, but he says she changed his mind. The king wonders who Aladdin is. Aladdin says he’s returning something she lost and gives her the scarab. She wants him to keep it as a remembrance that a friend believes in him.

The Storybrooke gang walks through the forest. Emma feels a quake and steers Henry in another direction. They go underground, and Regina says they’re under the cemetery in a forgotten crypt. Jasmine says Emma must have made a mistake. She looks around in the dark with a flashlight and sees the scarab. She says Emma is right: he’s there. Regina asks if she’s sure it’s Aladdin, and she says yes. I’m not. Henry asks what this means, but Emma doesn’t know. She needs to be alone.

Emma has her vision. Henry interrupts. He says he’s sorry and it’s all his fault. He says if he’d never knocked on her door and dragged her to Storybrooke in the first place, this wouldn’t have happened. He forced her to be Savior. Emma says now she has actual magic in her life – him – and she has a family now. She tells him not to worry about the end of the story, just enjoy the middle of the journey together. They hug. Aladdin appears. He tells Emma from one Savior to another, it’s no fun.

In Agribah, Aladdin and Jasmine walk through the market. Her father wants Aladdin to have his pick of the royal treasures, but he says he doesn’t want that. Jasmine asks what he does want. He says just to be Savior. He asks Jasmine to go away with him; he wants to show her the world. She says she can’t; there’s much work to be done in the kingdom. She says it’s not good-by. He’ll defeat Jafar and he knows where to find her.

Aladdin finds the shears in his bag along with a note from Jafar – for a rainy day, or coming storm, or when the Savior’s burden becomes too much.

Aladdin tells Emma that he used them and ran to the Enchanted Forest to hide. Emma realizes he planted the scarab at the crypt. He never intended to reveal himself, but after hearing Emma and Henry, he couldn’t do it. Henry says he has to go to Jasmine. Aladdin says he doesn’t want to see the look in her eyes when she realizes he’s just a common thief. Emma doesn’t think that will happen.

Jasmine sits on a park bench and looks at the scarab. Aladdin approaches. They embrace. She thought he was dead and he thought he’d never see her again. He asks now what. She says now he needs to help her. Agribah is in terrible danger and needs the Savior. He’s like, um….

The Evil Queen and Zelena get back. Archie asks if they’re going to torture and kill him. Zelena tells him not to be ridiculous; she has to show her daughter who her mommy is. She turns Archie into a cricket and puts him in a cage above the baby’s crib. OMG – he’s so cute!

The group gathers. Emma says she doesn’t want to use the shears. Aladdin didn’t trust the people he loved, and that’s why he failed. If her magic comes with a price, they’ll pay it. David says they can protect her and the town. Hook says he’s with her, and she apologizes for not trusting him. She says no more secrets and gives him the shears so they don’t fall into the wrong hands. Emma tells Hook to get rid of them.

Emma watches as Hook goes out in a rowboat. He comes back and says they’re ten thousand leagues under the sea. She thanks him. He promises that she’ll have her heart’s desire. She leaves him on the dock. We see he still has the shears. Bad Hook.

Next time, Hook travels 20,000 leagues under the sea.

The Walking Dead

All right, let’s get it over with. I don’t even care anymore. Unless it’s Daryl.

Rick says he’s going to kill Negan. Good luck with that. Negan asks him to speak up. Rick says not today or tomorrow, but he’s going to kill him. Negan asks right hand man Simon what he has, and Simon says a hatchet. He plays with Rick a little and asks for the ax.

Negan shows Rick the ax. He puts it in his belt. He drags Rick off. He says maybe Rick will be back and they can turn the people inside out who are left. We see a bloody pulp. So who died? Are they going to stretch this out even more? I’m annoyed already and it’s only four minutes into the show.

Negan kicks Rick’s ass around the RV and then suggests they go for a ride. The trailer won’t start and he calls it a piece of sh*t. He laughs about Rick saying he’s going to kill him, and asks if Rick saw what he just did. I didn’t. He says Rick’s best bet is to get him in the back of the head with the ax, but when Rick picks it up, Negan is faster. He tells Rick to drop it and pounds him when he does. He tells Rick not to make him get up again, like he’s dad on a Sunday car ride. He says that dawn is braking and it’s a brand new day. He wants Rick to think about what happened, and what could still happen. He starts to drive.

Negan drives into a zombie who splatters all over the windshield. We see flashes of Rosita, Sasha and Glenn. Negan stops the van. He says Rick is his, and the people back there are his, and Lucille is his. Okay. I get it. Everything is his. He opens the door and throws out the ax, telling Rick to go get it. He threatens Rick with Lucille and says get his ax. Negan finally tosses Rick out the door. The zombies surround Rick, but he fights them off.

