Category Archives: soap opera

March 8, 2021 – Valentin Has a Request For Jason, an Impressive First Charter & Raining

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Peter comes to, tied to a chair, his wrists bound behind it. A bright light hits his face. Franco says, look who’s awake. This is great. Now they can get started.

Chase gives Willow some tissues, and asks if she’d like a glass of wine. He also has a plate of appetizers he scored from the reception. He’s my kind of man. She tells him, she’s feeling much better, thanks to him. It just hurt so much when Wiley said she wasn’t his mommy. She says she knows she’s overreacting, but he says he gets it. She is Wiley’s mother. Wiley knows it and feels it. He just doesn’t understand why Nina said what she did. She thanks him for saying that, and he tells her, he said it because it’s true. She tells him, he said it because he’s a good man. She should go. They’ve all had a tough day. Has he talked to Finn? He says, no, but he hopes Finn is okay.

Jackie tells Finn, it reminds her of the connection they used to have before he didn’t show up for her wedding. He says, there’s no way he could have set foot in that church after what happened the night before. Gregory has been listening in, and says, what was that exactly? Please continue. What happened the night before their wedding?

At Pizzulo’s, Jason says he needs Spinelli’s help in tracking Franco down. Spinelli says, Franco, why? and Jason asks if he’s ready for this. Franco says he hears Peter’s voice in his head, and he thinks it’s an old memory of Drew’s.

Britt paces Maxie’s room, looking at her tablet. Maxie says, it was Braxton Hicks, right? She asks Britt to please stop staring at the tablet, and tell her that her baby is okay.

In the reception area, Mac is on the phone, and tells Felicia that Britt is in with Maxie now. They’re still waiting for some tests. Valentin intercepts Anna coming out of the elevator, and asks if she’s all right. She says she is, and says, Peter isn’t in with Maxie, is he? Valentin says, no. He’s surprised Peter hasn’t shown up yet. She says, he hasn’t? What does Valentin think he’s up to?

Peter struggles, the light still in his face. He yells that he has to get to his family, and Franco says, family is important. Peter tells Franco to untie him right now, and Franco says he doesn’t think Peter fully grasps the gravity of the situation. Does he even read his own publication? Remembering the article isn’t important. He doesn’t hold Peter responsible for knowing it verbatim. He has a copy right there. He skims it, saying, how many victims of Franco Baldwin… Here’s a good one. The tumor made him do it… Here it is. The regrowth of the tumor, in the same section of his brain, could possibly cause a resurgence – he puts on a dramatic voice – of his murderous impulses. He thinks it’s a bit much, but as it is written, so shall it be.

Jackie and Finn stammer that Finn came there looking for Violet, and Jackie says, they got to talking. Gregory says, since when has Finn been able to stand being in the same room as Jackie? And now, confiding in her, and seeking solace? What was that reference to the night before their wedding? Jackie suggests they not do this out there, and tells Gregory, come inside; they’ll talk. They go into her room, and Gregory says, well? What is Finn doing in the room of the woman he walked out on Gregory for years ago, because he fell in love with her after Finn’s mother’s death? Finn says, that wasn’t the only reason he walked away, and Jackie says Finn walked out because of her, but not for the reasons Gregory assumes. Finn asks if Gregory remembers before he introduced him to Jackie, how he’d talk about her. He’d met this girl who was passionate about her work, and challenged him in ways he never thought possible. When he wanted Gregory to meet her, he was asking for Gregory’s approval. He didn’t expect him to ask her out, let alone marry her so soon after his mom died. Gregory says, Finn was interested in Jackie? Finn never told him that. Are they together? Jackie says, no. They were never together. They were attracted to each other, but didn’t act on it. He was the subject of her article, and she couldn’t allow herself to get emotionally involved. Then she met Gregory, and they fell in love, so she kept Finn at a distance. Finn says he didn’t want to interfere; he saw how happy they were together. Jackie says she was truly in love with Gregory. She wouldn’t have married him otherwise. Gregory says, loving declarations noted. What happened to that distance the night before their wedding? Finn says he and Jackie were together, and Gregory says, together can be interpreted a lot of ways. Finn says, they slept together before the wedding.

Britt tells Maxie, the tests ruled out preeclampsia and gestational diabetes; the baby is fine. Once Maxie is fully hydrated, she’s free to go home, but she has to avoid stress. Maxie says that doesn’t seem likely, since her fiancé was just accused of murder. Britt says, it’s more than an accusation. Peter’s done some terrible things. Maxie says, if she recalls, so has Britt.

Anna thanks Valentin for meeting her, and he says he would never leave her to face the fallout alone. She says, and the loose ends? and he says, he went to Peter’s hotel room, and picked up the forged letter. There’s no more evidence to link them to the failed kidnapping. Now he’s going to meet with Jason. She says, Jason can keep a cool head, when he wants to, and Valentin says he certainly hopes so. He leaves, and Anna goes over to Mac. She asks if he was talking to Felicia. How’s Maxie? He says, she’s holding her own. Britt is in with her now. She says, when Britt comes out, she’d like to see Maxie, but he says she’ll do no such thing.

Spinelli tells Jason, it’s most intriguing. Franco hearing Drew’s memories from before he moved to Port Charles. It further confirms the connection between Drew and Peter from long ago. Jason agrees, and says, Sam called and said Franco was looking for him, but Franco isn’t answering his phone, and Jason doesn’t like it. So he needs Spinelli to find Franco. Spinelli says, Franco could provide the proof they need to take Peter down once and for all.

Peter tells Franco to let him go. Maxie needs him. Franco says, the article is right. His tumor is back, and that makes him a dangerous man. He has nothing left to lose. Peter says he has Elizabeth and the boys, but Franco says, that’s done; it’s over. He’s just not the man Elizabeth thought he was. Not anymore. Those boys are sweet. He did what he could, but they’ll come to realize, a man’s legacy is just his work. He picks up a gun, and thanks Peter for bringing it. It’s so pretty. He really appreciates it. He points the gun at Peter, who shrinks back, and Franco says, thanks, but no thanks. He prefers to use his own tools. He brings out a tray, and says, hello, old friends (like he’s Sweeney Todd). It seems like it’s been forever; it’s so nice to see you. To tell Peter the truth, he’s just so happy to be working again. He picks up a blade (probably used in sculpting), and says he’s going to call this one, the confessional.

Gregory says, when Jackie disappeared the day before their wedding, he never asked why. Was she with Finn? She says, yes. She needed to resolve things with him before she could commit to Gregory. Gregory says, by sleeping with him? Hours before they were getting married? Finn says, it’s his fault. He’s the one who should be apologizing and begging Gregory’s forgiveness. They didn’t mean for this to happen, but it did. He wasn’t going to let his feelings get in between the two of them, so he walked away. Gregory says, why? Because Finn was doing him some great damn favor? Finn says, because he was ashamed, and that shame wouldn’t allow him to face Gregory. Gregory gets in Finn’s face, and shouts, then he’s a coward. All this time Gregory blamed himself for driving Finn away. When all this time, it was Finn who acted unforgivably, and Gregory has carried the guilt all these years. Finn says, they both carried the guilt. He hated himself every day for what he’d done. The guilt ate him up inside. Finally, it became too much, and he came to Gregory to tell him what he’d done. Gregory says, right. A year later, Finn showed up out of the blue, and left again, this time for decades. Why?

Willow takes a sip of wine, and tells Chase, very nice. Violet comes out, and asks, where’s daddy? Chase asks if she remembers she was going to spend the night with him. He brings her into the living room, and says, Willow’s here. Violet says, hi, and asks Chase if daddy is sad the wedding didn’t happen. Chase says, probably, but it’s okay to be sad sometimes. Is she sad? Violet nods, and Willow asks if she wants to sit with them for a bit. Violet nods again, and Chase puts her on the couch between them. She asks if Anna and daddy are going to be married tomorrow, and Chase says he’s sorry, but probably not. Violet crosses her arms, and pouts.

Britt tells Maxie, there’s no denying her horrible deeds. The whole world knows about them. But Maxie needs to open her eyes to who Peter is. He’s been lying to her this whole time. He straight-up threatened Britt, and told her to stay out of his way. Maxie says, what? When? Britt says, after he used her to hack into Franco’s medical records. Maxie says, that was weeks ago. Why didn’t Britt tell her? Britt asks if Maxie would have believed her if she had, and Maxie says, exactly. Why would she believe Britt now?

Mac brushes past Anna, and she says she doesn’t blame him for being angry. She hates the way everything played out, and he knows she loves Maxie. She’d never want to see Maxie hurt. He asks how she can say that. She’s been protecting Peter at Maxie’s expense. Watching Peter grow closer to Maxie, closer to Mac’s grandchildren. She says she knows. She has no excuses, except that she believed him, but when she found out he was responsible for Drew’s death, she tried to do something. She couldn’t let him marry Maxie. He says, she and Finn were at the podium, standing right next to Maxie and Peter. The ceremony had already begun when Obrecht barged in and shut it down. He never thought he’d say this, but thank God for Liesl Obrecht. Anna says, when Peter showed up, and Maxie wanted to go on with the wedding, she couldn’t figure a way out. She didn’t know, but she guesses Obrecht did. She owes Obrecht an apology. He says, an apology to Obrecht might be enough punishment, but the person Anna needs to apologize to is right in there. He points to Maxie’s room.

Valentin walks into Pizzulo’s and says, hello, gentlemen. He asks Spinelli what he’s doing there. Didn’t he get a phone call? Spinelli says, no, why? and Valentin says, Maxie and Peter’s wedding was interrupted. Spinelli asks if it was before or after they’d taken their vows, and Valentin says, Maxie and Peter aren’t married. Spinelli almost hugs Valentin, and says, what caused this most welcome event to transpire? Valentin says, Obrecht crashed the wedding. She showed everyone a video. It was Alex Marick telling them that she was, in fact, Peter’s mother. Maxie began experiencing pains, and they rushed her to General Hospital. Spinelli says, she’s in labor? and Valentin says, last he heard, they were running tests. Spinelli thanks Valentin for telling him, and grabs his stuff. He tells Jason, sorry, Stone Cold. He may not be able to help him. Jason tells him, just go to Maxie, and Spinelli flies out the door. Valentin asks if Jason minds him staying. He has something to say that’s best said without an audience. Jason asks what Valentin wants, and Valentin says he wants to offer Jason something – closure.   

Peter says Franco is bluffing, and Franco says, we’ll see. He lays out his tools on a table, and says, the voice in his head is Drew’s voice. It’s a memory of Peter dropping Drew off in Afghanistan, and handing him over to Helena. And that, he thinks, is a memory that Peter would kill somebody in order to keep it from surfacing. Peter says, Helena and his father forced him to do it. He had no choice. Franco cracks Peter across the face, and says, sorry, but don’t do it again. No more of this self-victimizing thing. Drew is in his head, and he knows everything. Franco flashes back as Drew, and sees Peter standing over him, saying, poor, miserable SOB, because he has no choice; he was never given one. But Helena assured him that Drew is in good hands. He tells someone, the plan worked perfectly; he delivered. Proof enough. Proof of partnership. Franco says, Drew was Peter’s in with the Cassadines. Admit it. Drew wasn’t just a miserable SOB; he was a war hero. How could Peter do something like that? Peter says, it never happened. The tumor is messing with Franco’s brain. Franco says it’s Peter’s last chance. Admit it. Come on. It will feel so good. He understands Peter, which is good, because Peter is going to become harder to understand when Franco cuts out his tongue.  

Finn says he saw Gregory with his new family, and knew he could never be a part of it. Gregory asks, why? Did Finn think he was being replaced with Chase? He’d never do that. He and Jackie didn’t plan on having a family, and Chase was a happy surprise. They even joked that Chase was just a souvenir of their honeymoon… Realization hits Gregory, and he says, oh. Jackie and Finn were together the night before the wedding, and nine months later, Chase was born. He asks Jackie if Chase is Finn’s son.

Mac asks Britt how Maxie is, and if she’s gotten the test results. Felicia is going crazy. Britt says Maxie gave her permission to share the results with him, and Anna says, yes, of course (🍷), and leaves. Britt tells Mac, the baby is fine, but Maxie’s blood pressure remains elevated. Maxie needs to monitor it, and stay as calm as possible until the baby is born. 

Maxie tells the baby, hang in, sweetie. We’ll be just fine. There’s a knock at the door, and Maxie says, come in. It’s Ann, still in her wedding dress. 

Valentin tells Jason, he may have left something out in regard to Maxie and Peter’s wedding. He told Maxie, and everyone within earshot, that Peter confessed his involvement in several serious crimes. Jason says, Peter confessed to Valentin? and Valentin says, Peter arranged for the hit man who attacked Andre and Franco, and is responsible for downing Drew’s plane. He says, Jason doesn’t seem surprised, and Jason says, it’s not news to him. Valentin says Anna said Jason suspected Peter, and Peter confessed to him. Now it’s public knowledge. Jason thanks Valentin for the information, and Valentin says, if Jason is going to retaliate, please don’t.   

Franco grabs Peter’s ear and pulls, and Peter says, okay; he’ll talk. He was there in Afghanistan. Peter tries getting out of the rope binding his wrists. Franco tells him to say what he did, and Peter says he hired Archer to abduct Drew, and orchestrated Drew’s transfer to Helena. Franco says, and when Drew was on his way to Afghanistan, Peter was worried about what he’d find. Peter hesitates, and Franco pulls his ear again. Peter says he sabotaged Drew’s plane, and Franco says, yes; this is great. And when Peter was worried about Drew’s memories resurfacing when Franco was going through the memory procedure, what did he do? Peter says he hired an assassin to attack Franco and Andre, and Franco says, then Peter murdered that guy, and framed Obrecht for all of his crimes, right? Peter says, right, and Franco asks if it doesn’t feel good. He has something to ask Peter. After Peter did all those things, tell him why he still deserves to live.   

Violet yawns, and Willow says she’s tired. She suggests Violet lie back down, and Chase asks why she doesn’t want to sleep. She says she wants to go back home; she’s sorry. Chase says she doesn’t have to be sorry. Sometimes they need dads to make them feel better. Violet lies down with her head in Willow’s lap.

Finn tells Gregory that he doesn’t know if Chase is his son, and Gregory says, they never found out? They never ran a test? Jackie says, it didn’t matter, but Gregory says, it matters to him and Chase; they have a right to know. He wants a paternity test, and Jackie says, Finn ordered one. The results came back today. Gregory says, the patient Finn was going to see… He was getting the results. Another lie. Finn has become so adept. He listened to Gregory say how much he seeing his sons together meant to him. All the while, he was getting a paternity test. Finn says he didn’t want to lie, and Gregory says he’s had practice. Chase’s entire life actually. If Finn knows the results, tell him. Finn says he doesn’t. He ran into Jackie at the hospital, and she thought it was better not to know. Jackie says she was thinking of Chase. Why blow up his life? Gregory says, lying to Chase about who his father is might be fine for them, but he’s not going to be a party to it. Jackie says, what if it’s not a lie? There’s a good chance Gregory is Chase’s father. Biologically, as well as emotionally. Gregory says, or he could be Chase’s grandfather. Either way, Chase needs to know. Finn gets a text from Chase, telling him that Violet woke up and she’s asking for him. Gregory says he should go. A father should be there for his child. They can get the results in the morning. Finn leaves, and Gregory wonders how much more he’s got to take. He’s accepted that he and Jackie are over. Now he might lose Chase too.  

Anna tells Maxie that she wondered if she could come in and explain things. She’s glad Maxie and the baby are fine. She must have been very scared. Maxie says, don’t, and Anna says, don’t what? Maxie says, don’t come in and pretend to be the Anna she knows and loves, when it’s clear, she doesn’t know Anna at all.

On the phone, Mac says he’ll keep Felicia posted. Spinelli runs in, and says he came as soon as he heard of Maxie’s distress. Mac says, Maxie and the baby are fine. It turned out to be Braxton Hicks, but Maxie’s blood pressure is high. She needs to avoid stress. Spinelli says he can think of no greater stressor than Peter. Has he tried to see Maxie? Mac says, not yet, which doesn’t track, but he has guys on the lookout for him.   

Peter tells Franco, don’t kill him, please. Franco says he’s not going to kill him. This is nuts. Murder’s wrong. He puts down the tool, and says he did, however, record Peter’s confession. He’s handing it over to the police, and they’ll put Peter in prison where he belongs. Peter says it was all an act, and Franco says, don’t act surprised. They all have their schtick. Peter has been going around town with his reformed sinner routine, and in the meantime, he’s a guy who killed a bunch of people. Don’t get him wrong. He thought about it. Hiding in the stairwell, hitting Peter with the tire iron, he thought, just go ahead and finish the job. He didn’t do it because he thought about Elizabeth and her boys, and doesn’t want to do anything to disappoint them. Peter says Franco assaulted him and tied him up. The only thing the so-called confession will prove is that he did it under duress. Franco says they’re a long way from a courtroom. The important thing to consider is, what is Maxie going to think when she hears Peter’s confession? Which she will soon. He’s calling the cops. Peter gets his hands free, and lunges for the gun.

Jackie says Gregory must hate her, but he says he doesn’t. He’s loved her since the day they met. He couldn’t believe his luck; a woman like her wanted to marry him. He wondered if he’d be enough. He was afraid she’d wake up and realize she tethered herself to a boring history professor. She tells him, stop it. She was the lucky one. She knew she’d found a good man. He says she slept with his son the night before the wedding. Clearly she was having second thoughts. She says she doesn’t know. She guesses she did have doubts, but not about him, about herself. That’s why she wanted alone time. Finn showed up, and she didn’t know things would wind up the way they did. She wanted to resolve things between them. Gregory says, so she did. They just don’t know if Chase is the result of that resolution.

Finn goes to Chase’s place, and asks where Violet is. Chase says, she’s in the bedroom with Willow. She finally got Violet to lie down. He asks how Finn is, and he says he’s been better. He’s sorry he wasn’t there for Violet. Chase says, Violet is fine. Don’t be so hard on himself. Willow comes out, and says Violet finally went back to sleep. Finn says he’s glad Willow is there, and thanks her. He goes to check on Violet, and Chase says he’s glad Willow is there too. She says, her too, even though she wound up staying longer than she planned. She should go. She needs to check on her own little one. She thanks him for talking her down, and he says, anytime. She puts her hand on his, and says, goodnight. He closes the door, and Finn says, Violet is out cold. Chase says, good, and Finn says he was looking at her, sleeping peacefully, and he started to wonder what to do next. Where does he take her? They don’t have a home anymore.

Valentin tells Jason, he’s requesting that Jason allow the WSB to handle Peter. Jason says he doesn’t trust the WSB, and Valentin says that makes two of them. Peter will pay for his crimes, but he hopes Peter doesn’t have to die. He’ll be in prison for life. If Jason won’t do it for him, do it for Anna. They had an agreement that Jason would stay out of the way, out of respect for her. Jason says, Anna can’t see Peter clearly, and Valentin says, she does now. Jason says, anything else? when Britt walks in. She says, yeah. Don’t be stupid.   

Anna tells Maxie that she’s sorry, but Maxie knows Anna loves her, right? She’d never want to hurt Maxie, especially not after what she’s been through. Maxie asks, then why lie and tell Peter that he was her son, when she knew he wasn’t? Anna says she didn’t know until last Halloween when Alex returned. To be honest though, if Peter had known Alex was his mother, he might have lost faith in himself. Maxie asks if that’s how Anna is justifying lying. She thought her love and Maxie’s could save Peter? Anna says, yeah. She hoped and prayed it would, but what Peter did to Drew, Andre, and Franco was so cold and calculated, she realized that he’ll do whatever it takes to protect himself and get what he wants. She was wrong in thinking they could change him. Maxie says, that’s it then? Anna has completely lost faith in Peter?

Peter and Franco struggle over the gun. Peter kicks Franco, who falls back. Peter aims the gun at Franco, and says, don’t move. Franco says, cool. Peter’s got him. Relax, and put the gun down. Here’s an idea. Why doesn’t Peter put the gun away, and they’ll walk out and go back to their lives? Peter says he wishes he could, but Franco had to escalate things at the worst possible time in Peter’s life. His daughter is about to be born. Maxie loves him more than he ever dreamed possible. He has to be the man she deserves. Franco says, that’s right, he does. But is he ever going to be the man Maxie deserves if he shoots Franco in cold blood? Peter’s hand shakes.

Gregory tells Jackie, sleeping with Finn, it’s devastating, no question, but how does she explain the lifetime of lies that came after? She asks if he’s going to see Chase, and he asks, what’s the matter? Is she afraid Chase is going to look at her differently if it all comes out? She says she only cares about sparing Chase unnecessary pain. Gregory can be mad at her, but don’t involve Chase. His world will be turned upside down. Gregory says he knows the feeling, and leaves. She sits with her head in her hands.

Finn says, it’s been a helluva day, and Chase suggests he stay with Violet. He’ll crash on the couch. Finn says he can’t do that to Chase, but Chase won’t take no for an answer. Finn says he appreciates it, and Chase tells him, now go to bed, young man. Tomorrow will be a better day. Finn says he hopes so, and tells Chase, goodnight.   

Finn goes into the bedroom, and sees Violet sleeping. He gets in next to her, brushes back her hair, and lies down. She snuggles against him.

Britt says she realizes Jason’s first impulse with a problem is to shoot it, but there are other options. Jason says he hasn’t shot her, and she says, maybe it’s because he still needs her. He says, maybe, and she says, don’t go after her brother. Her mother has the WSB is involved, and Peter is under investigation. Valentin says, his point exactly, and Britt says, let this play out. If Peter shows up at the hospital, Mac will handle it. Hospital security has already been notified, and will be on the lookout. Valentin says, Anna is at the hospital with Maxie. She’s devastated about her ability not to see Peter for who he truly is. It put Maxie at risk, and the only thing that will make her feel worse is knowing if Peter disappears, Jason is to blame.

Spinelli asks Mac if there’s any sign of Peter, and Mac says, none anywhere. Spinelli says, fear not. Should Peter choose to make an appearance, he won’t get anywhere near Maxie.

Maxie says she and Anna were Peter’s last hope, and Anna is saying she’s given up on him? Anna asks if Maxie still cares about Peter, and Maxie says, of course (🍷) she does. They have a life together. They’re a family; her, Peter, Georgie, James, and they have a baby on the way. Anna says, that’s what scares her so much. Despite Maxie’s love, Peter is succumbing to his worst impulses. Maxie asks if Anna is saying the man she loves is a lie. That the life they’ve built is a lie. Anna tells Maxie, she’s saying Peter is a damaged man, who’s done and will continue to do unforgiveable things.

Peter tells Franco, whatever anyone thinks about him, he loves Maxie and their child with all his heart. Franco says, then he needs to do the right thing, and just run away. Leave Port Charles. Get out, and let Maxie and the kids have the life they deserve. Peter says he’s not leaving Maxie and their child. There’s no need. There’s no case against him. No evidence. He’s made sure of it. He raises the gun, but Franco throws something at him. While Peter is momentarily distracted, Franco pushes him back. We hear a shot.

Tomorrow, Sam asks if Franco found Peter, Robert hopes Spinelli is up to the chance, and Maxie wonders if she even knew Anna.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht

This is the part where I think I’ll never be able to keep their names straight because they all look alike. Except for Captain Glenn and the tall guy.

When we last left, Jean-Luc had lost guests Alex and Greg, who went out on paddle boards.

Livka, Croatia. Jean-Luc calls to Greg and Alex, but hears nothing. He says he’ll swing around the island to see if he can spot them. He gets in the tender, and Primary Nikki tells husband Rusty that the common denominator in everything that goes wrong is Greg, in case we all hadn’t already guessed that. Jean-Luc sees them on shore, and they tell him that they need a ride. In his interview, Jean-Luc says, thank God he found them. He was thinking the worst, and he’d be gone. Losing two guests is a resumé killer. He radios back that the guests are all safe; they were just hiking. He takes them to their boards, and they tell him that they’ll paddle back. Daisy tells Alli to get ready for the 80s party. In Natasha’s interview, she says she’s doing a gourmet play on fast food, and she’s confident she’ll pull it off. The stews decorate the table, using records as placemats, and sprinkling cassette tapes in the center.

The guests get ready for the party, and in Dani’s interview, she says, Gary flirts with everyone, but it’s kind of fun. Food is out for the crew in the crew mess, and Gary says, a hamburger on a hotdog roll is unorthodox, but Natasha tells him, beggars can’t be choosers. Just thank God he’s got food. Glenn sees Dani in her 80s outfit, and says he dresses like that every night, but only in his cabin. After seeing the guests, in Dani’s interview, she says she loves their commitment. Nothing like a rock star going through a midlife crisis. Hashtag: can’t relate. The guests have drinks and crunk.

They sit down for dinner, and Daisy and Alli serve, while Dani does the turndowns. Alli runs between serving and helping Dani. In Daisy’s interview, she says Alli’s timing is her weak spot, and it makes her nervous. Hopefully, Alli has half a brain. It’s all a junior stew needs, along with three hours sleep. In Sydney’s interview, she says she and Gary are buds. Gary seems like more of a sailor than a yachtie. Sailors are more loose and easy-going. Rusty suggests he and Nikki get naked, and tells the others that they’re going to his trailer, adding, they all burn out sooner or later. The cabins are still being cleaned, and in Dani’s interview, she says, Alli is great, but she needs to work on her sense of urgency.

Colin wonders who Gary is going to sleep with, and Gary tells Colin, if he doesn’t come back to his cabin, Glenn will ask where he was. In Colin’s interview, he says he has a girlfriend on his boat in Panama, so he’s making good decisions, but Gary is keeping his options open. He loves it. Gary goes over deck tasks with Jean-Luc, who looks pretty tired. Alli says she doesn’t like wine, and Dani says she doesn’t trust Alli. Jean-Luc radios Sydney, and in his interview, he says he doesn’t like to feel stupid, but he doesn’t know where anything is. Looking around takes up a lot of time. He pokes his head into Gary and Glenn’s cabin, and asks where the chair covers might be. In Gary’s interview, he says, don’t wake him up; just effing look for them.

Sydney hears, and gets up. In her interview, she says she’d never wake the boss unless there was an emergency with the anchor. Gary says, effing hell, and tells Sydney that he thinks Jean-Luc doesn’t like being on night shift by himself, and needs company. She says she’s not that company. Dani tells Jean-Luc that the covers might be in the laundry. Gary tells Jean-Luc to cover the hot tub, and he and Sydney look for the chair covers, finding them in the laundry room. Gary says, he got out of bed for this? He and Sydney bring the covers to Jean-Luc, and Gary tells him, they were in the bilge. Jean-Luc says, sorry, and everyone goes back to bed, while he covers everything.   

Jean-Luc bangs his head on a doorway, which was inevitable. Natasha tells Colin that the guests like her food. She’s not a bitch, but she’s hard core. She got married at 18, and then divorced. Her ex was an alcoholic, and abusive. They got divorced after four years. In her interview, she says, when the marriage ended, she was in a broken place. Going to culinary school and becoming a chef changed her thinking. She knows what she wants in life. She tells Colin that she’s protective of herself, and he says he knows her better now. She says she’s like an onion.

Daisy tells Dani that she’s asking Alli to do breakfast service. Alli isn’t thrilled with her table décor, but Daisy tells her, the more crap you put out, the more people go, wow! Natasha says she’s making a Mediterranean breakfast. Glenn asks Rusty if he slept well, and Rusty says, like a rock. Rusty asks, what’s the plan? and Glenn figures they’ll head back at around 11 or 12. Daisy and Alli serve breakfast. Rusty asks for more bread, and Daisy tells Natasha. Natasha says she made 25 pieces, and has 3 left. In Daisy’s interview, she wonders why Natasha is lying. Her job is to help make Natasha look good. She asks if Natasha is saying the guests have had four each, and Natasha says, yes. Daisy says, that didn’t happen, but Natasha insists it did. In her interview, Daisy says, seriously? They’re arguing about pieces of bread? She tells Alli about Natasha lying about the bread, and in her interview, says, Natasha didn’t make enough? Okay. It’s her job to solve it, but to lie and be defensive? She doesn’t want confrontation over pita bread.

Gary tells Sydney, if she gets bored, call him. Sydney asks the guests if they want to do water sports, but Rusty says they want to skinny dip. Half of them get naked, and jump in. Daisy tells Alli to make a spicy bloody Mary for Alex, and in Alli’s interview, she says she doesn’t drink cocktails. How the hell is she supposed to know how to make them? I dunno. Maybe learn if you’re going to be a stew on a yacht? In Dani’s interview, she says she’s been called a bogan, which is a native Aussie who’s rough around the edges, and uses a lot of slang. There’s not a lot of refinement going on. She starts to go upstairs to leave the drink on the table, and drops it. In her interview, she says she will not be defeated by one spilled drink. In Glenn’s interview, he says, sailing is meaningful to these guests. They want to honor Nikki’s dad, who was an avid sailor, and he wants to finish with a bang. He tells the crew to tie everything down. The anchor is in the pocket, and the main is raised. Glenn asks if Natasha wants to take the wheel. Things crash in the galley. Rusty kisses Nikki, and says he loves her. Daisy thinks it’s a great way to finish the trip.

Glenn asks Sydney if she’s happy, and she says she is. In Sydney’s interview, she says she’s always steered the traditional way, by hand. Everything on this boat has a button. She tells us, every boat has a personality, and she knows her boat is going to know she’s been with another boat. Gary explains docking to Jean-Luc, who says he can throw the lines to the dock just fine. He tosses the first one, and it falls in the water. Ditto on the second try. The third time is the charm. Rusty says he lost his liver and his dignity on the trip. Natasha comes out, and the guests applaud, Rusty saying, her sh*t tastes like heaven. They all laugh at his phraseology.

Rusty tells Glenn that they had an incredible time. He hands Glenn a captain’s hat, and a fat envelope. Nikki says they’re family now. When they were sailing just now, she felt her dad there when the wind kicked in. She would have given everything for a moment like that, being close to him, and they made it happen. It meant everything. She blows them kisses, and Glenn says they were glad to be a part of it. The stews strip the beds. Gary measures Jean-Luc’s bed to make sure Jean-Luc is telling the truth. (Please. The dude is 6’9”.) Glenn radios the crew for a charter debrief, more commonly known as the tip meeting.

He tells them that he was impressed with them; they got through the first charter. He was also impressed with Natasha’s vegan menu.  Natasha says, and the crew? and they applaud. Glenn says they worked hard. The tip is $22,500, or $2500 each. Very decent. In her interview, Dani says, that’s why she does this job. Glenn wishes the crew could go out on the town, but they can’t, so he’s giving them the run of the boat. He’s having food catered, and tells them, don’t go crazy, but have fun. Gary asks if Jean-Luc wants his bunk, since it’s longer, and in Jean-Luc’s interview, he says, no. He’s not sleeping with the captain. In Gary’s interview, he says, Jean-Luc isn’t doing his night duty, he’s missing lines, and not getting sleep; something has to change, What’s wrong with this guy?

The girls get dressed up, and in Gary’s interview, he says he’s excited to blow off some steam. They toast to themselves, and Gary speaks Spanish to Sydney, saying he picked it up while living in Spain. She says they can gossip in Spanish now. Natasha asks if Alli eats any meat, and Dani jokingly says, she eats some. Alli says, 99%, and Natasha asks how she likes it. Colin tells Gary, choose carefully. He doesn’t want to make the wrong decision at the start. In Gary’s interview, he says there’s a lot of temptation, and a good chance he’s going to get himself in trouble.    

Gary asks if they’re getting in the hot tub, and are clothes optional? The girls change into their swimsuits, and Dani bitches that she has cellulite. In her interview, Daisy says, Dani is like her in a way. She’s always struggled with her weight. She knows what it’s like to be driven by insecurities, but all she can do right now is try to make Dani laugh. Daisy tells Dani, you probably become comfortable in your skin at 65. She’s hoping. They all get into the hot tub, and in Daisy’s interview, she says, thank God the first charter is over. We have drinks and the jacuzzi. In Dani’s interview, she says, the first party is, yachting goes wild. Gary says, Jean-Luc is in another dimension, and in Colin’s interview, he says, JL is white girl wasted. Jean-Luc tells Colin that he can’t sleep with Glenn, and Dani tells Sydney, if she had her glasses on, Sydney would be prettier. They laugh, then kiss. In Sydney’s interview, she says she flirts when she’s drunk. A drunk Sydney likes a body next to her. You only live once, so… Gary wants to kiss Alli, and in Alli’s interview, she says she’s undecided on Gary. He needs a fun girl in his life. She says she thinks the absinthe sent her over the edge, and Natasha says she hasn’t had sex in five years. In Natasha’s interview, she says, this generation of men doesn’t have the intelligence she’s attracted to. She lives in the extraordinary, and doesn’t want normal. Unless someone can add to her life, she’ll remain single. In Colin’s interview, he says, a drunk Gary is a horny MF’er. He thinks it’s the worst idea possible for Gary to hook up with Sydney. They work together on deck. It’s not good. He laughs, and says he’s looking forward to it.   

Sydney says, Gary is a good person, right? He says he thinks so. His mom says he is. In Natasha’s interview, she says, WTF? They work together, and live together. Be careful what you do with the people around you. Are they stupid? Sydney and Gary go under a blanket, and she says she’d never make a move on the first mate. He says she pulled him aside, and acted like she wanted to kiss him. Colin asks if everyone wants to gossip, then says he’s just kidding.

