Category Archives: Teresa Giudice

Jul17

July 16, 2024 – Anna Gives Jason the Evidence, Soap Bubbles, No Cringe Here, Jersey Shakedown, Charm To Come, Agatha, Feline Fatty & Heat

Posted on by
Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Dex comes to the pool in his uniform and tells Josslyn that he’s here on his lunch break. She says she likes his blues, but he says, his unform is nothing compared to hers (i.e. her swimsuit).

John goes to Ava’s hotel room, and she says she’s been looking forward to their meeting all day. She’s sleep deprived though, between hearing the elevator and the people at the pool and being without her daughter and knowing if she’s safe, she’s awake most of the night. He thanks her for being willing to help, and she says she’s at her wit’s end trying to get Avery away from Sonny. He says, the best way to protect Avery and herself is to build a case against Sonny.

Willow goes to the penthouse and asks Sonny if she’s interrupting. He says, she and the kids are welcome any time. What’s wrong? She says, maybe she’s being presumptuous, but she decided to come after she had a conversation with her mother. Sonny asks, since when are she and Nina talking? and she says, since she decided let go of her anger.

Nina slaps Drew and says, you son of a bitch. You kissed my daughter. He says he deserved that, but calm down. (Apparently, Drew doesn’t know that he should never say that to a woman.) He knows there’s no excuse and knows it was wrong. She says, he doesn’t look remorseful, and he says he got lost in the moment – the applause, the congratulations, and the fireworks. He was there with a beautiful woman who was happy for him, and it just happened. Nina wonders how Willow missed his rampant narcissism. Willow is an idealist and can’t see the real Drew Cain… She means, the real Drew Quartermaine. It’s time she broke through that and told Willow that her hero is sleeping with her mother.  

Anna asks Jason to hear her out, but he says he has been hearing her. It’s been nearly three years, and he needs the phone. She says, it’s too soon, but he says, it’s the only way to get Carly out from under the FBI. She says she can’t let Cates take Valentin away.

John says, Ava was living with Sonny and has a past with him and the Jerome family. She must have insight into his organization. She says, it all happened so fast, and offers him some wine, but he says, not while he’s on duty. She pours a glass for herself and says she’s feeling unsettled. She’s used to a juggling act with the gallery and scheduling all of Avery’s activities. Without it, she’s felt so out of sync and alone. He says, that’s why she needs to build a case against Sonny to get her daughter back. He puts his phone on record, but she turns it off and says, his help means so much, but to be honest, she’s afraid of Sonny. If she lets him record her, it could make its way back to Sonny, and he’s harsh when it comes to betrayal. It’s the ultimate sin. He says, they have ways to protect her, but she says she’s not going into hiding while Avery is still with Sonny. He’s erratic and dangerous. He’s pushed his family away, except for his daughter Kristina. He actually blames her for outing Kristina’s girlfriend. As if she cares; it’s not her business. John says, his job is to put Sonny away, and if she helps him, it’s to both their advantages. She says, it’s not that simple. Many have tried and failed to put Sonny away, and who among them is still breathing? He gives her his word that he doesn’t give up his sources, and she says she’ll think about it. Knowing she has his support makes her feel more at ease. He leaves and she closes the door.

Willow tells Sonny that seeing Drew give up his grudge against Nina when he had the right to hold onto it forever, made her realize that hanging onto her pain and resentment was only hurting her. She gained nothing by depriving her kids of someone who truly wants to love them. Sonny says, all Nina wants is to love them and be a part of their lives, and Willow says, they’re taking it slow, but she realizes there’s room in her life for her mom. All she wants is for all of them to be happy. He asks if she’s lobbying for him and Nina to get back together, and she says, no, but they’d genuinely seemed happy, and she knows Nina loves him. He says, he wants Nina to be happy, and with Willow and the children in her life, she will be.

Drew says, if Nina was going to tell Willow about them, she should have done it when Willow told her about the kiss, but Nina says she thought it was more important that Willow confide in her than exposing his feet of clay. What was he thinking? Willow is married to his nephew, and they have small children. He should have better control of himself. He says, something happened in that moment, but it was a mistake and won’t happen again. He respects Willow and cares about her happiness and family. It was an isolated moment, like Nina and Sonny in Nixon Falls. He’s not throwing it in her face, but he understands it was a bad impulse and Nina got carried away. Nina says she knows Drew thinks it was just a moment, but Willow is drowning in guilt. She’s agonizing about telling Michael, but she told Willow to make the choice to move on. She hopes Drew allows it. He says, of course (🍷) he will. Whatever she thinks, he has not and will not pursue Willow.  

Jason asks if Anna wants Valentin to go free. Did she tip him off? She says, it’s about Charlotte. She’s back from school and home with her father. Think about Danny and Jake. If Valentin goes down, he’ll be gone a lot longer than three years. What happens to his daughter then? He says he can’t believe they’ve been working together, and he finally got what he needed… She says, he will get it. She almost took Charlotte’s life. He says, she keeps punishing herself for that, and now she’s going to punish him. She says, Valentin is all Charlotte has. Her mother is in a coma and Laura is already raising one grandchild. She refuses to separate Charlotte and Valentin. Charlotte forgave her. Her voice breaks and she says she can’t repay that by damaging Charlotte more and leaving her fatherless and alone. She won’t do it.

Josslyn asks if Gio will make sure no one drowns in the pool, and he says, no one is in the pool. She says, even better. She needs to have a word with Dex. They step away and kiss in the hallway. She asks if he remembers how upset she was when he first joined the PCPD, and he says, of course (🍷). She says, because she was so focused on the downside, she forgot the upside – his uniform. He asks if anyone could be wearing it, but she says, the uniform is great, but it’s him in it, confident and sure of himself. It makes him so hot. They kiss again.

Lois comes to the pool and says she has exciting news for Gio. A friend of hers who works in the city lost a violinist for a string quartet used on Broadway soundtracks. The violinist broke his arm, and she talked Gio up. Her friend is going to hold a spot for him. What does he say? Does he hear that? It’s opportunity knocking. Is he ready for the bright lights?

Drew says, what he did was awful, but he’s not so awful that he’d take advantage of Willow, and Nina says she needed to hear him say it. He says he’s seen Nina work to reconcile with Willow and he admires the fact she didn’t give up. He knows it’s good for both her and Willow that Willow confided in her. Nina says, it felt nice, but the details weren’t, and Drew tells her not to worry about the details. It won’t happen again. She says she’s choosing to believe him. Don’t make her regret it. She believes in him and will make sure he has The Invader’s endorsement. He thanks her, but says, it’s not a quid pro quo. She says, her main concern is Willow’s peace of mind, and he says, maybe it’s time they came to a new understanding.

John asks what Ava can tell him about Sonny’s organization, and she says, not much. Julian kept her out of all that. Julian and Sonny’s world is brutal. He says, she must have heard things, and she says she and her brother were close. She was exposed to things, but didn’t want to involve herself. She preferred to focus on beauty, art, and her gallery. And of course (🍷) her daughter Kiki. She was raising Kiki alone, but she’s no longer with them. He says he’s sorry for her loss, and she says, Julian made more than his share of mistakes, but she loved him anyway. He asks why she turned up with Sonny at Selina Wu’s warehouse the night of the sniper attack, and she says, Sonny insisted she go. Maybe as a human shield, maybe to intimidate Selina. The Jerome family name still holds weight. She was in no position to refuse. He says, she seemed defensive and protective of Sonny, and she says she supposes she was. They were getting along better then, and she was trying to appease him for her and Avery’s sakes. On one hand, Sonny was offering protection, but on the other, he was often a target himself.

Jason says he feels for Charlotte. She’s just a kid and doesn’t deserve this, but that’s on Valentin. He made his choices. Charlotte won’t be alone; she’s got family. Anna says, it’s not the same thing, and Jason says he understands. He’s heard the pain in his sons’ voices asking where he’s been, why he didn’t reach out, and wondering if he cares for them. He won’t let them down again. She says, that happened with her and Robin. She won’t ask him to sacrifice his relationship with his sons. She’s just asking him to trust her for two hours more.

Gio tells Lois that he appreciates the opportunity, but he already promised Ava and Trina that he’d play at a gallery opening and he’s committed to PCU’s summer concert series. Lois says she’s sure someone can cover for him at PCU, and she knows Trina and Ava won’t mind. This is professional work. It’s Broadway, baby. Think of the exposure. And once you’re in, you’re in. He says he supposes they could find a replacement, but his scholarship at PCU is contingent on the concert series. She says, they can talk to the head of the department and explain the situation. College is supposed to prepare you for the real world, and this is a real-world professional opportunity he’s being offered on the road to stardom. No one deserves it more.

Willow says she has a confession. She didn’t come here to talk about Nina. It’s about Michael. Sonny protests, but she says, just hear her out. Michael is her everything. They have a beautiful life and he takes good care of her and their children. She knows Michael is in pain over their estrangement. Michael loves Sonny; he still does. Sonny says, some things just can’t be forgiven, and Willow says, they both know what it feels like to be lied to in order to be protected. The insult and betrayal are hard to get past. Michael did both to her in the name of love, but she got over it. Look at her and Nina now. The healing feels so much better. Sonny’s phone rings, and he picks it up. He says, Diane… Where is she? He’s been trying to call all morning… He doesn’t give a damn. She’s on retainer. Tell her to call him back immediately. He hangs up, and tells Willow, sorry. She says, upsetting news? and he says, Diane is annoying. He pays her a lot of money. She can call him herself, not have an associate do it. Ava is trying to take his daughter away and he’s going to fight tooth and nail to make sure Avery stays with him.

John asks about Sonny’s connection to Anna, and Ava says she’s wondered about that herself. They go way back and are thick as thieves. She suspects that’s why Sonny has remained a free man. They bonded over Robin, and John says, Ava was a captive audience when he and Sonny faced off, dredging up that history. Sorry. She says, it explained a lot about both of them. John is still grieving his brother and his wife. He says, that’s all for now. He’ll let her think on things, and he’ll come back when she’s ready to talk. Give some thought to making a statement. He thinks that’s the best way to go. She says she’ll think about it. May she call him John? He says, of course (🍷), and she says, it’s comforting having him around. They’ll talk soon. He leaves, and in the hallway, his phone rings. He says, no. It wasn’t for him. The champagne was for a source he’s grooming… Yemen? This is the first he’s hearing about a shipment… It does seem Pikeman is still in play. He’s narrowing down a person of interest, but needs time …. He understands. He expects information soon…

Anna says she’ll go to Valentin and warn him that he’s done. The FBI is coming for him. He’ll take Charlotte and run. Jason says, the FBI wants the head of Pikeman, but she says, they just needed him identified to let Jason go. They’ll cast global nets, but she bets they won’t find him. But it won’t matter. Jason will have fulfilled his end of the deal. Jason says, she’s asking that he trust Cates will honor his end of the deal without having Valentin in custody, but she says she’s asking him to trust her. It would have taken a lot longer without her help. He has the evidence because of her and all she’s asking is that he wait two hours before turning it over. Please. She’s running out of time. he says, she’d better be right, and she says she’ll do everything in her power make sure he doesn’t regret it. She promises. She gives him the phone and says she’s trusting him now. He sighs and says, okay. He has what he needs. Do what she wants with Valentin. She dashes out the door.

Willow says she’s sorry that Sonny is going through this, and he says, they’ve been down this road several times. Willow says she’s happy to help, and he says he appreciates the effort, but doesn’t want Michael involved. Michael had someone spy on him. It’s not easy to swallow. She says, Michael knows he made a mistake. At least consider forgiveness. He says, she’s sweet and tenacious. He always liked that about her. He’ll think about it. She thanks him, and says she needs to follow her own advice. She’s in no position to judge anyone. They all make mistakes, and she needs to focus on making amends for what she’s done. He says he’s sure she’ll fix it, and she says she hopes so. For him and Michael too. She thanks him and leaves.

Josslyn says she and Dex can’t do this here. She has to work. He says his lunch break isn’t the way he pictured it. It’s way better. She says, it’s his fault for showing up looking handsome, and he asks if he should steer clear from now on. She says, don’t you dare, and they kiss.

On the phone, Ava says, they’ll talk tomorrow at the gallery, when there’s a knock at the door. She opens it to Natalia and asks what Natalia wants. Natalia says, clarity. She regrets her remarks, but she can’t figure out Ava’s endgame in recording her secretly and releasing what she said.

Nina says she thought she and Drew already had an understanding, and he says, instead of mutual loathing, they’ve moved to mutual cooperation. She says she hasn’t been completely mercenary. She admires Larry McConkey and values his friendship with her father. She wouldn’t have introduced him to Drew if she didn’t think Drew had something worthwhile. Drew says, and he never would have facilitated a reconciliation with Willow if he thought Nina would hurt her. His faith in her has been justified. She says she never thought he’d apply those words to her, and Drew says, same. She says, they’ve come a long way, and he says, it’s time to put the contempt behind them. Which begs the question, what – if anything – is left? Nina’s phone rings, and Madison says, Sonny is here to see her.

Sonny goes to Nina’s office and says he doesn’t mean to interrupt, but Nina says she and Drew have reached a stopping point. He tells Drew, congrats on his candidacy, and Drew says, that means lot, but his vote means more. Drew leaves, and Nina asks if Sonny wants something to drink, but he says he doesn’t have too much time. He doesn’t know what Ava told her, but he’s moved her out and he’s filing for sole custody. Avery belongs with her father. Nina says, good, and he asks if she’s seen through Ava. If not, Nina can’t trust her. Nina says her eyes have been opened regarding Ava, and Sonny says, he imagines Nina’s wake-up call was no more pleasant than his.  

Ava says, believe it or not, she didn’t intend to record Natalia. She was in the middle of something for work and didn’t realize until after Natalia left. When she listened to the conversation, she thought the world deserved to know what Natalia’s poor daughter had to endure, her judgement about the right to love who she chooses. It was appalling. Natalia says, Blaze’s reputation and career were shattered. She was dropped by her label. Ava says, Blaze is talented and will win out in the end. Natalia has shown herself to be an awful person and a worse mother. Not even Sonny is going to have anything to do with her. Natalia says, Sonny is furious about the recording, but not with her.

Gio tells Lois that he appreciates the offer to play on the album, but doesn’t see how he can take it. She says she just doesn’t want him to miss out on this incredible opportunity, but if it’s not the right gig, no pressure. He says, it would be fantastic if he was still in the city, but he doesn’t like going back on commitments. She says, no Cerullo does, and he says, more important, he likes living here. He likes PCU and the music department, and he likes his job. He likes the people he’s met. Lois says, even the Quartermaines? and he says, especially the Quartermaines. She says, even Tracy? and he says, he doesn’t know Tracy well, but she can be… Lois says, intimidating? but he tells her that he was going to say standoffish. She’s letting him stay at the house. Lois says, it’s not up to her. The house belongs to Monica. Gio says, somebody gave it to her, and Lois says, Alan, God rest his soul, was a wonderful man. He’d love Gio staying there, just like Monica. If… When Tracy decides to bully him, be polite, but don’t let her push him around.

There’s a frantic knock at Valentin’s door, and he lets Anna in. She asks where Charlotte is, and he says, she’s with friends. Anna says, call her and tell her to come home immediately and that he’ll explain when she gets here. She’s still packed, right? Does he have a have go bag? He asks, what happened? What has she done? She says she turned him into the FBI as head of Pikeman. He has to leave the country immediately.

Nina says she was naïve to think Ava was capable of having a female friend. She’s never known Ava to have one. She doesn’t know why she thought that would change, especially given their unique history. They were doomed to fail. Sonny says he’s sorry, and Nina says, it was nice to have someone to rely on, until they became a lying backstabber. Ava played her. Never again. Why did Sonny come to her? He says, Ava filed a custody suit and means to say he’s mentally unstable. He knows he and Nina have been through tough times, but wants to know, when they ask her to take the stand, what will she say? She says she doesn’t think Ava is foolish enough to subpoena her, but she’ll tell the truth. Sonny is an exemplary father and Avery adores him. He says, it didn’t end well with them. He could have done things differently and he’s owning up to that, not just saying it. She thanks him and says she loves Avery and wants the best for her. He says, life goes on. They’re trying. She asks what he’s trying to say, and he says, she buried the hatchet with Drew. Can she do the same with him?

Valentin dumps the books off the shelf where the phone was and asks if Anna did this. She turned him in? She says, they don’t have time to talk about their feelings right now. He has to be ready to go. Listen to her. He asks if any of it was real. Them finding each other, their nights together. Anna cries and says, he knows it was. She’s risking everything to warn him. He’s got to get away. He asks if she wants him to thank her, but she says, it’s not about him. It’s about Charlotte. She needs him in her life, and he needs her in his. He takes out his phone, and calls Charlotte. He asks if she’s on her way home… Good. He’ll see her when she gets here. Anna says, take Charlotte and go and… don’t contact her again. He says, there’s another plan. Come with him.

John knocks on Jason’s door, but there’s no answer. He tries the doorknob, but it’s locked. He yells, open up! Inside, Jason sits looking at the laptop, and John yells that he wants full disclosure. Everything Jason knows or he loses the deal and so does Carly. Jason looks at the clock.

Tomorrow, Gio tells Josslyn that he may have overstayed his welcome; Anna asks Valentin why he risked it all for Pikeman; and Jason tells John that he should think twice before listening to anything that woman has to say.

🧼  All the Soap News Fit To Print…

What they did on their summer vacation.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/gallery/general-hospital/dex-and-the-city-evan-hofer-shares-his-big-apple-adventure

https://www.soapsindepth.com/gallery/general-hospital/inside-jonathan-jacksons-intimate-concert

https://www.soapsindepth.com/gallery/general-hospital/adam-harrington-shares-his-epic-surfing-vacation

It’s not inconceivable. Some characters have died several times.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/kelly-thiebaud-reveals-she-tried-to-come-back-to-gh

More sad stuff.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/general-hospital-alum-james-b-sikking-dead-at-90

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-james-patrick-stuart-mourns-the-loss-of-his-mother-in-law

Scheduled for the fall.

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

Happy Anniversary!

https://www.soapsindepth.com/gallery/abc/one-life-to-live-anniversary-171600

🐪 Camel Me This…

As of this posting, there was no RHODubai recap available, but there was this. Apparently, she spoke too soon, since it was pretty cringeworthy tonight, Taleen in particular.

RHODubai’s Taleen Marie Teases ‘Cringe’ Future Episodes

🪄 Putting the New In Jersey…

IMO, the whole state could use a rebrand.

Andy Cohen Agrees RHONJ Needs a ‘Rebrand’ for S15
Andy Cohen Agrees There Should Be a Major ‘RHONJ’ Shakeup

But alas, neither Kathy nor the sprinkle cookies will be making a comeback.

Andy Cohen Reacts to Rumors Kathy Wakile Will Make RHONJ Comeback After WWHL Appearance

🍹 Meanwhile, Down South…

The latest on the latest Charm.

Everything to Know About ‘Southern Charm’ Season 10: Who Is Returning, More

Either that selfie is Photoshopped, or her arms are strangely big for her body.

Olivia Flowers Confirms She Was Fired From Southern Charm, Shares Why She Was Let Go & Dishes on Phone Call From Production

🧙🏻‍♀️ It Was Her…

Hopefully, this is as good as WandaVision. Premieres September 18th.

https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/disney-debuts-trailer-for-marvel-televisions-new-series-agatha-all-along/

https://ew.com/agatha-all-along-trailer-kathryn-hahn-joe-locke-aubrey-plaza-8674666

🐱 Biggest Kitty Loser…

Next on his bucket list, to be a catnip influencer.

https://people.com/canadian-cat-becomes-tiktok-star-weight-loss-journey-documented-8673846

☕️ Pouring a Cup Of Ambition…

Join me tomorrow for soap, tea, LA and (hopefully) Dubai talk. Until then, stay safe, stay not wearing out your welcome as a guest, and stay not going back on commitments, especially if you like it where you are.

Jul12

July 11, 2024 – Felicia Hears Cody’s Side, Soap Suds, Fresh Oranges, Scary Stuff, Teresa Talk, Have Some Whiskey, Happy Half Birthday & The Park

Posted on by
Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Felicia goes to the stable, and Cody asks, what brings her by? He’s probably the last person she wants to see. She says, now that she knows he’s been lying to her family for the last two months, she has plenty say, and asks him to promise to hear her out. He says, absolutely, and she tells him not to give up on a relationship with Mac. She believes the best way out is through, so don’t even think of leaving.

Mac arrives at Maxie’s house, and she says she’s glad he’s home and available to stop by. He asks where the kids are, and she says she had Spinelli take them to the pool so they can blow off steam and she and Mac can talk with no interruptions. He asks if it’s about Cody, and she says, of course (🍷) it is. Mac forgave her when she messed up. Now he has to forgive Cody.

Portia shows up at Jordan’s office and says she knows Jordan is busy, so she’ll get straight to the point. She’s going to gather signatures to put a measure on the fall ballot to recall the vote and remove Laura. If it passes, the new mayor will be Jordan.

At the Pentenville visiting room, Heather thanks Laura for coming. She needs to talk to her. Laura says, before she forgets, she has a photo of the most beautiful grandson. She gives Heather an envelope, and Heather takes out a picture of Ace. She says, he’s getting more adorable each time she sees him. Can she keep it? Laura says, of course (🍷). She’ll try to bring one every time she visits. Heather says she had an unexpected visitor, Curtis Ashford. He told her that Laura was looking into her case and thinking of challenging her sentence. Laura says, all she’s done is request transcripts, but it’s possible a lawyer might find grounds for a petition to reopen her case. Heather says, that’s what she wanted to talk to Laura about. She appreciates Laura caring, but don’t do it. She needs to stay locked up.

Brook lets Kristina in and says she invited her and Blaze over to explore strategies. Kristina wonders if there’s a strategy to uncancel someone, and Brook says she thinks they can mitigate the negative damage. She asks if Blaze has spoken to her mother, and Kristina says she doesn’t know if Blaze did, but she did, for all the good did. Brook asks if she thinks Blaze would be willing to make a public statement denouncing her mother’s words, and Kristina says, what Natalia did was wrong, but she’s still Blaze’s mother. Brook says she can’t imagine how Blaze feels, and Kristina says, Natalia did the damage, but Ava is the one who should have to pay.

Ava tells Sonny to howl at moon for all she cares. Then listen to himself and decide how suitable a judge will find him as a parent. Sonny says he’s not going anywhere, and suddenly, John is in the doorway. He asks if there’s a problem here, and Sonny tells him to mind his own business. Ava says, Sonny won’t leave and he’s threatening her. If John doesn’t believe it, he can listen to their conversation.  

John asks if it’s true Sonny threatened Ava on tape, but Sonny asks why he’d record Ava. She has nothing to say. He holds up his phone, and it says, no audio. He asks if John is going door to door for the FBI asking for handouts, but John says he’s staying here. He heard voices and isn’t surprised it’s Sonny fighting with someone. Ava was living with him a week ago, and she’s the mother of another of Sonny’s children. Sonny says he cares about his kids and fights to keep them safe. What about John? Where’s his son? To be continued. Sonny leaves.

Cody asks how Felicia isn’t angry, and she says she likes to hear all sides before making up her mind. It’s his chance to tell his side. Just be honest. He’s wasted enough time already lying to her family. He asks, what’s the point? Mac made it clear there’s no place in his life for him. She says, Mac is hurt and lashing out. It doesn’t surprise her. He’s been a wonderful father to her children, but he never had a biological child of his own. He accepted the fact it was something life denied him, but when he thought Cody might be his son, he was delighted. When Cody told him they weren’t a match, it was a crushing disappointment. Now that he knows Cody lied, what is he supposed to think? He doesn’t feel wanted and who can blame him? He thinks the only reason Cody came forward now is that he has an agenda. Cody asks if they think he’s hustling for a kidney, and Felicia says, is he? He says, no, and she asks if he doesn’t want to accept that he and Mac have a connection. He says, it was never that.

Kristina says, she’s sick of Ava’s petty BS. She was upset that Sonny didn’t invite her to the wedding and took Natalia. Brook says, there were no circumstances where Ava would have been welcome. She murdered Connie Falconari, and all the Falconaris and Cerullos know it. Kristina asks if she thinks Ava cares. She pretends it never happened and assumes everyone else will too. She plunked herself into Sonny’s apartment and his life, and when he wised up and kicked her out, she retaliated. She had dirt on Natalia and used it, and now Allie is collateral damage. She’s devastated that the label dropped her. Brook says, it’s their loss, and Kristina asks if there’s anything that can be done to turn it around. Is it even possible? Blaze arrives, and Brook says she’s trying to set up an interview to give Blaze an opportunity to respond, not just to Natalia’s words, but the public reaction, the online cancellation. Blaze says she thinks it’s a great idea, and Brook says, but it needs to be a joint interview. Kristina needs to be there too.

Portia says, people on the community message boards are outraged that Heather might be roaming the streets, and Jordan says, Portia may disagree with Laura, but she has to acknowledge that Laura is the epitome of fairness. She’s just asking questions. She has no specific goal or outcome. Portia says, her point is that Laura isn’t thinking about the consequences. Lives will be at risk if Heather goes free. Jordan says, Portia knows Heather’s judgement was impaired. Can she be held fully responsible for the decisions she made? Portia says, Jordan’s responses sound like something a politician would say. Not someone who used to be Police Commissioner.

Ava says she appreciates John’s assistance, and he says he was in the right place at the right time. She says she’s only been here a couple of nights, but he knows that since he’s having her followed. He says, when he’s following someone and it reaches a point where he’s not getting anything relevant or useful, he suspends the surveillance. He asks if she wants him to call security, and she says, he sounds almost chivalrous. She knows how to discourage Sonny, but does he want to stay and have a drink?

Cody tells Felicia that he asked himself the tough questions like, who would want a son like him? No one was the obvious answer. Felicia says, he couldn’t be further from truth. The first thing she noticed about him was how alike he and Mac are. They both have a sense of decency and are kind and patient people. And they’re both good with kids. The kids love Cody. She thinks they’re both teachers at heart. Cody says he spent most of his life making a buck, and played fast and loose with the truth, but she says, he’s not alone. Mac can play when he wants to. He says he doesn’t believe it, but she says, that’s because he hasn’t known Mac long. When Mac was his age, he got in all kinds of trouble. Cody says, maybe he does take after him.

Mac tells Maxie, it’s not complicated. Cody doesn’t seem like someone begging to have a relationship with him. Maxie tells him that she’s not saying Cody’s a saint, but he hasn’t screwed up nearly as much as she has, and Mac never decided she was irredeemable. He always gave her support. Why is he taking a hard line with Cody?

Sonny visits Alexis, and says, Ava served him over sole custody of Avery. Alexis says, first her, then their daughter, now him. He says he doesn’t want Ava to ever see Avery again, and she asks if that isn’t an overreach. He says he had sole custody before. He’s going to come after Ava with everything he’s got. All he needs to know is if she’ll support him.

Laura asks if Heather is saying she wants to stay in prison, but Heather says, of course (🍷) not. It’s like some kind of hell. She hates not seeing her grandchild and hardly sees the light of day. She can’t talk to the inmates, since most of them have done something horrendous, but she knows what goes on inside is real. Laura asks what she means, and Heather says, she can’t remember why she killed people. She knows she did it, and remembers doing it, and even thinking that it was somehow justified. Laura says, she was suffering from cobalt poisoning, and Heather says, from a bad hip replacement. It was removed, and in theory, she’s thinking more clearly, but she can’t be sure if she’s let out that she wouldn’t hurt anyone. She doesn’t know if she’d do it again and doesn’t want to put it to the test.  

Blaze says, Kristina’s not a public figure and it wasn’t her idea to keep their relationship a secret. She feels guilty enough dragging Kristina into the spotlight. Brook says, Blaze isn’t to blame and doesn’t need to apologize. Her personal life is nobody’s business. The public can think what they want. The interview is to engage the people who haven’t made up their minds and let the fans know what’s going on with her. Show them who she and Kristina really are; sweet, loving people who are at ease with one another. She has some contacts, and she’s confident she can find the right one. Kristina says she’ll do it, and Blaze asks if she’s sure she’ll be okay in the limelight. Kristina says, telling the truth is easier than hiding it. They’re in.

Alexis tells Sonny that she loathes Ava with the heat of a thousand suns, but as a mother, she’s uncomfortable keeping a mother away from her child completely. Is visitation out of the question? Sonny says, Ava takes every chance she can to poison his daughter against him. He’s not letting her do that anymore. Alexis says she can’t agree to help him unless he acts within the confines of the law, and he asks if she’s willing to take the stand and say he’s a good father to Kristina. She doesn’t have to talk about Ava. Diane will figure that out. She says she’ll testify that he loves his daughter, but if they ask if she approves of what he does for a living, she’ll have to tell the truth.

