Category Archives: soap opera

Jan10

January 9, 2017 – Who is GH’s Lady Boss, Vanderpump Slides into Summer House, Random Atlanta Thoughts & My Dogs’ Birthday

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Kiki and Dillon are back in Port Charles, having never made it to LA. Dillon wants to celebrate the way they did New Year’s Eve, whatever that means, but Kiki wants to brush her teeth for an hour. It seems they were stuck in Detroit for quite a while, and had problems getting back.

Scotty meets with Franco at the dive bar. He says Franco has a good motive for killing Tom, and Franco thanks him for his support. Franco asks when the print test is coming back from the knife. Scotty wonders if Franco’s prints will be on it.

Laura tells Elizabeth that she had a great time skating with the kids. Doc twisted his ankle while showing off though. She says the boys were amused, but also couldn’t stop taking about Franco.

Franco tells Scotty that Tom could have taken the knife, but even if his own prints are on it, it doesn’t make him guilty.

Jason asks Buzz what the name of Winston’s boss is. He doesn’t know, and didn’t get a good look at her, but remembers her voice. She told Winston to kill the homeless loser who planted the bomb.

Omg, could it be Helena??? I’ve never believed for a moment that she’s really dead. I don’t think Nicholas is really dead either. We haven’t seen the boss’s face yet, but she’s dressed in a kimono, wearing a lot of jewelry, and those don’t look like young hands. Winston tells the boss that Jason has found the homeless man.

Alexis can’t find her vodka and freaks. Julian shows her the empty bottles. He says he emptied everything out, including what she had hidden in the laundry room. She tells him he had no right to do that, but he says he’s trying to stop her from killing herself or someone else.

Kiki tells Dillon that Franco isn’t home. She thinks a bath in disinfectant followed by a bleach shower would be great, and then lots of food. They talk about what happened on the bus, and Dillon asks if the kiss changed anything.

Buzz wants to jet, and asks “Father Curtis” for a special blessing. Curtis asks about the woman’s voice, and Jason asks him to repeat what he told them. Buzz says that he realized Winston had lied, and that he didn’t plant a GPS, but a bomb that killed an innocent kid – Sonny’s kid. He realized his life was over, and went to the pawn shop to confront Winston. Curtis wonders how he got in and out with no notice, when it’s under surveillance 24/7.

Julian tells Alexis he loves her too much to allow her to ruin her life. He says she’s going to drink herself to death or have another accident, and asks how she’d feel if she killed an innocent stranger. She flashes back to struggling with Tom in the alleyway. Julian asks what’s wrong.

Scotty tells Franco that the police are going to build a case and arrest him, and what they need is an alibi. Franco is annoyed that Scotty isn’t believing him, but Scotty says it’s like the chicken or the egg, and wants to know what Franco was doing that night.

Elizabeth tells Laura that she heard about Charlotte being her granddaughter. Laura says as far as Lulu is concerned, the custody hearing can’t happen fast enough. Elizabeth says if she needs any help, to let her know. Laura says the boys seem convinced that Franco is going to be a big part of their lives, but she’s not getting the same vibe from Elizabeth.

Alexis tells Julian that she’s not staying while he stages a one-man intervention. Julian tells her she’s making a mistake.

Winston promises the boss that he’ll find Buzz, and says that if Buzz was going to the police, he would have done it already. He tells her that he has more bad news.

Buzz tells Jason and Curtis that he can’t reveal anything, but Curtis promises they won’t rat him out. Buzz tells them there’s a network of catacombs under Port Charles, and that’s how he gets in and out of the pawn shop without anyone seeing. He says Winston and the boss have a secret office in the tunnels.

Alexis asks if Julian is going to hold a knife to her throat to stop her. She says he’ll have to catch her first, and she’s pretty sure she can outrun a guy with a cane. He says she’s why he’s using the cane in the first place. D’oh! He asks her to just go twelve hours without a drink. She calls an Uber.

Elizabeth asks if Laura judges her, but Laura says that everyone is capable of doing good or harm, and good people can make wrong choices. She says everyone deserves a second chance, even Franco. Elizabeth says she doesn’t know the whole story.

Franco tells Scotty he was locked in a metal dog crate. Immediately Scotty thinks he and Elizabeth were getting freaky, but Franco explains that Tom put him there. Franco says it makes sense, since he put Tom in first. Now Scotty is going to think it’s even more freaky. Ha-ha!

Dillon tells Kiki if it was just a New Year’s Eve kiss, that’s cool. Kiki tells him that when he was sleeping, she started to think about her life. She’ll always feel guilty for Morgan’s death, but she can focus on it or turn it into something useful. She could volunteer at the hospital or go back to school and help people with mental issues. Dillon says Morgan would like that. Kiki still wants to shower, and says Dillon could order food while she’s in there. He suggests they shower together to save water, but that’s a no.

Winston tells the boss lady that Jason and Sam have become suspicious. The boss spills hot tea on him. Purposely.

Jason offers to set Buzz up out of town. Curtis says he has a friend in Baltimore and will let him know Buzz is coming, and Jason gives him some money to get there. Buzz tells them to watch their step; these people aren’t messing around. He leaves, and Jason asks Sam what she found out. She says Julian lied, telling her that he just buys stuff from Winston, but she could tell he’s scared. She also believes he has nothing to do with the car bomb.

Alexis tells Julian that he isn’t the worst part of her day. He tells her that she’s become dependent on alcohol or she’d take his challenge. He asks her to do it for her children and herself, for the career she wants back and her self-respect. She says he took her self-respect from her. He agrees, and says if she’s broken, he understands it’s his fault and that her only comfort is in a bottle. He says he owes it to her to save her life. She says save her or kill her, pick one. He says she has a lot to process right now, and she tells him not to patronize her. He says he’s not, but understands wanting to block the rest of the world out. Alexis flashes back to Tom again. She struggles with him and he throws her down. He tells her if she does it again, she’s dead, and pulls out the knife. In the present, Alexis goes to the door, and Julian says if she leaves he’s staging a real intervention.

Elizabeth tells Laura about Tom’s parole and how the police suspect Franco of his murder.

Scotty tells Franco it’s false imprisonment. Franco says he was just keeping Tom until after his parole meeting. Scotty says that’s OCD thinking, and Franco says he came to his senses, but then Tom turned the tables on him. Scotty says he believes him, but his alibi could put him in prison. Franco says his only hope is finding the real killer. He tells Scotty what the bartender told him. Scotty wonders if he greases the bartender more, if he’d talk more. Scotty says he has bupkis, but Franco says he also ran into Alexis at the bar.

Sam tells Jason and Curtis that Julian seemed genuinely scared of Winston, and she thinks he’s afraid for them. She thinks Julian was the target, and Winston was responsible for Morgan’s death. They wonder who the boss is.

Winston is like it’s all good, and tells lady boss that he’ll take care of Jason.

Alexis dismisses the Uber and goes back in. She tells Julian that her friends and family would never listen to him. He asks why she didn’t leave then. She says Sam is pregnant and it would stress her out, but Julian says it’s more stressful to have a drunk as a mother. He tells her that it’s only a matter of time before they find out. He says she’s lost her license and isolated herself; how long before she has nobody? Alexis says he should know. Julian wishes she could be the independent woman he fell in love with. He says she’s so desperate, she can’t help herself, much less anyone else. She says he wants her to be drunk so he can keep control. He tells her that she’s not just losing the people she knows, but the entire world; all the people she’s helped or would be able to help will be deprived of their champion.

Franco tells Scotty that Alexis made up an excuse for being at the bar, but she was beyond nervous. Scotty says she’s been off since Julian’s trial, and they need to find out who the woman was who Tom was drinking with. Franco asks to borrow Scotty’s tablet, and they have an amusing conversation about Facebook. Scotty gets an alert that the fingerprint analysis is back.

Jason asks if Julian mentioned who Winston might be working for, but Sam says no, and reiterates that he seemed scared. Curtis and Jason decide to go to the pawn shop via the tunnels. Sam Is hesitant, but Jason says that now she and the kids are in danger, and Curtis says if they’re smart, they won’t be risking their lives.

Kiki and Dillon chow down on Italian, Mexican and Chinese food. They kiss. Geez, I didn’t even get a warning.

Elizabeth tells Laura that maybe she’s being naïve, but she believes Franco. Even if he didn’t kill Tom though, he carried out his own brand of justice. She says he fixed it, but Tom turned up dead. Laura asks if she can live with what Franco did do. Elizabeth says she can, but he’s pulled away. Until the real murderer is found, he wants to keep his distance. Her heart wants to stay by his side, but her head says that’s crazy. Laura says they’re all flawed people and only she can decide if the good in Franco outweighs the bad.

There are no fingerprints on the knife. Franco says that doesn’t exactly clear him, but seems more upset that Scotty hasn’t friended him. Franco suggests he look for the hashtag of the roadhouse, thinking there might be photos that include Tom and the mystery woman.

Julian has gotten a load of DVDs and food to distract Alexis. He hands her a knife, and she flashes back again. She tells Tom that he isn’t the first guy who’s held a knife to her throat, and gets the knife from him, saying he messed with the wrong person. Back at the house, Alexis freaks out, saying she needs a drink. Julian asks what’s wrong, and she wails about what she’s done.

Curtis and Jason lurk around the tunnels and open a door.

There’s a knock at Kiki’s door, and she thinks it must be dessert. Instead, it’s Elizabeth looking for Franco. Kiki says she just got in, but he’s not there. She says she’ll tell Franco that Elizabeth came by, but Elizabeth wants to surprise him. When she’s gone, Dillon tells Kiki that it’s the same dance they’ve been doing for months, and it’s the fear of jumping into a relationship. He says they should wait for what happens next; no pressure.

Scotty can’t find any pictures from December 21st. He thinks they should wait and find another server who might know something. Franco sees a picture where Tom and Alexis are sitting together at a booth in the background.

Alexis tells Julian that she was outside of the roadhouse. She was drunk and did something. She killed someone.

Tomorrow, Diane asks Sonny what he knows, a fire starts in the tunnels, and Alexis confesses to Julian.

Vanderpump Rules

Oh, I get it. The reason there’s a two-hour show on tonight is because they’re introducing Stassi’s new one, Summer House. It looks like they’ll probably slide into it the way they did with The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills slipping into Vanderpump Rules with the latter’s first episode.

Stassi is amazed that she’s not hung over and feeling “chipper.” Who uses that word? Maybe Kathy Gifford. Stassi and Katie discuss the night before. In her interview, Stassi says she’s not ready for another relationship, but wouldn’t mind a guy to distract her from the breakup with Patrick, who she was with for two years. They talk about how to approach a new guy.

Meanwhile, at Sonoma Raceway, the RV is starting to smell on day two. Ariana says they’re barely clinging to their humanity. Geez, two days out of LA and it’s Lord of the Flies. Brittany tells Jax that he’s making her insane. How this is different from their everyday life, I’m not sure. In his interview, Schwartz says that Jax and Brittany need a time out. He tries to take pix of Jax while he’s in the shower. Tom suggests that Jax might want to stop picking on Brittany before he finds himself single again.

In her interview, Kristen says she’s heard that Montauk is WASP-y, and since wasps suck, she hopes Montauk doesn’t suck. She’s not joking either. Is LA this out of touch with the rest of the world, or is she really this stupid? Stassi has to look up clambake, so they understand the difference between that and a luau. I repeat my previous question. Scheana asks what if they don’t like clams, and is told to take one for the team.

Ariana’s group is ready for the NASCAR race, and Tom gets some autographs. The only racing guy I know is Jeff Gordon, but I don’t think he even races anymore. Schwartz takes a poll as to which of the girls are willing to flash their boobs, and Jax points out for the billionth time that he paid for Brittany’s. Ariana suggests she find a new boyfriend. That’s got my vote.

Stassi and Katie lounge on the porch, and Stassi says they look like an old married couple. Katie has gotten some texts from Lisa and gives her a call. Lisa gives Katie a list of things that they need to work on, but tells her they can meet when Katie gets back. Katie is a little annoyed that Lisa didn’t wish her a happy birthday. Well, Lisa is at work.

Tom and Ariana kiss on the Ferris Wheel, while Jax harasses them. Ariana says it’s the best trip ever, and too bad for Lala who couldn’t be bothered to make it.

The clambake happens, but it’s not like the one in Oklahoma! There are linens on the table, everyone is dressed like they’re going not to the beach, and they’re sipping white wine. Stassi is glad for the well-dressed, attractive men who aren’t like the ones she met at the bar last night. Scheana informs everyone that she doesn’t really eat fish, but it doesn’t matter because someone just brought out a magnum of rosé. Everyone wonders how to eat a lobster. Some guy takes a selfie with a lobster. In her interview, Scheana says she’s not eating anything with claws because a cat has claws, and she wouldn’t eat a cat. Sigh…  Stassi is embarrassed about Scheana’s whining. I’m embarrassed about Scheana period.

Ariana and company watch the race. They have VIP tickets, so the view is pretty good. I’d call it a bird’s-eye view, but that sounds like the one I had at the Elton John concert in 1970whatever, when I had to sit in mountain goat territory. Tom calls to get the toilet tank flushed out and the guys sing a song about saving poop, making me eternally glad that I don’t know these people. Schwartz thinks it’s Jax’s fault for his excessive use of toilet paper. In her interview, Brittany says Jax needs to grow up and respect her. Good luck with that. And for those who don’t know this, when I say that, what I really mean is, all the luck in the world won’t save you.

Small talk is made at the clambake. Somebody gets nosy, asking Stassi about her breakup, but she really doesn’t want to cry. In her interview, she says it’s extra hard because her family and friends like Patrick, and she usually dates a-holes. Katie thinks Stassi needs some tough love, even if it’s just going to second base. Stassi thinks they should have perhaps gotten real careers. One of the guys makes fun of her for being on a dating app, although I’m not sure why. Isn’t that how people date now? They toast to being in Montauk.

If I have to see Jax’s butt crack one more time, I’m going to go out of my mind. The group goes out to eat, and I am loving Ariana’s earrings. They’re huge crescents with leaf-shaped rhinestones in various shades of green attached to them. Tom calls Jax an a-hole, and asks Brittany how she feels about him ordering her around, but he says he supports her lifestyle and no one can tell him how to deal with his relationship. Tom tells him gifts aren’t leverage. Jax thinks he’d love being in Brittany’s place. I guess he must like being embarrassed. Brittany is feeling stupid, but Tom tells her nothing Jax says is making her look bad. In his interview, Jax says when he started dating Brittany, he loved that she wasn’t from LA, but she seems to be adapting and he doesn’t like it. Hmm… By that, I assume he means she has independent thoughts. To be honest, I get what he’s saying about supporting her. When one person is paying all the bills, the other one needs to pinch in the other departments like cleaning and cooking, but it’s his delivery that’s obnoxious, and it doesn’t mean you can demand whatever whenever. He might need to learn the hard way that his POV is not acceptable.

Ariana tells everyone that Lala isn’t following her on social media anymore, and wonders why she’s being iced out. She says she can be a bitch too and unfollows Lala. Oh. Horrors. Schwartz says a line has been drawn in the sand. Not one episode of this show goes by without me thinking about how much more mature my friends and I were at this age. Is technology the problem? All of the above?

In her interview, Lala talks about herself in the third person, and says she was in shut-down mode. Harrison! Lisa tells Lala she can do what she wants with her time off, but she doesn’t get why Lala didn’t show up for Ariana’s birthday. Lala makes noises about Jax being irritating, although she knew that before. Lisa reads my mind and wonders why Lala said she’d go in the first place. Lala starts to cry, telling Lisa that everyone is saying she’s a homewrecker. In her interview, Lisa says she doesn’t know if it’s true – she hopes not – but Lala should have more respect for herself. Lala says she makes stuff up about her boyfriend to get them off her back and give them something to talk about. One day she’s dating the pope and the next, a baseball player. She thinks of it as an acting exercise. Lisa explains that when someone is caught in a lie, no one knows how much to invest in them. In her interview, Lisa says Lala likes to create a situation, but then act like a baby girl, and life doesn’t work like that. Lala says she thinks it might be best for her to walk away from “this workplace.” Because actually telling the truth and dealing with real life is too hard.