Natasha says, Jean-Luc is a baby; he can’t even drink. Jean-Luc throws up in cabin bathroom, and says he drank a whole bottle. He gets back in his too short bunk, and Colin asks if he had a good chundler, explaining that it means throwing up. Jean-Luc says, very productive. In Gary’s interview, he says he doesn’t mind bunking with the captain, but not right now. He tells Sydney that they’re the only two awake. Jean-Luc mumbles some unintelligible stuff, and says, MF’ing Jack Daniels. I’m gonna kick his ass. Then he says something about a rat’s ass. Gary and Sydney get back under the blanket, but then move on to a guest cabin. She says she’s probably the most attractive girl on board (you read that right – she says), and he says he thinks they should both get naked. She closes the door, and we hear him say, this isn’t going to be seasonal fling… It’s going to be a one-night stand. In his cabin, Jean-Luc mumbles something, and Colin laughs. Jean-Luc laughs with him.

Next time, Daisy says someone used a guest cabin, Sydney and Gary aren’t talking, a guest does a podcast, and someone gets sick.  

🌅 Sunrise, Sunset…

The days are getting longer, but my sleep time got shorter. It’s been a day, and there’s time for tea tomorrow. But for now, stay safe, stay as stress-free as possible, and stay not screwing the crew. It only leads to trouble.

March 5, 2021 – Wedding Blow-Up Aftermath, Rewarded, Wes Responds, Maurice Directs, Goodbye Gil, VanderStalled, Back In the Loft, Then and Now, Award Dates, Less Than Ten Quotes & For Free

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

I missed the beginning (on a Friday yet <sigh>), but this is how it went. Backtracking, Willow told Carly that she was surprised; Wiley had said she wasn’t his mommy. She started crying, and Michael wondered where Wiley had gotten that idea, then he looked at Nina. Chase came back with Violet, who wondered why there had been no wedding. Chase said Finn would explain tomorrow, and Gregory dropped by. Maxie thought the baby was coming, and Britt suggested they go to the hospital. Mac told Robert to keep Peter there. Peter struggled, yelling for Maxie, and Anna told him to leave Maxie alone. Then…

Peter yells for Maxie, and Britt says, Maxie is in enough pain. Peter is the last thing she needs. Anna tells him, the best thing to do for Maxie is, stay out of the way. Britt and Mac take Maxie out, Mac yelling for Peter to keep away from the hospital.

Finn asks how much Chase told Jackie, and she says she knows Anna never told Finn that Peter was her son, and her sister Alex is his mother. He says, life is funny sometimes; all the parallels you find. She says, when Chase was filling her in, she couldn’t help bite her tongue at the irony, since she’d made a similar decision. He says, there’s one big difference. She never did a test, and doesn’t know if Chase is his son. She says they’re not talking about that now; this is about him and Anna. He says, it’s not just that Anna lied; she confided in someone else. Jackie asks, who? and he says, a guy named Valentin Cassadine.

Violet asks if her grandpa knows what happened tonight, and Gregory says, it’s complicated, as adults like to say. The good news is, she didn’t miss anything. The wedding never happened. She asks, why not? Daddy loves Anna. He says, sometimes grown-ups make a big mess, and things don’t turn out the way they think they will. They can have the best intentions, and still do the wrong thing. She says she doesn’t think she wants to grow up, and I say, I’m with you, little sis.   

On Franco’s phone, Drew says he’s gotten to know Franco a little bit. Through Elizabeth’s eyes, and Cameron’s eyes. They really need him. They deserve him, and he wants Franco to understand that one thing, and appreciate it.  

Nina says when she realized she had a grandchild, she read all these books on how to address sensitive issues with small children, like if they’re adopted or a surrogate was used. They all said the same thing; to be honest, so it doesn’t become a secret and traumatize them later when they find out the truth. Michael asks if it never occurred to her that Wiley might be confused, and she says she didn’t mean to take anything away from Willow, or get Wiley mixed up. She was just being honest.

Peter tells Robert to let him go. Maxie is having a health emergency, and it’s their baby. He’s going to GH, and disprove Anna’s lies. Anna says, they’re not lies. Maxie is gone, and she’s the only one who will listen to him. He says, there’s no proof, and Sam says he killed Drew, but Peter repeats, there’s no proof. Robert says, not yet, and Peter asks if Robert is going to arrest him. Robert says, the time is coming. He hopes sooner rather than later.

Britt says she spoke with Maxie’s OB/GYN, and Dr. Navarro agrees that it was stress. Maxie says, ya think? and Britt says she’s going to run tests to be on the safe side. Mac says he has to tell Felicia something. She might decide to come back from Texas. Britt says, even though Nathan is gone, she’ll forever consider Maxie as her sister-in-law, and promises to take care of her. She suggests Mac wait for the results before Felicia books a flight.

Drew tells Franco, it only works if he does one thing. He needs to fight, to keep fighting like he has, and have a long life. Fight for Elizabeth and the boys, like Franco fought for himself.

Chase marvels at Gregory’s talent in telling a pirate story that’s entertaining, but gets Violet to fall asleep. Gregory says he doesn’t think about it; it just comes out. There was a lot going on today, and not in a good way. Chase says he remembers when Gregory used to tell him a story. Gregory would put his arm around Chase, and his mom would slip in beside him. Those were good times. Gregory says, it seems like he and Jackie were at their best when they were raising him. He and Chase’s mom are proud of the man he’s become. All they want is for him to be happy. Is he happy? Chase says, that depends on Willow.

Willow says he wants to put Wiley down for the night; it’s way past his bedtime. Michael tells Wiley, lights out for him, and tells Nina, they’ll talk later. He and Willow leave, and Carly closes the door. She says they need to talk, and Nina says, of course (🍷). She’s sorry Willow got her feelings hurt, but she’s not sorry for explaining how she and Wiley are related. Carly asks if she thinks it’s really a good idea to make a two and a half year old doubt the only mother he’s ever known? What the hell was she thinking?

On the phone, Mac tells Felicia that Britt is acting as Maxie’s OB/GYN, and thinks it’s stress. She’s running tests, and they should get the results tonight.  

Maxie takes a sip of something, and says, wow, that’s sweet. It’s kind of like drinking straight sugar. Britt says, it’s glucola, and she needs to finish it. Then they’ll test her blood sugar to rule out gestational diabetes. Maxie finishes, and Britt says, her blood pressure is high, which is understandable due to the drama. Fortunately, it’s not so high that it’s a symptom of preeclampsia. She’s still running other tests to be sure, and she’s going to do an ultrasound to make sure the baby is okay. She asks how Maxie is doing; she seems calmer. Maxie says she was so sure it was labor, and Britt says she expects it was Braxton Hicks. It’s not uncommon in the third trimester, usually due to dehydration, which is why Maxie is on an IV. It doesn’t meant the baby will be born prematurely. Maxie says, James was. She was so scared for him, and Peter was right there. He helped her through it.

Robert says, one thing for certain, Maxie and the kid are better off without Peter. Peter says, it’s his child, and a baby needs their father. Robert says, like Peter needed Faison, and Peter says, Valentin put him in Faison’s arms. Valentin betrayed him then like he did now, but Anna also betrayed him. She knew it was a lie, and broke his heart. She says he broke hers when he burned the evidence. He says, there is no evidence. He did nothing wrong. She says she saw it with her own eyes, and he says he doesn’t need her to be his fake mommy. Maxie has faith in him. He’s going to GH, and there’s nothing they can do to stop him. Anan tells him not to go near Maxie, but he says he’ll take his chances, and leaves. Anna sits down.

On the video, Drew says he made his choice, but if he disappears, he has no choice. Cherish the family that loves him. Franco hears, no choice… no choice… and remembers Peter leaning over him (as Drew). Peter says he had no choice because he was never give one, but Helena assured him that Drew would be in good hands. Franco says, my God. It was Peter. It’s been Peter all along. Peter killed Drew. 

Anna tells Robert that she doesn’t want hear about how he sounded the alarm. She insisted Peter was a changed man, but she was woefully wrong. Robert says she left out the part where Alex was Peter’s mother, and she says she’s sorry for how she acted. He says he’s going to be gracious, not his strong point. He doesn’t need an apology; Finn, on the other hand, should probably have a big one. Anna says she doesn’t think an apology is going to be enough, and Robert holds her.

Jackie says, Peter is a murderer? and Finn says, yeah. He had his doubts, but Anna always convinced him otherwise. She asks how long Anna has known, and he says she told him that she found out just before the wedding, but the fact is, she lied to him and confided in Valentin. She says, Valentin is an ex-WSB spy. Maybe Anna felt more comfortable because she worked with him. He says, maybe. He doesn’t know, but it’s not a WSB secret; it’s personal, intimate. Was Peter her son or nephew? That’s what Anna was dealing with. She says, okay, Anna lied. It happens. People forgive each other. From what she’s seen, they’re the real deal, and there’s a lot of love and respect. Can’t they get past this? Finn says he doesn’t know. They’d just started talking, and Anna got called away. Jackie takes his hand.

Dante asks if Sam is going to let Jason know what happened, and she says she’s sure he’ll find out soon enough. Too many people witnessed what happened. He asks if she wants Peter to pay for what he did, but she doesn’t know what she wants. She doesn’t think it’s a good idea for Jason to make Peter pay; nothing good could come from it for Jason or Peter. Dante asks if she thinks they’ll find evidence connecting Peter to the crime, but she doesn’t know. She says, he was a cop; tell her. He says, Peter covers his tracks well, but just because there’s no evidence no, doesn’t mean there won’t be at some point. Franco comes running in, and asks if Peter is there. Dante says, he was there, but he’s gone. Franco asks if he left the wedding, but Sam says, there was no wedding. Dante says, Peter’s crimes have finally come to light.

Peter storms into his room, and takes a gun out of the safe.  

Nina tells Carly, Wiley’s family history is complicated. In retrospect she should have discussed it with Michael and Willow, and they should have explained it together. When Wiley looked at her, and asked how they were connected, she was thinking, Nelle. No matter what Nelle did, they can’t pretend she didn’t exist, or didn’t give birth to the miracle of a grandson they both share. Carly says she doubts they’ll be sharing him in the near future.

On their way downstairs, Willow tells Michael, Wiley was so fussy. She wonders if what Nina told him got him confused, and he was acting out. Michael says, Wiley is still young. It’s hard to know what’s going on in his head, but it’s important they reenforce that Willow is definitely his mother. He’s sorry it hit her so hard. She thanks him, and says she’ll be okay. She gets her coat, says she needs to get some air, and get her emotions in check, and leaves.  

Britt tells Maxie, everything is fine with her daughter. She doesn’t expect any problems. Maxie asks if Britt knew about the accusations against Peter, when there’s a knock at the door. It’s Mac, who says he’s sorry, but he couldn’t wait any longer. How’s his girl? Maxie says she’s fine, and asks him to come in. He asks about the contractions, and Maxie says, Britt thinks it was Braxton Hicks. She’s sorry she made such a fuss. Mac asks if everything is really fine, and Britt says, Maxie’s blood pressure is coming down, but they’re waiting for the official test results. Mac says, so he’ll wait a little longer, and tells Britt, on behalf of the Scorpio-Jones-Devane clan, he thanks her for being there. Maxie asks him to tell Robert that she’s okay, and tell her mother things look good; they’re just waiting on the test results. Mac says he’s sorry about Peter. She knows how protective he is. Maxie says she knows. It’s not just that. A lot has been happening, she felt pain, but now it’s gone. She’s fine. He says, it’s a lot of information to take in all at once. How is she feeling about Peter?

Peter puts a clip in the gun.

Anna asks Robert if it’s an update from Mac, and he says, they’re waiting for test results, but the pain stopped. It looks like Maxie and the baby are fine. She says, thank God. She couldn’t live with herself if something had gone wrong because of tonight. If she’d just had solid proof, she would have taken Maxie aside and explained privately, but he says, even if she had proof, Maxie didn’t give a rat’s ass what anyone said tonight. He couldn’t get a clear idea of what Maxie was thinking prior to the baby trouble. Anna says neither could she. It’s concerning how confident Peter was that Maxie would side with him.

Franco says, so Peter had Drew killed, and Sam says, he practically confessed. Franco asks if he sent the assassin after him and Andre, and Dante says, he was denying it. Franco asks where Peter is now, and Dante says, Maxie went to the hospital; she thought she might be having the baby. He’s pretty sure that’s where Peter was headed. Sam asks why Franco is there, and Franco says, the voice in his head is Drew.

Anna smells her bouquet, and says she hopes Maxie accepts the truth. Otherwise, all this was for nothing. She did her best with what she had on Peter, and hopes Maxie sees him for what he really is. Robert says, face it. Maxie is having Peter’s baby. She thinks she loves him, and believes he is who he claims to be. Anna says she told Maxie that she’d be safe with Peter. She thought Maxie would be safe, but she wasn’t. She told Maxie that Peter was a good man. She sits, and says, it’s just a mask, a part Peter plays. There’s nothing good about Peter, and she doesn’t want to hear that Robert knew it. Robert takes her hands, and says, enough. She could have done better, but it is what it is. Stop beating herself up, and think of a positive solution. 

Jackie says, Finn had no clue about any of it from Anna? and he says, no. He’s embarrassed to say, he thought he’d be getting married tonight. Anna knew it was never going to happen. It fell apart quickly after that. She says, when they met, he was a stickler for honesty, no matter how much the truth hurt. That’s why she didn’t question Chase’s paternity. He says, if it had turned out he was Chase’s father, they would have divulged they’d been together that night, and she says, the night that almost made her back out of marrying Gregory. He says he understands now how difficult it must have been. He thought today that he and Anna would start the first day of the rest of their lives. Instead, he found out he doesn’t know what he wants out of life. Worst of all, he has to explain it to Violet. It’s going to break his heart. He starts to leave, but she tells him, don’t go.    

Gregory says, it sounds like progress for Chase and Willow, unless he’s missing part of the story. Chase says he took Willow out for a Valentine’s Day dinner. It was great, almost like it used to be, but she went home to Michael and Wiley. Gregory says, like he told Chase before, children tend to draw parents together. Inevitably, he has to accept that. Chase says Willow developed feelings for Michael, and he thinks that’s what keeping her from investing in the relationship. Gregory says he thought Willow and Michael had a marriage in name only, and Chase says, it started off that way. Gregory tells him, like he said to Violet earlier, being an adult can be messy. There’s a knock at the door, and it’s Willow. Chase asks if everything is okay, and Gregory tells her that he was just on his way out. He and Chase will talk soon. He leaves, and Chase says, tell him what’s going on. She says she’s probably overreacting, but – she starts to cry – Wiley said she wasn’t his mother. Chase wonders why Wiley said that, and Willow tells him that she was excited to let Nina be a part of Wiley’s life. It seemed right, since Wiley is her grandson, but when they were alone, Nina told him about Nelle. When Wiley said she wasn’t his mom, she couldn’t handle it. Maybe because… Chase says, because of the baby she lost? and she says, yeah. He holds her, and she says, it all comes back to that. He says he’s so sorry.

Michael goes back to the living room, and asks if everything is okay. Nina tells him that she’s really sorry. She should have discussed it with him and Willow first before she said anything. She didn’t mean to undermine Willow’s relationship with Wiley. She’d never do that. He says, not on purpose, but what happened hurt Willow’s confidence as Wiley’s mother. Nina says she’ll never do it again, and Carly asks how she can say that, when she just told Carly that they couldn’t erase Nelle from Wiley’s life? Michael says they all have the best intentions, but the timing of this bonding experiment isn’t working out. For Wiley’s sake, he thinks they should take a big step back.

Dante asks what Franco means about Drew being in his head, and Franco asks where Jason is. Dante says he thought Franco was looking for Peter, but Franco says Jason needs to know. If they see Jason before he does, tell Jason that he’s still him. He leaves, and Dante asks, what the hell was that about? Sam says, nothing good, that’s for sure.

Maxie says she doesn’t want to talk about Peter, but not with Mac. She knows how he feels about Peter, but she’d like to talk to Britt. She asks Mac to give them a minute; call her mom and let her know she’s fine. He says he’ll be outside, and leaves. Maxie says she wants to know what Britt knew, and when she knew it. Britt says she knew her mother was in town. They had a couple of secret meetings. She knew her mother had been exonerated, and according to her, Peter framed her for her crimes, but she had no proof. Maxie says, wow. She thought the pact they made with Nina at Nathan’s grave meant something. Britt says, it did, she promises. Maxie asks why Britt didn’t warn her, and Britt says she told Maxie to marry someone else. She’s not sure she believed her mother. Her mother has definitely lied in the past, but then – she sits down – Peter tricked her into logging in to the GH server. When he published Franco’s medical records, she realized there might be merit in her mother’s accusations. And if Anna and Valentin were backing her mother up, she knew it was true. Maxie says, it was their word against Peter’s, and they have no proof. Britt wonders if Maxie is actually saying she thinks Peter is innocent.

Peter runs down a back stairwell. He hears his phone ring, and stops. Someone wearing gloves comes out behind him, and raises a crowbar. We see Peter on the floor.

Anna tells Robert, she’d like to see Finn, and he asks if she’s going to see if she can salvage the relationship. She says she should do that, but first she needs to see someone else more pressing. He says, Maxie? and she says, yeah. She needs to face her goddaughter, then face Finn.

Finn tells Jackie that he’s going to get Violet, but she says, Violet is probably asleep. They can talk in the morning, after there’s time to process everything. He says he’s pretty well processed it. The only thing that will make him feel better is to see his little girl. She says when she did the story on medical students, she trusted in his ability to sort out what was going on. She wants to make sure he hasn’t forgotten. It was a reason she was so attracted to him back then, among others. He thanks her for saying that. Gregory listens from around the corner, and turns away looking pissed off.

Willow says she knew Chase would understand. It’s not just what Wiley said, but how it connected back to the child she lost. Chase says he remembers when he told her that Wiley wasn’t her biological son, and Nelle had switched the babies. Her baby had died, and his heart broke for her. It’s one of the reasons he did what he did with Sasha. He wanted to help heal her heart. Willow hugs him, and he says he’ll never hurt her again. Never.  

Nina says, please, don’t let one mistake ruin a beautiful thing, but Michael says, sorry. Wiley is the first priority, and he’s already had so much upheaval. He doesn’t want Wiley confused or overwhelmed. Nina suggests he and Willow set guidelines, and she’ll follow them, but he thinks it’s best she not see Wiley for a while. Nina says, no, but he says, it’s not going to be forever. They’ll just take a pause until they can figure out the right way to handle it. She says, why not reconsider, and she’ll only visit when he and Willow are around? He says, right now, he has a confused son, and a hurt mother to consider. Nina picks up her stuff, and says she was just being honest. She leaves, and Carly says she’s sorry it came to this. He says he can’t see Willow hurt like that again.

Maxie tells Britt, to be honest, her mom and Valentin aren’t the most credible of witnesses. She doesn’t know if Peter is guilty or not, but she knows he’d never hurt her. Britt asks if Maxie is thinking of moving forward with Peter, when a nurse comes in, and says the test results came back. 

Sam leaves a message for Jason, saying she’s sorry she missed him. She’s calling because all hell broke loose at the wedding, especially regarding Peter. Franco showed up, acting strange again. He was looking for Jason. She doesn’t know what’s going on, but please, just be careful.   

Peter lies unconscious. Franco stands over him.

On Monday, Violet asks Chase if her daddy and Anna are getting married, Gregory asks Jackie what happened the night before the wedding, and Spinelli thinks they might have the proof to take Peter down.

👰🏼 Double Payoff…

The weddings that didn’t happen.

🎭 He’s Just Misunderstood…

The real Peter. The Peter behind the mask.

📹 Sonny’s New Direction…

Check out his directing debut.

☄️ Farewell To the Best Bad Guy…

Ray Gardner was the baddest of them all, and Gil Rogers was so good at playing him.

🍸 A Hold On the Rules…

LVP and the two Toms seem to be stuck in limbo.

https://pagesix.com/2021/03/04/vanderpump-rules-filming-is-still-on-hold/

🗽 Welcome Home…

Seven no-longer strangers are back in their loft, where they will be real together for six days. I saw the first episode, and it was excellent. I loved the parallels between then and now, and almost cried when Kevin spoke to Julie’s teenage daughter, and realized Julie had still been a teenager when he first met her. It looks like someone will storm out, so some things never change.

https://tv.avclub.com/the-real-world-homecoming-new-york-is-exactly-the-sort-1846390531

Sadly, the man with the grind tested positive, and couldn’t live in the loft.

https://tv.avclub.com/eric-nies-lived-separately-from-rest-of-real-world-reun-1846402126

👑 The Second Coming…

Garcelle Beauvais! Shari Headley! John Amos!

https://www.essence.com/entertainment/the-cast-of-coming-2-america-then-and-now/

🏆 All the Awards…

The schedule to end them all.

https://ew.com/awards/2021-awards-season-calendar-dates/

👩🏽‍🏫 Quotes of the Week

At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict, or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a friend, a child, or a parent. – Barbara Bush (Or your pets!)

All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another. – Anatole France

The whole secret of a successful life is to find out what is one’s destiny to do, and then do it. – Henry Ford

Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen. – Leonardo da Vinci

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. – Nelson Mandela

When deeds speak, words are nothing. – Pierre-Joseph Proudhon

We have forgotten how to be good guests, how to walk lightly on the earth as its other creatures do. – Barbara Ward

In spite of our rather boastful talk about progress, and our pride in the gadgets of civilization, there is, I think, a growing suspicion – indeed, perhaps an uneasy certainty – that we have been sometimes a little too ingenious for our own good. – Rachel Carson

⛷ Sliding Into the Weekend Like…

See you when it’s time for the Dead to walk. And whether you call the next two days a weekend or not, stay safe, stay sharp, and stay knowing it’s true if Anna and Valentin back it up.

March 4, 2021 – Anna Tells Maxie and Finn the Truth, Summer House Is Still Awful, an Engagement, Covered In Clay, Jen Tells All, Wanda’s Grief, New Horror Story & Key’s Day

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Chase asks Jackie if Violet is okay, and Jackie says, she fell asleep watching a movie. He thanks her for getting Violet out of there, and she says she could tell things were about to go south. What ended up happening? He says, apparently, Anna knew Peter wasn’t her son, and didn’t tell Finn. He’s sure it was hard for her, so he’s trying not to judge, but how can you plan on marrying somebody, and keep something so major from them?

Finn is looking out the window, when there’s a knock at the door. It’s Anna, who asks if she can come in. He steps aside, and she says she’s sure he has a lot of questions. He says, just one. What else is she lying about?

Maxie tells Peter, she’s getting nervous. Why hasn’t he answered her? He says because he can’t believe she still wants to marry him, and she says, of course (🍷) she does. Her love for him hasn’t changed just because his mother has. He asks if she’s sure; he doesn’t want her pity. She says, the one she pities is Obrecht. She was so determined to wreck their lives, she made enemies out of everyone. What Peter does have is her love, her respect, and her heart. She hopes she still has his. He says she does, and he will marry her. Obrecht tells Valentin, Peter isn’t who Maxie thinks he is. The pretense of morality and kindness is all a lie. He’s a manipulator who can’t be trusted. He mustn’t be allowed to go home to her grandson. She owes it to Nathan to keep James safe. She walks over to Dante, and takes out her pen. Britt asks what she’s doing, and Obrecht says, what must be done; Maxie and James must be protected. Valentin practically shouts, sorry, Maxie. He can’t allow this wedding to continue. Not until she knows who Peter truly is. Maxie makes an exasperated noise, and asks Peter what Valentin is talking about. Peter says he doesn’t know, and asks Valentin, what the hell is he talking about? Valentin says, this has gone on long enough. It’s time the truth was brought to light.

At the MetroCourt bar, Carly asks Jax if everything is all right. He says, yes… Nina’s not returning his calls. He thought he’d run into her downstairs, but she skipped out on Maxie’s wedding. Carly says, that’s one sacred ceremony she can’t desecrate, and he makes a face. She says she thinks she might know where Nina is, or rather who she’s with. He asks, who? and she says, Wiley.

Michael opens the door to Nina, and asks her to come in. She thanks him for inviting her over, and he says he’s glad she could make it on such short notice. She says, is he kidding? She would have jumped off an airplane mid-flight to be there. She’s grateful, and thanks him for giving her a chance to get to know her grandson and be in his life. It means the world to her.

On the phone, Franco leaves a message for Obrecht, saying, he checked himself into the MetroCourt, just for the night, until he can check himself into Shadybrook tomorrow. If she feels like breaking into a hotel, give him a call back. There’s a knock at the door, and Franco opens it to Elizabeth and Cameron. He asks what they’re doing there, and Elizabeth says he didn’t bring much stuff with him, so they brought a few things to make it feel like home. Franco says he would have managed, but Cameron says, it was his idea. He got upset, and stormed off. He didn’t have a chance to say goodbye.

Valentin says Maxie needs to listen to him, and Peter says she doesn’t. She says, everyone needs to just stop. It doesn’t matter to her who Peter’s mother is. It doesn’t change her love for him. Valentin says it doesn’t change the way he feels either. He’s not condemning Peter because Alex is his mother. Peter condemned Peter through the actions he’s taken, and the choices he’s made. Peter is a liar. His redemption is a lie. You can’t have redemption if you lack the capacity to acknowledge who you really are. Peter clearly doesn’t have the courage to do that, so he’ll do it for him. Everyone waits…

Jax says, it was generous of Michael to allow Nina to have a relationship with Wiley, and Carly asks if he’s surprised. He says, of course (🍷) not. He’s sure Nina appreciates it. Carly says, she’s sure too, and he asks if she thinks Michael is wrong. She says she thinks Wiley should get to know his grandmother, but she’s still furious at Nina. Her behavior was out of line at Sonny’s grave, and she’d tell Nina to her face, but that’s between her and Nina, not Wiley. But she’s worried about Nina spending too much time with Wiley right now, not once things have settled down, and Nina has faced her new reality. It’s been one shock piled on another. Even before Nina found out Nelle was her daughter, she made excuses for Nelle, painting her as not as guilty as she was. Jax says, trying to redeem Nelle’s memory, and she says, if Nina allows that to bleed onto Wiley, what is that going to do to that little boy?

Willow sees Nina, and says, that was fast. Nina tells her, the name Wiley put some pep in her step. Can she see him? Willow says he’s playing with blocks, and brings Nina into the living room. She says, look who’s here to visit him, and Michael asks if he remembers Nina, his grandmother. Wiley nods, and I’m telling you, that kid is going places.

Franco tells Cameron, enough with the goodbye stuff, and Elizabeth says, it’s a temporary arrangement until the issue with the tumor is resolved. Cameron says, and if they aren’t? and Franco says, those are the only two options, but Terry says while the tumor isn’t shrinking, it’s not growing either. That’s good news. Elizabeth says, very good. It gives them time to figure things out. Franco takes a phone out of the suitcase, and says, what’s this?

Jackie tells Chase, she knows he’s protective of his brother, and he should be, but try not to be too hard on him. Relationships are more complicated than anyone outside of them knows. Chase says he’s figuring that out. He’s sorry for not realizing how strained things were between her and Gregory. He had such an amazing childhood, and so many fun memories. That’s all he knew. She says, it’s all he should know. As a kid, of course, you want your parents to be perfect, and want your world to be secure, and that’s what your parents want for you too. But the truth is, we’re all making it up as we go along, and none of us is perfect. We’re doing the best we can, and sometimes it’s enough, but sometimes it’s not.  

Finn says, Anna knew since she got the lab results that Peter wasn’t her son? and she says, yeah. He says, and the plan was to never tell him? She says, there was no plan. When we found out the truth, we realized everything had to be contained. Finn says, we? and she says, her and Valentin. He says, so she trusted that little weasel more than she trusted him.

Peter says he doesn’t know why Valentin is doing this, but Valentin says, yeah, he does. Maxie asks if someone can get Valentin out of there, and Mac starts to move, but Robert stops him, and says he thinks Maxie should listen to Valentin. Peter says he thought Valentin cared about him all these years, and Valentin says he does. Peter is the man he is today because of the actions Valentin took. Don’t think that’s ever been lost on him. That’s why he promised to protect Peter from Jason, but he’s not going to allow Peter to hurt anyone else, definitely not Maxie.

Franco looks at the phone, and asks what phone it is; it’s three models ago. Cameron says Franco might want what’s on it. Franco said he was suffering some side effects of what Shiloh did. When he thought he was Drew, and they were about to do the procedure to bring him back, he asked for a phone to record something on. Elizabeth says, Drew left a video, the one Franco has put off watching for over a year. Cameron says he thought it might help Franco understand the voices he’s hearing, and Franco says, cool, thanks. Cameron says, he’s not going to listen? and Franco says he’d do anything to get Drew out of his head, and looks in the suitcase, wondering what else is in there.

Carly tells Jax, she’s worried Nina is going to tell Wiley her version of who Nelle was, and they know that version is a lie. He says, yes, but it’s not like they can have an open conversation about Nelle. She says, no kid that age should know their mother was insane and a killer, but he shouldn’t believe in a fantasy that’s only going to be shattered. What if when he gets old enough, he does research, and finds out on his own who Nelle was? Jax says, he’ll be devastated, and she says, that’s why she thinks, while he’s still young, they shouldn’t tell him much at all. When he asks, they’ll say Nelle was troubled and had problems; keep it vague. When he’s mature enough to understand, they can tell him that Nelle had a terrible and abusive childhood, and grew up to do terrible, abusive things. Jax says, and Carly doesn’t think Nina is in a place to understand and abide by that? and she says she knows Nina isn’t. But it’s Willow and Michael’s decision, and she has to honor that. She’s scared that their best intentions will turn out awful for Wiley.

Anna tells Finn, she knows how it looks. When everything happened with Jordan and Curtis, she was afraid they were headed down the same road. He says, it’s not the same. He knew what he was getting into when he fell in love with her. He knew certain parts of her life existed in the shadows, but he didn’t think she’d keep secrets from him, and confide in someone else. She says she’s sorry, but he says he doesn’t want an apology; he wants an explanation.

Maxie tells Valentin, this isn’t news to her. She’s aware Peter was coerced by Helena and Faison into kidnapping Drew. Valentin says, but Peter wasn’t an unwitting pawn. He was trying to double-cross his father with Helena’s help. Peter asks why Valentin is lying, and Valentin says, Helena wanted it done, and Peter orchestrated the whole thing, but it was a long time ago. The point is, Peter knew what he did was wrong, and in working to cover it up, he did something much worse in the process. Maxie says, like what? and Peter says, she knows Valentin is a liar. She says she needs to know what Valentin is accusing Peter of. What is this horrible act that was so much worse than anything else? Valentin says, Peter brought down Drew’s plane, and she asks if he’s saying Peter is responsible for murdering Drew. Valentin says, yes.

Sam heads toward Peter, but Robert holds her back. She says, you son of a bitch. She knew it. He killed Scout’s father. Maxie says, it can’t be true, and Obrecht says it’s why she was released. Peter framed her for his crimes. Robert says he suspected as much, and Maxie says, because Robert hates Peter. Peter says, this is absurd, and suggests he and Maxie get out of there, but Mac says he’s not taking Maxie anywhere. Valentin says, first, Drew’s plane went down, and looks at Sam and asks, then what happened? Sam says she was kidnapped by Shiloh, and Valentin says, Shiloh knew Peter was responsible for Drew’s kidnapping. That’s why Peter arranged Shiloh’s escape, and was on the pier with a bag of money. He wasn’t buying an apartment; he was paying Shiloh off. Covering up one crime by committing a worse one in the process.

Franco asks Cameron if he’s going to be buying sunscreen and visors to visit him in California, and Cameron says, no one wears visors. Franco says he loves a visor. Lots of people like them. Cameron isn’t answering his question. Cameron tells Franco, remember when he said he wanted less Drew inside his head? and Franco says, oh, he gets it. Cameron doesn’t want to be pestered about college. Cameron says he catches on fast; good for him. Franco says he’s super smart; everyone says so. Elizabeth’s phone dings, and she says, it’s the hospital. She has to go in. Cameron says he’ll hang out for a few minutes, and meet her back at home, but Franco says, it’s not safe for Cameron to stay there.

Jax says he knows Carly is in a different headspace where Nina is concerned, but he feels terrible. They made a huge mistake in not telling Nina that Nelle was her daughter, and a bigger mistake forgetting Wiley was her grandson. She says, not on purpose, and he says, that doesn’t make right. They don’t get to decide if Nina gets to have a relationship with Wiley. She says she agrees 100%, and he says, it’s actually a blessing… Hear him out. Nina gets to have  a relationship with her grandson without Nelle around. Even though she might not realize it, it’s the best thing for Wiley. Carly says, amen to that, and he says he knows he doesn’t get a say, but Carly is right. He doesn’t think Nina is capable of seeing Nelle for who she was. Nina sees her as a victim. Carly says, that’s the picture Nina will paint, Nelle the way she wanted her to be, and Jax says, that’s okay now, but it would be sad if it was a pattern that got laid down. Without realizing it, Nina could inflict pain and grief on her grandson. I guess these two still haven’t learned not to make decisions for other people.    

Wiley smashes whatever he was building with his monster truck, and Michael tells Nina, Wiley is in a phase where all the building part is just a means is total destruction. Nina says Nathan was like that. He’d have her spend hours constructing a huge tower, just to have him take it out like Godzilla. Michael looks at his phone, and says, stuff is going down at Aurora. He’ll be back. Willow asks Wiley if mommy can help him build.   

Jackie tells Chase that she and Gregory were happy for a long time. She doesn’t want him thinking he grew up in a lie. For three decades she had the most wonderful family, including an amazing son. He says, go on, and she says she could, for hours. He still brings her that joy. She wouldn’t give up the years with him or his father for anything. There were times when she and his dad were on their own tracks; when tracking a story was too tempting not to go after. Maybe she shouldn’t have. Looking back, there are a thousand things she wishes she’d done differently, but it’s just… Chase says, life, and she says, yeah. Life.