Felicia says, Cody made a mistake, the same one more than once, but it’s not the end of everything. Unless he can stand here and tell her that he doesn’t want any part of the Scorpio/Jones family. He tells her that he can’t say that.

On the phone, Brook says she’ll be in touch. Chase comes in and gives her a blackberry. She says she’s surprised they’re ripe already, and he says, it’s an early season because of the warm spring. He and Violet were picking blackberries. Now she’s at the gatehouse impressing Wiley and Amelia with her skills. Brook says she’s glad the kids are getting along, and Chase says, obviously, Violet misses her dad, but with all the kids and so much to do, she’s engaged now and seems happy. She says she knows he was up checking on Violet all night because she knows the kind of guy he is.

Cody says he’s been alone so long he doesn’t know how to feel part of a family, especially one he already knows, and Felicia asks if he’d like to find out. He says he got to know Maxie and the kids, and it felt watching life through a window, but she says, he’s not so far removed. When Maxie needed help, he was there. He loves the kids, particularly James who loves him already. James even told her how he asked Cody to be his brig brother and Cody accepted, and how they spit on their hands and shook on it. It’s a sacred bond. There’s no way he can go back on that. She shows him a photo of him and James eating hotdogs on 4th of July, and Cody says he couldn’t believe James asked him to be his big brother, but that was before he told Mac. Mac is furious now and told him to stay away from James. He said he can never trust Cody again. Felicia says, Mac will be fine. Give him a little time and he’ll find his way to forgiveness. Cody tells her, that’s what Maxie said, and she says, that’s because they know Mac inside and out. It will never happen overnight, but he always forgives the people he loves. Cody says, Mac doesn’t love him, but she says, Mac doesn’t know him. She believes with all her heart that if Cody is willing to give Mac time, he and his father will both get what they really want.

Maxie says, maybe Mac and Cody will have the chance to be father and son, but Mac says, Cody doesn’t want love and acceptance and to make up for lost time. He denied they were father and son. Maxie says, he made a mistake. He’s changed. She thinks he wants to be Mac’s son. Mac asks, why now? What does Cody really want? What’s his ulterior motive? He wants nothing to do with Cody.

John asks, where’s Avery? and Ava says, at Sonny’s. She’s not happy about it. Sonny is doing everything in his power to turn Avery against her. Now he’s trying to take Avery away, and it’s cruel. Avery needs her mother. John says, they seemed to be getting along. What caused the rift? Ava says she has no idea. It’s been difficult dealing with Sonny lately; he’s so volatile. John saw how he was behaving. She’s been walking on eggshells. She’s doing what she can to keep Avery safe and wants to get her away from Sonny. John asks how she plans to do that, and she says, prove Sonny is unfit. John knows how he treated Karen and must agree that he has no business having sole custody, especially of a little girl. John says, no question, and Ava says, he’s known Sonny for decades. Would he be willing to make a statement to her attorney Scott Baldwin?

Portia says, Laura has undone all the hard work Jordan and the PCPD did to get Heather off the streets, but Jordan says she doesn’t see it that way. She was proud to play her role in getting Heather off the streets, but as a cop, she realizes evidence is evidence, even if it if comes at an inconvenient time. She advised Laura against pursuing this. She knew it could be a lightning rod and could hurt Laura’s career. But unlike most politicians, Laura’s main concern was fairness. Portia laughs, and says, fair? Heather targeted Trina because Spencer fell in love with her and not Esme. Was it fair for Heather to murder people? Jordan says, she had a medical condition that compromised her judgement, and it may be fair to reconsider her case. The law isn’t just for people they like and approve of. No more than giving them medical treatment.

Brook tells Chase that she’s in the process of setting up an interview with a major outlet and thinks both Blaze and Kristina are on board. She hopes it works. He tells her that his bereavement leave ends tomorrow, and wonders what that means for Violet. Brook says, there’s no problem with childcare, but he wants to make sure Violet knows she’s their priority. Brook says she can work from home, and he says he can pitch in. She asks if he’s going to detect from the boathouse, but he says he’ll talk to Anna and Mac and see about a three-day week. They’ll do what it takes to make sure Violet has a loving home and family.

Felicia can’t find her phone and asks Maxie to call it. Maxie does, and Cody picks up. Maxie hangs up and asks if they heard anything. Maybe it’s really lost. Mac says, maybe it’s in the kids’ room, and goes to look. Maxie and Felicia smile at each other.  

Kristina goes to Alexis’s house, and Alexis asks if something else happened. Kristina says, no, but it’s going to. She and Allie have been debating how to respond, and they decided not to address Natalia’s comments directly, but show the world who they are, two people in love. There’s something wrong with the world if they can’t accept love in whatever form it takes. Alexis asks if they’re hoping the scandal dies down and cancelation moves on to someone else, and Kristina says, Brook set up an interview where they can present themselves as they are. Sonny says, it’s a good strategy. Show they have nothing to hide. Alexis says, it’s great as long as it’s handled right, and Kristina says, they always taught her to know who she is and to stand up for herself and what she believes in, and she thanks them for that.

Heather says, her blood runs cold to think she could be a killer, and Laura asks if she wants to kill again. Heather says, no, but what if she finds herself in a situation where the feelings come back and consume her and she’s doing terrible things again? She can’t risk it. Whatever Laura is thinking of doing, don’t. She’s in here for a reason and it’s where she belongs. Laura says, what if she was triggered by her medical condition and had no control? She’s just trying to help. Heather says she knows, but if Laura really wants to help, take care of her grandson. Visit once in a while and bring pictures. Let her pay for her crimes in peace, as much as she can get in a joint like this. Laura says, okay, if that’s what she really wants, and Heather nods.

Jordan says, there were toxins in Heather’s blood and Portia was on the team who diagnosed it. Portia says she was doing her job. She believes Heather should get proper medical care, but not absolution. Jordan says, Heather has rights like anybody else, and Portia says she has the right to question the legitimacy of the mayor. Jordan says, it’s just an inquiry. Laura is just asking questions. Give it time and see where it leads. Portia says, if Jordan thinks she’s going to sit around and wait for Heather to be released, she’s got another thing coming. She wonders if Heather had targeted Jordan’s son or murdered him, how Jordan would feel then. She storms out.

Kristina says she’s lucky she has parents who have experience with the press and appreciates their advice and guidance. Alexis says, of course (🍷), and Kristina says, they raised an outspoken daughter who tends to step in it. She can’t afford to make a mistake. Alexis says, it’s a good plan, and Kristina says she has to get it right. Allie’s career is at stake. Sonny says, she’ll be great, and Alexis hugs her. Kristina says she wanted to ask how they’ll feel seeing their kid doing an interview on national TV, and Sonny says, he’ll feel more proud than he already is, and hugs her.  

Brook asks if Chase wants to play croquet with her and Violet, and he asks if she doesn’t have to work. She says she’s waiting for a call back, but be warned, she’s a fearsome croquet player. He says, bring it on, and Brook says she’s a lucky girl. Most brides don’t get a preview of how their husband will be as a father. She saw him with Bailey Lou and now Violet. She picked the right guy. He says, they need to schedule time after croquet to argue about who picked who, and kisses her.

John says he knows Scotty; he was Karen’s dad. He’s an accomplished attorney and a great guy. Ava says, he’s spoken highly of John too, and John says he’s in Port Charles in a professional capacity. He has history here, but he’s not in brief to get involved in a custody battle. She says she’s not asking him as an agent, but as John, a father. She fears for Avery, and they both know she’s the one who will ultimately be hurt. She wants to keep Avery safe. Wouldn’t he want to protect his son from Sonny? He says he can’t promise anything, but he’ll think about it, and she says she needs all the help she can get. He says he doesn’t think she needs to worry too much. Before long, Sonny is going to be behind bars where he belongs if he has anything to say about it.

Maxie asks how it went with Cody, and Felicia says, he definitely wants another chance. What about Mac? Maxie says, stubborn as a mule. Mac comes back and says, there are people who lose things who don’t really lose them, and people who lose things that are gone forever. After all these years, he thinks Felicia might be the second one. There’s a knock at the door, and Maxie opens it. Cody says, Felicia left this at the Quartermaines… He and Mac lock eyes, and Felicia says, it’s not gone forever.

Tomorrow, Sasha says, if she tells Cody, she has to swear him to secrecy; Mac asks, what’s the point of this humiliating experience; and Portia tells Curtis, the worst is yet to come.

🛁 More Soap Bubbles…

I wondered if/how the latest Sonny arc was affecting him. So glad he was able to cope. Frank Valentini has always done right by his actors. I doff my cap.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/maurice-benard-reveals-why-he-had-to-take-time-off-from-gh

This sounds like a fun trip!

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/kelly-monaco-and-anthony-geary-reunite

 Extra, extra.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-cameron-mathison-has-an-exciting-new-role

What’s next.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/michael-easton-reveals-whats-next-after-gh

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/gregory-harrison-is-back-on-tv

🍊 O Say Can You C…

The messiness is back. It didn’t take long for Shannon to try and get into it with Alexis, bringing up some old lawsuit she insisted Alexis was involved with, yet she had no receipts. It was at that point, Alexis suggested the real issue was that she was with Shannon’s ex. That’s when she said, if Shannon didn’t like it – all together now – there’s the door Shannon Beador.

Real Housewives of Orange County Season 18, Episode 1 Recap: Shannon and Alexis Go Head-To-Head

A little more about Beador.

https://people.com/rhoc-recap-alexis-bellino-and-shannon-beador-square-off-john-janssen-romance-past-8676867

💎 Worse Than Being Chucky’s Bride…

She’s going to be a great addition to the cast. Hopefully, she can keep her poker face on and not engage in the drama. Or if not, give as good as she gets.

Jennifer Tilly Says Joining ‘RHOBH’ Is ‘Scarier Than Chucky’

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/chucky-jennifer-tilly-real-housewives-of-beverly-hills-friend

👙 No Love Bubbles To See Here…

Oh well. We can dream.

https://ew.com/teresa-giudice-rumor-leaving-real-housewives-new-jersey-8675092

Nice try. What’s really funny is, at one point, she said she loved the comments. So why did she disable them?

https://people.com/teresa-giudice-addresses-larsa-pippen-bikini-photoshop-fail-8675214

🐶 Never Mix Whiskey and Fireworks…

This dog. I can’t.

https://paradepets.com/pet-news/bri-bagwell-rescue-dog-whiskey-fireworks

🎂 A Very Merry Half Birthday To You…

My eldest Peke, Marco, is 17½ today. Seems like he was a puppy just yesterday.

Baby Marco

🏊‍♀️ Life’s a Beach…

Come on by tomorrow for soap, a little tea, a bit of talk, and a tune. Until then, stay safe; stay keeping an eye on your children or pets in public areas, and don’t allow them to be intrusive to others (although if it’s me, you can allow your pets to intrude); and stay always forgiving the people you love.

Jul10

July 9, 2024 – Cody Tells Mac That He Lied About the DNA Test, Sudsy Newsflash, Just a Preview, Messy New Jersey, Shocking, Have Some Brisket & Born

Posted on by
Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Sorry, I missed the beginning, but it’s always just a bit of a rehash. Basically, Drew told Willow that in another time and place, they might have meant something to each other.

Nina tells Michael that, more than anything, she wants a relationship with her daughter and grandchildren. If they continue to be at odds, that won’t happen. That’s enough motivation, but she also loves her job at Crimson, especially after being at The Invader. She’d be an idiot to continue to antagonize Aurora’s CFO. Curtis says, they share family, but they also have a similar work ethic. They’re professionals and damn good at their jobs. Their work is interdependent, they need each other, and Aurora needs them both. Michael says he’s starting to believe that, and he’s willing to put down the past and focus on the here and now. Curtis says, and hopefully, the future, and Michael says, and not just at Aurora. He’s a husband and father, and doesn’t want Willow feeling torn. Whatever she decides, he’s on board. Willow’s happiness is his top priority.

Portia says, while Laura is defending Heather’s rights, how does she know Heather won’t come after Portia’s family? Laura says, the law is for everyone, including the people they hate, but Portia says, it’s not about the law. It’s about Laura feeling bad for a family member who’s locked up. It’s uncomfortable, and sitting in discomfort is hard, but so is fearing for her daughter’s life. Elizabeth comes in and asks if they’ve seen Aiden… Clearly, she’s interrupting. Portia says, Laura’s got backup. Elizabeth came just in time to take her side.

Drew says, that was a rotten thing for him to say, but Willow says, that they might have meant something to each other under different circumstances doesn’t sound rotten. Drew says, it’s a trap when you think of things that might have been. You don’t mess up, and everyone does and says the right things. You don’t doubt your choices. When they met, Willow was already in love with Michael. Willow says she loves Michael so much, she can’t believe she did that, but Drew tells her not to put it all on her. They had a couple of drinks and got caught up in the fireworks and the proximity, and probably a little bit of election enthusiasm. Things happen. She says, it’s not the end of the world, and he says, it’s not even the end of the day. It happened, it’s over, and it will never happen again. Willow says, ever, and Drew says, they’re on the same page. Michael, Curtis, and Nina come in, and Michael says, coincidentally, them too.

Gio joins Trina and Josslyn at the boathouse, and Josslyn asks how the concert was. Gio says, good, and tells them there’s food at the house, but Josslyn says, they’re still full. She offers him a beer, and he asks, how was the barbecue? Josslyn says, eventful. Drew Quartermaine announced he was running for congress. Gio says he thought it was Cain, and Trina says, it was, 24 hours ago. Her dad said Quartermaine has a higher recognition factor. Josslyn says, Drew brought back the mayor and the congressman, but it wasn’t all business. There were friends and family there. Gio asks why Sonny wasn’t here and wonders why he wasn’t invited. Josslyn says, maybe he was and didn’t come. Gio would have to ask the Quartermaines.  

Cody says he wants to be part of Mac’s family, but Mac says, he has an interesting way of showing it. Cody says he didn’t know how to tell Mac, and Mac says, so he actively lied. Cody says he’s not proud of it, and Mac says, what upsets him most was that Cody felt he couldn’t be honest. The worst part is that he lied to Felicia. He lied to Maxie, Georgie, James, and Bailey Lou. Everyone he claimed to give a damn about. Cody says he loves them, but Mac says, if he did, he wouldn’t treat them like that. Cody asks if it helps that it was killing him. He’s eternally sorry. Mac says, it doesn’t help. He doesn’t trust Cody. For all he knows, it’s just another lie. He walks away.

Portia says, Heather was Elizabeth’s mother-in-law. Of course (🍷) she agrees with Laura. Laura says, this conversation is over, and Portia says she’ll leave them with this. Heather Webber is a serial killer, and she has every reason to believe Trina was her target. If Laura thinks she’s going to allow Trina to be at risk again and continues to try and set Heather free, the next conversation they have will be in public. She walks out.

Drew says, he and Willow were just watching the fireworks and talking politics. What’s up? Curtis says, they had an impromptu meeting about Aurora, and Nina says, they’re putting aside their differences and moving forward. Michael says, it’s time to move forward, and Nina says, everything is aboveboard, and their agendas have been put to bed. Willow says, it’s a relief to hear that, and Drew says, it feels like a new beginning, a new era, a clean slate. Nina says, with endless possibilities, and Drew asks how this came about. Curtis says, in order to move smoothly, the CFO of Aurora and the Editor-in-Chief of Crimson need to be in the for same room more than two minutes. Portia runs in and tells Curtis that she needs to go home.

Elizabeth says she doesn’t think she’s ever seen Portia so angry, and Laura says she understands. She went through hell with Heather, then Esme, and is genuinely concerned about her daughter. Elizabeth says, Esme is gone, and strange as it is, Heather’s situation has changed. Laura says, thank God she can see that. Portia can’t and it surprised her. Elizabeth says, why? Because she’s a doctor? Laura says, Portia knows Heather was sick and knows the medical ramifications. She was there when they were figuring it out, but she won’t consider the possibility that once the poison left Heather’s body, she’s no longer as dangerous. Elizabeth says, it’s easier for Laura to see. All Portia sees is a monster who tried to hurt her child. It’s like her experience with Franco. She could look past the tumor, but his victims couldn’t and never forgave him. Laura says, she thinks Portia is the same way, but Elizabeth says she hopes not. She hopes Portia realizes she’s asking questions only the court can answer. It’s not up to them. That’s why they have laws. It’s supposed to be justice for all. Laura says, that’s all she’s been saying, and thanks Elizabeth for hearing it. Elizabeth hugs Laura and says she’s proud of her, and so are her grandkids. She leaves, and Laura wipes tears from her eyes.

Maxie goes to the stable and asks if Cody has seen James’s riding gloves. He needs them for his next lesson. He’s obsessed and keeps asking everyone to watch. He even asked the grocery bagger. Cody says he doesn’t think he should keep giving James lessons, and she asks, why not? Did he say or do something? Cody says, it’s nothing like that, and Maxie says, he can’t take the lessons away from her. It’s her only leverage. He says, Mac is furious with him, and she says, her Mac? That doesn’t sound like him. Cody says, he’s our Mac, and Maxie says, explain please. Cody says he’s been lying to all of them. He’s Mac’s son. Maxie says, but the DNA test… and Cody says he lied. Maxie says she can see it, and he says he totally lied and now Mac knows the truth. She says, now Mac is unhappy, but Cody says, that’s a massive understatement.

Gio says, it’s his first boathouse party, and Trina says she hopes not his last. He tells them, keep inviting him and he’ll keep showing up, and Josslyn asks what they do in Bensonhurst on the 4th. Gio says, they have a huge block party. Everyone within 10 blocks is a Cerullo or a Falconari. They’re big Italian families. Trina asks if his mom was from Italy, and he says, she was. It was her proudest moment to officially become a citizen. She told him to never take it for granted and he never does. Neither do his relatives. That’s why the 4th is a big deal. Trina says, it means something to his family.

Curtis asks if everything is okay, and Porta says she just needs to go home. Curtis tells Drew, congrats again, and Portia says, if he wants her vote, he needs to pledge to keep Heather Webber in prison, no matter what the mayor has to say. She and Curtis leave, and Willow says, Portia is a mom and entitled to her feelings. She tells Michael that she’s exhausted and suggests they round up the kids, but Michael says, the kids are staying here, so they can head back to the gatehouse when she’s ready. Willow says she’s happy Nina and Michael made up and Nina is helping with the campaign. It’s nice being on the same side again. Nina says she couldn’t agree more, and Willow leaves with Michael, glancing at Drew on her way out the door.  

Felicia says she’s been looking everywhere for Mac. What’s wrong? Mac says, Cody is his son, but she says, no, he’s not. He says, yes, he is, but she says, he can’t be. She did her own DNA test. She’ll explain the details later. Mac says, Cody must have doctored the results and lied the first time. She asks how he knows, and he says, Cody confessed to him. She says, he’s known all this time? and Mac says, and he never said a word. Cody gave him some convoluted excuse, but he was barely listening. She asks how he feels, and he says he’s furious. He has a son. Cody knew it and lied about it on purpose. She was right about him. He’s nothing but a grifter and must have some agenda for it coming to light now. She says, he really doesn’t think Cody needs a kidney or points removed from his driver’s license, but Mac says he can’t think of another reason. Can she?

Mac says, maybe Cody doesn’t need an internal organ, but he’s coming from some kind of angle. Felicia says, Cody is his kid, but Mac says, on paper only. Felicia says, it’s Cody’s loss. It’s sad really. Mac says he would have welcomed Cody to the family, and Felicia says, he did. Mac says, it would have taken adjusting, but he would have found a way to love him. Felicia says, of course (🍷), and Mac says, now it’s too late for that.

Maxie says she feels her brain melting. Why did Cody lie? Mac is the best father in the whole world. Cody says, at first, he thought he wanted money more than family. Pathetic, he knows. By the time he changed his mind, he didn’t know how to take back the lie. Maxie says, tell the truth? and Cody says he was afraid Mac would hate him, and guess what? He was right. Maxie says, Mac is upset. He doesn’t hate Cody. Cody says he wants her to know that he’s sorry he messed this up. They’re all a terrific family. She says, especially her. She’s a fantastic sister. He says, they’re not related, but she says, Mac is her father and that makes Cody her brother, and her kids his nieces and nephew. Cody says he loved teaching James, and Maxie says, when James finds out Cody is Mac’s son, he’s going to be over the moon. He tells her to hold off telling him until she talks to Mac. James is a good rider, and you can’t beat his enthusiasm. He wants her to know that he’s grateful for all their time together. She says she sees what he’s doing. If he thinks he’s going to get rid of them that easily, think again.

Gio says, it’s not just patriotic. It’s a reason for everyone to get together. Thanksgiving and Christmas are the same, but it’s cold. On the 4th, they’re all hanging out in the street. Josslyn asks if he’s been to the soft serve truck, and Trina says, it’s easy to overlook, but there’s nothing like it. Josslyn says, it’s usually parked by Rice Park. All they have is chocolate and vanilla in cones, but there’s nothing like a classic cone on a hot day. Trina says, it’s her afternoon treat when she’s at work, and Gio asks if there are any other Port Charles traditions he should know about. Josslyn says, one is about to start, the Country Club fireworks. Now that he’s done playing, he can relax and enjoy the view. He says, the company’s not bad either.

Curtis asks, what’s going on? and Portia says she had a chat with Laura. As long as Laura continues to help Heather to go free, she’s the enemy. And so is anybody who supports her, including Drew and the Quartermaines. (Ugh. I hate when Portia puts her self-righteous hat on. She also has a habit of what my dad called, crying before you’re hurt, and it’s annoying.)

Curtis says, to be clear, he wants Heather to stay locked up until the end of time and he’ll advocate for that, but it’s not his call. No more than it is hers. Portia asks why he’s not angry, and he asks, what good would it do? He’s on her side, but regardless of how they feel, it’s the court’s decision, not theirs. She says, that sounds like spin. Trina is his daughter. Doesn’t he care? Curtis says, it’s one thing for her to fight Heather. It’s another thing to fight him. She knows he wants his daughter to stay safe. She says, he’s not the one she’s mad at. She’s sorry. They hug.

Gio, Trina, and Josslyn watch the fireworks, and Gio says, beautiful. Trina asks how they rate compared to Bensonhurst, and he says, these are tame. She asks if he misses home, and he says he misses his family of course (🍷) and his neighborhood, where he knows everyone, and everyone knows him. But he needed a change, to try something new. He likes Port Charles. It’s the perfect fit. Josslyn lifts her beer bottle and says, to finding your place. Trina says, and making new friends, and the three of them clink beer bottles.

Maxie says, admit it. In Cody’s mind, he’s packing and saying his goodbyes. Don’t do it. He says he doesn’t see what choice he has, and she says, stay. She’s had lots of experience with huge lies and life wrecking mistakes. Running just makes it worse. She once pretended to be pregnant to get a guy to be in a relationship with her. She’ll tell him about it sometime. He needs to stay and process. Give Mac time and them time to adjust. Don’t leave, for Mac and Sasha and mostly himself. Promise. He says, okay, but she says she needs him to say the words. He says he promises, but she says, too vague. What exactly is he promising? He says, not to leave, and she says, he won’t regret it. He gives her James’s riding gloves and she leaves.

Nina asks Drew if she was dreaming just now. She never thought the day would come. He says he’s happy for her, and she says, maybe she’ll get to spend time with Wiley and Amelia, be part of the family, and he says, it’s looking that way. She thanks him with tears in her eyes, and says, he built a bridge between her and her daughter. She’ll be forever grateful. He says, she’s welcome and they kiss. (Wow. Is this getting messy or what?)

Sasha is having a glass of wine and sees Michael and Willow outside on the patio. Willow says, it’s a beautiful night, and Michael tells Willow that she’s gorgeous. They kiss, and Sasha watches, flashing back to seeing Willow and Drew kissing.

Tomorrow, Sasha says, if Cody leaves, he’ll have a lot more than Maxie to worry about; Felicia wants to be wrong; and Ava says she’ll do what she wants.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

He might be gone, but he’ll never be forgotten. I still live in hope that he’ll be back. It’s happened before.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/michael-easton-pays-tribute-to-his-gh-leading-ladies

A super soap spy couple reunites.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ian-buchanan-and-finola-hughes-reunite-in-london

Sad news.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/general-hospital-star-doug-sheehan-dead-at-75

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/gh-ryans-hope-and-loving-producer-joseph-hardy-dead-at-95

Happier news.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-kate-mansi-is-engaged-to-matt-mcinnis

🐪 No Camel, Preview…

As of this posting, there was zilch on tonight’s RHODubai, but here’s a taste.

RHODubai Season 2, Episode 6 Preview: Caroline Stanbury Tells Sara Al Madani to ‘Shut Up’

👠 They’re Not Wrong…

For once, Andy is not to blame… totally.

Jackie Goldschneider Blames RHONJ Cast for ‘Destroying the Show’
Melissa Gorga Thinks ‘Toxic’ RHONJ Needs ‘Changes’ After ‘Dirty’ Cast Tactics

Me too.

Why RHONJ Fans Yearn for the Good Old Days

Case in point.

Rumored Details About RHONJ Finale Fight Revealed: ‘Beyond Explosive’

Just for fun.

Why Teresa Giudice’s Photoshop Fail With Larsa Pippen Is So Annoying

⛵️ Over the Bounding Reef…

Well, he isn’t exactly known for keeping to the rule book.

Revealed: Below Deck Sailing Yacht Captain Glenn Shephard’s Shocking History

🐕 The Lassie Of His Generation…

Meet Brisket.

https://paradepets.com/pet-news/glen-powell-rescue-dog-brisket-twisters

Oh, there’s a dude in the photo? Seriously though, no on the pants like that.

https://people.com/glen-powell-shares-steamy-photo-instagram-post-about-dog-brisket-8674643

🥏 Tell Me More, Tell Me More…

Join me tomorrow for soap, and the latest in Listing and Dubai (I hope). Until then, stay safe; stay not bringing uninvited guests or pets to someone else’s event or party without asking permission; and stay being willing to put down the past and focus on the here and now, and hopefully, the future

Jul3

July 2, 2024 – Natalia Causes a Backlash Tsunami, Lots About Soap, Just Caroline, Stirring the Jersey Pot, New New York, Deck Doings, Keep Them Safe & Party

Posted on by
Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

I missed the very beginning, but that’s usually just a rehash anyway. So…

Diane tells Sonny that it’s her job to plead his case and provide counsel. It’s steep hill he’s going to have to climb. Avery isn’t a baby anymore, and if she sees him trying to take her from her mother, it could permanently alter her relationship with him. He says he’d rather she hate her father than become her mother, and Diane says, it’s his call. She records some notes for herself on her phone, and her phone beeps. He asks, what’s the problem? and she says, it’s a big one. Does he mind if she makes a phone call?

Alexis says, Kristina is in the homestretch of her pregnancy. The last part is challenging, physically and emotionally, and she wants Kristina to know she’s here for her no matter what. Kristina says she knows, but it never hurts to hear. Alexis’s phone rings, and Diane says she saw The Invader alert. What is Alexis doing? Alexis says she’s with Kristina celebrating quitting her job. She’s left the tabloid life behind. She doesn’t know what’s in The Invader, unless they’re running a picture of her face on a dartboard. Diane says, it’s not about her, but it’s bad. Go to the website now. Alexis asks what she’s looking for, and Diane says, she’ll know when she sees it. And turn up the audio. Alexis and Kristina listen to the file from The Face of Deception’s Daughter, and Diane says tell Kristina that she’s sorry.

Sonny asks if everything is okay, and Diane plays the audio file for him.

Everyone in Maxie’s office listens to the audio file, which includes Natalia talking about her fear that someone will take a picture of Blaze and Kristina holding hands. She’s scared it will be sold to the tabloids and there will be a scandal. Blaze glares at Natalia and says, don’t hold back. Tell us how you really feel.

Alexis and Kristina listen, and Kristina says, turn it off. She gets the gist. Alexis asks if she’s okay. Her blood is boiling, so she can’t imagine how Kristina feels. Kristina says she’s not the one who was just outed. Blaze was discriminated against by her own mother in public. She’s angry, but she’ll be fine. Alexis wonders if Kristina has heard from Blaze, and Kristina says, they usually text constantly, but no. Alexis says, maybe she hasn’t seen it, but Kristina says she doubts it. Deception is probably coming up with PR strategy for a response. She’ll call when she can. Alexis says she doesn’t understand how a mother could talk about her own daughter that way, and Kristina says, that’s why she’s grateful. She can forget about maternal leave from the center. After this, they won’t let her in the front door.

