Category Archives: soap opera

September 5, 2017 – Ava Comes Out of Her Shell, a Funeral is Planned & the Return of Captain Lee

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

Andre startles Anna, who’s busy on her phone. She asks if he was able to trace the diamond to the jewel thieves he was tracking in central Europe, and more important, to Valentin.

Officer DeRoche brings Nelle back, and says Nina has friends in high places. Valentin walks in, and asks who he is, and Nina says incompetent. She’s going to have him fired. She says he arrested Nelle, botched the investigation, and now the necklace is probably being divided. Valentin says here it is, and pulls it out.

Ava and Kiki have coffee at Perks. Ava asks her a million questions about the fast track program, and Kiki tells he not to try so hard. She thinks that Ava is freaked out about people staring. Kiki says they’re not, but even if they were, who cares? She says she’s thrilled that Ava is done hiding out, and that Griff is a miracle worker, but she knows it’s hard. Ava says she’ll be strong for Kiki. Kiki says she’s grateful that Ava has decided to start living again. Ava says she’s had help.

Dr. Bensch tells Griff that Marisol’s right side is paralyzed, and she doesn’t have much time. He tells Griff that he’s sorry; nothing ever prepares you for this. Her parents are asking for Griff. He goes over to where they’re sitting, and Marisol’s father asks if there’s anything he can do.

Finn calls Curtis. He asks why Curtis isn’t returning his messages, and to please call him. There’s a knock at the door. It’s Curtis. No Hayden though. Finn asks where she is.

Nina asks how Valentin found the necklace. He says he did his own search, and it wasn’t stolen. It wound up with the makeup. Dillon says they practically tore the place apart. DeRoche asks how he found it when no one else did. Nelle tells DeRoche to buzz off, but he says the case isn’t closed. Valentin talks to him in French. DeRoche says on second thought, it’s closed, and leaves. Nelle thanks them. Nina says she’s sorry it happened, and Nelle should get hazard pay. She tells Dillon they’re scrapping the photo shoot. She says it’s been incredible, but it’s time to pack up and get out.

Andre says the thieves were well-organized and well-equipped, and their MO was consistent. In and out in less than ten minutes, and only big-ticket items. He says their driver was good, but whoever planned the heists was better. He says smash and grab is impulse, but these were planned out to the last detail. He thinks Valentin might have used mercenaries, or been one himself. Anna asks if they can tie him to the robberies. Andre thought they made peace, but Anna says that she’s not blind to who he is. He’s spent most of his life outside the law. Charlotte and Nina might have settled him down somewhat, but he lives by his own code, and might be maintaining ties to associates if it’s advantageous to him.

Griff explains to Marisol’s parents that her organs shutting down. Mrs. Valdez weeps, asking if Griff can’t do something. Mr. Valdez says that he’s a doctor, not a priest. Griff promises she won’t suffer, and Mr. Valdez says God bless him for everything he’s done. They go back to Marisol’s room, and Griff calls a priest to come to GH – and hurry.

Kiki tells Ava that Dr. Bensch is giving her the opportunity for second or third year stuff. Ava laughs, and Kiki asks if she sounds like a kid. Ava says she sounds like she knows what she wants, and is smart and talented enough to make it happen. Just a few months ago, she didn’t know what she wanted to do, now look. Kiki says if she can go for what she wants, so can Ava. Ava says she’s going to start asking herself what would Kiki do? They both leave for the hospital.

Curtis tells Finn he’s sorry. Finn asks where she is, but Curtis says he doesn’t know. He found her trail, but she has the hiding thing down. he got to LAX, where Hayden called him. He doesn’t know how she knew, but she told him to meet her at a hotel. When he got there, the room was empty, but she’d left this. He shows Finn a suitcase.

Nelle speaks with the ambassador, telling him it was just a mix-up. She explains to Valentin that she knows him from the Hamptons. Valentin says he was searching for hours. She says she knows every place in the area, and she’s grateful that he recovered the necklace, but wants to know what he’s covering up.

Anna wonders how the diamond ended up at Wyndemere. Andre suggests Hayden, and she tells him about seeing Raymond. He asks if she believed him. She says if he’s capable of love, he loves his daughter. She starts talking about how you have to make conscious effort to do better, and not just think you can cover your tracks and be decent by day and a criminal by night. Andre says they’re not talking about Raymond anymore.

Finn opens the suitcase. Inside is a bunch of clothing, and the What to Expect pregnancy book. Curtis says that’s not all she left behind. The room hadn’t been cleaned, and he went through the trashcan. She’s not just running; she’s planning on reinventing herself again. Curtis hands Finn her passport. Seriously? A pro like her would have just thrown that away?

Ava tells Kiki to go wow Dr. Bensch. She sees Griff all stressed out. The priest arrives, and Griff takes him into Marisol’s room. He listens, and blesses himself as Ava watches.

Nina asks if Valentin is going to tell her where he was. He says no, and she asks if he’s going to tell her how he recovered the necklace. He says no again, and she asks if this is what he meant by not staying within confines of law. He tells her it is, and she asks if he took the necklace. He tells her that he’d never do anything like that to her. He made some phone calls, and she asks if they were to people that he did business with in the past. He says yes, and asks if it changes anything. She plays with her ring.

Nelle tells Dillon that if he ever has to spend the night in custody, to have a place like this to come back to. Dillon can’t believe she’s making jokes. She says she’s been treated like a criminal before, and it probably won’t be the last time. Dillon says the film is in the can, the necklace has been returned, and they have the whole day to bask in spa treatments. Nelle asks about Jason, but Dillon says he left a voicemail for Ned, but hasn’t followed up, and Kiki is focused on her pre-med program

Dr. Bensch asks Kiki questions. He tells her he wants her observation, not speculation. Kiki goes over the tremor one of the patients had. She says there could be a medical explanation, or it’s possible he’s nervous or panicky about another person being in the room. He kept looking at her before answering the doctor’s questions, and it could be anxiety. She thinks maybe she’s way off base, but Dr. Bensch says they have more patients to see and tells her to keep up.

Finn tells Curtis that Hayden wanted him to have this stuff, and he’s not giving up. He can still find her. Curtis says she did more than leaving her ID behind; she left Finn a message. It was propped up against a cactus plant on the desk. He hands Finn an envelope.

Valentin wishes he was better man, and could offer Nina a spotless past, although he thinks a checkered one makes for a more interesting person. He says that he can’t take some things back, but the only thing he fears is losing her and Charlotte. It keeps him up at night, knowing everything he’s done. She says it sounds bad, and he says it was, but all he can do is tell her the truth in a general way, and hope she loves him for who he is. She says she loves him, good or bad. He says that’s all that matters, and they kiss.

Andre tells Anna to clarify why she’s doing it. She insists that it’s not a vendetta; it’s strictly WSB business. She’s going to follow the trail of the diamond where it leads. Andre gives her a folder. He tells her it looks like a Cassandra Pierce was working with the jewel thieves. He says there’s no way to prove it, but Valentin could have sold the diamonds to Cassandra, who turned them around and sold them at markup and invested the money. Anna doesn’t think Valentin would be involved in something that’s simply stolen goods for cash; she can’t see it. Andre says Cassandra has been living in Monaco, and Anna wonders when was the last time Valentin was in Monte Carlo.

Griff comes out, obviously upset. Ava asks if he’d like to talk. She wants to return hid kindness. He says there’s nothing she can do; there’s nothing anyone can do, and he gets in the elevator. Ava asks the priest about the patient. He says she’s with God now. She went peacefully, but that’s no consolation for the family or Dr. Monroe. He tells Ava that he has the blessing of being both a priest and a doctor, a savor of both body and soul, but right now he feels like a failure at both. Ava gets in the elevator.

Finn looks at the note. Hayden says that she doesn’t know what to write or what to say except that she’s sorry. She’s sorry for the secrets and lies, and her inability to trust. Most of all, she’s sorry for taking the coward’s way out, and leaving before the wedding. At least she knows he’s free to find someone worthy of his love. She tells him to forget she ever existed.

Nina sees that Valentin is wounded, and he says it’s nothing. She tells him that she can’t afford to lose him, and the necklace was insured. She reminds him of how she thought she’d never see him again when he went to The Hague. No one has ever loved her like he has and no one ever will. Valentin feels the same way. She tells him not to risk his life for a necklace or anything. She suggests they just be happy, and they kiss some more.

Nelle thanks Dillon for defending her when he had no reason to believe that she was innocent. He tells her that he took her at her word, and she would have done the same. He says they both have a healthy disrespect for authority. She kisses him on the cheek, and goes off to get a massage.

Kiki tells Dr. Bensch she knows she has a lot to learn, and she’s more than willing to do the work. He tells her that what she said – she interrupts, saying that she knows she should go by science and not feeling. He says that she was spot on. Empathy can’t be taught, and she had a rare understanding of someone older than herself. He says the tremor could be an indication of early Parkinson’s, but anxiety made it more obvious. He likes instincts, and tells her to trust them.

Curtis asks if Finn is okay. Finn says he should go. Curtis doesn’t want to leave him like this, but he says he’ll be fine. Curtis leaves. Finn reads the rest of the note. Hayden says there’s one more thing. Something was wrong with the baby. There was a complication, and the baby didn’t survive. We see Hayden crying as she writes. Finn sinks to the floor and cries.

Griff uses a speed bag at Sonny’s gym. Ava comes in, and watches him. He stops for water and sees her. They stare at each other.

Dillon’s phone rings. It’s Kiki. He asks about Jason. She tells him that Jason is out of surgery, but still in recovery. She asks when he’s coming home, and he tells her tonight. She says that Dr. Bensch likes her instincts. He’s having a hard time hearing her, and she tells him that she’s working her tail off while he was hanging out in Morocco. Dillon says he’ll tell her all about it when he gets home.

Nina dresses Valentin’s wound. He says he’s feeling better already, and apparently so, since they get busy.

Ann tells Andre that there’s no proof that the diamond was ever in Valentin’s possession or that his past association with the thieves is ongoing. She says that Andre is right. He asks if she’s closing the book on it, and she asks what he thinks, and smiles. She says she’ll be in touch. She has to make some arrangements  and Monaco is lovely this time of year. He tells her to stay safe.

Finn continues reading. Hayden says there’s nothing to bind them together anymore, and no need for him to find her. She says that he’s a wonderful person and will find love again. She hopes his new love appreciates how special he is, and how lucky she is to have him. She tells him good-by. Hey, where’s Roxie? How come we never see her anymore? Finn picks up a picture of Hayden’s sonogram, which is a very large baby for how pregnant she was. He clutches it to his chest, and cries.

We see Hayden folding the letter and tossing the passport away. When she gets up, we see that she’s still pregnant – as I suspected.

Tomorrow, Ava calls Griff a hypocrite, Parker tells Kristina that she’s not seeing anyone, and Dante has news for Sonny.

The Haves and the Have Nots

Jim tells Kathryn he loves her. She says she doesn’t love him. There’s been too much pain and heartache. He says after everything they’ve conquered together, really? Yep. She’s going to divorce him. He says she just let him make a fool of himself by allowing him to sleep with her. She says sorry, but she’s done. He does the “baby” thing, and she tells him he should have listened to her about Amanda and Wyatt, and he’s never apologized. He says he’s sorry, but she says it doesn’t matter now; their daughter is dead. He says he thinks about it every day, and the only thing that gets him through is thinking about her and Wyatt. She says he’s out there doing God knows what with a load of money. She doesn’t think she can handle another phone call saying he’s dead. She tells him to go, but Jim says he loves her and he’s not going anywhere.

Jim repeats that he loves her and she laughs. She asks him when her birthday is and don’t look at his phone. He says it’s in February, but she says it’s June. She asks when Wyatt’s birthday is, but he gets that right. She asks when they’re anniversary is and he says he’s not playing this game. She says when you love someone, you know these things. He gets it right, and says he’s not a total idiot. She says he made a horrible mistake, coming in here and trying to seduce her like the Jim from thirty years ago. Golden hair and tight jeans were all he had, and he thought she’d fall for the memory. Does he think she’s that stupid? He says he wanted to make love to his wife. She tells him to be honest for once. She’s not the public or a politician or the campaign trail. She says it didn’t work, and he asks why she participated. She says for this moment, when she tells him she’s through and doesn’t want to see him anymore. If he’s there when she gets back, she’ll take the gun that she killed Jennifer with, and blow his brains out, just as easy as she just blew something else. Whoa.

David brings Erica to his apartment. She goes to use the bathroom, and David calls Jeffrey. He tells Jeffrey that they found a bracelet and set of keys with Quincy’s body. Jeffrey says the keys are his, but he doesn’t know who the bracelet belongs to. He asks what he should do, and David says stay where he is. Veronica is calling every five minutes, and David tells him not to answer and stay away from her. He’s working on something. He’ll let Jeffrey know after it’s done. Jeffrey asks if David is going to hurt Veronica, and David says he’d never do that, and tells him again to stay away. Jeffrey says she knows where he is, and David tells him to change rooms. The hotel Jeffrey is in is booked, and David says go to another hotel. Duh.

Wyatt calls Jeffrey. Jeffrey says he sounds so clear. Wyatt says he’s good, and Anna is amazing. He asks if Jeffrey wants to join them for a walk. Jeffrey says he has a lot going on. Wyatt asks if he’s still going to avoid him. Jeffrey says he’s not, and Wyatt asks about Justin. He tells Jeffrey how Justin showed up with the DA. He says Justin is weird, and to stay away from him. An unusually happy moment between them.

Jeffrey calls Justin, and says he wants to see him now. Just to talk.

David tells Erica that she’ll be safe there. She appreciates it, and he says it’s the least he can do. She says he owes her nothing. David wishes he’d tell her his name. Erica thinks it’s best she stay away from him and leave it at that. He says these situations never resolve themselves on their own. She asks if they can drop the subject, and asks for a drink. She says it’s a nice place, and it is. The view is spectacular, and I think everything is from Urban Home. Omg, she reads my mind, and asks if he did the decorating. That’s a no. He toasts to getting better and stronger, and she says and to him being a free man.

David tells her they have a son, and Veronica has been terrorizing him. Erica wonders if she’s using Jeffrey because of her, but he says it’s a family matter. Erica tells him to act like she’s not here. If she wasn’t, what would he be doing? He says figuring out how to get her there. She asks where the bedroom is, and if there’s just one bedroom. He says one bedroom, one bed; he wants her to sleep in the bed with him. She doesn’t think that’s right and can’t stay there. David says she can, and it’s big enough for both of them. He says to be honest, he doesn’t sleep well alone after sleeping with someone for so many years. He’d like her to stay with him. Erica asks to take it one night at a time. David says as long as she’s in his bed for the first night. His phone rings, and Erica says she’ll give herself a tour.

It’s Jim. Jim says he did the stupidest and hardest thing he’s had to do in years. He slept with Kathryn. David says she’s his wife. He says he hasn’t been attracted to her in years, but she and Veronica are out of control. David says he’s not going to deal with Veronica anymore. As soon as he gets Jeffrey out of her clutches, he’s shaking her off. Jim says Mama Rose is pissed at them, and David has to get Kathryn and Veronica the same room. He just took one for the team. Get them in the same room at the same time. Jim says they’re all going to the penitentiary if they’re not careful. He slept with Kathryn; David knows how serious this is. He says they lost a huge ally with Mama Rose, and they can’t even use their knowledge of the law until they have a meeting. David says he’ll call Veronica, but he’s not sleeping with her. Jim says he went through enough trauma for the both of them, and has to take a shower. Double whoa.

Justin arrives at Jeffrey’s room. He says he’s nervous. Jeffrey tells him to sit down. He tells Jeffrey he needs to see someone. Justin says he’s not crazy, but Jeffrey says he didn’t say that. He thinks he needs some help. He says the anger isn’t healthy for either of them. Justin is like, is that it? Jeffrey asks what else he thought it was. Justin says that it was over. Jeffrey says there isn’t anything on his end. He’s telling him to get some help. Jeffrey’s phone rings and Justin asks if it’s the guy. Jeffrey says no, and Justin gets demanding, and Jeffrey is like, this is the kind of thing I’m talking about. It’s Veronica. The phone stops ringing, and immediately starts again

Jeffrey answers this time. Veronica asks if he’s coming back, and he says no. She asks if he’s with “that boy,” and he says no. She tells him to put it on speaker or she’s coming over there. She calls Justin something like a fluffy ball of yarn, and I laugh. She says she’s going to court to file a motion to save Jeffery. If he’s not at the house in an hour, she’s turning him in. Then, she’s going to the judge’s chambers to argue his case. After that, she’s going to Justin’s wife’s room, and tell her why she should recuse herself from the case, and play the video for her. Justin warns her not to. She says that Jeffrey had better get home, and Justin had better get to the courthouse. His wife will be looking for him.

Jeffrey thinks Justin should talk to his wife. Justin says Veronica won’t do it, but Jeffrey says trust him, she will.

Charles is wrapping up a campaign speech. Landon tells him how great it was, and the poll numbers are good. Landon says he’s going to win. He asks to speak with Charles. He apologizes for what he did to Candace. Charles makes him list everything he did wrong, and thanks him. He says Landon is good at his job. Landon shows him that a search online for Candace shows virtually nothing. He tells Charles that he’s happy and excited to be working on the campaign. Charles says when it’s over, they’ll have a drink.

Landon leaves, and Charles calls Candace. She asks why he’s calling. He sys to see if she’s okay. She says she’s on her way to a funeral home. He says he knows that she’s angry and sad, and he’s sorry. She says she’s fine. He asks her to call later.

Mr. Wilson, the funeral director, leads Hanna and Benny in to view the body. Hanna asks if they can talk first. He shows them the casket that they chose, and tries to get them to pick a more expensive one, since Kathryn had told him that money was no object. Benny is like, move on, and he shows them the program. He asks if they’d like the casket open or closed, and Hanna wants it open. The director says they’ll make him look good. Benny isn’t sure it’s a good idea, but Hanna says she wants them to see what was done to that baby. Candace walks in.

Benny introduces her, and says she’s his mother. Mr. Wilson says he knows it’s a hard time. Burying a child is the part of the job he dislikes the most. Benny tells her that Hanna picked the casket. Candace insists that she wants the blue one. Hanna says it’s more expensive, and asks if she has the money. Candace asks if she does. Candace says she’s his mother, and she wants him in the blue one. Benny argues with her. Mr. Wilson says he can make calls to see if he can get a discount, and Candace says to make the calls.

Benny asks what she’s doing, and Candace says burying her son. She says Hanna went in the bathroom with him, and came out without a scratch. She didn’t get shot. Candace says that Hanna didn’t protect him to spite her. She wanted to get even with her, and wants Candace to say that she’s right. Benny tells her to stop, but Candace says she didn’t help. Benny says he was there, and Hanna did more than Candace ever has. He says that War could have killed all of them for what she did. He says she does the same thing over and over, expecting a new result, and that’s crazy. Hanna would have died for her son.

Benny tells Candace that he’s sick of what comes out of her mouth, and she says that she’s sick of him. He’s depended on her for everything since she’s been on her own, calling her for money, telling her about his fairytale dreams. He says that he was talking to his sister, someone he loves and shares his dreams with, and nobody told her to sell her ass to get anything. Candace says he’s been talking to Hanna, and Benny says her act isn’t working anymore.

Mr. Wilson comes back, and says the price is what it is. Candace says she still wants the blue one, and he asks if he should bill Kathryn. Candace is like, oh no, she isn’t paying for this, and Benny asks if she has six grand. She says that she’ll get it, and Mr. Wilson says the payment has to be made today. Geez, he’s worse than the emergency animal clinic. Candace tells him she’ll bring cash, and she decides what’s best. Benny asks how she’s getting the money. Hanna says from the man who’s running for President. She saw him on the news, saying he knows the family. I’m impressed that Hanna put this two and two together. Hanna says that Candace is probably blackmailing him. That’s why the Secret Service, and why Benny was in jail. Candace is like, what? Hanna says she’s blackmailing him. Mr. Wilson is really getting an earful of some seriously dirty laundry. Candace tells him again, the blue one. Hanna can’t believe she’d rather steal the money, and Candace says she can’t believe Hanna will take crumbs from white people’s tables.

Candace also wants a different cemetery, and says she’ll get a plot there. Mr. Wilson tells her that the service is tomorrow, and she says it will be on Thursday, and she’ll bring the money tomorrow. Mr. Wilson starts to ask if Hanna is okay with all this, but Candace tells him not to ask her another thing about her son. Candace looks at the program, and rips it up. She tells them he won’t be buried in a church, and all of a sudden, I wonder where else people get buried, since not everyone subscribes to an organized faith.

Once again, Candace says she wants the blue casket, and not this one. She opens the one that Hanna chose, and Quincy Jr.’s body is in it. I gasp out loud. Mr. Wilson says he’s sorry, and Benny tells Candace that they were there to view the body.

My hat is off once more to Tyler Perry. Not everyone can cause me to make noises during a show. Very few as a matter-of-fact.

Next time, the finale – Veronica talks to Melissa, David spends money on Erica, Justin has had enough, and Veronica is going to show him how much Black lives matter.

Below Deck

I’m so excited. The stud of the sea, Captain Lee, is back! Not that I didn’t enjoy Croatia, but…

Each cast member puts in thier two cents. We immediately find out that Captain Lee thinks the new crew is a bunch of idiots, and that we’ll be traveling to the West French Indies.

Kate enjoys yachting more because she’s doing it less. She says it’s like sex with an ex. She doesn’t want to recommit, but a fling is good. The captain tells her it was slim pickin’s with the new crew, and they basically got the leftovers. Chef Matt arrives first. He’s from Canada, and seems like a cool guy. Brianna is next. She trusts in the universe to guide her, and has no goals. Yachting is convenient for her nomadic lifestyle. Deckhand Bruno follows. It’s been his dream to work on a yacht. He’s Portuguese, and speaks three languages, but has no clue what starboard means. He also needs subtitles when he talks. Jen has an obsession with boats, and always wanted to get into yachting. She’s also a single mom, and had to put her career on hold for ten years. Nico – the only one other than Kate who’s returning from another season – has come back to yachting after dealing with some family issues, and is ready for more responsibility. Captain Lee tells him that he’s lead deckhand; he’s not ready to be a bosun yet. He says he and Kate had some differences last season, but it’s all about maturing. We’ll see. Chris and Baker round out the deckhands.