Lisa asks what’s wrong with her, and thinks she should grow up and deal with it. Thank you, Lisa the Amazing Kreskin of Beverly Hills. She asks if Lala thinks everyone is going to be her friend if she ends up being successful in films. Lala admits that she’s in charge of her own emotions. Lisa tells Lala that if she quits, she’s going to give a lot of people satisfaction. Lala wishes they’d had this conversation a while ago, and Lisa thinks Lala should have had this conversation with her mother long ago. In her interview, Lala says that Lisa makes sense and decides not to quit yet.

Stassi’s name has to be explained to empty-headed, but good-looking Kyle. The girls visit the twins’ rental house. They claim it’s like going to Lisa’s, but hardly. It’s big, but could probably fit in Lisa’s bathroom. Everyone gets a drink and the twins (Ashley and Lauren) show them around. In her interview, Kristen says maybe she’s in the wrong business. Maybe she should be in…business. I’m not kidding. She really said that. Kyle drinks directly from the blender, and tells Carl that he likes Stassi.

Ariana and Brittany rehash Jax’s remarks. Ariana has to explain what misogynistic means to Brittany. The absolute definition is Jax. The guys build a fire outside, and Ariana asks Brittany what she’s going to do if Jax doesn’t change.

Commercial break. Giggy! RHOBH looks really good this week. Game night, including Kim Richards. Duck, run, and then look through your fingers like it’s a horror film.

It’s time to get in the pool in Montauk. Along with more drinking. Ashley lets Stassi know that Kyle is interested in her.

In Sonoma, Jax asks Brittany if she’s having fun. She tells him that she is, other than his ‘tude, which she doesn’t appreciate, but he thinks she’s exaggerating. In his interview, he says he pays for everything, so it would be nice to have lunch ready sometimes. Brittany tells him that she’s tired of him holding her boob job over her head, and says she does a lot for him too. She says she appreciates what he does for her, but that doesn’t mean he can just do or say whatever he wants. He says he’ll try harder, but the occasional turkey sandwich would be nice.

Kyle is pretty sh*tfaced, and tells Stassi he appreciates her New York fashion. She’s wearing a white bathing suit that has a turtleneck type collar, and her hair in an Audrey Hepburn updo. Katie says Stassi should ask herself what would Lala do? More drinks happen in the kitchen. Tequila Katie arrives (i.e. Katie’s other personality when she drinks too much). Scheana worries that Schwartz isn’t there to put Tequila Katie in her place. Whatever that means. Lots of confusing statements today.

Kyle and Stassi are still in the pool. He tells her that she’s “well put together.” He asks if she’s single, and she says for about a week. He suggests they embrace it. We flash back to how very much liquor this dude has put away. He asks Stassi what her name is again. He says something about her being female and hot, but a turtleneck and Steve Jobs are involved. I have no idea where this conversation is going. Stassi wants to give him lessons on how to make a girl feel special, one of which is not telling them they’re like Steve Jobs in a turtleneck. He says something about her nipple and it all goes south quickly.

Everyone gets back in the pool, and there are too many people to keep track of. Stassi tells the girls that she’s never been more turned off by anyone in her life. Kyle shoves chips in his mouth. The twins say he’s a good guy, but an idiot when he’s drunk. Stassi says he made her want to call her ex. Well, that certainly backfired. Kyle jumps into the pool.

Everyone goes back inside, and Kristen tries to find out what the blip Kyle said to Stassi. One of the other guys explains that when Kyle drinks, he does slow moves and a lot of pointing, like a Ken doll doing tai chi under water. Kyle apologizes to Stassi, and she basically calls him a douche. She suggests he remember a girl’s name if he wants to get lucky. She asks him what her name is, and he can’t come up with it. The SUR girls go back to their own place. Kyle says even though he struck out, he’s learned that after 12 glasses of rosé, he should probably STFU. No argument from me. He eats watermelon alone in the kitchen.

Omg! Omg! An infinity pool! I want to swim in one so badly. The next day, everyone wakes up with a hangover, and some of them have to drive home because they have “real” jobs. As opposed to Steve Jobs. We seem to have swung into the next show.

Blah-blah-blah, NYC, hot and smelly in the summer.

⛱ Obviously, my jury is still out on Summer House, but I have the feeling that my opinion is going to be, meh, and a waste of time. I already think Kyle is a total d-bag and when Stassi is the best thing about a show, that’s just sad. I’ll be watching, but not so sure I’ll be recapping.

Okay, after watching almost the entire first episode, the whole thing is just sad. And no permanent Stassi. Just the twins, that moron Kyle, and whoever else the other interchangeable people are. Unless some Vanderpump fixtures join the cast, this is going to be a if-there’s-nothing-better-on show.

🌃 The good news is, Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce begins it’s new season on Wednesday, January 11, at 10 pm. This is also the birthday of six of my dogs, who will be ten this year!

Juliet&HerBabies

👠 Just some thoughts on The Real Housewives of Atlanta. I feel sad that Kenya’s relationship with Matt ultimately didn’t work out, but better to find out what he’s like now. Phaedra, wtf, talking so much smack about Kandi? And here comes Porsha to add her own definition of things by telling Kandi she’s becoming “unleashed” about it. Um…I think the word is unhinged. Alhtough I’m not sure why I always expect more from someone who thought the Underground Railroad was a real railroad.

Sheree continues to tease Bob, meeting him for some kind of extreme workout that neither one of them could seem to accomplish. Cynthia graciously went to an event of Peter’s, and he described her as looking like “an ice cream cone,” driving him crazy with her va-va-voom. As much as I can’t stand Peter, I had to agree with him. She looked like she’d been poured into a gorgeous white dress, and totally delicious! Unfortunately, Kenya was also attending, and Matt ambushed her, punching her driver and then taking off. Not cool. Next week, it doesn’t look much better, with Matt busting out some windows in Kenya’s new home. Looks like it’s restraining order time. In her interview, Kenya cried, saying what a shame it was when Matt had such potential. My heart broke for her. I like Kenya and I have every confidence that she’ll eventually find the right guy. But in the meantime, there’s those frogs to deal with.

And why do they advertise next week’s new episode when we’re not done with this week’s episode yet?

Jan7

January 6, 2017 – No GH For You!

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What I Watched Today

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

 

Since some creep decided to shoot up the airport in Ft. Lauderdale today, there was no GH. No anything else either. The newscasters said pretty much the same thing for two hours and then went to the news.

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So instead, a few quotes for you. No soup though!

Quotes of the Week

The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. – Amelia Earhart

A little makeup won’t hide the fact that she’s a bitch. – Little Women: Dallas

We have to deal with the world as it is, not as we would wish it to be. – Patrick Buchanan  (If only some Facebook users and special snowflakes would heed this.)

Live now! Make now always the most precious time. Now will never come again. – Captain Jean-Luc Picard

Inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us show up and get to work. – Christie Gray

🎉 Have a great weekend – see you on Monday! I hope…

 

Jan6

January 5, 2017 – Buzz is Found at the Soup Kitchen & a Tyler Perry Mention

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Sam, Jason and Curtis work the soup kitchen, hoping to find the homeless guy involved with the car bomb. Jason talks to Sam about volunteering at the shelter later on, but she reminds him that right now they’re on the case.

Ava visits Julian at Alexis’s place. They go blah-blah-blah about the holidays. Ava asks where the hit and run driver is, meaning Alexis. Julian says she’s out, and Ava says it has to be happy hour somewhere.

The dive bar bartender asks Franco who he is, and says he already talked to the cops. Franco says he’s a concerned party, but when the bartender doesn’t want to spill anything, he admits that Tom was murdered and the police think it’s him. Alexis enters the bar and tries to blend into the jukebox when she sees Franco.

Michael wonders if he and Nell gave Carly a nudge toward Sonny. Nell is all for optimism, but tells him not to get his hopes too high. She tells him if you want something to happen, you have to work at it.

Carly tells Sonny they need to talk. He says he just wants her to stay and be his wife. He asks what she wants, but she doesn’t know. When she woke up, she thought it was a dream at first. He asks if she’s happy with the reality or thinks it’s a mistake.

Curtis tells Jason and Sam that the dishwasher said the homeless guy’s name is Buzz, and he used to slip him leftovers, but he hasn’t been around for a while. They wonder if he’s left town for the winter. Sam asks about Winston, but Curtis says he leads a pretty boring life. Sam says that leaves Julian.

Julian has poured all of Alexis’s liquor down the drain, and Ava begs to be there when she finds out. He tells her this is serious. It dawns on Ava that Julian installed himself in there to save Alexis, not to convalesce, and he says somebody has to. Ava calls it a prelude to an intervention, and asks if anyone else knows. Julian says no, and Ava says the only way to get someone to admit to a problem is to expose it, and keeping Alexis’s drinking a secret isn’t helping her. If hitting him with the car wasn’t rock bottom, what will be?

The bartender tells Franco that he doesn’t know anything else. He hints that he might remember if he’s paid better. When Franco forks over some cash, he suddenly remembers that Tom was there drinking with a lady friend.

Julian tells Ava that he knows how to get through to Alexis better than anyone. Ava wonders if Alexis might be grateful enough to forget that Julian tried to kill her. Julian says it wasn’t supposed to happen that way, and Ava reminds him about what he said at the hospital – that Ava wasn’t the reason he got back into the business. She asks him if there was another reason that he held a knife to Alexis’s throat. He says no, it’s all on him. Sam calls and says she needs to see Julian right away. They make plans to meet at the MetroCourt.

Carly tells Sonny last night wasn’t a mistake and she didn’t mean to give him that impression. He tells her there’s no time frame in regard to her decision, and she says she wants to do the right thing for her and the kids. She doesn’t want to jump into a marriage whose foundation isn’t rock solid. Sonny flashes back to Nell in his bed.

The bartender tells Franco that they came in separately, and he got the impression the woman wasn’t too friendly. We flash back. At the bar, Tom tells Alexis they can finish what they started, but she’s not receptive to that idea. He asks what her problem is, since she was more friendly last time. She tells him she knows what he did, and to stay away or she’ll call the cops. The bartender tells Franco that he answered the phone, and when he turned around, the woman was gone. We see Alexis brush Tom off and leave. The bartender says Tom stayed there, nursing his bruised ego, and didn’t follow her. Franco asks if he knows who the woman is.

Jason wants to go with Sam to the MetroCourt, but Sam says Julian won’t talk if he’s with her. Jason says Julian isn’t safe to be around. Sam says they need answers, and she’ll get them any way she can. She leaves, and Curtis says she’s right. Jason tells him to shut up.

The bartender says he didn’t know the woman’s name and on top of it, she stiffed him. Franco asks for a description, but he says he doesn’t remember. He also tells Franco he needs a much better wallet. Alexis hides in the hallway until Franco leaves. The bartender asks if she wants vodka on the rocks. She says she thought he didn’t remember her. He tells her contrary to what he told Franco, he remembers a lot, like what she drinks, who she is, and that she was with Tom Baker the night he was killed.

Michael asks Nell if she believes in New Year’s resolutions. She says she’s going to improve her chess game. He suggests she learn to have fun. She says they had fun last night, but he says she wanted to leave by one. She tells him she wouldn’t have made it to work if she’d stayed out any later, and that she has priorities, goals, and things she wants to achieve. He tells her that she should resolve to have more fun – no gym memberships or diets, and he’ll coach her. She asks if he’s talking about chess or having fun, and he says both.

Carly tells Sonny that it feels good to be home and she’s missed him so much. She says it’s been clear that she shouldn’t have been grieving on her own, and instead should have been grieving with him. She says it’s not a matter of just packing and moving back in though. If they were to move forward and he broke her trust again, she thinks it would kill her. Omg, tell her already. He says that won’t happen. I think he’s talking to both of us.

Alexis says she doesn’t know what the bartender is talking about. He says that he saw her listening to his conversation, and she knows he was talking about Tom. She says that night was fuzzy. The bartender tells her that he takes care of his regulars, as long as she doesn’t stiff him again. She says she’ll pay him back and then some, and he says he covered for her. She gets a little confused, saying she left, but Tom stayed. The bartender says they both know that’s not accurate.

Ava leaves Julian to visit with Sam at the MetroCourt. Sam tells Julian that she spoke to Alexis, and asks if the name Rodge (Winston) rings any bells, since he thought Julian was living there. We flash back to the conversation between Winston and Alexis. Sam says that Winston owns a pawn shop, and he’s not Julian’s co-worker. She asks what kind of trouble he’s gotten into now.

Curtis tells Jason that Buzz may never return. Jason wonders what they should focus on now, making a sarcastic list. Curtis says a boy is dead for no reason, and the cops are looking in the wrong places. A strange guy slinks up, asking if it’s too late to get food.

Michael brings Sonny some lunch. Sonny tells him that he had a late breakfast with Carly.

Carly shows up for work, but Nell tells her if she wants to take the day to start the new year right, they’re fine. Carly says that’s exactly what she did – start the new year right.

Curtis tells the guy that he’s Father Curtis and this is his altar boy Jason. Dude thinks Jason is a little old to be an altar boy, but Curtis says he’s young at heart. He asks the guy how he found himself in these circumstances, saying he looks like he’d be good at mechanics, and pretending he helps people find jobs. The guy wants to leave, but Curtis sits him down, telling him that he’s the kind of priest who takes confession, and calling him Buzz. Jason says they’ll start with the murder of Morgan Corrinthos.

Julian tells Sam that Winston has done business with him, but not that kind. If Winston comes across a unique item, Julian gets first dibs. Sam says he hasn’t lived at Alexis’s since the summer, so why shouldn’t she be suspicious that Winston didn’t know that? Julian says they only do business a few times a year, and asks her to back off.

Alexis again tells the bartender that she left and Tom stayed. The bartender says if that’s what helps her sleep at night. She insists she didn’t see Tom after she left. We flash back to Tom following her out. The bartender says there’s no way he didn’t catch her, since she was stumbling around drunk. We see Tom grab her outside. The bartender says Tom didn’t come back. She owes him sixty bucks for both tabs, and he’ll say it was all hers. Franco is suddenly standing behind her.

Michael asks Sonny if Carly was only there for breakfast. He says when Carly left the MetroCourt last night, she didn’t come back, and asks if she spent the night. Not too nosy, and eww! Sonny tells him things are looking pretty good, and asks who Michael rang in the new year with. Michael says just a friend. Sonny asks who, and Michael tells him that it was Nell.

Carly credits Nell with telling her to make something of her New Year’s Eve, and tells her she went to Sonny’s and they had a bit of a breakthrough. Nell acts all happy and asks if they’re getting back together. Carly says they only said they’ll keep talking, but she thinks they might be okay.

Franco asks what Alexis is having, and she says nothing. She claims she got lost and came in to ask for directions. He asks what about her cell phone. She tells him it died and not to approach her again. She jets out the door. Franco looks at the drink sitting on the bar and bets it’s vodka.

Julian tells Sam that he knows she and Jason are investigating the car bomb and think he’s involved. He says someone wants him dead and might be planning another attack, and asks her to stay out of it. She tells him to prove his concern and tell her the truth. He says the more she knows, the greater the danger to her, Danny, and not-yet-born Scout.

Buzz tells Curtis and Jason that they can’t keep him there, and threatens them with the cops. Jason says he’ll be glad to call them, and Curtis says the commissioner is a good friend. Buzz sits back down. Jason tells him that they know he didn’t plant the bomb, but they want to know who hired him. Buzz is concerned about what happens to him if he tells, but Jason thinks he should be more concerned about what happens to him if he doesn’t. Buzz says he didn’t know it was a bomb. He thought it was a tracking device, and was given fifty bucks to plant it. They show him Julian’s picture, but Buzz says that’s not the guy. Next, he sees Winston’s picture. He says Winston is the one who paid him, but he’s not the one calling the shots.

Carly asks if Nell and Michael had a good time. Nell says it was nice, and Carly says they seem to be getting along. Nell tells her they’re just friends, and Carly says if they want to be more than that, it’s fine with her. Carly asks if Michael isn’t interested, which I find an incredibly rude assumption. Nell says she’s not available; there’s somebody else in her life.

Michael tells Sonny that he and Nell just went out as friends. Sonny says Michael should be careful of a rebound relationship, but Michael says there’s something about Nell.

Buzz says he realized he was suckered by someone committing murder, but when he went to see Winston to confront him, he was there with his lady boss.

Ava asks Sam where Julian is, and Sam says he took a cab back. Sam asks Ava how Julian is doing. Ava says physical therapy is going well, but all he talks about is healing and fixing his relationship with Alexis and his kids. He actually believes he’s going to win them back. She leaves, I assume to do lady boss things.