Ava says, her phone is blowing up, and Adrian asks if she wants to celebrate with him. She calls him a little worm and tells him to forget he knows her. Her name isn’t to cross his lips, not anytime to anyone, especially not Nina. Adrian says, sounds like a story. Does she care to dish? She says, she’ll see to it that he’s typing with his toes. Men have killed for her for a lot less. They’ve never met. They’ve never spoken. Take down the recording. There’s no reason for it to be online anymore. He says he can’t do that. It will just draw more attention to it and people will ask questions, to which every answer would be Ava Jerome. Besides, wire service has already picked it up. It’s everywhere and there’s no going back now.

Natalia says she doesn’t know what that was, and Lucy asks if Natalia is denying that’s her voice, but Natalia says, it’s obviously her. Scotty asks if Deception doesn’t have a PR master, but Lucy says she let them go when they had to save money. Lois says, that wasn’t a good idea, but Lucy says she had no idea this would happen. Scotty says he knows a guy… but Maxie says, stop. She tells Lucy to talk to the regular PR people. She’ll coordinate with Brook and have her lock down the social media. No comments. And she wants Scotty to guard the door from Tracy, who will be there soon, because the stock is going to take a nosedive. She asks Natalia where this took place, but Natalia says she never spoke to a reporter and doesn’t remember who she said it to. Blaze wonders if it’s because she says things like that so often.  

Sonny says he knew Natalia was uncomfortable with her daughter being gay, but didn’t think she’d spew that kind of garbage. He asks Diane if it could be fake, and she says, possibly, but she doubts The Invader would run it without authentication. They’d be opening themselves up to a huge lawsuit. Sonny says, it makes no sense, but she says, he’d be surprised how easily some people hide their ugliness in polite company. He says he thought she’d be smart enough not to talk to somebody who was recording it, and Diane says, sometimes hated gets the better of people. He wonders why Alexis would run such a thing, but Diane says, Alexis didn’t. She quit this morning. Sonny says, whoever did this hurt his daughter, and that means there’s a target on their back

Diane tells Sonny to take this lesson seriously. Even things said in privacy behind closed doors run the risk of exposure. Sonny says he knows the danger, and she tells him, things said in anger can work against him in a custody fight. The court needs to see him as a reliable and stand-up parent who they can trust. He asks how he can be a good parent if he doesn’t do anything about the garbage being said about his daughter? Diane says, activists on social media are calling for Kristina to resign from the center she founded. They don’t think she should be running an outreach if she’s dating someone who’s in the closet. They’re saying she has too much internalized homophobia to be trusted. People get worked up about things they know nothing about. Sonny throws his phone against the door.

Alexis tells Kristina not to jump to the worst case, and Kristina says, people are already saying ugly things. Alexis says, Natalia robbed Blaze of coming out on her own terms. She’s not going to interfere between Blaze and her mother, but she is going after the person who made this public. Alexis leaves.  

Ava says she didn’t set out to hurt Kristina, Blaze, or herself. Adrian will keep his mouth shut and she’ll have plausible deniability. If anybody asks him to identify where he got the audio file… He says, it came via the anonymous tip line. Ava tells him, get out, and he heads for the door. She asks if he’s learned nothing, and she checks the hallway. She says, okay. Go.  

Natalia says she keeps going over it in her mind, but has no memory of saying that to anyone. Maybe her phone was tapped. Lois says, it doesn’t sound like a bad connection. It sounds like it was in person, but she doesn’t think that’s the real issue. Lucy says, it’s not about the how and why. It’s about, what the hell do we do now? Blaze says she’ll need to respond. Not so much because she’s the Face of Deception, but there’s so much more. It’s going to impact her music career. Natalia says, they’ll put together a joint statement and give it to a friendly outlet, but Blaze asks why she’d publicly associate with Natalia when the whole world heard what Natalia thinks of her. Natalia says, it wasn’t specifically about her. It was more a generalization. Blaze says, Natalia mentioned both her and Kristina, but would it matter if she’d left their names out? Which gays are disturbing and offensive to her fragile sensibilities? Do drag queens on a Pride float make her angry? Do her and Kristina holding hands make Natalia sick to her stomach? Or is the problem that any two women in love disgust her? She’s quiet now. She has nothing to say now that they’re in private. Why? The whole world has heard her words by now. She should have known something like this would happen. She talks about gay people dismissively or with pity, reducing them to how they look and talk, and who they love. They’re not real people, herself included. Lucy says, it’s ironic that the same person who locked Blaze in the closet is the same person who just outed her, and Maxie tells her that she’s not helping. Natalia says she’s the victim. She was used to damage her daughter’s career. Blaze says, Natalia hasn’t heard what she said. She let Natalia convince her to portray a straight person, and now Natalia’s words are going to destroy any hope for her future life in music. Blaze walks out.

Natalia says she’s sorry. Her daughter is emotional. Lois says, she has a right to be. Does Natalia want to go after her? Natalia says she doesn’t think it would do any good, not when Blaze is in this frame of mind. She knows her daughter. Maxie says, does she? and Scotty says he has nothing more to contribute. He’s going to leave. Maxie tells him to stay. They might need legal advice. Lucy says she thinks a lawyer should be here to finalize the last addendum to Blaze’s contract, and she rips it up. Natalia says, she can’t do that. Blaze is known everywhere as the Face of Deception. If they try to get rid of her, they risk backlash in the press and in court. Maxie says she thinks they’re within their rights to change their relationship with Blaze.

Blaze knocks at Kristina’s door, and when there’s no answer, she lets herself in. Kristina is on the sofa, looking at her phone, and Blaze asks if Kristina didn’t hear her knocking. Kristina says, sorry. She was zoned out on her phone. Blaze says she’s guessing Kristina read The Invader article. She was hoping Kristina hadn’t seen it, but then she’d be the one giving the bad news. Kristina says she’s definitely seen it. The comments are awful. Instagram is particularly brutal. It looks like she’s canceled. Blaze says she thinks they both are.

Adrian goes to the pool and asks for a margarita pitcher and the guac trio, extra salty chips. And put it on Nina Reeves’s tab. He lies on a chaise lounge and closes his eyes. Someone approaches his chair, and he says, they’re in his sun. Alexis says, it’s better than being all up in his business. Which she will be if he doesn’t agree to play ball. She had to harass his assistant until he cracked to find out where Adrian was. Adrian says, note to self, fire assistant, and tells her, whatever it is will have to wait until tomorrow. She’s intruding on his hard-earned afternoon off. She says, good, since he published that loathsome recording in The Invader, and intruded on her daughter and her girlfriend. He asks if that’s what’s snapping her brassiere (really? have we been transported to the 1950s?), and she says, it will be fun to sue him and him and The Invader into oblivion.

Natalia asks if they’re saying her daughter is no longer good enough to be the Face of Deception since she’s been outed. She can’t sell their products because she’s gay? Maxie tells her that she’s saying the exact opposite. What they can’t afford to have is someone ashamed to be gay. They have a diverse clientele that they’re proud of, a lot of whom are gay and have a large social media presence. What they can’t do is align themselves with someone who’s ashamed. They’re proud to be a gay friendly company, so they need Natalia and Blaze to either get with the program or kick rocks. Lois says, they’re all parents and love their kids. A difficult situation is evolving, but it’s less about a contract than about a mother and daughter finding their way back to each other. They should be a little careful with hurtful words. Maxie says she’s telling the truth, and Lucy says, they love Blaze, but they can’t sacrifice their reputation for her. Lois agrees, but thinks they should put the negative aside for now and work on their PR response. Give Natalia a chance to try and make peace with her daughter. Natalia says, her relationship with her daughter is none of their business, but when it comes to Blaze’s contract, if they do anything to hurt Blaze, they’ll deal with her. Natalia leaves.

Blaze says she’s so sorry. People are saying horrible things and it’s her fault. Kristina says, it’s not. It’s her mother’s fault. Blaze says, they wouldn’t be having this conversation if she’d been truthful, but Kristina says, Blaze did what she thought best. Blaze says she did what was easiest. She didn’t want to rock the boat and tried to have it both ways. Now it might cost her everything, including Kristina. She knows how much the center means to her, and if Kristina can’t forgive the damage that she and her mom caused, she understands. They can go their separate ways and no hard feelings. Kristina doesn’t have to decide now. She’ll leave and let her figure it out. Kristina says, don’t you dare. She’s not going anywhere. She’s hadn’t caused any damage in Kristina’s life. She was already planning on handing over the reins of the center. The only thing she lost was the title of undercover girlfriend. She was already out and had nothing to hide. Blaze says, there might be nothing left to salvage. What if she loses everything? She hid, and people hate liars. Kristina says, Blaze is breaking her heart. She’s beating herself up when it’s not her fault. It’s going to be okay. They’re going to be okay. They’ll get through this. She has faith in them. Does Blaze still feel the same way? Blaze says she’s sorry, but she doesn’t.

Adrian tells Alexis to do her worst and laughs. If her legal skill is on par with her ability to publish a newspaper, he’ll be just fine. He has the Bill of Rights on his side. Alexis says, even the Bill of Rights has its limits. She remembers warning him to be cautious about how deploys secret recordings. He says, if Natalia didn’t know she was being recorded that’s too bad. New York is a one-party consent state. Perhaps Alexis should consult her law books before returning to court. She says, perhaps he should seek legal counsel. Nina is going to cut the tightrope he’s walking on when she finds out. There’s reasonable expectation of privacy. Adrian says, Blaze is the Face of Deception and a famous singer. Public figures don’t get to claim privacy. She says, Blaze’s mother isn’t, and he monetized and commercialized a private citizen without consent. He left a big softball hanging left for her hit out of the park. He says he wants to consult a lawyer, and Alexis says, he has one right here. She’ll even waive the retainer. She’ll make it go away in exchange for one small thing. She wants him to name the person who supplied him with the recording.

Natalia gets in her car, crying, and breathing heavily. She listens to the recording on her phone, and wonders who she was talking to. Why the hell did they record it and send it to the media? Suddenly, the lightbulb comes on.

Maxie wonders, what’s next? and Lois thinks she should cool her appearances, but Lucy says, they need her. She’s the only Face they have left. They need to show they have nothing to hide or be embarrassed about. Scotty says, Lucy is right. They have to deal with it head on. Lucy says, this might not be a popular opinion, but they can’t afford another stumble. They can’t put out that they’re not going to associate with Blaze. Maxie says she didn’t mean that part. She just said it to prompt Natalia to sacrifice herself. She underestimated Natalia’s self-absorption. Lois suggests they take a day to think, but Lucy says, they have no time. They need to make sure the public knows that’s not how they feel, or they could be inundated with candlelight vigils and marches and be canceled on social media. Scotty asks if he should draw up a statement. Is Blaze in or out?

Blaze tells Kristina that she’s not saying they should break up, but she doesn’t see a way to move forward. Kristina says she does. She’ll guide both of them. Blaze says, it’s a huge responsibility, but Kristina says she doesn’t care. Blaze is worth it, and she loves her. She refuses to accept that Blaze’s enormous talent can’t override the ugly things being said. She’s not saying that out of love, but out of love she’ll continue to say it until Blaze believes it.

Sonny tells Diane that they’ll talk again after she comes up with a strategy, when Natalia walks in. Sonny turns his back to her, and Diane says she’ll be in touch. She leaves and Natalia says she can tell Sonny heard the recording. He says he has, and she says she knows he’s pretty upset and doesn’t have a high opinion of her. He says, obviously, and she says she’s not going to force her presence on him. She’ll go, but first, she wanted him to know where the recording came from. He says, she insulted his daughter, and she says, unfortunately, those are her words, but they were said to someone close to him who secretly recorded her. He says, who? and she says, it actually took a while for her to remember who she had that regrettable conversation with. She realized the person who edited out their part is the same person who supplied the recording to The Invader – Ava Jerome.

On the phone, Ava wonders where her room service is. There’s a knock at the door, and she says, there it is now. She opens the door, and Alexis is there. Alexis says, they need to have a conversion. One that won’t be recorded.

And I laaaugh because Adrian folded like a cheap suit.

Tomorrow, Sasha wants Blaze and Kristina to benefit from her hard-won experience; Lois has a suggestion; Sonny says, there are no limits to how far Ava will go; and Carly tells Josslyn there’s a good chance she could go to prison.

🧼 All  the Soap News Fit To Print…

Blaze and Kristina’s storyline today brought tears to my eyes. It almost softened the blow of Finn’s departure. Almost.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-jacqueline-grace-lopez-shares-why-representation-matters

Life imitating art.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-kin-shriner-is-recovering-from-surgery

He’s got a better perspective on his being let go than I do.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/michael-easton-puts-his-gh-exit-into-perspective

I’ll have what he’s having.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-chad-duell-shares-an-important-message-with-fans

So cool how they stay in touch. Soap stars are a different breed of actor.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-kimberly-mccullough-and-brooklyn-rae-silzer-reunite

GH won’t be on July 4th. You get the whole day off.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/abc/soap-opera-soaps-holiday-schedule

🐪 No Camel For You…

Sorry. As of this posting, there was no recap for Real Housewives of Dubai. Stay tuned for it tomorrow, and in the meantime, there’s this. Discuss amongst yourselves.

https://www.realitytea.com/2024/07/02/caroline-stanbury-sergio-carrallo-might-not-make-it-rhodubai/

👠 What Happens In Jersey…

What happened.

Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 14, Episode 9 Recap: A Wedding and a War

What’s going to happen.

RHONJ Season 14, Episode 10 Preview: Margaret Josephs and Dolores Catania Sit down for Serious Conversation

And what the Marge hopes will happen.

Margaret Josephs Suggests She Will Be ‘Vindicated’ With RHONJ Finale

🗽 If They Can’t Make It There…

RHONY used to be my favorite of the franchise because, NYC, but I found the new cast to be mind-numbing, city or no city. Maybe the latest additions will make a difference. Or not.

Erin Lichy Teases RHONY Season 15: ‘Highly Entertaining and Pretty Shocking’

🛟 Random Topics On Deck…

The perfect guest.

Why Trishelle Cannatella Was the Perfect Below Deck Med Charter Guest

The feud.

Below Deck Med Feud Ends: Captain Sandy and Hannah Ferrier’s Relationship Explained

And the fans.

Below Deck’s Biggest Celebrity Fans

🐕 Knowing the Drill…

It’s that time again. Actually, that time started here on Sunday night when I was wearing my chihuahua on my head after he heard the first firecracker.

https://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/article/10-easy-tips-happy-safe-pets-july-4th

⛲️ Summer Mood: On…

Join me tomorrow for soap, tea, and entertainment news. Until then, stay safe, stay wearing sunscreen whether you think you need to or not, and stay never reducing anyone to how they look and talk, and who they love.

Jun28

June 27, 2024 – Finn Says Goodbye To Violet, Words From His Co-Workers, Just No, Better For You, Riders, Pet (!) Safety & Wake Me

Posted on by
Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Carly thanks Diane for coming over so quickly, and Diane says, it sounded urgent. Carly says she needs Diane to keep her out of prison.

At the new apartment, Josslyn opens the door to Dex.

Violet runs to Finn, and he asks if she had fun sleeping over. She asks, how is he? Is he feeling better?

Sam comes home, and tells Dante that Scout was nervous in the car, but when they got there, she couldn’t wait for the sleepover. She wants to make sure Danny won’t hear their conversation, and starts to check on him upstairs, but Dante says, Jason came and picked Danny up. She asks where they went.

Walking into the garage, Jason says, sorry the gym was closed, but Danny says, this is way better than working out. They go over to Jason’s bike, and Jason asks if Danny is sure he’s ready do this. Danny says, oh yeah.

Dante tells Sam that Jason was taking Danny to the gym, and Danny was stoked. He thought it would be okay with her. Was he wrong? She says, yes, but he couldn’t have known what was going on. He asks what he’s missing, and she says, Spinelli found out what the FBI is holding over Jason. Jason stayed away all this time because the Feds have evidence against Carly.

Jason says, the most important thing is safety. Not just for kids, for everybody. If he needs to know something, ask. He tells Danny that he does his own maintenance. It’s important in case you get stuck. Danny says, especially if someone is after you. Did Jason’s father teach him? Jason says, Alan? Not that he recalls. He fixed people, not machines. Danny asks when he learned, and Jason says, after his accident.

Carly tells Diane, when Sonny was in Nixon Falls and everyone but Nina thought he was dead, she went meeting with the Five Families and claimed to be head of Sonny’s organization. Diane says, no judgement, but why did she do that? and Carly says, Cyrus was trying to take over Sonny’s territory so he could pass a highly addictive narcotic through Port Charles. It was the same drug Sasha got hooked on. Diane says, it wasn’t just civic altruism, and Carly says, there was a threat to her family that was business related. Someone at the meeting was wearing a wire, and the FBI has an audio file of her committing RICO violations. Diane asks how she became aware of it, and Carly says, a reliable source hacked into their database and retrieved the file. Diane says, good. Another felony. She doesn’t want to know the source, but asks why they were doing a deep dive into the database in the first place.

Finn tells Violet not to ever worry about him, and she asks how his cut is. Did he have to go to the hospital? He says his hand is fine. He just needed a bandage. She says, there was a lot of blood, and he says he knows, but it looked worse than it was. Violet asks if they can go home now, and he says he’d love to, but she’s going to stay with Uncle Chase for a while longer. She says she wants to come home, and he says, that’s what he wants too, but he’s not going home. He’s going away. She says, he has to take her with him, but he says, it’s just for a little while. She says she doesn’t care and wants to come, but he says, she can’t go where he’s going. Daddy is sick. His hand is better, but his head and heart… He cries and says he was so sad after grandpa died, he started drinking alcohol and never should done that. That’s why he fell asleep on the floor. Violet says, can’t he stop? and he says, some people can stop. He thought he was one of them, but he was wrong. He needs to go to a special hospital where they’re going to help him stop for good. She asks, how long he’ll be gone, and he says, the doctor says three months. She says, that’s a long time. Does he really have to go? He says he does, and she says, but she can help him stop.

Josslyn asks what Dex is doing here, and he says he wanted to look at her new place. She asks how he found it, and he says he used his sharp detective skills. She said it was above the Quartermaines’ garage, so he followed that lead. She says, hidden in plain sight. She wonders how he got past the gate, and he says, it was open. He thinks someone is visiting. She tells him that he needs better detective skills, and he says he’s still learning. He knows moving is a pain, so he brought provisions. He holds up a bag from Bobbie’s, and says he brought enough for Trina. She says, Trina is taking care of her Aunt Stella, who is sick, and he asks if she needs help. She says, yes, and asks him to come in. She’s finished cleaning, but needs help moving something that’s not heavy, but awkward. Dex says, it’s nice to have another set of hands, and they move a box that not awkward at all and looks like she could have moved it herself.

Violet says, if she helps Finn, he can stay with her, and Finn says he doesn’t want to leave her ever, but if he doesn’t go, he won’t get better. What happened can never happen again. He’s sorry. She must have been afraid when she found him. She says she thought he was dead like grandpa, and he says he’s sorry. He’s proud of her for calling Tracy and getting help. It was the absolutely right thing to do. Violet cries and says she wants to take care of him, but he says, that’s not the way it’s supposed to be. He should be taking care of her. She says, they can take care of each other, and he says, they’re good at that, but he has to be able to, and right now he’s not. That’s why he has to go away, so he can come back and be the best dad, a dad she deserves. He made a terrible mistake and none of it is her fault. She’s perfect and he loves her so much, more than life itself. They hug and everyone in the room is crying.

Jason tells Danny that he was worried about AJ drinking and driving, so he got in the car with him. The car crashed, and the next thing he knew… the first thing he knew was, he didn’t know anybody. Not his family, his name, nothing. Danny says, that must have been hard, and Jason asks if he knows what TBI is. Danny says, traumatic brain injury, and Jason says, that’s what he had. Danny says, mom told him that Jason is drawn to danger and that’s why he does dangerous jobs. Jason says, he’s done dangerous work that he can’t talk about, but mom doesn’t want Danny to get hurt. He suggests they get back to the bike, and Danny asks if it’s hard to learn to ride. Jason says he wasn’t a natural, but it wasn’t hard to learn. He loved it from the start.

Carly tells Diane that she wasn’t involved with getting the file. Someone brought it to her. Diane asks if she’s being blackmailed, but Carly says she’s not. Jason is. It’s the reason he lost 3 years with his family. The FBI threatened to charge her if he didn’t become an informant, and she has it on good authority that they won’t honor the deal. Diane asks if she’s sure the authority is legit, and Carly says, if anyone would know, he would, and he said when Jason was no longer of use to the FBI, they’ll charge her anyway. Diane says she can’t disagree, and Carly says, why should Jason spend one more day under the FBI’s thumb. She wants to call their bluff. Let them charge her and they’ll fight it in court. She needs to know, what are her chances of being acquitted?

Diane asks if Carly actually conducted mob business. Did she make any illegal money transfers? Did she launder money? Did she transfer illegal or stolen goods? Carly says, no, to all of it, and Diane asks if her name is on any incriminating documents. Carly says she doesn’t think so, and Diane asks if anyone at the meeting would be willing to testify against her. Who was at the meeting? Carly says, Cyrus Renault and Selina Wu. Vincent Novak and Charles Buscema are dead. If anyone testified, they wouldn’t be long for this world. Diane asks if the FBI has the sole audio file, and Carly asks what she’s thinking. Diane says, in this age of deep fakes and digital trickery, the chain of custody of the evidence is essential. The FBI would have to produce the original file to prove it’s not altered. Carly says, her source said the file couldn’t be altered or deleted. Where does that leave her? Diane says, given her and Sonny’s long history with the Feds and her recent dust up with the SEC, she thinks the FBI might have a strong case.

Josslyn asks what Dex learned in school today, and he says, they’re doing de-escalation training. He bets that make civilian courses. She asks if he’s suggesting she take one, but he says, no. He loves how she never backs down from a fight. Don’t lose that. She asks what he learned, and he says, each situation is different. It’s a judgement call every time. Sometimes you have to rush in and act fast, but most of the time, you’re better served to take a step back and see what happens before you do something you can’t take back. She says she’s learning that herself. She’s done a few things recently that she wishes she could take back. He says him too.

Danny thanks Jason for letting him help change the oil, but Jason says, he helped Danny. Danny did the work. Danny asks when Jason is going to teach him to ride.

Sam tells Dante about the recording of Carly meeting with the Five Families, and how it’s being held over Jason’s head. He asks if she realizes what she’s done. Forget Carly. She breached and FBI file; it’s a federal crime. If she’s caught, she’ll go to prison. Sam says, the hack was bulletproof, but Dante asks if she doesn’t think they can trace it back to Spinelli. Who else knows? She says, Spinelli, Carly, and now him, and he says, now he’s an accessory. She can’t tell anyone. If the FBI finds out about Spinelli hacking their database at her request, she’ll be taken away from her kids.

Chase says, they should get going, and Finn says, Violet is going to have so much fun. He’ll be back before she knows it. She says she’ll miss him, and he says he’ll miss her. She tries to put a friendship bracelet on him, but it doesn’t fit, so he puts it in his shirt pocket and says he’s going to put it next to his heart and keep it there always. He loves her. She says she loves him too, and he and Chase go to the door. Chase opens it, and Finn blows Violet a kiss. She catches it, and they leave. Violet cries, and Brook hugs her.

Dex says, it’s a great place, and Josslyn says she lucked out. He says he used to think about someday helping her move out of the dorm and into his place, and she says, her too. He says he enjoyed dinner, and she says her too. He says, hypothetically of course (🍷), what would it take for them to get back to where they were before? and she says, before what? He says, before he told her that he was willing to kill someone for Sonny.

Chase pulls up to Sky Meadow Lodge, and Finn thanks him for letting him say goodbye to Violet. He knows it went against the restraining order. Chase says, what he did wasn’t about the restraining order. Finn needed to see Violet before he left. Finn says he’s sorry about the things he said to Chase and Brook. The things he said to Elizabeth, he can’t forgive himself, and the worst of it was that he passed out and scared his little girl. Chase says, it could have been worse, and Finn says, only Chase could find a silver lining in this. Chase says, a lot of people take a restraining order as a challenge and show up anyway. The number of domestic disturbances he’s had to break up… Kids see knock down drag outs with their parents, and he’s seen the looks on their faces as the parents are taken away. He thanks Finn for not putting Violet in the middle and making it worse for his daughter. Finn says he heard Violet thought he was dead and left her forever. How could he do that to her? Chase says, because he has an illness. That’s why he’s going away, to get well. Finn says, his kid brother, and Chase says he’s been grown up for a while now. Finn says, this is different. Now Chase is coming to his rescue. Chase says that’s just because he’s a nice guy, and Finn thanks him for taking care of his little girl. Chase says he’s Finn’s brother, and Finn says, he did the right thing. He knows Chase was trying to protect Violet, and he’ll always be grateful for that.

Danny says he hears it’s easier than riding a bike, but Jason says, they’ll have to ask his mom first. Danny says, he was just kidding, yet kinda hoping, and Jason says, maybe next time, if mom agrees. Danny says he doesn’t see that happening, and Jason says, there are other things to do. Danny says, like what? and Jason says, they’ll figure it out. He’s seen Danny can do anything he sets his mind to. Danny says, tell that to his algebra teacher, and Jason asks if he needs help with math. Danny asks if Jason is good at math, and Jason says he uses it in his job. Danny asks if Jason shoots hoops, but Jason says he hasn’t for a while.  

Sam says, Spinelli covered their tracks flawlessly, but Dante says, Cates knows Spinelli after what happened when he was shot. Sam says, it would be impossible to prove, and Dante says, they broke federal laws. That’s exactly why he didn’t want her to get involved. She says she needed to know what they had on Jason, and he asks if she’d rather stay with her kids or have them visit her in prison. She says, stay with her kids, and he says, then she’s got to leave it alone. Talk to no one, and whatever she found out, leave it alone, act like it never happened, and hope it doesn’t come out.

Chase tells Finn not to worry. He and Brook will take great care of Violet. Finn says he knows. Tell her every day that he loves her, and he’ll be back as soon as he can. Chase says, that’s what they all want, but no shortcuts. Don’t convince himself he’s got it handled or just had a slip. Finn says, it’s not his first rodeo, and Chase says, if he’s in doubt, think of how devastated Violet would be to be put through this again, and stop. Finn says, he’ll do it for Violet, but it’s not easy, and Chase says, the best thing he can do is get well for his child. Finn says, Chase is a good cop, and Chase wonders what that has to do with it. Finn says he knows Chase has seen stuff, and Chase says, it comes with the job. Finn says, but he still wants to help. It’s a quality he admires.

Brook brings Violet a snack, but she says she’s not hungry, so Brook puts it on the coffee table. She asks if Violet has any questions, and Violet says, her dad is going to a hospital. Will he be in bed? Will he be able to watch TV? Will people be nice to him? Brook says, it’s beautiful there. He won’t want to stay in bed or watch TV. He’s going to hike and swim, and the people there are kind. They’re going to help him learn how not to drink. Violet asks if it’s like camp, and Brook says, kinda like camp. Violet says, camp is fun. If her dad is away, what is she going to do? Brook says, there’s so much to do here. Name it. Violet says she’d like to go swimming, and Brook says, Uncle Chase said he’d teach her to ride a bike. Violet says, and he told her that she’s almost ready to ditch her training wheels. She’d also like to go horse riding. Brook says, coincidentally, they have a whole stable of horses. Violet knows some of them, but Brook knows the rest will love to meet her.

Josslyn tells Dex that she doesn’t know how they can put it behind them. There are people she cares about who have crossed that line, but what’s important is that he didn’t. When she told him at dinner that he didn’t have to prove anything, that he’d done good enough to redeem himself, she meant it. She thought he’d joined the PCPD for her – she knows how to make about her – but she sees he did it for himself. The longer he’s there, the more she sees that’s where he wants to be. Did she get it right? He says, 100%, and she says, then she’s happy for him. He says, to be clear, if being a cop impressed or pleased her, he’s good with that.

Dante says, Sam knows He’s right. He’s just trying to help. She says, knowing that Jason did this to save Carly… She’d thought that maybe for once he’d put his kids first, but Carly is his first priority. Always has been and always will be. Nothing else matters. If Danny knew that, it would break his heart. Dante says, she needs to make sure he never knows.

Diane says, the FBI’s case rests solely on Carly’s admission that she was head of the Corinthos organization. Even if it was just as a figurehead, it will land her in hot water, but she had a compelling reason. She walked into a room of known crime figures, pretending to be one of them, to protect her children. Carly says she was terrified, and Diane says she knows from experience how compelling Carly is as a witness and how she can play to a jury. Even with Diane’s skills, knowledge of the law, and tricky tricks, she thinks the best they can hope for is a 30% chance of acquittal. Carly says, that means there’s a 70% chance of her going to federal prison, and Diane says she doesn’t like those odds, for Carly or for Donna.