Anan tells Finn that Valentin came to her, and told her that Peter was way more culpable in Jason and Drew’s kidnapping than he’d admitted, and he’d gone to great lengths to cover it up. Meaning, that he’d had Drew’s plane sabotaged, and arranged for the assassin to kill Andre and Franco. Finn asks when she found this out, and she says, a couple of days ago. She realized she could no longer be in denial about Peter’s guilt, and pretend his redemption was anything other than a show. They decided Peter couldn’t marry Maxie… Finn says, so they had Peter abducted on his wedding day. She says, yeah, but she did this with Valentin not because she trusts him more than Finn, but because he understands the complexities of her relationship with Peter. Finn says, and he doesn’t? and she says, Valentin had the same relationship with him. She didn’t want Finn anywhere near this. He’s such a good man, she just didn’t want him to be part of the whole tragic, sordid mess. He thanks her for making the decision for him, and she says she knows he’s angry. She doesn’t blame him, but she can assure him that she didn’t know any of this. She didn’t want to accept how bad Peter really was. She starts to cry, and says, it’s not an excuse. It’s the truth. He says, because of her, he allowed his daughter to be around a murderer, and she says she would never let Violet be in any danger. He says, because of her, the wedding Violet thought she was going to be a part of, was never actually going to happen, because she was too busy playing spy games with Valentin. She says, it happened so fast, there was no time to tell him. He asks if he was really that much of an afterthought.

Willow asks if Wiley thinks he can build the tallest skyscraper ever. Show mommy. Nina says, maybe he’ll grow up to be an architect, and Willow says, may be. It’s kind of wild for her and Nina to be part of the same family, playing games together. Nina says, they’ve come a long way, and Willow says, they’re both in a better place. She certainly is. Nothing can make up for losing a child, but it meant so much for Michael to say he wanted her to stay in Wiley’s life. Nina says, not just stay, but legally adopt. After all that heartache, she’s still Wiley’s mom. The doorbell rings, and Willow opens the door to Carly, who trots in. She says she was texting with Michael, and he said Nina was coming by. How’s it going? Willow says, great. She thinks it will be good for both Nina and Wiley. In the living room, Nina tells Wiley that she’s his grandma, like Grandma Carly, but she’s not his mommy’s mommy. That’s not how they’re related. Wiley laughs, probably because he has no clue what anyone is saying, but it’s fun to build and smash stuff.

Cameron tries to argue, but Elizabeth says she can’t get into it now; she has to get to work. Cameron says, go. He’ll be fine for a few minutes. Franco says his mom is right. He woke from a nightmare, and attacked Cameron. Cameron says, that’s such an exaggeration, and Franco says his head’s not right. Cameron says he can’t believe this. Fine. Is Elizabeth coming with him, or is it okay for her to be there alone with Franco? Elizabeth says she’ll be there in a minute; she’ll meet him in the lobby. Franco tells Cameron, wait, and thanks him for bringing the stuff. He’ll see Cameron in a little bit. Cameron leaves, and Franco tells Elizabeth that she shouldn’t be there. If he’s a potential threat to Cameron, he’s a potential threat to her.  

Robert says he knows it’s painful, but it makes sense, and Maxie says, except for one thing. Anna knew all this? Valentin says, she did, and Maxie says, Anna would never do that to her. Anna loves her, and she knows Anna would never let that happen. If what Valentin is saying is true, Anna would have told her.

Anna tells Finn that she was wrong; she knows that. She just couldn’t see her way out, which makes her no different than Peter. She was selling him on a lie that she was sharing her life with him, and she wasn’t. She thought she was protecting him, but she was really just protecting herself, trying to avoid this moment. He phone rings, and Finn says, don’t answer. She says, it’s Robert. It’s going to be about Peter and Maxie. She asks Robert, what is it? and he tells her, get down here right now. All the information she and Valentin have been hiding is going to hit the fan. He doesn’t know how Peter is going to react if he’s pushed in a corner. She says she understands, and Finn asks if she needs to go. Anna says she wants to work this out, and he says, she has other properties. She says she’s so sorry; she really is. Finn says, so is he, and she leaves.

Jackie tells Chase, everything will be okay. He’s seen her and Gregory. It’s not like they can’t be in the same room; just the opposite. He says, it’s weirdly cordial, and she says they have too much mutual respect for it not to be. He says, it’s getting late. Does she think he should take Violet? She says, probably. She’d love for Violet to stay there, but she’s still practically a stranger. Violet will be more comfortable with him. He says he’ll get her, and she says she loves him. He says he loves her too.

Maxie tells Peter, she’s right, isn’t she? Everything Valentin is saying is a lie. Peter says, of course (🍷) it is. Valentin is the man who lied to Nina for years, and literally trades in secrets. He doesn’t know what game Valentin is playing – Valentin says, no game – but all that matters is he loves her. She has no reason to believe Valentin. Anna appears, and says Maxie has every reason to believe her though.

Willow brings Carly into the living room, and says, how lucky is Wiley? Two grandmothers in one night. Carly asks Wiley for a hug, and says, it’s so good to see him. Is he having fun with Nina? He says, yeah, and Willow suggests Wiley get in his PJs. Then he can come down and play afterward. She takes Wiley upstairs, and Nina asks if Carly is checking up on her. Carly says, no… Actually… Well… she wants to acknowledge that she may have been too blunt. Nina says, that doesn’t sound like an apology, and Carly says, it wasn’t. They both have good reason not to trust each other, but she assumes they both want what’s best for Wiley. Nina says, yes, and Carly suggests they just leave at that.

Franco says it’s not just that he’s being honest with Elizabeth, but he’s being honest with himself. There’s a realistic possibility that these violent outbursts – she says, just oneare going to get worse. She says he sounds like Jason, and he says, Jason’s not wrong. She says, yes he is when it comes to Franco. Jason doesn’t know him like she does; he doesn’t know them. She tells him that she’s scared, and he asks her to come over to him. She sits next to him on the bed, and he holds her. She says she wants to make things perfectly clear; she’ll never give up on him. It doesn’t matter how dark things get, or how dismal things are, she’ll always be his champion. Not just because of what he does for her, but because she loves him. Nothing will ever change that. Nothing. He says, okay. Good enough. He hands Elizabeth her phone, and she says she’ll call him later. She leaves, and he looks at the phone Cameron brought. 

Anna tells Maxie, everything Valentin said is true. Obrecht says, let her guess. Anna has known Peter was guilty the whole time, and allowed her to rot… Anna says, get this woman out of her face or she’ll lose her mind, and Obrecht says Anna’s mind isn’t the only thing she’s about to lose. Valentin drags Obrecht out, still talking, and Anna tells Maxie that she’s sorry. Maxie says, no, because if it was true Peter did those horrible things and Anna knew, Anna would have told her. Anna says she didn’t know until recently. She had her doubts, but she thought she was being paranoid. She thought Peter had changed, but he hadn’t. Maxie asks, when did she have doubts? For how long? Anna says, really too long. She’s sorry. Everyone looks like they’re either pissed off or going to cry. Or both.

Nina picks up her coat, and Michael asks if she’s heading out. Nina says, it’s getting crowd… late. She thanks him for inviting her. Willow comes back with Wiley, and Nina says, perfect timing. She picks Wiley up, and says it was wonderful spending time with him. Willow says, just ten more minutes, and then straight up to bed, and Nina thanks them for thinking of her. Carly asks if Willow is okay, and Willow tells her, Wiley just said she’s not his real mommy. Carly looks at Nina. Okay, my suspension of disbelief is lacking here. Wiley is cute and smart, but there’s no way he got that from what Nina said. I don’t even think he could form that kind of sentence yet.

There’s a knock at Jackie’s door, and she asks if Violet forget something, but it’s Finn.

Franco sits on the floor, and leans against the bed. He looks at the phone, and presses play. He appears on the screen, and says, hi, Franco; it’s Andy. He needs to tell Franco a few things.  

At the MetroCourt bar, Valentin thanks Obrecht for interrupting the wedding. If she hadn’t, he would have had to. She says she’s shocked that he abandoned Peter at the end, but he says he didn’t have a choice.  Anna was willing to go through with it, but if Maxie had married Peter, she would have never been able to live with herself. She says, his devotion to the scarecrow is annoying at best, but this time, it worked to her advantage. And Maxie’s. At least now, she’ll finally be free of Peter. He says, let’s hope so.   

Anna tells Maxie, she knew last year Peter was closely associated with the company who sent the assassin, the man who made the attempt on Andre and Franco’s lives. Peter says he stopped the attack, and she says, amazing that he happened to be there at just that moment. He says, it was luck, and she tells him, just stop. He knew the assassin was there, because he hired the assassin to be there. She tells Maxie that she chose to cover up the connection because she didn’t believe it, for the same reason Maxie doesn’t believe it. She can’t bear the fact that Peter is guilty, but he is. He confessed everything to Valentin. Valentin told her, and she confronted Peter. Peter says they’re both lying. They’re in this together. Anna says, no. She confronted Peter, and gave him every opportunity to tell the truth, but he didn’t; he lied. It made her realize that he will always lie. She doesn’t think it’s his fault, but the man Maxie loves just never existed. Peter says, enough of this. He tells Maxie, let’s get out of here; he’ll explain everything. Mac says, the hell he will, calls Peter a son of a bitch, and punches him in the face.

Maxie sits down, breathing heavily, and Britt and Sam rush over to her. Maxie says, the baby, and Britt says, just breathe. Maxie glares at Peter.  

Tomorrow, Carly asks Nina if she thinks it’s a good idea, Jackie asks Finn if he can get past it, Peter asks if he’s being arrested, and Dante asks Sam if she’s going to tell Jason what happened.

🏖 Since I had the time, I actually paid attention to Summer House. Carl found out his brother had died from an overdose. I have to admit, although I don’t like these people (with the exception of Hannah, who I think is just young), Carl is the most mature of the bunch, and actually seems to be working on himself as a person. Of course, no good deed goes unpunished, so all this has gotten him so far is being the designated watcher, since no one is driving anywhere. These are the last people I’d want to go through a tragedy with. Or a victory. Or anything for that matter. Amanda and Hannah compared notes on who attacked who first, and it was all, no, you. Hannah was the clear winner, since Amanda had thrown a glass at her. Sticks and stones may break your bones, but a wine glass could take an eye out. The guys scattered, while the girls all listened in. This was really nice too, considering Carl was trying to keep it together. Kyle tried to turn everyone against Hannah, saying she was out of control, but again, insulting someone vs throwing an object at them that’s not a pillow? The majority couldn’t give a flying, as long as they weren’t in the line of fire. No surprise, Carl couldn’t get out of there fast enough.

As I’m typing this, I realize nothing really ever happens on this show. And this season, they’re even working from home, but still nothing. Ciara still seems pretty sane, but give her time. She tried to explain to Luke that, relationship or not, he should have treated Hannah with more respect. Ergo, she wasn’t interested in more than friendship with him. For Lindsay’s birthday, Stephen got food from the restaurant where he’d asked her to be his girlfriend. He set up a fish and chips dinner outside, and I thought that was pretty romantic, but she told him that she had higher expectations than just going through the motions. I guess she wanted to be wined and dined in the middle of quarantine? They argued, and Stephen split in an Uber. I don’t know if I was missing something, but it seemed like Lindsay just wanted to start sh*t, and then was shocked when Stephen left. Hannah thought she should order some sage for the house, and Kyle said it was the worst day of all time.

Next time, Lindsay says there’s no coming back from it; Hannah says Kyle thinks he’s boss of the house, but he isn’t; and Kyle gets whacked in the balls with a croquet ball.

💍 Officially Moved On…

It no longer matters what zone she’s in with Luke.

https://extratv.com/2021/03/03/summer-house-star-hannah-berner-engaged-to-des-bishop/

⚱️ Countess Of Clay…

Why? Who knows?

https://pagesix.com/2021/02/22/luann-de-lesseps-strips-down-on-vacation-covers-herself-in-clay/

👠 Shah-mazing…

Jen talks about changes, feelings, and a new season to come.

https://www.distractify.com/p/jen-shah-rhoslc-season-2

🦸🏼‍♂️ Profound Marvel…

As WandaVision comes to a close, Vision becomes more poetic.

https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/wandavision-grief-love-persevering-line-director-matt-shakman/

🧿 A Different Spin On the Story…

American Horror Story will be changing it up this season. And this has to be the shortest teaser in the history of the world.

✌🏽 Peace Out…

See you for soaps and tea tomorrow, but until then, stay safe, stay reliable, and stay not serving fish and chips to someone with high expectations.

March 3, 2021 – Peter Learns the Truth, Teresa Can’t Be Convinced, Jennifer’s Dad, Marge On Kids, Lee’s Upcoming Projects, More Globes, the Spot & Start

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Of all days, I was running late, but this is what I missed. Carly and Michael talked about missing Sonny, and Michael said he told Wiley about Sonny all the time. Carly said Nina was in denial, and wanted to turn Nelle into a wronged innocent, but Michael said they’d been through worse. Nina met Ava at the Bistro, and Ava wondered why Nina wasn’t at the wedding. Nina said Maxie had disinvited her. She told Ava that Maxie believed she was still upset about Nelle, but Nina also thought Maxie didn’t want to be reminded of Nathan. Ava was clueless about Nelle, and Nina explained Nelle was her daughter. Ava was glad Nina learned the truth, even if it hadn’t been a happy ending. Nina said she knew Jax would always choose Carly over her, and told Ava about what happened on the cliff, and how she’d heard Carly and Jax talking about it, and confronted them at Sonny’s funeral. Curtis came back from taking a call, and wondered what was going on, and Sam told him about Obrecht crashing the wedding. Maxie accused Obrecht of kidnapping Peter, and said Obrecht was a fugitive, but Obrecht said she had nothing to do with it, and she’d been released. She showed Robert her paperwork, and he said it was legit. She said she’d been exonerated of her crimes, and they could call the WSB to verify it. Robert called, and confirmed it was true. And then…

Michael tells Carly that he feels badly about the scene Nina created at Sonny’s grave, but he wishes it had been enough for her, and she didn’t feel the need to follow up with the FBI and the police. Carly says, fortunately, they didn’t believe a word Nina had to say, and Michael says, it’s over from a legal standpoint, but won’t be good for Wiley if Nina keeps blaming Carly for Nelle’s death. She says that’s the exact reason she went to Nina’s office; she wanted to straighten things out. He says, that’s a nice way of putting it, but be honest. She went to Nina’s office to lay down the law, didn’t she?

Robert says, the WSB exonerated Obrecht, and she was given a full release. Jordan says she thought the evidence was air-tight, and Maxie asks why Obrecht is trying to ruin her special day. Obrecht says, new evidence has come to light that proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that she never committed any of those crimes. Curtis says, if Obrecht wasn’t responsible, who was? 

Obrecht says she’s not privy to the workings of the WSB, but believes they have a suspect under investigation. From the evidence they’ve gotten so far, it was suggested she be exonerated. She’s a free woman. Lucy says she’s creating a huge nuisance, and asks Obrecht to find the nearest exit, and let her join these couples in wedded bliss. Obrecht says, no one is getting married, but Maxie says she’s marrying Peter. Obrecht says if she does, it will be her final mistake, but it’s no surprise, given the pack of lies she’s been told by the people she trusts most. Anna says Obrecht wasn’t invited; just get out. Maxie tells Obrecht, what she said, and looks at Peter.

Nina asks Ava if she should be sorry for caring about her daughter, and being upset because her life was cut short. She was angry because Carly might have helped, but chose not to. She complained to Jordan, who notified the FBI because Nelle’s body was found across state lines. They questioned Carly, and even though she lied to the police for months, she was cleared of any wrongdoing. Ava says, there were no witnesses or evidence, so it’s pretty standard, and Nina says, Carly thinks she was acting irrationally, and being vindictive because she wants justice. She told Nina that if she continues to spiral, she’ll lose everything, including Wiley. She said Nina would have no one else to blame but herself. Ava says, oh boy. She hates to say it, but in this particular instance, Carly might be right.

Carly tells Michael, she made it clear there can’t be another scene like the one at Sonny’s grave. Then she highly suggested Nina work things out with Jax, and not dwell on the past. Michael says that’s why he and Willow brought Wiley to see Nina, so he can get to know his grandma. She says she gets that, but she was completely blindsided when she found them in Nina’s office. Michael says, not that he can’t guess, but how does it make her feel?   

Obrecht says she’s not going anywhere. She objects to this marriage; Maxie’s, not Anna’s. If Anna and Finn want to inflict their misery on each other, feel free, but they’ll have to take their vows another time. Chase says if she doesn’t leave, he’s going to arrest her for trespassing, and Obrecht says if they won’t listen to her, maybe they’ll listen to Anna’s twin Alex. Anna says, she’s dead and can’t hurt anyone anymore, but Obrecht says, Alex left a gift for Anna, and especially for Peter. She plays the video. Alex says, hello, Peter. If he’s seeing this, she’s probably dead, which is so unfortunate, but she didn’t want the truth to die with her.

Carly tells Michael, of course (🍷) she thinks Wiley should have a relationship with Nina – at some point. She doesn’t think it needs to be right this minute, especially if Nina is holding on to her fantasy about Nelle, and imposes it on Wiley. He says, Wiley doesn’t remember Nelle, and Carly says, that’s why she thinks it’s healthier for everyone to take a step back. Nina should go to grief counseling, and can see Wiley when she’s ready. It will be better for both of them.

Nina says, Ava is siding with Carly? Has the world ended? Ava says, it’s still spinning, and asks Nina to put herself in Carly’s position for just a second. She was at her husband’s grave, facing life without him, when Nina showed up confrontationally, crashing the party, so to speak. Nina says, in retrospect, she could have handled it better, but at the time, she was grieving. Ava says, of course (🍷) she was, but to make it worse, she went to the cops, and she had to know how angry that would make Carly. Nina says she didn’t care. She turned her back on Nelle when she was alive. The least she could do is defend Nelle in death. Ava says, hindsight is not always 20/20, and can obscure what really happened. Nina says she went on the stand, and testified against her own daughter, but Ava says, she told the truth. Nina says, if not for her ruining Nelle’s chance of custody, she wouldn’t have run with Wiley, fell, and gotten killed. Ava says, everyone knows that she’s no fan of Carly’s, but Carly was grieving the loss of her husband, and when Carly feels attacked, she fights back. Trust her, Carly will not back down.

Curtis tells Sam, this shouldn’t be happening here, and suggests they put a stop to it. They leave, and on screen, Alex says her sister is quite lethal when she’s threatened, and she’s afraid of the truth. Anna takes the remote, but Obrecht says she’s already texted Alex’s speech to everyone. Anna can’t stop the truth. Anna says, not in front of everybody, but Obrecht says, who’s fault is that? Anna didn’t tell them, so it’s her duty to protect Nathan’s widow and her grandson. Alex says she left this with her ex-husband Dimitri, and he agreed to send it if she didn’t return. She has something important to tell Peter; something that will change his life. Something Anna knows, and most likely neglected to tell him. She’s the one who slept with Faison, not Anna, and in the night they spent together, they created new life – him. Anna is not his mother. She is. Peter starts to cry, and Alex says if he doesn’t believe her, ask Anna. She’ll tell him. Everyone gives each other soap looks.    

Sam tells Curtis, it looks like they weren’t soon enough, and Peter asks Anna if it’s true. Maxie says, no. Alex was crazy, and hated Anna. She tells Anna to let Peter know it’s a lie, but Anna says she can’t; it’s true. Alex was Peter’s mother. Peter asks, why lie? Why did Alex give him to her? Valentin says, Alex gave the memory to Anna because she couldn’t live with what she’d done, and Peter says, he knew too? Valentin says, yes, he did, and Maxie says, this is what Obrecht meant at the cemetery when she said Peter wasn’t the man he thinks he is. Finn says, Anna knew all along from when Faison’s DNA was tested, and Anna says she’s sorry. He says, tell Peter, not him, and she says she can explain. Finn walks out, and she follows. Chase intercepts her, and says, let him talk to Finn. He tells Finn, wait up, but when he catches up to Finn, Finn shakes him off.   

Obrecht tells Britt, she couldn’t allow Maxie to marry a man who was lying to her, but first, Anna’s halo needed to be removed. Britt says Obrecht stopped the wedding, but Obrecht says, actually, her mission is not yet complete.

Jordan says she wishes she had the authority to arrest Obrecht, and Chase says, it proves that lies, even for the right reason, always end up hurting someone. Jordan says she knows all about that, and Willow says, there’s always forgiveness. She tells Chase that she thinks it’s safe to say the wedding is over. Does he want to leave? He says he’s going to stick around and check on his brother, and she says he’s a good guy. He tells her he’s trying. He says he’ll call her, and she leaves.

Michael asks if Carly doesn’t think the more people who love Wiley, the better. That’s what he had as a kid, and it’s not so bad. She says, Nina will bring up Nelle every chance she gets, and spin it, saying Nelle was a sweet, sensitive person who got a raw deal, instead of telling him the truth. His mother was a psychopath who gave him away at the side of the road. He says, Wiley is going to find out, and they can’t lie about who his birth parents are. She says she’s not suggesting they do. When Wiley is old enough to understand, they’ll tell him the truth. His biological mom died before he knew her. When he’s mature enough, they’ll explain she had severe problems. Wiley will process things on his own timetable, not Nina’s.

Nina tells Ava, she’s Wiley’s family, and she’s going to be a presence in his life. Ava says she gets that. She’s just telling Nina that if she chooses to declare war, Carly will use every weapon in her arsenal to keep Nina away. Doesn’t she see a way of giving peace a shot?

Obrecht says Robert promised to look after Maxie, and keep her safe from Peter. He broke his promise. He says, so she decided to turn up, and blow up the wedding. She says she wouldn’t have if Peter had been proven guilty. She had no choice but to bring him to justice herself. He says he doesn’t see any justice, just broken hearts, and she says, if he thinks that’s bad, just wait. More is coming.

Maxie tells Peter, it makes sense. All the things Alex said to them, she wasn’t speaking as his aunt, but as his mother. Mac says, none of this is Maxie’s fault, and she says, what about Anna? She’s just as bad. She knew the truth, and she lied.

Anna approaches Peter, who asks why she lied to him. She says, because he needed to believe she was his mother, and he says she had no right to make that decision for him. She says, no, but she thought she was protecting him. He wanted a second chance after the horrific life with his father; a chance at love, a chance with Maxie. He asks how long she knew, and she says she always suspected, but didn’t know until last autumn. He says she kept the secret all this time, and Anna tells him to understand this doesn’t have to destroy his life. He’s in control. He says, not anymore. He’s never going be the man Maxie wanted.

Ava says Nina needs to be careful how she approaches Carly. Apologize for the confrontation at the grave, even if she doesn’t mean it. Nina says she did apologize to Willow and Michael, and Ava says, that’s a great start. Nina says they brought Wiley to her office, and it put her in a gracious mood. It was lovely. She got to play with Wiley, and hold him, and they suggested she babysit. Ava says, great. So Michael is open to letting Wiley be in her life. Nina says she thought it was great too, until Carly arrived, and threated to blow it to pieces.    

Michael says, Nina is Wiley’s family, and he’s not going to deprive Wiley of his grandmother, the same way he wouldn’t deprive Wiley of Carly. Carly says he can’t trust Nina not to go off the deep end, but he says, raising children is all about trust. You trust they’ll be healthy and happy, do well in school, eat their vegetables, and play well with others. And you trust that love will make it better. He’s saying this as Wiley’s father, and Willow, as Wiley’s mother, agrees with him. It will make everything easier on Wiley, especially if Carly is on board. Willow comes in, and says, sorry to interrupt. Michael wonders why she’s back so soon, and she says, neither wedding happened. Peter disappeared, and Dante found him locked in the utility closet. Carly says, she’s kidding, and Willow says she wishes she was. Peter was fine, and the wedding started. It was underway, when Obrecht arrived. Michael says he thought she was in prison, but Willow says, she was exonerated, and had real paperwork to prove it. It went back and forth for a while, and Maxie asked Obrecht to leave, when Obrecht played a recording from Alex. Apparently, she’s really Peter’s mother. Carly says, it came out at the wedding? and Willow says she felt terrible for Anna, especially when Finn walked out. Carly says, Finn left Anna (looking a little too greedy for gossip IMO), and Willow says she guesses all of the revelations were too much, and he took off. Chase is worried about him.

Jordan says she’d have given anything to haul Obrecht away, and Curtis says, when Obrecht objects to a wedding, she goes all out. Lucy wonders if the apple would fall that far from the tree, and Peter could be like his mother. Jordan says she never trusted him; he seemed to have a secret agenda, and he published the article on Franco’s medical records. Curtis says, it had him questioning Peter’s motive, and Jordan says she put it aside because Peter made Maxie happy, and helped her get over Nathan’s death. Curtis says, it could still happen, no matter who Peter’s mother is, and Lucy says, she thinks it matters to Peter more than anyone else. Curtis says, except Finn. He had no idea Anna was keeping that big of a secret. At least he found out before they got married. He leaves, and Lucy asks, what was that? Not that it’s any of her business, but Curtis seemed to be talking about him and Jordan. Jordan says she lied, and Curtis walked out on their marriage. Lucy says she’s so sorry. Is there any chance it can be fixed?

Obrecht says, Maxie must realize the man she thought she was marrying doesn’t exist, and Sam tells her, back off. Robert says, given time and distance away from Peter, Maxie can get the whole story, but Mac says, that’s Maxie’s decision alone.

Valentin tells Anna, it’s safe to say it didn’t go the way they’d hoped, but Maxie didn’t marry Peter. Anna supposes that’s a consolation, and he says they did their best to save things, but she says, they were a little too late. He says, Peter’s horrific childhood notwithstanding, he committed his own crimes. He lied to her and Maxie. She asks what he’s going to do, and he says, what he told Peter. He’s going to do everything to minimize the pain inflicted on those they love. She says, it’s a bit too late for that, and he says, trust him. She says she’ll have to. She’s got to find Finn.

On the phone, Finn says he appreciates Jackie taking Violet. She needs to be far away from the situation. Let her rest; it’s been a long day. When she wakes up, tell her that he loves her, and give her a glass of milk. She likes that when she wakes up. The wedding didn’t happen, but he’ll tell her about it later. Chase knocks at the door, and says he’s not going away. Open the door. Finn tells Jackie that he has to go; they’ll talk later. He opens the door, and Chase says he knows Finn doesn’t want to talk. Finn says he’s got that right, but Chase says Finn shouldn’t be alone. Finn says he should be. What part of he knows what’s best for himself does Chase not understand? Chase says if Finn changes his mind, he knows where Chase is. You can be really stubborn, but I love you, brother.   

Maxie tells Peter, it’s not the wedding they expected, right? He doesn’t reply, and she asks what being Alex’s son really means. He’s still him, the man she loves. He’s going to make a great husband and father. She puts his hand on her belly, and asks if he feels that. It’s their little girl kicking in agreement. She’s asking her daddy to marry her mommy. She wants to be a happy family, and neither one of them can say no to their sweet Lu. She hasn’t said the words officially, but she loves him for better or worse. He’s her heart, and she wants to spend the rest of her life with him. Will he do her the honor marrying her? Valentin closes his eyes.

Willow tells Michael, she decided she needed a dose of Wiley to take the edge off, and Carly says she’s sorry the wedding turned out like that. Michael says, Wiley is upstairs playing with his new truck. It will probably end up at the gatehouse, which Wiley thinks is a big playroom. Carly asks how Willow’s new digs are working out, and Willow says, the gatehouse gets more adorable every day. Michael is on a non-stop renovation kick. Wiley gets to come and go between two homes, and she still gets to have her own life. Carly should come by. She’ll be Willow’s first guest… Second; Chase picked her up there. Carly says she’d love to, but she can’t tonight; she has to go. She tells Michael that she’ll be in touch, and leaves. Michael says, before Willow sees Wiley, would she mind hanging out for a second? She says, sure. What does he have in mind?

Nina tells Ava, Carly couldn’t stand to see Wiley happy and laughing and having a good time. She couldn’t get Michael and Willow out of the office fast enough. When they were gone, Carly kept saying over and over that Wiley was her grandson, and threatened to keep him away from Nina if she didn’t play her cards right. Ava says, then play them right. Make peace for Wiley’s sake. The good news is, Michael is willing to let her in Wiley’s life. Nina’s phone rings, and she says, it’s Michael. Michael says he hopes he’s not interrupting, but he was wondering if she’d like to come over and see Wiley if she has the time. Nina says she’d love to; she’ll be right there. She thanks him, and Ava says, good news? Nina says, great news. Michael invited her over to spend time with Wiley. Ava says, fantastic, and Nina says, Michael understands the importance of family. She’s Wiley’s family, and the only part of his mother that he has. Ava says, birth mother. Willow is Wiley’s mom now. Nina promises to remember that, and act accordingly. She’s going to take Ava’s advice. Ava says, which part? and Nina says she’s going to apologize to Carly.

Jordan tells Lucy that she offered solutions to repair their marriage, but Curtis doesn’t trust her anymore. What happened at the wedding reminded him of why their marriage imploded. Lucy says she’s had more broken relationships than broken nails, so she’s probably not the right person to give advice, but can Jordan say she’s sorry? Can she think about what she did to make Curtis leave, in the hope of trying to make him come back? Lucy thinks they both deserve to be very happy. She squeezes Jordan’s hands, and leaves. Jordan and Curtis look at each other, but Curtis turns away.

Finn looks out window. There’s a knock at the door, and he ignores it for a moment, then opens it. Anna is there.

Robert says, don’t tell him that Maxie is proposing to Peter, and she doesn’t know that she just dodged a bullet. Mac tells Robert to get over himself. He could list the skeletons in Robert’s closet. Peter is just as shocked. Robert says, Peter’s newfound mama is the least of his problems. Personally, Robert thinks they should wait, but Mac says, the priority is Maxie’s happiness. Robert says, maybe Peter will pass up the proposition. Sam tells Britt that she thinks it’s the wrong decision, and Britt says, everyone knows Peter is wrong for Maxie, except Maxie.

Maxie says she’s getting nervous. Why isn’t Peter answering her? He says he doesn’t believe she still wants to marry him, but she says her love hasn’t changed because his mother has. He says he doesn’t want her pity, and she says, who she pities, is Obrecht. She decided to wreck their lives, and made enemies out of everyone. He has her love and respect, and hopes she still has his. He says, she does, and he will marry her. They hug, and Obrecht says, Peter is not who Maxie thinks he is. He shows the pretense of morality and kindness, but he’s lying and manipulating Maxie. He can’t be trusted, and he must not be allowed near her grandson. She owes it to Nathan to keep James safe. She clicks her pen, and Britt asks what she’s doing. Obrecht says, what must be done; James and Maxie must be protected.

Valentin says he can’t allow this to continue until Maxie learns who Peter truly is.   

Tomorrow, Carly thinks she knows where someone is, Robert thinks Maxie should listen, Jackie wishes she’d done a lot of things differently, Valentin says it’s time the truth came to light, and Finn asks Anna what else she’s lying about.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey

The women were still at Lake George, where the day’s agenda was to go on a boat ride. Marge called Joe #3, and said every time they went away, there was drama. She felt sad because Jackie wasn’t there, and Teresa was hyper-focusing on the analogy, even though everyone was trying to talk to her. Joe said Teresa didn’t understand anyone else’s point, so why bother? Melissa wanted to continue the good vibe, but Marge thought it was weird without Jackie. Teresa insisted she’d already apologized, and we flashed back to her saying, sorry, BUT where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Great apology, T. She thought Jackie must have skeletons in her closet due to her anger level, and Melissa asked for a show of hands as to who thought they were beating a dead horse. In her interview, she said she felt sorry for Jackie, but they couldn’t spend the whole trip trying to convince Teresa she was wrong when she wasn’t hearing it. Teresa asked if everyone wanted a shot before they left, and Marge said, it’s 11 am; why not?

On the way there, Marge said the guys were getting together, and the last time they did, Joe #2 was Gorga-ed. Delores said, don’t compete with a Gorga, and Jennifer said, Bill enjoyed being Gorga-fied. Teresa spoke to her realtor about selling the house, and in her interview said it was hard. She and Joe had built it together, and raised their daughters there, but she was ready to move on. Melissa said Antonia just turned 15, and had a boyfriend; they’d been together since 8th grade, and he was so sweet. Melania told her that he didn’t pressure Antonia to have sex, and everyone had sex. Teresa said she was so not ready for that, and it led them to talking about how old they were their first time. Melissa said she’d rather die than talk birds and bees to her kids, but thought it was becoming necessary. She said she didn’t miss her kids that much, since they hadn’t left her side since February because of quarantine. Joe #2 wasn’t keen on her going to Lake George with the girls, and she worried he was going out.

The women got on a tiki boat with Captain Greg, who informed them it was a boozy boat. Delores thought Teresa should get Joe #2 back for making her lie about him being in a strip club a million years ago, and suggested Teresa say Melissa was talking to another guy. Teresa texted Joe, saying, the owner of the restaurant where they had dinner asked Melissa for her number, and he and Melissa had been texting all day. She added, don’t tell Melissa that she told him, and to delete the text after reading it. In her interview, Jennifer said she didn’t think a practical joke about cheating was a good idea after what they’d just gone through. Case in point, Jackie wasn’t there. Teresa called Joe, telling him the guy was cute, and she was interested, but he kept going up to Melissa. Joe started talking in Italian, and in Melissa’s interview, she said that meant Joe fully believed it. She was surprised he had no faith in her. Teresa told him that Melissa and the guy had taken a walk, and in Marge’s interview, she said Teresa might be the best pathological liar she knows, but she was a genius. Teresa told Joe that she didn’t always have her eye on them, and he said, mama mia, you never know. That’s when she told him he’d ben punked, and he said they’re morons. In his interview, Joe #2 said they got him, but he wouldn’t have listened if it had been anyone else. Marge said Teresa might get the Academy Award, and everyone dozed on the way back.