Kate asks the stews about their past service jobs, and there isn’t much. Both she and Nico go over duties with the crew. Kate tells the stews to start making the boat look great. Bruno and Chris discuss how neither one of them can tie knots. Baker tells us that she comes from a long line of Southern classy ladies, but she’s more the Burning Man type. Kate and Brianna discuss relationships. Kate says if she’s attracted to someone, it’s probably bad news.

We meet the first officer and another crewmate, but it goes by so fast, I miss their names and what they actually do. It’s like those Academy Awards for behind-the-scenes stuff. Captain Lee says he was green once, and doesn’t mind teaching the crew, but once he shows them something, it had better stick. He tells them no drinking on charter, tips are divided equally, and if you really mess up, you can find a one-way ticket home in your tip envelope.

Kate tells us that most of the chefs are crazy, and we flash back to that. She says Matt seems too good to be true. She doesn’t want to be as strict as she normally is, because this is all she’s got. She shows the stews how to fold the end of the toilet paper. I bet Martha Stewart has a video for that.

The primary guest is Dave, who made his money with a trampoline park. I imagine the insurance premiums must be pretty hefty. His wife, Amy, and a bevy of friends are joining him. They’re into extreme sports, and Dave is a meat and potatoes guy. Matt says they’re a perfect match. Captain Lee says they might have a green crew, but the guests aren’t going to give a sh*t.

Nico shows the deckhands how to use the ropes to dock the boat. The crew has dinner. Jen wants to room with a guy in order to get dominance in the bathroom, and a bigger closet. I don’t know about any of that stuff, so I assume she knows what she’s doing.

Nico does a deck check, and Kate gives the stews instruction on how to ready the boat, along with Captain Lee’s uniform. In her interview, she says adrenaline junkies are coming on board, and no one’s adrenaline is pumping more than hers. Dave immediately calls Matt” Chef No-Pants,” since he’s wearing shorts. Kate does the tour. Nico says it’s going to be a real test to move the boat off the dock, but somehow, they’re successful, and move out to sea. Amy says that for Dave, the higher and more dangerous, the better.

Captain Lee sees cushions floating in the water, and asks one of the crew to snag them. It gets pretty breezy, and the guests lose some chips. That’s not a euphemism for anything. They literally lose some taco chips. The Valor drops anchor. The cushions are rescued. Captain Lee just shakes his head.

Matt makes chicken Cesar salad, and lunch is served. Kate tells Jen to serve the ladies first, and Jen totally ignores that. Nico instructs the deckhands on how to put the tender in the water, but it’s another sh*t show. One of the guests says all kinds of things are happening, and they’re never supposed to notice anything. Captain Lee is called in to help. In his interview, he says he’s more than happy to show them how to do things – once. Kate explains clearing a table. Matt asks how it’s going, and she hopes she’ll only have to teach them on the first charter. Some of the guests use equipment that’s like water-skiing, but you go way up in the air. Like space shoes. I don’t know what this thing is, but it looks scary and fun. Baker says that the fact she’s the next most experienced is scary. Jen seems to be this season’s Lauren, since she’s already spending a lot of time in the laundry room.

Kate make a beautiful fall-color table setting. Jen confuses a gin martini with a gin and tonic. The guest tells her it’s not a martini, and she says she didn’t make the drink. Maybe not, but she ordered it. In her interview, Kate says she asked where the gin, tonic, and olives were, and it’s like which thing doesn’t belong? She says she should have known better, but she’s clearly overwhelmed.

Matt says that the first dinner is extremely important, and cooking what the guests want makes them happy. Just looking at the food makes me happy.

Nico gets a headache trying to teach Bruno one knot.

Kate feels like if she doesn’t check something herself, it’s not going to be right, and basically she’s working alone. Captain Lee asks Nico how it’s going. Nico explains about his younger brother passing away after a fall from a balcony. He says it felt like it wasn’t real. He still tried to call his brother’s phone, but he doesn’t pick up, and is never going to. The captain is sympathetic, and I am too, especially when Nico tears up in his interview. I know that feeling of picking up the phone, and then realizing the person is no longer alive.

Oooh, breakfast. Thank God I love swimming. If I was ever blessed enough to go on a cruise like this, I would eat myself into oblivion. At least swimming would burn off some calories. Dave calls the omelets “art.” Afterwards he takes the long dive from the top. A few of the others dive too. The stews get the beach picnic ready. Brianna likes them, because they can escape the madness. Kate leaves to set up. Kate tells Baker that it’s hard for the stews to work up to speed and learn at the same time. The guests arrive at the beach on the tender.

Back at the yacht, it’s time to put out the toys. Nico tells Bruno to get in the water, and unhook the rope on the slide. For whatever reason, Bruno isn’t getting what Nico is saying, and just flails about in the water. Nico doesn’t know how he’s going to make it through the season. Brianna and Jen relieve Kate at the beach, and Jen struggles to open the wine. On the tender, Kate tells Nico that she’s working by herself. In her interview, she says whatever differences she and Nico had, they need to leave the past behind, as they only have each other.

This season, Captain Lee dresses up, there’s a record tip, obnoxious guests, an embarrassing anchor drop, the boat hits a dock, and there are hook-ups. Nico tells us that the crew is greener than a leprechaun’s d*ck. It looks amazing!

🐄  Jax and Brittany Take Kentucky is being shown way too many times a week. It’s like, oh, we have a half-hour to fill? Just put Jax in. I’ve seen both episodes several times when I would rather not. I also don’t want to be reminded about how Jax has a foot fetish. (You’re welcome.) How about showing the Odd Mom Out with Dave Navarro again?

💍 And yes, I’ll be getting to the 90 Day trifecta later this week. Since Game of Thrones is done, and there were no Shahs this past Sunday, I was glad to be able to watch at a reasonable time.

BelowDeckCaptainLee

Captain Lee is all of us.

September 4, 2017 – GH Holiday, Double the Wives & Some Danielle

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

Due to the holiday, General Hospital aired a rerun today.

The Real Housewives of Orange County

Tamra is vacuuming, and she asks Eddie what’s wrong with this picture. He says it’s a sight you don’t see every day, and she tells him it’s messed up. He says it is; he’s the one who’s the Mexican. How dare he have a sense of humor about such a sensitive subject? Just kidding – I thought it was funny.

Kelly and Meghan meet to go crib shopping. Aspen doesn’t have a crib yet, because she and Meghan are co-sleeping, but it’s time for more independence. Meghan looks at a crib that’s a thousand dollars and change. Kelly says that’s a pair of shoes, and Meghan says that would be two pair for her. For me, that would be a hundred pairs of shoes. Meghan shows Kelly pictures of her and Shannon kissing when they were drunk. Kelly tells Meghan about meeting Shannon at a bar, and that Shannon’s phone was on record. Megan wonders what the point would be, but Kelly doesn’t know.

Peggy’s daughter. Gia, was accepted to an NYC school, so Peggy is going along with her to check it out. She and Diko aren’t on the same page about Gia – he doesn’t want her to move, but Peggy doesn’t want to hold her back. Diko wants Peggy to put a lid on the spending when she’s there, but she says he’s acting like a hypocrite, since their garage of cars is worth millions. If you watch these shows long enough, you start going, “Two million? That’s not bad for that house,” when they do a Living Large segment on the news.

Kelly’s mother, Bobbi, comes by and asks how it went last night. Kelly tells her about Shannon having her phone on record, and that she’d told Meghan about it. She tells Bobbi that Meghan immediately got on the phone to Shannon, who then called her and said she never tried to record anything. Kelly decides to believe Shannon. Bobbi wonders if Meghan was trying to stir the pot, and Kelly calls her. She tells Meghan that she’d wanted to talk to Shannon herself, but Meghan says she thought she was making it better, and apologizes for not letting her handle it. In her interview, Meghan says she didn’t want Kelly to ruin the relationship she and Shannon had just built. Kelly tells Bobbi she can’t trust Meghan now. Maybe her intentions were good, but Kelly isn’t five, and she shouldn’t have gotten in the middle. Let Kelly make her own mistakes, or not.

Vicki and Meghan meet for lunch. They talk baby stuff. Meghan wants to understand where Vicki is coming from with Shannon and Tamra. Her private investigator side is making a comeback. Holy! Meghan’s earrings are ginormous. She tells Vicki that she sounded like a victim, and wonders what they did to hurt her. Vicki says that they’re constantly accusing her about being involved in a scam. She says she got hurt, and benefited from nothing. In her interview, Meghan says she benefited by the attention that she craved. I dunno. I’d say the bad outweighed the good for her, and I honestly think she wanted to believe Brooks, because she has a hard time being alone. Vicki tells Meghan that it took her a year to get over it, and it was like a death. She says she would never do that to Tamra, and Meghan brings up how she said Eddie was gay. Vicki says she only repeated something someone told her. Meghan says what about Vicki saying that Shannon’s husband beat her. Vicki says she shouldn’t have repeated it, but she has the back-up texts. Meghan asks if she wasn’t afraid for Shannon’s well-being if she thought it was true, and Vicki says she was, but didn’t think it was her place to interfere. Vicki tells her that they shouldn’t talk about it, and she can’t fix it. Meghan wants to talk to Jimmy, Shannon, and the rest of the world, but Vicki says she doesn’t want to hurt Shannon. I think Meghan is a gossip under the guise of being concerned.

Tamra and Shannon go to a costume place. Shannon has invited everyone to a drag queen Bingo night that’s going to benefit a youth organization. They’ve decided to go in reverse drag, and are getting costumes for the other women; they’re going to surprise them with this idea. Shannon puts together a Bret Michaels costume. Her phone rings while they’re in the store. It’s Meghan, because she can’t help herself. She tells Shannon about the lunch, and tells her that Vicki claimed to have back-up texts about the rumor. Tamra wears a Peter Pan hat, and says that she gives Meghan credit. For what? Meddling? Shannon says she appreciates Meghan being a good friend. Tamra says if Vicki had proof, the world would have known a year ago.

Tamra brings all the costume stuff to Shannon’s, where Shannon is getting her makeup done. We flash back to the many costumes of Tamra. She says if the girls know what they’re up to, they’re not going to show up. I don’t know why. They’ve done weirder things. Tamra says that Shannon is a dead ringer for Bret – and she is – but she’s not sure if that’s a compliment. Kelly and Lydia arrive, and are met by the other two in costume. Lydia isn’t sure if she can do this. She says she’s never been to a drag queen event. She feels like things are going down the road like with Strippergate, but she’s trying to be open-minded. She says she looks like Liza Minelli and Charley Chaplin’s daughter, and she’s right.

Steve is making dinner for Vicki. She says he’s like a trophy man, and what every woman wants. She tells us that he satisfies her, but I don’t want to know. She asks Steve what she’s missing since her divorce, and he says a boat. She thinks they should go boat shopping as a family. I can’t say I’ve ever done that. She thinks that she and Steve should own it together, and he’s in. In her interview, she tells us that she wants to be married again, but not right this minute She tells Steve that she has plans to whoop it up on Saturday night, but he doesn’t know what that means. In her interview, she tells us they’re still working on balancing each other, whatever that means.

Some of the girls take a limo to the event at Hamburger Mary’s. Meghan is meeting them there. Peggy is busy with NYC, and Vicki is shunned. Shannon wants to go over the history of the horrible thing Vicki has done. Lydia says that the entire time she’s known Vicki, she’s never wanted to talk about it, and wants to make up with them. Shannon claims that she doesn’t even know how to download an Uber app, let alone record anyone. Kelly tells them about Meghan usurping her wish to have a conversation with Shannon herself.

At Hamburger Mary’s, Meghan dies laughing when she sees them. Drag queen Roxy Wood shows them to a dressing area, where they fix Meghan up as she pumps breast milk. The psychic who had alluded to everyone that Brooks didn’t have cancer (in whatever season that was) is there. Lydia isn’t comfortable with it, but doesn’t want to be labeled as close-minded. She doesn’t feel like she belongs there though. Meghan takes pictures. Psychic guy claims there’s a conflict with Kelly and Vicki. In her interview, Kelly thinks there’s an agenda, since Tamra invited him along.

Diko and Peggy go out for dinner. Peggy says she’s so stressed about Gia leaving for school, she’s broken out for the first time in her life. Diko thinks Peggy is pushing Gia to go, and says to let her to make the decision. He thinks that Peggy is selling it too hard, but she says no. She tells him she wants Gia to make the decision and be comfortable with it, but have the confidence to do it. She doesn’t want her to be scared. She says it will never be the right time to let go for Diko. He says it makes him sad, and Peggy says he’s letting her grow up. In her interview, she tells us that Diko had to stop his education to help his family. Wow. He did really well for himself. She tells Diko that their children need to learn what it means to be an adult. If Gia can overcome NYC, she can overcome any obstacle. She tells Diko that you can’t stop them because they’ll regret it one day. I laugh because it used to be if you can make it in NYC, you can make it anywhere. Now, you have to overcome it.

It’s time for Bingo! Lydia gets Bingo, but Shannon brings the card up for Hamburger Mary to paddle her. This must be a new kind of Bingo. We all see Shannon’s butt crack, and along with Tamra, I’ll never be able to unsee that. Meghan asks the psychic guy if Kelly is going to be nice to her, and Kelly says never. Meghan tells them about calling Shannon. Shannon swears that Meghan isn’t a sh*t stirrer, but felt the need to protect her. Meghan brings up the text Kelly sent her when she was pregnant, saying that Jim was having an affair. Because even when they say they’ll let something go, these women never, ever do.

Kelly says she thought that she and Meghan were friends, and Megan talks about the text. Shannon says that kind of allegation is the most painful. Kelly says that Meghan tried to dig up dirt on her, and shows the text that started it, where Meghan accused Kelly of having a side piece, and a subsequent one where they both apologized. Lydia has one foot out the door, and goes to the bathroom insetead. Meghan calls Kelly immature. She says she told Vicki that they’d been close, but can’t think of her the same way. Kelly wonders why she’d tell Vicki anything; she’d thought they’d worked things out. In her interview, Kelly says that Meghan is the source of the problem, not Vicki. Kelly suggests that Meghan go home and take care of her baby. Shannon says you don’t criticize someone as a mother. Tamra follows Meghan to the bathroom – great, Lydia was trying to hide out in there – and says she’s a great mom, and not to let Kelly get to her. Meghan thinks the whole conversation was stupid. Lydia suggests to Kelly that they leave. She says the issue is that they keep bringing it up again. Meghan says that she’s had Kelly’s back, and never thought this side of Kelly would be directed at her. Kelly tells Lydia that they never let things go. Meghan gets in the limo, or taxi, or whatever.

Next time, Lydia tells Meghan that she’s on Kelly’s side, Shannon talks with David, Vicki calls Tamra, and Gretchen makes an appearance.

The Real Housewives of Dallas

Stephanie and Travis go to the new house. She’s annoyed that he bought it without her input, but it’s close to the kids school and some good restaurants. She still hates the pool in the living room. Designer Amanda arrives, and has brought a pool floatie to match Ziggy the black swan. Travis immediately puts it in the pool, saying it’s a sign from God. Stephanie wants it to be more of a home. She doesn’t like the fireplace in the living room either. Or the kitchen island. Travis talks about putting in an elevator, and Stephanie says he wants to be James Bond. In her interview, she tells us that her voice isn’t being heard and he won’t give up the control. Don’t tell her, but I like the pool too.

Brandi and Bryan visit the gynecologist. Brandi tells the doctor that she has baby fever, and Bryan is in agreement. She says if they have a boy, he’ll have to get good at diapers. Brandi says that she had a “mommy makeover,” and was told that if she had another pregnancy, it might not go to term because certain muscles are too tight. She explains about the miscarriage, and says that she blames herself, but the doctor tells her not too. She says plenty of women get pregnant after the same surgery. The doctor wants to do some fertility tests.

LeeAnne meets with D’Andra. D’Andra thinks LeeAnne stepped over the line and was tacky with her costume at the Halloween, being two-faced Stephanie. (It’s so stupid. It’s like something out of young adult novel.) She says that LeeAnne has been building her reputation back up, and she can’t expect to be a motivational speaker if she does stuff like that. LeeAnne thinks Stephanie is a social climber, and says now she bought a house near Heidi, and wants to be friends with Kameron. D’Andra’s wtf? face is the best. She says LeeAnne needs to reconcile her behavior with who she wants to be. LeeAnne says she gets it, and it’s not who she is. D’Andra says if that is her, bury it. I think it is her. LeeAnne starts to give her childhood as an excuse, but D’Andra say she can’t use the little LeeAnne anymore, and has to take responsibility. LeeAnne says at least she told the truth, but D’Andra thinks she should apologize. She’s not bettering herself, but digging in the dirt. Glad somebody said it.

Brandi is taking a trip to Tennessee to visit her grandfather, who she welcomed back into her life last year. He had a stroke, and she wants to spend some time with him. Brandi calls her mother, who says he’s doing great. Brandi thinks she might be crazy to want another child, as the ones she has climb all over her while she’s trying to talk on the phone.

LeeAnne is speaking at the PositiviTea luncheon, that benefits women with HIV. She says that her behavior wrecked her reputation last year, but her anger was just one facet on her diamond, and she sparkles. Or something like that. LeeAnne is introduced. She talks about a woman she heard from who is HIV positive, but afraid to tell anyone. She wants everyone to join her in eradicating the fear. Brandi says last time she made it all about herself, but this time she made it about the cause. Kameron talks about her dog’s Cavalli outfit. LeeAnne says her dog has a hot dog costume. Brandi pointedly ignores Kameron, and in her interview, Kameron says she’s gone out of her way to be nice to Brandi, and she just analyzes her with squinty eyes. Heidi tells them about Stephanie and Travis buying the house across the street from her. Heidi is creepy. Brandi says she hasn’t mentioned it, and thinks it’s awkward. LeeAnne says it’s nothing but a money pit with a swimming pool in the living room. In her interview, Brandi says it bothers her that LeeAnne can be talking sh*t now. LeeAnne says that Stephanie wants to be a part of Dallas society.

D’Andra talks to mom Dee, and says the 90s called and wants their office space back. She wants to either overhaul or move, and thinks moving is the better choice. She says the business has run the same way for twenty-two years. She wants to update, so they’re around for the next twenty-two. She talks to Dee about revamping the product containers. Dee thinks it will take some of the glamour away. D’Andra says she tells her that she can make decisions, but then contradicts them. She complains about one of the employees giving her a hard time about ordering a computer. Dee says she should have taken charge better, but D’Andra says they listen to the person who signs the checks. She wonders if they should start over as far as the team is concerned, and Dee says the employees have to respect you or it never works.

Kameron meets Cary for tacos and tequila. They’re sitting outside, and there’s a little drizzle happening. Kameron puts a raincoat on her Birkin. In her interview, Cary says you should also put the oxygen mask on the Birkin first. They discuss their kids and mom guilt. Cary talks about daughter Zuri’s upcoming birthday party. Kameron talks about trying to get to know Stephanie, but feeling like she’s getting nowhere. We flash back to some rudeness on Brandi’s part. Cary says Brandi is slow to warm up to people, and Kameron is thinking she might be insecure, and she’s simpler. Cary says most people are, and don’t have raincoats for their handbags.

Stephanie and Brandi also meet for dinner. Brandi says it feels like a first date. Brandi talks about the new house being brought up. She says LeeAnne thinks she wants to be a socialite, but Stephanie says no, she’d wanted something closer to the kids’ school. In her interview, Brandi says she doesn’t appreciate being put in an awkward position, and that LeeAnne has no business judging what has nothing to do with her. Brandi does a pretty good imitation of Kameron.

D’Andra tells husband Jeremy about her unproductive talk with her mom. Jeremy thinks she should be firmer.

She tries to talk to Dee again, telling her that sometimes she makes an executive decision, but Dee will then say it’s not happening. She says Dee should either let her fall on her face or succeed. She knows it’s hard on her, because she’s built a legacy, but asks what it will take to trust her? Dee says has to make sure she’s comfortable with D’Andra’s money management skills. She wants D’Andra to be successful. She’s built two multi-million-dollar companies with no degree (another wow), and is probably overprotective, but she’s afraid it won’t go as D’Andra expects, and she’ll lose the company. In her interview, D’Andra says that she appreciates it, but she’s a grown ass woman who’s being treated like a kid. She could walk away, but she’s put too much in it so far.

Brandi meets Stephanie at the new house. Stephanie gives Brandi a tour, and they go out on the amazing back porch, where we see the infinity pool. In her interview, Stephanie says it’s like old times; she’s snatched Brandi from LeeAnne. Brandi tells Stephanie that LeeAnne pointed out that Heidi lives across the street. She asks how Brandi is going to like having LeeAnne around, since she’s in the same neighborhood, and clues her in that she’s never let LeeAnne in her house. She says that you never know what she’ll say, and she doesn’t want it said around the kids. Brandi says that Heidi scares her, and they decide to prank call her. Stephanie blocks the outgoing number, and Brandi talks to her in a Regan from The Exorcist voice, saying she’s been a bad girl. Stephanie is dying laughing, and when Brandi tells Heidi that she loves her, Heidi hangs up. Well, this beats the two of them crying.

Mark asks Cary about the party, and says he’ll be hanging out by the pizza oven to avoid the onslaught. Cary says there’s no such thing as dad guilt. She wants to make up for getting the wrong cake last year, and do something fun and over-the-top. The ponies arrive, and a lemur. Damn. I never got a lemur. Cary puts Zuri on a white pony, and takes pictures. Zuri immediately wants her own pony. Well, what did they expect? The other girls arrive with their kids, and everyone pets the lemur. I have massive jealousy over a 3-year-old’s party.

Stephanie thanks Cary for having her back. Kameron wonders why Brandi is friends with LeeAnne. Stephanie tells her about how she doesn’t let LeeAnne into her house. Cary thinks that LeeAnne is hard up for friends. A beautiful chocolate cake with pink icing comes out, and is acceptable to the birthday girl. Brandi gives gifts to Stephanie and Cary while Kameron is standing there. It’s sets of Jack Daniel’s answer to fireball. Brandi invites them to Tennessee, saying they should make a girls’ trip out of it. She ignores Kameron like she’s the poor stepchild. Kameron says this isn’t awkward at all. She tells Brandi that it feels uncomfortable to be standing there while she’s inviting them. She says she understands that they just met, but still. Both Stephanie and Cary say, sorry. In her interview, Kameron wonders if Brandi needs etiquette lessons, and says she’s just being a mean girl.