Sam leaves a message for Spinelli, and tells him, the case they’re working on, don’t do anything until he hears back from her. Danny and Jason come in, and Dante asks, how was the gym? Danny says, it was closed. They went to the garage instead and tuned up Jason’s bike. He changed the oil. Dante says, those are awesome skills to have, and Jason says he should get going. He leaves, and Sam says, it sounds like Danny had a good time. Danny says, he did. Jason is the best. He tells Dante, no offense, and Dante says, none taken. Danny goes upstairs, and Dante hugs Sam.  

Carly tells Diane that she doesn’t know how she can leave Donna with the way Sonny is acting. But it’s not fair for Jason to be under the FBI’s thumb. Diane says, Jason doesn’t need saving. Let him do whatever he’s doing, He’s capable and strategy is his thing. If Carly’s got a plan to rush in and save him, historically, how has that worked? Whatever arrangement he has going, has kept her out of prison so far. Carly says she doesn’t know for how much longer and wants to be prepared. Can they work on a defense just in case? Diane says she can work on one. She tells Carly to sit tight, and leaves.

Dex tells Josslyn that he has an early morning. Her? Josslyn says she lucked out. she has nothing tomorrow morning. Are the cadets running in the park? He says, always, and she says, maybe she’ll see him there. They leave together.

Violet says, it’s a big house, and Brook asks if she just noticed. Violet says, it’s different when she stays over. She could get lost. Brook is lucky she used to live here. Brook says, the best part is the people who live here, her family. And the greatest part of family is that when you’re sick or in trouble, the rest step up and help out. Violet says, like they’re helping her dad, and Brook says, Violet is helping him too. She’s being very brave. Violet says, it’s easy when you’ve got help, and Brook says, they’re glad to help. That’s what family is for. Violet says she’s glad they’re family, and Brook says her too. She hugs Violet.

Finn says, it’s time to do this, and Chase says, he’ll walk Finn in, but Finn says he’s got it from here. It’s not like he can make a break for it. Chase says he’s not worried, and Finn says, Chase is a lousy liar. Promise to look after Violet, give her a kiss, and tell her that he loves her. Chase says, she knows that, but he will, and Finn says he loves Chase. Chase says he loves Finn too, and Finn says, dad would be proud. Chase says, dad would be proud of Finn taking this step, and Finn says, there’s no point in stalling any longer. Chase says, on the count of three, and Finn says, one… Chase says, two… and with tears in his eyes, Finn gets out of the car. Chase watches him as he goes to the door, hesitates, then walks inside. Chase pounds on the steering wheel, puts on his seatbelt, and drives away.

Tomorrow, Brook asks what Chase thinks of Tracy’s idea; Blaze asks if Kristina is saying she’s going after custody of the baby; and Jason says, everything he did to protect Carly means nothing.

🧂 Rubbing Salt In the Wound…

I still can’t believe this. It’s an outrage.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/gh-stars-say-goodbye-to-michael-easton

👠 If You Have the Stomach For It…

Honestly, I don’t think we need this. Not that I wouldn’t want to smash a glass on most of their heads, but because of disloyalty to hairstylists? What?

https://people.com/rhonj-danielle-cabral-condemns-violence-does-not-apologize-for-smashing-cup-on-jennifer-aydin-8385973

RHONJ’s Jennifer Aydin Reveals New Details of Fight With Danielle, Plus Danielle’s Former Hair Stylist Talks Recent Run-In With Her and Slams Her as “Delusional”

On the upside.

Tamra Judge Praises Joe Gorga for Making ‘Amazing TV’

💐 A Healthier Reality…

I’m not sure how fabulous her life is, but she travels more than I do. This is a kinder, gentler, but still very real, reality show.

https://www.etonline.com/my-big-fat-fabulous-life-first-look-whitney-meets-the-man-she-thinks-shell-marry-exclusive-227160

This one is kind of weird, but I can’t turn away. There’s a lot of angst, but no throwing of Solo cups.

https://www.etonline.com/welcome-to-plathville-season-6-trailer-shows-ethan-and-olivia-plath-dating-other-people-after

🚴 Get On Your Bike and Ride…

This seems like a film worth seeing. Very grindhouse.

https://www.cinemablend.com/movies/norman-reedus-filthy-the-bikeriders-specifically-related-walking-dead-daryl-dixon

https://www.themarysue.com/jeff-nichols-interview-the-bikeriders/

🎆 It’s Almost Here…

✈️ Touching the Sky…

Join me tomorrow for soap and the usual Friday festivities. Until then, stay safe, stay not assuming everyone speaks English when traveling to faraway places, and stay knowing when you have to act fast or when you’re better served to take a step back before doing something you can’t take back.

Jun20

Juneteenth 2024 – Alexis Gets Good/Bad News (and we’re back to present tense), Her Conflict, Standing Alongside, Their Baby, At the Top, Weeds In the Garden State, Rankings, New Life, Pets (!) Too & Kinky

Posted on by
Standard

What I Watched Today

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

🤸‍♀️ Shifting tenses. Going back to using present tense, since the other way wasn’t working for me.

General Hospital

Josslyn marvels at how early Gio gets to the pool, and says, he knows she’s very competitive. Now she has to figure out how to be a better, more conscientious employee than him. She tells him not to save someone; leave the lifeguarding to her. Sonny brings Avery in, and Avery tells Josslyn that she’s taking swim lessons. Josslyn introduces her to Gio, and Sonny says, it was about time he and Gio saw each other again.

Chase and Brook go to see Alexis, who says she’s sorry she didn’t make the wedding. If she’d known it would be the last time she’d see Gregory, she would have. She’s going to miss him. She shows them the medal Gregory gave her, and says, it was for good luck. She’s sure he’s going to send it when he can. Brook says, in between charming the angels, and Alexis asks the reason they’re here. Chase asks how it went with his brother, and she says, not well.

James and Cody come into the stables, saying, it was so cool, and Tracy asks, what’s cool? James says he jumped, but Cody says, technically, Comet did the jumping. Tracy wonders if Cody set jumps up for James, but James says, it was a huge tree, and Cody says, really, Comet took a longer than average step, but it counts as a jump. Tracy says she hasn’t worked up to jumping, but James has inspired her. She asks Cody to get her horse ready, and he says, it’s done. He’s going to take James back to the house. James complains that there are only girls there, and Cody says, his family is the best.

Maxie wonders why Spinelli is wearing a towel around his shoulders, and he says, Bailey required an unscheduled bath. He’s leaving it at that. Maxie says, they’re going to the pool when James gets back, and there’s a knock at the door. She opens it to Mac, who asks if anyone has seen his wife. There’s lots of hugging.

Stella, TJ, and Felicia discuss a patient who can’t afford treatment and has to wait five months for their benefits to kick in. They decide on the route they’re going to take and fist bump. Maxie calls Felicia, but Felicia says she can call Maxie later.

Alexis tells Chase and Brook that Finn was worse than she’d ever seen him. He was defiant, angry, and denied there was a problem, despite the evidence to the contrary. She thought she could navigate this road, since she’d done it before, but she had no magic words for them. Finn wasn’t going to listen until he was ready. Chase says, he’s not there yet, and Alexis says she’d try again if she thought it would help. Brook says, their immediate concern is Violet, and Alexis asks if they’ve noticed anything, like Violet being neglected. Chase says he doesn’t think so, but Brook says she’s concerned about Violet being left in a situation that’s potentially damaging. They want to protect her in every way. Chase says, they thought Alexis might have some advice for them.

Sonny says, it was a big deal for Gio to switch to PCU, and Gio says he likes it already. Sonny asks if he doesn’t regret leaving the city, and Gio says he’ll always be grateful that Sonny made it possible for him to go there. Sonny says, Gio has a gift that he wants him to pursue, but he’s concerned that Gio accepted going to PCU because Gio doesn’t want him to keep paying tuition. Gio says, it’s more complicated than that. PCU has an excellent music department and gave him a scholarship. He’ll always be thankful to Sonny… Sonny says, but he wants to pay his own way. He gets that. He likes making his own money and being independent. Gio says he’s not that independent. He’s living at the Quartermaines’. Sonny says, he should get hazard pay.

Natalia walks into the pool area on the phone and leaves a message for Brook. She wants to discuss the last recording session that Brook wasn’t able to attend… for good reason. She’s sorry about Brook’s father-in-law and hopes they got the flowers and card. She’s at the pool and wondering if Brook would like to join her. She sees Sonny, who says he was hoping to run into her. Would she like to join him? She says she’d love to, and he says his daughter is taking swim lessons. Natalia sees Avery and says, she’s adorable. She’s a water baby. Sonny says he loves swimming in Puerto Rico, and she says, it has the most beautiful beaches, but she might be bias. She had been biased about Kristina too, but she underestimated his daughter.

Maxie says, of all the days for her mom to ignore her calls, but Mac says she’s busy. Maxie says she left a message that there had been an exciting development, and Mac says, she thinks a sale at Wyndham’s is an exciting development. Spinelli brings nuBailey in, and Mac says, she got so big. He wonders if she’s getting her driver’s license next, and takes her from Spinelli. Spinelli tells him, gracious greetings and a heartfelt welcome home, and Mac asks if he’s a permanent fixture or temporary. Georgie says, he lives here now, and Spinelli makes an excuse to take Bailey and get out of the room. There’s a knock at the door, and Georgie opens it to Cody and James, who runs to Mac. Mac says he thinks James has grown a foot, and Cody says, pretty close. Mac says, it’s good to see Cody, and Cody says, him too.

Natalia says, it’s not that she didn’t think Kristina was lovely and intelligent, but the other day, they were all at a recording session and Blaze was terrible. In came Kristina, and a light switch flipped. She realized how much they loved each other. Sonny asked if Kristina made Blaze’s performance better, and Natalia says, Kristina’s presence made all the difference in Blaze’s emotional connection to the song. She asked if he believed in muses, and he said he thought so. He’d dabbled in the industry and was a silent partner in the 90s for a big music label. She says, everything was fun in the 90s, and he says, it was a good time. She says she thinks good times are ahead, and he says he hopes so.

Alexis says, family court isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s not what they’d expect. The best interest of the child should be the priority, but the way the state defines it and the way a loving relative does is hardly ever the same. Reporting a parent to CPS doesn’t guarantee protection, and the child can end up in a group home or with strangers. Chase says, that’s the last thing they want, and Alexis says, he’s in a tough predicament, being between his loyalty to Finn and protecting Violet. Her advice to them is to call a licensed clinical social worker, and Chase says, then that’s what they’ll do. Alexis wishes she was more help, but Chase says, just talking helped, and thanks her for trying with Finn. Alexis says, he’s a good man. He’s just lost. Chase says he knows that at some point, they’ll help him find his way back. She tells them, good luck, and they leave.

In the hallway, Brook sees she missed Natalia’s call, and tells Chase that she’s demanding. Chase says he’s still on leave and has extra time. He suggests she deal with it now. He’s going to GH. He knows exactly who to talk to.

Mac says he heard Cody was the new Face of Deception, but he thinks Sasha is better for business. Maxie says, they’re the former Faces, and Mac says, sorry. Cody says, don’t be. It’s not up his alley. Mac asks what he’s doing now, and Cody says he’s managing the stables at the Quartermaines. Maxie says, he’s been spending a lot of time with James, teaching him about horses, and James says, they jumped over a tree. Maxie says, what? and Cody says, James is exaggerating. It was more like a big stick, but it was still an awesome feat. He asks what Mac was up to, and Mac says he was helping a friend. Maxie asks if that’s all they’re getting, and Mac says, unfortunately, yes, and he hates keeping secrets. Cody says, him too, and Mac says, that’s something else they have in common. Cody says he’ll leave them to their family reunion. He’ll see James soon. Mac says he’d like to tag along sometime if it’s okay with Cody, and Cody says he’d like that. Mac says, he’ll set it up, and Cody watches the family interaction for a moment, then leaves.  

Sonny asks how Natalia is feeling about Blaze and Kristina’s relationship, and she says, worried. Not because she thinks it’s wrong, but the way she was brought up in Puerto Rico, they’re not accepting. Sonny says, love is love was not a motto she grew up with? and she says, no, but she’s evolving. She has a hard time seeing that kind of love ending in real happiness. He says, Kristina and Blaze have to figure it out, and she says, that means she’d have to relinquish control. It’s not her favorite. Her phone dings, and she says she has to approve some photo shoot proofs. She hands him a thumb drive of the recording session and asks him to give it to Brook. He says, on one condition, that he’s invited to the release party. She says she’ll see what she can do, and leaves.

Gio asks if Josslyn talked to Michael about the apartment yet, and she says she’s going after work to see him in person. She knows he’ll say yes, but she doesn’t want him to think she’s taking advantage. Gio says, that’s like him and Uncle Sonny. Sonny has paid for his musical education and would probably pay for him to go to Europe and visit all the concert halls, but that would be taking advantage. Josslyn asks if he’s worried about taking advantage of Sonny, and Gio says, when someone is as powerful and important as Sonny, people are always asking for things, and he never wants to take it for granted. Josslyn says, it’s nice to hear how Gio appreciates Sonny. She’s sure it means a lot to him.

Maxie tells Mac that Cody has been great for James. He treats James like a little brother, and all the kids at the Quartermaines are obsessed with him. She doesn’t know how he has the patience. Mac says, they’re not his. No matter how bad it gets, they go back to their parents. (Been there, done that as a mother’s helper. I had all the patience in the world because I was getting paid and going home at the end of the day.) Maxie says, Cody is gifted, and Mac says, so is she. She says she’s not sure her kids agree. Cody is like a real-life superhero around here. Like someone else she knows.

Diane goes to Alexis’s office, and says she comes bearing gifts. What she hopes is a source of clarity. She holds out an envelope and says, it’s from the Court of Appeals. It came in care of her office. Alexis says, she didn’t open it? and Diane says, tampering with the mail is a federal offense. She doesn’t know what’s in there, but Alexis’s future awaits.  

TJ says he’s impressed with what Felicia has done in record time. The few things she didn’t get are probably in the patient’s records, but they’ll have to get the patient’s consent. She says she already got it and it’s on file, and he says, she thought of everything. Her phone rings, and he says, Maxie again? It’s fine if she wants to pick it up. She says she will, when she’s officially off duty.

Tracy calls Finn and leaves a message. She says, he keeps not calling her back. She’s worried about him. Please call her. She goes into the other room, and startles Cody. She asks if he’s okay, and he says he’ll take care of her gear. She says, that’s not what she asked.

Maxie asks, what kind of mother doesn’t answer her daughter’s calls or texts? and Mac says, the working kind. He’s so proud of Felicia. Maxie says, she goes the extra mile for her patients and it’s spilling into other areas. She advocates for everyone, including Maxie, whether she wants it or not. She asks if Mac was in on Felicia’s plan to get Spinelli to move in, but he says he had no part of it. Maxie says, her heart was in the right place, and she’s glad it happened, but don’t tell Felicia she said that. They’re taking things slowly. Mac says, that’s music to his ears, and Maxie says she missed him so much. He says, it’s so good to be home.

Brook sees Sonny at the pool, and he motions her over. He tells her that Avery has her swim class, and she asks if he’s seen his wedding date. He says, Natalia just left, and Brook says, Natalia summoned her, then took off? He says, Natalia left something with him for her, and gives her the drive. He asks if she’s okay, and she says, it’s Chase’s niece Violet. He asks if she’s hurt or sick, and she says, Violet is fine for now, but if she tells him something, will he keep it between them? He says, of course (🍷), and she says, ever since Gregory died, Finn has been drinking… a lot. Sonny asks if he isn’t recovering, and she says, that’s why they haven’t faced this before. Finn furiously maintains it’s none of their business. Sonny says, that’s where he would be wrong.

Chase sees Stella in the café and tells her that TJ said she’d be here. She says, he ratted her out, and Chase promises to be brief. She’s a social worker. She says, and he’s a police officer, and he says, normally, he’d hand this off to someone else, but it’s personal, and he doesn’t feel comfortable with that. She asks if it has something to do with his father. She was sorry to hear about Gregory’s death. He says, no, but yes, and she says, that clears things up. He says, not directly with his death, but it may be a catalyst. There’s a child is with a parent in the throes of SUD. She says, Substance Use Disorder. Long term or recent? and he says, they’ve been clean for years, but the recent environment isn’t safe for anyone, let alone a little girl.

Alexis says, a friend just died and her two daughters are courting disaster, and Diane tells her, don’t buy a lottery ticket. Alexis says, or open that envelope, but Diane says, the outcome won’t change, no matter what. Isn’t Alexis tired of being in limbo? She knows she is. Alexis says she’s sorry to inconvenience Diane, and Diane says, if Alexis doesn’t open it, she will. Alexis says, do it… No, wait. She picks up Gregory’s medal, and says, go ahead. Diane opens the envelope.

Cody tells Tracy, where he comes from is a story with a winding road. He thought his dad was Mr. Bell, but he wasn’t. Then he assumed his dad was the rich guy Mr. Bell worked for, but he wasn’t. He moved to Port Charles and had a DNA test and finally knows who his father is. Tracy asks if it’s good news or bad news, but he says, his father doesn’t know he has a son. She asks if he’s a bad guy, but Cody says, the opposite. He likes him a lot. She says she’s confused, and he says, join the club. He’s had multiple chances to tell him, but he lied instead. He’s not sure he can walk it back. She says, it’s his story. He can walk it in any direction he wants. He asks, what if his father is furious? but she says, what if he’s thrilled he has a son?

Mac puts Bailey down for her nap, and Maxie says she thought he’d be more tan since he was in South America. Spinelli says, it’s winter there now, and James asks if it’s winter in Florida too. Spinelli asks Maxie if they teach geography at James’s school, and she says, he takes after her. (Same.) Felicia comes in and says, she’s here. What’s the exciting new development?

Sonny tells Brook that this has to be stopped. Kids are innocent, and they think the suffering and pain are going to last forever. Even if they get through it, it changes them. But with people like Brook in their corner, this child will never go through what he did. She won’t let it happen.

Chase says he’d prefer not to give specifics, and Stella suggests she ask questions and he can tell her what he’s comfortable with. She asks if the child is being neglected, but he says, no. She says, threatened or abused? and he says he doesn’t think so. Don’t tell him he has to wait until it happens. She says, there are agencies where he can report his concerns, but as a cop, he knows the drill. It’s not easy. A judge isn’t likely to break up a family over a couple of benders. Document everything and get statements from people who have seen the parent under the influence and acting irresponsibly. He asks if he’s supposed to build a case against his brother, but she says she’s advising him to build a case for his niece.

Alexis says, just tell her, and Diane says, well… There’s some good news and some bad news. Which does she want first? Alexis says, the bad news… no, the good, and Diane says, the court vacated her disbarment as improperly applied. Alexis says, she won? She can practice law again? Diane says, that leads to the bad news. Her legal license has been suspended for two years. Alexis says she’s waited this long. She can put up with this hellhole for a couple of years. Diane says, she doesn’t have to. Her two-year suspension started four years ago. She knows, she’s awful. Alexis says, it’s over, and Diane says, Alexis needs 48 hours of legal education and will have to apply to the bar. Alexis says she couldn’t have done it without Diane, and Diane says she knows. They dance around, saying, it’s over, and hug

Cody wonders if Tracy thinks he’s crazy, stupid, or both, and she asks if he wants to know what she thinks. He says, at this point, he’ll take Comet’s advice, and she says, he’s lucky. He has a clean slate and the opportunity for a fresh start. He says he lied and he’s still lying, but she says, one admission can put an end to it. The rest of their lives can begin any time, and he gets to decide when that is. She leaves.

Felicia says she fulfilled her duties at the hospital, despite the steady stream of interruptions. She’s confused as to what was so important. The kids are fine. The house isn’t on fire. James starts to say something, but Maxie stops him and says, it’s not on fire, but the house is hotter than it’s been in a while. Felicia asks if the A/C isn’t working, and coming in behind her, Mac says, the A/C is working. He’s sorry he was away so long. It won’t happen again. Maxie asks if Felicia understands why she was blowing up her phone. Felicia says, you’re here, and hugs Mac. James suggests they get ice cream to celebrate, and despite Maxie’s objection, Mac says, James can have all the toppings. Felicia says, welcome home, and they kiss. Mac says, it’s good to be here.

Tomorrow, Violet tells Finn that she doesn’t want to be alone; Spinelli tells Sam that they found their prize; and Carly tells Jason, what he’s doing affects you.

🧼 Not Twinning…

Excellent actress in a tough role.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-eva-larue-reveals-how-shes-trying-to-redeem-natalia

🧹 Enough Already…

It baffles and infuriates me how people use the anonymity of the internet to say whatever pops into their feeble little heads.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/general-hospital-defends-tabyana-ali-against-racist-attacks

🔮 Meanwhile In Another Soap Galaxy…

How cool is this?

https://people.com/kelly-ripa-and-mark-consuelos-reunite-with-their-all-my-children-baby-enzo-8664900

🔪 Top Of the Heap…

Since there was no more Quickfire Challenge, the chefs went right to Elimination, where they had to make the best four-course meal of their lives. There was food porn galore, including a new take on Hummingbird cake. Emeril Lagasse was the secret guest judge, which thrilled the contestants to no end. I went to see his show once at the Food Network in NYC, but I was in mountain goat territory, so no tasting for me. We did get a righteous bag of potato chips though. Read on to see who came out on top.

‘Top Chef’ finale recap: ‘Cruising to a Win’ crowned the season 21 champion – was it Dan, Danny or Savannah?

👠 What Happens in Jersey…

What’s annoying about RHONJ is that I’ve lived at the Jersey Shore for quite a while and have never met anyone like these people. That goes for the cast of The Jersey Shore as well. And I’ve never once heard anyone use the term bitch boy.

Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 14, Episode 7 Recap: An Ice-cold Housewarming

They should be scared. It’s time to call it a Jersey night. While they’re at it, they might find people who live in this century.

Report: RHONJ Cast ‘Walking on Eggshells’ and ‘Scared of Speaking Out’

The Countess speaks.

Luann de Lesseps Predicts Money Loss for RHONJ Cast After Canceled Reunion

🧑‍🍳 Chef On the Water…

Chef Ben will always know the way to my heart.

A Definitive Ranking of Every Below Deck Med Chef

🏡 Surreally Back…

Why, Macy Gray, why?

Kim Zolciak Joins Macy Gray and More Celebs in MTV’s Surreal Life: Villa of Secrets

🐕 Don’t Forget Your Pets…

Pets enjoy holidays too. Okay, we probably enjoy dressing them up for holidays more, but that’s beside the point. They do love being included.

Celebrating Juneteenth With Your Dog

🏄‍♀️ Sea-ing Clearly Now…

Take a break with me tomorrow for soap and useless, but amusing, information. Until then, stay safe, stay not monopolizing a community grill, and stay never taking advantage of your benefactor.

May7

May 6, 2024 – Dante Gives Anna His Resignation, New Year’s Eve 2023.5 Celebration On Deck, Teresa Is Back To Terrorize New Jersey, At the Gala & Queen

Posted on by
Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Kristina tells Alexis, so she accidentally said my baby, one time, on accident. It’s shorthand for the thing that’s growing inside of her that’s not really hers. It’s completely taken over her body. It’s making her have to pee 24/7. It’s making her hungry and hormonal, and it’s really her sister’s and her partner’s. Alexis says she sees why Kristina would want some kind of shorthand, and Kristina says she can’t win. TJ thinks she doesn’t care about this baby and Alexis thinks she cares about this baby too much. So maybe the two of them should get together and settle on how much they should think she should care about this baby and let her know. Alexis says, got it. Promise. Point taken. She understands why Kristina is frustrated. There’s been a lot of backseat pregnancy-ing here. Kristina says she is falling a little bit in love with this baby, but how could she not? It’s a part of her. And it’s not like she did it on purpose; it just happened. And it’s not a bad thing that this baby gets to feel love before it’s born. Alexis says, that’s another good point, and Kristina says, so she doesn’t know what everyone is freaking out about. Alexis says, the fact that Kristina doesn’t understand why everyone is concerned is cause for concern all by itself.

Carrying shopping bags through the park with Natalia, Blaze says she’s so excited that Miranda agreed to be her stylist, and Natalia says, it took some convincing. She didn’t just volunteer. Blaze says she knows and appreciates everything Natalia did to make it happen. They sit on a bench, and Natalia says, she feels like Blaze was resisting a lot of her suggestions. She didn’t side with anything that wasn’t amazing. Blaze says she wants Miranda to design the looks for her tour and her public appearances, but when it comes to her downtime, she reserves the right to dress how she wants. Natalia says, she doesn’t have downtime. Building a brand and maintaining it is a full-time job.

Anna hands Bennet some paperwork and says he has to talk to the union rep first and the lawyers. He says, and all this is on her to-do list for tomorrow, as in just tomorrow and not the rest of the month? She says, it’s going to be a long day, and he says, even though she’s going to be out of the office, he has the feeling she’s still going to have a long day. She says, almost certainly, but at the end of that long day, she will have checked out of the MetroCourt and into her own absolutely perfect apartment.

Sam says, Dante has managed to remain clear-eyed and clear-headed about potential conflicts, and he always does the right thing. He says, does he? How many times has he erred on the side of being a son versus being a cop? She asks if he thinks resigning from the force is the only way to reconcile his doubts, and he says he thinks when he found out Dex was applying to the police academy, his first thought should have been, maybe this kid will be a decent cop, not what Dex has on his dad. She says, he just did it. He turned one single fleeting thought into a rebuke of his whole career. He says, here’s another thing. She had to see how the guys were treating Dex at Chase’s bachelor party. It was bad. Dex was just on Sonny’s payroll; he’s Sonny’s blood. She says, there’s no comparison between the two of them. He was a cop way before he found out Sonny was his father. Dex knew exactly who Sonny was before he chose to work for him. Dante says, cops care about proximity to people like Sonny. He’s Sonny’s son. You don’t get any closer than that. He can’t even imagine what they all must think about him. She says she can imagine, because she was there when every single one of them showed up to donate blood when he was in the hospital. You don’t do that for someone you don’t respect. He says, cops do that for other cops, and she says, he always does that.

Ava looks at the prescription bottle, and Sonny says, Carly shows up here like it’s her home. Then she tells him that he can’t see his own daughter in his own home. She asks if something happened with Donna, and he says, of course (🍷) not, but she wasn’t talking to him like he was Donna’s father. She was talking down to him like he’s not taking his medication. Then to top it off, she charges to the bathroom and goes into the drawer to check herself, like she’s still living here. Anybody else did that, does she know what he would do? Ava says, it doesn’t sound like she’s showing much respect for his privacy, and he says, she’s not showing much respect. The hell with that. The hell with you, Carly Corinthos. He takes the bottle and slams it onto the table, and Ava asks if he doesn’t mean Carly Spencer.

Sonny says, really? That’s what Ava got out of everything he just said? It was a slip of the tongue, okay? That’s it. She says, it just shows though, how hard Carly tries to push his buttons. She fails of course (🍷), but she does try. He says he’s had a lot of experience with Carly. She plays a lot of games, but he plays those games better. Ava says, it’s staggering how entitled she is. She hasn’t been his wife in years. You’d never know that by the way she acted today. And not just a wife, but a doctor too, apparently. Sonny says, to be fair, nobody knows his condition or whether he’s on or off medication more than Carly. She says, except him, obviously, and he says, obviously, but what really gets him upset is when she came in and started saying he forgot to take his medication, did he remember to take his medication. What is he, a child? What is she thinking? Ava says, she’s not thinking. He’s changed, but the way Carly sees him hasn’t. Carly doesn’t know him anymore. He says, she doesn’t have to tell him, and she says, he’s put up with more than enough today. Why doesn’t he sit down and relax? He says, what he wants to do is go over to the hospital and get his blood drawn so they can test the medication levels, and he can throw his results in Carly’s face.

Sam says, every time Dante walks out that door she worries, but she also knows how much he loves his work. He says, not anymore. That was before he knew he was subconsciously looking away from his father. Now that he knows he’s doing that, he has to stop. She asks if he’s messing with her or just venting, but he says he’s not. He really means this. She says she can’t tell him how long she’s waited for him to say he wanted to give up his badge.

Bennet says, she’s had enough of hotel living, huh? and Anna says, more than enough. Living in hotels was a necessary evil for the better part of her career. There were assignments where it didn’t make sense to rent any long-term residences. They had to be up and out in a moment’s notice, but then living in hotels became less of a convenience and more of a habit. A habit she’s decided to break and lease a space of her own. He says, with respect, it sounds a little like she’s trying to talk herself into it, and she tells him, let’s just say she’s reenforcing her decision. The perfect apartment came up. It’s fully furnished and in an ideal location and she signed the paperwork yesterday. He congratulates her, and she says, thank you, Calvin, so apparently Bennet does have a first name. She tells him, here’s everything she needs, all planned and accounted for and her itinerary at 0800 hours tomorrow. He says, it looks about right, and she says, bungee cords and a hand truck and she’ll take the files she kept in storage after the fire at her house. She’s just grateful God invented elevators. He says, she’s not using professional movers… unless she can’t because there’s sensitive stuff in those files. Gotcha. She says she’s learned the hard way how valuable old records are. She can’t trust them to anyone, except herself.