We see a flash of Abe. Rick fights off more zombies. We see an Aaron flash back and more zombies. Abe again, and more zombies. Maggie, and more zombies. Rick climbs to the top of the van and a zombie pulls at him. A flash of Daryl. Rick gets to the roof. He stands up and looks out. There are lots of small fires everywhere and tons of zombies wandering around. A Michonne flash back. Rick sees a zombie hanging from a bridge and falls to his knees. A Carl flash back. Negan says they thought they were all going to grow old together and have Sunday dinner, but now it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen.

Rick flashes back to when Negan first appeared. Negan does that eenie, meenie, minie, mo thing. We move on to the my mother told me part, and I’m thinking this is taking forever. Rick sweats and shakes. It’s Abe. After the first wallop, Abe tells Negan to suck his nuts. Alrighty then.

Negan keeps pounding on Abe long after he’s dead. What’s the point? Especially since it just looked like he was hitting the ground. (Wattup wit dat, editing department?) Negan flings Lucille around, getting blood everywhere. He shoves the bat in Rosita’s face and asks if they were together. He says it sucks, but there was a reason. He took it for the team, so take a look. Daryl jumps up and punches him and a bunch of guys take Daryl down. Negan laughs. He says that’s a no-no and won’t fly here. A guy asks if Negan wants Daryl dead, and points his crossbow at him. Negan says no, he doesn’t die until they’ve tried everything. Guess he wants to keep Daryl around because he’s feisty.

Negan says this isn’t how it works. (That’s not how any of this works!) The first one is free. He doesn’t know what kind of lying a-holes they’ve been dealing with, but he’s a man of his word and first impressions are important. He needs them to know him. (Get to know me!) He whacks Glenn with Lucille. I guess the first one wasn’t free? Glenn tells Maggie he’ll find her. Negan asks if Glenn is trying to speak and we see Glenn’s eyeball practically hanging out. Negan says he’s truly sorry, but he did say no exceptions and beats Glenn some more. The focus is on how distraught Maggie is, but we hear the bat keep hitting. Lots of blood flies, and Negan says he’s just getting started. He says Lucille is a vampire bat. Rick looks spacey, and Negan asks if the joke was that bad. It was pretty stupid.

Back in the present, Negan tells Rick that the rest of them don’t have to die, and get him his ax. Because he’s really Joan Crawford. He says it’s Rick’s last chance and starts shooting through the RV roof. Rick jumps onto the hanging zombie. The others grab at his feet. Hanging zombie’s neck stretches until Rick reaches the ground. Negan shoots at the zombies and tells Rick the clock is ticking. Rick climbs over the zombie pile and finds the ax. He ends up next to a head that’s trying to bite.

As Rick kills each zombie, he sees each character getting hit by Lucille. Did this happen or is that just his motivation? Negan shoots the zombies remaining around Rick, and Rick gets back in the RV. Negan holds out his hand and Rick gives him the ax. Road trip!

Rick is understandably tired and starts to nod out. The RV stops. Negan says, “We’re here, prick,” and I laugh. Is he going to call him that now? Negan says it must be hard, since Rick has been King Sh*t for so long. Losing two of his own in front of his boy is screwed up. He wipes the ax blade on Rick’s jacket, saying tht Rick was probably addicted to being in charge, but now that’s over. He says Rick can still lead a nice productive life, producing for Negan. He gives Rick the ax and says he thinks Rick is going to need it.

When they get back, Rick tumbles out of the RV. Negan asks Rick if he knows what that trip was about. Um…power trip? He wanted Rick to look at him differently, and he wants Rick to understand. He says that Rick is still looking at him like he sh*t in his scrambled eggs, and it’s not going to work. He asks if he should give Rick another chance and Rick says yes. Negan says what he does next determines if his crap day becomes everyone else’s crap day or just another crap day. He tells his men to put guns at the back of everyone’s heads.

Negan tells Carl to come to him. I can’t imagine they’d take Carl away from the teens and tweens and 16 Magazine. He asks if Carl is a lefty. He isn’t and Negan ties Carl’s right arm with a belt like he would for a shot. He tells him to get down next to Rick. He asks Simon for a pen and draws a line on Carl’s forearm. Rick asks what he’s doing, and Negan says he ain’t doin’ sh*t, which is apparently his favorite word. He wants Rick to cut Carl’s arm off at the line. Michonne says he doesn’t have to do this; they understand. Negan says she might, but he’s not sure that Rick does. He gives Rick instructions, saying they have a great doctor and Carl will be fine. Probably. It needs to happen now or he’ll kill Carl. Rick says do it to him instead, but Negan says it’s the only way. Joan Negan tells him to pick up the ax. He says not making a decision is making a big decision, and Rick will see everyone die. He asks if Rick is going to make him count. Rick gets embarrassingly weepy and Negan slaps him, telling him this is it. Carl tells him just do it. He raises the ax and Negan stops him, saying Rick answers to him and provides to him and belongs to him, right? Rick says right, and Negan says that’s the look he wanted to see. Ooh, it’s like an Abraham sacrificing his son thing. Except Negan is a lot meaner than God.