Back at the house, Melissa made Marge show them her new boobs, and in Marge’s interview, she said, Melissa loves assess and t*ts, so she just goes with it. Melissa must have been a man in a previous life. They decided to order in, as they guzzled rosé, and Marge went upstairs to put on sweats.

Melissa called Joe #2, and said since he’d been speaking Italian, he must have believed Teresa. He said he didn’t want the kids to know their mother was a dirty tramp, and asked the status on Jackie. Melissa said Jackie had sent a text just saying she missed them, but she knew Jackie was upset. She suggested Joe invite Evan to the guys night, and he said he already had, but Evan claimed to be busy. Jennifer told Delores that she’d talked to Teresa’s realtor friend Michelle at the party, and she’d said Joe #2 owed her husband money. In Jennifer’s interview, she said it wasn’t the first time she’d heard that Joe owed someone money. He’d also said he did a kitchen renovation, and the person who really did it, called him out on it. If he was willing to lie about a kitchen renovation, what else was he willing to lie about? She told Delores, Michelle’s husband did motivational speaking for Joe, and was never paid. Delores said, a lot of bombs were being dropped at the party. Jennifer wondered if she should go to Melissa. They’d just made up, and she didn’t want Melissa to flip on her like Teresa did on Jackie. Delores suggested she not ruin tonight. If it was Frank, she’d want to know, but Jennifer needed to watch how she said it.   

Frank, Bill, and Joe #3 met at Joe #2’s house. Joe #2 provided an incredible spread, including Tito’s and sushi. They played deuces wild, and Joe #3 cleaned up. Joe #2 told the guys that he’d been faking his night. His sister called, and said the owner of the restaurant where they had dinner was hitting on Melissa, and Melissa had been calling him all day. He told them that he was about to cry. The bottom line was… he got punked. In his interview, Joe said he had a stable marriage, but the cheating word is serious, and you have to be careful. Frank wondered if the girls were having as good a time, but Joe #3 said they were going to be arguing about Teresa and Jackie. Frank said he was three tequilas in, and wanted to make sure he understood about the rumor. Joe #3 said he’d heard rumors Evan had a girlfriend, and Joe #2 said maybe there was something to it. In Frank’s interview, he said the only person who knew if it was false, was Evan, but they went out all the time, and Evan never looked at women or flirted. They agreed Evan was a stand-up guy, and toasted to him. I always find myself smiling and laughing when the guys get together, and they always work out their differences. Maybe they should have their own show. Or their own channel. You could just have them on in the background, and it would feel like you’re at a party.

Tons of food came, and Melissa and Marge sat on Melissa’s balcony. Melissa said she missed Jackie, and Marge  said she felt bad. She called Jackie, and said they missed her. Jackie said she missed them too, but she had to do what was right for her family. Evan was disgusted. He worked in finance, and it hurt his reputation. Teresa needed to clear his name. Jackie wanted Teresa to call Evan, and say it was total bullsh*t. In Melissa’s interview, she said it wasn’t a small request. The lot of them couldn’t even convince Teresa that it was wrong to spread the rumor. Melissa suggested Jackie start the ball rolling by apologizing for the bad analogy, but Jackie said she had nothing in the world to be sorry about. Teresa had been hurtful, and it was totally in her court. Marge told Melissa that Jackie wouldn’t have been as upset unless Evan was.  

At dinner, Marge said she’d called Jackie, and Jackie wasn’t crying, but she was heated. Evan was upset about his reputation. Teresa said if he wasn’t doing anything, why would he be upset? and Melissa said he was in a different type of business. Teresa said Jackie had no backbone, and was effing weak. She must have an inkling that Evan was cheating, because someone acting like this was out of control. I wondered if it was me, or did Teresa just not make sense. Marge said her friends would hit the roof if they were in Jackie’s position, and Teresa said, when confronted with Joe #1 cheating rumors, she was secure in marriage, so she stayed calm. I realized the question I should have asked was, were we watching the same show? but in her interview, Marge confirmed this by saying, FYI, Teresa’s husband was cheating, and she was not calm about it. We flashed back to that, and Teresa said she was tired of all this. She was about to blow her casket. Everyone was like, um… and she said she was never going to tell Jackie anything again. Although it was atrocious timing – New Jersey, the atrocious timing state – Melissa said Jackie would like Teresa to call her husband. She could say she heard a rumor, but whoever said it was probably a liar. In Teresa’s interview, she said she wasn’t sure if Jackie was trying to imply she’d made it up, but it was something she’d heard. If Jackie didn’t like it, too effing bad. She told the women, Jackie needed to apologize to her daughter. Melissa said she was sure Jackie would do that, and Teresa started whining really loud like she does, saying, oh my God, she’s like a broken record. Melissa said Teresa was 100% wrong for saying it at the party, and Teresa – who can never be told she’s wrong – said she was leaving, They were all a-holes, and could go f*** themselves. I laughed at Jennifer’s face. She really shouldn’t be surprised by now.

Marge said they weren’t attacking Teresa, just showing her another point-of-view, and Melissa said they’d all tried talking to her, but she wasn’t having it. Marge said, while Jackie didn’t bring this on herself, she made the situation worse. The women descended on Teresa in her room, and  Marge suggested she and Lexi go upstairs, since there was mass hysteria going on. Delores’s said, enough already, and Melissa told Teresa that they were just trying to bring two people back together, but only had one there. In her interview, Melissa said Jackie had to find a way to move on, or they wouldn’t be able to be together again.

The women put on their matching sweatshirts, and sat around a fire outside, making smores. They heard something in the woods, and Delores and Teresa took off for he house as a prank. The others freaked, and ran after them.

Next time, Marge talks about sleeping with her boss, Jennifer tells Melissa what Michelle said, and Jackie says if no one has her back, there’s no point in being there.

👨‍👧 The Good Daughter…

Jennifer talks about her dad living with her.

https://pagesix.com/2021/02/24/why-rhonj-star-jennifer-aydins-dad-still-lives-with-her/

🪁 Marge Lets Fly…

Marge tells it all on the topic of children.

🎥 The Dish On Daniels…

What do The Wonder Years and Billie Holiday have in common?

https://extratv.com/videos/lee-daniels-dishes-on-the-wonder-years-reboot-plus-his-billie-holiday-biopic/

🏆 Global Intoxication…

Behold the drunkest celebrities.

https://pagesix.com/article/drunkest-celebrities-at-golden-globes-through-the-years/

Commentary from the designated driver.

https://pagesix.com/2021/02/28/sober-chrissy-teigen-mocks-her-golden-globes-meme-face/

And just in case you missed it, everything you needed to know about this year’s Golden Globes, and then some.

https://pagesix.com/tag/golden-globes-2021/page/3/

🍽 If You Were Wondering…

I think I’d keep mine in the kitchen.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1241449/where-the-heck-do-stars-really-keep-their-awards

💫 Sleeping the Dream…

Another day, another fight with my computer and my email. The technical struggle is real. Whatever your struggle, stay safe, stay knowing good times will come, and stay hanging out with the guys and playing deuces wild, instead of going to Lake George where there will be drama.

March 2, 2021 – A Last Minute Save & Suite City

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Lucy approaches Valentin in the ballroom, and says, what is this she sees? The unflappable Valentin looking slightly flappable. He says being Peter’s best man is more stressful than he thought it would be. It’s Peter’s big day, and he can’t have anything go wrong. Finn wonders where the hell Peter is, and Chase says he’s sure Peter will be there soon. Finn says he never should have agreed to this double wedding thing. He thought it’s what Anna wanted. Chase says, and Anna didn’t? and Finn says, the whole thing got twisted around, and he sort of stammeringly agreed. Chase says, Finn stammer? Nooo. Finn says Chase is a great comfort to him in a time like this, and Chase says he’s sure Peter will be there soon. Willow runs in and says she hit traffic on the way. She was afraid she’d be late. Finn laughs, and tells her not to worry. The whole damn wedding is late.

Sam sees Britt in the garden, and says she wouldn’t happen to know where Peter is, would she? as she keeps walking. Britt says, there’s a saying. Maybe Sam has heard of it. I am not my brother’s keeper. She looks to see Sam is already gone, and says, someone is no fun at all.

Robert brings Jackie a drink, and she says, wow. Another drink before the ceremony. He says, an open bar is an effective remedy for an anxious audience, and she asks him if he got that from a fortune cookie. He says, no, your mum, and she says he’s a good mood for attending a wedding he adamantly opposes. She asks if he isn’t going to object, and he says it didn’t work the first hundred times; why bother? She says, what’s with the grin then, and he says, it’s the company. She laughs, and says, right. And it has nothing to do with the wedding being short a groom. He looks around, and says he hadn’t noticed. They clink glasses.

Maxie comes in with Anna, and tells Jordan and Sam, sorry to keep everybody waiting. She just needed to get some fresh air and do a little soul searching. Found it. Her breath and her soul. Anyway, she’s here. Let’s roll. Sam says they both look beautiful, and Maxie says, let’s hope Peter thinks so. Jordan steers Anna a few yards away, and says, there may be a problem. Anna asks, how serious? and Jordan says, at the moment, they’re missing a groom. Maxie hears, and says, oh no. Did Finn get called to the hospital? That’s the problem with being a specialist. No one can cover for you, even when you’re getting married. Jordan says, no, Finn’s inside, and Sam says, it’s Peter. Nobody knows where he is. Maxie says, there has to be some sort of explanation for that. This is their wedding day. He has to be somewhere.

In a basement, a door slams shut. We see Peter, bound and gagged, on the floor of a small room. He’s out cold.

Lucy says hi to Dante, and he says he heard she’s officiating. She says she is, but she wishes she’d seen him sooner to tell him she’s sorry to hear about Lulu. He thanks her and says it’s been pretty rough on all of them, especially Rocco and Charlotte, but they’re holding onto hope. She says, of course (🍷) they are. She knows he has to be strong, especially for the kids, but what about him? How is he? He says he was just thinking about Lulu on their wedding day. She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen in his life… but that was a long time ago. He’s there for Anna and Finn, and Peter and Maxie. She says, they are taking their sweet time, aren’t they? She’s going to  leave him to his beautiful reverie. She thinks it’s good to think about those who aren’t there right now during happy times. It’s good for the soul.

Willow adjusts Chase’s tie, and says he’s an exceptionally handsome best man. He says he wishes he was better at his best man duties, and she asks if he has the rings. He says, yes, and she asks if he threw Finn a bachelor party. He says, God no, and she says, and if Finn asks him for help…? He says, Finn won’t, and she says, the moment he senses Finn needs help, and he knows what Finn needs? He says, Finn won’t want help, and she says, then how he could possibly be a better best man? He says, that’s the problem. He doesn’t know how to help Finn, and keep him from going crazier before the wedding starts.    

Gregory tells Finn that he wishes he had some words of advice to offer, and Finn asks if he doesn’t have a quote or two. Gregory says, it could be worse? and Finn says, Shakespeare or Nietzsche? Gregory says, Anna could be the one who didn’t show. Finn says, it’s still early, don’t jinx it, and Gregory says, that would never happen. The woman Finn loves is here for him, not mingling with her ex from before she knew him. He looks over at Jackie and Robert, and Finn says, Robert only dated Jackie; Anna married him. Gregory says, now she’s marrying Finn, which is the salient point. Finn says, that’s true. They’ve gone through a lot to get there, and now they’ve got this. They look at the photo montage; Anna as a child, Finn with Violet, and the three of them together.  

Mac says Robert is in a good mood, and Robert says he’s the second person to say that. It’s got to be true. Robert asks if Mac is worried the groom won’t show up, and Mac says, if he doesn’t, Maxie will be devastated. Robert says, it would be the best thing in the world. She’s better off without him. Mac asks how Robert can come to Maxie’s wedding and take pleasure in her misery, but Robert says, it’s not pleasure; it’s relief. Maxie is better off without Peter. Mac says, if Robert doesn’t watch it, people will start to feel that way about him. Mac leaves, and Britt walks over. She says, Robert is quite a stand-up guy, isn’t he? He asks if she wrangled an invitation, or if she’s crashing. She says Maxie told her that he promised to respect her choice to marry Peter. Is it just like he promised Britt’s mother that he’d help her, instead of letting her rot in Steinmaur for crimes she didn’t commit. He says he didn’t break his promise; it’s taking longer than expected to work things out. He says the one thing Britt’s mother and he have in common… She says, they both hate Peter? and he says, the two things they have in common. They both hate Peter, and they both love Maxie. It’s probably a good thing Obrecht isn’t there to see Peter break Maxie’s heart. He walks away, and Britt drains her drink.   

Sam tells Maxie, she’s so sorry, but they can’t find Peter. Jordan says they left phone messages, and messages on his cell, but there’s no sign of him. Maxie says she knows how important the wedding is to him. He wouldn’t leave her waiting, unless… She asks if there’s a big news story, like an earthquake or an uprising, but Anna says she knows what the wedding means to Peter, and doesn’t think he’d take off without a call or a text. He just hasn’t had a chance to reach out to her, but he will. He loves Maxie, and would never leave her hanging. Maxie says, yet here she is, twisting in the wind, with Anna and Finn and all of their guests. Anna suggests they put a pin in the wedding for now, and focus on finding Peter, but Maxie says, no, no, no. She does not want to postpone her  wedding, but Finn joins them, and asks, who said anything about postponing?

Finn tells Anna that she looks beautiful, and Maxie asks what he’s doing. He says she looks pretty too, but she says he’s not supposed to see Anna in her dress before the ceremony. Now everything will fall apart. Finn says, now everything is going to fall apart? and Anna says, it’s fine. He looks lovely too. He says, this old thing? and asks, why the postponing talk? She says they’re having trouble tracking down Peter, and he says, that’s the word on the street, or in the ballroom, as it were. Maxie asks if everyone knows, and he says, they’re starting to catch on to the plot. She wonders who’s gloating, besides Robert, and he says, just Robert. Anna says if Peter doesn’t arrive soon, they’ll have to postpone, and Maxie says she doesn’t know what’s keeping Peter, but she’s sure there’s a reasonable explanation. She tells Anna and Finn that nothing is stopping them from getting married; she means it. Anna says, then it won’t be a double wedding, but Maxie says, it will. They’ll just take turns. She’ll wait until Peter gets there, then they can have their ceremony. In the meantime, Anna and Finn can have their ceremony and get married now. Finn tells Anna, she heard the lady, but Anna says she can’t leave Maxie there in her wedding dress. Maxie says, Sam will be there, and goes over to Sam. Anna says, they can’t just go on with their day like nothing happened, and Finn says he thinks that boat has sailed, but she says, they agreed to a double wedding. He says he thinks bamboozled is the word she’s looking for, and she says, it’s not just about Maxie. Finn says he’s sorry for being selfish. Peter is her son, and he’s sure she’s worried about him. She says, yes. There has to be a reasonable explanation why he’s not there. He got stuck in the elevator, stuck in traffic, his phone died… She’ll feel better when she can see for herself, and he says, okay. She says he knows she wants to marry him more than anything, and he says, so let’s do that. They’ll do their wedding their way. Maxie can have all the bells and whistles. They can grab Violet, and get married in the elevator on the way to the car for all he cares. He never needed any of this. All he needs is her.

Jordan asks Valentin if there’s any word from Peter, but he says, no. How’s Maxie? She says, about to have a baby, and she’s missing her groom. It’s not a pretty picture. He says he’ll see what he can do.

Anna tells Finn, she’d nothing like more than to run off, get married, and go to a tropical island for a few months. He says, let’s do that, and Anna says he understands why she can’t, right? He says, Peter is her son, and Maxie is her goddaughter. She loves them very much, and can’t leave in case there’s trouble. She says, yeah. It’s inconvenient, she knows; sorry. He says, it’s okay. He knows they’re part of the package, but she can’t blame a guy for taking a shot. The idea of running away sounded romantic. She says, so romantic. Does he know how much she adores him? He says he thinks so, but he wouldn’t mind if he was underestimating. She says he doesn’t see himself as a hero, but he’s rescued her more times than she can count. In big, adventurous ways, and small gestures. She loves his smile, even though he tries to hide it, and she loves how they fight about who gets to protect whom. When they were in Berkeley, and chatting on the phone even though they were down the hall from each other, he reminded her that every moment in their lives leads us to this one. They’ve made mistakes, but it led to this; being with him. It helps her not to regret anything because it led her to this moment, and the next, and the next. She never wants it to change. He says, okay. They’ll tie the knot at a time and place to be determined in the near future, and they’ll never deal with this again. She says, let’s just get past this thing with Peter, then she can spend the rest of her life loving him. He says, okay, and they hug.  

Valentin puts on gloves and goes to Peter’s room. He remembers Anna saying she doesn’t want Jason involved. She wants Peter to face justice, not be killed in cold blood. Valentin says, then don’t they have to wait? Gather evidence, so the WSB has to prosecute him themselves. She says, at Maxie’s expense? She can’t live with that. He says, so what do they do? In the present, Valentin rights the furniture in Peter’s room. He continues flashing back to Anna saying, Peter cannot marry Maxie. He tells Anna, so they’ll get him out of town, but she says, if he’s missing, Maxie will go looking for him. He says, with whom? Spinelli can’t stand him. She says, Sam is a good P.I., but he says, she’s another one who believes Maxie is better off without Peter. Who does that leave? Anna says, it leaves her. Maxie has to think Peter left of his own volition. Is Valentin going to do it tonight? He says, no; that’s too soon. Maxie has to think he left her at the altar. Anna says, she’ll be too heartbroken to follow him. He says, she’ll be with Maxie, and he’ll be with Peter, and they’ll just go on as planned. Once Peter is left alone, his people will grab him. She says, Valentin needs to go to the ballroom and take his place as Peter’s best man. He says, some best man. Maxie is going to be devastated; can Anna handle that? She says she doesn’t know, but she’s going to have to. While thinking about all this, Valentin packs Peter’s clothing. He remembers Anna saying that he’ll need to go to Peter’s room, and clear it out. Make it look like he left on his own. He says he’ll leave a letter, and make it sound like Peter wrote it. Anna says, tell her the truth. Say Peter loves her, but he knows too many secrets that will put her in danger. That’s why he’s leaving, and that’s why she can’t look for him. Valentin leaves the note, and flashes back to him telling Anna that he has a property. She asks if it’s under the radar, and he says, of course (🍷). He’ll keep Peter there until they can gather enough evidence to formally charge him. Once the wheels are in motion, they can’t stop. No deciding Peter needs another chance. Anna says, Peter needs to be brought to justice, and until that happens, they have to make sure no one else gets hurt. They’ve made too many mistakes, spent too many years trying to make amends, and they allowed him to exploit that. People died because of that. Peter is dangerous and they have to protect people from him. Valentin leaves Peter’s room with the suitcase.

Dante sees Sam and asks how Maxie is. She says, holding it together. She’s more afraid that something happened to Peter than of Peter not showing up at the altar. He says Peter doesn’t strike him as a runner; he has too much to prove. She says she was thinking the same thing. Letting people think he’s the bad guy they thought he was all along doesn’t make… Maxie comes by, and Dante says she looks beautiful. She thanks him and says, brides are supposed to; brides with grooms look even better. He says, sorry, and she says, is he? Or is he relieved? Sam says Dante is her friend, and Maxie says her friend told her the only reason she loves Peter is because he’s Nathan’s half-brother. Sam asks Dante if he said that, and Dante says he loves Maxie. She’s Lulu’s best friend, and what kind of a friend would he be if he wasn’t honest? Maxie says, a friend who trusts her to know her own heart, and he points out that he’s there in a monkey suit, witnessing her getting married to Peter. She says Lulu would want him to be there, and he’s not the type of person who would blow off the wedding, and tell Lulu that he showed up when he didn’t. He says he’s also not the type of person who would wish her every blessing and happiness in the world if he didn’t mean it, and he does. Sam says they’re there because they love Maxie, and Maxie tears up. She fans her eyes, and says, now look what they made her do. She walks off, and Dante asks if Sam thinks Maxie bought it, and Sam says, it was totally sincere, especially the part where he wished Maxie every happiness in the world, and didn’t even mention Peter. Does he really think Maxie only loves Peter because of Nathan? He says he thinks that’s part of it, and Sam says she wishes Peter was more like Nathan. If he tells Maxie that she said that, she swears she’ll kill him. He says she doesn’t trust Peter either? and she says, of course (🍷) not, but who is she to say anything? She followed her heart, and look what happened. He says, grooms don’t just vanish into thin air. He’s going to take a look around.

Mac tells Maxie that Laura called and sends her love. She’s sorry can’t be there. Maxie says she knows Laura needs to be with Lulu, and Mac says Laura told him to thank her for the beautiful bouquet. Maxie says, Lulu is her best friend. Of course (🍷) she should have the matron of honor bouquet.

Jackie asks how Finn is doing, and he says he’s pissed off. He asks Robert to please tell him that he had nothing to do with this. Robert swears he didn’t lift a finger to make this happen, and Jackie asks why he would think Robert had anything to do with this, and what is this exactly? Finn says, it’s no secret that Robert didn’t want Maxie to marry Peter. He’s not sure how Robert feels about Anna marrying him, ergo – Jackie says he sounds just like his father – ergo, two birds are killed with one stone. Peter can’t marry Maxie, and Anna will be so worried, she won’t be able to marry him. Robert says he wishes he’d thought of all that, and Jackie says, even though he didn’t? He admits he did, but he didn’t act on it. Do they know why? Jackie says because he didn’t want to do this to Anna? and he says, he didn’t want Maxie thinking Peter is a martyr.

On the phone in the MetroCourt basement, Dante says, just hold the phone up to her. He tells Lulu, it’s Dante. He wants to tell her that he misses her a lot. The kids miss her like crazy. He thinks who misses her the most today is Maxie. It’s her wedding day, and he knows Lulu would give anything to be there. He hears banging against the door from inside one of the rooms, and says he wants to tell Lulu that he loves her and misses her. He continues to hear the banging, and says he’ll call again soon. He tries the door, but it’s locked, and he asks if someone is in there. He hears Peter’s muffled voice calling for help, and he says, hold on. He’ll get them out of there. He gets a crowbar, and pries the door open with it. He sees Peter on the floor, and says, what the hell?    

Dante releases Peter, and asks if he’s okay. Peter says he thinks so, and Dante asks, who did this to him? Peter says he doesn’t know; they blindsided him. He gets up, and says he has to get to Maxie, and they leave.

Mac tells Maxie, he thinks Anna is right; it’s time call off the wedding. They can’t keep these people there all day. They’ll make an announcement that the wedding is postponed, not canceled. Peter would never do that to her. She says, damn right, he wouldn’t, and Mac says they have to get her home. The worrying isn’t good for her or the baby. She asks how it’s going to be better if she’s at home. She’s just going to worry there like she’s worrying here. She has no idea where Peter is, but she knows he wouldn’t abandon her. He’d never do that. Marrying her, and having the baby and a family means everything to him. She’s worried something is wrong.

Jackie tells Robert, she’s just trying to keep score. Does he or does he not approve of Anna and Finn getting married? He says he wants nothing but the best for Anna and Finn. Now can they get on with it? Finn says, fair enough, but if he’s lying, Robert is splitting the bar tab with him. And don’t act like he’s broken up about Peter being a no show. Robert says he’ll be the first to hoist a few if Peter doesn’t show up, but he had nothing to do with it.

Valentin joins Anna, and she asks how it went, and he says, exactly as… Good Lord, she’s stunning. She should marry someone today. She says, Valentin…  and he says, in a few minutes, he’ll talk Mac into having management let him into Peter’s room where he’ll find the letter, and the rest will play out as planned. In a couple of weeks, he’ll leave town on business, and check on Peter. She asks what he’ll tell Peter, and he says that he promised to take care of those Peter loves. And that’s what he’s doing.  

Willow tells Chase that Violet is waiting for her cue, and ready to go. They practiced gathering rose petals until her wrist hurt. Chase hates to break it to her, but he doesn’t think Violet is going to get the chance today. He thinks Finn is about to announce a postponement. Finn says he’s sorry to interrupt, and wants to thank everyone for being there. Mac says, as Maxie would too, of course (🍷), and Finn says, given the circumstances, and out of respect for Maxie and Peter, he and Anna have decided to postpone the wedding. Mac adds, it’s not the day they’d hoped for, but… Peter and Dante run in, and Maxie runs up to Peter. She asks where he was; what happened? He says he was about to come down, when someone jumped him, and put a bag over his head. Dante says he found Peter locked in a utility closet. Mac asks if they said anything, and Jordan says she’s on it; take care of his daughter. Anna asks if Peter is hurt, and he says he doesn’t think so. Valentin asks if Peter has any idea who did this, or what they wanted, but Peter says, none. Maxie says she was so scared, and Peter says he hopes she didn’t think… She says, that he’d leave her on their wedding day? Not for a second. She knew something had to have happened to him, but she knew he’d make it. He says he did, and he’ll never let this happen again. He’ll never let anyone keep him from her.

Jordan asks Chase if there were any signs any signs of the kidnappers, but he says, none. He checked with security, and looked at the footage, but whoever took Peter knew their way around the cameras. They’re long gone. She says, in the meantime, she has police searching the hotel. They had Peter stored in a closet; they were coming back for him later. He says, unless their main objective was to keep Peter from the wedding, but what would anyone have to gain? Jordan says she doesn’t know, but they’re not ruling anything out yet.

Mac tells Peter that he wasn’t crazy about him being with Maxie at first, and Peter says, Mac, and a lot of other people. Mac says he’s come to respect that Peter is the man Maxie loves. Peter says he hopes it’s more than that. He hopes Mac considers him worthy of marrying his daughter. Mac says it’s clear Peter loves Maxie, but he needs assurances. He needs to know Peter can keep Maxie safe. Peter says he’d never hurt Maxie, and Mac says, what about the people who came after Peter? They’re not going to be happy that Peter got away. What if next time they get to him through Maxie? Peter swears no harm will come to Maxie, but Mac says Peter can’t guarantee that. Peter says he can guarantee he’ll always do everything in his power to keep Maxie safe.   

Maxie thanks Dante for saving Peter, and Dante says, if he’d known it was Peter in the closet, he would have kept… She says, stop it. She tells Anna that Dante is being difficult. Dante was always a good guy. Stop pretending he’s not. He says if she wants him to be the good guy, he’ll be the good guy, and she says, so much better. He asks if Anna is going to thank him too, and she says she didn’t? He says they just kind of talked about it, and she says, thank you for saving Peter. She asks if he saw anything that would help them identify the kidnappers, and he says, whoever did it was long gone. Peter says, if Dante remembers something, they can talk about it later. Right now, he doesn’t care who they were or what they wanted. All that matters is that he’s marrying the woman he loves. Anna says, Maxie is exhausted, and Peter’s been through an ordeal. Valentin says he wants a doctor to have a look at Peter, but Peter says, that’s not necessary. He’s fine. If they don’t believe him, he’ll have his wife bring him to the hospital after the ceremony. He says Valentin and Anna of all people, know how long he’s waited for this day. The two of  them helped him to be the man he is today. He’s asking them to please, help him do this thing today. Join him and Maxie today. They’ve waited long enough. He tells Maxie, if she’s up for it, he’d still like to be married today as planned. He understands it’s not what she thought it would be, but what matters most are the promises they’ll make when they exchange vows. He doesn’t want to waste another minute not committed to her – forever. She says she doesn’t want to wait either. When he was missing, even though it was just an hour, it seemed like forever. Any doubts she had weren’t about him, but in her. They vanished when she realized all over again how much she loves him, and how safe she feels with him, and respected. He gives her space to herself, even though sometimes she needs galaxies, but when she looks in his eyes, she knows how much he loves her, and she can’t imagine spending the rest of her life without him. So, yes. She’ll marry him today. Right now. He thanks her, and Maxie says, Anna and Finn are getting married too. Anna starts to protest, but Maxie says she needs Peter and Finn at the podium right now. She, Anna, and Lucy will get their makeup touched up; the bridesmaids too. They’ll go exactly as planned from this moment on. Just a little bit later. Finn tells Anna, this isn’t what they wanted, and she says he can say that again. He says, this isn’t what they wanted, but it’s what they’ve got. They’re not just going to make the best of it; they’re going to make it perfect. So what does she say? They say goodbye to this nightmare of a day, and get on with the dream? She asks if he’s sure, and he says he’s never been so sure of anything in his life. Lucy says, okay then. What are they waiting for? They’ve heard from the brides, and the grooms, so places everyone. This wedding is going to happen.

Britt sits next to Dante, and says, once a hero, always a hero. He asks if she’s stolen any babies lately. Or was that just a one-off?

Jackie says she wants to know more about the not very long rivalry between Robert and Finn. Robert says, that was a long time ago. She says, the Cassadines trying to freeze the world was a long time ago; this seems more recent. He tells her, let it suffice to say that it took a while for him to wrap his head around Anna and Finn’s relationship. But it’s all behind them now. She says, all right.

Chase asks if Finn is ready, and Finn says, 100%. Peter tells Valentin that he meant what he said. If not for Valentin, he never would have made it to this day, this new life with Maxie. Valentin says he’d do anything for Peter. Peter knows that. Sam walks down the aisle, and then Mac walks down with Maxie while the Bridal March plays. Mac kisses Maxie’s cheek, and Peter takes her hand. They wait, and Violet comes out. Finn smiles, and Violet looks serious about her task of throwing petals on either side of the pathway. At the end, she runs to Finn, hugging him, and he picks her up. She and Chase fist bump, Jordan walks down, followed by Anna, who waves to Violet. Violet waves back. Anna looks at Valentin, and she, Finn, and Violet have a three-way hug. Finn puts Violet down, and shows her where to go.  

Lucy asks everyone, please be seated. On behalf of Maxie and Peter, and Finn and Anna, she thanks them for being there, and sharing this amazing moment with them. A wedding is just a one day event, but marriage is a journey of days that fills a lifetime. Boy, today has been quite a day; confusing, complicated, trying, and a tad bit anxiety producing. But through all the obstacles and interruptions, these two couples have risen above it all with their love and commitment. They’ve shown us tenderness and strength, and we’ve watched their determination to grow together as they faced adversity. They’ve proven to be a sanctuary for each other, and that they can be for each other, which is far greater than the vows they might speak. She says, without further ado, let her join Maxie and Peter, and Finn and Anna in the bond of holy… Obrecht walks in and asks if they haven’t forgotten something. They must ask does anyone present there object. Violet says, uh-oh.

Tomorrow, Carly tells Michael that everyone needs to take a step back, Ava’s glad someone knows the truth Obrecht says new evidence has come to light, Maxie says it’s a lie, and Finn says they should call everything off.

🧁 Short ‘N’ Sweet…

I had a 2½, almost 3, hour Zoom meeting tonight, and it’s so late now, it’s early. So until we meet again in Port Charles and New Jersey, stay safe, stay warm (or cool, depending on your weather), and stay being a hero, especially if you’ve always been one.

March 1, 2021 – A Bride Goes AWOL, First Sail Of the Season, Know the Crew, Global News From the Post & Crystals’ Da Doo

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Jackie looks at old photos set up at the wedding venue. Robert hands her a drink, saying, he’s sure somewhere it’s 5 o’clock. She says she barely knows either couple, and feels like a wedding crasher, but he says she’s his plus one. She’d be more than welcome anyway, even if she is separated from Finn’s daddy. She says she’s not sure, and he asks if she’s intimidated by wedding bells.

Finn runs into his room, where Violet is waiting, dressed in her flower girl outfit (which is super cute). She tells him that he’s late. Does he know what day it is? It’s their wedding day.   

Valentin tells Anna that if she’s having second thoughts, speak now, or forever hold her peace. Once the plan is in motion… She says she understands it will effect a lot of people’s lives, including Finn’s. She’s wondering if she should give Finn a heads up, but Valentin says, it will make Finn complicit if she does. They have to do this themselves, since they made Peter the man he is. Jordan comes in, and says she thought she heard Valentin. What did she interrupt?

Jason says Franco is hearing voices? and Franco says, just one. Elizabeth says, the doctor in Switzerland thought it was a leftover memory from Drew, not the tumor, and Jason asks if Franco knows whose voice it is. Franco says he sure does; it’s Peter August. Jason asks what Peter is saying, and Franco says, he’s talking about Drew… and Jason.

Alone in his room, Peter says, admit it, father. Wherever he is, whatever corner of hell he’s lurking in, he was so sure Peter would never see this day. He told Peter that he was born to fail, but guess what? He was wrong. Peter buttons his shirt, and says he won. Outside, Dante approaches Peter’s door, and says, time to strike at Peter. Peter says he’s marrying the woman he loves; the woman he’s always dreamed of. There’s nothing Faison or anyone can do to stop him. Not Spinelli, not Robert, not even Jason. There’s a knock at the door, and Peter opens it. He says he’s surprised to see Dante, and Dante asks if he can come in.   

Sam tells Britt that Maxie isn’t there, and Britt says she told Sam that Maxie would never risk Peter seeing her dress before the ceremony. Sam says, that doesn’t tell them where she is, and Curtis asks if they’re missing something. Sam says, a bride, and Britt says, Maxie, not Anna. Mac joins them, and wonders if Maxie is ready. Curtis says, they can’t say; she’s not in her room. Sam says she’s looked everywhere. She hates to worry them, but she has no idea where Maxie is.

At the cemetery, Maxie says, oh my God. What are you doing here? We see Obrecht (called it), who says she’s really there, and Maxie says she’s supposed to be in prison for trying to murder Franco and Andre. Obrecht says she was framed, like she said. No one believed her; not even her Britta. Now Maxie must believe her before the wedding takes place, and there’s no turning back. She hands Maxie her release document.