Kristina asks if Alexis remembers how upset Molly was when their first surrogate miscarried. She was devastated. And she’ll never forget seeing Molly’s face at the park that day. All she wanted to do was help her. Molly’s her sister. It was Molly’s dream to have a baby, and she wanted to help make that dream a reality, no matter what it took. Alexis says, and she loves Kristina for that and so does Molly. Kristina says, she does, when Molly and her partner aren’t questioning her every move, and Alexis says she’s sure they regret making Kristina feel scrutinized, but they’re family and they’re really imperfect. But they love each other which is why they have to give each other a lot of slack. Kristina says, Alexis means she has to give them slack, and Alexis says, no, but Kristina says, that’s what it is. Let her ask Alexis something. If Molly and TJ were using any surrogate other than her, does Alexis think they’d be policing her the same way if she occasionally, accidentally let a my baby slip once in a while?

Natalia asks if Blaze’s music manager has said anything about the studio band’s demo. This is for Blaze’s new single, so she must have some kind of feedback… Okay, so she’s totally incommunicado until after the wedding? Blaze asks why she has such an attitude when it comes to Brook, and Natalia says she doesn’t have an attitude, but she does have questions about Brook’s priorities thus far. Blaze says, there’s nothing wrong with someone being more excited about marriage than Natalia was, and Natalia says, the guitar solo on the new single is terrible. She doesn’t know what Blaze was doing with all that studio time, but it clearly wasn’t her job. Blaze says, excuse me? and Natalia says, she should have shut the guitar down. Shut down the whole session as soon as she heard it. The single cannot be released until it’s fixed. Blaze looks away, and Natalia asks if she was the only one who heard it, or was she the only one listening? Blaze says, they’ll go back in and redo it, and Natalia asks, what other choice do they have? They’re not going to pretend like this current guitarist isn’t anything better than mediocre. This single is far too important. It’s too important to use anybody other than Blaze’s brother. Blaze says, for the last time, she has to let Eloy live his own life and let her live hers.

Natalia says, Eloy is a talented musician and a born performer like her, and Blaze says, and he left the music business. He said he wants nothing more to do with it. Does she have any idea why? Natalia says, because he’s contrary. He just doesn’t admit to himself that that’s where his heart lies, but once he does… Blaze says, he’ll what? Come running back, ready to jump in the studio to make up for lost time? Natalia says she knows her son. She knows music is the air he breathes, and once she reminds him of that… Blaze says, how many times? No wonder Eloy wants out. Natalia says, what about Blaze? Does she want out too? Blaze says, no. She wants to understand why she’s not enough. She chose to have a career in music. But it doesn’t matter because Eloy’s not involved headlining, because that’s what Natalia really wants. Natalia says, Blaze is being ridiculous. Blaze knows she loves them both equally. She just hates seeing talent like that go to waste. Blaze asks if his talent isn’t his choice. As usual, when the subject of Eloy comes up, she’s wasting her breath. She picks up her bags and walks off.

Kristina tells Alexis that she’s got to go. Ally is meeting her. Alexis says, give Ally her best, and Kristina says she will. Alexis hugs her and says, she’s so generous and everyone knows it. She wants Kristina to know that Molly and TJ are just anxious. After everything they’ve been through, they’re just worried this is going to get snatched away from them just like everything else before. But you know who’s not worried? Babies. Most of the time, they come in happy and healthy, and this baby will too. And Kristina will know that she brought this life into the world without any agenda at all but love, and that’s really cool. Kristina thanks Alexis and says she loves her. Alexis says, she’s welcome and she loves Kristina too, and Kristina leaves.

Sam says she can’t tell Dante how many nights she would lay awake and pray he’d come home and tell her that he was done. He says, they should have talked about this a long time ago, and she says she knows. He should have seen the looks on the faces of all the officers and their husbands and wives, because they were all there. They were devastated of course (🍷), but she could tell they felt guilty and relieved, because fate had made its choice that night and it wasn’t them. He says, cops are pretty superstitious, and she says she knows. She lives with one. And she loves this one. So if he was to tell her that he’s ready to give up his badge, she wouldn’t pretend to be anything but grateful. They hug.

Ava says, if Sonny thinks it’s worth having a blood test to show Carly, then she thinks he should do it, but he wonders why he should waste his time. When the results come back, they’re going to be normal. She’s just going to judge him on something else. She says, very likely, and it’s probably a bad precedent to set, letting Carly think he needs her approval on how he maintains his medication. He doesn’t need her approval for anything for that matter. He says he doesn’t need Carly’s approval. She doesn’t care about him. She’s probably with Jason right now. If it wasn’t for Donna, he wouldn’t speak to her again. He’s got to cool off. He’s got to go. She suggests she come with him, but he says, no. He needs some time alone. He leaves.

Holding a huge book, Alexis answers the door to Diane, who says she hopes Alexis has had better luck that she has. Alexis says, the only thing she found in this book is a recipe for graham cracker crust that somebody shoved in here, and Diane says she’s never been partial to a graham cracker crust. (Well, we differ on that point. I’m all about a graham cracker crust.) Alexis says, in all these books, there isn’t one case where the board has vacated a disbarment. Not since her disbarment anyway. Diane says she managed to dig up some transcripts, some declarative judgements that can at least point them in the direction of what not to argue. Alexis says she guesses that’s better than finding out the hard way, and Diane says, so far, it’s just been the only way. Alexis says, they knew this case was probably doomed from the onset, but Diane says, they knew no such thing and they still don’t. If Alexis just wants to give up, then by all means just go find her kitchen, wherever it is, and make that hideous graham cracker crust recipe. Alexis says she knows where her kitchen is. It’s where she keeps the aspirin. And she’s been working on this night and day, this Don Quixote of a case, and she may have a legal crisis under her own roof, and if this one explodes, it’s going to shred her entire family.

Kristina comes home to find Blaze, who holds up a dress and asks how she likes it. Kristina says she likes it. It seems a bit much for movie night and take-out, but whatever she’s comfortable in. What she really likes is, Blaze finally used the key she gave her. Blaze says, it seemed safer coming here than the alternative, and Kristina asks, which was? Blaze says, strangling her mom in the park in broad daylight. Although anyone who’s ever met her mother might buy her insanity defense. Kristina says she knows the feeling. No one ever makes you as nuts as your own mother, right?

Natalia hears someone coming and holds her purse tighter. She sees it’s Sonny and laughs. He says he didn’t mean to scare her. She and her bags are safe. He doesn’t think there’s anything in her bags that would fit him anyway. She says, he doesn’t need help with his clothes either. She’s only seen him a few times, but… He says, she approves? and she says she does. He thanks her, and she says, and he did her a favor. She was just sitting here, stuck in her thoughts, letting time slip away from her. He says, it’s nice of her to give him a pass, but it’s not polite to sneak up on people. She says, it’s such a beautiful day. She’s feeling a little selfish hogging up this bench. Care to join her? He says, yeah. He’d like that very much. He sits down and smiles.

There’s a knock at Anna’s office door, and Dante comes in. She asks what he’s doing here. She thought he was off duty. He says he is. He just wanted to drop something off. She tells him to come in and sit down. It’s nice to see him. He takes out a piece of paper and she asks if he’s submitting a report. He says, no. This is his resignation.

Anna says, Dante was just in the hospital. He was shot. It’s understandable. He says, it’s not just the fact he was shot and almost died. Although that played a part in it for him and for Sam, but not the biggest part. She says, then what is it? and he says, Sonny stopped by his place today. They got talking about father/son stuff, then Sonny mentioned Dex Heller. She says, in what context? and he says, in the context that other cops, maybe even her, will believe what Dex has to say about Sonny’s business, but not him because he would know better. She asks what he took that to mean, and he says he took it to mean Sonny thinks they shouldn’t believe anything that Dex has to say about his business. She asks if Sonny asked him to do anything else, other than not believe what Dex might say, and he says, not immediately, but that’s not going to be the end of it for Sonny. He’s going to come back and then he’s going to ask what Dex said. She says, assuming Dante would have access to anything Dex disclosed. If Sonny asked, would Dante tell him? Dante says, not a chance, but Sonny laying this groundwork… This line has gotten really blurry between what he does as a cop and what he does as a son. He’s always tried to build this wall between certain parts of their lives. Sonny was on one side, and he was on the other side, and they could co-exist. She says, that seemed to be working in the past, and he tells her that what she said at Chase’s bachelor party really hit home for him, and he has thought about what Dex working for the PCPD could mean for his father, information that he could pass on. And he hates that the thought crossed his mind. She says, he’s being really hard on himself. Aside from his remarkable recovery just now, he’s only human. He says, but he’s a cop, and she says, a damn fine one too. And worrying about something isn’t the same as interfering or intervening or sharing intel. He says, no – he takes out his badge – but to him, it sure seems like he’s betraying everything this badge stands for, so it’s got to end. He puts his badge on her desk.

Sonny wonders if he can ask Natalia what has her stuck in her own thoughts, and she says, it’s her daughter. He says he has more than one, so he’s stuck in his thoughts a lot. She laughs and says she just has one, and that one is a full-time job. And a thankless one a lot of times. He says he knows what that’s about, and she says, he didn’t have an argument with Kristina, did he? He says, no. He gets along great with Kristina. He can’t say the same about his ex. She says, nothing worse than a fight with your ex, because you loved each other once, so they know how to hurt you and exactly where to aim it. He says he and his ex share the same daughter that he was talking about earlier. His daughter’s young so she still likes him. Natalia laughs and says, enjoy that while he can. He says, the other thing is, he’s bipolar. His ex was instrumental in getting him diagnosed and recovery. Natalia says, so she’s not all bad, and he says, that was then. Now she’s using it against him.

Alexis tells Diane that Molly and TJ have been nudging Kristina about what she eats, when she sleeps, and how worked up she gets. Diane says, surrogacy can be challenging for everyone involved, even when everyone’s being respectful and well-behaved, and Alexis says, but all Molly and TJ have to do is watch it and wait, and they are both very bad at it. On the other hand, for the most part, Kristina is doing everything a pregnant woman should do. Diane asks what the lesser part has been up to, and Alexis says, thinking the baby is hers. Diane says she’s had some experience with surrogacy, just from the legal side, and she knows whoever is carrying the child experiences a wide assortment of emotions, not the least of which is possessiveness. Alexis says, otherwise, you might as well be an incubator or a test tube, and Diane says, but what Kristina is feeling is different? Alexis tells her, Kristina said she was falling a little in love with the baby, and when it kicks, she goes, that’s my little kicker. It’s not what she says; it’s the energy behind it. And it’s problematic for the role she has. Diane says, has anyone – for instance Alexis – broached the subject with her? and Alexis says, yes, and she got mad. Diane says, that’s also understandable. Alexis says, it’s understandable for now, but as this evolves, they’ll see what happens, because this could be disastrous for her family. Diane says, could be. It doesn’t necessarily need to be. But Kristina did supply the egg. It’s not a third party donor. Therefore, in the eyes of the State of New York… Alexis says, the baby is legally Kristina’s.

There’s a knock at Kristina’s door, and Blaze says she’ll get it. Molly is there and says she didn’t know Blaze was going to be here. She could come back… Kristina says, no. Come on in. They were actually just about to have dinner. Molly should join them. They’re having a meal of organic kale washed ten times by nuns, with a side of polyunsaturated yogurt. (Ha-ha-ha!) Sound good? Molly says, that’s why she did something she almost never does. Just walked out of the office in the middle of the afternoon. She had to see Kristina. She hates the way they left things this morning.

Molly says she wanted to tell Kristina that she talked to TJ. She told him that micromanaging every aspect of Kristina’s life is out of line and has to stop. Kristina says, she told him that? and Molly says she did. Telling her what to eat and when to sleep is not okay. She’s a total control freak and even she would hate that. Kristina thanks her, and Molly says, she’s welcome. Kristina is her sister, not an anonymous egg donor. She loves Kristina and trusts her. Blaze asks if there’s any chance they could have some version of this conversation with her mom, and Molly says, sure. Can it wait until tomorrow though? She took the rest of the afternoon off and she thinks she may do something crazy and see if TJ can get the afternoon off. Maybe go for a drink or see a movie. Kristina says, wow. She appreciates Molly talking to TJ. Does this mean she doesn’t have to do so with her dad?

Natalia says, it’s really brave of Sonny to be so open about his bipolar disorder. She doesn’t really know him, but she really wouldn’t have expected anything less. He says he appreciates that and he knows how important it is for him to stay on his medication. But now his ex has reached a point where she doesn’t give him the benefit of the doubt about anything. Natalia asks if she gave him a reason, but he says, no. Just excuses. She says, those are two very different things, and he says, this is a really great bench, but it doesn’t really offer any refreshments. Does she want to go have a drink with him? She says she’d be delighted. She thinks she’s getting the better part of that deal.

Anna tells Dante that she wasn’t there for Robin at a very crucial point in her life and Sonny was. Robin depended on him, and he was there for her. She thinks her gratitude for that morphed into a kind of bias, always in his favor, no matter what the circumstances. She doesn’t think she realized how much, but whatever debt she thought she owed his father, she thinks now is paid in full. She guesses she was waiting for him to come to the same conclusion. He says he doesn’t know if he’s there yet. So she sees why he has to resign. She says, then what? and he asks what she means. She says, one day, Sonny comes to his door and needs a favor. Without that badge, how does he justify refusing his father? How does he make sure that he and his family don’t just get dragged into Sonny’s orbit? He says he’s a grown man. He’s set boundaries… She says, come on. After a while, they become blurry, boundaries, especially in families. He could move. He says he’s not moving. His family is rooted here. Their lives are here. She says, so is his. His life is here. He didn’t use this badge to protect Sonny. This badge protected him from Sonny and the toxic cloud that follows him around. In short, she doesn’t think he can afford to resign.

Sonny comes into the penthouse with Natalia, and Ava asks how he is. He seems better. He says he is, and introduces them. He says, Ava is his daughter Avery’s mother, and Natalia says, not the ex he was talking about in the park, but he says, no. She’s here to help out. Natalia says, he doesn’t have any nannies? and he says he has a couple of them. Ava says she’s not one of them, and Sonny says, Ava knows Blaze, the singer? Ava says, Kristina’s girlfriend? and he says, yeah. She’s a rising star and guess what? Natalia’s her mother. Ava says, how nice. Congratulations. Sonny says, they saw each other in the park, and they were just talking. He thinks it’s time to crack open that 25-year-old scotch that he imported. Ava says he’ll get it, and he asks her to pour a glass for Natalia. He happens to know she likes scotch every so often. Natalia and Sonny laugh.

Molly says she and Kristina will probably never see eye to eye on Sonny. It’s not personal. She’s an ADA and it’s her job not to ignore who he is. Kristina says, and it’s literally her job as his daughter not to ignore him as her father, and Molly says she’s not asking Kristina to, but it’s public record where Sonny goes, danger follows. Kristina asks if Molly honestly thinks her father poses a threat to Molly’s baby, and Molly says she doesn’t. And she promises that TJ will stop making it an issue. Kristina says, good luck with that, and Blaze puts her hand on Kristina’s shoulder. Molly thanks Blaze for being there for her sister throughout all this. It means a lot that she has someone who cares for her as much as Blaze does. She deserves it. Blaze says she thinks so too, and Molly says she’ll see them later. Kristina thanks her for coming here and saying what she did. It can’t have been easy after what happened this morning. She appreciates it. It’s just another one of the reasons why she loves Molly. They hug.

Diane asks if Kristina at least has a contract with Molly and TJ, and Alexis says, yes. And she told both the girls that this will never hold up in court. Diane says, she’s right. It won’t. Alexis says she’s probably overreacting. This is probably just hormonal and natural during pregnancy, and when this is all said and done, the haze will lift, and she will be thinking clearly. Diane says, it’s possible, and Alexis says, very unlikely that this will come down to a point of law and she’s worrying for no reason other than she’s very good at it. Diane says, when it comes to worrying, Alexis is peerless. However, she’d be a sorry excuse for a best friend if she didn’t give Alexis some advice. On one hand, she’s never been through anything like this, but on the other hand, not being personally invested does give her some objectivity. And that’s what Alexis needs right now, objectivity. Alexis says, go ahead. She’s braced. Diane says, stay out of it. If her daughters want legal opinions, send them to other lawyers. Because the worst-case scenario is, she could cause one of her daughters to lose a child and in the process, she could lose that daughter.

Dante says he doesn’t know what the hell he’s supposed to do, and Anna says, just do what he’s been doing. If he sees a file with Sonny’s name on it, ignore it. If they mention him, walk away. If something crosses his desk pertaining to his father, notify her, and she’ll reassign it. He says, yeah, and she says, maybe they need to look beyond that to other situations that might involve Sonny. So if a case or an incident, even a rumor sounds like it might lead back to his father, then Dante has to tell her. And if events are moving too fast, hand it off to Chase or Bennet or the desk sergeant. Whatever he does, he can’t put himself in a situation where he’ll be compromised, or he’ll compromise himself. Is that clear? He says, all right, and she says she thinks he’s exactly where he should be. In fact, she thinks it’s the only safe spot for him. So he’s staying. Understood?

Sonny asks if Natalia’s whole family is in the music industry or just Blaze, and she says, her whole family is musical, but her son is an extraordinary musician. He’s amazing. But for right now, it’s just Ally – Blaze – who’s actively pursuing a career in music. He says he knows how difficult it is to break into the music business, when Ava comes up behind him. He asks Natalia to excuse him, and she steps away. He asks if Ava doesn’t need to make some calls about the gallery. Does she know what he means? She says she believes she does, and leaves. Sonny joins Natalia on the balcony, and she raises her glass and says, to him, for turning a challenging day into a very pleasant one. They clink glasses, and he says he could say the same to her. She says, it’s funny. She’s walked past this building so many times and admired it, but this view is more spectacular than she imagined. Has he been here a long time? he says, since the 90s, and she says she doesn’t believe it. They walk back inside, and she says, it feels brand new. He says he’s redecorated a few times since then, and she says, amazing taste. He says he was thinking of making a change. He’d welcome her input. He thinks it needs a woman’s touch. She says, what about Ava? but he says, it’s not like that with him and Ava. They clink glasses again.

Tomorrow, Heather asks if Laura thinks she might have been a good mother; Drew asks if Willow has made a decision; Valentin says he’ll do whatever it takes to get what he wants; and Carly tells Jason that Sonny is in trouble.

Below Deck

Breakfast is served and the phones come out to take pictures. In Xandi’s interview, she says she loves Instagram, but not to that extent. That’s why she’s working on a boat. Kyle debates smashing a watermelon with his head. Why? Who knows? He ultimately decides against it. Chef Nick says he and Paris are going to be friends or she’ll hate him at the end of the season. Fraser tries to get Nick to put a cherry tomato garnish on the plates, but Nick refuses. Fraser says, it’s a disaster, overreacting just a tad. In Sunny’s interview, she says, it definitely feels more awkward working with Ben. She’s pretending everything is fine, but it’s a little difficult. In Barbie’s interview, she says, her family if from Argentina and they’re very modest. She’s close to her family, and her father’s opinion matters, but she’s an adult and she and Kyle like each other. There’s nothing bad about what they’re doing. Guest Zach says he did 50 dates in 50 nights, and it’s how he found his girlfriend. He had spreadsheets. Nick talks to himself in the galley, while the slide and water toys are brought out. No surprise, the guests take more pictures than they actually do anything.

Nick makes the crew lunch and Paris slathers hers with mayonnaise. Nick tells her that when she gets chubby and some guy breaks her heart, don’t come crying to him.😐She tells him that she’s been chubby, and she was still hot. You go, sister! In Paris’s interview, she says, Nick is weird as f***. Trust her. She’s burning the calories. Fraser is anxious to see guest Steven’s soaking wet body, and in his interview, he says, today is water sports, a light lunch, and the guests have requested a New Year’s Eve celebration. They hope to finish the meal at the stroke of midnight. It’s absurd, but it’s happening. Guest Stephanie asks Steven if he’s proposing to Fraser at midnight. Ben tells Kyle that he spoke to Barbie, and said Kyle’s been nothing less than a gentleman, and in Kyle’s interview, he says he likes Barbie a lot, but doesn’t know where they stand. They built it up and now it’s almost in the gutter. Why not make a go at it? It might be worth more than what her dad thinks of her.

Sunny is operating the crane, and Dylan brags about being a crane operator on a cargo ship and how he has a crane operator’s license. In his interview, Dylan says he would listen to podcasts, and learned he should surround himself with people he wants to be like. He’s doing his best and he’s super competitive. If you believe it, you can see it. At the bar, the guests and Barbie bug Steven about proposing to Fraser, and Barbie says she loves this love story. Where’s the mistletoe? Fraser joins them, and she asks what his ring size is and wonders what Steven looks like on his knees. In the crew mess, Barbie calls her sister, and says she can’t wait to be off the yacht. She asks her sister to try not be a massive bitch about what she’s going to say. She’s been going through sh*t the whole season, and this guy, Kyle, has been her rock. He’s into her, and vice versa, but because of dad, she wasn’t doing anything. Now they’ve become a thing. Her sister asks, what kind of thing? but Barbie says she doesn’t know how to define it. Her sister says, dad has his standards, and Barbie says, the heaviest thing is her letting dad down. Her sister says she should have thought about that before. Now it is what it is. And now I see why Barbie is such a mess. Barbie says she’s going to disappoint their dad, but she’s being herself and she likes this guy. In Barbie’s interview, she says, she respects her father, but more important than her family is her being her and it’s time for her to own it. Her sister says, in the end, the person who has to live with your decisions is you. What a philosopher. Did she get that off a fortune cookie? Fraser says, dinner is at 10, and they’re going to count down to New Year’s Eve 2023.5. Barbie asks if Fraser is giving Steven a New Year’s Eve kiss, and Paris tells Steven that this is the first step of the rest of his life. In Paris’s interview, she says she’s never wanted to hook up with a charter guest. All her guests have been in their 70s and 80s, and she’s not into crusty d*cks or d*cks that don’t work. Barbie teases Fraser and he says he’s going to try and fire her again. The deckhands lounge around wearing New Year’s Eve crowns, and Fraser tells the captain that there’s a malicious rumor on of the guests wants a New Year’s Eve kiss from one of the crew. Captain Kerry says, that’s sexual harassment, but Fraser asks, what if they’re actually keen? In the captain’s interview, he asks, when a tree falls, if no one’s around, does it make a noise? Fraser tells him that he thinks it will be just a peck. Everyone gets ready for the celebration, and in Nick’s interview, he says, the guests want surf and turf, which isn’t something he’d order in a restaurant. He doesn’t like mixing his fish and meat, but he’s got to give the guests what they want. Steven talks to Fraser, and in Fraser’s interview, he says he’s been single for five years. He’s been out of the game and thinks he’s lost it. If he can’t be seen without feeling exposed, that means he’s lost it. The décor is beautiful, silver and blue with a little bit of gold. Dylan listens to his affirmations: Your positivity is contagious… Dinner is served, and endless pictures are taken. In his interview, Fraser says he’s shocked. The presentation is horrific. An experience on a superyacht is overwhelming and magical, so it can be overseen. Paris tells Nick that the plates are lacking garnish, and in Nick’s interview, he says, she’s 22. She was sh*tting her bed when he was already a chef. Get back to cleaning sinks or scrub a toilet.

Paris suggests making cucumber stars, and Nick says, go back to the 80s. He serves the surf separately from the turf, and more pictures are taken. Steven is too hot in his gold lamé suit and needs someone to do the honors of taking his pants off. Needless to say, Fraser volunteers. In the galley, Nick says he feels like Paris hates him sometimes. I might be on board with her, but I don’t hate the chocolate fondant dessert he made with chocolate from the excursion. The guests get ready to count down and wave sparklers. Fraser says he’s going to give his husband a kiss, and it’s a peck, but a long peck. Everyone cheers and toasts to love. Barbie asks if Fraser liked it and he says, yeah, but he was hoping for a bit more . Barbie tells Kyle that she’s sorry. She didn’t want to own it because she was nervous about her dad, but she’s totally ready to own it now. They kiss, and Steven sends an Instagram message to Fraser, asking if they can sleep in the same bed, but Fraser sends a message back that it’s a fireable offense. Fraser checks out Steven’s Instagram and says, he used to be an absolute snack, but I would categorize him as still snackable. Fraser suggests Nick garnish with parsley at breakfast, but Nick thinks it’s tacky. In Nick’s interview, he says, it’s not about the pasta garnish. He knows they’re influencers and wonders if you can Yelp a private chef or a boat. As Nick makes smoked salmon eggs benedict – sobbing quietly into my tomato soup – he argues with Fraser. In Fraser’s interview, he says, Nick doesn’t want to take advice and doesn’t listen. He wants to run with how he feels, and it’s not up to Fraser’s level or the level of the ship. The boat docks, and in Captain Kerry’s interview, he says, it’s the best docking all season. He thinks he made a good decision, making Ben bosun and Ben making Sunny lead deckhand. I’m sure Dylan would disagree, thinking he could handle both roles.  

Port Louis Marina. Dylan admires his own abs, and Barbie tells Sunny that she likes Kyle, but wasn’t owning it. She is now. She and Sunny high-five. The guests get ready to leave, and there are hugs and goodbyes. Primary Alex tells Captain Kerry that the tip is well-deserved, from the family dishes and the Feast of the Seven Fishes. They’ve built relationships and friendships. He hugs the captain, and says, goodbye, friends. He’ll always remember his first STD. The guests leave, a little work is done, and it’s time for the tip meeting. Captain Kerry welcomes Nick and says, there was great energy, and the guests felt the synergy of the team. The tip is $23K or $1769 each. Frankly, I expected more. The captain tells the crew, well done, and in Nick’s interview, he says his dad was a chief engineer and retired at 50. When he’s 50, he imagines making snacks at a café on a beach in Nicaragua. Captain Kerry calls Fraser to the bridge, and says, it’s a new environment with Nick. Fraser says he doesn’t want to speak too soon, but he’s underwhelmed. Nick has zero presentation and he’s not friendly. It’s his way or no way. The captain says he feels that Fraser doesn’t want to be as helpful as he was with Anthony, and in his interview, Fraser says, the chef isn’t communicating and not allowing them to work well. He’s at loose ends and doesn’t know what to do. The chef is the problem, not him. The captain says he feels a different energy from Fraser since Nick got here.

Captain Kerry says they need to support Nick and respect how he does his food. He’s noticing how Fraser is reacting and that means the staff is noticing. In his interview, the captain says, it’s not the same Fraser and he doesn’t understand. Fraser no longer has the same areas of concern, and he needs to shift or it’s going create a disaster. He tells Fraser that the guests were happy, and they’ll see if it’s better on the next charter. In Fraser’s interview, he says he needs to give Nick what he needs when he needs it, even if it’s a load of sh*t. He doesn’t think it will make Nick better, but he needs to do what the captain asked. Fraser tells the stews that he’s been naughty and giving his opinions. They only have one more charter, and even if the plate looks like a canteen lady slopped it on, they need to adapt. Paris says, Nick makes unnecessary comments, and we flash back to his judgement of her mayonnaise love. Fraser says, be as positive and helpful as they can, and they have a group hug.

Captain Kerry calls Fraser, Nick, and Ben for a preference sheet meeting, and tells them that there’s no turnaround day because it’s a short charter. The primaries are Marine and Rob, who are accustomed to butler service on vacation. They’re bringing son Bobby and his girlfriend Edith, daughter Sarah and her friend Chloe, and youngest daughter Kate and her friend Daley. Nick reads that they want a beach picnic with sushi, and Ben reads that they want a Dressed To Kill/Casino Royale party. Captain Kerry tells Nick to work on presentation. The crew gets ready to go out, and Ben tosses his head like a circus pony, admiring his own hair. Bleh. They teleport to a restaurant, since suddenly they’re there. I guess the taxi ride was too boring to show. In Fraser’s interview, he says he got a message from Steven. Steven is leaving tomorrow, and he deserves this. Paris tells him to message back, since they’re going to a club. Nick explains how he bought a Chanel bag for his girlfriend, and when they broke up, he refused to let her have it. In Nick’s interview, he says, crazy works for him with a woman as long as they don’t try to strangle him in his sleep. I dunno. If I was him, I’d be worried about the not-so-crazy women wanting to strangle him as well. Ben hangs on Sunny, and in her interview, she says, it’s confusing. What is he doing? Why? What does it mean? Is he just stirring the pot? They go to a club, do shots, and dance. In Ben’s interview, he says, once Xandi is off the pinot, she’s over the edge. Xandi falls off a table, and Ben says, she’s just Xandi, their baby giraffe. Steven joins them, and Fraser says he’s literally obsessed. Steven says, same, and they kiss.