Stephanie and Brandi go outside. Kameron tells Travis about how rude Brandi was being. Brandi tells Stephanie that she already had said sorry to Kameron before she passed out the gifts. In her interview, Kameron wonders where Brandi learned her manners, since her kids would know it was inappropriate. Brandi says that she didn’t realize Kameron had a brain. Geez. Have we learned nothing from Legally Blonde?

Next time, the trip to Memphis happens, Brandi visits her grandmother, and LeeAnne talks behind everyone’s back.

💐 The Real Housewives of New Jersey will be back on Wednesday, October 12, at 9 pm. Danielle Staub will be rejoining the cast, and I can’t wait. IMO she set the bar for the whole franchise the day she set that book on the table.

A Few of Danielle’s Finest Moments

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NJHousewives-Danielle

 

 

September 1, 2017 – A Visit with Hayden’s Father, Jeff is a Dad, Harvey Animal Help & Something Fun

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

Anna tells Finn to stop pacing; it’s making her nervous. He says he’s looking for a human; she’s looking for information on a diamond. Anna says she thinks there’s more to the diamond than anyone knows.

Nina can’t get ahold of Valentin. She thinks it has something to do with the necklace, and begs him to call her, or better yet, come back.

Nelle wonders if Michael believes she’s innocent, and Michael reintroduces himself. She says he has reasons not to trust her, but he says that was ages ago. She tells him that she was wearing the necklace, and no one saw her put it back. He says he believes her, and she doesn’t know what she did to deserve it. They kiss

Alexis sees Diane at the bar. Diane is wondering what’s up with Max, since he was supposed to call her when the meeting was over. She knows that Sonny and Jason were involved. She explains about Sonny getting out of the business, and Alexis laughs. Diane asks if she doesn’t think Sonny can go legit, and Alexis says that Julian tried, and look where it got him.

Jake shoots Franco with a water gun, and asks if Franco wants to play. Franco tells him it’s not happening in the house – mom’s rules. Since he lives there now, they both have to abide by them. Jake sees the pictures of the boys that Franco was looking at. He asks if one is Franco, and he says yes. Jake asks who the other kid is.

Elizabeth tells Sam that the kids are asleep at Monica’s. She asks if Sam wants her to call Alexis, but Sam wants to wait for good news first. Elizabeth suggests food, but Sam says she’s not hungry. Carly and Sonny join them, bringing a huge bag. Carly says, too bad. Sam has to be at the top of her game when Jason pulls through.

Finn doesn’t want to hear about the diamond anymore. He says so what? This is his life. Anna is appreciative of that, and knows it’s hard. He says he feels a “but” coming on, and she says they need to be realistic. Finn asks what’s so important about the diamond?

Dillon tells Nina that they went through everyone’s bags and tore up the place, but no one has the necklace. The police have arrived, and are conducting their own search. She asks if Nelle is talking to them. Dillon says she didn’t do it. Nina doesn’t think she did, but says she’ll be suspect if she doesn’t cooperate. An officer comes in, asking who is this Nelle? Meanwhile, Michael and Nelle talk about enjoying some Moroccan bath salts.

Jake asks again who the boy is. Franco says he doesn’t know. He was going to look through the rest of the photos, but someone came in and soaked him. Jake thinks Franco’s imaginary friend might help him remember.

Elizabeth makes noises to Sam about how Jason supposedly quit the business. Sam tells her that Jason protected Sonny because they’re friends. It’s not okay to be fine with him being brave and loyal for her, and not anybody else. Elizabeth says he wouldn’t listen anyway.

Carly tells Sonny that he’ll be okay; it’s Jason, and he’s been through worse. Sonny says what if his luck ran out, and he had something to do with it? He wanted an easy fix and left himself wide open. Carly says he’ll be fine, and Sonny is still here. Sonny says the only thing it proved is that if he retires, someone worse will take over. Does she want that? She doesn’t.

Anna tells Finn that the diamond was stolen on a heist in Eastern Europe. She thinks Valentin is tied to it somehow. Finn says he hears things at the hospital, and he knows she was outside Valentin’s door when he got shot. He asks what’s up with them? She suggests he stay focused on his fiancé. He says he’s trying. Raymond Berlin is brought in.

Diane wonders what happened last night when Alexis was supposed to meet her. Alexis says she got left alone with a bottle of champagne. She didn’t touch it, but wanted to, so she went to a meeting. She says she put Julian in prison, and Diane says his psycho sister put him there; all Alexis did was tell the truth. Alexis says it’s more complicated than that.

Franco tells Jake to forget about the photos for now. He has to meet Elizabeth; they’re celebrating. Jake asks what they’re celebrating, and Franco says he’s going to be displaying his work, and wants to show her what her support has accomplished. Jake says that Franco did the paintings, but Franco says she changed his mind about other people seeing them. He tells Jake that Lindsay is coming to stay with him. Jake says that she has too many rules, and Franco tells him that’s why they like her. Jake stomps upstairs. Franco looks at the photos.

Carly tells Sonny not to beat himself up; she’s the one who set it in motion. She begged him to get out of the business, and used Morgan’s death as emotional blackmail. Sonny says that he wanted same thing, but Carly says that’s only because she insisted. She tells him that it’s their life, and changing the rules after all these years isn’t fair or right. Sonny tells her that she just wanted to protect their family. Sam tells them to both please stop.

Still no word from Max. Alexis wonders what he’ll do, and Diane says he’s to be kept on in some capacity. He’d go insane retiring, and so would she. She says she’s actually fine with it. Alexis asks if that’s why she keeps checking her phone, and Diane she says people in love are concerned about one another, but she’s fine. Alexis wonders why it worked out for them, and not for her and Julian. Diane says they’re two entirely different people. She and Max are honest with each other, and he’s never manipulated her. She knows him inside and out, and adores him. She says she could afford to keep him and feed him all the cheese puffs he likes, but it’s not what he wants, and she respects that. They’re honest with each other with everything from who they are, to who left milk out. She asks Alexis if she can say the same.

Finn introduces himself. Raymond says, oh, he’s the one. Anna tells him that she’s a PI that Finn hired to help locate his daughter. Raymond says that he’s not surprised she’s gone; she said she was in trouble. He asks if the police are looking for her, and Finn says that she corrected her mistake, but he thinks she ran because of him, and he’s afraid she’s left for good. He knows they were close at one time, and asks if Raymond can think of where she might have gone.

In Marrakesh, the cop introduces himself as Inspector DeRoche. Nina says she’s sure they’ll find the necklace. He says they were discussing Nelle, and it sounded like she knows more than she’s saying. Big mouth Dillon says Nelle might have a sketchy past, but that doesn’t mean she’s a thief. Nina is like, d’oh!

Nelle tells Michael that word has spread about her being the last one wearing the necklace. She’s sure everyone thinks she has it stashed somewhere. Michael asks if she can blame them.

Sam says Jason chose to leave the business, but it didn’t change his love for Sonny. She asks if Jason has ever done anything he didn’t want to, and Carly says never, but she hates that this happened. So does Sam. It was her dream for it to never happen again. She says maybe they will get to lead safe, happy lives one day, but Jason will always be Jason.

Franco comes to the hospital, and asks if he can sweep Elizabeth off her feet. He tells her that the boys are with Lindsay, but she says that Jason was shot and it’s not good. They’re still waiting to hear about the surgery.

Carly can’t believe Sam is the one talking them down, when they should be helping her. Sam says it’s good because it’s keeping her from obsessing. Franco approaches and says he’s sorry, but Sam tells him to get out of her face. Oh, okay. She just shot Jason’s best friend because she was sick, but holds a grudge against Franco for something he did a million years ago when he had a brain tumor.

Raymond has no idea where Hayden is. She talked about Finn, the baby, and her predicament, but never said anything about running. He asks Anna if she has any leads. She says not so far, but the diamonds might offer some clues. She’s not faulting him, but wonders why all but one diamond was handed over. She says it’s a long shot, but if she can source the diamond, she might get a clue as to where Hayden might be. Raymond says she’s not looking for Hayden. What does she really want?

Diane asks if Alexis still loves Julian, and Alexis wonders if it would be pathetic if she does. Diane tells her it would be human. Alexis says that every night she remembers the perfect times they had when they were a family. She says it exists, but it’s not real, like the photos in their family album. Diane says it’s real, and Alexis asks what she does with that? Diane asks if he had been exonerated, would she have taken him back? Alexis says thank God the decision was taken away from her. Diane says he did horrible things to her, and the good doesn’t outweigh the bad. Alexis says the fact she’s still hung up on him bothers her. but she knows that he really loved her. The high is so powerful, it outweighs the pain, and makes it difficult to let go. Diane says that he made it conditional that she violate the legal code, and she lost her job – the most important thing to her next to her children. Diane thinks he’s sorry he lost her, and will say what he needs to get her back. For him, the ends justify the means.

Elizabeth starts to lead Franco away. Carly says he needs to respect Jason and leave. Elizabeth tells him that Sam is just scared. Franco says that he should have given them space. Elizabeth is more concerned about Jake, and wonders what she’s going to tell him about his dad.

Carly asks Sonny what if Franco comes back? Sonny says Elizabeth won’t let him. Carly leaves to call Michael.

Michael tells Nelle that he can totally picture her as an international jewel thief. He gets the call from Carly. She tells him that Jason has been shot, and it’s not great. He asks about Sonny, and she says he’s fine, but they wanted to keep Michael in the loop. Jason is in surgery, and they’re waiting. Michael asks if Jason is going to be okay, and she says she’ll update him when they know. Nelle asks what happened, and Michael tells her that Jason has been shot and is in the hospital.

Raymond realizes Anna is the one who called, and when he said he didn’t want her visiting, she rode in on Finn’s coattails. Finn says he’s grasping at straws, and wanted to take any help he could. Anna says that she’s not trying to get Raymond in trouble, but the diamond is different from the others. It was stolen from another dealer. Raymond says that he was a crook, but didn’t troll the black market. If there’s anything shady, he didn’t know. He tells her they’re done. He hopes Finn finds Hayden. He’d like to get to know his grandchild. He’s not optimistic though. When she was off the grid before, she wasn’t found until she wanted to be. One thing she’s good at is disappearing.

The officer wants to see the picture of Nelle wearing the necklace. Dillon says he took the pictures to test the lighting. DeRoche asks if anyone else was present when she took it off. Dillon says no, and the officer says he’ll take it from here. He leaves, and Dillon tells Nina that he should have kept his mouth shut. Nina says he was only trying to help, but next time, let her do the talking.

Michael says Jason is in surgery. Nelle asks about the prognosis, but he says they don’t know, but he always manages to survive. She asks if Michael is okay, and he says it’s not the first time he’s been here with Jason. Jason raised him for a while as a baby, and was always there for him. He wants to be there in case Jason needs him.

Elizabeth wonders how Jake will handle it if something bad happens. Franco says hopefully, they won’t have to find out.

Sam looks at Christmas pictures on her phone. She debates calling Alexis.

Alexis asks Diane why everything is so complicated all the time. Diane tells her maybe they’ll get a break now. Max calls, and she says that the tide is changing already. She steps away and Alexis gets a text from Sam saying that Jason is in the hospital, but not to worry. She says so much for smooth sailing.

Anna tells Finn that went well. She’s sorry Hayden’s father couldn’t help; she was hoping for a better outcome. Finn asks if she believes him. She doesn’t know, but she needs to find out how Spencer found the diamond, and if he found it at Wyndemere, is it tied to the current owner? This makes no sense, since Valentin didn’t even show up there until much later, but okay. Finn says he’ll help her.

Finn gets a text from Curtis. He’s found Hayden.

Michael is about to leave, and Nelle tells him to call when he lands. Nina and Dillon walk in, and Nina tells them a cop with an attitude is on his way to question them. Michael thinks it’s ridiculous, and says ELQ has a lot of holdings there. He asks if he should intervene, but Nelle tells him to go. Nelle asks how worried she should be, and Dillon thinks he inadvertently made it worse. DeRoche enters, and Nina tells him to deal with her assistant carefully; she has the ability to make this an international nightmare. DeRoche accuses her of trying to protect Nelle. Nelle says she didn’t steal the necklace, but he tells her that she’s under arrest.

Carly asks Sam how she’s holding up, and Sam says she’s okay, but wants an update. Alexis runs in. Sam says she told her not to worry, but Alexis says it’s too late. Sam tells her that Jason was shot, but she doesn’t want to go over the details right now. Alexis sits next to Sam and holds her.

A doctor comes out and says the surgery was more complicated than they anticipated, but Jason made it through. Sam asks if she can be there when he wakes up, but the doctor says they’re not sure if he’s going to regain consciousness.

On Monday, GH will air a repeat; on Tuesday, Anna talks to Andre about the diamond, Nina asks what’s being covered up, and Griff flips out.

😵 Speaking of Flipping Out, this week, Jeff and Gage welcomed an, as yet unnamed, baby girl into the world. Lots of tears and angst and waiting. The other half of the show focused on something I’ve known all along. For all his sarcasm, brashness, and love of embarrassing his employees, Jeff is a wonderful boss. When Vanina decided to leave the nest, Jeff took her out to lunch, and told her what a fabulous employee she was. He said he didn’t want to lose her, and asked what he could do to keep her. I’ve always thought he has a good heart, and this confirmed it. She did not take the offer, preferring to go for creating a business all her own. She told Jeff that she felt if she didn’t take the opportunity now, she might regret it later. Jeff was gracious and understanding. Employers take note. This showed how to value a good employee.

Quotes of the Week

Because sometimes the simplest way to affirm someone’s significance is to take time to hear her story.Alicia Bruxvoort

Fear is going to be a player in your life, but you get to decide how much. Jim Carrey

What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.Jane Goodall

The hardest thing, I think, is to live richly in the present, without letting it be tainted and spoiled out of fear for the future or regret for a badly managed past.Sylvia Plath

Harvey Animals

It’s been a helluva week for those in the path of Hurricane Harvey. Having been through Hurricane Sandy myself, my heart goes out to them. For anyone who hasn’t gone through a natural disaster, it takes years to recover from. There are people here who still aren’t back in their homes, and many who will never have a home to go back to. If you’re able to donate, please do, but research where your donation is going, as scammers and grifters come out of the woodwork whenever there’s a tragedy. And please don’t forget the animals.

You can help with a free click at:

https://greatergood.com

You can also donate directly here:

https://theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/store/ARS/item/84697?origin=GGCOM-BTTN-84697-DONATEDIRECT&gg_medium=content&gg_source=ggc&gg_campaign=bttn-84697&gg_term=08292017&gg_content=gtgm-link

Enjoy Your Long Weekend

🎪 Leaving you with something fun. This guy had never seen Game of Thrones before and explains an episode as it’s going along. It’s hysterically funny, and reminds me of how I try to explain shows.

 

 

August 31, 2017 – Nelle is Suspect All Over the Place, I Don’t Like Jax & Three Times 90 Days

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

Kiki drops by Ava’s apartment, surprising her, and asks how she’s doing after the trial. Ava says the Jeromes are getting their karma, and Kiki changes the subject, asking if Ava’s blouse is new. She says that Ava seems energized, and Ava says that she is. Kiki wonders what she missed.

At the hospital, Griff visits a little girl, Marisol, and her father thanks him for staying with her during the bomb scare. Griff asks her what’s up, and she asks if she’s going to die.

Bobbie tells Carly that what Felicia found out about Nelle is substantiated and disturbing. Carly looks at the article, and says omg.

Nelle tells Dillon that she doesn’t want to pretend to be someone else, and she wants him to delete the pictures. Dillon says that she has future in modeling, and she tells him that if he doesn’t delete them, she will. They struggle over the laptop, and Michael walks in. He asks if they need a referee. He wonders if Nelle would like a moonlight camel ride, and she says he has to get out of there right now.

Nina tells Valentin that the agreement for the necklace required 24-hour security, and it probably just ended up in the wrong place. She gets back in bed with him. She can’t wait to get home, and be a family with him and Charlotte again. He says that Charlotte will be thrilled. Nina thanks him for making her dreams come true.

Sonny goes to the station with Dante. He wants to check on Jason, and says they already went over it at the warehouse. If he hadn’t killed Petro, he and Sam would have been dead, and Jason got in between Petro’s shot at Sam. He says he shot Petro, now Jason is fighting for his life instead of him.

Elizabeth sees Sam at the hospital. Sam has blood all over her, and Elizabeth asks what happened.

Ava tells Kiki that Julian accepted his punishment to avoid further embarrassment and humiliation to his family. Kiki says that Ava has a smile on her face, and Ava says maybe that’s because she’s with her amazing daughter. Kiki tells her that she was accepted to the accelerated med school program, and Ava says, her daughter the doctor. She says every mother dreams of a better life for her children. Kiki says she has to head over to the hospital, and Ava tells her that she’s headed the same way for a therapy appointment. Kiki marvels at the day getting better and better. Ava says that she isn’t ready to be a recluse yet.

Griff tells Marisol that she’s there to get better, so don’t talk about dying. He says they’re going to do everything they can to make her headaches go away, and he’ll put a rush on the test results. Her father tells her that Griff came through for them before, and will again.

Carly says it was kayak accident. Bobbie points out that he drowned just before wedding, and after changed his will to make Nelle the beneficiary. Carly says Nelle was never charged, and Bobbie tells her the evidence was all circumstantial. She tells Carly that Nelle never saw a dime from the will, but there’s always next time.

Nelle tells Michael that she missed him. She says that it’s her responsibility to take care of everything there, and she doesn’t want Nina to think she’s slacking. Dillon says that Nina probably won’t care, and they did fine without her. He tells Michael that Nelle is thinking of a career change, and shows him the pictures.

Valentin talks about what he and Nina can do while they’re there, like go to Casablanca. The assistant who had brought the jewelry comes in, and tells Nina that they haven’t found the necklace. Nina doesn’t want to involve the police yet, and Valentin mentions that then the insurance company will get involved. Nina tells the assistant she’ll talk to the crew first. Valentin says he’ll come along

Sonny says he must have been delusional to think he could get out of the business. Dante says that he tried to do right thing, and Sonny says, yeah and look what happened. He asks if this is where Dante says violence doesn’t solve anything, and says this is the way it always ends up. Dante says he wanted a better life, and Sonny asks if it’s better for Petro to run Port Charles, even though that’s not an option anymore. Dante says he’d take Sonny over him, but Sonny is his father and he loves him, but he’s also a cop. It would be better for him if Sonny wasn’t in the business. Sonny says sometimes wishes don’t come true.

Sam tells Elizabeth what happened, and that Jason is being stabilized so they can operate. Elizabeth says that they’re just being thorough, but Jason will make it because he’s Jason.

Dr. Bensch gives Griff the test results, and Griff doesn’t look happy. Kiki comes by with Ava, and says guess who’s going to therapy voluntarily, without even an eyeroll? Ava asks Griff if everything is okay. Kiki goes back to work, and Ava asks Griff if he read the paper. When he says no, she tells him she’s the bearer of good news. There’s nothing in it; he’s in the clear. He’s distracted, and she says sorry for bothering him. He says no, he’s sorry. He’s just a little jealous. She got to deliver good news, and he’s about to do the opposite.

Bobbie tells Carly she’s not saying I told you so, but she knew they’d find something. She urges Carly to call Michael, saying that he needs to know. Carly says not from her. She tells Bobbie that if Nelle invites him kayaking, she’ll tell him. She turned a corner, and it feels good, so she’s reserving judgement. Bobbie asks who she is, and what has she done with her daughter? Carly says that she already lost one son; she doesn’t want to lose another.

Nina and Valentin arrive at the photo shoot site. Nelle says she must have been happy to see Valentin, and Nina says that’s an understatement, showing her the rings back on her finger. Nina tells them about the missing necklace. Nelle says there have been people in and out of there, and Michael says it’s not her job to babysit the necklace. Nina sees the picture of her wearing it on the laptop.

Carly says she’s done with the conversation, and Bobbie hopes she doesn’t regret it. Sonny calls, and tells Carly to get to the hospital. It’s Jason.

The doctors do doctor stuff on Jason.

Monica is startled to see Sam covered in blood, and asks if she’s okay. Sam says Jason was shot. Elizabeth tells her that he was shot in the chest, and they’re stabilizing him now. An alarm goes off, but Elizabeth says that means everything is under control. Monica says that she’d thought he left that life, and Sam says that he did. Monica goes in to see him and get answers.

Griff tells Ava that the worst part of his job is moments like this. Ava feels guilty for complaining. She says that she’s lived a good life, and Marisol’s will be cut short. Griff says it’s God’s will, but he wishes that he had the power to change it. Ava takes his hand.

Dr. Bensch tells Kiki that dedication and sacrifice will get her where she wants to be. He asks if she’s up for that.

Dillon explains how he ended up taking the photos. Nelle says that she put the necklace back in the case, and it’s the last time she saw it. Nina asks if anyone was around. Michael asks what’s with questioning Nelle, and she says it’s obvious they think she stole it.

Sam tells Sonny that Jason is being stabilized. He asks how she’s doing. Sam blames herself (I do too). She says that she was terrified and unprepared, and wonders how she got to this place. Sonny says had illness that messed with her. She says she should have stayed at home or not gone in. Monica tells them that Jason is prepped for the OR. Sonny tells Sam no more about blame and regrets, just have faith. Carly arrives, and Sam tells her that Jason is hanging in there. Elizabeth says she’s going to see what she can find out. Carly says he has to live.

Sam says Carly must hate her, but Carly says that Jason will pull through, and not to blame herself; she was worried about her husband. Sam says it was stupid, but Carly says it was human, and what happened should surprise no one. Jason would lay down his life for any of them; it’s who he is. She wipes the blood from Sam’s face, saying Jason doesn’t need to see this. She’s been strong, and it’s time to give someone else a turn. They hug. I’m liking this Carly. For a while there, we weren’t on speaking terms.

Ava tells Griff that if the family needs money for treatment, she has it. He says that’s generous, and she says that she’s trying to buy her way into heaven. He asks why she always sells herself short, and she tells him, habit. He suggests she break it, and tells her that no amount of money can help, but they’ll take all the prayers they can get. He goes into the room.

Kiki tells Dr. Bensch that her sacrifices already started’ she could be in Morocco with her boyfriend, He says she’ll be giving up more than vacation time. She’ll be using skills she didn’t know she had. She says she’s up for the challenge, and he asks if she’d like to join him on his rounds. She says she’d love that, and he says he’ll let her know when. And congratulations on her important first step. I’m totally seeing that Dr. Bensch is Max from One Life to Live now.