Franco calls Scotty, asking him to come to the dive bar. If he’s going to prove his innocence, they have to start there.

Alexis gets home and remembers the night again. Tom tells her to be nice or he won’t be. Back in the present, she looks for her liquor, but it’s disappeared. Julian walks in, and she asks him what he did with it. He says nice to see her too, and shows her the box of empty bottles.

Tomorrow, Laura says everyone deserves a second chance, Winston has bad news, and Buzz tells Jason about an underground way into the pawn shop.

☎ Another excellent show I forgot to mention is Too Close to Home, a newish Tyler Perry effort, now in its second season. While I can give the ladies a one-word reason for watching – Brody (Brock O’Hurn) – the story ain’t bad either. In a nutshell, Anna has been forced to retire from her political career by Heather Locklear, who is the President’s wife. He’s had a heart attack while he was in bed with Anna and Heather isn’t pleased. Anna goes back to her home in God-Knows-Where trailer park, to live among her loser family members again. Tyler Perry has a great talent for old school soap opera nighttime drama, and this show does not disappoint. Because the OWN network was full, this one is on TLC, Wednesdays at 10 pm ET.

Jan5

January 4, 2017 – Memories Light the Corners of GH & a Few Random Observations

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Andre is going to hypnotize Anna and explains the process to her. He’s going to guide her to where she feels safe enough to remember what her subconscious is holding back, but can’t make her do anything she doesn’t want to. He tells her everything is under her control, and she can stop it at any time.

Valentin talks to Charlotte on the phone, telling her that he has a wonderful surprise. Nina lounges in the bed next to him, caressing the red roses that are strewn about. I don’t care how bad he is, I’m in.

Finn brings Hayden some real food at the hospital (i.e. a hamburger). She’s desperate to go home.

Franco sees Elizabeth. She says hi, and he keeps walking, but runs into a cart. She tells him he doesn’t have to physically stay away from her, but he says he does.

Alexis meets with Diane at the MetroCourt. Diane has already ordered morning Bloody Marys for both of them. It’s 5 o’clock somewhere, right? Alexis sees the headline about Tom Baker’s murder on Diane’s tablet. She flashes back to seeing him in the dive bar. Diane asks if she’s okay, and she says she’s not.

Alexis points out that Tom was killed on the 21st, and Diane tells her that it doesn’t sound like a great loss. Alexis changes the topic to concentrating on getting her license back. Diane says 2016 was bad for a lot of people, but it’s in the rear-view mirror now. She has great faith in Alexis’s power of persuasion, second only to her own. She says it will all seem like a bad dream soon.

Valentin tells Charlotte he’ll tell her when he gets back, that’s why it’s a surprise. Nina is excited about being with Charlotte, and hopes it will be permanent. She wonders if Charlotte will be as happy as she is about it.

Nathan apologizes to Maxie for the postponement of the wedding. Maxie says no worries, she was a mess. He says he thought she looked beautiful anyway, but she tells him that he’s biased. He tells her that he loves her, and thanks her for being understanding about him still being married to Claudette. He says he’s going to fix it, but Maxie wonders how you can divorce someone who’s vanished into thin air.

Finn says it’s possible Hayden might be released today. She asks if he’s free and clear now too.

Elizabeth tells Franco that he doesn’t have to avoid her. He talks about how it’s obvious she’s unhappy with what he did, but says that she doesn’t want the past hanging over them. Seth storms in, asking why Franco is walking around free when he killed Tom.

Diane tells Alexis to focus on her community involvement and how she’s tried to get her life back on track. Alexis keeps looking at the tablet, and Diane asks her why some miscreant is so important. She tells Diane she has a confession to make, and says she was with Tom the night he was murdered.

Seth asks if Elizabeth is so blinded by her feelings, she doesn’t see who Franco is. Seth gets loud, and Obrecht comes out, asking him what he thinks he’s doing.

Finn tells Hayden his blood work still has to come back. Elizabeth walks in with the test results. Hayden says, speak of the devil, but adds that it’s just an expression.

Maxie looks online, and says Nathan can put something in the paper about divorcing Claudette, and if Claudette doesn’t protest, he can get an automatic divorce. It takes three weeks, which doesn’t thrill Maxie. She says it’s like Claudette exists to ruin their lives. He tells her one way or another, it’s going to happen. She tells him that it would be easier if they could find Claudette.

Valentin tells Nina that Charlotte loves her, but Nina says that’s as a friend. Claudette is the only mother she’s known. Nina says she’s going to support Valentin no matter what, but wonders what will happen when Claudette comes back. Valentin says she won’t.

Andre asks Anna where she is. She’s in the corridor at the WSB. She hears whistling coming from behind a door that has a light coming from under it. She walks toward the door. She opens it. She’s about to step in, and sits up, saying she can’t do it.

Nina asks how Valentin can be sure Claudette isn’t coming back. He says she hasn’t reached out in all this time, and Charlotte isn’t really her daughter; she’s Lulu’s, and Claudette knows that. Nina tells him they’ll present a united front at the hearing, and show that Charlotte will have a stable home. She’s concerned that their spontaneous wedding won’t present the picture of stability they’d like though. She says they don’t even have any pictures. Valentin says he’s a bit of a traditionalist, but they take a selfie showing their ribbon rings. She asks if he found the picture he lost, and he says no, but he’ll always have the memory.

Andre asks if Anna is okay and what she remembered. She says she opened the door, but doesn’t remember anything after that. She asks to be put under again. Andre thinks they should stop for today, but Anna is insistent. He says some part of her isn’t ready, but she says there’s nothing worse than not knowing. She says she’s about to find out the truth, and he has to help her.

Alexis tells Diane that she was at the bar when she ran into Tom. Diane asks what happened after that, but Alexis doesn’t remember. Theme for today: I don’t remember.

Obrecht asks if Seth has any proof that Franco was involved with Tom’s death. He says not yet, but he told the police everything he knows, and there were plenty of witnesses when Franco threatened Tom’s life. He leaves, and Obrecht asks what that was all about. She says she knows he was tracking Tom, but how did Seth know that? And even if he did, why go to the police? Franco says he did more than just stalk Tom.

Finn tells Hayden that her numbers are down. She asks about Finn’s numbers and he won’t say. Elizabeth says his are down too, but I’m guessing that’s only because he’s taking the injections. I’m wondering what the blip happened to Brad making up another dose of the cure.

Maxie suggests to Nathan that they go to Canada and try to track Claudette down. Nina comes in, and tells Maxie that she should be home since she’s sick. A delivery guy brings in some gorgeous white flowers. The card says “to my beautiful bride,” and Maxie says Nathan is sweet, but he tells her that he didn’t send them. Nina says she thinks they’re for her.

Maxie asks whose beautiful bride she is, and Nina says it’s complicated. She tells them about how she and Valentin ended up getting married, using the priest and the chapel when Maxie and Nathan postponed their wedding. Nathan says he’s going to call Diane and get her out of it. Nina says she doesn’t want to get out of it. Nathan insists that Valentin must have coerced her.

Andre hypnotizes Anna again. He wants her to go back to before she noticed the door. She says she was winding her watch.

Elizabeth looks at the test results, and says the drug that Finn is taking is illegal and not widely available. She asks how long he’s been taking it. Hayden explains that he’s not taking it recreationally, but to control the symptoms of the disease, and now he won’t need to take it anymore.

Franco tells Obrecht what he did wasn’t nice, but he didn’t murder Tom. She says there’s only one way to save himself – find out who really killed Tom.

Diane is concerned that Tom might have drugged Alexis or assaulted her, but Alexis says she woke up in her own bed. Diane asks if she remembers anything, and Alexis suggests that maybe nothing memorable happened. Diane tells her that it seems like she’s hiding something, and that has her worried. Alexis says when she saw the article, she remembered seeing Tom. She tells Diane about breaking her promise not to drink, and explains why she ended up at the bar. Diane says not to beat herself up about that, and Alexis thanks her for understanding. Diane thinks the only thing that will make her feel better is to get reinstated. Alexis says she’s been busy dealing with Julian, and amends that to dealing with the Julian fallout when Diane reminds her that she’s not supposed to be around him. Diane tells Alexis not to give the bar association any reason not to reinstate her.

Anna tells Andre that she’s holding the watch when she hears the whistling. Andre tells her to take it slow, remember he’s there, and that nothing can hurt her. She goes toward the door again and opens it.

Nina tells Nathan that she asked Valentin to marry her. Maxie asks if she’s out of her mind, and Nina says it’s the sanest thing she’s done in a long time. She says they’re good together, and it will be good for Charlotte. Maxie says she’s calling Lulu,and Nina tells her that Lulu already knows. Nathan compares it to Nina’s marriage to Ric, and Nina says she’s a different person now, and asks why he can’t respect her decisions. He says she’s only doing this to be a mother to Valentin’s daughter. She says yes, but she wants to be a wife to Valentin too, and wants a family of her own. Nathan asks if they love each other, and she says love is overrated, and they’ll grow to love each other. She wonders what’s so great about love anyway, since her experience with it hasn’t been very good. She says don’t tell her it was a mistake when it’s the smartest thing she’s ever done. Seriously, this might not end well, but Nina is a grown woman who runs a magazine. Nathan needs to quit treating her like she’s infirm and starts respecting her decisions.

Finn says he’ll take Hayden back to Tracy’s, but she thinks they should celebrate along with Roxie. She says they could swing by the pet store for crickets, order room service, and toast to their good fortune. He tells her to get dressed and he’ll be right back. In the hallway, he almost collapses and sits on the floor.

Nina blows Nathan off and takes the flowers into her office. Maxie tells him she left a message for Lulu, and points out what a mess this is. Nathan says he’ll be waiting with a team of lawyers when Nina comes to her senses. He thinks there’s no way it won’t end badly, and they agree to be there for her. Nathan decides to go to Canada and visit Claudette’s mom. Maxie says she’s coming with him.

Nina talks to herself about building a family with Charlotte and Valentin. She’s going to stop dreaming about the child she might have someday, and concentrate on the one she has now.

Valentin whistles as he gets dressed. He deletes Claudette as a contact on his phone.

His whistling turns into the whistling in Anna’s memory. She sees her watch smashed, and sits up. Andre tells her she’s safe. She says she remembered more. She thinks she dropped her watch because it was broken, and the face was stopped 11:05 on October 29, her birthday.

Hayden puts her cactus next to her suitcase. Finn finds some privacy for his injection. He hesitates.

Obrecht says she hopes Elizabeth is happy that Franco wants to prove himself worthy. Elizabeth asks Obrecht if she thinks he won’t do crazy things anymore, and Obrecht asks if she does.

Franco goes to the dive bar. He asks the bartender for a double shot of the truth. He shows the bartender Tom’s picture and asks who he talked to when he was there on the 21st.

Tomorrow, Carly tells Sonny that they should talk, Curtis tells someone to confess, and the bartender tells Alexis that they both know more than they’re saying about the night Tom was murdered.

👒 Little Women: Atlanta premieres tonight. While I give it a look-see once in a while, it’s not on my must see list anymore. Besides the pretty consistent fighting, throwing things, fighting, dumping things on each other, and fighting, I find it hard to take anyone named “Juicy” seriously. It’s bad enough I have to deal with “Plastic” on Little Women: LA.

🎤 Nothing new on Bravo tonight, but Andy Cohen premiered his new clubhouse on Watch What Happens Live last night. Surprise! It looks just like the old one, except a little bigger with double the audience capacity, which is now about 32 people.

🌟 I highly recommend Star, now in its regular time slot on Wednesday nights at 9 pm on FOX. The story is great (three girls trying to make it big in the Atlanta music industry), the casting is fabulous (Queen Latifah, Lenny Kravitz, Benjamin Bratt, et al), and the music – much of it original, with a few old favorites thrown in, like tonight’s Deee-Lite number – rocks. Naomi Campbell just called someone an “insolent hussy,” and it was everything. It makes me desperately want to vogue.

Jan4

January 3, 2017 – Connections are Made in PC, Pantigate Continues in BH, HAHN Returns & a London Quote

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Lulu and Dante take New Year’s Eve (Day? whatever) selfies, and Lulu comes across a picture of Charlotte. She tells Dante that they have to get her away from Valentin.

Valentin carries Nina over the threshold.

Alexis is passed out after drinking an entire bottle of a vodka brand I’ve never heard of. Sam tries to call, but there’s no answer.

Sam is concerned about Alexis not picking up. She tells Jason that it’s not like her to not answer this late. They decide to check on her.

Someone bangs on Elizabeth’s door. Well, I doubt it’s a criminal. They usually don’t knock like that. Make that debatable, since it’s Franco. He wants to talk. Elizabeth wants to know about the murder weapon and asks if the knife is his. He tells her it is.

Carly tells Sonny she can’t do this. He asks what’s wrong. She says she has to go, and he tells her not to start the new year by running away. She says she shouldn’t have come. When he asks why she did, she tells him that she got worried about life being short and wanted to spend time with him, but his business is his business and nothing has changed. He asks her to stay.

Franco tells Elizabeth that most likely, Tom took the knife when he took off, but his own prints and DNA are probably all over it, and they’re going to think he did it. Elizabeth says that he should be talking to Scotty. He asks if she believes he didn’t kill Tom Baker.

Julian tries to wake Alexis. Sam knocks at the door. Alexis struggles to wake up.

Nina asks Valentin if he’s been married before. He says she’s his first and only. She says she was married twice – the first time she was young and foolish, and the second, just foolish. He tells her the third time is the charm. She says they’re going to make it work for Charlotte.

Lulu thanks Dante for being so supportive, and tells him that they have to win in court.

Valentin tells Nina that Charlotte will love having her as a mom. Nina says that Lulu isn’t going to like it. She wants Charlotte all to herself, but she’s going to lose. Valentin says he doesn’t want to spend their wedding night talking about Lulu. He kisses Nina’s hand and says it deserves a beautiful ring. She tells him the ribbon ring that she has is priceless, and she’s never letting it go. They get all hot and steamy, and by that I don’t mean they’re taking a shower, but it does make me wonder how that “ring” is going to hold up in one.

Sam starts to let herself in, and Alexis meets Sam and Jason at the door. She tells them it’s late, and she’d silenced her phone. Sam says they need to talk to her. Now. Sam and Jason walk into the house past her. Hmm…looks like Julian cleaned the place up. Sam sees Alexis’s phone and tells her there’s three missed calls. Alexis says she can’t respond to calls she didn’t know about. Sam tells her that she has to be careful. She starts to say something else, and then asks if Alexis has been drinking. She probably stinks to high heaven.

Sonny asks Carly why they can’t reconnect. She says it’s happening too fast. Sonny tells her that he knows he’s put them through a lot, but deep down she knows they belong together. She tells him that she loves him, and he asks what she really wants. If her doubts and fears were gone, would she stay? She says she wants to. They kiss.

Franco tells Elizabeth that he didn’t kill Tom, and asks if she believes him. She says he locked Tom in a dog crate, and why shouldn’t she think he did something worse? And this was after he promised he wouldn’t go near Tom, not to mention their public fight. Franco says it’s a far cry from murder, and he’s not that guy. He says after Tom left, he had a life-altering experience and there’s no way the person he is now would do that. Elizabeth asks what happened.

Lulu worries about Charlotte liking Nina so much. She admits to being jealous, but what really concerns her is the bond between Nina and Valentin. Dante drinks to Nathan talking sense into his sister. Lulu says that Nina looked her straight in the eye and said Charlotte loves “us,” like she and Valentin were a couple. Dante asks why they were talking about Charlotte in the first place, and Lulu tells him that she might have mentioned she was going to fight for sole custody.

Valentin tells Nina now that they’ve consummated the marriage, there’s no backing out. He asks if she’d like to join him in the shower. She tells him he promised they’d go out for a New Year and wedding celebration, and she’s holding him to it. He goes into the bathroom, and she sees a gun when she’s moving his clothing around. Well, I don’t think it would be weird for him to have one.

Franco tells Elizabeth that when he was unconscious, he had visions of her and Sam and even himself. She asks what they were all saying, and he says it was what he needed to hear; he has to come to terms with who he’s become after the tumor was removed. He says he’s not a monster but not a particularly good person either; not as good as he thinks he is. He’s decided he should be better, better because of her. He wants to tell her how he feels about her, and she says she knows he loves her.