Fraser says he didn’t realize Steven was gay until halfway through the cruise. Really? He needs to have his gaydar antenna adjusted or something. In his interview, Fraser says, it’s the first time in a long time that he’s had a crush on someone who felt similar. It’s quite exciting. Kyle says he likes how he and Barbie are so different, and in Barbie’s interview, she says she’s not holding back, but public affection is new to her. She’s trying to be more open, and it feels good as long as they’re not overdosing, and no one is making it a thing. Dylan cheers and tries to give Barbie and unwelcome kiss. The crew goes back to the boat, and Ben kisses Sunny on deck. He asks if they’re sharing a bed, and she says, sure, because there must be something wrong with her. In Sunny’s interview, she says, they’ve been flirting all night. They’re not married or in a relationship, but they have chemistry and fire, so why not? Nick digs around in the refrigerator for drunk food and gives some to Dylan. In bed with Kyle, Barbie says, they’re opposites, and in her interview, she says, she’s falling for Kyle. In Kyle’s interview, he says, he’s falling in love with Barbie and thinks they could have a future. He’s vulnerable and wearing his heart on his sleeve.

Next time, Ben wonders if hooking up with a guest will get them fired; Nick says, Paris is overtaking his job; Captain Kerry meets with Fraser and Nick. He says he doesn’t give a sh*t if they like one another. There’s one charter left and there’s no way he’s letting it fall to sh*t.

👠 Holding My Nose…

For the brave souls who need to know.

Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 14 Premiere Recap: The Surprise Party From Hell

And what is Rachel wearing? Is that a dress that’s supposed to look like two dresses? WTF?

Teresa Giudice Calls John Fuda a ‘Drug Dealer’ During ‘RHONJ’ Premiere
Where the ‘RHONJ’ Stars Stand With Teresa Giudice in Season 14 Premiere

👗 It’s the Most Fashionable Night Of the Year…

This pretty much has it all about the gala and the fashion. I love the theme, and it actually seems like there are fewer hideous creations.

https://people.com/met-gala-2024-full-recap-8643790

She’s beautiful and needs to stop reading nasty comments from people who are living in their grandmother’s basement at age 32, hiding behind the anonymity of the internet.

https://people.com/lizzo-met-gala-2024-red-carpet-photos-8640432

🛀 Don’t Small the Sweat Stuff…

Join me tomorrow for soap and a VanderFinale. Until then, stay safe, stay dressing for the occasion, and stay not letting gratitude morph into bias.

May2

May 1, 2024 – Drew Presents Curtis With an Official Offer, Soap Suds, Here Comes Jersey, They’re the Top, Survivor Loss, On Broadway, Amore & First

Posted on by
Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Curtis goes to Drew’s office, and Drew thanks him for coming by. Curtis asks if they’re talking about Aurora’s potential move into wellness, but Drew says, it’s not potential anymore. They’re doing it. His people ran the numbers and they’re doing a dual launch. An online lifestyle website, and they’re doing brick and mortar. The flagship gym is going to be right here in Port Charles. It’s going to be huge. All they need is somebody to run the division. So is he interested?

At the hospital, Aiden brings a big plastic container of cupcakes to the reception desk and asks if he can leave it for Elizabeth. The nurse says she’ll make sure Elizabeth gets it, and Aiden goes back to the elevator. Elizabeth sees him and asks if he’s not going to say hello.

In her office, Maxie tells Scotty that he’s got to help them. Lucy insists on being their on-air pitchwoman for Deception. He says, for cryin’ out loud, they know Lucy. She gets one whiff of fame, and it’s off to the races. There’s no stopping her. Maxie says, they have to because Home & Heart said they’re not giving Deception another spot if Lucy insists on being on camera. He says he could threaten to sue, but it’s their show. They can put on who they want. She says, they don’t want another lawsuit. They want to sell their products, and if they lose this opportunity, they lose exposure, which translates to lost sales. So please just talk to her. Convince her they need someone else… Lucy walks in and says, they wouldn’t believe all the people staring at her as she walked through the lobby. It’s very gratifying, although she is just a very humble, working gal, but she has thousands of followers. Did they see her post? So many likes. Scotty looks at Maxie, who says she rests her case.

Kristina says it’s so nice of TJ and Molly to have her over for breakfast. She’s surprised the baby is so quiet. It was practically kicking field goals yesterday. Molly says, sorry they missed it, and Kristina says, her too. He or she is probably sleeping now because they tired themselves out. TJ asks if she’s sleeping, and Kristina says, usually she manages six or seven hours a night, never less than five. Why? TJ says, Molly mentioned she stopped by pretty late the other night… after a fight?

Natalia knocks at Alexis’s office door and says she’s sorry to just show up at her doorway, but Alexis’s assistant wasn’t at her desk. Alexis says, if this is about the editorial… but Natalia says, no. She’s Natalia Rameriz, Allison’s mom. Kristina’s friend? Alexis says, yes, of course (🍷). Come on in. Natalia says she knows Alexis is a busy woman, as is she, but she just thought it was time they met. Alexis says, absolutely. Nice to meet her. They shake hands, and Alexis says she’s heard a lot about Natalia. Natalia says she’s sure, probably not all of it good. Is she right?

Natalia says she and Kristina had a bumpy start, because when she first met Kristina, she was in Allison’s bed, which was a surprise, as Alexis can imagine. Alexis says, she had no idea they were together, and Natalia says, no. Alexis says she understands Blaze hadn’t come out to Natalia yet. She hopes it wasn’t too much of a surprise. She gestures for Natalia to sit down, and Natalia says she had the pleasure of meeting Kristina’s father, and Alexis says, she met Sonny. Natalia says, and from what he told her, they have a really good relationship. Alexis asks if he said that, and Natalia says, and she knows Kristina is very close to her dad. Alexis says, she is. Kristina loves her family. Natalia says, that’s obvious. She said she’s carrying her sister’s baby.

Molly says she told TJ that Kristina came over around midnight. She just wanted to talk. Kristina says she was pretty worked up, which she knows isn’t good for the baby. She just needed some sister time. Nobody calms her down like Molly. These hormones are no joke. And as for the fight, Josslyn apologized to her, and they worked things out. TJ asks if she minds if he asks what the argument was about, and Kristina says, just Josslyn being Josslyn, complaining about her dad. He asks if Sonny did something wrong that they should know about, but Kristina says, nothing like that. It’s just that ever since Carly and her dad broke up, Josslyn totally turned on her dad and she’s always saying negative things about her dad whether they’re true or not. In this instance though, it turned out to be true. Molly says she’s sorry. But parents are human. Sometimes they disappoint us. TJ says, family is difficult. That’s one more reason to be careful. Kristina says, careful? and he says, about keeping her safe. Even if that means keeping her away from that side of her family. (Does he really think that suggestion will go over well?)

Aiden says he dropped off the cupcakes Elizabeth wanted for Amy’s birthday, and Elizabeth thanks him. She says, everybody is going to love them. What does she owe him? He says, they can settle at home. His free period’s almost over. He needs to head back to school. Tell Amy, happy birthday. She asks if he’s forgetting something, and he says, is he? She says, give his mom a hug? and he hugs her. She sees a pink smear on his backpack and asks, what is this? Why is there paint on his backpack?

Drew says, that’s why he wanted Curtis from the very beginning. He’s got experience in management, he has incredible talent for leadership, he has practical knowledge in the fitness industry. He’ll be able to tailor everything to meet their customers’ needs. He hands Curtis some paperwork, and says he really hopes Curtis considers being on board. Curtis says, this is? and Drew says, that’s the official offer. His proposed salary, stock options, benefits, a whole slew of perks, and of course (🍷) his stake in the company. Just take a look and let him know what he thinks. Curtis says he’ll do that – Nina approaches the office – but it’s going to be a huge change to his life. Drew says he gets that. It’s going to be a huge change for Aurora. That’s why he wants Curtis at the helm. There’s nobody he trusts more than Curtis to take charge. Nina says she completely agrees with that. Take charge of what?

Aiden tells Elizabeth, that happened in art class. He wasn’t looking where he put his backpack. Maybe it’ll wash out. She says, maybe, but that’s a lot of paint. He says, or he could switch backpacks, and she says, it reminds her of when he came home with paint in his hair, but he says, it’s art class. There’s a lot of paint. He tells her that he’s got to go and gets in the elevator. Elizabeth goes over to the desk, and Portia says, rumor has it that Aiden made cupcakes for Amy’s birthday, and Elizabeth says, yeah. Portia asks if Elizabeth not to tell her that they’re for nurses only, because she wants one. She knows what an excellent baker he is. Elizabeth says, yes, he is.

Natalia says, Allison told her about Kristina’s pregnancy. It’s a brave new world out there, isn’t it? Alexis says, it is, and it continues to be. Her daughter Molly was having fertility problems, really struggling to have a family, and Kristina wanted to help her out. They love each other and Alexis is very proud of that. Natalia says, of course (🍷) she’d be, but their choices present some complications for Kristina and Allison. Alexis asks, how so? and Natalia says, pregnancy in and of itself is a complication. It’s a disruption in a woman’s life, in a couple’s life. And that’s under the happiest of circumstances. Alexis says she was under the impression that Blaze was nothing but supportive, and Natalia says, she is, of course (🍷). That’s her Ally. (You know, it would help if everyone didn’t call Blaze a different name.) But there’s also public perception to consider. Alexis says she’s very happy to meet Natalia and she’s also glad Natalia came by, but she can see this might be more than a meet and greet. If there’s something on her mind, please feel free to share that. Natalia says she’s really glad Alexis is open to an honest discussion. She’s concerned for her daughter. She thinks she’s entitled to a private life, but as Blaze, that can’t happen. Alexis says, the cost of fame. Her point being? Natalia says, two women seen together, one of them pregnant, people are bound to ask whose baby it is and most people are going to assume that it’s theirs. (Huh? I can’t imagine even thinking about it that hard.) Alexis says she’s not sure why that would be anyone else’s business. Natalia says, Alexis runs a newspaper. She has a gossip column. If the girls are out and somebody shoots a picture of them in public and posts it, Alexis knows better than anybody that one photo can change somebody’s life. For better or for worse.

Kristina says, if TJ is referring to her father, she has no intention of staying away from him. She loves him very much and he always has her support. TJ says he understands that, but he also knows his Uncle Curtis was just shot from simply being in the same vicinity as Sonny, so he’s just suggesting she keep some distance during her pregnancy. Kristina says she made it crystal clear that this baby’s well-being is her top priority, and Molly says, she has, and they appreciate that. Kristina says she’s been eating healthy, she’s been taking her vitamins, staying hydrated. She’s been going to all of her doctor’s appointments. She even paused working at the Corinthos-Davis Center for this pregnancy. She’s taking extremely good care of herself and seeing her friends and her family is included in that. She doesn’t think separating herself from them is necessary or healthy. If they’ll excuse her, she has a full day ahead of her. She gets up, and Molly says, no, please don’t go, but Kristina says, no, really, she should get going. She would hate to have to rush and get home past her bedtime. Molly says. Kristina hasn’t finished her breakfast, and Kristina says she does know how to feed herself. She does manage a restaurant. She tells Molly, love you, and leaves. Molly tells TJ, really? What was that all about?

Drew says, he and Curtis were discussing an upcoming project, and Nina asks if that means Curtis would be joining the Aurora family.  Drew says he’s working on it, and Curtis says, they just started discussing all the details. Nina says, that’s great. As he knows, you don’t just jump on the first offer. Drew is a very smooth negotiator. If they shake on anything, make sure he counts his fingers afterward. Drew says he hasn’t heard her complaining, and she flashes back to them getting busy. Nina says, well, he drives a hard bargain. She’s just giving her good friend some sound advice. Before he gets in bed with Drew, make sure he knows what he’s doing.

Lucy asks what Scotty is doing here, and he says he came to talk to Maxie. Lucy says, really? He doesn’t need an excuse if he really just wants to see her. Why don’t they go to her office, and they can watch a replay of her segment on Home & Heart? He says he doesn’t think that’s a good idea, but she says, it’s a great idea. She knows she did really well. It’s just that she thought maybe she could take notes on her performance so she can hone her craft a little bit. There’s always room for improvement. She’s been reading up on Marilyn Monroe. She studied with Lee Strasburg. The method acting technique says, you should infuse your own experiences to make the audience feel… Maxie says, the pitchwoman for Deception is not supposed to be acting. They’re supposed to be selling. And they do that by projecting sincerity and approachability. The audience needs to feel like this person is a friend whose recommendations they trust. So when the pitchwoman says, Deception’s Disruptor Nourishing Cream really refreshens your complexion, the audience believes them. And they buy the product. But the first thing the pitchwoman has to do is actually mention the product. Lucy says she agrees. Of course (🍷). That’s why she still thinks her name should be in the title of their new skin care line. Lucy’s Luminous Skin Serum or Lucy’s Luminous Luscious Lotion. Which one does she like? Maxie says she actually can’t, and tells Scotty, please stop this madness and just tell her. Lucy says, tell her what? and Scotty says, her appearance on the Home & Heart show, it was a disaster.

Lucy says, disaster? She was an unqualified success. Maxie says, it was a dumpster fire, and Scotty says, go easy on her. Maxie says, someone has to tell her the truth, and Lucy says, the truth is, she completely crushed it. She takes out her phone and says she has all the comments right here to prove it. Maxie says, Lucy talked about herself on live TV for a solid hour. She recapped her greatest successes, real and imaginary. She barely mentioned their product or Deception. She was clearly there to sell herself. Lucy says she is Deception. She created Deception and Deception’s her baby and their audience knows that. Maxie says, yes, she has a following, but that doesn’t automatically translate to sales. She was there to introduce their new face cream, not inflate her own ego. Lucy says, that’s just rude, but Maxie says, rude is trying to one-up Haven. Lucy says, Haven is jealous of her and can’t stand the competition, and Maxie says, Haven calls the shots. She wants sales, not self-promotion. Lucy says, exactly. And the bottom line is Haven is a businesswoman, and she will forget all the envy and anything about Lucy because the sales are skyrocketing and it’s because of her. Maxie asks what Scotty is doing. Tell her. Scotty says, all those skyrocketing sales… Lucy says, they are skyrocketing because of her, because the numbers do not lie. Maxie says, she’s right. The sales are great, but they’re not because of Lucy.

Curtis says, Drew has given him a lot to think about. So if Drew will excuse him, he’ll get to it. Drew says he looks forward to hearing from Curtis and they shake hands. Curtis counts his fingers says, meanwhile, the two of them play nice, and leaves. Nina says, Curtis is her friend, and Drew says, his too. Nina tells him, so he says. Curtis is just getting back on his feet. She doesn’t want Drew to take advantage of him. Drew says he’s not taking advantage of him. He’s offering Curtis an opportunity that benefits both of them. Nina says, it’s a wonder how Drew can keep all these plates spinning in the air without dropping one of them, and he says he guesses it’s just a talent of his. What did she want to see him about? She says, her daughter. She didn’t get a chance to ask why Michael and Willow were in his office yesterday before that lapse of sanity overtook them again. He says, lapse of sanity. Is that what they’re calling it? She says she really wants to know. Why was Willow here?

Portia asks if everything is okay, but Elizabeth says, she’s not sure. Aiden had pink paint on his backpack. He said he just set it down in the wrong place, but it looked like somebody deliberately did it to him. (Actually, it looked more like he brushed up against something.) And last week, he came home with paint in his hair. It wasn’t a lot, but it definitely looked like somebody flicked a paintbrush at him on purpose. Portia says, and she’s worried about bullying, and Elizabeth says, yeah. This happened before when he was younger. The thought has definitely crossed her mind, but whatever is happening, he thinks he just wants to handle it himself. Portia says, yeah, but sometimes their kids think they can handle it themselves, but they can’t really. Elizabeth says she doesn’t want to hover, and Portia says she gets that. She hates that term helicopter mom. It makes you feel like you’re second guessing yourself when you’re concerned or involved in your children’s lives. Elziabeth says, there’s being concerned and there’s wanting to control your son’s life, and she doesn’t know where this falls on the spectrum. Portia says, maybe Elizabeth could chat with his counselor. Talk to his teachers. See what they know, what they don’t know. They see so much more than we do sometimes. At the end of the day, they just want what’s best for their kids, right?

TJ asks Molly to talk to him, and she says, he doesn’t want to hear what she’s thinking right now. He says he gets that she’s angry, and she says she’s frustrated and disappointed, and she can’t for the life of her understand what he thought he was doing coming for Kristina like that. He says he was thinking of their baby’s well-being and Kristina’s too. He commends her for living a healthy lifestyle and following the guidelines, but is it not common sense to want to stay out of the line of fire? She says, believe her. She has no illusions about Sonny, but he’s highly unlikely to put his pregnant daughter at risk. He says, tell that to his Uncle Curtis. Things happen. She says, okay, but let’s have a sense of proportion. She can’t ask her sister to stay away from her father. He says he just did, and she says, he saw how well that went. He says he expected pushback and he’s not sorry he tried. And that’s not going to stop him from speaking his mind to the woman carrying their child, even if she’s the daughter of a dangerous man.

Alexis tells Natalia, as a now responsible journalist, she doesn’t really approve of policing social media sites. She thinks people have the right to think and say whatever they want, regardless of how despicable or ridiculous it is, as long as it’s within the law. Natalia says, that’s commendable, as a journalist. What about as a mother? Alexis says she would hate to see Kristina or Blaze dragged through the mud. That would be painful to see. On the other hand, she didn’t raise a shrinking violet and she’s pretty sure Natalia didn’t either, so she’s confident they’d be able to weather whatever came at them. Natalia says, that’s very supportive and sane, albeit a little idealistic. She’s just sort of a pragmatist, and she can’t help but realize that the fallout for Allison would be a lot different than for Kristina. Alexis says, how so? and Natalia says, isn’t it obvious? Allison is a star with a huge fanbase and following, and Kristina is a… bartender.

Alexis says, if Natalia has an issue with Blaze’s public persona, then that is something she should probably take up with her daughter. She doesn’t really see how she can help her. Natalia says, please understand, she’s not disparaging Kristina, and Alexis thanks her so much for coming by, but she runs a newspaper and she’s getting a lot of calls coming in while they’re having this conversation. You never know when it’s going to be breaking news. So again, she thanks Natalia so much and appreciates her stopping by. Natalia says she’s really glad they got a chance to finally meet, and Alexis says, it’s always good to put a face to the person. Natalia tells her, have a nice day, and leaves. Alexis makes a call and says, how dare Diane not be there when she needs to vent? She just met Blaze’s mother and it wasn’t pretty.

Molly tells TJ that Kristina is doing something incredibly generous for them. She’s giving up nine months of her life to give them a child. The last they can do is not police her every move. He says he doesn’t like how she’s making him out to be some kind of control freak, and she asks, what else he would call the constant questioning about what Kristina eats, how much she’s sleeping, and whether she can see her father until after her delivery date? He says, fine. If wanting the best for their baby makes him a control freak, he’ll wear that as a badge of pride. (I’m thinking now would be the perfect time to throw a pie in his face.) She says, be proud of himself. Just lay off Kristina. He says he doesn’t think it’s unreasonable to want her to stay physically safe, and Molly says, it is if he drives her away. He says, if it does, then that’s on her, not on him. He understands Kristina is hormonal, but taking off in a huff just because they’re asking questions? He’s a doctor. She says, yes, but he’s not Kristina’s doctor. He’s not even the baby’s doctor. If there were concerns, Dr. Navarro would have raised them, but she hasn’t. He says, Dr. Navarro is only evaluating Kristina based on what she sees in front of her. She’s not factoring in Kristina’s connection to Sonny. Molly says, and that’s a good thing. Because Kristina has somewhere she can feel safe, not judged. He says he’s not judging her, and she says, isn’t he? He says, they’re supposed to be in this together, all three of them. They should have some say in how Kristina is living her life. It’s their baby. She says she knows this, but it is Kristina’s life. They can’t monitor her every move. He says, because she’s Molly’s sister. If they’d gone with a surrogate, in a few months from now, they’d have their baby with no strings attached, but now they… She says, no, go on. Say it. Now they’ll never get rid of her?

Portia meets Curtis at the MetroCourt and says, not that she’s complaining, but why did she have to drop everything and meet him here? All his text said was, it’s nothing bad. They sit at a table, and he says, aside from wanting to see his beautiful wife, he has a major decision, and he needs her to weigh in. She asks, what kind of decision? and he says, The Savoy’s been doing really well and he’s thinking about diversifying. She says, like a franchise or making it a brand? but he says, The Savoy is unique, and he wants to keep it that way, but it does involve branding. He and Drew have been talking about him wanting to move Aurora into fitness and wellness. So Drew is starting a new division and wants him to head that division. Portia says she guesses she wasn’t expecting anything like that. Wow. He says, they had a preliminary meeting a few weeks ago and he just now confirmed they’re moving on and Drew wants him in charge. This is the kind of opportunity that only happens once. What does she think? Should he go for it?

Nina says, okay. Drew wants Willow to go public with her medical history. She doesn’t know if that’s a great idea. He says, she’d be talking about her leukemia and her lifesaving transplant. It could help a lot of people. She says, and Aurora is involved in this why? and he asks if she thinks he’s making money off of this. She’s wrong. He’s working with a non-profit who finds donor matches for stem cells and bone marrow. Willow’s story is so inspirational. She’d make such a great spokesperson. She could jump start the whole project. She says, and he presented all of this to Willow like that, and he says, absolutely. And he made it very clear that the ultimate decision is up to her. She says she can’t ask for more than that and thanks him. By the way, she’s rescheduled her interview with Congressman McConkey for this afternoon if he’s still interested in tagging along. He says he is, and not as her chauffeur. He’d like to meet the Congressman and have a chance to talk to him. She says, that’s what she’s offering, and he says, why so accommodating all of a sudden? What’s in it for her?

Portia says she appreciates Curtis for including her, but she’s not sure. The Savoy was his dream, but he seems really excited about this new endeavor, so she really doesn’t know if she should influence him either way. He says he’d still love her opinion, and she says, okay. He’s just now finally recovering, right? He’s literally getting back on his feet. And between the club and Aurora, she just thinks he’s taking on way too much way too soon. He says, the club doesn’t need his full-time attention anymore. The Savoy survived for months after he was shot and in recovery. He’s lucky to have a great staff. N’neka is an absolute rock star, and he’s been getting great help from his dad, chatting it up with the crowd and the musicians. Curtis knows how much he loves that. She says, that’s kind of her point. The Savoy was his dream, and he feels comfortable leaving it in other people’s hands. He says, it’s not like he’s never going to set foot in that place again, and she says, but he’ll have to split his time between the club and Aurora. He says he’ll build time in his schedule to make sure The Savoy remains on track, and she asks if he thinks Selina Wu is going to respect his schedule. Because she thinks Selina still wants to take The Savoy. And what if she uses his absence to make her move?

Lucy says, her social media blew up after she was on H&H, and Maxie says, cyberbuddies and heart emojis don’t translate into cold, hard cash. And speaking of cold, hard cash, when Lucy was on camera, they were way under their minimum of 300 units per minute, but as soon as Sasha stepped in, they were hitting 650 per minute and on their way to selling out. Lucy says, that’s because she laid the foundation and her audience just waited until she was off the screen to start buying. Maxie says, that doesn’t make any sense. Why would her fans wait until she was finished to buy the product? Lucy says, obviously because they were enthralled, spellbound by her narrative. It’s a pretty incredible story, her long, hard road to success. They listened. Maxie says, let’s say there were 1000 diehard Lucy fans that were hanging on her every word. There were 10,000 audience members who were waiting to change the channel until Sasha stepped in and saved her bacon. Lucy says, so Maxie is giving Sasha credit for all her sales. They were her sales. She looks at Scotty and says, tell her. Tell Maxie they were her sales. Tell her. Scotty says, humma, humma, humma, Lucy, and she says, don’t humma-hum Lucy nothing. He was there. He felt the positive energy in the room. She had all those people eating out of the palm of her hand. They couldn’t wait to buy. Scotty says, actually, they did wait. They waited until Sasha showed up.

TJ takes Molly’s hands and says he’d never want to get rid of Kristina. That’s impossible. That’s her sister. His only problem is all the baggage that comes with her. She says, believe it or not, she understands his concerns. Sonny being Kristina’s father and the fact that she may end up prosecuting him, does he know how much she’s dreading that possibility? He says, probably as much as he dreads the idea of their child’s biological grandfather being a mob boss. It’s not all about Sonny. He has his concerns about Kristina too. She says, he knows she had her hesitations at first. But she and Kristina came to an understanding, and she thought that he did too. That’s why they accepted Kristina’s offer to be their surrogate, and she genuinely wants to help. She has said from the very beginning, she will be Aunt Kristina to their child the same way she is to Danny and Scout. He says, but she didn’t carry and give birth to Danny and Scout. There’s a big difference. How long before she’s second guessing them? (Not long if he doesn’t knock it off.) Judging their parenting styles and inserting herself into their lives? She says, Kristina has her own life. She has two jobs and a new girlfriend. He asks if she doesn’t think that could change with her being pregnant, and Molly says, of course (🍷) she’ll reach a point where she’s got to slow down, but he says he’s talking about Kristina. Everyone keeps telling him what a beautiful gift Kristina is giving them, but that gift comes with a cost. Kristina is more than a surrogate. She’s biologically and emotionally invested. Tell him that she can see how potentially difficult this is. She says she understands, but she’s still choosing to be hopeful. She’s seen Kristina really come into her own these past few years. She’s changed. For the better. He says he guesses they’ll see. They have no choice at this point.

Kristina walks into Alexis’s office, and Alexis asks, what brings her here? Kristina says, to see her mom, and Alexis goes over to her, saying, oh, oh, oh. What’s going on? Is she okay? They hug, and Kristina says she came from Molly and TJ’s place, and apparently, she’s doing this entire pregnancy wrong. The wrong diet, the wrong sleep schedule, the wrong everything. Alexis says, it can’t be that bad, but Kristina says, no, it is that bad. It’s worse actually. They think her dad is a physical danger and they want her to keep her distance from him. She’s sorry, but she’s not going to do that. She’s not going to abandon her dad, especially not now, especially when he needs her. He’s pushing everyone away from him, everyone except for Ava, who is camped out in his living room. Alexis says, got it. Breathe. Kristina takes a deep breath, and Alexis says, have a seat. She’s going through a lot. Internally, externally, the hormones are at work. They’re working for the baby and they’re working for Kristina’s hair, she might add. And she’s emotional. TJ and Molly are also emotional. She’s sure they meant well. Would Kristina like her to talk to them? Kristina says, yes, she would. She feels something and cringes, clutching her stomach, and says, guess who just woke up? Alexis says, the baby, and Kristina says, they can really stretch out and then, pow. Alexis says, that’s what they do, and Kristina says, that hurt. Her baby has a real kick. She gets up.

Alexis sits in Kristina’s chair, while Kristina stands in front of her. Alexis feels Kristina’s bump and says, whoa. She wasn’t kidding. Kristina says, funny. It was so nice when it was little butterflies and flutters. Now it’s a totally different ballgame. It’s like a soccer game. Alexis says, Kristina was just like that. She kicked so hard, Alexis thought she was going to leave bruises. Kristina says, really? Maybe the baby takes after her.

Molly tells TJ, it’s a little late for buyer’s remorse. They made a decision to trust her sister, and she for one intends to do that. She’s got to go. She’s got a deposition. He says he doesn’t want to fight. It’s just the two of them, right? He wants this to be the best thing that’s ever happened to them. She says, her too. You, me, and baby makes three, right? They kiss and she leaves for work, but neither of them look like this is the best thing ever.

The reception nurse says, if Elizabeth wants one of the cupcakes, she’d better get to the breakroom, because they’re going fast. And Amy said to be sure and thank her son. What a sweetheart. Elizabeth thanks her and says she will. The nurse leaves and Elizabeth goes behind the desk. She makes a call and asks for the counselor’s office… This is Aiden Webber’s mom. She needs to make an appointment.

Scotty tells Lucy that he’s sorry, but the numbers don’t lie. Maxie says she knows Lucy gives Deception her all. Maybe at times, too much of her all, but she’s not trying to minimize Lucy’s commitment to Deception or her accomplishments. She’s just trying to remind Lucy that Deception is not only hers. It’s not only Maxie’s. It’s not only Brook’s or Sasha’s or Tracy’s, for that matter. They’re all rooting for it to succeed. But in order to gain success, they have to sell, and she’s the wrong salesperson. Lucy shrugs and says, okay. But what Maxie is forgetting is, they don’t have Sasha and Blaze’s uber controlling mommy won’t let Blaze pitch, so she’s all they’ve got. There is nobody else. Maxie says, well, there is one other person.