Nina says no one is accusing Nelle, and it’s not her responsibility; they’re just trying to find it. Nelle says that she put it back where she found it. Nina asks if Dillon was there, and he says he was, but Nelle says no; she was alone with it. Michael says they seem quick to judge. Nelle tells Nina that she trusted her with her most valuable thing, Charlotte, but doesn’t trust her with this. Nina says until the necklace is found, everyone is a suspect. I think it’s the disposable assistant.

Sonny can’t get through to Michael, and asks Carly if she’s all right. She says she can’t stand it. She says that Bobbie also found out something disturbing about Nelle’s past, but it can wait until they find out if Jason will be okay.

Elizabeth asks Monica how she’s doing, and Monica says her son has a gunshot wound to the chest, how does she think? Elizabeth takes her hand.

Jason asks for Sam. She asks Carly keep him company while she cleans up. Sonny and Carly go into the ER. Carly says Sam will be right in, and Sonny asks how he’s doing. Jason is glad to see them; there are things he needs to say.

Griff asks Marisol if he can borrow her dad. In the hallway, Kiki tells Ava about how it feels like she just joined the inner circle. Ava says that she’s not surprised. Kiki has all it takes to be good doctor, and her big heart seals it. It will give her strength and compassion. She says it can make all the difference.

Dillon apologizes for not deleting the pictures, and Nelle says it’s not his fault. Michael says to take a step back and breathe. He says it’s insured, and it’s not like it’s something irreplaceable. The worst case is there will be an investigation, and someone will be on the hook for new necklace, but not Nelle.  Dillon says to cut her some slack, and Michael says he’s just saying not to be nervous. He asks when she last saw it. She says that she couldn’t resist trying it on. Dillon says he drafted her for test shots, and Nelle says she took it off after that, but she was alone; no one saw her put it back. Michael says it looks like they’re not going on the camel ride.

Nina tells Valentin this isn’t how she wanted to spend the evening. Valentin says that she can wait to call the police, but she doesn’t want to. Valentin takes the phone, and speaks to someone in French.

Carly tells Jason that Sam will be there shortly. Jason tells them to look after her. Carly tells him to focus on pulling through. He tells Sonny to watch his back, and don’t let his guard down. Sonny tells him to focus on his life, and he’ll handle the business. Jason says it’s a deal.

Sam comes in. She thanks Jason for saving her life, and he says it’s his pleasure. She tells him how much she loves him. She talks about him having surgery before, and how he chose to live for her. She says that she needs him to do it again. She can’t raise the kids without him; he’s everything to them. She asks him to promise he’ll come home, and he says that’s the plan.

Ava tells Kiki that Griff is talking to Mr. Valdez. Kiki says that Griff became a legend for not leaving Marisol’s side during the bomb scare. She’d thought Marisol was getting better, but Ava says that Griff is breaking the news that she’s dying. That’s the kind of doctor she was talking about.

Dillon says that the necklace will turn up, and Nina will owe Nelle an apology and a raise. Nelle tells Michael sorry about the camel ride, and he tells her another time. She says she should join the others. She starts to leave, and then asks if he believes her.

Nina talks to the police. She’s getting nervous that it wasn’t misplaced, but stolen. They’re sending someone to investigate. Valentin is gone, and she wonders where he is.

Jason is taken into surgery. Jason tells Sam he loves her. Everyone waits.

If Nelle is a real criminal, she’s not a very good one.

Finn asks Anna what’s so important about the diamond, Nelle believes everyone thinks she’s guilty, and Diane asks Alexis if she thinks Sonny can leave the business.

🐓 Filler show Vanderpump Rules Jax & Brittany Take Kentucky is already making me uncomfortable, with Brittany’s family pressuring Jax to marry her, and Jax pretending he’s going to. Dude, you are thirty-seven, either make poopie or get off the pot. This week’s episode centered around the kids sneaking alcohol, and Brittany’s all-knowing grandma telling them not to do it again. I’m just baffled as to why Brittany is interested in this guy, and even more why her family wants them to get married. He’s not all that. He’s not even that. I wasn’t crazy about him to begin with, and like him even less as this show goes on.

💍 90 Day Fiancé Rundown 

On Happily Ever After? Danielle disappointed me by caving on the divorce, instead of pushing for an annulment. It sounded like her lawyer discouraged it on the basis that she can’t afford to pay him three-grand. I’d actually contribute to a GoFundMe page for that one. She harassed him at his motel room later, which probably wasn’t a good idea. He’s never going to admit he used her. Chantal and Pedro went through with the wedding in the DR, but what was even more puzzling was how everyone acted like nothing had ever happened. Chantal’s parents brought Pedro’s grandmother flowers, which made it all good. Pedro’s mother and sister wept tears of joy, and there were hugs all around. Chantal said that Pedro made her happy every day, while I just sat there SMH. Pao copped to the lingerie she wore in the video, showing Russ her outfit on FaceTime. Later on, she accused him of being controlling, when he just wanted her “career” choices not to be a surprise after the fact. I’ve noticed he sighs a lot. Jorge met with Anfisa, who said they were never getting back together, so I assume she hooked a new fish on Plenty Of. I’d already mentioned that Alexei surprised Loren when she gave a talk on Tourette’s in Washington DC. Those two are couple of the year in comparison to all the rest put together.

Because it’s the embarrassment of my life that I can’t get enough of these people, I watched yet anther spin-off with The Couples Tell All, which is basically a reunion-type show, and just as awkward. Mohamad showed up at the last minute, sitting as far away from Danielle as possible. I’m still not sure what her problem is, and she obviously has one. First of all, I’ll say it again, there’s no way this guy would be interested in her in the first place. And I think they only had sex once, no doubt to seal the deal from his perspective, but should have been a tremendous red flag. Pao was her usual selfish self, at one point walking off the set because Russ isn’t thrilled about her getting nakey on camera. That guy either has the patience of a saint or is dumb as a box of rocks. This girl might care about him to a certain extent, but she’s going to do what she wants. Jorge was an emotionless slug, except for his continuous alluding to having some information about Anfisa that she doesn’t want out there. What was really weird, was that they were staying in the same hotel room, and he kept saying he had to come with her or she wouldn’t have shown up. Is he holding her hostage? I kept expecting a bombshell that never happened, but he insisted he still had things to say. Chantal and Pedro seemed genuinely normal, so I’m not sure what happened there. The best part was Loren calling out Mohamad and Anfisa for using their spouses as a way into the country, and abusing the system. She told them that they’re the type of people who give the process a stigma, and she and Alexei had to apply three times before they could get him to the US. That is pretty sad. Mohamad kept telling her not to curse, and I laughed, hoping she would curse even more. I can’t wait to see another one of these. And hopefully find out what Jorge has on Anfisa.

On Before the 90 Days, somehow, Karine showed up, and Paul got off the bridge he was sitting on and into the bed of a truck, where they had a problem communicating because neither one of them knows the other’s language. It’s so stupid. I went to Russia with a group from my Russian history class in high school. Our teacher spoke fluently, but we all knew how to say basic things like, where’s the bathroom? BTW, it was quite a trip. Enough said. They basically live in an upscale shack with no air conditioning (I’m out). Her room was very cute though Very Hello Kitty-ish. Paul was staying in a hotel, and asked Karine’s father, who’s an ex-cop, if it was okay to bring her there. I didn’t blame him for being like, what?! at first, until Paul declared his intentions honorable. He has nothing to worry about though, since Paul doesn’t want to get intimate until Karine has had an STD and pregnancy test. I’m not quite sure she understands why he doesn’t want to fool around, but it looks like next week, he’ll be breaking out the pregnancy test. This isn’t the conversation to have when you don’t know one another’s language. Again, SMH.

Cortney, the one going to Spain to meet Spanish model Antonio, continues to just vapidly fill time. She’s pretty, but if he’s really the guy in the pictures, no way is she on his level. The best part here was how she told her parents everything, and her dad drove her to the airport. My dad would have locked me in my room until I was forty-five. Sean brought about a million pairs of cute underwear to Haiti, giving it to  Abby, who sells it online. Okay.

What held my attention most was Darcey and Jesse in Amsterdam. Apparently, fireworks happened and their souls collided on their first night together. Meeting his parents (mom and stepdad) was a different atmosphere altogether. First came the house straight out of fairyland. All overgrown cottagey, with bright artwork everywhere. Stuff hanging from trees, stuff hanging on trees, even mosaics on the ground. I wanted to spend serious time there, gawking. Although my first thought was, what do they do when it rains? Darcey of course wore her six-inch stilettos. Jesse’s mom was a trip – all crazy braids and wearing an outfit she probably designed – she’s the artist in the family. The stepdad, who Jesse warned Darcey about, saying he was outspoken and abrasive, was a double-trip, looking like the Mikado in The Mikado, but with piercings. He was also very loud. Everything was relatively cool, even when they talked about Jesse moving to the US, until Darcey brought up the topic of marriage over soup, and stepdad Dave asked her if she was out of her f-ing mind. He also said something about Darcey not being in Jesse’s league, which did not sit well with her, as it wouldn’t with most people. But instead of actually discussing it, Darcey was passive/aggressive, pouted, and sulked on the ride back. I think she’s going to sink her own boat with that behavior. She’s way insecure. I even noticed how she wears a lot of scarves or some such thing around her neck, I believe to hide her age. The problem here isn’t the age gap, but the emotional maturity gap. I’ll be surprised if these two make it to the 90 days.

Amsterdam2

Amsterdam

Amsterdam

 

 

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

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Real Housewives of NYC

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Truffles

Truffles

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Also Truffles

August 29, 2017 – Sam is Her Own Worst Enemy, Jim Loves Kate, Wives News & Viserion Flies Again

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

Ned tells Olivia-Q that Alexis declined to help him with a custody hearing. Olivia says Julian is in prison for a long time, and adoption or no adoption, they get to raise Leo now. Ned says that Michael wants him to come on board ELQ as VP. It’s hard for him to think of being in the second position. He’s more capable, but says he’s not interested in taking over. He keeps saying that, making me think he wants to take over.

Nelle thinks Marrakesh is amazing. She had no idea she’d get to go on the trip. Michael is glad they had a suite available at the last minute, although he pulled a string for it. Nelle is worried she’s going to wake up and it’s just a dream. It’s too good to be true. They kiss.

Carly sees Michael and Nelle’s Instagram post. Felicia tells Bobbie that she should have something on Nelle soon.

Amy tells Nathan that Quinn is in the hotel and needs to see them. She says if they get through this, they can celebrate ending something that he didn’t want to start in the first place.

Maxie says she can’t wait to see Nathan’s face when she gives him some news.

Felicia sees Nathan go into the elevator with Amy.

Bobbie tells Carly that Felicia might have information on Nelle. Carly says she changed her mind and doesn’t want to know.

Sam sees Andre at Perks. She tells him that things are finally getting back to normal. She says that she doesn’t think she has to worry anymore about Jason and hallucinations.

Sonny appreciates Jason coming with him to the meeting of the families. Jason says he’s been doing this the majority of his adult life. They enter, and Sonny thanks everyone for coming. Petro, the stereotypical Russian mob boss, wonders what’s so pressing. Sonny says he’s sure they’ve heard the rumors, but he’s going to tell them the truth – he’s retiring.

Olivia is having a pizza oven delivered, since she knows about the Quartermaines always ordering pizza on Thanksgiving. She figures if she can make it, they won’t have to get it delivered. Ned says that’s not how the curse operates. It started in 1994, but if she makes a pizza on purpose, something will happen, and they’ll have to order Chinese. He asks if Monica is aware of her decision. The truck arrives, and she runs off to meet it. Ned sees the Instagram photo, and says so much for Michael’s business trip.

Carly shows Bobbie the picture, and Bobbie says they have to nip this in the bud. Carly says he’s happy, taking care of himself, and making his own decisions. Bobbie asks if she’s forgiving Nelle, but she didn’t say that. She says she doesn’t care what Nelle did in the past, but Bobbie doesn’t think they should give up without knowing what the information is.

Andre tells Sam that the underlying anxiety might not go away. He says if it did, he’d have more time to practice his golf. He gives her his card, saying his door is always open. She says she has a clean bill of health. He asks if she no longer has concerns about Jason.

Petro asks if Jason is going to be running things. Sonny says that Jason is also retiring, and agrees with Sonny’s decision. He’s evenly distributing his territory among the families. Petro, who is apparently the only one who can talk, asks, what’s the price? Max and Sonny’s associates are to be taken care of, and his family, as well as Jason and his family, are to be protected. Another stereotype says so all that Sonny asks in return is protection? and Sonny says that’s right, and asks if they have a deal.

Felicia sees Maxie, who says it’s a surprise. She’s home for good. Felicia asks what happened in Portland. Maxie says that the choice seemed impossible, but she talked to Spinelli. They arranged her being able to see Georgie more often, and it came down to her job versus Nathan. She says in a way, Felicia and Mac helped her. She was so angry about Ask Man Landers, she did some digging. As much as she hates to admit it, he had a compelling argument about putting love first, and here she is. But she’s going to unmask him if it’s the last thing she does.

Quinn shows Amy and Nathan a life-sized cardboard stand-up of Man Landers shading his face with a hat. She says Ask Man Landers has been chosen for the publishing event of the season. He’s going to make an appearance and be signing autographs. Amy asks if he’ll be wearing a mask, and when Quinn says no, Nathan spills coffee all over himself.

Nelle has confession to make. to Michael. It’s the first time she’s used her passport even though she’s had it for a while. It feels like a fantasy come true; even better with Michael. He tells her they’ll document their adventure, and they take a selfie.

Carly tells Bobbie that she won’t forget what happened, but can’t deny that Nelle did it because someone she trusted lied to her. Bobbie reminds her of Nelle’s revenge plot, and Carly says when you’re led to believe the wrong thing, you can make horrible mistakes. Bobbie asks what’s going on. No one is as devoted to holding a grudge as Carly, so something must have happened. Carly says she’s right; something did.

The token female boss says Sonny will have an agreement by tonight. They all say best of luck, blah-blah-blah. Petro hopes that Sonny knows what he signed up for. The bosses leave. Sonny tells Jason he spent his lifetime building an empire that ends with one handshake. Jason hopes they’re as on board as they seem to be. Sonny says he’s walking, and Jason says congratulations.

Carly tells Bobbie that it has to do with Sonny’s business, and it’s complicated. Bobbie wants to know why back off Nelle, and wants to know now. Carly says she’s doing the right thing. She learned that every time she tries to protect Michael, he found out, and it didn’t destroy his life. He’s survived, and still has a big heart and should hold on to it. Bobbie says she’s turning a blind eye, but Carly says her eyes are wide open. She needs to let him live his own life, and have the freedom to make his own decisions.

Michael wants to do a photo shoot before the photo shoot, but Nelle says she doesn’t think they should document their lives. They weren’t big on picture taking when she was growing up, and she didn’t like the way she looked. She isn’t a fan of social media either. Michael gets that, but says she’s beautiful. Nelle says there are some pictures out there she’d rather forget.

Still looking at Instagram, Ned says Michael didn’t have to feed him a line. Olivia walks in with a brick in her hand. It’s all she has left of her dream. Ned asks if there’s a problem. Olivia tells him that Monica hired Cook back. He says it is Monica’s house. Olivia says Cook now has complete and total free reign of the kitchen, and terrorized the workmen. She has no pizza oven, no pizzas, and a tyrant who put digital lock on the toaster oven. She’s been outplayed. Ned knows the feeling, but thinks he knows a way of striking back.

Jason meets Sam at Perks. He says protection is a small price to pay for the families to expand their businesses. He thanks her for sending him, and asks about the card. She says that Andre wants to schedule a few sessions. He made her realize things that she’s afraid to admit to herself.

As Sonny is about to leave, Petro comes in, holding a gun on Max. Poor Max. What a thankless role that guy has. We never even see him with Diane.

Maxie tells Felicia that as soon as Spinelli is free, she’s pitching the Man Landers story to Nina. Felicia says she’s glad Maxie is back, and it’s wonderful what she’s giving up for love, but has she spoken to Nathan? Maxie says it’s a surprise, and he’ll be happy. he needs physical attention often, and she can’t make him suffer any longer. Felicia says that maybe should have worried about that sooner. Maxie says Felicia knows something that’s worrying her, and Felicia says that she’s seen Nathan and Amy together – a lot. Maxie says that Nathan was just helping her out when he took her to the Nurses’ Ball, but Felicia says that’s not what she’s talking about. Maxie asks if she saw them kissing, and Felicia says she saw them get in an elevator together at the MetroCourt about a half hour ago. Considering that the MetroCourt is all things to all people in Port Charles, that would hardly be an indication of cheating. And Felicia is a P.I.

Amy tells Quinn that their whole anonymous concept will be blown. Quinn says the cutout will build suspense, and then they see Nathan. She says Man Landers will come out of shadows, and the response will be phenomenal. So will sales. She thinks it’s brilliant marketing. Amy says anonymity is a stipulation in the contract, but Quinn says she’d better read it, going on about subsections and paragraphs. She has a business meeting in the city, and Amy says this isn’t settled. Quinn says that Man Landers’s contract obligates him to make an appearance, or it’s void.

Carly tells Bobbie that she has no reason to believe Nelle wants to hurt Michael. She wants to start fresh for Michael, and Josslyn who’s alive because of Nelle. She and Bobbie both got the benefit of fresh start, why not Nelle? Carly knows that Bobbie means well, but everyone will be better off if they let it go.

Sam tells Jason about thinking she’d lost him when he disappeared, and how it broke something that’s never been fixed. Jason tells her not to put herself through it again, but she says it never stopped. Even with him there now, she’s always worried he’s going to be taken away, and it’s not her. He says he’s not in the business anymore, but she says the fear is still there. She pushed it down so much, the illness took advantage of it and messed with her mind. She almost killed his best friend. Jason says they’re past it. Sam says he’s right; she’s sorry; she should be stronger. He says he’s not going anywhere. Nothing will happen. He and Sonny took care of that. She suggests they celebrate, and he says he’ll call Sonny.

Petro tells Sonny to hand over his gun or he’ll shoot Max.

Jason says that Sonny isn’t answering. He wants to check on him, and he’ll be right back.

Max tells Sonny not to do it. Let Petro shoot him, and take him out. Sonny says no one has to get hurt. He drops his gun and kicks it over. Sonny asks what this is about. Petro asks how did he think it was going to go, and he must be crazy to think he can walk away and live.

Amy tells Nathan that she’s sorry. Quinn is right. With any luck she can talk sense into her. Nathan says she wants him unmasked, and probably shirtless; his advice doesn’t matter. Amy says they have time. He tells her that she should go now. She says that it will always be their secret, but to put his shirt back on. In the hallway, Maxie overhears.

Felicia tries calling Maxie, but it goes to voicemail. She hopes Maxie calls back before she talks to Nathan. She takes another call, and says to send the information on Nelle. Bobbie walks in, and says that Carly wants the investigation dropped. Felicia says she might want to rethink that.

Michael tells Nelle they all go through awkward stages. There are pictures out there of him with missing teeth. She wants to see them, but he’s like, no way. She asks if she can change his mind, and kisses him. He says maybe, but she’ll have to work really hard.

Carly looks at another picture of Nelle and Michael on Instagram.

Petro wants to take over the whole thing, and run it by his rules. Sonny won’t be protesting because he’ll be in the ground. Jason pops out of nowhere with a gun, and tells Petro to put his gun down.

Nathan tells Amy that they’ll figure it out. Amy says that they make a great team. Maxie steps out.

Ned tells someone that he’s in charge right now, and to draw up the papers. Olivia tosses some pizza dough, and it lands on Ned. He loves that she wants to make pizzas, and she will. Soon, and for the rest of their lives. She asks if Monica will tell Cook to get a pizza oven, but he says no. He has something better in mind for both of them.

Michael tells Nelle that he has to go to Barcelona tomorrow, but will be back in time for dinner. Nelle isn’t sure what Nina is going to need. She has to take a shower, and he asks if he can join her. She thanks him for coming with her, and making this the best day of her life.

Bobbie tells Felicia that Carly doesn’t want to know. Felicia says that she’ll want to know this. Bobbie says she told her that Michael is a grown man, and she doesn’t want to know about Nelle before she came to Port Charles. Felicia asks how she feels about murder.

Carly “likes” the Instagram photo.

There’s a scuffle, and Max is able to toss Sonny’s gun back to him. Sam calls Jason’s name and he gets distracted. Sam walks in. Jason pushes her out of the way, and he gets shot. Good job, Sam.

Tomorrow, Maxie slaps Amy, Carly wants to talk to Josslyn about Sonny, and Valentin surprises Nina (told you).

The Haves and the Have Nots

Rose asks if they want Erica to live. Mitch nods and Erica jets like the Concorde. Rose says it’s a mess, and asks if that’s War, pointing to his body. Mitch says it is, and she says okay, done. She says good thing she owns the police. He says sorry, but she says nothing to be sorry about. She says to thank Candace – she’s been at the restaurant before, and Rose owes her. Mitch leaves, and Rose says what I said last week. Who’s gonna clean this sh*t up?

In the car, Mitch asks if Candace is okay. She says she is, and thanks him. He says it’s all good now. Candace knows he never wanted to be in the family business, and he guesses he is now. She wonders if It’s so bad, when you can take care of things like this. He says it’s deeper than that. He tells her that she saved a lot of kids tonight. He says that when Rose found out War shot at him, it opened a lot of wounds. Candace talks about being a kid and how War sucked her in. Mitch says Rose was about to reign hell down on the hood, and she’ll want to thank Candace. Candace says she already did, but Mitch says that Candace shouldn’t insult her. She isn’t interested, and he says he’ll try to get around it. He asks how she knows Rose, and Candace says Rose kidnapped her, and explains about blackmailing Jim. She was brought to the restaurant, and could hear everyone above her having a good time. Mitch says that’s where they take people, but usually they never leave. She’s lucky. He wonders why Candace never told him. He says Rose owes her, and one day it might come in handy.

Hanna picks up Benny. He tells her that he’s sorry, and it will be all right. Hanna says his sister called. She wanted to know why Hanna didn’t protect Quincy Jr. He says she knows how Candace is. Hanna says she wanted to know why the baby got shot and she didn’t. Benny says she’s just upset. Hanna wonders the same thing. She says she was covering him, but nothing touched her; why? He doesn’t know. He says it’s not her fault, and she says she tried. She’s all out of patience, prayer, and faith; she’s empty. She wonders what’s the point in doing the right thing, and Benny suggests they go to church, but she doesn’t want to. He says no matter how bad things get, God will always make a way, and this is no different. He asks if she doesn’t trust God, and she says she’s tired, and life has been nothing but a struggle. He says let’s pray, and she tells him to pray. She wants to go, but doesn’t know where. He begins to pray the Lord’s Prayer. He keeps asking her to help, but Hanna stays silent.