Alexis says yes, she was drinking, but she’s had a crap year, her life is a trash fire, and it was New Year’s Eve. She says she got hammered and finally got some sleep. It was a one-time thing, but she felt entitled. Sam says she was worried, but she’s glad Alexis is fine. Alexis asks what the dire situation is about.

Jason asks if she knows Winston, and Sam adds that they know he was there. Jason shows her a picture, and Alexis says he wanted to talk to Julian.

Sonny and Carly get busy.

Lulu tells Dante about the scuffle with Nina, and he tells her that she needs to stay away from Nina. Lulu asks how she’s supposed to do that, since she’s Maxie’s matron of honor. He says she can’t get into another fight with Nina, because it will make her look bad in court. Lulu asks how it could since she’s fighting Valentin.

Valentin tells Nina that she seems quiet. She says she has a lot to think about, starting with the gun she found, explaining that she wasn’t snooping, just cleaning up. Valentin says he doesn’t advertise it, but he’s licensed to carry it. She says she doesn’t like guns, and he says sometimes they’re a necessity. He hasn’t lived a blameless life, and it’s just a precaution. He promises he’ll never let her or Charlotte come into harm’s way. He tells her that he’s never let his guard down except for her.

Elizabeth reminds Franco about telling her that she’s the woman he loves when they were at the hospital, but it got lost in the confusion of his almost arrest. He says he does love her, and that he’s going to tell her about the ghosts of the past, present and future that talked to him. He tells her that he’s never going to lie to her, especially about something that matters, and asks if she believes him.

Alexis tells Jason that Winston thought she and Julian were still together, but she gave him Ava’s information and he left. She says he told her something about working with Julian and not for him. She wonders how Jason knew he’d been at her house, and Jason says he’d had Winston followed. Alexis has questions, but Sam says it’s late. She tells Alexis to watch out, and Jason tells her to call if Winston comes back. They leave, much to Alexis’s relief. She asks Julian about Winston, and then says screw this, she doesn’t want to know, just keep him away. She’s going out, and Julian tells her not to go drinking. She tells him what she does is none of his business, and to keep Winston out of her house.

Carly and Sonny bask in the afterglow. Carly says that Sonny owes Michael and Sam a thank you. He asks if they told her that “Sonny is great,” and she says no, but they did tell her to trust and believe in their marriage. She tells him Nell is on his side too. He says there’s something he has to tell her. Oy.

Elizabeth tells Franco that she believes him. He says that he knows the other stuff bothers her, and she says it’s a lot to process. He did something extreme, and then claims he’s changed. Franco says anyone can say that, but it takes time to really change. He tells her that ironically, he’s going to go down for Tom’s murder instead of anything he’s really done. He says no matter how he strives to change, there’s a possibility that he won’t be with her for her to see it. He says before this, he would have tried to convince her to run away, but it’s time to face reality. He might lose the best thing that’s ever happened to him.

Lulu tells Dante that Nina is an outsider to this and always will be. Dante suggests they go home. On their way out, they run into Valentin and Nina. Valentin asks if they want to join them for a drink. He and Nina have news.

Sonny tells Carly that when they lost Morgan, he couldn’t see through his own pain and didn’t want to. She turned him away, but he doesn’t blame her for anything and is sorry his actions kept them apart when they needed each other. Carly says she’s sorry for punishing him, and he says he doesn’t want her to apologize for anything. They both said and did things they shouldn’t have. She tells him to stop. They’re here together now, and it makes sense to her.

Sam and Jason go back to the MetroCourt. Sam is concerned about Alexis’s drinking. Jason says maybe Winston was there looking for Julian, but somehow, he’s connected to Morgan’s death.

Julian texts Winston saying his daughter and son-in-law are suspicious. The reply text says, “we know.”

Alexis goes to the dive bar. The bartender says last time she was there on December 21st, she stiffed him, and maybe she wants to take it easy tonight. Alexis looks surprised.

Carly tells Sonny that she’s going to stay the night. Sonny asks what about tomorrow. She tells him that she loves and misses him, but it’s all undecided. He says that he’s grateful for tonight. She says she is too.

Valentin tells Lulu and Dante that he and Nina are married. Lulu says that’s absurd, and he tells her that’s sweet (I laugh), but it’s all legal. They explain how they used the priest from Maxie’s wedding that didn’t happen. Valentin says it’s going to do Charlotte a world of good. Lulu implies that he tricked Nina, but Nina tells her that she’s being insulting, and she’s the one who asked Valentin.

Sam asks Jason what he’s thinking. Jason wonders how Winston didn’t know that Alexis and Julian were divorced. Something doesn’t add up.

Julian gets a text from Winston saying they’ll take care of it. He asks what Winston means by that, and what is he going to do?

Franco tells Elizabeth that he’s not giving up, but maybe until the police come up with another lead, they shouldn’t see each other. He says he’s not a praying man, but he’s going to pray this isn’t the end for them, and that the truth comes out.

Alexis suddenly remembers the night she was there. And seeing Tom again. Ohhhh….

Tomorrow, Alexis wants to confess something to Diane, Anna wants Andre to help her find out the truth, and Nina wonders what will happen when Claudette comes back.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Please, God, can we stop talking about Erika’s lack of underwear? Hmm…maybe she left them in Lala’s Range Rover.

Erika has been working on her new video, Expensive. She talks to her assistant, or whoever he is, about the underwear that Dorit gave her. In her interview, she asks again why PK didn’t say something about it at the time. She thinks that Dorit is the type of woman who takes the fun out of hanging out with women. I don’t know what’s more annoying, the relentlessness of the topic or her ignorance as to why a man who doesn’t know her well would rather mention it to his wife than directly to her. Although, I guess she thinks he should have said something to his wife immediately? Omg, I can’t believe I’m even going on about this.

Dorit and PK are having a dinner party. LisaR has been invited, since she’s by herself while the rest of the family is off doing work things. Wow. Lisa is wandering around with a bottle in one hand and a glass of wine in the other. Apparently, she was met at the door with a drink, but you’d think someone would have relieved her of the hostess gift. No surprise, the food looks fabulous. I’ve always been an adventurous eater, so I get obsessed with the food at these parties.

LisaR talks about her apology to LisaV. PK tells her that there’s an old saying that you can’t put your head on someone else’s shoulders. I like it. Some guy named Elliot puts his two cents in, and it’s very poetic, but neither LisaR nor I understand anything that he’s saying. In her interview, Lisa thinks that someone filled PK in on the conflict since he knows more than she’s told him. NOOO! We flash back to the origination of the conflict, where LisaR used the M-word. Lisa mentions that her father had recently passed away, and PK suggests that might have influenced her perception. In her interview, Lisa isn’t liking that he’s analyzing how she feels, although I think he’s just trying to be nice. IMO, everyone is reading way too much into everything.

Lisa tells everyone that Eileen has lost six people in her family in the past year, and never told anyone about her mother dying just prior to the reunion. Lisa knew, but by some miracle never told anyone. PK doesn’t think Eileen’s silence was fair to the others, and Dorit agrees, but Lisa tells them it was survival for her. In her interview, Lisa thinks it’s odd that they’re giving their opinion on how anyone else should grieve, and I have to agree with her on that.

Mauricio has gotten a speeding ticket in the mail from driving with Alexia in the Ferrari. 600 Euros, whatever that adds up to. So is he supposed to send cash in an envelope to Italy or what? Kyle figures that he was driving about 112 miles an hour, and threatens to cut something off if it happens again. Here’s a hint – it’s not his arm. She says it’s been a real adjustment with the two of them working in different places on the planet lately.

Eileen, who is wearing the most magnificent dress ever in the opening credits, talks about Vince having been a tennis pro, which I had forgotten. He placed 25th, which is probably millions ahead of me. She tells Vince that she got a text from LisaR telling her all about the dinner party, and what Dorit and PK’s opinions were in regard to her keeping her mother’s death to herself. She doesn’t get why they’re judging her behavior, or how they linked it to the conflict with LisaV when her mother passed away after that. She thinks they’re trying to justify LisaV’s behavior.

Harrison! En route to somewhere, LisaV and Kyle go through whose husband might be shaggable, but Kyle asks why she’d downgrade. They arrive at a skincare facility, where Kyle gets a laser treatment on her face. After Kyle is finished, Lisa gets some kind of neck thing done, and they discuss vaginal rejuvenation. One of the assistants brings out a “probe” that looks like a huge laboratory test tube, and I don’t even want to know. Neither does Lisa, btw.

Erika and LisaR go to a Pilates studio run by Vidal Sassoon’s daughter. They use the machines, and it looks difficult. In her interview, Erika says that people think just because you have money, you don’t have to work hard to look good. I’ve never thought that, but I think it does give you more options. Afterwards, they stroll over to where Lisa first met Harry – Optical Connection. How romantic.

Dorit meets Eileen for a walk on the beach. It doesn’t happen though, because it’s windy and Eileen is wearing a dress. Which is what I always wear for a walk on the beach. In her interview, Dorit thanks Eileen for wearing underwear. Eileen invites Dorit out to Malibu for lunch with Camille Grammer, and they discuss the escape room event. Dorit thinks there was tension between herself and Erika. Eileen feels that Dorit blindsided Erika with the panties, and Erika felt like everyone was in on the joke except her.

Eileen brings up what was discussed at Dorit’s dinner party about her mother’s passing, and how she didn’t tell anyone. Dorit says she doesn’t remember the conversation. I’m not sure if she’s that scatterbrained or if she’s trying to avoid the topic. She doesn’t get what the context was, which flusters Eileen. She tries to explain further, but gets nowhere. In her interview, Dorit says that Eileen wants to give credence to something that apparently wasn’t that important. Eileen thinks the more she tries to clarify things, the more confusing she’s making them. Somehow, she manages to get her point across. I think.

Eden Sassoon, LisaR and Erika go out to lunch. Eden says her father created the “bob” haircut, but wasn’t that popular in the 1920s? Eden tells Lisa that her hair is iconic and to never change. Really? She talks about her younger sister dying in her 30s of an overdose, and tells stories about hanging out with celebrities in the 80s. Lisa invites her to Kyle’s game night, since the Richards sisters were part of the pack way back when.

Kyle drops off lunch for Mauricio and two of their daughters, who are working at his office. He’s excited about the girls working with him. Kyle says that she and Mauricio are having a hard time finding balance, and talks about making marriage and family being a priority.

Camille has a new home, and Eileen comes bearing a gigantic plant. In her interview, Camille says she doesn’t know if the ice will ever thaw between her and Kelsey, and I wonder if she’s gearing up to be on next season. Dorit arrives bringing a gigantic bottle of wine, and Erika brings a pretty large box of…something. The ladies go outside to eat.

Erika talks about her latest video and explains the process. In her interview, Dorit seems to think that Erika’s career is just a hobby, comparing it to Boy George’s gig. Even though Erika just had her ninth number one single. Dorit thinks that Erika doesn’t have much “performer allure” (?) in normal conversation, and is kind of reserved. They talk about being in your 40s, which Dorit seems to think brings confidence. Erika laughs because Dorit has only been 40 for a week. Eileen thinks you care less about what other people think and that it’s emancipating.

Dorit brings up what Eileen had asked her about the dinner party. I just hate how they beat things to death on this show. In her interview, Eileen thinks Dorit is trying to make her [sic] a problem when she isn’t one. Eileen interrupts Dorit, who asks Eileen to let her finish.

Next time, Dorit feels like she’s in the hot seat, another game night, Eileen tells Dorit she talks to much, and Kim Richards and LisaR go at it. Ought to be good.

The Haves and the Have Nots

I had to attend a dinner at a neighbor’s house, so I missed the first half of the show. Why OWN’s programs aren’t repeated immediately afterward, like just about every other station’s, is a mystery to me. The next one is at 3 am, and I’m not making it until then. The only two things of real import are that Kathryn has Veronica locked in the Cryer mansion and Justin now knows all about Quincy.

At Benny’s place (at least for right now), Hanna hassles Benny about not eating, but then says his appetite will come back. He wonders why she’s not mad about him, Candace, and the whole house thing. He says Candace is his sister, so he tries, but she is who she is. He says at least she paid the mortgage on Hanna’s house. Hanna tells him that she has a peace that passes all understanding.

She tells Benny she has $300 left and they can go to a hotel for a while. She tells him that Candace will never learn. Benny wonders why she’d do something like this, referring to her mortgaging everything, but Hanna says as long as he trusts in her, he won’t be able to believe in anything higher.

Candace knocks at the door. She tells Benny she can’t get the money, but she’s been offered cash to turn herself in, and thinks maybe then they can keep the mortgage. The other thing that might be important is that Oscar has offered her a place in some grand scheme, so maybe that’s where she’s planning on getting money from. She says she wasn’t expecting Hanna to be there, and Hanna says only until tomorrow. She asks what Candace would be turning herself in for, but Candace won’t say. Benny tells Hanna that it was for falsifying documents. Candace thinks she can change the banker’s mind. Hanna asks if she’s going to sleep with him, and Candace gets sarcastic, telling her yes, and if that doesn’t work, she’ll make the rounds of all of the bankers and their families.

Hanna doesn’t believe she’ll turn herself in, because that would mean taking responsibility. She tells Benny to pack his clothes before he’s thrown out on the street. Benny tells them he’ll just leave. Hanna says if Candace doesn’t go to jail for this, she will for Quincy. No one ever saw him come out of her house. Candace asks why she’s so interested. Benny says he’s not sitting by while she goes to jail, and Hanna asks how she’s going to learn anything. Candace says Hanna can live the way she wants to, but there’s more to life for her. Hannah agrees that there’s more to life.

Candace says she has some money in a safe. She’ll get it out, and if she has to go away, that’s the way it goes. She tells Benny she’ll be back, and leaves. Hanna tells him that she doesn’t get it.

David meets Charles, telling him congratulations. He thinks Charles will be the next president. David says his situation is hot, and it’s not going to help his campaign being seen with him. He says he’s sorry about Charles’s wife, and Charles says sorry about David’s pending divorce.

He goes back to the bar and sits with Erica. She asks how David knows Charles, and he tells her that he’d met him when he was running for senate. David gets a call from the county jail and steps away to take it. It’s Jim. David tells him if he apologizes to the judge, he’ll reconsider bail. Jim doesn’t want to, but David says it’s the only way. Jim says he needs to get War out of there too. He’s an ally, but in for drug possession. Jim doesn’t want to explain further, so David says he’ll get Wally on it.

David goes back to Erica, saying it’s just the two of them, and she says until his phone rings again. She’s cool with it though.

Kathryn tells Veronica she can be ruthless and cunning, and asks if she forgot that. Veronica says no, and Kathryn says she won’t now. Dammit. I know I missed some good stuff. Kathryn asks if they’re going to continue playing this game. She says it will just drive her further into this insanity, but that would be a good defense. She asks why Veronica did that to her son, and how she knew he was in jail. Veronica says she has clients from all walks of life and many sources. Kathryn wants to know about Wyatt’s cellmate.

Veronica says he was murdered. Kathryn asks what his name was and Veronica tells her, Milton. Kathryn asks what he was in for, and Veronica says murder. Kathryn says that Wyatt was assaulted as a child and says she knew it. Veronica tells her that it wasn’t supposed to go that far; she just wanted him to be scared. There’s a knife a little too close to Kathryn’s hand, and I’m guessing she’s going to use it at some point. Veronica says Jim was protecting Wyatt too much, and Wyatt needed to be frightened. She says she would never do anything to intentionally hurt him, and Kathryn asks how that worked out. Veronica says not good. Kathryn says not good for Wyatt, and not good for her at all.

Veronica asks what she means. Kathryn says she knows when Veronica is lying and telling the truth, and she knows how desperate Veronica is. Veronica apologizes, and says to let her fix it, adding that they’re friends. Kathryn says they’re friends all right. Veronica’s mother was a whore and her father played the numbers. She’s one of five children who all hate her guts. She needed a scholarship from Kathryn’s father, and she knows what Veronica did to get it. Yuck. She’s also technically in the red and in debt with the bank. Kathryn says she’s on the board of the bank and has power. She tells Veronica that the life she knew is going to be over, and tells her to leave.

Veronica says the doors are locked. Kathryn tells her that she’s going to realize the grave mistake she made putting that animal in with her son. She grabs the knife (called it), and says Veronica needs to die. Veronica runs and Kathryn catches up, slashing at her and cutting her.

Next time, Benny fights with Wyatt, Candace tells Justin he doesn’t want to go down that road, and Veronica and Kathryn struggle for the knife.