Negan says all of us together did it, and even the dead guys get the spirit award today. He says it was a productive day, and he hopes for all their sakes that they get it now and understand how things work. Things have changed. Whatever they had going for them is over now. He tells Dwight to load Daryl up and they toss him in the van. Negan says he has guts; he’s not a little bitch like some people. He asks if Rick still wants to try something. If he does, he’ll cut pieces off of Daryl and put him on Rick’s doorstep or better yet he’ll have Rick do it.

Negan tells them, welcome to a brand new beginning. He leaves the truck so they can get stuff for him. He’ll be back in a week.

Negan and his men leave. Rick’s group sits staring into space, some crying, some just stunned. I guess they don’t have to worry about Glenn and Abe turning into walkers, since their heads were smashed to pulps. They sit quietly. Maggie gets up. Rick tells her to sit, but she says no. He says they need to get her to Hilltop, and she says they need to fight them. Rick says they have Daryl and they have an army; they would die, all of them. Maggie tells him to go home and take everyone. They need to go to Alexandria. She says they were out there for her and Rick says they still are.

Maggie says she needs them to go back. She can’t have them out there. Michonne says they’re not letting her go; it’s not going to help. Sasha says she’ll take her. She’ll get her there and keep her safe. Maggie is not looking too good. Maggie says she needs to do this, but Aaron says they need to help her. Rick begs her to let them help. He says Glenn was their family too. Maggie breaks down crying. She hugs Carl. They lift the bodies – or what’s left of them. There’s a crane shot of Maggie between the two blood spots.

We see everyone around a table with Glenn holding a little boy.

Rick picks up the ax. He goes in the RV, closes the door, and starts it up. He stares at a single zombie. It screeches at them as they drive away. He sees it fall to its knees. Rick’s eyes are fearful.

Next time, Negan takes over.

Seriously annoying and distracting were the several commercials featuring zombies that made me think the show was back on.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey

Melissa and Joe #2 go to Teresa’s house with Chinese food. Milania complains about Teresa being boring and daddy being more fun. Joe asks if Teresa has talked to Joe #1 yet, but she hasn’t. Milania says she’s going to have grey hair by the time her father gets back.

Milania rides the ATV and Joe #2 stops her from riding so fast. He tells her she doesn’t want her dad to come home to her in the hospital. Melissa asks Teresa if she’s going to Dolores’s kitchen warming party. Teresa isn’t thrilled that Jacqueline will be there, but wants to be supportive. They talk about the transition Teresa is going through with Joe #1 going into the clink.

Siggy and Dolores talk to a party planner about Dolores’s party. Really? Siggy is proud of Dolores for getting her gym going and not having ex-husband Frank pay for everything. They talk about Teresa and Melissa being with Jacqueline in the same room, and hope that no one clashes.

Melissa talks to Derek about the fashion show. Her partner isn’t going to be there, so it’s just her and two employees. She demonstrates a runway walk.

Jacqueline is hoarse. Probably from yelling at people. We can only hope she gets full blown laryngitis. She and Chris talk about who’s going to be at the party. Jacqueline says she’s not ready to talk to Teresa and Melissa, and Chris says he’s staying out of it. Wise move.

It’s party time! Siggy and kids arrive first. Dolores says renovating the house has helped her move forward with her life. Siggy asks if Dolores is nervous about Teresa and Jacqueline being together, but she says no, and expects them to act like big girls. Has she seen this show before? She expects a lot. Dolores’s mom shows up. Everyone is very impressed. It’s definitely a beautiful kitchen. Even more impressive is that Dolores’s grandmother is 102 years old. Siggy asks for her secret, but she says if she told, it wouldn’t be a secret anymore. Dolores explains the Jacqueline/Teresa fight to her. I’m sure it’s just what she wants to hear about, especially being on borrowed time.

On the way over, Joe #2 asks what Melissa is going to say to Jacqueline. She says she has nothing to say and didn’t deserve to be screamed at. Joe says she deserves an apology. She calls Teresa, but Teresa says she’s not going to make it. The girls are missing Joe #1 and he’s going to call tonight, so she wants to be there.

Creepy Kim D arrives. Siggy makes a point of introducing son Josh, saying he came out of her “cookie.” Why? Why would you say something like that? Dolores brings a statue of the Virgin Mary into the room, hoping that the Blessed Mother will watch after everyone. I laugh because it reminds me of my aunt and her statue of St. Anthony. He’s the patron saint of lost things, and if she prayed to him and still couldn’t find something, she’d turn his face to the wall. When Melissa gets there, she says she sees the trouble makers are there already and heads for the kitchen. The most sickening thing is that Jacqueline is wearing a shirt that says Nama’ Stay Away From Me, obviously geared to bug Teresa. There is something wrong with this woman.