David goes to Erica’s room. He sees a bruise on her face, and asks if it was his wife. She says no, and he asks what happened. She insists it wasn’t Veronica, but won’t tell him who did it. She says they have a problem. He asks what kind, and she says she doesn’t know. She just met him and doesn’t want to burden him. He tells her to just say it. Erica says that she didn’t tell him everything about her. She tells him not to be upset, but she’s running from someone. He asks if it’s the police, but she says no; it’s her fiancé. He wants to marry her, and she doesn’t want to. He beats her, and she needs to get away. David asks if he did this. She says yes, and David asks his name. She won’t tell him, and says she doesn’t want help; she just wants to get away. He asks what she needs, but she doesn’t know. He asks again for a name, telling Erica that he was a judge and can have him arrested. She asks him to just get her away, and he tells her to get her things; he’s going to protect her now. She says she’s sorry, but she didn’t know what to say.

Melissa’s mother, Doris, brings her back to Veronica’s house. Veronica says she gave them quite a scare and don’t do that again; suicide is never the answer. Doris says that Melissa knows that now; she gets it. Veronica asks about the funeral, and Doris says it’s going okay. Veronica asks if this is where she’s supposed to say… and Doris says nothing, but then tells Veronica that the insurance won’t cover it all. She’ll have to sell the house and move in with her sister in Delaware. Veronica asks how much, and Doris asks if she can get back to her. Veronica says she always does. Doris tries to get herself invited to dinner, but Veronica tells her good-night. Doris tells Melissa she loves her and she’ll call. When she’s gone, Veronica says that bitch would get on a gnat’s nerves, and asks Melissa if her mother is on crack. She tells Melissa to watch it, or she’ll end up with saddlebags. She keeps trying to tell these ghetto bitches that you can’t eat so many carbs and processed food. Veronica takes her upstairs like she cares.

The room is still in bloody disarray. Veronica says that Melissa looks shook, but this is what happens when you leave a mess. The maid talks too much, and she wasn’t cleaning it, so that leaves Melissa. She wants her to clean it, and when she’s done, Veronica doesn’t want to see a speck of red anywhere. She has to find her checkbook, and hopes Melissa is worth it. The baby had better be healthy and cute. She leaves Melissa to clean. Melissa sits on the bed.

Charles knocks on Candace’s door. He says he has another campaign stop. He’s going to New York, and says it’s an important state. He says he can change his schedule by a couple of hours, but Candace says it’s okay. Her son is dead, but no one can do anything about it. He says he knows she’s hurting, and it helps to talk to someone. She asks if he’s a doctor. He says no, but if he was, he’d be the most expensive. He says in all honesty, they’ve vetted a lot of women for this process. and they had polish, but no edge, guts, or heart; they don’t have the ability to handle the seat, or make him feel like she does. He says he should have been honest from the beginning. She says he was; he told her the truth. Power tripping and info grabbing was just who he was trying to be. Charles says she gets him, and the smaller the bubble gets, the less people see him. Candace says that sometimes being powerful makes you invisible to those who want you. She tells him give it all up and stay with her, but he can’t do that; he wishes he could. He says he’ll always come visit. He tells her that he’ll let her grieve, and she thanks him.

Benny brings Hanna to Kathryn’s other house. Kathryn says she tried to call Hanna, but Hanna insists her phone didn’t ring. Kathryn tells them that the funeral home called and they’re ready, but they need some clothes. Benny thinks Candace needs to be a part of it. Hanna wonders why she should be a part of burying him, when she wasn’t there when he was alive. Benny says he knows he’s right, but Hanna says she’s not coming there. He says fine, and goes to call.

Hanna says she can’t keep staying either. Kathryn says she wants to give her this place. She’s moving into her father’s house when it’s ready. Hanna says she doesn’t want sympathy or a hand-out. Kathryn says she might not feel like it right now, but someone up there is looking out for her. Hanna wants to make her own way. Kathryn suggests she work for her again, and pay her a mortgage. Hanna says that she still can’t afford it. Kathryn says she’ll go to the bank with her and get a loan. Hanna says her credit stinks, and Kathryn reminds her that she’s on the board, and can make it happen. Hanna wants to think about it. Kathryn asks if she’d take it if she was Black. It hurt her when Hanna said she was her slave. Hanna says she was just upset, but Kathryn says a lot of small- minded people think the only way a Black maid can make it, is if a white woman helps her. She says that Hanna has helped her more than her family. She washed the blood out of Kathryn’s clothes when she had cancer, she saw Hanna praying for Kathryn’s children when Hanna didn’t know she was watching, and she brought peace into her house when Kathryn was in hell. Kathryn wants to give her something. To her, it looks like a lot, but to Kathryn, it’s nothing. She knows Hanna wouldn’t take what Kathryn would really like to give her, so let her offer this to show her gratitude and that she loves her. She says with some people, the harder they work, they still stay where they are. She’s seen it with her employees, and it’s okay to let someone give you a hand up. Hanna asks if she can think about it, and Kathryn says if she must. Hanna says she has to go through the funeral first. I have to mention what a beautiful directorial counterpoint is in this scene, with the two of them sitting across from one another.

Benny asks where Candace is, and says he’ll get her. She tells him that’s okay. He asks if War is still after her, and she says she’s fine. He tells her that they’re going to the funeral home, and they’ll come get her, but she says to just text the address, adding that she loves him.

Jim walks in while Benny is texting. He asks who Benny is, and Benny asks who he is. Jim asks where Kathryn is, but she walks out and asks what he’s doing there, and how he found her. He says it wasn’t that difficult. Hanna wants to get to the funeral home and let them talk. Kathryn says she’ll be right behind them, and Hanna leaves with Benny.

Kathryn tells Jim to get out. Jim says and go where? She burned down his house. She says that she’s glad it’s gone. He wonders what’s gotten into her, and she says that she doesn’t want to be there, or with him. He says that they need to have a meeting. She’s going to jail unless they get their story straight. He tells her to sit down and listen. She says that he forgot who he’s talking to, and that she burned it down to get rid of evidence. He says the evidence is on the stuff she put in storage, and she burned the house for no reason. She says that she doesn’t care; she was wishing he was in it, and I laugh. He says she should be so lucky. He thinks hanging around with that crazy bitch is making her crazy. Kathryn starts getting loud, and tells him to move out of her way. Jim says they love each other. She laughs, and says he loves his whores, and she loathes him and hopes he rots in hell. He says he’s still her husband and she’s still his wife. He starts taking off his clothes, and says he wants her. She tells him not to touch her. He grabs her, and she tells him stop it. He wants her to say please, but she won’t. He keeps repeating that he loves her and she loves him. She starts to cry, and he kisses her. He says he likes it when she’s angry. She kisses back. What? He says, good to see you, Kate.

Next time, David tells Jeffrey to stay away from Veronica, Candace argues with Benny, and Kathryn says she’ll blow Jim’s brains out just as easy as – well, you finish it.

👄 If Loving You is Wrong will return on Tuesday, September 19, at 9 pm.

💅 I happened to stumble upon The Real Housewives of Auckland, that Bravo snuck in on Saturday at noon, the same way they did with the Australian Wives. I loved seeing New Zealand, but it was the same show, same arguments, same pettiness, and the same overreactions, just a different corner of the world. It did make me kind of miss the Australian ladies. (And where have the Ladies of London been?) So in a nutshell, the country is fabulous, but instead of enjoying their wealth and privilege, these idiots have to argue.

In Case You Missed It

🦂 Viserion, tear down this Wall. 

I have to admit, the Night King did remind me a little of the Wicked Witch of the West.

August 28, 2017 – Valerie Plays Wingwoman, Shannon Tops the Mornin’ & Brandi Finally Talks to Stephanie

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

Kristina asks Sam if she doesn’t want some excitement, but Sam says she’s had enough to last a lifetime. Kristina complains that she has no one to go out with, but Sam says it’s a perfect opportunity for her to meet someone new.

Lucy tells Sonny that neither one of them take no for an answer, and she has several offers above asking for Pizzulo’s. He’s not very enthusiastic, and says he has a lot on his mind. She says to tell her all about it; she’s a good listener. He says it’s business, and he can’t talk about it. She says she’ll see him at the closing.

After she leaves, Jason replaces her. Sonny has update for him on the business situation.

At Ava’s apartment, Ava tells Griff they can drink to his timely intervention. Griff says he shouldn’t have shoved the camera man. Resorting to violence is against his principles as a doctor and priest. Ava says before all that, he was just a man, and wouldn’t have been much of one if he hadn’t stepped in.

Franco brings a million boxes to Elizabeth’s place. Jake tries to carry one, and drops everything all over the floor. Elizabeth tells Franco welcome to their home.

Alexis drops by Sam’s, and wonders why she’s suddenly worried, seeing the two of them. Sam says Kristina was just leaving, and Kristina tells her net time she needs emergency babysitter, she’s on her own. In the hallway, Kristina calls someone to see if their free. Alexis says she needs to talk to Sam about Julian.

Carly sees Scotty having a drink at the MetroCourt, and asks if he’s had a rough day He tells her to go fly a kite. She says Julian will do that to you, and he says not anymore. She asks if Julian fired him, and he wonders what rock she’s been living under that she doesn’t know the verdict is in, and Julian was found guilty, She says that bastard finally got what he deserved.

Sonny tells Jason that if everything goes as planned, he’s taking a crucial step tomorrow.

Kristina orders a drink. Valerie is with her, and Kristina says the drinks are on her. Valerie says she’d rather be there with actual humans than binge watching TV. She wonders where the guys are, and asks Kristina if she’s brought her to lesbian night.

Griff tells Ava that he should turn himself in. She asks, for chivalry? He says, for assault. Ava tells him that as soon as she said the word “lawsuit,” they took off so fast, they left a vapor trail, but he doesn’t want to cause problems for the hospital. She says that he puts everything ahead of himself, and she bets that makes him a good priest. She tells him that if the cameraman tries anything, she’ll have a lawsuit filed before he unpacks his mic. She’s be honored to return the favor, but for future reference, she’s not entirely helpless.

Franco says it’s his own filing system, and that he’ll take Jake’s room and call it even. Jake reluctantly says okay, and Elizabeth tells him that Franco is teasing. Jake asks where they’re putting all the stuff, and Elizabeth gives him a box for the hall closet. Franco asks if she’s sure and if she has no second thoughts. She says none whatsoever.

Sonny tells Jason that he called a meeting of the five families. Jason asks if he’s worried about them fighting over what he’s leaving behind. Sonny says that he’s dividing his assets evenly. His family and anyone who’s ever worked for him is off limits. If there’s a violation of terms, he’ll come out of retirement. Jason wonders if he can pull it off.

Sam asks Alexis if Julian is going to appeal, but she doesn’t think the judge left much room for one. Sam wonders if he asked for lenience, and Alexis says quite the opposite. He told Alexis that he hoped this would help her forget him and move on. Sam asks if she can do that.

Jason tells Sonny that Port Charles is a lucrative place for business, and asks if he thinks they’ll take their fair share and play nice. Sonny says he’s done what he can. Jason asks if he’s going alone, and Sonny says he has it covered, and to tell Sam that he’ll make it work for all of them.

Sam tells Alexis that just because Julian is locked up doesn’t mean he’s out of her life. Even if what he said was true, what about the million other times he didn’t protect them? Alexis says Olivia-J might have killed him, and that he’s being punished and lost everything.

Carly tells Scotty that she was considering eviction. He says he pays his rent on time, or close. She says he’s a month behind, but she’s so thrilled, she’s giving him until the end of the month, and comping his dinner and Lucy’s too. She floats out of the room, and Lucy asks how he ended up in her good graces. He says he lost a case. She tells him she doesn’t need a hand-out. Things are going well, and she’s on the verge of a big commission. She talks about having an ad before the coming attractions in the movie theater, saying, Lucy Coe gets it done. Scotty says that Lee would be proud, and gives her something from Gail that Lee left for her in his will.

The last box is put away, and Elizabeth says it’s official. Franco says that Jake is now responsible for his care and feeding. Jake suggests putting up some of his art, and pulls the painting of the two boys out of a box. He asks, what about this one?

Ava asks if Griff is really bothered that much. He says he’d do it again. He saw them trying to cash in on her misfortune, and no human deserves to be treated like that. She says she’s not human. When he tells her that’s not true, she says it’s a joke. He says that not all of her jokes are funny. He thinks they’re more like tests to see how he’ll react, and if she can find the right combination of words to drive him away.

Franco says that the painting was supposed to stay at the studio, and must have gotten mixed up with the others. Jake says he’s glad because it’s super cool and weird, since it’s not like Franco’s other paintings. Franco tells him that the only other person he’s ever shown it to is Elizabeth. Jake asks if Franco is his own worst critic, and if it’s part of his show. He wants to buy it. Elizabeth wonders buy it with what, but Franco says no one can buy it. Elizabeth explains that it’s private, like a diary. Jake thinks it’s perfect for their house because it’s about brothers.

Jason brings comes home as Alexis is leaving. He asks if everything is okay, and she says Sam can explain. She has to meet Diane. Sam tells Jason that Julian was found guilty and got twenty years in Pentonville, fifteen if he’s paroled. She thinks it will take time for Alexis to adjust, but hopes she can put it behind her and move on. Jason says he ran into Sonny at Perks, and got good news. He thinks they’ve seen the end of Corrinthos organization as they know it

Sonny goes to the MetroCourt. Carly has champagne waiting. She tells him that Julian has been found guilty. He’s already in Pentonville. It’s over; Julian is done.

Kristina says she should have told Valerie the truth; she needed a wingwomen. She’s never been to a gay anything before. Valerie says she’ll stay, as long as no one minds a straight girl crashing. It will be a change not to have creepy dudes hitting on her. She says she’s on wingwoman duty now, and asks how Kristina feels about tattoos. Kristina is down with that, but not so much her mother. Valerie asks what about blondes, and tells her to check out Parker.

Ava tells Griff it’s gallows humor, and the way she copes. Griff says she’s putting up a wall to drive him away. Instead of showing him the door, she’s trying to get him to leave, because she thinks she’s not worthy of friendship and comfort. She’s always ridden on her beauty, and thinks no one will value her for anything else. She says she knows what she is, and doesn’t have to look in mirror. She sees it in people’s eyes. The mask doesn’t hide anything, least of all from her. He says she needs a distraction.

Ava says that’s a good idea; maybe she should get a stress ball. Griff says she’s trying to avoid human contact. She says she doesn’t rely on others because they’re unreliable. Griff tells her that he’s an exception to the rule, so she can do her best to scare him away. She says that they didn’t even know each other before the accident; she was just the sister of the guy who murdered his father. He says that he knows her now, she’s a survivor, adaptable, occasionally funny, and flawed. He wants to be her friend. He asks if it’s so hard to believe that he cares, or that anyone would.

On the phone, Alexis tells Diane not to apologize, and that she wants to reschedule.

Sonny tells Carly that they lost a lot of people because of Julian, but he doesn’t think it’s a cause for celebration. Alexis appears and asks what celebration? Oh wait, she already knows.

In the letter to Lucy, Lee says that he never found the words to tell her what she meant to him. He was grateful for her coming to Dominique and Scotty’s rescue, and giving him a granddaughter; the joy he would have missed if not for her selflessness. He has no way to repay her, but what’s enclosed. Gail has the deed to his house, but he’s giving Lucy the deed to his office building, so she can build a real estate empire as big as the joy she’s brought him.

Kristina tells Valerie that’s sort of her ex; it’s a long story. Parker walks over to them and asks Kristina if she goes to lesbian night often. Kristina says it’s her first time, and Parker says they’re both virgins.

Franco asks Jake why he thinks the painting is about brothers. Jake says there are two boys, one on each side like a mirror, but it’s not. It feels like all they have to do is cross over the middle and they can be with each other. He asks if that’s wrong, but Franco says there is no wrong. It doesn’t matter what the artist meant; whatever the person feels is what’s important. Art can be a million different things to different people. Jake asks what does it mean to him, and Franco says it’s an imaginary fried he used to pretend was his brother. He was afraid he’d forget him, so he painted him. Jake asks if he ever misses him.

Sam is like really, Sonny is going to sit down with the families and say he’s retiring. She thinks it might not work. Jason knows there are no guarantees, but what choice does he have? Sonny is committed to walking away. He tells Sam to relax, and that Sonny has a plan in place in case anything goes wrong. He knows what he’s doing. Sam says Sonny needs back up from someone they fear. Jason has to go with him.

Jason says he made a deal; that’s not their life any more. He says Sonny is a grown man, and can handle it. Sam says Jason should have his back, so he can leave from position of strength. Jason doesn’t get it, but Sam wants to make sure their old life dead and buried, so they can protect their new life. She wants it over so they can walk away.

Sonny asks how Alexis is doing, and she says she can see how they’re doing. Sonny says knew it was coming, and that Julian had it coming. Alexis says yeah, like Sonny’s hands are clean. Carly says he’s not the one who held a knife to Alexis’s throat.

Ava doesn’t want pity, but Griff says that he feels compassion. She wonders why she feels weak, and he says that she’s not used to asking for help, and receiving compassion isn’t weak, it’s human. She says God bless us every one, and he tells her that she could have at least put on a Cockney accent. She says if she takes Valentin up on his offer, she’ll have to find something new to joke about.

Elizabeth tells Jake this can wait until morning. Franco grew up and made the friend the subject of a painting; end of story. Jake says one more thing. Does he wish the friend was still around? Franco says he has read friends now. Jake asks if he’s one of them, and Franco says he hopes so. They hug, and Jake goes upstairs.

Valerie introduces herself to Parker. Before Parker can get the deets on how Valerie and Kristina know each other, a girl comes over and tells her that their pool table is ready. Valerie asks Kristina how Parker is a “sort of” ex. Kristina says she had a massively inappropriate crush on Parker, they slept together once, and Parker dumped her. Valerie calls Parker a bitch, and says they should make her regret it. She starts kissing Kristina, and Parker looks over like, hey.

Valerie tells Kristina that the situation called for action. Parker regrets dumping her now. She definitely saw them. Kristina says it’s official. Valerie it the best wingwoman ever. Parker and Kristina look at each other.

Ava tells Griff that she didn’t take Valentin seriously. There was a time he was ostracized, and now he feels redeemed and thinks she can too. Griff wants her to be careful around Valentin. He has to take a call, and while he’s dealing with it, Ava thinks about having her old face back, and Griff telling her how beautiful she is. IRL, she tells Griff that she knows better than to trust Valentin. He can only offer her false promises.

Lucy tells Scotty that it’s the most beautiful letter she ever read. Scotty says Lee meant every word, an that the office is prime real estate. Lucy has a good feeling, and says that she’s going to be number one. Scotty says she is to him. Aww!

Jason calls Sonny, asking for the details on the meeting. He’s going with him to back him up.

Carly says Alexis has always judged her for the compromises she made to be with Sonny, and thought she was better than Carly. She tells Alexis that for all his faults, Sonny is a man of honor, and lives by a code Julian can’t understand. Alexis is better off without him. When Carly is gone, Alexis fingers the champagne bottle.

Franco says he’ll be up in a minute. Elizabeth asks if he’s okay. He says he doesn’t like talking about his imaginary friend. She says she’ll tell Jake to lay off, but Franco says it will only make him more curious. It’s not his fault, and he has a good eye. Elizabeth says that Franco is an incredible artist.

Jason tells Sam it’s all set for tomorrow.

Franco picks up some stuff that got left on the floor and finds an envelope. He opens it, and takes out two pictures – one of a little boy, and another of two little boys. I’m thinking that Franco had a real brother.

Jason tells Sam that he loves her. She asks him to promise everything will be okay, and he does.

Tomorrow, Olivia-Q has to run, Maxie has a surprise, and Carly tells Bobbie she doesn’t want to know about Nelle.

The Real Housewives of Orange County

Everyone is exercising and I’m tired already. Tamra wants to do the Spartan race (whatever that is) with Eddie. There’s an obstacle course involved, but she’s not quite up to par with that. Doug and Lydia are also doing it, but she thinks they don’t know what they’re in for. Tamra tells Eddie that Peggy “came at” her at the magazine launch, and totally lies to him, saying Peggy insisted she should apologize to Vicki, and had a look on her face like her sh*t didn’t stink. Eddie tells her not to let Vicki affect her. In her interview, Tamra doesn’t want him solving her problems, she just wants to vent. She’s annoyed that he’s giving her advice.

Shannon meets Peggy for lunch. She tells Peggy how upset Tamra was. Peggy wonders why Tamra isn’t telling her, since they’re not five. I love Peggy. Shannon asks if they were arguing, and Peggy says that Tamra thought she was siding with Vicki when she’s not siding with anyone. We flash back to the ladies giving Kelly the low-down on Vicki when Kelly was the new girl. In her interview, Shannon thinks Peggy should butt out. She tells Peggy to be careful. Peggy says Vicki was welcoming at the birthday party, and offered any help she needed, and tells Shannon about her double mastectomy, explaining that her mother died from breast cancer. Shannon says Vicki is still in a lot of pain about Brooks, and talks about her being in on the cancer lie, because we can never, ever let this go. Peggy says she prefers to think with her head and not her emotions. Shannon says Kelly tried to act like a peacemaker, but she wasn’t there and didn’t understand what all was involved. We flash back to the Brooks/cancer thing, and it’s like, enough already. Even Meghan, who’s the only person who should possibly have been offended, isn’t interested anymore. Peggy says hers is real, and Shannon says they’ll be good as long as she doesn’t make any criminal allegations about her husband. What? She’d better watch it, or she’ll gain another five pounds when she realizes she made a joke about that. But of course it will be Vicki’s fault.

Vicki has a swimming instructor teaching her grandkids to swim, and I’m jealous of the pool. She tells Briana about the magazine launch, and how Shannon completely ignored her. Briana doesn’t want to hear anymore, but Vicki keeps talking. She doesn’t know if Lydia is the right person to mediate, since the Bible says you have to forgive too many times. Briana thinks they should take some fireball shots and be friends. She suggests they talk one-on-one, and get to a peaceful place.

Meghan brings Aspen to a modeling shoot. She did some modeling years ago, and is getting back into it. She wants to prove she’s the same person post-baby. An Indian designer she knows asked her to do his new lookbook. Ooh, pretty clothes! She fishes for compliments from him. In her interview, she says that she wants to be an adult, get dressed up, and talk about adult things. Which must be why she brought along the baby and the dog. She’s actually pretty good. The clothes are gorgeous and so are the pictures.