Ladies of London Quote

💋   If everyone’s calling you an a-hole, maybe you’re being an a-hole. – Joan Collins Sophie referring to Caroline #1.

 

Dec30

December 29, 2016 – The Wedding that Wasn’t, a Replacement & Quotes from Those We’ve Lost

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Curtis sees Jordan at the MetroCourt New Year’s Eve party. He asks if he should just keep moving, but she says new year, new us. She’s’ letting go of the past.

Valentin tells Nina that she’s going to outshine the bride. She says be careful; they’re treading on thin ice already. She tells him that Lulu isn’t going to stop until she has Charlotte all to herself.

Kiki freaks a little, thinking there are going to be no bathroom breaks on the bus, but I think that kind of bus usually has a bathroom on it. Dillon tells her to just ignore him. She says if she could do that, she wouldn’t have been on the bus in the first place. He asks if that’s why she’s leaving Port Charles, and she says him, and Valerie. She couldn’t stand the thought of seeing them together.

Nathan tells Dante that he’s still married to Claudette. It might have been a good idea to have double-checked on that before.

Lulu tries to wake Maxie, but has no luck. Robin comes in, and tells Lulu to start a cold shower, and she’ll get coffee. Come hell or high water, Maxie is getting married.

Jason and Sam go to the chapel where Lucy is practicing officiating. It’s really pretty – all white branches and crystal, white roses and balls of holly.

Bobbie asks if Nell recognizes the pill in her hand. Nell says yes, she takes them every day. Bobbie says she found it in Sonny’s bedroom, and asks how hit got there. Nell says she dropped it. Well, that was easy.

Sonny tells Carly that the holidays aren’t the same without her, and asks her to stay. He says it’s going to be hard enough without Morgan, and being together might make it easier. He holds out his hand and asks if they can at least try.

Nathan is understandably bummed. He tells Dante that it was Claudette’s mother who called him. She found the divorce papers, unsigned and never filed. He says Maxie is waiting a floor away for him to marry her, and he can’t.

Maxie squeals and comes running out of the shower. She lies on the bed, but Robin tells her, no you don’t. Lulu brings the hairdryer, and Robin gives her the coffee. Maxie sneezes and spills it all over her wedding dress, which Lulu had put in her lap to get her to focus.

Jason and Sam go into the chapel. Lucy tells them that she hasn’t officiated in a long time, and she’s going to go polish her opening remarks. Jason lights a candle for Morgan. Sam wonders why Winston showed up at Alexis’s house. Jason asks if Alexis is coming, but Sam isn’t sure. She says Alexis has been distant, and wonders if she could have anything to do with Morgan’s death. Boy, is she not connecting the dots.

Jordan tells Curtis that she’s being pressured to wrap up the case, but all she has is a questionable confession and sketchy evidence. The good news is, she got approved to hire him as an outside investigator.

Valentin tells Nina that she was right; Lulu is suing him for full custody. He says as much as he loves Charlotte, he could be deemed unsuitable because he’s a single father who travels a lot.

Nell explains to Bobbie that she was picking something up for Carly, struggled with the childproof cap, and when the bottle popped open, her pills spilled everywhere. Bobbie questions it being dropped months ago, when Sonny has a full-time housekeeper. Nell asks why Bobbie always acts like she’s done something wrong.

Carly tells Sonny that she doesn’t know how they’re going to survive the years without Morgan. She goes down Memory Lane about last New Year’s Eve when Sonny was in the wheelchair. She says they had so much hope. Sonny says hope didn’t die with Morgan, and asks if she isn’t feeling it a little bit. She says she wants to, but there’s a fine line between hope and denial. She realized she has to be realistic about the life they lead and how dangerous it is. As far as she can see, that hasn’t changed.

Maxie says her dress is ruined, but she’s so cold, she doesn’t care. Lulu says she’ll get club soda, but Robin tells her that Maxie is burning up. After finding out that Maxie didn’t get a flu shot, Robin puts her back into bed. Robin suggests postponing the wedding. Maxie gets a text that Spinelli, Georgie and Ellie are stuck in Chicago because of the weather. Lulu says Maxie will have the wedding of her dreams, just not tonight. Nathan comes in.

Maxie asks if Nathan knew she was sick. He says he has bad news.

Kiki tells Dillon about the conversation she overheard between him and Valerie, when they were talking about how the night they spent together was the best. She says she couldn’t stay in Port Charles knowing she would see them together. He says they’re just friends, and on the night they spent together, all they did is talk about how relationships suck.

Valentin tells Nina that he’s not going down without a fight. Nina says contrary to popular belief, he has a support system, and she’ll help him.

Sonny asks if Carly can’t open up. She tells him that she wants that. She misses him and wants it all back, but he can’t promise her that there won’t be another bomb or bullet. She has to walk away.

Robin, Sam and Jason make small talk, and Lucy joins them. Robin tells them that Maxie has the flu and there isn’t going to be a wedding tonight. Lucy asks what she can do, and Robin asks her to make a sign for the door. Lucy leaves, and Sam suggests Robin join them at the MetroCourt. Robin likes the idea, but says there’s someone she has to see first.

Sonny tells Carly that he didn’t put the hit on Morgan. Carly says she believes that, and knows he believes it too. He says by the grace of God they’re still standing, so why can’t they stand together? She says she hates being without him, but hates the thought of someone she loves being harmed more. She tells him she has to go.

Bobbie asks what’s going on between Nell and Michael. Nell says they’re just friends. He even invited her out tonight, and she turned him down. Bobbie says that’s a step in the right direction. She says she knows she comes on strong, but people take advantage. She tells Nell that she’s a Spencer, and that means she won’t let anything or anyone hurt her family. She tells Nell happy New Year and leaves. Nell texts someone.

Michael gets a text from Nell, who’s changed her mind about going out. I’m officially looking forward to a Bobbie/Nell feud.

Curtis tells Jordan it’s not a slam dunk that Sonny is behind this. Jordan says that’s why she wants to hire him. He’s not taking the bait, and she’s surprised that he wants to continue working with Jason. She says what happens when he finds enough to clear Sonny’s name, and Sonny walks again. He says she wants to bury Sonny, and they’re done talking. He turns around to see Andre, who says they’re not.

Maxie tells Nathan what happened and how she ruined her dress. She adds that Spinelli is grounded in Chicago too. Nathan tells her that he’s still married to Claudette. That definitely tops Spinelli being stuck in Chicago.

Lulu tells Dante about what Laura said to her. She says that Laura suggested they aim for shared custody, but she’s going for sole custody.

Kiki tells Dillon that he was the only reason she left Port Charles. He says that she was the only reason that he left.

Nina and Valentin go to the chapel. Valentin says it’s lovely, but kind of empty. Lucy pops out, telling them that the bride is ill and the wedding is postponed. She says that the chapel is going to be closed soon, and leaves to post the sign. Nina asks Valentin if he meant what he said about fighting for Charlotte, and he says he does. She tells him to marry her, and they can fight for Charlotte together.

Maxie wonders if they were set up by Claudette. She tells Nathan that if Valentin wasn’t such a bad guy, she’d feel sorry for him.

A priest comes to close the chapel. Nina asks if he can marry them right now. He tells them that they need a license, and there’s no way he can get one that fast on New Year’s Eve. Valentin says if he’s willing to marry them, it shouldn’t be a problem.

Dante tells Lulu he’s in. Lulu says she should have talked to him first, but she was afraid he’d say she was being unreasonable. He says she’s being very reasonable.

Valentin calls a judge and says the license will be there within an hour. The priest leaves them to prepare. Valentin gives Nina one of the floral decorations for her bouquet.

Nell shows up at the MetroCourt to meet Michael. Carly says she’s happy to see them together. Michael asks why Carly is there, and she says she’s working. Nell tells her that there’s an old saying, if you spend New Year’s alone, you’ll be alone all year, and asks if she wants to tempt Fate. Carly says it’s almost midnight, and leaves to attend to business. Michael tells Nell now he knows why she took him up on his offer.

Dante tells Lulu to trust that they’re a team and she’s not doing this alone. She says she does. He asks how Valentin could ever prove he has a good home life for Charlotte? They kiss.

Nina and Valentin’s wedding ceremony begins. With no witnesses.

Kiki explains to Dillon that when she said it was hard to be with him, it didn’t mean that she didn’t want to be with him. He asks what now. She says they toast, and pulls out a bottle of champagne. She obviously comes prepared. Kiki tells Dillon that it’s Fate, and sometimes it isn’t cruel.

Nathan tells Maxie that nothing is going to prevent him from spending the rest of his life with her, and he loves her. She says that she loves him too. He asks if she’s going to make it to midnight, and she says she wouldn’t miss kissing him.

Andre apologizes to Curtis, especially about answering Jordan’s phone and not telling her that he called. He tells Curtis that it won’t happen again, and they wish each other happy New Year. Andre moves on to Jordan, who doesn’t want to talk about Curtis. He tells her how beautiful she looks in the necklace that he gave her. She’s happy with the gift, and I would be too – he has great taste in chokers.

Nell tells Michael that they obviously didn’t get through to his mom. He says it might take years, but she and Sonny will find their way back to each other – it’s inevitable.

Jason and Sam join the party, and Sam asks Carly about Sonny. Carly says she just can’t. Sam says anything can happen at any time. She never knows if Jason will be taken away from her, so she stays in the present and grabs the moment. She asks if Carly can do that. Even just for tonight.

Robin goes to Sonny’s place. He’s glad to see her. He tells her about how Morgan didn’t die because of him, and she says what a heavy burden must have been lifted. She asks about Carly. He says she doesn’t trust him, but he doesn’t blame her. Robin tells him that any man who’s capable of facing his darkest thoughts in the depths of despair can do anything. She has to leave, but tells him he’ll be okay.

Michael and Nell wonder where Carly went.

Nina and Valentin say their vows. They might be crazy, but these two are pretty cool. He takes ribbons from the ornaments and they use them for rings. Cool overload.

Carly goes back to Sonny’s house. They wish each other happy New year and kiss.

On the bus, Dillon and Kiki swig from the champagne bottle. He says it’s been a rough year, but they made it. They kiss.

No surprise, Maxie has fallen asleep. Nathan gets into bed beside her.

Robin calls Patrick, wishing him happy New Year.

Sam and Jason look forward to the year to come, and baby Scout.

Michael and Nell dance. Michael makes a sort of toast, saying to better days for all of us, as he twirls her around.

Andre tells Jordan that he loves her. She says she loves him too. They kiss.

Dante and Lulu toast to the year of their daughter.

Nina and Valentin are pronounced man and wife.

Tomorrow is rerun, but next week, Sam confronts Alexis, Franco insists that he didn’t kill Tom, and Lulu wonders how a fight with Nina could affect the custody case.

Quotes of the Week

Resentment is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die. – Carrie Fisher – funny, Caroline #1’s husband said almost the same thing to her on Ladies of London this week. It’s probably an old one, but we’ll give it to Carrie. RIP.

Stay afraid, but do it anyway. What’s important is the action. You don’t have to wait to be confident. Just do it and eventually the confidence will follow. – Carrie Fisher, April 2013, in an interview with the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Really thin is not attractive. I was always little, but my mother was not a skinny lady. She had big boobs and a divine, voluptuous figure. I think everyone should get over the whole thin thing. – Debbie Reynolds, The Telegraph, 2014.

The only way you learn is by failure. – Debbie Reynolds

So farewell to the way-too-many we lost in 2016, looking forward to 2017, and wishing you all good things always. Stay safe on New Year’s Eve. See you next year!

happy-new-year-2017

Dec29

December 28, 2016 – A PC New Year’s Eve Wedding…or Not

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What I Watched Today

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

 Now Debbie Reynolds. Good Lord!

General Hospital

Maxie practices her wedding vows. And then promptly sneezes. She’s not feeling well. Felicia and Lulu come over. Lulu has brought medical supplies, and tells her that nothing is going to stop her from getting married today. This lets us know early on that it’s not going to happen.

Dante is already in his tux, but it looks like Nathan isn’t feeling too great either. He asks Dante if he ever gets a sense that something bad is going to happen. Something that will keep him and Maxie from getting married.

Hayden wakes up and sees Finn sleeping in a chair. She says he’s still there, and he says so is she. She says she’s living proof that his cure worked.

Bobbie brings a present for Avery to Sonny’s house. Michael is thinking of asking someone to come out for New Year’s, but thinks she might have plans already. No surprise, he’s talking about Nell.

Nell messes with the music box and flashes back on setting up Sonny. She asks out loud if Caroline is ever sorry, and adds that she will be. Carly knocks at the door. She says she needs to talk to Nell about Sonny.

Tracy and Dillon fight over the check at the bar. Tracy feels like she should be bracing for bad news, since he invited her out and now wants to foot the bill. Dillon tells her that he’s going back to LA, and won’t be able to make New Year’s Eve. He’s going to the West Coast to look for the right job. She tells him he already has the right job. He says it’s fulfilling, but didn’t go to school to be a fashion photographer. He has a vision and stories he wants to tell. She thinks it really has to do with him avoiding Kiki.

Ava meets Kiki at Kelly’s. She says Christmas wasn’t the same without her, but she brought Kiki a gift from her NYC trip. Bagels. She’s absolutely right that you can’t get a good one anywhere else, and I hope she threw some vegetable cream cheese in there. And maybe lox. Ava wants Kiki to know how much it meant for them to spend Christmas Eve together, and asks if she’d like to spend the New Year together, but Kiki says she has plans.

Finn asks Hayden how she’s feeling. She says she’s a little groggy and has a slight headache, but she’s mostly having a hard time believing she owes her life to a reptile. She asks if he’s made another dose for himself.

Sonny tells Michael that he thought he and Nell were just friends. Michael says they are, but the more time they spend together, he’s starting to care about her. Sonny tells him not to go there, and Bobbie overhears.

Carly tells Nell that Sonny told her everything. This unnerves Nell for a moment, but of course she’s talking about the gloves. She thanks Nell for the gesture. Nell says she had an ulterior motive – getting Carly and Sonny back together.

Mac brings the rings to Dante, and whips out some sipping whiskey for a shot before the wedding. Um…Nathan isn’t even dressed. He wishes Nathan and Maxie every happiness in the world. Geez, that’s a big shot. It’s more like a juice glass.

Lulu suggests postponing the wedding, but Maxie won’t hear of it. Lulu tells her that she’s sick, and Robin walks in saying there’s a doctor in the house. Robin says either it’s something serious or the worst is yet to come. Maxie is like, thanks for the support, and sneezes again.

Mac helps Nathan with his cufflinks. Nathan says if he seems nervous, it’s not about Maxie. He thanks Mac for everything. Mac says he had a good feeling about him from the start. They bro hug.

Ava says she doesn’t blame Kiki for wanting to spend New Year’s Eve with her friends, but Kiki says she’s going to be networking. She needs a career. Ava is impressed. Kiki says someone woke her up recently, and made her take a look at her life.

Dillon tells Tracy that he hasn’t had the best track record in Port Charles. Tracy says she thinks he’ll be back by Three Kings Day.

Finn claims he took some serum and is on his way to recovery. Hayden thinks he needs some real rest after coming up with a cure that will save a lot of lives. Finn says maybe his dead wife can be at peace now, and Hayden says maybe he can too.

Bobbie acts all shocked that Michael and Nell are dating, but Michael says not yet. Bobbie tells him that grief can cloud your judgement, and she doesn’t want that to happen to him. Michael wishes them a happy New Year and jets. Bobbie asks Sonny what she just walked in on, and if he has misgivings about Nell. Sonny says he’s just being protective.

Nell says that getting back together with Sonny will make Carly happy, and a happy boss is good for her. Carly says it sounds like she cares about them the same way they care about her. Nell’s phone alarm goes off. She has to take her blood pressure medication, a side effect of having only one kidney, which makes Carly feel badly. She says she’s going to leave Nell to her New Year’s Eve plans. Nell says she’s working on her New Year’s resolution. She’s not ready to share it yet, but Carly will know soon enough.

Robin tells Lulu that she heard about Charlotte. Lulu tells her about fighting for custody, and Robin says she’ll win. Valentin has nobody on his side. Nina knocks on the door. Imagine that sound like when you get a wrong answer on a game show.

Dante promises Nathan that nothing will go wrong. Imagine that sound again.