Franco tells Jason that Doc set him up with a specialist in Geneva, Dr. Kirk. He treated Dante for PTSD, and treated Obrecht for being Obrecht. Franco saw Kirk once, and Kirk’s theory was that the voice is a side-effect of the memory mapping. Elizabeth says, from when Drew’s memories were implanted in Franco’s brain by Shiloh and Dr. Cabot. Jason says this tracks for him, but how does Peter fit in? Franco says, unknown. He never had a second visit. Jason asks, why not? and Franco says, Dr. Kirk was murdered.

Maxie tells Obrecht, this makes no sense. If it’s legit, why didn’t Obrecht tell someone? How long as she been in Port Charles? Obrecht says, long enough to learn Maxie was pregnant, and Maxie asks, who else knows she’s there? Obrecht says, Britt and Franco. She saw Franco in Switzerland when he was there with his father Scotty. She assumes Maxie’s godmother, the hypocrite, knows too. Maxie asks why she waited so long to say something. She can’t believe Obrecht’s first stop wasn’t to see her grandson. Obrecht says, it’s been torture being in hiding. She can’t wait to hold James. People would be skeptical about her release. No one believed her then, and she’s sure she’d encounter the same disbelief now. But events have overtaken her, and it’s Maxie’s wedding day. Maxie must believe her. Save herself and her child while she still can. 

Mac asks if Maxie mentioned James’s picture. He drew a picture that said Happy Wedding Day, Mommy and Daddy. Maxie was upset because James called Peter daddy. Britt isn’t sure that’s the problem. She reminded Maxie about Nathan, her good brother. Peter could live to be 100, and never live up to Nathan. She says she’s going to keep looking, and leaves. Mac says he doesn’t disagree; Nathan is a hard act to follow. On second thought… Sam says, maybe Maxie needed space. Weddings can be overwhelming sometimes. Maybe she’s thinking she can’t smile now, or got the jitters. Curtis says they talked themselves down from a fancy party, but when you say the vows, for better or worse is committing to a lot. It’s a lot to live up to.

Jackie tells Robert, weddings don’t intimidate her, but they don’t impress her like they used to. Fairytales aren’t quite as appealing after you’ve suffered disappointment in the real world. Robert says they’ve both took hits, but he’d like to think he’s still optimistic. Besides, she has two shots at catching the bouquet this time around.   

Finn tells Violet, she looks so beautiful. He just wants her to know, with all the stuff going on, she’ll always be number one where he’s concerned. Chase and Gregory come in, and Chase says Violet insisted Finn needed help. Gregory says, the word she used was hopeless, and Finn says, that would be right. He tells Violet, the wedding is important to her, but not as important as it is to him. He knows she already has a mommy who loves her very much, but he’s hoping she’ll think of Anna as a second mommy. Violet motions him closer, and says, don’t tell Anna, but she already does. He says he loves her, and they hug. Finn wonders where Violet got her big heart, and Chase says, not from Finn. Gregory tells Violet that her nanny is waiting for her to check out the wedding cake, and make sure things are parfait. Violet says, that’s French for perfect, and tells them, au revoir. She leaves with Gregory, and Finn says he doesn’t know what he did to deserve such a beautiful daughter and bride. It’s more than any man has the right to ask for. Chase says Finn doesn’t deserve it, and they laugh.   

Jordan tells Valentin and Anna that her cop instincts are almost never wrong. Spill. They’re up to something. Anna wonders if Jordan is asking as a close friend or the Commissioner, and Jordan says, that depends on the answer. Valentin says he has to confess. He’s always been in love with Anna. He was trying to get her to ditch Finn and run away with him. Anna says, the best thing he can do is leave now. He says she still has time to change her mind, and goes. Jordan and Anna go into Anna’s room, and Jordan says, Anna and Valentin were spies together, so seeing them with their heads together is alarming. She’s off the clock, and needs someone to have a happy ending

Valentin walks past Peter’s room.

Peter wonders if Dante is there because he was let go from The Invader, but Dante says he’s not there to get his job back. Maxie’s happiness means everything to Lulu, and because Lulu can’t be there, he thought he’d step in on her behalf. He wants to offer Peter a friendly warning. If he ever does anything to make Maxie regret this day, Peter will answer to him. Peter says Dante seems on edge. He hopes Dante isn’t harboring resentment against him because of Alexis’s drunken attack. Dante says she was going after Franco and he just got in the way, but now that Peter brings it up, he must have known what could go down when he published the story on Franco. Peter says he was just doing his job, and Dante says he appreciates that. They both have a lot of jobs to do, and sometimes people get hurt. He’s ready to complete the mission.

Peter asks Dante, what is it? and Dante says he was thinking about when Peter first come to Port Charles. He was on a mission to tear down his parents; Faison because he was a sociopath, and Anna… why? Peter says he blamed Anna, but he was wrong. He put the resentment down, and decided to find a better path and make something of his life. Be a man Maxie could be proud of. Dante says he’s on a mission of his own, when Valentin knocks at the door. Valentin says he didn’t expect to see Dante, and asks if everything is okay. Dante says he was talking about his mission to say what Lulu can’t say. Valentin says, what? and Dante says, he wishes Maxie nothing but the best, and leaves. Valentin asks Peter, what’s that about? but Peter isn’t sure. He says he was right to terminate Dante as an employee; he seems a bit off. Valentin thinks Anna would agree. She said he hasn’t been the same since he came home. Peter asks if Valentin talks to Anna, and Valentin says, from time to time. He says Peter can count on him to do what’s right, and Peter says, it’s a relief to be able to confide in Valentin, and know Valentin will keep his confidence between them. He wishes he could show Valentin how grateful he is. Valentin says, Peter can forgive him.

Maxie says Obrecht came back to blame Peter, and accuse him of trying to murder Franco and Andre. The problem with her theory is that Peter is the one who saved them. How does she explain that? Obrecht tells Maxie that she never said Peter wasn’t clever and cunning. He’s both, but what he lacks is courage. If Maxie has no doubts, what brought her there when she should be getting ready? She came ask for Nathan’s approval. Did she get the answer she came looking for? Obrecht walks over to Nathan’s grave, and says, her dear, brave son. Don’t worry. She came to finish what he began; to bring the guilty to justice. Maxie tells her, stop. For her sake and James’s sake. Peter isn’t the man Obrecht thinks. Obrecht says Maxie’s got it turned around. Peter’s not man Maxie thinks he is. Peter isn’t even the man he thinks he is.

Sam tells Curtis she was looking for him. She wanted to apologize for interrupting his conversation with Jordan, and talking about buying his end of the business. He tells her not to worry. He’s more excited that she’s willing to buy his half. He gets to live out a dream he didn’t know he had. She says, speaking as his friend and business partner, nothing has been signed yet, if he’s having second thoughts. She knows it’s tough running a club. It’s a big deal, and there’s a lot to learn. Her advice? Make sure he’s running toward something, not away from someone.

Jordan says she has something for Anna; a gift Aunt Stella gave her on her wedding day. She gives Anna an embroidered handkerchief, and Anna says, it’s beautiful. She could never take it from Jordan. Jordan says she’s just following wedding protocol; it takes care of old, borrowed, and blue. She asks if everything is okay, and Anna says she just has a feeling this wedding is not going to happen.

Elizabeth tells Jason, Cameron is upset about Franco moving out, and goes upstairs to check on him. Jason tells Franco, let’s see if he has it straight. Kirk treated Dante and Obrecht, Franco had one meeting with him, and Kirk ended up dead. Franco says, the Swiss police said Kirk was the victim of a mugging. He’s not the one who mugged Kirk, if that’s what Jason was thinking. He actually has no idea what Jason is thinking. Jason asks if a doctor at GH is treating Franco, and Franco nods. He asks if Franco told the doctor about the voice, and Franco says he did. Jason wonders why it wasn’t part of the story, and Franco says, maybe Peter didn’t think it was newsworthy. Jason says, maybe Peter missed it in the file, but Franco says Peter didn’t get that information from his file. He told Peter that he heard his voice.    

Peter wonders why he needs to forgive Valentin. Valentin has been his friend; ofttimes, his only friend. Valentin says he’ll always regret his part in Peter’s childhood. He took Peter as a baby, and gave him to Peter’s father because he was furious at Anna. She’d wronged him, and he wanted to hurt her. If not for him, Peter would never have met Faison, and had a toxic childhood. Peter tells Valentin, he’s not saying it wasn’t traumatic, but Valentin has more than made up for it. He mentored and supported Peter, and kept his closely guarded secret. He wouldn’t be the man Maxie is going to marry if not for Valentin and Anna. All the darkness his father tried to instill in him only went halfway because of his mother. To think when he first came to Port Charles, he wanted her dead. Valentin says, they can’t change the past, just shape the future. If it’s not too late. Peter says, for what?  

Maxie tells Obrecht, enough. She’s not listening anymore. She’s not listening to any more dire warnings or cryptic comments. She’s gotten an earful from Britt and all the other haters. She loves Peter, and love is all that matters. Obrecht says if Maxie won’t listen to her, listen to Nathan. Maxie says, Nathan is dead. He can’t talk to her. Obrecht says, nonsense. Nathan’s spirit is inside of Maxie; his courage and goodness. If Maxie can’t trust her, trust him. Peter’s not worth it. Maxie suggests they talk about the real reason Obrecht is there. She doesn’t think Obrecht came back to save her from Peter. Obrecht hates Anna, and wants to punish her because Peter’s father loved Anna, and not her.

Finn shoves a pocket square in his breast pocket, and tells Chase that he feels like he’s a monocle away from being the Monopoly man. Chase says Finn has nothing to complain about. He’s marrying the woman of his dreams. What Chase wouldn’t give for that. They both know their father wishes he was sitting there hand-in-hand with mom. Finn says Gregory told him they’d been drifting apart for years, and Chase says Gregory said something similar to him. It shocked him, since he’d always thought they had a perfect marriage. Gregory said Jackie was radio silent for 24-hours before the wedding, and he’d wondered if she was backing out.

Robert tells Jackie, he has to admit, while it took him a while to accept Finn in Anna’s life, he wants the best for them. She says, and the other couple? and he says he’ll put it this way; if the double wedding happens to become a single wedding, he’d consider that a victory. She asks if he thinks it’s possible Maxie got cold feet and she’s not going to show. Gregory joins them, and says, they have a runaway bride? Look in the bride’s room. She might be having a wardrobe malfunction like Jackie did on their wedding day. She stayed in there so long, he thought she was going to be a no show. She says, it was a long time ago, and he says, luckily, she made her way up the aisle in time to say I do.

Curtis sees Dante chugging a drink, and says, easy. The reception is after the ceremony. Dante says he’s not as ready for this day as he thought. Britt comes back, and says, no sign of Maxie. Maybe she listened to Britt, and came to her senses. Maybe she decided to cut her losses while she could. Dante asks if she doesn’t want Maxie to marry Peter, and Britt says she’s just cynical about the institution of marriage. Maybe Maxie decided to skip all the heartache that will likely come to a messy divorce down the line.

Jordan says she’s seen the way Finn looks at Anna. Nothing will keep him from standing at her side, and nothing is going to stop Maxie from marrying Peter. It’s a safe bet the wedding is going to happen. Anna says Jordan is right; she’s just being silly. She asks Jordan to help her choose some earrings, and Jordan says Anna doesn’t usually give up this easy. Maybe she’s right, and Anna and Valentin are planning something. Talk to her. If someone is planning on throwing explosives instead of birdseed, she needs to know about it.

Anna says Jordan has been in the game too long; she suspects everyone has deep, dark secrets. She tells Jordan that she didn’t mean for it to come out like that, but Jordan says, it’s all right. The reason she’s solo is, there were things she couldn’t share with Curtis. She’ll give Anna a minute alone. She gave Anna something old, borrowed, and blue, but here’s something new. Don’t repeat her mistake. In their line of work, secrets and lies are a given, and so are failed relationships. If Anna can’t trust her with what she’s planning with Valentin, trust the man she plans to marry. Jordan leaves.

Finn tells Chase, it’s difficult to know a marriage from the outside looking in. None is Chase’s fault, and he shouldn’t beat himself up about it. Chase says he wants to figure out what went wrong. Did his dad and Jackie get bored? Finn says, about Jackie being right, even though dad is wrong from time to time? and Chase says Finn always knows the right thing to say to make him feel better. But Finn is his brother, and it’s his wedding day. Chase’s issues have nothing to do with it. It’s showtime. They start to leave, and Finn asks if Chase has the rings. Chase says, what rings? and Finn says he gave them to Chase to hold so he wouldn’t forget them. Chase looks confused, then smiles. He tells Finn that he’s an easy mark. He’s got them. He boops Finn on the nose, and walks down the hall.  

Gregory asks if Jackie saw Violet; she’s totally adorable. Jackie is sure she is, but says they can’t keep ignoring it forever. He says, ignoring what? and she says, you, me… us. He asks if there’s the possibility of an us. If so, the trial separation was worth it. She says she’s not trying to be cold and cruel, just honest. It’s not a trial separation; at least not to her. It’s the first step on the road to divorce. The sooner they both accept it, the sooner the wounds heal, and they can move on with their lives, including Chase.  

Sam says she knows Britt having Faison and Obrecht as parents didn’t make her an optimist, but is she really that cynical? Britt reaches for a glass of champagne, and her hand trembles a little. She says, weddings give her the shakes. Jordan walks in, and she and Curtis nod to one another.

Obrecht tells Maxie that she despises Anna, but that doesn’t mean she’s lying. She’s not trying to hurt Anna; far from it. She hopes Anna comes to the realization that Peter is playing a game. He’s desperate and dangerous; no one Maxie should be with. Maxie says she didn’t listen to Britt, and she’s not listening to Obrecht, but Obrecht says she’s begging Maxie. If Maxie can’t trust her, trust herself, and her love of Nathen. Peter can never give her that. Maxie says Obrecht is wrong. Peter loves her and she loves him; Anna too. They see the good in him. If she’s forced to choose between believing Obrecht and Peter’s mother, she chooses Anna and the man she’s going to marry.    

Valentin tells Peter that he meant no matter where life takes Peter, he’ll never turn his back. Peter says Valentin makes it sound like goodbye, and Valentin says, after today, Peter’s life is going to be very different. Peter says he’ll be a husband, and soon, the baby will be born. He’ll have less free time, but he’ll make time for Valentin. So no more talk about forgiveness or what might have been done differently. It’s like Valentin said, they carve out their own future. Valentin says, very true. Before Peter says his wedding vows, Valentin has to give him something. He’s earned this. Valentin reaches into his jacket pocket.

Jason asks if Franco told Peter that it was his voice, and Franco says he did. It’s not like he was talking to a priest in a confessional. Jason asks if it came up in casual conversation, and Franco wonders, what’s the big deal? Elizabeth comes back, and she asks if Jason came there looking for answers, or did he come with his mind made up?

Valentin says he couldn’t let the day go by without a gift for the groom. Charlotte helped him pick it out. He gives Peter a jewelry box with cufflinks in it, and Peter says Valentin taught Charlotte well; she has excellent taste. There was a time when he wasn’t sure he could trust Valentin, but the truth is, Valentin stood by him through nearly every phase of his journey, and will be standing by his side on the most important day of his life. Valentin says he wouldn’t be anywhere else.

Jordan tells Curtis, the bride is almost ready, and Sam says, one of them. Maxie is still AWOL. She starts to leave, and Jordan asks her to wait. She tells Sam, the news Curtis was buying a nightclub surprised her, but Sam has always been a good friend to him. If he’s starting a new life, she’s glad Sam is by his side. She thanks Sam, and Sam says, for what it’s worth (🍷), she thinks Curtis will do great. She leaves, and Jordan goes over to Curtis. He hands her a glass of champagne, and thanks her for being gracious. She asks if he’s sure about this; not because she doesn’t think he’ll be great, but it’s a big adjustment. She wonders if he’s having doubts, and he says he feels solid about his decision. He feels it’s the right time to make a change. She says, obviously, he doesn’t need her support or approval, but she hopes it makes him happy.

Gregory tells Jackie that he’s not going to fight her. He’ll never stop loving her, but he understands that sometimes love isn’t enough. Chase brings Finn over, and says they wouldn’t believe who he caught trying to sneak out. He told Finn that he missed his chance, and can’t back out now. Gregory says, it’s too late, and Finn says, that seems to be the case. Chase and Gregory leave, and Jackie tells Finn that he made Gregory proud today, and his brother is happy. Finn included the whole family, Chase’s dream. Finn says whenever she sees him, she makes a point of saying Chase is his brother. She says, that’s who Chase is, and Finn says, unless Chase is his son. She says, it’s his wedding day. Can they drop it for 24 hours? Finn says, the DNA test can wait. Today’s not the day for family secrets.   

Maxie says she turned her phone off on her wedding day. What was she thinking? Obrecht says, it makes sense that she’d want to be with her true love Nathan, and Maxie says she lost track of time. Now everyone is wondering where she is, and she’s going to be late for her own wedding. Obrecht tells her, don’t go, but Maxie says Obrecht can’t stop her, and for her sake, she wouldn’t try. Obrecht says, very well. Do what she must. Maxie leaves, and Obrecht kneels down, telling Nathan, and she’ll do what she must do.

Jason tells Elizabeth for her and the boys’ sake, he hopes Franco gets better. He’ll be in touch. Franco says, if Kirk was right, and the voice is a leftover memory, then what? What do they do about it? Jason tells Franco, just take care of his family. He’ll take care of everything else. He leaves, and Franco looks at Elizabeth.

Maxie rushes in, and says, thank God Anna isn’t ready either, and Anna asks where she’s been. Maxie says she has 100 texts. It doesn’t matter where she was. She wants today to be perfect. Something they’ll remember for the rest of their lives. Anna thinks they both will.   

Obrecht says she tried her best. Britt tried. No mere words will change Maxie’s mind and convince her to let go of Peter. Peter so does not deserve Maxie. She holds up the flashdrive, and says, the only person who can stop this wedding is the mother of the groom.

Peter says all he has to do is add the cufflinks, and he’s good to go. Valentin says he’ll let the folks know Peter is ready. Peter thanks him, not just for the cufflinks. He thanks Valentin for believing in him. Valentin hugs Peter, and Peter says, it’s his wedding day. He’s the one who’s supposed to be getting emotional. Valentin leaves, and takes out his phone in the hallway. He says, it’s on, and closes his eyes.   

Elizabeth tells Franco that he doesn’t have to leave. She doesn’t want him to. No one does. he says, it’s the hardest thing, but whether it was a reflex, a nightmare, or the tumor, he attacked Cameron. It was violent and awful. What if it had been Jake or Aiden? He’d never forgive himself, and she wouldn’t forgive him. He’d never risk hurting them, as much as he loves her and the boys. He’ll be back as soon as he knows he’s not a risk. He leaves, and she sits down.

Gregory says his son told him a lot about Dante, and Jordan asks Mac if he’s ready to walk Maxie down the aisle. He says he’s not sure. No one’s heard from Maxie, and he’s getting concerned. Anna calls, and says she found Maxie; she’s here in the suite. Mac says he’s glad to hear she’s okay, and asks why she’s late. Maxie looks at herself in the mirror, and Anna says she doesn’t know, but everything is back on track though. He says, glad to hear it. He tells the others, both brides are in the building, and should be down soon, but Britt says she only sees one groom. Valentin walks in, and Finn thanks everyone for coming, saying, they’re going to get started soon. Maxie is officially in the building and getting ready. As for Peter, he thinks it’s safe to say, he wouldn’t miss it for anything.

Peter adjusts his cuffs. Someone comes quietly into the room, and throws a hood over Peter’s head.

Tomorrow, Jordan asks if Robert really has something to do with it, Maxie is worried something is wrong, a groom is missing, and Peter lies somewhere tied up.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht

In a voiceover, Captain Glenn tells us, sailing yachts are about the journey, not just the destination. You turn off the engines, and just go with the power of nature, and that’s really cool. When you feel the wind in your hair on a sailing yacht, then you’ll know. He says he’s back, but the crew is all new.

We’re introduced to first mate Gary, who says he’s good with people, and drinks a lot of rum. Alrighty then. The chief stew is Daisy, and the chef is Natasha. Dani is the second stew, and Alli the third. Sydney is the only female deckhand, and also a deckhand is Jean-Luc, who’s 6’9”, and tells us, the girls all want to climb the mountain. We also meet first engineer Colin.

Marina Lav, Croatia. Glenn loves the sailing yacht life because it’s more adventurous and exclusive. He’s excited about the new season. In Daisy’s interview, she says she’s a yachting legacy, as her parents were yachties, and her grandfather also represented Ireland in sailing in the 1989 Olympics. In Natasha’s interview, she says she can’t do anything else, but she’s good at cooking. Gary ends up bunking with Glenn, and says now he can’t get into mischief, but I’m pretty sure he’ll find a way. He seems like kind of a jerk right off the bat. Everyone meets, unpacks, and makes small talk. Natasha checks out the galley. In Gary’s interview, he says he’s never been in this predicament before. Every girl in the crew is attractive. Yep. I called it. I know a budding d-bag when I see one.

Glenn calls everyone to the cockpit for a meeting, and welcomes them. He says, it’s going be long hours, and easily avoidable screw ups cause problems. He wants them to pitch in with each other’s departments. He says he doesn’t need to know everything, and in his interview, Gary says, as long as he looks good, he’s happy. The crew gets ready for the first charter, and Daisy thinks the boat is a sh*t show. I’m pretty sure that’s what they said last time too, when they first arrived. In Colin’s interview, he says that he’d bought a hurricane damaged catamaran, fixed it up, and is chartering it, sailing around the world to make money. Natasha explains to the interior that her pet peeve is people stressing out. In Sydney’s interview, she says, when she was born, they lived on a boat in Key West. She knew it wasn’t normal, but didn’t know what normal was. She’s still not sure. Provisions come in.

Glenn calls Gary, Daisy, and Natasha for a preference sheet meeting. The primaries are Rusty and Nikki, who are bringing friends, Greg, Alex, Rhonda, and Natalie. They’re all sailors, and are taking the trip to honor Nikki’s father. It’s their first time on the water since his passing. Nikki is a hard core vegan, and in his interview, Glenn wonders why we pronounce it with a hard G, and not the same way as we pronounce vegetables, which is a really good question. In Natasha’s interview, she says she’s not intimidated by the vegan thing. Her job is to get it done. Danni says she’s also a vegan. Daisy reads that the guests want a glam 80s rock party, and also a dinner to honor Nikki’s dad. Glenn says they can grab a beer after they’re done, but don’t go crazy. It’s a school night. Gary tells the other guys that he likes the ratio of girls to guys, but don’t screw the crew. Jean-Luc says, that’s never worked out. When he gets ready for bed, we see that Jean-Luc has major tattoos. Unfortunately, his bunk is 74” and he’s 81”. He says it’s the first time he hasn’t fit. He tosses and turns, trying to get comfortable.

In the morning, Gary tells the deck crew to redo the windows, and go over the details. Jean-Luc pours cleaning solution on the deck to get out a stain, and they smell gas. They realize there’s petrol in the container, and in Colin’s interview, he says, some idiot put gas in the cleaner bottle. How unprofessional will they look when the guests smell gas? The most important thing is for them to contain it, and not let it get in the ocean. They manage to get everything under control, when Glenn radios for everyone to get in their charter uniforms, basically a polo shirt with shorts or a skort. Glenn welcomes the guests, and in his interview, he says the guests are just coming out of quarantine. He wants to make it the most unforgettable vacation ever. It’s a miracle they’re here. The guests are greeted with a shot of… I don’t know, and Glenn says, they have a great trip planned. Daisy will give them a tour, and they’ll get going. Guest Greg has arrived wearing a Speedo, which probably says a lot. Primary Nikki tells them that her dad would say, live it up and enjoy it. You never know when it’s going to end. Other primary Rusty says they’re going to bend this bitch over. I assume he means the boat. I hope so anyway.

Glenn brings Sydney up to the helm to help steer. In Glenn’s interview, he says when the guests are avid sailors, it makes things harder. If there are holes in their game, the guests will know. It makes him nervous, because the crew is new. The sails are unfurled, and Greg plays the harmonica in his Speedo on the bow. Sydney surprises Glenn with her skills. It’s her first super yacht job, but he can tell she’s geared to it. Nikki tells Rusty to slow his drinking roll, or it will be an apocalypse. Daisy tells the stews, they’re all getting hammered, but they seem nice.

Anchor is dropped in Stipanska. Poor Jean-Luc is still trying to get some rest. The table is set, and Rusty says they’re going to party. Nikki is okay with the others eating fish, and in Natasha’s interview, she says it’s tough making different menus for the same meal, but she’ll work herself to the bone to make guests happy. Rusty wants vodka with his wine. Alli notes that empty plates are coming back, so they know it’s good. Nikki talks about her dad, saying he came to the U.S. with eight dollars, and got a scholarship. Greg plays the harmonica, and Nikki says this is the worst dinner she’s ever had in her life. She’s effing done. She gets up, and Daisy tells the stews that she feels sorry for Nikki. Her friends are acting like drunk morons. In her interview, Daisy says she sees their tip money flying into the wind. Greg follows Dani around, continuing to play the harmonica. Nikki says, goodnight, MF’ers. Wow. She didn’t seem like the type who would say something like that.

Daisy tells Glenn, it was supposed to be a celebration of Nikki’s father’s life, and she thinks Nikki is offended. He says he’s not going out there. The guests and crew talk tattoos, and Daisy says, 2020 was such a bad year, she got her first tattoo. She shows them the f*** you tattooed inside her bottom lip, and in her interview, she says she loves knowing it’s secretly there. Greg tries to bother Nikki in her cabin, and she tells him, f*** off. I see she’s an expert at the f-word. Gary tells Jean-Luc what he wants done, and in Jean-Luc’s interview, he says he’s not getting any sleep, and he’ll have to be going non-stop. At 6 am, he’s still working, then finally heads to bed.

Nikki tells Rusty that she hopes tonight is different evening. Dani says Natasha adapted well with the vegan menu, and Natasha says she can stress or try to do it. In her interview, she says after she graduated, she got an offer from a Michelin star restaurant that ended up being number one, and got a visa to work in Europe. She did it all on her own. Daisy instructs the stews on how to keep things tied down. She asks the guests about breakfast, and finds out they’d rather go sailing than sit down for a meal. She tells Natasha that they just want breakfast sandwiches and burritos, but Natalie insists Daisy should direct them to sit at the table. In her interview, Daisy says Natasha is acting like it’s her vacation, and wants her to rush them into a breakfast they don’t want. In Natasha’s interview, she says, food is the most important part of the cruise. Daisy should train the stews to set the table first thing in the morning after they get up. In Daisy’s interview, she says, Natasha is like a dog with a bone. She’s not fighting with the chef on the first day, but she won’t be a pushover. She tells Alli about it, and tells the stews to put breakfast up quickly. In Gary’s interview, he says, when he was growing up, his mom busted his balls to do chores, and he’s glad now. Glenn tells Daisy that they’ll get going soon, and Greg thinks he’s still drunk. He bitches that they should skip breakfast. In her interview, Daisy wonders if she’s earned her I told you so name. The guests go to the table, which is set beautifully in blue and white, and seashells. Natasha makes carrot bacon (WTF?), and Danni samples it, saying it’s amazing. In Alli’s interview, she says she’d been a first stew (I assume she means chief), but accepted a second stew position, so she could have fun without all the responsibility. The crew begins to stow everything for sailing.

Glenn says they’re in an area where the wind coming over hills accelerates in certain zones. He wants to give the guests a lively sail. A cutting board comes crashing down from a cupboard in the galley, and Natasha says, WTF? Greg says they’re like rich pirates. Gary wakes Jean-Luc up to grill him about something he didn’t clean on the bow. In Jean-Luc’s interview, he says he doesn’t appreciate Gary waking him up. F*** off. Drinks are served, and they see dolphins, or whales, or something off the side of the boat, causing Nikki to squeal with delight.

They drop anchor in Nivka, and he deck crew puts out the toys. Nikki tells Jean-Luc that she told he oldest daughter, she’s found her future husband. She said she’d get the scoop on him, and asks if he’s married. He says he’s as single as can be. Gary chats with Daisy in the crew mess, but the boom man must have gone to the bathroom, because I can barely hear them. Guests Greg and Alex go paddle-boarding, and disappear. Jean-Luc – who was supposed to be keeping an eye on them – looks around, and Glenn looks out on the water with binoculars. Jean-Luc finally goes out on the tender, and says, this is worrisome.

Since it’s an all new crew, and the first show of the second season, we’re all still adjusting, and it was a lot of getting-to-know-you stuff. I remember thinking this show wasn’t that great when it started its first season, and was kind of bored, but then it got better as time went on. Hopefully, ditto for this one.

This season, Glenn wants the crew to take it up a notch, Natasha doesn’t want Daisy’s constructive criticism, fireworks, the crew parties, Alli gets pissed off at Gary, Glenn curses his life, tears, drinking, dancing, and jumping off the boat.

⛵️ Get To Know Them…

I wish you better luck than I had.

https://www.bravotv.com/below-deck-sailing-yacht/about

🏆 Speaking Of Those Globes…

All the news the New York Post thought fit to print.

https://nypost.com/tag/golden-globes/

🕰 It’s That Time Again…

I just don’t get it. How can it feel like it’s been a long week, when we’re only up to Tuesday? No matter how long it’s been for you, stay safe, stay gallant, and stay not getting drunk in your Speedo, then playing the harmonica. You’ll just annoy your friends.

February 26, 2021 – Cyrus Is Handed His First Setback, Woman Of Action, a Sigh Of Relief, a Friend’s Goodbye, Another Awful House, Your Rights, Today’s Fact, One Less Than Twelve Quotes & Grace

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Curtis tells Finn, word on the street is, he’s getting married. He congratulates Finn, and they bro hug. Finn invites Curtis in, and Curtis says, look at him, all cool and calm. How’s he feeling? Finn says he doesn’t know about cool and calm, but he’s okay; he’s good. Violet is so excited, she’s practically levitating. Curtis says he can imagine. He’s happy for Finn, and Finn says he’s glad Curtis is there. Curtis played a big part in this. He helped Finn get his life back on the right track. Curtis says, it was all Finn. Finn got sober and stayed sober, and now he gets to live the life he deserves. Finn says, still, he’ll never forget what Curtis did. There’s a knock at the door, and it’s Chase, who says, this is it, the big day. Is Finn ready to spend the rest of his life with Anna? Finn says, sure. Why not?

Jordan walks into Anna’s house, and says, her official ride has arrived, and her dress has been delivered to the MetroCourt. She sees Anna sitting on the couch, staring into space, and says she’s ready, and Anna is… Anna says, oh, hi. She’s just finishing her tea. Jordan says, forgive her for saying it, but Anna doesn’t seem very excited. Is everything okay? Anna says, yeah, and asks if Jordan will be okay with seeing Curtis. Jordan tells her not to worry. She and Curtis are adults. They can handle being at the same social events. The doorbell rings, and Jordan answers it. Anna flashes back to Peter burning the evidence, and Jordan says Valentin is there. Valentin walks in looking grimmer than we’ve ever seen him look.

Peter sees Britt at the MetroCourt, and asks where his bride is, but she blocks the door. She says he’s not getting anywhere near Maxie.

Inside on the phone, Maxie tells Felicia that she got the presents. Open them before the ceremony? She figured. She tells Felicia, it’s okay. They’re Aunt Liddy’s only relatives, and she needs Felicia. She has Nina there to help her get ready. She has to go, and tells Felicia that she loves her too. Nina asks if she’s okay, and Maxie says although she’d love to have her mother there, her aunt Liddy, who is really her great-grandmother Mariah’s cousin, took a fall and needs Felicia, which she fully supports. Nina says Felicia is being generous, since she’s sure Felicia would want to be there on her daughter’s big wedding day. She takes Maxie’s hands, and asks where they start. Maxie asks if Nina is sure she’s up for this.

Jason sees Sam, and says she looks great. She thanks him, and says she’s on flower duty. She told Maxie that she’d make sure the ballroom looked perfect. She asks how he is; how’s Carly after Nina’s meltdown? He says, she’s okay. The Feds are satisfied that Nelle’s death was an accident. Sam says Carly is really lucky to have a friend like him.

Laura brings Lesley some coffee in the hospital boardroom, and says it went so much better than she expected. Lesley says Laura can be very persuasive. She doesn’t know where Laura gets it from. Laura says, Cyrus’s day is about to get a whole lot worse, and they laugh.

Cyrus comes stomping out of the elevator, looking at his tablet. He throws it down in front of Jackie, who’s standing at the reception desk, and says, what the hell is this?

Cameron is reading The Invader, where the headline says, Criminal Ties, next to Cyrus’s picture. Franco comes downstairs and sits on the couch, and Cameron asks if he wants breakfast. Franco says that’s nice of Cameron, but he doesn’t think he can manage it right now. Cameron says he picked up some extra shifts at Kelly’s since it’s winter break, and starts to put on his coat. Franco sits up straight and says, before Cameron does that, can they please have a conversation about his decision to not go to college? Cameron says, what about it? and Franco says Cameron has to go to college. It’s a bridge to his future. He has to go and practice being amazing, so he can be amazing in the world. Cameron says, the world will still be there after Franco… after Franco doesn’t need his help anymore. Franco says he won’t allow Cameron to postpone his life, and Cameron says, being there is the right thing. Elizabeth comes downstairs, as Franco says he wonders how Cameron can even say that after he attacked him. Cameron looks at Elizabeth.