Peggy and Diko go out to lunch. When Peggy sees the waitress coming, she tells Diko to do an act where he pretends to think that he’s a butterfly. When the waitress is gone, he says she took the knife away. It’s weird, but kind of funny. Peggy thinks laughing in a marriage is a necessity. She tells Diko about Shannon saying that she had upset Tamra. She says that Tamra complained about her going on and on, but she doesn’t have a problem with discussing it, and wishes Tamra would have said something to her. She tells him that it came out of left field, and asks Diko to explain the term. She asks about right field, but he has no answer.

Vicki meets Kelly at some place that looks like a jewelry store, but Kelly says they have an aura machine. Vicki is like, that’s crap, but Kelly insists it works. Kelly puts her palm on something that looks like a router, and the woman gives her advice regarding her chakras. Vicki goes next, and she tells Vicki she’s happy and has good energy. Wow. How insightful. Kelly asks about Tamra and Shannon, and Vicki says they suck the energy out of her. Kelly says she’s going to a pub with Shannon and Meghan to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Vicki says that she was there for Shannon when no one liked her, and then she drank Tamra’s Kool-Aid. Kelly says that Tamra apologized to her, and Vicki says she has ten years with Tamra, and wonders where her apology is. She says she thinks that Tamra will either turn on either Kelly or Shannon.

Eddie and Tamra go out to dinner with Shannon and David. Shannon announces that she lost a few pounds and some body fat. A gigantic seafood platter comes out. It’s very impressive. Shannon tells them that she wants to have a dinner with Peggy. Tamra says her first encounter with Peggy wasn’t great. Shannon says that Peggy doesn’t have the BRCA gene, but did the mastectomy as a preventative measure. Tamra thinks maybe she judged Peggy too harshly, and she was just having an off day. No. Tamra has an off attitude.

They discuss the Spartan race. Shannon talks about David like he’s not there, saying how they never see him anymore, since he’s always working or training. She says exercise has become an obsession, and is his number one priority now. Tamra says at least it’s a positive thing. In her interview, she says she doesn’t emasculate her husband in front of other people, and that’s not a good sign. Tamra suggests that Shannon do the race with David.

Tamra meets Peggy for lunch. Lots of that going around. She understands that Peggy has gone through a lot, and wants to give her second chance. She tells Peggy that Shannon said she had no idea that Tamra was upset. In her interview, Peggy says Tamra’s only problem is within Tamra, and she blows things out of proportion. I love Peggy even more. Tamra says she thought that Peggy wanted to shove Vicki down her throat. Peggy says that she wondered why Tamra started to elevate, and why she reacted so dramatically. Tamra doesn’t think she was dramatic. In her interview, Peggy says that Armenians don’t discuss conflicts that way, they deflate instead of escalate; there’s not much point in yelling. Tamra tells Peggy that she has a resting bitch face. Oh Lord, who says things like that? In her interview, Peggy says don’t act like one and you won’t get the face. Ha-ha! Tamra says that Vicki is a touchy subject, and Lydia had already approached her about it. Peggy says she understands everyone has issues, and Tamra tells her not to be peacemaker. In her interview, Tamra says if she doesn’t talk about Vicki, they’ll be fine, but she still has RBF. Ugh. Tamra is just so nasty. Even Jesus is going to throw up His hands pretty soon.

Lydia is afraid she’s going to get hurt at the race. She thinks she was just trying to impress Doug by saying she’d do it. Doug scares the kids by showing them a picture of some fire you have to jump over. Maverick starts to cry, and worries that Lydia is going to get killed. Good job, Doug. In her interview, Lydia jokes about being concerned that Maverick is a prophet, and maybe she shouldn’t do it. She doesn’t want to have to tell him he was right. Judy arrives to babysit the kids, and distracts them with the promise of waffles.

The race begins. Lydia thinks she has no business being here. Tamra explains that the obstacles are military and brutal. Tamra tells Lydia about how Shannon doesn’t like David being obsessed. Lydia thinks it’s weird that she’s not even at the race supporting him. They run, go through mud, climb stuff, run some more, and climb some more stuff. They jump over the fire which is about a foot high, and nothing like it looked in the picture. Tamra thinks if Shannon was involved with David’s fitness thing, she’d be more accepting. After the race, she and Eddie hug.

Shannon and Meghan get together with Kelly for the St. Patrick’s thing. We flash back to the Ireland trip. Shannon is wearing the same sparkly shirt, and Kelly says she gets PTSD looking at it. In her interview, she hopes it’s a do over, and never has to see Shannon’s shirt again. They arrive at the pub in a limo, which seems ridiculous to me. And if Shannon doesn’t stop saying top o’ the mornin’, I’m going to scream. Meghan is happy to be able to drink again. Isn’t she breastfeeding? They take slugs from a bottle of whiskey, and I go, eww, germs.

Meghan asks Kelly about Vicki. Kelly says that Vicki thinks Tamra gets in Shannon’s ear, so Shannon will climb on her bandwagon. Kelly certainly has a way of putting things. Shannon says they got close, but then Vicki made up things about Shannon’s husband beating her, and it was below the belt. Kelly says that she’s the one who said something about it, but Shannon says it came from Vicki and she thinks Vicki gets in Kelly’s ear. Meghan agrees that Vicki is manipulating Kelly. Shannon says that she just wanted to have fun in Ireland, but Vicki ruined things by telling Kelly that they were setting Kelly up to get drunk. Well, they were. Shannon says she gained weight because of the allegations stressing her out. Kelly says she felt the same way when Shannon had a friend set her up. Shannon insists she didn’t, and she was just as surprised at what popped out of the friend’s mouth as Kelly was, and she was embarrassed. If I remember correctly, not too embarrassed to gossip with said friend afterward. Kelly apologizes for what she said about David. In her interview, Kelly says she’s ready for the past to be the past and behind her. They hug. Meghan is shocked about Kelly apologizing. She hopes the truce survives, and thinks it will if there are no outside influences. In her interview, Shannon is shocked that they’ve mended fences, and is like, top o’ everything. They order another round.

Next time, Peggy goes shopping in NYC, Vicki talks to Meghan, the girls go out in reverse drag, and Kelly argues with Meghan.

The Real Housewives of Dallas

Stephanie is trying to create a signature drink for her Halloween party, but she doesn’t really drink, so it’s becoming a fail. Party planner Rachel comes over. Stephanie says that Halloween is her favorite holiday. She likes dressing up and getting drunk, and got pregnant both times around Halloween. The party is her way of getting back at Travis for buying a house without consulting her. She’s going to spend a lot on the party without consulting him. Rachel thinks they should do a “bad romance” theme. She says her vision will cost fifteen to twenty thousand dollars, and Stephanie says Travis will be just as surprised as she was by the house.

Cary makes cookies with her daughter. She says she’s been a career woman, and being domestic is stressful. She’s been leaving work early to experiment with it. Judging by how she works the blender, she needs more research.

Kameron tells husband Cord about the party, but he has another event that night. She wanted to go as a princess and have him be Prince Charming, but now her plan is blown. They go to a Mexican restaurant with daughter Hilton, and have her talk to the waitress in Spanish. Kameron says she gets spoiled, since Hilton’s super power is translating Spanish. She gives Hilton something to play with, and talks to Cord about her pink dog food line. He says she has to find other investors because he doesn’t have time for this. In her interview, Kameron wants to instill an example of being able to do it all to her children. Cord says he’ll believe it’s a business when he sees it.

Mark arrives home. He asks if Cary needs a drink after her experimentation in homemaking. She agrees the domestic life is a switch. She and her daughter eat a green bean a la Lady and the Tramp.

Brandi meets LeeAnne for lunch. She’s glad to have Rich home, but he’s gone right now, and she just got an invite to Stephanie’s party. Brandi says she got one too, but she has [sic] hesitation. LeeAnne wonders why Stephanie would text Brandi about her being up to old tricks, and then invite her to a party. Brandi says they’re talking tomorrow. She can’t believe that Stephanie doesn’t know what she’s done. She was putting her society life ahead of their friendship. Brandi gets all emo. LeeAnne says if she owns it and apologizes, she’ll be supportive, but she’s still hurt by some things Stephanie has done. She says Brandi has to figure out if she can trust Stephanie.

Husbans Jeremy teaches D’Andra how to cook. In her interview, D’Andra talks about how they met, and says that Jeremy can be very affectionate, and was an octopus the night he met her parents. He has two grown kids from his first marriage, and Keatin lives with them. She says she never had kids, and wants to be a great stepmother, but thinks the boys still think of her as the other woman. Hmm… I think she might have left something out of the story. Keatin talks about looking for a job. D’Andra asks him for help with selling some clothing on eBay. He does not look thrilled, but agrees. In her interview, she says she’s hard on people she likes, and she even pushes the dog. Jeremy says she’s a damn good nagger.

Stephanie is nervous, anxious, and sick to her stomach. She just wants peace with Brandi. We flash back to their friendship. Stephanie says if it doesn’t go well, it could be the end. When she arrives, they both speak like they’re in a library, and go out to sit by the pool. Brandi admits she’s not a good communicator, and thinks it started with petty things. She mentions the Father’s Day cookout where Stephanie acted stupid. She says she feels like Stephanie thought she was damaging her reputation, and she was thrown out there to be dismissed. She says that Stephanie said negative things about her marriage in her blog, and not only hurt her, but hurt Brian, when they both have problems. Brandi shows Stephanie the blog on her phone. Stephanie says she wasn’t being hurtful, just expressing her feelings, and wishes Brandi had brought it up at the time. Brandi says their husbands’ friendship is in jeopardy. Brandi brings up Cary saying that Stephanie was her “ride or die” chick, and how it hurt her feelings. Stephanie says she’s sorry that she hurt Brandi, but she was hurt too.

She says she wanted to make it right, but Brandi totally blocked her. Brandi says she wanted to distance herself to see if Stephanie valued the friendship. Brandi says that Stephanie also confirmed something about her kids getting kicked out of a school to a reporter. Stephanie apologizes, but says the reporter knew already. She does a lot of that “sorry, but” stuff. I hate that. Stephanie says that Brandi just wouldn’t talk to her, and she gets that she was hurt, but doesn’t know how they can go back to the way things were, and maybe shouldn’t. Brandi admits she was hurting and hurt Stephanie in return, but says she does care and she’s sorry. They both start crying and hug. And hug some more. Stephanie says she was scared she was going to lose something. Brandi tells her about having a miscarriage and no one to share it with. There’s more crying and hugging. Brandi says she’s okay, and Stephanie asks if they’re going to have another one, but Brandi doesn’t know. Stephanie says it’s the first big fight they’ve had – and the last. She’s sitting on the doorstep with a bottle of wine if it happens again.

D’Andra works with Keatin on the wardrobe. She shows him a three-grand dress, and he’s like, geez. She says they could have bought an island for what she’s spent on clothes. A lot of Oscar de la Renta, which I totally approve of, and omg, an $18K dress. It’s cute, but not that cute. Keatin wonders how she slides by. She says sexy time, and he doesn’t want to know. She tells us that it’s hard to walk the fine line between friend and mentor. She wonders if Keatin is going to have a conversation with his dad, and he says he doesn’t want to think about either of them.

LeeAnne visits her therapist Elizabeth. She tells Elizabeth about the Halloween party. She’s concerned about Brandi and Stephanie making up so quickly, and doesn’t trust Stephanie. The not nice side of her has been inspired, and she’s going as two-faced, dramatically explaining her costume idea. Elizabeth thinks this is a bad idea, and says that’s not who she is. She’d rather that LeeAnne say nothing or walk away.

D’Andra decides that she and Jeremy are going as Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky. She tells him that she’s still waiting on Keatin’s research. She’s trying to motivate him, but it’s not happening. Jeremy says she has to have patience. He seems like a cool guy.

Mark and Cary meet with someone to do their online videos. They’re doing a piece on how they work together – surgeon/ nurse, husband/wife. Cary sounds like she’s bored at the job, and they bicker before the interview. The interviewer asks how it feels to work together, and Cary says it’s good for the patients; they have open communication and they’re always together. Afterwards, the interviewer tells them that the videos are necessary, and Cary is a big part of the practice.

The party is in full swing. The decorations are fabulous, and worth every penny Stephanie had Travis pay for them. I can say this because it’s not me paying for them. Stephanie is in a steampunk get-up that I love, and Cary arrives in body paint as a tiger. Brandi and Travis are Mr. and Mrs. Skeleboner (I don’t want to know), and Kameron is a solo pink princess. LeeAnne didn’t listen, and comes as two-faced Stephanie. No one gets it, which is what happens when you dress as one of your private thoughts. It’s worse than Sheldon dressing as the Doppler effect on Big Bang Theory. Fashion conscious Mark notices LeeAnne’s bracelet, and realizes who she’s supposed to be. He doesn’t want to get mixed up in it. Cary tells LeeAnne to be nice. Travis tells Stephanie what LeeAnne is doing, and thinks about throwing her out. Stephanie tells him it’s fine and to ignore it.

LeeAnne says she has issues with Stephanie because she’s done things that confuse her, and Stephanie says she’s not going to give her a reaction. Stephanie tells LeeAnne that she’s always been nice to her, but LeeAnne says she knows about the things Stephanie has been saying behind her back. If Stephanie thinks she’s a bad person, she should talk to her. Stephanie says that LeeAnne scares her. LeeAnne tells her to watch her words, because what’s said to one person spins through Dallas. Cary feels awkward.

D’Andra and Kameron are talking off to the side, and say that it’s drama all the time, and it’s bizarre. In her interview, D’Andra says she thinks LeeAnne is testing Brandi. Stephanie tells them what LeeAnne’s costume is supposed to be, and they both think it’s rude and inappropriate, especially in her own home. D’Andra says had she known, she would have said something. Kameron asks Stephanie if she minds Brandi being friends with LeeAnne. In her interview, Stephanie says that LeeAnne is up to her old ways, but it’s up to Brandi to figure it out for herself.

Outside, Leeanne tells Brandi that she saw them hug. She rambles about how Stephanie and Brandi have been friends a long time, and she knows they all have their issues. LeeAnne says that Brandi broke her heart, and she doesn’t want their friendship to go away. She wants to know if she has to worry about everyone abandoning her again.

Next time, D’Andra’s mother says maybe the company isn’t for her, Travis wants to keep the living room pool, and Brandi invites some of the girls to Tennessee.

Doppler

Psychedelic Doppler Effect

 

August 25, 2017 – Nina Says No, Finding Fantastic Beasts, Tossed Thoughts & Quotes

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

 

Holy! It’s been a long week.

General Hospital

Dante comes home to snacks on the table and Lulu dressed in a baseball outfit holding a bat. I wonder if Dante has ever seen The Warriors.

Kiki is trying to get to the bottom of organic chemistry, and Dillon tells her that he has something she can get to the bottom of – a margarita. She says if she’s going to get into the accelerated med school program, she can’t be sitting around drinking.

Ned closes the blinds, and looks like he has a headache. Michael comes in, and wants to talk about ELQ. He asks if there was a coup while he wasn’t looking.

Valentin has made dinner reservations. Nina says she’ll give him her answer then. She asks if he’s going to hang around her office all day, and that he’d told her he was a patient man. He says he is, and she tells him he’s being tested on that.

Scotty thinks it’s a good thing that the judge was quick, but I think just the opposite. Alexis tells Julian he was honest and compelling on the stand. He hopes his honesty was enough to save him. Ava and Griff show up at the courtroom. Ava asks if he’s there to see his father get justice, but he’s there to offer her support.

Court is back in session. The defendant rises. Conspiracy, guilty; hindering prosecution, guilty; criminal facilitation, guilty. Guess that honesty thing didn’t work. The judge has an opening in four weeks for a sentencing hearing. Scotty asks for Julian to remain free on bail in the meantime, but Julian wants immediate sentencing. He says every day is one more day that his family has to suffer. Prosecutor Will Smith is down with saving time and money.

Ned asks if he made a decision Michael isn’t happy with. Michael says that ELQ made a donation to Mayor Lomax, and Ned tells him that they need her to back their fracking whatever. Michael doesn’t want the company tied to Lomax or fracking. Ned says Michael should have briefed him. Michael says if Ned is setting the groundwork for a takeover, he’ll have a fight on his hands.

Nina tells Valentin that he’ll get her answer at dinner – take or leave it. Valentin takes it. Nina tells Nelle to come in as soon as she’s sure Valentin is gone. She wants Nelle to get ten of the best cocktail looks they have in her size – it’s a make or break for her marriage. Nelle thought they were divorced, but Nina says that’s just details. She needs to look better than she ever has tonight.

Lulu gives Dante beer and a pretzel. She says their quality time has taken a backset to their jobs and kids. He wonders where the kids are, and she’s locked them outside. Not really; they’re being looked after elsewhere. She tells him that he’d better be careful or he’ll strike out. He doesn’t though, and they start to get busy on the couch. I understand role-playing, but this is weird.

Nina tells Nelle, no, no, no, none of them are good. Nelle says that’s everything, and Nina says it can’t be. Nelle pulls one out, saying it’s beautiful. Nina says it has to be perfect. Nelle says she’s happy for Nina and Charlotte. Nina says she’s assuming they’re getting back together. Nelle doesn’t think she’d be going through all of this trouble if they weren’t. Me neither.

Lulu tells Dante that they have to make up for lost time, so of course the doorbell rings. It’s Valentin and Charlotte. He hopes they’re not interrupting. Figures.

Michael says that Ned wanted him to be CEO, and he was going to concentrate on his music. He asks if Ned’s focus has changed. He tells Ned that they’re investing in renewable energy, and fracking doesn’t go with the plan. Ned says he knows decisions have to be made quickly, he was in charge, and sorry. He tells Michael that he has no interest in taking over ELQ.

The judge asks if Julian wants to address the court. Scotty tells him to make it good; maybe he can shave time off the sentence. Julian says his crimes nearly cost the people he loves their lives, and destroyed their trust, which is worse than whatever the court can impose. He says they deserve a better life without him, and asks to be kept away from them. The judge says that his family suffered grievous harm, as did many of his fellow citizens, and he cast doubt on his character when he threatened a witness. Yeah, telling Winston he was going to kill him was probably a bad move. She agrees he’s a danger to his family, but no less to the community. She imposes a term in Pentonville for no more than twenty years and no less than fifteen. Court adjourned. I’m wondering how this is going to play out, since Julian just signed a new contract.

Dante asks Valentin to what do they owe this pleasure? Valentin tells Charlotte to put her PJs on, while they talk. Valentin tells them that something pressing came up. He says it’s a sacrifice not to spend time with Charlotte, but he’s hoping it pays off in the long run. His and Charlotte’s lives will be better if it pans out, and so will theirs.

Dillon tries to entice Kiki. She says he can parade around naked all he wants, but she won’t be distracted. He wishes she could find time for both her studies and their relationship. She suggests he quit Crimson. He says that’s his job, and she says studying is hers, and he needs to understand that. Nina calls, asking if Dillon’s passport is valid. He tells Kiki that he has to fly to Morocco tonight, and asks if she wants to come.

Michael tells Ned sorry for overreacting, but fracking doesn’t jive with ELQ’s long-term goals. He says that Ned has been supportive, but they should have communicated more. Michael tells Ned that he has valuable insights and experience, and asks if he’d be interested in working for him at ELQ.

Ava tells Julian that she’s sorry, and asks if she can do anything. He tells her to just take care of herself. Griff tells Ava how sorry he is. Ava says that Julian did it to himself, just like she did with her face. Julian tells Alexis that it could have been worse. He meant what he said, and his real sentence is knowing what he did to her and their family. He hopes she can move on and forget about him. She starts crying, and Julian is led away.

Michael thinks the more Quartermaines at ELQ, the better, and Ned says he doesn’t have a grasp of their history. Michael says the company will be stronger if they work together. Ned asks what he had in mind, but Michael says it just came to him, but he’s thinking VP of new business. He has to pick up Nelle, but asks Ned to think about it. He thinks it would be good for ELQ and the family.

Nina wants Dillon to fly to Morocco and do the shoot himself, since the photographer got too handsy with the models, and isn’t working out. He tells Kiki that he can have Nina make room for her. Kiki says if she misses the test, she’ll have to wait a year for the next one, and will miss the opportunity for the accelerated program.

Nina talks the model down on the phone, saying she’s on her way. She says that she’s shocked at the photographer’s behavior, and already has a replacement. Nelle purchases the tickets, and Nina tells her three tickets; Nelle is going too. Nelle gets all excited, but Nina says it’s not a vacation; they’re in full damage control mode. Nelle says they’re all set, and the flight leaves in two hours. Nina is like, oh no, remembering her dinner with Valentin.

Lulu wonders how anything coming from Valentin will benefit them. Valentin says they’ve probably wondered why he stays in Port Charles, when he has properties everywhere. Lulu says that she has custody of Charlotte, but he says only temporarily. Allegations can’t deny him custody. It’s just her opinion that he’s a horrible person. He’s been custodial parent since Charlotte was born, and Lulu could lose, but he has a third option where no one loses. If all goes well tonight, he’ll have every reason to stay. He and Lulu can present united front. He’s decided Charlotte’s life is better with both parents in it, and hopes they reach the same conclusion, for Charlotte’s sake. He leaves, smiling to himself.

Charlotte is asleep. Lulu talks to Dante about how much Charlotte loves ballet. She thinks Valentin can exploit Charlotte’s feelings to get what he wants, but Dante thinks he has a good point. (And really, if she likes ballet, why shouldn’t her father encourage that? I’m sure he was indulging her before Lulu came along.) Dante says that Valentin could end up with full custody. Lulu says obviously Charlotte loves him. She’s too young to know what he is, and he has two very different sides. He’d do anything for his little girl, but he’s also a monster. If she lets Charlotte have one, she has to accept the other.

Nina tells Valentin that she can’t do it.

Nelle forgot Michael was coming. He says he’ll try not to be offended, but knows how she can make it up. She explains that she has to go to Morocco. The shoot is falling apart. The photographer is hitting on the models, and they’re threatening to walk. He asks if he can come along, saying he can write it off as business. She asks what happens to ELQ while he’s gone. It’s going to totally fold. What does she think? Geez.