Tracy tells Finn he looks like hell. She wonders why, since Brad is supposed to be making more of the cure. Hayden says it’s just because he was sleeping in the chair all night, and tells him to eat first, then shower. Tracy wonders now that Hayden is healthy, where does that leave her and Finn? In the hallway, Finn almost collapses.

Carly comes to Sonny’s place. Bobbie asks if Carly wants her to wake Avery, but she says no. Carly tells Sonny it was nice spending Christmas together and it meant a lot to her. Sonny says him too. She says it’s hard, so many memories, and she’s worried that Avery won’t remember Morgan. Bobbie goes to get tissues, since this is a weepy topic. Carly and Sonny sit. She says it’s the last place they saw Morgan alive, and wonders what if they’d stopped him. Sonny says Avery will always remember how much Morgan loved her; he’ll make sure of that. Bobbie looks at a pill in her hand. The same kind of pill Nell just took.

Ava asks Kiki who’s been advising her, and she says just a friend. Ava has to go to the gallery, and wishes her a wonderful time. Kiki hugs her, and tells Ava that she loves her. Ava says she loves Kiki too, and tells her to stay safe. After she’s gone, Kiki tells someone on the phone that she’s ready to go.

Lulu asks what Nina is doing there, and Nina reminds her that she’s the groom’s sister. She asks to speak to Lulu in private. Nina tells her that Valentin will be escorting her to the wedding.

Maxie has to get ready for her candid photos (ha-ha), and says she’s never been so sure of anything as marrying Nathan.

The guys have already lost the rings. Robin comes in to find them crawling around on the floor, and wonders what she missed. She gets the photographer, and Nathan and Dante continue to look.

Bobbie brings Carly the tissues. She gets ready to go. What up wit dat pill? Bobbie looks at it when she gets out on the porch. Carly asks Sonny what he’s doing New Year’s Eve. He says what he won’t be doing is going to the city to watch the ball drop. Me neither. Never have, never will. A friend of mine went once, and her description of the whole event was enough. She never went again either.

Nell takes the rattle out again, saying it’s Carly’s first Christmas gift, and she tossed it aside like so much else. She says Carly has probably forgotten, but she hasn’t. I have to admit to being very curious about this.

Kiki gets on the bus and sees Dillon.

Hayden and Tracy play cards. Finn comes in looking a lot better. Tracy tells Finn he has his job back, and tells him not to do the quitting thing again. He says he’ll do his best. She tells him that he needs to accept he’s found his place in this life, and it’s here in Port Charles.

Michael calls Nell. He wonders if she has any plans.

Sonny apologizes to Carly about the gloves. Carly says Nell’s heart was in the right place. He says he did get a little something, and gives her a wrapped gift. It’s a pressed flower encased in a glass frame. He talks about the same flowers blooming in Martinique when they got married there. They reminisce. Sonny says it didn’t turn out like it was supposed to, but he doesn’t regret it.

Dante finds the rings, but Maxie has forgotten her shoes. Nina brings her some designer heels that just arrived at Crimson and happen to be in her size. Lulu tries to get Nina to uninvite Valentin. She says she’ll never let him raise her daughter. Nina says he’s a wonderful father, and “Charlotte loves us.” Lulu says Charlotte isn’t a consolation prize because Nina can’t have children, and tells her to stay out of it. Nina says Lulu doesn’t deserve Charlotte, and Lulu goes ballistic. Everyone comes out, and Lulu suggests they ask Nina who she’s bringing as her date.

Maxie takes one of the medications that Lulu brought. How much you want to bet it’s the one you’re supposed to take to help you sleep?

Dillon sits next to Kiki. She says there’s no point spending the trip trying to ignore each other, and asks why he’s on the bus. He says the flights were grounded because of the storm (more fictitious weather), and he’s trying to get to a friend’s place in LA. She says she has a job interview in LA. He tells her that he can change buses, and he’ll get off at the next stop. The driver says the first stop will be Detroit, five hours from now. It’s an express bus.

Felicia tells Lulu and Nina to knock it off, and Robin seconds that, reminding them whose day it is. She says the photographer is waiting. Felicia tells Lulu to keep the bride calm, and takes Nina with her to check on the reception set-up. Yep, Maxie is totally out.  Lulu tries to wake her, and realizes she took the wrong thing.

Nathan gets a call. He asks if they’ve heard from Claudette. He’s like, what?! He listens, and thanks them. He tells Dante that he and Maxie aren’t getting married today.

Finn and Hayden kiss. I guess they’re both feeling better. Hayden tells Finn that she has the feeling 2017 will be a good year. He says it could be.

Carly thanks Sonny. She says it’s a perfect reminder of a perfect time. She wants to leave, but Sonny says Olivia will handle the MetroCourt, and asks her to stay, kinda almost taking her hand.

Nell thanks Michael, but says she doesn’t think it’s a good idea. He says it was worth a shot, and tells her happy New Year. There’s a knock at Nell’s door. It’s Bobbie. She says she wanted to return Nell’s pill, and asks what she was doing in Sonny’s bedroom.

Tomorrow, Carly has to walk away from something, Nathan is still married to Claudette, and Valentin tells Nina that Lulu is suing him for full custody. I guess she’s decided not to listen to Laura.

Dec28

December 27, 2016 – A Ship Called Reincarnation, an Escape Room in Beverly Hills & Speed Londoning

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What I Watched Today

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

 

Wow. The celebrities have been dropping like flies. Carrie Fisher just passed away. Not quite as much of a shock as George Michael or Alan Thicke, but still, wow.

General Hospital

Valentin curses his life. Nina comes running in, and he tells her he lost something.

Anna is having coffee at the MetroCourt and Laura joins her. She wants to follow up about Valentin. Anna wonders what the Christmas thing was about, and Laura says he’s playing with them and needs to be neutralized. Funny, she never uses words like that.

Curtis and Jason meet Sam at Kelly’s. Jason tells her they’re no longer convinced that Julian is behind the bombing.

Winston tells the boss that he thinks Julian and Alexis have assumed relations and Julian is no longer convalescing. What? Ha-ha! Nobody uses the words like the villains use on this show. He says that they need to keep Julian in line. He needs to be reminded that there are consequences to any disobedience.

Alexis wakes to Julian’s face, but it’s just a dream. He calls to her from downstairs. Holy! She takes a drink before she even gets out of bed. I went to a party last weekend, and even now, just the thought of that makes my stomach turn.

Curtis tells Sam that they haven’t ruled Julian out officially, and they think he knows more than he’s saying. Jason says whoever did this used the van and deliberately left it to be found. Sam asks if they think it’s a set up, and Curtis says they’re not ruling out any possibilities. Curtis leaves to do “that thing.” Jason says he thinks both Julian and Sonny were set up.

Alexis asks Julian if it isn’t enough that he ruined her life and blackmailed her, does she really have to clock in? He says anyone would be worried if they knew how hard she was hitting the bottle. She asks if he doesn’t have someone to answer to, like a boss. Speaking of which…

Winston tells the boss that they have other means at their disposal, and he’ll deal with it right away. Maybe Winston is nuts and he’s really the boss. I don’t really think so, but this one-sided conversation is getting old.

Nina says she’ll help Valentin look, but he says he overreacted. He tells her that it’s an old photograph.

Anna tells Laura not to do anything, because she’s working with the WSB. Laura says she’s running out of time. Lulu is going to fight for custody, but if the court rules against her, Laura is afraid of what Lulu will do. Anna says Lulu should be careful or she’ll lose all access to Charlotte. Laura says if Lulu loses, she’ll eliminate Valentin herself. Man, Laura is feisty today.

Jason tells Sam that Sonny had controlled Port Charles for over twenty years, and Julian came along two years ago and took over. He wonders what if someone else wanted the territory? He talks about the pawn shop, and Sam says she’ll help to investigate. Lucas walks in. I forgot he’s even on this show, it’s been so long. Curtis calls Jason who tells him the pawn shop is closed. He’s going to track down Winston, but in the meantime the shop is unattended. Jason says he’ll get on that and jets. Lucas asks Sam about Julian’s accident, and Sam says she’s sorry she bothered visiting him.

Julian tells Alexis that he’s being supportive, giving Alexis someone to talk to. He says he’s the only one who knows how terrified she is that she won’t get back to where she was, and drinking isn’t going to get her out of it.

Anna says that Laura has every right to sacrifice herself, but they should make sure it doesn’t come to that. She promises there’s always something to be found with someone like Valentin.

Nina asks what’s up with the photo. Valentin says it’s a relic from his past, and it reminds him how far he’s come and how far he has to go.

Laura asks Anna what she’d do if Valentin came after Robin or Emma. Laura sees Lulu and says good-by to Anna. Andre arrives and takes Laura’s place at Anna’s table. He says Anna’s message sounded urgent.

Lulu joins Laura talk about Rocco’s new Christmas puppy. Lulu says the only thing missing on Christmas was Charlotte. Laura says she spoke to Scotty. Lulu wonders what court would let Valentin keep Charlotte. Laura says plenty of courts would do just that.

Anna shows Andre the photo, and tells him that an associate found it in Valentin’s possession. Even though the picture is from her early WSB days, she says Robert told her that Valentin never went through the WSB program. Andre says he could have gotten the photo and information from someone else who knew her back in the day.

Valentin tells Nina that the photo was sentimental. She says he’s doing it again – the mysterious thing. He drops a hint and pulls back, and it doesn’t work for her anymore. He apologizes, and says he doesn’t trust people very easily. She asks if they don’t both have to take a leap of faith and trust each other if they’re going to have a relationship.

Laura tells Lulu that they have to come up with a plan. Lulu says she’s Charlotte’s mom and wants Charlotte with her. She says she can offer Charlotte a safe, stable environment, while Valentin is a single parent and a murderer. Laura says that Charlotte is old enough for the court to take her wishes into consideration. They need to have their best strategy to win before they go to war. She suggests striking a deal and sharing custody.

Alexis tells Julian that she doesn’t interfere with his publishing business, and to stop acting like he cares. She says he’s delusional if he thinks you can love your wife and then try to kill her. He says what about when she kissed him last night, or is she going to deny it happened? Um…didn’t they already talk all about that last night?

Sam tells Lucas that ever since she got pregnant, Danny keeps asking when Lucas and Brad are having kids. Lucas says that Julian would want to place himself in his hypothetical child’s life, and he doesn’t want that.

Alexis tells Julian the kiss meant nothing, and unfortunately, she wasn’t drunk. She was trying to give him a tiny taste of how he treats her. Julian is about to tell her something that’s supposedly a bombshell, when the doorbell rings. It’s Winston. He says he’s there to see Julian and Alexis asks if he works for Julian. Winston says he works with him.

Jason lets himself into the pawn shop. The boss watches on the monitor. Curtis watches as Alexis lets Winston in, and says that’s just weird. Jason checks out the model ship.

Sam shows Lucas pictures of Danny on her phone, and he sees the Chinese food bag by accident. She says it’s just something she’s working on. He tells her that the characters don’t say “good taste” in Chinese.

Jason remembers Winston talking about the ship and how he’s holding it for a customer.

Curtis wonders what the owner of a shady ass pawn shop has going on with Alexis. He hears on the scanner that an armed and dangerous guy has broken into the pawn shop.

Winston comments that Julian has a lovely wife. She says ex-wife, and Winston says Julian must be doing something right. He asks for privacy, and Alexis says he doesn’t need to ask twice. After she’s gone, Winston says that Julian didn’t say anything about relocating, and keeping secrets doesn’t look good. The boss has asked him to show Julian something they’ve been keeping from him.

Andre tells Anna that one of her former classmates or instructors could have given Valentin the information. She doesn’t believe it. She says that Valentin enjoys provoking her, and everything is calculated. Whatever happened between them is personal to him.

Nina tells Valentin that she’s the one taking a big risk. If she has to trust him, he has to trust her. He says he’s spent his life not trusting anyone.

Lulu can’t believe what Laura just asked her to do. Laura says she’s afraid of the consequences Lulu will face if she doesn’t win. She’s asking the court to place Charlotte with a stranger. Lulu says that’s why she needs custody right now, so they can bond. Laura says strike a deal so she can do that, and they can bide their time until the circumstances favor them, and then pull the rug out from under Valentin. She tells Lulu that they have to be patient, but the WSB will get enough information to put him away. Lulu says if Valentin was a good man, she’d be glad to share custody, but she thinks Charlotte is in danger, and one way or another she’ll win.

Nina asks Valentin about the photograph. He says pain is useful and can keep him from making the same mistake again. There was someone he trusted, and he let her see the real him, and she made him pay a steep price. (Anna?) The only one he’s trusted since is Charlotte. Nina says there’s good news – if he let Charlotte in, maybe he’ll let someone else in.

Sam asks Lucas when he started speaking Chinese, and he says he just speaks a little. She asks him to translate. He says it seems to be saying “reincarnation.” I laugh because I totally misunderstood. I guess Good Taste is the restaurant name. I thought Lucas was inferring that the characters were not in good taste and cursed you out or something.

Curtis calls Jason and tells him to get out of the pawn shop; the cops are on their way. We hear sirens and Jason says, too late.

Winston shows Julian security footage of when Alexis hit him. Oh please, can we see him fly in the air again? Nope. Julian says she called 911, and wonders why he was told the footage was unusable. Winston says maybe someone got there first and took out the good parts. He wonders about Alexis’s standing with the bar association if this comes out. Julian says if he harms Alexis, and begins to threaten him, but Winston says Julian won’t let that happen, right? He lets himself out, and Alexis comes back downstairs.

Laura tells Lulu that the next step is for her to sit down with her lawyer and husband and plot the case. Lulu is surprised that Laura isn’t fighting her harder. Laura says bottom line, she has Lulu’s back, and Charlotte belongs with her no matter what.

Nina tells Valentin that they have to look for the photo, but he says someone took it. She wonders if it’s Charlotte, and he says someone else.

Anna tells Andre that she has a bit of a memory. She was young and walking down a corridor, and hears whistling – the same tune that Valentin taught Charlotte. Andre says with the intense training, her memory might not be reliable. Anna starts to tear up. She says even if it’s just a fragment or out of context, she has to get to the end of the memory. She has to walk down the corridor and find out what’s behind the door. She thinks the answers will tumble out when it’s opened. She wants Andre to hypnotize her.

Jason and Curtis come back to Kelly’s. Sam asks what’s wrong. Jason says good thing Curtis has a police scanner because he almost got caught. Curtis tells her that he called 911 to report a scary clown incident down the block to divert them. He says obviously, someone saw Jason.

A cop arrives at the pawn shop. He asks Winston about the security footage, but Winston says the cameras are just for show and haven’t worked in years. He says that the sirens must have scared the intruder off and nothing was taken.

Jason tells Sam that it wasn’t a total loss; he snagged the model ship. It has the same Chinese characters on it that are on the bag. Sam tells them that it means reincarnation.

Winston tells the boss that the model boat is missing.

Curtis wonders if the person Winston met with this morning might give them information. He tells them Winston was with Sam’s mama.

Alexis asks what part of Julian’s work includes her. She wonders why he’s so tense. Julian says if he didn’t know any better, he’d say she was worried about him. She tells him not to flatter himself.

Winston says that Julian has been put in his place for the time being, but he and the boss have a more urgent problem. It’s time to do something about Jason Morgan.

Because the shows are out of sync, there’s no preview, just the extra-long credits where they actually show everyone who worked on GH, which usually happens on Christmas Eve.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Erika is going to the CBS studio to discuss her part on The Young and the Restless, and she’s nervous. In her interview, she talks about when she first moved to LA and went on auditions, and how she’s a showgirl rather than an actress. She makes a good point in saying everyone hits their strides at different times, and she hates when people give you a shelf life, like if you don’t do something by a certain age, you’re done. Says who? she says. You go, Erika Jayne!

Kyle and LisaV meet for drinks. Lisa tells Kyle that West Hollywood is supporting her fight against the Yulin dog meat trade, and she wants to put political pressure on China. In her interview, she says she wants to make it her life’s work to stop dog torture. I love Lisa and want to know when I can move in. They joke about Erika not wearing underwear at the pre-white party kiki. Kyle thinks Dorit is just a little annoyed and not ready to let it go. Lisa says she likes her knickers. Me too.

Erika arrives at the studio, and Eileen meets her. She tells Eileen she doesn’t want to let her down. Executive producer Mal meets with them. We find out that Erika was (loosely) named after Erika Kane on All My Children. They discuss what kind of part she would like. She says she’s more like the hooker next door than the girl next door. He asks if they would like a scene together, and they would. In her interview, Erika jokes that she doesn’t want to single-handedly sink the show.