Curtis tells Portia, there will be no more threats from Selina Wu. He handled it. She says she guesses the only real decision now is how he’s going to split his time and his focus. This is going to be a major project. He says, no question, and she says, and travel. He says he’s in charge. He can set his own schedule. Are there any more objections? He holds out his hand, and she puts hers in it. She says, just one that she can think of. She’s going to miss him. She really enjoyed him being home, having him all to herself. He says, and he doesn’t want to be away too often or too far from her either, but he believes in this project. He knows he can make it happen and, in the process, build something lasting that he can be proud of. She asks, how she could say no to that? It looks like he made his decision.

Nina tells Drew, let’s just say, there’s a little something in it for everybody. He gets access to Congressman McConkey, and she gets access to her daughter. He says he sees. Quid pro quo. She says, giving something to get something makes more sense than them trying to sabotage each other. He says, so she wants to cooperate, but cooperation takes trust. She says she trusts him to see his advantage in all of this, and he says he can definitely see that. His phone rings and he says, Curtis. Curtis says he hopes he’s not interrupting, and Drew says, absolutely not. He’s always got time for Curtis. Curtis thanks him and says he reviewed Drew’s offer. Drew says, and are they doing this? and Curtis says he’s in.

Tomorrow, Willow tells Michael that she’s starting to wonder if she’s doing it for the wrong reasons; Lucy thinks maybe a screentest was in order; Tracy tells Sasha that after lunch, she has a request; and Brook asks someone to go easy on her.

🧴 A Little Bit Of Soap In Your Life…

The best Nikolas of all the Nikolases has a message.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/adam-huss-special-message-to-general-hospital-fans

I don’t remember him from his previous stint on GH, but I’m intrigued about Fergus. And I’d be remiss in not saying that’s a great name for a dog.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/lane-davies-returns-to-general-hospital-in-a-new-role

Hopefully, there will be somewhere for the general public to stream it.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-cassandra-james-debuts-her-first-film

Well, it was bound to happen. I just don’t get why people don’t use Uber or something if they’re going to drink. It’s not that hard. She’s lucky she didn’t kill someone.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-haley-pullos-to-serve-jail-time-for-dui

👠 Anchor Down Your Tables…

The taglines are in place.

https://people.com/rhonj-season-14-taglines-teresa-giudice-family-drama-wont-tear-me-down-melissa-gorga-happily-burn-bridges-8641547

Teresa claims there’s a plan to take her and Luis down. I dunno. They do pretty well all on their own.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-real-housewives-of-new-jersey/season-14/videos/where-does-teresa-giudice-stand-with-the-rest-of

Six degrees of The Sopranos.

https://decider.com/2024/04/29/rhonj-danielle-cabral-extra-sopranos-around-time-jenn-fessler-sleeping-james-gandolfini

If you want a head start.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-real-housewives-of-new-jersey/season-14/videos/start-watching-the-real-housewives-of-new-jersey

🔪 This Week In Chefs…

Risotto, the bane of a competitive chef’s existence.

‘Top Chef’ 21 episode 7 recap: ‘Sausage Race’ was a ball field battle of the wieners

After the knives are packed.

‘Top Chef: Last Chance Kitchen’ recap: Who scored the most runs in breakneck ‘Let’s Play Ball’ challenge? [WATCH]

⛺️ Farewell To the First…

TBH, I don’t remember her, but then again, I don’t remember most of the cast from the first one. Except for Richard Hatch and that truck driver. Susan?

https://ew.com/sonja-christopher-dead-first-person-voted-out-survivor-8639973

🏆 Light the Lights…

This year’s Tony nominees.

https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees

🐶 A Girl and Her Dog…

Love her, love the dog.

https://people.com/sofia-vergara-and-her-puppy-amore-photos-8633968

🪰 Everything’s Coming Up Cicadas…

Come on down tomorrow, or up depending on your location, for soap and shade in the House. Until then, stay safe, stay not throwing stones no matter what your house is made of, and stay not jumping on the first offer.

Nov8

November 7, 2023 – A Lot Of Guilt To Go Around, Healing Thoughts, Boys Of GH, Take a Stroll, Emmy News, Oops, More Maurice, Viva Las Bravo, Next Year, Holiday Treats & Celebrate

Posted on by
Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Doc and Laura come out of the hospital elevator, and Valentin thanks them for coming. Laura says, of course (🍷), and Doc asks, where is Charlotte? Valentin says, she’s in surgery, and Laura asks, what happened? Valentin says, she was shot, and Doc and Laura look stunned. Laura asks, who would do something like that? and Valentin says, it was Anna. Laura says, oh my God, no.

Anna stands on the terrace at Sonny’s penthouse. He tells her, good morning, but she’s not sure what’s good about it. He asks if she got any sleep, but she says, every time she closes her eyes, it just plays like a movie in her head, over and over again. Her finger on the trigger, the gun recoiling, the shot. It was just so loud in that small apartment. It just kind of echoed down the hallway. She can still hear it.

Gregory goes to Alexis’s office and says, he wanted to see her? She thanks him for coming, and he asks if everything is all right. She says she needs his input, and he says, she knows how he loves to share his opinion. What’s the problem? She says, it’s a question of journalistic ethics, and he says, that sounds heavy. She says, it is. Is she required to report the shooting of a child?

Jordan comes into the station, and Mac says, they’ve been waiting for her. She says she got there as soon as she could, and he tells her, Dante was the detective on the scene last night. They go into the interrogation room, and Jordan says she has a lot of questions for Dante. Mac says, tell them exactly what happened, and Robert adds, and why it did.

At Volonino’s Gym, Devon, who has prosthetic legs, asks Curtis, where is everybody? The gym seems quiet. Curtis says, this gym is kind of private. His good friend’s husband owns it. Sonny Corinthos? Devon says, Curtis is a lucky guy to have such good friends, and Curtis says, they’ve definitely stuck by him, even though he tried to push them away.

Sam answers a knock at the door, and says, oh my God – Drew! He says, sorry he didn’t call, and she says, it’s really him. They hug, and he asks if it’s a bad time, but she says, no. It’s never a bad time. She can’t believe he’s out of prison.

While he lifts hand weights, Devon says, this is the time you need your friends the most. Why did Curtis push them away? Curtis asks how he does it, and Devon says he thought he was the one asking a question. Curtis says, Devon’s always so positive and upbeat. He doesn’t know if he’d have made it out of rehab without him. Devon says, Curtis put in the work. He just gave Curtis a bit of inspiration. Curtis says, Devon was dealt a bad hand, but always has a smile on his face. What’s his secret? Devon says, Curtis is seeing who he is today. He wasn’t always this way. He had years of bitterness and resentments it’s taken a lifetime of work to overcome. And that work never ends.

Sam asks when Drew got out, and he says, last night. He went to see Carly, and obviously his next stop was to see his girl. He missed Scout like crazy. Is she awake? She says, she’s actually sleeping right now. Scout’s probably exhausted from the Halloween party at Kelly’s, but she can wake Scout up. He says, it’s probably better if she doesn’t. He doesn’t want her to hear this. Carly got a call that Charlotte was shot, and Danny was trick-or-treating with her before it happened. Sam says, yeah. They didn’t know she was shot when they came home last night; they only knew she was missing. Danny was really shaken up. He felt guilty and responsible. He said that he should have been the one that kept Charlotte with them. Drew says, he shouldn’t have to carry all that, and she says she told him that he doesn’t have to take responsibility for his friends, but he felt guilty. He’s just like his father. He wants to save the entire world, but he can’t. He asks if Danny knows Charlotte was shot, and she says, Dante came home this morning to tell him and Rocco. They were dreading it, but they didn’t want him to read it on social media or anything. They thought it was best if it came from them. He says, that had to have been a tough conversation. How was Rocco? She says, it hit hm pretty hard. He broke down in Dante’s arms. All Dante could do was hold him, and she could tell Danny was holding back tears, but he wanted to stay strong. Drew asks if they have someone they can talk to, like a therapist, and she says she already set it up. And she talked to Elizabeth. Jake was at the scene of the shooting. He’s pretty traumatized too. He says, that is a lot to deal with, especially at their age. Please, she’s got to tell him if there’s anything he can do. Now that he’s back, there’s so much he needs to make up for.

Alexis tells Gregory that she doesn’t know all the details, but she knows the identities of those involved, and two of them are members of her family. He asks if everyone’s all right, but she says, no. This was a tragic accident. He asks, what happened? and she says, he’s aware that Anna has been the target of harassment? He says he knows her house was burned down. The police said it was arson. She says, shortly after that, the broke into her hotel and destroyed her clothes and left her a threatening message. He asks how this relates to the shooting of a child, and she says, Anna’s been on edge for months. So last night, she comes home to an intruder in her apartment. So she takes out her gun and fires, straight into Charlotte Cassadine. He says, Valentin’s daughter was the intruder? He finds it hard to imagine a teenage girl breaking into an apartment. (Really? I don’t.) She says, the police are still trying to piece this all together, but the bottom line is, Anna shot an innocent child, so she’s going to have a lot to answer to. (Wow. A lot of assumption on her part.) He says, but the big question is, what was Charlotte doing in that apartment?

Valentin says, so he realized she had to be headed to Anna’s apartment, and Laura asks if he thinks she wanted to leave another threatening message. Doc asks how she got in, but Valentin says he doesn’t know. He doesn’t know what her intentions were, and he doesn’t know what she’s capable of. Laura says, he got there after the shooting? and he says, yeah. He wanted to intercept her, but he was too late. The door was open, and he looked inside, and Anna was leaning over Charlotte.

Robert asks if Dante talked to Anna, and Dante says, she claims when she left her apartment, she locked the door. When she got back around 9:30 pm, the door was unlocked. She drew her gun, she thought she saw an intruder in her apartment with a weapon, she fired. Robert says, let’s talk about the legal culpability here. Could Anna face criminal charges? It’s not against the law to defend your own property with a gun. Jordan says, it depends, and he says, on what? She says, on if Anna could reasonably expect Charlotte to be there. And if that’s the case, Anna could be in real trouble.

Sonny hands Anna a coffee mug, and she thanks him. He says he knows she’s a tea drinker, but he thought she’d need something stronger than that. She says she’s often wondered why Corinthos went for coffee. Out of all the legitimate businesses out there, why did he choose this? He says, Don Corleone had already chosen olive oil, so he wanted the next best thing. He laughs and says, he had a lot of contacts in South America. She says, that doesn’t sound suspicious, but he says, it’s not what she thinks. Most of the coffee in the world is grown there, and it’s a big industry. Remember when all the coffee houses were going up? He wanted to get in before the market flooded. She says, that’s smart, when Nina comes out. She asks if everything is all right, but Anna says, no, it’s not.

Doc asks if Anna said what happened, but Valentin tells him that he didn’t hear anything she said. The paramedics got there right away. Doc asks if Anna went to the police, but Valentin says he doesn’t know. He knows she came here to explain. Laura asks how you explain shooting a 15-year-old girl, and Valentin says he couldn’t talk to her. He couldn’t wrap his head around the idea she’d shoot Charlotte. He still can’t. (Is it me? Why is this all so hard to put together?)

Sonny says, Anna needed a place to stay last night, and she arrived late, and Nina says she knows Anna got a new place. Are they not ready for her to move in yet? Sonny says, it’s not like that, and Anna says she should be the one to tell her. Nina says, tell her what? What’s going on? Anna says, it’s Charlotte, and Nina asks if something happened to Charlotte. Anna starts to cry and says, it was an accident. She shot her.

Mac asks how Charlotte got into the apartment, but Dante says he doesn’t know. Maybe she had a key. There was no sign of forced entry. Like he said before, Anna said she locked the door before she left, and it was unlocked when she got back. Jordan asks if Anna would have given Charlotte a key, but Dante says he doesn’t know. Robert says he can’t imagine she would do that. She just moved into that place. She’s going to say to Charlotte, drop by after you’re finished with Halloween, and by the way, I’ll give you a key? That doesn’t make any sense. Dante says, according to Jake Webber, Charlotte did have a key in her possession. She said it was her key to getting everything she wanted. Mac asks, what the hell does that mean? and Dante says, that’s what he wants to find out. Jordan says, obviously, she had a key to the apartment, but Anna was unaware. That’s why she came in the door shooting. Robert says, well, she wasn’t expecting Charlotte. And he can tell them who she was expecting.

Sam asks if Drew knew he was getting out. Did Diane get a message to him? He says, no. The whole thing was just so sudden. He was sitting on his cot, the guards walked in and said, come on, Cain, let’s go. You’re released. He didn’t even believe it. He didn’t have to get up in front of the prison board; he didn’t have to speak to the warden. Nothing. Next thing he knew, he was in his own clothes and on his way home. She says, Carly must be really excited for him, and he tells her, you could say that. She told him who was responsible for his release. Sam says, who was it? and he says, your mother.

Gregory tells Alexis that they have to assume Charlotte was there uninvited. If Anna was expecting her, she wouldn’t have pulled a gun. Alexis says, that’s why she’s holding off on publishing. They need more facts. They can’t speculate about this. He says, her cousin must be devastated, and she say she hasn’t been able to reach him. Obviously, he’s in agony. He says, if she didn’t know any of the people involved, if they weren’t family, would she publish? She says, this is what she’s been struggling with all morning. Obviously, the shooting of a child is newsworthy. And it doesn’t matter what anyone thinks about the Second Amendment, gun violence is real, and this should be reported. He says, so she’s going to publish it? and she says she thinks she has to. But the victim is a minor and out of respect for her family, she’s not going to mention any names. He says, she’s making a good call on a difficult story, and Alexis looks like she has a headache. I disagree with that call. I think she was right the first time. They need more facts. For instance, it’s not like Charlotte was shot in her own home. She let herself into an apartment where she wasn’t invited. In the dark. In a Hermit costume.

Curtis says, a lifetime of work. He’s not sure he has the stamina for that. Devon says, it’s perfectly normal to doubt yourself, just keep pushing through it. Curtis says, but how do you do it? Devon makes it look so easy, and Curtis knows he’s going to have a struggle on his hands. Devon says, they both have disabilities, but they’re coming from very different places. He was born without legs. He doesn’t know what it’s like to walk without prosthetics. Curtis went from an active, vital man to a wheelchair. That’s a huge adjustment. He still has times of frustration and resentment. Does Curtis know how hard it was to watch the other kids run around the playground? Curtis says he’s sorry. He had no idea. He feels selfish complaining right now, but Devon tells him not to feel sorry for him. There are plenty of times he does that for himself. He tries not to wallow in it. Like it or not, it’s who he is. Just focus on moving forward. Curtis says he’s not sure he knows how to do that.

Alexis hangs up the phone and tells Gregory that she really hopes she’s making the right call. He says, she is. Don’t second guess herself. She says she’s been consumed with this all morning. She didn’t even ask. How is he feeling? Or is that a stupid question to ask somebody with ALS? He laughs and says, no. He appreciates it. Most people just tap-dance around the subject. They’re afraid to ask like it’s some dirty little secret. He’s happy with the new specialist Finn recommended. He’s a straightshooter; he doesn’t sugarcoat anything. He says Gregory’s ALS is progressing, but it’s impossible to put a timeframe on it. So he has no idea how long it’s going to be before he’s in a wheelchair. He gets up and says, which is why he needs to get moving on his bucket list. Has she changed her mind about skydiving?

Scout comes downstairs, and says, daddy? You’re home! She runs to him, and he picks her up, hugging her. Sam smiles.

Dante says, that’s some pretty cryptic sounding stuff, but Robert says he can’t tell them everything. Some of it’s classified Bureau stuff. Jordan says, he has to tell him everything he knows, and Robert says, Anna dug up this old document, which has the name of a former agent attached to it. She figured this guy has been stalking her. Dante asks if Robert has seen the document, and Robert says, Anna laid out what her theory was, and he agreed. Mac says, so this mystery person is still out there, and Robert says, yeah, and he can pull this again. But this time, it might be fatal. This guy’s prepared to do whatever’s necessary to suppress this information. Jordan says, so that means Anna definitely wasn’t expecting Charlotte to be at her apartment, and Robert says, correct. She entered the apartment, saw this figure holding what looked like a weapon, and figured, this person’s going to kill me. So she exercised the only option she had, which was to shoot. Soap looks all around.

Valentin tells Laura and Doc that Dr. Gatlin-Holt went right to work on Charlotte when they arrived. He must have gotten some information, but he couldn’t process it or tell them what was said. He doesn’t know where Charlotte was shot. What if it’s near the heart? Laura says, they don’t know any of that. Try not to speculate. It’s just going to make him crazy. He says, all he knows is that the bullet is still inside of her, and they’re going to remove it, and they’re going to repair the damage, but he can’t get his head around the idea. Doc says, let him see what he can find out, and Laura says she’ll go with him, unless Valentin wants her to stay, but Valentin says, go. They leave, and he takes out his phone. His thumb hovers over Anna’s number, and Nina comes out of the elevator. He goes to her, and they hug and cry.

Anna tells Sonny that she just doesn’t understand what Charlotte was doing in that apartment. How did she get in there? There was no sign of forced entry. She had to have used a key. He says he’s assuming Anna didn’t give her a key, and she says, no. She lost her own key. She had to get one from the super. Sonny asks if she knows what Charlotte was doing before she shot her, and Anna shakes her head. She says, there was a figure with a hood bending over this trunk that she has, and then they turned, and she saw what she thought was a weapon. He says, that’s understandable. She felt threatened. She says she’s been so on edge lately; she jumps at the slightest thing. Sonny was right. She should never have gotten rid of the bodyguard. If he had been there, this wouldn’t have happened. He says, she can’t blame herself, and she asks what he’s talking about. If she – Anna chokes up – if Charlotte… If Charlotte doesn’t make it, it’s her fault. He puts his arm around her as she cries.

Valentin thanks Nina for coming, and she says, of course (🍷). They’re in this together. She’s not letting him go through this alone. He says, this is his fault, but she says, feeling guilty is only going to make this more difficult. He says, if he’d warned Anna that Charlotte was her stalker right away, this never would have happened; she’d have never pulled a gun. Nina says, Valentin made a mistake not telling Anna right away, but Anna made a big mistake and Charlotte did too. (Why are they blaming Anna so hard? The flashlight did look like a gun.) He says, she’s a child, and Nina says she understands that, but her point is, there’s a lot of guilt to go around. He doesn’t have to carry the burden all by himself. Speculating on what he should have done isn’t going to make the situation any easier. He says, they should have confronted Charlotte the moment they saw that security footage, and she hustles him over to the waiting area, suggesting they not talk about the footage. It’s gone. He says, what if his daughter is gone? and they sit. Nina says, they have to be positive. Charlotte is alive. She’s a fighter. They have to believe in her. They have to believe she’s going to make it.

Anna tells Sonny that she’s a professional. She’s been trained in firearms. She knows when to shoot and when not to shoot. He tells her not to beat herself up, and she says she went into that apartment like she was on a mission; like she expected to be fired at. But she wasn’t. She was a 15-year-old girl. He says, she didn’t know that, and she cries some more. She says she saw movement and she reacted. She didn’t stop and access the situation the way she’s been trained to at the Academy. Not shoot first and ask questions later. Maybe she didn’t see movement. Maybe she just imagined it. But she did fire and she hit her target. And they went down, and they didn’t move. It seemed like it was in slow motion, but it could have only taken two seconds. And Jake came and said Charlotte’s name… That’s when she realized what she’d done. She begins to weep again.

Mac tells Dante to go home and get some rest, and Jordan thanks him. She knows things were intense when he was on administrative leave, but she’s glad to have him back. Dante says, just keep him updated on Charlotte’s condition, and he leaves. In the squad room, an officer tells Dante, CSI sent this up. He gives Dante an envelope and says, the inventory on Charlotte Cassadine’s back. Dante thanks him and starts flipping through it.

Alexis says she would do anything to support Gregory, but she’s not jumping out of a plane. Please don’t make her. She’s afraid of heights and she still doesn’t understand how planes stay up in the air (ha-ha! she’s me), and she doesn’t understand how anyone would think jumping out of a plane would be fun. Really. What’s wrong with them? He laughs and says, it’s supposed to be an exhilarating feeling, but he’s going to let her off the hook. She agreed to ax throwing and hot yoga, so he’s not going to push this one. Besides – he takes a paper out of his pocket and unfolds it – he thinks he still has some less risky items on his list. She says, good. Her stomach thanks him. He says, she’s in the clear. He knows she has a lot to do, so he’s going to take off. She thanks him for the talk, but he says, she doesn’t have to thank him. She says she appreciates that and thanks him again. He leaves.

Scout says she’s so happy Drew’s home. She missed him so much. He says he missed her too. He thought about her every single day. They hug, and she says, really? He says, every hour of every day. He couldn’t wait to get home to her. She asks if it’s over. Does he have to go back to prison? He says, no. He’s here to stay. And you know what made him feel so much better when he was gone? The plaque she got for swimming. Scout says, Sam really gave it to him? and Sam says she told Scout that she was going to. Drew says he’s so proud of her. Next season, he’s going to be at every single meet, he promises. She asks if he got out in time to go trick-or-treating, but he says, the lights were turned out by then. She says, that’s okay, because she got a whole bunch of candy for him. He says, that’s his girl, and she asks if he wants some now. She got all his favorites. Sam says she thinks it’s a little early for candy, and Drew says, maybe she’s right. How about if Scout gets dressed, because there’s something really important that he needs her help with. Scout says, okay, and goes upstairs.

Devon says, for Curtis to move forward, he needs to talk about his feelings and share his experience with others. If he keeps it in and hides it from the people who love him, it will destroy him. So let it out. Let his beautiful family see who he is now.

Dante comes home and tells Sam that he wishes he was still on administrative leave. Then he wouldn’t be having to deal with this. He saw Charlotte on a gurney. She asks if there’s any update on Charlotte’s condition, but he says, she’s still in surgery as far as he knows. This whole thing is unbelievable. How are Rocco and Danny? He can’t believe he had to go back to work after telling them about Charlotte. She says, they were still a mess, and they didn’t want to stay at the house. They needed a distraction, so she let them go to their friend’s house. Drew got out of prison. Scout’s with him now. Dante says, that’s good news, and she asks how it went at the station. He says, taking statements, bagging evidence… A 15-year-old girl’s been shot. None of this makes any sense at this point. It’s someone close to them too. He knows it’s extenuating circumstances, but try telling that to Anna, the one who pulled the trigger.

Anna tells Sonny, this is so surreal. It’s like she was outside of her body watching everything. Then inside her head, she was screaming, no, no, no. Please don’t let it be Charlotte, but she knew it was her. He says, unfortunately, he knows the feeling. When Dante first came to town, he didn’t know Dante was his son, because originally, Dante kept it from him for years. He didn’t know Dante was an undercover cop. So Dante gained his trust and arrested him. And he shot Dante, point blank. She says she did hear about that. That must have been just awful. Sonny says, he was bleeding out on the floor. Olivia came in. She yelled out, you shot your own son. So he knows about that moment. It’s the shot that’s unbearable. She says, even before she took the hood off of Charlotte, she thought, this is such a tiny figure lying here, and the weapon, it was a flashlight she was carrying. He says, she didn’t know that. So then her survival instincts kicked in. She scrunches down in the chair and says, this is such a nightmare. How could she have been so reckless to have fired on an unarmed child? She doesn’t know how she’s going to live with that. She doesn’t know how.

Jordan says, there’s something they need to discuss, and it’s right in this room. Mac says, what? and she says, us. Mac’s acting Police Commissioner, Robert’s the DA, she’s the Deputy Mayor. They all have closer relationship to Anna. Robert says he was married to her – he laughs – twice. She says, even Dante, who was the first investigator on the scene, has a close relationship with Anna. She just doesn’t want anyone thinking this is a cover-up. Mac says, there’s nothing to cover up. They’re not hiding anything. Nor are they giving Anna any preferential treatment. Jordan says she gets that, but they all need to recognize their connections to Anna might compromise the case. Robert asks what she’s suggesting, and she says, that they might have to bring in an outside investigator.

Curtis asks, what about Devon? Does he have any kids? Devon says, two incredible sons. They’re his whole world. They’re devoted to each other. He’s proud to say they’re great human beings. Curtis says he doesn’t doubt that they are. He has a daughter, a lovely wife, his dad, his auntie, his nephew… He has really good friends who he calls family, so he guesses that makes it a big family. Devon says, it’s time to let them in. Let them see who he really is.

Doc tells Laura that he’s sorry. He wishes he could have found out more. She says, that’s okay. She’s sure Valentin will appreciate the effort. She supposes right now all they can do is wait and pray. Doc says, they’ll need to do a lot more than pray. Charlotte’s in real trouble, and he doesn’t mean medically or legally. That child is broken. She says, then they have to do everything they can to fix her. He says, her physical recovery will be a lot easier than her emotional one, and Laura says she’ll never give up on Charlotte. She cries and he holds her.

On the phone, Alexis says, get them to her as soon as she can. Scout comes in and she says she’s got to run. She asks what Scout is doing here, hugging her, and Scout says she has a big surprise for Alexis. Alexis says, bigger than her showing up here on her own? Scout says, yep, and she’s not here on her own. Look who she brought with her. Drew walks in.

Curtis says, his wife keeps asking him how he feels, and Devon asks what he tells her. Curtis says he gives her the same standard answer; it’s all good, babe. But in reality, he’s far from good. Devon says, his wife just wants to help. Keeping her in the dark won’t do either of them any good. Curtis says, he’s right. It’s not fair. From now on, he’s going to tell his wife the truth. He wants to start moving forward. Devon says, okay. Are they done talking now? Let’s get back to work. Curtis says, he’s going to take the tens this time.

Alexis hugs Drew and says she’s so happy to see him. She tells Scout that she was right. This is a big surprise. Drew tells her that it was his idea to see her, but the set-up was all Scout. Alexis asks how happy Scout is to see her daddy, and Scout says, it’s the best. Drew says, it is the best. He got released last night, and he knows she played a pivotal role in that. He thanks her, but she says she’s not taking credit. It was Sonny, it was Carly, it was Diane, it was Gregory… He says he knows they were all involved, but his sources tell him that she was the one to seal the deal, and he’s so grateful. If there’s anything he can do to repay her, she’s got it. She says, the smile on her granddaughter’s face is good enough, and she hugs Scout. She tells Drew, get in here, and they have a three-way hug.

Valentin asks if Doc was able to find out anything, and Doc says he had to leave word for Dr. Gatlin-Holt, but he did speak to the surgical coordinator. Charlotte sustained a single gunshot wound to the abdomen. Valentin asks if there’s any word from the OR, but Doc says, nothing yet, and Nina says she’s sure they’ll hear something soon. Laura thanks her for coming, and Nina says she loves Charlotte. She wanted to be here. Valentin asks how Nina knew to come; he didn’t call her. Nina says, Anna slept over at the penthouse, and she didn’t know about Charlotte until this morning. Laura asks, how is Anna? and Nina says, outwardly, she seem calm, but underneath it all, she’s sure Anna is shattered. She thinks Anna’s still in shock. A surgeon approaches them, and Valentin asks, how’s Charlotte? Is his little girl going to be all right?

Dante tells Sam, so Charlotte took off on the kids, and Jake followed her to Anna’s house. Sam wonders how Charlotte got into Anna’s house. She can’t see Charlotte picking a lock. He says, there’s a lot about Charlotte they don’t know. What they do know is, Anna got to her house, the front door was unlocked, there was an intruder in her apartment. She pulled her gun and fired, and it’s not illegal. Sam says, but the intruder was an unarmed teenager, and Dante says, but Anna was threatened. She thought she saw a weapon. Sam says, what baffles her is what Charlotte was doing there in the first place, and he says he has a theory. He doesn’t know if it holds water yet. She asks what he’s got, and he says, they found Charlotte’s backpack. In it was red spray paint and it matched the paint that was on Anna’s front door. Sam says, murderer, and he says, and then Anna’s house burned down.

Sonny tells Anna, there are some burdens that are too heavy to carry, and some mistakes too terrible to live with. She says, but she has to live with this. She doesn’t have a choice. She has to find a way to come to terms with her actions, and she doesn’t know how to do that. He says, that’s why he prays. In his darkest hours, he gets down on his knees and asks God to give him the strength. Maybe she should try it. She says, he’s a good Catholic as all mob bosses are, but he says he doesn’t know about good, and laughs. She says, he’s a man of faith then. She’s just a lapsed Anglican. She hasn’t been in church for a while. The last time she was in church, she was on a mission actually. He says, that’s all right. God always listens to him. He doesn’t know where he’d be if he didn’t believe in Him. His phone rings, and he says, it’s Nina. He asks if she’s at the hospital, and Nina says, yes. Charlotte’s out of surgery. The doctor said she’s going to make it. Sonny tells Anna that Charlotte’s going to be okay, and Anna breathes a sigh of relief.