Ned tells Dillon about Michael’s proposition. Dillon thinks it’s great. Ned says it’s Michael’s ELQ. Dillon says that Ned told him Michael is a shark, and Ned says he’s a shark with a different vision. Dillon says if it’s about pride, he has to get over it. Michael admires and respects him. If he goes back to ELQ, he can carve out a new role, and draw the family closer together. Isn’t that why he took the name, to actually be a Quartermaine?

Griff asks if Ava is ready to go, but she tells him to go ahead. He has a life to get back to. The only person she had waiting for her is her brother, and he just got sent to prison. For all he’s done wrong and made her mad, he’s always been there for her. They’ve been there for each other, but there was nothing she could do to save him from himself. She thinks he wanted to impress Alexis, and got what he asked for – the next twenty years rotting in a cell, like she’ll rot in the penthouse. She knows what she did, but she says with him, it was just a gesture, and now he has to live with the reality.

A reporter comes busting into the empty courtroom with a camera, and sticks a mic in Ava’s face. Like this would happen. He asks if she’s glad he’s going to prison, and goes, oh wow, you are permanently disfigured. Griff goes after him, and smashes the camera. The reporter starts squawking that Griff assaulted them, but Griff says that they cornered and abused Ava. She threatens to sue them, and tells them what great lawyers she has, and they leave. She asks what Griff was thinking. He says he was defending her, but apparently he didn’t need to. He thinks he saw the real Ava Jerome, and tells her welcome back.

Scotty tells Alexis that he’s going to get a couple of martinis; he hates to lose. She says he was right; Julian shouldn’t have testified. He says it was Winston’s testimony and Julian threatening him that cooked his goose. He’s thinking appeal, but Alexis says the judge is good, and he shouldn’t give Julian false hope. Scotty thinks she should talk to Julian and give him some encouragement. She says that he doesn’t want her there, and told her to move on. Scotty says good luck with that.

Julian is shown to his cell. Fastest. Prisoner. Processing. Ever. Nina must be in Morocco by now.

Kiki tells Dillon that she wants to go, but she can’t. Dillon gets it, but thought it would be fun to get away together, and doesn’t like being without her. She says it’s only a few days. She’ll be there when he gets back, with no book in sight. They kiss.

Nelle says she’d love for Michael to come, but doesn’t want his job to suffer. Ned calls, and tells Michael that he thinks he gave the wrong impression about the offer. Michael says he did seem underwhelmed, and Ned says it’s a lot to process. Michael tells him that the more he thinks about it, the more he thinks it’s a good idea. Ned says that he’s intrigued, but Michael has to promise no scheming or back-stabbing. He’s had more than enough of the family’s machinations with ELQ. Michael says that he has to leave town to check on their South African holding (wink-wink), and he’d like Ned to sit in for him, and see how it feels. Ned swears he won’t steer the company off a cliff.

Lulu tells Dante it’s not exactly the romantic evening she’d planned. I don’t want to know. He says they managed to squeeze some romance in, until Valentin put the squeeze on them. Lulu wonders what the plan is, but Dante isn’t worried. He says Valentin isn’t going to change. He’s going to screw up one day, and they’ll be waiting.

Valentin asks Nina, so the answer is no? She says it’s not no, but no, she can’t give her answer right now. She has to leave for a fashion emergency, and will give her answer when she gets back. He’s like, why are you doing this? She tells him that he’s sexy when he’s frustrated, and she’ll see him soon.

On Monday, Griff tells Ava that he cares about her, Alexis talks to Sam about Julian, and Kristina brings Valerie to lesbian night at The Floating Rib. Sounds like fun!

🚑 I’m not into GH for the couples – I’m more interested in the spy stuff, the Quartermaines, and seeing what Roger Howarth will come up with – but I do like Valentin and Nina. I hope her answer is yes, and I wonder if he’s going to show up in Marrakesh. I also like Franco and anyone, for the reason I already mentioned. My pick wouldn’t be Elizabeth though. I don’t know who, but not her.

🦄 Occasionally, I recommend a movie, usually one that’s on cable, because the movie theater costs so much now, you have to take out a second mortgage on your house to pay for a ticket. God forbid you want to buy popcorn. Luckily, when I do get the chance to go, there’s a dollar store close by and I have a big purse. A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure to watch Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them on one of the movie channels (okay, I forgot which one – either HBO or SHO). In a nutshell, this guy has a bunch of fantastic beasts he keeps in a bag he carries, which also leads to another world, and he’s being chased by some people who want to steal them. A hapless stranger ends up along for the ride, so there’s also a fish-out-of-water element. It’s a spin-off of Harry Potter, but since I’m unfamiliar with those books/films, it obviously stands on its own. While the story was delightful, the beasts were truly fantastic, and it’s worth watching for that alone. CGI has come a long way from the days of Night of the Lepus. While the films I enjoy aren’t often the ones that leave you with a smile on your face, this left me with one, which is rare.

🦁 I did remember to watch Zoo this week. Patting my own back…

👀 I’m afraid to watch Game of Thrones on Sunday. It took me a good three days to recover from the last episode. I also want to cry, because it will be who-knows-when in 2018 until we get more. And even then, I think it’s only six episodes. Write faster, George R.R. Martin! I will need sustenance through this long hiatus.

Quotes of the Week

Sometimes you can do everything right and things will still go wrong. The key is to never stop doing right. – Angie Thomas

When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.Paulo Coelho

Fear nothing. Do what you want to do, but be educated and intelligent and confident about it.Idris Elba

🐻 Whenever I hear Idris Elba’s name, I think of this poem: Algy met a bear. The bear met Algy. The bear was bulgy. The bulge was Algy. I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s the rhythm.

We are who we know ourselves to be, and we are what we love.Laverne Cox   Great. This means I’m dogs and brownies.

You’re in charge of your own book.Kevin Hart

Weekend-Decisions

 

August 24, 2017 – The Verdict is In, Even More Than 90 Days & Random Stuff

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

Nina is on the phone regarding a photo shoot in Morocco. Valentin says he has something to cheer her up, but a – and I miss the rest of the beginning because one of my dogs creates chaos. At least it wasn’t just when someone was revealing something I’ve been waiting years to know.

Anna goes to Hayden’s office looking for her, but Finn tells her that Hayden isn’t there. She says she’ll wait with him, and shows him the diamond. Not very spy-like to be flashing it around the way she’s doing.

Valentin brings Charlotte to see Nina at her office. Charlotte is wearing her dance costume. They’re on their way to her recital, and Valentin says that Nina is one of the reasons Charlotte took dance. Charlotte asks how long Nina studied. Nina tells her that she wanted to be a ballerina, but she got too tall when she was a teenager, and decided to concentrate on writing instead. Charlotte says she wants to be tall so she can be like Nina, even if it means not dancing. Nina tells her that even if she ends up being six feet three inches tall, she can dance. She can do whatever is in her heart, and Nina and her papa will support her. Charlotte asks, even if they’re not married anymore?

Alexis asks Julian what happened that the trial was delayed, and he tells her they were giving Winston enough time to learn his lines. She asks how that went, and he says Winston made it sound like he and Olivia-J were in a mutual crime spree. Alexis asks if the judge believed it, and Julian says Winston played his part perfectly, and it looked like he was her partner instead of an unwilling accomplice. She asks how Scotty responded, and if he cross-examined. Julian says he reserved the right to recall the witness, and thinks there’s no point in even mounting a defense.

Carly tells Jason and Sonny that the irony is, she’d always thought Sam wouldn’t understand the bond of loyalty they had, coming in late to the family. Yet she was the first one who did, and the two of them treated her like they treat the cops. She says Sonny came close to talking, but kept changing the subject. She knew he was hiding something, but never thought Jason would lie to her. Jason says he was focused on Sam, and didn’t want to get her involved. She says they’d always trusted each other, and wonders when that changed.

Nina tells Charlotte it’s complicated. Charlotte wants it to go back to the way it was, and Nina asks if she’s sure, since she likes living with Lulu and her family. Charlotte says she does, but she likes living with Nina and her papa too. Valentin tells her that grown-ups have a way of making things complicated. When he had to go away, everyone made arrangements. She went to live with Lulu, and he and Nina got a divorce. She asks if they don’t love each other anymore.

Lucy walks in on Finn and Anna. She apologizes for bothering them, but wants to know what to do about the house. She tells Finn she’ll understand if he wants to back out of the deal, and he asks why he would. She says for one, Hayden left, and it doesn’t look like she’s coming back.

Scotty tells Alexis he has plenty of witnesses, Leo’s mother for one. Julian says Olivia-Q only knows what he told her, and didn’t actually witness anything. Scotty says what about Lucas; he would know how Julian sacrificed for his family. Julian tells Scotty that Lucas is furious with him (if he’s even still on the show). Scotty suggests Sam, but Alexis says even if she was well enough to testify, she would be considered a hostile witness, and the counter cross-examination will negate any points they make. Julian has hurt them all.

Carly says she can almost excuse Sonny. He was shot, spent 24-hours in a hole, and then was drugged up in the hospital where anyone could have overheard. However, he could have said something once he came home. Sonny says it wasn’t his secret to tell, and Carly says that doesn’t fly, since Sam wanted to talk to her. She says that Jason is the one person she’d always trusted. She thought he trusted her too, and wonders why he shut her out. Jason says that things are different now; they’re different now. They know what they stand to lose.

Finn tells Lucy that there’s no reason to believe Hayden isn’t coming back, and we both look at him like he’s delusional. Lucy says she packed up, disappeared, and left her engagement ring. It doesn’t sound like she even wants to be found. Finn says he’ll find her, and when he does, they’ll move in and he’ll tear up the tennis court with his bare hands. Lucy says she’ll see him at the closing then, and leaves. Anna tells Finn she’s sorry. She didn’t know what was going on. Finn says they have a lot to work through, but they will. He just needs to find her first.

Valentin tells Charlotte that he loves Nina more now than when they were first married because he’s gotten to know her. He’s seen her courage and kindness. It’s made his love grow stronger, but marriage isn’t only about love. Charlotte says it is, and sites some fairytales. Valentin explains that fairytales don’t have community property and liens. Ha-ha! He says that when you get married, you become one person, and when he had to go away, they divorced so that there would be an equal division and his problems didn’t become Nina’s problems. Charlotte says they should just get married again, and forget about the legal problems. Nina says she should have listened to Charlotte first, but she was uncertain, and let everyone else convince her of something she didn’t believe, and she didn’t listen to her heart. Charlotte asks what her heart is telling her. Valentin says they have to go, and Charlotte invites Nina to come with them. Nina says she will.

Scotty tells Alexis she’s doing a lot of backseat litigating. Julian asks to be reminded of why they wanted a bench trial. Alexis tells him that a jury will go by emotion, but a judge has to go by the law and base a decision on reasonable doubt. She says that Olivia-Q and Ned would be thrilled to see Julian put away, because then they could have custody of Leo. She tells him that any good testimony would be outweighed by the prosecution. Scotty asks if there are any ideas, and Julian says to put him on the stand.

Jason tells Carly that he was gone for two years. When he remembered his life, he had to find a different way to live, and asks if she didn’t do the same. She asks what that has to do with him lying, and Sonny says they have different priorities now. What used to work, doesn’t anymore. Jason says he couldn’t ask her to be part of a cover-up when that’s not the life she wants to live. Carly gets it, but it makes her sad. She always knew they were there for each other, but that changed too. Jason says he didn’t mean to hurt her. She tells him that she just needs time to adjust. Sam says it’s her fault, and Carly says no one blames her. She wasn’t in her right mind; the rest of them don’t have an excuse. She thinks it was the wrong call, but she’ll get over it. Sonny makes sure that they’re all in agreement to say nothing. Jason wants to get Sam home to the kids. After they leave, Sonny asks Carly if she’s all right, and she says no.

Carly asks how Sonny would feel, and he says he’d hate it. She asks why he didn’t tell her when they got home. He says he thought she’d doubt him, and he made a mistake; he’s not perfect. She says he’s the most arrogant man she knows, and the only time he’s humble is when he wants her forgiveness. He asks if it’s working, and she says no. He says he should have said something, and she admits it’s not completely his fault, but Jason saying nothing surprised her.

Jason tells Sam that they’ll find a way to get past it. Sam doesn’t know how it happened, and doesn’t know why she didn’t ask for help. Why didn’t she trust him?

Scotty says the DA will chew Julian up and spit him out. Alexis says she’s not a fan of putting defendants on the stand, but in this case, Julian should tell his story. She has faith that he’ll do it justice.

Since we’re having a speed trial, Julian is already on the stand and talking. He tells the court about how he was forced to kill Alexis, and staged it at the docks, but had every intention of letting her go. He was going to leave the country, but Sonny ruined the plan. Then his sister stepped up her threats to involve his children, putting Leo in the hospital to prove her point. He kidnapped Sam when she was about to give birth, and then he witnessed Alexis getting handcuffed to the bridge where he was supposed to kill her. Because apparently, Olivia-J learned nothing from the first time.

Anna tells Finn that she’s sorry. He asks how she found the diamond, and she explains about it being imbedded in a keepsake given to Emma by spencer. Finn says he must have found at it at Wyndemere, and Anna says that’s what Elizabeth thought. She had it examined, but was told it isn’t part of the Berlin necklace. It was stolen by a ring of jewel thieves in Eastern Europe, where the money was used to finance larger crimes. Finn says that sounds more like it’s up Nikolas’s alley. Anna says he’s done his share of shady deals, but it’s not like she can ask him. She can question Hayden though. Finn says he doesn’t know where she is, but he’s going to find her. Anna says that it doesn’t sound like she wants to be found.

Prosecutor Will Smith says that Julian’s testimony is pure spectacle meant to manipulate the judge. Scotty objects, but it’s overruled. Will asks Julian what ultimately happened, and Julian says he shot the handcuffs off of Alexis, and blocked Olivia-J from shooting her. He got shot instead, and fell into the river. When he came to, he realized what had happened, and that Olivia had been locked up. He tried to leave town; not to avoid justice, but to put distance between himself and his family. He’d rather never see them again than see them in danger. Will mentions that he shot his sister and thought she was dead. He asks if when she returned, it had something to do with Duke Lavery. Julian tells him that she was in love with Duke, and Will says that Julian killed him. Scotty jumps up, saying that Carrrlos murdered Duke, but Will says it was by Julian’s orders. He says Julian never told the authorities that she killed Morgan, kidnapped Robin, and almost blew up the hospital with everyone in it. He did nothing to stop her, and everything to help her. There are no further questions. In redirect, Scotty asks if it isn’t true that Julian did his sister’s bidding because she was threatening him. Julian says yes, he was trying to protect his children and the woman he loves, and his devotion obscured his reason. He understands that his actions will be judged as wrong, and he might be put in prison, but if that’s what had to happen in order to protect his family, he’s okay with it. The defense rests.

Finn asks Anna if she thinks Hayden is gone for good. She says she doesn’t know enough to speculate, so she’s going to concentrate on the diamond case. Finn thinks Hayden’s father might be able to help, and suggests that Anna pay him a visit. He asks her not to tell him that Hayden vanished, and Anna says she won’t. She asks Finn not to tell anyone about the diamond, and he says he has no one to talk to anyway, and doubts anyone he knows has ties to an international jewelry theft.

Back from the recital, Nina tells Valentin that Charlotte was the best dancer. He asks if she’s sure she’s not biased, and she says of course she is, but Charlotte is still incredible. She can do anything she’s made up her mind to do. He asks if she can bring them back together.

In his closing argument, Will Smith says that Julian aided and abetted a fugitive who terrorized the community, and killed Morgan. He was in agreement with his sister, and supported her goals. He cares about his family, but it’s his organized crime family. Scotty responds that Julian almost died, and was willing to sacrifice his life for his family. If he’s guilty of anything, it’s loving his family too much, and that’s not a crime. The judge retires to her chambers, and the court is in recess. Alexis tells Julian that she’s sorry for what he’s gone through. He says thanks, and that he did what he had to do.

Carly tells Sonny that after his accident, Jason was different. Intellectually, she knows it, but emotionally, she has to learn it over and over. Sonny says he does too. He wanted to bring Jason into the distillery project, thinking they could work together on something legitimate, but Jason turned him down. He said it would send the wrong message, and imply it’s a front and that he’s still in the business. Sonny says it kind of hurt his feelings. Carly says she gets that his life is different now, and understands, but just when things are spiraling, and she’s feeling lost, that’s when she misses who he used to be.

Sam wonders why she didn’t remember that she could talk to Jason about anything. She’d believed their connection was so strong, they could overcome anything and anyone, but this time it failed her. She doesn’t understand why.

Anna tells Finn that Hayden’s father is only taking visits from his attorney and family members. Finn asks if she can pull rank, but she says that’s no good if he refuses to cooperate. She thinks he might be receptive to Finn, but Finn says he told her what he could. She asks what if there’s a connection between Hayden and the diamond? He thinks she’s reaching, but she says there’s only one way to find out. Take her to visit Raymond Berlin.

Julian asks Alexis what his chances are of getting released, and she says he has a chance. He says what about them getting back together, and Scotty interrupts. In what they call half an hour, and I call half a minute, the judge has reached a verdict.

Carly tells Sonny that by fixating on what she can’t have, she’s missing her blessings. Jason is still there and their friend, Sam pulled through a serious illness, and Sonny is better. She can obsess about the lie, or focus on Sonny being alive and that she loves him. He suggests she concentrate on the second one. She’s not asking that he never keep a secret again, but tells him that there’s a difference between family and business. She tells him to never keep a family secret from her again.

Jason tells Sam that nothing she did while she was sick was her fault, and she wanted to be honest. Sam wonders if the connection they shared is lost because of her. He says that’s not going to happen. She tells him that she trusts him, but not herself.

Valentin doesn’t want to build up Charlotte’s hopes that they can be a family again. He doesn’t want to pressure Nina, but she tells him that she’s made her decision. Her phone buzzes. There’s a crisis at a photo shoot she has to deal with. He says with all due respect to her photo shoot, he’s hanging on her answer. She says she’ll give it to him over dinner, where she’ll give her answer undivided attention.

Tomorrow, Nina gives Valentin her answer, the verdict is read, and Michael tells Ned he’ll have a fight on his hands.

💍 My 90 Day Fiancé obsession continues, Before the 90 Days now added to it. This one is the most perplexing of all three shows, where we follow the cast members meeting their prospective spouses face-to-face for the first time, and I want to yell, stop this right now! about every five minutes. There’s Sean and Abby, who have a huge age gap. Nothing wrong with that, but it looks like the older Sean is bringing some insecurities along with it. Sean traveled to Haiti, where Abby was excitedly waiting, along with her best friend, who kept having to calm her down. It was super cute, as Hello Kitty would say. Abby is the sweetest girl, and I think genuinely attracted to Sean, as she has a thing for older men. While I don’t blame Sean for proceeding with caution, he’s fixated on her ex, Chris, whom she’s still friends with. In the previous episode, Sean made noises about Abby maybe wanting someone younger, but Chris looks like he’s about the same age as Sean, so either he’s not aging well and is a 20 year old who looks 50, or Sean is not making sense. Which is possible. Even though Abby and Chris don’t live in the same country, Sean is concerned that they’re still involved as more than friends. It didn’t help the situation when Abby slipped during an interview, calling Sean “Chris.” Sean wasn’t present during the interview, but no doubt saw it. While it’s possible the slip could have been Freudian, I find it unlikely. I think her head is just so full of all this stuff, she made an honest mistake. I can relate, since after nearly twenty years, I still have a hard time not calling my niece’s second husband by her first husband’s name. I have the feeling Sean won’t see it that way, and is going to totally mess up what could be a great thing. The preview for next week did not look promising.

Then there’s Paul – who we last saw waiting on the backside of nowhere in the Amazon rainforest for Karine, thinking he’d been catfished. It’s no surprise he’s been unlucky in love, since he made a trip to a place where he knows no one, that took eight hours, two planes, and two boats to get to; doesn’t know the language at all; carried so many trunks full of preventative health measures, he can barely get around; and can’t even get phone service. Luckily for him, she finally showed. Because she basically lives in a shack, reservations were made at the local hotel (I’m surprised they have one), and they prepared for him to meet her family, none of whom speak English. Up until now, Paul and Karine have communicated through translated texts. When they met, it was more than awkward, but I wondered why, if texts can be translated, they didn’t have something that digitally translated their speech, like the device in Snowpiercer. We must have the capability. I also questioned how Karine has such nice clothing, the internet, and a smartphone. In the preview for the next show, Paul talks about wanting her to get an STD and pregnancy test. While I totally get it, it’s kind of insulting that he can’t be bothered to learn, how are you? in Portuguese, yet he’s savvy enough to be concerned about getting a disease from her. Bleh.

The next huge age gap is between Darcey from the US and Jesse from Amsterdam, with Darcy being in the more mature position. However, that’s only chronologically. Jesse actually seems like a real find. A guy who’s genuinely interested in having a serious relationship with an older woman, and he’s a gorgeous fitness trainer. And also Amsterdam, a place so fine, Tony Geary retired from General Hospital to live there. Darcy looks great, and is definitely on Jesse’s appearance level, but I see why she’s single. Without mincing words, she acts batsh*t crazy emotional. She’s so concerned with how she looks and getting married, she can’t seem to focus on anything else. Like maybe a dream vacation with a fabulous guy. While there was a bit of a red flag on his end, when he insisted she keep up with him on a wicked bike ride through a park, if I was him, I’d be biking for the hills. Already frazzled from damaging one of her six-inch heels on the escalator, Darcy was barely off the plane before she started talking about marriage. And talked about it non-stop. No matter where they went, she somehow related it to them getting married. They just met for God’s sake. Has no one told her this shouldn’t be the first topic out of your mouth on what’s essentially a first date? I assume she’s been married before, since she has children (I know it’s not a requirement, but I think it would be for her), but obviously that didn’t work out, and I can guess why. She drains me just watching her. The creepiest thing was how she showed Jesse the massive rock she had bought for herself, to wear on her left ring finger in honor of their love. Um… I don’t think that’s how any of this works. When he asked her to take the vast amount of makeup she wears off before bed (she’s staying with him), I thought she would have a heart attack. Even then, she kept her lashes on. He doesn’t seem like the type of guy who is into any of that, and I’m wondering how they even clicked online. Frankly, I would have packed her into one of her many suitcases and sent her back home already. Next time, she meets his parents. And brings up marriage. His father asks her – and I quote – are you out of your f-ing mind?