Dorit and PK take daughter Phoenix to the doctor. She wears a headband because she favored one side while sleeping, and it started to affect her skull. Dorit is hoping they’re getting closer to being able to take it off. They look at before and after pictures, and the doctor says she’s done wearing it. Dorit is ecstatic.

LisaR goes to do her QVC thing. She started with them after her stores tanked, and she has a “today’s special value” going on, which means you sell during a 24-hour period. I gotta say, the duster sweaters she’s selling are nice. She says her hustle has just begun, and you only get an hour’s sleep on a day like this. She’s happy that Harry is at the point where he no longer has to work, because there were so many years where he took parts just to support the family.

Lisa calls Harry. He wonders why she’s selling sweaters in the middle of summer, but she says she’s halfway to her goal. He admits they’re cool sweaters. Told you. Even Harry thinks so. (#WhatDidHarryDo) She asks if he talked to their daughters who are loose in NYC. He says he texted and tracked them, and they were where they were supposed to be. Like a kid can’t figure out a way around that.

Kyle just got back from the callback session for her show. She calls Mauricio and tells him how surreal it is seeing people playing herself and people she knows. She thought Portia was too young to audition, and it would also be too strange. She’s happy that they’ll be filming close to home, and talks about how difficult it is for her and Mauricio to be in the same place at once lately.

Eileen calls QVC saying she wants a sweater in every color. She nicely plugs the line while she’s on the phone.

Giggy! Harrison! LisaV and Ken visit their dog rescue. The manager thanks her for the donation. In her interview, Lisa explains that they started the foundation, and use both donations and their own money. Lisa wants one of the dogs, and Ken says every animal she sees, she wants. She says well, she did marry him. In her interview, she talks about how Ken made a U-turn in the middle of the highway to rescue a dog when they were first dating, and she knew she was going to marry him. He helps groom one of the dogs. They’re also doing a documentary and entering a resolution into Congress about stopping dog torture. Lisa says her life has gone to the dogs, and wonders how many you need before you look like a crazy person. The manager says she’s the wrong person to ask. So am I.

Dorit gets together with LisaR and Eileen, who go nuts over her shoes. Lisa calls her taste “exotic,” and Eileen is shocked that she just had a baby and looks so good. Dorit tells them about Phoenix’s skull problem, and that she’s officially on the other side of it. They talk about the various traumas their children have put them through.

They discuss Erika inviting them to an escape room experience. Eileen suggests no one drink beforehand. Dorit tells them about Erika’s lack of underwear at the kiki. She says she thought that Erika was wearing nude-colored panties, and then realized how hard her husband was staring. Not that she blames him. She says he told her later that it was uncomfortable, even though he couldn’t look away. In her interview, Lisa thinks Dorit is overreacting, and it would be easy to forget about crossing your legs. Um…I don’t think I’d forget. Lisa thinks they’re misjudging Erika because of her looks, and Eileen doesn’t think she was flashing on purpose. Dorit plans on giving Erika some panties, and Eileen wants to witness that.

Kyle meets Dorit for some shopping in one of those rich people stores that has like five dresses. Dorit tells her about having drinks with Eileen and LisaR. They talk about Erika, and Kyle says she doesn’t think Erika did anything on purpose. Dorit tells Kyle about what PK said. In her interview, Dorit says she thinks Erika has a good sense of humor, and buys a pair of lacy panties for her. Kyle thinks it could go terribly wrong, but wants to be there when it happens. What is up with these women?

Eileen tells Erika that Mal wants her to read, and the writers will come up with something for her.  The girls all meet at the escape room place. Dorit says she’s giving Erika a cheeky gift, since they’ve all seen her pretty little puss. Erika isn’t happy about PK seeing the view, and wonders why he didn’t say something. Well, he doesn’t really know Erika, and it’s up there with telling someone their fly is open. Worse. I’m pretty good with things like that, but not everyone is.

Erika takes the undies in good humor. Dorit says the whole thing took on a life of his own. Erika tells her that the only reason she wasn’t wearing underwear was because of the dress. In her interview, Dorit wonders how you wouldn’t know that you’re flashing someone. Erika tells her the more you talk about sh*t the worse it gets, so be careful. Dorit wonders if that’s a threat. She tells Erika that she didn’t want it to be a thing, and they act friendly. LisaV arrives. Erika tells her about the underwear, and Lisa says she already heard about it.

The host gives them instructions on finding clues, etc. It’s cool, like an old, weird apothecary – their adventure is called “The Alchemist” – but looks complicated like a Survivor challenge. They break into teams. LisaV is with Eileen and Dorit. In her interview, Lisa says that she’s escaping from both the room and Eileen. LisaR thinks she’s going to be trapped forever. It looks like fun, and they do pretty well, making it out of the room. Eileen is proud that she and LisaV teamed together, considering where they were a few months ago.

The ladies go for drinks afterward. They’re very proud of themselves. They talk about Kim’s daughter having a baby. In her interview, Kyle says the baby couldn’t come at a better time for Kim, who’s doing well with her sobriety. Kyle says they’re all starving because they’re not used to using their brains so much. LisaV asks what happened, since she wasn’t there for the delivery of the underwear. Omg, let’s keep beating that dead kitty horse. Lisa is disappointed that there isn’t more to the story. Erika says the only thing she feels badly that PK didn’t say something, and Dorit says what I did. Erika says it’s all good. Dorit tells her that they can always have a chat about it, but Erika thinks there’s nothing else to say. In her interview, Kyle says Erika seems cool, but probably wants to take this bitch down. They order another Margarita round. LisaV asks if they’re done with the conversation, and both Dorit and Erika say, “I am.” Wondering about Dorit though…

Next time, LisaR tells the others about Eileen losing her mother, Erika says someone (Dorit?) takes the fun out of hanging out with women, and the no underwear saga continues. 👙

♚ Ladies of London mention. Caroline #1 thinks that her family should just blindly back her even if she does the worst thing in the world, so she’s very disappointed in Alexis Carrington Sophie. Her husband explains that what Caroline is doing is like drinking poison and expecting the other guy to die. Julie is worried that because her daughter likes coffee, the second she goes to university in Scotland, she’ll hole up in a coffeehouse and smoke marijuana. Huh? Marissa’s husband wants to move back to the states, but she’s not too keen on it. She says she’s had enough adventure this year to last her a lifetime. Juliet’s hair keeps getting lighter…and so does her brain since she’s been hanging around with Caroline #1. Caroline #1 actually surprises me by being less of an a-hole this week, finally listening to Adela, who’s going through a bitter and stressful time with her ex. Although it looks like she might make up for that next week, when she’s mean to Caroline #2. Who, btw, is writing a new cookbook, and tells a lovely story about how her passion for food came from her mother and grandmother, talking about picking mushrooms and berries in the forest. We also get a look at the estate she’s responsible for running. Sigh…

📻 And the soundtrack tonight was excellent!

Dec27

December 26, 2016 – It’s Still Christmas Eve in Port Charles & James is Still Fired from PUMP

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Julian tells Alexis that he’s always held on to the hope that they could make a life together again. He tells her that he’s alive because of her, she’s his reason for living and his heartbeat. I gag, but she says she sees him, and they kiss.

Elizabeth has called Scotty to help Franco because she doesn’t want him railroaded by the police.

Jordan is outside talking to someone on the phone about Tom’s murder. There are no witnesses, but they do have a murder weapon. Andre comes along.

Michael offers to give Nell a ride home. He says it’s her Christmas present. Geez, don’t go overboard. They leave, and Sonny tells Carly that she cleared out the place pretty quickly. She says she wanted to be alone with him.

Dante tells Franco that he isn’t under arrest, and Scotty says he wants to keep it that way. Dante says that Franco had a public altercation with Tom, and they want to ask him some questions. He says Tom might have been a degenerate, but he still has to handle the case. Franco says he’s happy to answer any questions and has nothing to hide. Scotty insists on being in the room for any questioning.

Julian tells Alexis that he’s been praying for something like that to happen. Alexis says she didn’t mean it. He tells her that part of her did. She asks which part, so she can have it removed.

Dante talks to Franco about the altercation with Tom at the hospital. He asks if Franco recalls threatening Tom’s life. Franco says yes, but he doesn’t remember exactly what he said. Dante asks Elizabeth if Tom had contacted her, and she says he did, but there wasn’t anything worthy of letting the police know about it. Franco thinks that Tom wanted to bother Elizabeth, and got the job at the hospital to act legitimate. He says he knows nothing about Tom’s death, and an altercation isn’t murder. Dante gets a call and has to leave for a moment.

Scotty tells Franco there’s a Latin phrase that comes to mind – shut up, you dummy. He thanks Elizabeth for having Franco’s back, and leaves to talk to Dante. Elizabeth says the fight Franco and Tom had might not mean anything, but he never finished what it was he wanted to tell her about Tom.

Nell asks Michael if he’d like to come in for tea or hot cocoa, and he says she read his mind. He thanks her for getting the Christmas cookies and talks about going to get them with Morgan when they were kids. Nell says the tribute to Morgan was beautiful, and thanks Michael for including her. He’s surprised she enjoyed it. He says he noticed that when Carly started talking about family, she seemed sad, and asks what that’s about.

Carly says she and Sonny need to talk about something. She says that she knows Sonny and Nell were lying to her, and she knows why. I’ll bet she doesn’t.

Jordan asks Andre what’s up. He says he was at some Kwanza festivities, and explains the holiday to her. He says he sees her eyes glazing over and is afraid he nerded her out. She says no, but she’d like to know what it means to him. He says the seven core principles give him peace of mind and pride. Jordan says it’s been a while since they’ve spoken, and Andre asks her to rectify that right now if she has the time. She says she does.

Julian tells Alexis that he didn’t want this to happen because she was drunk. She insists she isn’t, but we all see how low the level in the bottle is, and it was full when she started. Julian says her drinking is scaring him. She tells him that although she disagrees with his perception, she heard him, and he needs a truth from her.

Carly tells Sonny she knows the gloves were from Nell not him, because he gives jewelry and cars. He says he was afraid that if he gave her something, she’d throw it back at him. He says he can get her something else, but she says she’s happy to just be with him.

Nell tells Michael that she was thinking about her childhood. Christmas was hard. There weren’t many presents because they had difficulty making ends meet. She wished for so many things as a kid, not just big things, but she never got the little ones either. Michael says he’s sorry, but she says it’s not his fault. She says growing up poor and suddenly being surrounded by so much, she gets jealous sometimes.

Franco suggests to Elizabeth that they just get through this first. He apologizes for breaking his promise to stay away from Tom. He says he did something to Tom that seemed like the right thing to protect her. He dances around actually telling her anything, and she asks if he killed Tom.

Andre tells Jordan he’s missed her and she says she’s missed him too. He says he called once, but didn’t leave a message. He realized he wasn’t ready to discuss things yet, but now he’s more than ready. He says the whole thing started because he answered her phone and didn’t tell her Curtis had called, and he never meant to invade her privacy. She says that Curtis was calling about a police matter, and he didn’t give her the message. Andre says he was feeling insecure about the history she and Curtis shared, and he never should have done it. He apologizes and says he’d like to pick up their relationship if she’s willing. She tells him that she accepts his apology, and she’s sorry too. She says she doesn’t want Curtis getting in the way if she and Andre get together again.

Franco tells Elizabeth that he didn’t even know Tom was dead until the police came. He wanted to stop Tom from hurting her, and if Tom missed his parole meeting, he’d go back to prison. Elizabeth asks what he did. He tells her that he got Tom to the studio, drugged him, and put him in a dog crate. He says he was going to let him go after the meeting was missed, but Tom got out and put him in the crate. Elizabeth says he deserved it. He agrees, and says he never saw Tom again after that. Elizabeth tells him it’s wrong on so many levels, and you can’t break the law just because you’re not in agreement with it. He says he wanted to protect the woman he loves. I would have been laughing if my boyfriend said he put a bad guy in a dog crate.

Carly tells Sonny that she didn’t think she could ever be happy again. She knows the anger wasn’t helping and kept her trapped alone with her pain. She says Morgan deserves better; he deserves to be remembered with love and joy. She thinks they did that tonight, and that was her Christmas present. Sonny says him too.

Michael tells Nell that everybody gets jealous, but it’s important not to get stuck there. He says you can miss out on what’s yours if you focus on what others have. He realizes he grew up privileged, but he still felt sorry for himself, and it didn’t get him anywhere. He decided to come up with three things every day to be grateful for, even if they’re small. He says he’s grateful for Josslyn’s health and grateful for Nell. The tea kettle whistles, and Nell accidentally knocks her music box off the table. Michael starts to help her pick it up, but she abruptly tells him no.

Alexis says Julian assumed the alcohol would lower her defenses, and make her nostalgic and kiss him impulsively. She says the kiss was like Duke’s and Carrrlos’s murder; it was premeditated. She tells Julian that because of his narcissism, he thinks she still has feelings for him, but he’s wrong. She wanted him to remember what they had, so she could assure him it will never happen again. I have to admit, that’s a good one.

Franco tells Elizabeth that what he did was twisted, but doesn’t regret the impulse behind it. Dante comes back in and tells them they can go. When he leaves, Scotty tells them that he couldn’t hear much that Dante was saying, but did hear Tom’s name. He instructs them not to talk to the police unless he’s present. Franco says Scotty told him once that a good lawyer doesn’t ask a question he doesn’t want the answer to, and Scotty hasn’t asked if he killed Tom. Scotty says he wants to find out what’s up with the police first, and they’ll talk on the way home. Elizabeth says she’ll drive Franco back.

Nell asks Michael to get the kettle and she’ll clean up. She apologizes for overreacting. She goes to the kitchen to make cocoa, and he eyeballs the music box.

Sonny asks Carly if she wants to come and watch Avery open presents on Christmas. She says she can’t think of anything better. He says he’d like to think that maybe she came for Christmas Eve just a little for him.

Andre tells Jordan that he never planned on not seeing her over the holidays, so he got her a gift. She says she got something for him too, since she thought they’d figure a way to make it work. He says there’s still enough of a holiday season left for them to share. They kiss.

Julian tells Alexis that they both know why she kissed him. It was a poor decision because she’s drunk. She tosses his pill bottles on the couch, and tells him to be secure in the knowledge that she’ll be an excellent nurse, because she wants him out of her house and her life.

Dante brings in the murder weapon. It’s the knife that Tom took from Franco’s studio. No huge surprise there.

Michael and Nell sip cocoa. She wonders if he’s going to ask what’s in the box. He says he thought that if she wanted to, she’d tell him. She explains that it’s a Christmas present from when she was young. She only has a few things from her childhood and they’re all in the box. Not all of them are happy memories, but she keeps them. He says it would be disrespectful to get rid of them. She says she never thought about it that way, but he’s right. She should never forget where she came from.

Carly gets ready to leave. Sonny says he doesn’t want to pressure her, but wants to know if there’s a chance they can find their way back to each other.

Andre tells Jordan it’s been a pretty wonderful Kwanza, Charlie Brown.

Alexis tells Julian they’re done here, and goes upstairs.

Carly tells Sonny that she doesn’t know how she’ll feel tomorrow, but tonight she was exactly where she wanted to be. They don’t kiss.

Nell tells Michael that she thinks she underestimated how tired she was. Michael says he’s got to get going anyway, and thanks her for the cocoa. He leaves and she heaves a huge sigh. She takes a baby rattle out of the box. It has the name Caroline on it.

Scotty is going to hang around and see if he can get something out of Dante. Elizabeth dashes out the door and Franco chases after her. Outside, she tells him that they both know that the knife is the kind that artists use. And he’s an artist.

Tomorrow, Lulu wants to get Charlotte away from Valentine, Jason tells Sam that he and Curtis don’t think Julian is behind the bombing, and Winston tells the boss that Julian needs to learn about consequences.

Vanderpump Rules

Katie’s mom and grandma are helping to fold the tea towel wedding invitations. Kristen and Stassi join them. In her interview, Stassi thinks $18.50 for “a rag” is a bit much, but I actually think it’s a cute and clever idea. Schwartz leaves for a suit fitting.

Peter has texted Kristen about Lala’s infamous Range Rover. Grandma says it’s $750 a month to rent. Some remarks are made about whatever Lala’s arrangement is.