Elizabeth asks, what happened? Franco was asleep when she got home last night, but Cameron didn’t say anything about an attack. Cameron says, Franco is just being dramatic. Franco was sleeping, Cameron woke him up, and it startled him. Franco says he almost hurt Cameron, and Cameron says, but he didn’t; he’s fine. Elizabeth says, just tell her what happened, and Cameron says, Franco was having a nightmare, and when he woke Franco up, Franco grabbed him. Franco says he didn’t just grab Cameron. He pinned him down on the couch. Cameron says, and Franco stopped the moment he realized it was him. Franco starts to argue, and Elizabeth says, okay. Was Franco angry when he grabbed Cameron? Franco says, the point is, he attacked Cameron, and Cameron asks if they can stop saying attacked. Elizabeth asks if Franco is talking about moving out, and Cameron says, no. He was just saying that he’s not going to college. Elizabeth looks startled.

Chase asks how Finn is, and Finn wonders why everyone is asking him that. Does it look like he’s trying to find the exit door? Anna is the best thing that ever happened to him, except for Violet. Chase says, and him, and Finn says, yeah. There’s a knock  at the door, and Chase says, by the way, he invited dad. Finn says, what? and Gregory comes in.

Laura tells Lesley, she still can’t get over the fact that Lesley and Monica worked together on this. Lesley says, she and Monica will always have their differences, but General Hospital comes first. She and Laura join hands.

Jackie tells Cyrus, it’s called journalism. Part of the free press aspect of our society. He says, that’s libel, and if she talked to his mother, she’s an accessory to kidnapping. She says, Florence gave her no indication that she was being held against her will, and he says, tell him where his mother is now.

Spinelli gets off the elevator at the MetroCourt, and walks over to Jason and Sam. He says, greetings on this most curse-ed day, and Sam asks if he’s going to be able to handle the wedding. He says he promised Maxinista that he’d come… to witness what he knows will be the biggest mistake of her life.

Maxie tells Nina, when she, Nina, and Britt were all at the cemetery, they said they were family, right? Nina says they did, and Maxie says, family means telling each other the truth. Nina just found out the daughter she was searching for was Nelle. It’s a pretty traumatic thing to process. Is Nina sure she’s in the wedding mood?

Peter asks Britt what he did now, and she says, nothing is wrong. Tradition says she can’t let him see the bride before the wedding. He says, oh, that, and she says, of course (🍷). What else? She suggests they go get a drink in the lobby, and he says, it’s 10 o’clock in the morning. She says, so? They’ll dress it up with coffee.

Anna tells Jordan, she just wants to make sure everything is sorted out, and has to talk to Valentin. Jordan tells her, don’t be too long, and leaves. Valentin asks Anna how she is, and she says, devastated. She’s furious, at herself mostly, for not seeing what was right in front of her face. She finally gets it. Peter is not the man she thought he was. He’s beyond their help. Robert tried to warn her; Jason tried to warn her. She put Maxie in harm’s way, and now it’s up to them to make sure Peter never hurts anyone again.                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Chase says Finn left is tux in the bag; he has to let it breathe. Finn says, it’s a suit, an inanimate object, and asks Gregory if he has enough coffee. Gregory says, it’s fine. He’s just preoccupied about Jackie. He married two incredible women, and has two fine sons to show for it. They make all the pain and heartache of love worth it. Finn gets a text on his phone saying, your DNA test results are ready.

Jackie tells Cyrus that she doesn’t know his mother’s current location. She’s sure Florence was moved following their conversation. He asks who set up the interview; Jason Morgan? She says a reporter never reveals their source, and Florence specifically said she didn’t want to see him. He says, she’s an old woman in poor health, and easily confused, but Jackie says her mind seemed clear as a bell when they spoke. A woman approaches Cyrus and says, the Board meeting is about to begin. She hands him some papers, and he snatches them from her. He tells Jackie, they’re not done.

Curtis approaches Jordan, and says, hi. She tells him that he looks great; she was just texting Anna. He says, she’s not here? and Jordan says she’s sure Anna is on her way. How has he been? Sam comes in, and apologizes for interrupting. She tells Curtis that her lawyers have been waiting on the paperwork for the sale, and asks if his have drawn them up yet. Jordan says, sale? and Sam tells Curtis that they can talk later. Curtis says he’s sure there was a mix-up. He’ll have his lawyer get it to her as soon as possible. Sam leaves, and Jordan wonders what’s going on… or is she not allowed to ask anymore?

Cyrus walks into the boardroom, and sees Laura and Lesley. He asks where the Board is; they have a vote scheduled. Lesley says, had, and Laura says, it’s all over.

Spinelli tells Jason that he’s glad Georgie has tonsilitis and isn’t there to participate in this farce of a ceremony. Sam sees Peter and Britt come in, and says hi loudly. Spinelli asks what one of the grooms is doing wandering around the lobby, and Peter says he’s glad he ran into Spinelli. He’d like to have a word about the wedding. Spinelli says, sure, and follows Peter to somewhere more private.    

Nina tells Maxie that she admits it crossed her mind that she’ll never help her own daughter get ready for her wedding. That’s what makes helping Maxie get ready more precious. She asks what present Maxie wants to open first, but Maxie says she can’t chose, and tells Nina to pick one. Nina hands Maxie a jewelry box, and Maxie opens it, finding a garter laced with a blue ribbon. Maxie says, of course (🍷), and Nina says she’s proud of Felicia. She took care of the blue and the new. She gives Maxie another jewelry box, and there are beautiful earrings inside. Maxie says they belonged to her sister Georgie, and were her great-grandmother Mariah’s before that. Nina says, there’s the old and the borrowed, and truly loved. You can’t beat that. Maxie says, you can’t.

Cameron suggests he postpone college, and get a job. Franco says he’s leaving out the part about the college being in California, and that he’s been admitted. Cameron tells Elizabeth, he got accepted to Stanford, and asks Franco if he’s happy now. Elizabeth says it wasn’t even on Cameron’s list, and Cameron says, it was a reach. Franco says, apparently not. Before they have this conversation about possible postponement, he feels a gap year is to find out what your passion is, and figure things out, not for taking extra shifts at Kelly’s to unfairly help with your parent’s financial responsibilities. Elizabeth suggests they put a pin in this important conversation for now. They need to talk about what happened last night. Franco says, they’ll totally put a pin in it, and they’ll talk about everything, but not now. There’s something else he has to say. He can’t stay there anymore.

Anna tells Valentin, Peter doubled down on the lie about Obrecht framing him. When she confronted him with the incriminating documents, he took them right out of her hand and threw them in the fire. Valentin says, burning the evidence, and she says, but it was the way he justified it; his sense of entitlement and his blatant disregard for the truth. She saw him clearly for the first time. Valentin says she wanted to believe in his redemption – they both did – but he was raised by Faison. She says, Faison is dead, and Peter is a man now, responsible for his own choices. People can change, but it appears Peter doesn’t want to. He killed Drew, and almost killed Andre and Franco. And not out of malice or vengeance but to cover his tracks, which means he’ll continue to do that. Valentin says, it’s up to them, and she says, it is. Any hope she had of Peter’s redemption went up in flames, along with the evidence.

Valentin asks why Anna didn’t call Peter out on his lies, and she says she wanted to give him one last chance. One last test to see if he’d tell the truth, but he didn’t. She’s done. She can’t delude herself any more. Peter has to face justice for what he’s done. Valentin says, not quite yet.

Finn looks at his phone, and Chase asks what’s so fascinating. Something from Anna? Finn says, it’s an emergency at the hospital. He has to leave. Gregory says, don’t be ridiculous. He’s the groom. Finn says he’ll be right back. He can get ready in five. Chase tells Gregory to save his breath. If his patients need Finn, he’s there. He’s a dedicated doctor. Gregory tells Finn, go on then. They’ll be there waiting. He puts his arm around Chase, and says, right, son? Chase says, right, and Finn leaves.

Britt tells Jason, the Board was supposed to vote today, but she hasn’t heard anything; she’s been there. Sam asks if there’s something going on at GH, and Jason says, yeah. He’s just been keeping tabs on Cyrus. Britt asks if Sam has spoken to Dante. How’s he doing? Sam says, he’s doing fine, and Britt says, alrighty. Good talk. She leaves, and Jason tells Sam to take him through exactly what made her mom go after Franco. Sam says, her mom was drinking, and read the article in The Invader. She thinks it pushed Alexis over the edge, and made her act out. He asks how Franco was acting, and she says, he was agitated. At one point, he was talking to himself again, the same way he did when he showed up at the penthouse. She was scared. He says, okay, and thanks her. She says, of course (🍷), and he leaves.

Franco tells Elizabeth, he can’t stay there anymore. They talked about it; him not being a danger to her and the boys. Cameron says, Franco… and Elizabeth says if Franco feels he might be a danger to someone, then they can check him into Shadybrook. Cameron says, what? and she says, just until they figure out what’s happening. Cameron says, Franco’s not dangerous; he had a nightmare. She says, this is just for Franco’s peace of mind, and Cameron says, what about their peace of mind? They need him there. Jake and Aiden are still young. They need Franco. Franco says he’ll still see them, and Cameron says, just not at home. Cameron runs upstairs, and Elizabeth says it’s just because Cameron loves Franco; they all do. Franco says, and he loves them, but wants her to understand this is what he has to do. They agreed if he ever acted dangerously… Elizabeth thinks he was just startled. Cameron woke him up in the middle of a nightmare. Franco says, a nightmare about Jason.

Spinelli says he doubts Peter invited him up for a toast, so he’ll just say it… Peter says, stop talking. He’s tired of the games. He doesn’t want Spinelli at the wedding. Spinelli laughs, saying he doesn’t want to be there, but he promised Maxie, and they have a child together. Peter says he’s come to grips with Spinelli and Maxie co-parenting, but he’s not going to have Spinelli lurking at the wedding, stirring up trouble. Go. Away. Now.  

Nina says she’s always admired Maxie, and Maxie says she’s always had a flair for accessorizing. Nina says, she has, but she admires Maxie for having the courage to find love after losing Nathan. A blow like that isn’t easy to recover from. Maxie says, James drew her a picture today. It said, happy wedding day, mommy and daddy. Nina asks, what is it? and Maxie says, it’s just that drawing… James always referred to Peter as Peter, and James has pictures of Nathan. They  talk about him all the time. So for James to call Peter daddy, it got to her. She doesn’t know why. Nina says she gets it, but if Maxie is feeling guilty or disloyal, don’t. Doesn’t she think Nathan would want James to have a father? Maxie says she does, but she doesn’t know if Nathan would want him to be Peter. She went to Nathan’s grave, and asked for his blessing, but she didn’t get it. Nina asks if she’s sure, and Maxie says, usually when she visits Nathan, she can sense him; she feels warmth in her chest. This time, all she felt was cold.

Cyrus asks Laura, what’s going on? and she says, as he knows, her mother is a board member emeritus. When the Board read Jackie’s article, they agreed to meet early to discuss the vote. He says he can’t believe anyone paid attention to that article. It was a hatchet job; sensationalist tabloid garbage. Laura says, still, Jackie’s credentials carry a certain amount of prestige. Her mother and Monica simply suggested they read it. Lesley says, it was a close vote, but ultimately, the Board decided to turn him down. Laura tells him, don’t bother trying to fight it either. The drug was developed at GH, and GH isn’t going to submit it to the FDA.

Elizabeth gives Franco his shaving case, and tells him that his meds are in it. He thanks her, and says Doc is going to meet him there tomorrow morning, and help him check in. He’ll stay at the MetroCourt until then. There’s a knock at the door.    

Chase tells Gregory that he steamed Finn’s suit. He can’t believe Finn spent the night there so he wouldn’t see Anna before the wedding. Who knew either of them was so traditional? Gregory says, it’s a way to mark the end of your single life, and take a pause before your life as a married partner begins. Chase says, he and mom didn’t do that, did they? Mom is anything but traditional. Gregory says, actually, Jackie insisted on it. He didn’t see or hear from her for 24-hours before the wedding. Part of him started to wonder if maybe she’d changed her mind.

Jackie comes out of the elevator at the hospital, and sees Finn. She asks if he isn’t getting married in a few hours, and he says, something came up that couldn’t wait. She says, what could possibly be… Is it about Harry(Chase)? He says he did the DNA test, and the results are at the lab. When he gets them, he’ll know if Chase is his son. She says he can’t do this.

Cyrus says Laura and her mother had no right to meddle. GH needs the income stream this new drug could bring. Lesley says she thinks he’s talking about his income stream. Doesn’t he hold the patent for the drug? Laura says, it’s for the best. The FDA would have done more testing, and what they did was save General Hospital from public embarrassment. He says, this isn’t over, and leaves. Lesley says, it felt so good, and Laura says she thinks Lesley and Monica should team up more often. Lesley says they may not see eye to eye on much of anything, but they agree Cyrus is wrong for GH. Laura says, Cyrus was just handed his first major setback since he took over as Chairman. Lesley says she’s going to savor the memory as her plane takes off, and Laura says, she’s leaving?

Curtis tells Jordan, all he needs to do now is finalize the paperwork, and she says she didn’t realize that he was unhappy being a P.I. He says, neither did he, until he recognized and decided he needed a change in his life, a different direction. She asks if he has any idea what he’s going to do next, and he says he’s buying a nightclub.

Anna asks if Valentin still wants to protect Peter after everything he’s done, but he says, no. Peter burned the evidence, which is a good thing since Anna withheld it. She could have gotten arrested. They need proof of Peter’s crimes. Anna says, and let him marry her goddaughter in the meantime? No. Maxie needs to know the truth about who she’s letting in to her life. He says, if she tells Maxie the truth, it could get Peter killed.  

Nina says she had no idea Maxie had doubts about marrying Peter, but Maxie says she was talking about Nathan. Her phone rings, and it’s Spinelli. She asks if everything is okay with Georgie, and he says, Georgie’s condition remains unchanged. His, however, is not. Sadly, he’s succumbed to an unfortunate stomach malady, and needs to go home. He’s so sorry. She says, what? He’s not coming to the wedding? He says he’s afraid not, but please know he wishes her only the best of everything. Her happiness is truly all he’s ever wanted. Again, he’s so sorry. He hangs up, and says, satisfied? Peter says, quite. Now go home. If he sees anyone, pretend to be sick. Spinelli says, he won’t have to pretend. This marriage nauseates him. He leaves. 

Maxie tells Nina, Spinelli just apologized. He said he’s sorry, but he’s not coming to the wedding. Nina says she’s sorry, but Maxie says, it’s fine. It would probably be too hard for him to watch her marry Peter anyway. Like it’s too hard her for Nina for different reasons. Nina just had her heart ripped out, and shouldn’t be forced to paste on a smile and be in a partying mood. Nina says, of course (🍷) she’ll be there, but Maxie tells her, consider herself uninvited. Nina says, what?

Jason asks Elizabeth if Franco is there, but she says, it’s not a good time. Franco says, it’s fine; come on in. Is there something Jason wants to ask him?

Cyrus stomps around the reception area. Finn tells Jackie that he knows how she feels, but sorry; the test results are waiting, and he needs to know the truth. She says, at any cost? A woman brings a phone to Cyrus, and says, the Board is on the line, and wants to discuss the vote. He takes the phone. Jackie says, Finn hasn’t changed a bit, has he? It’s all about facts, not people. He doesn’t stop to consider the ramifications of the truth. He says he thought the truth didn’t matter in journalism, but she says, not with this. Gregory will always be Chase’s father, and they’re still family. If Finn finds out Chase is his son, it will devastate Gregory. Finn has no idea what Chase means to Gregory; they’re so close. Chase will lose everything; the father he’s loved his whole life, the mother who kept the information from him, and the brother he’s come to care about and adore. Is it worth taking all that from Chase?

Chase asks if Gregory thought his mom was going to leave him stranded at the altar. Was he paranoid? Gregory says, they fell in love fast, Jackie was younger, and he kept wondering what this beautiful, intelligent adventurer saw in a quiet history professor. Chase says, there must have been something; she showed up, didn’t she? Gregory says, she did. She spent so long in the bride’s room, he thought she’d never come out, but when she did, his life was never the same. Chase asks if she ever said where she was, and Gregory says he didn’t ask. Once they were married, it didn’t seem important.

Jason tells Franco, Sam said he was talking to himself before Alexis attacked him. Can Franco tell him what that was about? Cameron comes down, and asks what Jason is doing there. Jason says he came to speak to Franco, and Elizabeth tells Cameron, they’ve got this; go upstairs. Cameron says he’ll go when Jason goes, but Franco says, please do as his mom asks. They’re fine. Cameron leaves, and Franco says Cameron thinks Jason is a  threat to him. Elizabeth says, but his fears are unfounded, because any agreement Jason made with Franco is off. Franco says, so Jason was asking why he was talking to himself. He’s hearing voices.

Valentin says, if Anna tells Maxie, she’ll tell Spinelli. Anna says, and he’ll tell Jason. Valentin says she knows how Jason will react, and she says Jason tried to warn her, but she didn’t listen. Valentin says, Jason will kill him, and she says she wouldn’t be surprised if Peter turned up dead. They wouldn’t be able to trace it to Jason, but it would be his work.   

Anna says she doesn’t want Jason involved. She wants Peter to face justice, but not killed in cold blood. Valentin says, then don’t they have to wait? Gather evidence, so the WSB can prosecute Peter themselves? Anna says, at Maxie’s expense? She can’t do that. He says, so what do they do?

Laura says she wishes she and Lesley had more time together, but she’s grateful Lesley is going to be with Lulu. Lesley tells her, don’t worry. She’s going to consult with Lulu’s doctors, and make sure her granddaughter is getting the best possible care. Laura says she keeps hoping and praying Lulu will wake up, and Laura says, they have to keep believing. Lesley says, their girl is strong, like her momma, and Laura says, and like her momma. They hug, and Laura tells her mother that she loves her.

Jackie says she’s begging Finn, please think about the people he loves and what they stand to lose. Finn nods, and says, okay. Maybe she’s right. Today is not the day for this. He won’t go to the lab and get the results. She thanks him, and says he’s saved them all a lot of pain.

Jordan tells Curtis that she hopes it works out. He deserves to be happy. He thanks her, and she asks him to save her a table for his opening night at the new club. He says she’s got it, and she says she’d better go. Anna will be there any minute. She walks to the elevator, and Curtis says she looks incredible. She goes into the elevator, and tries not to cry.

Jason says, Franco is hearing voices? and Franco says, just the one. Elizabeth says the doctor in Switzerland thought it was left over from Drew’s memories, not the tumor. Jason asks if Franco recognizes the voice, and Franco says he does. It’s Peter August.  

Peter looks at his tux, and says, it won’t be long now before he marries Maxie.

Sam and Britt go to the bride’s room, and Britt asks if Maxie is ready for the finishing touches. Sam wonders if she’s still getting dressed, and goes into the other room. Britt sees the garter, and Sam comes back, saying, Maxie’s not here; she’s gone. Britt wonders where she could be.   

At Nathan’s grave, Maxie says, it’s her again. She’s getting married in a few hours, and had to come check in with him first, because she doesn’t know what to do. He always knew the right thing to do, so please, she needs his guidance. She hears footsteps, and says, oh my God. What are you doing here?

Maybe Obrecht?

On Monday, Curtis says he feels solid in his decision, Sam says they have no idea where Maxie is, Maxie says Peter isn’t the man someone thinks he is, and Valentin says, it’s not too late.

📖 An Open Book…

Jackie, on the other side of the interview.

🔊 False Alarm…

Taggert got a false positive, but still had to skip work.

🙌🏿 Farewell To a Friend…

I love Sonja Eddy. Sadly, her friend was claimed by covid.

😱 Most Frightening Reality Yet…

Merging the cast of the God awful Summer House with Craig and Austen from Southern Charm sounds like the Frankenstein’s monster of Bravo.

https://www.distractify.com/p/winter-house-cast

⚖️ Just In Case…

You never know.

https://www.mic.com/p/your-rights-at-a-protest-heres-what-you-should-know-62199909

📌 That’s a Fact…

Josephine Baker was a spy for the French during WWII. You can read about her here:

https://www.dw.com/en/josephine-baker-erotic-dancer-spy-and-civil-rights-activist/a-56220683

📋 Quotes of the Week

Your journey has molded you for your greater good, and it was exactly what it needed to be. Don’t think that you’ve lost time. There is no short-cutting to life. It took each and every situation you have encountered to bring you to the now. And now is right on time. – Asha Tyson, American Author and Public Speaker

It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things. – Leonardo da Vinci

A thinker sees his own actions as experiments and questions–as attempts to find out something. Success and failure are for him answers above all.Friedrich Nietzsche

Everything you can imagine is real. – Pablo Picasso

If you can’t explain it to a six year old, you don’t understand it yourself. – Albert Einstein

Never put off till tomorrow what may be done day after tomorrow just as well. Mark Twain

It’s no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then. – Lewis Carroll

The difference between genius and stupidity is: genius has its limits. – Alexandre Dumas-fils

Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving. – Albert Einstein

Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. – Winston S. Churchill

I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. – Maya Angelou

🍌 Making Like a Banana and Splitting…

We’ve come to another weekend, or 24-hour cycle if you haven’t foregone time altogether. This Sunday, the Dead go back to walking and talking, and until they do, stay safe, stay being more genius than stupid, and stay not opening a DNA test at an inappropriate time.

February 25, 2021 – Florence Has a Visitor, Same House, Here It Comes Again, Mary’s Marriage, Sober Sisters, Historic Reality, No Seconds, New To Come, Today’s Fact, a Quote & Freedom

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Finn looks through the scans of Franco’s brain. Elizabeth asks what he thinks, and he says he thinks cancer isn’t his specialty. She says she knows, but she just got the images back, Terry hasn’t gotten back to her yet, and she trusts him to be honest with her. She’s not asking for a prognosis, just his take. Is the radiation working? Is Franco’s tumor shrinking?

Franco tosses and turns on the couch, repeatedly hearing, please be Drew Cain; you know his brother.

Curtis brings Sam to the club, and she says, it’s really nice. She wonders why she never heard of it. He says, probably because she has kids, and she says, back in the day, this place would have caused her a lot of trouble. He says he’d have been right there with her. Sam says she noticed a bunch of beautiful women, ogling Curtis. Does she need to call Jordan to save him? He says, Jordan’s got enough to do saving herself.

Portia goes to Jordan’s office, and Jordan asks how she can help. Portia says she doesn’t need help, but Taggert does. Whatever Cyrus wants to tank the government’s case against Taggert, she wants Jordan to give to him.

Standing in the woods on the phone, Jason says he sees it. He tells them, no, don’t do anything yet. Let’s see how it plays out.

In the car next to Jackie, Martin cleans up a basket of fried chicken, licking his fingers. He says he’d offer her some, but she’s already expressed her displeasure of fried chicken several times. She said he just worked his way around a gooey cinnamon roll, and he says he never eats like this unless he’s nervous. He just realized, no one ever made fried chicken like his mama. Jackie says she’s not surprised. His mother sounds perfect. He says, close enough. If she’s wrong about this… She says she’s not. She looks through a pair of binoculars, and says, Bobbie Spencer is holed up in that house. And the patient she’s caring for is his mother.

Bobbie sits on Florence’s bed, reading out loud to her. Florence looks happy.

At the hospital, Nikolas pays off a guard, saying he wants 30 uninterrupted minutes. The guard leaves, and Laura comes out of the elevator. She says, friend of his? and he says he’s been meaning to call her, steering her down the hall. He tells her that wanted to run some wedding ideas by her. When they’re out of sight, Ava comes out, and sneaks into a room. Ryan sits in a chair, and she says, please don’t get up.

Laura asks if Nikolas and Ava have set a date, and he says, they’re hoping for late spring, early summer. She says, good. It gives him time to make peace with his son.

Ava wonders what malady brought Ryan back to GH from his minimum security prison. She flips through a folder, and says, oh, bed sores. That’s what happens when you let your stabbing and severing muscles fall out of use. She can’t imagine how frustrating it must be for him, but she doesn’t have to imagine it. She leans on the back of his chair, and says, they both know he’s not as helpless as he appears.

Martin asks why Jackie is so convinced Jason has his mother stashed away in there. There’s been no sign of her, or anyone else who might be involved in her abduction; just lights behind curtain windows. She tells him, look in the back seat, and he picks up a big plastic bag, wondering what she has in there. It stinks to high hell. She says, the thing about garbage is that it has an unpleasant odor, and he takes out two prescription bottles. She asks if they look familiar, and he says his mother takes this medication. She says, and the prescriber? He says, Bobbie Jean Spencer, Nurse Practitioner, and she says, aka Bobbie Spencer. He asks how she knew they were here, and she says she did a story on private nurses; their dedication and long hours. One of the nurses from her story is a contact, and she has a friend who relieves Bobbie when Bobbie needs a break. He asks when she had time to go through the trash there, and she says, while he was in line for fried chicken, she took a trip there. If he keeps looking, he’ll find someone has a yen for Corinthos coffee. He says he’ll take her word for it; color him impressed. But if she knew his mother was there, why didn’t she call the police? She says, and risk his mother being in the middle of shootout between the police and Jason’s men? He says, so what are they going to do? They can’t just sit there while his mother languishes. She tells him, don’t worry. Does he know what the biggest newspaper in the nation named her? Jackie Templeton, woman of action.

Jordan tells Portia, fine. Let’s talk. Portia says they don’t need to talk. What her family needs is action – from Jordan. Cyrus agreed to stonewall the Feds’ case against Taggert, and without Cyrus’s testimony, Taggert could go free. Jordan asks if Cyrus told Portia what he’s expecting to get back for his cooperation, and Portia says, he didn’t volunteer any information. She asks what he expects for keeping quiet, and Jordan says, Cyrus and Jason are in a stand-off. Cyrus wants Jason to give up his leverage, which will leave Port Charles open for a mob war. Cyrus will run his drugs through their town, and they’ll see an epidemic of overdoses and deaths. Jason and his men will try to fight back, leaving the PCPD and GH to pick up the pieces. So Cyrus isn’t offering his silence in good faith. It isn’t an offer; it’s a manipulation. Portia says, it’s no surprise Cyrus would want to use the situation to his advantage, but she doesn’t care what he wants not to testify, as long as he refuses. It will break Trina’s heart if her father goes to prison. If anyone knows what it’s like to protect their child’s happiness, she knows it’s Jordan.

Curtis tells Sam, he thought his and Jordan’s relationship could handle just about anything. Pretty naïve, huh? She says, no. Sometimes we think we can handle it all, then something comes along we don’t anticipate, and it puts a new perspective on it. He says he doesn’t know how much is a new perspective, as much as it’s just a series of events that led him to realize Jordan isn’t the woman he thought she was. If he could be so wrong about his marriage, what else could he be wrong about?

Finn tells Elizabeth, Terry is a top oncologist, and will let her know if Franco’s tumor is changing. She says, but he can read the scans. Please. She’s desperate. He says it will just be his opinion, and she says she’s not going to sue him if she doesn’t like it. He says, okay. In his opinion, after Franco’s initial rounds of radiation therapy, the size and shape of his tumor remains unchanged.

Franco is still sleeping restlessly, and starts to repeat, Jason. He gets louder, and Cameron says, Franco, trying to wake him up. Franco suddenly sits up, pushing Cameron back. He’s about to punch Cameron, when Cameron raises his hands and says, Franco, it’s me. It’s Cameron.

Laura asks if Nikolas has reached out to Spencer since he and Ava decided to renew their vows. Does Spencer know they’re marrying for love this time? He says he spoke to Spencer and explained, but Spencer’s response was less than enthusiastic. She says she knows how much Spencer loves him; he’ll come around. Keep reaching out. He says, for how long? Spencer is stubborn. Spencer is quick to anger, and slow to forgive. She says, and he’s sensitive and bighearted, like someone else she knows. He asks if he should apologize for wanting to marry Ava again, and she says, of course not (🍷), but don’t expect a change of attitude overnight. She thinks once Spencer sees how much Ava loves Nikolas, and how happy Ava makes him, he’ll come around.

Ava tells Ryan, she’s so impressed at how he was able to communicate to one of his minders that he wanted to send her this lovely gift, made just for her. She shows him the roach, no longer under glass. She says, soon, he won’t be able to give her any more tokens of affection. She and Nikolas are going to identify his helper, and put an end to this. The note was such a nice touch; secrets and cockroaches, the only two things that always survive. Except for us. She laughs, and says she nearly busted a gut. She’s so sorry. Did he think she’d be frightened? She puts her face close to his, and says, no, Ryan; not anymore. She moves even closer, and says, if anyone ought to be scared, it’s him… scared of her.

Franco wonders if he hurt Cameron, and says he didn’t mean to. Franco didn’t know it was him. Cameron says, it’s okay; it’s no big deal. Franco was dreaming. It was probably a nightmare. Franco says, Cameron woke him up, and startled him. He’s sorry. Cameron says, it’s his fault; no biggie. He’ll get Franco some water.

Elizabeth says, so it’s too soon to expect any progress, and Finn says, yeah. She says, dammit. Damn, damn, damn, damn, damn. She bangs the wall with her fist, then puts her head against it. Finn comes up behind her, and says, hey.

Bobbie reads to Florence from a romance novel, and Florence says her Marty used to read to her all the time, but nothing as steamy as this. Bobbie has a soothing voice; it lulls her right to sleep. Bobbie says Florence misses him doesn’t she? and Florence says she does. Her Marty is a good boy. He always looks out for her. Bobbie promises she’ll see him very soon, and leaves to get Florence’s medication.

Martin asks Jackie, what’s the plan? She’s the woman of action; how does she intend to sneak them in to locate his mother undetected? Jackie says, the house was renovated last year. She got the plans from the county clerk’s office, and memorized the layout. It’s easy to navigate. He asks if that’s the plan. They just go room to room, looking for his mother, hoping they remain undetected, and Jackie says she understands Florence is bedridden. There’s a parlor on the first floor. She guesses that’s where Florence is. She’d be easier to move if needed. He says, what if one of Jason’s henchman discovered them snooping? and she says, they didn’t. The guards have 12-hour shifts, and their best opportunity is during the changeover. Which is now. She opens the car door and says, coming? He says he has one last question. What’s the plan if they get caught? She says, there isn’t one. Don’t get caught. He says, oh Lord. He’s going to live to regret this.

Finn asks how Elizabeth’s hand is, and she says, it’s fine; she’s used to it. He asks if it happens often, and she says, only since Britt became Chief of Staff. He takes it Britt hasn’t mellowed, but Elizabeth says she’s glad Brook is there. She needs someone to take out her anger on. It’s hard to take it out on the tumor, and she’s mad at herself for being mad at Franco.

Cameron brings the water, and tells Franco, sorry. It’s his fault; he shouldn’t have startled Franco. Franco tells him not to blame himself – ever. He shouldn’t have reacted. Cameron says it’s not Franco’s fault. He’s sick, and had a nightmare. Does he remember any of it? Franco says, no, and Cameron says Franco was talking, saying the same thing over and over. Franco asks what he said, and Cameron says, it sounded like Jason.

Sam is sure Curtis’s problems with Jordan caused him to question himself. He entered the relationship thinking they were on the same page. He says, along came some test that blew up his assumptions, and she says, he realized along the way that he’s one who changed. He’s not the kind of person that believes in relationships anymore. He says, yeah. He’s been rethinking about a lot of things lately, including his profession. He’s made a career out of digging up other people’s dirty little secrets, and he never cared, because they weren’t his secrets. Then he discovered his life was full of them too. He can’t stomach another case of infidelity, or tell another client that they’re being lied to by the person they trusted most. He’s done digging. She gets it, and asks what he wants to do. He looks around, and says she’s looking at it.

Portia tells Jordan, it was wrong of her to bring up TJ; it was uncalled for. Jordan says Portia had every right to bring it up, but Portia says Jordan doesn’t need Trina adding on to her problems. Just get her in to see Taggert, and she’ll take it from there. Jordan says Portia doesn’t need her permission, and Portia says, no, but she needs Taggert’s. He refused a visit. Jordan says she thought Trina didn’t want to see him, and Portia says, Trina was hurt and angry. She was confused, and completely overwhelmed, but that changed when Cyrus dangled Taggert’s freedom in front of her. Naturally she’s interested in her father coming home, but now he refuses to see his daughter. Jordan says she’ll speak with him, but he’s not going to change his mind, and he’d be right not to.

Jackie and Martin sneak around the house where Florence is, and he asks how long they have. She puts her finger to her lips, and peeks into a room. They go in, and Martin says, it’s him, Marty, come to take her home. The bed is empty, and Jason is sitting in a chair. He says, wrong room. Ha-ha! Jason’s way of being low-key funny.

Elizabeth tells Finn that she’s angry at Franco for getting sick. They’re not perfect, but they had a good life. They were happy. Finn says, before the tumor, and she says, Franco didn’t tell her, and hid his diagnosis, making a plan without her. He says, the desire to hide a diagnosis from a loved one is pretty common. In part, it’s to protect the loved one, but part is also denial. He’s seen it before; he did it himself. She thinks Franco’s denial lasted longer than normal. When he finally told her, he ignored Terry’s advice to start radiation, and took off to Switzerland for an unproven treatment. She can’t help thinking about the time they lost, and how much bigger the tumor might have gotten because they did nothing. She wonders how much sicker he got, and if he’s too sick now to get better.   

Franco wonders why everything is always about Jason, and tells Cameron, there are more interesting people in this world. Cameron says, it makes sense Franco’s nightmare would be about Jason. Jason hates him. Jason can’t forgive the things Franco did when he had his first tumor, but it’s not Franco’s fault. Franco hates that Cameron has to think about any of it, and Cameron says, that’s why Jason keeps his distance. Franco says, there’s nothing anyone can do about Jason, but Cameron says, the hell there isn’t.

Jason says he wondered how long it was going to take Jackie and Martin to get out of the car and pay Florence a visit. Martin says Jason knew they were there? and Jason says, yeah. Martin asks where Jason is holding his mother. He wants to see her now. Jackie says, if they could track Bobbie, so can Cyrus. Jason says if they want to talk to Bobbie, feel free. Martin says he doesn’t give a damn; he’s not there to play games. His mother is old and vulnerable. Please. He needs to see her. Jackie says, when Martin spoke to his mother on the phone, she said she was doing well, but he wants to see it with his own eyes that she’s whole and healthy. Jason says, okay.