There was also Cortney, who is headed for Spain to meet Spanish model Antonio, who she’s only communicated with by text – even when she was previously in Spain. She’s also been catfished before. Right away, I didn’t hold out much hope for this one, and held even less when her cyberstalking friend came up with erotic photos of him. I doubt much is going to happen with these two, and it seems like a boring story just added to fill the hour.

My main question though, is what’s with all this baby babe stuff? Can no one remember their potential fiancé’s name?

😜 On Flipping Out, Jeff brought in a guy to teach everyone baby CPR. Apparently Jeff was a little too enthusiastic, as his baby’s head fell off while he practiced. When he asked the instructor what grade he’d give them, let’s not talk about it was the response. Enough said. Jeff’s got first aid covered.

WhenYou'reUpset

FridayPup

 

 

 

August 23, 2017 – Winston Takes the Stand, the NYC Reunion Continues, Raw Chicken & Jax

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

Elizabeth says she missed being in the studio with Franco, and he says he missed being everywhere with her. He tells her she should paint again, and to consider his studio hers. She says for now she’ll live vicariously, and tells him there’s a reason he’s famous. He says not for the reason he’d like.

Ned sees Alexis at the MetroCourt. He was looking for her because he’s in the market for her legal services.

Julian’s trial starts again. The prosecutor – whose name I still can’t find out, so I’m continuing to call him Will Smith – has an addition to the witness list. Scotty says the prosecutor is playing games, and he’s had no prep time. Will says that he has a witness that can speak to Julian’s motives. Julian wonders who it’s going to be. It’s Winston! Scotty asks how bad it’s going to be.

Sam tells Carly that she shot Sonny. Carly says that the Garvenator bragged to her about it, and Sam says that’s not the whole story. Jason tries to get her to leave, but Sam says she’s not staying silent anymore, and Carly deserves to know what happened.

Elizabeth says that Franco is a powerful artist. He says the purpose of the paintings was for people to feel the darkness. He worries that his talent and the darkness were intrinsically connected, and he won’t be able to create anymore. She says he was literally in a different head space then, but he says he can’t blame everything on the tumor.

Ned tells Alexis that he wants to update his will, adding Olivia-Q and Leo. Alexis calls Leo his stepson, but he says that he hasn’t been able to adopt Leo yet.

Wow. Winston is the same actor, but looks younger; maybe because he lost weight. Scotty doesn’t understand how he can speak about anyone else’s motives. Will says he was there during many of their conversations, and his testimony is vital. The judge allows it. Will asks when he first met Olivia-J. Winston talks about her having him opening the store. All he knew was that she had unfinished business in Port Charles, and her brother was involved and willing to do whatever she needed.

Carly says Garvezilla told her that he killed Sonny. How could Sam have shot him? Sam says she collapsed afterward. She woke up in the hospital, and didn’t remember anything. Then she started to remember, and she’s sooo sorry. Carly grasps that it’s real, and Sonny confirms that it’s true. Sam says she didn’t know what was real or wasn’t anymore. Her hallucinations were like a walking nightmare, with Sonny telling her that he was going to take her family away. Sam tells Carly that it sounds crazy, but she was so scared and would have done anything. Carly realizes this is what Sam wanted to tell her at the hospital. Sam says it makes her nauseous to know how far it went. She bought a black-market gun, and staked out his house, following him to the site.

Elizabeth tells Franco that she loves their world. Franco says that he does too, and it scares him. He tells Elizabeth that she thrills and calms him at the same time, and he loves her. He says she’s probably the first sane woman he’s been with, and the first normal person to love him. He doesn’t deserve her. He loves the world they’ve created, but is terrified he’ll mess it up. Elizabeth tells him that he won’t, but he says she doesn’t know that. She says that everyone has darkness inside, but there’s also light. She understands the paintings have brought up bad memories, but there’s one in particular that she wants to know about. She pulls out the painting she’d been looking at. Two boys side-by-side, looking down a road.

Alexis tells Ned that she’s not representing him in a custody case. Ned says this must mean she thinks Julian might get off. He thought she’d have the best chance of getting Julian to agree to an adoption. She says that she wouldn’t go anywhere near it for a million different reasons. He asks her if one of those reasons is that she’s still hung up on Julian.

Winston says he ran the pawn shop and carried out Olivia-J’s orders. Will Smith asks if he was present at Olivia and Julian’s first meeting. When he says that he wasn’t, Will asks when was the first occasion they met? Winston says that Julian came by to lay out future plans and how best to achieve them. but he wasn’t privy to everything. He says they spoke in conspiratorial tones, and when Julian left, Olivia told him what he was to do. Scotty is like, he wasn’t present, what is up with this? Will reads off something about Alexis meeting with Julian when Winston was there, and Julian saying he was just a friend.

Jason says that Sam doesn’t have to do this. She says she does. She says that Sonny was amazing and sympathetic. He tried to talk her down, saying he’d never do anything to hurt her. Carly is like, of course he wouldn’t, and I wonder if she forgot Sam was sick. She answers my question by saying that she gets Sam was sick, but she’s trying to understand everything. Sam talks about Sonny walking toward her, and how he tried to take the gun, but it went off. Carly says it was an accident then, but Sam says she meant to shoot him and she did.

Will Smith asks Winston what he and Julian discussed. Winston says that Julian was pleased that Morgan was killed, and was looking forward to helping Olivia-J. Will asks what the plan was, but Winston didn’t know. He says Julian seemed to be a willing participant. No surprise Scotty objects, since it’s total conjecture, and it’s sustained. Winston says that Julian was concerned about legal ramifications, and wanted to help, but not get caught. They agreed to say he was coerced, but he was a willing accomplice.

Alexis tells Ned that she knows how she feels, but doesn’t know which feeling wins out. She asks what’s wrong with her. Ned says she’s beautiful, smart, and complicated, and way too good for Julian. She agrees, but loves him, and can’t let go. She wonders why she picks men who are bad for her, and dangerous. She says Ned is the only one who didn’t fit the mold, and she ran from him, but if she had it to do over, she’d do it differently. Ned tells her she wouldn’t, and she says he’s right. He says she knows the answer, and Alexis says they’re all like her father, and her father didn’t love her. Ned says maybe it’s time to break the pattern.

Elizabeth tells Franco that the painting stands out from the others. The energy is lighter, and hopeful. Ava texts Franco, and he says he gets to show his work at the gallery. He’ll be killing two birds with one stone; getting rid of the stuff, and making money. Elizabeth asks what he’s going to do with it, and he says that he wants to help her with the groceries, mortgage, and sexy stuff. She tells him that he makes everything sexy, and when he adds helping Kiki, she says it’s getting sexier by the minute. Franco wonders what if the art doesn’t sell, and Elizabeth says it will, especially the painting she likes. He tells her that one’s not for sale.

Sam tells Carly that a lot of it is a blur, but Sonny is clear. He put his hand on hers to stop her, and she deliberately pulled the trigger. Sonny says that it wasn’t her, and to stop apologizing. She says he did nothing to defend herself, but she had to finish it. Sonny didn’t fall into the hole; she kicked him in, and thought he was dead. She tells Sonny that she left him there to die, and is sooo sorry. He calls her over to him, and says it wasn’t her fault. She had an infection, and it wasn’t her. She has nothing to be sorry about. Carly looks pissed.

Winston says he was just there to facilitate things as the driver/delivery person. Will Smith asks if he was aware she was unstable, and alludes that Julian was. Scotty’s objection is sustained. Will asks if Winston was there around the time of the hospital bombing, and he says that Julian told Olivia to make it look like he’d been tied up, so he could deny accountability.

Scotty says this is the definition of hearsay, and there’s nothing to back it up. The judge tells Will to ask a question or excuse the witness. He asks Winston about Julian trying to kill Olivia, and asks why he would do anything for her if he wanted her dead. Will tells Winston to speculate, and Scotty is like, ha! Winston says Olivia told him that Julian felt guilty, and would do anything in his power to make it right.

Franco tells Elizabeth that he’s keeping that painting. She asks why it’s special, and talks about the counterpoint in the picture. Franco thinks her talking about art is hot. She asks if the mirror effect is significant. Franco explains that when he was little, he had an imaginary friend who lived in an imaginary world that mirrored his. He outgrew it, but missed his friend, so he did the painting with each of them in their respective opposite realities. He says it was the last nice thing painted; a manifestation of his childhood psychosis.

Sonny tells Sam to stop blaming herself for something she couldn’t control. She does the “what if” thing, and he asks if he or Morgan were responsible for things they did when they were sick. Sam says no, and Jason says to blame him. She was sick and not herself, and he did nothing. He should have realized it was serious and made her go to the doctor. Sonny says that he didn’t expect it, but Jason says he should have been paying attention. Sam says she was hiding, but doesn’t know why, because she trusts him most of all. She wonders why she didn’t she ask him for help.

Alexis tells Ned that Julian’s proclamation of love made her head spin. He means it, but the other side of him can’t help it; he was born into it. She knows she’s making excuses, and Ned thanks her for not making him say it. She says he’ll hurt her again, but when it’s happening to you, and you’re in love with them, and they’ve made you happier than you’ve ever been, the thought of saying that it can’t work out is impossible. She wants off the roller coaster. She wants it to end, and has to figure out how to make that happen. I dunno. Kill him?

Scotty asks why Winston’s visit upset Julian. When Winston says that he can’t speak for Julian’s state of mind, Scotty wonders why, since he’s speaking for everyone else’s. Will Smith objects, saying it’s hearsay, but Winston says maybe Julian wasn’t feeling well. Scotty asks if Olivia wouldn’t have known that, since Winston was following him and she was bugging his phone. Winston says she didn’t tell him everything, and Scotty says that he wasn’t always in the loop then.

Scotty asks Winston how jail is, and suggests that he might get better accommodations for his testimony. He asks if Winston is trying to save hide, but Winston pretends to be noble, saying that he wanted to make things right for everyone who suffered at Olivia and Julian’s hands. Julian jumps up and yells liar! and it gets loud in the courtroom.

Elizabeth says that to escape the loneliness, Franco made someone up who would understand him. He tells her that she’s special, and she says that she feels the same way about him. He doesn’t want to lose her, and she says, then don’t.

Sonny tells Sam that losing your mind is terrifying. Telling someone makes it real, so you make them your enemy. He talks about how he would cover until the dam broke, and he couldn’t take anymore. He tells her that she’s not like him; it was something temporary. Sam worries that it unleashed something in her. Sonny asks if she feels the same way now, and she says no. Jason tells her to trust herself. Sonny says it’s over, but Carly says not as long as the police are investigating.

Elizabeth asks Franco if there’s something he’s not telling her about the painting. At first he says no, but then says that maybe about the subject matter. When he imagined the friend, he imagined him being helpful. Like when Franco couldn’t tie his shoes, the friend learned and helped him. He has a real memory of being on merry go round, and not knowing how to get off, but his friend jumped off first, and he followed. He wants the picture as a reminder, but tells Elizabeth not to worry; he doesn’t have an imaginary friend now. She says that it makes total sense, and now that she understands, she loves it even more – and loves him. They kiss.

Alexis wonders if there’s a support group for her problem. Ned thinks there is, but she says AA is all she can handle. Ned offers to be sounding board. Alexis says that she wants to like someone sane, safe and gentle, but can’t get out of her own way. Ned says, so far, but she’s fiercely intelligent, and if anyone can break the cycle, it’s her.

The courtroom is out of control. The judge tells Scotty to calm his client down, or there’s going to be some contempt handed out. Julian threatens Winston, and the prosecution rests.

Carly asks Sonny if he knew all along, and he tells her he did. Jason admits to covering for them, and says that he and Sonny decided to protect her. Carly gets it that Sam is sick, and that the last thing she needed was being hounded by the police. What she doesn’t get, is why they didn’t tell her. Sonny says the situation was volatile. Carly tells him everything always is, and after twenty years, how can he keep something like that from her?

Tomorrow, Lucy asks Finn about the house, Julian wants to take the stand, and Carly asks Sonny when trusting each other changed.

The Real Housewives of New York City – Reunion Part Two

Andy asks how LuAnn feels about Tom seeing Missy. She insists he sees her at parties because Ramona brings her, but Ramona says that’s not true. LuAnn reminds us that Ramona’s husband was in a full-blown affair, and Bethenny says it’s not the bar by which they should set their relationships. Andy asks LuAnn why they’re together, and LuAnn makes noises about how they live. Bethenny says you can make a lifestyle out of a life, but not a life out of a lifestyle. LuAnn says she loves being married, and blah-blah-blah, the same stuff we’ve heard a million times. She talks about her penthouse, and Bethenny says that’s pretentious AF, since it’s really just a one-bedroom on the top floor. Andy remarks on how happy everyone is. Really, Andy?

It’s Tinsley’s turn in the hot seat. We flash back to her arrival at Sonja’s, and her explanation of the arrest. (Tinsley Mortimer, google it.) There’s a clip of Carole reading to her from Page Six about her comeback. And more clips about her relationship. The montage ends with her meeting Scott, and Carole saying she sees a pink dress in her future. A viewer asks why she still has the same look, neighborhood, and activities, and she says she didn’t want to reinvent herself, but get her life back and be herself again. Carole talks about how funny and genuine she is, and says although they’re polar opposites, they connected. Tinsley is still at the hotel, and talks about how cool her room is. Bethenny asks if she and Scott are moving in together, and she says in the fall. She thinks he’s “the one.” Good for her. He seems like a nice guy, and more geared to her than someone named Topper. Andy asks if she’s in a better place now. Again, really, Andy? Tinsley tells them about how she kept going back to her abusive relationship. Dorinda asks why she didn’t ask her mother for help, and she says she hid a lot of things. There was also a lot of drinking going on, and she carried it into the season as a crutch.

A viewer asks if she uses humor to make light of her drinking, and if she has a problem. Tinsley’s non-drinking problem is discussed. Andy asks if she was drinking first thing in the morning in Mexico, which isn’t really a fair question, since that was a vacation that revolved around liquor. LuAnn says that Tinsley can out drink her (holy!), and Tinsley says she’s amazed at how she can put it away. Bethenny says it’s doubtful she’d be in a six-month relationship with Scott if there was a problem, and I agree. I think this one just likes to party. And why not?

Carole is next. We flash back to Carole being positive that Hillary would win the election, and how very informed on politics she is. Obviously not informed enough to make a correct prediction. We see her insulting Ramona, and her emotions taking a nosedive on election night, and there’s a clip from the Women’s March. We move on to her shacking up with Adam, and how that goes downhill pretty quickly, and he moves back out. Andy asks what’s going on with them now. Carole says he was in-between apartments when he lived with her, but they’ve decided to take a break and give each other some space. She likes feeling free. She’s not seeing other people; she’s focusing on the me-centric parts of her life. Andy asks how she’d feel if Adam was seeing other people, and it doesn’t seem like she cares a whole lot.

Andy asks Bethenny if the election was the most irritated she’s been at Carol, but she says no. Bethenny thinks we need dialogue, not badgering. Carole talks about how no one appreciated her election expertise, and Ramona says she felt like she couldn’t even talk to her. Andy asks who knows either candidate and who voted for who. Ramona says she met them both, but pleads the fifth about voting. Dorinda brings up the picture that Sonja has of her and Donald, and Sonja says she used to consult with him about hotels. Dorinda says Hillary has been to her home. Luann knows no one. Bethenny told Bill Clinton that he had spinach in his teeth at Barney’s. She also told a funny story about doing the walk of shame literally into Donald, who recognized her and decided to introduce her to whoever he was with. She said she probably still reeked of the night before’s liquor. Yep. That’s always when things like that happen. She says she didn’t like the election whatsoever or her choices, and I’m with her. Tinsley is good friends with Ivanka, but claimed that she wasn’t in the state where she was registered, and couldn’t vote. Okay. It sounded like she didn’t really care, saying it wasn’t her thing, almost giving Carole apoplexy. I hate that. Yes, it’s your right to vote, but then shouldn’t it also be your right not to vote? Just sayin’.  Oddly enough, this political discussion is one of the few times no one argued.

Sonja juggling Frenchie and Rocco is brought to the table, and we flash back to both of them. I love Sonja saying that she’s between a Rocco and a hard place, and we see how Frenchie moved in. Andy asks what the status is. She’d originally thought of Frenchie for Tinsley, but he had eyes for her, and they’re still seeing each other. Carole heard he was “cast” as Sonja’s boyfriend. Sonja is like, what? and says he was staying with her all the time anyway, so she suggested he live with her when he’s not in France. She likes getting it. Thanks for the visual. She says they went to Paris when they finished filming, and she met his parents. Dorinda thinks it’s a mistake to have someone move in so quickly. Andy asks how Rocco feels, and Dorinda says they’re good friends. Why is she suddenly answering for Sonja? Bethenny thinks it’s genius, and Sonja says the long game wins. She wants someone who’s really there for her, and says Rocco is a good person. She’s not giving him up, and they’ll see. She thinks Frenchie might eventually want children even though he says he’d give it up to marry her. She wants someone to grow old with, and thinks someone like Rocco would fulfill that need. Bethenny thinks she should give him the old bang down one-two and check it out, since Sonja has never slept with him.

Bethenny’s divorce is the next topic. We flash back to suckerfish Jason Hoppy making her life a living hell, even after the divorce was finalized. What a creep that guy is. Andy asks what’s the latest on her love life, and Bethenny says she’s with Dennis. She says things needed to be dealt with, and she’s in a better place to make a sane decision. She says she has a difficult time letting people get close, but she had ended the relationship due to the circumstances of their divorces. She says she’s freer and happier now, and Dennis has dealt with his own issues. A viewer says she should consider I gotta go as her next tagline, and we flash back to her jetting early from events. She says she mostly removed herself from arguments, and if she doesn’t like how someone is speaking to her, she’s gotta go. Andy brings up suckerfish Jason’s latest stalking charges, and Ramona reminds Bethenny about how she’ll never be rid of this slimebucket because they have a child together. Bethenny flat-out doesn’t want to discuss it with her. She says it’s been a negative, inexplicable situation that’s hopefully getting better now. Andy milks the topic some more, and Bethenny says it cost her $3 million in legal fees. He asks about Brynn, and Bethenny says she doesn’t understand at her age. She’s isolated in her life and happy. Carole adds that Bethenny has never said anything negative about Jason to her daughter, unlike the crap Jason has pulled on her. Bethenny says by the time Brynn is old enough to be aware, a new story will have eclipsed hers. She doubts she’ll be relevant by the time Brynn is googling things. Carole says by then she’ll have a sense of the dynamic. Bethenny says life isn’t fairytales and rainbows.

Andy brings up Bethenny talking to her mother for the first time in years, and if she’s had contact. Bethenny says that her mother talking to the press was the problem in the first place, and when she was getting ready to visit Florida, her mother told a magazine negative things. Andy wonders if stress affects how Bethenny interacts with others, because he’s the king of idiotic queries. Bethenny says they can’t imagine the torment this has been, and if she lets it out, she’ll break down. Ramona talks about Mario trying to force his way into her life when they’d started filming after the divorce, and how awful it was. Carole says she saw how Jason interfered with Bethenny’s relationships, and Bethenny didn’t even realize how the emotions wreaked havoc in her life. Bethenny says it’s impossible to explain and it’s torture. She starts to cry, and Andy asks if the ladies knew what was going on. LuAnn says only from the papers. Carole says he’s obsessed with her, and LuAnn wonders where his anger is coming from. My guess is from that sleazebag suckerfish losing his meal ticket and not being able to face reality. Andy asks if LuAnn understands Bethenny’s breakdown in the Berkshires now, but LuAnn says she understood it then. Andy asks if there’s a resolution, and Bethenny says any resolution is court mandated. She has faith that somehow, she’ll have a normal, free life, but it won’t happen unless there’s zero contact. Ramona talks about how important it is to teach their daughters independence, and it’s the first rational thing that’s come out of her mouth in maybe ever. Dorinda says you need to have options, and you can’t afford to lose them financially or emotionally. Bethenny says it’s important not to have a man be your identity. Andy asks when Bethenny is at her happiest, and she says being with her daughter and doing simple things. She thanks everyone for being respectful, and says that was fun.

Next time, the reunion concludes, Ramona is front and center, and Tinsley argues with Sonja.

🍄 I missed the first hour of the two-hour MasterChef, but caught the second half. There was a chicken and potato challenge with teams of two – there are ten cooks remaining. Dino and Jeff knocked it out of the park, and I thought Christina was going to leap across the stage and grab the chicken out of Aaron’s hand. Caitlin and Adam tried some kind of Japanese fusion thing without tasting all of the elements together, and it was a bust. Gordon said they had brilliant moments, but this wasn’t one of them, and most of his critique was bleeped out. Eboni and Cate were the winners and their recipe will be in Family Circle magazine. Cool! Yachecia escaped a third pressure test, and Adam and Caitlin ended up on the chipping block after Gordon played with them, at first acting like they were safe. It was mean, but I laughed. They had to replicate Gordon’s signature chicken dish, Chicken Supreme. Adam’s chicken was raw. The cardinal sin of cooking. Gordon rubbed it in by saying it’s the best dish he’s cooked in the competition – other than the chicken being raw. You’ll never have to worry about raw chicken with me, since I cook the crap out of it.  Adam cried, Caitlin cried, the balcony cried. Christina tried to make him feel better by talking to him about the rest of the dish, and how fabulous it was, acting like Gordon didn’t just go, oh dear, a million times. I’m no expert, but even I knew what a grievous error this was. Although there was a group of girls in my Home Ec class who failed to get Jell-O to set overnight, which might top that. Gordon said the big loser knew who they were, and Adam took his apron off. For a moment, he hesitated, and I thought we might all have to stay in for recess. Next time, there’s a tag team challenge, and everyone, including the judges, looks like they have a headache.

🐓 I checked out Jax and Brittany Take Kentucky. The look on LVP’s face when Jax told her that he’s working on the farm made it worth watching, but not much else. She suggested he was good at stirring the sh*t, but didn’t know about him shoveling it. It was okay. Since this is just a filler until the next season of Vanderpump Rules, I didn’t take it too seriously. I was a little disturbed that Jax told Brittany’s mother and grandmother that he was going to marry her, after he sought out contraband liquid courage to do it. They seemed thrilled, although I’m not sure why, but what bothered me was my immediate reaction that this might be Jax’s way of trying to stay relevant within the Bravo franchise. Could a wedding spin-off be far behind? Bleh.

💃 Odd Mom Out continues to be entertaining. And you don’t have to be a mom, or the odd one out, to enjoy it. Like Seinfeld, if you’re a New Yorker, the jokes are funnier, but you don’t have to be one to laugh.

Kentucky