Melissa tells Dolores that Teresa won’t be coming. Dolores understands and is going to send her a text. The Wakhili gang comes in. In his interview, Joe #2 says their issues are minor and he’s going to be nice. He goes over to say hello and none of them are that friendly, but Jacqueline is totally icy. Rich makes rude remarks about having a foursome with Rosie.

Dolores is a little annoyed about Jacqueline’s shirt. I’d make her go home and change. Since she can’t start trouble with Teresa not there, Jacqueline wants to leave. Chris approaches Joe #2 and says Jacqueline feels like she wasn’t given the opportunity to give her side of the story about Vermont. Chris thinks Joe should have called him. Joe says he respects that Chris sticks up for his wife, and he does the same, but when they’re wrong you should say so. He says Jacqueline went buck wild on Melissa. Chris says she defended herself, and Joe wonders if hey were at the same party. I think Chris should take a look at the shirt his wife is wearing and justify that. And why is this dude even involving the two of them?

Chris says Jacqueline deserves more love than she got. All she got was a smack in the face. Joe #2 points out how cold Jacqueline was when he said hello. He says frankly he thinks they were both wrong. He mentions the fashion show, but Chris is like, you didn’t come to our popcorn event and Jacqueline is still feeling sensitive. He adds they should get together soon, just to confuse things more. Sensitive Jacqueline starts beeping the car horn.

Dolores makes a toast thanking everyone for coming.

Siggy takes her mom for a hair makeover. She feels badly about her mom saying they don’t spend enough time together. Afterwards, they’re going to lunch. She wants to see her mother enjoy her life more. She tells her mother that they’re coming every week from now on. She wants her to know how valuable she is.

Milania helps Teresa with Joe #1‘s chores. She keeps comparing how Teresa does things to how Joe does them. Teresa asks what she misses and if there’s anything she can do to make it better. Milania says no one can replace him and Teresa is embarrassing.

Siggy takes her mother to lunch. She says she doesn’t like the fact that her mother doesn’t take enough time for herself. She says sometimes she feels sad being with her. Her mom says that she appreciates the time she has, especially since she missed them so much when she lived in Israel.

Dolores is having a ladies’ night at the gym. Teresa is teaching a yoga class, and Siggy is coming to talk about her book, Write Your Own Fairy Tale.

Jacqueline is feeling worse. Chris thinks she should see a doctor. Chris tells her about the conversation with Joe. She writes on a pad that no freaking way is she going to the fashion show.

Dolores leaves a message for Jacqueline. She says she’s not expecting her to come to ladies’ night, but she’s helped in the past, and Dolores wants her to know she’s appreciated. Robyn shows up, which surprises Dolores a little. She tells Robyn that she has no problem with her, except for her not getting along with Jacqueline. Robyn says she has no reason not to get along with Dolores. Teresa says too bad; she wants nothing to do with Jacqueline anymore.

Melissa is anxious about the fashion show. She says there’s so much going on and she can’t figure out how it will all come together. Joe calls her into the bathroom to help with shaving his back. She tries to convince him that she’s in the middle of something right now.

Teresa’s class begins. She explains she’s getting her certification and teaches several poses. In her interview, Teresa says she love the way yoga makes her feel, and that it’s good for both your body and mind. Afterward, the girls all have a health food version of a martini, some kind of smoothie concoction.

Siggy discusses having the life of your dreams. Dolores thanks everyone for comeing she says as women they all have something to share and have to stick together. In her interview, she says she feels like she’s back.

Teresa makes breakfast. Milania says if her egg sandwich isn’t like dad’s, she’s throwing it out. Teresa tries to talk to her, but she doesn’t want to discuss her father. Gabriela doesn’t understand why they have to talk about it and says it’s fine. In her interview, Teresa says they’re trying to find the new normal.

Melissa gets ready for the fashion show. She wants to prove to Joe that she’s not just bringing in crumbs. It’s time for a run through and Melissa is still adding last minute outfits. Joe #2 has to get the kids ready, and wonders what the blip happened to his life. A question I often ask myself.

On the way to the fashions show, Dolores and Siggy discuss who’s coming or not. Dolores says Jacqueline is accusing her of saying she was a no-show at the gym event and whined because her name wasn’t on the flyer. It escalated into an argument that Dolores ended with an F-U. Dolores says she’s heard nothing except Jacqueline badmouthing her. She says Jacqueline has alienated herself and she’s not gong to be a whipping post. Siggy thinks Jacqueline is paranoid and insecure. Who is the common denominator in all of these arguments, people?

Next time, the finale – Melissa’s fashion show happens, Teresa might need to sell the house, Jacqueline alienates herself further, and Siggy invites Jacqueline over. It doesn’t look like it ends well.