Nikolas tells Laura, he adores Spencer, and will never stop trying to win him over, but he doubts he can do it in time to get Spencer’s blessing for the ceremony. He’ll keep trying to get Spencer to participate, for her. She says, no, for him and his son; the whole family really. He says he wants family togetherness as much as she does. Speaking of family, what’s going on with Cyrus? She says, his mother is missing, and he blames Jason for abducting her. He says that doesn’t sound like Jason, and she guesses what started the debacle was Carly. She leaps before she looks. Now Cyrus blames Jason, and her too, in a way. He says she has nothing to do with it, but she says, Cyrus believes she has the means to return his mother. He tells her, stay out of it. Let Cyrus play games with Jason, not her. She says she’d like nothing better, but Cyrus is irrational, and has an obsession with his mother. If she’s not returned, she’s afraid he’s going to lash out. She doesn’t want anyone in the family in his sites when he does.

Ava asks Ryan if she’s crystal clear. If he continues reaching out, she wouldn’t want him to claim she didn’t warn him. The only pest is him, and this is what she does to pests. She stomps on the roach, and grinds it into the floor. Ryan continues to stare straight ahead.

Finn asks if Elizabeth really wants his unvarnished assessment about Franco’s chances, and she says he knows she does. He says, Franco is too annoying to die. He doesn’t think death wants anything to do with Franco. He looks at her and the boys, and sees the love they have for Franco, and he doesn’t want anything bad to happen. She says, Franco is fighting cancer, not only the radiation, but the side effects. Finn asks if he has fatigue or nausea, and Elizabeth says, they went out on Valentine’s Day. Franco wasn’t feeling well… then his hair… She starts to cry, and says they went home, and Cameron saw what was going on. She could see how Franco was trying hard to cover up his embarrassment, and Cameron ran upstairs and shaved his own head. Finn says, impressive. Violet won’t be happy. She loves Cameron’s hair, but it will grow back. So will Franco’s. He says, it looks like Elizabeth has Franco covered. She says she does, and he asks, who’s covering her?

Franco tells Cameron, no one has hurt him, and Cameron says, really? Sam’s mom tried to stab him with a syringe, and almost killed Dante. People are refusing to treat him. Franco asks how Cameron knows about that, and Cameron says he heard Franco and his mom talking about the tech that didn’t want to be in the same room as Franco. Franco says, that’s one person, but Cameron says, it’s not. He’s seen it all over social media that Franco deserves to die. People think the tumor has made him dangerous, and it gives them the right to go after him. And don’t tell him that he’s stupid to worry and want to protect him. He cares whether Franco lives or dies. Franco says Cameron is super smart, and a good kid, but he doesn’t want to pick a fight with crazies to defend him. Cameron says, if he doesn’t fight to defend his family, who else would he do it for?   

Portia says, Jordan and Taggert believe his best chance is to stay in the PCPD jail, essentially in protective custody, but for how long? What if the Feds decide to go ahead with the case? And even if by some miracle, Taggert is exonerated, Cyrus will come after him. Jordan says, by then, she should have Cyrus, and Portia asks, how’s that working for her this time? Jordan doesn’t say anything, and Portia says, that’s what she thought. In the meantime, she’ll shut out her daughter, causing no end to the pain and heartache. She doesn’t know what she’s supposed to do, and Jordan says, tell Trina, it’s not on Taggert, but on her.

Sam asks if she heard Curtis right. He wants to buy the nightclub? She’s sure he knows a healthy amount of patrons will want to unload their problems, and he’ll have to hear about their troubles. As a server – which he will be sometimes – he’ll be forced to stay in the bar and listen to their troubles. He says, the difference is, at the end of the night, he’ll close up shop and go home. He won’t have to think about them again. She says, and that appeals to him? He says, not having to produce pictures of infidelity to a brokenhearted spouse, or watch a man gamble away his child support money appeals to him. She says, then go for it, and he says he already is. He sits down and says, this is where she comes in.

Finn tells Elizabeth, it’s times like this when she needs a support system. Who has she reached out to? She says, Laura, Bobbie, Scotty; she has her career at the hospital. He says, good, but for what it’s worth (🍷), she can lean on him. She thanks him for talking her off the ledge, and gets up. She says, tell Violet that Cameron’s hair grows pretty fast. He says, good to know, and she leaves.

Franco says he can’t criticize Cameron for wanting to protect his family, and Cameron says Franco is already dealing with cancer treatments; he doesn’t need to deal with vigilantes. Someone needs to make them back off. Franco wonders what happens if Cameron gets into trouble defending him? Where does that leave Jake and Aiden? The boys look up to him. Cameron says, that’s crazy, but Franco says, it isn’t; it’s wonderful. They’re good kids, and want be like him. He’s a good kid. So he needs to continue being an honorable young man. At least until he goes to college in California. Cameron says he’s not going; he’s staying there. Franco asks when he decided that, and Cameron says, the other night. Franco says, Valentine’s Day. Why didn’t he say anything? Cameron says Franco and Elizabeth would have just argued with him, and tried to talk him out of it. He feels like so much has changed. Maybe he won’t go to college at all. Franco says, because of him and his tumor? and Cameron says, Franco didn’t leave him when he was in trouble. Why would he leave Franco?   

Curtis asks if Sam is done with the P.I. game, and she says, actually, no. She’s ready to take on some work. Unlike him, she misses it. She’s not talking about anything dangerous. She has kids, and knows she has to be safe, but she just misses it so much. She wants to help people know the truth, even if it hurts them. He says he sees a way they can both get what they want, and she says she’s listening. He says, buy his half of the P.I. firm. He’ll give her full ownership of operations, his contacts, files, and lists, and he’ll give her fair market value. She asks what he’s going to do with the money, and he says, close the deal on this place. What does she say? Does she want to buy him out? she says, let the bidding begin.

Portia says she doesn’t want to lie to her daughter, but Jordan says, it’s not a lie. Effective immediately, she’s barring Taggert from having visitors. Portia asks if she can do that, since it’s Federal and out of her jurisdiction, but Jordan thinks they’ll accept her request. If Portia has a problem with Trina, send Trina to her. Portia says, if she’s willing to take on the full brunt of her daughter’s fury, and Jordan says she deserves it. It’s the best she can do, at least for now. Portia says she’ll take it, but only for now. Jordan says, good. Now if Portia doesn’t mind… Portia picks up her coat, and says she’s sorry to her about Jordan and Curtis. Cyrus really ruined a lot of lives. She leaves, and Jordan looks sad.

Bobbie tells Florence, someone is eager to see her. Martin walks in, and Florence holds out her arms. They hug, and Martin says he heard she was expecting him. He must say, her radiance is a sight for sore eyes. In the hallway, Bobbie asks Jason, now that Martin knows his mother is here, is there any chance this might be over? He says, sorry. It’s too soon to know how this will effect Cyrus’s reach. Florence tells Martin that he’s lost weight, but he says, don’t worry. He just ate the better part of a bucket of fried chicken. It wasn’t as good as hers though. She says, of course (🍷) it wasn’t. He eats badly when he’s stressed. Has he been worried? He says, about her? Of course (🍷). He hasn’t seen her for weeks. She says she missed him, but Bobbie and Mr. Blue Eyes are taking wonderful care of her.

Ava cleans her shoe, and says, it’s been fun, hasn’t it? What does he thinks of her new scent? It’s a Valentine’s gift from Nikolas; lovely, isn’t it? Would he like a whiff. She takes a bottle out of her bag, and sprays it all around him, then says, oh, sorry. She forgot he’s allergic to perfume, isn’t he? She guesses he’ll have to sweat it out, like an itch he can’t scratch. She leaves, and he still doesn’t react, except to blink.  

Florence says, everyone is so sweet, and Jackie says, Martin isn’t the only one worried about her. Her other son is anxious to see her. Florence says, that guy can wait, and Jackie says it sounds like she doesn’t have a lot of patience for Cyrus. Florence says, sadly, her older son is a lost soul. He’s willful, selfish, and lacks conscience. She doesn’t know where she and his father went wrong, but she washed her hands of that scoundrel years ago. Jackie takes out a recorder, and says, tell her about it.   

Nikolas asks Ava how the conversation went, and she says, one-sided. He says, the best kind, and thanks Laura for her advice; he’ll take it to heart. She says, any time, and Nikolas and Ava leave. Laura peeks in on Ryan through the door window, and walks away. A guard comes into Ryan’s room, and says he’s got mail. He puts a stack of envelopes down, and says he’s got one there from Ryan’s biggest fan, Heather W. He reads, dear Ryan. Love your work. I’m your biggest fan. We see some outgoing mail, with a letter addressed to S. Cassadine on top.  

Tomorrow, Lesley says Cyrus is wrong for GH (like we didn’t know), Elizabeth asks if Franco is talking about moving out, Maxie uninvites Nina, and Cyrus wants to know where his mother is.

🏖 I’m here to report that Summer House is still just as awful, and the cast is still a bunch of horrible, horrible people, to borrow a phrase from Sophie on 2 Broke Girls. Ciara should run for her life, and take Hannah with her. Luke is still stringing Hannah along, using words like connection and chemistry and I love you. For a moment, I thought Ciara might actually be the voice of reason, when she told Hannah that she wanted nothing to do with a guy who could yell at a friend the way Luke yelled at Hannah. But the next thing I knew, she was sitting next to him, being a bobblehead while he talked a bunch of bullsh*t. Kyle, who’d seemed to have matured, and had just done a quarter million in sales with his online business, reverted back to his true baby nature, whining about people not doing their chores. I’m not sure what all happened there, but both Amanda and Hannah ended up in tears. Sadly, at the end of the episode, Carl found out his brother had died, and on Amanda’s birthday. Still, if you decide to watch this show, just remember, it’s an hour of your life you won’t get back.

🎁 Another Gift That Keeps On Giving…

Joining LuAnn’s drunken fall into the bushes, Ramona’s crazy-eyed runway walk, NeNe telling Kim, close your legs to married men, and so many other memorable moments, comes the analogy.

I find it hard to believe that Gia’s character is being questioned, unless kids her age don’t understand what an analogy is either. In which case, we have a bigger problem than this mess.

https://pagesix.com/2021/02/25/gia-giudice-tells-teresa-to-apologize-for-jackie-goldschneider-rumor/

Marge looks like the poor man’s Jayne Mansfield in the group shot.

https://people.com/tv/rhonj-jackie-goldschneider-says-teresa-giudice-drama-caused-terrible-tension-with-husband-evan/

https://pagesix.com/2021/02/24/jackie-goldschneider-devastated-by-husband-cheating-rumors/

👴🏾 He’s Nobody’s Grandaddy…

More on the not as unusual as it seems Cosby union.

https://pagesix.com/2021/02/24/rhoslc-mary-cosbys-husband-addresses-marriage-at-reunion/

🍵 Teetotaling Together…

God help us if they ever fall of the wagon together.

https://pagesix.com/2021/02/23/sober-sisters-braunwyn-leah-mcsweeney-hang-out-in-miami/

⛲️ Doing the Charleston…

Not new news, but a great article on the town. I always thought it would be a fun place to live if it wasn’t 110 degrees in the shade. And not so expensive.

https://screenrant.com/southern-charm-filmed-charleston-south-carolina-history-sightseeing/

🔮 But I Want More…

I was never all that interested in the Marvel Universe, but then came WandaVision.

📺 Coming Up…

What’s coming to Paramount+.

https://nypost.com/2021/02/24/frasier-reboot-a-quiet-place-2-more-exciting-paramount-content/

Reboots and randoms.

https://pagesix.com/2021/02/22/upcoming-tv-reboots-include-the-39-steps/

📌 That’s a Fact…

Marsha “Pay it No Mind” Johnson (1945-1992) was a Black trans woman who was a force behind the Stonewall Riots and surrounding activism that sparked a new phase of the LGBTQ+ movement in 1969. – from glsen.org

You can read more about her here: https://www.glsen.org/activity/glsen-lgbtq-history-cards-marsha-p-johnson

❗️ That’s a Quote…

We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.Martin Luther King, Jr

🎐 Sweet Dreams To You Dear…

We made it to the end of another week, or seven sunsets block of time, depending on how you’re calculating your days. But whether you’re keeping track or not, stay safe, stay industrious, and stay not getting caught if you don’t have a plan for that.

February 24, 2021 – Nina Has Two Surprise Visits, New Jersey In Lake George, Mystery Blonde, the Reunion Ends, Today’s Fact & Fight

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

At the bistro, Carly tells Jason, since there was no evidence, the special agent determined there was no reason to charge her. Nelle’s death was officially declared an accident. He says, because it was, and she says, but Nina isn’t remotely ready to accept that.

Michael tells Nina that he knows it’s late, but Wiley was wide awake. Willow says they thought Nina would like a visit from her grandson. Nina approaches Wiley, and says, hi, Wiley. She tells him, it’s been a while since they met. She’s sure he doesn’t remember her, but she remembers him. She’s his gr… She’s Nina.  

Olivia tells Robert that Dante is on the mend; no thanks to Alexis. Robert says, Alexis has been arrested and charged. She’s not going to get away with sticking a syringe in Olivia’s son. He asks, what about Nedski? Has anyone seen him since Robert stupidly invited him to the hospital to join her? She says she’d rather talk about Robert and his life. He says his life is kind of boring, and she says, really? Has he made peace with Maxie and her choice of husband? He says she’s kind of got him there. If he gives his blessing to the wedding, that means lying. On the other hand, if he sets out to stop it, he risks making a martyr out of Peter and alienating his niece for good. She says it’s not like Robert Scorpio to be indecisive and sit around doing nothing, and he says, Livvy, have you ever known me to sit around and do nothing?    

Obrecht shines a flashlight around, and says, if she were Peter, where would she hide incriminating evidence? She checks the couch cushions.

Britt tells Maxie, she never had a sister, and never thought she wanted one, but now that she’s linked to Maxie and Nina, it’s a surprisingly good feeling. Maxie says they have each other’s backs, but Britt says, what if having each other’s backs means saying something the other doesn’t want to hear? Maxie says, please, no more advice on how she should marry someone other than Peter. How many times does she have to tell Britt and the rest of the world that she loves Peter and she’s going to spend the rest of her life with him? Britt says, methinks when you stop protesting so much. She tells Maxie, okay, she’s going to make a graceful exit, so Maxie can enjoy her date without her unwanted advice. Maxie thanks Britt, and says, speaking of her date, he’s late. She wonders if he’s stuck at the office, and thinks she’ll call him to see if he’d like a relaxing night at home. Britt tells her, don’t do that, and Maxie says, why not?

Obrecht checks the shelves, and sees a laptop. She sits at the desk, and opens it. When she moves it forward, the pile of mail falls to the floor. We see the envelope from D. Marick.

Peter arrives at Anna’s and says he got there as fast as he could. He asks if everything is okay; she sounded serious. She says she thinks it’s time they faced the truth… together.

Carly tells Jason, at the very least, Nina thinks she could have saved Nelle, but chose not to, and she doesn’t see that changing. He asks what more Nina can do. There’s no evidence; the Feds closed the case. Carly says she knows, but Nina refuses to see Nelle for who she really was, and only sees the daughter she didn’t get the chance to raise and love. But there’s one more person connected to Nina through Nelle. He says, Wiley, and she says, her grandson happens to be Nina’s grandson too.   

Nina says Wiley is very much daddy’s boy, but she sees he also takes after his mommy. Michael says, Willow is Wiley’s mom, and Nina thanks them for bringing Wiley to see her. Willow says they thought Nina might need some cheering up tonight, and Nina apologizes to Michael for her meltdown at his father’s service. She should have taken her problems with Carly and Jax to a private area. Michael says his mom had an interview with the FBI tonight.  There was no evidence that she had anything to do with Nelle’s fall, and the case was closed. Obviously, it’s a relief for him and his family, but he hopes Nina finds a way to move past her issues with his mom, for Wiley’s sake.

Olivia says she knows that smile. What does Robert have planned to keep Maxie away from Peter, and how can she help? He asks what she has against Peter, and she says, besides the fact that he fired her son? Robert says, Peter thinks he can get away without a head of security? and Olivia says, he’ll need one when she gets through with him. Peter felt Dante wasn’t a good fit for Aurora. Honestly, she’s happy Dante isn’t working for him, after he published Franco’s private medical records. That’s what led to Dante getting stabbed by Alexis to save Franco. Please, don’t tell her how drunk Alexis was; she nearly killed Dante. He says, it’s an ongoing investigation, and he can’t discuss the case, and she suggests they stick to him and his plan of how to save Maxie from that termite Peter. She has a spectacular bottle of wine that she and Ned were saving for a special occasion, and tells him, don’t even think of saying no. Robert stammers as she leaves to get it. The doorbell rings, and he says he’ll answer. It’s Alexis.  

Britt says it’s Maxie’s last chance for a night out with Peter before they’re married. She should make the most of the time, because her due date is fast approaching. Once her little girl comes kicking and screaming into the world, all her nights will be at home. She can’t change a diaper at the club. Maxie supposes she’s right, but doesn’t understand what’s keeping Peter. He usually calls if he’s going to be late. Britt asks what’s really bothering her; that Peter is late, or that he’s late because he’s up to no good? If Maxie can’t trust him before the wedding, how is she going to trust him once they say I do? Maxie says, it’s not about trust; it’s concern. She wants to make sure he wasn’t in a car accident, or took a fall in the shower. It’s what people do when they’re in a committed relationship. They worry, and want to make sure the other person is okay.  

Obrecht wonders where Peter has hidden the proof of his wrongdoing. It’s not in the office; she already searched it. I’s not there. Is there a storage locker he has under another name? An office or an apartment no one knows about? No matter. She’ll find it, and his secrets. She picks up the mail, and puts it on the desk. She starts to leave, stops, comes back, and looks at the mail again. She sees the envelope.

Anna tells Peter, what they decide tonight will directly affect the wedding, but more important, Maxie’s future happiness. He says she’s scaring him, and she says, good. She wants to scare him. She wants him to take it seriously. He’s about to pledge his life and love to her goddaughter. Before he says I do, she wants to know he’s being completely honest with her; no secrets, lies, no evasions. If he has something to tell her, now’s the time to do it.

Carly tells Jason, Wiley is her grandson too, and she owes it to Wiley to make sure Nina’s is emotionally okay to be part of his life. He asks what that means, and she says she doesn’t want Nina projecting her fantasies about Nelle, and how she could have been onto Wiley. He’s way too young to carry all of Nina’s grief.  

Nina tells Michael, the FBI called her to tell her that her accusations had no merit. The only thing that matters is making sure Wiley is loved and cared for. She tells Wiley that she’s so sorry this place is so boring. There are no lollipops or toys. She asks how he feels about polar bears, and Willow says he loves polar bears, especially after a documentary they saw. Michael adds that a few weeks ago he wanted to be an astronaut, but now they’re sure Wiley wants to be an artic explorer. Nina says, then they should get started. It just so happens that she loves polar bears too. She helps him into her chair, and says she got a cool app that she’s been too busy to use. So she was wondering if he could help her. What does he say? First stop, the arctic circle? She shows him the screen.    

Alexis asks if Olivia is in, and Robert says she shouldn’t be there. She says she didn’t come to make things worse; that’s not her intention. He says she shouldn’t be around Dante’s mother; Alexis almost killed her son. She says she was drunk, and afraid Franco was going to hurt her family, and he thanks her for the window into her defense. Olivia walks in with the wine, and stops short.

Britt tells Maxie, they agreed to support one another, so allow Britt to support her as she begins her married life with Britt’s brother. Maxie says she doesn’t need support. Everything is awesome. Britt asks, then why does Maxie care so much what other people think, including her? Why does she need validation for her choice of husband? Unless she has cold feet.

Obrecht looks at the envelope, and says, Marick; curious. Anna’s sister is dead, and Alex’s husband is sending an envelope from beyond the grave. She wonders why, and opens it.

Peter says, Anna spoke with Valentin, and she says, yes. Valentin wants Peter to be happy; he feels a great responsibility for him, and wants him to do the right thing. He doesn’t want Peter going down the path of his father. Peter says, it’s true. Valentin has been the one constant in his life, even before he met her and fell in love with Maxie. He wonders why the sudden talk about secrets and lies, and Anna goes to her desk and picks up a folder, saying, because of this. It’s a paper trail, showing he worked with the assassin, and proof that he hired him to kill Andre and Franco. Peter asks why she kept the document, and she says, to protect him. When she took the file from the WSB, she committed obstruction of justice and tampered with evidence because he convinced her that was innocent. He says, because he is, and Anna says, please. She’s bringing it up again because he’s going to marry Maxie, and his choices will become Maxie’s choices. Peter says Anna knows he loves Maxie, and Maxie does too. She says, if the documents are accurate; if there’s a paper trail linking him to the assassin. If it’s real, then he needs to say so. She’s giving him a chance to clear his conscience.

Peter looks through the folder, and says, one bank statement. He reads, David Black, and says, the man who tried to kill Andre and Franco, the man he stopped from killing them. Anna says, proof of payment made to the assassin from the same company they both worked for, Eurotech. He says, and this payment can be connected to him? He could have hired an assassin to kill Andre and Franco, then tampered with the plane that went down carrying Drew? She says if he did that, and he says, let him ask her something. Are there more documents other than the original? Does he have some noose around his neck that he doesn’t know about? She says, if there is, doesn’t he think he should tell her so she can help him? He says, whatever file links him to the assassin is a lie of Obrecht’s. She says, so the information in the file isn’t true? He says, they’ve been over this before, and it’s true he once worked with David Black, and maybe came in contact with him, but he’s certain this is Obrecht’s doing. She says, so Obrecht doctored the documents? and he says, it looks like it. Obviously, Obrecht got her hands on some innocuous records, and twisted them to appear damning to him. There’s only one thing to do with a lie like that. She says, what? and he says, destroy the evidence

Maxie tells Britt that her feet are very warm, that’s because Peter… Britt say she doesn’t want to hear about foot rubs, back rubs, or emotional support. Maxie says she’s happy so many people doubt Peter’s intentions. It will make it that much sweeter when they’re proved wrong. Britt says, and she’s confident they will, and Maxie says, look at how much Peter has had to overcome already. He moved to Port Charles as a stranger, shook the curse of being Faison’s child, and helped her recover from the loss of Nathan, his own brother. Not to mention he helped her deliver James. Even with all the doubters and haters, Peter revamped The Invader and made it a success. In Maxie’s apartment, Obrecht finds a letter and flashdrive in the envelope. She reads, dear Peter. In the event of my death, you should hear the truth in my own words. Maxie says, along the way, Peter discovered that Anna was his mother, the antidote to whatever poison he inherited from his father. That is how she knows there’s good inside Peter. It’s been there all along. He gets it from Anna. Obrecht puts the flashdrive into the computer. Alex is on the screen, and she says, hello, Peter. If you’re seeing this, I’m probably dead. It’s unfortunate, but I didn’t want the truth to die with me.

Alexis says she knows she has no business being there, but it’s never stopped her before. Robert suggests she try now, but Olivia says she’d like to hear what Alexis has to say. Robert doesn’t think it’s a good idea, and Olivia says she appreciates his concern, but doesn’t need his protection. She’ll be fine. Robert says, okay. He’s just a phone call away. He’ll take a raincheck on Nedski’s bottle. Olivia says she wouldn’t miss it for the world, and he leaves. Olivia says, after you, and they go into the living room. She says Alexis has five minutes. Start talking.

Nina shows Wiley the laptop, and says, the polar bears are ice skating; how fun. Now they’re dancing. See that? Michael says she’s a natural, and Nina says, it’s true what they say; grandparents have all the fun, and none of the responsibility. Willow says she might not agree when they ask her to babysit, but Nina says she can’t wait. Carly arrives, and listens outside. Willow warns Nina that Wiley is a master negotiator. If you don’t get a firm commitment to a limit of three stories, he’ll manipulate you into reading all night. Carly peeks in, and shakes her head.

Nina tells Wiley, see the baby? and Carly comes in. Michael says, mom. They decided to bring Wiley to surprise Nina. Carly says they surprised her too. It sounds like they’re having fun, but it’s past Wiley’s bedtime. Michael says, Grandma Carly is right. They’ll save some polar bears for next time. Nina tells Wiley that she had a wonderful time, and hopes he comes back soon. Willow says, he will, and Nina  thanks them again for bringing him. Willow says, it’s their pleasure, and they leave. Carly isn’t smiling anymore, and closes the door. She says she hopes Nina enjoyed the time with her grandson. If she doesn’t play her cards right, it will be her last.

Alexis tells Olivia that she’s deeply, terribly sorry for what she did to Dante, She was drunk and out of control. Olivia says, ya think? She’s surprised Alexis had the guts to come and apologize. She thought Alexis would be out drowning her sorrows in whatever dive bar was still willing to serve her. Alexis says, that’s always very tempting, but she wants Olivia to know she takes full responsibility for what she did. Olivia says, so what step is this? and Alexis says she doesn’t think she’s in a position to explain any of the steps. It’s her first day of sobriety, yet again. What’s more important is that Olivia has been a good friend. She even went out of her way to prove Alexis didn’t drive drunk. Olivia says, more proof that no good deed goes unpunished. Alexis says she’d like the opportunity to make it up if she can. She wants to be the kind of friend Olivia has been to her, and hopes Olivia gives her the chance. How is she doing for time? Olivia says she’s off the clock. Keep talking.

Robert meets Jason at the bistro, and thanks Jason for seeing him. Jason asks, what’s on his mind? and Robert says, Sonny is gone, so he guesses Jason is running the Corinthos businesses. He wouldn’t answer that. Jason says, then why bring it up? and Robert says, he’s concerned Jason’s new responsibility will cause him to take his eyes off what he thinks is the bigger prize. Jason says, Peter August?

Britt tells Maxie, bravo. That was an impassioned defense of her fiancé. Maxie says she noticed Britt didn’t say convincing, and Britt says she knows more of Peter’s history and family tree than Maxie, and has her own reasons to doubt his so-called goodness. Maxie asks if this is how she plans on keeping her pact to have Maxie’s back, and Britt says, absolutely. By being honest even if it hurts. Maxie says, maybe she’s right, and Britt says, she is? Who is she, and where’s the Maxie who just defended her fiancé to the death? Maxie says, clearly something is going on with Peter. He hasn’t returned her calls or texts, and she has a bad feeling. She thinks she’ll just go home. Britt tells her, wait. There’s a million reasons why Peter might be missing out on date night. His phone died, he can’t find his phone, he’s out of gas. He had a wedding emergency with Finn, and lost track of time. Maxie says he’d still find a way to reach her, and Britt says, okay. She’s going with Maxie. If something awful did happen, Maxie will need her. Maxie leaves, and Britt follows her.

Obrecht says she does believe she struck the motherlode. She kisses the flashdrive, says, and she does mean mother, and laughs.  

Peter tells Anna, destroying the documents is the only way to keep Obrecht from using them again. He has reason to believe Obrecht deceived her handlers, and she’s free from Steinmaur. And she’s not retiring to some Swiss chalet. She’s going to come after him. If Obrecht gets her hands on those, she’ll turn them over as proof of his guilt. He doesn’t think the authorities would believe her, but they both know how Obrecht could twist Maxie against him. More lies and doctored evidence; is that what Anna wants? She says she just wants the Peter she believed him to be, and he says, here he is. He holds out his hand. She puts her hand in his, and he takes the folder from her. He puts it in the fireplace, and it burns.

Nina tells Carly that Wiley is also her grandson. Willow and Michael get to decide who Wiley sees, not Carly. Carly says she knows Willow and Michael are Wiley’s parents, unlike Nelle, who gave him away. Nina asks if that gives Carly justification to watch her daughter die; let her fall to her death. Carly says, that’s not what happened. Ask the Feds. She and Jax were grilled for two hours, and she’s not under suspicion. Does Nina know why? Nina says, because Carly lied through her teeth? but Carly says, because Nina’s claims had no basis in fact. She was just trying to get back at them for not telling her that Nelle was her daughter. Nina says, that’s right, they didn’t tell her. How long were they going to be silent? Were they going to let Wiley grow up, never knowing she was his grandmother? Were they just going to go on, letting her live in the same city as her only grandson? The hell with that. She’s Wiley’s grandma also, and Carly isn’t taking away her grandson like she did her daughter. Carly says she didn’t take Nina’s daughter away. And if Nina spirals out of control like she did in the cemetery, she’ll lose everything, and only have herself to blame.

Willow tells Michael, it was hard for Wiley to fall asleep. He was excited about the visit to Nina. Michael says Willow was right. Nina needs Wiley in her life, and their son needs her. Willow says, as much as she loves being right – and she loves it a little too much – Michael was willing make first move and reach out to Nina for Wiley’s sake. Good job, dad. He says, thanks, mom, which is just a little creepy.

Alexis thanks Olivia, and says she hopes Olivia knows her forgiveness means everything. Olivia tells her, who said she forgave Alexis? She wonders why Alexis wasn’t at Sonny’s funeral. Was she out getting drunk? Alexis says she didn’t want to embarrass her children with the charges against her, and didn’t want it to end up being about her instead of Sonny. Olivia doesn’t think Alexis needed to worry about that, and Alexis says she’s trying to do better. Olivia asks, if Alexis had been sober, would she still have picked up the syringe and stabbed Dante? Alexis says she never meant to hurt Dante, and Olivia says she meant to kill Franco. What if it had been Elizabeth or Sam that got in the way? Alexis says, she never would… and Olivia says, she did, and she’s going to keep hurting people until she gets help.

Obrecht is about to leave, and hears Britt, talking loudly. Britt says, if Peter is out galivanting tonight, what can Maxie expect after the wedding? Maxie asks if Britt can be any louder. She doesn’t think Mrs Getz in apartment 66 heard her. Peter isn’t a gallivanter; he’s the last of the romantics. If he missed their date night, he has a good reason. They go inside, and Maxie asks if Peter is there. She goes into the bedroom, and Britt looks around. Maxie comes back, and says, no sign of him, and Britt says, at least he didn’t fall in the shower. Maxie says, but if he’s not there, where is he?   

Peter tells Anna, no more moving backward. All the things they did wrong, and things they should have done differently, It’s all in the past now, and they have to think about the future. She’s marrying Finn, and he’s marrying Maxie. Anna says, that’s all that matters now, yes? and he says, the next time he sees her will be on her wedding day; his too. He kisses her cheek, tells her, be well, and leaves. He lingers on the porch, looking grim, and Anna pokes around in the fireplace, but there’s nothing left of the folder.    

Carly tells Nina, she’s made mistakes, but so has Nina. Concentrate on what she has, not what she lost. Let go of her bitterness, work it out with Jax, and focus on being happy. Nina says she doesn’t remember asking for Carly’s advice, but Carly says she should take it. Wiley needs stability, security, and a loving nurturing home. Nina asks what part of that Carly thinks she doesn’t understand, and Carly says, given her performance at Sonny’s grave, she’d say, all of it. If Nina pulls something like that again, Nina will never have a place in her grandson’s life. Carly stomps out, and Nina sits.

Willow tells Michael that she should go; she has class in the morning. If Wiley needs her, she’s just a gatehouse away. Michael says, before she goes, he apologizes. He hopes he didn’t ruin her Valentine’s Day by making her watch the movie. She says he didn’t make her watch it; she’s glad he asked. She hopes she and Chase didn’t ruin his when they walked in on him and Sasha. He says, it’s fine, and she asks if he’s going to see Sasha again. He says, of course (🍷), and asks what about Chase? She says, of course (🍷), and he says the whole reason they did the annulment was so they could be with Chase and Sasha. She says, absolutely. She’ll see him and Wiley tomorrow. He says, goodnight, and closes the door. He heads for the stairs, and turns to look again at the door.   

Olivia says she believes Alexis wants to make amends, but intentions are meaningless without actions to back them up. She doesn’t mean showing up at a meeting here and there, but choosing to make changes, and not taking any shortcuts. Alexis says she’s willing to try. Does Olivia have any suggestions? Olivia says she doesn’t have those answers, but she thinks Alexis took the first step in coming there tonight, and Alexis leaves.

Maxie tells Britt, maybe she should call the police, but Britt says Maxie is overreacting. If Peter isn’t home by midnight, she’ll be the first one to organize a search party. In the meantime, this worrying isn’t good for the baby, and Maxie should lie down and rest. Maxie says she will, for the baby’s sake, and Britt says, good; she’ll keep trying Peter. Maxie thanks Britt for bringing her home. She’s so distracted, she wouldn’t have been a good driver. Britt says, anytime, and Maxie goes into the bedroom. Britt waits a beat, and says, all clear. Obrecht comes out, and Britt hustles her to the door. She asks if Obrecht found something, and Obrecht says, Henrik is as good as dead. Britt says, congratulations. She doesn’t want Maxie to hear. Obrecht has to go. She literally shoves Obrecht out the door, and lets out a sigh of relief.   

Jason tells Robert, he hasn’t forgotten about Peter. Peter went to a lot of trouble to target Franco and Andre. He got Franco. Robert says, when he published the article about the return of Franco’s tumor? Peter would call that journalism. Jason says, it was about more than driving traffic to The Invader. He doesn’t think it had anything to do with Franco’s tumor or what Franco did in the past. Is it possible that Franco knows something about Peter, and Peter is trying to shut him up? Jason’s phone dings, and Robert says, trouble? Jason says, yeah, but not with Peter. Robert is on his own until Jason gets back. He asks where Jason is going, and Jason says, on a quick trip out of town.