Moving on. Stassi talks about the trip to Montauk. She claims they’ll get the full experience in one weekend. In her interview, Kristen wonders how many Hamptons there are since it’s plural. Stassi says Scheana’s decision about coming with them or not is far reaching, and she’s definitely not exhibiting bridesmaid behavior. Whatever that is. I’ve always been a bride, but never a bridesmaid.

Shay complains to Scheana about making the bed, since it just gets messed up again. Scheana tells Shay about trying to have a conversation with the girls while they were drunk and she was sober. Shay tells her that it seems like Stassi tries to control everyone. In her interview, Scheana says she could do everything right and they’d still find fault with it. Shay suggests she just ignore them and they’ll see how much they miss and need her. I have to disagree about that being good plan. He tells Scheana that they’re a pack of bullies.

James has a new DJ gig. Ariana, Tom, and Lala show up for support. Lala thinks this place is way better than PUMP, and she’s proud of James. Both things are questionable. The club isn’t nearly as upscale as PUMP, even though James tells us it’s between the Whiskey A-GO-GO and the Roxy, and we also see James slugging back cough syrup. Lala is excited to be going on Ariana’s birthday trip. We flash back to last year when she wasn’t invited. She isn’t thrilled that Jax is going, but she’s committed to having a good time.

In her interview, Kristen says her relationship with Jax is complicated. They’re like a stepbrother and sister who have slept together a couple of times. Eww! Jax has some cysts in his chest that were the result of taking “supplements.” Although he’s not going to do anything rash like stop taking them. I have the feeling the “supplements” he’s talking about are called steroids. This dude is such an idiot, I’m amazed he’s lived this long. He and Kristen go to the gym for a boxing workout class.

After the class, Jax asks Kristen about Carter. She says the one difficulty is him having to be away periodically for work. Jax is glad she finally has normal relationship problems. They talk about Ariana’s upcoming birthday.

Katie picks up Lisa’s summer car and gives her the first wedding invitation. In her interview, Lisa says that they’re a bit Bohemian and unique, although not her style, and we flash back to Pandora’s elaborate invites. Katie talks to Lisa about Scheana being ridiculous. Lisa says she got the impression that Katie had gotten drunk and sent her an aggressive text. Lisa brings up Stassi, saying she makes everything worse instead of better, and is very controlling. Katie feels that she can think for herself and that Lisa is being insulting.

Brittany accompanies Jax to the doctor. He tells her that he’s nervous, and she tells him not to worry and that she’ll take care of him. The doctor comes to get him. He’s hoping to get everything, so there doesn’t have to be a repeat performance surgery. They remove what the doctor describes as a hard disk of breast tissue. He believes it’s benign, but is sending it to pathology to be on the safe side.

The surgery is successful. The doctor tells Jax no drinking for now, and Jax wonders how he’s going to survive going to NASCAR and wine country.

Lisa goes into SUR and notices the red bottoms on Lala’s ankle boots. In her interview, Lisa says either Lala is blowing her rent money on shoes or something else is going on. Lala tells Lisa about the birthday trip. She wonders how she’s going to share one bathroom with everyone else. In her interview, Lisa says that Lala loves to create situations and then play the baby girl, and life doesn’t work like that. She gives Lala the sage advice not to take her top off at NASCAR.

James and Raquel go out to lunch. In his interview, James says they have a lot in common. Like eating food. I’m not kidding. That’s what he said. Raquel talks about a beauty contest she has coming up and stresses about walking in a bathing suit and heels. Beautiful people problems. She asks if he got his job back at PUMP, and he says he’s talking to Lisa tomorrow. He tells Raquel that leaving there was like leaving his family. He says if Lisa turns him down, he’s going to keep asking every month.

Jax gets home and Brittany tucks him in on the couch. She explains that his chest is going to be concave until the swelling goes down, and he freaks a little. In her interview, she says he’s needy and grumpy, and constantly asking for food, pretty much like he always is. Schwartz comes by with Tom, bearing gifts of a Hooters T-shirt and a service bell. I’m sure Brittany is ecstatic about the bell. Jax asks if Scheana has decided about the trip. Schwartz says he has no clue, but his main job is just keeping Katie calm.

Stassi’s mother and eleven-year-old brother visit her. Her mother complains about there not being any central air when she’s going through menopause. A girl calls through FaceTime on her brother’s tablet, and Stassi answers it even though he begs her not to. She teases him, but then tells him he can take it in the bedroom. In her interview, she says that she and her brother are very close, which is pretty obvious.

Stassi and her mother discuss the pattern of Stassi and Patrick breaking up and making up. In her interview, Stassi says this time it seems serious and real. She tells her mom about Scheana fighting with the girls, and says she hasn’t spoken with her since.

Scheana and her mother go for mani-pedis. Her mom asks if she’s spoken to the girls. Scheana says she woke up wishing it was just a bad dream. Her mom says that she saw Stassi crying in the bathroom and Scheana doesn’t understand how things get so blown out of proportion. Her mother asks if she thinks Katie will be mad enough to drop her as a bridesmaid, and tells Scheana to fix it soon. Scheana says the Montauk trip is giving her anxiety.

Stassi asks her brother for advice. He asks who started the fight and how much they had to drink, her in particular. Ha-ha! She tells him what Scheana was saying to Katie, and he tells her that her problem is getting in other people’s business. Stassi says sometimes people don’t know when they should apologize, and he says Scheana has to figure that out for herself and Stassi isn’t the boss of everyone. This kid is quite savvy. In her interview, Stassi says she’s not going to listen to an eleven-year-old. I’m not sure why, since he’s apparently more mature than she is.

It’s Ariana’s birthday, so she’s put on her tiara. We flash back to last year when Tom ditched her birthday for Las Vegas, and he says this year he’s planned the birthday trip of a lifetime for her. Lala and James arrive. Is James’s shirt distressed or is he just a slob? In his interview, James says it’s the second year he hasn’t been invited to Ariana’s birthday. He understood last year, but says this time it’s because of Jax. Lala asks if Jax has any problem with her, but Ariana says no. James tries to worm his way into being invited, but Ariana stands firm. She doesn’t want any arguing on the trip. Good luck with that, even without James.

James goes to see Lisa at SUR. When she sees him, she goes ugh! and I laugh. He tells her he misses working there and blah-blah-blah. He curses and she tells him it’s disrespectful. She says she thinks she did him a favor by letting him go. In his interview, James thinks he’s the king of everything and the best DJ in the world. Lisa tells him that he acted like an arrogant little punk and she doesn’t employ arrogant little punks. He says Jax works for her, and she says he doesn’t act out at work. James begs to differ, and Lisa is like, nice, you drop an F-bomb and then call me a liar. She tells him her life is better without him. He keeps yammering on, saying he’s sober now, and Lisa tells him maybe he should investigate another career path. She tells him time is money and asks if they’re done. In her interview, she says you don’t know what you have until it’s gone, and James is gone.

The friends gather at the airport to fly to San Francisco. Lala isn’t there. Both Ariana and Tom have texted her, but Ariana only got a question mark and exclamation point as a reply. In her interview, Ariana wonders if Lala is standing them up. Tom tries to FaceTime her. They board the plane. Still no Lala. Tom says he’ll be pissed if anyone messes up the trip and it’s not looking good for Lala showing up.

Next time, the Montauk trip, the NASCAR trip, and no one can find Lala.

Dec24

December 23, 2016 – Christmas Eve in Port Charles & Wishing You Happy Holidays

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

It’s snowing in Port Charles! Apparently, PC has its own weather bubble, since it’s snowing nowhere near where it’s supposed to be IRL. Anna and Emma enjoy the snow. They talk about family.

Charlotte hangs her stocking. Nina has presents for her, and asks Valentin if she can open one tonight. Valentin thanks Nina for joining them. He tells her about Lulu wanting to sue for full custody.

Lulu tells Dante she shouldn’t have said anything to Valentin, but he says Charlotte will be with them soon. Man, these two are pretty self-righteous. I understand Valentin is a bad guy, but come on. Charlotte obviously loves her father and vice versa.

Elizabeth asks Franco what’s wrong. He says he’d like to talk, but it can wait. Tonight is supposed to be a special night. She says just tell her, and then they can have a magical Christmas Eve. He says it’s not going to be such an enchanting Christmas after she hears what he has to say. It’s about Tom. She says she already knows.

Sam talks to Jason about Sonny’s family being without Morgan this year. He suggests they visit Alexis.

Julian tells Alexis that nobody important was on the phone. She puts some of the ice from his ice pack into a glass and adds vodka. She asks what it is he’s doing for the sake of his children. He says all he can tell her is that there are some things she doesn’t know. Well, that’s stupid. If she knew, she wouldn’t be asking.

Michael takes out the stockings at Sonny’s. He sees Morgan’s and talks about missing him. Sonny hangs it anyway, because Morgan is still with them in spirit. Carly comes in with Avery.

Elizabeth tells Franco that Tom’s parole officer called her as a courtesy. She says no one has seen or heard from Tom, and she was told to take extra precautions, so Franco will have to spend the night now. She basically says if he does, they’ll be sleeping together. The kids come out in elf hats with pointy ears, and Franco says he doesn’t know whether to be joyful or fearful. Jake shows Franco a stocking he made for him.

Nina has given Charlotte some kind of kit to design things. I think jewelry, but I can’t get a good look. Nina talks to Valentin on the side, asking what he’s going to do. He says he has a plan and could use her help.

Emma worries about Charlotte not having a mommy to spend Christmas with. Anna says her father is making a nice Christmas for her. Emma wants to go to Windemere, but Anna says she’s not fooling anybody and they’re not spying today. Everyone gets a collective text from Valentin, inviting them to Windemere. Anna tells Emma that they’ll go if she promises not to snoop.

Julian tells Alexis if he had it to do over again, he would have never called a hit on Duke. There’s a knock at the door. Alexis says she’s not expecting anyone, and the girls will never forgive her if they find out he’s living there.

Sam tells Jason that her mom was clear on wanting time alone. Okay, it’s not them at the door.

Sonny acts like a silly dad, telling Avery about Santa. While the kids look at the tree, Carly and Sonny wish each other a merry Christmas, and he says it looks like it might actually be one. Nope. Nell comes in with some packages, saying she hopes she got everything.

Franco takes the kids to the art therapy room to give out presents. Elizabeth tells Monica about Tom skipping his parole visit. She adds that Franco is spending the night. Monica says most people wouldn’t equate Franco with safety, but she sees how well he does with the kids and how much Elizabeth cares about him.

Nell tells Sonny that Carly wouldn’t take no for an answer, but she won’t suspect anything if no one says anything. Kristina pops into the conversation, saying, suspect what? and Nell says Sonny has a surprise for Carly. Carly shows Sonny some conch shell that’s sentimental. Jason and Sam show up.

Julian had a Christmas tree delivered. He tells Alexis that he knows the situation isn’t ideal. Alexis says you try living with someone who tried to kill you. He asks if she’ll decorate the tree with him. He says maybe they can even find a little joy. Alexis talks about never being happier last Christmas when she trusted him. He says he loves her and always will, and she chugs her drink in reply. He says they do have good memories. It was almost a year ago that he asked her to marry him.

Anna gets to Windemere in record time. She asks Valentin about the story he told her regarding the Russian teacher. She says she’s the one it happened to, not him. She wants to know if he knows her from the WSB. Dante and Lulu arrive with Rocco and Laura. Dante asks what this is all about, and Valentin says Christmas and family. Lulu sees Charlotte hugging Nina and saying she’s glad that Nina is coming for Christmas.

Carly says she knows that Sam knows if the baby is a boy or girl and won’t tell her, so she’s going to pout about it. Michael gives Carly a present. It’s a picture of Morgan dressed as the Little Drummer Boy. They talk about that Christmas. Kristina says before they sink into the maudlin swamp, maybe Sonny wants to show Carly the surprise he has for her. D’oh!

Lulu asks if Charlotte remembers them, like it wasn’t just yesterday they were together, and Charlotte thanks them for coming. Dante gives her a present. Laura says she can see so much of Lulu in Charlotte. The gift is the same thing Nina gave her, and she gives it to Emma. Dante tells Lulu that it will get easier. Laura is teary and says she has to go. Nina tells Lulu she understands how Lulu feels, but she should rethink the idea of full custody. Lulu says, coming from someone who literally stole a baby out of the womb. Ouch. Nina tells her merry Christmas, and tells Valentin she’ll help him.

Emma asks Charlotte if her dad ever talks about an Anna, but she says no.

Anna tells Valentin there’s no mention of him or a Theo at the WSB.

Carly gives Nell a gift. It’s a three-heart necklace. Carly says it’s her, Nell and Josslyn, since they’ll be connected forever. Nell is speechless. Carly says she’ll take Sonny’s gift now, and he says Kristina jumped the gun. Nell says she shopped for Sonny since he couldn’t leave the house, and gives Carly a pair of gloves.

Sam asks Jason if he’s okay. He says it’s a tough night and they’ll just have to get through it. Sonny asks Nell if the gift was really from her, and she says yes. He says he doesn’t like lies upon lies, and she tells him that it proves she’s on his side. Carly wonders what’s up with the two of them.

Franco gives Jake a gift certificate for the Museum of Modern Art in NYC. Jake asks when they can go, but Franco says he has something to tell her mother that she’s not going to like.

Anna goofs around, looking at Valentin with a magnifying glass. He asks her why she’s so obsessed with the truth. Dante needs to leave on police business, but Lulu wants to stay. She says Anna is there, and Valentin won’t pull anything.

Alexis says not bad for a tree she didn’t want. Did Julian decorate that by himself? Not bad for a guy who can’t move around too well. The vodka bottle is almost empty, and I’m wondering how she can even be standing and talking. Julian gives her a gift. He says it’s a little past it’s “use by” date. It’s a Christmas tree pin with their wedding picture in it. Alexis wonders how they got here, and tells him the wreckage is all his fault, handing him back the box. He says he’s sorry, and she says she wishes it mattered. He says after she hit him in the parking lot, he felt himself getting cold and things getting dark. He could sense himself letting go, but heard her voice calling him back. She says she was afraid he was going to die. He says that’s why he’s alive, and to tell him that it matters.

Franco takes Elizabeth aside. He says he’s going to tell her the truth.

Carly asks Jason why Sonny and Nell are putting their heads together. Sam tells Jason that Monica is expecting them. Jason pulls Sonny away and tells him they’re getting closer to exonerating him. He’s hoping that he and Carly can start healing.

Sonny tells Carly that just a few weeks ago, it seemed impossible that she’d be here. She gathers the family to honor Morgan. She tells Nell she’s been a gift to the family since they lost Morgan, and wants her to join them. They hold hands around a candle and the picture. She thanks Michael for choosing to comfort his family over his grieving.

Just as Franco is about to tell Elizabeth about Tom, Jason and Sam show up with Danny. Monica asks them to just let it go tonight for Elizabeth’s sake, meaning their animosity toward Franco.

Oh crap, at the hospital, everyone gathers for the Christmas story and this always makes me cry, because I think of Steve Hardy and Alan. Monica says that this year, she wants them to consider what Christmas is about. She says even if your naughty, Christmas gives us the grace to forgive, open our hearts, and hope for a brighter tomorrow, even if there has been recent darkness.

Lulu thanks Valentin for inviting him, but says it doesn’t change anything and this is the last Christmas she’s waking up without her daughter. Charlotte thanks Nina, and Nina thanks the both of them for making this the best Christmas she’s ever had.

Outside, Emma tells Anna she has a bonus gift for her. She hands Anna the picture of her younger self that Valentin had. I can’t wait to hear how she got her hands on that.

Sonny’s family continues to talk about Morgan. Carly says somehow, somewhere, he knows they love him, and he’s here with them. She says he’s lighting the way for Santa and the angels to find them, and give them strength and faith. She says they still have each other, and their hope and love.

Monica tells everyone that as well as evil, there are also angels, but they’re unpredictable. She says Christmas is about letting in special grace and finding goodness in others and ourselves, and trying to make this a better world. Sam and Jason smile at each other.

Franco tells Elizabeth that he did something to Tom. Dante comes into the hospital with an officer. Tom was found stabbed to death. So much for his part.

Alexis asks Julian if he’s in there. He says he’s alive because of her. She’s his breath and heartbeat and life. She says she sees him. They kiss. Oh…mo.

On Monday, Carly knows Sonny and Nell are lying, Andre sees Jordan, and Elizabeth asks Franco if he killed Tom.

See you on Monday!

merrychristmas

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