Tomorrow, Tracy says, Brook can have her cake and eat it too; Lois asks if Eddie/Ned isn’t curious about the rest; Maxie says, of course (🍷) they’re interested; and Sonny accuses Ava of being in bed with the enemy.

📡 Sending Good Vibes…

Here’s praying he comes through with flying colors.

Jon Lindstrom Asks for “Healing Thoughts” for John J. York

🚑 Goodbye And Happy Anniversary…

Aging Danny up and out.

Zakary Risinger Says Goodbye to GENERAL HOSPITAL

And keeping Wiley. I miss those other kids who moved to France though.

Viron Weaver Celebrates His GENERAL HOSPITAL Anniversary!

🏥 Laura’s Memory Lane…

She’s been on (and off) the show for a long time. I wonder if she dreams in Laura.

Genie Francis Shares Her Favorite GH Moments (EXCLUSIVE)

🏆 Half An Answer…

Apparently, the Daytime Emmys will be on December 16-17 – so good it takes an entire weekend? – but still nothing on when the soaps will figure in. The speculation is the 15th, but there’s nothing definite.

The 2023 Daytime Emmy Awards Are Being Rescheduled!

🍾 Random Events…

He doesn’t say if she gave him a black eye afterward.

https://ew.com/celebrity/john-stamos-elizabeth-taylor-general-hospital-set-yelling-old-lady/

📖 An Open Book…

I love this guy. He must help a lot of people by sharing his personal life.

https://people.com/general-hospital-s-maurice-benard-talks-living-with-bipolar-disorder-8387469

🥂 The Biggest Con Of All…

No recaps for RHOSLC or that horrible House yet, so here are some highlights from Andy’s Kingdom in Vegas.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/bravocon-2023-recap-real-housewives-captain-jason-1235638139/

The tears.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/bravocon-kyle-richards-cries-while-talking-about-mauricio-breakup

The boos.

https://people.com/bravocon-2023-rhonj-teresa-giudice-booed-not-leaving-bravo-8385173

Crowd Chants ‘Fire Teresa’ at BravoCon as Andy Cohen Teases RHONJ Season 14

The absentee.

RHONY’s Jenna Lyons Explains Why She Skipped BravoCon

Awards for bringing the drama.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/the-bravos-awards-at-bravocon-2023-pics-details

🐉 Dragon Their Feet…

Although it isn’t as long as we’ve been waiting for that last book. Write faster, George R.R. Martin.

https://ew.com/tv/house-of-the-dragon-season-2-summer-2024-return/

🍰 Bake Me A Cake…

It might be worth watching just for Joel McHale.

https://ew.com/tv/the-great-american-baking-show-celebrity-holiday-cast-reveal/

🤸‍♀️ Jumping In Leaves…

Join me tomorrow for soap and finding fault with Beverly Hills. Until then, stay safe, stay just pushing through it when you doubt yourself, and stay not hiding your feelings from the people who love you.

Sep30

September 29, 2023 – Nina Spills To Sonny, NuMolly, Hope, Revealing, Backtrack, Levi Rock, RHOP 8, Early Drama, Fakes, Her Stance, VanderWhiner, A Huid Ye, Last One, Newsworthy Pets, Tenner Of Quotes & When

Posted on by
Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

New York City. Trina and Spencer are seated outside at an upscale restaurant, and Trina says, that was amazing. The set, the costumes, the music. She felt like she was actually at the Moulin Rouge, Didn’t he love it? He says he did, although he did have a little bit of trouble paying attention, because there was a pretty girl next to him who he kept stealing glances at. She says she’s definitely not as exciting as the Can-Can, but he says he disagrees. She says she’s not sure Toulouse-Lautrec would agree, and he says, it made him happy to see her so happy. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. She says, how could she be anything but happy? She’s in the city with the most incredible guy. He says, who’s incredibly hungry, and she says she’s starving.

Nina lies in bed sleeping, surrounded by papers, when Sonny comes in. She says, hello, handsome, and he says he didn’t mean to wake her. She says, no apologies necessary. She loves waking up to him.

Drew dreams about the attack and wakes up with a start. Willow is sitting next to his bed, and she says, bad dream? He says, this kind of dream is his reality.

There’s a knock at the gatehouse door, and Michael opens it to Carly. He asks what she’s doing here at this hour, and she says she needs his help. She saw Willow at GH; she’s with Drew. He says he stayed behind with the kids. How is Drew doing? She says, he made it through surgery. He’s lucky to be alive. They almost beat him to death. Michael says, he shouldn’t even be in Pentenville. He doesn’t know what that judge was thinking. She says she does. Judge Kim used Drew to advance his career, and she needs Michael to help her prove it.

Finn asks where Elizabeth has been all night. It’s the first time he’s seeing her. She says, it’s been so busy. She’s been assisting in surgery for the past three hours. Why is he here so late? He says he couldn’t leave without saying hi to her.

Ava comes into Windymere, and butler Giles takes her umbrella. She asks, why is it only raining on this godforsaken island? Not a single drop anywhere else. Giles says, Spoon Island is in microclimate, and she thanks him for the science lesson. (Personally, I’d like to hear more on that, since I think I live in one too.) She says she’s obviously not meant to be dry today, so in keeping with the wet theme, she’s going to take a long, hot bath. He says, no, she won’t, calling her madam, and she tells him, stop it with the madam and tell her why she can’t take a bath. He says he’s sorry, but the hot water heater isn’t working due to intermittent power outages on the island from the storm. She says, like the microclimate, and he says, precisely. She says, please tell her the vodka and olive situation hasn’t been affected by the storm, and he says, not to his knowledge. She says, hot dog. Then fix her a martini. She’s going to get out of these wet clothes. He asks how she’d like her martini, and she says, dry, very dry.

Geneva, Switzerland. Laura and Doc walk into an office, and a man says, welcome, Miss Spencer. She shakes his hand and says, actually, it’s Collins now, and introduces Doc. The man says, Hans Mueller. Pleased to meet you. He and Doc shake hands, and he tells them to have a seat. Hans says he’s known Doc’s lovely wife for years, and Laura wonders how long they’ve been doing business, then says, don’t answer that. She doesn’t think she wants to hear that number, but Hans has been a friend of the family for a long time. Hans asks what he can do for her, and she says, he can help her find her son.

Elizabeth says she’s not buying it. There has to be another reason Finn is still here. His shift ended hours ago. He says he’s insulted. Okay, maybe he’s waiting around for some lab results, but seeing her is incentive for sticking around. She says, he won’t be seeing her around here at night anymore. The kids are done with camp and she’s switching back to days. He says he likes seeing her any way he can, but he has to admit these nights have been kind of special. She says she wouldn’t exactly call a 12-hour shift special, and he says, seeing her has been kind of nice, and their talks on the roof. She says, when he stole her spot, and he says he thought they cleared this up. She’s the interloper. She says she doesn’t think she’s ever been described that way, and he says, if the shoe fits. She says, whoever gets there first, okay? and he says, it sounds like a challenge. She laughs and says she should go. Goodnight, Dr. Finn. He says, goodnight, Nurse Baldwin.

Sonny asks how things went with Charlotte. He’s sure she was excited spending the night at Nina’s place. Nina says, she was, but things are difficult for her right now. She’s been acting out. He says, she’s what? Fourteen? Nina says, it’s hard for her to believe this, but she’s fifteen, and he says, acting out comes with the territory at that age. You’ve got to have patience. She says she is, but when she and Valentin were together, she was Charlotte’s stepmother for a while, and even though they’re not together now, she still thinks of Charlotte as family. He says, family is very important. It’s the most important thing. She says, since they’re on the subject of family, they need to talk about his.

Drew says, not that he doesn’t appreciate the company, but what is Willow doing here? She says, she and Michael heard about the attack. They were so worried about him, she had to come and see him, so Michael stayed home with the kids. He says, that’s very sweet, but she didn’t have to come, and she says, it’s the least she could do. He literally saved her life. If he hadn’t rescued Liesl, she wouldn’t have gotten the bone marrow transplant, and she wouldn’t be here. A visit from her certainly can’t compare, but she wanted him to know she’s thinking about him. He thanks her, and she asks if there’s anything he wants or needs to talk about? He says, no… Well, there is one thing he needs to know and it’s pretty important. She says, anything, and he says he needs to know how Wiley’s T-ball team is doing.

Laura tells Hans that her son has been missing for months now, and she’s afraid something’s happened. Hans says, he hasn’t contacted her at all? and she says, no. And he left behind two sons. One of them is just a baby, and she doesn’t believe he’d just abandon them. So she’s afraid maybe he’s being held against his will. She and Doc have been searching for him for weeks now, but they haven’t come up with any leads. Doc says, they’ve been to the Cassadine properties in Russia and Greece, but there’s no sign of him, and Hans says he’s happy to help in any way he can, but what makes them think Nikolas is in Geneva? Laura says, because his money is here.

Ava thanks Giles for making the fire. She knows it’s a bit early, but it was so damp. She feels better already, and she’ll feel even better when she gets that martini. She turns around to take the martini from Giles as there’s a clap of thunder, startling her. The martini sloshes onto her, and Giles says he’s so sorry. Let him get her a napkin. She says, no, no. It’s quite all right. She told him she wasn’t meant to be dry tonight. He hands her a manila envelope, saying, this came from the real estate agency. She thanks him, and he says he’s off this evening, but there’s plenty of food in the kitchen. She says she’ll be having a liquid dinner. Thanks so much, and get home safely. He leaves, and she sits on the sofa. She opens the envelope and takes out pictures of a house interior. She says she can’t wait to get off this island.

Trina says, what a beautiful night, and thanks Spencer. He says, no need to thank him. All he did was place a few phone calls; to the hotel, to the restaurant, and then the concierge. It’s not a big deal. She says, everything has been wonderful, but she wasn’t talking about the reservations. She knows how hard it is for him to get away. He has to deal with Esme and be there for Ace, and she wants him to know how grateful she is that he made time for them. He says, I love us, and she says, me too. And she loves him, so very much. I’m not sure why. He’s really good looking, but he talks too fast and too loud, and he’s still an entitled snob.

Carly tells Michael that she can’t believe it. This is all her fault. He says, it isn’t, but she says, it is too. She’s the one who insisted on investing in Aurora. She’s the one who took a chance and put all her money into that stock. That’s what led to the insider trading charge. Michael says, she had no idea that was going to happen. Someone is to blame, but it’s not her. Whoever called the SEC, they’re to blame. She asks if he still thinks it was Ned, but he says, there’s no way to know. Now Ned thinks he’s Eddie Maine and they may never know, but he’s working on it. She asks what he means, and he says he may have a lead on the whistleblower, but it’s not going to get Drew out of prison any sooner. He’ll tell her about that later, but right now they have to focus on getting Drew home. She says she spoke to Diane, and she thinks their best strategy is to put pressure on the judge; either get him to reduce or commute Drew’s sentence. He asks how they do that, and she says she has some information on the judge and she’s going to use it.

Willow shows Drew her phone, and says, these days, all the kids get a trophy. Wiley didn’t understand it at first, since they lost every game. He said he thought only winners get trophies, so she told him, everyone is a winner at T-ball. Drew says, has he maybe tried soccer? but she says, young Mr. Corinthos wouldn’t even consider it. She’s afraid Wiley takes after his dad. He is so stubborn. He’ll argue about it no matter how many times he strikes out. Nina came by last week, and she can’t believe how committed their slugger is. He says, wow. That must mean she and Nina are getting along. She says, it’s going better than she ever imagined. Nina’s respecting boundaries. She always calls to see if it’s okay to come over. She’s great with the kids. Wiley loves his grandmother. He lights up when he sees her. He says he’s so happy that things are going better. That’s great. How is Michael doing with all this? Has his opinion of Nina changed? She tells him, like she said, Michael’s stubborn.

Sonny asks if something happened between Nina and Michael, but she says, no. It’s not Michael, it’s… Gladys. He says, what’d she do now? and Nina says, she’s in serious debt. She owes a lot of money to Selina Wu. He says, that’s somebody you don’t want to mess with. How did Nina find out? She says, Gladys came to her. Gladys asked her for money. She wanted Nina to bail her out because she was too afraid to approach Sonny. Sonny says, let him guess how she got into this hole – gambling. Nina says, she lost a lot of money. Apparently, she’s been playing for months. He says, dammit, getting out of bed. What the hell is wrong with Gladys? Didn’t she see what gambling did to Mike? It pretty much destroyed his life. What was she thinking? Nina says, that’s the point; she wasn’t thinking. And she hates to tell him this, but it gets worse. Before Gladys came to her, she found another way to get the money. He says, how? and she says, Gladys was stealing money from Sasha.

Thunder rumbles as Ava raises her glass and says, here’s to the end of the Windymere era. Good riddance to this place and everything that happened here. She sips her martini, and flashes back to the argument she and Nikolas had that ended with her cracking him over the head and thinking he was dead.

Doc tells Hans, we have a saying in the US; follow the money. That’s what led them here. Laura asks if there’s anything Hans can tell them, and he says, Nikolas indeed has a substantial amount of money with them, but it’s separate from the Cassadine estate. Nikolas has several separate accounts. A large amount was sent to him by his Uncle Victor. His condolence on Victor’s death. Both Doc and Laura are like, no, and Doc asks if there’s been any recent activity in Nikolas’s accounts. Hans says, as a matter of fact, there’s been quite a bit. There have been several withdrawals. Laura asks if Hans has seen him, and Hans says, no, but he’ll print out the records for them. Laura thanks him, and Hans leaves. Doc says, this could mean Nikolas is alive, and Laura says she hopes so.

Spencer says he can’t believe it, and she says, that she’s in love with him? He’d better believe it. He says, no. That it took her so long to say it. He was just professing his love to her back in the hotel room and she didn’t say anything back, so he just assumed… She says, that she didn’t feel the same way? and he says he didn’t know. Why didn’t she say anything then? She says she learned a thing or two from Aunt Stella. She said, good things come to those who wait. He says he would have waited an eternity for her to say those words and he’s so glad she did. He doesn’t know if she’s noticed, but he’s not the most patient person in the world. She says, him? What is he thinking about? He says, that he’s the luckiest guy in the world, and takes her hand. He says he’s loved her for so very long. Since the day he met her. She says, that was a long time ago, wasn’t it? They’ve certainly been through a lot since then. We go down Spencer and Trina Memory Lane, but not too far, since it was another actress then, and there’s a song part. He says, the best is yet to come, and kisses her hand.

Sonny says, so Nina is telling him that Gladys is stealing from her daughter-in-law? and Nina says, yeah. Gladys has been syphoning money from Sasha’s bank account for months, until she drained it. And she was desperate because she still owed Selina Wu a lot of money. Then when Sasha came to Gladys and said she wanted to end the conservatorship, she panicked. Gladys doesn’t want anyone to know what she’s doing. He says, Sasha came to him months ago and said she felt stronger and didn’t need a guardian. Gladys told him that she was against ending the guardianship. Is Nina telling him that Gladys tried to make sure this didn’t happen? She takes his hand and says, Gladys did a lot more than just that.

Drew tells Willow that he gets where Michael is coming from. Everyone knows how Carly feels about Nina. But he keeps getting reminded, not only is life short, but it’s so fragile. They shouldn’t waste their time arguing with people and holding grudges. It just takes too much energy. Willow says she knows. After losing her mother, she realized how important family is. Harmony was never really her family, but the Quartermaines are. She feels so blessed to be a part of them. They’re so generous and loving… He says, and crazy, and stubborn, and combative. She says she knows, but she wouldn’t trade their money them for anything. He says, neither would he.

Elizabeth scrubs at her scrubs in the locker room, and sees Finn’s ID hanging from a locker. She looks over to see him in the shower. Since the doors are wide open. She leaves her ID on the table, and walks into the shower stall with him.

It continues to storm on Spoon Island. Ava turns around, and jumps, dropping her martini.

Hans comes back, and says, here are the current records for Mr. Cassadine’s accounts, handing them to Laura. She says, thank you so much. She looks through a folder and says, wow. There are quite a few withdrawals, aren’t there? Doc says, and these dates line up. They started just a few months ago. She says, right after Nikolas went missing, and Hans says, his colleagues tell him the withdrawals were made in person by Mr. Cassadine. As she can see, there’s a recent transfer for a substantial amount. He’ll leave her with these records. He has to attend to another matter. She says, he’s been so helpful. She can’t thank him enough. He says, always a pleasure, and says, nice meeting Doc. Doc says, they really appreciate this, and they shake hands. Hans says, of course (🍷), and leaves. Laura says, he’s alive. Her son is alive. Thank God. She and Doc hug, and he says, this might lead them to him.

The waiter asks if Trina and Spencer would like to see the dessert menu, and Spencer looks to Trina, but she says, no thank you. They have to get going. He says he’ll take the check, and the waiter leaves. As much as I’m not keen on Spencer, I’m glad Trina is looking forward to her first time with him. Usually, there’s all this angst surrounding that, so it’s nice to see the flip side.

Elizabeth goes to Finn, and they kiss. She asks what he’s thinking, and he says he doesn’t want to think anymore. I’m thinking, why is she still wearing her scrubs? They start getting busy.

Nina tells Sonny, Sasha needed to get out of Ferncliff now. She needed to get away from this so-called doctor that was taking care of her. And the only way to do that was to pay this guy off. Sonny says, son of a bitch, and Nina says, a lot of stuff happened, but the bottom line is, Cody Bell broke Sasha out of Ferncliff. He says, Dante’s friend? and she says, yeah. Somehow, he got into Ferncliff, and he took her with him. Gladys said that Cody kidnapped her, but she doesn’t believe that. He says he’s sorry that Gladys put her in this position, but she says, no. She’s sorry she didn’t tell him earlier; she was trying to fix it herself. Anyway, he doesn’t need to apologize. He says, Gladys is family, but he’s put up with this way too long. That’s on him. Gladys will be dealt with. He probably doesn’t know who to go after first, Selina, Gladys, or the so-called doctor.

Drew thanks Willow for coming to see him, and she leaves. In the hallway, a woman turns around and Willow sees it’s Harmony.

Carly tells Michael, Diane said this judge is hoping to get a seat on the Circuit Court, and it’s really important because it’s a steppingstone to the Supreme Court. (The stuff I learn from this show.) He asks what that has to do with Drew’s sentence, and she says, he was hoping to look good. He could have given Drew a harsher sentence because he wanted to look good to the Justice Department. She doesn’t know. It’s all speculation, and it’s going to be really tough to prove actual misconduct. He says, what if they don’t have to prove it? What if the appearance of misconduct is enough? She asks what he means, and she says, let’s say we get the story out to the press. Maybe Drew’s case would gain some traction. She says, they could get Alexis to run a piece in The Invader, and that will put pressure on the judge, but he says, they have to tread lightly though, because Alexis is a former attorney and she’s scrupulous. Alexis won’t run a hit piece on Judge Kim just because Carly asks her to. Carly says, Alexis won’t do it for her, but there’s someone else she’d do it for.

Ava asks what the hell Mason is doing here. Did Giles let him in? He says, the guy in the penguin suit? He’s long gone. She asks what he wants, and he says, it depends. What is she offering? She says, nothing. She said her piece yesterday, so get out of here. He walks closer, and she says she told him, get out of here. She’ll call the cops. He says, go for it. We’ll be long gone before the cops can get here. She says, we? and he says, yeah.

Spencer opens the hotel room door, and Trina sees red rose petals on the bed. She says, Spencer… and goes to him, kissing him. They get busy, and there’s a song part. Another minority I’m in is, no rose petals on the bed please. Wouldn’t they stick to you?

Nina says, Sonny can’t do anything tonight. He can deal with this tomorrow. The only thing that matters is planning their wedding. He says, no. Actually, the only thing that matters is getting married.

Willow asks what Harmony is doing here, and Harmony says she came looking for Willow. Willow asks, why? and Harmony says she came to warn Willow. Willow says, about what? and Harmony’s lips move, but we can’t hear the words. Willow wakes up on one of the couches in the waiting area at the hospital.

Trina and Spencer bask in the afterglow, and he says he has no words for her. She says, wow, and they kiss.

Doc asks if Laura sees anything, and she says she’s looking for a pattern; a clue as to where Nikolas might be now. But it’s this one very large withdrawal. Does Doc think he opened another account so he could maybe hide what he’s doing or where he is? He says, maybe, but they’re not going to figure anything out right now. He suggests they take these back to the hotel for champagne. This is information worth celebrating. She says, it is, and hugs him. She says her son is alive and they’re celebrating. And their search was not in vain. Again, if Nikolas wanted to let her know he was alive, he could have just picked up the phone instead of making her trot halfway around the globe.

Ava says she’s not going anywhere with Mason, and reaches for a fireplace poker. He says he wouldn’t do that if he were her, and she tells him, stay away from her. He says, she ratted them out. She wasn’t smart.

Elizabeth approaches the reception desk and asks if Amy has checked on the patient in 1002. Amy says she did and he’s fine. Elizabeth looks tired. Does she want Amy to get her a coffee? Nothing like a little caffeine to get you through the night shift. Elizabeth says she’ll never sleep tonight if she has one of those. Finn comes out, and Amy says, here are the labs he’s been waiting for, and asks why they both have wet hair.

Spencer tells Trina, you know when I’m happiest? When I’m with you. He means it. They kiss some more.

Someone walks into Hans’s office, and he says he assumes they’re here for more money. Nikolas closes the door and says, yes. He needs to make another withdrawal. Hans says, he just missed his mother, and Nikolas says, did he? Hans says, she was just here with her husband. They’re looking for him. His mother is a very gracious woman. She loves him and his disappearance has given her a large amount of pain. Be a good son and do the right thing. Nikolas says he plans to.

We see the living room at Windymere is empty.

Carly asks why Drew isn’t sleeping. He should be resting. He says he got some sleep. Then Willow came to visit and he’s sure he’s going to nod off again, so he’s good. She should go home. She should be with the girls. She says, Josslyn’s with them; they’re fine. She’s not going to stay long. She just needed to be with him, even if it’s just to watch him sleep. She loves him. She’s so sorry this happened to him. He tells her not to worry. Everything’s going to be okay. She says, he’s damn right, because she’s going to make sure.

Michael asks if Drew’s okay, and Willow says she thinks so. It looks like Drew will recover. The surgery went well. They had a good visit. She’s really glad she saw him. He asks her, what’s wrong? but she says, it’s nothing. He says, if she’s not feeling well, she has to tell him. She says, it’s not that. After she left Drew’s room, she sat in the lounge for a bit and nodded off. He says, she’s pushing herself too hard. She should have waited before going back to work. She says she guesses she was a bit more tired than she realized, but that’s not what’s bothering her. She had the strangest dream about her mother. He says, Nina? but she says, no, Harmony. But it was only a dream.

Nina tells Sonny that she doesn’t care about the dress and the flowers and the – she flips through some of the papers on the bed – cake. It doesn’t matter. He says, it seems like it matters to her because she’s doing a lot of planning, and she says she has, but it’s also insignificant right now. With everything that’s happened these last few months; with Sasha being committed, and Curtis getting shot. She feels really guilty about planning a big wedding because a lot of people that they love are suffering. He says he’s got an idea, and she says, what? He says, why don’t they elope? He’s serious. All they care about is to say their vows and become husband and wife. She even said she didn’t want to deal with this right now. She says, but Sonny… and he says, the planning’s going to be out of control. Olivia is going to keep coming to her with more options, and do they really care what icing is on the cake? (Well… yeah.) She says she doesn’t know, and he says, we will fly to the island tomorrow. We will get married. What does she say? She tells him that she says yes! throwing all the papers in the air.

On Monday, Sonny says, that’s exactly what he wanted him to do; Laura says she’s not giving up her search; Valentin tells Martin that Charlotte’s future depends on their conversation today; and Sasha says she plans to do just that.

👩🏻‍⚖️ Newest Of the New Mollys…

I didn’t even know how old they were supposed to be, and who cares anyway?

Kristen Vaganos Is the New Molly on GENERAL HOSPITAL

🚑 It’s a Match…

Weird how it’s sort of art imitating life.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/john-j-york-health-update-i-believe-they-found-a-match

💎 Fancy Pants POV…

Like we didn’t think she’d come back.

Heather Dubrow Reveals If She’ll Return to RHOC, Talks “Deceiving” Post-Reunion Pic With Tamra and Taylor as Terry Dubrow Shades Cast

🧂 A Little Salt…

Zero sympathy about the ring, and she acted like a child because she’s an adult? What does that even mean?

RHOSLC’s Lisa Barlow Reveals Fate of Missing $60K Ring, Reacts to Backlash Over Glam Drama and Claims of Being Insecure, Plus Shades Jen Shah, Monica and Admits Angie Came in “Hot”

🗽 New York Casual…

I love their Reunion pic. They’ve dressed like themselves; not like they’re having a quinceañera. One article said fans were angry about the jeans. What’s wrong with people?

Jenna Lyons Wears Levi’s Jeans to Her 1st ‘RHONY’ Reunion

🪙 Trailing the Potomac…

What’s to come for the Grande Dame and company.

https://www.essence.com/entertainment/rhop-season-8-trailer/

👠 What Happens In Jersey…

Jackie gives a tease.

Jackie Goldschneider Teases Jersey ‘Drama’ Filming RHONJ Season 14

When will Andy learn? When the lawsuit finally comes knocking?

Rumor: Reason for Danielle Cabral and Jennifer Aydin’s Physical Fight Revealed
Jennifer Aydin and Danielle Cabral Back to Filming RHONJ After Investigation

🎪 Faux Housewives Of Bravo…

Kind of ironic, considering she looks nothing like she did when she was first on the show.

NeNe Leakes Says ‘Everything Is Fake’ on Real Housewives Nowadays

🍹 Dance Card Officially Filled…

She could use a break, but she should really let that Austen thing go.

Southern Charm’s Olivia Flowers on Where She Stands With Taylor and Austen After ‘Hookup,’ Her “Emotional Blackout” After Brother’s Death, and Rod Razavi Romance

🗑 Filed Under Who Cares…

What a big egotistical baby this guy is.

Vanderpump Rules’ Tom Sandoval on How Raquel “Really Hurt” Him, Their “Gross” Scene, & New Details of Finale Fight, Plus Money Worries Amid Scandoval & Losing Friends

🎭 Farewell Old Friend…

I was sad to hear about his death. Although I’m glad they remembered he was in VR5. Blink and you missed it, but it was a great show and it started Michael Easton’s career. I knew he was going places.

https://people.com/ncis-star-david-mccallum-dead-7974574

https://people.com/david-mccallum-dead-ncis-costars-more-pay-tribute-7974806

https://people.com/david-mccallum-dead-ncis-costars-more-pay-tribute-7974806

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/entertainment/a45338401/david-mccallum-ncis-death-mark-harmon-tribute-statement/

📀 End Of an Era…

I’d keep that last one and sell it later on eBay.

https://www.today.com/popculture/news/netflix-stop-shipping-dvds-rcna80319

🐾 Paws In the Forefront…

If not at a Paw Patrol screening, then where else would they break records?

https://people.com/paw-patrol-the-mighty-movie-breaks-record-for-most-dogs-attending-film-screening-7974680

Adorable to the nth degree, especially in that tiny hat.

https://people.com/meet-wisp-the-persian-kitten-tiktok-is-in-love-with-8286012

🦆 Quotes Of the Week

No great discovery was ever made without a bold guess. – Sir Isaac Newton

The greatest deception [humans] suffer is from their own opinions. – Leonardo da Vinci

If it scares you, it might be a good thing to try. – Seth Godin

It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up. – Babe Ruth

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. – Mahatma Gandhi

We can’t be afraid of change. You may feel very secure in the pond that you are in, but if you never venture out of it, you will never know that there is such a thing as an ocean, a sea. Holding onto something that is good for you now, may be the very reason why you don’t have something better. – C Joybell C

Action is the foundational key to all success. – Pablo Picasso

Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear – not absence of fear. –Mark Twain

They’re not on the same page. They’re not even in the same book. – Jamal Menzies, Pillow Talk: 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days

Crying and throwing a tantrum isn’t going to be a solution to the problem. – Dr. Younan Nowzaradan, My 600-LB Life

🛶 Building an Ark…

Stop in again on Monday really Tuesday for soap and what’s going on in the Med. Until then, stay safe, stay making requests instead of demands, and stay not wasting your time arguing with people and holding grudges. It takes too much energy, and life is short.