Britt says the things she does for her mother, and sinks onto the couch. Maxie comes out, and says Britt is still there? Britt says she promised to look out for Maxie, and that means staying the night. Maxie thanks her, saying she could use the company. Peter comes in, and says he’s sorry she was worried. He just got her messages. She asks where he was. Is he okay? He promises he’s just fine, and he’ll never worry her like that again.  

Anna calls Valentin, crying, and says she gave Peter a chance, but he was right. His redemption was just a lie. They turned a blind eye for too long. She honestly thinks it’s up to them now to stop him… Okay… She gets up, and walks past a photo of her and Peter, toward the door.

Tomorrow, Sam asks what Curtis wants to do, Martin asks what the plan is if they get caught, Ava visits Ryan, and Elizabeth asks if Franco’s tumor is shrinking.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey

And there we were, back at the analogy heard round New Jersey. In her interview, Marge said Jackie clearly didn’t know her audience. There were two rules, never use an analogy – no one understands them – and never bring up kids in an argument. Jackie delivered a two for one special. Jackie called Marge, saying she wasn’t going on the Lake George trip. She never wanted to be around that woman again. Marge insisted it would be made right. Teresa immediately called Melissa, insisting she heard what she heard, and any strong woman would want to know. She guessed Jackie was a weak woman. In Melissa’s interview, she said Jackie would have never accused Gia of doing cocaine. She knows Teresa twisted it, or it was said wrong. Teresa said she was going to demolish Jackie. Melissa wasted no time in calling Jackie, and letting her know she’d poured gas on the fire.

Jennifer went to see mom Josephine with Olivia. In her interview, Jennifer said her brother Michael had married Melda in Turkey, and decided to stay there until Melda got her visa to come to the US. They had a honeymoon baby, and named it in honor of their father John. Josephine refused to call the baby John, instead using his middle name Bryan. She told Jennifer it was because her husband was mean, but Jennifer thought she was being unreasonable. In Jennifer’s interview, she said it had been an arranged marriage, and in their culture, they don’t do divorce. She never saw her father do anything bad to her mother, but she never saw any love either.

Dolores went to see her mother Valerie, and they sat socially distant in the yard. In Delores’s interview, she said, for fifteen years, her mother had done nothing but take care of her grandchildren, so she was feeling lonely, even though the grandkids visited at the gate. Dolores told Valerie that David could handle anything except talking about relationships. In her interview, Delores said when her dad became Chief of Police in another town, he wanted to live there, but her mother wanted to stay put, so they’ve had a marriage in every sense of the word, except they don’t live together. Delores told Frank about the trip to Lake George, and he said he was sure there was a big guidette population there. He wanted to shake David down for a commitment while Delores was away, and Delores said she thought the trip was going to be a bloodbath  I kept thinking, no one can be this stupid, but then I remembered Teresa went to prison for signing something without understanding what it was. I actually do believe Joe #1 told her to just sign the papers, and she did. Just in case you have any doubt about things like that, always read something before you sign it. Always. I can’t stress it enough.

Margaret must have had a bout of amnesia, since she thought she could talk sense into Teresa, and actually get her to apologize to Jackie. The women met at Marge’s under construction house, and Teresa was late, so Marge explained to the others that Jackie wasn’t coming. She griped that now she had to explain how you don’t go to a birthday party and spread rumors about the person whose birthday it is. Delores thought it was a smart move on Jackie’s part not to come, and said all Teresa heard is that Jackie said something about her daughter. In Marge’s interview, she said Teresa wasn’t the inured party, Jackie was, and the analogy wouldn’t have been made if Teresa hadn’t spread the rumor. On the way to the lake, Marge told the group that her kids went to camp near there, and she would vacation with her husband there. It was a nice town with a beautiful lake, and good memories. Teresa tried to justify her idiot self for what she’d said, and declared she wasn’t sorry for saying it. I wondered who the extra blonde was who resembled a younger Marge. After the show, I googled it. See below.

Jackie did buzzcuts on her kids, and Evan was pretty angry about the whole analogy thing. In Jackie’s interview, she said she hadn’t taken an easy breath since it happened. When the kids wondered why she didn’t go to Lake George, she told them that they didn’t have to be friends with someone who didn’t treat them right when you did nothing wrong. In her interview, she said Teresa got to cause trouble, and she stayed there to pick up the pieces while Teresa got to go on vacation with all her friends. She hoped they had her back.

While the women were at Lake George, at home, the guys went bowling. In his interview, Frank talked about a bad accident he’d had falling down some stairs. Both of his quads detached, and his knees blew out. I felt pain just hearing about it, and he said he was essentially paralyzed, and David took him in. He told David that he was on his side about Delores having surgery, and said they should work things out. He accused David of procrastinating on the relationship front, and said he was a great doctor, but a mediocre boyfriend. The two of them seem like genuinely nice guys.  

The women went to a modern designed lake house, and chose rooms. No surprise, they were all gorgeous, and Marge had amazing goodie bags for everyone. How come I’ve never gotten a goodie bag at a party or get-together? Not since I was twelve anyway. Marge said she should have brought gummies, and I wondered, did she mean…? The rumor/analogy thing was brought up off and on, mostly by Teresa, who moved on to blaming Jennifer next for giving her tequila.

Melissa tried using logic, but Teresa didn’t listen, and in Melissa’s interview, she said if Teresa and Jackie didn’t make amends, there would never stop being tension in group. It would be over. We saw a clip of Teresa telling Gia about it on the phone, and Gia saying if Teresa had upset Jackie, she should apologize. Out of the mouths of babes, but contrary to what the tabloids claim she said. Still, video doesn’t lie. Teresa told everyone that Joe #1 was selling sex toys, and had sent her one. Jennifer wanted to start fresh with Melissa, and apologized. Teresa jumped back on the bashing Jackie train, and said Jackie should STFU, and quit crying like a baby. In her interview, Marge said, with Teresa, information had to go through the cogs, the cobwebs, and hair extensions, then came out in an effed up way, which was actually scary. The episode ended with some guys buying their table a round.

Next time, Teresa can’t get on the phone fast enough to call Joe #2, and tell him Melissa is flirting with the owner of the restaurant.

👱🏼‍♀️ That Blonde…

Across from them was Margaret Josephs, and seated next to her was her assistant, Lexi Barbuto. The blond has frequently been on the show in the past, although never held a housewife or friend title.

https://www.inquisitr.com/6223626/rhonj-new-cast-member-speculation/

The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City – The Reunion – Part 3

Lisa came back, and said she was good; let’s go. The husbands came out, Seth and Robert remotely. Seth said he was in the land of opportunity in Canton, Ohio, and Robert was keeping traveling to a minimum because of covid. Whitney’s pole dancing was brought up, and she deferred to Justin’s talents on the pole, saying he was better at spinning. We saw a bunch of clips from the season, and Andy said viewer Melissa from Wilmington, Delaware was upset that Lisa had thrown John’s Rolex out the car window. Lisa said he’d forgotten her birthday, and she’d given him the Rolex as a gift for his. He told her that she could have her gift back, and she said he had ten seconds to put it back on, or out it went. She tossed it toward a Taco Bell, but he stopped the car and retrieved it. John showed proof on his wrist, and I’m sure Melissa from Wilmington was thrilled. Andy asked about Sharrieff missing Jen’s father’s funeral, and if coaching was more important than family. Coach Shah said it was not, and he thought the problem was that Jen’s father only seemed responsive to him. Because of that, Jen had it in her head that he could have made her father rally, and resented him not being there; however, there was nothing that could have been done. Andy asked if Jen could let it go, and she said Sharrieff had done what he could. They talked Mormonism, and Justin said he’d gotten a letter from the church saying he was no longer a member after he married Whitney. He said if there had been tithing rebate, it would have been easier, and I literally LOL’d. Still stuck a little in that mindset, Heather got weepy.

Andy asked what Robert wanted people to know or what he thought people misunderstood about his relationship with Mary, and Robert said the grandfather stuff pissed him off. Andy asked if Robert could let bygones be bygones, and Robert told him that the gossip was that Mary had married for money, and the grandaddy stuff. He was 22 when he married Mary’s grandmother, so he was nobody’s grandpa. He was used to it, but he didn’t like people messing with his wife. Mary was a great mother and wife, his co paster, and his equal. Mary got emotional, and said no one knew her better than he did. His words validated who she is, and touched her. Coach Shah said he made it clear to Jen at the beginning that he wasn’t there to engage in any fight she had with the women. He told her what she’d said to Mary was unacceptable, as was commenting on any marriages or what people did therein. Jen apologized to Robert. We found out Whitney’s dad had dropped off the face of the earth, and wasn’t speaking to her. She said his disappearance was brutal on her heart. Andy asked how Seth and Meredith’s reconciliation was going, and Meredith asked why she’d want to share anything with the group. After she got a little pissy, she said he show actually helped save their marriage – no doubt a first. I told you these Wives were different from the others. She said they couldn’t sweep anything under the rug. Jen apologized to Robert again, and Robert said, don’t you worry about it, sister, which I thought was sweet. Then the guys left the magic circle.

The next topic was the Las Vegas trip, and we flashed back to that. Andy remarked that Meredith’s mask was ahead of its time, and Heather said it was a prophecy. We found out they’d wrapped week before the pandemic hit. Heather talked about Jen being insulting on social media, and Jen raising her hand when the hypnotist asked who didn’t trust Heather. Andy asked Mary’s opinion. Mary had her eyes closed, and he asked if she’d fallen asleep. She insisted she hadn’t, and knew the question, so I guess not. She said Jen felt hurt, and had raised her hand as a dig. Jen started to get agitated, and said when terms like aggressive were being used, it was dangerous to a POC; there was a double-standard. Meredith said no one denied white privilege, but to make that accusation was a huge statement. Jen said she didn’t want to get into this sh*t, because it was painful, and they didn’t understand. She ran off to find her husband, and Whitney called Justin to alert Coach Shah. Sharrieff came out, and Jen collapsed into his arms.

Jen hopped up and down, talking about discrimination, and did a bit of exaggeration, even making up a few things. True to form, Sharrieff calmed her down, and walked her back. I think Jen’s disconnect with the group is because she wants to give the reasons why she did something, rather than just taking responsibility. After she sat down, she said that the good thing was, people were willing to listen more than before. Andy said the one great success of the Reunion was seeing Mary and Jen find common ground, along with Robert Sr. and Sharrieff. He wondered if there was a double-date in the cards.

He asked the women to name one thing they’d learned watching themselves, and Lisa said she had to work on listening more. She noticed she talked a lot. Mary said she needed to work on the way she said things, and how they could come across offensive or wrong. Jen said she had to work on communication, and making sure her friends felt they could trust her, and didn’t feel threatened. Whitney wanted to focus on her timing and delivery, and how to speak clearly and confidently with her own voice. Meredith said she’d treated everyone with kindness and respect, but didn’t feel she’d been treated the same, and was disappointed. She said Whitney and Heather had called her to apologize, and she thought Jen’s apology was genuine for the first time. But an apology didn’t make things go away. She would forgive for herself, but to move forward, trust needed to be earned. Heather said she hoped she’d be able to speak up, embrace people where they were, and not hold back.

Instead of the usual alcoholic adult beverage, meatballs on sticks – or meat lollipops, if you prefer – were distributed to everyone. Mary’s eyes lit up, and I thought she must be hungry. Andy said Jen was the CEO of fun, and asked her to give a toast. She said, to a great reunion, understanding each other, and meeting in the middle. Heather toasted to how many licks it took, and Andy made it snow. No, really. Snow fell inside the studio. It was pretty cool, both literally and figuratively.

📌 That’s a Fact…

From the end of the Civil War until the last vestiges of the Jim Crow era were finally deemed illegal, Black Americans sought to obtain their sliver of the American Dream while facing violence and discrimination—a journey that continues today.

Here are 9 places you can visit today that provided Black Americans with some of what America had been denying them, on the ongoing journey to equality and freedom. – from AtlasObscura.com

https://www.atlasobscura.com/lists/9-forgotten-black-enclaves

🚶🏽‍♀️ Heading On Out…

It’s been a long day. So long, it’s the next day. Whatever day you’re in, stay safe, stay learning from your mistakes, and stay understanding each other and meeting in the middle.

February 23, 2021 – The FBI Talks To Carly and Jax, a Cuppla Things, Cameron’s Hair, Sober Filming, Terrified Teresa, Karate Return, 24th Anniversary, Globe Moments, Celebrating Drew, Today’s Fact & Duke’s

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

I missed the beginning, since that’s the way the week is going, but what happened was… Carly met Diane in the PCPD interrogation room to go over what Carly was going to say to the FBI. Diane said Carly should stick to her original statement, and say Nina misheard them. Maxie found Nina at Crimson, and said she’d heard about what happened at the cemetery, and Nina told her about Jax and Carly knowing Nelle was her daughter. Jax met Alexis at the café, and she said it seemed like he had something on his mind. Michael told Willow about Nelle being Nina’s daughter, and how Nina thought Carly was responsible for Nelle’s death. Anna and Finn were getting ready to look for Obrecht, but Finn had to deliver Peter’s tux to him first. When he left, Valentin showed up, and Anna said she could tell he didn’t have good news. He said their suspicions about Peter were right, and it was worse than they feared. Britt met Obrecht in the club Curtis is thinking of buying. Obrecht showed up wearing a dark fedora and trench coat, looking like a spy, and Britt told her the sparrow had landed. Peter went into the apartment, dropping the mail on the table, but not noticing the envelope from Dimitri Marick. Then I sat down, and…

Diane tells Carly, they’re going to want to interview Jax. Is there any chance he had second thoughts about backing her? Carly says he told Nina that they’d talked to the authorities before they found out Nelle was Nina’s daughter. They all felt bad, before Nina went off at Sonny’s grave, which is exactly why they chose not to tell her. Diane says, and here we are. They should have told Nina the moment they discovered it; it would have saved them a world of pain. Carly says, Jax devested Nina, and Diane says, that’s her point. Will Jax think Carly is more deserving of his protection than Nina is?

Jax tells Alexis that Nina was searching for her daughter, when he and Carly found out Nelle was Nina’s daughter. They chose not to tell her, but the truth came out. Alexis says, it inevitably does, and he says Nina felt betrayed. She’d misinterpreted his conversation with Carly, and went to the authorities. Her statement was given to the FBI. Alexis says, about? and Jax says, the night Nelle died. She says he knows attorney/client privilege is no longer a thing for her, and he says he’ll just say, certain facts were simplified to protect certain people. She says, in other words, Carly. Don’t tell her. He says he can confirm Nelle’s death was an accident; their original statement was simplified. That’s why they were… She says she’s not able to give him advice, and he says he understands. She says, simplifying can make him sound like the biggest criminal. Why further incriminate himself? Just her two cents. He says he appreciates it, but she says he seems to have reservations. He says he was wondering what’s the best thing for Nina.

Nina tells Maxie, she talked herself into believing that once Jax realized he was keeping Wiley from her, he would tell her the truth. She was looking for him to salvage… something. When she found him, he was with Carly, and they were talking about Nelle’s death on the cliff. Carly was there, and when Nelle fell, Jax encouraged Carly to keep quiet. Maxie says, Jax told Carly to lie, not the other way around? and Nina says, she had no intention of confronting him. She wanted to go someplace private, but of course (🍷) Carly needed Jax. Maxie tells her, don’t get mad, but they were at Carly’s husband’s funeral. Nina says she should have heard Carly. She thinks Carly was happy that she made a scene, so Carly would have an outlet for her anger. She knows it wasn’t the right place or time, but she swears everything she said was true.

Obrecht asks what sparrow Britt is speaking of, and Britt says, herself. Anna isn’t the only one deserving of a code name. Obrecht asks, what code name? and Britt says, scarecrow. Obrecht says, that’s not a code name. It’s an epithet of scorn and derision. Britt says the scarecrow confronted her, demanding to know where Obrecht was, and Obrecht says, Britt said nothing? Britt says, of course (🍷) the sparrow remained silent, but the scarecrow revealed more than she intended. She was trying to determine Obrecht’s whereabouts, by asking questions of the WSB. Obrecht asks what the WSB told Anna, and Britt says Anna thought they were stonewalling her, but that’s just her amateur suspicion. Obrecht says, no doubt Anna isn’t used to being kept in the dark, and Britt says Anna warned Peter that Obrecht was on the loose. Anna didn’t say that to her, but if she hasn’t told him, it’s only a matter of time. Obrecht says, perhaps it’s what she does with the time that matters.

Valentin tells Anna, before he says anything, he’ll give her a choice. She can drop this, and let her questions about Peter lie, believe he’s the man she wants him to be… Anna says, or the truth. Why does he want her to know? Is he somehow incriminated? He says, for once, Peter’s actions have nothing to do with him, other than being the man who started Peter on this path. Anna says Valentin did what he did, but didn’t make peter the man he is today. Neither did Faison, Alex or her; he’s his own person. He says she wants to believe Peter is someone else, someone better, and she says Valentin knew Peter was lying to her all along, didn’t he?

Britt says she doesn’t get why Obrecht is being under the radar, unless it’s to wear that get-up; it’s fabulous. Obrecht preens, and says, danke. Britt says, Obrecht was cleared of all charges and released. It’s not as exciting as prison, but it’s less stressful. Obrecht says she’s not avoiding law enforcement; it’s for the element of surprise, so she can trap and unmask Henrik. Britt asks, how? She hasn’t been able to prove anything. Obrecht says, no one that dirty can cover up everything. The proof is out there. Britt says, Obrecht wants revenge, and Obrecht says, of course (🍷), but she wants to protect Maxie and James even more. She swore on Nathan’s grave that she would. Britt says she’s not the only one swearing on Nathan’s grave. She was there the other day and ran into Peter, who was making a few promises himself.

Finn goes to Maxie and Peter’s apartment, and asks if Peter is ready to do this. Peter says, bring it on, and Finn hands him a garment bag. Magically, they’re dressed in black tie, and Peter says, too much? Finn says, maybe, but he looks good. Peter says, look at them, ready to tie the knot, and Finn says, it’s amazing what the love of a good woman will do.   

Jax tells Alexis, Nina’s pain had unintended side effects. He had to take steps to protect Carly and Josslyn. She says, if he takes Nina’s side, it will give credence to her claim, and asks if there’s any hard evidence. He says, no, and she asks if there were any witnesses. He says, no, and she asks how Nina would benefit by him not sticking to his story. He says, Nina would know he’s on her side.

Nina tells Maxie that she was getting angrier, and lost her composure. She could feel the stares, followed by the cringes. Maxie says, as someone who can share in public cringe-worthiness, solidarity, sister. Nina says she hears that. They were thinking, there’s crazy Nina, having a breakdown again. They should have focused on what Jax and Carly did. That’s why she went to the Commissioner, and told her everything they did. Maxie says, she turned them in? and Nina says, someone has to hold Carly responsible for killing her daughter.

Michael tells Willow, Nelle’s death was an accident. His mother didn’t cause her fall, but But Nina went to the FBI (actually, she didn’t, Jordan did, but I’ll let it pass), and told them a crime was committed. Now they want to interview his mother. Willow says, Nina went for the worst possible course of action, lashing out at Wiley’s other grandmother. Willow tells him, her relationship with Nina has been rocky at best, but then Nina testified at Wiley’s custody hearing. He says, a game changer, and she says, Nina showed up out of compassion for their child. Everything Nina did for Wiley happened before she knew Wiley was her grandson. She may be acting badly now, but people do awful things when they’re grieving. Maybe it will help Nina and Wiley to let them know each other.

Maxie asks if Nina is trying to get the case reopened, and Nina says, damn right. Maxie says that she gets that Nelle is Nina’s daughter, but she was also a raging psychopath. She made Michael and Carly’s lives hell for years. Nina says she’s not excusing Nelle’s litany of crimes, but she was also a person. As her mother, shouldn’t she want to know how Nelle died? Maxie says, of course (🍷), but the question Nina should be asking, is how Nelle became the person she was. Nina says she already knows the answer. Her mother gave Nelle away, and she was raised without any love by a man – Nina starts to cry – who literally sold her for parts. She sits at her desk, crying, and Maxie sits opposite her. She says she can’t imagine what Nina is feeling now, knowing what Nelle went through, and that there was nothing she could do to stop it, but lots of people live difficult lives and experience terrible abuse and hardships, and they still manage to be good people. There came a point where Nelle stopped being a victim of circumstance, and decided to hurt people. Nina wonders if Maxie is saying she should drop it; cut Jax and Carly out of her life. Maxie tells Nina, that’s not for her to say, but she thinks Nina should ask herself, if she was Carly, and saw Nelle go over the cliff, would her first thought be to help her? Or would she be thinking, is Nelle going pull her over the edge if she tries?

Carly whines to Diane that the Feds are going to look for any inconsistency that leads to obstruction of justice just because she’s Sonny’s wife… Sonny’s widow. Diane says, Sonny left behind an allegedly successful enterprise, that’s at present unprotected. Any prosecutor could use the case to uncover it. Carly says, there is no case to make. She’s sticking to her statement.

Alexis asks Jax if he wants some hard earned life advice, and he tells her, go ahead. She says, throwing yourself under the bus because you want to prove you care is not all it’s cracked up to be. He thanks her, and says he should get going; he’s already late. She says, the Feds don’t like to be kept waiting. Does he know what he’s going to do? He says he thinks so.

Obrecht says, Henrik visiting the sacred ground her Nathan is buried in is abhorrent. She hopes Britt spat on him. Britt says she did one better. She talked about how good and decent Nathan was, and how that’s what Maxie loved about him. Obrecht says, it’s moments like these that make her proud, and asks how he responded. Britt says, it bugged him, but he never veered the whole time, giving his I am not my father’s son mantra. Obrecht says, let him believe that, and Britt asks if she ever thinks Peter will follow in their father’s footsteps. Obrecht says, he’s a liar and a murderer, but he’s no Caesar. Britt says, maybe he doesn’t need to be. Maybe he just needs to be a good enough bad guy that even Obrecht won’t catch him. What then?

Valentin says he told Peter that Obrecht had been released, and was probably heading for him, and Anna says, and he admitted to framing her? Valentin says, he did, and arranged the hit on Franco. She wonders why he’d arrange a hit just to abort it, and Valentin says, a fit of conscience, a change in strategy. She asks why he’d order a hit on Franco in the first place, and Valentin says, Franco was having a procedure to reverse the one that had given him Drew’s memories. A possible outcome might have been the memories becoming more intense and vivid. She says, Drew knew something that Peter didn’t want to be common knowledge, and he says, Peter is good at making people disappear who get too close to the truth. She says, he tried with Andre, and Valentin says, he arranged the attack on Andre. That means… She says, he arranged for Drew’s plane to go down.

Nina tells Maxie that Jax and Carly repeatedly lied to the authorities. She’s not wrong to want them to face the consequences. Maxie says she gets that, but she doesn’t know that sending them to prison will give Nina the peace she needs. Only Nina knows that. Nina says Maxie is right. She’s been so focused on making sure they were punished, she wasn’t thinking about Josslyn or Donna. She doesn’t want another child deprived of their parent. Maxie says, there’s one child she hasn’t talked about, who’s waiting for the avalanche of love Nina has stored up. Nina says, Wiley, and Maxie says, don’t tell her that she hasn’t thought about it. Nina says, it’s all she can think about. She’s going to spend time getting to know him. Maxie says if Nina keeps the focus on Wiley and the world she wants with him, she knows Nina will get it. Nina says Maxie is a good friend, and Maxie says, not friend – family. She made a promise with Nina and Britt over Nathan’s grave; together, no matter what. No matter what, she has Nina’s back. Now, she has a hot date with her groom-to-be.    

Obrecht tells Britt, Henrik is weak. He believes he’s worthy of having the scarecrow as a mother, and worthy to take Nathan’s place. He’s desperate to maintain that belief, but he forgot, sooner or later, he’s going to crack. Britt says, all she’s hearing is posturing. Tell her that there’s an actual plan. The wedding is almost on top of them. Obrecht says Britt is right. The operation is moving too slowly. It’s time to confront the beast in its lair.

Finn tells Peter, it probably sounds incredibly corny, but being in love with Anna and being loved by her changed his life in a way he never thought possible. Peter says he never had a maternal presence in his life, and now… Finn asks if he remembers the time without it, and Peter says, quite well, too well. It’s a life he never wants to go back to. Since they’re being corny – Finn says, fire away – sometimes he thinks if there weren’t a mother in his life, he wouldn’t have changed course. He was headed down a dark road, and he’s grateful to put it behind him. Marrying Maxie, and bringing their daughter into the world is the final step in closing the door on the life he had before he met Anna.

Michael tells Willow, someone is making a strong argument for more stories, and she asks if it’s any story in particular, or should they make up a new one? What does daddy think? He says he thinks nothing makes him happier than seeing her with Wiley, and she says she’s pretty sure she knows someone else who would like to see him. He says he knows Nina deserves to see her grandson, but he doesn’t know if it’s the right time. She says, Wiley might fill the hole in Nina’s heart, and bridge the chasm between her and his mother, and he says, the little guy does have a way of bringing people together.

A man walks into the interrogation room, and says he’s Special Agent Wilson from the FBI. He’s there to follow up on some accusations by Nina Reeves regarding the death of Nelle Benson. Diane says they’re eager to cooperate, and he says, then he’ll begin. Nina stated she overheard a conversation between Jasper Jax and Carly, where Carly stated she was present when Nelle fell to her death. Is that true? Diane says, sorry. Is he asking if the statement is true, or if it’s true they had this alleged discussion? Is it the discussion of the event, or the event itself? Wilson apologizes for being unclear, and asks if Carly stated she was present at the time Nelle fell. Carly tells him, she never said that, and he asks if she was present when Nelle fell. She says she stands by her original statement, and he says he’s sure her more than capable attorney advised her to answer yes or no questions with a yes or a no. So was she present when Nelle fell to her death? Carly says, no. He asks about what Nina heard, and Carly says Nina was mistaken about what they were discussing. He says, if they weren’t discussing the events surrounding Nelle’s death, what were they talking about? and Carly says she has no idea. They were laying her husband to rest, and outside of Nina’s outburst, the day was a blur. He says, tell him again what happened on the night in question, and Carly says, she caught up with Nelle in the clearing. They fought, Nelle took off, and she never saw Nelle again. He asks where Jax fits into the scenario, and she says, he showed up after she scuffled with Nelle. He asks if she has anything she’d like to add, and Carly says, no. He thanks her, and asks them to wait outside. Jax is in the squad room, and Wilson tells him, come on in. Carly looks panicked.

Finn sees Alexis at the Bistro, and she says, the groom to be. The day is fast approaching. He says, that it is, and she asks if he’s happy or dreading it; it’s hard to tell with him. Finn sits with her, and says he’s dreading the crowds, and socializing in general. He learned a secret though, Violet taught him that the fuss is really about everyone else. Violet is loving every minute of it, so he guesses he is happy. For him. How about her? She looks happier… happyish. She says she’s had three of these, indicating her coffee cup, and has one of these. She shows him her AA chip, and he says he’s proud of her. He asks if it’s okay to say that, and she says, yeah, but she’s not too proud. It’s her second one for 24 hours in less than a week. Finn looks at it, and says he is proud of her. He believes in her. He knows how hard it is to start day one. If she ever needs a friend, he’s there.

Obrecht tells Britt, there’s been a fortuitous turn of events. She pretended to be a potential advertiser, and inquired about Nina’s assistant Maxie. She found out Maxie has dinner plans with her fiancé tonight, presenting her with the prefect opportunity. Britt says, for what? and Obrecht says, to pay a visit to Maxie and Peter’s home. What a pity they won’t be there. She and Britt laugh.

Wilson asks Diane and her client to join him and Jax in the interrogation room.  

Valentin tells Anna. Peter has been working hard to cover up the true nature of his crimes, which brings them back to Franco. Anna says, Franco has been hearing Peter’s voice in his head, which is really Drew’s memory. Valentin says, Franco’s tumor retuned, so Peter blasted it all over the internet. Anna says, to discredit Franco, and Valentin says, in case he figured out what he was remembering. The only time Drew would have remembered Peter’s voice when he was connected to Shiloh and Cabot… was when they were in Afghanistan. Anna says, right, so Peter was really working with Faison and Helena all along. Valentin says, Peter may have told him months ago, but he didn’t say anything because Anna believed that was in the past, and Peter had been redeemed. He realized that redemption was a lie. She says, it was clear to everyone; to Robert and Jason, and Finn. She blinded herself to who Peter really is, and that makes her just as culpable for the harm he’s done.

Anna says she was thinking about something Alex said, after she shot her. She said the reason she gave Anna the memories of Peter was so she’d protect him, but she didn’t do that. Valentin says, nonsense. He’s the one who delivered Peter to his father. She says she doesn’t mean that; it’s not the entire reason. Cabot’s memory transfer caused her to believe Peter was her son; hers to rescue and raise the same way she did Robin, but she didn’t. She decided she preferred to carry the guilt, and turned her back on him, and that was the reason Alex hated her so much. He says, take it from a man who has to make up for damage that he’s done; Peter’s life ain’t on her. They sit, and Anna takes his hand. She says, okay. Peter’s done what he’s done. The question now is, what do they do about that? He says, take their heads out of the sand; ask the tough questions. Anna says, what’s the point of protecting Peter when he’s putting those they most love at risk? We see she has tears in her eyes.   

Finn hands Alexis’s chip back to her, and she says, say something. He says, maybe, but don’t argue. She says, he doesn’t want to argue? and he says, okay. She’s one of the most brilliant, capable, and kind people he’s ever met. She says he always has her back, and he says he always will. He wants her to treat herself the way she treats other people. Back the hell off, and leave his friend alone. She deserves better. He says he wants her to do what it takes, lean on who she needs to lean on. Crawl, scream, do what she has to in order to get through, but get through. She deserves better.  

Peter’s phone rings, and he says, Anna. If she’s looking for Finn, he just left. She says she was hoping to talk to him. Can he come by the house? He says, sure. He’s about to meet Maxie, but if it’s important… She says, it is. It’s important that they talk.

Maxie sees Britt at the club, and Britt says, fancy meting her there. This place is great. They have an impressive selection of mocktails. Does Maxie want to sit and have a baby-friendly drink? Maxie says, sure, before Peter gets here. It’s their last date night. Britt says she can’t wait, and Maxie says she’s been thinking about Britt. She was just talking to Nina. Her sister Georgie is gone, and Lulu is out of commission. She and Nina were remembering when they made that promise in Nathan’s memory, and it’s good to know that she has sisters looking out for her again.

Obrecht breaks into Maxie and Peter’s apartment. We see the envelope from D. Marick on the table with the mail.  

Wilson says he wants to speak to both Carly and Jax. In the absence of hard evidence, and no witnesses, they have no reason to pursue the case. The case will remain closed. He thanks them for their cooperation, and Diane thanks him. She asks if he’d like to go brief the Commissioner together, and they leave. Carly says, thank God it’s over, and Jax says, the legal part. Nina isn’t happy. Carly says she doesn’t care, and she doesn’t feel bad. Jax says she has every right to be angry and upset, but he’s just saying, there’s going to be fallout.

There’s a knock at Nina’s office door. Willow and Michael come in with Wiley, and Michael says they were wondering if Nina was up for a visit. Wiley waves at her in all his cuteness. 

Tomorrow, Olivia tells Alexis that she has five minutes, Anna thinks it’s time she and Peter face the truth, and Carly tells someone if they don’t play their cards right, it will be their last.

🤹‍♀️ A couple of random things. While I didn’t see The Real Housewives of Dallas, I did catch some of Marge and Delores (RHONJ) watching it. The highlight was a drunk shopping trip, where the women thought a charcuterie board was for spanking. Good thing they bought it, since they’d tested it out. Repeatedly. Ricki Lake and John Waters were virtual guests on Watch What Happens Live, and told a ton of good stories. They also pulled out some souvenirs from their Hairspray days, which proved one way being remote is good. People can run into the other room and find stuff to show us.  

✂️ (Almost) Bald Is Beautiful…

A backstage look at Cameron’s new ‘do.

☕️ Coaching the Countess…

I need a sober coach to watch.

https://pagesix.com/2021/02/19/luann-de-lesseps-had-a-sober-coach-while-filming-rhony/

🥤 Just a Bigger Solo Cup…

It’s as good an excuse as any.

https://pagesix.com/2021/02/21/why-teresa-giudice-is-terrified-shell-be-axed-from-rhonj/

‘RHONJ’: Teresa Giudice Reacts To Report Claiming She’s ‘Terrified’ of Being ‘Axed’ From Show

🐍 AKA AJ…

I love Cobra Kai.

https://www.tomsguide.com/news/cobra-kai-season-4-could-bring-back-karate-kid-iii-villain

🎸 Making It Home For 24 Years…

There’s got to be something better than in the middle.

https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/9527847/the-wallflowers-one-headlight-jakob-dylan-interview

🏆 The Best Of Them…

According to Parade anyway.

🎂 They Say It’s Your Birthday…

In celebration of Drew’s 46th, a whole bunch of pictures. I love her, and hope her new talk show makes it.

📌 That’s a Fact…

Abolitionist leader Frederick Douglass was born into slavery sometime around 1818 in Talbot County, Maryland. He became one of the most famous intellectuals of his time, advising presidents and lecturing to thousands on a range of causes, including women’s rights and Irish home rule. – from Biography.com

You can read more about him here: https://www.biography.com/activist/frederick-douglass

🤸 As Tuesday Turns To Wednesday…

I’ll be interviewing underground rap artist, Mumm-ra tomorrow for MUPO Entertainment. He sounds like an interesting guy, who’s also a comic buff and collector. Same. See you in Salt Lake tomorrow, when the Reunion wraps up, and it’s their last chance to rip more bandages off. Until then, stay safe, stay inquisitive, and stay deserving of whatever code name you choose.